_Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham._--Having employed my leisure for many
years in collecting _materials_ for the biography of the famous Anthony
Bek, Bishop of Durham, I am baffled by the conflicting and contradictory
accounts of,--(1.) The title by which he became possessed of the _Vesci_
estates; (2.) _When_ and by what authority he took upon him the title of
"King of the Isle of Man;" and (3.) How he became dispossessed of that
title, which it is well known that Edward II. bestowed upon Gaveston;
and whether that circumstance did not induce him to take part with the
confederate barons who eventually destroyed that favourite.

Other incongruities occur in my researches, but the above are the most
difficult of solution.

I am, dear Sir,

ONE THAT INTENDS TO BE A REGULAR SUBSCRIBER TO THE "NOTES AND QUERIES."

_Curious Welsh Custom._--A custom prevails in Wales of carrying about at
Christmas time a horse's skull dressed up with ribbons, and supported on
a pole by a man who is concealed under a large white cloth. There is a
contrivance for opening and shutting the jaws, and the figure pursues
and bites every body it can lay hold of, and does not release them
except on payment of a fine. It is generally accompanied by some men
dressed up in a grotesque manner, who, on reaching a house, sing some
extempore verses requesting admittance, and are in turn answered by
those within, until one party or the other is at a loss for a reply. The
Welsh are undoubtedly a poetical people, and these verses often display
a good deal of cleverness. This horse's head is called _Mari Lwyd,_
which I have heard translated "grey mare." _Llwyd_ certainly is grey,
but _Mari_ is not a mare, in Welsh. I think I have heard that there is