Hotspur- I think the "God on a shingle" quote would refer to the Roman tradition of bringing back the dead or wounded of an army on their shields, which were large enough to hold a body on. Because they had died for their country, they were greatly respected and honoured.

And Helen, I suspect that 'come a cropper' may be 'to BEcome a cropper', that would be, to lose your fortunes and everything else, and take a shite job. I imagine it's a little derogatory towards croppers. I could be entirely wrong on this one.

-J