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Peter A Rushforth
Sep 18, 04 - 2:51 PM |
Bradford's Boar's head
Atop of the Bradford Coat of Arms is a boar's head and few people -- let alone Bradfordians -- know the reason. I first read about it in a book I picked up in the local library when I was about 14 years of age. Of course I was intrigued when it said that the 'hero' of the tale was called 'Rushforth' which is my family name. Many years later when I saw other versions the name was given as 'Rushworth' but as there are more 'Rushworths' about and, to my annoyance, people often write my name with the 'w' instead of the 'f' I suppose it is understandable. However, to the legend which I have updated slightly: Just off where Canal Road is today in Bradford there was in the Middle Ages a wood - Cliffe Wood -- and in the wood was a well where the locals drew their water. But in the wood was a fierce and dangerous wild boar. So the Lord of the Manor offered a piece of land to the person who killed the boar. Well my forebear was going through the wood one day and saw the boar. So, being a brave fellow, he killed it. As he was on his way to Morrisons supermarket he didn't want to drag it along and have to put it in his trolley as he went round getting the week's groceries. Being a resourceful chap he cut out the tongue to take to the Lord of the Manor when he'd done his shopping. Later in the day he went along to see the Lord, but there on the floor was the body of the boar and the Lord was just conferring on another chap the parcel of land. Everybody was rejoicing because this man had killed the boar and brought along the body as proof. My ancestor said: "Hold on a minute, it was me who killed the boar." He asked them to open the mouth of the animal. Sure enough, the tongue was missing, so he pulled from his pocket the tongue which he had earlier removed from the beast. The cheat was sent packing and my forbear was granted the piece of land. So that is why there is a boar's head as part of the Bradford Coat of Arms. One question remains, however. I wonder what happened to the plot of land for it certainly wasn't passed down to my family! |
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Alan Slater
Sep 18th, 2004 - 11:42 PM |
Re: Bradford's Boar's head
Enjoyed this tale Peter. You deserve the plot of land. BTW - who is Morrison? |
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Dawn Cockson
Sep 20th, 2004 - 9:56 AM |
Re: Bradford's Boar's head
Hi Mr Rushforth - I am the lady guilty of spelling your name wrong. The story is facinating and based on the size of the new trolleys in Morrisons, Mr Rushforth could have put the boar in one of those as they are certainly big enough, however, if he was anything under 5'2'', he wouldn't be able to get it back out !!!! Dawn |
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Mohan Mistry
Sep 24th, 2004 - 1:32 PM |
Re: Bradford's Boar's head
A very intersting tale Peter!!! I am now convinced that you have a new avenue to launch your fairy stories. Best wishes Mohan |
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