Chapter Wallenrode to War-Cries of W by Brewer's Readers Handbook

(One of Carey’s farces is entitled The Dragon of Wantley)

Wapping of Denmark (The), Elsinore.

War. The Seven Weeks’ War was between Prussia and Austria (1866).

The Seven Months’ War was between Prussia and France (1870-71).

The Seven Years’ War was between Austria and Prussia (1756–1763).

The Thirty years’ War was between the protestants and papists of Germany (1618–1648).

The Hundred Years’ War was between England and France (1340–1453).

War-Cries.

(1) At Senlac the English had two, “God Almighty!” and “Holy Cross!” The latter was probably the cry of Harold’s men, and referred to Waltham cross, which he held in special reverence.

(2) At Naseby the mot of the royalists was, “God and queen Mary!” of the parliamentarians it was “God our Strength!”

(3) The Norman shout was “God help us!”

(4) The Welsh war-cry was “Alleluia!”

Loud, sharp shrieks of “Alleluia!” blended with those of “Out! Holy Crosse!”—Lord Lytton: Harold.

(5) “Ouct! Ouct!” was the cry in full flight, meaning that the standards were to be defended with closed shields.

(6) The Bohemian war-cry was “Prague!” that of the Germans was “Christ!” The leader of the Bohemians was Ottokar; Rudolf of the Germans.

(7) The old Spanish war-cry was “St. Iago! and close, Spain!”

Mount, chivalrous hidalgo; not in vain
Revive the cry, “St. Iago! and close, Spain!”
   —Mr. Age of Bronze, vii. (1821).

Cervantes says the cry was “St. Iago! charge, Spain!”

Mr. Bachelor, there is a time to retreat as well as to advance. The cry must always be, “St. Iago! charge Spain!”—Don Quixote, i. 4 (1615).

(8) In the battle of Pharsalia, the war-cry of Pompey’s army was “Herculês Invictus!” and of Cæsar’s army, “Venus Victrix!”