EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
Durham Sword that killed the Dragon.—In the Harleian MS. No. 3783., letter 107., Cosin, in describing to Sancroft some of the ceremonies of his reception at Durham, mentions "the sword that killed the dragon," as a relic of antiquity introduced on the occasion. I should feel obliged, if you, or any of your antiquarian readers, could kindly refer me to some tolerably full account of the ceremony alluded to, or throw any light upon the meaning of the custom in question, the origin and history of the sword, and the tradition connected with it.
J. SANSOM.
Minor Queries Answered.
"At Sixes and Sevens" ([Vol. iii., p. 118.]).—May not this expression bear reference to the points in the card-game of piquet?
G. F. G.
May not this expression have arisen from the passage in Eliphaz's discourse to Job?
"He shall deliver thee is six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."—Job. v. 19.
A. M.
Mr. Halliwell, in his Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, vol. ii. p. 724., thus explains this phrase: