20 / 66
2 0
CUPS AND THEIR CUSTOMS.
of Malmseys and thus carry out the idea of drowning
Ms cares In wine, as well as Ms body, matters "but
little, we think
3
to our readers. 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, labyan and Oomines,
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 aweekly
allowance of Malmsey granted to her for a bath. In
a somewhat scarce French book, written in the 15th
century, entitled
€
l a Legende de Mattre Pierre Fai-
feri/ we find the following verse relating to the death
of the Duke of Clarence:—
i(
l
have seen the Duke of Olarenee
(So Ms wayward fate had wilFd),
By Ms special order, drown'd
In a cask with. Malmsey fill'd.
That that death should strike Ms fancy,
This the reason, I snppose;
lie might tMwk that hearty drinking
Would appease Ms dying throes."
A wine called
u
Clary
JJ>
was also drank 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