History and expressions

[Ubberdorc]

I have been browsing the forums here for Pike & Shot and many of you enjoy history like myself. I have seen several people refer to "The White Company"
Which I have been listening to on Audible and I finished Sir Nigel.

I enjoy reading some of these older books because of the language and a glimpse of culture. You get a real feeling of the role the church plays and the verbal expressions used.

"By my hilt", "by my 10 finger bones" and "by the rude"

"By the rude" is an interesting one - I think I get the intent behind it but is there a deeper meaning that is lost with the passage of time?

[SnuggleBunnies]

Maybe referring to the Holy Rood, a fragment of the True Cross?

[Ubberdorc]

That is possible - I did not even think of that!

[rbodleyscott]

Not necessarily the True Cross. Any crucifix is a rood. So "By the rood!" would be "By the cross!".

Similar religious-based oaths:

"Zounds!" which is a contraction of "His Wounds!" i.e. Jesus's wounds.

And of course "Bloody", which is a contraction of "By Our Lady"

[Ubberdorc]

Good info!