I was looking for a site that described/confirmed the olde English law that made it legal to punch a Welshman in the nose if he was found on English soil after dark and I found this interesting site. Whilst it doesn`t help me in my quest it is well worthwhile having a read of, I haven`t finished reading the page yet but am finding it fascinating. The following are just some of the proverbs attributed to King Alfred.

Quote:

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1. As one sows, so will he mow.

2. Every man's doom [judgment] returns to his door.

3. He who will not learn while young, will repent of it when
old.

4. Weal [prosperity] without wisdom is worthless.

5. Though a man had 70 acres sown with red gold, and the gold
grew like grass, yet he is not a whit the worthier unless he
gain friends for himself.

6. Gold is but a stone unless a wise man has it.

7. It's hard to row against the sea-flood; so it is against
misfortune.

8. He who toils in his youth to win wealth, so that he may enjoy
ease in his old age, has well bestowed his toil.

9. Many a man loses his soul through silver.

10. Wealth may pass away, but wisdom will remain, and no man may
perish who has it for his comrade.

11. Don't choose a wife for her beauty nor for wealth, but study
her disposition.

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I've tried to follow up this Welsh law stuff in the past without any success, so I'd be interested to know how you get on 'roos.

The most common version holds that it is (or sometimes that until comparatively recently it was) still lawful in the City of Chester to kill any Welshman found there after dark (after midnight in some versions, and subject to this being done with a bow and arrow in some variants). When I lived in Chester it was widely believed to be true, and plenty of websites repeat it, but they always seem to be personal websites of doubtful reliability (I'd have more confidence if I found it in a scholarly article).

It IS perfectly feasible that something like this was the case in medieval times, when Chester was an armed and walled city on the English side of a very turbulent border with Wales.

Edit to add - I think the punch-on-the-nose variation is also to be found within the rules of some English rugby clubs!

I have some Welsh blood in me. A few years ago I was mugged, and punched very hard in the nose. However, I was extraordinarily drunk, and could not have identified the muggers even if I'd tried, so they got off scott free. That proves your point.