Chapter Launcelot to Lay of the Last Minstrel of L by Brewer's Readers Handbook

(The knight murdering Hermegild, etc., resembles an incident in the French Roman de la Violette, the English metrical romance of Le Bone Florence of Rome (in Ritson), and also a tale in the Gesta Romanorum, 69.)

Lawford (Mr.), the town clerk of Middlemas.—Sir W. Scott: The Surgeon’s Daughter (time, George II.).

Lawrence (Friar), a Franciscan who undertakes to marry Romeo and Juliet. (See Laurence.)

Lawrence (Tom), alias “Tyburn Tom” or Tuck, a highwayman. (See Laurence.)—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

La Writ, a little wrangling French advocate.—Fletcher: The Little French Lawyer (1647).

Lawson (Sandie), landlord of the Spa hotel.—Sir W. Scott: St. Ronan’s Well (time, George III.).

Lawyers’ Bags. In the Common Law bar, barristers’ bags are either red or dark blue. “Red bags” are reserved for queen’s counsel and serjeants, but a stuffgownsman may carry one “if presented with it by a ‘silk.’ ” Only red bags may be taken into Common Law courts, blue ones must be carried no further than the robing-room. In Chancery courts the etiquette is not so strict.

Lay of the Last Minstrel. Ladye Margaret [Scott] of Branksome Hall, the “flower of Teviot,” was beloved by baron Henry of Cranstown, but a deadly feud existed between the two families. One day, an elfin page allured ladye. Margaret’s brother (the heir of Branksome Hall) into a wood, where he fell into the hands of the Southerners. At the same time an army of 3000 English marched to Branksome Hall to take it, but hearing that Douglas, with 10,000 men, was on the march against them, the two chiefs agreed to decide the contest by single combat. The English champion was sir Richard Musgrave, the Scotch champion called himself sir William Deloraine. Victory fell to the Scotch, when it was discovered that “sir William Deloraine” was in reality lord Cranstown, who then claimed and received the hand of ladye Margaret as his reward.—Sir W. Scott: Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805).