Chapter Helena to Henneberg of H by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Helena to Henneberg

Helena, (St.), daughter of Coel duke of Colchester and afterwards king of Britain. She married Constantius (a Roman senator, who succeeded “Old king Cole”), and became the mother of Constantine the Great. Constantius died at York (A.D. 306). Helena is said to have discovered at Jerusalem the sepulchre and cross of Jesus Christ.—Geoffrey: British History, v.6 (1142).

This legend is told of the Colchester arms, which consist of a cross and three crowns (two atop and one at the foot of the cross).

At a considerable depth beneath the surface of the earth were found three crosses, which were instantly recognized as those on which Christ and the two thieves had suffered death. To ascertain which was the true cross, a female corpse was placed on all three alternately; the two first tried produced no effect, but the third instantly reanimated the body.—Brady: Clavis Calendaria, 181.

Herself in person went to seek that holy cross
Whereon our Saviour died, which found, as it was sought;
From Salem unto Rome triumphantly she brought.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, viii.(1612).

Helena, only daughter of Gerard de Narbon the physician. She was left under the charge of the countess of Rousillon, whose son Bertram she fell in love with. The king sent for Bertram to the palace, and Helena, hearing the king was ill, obtained permission of the countess to give him a prescription left by her late father. The medicine cured the king, and the king, in gratitude, promised to make her the wife of any one of his courtiers that she chose. Helena selected Bertram, and they were married; but the haughty count, hating the alliance, left France, to join the army of the duke of Florence. Helena, in the mean time, started on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Jacques le Grand, carrying with her a letter from her husband, stating that he would never see her more “till she could get the ring from off his finger.” On her way to the shrine, she lodged at Florence with a widow, the mother of Diana, with whom Bertram was wantonly in love. Helena was permitted to pass herself off as Diana, and receive his visits, in one of which they exchanged rings. Both soon after this returned to the countess de Rousillon, where the king was, and the king, seeing on Bertram’s finger the ring which he gave to Helena, had him arrested on suspicion of murder. Helena now explained the matter, and all was well, for all ended well.—Shakespeare: All’s Well that Ends Well (1598).
Helena is a young woman seeking a man in marriage. The ordinary laws of courtship are reversed, the habitual feelings are violated; yet with such exquisite address this dangerous subject is handled, that Helena’s forwardness loses her no honour. Delicacy dispenses, with her laws in her favour.—Charles Lamb.

Helena, a young Atheni an lady, in love with Demetrius. She was the playmate of Hermia, with whom she grew up, as “two cherries on one stalk. ” Egeus, the father of Hermia, promised his daughter in marriage to Demetrius; but when Demetrius saw that Hermia loved Lysander, he turned to Helena, who loved him dearly, and married her.—Shakespeare: Midsummer Nights Dream (1592).

Helice, the Great Bear.

Night on the earth poured darkness; on the sea
The wakeful sailor to Orion’s star
And Helicê turned heedful.
   —Apollonius Rhodius: The Argonautic Expedition

Helicon, a mountain of Bœotia, sacred to the Muses.

From Helicon’s harmonious springs
A thousand rills their mazy progress take.
   —Gray: Progress of Poesy (1757).

Helinore (Dame), wife of Malbecco, who was jealous of her, and not without cause. When sir Paridel, si r Satyrane, and Britomart (as the Squire of Dames) took refuge in Malbecco’s house, Dame Helinore and sir Paridel had many “false belgardes” at each other, and talked love with glances which needed no interpreter. Helinore, having set fire to the closet where Malbecco kept his treasures, eloped with Paridel, while the old miser stopped to put out the fire. Paridel soon tired of the dame, and cast her