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ed her hundredth year on the 17th of March, 1790. The vestry was erected in 1697, by lord Coleraine, who made a vault in it for himself and his family. It has, indeed, the appearance of a mausoleum, having a dome leaded, and crowned with an obelisk. There is a Quaker's meeting at Tottenham: on which account, many families of that persuasion have their country houses here.

In this parish are three almshouses. Of one of them, for eight poor people, it is remarkable, that it was erected by Baltyazar Sanchez, a Spaniard, who was confectioner to Philip II. of Spain, with whom he came over to England, and was the first that exercised that art in this country. He became a Protestant, and died in 1602. It is said that he lived in the house, now the George and Vulture inn; at the entrance of which are fixed the arms of England, in a garter, supported by a lion and griffin, and with the initials E. R. over another door is 1587. Here also is a free school, of which, at the end of the last century, the celebrated scholar and antiquary, Mr. William Baxter, was

master.

This parish has given birth to Sir Julius Cæsar, the learned Dr. Edward Simson; and among its vicars were Mr. WILLIAM BEDWELL, one of the translators of the Bible, in the reign of James I.; and author of a History of Tottenham.

Tottenham is famous for three proverbs:

1. Tottenham Wood is turned French."

Which is thus explained, by Dr. Fuller: "About the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII. French mechanics so swarmed in England, to the great prejudice of English artists, that they rose in London, on May Day 1517; nor was London only filled with them, but also the villages for four or five miles round, among which Tottenham, which perhaps for some time had stood out and despised the French fashions, was at length one; and so this proverb. came into use, as a reproach to the people of Tottenham.

Tottenham

Tottenham is turned French, i. c. is as foolish as other places, to leave the good customs of their country for foreign fashions."

2.

When Tottenham Wood is all on fire;

The Tottenham Street, is nothing but mire."

"This proverb," says Bedwell, "was occasioned by a great wood, called Tottenham Wood, of many hundred acres, lying on the top of the hill, on the west side of the parish, and so easily seen by all that dwelt in the streets, when a foggy thick mist, like smoke (and where there is smoke, we say there is fire) ariseth out of the wood, and hangs over it; the inhabitants observe, that it is generally a sign of rainy foul weather, which fills the street, lying low, with water, and turns it into dirt. The wood is in great part destroyed, but the dirt is as much as ever."

3. "You shall as easily remove Tottenham Wood."

"This proverb is used to express things impossible, or not likely to be effected; for if the wood be removed, which is very great, four hundred acres at least, the hill, which is very high and large, must be carried with it, and therefore neither of them can be removed out of their place." This proverb, however, has been rendered nugatory, agreeably the latter part of the illustration of the second proverb.

Another remarkable thing relating to Tottenham, is an antient poem, denominated "The Tournament of Tottenham; or the wooeing, winning, and wedding of Tibb, the reeve's daughter. This poem,' says Warton, in his History of English Poetry, is a burlesque on the parade and fopperies of chivalry.' The author has introduced a parcel of clowns and rustics of Tottenham, Islington, Highgate, and Hackney (suitors for Randall, the Reeve's daughter), who imitate all the solemnities of the barriers. The whole is a mock parody on the challenge, the various events of the encounter, the exhibition of the prize, the devices and escuchions, the display of the arms, the triumphant procession of the conqueror, the oath before the

combat,

combat, the splendid feast which followed, with every other ceremony and circumstance which constituted the regular tournament.'

A singular duel occurred here on the 8th of November, 1610, which is thus recorded in the parish register :

"Memorandum, that on Thursdaie, being the eight of November, theire was a meting of the neyghbours, to warme Mr. John Syms his house, the seigne of the Swanne at High-crosse, among whom came John Nelbam and John Whiston, whoe hav. ing some grudge or quarrell betwene them, diner being done, they two did use som private speches within themselves, taking leave of the companie, went to their houses, either of them taking his pick stafe in their handes, mett in a felde behinde Mr. Edward Barkham's house, comonly caulld or knowne by the name of Baldwin's; theare they two fought till John Nelham receyved a wound by John Whiston in his throtte, fell doone dead, and never spake word after; so the coroner, upon thẻ Saturdaie next, sate upon him; was buried the same daie, being the 10 of Nov. 1610." This singular duel must remind the reader of the tournament above noticed.

The extensive parish of EDMONTON, is supposed to have received its denomination from the Saxon word being, noble or chief, and run, a town; it having been so considerable a township as to give name to the hundred in: which it is situated. In antient records it occurs under the various names of Ædelmton, Edelmeston, and Edelmeton.

It appears to have been a place of some distinction long anterior to the Norman conquest; for at Bush Hill, a large circular intrenchment was discovered, which tradition has denominated a British oppidum; but the late Mr. Gough was of opinion that it was a Roman camp, pointing to Bury Street, in this parish, and crossing the river Lea, into Essex.

In the reign of Edward the Confessor this district was possessed by Asgar, Stallarius;* at the time of the General

* This officer has been called master of the horse, constable of the army, &c. might not Stallarius have been interpreted the woodman? In VOL, VI. No. 138.

3 D

Dr.

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