“James Hatley”

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1859 (Chambers)
Keywords: nobility royalty thief lie fight accusation help
Found in: Britain(Scotland)

Description

(Hatley) is accused of stealing the king's jewels, though (Fenwick) is in fact the thief. One of the king's children convinces the king to let Hatley fight for his honor; (Hatley/the prince) kills Fenwick. Hatley is made a high official

Notes

This more-than-usually-romantic ballad seems to have no basis in fact. The negotiations surrounding Hatley's release remind me strongly of "Hughie Grame" [Child 191], though there seems to be no actual relationship, and of course the context and outcome are different. - RBW

References

  1. Child 244, "James Hatley" (3 texts)
  2. Leach, pp. 606-608, "James Hatley" (1 text)
  3. DT, JHATLEY
  4. Roud #4022
  5. BI, C244
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.