264 What’s More and Whatever
The past- tense form, which was more , as in the case of what was more , is
quite rare and does not last beyond the seventeenth century.^8
(17) a. Yea shee was not only in loue with the beast, ... but, which was more , shee
was ielous ouer him (1576 Pettie, A petite pallace [EEPF])
b. hee held her to bee the Baron of Betanfords strumpet ... and which was
more , it was shrewdly suspected he had poisoned her, (1621 Reynolds, The
triumphs of Gods revenge [EEPF])
c. And that which was more , he could make advantage of disadvantages; for
he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money; and the good will of
the Citizens by lying with their wives. (1643 Baker, A chronicle of the Kings
of England [EEBO])
d. The Nuptial of the fair Irene , who was to be married to a Carian Lord, that
in all mens opinions, and, which was more , in her own, perfectly deserved
her; (1679 Orrery, Parthenissa [EEPF])
The which is more Adj construction can function as a parenthetical begin-
ning in the sixteenth century (18) and as a sentential relative beginning in the
seventeenth century (19). In the former usage, it appears clause initially, fre-
quently following a conjunction, while in the latter usage, it appears clause
fi nally.
(18) a. And ( which is more special ) it is threatned to wicked kings by ye same
prophet: (1564 Grindal, A sermon, at the funeral solemnitie of the most high
and mighty Prince Ferdinandus [EEBO])
b. Either for haste, or ( which is more likely ) for guile, you leafte out both the
beginning, and the ende of it, (1567 Harding, A reioindre to M. Iewels replie
against the sacrifi ce of the masse [EEBO])
c. And, which is more detestable , he ordeined & allowed a certeine kinde of
life, (1579 Marnix van St. Aldegonde, The bee hiue of the Romishe Church
[EEBO])
d. And, which is more wonderful , we shall perceiue such industry in many
of the members, (1594 La Primaudaye, The second part of the French acad-
emie [EEBO])
(19) a. I do not mean, that abhominable blasphemy of thundring out curses, either
against God, our selues, or others, with the tongue seuerally, or with the
tongue and hart ioyntly, which is more heinous (1607 Humfrey, The con-
fl ict of Iob [EEBO])
8 One later example is the following:
(i) I believe I never fi r’d my Gun once off, though I never went out without it; and which was
more , as I had sav’d three Pistols out of the Ship, I always carry’d them out with me, or
at least two of them, sticking them in my Goat- skin Belt (1719 Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
[UofV])
Interestingly, however, which is more appears as what in more in another version of Robinson
Crusoe contained in the University of Virginia text collection.