And here is Ben Jonson’s portrait of the City Parson—none too flattering:—
“He is the prelate of the parish here And governs all the dames, appoints the cheer, Writes down the bills of fare, pricks all the guests, Makes all the matches and the marriage feasts Within the Ward; draws all the parish wills, Designs the legacies, and strokes the gills Of the chief mourners; and, whoever lacks, Of all the kindred, he hath first his blacks. Thus holds he weddings up and burials, As his main tithing; with the gossips’ stalls, Their pews; he’s top still at the public mess; Comforts the widow and the fatherless, In funeral sack; sits ’bove the alderman; For of the wardmote quest, he better can The mystery than the Levitic law; That piece of clerkship doth his vestry awe. He is as he conceives himself, a fine, Well furnished, and apparelled divine.”
Harrison, however, speaks up for the credit of the Reformed Clergy.
The observance of Lent was maintained by law, but with difficulty, and the law was continually broken. It was a distinguishing mark of the Puritan to eat flesh on the forbidden days. Queen Elizabeth ordered that no flesh should be eaten on “fish days,” namely, the forty days of Lent, Ember Days, Rogation Days, and Fridays. Licenses, however, were granted for those who either on account of bodily infirmity, or any other cause, were forbidden to fast. The license cost, for a nobleman or his wife, 26s. 8d. per annum; for a knight or his wife, 13s. 4d. per annum; and for those of lower degree, 6s. 8d. per annum.
Thus began the evasion of the law. Butchers were licensed to kill for those privileged to eat flesh. In 1581 the House of Lords call upon the Mayor to explain why forty butchers are allowed to kill during Lent, and how it is that the eating of flesh at that season is common in the City. The Mayor replies that the facts are otherwise, and that the number of licensed butchers is only five, viz. two for either Shambles and one for Southwark.
In 1552 only three butchers are licensed. Evidently the Mayor tries strong measures. But there are more complaints from the Lords.
In 1586 the House of Lords again send representations to the Mayor.
In 1587 the Mayor, evidently wishing to shift responsibility, says that it is difficult to restrain butchers. Perhaps the House of Lords will undertake the duty of licensing. The House of Lords declines to undertake the work of the Mayor.