SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL FLINT, R.A., P.R.W.S., R.S.W. (BRITISH 1880-1969)

Chaucer's, The Knight's Tale, tells the story of two cousins, Palamon and Arcite, who both fall in love with Emelye. The two knights begin to duel for her hand in marriage, when Duke Theseus finds them and intervenes. Theseus plans to sentence them both to death for their behavior. However, both Emelye and his wife, Hippolyta, protest, 'And on hir bare knees adoun they falle, And wolde have kist his feet ther as he stood; Till at the laste aslaked was his mood'. Russell Flint illustrates the scene when Emelye and Hippolyta beg Theseus for mercy.