A colleague of mine sent me the message below, and I thought it
deserved (ahem) wider distribution:
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As for AElfheah, I'm sure it was the bones of oxen he was pelted with.
There's a parallel in a Norse Saga - can't remember which one -
involving a bloke called Bothvarr Bjarki, if I remember rightly.
Quite likely I don't. Chicken bones would have to be fired at pretty
high velocity to do any damage, I imagine. If you were forced to EAT
them, they might kill you though. Dogs aren't allowed them, or they
tend to do convincing impressions of the Queen Mum (bless 'er).
Which Anglo-Saxon saint was it that was stabbed to death with the
styli of his pupils (I don't have AElfric to hand)? I have nightmares
about that one...
J. M. B. PORTER
Department of History : University of Nottingham
University Park : Nottingham : NG7 2RD : England
t: + 115 951 3639 f: + 115 951 5948
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