Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race
Transcriber's Note
The Glossary and Index includes a pronunciation of the Anglo-Saxon names in the text. These include some characters with a macron (straight line) above, and some with a breve (u-shaped symbol) above. Also used is the accute accent (´). If these do not display properly, you may need to adjust your font settings.
BY
WITH FIFTY-ONE FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY
J. H. F. BACON A.R.A. BYAM SHAW W. H. MARGETSON R.I. GERTRUDE DEMAIN HAMMOND AND OTHERS
GEORGE G. HARRAP & COMPANY LTD. LONDON CALCUTTA SYDNEY
Printed in Great Britain at The Ballantyne Press by Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & Co. Ltd. Colchester, London & Eton
TO MISS JULIA KENNEDY IN TOKEN OF THE ADMIRATION AND AFFECTION OF AN OLD PUPIL THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED
IN refashioning, for the pleasure of readers of the twentieth century, these versions of ancient tales which have given pleasure to story-lovers of all centuries from the eighth onward, I feel that some explanation of my choice is necessary. Men’s conceptions of the heroic change with changing years, and vary with each individual mind; hence it often happens that one person sees in a legend only the central heroism, while another sees only the inartistic details of mediæval life which tend to disguise and warp the heroic quality.
It may be that to some people the heroes I have chosen do not seem heroic, but there is no doubt that to the age and generation which wrote or sang of them they appeared real heroes, worthy of remembrance and celebration, and it has been my object to come as close as possible to the mediæval mind, with its elementary conceptions of honour, loyalty, devotion, and duty. I have therefore altered the tales as little as I could, and have tried to put them as fairly as possible before modern readers, bearing in mind the altered conditions of things and of intellects to-day.
M. I. Ebbutt
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M. I. EBBUTT M. A.
PREFACE
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
INTRODUCTION
FOOTNOTES:
CHAPTER I: BEOWULF
Introduction
The Story. The Coming and Passing of Scyld
Hrothgar’s Hall
Grendel
Beowulf
Hrothgar and Beowulf
The Quarrel
Beowulf and Grendel
Grendel’s Mother
The Fight with Grendel’s Mother
Beowulf’s Return
Fifty Years After
Beowulf and the Fire-Dragon
Beowulf Faces Death
Beowulf’s Death
CHAPTER II: THE DREAM OF MAXEN WLEDIG
The Position of Constantine
The Emperor Maxen Wledig
The Emperor’s Malady
The Dream of the Emperor
The Quest for the Maiden
The Finding of the Maiden
The Dream Realized
CHAPTER III: THE STORY OF CONSTANTINE AND ELENE
The Greatness of Constantine Provokes Attack
The Eve of the Battle
Vision of the Cross
Constantine is Cheered
The Morning of Battle
The Cross is Raised
A Council Summoned
Constantine Desires to Find our Saviour’s Cross
Summons his Mother Elene
Elene’s Vision
She Undertakes the Quest
She Comes to Judæa
She Cross-questions the Rabbis
One Appointed to Answer her
She Threatens him
He Guides her to Calvary
Three Crosses Found
A Miracle to Reveal our Saviour’s Cross
The Nails Sought for
Good News Brought to Constantine
CHAPTER IV: THE COMPASSION OF CONSTANTINE
Youth of Constantine
Acclaimed Emperor
Becomes a Leper
Rewards Offered for his Cure
A Desperate Remedy
Constantine Assents Regretfully
A Cruel Proclamation
Constantine is Conscience-stricken
His Noble Resolve
He Announces his Determination
The Victims Sent Home Happy
A Vision
Sylvester Summoned
Constantine Baptized
CHAPTER V: HAVELOK THE DANE
The Origin of the Story
Havelok and Godard
Goldborough and Earl Godrich
Havelok Becomes Cook’s Boy
Havelok and Goldborough
The Revelation and Return to Denmark
Havelok and Ubbe
The Death of Godard
Death of Godrich
CHAPTER VI: HOWARD THE HALT
Introduction
Icelandic Ghosts
The Story. Howard and Thorbiorn
Olaf Meets Sigrid
Thorbiorn Insults Olaf
Olaf and the Wizard’s Ghost
Olaf’s Second Fight with the Ghost
Olaf Meets Thorbiorn
The Combat
A New Enemy Comes
Olaf’s Death
Howard Claims Wergild for Olaf
Howard at the Thing
Howard and Thorbiorn
Guest and Howard
Guest’s Judgment and the Payment of the Wergild
Biargey and her Brethren
Valbrand
Thorbrand and Asbrand
The Arousing of Howard
Howard Gathers his Friends
Howard’s Plan
Thorbiorn’s Return
Thorbiorn’s Death
Steinthor Shelters Howard
The Thing and Guest’s Award
CHAPTER VII: ROLAND, THE HERO OF EARLY FRANCE
The Roland Legends
The Historic Basis
A Spanish Version
The Italian Orlando
Roland in French Literature
The “Chanson de Roland”
The Story
The Saracen Council
Blancandrin’s Advice
An Embassy to Charlemagne
Reception by Charlemagne
He is Perplexed
He Consults his Twelve Peers
Roland Speaks
Ganelon Objects
“Who Shall Go to Saragossa?”
Roland Suggests Ganelon
Ganelon is Angry
He Threatens Roland
But is Sent
He Plots with Marsile’s Messengers
To Betray Roland
Ganelon with the Saracens
Marsile’s Anger
The Saracen Council
Ganelon Plans Treachery
Welcomed by Marsile
Ganelon Returns to Charles
The French Camp. Charles Dreams
A Morning Council
Roland for the Rearguard
Charles is Sad
The Saracen Pursuit
Oliver Descries the Saracens
Roland will not Blow his Horn
It is Too Late
Turpin Blesses the Knights
“Montjoie! Montjoie!”
The Fray
The Saracens Perish
A Second Saracen Army
Gloomy Portents
Many French Knights Fall
The Second Army Defeated
A Third Appears
Roland Willing to Blow his Horn
Oliver Objects. They Quarrel
Turpin Mediates
The Horn is Blown
Ganelon Arrested
Charles Returns
Roland Weeps for his Comrades
He Fights Desperately
Oliver Falls
And Dies
Turpin is Mortally Wounded. The Horn Again
Charles Answers the Horn
Turpin Blesses the Dead
He Dies
Roland’s Last Fight
He Tries to Break his Sword
His Last Prayer
He Dies
Charles Arrives
His Lament
The Dead Buried
Aude the Fair
The Traitor Put to Death
FOOTNOTES:
CHAPTER VIII: THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN
Celtic Mysticism
The Cathleen Legend
The Story. Happy Ireland
The Young Countess
Dearth and Famine
Distress of the Peasants
The Misery Increases
Cathleen Heartbroken for her People
Her Wide Charity
Lawlessness Breaks Out
Cathleen Has an Inspiration
She Summons her Steward
Demands to Know what Wealth she Owns
“Go Far and Buy Food”
The Steward Reluctantly Obeys
Buys Stores in England
His Return Delayed
Deepening Misery in Ireland
Two Mysterious Strangers
Their Strange Story
Mysterious Behaviour
Professed Errand of Mercy
A New Traffic
Buyers of Souls
Slow Trade at First
Trade Increases
Cathleen Hears of the Demon Traders
The Peasant’s Story
“Good Gold for Souls”
Cathleen Tries to Check the Traffic
In Vain
She Visits the Demons
They Make a Proposal
False Tidings
Cathleen’s Despair
A Desperate Decision
She Revisits the Demons
Her Terms
The Bond Signed
General Lamentation
Cathleen Fades Away
The Steward Returns
The Demons Cheated
FOOTNOTES:
CHAPTER IX: CUCHULAIN, THE CHAMPION OF IRELAND
Introduction
Cuchulain, the Irish Achilles
The Youth of Cuchulain
Cuchulain’s Marriage
Bricriu’s Feast
Bricriu’s Falsehood
Bricriu Meets Conall Cearnach
Bricriu Meets Cuchulain
The Feast and the Quarrel
The Women’s Quarrel
The Husbands Intervene
The Heroes Journey to Connaught
Cuchulain’s Steeds
Queen Meave Watches the Heroes
Terror in Connaught
Conor Explains the Matter
The First Test
The Second Test
Ercol’s Defeat
Meave’s Plan to Avoid Strife in Cruachan
The Return of the Champions
The Champions Visit Curoi
The Giant Fights Laegaire and Conall
Cuchulain’s Trials
The Dragon
The Giant Worsted by Cuchulain
Cuchulain Re-enters the Dun
The Decision
Uath, the Stranger
The Agreement
Laegaire Accepts the Challenge
Laegaire and Conall Disgraced
Cuchulain Accepts the Challenge
Cuchulain Stands the Test
Curoi’s Decision and Cuchulain’s Victory
CHAPTER X: THE TALE OF GAMELYN
The “Wicked Brothers” Theme
Literary Influence of the “Gamelyn” Story
The Story
The Father Feels his End Approaching
How Shall he Dispose of his Estate?
The Cruel Eldest Son
Gamelyn Resists
Gamelyn Terrifies the Household
Sir John’s Guile
A Wrestling Match
A Dreaded Champion
Gamelyn Enters
Defeats the Champion
He Wins the Prizes
He Overcomes his Brother’s Servants
A Reckoning with Sir John
Gamelyn Allows Himself to be Chained
Adam Spencer to the Rescue
A Plan of Escape
A Great Feast
The Banquet Disturbed
Sir John in Chains
The Sheriff’s Men Appear
The Sheriff Arrives
Gamelyn Goes to the Greenwood
Gamelyn Joins the Outlaws
The Law at Work
Gamelyn Arrested
Otho as Surety
Gamelyn Goes to the Woods
The Term Expires
Gamelyn in the Court
A Scene
Honour from the King
CHAPTER XI: WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLEE
Introduction
Famous Outlaws
The Outlaws
The Leaders
William Goes to Carlisle
The Old Woman’s Treachery
News Brought to the Sheriff
The Hue and Cry
The Siege of the House
The Attack
The House is Burnt
The Sheriff Gives Sentence
News is Brought to the Greenwood
The Outlaws Go to Carlisle
Clym’s Stratagem
They Enter the Town
They Keep the Gates
The Fight in the Market-place
The Rescue
The Mayor of Carlisle
The Escape from Carlisle
Adam and the Keys
William of Cloudeslee and his Wife Meet
William’s Proposed Visit to London
Outlaws in the Royal Palace
The King and the Outlaws
The Queen Intercedes
News Comes to the King
The King’s Test
William of Cloudeslee’s Archery
Cloudeslee Shoots the Apple from his Son’s Head
The Last Shot
The King and Queen Show Favour
CHAPTER XII: BLACK COLIN OF LOCH AWE
Introduction
The Highland Clans
The Knight of Loch Awe
Black Colin’s Youth
He Goes on Crusade
The Lady of Loch Awe
The Token
The Journey
The Crusade
The Lady’s Suitor
The Baron’s Plot
A Forged Letter
The Lady’s Stratagem
Black Colin Hears the News
Black Colin’s Return
The Foster-Mother’s Recognition
The Foster-Mother’s Plan
The Beggar at the Wedding
The Beggar’s Demand
The Token
The Recognition
The Baron’s Flight
Castle Kilchurn
CHAPTER XIII: THE MARRIAGE OF SIR GAWAYNE
Introduction
Sir Gawayne
King Arthur Keeps Christmas
His Discontent
The Damsel’s Request
King Arthur’s Vow
The Fight
The Ransom
The King’s Search
The Loathly Lady
The Lady’s Secret
The Ransom
The Price of the Ransom
King Arthur’s Return
Sir Gawayne’s Devotion
The Hunting Party
Sir Kay and the Loathly Lady
The Betrothal
The Lady’s Words
The Journey to Carlisle
The Bridal
Sir Gawayne’s Bride
Sir Gawayne’s Choice
The Dilemma
Sir Gawayne’s Decision
The Lady’s Story
The Surprise of the Knights
CHAPTER XIV: KING HORN
Introduction
The Royal Family of Suddene
The Saracen Invasion
Horn’s Escape
Arrival in Westernesse
Farewell to the Boat
King Ailmar and Childe Horn
Ailmar’s Decision
Childe Horn at Court
The Princess Rymenhild
Athelbrus Deceives the Princess
Athelbrus Summons Horn
Horn and Rymenhild
Horn Refuses the Princess
Horn Becomes a Knight
Horn and Athulf Go to Rymenhild
Horn’s First Exploit
Rymenhild’s Dream
Fikenhild’s False Accusation
Horn’s Banishment
Horn Slays the Giant Emir
Horn Refuses the Throne
Rymenhild’s Distress
Horn and King Thurston
Horn Returns on the Wedding-day
Horn Is Disguised as a Palmer
The Recognition
Horn’s Stratagem
Horn Slays King Modi
Horn’s Departure
The Apostate Knight
The Recognition
The Reconquest of Suddene
Fikenhild Imprisons Rymenhild
Horn’s Dream
Horn’s Disguise
Death of Fikenhild
CHAPTER XV: ROBIN HOOD
Introduction
Robin Hood Seeks a Guest
The Outlaws’ Rules
Robin Hood’s Guest
Little John Escorts the Knight
Robin Hood’s Feast
Robin Converses with the Knight
Robin Demands Payment
The Knight’s Poverty
The Knight’s Story
How the Money was Lost
The Sum Required
Robin Offers a Loan
The Knight Offers Surety
Robin Hood’s Gifts
The Bond of Repayment
Sir Richard’s Journey
The Abbot and Prior of St. Mary’s
Sir Richard Returns
The Abbot and Sir Richard
Sir Richard Implores the Justice
The Justice Suggests a Compromise
Sir Richard Pays the Money
Sir Richard Sets Out to Repay the Loan
The Wrestling
Robin’s Impatience
The Monks Approach
The Capture of the Black Monk
The Outlaws’ Feast
The High Cellarer and the Suretyship
The Monk is Searched
Success of the Search
The Monk Departs
Sir Richard Arrives
CHAPTER XVI: HEREWARD THE WAKE
Introduction
The Saxon Patriot
Leofric of Mercia
Hereward’s Youth
His Strength and Leadership
Leofric and Hereward
Hereward at Court
Hereward’s Exile
Hereward’s Farewell
Hereward in Northumbria
The Fairy Bear
Hereward Slays the Bear
Hereward’s Trick on the Knights
Hereward Leaves Northumbria
Hereward in Cornwall
Hereward Released from Prison
The Princess Visits the Captives
Sigtryg Ranaldsson of Waterford
Hereward Binds the Princess
Prince Sigtryg
Hereward and Sigtryg
Return to Cornwall
Hereward in the Enemy’s Hall
Haco’s Plan
Rescue for Haco’s Bride
The Ambush
Success
GLOSSARY AND INDEX