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Folk-lore of Shakespeare, by T.F. Thiselton Dyer, [1883], at sacred-texts.com
Aconite, its deadly poison, 190.
Agate, applied to a diminutive person, 12, 360.
Ague, spider, a cure for, 243.
Air, drizzling dew, 86.
All hid, all hid, children's game, 371.
All Souls’ Day, 307.
Almanacs, 474.
Alms drink, 495.
Alphabet, called Christ-cross-row, 477.
Amaimon, name of Evil Spirit, 57.
Anemone, legend relating to, 192.
Antic, a dance, 398.
Ants, 236.
Ape, term of contempt or endearment, 152–153; leading of in hell, 153.
Apple-John, name of apple, 193.
Apple-Squire, 193.
Ariel, fairy so called, 79–80, 153.
Aroint thee, meaning of, 39.
Aspen, trembling of, 198; supplied wood of Cross, 197–198.
Ass, 153.
Astrology, 78.
Audry's (St) Day, 305; lace, 305.
Baby-in-the-eye, 452.
Backgammon, 372.
Badge of Poverty, 489.
Baffle, old punishment, 407.
Bagatelle, 396.
Bakie bird, name for Bat, 154.
Balm, curative properties of, 199; as oil of consecration, 199.
Bandy, term at tennis, 395.
Barbason, Evil Spirit, 57.
Barbers’ forfeits, 501.
Barefoot, dancing, 332.
Barla breikis, 372.
Barley-break, 372.
Barley-broth, 200.
Barnacle goose, 93.
Bartholomew's (St) Day, 301.
Bartholomew Fair, 302; pigs, 310.
Base, old game, 373.
Basilisk, 164.
Basons, burning, held before the eyes, 406.
Bat, superstitions relating to, 153.
Bat-fowling, 374.
Batchelor's-buttons, 198.
Bate, term in falconry, 118.
Bay-tree, ominous, 200.
Bear, folk-lore of, 154; caught by mirrors, 155; baiting, 153–157.
Beard, customs associated with, 454 mutilation of, considered an outrage, 455; stroking of, preparatory to a favour, 455–456; swearing by, 456; shape of, 456; characteristic of a witch, 28.
Beauty, characteristic of fairies, 10.
Bedfellow, custom of having, 489.
Beef, supposed to impair intellect, 456.
Beetle, old name for, 95.
Belemnites, 87.
Bell, tolling of at funerals, 358; curfew, 81, 489.
Belly-blind, old game, 384.
Bergomask dance, 399.
Bid the base, 374.
Bilboes, punishment, 408.
Billiards, 374.
Bird-batting, 374.
Birding, term for hawking, 121.
Biting of thumb, as an insult, 460.
Bitter-sweeting, apple so called, 193.
Blackbird, 95.
Black Monday, 284.
Bleeding, custom of in spring, 251; cures for, 249.
Blessed thistle, 211.
Blindness, 251.
Blister, superstition relating to, 251.
Blood, thickened by emotional influences, 447; phrases connected with, 446–7.
Blood-drinking sighs, 272.
Blood-sucker, name for leech, 264.
Blue-bottle, insects so called, 236.
Body, trembling of; 445.
Boiling to death, old punishment, 406.
Bone-ace, old game, 375.
Bone-ache, 252.
Boots, to give the, harvest custom, 302. Bots, 237.
Brain, notions relating to, 448.
Brain-pan, name for skull, 449.
Brand, old punishment, 409.
Breech, term for whip, 409.
Breese, 238.
Bridal-bed, blessing of, 333; decorating with flowers, 333; couple, serenaded, 335.
Bride-ale, 293.
Bride's veil, 331; hair loose at wedding ceremony, 331.
Brine, soaking in, old punishment, 407.
Bruise, remedies for, 252.
Bubukle, name for pimple, 252.
Bullfinch, 96.
Bully-rook, term of reproach, 144.
Buzzard, 95.
By-drinkings, 495.
Cakes and ale at festivals, 311.
Camomile, 200.
Canary, old dance, 399.
Candles of the night, stars so called, 79.
Carbuncle, supernatural qualities of; 366.
Cards, playing, 376.
Carnations, 209.
Carp, most cunning of fishes, 466.
Carraways, 196.
Castor and Pollux, meteors so called, 79.
Cat, familiar of witches, 159–162; said to have nine lives, 162; used as a term of contempt, 163.
Cataract, 253.
Cattle, destroyed by witches, 37.
Ceremonies, omens from sacrifices, 475.
Chaffinch, 95.
Challenge, glove sent as a, 504.
Chameleon, said to feed on air, 164; changes colour, 164.
Charity (St), 301.
Charles's Wain, 76.
Charms, 475.
Check, term in hawking, 116.
Cherry-pit, old game, 377.
Cherry-tree, in connection with cuckoo-rhyme, 105.
Chester mysteries, 292.
Chewet, meaning of term, 96.
Chilblains, 254.
Children of the revels, 279.
Christ-cross-row, name for alphabet, 477.
Christening Day, 318.
Christenings, entertainments at, 318.
Christmas, customs at, 309; carol, 309; Eve, cock crow on, 98; gambol, 310; wassail-bowl at, 310; candle, 310; mummers, 310–311; nutmeg, gift at, 220.
Christom Child, 319.
Chrysolite, supernatural virtues of; 367.
Cicely (St), 301.
Cinders of the elements, stars so called, 79.
Cinque-pace, old dance, 399.
Clacking at Easter, 284.
Clare's (St) fire, meteor so called, 79.
Closing eye of the dead, 349.
Clouds, weather-lore of, 91.
Cloud-in-the-face, term applied to a horse, 180.
Clover-flowers, 201.
Cob-webs, used for staunching blood, 250.
Cock-a-hoop, applied to a reckless person, 101.
Cockatrice, superstitions relating to, 164–166; applied to a loose woman, 166.
Cock-boat, 102.
Cock-chafer, old name for, 95.
Cock, crows on Christmas Eve, 98; spirits disappear at cock-crow, 45.
Cock-fighting, 99.
Cockle, badge of pilgrims, 467.
Cocklight, 150.
Cock's body, 101.
Cock-shut time, name for twilight, 150.
Cock's passion, 101.
Codling, apple so called, 195.
Cold-palsies, 267.
Colt, its metaphorical use, 166; pixey, 6.
Columbine, a thankless flower, 201.
Comets, considered ominous, 84–85.
Cony-catch, term for cheating, 185.
Cooling-card, 390.
Coranto, old dance, 400.
Cormorant, 102.
Corpse, unlucky to keep on board, 348.
Cotswold-games, 297.
Couch grass, 230.
Coventry mysteries, 294.
Crab, name of apple, 194.
Crants, name for garlands, 352.
Cricket, a good omen, 237; unlucky, 484
Crispin's (St) Day, 305.
Crocodile, tears of, 166; said to be deceitful, 166.
Cross, wood of; 197.
Cross-bow, shooting with, 168.
Cross-road, suicides haunt, 359.
Crow, bird of ill-omen, 102–103.
Crow-flowers, 201.
Crow-foot, 202.
Crow-keeper, 103.
Crown, burning, placed on criminals, 409.
Cry, applied to pack of hounds, 169.
Cry-budget, a watchword, 497.
Crystal, old term for the eye, 453.
Cuckold, 107.
Cuckoo, superstitions connected with, 104–107.
Cuckoo-buds, 201.
Cuckoo-flowers, 202.
Cuerpo-Santo, meteor so called, 80.
Curtal dog, 173.
Cut, name for a horse, 182.
Cuttle, a foul-mouthed person so called, 467.
Cypress, 202.
Daffodil, weather-lore of, 203.
Dancing, ascribed to fairies, 17.
Dark-house, term for a mad-house, 48, 262.
Darnel, 202.
Date, 203.
Dead, burying of; in their ordinary dress, 355; feasts of the, 355; tombs of; ornamented, 354; cannot die on pigeons' feathers, 345; closing eyes of; 349; decorated with flowers, 351.
Dead-men's fingers, orchis so called, 215.
Death and burial customs, 340–361.
Death, prophecy at point of; 340; high-spirits presage impending, 341; warnings at time of, 342–343; watch, 484; delayed until ebb of tide, 348; devil seizes soul at, 343.
Death-head rings, 364.
Deer, hunting customs relating to, 167–171; shooting at with cross-bow, 168; tears of, 170.
Deformed children, 74.
Deformity, superstitions connected with, 254.
Demoniacal possession, 445. Demonology, 49–58.
Dennis (St), patron saint of France, 306.
Devil, cloven foot of, 53.
Devil's Dyke, myth of, 179.
Dew, its supposed virtues, 85; curious notions respecting, 60.
Dice, 378.
Disedge, term in falconry, 120.
Divine right of kings, 486.
Dog, its howl ominous, 171, 484; rides with ghosts, 46–47; days, 173, 300; killer, 173.
Domestic fowl, 507.
Dove, customs associated with, 107–109; Mahomet's, 109; of Venus, 108–109.
Dragon, type of evil, 173; draws chariot of night, 174; folk-lore of, 175.
Dreams, prognostics of good and evil, 477; malicious spirits torment their victims in, 478.
Dribble, term in falconry, 386.
Drowning, dangerous to save a person from, 255.
Duck, to swim like a, 109.
Duck-hunting, 509.
Duels, 478.
Dun in the mire, Christmas game, 178.
Dwarf elder, superstition connected with, 205.
Eagle, gazes on the sun, 110; its great age, 111; bird of good omen, 111; selected for Roman standard, 111.
Ear, tingling of; 450; biting of, expression of endearment, 451; want of; for music, 451.
Earnest-money, 496.
Earthquakes, cause of; 88; ominous, 88, 484.
Easter-day, dancing of sun on, 60–61 clacking at, 284; new clothes worn on, 283; Monday, 284.
Ebb of tide, death delayed until, 348.
Ebony, emblem of darkness, 204.
Eclipses, savage notions respecting, 68; unlucky, 69, 484; a bad omen, 62.
Eels, roused by thunder, 88.
Eggs in moonshine, 74; witches sail in, 34.
Eisel, name for vinegar, 275.
Elberich, 14.
Elbow, itching of, 451.
Elder, tree on which Judas hanged himself; 204–205; plant of bad omen, 204.
Elements, the four, 445.
Elephant, said to have no joints, 175; capture of; 176.
Elfin-grey, 16.
Elmo's (St) stars, 80.
Elves, 9.
Emboss, applied to deer, 169.
Engine, name for the rack, 412.
Emmew, a term in falconry, 120.
Equinox, weather-lore of, 89.
Eryngoes, 205.
Etheldredra's (St) Day, 305.
Evil-spirits, assume various forms, 50; a dead friend, 52.
Exorcism of spirits, 42.
Eyas-musket, name for a young sparrow-hawk, 145.
Eye, closing of at death, 348; bitten, 315; blueness of, 452; the evil eye, 315, 452.
Face, to play the hypocrite, 455. Fading, a dance, 400.
Fairies, assume various forms, 11; attentive to youthful dead, 21; beauty of; 10; fond of cleanliness, 18; diminutiveness of, 12; dislike irreligious people, 17; dress of, 16; enrich their favourites, 20; exchange children, 23; expeditious in their actions, 20; fatal to speak to, 20; fond of dancing and music, 17; haunts of, 14–15; immortality of, 11; kind to mortals, 19; malignant, 21–2; mischievous, 22; perpetual youth of, 11; vanish at will, 11.
Fairy-revels, 17.
Falcon-gentle, species of hawk, 148.
Falling-sickness, 256.
Fast and Loose, a cheating game, 379.
Feet, stumbling of, unlucky, 454.
Fencing, 379.
Fennel, an inflammatory herb, 205.
Fern, renders invisible, 206.
Feux-follets, name for Will o’ the Wisp, 83.
Fever, spider, a cure for, 243.
Fiery dragon, 8,.
Fiery trigon, 176.
Fig, phrases connected with, 207–208.
Filliping the toad, game of boys, 381.
Finch egg, 96.
Finger, itching of, 451.
Finger-stone, 87.
Fistula, 256.
Fit, 257.
Fitchew, 185.
Flagellation, treatment for persons possessed, 53.
Flap dragon, 380.
Flap-jacks, name for pancakes, 281.
Flaws, sudden bursts of wind, 90.
Fleas, loach said to breed, 468.
Fleshment, military term, 508.
Fleur-de-lys, 208.
Flibbertigibbet, a fiend, name also for ignis fatuus, 6, 57, 81, 254.
Flitter-mouse, term for the bat, 153.
Flower-de-luce, 208.
Flowers, carried on a maiden's coffin, 352; for decorating corpses, 351; on graves, 350–251; at weddings, 337.
Flowering Sunday, 351.
Fly, form of an evil spirit, 51.
Football, 382.
Forelook, term for evil-eye, 315.
Forfeits, 501.
Fortune-tellers, 479.
Fox, hunting of, 176; a weapon so called, 176.
Frateretto, fiend so called, 57.
Friar's lantern, name for ignisfatuus, 83.
Frogs, used for divination, 238.
Fullams, false dice, 378.
Funeral rites, supposed necessity for, 44, 359.
Gadfly, 238.
Gage, a glove so called, 504.
Garters, 502.
Gall of goat, used by witches, 177.
Galliard, dance, 399.
Gambling, 501.
Game laws, 170.
Gaudy days, 502.
George (St) and Dragon, myth of, 174.
George's (St) Day, 282.
Giants, belief in, 480.
Gib cat, 163.
Gilliflower, 209.
Gimmal ring, 327.
Gleek, old game, 383.
Glove, worn as a favour, 503; memorial of a friend, 503; signal of a challenge, 504; a pledge, 505; scented, 505.
Glow-worm, superstition relating to, 129.
Goat, superstition relating to, 177.
"God save the mark," exclamation, 497.
God's tokens, plague-spots, 268.
Gold, melted, poured down the throat, 347; chains, worn by persons of rank, 511; medicinal virtues of; 257.
Golden-russeting, name of an apple, 195. Gold-finch, 64, 113.
Good Friday, 283.
Good Lubber, name of a spirit, 8.
Good year, corruption of goujere, 258–259.
Goose, emblem of cowardice, 113; terms connected with, 112–113.
Gossamer, notions relating to, 244.
Gossip's bowl, 194.
Gourd, a false dice, 178.
Gout, 271.
"Grand liquor," the aurum potabile of alchymists, 258.
Grave, position of, 359; yards, haunted by spectres, 358.
Gudgeon, 467.
Guinea-hen, 107.
Gull, term for a fool, 113; used for a trick or imposition, 113.
Gull-catcher, applied to sharpers, 114; groper, 114.
Gurnet, term of reproach, 468.
Habundia, Mab, perhaps a contraction of; 4.
Hack, punishment of knight, 407.
Hag-seed, 39.
Haggard, term in hawking, 115.
Hair, antipathy to red and yellow, 454–455; denotes want of intellect, 433, 457; stands on end through fear, 457; turns white through sorrow and fear, 458; used metaphorically, 458; bride's dishevelled at wedding ceremony, 331.
Halcyon-days, 123.
Halidom, meaning of, 497.
Hallowmass, 306.
Hand, palmistry of, 459; worms bred in fingers of idle servants, 459; terms associated with, 460-461.
Hare, a melancholy animal, 177; proverb relating to, 433.
Harebell, 209.
Hare-lip, supposed to be work of fairy, 46,.
Harrie-racket, old game, 371.
Hart-royal, 168.
Havoc, to cry, 514.
Hawk, catching game with, 115-121; to seel a, 119; training of; 119; to imp a, 121.
Hay, old dance, 401; exclamation, 497.
Head, physiognomy of; 461.
Heart, seat of understanding, 462; courage, 462; death from broken, 461.
Heart's-ease, nickname of; 215; used for love-philtres, 215.
Hecate, 34.
Hedgehog, said to suck udders of cows, 178; familiar of witches, 178; legends connected with, 178–179; a term of reproach, 179.
Helen's (St) fire, meteor so called, 79.
Helme's (St) fire, 79.
Hemlock, its poisonous character, 209–210; supposed to be death-drink of Greeks, 210; nickname for, 212.
Henbane, 211.
Herb of Grace, 211.
Herm's (St) fire, meteor, 79.
Herne's oak, 221.
Heron, used in hawking, 122.
Hid, or hide fox, game so called, 384.
High spirits, a bad omen, 341.
Hippopotamus, 473.
Hob-and-his-lanthorn, 82.
Hobbididance, evil spirit so called, 57.
Hobgoblin, 7.
Hobby-horse, character in morris-dance, 290; applied to a loose woman, 291.
Hock-cart, at harvest-home, 313.
Hold, term in fighting, 497.
Holy Cross Day, 304.
Holy Rood Day, 304.
Holy-thistle, 211.
Honey-dew, 86.
Honey-stalks, name for clover-flowers, 201.
Hoodman blind, 384.
Horn-mad, 262.
Horse, fairies play pranks with, 179; witches harass, 180; terms connected with, 180–181; forehorse of a team decorated, 181; hair, notion respecting, 180; racing, 380.
Humbuz, name for cock-chafer, 95.
Hunting customs, 169.
Hunt's up, morning song to a newly-married couple, 169, 335.
Hysteria, 259.
Idiots, said to be fairies’ children, 314.
Imp, term in falconry, 121.
Incubi, class of devils, 74.
Infection, notions respecting, 260.
Iniquity, character in old miracle-plays, 295.
Insane-root, 211.
Insanity, influenced by moon, 69–70, 261.
Irreligious persons, fairies dislike, 17.
Ivy, hung at door of a vintner, 212.
Jack-a-lantern, 82.
Jack-a-lent, 281.
Jack-a-wad, 82.
Jackdaw, 97.
Jaundice, spider a cure for, 243.
Jay, applied to loose woman, 122.
Jesses, trappings of hawks, 118.
Jesus, inscribed on letters, 509.
Jews, torturing of, 443.
Jew's eye, 443.
Jig, an old dance, 40.
Joan-of-Arc, 25.
Joan-in-the-wad, 82.
John (St) Baptist's Day, 300.
John's (St) Wort, divination by, 299.
Judas, hanged himself on an elder, 204; kiss, 506.
Justice-jarvis, old pastime, 393.
Kecksies, stalks of hemlock, 212.
Kestrel, applied to hawk, 122.
Key-cold, meaning of, 250.
Kid-fox, game, 384.
King-fisher, weather-lore of; 123; hung up in cottages, 123.
Kings, supernatural authority of; 486.
King's evil, 262.
Kiss, at betrothal, 325; at marriage ceremony, 336; fee of lady's partner, 505; saluting ladies with, 506.
Kissing comfits, 506.
Kit-with-the-can-stick, 83.
Kite, bird of ill-omen, 124; curious notion respecting, 124.
Knot-grass, hinders growth, 213.
Lace songs, 507.
Lachrymatory vials, 357.
Lady-bird, term of endearment, 239.
Lady smocks, 213.
Lamb ale, 293.
Lamb-mass, 300.
Lamb's wool, 194.
Lambert's (St) Day, 304.
Lammas Day, 300.
Lamps, perpetual, 360.
Lapwing, an eccentric bird, 124; symbol of insincerity, 125; draws pursuers from its nest, 125.
Lark, changes eyes with toad, 126; song of, 126; mode of capturing, 126.
Laudatory verses, affixed to tombs, 354.
Laugh-and-lie-down, game at cards, 385.
Laurel, symbol of victory, 213.
Lavolta, French dance, 402.
Leap-frog, 385.
Leather-coat, name of apple, 195.
Leech, 264.
Leek, on St David's Day, 214, 284.
Lent, Jack-a-lent made at, 281; flesh meat not sold during, 282.
Leprosy, 264.
Lethargy, confounded with apoplexy, 264.
Letters, Emmanuel prefixed to, 507.
Light-o’-love, tune of dance, 402.
Lightning, persons struck by, accounted holy, 87.
Lily, 214.
Lion, supposed generosity of, 182; will not injure a royal prince, 183; kept without food, 183.
Liver, seat of love, 462; absence of blood in, 448.
Livery, to sue one's, 508.
Lizard, said to be venomous, 239; used by witches, 239.
Loaf-mass, 300.
Lob's pound, 8.
Loggat, game so called, 365.
Long-purples, name of orchis, 214.
Loose, term in archery, 371.
Lord Mayor's Day, 308; show, 296; fool, 306.
Love-charms, 337.
Love-day, 508.
Love-in-idleness, 215.
Love-lock, 450.
Lovers, eccentricities of, 339, 382, 447, 502.
Lucky-days, 481.
Mag-pie, regarded as mysterious bird, 127–128; charms for averting ill-luck of, 128; nicknamed magot-pie, 127.
Magic, system of; 482; verses, 477.
Mahomet's dove, 109.
Mandrake, resemblance of to human figure, 216; watched over by Satan, 218; its groans, 216; superstitions relating to, 217–218.
Manningtree-ox, 297.
Marbles, 386.
Marigold, opens its flowers at sun's bidding, 218.
Marriage, 321–329; ceremony on Sunday, 336–337.
Martin, unlucky to molest a, 128; builds near human habitations, 128.
Martin's (St) Day, 308; summer, 123.
Martlemas, 308.
Marybud, name for marigold, 219.
Maukin, used for hare, 159.
May-day observances, 287.
Maying, going a, 288.
Meadow-cress, 202.
Measles, 264.
Medlar, applied to woman of loose character, 219.
Merlin's prophecies, 479, 483.
Meteors, regarded as ominous, 84, 484; names for, 79.
Metrical charms, 477.
Michaelmas, 305.
Midsummer Eve, 206, 299; man, 299; watch, 296.
Military lore, 508.
Mill, name for nine men's morris, 388.
Mines, guarded by evil spirits, 56; true-penny, mining term, 509.
Minnow, term of contempt, 472.
Miracle plays, 293.
Mirror, bears surprised by, 155.
Mistletoe, notions respecting, 219.
Mock-water, 277.
Moist-star, name for moon, 70.
Moldwarp, term for mole, 184.
Mole, said to be blind, 183,
Moles, on body, ominous, 403.
Moon, adoration of, 66; eclipse of, 67–69; man in the, 65–66, 231; sanguine colour of, 69, 484; paleness of, 69; weather-lore of, 73–77; insane persons affected by, 69; swearing by, 67;
enchantment of; 68; invocation of, 66; inconstancy of, 67; horns of, 73; moisture of, 70; influence over agricultural affairs, 72; waxing and waning of, 72; affected by witchcraft, 68.
Mooncalf; 74.
Moralities, 295.
Morris-dance, 175, 289, 292, 405.
Mother, name for hysteria, 259.
Mother of all humours, the moon, 71.
Mouse, term of endearment, 184.
Mouse-hunt, 184.
Mummy, 265.
Murdered persons, bleed at approach of murderer, 486.
Mushroom, superstitions relating to, 220.
Music, ascribed to fairies, 17; as a medical agency, 261; cure for madness, 261; at funerals, 358; weddings, 330; of the spheres, 76.
Muss, a scramble, 386.
Mustard, 220; seed, one of the fairies, 9.
Narcissus, legend concerning, 220.
Negro, form of evil spirit, 50.
Nicholas' (St) Day, 308–309; patron of children, 308; clerks, cant term for highwaymen, 309.
Night-crow, 141; heron, 141; raven, 141.
Nightingale, sings with breast on thorn, 128; evil spirits assume form of; 51; devoured by glow-worm, 129.
Nightmare, charms for, 266.
Nine-holes, old game, 387.
Nine men's morris, rustic game, 386.
Nine Worthies, the, 296.
Noddy, game at cards, 388.
Nose, bleeding of; unlucky, 250, 484.
Novem quinque, game of dice, 388.
Numbers, odd, 38.
Nuptial kiss, 330.
Nutmeg, gift at Christmas, 220.
Oak, crown of; a mark of honour, 220–221; Herne's, 221.
Oberon, King of Fairyland, 2–3.
Obidicut, evil spirit, 58.
Odd numbers, 38.
Olive, emblem of peace, 220–221.
One-and-thirty, old game, 375.
Osprey, fascinating influence of, 130.
Ostrich, extraordinary digestion of; 130–131.
Otnit, German story of; 3, 14.
Ouph, name for fairy, 8–9, 16.
Our Lady's smock, 213.
Ousel, name for blackbird, 95.
Owl, bird of ill-omen, 131–132; legend concerning, 133.
Owlet's wing used by witches, 132.
Oysters, proverb relating to, 438.
Paddock, term for toad, 135, 247.
Pageants, 295.
Palm, symbol of victory, 222.
Palmers, name for pilgrims, 222.
Paralysis, 267.
Parish-top, 388.
Parrot, restless before rain, 134; taught unlucky words, 134.
Partridge, 125.
Passing-bell, 344.
Patrick (St), drives reptiles from Ireland, 242; his festival, 285; purgatory, 286, 346.
Patrons, praying for, 510.
Pavan, a dance, 403.
Peacock, its proverbial use, 135.
Peajock, peacock so called, 135.
Pearls, swallowing of; 367; powdered, thrown over sovereigns, 367; medicinal properties of, 368; legendary origin of, 368.
Peas-blossom, name of fairy, 9.
Peascod-wooing, 223.
Peg-a-lantern, 82.
Peg-morris, game so called, 387.
Pelican, feeds young ones with her blood, 135–136; hatched dead, 136.
Periapts, 475.
Pheasant, 137.
Philip, name for sparrow, 145.
Philomel, term for nightingale, 130.
Philosopher's stone, 267.
Phœnix, rises from its own ashes, 137.
Pigeon, feathers of unlucky, 345; used as carrier, 138–139; constancy of; 139.
Pike, old name for, 472.
Pilgrims, 222.
Pillory, mode of punishment, 410.
Piskey, Cornish name for fairy, 6.
Pismire, name for ant, 236.
Pixy, name for fairy, 6; led, misled by fairies, 8.
Planets, 74; influence of; 75; irregular motion of; 74.
Plantain, its medicinal use, 73, 224; water, 252.
Plica-polonica, 252.
Pluck-a-crow, 104.
Plucking-geese, a boy's sport, 112.
Plurisy, 265.
Poake-ledden, 8.
Poison, vulgar error relating to, 269.
Pole-cat, 185.
Pomander, 270.
Pomewater, name of apple, 195.
Pooka, 6.
Poor man's parmacetti, 252.
Poperin, name for pear, 222–223.
Popinjay, name for parrot, 134.
Poppy, deadly qualities of, 224.
Porcupine, darts his quills, 185.
Porpoise, weather-lore of, 472.
Portents, belief in, 484.
Posy rings, 364.
Potatoes, 224.
Poverty, badge of, 489.
Prayers of Church, morbific influence of, 349; witches say backwards, 39.
Press, old torture, 410.
Primavista, game at cards, 389.
Primero, 389.
Primrose, 225.
Priser, term for a wrestler, 397.
Prison bars or base, rustic game, 373.
Proud-tailor, name for goldfinch, 113.
Puck, name of fairy, 5–8, 11, 82.
Push, exclamation, 498; pin, game, 390.
Puttock, name for kite, 124.
Quails, 139; fighting, 139–140.
Quarry, term in falconry, 117.
Quintain, 390.
Quoits, 391.
Race of horses, term for a stud, 183.
Rack, torture of, 411.
Racking-clouds, 91.
Rainbow, 86.
Rapture, name for trance, 257.
Rat, rhymed to death, 185; leaving a ship ominous, 186.
Raven, bird of ill-omen, 140; supposed longevity of, 140; deserts its young, 142; feathers, used by witches, 142.
Red-blood, sign of courage, 447.
Red-pestilence, 269.
Reed, for shepherds’ pipes, 225.
Rere-mouse, name for bat, 153.
Rheumatism, 271.
Rhyne toll, old manorial custom, 158.
Rings, symbolical use, 362; exchange in marriage contracts, 323; death's head, 364; running for the, 391; rush, 229; posy, 364; token, 363; thumb, 365.
Rivo, an exclamation, 498.
Robin Hood, 291.
Robin Redbreast, covers dead bodies with leaves, 143–144.
Rook, weather-lore of, 144.
Rook, bird of good omen, 144; deserting a rookery, 144.
Rose, associated with "Wars of Roses," 227; divination by, 299; symbolical use, 225; customs connected with, 225–227; cakes, 226; water, 226.
Rosemary, strengthens memory, 227; symbol of remembrance, 227; at weddings and funerals, 228; for garnishing dishes at Christmas, 228.
Roundel, a dance, 403.
Rouse, 496.
Ruddock, name for redbreast, 143.
Rue, divination by, 299
Running for the ring, 392; the figure of eight, 392; counter hunting term, 168.
Rush-bearings, 229.
Rush candle, 229.
Rush ring, 226.
Sabbath of witches, 29.
Sagittary, 510.
Salad-days, 510.
Saliva, medical notion respecting, 272.
Salt, used metaphorically, 510; sitting below the, 494.
Sampson, Agnes, reputed witch, 32.
Satyr's dance, 403.
Scale of dragon, used by witches, 174.
Scambling days, 283.
Scammell or Scamel, 114.
Scare-crow, 103.
Scrofula, cure for, 262.
Sea, source of dew, 86; persons drowned in, 359; -eagle, name for osprey, 130; gull, 114; mell or mew, 114; monster, 473.
Secondary rainbow, 86.
See-saw, game, 392.
Seel, term in falconry, 119.
Serpent, called a worm, 240; its forked tongue supposed to injure, 240; said to cause death without pain, 241 used by witches, 241; emblem of ingratitude, 241; cures for bite of, 242; driven out of Ireland by St Patrick, 242–243; casting of its slough, 242.
Serpigo, name for skin disease, 271.
Servants, taking oath of fidelity, 511; gold chains worn by, 511; attend bare-headed, 511-512.
Sheep-shearing customs, 298.
Sheer-ale, 496.
Shepherd's Mill, 388; purse, 252.
Shepherd-queen, 298.
Sheriff's post, 512.
Shoe-tye, name for a traveller, 512.
Shoeing-horn, 512.
Shooting-stars, 484.
Shove-groat, 392; half-penny, 393.
Shrouding sheet, 357.
Shrove Tuesday, 280.
Sickness, 271.
Sieve, used by witches, 33; toss in a, punishment so called, 413.
Sigh, notions respecting, 271.
Signature, doctrine of, 206.
Silence before thunder, 88.
Six worthies, 297.
Skimmington, old ceremony of, 415.
Slide board, or groat, 393; thrift, 393.
Slip-thrift, 393.
Slough of snake, 242.
Slow-worm, 240.
Smulkin, evil spirit, 58.
Smithfield fair, 301.
Snails, charming of, 187–188; omens of fine weather, 187.
Sneak cup, 496.
Snick-up, exclamation, 498.
Snipe, applied to foolish man, 144–145.
Snow-balls, 393.
So-ho! exclamation, 498.
Solemn supper, 512.
Sop o’ the moonshine, 74.
Soul, transmigration of, 47.
Soul-bell, 345; mass cakes, 356.
Souling, going a, 306.
Span-counter, old game, 393.
Sparrow, called Philip, 145; hawk, 145.
Spear-grass, 230.
Spectre huntsman, 46.
Spider, considered venomous, 243; cure for jaundice and ague, 243; web used for stopping blood, 243; bottled, 244; gossamer, notion respecting, 244–245.
Spirits, various kinds of, 57; unlucky to cross their path, 46; disappear at cock-crow, 98; impatient at being interrogated, 43; their appearance, 43; walking of, by way of penance, 44; reason for appearing, 44; allotted time for work, 45; signs of their approach. 45.
Spirits of revenge, 55.
Spleen, supposed cause of laughter, 464.
Spy, exclamation, 499.
Squalls, weather-lore of, 90.
Stalking-horse, 181.
Starling, 146.
Stars, influence on mundane events, 76–77; heroes reckoned among, 78.
Statute-cap, 513.
Stephen's (St) Day, hunting wren on, 470.
Sterility, 272.
Stigmatic, deformed person so called, 254.
Stocks, old punishment, 412.
Stool-ball, old game, 393.
Stoop or swoop, term in falconry, 117.
Stover, fodder for cattle, 230.
Strappado, military punishment, 413.
Strawberry, 230.
Succubi, class of devils, 74.
Suicide, 273.
Sun, weather-lore of, 60–62; dancing of, 60; cloudy rising, ominous, 61; red sunrise, 61; watery sunset, 62; supposed to be a planet, 59.
Sunday, fashionable day for wedding, 336.
Sunshine in March, 64.
Swallow, harbinger of spring, 147; bird of good omen, 147.
Swan, sings before death, 147.
Sword, swearing by, 509; dance, 404.
Sympathetic indications, 486.
Tailor, exclamation, 499.
Tailor's goose, name so, pressing-iron, 112.
Tassel-gentle, name of hawk, 148.
Tawdry lace, 305
Tears, of the deer, 170; crocodile, 166.
Teeth, superstitions relating to, 313.
Telme's (St) fire, meteor so-called, 79.
Ten-bones, name for fingers, 460.
Ten commandments, 460.
Tennis, 394.
Termagant, tyrant of miracle plays, 294.
Tewkesbury mustard, 220.
Theatrical lore, 513.
Thorn, legend relating to, 230.
Threshold, bride must not cross, 336.
Thumb, biting of, an insult, 460; rings, 365.
Thunder, notions relating to, 87; bolt, 87; stone, 87.
Tick-tack, old game, 395.
Tiger, roars in stormy weather, 188.
Tire, term in falconry, 120.
Titania, fairy queen, 2–3, 14.
Tilly-vally, exclamation, 499.
Toad, evil spirit likened to, 247; changes eyes with lark, 126; said to be venomous, 246; stone, 245–246.
Tokens, plague spots, 268.
Tomb, ornamenting, 354.
Tongue, blister on, 251.
Toothache, caused by a worm, 273, 476.
Torches, at weddings, 335.
Toss, in a sieve, punishment so called, 413.
Touching for king's evil, 262.
Tournament, 513.
Tower, term in falconry, 117.
Transmigration of souls, 47–48.
Tread-a-measure, dance, 404.
Trefoil, divination by, 299.
Trial by the stool, for detecting witches, 30.
Trip-and-go, a morris dance, 405.
Troll my dame, or Troll madam, game so called, 396.
True-penny, mining term, 509.
Trump, old game, 396.
Trumpet, for announcing visitors, 514.
Tub-fast, 274.
Turkey, 148.
Turquoise, supposed virtues of, 368.
Tutelary guardians, 54.
Twelfth Day, 299.
Tybert or Tybalt, cat so called, 163.
Unicorn, mode of betraying, 188.
Upspring, German dance, 405.
Urchin, name for fairy, 8–9, 16.
Urchin's dance, 9.
Valentine's (St) Day, 280; birds choose their mates on, 280; selecting valentines on, 280; customs in France on, 280.
Vervain, divination by, 299.
Vice, character in old miracle plays, 295.
Violet, associated with early death, 231; superstition relating to, 231.
Virus lunare, 71.
Vitalis (St), invoked in case of nightmare, 266.
Vulture, 149.
Wag-tail, used inopprobrious sense, 149.
Wakes, 311.
Walking-fire, name for ignis fatuus, 81.
Wandering knight, name of sun, 60; wandering stars, 75.
War-cry, 514.
Warden, name of pear, 222.
Wasp, 247.
Wassail-bowl, 194; candle, 310.
Wat, name for hare, 178.
Water-casting, 276; galls, name for rainbow, 86.
Waxen images, used by witches, 35–36.
Weasel, considered ominous, 189; kept in houses, 189; said to be quarrelsome, 189.
Weather cocks, 102.
Web-and-pin, name for cataract, 253.
Wedding-torch, 335.
Werwolf, mark of, 30.
Westward-ho, exclamation, 499.
Whale, 473.
Wheel, punishment of, 413.
Whistling of swan, 148.
White-dog-rose, 227.
Whitsun-ale, 292; mysteries, 292.
Wild goose chase, 112.
Will-with-a-Wisp, 82.
Willow, symbol of sadness, 232; garlands made of, 232.
Winchester College, customs at, 363; goose, 112.
Wind, weather-lore of, 89–90; sale of, 33.
Wisp, punishment for a scold, 414; in "Macbeth," 26–27.
Witches, create storms, 31; drawing blood from, 30; propitiation of, 31; powers limited, 29; harass horses, 179–180; offspring of, 39; say their prayers backwards, 39; sell or give winds, 32; ointment, 34; intercourse between, and demons, 38–39; protection from, 30; vanish at will, 34; destroy cattle, 37; look into futurity, 35; beard, characteristic of, 28; trials, 35.
Witch of Brentford, 26.
Wits, the five, 464.
Woodcock, applied to a foolish person, 149.
Worm, a poor creature, 241; name for serpent, 240; toothache, said to be caused by, 273.
Wormwood, used in weaning, 233.
Wren, its diminutiveness, 150.
Wrestling, 397.
Yew, planted in churchyards, 233; stuck in shroud, 234, 357; poisonous qualities, 234–235.