Princess of Canterbury
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once, Jack lived in a green land. He was a shepherd. People thought Jack was not clever. But Jack was kind. He had two smart brothers.
King Arthur ruled the land. He had a clever daughter. Her name was Princess Lily. She asked three questions. A man who answered them would marry her. He would become the new king.
Jack's smart brothers wanted to try. "We will go!" they said. Jack wanted to go. His brothers did not want him. Jack went.
They walked. Jack found an egg. He put it away. He found a crooked stick. He put it away. He found a nut. He put it away.
They came to the palace. Princess Lily asked, "We have fire inside us. What are we?" Jack said, "Cook my egg!" He showed his egg.
Lily asked, "How?" Jack said, "My stick." He showed it.
Lily asked, "Where?" Jack said, "From a nut." He showed it. "I answered your questions!" he said.
King Arthur was surprised. He said, "You must stay awake all night. You must sit with Princess Lily. If you sleep, you cannot marry her."
Jack went home. He thought. He went back. He walked by a river. He caught some fish. He put them in his pocket.
Jack sat with Princess Lily. He ate much food. He drank wine. Jack felt sleepy. The night was long.
Lily said, "You sleep!" Jack said, "I fish!" He pulled fish. Princess Lily was very surprised. She liked the fish.
Jack pulled out another fish. Princess Lily liked it more. She was very happy. "You can sleep now," she said. "I will tell my father."
In the morning, Princess Lily told King Arthur. "Jack was fishing all night!" she said. King Arthur was surprised. He wanted to see Jack fish.
Jack asked King Arthur to lie down. Jack put his hand in the king's pocket. He pretended to fish. Then he pulled out a fish! King Arthur was amazed.
King Arthur was happy. He said, "Marry her!" Jack and Lily married. They lived happily ever after.
And so, Jack and Princess Lily were married. They lived happily ever after. Everyone learned that being clever can come in many surprising ways!
Original Story
Princess of Canterbury
There lived formerly in the County of Cumberland a nobleman who had three sons, two of whom were comely and clever youths, but the other a natural fool, named Jack, who was generally engaged with the sheep: he was dressed in a parti-coloured coat, and a steeple-crowned hat with a tassel, as became his condition. Now the King of Canterbury had a beautiful daughter, who was distinguished by her great ingenuity and wit, and he issued a decree that whoever should answer three questions put to him by the princess should have her in marriage, and be heir to the crown at his decease. Shortly after this decree was published, news of it reached the ears of the nobleman's sons, and the two clever ones determined to have a trial, but they were sadly at a loss to prevent their idiot brother from going with them. They could not, by any means, get rid of him, and were compelled at length to let Jack accompany them. They had not gone far, before Jack shrieked with laughter, saying, "I've found an egg." "Put it in your pocket," said the brothers. A little while afterwards, he burst out into another fit of laughter on finding a crooked hazel stick, which he also put in his pocket; and a third time he again laughed extravagantly because he found a nut. That also was put with his other treasures.
When they arrived at the palace, they were immediately admitted on mentioning the nature of their business, and were ushered into a room where the princess and her suite were sitting. Jack, who never stood on ceremony, bawled out, "What a troop of fair ladies we've got here!"
"Yes," said the princess, "we are fair ladies, for we carry fire in our bosoms."
"Do you?" said Jack, "then roast me an egg," pulling out the egg from his pocket.
"How will you get it out again?" said the princess.
"With a crooked stick," replied Jack, producing the hazel.
"Where did that come from?" said the princess.
"From a nut," answered Jack, pulling out the nut from his pocket. "I've answered the three questions, and now I'll have the lady." "No, no," said the king, "not so fast. You have still an ordeal to go through. You must come here in a week's time and watch for one whole night with the princess, my daughter. If you can manage to keep awake the whole night long you shall marry her next day."
"But if I can't?" said Jack.
"Then off goes your head," said the king. "But you need not try unless you like."
Well, Jack went back home for a week, and thought over whether he should try and win the princess. At last he made up his mind. "Well," said Jack, "I'll try my vorton; zo now vor the king's daughter, or a headless shepherd!"
And taking his bottle and bag, he trudged to the court. In his way thither, he was obliged to cross a river, and pulling off his shoes and stockings, while he was passing over he observed several pretty fish bobbing against his feet; so he caught some and put them into his pocket. When he reached the palace he knocked at the gate loudly with his crook, and having mentioned the object of his visit, he was immediately conducted to the hall where the king's daughter sat ready prepared to see her lovers. He was placed in a luxurious chair, and rich wines and spices were set before him, and all sorts of delicate meats. Jack, unused to such fare, ate and drank plentifully, so that he was nearly dozing before midnight.
"Oh, shepherd," said the lady, "I have caught you napping!"
"Noa, sweet ally, I was busy a-feeshing."
"A fishing," said the princess in the utmost astonishment: "Nay, shepherd, there is no fish-pond in the hall."
"No matter vor that, I have been fishing in my pocket, and have just caught one."
"Oh me!" said she, "let me see it."
The shepherd slyly drew the fish out of his pocket and pretending to have caught it, showed it her, and she declared it was the finest she ever saw.
About half an hour afterwards, she said, "Shepherd, do you think you could get me one more?"
He replied, "Mayhap I may, when I have baited my hook;" and after a little while he brought out another, which was finer than the first, and the princess was so delighted that she gave him leave to go to sleep, and promised to excuse him to her father.
In the morning the princess told the king, to his great astonishment, that Jack must not be beheaded, for he had been fishing in the hall all night; but when he heard how Jack had caught such beautiful fish out of his pocket, he asked him to catch one in his own.
Jack readily undertook the task, and bidding the king lie down, he pretended to fish in his pocket, having another fish concealed ready in his hand, and giving him a sly prick with a needle, he held up the fish, and showed it to the king.
His majesty did not much relish the operation, but he assented to the marvel of it, and the princess and Jack were united the same day, and lived for many years in happiness and prosperity.
**OYEZ OYEZ OYEZ
THE ENGLISH FAIRY TALES
ARE NOW CLOSED
LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS
MUST NOT READ ANY FURTHER**
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom and ingenuity can be found in unexpected places, often disguised by outward appearances.
Plot Summary
Jack, a 'natural fool' shepherd, accompanies his clever brothers to the King of Canterbury's palace, where the princess offers her hand to whoever answers her three questions. Using an egg, a crooked stick, and a nut he found, Jack cleverly answers her riddles, surprising everyone. The King then sets a second ordeal: Jack must stay awake all night with the princess. Jack catches fish on his way back to the palace and, during the vigil, pretends to 'fish' in his pocket, producing the fish to entertain the princess, who is so charmed she lets him sleep and covers for him. After Jack performs the 'fishing' trick for the king, he and the princess are married and live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
underestimated to celebrated
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The concept of a 'natural fool' or village idiot was common in pre-modern societies, often seen as simple but sometimes possessing unexpected wisdom. The 'rule of three' is a common narrative device in European folklore.
Plot Beats (15)
- A nobleman has three sons: two clever, one a 'natural fool' named Jack, who is a shepherd.
- The King of Canterbury decrees that whoever answers his ingenious daughter's three questions will marry her and inherit the crown.
- The two clever brothers decide to try, reluctantly allowing Jack to come along.
- On the way, Jack finds an egg, a crooked hazel stick, and a nut, which he pockets.
- At the palace, the princess asks, "We carry fire in our bosoms." Jack replies, "Then roast me an egg," producing his egg.
- The princess asks, "How will you get it out again?" Jack replies, "With a crooked stick," producing his stick.
- The princess asks, "Where did that come from?" Jack replies, "From a nut," producing his nut, claiming he has answered the questions.
- The King, though impressed, sets a second ordeal: Jack must stay awake all night with the princess, or be beheaded.
- Jack returns home, then decides to attempt the ordeal, catching fish in a river on his way back to the palace, which he puts in his pocket.
- During the night vigil, Jack eats and drinks heavily, nearly dozing off.
- When the princess catches him, he claims he was 'fishing' in his pocket and produces a fish, delighting her.
- He produces a second fish later, and the princess, charmed, gives him leave to sleep and promises to excuse him to her father.
- In the morning, the princess explains Jack's 'fishing' to the king, who then asks Jack to demonstrate.
- Jack pricks the king with a needle while pretending to 'fish' in his pocket, producing a fish, convincing the king of his marvel.
- The king assents, and Jack and the princess are married, living happily ever after.
Characters
Jack
Of average height and sturdy build, typical of a shepherd. His movements are often clumsy or unrefined, reflecting his perceived 'foolish' nature, but he possesses an underlying quickness when needed.
Attire: A distinctive parti-coloured coat, likely made of coarse wool or linen in contrasting, perhaps mismatched, colors (e.g., green and brown, or blue and grey). He wears a tall, steeple-crowned hat, also of coarse fabric, adorned with a simple tassel. Practical, sturdy trousers and worn boots or shoes, suitable for working with sheep.
Wants: Initially, he simply follows his brothers. Later, he is motivated by the prospect of marrying the princess and securing a better life, as well as the challenge presented by the king.
Flaw: His perceived foolishness and lack of social graces; he is easily lulled by luxury and rich food, almost falling asleep during his vigil.
Transforms from a simple, underestimated 'fool' into a clever prince who wins the hand of the princess and inherits the crown, proving that wit comes in many forms.
Naive, clever (in an unconventional way), persistent, good-humored, and a bit boisterous. He is not easily intimidated and possesses a simple, direct approach to problems.
Princess of Canterbury
A beautiful young woman, graceful and poised, as befits royalty. Her movements are elegant and refined.
Attire: Rich, flowing gowns made of fine silks or brocades in regal colors such as deep blue, crimson, or emerald green, possibly embroidered with gold thread. Her attire would be modest but luxurious, reflecting her status as a princess in medieval England, perhaps with a kirtle and an overgown, and a wimple or veil if appropriate for the period.
Wants: To find a husband who can match her wit and intelligence, as decreed by her father, and to secure the succession of the crown.
Flaw: Perhaps a slight initial arrogance due to her superior intellect, but she quickly overcomes it.
She learns to look beyond superficial appearances and social status, choosing a husband for his genuine wit and resourcefulness rather than conventional cleverness.
Ingenious, witty, intelligent, observant, and fair-minded. She is initially skeptical but open to unconventional solutions.
King of Canterbury
A man of regal bearing, likely of a sturdy build, reflecting his authority and position. He would carry himself with dignity.
Attire: Rich, heavy robes made of velvet or brocade, in deep royal colors like purple or crimson, possibly trimmed with ermine or other furs. A golden crown or circlet would adorn his head. His attire would be elaborate and signify his immense wealth and power.
Wants: To find a suitable, intelligent husband for his daughter and an heir to his crown, ensuring the stability and prosperity of his kingdom.
Flaw: His adherence to traditional expectations and a slight reluctance to accept unconventional solutions or individuals.
He learns to expand his definition of 'worthiness' and 'cleverness,' accepting an unconventional individual as his son-in-law and heir.
Authoritative, traditional, initially skeptical, but ultimately fair and willing to honor his word. He values wit and ingenuity, even if he doesn't immediately recognize it.
Locations
Cumberland Countryside
A rural landscape in Cumberland, likely featuring fields, paths, and natural elements where Jack tends sheep and finds his treasures.
Mood: Simple, rustic, somewhat whimsical due to Jack's discoveries
Jack finds the egg, crooked hazel stick, and nut that he later uses to answer the princess's riddles.
King of Canterbury's Palace - Audience Room
A formal room within a medieval English palace, where the princess receives suitors. It is likely furnished to reflect royal status.
Mood: Formal, expectant, slightly tense for the suitors, but lightened by Jack's antics
Jack answers the princess's three riddles with his found objects, winning the first challenge.
River Crossing
A shallow river that Jack must cross on his way back to the palace, where he observes and catches fish.
Mood: Peaceful, natural, a moment of serendipity for Jack
Jack catches fish from the river, which he later uses to trick the princess during the all-night vigil.
King of Canterbury's Palace - Vigil Hall
A luxurious hall within the palace where Jack and the princess must spend a whole night awake. It is set up with comforts to test their resolve.
Mood: Luxurious, challenging, with an underlying tension of the 'headless shepherd' threat, but also playful due to Jack's trickery
Jack successfully stays 'awake' by pretending to fish from his pocket, delighting the princess and winning the final challenge.