<P> On 22 January 1808, Marmion was finished, and it was published on 22 February 1808 in a quarto first edition of two thousand copies . This edition, priced at one and a half guineas, sold out in a month . It was followed by twelve octavo editions between 1808 and 1825 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (June 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (June 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The poem tells how Lord Marmion, a favourite of Henry VIII of England, lusts for Clara de Clare, a rich woman . He and his mistress, Constance De Beverley, forge a letter implicating Clara's fiancé, Sir Ralph De Wilton, in treason . Constance, a dishonest nun, hopes that her aid will restore her to favour with Marmion . When De Wilton loses the duel he claims in order to defend his honour against Marmion, he is obliged to go into exile . Clara retires to a convent rather than risk Marmion's attentions . Constance's hopes of a reconciliation with Marmion are dashed when he abandons her; she ends up being walled up alive in the Lindisfarne convent for breaking her vows . She takes her revenge by giving the Abbess who is one of her three judges documents that prove De Wilton's innocence . De Wilton, having returned disguised as a pilgrim, follows Marmion to Edinburgh where he meets the Abbess, who gives him the exonerating documents . When Marmion's host, the Earl of Angus is shown the documents, he arms De Wilton and accepts him as a knight again . De Wilton's plans for revenge are overturned by the Battle of Flodden . Marmion dies on the battlefield, while De Wilton displays heroism, regains his honour, retrieves his lands, and marries Clara . </P>

Who said oh the tangled web we weave