Theuerdank, a sobriquet of Kaiser Maximilian I. of Germany (1459, 1493-1519).
Thiebalt, a Provençal, one of Arthur’s escorts to Aix.--Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).
Thieves (The Two). The penitent thief crucified with Jesus, has been called by sundry names, as Demas, Dismas, Titus, Matha, and Vicimus.
The impenitent thief, has been called Gestas, Dumachas, Joca, and Justīnus.
In the Aprocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, the former is called Dysmas and the latter Gestas. In the Story of Joseph of Arimathea, the former is called Demas and the latter Gestas. Longfellow’s Golden Legend, calls them Titus and Dumachus. A legend says that they attacked Joseph in his flight into Egypt. Titus said, “Let the good people go;” but Dumachus refused to do so till he “paid a ransom for himself and family.” Upon this, Titus gave his fellow forty groats; and the infant Jesus said, “In thirty years I shall die, and you two with Me. We shall be crucified together; but in that day, Titus, this deed shall be remembered.”
Thieves (His ancestors proved). It is Sir Walter Scott who wrote and proved his “ancestors were thieves,” in the Lay of the Last Minstrel, iv. 9.
A modern author spends a hundred leaves
To prove his ancestors notorious thieves.
The Town Ecolgue.
Thieves Screened. It is said of Edward the Confessor, that one day, while lying on his bed for his afternoon’s nap, a courtier stole into his chamber and seeing the king’s casket, helped himself freely from it. He returned a second time, and on his third entrance, Edward said, “Be quick, or Hugoline (the chamberlain) will see you.” The courtier was scarcely gone, when the chamberlain entered and instantly detected the theft. The king said, “Never mind, Hugoline; the fellow who has taken it no doubt has greater need of it than either you or I.” (Reigned 1042-1066).