Medieval Romance
The Tale of Emaré
14th century, Middle English: British Library.
Egaré is put into a boat with her new-born son and set adrift without rudder or provisions.
In due course, the queen, Egaré, gave birth to a healthy little boy bearing a distinctive and royal birthmark. They christened the child Segramour. The steward, Sir Cadore, wrote a letter bearing this good news and hurriedly gave it to an envoy to take to the king. The messenger set off at once and rested for the night at the residence of the king’s mother. Big mistake! He foolishly spent the night at her castle. ...
News, instead, is sent of the Queen's treachery. Lies are told of Egaré's treachery! Duplicitous messages are exchanged. Commands are falsely delivered! The Queen is put into a boat with her new-born son and set adrift without rudder or provisions.
Many years later...
The king said laughingly to the boy: ‘Sweet son, what is your name?’
‘Lord,’ he said, ‘it is Segramour.’
Immediately, the king’s humour changed to one of great sadness, for this name reminded him of his dead son. He began to cry, he was so upset. The tears streamed from his eyes and his heart broke once more as he remembered the dreadful events that had once taken place. But despite this, he collected himself and found great pleasure in the child’s company. The king asked the merchant, Jurdan: 'Swete syr, ys thys thy sone?' The burgeys sayde, 'Yoo'
- ‘Sir, is this your son?’
‘Yes, it is’ replied the merchant.
