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King Ryence

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of North Wales, sent a dwarf to King Arthur to say “he had overcome eleven kings, all of which paid him homage in this sort—viz. they gave him their beards to purfell his mantle. He now required King Arthur to do likewise.” King Arthur returned answer, “My beard is full young yet for a purfell, but before it is long enough for such a purpose, King Ryence shall do me homage on both his knees.” (See Percy’s Reliques, etc., series iii. book 1.)

Spenser says that Lady Briaʹna loved a knight named Crudor, who refused to marry her till she sent him a mantle lined with the beards of knights and locks of ladies. To accomplish this, she appointed Malʹeffort, her seneschal, to divest every lady that drew near the castle of her locks, and every knight of his beard. (Faërie Queene, book vi. canto 1.)

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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King Cash
King Cole
King Cotton
King Estmere
King Franconi
King Horn
King Log
King-maker
King Mob
King Pétaud
King Ryence
King Stork
King-of-Arms
King of Bark
King of Bath
King of Beasts
King of Dalkey
King of Khorassan
King of Metals
King of Misrule
King of Painters