Chapter Malengin to Mambrino's Helmet of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Malvoisin (Sir Albert de), a preceptor of the Knights Templars.

Sir Philip de Malvoisin, one of the knights challengers at the tournament.—Sir W. Scott: Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Malvolio, Olivia’s steward. When he reproves sir Toby Belch for riotous living, the knight says to him, “Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?” Sir Toby and sir Andrew Ague-cheek join Maria in a trick against the steward. Maria forges a letter in the handwriting of Olivia, leading Malvolio to suppose that his mistress is in love with him, telling him to dress in yellow stockings, and to smile on the lady. Malvolio falls into the trap; and when Olivia shows astonishment at his absurd conduct, he keeps quoting parts of the letter he has received, and is shut up in a dark room as a lunatic.—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night (1614).

Clearing his voice with a preliminary “Hem!” he addressed his kinsman, checking, as Malvolio proposed to do when seated in his state, his familiar smile with an austere regard of control.—Sir W. Scott.

Bensley’s “Malvolio” was simply perfection. His legs in yellow stockings most villainously cross-gartered, with a horrible laugh of ugly conceit to top the whole, rendered him Shakespeare’s “Malvolio” at all points [1738–1817].—Boaden: Life of Jordan.

Mamamouchi, an imaginary order of knighthood. M. Jourdain, the parvenu, is persuaded that the grand seignior of the order has made him a member, and he submits to the ceremony of a mock installation.—Molière: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (1670).

All the women most devoutly swear,
Each would be rather a poor actress here
Than to be made a Mamamouchi there.
   —Dryden.

Mambrino’s Helmet, a helmet of pure gold, which rendered the wearer invisible. It was taken possession of by Rinaldo, and stolen by Scaripantê.

Cervantes tells us of a barber who was caught in a shower of rain, and who, to protect his hat, clapped his brazen basin on his head. Don Quixote insisted that this basin was the helmet of the Moorish king; and, taking possession of it, wore it as such.

N.B.—When the knight set the galley-slaves free, the rascals “snatched the basin from his head, and broke it to pieces” (pt. I. iii. 8); but we find it sound and complete in the next book (ch. 15), when the gentlemen at the inn sit in judgment on it, to decide whether it is really a “helmet or a basin.” The judges, of course, humour the don, and declare the basin to be an undoubted helmet.—Cervantes: Don Quixote (1605).

“I will lead the life I have mentioned, till, by the force and terror of my arm, I take a helmet from the head of some other knight.”…The same thing happened about Mambrino’s helmet, which cost Scaripante so dear.—Cervantes: Don Quixote, I. ii. 2 (1605).