Brewer's: Bolton

The Bolton Ass. This creature is said to have chewed tobacco and taken snuff. (Dr. Doran.)

Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton.
Give me some advantage. What you say must be qualified, as it is too strong. Ray says that a collection of proverbs were once presented to the Virgin Queen, with the assurance that it contained all the proverbs in the language; but the Queen rebuked the boaster with the proverb, “Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton,” a proverb omitted in the compilation. John Bolton was one of the courtiers who used to play cards and dice with Henry VIII., and flattered the king by asking him to allow him an ace or some advantage in the game.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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