Arthurz book, Huon of Burdeaus, the foour suns of Aymon, Bevys of Hampton, the Squyre of Lo Degree, the Knight of Courtesy and the Lady Faguell, Frederik of Gene, Syr Eglamoour, Syr Tryamoour, Syr Lamwell, Syr Isenbras, Syr Gawyn, Olyver of the Castl, Lucres & Eurialus, Virgils life, the Cast of Ladiez, the Wido Edyth, the King & the Tanner, Frier Rous, Howleglas, Gargantua, Robin Hood, Adam Bel, Clim of the Clough & William of Cloudesley, the Churl & the Burd, the Seaven Wise Masters, the Wife Lapt in a Morels Skin, the sak full of nuez, the seargeaunt that became a Fryar, Skogan, Collyn Cloout, the Fryar & the Boy, Elynor Rumming, & the Nutbrooun Maid, with many moe then I rehearz heere, I beleeve hee have them all at hiz fingers endz." The Sack Full of news is entered several times on the registers of the Stationers' Company in the sixteenth century; but as there was a play under the same title, it is not always certain that the jest-book is referred to. In 1582, however, it is entered to John Charlwood with other pieces of popular literature, such as Sir Eglamour, A Proud Wives Paternoster, &c., and in this instance it seems all but certain that the merriment, not the play, is the tract intended. I have very little doubt but that the penny history now reprinted is a copy, in an abridged form perhaps but still a copy, of the original Sack Full of News mentioned by Laneham. |