Brewer's: King Estmere

(2 syl.) of England was induced by his brother Adler to go to King Adland, and request permission to pay suit to his daughter. King Adland replied that Bremor, King of Spain, had already proposed to her and been rejected; but when the lady was introduced to the English king she accepted him. King Estmere and his brother returned home to prepare for the wedding, but had not proceeded a mile when the king of Spain returned to press his suit, and threatened vengeance if it were not accepted. A page was instantly despatched to inform King Estmere, and request him to return. The two brothers in the guise of harpers rode into the hall of King Adland, when Bremor rebuked them, and bade them leave their steeds in the stable. A quarrel ensued, in which Adler slew “the sowdan,” and the two brothers put the retainers to flight. (Percy's Reliques, etc., series i. bk. i. 6.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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