Notes and Queries, Number 64, January 18, 1851

The Query proposed by NOCAB evidently possesses some interest, having already elicited two or three replies. I trust, therefore, I shall be excused for submitting yet another solution, which appears to me more satisfactory, if not conclusive. The answers to such questions are for the most part merely ingenious conjectures; but these to be of weight, should be supported by antiquarian learning. They claim perhaps more regard when they seem to elucidate collateral difficulties; but are of most value when authenticated by independent evidence, especially the evidence of documents or of facts. Fortunately, in the case before us, all these desiderata are supplied.

Old Richard Verstegan, famous for Saxon lore and archæological research, explains it thus:—

"Bacon, of the Beechen tree, anciently called BUCON; and, whereas swinesflesh is now called by the name of BACON, it grew only at the first unto such as were fatted with BUCON or beechmast."—Chap. ix. p. 299.

There is one agreeable feature in this explanation, viz., that it professes somewhat naturally to account for the mysterious relation between the flesh of the unclean animal, and the name of a very ancient and honourable family. But its chief value is to be found in the singular authentication of it which I accidentally discovered in Collins's Baronetage. In the very ample and particular account there given of the pedigree of the Premier Baronet, it will be seen that the first man who assumed the surname of Bacon, was one William (temp. Rich. I.), a great grandson of the Grimbaldus, who came over with the Conqueror and settled in Norfolk. Of course there was some reason for his taking that name; and though Collins makes no comment on it, he does in fact unconsciously supply that reason (elucidated by Verstegan) by happily noting of this sole individual, that he bore for his arms, "argent, a beech tree proper!" Thank you, Mr. Collins! thank you kindly, Richard Verstegan! You are both excellent and honest men. You cannot have been in collusion. You have not, until now, even reaped the merit of truthfulness and accuracy, which you silently reflect upon each other. The family name, Bacon, then, undoubtedly signifies "of the beechen tree," and is therefore of the same class with many others such as ash, beech, &c., latinized in ancient records by De Fraxino, De Fago, &c.

The motto of the Somersetshire Bacons, noticed by NOCAB, when read as written, is supposed to be in the ablative case; when transposed, the evident ellipse may be supplied ad libitum. From Grimbaldus, downwards, it does not appear that these beechen men ever signalized themselves by deeds of arms, the favourite boast of heralds and genealogists. Nor indeed could we expect them to have "hearts of oak." But several have rendered the name illustrious by their contributions to literature, science, and the fine arts. Its appropriateness, therefore, must be apology for the motto; which, like most others, is by no means too modest and unassuming.

Duly blushing, I subscribe myself, yours,

    PROBA CONSCIENTIA.

P.S. The pedigree of the Norfolk Bacons is one of the most perfect in the Herald's College. Any of your readers fond of genealogy might find himself repaid in seeking further information regarding the particular coat of arms above referred to, and might throw still more light on the subject.

In Vol. ii., p. 247., your correspondent, NOCAB, quotes (without reference) the remark en passant of a previous correspondent "that the word bacon had the obsolete signification of 'dried wood.'" I have searched in vain for this allusion in your preceding Numbers.[2 - See vol. ii., p. 138.] The information is too curious, however, to be lost sight of. The Saxon word bacon is, without doubt, simply and purely beechen—pertaining to, or relating to the beech tree.

It is probable enough, therefore, that the word has borne the signification of "dried wood." But it is very desirable to know on what authority the assertion rests. Will your correspondent refer us to the book? Or can any of your learned readers say how, where, and when bacon has signified "dried wood?"

The subject is well worth the bestowal of some pains upon its elucidation; for the meaning and derivation of the word bacon, both as a substantive noun and as a proper name, have been frequently discussed by etymologists and philologists for the last 300 years; and yet, apparently, without any satisfactory determination of the question. The family is ancient, and has been highly distinguished in literature, and science and art. The pedigree is one of the most perfect on record. But Lord Bacon himself, "who knew everything" else, knew nothing of his own name.

    SAMOHT NEHCEEB.

Meaning of Bacon (Vol. ii., pp. 138. 247.).—As, on reconsideration, I perceive there is some doubt as to the meaning of the word bacons in Foulques Fitzwarin, I send you the passage in which it occurs, that your readers may form their own opinion concerning it:—

"Pus après, furent les portes de le chastel, qe treblées erent, ars e espris par feu que fust illumée de bacons e de grece."

I must in addition add, that I was mistaken as to the meaning of hosebaunde, which was possibly only the French mode of writing husband.

    B.W.

REPLIES TO MINOR QUERIES

Cockade (Vol. iii., p.7.).—The black cockade worn by the officers of the army and navy is the relic of a custom which probably dated from the Hanoverian succession; the black cockade being the Hanoverian badge, the white that of the Stuart. In Waverley, when the hero for the first time meets the Baron Bradwardine, he is accosted by the latter thus:—

"And so ye have mounted the cockade? Right, right; though I could have wished the colour different."

    APODLIKTES.

Erechtheum Club.

Form of Prayer for King's Evil.—Mr. Lathbury, in his Convocation, p. 361., states that this form appeared in Prayer-book of 1709. This was not, however, its earliest appearance, as it is found in a quarto one bearing date 1707, printed by the Queen's printers, Charles Bill and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb. It occurs immediately before the Articles, and is simply entitled, "At the healing."

    N.E.R. (a Subscriber.)

[Prayers at the Healing may be found in Sparrow's Collection of Articles, Injunctions, Canons, &c., p. 223. 4to. 1661. Consult also, Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer, p. 573; The Antiquary's Portfolio, vol. ii. p. 179.; Aubrey's Letters, vol. i. p. 250.; Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, vol. ii. pp. 495-505.; Christian Observer (1831), p. 119.]

"Aver."—Hogs not Pigs (Vol. ii., p. 461.).—In Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, the thin oat-cake (common in many mountainous parts of England) is called "aver-cake," or "haver-cake." The Loyal Dales Volunteers were surnamed "The Haver-cake Lads." Previously to seeing the Note of G.M., I imagined the "aver" to be derived from "avena" (Lat.), "avoine" (Fr.). What dictionary defines "aver" (French) as denoting the annual stock or produce of a farm?

    D.2.

E.M., in his Note on J. MN.'s remarks on hogs, mentions that the term aver, averium, is still used in Guernsey. Is not this word closely connected with the Eber of the German Jägers?

    E.H.K.

Pilgarlic (Vol. ii., p. 393.).—Sir John Denham spelt this word Peel-garlick—it may be found in one of his Directions to a Painter—but the passage in which it appears is scarcely fit for quotation. The George of the couplet referred to was Albemarle, who had been wounded during the fight in the part of his person which Hudibras alludes to when he tells us that one wound there

"hurts honour more
Than twenty wounds laid on before."

Denham seems to compare Albemarle's wounded buttocks to a peeled onion! The resemblance (to Denham) would account for his use of the word in this instance; but it is pretty evident that the word was not coined by him. We must, at least, give him credit for a witty application of it.

Carlisle.

Collar of Esses (Vol. ii., p. 393.).—With reference to the suggestion in No. 54., to give examples of effigies bearing the collar, I beg to mention those at Northleigh Church, Oxon. The following extract is from the Guide to Neighbourhood of Oxford:—

"In Northleigh church, beneath an arch between the chancel and a chapel, is a fine perpendicular tomb, with two recumbent figures in alabaster,—a knight in armour, with the Collar of SS; the lady with a rich turban and reticulated head-dress, and also with the Collar of SS. The figures are Lord and Lady Wilmot; and attached to the monument are two small figures of angels holding shields of arms; on one is a spread eagle, on the other three cockle shells, with an engrailed band."

    JASPER.

Filthy Gingram (Vol. ii., p. 467.).—The name "toad-flax" is evidently put by mistake, in Owen's Dictionary, for "toad-stool," a fungus, the Agaricus virosus of Linnæus. The common name in the North of England is "poisonous toad-stool." It is a virulent poison. See * 248. 407, 408., in Sowerby's English Fungi.

    D.2.

Toad-flax, the yellow Antirrhinum, certainly does stink.

    C.B.

The Life and Death of Clancie, by E.S. (Vol. ii., p. 375.).—There is a copy in the Bodleian Library.

    J.O.H.

"Rab. Surdam" (Vol. ii., p. 493.).—EDINENSIS. gives the above as the inscription on a tomb-stone, and requests an explanation. It is very probable that the stone-cutter made a mistake, and cut "Rab. Surdam" instead of "Rap. Surum," which would be a contraction for "Rapax Suorum," alluding to Death or the Grave. It seems impossible to extract a meaning, from "Rab. Surdam" by any stretch of Latinity.

    G.F.G.

Edinburgh.

"Fronte Capillatâ," &c. (Vol. iii., p. 8.).—The hexameter cited vol. iii., p. 8., and rightly interpreted by E.H.A., is taken (with the slight alteration of est for the original es) from "Occasio: Drama, P. Joannis David, Soc. Jesu Sacerd. Antv. MDCV.," appended to that writer's Occasio, Arrepta, Neglecta; in which the same implied moral is expressed, with this variation:

"Fronte capillitium gerit, ast glabrum occiput illi."

    G.A.S.
This verse is alluded to by Lord Bacon in his Essay on Delays:

"Occasion (as it is in the common verse) turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her locks in front, and no hold taken; or, at least, turneth the handle of the bottle first to be received, and after the belly, which is hard to clasp."

    L.