Brewer's: Rewe

A roll or slip; as Ragman's Rewe. (See Ragman.)

“There is a whole world of curious history contained in the phrase `ragman's rewe,' meaning a list, roll, catalogue, ... charter, scroll of any kind. In Piers Piowman's Vision it is used for the pope's bull.” —Edinburgh Review, July, 1870.

“In Fescenium was first invented the joylitee of mynstrelsie and syngyng merrie songs for makyng laughter, hence called `Fescennia Carmina,' which I translate a `Ragman's Rewe' or Bible.” —Ud. ill.

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