E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ar’gentile and Cur’an.
Argentile was the daughter of King Ad’elbright, who, on his deathbed, committed her in charge to King Edel. Edel kept her a close prisoner, under hope of getting into his possession her lands and dominion. Curan, the son of a Danske king, in order to woo her, became a kitchen drudge in Edel’s household, and Edel resolved to marry Argentile to this drudge, but she fled away. Curan now turned shepherd, and fell in love with a neatherd’s maid, who turned out to be Argentile. The two were married, and Curan claiming his wife’s dominions, became King of Northumberland, and put Edel to death. (Percy’s Reliques.)
