As 2016 is a Leap Year--annus bissextus, to the Romans--it should be remembered that it is a year in which maiden ladies may propose marriage to eligible gentlemen. And, should a gentleman reject a proposal, the lady may claim a silk gown.
It's a law, passed in Scotland in 1288. The law declares "during the reign of hir maist blissit Megeste, for ilke yeare known as lepe yeare, ilk maiden layde shal hae liberte to bespeke ye man she like, albeit he refuses to taik hir to be his lawful wyfe, he shall be mulcted in ye sum of ane pundis."
And it wasn't only Scotland: France passed a similar law, and by the 15th century, it was legally observed in Florence and Genoa.
So, spinsters, beware, and bachelors, beware--or have ane pundis ready.
Information gleaned from "Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable,"
Ivor H. Evans, editor.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment