Sayings in Salisbury
There are many sayings, legends and stories in Salisbury. Here are some of the most well known ones.
Robynsthroat
To suffer treachery while trusting someone. It's important to note that the saying does not count the receiver as stupid, trusting is still seen as a good thing in Salisbury. The saying is more used as a sort of martydom. Only good men can suffer Robynsthroat. The saying is also ment to proove that the action requires vengeance, that all has a part in making sure that it happens. The saying was coined after Robyn had his throat cut during the Night of Long Knives.
"Lord Everon was robynsthroated last year! By his own best friend nonetheless!"' "This is pure robynsthroat! We need vengence!"
Riding the Devil
To prefer animals to your wife or husband in bed. The saying was coined after rumours that Bryn prefered his impressive stead to his wife during cold winters. It can also mean something very loose, like there is something wicked going on in the family.
"So, Sir Alvon is riding the devil again..." "I don't care what anyone says, someone is riding the devil here. And I won't allow it!"
Hillfort cough
Few know where this saying originated, but it stuck. When someone in Salisbury gets a particularly bad cough, the kind that just doesn't go away. It's said that he suffers from "The Hillfort Cough". The local monks and healers agree that there really is no such thing as the Hillfort Cough, it's just regular imbalance of the galls, but locals don't seem to care.
"Looks like your dad caught the Hillfort Cough." "Be careful, or you'll catch the Hillfort. "
When the Oak blooms
The Hanging Tree near the road to Chillmark is a grim sight to behold; especially in the time of cruel lords and turmoil. The bodies of the dead are left to the crows and the elements until their ropes finally snaps and the withered bones are allowed to be buried. The tree is barren all year round but it's said that it will bloom again when it's no longer needed. Since the lords and peasant alike think that this time will never come, at least not any time soon, the prophecy has turned into a snide remark.
'You can come back when the oak blooms for all I care! The oak will bloom before that bloody boy settles down...
Play it like a Saxon
The saying originally stated to spread after The Ambush at Eburacum when it became clear that the strategies of the saxon commanders were completely dishonorable. The saying did not start to get foothold in Salisbury until the game Hnefatafl became popular sometime after 490 and the saying was connected to cheating while playing the game. To "play like a saxon" thus means playing unfairly or cheating. It can also be used when only feeling cheated; for instance if the other player makes a remarkable move that the other player could not foresee.
"I heard he only won because he played like a saxon". Hmpf! That was a saxon move I tell you.