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THE COURT, LADY'S MAGAZINE,

MONTHLY CRITIC AND MUSEUM.

A Family Journal

OF ORIGINAL TALES, REViews of liteRATURE, THE FINE ARTS, MUSIC, DRAMA, FASHIONS, &c. &c.

UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF KENT.

Embellished with an Authentic full-length colored Portrait (No. 118, of this series,)

OF

JEANNE OF ARRAGON,

QUEEN OF SICILY.

THE LACEY CHRONICLES.

ACCORDING to their agreement*, immediately after breakfast the two friends, warmly equipped to defy the cold November breeze which blew heavily from the sea, left the old Manor-house with a due attendance of remarkable terriers and high-bred spaniels of the Lacey breed, and pursued a sheltered path leading to the ruins of the old castle. Situate on a rocky eminence, land-wise, it was somewhat sheltered by a growth of old oak and sycamore; but, towards the sea, it was fully exposed to the winds from the Atlantic, and frowned in stern and rugged desolation, sublime in decay, and apparently holding yet a struggle with the irresistible power of Time. Here and there huge masses had fallen before the storm, or yielded to the all-conquering enemy; still, however, towers and buttresses stood firm, and the Keep was yet in fine preservation. It was still possible for a firm foot and a steady head to ascend a winding stair in the West Tower, and to gain a peep into several stone chambers, dark and gloomy; and from one of these into which Mrs. de Lacey had penetrated, she was certain Lady de Lacey herself had looked, when she rejoiced at

* See Chronicle, No. 1, February, 1843.

H-COURT MAGAZINE)-MARCH, 1843.

and when he heard the sad complaints of the fair damsel, he thought that, had his lineage been suitable, she would not have scorned the offer of his loyal service. But of this he spake not; and when his fond old mother, who looked upon her son as a fit mate for any lady in the land, would tell him that she was sure the damsel was kindly affected towards him, he would turn from her oft-times with a sigh or a smile, but never word passed his lips, unfitting their respective degrees.

salmon had been grievous.

Now, it chanced, that, in the winter season, an otter made much havock amongst the fish in the river, and Sir Edwin appointed a day for his vassals to assemble with dog and spear, and seek to destroy the beast, whose ravages amongst the young Amongst these, came John of the Glen, and a gallant shew he made amongst the boors with his stalwart frame, full six feet high, clad in his hunting garb of green, and, in his hand, a hunting spear, whilst, in the other, he held a leash of strong, fine-bred otter-hounds, all in prime case and eager for the sport. Sir Edwin and all his family headed the train-Lady de Lacey and Mistress Blanche mounted on their palfreys, riding one on each side of the knight— and, after this fashion, they descended to the river side. After a while, the retreat of the beast was scented, and the dogs, eager to unearth him from his den in the bank side, the entrance being all strewn with bones of fish and a foul smell proceeding therefrom, when the clouds which had been gathering heavily round the welkin, did open and send forth peals of fearful thunder resounding from rock to rock. Mistress Blanche had taken stand, hard by the river, near the otter's-den, and John of the Glen stood on the bank between her and the water, ready to spear the animal if he sought to 'scape that way; and it was at that time a violent clap of thunder startled the horse of one of the serving men, who, plunging in fear, slipped adown the bank, and, striking against John of the Glen, his feet could not maintain their hold in the steep and slippery soil, whereupon he plumped into the river which flowed in a deep and swift current, swoln by the melting of the snows in the neighbouring hills. A loud shriek did burst from the lips of Mistress Blanche, and in a moment's space she sprang from her steed, and dashing down the bank the earth gave way, and she, also, fell into the stream.

Now was there sore confusion and dismay: John of the Glen was first to rise unto the surface and, little harmed by the fall, few disasters being strange unto him in his following of all sylvan sports, was nigh regaining the bank by help of a tree which did hang low above it, when the cries and shouts of Sir Edwin, and the Lady de Lacey's loud calls on the name of her child did instruct him of the mischance that had befallen, and, moreover, he did espy a part of a garment floating on the water. Short space did pass before the poor damsel was lying on the green sward, pale, and as if life was departed from her. My lady had ere this fallen into a deep swound, but none did tend her; and Sir Edwin ran to and fro, like a scared man of no wit to do aught needful for the occasion. So, John of the Glen, albeit dripping with water and somewhat faint and exhausted himself, was fain to minister aid unto the damsel, and, kneeling beside her, he chafed her hands and poured a few drops of strong liquor into her throat, which did much revive her, so that she oped her eyes; and so, by that time, the rest had come out of their amaze

and did bear the damsel to her home. Sir Edwin and his lady seemed as if the burden of gratefulness did press heavily upon them, for, whilst they spoke kind words unto the youth, there was that in their manner which it needed not his shrewdness to see betokened little inward warmth. In truth, the knight and the Lady-mother were grievously suspect, the more especially as they bethought them how the danger was incurred, that the damsel did compare the comely John with the Master of Redmond, and found him more to her liking: so that they were sorely perplexed how to withdraw her from his neighbourhood, and yet break not that bond of thankfulness, they knew full well was due unto him. And so it was, that Sir Edwin thought it was a hopeful chance to 'scape from this his grievous perplexity, when his old companion in arms did so heartily desire his alliance; and he was sore vexed and angry withal, when the damsel was adverse to the wooing, for she did fearlessly declare unto her sire when, as he did make known to her the suit of the Master of Redmond, that her mind was vehemently set anent him, and she prayed rather to take the holy vows in the Abbey of St. Ann's than be wedded to one of whom she heard no good report. Sir Edwin was mightily angered, but he kept his peace, nor did make known his suspicions, but sent straight my lady, his wife, to commune with and persuade the wayward child. But neither had she better success, and Blanche was fast in her purpose to wed not with the Heir of Redmond. Her mother was less prudent than her sire, and, moved unto anger and displeasure, she did openly accuse her of being too much affected unto one of low degree. She would fain have recalled her words, for Blanche grew red at this hearing, and owned it not, or said proudly that she had no thoughts unseemly for her birth and lineage, but that she did entirely mislike the youth Oswald, yet spoke she with all dutiful respect, and failed not in patient endeavour to soothe the angered spirits of her parents. And it was thus that matters stood when the Queen Joanna was wrecked on the coast, and sheltered in Castle de Lacey; and then it was that Sir Edwin and his spouse deemed a sojourn at court in the honorable office of hand-maiden to her grace, a right good means for diverting their daughter's mind from her unworthy liking, and turn it to some gallant, fitting her station. All this time, nought had they wherewith to accuse young John, for he kept strict watch on his lips, whatever might be in his heart, and, save when he came across Mistress Blanche in her rides, he had no access of speech unto her. Her visits to his mother were forbidden, and, without word of mouth spoken, the Franklin's family were ware that Sir Edwin harboured some evil will anent them. Seemed the time long ere the Queen Joanna sent a summons to Blanche de Lacey to come with all speed unto the Court, but rumours were rife that there had been much malcontent in the Parliament, by reason her grace did so much give her royal favor unto servitors of her own land of Bretagne, and so loud rose the voice against the foreigners that a parcel of them was straightway sent over sea, and the Queen was forced, with no good will, to surround her royal person with those of English birth. Then she bethought her of her promise to her host, and forthwith she commanded the maiden to hasten unto her. Great preparations were there at Castle de Lacey for the journeying, and, certes, for this there was some need, for there were disturbances and affairs in the land she

besought her, that she would place the damsel about her royal person and suffer her to do her service as an honorable maiden.

The queen gave favorable hearing unto this, also; but she told her host he must be content to wait a while, until she was herself installed in her queenly dignity, as it behoved her to be well acquaint with her court and family, before she burdened herself with other cares, " for," said she to the knight, "think not that if thy child dwelleth nigh my person, I shall not deem it my bounden duty to be vigilant and watchful over her; therefore will I not have that care, until I know unto what I am called." And, with this, she greeted the knight, kindly, and with her men and maidens, and the princesses her daughters, did embark again on the rough sea, preferring rather to trust themselves to the mercy of the boisterous elements, than to the chances of plunder and hindrance from the lawless inhabitants of the Cambrian land, or of the disaffected barons near whose strong-holds she must travel towards her expectant lord. Great mercy was it, that the Heavens were calm and the Lord of Arundel did safely land his precious passengers on the Cornish coast, from whence they did journey unto the city of Winchester, where, in the church of Holy St. Swithin, in the year of grace 1403, she did wed the mighty king Henry.

When Sir Edwin did petition the queen's grace to take unto her royal protection his daughter Blanche, I wot he was led thereto by a secret fear that she was too well affected unto one beneath her; but, of this, in good faith and verity, I affirm, the good knight did vex himself without cause, and all relating thereto is truly set forth in this Chronicle.

1

It chanced that Mistress Blanche was riding her palfrey on the sea-shore, as her manner was, with none of her father's household to tend her; for, in the summertime, there was no fear of forays from the lawless bands who still troubled the castle at winter-tide. A huge stag, driven by the hunters from the upper lands, sought refuge amongst the lone sand-banks by the sea, and came full speed on Blanche de Lacey, as she carelessly thrid the narrow path that led between them. Blanche sought to guide her palfrey on one side, so as to give the wrathful beast free passage, but he willed rather to spend his anger upon her, and made a thrust at her with his tall antlers. The frightened damsel jumped from her palfrey, and sought to escape by fleetness of foot, and she fled with all her might, whilst the stag stood doubtful to attack the horse or follow her. Suddenly, he bounded after her, and had just reached unto her, when an arrow, from an unseen hand, struck him behind the ear, and stunned him for an instant; and, ere he could recover, a young man, in a hunter's garb, drew near, and with his hunting knife did cut his throat. Mistress Blanche, with his aid, remounted her palfrey, and did courteously entreat the young man to return with her to the castle, to be duly thanked by Sir Edwin and the lady, her mother, for the good service he had done unto their daughter; but he, smiling, made reply, that John of the Glen went not to Castle de Lacey as a guest, and he sought no other guerdon but his pleasure in serving so fair a damsel.

So, after with much respect escorting her to the Castle-gate, he withdrew. But Blanche was not silent on the courage and brave demeanour of the youth; and did so much parley with her father upon it, that he was fain, one fair day, to mount

his steed and seek the dwelling of John, to give him thanks for the good service he had wrought her: and when Sir Edwin came back unto the Castle, and the family were seated, at noon-tide, adown the hall, Sir Edwin did speak with a loud voice, so that all might hear, and thus did he say :

"By my faith, he is a stalwart fellow, this same John, and with a pair of spurs at his heels and a purse of gold-nobles in his hand, he would shew not amiss at the court of our king himself." So, 'tis true, did Blanche de Lacey think, though she kept modest silence and could not but sigh that the youth came not of gentle blood. After this, it would chance that, when she rode through the forest-paths, she did oft-times suffer her palfrey to take his own way: and he did much affect one leading to the house where the old mother of John did dwell; and there the dame did give her such cordial and honorable welcome as was fitting her high estate, as the daughter of their liege lord; and, oft-times, would gentle John give aid unto the lady to light from her steed, and conduct her with all humble service into the best chamber, all curiously carved in quaint devices of the sturdy oak, and offer to her there a cup of the rich mead, or metheglin, and the manchet of wheaten bread, or the spiced cake, as good as she ever partook of at her father's board. Certes, there was no comelier youth than John of the Glen, neither was he in mind, uncultured, like the most of his degree, but being of a lofty and ambitious nature, he had sought out the Brothers of the Monastery hard by, and, in such seasons, when the sylvan sports were slack, and his services in skirmishes and such like warfare, not needed, he passed many an hour with old Friar Ansolem, and thereby became well skilled in knowledge and, more than for these outward gauds, did he claim praise for his inward treasures; for he was stern in all his duty, and so humble, yet so nobly proud, withal, that he scorned to do aught unworthy of a man. He was bold and of good courage, and of subtle keerness in all sylvan craft; moreover, he had been bred to warfare from his youth, and never was there foray rebuffed or passage of arms anent the neighbouring chiefs, but John of the Glen took good part therein. He was marvellously well skilled in the use of the cross-bow, as well as in all weapons of the chase, and, withal, his port was noble, his face of the comeliest form, and his bearing like that of a king's son, so courteous and so free. Mistress Blanche had seen few of her own age, in the far solitude of Castle de Lacey, for, save her father's retainers, the guests were scant. About this time, there came thither a knight, Sir Oswald Redmond, by name, a companion in arms of Sir Edwin, for they had consorted together in the Irish wars, and the rumour was that he would fain match his son with the Mistress Blanche. In short-space, came young Master Oswald himself; but, though his gold was plenty, his manners were rude and, in good sooth, his person could not compare with John of the Glen's, for he was stout and short of stature, and swarthy withal; and so rough in bearing, that he was more like to raise affright in the Mistress he wooed, than a gentler passion. So the wooing, such as it was, sped not well, and Mistress Blanche, to avoid the suitor she misliked, turned her palfrey the oftener to the franklin's house; and to the good dame there, would sorrowfully relate how she was tormented and vexed by the suit of the Master of Redmond, and, oft-times, John of the Glen was present,

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