The prisoner of Chillon

by Lord Byron.

On 22 June 1816 Lord Byron and his contemporary and friend Percy Bysshe Shelley were sailing on Lake Geneva (referred to as "Lac Leman," the French name, throughout the poem) and stopped to visit the Château de Chillon. After touring the castle—and walking through the dungeon in which Bonivard was imprisoned—Byron was inspired by Bonivard's story and composed The Sonnet of Chillon. Because of torrential rainfall, Byron and his companion rested at a hotel in Ouchy following their tour. In...