Brewer's: Spur Money

Money given to redeem a pair of spurs. Gifford says, in the time of Ben Jonson, in consequence of the interruptions to divine service occasioned by the ringing of the spurs worn, a small fine was imposed on those who entered church in spurs. The enforcement of this fine was committed to the beadles and chorister-boys.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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