Chapter Thomas the Rhymer to Three of T by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Thomas the Rhymer to Three

Thomas the Rhymer or “Thomas of Erceldoun,” an ancient Scottish bard. His name was Thomas Learmont, and he lived in the days of Wallace (thirteenth century).

This personage, the Merlin of Scotland, … was a magician as well as a poet and prophet. He is alleged still to be living in the land of Faëry, and is expected to return at some great convulsion of society, in which he is to act a distinguished part.—Sir W. Scott: Castle Dangerous (time, Henry I.).

N.B.—If Thomas the Rhymer lived in the thirteenth century, it is an ana chronism to allude to him in Castle Dangerous, the plot of which novel is laid in the twelfth century.

(Thomas the Rhymer, and Thomas Rymer are totally different persons. The latter was an historiographer, who compiled The Fœdera, 1638–1713.)

Thopas (Sir), a native of Poperyng, in Flanders; a capital sportsman, archer, wrestler, and runner. Sir Thopas resolved to marry no one but an “elfqueen,” and accordingly started for Faëryland. On his way he met the three-headed giant Olifaunt, who challenged him to single combat. Sir Thopas asked permission to go for his armour, and promised to meet the giant next day. Here mine host broke in with the exclamation, “Intolerable stuff!” and the story was left unfinished. — Chaucer: Canterbury Tales (“The Rime of sir Thopas,” 1388).

Thor, eldest son of Odin and Frigga; strongest and bravest of the gods. He launched the thunder, presided over the air and the seasons, and protected man from lightning and evil spirits.

His wife was Sif (“love”).
His chariot was drawn by two he-goats.
His mace or hammer was called Mjolner.
His belt was Megingjard. Whenever he put it on his strength was doubled.
His palace was Thrudvangr. It contained 540 halls,
Thursday is Thor’s day.—Scandinavian Mythology.

(The word means “Refuge from terror.” See Donar, p. 292.)

Thoresby (Broad), one of the troopers under Fitzurse.—Sir W. Scott: Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Thornberry (Job), a brazier in Penzance. He was a blunt but kind man, strictly honest, most charitable, and doting on his daughter Mary. Job Thornberry is called “John Bull,” and is meant to be a type of a genuine English tradesman, unsophisticated by cant and foreign matters, He failed in business “through the treachery of a friend;” But Peregrine, to whom he had lent ten guineas, returning from Calcutta, after an absence of thirty years, gave him £10,000, which he said his loan had grown to by honest trade.

Mary Thornberry, his daughter, in love with Frank Rochdale, son and heir of sir Simon Rochdale, whom ultimately she married.—Colman: John Bull (1805).

Thornhaugh (Colonel), an officer in Cromwell’s army.—Sir W. Scott: Wood-stock (time, Commonwealth).

Thornhill (Sir William), alias Mr. Burchell, about 30 years of age. Most generous and most whimsical, most benevolent and most sensitive. Sir William was the landlord of Dr. Primrose, the vicar of Wakefield. After travelling through Europe on foot, he had returned and lived incognito. In the garb and aspect of a pauper, Mr. Burchell is introduced to the vicar of Wakefield. Twice he rescued his daughter Sophia—once when she was thrown from her horse into a deep stream, and once when she was abducted by squire Thornhill. Ultimately he married her.—Goldsmith: The Vicar of Wakefield (1766).

Thornhill (Squire), nephew of sir William Thornhill. He enjoyed a large fortune, but was entirely dependent on his uncle. He was a sad libertine, who abducted both the daughters of Dr. Primrose, and cast the old vicar into jail for rent after the entire loss of his house, money, furniture, and books by fire. Squire Thornhill tried to impose upon Olivia Primrose by a false marriage, but was caught in his own trap, for the marriage proved to be legal in every respect. — Goldsmith: The Vicar of Wakefield (1766).