t was acted at a Gentleman's House among other
Revels. By W. R., Master of Arts, 4 to. London, 1682."

The Memoirs of the hospitable Sir John Reresby (Camden Society)
contain references to the Christmas festivities at Thrybergh. In 1682,
there assembled on Christmas Eve nineteen of the poorer tenants from
Denby and Hooton; on Christmas Day twenty-six of the poorer tenants
from Thrybergh, Brinsford, and Mexborough; on St. Stephen's Day
farmers and better sort of tenants to the number of fifty-four; on St.
John's-day forty five of the chief tenants; on the 30th of December
eighteen gentlemen of the neighbourhood with their wives; on the 1st
of January sixteen gentlemen; on the 4th twelve of the neighbouring
clergymen; and on the 6th seven gentlemen and tradesmen. Among the
guests who lodged at the house were "Mr. Rigden, merchant of York, and
his wife, a handsome woman," and "Mr. Belton, an ingenious clergyman,
but too much a good fellow." How the "ingenious clergyman" became "too
much of a good fellow" may be easily guessed from Sir John's further
observation that "_the expense of liquor_, _both of wine & others, was
considerable_, as of other provisions, and my friends appeared well
satisfied." In 1684, writes Sir John, "I returned to Thrybergh, by
God's mercy, in safety, to keep Christmas amongst my neighbours and
tenants. I had more company this Christmas than heretofore. The four
first days of the new year all my tenants of Thrybergh, Brinsford,
Denby, Mexborough, Hooton Roberts, and Rotterham dined with me; the
rest of the time some four-score of gentlemen and yeomen with their
wives were invited, besides some that came from York; so that all the
beds in the house and most in the town were taken up. There were
seldom less than four-score, counting all sorts of people, that dined
in the house every day, and some days many more. On New Year's-day
chiefly there dined above three hundred, so that whole sheep were
roasted and served up to feed them. For music I had four violins,
besides bagpipes, drums, and trumpets."

At Houghton Chapel, Nottinghamshire, says an old writer, "the good Sir
William Hollis kept his house in great splendour and hospitality. He
began Christmas at All Hallowtide, and continued it till Candlemas,
during which time any man was permitted to stay three days without
being asked who he was, or from whence he came." This generous knight
had many guests who rejoiced in the couplet:--

"If I ask'n