soldiers statues

[mata hari]

On IQ last night, Alan Davis said "if a statue of a soldiers horse is rearing up, that means he died in battle, If the horse has only one leg raised, the soldier died whilst in service, but not in battle, if the horse had all feet on the ground, the soldier died after his service ended" Is this true, as Steven Fry said it may be just myth?

[Quizmonster]

Someone once researched this subject to try to confirm or deny the significance of the position of the horse's legs in these statues. He collected a large number of photographs of such heroes from all around the world and then delved into how they had actually died. There was absolutely no connection at all! In other words, you are just as likely to find a hero who died in battle on a horse with all four hooves on the ground as you are to find one with front legs in the air, for example.
The joke often made about this subject is that the thing you have to watch out for is the statue with all four hooves in the air...it might be about to fall on you!

[coyn]

This is a pic of Edward 111 (Black Prince) in Leeds, as you can see one leg raised.

Edward fell ill in 1374 and died in 1376 aged 45 so presumably he hadn't officially retired at that age so in this case it's true.

Whether it works in all cases I don't know.

http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/default.asp?Documen t=3.G.1,1&Image=827

[EssJay1]

Just had a packet of Nobby's nuts - dry roast. On it is Lesson 13 Equestrian Statues giving all the above info. A further mystery - did Alan get his info while snacking?

[Philtaz]

From my recollection of the programme Stephen Fry said he would "get the QI elves onto it immediately" and almost instantly had it confirmed on his in-desk monitor that it was completely untrue!

[mata hari]

Oh how sad that it's not true! (sigh)

but it's such a nice idea, (I think I'll pretend it is !) Thanks for all your information folks,

Mata Hari

[WoWo]

Heres a link all about the subject

http://www.snopes.com/military/statue.htm