Being kerry handed myself, I had a dirk as well as a sword when playing St George in a mumming play, as without it I was unable to fend off the Turkish knight - I was supposed to win after all which was at times quite difficult having been slightly stunned by the encounter.

I think I still have the dirk somewhere - the sword was passed on to the next one to play the part and a shield was substituted as there was bloodshed at the first dress rehearsal of sword against scimitar. They were only wooden, but they still hurt.

I wonder, though, if a dirk is worn without a sword, if it would be placed on the left and used in the right - the right hand being considered the only acceptable option.

My mother's parents were left handed and suffered for it as children.

Grandpa had a speech impediment which went away after he was wounded in the right arm and so had to use his left hand for some time after that.

Anne the Pleater