This story is found in Gower, who probably took it from the French chronicle of Nicholas Trivet.
A similar story forms the outline of Emaărê (3 syl.), a romance in Ritson’s collection.
The knight murdering Hermegild, etc., resembles an incident in the French Roman de la Violette, the English metrical romance of Le Bone Florence of Rome (in Ritson), and also a tale in the Gesta Romanorum, 69.
Lawford (Mr.), the town clerk of Middlemas.—Sir W. Scott, The Surgeon’s Daughter (time, George II.).
Lawrence (Friar), a Franciscan who clandestinely marries Romeo and Juliet. (See Laurence).
Lawrence (Tom), alias “Tyburn Tom” or Tuck, a highwayman. (See Laurence).—Sir W. Scott, Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).
Lawrence Arbuthnot, dilettante society man, who disguises a kindly and generous nature under a careless manner.—Frances Hodgson Burnett, Through One Administration (1883).
La Writ, a little, wrangling French advocate.—Beaumont and Fletcher, The Little French Lawyer (1647).
Lawson (Sandie), landlord of the Spa hotel—Sir W. Scott, St. Ronan’s Well (time, George III.).
Lay of the Last Minstrel. Ladye Margaret [Scott], of Branksome Hall, the “flower of Teviot,” was beloved by Baron Henry, of Cranstown, but a deadly feud existed between the two families. One day an elfin page allured Ladye Margaret’s brother (the heir of Branksome Hall) into a wood, where he fell into the hands of the Southerners. At the same time an army of 3000 English marched to Branksome Hall to take it, but, hearing that Douglas, with 10,000 men, was on the march against them, the two chiefs agreed to decide the contest by single combat. The English champion was Sir Richard Musgrave, the Scotch champion called himself Sir William Deloraine. Victory fell to the Scotch, when it was discovered that “Sir William Deloraine” was in reality Lord Cranstown, who then claimed and received the hand of Ladye Margaret, as his reward.—Sir W. Scott, Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805).