Wilderness Lady, The

DESCRIPTION: At dinner in a London lord's house an English lady toasts King William "and to all his strong forces." The next day the "Wilderness lady" challenges her to a duel. Wounded, the English lady cries for mercy. An English lord interrupts the duel.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1929 (Karpeles-FolkSongsFromNewfoundland)
KEYWORDS: fight rescue royalty nobility
FOUND IN: Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Karpeles-FolkSongsFromNewfoundland 34, "The Wilderness Lady" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #2295
ALTERNATE TITLES:
A Health to the King
NOTES [86 words]: The "King William" of this song is presumably William III (reigned 1688-1694 with Mary II; sole reign 1694-1702). William I the Conqueror/Bastard (reigned 1066-1087) and William II Rufus (1087-1100) are certainly too early. William IV (1830-1837) is chronologically possible, but his claim to the throne was unchallenged.
If the song were set in Ireland, I would consider that interpretation certain. But William III was also controversial in England, as he overthrew James II in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. - RBW
File: KaNew034

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