Note 27 — Chapter III
Reading edition
W. of Malmesbury (§ 149) quaintly adds as the reason for the gold or silver pegs:—‘That whilst every man knew his just measure, shame should compel each neither to take more himself, nor oblige others to drink beyond their own proper share.’
Compare some lines to be found in Holborn Drollery, 1673—
‘Edgar, away with pins i’ th’ cup To spoil our drinking whole ones up.’
Cf. also the account of these tankards in Pegge’s Anonymiana, 1809.