Lady of the Lake (The), Ellen Douglas, once a favorite of King James; but when her father fell into disgrace, she retired with him into the vicinity of Loch Katrine.—Sir W. Scott, Lady of the Lake (1810).
Lady of the Lake and Arthur’s Sword. The lady of the Lake gave to King Arthur the sword “Excalibur.” “Well,” said she, “go into yonder barge and row yourself to the sword, and take it.” So Arthur and Merlin came to the sword that a hand held up, and took it by the handles, and the arm and hand went under the lake again (pt. i. 23).
The Lady of the Lake asked in recompense, the head of Sir Balin, because he had slain her brother; but the king refused the request. Then said Balin, “Evil be ye found! Ye would have my head; therefore ye shall lose thine own.” So saying, with his sword he smote off her head in the presence of King Arthur.—Sir T. Malory, History of Prince Arthur, i. 28 (1470).
Lady of the Mercians, Æthelflæd or El´flida, daughter of King Alfred. She married Æthelred, chief of that portion of Mercia not claimed by the Danes.
Lady of the Sun, Alice Perrers (or Pierce), a mistress of Edward III., of England. She was a married woman, and had been lady of the bed-chamber to Queen Philippa. Edwin lavished on her both riches and honors; but when the king was dying, she stole his jewels, and even the rings from his fingers.
Lady or the Tiger? (The). A princess is beloved by a subject, and for this crime he is condemned to die by the king. Two doors open from the amphitheatre. Behind one crouches a tiger; behind the other smiles a woman whom the condemned is to marry. The princess, who loves the doomed man madly, knows which door conceals death, and which marriage, and by preconcert with her lover, gives him a secret signal which to open. He walks directly to the door on the right and opens it.
“Did the tiger come out of the door, or did the lady?”—Francis Richard Stockton, The Lady or the Tiger? (1884).
Lady with a Lamp, Florence Nightingale (1820- ).
In England’s annals ...
A lady with a lamp shall stand ...