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July 13, 2004
I Summon The High Dork Of Farragon
One of the neat things about working for an energy trading company is that I get a Reuters feed on my computer. In addition to futures prices on energy commodities, I also get the Reuters news service. In addition to all the standard stories carried by other news sites, Reuters often serves up little gems like this:
PORTSTMOUTH, England (AP) _ "Merlin" appeared in court Tuesday, resplendent in his druid robes and defended by King Arthur Pendragon, but without the 3-foot sword which caused alarm in a local shop.
Merlin Michael Williams, 26, of Westbourne, England, was arrested last week after carrying his spell-casting weapon while shopping at a store in Portsmouth. The sword was confiscated as evidence.
Williams presented himself at Portsmouth Magistrates draped in a green robe and blue cloak.
Pendragon, who addressed the court in a white robe with a red lion print, was joined by a dozen other members of the Insular Order of the Druids, who filled the public gallery.
Williams argued precedent, explaining previous cases heard by the court had allowed druids the right to carry ceremonial swords, which are used to cast spells and create circles of safety.
The case was adjourned for a month to give prosecutor Colin Shackel time to examine precedents.
"It is accepted by the crown this was sheathed and there was no offensive action by the defendant," Shackel said. "The issue is whether this is an offensive weapon per se."
Williams remained free on bail.
The Insular Order of the Druids was founded in 1993 at Stonehenge and is one of at least eight self-styled druid groups in the Britain.
So to paraphrase, we have a group of Renaissance Faire geeks who've taken it to another level. And they carry weapons. In public. But only to cast spells. And now they're all in a court room. How do you think it smelled in there?
Thank goodness it's not possible to make the Brittish court system much sillier than it already is.
Posted by Dan at July 13, 2004 04:03 PM
Comments
its spelt 'British'. Twat.
Posted by: john at August 26, 2004 11:35 AM
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