The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PRINCESS MONICA

PRINCESS MONICA WAS THE ONLY DUGHTER OF KING SMIALY II.
WHEN SHE WAS OF AGE TO MARRY, THE KING SENT OUT INVITATIONS
TO SUITORS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. BUT TO WIN THE HAND OF
HIS DAUGHTER, THE HOPEFUL SUITOR FIRST HAD A DIFFICULT
TEST TO PASS.
THE TEST WAS TO RIDE HORSEBACK AROUND THE CASTLE. THE
CASTLE WAS LOCATED ON TOP OF A VERY STEEP MOUNTAIN WITH
A DEEP MOAT BELOW. PRINCESS MONICA AND KING SMIALY
WATCHED AS CHOSEN NOBLE AFTER CHOSEN NOBLE PERISHED
UNTIL THE REMAINING SUITORS REFUSED THE TEST AND FLED.
GLOOM FILLED THE KING. PRINCESS MONICA WAS ANGRY AT HER
FATHER FOR USING HER TO OBTAIN A STRONG AND BRAVE KING
FOR POLAND. JUST BEFORE HER MARRIAGE HOPES DIED, IN
RODE A FAIR-HAIRED KNIGHT. THAT EVENING, THE KING
WOOED THE KNIGHT WITH FOOD AND DRINK WHILE PRINCESS
MONICA FASCINATED HIM WITH HER BEAUTY.
THE NEXT DAY, THE KING TOLD THE KNIGHT OF THE TEST.
WITHOUT HESITATION, THE KNIGHT MOUNTED HIS HORSE AND
SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH THE KING'S DEMAND.
PRINCESS MONICA LOOKED WITH FASCINATION AS THE BRAVE
KNIGHT NEARLY STUMBLED TO HIS DEATH AND GRAVE. BUT THE
KNIGHT PASSED THE TEST AND EMERGED AMONGST SHOUTS AND
CHEERS. THE KNIGHT DID NOT DISMOUNT. HE REJECTED
EVERYTHING THE KING OFFERED HIM INCLUDING THE PRINCESS.
THE KNIGHT RODE AWAY.
AFTER THE KING DIED, FIGHTING BETWEEN NOBLES TOOK PLACE.
FINALLY, A BRAVE KNIGHT LOYAL TO THE THRONE CRUSHED
REBELLING NOBLES. THE PEOPLE WISHED HIM TO BE THE NEW
KING.
THOUGH NO ONE REMEMBERED HIM AS ANY MORE THAN A KNIGHT,
PRINCESS MONICA RECALLED HIM AS THE ONLY MAN TO PASS HER
FATHER'S TEST.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHILE IN POLAND AND WAS SKEPTICAL
OF THE STORY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

Date learned: 10-09-1971