Introduction
The Pollards were gentry with land near Auckland Castle, seat of the Bishops of Durham. By tradition, each new Bishop of Durham was presented by the Pollards with a handsome falchion (a kind of sword), accompanied by a speech recalling how an ancestor ‘slew of old a mighty boar, and by performing this service we hold our lands.’
THE estates around Auckland Castle, seat of the Bishops of Durham, were troubled by a wild boar, so much so that the Bishop and even the King had each put up a princely reward for his head.
So Richard Pollard, of respectable but impoverished family, climbed a beech tree overhanging the animal’s regular paths, shook down a quantity of beechnuts, and waited. As expected, the boar came on them and gobbled them up, allowing Pollard to slip down from his tree and behead him. Pollard sliced off a little tongue, pocketed it for later, and settled down for a nap.
When he awoke, the trophy head was gone.
The Bishop, who was at dinner, graciously declared the tongue token enough without the head, and promised as much land from his estate as Pollard could ride around before the meal was over.
As his lordship was finishing his wine, Pollard reappeared to say that he had ridden round Auckland Castle — and looked expectantly at the paling bishop.
As with most legends, this one occurs in more than one form. For a slightly different account, see England’s North East: Bishop Auckland.
Précis
Richard Pollard killed a wild boar for the bounty on its head, but while he slept his trophy was stolen. Happily, he had kept a slice of its tongue, which was accepted as proof of his claim. The Bishop of Durham invited him to choose some land as a reward, and Pollard cheekily named the Bishop’s castle. (57 / 60 words)
Richard Pollard killed a wild boar for the bounty on its head, but while he slept his trophy was stolen. Happily, he had kept a slice of its tongue, which was accepted as proof of his claim. The Bishop of Durham invited him to choose some land as a reward, and Pollard cheekily named the Bishop’s castle.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, besides, must, not, ought, since, whereas.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why did Richard Pollard climb a beech tree?
Suggestion
To lay a trap for the boar. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
A wild boar was damaging farmland. The Bishop of Durham wanted it killed. He offered a large reward.