Oxford.
_By Hook or by Crook_.--You have noted the origin of Humble Pie. May I
add a note of a saying, in my opinion also derived from forest customs,
viz. "By hook or by crook?" Persons entitled to fuel wood in the king's
forest, were only authorised to take it of the dead wood or branches of
trees in the forest, "with a cart, a hook, and a crook."
The answer to the query respecting the meaning of "per serjantiam
Marescautiae," is the Serjeantry of Farriery, i.e. shoeing of the king's
horses. In Maddox, vol. i. p. 43. you will find a very full account of
the office of Marescallus.