I believe the English horse race commemorates (was founded by? originally
run on the estates of?) a family named St Leger, but of their connection
with the seventh-century saint, deponent further knoweth not.
John Parsons
On Thu, 2 Oct 1997, Steven Botterill wrote:
> >Today, 2 October, is the feast of...
> >
>
> >Leodegarius or Leger, bishop of Autun, martyr (679): Had many struggles
> >with Ebroin, who eventually became absolute master of Neustria and
> >Burgundy. Suffered tortures a number of times; once, after having his eyes
> >put out without groaning, he had his tongue and lips mutilated -- but he
> >still could speak. When eventually sent to be murdered, the four servants
> >entrusted with this task begged his forgiveness; he forgave them, and they
> >cut off his head.
> >
>
> Is this the St Leger of the famous English horse-race? And, if so, what's
> the connection? As I recall it isn't run on 2 October, and is a
> post-Reformation institution anyway :-)
>
> Steven Botterill
>
> Associate Professor of Italian Literature & Romance Philology
> Chair, Department of Italian Studies
>
> 3335 Dwinelle Hall #2620
> University of California
> Berkeley, CA 94720-2620
> (510) 642-6246/642-9884 (FAX)
>
>
>
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