E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ermin’ia.
The heroine of Jerusalem Delivered. When her father, the King of Antioch, was slain at the siege of Antioch, and Erminia fell captive into the crusader’s hands, Tancred gave her her liberty, and restored to her all her father’s treasures. This generous conduct quite captivated her heart, and she fell in love with the Christian prince. Al’adine, King of Jerusalem, took charge of her. When the Christian army besieged Jerusalem, she dressed herself in Clorinda’s armour to go to Tancred, but, being discovered, fled, and lived awbile with some shepherds on the banks of the Jordan. Meeting with Vafri’no, sent as a secret spy by the crusaders, she revealed to him the design against the life of Godfrey, and, returning with him to the Christian camp, found Tancred wounded. She cured his wounds, so that he was able to take part in the last great day of the siege. We are not told the ultimate fate of this fair Syrian.
