Chapter Lycidas to Lyttelton of L by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Lynceus, one of the Argonauts; so sharp-sighted that he could discern objects at a distance of 130 miles. Varro says he could “see through rocks and tree;” and Pliny, that he could see “the infernal regions through the earth.”

Strange tale to tel: all officers be blynde,
And yet their one eye, sharpe as Linceus’ sight.
   —Gascoigne: The Steele Glas (died 1577).

Lynch (Governor) was a great name in Galway (Ireland). It is said that he hanged his only son out of the window of his own house (1526). The very window from which the boy was hung is carefully preserved, and still pointed out to travellers.—Annals of Galway.

Lynch Law, law administered by a self-constituted judge. Webster says James Lynch, a farmer of Piedmont, in Virginia, was selected by his neighbours (in 1688) to try offences on the frontier summarily, because there were no law courts within seven miles of them.

Lynchnobians, lantern-sellers, that is, booksellers and publishers. Rabelais says they inhabit a little hamlet near Lantern-land.—Rabelais: Pantagruel, v. 33 (1545).

Lyndon (Barry), an Irish sharper, whose adventures are told by Thackeray. The story is full of spirit, variety, and humour, reminding one of Gil Blas. It first came out in Fraser’s Magazine.

Lynette, sister of lady Lyonors of Castle Perilous. She goes to king Arthur, and prays him to send sir Lancelot to deliver her sister from certain knights. The king assigns the quest to Beaumains (the nickname given by sir Kay to Gareth), who had served for twelve months in Arthur’s kitchen. Lynette is exceedingly indignant, and treats her champion with the utmost contumely; but, after each victory, softens towards him, and at length marries him.—Tennyson: Idylls of the King (“Gareth and Lynette”).

N.B.—This version of the tale differs from that of the History of Prince Arthur by sir T. Malory (1470) in many respects. (See Linet, p. 615.)

Tennyson describes Linette thus—

A damsel of high lineage; and a brow
May-blossom; and a cheek of apple-blossom;
Hawk-eyes; and lightly was her tender nose,
Tip-tilted like the petal of a flower.

Lyon (Rufus), the dissenting minister in the novel Felix Holt, by George Eliot (Mrs. J. W. Cross) (1866).

Lyonnesse , west of Camelot. The battle of Lyonnesse was the “last great battle of the West,” and the scene of the final conflict between Arthur and sir Modred. The land of Lyonnesse is where Arthur came from, and it is now submerged full “forty fathoms under water.”

Until king Arthur’s table [knights], man by man,
Had fallen in Lyonnesse about their lord.
   —Tennyson: Morte d’Arthur.

Lyonors, daughter of earl Sanam. She came to pay homage to king Arthur, and by him became the mother of sir Borre , one of the knights of the Round Table.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, i. 15 (1470).

Lionês, daughter of sir Persaunt, and sister of Linet of Castle Perilous, married sir Gareth. Tennyson calls this lady “Lyonors,” and makes Gareth marry her sister, who, we are told in the History, was married to sir Gaheris (Gareth’s brother).

Lyonors, the lady of Castle Perilous, where she was held captive by several knights, called Morning Star or Phosphôrus, Noonday Sun or Meridies, Evening Star or Hesperus, and Night or Nox. Her sister Lynette went to king Arthur, to crave that sir Lancelot might be sent to deliver Lyonors from her oppressor. The king gave the quest to Gareth, who was knighted, and accompanied Lynette, who used him very