John Hammon, M.A., to whom the following “Exhortation” is addressed,
was instituted to the rectory of Bibbesford and chapel of Bewdley in
Worcestershire the 2d of March 1614, on the presentation of sir William
Cook. The new zeal with which he was inspired arose most probably from
the intrusion of the “Book of Sports,” by James, in 1618[71], in which
the king’s pleasure is declared, “that, after the end of divine service,
our good people be not disturbed, letted or discouraged from any lawfull
recreation; such as dauncing, either men or women; archerie for men,
leaping, vaulting, or any other such harmlesse recreation; nor from
having of May games, Witson ales, and Morris dances, and the _setting up
of Maypoles and other sports therein used_; and that women shall have
leave to carry rushes to the church for the decoring of it, according to
their old custome.”