Chapter Linklater to Lirriper's Lodgings of L by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Lion of God (The), Ali, son-in-law of Mahomet. He was called at birth “The Rugged Lion” (al Haïdara) (602, 655–661).

Hamza, called “The Lion of God and of His Prophet.” So Gabriel told Mahomet his uncle was registered in heaven.

Lion of Janina, Ali Pasha, overthrown in 1822 by Ibrahim Pasha (1741, 1788–1822).

Lion of the North (The), Gustavus Adolphus (1594, 1611–1632).

Lion-Heart. Richard I. was called Cœur de Lion because he plucked out a lion’s heart, to which beast he had been exposed by the duke of Austria, for having slain his son.

It is sayd that a lyon was put to kynge Richarde, beying in prison,…to devour him; and when the lyon was gapynge, he put his arme in his mouth, and pulled the lyon by the harte so hard that he slewe the lyon; and therefore…he is called Richarde Curede Lyon.—Rastal: Chronicle (1532).

Lion King of Assyria, Arioch at Asser (B.C. 1927–1897).

Lion Rouge (Le), marshal Ney, who had red hair and red whiskers (1769–1815).

Lion-Tamer. One of the most remarkable was Ellen Bright, who exhibited in Wombwell’s menagerie. She was killed by a tiger in 1850, aged 17 years.

Lion’s Provider (The), the jackal, which often starts prey which the lion appropriates.

…the poor jackals are less foul
(As being the brave lion’s keen providers)
Than human insects catering for spiders.
   —Byron: Don Juan, ix. 27 (1824).

Lions (White and Red). Prester John, in his letter t o Manuel Comnenus emperor of Constantinople, says his land is the “home of white and red lions” (1165).

Lionel and Clarissa, an opera by Bickerstaff (1768). Sir John Flowerdale has a daughter named Clarissa, whose tutor is Lionel, an Oxford graduate. Colonel Oldboy, his neighbour, has a daughter Diana and a son named Jessamy, a noodle and a fop. A proposal is made for Clarissa Flowerdale to marry Jessamy; but she despises the prig, and loves Lionel. After a little embroglio, sir John gives his consent to this match. Now for Diana: Harman, a guest of Oldboy’s, tells him he is in love, but that the father of the lady will not consent to his marriage. Oldboy advises him to elope, lends his carriage and horses, and writes a letter for Harman, which he is to send to the girl’s father. Harman follows this advice, and elopes with Diana; but Diana repents, returns home unmarried, and craves her father’s forgiveness. The old colonel yields, the lovers are united, and Oldboy says he likes Harman the better for his pluck and manliness.

Lionell (Sir), brother of sir Launcelot, son of Ban king of Benwick (Brittany).

Liones , daughter of sir Persaunt of Castle Perilous, where s he was held captive by sir Ironside, the Red Knight of the Red Lands. Her sister Linet went to the court of king Arthur to request that some knight would undertake to deliver her sister from her oppressors; but as she refused to give up the name of the lady, the king said no knight of the Round Table could undertake the quest. (For the rest of the tale, see Linet.)—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, i. 120–153 (1470).

Lionesse , Lyonesse, of Lionës, a tract of land between Land’s End and the Scilly Isles, now submerged “full forty fathoms under water.” It formed a part of Cornwall. Thus sir Tristram de Lionês is always called a Cornish knight. When asked his name, he tells sir Kay that he is sir Tristram de Lionês; to which the seneschal answers, “Yet heard I never in no place that any good knight came out of Cornwall.”—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, ii. 56 (1470), (See Leonesse, p. 606.)