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by Marriott Edgar
Illustrations by John Hassall
King Henry II of England was supported by several knights, the fattest of whom was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much Pi.
But that has nothing to do with the story of Rosamond.
Fair Rosamond refers to the beautiful Rosamund Clifford, a mistress of King Henry II of England in the mid-12th century. Given that Henry spent much of that time travelling around Europe, we cannot be certain how far this adulterous relationship went.
This poem supports the legend that Henry built a labyrinth in his Oxfordshire palace garden for her entertainment. Folks really knew how to enjoy themselves in those days!
The poem ends with her retirement in a nearby convent; just as Shakespeare wrote in the closing lines of Romeo and Juliet.
You've heard of King Henry II 'Twere a lovely romance while it lasted, The Queen were at first incred-u-lous. But one morning she picked up a doublet She went to the King in a passion She said "If I catch that young woman, |
A strong smell of soir de paree |
Fixing the bobbin on dress |
So he took Rosie off to the country, But the Queen wasn't fooled for a moment, She were hiding in t'macaracapa |
Poor Rosie went back not suspecting |
The Queen follows Rosie |
Rose, meet the wife |
The King he were toasting a muffin, She'd a basin of poison in one hand, The Queen shoved the basin at Rosie, |
The Fair Rosamond begged for mercy. The King told the same tale as Rosie The Queen at the finish believed them, |
He skipped to one side |