Barbazan, in his short Glossary, derives the word from Avarus.
H. C. C.
Footnote 8:[(return)]
"Averpenny was a sum paid as a composition for certain rustic services."
I would inform D. 2. and others (Vol. iii., p. 42.) that aver, or haver-cake, which he states to be the name applied in North Yorkshire to the thin oat-cake in use there, is evidently derived from the Scandinavian words, Hafrar, Havre, Hafre, oats.
G. E. R. Gordon.
Stockholm.
"The Sword Flamberg" (Vol. iii., p. 168.)—An English Mother is informed that "Flamberge," or "Floberge," is the name of the sword won in battle from the Saracen admiral Anthenor by Mangis d'Aygremont, the hero of the romance of that name. Ancient swords were frequently "flamboyant," or with waved edges; more especially those used for purposes of state. The Dukes of Burgundy bore a two-handed sword of this form. Indeed, "flaming swords," as they were called, were worn down to the time of our Charles II., and perhaps later. It is rather singular that the ordinary synonyma for a sword should be "brand." The name of the weapon taken from King Bucar by the Cid was "Tizona," or the Fire-brand.
The flamboyant type may possibly be of Eastern origin. The krisses of the Malays, at the present day have serpentine blades.
W. J. Bernhard Smith.