“Edward's Abdication”
Description
"Come hearken good friends to this story so true... Concerning the love of this bonny young prince, The King of his own countree." Although his family is opposed, he insists on marrying the woman he loves. Finally, in disgust, he "cast off his crown."
Notes
Thomas does not indicate a tune for this, other than saying that it is to an English ballad; I strongly suspect it uses "The House Carpenter."
It's worth noting that Edward VIII was *not* a "young prince" when he met the (then-still-married) Mrs. Simpson. Edward's dates were 1894-1972, meaning that he married at 42.
Edward, an easygoing man brought up by strict parents, had by then displayed a strong attraction to married women. In that context, it's perhaps no surprise that Bessie Wallace Warfield Simpson (1896-1986), who was on her second marriage when he met her, gained his attention above all.
When George VI died early in 1936, it became increasingly important that the middle-aged prince marry, but he wanted no one except Mrs. Simpson (who was not divorced until late in that year). This posed many problems: She was not young (meaning that producing an heir might be problematic), she was divorced, she was a commoner, she was American. Edward finally abdicated at the end of 1936, married Mrs. Simpson a few days later, and assumed a career of quiet bitterness against the monarchy. - RBW
Historical references
- 1936 - Abdication of Edward VIII and his marriage to Wallis Simpson
Cross references
- cf. "King Edwards" (theme of Edward VIII)
References
- Thomas-Makin', p. 262, (no title) (1 text)
- ST ThBa262A (Partial)
- BI, ThBa262A