Note 82 — VI. PREPARATIONS.
Reading edition
The Saxons as well as the Normans paid great attention to the opinions of the ladies, even upon martial subjects. Strutt says, they “would not go to battle or undertake any great expedition without consulting their wives, to whose advice they paid the greatest regard.” This excellent antiquary pays more regard to truth than gallantry when in the same sentence he adds, “They also superstitiously placed great faith in the neighing of horses.”—Manners of the English, vol i., p. 17.