Tags
Brendan O Corraidhe, Chaucer, Chaucerian Stanza, Gay Reiser Cannon, Lewis Turco, Rhyme Royal, Rime Royal, Thomas Wyatt
This is Frank Hubeny. The form today is the Chaucerian stanza or rhyme royal. Both names tell some of its history. According to Lewis Turco in his “The Book of Forms” Chaucer introduced it into English and James I of Scotland wrote poems using the form. Gay Reiser Cannon presented this form in a dVerse post in 2011 providing examples from Chaucer, Shakespeare and Yeats: https://dversepoets.com/2011/07/28/formforall-rhyme-royal/
The form consists of seven metrical lines with the rhyme pattern ababbcc. A metrical line has a pattern of accents that sound repetitive both within the line and between the other lines of the poem. Although poets often use iambic pentameter any meter is acceptable. Thomas Wyatt wrote one in dimeter: http://www.bartleby.com/101/36.html.
While looking for contemporary examples of rhyme royal I found this humorous poem with historical references by Brendan O Corraidhe entertaining. (Source: ShavaSue)
For this challenge, if rhyme and meter are too much of a challenge, write seven lines that you would argue are close enough to count as Chaucerian stanza or rhyme royal. You could write multiple stanzas although one would do. Let’s limit the number of stanzas to no more than three for this challenge. The Mister Linky will be open for 48 hours.
To participate write your poem and post it on your blog. Copy the link to your blog post and paste it in the Mister Linky below. Read what the other poets have linked and perhaps even comment on those poems.
dVerse 
Welcome, the put is open! I am serving Chaucerian stanza or rime royal or rhyme royal or royal rhyme today.
Can you serve me Rum Royal?
Of course! Whatever it is I’m sure I can make it.
Hello Frank! Thanks for hosting. This is very interesting. I’ve actually been playing around with this form for a few days. Glad to take part.
Great, Vivian! I am looking forward to reading what you have come up with.
This was fun… I wonder if you take two rhyme royal.. you get 14 lines… that could be a sonnet I guess?
I suspect that would work or one could define a sonnet form like that. The rhyme pattern in the Chaucerian stanza potentially breaks the poem into as many as three parts. One tercet and then two couplets. They could be separate ideas joined together. One could double that and get perhaps a Chaucerian sonnet?
That was my idea… I might come back with one…
Looking forward to it, Bjorn!
Hi Frank….glad to see you tending the pub today! I’m always challenged by meter and rhyme….being a free verse kinda gal. But I gave it a go. For some reason, my mother’s glass menagerie came to mind….
Will get to my reading tomorrow AM as usual, with my cup of hot steaming coffee in hand. Happy Thursday, everyone! 🙂
I am glad you tried it, Lillian! I can see how rhyme and meter can feel difficult. Seven lines per stanza will work for this challenge.
Hey, Frank, pour me a diet Coke, please. Nice choice on the prompt. As I looked up the Rhyme Royal, another parameter was each line is limited to 10 syllables, making it a wee bit harder. I tried to have fun with it; hope others do too. Thanks for hosting.
It could be 10 syllables, but other meters have been used in the past. For this challenge the length of the line is not critical. A diet Coke must be around here somewhere.
Good evening Frank ! Thank you for hosting today. When I fist saw the words Chaucerian Stanza and Rhyme Royal I thought it would be really tricky. I’ve managed a stanza with an approximate rhyme scheme but I ‘m not sure about the meter! I definitely need a fortifying drink this evening, please!
I just read your poem about the missed blackberries. I enjoyed it and it made sense to me as a Chaucerian stanza. I should make you a strong drink with blackberries in it.
That would be lovely, Frank!
This looks like an interesting challenge, Frank. I will need to ponder for a bit. 🙂
It is a very old form with some variety since it is not just couplets. There is that initial tercet in the beginning to add interest for the reader.
I had a moment, Frank, where I thought I had inadvertently thrown away the paper on which I completed your Park Shade. Turns out it was right where I left it. Will be posting in a few minutes. Thanks for hosting and a glass of your finest Mead, again, fits this challenge!
I write first drafts of poems in a pocket notebook and sometimes I forget to take it out of my shirt pocket and put it the wash. The pen that I forget as well does the most damage. I’m glad you found the paper!
Just in…evening everyone. I’ve penned something but I honestly have no idea if it fits. The rhyme scheme is there but metrical? who knows? Forms are so challenging for this ‘free spirit’ 😉
That’s why I felt it best not to stress the meter or even the rhyme. I liked your poem about nobody, somebody and everybody.
Thanks Frank.
I’ve tweeked the meter a tad…same poem but different 😉
I could hear a meter when I read it out loud so I think the meter works. Sometimes thinking about the meter makes me forget the message which is what is important.
Happy writing, everyone. This is an interesting form to work with, Frank. Thanks for hosting! I’m stopping by the pub for coffee in the rush hour. 🙂
Coffee is one drink I know how to make. Thanks for stopping by, Colin!
A bold challenge for a haikai poet, Frank. Nevertheless, I have risen to the challenge! 🙂 Thank you for an insightful prompt, and the lesson in this form!
I think you rose to the challenge and created an interesting modification. Thanks for linking it, Frank!
My pleasure, Frank. I’m happy to join the bar tonight! 😀
Hi Frank and fellow rhymers – my contribution – such as it is – is up there. Nice work everyone.
Thank you, Peter! I enjoyed the two Chaucerian stanzas about the bird box.
Definitely challenged by this one. I usually do not rhyme in my poetry, because it requires too much planning ahead for me, haha! Haven’t posted in a while, but I had fun with this. Thanks for hosting!
I just served you up a rye whiskey made in Iowa.
That sounds like a very interesting whiskey, Jane. Nice Chaucerian stanza!
I found this difficult and feel I offer a poor attempt, but it is an attempt all the same.
I think it fits the prompt with the formatting into seven-lined stanzas. Thanks for linking the poem, Roslyn.
I am drinking only water these days, with ice, please. Perhaps I have worn out the welcome for serious poems a our current affairs. But I wrote it last week, and just didn’t have time to post or read…I rather like this form!
Water with ice coming up! Thanks for linking this, Kathy. I think the last line of your poem transcends any current affairs.
Strange that although English is said to naturally fall into an iambic pentameter rhythm that I find this the most unnatural rhythm to write in. I find the trochee or anapest much more natural.
I sometimes like the sound of three or four accented syllable lines better perhaps because they seem closer to songs. Your poem was a very nice example of rhyme royal.
Ah yes. Always the proper student!!! Ha. Even Chaucer broke the rules in his very first line of the prelude to the Canterbury Tales. He can get away with it. For those lesser of us it just looks like we don’t know the rules!!!
Good point about Chaucer. Your poem seemed to fit the form exactly at least as I pronounce the words.
This one was a challenge for me, but worth the time it took to write. Thanks for hosting, Frank!
Thank you for linking your poem. I enjoyed it very much!
This is a really strong group of poems…obviously an inspiring prompt! (K)
I am glad you liked the prompt! It is one of my favorite forms. I am always surprised with how people respond to a prompt, whatever the prompt may be.
The focus and discipline required by form is often a good thing I find.