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Loving Cup

A loving cup is a large cup containing wine or other liquor passed round the table from guest to guest at banquets, especially those of a ceremonious character. The cup has three handles, so that it can easily be handed from one person to another. Its origin has been thus accounted for:--King Henry of Navarre (who was also Henry IV. of France), while hunting became separated from his companions, and, feeling thirsty, called at a wayside inn for a cup of wine. The serving-maid on handing it to him as he sat on horseback, neglected to present the handle. Some wine was spilled over, and his Majesty's white gauntlets were soiled. While riding home he bethought him that a two-handled cup would prevent a recurrence of this, so his Majesty had a two-handled cup made at the royal potteries, and sent it to the inn. On his next visit he called again for wine, when, to his astonishment, the maid (having received instructions from her mistress to be very careful of the king's cup) presented it to him, holding it herself by each of its handles. At once the happy idea struck the king of a cup with three handles, which was promptly acted upon, as his Majesty quaintly remarked, "Surely, out of three handles I shall be able to get one!" Hence the loving cup.