A Legend of Norham by John Lang
The story revolves around a young woman who lives in the castle of Norham during the 16th century. She falls in love with a Scottish nobleman and becomes embroiled in the conflict between England and Scotland. The novel explores themes of loyalty, duty, and the complexities of war.
By John Lang · First published 1823 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Tragedy, Romance · 4,277 words
First lines
In the days, now happily remote, when folks, provided as for a picnic, laboriously travelled great distances in order to be present at the execution of some unhappy wretch; in the days when harmless old women, whose chief fault may probably have been that they were poor and friendless, and perhaps by age and privation rendered little better than half-witted, were baited, and dragged by an ignorant and credulous populace to a fiery or to a watery death, there survived in Scotland yet another barbarous custom not unworthy to take rank with witch-burning. It was a custom so pitiless and revolting that the mind shrinks from its contemplation, for if its victims were not necessarily frail old women, they were yet human beings guilty of no crime, innocent perhaps of all but misfortune.
What this Textopian page supports
A Legend of Norham is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Lang, dated 1823 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Lang
- Date: 1823 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Tragedy, Romance, Gothic Fiction, Drama
- Length: 4,277 words
- Structure: 1 section, 41 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Legend of Norham by John Lang
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Legend of Norham?
- How does this short story by John Lang fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, exploring customs and societal norms of the past.
- Tragedy — The story revolves around themes of loss, despair, and the consequences of choices leading to a tragic outcome.
- Romance — The plot includes romantic relationships and the emotional turmoil associated with love and betrayal.
- Gothic Fiction — Elements of darkness, psychological conflict, and a brooding atmosphere contribute to a gothic tone.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Scottish Literature · Romance · Adventure · Fantasy · Medieval Setting · Celtic Culture · Mythology · Legends · Folklore · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery