Note 39 — April 26.] ROGATION SUNDAY.
Reading edition
Bezant being the name of an ancient gold coin, the ceremony probably took its name from such a piece of money being originally tendered to the lord of the manor.—Book of Days, vol. i. p. 585.
[40] Hutchins says this beson or byzant was so richly adorned with plate and jewels, borrowed from the neighbouring gentry, as to be worth no less than 1500l.—History of Dorset, 1803, vol. ii. p. 425.