STOKE ST MARY AND DISTRICT HISTORY GROUP
STOKE ST MARY AND DISTRICT HISTORY GROUP
Love Sick Swains.
A Desperate fierce encounter between two love sick swains took place at Stoke St Mary, near this town, as early as four o’clock on Friday morning. The fair object of their quarrel resided in the immediate neighbourhood of the scene of battle but, it appears was unconscious of their proceedings. After many blows had been exchanged with doubtful success, it was determined by the combatants, who could hardly see each other from the bruises they had received that further fighting should be adjourned to the next day. They met accordingly, but the result was not so decisive as to prevent either of the pugilists from proving himself at the feet of the charming Pastorella, and claiming her hand.
This was done in each case with much confidence; but the lady, albeit passionately bent on a ring, and somewhat flattered in being the cause of such a struggle, yet could not brook the idea of her suitors entering a prize ring. and so woefully disfiguring themselves; she accordingly told them her mind, expressing her regret that they should have put themselves to so much inconvenience on her account, but at the same time intimated her firm resolution that, whatever might have been her former inclinations, she would now have neither of them.
Taunton Courier – 26 April 1830