Reference  |  Brewer's Phrase & Fable  |  R  |  Races to Ragnarok

R — Races to Ragnarok (Part 3 of 3)

Ragman Roll originally meant the “Statute of Rageman” (De Ragemannis), a legate of Scotland, who compelled all the clergy to give a true account of their benefices, that they might be taxed at Rome accordingly. Subsequently it was applied to the four great rolls of parchment recording the acts of fealty and homage done by the Scotch nobility to Edward I. in 1296; these four rolls consisted of thirty-five pieces sewn together. The originals perished, but a record of them is preserved in the Rolls House, Chancery Lane.

Ragnarok [twilight of the gods]. The day of doom, when the present world and all its inhabitants will be annihilated. Vidar of Vali will survive the conflagration, and reconstruct the universe on an imperishable basis. (Scandinavian mythology.)

“And Frithiof, mayst thou sleep away
Till Ragnarok, if such thy will.”
Frithiof-Saga: Frithiof's Joy.