Introduction
King Henry II (r. 1154-1189) spent much of his reign on the road, in England and his estates in France. This gruelling schedule of marches took its toll on his retinue, among whom was Walter Map, a churchman and lawyer. It was as if Henry, he complained, had been laden with the burden of King Herla. What follows here is a summary of the tale that Walter then told.
MANY years ago, before the Saxons came to this land, a guest came to the court of Herla, king of the ancient Britons.* This guest had a long red beard and a glowing face, yet he had barely the stature of an ape, and his feet were like the feet of the goat he rode upon.* And he said to Herla: “I am a king of kings and many peoples, and we are kin from afar. Know then that the King of France will this day send his messengers to you, offering the hand of his daughter in marriage. Let this abiding compact be between us: that I will attend your wedding, and you mine, a year later to the day.” And swifter than a tiger, he turned and left.
That very day the messengers came, and Herla took the King of France’s daughter in marriage. And as he sat at feast, the goat-king entered his hall, and his servants brought forth bowls and plates and pitchers of gold and crystal, filled with the finest delicacies; and Herla’s servants were idle, for till cock-crow the other’s were everywhere, never in the way and never out of the way.
Précis
In the days of the ancient Britons, a strange king altogether like a faun rode into the court of King Herla on a goat. He prophesied that Herla would soon marry, and promised to serve at his wedding if Herla would serve at his, a year later to the day. It was agreed, and everything happened as Herla’s guest foretold.
(60 / 60 words)
In the days of the ancient Britons, a strange king altogether like a faun rode into the court of King Herla on a goat. He prophesied that Herla would soon marry, and promised to serve at his wedding if Herla would serve at his, a year later to the day. It was agreed, and everything happened as Herla’s guest foretold.
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