E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Luce.
Flower de Luce. A corruption of fleur-de-lis (q.v.), more anciently written “floure delices,” a corruption of fiordilisa, the white iris. The French messenger says to the Regent Bedford—
1
“Cropped are the flower de luces in your arms;
Of England’s coat one-half is cut away.”
Shakespeare: 1 Henry VI., i. 1.
referring of course to the loss of France.
2
¶ The luce or lucy is a full-grown pike. Thus Justice Shallow says—“The luce is the fresh fish, the salt fish is an old coat”—i.e. Lucy is a new name, the old one was Charlecote. (Merry Wives of Windsor, i. 1.) (See FLEURS-DE-LYS.)
