21 By a
Middlesex
Iury.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
Some child's game, played in a circle,
seems to be referred to, or the expression may be a cant term for
'play the deuce. ' Robin is a name of many associations, and its
connection with Robin Hood, Robin Goodfellow, and 'Robert's Men'
('The third old rank of the Canting crew. '--Grose. ) makes such an
interpretation more or less probable.
M. N. G. in _N. & Q. _ 9th Ser. 10. 394 says that 'when a man does
a thing in a circuitous, involved manner he is sometimes said "to
go all round Robin Hood's barn to do it. "' 'Round Robin Hood's
barn' may possibly have been the name of a game which has been
shortened to 'round Robin. '
=1. 1.
21 By a Middlesex Iury. = 'A reproof no less severe than
merited. It appears from the records of those times, that many
unfortunate creatures were condemned and executed on charges of the
rediculous nature here enumerated. In many instances, the judge was
well convinced of the innocence of the accused, and laboured to
save them; but such were the gross and barbarous prejudices of the
juries, that they would seldom listen to his recommendations; and
he was deterred from shewing mercy, in the last place by the brutal
ferociousness of the people, _whose teeth were set on edge with't_,
and who clamoured tumultuously for the murder of the accused. '--G.
=1. 1. 32 Lancashire. = This, as Gifford says, 'was the very hot-bed
of witches. ' Fifteen were brought to trial on Aug. 19, 1612, twelve
of whom were convicted and burnt on the day after their trial 'at the
common place of execution near to Lancaster. ' The term 'Lancashire
Witches' is now applied to the beautiful women for which the country
is famed. The details of the Lancaster trial are contained in Potts'
_Discoverie_ (Lond. 1613), and a satisfactory account is given by
Wright in his _Sorcery and Magic_.
=1. 1.
seems to be referred to, or the expression may be a cant term for
'play the deuce. ' Robin is a name of many associations, and its
connection with Robin Hood, Robin Goodfellow, and 'Robert's Men'
('The third old rank of the Canting crew. '--Grose. ) makes such an
interpretation more or less probable.
M. N. G. in _N. & Q. _ 9th Ser. 10. 394 says that 'when a man does
a thing in a circuitous, involved manner he is sometimes said "to
go all round Robin Hood's barn to do it. "' 'Round Robin Hood's
barn' may possibly have been the name of a game which has been
shortened to 'round Robin. '
=1. 1.
21 By a Middlesex Iury. = 'A reproof no less severe than
merited. It appears from the records of those times, that many
unfortunate creatures were condemned and executed on charges of the
rediculous nature here enumerated. In many instances, the judge was
well convinced of the innocence of the accused, and laboured to
save them; but such were the gross and barbarous prejudices of the
juries, that they would seldom listen to his recommendations; and
he was deterred from shewing mercy, in the last place by the brutal
ferociousness of the people, _whose teeth were set on edge with't_,
and who clamoured tumultuously for the murder of the accused. '--G.
=1. 1. 32 Lancashire. = This, as Gifford says, 'was the very hot-bed
of witches. ' Fifteen were brought to trial on Aug. 19, 1612, twelve
of whom were convicted and burnt on the day after their trial 'at the
common place of execution near to Lancaster. ' The term 'Lancashire
Witches' is now applied to the beautiful women for which the country
is famed. The details of the Lancaster trial are contained in Potts'
_Discoverie_ (Lond. 1613), and a satisfactory account is given by
Wright in his _Sorcery and Magic_.
=1. 1.
