H. T. Riley.
"Hurrah," and other War-cries (Vol. vii., p. 596.).—The following passage (which I find in my notes with the reference Ménagiana, vol. ii. p. 328.) may partially assist your correspondent Cape:
"Le cri des anciens Comtes d'Anjou étoit Rallie. En voici l'origine. Eude II., Comte de Blois, marchant avec une armée considérable contre Foulke Nerra, Comte d'Anjou, ces deux princes se rencontrèrent à Pontlevoi sur le Cher, où ils se livrèrent bataille le 6 Juillet, 1016. Foulke eut d'abord quelque désavantage; mais Herbert, Comte du Maine (dit Eveillechien), étant venu à son secours, il rallia ses troupes, and défit absolument, &c. Depuis ce temps-là le cri des anciens Comtes d'Anjou étoit Rallie. Et à ce propos je vous rapporterai ce qu'en dit Maître Vace, surnommé le Clerc de Caen, dans son Roman de Normandie:
'François crie Montjoye, et Normans Dex-aye:
Flamands crie Aras, et Angevin Rallie:
Et li cuens Thiebaut Chartre et Passavant crie.'"
This last cry is not unlike the Irish "Faugh-a-Ballagh" in signification.
J. H. Leresche.
Manchester.
The following extracts from Sir Francis Palgrave's History of Normandy and England, vol. i. p. 696., explain the origin of the word "Hurrah," respecting which one of your correspondents inquires:
"It was a 'wise custom' in Normandy, established by Rollo's decree, that whoever sustained, or feared to sustain, any damage of goods or chattels, life or limb, was entitled to raise the country by the cry of haro, or haron, upon which cry all the lieges were bound to join in pursuit of the offender,—Haron! Ha Raoul! justice invoked in Duke Rollo's name. Whoever failed to aid, made fine to the sovereign; whilst a heavier mulct was consistently inflicted upon the mocker who raised the clameur de haro without due and sufficient cause, a disturber of the commonwealth's tranquillity.
"The clameur de haro is the English system of 'hue and cry.' The old English exclamation Harrow! our national vernacular Hurrah! being only a variation thereof, is identical with the supposed invocation of the Norman chieftain; and the usage, suggested by common sense, prevailed under various modifications throughout the greater part of the Pays Coutumier of France."
A. M. S.