The Legend of Briar Rose

The Legend of Briar Rose is the title of a series of paintings by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones which were begun before 1874 but not completed until 1890.

The four original paintings – The Briar Wood, The Council Chamber, The Garden Court and The Rose Bower – and an additional ten adjoining panels, are located at Buscot Park in Oxfordshire, England.

The paintings depict a moment in the story of "Sleeping Beauty", the title of the series coming from the version presented by the Brothers Grimm in their collection of 1812.

Under The Council Chamber, the inscription reads: "The threat of war, the hope of peace, The Kingdoms peril and increase Sleep on, and bide the latter day When Fate shall take her chain away.

Under The Garden Court, the inscription reads: "The maiden pleasance of the land Knoweth no stir of voice or hand, No cup the sleeping waters fill, The restless shuttle lieth still.