Chapter Tall Men to Tanner of Tamworth of T by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Tanist (A). One who held lands in Ireland under the Celtic law of tanistry. The chief of a sept. (Irish, tanaiste, heir apparent to a chief.)

“Whoever stood highest in the estimation of the class was nominated `Tanist,' or successor.”- E. Lawless: Story of Ireland, chap. iii. p. 27.

Tanist Stone A monolith erected by the Celts at a coronation. We read in the Book of Judges (ix. 6) of Abimelech, that a “pillar was erected in Shechem” when he was made king; and (2 Kings xi. 14) it is said that a pillar was raised when Joash was made king, “as the manner was.” The Lia Fail of Ireland was erected in Icolmkil for the coronation of Fergus Eric. This stone was removed to Scone, and became the coronation chair of Scotland. It was taken to Westminster by Edward I., and is the coronation chair of our sovereigns. (Celtic, Tanist, the heir-apparent.)

Tankard of October (A). A tankard of the best and strongest ale brewed in October.

“He was in high favour with Sir Geoffrey, not merely on account of his sound orthodoxy and deep learning, but [also for] his excellent skill in playing at bowls, and his facetious conversation over a pipe and tankard of October.”- Sir W. Scott: Peveril of the Peak, chap. iv

Tanner Sixpence. (The Italian danaro, small change; Gipsy, tawno, little one. Similarly a thaler is called a dollar.)
   Tanner. A proper name. (See Brewer.)

Tanner of Tamworth Edward IV. was hunting in Drayton Basset when a tanner met him. The king asked him several questions, and the tanner, taking him for a highway robber, was very chary. At last they swopped horses, the tanner gave the king his gentle mare Brocke, which cost 4s., and the king gave the tanner his hunter, which soon threw him. Upon this the tanner paid dearly for changing back again. Edward now blew his horn, and when his courtiers came up in obedience to the summons, the tanner, in great alarm, cried out, “I hope I shall be hanged tomorrow” (i.e. I expect), but the king gave him the manor of Plumpton Park, with 300 marks a year. (Percy Reliques, etc.)