Lyle (Annot), daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell, the knight of Ardenvohr. She was brought up by the M’Aulays, and was beloved by Allan M’Aulay; but she married the earl of Menteith.—Sir W. Scott, Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.)
Lyn´ceus, one of the Argonauts; so sharp-sighted that he could discern objects at a distance of 130 miles. Varro says he could “see through rocks and trees;” and Pliny, that he could see “the infernal regions through the earth.”
Strange tale to tel: all officers be blynde,
And yet their one eye, sharpe as Lin´ceus sight.
G. Gascoigne, The Steele Glas (died 1577).
Lynch (Governor), was a great name in Galway, Ireland. It is said that he hanged his only son out of the window of his own house (1526). The very window from which the boy was hung is carefully preserved, and still pointed out to travellers.—Annals of Galway.
Lynch Law, law administered by a self-constituted judge. Webster says James Lynch, a farmer of Piedmont, in Virginia, was selected by his neighbors (in 1688) to try offences on the frontier summarily, because there were no law courts within seven miles of them.
Lynchno´bians, lantern-sellers, that is, booksellers and publishers. Rabelais says they inhabit a little hamlet near Lantern-land.—Rabelais, Pantag´ruel, v. 33 (1545).
Lyndon (Barry), an Irish sharper, whose adventures are told by Thackeray. The story is full of spirit, variety, and humor, reminding one of Gil Blas. It first came out in Fraser’s Magazine.
Lynette, sister of Lady Lyonors of Castle Perilous. She goes to King Arthur, and prays him to send Sir Lancelot to deliver her sister from certain knights. The king assigns the quest to Beaumains (the nickname given by Sir Kay to Gareth), who had served for a twelvemonth in Arthur’s kitchen. Lynette is exceedingly indignant, and treats her champion with the utmost contumely; but, after each victory, softens towards him, and at length marries him.—Tennyson, Idylls of the King (“Gareth and Lynette”).