Pui

Pui the name of a fraternity, partly religious, in honor of St. Mary, and partly literary, established in Picardy and Normandy, and translated to England about the beginning of the 14th century. deriving its name from the Virgin of the Cathedral of La Puy, to which pilgrims greatly resorted. They yearly elected a prince, who was crowned with garlands or circlets, like those still used on certain occasions by the city companies; the loving cup wias gayly passed at the election, and the author of the best ballad royal was also crowned. They had a chaplain-priest to sing masses, maintained a grand feast annually, and kept a common hutch for the contributions of the brotherhood. There was a chapel of St. Mary de Pui at Westminster. No woman was admitted at their meetings. Perhaps Puits, another form, may allude to the Song of Solomon (4:15).