Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 2.djvu/255

 12 S. II. SEPT. 23, 1916.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

249

WE must request correspondents desiring in- formation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that answers may be sent to them direct.

CAPT. JOHN CHARNLEY. In the year 1804 there was a naval battle near Dominica between the privateer Thetis of Lancaster (Capt. John Charnley), with the Ceres and Penelope (presumably of Cork), and the Bonaparte Brig. In this encounter the British ships were triumphant, and, as a result, a silver cup bearing the following inscription was presented by certain in- habitants of the island of Dominica to Capt. Charnley :

"Presented

By the Inhabitants of the Island of Dominica to John Charnley, Esquire, Commander of the Ship Thetis of Lancaster, Letter of Marque, of 16 guns and 45 men, for his bravery and judicious conduct on the 8th day of November, 1804, when attacked by the Bonaparte Brig of 20 Guns and 215 men, which he beat off and disabled ; thereby preserving his own ship, also the Ceres and Penelope, both valuable ships, who sailed with him from Cork."

On the reverse are trophies of war, with oak and laurel leaves, richly embossed ; and on the lid is a gilt figure of Fame. The inside is gilt, and the cup is valued at 60Z.

It Is desired, if possible, to ascertain the present resting-place of this cup. Can any of your readers help in this direction ? Any information with respect to Capt. Charnley will be appreciated. It is known that he was born at Lancaster, the son of Robert and Mary Charnley of that town, and was married about 1807 to a Mrs. Sarah Peel (formerly Armitstead) of Mytton, Yorkshire. It is particularly desired to ascertain his place of interment, and whether any port rait of him is known. The family appears to have died out here long ago, as he left an only son who died without issue and intestate in 1855. T. CANN HUGHES, M.A., F.S.A.

Lancaster.

"COURT" IN FRENCH PLACE-NAMES. What is the origin of this termination, and what is the precise meaning to be attached to it ? It occurs mainly, apparently, in Picardy and along the boundary line be- tween France and Flanders. Some of the villages are comparatively modern, others go back at least to Froissart's time. Their number, however, would seem to exceed any possible way of connecting the final " court" with the cour or courty ard of a demolished chateau. L. G. R.

Bournemouth.

THE GORDONS : " GAY " OR " GEY " ? Everybody in these days knows the allitera- tive epithet of " Gay " as attached to the Gordons (both members of the family and the famous regiment). In an article on the regiment in Life and Work, March, 1915, the Rev. Lauchlan MacLean Watt says :

"The Gordons as a race were notable for fear- lessness and stubborn dourness, in consequence of which they were spoken of as the ' gey Gordons,' that is to say the terrible Gordons, for their fear- less disregard of death and danger was proverbial. The phrase has become, corrupted in later days, through ignorance, into ' the gay Gordons,' a very different idea."

Part of this statement is undoubtedly true, for according to the old " fret " :

The gule, the Gordon, and the hoodie craw

Are the three warst things that Moray ever saw.

On the other hand, gayness, insouciance, call it what you will, has long been associated with the family ; and the " corrupted " adjective " gay " has been applied to them for at least a hundred years. Robert Chambers uses it in his classic ' Popular Rhymes in Scotland.' What printed authority is there for Mr. Watt's suggestion ? J. M. BULLOCH.

123 Pall Mall, S.W.

AUTHOR WANTED. Who is the author of the following lines ?

Oh that a man with common sense

Can think a bacon slice gives God offence,

Or that a herring has the charm

The Almighty's vengeance to disarm !

Wrapt in Majesty Divine,

Does He look down on what we dine?

TRIN. COLL. CAMS.

HENRY AND EDWARD HENRY PURCELL. The above persons were sons of Edward Purcell, organist of St. Margaret's, West- minster, and grandsons of the great Henry Purcell. I wish to know if they were married ; if so, can any reader give the maiden names of their respective wives, also the names of their children, if they had any ? The date and place of their death are also desired. Edward Henry Purcell was organist of St. John's, Hackney, for some years. Did he hold that appointment at the time of his death ?

L. H. CHAMBERS.

Bedford.

BIFELD OR BYFELD. Where can I find particulars as to the pedigree of Robert Bifeld or Byfeld, Alderman of London, whose daughter Ann or Anna married Sir Richard Haddon, Lord Mayor of London 1506 ? EDDONE.