My Five Favourite Henry the Young King Quotes
As
I have already metioned February is Henry the Young King month, at
least here, in Henry's realm, and I have been trying to make it
really special (in spite of all the odds, such as unexpected bout of
flu :-)). Today I would like to share a few of my favourite Henry the
Young King quotes with you. To make it more attractive I have decided
to limit myself to only five. Difficult decision to take, but
eventually I have come to it. Here they are, my absolutely favourite
top five....
Indisputable
Number 1.The criticism is harsh, but what an imagery and writing
style!!!
"Truly, he left nothing unprobed, no stone unturned; he befouled the whole world with his treasons, a prodigy of unfaith and prodigal of ill, a limpid spring of wickedness, the attractive tinder of villainy, a lovely place of sin… the originator of the heresy of traitors… a false son to his father… the peaceful king" From De nugis curialium by Walter Map
Very
special Number 2. The Young King in his own words:
"... it could be a source of much harm to me to stay idle for so long, and I am extremely vexed by it. I am no bird to be mewed up; a young man who does not travel around could never aspire to any worthwhile thing, and he should be ragarded as of no account." Henry the Young King on his enforced stay in England, 1175. From The History of William Marshal
Noble
or Joyous Number 3? Here I couldn't decide :-)
"Noble hospitality and giving without fickle heart, and fair conversation and warm welcome, and a great court, well paid and well kept up, presents and gifts of arms and living without doing wrong, eating to the sound of viol and song, with many a companion bold and mighty among the best" From Mon chan fenis ab dol et ab maltraire by Bertran de Born,the famous bellicose troubadour and Henry's familiaris
"But if God please, the young king Henry will restore fun, laughter and joy to the world”. From The History of William Marshal
Laudatory
Number 4
"Gracious to all, he was loved by all; amiable to all, he was incapable of making an enemy. He was matchless in warfare, and as he surpassed all others in the grace of his person, so he outstripped them all in valour, cordiality, and the outstanding graciousness of his manner, in his generosity and his true integrity" From Otia Imperialia by Gervase of Tilbury, Henry the Young King's chaplain
Miraculous
Number 5
"One thing appeares almost miraculous, namely, that almost all the world attached themselves to a man who was totally without resources, either in money or territory.” From The Topography of Ireland by Gerald of Wales
Henry's quote about himself is by far the best! I love the word vexed!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love "I am no bird to be mewed up"(Henry, like his father and brothers, was an avid falconer :-)) Sounds so rebellious. I like to picture a scene in which Henry really says so to his father in one of their (I'm sure numerous) verbal clashes.
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I also love 'I am no bird to be mewed up' ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathryn! Perhaps Henry too, like Richard, inherited a share of their great-grandfather's poetic skills :-)
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous. Especially love number two. Shared on fb. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Marsha!
DeleteKasia, wouldn't you love to be at table with your fellow admirers, those listed above (minus Walter Map), with Henry the young king entertaining all of you. I have to say I love the quote "a lovely place of sin" (not referring to Henry). Did Map originate that phrase or was it something he heard elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteI hope your're feeling well now
Joan
Thank you for your lovely comment, dear Joan! reminds of a "conversation" we had the other day on Sharon's blog (about time-travelling in general, romantic evenings and wetnurses :-)) Of course, I would love to be at table with them all, including Walter Map (especially him!). Would be great fun :-) Unfortunately I don't know where he took the phrase from.
DeleteYes, I'm better. I'll be e-mailing you tomorrow.
Good ones! But the 4th one praising Henry is a bit over the top! :p
ReplyDeleteI prefer Henry in his own words.
I know the 4th is highly flattering, but still I love it. It's highly poetic, too. Especially the opening lines.
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by, dear Cristina!
Very interesting quotes, Kasia!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Emilie! I'm happy you like it. Warmest regards from Poland :-)
ReplyDelete