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Search found 8 matches

by Lel
Tue May 10th, 2011, 9:37 am
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: Medieval English rural goddesses
Replies: 17
Views: 3456

Don't think this is quite what you want, but I'd guess the nearest thing to a harvest goddess was the corn dolly, corn maiden, corn mother etc., which helped keep pre-Christian "harvest home" customs going. Have you tried looking in "The Golden Bough"? It's on google books. Oops - hadn't seen Margar...
by Lel
Fri January 14th, 2011, 9:53 am
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: The History of a Foul Mouth
Replies: 18
Views: 1982

[quote=""Rowan""]

I wish I had access to the OED. [/quote]

Well, you're in luck for the next couple of weeks! The OED is offering free access till Feb 5 with username and password trynewoed.
http://www.openculture.com/2011/01/oxfo ... _time.html
by Lel
Sat September 18th, 2010, 9:56 am
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: British Universities
Replies: 10
Views: 1684

I'd never have guessed this, but according to the OED using 'read' to mean 'study' can be traced back as far as Chaucer. (Franklin's Tale) "In early use: to study (a subject), esp. at a university or similar institution. Now (chiefly Brit.): to study (an academic subject) for a university degree; to...
by Lel
Wed August 18th, 2010, 3:36 pm
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: 1880s clothing
Replies: 15
Views: 1980

The NYPL has a lot of pictures, labelled by year. A few have bits of text describing fabric, trimming etc. - but it's frustrating not to be able to turn the page and read on. http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult.cfm?s=3&sType=Rel&r=02fClothing%2520%2526%2520dress%2520%252D%25...
by Lel
Fri February 12th, 2010, 4:51 pm
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: Regarding Railway Travel, Port City and Fine Hotel, 1876
Replies: 3
Views: 731

When I read this question I had a feeling that at that time Southampton was more likely than Bristol for upmarket travel, but a quick google doesn't help much. All I found was a page saying "... the ocean liners found Liverpool and Southampton more suitable and the [Bristol] hotel closed in 1855." h...
by Lel
Wed February 3rd, 2010, 9:34 am
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: What Can I See From a Tower?
Replies: 6
Views: 950

At that distance I'd have thought a lot depends on the light (English weather?, time of day). My guess is that you could recognise banners in bright conditions, as long as they were fairly distinctive.
by Lel
Fri January 22nd, 2010, 10:35 am
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: Going Insane
Replies: 9
Views: 896

Haven't read the book, but Terry's also made chocolate in York.

Editing to add -

Joseph Terry married Harriet Atkinson from Leppington.
by Lel
Mon January 4th, 2010, 4:11 pm
Forum: Questions and Research
Topic: Sand on Medieval Floors?
Replies: 12
Views: 3819

Interesting discussion. I didn't know anyone had ever challenged the idea that English floors were once scattered with rushes. The rush book mentioned above has a quote from 1579 suggesting ladies with long gowns might actually like rush-strewn floors, not find them a nuisance. "rushes that grow upo...

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