The Story of Elmer...

Icarus is remembered for his attempt at flying - and we all know his fate after he scorched his feathers flying too close to the sun.

Another ill-fated flyer was Brother Elmer, a monk from Malmesbury Abbey, who in 1010 repeated Icarus attempt by attaching a set of wings to his arms and jumping off the tower of Malmesbury Abbey.

Needless to say the hopeless hanglider was seriously injured and never walked - or flew again.

Malmesbury's flying monk and his attempt to fly himself into the history books might not have been successful, but he did foresee the Norman invasion following a sighting of Halley's comet and became recognised as a prophet.