Chapter Kenno to Kex of K by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Kenno to Kex

Kenno This was a large rich cheese, made by the women of the family with a great affectation of secrecy, and was intended for the refreshment of the gossips who were in the house at the "canny minute" of the birth of a child. Called Ken-no because no one was supposed to know of its existence - certainly no male being, not excepting the master of the house. After all had eaten their fill on the auspicious occasion, the rest was divided among the gossips and taken home. The Kenno is supposed to be a relic of the secret rites of the Bona Dea.

Kensington O'beron, king of the fairies, held his royal seat in these gardens, which were fenced round with spells "interdicted to human touch;" but not unfrequently his thievish elves would rob the human mother of her babe, and leave in its stead a sickly changeling of the elfin race. Once on a time it so fell out that one of the infants fostered in these gardens was Albion, the son of "Albion's royal blood;" it was stolen by a fairy named Milkah. When the boy was nineteen, he fell in love with Kenna, daughter of King Oberon, and Kenna vowed that none but Albion should ever be her chosen husband. Oberon heard her when she made this vow, and instantly drove the prince out of the garden, and married the fairy maid to Azuriel, a fairy of great beauty and large possessions, to whom Holland Park belonged. In the meantime. Albion prayed to Neptune for revenge, and the sea-god commanded the fairy O'riel, whose dominion lay along the banks of the Thames, to espouse the cause of his lineal offspring. Albion was slain in the battle by Azuriel, and Neptune in revenge crushed the whole empire of Oberon. Being immortal, the fairies could not be destroyed, but they fled from the angry sea-god, some to the hills and some to the dales, some to the caves and others to river-banks. Kenna alone remained, and tried to revive her lover by means of the herb moly. No sooner did the juice of this wondrous herb touch the body than it turned into a snow-drop. When Wise laid out the grounds for the Prince of Orange, Kenna planned it "in a morning dream," and gave her name to the town and garden. (Tickell: Kensington Gardens.)

Kent (Latin, Cantium), the territory of the Kantii or Cantii; Old British, Kant, a corner or headland). In the reign of Queen Elizabeth Kent was so notorious for highway robbery, that the word signified a "nést of thieves."

"Some bookes are arrogant and impudent;
So are most thieves in Christendome and Kent."
Taylor, the Water Poet (1630)

   A man of Kent. One born east of the Medway. These men went out with green boughs to meet the Conqueror, and obtained in consequence a confirmation of their ancient privileges from the new king. They call themselves the invicti. The hops of East Kent are liked best.
   A Kentish man. A resident of West Kent.
   Holy Maid of Kent. Elizabeth Barton, who pretended to the gift of prophecy and power of miraches. Having denounced the doom and speedy death of Henry VIII. for his marriage with Anne Boleyn, she was executed. Sir Walter Scott (Abbot, xiii.) calls her "The Nun of Kent." (See Fair [Maid of Kent]).

Kent's Hole A large cave in the limestone rock near Torquay, Devon.

Kent Street Ejectment Taking away the street-door; a method devised by the landlords of Kent Street, Southwark, when their tenants were more than a fortnight in arrears.

Kentish Fire Rapturous applause, or three times three and one more. The expression originated with Lord Winchelsea, who proposed the health of the Earl of Roden, on August 15th, 1834, and added, "Let it be given with the `Kentish Fire.' " In proposing another toast he asked permission to bring his "Kentish Artillery" again into action. Chambers, in his Encyclopædia, says it arose from the protracted cheers given in Kent to the No-Popery orators in 1828-1829.

Kentish Moll Mary Carlton, nicknamed The German Princess. She was transported to Jamaica in 1671; but, returning without leave, she was hanged at Tyburn, January 22nd, 1673.

Kentishmen's Tails (See Tails .)