Chapter Huldbrand to Hungarian Brothers of H by Brewer's Readers Handbook

(It was really the monument of John Beauchamp that the “dinnerless” hung about, and not that of duke Humphrey. John Beauchamp died in 1359, and duke Humphrey in 1446.)

A similar phrase is, “To be the guest of the cross-legged knights,” meaning the stone effigies in the Round Church (London). Lawyers at one time made this church the rendezvous of their clients, and here a host of dinnerless vagabonds used to loiter about, in the hope of picking up a job which would furnish them with the means of getting a dinner.

“To dine or sup with sir Thomas Gresham” (q.v.) means the same thing, the Royal Exchange being at one time the great lounge of idlers.

Tho’ little coin thy purseless pockets line,
Yet with great company thou’rt taken up;
For often with duke Humphrey thou dost dine;
And often with sir Thomas Gresham sup.
   —Hayman: Quidlibet (Epigram on a Loafer, 1628).

Humphrey’s Clock (Master), the name given to a serial by Charles Dickens; but only two tales were included in the publication (1840–1841). These tales were Barnaby Rudge and The Old Curiosity Shop, both of which were afterwards published separately.

Humphry Clinker. (See Clinker, p. 219.)

Huncamunca (Princess), daughter of king Arthur and queen Dollallolla, beloved by lord Grizzle and Tom Thumb. The king promises her in marriage to the “pigmy giant-queller.” Huncamunca kills Frizaletta “for killing her mamma.” But Frizaletta killed the queen for killing her sweetheart Noodle, and the queen killed Noodle because he was the messenger of ill news.—Tom Thumb, by Fielding the novelist (1730), altered by O’Hara, author of Midas (1778).

Hunchback (The). Master Walter “the hunchback” was the guardian of Julia, and brought her up in the country, training her most strictly in knowledge and goodness. When grown to womanhood, she was introduced to sir Thomas Clifford, and they plighted their troth to each other. Then came a change. Clifford lost his title and estates, while Julia went to London, became a votary of fashion and pleasure, abandoned Clifford, and promised marriage to Wilford earl of Rochdale. The day of espousals came. The love of Julia for Clifford revived, and she implored her guardian to break off the obnoxious marriage. Master Walter now showed himself to be the earl of Rochdale, and the father of Julia; the marriage with Wilford fell through, and Julia became the wife of sir Thomas Clifford.—Knowles (1831).

Similarly, Maria “the maid of the Oaks” was brought up by Oldworth as his ward, but was in reality his motherless child.—Burgoyne: The Maid of the Oaks (1779).

Hunchback (The Little), the buffoon of the sultan of Casgar. Supping with a tailor, the little fellow was killed by a bone sticking in his throat. The tailor, out of fear, carried the body to the house of a physician, and the physician, stumbling against it, knocked it downstairs. Thinking he had killed the man, he let the body down a chimney into the storeroom of his neighbour, who was a purveyor. The purveyor, supposing it to be a thief, belaboured it soundly; and then, thinking he had killed the little humpback, carried the body into the street, and set it against a wall. A Christian merchant, reeling home, stumbled against the body, and gave it a blow with his fist. Just then the patrol came up, and arrested the merchant for murder. He was condemned to death; but the purveyor came forward and accused himself of being the real offender. The merchant was accordingly released, and the purveyor condemned to death; but then the physician appeared, and said he had killed the man by accident, having knocked him downstairs. When the purveyor was released, and the physician led away to execution, the tailor stepped up, and told his tale. All were then taken before the sultan, and acquitted; and the sultan ordered the case to be enrolled in the archives of his kingdom amongst the causes célèbres.—Arabian Nights (“The Little Hunchback”).