The Franklin's Maid

A young maid, left behind by her master, attracts the attention of various suitors, each representing different social classes and professions. A noble knight, a charming squire, a wealthy mercer, and a skilled archer all attempt to win her affection, but none succeed. The knight, despite his high status and valor, cannot capture her heart. The squire, with his charm and musical talents, also fails to impress her. The mercer, wealthy and well-dressed, finds that money cannot buy love. Lastly, the archer, though brave and true, is equally unsuccessful. The maid remains elusive, embodying a blend of coldness and coyness, leaving her suitors to lament their unfulfilled desires as they venture through the countryside. The narrative explores themes of love, social status, and the complexities of courtship, highlighting the maid's independence and the futility of the men's efforts.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1924 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Narrative · 263 words

First lines

(_From_ ‘_The White Company_')

The franklin he hath gone to roam, The franklin's maid she bides at home; But she is cold, and coy, and staid, And who may win the franklin's maid?

There came a knight of high renown In bassinet and ciclatoun; On bended knee full long he prayed- He might not win the franklin's maid.

There came a squire so debonair, His dress was rich, his words were fair. He sweetly sang, he deftly played- He could not win the franklin's maid.

What this Textopian page supports

The Franklin's Maid is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1924 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Date: 1924 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Poetry, Romance, Narrative, Historical Fiction, Comedy
• Length: 263 words
• Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Franklin's Maid by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Franklin's Maid?
• How does this short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

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Genres

• Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
• Romance — The central theme revolves around courtship and the pursuit of love, characteristic of romantic literature.
• Narrative — The poem tells a story with a clear plot involving characters and their interactions.
• Historical Fiction — The setting and characters reflect a historical context, typical of medieval narratives.

Tags

Arthur Conan Doyle · The White Company · poetry · medieval · romance · knight · squire · franklin · maid · courtship · chivalry · narrative

More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

• The Parish Magazine (1914)
• The Great Brown-Pericord Motor (1914)
• The Holocaust of Manor Place (1901)
• The Debatable Case of Mrs. Emsley (1901)
• The Love Affair of George Vincent Parker (1901)
• The Disintegration Machine (1927)
• The Bully of Brocas Court (1914)
• The Brown Hand (1914)
• All works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle