† hench-boy Obs.
Also hinch-boy.
[f. hench- in henchman + boy.]
A page of honour, a boy attendant.
In the 17th c. they ran on foot beside the mayor, sheriffs, etc.
| 1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girl ii. i, You'd have it for a hench-boy, you shall. 1616 B. Jonson Masque Christmas Wks. (Rtldg.) 602/1 He said grace as prettily as any of the sheriff's hinch-boys, forsooth. 1636 Davenant Witts in Dodsley O. Pl. (1780) VIII. 420, I will match my Lord Mayor's horse, make jockeys Of his hench-boys, and run 'em through Cheapside. 1661 K. W. Conf. Charact., Univ. Beadle (1860) 70 Much of kin to those hinch-boys, who on my lord mayor's day at London, were wont to run before my lady marice in velvet caps. a 1683 Oldham Poet. Wks. (1686) 64 When in Solemn State he pleas'd to ride, Poor Scepter'd Slaves ran Henchboys by his side. |