Vulgar words in Notes and Queries, Number 37, July 13, 1850 (Page 1)
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~ ~ ~ Sentence 474 ~ ~ ~
I am not aware of any contemporary authority for the names of the three dukes; and a difficulty in the way of assigning them by conjecture is, that in the poem they are called "three bastard dukes."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 478 ~ ~ ~
's bastard sons besides Monmouth would have been old enough in 1671 to be actors in such a fray.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 479 ~ ~ ~
Sir Walter Scott, in his notes on _Absalom and Achitophel_, referring to the poem, gives the assault to Monmouth and some of his brothers; but he did so, probably, without considering dates, and on the strength of the words "three bastard dukes."
~ ~ ~ Sentence 484 ~ ~ ~
Were it certain that three dukes were engaged in this fray, and were we not restricted to "bastards," I should say that Monmouth, Albemarle, and Richmond (who married the beautiful Miss Stuart, and killed himself by drinking) would probably be the three culprits.
~ ~ ~ Sentence 485 ~ ~ ~
As regards Albemarle, he might perhaps have been called bastard without immoderate use of libeller's licence.