Student Question

In "Kenilworth," which historical figure lays his cloak on a muddy spot for the queen?

Quick answer:

In "Kenilworth," Sir Walter Raleigh is the historical figure who famously lays his cloak over a muddy spot for Queen Elizabeth I to walk across. This act of chivalry is described in chapter XV, where Raleigh's gesture ensures the queen steps over the mud dry-shod. Despite its popularity and depiction in films like Elizabeth: The Golden Age, there is no historical evidence to confirm that this event actually occurred.

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In chapter XV of Kenilworth, Scott tells the famous story of how the young Sir Walter Raleigh laid his cloak on top of a puddle for Queen Elizabeth I to walk across.

The night had been rainy, and just where the young gentleman stood a small quantity of mud interrupted the Queen’s passage. As she hesitated to pass on, the gallant, throwing his cloak from his shoulders, laid it on the miry spot, so as to ensure her stepping over it dry-shod. Elizabeth looked at the young man, who accompanied this act of devoted courtesy with a profound reverence, and a blush that overspread his whole countenance. The Queen was confused, and blushed in her turn, nodded her head, hastily passed on, and embarked in her barge without saying a word.

This story has become so well known that many take it to have really happened. In fact, the scene is included in the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age. However, there is no historical evidence that it ever happened.

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