Shorne (Sir John) or Master John Shorne,

well known for his feat of conjuring the devil into a boot. He was one of the uncanonised saints, and was prayed to in cases of ague. It seems that he was a devout man, and rector of North Marston, in Buckinghamshire, at the close of the thirteenth century. He blessed a well, which became the resort of multitudes and brought in a yearly revenue of some £500.

“To Maister John Shorne, that blessed man borne,

For the ague to him we apply.

Which juggleth with a bote; I beschrewe his herte rote

That will trust him, and it be I.”

Fantassie of Idolatrie.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.