Ye Knyghte-Mare by Oliver Herford
The narrative unfolds in a medieval setting, where twelve knights of the Round Table gather for a feast. As the evening progresses, the atmosphere shifts from merriment to eeriness when spectral figures, specifically the grandmothers of the knights, appear. These ghostly apparitions sit upon the knights' chests, inducing discomfort and fear. The knights, once proud and valiant, are reduced to groaning figures under the weight of their ancestors' spirits. As dawn approaches, the spectral grandmothers depart, leaving the knights to awaken from their troubled slumber. The experience leaves a lasting impact on them, particularly regarding their relationship with food, specifically mince pie. From that day forward, the knights exhibit a superstitious aversion to the dish, crossing themselves and looking away whenever it is presented at the table. The work blends humor with a touch of the supernatural, exploring themes of legacy, guilt, and the haunting nature of one's past. The knights' reactions serve as a commentary on the weight of familial expectations and the absurdity of their fears, ultimately highlighting the intersection of the mundane and the mystical in their lives.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1910 · Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Poetry · 207 words
First lines
A POST-MORT-D'ARTHURIAN LEGEND.
Ye log burns low, ye feaste is donne, Twelve knyghtes of ye Table Rounde Slyde down fromme ye benches, one by one, And snore upon ye ground.
Ye log to a dimme blue flame has died, When ye doore of ye banquet halle Is opened wide, and in there glyde Twelve spectral Hagges ande Talle.
Ye log burns dimme, and eke more dimme, Loud groans each knyghtlie gueste, As ye ghoste of his grandmother, gaunt and grimme, Sitts on each knyghte hys cheste.
What this Textopian page supports
Ye Knyghte-Mare is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Poetry, Satire, Adventure
- Length: 207 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Fantasy — The poem features elements of Arthurian legend and supernatural occurrences, such as spectral figures and ghostly grandmothers.
- Humor — The poem employs a humorous tone, particularly in the depiction of knights and their reactions to ghostly apparitions.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhyme and meter characteristic of poetic forms.
- Satire — The poem satirizes the chivalric ideals and the behavior of knights in a comedic context.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Romance · Medieval · Chivalry · Knighthood · Magic · Mythology · Fairy Tale · Satire · Humor · Social Commentary