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NOTES TO THE VARANGIAN. 427
21 Renowned (
St. Dransius save me I
) p. 299.
St. Dransius was the patron of combatants, and his shrine
was at Soissons.
( 22 ) What is he but a bearded Saxon born ? . . . .p. 306.
"The Normans/' says Dr. Henry, " had a great aversion to
beards, as they had a fondness for long hair. Among them to
allow the beard to grow, was an indication of the deepest distress
and misery. They not only shaved their beards themselves,
but when they had authority, they obliged others to
imitate their example. It is mentioned by some of our historians,
as one of the most wanton acts of tyranny in William
the Conqueror, that he compelled the English (who had been
accustomed to allow the hair of their upper lips to grow) to
shave their whole beards. This was so disagreeable
to some
of that people, that they chose rather to abandon their country
than resign their whiskers."
23
( ) By such a losel slave, whose every breath
Hangs on my will p. 319.
" The lives of slaves were at the entire disposal of their
masters, who had the privilege of what was called pit and
gallows, which was the power, at will, of inflicting every kind
of punishment, death not excepted." Vide Spelman and Du
Cange Gloss. Foe. Baroniae,