The Bonny Lass of Anglesey

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The Bonny Lass of Anglesey is Child ballad 220.

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Fifteen English lords come to the king "To dance and win the victory." He gets the bonny lass to dance with them, offering her lands and either the fairest knight (of her choice), or the bravest, in his court. She wins. The fifteenth lord laid aside his sword but still had to admit defeat -- in one variant, for exhaustion.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Commentary

The significiance of this dancing competition and the "victory" won is unclear.

Francis James Child classified it among the "historical" ballads.

[edit] External links