Chapter Gregorian Tree to Grievance-monger of G by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Gregorian Tree to Grievance-monger

Gregorian Tree The gallows; so named from three successive hangmen - Gregory, sen., Gregory, jun., and Gregory Brandon. Sir William Segar, Garter Knight of Arms, granted a coat of arms to Gregory Brandon. (See Hangmen.)

"This trembles under the black rod, and he
Doth fear his fate from the Gregorian tree."
Mercutius Pragmaticus (1641).

Gregorian Water or Gringorian Water. Holy water; so called because Gregory I. was a most strenuous recommender of it.

"In case they should happen to encounter with devils, by virtue of the Gringoriene water, they might make them disappear." - Rabelais: Gargantua, book i. 43.

Gregorian Year The civil year, according to the correction introduced by Pope Gregory XIII. in 1582. The equinox which occurred on the 25th of March, in the time of Julius Caesar, fell on the 11th of March in the year 1582. This was because the Julian calculation of 365 1/4 days to a year was 11 min. 10 sec. too much. Gregory suppressed ten days, so as to make the equinox fall on the 21st of March, as it did at the Council of Nice, and, by some simple arrangements, prevented the recurrence in future of a similar error.

Gregories (3 syl.). Hangmen. (See Gregorian Tree .)

Gregory (A). A school-feast, so called from being held on St. Gregory's Day (March 12th). On this day the pupils at one time brought the master all sorts of eatables, and of course it was a dies non, and the master shut his eyes to all sorts of licences. Gregories were not limited to any one country, but were common to all Europe.

Gregory (St.). The last Pope who has been canonised. Usually represented with the tiara, pastoral staff, his book of homilies, and a dove. The last is his peculiar attribute.

Gregory Knights or St. Gregory's Knights. Harmless blusterers. In Hungary the pupils at their Gregories played at soldiers, marched through the town with flying colours, some on pony back and some on foot; as they went they clattered their toy swords, but of course hurt no one.

Grenade (2 syl.). An explosive shell, weighing from two to six pounds, to be thrown by the hand.

Grenadier' (3 syl.). Originally a soldier employed to throw hand-grenades.

Grenadier Guards The first regiment of Foot Guards. Noted for their size and height.

Grendel A superhuman monster slain by Beowulf, in the Anglo-Saxon romance of that title. (See Turner's abridgement.)

Gresham College (London). Founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1575.

Gresham and the Grasshopper (See Grasshopper .)

Gresham and the Pearl When Queen Elizabeth visited the Exchange, Sir Thomas Gresham, it is said, pledged her health in a cup of wine containing a precious stone crushed to atoms, and worth £15,000. If this tale is true, it was an exceedingly foolish imitation of Cleopatra (q.v.).

"Here fifteen thousand pounds at one clap goes
Instead of sugar; Gresham drinks the pearl
Unto his queen and mistress. Pledge it, lords."
Heywood. If You Know Not Me You Know Nobody.

   To dine or sup with Sir Thomas Gresham. (See under Dine.)

Greta Hall The poet of Greta Hall. Southey, who lived at Greta Hall, in the Vale of Keswick. (1774- 1843.)

Gretchen A pet German diminutive of Margaret.