Prisoner of Chillon

Lord Byron visited the Castle of Chillon on Lake Geneva in Switzerland in 1816 and was intrigued by the legend of Francis Bonnivard who was said to have been imprisoned there in medieval times. The title poem of this collection was written in response to that visit. Originally published in 1816 this collection was extended after Byron's death. The final poem was written on his 36th birthday, just 3 months before he died. - Summary by Alan Mapstone