_Meaning of Hernshaw_ (Vol. iii., p. 450.).--In Poulson's _Beverlac; or
History of the Antiquities of Beverley in Yorkshire_, pp. 263, 264. et
seq., is an account of the expenses of the "Twelve Governors of Beverley
on a visit to the Earl of Northumberland at Leconfield Castle." Among
the presents made to the Earl (Henry Algernon Percy, fifth earl, born
Jan. 1477-8, died 1527) for so distinguished an honour are four
heronsewes, heronseu, hornsue, or _hernshaw_, for it is written in all
these ways. Was a young heron formerly esteemed a choice delicacy?
Chaucer, describing the feast of Cambisscan, says:
"I wol not tellen of hir strange sewes,
Ne hir swannes, ne hir heronsewes."
But even the full-grown bird was not too powerful for the digestive
organs in those days: it was termed _viand royal_, and heronries were
maintained for the purpose of food, as well as diversion. In the
Northumberland Household Book, these birds, with many others, are named
as then served up at table, but which are now discarded as little better
than carrion.
From _hernshaw_, still further corrupted, arose the proverbial
expression introduced by Shakspeare into _Hamlet_,--
"I am but mad north-north-west, when the wind is southerly, I know
a hawk from a _hand-saw_."