E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
of North Wales, sent a dwarf to King Arthur to say he had
overcome eleven kings, all of which paid him homage in this
sortviz. they gave him their beards to purfell his mantle. He
now required King Arthur to do likewise. King Arthur returned
answer, My beard is full young yet for a purfell, but before it
is long enough for such a purpose, King Ryence shall do me
homage on both his knees. (See Percys Reliques, etc., series
iii. book 1.) Spenser says that Lady Briana loved a knight named
Crudor, who refused to marry her till she sent him a mantle
lined with the beards of knights and locks of ladies. To
accomplish this, she appointed Maleffort, her seneschal, to
divest every lady that drew near the castle of her locks, and
every knight of his beard. (Faërie Queene, book vi. canto 1.)