The Last of the Barons

Front matter

THE LAST OF THE BARONS Page 298 Copyright, Service &• Paton, 1897. THE LAST OF THE BARONS BY LORD LYTTON WITH SIXTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRED. PEGRAM ILonion SERVICE fif PAT ON 5 HENRIETTA STREET The Illustrations in ibis Volume (ire the copyright of Service & Paton, London X DEDICATE to you, my indulgent Critic and long-tried Friend, the work which owes its origin to your suggestion. Long since, you urged me to attempt a fiction which might borrow its characters from our own Records, and serve to illustrate some of those truths which History is too often compelled to leave to the Tale-teller, the Dramatist, and the Poet. Unquestionably, Fiction, when aspiring to something higher than mere romance, does not pervert, but elucidate Facts. He who employs it worthily must, like a biographer, study the time and the characters he selects, with a minute and earnest diligence which the general historian, whose range extends over centuries, can scarcely be expected to bestow upon the things and the men of a single epoch ; his descriptions should fill up with colour and detail the cold outlines of the rapid chronicler ; and, in spite of all that has been argued by pseudo-critics, the very fancy which urged and animated his theme should necessarily tend to increase the reader's practical and familiar acquaintance with the habits, the motives, and the modes of thought, which constitute the true idiosyncrasy of an age.

More than all, to Fiction is permitted that liberal use of Analogical Hypothesis which is denied to History, and which, if sobered by research, and enlightened by that knowledge of mankind (without which Fiction can neither harm nor profit, for it becomes unreadable), tends to clear up much that were otherwise obscure, and to solve the disputes and difficulties of contradictory evidence by the philosophy of the human heart. My own impression of the greatness of the labour to which you invited me, made me the more diffident of success, inasmuch as the field of English historical fiction had been so amply cultivated not only by the most brilliant of our many glorious Novelists, but by later writers of high and merited reputation. But however the annals of our History have been exhausted by the industry of romance, the subject you finally pressed on my choice is unquestionably one which, whether in the delineation of character, the expression of passion, or the suggestion of historical truths, can hardly fail to direct the Novelist to paths wholly untrodden by his predecessors in the Land of Fiction.

Encouraged by you, I commenced my task — encouraged by you, I venture, on concluding it, to believe that, despite the partial adoption of that established compromise between the modern and the elder DEDICATORY EPISTLE diction, which Sir AValter Scott so artistically improved from the more rugged phraseology employed by Struts, and which later writers have perhaps somewhat over-hackneyed, I may yet have avoided all material trespass upon ground which others have already redeemed from the waste. AA'hatever the produce of the soil I have selected, I claim, at least, to have cleared it with my own labour, and ploughed it with my own heifer. The reign of Edward IA '. is in itself suggestive of new considerations and unexhausted interest to those who accurately regard it Then commenced the policy consummated by Henry VII. ; then were broken up the great elements of the old feudal order ; a new Nobility was called into power, to aid the growing Middle Class in its struggles with the ancient ; and in the fate of the hero of the age, Richard Nevile, Earl of AVarwick, popularly called the King-maker, " the greatest as well as the last of those mighty Barons who formerly overawed the Crown,"* was involved the very principle of our existing civilisation.

Preface

-L HIS was the first attempt of the Author in Historical Romance upon English ground. Nor would he have risked the disadvantage of comparison with the genius of Sir AValter Scott, had he not believed that that great writer and his numerous imitators had left altogether unoccupied the peculiar field in Historical Romance which the Author has here sought to bring into cultivation. In the " Last of the Barons," as in " Harold," the aim has been to illustrate the actual history of the period ; and to bring into fuller display than general History itself has done, the characters of the principal personages of the time, — the motives by which they were probably actuated — the state of parties,— the condition of the people, — and the great social interests which were involved in what, regarded imperfectly, appear but the feuds of rival factions.

" The Last of the Barons " has been by many esteemed the best of the Author's romances ; and perhaps in the portraiture of actual character, and the grouping of the various interests and agencies of the time, it may have produced effects which render it more vigorous and life-like than any of the other attempts in romance by the same hand. It will be observed that the purely imaginary characters introduced are very few ; and, however prominent they may appear, still, in order not to interfere with the genuine passions and events of history, they are represented as the passive sufferers, not the active agents, of the real events. Of these imaginary characters, the most successful is Adam AVarner, the philosopher in advance of his age ; indeed, as an ideal portrait, I look upon it as the most original in conception, and the most finished in execution, of any to be found in my numerous prose works, " Zanoni " alone excepted.

For the rest, I venture to think that the general reader will obtain from these pages a better notion of the important age, characterised by the decline of the feudal system, and immediately preceding that great change in society which we usually date from the accession of Henry VII., than he could otherwise gather without wading through a vast mass of neglected chronicles and antiquarian dissertations. il "The Earl of AVarwick, commonly known, from the subsequent events, by the appellation of the King-maker, had distinguished him self by his gallantry in the field, by the hospitality of his table, by the magnificence, and still more by the generosity, of his expense, aud by the spirited and bold manner which attended him iu all his actions. The undesigning frankness and openness of his character rendered his conquest over men's affections the more certain and infallible ; his presents were regarded as sure testimonies of esteem and friendship ; and his professions as the overflowings of his genuine sentiments.

No less than thirty thousand persons are said to have daily lived at his board in the different manors and castles which he possessed in Eng land ; the military men, allured by his munificence and hospitality, as well as by his bravery, were zealously attached to his interests ; the people in general bore him an unlimited affection ; his numerous retainers were more devoted to his will than to the prince or to the laws ; AND HE WAS THE GREATEST, AS WELL AS THE LAST, OF THOSE MIGHTY BARONS WHO FORMERLY OVERAWED THE CROWN." — Hume. CONTENTS

Book I

The Adventures of Master Marmaduke Nevile. CHAP. PAOr I. THE PASTIME-GROUND OF OLD COCKAIGNE . . . 1 II. THE BROKEN GITTERN . . . . . . .11 III. THE TRADER AND THE GENTLE ; OR, THE CHANGtNG GENERATION ........ 18 IV. ILL FARES THE COUNTRY MOUSE IN THE TRAPS OF TOWN 24 V. WEAL TO THE IDLER — WOE TO THE WORKMAN . . 28 VI. MASTER MARMADUKE NEVILE FEARS FOR THE SPIRITUAL WEAL OF HIS HOST AND HOSTESS .... 40 VII. THERE IS A ROD FOR THE BACK OF EVERY FOOL WHO WOULD BE WISER THAN HIS GENERATION ... 45 VIII. MASTER MARMADUKE NEVIIE MAKES LOVE AND IS PRIGHTENED ........ 52 IX. MASTER MARMADUKE NEVILE LEAVES THE WIZARD'S HOUSE FOR THE GREAT WORLD . ..... 66

Book II

The King's Court I. EARL WARWICK THE KING-MAKER ..... fiO II. KING EDWARD THE FOURTH ...... 70 III. THE ANTECHAMBER ....... 77

Book III

In which the history passes from the King's Court to the Student's Cell, and relates the perils that befell a philosopher for meddling with the affairs ofthe world. I. THE SOLITARY SAGE AND THE SOLITARY MAID . 82 H. MASTER ADAM WARNER GROWS A MISER, AND BEHAVES SHAMEFULLY ........ 83 CONTENTS XX l'AOS CHAP. III. A STRANGE VISITOR— ALL AGES OF THE WORLD BREED WORLD-BETTERERS . . • • • ■ JS ™ _..___»»_____ 9si IV. Lonn HASTINGS ...•■• V. MASTER ADAM WARNER AND KING HENRY THE SIXTH . 98 VI. HOW, ON LEAVING KING LOG, FOOLISH WISDOM RUNS AMUCK ON KINO STORK 10*3 VII. MY LADY DUCHESS'S OPINION OF THE UTILITY OF MASTER WARNER'S INVENTION, AND HER ESTEEM FOR ITS — EXPLOSION !.....••• H"* EXPLOSION ! VIII. TIIE OLD WOMAN TALKS OF SORROWS — THE YOUNG WOMAN DREAMS OF LOVE — THE COURTIER FLIES FROM PRESENT POWER TO REMEMBRANCES OF PAST HOPES — AND THE WORI.D-BETTERER OPENS UTOPIA, WITH A VIEW OF THE GIBBET FOR THE SILLY SAGE HE HAS SEDUCED INTO HIS SCHEMES — SO, EVER AND EVERMORE, RUNS THE WORLD AWAY! . . . . . ■ • .111 IX. HOW THE DESTRUCTIVE ORGAN OF PRINCE RICHARD PRO- MISES GOODLY DEVELOPMENT ..... 121

Book IV

Intrigues of tlie Court of Edward IV. I. MARGARET OF ANJOU 127 II. IN WHICH ARE LAID OPEN TO TIIE READER THE CHAR- ACTER OF EDWARD TIIE FOURTH AND THAT OF HIS COURT, WITH THE MACHINATIONS OF THE WOODVILLES AGAINST THE EARL OF WARWICK .... 131 III. WHEREIN MASTER NICHOLAS ALWYN VISITS TIIE COURT, AND THERE LEARNS MATTER OF WHICH THE ACUTE REASBB WILL JUDGE FOR HIMSELF .... 138 IV. EXHIBITING THE BENEFITS WHICH ROYAL PATRONAGE CONFERS ON GENIUS. ALSO THE EARLY LOVES OF THE LORD HASTINGS ; WITH OTHER MATTERS EDIFYING AND DELECTABLE ........ 143 V. THE WOODVILLE INTRIGUE PROSPERS — MONTAGU CONFERS WITH HASTINGS VISITS THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, AND IS MET ON THE ROAD BY A STRANGE PER- SONAGE ......... 147 VI. THE ARRIVAL OF THE COUNT DE LA ROCHE, AND THE VARIOUS EXCITEMENT PRODUCED ON 3IANY PERSONAGES BY THAT EVENT . . . . . . .150 VII.

THE RENOWNED COMBAT BETWEEN SIR ANTHONY WOOD- VILLE AND THE BASTARD OF BURGUNDY . . . 109 VIII. HOW THE BASTARD OF BURGUNDY PROSPERED MORE IN HIS POLICY THAN WITH THE POLE-AXE — AND HOW CONTENTS XXI CHAP. PACE KING EDWARD HOLDS HIS SUMMER CHASE IN THE FAIR GROVES OF SHENE ....... 174 IX. THE GREAT ACTOR RETURNS TO FILL THE STAGE . . 180 X. HOW THE GREAT LORDS COME TO THE KING-MAKER, AND WITH WHAT PROFFERS ...... 185

Book V

The Last ofthe Barons in his father's halls. I. RLTIAL ENGLAND IN THE MIDDLE AGES — NOBLE VISITORS SEEK THE CASTLE OF MIDDLEHAM .... 189 II. COUNCILS AND MUSINGS ...... 194 III. THE SISTERS ........ 197 IV. THE DESTRIER 202

Book VI

Herein are opened some glimpses of the fate, below, that attends those who are better than others, and those who desire to make others better. Love, Demagoguy, and Science all equally offspring of the same prolific delusion — viz. , that mean souls (the earth's majority) are worth the hope and the agony of noble souls, the everlastingly suffering and aspiring few. I. NEW DISSENSIONS ........ 207 II. THE WOULD-BE IMPROVERS OF JOVE's FOOTBALL, EARTH THE SAD FATHER AND THE SAD CHILD THE FAIR RIVALS ...... . . 212 III. WHEREIN THE DEMAGOGUE SEEKS THE COURTIER . . 219 IV. SIBYLL ......... 222 V. KATHERINE ......... 225 VI. JOY FOR ADAM, AND HOPE FOR Sir VII. — AND POPULAR FRIAR BUNGEY !....... 228 VII. A LOVE SCENE ........ 231

Book VII

The popular Bebellion. I. THE WHITE LION OF MARCH SHAKES HIS MANE . . 235 II. THE CA3IP AT OLNEY ....... 238 III. THE CAMP OF THE REBEI-3 ...... 240 IV. THE NORMAN EARL AND THE SAXON DEMAGOGUE CONFER CONTENTS XXII CH,,*. "*0« V. WHAT FAITH EDWARD IV. PURPOSETH TO KEEP WITH EARL AND PEOPLE . > 4"? VI. WHAT BEFALIÆ KING EDWARD ON HIS ESCAPE FROM OLNEY 2bl VII. HOW KINO EDWARD ARRIVES AT THE CASTLE OF MIDD1.E- • aw VIII. THE ANCIENTS RIGHTLY GAVE TO THE GODDESS OF ELO- QUENCE A CROWN ....... 207 IX. WEDDED CONFIDENCE AND LOVE — THE EARL AND THE PRELATE — THE PRELATE AND THE KING — SCHEMES — ■ WILES — AND TIIE BinTH OF A DARK THOUGHT DESTINED TO ECLIPSE A SUN ...... 271

Book VIII

In which the last link between King-maker and King snaps asunder I. THE LADY ANNE VISITS THE COURT .... 277 II. THE SLEEPING INNOCENCE — THE WAKEFUL CRIME . . 282 iii. new dangers to the house of york — and the king's heart allies itself with rebellion against the king's throne ....... 285 IV. THE FOSTER-BROTHERS ...... 292 V. THE LOVER AND THE GALLANT WOMAN'S CHOICE . . 295 VI. WARWICK RETURNS — APPEASES A DISCONTENTED PRINCE — AND CONFERS WITH A REVENGEFUL CONSPIRATOR 303 VII. THE FEAR AND THE FLIGHT . ... 305 VIII. THE GnOUP ROUND THE DEATH-BED OF THE LANCASTRIAN WIDOW ......... 312

Book IX

The Wanderers and the Exiles. I. HOW THE GREAT BARON BECOMES AS GREAT A REBEL . 314 II. MANY THINGS BRIEFLY TOLD ..... 318 III. THE PLOT OF THE HOSTELRY — THE MAID AND THE SCHOLAR IN THEIR HOME ....... 321 IV. THIS WORLD'S JUSTICE, AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS 328 V. THE FUGITIVES ARE CAPTURED — THE TYMBESTERES RE- APPEAR — MOONLIGHT ON THE REVEL OF THE LIVING MOONLIGHT ON THE SLUMBER OF TIIE DEAD . . 334 VI. THE SUBTLE CRAFT OF RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER . . 347 VII. WARWICK AND HIS FAMILY IN EXILE .... 355 VIII. HOW THE HEIR OF LANCASTER MEETS THE KINO-MAKER 361 IX. THE INTERVIEW OF EARL WARWICK AND QUEEN MARGARET 303 X. LOVE AND MARRIAGE — DOUBTS OF CONSCIENCE — DOMESTIC JEALOU8Y — AND HOUSEHOLD TREASON . . . CONTENTS xxiii

Book X

The return ofthe King-maker. CHAP. PAOE THE MAID'S HOPE, THE OOURTIER's LOVE, AND THE SAGE'S COMFORT ......... 378 I. II. THE MAN AWAKES IN THE SAGE, AND THE SHE-WOLF AGAIN TRACKED THE LAMB 380 III. VIRTUOUS RESOLVES SUBMITTED TO THE TEST OF VANITY AND THE WORLD ....... 383 IV. THE STRIFE WHICH SIBYLL HAD COURTED, BETWEEN KATHERINE AND HERSELF, COMMENCES IN SERIOUS EARNEST ......... 387 V. THE MEETING OF HASTINGS AND KATHERINE . . 392 VI. HASTINGS LEARNS WHAT HAS BEFALLEN SIBYLL — REPAIRS TO THE KING, AND ENCOUNTERS AN OLD RIVAL . 395 VII. THE LANDING OF LORD WARWICK, AND THE EVENTS THAT ENSUE THEREON ....... 399 vni. WHAT BEFELL ADAM WARNER AND SIBYLL, WHEN MADE SUBJECT TO THE GREAT FRIAR BUNGEY . . . 403 IX. THE DELIBERATIONS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WHILE LORD WARWICK MARCHES UPON LONDON . . . 408 X. THE TOWER IN COMMOTION ..... 412 XI. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF THE EARL — THE ROYAL CAP- TIVE IN THE TOWER — THE MEETING BETWEEN KING- MAKER AND KING ....... 415

Book XI

The new position ofthe King-maker. I. WHEREIN MASTER ADAM WARNER IS NOTABLY COM- MENDED AND ADVANCED — AND GREATNESS SAYS TO WISDOM, " THY DESTINY BE MINE, AMEN " 424 II. THE PROSPERITY OF THE OUTER SHOW — THE CARES OF THE MAN .... ... 431 III. FURTHER VIEWS INTO THE HEART OF MAN, AND THE CONDITIONS OF POWER ...... 436 IV. THE RETURN OF EDWARD OF YORK ... 439 V. THE PROGRESS OF THE PLANTAGENET .... 443 VI. LORD WARWICK, WITH THE FOE IN THE FIELD AND THE TRAITOR AT THE HEARTH ..... CONTENTS XXIV

Book XII

The Battle of Barnet. CHAP. PAOF I. A KING IN HIS CITY HOPES TO RECOVER HIS REALM— A WOMAN IN HEH CHAMBER FEARS TO FORFEIT HER OWN 451 II. sharp IS THE KISS OF THE FALCON'S BEAK . . 454 III. A PAUSE ......... 460 IV. THE BATTLE ........ 402 V. THE BATTLE ........ 468 VI. THE BATTLE ........ 472 III. THE LAST PILGRIMS IN THE LONG PROCESSION TO THE COMMON BOURNE ....... LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS By FRED. PEGRAM " If he loved thee, would he stand yonder 1 " (p. 298.) Frontispiece PAGE " Heaven prosper it in thy hands 1 " 86 " Kill me /—not my thought I " 123 The Bastard was carried back to the very place whence he had started 170 AVarwick looked intently upon his young kinsman's face . 186 " Pray St. Mary you give me not Gloucester for a brother ! " . 198 Hastings for the first time knelt at her feet .... 225 Iunocence guarding innocence 284 " Pardon — pardon, Anne — oh, pardon 1 ' 308 Father and daughter slept 335 A cavalier appeared in sight 378 " If the step I have taken seems to thee unwomanly and too bold " 392 King-maker and king were alone 1 419 " Curse me not — curse me not 1 " 449 " Lord Hastings, they tell me thy hand is another's 1 " . . 454 For a momeut their hands clasped

Book I The Adventures Of Master Marmaduke Nevile Chapter

I THE PASTIME-GROUND OF OLD COCKAIGNE WESTAA^ARDj beyond the still pleasant, but, even then, no longer solitary, hamlet of Charing, a broad space, broken here and there by scattered houses and venerable pollards, in the early spring of 1467, presented the rural scene for the sports and pastimes of the inhabitants of Westminster and London. Scarcely need we say that open spaces for the popular games and diversions were then numerous in the suburbs of the metropolis. Grateful to some, the fresh pools of Isling ton ; to others, the grass-bare fields of Finsbury ; to all, the edgeless plains of vast Mile-end. But the site to which we are now summoned was a new and maiden holiday-ground, lately bestowed upon the towns folk of Westminster by the powerful Earl of Warwick. Raised by a verdant slope above the low marsh-grown soil of West minster, the ground communicated to the left with the Brook-fields, through which stole the peaceful Ty-bourne, and commanded prospects, on all sides fair, and on each side varied.

Behind, rose the twin green hills of Hampstead and Highgate, with the upland park and chase of Marybone — its stately manor-house half hid in woods. In front might be seen the Convent of the Lepers, dedicated to St. James — now a palace ; then, to the left, York House,* now Whitehall ; farther on, the spires of Westminster Abbey and the gloomy tower of the Sanctuary ; next, the Palace, with its bulwark and vawmure, soaring from the river ; while, eastward, and nearer to the scene, stretched the long bush-grown passage of the Strand, picturesquely varied with bridges, and flanked to the right by the embattled halls of feudal nobles, or the inns of the no less powerful prelates, — while sombre and huge, amidst hall and inn, loomed the gigantic ruins of the Savoy, demolished in the insur- * The residence of the Archbishops of York.

A rection of AArat Tyler. Farther on, and farther yet, the eye wandered over tower, and gate, and arch, and spire, with frequent glimpses ot the broad sunlit river, and the opposite shore crowned by the palace of Lambeth, and the church of St. Mary Overies, till the indistinct cluster of battlements around the Fortress-Palatine bounded the curious gaze. As whatever is new is for a while popular, so to this pastime-ground, on the day we treat of, flocked, not only the idlers of AVestminster, but the lordly dwellers of Ludgate and the Flete, and the wealthy citizens of tumultuous Chepe. The ground was well suited to the purpose to which it was devoted. About the outskirts, indeed, there were swamps and fish-pools ; but a considerable plot towards the centre presented a level sward, already worn bare and brown by the feet of the multitude.

From this, towards the left, extended alleys, some recently planted, intended to afford, in summer, cool and shady places for the favourite game of bowls ; while scattered clumps, chiefly of old pollards, to the right, broke the space agreeably enough into detached portions, each of which afforded its separate pastime or diversion. Around were ranged many carts, or waggons — horses of all sorts and value were led to and fro, while their owners were at sport. Tents, awnings, hostelries — temporary buildings — stages for showmen and jugglers — abounded, and gave the scene the appearance of a fair. But what particularly now demands our attention was a broad plot in the ground, dedicated to the noble diversion of archery. The reigning house of York owed much of its military suc cess to the superiority of the bowmen under its banners, and the Londoners themselves were jealous of their reputation in this martial accomplishment.

For the last fifty years, notwithstanding the warlike nature of the times, the practice of the bow, in the intervals of peace, had been more neglected than seemed wise to the rulers. Both the king and his loyal city had of late taken much pains to enforce the due exercise of "Goddes instrumente," * upon which an edict had declared that " the liberties and honour of England principally rested ! " And numerous now was the attendance, not only of the citizens, the burghers, and the idle populace, but of the gallant nobles who sur rounded the court of Edward IV. , then in the prime of his youth ; the handsomest, the gayest, and the bravest prince in Christendom. The royal tournaments (which were, however, waning from their ancient lustre to kindle afresh, and to expire in the reigns of the succeeding Tudors), restricted to the amusements of knight and noble, no doubt presented more of pomp and splendour than the motley and mixed assembly of all ranks that now grouped around the competitors for the silver arrow, or listened to the itinerant jongleur, dissour, or minstrel ; — or, seated under the stunted shade of the old trees, indulged with eager looks, and hands often wandering to their dagger-hilts, in the absorbing passion of the dice ; but no later and earlier scenes of revelry ever, perhaps, exhibited that heartiness of enjoyment, that universal holiday, which attended this mixture of every class, that estab- * So called emphatically by Bishop Latimer, in his celebrated Sixth Sermon. lished a rude equality for the hour — between the knight and the re tainer, the burgess and the courtier.

The revolution that placed Edward IV. upon the throne had, in fact, been a popular one. Not only had the valour and moderation of his father, Richard, Duke of York, bequeathed a heritage of affection to his brave and accomplished son — not only were the most beloved of the great barons the leaders of his party — but the king himself, partly from inclination, partly from policy, spared no pains to win the good graces of that slowly rising, but even then important part of the popu lation — the Middle Class. He was the first king who descended, without loss of dignity and respect, from the society of his peers and princes, to join familiarly in the feasts and diversions of the merchant and the trader. The lord mayor and council of London were admitted, on more than one solemn occasion, into the deliberations of the court ; and Edward had not long since, on the coronation of his queen, much to the discontent of certain of his barons, conferred the knighthood of the Bath upon four of the citizens.

On the other hand, though Edward's gallantries — the only vice which tended to diminish his popularity with the sober burgesses — were little worthy of his station, his frank, joyous familiarity with his inferiors was not debased by the buffooneries that had led to the reverses and the awful fate of two of his royal predecessors. There must have been a popular principle, indeed, as well as a popular fancy, involved in the steady and ardent adherence which the population of London, in particular, and most of the great cities, exhibited to the person and the cause of Edward IV. There was a feeling that his reign was an advance, in civilisation, upon the monastic virtues of Henry VI. , and the stern ferocity which accompanied the great qualities of "The Foreign Woman," as the people styled and regarded Henry's consort, Margaret of Anjou.

While thus the gifts, the courtesy, and the policy of the young sovereign made him popular with the middle classes, he owed the allegiance of the more powerful barons and the favour of the rural population to a man who stood colossal amidst the iron images of the Age — the greatest and the last of the old Norman chivalry — kinglier in pride, in state, in possessions, and in renown, than the king himself — Richard Nevile, Earl of Salisbury and AVarwick. This princely personage, in the full vigour of his age, possessed all the attributes that endear the noble to the commons. His valour in the field was accompanied with a generosity rare in the captains of the time. He valued himself on sharing the perils and the hardships of his meanest soldier. His haughtiness to the great was not incompatible with frank affability to the lowly.

His wealth was enormous, but it was equalled by his magnificence, and rendered popular by bis lavish hospitality. No less than thirty thousand persons are said to have feasted daily at the open tables with which he allured to his countless castles the strong hands and grateful hearts of a martial and unsettled population. More haughty than ambitious, he was feared because he avenged all affront ; and yet not envied, because he seemed above all favour. The holiday on the archery-ground was more than usually gay, for the rumour had spread from the court to the city that Edward WM about to increase his power abroad, and to repair what he bad lost in the eves of Europe, through his marriage with Elizabeth Gray— by allying his sister Margaret with the brother of Louis XL, and that no less a person than the Earl of Warwick had been the day before selected as ambassador on the important occasion.

Various opinions wen entertained upon the preference given to b ranee in this alliance, over the rival candidate for the hand of the princess— viz., the Count de Charolois, afterwards Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. " By'r Lady," said a stout citizen about the age of fifty, " but I am not over-pleased with this French marriage-making ! I would liefer the stout earl were going to France with bows and bills than sarcenets and satins. AVhat will become of our trade with Flanders — answer me that, Master Stokton ? The house of York is a good house, and tbe king is a good king, but trade is trade. Every man must draw water to his own mill." " Hush, Master Heyford ! " said a small lean man in a light-grey sur coat. " The king loves not talk about what the king does. 'Tis ill jesting with lions.

Remember AVilliam Walker, hanged for saying his son should be heir to the Crown." " Troth," answered Master Heyford, nothing daunted, for he be longed to one of the most powerful corporations of London — " it was but a scurvy Pepperer* who made that joke. But a joke from a worshipful goldsmith, who has moneys and influence, and a fair wife of his own, whom the king himself has been pleased to commend, is another guess sort of matter. But here is my grave-visaged headman, who always contrives to pick up tbe last gossip astir, and has a deep eye into millstones. Why, ho, there ! Alwyn — I say, Nicholas Alwyn ! — who would have thought to see thee with that bow, a good half-ell taller than thyself? Methought thou wert too sober and studious for such man-at-arms sort of devilry. " " An' it please you, Master Heyford," answered the person thus addressed — a young man, pale and lean, though sinewy and large-boned, with a countenance of great intelligence, but a slow and somewhat formal manner of speech, and a strong provincial accent — "an' it please you, King Edward's edict ordains every Englishman to have a bow of his own height ; and he who neglects the shaft on a holiday, forfeiteth one halfpenny and some honour.

For the rest, methinks that the citizens of London will become of more worth and potency every year ; and it shall not be my fault if I do not, though but a humble headman to your worshipful mastership, help to make them so." " AVhy, that's well said, lad ; but if the Londoners prosper, it is because they have nobles in their gipsires,t not bows in their hands." " Thinkest thou, then, Master Heyford, that any king at a pinch would leave them the gipsire, if they could not protect it with the bow ? That Age may have gold, let not Youth despise iron." * Old name for Grocer. ■f Gipsire, a kind of pouch worn at the girdle. " Body o' me ! " cried Master Heyford, " but thou hadst better curb in thy tongue. Though I have my j est — as a rich man and a corpulent — a lad who has his way to make good should be silent and — but he's gone.

" " Where hooked you up that young jack-fish ? " said Master Stokton, the thin mercer, who had reminded the goldsmith of the fate of the grocer. "Why, he was meant for the cowl, but his mother, a widow, at his own wish, let him make choice of the flat cap. He was the best 'prentice ever I had. By the blood of St. Thomas, he will push his way in good time ; he has a head, Master Stokton — a head — and an ear ; and a great big pair of eyes always looking out for something to his proper advantage." In the meanwhile, the goldsmith's headman had walked leisurely up to the archery-ground ; and even in his gait and walk, as he thus re paired to a pastime, there was something steady, staid, and business-like. The youths of his class and calling were at that day very different from their equals in this.