Kera Kahn, a gallant and generous Tartar chief in a war between the Poles and the Tartans.—J. P. Kemble, Lodoiska (a melodrama).
Kerns, light-armed Irish foot-soldiers. The word (Kigheyren) means “a hell shower;” so called because they were hellrakes or the “devil’s black-guard.” (See Gallowglasses).—Stanihurst, Description of Ireland, viii. 28.
Kesche´tiouch, the shepherd who joined the six Greek slaves of Ephesus, and was one of the “seven sleepers.”
Keschetiouch’s Dog, Catnier, called by Sale, in his notes to the Korân, “Katmîr.”—Comte de Caylus, Oriental Tales (“History of Dakinos,” 1743).
Kettledrummle (Gabriel), a covenanter preacher.—Sir W. Scott, Old Mortality (time, Charles II.).
Kevin (St.), a young man who went to live on a solitary rock at Glendalough, in Wicklow. This he did to flee from Kath´leen, who loved him, and whose eyes he feared his heart would not be able to resist. Kathleen tracked him, and while he slept “bent over him;” but, starting from his sleep, the “holy man” cast the girl from the rock into the sea, which her ghost haunted amidst the sounds of sweet music.—T. Moore, Irish Melodies, iv. (“By that Lake....” 1814).
Kew (Mrs.), wife of the lighthouse keeper at Deephaven.—Sara Orne Jewett, Deephaven (1877).
Key (Sir), son of Sir Ector, the foster-father of Prince Arthur. He was Arthur’s seneschal, and is represented as rude and boastful. Sir Gaw´ain is the type of courtesy, Sir Launcelot of chivalry, Sir Mordred of treachery, Sir Galahad of chastity[chastity], Sir Mark of cowardice. (See Kay.)
Keyne [Keen] or St. Keyna, daughter of Braga´nus, prince of Garthmatrin or Brecon, called “Keyna, the Virgin.” Her sister Melaria was the mother of St. David. Many nobles sought her in marriage, but she refused them all, being resolved to live and die a virgin. She retired to a spot near the Severn, which abounded with serpents, but at her prayer they were all turned into Ammonites, and “abide to this day.” Subsequently she removed to Mount St. Michael, and by her prayer a spring of healing waters burst out of the earth, and whoever drinks first of this water after marriage will become the dominant house-power. “Now,” says Southey, “a Cornishman took his bride to church, and the moment the ring was on ran up to the mount to drink of the mystic water. Down he came in full glee to tell his bride; but the bride said, ‘My good man, I brought a bottle of the water to church with me, and drank of it before you started.’”—Southey, The Well of St. Keyne (1798).
Khadijah, daughter of Khowailed; Mahomet’s first wife, and one of the four perfect women. There other three are Fatima, the prophet’s daughter; Mary, daughter of Imrân; and Asia, wife of the Pharaoh who was drowned in the Red Sea.