Manchester.
The following extracts from Sir Francis Palgrave's _History of Normandy and
England_, vol. i. p. 696., explain the origin of the word "Hurrah,"
respecting which one of your correspondents inquires:
"It was a 'wise custom' in Normandy, established by Rollo's decree,
that whoever sustained, or feared to sustain, any damage of goods or
chattels, life or limb, was entitled to raise the country by the cry of
_haro_, or _haron_, upon which cry all the lieges were bound to join in
pursuit of the offender,--_Haron! Ha Raoul!_ justice invoked in Duke
Rollo's name. Whoever failed to aid, made fine to the sovereign; whilst
a heavier mulct was consistently inflicted upon the mocker who raised
the _clameur de haro_ without due and sufficient cause, a disturber of
the commonwealth's tranquillity.
"The _clameur de haro_ is the English system of 'hue and cry.' The old
English exclamation _Harrow!_ our national vernacular _Hurrah!_ being
only a variation thereof, is identical with the supposed invocation of
the Norman chieftain; and the usage, suggested by common sense,
prevailed under various modifications throughout the greater part of
the Pays Coutumier of France."