[755] Cf. Mackenzie, D. A., Myths of Babylonia, p. 86.
[756] There is a London church entitled “St. Nicholas Olave”.
[757] Cf. Morien, Light of Britannia, p. 67.
[758] Skeat connotes naughty with “na not, wiht a whit, see no and whit”: it would thus seem to have been equivalent to no white, which is black or nocturnal.
[759] Hardwick, C., Traditions, Superstitions, and Folklore, p. 254.
[760] The seven hours in skirmish are suggestive of the Fair maid with gold upon her toe:—
The seven bright gold wires
And the bugles they do shine,
ante, [p. 650].
[761] Presumably Billingham River in Durham was a home of the Billings: there is a Billingley in Darfield parish, Yorkshire, a Billingsley in Bridgenorth, Salop: Billingbear in Berks is the seat of Lord Braybrook: Billingford or Pirleston belonged to a family named Burley: at Billington in Bradley parish, Staffs, is a commanding British camp known as Billington Bury. Billinge Hill, near Wigan, has a beacon on the top and commands a view of Ingleborough.