structed and entertaining story of two friars, John and Richard, who are said to hare resided at Norwich, in the reign of Henry the Fifth. This is related in Heywood's History of women, under the title of The faire ladie of Norwich[1], and has crept into Blomefield's History of Norfolk in a very extraordinary manner, unaccompanied with any comment, but with the addition of the murderer's name who is unaccountably stated to be Sir Thomas Erpingham, a well known character[2]. In the Bodleian library there is an old English poem entitled, A merry jest of Dane Hew, munck of Leicestre, and how he was foure times slain, and once hanged. Printed at London, by J. Alde, in 4to. without date. This is probably the same story, which has certainly been borrowed from one of those related by the Norman minstrels."
- ↑ P. 253, folio edit.
- ↑ Vol. iii. p. 647. Mr. Gough speaks of it as separately printed. Brit. Topogr. ii. 27. It is also copied in Burton's Unparalleled Varieties, p. 159, edit. 1699, 12mo. and The Gentleman's Magazine Vol. i. p. 310. It has twice been versified; 1st anonymously under the title of A hue and cry after the Priest, or, the Convent, a Tale, 1749, 8vo.; and 2ndly by Mr. Jodrell, under that of The Knight and the Friars, 1785, 4to." Douce. It should be added, that it has been a third time versified by Mr. Colman, in Broad Grins, &c.
