SIDWC Worksheet 2 LO 3.1 / 3.2
The Lord and Lady of Haggerston Castle
1
AS HE LEFT FOR A VISIT to his outlying estates, the jealous Lord of Hylton Castle warned
his pretty wife: "Do not leave the castle while I am gone, or I will punish you severely
when I return!"
But as the hours passed, the young Lady of Haggerston grew lonely, and despite her
husband's warning she decided to visit her lover, who lived on the other side of the Wear.
The castle stood on the north bank of the Wear, a wide, fast flowing river. The Lord's
ferryman controlled the crossing at the narrowest point in the river.
"Surely my husband will not return before dawn" she thought, and ordered the ferryman
to take her across the river and wait for her return.
After spending several pleasant hours with her lover, the Lady returned to the ferry, only
to find her way on to the jetty blocked by one of her husband's servants, waving a long
cruel sword.
"Do not attempt to pass me, my Lady, or I will have to kill you", he cried. "My Lord is back
and has ordered me to kill you if you try to take the ferry."
Fearing for her life, the Lady returned to her lover and asked him to help. "Our
relationship is only a romantic one," he said." I will not help."
The Lady then sought out a fisherman on the river, explained her plight to him, and asked
him to take her across the river in his boat. "I will do it, but only if you pay my fee of five
sovereigns." "But I have no money with me!" the Lady protested.
"That is too bad. No money, no ride," the fisherman said flatly.
Her fear growing, the Lady ran crying to the home of a friend and, after explaining her
desperate situation, begged for enough money to pay the fisherman his fee.
"If you had not disobeyed your husband, this would not have happened," the friend said,"
I will give you no money."
With dawn approaching and her last chance gone, the Lady returned to the jetty in
desperation, attempted to cross to the castle, and was killed by the servant.
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drawn from Learning about Community Work (CWACNEE, 3rd edition 2001) edited by Jonathan Roberts - page 38.
Used with permission. If there is an earlier source which should be acknowledged, please let us know.
NCDN • OCNNER course on CDW • session 4 • Tutor notes: The Lord & Lady of Hylton Castle [in the section Once upon a time …]
3.1. Compare the power of individuals and organisations within
communities by answering the following:
Who was to blame? Please say what part you think each of these
characters played in the death of the Lady....
The Lord
The Lady
Ferryman
Lover
Servant
Fisherman
Friend
If the story represents the society we live in, who do you think each
character represents?
The Lord
The Lady
Ferryman
Lover
Servant
Fisherman
Friend
3.2. What do you think the story tells us about the dynamics of power
between individuals and organisations?
Learner name:
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Assessor:
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