  (Abridged) Deep VLT spectropolarimetric observations are presented for two
powerful radio galaxies, 0850-206 and 1303+091. These observations cover the
rest-frame wavelength range ~ 1450 - 3750 A. New radio observations and
continuum images of the same sources are also presented. These galaxies are the
first two observed from a complete sample of nine radio sources with redshifts
in the range 1.3 < z < 1.5 (selected from the equatorial sample of powerful
radio sources of Best, Rottgering & Lehnert), as part of a project aimed to
investigate the multi-component nature of the UV continuum in radio galaxies
and any variations of the continuum properties with the radio source age.
  The larger radio source of the two, 0850-206, presents a high continuum
fractional polarization, averaging 17% across the observed wavelength range and
reaching 24% at rest-frame wavelengths of <2000 A. The smaller radio source,
1303+091, shows a lower continuum polarization, averaging 8% and rising to 11%
for rest-frame wavelengths >3000 A. For both galaxies, the position angle of
the electric vector is generally constant with wavelength and within ~15
degrees of perpendicular to the radio axis. Both their total flux spectra and
polarized flux spectra reveal the 2200 A dust feature, and comparison with dust
scattering models suggests that the composition of the dust in these galaxies
is similar to that of Galactic dust. In 0850-206, scattered quasar radiation
dominates the UV continuum emission, with the nebular continuum accounting for
no more than ~22% and no requirement for any additional emission component such
as emission from young stars. By contrast, in 1303+091, unpolarized radiation
could be a major constituent of the UV continuum emission, with starlight
accounting for up to ~50% and the nebular continuum accounting for ~11%.

Astrophysics