Highland 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2004 Story Portsmouth - Prosecutors dropped charges on Tuesday against a man who said he carried a sword into a shop because he is a druid. In court in July Merlin Michael Williams, 26, said previous cases heard by the court had allowed druids the right to carry ceremonial swords, which are used to cast spells and create circles of safety. Williams, of Westbourne in southern England, was arrested on July 9 after carrying his weapon while shopping at a store in Portsmouth. The sword was confiscated. The Crown Prosecution Service said "it was deemed not to be in the public interest to continue with the case". Williams, who wore his green and blue druid's robes at July's court appearance, said his sword, which he calls Talisen, has been returned. He was happy to have it back "so I can continue with my duties as sword-bearer". "I can understand how the misunderstanding happened with the police, but it was all a bit heavy-handed and they should have listened to my explanation," he said. Williams is a member of the Insular Order of the Druids, which was founded in 1993 at Stonehenge, and is one of at least eight self-styled druid groups in Britain. - Sapa-AP o This article was originally published on page 2 of Cape Times on August 04, 2004 I should claim I'm a druid, just so I could walk around in public carrying a sword. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted August 7, 2004 And what's wrong with carrying around a sword, anyway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted August 7, 2004 What does a druid do these days, anyway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Use Your Illusion 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2004 That's like saying you're a Jehovah's Witness when the cops attempt to collect DNA from you via mouth swab or something similar. They have to back down, by law. Don't ask how I know that. UYI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2004 And what's wrong with carrying around a sword, anyway? Nothing. I think it's cool carrying a sword. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2004 U.K.? More like U ... GAY!!! Seriously whats up with crazy religions over there? First Jedis, now Druids? Seriously if this were stateside I'd SO be a druid. Carry me a sword... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nevermortal 0 Report post Posted August 7, 2004 Certain religions require you to carry ceremonial blades. I know for a fact that Sikhs (or some Sikhs) have to possess a special dagger at all (?) times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted August 8, 2004 Doesn't sound like you know that for a fact, Nevermortal.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nevermortal 0 Report post Posted August 8, 2004 Doesn't sound like you know that for a fact, Nevermortal.. Well, I didn't want to use the term assume, since that makes an ass out of "u" and "me". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
