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Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'

05 Nov 05 - 01:14 AM (#1597843)
Subject: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: chico

As one of the old families of Anglia, how do you pronounce "Bohun" as in Geoffrey de Bohun? Is Bohun spoken like "Bow-Hunne" or "Bowen" or "Bone" or "Boon"?

I know how to pronounce plantagenet. . .


05 Nov 05 - 04:47 AM (#1597888)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: Muttley

It's pronounced "Bowen" as in Geoffrey de Bohun; ie the guy who got his head parted by Robert the Bruce when he charged him withOUT challenge or warning (DEFINITELY not the knightly or chivalrous thing to do) because he saw Bruce sitting his horse with his back to him, lowered his lance and charged: Bruce heard him coming, turned and simply avoided the lance and backhanded him with his favourite axe - the one he's seen carrying at the Bannockburn monument.

I guess the Scots can be grateful for de Bohun's (Bowen's) cowardice (or underhandedness to put a more pleasant name to his rash act) because Bruce was in two minds as to whether he should even take the English on at all at Bannockburn - in fact he was more inclined to choose a different battlefield. However, de Bohun's rash charge and ensuing death, giving Bruce such a simple and easy victory in a single blow inspired him to make his stand there and then: The English took up the challenge the next day and got themselves slaughtered.

Ah well, I suppose it sort of makes up for Culloden somewhat!


05 Nov 05 - 05:11 AM (#1597896)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: GUEST,Fullerton

I thought it was a german drum...


05 Nov 05 - 07:53 AM (#1597955)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: Jim McLean

Chic Murrey, the late Scottish comedian, once asked me to write him a poem about De Bohun which he pronounced Boon, as most Scots do. He wanted to be able to say something along the line .. Robert the Bruce knocked De Bohun, doon!
Needless to say I never did write the poem, much as Chic was a close friend.


05 Nov 05 - 01:58 PM (#1598116)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: GUEST

Bore-un


12 Apr 18 - 01:41 PM (#3916874)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: GUEST

My family name is Bone. In Australia that means - I get picked on incessantly


12 Apr 18 - 04:48 PM (#3916914)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Another Pronunciation question: 'Bohun'
From: Ged Fox

Boon