Introduction
Geoffrey of Monmouth devotes several chapters of his History of Britain to the entirely legendary Leir, telling a tale that captured the imagination of William Shakespeare, and deservedly so.
IN the days of Ahab, King of Israel,* and the prophet Elijah, there lived in Britain a King named Leir, from whom Leicester is named.* He had three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, and in his old age he decided to divide his kingdom among them, after finding each one a suitable consort.
To help him apportion his kingdom justly, he asked each daughter in turn how well she loved him. Goneril and Regan poured out empty flatteries, but Cordelia coolly replied that like her sisters, she loved him exactly as much as he was worth to her.
Following her sisters’ affecting performances, Cordelia’s reply sounded ungracious to the foolish King. Though she had always been his favourite, he banished her, and divided his kingdom between Goneril and Regan, for whom he also found two noble husbands. No husband was found for Cordelia, and Leir was glad to be rid of her when the King of France chose her for himself.*
* Ahab was king of Israel from 874 to about 853 BC.
* Supposedly, Caer Leir became Leircaster and finally Leicester. Modern toponomastics derives Leicester from the Ligore tribe, in turn named after an ancient name for the River Soar, which can be seen today in the nearby village of Leire. Leire is pronounced like the ‘Lear’ of Shakespeare’s play, and that is the pronunciation of Leir used in the audio track for this tale. Compare ‘weir’.
* For a folktale which blends the legend of Leir with Cinderella, see Cap o’ Rushes.
Précis
According to legend, an 8th-century BC British king named Leir shared out his kingdom between two of his daughters, after they pleased him with their flattery. A third daughter got nothing, as she was less grushing in her affections, and he was pleased when the King of France took her off his hands. (53 / 60 words)
According to legend, an 8th-century BC British king named Leir shared out his kingdom between two of his daughters, after they pleased him with their flattery. A third daughter got nothing, as she was less grushing in her affections, and he was pleased when the King of France took her off his hands.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: despite, if, must, or, unless, until, whereas, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why did Leir test the affections of his three daughters?
Suggestion
He intended to apportion his kingdom accordingly. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Leir felt old and tired. He had three daughters. He decided to give part of his kingdom to each one.