cudgells (p. 4);
wrestling (p. 4);
throwing the hammer (p. 4);
football (p. 13);
bear-baiting (p. 13).
It will be observed that the spelling of the name in the Pepysian copy
is specially divided thus--Hic-ka-thrift; and though it seems probable
that some good reason must be assigned to this, I cannot find out
points of importance. But about the dubbing him Mr. (p. 7) or Master,
as it would be in full, there is something of great interest to point
out. This was formerly a distinct title. In Harrison’s _Description
of England_ we read, “Who soeuer studieth the lawes of the realme,
who so abideth in the vniuersitie, or prefesseth physicke and the
liberall sciences, or beside his seruice in the roome of a capteine
in the warres can liue without manuell labour, and thereto is able
and will beare the post, charge, and countenance of a gentleman, he
shall be called master, which is the title that men giue to esquiers
and gentlemen and reputed for gentlemen.”--Harrison’s _Description
of England_, 1577 (edited by F. J. Furnivall for the New Shakspere
Society, 1877), p. 129.
Of yeomen he says, “And albeit they be not called master as gentlemen
are, or sir as to knights apperteineth, but onelie John and Thomas,”
&c. (p. 134): and of “the third and last sort,” “named the yeomanrie,”
he adds, “that they be not called masters and gentlemen, but goodmen,
as goodman Smith, goodman Coot, goodman Cornell, goodman Mascall,
goodman Cockswet,” &c. (p. 137).
Mr. Furnivall’s note (p. 123) is as follows:--“_Every Begger almost is
called Maister._--See Lancelot’s ‘MAISTER Launcelet’ in the _Merchant
of Venice_, II. ii. 51, and the extract illustrating it from Sir Thomas
Smith’s _Commonwealth of England_, bk. I. ch. 20 (founded on Harrison,
i. 133, 137), which I printed in _New Sh. Soc.’s Trans._ 1877-9, p.
103-4. Also Shakspere getting his ‘yeoman’ father arms, and making him
a ‘gentleman’ in 1596.--(Leopold Shakspere, Introduction, p. ciii.).”
We thus get still further indication of the early date of the story,
the significance of the title “Master” having died out during the
seventeenth century.
The following is a bibliographical list of some of the editions, many
others having been printed from the beginning of this century:--
(1.) The history of Thomas Hickathrift. Printed for the booksellers.
London [1790.] 12mo. pp. 24.
Cap. i. Of his birth, parentage, and education, ii. How Thomas
Hickathrift’s strength came to be known, iii. How Tom came to be
a Brewer’s man; and how he came to kill a giant, and at last was
Mr. Hickathrift. iv. How Tom kept a pack of hounds; his kicking a
football quite away; also how he had like to have been robbed by four
thieves, and how he escaped.
(2.) The Pleasant and delightful history of Thomas Hickathrift.
Whitehaven: printed by Ann Dunn, Market Place [1780], pp. 24.
(3.) The History of Thomas Hickathrift. Printed in Aldermary
Churchyard, London. [1790.] 12mo. Part the first, pp. 24.
Similar contents to No. 1, with addition of cap. v. Tom meets with a
Tinker, and of the battle they fought.
(4.) The most pleasant and delightful history of Thomas Hickathrift.
J. Terraby, printer, Market Place, Hull. [1825.] 2 parts. 12mo. pp.
24; 24.
Same as No. 1. Second part, cap. i. How Tom Hickathrift and the
Tinker conquered ten thousand rebels. ii. How Tom Hickathrift and the
Tinker were sent for up to court, and of their kind entertainment.
iii. How Tom, after his mother’s death, went a-wooing, and of the
trick he served a gallant who affronted him. iv. How Tom served two
troopers whom this spark had hired to beset him. v. Tom, going to be
married, was set upon by one and twenty ruffians, and the havock he
made. vi. Tom made a feast for all the poor widows in the adjacent
houses, and how he served an old woman who stole a silver cup at the
same time. vii. How Sir Thomas Hickathrift and his lady were sent
for up to court, and of what happened at that time. viii. How Tom
was made Governor of the East Angles, now called Thanet, and of the
wonderful achievement he performed there. ix. How the Tinker, hearing
of Tom’s fame, went to be his partner, and how he was unfortunately
slain by a lion.
(5.) The history of Thomas Hickathrift. Printed for the Travelling
Stationers. 12mo. pp. 24.
Same as No. 3.
[Illustration]
THE
PLEASANT HISTORY
OF
THOMAS HIC-KA-THRIFT.
[Illustration]
_Printed by J. M. for W. Thackeray and T. Passinger._
THE
CONTENTS.
What honour Tom came unto.
How Tom Hic-ka-thrift’s strength came to be known.
How Tom came to be a Brewers man, and how he came to kill a gyant,
and at last was Mr. Hic-ka-thrift.
How Tom kept a pack of hounds and kickt a foot-ball quite away, and
how he had like to have been robbed with four thieves, and how Tom
escaped.
[Illustration]
THE
PLEASANT HISTORY
OF
THOMAS HIC-KA-THRIFT,
_His Birth and Parentage, and the true manner of his performing many
manly acts, and how he killed a gyant. Young man, here thou mayest
behold what honour Tom came unto._
And if that thou dost buy this Book,
Be sure that thou dost in it look,
And read it o’re, then thou wilt say,
Thy money is not thrown away.
In the reign before William the conqueror, I have read in ancient
histories that there dwelt a man in the marsh of the Isle of Ely, in
the county of Cambridge, whose name was Thomas Hic-ka-thrift, a poor
man and day labourer, yet he was a very stout man, and able to perform
two days works instead of one: He having one son and no more children
in the world, he called him by his own name, Thomas Hickathrift. This
old man put his son to good learning, but he would take none, for he
was as we call them now in this age, none of the wisest sort, but
something soft, and had no docility at all in him.
God calling this old man his father out of the world, his mother being
tender of him, and maintained him by her hand labour as well as she
could; he being sloathful and not willing to work to get a penny for
his living, but all his delight was to be in the chimney corner, and
would eat as much at one time as might very well serve four or five
ordinary men; for he was in length when he was but ten years of age
about eight foot, and in thickness five foot, and his hand was like
unto a shoulder of mutton, and in all parts from top to toe he was like
a monster, and yet his great strength was not known.
[Illustration]
_How Tom Hic-ka-thrifts strength came to be known, the which if you
please but to read will give you full satisfaction._
The first time that his strength was known was by his mothers going to
a rich farmer’s house (she being but a poor woman) to desire a buttle
of straw to shift herself and her son Thomas. The farmer being an
honest charitable man, bid her take what she would. She going home to
her son Tom, said, I pray thee go to such a place and fetch me a buttle
of straw, I have asked him leave. He swore a great oath he would not
go: nay, prithee, Tom go, said his old mother. He swore again he would
not go, unless she would borrow him a cart rope. She being willing to
please him, because she would have some straw, went and borrowed him a
cart rope to his desire.
He taking it went his way; so coming to the farmer’s house, the master
was in the barn, and two men a thrashing. Said Tom, I am come for a
buttle of straw. Tom, said the master, take as much as thou canst
carry. He laid down his cart rope, and began to make his buttle;
but said they, Tom, thy rope is to short, and jeer’d poor Tom, but
he fitted the man well for it: for he made his buttle, and when he
had made it, there was supposed to be a load of straw in it, of two
thousand weight. But said they, what a great fool art thou, thou canst
not carry the tith on’t? but Tom took the buttle and flung it on his
shoulder, and made no more of it then we do of an hundred weight, to
the great admiration of master and men.
Tom Hic-ka-thrift’s strength being known in the town, then they would
not let him any longer lie basking by the fire in the chimney corner,
every one would be hiring him to work; they seeing him to have so much
strength, told him that it was a shame for him to live such a lazy
course of life, and to lie idle day after day, as he did. So Tom seeing
them bait at him in such a manner as they did, he went first to one
work then to another; but at length came a man to Tom and desired him
to go with him unto the wood, for he had a tree to bring home, and he
would content him. So Tom went with him, and he took with him four men
beside; but when they came to the wood, they set the cart by the tree
and began to draw it up with pullies; but Tom seeing them not able to
lift it up, said, stand away, you fools, and takes the tree and sets it
on one end, and lays it in the cart. Now, says he, see what a man can
do. Marry, it is true, said they. So when they had done coming through
the wood they met the woodman, Tom asked him for a stick to make his
mother a fire with. I, said the wood-man, take one what thou canst
carry. So Tom espyed a tree bigger then was in the cart, and lays it on
his shoulder, and goes home with it as fast as the cart and six horses
could draw it. This was the second time that Tom’s strength was known.
So when Tom began to know that he had more strength then twenty men
had, he then began to be merry with men and very tractable, and would
run, or go, or jump, and took great delight to be amongst company,
and to go to fairs and meetings, and to see sports and pastimes. So
going to a feast, the young men were all met, some to cudgels, some
to wrastling, some throwing the hammer, and the like; so Tom stood
a little to see their sport, and at last goes to them that were a
throwing the hammer; and standing a little by to behold their manlike
sport, at last he takes the hammer in his hand to feel the weight of
it, and bid them stand out of the way, for he would throw it as far
as he could. I, said the smith, and jeer’d poor Tom, you’l threw it a
great way I’le warrant you; but Tom took the hammer and flung it; and
there was a river about five or six furlungs off, and flung it into
that; so when he had done, he bid the smith go fetch his hammer again,
and laught the smith to scorn; but when Tom had done that, he would go
to wrastling, though he had no more skill than an ass had, but what he
did by strength; yet he flung all that came, for if once he laid hold
they were gone. Some he would throw over his head, some he would lay
down slyly, and how he pleased; he would not lock nor strike at their
heels, but flung them two or three yards from him, ready to break their
necks asunder; so that none at last durst go into the ring to wrastle
with him, for they took him to be some devil that was come amongst
them; so Tom’s fame was spread more in the country.
[Illustration]
_How Tom came to be a Brewer’s man; and how he came to kill a Giant,
and at last was Mr. Hic-ka-thrift._
Tom’s fame being spread abroad in the country, there was not a man
durst give Tom an angry word for he was something foolhardy, and he did
not care what he did at them; so that those that knew him would not in
the least displease him. But at length there was a brewer at Lyn, that
wanted a good lusty man to carry his beer in the marsh and to Wisbech;
so hearing of Tom went to hire him, but Tom seemed coy and would not
be his man, until his mother and friends did perswade him, and his
master intreated him; and likewise promised him a new suit of clothes
and cloath him from top to toe; and besides he should eat and drink of
the best. So Tom at last yielded to be his man, and his master told him
how far he should go; for you are to understand there was a monstrous
Gyant, who kept some part of the marsh, and none durst go that way; for
if they did he would keep them or kill them, or else he would make bond
slaves of them.
But to come to Tom and his master, that he did more work in one day
then all his men would do in three; so that his master, seeing him so
tractable, and to look so well after his business, made him his head
man to go into the marsh, to carry beer by himself, for he needed no
man with him. So Tom went every day to Wisbich, which was a very great
journey, for it was twenty mile the road way.
Tom going so long that wearisome journey, and finding that way which
the Gyant kept was nearer by half, and Tom having gotten more strength
by half then before by being so well kept, and drinking so much strong
ale as he did; one day he was going to Wisbich, and without saying
anything to his master or to any of his fellow servants, he was
resolved to make the nearest way to be a road or lose his life, to win
the horse, or lose the saddle; to kill or be killed; if he met with
the Gyant; and with this resolution he goes the nearest way with his
cart, flinging open the gates for his cart and horses to go through;
but at last the Gyant spying him, and seeing him to be so bold, thought
to prevent him, and came intending to take his beer for a prize, but
Tom cared not a fart for him, and the Gyant he met Tom like a lyon,
as though he would have swallowed him. Sirrah, said he, who gave you
authority to come this way? Do you not know that I make all stand in
fear of my sight, and you like a rogue must come and fling my gates
open at your pleasure! How dare you presume to do this? Are you so
careless of your life? Do you not care what you do? I’le make thee an
example for all rogues under the sun; dost thou not see how many heads
hang upon yonder tree that have offended my law! But thy head shall
hang higher then all the rest for an example. But Tom made him answer,
A turd in your teeth for your news, for you shall not find me like one
of them. No, said the Gyant, why thou art but a fool, dost thou come to
fight with such a one as I am, and bring no weapon to defend thyself
withal? Said Tom, I have a weapon here will make you to know you are a
traytorly rogue. I, sirrah, said the Gyant, and took that word in high
disdain, that Tom should call him a traytorly rogue, and with that he
ran into his cave to fetch his great club, intending to dash out Tom’s
brains at the first blow.
Tom knew not what to do for a weapon, for he knew his whip would do but
little good against such a monstrous beast as he was, for he was in
length twelve foot, and six foot about the waste; but while the Gyant
went for his club, Tom bethought himself of a very good weapon, for he
makes no more ado, but takes his cart and turns it upside down, and
takes the axletree and the wheel for his shield and buckler, and very
good weapons they were in such time of need.
The Giant coming out again, began to stare at Tom, to see him take the
wheel in one hand and the axle tree in the other to defend himself
with. O! said the Gyant, you are like to do great service with those
weapons; I have here a twig, said the Gyant, that will beat thee and
thy wheel and axle tree at once unto the ground; that which the Gyant
called a twig was as thick as some mill posts are, but Tom was not
daunted for all that, for he saw there was but one way to kill or be
killed; so the Giant made at Tom with such a vehement force that he
made Tom’s wheel crack again, and Tom lent the Gyant another as good,
for he took him such a weighty blow on the side of the head that he
made the Gyant reel again. What, said Tom, are you drunk with my strong
beer already.
The Gyant recovering laid on Tom most sad blows; but still as they came
Tom kept them off with his wheel so that he had no hurt at all. Tom
plyed his work so well, and laid such huge blows at the Giant, that
the sweat and blood together ran down his face, and he being fat and
foggy, and fighting so long, was almost tired out, asked Tom to let
him drink a little, and then he would fight with him again. No, said
Tom, my mother did not teach me that wit; who’s a fool then? Tom seeing
the Gyant begin to be weary, and finding him to fail in his blows, he
thought best to make hay while the sun did shine, for he laid on so
fast as though he had been mad, till he had brought the Gyant to the
ground. The Gyant seeing himself down, and Tom laying so hard on him,
roared in a most sad condition, and prayed him not to take away his
life and he would do anything for him, and yield himself to him and be
his servant; but Tom having no more mercy on him than a dog of a bear,
laid still at the Gyant ’till he had laid him for dead, and when he had
done he cut off his head and went into his cave, and there he found
great store of silver and gold which made his heart to leap. But when
he had done, he loaded his cart and went to Wisbich and delivered his
beer; and coming home to his master, he told it to him; but his master
was so overjoy’d at the news that he would not believe him till he had
seen; and getting up the next day he and his master went to see if he
spoke true or no, and most of the town of Lyn. But when they came to
the place and found the Gyant dead, he shewed them where the head was,
and what silver and gold there was in the cave, all of them leapt for
joy, for the Gyant was a great enemy to all the country.
This news was spread all up and down the country how Tom Hic-ka-thrift
had kill’d the Gyant, and well was he that could run or go to see the
Gyant and the cave; then all the folks made bonefires for joy; and
Tom was a better man respected than before. And Tom took possession
of the cave by consent of the country, and everyone said that he did
deserve twice as much more. So Tom pulled down the cave and built him
a brave house where the cave stood; all the ground that the Gyant kept
by force and strength, some he gave to the poor for their common, and
the rest he made pastures of and divided the most part into good ground
to maintain him and his old mother Jane Hic-ka-thrift. And Tom’s fame
was spread both far and near throughout the country; and then it was no
longer Tom, but Mr. Hickathrift, so that he was now the chiefest man
amongst them, for the people feared Tom’s anger as much as they did the
Gyant before. So Tom kept men and maids, and lived most bravely; and
he made him a park to keep deer in; and by his house, which is a town,
he built a famous church and gave it the name of St. James’ Church,
because he killed the Gyant on that day, which is so to this hour and
ever will be; and many more good deeds he did which is too tedious to
write in this column, but to tell the chief I shall do my endeavour.
[Illustration]
_How Tom kept a pack of Hounds; and kickt a Foot-ball quite away;
and how he had like to have been robbed by Four Thieves, and how he
escaped._
Tom having so much about him and not used to it could hardly tell how
for to dispose of it, but yet he did use a means to do it, for he kept
a pack of hounds, and men to hunt with him; and who but Tom then. So
he took such delight in sport that he would go far and near to any
meetings, as cudgel-play, bear-baiting, football play, and the like.
But as Tom was riding one day, he seeing a company at football play he
lighted off his horse to see that rare sport, for they were playing
for a wager; but Tom was a stranger there and none did know him there;
but Tom soon spoiled their sport, for he meeting the football took
it such a kick that they never found their ball no more; they could
see it fly, but whither none could tell, nor to what place; they all
wondered at it, and began to quarrel with Tom, but some of them got
nothing by it, for Tom gets a spar which belonged to a house that was
blown down and all that stood in his way he either killed or knocked
down, so that all the country was up in arms to take Tom, but all in
vain, for he manfully made way wherever he came. So when he was gone
from them, and was going homeward, he chanced to be somewhat late in
the evening. On the road there met him four lusty rogues that had
been robbing of passengers that way, and none could escape them, for
they robbed all they met, both rich and poor. They thought when they
met Tom they should get a good prize, they perceiving he was alone,
made them cocksure of his money, but they were mistaken, for he got a
prize by them. When they met with Tom they straight bid him stand and
deliver. What, said Tom, what should I deliver? Your money, sirrah,
said they. But, said Tom, you shall give me better words for it first,
and be better armed too. Come, come, said they, we do not come hither
to prate, but we come for money, and money we will have before you stir
from this place. I, said Tom, is it so? Nay then, said he, get it, and
take it.
So one of them made at him, but he presently unarmed him, and took away
his sword which was made of good trusty steel, and smote so hard at the
others that they began to set spurs to their horses and begone, but
he soon stayed their journey, one of them having a portmantle behind
him, Tom perceiving it to be money fought with more courage then he
did before, till at the last he had killed two of the four, and the
other two he wounded most grievously that they cryed for quarter. So
with much intreating he gave them quarter, but he took all their money
which was two hundred pounds to bear his charges home. So when Tom
came home he told them how he had served the football players and the
four thieves which caused a laugh from his old mother, and to refresh
himself went to see how all things did, and what his men had done since
he went from home. And going to the forest he wandred up and down, and
at last met with a lusty tinker that had a good staff on his shoulder
and a great dog to carry his bag and tools. So Tom asked the tinker
from whence he came, and whither he was going, for that was no highway.
But the tinker being a sturdy fellow bid him go look, and what was that
to him, but fools must be meddling. No, says Tom, but I’le make you
to know before you and I part it is to me. I, said the tinker, I have
been these three long years and have not had one combat with any man.
I have challenged many a man but none durst make me answer; I think,
said he, they be all cowards in this country, but I hear there is a man
in this country which is called Tom Hickathrift that killed a gyant;
him I would fain see, said the tinker, to have one combat with him. I,
said Tom, but methinks, said he, it might be master with you; I am the
man, said he, what have you to say to me? Why verily, said the tinker,
I am glad we are so happily met together, that we may have one single
combat. Sure, said Tom, you do but jest. Marry, said the tinker, I am
in earnest. A match, said Tom. ’Tis done, said the tinker. But, said
Tom, will you give me leave to get me a twig? I, said the tinker, hang
him that will fight with a man unarmed, I scorn that.
So Tom steps to the gate and takes one of the rails for his staff; so
to it they fell, the Tinker at Tom, and Tom at the Tinker, like two
giants they laid on at each other. The Tinker had a leathern coat on,
and at every blow Tom gave the Tinker, his coat roar’d again, yet the
Tinker did not give way to Tom an inch. But Tom gave the Tinker a blow
on the side of the head, which felled the Tinker. Now, Tinker, where
are you? said Tom.
But the Tinker being a nimble fellow, leapt up again, and gave Tom a
blow, made him reel again, and followed his blows, and took Tom on the
other side which made Tom’s neck crack again. So Tom flung down his
weapon and yielded the Tinker the better on’t, and took him home to his
house, where I shall leave Tom and the Tinker till they be recovered of
their sad wounds and bruises.