avevale_intelligencer | (no subject)

In 1579, or thereabouts, Queen Elizabeth I, while making a progress through the land (as she did from time to time) was held up by foul weather and forced to spend the night at a tavern in the village of Ogbourne St George, in the fair county of Wiltshire. During the night, one Obadiah Rumble, an ostler at the hostelry in question, thought to lengthen Her Majesty's stay by stealing one of her nightdresses. Alas, the theft was discovered, a potboy fingered Obadiah, and (he refusing point blank to return the pilfered garment) the Queen laid a characteristically dire punishment upon him and upon his issue. Under pain of death, every first born male of his line was compelled to stand outside the inn at half past six every morning and half past eight every night, remove his clothing, and remain there till noon or midnight respectively, rain or shine, winter or summer, as a mark of their shame.

The tavern was demolished in the early eighteenth century, and the line has long since perished (presumably of exposure) and yet the practice is still commemorated to this day, as I was gratified to find when, driving home from Lincolnshire via Swindon tonight, I passed a road sign with the brief yet poignant message "Rumble strips."

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I have a soft spot (presumably on my head somewhere) for well-told Shaggy Dog stories, especially when the elegance of the prose completely lures the reader in.

I can't help wondering for what other dubious purpose Rumble may have wanted the nightdress. Perhaps it's better not to ask.

I can do them in writing, or read them from a page, but I can't tell them impromptu. Sad but true.

So groanworthy I had to share it with my husband. :)

Thank you. :D

DIE! DIE! THE DEATH OF A HUNDRED CUTS: D100! D100!

*basks*

R (figuratively) OTFLTM

On the level of the pig-wrestling, which I found the other day.

Good grief, I'd forgotten that. I bet my copy's gone the way of all flesh. Feel free to post it if you so desire.

The pig-wrestling! Yes! (And I bet you never wrote down the cat-w***ing, either.)

Oh. My. Word.

Thanks for an early morning giggle to brighten my day.

Always a pleasure.

Oh! I assumed those signs pointed to shop where you can buy tummy rumbles, in the new convenient strips of twenty.

I shall pay more attention next time I see them. =:o}

The lack of an associated arrow might have clued you in. :)

Ah great! I love to see how history is made.

It's these little sidelights that really put the big picture into perspective. :)

OMG I HAZ GIGGLEZ NAU!

Lol. I like it.

Arrrrrgh! (Shared.)