Martlemas

“Not the death of a man,” said Long Allen, to whom the King looked as he spoke; “but methinks I would not die like a poisoned rat for the sake of a black chattel there, that is bought and sold in a market like a Martlemas ox.”

The Talisman 2008

“A hogshead of ale at Martlemas, of the double strike, and single ale at pleasure, as he shall agree with the Cellarer —”

The Monastery 2008

Martlemas or Martinmas was “the customary time for hanging up provisions to dry which had been salted for the winter.

Scene VI 1909

I was just turned sixteen that Martlemas, and not a fair-sized wench for my years either.

A Brother To Dragons and Other Old-time Tales Am��lie Rives 1904

'Twas one day nigh unto Martlemas that old Butter did undertake to chide her for conducting herself after the manner o 'a lad rather than o' a lass.

A Brother To Dragons and Other Old-time Tales Am��lie Rives 1904

Which on a Martlemas Day Mr. Robert had bought for a fairing:

From "Dorothy: a Country Story." III. Dorothy's Room by Arthur Joseph Munby Edmund Clarence Stedman 1895

King looked as he spoke, ` ` but methinks I would not die like a poisoned rat for the sake of a black chattel there, that is bought and sold in a market like a Martlemas ox. ''

The Talisman 1894

"A hogshead of ale at Martlemas, of the double strike, and single ale at pleasure, as he shall agree with the Cellarer --"

The Monastery Walter Scott 1801

I. i.211 (203,4) [upon Allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas?] [Theobald suspected that Shakespeare had written "Martlemas."]

Notes to Shakespeare — Volume 01: Comedies Samuel Johnson 1746

He had plenty of malt to make good ale — “And Martlemas beef to him was not dainty;

Old Cookery Books and Ancient Cuisine 2006