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So the Bishop of Durham offered and unspecified reward for anyone
who could rid the local countryside of the terrible creature.
Richard Pollard, a skilled but poor knight,
rose to the challenge and began to study the behaviour of the
brawn, which is supposed to be as large as a cow. Finally
arming himself with several spears. Pollard was able to pursue
the beast south of Auckland toward Raby Castle arid Staindrop in
Teesdale, where after a long and bloody struggle he was able to
kill the beast. Upon completing his task Pollard proudly cut
off the Brawns tongue and placed it in his pouch as a souvenir.
Unfortunately Pollard was exhausted
from his pursuit and fell asleep as the dead creature lay by his
side. A little later a man was passing by and noticed the sleeping
knight and his quarry. Remembering the bishops promise of a
prize, he could not resist the opportunity of reward and quickly
made off with the carcass, without awaking Pollard. When
pollard woke, he was horrified to see the brawn had been taken,
but guessed what had happened and quickly made his way to Auckland
Palace to see the Bishop of Durham.
Arriving at the palace. Pollard found
he was too late, learning that someone had already presented the
bishop with the Brawn and received an ample sum of money as a
reward. Pollard nevertheless gained entry to the palace,
where he claimed that it was he who had slain the beast. |
