[Gutenberg 25502] • Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race by Ebbutt, M.I. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

HERO-MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE BRITISH RACE 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

← Prev
Back
Next →

← Prev
Back
Next →