Notes and Queries, Number 50, October 12, 1850 | Page 5

was taken into Scotland
by St. Margaret, on the occasion of her marriage with Malcolm, king of
Scotland? Did she get it in England or in Germany?
2. What was its size and make? One account describes it as made of
gold, and another (_Rites of Durham_, p. 16.) as of silver.
3. Was the "Black Rood of Scotland" the same as the "Holy Cross of
Holyrood House?" One account seems to make them the same: for in
the _Rites of Durham_, p. 16., we read,--
"At the east end of the south aisle of the choir, was a most fair rood, or
picture of our Saviour, _in silver_, called the _Black Rood of Scotland_,
brought out of Holyrood House by King David Bruce, and was won at
the battle of Durham, with the picture of our Lady on the one side, and
St. John on the other side, very richly wrought in silver, all three having
crowns of gold," &c. &c.
Another account, in p. 21 of the same work, seems to make them
different; for, speaking of the battle of Neville's Cross (18th October,
1346), it says--
"In which said battle a _holy Cross_, which was taken out of Holyrood
House, in Scotland, by King David Bruce, was won and taken," &c., p.
21.
And adds,--
"In which battle were slain seven earls of Scotland.... and also lost _the

said cross_, and many other most worthy and excellent jewels ...
together with the Black Rood of Scotland (so termed) with Mary and
John, made of silver, being, as it were, smoked all over," &c., p. 22.
4. If they were the same, how is the legend concerning its discovery by
the king, upon Holyrood day, when hunting in a forest near Edinburgh,
to be reconciled with the fact of its being taken by St. Margaret into
Scotland? If they were not the same, what was the previous history of
each, and which was the cross of St. Margaret?
5. How is the account of Simeon of Durham, that the Black Rood was
bequeathed to Durham Priory by St. Margaret, to be reconciled with the
history of its being taken from the Scotch at the battle of Neville's
Cross?
6. May there not be a connexion between the legend of the discovery of
the "Holy Cross" between the horns of a wild hart (_Rites of Durham_,
p. 21.), and the practice that existed of an offering of a stag annually
made, on St. Cuthbert's day, in September, by the Nevilles of Raby, to
the Priory of Durham? May it not have been an acknowledgement {309}
that the cross won at the battle of Neville's Cross was believed to have
been taken by King David from the hart in the forest of Edinburgh? In
the "Lament for Robert Neville," called by Surtees "the very oldest
rhyme of the North" we read--
"Wel, qwa sal thir hornes blaw Haly rod thi day? Nou is he dede and
lies law Was wont to blaw thaim ay."
7. Is it known what became of the "Holy Cross" or "Black Rood" at the
dissolution of Durham Priory?
P.A.F.
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
* * * * *
MINOR QUERIES.
_Trogus Pompeius._--In Hannay and Dietrichsen's Almanuck for the
Year 1849, I find the following statement under the head of
"Remarkable Occurrences of the Year 1847:"--
"July 21. A portion of the history of Trogus Pompeius (the author
abridged by Justin) is discovered in the library of Ossolinski at Berlin."
Not having noticed any contemporary account of this occurrence, I
should be glad of any information respecting the nature and extent of
the discovery.

E.L.N.
_Mortuary Stanzas._--Could any of your readers supply me with
information respecting the practice of appending mortuary stanzas to
the yearly bills of mortality, published in many parishes; whether there
are any extant specimens of such stanzas besides those memorable
poems of Cowper written for the parish clerk of Northampton; and
whether, also, the practice is still kept up in any parts of the country?
[Greek: Philopatris].
_Laird of Grant._--In the north of England, I have repeatedly heard the
auld wife remark, on observing any unwonted act of extravagance, such
as burning more than the ordinary number of candles, &c. &c.,--"Who
is to be Laird of Grant next year?" As this saying appears to be used
only in the north, I have no other medium at present than to seek a
reply through the aid of your valuable little work.
SENEX.
[A similar "saw" was formerly current in the metropolis,--"What, three
candles burning! we shall be Lord Mayor next year."]
_Bastille, MS. Records of._--Are there amongst the MSS. of the British
Museum any documents relating to spies, or political agents, employed
by the French and English governments from 1643 to 1715, who were
incarcerated in the Bastille?