Spurs.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 976, 14 November 1890, Page 11

Spurs.

CUSTOMS CONNECTED WITH THEM. More than one curious custom is associated with spurs. The old Border practice of serving them in a dish at meal time as a hint that the larder was empty and that a foray was necessary to replenish it is well known, and it has been said that a similar course has been adopted to intimate to a guest that he had outstayed his welcome. Perhaps, however, one of the most singular bits of folk-lore connected with spurs relates to what is known as ‘ spur-money.’ Down to quite a recent period, if anyone

entered a Cathedral, the Chapel Royal, or other choir with his spurs on, the choristers were entitled to claim a fee from him. It is difficult to trace the origin of the strange custom of ‘ spur-money,’ but in a curious tract published in 1859 under the title of ‘ The Children of the Chapel stript and whipt,’ the choristers are recommended to devote their attention to reading the Testament, than spend their tyme in tall and hunting after spurmoney, whereon they set their whole mindes, and do often abuse dyvers if they doe not bestowe somewhat on them.’ The Duke of Wellington was called upon for a fine for entering the Chapel Royal booted and spurred, but escaped because the youngest chorister failed to repeat his gamut when called upon; and the penalty was also claimed from the Duke of Cumberland, afterwards King of Hanover, for entering the choir of Westminster Abbey in his spurs. The Duke, however, had been installed there, and excused himself on the plea that he had a right to wear his spurs in that church, inasmuch as it was tliG first dls.cs where thsv were first put on him.