Windsor Castle....................................................................................................................................................1

I. Of the Earl of Surrey's solitary Ramble in the Home ParkOf the Vision beheld by him in the Haunted

In the twentieth year of the reign of the right high and puissant King Henry the Eighth, namely, in 1529, on

the 21st of April, and on one of the loveliest evenings that ever fell on the loveliest district in England, a fair

youth, having somewhat the appearance of a page, was leaning over the terrace wall on the north side of

Windsor Castle, and gazing at the magnificent scene before him. On his right stretched the broad green

expanse forming the Home Park, studded with noble trees, chiefly consisting of ancient oaks, of which

England had already learnt to be proud, thorns as old or older than the oaks, widespreading beeches, tall

elms, and hollies. The disposition of these trees was picturesque and beautiful in the extreme. Here, at the end

of a sweeping vista, and in the midst of an open space covered with the greenest sward, stood a mighty

broadarmed oak, beneath whose ample boughs, though as yet almost destitute of foliage, while the sod

beneath them could scarcely boast a head of fern, couched a herd of deer. There lay a thicket of thorns

skirting a sandbank, burrowed by rabbits, on this hand grew a dense and Druidlike grove, into whose

intricacies the slanting sunbeams pierced; on that extended a long glade, formed by a natural avenue of oaks,

across which, at intervals, deer were passing. Nor were human figures wanting to give life and interest to the

scene. Adown the glade came two keepers of the forest, having each a couple of buckhounds with them in

leash, whose baying sounded cheerily amid the woods. Nearer the castle, and bending their way towards it,

marched a party of falconers with their welltrained birds, whose skill they had been approving upon their

fists, their jesses ringing as they moved along, while nearer still, and almost at the foot of the terrace wall,

was a minstrel playing on a rebec, to which a keeper, in a dress of Lincoln green, with a bow over his

shoulder, a quiver of arrows at his back, and a comely damsel under his arm, was listening.

On the left, a view altogether different in character, though scarcely less beautiful, was offered to the gaze. It

was formed by the town of Windsor, then not a third of its present size, but incomparably more picturesque in

appearance, consisting almost entirely of a long straggling row of houses, chequered black and white, with

tall gables, and projecting storeys skirting the west and south sides of the castle, by the silver windings of the

river, traceable for miles, and reflecting the glowing hues of the sky, by the venerable College of Eton,

embowered in a grove of trees, and by a vast tract of wellwooded and well cultivated country beyond it,

Taking out his tablets, the youth, after some reflection, traced a few lines upon them, and then, quitting the

parapet, proceeded slowly, and with a musing air, towards the north west angle of the terrace. He could not be

more than fifteen, perhaps not so much, but he was tall and wellgrown, with slight though remarkably

wellproportioned limbs; and it might have been safely predicted that, when arrived at years of maturity, he

would possess great personal vigour. His countenance was full of thought and intelligence, and he had a

broad lofty brow, shaded by a profusion of light brown ringlets, a long, straight, and finelyformed nose, a

full, sensitive, and wellchiselled mouth, and a pointed chin. His eyes were large, dark, and somewhat

melancholy in expression, and his complexion possessed that rich clear brown tint constantly met with in

Italy or Spain, though but seldom seen in a native of our own colder clime. His dress was rich, but sombre,

consisting of a doublet of black satin, worked with threads of Venetian gold; hose of the same material, and

similarly embroidered; a shirt curiously wrought with black silk, and fastened at the collar with black

enamelled clasps; a cloak of black velvet, passmented with gold, and lined with crimson satin; a flat black

velvet cap, set with pearls and goldsmith's work, and adorned with a short white plume; and black velvet

buskins. His arms were rapier and dagger, both having gilt and graven handles, and sheaths of black velvet.

As he moved along, the sound of voices chanting vespers arose from Saint George's Chapel; and while he

paused to listen to the solemn strains, a door, in that part of the castle used as the king's privy lodgings,

opened, and a person advanced towards him. The newcomer had broad, brown, martiallooking features,

darkened still more by a thick coalblack beard, clipped short in the fashion of the time, and a pair of

enormous moustachios. He was accoutred in a habergeon, which gleamed from beneath the folds of a

russetcoloured mantle, and wore a steel cap in lieu of a bonnet on his head, while a long sword dangled

from beneath his cloak. When within a few paces of the youth, whose back was towards him, and who did not

hear his approach, he announced himself by a loud cough, that proved the excellence of his lungs, and made

"What! composing a vesper hymn, my lord of Surrey?" he cried with a laugh, as the other hastily thrust the

tablets, which he had hitherto held in his hand, into his bosom. "You will rival Master Skelton, the poet

laureate, and your friend Sir Thomas Wyat, too, ere long. But will it please your lordship to quit for a

moment the society of the celestial Nine, and descend to earth, while I inform you that, acting as your

representative, I have given all needful directions for his majesty's reception tomorrow?,'

"You have not failed, I trust, to give orders to the groom of the chambers for the lodging of my fair cousin,

Mistress Anne Boleyn, Captain Bouchier?" inquired the Earl of Surrey, with a significant smile.

"Assuredly not, my lord!" replied the other, smiling in his turn. "She will be lodged as royally as if she were

"It is well," rejoined Surrey. "And you have also provided for the reception of the Pope's legate, Cardinal

"To save your lordship the necessity of asking any further questions," he said, "I may state briefly that I have

"Willingly, my lord," replied Bouchier. "In your lord ship's name, then, as vicechamberlain, in which

character I presented myself, I summoned together the dean and canons of the College of St. George, the

usher of the black rod, the governor of the almsknights, and the whole of the officers of the household, and

acquainted them, in a set speechwhich, I flatter myself, was quite equal to any that your lordship, with all

your poetical talents, could have deliveredthat the king's highness, being at Hampton Court with the two

cardinals, Wolsey and Campeggio, debating the matter of divorce from his queen, Catherine of Arragon,

proposes to hold the grand feast of the most noble order of the Garter at this his castle of Windsor, on Saint

George's Daythat is to say, the day after tomorrowand that it is therefore his majesty's sovereign

pleasure that the Chapel of St. George, in the said castle, be set forth and adorned with its richest furniture;

that the high altar be hung with arras representing the patron saint of the order on horseback, and garnished

with the costliest images and ornaments in gold and silver; that the pulpit be covered with crimson damask,

inwrought with flowersdeluces of gold, portcullises, and roses; that the royal stall be canopied with a rich

cloth of state, with a hautpas beneath it of a foot high; that the stalls of the knights companions be decked

with cloth of tissue, with their scutcheons set at the back; and that all be ready at the hour of tiercehora tertia

vespertina, as appointed by his majesty's own statuteat which time the eve of the feast shall be held to

"I have no need," replied Bouchier. "Furthermore, I delivered your lordship's warrant from the lord

chamberlain to the usher of the black rod, to make ready and furnish Saint George's Hall, both for the supper

tomorrow and the grand feast on the following day; and I enjoined the dean and canons of the college, the

almsknights, and all the other officers of the order) to be in readiness for the occasion. And now, having

fulfilled my devoir, or rather your lordship's, I am content to resign my post as vicechamberlain, to resume

my ordinary one, that of your simple gentleman, and to attend you back to Hampton Court whenever it shall

"And that will not be for an hour, at the least," replied the earl; "for I intend to take a solitary ramble in the

"What I to seek inspiration for a songor to meditate upon the charms of the fair Geraldine, eh, my lord?

"rejoined Bouchier. "But I will not question you too shrewdly. Only let me caution you against going near

Herne's Oak. It is said that the demon hunter walks at nightfall, and scares, if he does not injure, all those who

cross his path. At curfew toll I must quit the castle, and will then, with your attendants proceed to the Garter,

in Thames Street, where I will await your arrival. If we reach Hampton Court by midnight, it will be time

"Commend me to Bryan Bowntance, the worthy host of the Garter," said the earl; "and bid him provide you

"Fear me not," replied the other. "And I pray your lordship not to neglect my caution respecting Herne the

Hunter. In sober sooth, I have heard strange stories of his appearance of late, and should not care to go near

The earl laughed somewhat sceptically, and the captain reiterating his caution, they separatedBouchier

returning the way he came, and Surrey proceeding towards a small drawbridge crossing the ditch on the

eastern side of the castle, and forming a means of communication with the Little Park. He was challenged by

a sentinel at the drawbridge, but on giving the password he was allowed to cross it, and to pass through a gate

Brushing the soft and dewy turf with a footstep almost as light and bounding as that of a fawn, he speeded on

for more than a quarter of a mile, when he reached a noble beechtree standing at the end of a clump of

timber. A number of rabbits were feeding beneath it, but at his approach they instantly plunged into their

Here he halted to look at the castle. The sun had sunk behind it, dilating its massive keep to almost its present

height and tinging the summits of the whole line of ramparts and towers, since rebuilt and known as the

Brunswick Tower, the Chester Tower, the Clarence Tower, and the Victoria Tower, with rosy lustre.

Flinging himself at the foot of the beechtree, the youthful earl indulged his poetical reveries for a short time,

and then, rising, retraced his steps, and in a few minutes the whole of the south side of the castle lay before

him. The view comprehended the two fortifications recently removed to make way for the York and

Lancaster Towers, between which stood a gate approached by a drawbridge; the Earl Marshal's Tower, now

styled from the monarch in whose reign it was erected, Edward the Third's Tower; the black rod's lodgings;

the Lieutenant's now Henry the Third's Tower; the line of embattled walls, constituting the lodgings of the

almsknights; the tower tenanted by the governor of that body, and still allotted to the same officer; Henry

the Eight's Gateway, and the Chancellor of the Garter's Towerthe latter terminating the line of building. A

few rosy beams tipped the pinnacles of Saint George's Chapel, seen behind the towers abovementioned,

with fire; but, with this exception, the whole of the mighty fabric looked cold and grey.

At this juncture the upper gate was opened, and Captain Bouchier and his attendants issued from it, and

passed over the drawbridge. The curfew bell then tolled, the drawbridge was raised, the horsemen

disappeared, and no sound reached the listener's ear except the measured tread of the sentinels on the

The youthful earl made no attempt to join his followers, but having gazed on the ancient pile before him till

its battlements and towers grew dim in the twilight, he struck into a footpath leading across the park towards

Datchet, and pursued it until it brought him near a dell filled with thorns, hollies, and underwood, and

overhung by mighty oaks, into which he unhesitatingly plunged, and soon gained the deepest part of it. Here,

owing to the thickness of the hollies and the projecting arms of other large overhanging timber, added to the

uncertain light above, the gloom was almost impervious, and he could scarcely see a yard before him. Still,

he pressed on unhesitatingly, and with a sort of pleasurable sensation at the difficulties he was encountering.

Suddenly, however, he was startled by a blue phosphoric light streaming through the bushes on the left, and,

looking up, he beheld at the foot of an enormous oak, whose giant roots protruded like twisted snakes from

the bank, a wild spectrallooking object, possessing some slight resemblance to humanity, and habited, so far

as it could be determined, in the skins of deer, strangely disposed about its gaunt and tawnycoloured limbs.

On its head was seen a sort of helmet, formed of the skull of a stag, from which branched a large pair of

antlers; from its left arm hung a heavy and rustylooking chain, in the links of which burnt the phosphoric

fire before mentioned; while on its right wrist was perched a large horned owl, with feathers erected, and red

Impressed with the superstitious feelings common to the age, the young earl, fully believing he was in the

presence of a supernatural being, could scarcely, despite his courageous nature, which no ordinary matter

would have shaken, repress a cry. Crossing himself, he repeated, with great fervency, a prayer, against evil

spirits, and as he uttered it the light was extinguished, and the spectral figure vanished. The clanking of the

chain was heard, succeeded by the hooting of the owl; then came a horrible burst of laughter, then a fearful

Up to this moment the young earl had stood still, as if spellbound; but being now convinced that the spirit

had fled, he pressed forward, and, ere many seconds, emerged from the brake. The full moon was rising as he

issued forth, and illuminating the glades and vistas, and the calmness and beauty of all around seemed at total

variance with the fearful vision he had just witnessed. Throwing a shuddering glance at the haunted dell, he

was about to hurry towards the castle, when a large, lightningscathed, and solitary oak, standing a little

This was the very tree connected with the wild legend of Herne the Hunter, which Captain Bouchier had

warned him not to approach, and he now forcibly recalled the caution. Beneath it he perceived a figure, which

he at first took for that of the spectral hunter; but his fears were relieved by a shout from the person, who at

He was habited in a jerkin of Lincoln green cloth, with the royal badge woven in silver on the breast, and his

head was protected by a flat green cloth cap, ornamented with a pheasant's tail. Under his right arm he carried

a crossbow; a long silvertipped horn was slung in his baldric; and he was armed with a short hanger, or

woodknife. His features were harsh and prominent; and he bad black beetling brows, a large coarse mouth,

He was attended by a large savagelooking staghound, whom he addressed as Bawsey, and whose fierceness

"I have seen Herne the Hunter himself, or the fiend in his likeness," replied Surrey.

"Ay, ay, you have seen the demon hunter, no doubt," replied the keeper at the close of the recital. "I neither

saw the light, nor heard the laughter, nor the wailing cry you speak of; but Bawsey crouched at my feet and

whined, and I knew some evil thing was at hand. Heaven shield us!" he exclaimed, as the hound crouched at

his feet, and directed her gaze towards the oak, uttering a low ominous whine, "she is at the same trick

The earl glanced in the same direction, and half expected to see the knotted trunk of the tree burst open and

disclose the figure of the spectral hunter. But nothing was visibleat least, to him, though it would seem

from the shaking limbs, fixed eyes, and ghastly visage of the keeper, that some appalling object was

"Do you not see him?" cried the latter at length, in thrilling accents; "he is circling the tree, and blasting it.

So saying he laid his hand upon the keeper's arm. The touch seemed to rouse him to exertion: He uttered a

fearful cry, and set off at a quick pace along the park, followed by Bawsey, with her tail between her legs.

The earl kept up with him, and neither halted till they had left the wizard oak at a considerable distance

"And so you did not see him?" said the keeper, in a tone of exhaustion, as he wiped the thick drops from his

"That is passing strange," rejoined the other. " I myself have seen him before, but never as he appeared

"You are a keeper of the forest, I presume, friend?" said Surrey. "How are you named?"

"What!" exclaimed Fenwolf, making a reverence, "the son to his grace of Norfolk?"

"Why, then, you must be the young nobleman whom I used to see so often with the king's son, the Duke of

Richmond, three or four years ago, at the castle? " rejoined Fenwolf "You are altogether grown out of my

Not unlikely," returned the earl. " I have been at Oxford, and have only just completed my studies. This is the

"I have heard that the Duke of Richmond was at Oxford likewise," observed Fenwolf.

"We were at Cardinal College together," replied Surrey. "But the duke's term was completed before mine. He

"No," replied Surrey. " My attendants are waiting for me at the Garter, and if you will accompany me thither,

I will bestow a cup of good ale upon you to recruit you after the fright you have undergone."

Fenwolf signified his graceful acquiescence, and they walked on in silence, for the earl could not help

dwelling upon the vision he had witnessed, and his companion appeared equally abstracted. In this sort they

II. Of Bryan Bowntance, the Host of the GarterOf the Duke of ShoreditchOf the Bold Words uttered by

Mark Fytton, the Butcher, and how he was cast into the Vault of the Curfew Tower.

Turning off on the right, the earl and his companion continued to descend the hill until they came in sight of

Before the porch were grouped the earl's attendants, most of whom had dismounted, and were holding their

steeds by the bridles. At this juncture the door of the hostel opened, and a fat jollylooking personage, with a

bald head and bushy grey beard, and clad in a brown serge doublet, and hose to match, issued forth, bearing a

foaming jug of ale and a horn cup. His appearance was welcomed by a joyful shout from the attendants.

"Come, my masters!" he cried, filling the horn, "here is a cup of stout Windsor ale in which to drink the

health of our jolly monarch, bluff King Hal; and there's no harm, I trust, in calling him so."

"Marry, is there not, mine host;" cried the foremost attendant. "I spoke of him as such in his own hearing not

long ago, and he laughed at me in right merry sort. I love the royal bully, and will drink his health gladly, and

"They tell me Mistress Anne Boleyn is coming to Windsor with the king and the knightscompanions

tomorrowis it so?" asked the host, again filling the horn, and handing it to another attendant.

The person addressed nodded, but he was too much engrossed by the horn to speak.

"Then there will be rare doings in the castle," chuckled the host; "and many a lusty pot will be drained at the

Garter. Alackaday! how times are changed since I, Bryan Bowntance, first stepped into my father's shoes,

and became host of the Garter. It was in 1501twentyeight years agowhen King Henry the Seventh, of

blessed memory, ruled the land, and when his elder son, Prince Arthur, was alive likewise. In that year the

young prince espoused Catherine of Arragon, our present queen, and soon afterwards died; whereupon the

old king, not likingfor he loved his treasure better than his own fleshto part with her dowry, gave her to

his second son, Henry, our gracious sovereign, whom God preserve! Folks said then the match wouldn't come

to good; and now we find they spoke the truth, for it is likely to end in a divorce."

"Not so loud, mine host!" cried the foremost attendant; "here comes our young master, the Earl of Surrey."

"Well, I care not," replied the host bluffly. "I've spoken no treason. I love my king; and if he wishes to have a

As he said this, a loud noise was heard within the hostel, and a man was suddenly and so forcibly driven

forth, that he almost knocked down Bryan Bowntance, who was rushing in to see what was the matter. The

person thus ejected, who was a powerfullybuilt young man, in a leathern doublet, with his muscular arms

bared to the shoulder, turned his rage upon the host, and seized him by the throat with a grip that threatened

him with strangulation. Indeed, but for the intervention of the earl's attendants, who rushed to his assistance,

such might have been his fate. As soon as he was liberated, Bryan cried in a voice of mingled rage and

surprise to his assailant, "Why, what's the matter, Mark Fytton?are you gone mad, or do you mistake me

for a sheep or a bullock, that you attack me in this fashion? My strong ale must have got into your addle pate

"The knave has been speaking treason of the king's highness," said the tall man, whose doublet and hose of

the finest green cloth, as well as the how and quiverful of arrows at his back, proclaimed him an archer"

"Call me rather the Duke of Shoreditch," rejoined the tall archer; "for since his majesty conferred the title

upon me, though it were but in jest, when I won this silver bugle, I shall ever claim it. I am always designated

by my neighbours in Shoreditch as his grace; and I require the same attention at your hands. Tomorrow I

shall have my comrades, the Marquises of Clerkenwell, Islington, Hogsden, Pancras, and Paddington, with

"I crave your grace's pardon for my want of respect," replied the host. "I am not ignorant of the distinction

conferred upon you at the last match at the castle butts by the king. But to the matter in hand. What treason

"I care not to repeat his words, mine host," replied the duke; "but he hath spoken in unbecoming terms of his

"He means not what he says," rejoined the host. "He is a loyal subject of the king; but he is apt to get

"Well said, honest Bryan," cried the duke; "you have one quality of a good landlordthat of a peacemaker.

Give the knave a cup of ale, and let him wash down his foul words in a health to the king, wishing him a

"I do not desire to sit with you, you selfdubbed duke," rejoined Mark; "but if you will doff your fine jerkin,

and stand up with me on the green, I will give you cause to remember laying hands on me."

"Well challenged, bold butcher!" cried one of Surrey's attendants. "You shall be made a duke yourself."

"Or a cardinal," cried Mark. "I should not be the first of my brethren who has met with such preferment."

"He derides the Church in the person of Cardinal Wolsey!" cried the duke. "He is a blasphemer as well as

"Drink the king's health in a full cup, Mark," interposed the host, anxious to set matters aright, "and keep

"Beshrew me if I drink the king's health, or that of his minion, Anne Boleyn!" cried Mark boldly. "But I will

tell you what I will drink. I will drink the health of King Henry's lawful consort, Catherine of Arragon; and I

will add to it a wish that the Pope may forge her marriage chains to her royal husband faster than ever."

"It is the king who is crazed, not me! " cried Mark. "He would sacrifice his rightful consort to his unlawful

"Saints protect us! " exclaimed Bryan. " Why, this is flat treason. Mark, I can no longer uphold you."

"Not if you do not desire to share his prison, mine host," cried the Duke of Shoreditch. "You have all heard

"Let them lay hands upon me if they dare!" cried the butcher resolutely. "I have felled an ox with a blow of

"I command you, in the king's name, to seize him!" roared Shoreditch. "If he offers resistance he will

"That remains to be seen," said the foremost of the Earl of Surrey's attendants. " Yield, fellow!"

The attendant, however, advanced; but before he could lay hands on the butcher he received a blow from his

oxlike fist that sent him reeling backwards for several paces, and finally stretched him at full length upon

the ground. His companions drew their swords, and would have instantly fallen upon the sturdy offender, if

Morgan Fenwolf, who, with the Earl of Surrey, was standing among the spectators, had not rushed forward,

and, closing with Mark before the latter could strike a blow, grappled with him, and held him fast till he was

"And so it is you, Morgan Fenwolf, who have served me this ill turn, eh?" cried the butcher, regarding him

"That he has dealings with the fiendwith Herne the Hunter," replied Mark. "If I am hanged for a traitor, he

"Heed not what the villain says, my good fellow," said the Duke of Shoreditch; "you have captured him

bravely, and I will take care your conduct is duly reported to his majesty. To the castle with him! To the

castle! He will lodge tonight in the deepest dungeon of yon fortification," pointing to the Curfew Tower

above them, "there to await the king's judgment; and tomorrow night it will be well for him if he is not

And followed by Morgan Fenwolf and the others, with the prisoner, he strode up the hill.

Long before this Captain Bouchier had issued from the hostel and joined the earl, and they walked together

after the crowd. In a few minutes the Duke of Shoreditch reached Henry the Eighth's Gate, where he shouted

to a sentinel, and told him what had occurred. After some delay a wicket in the gate was opened, and the

chief persons of the party were allowed to pass through it with the prisoner, who was assigned to the custody

By this time an officer had arrived, and it was agreed, at the suggestion of the Duke of Shoreditch, to take the

offender to the Curfew Tower. Accordingly they crossed the lower ward, and passing beneath an archway

near the semicircular range of habitations allotted to the petty canons, traversed the space before the west end

of Saint George's Chapel, and descending a short flight of stone steps at the left, and threading a narrow

passage, presently arrived at the arched entrance in the Curfew, whose hoary walls shone brightly in the

They had to knock for some time against the stout oak door before any notice was taken of the summons. At

length an old man, who acted as bellringer, thrust his head out of one of the narrow pointed windows above,

and demanded their business. Satisfied with the reply, he descended, and, opening the door, admitted them

into a lofty chamber, the roof of which was composed of stout planks, crossed by heavy oaken rafters, and

supported by beams of the same material. On the left a steep ladderlike flight of wooden steps led to an

upper room, and from a hole in the roof descended a bellrope, which was fastened to one of the beams,

Some further consultation was now held among the party as to the propriety of leaving the prisoner in this

chamber under the guard of the arquebusiers, but it was at last decided against doing so, and the old bellringer

being called upon for the keys of the dungeon beneath, he speedily produced them. They then went forth, and

descending a flight of stone steps on the left, came to a low strong door, which they unlocked, and obtained

admission to a large octangular chamber with a vaulted roof, and deep embrasures terminated by narrow

loopholes. The light of a lamp carried by the bellringer showed the dreary extent of the vault, and the

"A night's solitary confinement in this place will be of infinite service to our prisoner," said the Duke of

Shoreditch, gazing around. "I'll be sworn he is ready to bite off the foolish tongue that has brought him to

The butcher made no reply, but being released by the arquebusiers, sat down upon a bench that constituted

"Shall I leave him the lamp?" asked the bellringer; "he may beguile the time by reading the names of former

"No; he shall not even have that miserable satisfaction," returned the Duke of Shoreditch. "He shall be left in

With this the party withdrew, and the door was fastened upon the prisoner. An arquebusier was stationed at

the foot of the steps; and the Earl of Surrey and Captain Bouchier having fully satisfied their curiosity, shaped

their course towards the castle gate. On their way thither the earl looked about for Morgan Fenwolf, but could

nowhere discern him. He then passed through the wicket with Bouchier, and proceeding to the Garter, they

mounted their steeds, and galloped off towards Datchet, and thence to Staines and Hampton Court.

III. Of the Grand Procession to Windsor CastleOf the Meeting of King Henry the Eighth and Anne Boleyn

at the Lower GateOf their Entrance into the CastleAnd how the Butcher was Hanged from the Curfew

"Well done !" cried the duke, as he witnessed the achievement; "why, you shoot as bravely as Herne the

Hunter. Old wives tell us he used to split the arrows of his comrades in that fashion."

"He must have learnt the trick from Herne himself in the forest," cried one of the bystanders.

Morgan Fenwolf looked fiercely round in search of the speaker, but could not discern him. He, however, shot

no more, and refusing a cup of hypocras offered him by Shoreditch, disappeared among the crowd.

Soon after this the booths were emptied, the bar thrown down, the Maypole and the butts deserted, and the

whole of Bachelors' Acre cleared of its occupantsexcept those who were compelled to attend to the mighty

spits turning before the firesby the loud discharge of ordnance from the castle gates, accompanied by the

ringing of bells, announcing that the mayor and burgesses of Windsor, together with the officers of the Order

of the Garter, were setting forth to Datchet Bridge to meet the royal procession.

Those who most promptly obeyed this summons beheld the lower castle gate, built by the then reigning

monarch, open, while from it issued four trumpeters clad in emblazoned coats, with silken bandrols

depending from their horns, blowing loud fanfares. They were followed by twelve henchmen, walking four

abreast, arrayed in scarlet tunics, with the royal cypher H.R. worked in gold on the breast, and carrying gilt

poleaxes over their shoulders. Next came a company of archers, equipped in helm and brigandine, and armed

with long pikes, glittering, as did their steel accoutrements, in the bright sunshine. They were succeeded by

the bailiffs and burgesses of the town, riding three abreast, and enveloped in gowns of scarlet cloth; after

which rode the mayor of Windsor in a gown of crimson velvet, and attended by two footmen, in white and

red damask, carrying white wands. The mayor was followed by a company of the town guard, with partisans

over the shoulders. Then came the sheriff of the county and his attendants. Next followed the twentysix

almsknights (for such was their number), walking two and two, and wearing red mantles, with a scutcheon

of Saint George on the shoulder, but without the garter surrounding it. Then came the thirteen petty canons, in

murreycoloured gowns, with the arms of Saint George wrought in a roundel on the shoulder; then the twelve

A slight pause ensued, and the chief officers of the Garter made their appearance. First walked the Black Rod,

clothed in a russetcoloured mantle, faced with alternate panes of blue and red, emblazoned with

flowerdeluces of gold and crowned lions. He carried a small black rod, the ensign of his office,

surmounted with the lion of England in silver. After the Black Rod came the Garter, habited in a gown of

crimson satin, paned and emblazoned like that of the officer who preceded him, hearing a white crown with a

sceptre upon it, and having a gilt crown in lieu of a cap upon his head. The Garter was followed by the

the chancellor of the Order, in his robe of murreycoloured velvet lined with sarcenet, with a badge on the

shoulder consisting of a gold rose, enclosed in a garter wrought with pearls of damask gold. Lastly came the

Bishop of Winchester, the prelate of the Order, wearing his mitre, and habited in a robe of crimson velvet

lined with white taffeta, faced with blue, and embroidered on the right shoulder with a scutcheon of Saint

George, encompassed with the Garter, and adorned with cordons of blue silk mingled with gold.

Brought up by a rear guard of halberdiers, the procession moved slowly along Thames Street, the houses of

which, as well as those in Peascod Street, were all more or less decoratedthe humbler sort being covered

with branches of trees, intermingled with garlands of flowers, while the better description was hung with

pieces of tapestry, carpets, and rich stuffs. Nor should it pass unnoticed that the loyalty of Bryan Bowntance,

the host of the Garter, had exhibited itself in an arch thrown across the road opposite his house, adorned with

various coloured ribbons and flowers, in the midst of which was a large shield, exhibiting the letters, b. and h.

(in mystic allusion to Henry and Anne Boleyn) intermingled and surrounded by loveknots.

Turning off on the left into the lower road, skirting the north of the castle, and following the course of the

river to Datchet, by which it was understood the royal cavalcade would make its approach, the procession

arrived at an open space by the side of the river, where it came to a halt, and the dean, chancellor, and prelate,

together with other officers of the Garter, embarked in a barge moored to the bank, which was towed slowly

down the stream in the direction of Datchet Bridgea band of minstrels stationed within it playing all the

Meanwhile the rest of the cavalcade, having again set for ward, pursued their course along the banks of the

river, proceeding at a foot's pace, and accompanied by crowds of spectators, cheering them as they moved

along. The day was bright and beautiful, and nothing was wanting to enhance the beauty of the spectacle. On

the left flowed the silver Thames, crowded with craft, filled with richlydressed personages of both sexes,

amid which floated the pompous barge appropriated to the officers of the Garter, which was hung with

banners and streamers, and decorated at the sides with targets, emblazoned with the arms of St. George. On

the greensward edging the stream marched a brilliant cavalcade, and on the right lay the old woods of the

Home Park, with long vistas opening through them, giving exquisite peeps of the towers and battlements of

Half an hour brought the cavalcade to Datchet Bridge, at the foot of which a pavilion was erected for the

accommodation of the mayor and burgesses. And here, having dismounted, they awaited the king's arrival.

Shortly after this a cloud of dust on the Staines Road seemed to announce the approach of the royal party, and

all rushed forth and held themselves in readiness to meet it. But the dust appeared to have been raised by a

company of horsemen, headed by Captain Bouchier, who rode up the next moment. Courteously saluting the

mayor, Bouchier informed him that Mistress Anne Boleyn was close behind, and that it was the king's

pleasure that she should be attended in all state to the lower gate of the castle, there to await his coming, as he

himself intended to enter it with her. The mayor replied that the sovereign's behests should be implicitly

obeyed, and he thereupon stationed himself at the farther side of the bridge in expectation of Anne Boleyn's

Presently the sound of trumpets smote his ear, and a numerous and splendid retinue was seen advancing,

consisting of nobles, knights, esquires, and gentlemen, ranged according to their degrees, and all sumptuously

apparelled in cloths of gold and silver, and velvets of various colours, richly embroidered. Besides these,

there were pages and other attendants in the liveries of their masters, together with sergeants of the guard and

henchmen in their full accoutrements. Among the nobles were the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolkthe king

being desirous of honouring as much as possible her whom he had resolved to make his queen. The former

was clothed in tissue, embroidered with roses of gold, with a baldric across his body of massive gold, and

was mounted on a charger likewise trapped in gold; and the latter wore a mantle of cloth of silver, pounced in

the form of letters, and lined with blue velvet, while his horse was trapped bardwise in harness embroidered

with bullion gold curiously wrought. Both also wore the collar of the Order of the Garter. Near them rode Sir

Thomas Boleyn, who, conscious of the dignity to which his daughter was to be advanced, comported himself

Immediately behind Sir Thomas Boleyn came a sumptuous litter covered with cloth of gold, drawn by four

white palfreys caparisoned in white damask down to the ground, and each having a page in white and blue

satin at its head. Over the litter was borne a canopy of cloth of gold supported by four gilt staves, and

ornamented at the corners with silver bells, ringing forth sweet music as it moved along. Each staff was borne

by a knight, of whom sixteen were in attendance to relieve one another when fatigued.

In this litter sat Anne Boleyn. She wore a surcoat of white tissue, and a mantle of the same material lined with

ermine. Her gown, which, however, was now concealed by the surcoat, was of cloth of gold tissue, raised

with pearls of silver damask, with a stomacher of purple gold similarly raised, and large open sleeves lined

with chequered tissue. Around her neck she wore a chain of orient pearls, from which depended a diamond

cross. A black velvet cap, richly embroidered with pearls and other precious stones, and ornamented with a

small white plume, covered her head; and her small feet were hidden in blue velvet brodequins, decorated

Anne Boleyn's features were exquisitely formed, and though not regular, far more charming than if they had

been so. Her nose was slightly aquiline, but not enough so to detract from its beauty, and had a little

retrousse; point that completed its attraction. The rest of her features were delicately chiselled: the chin being

beautifully rounded, the brow smooth and white as snow, while the rose could not vie with the bloom of her

cheek. Her neckalas! that the fell hand of the executioner should ever touch itwas long and slender, her

eyes large and blue, and of irresistible witcherysometimes scorching the beholder like a sunbeam, anon

Of her accomplishments other opportunities will be found to speak; but it may be mentioned that she was

skilled on many instruments, danced and sang divinely, and had rare powers of conversation and wit. If to

these she had not added the dangerous desire to please, and the wish to hold other hearts than the royal one

she had enslaved, in thraldom, all might, perhaps, have been well. But, alas like many other beautiful women,

she had a strong tendency to coquetry. How severely she suffered for it, it is the purpose of this history to

relate. An excellent description of her has been given by a contemporary writer, the Comte de Chateaubriand,

who, while somewhat disparaging her personal attractions, speaks in rapturous terms of her accomplishments:

"Anne," writes the Comte, " avait un esprit si deslie qui c'estoit a qui l'ouiroit desgoiser; et ci venoitelle a

poetiser, telle qu' Orpheus, elle eust faict les ours et rochers attentifs: puis saltoit, balloit, et dancoit toutes

dances Anglaises ou Estranges, et en imagina nombre qui ont garde son nom ou celluy du galant pour qui les

feit: puis scavoit tous les jeux, qu'elle jouoit avec non plus d'heur que d'habilite puis chantoit comme syrene,

s'accompagnant de luth; harpoit mieuelx que le roy David, et manioit fort gentilment fleuste et rebec; puis

s'accoustroit de tant et si merveilleuses facons, que ses inventions, faisoient d'elle le parangon de toutes des

dames les plus sucrees de la court; mais nulle n'avoit sa grace, laquelle, au dire d'un ancien, passe venuste'."

Such was the opinion of one who knew her well during her residence at the French court, when in attendance

At this moment Anne's eyes were fixed with some tenderness upon one of the supporters of her canopy on the

righta very handsome young man, attired in a doublet and hose of black tylsent, paned and cut, and whose

tall, wellproportioned figure was seen to the greatest advantage, inasmuch as he had divested himself of his

"I fear me you will fatigue yourself, Sir Thomas Wyat," said Anne Boleyn, in tones of musical sweetness,

which made the heart beat and the colour mount to the cheeks of him she addressed. "You had better allow

A slight blush overspread Anne's features, and she raised her embroidered kerchief to her lips.

"If I had that kerchief I would wear it at the next lists, and defy all comers," said Wyat.

"You shall have it, then," rejoined Anne. "I love all chivalrous exploits, and will do my best to encourage

"Take heed, Sir Thomas," said Sir Francis Weston, the knight who held the staff on the other side," or we

"No," rejoined Wyat, recovering himself; "I will not rest till we come to the bridge."

"What ho, good fellows!" he shouted to the attendants at the palfreys' heads, "your lady desires you to stop."

And I desire them to go onI, Will Sommers, jester to the high and mighty King Harry the Eighth!" cried a

voice of mock authority behind the knight. "What if Sir Thomas Wyat has undertaken to carry the canopy

farther than any of his companions, is that a reason he should be relieved? Of a surety notgo on, I say!"

The person who thus spoke then stepped forward, and threw a glance so full of significance at Anne Boleyn

that she did not care to dispute the order, but, on the contrary, laughingly acquiesced in it.

Will Sommersthe king's jester, as he described himselfwas a small middleaged personage, with a

physiognomy in which good nature and malice, folly and shrewdness, were so oddly blended, that it was

difficult to say which predominated. His look was cunning and sarcastic, but it was tempered by great

drollery and oddity of manner, and he laughed so heartily at his own jests and jibes, that it was scarcely

possible to help joining him. His attire consisted of a long loose gown of spotted crimson silk, with the royal

cipher woven in front in gold; hose of blue cloth, guarded with red and black cloth; and red cordovan buskins.

A sash tied round his waist served him instead of a girdle, and he wore a trenchershaped velvet cap on his

head, with a white tufted feather in it. In his hand he carried a small horn. He was generally attended by a

monkey, habited in a crimson doublet and hood, which sat upon his shoulder, and played very diverting

Will Sommers was a great favourite with the king, and ventured upon familiarities which no one else dared to

use with him. The favour in which he stood with his royal master procured him admittance to his presence at

all hours and at all seasons, and his influence, though seldom exerted, was very great. He was especially

serviceable in turning aside the edge of the king's displeasure, and more frequently exerted himself to allay

the storm than to raise it. His principal hostility was directed against Wolsey, whose arrogance and grasping

practices were the constant subjects of his railing. It was seldom, such was his privileged character, and the

protection he enjoyed from the sovereign, that any of the courtiers resented his remarks; but Sir Thomas

Wyat's feelings being now deeply interested, he turned sharply round, and said, "How now, thou meddling

"I interfere to prove my authority, gossip Wyat," replied Sommers, " and to show that, varlet as I am, I am as

powerful as Mistress Anne Boleyn nay, that I am yet more powerful, because I am obeyed, while she is

"Were I at liberty," said Sir Thomas angrily, "I would make thee repent thine insolence."

"But thou art not at liberty, good gossip," replied the jester, screaming with laughter; " thou art tied like a

slave to the oar, and cannot free thyself from itha! ha!" Having enjoyed the knight's discomposure for a

few seconds, he advanced towards him, and whispered in his ear, "Don't mistake me, gossip. I have done thee

good service in preventing thee from taking that kerchief. Hadst thou received it in the presence of these

witnesses, thou wouldst have been lodged in the Round Tower of Windsor Castle tomorrow, instead of

Rest assured I am," replied Sommers; "and I further more counsel thee to decline this dangerous gift

altogether, and to think no more of the fair profferer, or if thou must think of her, let it be as of one beyond

And without waiting for a reply, he darted away, and mingled with the cavalcade in the rear.

Immediately behind Anne Boleyn's litter rode a company of henchmen of the royal household, armed with

gilt partisans. Next succeeded a chariot covered with red cloth of gold, and drawn by four horses richly

caparisoned, containing the old Duchess of Norfolk and the old Marchioness of Dorset. Then came the king's

natural son, the Duke of Richmonda young man formed on the same large scale, and distinguished by the

same haughty port, and the same bluff manner, as his royal sire. The duke's mother was the Lady Talboys,

esteemed one of the most beautiful women of the age, and who had for a long time held the capricious

monarch captive. Henry was warmly attached to his son, showered favours without number upon him, and

Though scarcely eighteen, the Duke of Richmond looked more than twenty, and his lips and chin were

clothed with a wellgrown though closelyclipped beard. He was magnificently habited in a doublet of cloth

of gold of bawdekin, the placard and sleeves of which were wrought with flat gold, and fastened with aiglets.

A girdle of crimson velvet, enriched with precious stones, encircled his waist, and sustained a poniard and a

Toledo sword, damascened with gold. Over all he wore a loose robe, or housse, of scarlet mohair, trimmed

with minever, and was further decorated with the collar of the Order of the Garter. His cap was of white

velvet, ornamented with emeralds, and from the side depended a small azure plume. He rode a magnificent

By the duke's side rode the Earl of Surrey attiredas upon the previous day, and mounted on a fiery

Arabian, trapped in crimson velvet fringed with Venetian gold. Both nobles were attended by their esquires in

Behind them came a chariot covered with cloth of silver, and drawn, like the first, by four horses in rich

housings, containing two very beautiful damsels, one of whom attracted so much of the attention of the

youthful nobles, that it was with difficulty they could preserve due order of march. The young dame in

question was about seventeen; her face was oval in form, with features of the utmost delicacy and regularity.

Her complexion was fair and pale, and contrasted strikingly with her jetty brows and magnificent black eyes,

of oriental size, tenderness, and lustre. Her dark and luxuriant tresses were confined by a cap of black velvet

faced with white satin, and ornamented with pearls. Her gown was of white satin worked with gold, and had

long open pendent sleeves, while from her slender and marble neck hung a cordelierea species of necklace

imitated from the cord worn by Franciscan friars, and formed of crimson silk twisted with threads of

This fair creature was the Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald, daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald, ninth Earl of Kildare,

who claimed descent from the Geraldi family of Florence; but she was generally known by the appellation of

the Fair Geraldinea title bestowed upon her, on account of her beauty, by the king, and by which she still

lives, and will continue to live, as long as poetry endures, in the deathless and enchanting strains of her lover,

the Earl of Surrey. At the instance of her mother, Lady Kildare, the Fair Geraldine was brought up with the

Princess Mary, afterwards Queen of England; but she had been lately assigned by the royal order as one of

Her companion was the Lady Mary Howard, the sister of the Earl of Surrey, a nymph about her own age, and

possessed of great personal attractions, having noblyformed features, radiant blue eyes, light tresses, and a

complexion of dazzling clearness. Lady Mary Howard nourished a passion for the Duke of Richmond, whom

she saw with secret chagrin captivated by the superior charms of the Fair Geraldine. Her uneasiness,

however, was in some degree abated by the knowledge, which as confidante of the latter she had obtained,

that her brother was master of her heart. Lady Mary was dressed in blue velvet, cut and lined with cloth of

Just as the cavalcade came in sight of Datchet Bridge, the Duke of Richmond turned his horse's head, and

"I am come to tell you of a marvellous adventure that befell Surrey in the Home Park at Windsor last night,"

"Then pray let the Earl of Surrey relate the adventure to us himself," replied the Fair Geraldine. "No one can

The duke signed to the youthful earl, who was glancing rather wistfully at them, and he immediately joined

them, while Richmond passed over to the Lady Mary Howard. Surrey then proceeded to relate what had

happened to him in the park, and the fair Geraldine listened to his recital with breathless interest.

"Heaven shield us from evil spirits!" she exclaimed, crossing herself. "But what is the history of this wicked

"I know nothing more than that he was a keeper in the forest, who, having committed some heinous crime,

hanged himself from a branch of the oak beneath which I found the keeper, Morgan Fenwolf, and which still

bears his name," replied the earl. "For this unrighteous act he cannot obtain rest, but is condemned to wander

through the forest at midnight, where he wreaks his vengeance in blasting the trees."

"The legend I have heard differs from yours," observed the Duke of Richmond: "it runs that the spirit by

which the forest is haunted is a wooddemon, who assumes the shape of the ghostly hunter, and seeks to

"Your grace's legend is the better of the two," said Lady Mary Howard, "or rather, I should say, the more

probable. I trust the evil spirit did not make you any such offer, brother of Surrey?"

"If I were to meet him, and he offered me my heart's dearest wish, I fear he would prevail with me," observed

"Tush!the subject is too serious for jesting, Richmond," said Surrey almost sternly.

"His grace, as is usual in compacts with the fiend, might have reason to rue his bargain," observed Lady Mary

"If the Earl of Surrey were my brother," remarked the Fair Geraldine to the Lady Mary, "I would interdict

"He is very wilful," said Lady Mary, smiling, "and holds my commands but lightly."

"Let the Fair Geraldine lay hers upon me, and she shall not have to reproach me with disobedience," rejoined

I must interpose to prevent their utterance," cried Richmond, with a somewhat jealous look at his friend, "for

I have determined to know more of this mystery, and shall require the earl's assistance to unravel it. I think I

remember Morgan Fenwolf, the keeper, and will send for him to the castle, and question him. But in any

The remonstrances of both ladies were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Will Sommers.

"What ho! my lordsto your places! to your places!" cried the jester, in a shrill angry voice. "See ye not we

are close upon Datchet Bridge? Ye can converse with these fair dames at a more fitting season; but it is the

king's pleasure that the cavalcade should make a goodly show. To your places, I say!"

Laughing at the jester's peremptory injunction, the two young nobles nevertheless obeyed it, and, bending

The concourse assembled on Datchet Bridge welcomed Anne Boleyn's arrival with loud acclamations, while

joyous strains proceeded from sackbut and psaltery, and echoing blasts from the trumpets. Caps were flung

into the air, and a piece of ordnance was fired from the barge, which was presently afterwards answered by

the castle guns. Having paid his homage to Anne Boleyn, the mayor rejoined the company of bailiffs and

burgesses, and the whole cavalcade crossed the bridge, winding their way slowly along the banks of the river,

the barge, with the minstrels playing in it, accompanying them the while. In this way they reached Windsor;

and as Anne Boleyn gazed up at the lordly castle above which the royal standard now floated, proud and

aspiring thoughts swelled her heart, and she longed for the hour when she should approach it as its mistress.

Just then her eye chanced on Sir Thomas Wyat, who was riding behind her amongst the knights, and she felt,

Leaving the barge and its occupants to await the king's arrival, the cavalcade ascended Thames Street, and

were welcomed everywhere with acclamations and rejoicing. Bryan Bowntance, who had stationed himself

on the right of the arch in front of his house, attempted to address Anne Boleyn, but could not bring forth a

word. His failure, how ever, was more successful than his speech might have been, inasmuch as it excited

Arrived at the area in front of the lower gateway, Anne Boleyn's litter was drawn up in the midst of it, and the

whole of the cavalcade grouping around her, presented a magnificent sight to the archers and arquebusiers

Just at this moment a signal gun was heard from Datchet Bridge, announcing that the king had reached it, and

the Dukes of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Richmond, together with the Earl of Surrey, Sir Thomas Wyat, and a few

of their gentle men, rode back to meet him. They had scarcely, however, reached the foot of the hill when the

royal party appeared in view, for the king with his characteristic impatience, on drawing near the castle, had

First came half a dozen trumpeters, with silken bandrols fluttering in the breeze, blowing loud flourishes.

Then a party of halberdiers, whose leaders had pennons streaming from the tops of their tall pikes. Next came

two gentlemen ushers bareheaded, but mounted and richly habited, belonging to the Cardinal of York, who

cried out as they pressed forward, "On before, my masters, on before!make way for my lord's grace."

Then came a sergeantofarms bearing a great mace of silver, and two gentlemen carrying each a pillar of

silver. Next rode a gentleman carrying the cardinal's hat, and after him came Wolsey himself, mounted on a

mule trapped in crimson velvet, with a saddle covered with the same stuff, and gilt stirrups. His large person

was arrayed in robes of the finest crimson satin engrained, and a silk cap of the same colour contrasted by its

brightness with the pale purple tint of his sullen, morose, and bloated features. The cardinal took no notice of

the clamour around him, but now and then, when an expression of dislike was uttered against him, for he had

already begun to be unpopular with the people, he would raise his eyes and direct a withering glance at the

hardy speaker. But these expressions were few, for, though tottering, Wolsey was yet too formidable to be

insulted with impunity. On either side of him were two mounted attend ants, each caring a gilt poleaxe, who,

if he had given the word, would have instantly chastised the insolence of the bystanders, while behind him

Wolsey's princely retinue was followed by a litter of crimson velvet, in which lay the pope's legate, Cardinal

Campeggio, whose infirmities were so great that he could not move without assistance. Campeggio was

After a long line of lords, knights, and esquires, came Henry the Eighth. He was apparelled in a robe of

crimson velvet furred with ermines, and wore a doublet of raised gold, the placard of which was embroidered

with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, large pearls, and other precious stones. About his neck was a baldric of

balas rubies, and over his robe he wore the collar of the Order of the Garter. His horse, a charger of the

largest size, and well able to sustain his vast weight, was trapped in crimson velvet, purfled with ermines. His

knights and esquires were clothed in purple velvet, and his henchmen in scarlet tunics of the same make as

Henry was in his thirtyeighth year, and though somewhat overgrown and heavy, had lost none of his

activity, and but little of the grace of his noble proportions. His size and breadth of limb were well displayed

in his magnificent habiliment. His countenance was handsome and manly, with a certain broad burly look,

thoroughly English in its character, which won him much admiration from his subjects; and though it might

be objected that the eyes were too small, and the mouth somewhat too diminutive, it could not be denied that

the general expression of the face was kingly in the extreme. A prince of a more "royal presence" than Henry

the Eighth was never seen, and though he had many and grave faults, want of dignity was not amongst the

Henry entered Windsor amid the acclamations of the spectators, the fanfares of trumpeters, and the roar of

Meanwhile, Anne Boleyn, having descended from her litter, which passed through the gate into the lower

A wide clear space was preserved before her, into which, however, Wolsey penetrated, and, dismounting,

placed himself so that he could witness the meeting between her and the king. Behind him stood the jester,

Will Sommers, who was equally curious with himself. The litter of Cardinal Campeggio passed through the

Scarcely had Wolsey taken up his station than Henry rode up, and, alighting, consigned his horse to a page,

and, followed by the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Surrey, advanced towards Anne Boleyn, who

"Fair mistress," he said, taking her hand, and regarding her with a look of passionate devotion, "I welcome

you to this my castle of Windsor, and trust soon to make you as absolute mistress of it as I am lord and

Anne Boleyn blushed, and cast down her eyes, and Sir Thomas Wyat, who stood at some little distance with

his hand upon his saddle, regarding her, felt that any hopes he might have entertained were utterly

"Heard you that, my lord cardinal?" said Will Sommers to Wolsey. "She will soon be mistress here. As she

The cardinal made no answer further than was conveyed by the deepened colour of his cheeks.

Amid continued fanfares and acclamations, Harry then led Anne Boleyn through the gateway, followed by

the ladies in waiting, who were joined by Richmond and Surrey. The prelate, chancellor, register, black rod,

and other officers of the Garter, together with the whole of the royal retinue who had dismounted, came after

them. A vast concourse of spectators, extending almost as far as the Lieutenant's Tower, was collected in

front of the almsknights' houses; but a wide space had been kept clear by the henchmen for the passage of

the sovereign and his train, and along this Henry proceeded with Anne Boleyn, in the direction of the upper

ward. Just as he reached the Norman Tower, and passed the entrance to the keep, the Duke of Shoreditch,

who was standing beneath the gateway, advanced towards him and prostrated himself on one knee.

"May it please your majesty," said Shoreditch, "I last night arrested a butcher of Windsor for uttering words

highly disrespectful of your highness, and of the fair and virtuous lady by your side."

"Ah! God's death! " exclaimed the king. "Where is the traitor? Bring him before us."

And immediately Mark Fytton was brought forward by a couple of halberdiers. He still preserved his

I have spoken the truth," replied the butcher fearlessly. "I have said you were about to divorce your lawful

consort, Catherine of Arragon, and to take the minion, Anne Boleyn, who stands beside you, to your bed.

"Foul befall thy lying tongue for saying so!" replied Henry furiously. "I have a mind to pluck it from thy

throat, and cast it to the dogs. What ho! guards, take this caitiff to the summit of the highest tower of the

castlethe Curfew Towerand hang him from it, so that all my loyal subjects in Windsor may see how

"Your highness has judged him justly," said Anne Boleyn. "You say so now, Mistress Anne Boleyn,"

rejoined the butcher; "but you yourself shall one day stand in as much peril of your life as I do, and shall

plead as vainly as I should, were I to plead at all, which I will never do to this inexorable tyrant. You will

Away with him! " cried Henry. " I myself will go to the Garter Tower to see it done. Farewell for a short

As the butcher was hurried off to the Curfew Tower, the king proceeded with his attendants to the Garter

In less than ten minutes a stout pole, like the mast of a ship, was thrust through the battlements of the Curfew

Tower, on the side looking towards the town. To this pole a rope, of some dozen feet in length, and having a

noose at one end, was firmly secured. The butcher was then brought forth, bound hand and foot, and the

While this was passing, the wretched man descried a person looking at him from a window in a wooden

"What, are you there, Morgan Fenwolf?" he cried. "Remember what passed between us in the dungeon last

"Make thy shrift quickly, fellow, if thou hast aught to say," interposed one of the halberdiers.

"I have no shrift to make," rejoined the butcher. "I have already settled my account with Heaven. God

As he uttered these words, he was thrust off from the battlements by the halberdiers, and his body swung into

Having glutted his eyes with the horrible sight, Henry descended from the tower, and returned to Anne

IV. How King Henry the Eighth held a Chapter of the GarterHow he attended Vespers and Matins in Saint

George's ChapelAnd how he feasted with the KnightsCompanions in Saint George's Hall.

From a balcony overlooking the upper ward, Anne Boleyn beheld the king's approach on his return from the

Garter Tower, and waving her hand smilingly to him, she withdrew into the presencechamber. Hastening to

her, Henry found her surrounded by her ladies of honour, by the chief of the nobles and knights who had

composed her train from Hampton Court, and by the Cardinals Wolsey and Campeggio; and having

exchanged a few words with her, he took her hand, and led her to the upper part of the chamber, where two

chairs of state were set beneath a canopy of crimson velvet embroidered with the royal arms, and placed her

in the seat hitherto allotted to Catherine of Arragon. A smile of triumph irradiated Anne's lovely countenance

at this mark of distinction, nor was her satisfaction diminished as Henry turned to address the assemblage.

"My lords," he said, "ye are right well aware of the scruples of conscience I entertain in regard to my

marriage with my brother's widow, Catherine of Arragon. The more I weigh the matter, the more convinced

am I of its unlawfulness; and were it possible to blind myself to my sinful condition, the preachers, who

openly rebuke me from the pulpit, would take care to remind me of it. Misunderstand me not, my lords. I

have no ground of complaint against the queen. Far otherwise. She is a lady of most excellent characterfull

of devotion, loyalty, nobility, and gentleness. And if I could divest myself of my misgivings, so far from

seeking to put her from me, I should cherish her with the greatest tenderness. Ye may marvel that I have

delayed the divorce thus long. But it is only of late that my eyes have been opened; and the step was hard to

take. Old affections clung to meold chains restrained menor could I, without compunction, separate

"Thou hast undergone a martyrdom, gossip," observed Will Sommers, who had posted himself at the foot of

The gravity of the hearers might have been discomposed by this remark, but for the stern looks of the king.

"Ye may make a jest of my scruples, my lords," he continued, "and think I hold them lightly; but my treatise

on the subject, which has cost me much labour and meditation, will avouch to the contrary. What would

befall this realm if my marriage were called in question after my decease? The same trouble and confusion

would ensue that followed on the death of my noble grandfather, King Edward the Fourth. To prevent such

mischance I have resolved, most reluctantly, to put away my present queen, and to take another consort, by

"I doubt not ye will all approve the choice I shall make," he pursued, looking fiercely at Wolsey, and taking

Anne Boleyn's hand, who arose as he turned to her. "And now, fair mistress," he added to her, "as an earnest

of the regard I have for you, and of the honours I intend you, I hereby create you Marchioness of Pembroke,

and bestow upon you a thousand marks a year in land, and another thousand to be paid out of my treasury to

"Your majesty is too generous," replied Anne, bending the knee, and kissing his hand.

Having received the thanks and homage of the newlycreated noble, Henry descended from the canopy, and

passed into an inner room with the Lady Anne, where a collation was prepared for them. Their slight meal

over, Anne took up her lute, and playing a lively prelude, sang two or three French songs with so much skill

and grace, that Henry, who was passionately fond of music, was quite enraptured. Two delightful hours

having passed by, almost imperceptibly, an usher approached the king, and whispering a few words to him,

he reluctantly withdrew, and Anne retired with her ladies to an inner apartment.

On reaching his closet, the king's attendants proceeded to array him in a surcoat of crimson velvet, powdered

with garters embroidered in silk and gold, with the mottoboni soft qui mal y pensewrought within them.

Over the surcoat was thrown a mantle of blue velvet with a magnificent train, lined with white damask, and

having on the left shoulder a large garter, wrought in pearls and Venice twists, containing the motto, and

encircling the arms of Saint Georgeargent, a cross gules. The royal habiliments were completed by a hood

of the same stuff as the surcoat, decorated like it with small embroidered garters, and lined with white satin.

From the king's neck was suspended the collar of the Great George, composed of pieces of gold, fashioned

While Henry was thus arrayed, the knightscompanions, robed in their mantles, hoods, and collars, entered

the closet, and waiting till he was ready, marched before him into the presencechamber, where were

assembled the two provincial kingsatarms, Clarenceux and Norroy, the heralds, and pursuivants, wearing

their coatsofarms, together with the band of pensioners, carrying gilt poleaxes, and drawn up in two lines.

At the king's approach, one of the gentlemenushers who carried the sword of state, with the point resting

upon the ground, delivered it to the Duke of Richmond,the latter having been appointed to bear it before

the king during all the proceedings of the feast. Meanwhile, the knightscompanions having drawn up on

either side of the canopy, Henry advanced with a slow and stately step towards it, his train borne by the Earl

of Surrey, Sir Thomas Wyat, and other nobles and knights. As he ascended the canopy, and faced the

assemblage, the Duke of Richmond and the chief officers of the Order drew up a little on his right. The

knightscompanions then made their salutation to him, which he returned by removing his jewelled cap with

infinite grace and dignity, and as soon as he was again covered they put on their caps, and ranging themselves

Quitting the royal lodgings, and passing through the gateway of the Norman Tower, the procession wound its

way along the base of the Round Tower, the battlements of which bristled with spearmen, as did the walls on

the right, and the summit of the Winchester Tower, and crossing the middle ward, skirted the tombhouse,

then newly erected by Wolsey, and threading a narrow passage between it and Saint George's Chapel, entered

Dividing, on their entrance into the chapel, into two lines, the attendants of the knightscompanions flanked

either side of the north aisle; while between them walked the almsknights, the verger, the prebends of the

college, and the officersofarms, who proceeded as far as the west door of the choir, where they stopped. A

slight pause then ensued, after which the king, the knightscompanions, and the chief officers of the Order,

entered the chapterhousea chamber situated at the northeast corner of the chapelleaving the Duke of

Richmond, the swordbearer, Lard Rochford, the knightelect, the trainbearers, and pensioners outside. The

door of the chapterhouse being closed by the blackrod, the king proceeded to the upper end of the

vestmentsboard as the table was designatedwhere a chair, cushions, and cloth of state were provided

for him; the knightscompanions, whose stalls in the choir were on the same side as his own, seating

themselves on his right, and those whose posts were on the prince's side taking their places on the left. The

prelate and the chancellor stood at the upper end of the table; the Garter and register at the foot; while the

As soon as the king and the knights were seated, intimation was given by an usher to the blackrod that the

newly elected knight, Lord Rochford, was without. The intelligence being communicated to the king, he

ordered the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk to bring him into his presence. The injunction was obeyed, and the

knightelect presently made his appearance, the Garter marching before him to the king. Bowing reverently

to the sovereign, Rochford, in a brief speech, expressed his gratitude for the signal honour conferred upon

him, and at its close set his left foot upon a gilt stool, placed for him by the Garter, who pronounced the

following admonition:" My good lord, the loving company of the Order of the Garter have received you as

their brother and fellow. In token whereof, they give you this garter, which God grant you may receive and

wear from henceforth to His praise and glory, and to the exaltation and honour of the noble Order and

Meanwhile the garter was girded on the leg of the newlyelected knight, and buckled by the Duke of Suffolk.

This done, he knelt before the king, who hung a gold chain, with the image of Saint George attached to it,

about his neck, while another admonition was pronounced by the chancellor. Rochford then arose, bowed to

the monarch, to the knights companions, who returned his salutations, and the investiture was complete.

Other affairs of the chapter were next discussed. Certain officers nominated since the last meeting, were

sworn; letters from absent knightscompanions, praying to be excused from attendance, were readand

their pleas, except in the instance of Sir Thomas Cheney, allowed. After reading the excuse of the latter,

Henry uttered an angry oath, declaring he would deprive him of his vote in the chapterhouse, banish him

from his stall, and mulct him a hundred marks, to be paid at Saint George's altar, when Will Sommers, who

was permitted to be present, whispered in his ear that the offender was kept away by the devices of Wolsey,

because he was known to be friendly to the divorce, and to the interests of the lady Anne.

"Aha! by Saint Mary, is it so?" exclaimed Henry, knitting his brows. "This shall be looked into. I have

hanged a butcher just now. Let the butcher's son take warning by his fate. He has bearded me long enough.

See that Sir Thomas Cheney be sent for with all despatch. I will hear the truth from his own lips."

He then arose, and quitting the chapterhouse, proceeded with the knightscompanions to the choirthe

roof and walls of the sacred structure resounding with the solemn notes of the organ as they traversed the

aisle. The first to enter the choir were the aImsknights, who passed through the door in a body, and making

low obeisances toward the altar and the royal stall, divided into two lines. They were succeeded by the

prebends of the College, who, making similar obeisances, stationed themselves in front of the benches before

the stalls of the knightscompanions. Next followed the pursuivants, heralds, and provincial kingsofarms,

making like reverences, and ranging themselves with the almsknights. Then came the knights companions,

who performed double reverences like the others, and took their stations under their stalls; then came the

blackrod, Garter, and register, who having gone through the same ceremony as the others, proceeded to their

form, which was placed on the south side of the choir before the sovereign's stall; then came the chancellor

and prelate, whose form was likewise placed before the royal stall, but nearer to it than that allotted to the

other officers; and, lastly, Henry himself, with the sword borne before him by the Duke of Richmond, who as

he approached the steps of his stall bowed reverently towards the altar, and made another obeisance before

Meanwhile the Duke of Richmond posted himself in front of the royal stall, the Earl of Oxford, as lord

chamberlain, taking his station on the king's right, and the Earl of Surrey, as vicechamberlain, on the left. As

these arrangements were made, the two cardinals arrived, and proceeded to the altar.

Mass was then said, and nothing could be more striking than the appearance of the chapel during its

performance. The glorious choir with its groined and pendent roof, its walls adorned with the richest stuffs,

its exquisitely carved stalls, above which hung the banners of the knightscompanions, together with their

helmets, crests, and swords, its sumptuouslydecorated altar, glittering with costly vessels, its pulpit hung

with crimson damask interwoven with gold, the magnificent and varied dresses of the assemblageall these

Vespers over, the king and his train departed with the same ceremonies and in the same order as had been

On returning to the royal lodgings, Henry proceeded to his closet, where having divested himself of his

mantle, he went in search of the Lady Anne. He found her walking with her dames on the stately terrace at

the north of the castle, and the attendants retiring as he joined her, he was left at full liberty for amorous

converse. After pacing the terrace for some time, he adjourned with Anne to her own apartments, where he

remained till summoned to supper with the knights companions in Saint George's Hall.

The next morning betimes, it being the day of the Patron Saint of the Order of the Garter, a numerous

cavalcade assembled in the upper ward of the castle, to conduct the king to hear matins in Saint George's

Chapel. In order to render the sight as imposing as possible, Henry had arranged that the procession should

take place on horseback, and the whole of the retinue were accordingly mounted. The large quadrangle was

filled with steeds and their attendants, and the castle walls resounded with the fanfares of trumpets and the

beating of kettledrums. The most attractive feature of the procession in the eyes of the beholders was the

Lady Anne, who, mounted on a snowwhite palfrey richly trapped, rode on the right of the king. She was

dressed in a rich gown of raised cloth of gold; and had a coronet of black velvet, decorated with orient pearls,

on her head. Never had she looked so lovely as on this occasion, and the king's passion increased as he gazed

upon her. Henry himself was more sumptuously attired than on the preceding day. He wore a robe of purple

velvet, made somewhat like a frock, embroidered with flat damask gold, and small lace intermixed. His

doublet was very curiously embroidered, the sleeves and breast being lined with cloth of gold, and fastened

with great buttons of diamonds and rubies. His sword and girdle were adorned with magnificent emeralds,

and his bonnet glistened with precious stones. His charger was trapped in cloth of gold, traversed

latticewise, square, embroidered with gold damask, pearled on every side, and having buckles and pendants

of fine gold. By his side ran ten footmen, richly attired in velvet and goldsmith's work. They were followed

by the pages of honour, mounted on great horses, trapped in crimson velvet embroidered with new devices

In this state Henry and his favourite proceeded to the great western door of Saint George's Chapel. Here

twelve gentlemen of the privy chamber attended with a canopy of cloth of gold, which they bore over the

king's bead, and that of the Lady Anne, as she walked beside him to the entrance of the choir, where they

separatedhe proceeding to his stall, and she to a closet at the northeast corner of the choir over the altar,

Matins then commenced, and at the appointed part of the service the dean of the college took a silver box,

containing the heart of Saint George, bestowed upon King Henry the Fifth by the Emperor Sigismund, and

after incense had been shed upon it by one of the canons, presented it to the king and the knightscompanions

After the offertory, a carpet was spread on the steps before the altar, the almsknights, pursuivants, and

heralds stationing themselves on either side of it. The Garter then descended from his seat, and waving his

rod, the knightscompanions descended likewise, but remained before their stalls. The blackrod next

descended, and proceeding towards the altar, a groom of the wardrobe brought him a small carpet of cloth of

gold, and a cushion of the same stuff, which were placed on the larger carpet, the cushion being set on the

head of the steps. Taking a large gilt bason to receive the offerings, the prelate stationed himself with one of

the prebends in the midst of the altar. The king then rose from his stall, and making a reverence as before,

proceeded to the altar, attended by the Garter, register, and chancellor, together with the Duke of Richmond

bearing the sword; and having reached the upper step, prostrated himself on the cushion, while the blackrod

bending the knee delivered a chain of gold, intended afterwards to be redeemed, to the Duke of Suffolk, who

was appointed to make the royal offering, and who placed it in the bason held by the prelate. This ceremony

over, the king got up, and with similar reverences returned to his stall. Then the two provincial kings,

Clarenceux and Norroy, proceeded along the choir, and making due reverences to the altar and the sovereign,

bowed to the two senior knights; who thereupon advanced towards the altar, and kneeling down, made their

offering. The other imitated their example, coming forward according to their seniority.

The service ended, the officers and knightscompanions quitted the chapel in the same order they had entered

it, the king being received under the canopy at the door of the choir, and passing through the west entrance of

the chapel, where he waited for the Lady Anne. On her arrival they both mounted their steeds, and rode up to

the royal lodgings amid flourishes of trumpets and acclamations. Dismounting at the great gate, Henry

proceeded to the presencechamber, where the knightscompanions had assembled, and having received

their salutations, retired to his closet. Here he remained in deep consultation with the Duke of Suffolk for

some hours, when it having been announced to him that the first course of the banquet was served, he came

forth, and proceeded to the presencechamber, where he greeted the knightscompanions, who were there

assembled, and who immediately put themselves in order of procession. After this, the alms knights,

prebends, and officersofarms passed on through the guard chamber into Saint George's Hall. They were

followed by the knights companions, who drew up in double file, the seniors taking the uppermost place;

and through these lines the king passed, his train borne up as before, until reaching the table set apart for him

beneath a canopy, he turned round and received the knights' reverences. The Earl of Oxford, as

vicechamberlain, then brought him a ewer containing water, the Earl of Surrey a bason, and Lord Rochford

a napkin. Henry having performed his ablutions, grace was said by the prelate, after which the king seated

himself beneath the canopy in an ancient chair with a curiously carved back representing the exploit of Saint

George, which had once belonged to the founder, King Edward the Third, and called up the two cardinals,

who by this time had entered the hall, and who remained standing beside him, one on either hand, during the

As soon as the king was seated, the knightscompanions put on their caps, and retired to the table prepared

for them on the right side of the hall, where they seated themselves according to their degreethe Duke of

Richmond occupying the first place, the Duke of Suffolk the second, and the Duke of Norfolk the third. On

the opposite side of the hall was a long beaufet covered with flasks of wine, meats, and dishes, for the service

of the knights' table. Before this stood the attendants, near whom were drawn up two lines of pensioners

bearing the second course on great gilt dishes, and headed by the sewer. In front of the sewer were the

treasurer and comptroller of the household, each bearing a white wand; next them stood the officersofarms

in two lines, headed by the Garter. The bottom of the hall was thronged with yeomen of the guard,

halberdiers, and henchmen. In a gallery at the lower end were stationed a band of minstrels, and near them sat

The appearance of the hall during the banquet was magnificent, the upper part being hung with arras

representing the legend of Saint George, placed there by Henry the Sixth, and the walls behind the

knightscompanions adorned with other tapestries and rich stuffs. The tables groaned with the weight of

dishes, some of which may be enumerated for the benefit of modern gastronomers. There were Georges on

horseback, chickens in brewis, cygnets, capons of high grease, carpes of venison, herons, calvered salmon,

custards planted with garters, tarts closed with arms, godwits, peafowl, halibut engrailed, porpoise in armour,

pickled mullets, perch in foyle, venison pasties, hypocras jelly, and mainemy royal.

Before the second course was served, the Garter, followed by Clarenceux and Norroy, together with the

heralds and pursuivants, advanced towards the sovereign's canopy, and cried thrice in a loud voice,

Upon this, all the knightscompanions arose and took off their caps. The Garter then proceeded to proclaim

the king's titles in Latin and French, and lastly in English, as follows:" Of the most high, most excellent,

and most mighty monarch, Henry the Eighth, by the grace of God King of England, France, and Ireland,

This proclamation made, the treasurer of the household put ten golden marks into the Garter's cap, who

"Come, my lord legate," said Henry, when this ceremony was at an end, "we will drink to my future queen.

"Your highness is not yet divorced from your present consort," replied Campeggio. "If it please you, I should

"Well, as your eminence pleases," replied the king, taking the goblet from the hand of Surrey; "I shall not

And looking towards the gallery, he fixed his eyes on the Lady Anne and drained the cup to the last drop.

"Would it were poison," muttered Sir Thomas Wyat, who stood behind the Earl of Surrey, and witnessed

"Give not thy treasonable thoughts vent, gossip," said Will Sommers, who formed one of the group near the

royal table, "or it may chance that some one less friendly disposed towards thee than myself may overhear

them. I tell thee, the Lady Anne is lost to thee for ever. Think'st thou aught of womankind would hesitate

between a simple knight and a king? My lord duke," he added sharply to Richmond, who was looking round

"Because the Fair Geraldine is there," replied the jester. "And yet your grace is not the person she would most

"You heard the health given by the king just now, my lord," observed the Duke of Suffolk to his neighbour

the Duke of Norfolk; "it was a shrewd hint to the lord legate which way his judgment should decline. Your

"I did not note what was said, my lord," replied Norfolk; "I pray you repeat it to me."

Suffolk complied, and they continued in close debate until the termination of the banquet, when the king,

V. Of the Ghostly Chase beheld by the Earl of Surrey and the Duke of Richmond in Windsor Forest.

On that same night, and just as the castle clock was on the stroke of twelve, the Earl of Surrey and the Duke

of Richmond issued from the upper gate, and took their way towards Herne's Oak. The moon was shining

brightly, and its beams silvered the foliage of the noble trees with which the park was studded. The youthful

friends soon reached the blasted tree; but nothing was to be seen near it, and all looked so tranquil, so free

from malignant influence, that the Duke of Richmond could not help laughing at his companion, telling him

that the supposed vision must have been the offspring of his overexcited fancy. Angry at being thus

doubted, the earl walked off, and plunged into the haunted dell. The duke followed, but though they paused

"And thus ends the adventure of Herne the Hunter!" laughed the duke, as they emerged from the brake. "By

my halidom, Surrey, I am grievously disappointed. You must have mistaken some large stag, caught by its

"I have told you precisely what occurred," replied Surrey angrily. "Ha! there he islook! look!"

And he pointed to a weird figure, mounted on a steed as weirdlooking as itself, galloping through the trees

with extraordinary swiftness, at a little distance from them. This ghostly rider wore the antlered helmet

described by Surrey, and seemed to be habited in a garb of deerskins. Before him flew a large owl, and a

couple of great black dogs ran beside him. Staring in speechless wonder at the sight, the two youths watched

the mysterious being scour a glade brightly illumined by the moon, until, reaching the pales marking the

"What think you of that?" cried Surrey, as soon as he had recovered from his surprise, glancing triumphantly

"It was a marvellous sight, truly!" exclaimed Richmond. "Would we had our steeds to follow him."

"We can follow him on foot," replied the earl" he is evidently gone into the forest."

And they set off at a quick pace in the direction taken by the ghostly rider. Clambering the park pales, they

crossed the road leading to Old Windsor, and entered that part of the forest which, in more recent times, has

been enclosed and allotted to the grounds of Frogmore. Tracking a long vista, they came to a thick dell,

overgrown with large oaks, at the bottom of which lay a small pool. Fleeter than his companion, and therefore

somewhat in advance of him, the Earl of Surrey, as he approached this dell, perceived the spectral huntsman

and his dogs standing at the edge of the water. The earl instantly shouted to him, and the horseman turning

his head, shook his hand menacingly, while the hounds glared fiercely at the intruder, and displayed their

fangs, but did not bark. As Surrey, however, despite this caution, continued to advance, the huntsman took a

strangely shaped horn that hung by his side, and placing it to his lips, flames and thick smoke presently

issued from it, and before the vapour had cleared off, he and his dogs had disappeared.. The witnesses of this

marvellous spectacle crossed themselves reverently, and descended to the brink of the pool; but the numerous

footprints of deer, that came there to drink, prevented them from distinguishing any marks of the steed of the

"No," replied the earl. "I am persuaded we shall see the mysterious huntsman again. You can return, if you

And they set off again at the same quick pace as before. Mounting a hill covered with noble beeches and

elms, a magnificent view of the castle burst upon them, towering over the groves they had tracked, and

looking almost like the work of enchantment. Charmed with the view, the young men continued to

contemplate it for some time. They then struck off on the right, and ascended still higher, until they came to a

beautiful grove of beeches cresting the hill where the equestrian statue of George the Third is now placed.

Skirting this grove, they disturbed a herd of deer, which started up, and darted into the valley below.

At the foot of two fine beechtrees lay another small pool, and Surrey almost expected to see the spectral

From this spot they could discern the whole of the valley beyond, and they scanned it in the hope of

perceiving the object of their search. Though not comparable to the view on the nearer side, the prospect was

nevertheless exceedingly beautiful. Long vistas and glades stretched out before them, while in the far distance

might be seen glittering in the moonbeams the lake or mere which in later days has received the name of

While they were gazing at this scene, a figure habited like a keeper of the forest suddenly emerged from the

trees at the lower end of one of the glades. Persuaded that this person had some mysterious connection with

the ghostly huntsman, the earl determined to follow him, and hastily mentioning his suspicions and design to

Richmond, he hurried down the hill. But before he accomplished the descent, the keeper was gone.

At length, however, on looking about, they perceived him mounting the rising ground on the left, and

immediately started after him, taking care to keep out of sight. The policy of this course was soon apparent.

Supposing himself no longer pursued, the keeper relaxed his pace, and the others got nearer to him.

In this way both parties went on, the keeper still hurrying forward, every now and then turning his head to see

whether any one was on his track, until he came to a road cut through the trees that brought him to the edge

of a descent leading to the lake. Just at this moment a cloud passed over the moon, burying all in comparative

obscurity. The watchers, however, could perceive the keeper approach an ancient beechtree of enormous

growth, and strike it thrice with the short huntingspear which he held in his grasp.

The signal remaining unanswered, he quitted the tree, and shaped his course along the side of a hill on the

right. Keeping under the shelter of the thicket on the top of the same hill, Surrey and Richmond followed, and

saw him direct his steps towards another beechtree of almost double the girth of that he had just visited.

Arrived at this mighty tree, he struck it with his spear, while a large owl, seated on a leafless branch, began to

hoot; a bat circled the tree; and two large snakes, glistening in the moonlight, glided from its roots. As the

tree was stricken for the third time, the same weird figure that the watchers had seen ride along the Home

Park burst from its riften trunk, and addressed its summoner in tones apparently menacing and imperious, but

whose import was lost upon the listeners. The curiosity of the beholders was roused to the highest pitch, but

Suddenly the demon hunter waved a pike with which he was armed, and uttered a peculiar cry, resembling

the hooting of an owl. At this sound, and as if by magic, a couple of steeds, accompanied by the two hounds,

started from the brake. In an instant the demon huntsman vaulted upon the hack of the horse nearest to him,

and the keeper almost as quickly mounted the other. The pair then galloped off through the glen, the owl

The two friends gazed at each other, for some time, in speechless wonder. Taking heart, they then descended

to the haunted tree, but could perceive no traces of the strange being by whom it had been recently tenanted.

After a while they retraced their course towards the castle, hoping they might once more encounter the wild

huntsman. Nor were they disappointed. As they crossed a glen, a noble stag darted by. Close at its heels came

the two black hounds, and after them the riders hurrying forward at a furious pace, their steeds appearing to

In an instant the huntsmen and hounds were gone, and the trampling of the horses died away in the distance.

Soon afterwards a low sound, like the winding of a horn, broke upon the ear, and the listeners had no doubt

that the buck was brought down. They hurried in the direction of the sound, but though the view was wholly

unobstructed for a considerable distance, they could see nothing either of horsemen, hounds, or deer.

VI. How the Fair Geraldine bestowed a Relic upon her LoverHow Surrey and Richmond rode in the Forest

Surrey and Richmond agreed to say nothing for the present of their mysterious adventure in the forest; but

their haggard looks, as they presented themselves to the Lady Anne Boleyn in the reception chamber on the

following morning, proclaimed that something had happened, and they had to undergo much questioning

"I never saw you so out of spirits, my lord," remarked the Fair Geraldine to Surrey; "you must have spent the

whole night in studyor what is more probable, you have again seen Herne the Hunter. Confess now, you

"And what have you seen?a stranger vision than the first?" rejoined the Fair Geraldine.

"Since your ladyship answers for me, there is no need for explanation on my part," rejoined Surrey, with a

faint laugh. "And know you not, that those who encounter super natural beings are generally bound to

"Such, I hope, is not your case, Henry?" cried the Lady Mary Howard, in alarm;" nor yours, my lord?" she

"You pique my curiosity, my lords," said the Fair Geraldine; "and since there is no other way of gratifying it,

if the Lady Mary Howard will accompany me, we will ourselves venture into the forest, and try whether we

"Not for worlds," replied the Lady Mary, shuddering; "were I to see Herne, I should die of fright."

"Your alarm is groundless," observed Richmond gallantly. "The presence of two beings, fair and pure as

The Lady Mary thanked him with a beaming smile, but the Fair Geraldine could not suppress a slight laugh.

"Your grace is highly flattering," she said. "But, with all faith in beauty and purity, I should place most

reliance in a relic I possessthe virtue of which has often been approved against evil spirits. It was given by

a monk who had been sorely tempted by a demon, and who owed his deliverance to itto my ancestor,

"Would I had an opportunity of proving its efficacy!" exclaimed the Earl of Surrey.

"You shall prove it, if you choose," rejoined the Fair Geraldine. "I will give you the relic on condition that

And detaching a small cross of gold, suspended by a chain from her neck, she presented it to the Earl of

"This cross encloses the relic," she continued; "wear it, and may it protect you from all ill!"

Surrey's pale cheek glowed as he took the gift. "I will never past with it but with life," he cried, pressing the

And quitting the little group, he walked towards the Lady Anne."Henry," said the Lady Mary, taking her

But you may incur his enmity," pursued the Lady Mary. "I saw the glance he threw at you just now, and it

"Again I say I care not," replied Surrey. "Armed with this relic, I defy all hostility."

"It will avail little against Richmond's rivalry and opposition," rejoined his sister.

"We shall see," retorted Surrey. "Were the king himself my rival, I would not resign my pretensions to the

"Bravely resolved, my lord," said Sir Thomas Wyat, who, having overheard the exclamation, advanced

"I say amen to that prayer, Sir Thomas," rejoined Surrey "I would not prove disloyal, and yet under such

"My brother is but a hasty boy, and has not learned discretion, Sir Thomas," interposed the Lady Mary, trying

"What is all this? "inquired the Fair Geraldine, who had been gazing through the casement into the court

"I was merely expressing a wish that Surrey may never have a monarch for a rival, fair lady," replied Wyat.

"It matters little who may be his rival," rejoined Geraldine, "provided she he loves be constant."

"Right, lady, right," said Wyat, with great bitterness. At this moment Will Sommers approached them. "I

come to bid you to the Lady Anne's presence, Sir Thomas, and you to the king's, my lord of Surrey," said the

jester. "I noticed what has just taken place," he remarked to the latter, as they proceeded towards the royal

canopy, beneath which Henry and the Lady Anne Boleyn were seated; "but Richmond will not relinquish her

Anne Boleyn had summoned Sir Thomas Wyat, in order to gratify her vanity by showing him the unbounded

influence she possessed over his royal rival; and the halfsuppressed agony displayed by the unfortunate

lover at the exhibition afforded her a pleasure such as only the most refined coquette can feel.

Surrey was sent for by the king to receive instructions, in his quality of vicechamberlain, respecting a

tiltingmatch and huntingparty to be held on successive daysthe one in the upper quadrangle of the

Anxious, now that he was somewhat calmer, to avoid a rupture with Richmond, Surrey, as soon as he had

received the king's instructions, drew near the duke; and the latter, who had likewise reasoned himself out of

his resentment, was speedily appeased, and they became, to all appearance, as good friends as ever.

Soon afterwards the Lady Anne and her dames retired, and the court breaking up, the two young nobles

strolled forth to the stately terrace at the north of the castle, where, while gazing at the glorious view it

"I cannot help suspecting that the keeper we beheld with the demon hunter was Morgan Fenwolf," remarked

the earl. "Suppose we make inquiry whether he was at home last night. We can readily find out his dwelling

Richmond acquiesced in the proposal, and they accordingly proceeded to the cloisters of Saint George's

Chapel, and threading some tortuous passages contrived among the canons' houses, passed through a small

porch, guarded by a sentinel, and opening upon a precipitous and somewhat dangerous flight of steps, hewn

None except the more important members of the royal household were allowed to use this means of exit from

the castle, but, of course, the privilege extended to Richmond and Surrey. Here in later times, and when the

castle was not so strictly guarded, a more convenient approach was built, and designated, from the number of

Having accomplished the descent in safety, and given the password to the sentinel at the foot of the steps, the

two young nobles emerged into the street, and the first object they beheld was the body of the miserable

butcher swinging from the summit of the Curfew Tower, where it was left by order of the king.

Averting their gaze from this ghastly spectacle, they took their way up Thames Street, and soon reached the

Garter. Honest Bryan was seated on a bench before the dwelling, with a flagon of his own ale beside him, and

Upon leaning what they sought, he told them that Morgan Fenwolf dwelt in a small cottage by the riverside

not far from the bridge, and if it pleased them, he would guide them to it himselfan offer which they gladly

"Do you know anything of this Fenwolf?" asked Surrey, as they proceeded on their way.

"Nothing particular," replied Bryan, with some hesitation. "There are some strange reports about him, but I

"Why, your grace, one ought to be cautious what one says, for fear of bringing an innocent man into trouble,"

returned the host. "But if the truth must be spoken, people do say that Morgan Fenwolf is in league with the

"Folks say strange sights have been seen in the forest of late," pursued Bryan" and it may be so. But I

myself have seen nothingbut then, to be sure, I never go there. The keepers used to talk of Herne the

Hunter when I was a lad, but I believe it was only a tale to frighten deer stealers; and I fancy it's much the

Neither Surrey nor Richmond made any remark, and they presently reached the keeper's dwelling.

It was a small wooden tenement standing, as the host had stated, on the bank of the river, about a bowshot

from the bridge. The door was opened by Bryan, and the party entered without further ceremony. They found

no one within except an old woman, with harsh, wrinkled features, and a glance as illomened as that of a

witch, whom Bryan Bowntance told them was Fenwolf's mother. This old crone regarded the intruders

"An hour before daybreak, as is his custom," returned the woman, in the same short tone as before.

"As sure as l am that the question is asked me," she replied. "I can show you the very bed on which he slept,

if you desire to see it. He retired soon after sunsetslept soundly, as he always sleepsand arose as I have

"If she speaks the truth, you must be mistaken," observed Richmond in a whisper to his friend.

"I do not believe her," replied Surrey, in the same tone. "Show us his chamber, dame."

The old crone sullenly complied, and, throwing open a side door, disclosed an inner apartment, in which there

was a small bed. There was nothing noticeable in the room except a couple of fishingnets, a huntingspear,

and an old crossbow. A small open casement looked upon the river, whose clear sparkling waters flowed

Surrey approached the window, and obtained a fine view of the Brocas meads on the one hand, and the

embowered college of Eton on the other. His attention, however, was diverted by a fierce barking without,

and the next moment, in spite of the vociferations of the old woman, a large black staghound, which Surrey

recognised as Fenwolf's dog, Bawsey, burst through the door, and rushed furiously towards him. Surrey drew

his dagger to defend himself from the hound's attack, but the precaution was needless. Bawsey's fierceness

changed suddenly to the most abject submission, and with a terrified howl, she retreated from the room with'

"Lord help us!" exclaimed Bryan; "was ever the like o' that seen? Your lordship must have a strange mastery

over dogs. That hound," he added, in a whisper, "is said to be a familiar spirit."

"The virtue of the relic is approved," observed Surrey to Richmond, in an undertone.

The old woman now thought proper to assume a more respectful demeanour towards her visitors, and

inquired whether her son should attend upon them on his return from the forest, but they said it was

"The king is about to have a grand huntingparty the day after to morrow," observed Surrey, "and we

wished to give your son some instructions respecting it. They can, however, be delivered to another keeper."

And they departed with Bryan, and returned to the castle. At midnight they again issued forth. Their steeds

awaited them near the upper gate, and, mounting, they galloped across the greensward in the direction of

Herne's Oak. Discerning no trace of the ghostly huntsman, they shaped their course towards the forest.

Urging their steeds to their utmost speed, and skirting the long avenue, they did not draw the rein till they

reached the eminence beyond it; having climbed which, they dashed down the farther side at the same swift

pace as before. The ride greatly excited them, but they saw nothing of the wild huntsman; nor did any sound

salute their ears except the tramp of their own horses, or the occasional darting forth of a startled deer.

Less than a quarter of an hour brought them to the haunted beechtree; but all was as silent and solitary here

as at the blasted oak. In vain Surrey smote the tree. No answer was returned to the summons; and, finding all

efforts to evoke the demon fruitless, they quitted the spot, and, turning their horses' heads to the right, slowly

Before they had gained the brow of the hill the faint blast of a horn saluted their ears, apparently proceeding

from the valley near the lake. They instantly stopped and looked in that direction, but could see nothing.

Presently, however, the blast was repeated more loudly than before, and, guided by the sound, they discerned

the spectral huntsman riding beneath the trees at some quarter of a mile's distance.

Striking spurs into their steeds, they instantly gave him chase; but though he lured them on through thicket

and over gladenow climbing a hill, now plunging into a valley, until their steeds began to show symptoms

of exhaustion they got no nearer to him; and at length, as they drew near the Home Park, to which he had

"I will take my station near the blasted oak," said Surrey, galloping towards it: "the demon is sure to revisit

"What is that?" cried the Earl of Surrey, pointing to a strange and ghastlylooking object depending from the

With one accord they dashed forward, and as they drew nearer the tree, they perceived that the object that had

attracted their attention was the body of Mark Fytton, the butcher, which they had so recently seen swinging

from the summit of the Curfew Tower. It was now suspended from an arm of the wizard oak.

A small scroll was stuck upon the breast of the corpse, and, taking it off, Surrey read these words, traced in

"By my fay, this passes all comprehension," said Richmond, after a few moments' silence. "This castle and

forest seem under the sway of the powers of darkness. Let us return. I have had enough of adventure for

VII. How the Earl of Surrey and the Fair Geraldine plighted their troth in the Cloisters of Saint George's

Barriers were erected on the following day in the upper ward of the castle, and the Lady Anne and her dames

assembled in the balcony in front of the royal lodgings, which was decorated with arras, costly carpets, and

Perfect in all manly accomplishments, Henry splintered several lances with his brotherinlaw, the Duke of

Suffolk, who formed an admirable match for him in point of weight and strength; and at last, though he did

not succeed in unhorsing the duke, he struck off his helmet, the clasp of which, it was whispered, was left

designedly unfastened; and being thereupon declared the victor, he received the prizea scarf embroidered

He then retired from the lists, leaving them free for the younger knights to run a course at the ring. The first

to enter the arena was Sir Thomas Wyat; and as he was known to be a skilful jouster, it was expected he

would come off triumphantly. But a glance from the royal balcony rendered his arm unsteady, and he missed

Next came the Duke of Richmond, superbly accoutred. Laughing at Wyat's ill success, he bowed to the Fair

Geraldine, and taking a lance from his esquire, placed it in the rest, and rode gallantly forward. But he was

The third knight who presented himself was Surrey. Mounted on his favourite black Arabiana steed which,

though of fiery temper, obeyed his slightest movementhis light symmetrical figure was seen to the greatest

advantage in his closefitting habiliments of silk and velvet. Without venturing a look at the royal balcony,

the earl couched his lance, and bounding forward, bore away the ring on its point.

Amid the plaudits of the spectators, he then careered around the arena, and approaching the royal balcony,

raised his lance, and proffered the ring to the Fair Geraldine, who blushingly received it. Henry, though by no

means pleased with Surrey's success, earned as it was at the expense of his son, complimented him upon his

The lists were then closed, and the royal party retired to partake of refreshments; after which they proceeded

to the butts erected in the broad mead at the north of the castle, where the Duke of Shoreditch and his

During these sports, Surrey placed himself as near as he could to the Fair Geraldine, and though but few

opportunities occurred of exchanging a syllable with her, his looks spoke a sufficiently intelligible language.

At last, just as they were about to return to the palace, he breathed in an imploring tone in her ear

"You will attend vespers at Saint George's Chapel this evening. Return through the cloisters. Grant me a

I cannot promise," replied the Fair Geraldine. And she followed in the train of the Lady Anne.

The earl's request had not been unheard. As the royal train proceeded towards the castle, Will Sommers

contrived to approach the Duke of Richmond, and said to him, in a jeering tone "You ran but indifferently at

the ring today, gossip. The galliard Surrey rode better, and carried off the prize."

"Pest on thee, scurril knavebe silent!" cried Richmond angrily; "failure is bad enough without thy taunts."

"If you had only missed the ring, gossip, I should have thought nothing of it," pursued Will Sommers; "but

you lost a golden opportunity of ingratiating yourself with your ladylove. All your hopes are now at an end.

"Your grace will find the contrary, if you will be at Wolsey's tombhouse at vespertime," replied the jester.

"I will be there," replied the duke; "but if I am brought on a bootless errand, not even my royal father shall

"I will bear any chastisement your grace may choose to inflict upon me, if I prove not the truth of my

The two friends, as if by mutual consent, avoided each other during the rest of the daySurrey feeling he

could not unburden his heart to Richmond, and Richmond brooding jealously over the intelligence he had

At the appointed hour the duke proceeded to the lower ward, and stationed himself near Wolsey's

tombhouse. Just as he arrived there, the vesper hymn arose from the adjoining fane, and its solemn strains

somewhat soothed his troubled spirit. But they died away; and as the jester came not, Richmond grew

impatient, and began to fear he had been duped by his informant. At length the service concluded, and, losing

all patience, he was about to depart, when the jester peered round the lower angle of the tombhouse, and

beckoned to him. Obeying the summons, the duke followed his conductor down the arched passage leading to

They turned the corner of the cloisters; and there, near the entrance of the chapel, stood the youthful

pairthe Fair Geraldine half reclining upon the earl's breast, while his arm encircled her slender waist.

"There!" whispered the jester, chuckling maliciously "there! did I speak falselyeh, gossip?

"I feel I was wrong in granting the interview, but I could not help it. If, when a few more years have flown

"It will never change!" interrupted Surrey. "I here solemnly pledge my troth to you."

"And I return the pledge," replied the Fair Geraldine earnestly. "I vow to be yours, and yours only."

"Would that Richmond could hear your vow!" said Surrey; "it would extinguish his hopes."

"He has heard it! "cried the duke, advancing. "But his hopes are not yet extinguished."

The Fair Geraldine uttered a slight scream, and disengaged herself from the earl.

"Richmond, you have acted unworthily in thus playing the spy," said Surrey angrily.

"None but a spy can surprise interviews like these," rejoined Richmond bitterly. "The Lady Elizabeth

Fitzgerald had better have kept her chamber, than come here to plight her troth with a boy, who will change

"Your grace shall find the boy man enough to avenge an insult," rejoined Surrey sternly.

"I am glad to hear it," returned the duke. "Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald, I must pray you to return to your

Too much exasperated to hesitate, Surrey followed the duke down the passage, and the next moment the

clashing of swords was heard. The Fair Geraldine screamed loudly, and Will Sommers began to think the jest

"What is to be done?" he cried. "If the king hears of this quarrel, he will assuredly place the Earl of Surrey in

You acted most maliciously," cried the Fair Geraldine; "but fly, and prevent further mischief."

Thus urged, the jester ran towards the lower ward, and finding an officer of the guard and a couple of

halberdiers near the entrance of St. George's Chapel, told them what was taking place, and they immediately

"My lords!" cried the officer to the combatants, "I command you to lay down your weapons."

But finding no respect paid to his injunctions, he rushed between them, and with the aid of the halberdiers,

"My lord of Surrey," said the officer, "you are my prisoner. I demand your sword."

"You have drawn it against the king's sonand the act is treason," replied the officer. "I shall take you to the

"But I provoked the earl to the conflict," said Richmond: "I was the aggressor."

"Your grace will represent the matter as you see fit to your royal father," rejoined the officer. "I shall fulfil

The earl was then led away, and conveyed to a chamber in the lower part of Henry the Eighth's gate, now

VIII. Of Tristram Lyndwood, the old Forester, and his Granddaughter MabelOf the Peril in which the

In consequence of the announcement that a grand hunting party would be held in the forest, all the verderers,

rangers, and keepers assembled at an early hour on the fourth day after the king's arrival at Windsor in an

open space on the west side of the great avenue, where a wooden stand was erected, canopied over with green

boughs and festooned with garlands of flowers, for the accommodation of the Lady Anne Boleyn and her

At a little distance from the stand an extensive covert was fenced round with stout poles, to which nets were

attached so as to form a haye or preserve, where the game intended for the royal sport was confined; and

though many of the animals thus brought together were of hostile natures, they were all so terrified, and

seemingly so conscious of the danger impending over them, that they did not molest each other. The foxes

and martins, of which there were abundance, slunk into the brushwood with the hares and rabbits, but left

their prey untouched. The harts made violent efforts to break forth, and, entangling their horns in the nets,

were with difficulty extricated and driven back; while the timid does, not daring to follow them, stood warily

Amongst the antlered captives was a fine buck, which, having been once before hunted by the king, was

styled a "hart royal," and this noble animal would certainly have effected his escape if he had not been

attacked and driven back by Morgan Fenwolf, who throughout the morning's proceedings displayed great

energy and skill. The compliments bestowed on Fenwolf for his address by the chief verderer excited the

jealousy of some of his comrades, and more than one asserted that he had been assisted in his task by some

evil being, and that Bawsey herself was no better than a familiar spirit in the form of a hound.

Morgan Fenwolf scouted these remarks; and he was supported by some others among the keepers, who

declared that it required no supernatural aid to accomplish what he had donethat he was nothing more than

a good huntsman, who could ride fast and boldlythat he was skilled in all the exercises of the chase, and

The party then sat down to breakfast beneath the trees, and the talk fell upon Herne the Hunter, and his

frequent appearance of late in the forest (for most of the keepers had heard of or encountered the spectral

huntsman); and while they were discussing this topic, and a plentiful allowance of cold meat, bread, ale, and

mead at the same time, two persons were seen approaching along a vista on the right, who specially attracted

their attention and caused Morgan Fenwolf to drop the huntingknife with which he was carving his viands,

The newcomers were an old man and a comely young damsel. The former, though nearer seventy than sixty,

was still hale and athletic, with fresh complexion, somewhat tanned by the sun, and a keen grey eye, which

had lost nothing of its fire. He was habited in a stout leathern doublet, hose of the same material, and boots

rudely fashioned out of untanned oxhide, and drawn above the knee. In his girdle was thrust a large

huntingknife; a horn with a silver mouthpiece depended from his shoulder, and he wore a long bow and a

quiver full of arrows at his back. A flat bonnet, made of foxskin and ornamented with a raven's wing,

But it was not upon this old forester, for such his attire proclaimed him, that the attention of the beholders,

and of Morgan Fenwolf in especial, was fixed, but upon his companion. Amongst the many lovely and high

born dames who had so recently graced the procession to the castle were few, if any, comparable to this lowly

damsel. Her dressprobably owing to the pride felt in her by her old relative was somewhat superior to her

station. A tightlylaced green kirtle displayed to perfection her slight but exquisitelyformed figure A gown

of orangecoloured cloth, sufficiently short to display her small ankles, and a pair of green buskins,

embroidered with silver, together with a collar of the whitest and finest linen, though shamed by the neck it

concealed, and fastened by a small clasp, completed her attire. Her girdle was embroidered with silver, and

"How proud old Tristram Lyndwood seems of his granddaughter," remarked one of the keepers.

"And with reason," replied another. "Mabel Lyndwood is the comeliest lass in Berkshire."

Ay, marry is she," rejoined the first speaker; "and, to my thinking, she is a fairer and sweeter flower than any

that blooms in yon stately castle the flower that finds so much favour in the eyes of our royal Hal not

"Have a care, Gabriel Lapp," observed another keeper. "Recollect that Mark Fytton, the butcher, was hanged

for speaking slightingly of the Lady Anne Boleyn; and you may share his fate if you disparage her beauty."

"Na I meant not to disparage the Lady Anne," replied Gabriel. "Hal may marry her when he will, and divorce

her as soon afterwards as he pleases, for aught I care. If he marries fifty wives, I shall like him all the better.

The more the merrier, say I. But if he sets eyes on Mab Lyndwood it may somewhat unsettle his love for the

"Tush, Gabriel!" said Morgan Fenwolf, darting an angry look at him. "What business have you to insinuate

"You are jealous, Morgan Fenwolf," rejoined Gabriel, with a malignant grin. "We all know you are in love

"And we all know, likewise, that Mabel will have nothing to say to you! "cried another keeper, while the

others laughed in chorus. "Come and sit down beside us, Morgan, and finish your breakfast."

But the keeper turned moodily away, and hied towards Tristram Lyndwood and his granddaughter. The old

forester shook him cordially by the hand, and after questioning him as to what had taken place, and hearing

how he had managed to drive the hart royal into the haye, clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Thou art a

To this speech Mabel not only paid no attention, but looked studiously another way.

"I am glad your grandfather has brought you out to see the chase to day, Mabel," observed Morgan Fenwolf.

"It is not every fair maid who would confess so much," observed Fenwolf, frowning.

"Then I am franker than some of my sex," replied Mabel. "But who is the strange man looking at us from

"Neither do I," added Morgan Fenwolf, with a shudder. "You are wilfully blind," rejoined Mabel. "But see,

And as she spoke, a tall wildlooking figure, armed with a huntingspear, emerged from the trees and

advanced towards them. The garb of the newcomer somewhat resembled that of a forester; but his arms and

lower limbs were destitute of covering, and appeared singularly muscular, while his skin was swarthy as that

In another moment he was beside them, and fixed his dark piercing eyes on Mabel in such a manner as to

"What brings you here this morning, Tristram Lyndwood?" he demanded, in a hoarse imperious tone.

"The same motive that brought you, Valentine Hagthorne, replied the old forester" to see the royal chase."

"Strange I should never have seen her before," rejoined the other. "She is very fair. Be ruled by me, friend

Tristramtake her home again. If she sees the king, ill will come of it. You know, or should know, his

"But she has no intention of returning at present," replied Mabel. "You brought me here for pastime, dear

grandfather, and will not take me back at the recommendation of this strange man?"

"Content you, childcontent you," replied Tristram kindly. "You shall remain where you are."

Affecting to laugh at the occurrence, though evidently annoyed by it, the old forester led his granddaughter

towards the stand, where he was cordially greeted by the keepers, most of whom, while expressing their

pleasure at seeing him, strove to render themselves agreeable in the eyes of Mabel.

From this scene Morgan Fenwolf kept aloof, and remained leaning against a tree, with his eyes riveted upon

the damsel. He was roused from his reverie by a slight tap upon the shoulder; and turning at the touch, beheld

Valentine Hagthorne. Obedient to a sign from the latter, he followed him amongst the trees, and they both

An hour or two after this, when the sun was higher in the heavens, and the dew dried upon the greensward,

the king and a large company of lords and ladies rode forth from the upper gate of the castle, and taking their

way along the great avenue, struck off on the right when about halfway up it, and shaped their course

A goodly sight it was to see this gallant company riding beneath the trees; and pleasant was it, also, to listen

to the blithe sound of their voices, amid which Anne Boleyn's musical laugh could be plainly distinguished.

Henry was attended by his customary band of archers and yeomen of the guard, and by the Duke of

Shoreditch and his followers. On reaching the haye, the king dismounted, and assisting the Lady Anne from

He then took a small and beautifully fashioned bow from an attendant, and stringing it, presented it to her.

"I will make shift to draw it," replied Anne, raising the bow, and gracefully pulling the string. "Would I could

"That were a needless labour," rejoined Henry, " seeing that you have already stricken me to the heart. You

At this juncture the chief verderer, mounted on a powerful steed, and followed by two keepers, each holding a

couple of staghounds in leash, rode up to the royal stand, and placing his horn to his lips, blew three long

mootes from it. At the same moment part of the network of the haye was lifted up, and a roebuck set free.

By the management of the keepers, the animal was driven past the royal stand; and Anne Boleyn, who had

drawn an arrow nearly to the head, let it fly with such good aim that she pierced the buck to the heart. A loud

shout from the spectators rewarded the prowess of the fair huntress; and Henry was so enchanted, that he bent

the knee to her, and pressed her hand to his lips. Satisfied, however, with the' achievement, Anne prudentlv

declined another shot. Henry then took a bow from one of the archers, and other roes being turned out, he

Meanwhile, the hounds, being held in leash, kept up a loud and incessant baying; and Henry, wearying of his

slaughterous sport, turned to Anne, and asked her whether she was disposed for the chase. She answered in

the affirmative, and the king motioned his henchmen to bring forward the steeds.

In doing this, he caught sight of Mabel, who was standing with her grandsire among the keepers, at a little

distance from the stand, and, struck with her extraordinary beauty, he regarded her for a moment intently, and

"It is Mabel Lyndwood, an't please your majesty," replied Gabriel. "She is granddaughter to old Tristram

Lyndwood, who dwells at Black Nest, near the lake, at the farther extremity of Windsor Forest, and who was

But he was prevented from further remark by Anne Boleyn, who, perceiving how his attention was attracted,

"Your majesty spoke of the chase," she said impatiently. But perhaps you have found other pastime more

"There is a hart royal in the haye," said Gabriel Lapp. "Is it your majesty's pleasure that I set him free?

And as Gabriel hastened to the netted fencework, and prepared to drive forth the hart, Henry assisted Anne

Boleyn, who could not help exhibiting some slight jealous pique, to mount her steed, and having sprung into

his own saddle, they waited the liberation of the buck, which was accomplished in a somewhat unexpected

Separated from the rest of the herd, the noble animal made a sudden dart towards Gabriel, and upsetting him

in his wild career, darted past the king, and made towards the upper part of the forest. In another instant the

hounds were un coupled and at his heels, while Henry and Anne urged their steeds after him, the king

shouting at the top of his lusty voice. The rest of the royal party followed as they might, and the woods

The hart royal proved himself worthy of his designation. Dashing forward with extraordinary swiftness, he

rapidly gained upon his pursuersfor though Henry, by putting his courser to his utmost speed, could have

In this way they scoured the forest, until the king, seeing they should be speedily distanced, commanded Sir

Thomas Wyat, who, with the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk, was riding close behind him, to cross by the

lower ground on the left, and turn the stag. Wyat instantly obeyed, and plunging his spurs deeply into his

horse's sides, started off at a furious pace, and was soon after seen shaping his rapid course through a devious

Meanwhile, Henry and his fair companion rode on without relaxing their pace, until they reached the summit

of a knoll, crowned by an old oak and beechtree, and commanding a superb view of the castle, where they

From this eminence they could witness the progress of the chase, as it continued in the valley beyond. An

ardent lover of hunting, the king watched it with the deepest interest, rose in his saddle, and uttering various

exclamations, showed, from his impatience, that he was only restrained by the stronger passion of love from

Ere long, stag, hounds, and huntsmen were lost amid a thicket, and nothing could be distinguished but a

Henry, who had ill brooked the previous restraint, now grew so impatient, that Anne begged him to set off

after them, when suddenly the cry of hounds burst upon their ears, and the hart was seen issuing from the

The affrighted animal, to the king's great satisfaction, made his way directly towards the spot where he was

stationed; but on reaching the side of the knoll, and seeing his new foes, he darted off on the right, and tried

to regain the thicket below. But he was turned by another band of keepers, and again driven towards the

Scarcely had Sir Thomas Wyat reined in his steed by the side of the king, than the hart again appeared

bounding up the hill. Anne Boleyn, who had turned her horse's head to obtain a better view of the hunt,

alarmed by the animal's menacing appearance, tried to get out of his way. But it was too late. Hemmed in on

all sides, and driven to desperation by the cries of hounds and huntsmen in front, the hart lowered his horns,

Dreadfully alarmed, Anne drew in the rein so suddenly and sharply, that she almost pulled her steed back

upon his haunches; and in trying to avoid the stag's attack, caught hold of Sir Thomas Wyat, who was close

beside her. In all probability she would have received some serious injury from the infuriated animal, who

was just about to repeat his assault and more successfully, when a bolt from a crossbow, discharged by

Morgan Fenwolf, who suddenly made his appearance from behind the beechtree, brought him to the ground.

But Anne Boleyn escaped one danger only to encounter another equally serious. On seeing her fling herself

into the arms of Sir Thomas Wyat, Henry regarded her in stern displeasure for a moment, and then calling

angrily to his train, without so much as deigning to inquire whether she had sustained any damage from the

accident, or making the slightest remark upon her conduct, rode sullenly towards the castle.

IX. By what means Sir Thomas Wyat obtained an Interview with Anne BoleynAnd how the Earl of Surrey

The incident above related gave new life to the adherents of Catherine of Arragon, while it filled those

devoted to Anne Boleyn with alarm. Immediately on Anne's return to the castle Lord Rochford had a private

interview with her, and bitterly reproached her for endangering her splendid prospects. Anne treated the

matter very lightlysaid it was only a temporary gust of jealousyand added that the king would be at her

"You are overconfident, mistress!" cried Rochford angrily. "Henry is not an ordinary gallant."

" It is you who are mistaken, father," replied Anne. "The king differs in no respect from any of his

"You have a tiger in your toils, daughter, and take heed he breaks not forcibly through them," rejoined

Rochford. "Henry is more wayward than you suppose him. Once let him take up a notion, and nothing can

shake him from it. He has resolved upon the divorce as much from self will as from any other consideration.

If you regain your position with him, of which you seem so confident, do not consider yourself secure not

"Catherine has not the art to retain him," said Anne. "Henry will never divorce me."

"Take care he does not rid himself of you in a more summary manner, daughter," rejoined Rochford. "If you

would stand well with him, you must study his lightest word, look, and actionhumour him in every

"You are wrong in all but the last, father," returned Anne. "Henry is not to be pleased by such nice attention

to his humours. It is because I have shown myself careless of them that I have captivated him. But I will take

care not to exhibit jealousy, and, sooth to say, I do not think I shall have cause."

"Be not too sure of that," replied Rochford. "And at all events, let not the king have cause to be jealous of

you. I trust Wyat will be banished from court. But if he is not, do not let him approach you more."

"But what is his love compared to the king's?" cried Rochford. "Tut, tut, girl! think no more of him."

"I will not, my lord," she rejoined; "I see the prudence of your counsel, and will obey it. Leave me, I pray

No sooner had Rochford quitted the chamber than the arras at the farther end was raised, and Wyat stepped

"What means this, Sir Thomas?" cried Anne in alarm. "How have you obtained admittance here?"

"Rise, sir!" cried Anne, in great alarm. "Return, I beseech you, as you came. You have greatly endangered me

by coming here. If you are seen to leave this chamber, it will be in vain to assert my innocence to Henry. Oh,

"Not love you, Anne!" he repeated bitterly; "not love you I Words cannot speak my devotion. I would lay

down my head on the scaffold to prove it. But for my love for you, I would throw open that door, and walk

forth so that all might see meso that Henry might experience some part of the anguish I now feel."

"But you will not do so, good Sir Thomasdear Sir Thomas," cried Anne Boleyn, in alarm.

"Have no fear," rejoined Wyat, with some contempt; "I will sacrifice even vengeance to love."

"It is my last interview with you, Anne," said Wyat imploringly; "do not abridge it. Oh, bethink you of the

happy hours we have passed togetherof the vows we have interchangedof the protestations you have

"Not forgotten, Sir Thomas," replied Anne mournfully; "but they must not be recalled. I cannot listen to you

"Anne," replied Wyat in a sombre tone, "the thought of Henry's happiness drives me mad. I feel that I am

"I will not go," he continued, flinging himself into a seat. "Let them put what construction they will upon my

presence. I shall at least wring Henry's heart. I shall see him suffer as I have suffered; and I shall be content."

This is not like you, Wyat," cried Anne, in great alarm. "You were wont to be noble, generous, kind. You will

"Who has acted disloyally, Anne? " cried Wyat, springing to his feet, and fixing his dark eyes, blazing with

jealous fury, upon her" you or I? Have you not sacrificed your old affections at the shrine of ambition? Are

you not about to give yourself to one to whomunless you are foresworn you cannot give your heart?

Better had you been the mistress of Allington Castlebetter the wife of a humble knight like myself, than

"Better far you should perish by his tyranny for a supposed fault now than hereafter," pursued Wyat fiercely.

"Think not Henry will respect you more than her who had been eightandtwenty years his wife. No; when

he is tired of your charmswhen some other dame, fair as yourself, shall enslave his fancy, he will cast you

off, or, as your father truly intimated, will seek a readier means of ridding himself of you. Then you will think

of the different fate that might have been yours if you had adhered to your early love."

"I am glad to see you weep," said Wyat; "your tears make you look more like your former self."

"Oh, Wyat, do not view my conduct too harshly!" she said. "Few of my sex would have acted other than I

I do not think so," replied Wyat sternly; " nor will I forego my vengeance. Anne, you shall die. You know

"You cannot mean this," she rejoined, with difficulty repressing a scream; "but if I perish, you will perish

"Wyat," cried Anne, throwing herself on her knees before him," by your former love for me, I implore you to

"0 God!" exclaimed Anne, wringing her hands in agony. A terrible silence ensued, during which Anne

At this juncture the tapestry was again raised, and the Earl of Surrey issued from it.

"l am come to save you, madame," said the earl. "I have been just liberated from arrest, and was about to

implore your intercession with the king, when I learned he had been informed by one of his pages that a man

was in your chamber. Luckily, he knows not who it is, and while he was summoning his attendants to

accompany him, I hurried hither by the secret staircase. I have arrived in time. Flyfly! Sir Thomas Wyat!"

At this moment footsteps were heard approaching the doorthe handle was triedand the stern voice of the

"Why stay you here, Sir Thomas?" said Surrey, seizing his arm. "You may yet escape. By heaven! if you

"You would do me a favour, young man," said Wyat coldly; "but I will go. I yield to love, and not to you,

tyrant! " he added, shaking his hand at the door. "May the worst pangs of jealously rend your heart!" And he

"I hear voices," cried Henry from without. " God's death! madam, open the dooror I will burst it open!"

"Open the door, and leave all to me, madam," said Surrey; "I will save you, though it cost me my life!"

Anne pressed his hand, with a look of ineffable gratitude, and Surrey concealed himself behind the arras.

The door was opened, and Henry rushed in, followed by Richmond, Norfolk, Suffolk, and a host of

"Why is my privacy thus broken upon?" said Anne, assuming a look of indignation.

"Your privacy! "echoed Henry, in a tone of deep derision" Your privacy! "ha !ha! You bear yourself

bravely, it must be confessed. My lords, you heard the voices as well as myself. Where is Sir Thomas Wyat?"

"Aha! we shall see that, mistress," rejoined Henry fiercely. " But if Sir Thomas Wyat is not here, who is? for I

"Ah! by Saint Mary, you confess it!" cried the king. "Let the traitor come forth."

"Your majesty shall not need to bid twice," said Surrey, issuing from his concealment.

"The Earl of Surrey!" exclaimed Henry, in surprise. "How come you here, my lord? Methought you were

"First of all I must entreat your majesty to turn your resentment against me," said the earl. "I am solely to

blame, and I would not have the Lady Anne suffer for my fault. I forced myself into her presence. She knew

"Liberated from the guardhouse at the Duke of Richmond's instance, my liege, I came to entreat the Lady

Anne to mediate between me and your majesty, and to use her influence with your highness to have me

"I barred it myself," said Surrey, "and vowed that the Lady Anne should not go forth till she had granted my

"It will not, perhaps, avail him to hope that it may be overlooked for mine," added Anne Boleyn.

"The offence must not pass unpunished," said Henry musingly. "My lord of Surrey, you must be content to

"The sentence is passed," replied Henry coldly; "and the earl may thank you it is not heavier. Richmond, you

will think no more of the fair Geraldine; and it is my pleasure, Lady Anne, that the young dame withdraw

"But me no buts, sweetheart," said the king peremptorily. Surrey's explanation is satisfactory so far as it goes,

"Sir Thomas Wyat is here," said Will Sommers, pointing out the knight, who had just joined the throng of

"I have hurried hither from my chamber, my liege," said Wyat, stepping forward, "hearing there was some

"Why, ay, sweetheart, well enough," rejoined Henry. "Sir Thomas Wyat, we have a special mission for you to

"You have saved your head, gossip," whispered Will Sommers in the knight's ear. "A visit to Francis the First

"Retire, my lords," said Henry to the assemblage; "we owe some apology to the Lady Anne for our intrusion,

Upon this the chamber was instantly cleared of its occupants, and the Earl of Surrey was conducted, under a

Henry, however, did not find it an easy matter to make peace with the Lady Anne. Conscious of the

advantage she had gained, she determined not to relinquish it, and, after half an hour's vain suing, her royal

lover proposed a turn in the long gallery, upon which her apartments opened. Here they continued

conversingHenry pleading in the most passionate manner, and Anne maintaining a show of offended pride.

At last she exhibited some signs of relenting, and Henry led her into a recess in the gallery, lighted by a

window filled with magnificent stained glass. In this recess was a seat and a small table, on which stood a

vase filled with flowers, arranged by Anne's own hand; and here the monarch hoped to adjust his differences

Meanwhile, word having reached Wolsey and Campeggio of the new cause of jealousy which the king had

received, it was instantly resolved that the former should present to him, while in his present favourable

Armed with the letter, Wolsey repaired to the king's closet. Not finding him there, and being given to

understand by an usher that he was in the great gallery, he proceeded thither. As he walked softly along the

polished oak floor, he heard voices in one of the recesses, and distinguished the tones of Henry and Anne

Henry was clasping the snowy fingers of his favourite, and gazing passionately at her, as the cardinal

"Your majesty shall not detain my hand," said Anne, "unless you swear to me, by your crown, that you will

"Were your majesty as devoted to me as you would have me believe, you would soon bring this matter of the

"I would fain do so, sweetheart," rejoined Henry; "but these cardinals perplex me sorely."

"I am told by one who overheard him, that Wolsey has declared the divorce shall not be settled these two

years," said Anne; "in which case it had better not be settled at all; for I care not to avow I cannot brook so

"It were enough to try the patience of the most forbearing," rejoined the king, smiling" but it shall not be

so by this lily hand it shall not! And now, sweetheart, are we entirely reconciled?

"Not yet," replied Anne. "I shall claim a boon from your majesty before I accord my entire forgiveness."

"Name it," said the king, still clasping her hand tenderly, and intoxicated by the witchery of her glance.

"I ask an important favour," said Anne, "but as it is one which will benefit your majesty as much as myself, I

have the less scruple in requesting it. I ask the dismissal of one who has abused your favour, who, by his

extortion and rapacity, has in some degree alienated the affections of your subjects from you, and who solely

opposes your divorce from Catherine of Arragon because he fears my influence may be prejudicial to him."

"Wolsey has incurred my displeasure oft of late," said Henry; "and yet his fidelity"

"Be not deceived, my liege," said Anne; "he is faithful to you only so far as serves his turn. He thinks he rules

"And you have been listening to our discourse? " rejoined Henry sternly. "You have overheard"

"Enough to convince me, if I had previously doubted it, that the Lady Anne Boleyn is my mortal foe," replied

"Foe though I am, I will make terms with your eminence," said Anne. "Expedite the divorceyou can do so

"I know too well the value of your friendship, noble lady, not to do all in my power to gain it," replied

Wolsey. "I will further the matter, if possible. But it rests chiefly in the hands of his holiness Pope Clement

"If his majesty will listen to my counsel, he will throw off the pope's yoke altogether," rejoined Anne. "Nay,

your eminence may frown at me if you will. Such, I repeat, shall be my counsel. If the divorce is speedily

"Do not appeal to me, Wolsey," said Henry, smiling approval at Anne; "I shall uphold her."

"Will it please your majesty to peruse this despatch? "said Wolsey, again offering Catherine's letter.

"Take it to my closet," replied the king; " I will join you there. And now at last we are good friends,

"Excellent friends, my dear liege," replied Anne; "but I shall never be your queen while Wolsey holds his

"She is a bitter enemy, certes," muttered Wolsey as he walked away. "I must overthrow her quickly, or she

will overthrow me. A rival must be founday, a rivalbut where? I was told that Henry cast eyes on a

comely forester's daughter at the chase this morning. She may do for the nonce."

Unable to procure any mitigation of Surrey's sentence, the Duke of Richmond proceeded to the Round

Tower, where he found his friend in a small chamber, endeavouring to beguile his captivity by study.

Richmond endeavoured to console him, and was glad to find him in better spirits than he expected. Early

youth is seldom long dejected, and misfortunes, at that buoyant season, seem lighter than they appear later on

in life. The cause for which he suffered, moreover, sustained Surrey, and confident of the Fair Geraldine's

attachment, he cared little for the restraint imposed upon him. On one point he expressed some

regretnamely, his inability to prosecute the adventure of Herne the Hunter with the duke.

"I grieve that I cannot accompany you, Richmond," he said; "but since that is impossible, let me recommend

you to take the stout archer who goes by the name of the Duke of Shoreditch with you. He is the very man

After some consideration the duke assented, and, promising to return on the following day and report what

had occurred he took his leave, and went in search of the archer in question. Finding he had taken up his

Shoreditch heard the duke's relation with astonishment, but expressed the greatest willingness to accompany

him, pledging himself, as Richmond demanded, to profound secrecy on the subject.

At the appointed hournamely, midnightthe duke quitted the castle, and found Shoreditch waiting for

him near the upper gate. The latter was armed with a stout staff, and a bow and arrows.

"If we gain sight of the mysterious horseman tonight," he said, "a cloth yard shaft shall try whether he is of

Quitting the Home Park, they shaped their course at once towards the forest. It was a stormy night, and the

moon was obscured by thick clouds. Before they reached the hill, at the end of the long avenue, a heavy

thunderstorm came on, and the lightning, playing among the trees, seemed to reveal a thousand fantastic

forms to their halfblinded gaze. Presently the rain began to descend in torrents, and compelled them to take

It was evident, notwithstanding his boasting, that the courage of Shoreditch was waning fast, and he at last

proposed to his leader that they should return as soon as the rain abated. But the duke indignantly rejected the

While they were thus sheltering themselves, the low winding of a horn was heard. The sound was succeeded

by the trampling of horses' hoofs, and the next moment a vivid flash of lightning showed a hart darting past,

followed by a troop of some twenty ghostly horsemen, headed by the demon hunter.

The Duke of Richmond bade his companion send a shaft after them; but the latter was so overcome by terror

that he could scarcely fix an arrow on the string, and when he bent the bow, the shaft glanced from the

The storm continued with unabated fury for nearly an hour, at the expiration of which time it partially cleared

off, and though it was still profoundly dark, the duke insisted upon going on. So they pressed forward

beneath the dripping trees and through the wet grass. Ever and anon the moon broke through the rifted

As they were tracking a glade on the farther side of the hill, the spectral huntsmen again swept past them, and

so closely that they could almost touch their horses. To the duke's horror, he perceived among them the body

By this time, Shoreditch, having somewhat regained his courage, discharged another shaft at the troop. The

arrow struck the body of the butcher, and completely transfixed it, but did not check his career; while wild

The Duke of Richmond hurried after the band, trying to keep them in sight; and Shoreditch, flinging down his

bow, which he found useless, and grasping his staff, endeavoured to keep up with him. But though they ran

swiftly down the glade, and tried to peer through the darkness, they could see nothing more of the ghostly

After a while they arrived at a hillside, at the foot of which lay the lake, whose darkling waters were just

distinguishable through an opening in the trees. As the duke was debating with himself whether to go on or

retrace his course, the trampling of a horse was heard behind them, and looking in the direction of the sound,

they beheld Herne the Hunter, mounted on his swarthy steed and accompanied only by his two black hounds,

galloping furiously down the declivity. Before him flew the owl, whooping as it sailed along the air.

The demon hunter was so close to them that they could perfectly discern his horrible lineaments, the chain

depending from his neck, and his antlered helm. Richmond shouted to him, but the rider continued his

The two behoIders rushed forward, but by this time the huntsman had gained the edge of the lake. One of his

sable hounds plunged into it, and the owl skimmed over its surface. Even in the hasty view which the duke

caught of the flying figure, he fancied he perceived that it was attended by a fantastic shadow, whether cast

But what followed was equally marvellous and incomprehensible. As the wild huntsman reached the brink of

the lake, he placed a horn to his mouth, and blew from it a bright blue flame, which illumined his own dusky

and hideous features, and shed a wild and unearthly glimmer over the surrounding objects.

While enveloped in this flame, the demon plunged into the lake, and apparently descended to its abysses, for

as soon as the duke could muster courage to approach its brink, nothing could be seen of him, his steed, or his

On the day after his secret interview with Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas Wyat received despatches from the king

"His majesty bade me tell you to make your preparations quickly, Sir Thomas," said the messenger who

Left alone, Wyat remained for some time in profound and melancholy thought. Heaving a deep sigh, he then

"Yes, it is better thus," he ejaculated. " If I remain near her, I shall do some desperate deed. Betterfar

betterI should go. And yet to leave her with Henryto know that he is ever near herthat he drinks in

the music of her voice, and basks in the sunshine of her smilewhile I am driven forth to darkness and

despairthe thought is madness! I will not obey the hateful mandate! I will stay and defy him!"

As he uttered aloud this wild and unguarded speech, the arras screening the door was drawn aside, and gave

"I did not come to play the eavesdropper, Sir Thomas," said Wolsey; "but I have heard enough to place your

life in my power. So you refuse to obey the king's injunctions. You refuse to proceed to Paris. You refuse to

assist in bringing about the divorce, and prefer remaining here to brave your sovereign, and avenge yourself

"If such be your purpose," pursued Wolsey, after a pause, during which he intently scrutinised the knight's

countenance, "I will assist you in it. Be ruled by me, and you shall have a deep and full revenge."

"Say on," rejoined Wyat, his eyes blazing with infernal fire, and his hand involuntarily clutching the handle

If I read you aright," continued the cardinal, "you are arrived at that pitch of desperation when life itself

"And that is vengeance!" interrupted Wyat fiercely. "Right, cardinal right. I will have vengeanceterrible

"You shall. But I will not deceive you. You will purchase what you seek at the price of your own head."

"I care not," replied Wyat. "All sentiments of love and loyalty are swallowed up by jealousy and burning

hate. Nothing but blood can allay the fever that consumes me. Show me how to slay him!"

"Him!" echoed the cardinal, in alarm and horror. "Wretch! would you kill your king? God forbid that I should

counsel the injury of a hair of his head! I do not want you to play the assassin, Wyat," he added more calmly,

"but the just avenger. Liberate the king from the thraldom of the capricious siren who enslaves him, and you

will do a service to the whole country. A word from youa lettera tokenwill cast her from the king,

and place her on the block. And what matter? The gory scaffold were better than Henry's bed."

"I cannot harm her," cried Wyat distractedly. "I love her still, devotedly as ever. She was in my power

yesterday, and without your aid, cardinal, I could have wreaked my vengeance upon her, if I had been so

"You were then in her chamber, as the king suspected?" cried Wolsey, with a look of exultation. "Trouble

yourself no more, Sir Thomas. I will take the part of vengeance off your hands."

"My indiscretion will avail you little, cardinal," replied Wyat sternly. "A hasty word proves nothing. I will

perish on the rack sooner than accuse Anne Boleyn. I am a desperate man, but not so desperate as you

suppose me. A moment ago I might have been led on, by the murderous and traitorous impulse that prompted

"You are a madman! " cried Wolsey impatiently, "and it is a waste of time to argue with you. I wish you good

speed on your journey. On your return you will find Anne Boleyn Queen of England."

"And you disgraced," rejoined Wyat, as, with a malignant and vindictive look, the cardinal quitted the

Again left alone, Wyat fell into another fit of despondency from which he roused himself with difficulty, and

Some delay occurred before he could obtain access to the earl. The halberdier stationed at the entrance to the

keep near the Norman Tower refused to admit him without the order of the officer in command of the tower,

and as the latter was not in the way at the moment, Wyat had to remain without till he made his appearance.

While thus detained, he beheld Anne Boleyn and her royal lover mount their steeds in the upper ward, and

ride forth, with their attendants, on a hawking expedition. Anne Boleyn bore a beautiful falcon on her

wristWyat's own gift to her in happier daysand looked full of coquetry, animation, and

delightwithout the vestige of a cloud upon her brow, or a care on her countenance. With increased

bitterness of heart, he turned from the sight, and shrouded himself beneath the gateway of the Norman Tower.

Soon after this, the officer appeared, and at once according Wyat permission to see the earl, preceded him up

the long flight of stone steps communicating with the upper part of the keep, and screened by an embattled

Arrived at the landing, the officer unlocked a door on the left, and ushered his companion into the prisoner's

Influenced by the circular shape of the structure in which it was situated, and of which it formed a segment,

the farther part of this chamber was almost lost to view, and a number of crossbeams and wooden pillars

added to its sombre and mysterious appearance. The walls were of enormous thickness, and a narrow

loophole, terminating a deep embrasure, afforded but scanty light. Opposite the embrasure sat Surrey, at a

small table covered with books and writing materials. A lute lay beside him on the floor, and there were

So immersed was the youthful prisoner in study, that he was not aware, until a slight exclamation was uttered

Nothing material passed between them as long as the officer remained in the chamber, but on his departure

Surrey observed laughingly to his friend, "And how doth my fair cousin, the Lady Anne Boleyn?"

"She has just ridden forth with the king, to hawk in the park," replied Wyat moodily. "For myself, l am

ordered on a mission to France, but I could not depart without entreating your forgiveness for the jeopardy in

"Do not heed me," replied Surrey; "I am well content with what has happened. Virgil and Homer, Dante and

Petrarch, are the companions of my confinement; and in good sooth, I am glad to be alone. Amid the

"Your situation is, in many respects, enviable, Surrey," replied Wyat. "Disturbed by no jealous doubts and

fears, you can beguile the tedious hours in the cultivation of your poetical tastes, or in study. Still, I must

"I repeat, you have done me a service," rejoined the earl."I would lay down my life for my fair cousin, Anne

Boleyn, and I am glad to be able to prove the sincerity of my regard for you, Wyat. I applaud the king's

judgment in sending you to France, and if you will be counselled by me, you will stay there long enough to

"Will the Fair Geraldine be forgotten when the term of your imprisonment shall expire, my lord?" asked

"Our cases are not alike," said Surrey. "The Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald has plighted her troth to me."

"Anne Boleyn vowed eternal constancy to me," cried Wyat bitterly; "and you see how she kept her oath. The

absent are always in danger; and few women are proof against ambition. Vanityvanity is the rock they split

upon. May you never experience from Richmond the wrong I have experienced from his father."

As he spoke, there was a slight noise in that part of the chamber which was buried in darkness.

"Not unless it be a fourlegged one from the dungeons beneath," replied Surrey. "But you were speaking of

Richmond. He visited me this morning, and came to relate the particulars of a mysterious adventure that

"A marvellous story, truly!" said Wyat, pondering upon the relation. "I will seek out the demon huntsman

Again a noise similar to that heard a moment before resounded from the lower part of the room. Wyat

immediately flew thither, and drawing his sword, searched about with its point, but ineffectually.

"I do not like jesting about Herne the Hunter," remarked Surrey, "after what I myself have seen. In your

present frame of mind I advise you not to hazard an interview with the fiend. He has power over the

Wyat returned no answer. He seemed lost in gloomy thought, and soon afterwards took his leave.

On returning to his lodgings, he summoned his attendants, and ordered them to proceed to Kingston, adding

that he would join them there early the next morning. One of them, an old servingman, noticing the

exceeding haggardness of his looks, endeavoured to persuade him to go with them; but Wyat, with a

harshness totally unlike his customary manner, which was gracious and kindly in the extreme, peremptorily

"You look very ill, Sir Thomas," said the old servant; "worse than I ever remember seeing you. Listen to my

counsel, I beseech you. Plead ill health with the king in excuse of your mission to France, and retire for some

"Tush, Adam Twisden! I am well enough," exclaimed Wyat impatiently. "Go and prepare my mails."

"My dear, dear master," cried old Adam, bending the knee before him, and pressing his hand to his lips;

"something tells me that if I leave you now I shall never see you again. There is a paleness in your cheek, and

a fire in your eye, such as I never before observed in you, or in mortal man. I tremble to say it, but you look

like one possessed by the fiend. Forgive my boldness, sir. I speak from affection and duty. I was servingman

to your father, good Sir Henry Wyat, before you, and I love you as a son, while I honour you as a master. I

have heard that there are evil beings in the forestnay, even within the castlewho lure men to perdition by

promising to accomplish their wicked desires. I trust no such being has crossed your path."

As the words were uttered, the door behind the arras was suddenly shut with violence.

"Curses on you, villain! you have left the door open," cried Wyat fiercely. "Our conversation has been

" I will soon see by whom," cried Adam, springing to his feet, and rushing towards the door, which opened

"Well!" cried Wyat, as Adam returned the next moment, with cheeks almost as white as his own" was it

"It would not require supernatural power to retreat into an adjoining chamber!" replied Wyat, affecting an

"Your worship's adjuration was strangely interrupted," cried the old man, crossing himself devoutly. "Saint

"A truce to your idle terrors, Adam," said Wyat. "Take these packets," he added, giving him Henry's

despatches, "and guard them as you would your life. I am going on an expedition of some peril tonight, and

do not choose to keep them about me. Bid the grooms have my steed in readiness an hour before midnight."

"I hope your worship is not about to ride into the forest at that hour?" said Adam, trembling. "I was told by

the stout archer, whom the king dubbed Duke of Shoreditch, that he and the Duke of Richmond ventured

thither last night, and that they saw a legion of demons mounted on coalblack horses, and amongst them

Mark Fytton, the butcher, who was hanged a few days ago from the Curfew Tower by the king's order, and

whose body so strangely disappeared. Do not go into the forest, dear Sir Thomas!"

"No more of this! " cried Wyat fiercely. "Do as I bid you, and if I join you not before noon tomorrow,

I never expect to see you again, sir! " groaned the old man, as he took his leave.

The anxious concern evinced in his behalf by his old and trusty servant was not without effect on Sir Thomas

Wyat, and made him hesitate in his design; but byandby another access of jealous rage came on, and

overwhelmed all his better resolutions. He remained within his chamber to a late hour, and then issuing forth,

proceeded to the terrace at the north of the castle, where he was challenged by a sentinel, but was suffered to

The night was profoundly dark, and the whole of the glorious prospect commanded by the terrace shrouded

from view. But Wyat's object in coming thither was to gaze, for the last time, at that part of the castle which

enclosed Anne Boleyn, and knowing well the situation of her apartments, he fixed his eyes upon the

windows; but although numerous lights streamed from the adjoining corridor, all here was buried in

Suddenly, however, the chamber was illumined, and he beheld Henry and Anne Boleyn enter it, preceded by

a band of attendants bearing tapers. It needed not Wyat's jealousysharpened gaze to read, even at that

distance, the king's enamoured looks, or Anne Boleyn's responsive glances. He saw that one of Henry's arms

encircled her waist, while the other caressed her yielding hand. They paused. Henry bent forward, and Anne

half averted her head, but not so much so as to prevent the king from imprinting a long and fervid kiss upon

Terrible was its effect upon Wyat. An adder's bite would have been less painful. His hands convulsively

clutched together; his hair stood erect upon his head; a shiver ran through his frame; and he tottered back

several paces. When he recovered, Henry had bidden goodnight to the object of his love, and, having nearly

gained the door, turned and waved a tender valediction to her. As soon as he was gone, Anne looked round

with a smile of ineffable pride and pleasure at her attendants, but a cloud of curtains dropping over the

In a state of agitation wholly indescribable, Wyat staggered towards the edge of the terraceit might be with

the design of flinging himself from itbut when within a few yards of the low parapet wall defending its

precipitous side, he perceived a tall dark figure standing directly in his path, and halted. Whether the object

he beheld was human or not he could not determine, but it seemed of more than mortal stature. It was

wrapped in a long black cloak, and wore a high conical cap on its head. Before Wyat could speak the figure

"You desire to see Herne the Hunter," said the figure, in a deep, sepulchral tone. "Ride hence to the haunted

beechtree near the marsh, at the farther side of the forest, and you will find him."

And he stepped forward with the intention of grasping the figure, but it eluded him, and, with a mocking

Wyat advanced to the edge of the terrace and looked over the parapet, but he could see nothing except the

tops of the tall trees springing from the side of the moat. Flying to the sentinel, he inquired whether any one

Awestricken and agitated, Wyat quitted the terrace, and, seeking his steed, mounted him, and galloped into

"If he I have seen be not indeed the fiend, he will scarcely outstrip me in the race," he cried, as his steed bore

The gloom was here profound, being increased by the dense masses of foliage beneath which he was riding.

By the time, however, that he reached the summit of Snow Hill the moon struggled through the clouds, and

threw a wan glimmer over the leafy wilderness around. The deep slumber of the woods was unbroken by any

Well acquainted with the forest, Wyat held on a direct course. His brain was on fire, and the fury of his career

increased his fearful excitement. Heedless of all impediments, he pressed forwardnow dashing beneath

overhanging boughs at the risk of his necknow skirting the edge of a glen where a false step might have

At length he reached the woody height overlooking the marshy tract that formed the limit of his ride. Once

more the moon had withdrawn her lustre, and a huge indistinct black mass alone pointed out the position of

the haunted tree. Around it wheeled a large white owl, distinguishable by its ghostly plumage through the

gloom, like a sea bird in a storm, and hooting bodingly as it winged its mystic flight. No other sound was

While gazing into the dreary expanse beneath him, Wyat for the first time since starting experienced a

sensation of doubt and dread; and the warning of his old and faithful attendant rushed upon his mind. He tried

to recite a prayer, but the words died away on his lipsneither would his fingers fashion the symbol of a

But even these admonitions did not restrain him. Springing from his foaming and panting steed, and taking

the bridle in his hand, he descended the side of the acclivity. Ever and anon a rustling among the grass told

him that a snake, with which description of reptile the spot abounded, was gliding away from him. His horse,

which had hitherto been all fire and impetuosity, now began to manifest symptoms of alarm, quivered in

When within a few paces of the tree, its enormous rifted trunk became fully revealed to him; but no one was

beside it. Wyat then stood still, and cried in a loud, commanding tone, "Spirit, I summon thee!appear!"

At these words a sound like a peal of thunder rolled over head, accompanied by screeches of discordant

laughter. Other strange and unearthly noises were heard, and amidst the din a blue phosphoric light issued

from the yawning crevice in the tree, while a tall, gaunt figure, crested with an antlered helm, sprang from it.

At the same moment a swarm of horribly grotesque, swart objects, looking like imps, appeared amid the

branches of the tree, and grinned and gesticulated at Wyat, whose courage remained unshaken during the

fearful ordeal. Not so his steed. After rearing and plunging violently, the affrighted animal broke its hold and

"You have called me, Sir Thomas Wyat," said the demon, in a sepulchral tone. "I am here. What would you?"

"My name being known to you, spirit of darkness, my errand should be also," replied Wyat boldly.

"Your errand is known to me," replied the demon. "You have lost a mistress, and would regain her?"

I accept your offer," rejoined the spirit. " Anne Boleyn shall be yours. Your hand upon the compact."

His fingers were compressed as if by a vice, and he felt himself dragged towards the tree, while a stifling and

sulphurous vapour rose around him. A black veil fell over his head, and was rapidly twined around his brow

Amid yells of fiendish laughter he was then lifted from the ground, thrust into the hollow of the tree, and

Foiled in his scheme of making Wyat the instrument of Anne Boleyn's overthrow, Wolsey determined to put

into immediate operation the plan he had conceived of bringing forward a rival to her with the king. If a

choice had been allowed him, he would have selected some highborn dame for the purpose; but as this was

out of the question and as, indeed, Henry had of late proved insensible to the attractions of all the beauties

that crowded his court except Anne Boleynhe trusted to the forester's fair granddaughter to accomplish his

object. The source whence he had received intelligence of the king's admiration of Mabel Lyndwood was his

jester, Patch a shrewd varlet who, under the mask of folly, picked up many an important secret for his

Before executing the scheme, it was necessary to ascertain whether the damsel's beauty was as extraordinary

as it had been represented; and with this view, Wolsey mounted his mule one morning, and, accompanied by

It was a bright and beautiful morning, and preoccupied as he was, the plotting cardinal could not be wholly

insensible to the loveliness of the scene around him. Crossing Spring Hill, he paused at the head of a long

glade, skirted on the right by noble beechtrees whose silver stems sparkled in the sun shine, and extending

down to the thicket now called Cooke's Hill Wood. From this point, as from every other eminence on the

The sight of the kingly pile, towering above its vassal woods, kindled high and ambitious thoughts in his

"The lord of that proud structure has been for years swayed by me," he mused, "and shall the royal puppet be

Roused by the reflection, he quickened his pace, and shaping his course towards Black Nest, reached in a

short time the borders of a wide swamp lying between the great lake and another pool of water of less extent

situated in the heart of the forest. This wild and dreary marsh, the haunt of the bittern and the plover,

contrasted forcibly and disagreeably with the rich sylvan district he had just quitted.

"I should not like to cross this swamp at night," he observed to Patch, who rode close behind him.

"Nor I, your grace," replied the buffoon. "We might chance to be led by a willo'thewisp to a watery

"Such treacherous fires are not confined to these regions, knave," rejoined Wolsey. "Mankind are often lured,

by delusive gleams of glory and power, into quagmires deep and pitfalls. Holy Virgin; what have we here?"

The exclamation was occasioned by a figure that suddenly emerged from the ground at a little distance on the

right. Wolsey's mule swerved so much as almost to endanger his seat, and he called out in a loud angry tone

I am a keeper of the forest, an't please your grace, replied the other, doffing his cap, and disclosing harsh

features which by no means recommended him to the cardinal, "and am named Morgan Fenwolf. I was

crouching among the reeds to get a shot at a fat buck, when your approach called me to my feet."

"By St. Jude! this is the very fellow, your grace, who shot the hartroyal the other day," cried Patch.

"And so preserved the Lady Anne Boleyn," rejoined the cardinal. "Art sure of it, knave?"

"As sure as your grace is of canonisation," replied Patch. "That shot should have brought you a rich reward,

friend either from the king's highness or the Lady Anne," remarked Wolsey to the keeper.

"Methinks I should have better earned your grace's bounty if I had let the hart work his will," said Fenwolf,

"Nay, I mean no offence," replied Fenwolf; "but the rumour goes that your grace and the Lady Anne are not

"The rumour is false," rejoined the cardinal, " and you can now contradict it on your own experience. Harkee,

"It lies on the other side of yonder rising ground, about half a mile hence," he said. "But if your grace is

seeking old Tristram, you will not find him. I parted with him, halfanhour ago, on Hawk's Hill, and he was

"If I see his granddaughter Mabel, it will suffice," rejoined the cardinal. "I am told she is a comely damsel. Is

"Lead my mule across this swamp, thou senseless loon," said the cardinal, "and I will give thee my blessing."

With a very ill grace Fenwolf complied, and conducted Wolsey to the farther side of the marsh.

If your grace pursues the path over the hill," he said, "and then strikes into the first opening on the right, it

will bring you to the place you seek." And, without waiting for the promised blessing, he disappeared among

On reaching the top of the hill, Wolsey descried the hut through an opening in the trees at a few hundred

yards' distance. It was pleasantly situated on the brink of the lake, at the point where its width was greatest,

and where it was fed by a brook that flowed into it from a large pool of water near Sunninghill.

From the high ground where Wolsey now stood the view of the lake was beautiful. For nearly a mile its

shining expanse was seen stretching out between banks of varied form, sometimes embayed, sometimes

running out into little headlands, but everywhere clothed with timber almost to the water's edge. Wild fowl

skimmed over its glassy surface, or dipped in search of its finny prey, and here and there a heron might be

detected standing in some shallow nook, and feasting on the smaller fry. A flight of cawing rooks were

settling upon the tall trees on the right bank, and the voices of the thrush, the blackbird, and other feathered

A verdant path, partly beneath the trees, and partly on the side of the lake, led Wolsey to the forester's hut.

Constructed of wood and clay, with a thatched roof, green with moss, and half overgrown with ivy, the little

building was in admirable keeping with the surrounding scenery. Opposite the door, and opening upon the

lake, stood a little boathouse, and beside it a few wooden steps, defended by a handrail, ran into the water. A

few yards beyond the boathouse the brook before mentioned emptied its waters into the lake.

Gazing with much internal satisfaction at the hut, Wolsey bade Patch dismount, and ascertain whether Mabel

was within. The buffoon obeyed, tried the door, and finding it fastened, knocked, but to no purpose.

After a pause of a few minutes, the cardinal was turning away in extreme disappointment, when a small skiff,

rowed by a female hand, shot round an angle of the lake and swiftly approached them. A glance from Patch

would have told Wolsey, had he required any such information, that this was the forester's granddaughter.

Her beauty quite ravished him, and drew from him an exclamation of wonder and delight. Features regular,

exquisitely moulded, and of a joyous expression, a skin dyed like a peach by the sun, but so as to improve

rather than impair its hue; eyes bright, laughing, and blue as a summer sky; ripe, ruddy lips, and pearly teeth;

and hair of a light and glossy brown, constituted the sum of her attractions. Her sylphlike figure was

charmingly displayed by the graceful exercise on which she was engaged, and her small hands, seemingly

scarcely able to grasp an oar, impelled the skiff forwards with marvellous velocity, and apparently without

Unabashed by the presence of the strangers, though Wolsey's attire could leave her in no doubt as to his high

ecclesiastical dignity, she sprang ashore at the landingplace, and fastened her bark to the side of the

"You are Mabel Lyndwood, I presume, fair maiden?" inquired the cardinal, in his blandest tones.

"Such is my name, your grace," she replied; "for your garb tells me I am addressing Cardinal Wolsey."

"Chancing to ride in this part of the forest," he said, "and having heard of your beauty, I came to see whether

"Would that Henry could see her now!" thought the cardinal, "Anne Boleyn's reign were nigh at an

"My grandsire, Tristram Lyndwood, has lived here fifty years and more," replied Mabel, "but I have only

been its inmate within these few weeks. Before that time I lived at Chertsey, under the care of one of the lay

"Alas! your grace, I have none," replied Mabel with a sigh. "Tristram Lyndwood is my only living relative.

He used to come over once a month to see me at Chertseyand latterly, finding his dwelling lonely, for he

lost the old dame who tended it for him, he brought me to dwell with him. Sister Anastasia was loth to part

"Of a surety not," replied the cardinal musingly, and gazing hard at her. "And you know nothing of your

"Little beyond this," replied Mabel:" My father was a keeper of the forest, and being unhappily gored by a

stag, perished of the woundfor a hurt from a hart's horn, as your grace knows, is certain death; and my

mother pined after him and speedily followed him to the grave. I was then placed by my grandsire with Sister

"A simple yet a curious one," said Wolsey, still musing. "You are the fairest maid of low degree I ever

"Truly, did I, your grace," she replied, her eyes brightening and her colour rising; "and a right noble king he

"Report speaks falsely," cried Wolsey; "I know him well, and he is what I describe him."

"I am glad to hear it," replied Mabel; "and I must own I formed the same opinion myselffor the smile he

"Since you confess so much, fair maiden," rejoined Wolsey, "I will be equally frank, and tell you it was from

"Well, well," said Wolsey, smiling, " if the king is bewitched, I cannot marvel at it. And now, good day, fair

"Assuredly not, my child," replied Wolsey, stretching his hands over her. "All good angels and saints bless

you, and hold you in their keeping. Mark my words: a great destiny awaits you; but in all changes, rest

"Your grace overwhelms me with kindness," cried Mabel; nor can I conceive how I have found an interest in

your eyesunless Sister Anastasia or Father Anslem, of Chertsey Abbey, may have mentioned me to you."

"You have found a more potent advocate with me than either Sister Anastasia or Father Anselm," replied

On the same day there was a great banquet in the castle, and, as usual, Wolsey took his station on the right of

the sovereign, while the papal legate occupied a place on the left. Watching a favourable opportunity, Wolsey

observed to Henry that he had been riding that morning in the forest, and had seen the loveliest damsel that

"She can boast little in regard to birth, being grandchild to an old forester," replied Wolsey; "but your majesty

"I know not where her match is to be found," cried the cardinal. "Would your majesty had seen her skim over

the lake in a fairy boat managed by herself, as I beheld her this morning. You would have taken her for a

"You speak in raptures, cardinal," cried Henry. "I must see this damsel again. Where does she dwell? I have

"In a hut near the great lake," replied Wolsey. "There is some mystery attached to her birth, which I have not

And he turned to talk on other subjects to Campeggio, but Wolsey felt satisfied that the device was

successful. Nor was he mistaken. As Henry retired from the banquet,he motioned the Duke of Suffolk

"I shall go forth at dusk tomorrow even in disguise, and shall require your attendance."

This muttered colloquy was overheard by Patch, and faithfully reported by him to the cardinal.

Tristam Lyndwood did not return home till late in the evening; and when informed of the cardinal's visit, he

"I am sorry we went to the hunting party," he observed. "Valentine Hagthorne said mischief would come of

I see no mischief in the matter, grandsire," cried Mabel. "On the contrary, I think I have met with excellent

fortune. The good cardinal promises me a high destiny, and says the king himself noticed me."

"Would his regards had fallen anywhere than on you," rejoined Tristram. "But I warrant me you told the

"But, grandfather, I could not refuse to answer the cardinal," she replied, in a deprecating voice.

"No more excuses, but attend to my injunctions," said Tristram. "Have you seen Morgan Fenwolf today?"

"You dislike him strangely, Mab," rejoined her grandfather; "he is the best keeper in the forest, and makes no

"By the same rule, if what the cardinal stated be truethough, trust me, he was but jestingyou ought to

dislike the king. But get my supper. I have need of it, for I have fasted long."

Mabel hastened to obey, and set a mess of hot pottage and other viands before him. Little more conversation

That night Mabel did nothing but dream of the kingof stately chambers, rich apparel, and countless

attendants. She awoke, and finding herself in a lowly cottage, and without a single attendant, was, like other

The next morning her grandsire went again to Bray Wood, and she was left to muse upon the event of the

previous day. While busied about some trifling occupation, the door suddenly opened, and Morgan Fenwolf

entered the cottage. He was followed by a tall man, with a countenance of extreme paleness, but a noble and

commanding figure. There was something so striking in the appearance of the latter person, that it riveted the

attention of Mabel. But no corresponding effect was produced on the stranger, for he scarcely bestowed a

Morgan Fenwolf hastily asked whether her grandsire was at home, or near at hand, and being answered in the

negative, appeared much disappointed. He then said that he must borrow the skiff for a short while, as he

wished to visit some nets on the lake. Mabel readily assented, and the stranger quitted the house, while

Fenwolf lingered to offer some attention to Mabel, which was so ill received that he was fain to hurry forth to

the boathouse, where he embarked with his companion. As soon as the plash of oars announced their

departure, Mabel went forth to watch them. The stranger, who was seated in the stern of the boat, for the first

time fixed his large melancholy eyes full upon her, and did not withdraw his gaze till an angle of the lake hid

Marvelling who he could be, and reproaching herself for not questioning Fenwolf on the subject, Mabel

resolved to repair the error when the skiff was brought back. But the opportunity did not speedily occur.

Hours flew by, the shades of evening drew on, but neither Fenwolf nor the stranger returned.

Soon after dusk her grandfather came home. He did not express the least astonishment at Fenwolf's prolonged

absence, but said that he was sure to be back in the course of the evening, and the skiff was not wanted.

"He will bring us a fine jack or a carp for dinner tomorrow, I'll warrant me," he said. "If he had returned in

time we might have had fish for supper. No matter. I must make shift with the mutton pie and a rasher of

"He did not," replied Mabel; "but I hope he will bring him with him. He is the goodliest gentleman I ever

"Nay, they should not be compared," replied Mabel: "the one is stout and burly; the other slight,

Well, I daresay I shall see him anon," said Tristram. "And now for supper, for I am as sharpset as a wolf;

and so is old Hubert," he added, glancing affectionately at the hound by which he was attended.

Mabel placed the better part of a huge pie before him, which the old forester attacked with great zeal. He then

fell to work upon some slices of bacon toasted over the embers by his granddaughter, and having washed

them down with a jug of mead, declared he had supped famously. While taking care of himself, he did not

forget his hound. From time to time he threw him morsels of the pie, and when he had done he gave him a

"Old Hubert has served me faithfully nigh twenty years," he said, patting the hound's shaggy neck, "and must

Throwing a log of wood on the fire, he drew his chair into the ingle nook, and disposed himself to slumber.

Meanwhile, Mabel busied herself about her household concern, and was singing a lulling melody to her

grandfather, in a voice of exquisite sweetness, when a loud tap was heard at the door. Tristram roused himself

"Quiet, Hubertquiet!" cried Tristram. "It cannot be Morgan Fenwolf," he added. "He would never knock

At this invitation two persons darkened the doorway. The foremost was a man of bulky frame and burly

demeanour. He was attired in a buff jerkin, over which he wore a loose great surcoat; had a flat velvet cap on

his head; and carried a stout staff in his hand. His face was broad and handsome, though his features could

scarcely be discerned in the doubtful light to which they were submitted. A reddishcoloured beard clothed

his chin. His companion, who appeared a trifle the taller of the two, and equally robust, was wrapped in a

"Give you good e'en, friend," said the foremost stranger to the forester. "We are belated travellers, on our way

from Guildford to Windsor, and, seeing your cottage, have called to obtain some refreshment before we cross

the great park. We do not ask you to bestow a meal upon us, but will gladly pay for the best your larder

You shall have it, and welcome, my masters," replied Tristram,"but I am afraid my humble fare will scarcely

"Fear nothing," replied the other; "we have good appetites, and are not over dainty. Beshrew me, friend," he

"Well, your granddaughter, then," said the other; "by the mass, a lovely wench. We have none such in

Guildford, and I doubt if the king hath such in Windsor Castle. What say you, Charles Brandon?"

"It were treason to agree with you, Harry La Roy," replied Brandon, laughing, "for they say the king visits

with the halter all those who disparage the charms of the Lady Anne Boleyn. But, comparisons apart, this

"You will discompose her, my masters, if you praise her thus to her face," said Tristram somewhat testily. "

Here, Mab, bring forth all my scanty larder affords, and put some rashers of bacon on the fire."

"Cold meat and bread will suffice for us," said Harry: "we will not trouble the damsel to play the cook."

With this Mabel, who appeared a good deal embarrassed by the presence of the strangers, spread a cloth of

snowwhite linen on the little table, and placed the remains of the pie and a large oven cake before them. The

newcomers sate down, and ate heartily of the humble viands, he who had answered to the name of Harry

frequently stopping in the course of his repast to compliment his fair attendant.

"By our Lady, I have never been so waited on before," he added, rising and removing his stool towards the

fire, while his companion took up a position, with his back against the wall, near the fireplace. "And now, my

"I can offer you a draught of right good mead, master," said Tristram; "and that is the only liquor my cottage

While Mabel went to draw the liquor, Tristram fixed his eyes on Harry, whose features were now fully

"I have seen some one very like you, master," replied Tristram, "and one whom it is no light honour to

"You mean the king," returned Harry, laughing. "You are not the first person who has thought me like him."

"You are vain of the likeness, I see, master," replied Tristram, joining in the laugh. "How say you, Mab?" he

added to his granddaughter, who at that moment returned with a jug and a couple of drinkinghorns. "Whom

"No one," echoed Harry, chucking her under the chin. "Look me full in the face, and you will find out your

mistake. Marry, if I were the royal Henry, instead of what I am, a plain Guildford merchant, I should prefer

"Is that said in good sooth, sir?" asked Mabel, slightly raising her eyes, and instantly dropping them before

"In good sooth and sober truth," replied Henry, rounding his arm and placing his hand on his lusty thigh in

"Were you the royal Henry, I should not care for your preference," said Mabel more confidently. "My

grandsire says the king changes his love as often as the moon changesnay, oftener."

"Heaven help us! you swear the king's oaths," said Mabel. "And wherefore not, sweetheart?" said Harry,

checking himself. "It is enough to make one swear, and in a royal fashion too, to hear one's liege lord unjustly

accused. I have ever heard the king styled a mirror of constancy. How say you, Charles Brandon?can you

"Oh! an excellent character," said Brandon. "He is constancy itself while the fit lasts," he added, aside.

"You hear what my friend says, sweetheart," observed Harry; "and I assure you he has the best opportunities

of judging. But I'll be sworn you did not believe your grandsire when he thus maligned the king."

"She contradicted me flatly," said Tristram. "But pour out the mead, girl; our guests are waiting for it."

While Mabel, in compliance with her grandsire's directions, filled the horn, the door of the cottage was

noiselessly opened by Morgan Fenwolf, who stepped in, followed by Bawsey. He stared inquisitively at the

strangers, but both were so much occupied by the damsel that he remained unnoticed. A sign from the old

forester told him he had better retire: jealous curiosity, however, detained him, and he tarried till Harry had

received the cup from Mabel, and drained it to her health. He then drew back, closed the door softly, and

joined a dark and mysterious figure, with hideous lineaments and an antlered helm upon its brows, lurking

Meanwhile, a cup of mead having been offered to Brandon, he observed to his companion, "We must now be

setting forth on our journey. Night is advancing, and we have five long miles to traverse across the great

"I would stay where I am," rejoined Harry, "and make a bench near the fire serve me in lieu of a couch, but

that business requires our presence at the castle tonight. There is payment for our meal, friend," he added,

giving a mark to Tristram, "and as we shall probably return tomorrow night, we will call and have another

"You pay as you swear, good sir, royally," replied Tristram. "You shall have a better supper tomorrow

You have a dangerous journey before you, sir," said Mabel. "They say there are plunderers and evil spirits in

"I have no fear of any such, sweetheart," replied Harry. "I have a strong arm to defend myself, and so has my

friend Charles Brandon. And as to evil spirits, a kiss from you will shield me from all ill."

And as he spoke, he drew her towards him, and clasping her in his arms, imprinted a score of rapid kisses on

"Hold! hold, master!" cried Tristram, rising angrily; "this may not be. 'Tis an arrant abuse of hospitality."

"Nay, be not offended, good friend," replied Harry, laughing. "I am on the lookout for a wife, and I know

"She is not to be so lightly won," cried Tristram; "for though I am but a poor forester, I rate her as highly as

"And with reason," said Harry. "Goodnight, sweetheart! By my crown, Suffolk!" he exclaimed to his

"Not if my arm serves me truly," muttered Fenwolf, who, with his mysterious companion, had stationed

"Do him no injury," returned the other; "he is only to be made captive mark that. And now to apprise Sir

IV. How Herne the Hunter showed the Earl of Surrey the Fair Geraldine in a Vision.

On the third day after Surrey's imprisonment in the keep, he was removed to the Norman Tower. The

chamber allotted him was square, tolerably lofty, and had two narrowpointed windows on either side,

looking on the one hand into the upper quadrangle, and on the other into the middle ward. At the same time

permission was accorded him to take exercise on the battlements of the Round Tower, or within the dry and

The Fair Geraldine, he was informed, had been sent to the royal palace at Greenwich; but her absence

occasioned him little disquietude, because he knew, if she had remained at Windsor, he would not have been

On the same day that Surrey was removed to the Norman Tower, the Duke of Richmond quitted the castle

without assigning any motive for his departure, or even taking leave of his friend. At first some jealous

mistrust that he might be gone to renew his suit to the Fair Geraldine troubled the earl; but he strongly

combated the feeling, as calculated,if indulged, to destroy his tranquillity; and by fixing his thoughts

On that night, while occupied in a translation of the Aeneid which he had commenced, he remained at his

task till a late hour. The midnight bell had tolled, when, looking up, he was startled by perceiving a tall figure

Independently of the difficulty of accounting for its presence, the appearance of the figure was in itself

sufficiently appalling. It was above the ordinary stature, and was enveloped in a long black cloak, while a tall,

conical black cap, which added to its height, and increased the hideousness of its features, covered its head.

For a few minutes Surrey remained gazing at the figure in mute astonishment, during which it maintained the

same motionless posture. At length he was able to murmur forth the interrogation, "Who art thou?"

"To serve you," replied the figure; "to liberate you. You shall go hence with me, if you choose."

"We will speak of that when we are out of the castle, and on the green sod of the forest," returned the figure.

"You tempt in vain," cried Surrey. "I will not go with you. I recognise in you the demon hunter Herne." The

" You are right, lord of Surrey," he said; "I am Herne the Hunter. You must join me. Sir Thomas Wyat is

It is you who lie, lord of Surrey," replied Herne; "Sir Thomas Wyat is now in the great park. You shall see

"I disbelieve you, tempter!" cried Surrey indignantly. "Wyat is too good a Christian, and too worthy a knight,

Sir Thomas Wyat told you he would seek me out," said the demon. "He did so, and gave himself to me for

"You will learn whether I have or not, in due time," replied Herne. "Do you refuse to go with me?"

"An idle fear," rejoined Herne. " I care not for your soulyou will destroy it without my aid. I have need of

you. You shall be back again in this chamber before the officer visits it in the morning, and no one shall be

"You dare not touch me," replied Surrey, placing his hand upon his breast; "I am armed with a holy relic."

"I know it," said Herne; "and I feel its power, or I would not have trifled with you thus long. But it cannot

I laugh to think how you are deceived," said Herne. "Would you behold your mistress now?would you see

"If you choose to try me, I will not oppose the attempt," replied Surrey; "but it will be futile."

"Remove the relic from your person," rejoined Herne. "Place it upon the table, within your grasp, and you

Surrey hesitated; but he was not proof against the low mocking laugh of the demon.

"No harm can result from it," he cried at length, detaching the relic from his neck, and laying it on the table.

Surrey instantly sprang to his feet, and dashed the lamp off the table. "Behold!" cried the demon.

And instantly a vision, representing the form and lineaments of the Fair Geraldine to the life, shone forth

against the opposite wall of the chamber. At the feet of the visionary damsel knelt a shape resembling the

Duke of Richmond. He was pressing the hand extended to him by the Fair Geraldine to his lips, and a smile

" Such is man's friendshipsuch woman's constancy!" cried Herne. "Are you now satisfied?"

"I am, that you have deceived me, false spirit!" cried the earl. "I would not believe the Fair Geraldine

A terrible laugh broke from the demon, and the vision faded away. All became perfect darkness, and for a

few moments the earl remained silent. He then called to the demon, but receiving no answer, put forth his

Confounded, Surrey returned to the table, and searched for the relic, but, with a feeling of indescribable

V. What befell Sir Thomas Wyat in the Sandstone CaveAnd how he drank a maddening Potion.

THE cave in which Sir Thomas Wyat found himself, on the removal of the bandage from his eyes, was

apparentlyfor it was only lighted by a single torchof considerable width and extent, and hewn out of a

bed of soft sandstone. The roof, which might be about ten feet high, was supported by the trunks of three

large trees rudely fashioned into pillars. There were several narrow lateral passages within it, apparently

communicating with other caverns; and at the farther end, which was almost buried in obscurity, there was a

gleam seemingly occasioned by the reflection of the torchlight upon water. On the right hand stood a pile of

huge stones, disposed somewhat in the form of a Druidical altar, on the top of which, as on a throne, sat the

demon hunter, surrounded by his satellitesone of whom, horned and bearded like a satyr, had clambered

the roughened sides of the central pillar, and held a torch over the captive's head.

Halfstifled by the noxious vapour he had inhaled, and blinded by the tightness of the bandage, it was some

"Never!" rejoined Wyat. "I will have nought to do with you, except as regards our compact."

" What I require from you is part of our compact," rejoined the demon. "He who has once closed hands with

Herne the Hunter cannot retreat. But I mean you fairly, and will not delude you with false expectation. What

you seek cannot he accomplished on the instant. Ere three days Anne Boleyn shall be yours."

"Come, then! " replied Herne. So saying, he sprang from the stone, and, taking Wyat's hand, led him towards

the lower end of the cave, which gradually declined till it reached the edge of a small but apparently deep

"Remove the torch!" thundered the demon to those behind. "Now summon your false love, Sir Thomas

Wyat," he added, as his orders were obeyed, and the light was taken into one of the side passages, so that its

Upon this a shadowy resemblance of her he had invoked flitted over the surface of the water, with hands

outstretched towards him. So moved was Wyat by the vision, that he would have flung himself into the pool

to grasp it if he had not been forcibly detained by the demon. During the struggle the figure vanished, and all

"I have said she shall be yours," cried Herne; "but time is required for the accomplishment of my purpose. I

have only power over her when evil is predominant in her heart. But such moments are not unfrequent," he

added, with a bitter laugh. "And now to the chase. I promise you it will be a wilder and more exciting ride

Sounding a call upon his horn, the light instantly reappeared. All was stir and confusion amid the impish

troopand presently afterwards a number of coalblack horses, and hounds of the same hue, leashed in

couples, were brought out of one of the side passages. Among the latter were two large sable hounds of Saint

Hubert's breed, whom Herne summoned to his side by the names of Saturn and Dragon.

A slight noise, as of a blow dealt against a tree, was now heard overhead, and Herne, imposing silence on the

group by a hasty gesture, assumed an attitude of fixed attention. The stroke was repeated a second time.

Catching hold of a chain hanging from the roof, which Wyat had not hitherto noticed, he swung himself into

a crevice above, and disappeared from view. During the absence of their leader the troop remained

A few minutes afterwards Herne reappeared at the upper end of the cave. He was accompanied by Fenwolf,

The order being given by the demon to mount, Wyat, after an instant's hesitation, seized the flowing mane of

the horse nearest himfor it was furnished neither with saddle nor bridleand vaulted upon its back. At the

same moment Herne uttered a wild cry, and plunging into the pool, sunk within. it. Wyat's steed followed,

When Wyat rose to the surface, he found himself in the open lake, which was gleaming in the moonlight.

Before him he beheld Herne clambering the bank, accompanied by his two favourite hounds, while a large

white owl wheeled round his head, hooting loudly. Behind came the grisly cavalcade, with their hounds,

swimming from beneath a bank covered by thick overhanging trees, which completely screened the secret

entrance to the cave. Having no control over his steed, Wyat was obliged to surrender himself to its guidance,

"Pledge me, Sir Thomas Wyat," said Herne, unslinging a gourdshaped flask from his girdle, and offering it

to him. "'Tis a rare wine, and will prevent you from suffering from your bath, as well as give you spirits for

Chilled to the bone by the immersion he had undergone, Wyat did not refuse the offer, but placing the flask to

his lips took a deep draught from it. The demon uttered a low bitter laugh as he received back the flask, and

The effect of the potion upon Wyat was extraordinary. The whole scene seemed to dance around him;the

impish figures in the lake, or upon its bank, assumed forms yet more fantastic; the horses looked like

monsters of the deep; the hounds like wolves and ferocious beasts; the branches of the trees writhed and shot

forward like hissing serpents;and though this effect speedily passed off, it left behind it a wild and

"A noble hart is lying in yon glen," said Morgan Fenwolf, advancing towards his leader; "I tracked his slot

"Haste, and unharbour him," replied Herne, "and as soon as you rouse him, give the halloa." Fenwolf obeyed;

"List halloa! list halloa! "cried Herne, " that's he! that's he! hyke! Saturn! hyke, DragonAway!away, my

Accompanied by Wyat, and followed by the whole cavalcade, Herne dashed into the glen, where Fenwolf

awaited him. Threading the hollow, the troop descried the hart flying swiftly along a sweeping glade at some

two hundred yards distance. The glade was passeda woody knoll skirteda valley traversedand the hart

plunged into a thick grove clothing the side of Hawk's Hill. But it offered him no secure retreat. Dragon and

Saturn were close upon him, and behind them came Herne, crashing through the branches of the trees, and

heedless of all impediments. Byandby the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.

But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble

oaks. Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his

haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the

points of his horns. But his defence, though gallant, was unavailing. In another instant Herne came up, and,

dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion. Drawing a knife

from his girdle, the hunter threw himself on the ground, and, advancing on all fours towards the hart, could

scarcely be distinguished himself from some denizen of the forest. As he approached the hart snorted and

bellowed fiercely, and dashed its horns against him; but the blow was received by the hunter upon his own

antlered helm, and at the same moment his knife was thrust to the hilt into the stag's throat, and it fell to the

Springing to his feet, Herne whooped joyfully, placed his bugle to his lips, and blew the dead mot. He then

shouted to Fenwolf to call away and couple the hounds, and, striking off the deer's right forefoot with his

knife, presented it to Wyat. Several large leafy branches being gathered and laid upon the ground, the hart

was placed upon them, and Herne commenced breaking him up, as the process of dismembering the deer is

termed in the language of woodcraft. His first step was to cut off the animal's head, which he performed by a

"Give the hounds the flesh," he said, delivering the trophy to Fenwolf; " but keep the antlers, for it is a great

Placing the head on a huntingpole, Fenwolf withdrew to an open space among the trees, and, halloing to the

others, they immediately cast off the hounds, who rushed towards him, leaping and baying at the stag's head,

which he alternately raised and lowered until they were sufficiently excited, when he threw it on the ground

While this was going forward the rest of the band were occupied in various wayssome striking a light with

flint and steelsome gathering together sticks and dried leaves to form a fireothers producing various

strangeshaped cooking utensilswhile others were assisting their leader in his butcherly task, which he

As soon as the fire was kindled, Herne distributed certain portions of the venison among his followers, which

were instantly thrown upon the embers to broil; while a few choice morsels were stewed in a pan with wine,

This hasty repast concluded, the demon ordered the fire to be extinguished, and the quarters of the deer to be

carried to the cave. He then mounted his steed, and, attended by Wyat and the rest of his troop, except those

engaged in executing his orders, galloped towards Snow Hill, where he speedily succeeded in unharbouring

Away then went the whole partystag, hounds, huntsmen, sweeping like a dark cloud down the hill, and

crossing the wide moonlit glade, studded with noble trees, on the west of the great avenue.

For a while the hart held a course parallel with the avenue; he then dashed across it, threaded the intricate

woods on the opposite side, tracked a long glen, and leaping the pales, entered the home park. It almost

seemed as if he designed to seek shelter within the castle, for he made straight towards it, and was only

diverted by Herne himself, who, shooting past him with incredible swiftness, turned him towards the lower

Here the chase continued with unabated ardour, until, reaching the banks of the Thames, the hart plunged into

it, and suffered himself to be carried noiselessly down the current. But Herne followed him along the banks,

Once more they flew across the home parkonce more they leaped its palesonce more they entered the

great parkbut this time the stag took the direction of Englefield Green. He was not, however, allowed to

break forth into the open country; but, driven again into the thick woods, he held on with wondrous speed till

Before the eddies occasioned by the affrighted animal's plunge had described a wide ring, Herne had quitted

his steed, and was cleaving with rapid strokes the waters of the lake. Finding escape impossible, the hart

turned to meet him, and sought to strike him with his horns, but as in the case of his illfated brother of the

wood, the blow was warded by the antlered helm of the swimmer. The next moment the clear water was dyed

with blood, and Herne, catching the gasping animal by the head, guided his body to shore.

Again the process of breaking up the stag was gone through; and when Herne had concluded his task, he once

more offered his gourd to Sir Thomas Wyat. Reckless of the consequences, the knight placed the flask to his

VII. How Wyat beheld Mabel LyndwoodAnd how he was rowed by Morgan Fenwolf upon the Lake.

When perfect consciousness returned to him, Wyat found himself lying upon a pallet in what he first took to

be the cell of an anchorite; but as the recollection of recent events arose more distinctly before him, he

guessed it to be a chamber connected with the sandstone cave. A small lamp, placed in a recess, lighted the

cell; and upon a footstool by his bed stood a jug of water, and a cup containing some drink in which herbs

had evidently been infused. Wellnigh emptying the jug, for he felt parched with thirst, Wyat attired himself,

took up the lamp, and walked into the main cavern. No one was there, nor could he obtain any answer to his

calls. Evidences, however, were not wanting to prove that a feast had recently been held there. On one side

were the scarcely extinguished embers of a large wood fire; and in the midst of the chamber was a rude table,

covered with drinkinghorns and wooden platters, as well as with the remains of three or four haunches of

venison. While contemplating this scene Wyat heard footsteps in one of the lateral passages, and presently

"So you are come round at last, Sir Thomas," observed the keeper, in a slightly sarcastic tone.

"You have had a fever for three days," returned Fenwolf, "and have been raving like a madman."

"Three days!" muttered Wyat. "The false juggling fiend promised her to me on the third day."

"Fear not; Herne will be as good as his word," said Fenwolf. "But will you go forth with me? I am about to

Wyat acquiesced, and followed Fenwolf, who returned along the passage. It grew narrower at the sides and

lower in the roof as they advanced, until at last they were compelled to move forward on their hands and

knees. For some space the passage, or rather hole (for it was nothing more) ran on a level. A steep and

tortuous ascent then commenced, which brought them to an outlet concealed by a large stone.

Pushing it aside, Fenwolf crept forth, and immediately afterwards Wyat emerged into a grove, through which,

on one side, the gleaming waters of the lake were discernible. The keeper's first business was to replace the

stone, which was so screened by brambles and bushes that it could not, unless careful search were made, be

Making his way through the trees to the side of the lake, Fenwolf marched along the greensward in the

direction of Tristram Lyndwood's cottage. Wyat mechanically followed him; but he was so preoccupied that

he scarcely heeded the fair Mabel, nor was it till after his embarkation in the skiff with the keeper, when she

came forth to look at them, that he was at all struck with her beauty. He then inquired her name from

"She is called Mabel Lyndwood, and is an old forester's granddaughter," replied the other somewhat gruffly.

Fenwolf glanced at him from under his brows; and plunging his oars into the water, soon carried him out of

It was high noon, and the day was one of resplendent loveliness. The lake sparkled in the sunshine, and as

they shot past its tiny bays and woody headlands, new beauties were every moment revealed to them. But

while the scene softened Wyat's feelings, it filled him with intolerable remorse, and so poignant did his

emotions become, that he pressed his hands upon his eyes to shut out the lovely prospect. When he looked up

again the scene was changed. The skiff had entered a narrow creek, arched over by huge trees, and looking as

dark and gloomy as the rest of the lake was fair and smiling. It was closed in by a high overhanging bank,

crested by two tall trees, whose tangled roots protruded through it like monstrous reptiles, while their

"Why have you come here?" demanded Wyat, looking uneasily round the forbidding spot.

"Go back into the sunshine, and take me to some pleasant bankI will not land here," said Wyat sternly.

"Needs must whenI need not remind you of the proverb," rejoined Fenwolf, with a sneer.

"Give me the oars, thou malapert knave!" cried Wyat fiercely, "and I will put myself ashore."

Wyat gazed at the keeper for a moment, as if with the intention of throwing him overboard; but abandoning

the idea, he rose up in the boat, and caught at what he took to be a root of the tree above. To his surprise and

alarm, it closed upon him with an iron grasp, and he felt himself dragged upwards, while the skiff, impelled

by a sudden stroke from Morgan Fenwolf, shot from beneath him. All Wyat's efforts to disengage himself

were vain, and a wild, demoniacal laugh, echoed by a chorus of voices, proclaimed him in the power of

Herne the Hunter. The next moment he was set on the top of the bank, while the demon greeted him with a

"So you thought to escape me, Sir Thomas Wyatt" he cried, in a taunting tone; "but any such attempt will

prove fruitless. The murderer may repent the blow when dealt; the thief may desire to restore the gold he has

purloined; the barterer of his soul may rue his bargain; but they are Satan's, nevertheless. You are mine, and

"Lamentation is useless and unworthy of you," rejoined Herne scornfully. "Your wish will be speedily

"You can make your own terms with him for the Lady Anne," pursued Herne. "His life will be at your

"Ay," replied Herne. "Put yourself under the conduct of Fenwolf, and all shall happen as you desire. We shall

meet again at night. I have other business on hand now. Meschines," he added to one of his attendants, " go

The personage who received the command, and who was wildly and fantastically habited, beckoned Wyat to

follow him, and after many twistings and turnings brought them to the edge of the lake, where the skiff was

lying, with Fenwolf reclining at full length upon its benches. He arose, however, quickly at the appearance of

Meschines, and asked him for some provisions, which the latter promised to bring, and while Wyat got into

the skiff he disappeared, but returned a few minutes afterwards with a basket, which he gave to the keeper.

Crossing the lake, Fenwolf then shaped his course towards a verdant bank enamelled with wild flowers,

where he landed. The basket being opened, was found to contain a flask of wine and the better part of a

venison pasty, of which Wyat, whose appetite was keen enough after his long fasting, ate heartily. He then

stretched himself on the velvet sod, and dropped into a tranquil slumber which lasted to a late hour in the

He was roused from it by a hand laid on his shoulder, while a deep voice thundered in his ear "Up, up, Sir

VIII. How the King and the Duke of Suffolk were assailed by Herne's BandAnd what followed the Attack.

Henry and Suffolk, on leaving the forester's hut, took their way for a sort space along the side of the lake, and

then turned into a path leading through the trees up the eminence on the left. The king was in a joyous mood,

and made no attempt to conceal the passion with which the fair damsel had inspired him.

"I' faith!" he cried, "the cardinal has a quick eye for a pretty wench. I have heard that he loves one in secret,

"You forget, my liege, that it is his object to withdraw your regards from the Lady Anne Boleyn," remarked

" I care not what his motive may be, as long as the result is so satisfactory," returned Henry. "Confess now,

Suffolk, you never beheld a figure so perfect, a complexion so blooming, or eyes so bright. As to her lips, by

"And your majesty is not inexperienced in such matters," laughed Suffolk. "For my own part, I was as much

struck by her grace as by her beauty, and can scarcely persuade myself she can be nothing more than a mere

"Wolsey told me there was a mystery about her birth," rejoined Henry; "but, pest on it; her beauty drove all

recollection of the matter out of my head. I will go back, and question her now."

"Your majesty forgets that your absence from the castle will occasion surprise, if not alarm," said Suffolk.

"Tut, tut!I will return," said the king perversely. And Suffolk, knowing his wilfulness, and that all

remonstrance would prove fruitless, retraced his steps with him. They had not proceeded far when they

perceived a female figure at the bottom of the ascent, just where the path turned off on the margin of the lake.

"As I live, there she is!" exclaimed the king joyfully. "She has divined my wishes, and is come herself to tell

They met halfway, and Henry would have caught her in his arms, but she avoided him, exclaiming, in a tone

"Thank Heaven, too, sweetheart!" rejoined Henry. "I would not hide when you are the seeker. So you know

"I knew you at first," replied Mabel confusedly. "I saw you at the great hunting party; and, once beheld, your

"Ha! by Saint George! you turn a compliment as soothly as the most practised dame at court," cried Henry,

"Beseech your majesty, release me!" returned Mabel, struggling to get free. "I did not follow you on the light

errand you suppose, but to warn you of danger. Before you quitted my grandsire's cottage I told you this part

of the forest was haunted by plunderers and evil beings, and apprehensive lest some mischance might befall

"And you overheard me tell the Duke of Suffolk how much smitten I was with your beauty, ha? " interrupted

the king, squeezing her hand " and how resolved I was to make you mineha! sweetheart?"

"The words I heard were of very different import, my liege," rejoined Mabel. "You were menaced by

"Let them come," replied Henry carelessly; "they shall pay for their villainy. How many were there?"

"Two, sire," answered Mabel; "but one of them was Herne, the weird hunter of the forest. He said he would

summon his band to make you captive. What can your strong arm, even aided by that of the Duke of Suffolk,

"There is reason in what the damsel says, my liege," interposed Suffolk. "If possible, you had better avoid an

"My hands itch to give them a lesson," rejoined Henry. "But I will be ruled by you. God's death! I will return

"Tied to a tree at the foot of the hill," replied Henry. "But I have attendants midway between this spot and

"This way, then!" said Mabel, breaking from him, and darting into a narrow path among the trees.

Henry ran after her, but was not agile enough to overtake her. At length she stopped.

"If your majesty will pursue this path," she cried, "you will come to an open space amid the trees, when, if

you will direct your course towards a large beechtree on the opposite side, you will find another narrow

"Do not tarry here longer, my gracious liege," said the duke. "Danger is to be apprehended, and the sooner

you rejoin your attendants the better. Return with them, if you please, but do not expose yourself further

Henry yielded, though reluctantly, and they walked on in silence. Ere long they arrived at the open space

described by Mabel, and immediately perceived the large beechtree, behind which they found the path. By

this time the moon had arisen, and as they emerged upon the marsh they easily discovered a track, though not

broader than a sheepwalk, leading along its edge. As they hurried across it, Suffolk occasionally cast a

furtive glance over his shoulder, but he saw nothing to alarm him. The whole tract of marshy land on the left

In a few minutes the king and his companion gained firmer ground, and ascending the gentle elevation on the

other side of the marsh, made their way to a little knoll crowned by a huge oak, which commanded a fine

view of the lake winding through the valley beyond. Henry, who was a few yards in advance of his

companion, paused at a short distance from the free, and being somewhat overheated, took off his cap to

"In good truth, Suffolk, we must henceforth be rated as miserable faineants, to be scared from our path by a

silly wench's tale of deerstealers and wild huntsmen. I am sorry I yielded to her entreaties. If Herne be still

extant, he must be more than a century and a half old, for unless the legend is false, he flourished in the time

Turning at the sound, Henry perceived a tall dark figure of hideous physiognomy and strange attire, helmed

with a huge pair of antlers, standing between him and the oaktree. So sudden was the appearance of the

"What I have said," replied the demon. "I am Herne the Hunter. Welcome to my domain, Harry of England.

"I am lord both of the forest and the castleyea, of all this broad land, false fiend!" cried the king, "and none

shall dispute it with me. In the name of the most holy faith, of which I am the defender, I command thee to

"Harry of England, advance towards me, and you advance upon your peril," he rejoined.

"Avaunt, I say!" cried the king. "In the name of the blessed Trinity, and of all holy angels and saints, I strike!

And he whirled the staff round his head. But ere the weapon could descend, a flash of dazzling fire encircled

At this juncture the sound of a horn was heard, and a number of wild figures in fantastic garbssome

mounted on swarthy steeds, and accompanied by hounds, others on footissued from the adjoining covert,

"Aha!" exclaimed Henry" more of the same sort. Hell, it would seem, has let loose her hosts; but I have no

"To the death, sire," replied the duke, drawing his sword. By this time one of the foremost of the impish crew

"Then down on thy knees, traitor! " roared Henry; "down all of ye, and sue for mercy."

"For mercyha! ha!" rejoined the other; "it is thy turn to sue for mercy, tyrant! We acknowledge no other

"Then seek him in hell! " cried Henry, dealing the speaker a tremendous blow on the head with his staff,

"Ha! dogs ha! traitors!" vociferated Henry, plying his staff with great activity, and bringing down an

assailant at each stroke; "do you dare to lay hands upon our sacred person? Back! back!"

The determined resistance offered by the king, supported as he was by Suffolk, paralysed his assailants, who

seemed more bent upon securing his person than doing him injury. But Suffolk's attention was presently

diverted by the attack of a fierce black hound, set upon him by a stout fellow in a bearded mask. After a hard

struggle, and not before he had been severely bitten in the arm, the duke contrived to despatch his assailant.

"This to avenge poor Bawsey!" cried the man who had set on the hound, stabbing at Suffolk with his knife.

But the duke parried the blow, and, disarming his antagonist, forced him to the ground, and tearing off his

Meanwhile, Henry had been placed in considerable jeopardy. Like Suffolk, he had slaughtered a hound, and,

in aiming a blow at the villain who set it on, his foot slipped, and he lay at his mercy. The wretch raised his

knife, and was in the act of striking when a sword was passed through his body. The blow was decisive; the

king instantly arose, and the rest of his assailantshorse as well as footdisheartened by what had occurred,

beat a hasty retreat. Harry turned to look for his deliverer, and uttered an exclamation of astonishment and

"Ah! God's death!" he cried, "can I believe my eyes? Is it you, Sir Thomas Wyat?"

"What!" vociferated Henry, foaming with rage. "Is it you, traitor, who have devised this damnable plot?is

it you who would make your king a captive?you who slay him? Have you leagued yourself with fiends?"

But Wyat made no answer; and though he lowered the point of his sword, he regarded the king sternly.

A female figure now rushed forward, and bending before the king, cried in an imploring voice"Spare him,

sirespare him! He is no party to the attack. I was near him in yon wood, and he stirred not forth till he saw

"You hear him confess his treason," cried Henry; "down on your knees, villain, or I will strike you to my

"What make you here, Mabel?" cried Henry angrily. "I followed your majesty unseen," she replied, in some

confusion, "and reached yon wood just as the attack commenced. I did not dare to advance farther."

"You should have gone homegone home," rejoined the king. "Wyat," he continued, in a tone of stern

"It means that you have robbed me of a mistress," replied Wyat; "and for this cause I have damned myself."

"I cannot understand you, Wyat," said Henry, after a pause; "but I have myself suffered from the pangs of

"Suffolk," exclaimed Henry, looking towards the duke, who was holding Fenwolf by the throat, "shall I be

"Strike! strike! " cried a deep voice in Wyat's ear; "your rival is now in your power."

"Far be it from me to thwart your majesty's generous impulses," rejoined Suffolk. "It is true that Wyat has

saved your life; and if he had been disposed to take it, you have this moment exposed yourself to him."

"Sir Thomas Wyat," said the king, turning to him, "you have my full and free pardon. Quit this forest

instantly, and make your way to Paris. If you are found within it tomorrow you will be lodged in the

Wyat knelt down, and would have pressed Henry's hand to his lips, but the latter pushed him aside.

Thus rebuffed, Wyat strode away, and as he passed the tree he heard a voice exclaim, " You have escaped

"And now, sweetheart," said Henry, turning to Mabel, "since you are so far on the way, you shall go with me

"On no account, my liege," she returned; "my grandsire will wonder what has become of me. He must already

And breaking from him, she darted swiftly down the hill, and glanced across the marsh like a moonbeam.

"Plague on it!" cried Henry, "I have again forgotten to question her about her birth."

"Shall I despatch this knave, my liege?" cried Suffolk, pointing with his sword to Fenwolf.

"By no means," said the king; "something may be learnt from him. Hark thee, thou felon hound; if thou

indeed servest the fiend, thou seest he deserts thee, as he does all who put faith in him."

"I see it," replied Fenwolf, who, finding resistance vain, had folded his hands doggedly upon his breast.

"Give me my life, and I will," replied Fenwolf. And as he uttered the words, he caught sight of the dark figure

of Herne, stationed at the side of the oak, with its right arm raised menacingly.

"What seest thou? "cried Henry, remarking his fixed gaze towards the tree, and glancing in that direction.

"I will scour the forest tomorrow," he muttered, "and hang every knave I find within it who cannot give a

"Ho! ho! ho! "laughed a voice, which seemed to proceed from the branches of the tree. Henry looked up, but

Stamping with rage, Henry swore a great oath, and smote the trunk of the tree with his sword.

"Your majesty will search in vain," said Suffolk; "it is clearly the fiend with whom you have to deal, and the

A party of horsemen now appeared in view. They proved to be the royal attendants, who had ridden forward

in search of the king, and were instantly hailed by Henry and Suffolk. They were headed by Captain

"Give me your horse, Bouchier," said Henry, "and do you and halfa dozen of your men remain on guard at

this tree till I send a troop of arquebusiers to relieve you. When they arrive, station them near it, and let them

remain here till I return in the morning. If any one appears, make him a prisoner."

Bound hand and foot, Fenwolf was thrown upon the back of a horse, and guarded by two halberdiers, who

were prepared to strike him dead on the slightest movement. In this way he was conveyed to the castle, and

placed in the guardchamber of the lower gate till further orders should be issued respecting him.

Halfanhour afterwards Fenwolf was visited by the Duke of Suffolk and a canon of the college; and the

guardchamber being cleared, the duke enjoined him to make clear his bosom by confession.

"I hold it my duty to tell you, prisoner," said Suffolk, "that there is no hope of your life. The king's highness

is determined to make a fearful example of you and all your companions in crime; but he does not seek to

destroy your soul, and has therefore sent this holy man to you, with the desire that you may open your heart

"Confession will profit me nothing," said Fenwolf moodily. "I cannot pray if I would."

"You cannot be so utterly lost, my son," rejoined the canon. "Hell may have woven her dark chains round

"You are not ignorant of the punishment inflicted upon those condemned for sorcery, my son? "demanded the

"Ay," replied the canon; "but even that fiery trial will fail to purge out your offences without penitence. My

lord of Suffolk, this wretched man's condition demands special attention. It will profit the Church much to

win his soul from the fiend. Let him, I pray you, be removed to the dungeon beneath the Garter Tower, where

"I do not despair, my son," replied the canon; "and when I see you again in the morning I trust to find you in

The duke then gave directions to the guard to remove the prisoner, and after some further conference with the

Meanwhile, the canon shaped his course towards the Horseshoe Cloisters, a range of buildings so designated

from their form, and situated at the west end of St. George's Chapel, and he had scarcely entered them when

he heard footsteps behind him, and turning at the sound, beheld a Franciscan friar, for so his habit of the

coarsest grey cloth, tied with a cord round the waist, proclaimed him. The friar was very tall and gaunt, and

"What would you, brother? " inquired the canon, halting. "I have a request to make of you, reverend sir,"

replied the friar, with a lowly inclination of the head. "I have just arrived from Chertsey Abbey, whither I

have been tarrying for the last three days, and while conversing with the guard at the gate, I saw a prisoner

brought into the castle charged with heinous offences, and amongst others, with dealings with the fiend."

"And have I also been rightly informed that you desire a priest to pass the night with him, reverend sir?"

returned the friar. " If so, I would crave permission to undertake the office. Two souls, as deeply laden as that

of this poor wretch, have been snatched from the jaws of Satan by my efforts,and I do not despair of success

"Since you are so confident, brother," said the canon, "I commit him readily to your hands. I was about to

seek other aid, but your offer comes opportunely. With Heaven's help I doubt not you will achieve a victory

As the latter words were uttered a sudden pain seemed to seize the friar. Staggering slightly, he caught at the

"It is nothing, reverend sir," he said, seeing that the good canon regarded him anxiously. "Long vigils and

fasting have made me liable to frequent attacks of giddiness, but they pass as quickly as they come. Will it

Meanwhile, the prisoner had been removed to the lower chamber of the Garter Tower. This fortification, one

of the oldest in the castle, being coeval with the Curfew Tower, is now in a state of grievous neglect and ruin.

Unroofed, unfloored, filled with rubbish, masked by the yard walls of the adjoining habitations, with one side

entirely pulled down, and a great breach in front, it is solely owing to the solid and rocklike construction of

its masonry that it is indebted for partial preservation. Still, notwithstanding its dilapidated condition, and that

it is the mere shell of its former self, its appearance is highly picturesque. The walls are of prodigious

thickness, and the deep embrasures within them are almost perfect; while a secret staircase may still be

tracked partly round the building. Amid the rubbish choking up its lower chamber grows a young tree, green

Conducted to a low vaulted chamber in this tower, the prisoner was cast upon its floorfor he was still hound

hand and footand left alone and in darkness. But he was not destined to continue in this state long. The door

"What ho! dog of a prisoner," he cried, "here is a holy man come to pass the night with you in prayer."

"He may take his Ave Maries and Paternosters elsewhereI want them not," replied Fenwolf moodily.

"You would prefer my bringing Herne the Hunter, no doubt," rejoined the guard, laughing at his own jest;

"but this is a physician for your soul. The saints help you in your good work, father; you will have no easy

"Set down the light, my son," cried the friar harshly, "and leave us; my task will be easily accomplished."

Placing the lamp on the stone floor of the dungeon, the guard withdrew, and locked the door after him.

"Certes, I repent having put faith in a treacherous fiend, who has deserted mebut that is all," replied

"You promise more than you can perform, as most of your brethren do," rejoined the other.

Fenwolf started at the words, which were pronounced in a different tone from that previously adopted by the

speaker, and raised himself as far as his bonds would permit him. The friar had thrown hack his cowl, and

"You doubted me," rejoined Herne, " but I never desert a follower. Besides, I wish to show the royal Harry

"But how are we to get out of this dungeon?" asked Fenwolf, gazing round apprehensively.

My way out will he easy enough," replied Herne; "but your escape is attended with more difficulty. You

remember how we went to the vaulted chamber in the Curfew Tower on the night when Mark Fytton, the

Heme instantly drew forth a huntingknife, and cutting Fenwolf's bonds asunder, the latter started to his feet.

"If that bullheaded butcher would have joined me, I would have liberated him as I am about to liberate you,"

pursued Herne. "But to return to the matter in hand. You recollect the secret passage we then tracked? There

And stepping to the farther side of the chamber, he touched a small knob in the wall, and a stone flew hack,

"There is your road to freedom," he said, pointing to the hole. "Creep along that narrow passage, and it will

bring you to a small loophole in the wall, not many feet from the ground. The loophole is guarded by a bar of

iron, but it is moved by a spring in the upper part of the stone in which it appears to be mortised. This

impediment removed, you will easily force your way through the loophole. Drop cautiously, for fear of the

sentinels on the walls; then make your way to the forest, and if you 'scape the arquebusiers who are scouring

Thus dismissed, Fenwolf entered the aperture, which was instantly closed after him by Herne. Carefully

following the instructions of his leader, the keeper passed through the loophole, let himself drop softly down,

and keeping close to the walls of the tower till he heard the sentinels move off, darted swiftly across the street

Meanwhile Herne drew the cowl over his head, and stepping to the door, knocked loudly against it.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, snatching up the lamp and looking around, "where is the prisoner?"

"What! has the fiend flown away with him?" cried the man, in mixed astonishment and alarm.

"He has been set free by Herne the Hunter!" cried the demon. "Tell all who question thee so, and relate what

At the words a bright blue flame illumined the chamber, in the midst of which was seen the tall dark figure of

Herne. His Franciscan's gown had dropped to his feet, and he appeared habited in his wild deerskin garb.

A few minutes after this, as was subsequently ascertained, a tall Franciscan friar threaded the cloisters behind

Saint George's Chapel, and giving the word to the sentinels, passed through the outer door communicating

On the guard's recovery, information of what had occurred was immediately conveyed to the king, who had

not yet retired to rest, but was sitting in his private chamber with the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk. The

intelligence threw him into a great fury: he buffeted the guard, and ordered him to be locked up in the

dungeon whence the prisoner had escaped; reprimanded the canon; directed the Duke of Suffolk, with a

patrol, to make search in the neighbourhood of the castle for the fugitive and the friar; and bade the Duke of

Norfolk get together a band of arquebusiers; and as soon as the latter were assembled, he put himself at their

The cavalcade had proceeded about a mile along the great avenue, when one of the arquebusiers rode up and

said that he heard some distant sounds on the right. Commanding a halt, Henry listened for a moment, and,

satisfied that the man was right, quitted the course he was pursuing, and dashed across the broad glade now

traversed by the avenue called Queen Anne's Ride. As he advanced the rapid trampling of horses was heard,

accompanied by shouts, and presently afterwards a troop of wildlooking horsemen in fantastic garbs was

seen galloping down the hill, pursued by Bouchier and his followers. The king immediately shaped his course

so as to intercept the flying party, and, being in some measure screened by the trees, he burst unexpectedly

Henry called to the fugitives to surrender, but they refused, and, brandishing their long knives and spears,

made a desperate resistance. But they were speedily surrounded and overpowered. Bouchier inquired from

"Hang them all upon yon trees! " cried Henry, pointing to two sister oaks which stood near the scene of strife.

The terrible sentence was immediately carried into execution. Cords were produced, and in less than

halfanhour twenty breathless bodies were swinging from the branches of the two trees indicated by the

"This will serve to deter others from like offences," observed Henry, who had watched the whole proceedings

with savage satisfaction. "And now, Bouchier, how came you to let the leader of these villains escape?"

"Yea, marry, but he has escaped," rejoined Henry; "and he has had the audacity to show himself in the castle

"This is strange indeed, my liege," replied Bouchier, at the close of the king's recital, "and to my thinking, is

"Supernatura!pshaw! banish the idle notion," rejoined Henry sternly. "We are all the dupes of some

jugglery. The caitiff will doubtless return to the forest. Continue your search, therefore, for him throughout

So saying, he rode back to the castle, somewhat appeased by the wholesale vengeance he had taken upon the

In obedience to the orders he had received, Bouchier, with his followers, continued riding about the forest

during the whole night, but without finding anything to reward his search, until about dawn it occurred to him

to return to the trees on which the bodies were suspended. As he approached them he fancied he beheld a

horse standing beneath the nearest tree, and immediately ordered his followers to proceed as noiselessly as

possible, and to keep under the cover of the wood. A nearer advance convinced him that his eyes had not

deceived him. It was a swart, wildlooking horse that he beheld, with eyes that flamed like carbuncles, while

a couple of bodies, evidently snatched from the branches, were laid across his back. A glance at the trees, too,

showed Bouchier that they had been considerably lightened of their hideous spoil.

Seeing this, Bouchier dashed forward. Alarmed by the noise, the wild horse neighed loudly, and a dark figure

instantly dropped from the tree upon its back, and proceeded to disencumber it of its load. But before this

could be accomplished, a bolt from a crossbow, shot by one of Bouchier's followers, pierced the animal's

brain. Rearing aloft, it fell backwards in such manner as would have crushed an ordinary rider, but Herne

slipped off uninjured, and with incredible swiftness darted among the trees. The others started in pursuit, and

a chase commenced in which the demon huntsman had to sustain the part of the deernor could any deer

Away flew the pursued and pursuers over broad glade and through tangled glen, the woods resounding with

their cries. Bouchier did not lose sight of the fugitive for a moment, and urged his men to push on; but,

despite his alternate proffers and menaces, they gained but little on Herne, who, speeding towards the home

Over went Bouchier and his followers, and they then descried him making his way to a large oak standing

almost alone in the centre of a wide glade. An instant afterwards he reached the tree, shook his arm

The next moment Bouchier came up, flung himself from his panting steed, and, with his drawn sword in

hand, forced himself through a rift in its side into the tree. There was a hollow within it large enough to allow

a man to stand upright, and two funnellike holes ran upwards into the branches. Finding nothing, Bouchier

called for a huntingspear, and thrust it as far as he could into the holes above. The point encountered no

obstruction except such as was offered by the wood itself. He stamped upon the ground, and sounded it on all

Issuing forth he next directed his attention to the upper part of the tree, which, while he was occupied inside,

had been very carefully watched by his followers, and not content with viewing it from below, he clambered

into the branches. But they had nothing to show except their own leafy covering.

The careful examination of the ground about the tree at length led to the discovery of a small hole among its

roots, about half a dozen yards from the trunk, and though this hole seemed scarcely large enough to serve for

an entrance to the burrow of a fox, Bouchier deemed it expedient to keep a careful watch over it.

His investigation completed, he dispatched a sergeant of the guard to the castle to acquaint the king with what

Disturbed by the events of the night, Henry obtained little sleep, and at an early hour summoned an attendant,

and demanded whether there were any tidings from the forest The attendant replied that a sergeant of the

guard was without, sent by Captain Bouchier with a message for his majesty. The sergeant was immediately

admitted to the royal presence, and on the close of his marvellous story the king, who had worked himself

into a tremendous fury during its relation, roared out, "What! foiled again? ha! But he shall not escape, if I

have to root up half the trees in the forest. Bouchier and his fellows must be bewitched. Harkye, knaves: get

together a dozen of the best woodmen and yeomen in the castleinstantly, as you value your lives; bid them

bring axe and saw, pick and spade. D'ye mark me? ha! Stay, I have not done. I must have fagots and straw,

for I will burn this tree to the groundburn it to a char. Summon the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolkthe

rascal archer I dubbed the Duke of Shoreditch and his matesthe keepers of the forest and their

houndssummon them quickly, and bid a band of the yeomen of the guard get ready." And he sprang from

The king's commands were executed with such alacrity, that by the time he was fully attired the whole of the

persons he had ordered to he summoned were assembled. Putting himself at their head, he rode forth to the

"So I see, Sir," replied the king angrily. "Hew down the tree instantly, knaves," he added to the woodmen.

Ropes were then fastened to the head of the tree, and the welkin resounded with the rapid strokes of the

hatchets. It was a task of some difficulty, but such zeal and energy were displayed by the woodmen that ere

long the giant trunk lay prostrate on the ground. Its hollows were now fully exposed to view, but they were

"Set fire to the accursed piece of timber!" roared the king, "and burn it to dust, and scatter it to the wind!"

At these orders two yeomen of the guard advanced, and throwing down a heap of fagots, straw, and other

Meanwhile a couple of woodmen, stripped of their jerkins, and with their brawny arms bared to the shoulder,

mounted on the trunk, and strove to split it asunder. Some of the keepers likewise got into the branches, and

peered into every crack and crevice, in the hope of making some discovery. Amongst the latter was Will

Sommers, who had posted himself near a great arm of the tree, which he maintained when lopped off would

Nor were other expedients neglected. A fierce hound had been sent into the hole near the roots of the tree by

Gabriel Lapp, but after a short absence he returned howling and terrified, nor could all the efforts of Gabriel,

seconded by a severe scourging with his heavy dogwhip, induce him to enter it again.

When the hound had come forth, a couple of yeomen advanced to enlarge the opening, while a third with a

pick endeavoured to remove the root, which formed an impediment to their efforts.

"They may dig, but they'll never catch him," observed Shoreditch, who stood by, to his companions.

"Hunting a spirit is not the same thing as training and raising a wolf, or earthing and digging out a badger."

"Not so loud, duke," said Islington; "his majesty may think thy jest irreverent."

"I have an arrow blessed by a priest," said Paddington, "which I shall let fly at the spirit if he appears."

"Here he ishere he is!" cried Will Sommers, as a great white horned owl, which had been concealed in

Paddington bent his bow. The arrow whistled through the air, and in another moment the owl fell fluttering to

the ground completely transfixed; but it underwent no change, as was expected by the credulous archer.

Meanwhile the fire, being kept constantly supplied with fresh fagots, and stirred by the yeomen of the guard,

burnt bravely. The lower part of the tree was already consumed, and the flames, roaring through the hollow

within with a sound like that of a furnace, promised soon to reduce it to charcoal.

The mouth of the hole having now been widened, another keeper, who had brought forward a couple of

lurchers, sent them into it; but in a few moments they returned, as the hound had done, howling and with

scared looks. Without heeding their enraged master, they ran off, with their tails between their legs, towards

"I see how it is, Rufus," said Gabriel, patting his hound, who looked wistfully and halfreproachfully at him.

"Thou wert not to blame, poor fellow! The best dog that ever was whelped cannot be expected to face the

Though long ere this it had become the general opinion that it was useless to persevere further in the search,

the king, with his characteristic obstinacy, would not give it up. In due time the whole of the trunk of the

enormous tree was consumed, and its branches cast into the fire. The roots were rent from the ground, and a

wide and deep trench digged around the spot. The course of the hole was traced for some distance, but it was

At length, after five hours' close watching, Henry's patience was exhausted, and he ordered the pit to be filled

"For all your care, gossip Henry," muttered Will Sommers, as he rode after his royal master to the castle, "the

Amid the gloom hovering over the early history of Windsor Castle appear the mighty phantoms of the

renowned King Arthur and his knights, for whom it is said Merlin reared a magic fortress upon its heights, in

a great hall whereof, decorated with trophies of war and of the chase, was placed the famous Round Table.

But if the antique tale is now worn out, and no longer part of our faith, it is pleasant at least to record it, and

surrendering ourselves for a while to the sway of fancy, to conjure up the old enchanted castle on the hill, to

people its courts with warlike and lovely forms, its forests with fays and giants,

Windsor, or Wyndleshore, so called from the winding banks of the river flowing past it, was the abode of the

ancient Saxon monarchs; and a legend is related by William of Malmesbury of a woodman named Wulwin,

who being stricken with blindness, and having visited eighty seven churches and vainly implored their

tutelary saints for relief, was at last restored to sight by the touch of Edward the Confessor, who further

enhanced the boon by making him keeper of his palace at Windsor. But though this story may be doubted, it

is certain that the pious king above mentioned granted Windsor to the abbot and monks of Saint Peter at

Westminster, "for the hope of eternal reward, the remission of his sins, the sins of his father, mother, and all

his ancestors, and to the praise of Almighty God, as a perpetual endowment and inheritance."

But the royal donation did not long remain in the hands of the priesthood. Struck by the extreme beauty of the

spot, "for that it seemed exceeding profitable and commodious, because situate so near the Thames, the wood

fit for game, and many other particulars lying there, meet and necessary for kingsyea, a place very

convenient for his reception," William the Conqueror prevailed upon Abbot Edwin to accept in exchange for

it Wakendune and Feringes, in Essex, together with three other tenements in Colchester; and having obtained

possession of the coveted hill, he forthwith began to erect a castle upon itoccupying a space of about half a

hide of land. Around it he formed large parks, to enable him to pursue his favourite pastime of hunting; and

As devoted to the chase as his father, William Rufus frequently hunted in the forests of Windsor, and

In the succeeding reignnamely, that of Henry the Firstthe castle was entirely rebuilt and greatly

enlargedassuming somewhat of the character of a palatial residence, having before been little more than a

strong huntingseat. The structure then erected in all probability occupied the same site as the upper and

lower wards of the present pile; but nothing remains of it except perhaps the keep, and of that little beyond its

form and position. In 1109 Henry celebrated the feast of Pentecost with great state and magnificence within

the castle. In 1122 he there espoused his second wife, Adelicia, daughter of Godfrey, Duke of Louvain; and

failing in obtaining issue by her, assembled the barons at Windsor, and causing them, together with David,

King of Scotland, his sister Adela, and her son Stephen, afterwards King of England, to do homage to his

Proof that Windsor Castle was regarded as the second fortress in the realm is afforded by the treaty of peace

between the usurper Stephen and the Empress Maud, in which it is coupled with the Tower of London under

the designation of Mota de Windsor. At the signing of the treaty it was committed to the custody of Richard

In the reign of this monarch many repairs were made in the castle, to which a vineyard was attachedthe

cultivation of the grape being at this time extensively practised throughout England. Strange as the

circumstance may now appear, Stow mentions that vines grew in abundance in the home park in the reign. of

Richard the Second, the wine made from them being consumed at the king's table, and even sold.

It is related by Fabian that Henry, stung by the disobedience and ingratitude of his sons, caused an allegorical

picture to be painted, representing an old eagle assailed by four young ones, which he placed in one of the

chambers of the castle. When asked the meaning of the device, be replied, "I am the old eagle, and the four

eaglets are my sons, Who cease not to pursue my death. The youngest bird, who is tearing out its parent's

eyes, is my son John, my youngest and best loved son, and who yet is the most eager for my destruction."

On his departure for the holy wars Richard Coeur de Lion entrusted the government of the castle to Hugh de

Pudsey, Bishop of Durham and Earl of Northumberland; but a fierce dispute arising between the warrior

prelate and his ambitious colleague, William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, he was seized and imprisoned by

the latter, and compelled to surrender the castle. After an extraordinary display of ostentation, Longchamp

was ousted in his turn. On the arrival of the news of Richard's capture and imprisonment in Austria, the castle

was seized by Prince John; but it was soon afterwards taken possession of in the king's behalf by the barons,

In John's reign the castle became the scene of a foul and terrible event William de Braose, a powerful baron,

having offended the king, his wife Maud was ordered to deliver up her son a hostage for her husband. But

instead of complying with the injunction, she rashly returned for answer"that she would not entrust her

child to the person who could slay his own nephew." Upon which the ruthless king seized her and her son,

and enclosing them in a recess in the wall of the castle, built them up within it.

Sorely pressed by the barons in 1215, John sought refuge within the castle, and in the same year signed the

two charters, Magna Charta and Charta de Foresta, at Runnymede a plain between Windsor and Staines. A

curious account of his frantic demeanour, after divesting himself of so much power and extending so greatly

the liberties of the subject, is given by Holinshed:"Having acted so far contrary to his mind, the king was

right sorrowful in heart, cursed his mother that bare him, and the hour in which he was born; wishing that he

had received death by violence of sword or knife instead of natural nourishment. He whetted his teeth, and

did bite now on one staff, now on another, as he walked, and oft brake the same in pieces when he had done,

and with such disordered behaviour and furious gestures he uttered his grief, that the noblemen very well

perceived the inclination of his inward affection concerning these things before the breakingup of the

council, and therefore sore lamented the state of the realm, guessing what would follow of his impatience,

and displeasant taking of the matter." The faithless king made an attempt to regain his lost power, and war

breaking out afresh in the following year, a numerous army, under the command of William de Nivernois,

besieged the castle, which was stoutly defended by Inglehard de Achie and sixty knights. The barons,

however, learning that John was marching through Norfolk and Suffolk, and ravaging the country, hastily

raised the siege and advanced to meet him. But he avoided them, marched to Stamford and Lincoln, and from

thence towards Wales. On his return from this expedition he was seized with the distemper of which he died.

Henry the Third was an ardent encourager of architecture, and his reign marks the second great epoch in the

annals of the castle. In 1223 eight hundred marks were paid to Engelhard de Cygony, constable of the castle,

John le Draper, and William the clerk of Windsor, masters of the works, and others, for repairs and works

within the castle;. the latter, it is conjectured, referring to the erection of a new great hall within the lower

ward, there being already a hall of small dimensions in the upper court. The windows of the new building

were filled with painted glass, and at the upper end, upon a raised dais, was a gilt throne sustaining a statue of

the king in his robes. Within this vast and richly decorated chamber, in 1240, on the day of the Nativity, an

During the greater part of Henry's long and eventful reign the works within the castle proceeded with

unabated activity. Carpenters were maintained on the royal establishment; the ditch between the hall and the

lower ward was repaired; a new kitchen was built; the bridges were repaired with timber procured from the

neighbouring forests; certain breaches in the wall facing the garden were stopped; the fortifications were

surveyed, and the battlements repaired. At the same time the queen's chamber was painted and wainscoted,

and iron bars were placed before the windows of Prince Edward's chamber. In 1240 Henry commenced

building an apartment for his own use near the wall of the castle, sixty feet long and twentyeight high;

another apartment for the queen contiguous to it; and a chapel, seventy feet long and twenty eight feet wide,

along the same wall, but with a grassy space between it and the royal apartments. The chapel, as appears from

an order to Walter de Grey, Archbishop of York, had a Galilee and a cloister, a lofty wooden roof covered

with lead, and a stone turret in front holding three or four bells. Withinside it was made to appear like

This structure is supposed to have been in existence, under the designation of the Old College Church, in the

latter part of the reign of Henry the Seventh, by whom it was pulled down to make way for the tombhouse.

Traces of its architecture have been discovered by diligent antiquarian research in the south ambulatory of the

Dean's Cloister, and in the door behind the altar in St. George's Chapel, the latter of which is conceived to

have formed the principal entrance to the older structure, and has been described as exhibiting "one of the

most beautiful specimens which time and innovation have respected of the elaborate ornamental work of the

In 1241 Henry commenced operations upon the outworks of the castle, and the three towers on the western

side of the lower wardnow known as the Curfew, the Garter, and the Salisbury Towerswere erected by

him. He also continued the walls along the south side of the lower ward, traces of the architecture of the

period being discoverable in the inner walls of the houses of the almsknights as far as the tower now bearing

his name. From thence it is concluded that the ramparts ran along the east side of the upper ward to a tower

The three towers at the west end of the lower ward, though much dilapidated, present unquestionable features

of the architecture of the thirteenth century. The lower storey of the Curfew Tower, which has been but little

altered, consists of a large vaulted chamber, twentytwo feet wide, with walls of nearly thirteen feet in

thickness, and having arched recesses terminated by loopholes. The walls are covered with the inscriptions of

prisoners who have been confined within it. The Garter Tower, though in a most ruinous condition, exhibits

high architectural beauty in its moulded arches and corbelled passages. The Salisbury Tower retains only

externally, and on the side towards the town, its original aspect. The remains of a fourth tower are discernible

in the Governor of the AlmsKnights' Tower; and Henry the Third's Tower, as before observed, completes

On the 24th of November 1244 Henry issued a writ enjoining "the clerks of the works at Windsor to work

day and night to wainscot the high chamber upon the wall of the castle near our chapel in the upper bailey, so

that it may be ready and properly wainscoted on Friday next [the 24th occurring on a Tuesday, only two days

were allowed for the task], when we come there, with boards radiated and coloured, so that nothing be found

reprehensible in that wainscot; and also to make at each gable of the said chamber one glass window, on the

outside of the inner window of each gable, so that when the inner window shall be closed the glass windows

The following year the works were suspended, but they were afterwards resumed and continued, with few

interruptions; the keep was new constructed; a stone bench was fixed in the wall near the grassplot by the

king's chamber; a bridge was thrown across the ditch to the king's garden, which lay outside the walls; a

barbican was erected, to which a portcullis was subsequently attached; the bridges were defended by strong

iron chains; the old chambers in the upper ward were renovated; a conduit and lavatory were added; and a

In this reign, in all probability, the Norman Tower, which now forms a gateway between the middle and the

upper ward, was erected. This tower, at present allotted to the house keeper of the castle, Lady Mary Fox,

was used as a prisonlodging during the civil wars of Charles the First's time; and many noble and gallant

In 1260 Henry received a visit to Windsor from his daughter Margaret, and her husband, Alexander the

Third, King of Scotland. The queen gave birth to a daughter during her stay at the castle.

In 1264, during the contest between Henry and the barons, the valiant Prince Edward, his son, returning from

a successful expedition into Wales, surprised the citizens of London, and. carrying off their military chest, in

which was much treasure, retired to Windsor Castle and strongly garrisoned it. The Queen Eleanor, his

mother, would fain have joined him there, but she was driven back by the citizens at London Bridge, and

compelled to take sanctuary in the palace of the Bishop of London, at St. Paul's.

Compelled at length to surrender the castle to the barons, and to depart from it with his consort, Eleanor of

Castile, the brave prince soon afterwards recovered it, but was again forced to deliver it up to Simon de

Montford, Earl of Leicester, who appointed Geoffrey de Langele governor. But though frequently wrested

from him at this period, Windsor Castle was never long out of Henry's possession; and in 1265 the chief

citizens of London were imprisoned till they had paid the heavy fine imposed upon them for their adherence

During this reign a terrific storm of wind and thunder occurred, which tore up several great trees in the park,

shook the castle, and blew down a part of the building in which the queen and her family were lodged, but

Four of the children of Edward the First, who was blessed with a numerous offspring, were born at Windsor;

and as he frequently resided at the castle, the town began to increase in importance and consideration. By a

charter granted in 1276 it was created a free borough, and various privileges were conferred on its

inhabitants. Stow tells us that in 1295, on the last day of February, there suddenly arose such a fire in the

castle of Windsor that many offices were therewith consumed, and many goodly images, made to beautify the

Edward the Second, and his beautiful but perfidious queen, Isabella of France, made Windsor Castle their

frequent abode; and here, on the 13th day of November 1312 at forty minutes past five in the morning, was

born a prince, over whose nativity the wizard Merlin must have presided. Baptized within the old chapel by

the name of Edward, this prince became afterwards the third monarch of the name, and the greatest, and was

II. Comprising the Third Great Epoch in the History of the CastleAnd showing how the Most Noble Order

Strongly attached to the place of his birth, Edward the Third, by his letters patent dated from Westminster, in

the twentysecond year of his reign, now founded the ancient chapel established by Henry the First, and

dedicated it to the Virgin, Saint George of Cappadocia, and Saint Edward the Confessor; ordaining that to the

eight canons appointed by his predecessor there should be added one custos, fifteen more canons, and

twentyfour almsknights; the whole to be maintained out of the revenues with which the chapel was to be

endowed. The institution was confirmed by Pope Clement the Sixth, by a bull issued at Avignon the 13th of

In 1349, before the foundation of the college had been confirmed, as above related, Edward instituted the

Order of the Garter. The origin of this illustrious Order has been much disputed. By some writers it has been

ascribed to Richard Coeur de Lion, who is said to have girded a leathern band round the legs of his bravest

knights in. Palestine. By others it has been asserted that it arose from the word "garter" having been used as a

watchword by Edward at the battle of Cressy. Others again have stoutly maintained that its ringlike form bore

mysterious reference to the Round Table. But the popular legend, to which, despite the doubts thrown upon

it, credence still attaches, declares its origin to be as follows: Joan, Countess of Salisbury, a beautiful dame,

of whom Edward was enamoured, while dancing at a high festival accidentally slipped her garter, of blue

embroidered velvet. It was picked up by her royal partner, who, noticing the significant looks of his courtiers

on the occasion, used the words to them which afterwards. became the motto of the Order" Honi soit qui

mal y pense;" adding that "in a short time they should see that garter advanced to so high honour and

But whatever may have originated the Order, it unquestionably owes its establishment to motives of policy.

Wise as valiant, and bent upon prosecuting his claim to the crown of France, Edward, as a means of

accomplishing his object, resolved to collect beneath his standard the best knights in Europe, and to lend a

colour to the design, he gave forth that he intended a restoration of King Arthur's Round Table, and

accordingly commenced constructing within the castle a large circular building of two hundred feet in

diameter, in which he placed a round table. On the completion of the work, he issued proclamations

throughout England, Scotland, France, Burgundy, Flanders, Brabant, and the Empire, inviting all knights

desirous of approving their valour to a solemn feast and jousts to be holden within the castle of Windsor on

Saint George's Day, 1345. The scheme was completely successful. The flower of the chivalry of

Europeexcepting that of Philip the Sixth of France, who, seeing through the design, interdicted the

attendance of his knightswere present at the tournament, which was graced by Edward and his chief nobles,

together with his queen and three hundred of her fairest dames, "adorned with all imaginable gallantry." At

this chivalrous convocation the institution of the Order of the Garter was arranged; but before its final

establishment Edward assembled his principal barons and knights, to determine upon the regulations, when it

The first installation took place on the anniversary of Saint George, the patron of the Order, 1349, when the

king, accompanied by the twenty five knights'companions, attired in gowns of russet, with mantles of fine

blue woollen cloth, powdered with garters, and hearing the other insignia of the Order, marched bareheaded

in solemn procession to the chapel of Saint George, then recently rebuilt, where mass was performed by

William Edington, Bishop of Winchester, after which they partook of a magnificent banquet. The festivities

were continued for several days. At the jousts held on this occasion, David, King of Scotland, the Lord

Charles of Blois, and Ralph, Earl of Eu and Guisnes, and Constable of France, to whom the chief prize of the

day was adjudged, with others, then prisoners, attended. The harness of the King of Scotland, embroidered

with a pale of red velvet, and beneath it a red rose, was provided at Edward's own charge. This suit of armour

was, until a few years back, preserved in the Round Tower, where the royal prisoner was confined. Edward's

The insignia of the Order in the days of its founder were the garter, mantle, surcoat, and hood, the George and

collar being added by Henry the Eighth. The mantle, as before intimated, was originally of fine blue woollen

cloth; but velvet, lined with taffeta, was substituted by Henry the Sixth, the left shoulder being adorned with

the arms of Saint George, embroidered within a garter. Little is known of the materials of which the early

garter was composed; but it is supposed to have been adorned with gold, and fastened with a buckle of the

same metal. The modern garter is of blue velvet, bordered with gold wire, and embroidered with the motto,

"Honi soit qui mal y pense." It is worn on the left leg, a little below the knee. The most magnificent garter

that ever graced a sovereign was that presented to Charles the First by Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden,

each letter in the motto of which was composed of diamonds. The collar is formed of pieces of gold

fashioned like garters, with a blue enamelled ground. The letters of the motto are in gold, with a rose

enamelled red in the centre of each garter. From the collar hangs the George, an ornament enriched with

precious stones, and displaying the figure of the saint encountering the dragon.

The officers of the Order are the prelate, represented by the Bishop of Winchester; the Chancellor, by the

Bishop of Oxford; the registrar, dean, garter kingatarms, and the usher of the black rod. Among the foreign

potentates who have been invested with the Order are eight emperors of Germany, two of Russia, five kings

of France, three of Spain, one of Arragon, seven of Portugal, one of Poland, two of Sweden, six of Denmark,

two of Naples, one of Sicily and Jerusalem, one of Bohemia, two of Scotland, seven princes of Orange, and

Truly hath the learned Selden written, "that the Order of the Garter hath not only precedency of antiquity

before the eldest rank of honour of that kind anywhere established, but it exceeds in majesty, honour, and

fame all chivalrous orders in the world." Well also hath glorious Dryden, in the "Flower and the Leaf," sung

" Behold an order yet of newer date, Doubling their number, equal in their state; Our England's ornament, the

crown's defence, In battle brave, protectors of their prince: Unchanged by fortune, to their sovereign true, For

which their manly legs are bound with blue. These of the Garter call'd, of faith unstain'd, In fighting fields the

In 1357 John, King of France, defeated at the battle of Poitiers by Edward the Black Prince, was brought

captive to Windsor; and on the festival of Saint George in the following year; 1358, Edward outshone all his

former splendid doings by a tournament which he gave in honour of his royal prisoner. Proclamation having

been made as before, and letters of safe conduct issued, the nobles and knighthood of Almayne, Gascoigne,

Scotland, and other countries, flocked to attend it, The Queen of Scotland, Edward's sister, was present at the

jousts; and it is said that John, commenting upon the splendour of the spectacle, shrewdly observed "that he

never saw or knew such royal shows and feastings without some afterreckoning." The same monarch replied

to his kingly captor, who sought to rouse him from dejection, on another occasion "Quomodo cantabimus

That his works might not be retarded for want of hands, Edward in the twentyfourth year of his reign

appointed John de Sponlee master of the stonehewers, with a power not only "to take and keep, as well within

the liberties as without, as many masons and other artificers as were necessary, and to convey them to

Windsor, but to arrest and imprison such as should disobey or refuse; with a command to all sheriffs, mayors,

bailiffs, etc., to assist him." These powers were fully acted upon at a later period, when some of the workmen,

having left their employment, were thrown into Newgate; while the place of others, who had been carried off

In 1356 WILLIAM OF WYKEHAM was constituted superintendent of the works, with the same powers as

John de Sponlee, and his appointment marks an important era in the annals of the castle. Originally secretary

to Edward the Third, this remarkable man became Bishop of Winchester and prelate of the Garter. When he

solicited the bishopric, it is said that Edward told him he was neither a priest nor a scholar; to which he

replied that he would soon be the one, and in regard to the other, he would make more scholars than all the

bishops of England ever did. He made good his word by founding the collegiate school at Winchester, and

erecting New College at Oxford. When the Winchester Tower was finished, he caused the words, HOC

FECIT WYKEHAM, to be carved upon it; and the king, offended at his presumption, Wykeham turned away

his displeasure by declaring that the inscription meant that the castle had made him, and not that he had made

the castle. It is a curious coincidence that this tower, after a lapse of four centuries and a half, should become

the residence of an architect possessing the genius of Wykeham, and who, like him, had rebuilt the kingly

William of Wykeham retired from office, loaded with honours, in 1362, and was succeeded by William de

Mulso. He was interred in the cathedral at Winchester. His arms were argent, two chevrons, sable, between

In 1359 Holinshed relates that the king "set workmen in hand to take down much old buildings belonging to

the castle, and caused divers other fine and sumptuous works to be set up in and about the same castle, so that

almost all the masons and carpenters that were of any account in the land were sent for and employed about

the same works." The old buildings here referred to were probably the remains of the palace and keep of

As the original chapel dedicated to Saint George was demolished by Edward the Fourth, its position and form

cannot be clearly determined, But a conjecture has been hazarded that it occupied the same ground as the

"Upon the question of its style," says Mr. Poynter, from whose valuable account of the castle much

information has been derived, "there is the evidence of two fragments discovered near this site, a corbel and a

piscina, ornamented with foliage strongly characteristic of the Decorated English Gothic, and indicating, by

the remains of colour on their surfaces, that they belonged to an edifice adorned in the polychromatic style, so

elaborately developed in the chapel already built by Edward the Third at Westminster."

The royal lodgings, Saint George's Hall, the buildings on the east and north sides of the upper ward, the

Round Tower, the canons' houses in the lower ward, and the whole circumference of the castle, exclusive of

the towers erected in Henry the Third's reign, were now built. Among the earlier works in Edward's reign is

the Dean's Cloister. The square of the upper ward, added by this monarch, occupied a space of four hundred

and twenty feet, and encroached somewhat upon the middle ward. Externally the walls presented a grim,

regular appearance, broken only by the buttresses, and offering no other apertures than the narrow loopholes

and gateways. Some traces of the architecture of the period may still be discerned in the archway and

machecoulis of the principal gateway adjoining the Round Tower; the basement chamber of the Devil Tower,

or Edward the Third's Tower; and in the range of groined and fourcentred vaulting, extending along the

north side of the upper quadrangle, from the kitchen gateway to King John's Tower.

In 1359 Queen Philippa, consort of Edward the Third, breathed her last in Windsor Castle.

Richard the Second, grandson of Edward the Third, frequently kept his court at Windsor. Here, in 1382, it

was determined by council that war should be declared against France; and here, sixteen years later, on a

scaffold erected within the castle, the famous appeal for high treason was made by Henry of Lancaster, Duke

of Hereford, against Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, the latter of whom defied his accuser to mortal

combat. The duel was stopped by the king, and the adversaries banished; but the Duke of Lancaster

afterwards returned to depose his banisher. About the same time, the citizens of London having refused

Richard a large loan, he summoned the lord mayor, sheriffs, aldermen, and twentyfour of the principal

citizens, to his presence, and after rating them soundly, ordered them all into custody, imprisoning the lord

In this reign Geoffrey Chaucer, "the father of English poetry," was appointed clerk to the works of Saint

George's Chapel, at a salary of two shillings per day (a sum equal to 657 poundsper annum of modern

money), with the same arbitrary power as had been granted to previous surveyors to impress carpenters and

masons. Chaucer did not retain his appointment more than twenty months, and was succeeded by John

It was at Windsor that Henry the Fourth, scarcely assured of the crown he had seized, received intelligence of

a conspiracy against his life from the traitorous Aumerle, who purchased his own safety at the expense of his

confederates. The timely warning enabled the king to baffle the design. It was in Windsor also that the

children of Mortimer, Earl of March, the rightful successor to the throne, were detained as hostages for their

father. Liberated by the Countessdowager of Gloucester, who contrived to open their prison door with false

keys, the youthful captives escaped to the marshes of Wales, where, however, they were overtaken by the

A few years later another illustrious prisoner was brought to Windsor namely, Prince James, the son of

King Robert the Third, and afterwards James the First of Scotland. This prince remained a captive for

upwards of eighteen years; not being released till 1424, in the second of Henry the Sixth, by the Duke of

Bedford, then regent. James's captivity, and his love for Jane of Beaufort, daughter of the Duke of Somerset,

and granddaughter to John of Gaunt, to whom he was united, have breathed a charm over the Round Tower,

where he was confined; and his memory, like that of the chivalrous and poetical Surrey, whom he resembled

In the "King's Quair," the royal poet has left an exquisite picture of a garden nook, contrived within the dry

" Now was there made, fast by the tower's wall, A garden faire, and in the corners set An arbour green with

wandis long and small Railed about, and so with leaves beset Was all the place, and hawthorn hedges knet,

That lyf was none, walking there forbye, That might within scarce any wight espy. So thick the branches and

the leave's green Beshaded all the alleys that there were. And midst of every harbour might be seen The

sharpe, green, sweet juniper, Growing so fair with branches here and there, That as it seemed to a lyf without

And he thus describes the first appearance of the lovely Jane, and the effect produced upon him by her

"And therewith cast I down mine eye again, Where as I saw walking under the tower, Full secretly, new

comyn her to plain, The fairest and the freshest younge flower That e'er I saw, methought, before that hour;

Henry the Fifth occasionally kept his court at Windsor, and in 1416 entertained with great magnificence the

Emperor Sigismund, who brought with him an invaluable relicthe heart of Saint Georgewhich he

bestowed upon the chapter. The emperor was at the same time invested with the Order.

In 1421 the unfortunate Henry the Sixth was born within the castle, and in 1484 he was interred within it.

III. Comprising the Fourth Epoch in the History of the CastleAnd showing how Saint George's Chapel was

Finding the foundation and walls of Saint George's Chapel much dilapidated and decayed, Edward the Fourth

resolved to pull down the pile, and build a larger and statelier structure in its place. With this view, he

constituted Richard Beauchamp, Bishop of Salisbury, surveyor of the works, from whose designs arose the

present beautiful edifice. To enable the bishop to accomplish the work, power was given him to remove all

obstructions, and to enlarge the space by the demolition of the three buildings then commonly called Clure's

The zeal and assiduity with which Beauchamp prosecuted his task is adverted to in the patent of his

appointment to the office of chancellor of the Garter, the preamble whereof recites, "that out of mere love

towards the Order, he had given himself the leisure daily to attend the advancement and progress of this

The chapel, however, was not completed in one reign, or by one architect. Sir Reginald Bray, prime minister

of Henry the Seventh, succeeded Bishop Beauchamp as surveyor of the works, and it was by him that the

matchless roof of the choir and other parts of the fabric were built. Indeed, the frequent appearance of Bray's

arms, sometimes single, sometimes impaling his alliances, in many parts of the ceiling and windows, has led

to the supposition that he himself contributed largely to the expense of the work. The groined ceiling of the

chapel was not commenced till the twentyseventh year of the reign of Henry the Seventh, when the

pinnacles of the roof were decorated with vanes, supported by gilt figures of lions, antelopes, greyhounds,

and dragons, the want of which is still a detriment to the external beauty of the structure,

"The main vaulting of St. George's Chapel," says Mr. Poynter, "is perhaps, without exception, the most

beautiful specimen of the Gothic stone roof in existence; but it has been very improperly classed with those

of the same architectural period in the chapels of King's College, Cambridge, and Henry the Seventh, at

Westminster. The roofing of the aisle and the centre compartment of the body of the building are indeed in

that style, but the vault of the nave and choir differ essentially from fan vaulting, both in drawing and

construction. It is, in fact, a waggon headed vault, broken by Welsh groinsthat is to say, groins which cut

into the main arch below the apex. It is not singular in the principle of its design, but it is unique in its

proportions, in which the exact mean seems to be attained between the poverty and monotony of a waggon

headed ceiling and the ungraceful effect of a mere groined roof with a depressed roof or large spanto

which may be added, that with a richness of effect scarcely, if at all, inferior to fan tracery, it is free from

those abrupt junctions of the lines and other defects of drawing inevitable when the length and breadth of the

compartments of fan vaulting differ very much, of which King's College Chapel exhibits some notable

Supported by these exquisite ribs and groins, the ceiling is decorated with heraldic insignia, displaying the

arms of Edward the Confessor, Edward the Third, Edward the Black Prince, Henry the Sixth, Edward the

Fourth, Henry the Seventh, and Henry the Eighth; with the arms of England and France quartered, the holy

cross, the shield or cross of Saint George, the rose, portcullis, lion rampant, unicorn, fleurdelis, dragon,

and prince's feathers, together with the arms of a multitude of noble families. In the nave are emblazoned the

arms of Henry the Eighth, and of several knightscompanions, among which are those of Charles the Fifth,

Francis the First, and Ferdinand, Infant of Spain. The extreme lightness and graceful proportions of the pillars

lining the aisles contribute greatly to the effect of this part of the structure.

Beautiful, however, as is the body of the chapel, it is not comparable to the choir. Here, and on either side, are

ranged the stalls of the knights, formerly twentysix in number, but now increased to thirtytwo, elaborately

carved in black oak, and covered by canopies of the richest tabernaclework, supported by slender pillars. On

the pedestals is represented the history of the Saviour, and on the front of the stalls at the west end of the

choir is carved the legend of Saint George; while on the outside of the upper seat is cut, in old Saxon

characters, the twentieth Psalm in Latin. On the canopies of the stalls are placed the mantle, helmet, coat, and

sword of the knightscompanions; and above them are hung their emblazoned banners. On the back of each

stall are fixed small enamelled plates, graven with the titles of the knights who have occupied it. The ancient

The altar was formerly adorned with costly hangings of crimson velvet and gold, but these, together with the

consecrated vessels of great value, were seized by order of Parliament in 1642 amid the general plunder of

The sovereign's stall is immediately on the right on the entrance to the choir, and the prince's on the left. The

queen's closet is on the north side above the altar. Beneath it is the beautiful and elaborately wrought

framework of iron, representing a pair of gates between two Gothic towers, designed as a screen to the tomb

of Edward the Fourth, and which, though popularly attributed to Quentin Matsys, has with more justice been

One great blemish to the chapel exists in the window over the altar, the mullions and tracery of which have

been removed to make way for dull colourless copies in painted glass of West's designs. Instead of

steeping the altar in rich suffusion, chequering the walls and pavement with variegated hues, and filling the

whole sacred spot with a warm and congenial glow, these panes produce a cold, cheerless, and most

The removal of this objectionable feature, and the restoration of framework and compartments in the style of

the original, and enriched with ancient mellowtoned and manyhued glass in keeping with the place, are

absolutely indispensable to the completeness and unity of character of the chapel. Two clerestory windows at

the east end of the choir, adjoining the larger window, have been recently filled with stained glass in much

The objections above made may be urged with equal force against the east and west windows of the south

aisle of the body of the fane, and the west window of the north aisle. The glorious west window, composed of

eighty compartments, embellished with figures of kings, patriarchs, and bishops, together with the insignia of

the Garter and the arms of the prelatesthe wreck gathered from all the other windows and streaming

with the radiance of the setting sun upon the broad nave and graceful pillars of the aislesthis superb

window, an admirable specimen of the architecture of the age in which it was designed, had wellnigh shared

the fate of the others, and was only preserved from desecration by the circumstance of the death of the

glasspainter. The mullions of this window being found much decayed, were carefully and consistently

restored during the last year by Mr. Blore, and the ancient stained glass replaced.

Not only does Saint George's Chapel form a house of prayer and a temple of chivalry, but it is also the

burialplace of kings. At the east end of the north aisle of the choir is a plain flag, bearing the words

The coat of mail and surcoat, decorated with rubies and precious stones, together with other rich trophies

once ornamenting this tomb, were carried off by the Parliamentary plunderers. Edward's queen, Elizabeth

Woodville, it was thought, slept beside him; but when the royal tomb was opened in 1789, and the two

coffins within it examined, the smaller one was found empty. The queen's body was subsequently discovered

in a stone coffin by the workmen employed in excavating the vault for George the Third. Edward's coffin was

seven feet long, and contained a perfect skeleton. On the opposite aisle, near the choir door, as already

mentioned, rests the illfated Henry the Sixth, beneath an arch sumptuously embellished by Henry the

Eighth, on the keystone of which may still be seen his arms, supported by two antelopes connected by a

golden chain. Henry's body was removed from Chertsey, where it was first interred, and reburied in 1484,

with much solemnity, in this spot. Such was the opinion entertained of his sanctity that miracles were

supposed to be wrought upon his tomb, and Henry the Seventh applied to have him canonised, but the

demands of the Pope were too exorbitant. The proximity of Henry and Edward in death suggested the

In the royal vault in the choir repose Henry the Eighth and his third queen Jane Seymour, together with the

Space only permits the hasty enumeration of the different chapels and chantries adorning this splendid fane.

These are Lincoln Chapel, near which Richard Beauchamp, Bishop of Salisbury, is buried; Oxenbridge

Chapel; Aldworth Chapel; Bray Chapel, where rests the body of Sir Reginald de Bray, the architect of the

pile; Beaufort Chapel, containing sumptuous monuments of the noble family of that name; Rutland Chapel;

Hastings Chapel; and Urswick Chapel, in which is now placed the cenotaph of the Princess Charlotte,

In a vault near the sovereign's stall lie the remains of the Duke of Gloucester, who died in 1805, and of his

duchess, who died two years after him. And near the entrance of the south door is a slab of grey marble,

beneath which lies \one who in his day filled the highest offices of the realm, and was the brother of a king

and the husband of a queen. It is inscribed with the great name of Charles Brandon.

At the east end of the north aisle is the chapterhouse, in which is a portrait and the sword of state of Edward

Adjoining the chapel on the east stands the royal tombhouse. Commenced by Henry the Seventh as a

mausoleum, but abandoned for the chapel in Westminster Abbey, this structure was granted by Henry the

Eighth to Wolsey, who, intending it as a place of burial for himself, erected within it a sumptuous monument

of black and white marble, with eight large brazen columns placed around it, and four others in the form of

At the time of the cardinal's disgrace, when the building reverted to the crown, the monument was far

advanced towards completionthe vast sum of 4280 ducats having been paid to Benedetto, a Florentine

sculptor, for work, and nearly four hundred pounds for gilding part of it. This tomb was stripped of its

ornaments and destroyed by the Parliamentary rebels in 1646; but the black marble sarcophagus forming part

of it, and intended as a receptacle for Wolsey's own remains, escaped destruction, and now covers the grave

Henry the Eighth was not interred in this mausoleum, but in Saint George's Chapel, as has just been

mentioned, and as he himself directed, "midway between the state and the high altar." Full instructions were

left by him for the erection of a monument which, if it had been completed, would have been truly

magnificent. The pavement was to be of oriental stones, with two great steps upon it of the same material.

The two pillars of the church between which the tomb was to be set were to be covered with basreliefs,

representing the chief events of the Old Testament, angels with gilt garlands, fourteen images of the prophets,

the apostles, the evangelists, and the four doctors of the Church, and at the foot of every image a little child

with a basket full of red and white roses enamelled and gilt. Between these pillars, on a basement of white

marble, the epitaphs of the king and queen were to be written in letters of gold.

On the same basement were to be two tombs of black touchstone supporting the images of the king and

queen, not as dead, but sleeping, "to show," so runs the order, "that famous princes leaving behind them great

fame do never die." On the right hand, at either corner of the tomb, was to be an angel holding the king's

arms, with a great candlestick, and at the opposite corners two other angels hearing the queen's arms and

candlesticks. Between the two black tombs was to rise a high basement, like a sepulchre, surmounted by a

statue of the king on horseback, in armourboth figures to be "of the whole stature of a goodly man and a

large horse." Over this statue was to be a canopy, like a triumphal arch, of white marble, garnished with

oriental stones of divers colours, with the history of Saint John the Baptist wrought in gilt brass upon it, with

a crowning group of the Father holding the soul of the king in his right hand and the soul of the queen in his

The number of statues was to be one hundred and thirtyfour, with forty four basreliefs. It would be matter

of infinite regret that this great design was never executed, if its destruction by the Parliamentary plunderers

Charles the First intended to fit up this structure as a royal mausoleum, but was diverted from the plan by the

outbreak of the civil war. It was afterwards used as a chapel by James the Second, and mass was publicly

performed in it. The ceiling was painted by Verrio, and the walls highly ornamented; but the decorations were

greatly injured by the fury of an antiCatholic mob, who assailed the building, and destroyed its windows, on

In this state it continued till the commencement of the present century, when the exterior was repaired by

George the Third, and a vault, seventy feet in length, twentyeight in width, and fourteen in depth,

constructed within it, for the reception of the royal family. Catacombs, formed of massive octangular pillars,

At the eastern extremity there are five niches, and in the middle twelve low tombs. A subterranean passage

leads from the vault beneath the choir of Saint George's altar to the sepulchre. Within it are deposited the

bodies of George the Third and Queen Charlotte, the Princesses Amelia and Charlotte, the Dukes of Kent and

But to return to the reign of Edward the Fourth, from which the desire to bring down the history of Saint

George's Chapel to the present time has led to the foregoing digression. About the same time that the chapel

was built, habitations for the dean and canons were erected on the northeast of the fane, while another range

of dwellings for the minor canons was built at its west end, disposed in the form of a fetterlock, one of the

badges of Edward the Fourth, and since called the Horse shoe Cloisters. The ambulatory of these cloisters

once displayed a fine specimen of the timber architecture of Henry the Seventh's time, when they were

In 1482 Edward, desirous of advancing his popularity with the citizens of London, invited the lord mayor and

aldermen to Windsor, where he feasted them royally, and treated them to the pleasures of the chase, sending

In 1484 Richard the Third kept the feast of Saint George at Windsor, and the building of the chapel was

The picturesque portion of the castle on the north side of the upper ward, near the Norman Gateway, and

which is one of the noblest Gothic features of the proud pile, was built by Henry the Seventh, whose name it

still bears. The side of this building looking towards the terrace was originally decorated with two rich

windows, but one of them has disappeared, and the other has suffered much damage.

In 1500 the deanery was rebuilt by Dean Urswick. At the lower end of the court, adjoining the canons' houses

behind the Horseshoe Cloisters, stands the Collegiate Library, the date of which is uncertain, though it may

perhaps be referred to this period. The establishment was enriched in later times by a valuable library,

In 1506 Windsor was the scene of great festivity, in consequence of the unexpected arrival of Philip, King of

Castile, and his queen, who had been driven by stress of weather into Weymouth. The royal visitors remained

for several weeks at the castle, during which it continued a scene of revelry, intermixed with the sports of the

chase. At the same time Philip was invested with the Order of the Garter, and installed in the chapel of St.

The great gateway to the lower ward was built in the commencement of the reign of Henry the Eighth; it is

decorated with his arms and devicesthe rose, portcullis, and fleurdelis, and with the bearings of

Catherine of Arragon. In 1522 Charles the Fifth visited Windsor, and was installed I knight of the Garter.

During a period of dissension in the council, Edward the Sixth was removed for safety to Windsor by the

Lord Protector Somerset, and here, at a later period, the youthful monarch received a letter from the council

urging the dismissal of Somerset, with which, by the advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he complied.

In this reign an undertaking to convey water to the castle from Blackmore Park, near Wingfield, a distance of

five miles, was commenced, though it was not till 1555, in the time of Mary, that the plan was accomplished,

when a pipe was brought into the upper ward, "and there the water plenteously did rise thirteen feet high." In

the middle of the court was erected a magnificent fountain, consisting of a canopy raised upon columns,

gorgeously decorated with heraldic ornaments, and surmounted by a great vane, with the arms of Philip and

Mary impaled upon it, and supported by a lion and an eagle, gilt and painted. The water was discharged by a

great dragon, one of the supporters of the Tudor arms, into the cistern beneath, whence it was conveyed by

Mary held her court at Windsor soon after her union with Philip of Spain. About this period the old

habitations of the almsknights on the south side of the lower quadrangle were taken down, and others

Fewer additions were made to Windsor Castle by Elizabeth than might have been expected from her

predilection for it as a place of residence. She extended and widened the north terrace, where, when lodging

within the castle, she daily took exercise, whatever might be the weather. The terrace at this time, as it is

described by Paul Hentzner, and as it appears in Norden's view, was a sort of balcony projecting beyond the

In 1576 the gallery still bearing her name, and lying between Henry the Seventh's buildings and the Norman

Tower, was erected by Elizabeth. This portion of the castle had the good fortune to escape the alterations and

modifications made in almost every other part of the upper ward after the restoration of Charles the Second. It

now forms the library. A large garden was laid out by the same queen, and a small gateway on Castle Hill

built by herwhich afterwards became one of the greatest obstructions to the approach, and it was taken

Elizabeth often hunted in the parks, and exhibited her skill in archery, which was by no means

inconsiderable, at the butts. Her fondness for dramatic performances likewise induced her to erect a stage

within the castle, on which plays and interludes were performed. And to her admiration of the character of

Falstaff, and her love of the locality, the world is indebted for the "Merry Wives of Windsor."

James the First favoured Windsor as much as his predecessors; caroused within its halls, and chased the deer

in its parks; Christian the Fourth of Denmark was sumptuously entertained by him at Windsor. In this reign a

curious dispute occurred between the king and the dean and chapter respecting the repair of a breach in the

wall, which was not brought to issue for three years, when, after much argument, it was decided in favour of

Little was done at Windsor by Charles the First until the tenth year of his reign, when a banquetinghouse

erected by Elizabeth was taken down, and the magnificent fountain constructed by Queen Mary demolished.

Two years after wards "a pyramid or lantern," with a clock, hell, and dial, was ordered to be set up in front of

the castle, and a balcony was erected before the room where Henry the Sixth was born.

In the early part of the year 1642 Charles retired to Windsor to shield himself from the insults of the

populace, and was followed by a committee of the House of Commons, who prevailed upon him to desist

from the prosecution of the impeached members. On the 23rd of October in the same year, Captain Fogg, at

the head of a Parliamentarian force, demanded the keys of the college treasury, and, not being able to obtain

The plunder of the college was completed by Vane, the Parliamentary governor of the castle, who seized

upon the whole of the furniture and decorations of the choir, rifled the tomb of Edward the Fourth, stripped

off all the costly ornaments from Wolsey's tomb, defaced the emblazonings over Henry the Sixth's grave,

broke the rich painted glass of the windows, and wantonly destroyed the exquisite woodwork of the choir.

Towards the close of the year 1648 the illfated Charles was brought a prisoner to Windsor, where he

remained while preparations were made for the execrable tragedy soon afterwards enacted. After the

slaughter of the martyrmonarch the castle became the prison of the Earl of Norwich, Lord Capel, and the

Cromwell frequently resided within the castle, and often took a moody and distrustful walk upon the terrace.

It was during the Protectorate, in 1677, that the ugly buildings appropriated to the naval knights, and standing

between the Garter Tower and Chancellor's Tower, were erected by Sir Francis Crane.

Containing the History of the Castle from the Reign of Charles the Second to that of George the ThirdWith

a few Particulars concerning the Parks and the Forest. Windsor Castle IVContaining the History of the Castle

from the Reign of Charles the Second to that of George the ThirdWith a few Particulars concerning the

ON the Restoration the castle resumed its splendour, and presented a striking contrast to the previous gloomy

period. The terrace, with its festive groups, resembled a picture by Watteau, the courts resounded with

laughter, and the velvet sod of the home park was as often pressed by the foot of frolic beauty as by that of

Seventeen state apartments were erected by Sir Christopher Wren, under the direction of Sir John Denham.

The ceilings were painted by Verrio, and the walls decorated with exquisite carvings by Grinling Gibbons. A

grand staircase was added at the same time. Most of the chambers were hung with tapestry, and all adorned

with pictures and costly furniture. The addition made to the castle by Charles was the part of the north front,

then called the "Star Building," from the star of the Order of the Garter worked in colours in the front of it,

but now denominated the "Stuart Building," extending eastward along the terrace from Henry the Seventh's

building one hundred and seventy feet. In 1676 the ditch was filled up, and the terrace carried along the south

Meanwhile the original character of the castle was completely destroyed and Italianised. The beautiful and

picturesque irregularities of the walls were removed, the towers shaved off, the windows transformed into

commonplace circularheaded apertures. And so the castle remained for more than a century.

Edward the Third's Tower, indifferently called the Earl Marshal's Tower and the Devil Tower, and used as a

place of confinement for state prisoners, was now allotted to the maids of honour. It was intended by Charles

to erect a monument in honour of his martyred father on the site of the tombhouse, which he proposed to

remove, and 70,000 pounds were voted by Parliament for this purpose. The design, however, was abandoned

under the plea that the body could not be found, though it was perfectly well known where it lay. The real

In 1680 an equestrian statue of Charles the Second, executed by Strada, at the expense of Tobias Rustat,

formerly housekeeper at Hampton Court, was placed in the centre of the upper ward. It now stands at the

lower end of the same court. The sculptures on the pedestal were designed by Grinling Gibbons; and Horace

Walpole pleasantly declared that the statue had no other merit than to attract attention to them.

In old times a road, forming a narrow irregular avenue, ran through the woods from the foot of the castle to

Snow Hill but this road having been neglected during a long series of years, the branches of the trees and

underwood had so much encroached upon it as to render it wholly impassable. A grand avenue, two hundred

and forty feet wide, was planned by Charles in its place, and the magnificent approach called the Long Walk

The only material incident connected with the castle during the reign of James the Second has been already

Windsor was not so much favoured as Hampton Court by William the Third, though he contemplated

alterations within it during the latter part of his life which it may be matter of rejoicing were never

Queen Anne's operations were chiefly directed towards the parks, in improving which nearly 40,000 pounds

were expended. In 1707 the extensive avenue running almost parallel with the Long Walk, and called the "

Queen's Walk," was planted by her; and three years afterwards a carriage road was formed through the Long

Walk. A garden was also planned on the north side of the castle. In this reign Sir James Thornhill commenced

painting Charles the Second's staircase with designs from Ovid's Metamorphoses, but did not complete his

task till after the accession of George the First. This staircase was removed in 1800, to make way for the

The first two monarchs of the house of Hanover rarely used Windsor as a residence, preferring Hampton

Court and Kensington; and even George the Third did not actually live in the castle, but in the Queen's

Lodgea large detached building, with no pretension to architectural beauty, which he himself erected

opposite the south terrace, at a cost of nearly 44,000 pounds. With most praiseworthy zeal, and almost

entirely at his own expense, this monarch undertook the restoration of Saint George's Chapel. The work was

commenced in 1787, occupied three years, and was executed by Mr. Emlyn, a local architect. The whole

building was repaved, a new altarscreen and organ added, and the carving restored.

In 1796 Mr. James Wyatt was appointed surveyorgeneral of the royal buildings, and effected many internal

arrangements. Externally he restored Wren's roundheaded windows to their original form, and at the same

Before proceeding further, a word must be said about the parks. The home park, which lies on the east and

north sides of the castle, is about four miles in circumference, and was enlarged and enclosed with a brick

wall by William the Third. On the east, and nearly on the site of the present sunk garden, a bowlinggreen

was laid out by Charles the Second. Below, on the north, were Queen Anne's gardens, since whose time the

declivity of the hill has been planted with forest trees. At the east angle of the north terrace are the beautiful

slopes, with a path skirting the north side of the home park and leading through charming plantations in the

direction of the royal farm and dairy, the ranger's lodge, and the kennel for the queen's harriers. This park

contains many noble trees; and the grove of elms in the southeast, near the spot where the scathed oak

assigned to Herne stands, is traditionally asserted to have been a favourite walk of Queen Elizabeth. It still

The great park is approached by the magnificent avenue called the Long Walk, laid out, as has been stated, by

Charles the Second, and extending to the foot of Snow Hill, the summit of which is crowned by the colossal

equestrian statue of George the Third, by Westmacott. Not far from this point stands Cumberland Lodge,

which derives its name from William, Duke of Cumberland, to whom it was granted in 1744. According to

Norden's survey, in 1607, this park contained 3050 acres; but when surveyed by George the Third it was

found to consist of 3800 acres, of which 200 were covered with water. At that time the park was over grown

with fern and rushes, and abounded in bogs and swamps, which in many places were dangerous and almost

impassable. It contained about three thousand head of deer in bad condition. The park has since been

thoroughly drained, smoothed, and new planted in parts; and two farms have been introduced upon it, under

the direction of Mr. Kent, at which the Flemish and Norfolk modes of husbandry have been successfully

Boasting every variety of forest scenery, and commanding from its knolls and acclivities magnificent views

of the castle, the great park is traversed, in all directions, by green drives threading its. long vistas, or crossing

its open glades, laid out by George the Fourth. Amid the groves at the back of Spring Hill, in a charmingly

sequestered situation, stands a small private chapel, built in the Gothic style, and which was used as a place

of devotion by George the Fourth during the progress of the improvements at the castle, and is sometimes

Not the least of the attractions of the park is Virginia Water, with its bright and beautiful expanse, its cincture

of green banks, soft and smooth as velvet, its screen of noble woods, its Chinese fishingtemple, its frigates,

its ruins, its cascade, cave, and Druidical temple, its obelisk and bridges, with numberless beauties besides,

which it would be superfluous to describe here. This artificial mere covers pretty nearly the same surface of

Windsor forest once comprehended a circumference of a hundred and twenty miles, and comprised part of

Buckinghamshire, a considerable portion of Surrey, and the whole southeast side of Berkshire, as far as

Hungerford. On the Surrey side it included Chobham and Chertsey, and extended along the side of the Wey,

which marked its limits as far as Guildford. In the reign of James the First, when it was surveyed by Norden,

its circuit was estimated at seventyseven miles and a half, exclusive of the liberties extending into

Buckinghamshire. There were fifteen walks within it, each under the charge of a head keeper, and the whole

contained upwards of three thousand head of deer. It is now almost wholly enclosed.

A prince of consummate taste and fine conceptions, George the Fourth meditated, and, what is better,

accomplished the restoration of the castle to more than its original grandeur. lie was singularly fortunate in

his architect. Sir Jeffry Wyatville was to him what William of Wykeham had been to Edward the Third. All

the incongruities of successive reigns were removed: all, or nearly all, the injuries inflicted by time repaired;

and when the work so well commenced was finished, the structure took its place as the noblest and most

To enter into a full detail of Wyatville's achievements is beyond the scope of the present work; but a brief

survey may be taken of them. Never was lofty design more fully realised. View the castle on the north, with

its grand terrace of nearly a thousand feet in length, and high embattled walls; its superb facade,

comprehending the stately Brunswick Tower; the Cornwall Tower, with its gorgeous window; George the

Fourth's Tower, including the great oriel window of the state drawingroom; the restored Stuart buildings,

and those of Henry the Seventh and of Elizabeth; the renovated Norman Tower; the Powder Tower, with the

line of walls as far as the Winchester Tower;view this, and then turn to the east, and behold another front

of marvellous beauty extending more than four hundred feet from north to south, and displaying the Prince of

Wales's Tower, the Chester, Clarence, and Victoria Towersall of which have been raised above their

former level, and enriched by great projecting windows;behold also the beautiful sunken garden, with its

fountain and orangery, its flights of steps, and charming pentagonal terrace;proceed to the south front, of

which the Victoria Tower, with its machicolated battlements and oriel window, forms so superb a feature at

the eastern corner, the magnificent gateway receiving its name from George the Fourth, flanked by the York

and Lancaster Towers, and opening in a continued line from the Long Walk; look at Saint George's Gate,

Edward the Third's renovated tower, and the octagon tower beyond it; look at all these, and if they fail to

excite a due appreciation of the genius that conceived them, gaze at the triumph of the whole, and which lords

over all the restthe Round Towergaze at it, and not here alone, but from the heights of the great park,

from the vistas of the home park, from the bowers of Eton, the meads of Clewer and Datchet, from the

Brocas, the gardens of the naval knightsfrom a hundred points; view it at sunrise when the royal standard

is hoisted, or at sunset when it is lowered, near or at a distance, and it will be admitted to be the work of a

But Wyatville's alterations have not yet been fully considered. Pass through Saint George's Gateway, and

enter the grand quadrangle to which it leads. Let your eye wander round it, beginning with the inner sides of

Edward the Third's Tower and George the Fourth's Gateway, and proceeding to the beautiful private entrance

to the sovereign's apartments, the grand range of windows of the eastern corridor, the proud towers of the

gateway to the household, the tall pointed windows of Saint George's Hall, the state entrance tower, with its

noble windows, until it finally rests upon the Stuart buildings and King John's Tower, at the angle of the pile.

Internally the alterations made by the architects have been of corresponding splendour and importance.

Around the south and east sides of the court at which you are gazing, a spacious corridor has been

constructed, five hundred and fifty feet in length, and connected with the different suites of apartments on

these sides of the quadrangle; extensive alterations have been made in the domestic offices; the state

apartments have been repaired and rearranged; Saint George's Hall has been enlarged by the addition of the

private chapel (the only questionable change), and restored to the Gothic style; and the Waterloo Chamber

built to contain George the Fourth's munificent gift to the nation of the splendid collection of portraits now

"The first and most remarkable characteristic of operations of Sir Jeffry Wyatville on the exterior," observes

Mr. Poynter, "is the judgment with which he has preserved the castle of Edward the Third. Some additions

have been made to it, and with striking effectas the Brunswick Tower, and the western tower of George the

Fourth's Gateway which so nobly terminates the approach from the great park. The more modern buildings

on the north side have also been assimilated to the rest; but the architect has yielded to no temptation to

substitute his own design for that of William of Wykeham, and no small difficulties have been combated and

overcome for the sake of preserving the outline of the edifice, and maintaining the towers in their original

The Winchester Tower, originally inhabited by William of Wykeham, was bestowed upon Sir Jeffry

Wyatville as a residence by George the Fourth; and, on the resignation of the distinguished architect, was

The works within the castle were continued during the reign of William the Fourth, and at its close the actual

cost of the buildings had reached the sum of 771,000, pounds and it has been asserted that the general

The view from the summit of the Round Tower is beyond description magnificent, and commands twelve

countiesnamely, Middlesex, Essex, Hertford, Berks, Bucks, Oxford, Wilts, Hants, Surrey, Sussex, Kent,

and Bedford; while on a clear day the dome of Saint Paul's may be distinguished from it. This tower was

raised thirtythree feet by Sir Jeffry Wyatville, crowned with a machicolated battlement, and surmounted

The circumference of the castle is 4180 feet; the length from east to west, 1480 feet; and the area, exclusive

For the present the works are suspended. But it is to be hoped that the design of Sir Jeffry Wyatville will be

fully carried out in the lower ward, by the removal of such houses on the north as would lay Saint George's

Chapel open to view from this side; by the demolition of the old incongruous buildings lying westward of the

bastion near the Hundred Steps, by the opening out of the pointed roof of the library; the repair and

reconstruction in their original style of the Curfew, the Garter, and the Salisbury Towers; and the erection of

a lower terrace extending outside the castle, from the bastion above mentioned to the point of termination of

the improvements, and accessible from the town; the construction of which terrace would necessitate the

removal of the disfiguring and encroaching houses on the east side of Thames Street. This accomplished,

Crane's ugly buildings removed, and the three western towers laid open to the court, the Horseshoe Cloisters

consistently repaired, Windsor Castle would indeed be complete. And fervently do we hope that this desirable

I Of the Interview between Henry and Catherine of Arragon in the Urswick ChapelAnd how it was

IT was now the joyous month of June; and where is June so joyous as within the courts and halls of peerless

Windsor? Where does the summer sun shine so brightly as upon its stately gardens and broad terraces, its

matchless parks, its silver belting river and its circumference of proud and regal towers? Nowhere in the

world. At all seasons Windsor is magnificent: whether, in winter, she looks upon her garnitures of woods

stripped of their foliageher river covered with iceor the wide expanse of country around her sheeted

with snowor, in autumn, gazes on the same scenea world of goldentinted leaves, brown meadows, or

glowing cornfields. But summer is her season of beautyJune is the month when her woods are fullest and

greenest; when her groves are shadiest; her avenues most delicious; when her river sparkles like a diamond

zone; when town and village, mansion and cot, church and tower, hill and vale, the distant capital itselfall

within vieware seen to the highest advantage. At such a season it is impossible to behold from afar the

heights of Windsor, crowned, like the Phrygian goddess, by a castled diadem, and backed by lordly woods,

and withhold a burst of enthusiasm and delight. And it is equally impossible, at such a season, to stand on the

grand northern terrace, and gaze first at the proud pile enshrining the sovereign mistress of the land, and then

gaze on the unequalled prospect spread out before it, embracing in its wide range every kind of beauty that

the country can boast, and not be struck with the thought that the perfect and majestic castle

It was the chance of the writer of these lines upon one occasion to behold his sovereign under circumstances

which he esteems singularly fortunate. She was taking rapid exercise with the prince upon the south side of

the gardenterrace. All at once the royal pair paused at the summit of the ascent leading from George the

Fourth's gateway. The prince disappeared along the eastern terrace, leaving the queen alone. And there she

stood, her slight, faultless figure sharply defined against the clear sky. Nothing was wanting to complete the

picture: the great baywindows of the Victoria Tower on the one handthe balustrade of the terrace on the

otherthe home park beyond. It was thrilling to feel that that small, solitary figure comprehended all the

might and majesty of Englandand a thousand kindling aspirations were awakened by the thought.

But it was, as has been said, the merry month of June, and Windsor Castle looked down in all its

magnificence upon the pomp of woods, and upon the twelve fair and smiling counties lying within its ken. A

joyous stir was within its courtsthe gleam of arms and the fluttering of banners was seen upon its

battlements and towers, and the ringing of bells, the beating of drums, and the fanfares of trumpets, mingled

Amidst this tumult a grave procession issued from the deanery, and took its way across the lower quadrangle,

which was thronged with officers and menatarms, in the direction of the lower gate. Just as it arrived there

a distant gun was heard, and an answering peal was instantly fired from the culverins of the Curfew Tower,

while a broad standard, emblazoned with the arms of France and England within the garter, and having for

supporters the English lion crowned and the red dragon sinister, was reared upon the keep. All these

preparations betokened the approach of the king, who was returning to the castle after six weeks' absence.

Though information of the king's visit to the castle had only preceded him by a few hours, everything was

ready for his reception, and the greatest exertions were used to give splendour to it.

In spite of his stubborn and tyrannical nature, Henry was a popular monarch, and never showed himself

before his subjects but he gained their applauses; his love of pomp, his handsome person, and manly

deportment, always winning him homage from the multitude. But at no period was he in a more critical

position than the present. The meditated divorce from Catherine of Arragon was a step which found no

sympathy from the better portion of his subjects, while the illassorted union of Anne Boleyn, an avowed

Lutheran, which it was known would follow it, was equally objectionable. The seeds of discontent had been

widely sown in the capital; and tumults had occurred which, though promptly checked, had nevertheless

alarmed the king, coupled as they were with the disapprobation of his ministers, the sneering remonstrances

of France, the menaces of the Papal See, and the open hostilities of Spain. But the characteristic obstinacy of

his nature kept him firm to his point, and he resolved to carry it, be the consequences what they might.

All his efforts to win over Campeggio proved fruitless. The legate was deaf to his menaces or promises, well

knowing that to aid Anne Boleyn would be to seriously affect the interests of the Church of Rome.

The affair, however, so long and so artfully delayed, was now drawing to a close. A court was appointed by

the legates to be holden on the 18th of June, at Blackfriars, to try the question. Gardiner had been recalled

from Rome to act as counsel for Henry; and the monarch, determining to appear by proxy at the trial, left his

palace at Bridewell the day before it was to come on, and set out with Anne Boleyn and his chief attendants

Whatever secret feelings might be entertained against him, Henry was received by the inhabitants of Windsor

with every demonstration of loyalty and affection. Deafening shouts rent the air as he approached; blessings

and good wishes were showered upon him; and hundreds of caps were flung into the air. But noticing that

Anne Boleyn was received with evil looks and in stern silence, and construing this into an affront to himself,

Henry not only made slight and haughty acknowledgment of the welcome given him, but looked out for some

pretext to manifest his displeasure. Luckily none was afforded him, and he entered the castle in a sullen

The day was spent in gentle exercise within the home park and on the terrace, and the king affected the

utmost gaiety and indifference; but those acquainted with him could readily perceive he was ill at ease. In the

evening he remained for some time alone in his closet penning despatches, and then summoning an attendant,

"Well, Bouchier," he said, as the officer made his appearance, "have you obeyed my instructions in regard to

"I have, my liege," replied Bouchier. "In obedience to your majesty's commands, immediately after your

arrival at the castle I rode to the forester's hut, and ascertained that the damsel was still there."

It was the first time I had seen her, my liege," replied Bouchier; "but I do not think she could have ever

"I am well assured of it," replied Henry. "The pressure of affairs during my absence from the castle had

banished her image from my mind; but now it returns as forcibly as before. And you have so arranged it that

"It is well," pursued Henry; "but what more?for you look as if you had something further to declare."

"Your majesty will not have forgotten how you exterminated the band of Herne the Hunter?" said Bouchier.

"Mother of Heaven, no!" cried the king, starting up;"I have not forgotten it. What of them ?Ha! have they

come to life again?do they scour the parks once more? That were indeed a marvel!"

"What I have to relate is almost as great a marvel," returned Bouchier. "I have not heard of the resurrection of

the band though for aught I know it may have occurred. But Herne has been seen again in the forest. Several

of the keepers have been scared by himtravellers have been affrighted and plunderedand no one will

"Amazement!" cried Henry, again seating himself; once let the divorce be settled, and I will effectually check

"Pray heaven your majesty may be able to do so! "replied Bouchier. "But I have always been of opinion that

the only way to get rid of the demon would be by the aid of the Church. He is unassailable by mortal

"It would almost seem so," said the king. "And yet I do not like to yield to the notion."

"I shrewdly suspect that old Tristram Lyndwood, the grandsire of the damsel upon whom your majesty has

deigned to cast your regards, is in some way or other leagued with Herne," said Bouchier. "At all events, I

saw him with a tall hideouslooking personage, whose name I understand to be Valentine Hagthorne, and

"I did not like to do so without your majesty's authority," replied Bouchier. "Besides, I could scarcely arrest

Hagthorne without at the same time securing the old forester, which might have alarmed the damsel. But I am

"Let a party of men go in search of Hagthorne tonight" replied Henry; "and while Mabel is brought to the

castle tomorrow, do you arrest old Tristram, and keep him in custody till I have leisure to examine him."

"It shall be done as you desire, my liege," replied Bouchier, bowing and departing.

Shortly after this Henry, accompanied by Anne Boleyn, proceeded with his attendants to Saint George's

Chapel, and heard vespers performed. Just as he was about to return, an usher advanced towards him, and

making a profound reverence, said that a masked dame, whose habiliments proclaimed her of the highest

"In the north aisle, an't please your majesty," replied the usher, "near the Urswick Chapel. I told her that this

was not the place for an audience of your majesty, nor the time; but she would not be said nay, and therefore,

at the risk of incurring your sovereign displeasure, I have ventured to proffer her request."

The usher omitted to state that his chief inducement to incur the risk was a valuable ring, given him by the

"Well, I will go to her," said the king. " I pray you, excuse me for a short space, fair mistress," he added to

And quitting the choir, he entered the northern aisle, and casting his eyes down the line of noble columns by

which it is flanked, and seeing no one, he concluded that the lady must have retired into the Urswick Chapel.

And so it proved; for on reaching this exquisite little shrine he perceived a tall masked dame within it, clad in

robes of the richest black velvet. As he entered the chapel, the lady advanced towards him, and throwing

herself on her knees, removed her maskdisclosing features stamped with sorrow and suffering, but still

retaining an expression of the greatest dignity. They were those of Catherine of Arragon.

Uttering an angry exclamation, Henry turned on his heel and would have left her, but she clung to the skirts

"Hear me a moment, Henrymy kingmy husbandone single moment hear me!" cried Catherine, in

"Blessings on you for the word! "cried the queen, covering his hand with kisses. "I am indeed your own true

Rise, madam!" cried Henry coldly; "this posture beseems not Catherine of Arragon."

"I obey you now as I have ever done," she replied, rising; "though if I followed the prompting of my heart, I

"You have, done wrong in coming here, Catherine, at this juncture," said Henry, "and may compel me to

"No one knows I am here," replied the queen, "except two faithful attendants, who are vowed to secrecy; and

"I am glad you have taken these precautions," replied Henry. "Now speak freely, but again I must bid you be

"I will be as brief as I can," replied the queen; "but I pray you bear with me, Henry, if I unhappily weary you.

I am full of misery and affliction, and never was daughter and wife of king wretched as I am. Pity me,

Henrypity me! But that I restrain myself, I should pour forth my soul in tears before you. Oh, Henry, after

twenty years' duty and to be brought to this unspeakable shameto be cast from you with dishonourto be

"If you have only come here to utter reproaches, madam, I must put an end to the interview," said Henry,

"I do not reproach you, Henry," replied Catherine meekly, "I only wish to show you the depth and extent of

my affection. I only implore you to do me right and justicenot to bring shame upon me to cover your own

wrongful action. Have compassion upon the princess our daughter spare her, if you will not spare me!"

"You sue in vain, Catherine," replied Henry. "I lament your condition, but my eyes are fully opened to the

"An unworthy prevarication," replied Catherine, "by which you seek to work my ruin, and accomplish your

union with Anne Boleyn. And you will no doubt succeed; for what can I, a feeble woman, and a stranger in

your country, do to prevent it? You will succeed, I sayyou will divorce me and place her upon the throne.

"She will bring dishonour upon you," pursued Catherine. "The woman who has no regard for ties so sacred as

"No more of this!" cried Henry. "You suffer your resentment to carry you too far."

"Too far!" exclaimed Catherine. "Too far!Is to warn you that you are about to take a wanton to your

bedand that you will bitterly repent your folly when too late, going too far? It is my duty, Henry, no less

"No, my dear liege, not a hundredth part of what my heart prompts me to utter," replied Catherine. "I conjure

you by my strong and tried affectionby the tenderness that has for years subsisted between us by your

hopes of temporal prosperity and spiritual welfareby all you hold dear and sacredto pause while there is

yet time. Let the legates meet tomorrowlet them pronounce sentence against me and as surely as those

"Tut, tut!" exclaimed Henry impatiently, "you will live many years in happy retirement."

"I will die as I have liveda queen," replied Catherine; "but my life will not be long. Now, answer me

"I say if she does," pursued Catherine, "and you are satisfied of her guilt, will you be content with divorcing

"No, by my father's head!" cried Henry fiercely. "If such a thing were to happen, which I hold impossible, she

"Enough," said the queen: "if I cannot have right and justice I shall at least have vengeance, though it will

"No, Henry; it is not jealousy," replied the queen, with dignity. "The daughter of Ferdinand of Spain and

Isabella of Castile, with the best blood of Europe in her veins, would despise herself if she could entertain so

"Not yet, Henryfor the love of Heaven, not yet!" implored Catherine. "Oh, bethink you by whom we were

joined together!by your father, Henry the Seventhone of the wisest princes that ever sat on a throne; and

by the sanction of my own father, Ferdinand the Fifth, one of the justest. Would they have sanctioned the

match if it had been unlawful? Were they destitute of good counsellors? Were they indifferent to the future?"

"You had better reserve these arguments for the legates' ears tomorrow, madam," said Henry sternly.

"I shall urge them there with all the force I can," replied Catherine, " for I will leave nought untried to hinder

"Because it is due to youto myselfto the princess our daughterto our illustrious progenitorsand to

our people, to make it," replied Catherine. "I should be unworthy to be your consort if I acted otherwiseand

I will never, in thought, word, or deed, do aught derogatory to that title. You may divorce me, but I will never

assent to it; you may wed Anne Boleyn, but she will never be your lawful spouse; and you may cast me from

"I know you to be contumacious, madam," replied Henry. "And now, I pray you, resume your mask, and

"I perceive it," replied Catherine. "Farewell, Henryfarewell, loved husband of my heartfarewell for

"Your maskyour mask, madam!" cried Henry impatiently. "God's death! footsteps are approaching. Lot no

"I will come in," said Anne Boleyn, stepping into the chapel just as Catherine had replaced her mask. "Ah!

your majesty looks confused. I fear I have interrupted some amorous conference."

"Come with me, Anne," said Henry, taking her arm, and trying to draw her away" come with me."

"Not till I learn who your ladylove is," replied Anne pettishly. "You affect to be jealous of me, my liege,

but I have much more reason to be jealous of you. When you were last at Windsor, I heard you paid a secret

visit to a fair maiden near the lake in the park, and now you are holding an interview with a masked dame

"Ay, the queen!" echoed Catherine, unmasking. "Henry, if you have any respect left for me, I pray you order

"Lady Anne, I pray you retire," said Henry. But Anne stood her ground resolutely.

"Nay, let her stay, then," said the queen; "and I promise you she shall repent her rashness. And do you stay

too, Henry, and regard well her whom you are about to make your spouse. Question your sister Mary,

somewhile consort to Louis the Twelfth and now Duchess of Suffolk question her as to the character and

conduct of Anne Boleyn when she was her attendant at the court of Franceask whether she had never to

reprove her for levityquestion the Lord Percy as to her love for him question Sir Thomas Wyat, and a

Let the king inquire and judge for himself," rejoined Catherine; "and if he weds you, let him look well to you,

or you will make him a scoff to all honourable men. And now, as you have come between him and meas

you have divided husband and wife for the intent, whether successful or not, I denounce you before

Heaven, and invoke its wrath upon your head. Night and day I will pray that you may be brought to shame;

and when I shall be called hence, as I maybe soon, I will appear before the throne of the Most High, and

"No, you shall stay," said Catherine, grasping her arm and detaining her; "you shall hear your doom. You

imagine your career will be a brilliant one, and that you will be able to wield the sceptre you wrongfully

wrest from me; but it will moulder into dust in your handthe crown unjustly placed upon your brow will

"You shall hear me out," pursued Catherine, exerting all her strength, and maintaining her grasp, " or I will

follow you down yon aisles, and pour forth my malediction against you in the hearing of all your attendants.

You have braved me, and shall feel my power. Look at her, Henrysee how she shrinks before the gaze of

"She has," replied Catherine; "and, unless she pauses and repents, she will bring yet more upon her head. You

suffer now, minion, but how will you feel when, in your turn, you are despised, neglected, and supplanted by

a rivalwhen the false glitter of your charms having passed away, Henry will see only your faults, and will

"You will feel as I feel towards you," pursued the queen"hatred towards her; but you will not have the

consolations I enjoy. You will have merited your fate, and you will then think upon me and my woes, and

will bitterly, but unavailingly, repent your conduct. And now, Henry," she exclaimed, turning solemnly to

him, "you have pledged your royal word to me, and given me your hand upon it, that if you find this woman

false to you she shall expiate her offence on the block. I call upon you to ratify the pledge in her presence."

"I do so, Catherine," replied the king. "The mere suspicion of her guilt shall be enough."

"Tremble, then, Anne Boleyn!" cried Catherine, "tremble! and when you are adjudged to die the death of an

adulteress, bethink you of the prediction of the queen you have injured. I may not live to witness your fate,

"Oh, Henry, this is too much!" gasped Anne, and she sank fainting into his arms.

"It were well for us both if I had done so," replied Catherine. "But she will recover to work my misery and

Henry, meanwhile, anxious to avoid the comments of his attendants, exerted himself to restore Anne Boleyn

"Is it then reality?" gasped Anne, as she gazed around. "I hoped it was a hideous dream. Oh, Henry, this has

been frightful! But you will not kill me, as she predicted? Swear to me you will not!"

"Why should you be alarmed?" rejoined the king. "If you are faithful, you have nothing to fear."

"You must put the greater guard upon your conduct," rejoined the king moodily. "I begin to think there is

"Oh no, I swear to you there is not," said Anne"I have trifled with the gallants of Francis's court, and have

listened, perhaps too complacently, to the lovevows of Percy and Wyat, but when your majesty deigned to

cast eyes upon me, all others vanished as the stars of night before the rising of the god of day. Henry, I love

you deeply, devotedlybut Catherine's terrible imprecations make me feel more keenly than I have ever

done before the extent of the wrong I am about to inflict upon herand I fear that retributive punishment

"You will do her no wrong," replied Henry. "I am satisfied of the justice of the divorce, and of its necessity;

and if my purposed union with you were out of the question, I should demand it. Be the fault on my head."

"Your words restore me in some measure, my liege," said Anne. "I love you too well not to risk body and

"I thought I saw a face at the window," she replied"a black and hideous face like that of a fiend."

"It was mere fancy," replied the king. "Your mind is disturbed by what has occurred. You had better join your

"Oh, Henry!" cried Anne" do not judge me unheard do not believe what any false tongue may utter

against me. I love only you and can love only you. I would not wrong you, even in thought, for worlds."

So saying, he led her down the aisle to her attendants. They then proceeded together to the royal lodgings,

where Anne retired to her own apartments, and Henry withdrew to his private chamber.

Henry again sat down to his despatches, and employed himself upon them to a late hour. At length, feeling

heated and oppressed, he arose, and opened a window. As he did so, he was almost blinded by a vivid flash of

forked lightning. Ever ready to court danger, and convinced, from the intense gloom without, that a fearful

storm was coming on, Henry resolved to go forth to witness it. With this view he quitted the closet, and

passed through a small door opening on the northern terrace. The castle clock tolled the hour of midnight as

he issued forth, and the darkness was so profound that he could scarcely see a foot before him. But he went

"Who goes there?" cried a voice, as he advanced, and a partisan was placed at his breast.

"The king! " replied Henry, in tones that would have left no doubt of the truth of the assertion, even if a

gleam of lightning had not at the moment revealed his figure and countenance to the sentinel.

"I did not look for your majesty at such a time," replied the man, lowering his pike. "Has your majesty no

apprehension of the storm? I have watched it gathering in the valley, and it will be a dreadful one. If I might

make bold to counsel you, I would advise you to seek instant shelter in the castle."

"I have no fear, good fellow," laughed the king. " Get thee in yon porch, and leave the terrace to me. I will

As he spoke a tremendous peal of thunder broke overhead, and seemed to shake the strong pile to its

foundations. Again the lightning rent the black canopy of heaven in various places, and shot down in forked

flashes of the most dazzling brightness. A rack of clouds, heavily charged with electric fluid, hung right over

Henry paced slowly to and fro, utterly indifferent to the peril he rannow watching the lightning as it

shivered some oak in the home park, or lighted up the wide expanse of country around himnow listening to

the roar of heaven's artillery; and he had just quitted the western extremity of the terrace, when the most

terrific crash he had yet heard burst over him. The next instant a dozen forked flashes shot from the sky,

while fiery coruscations blazed athwart it; and at the same moment a bolt struck the Wykeham Tower, beside

which he had been recently standing. Startled by the appalling sound, he turned and beheld upon the

battlemented parapet on his left a tall ghostly figure, whose antlered helm told him it was Herne the Hunter.

Dilated against the flaming sky, the proportions of the demon seemed gigantic. His right hand was stretched

forth towards the king, and in his left he held a rusty chain. Henry grasped the handle of his sword, and partly

"You thought you had got rid of me, Harry of England," cried Herne, "but were you to lay the weight of this

"I am come to keep company with you, Harry," replied the demon; "this is a night when only you and I

should be abroad. We know how to enjoy it. We like the music of the loud thunder, and the dance of the

"Avaunt, fiend!" cried Henry. "I will hold no converse with thee. Back to thy native hell!"

"You have no power over me, Harry," rejoined the demon, his words mingling with the rolling of the thunder,

"for your thoughts are evil, and you are about to do an accursed deed. You cannot dismiss me. Before the

commission of every great crimeand many great crimes you will commitI will always appear to you.

"I laugh at thy menaces," rejoined Herne, amid another peal of thunder" but I have not yet done. Harry of

England! your career shall be stained in blood. Your wrath shall descend upon the heads of those who love

you, and your love shall be fatal. Better Anne Boleyn fled this castle, and sought shelter in the lowliest hovel

in the land, than become your spouse. For you will slay herand not her alone. Another shall fall by your

"You will learn in due season," laughed the fiend. "But now mark me, Harry of England, thou fierce and

bloody kinthou shalt be drunken with the blood of thy wives; and thy end shall be a fearful one. Thou shalt

linger out a living deatha mass of breathing corruption shalt thou becomeand when dead the very

These awful words, involving a fearful prophecy, which was afterwards, as will be shown, strangely fulfilled,

were so mixed up with the rolling of the thunder that Henry could scarcely distinguish one sound from the

other. At the close of the latter speech a flash of lightning of such dazzling brilliancy shot down past him, that

he remained for some moments almost blinded; and when he recovered his powers of vision the demon had

III. How Mabel Lyndwood was taken to the Castle by Nicholas Clamp And how they encountered Morgan

THE storm which had fallen so heavily on the castle had likewise visited the lake, and alarmed the inmates of

the little dwelling on its banks. Both the forester and his granddaughter were roused from their beds, and

they sat together in the chief apartment of the cottage, listening to the awful rolling of the thunder, and

watching the blue flashing of the lightning. The storm was of unusually long duration, and continued for

more than an hour with unintermitted violence. It then paused; the thunder rolled off, and the flashes of

lightning grew fainter and less frequent. During the storm Mabel continued on her knees, addressing the most

earnest prayers to the Virgin for her preservation and that of her grandfather; but the old forester, though

evidently much alarmed, uttered not a single supplication, but remained sitting in his chair with a sullen,

scared look. As the thunder died away, he recovered his composure, and addressed himself to soothe the fears

of his granddaughter. In this he had partially succeeded, and was urging her again to seek her couch, when

the storm recommenced with fresh fury. Mabel once more fell on her knees, and the old man resumed his

sullen posture. Another dreadful halfhour, marked by a succession of terrible peals and vivid flashes,

succeeded, when, amidst an awful pause, Mabel ventured to address her old relative.

"Why do you not pray, grandfather? "she said, regarding him uneasily. "Sister Anastasia and good Father

Anselm always taught me to utter an Ave and cross myself during a thunderstorm. Why do you not pray,

"But your cheeks and lips are blanched," rejoined Mabel; "and I observed you shudder during that last awful

"Peace, wench, and mind your own business!" returned the old man angrily. "The storm will soon be overit

"The saints preserve us! " cried Mabel, as a tremendous concussion was heard overhead, followed by a strong

For a few minutes Mabel continued in a state of stupefaction. She then staggered to the door, and beheld her

grandfather occupied with two dark figures, whom she recognised as Valentine Hagthorne and Morgan

Fenwolf, in extinguishing the flames, which were bursting from the thatched roof of the hut. Surprise and

terror held her silent, and the others were so busily engaged that they did not notice her.

At last, by their united efforts, the fire was got under without material damage to the little building, and

Mabel retired, expecting her grandsire to return; but as he did not do so, and as almost instantly afterwards

the plash of oars was heard en the lake, she flew to the window, and beheld him, by the gleam of the

lightning, seated in the skiff with Morgan Fenwolf, while Valentine Hagthorne had mounted a black horse,

and was galloping swiftly away. Mabel saw no more. Overcome by fright, she sank on the ground insensible.

When she recovered the storm had entirely ceased. A heavy shower had fallen, but the sky was now perfectly

clear, and day had begun to dawn. Mabel went to the door of the hut, and looked forth for her grandfather, but

he was nowhere to be seen. She remained gazing at the now peaceful lake till the sun had fairly risen, when,

feeling more composed, she retired to rest, and sleep, which had been banished from them during the greater

When she awoke, the day was far advanced, but still old Tristram had not returned; and with a heavy heart

she set about her household concerns. The thought, however, of her anticipated visit to the castle speedily

dispelled her anxiety, and she began to make preparations for setting out, attiring herself with unusual care.

Bouchier had not experienced much difficulty in persuading her to obey the king's behest, and by his artful

representations he had likewise induced her grandfather to give his consent to the visitthe old forester only

stipulating that she should be escorted there and back by a falconer, named Nicholas Clamp, in whom he

At length five o'clock, the appointed hour, arrived, and with it came Nicholas Clamp. He was a tall,

middleaged man, with yellow hair, clipped closely over his brows, and a beard and moustaches to match.

His attire resembled that of a keeper of the forest, and consisted of a doublet and hose of green cloth; but he

did not carry a bugle or hunting knife. His sole weapon was a stout quarterstaff. After some little hesitation

The evening was delightful, and their way through the woods was marked by numberless points of beauty.

Mabel said little, for her thoughts were running upon her grandfather, and upon his prolonged and mysterious

absence; but the falconer talked of the damage done by the thunderstorm, which he declared was the most

awful he had ever witnessed; and he pointed out to her several trees struck by the lightning. Proceeding in

this way, they gained a road leading from Blacknest, when, from behind a large oak, the trunk of which had

concealed him from view, Morgan Fenwolf started forth, and planted himself in their path. The gear of the

proscribed keeper was wild and ragged, his locks matted and disordered, his demeanour savage, and his

"I have been waiting for you for some time, Mabel Lyndwood," he said. "You must go with me to your

"My grandfather would never send you for me," replied Mabel; "but if he did, I will not trust myself with

"The saints preserve us!" cried Nicholas Clamp. "Can I believe my eyes!do I behold Morgan Fenwolf!"

"She shall not stir an inch! " cried the falconer. "It is thou, Morgan Fenwolf, who must go with me. Thou art a

proscribed felon, and thy life is forfeit to the king. Yield thee, dog, as my prisoner!"

"Thy prisoner!" echoed Fenwolf scornfully. "It would take three such as thou art to make me captive! Mabel

Lyndwood, in your grandfather's name, I command you to come with me, and let Nick Clamp look to himself

"Nick will do something more than hinder her," rejoined the falconer, brandishing his staff, and rushing upon

Before the falconer could reach him, Morgan Fenwolf plucked a long huntingknife from his girdle, and

made a desperate stab at his assailant. But Clamp avoided the blow, and striking Fenwolf on the shins,

The result was still doubtful, when the struggle was suddenly interrupted by the trampling of horse

approaching from the side of Windsor; and at the sound Morgan Fenwolf disengaged himself from his

antagonist and plunged into the adjoining wood. The next moment Captain Bouchier rode up, followed by a

small band of halberdiers, and receiving information from the falconer of what had occurred, darted with his

men into the wood in search of the fugitive. Nicholas Clamp and his companion did not await the issue of the

As they walked at a brisk pace, they reached the long avenue in about halfanhour, and took their way

down it. When within a mile of the castle they were overtaken by Bouchier and his followers, and the

falconer was much disappointed to learn that they had failed in tracking Morgan Fenwolf to his lair. After

Soon after this the pair quitted the great park, and passing through a row of straggling houses, divided by

gardens and closes, which skirted the foot of Castle Hill, presently reached the lower gate. They were

admitted without difficulty; but just as they entered the lower ward the falconer was hailed by Shoreditch and

Clamp obeyed the call and went towards them, and it was evident, from the gestures of the archers, that they

were making inquiries about Mabel, whose appearance seemed to interest them greatly. After a brief

conversation with the falconer they approached her, and, respectfully addressing her, begged leave to attend

her to the royal lodgings, whither they understood she was going. No objection being made to the proposal by

Passing through the gateway of the Norman Tower, they stopped before a low portal in a picturesque Gothic

wing of the castle, with projecting walls and baywindows, which had been erected in the preceding reign of

IV How Mabel was received by the Party in the KitchenAnd of the Quarrel between the two Jesters.

Addressing himself to a stoutbuilt yeoman of the guard, who was standing within the doorway, Nicholas

Clamp demanded admittance to the kitchen, and the man having detained them for a few moments, during

which he regarded Mabel with a very offensive stare, ushered them into a small hall, and from thence into a

narrow passage connected with it. Lighted by narrow loopholes pierced through the walls, which were of

immense thickness, this passage described the outer side of the whole upper quadrangle, and communicated

with many other lateral passages and winding stairs leading to the chambers allotted to the household or to

the state apartments. Tracking it for some time, Nicholas Clamp at length turned off on the right, and,

crossing a sort of anteroom, led the way into a large chamber with stone walls and a coved and groined roof,

lighted by a great window at the lower end. This was the royal kitchen, and in it yawned no fewer than seven

huge arched fireplaces, in which fires were burning, and before which various goodly joints were being

roasted, while a number of cooks and scullions were congregated round them. At a large table in the centre of

the kitchen were seated some halfdozen yeomen of the guard, together with the clerk of the kitchen, the

These worthies were doing ample justice to a chine of beef, a wildboar pie, a couple of fat capons, a

peacock pasty, a mess of pickled lobsters, and other excellent and inviting dishes with which the board was

loaded. Neither did they neglect to wash down the viands with copious draughts of ale and mead from great

pots and flagons placed beside them. Behind this party stood Giovanni Joungevello, an Italian minstrel, much

in favour with Anne Boleyn, and Domingo Lamellino, or Lamelynas he was familiarly termeda

Lombard, who pretended to some knowledge of chirurgery, astrology, and alchemy, and who was a constant

attendant on Henry. At the head of the bench, on the right of the table, sat Will Sommers. The jester was not

partaking of the repast, but was chatting with Simon Quanden, the chief cook, a good humoured personage,

roundbellied as a tun, and blessed with a spouse, yclept Deborah, as fond of good cheer, as fat, and as

good humoured as himself. Behind the cook stood the cellarman, known by the appellation of Jack of the

Bottles, and at his feet were two playful little turnspits, with long backs, and short forelegs, as crooked almost

On seeing Mabel, Will Sommers immediately arose, and advancing towards her with a mincing step, bowed

with an air of mock ceremony,and said in an affected tone," Welcome, fair mistress, to the king's kitchen. We

"By my troth, the wench is wondrously beautiful!" said Kit Coo, one of the yeomen of the guard.

"No wonder the king is smitten with her," said Launcelot Rutter, the bladesmith; "her eyes shine like a

"Her complexion is as good as if I had given her some of my sovereign balsam of beauty," said Domingo

"Much better," observed Joungevello, the minstrel; "I shall write a canzonet in her praise, and sing it before

"The damsel is not so comely as I expected to find her," observed Amice Lovekyn, one of the

"Why, if you come to that, she is not to be compared to you, pretty Amice," said Cutbeard, who was a

"Excuse my getting up to receive you, fair mistress," cried Simon Quanden, who seemed fixed to his chair; "I

have been bustling about all day, and am sore fatiguedsore fatigued. But will you not take something? A

sugared cate, and a glass of hypocras jelly, or a slice of capon? Go to the damsel, dame, and prevail on her to

That will I," replied Deborah. "What shall it be,sweetheart? We have a wellstored larder here. You have

"Nay, that is against all rule, sweetheart," said Deborah; no one enters the king's kitchen without tasting his

"I am sorry I must prove an exception, then," returned Mabel, smiling; "for I have no appetite."

"Well, well, I will not force you to eat against your will," replied the good dame "But a cup of wine will do

"I will wait upon her," said the Duke of Shoreditch.' who vied with Paddington and Nick Clamp in attention

"Let me pray you to cast your eyes upon these two dogs, fair Mabel," said Will Sommers, pointing to the two

turnspits, "they are special favourites of the king's highness. They are much attached to the cook, their

master; but their chief love is towards each other, and nothing can keep them apart."

"Will Sommers speaks the truth," rejoined Simon Quanden. "Hob and Nob, for so they are named, are fast

friends. When Hob gets into the box to turn the spit, Nob will watch beside it till his brother is tired, and then

he will take his place. They always eat out of the same platter, and drink out of the same cup. I once separated

them for a few hours to see what would happen, but they howled so piteously, that I was forced to bring them

together again. It would have done your heart good to witness their meeting, and to see how they leaped and

rolled with delight. Here, Hob," he added, taking a cake from his apron pocket, "divide this with thy brother."

Placing his paws upon his master's knees, the nearest turnspit took the cake in his mouth, and proceeding

towards Nob, broke it into two pieces, and pushed the larger portion towards him.

While Mabel was admiring this display of sagacity and affection a bustling step was heard behind her, and

turning, she beheld a strange figure in a particoloured gown and hose, with a fool's cap and bells on his

head, whom she immediately recognised as the cardinal's jester, Patch. The newcomer recognised her too,

"What brings you here, gossip Patch?" cried Will Sommers. "I thought you were in attendance upon your

"What! is the decision pronounced?" cried Will Sommers eagerly. "Is the queen divorced? Is the king single

Stimulated by curiosity, the whole of the party rose from the table; Simon Quanden got out of his chair; the

other cooks left their joints to scorch at the fire; the scullions suspended their work; and Hob and Nob fixed

"I never talk thirsting," said Patch, marching to the table, and filling himself a flagon of mead. "Here's to you,

fair maiden," he added, kissing the cup to Mabel, and swallowing its contents at a draught. "And now be

seated, my masters, and you shall hear all I have to relate, and it will be told in a few words. The court is

adjourned for three days, Queen Catherine having demanded that time to prepare her allegations, and the

"Pest on it!the delay is some trick of your crafty and doubledealing master," cried Will Sommers. "Were

"I would strip him of his illgotten wealth, and leave him only theea fitting attendantof all his thousand

"This shall to his grace's ears," screamed Patch, amid the laughter of the company" and see whether your

"I fear him not," replied Will Sommers. "I have not yet told the king my master of the rare wine we found in

"You shall hear," replied Will Sommers, enjoying the disconcerted look of the other jester. "I was at the

palace at Hampton, when this scant witted knave invited me to taste some of his master's wine, and

accordingly to the cellar we went. 'This wine will surprise you,' quoth he, as we broached the first hogshead.

And truly it did surprise me, for no wine followed the gimlet. So we went on to another, and another, and

another, till we tried half a score of them, and all with the same result. Upon this I seized a hammer which

was lying by and sounded the casks, but none of them seeming empty, I at last broke the lid of oneand

A variety of responses were returned by the laughing assemblage, during which Patch sought to impose

"It contained neither vinegar, nor oil, nor lead," he said, " but gold; ay, solid bars of goldingots. Every

"Credit him not, my masters," cried Patch, amid the roars of the company; "the whole is a mere fablean

invention. His grace has no such treasure. The truth is, Will Sommers got drunk upon some choice Malmsey,

"It is no fable, as you and your master will find when the king comes to sift the matter," replied Will. "This

will be a richer result to him than was ever produced by your alchemical experiments, good Signor Domingo

"It is false!I say false!" screamed Patch. " let the cellars be searched, and I will stake my head nothing is

"Stake thy cap, and there may be some meaning in it," said Will, plucking Patch's cap from his head and

elevating it on his truncheon. "Here is an emblem of the Cardinal of York," he cried, pointing to it.

A roar of laughter from the company followed this sally, and Hob and Nob looked up in placid wonderment.

"I shall die with laughing," cried Simon Quanden, holding his fat sides, and addressing his spouse, who was

In the meantime Patch sprang to his feet, and, gesticulating with rage and fury, cried, "Thou hast done well to

steal my cap and bells, for they belong of right to thee. Add my folly to thy own, and thou wilt be a fitting

servant to thy master; or e'en give him the cap, and then there will be a pair of ye."

"Who is the fool now, I should like to know?" rejoined Will Sommers gravely. "I call you all to witness that

While this was passing Shoreditch had advanced with a flagon of Malmsey to Mabel, but she was so

interested in the quarrel between the two jesters that she heeded him not; neither did she attend to Nicholas

Clamp, who was trying to explain to her what was going forward. But just as Patch's indiscreet speech was

Mabel's heart fluttered violently at the usher's announcement, and for a moment the colour deserted her

cheek, while the next instant she was covered with blushes. As to poor Patch, feeling that his indiscretion

might place him in great jeopardy and seriously affect his master, to whom he was devotedly attached, he cast

a piteous and imploring look at his antagonist, but was answered only by a derisive laugh, coupled with an

expressive gesture to intimate that a halter would be his fate. Fearful that mischief might ensue, the

goodnatured Simon Quanden got out of his chair and earnestly besought Will not to carry matters too far;

It was not unusual with Henry to visit the different offices of the castle and converse freely and familiarly

with the members of his household, but it was by no means safe to trust to the continuance of his good

humour, or in the slightest degree to presume upon it. It is well known that his taste for variety of character

often led him, like the renowned Caliph Haroun Al Raschid, to mix with the lower classes of his subjects in

disguise, at which times many extraordinary adventures are said to have befallen him. His present visit to the

kitchen, therefore, would have occasioned no surprise to its occupants if it had not occurred so soon after the

cardinal's arrival. But it was this circumstance, in fact, that sent him thither. The intelligence brought by

Wolsey of the adjournment of the court for three days, under the plea of giving the queen time for her

allegations, was so unlooked for by Henry that he quitted the cardinal in high displeasure, and was about to

repair to Anne Boleyn, when he encountered Bouchier, who told him that Mabel Lyndwood had been brought

to the castle, and her grandsire arrested. The information changed Henry's intentions at once, and he

proceeded with Bouchier and some other attendants to the kitchen, where he was given to understand he

Many a furtive glance was thrown at the king, for no one dared openly to regard him as he approached the

forester's fair granddaughter. But he tarried only a moment beside her, chucked her under the chin, and,

whispering a word or two in her ear that heightened her blushes, passed on to the spot where the two jesters

"I might rather ask that question of your majesty," replied Will; "and I would do so but that I require not to be

"I have come to see what passeth in my household," replied the king, throwing himself into the chair lately

occupied by the chief cook. "Ah, Hob and Nob, my merry rascals," he cried, patting the turnspits, who ran

towards him and thrust their noses against his hand, " ye are as gamesome and loving as ever, I see. Give me

a manchet for them, Master Cook, and let not the proceedings in the kitchen be stayed for my presence. I

would not have my supper delayed, or the roasts spoiled, for any false ceremony. And now, Will, what hast

"I have a heavy charge to bring against this knave, an' please your majesty," replied Will Sommers, pointing

"What! hath he retorted upon thee too sharply? "replied the king, laughing. "If so, challenge him to the

combat, and settle the grievance with thy lathen dagger. But refer not the matter to me. I am no judge in fools'

"Your own excepted," muttered Will. "This is not a quarrel that can be so adjusted," he added aloud. "I

charge this rascal Patch with speaking disrespectfully of your highness in the hearing of the whole kitchen.

And I also charge his master the cardinal with having secreted in his cellars at Hampton a vast amount of

treasure, obtained by extortion, privy dealings with foreign powers, and other iniquitous practices, and which

"'And which shall find its way thither, if thou dost not avouch a fable," replied the king.

"Your majesty shall judge," rejoined Will. And he repeated the story which he had just before related.

"It is false, your highness, every word of it," cried Patch, throwing himself at the king's feet, "except so far as

relates to our visits to the cellar, where, I shame to speak it, we drank so much that our senses clean forsook

us. As to my indiscreet speech touching your majesty, neither disrespect nor disloyalty were intended by it. I

"The matter of the treasure shall be inquired into without delay," said Henry. "As to the quarrel, it shall be

settled thus. Get both of you upon that table. A flourbag shall be given to each; and he who is first knocked

The king's judgment was received with as much applause as dared be exhibited by the hearers; and in an

instant the board was cleared, and a couple of flourbags partly filled delivered to the combatants by Simon

Leaping upon the table, amid the smothered mirth of the assemblage, the two jesters placed themselves

opposite each other, and grinned such comical defiance that the king roared with laughter. After a variety of

odd movements and feints on either side, Patch tried to bring down his adversary by a tremendous

twohanded blow; but in dealing it, the weight of the hag dragged him forward, and wellnigh pitched him

head foremost upon the floor. As it was, he fell on his face upon the table, and in this position received

several heavy blows upon the prominent part of his back from Will Sommers. Ere long, however, he

managed to regain his legs, and, smarting with pain, attacked his opponent furiously in his turn. For a short

space fortune seemed to favour him. His bag had slightly burst, and the flour, showering from it with every

blow, wellnigh blinded his adversary, whom he drove to the very edge of the table. At this critical juncture

Will managed to bring down his bag full upon his opponent's sconce, and the force of the blow bursting it,

Patch was covered from crown to foot with flour, and blinded in his turn. The appearance of the combatants

was now so exquisitely ridiculous, that the king leaned back in his chair to indulge his laughter, and the mirth

of the spectators could no longer be kept within decorous limits. The very turnspits barked in laughing

"Well fought on both sides! "cried Henry; "it were hard to say which will prove the victor. Now, knaves, to it

Once more the bags were wielded, descended, and the blows were so well directed on either side, that both

combatants fell backwards. Again the king's laughter rose loud and long. Again the merriment of the other

beholders was redoubled. Again Hob and Nob barked joyously, and tried to spring on to the table to take part

in the conflict. Amid the general glee, the combatants rose and renewed the fight, dealing blows thick and

fastfor the bags were now considerably lightened of their contentsuntil they were completely hidden

"We cannot see the fray," remarked Henry; "but we can hear the din of battle. Which will prove the victor, I

"And I for Patch," said Simon Quanden. "Latterly he hath seemed to me to have the advantage."

"It is decided!" cried the king, rising, as one of the combatants was knocked off the table, and fell to the floor

"Patch," replied a faint voice. And through the cloud of dust struggled forth the forlorn figure of the cardinal's

"Get thee to a washtub, knave, and cleanse thyself," said Henry, laughing. "In consideration of the

So saying, he rose, and walked towards Mabel, who had been quite as much alarmed as amused by the scene

"I hope you have been as well cared for, damsel," he said, " since your arrival at the castle, as you cared for

"Dame Quanden will take charge of you till tomorrow," rejoined the king, "when you will enter upon the

"Your majesty is very considerate," said Mabel, "but I would rather go back at early dawn to my grandsire."

"That is needless," rejoined the king sternly. "Your grandsire is in the castle."

"I am glad to hear it! " exclaimed Mabel. And then,altering her tone, for she did not like the expression of the

king's countenance, she added, "I hope he has not incurred your majesty's displeasure."

"I trust he will be able to clear himself, Mabel," said Henry, "but he labours under the grave suspicion of

Mabel shuddered, for the thought of what she had witnessed on the previous night during the storm rushed

forcibly to her recollection. The king noticed her uneasiness, and added, in a gentler tone, "If he makes such

confession as will bring the others to justice, he has nothing to fear. Dame Quanden, I commit this maiden to

your charge. Tomorrow she will take her place as attendant to the Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald."

So saying, he moved off with Bouchier and the rest of his attendants, leaving Mabel to the care of the cook's

good humoured spouse, who seeing her eyes filled with tears, strove to cheer her, and led her towards a small

"Be of good cheer, sweetheart," she said, in a soothing tone; "no harm will befall your grandfather. You are

"I liked the king much better as I saw him at our cottage, good dame," replied Mabel, smiling through her

tears, "in the guise of a Guildford merchant. He seemed scarcely to notice me just now."

"That was because so many eyes were upon you, sweetheart," replied Deborah; "but sooth to say, I should

"I am glad you are to be an attendant on the Lady Fitzgerald," pursued Deborah, "for she is the fairest young

lady at court, and as good and gentle as she is fair, and I am sure you will find her a kind mistress. I will tell

you something about her. She is beloved by the king's son, the Duke of Richmond, but she requites not his

passion, for her heart is fixed on the youthful Earl of Surrey. Alackaday! the noble rivals quarrelled and

crossed swords about her; but as luck would have it, they were separated before any mischief was done. The

king was very wroth with Lord Surrey, and ordered him to be imprisoned for two months in the Round

Tower, in this castle, where he is now, though his term has very nearly expired."

"How I pity him, to be thus harshly treated!" remarked Mabel, her eyes swimming with tears, "and the Lady

"I am told the earl passes the whole of his time in poring over books and writing loveverses and sonnets,"

said Deborah. "It seems strange that one so young should be a poet; but I suppose he caught the art from his

His close friend," replied Deborah; "except the Duke of Richmond, now his rival, he had none closer. Have

"I heard that he lingered for a short time in the forest before his departure for Paris," said Dame Quanden.

"There was a strange rumour that he had joined the band of Herne the Hunter. But that must have been

I fancy not," replied the good dame. " At all events, he is not come to the castle. Know you not," she added,

in a low confidential tone, "that the king is jealous of him? He was a former suitor to the Lady Anne Boleyn,

and desperately in love with her; and it is supposed that his mission to France was only a pretext to get him

"I suspected as much," replied Mabel. "Alas! for Sir Thomas; and alas! for the Earl of Surrey."

"And alas! for Mabel Lyndwood, if she allows her heart to be fixed upon the king," said Deborah.

While this was passing the business of the kitchen, which had been interrupted by the various incidents above

related, and especially by the conflict between the two jesters, was hurried forward, and for some time all was

But as soon as the supper was served, and all his duties were fully discharged, Simon Quanden, who had been

bustling about, sat down in his easychair, and recruited himself with a toast and a sack posset. Hob and Nob

had their supper at the same time, and the party at the table, which had been increased by the two archers and

Nicholas Clamp, attacked with renewed vigour a fresh supply of mead and ale, which had been provided for

The conversation then turned upon Herne the Hunter; and as all had heard more or less about him, and some

had seen him, while few knew the legend connected with him, Hector Cutbeard volunteered to relate it; upon

which all the party gathered closer together, and Mabel and Deborah left off talking, and drew near to listen.

"Nearly a century and a half ago," commenced Cutbeard, about the middle of the reign of Richard the

Second, there was among the keepers of the forest a young man named Herne. He was expert beyond his

fellows in all matters of woodcraft, and consequently in great favour with the king, who was himself devoted

to the chase. Whenever he stayed at the castle, King Richard, like our own royal Harry, would pass his time

in hunting, hawking, or shooting with the longbow; and on all these occasions the young keeper was his

constant attendant. If a hart was to be chased, Herne and his two black hounds of Saint Hubert's breed would

hunt him down with marvellous speed; if a wild boar was to be reared, a badger digged out, a fox

unkennelled, a marten bayed, or an otter vented, Herne was chosen for the task. No one could fly a falcon so

well as Herneno one could break up a deer so quickly or so skilfully as him. But in proportion as he grew

in favour with the king, the young keeper was hated by his comrades, and they concerted together how to ruin

him. All their efforts, however, were ineffectual, and rather tended to his advantage than injury.

"One day it chanced that the king hunted in the forest with his favourite, the Earl of Oxford, when a great

deer of head was unharboured, and a tremendous chase ensued, the hart leading his pursuers within a few

miles of Hungerford, whither the borders of the forest then extended. All the followers of the king, even the

Earl of Oxford, had by this time dropped off, and the royal huntsman was only attended by Herne, who kept

close behind him. At last the hart, driven to desperation, stood at bay, and gored the king's horse as he came

up in such a manner that it reared and threw its rider. Another instant, and the horns of the infuriated animal

would have been plunged into the body of the king, if Herne had not flung himself between the prostrate

monarch and his assailant, and received the stroke intended for him. Though desperately wounded, the young

hunter contrived slightly to raise himself, and plunged his knife into the hart's throat, while the king regained

"Gazing with the utmost concern at his unfortunate deliverer, King Richard demanded what he could do for

"'Nothing, sirenothing,' replied Herne, with a groan. I shall require nothing but a grave from you, for I

"'Not so, I trust, good fellow,' replied the king, in a tone meant to be encouraging, though his looks showed

"'No skill will avail me now,' replied Herne sadly. 'A hurt from hart's horn bringeth to the bier.'

"'I hope the proverb will not be justified in thy case,' rejoined the king; 'and I promise thee, if thou dost

recover, thou shalt have the post of head keeper of the forest, with twenty nobles a year for wages. If,

unhappily, thy forebodings are realised, I will give the same sum to be laid out in masses for thy soul.'

"'I humbly thank your highness,' replied the young man, 'and I accept the latter offer, seeing it is the only one

"With this he put his horn to his lips, and winding the dead mot feebly, fell back senseless. Much moved, the

king rode off for succour; and blowing a lusty call on his bugle, was presently joined by the Earl of Oxford

and some of his followers, among whom were the keepers. The latter were secretly rejoiced on hearing what

had befallen Herne, but they feigned the greatest affliction, and hastened with the king to the spot where the

"'It is almost a pity his soul cannot pass away thus,' said King Richard, gazing compassionately at him, "for

"'Your highness is right,' replied the chief keeper, a grim old man named Osmond Crooke, kneeling beside

him, and half drawing his hunting knife; 'it were better to put him out of his misery.'

"'What! slay the man who has just saved my own life!' cried the king. 'I will consent to no such infamous

" As the words were uttered, a tall dark man, in a strange garb, and mounted on a black wildlooking steed,

whom no one had hitherto observed, sprang to the ground and advanced towards the king.

"'I take your offer, sire,' said this personage, in a harsh voice. I will cure him.'

"'I am a forester,' replied the tall man, 'but I understand somewhat of chirurgery and leechcraft.'

"'And woodcraft, too, I'll be sworn, fellow,' said the king 'Thou hast, or I am mistaken, made free with some

"'He looks marvellously like Arnold Sheafe, who was outlawed for deer stealing,' said Osmond Crooke,

"'I am no outlaw, neither am I called Arnold Sheafe,' replied the other. 'My name is Philip Urswick, and I can

render a good account of myself when it shall please the king's highness to interrogate me. I dwell on the

heath near Bagshot, which you passed today in the chase, and where I joined you.'

"'That may be; but I saw you,' rejoined Urswick contemptuously; 'and I tell you there is not one among you to

be compared with the brave hunter who lies there. You have all pronounced his case hopeless. I repeat I can

"'Make good thy words, fellow,' replied the king; 'and thou shalt not only be amply rewarded, but shalt have a

"'Enough,' replied Urswick. And taking a large, keenedged hunting knife from his girdle, he cut off the

head of the hart close to the point where the neck joins the skull, and then laid it open from the extremity of

the underlip to the nuke. 'This must be bound on the head of the wounded man,' he said.

"The keepers stared in astonishment. But the king commanded that the strange order should be obeyed. Upon

which the bleeding skull was fastened upon the head of the keeper with leathern thongs.

"'I will now answer for his perfect cure in a month's time,' said Urswick to the king; 'but I shall require to

watch over him myself till all danger is at an end. I pray your highness to command these keepers to transport

"'You hear what he says, knaves?' cried the king; 'do his bidding, and carefully, or ye shall answer to me with

"Accordingly a litter was formed with branches of trees, and on this the body of Herne, with the hart's head

still bound to it, was conveyed by the keepers to Urswick's hut, a small dwelling, situated in the wildest part

of Bagshot Heath. After placing the body upon a bed of dried fern, the keepers were about to depart, when

Osmond Crooke observed to the forester, 'I am now certain thou art Arnold Sheafe.'

"'It matters not who I am, since I have the king's pardon,' replied the other, laughing disdainfully.

"'Leave that to me,' replied Urswick. 'There is more fear that thou wilt lose thy post as chief keeper, which the

"And the savage wish was echoed by the other keepers. "'I see you all hate him bitterly,' said Urswick. 'What

"'We have little to give, save a fat buck on occasions,'replied Osmond; 'and, in all likelihood, thou canst help

"'Will you swear to grant the first request I may make of youprovided it shall be in your power?' demanded

"'Enough' said Urswick. 'I must keep faith with the king. Herne will recover, but he will lose all his skill as an

"'If thou canst accomplish this thou art the fiend himself' cried Osmond, trembling.

"'Fiend or not,' replied Urswick, with a triumphant laugh, 'ye have made a compact with me, and must fulfil

"At the precise time promised, Herne, attended by Urswick, presented himself to the king. He looked thin and

pale, but all danger was past. King Richard gave the forester a purse full of nobles, and added a silver bugle

to the gift. He then appointed Herne his chief keeper, hung a chain of gold round his neck, and ordered him to

"About a week after this, Herne, having entirely regained his strength, accompanied the king on a hunting

expedition to the forest, and they had scarcely entered it when his horse started and threw him. Up to that

moment such an accident had never happened to him, for he was an excellent horseman, and he arose greatly

discomfited, while the keepers eyed each other askance. Soon after this a buck was started, and though Herne

was bravely mounted on a black steed bestowed on him on account of its swiftness by the king, he was the

"'It cannot be thy steed's fault,' said the king, 'for he is usually as fleet as the wind. But I will give thee an

opportunity of gaining credit in another way. Thou seest yon buck. He cannot be seventy yards off, and I

"Herne raised his crossbow, and let fly the bolt; but it missed its mark, and the buck, startled by the noise,

"King Richard's brow grew dark, and Herne uttered an exclamation of rage and despair.

"'Thou shalt have a third and yet easier trial,' said the king. Old Osmond Crooke shall lend thee his bow, and

"As he spoke, the arrow sped. But it quivered in the trunk of the tree, some yards from the bird. The

unfortunate shooter looked distracted; but King Richard made no remark, until, towards the close of the day,

he said to him, 'Thou must regain thy craft, friend Herne, or I cannot continue thee as my chief keeper.'

"The keepers congratulated each other in secret, for they felt that their malice was about to be gratified.

"The next day Herne went forth, as he thought, alone, but he was watched by his enemies. Not a shaft would

go true, and he found that he had completely lost his mastery over hound and horse. The day after that he

again rode forth to hunt with the king, and his failures made him the laughingstock of the party. Richard at

length dismissed him with these words, ' Take repose for a week, and then thou shalt have a further trial. If

"Instead of returning to the castle, Herne rode off wildly into the forest, where he remained till eventide. He

then returned with ghastly looks and a strange appearance, having the links of a rusty chain which he had

plucked from a gibbet hanging from his left arm, and the hart's antlered skull, which he had procured from

Urswick, fixed like a helm upon his head. His whole demeanour showed that he was crazed; and his

condition, which might have moved the compassion of his foes, only provoked their laughter. After

committing the wildest extravagances, he burst from all restraint, and disappeared among the trees of the

"An hour after this a pedlar, who was crossing the park from Datchet, found him suspended by a rope from a

branch of the oaktree which you have all seen, and which bears his name. Despair had driven him to the

dreadful deed. Instead of cutting him down, the pedlar ran to the castle to relate what he had witnessed; and

the keepers, satisfied that their revenge was now fully accomplished, hastened with him to the tree. But the

body was gone; and all that proclaimed it had been there, was the rope hanging from the branch. Search was

everywhere made for the missing body, but without effect. When the matter was related to the king he was

much troubled, and would fain have had masses said for the repose of the soul of the unfortunate keeper, but

the priests refused to perform them, alleging that he had 'committed self destruction, and was therefore out

"On that night, a terrible thunderstorm occurredas terrible, it may be, as that of last nightand during its

continuance, the oak on which Herne had hanged himself was blasted by the lightning.

"Old Osmond was immediately reinstated in his post of chief keeper; but he had little time for rejoicing, for

he found that the same spell that had bound Herne had fallen upon him. His bolts and arrows went wide of

their mark, his hounds lost their scent, and his falcon would not be lured back. Half frantic, and afraid of

exposing himself to the taunts of his companons, he feigned illness, and left his comrade, Roger Barfoot, to

take his place. But the same illluck befell Barfoot, and he returned in woeful plight, without a single head of

game. Four others were equally unfortunate, and it was now clear that the whole party were bewitched.

"Luckily, the king had quitted the castle, but they felt certain they should be dismissed on his return, if not

more severely punished. At last, after taking counsel together, they resolved to consult Urswick, who they

doubted not could remove the spell. Accordingly, they went to Bagshot Heath, and related their story to him.

When they had done, he said, 'The curse of Herne's blood is upon you, and can only be removed in one way.

As you return to the castle, go to the tree on which he destroyed himself, and you may learn how to act.'

"The keepers would have questioned him further, but he refused to answer, and dismissed them.

"The shades of evening had fallen as they quitted Bagshot; and it was midnight as they entered the home

park, and proceeded towards the fatal oak. It was pitchy dark, and they could only distinguish the tree by its

white, scathed trunk. All at once, a blue flame, like a willo'the wisp, appeared, flitted thrice round the

tree, and then remained stationary, its light falling upon a figure in a wild garb, with a rusty chain hanging

from its left arm, and an antlered helm upon its head. They knew it to be Herne, and instantly fell down

"Without heeding them further, the spirit darted round the tree, rattling its chain, and uttering appalling

imprecations. It then stopped, and turning to the terrified beholders, bade them, in a hollow voice, bring

"Filled with dread, the keepers returned home, and the next day Old Osmond again sought the forester, and

"'You must obey the spirit's injunctions, or worse mischief will befall you,' said Urswick. 'Go to the tree,

mounted as for a huntingparty, and take the black steed given to Herne by the king, and the two black

hounds with you. You will see what will ensue.' And without another word he dismissed him.

"Osmond told his comrades what the forester had said, and though they were filled with alarm, they resolved

upon compliance. At midnight, therefore, they rode towards the tree with the black hounds in leash, and

leading Herne's favourite horse, saddled and bridled. As they drew near, they again saw the terrible shape

"His spells ended, Herne called to Osmond to bring him his steed; and the old man tremblingly obeyed. In an

instant the mysterious being vaulted on its back, and in a voice of resistless authority cried, 'To the

forest!to the forest!' With this, he dashed forward, and the whole party, hounds and men, hurried after him.

They rode at a furious pace for five or six miles over the great park, the keepers wondering where their

unearthly leader was taking them, and almost fancying they were hurrying to perdition, when they descended

a hillside leading to the marsh, and halted before a huge beechtree, where Herne dismounted and

"Presently, he became silent and motionless. A flash of fire then burst from the roots of the tree, and the

forester Urswick stood before him. But his aspect was more terrible and commanding than it had seemed

'Welcome, Herne,' he cried; 'welcome, lord of the forest. And you his comrades, and soon to be his followers,

welcome too. The time is come for the fulfilment of your promise to me. I require you to form a band for

Herne the Hunter, and to serve him as leader. Swear to obey him, and the spell that hangs over you shall be

"Not daring to refuse compliance, the keepers took the oath proposed and a fearful one it was! As soon as

it was Urswick vanished, as he came, in a flash of fire. Herne, then commanded the others to dismount, and

This done, he blew a strike on his horn, rode swiftly up the hillside, and a stag being unharboured, the chase

commenced. Many a fat buck was hunted and slaughtered that night; and an hour before daybreak, Herne

commanded them to lay the four finest and fattest at the foot of the beechtree, and then dismissed them,

"They came as they were commanded; but fearful of detection, they adopted strange disguises, not unlike

those worn by the caitiffs who were put to death, a few weeks ago, by the king in the great park. Night after

night they thus went forth, thinning the herds of deer, and committing other outrages and depredations. Nor

were their dark proceedings altogether unnoticed. Belated travellers crossing the forest beheld them, and

related what they had seen; others watched for them, but they were so effectually disguised that they escaped

"At last, however, the king returned to the castle, and accounts of the strange doings in the forest were

instantly brought to him. Astonished at what he heard, and determined to ascertain the truth of the statement,

he ordered the keepers to attend him that night in an expedition to the forest, when he hoped to encounter the

demon huntsman and his hand. Much alarmed, Osmond Crooke, who acted as spokesman, endeavoured, by

representing the risk he would incur, to dissuade the king from the enterprise; but he would not be deterred,

"As the castle clock tolled forth the hour of midnight, Richard, accompanied by a numerous guard, and

attended by the keepers, issued from the gates, and rode towards the scathed oak. As they drew near the tree,

the figure of Herne, mounted on his black steed, was discerned beneath it. Deep fear fell upon all the

beholders, but chiefly upon the guilty keepers, at the sight. The king, however, pressed forward, and cried,

"Because I desire vengeance!' replied Herne, in a hollow voice. 'I was brought to my present woeful condition

"'Yea,' replied Herne; 'but I was driven to the deed by an infernal spell laid upon me by the malice of the

wretches I have denounced. Hang them upon this tree, and I will trouble these woods no longer whilst thou

"The king looked round at the keepers. They all remained obdurate, except Roger Barfoot, who, falling on his

"It is enough,' cried the king to Herne; 'they shall all suffer for their offence.'

"The king kept his word. Osmond and his comrades were all hanged upon the scathed tree, nor was Herne

seen again in the forest while Richard sat upon the throne. But he reappeared with a new band at the

commencement of the rule of Henry the Fourth, and again hunted the deer at night. His band was destroyed,

but he defied all attempts at capture; and so it has continued to our own time, for not one of the seven

monarchs who have held the castle since Richard's day have been able to drive him from the forest."

"Nor will the present monarch be able to drive him thence," said a deep voice. "As long as Windsor Forest

All turned at the exclamation and saw that it proceeded from a tall dark man, in an archer's garb, standing

"Thou hast told thy legend fairly enough, good clerk of the kitchen continued this personage; "but thou art

"I have related the story as it was related to me," said Cutbeard somewhat nettled at the remark; but perhaps

"It is true that Herne was a keeper in the reign of Richard the Second," replied the tall archer. "It is true also

that he was expert in all matters of woodcraft, and that he was in high favour with the king; but he was

bewitched by a lovely damsel, and not by a weird forester. He carried off a nun and dwelt with her in a cave

in the forest where he assembled his brother keepers, and treated them to the king's venison and the king's

"She was the very image of this damsel," rejoined the tall archer, pointing to Mabel, "and fair enough to work

his ruin, for it was through her that the fiend tempted him. The charms that proved his undoing were fatal to

her also, for in a fit of jealousy he slew her. The remorse occasioned by this deed made him destroy himself."

"Well, your version of the legend may be the correct one, for aught I know, worthy sir," said Cutbeard; "but I

see not that it accounts for Herne's antlers so well as mine, unless he were wedded to the nun, who you say

"Ay, I was thinking of that myself," said Simon Quanden. "How do you know that, master?"

"He who painted it had seen her," replied the tall archer sternly. "But, as I have said, it was the very image of

"Who is that archer?" demanded Cutbeard, looking after him. But no one could answer the question, nor

"Strange!" exclaimed Simon Quanden, crossing himself. "Have you ever seen him before, Mabel?"

"I half suspect he is Herne himself," whispered the Duke of Shoreditch to Paddington.

"You look somewhat fatigued, sweetheart," said Deborah, observing Mabel's uneasiness. "Come with me and

Glad to escape Mabel followed the good dame out of the kitchen, and they ascended a winding staircase

which brought them to a commodious chamber in the upper part of Henry the Seventh's buildings, where

Deborah sat down with her young charge and volunteered a great deal of good advice to her, which the other

On quitting the kitchen, Henry, having been informed by Bouchier that Tristram Lyndwood was lodged in the

prisonchamber in the lower gateway, proceeded thither to question him. He found the old man seated on a

bench, with his hands tied behind him; but though evidently much alarmed at his situation, he could not be

Out of patience, at length, the king ordered him to be conveyed to the dungeon beneath the Curfew Tower,

"I will find a means of shaking his obstinacy," said Henry, as he quitted the vault with Bouchier. "If I cannot

move him by other means, I may through his granddaughter I will interrogate him in her presence to night."

"Ay, tonight," repeated the king. "I am resolved, even if it should cost the life of this maiden, whose charms

have moved me so, to break the infernal machinery woven around me. And now as I think it not unlikely the

miscreant Herne may attempt the prisoner's deliverance, let the strictest watch be kept over the tower. Station

an arquebusier throughout the night at the door of the dungeon, and another at the entrance to the chamber on

the ground floor. Your own post must be on the roof of the fortification, that you may watch if any attempt is

made to scale it from the town side, or to get in through the loopholes. Keep a sharp lookout Bouchier, for I

"I will do my best, my liege," replied Bouchier; "and were it with a mortal foe I had to contend, I should have

"You have heard my injunctions, and will attend to them," rejoined the king harshly. "I shall return anon to

Brave as a lion on ordinary occasions, Bouchier entered upon his present duty with reluctance and misgiving;

and he found the arquebusiers by whom he was attended, albeit stout soldiers, equally uneasy. Herne had now

become an object of general dread throughout the castle; and the possibility of an encounter with him was

enough to daunt the boldest breast. Disguising his alarm, Bouchier issued his directions in an authoritative

tone, and then mounted with three arquebusiers to the summit of the tower. It was now dark, but the moon

soon arose, and her beams rendered every object as distinguishable as daylight would have done, so that

watch was easily kept. But nothing occurred to occasion alarm, until all at once, a noise like that of a hammer

Drawing his sword, Bouchier hurried down the steps leading into this chamber, which was buried in

darkness, and advanced so precipitately and incautiously into the gloom, that he struck his head against a

crossbeam. The violence of the blow stunned him for a moment, but as soon as he recovered, he called to the

guard in the lower chamber to bring up a torch. The order was promptly obeyed; but, meanwhile, the sound

had ceased, and, though they searched about, they could not discover the occasion of it.

This, however, was not so wonderful for the singular construction of the chamber, with its numerous

crossbeams, its deep embrasures and recesses, its insecure and uneven floor, its steep ladderlike staircases,

was highly favourable to concealment, it being utterly impossible, owing to the intersections of the beams,

for the searchers to see far before them, or to move about quickly. In the midst of the chamber was a large

wooden compartment enclosing the cumbrous and uncouth machinery of the castle clock, and through the

box ran the cord communicating with the belfry above. At that time, pieces of ordnance were mounted in all

the embrasures, but there is now only one gun, placed in a porthole commanding Thames Street, and the long

thoroughfare leading to Eton. The view from this porthole of the groves of Eton, and of the lovely plains on

Viewed from a recess which has been partly closed, the appearance of this chamber is equally picturesque

and singular; and it is scarcely possible to pass beneath its huge beams or to gaze at the fantastic yet striking

combinations they form in connection with the deep embrasures, the steep staircases and trapdoors, and not

feel that the whole place belongs to romance, and that a multitude of strange and startling stories must be

connected with it. The old architects were indeed great romancers, and built for the painter and the poet.

Bouchier and his companion crept about under the great meshwork of beamspeered into all the embrasures,

and beneath the carriages of the culverins. There was a heap of planks and beams lying on the floor between

The result of their investigations did not tend to decrease their alarm. Bouchier would fain have had the man

keep watch in the chamber, but neither threats nor entreaties could induce him to remain there. He was

therefore sent below, and the captain returned to the roof. He had scarcely emerged upon the leads when the

hammering recommenced more violently than before. In vain Bouchier ordered his men to go down. No one

would stir; and superstitious fear had by this time obtained such mastery over the captain, that he hesitated to

descend alone. To add to his vexation, the arquebusier had taken the torch with him, so that he should have to

At length he mustered up courage to make the attempt; but he paused between each step, peering through the

gloom, and half fancying he could discern the figure of Herne near the spot where the pile of wood lay.

Certain it was that the sound of diabolical laughter, mingled with the rattling of the chain and the sharp blows

of the hammer, smote his ears. The laughter became yet louder as Bouchier advanced, the hammering ceased,

and the clanking of the chain showed that its mysterious wearer was approaching the foot of the steps to meet

him. But the captain had not nerve enough for the encounter. Invoking the protection of the saints, he beat a

precipitate retreat, and closed the little door at the head of the steps after him.

The demon was apparently satisfied with the alarm he had occasioned, for the hammering was not renewed at

Before returning to the state apartments, Henry took a turn on the ramparts on the north side of the castle,

between the Curfew Tower and the Winchester Tower, and lingered for a short time on the bastion

commanding that part of the acclivity where the approach, called the Hundred Steps, is now contrived. Here

he cautioned the sentinels to be doubly vigilant throughout the night, and having gazed for a moment at the

placid stream flowing at the foot of the castle, and tinged with the last rays of the setting sun, he proceeded to

the royal lodgings, and entered the banquet chamber, where supper was already served.

Anne Boleyn remained with her royal lover for a few minutes to pour forth her gratitude for the attachment

he had displayed to her, and to confirm the advantage she had gained over Wolsey. As soon as she was gone,

Henry summoned an usher, and giving him some instructions respecting Mabel Lyndwood, proceeded to the

Nothing was said to him of the strange noise that had been heard in the upper chamber, for the arquebusiers

were fearful of exciting his displeasure by a confession of their alarm, and he descended at once to the

"Well, fellow," he cried, sternly regarding the captive, who arose at his entrance, "you have now had ample

time for reflection, and I trust are in a better frame of mind than when I last spoke with you. I command you

to declare all you know concerning Herne the Hunter, and to give me such information respecting the

"I have already told your highness that my mouth is sealed by an oath of secrecy," replied Tristram, humbly,

"Obstinate dog! thou shalt either speak, or I will hang thee from the top of this tower, as I hanged Mark

"You will execute your sovereign pleasure, my liege," said the old man. "My life is in your hands. It is little

matter whether it is closed now or a year hence. I have well nigh run out my term."

"If thou carest not for thyself, thou mayest not be equally indifferent to another," cried the king. "What ho!

The old man started at the command, and trembled violently. The next moment, Mabel was led into the

dungeon by Shoreditch and Paddington. Behind her came Nicholas Clamp. On seeing her grandsire, she

uttered a loud cry and would have rushed towards him, but she was held back by her companions.

"He is charged with felony and sorcery," said the king sternly, and you, maiden, come under the same

"Believe it not, sire," cried the old man, flinging himself at Henry's feet; "oh, believe it not. Whatever you

may judge of me, believe her innocent. She was brought up most devoutly, by a lay sister of the monastery at

"I saw him today, as I was brought to the castle," cried Mabel, "and" but recollecting that she might

"I will tell your majesty what passed," interposed Nicholas Clamp, stepping forward, "for I was with the

damsel at the time. He came upon us suddenly from behind a great tree, and ordered her to accompany him to

"But he had no authority for what he said, I am well convinced," pursued Clamp. "Mabel disbelieved him and

refused to go, and I should have captured him if the fiend he serves had not lent him a helping hand."

"What says the prisoner himself to this? " observed the king. "Didst thou send Fenwolf on the errand?"

"I did," replied Tristram. " I sent him to prevent her from going to the castle."

"Thou art condemned by thy own confession, caitiff," said the king, "and thou knowest upon what terms

alone thou canst save thyself from the hangman, and thy granddaughter from the stake."

"Your fate rests with your grandsire," said the king sternly. "If he chooses to be your executioner he will

"Oh, speak, grandsire, speak!" cried Mabel. "What matters the violation of an unholy vow?"

"Thou shalt have till midnight," replied the king; "and till then Mabel shall remain with thee."

"I doubt it not," replied the king; " but it shall not be." And without bestowing a look at Mabel, whose

supplications he feared might shake his purpose, he quitted the vault with his attendants, leaving her alone

"I shall return at midnight," he said to the arquebusier stationed at the door; "and meanwhile let no one enter

the dungeonnot even the Duke of Suffolkunless," he added, holding forth his hand to display a ring, "he

As the king, wholly unattendedfor he had left the archers at the Curfew Towerwas passing at the back

of Saint George's Chapel, near the north transept, he paused for a moment to look at the embattled entrance to

the New Commonsa structure erected in the eleventh year of his own reign by James Denton, a canon, and

afterwards Dean of Lichfield, for the accommodation of such chantry priests and choristers as had no place in

the college. Over the doorway, surmounted by a niche, ran (and still runs) the inscription

While he was contemplating this beautiful gateway, which was glimmering in the bright moonlight, a tall

figure suddenly darted from behind one of the buttresses of the chapel, and seized his left arm with an iron

grasp. The suddenness of the attack took him by surprise; but he instantly recovered himself, plucked away

his arm, and, drawing his sword, made a pass at his assailant, who, however, avoided the thrust, and darted

with inconceivable swiftness through the archway leading to the cloisters. Though Henry followed as quickly

as he could, he lost sight of the fugitive, but just as he was about to enter the passage running between the

tombhouse and the chapel, he perceived a person in the south ambulatory evidently anxious to conceal

himself, and, rushing up to him and dragging him to the light he found it was no other than the cardinal's

"I am waiting for my master, the cardinal," replied the jester, terrified out of his wits.

"In that house," replied Patch, pointing to a beautiful baywindow, full of stained glass, overhanging the

"Why, that is Doctor Sampson's dwelling," cried Henry; "he who was chaplain to the queen, and is a strong

"I am sure I know not," replied Patch, whose terror increased each moment. "Perhaps I have mistaken the

"Thou liest, knave! " cried Henry fiercely; "thy manner convinces me there is some treasonable practice

going forward. But I will soon find it out. Attempt to give the alarm, and I will cut thy throat."

With this he proceeded to the back of the north ambulatory, and finding the door he sought unfastened, raised

the latch and walked softly in. But before he got halfway down the passage, Doctor Sampson himself issued

from an inner room with a lamp in his hand. He started on seeing the king, and exhibited great alarm.

"The Cardinal of York is hereI know it," said Henry in a deep whisper. "Lead me to him."

"Oh, go not forward, my gracious liege!" cried Sampson, placing himself in his path.

"Wherefore not?" rejoined the king. "Ha! what voice is that I heard in the upper chamber? Is she here, and

with Wolsey? Out of my way, man," he added, pushing the canon aside, and rushing up the short wooden

When Wolsey returned from his interview with the king, which had been so unluckily interrupted by Anne

Boleyn, he found his antechamber beset with a crowd of suitors to whose solicitations he was compelled to

listen, and having been detained in this manner for nearly half an hour, he at length retired into an inner room.

"Vile sycophants!" he muttered, "they bow the knee before me, and pay me greater homage than they render

the king, but though they have fed upon my bounty and risen by my help, not one of them, if he was aware of

my true position, but would desert me. Not one of them but would lend a helping hand to crush me. Not one

but would rejoice in my downfall. But they have not deceived me. I knew them from the first saw through

their hollowness and despised them. While power lasts to me, I will punish some of them. While power

lasts!" he repeated. "Have I any power remaining? I have already given up Hampton and my treasures to the

king; and the work of spoliation once commenced, the royal plunderer will not be content till he has robbed

me of all; while his minion, Anne Boleyn, has vowed my destruction. Well, I will not yield tamely, nor fall

As these thoughts passed through his mind, Patch, who had waited for a favourable moment to approach him,

delivered him a small billet carefully sealed, and fastened with a silken thread. Wolsey took it, and broke it

open; and as his eye eagerly scanned its contents, the expression of his countenance totally changed. A flash

of joy and triumph irradiated his fallen features; and thrusting the note into the folds of his robe, he inquired

"It was brought by a messenger from Doctor Sampson," replied Patch, "and was committed to me with

special injunctions to deliver it to your grace immediately on your return, and secretly."

The cardinal sat down, and for a few moments appeared lost in deep reflection; he then arose, and telling

Patch he should return presently, quitted the chamber. But the jester, who was of an inquisitive turn, and did

not like to be confined to half a secret, determined to follow him, and accordingly tracked him along the great

corridor, down a winding staircase, through a private door near the Norman Gateway, across the middle

ward, and finally saw him enter Doctor Sampson's dwelling, at the back of the north ambulatory. He was

reconnoitring the windows of the house from the opposite side of the cloisters in the hope of discovering

Wolsey, meanwhile, was received by Doctor Sampson at the doorway of his dwelling, and ushered by him

into a chamber on the upper floor, wainscoted with curiously carved and lustrously black oak. A silver lamp

was burning the on the table, and in the recess of the window, which was screened by thick curtains, sat a

majestic lady, who rose on the cardinal's entrance. It was Catherine of Arragon.

"You have been long in answering my summons," said the queen; "but I could not expect greater

promptitude. Time was when a summons from Catherine of Arragon would have been quickly and cheerfully

attended to; when the proudest noble in the land would have borne her message to you, and when you would

have passed through crowds to her audiencechamber. Now another holds her place, and she is obliged

secretly to enter the castle where she once ruled, to despatch a valet to her enemy, to attend his pleasure, and

to receive him in the dwelling of an humble canon. Times are changed with me, Wolsey sadly changed."

"I have been in attendance on the king, madam, or I should have been with you sooner," replied Wolsey. "It

"I want not your pity," replied the queen proudly. "I did not send for you to gratify your malice by exposing

my abject state. I did not send for you to insult me by false sympathy; but in the hope that your own interest

"Alas! madam, I fear it is now too late to repair the error I have committed," said Wolsey, in a tone of

"You admit, then, that it was an error," cried Catherine. "Well, that is something. Oh! that you had paused

before you began this evil work before you had raised a storm which will destroy me and yourself. Your

quarrel with my nephew the Emperor Charles has cost me dear, but it will cost you yet more dearly."

"I deserve all your reproaches, madam," said Wolsey, with feigned meekness; "and I will bear them without a

"I sent for you to give me aid, as much for your own sake as mine," replied the queen, "for you are in equal

danger. Prevent this divorce foil Anneand you retain the king's favour. Our interests are so far leagued

together, that you must serve me to serve yourself. My object is to gain time to enable my friends to act. Your

colleague is secretly favourable to me. Pronounce no sentence here, but let the cause be removed to Rome.

"Dissembler!" exclaimed Catherine. "I now perceive the insincerity of your professions. This much I have

said to try you. And now to my real motive for sending for you. I have in my possession certain letters, that

"Ha!" exclaimed the cardinal joyfully; "if that be the case, all the rest will be easy. Let me see the letters, I

Before Catherine could reply, the door was thrown violently open, and the king stood before them.

"Soh!" roared Henry, casting a terrible look at Wolsey, "I have caught you at your treasonable practices at

last! And you, madam," he added, turning to Catherine, who meekly, but steadily, returned his gaze, "what

brings you here again? Because I pardoned your indiscretion yesterday, think not I shall always be so lenient.

You will leave the castle instantly. As to Wolsey, he shall render me a strict account of his conduct."

"I have nothing to declare, my liege," replied Wolsey, recovering himself, "I leave it to the queen to explain

"The explanation shall be given at once," said Catherine. "I sent for the cardinal to request him to lay before

your majesty these two letters from Anne Boleyn to Sir Thomas Wyat, that you might judge whether one who

could write thus would make you a fitting consort. You disbelieved my charge of levity yesterday. Read

"What say you to them, my liege?" cried Catherine, with a glance of triumph. "In the one she vows eternal

constancy to Sir Thomas Wyat, and in the otherwritten after her engagement to youhe tells him that

"They were given to me by a tall dark man, as I quitted the castle last night," said the queen. "He said they

were taken from the person of Sir Thomas Wyat while he lay concealed in the forest in the cave of Herne the

"If I thought she wrote them," cried Henry, in an access jealous fury, "I would cast her off for ever."

"Methinks your majesty should be able to judge whether they are true or false," said Catherine. "I know her

"I am well assured that Wyat was concealed in the Lady Anne's chamber when your majesty demanded

admittance and could not obtain itwhen the Earl of Surrey sacrificed himself for her, and for his friend,"

"Perdition!" exclaimed the king, striking his brow with his clenched hand. "Oh, Catherine!" he continued,

after a pause, during which she intently watched the workings of his countenance, "and it was for this

"I forgive you, sireI forgive you!" exclaimed the queen, clasping his hands, and bedewing them with

"You have preserved me," said Henry, " but you must not tarry here. Come with me to the royal lodgings."

"Come, then, Kate," said Henry, taking her hand. "Lord cardinal, you will attend us."

"Right gladly, my liege," replied Wolsey. "If this mood will only endure," he muttered, "all will go well. But

Doctor Sampson could scarcely credit his senses as he beheld the august pair come forth together, and a word

from Wolsey explaining what had occurred, threw him into transports of delight. But the surprise of the good

canon was nothing to that exhibited as Henry and Catherine entered the royal lodgings, and the king ordered

Intelligence of the queen's return was instantly conveyed to Anne Boleyn, and filled her with indescribable

alarm. All her visions of power and splendour seemed to melt away at once. She sent for her father, Lord

Rochford, who hurried to her in a state of the utmost anxiety, and closely questioned her whether the

extraordinary change had not been occasioned by some imprudence of her own. But she positively denied the

charge, alleging that she had parted with the king scarcely an hour before on terms of the most perfect amity,

"You should not have put forth your hand against him till you were sure of striking the blow," said Rochford.

"There is no telling what secret influence he has over the king; and there may yet be a hard battle to fight. But

not a moment must be lost in counteracting his operations. Luckily, Suffolk is here, and his enmity to the

cardinal will make him a sure friend to us. Pray Heaven you have not given the king fresh occasion for

And quitting his daughter, he sought out Suffolk, who, alarmed at what appeared like a restoration of Wolsey

to favour, promised heartily to co operate with him in the struggle; and that no time might be lost, the duke

proceeded at once to the royal closet, where he found the king pacing moodily to and fro.

"Disturbed!ay!" exclaimed the king. "I have enough to disturb me. I will never love again. I will forswear

the whole sex. Harkee, Suffolk, you are my brother, my second self, and know all the secrets of my heart.

After the passionate devotion I have displayed for Anne Boleyn after all I have done for herall I have

"Why, so I thought," cried Henry, "and I turned a deaf ear to all insinuations thrown out against her, till proof

"These letters," said Henry, handing them to him, "found on the person of Sir Thomas Wyat."

"But these only prove, my liege, the existence of a former passion nothing more," remarked Suffolk, after

"But she vows eternal constancy to him!" cried Henry; "says she shall ever love himsays so at the time she

professes devoted love for me! How can I trust her after that? Suffolk, I feel she does not love me

exclusively; and my passion is so deep and devouring, that it demands entire return. I must have her heart as

"I am persuaded your majesty is mistaken," said the duke. "Would I could think so!" sighed Henry. "But

nono, I cannot be deceived. I will conquer this fatal passion. Oh, Suffolk! it is frightful to be the bondslave

of a womana fickle, inconstant woman. But between the depths of love and hate is but a step; and I can

"Do nothing rashly, my dear liege," said Suffolk; "nothing that may bring with it afterrepentance. Do not be

swayed by those who have inflamed your jealousy, and who could practise upon it. Think the matter calmly

over, and then act. And till you have decided, see neither Catherine nor Anne; and, above all, do not admit

"I am your majesty's friend," replied the duke. " I beseech you, yield to me on this occasion, and I am sure of

"Well, I believe you are right, my good friend and brother," said Henry, "and I will curb my impulses of rage

and jealousy. Tomorrow, before I see either the queen or Anne, we will ride forth into the forest, and talk

"Oh,Suffolk!" sighed Henry, "would I had never seen this siren! She exercises a fearful control over me, and

"I cannot say whether it is for good or ill that you have met, my dear liege," replied Suffolk, "but I fancy I can

discern the way in which your ultimate decision will be taken. But it is now near midnight. I wish your

"Stay!" cried Henry, "I am about to visit the Curfew Tower, and must take you with me. I will explain my

errand as we go. I had some thought of sending you there in my stead. Ha!" he exclaimed, glancing at his

My signet," replied Henry," I missed it not till now. It has been wrested from me by the fiend, during my

walk from the Curfew Tower. Let us not lose a moment, or the prisoners will be set free by him,if they

So saying, he took a couple of dagsa species of short gun from a rest on the wall, and giving one to

Suffolk, thrust the other into his girdle. Thus armed, they quitted the royal lodgings, and hurried in the

direction of the Curfew Tower. Just as they reached the Horseshoe Cloisters, the alarmbell began to ring.

"Did I not tell you so?" cried Henry furiously; "they have escaped. Ha! it ceases!what has happened?"

About a quarter of an hour after the king had quitted the Curfew Tower, a tall man, enveloped in a cloak, and

wearing a high conical cap, presented himself to the arquebusier stationed at the entrance to the dungeon, and

"I have the king's signet," he said, holding forth the ring. On seeing this, the arquebusier, who recognised the

ring, unlocked the door, and admitted him. Mabel was kneeling on the ground beside her grandsire, with her

hands raised as in prayer, but as the tall man entered the vault, she started to her feet, and uttered a slight

"Whothe king?" cried Tristram, looking up. "Ah! I see! Herne is come to deliver me."

"Do not go with him, grandsire," cried Mabel. "In the name of all the saints, I implore you, do not."

"Oh, grandfather!" cried Mabel, falling at his feet, "do not, I conjure you, make any conditions with this

dreaded being, or it will be at the expense of your salvation. Better I should perish at the stakebetter you

"Recall your words, grandfatherrecall your words!" cried Mabel. "I will implore pardon for you on my

"The pledge cannot be recalled, damsel," said Herne; " and it is to save you from the king, as much as to

accomplish his own preservation, that your grandsire consents. He would not have you a victim to Henry's

lust." And as he spoke, he divided the forester's bonds with his knife. "You must go with him, Mabel," he

"You must go, girl," cried Tristram angrily. "I will not leave you to Henry's lawless passion."

Meanwhile, Herne had passed into one of the large embrasures, and opened, by means of a spring, an

entrance to a secret staircase in the wall. He then beckoned Tristram towards him, and whispered some

Terrified by the formidable looks and gestures of the demon, the poor girl offered no resistance, and her

About an hour after this, and when it was near upon the stroke of midnight, the arquebusier who had admitted

the tall stranger to the dungeon, and who had momentarily expected his coming forth, opened the door to see

what was going forward. Great was his astonishment to find the cell empty! After looking around in

bewilderment, he rushed to the chamber above, to tell his comrades what had happened.

"This is clearly the work of the fiend," said Shoreditch; "it is useless to strive against him."

"That tall black man was doubtless Herne himself." said Paddington. "I am glad he did us no injury. I hope

"Well, we must inform Captain Bouchier of the mischance," said Shoreditch. "I would not be in thy skin, Mat

"It is impossible to penetrate through the devices of the evil one," interrupted Mat. "I could have sworn it was

the royal signet, for I saw it on the king's finger as he delivered the order. I wish such another chance of

As the words were uttered, the door of a recess was thrown suddenly open, and Herne, in his wild garb, with

his antlered helm upon his brow, and the rusty chain depending from his left arm, stood before them. His

appearance was so terrific and unearthly that they all shrank aghast, and Mat Bee fell with his face on the

But not a hand was moved against him. The whole party seemed transfixed with terror.

"You dare not brave my power, and you are right," cried Herne" a wave of my hand would bring this old

"But do not utter it, I pray you, good Herneexcellent Herne," cried Mat Bee. "And, above all things, do not

wave your hand, for we have no desire to be buried alive, have we, comrades? I should never have said

"Your royal master will as vainly seek to contend with me as he did to bury me beneath the oaktree," cried

And with these words he darted up the ladderlike flight of steps and disappeared.

As soon as they recovered from the fright that had enchained them, Shoreditch and Paddington rushed forth

into the area in front of the turret, and shouting to those on the roof told them that Herne was in the upper

rooma piece of information which was altogether superfluous, as the hammering had recommenced, and

continued till the clock struck twelve, when it stopped. Just then, it occurred to Mat Bee to ring the

alarmbell, and he seized the rope, and began to pull it; but the bell had scarcely sounded, when the cord,

At this juncture, the king and the Duke of Suffolk arrived. When told what had happened, though prepared

for it, Henry burst into a terrible passion, and bestowed a buffet on Mat Bee, that well nigh broke his jaw, and

sent him reeling to the farther side of the chamber. He had not at first understood that Herne was supposed to

be in the upper room; but as soon as he was made aware of the circumstance, he cried out"Ah, dastards!

have you let him brave you thus? But I am glad of it. His capture is reserved for my own hand."

"What! are you too a sharer in their womanish fears, Suffolk?" cried Henry. "I thought you had been made of

stouter stuff. If there is danger, I shall be the first to encounter it. Come," he added, snatching a torch from an

arquebusier. And, drawing his dag, he hurried up the steep steps, while Suffolk followed his example, and

Meanwhile Shoreditch and Paddington ran out, and informed Bouchier that the king had arrived, and was

mounting in search of Herne, upon which the captain, shaking off his fears, ordered his men to follow him,

and opening the little door at the top of the stairs, began cautiously to descend, feeling his way with his

sword. He had got about halfway down, when Henry sprang upon the platform. The light of the torch fell

upon the ghostly figure of Herne, with his arms folded upon his breast, standing near the pile of wood, lying

between the two staircases. So appalling was the appearance of the demon, that Henry stood still to gaze at

him, while Bouchier and his men remained irresolute on the stairs. In another moment, the Duke of Suffolk

had gained the platform, and the arquebusiers were seen near the head of the stairs.

"At last, thou art in my power, accursed being!" cried Henry. "Thou art hemmed in on all sides, and canst not

This shall prove whether thou art human or not," cried Henry, taking deliberate aim at him with the dag.

"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Herne. And as the report rang through the room, he sank through the floor, and

"Gone!" exclaimed Henry, as the smoke cleared off; "gone! Holy Mary! then it must indeed be the fiend. I

made the middle of his skull my aim, and if he had not been invulnerable, the bullet must have pierced his

"I heard it rebound from his horned helmet, and drop to the floor," said Bouchier.

"What is that chest?" cried Henry, pointing to a strange coffinshaped box, lying, as it seemed, on the exact

No one had seen it before, though all called to mind the mysterious hammering; and they had no doubt that

"Break it open," cried Henry; "for aught we know, Herne may be concealed within it."

The order was reluctantly obeyed by the arquebusiers. But no force was required, for the lid was not nailed

down; and when it was removed, a human body in the last stage of decay was discovered.

"It must have been brought by the powers of darkness," said Bouchier; "no such coffin was here when I

searched the chamber two hours ago. But see," he suddenly added, stooping down, and picking up a piece of

"Give it me!" cried Henry; and holding it to the light, he read the words, "The body of Mark Fytton, the

Uttering a terrible imprecation, Henry flung the paper from him; and bidding the arquebusiers burn the body

at the foot of the gallows without the town, he quitted the tower without further search.

On the following day, a reconciliation took place between the king and Anne Boleyn. During a ride in the

great park with his royal brother, Suffolk not only convinced him of the groundlessness of his jealousy, but

contrived to incense him strongly against Wolsey. Thus the queen and the cardinal lost the momentary

advantage they had gained, while Anne's power was raised yet higher. Yielding to her entreaties not to see

Catherine again, nor to hold further conference with Wolsey until the sentence of the court should be

pronounced, Henry left the castle that very day, and proceeded to his palace of Bridewell. The distress of the

unhappy queen at this sudden revolution of affairs may be conceived. Distrusting Wolsey, and putting her

sole reliance on Heaven and the goodness of her cause, she withdrew to Blackfriars, where she remained till

the court met. As to the cardinal himself, driven desperate by his situation, and exasperated by the treatment

he had experienced, he resolved, at whatever risk, to thwart Henry's schemes, and revenge himself upon Anne

Thus matters continued till the court met as before in the Parliament chamber, at Blackfriars. On this

occasion Henry was present, and took his place under a cloth of estate,the queen sitting at some distance

below him. Opposite them were the legates, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the whole of the bishops.

The aspect of the assemblage was grave and anxious. Many eyes were turned on Henry, who looked gloomy

and menacing, but the chief object of interest was the queen, who, though pale as death, had never in her

highest days of power worn a more majestic and dignified air than on this occasion.

The proceedings of the court then commenced, and the king being called by the crier, he immediately

answered to the summons. Catherine was next called, and instead of replying, she marched towards the

canopy beneath which the king was seated, prostrated herself, and poured forth a most pathetic and eloquent

appeal to him, at the close of which she arose, and making a profound reverence, walked out of the court,

leaning upon the arm of her general receiver, Griffith. Henry desired the crier to call her back, but she would

not return; and seeing the effect produced by her address upon the auditory, he endeavoured to efface it by an

eulogium on her character and virtues, accompanied by an expression of deep regret at the step he was

compelled to take in separating himself from her. But his hypocrisy availed him little, and his speech was

received with looks of ill disguised incredulity. Some further discourse then took place between the

Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Rochester; but as the queen had absented herself, the court was

adjourned to the next day, when it again met, and as she did not then appear, though summoned, she was

pronounced contumacious. After repeated adjournments, the last session was held, and judgment demanded

on the part of the king, when Campeggio, as had been arranged between him and Wolsey, declined to

pronounce it until he had referred the matter to the Pope, and the court was dissolved.

About two months after this event, during which time the legate's commission had been revoked, while Henry

was revolving the expediency of accomplishing the divorce through the medium of his own ecclesiastical

courts, and without reference to that of Rome, a despatch was received from the Pope by the two cardinals,

requiring them to cite the king to appear before him by attorney on a certain day. At the time of the arrival of

this instrument, Campeggio chanced to be staying with Wolsey at his palace at Esher, and as the king was

then holding his court at Windsor, they both set out for the castle on the following day, attended by a retinue

It was now the middle of September, and the woods, instead of presenting one uniform mass of green, glowed

with an infinite variety of lovely tints. And yet, despite the beauty of the scene, there was something

melancholy in witnessing the decline of the year, as marked by those old woods, and by the paths that led

through them, so thickly strewn with leaves. Wolsey was greatly affected. "These noble trees will ere long

bereft of all their glories," he thought, " and so, most likely, will it be with me, and perhaps my winter may

The cardinal and his train had crossed Staines Bridge, and passing through Egham, had entered the great park

near Englefield Green. They were proceeding along the high ridge overlooking the woody region between it

and the castle, when a joyous shout in the glades beneath reached them, and looking down, they saw the king

accompanied by Anne Boleyn, and attended by his falconers and a large company of horsemen, pursuing the

sport of hawking. The royal party appeared so much interested in their sport that they did not notice the

cardinal and his train, and were soon out of sight. But as Wolsey descended Snow Hill, and entered the long

avenue, he heard the trampling of horses at a little distance, and shortly afterwards, Henry and Anne issued

from out the trees. They were somewhat more than a bowshot in advance of the cardinal; but instead of

halting till he came up, the king had no sooner ascertained who it was, than, despatching a messenger to the

castle, who was seen galloping swiftly down the avenue, he rode off with Anne Boleyn towards the opposite

side of the park. Though deeply mortified by the slight, Wolsey concealed his vexation from his brother

cardinal, and pursued his way to the castle, before which he presently arrived. The gate was thrown open at

his approach, but he had scarcely entered the lower ward when Sir Henry Norris, the king's groom of the

stole, advanced to meet him, and, with a sorrowful expression of countenance, said that his royal master had

"I understand your drift, sir," replied Wolsey; "you would tell me I am not welcome. Well, then, his eminence

Cardinal Campeggio and myself must take up our lodging at some hostel in the town, for it is necessary we

"If your grace is content to dismiss your attendants," said Norris in a low tone, "you and Cardinal Campeggio

can be lodged in Henry the Third's Tower. Thus much I will take upon me; but I dare not admit you to the

Wolsey tried to look unconcerned, and calling to his gentleman usher, George Cavendish, gave him some

instructions in a low voice, upon which the other immediately placed himself at the head of the retinue, and

ordered them to quit the castle with him, leaving only the jester, Patch, to attend upon his master.

Campeggio's attendants being comparatively speaking, few in number, were allowed to remain, and his litter

was conveyed to Henry the Third's Towera fortification standing, as already stated, in the south side of the

lower ward, near the edge of the dry moat surrounding the Round Tower. At the steps of this tower Wolsey

dismounted, and was about to follow Campeggio into the doorway, when Will Sommers, who had heard of

his arrival, stepped forward, and with a salutation of mock formality, said, "I am sure it will grieve the king,

my master, not to be able to accommodate your grace's train; but since it is larger than his own, you will

"Nor the courtesy of his attendants," rejoined Wolsey sharply. "I am in no mood for thy jesting now. Stand

"Take care the king does not apply the rod to your own, lord cardinal," retorted Will Sommers. "If he

scourges you according to your deserts, your skin will be redder than your robe." And his mocking laugh

Some two hours after this, Henry and his attendants returned from the chase. The king seemed in a blithe

humour, and Wolsey saw him laugh heartily as Will Sommers pointed with his bauble towards Henry the

Third's Tower. The cardinal received no invitation to the royal banquet; and the answer to his solicitation for

an interview was, that he and Campeggio would be received in the presencechamber on the following

That night a great revel was held in the castle. Masquing, dancing, and feasting filled up the evening, and the

joyous sounds and strains reached Wolsey in his seclusion, and forced him to contrast it with his recent

position, when he would have been second only to the king in the entertainment. He laid his head upon his

pillow, but not to rest, and while tossing feverishly about his couch, he saw the arras with which the walls

were covered, move, and a tall, dark figure step from behind it. The cardinal would have awakened his jester,

who slept in a small trucklebed at his feet, but the strange visitor motioned him to be still.

"You may conjecture who I am, cardinal," he said, "but in case you should doubt, I will tell you. I am Herne

the Hunter! And now to my errand. There is a damsel, whom you once saw in the forest near the great lake,

and whom you promised to befriend. You can assist her nowtomorrow it may be out of your power."

"I have enough to do to aid myself, without meddling with what concerns me not," said Wolsey.

"This damsel does concern you," cried Herne. "Read this, and you will see in what way."

"Hush!" cried Herne, "or you will wake this sleeper. It is as you suppose. Will you not aid her now? Will you

not bestow some of your treasure upon her before it is wholly wrested from you by the king? I will do aught

"Go, then, to my palace at Esher," cried the cardinal. "Take this key to my treasurerit is the key of my

coffers. Bid him deliver to you the six caskets in the cabinet in the gilt chamber. Here is a token by which he

will know that you came from me," he added, delivering him a small chain of gold, "for it has been so agreed

"Fear nothing," replied Herne. And stretching forth his hand to receive the key and the chain, he glided

This strange incident gave some diversion to Wolsey's thought; but ere long they returned to their former

channel. Sleep would not be summoned, and as soon as the first glimpse of day appeared, he arose, and

wrapping his robe around him, left his room and ascended a winding staircase leading to the roof of the

The morning promised to be fine, but it was then hazy, and the greater part of the forest was wrapped in mist.

The castle, however, was seen to great advantage. Above Wolsey rose the vast fabric of the Round Tower, on

the summit of which the broad standard was at that moment being unfurled; while the different battlements

and towers arose majestically around. But Wolsey's gaze rested chiefly upon the exquisite mausoleum lying

immediately beneath him; in which he had partly prepared for himself a magnificent monument. A sharp

pang shook him as he contemplated it, and he cried aloud, "My very tomb will be wrested from me by this

rapacious monarch; and after all my care and all my cost, I know not where I shall rest my bones!"

Saddened by the reflection, he descended to his chamber, and again threw himself on the couch.

But Wolsey was not the only person in the castle who had passed a sleepless night. Of the host of his enemies

many had been kept awake by the anticipation of his downfall on the morrow; and among these was Anne

Boleyn, who had received an assurance from the king that her enmity should at length be fully gratified.

At the appointed hour, the two cardinals, proceeded to the royal lodgings. They were detained for some time

in the antechamber, where Wolsey was exposed to the taunts and sneers of the courtiers, who had lately so

servilely fawned upon him. At length, they were ushered into the presence chamber, at the upper end of

which beneath a canopy emblazoned with the royal arms woven in gold, sat Henry, with Anne Boleyn on his

right hand. At the foot of the throne stood Will Sommers, and near him the Dukes of Richmond and Suffolk.

Norfolk, Rochford, and a number of other nobles, all open enemies of Wolsey, were also present. Henry

watched the advance of the cardinals with a stern look, and after they had made an obeisance to him, he

"You have sought an interview with me, my lords," he said, with suppressed rage. "What would you?"

"We have brought an instrument to you, my liege," said Wolsey, "which has just been received from his

"It is a citation," replied Wolsey, "enjoining your high ness to appear by attorney in the papal court, under a

And he presented a parchment, stamped with the great seal of Rome, to the king, who glanced his eye fiercely

over it, and then dashed it to the ground, with an explosion of fury terrible to hear and to witness.

"Ha! by Saint George!" he cried; "am I as nothing, that the Pope dares to insult me thus?"

"It is a mere judicial form your majesty," interposed Campeggio, "and is chiefly sent by his holiness to let

"I will take care you have not, nor his holiness either," roared the king. "By my father's head, he shall find I

"Peace!" cried the king. "I will hear no apologies nor excuses. The insult has been offered, and cannot he

"Sire!" exclaimed the cardinal, shrinking before the whirlwind of passion, which seemed to menace his utter

"As for you, I say," pursued Henry, extending his hand towards him, while his eyes flashed fire, "who by

your outrageous pride have so long overshadowed our honourwho by your insatiate avarice and appetite

for wealth have oppressed our subjectswho by your manifold acts of bribery and extortion have

impoverished our realm, and by your cruelty and partiality have subverted the due course of justice and

turned it to your endsthe time is come when you shall receive due punishment for your offences."

"You wrong me, my dear liege," cried Wolsey abjectly. "These are the accusations of my enemies. Grant me

"I would not sharpen the king's resentment against you, lord cardinal," said Anne Boleyn, "for it is keen

enough; but I cannot permit you to say that these charges are merely hostile. Those who would support the

"I am ready to take thy place, lord cardinal," said Will Sommers; "and will exchange my bauble for thy

"Peace!" thundered the king. "Stand not between me and the object of my wrath. Your accusers are not one

but many, Wolsey; nay, the whole of my people cry out for justice against you. And they shall have it. But

you shall hear the charges they bring. Firstly, contrary to our prerogative, and for your own advancement and

profit, you have obtained authority legatine from the Pope; by which authority you have not only spoiled and

taken away their substance from many religious houses, but have usurped much of our own jurisdiction. You

have also made a treaty with the King of France for the Pope without our consent, and concluded another

friendly treaty with the Duke of Ferrara, under our great seal, and in our name, without our warrant. And

furthermore you have presumed to couple yourself with our royal self in your letters and instructions, as if

"Ha! ha! 'The king and I would have you do thus!' 'The king and I give you our hearty thanks!' Ran it not so,

"In exercise of your legatine authority," pursued the king, "you have given away benefices contrary to our

crown and dignity, for the which you are in danger of forfeiture of your lands and goods."

"Then it has been your practice to receive all the ambassadors to our court first at your own palace,"

continued Henry, "to hear their charges and intentions, and to instruct them as you might see fit. You have

also so practised that all our letters sent from beyond sea have first come to your own hands, by which you

have acquainted yourself with their contents, and compelled us and our council to follow your devices. You

have also written to all our ambassadors abroad in your own name concerning our affairs, without our

authority; and received letters in return from them by which you have sought to compass your own purposes.

By your ambition and pride you have undone many of our poor subjects; have suppressed religious houses,

and received their possessions; have seized upon the goods of wealthy spiritual men deceased; constrained all

ordinaries yearly to compound with you; have gotten riches for yourself and servants by subversion of the

laws, and by abuse of your authority in causing divers pardons of the Pope to be suspended until you, by

promise of a yearly pension, chose to revive them; and also by crafty and untrue tales have sought to create

"That we can all avouch for," cried Suffolk. "It was never merry in England while there were cardinals

"Of all men in England your grace should be the last to say so," rejoined Wolsey; "for if I had not been

cardinal, you would not have had a head upon your shoulders to utter the taunt."

"No more of this!" cried the king. "You have misdemeaned yourself in our court by keeping up as great state

in our absence as if we had been there in person, and presumptuously have dared to join and imprint your

badge, the cardinal's hat, under our arms, graven on our coins struck at York. And lastly, whenever in open

Parliament allusion hath been made to heresies and erroneous sects, you have failed to correct and notice

them, to the danger of the whole body of good and Christian people of this our realm."

"This last charge ought to win me favour in the eyes of one who professes the Opinions of Luther," said

"I will listen to no defence, Wolsey," replied the king. "I will make you a terrible example to others how they

"I have heard too much, and I will hear no more!" cried the king fiercely. "I dismiss you from my presence

for ever. If you are innocent, as you aver, justice will be done you.. If you are guilty, as I believe you to be,

look not for leniency from me, for I will show you none." And, seating himself, he turned to Anne, and said,

"I am," she replied. "I shall not now break my vow. False cardinal," she added aloud, "your reign is at an

"Your own may not be much longer, madam," rejoined Wolsey bitterly. "The shadow of the axe," he added,

pointing to the reflection of a partisan on the floor, "is at your feet. Ere long it may rise to the head."

I How the Earl of Surrey and the Fair Geraldine met in King James's Bower in the MoatAnd how they

IN order to preserve unbroken the chain of events with which the last book of this chronicle concluded, it was

deemed expedient to disturb the unity of time, so far as it related to some of the less important characters; and

it will now he necessary, therefore, to return to the middle of June, when the Earl of Surrey's term of

As the best means of conquering the anxiety produced by the vision exhibited to him by Herne, increased as

it was by the loss of the relic he had sustained at the same time, the earl had devoted himself to incessant

study, and for a whole month he remained within his chamber. The consequence of his unremitting

application was that, though he succeeded in his design and completely regained his tranquillity, his strength

gave way under the effort, and he was confined for some days to his couch by a low fever.

As soon as he was sufficiently recovered to venture forth, he mounted to the summit of the Round Tower, in

the hope that a walk round its breezy battlements might conduce to his restoration to health. The day was

bright and beautiful, and a gentle wind was stirring; and as Surrey felt the breath. of heaven upon his cheek,

and gazed upon the glorious. prospect before him, he wondered that his imprisonment had not driven him

mad. Everything around him, indeed,. was calculated to make the sense of captivity painful. The broad and

beautiful meads, stretching out beneath him, seemed to invite a ramble over them; the silver river courted a

plunge into its waves, the woods an hour's retirement into their shady recesses, The bells of Eton College

rang out merrily, but their sound saddened rather than elated him. The road between Eton and Windsor, then

marked by straggling cottages with gardens between them, with here and there a dwelling of a better kind,

was thronged with herds of cattle and their drivers, for a fair was held that day in the town of Windsor, to

which they were hastening. Then there were country maidens and youthful hinds in their holiday apparel,

trooping towards the bridge. Booths were erected, near which, in the Brocas meads, the rustic sports of

wrestling, running, and casting the bar were going forward, while numbers of boats shot to and fro upon the

river, and strains of music proceeded from a large gilt barge moored to its banks. Nearer, and in the broad

green plain lying beneath the north terrace, were a company of archers shooting at the butts. But these sights,

instead of affording pleasure to Surrey, only sharpened the anguish of his feelings by the contrast they offered

To distract his thoughts, he quitted the near view, and let his eye run along the edge of the horizon, until it

rested upon a small speck, which he knew to be the lofty spire of Saint Paul's Cathedral. If, as he supposed,

the Fair Geraldine was in attendance upon Anne Boleyn, at the palace at Bridewell, she must be under the

shadow of this very spire; and the supposition, whether correct or not, produced such quick and stifling

Ashamed of his weakness, he turned to the other side of the tower, and bent his gaze upon the woody heights

of the great park. These recalled Herne the Hunter; and burning with resentment at the tricks practised upon

him by the demon, he determined that the first use he would make of his liberty should be to seek out, and, if

possible, effect the capture of this mysterious being. Some of the strange encounters between Herne and the

king had been related to him by the officer on guard at the Norman Tower but these only served as stimulants

to the adventure. After a couple of hours thus passed on the keep, he descended refreshed and invigorated.

The next day he was there again, and the day after that; when, feeling that his restoration was well nigh

complete, he requested permission to pass the following evening in the dry moat of the donjon. And this was

Covered with green sod, and shaded by many tall trees growing out of the side of the artificial mound on

which the keep was built, the fosse offered all the advantages of a garden to the prisoners who were allowed

to take exercise within it. Here, as has been mentioned, King James the First of Scotland first beheld, from

the battlements above, the lovely Jane Beaufort take her solitary walk, and by his looks and gestures

contrived to make her sensible of the passion with which she inspired him; and here at last, in an arbour

which, for the sake of the old and delightful legend connected with it, was kept up at the time of this

chronicle, and then bore the name of the royal poet, they had secretly met, and interchanged their vows of

Familiar with the story, familiar also with the poetic strains to which the monarch's passion gave birth, Surrey

could not help comparing his own fate with that of the illustri6us captive who had visited the spot before him.

Full of such thoughts, he pensively tracked the narrow path winding between the grassy banks of the

fossenow casting up his eyes to the keepnow looking towards the arbour, and wishing that he had been

favoured with such visitings as lightened the captivity of the Scottish king. At last, he sought the bowera

charming little nest of green leaves and roses, sheltering a bench which seemed only contrived for

loversand taking out his tablets, began to trace within them some stanzas of that exquisite poem which has

linked his name for ever with the Round Tower. Thus occupied, the time stole on insensibly, and he was not

aware that he had overstayed the limits allowed him, till he was aroused by the voice of the officer, who

"You will be removed to your old lodging, in the Round Tower, to morrow night, my lord," said the officer.

"For what reason?" demanded the earl, as he followed his conductor up the steep side of the mound. But

Entering a door in the covered way at the head of the flight of steps communicating with the Norman Tower,

they descended them in silence. Just as they reached the foot of this long staircase, the earl chanced to cast

back his eyes, and,to his inexpressible astonishment, perceived on the landing at the head of the steps, and

just before the piece of ordnance commanding the ascent, the figure of Herne the Hunter.

Before he could utter an exclamation, the figure retreated through the adjoining archway. Telling the officer

what he had seen, Surrey would fain have gone in quest of the fiendish spy; but the other would not permit

him; and affecting to treat the matter as a mere creation of fancy, he hurried the earl to his chamber in the

The next day, Surrey was removed betimes to the Round Tower, and the cause of the transfer was soon

explained by the discharge of ordnance, the braying of trumpets and the rolling of drums, announcing the

arrival of the king. From the mystery observed towards him, Surrey was led to the conclusion that the Fair

Geraldine accompanied the royal party; but he in vain sought to satisfy himself of the truth of the surmise by

examining, through the deep embrasure of his window, the cavalcade that soon afterwards entered the upper

quadrangle. Amid the throng of beautiful dames surrounding Anne Boleyn he could not be certain that he

detected the Fair Geraldine; but he readily distinguished the Duke of Richmond among the nobles, and the

The day wore away slowly, for he could not fix his attention upon his books, neither was he allowed to go

forth upon the battlements of the tower. In the evening, however, the officer informed him he might take

exercise within the dry moat if he was so inclined, and he gladly availed himself of the permission.

After pacing to and fro along the walk for a short time, he entered the arbour, and was about to throw himself

upon the bench, when he observed a slip of paper lying upon it. He took it up, and found a few lines traced

"The Fair Geraldine arrived this morning in the castle. If the Earl of Surrey desires to meet her, he will find

This billet was read and reread by the young earl with feelings of indescribable transport; but a little

reflection damped his ardour, and made him fear it might be a device to ensnare him. There was no certainty

that the note proceeded in any way from the Fair Geraldine, nor could he even be sure that she was in the

castle. Still, despite these misgivings, the attraction was too powerful to be resisted, and he turned over the

means of getting out of his chamber, but the scheme seemed wholly impracticable. The window was at a

considerable height above the ramparts of the keep, and even if he could reach them, and escape the notice of

the sentinels, he should have to make a second descent into the fosse. And supposing all this accomplished

how was he to return? The impossibility of answering this latter mental interrogation compelled him to give

On returning to his prisonchamber, he stationed himself at the embrasure overlooking the ramparts, and

listened to the regular tread of the sentinel below, half resolved, be the consequences what they might, to

descend. As the appointed time approached, his anxiety became almost intolerable, and quitting the window,

he began to pace hurriedly to and fro within the chamber, which, as has been previously observed, partook of

the circular form of the keep, and was supported in certain places by great wooden pillars and crossbeams.

But instead of dissipating his agitation, his rapid movements seemed rather to increase it, and at last, wrought

"If the fiend were to present himself now, and offer to lead me to her, I would follow him."

Scarcely were the words uttered than a hollow laugh broke from the farther end of the chamber, and a deep

voice exclaimed "I am ready to take you to her." "I need not ask who addresses me," said Surrey, after a

pause, and straining his eyes to distinguish the figure of the speaker in the gloom.

"I will tell you who I am," rejoined the other. "I am he who visited you once beforewho showed you a

"You have summoned me," returned Herne; "and I will not be dismissed. I am ready to convey you to your

"It will be time enough to put that question when I make any condition," replied Herne. "Enough, I am

Suddenly, Herne drew a lantern from beneath the cloak in which he was wrapped, and threw its light on a

Surrey hesitated a moment, and then plunged down the steps. In another instant the demon followed. Some

hidden machinery was then set in motion, and the trapdoor returned to its place. At length, Surrey arrived at

a narrow passage, which appeared to correspond in form with the bulwarks of the keep. Here Herne passed

him, and taking the lead, hurried along the gallery and descended another flight of steps, which brought them

to a large vault, apparently built in the foundation of the tower. Before the earl had time to gaze round this

chamber, the demon masked the lantern, and taking his hand, drew him through a narrow passage, terminated

by a small iron door, which flew open at a touch, and they emerged among the bushes clothing the side of the

"You can now proceed without my aid," said Herne: "but take care not to expose yourself to the sentinels."

Keeping under the shade of the trees, for the moon was shining brightly, Surrey hastened towards the arbour,

and as he entered it, to his inexpressible delight found that he had not been deceived, but that the Fair

"How did you contrive this meeting? " she cried, after their first greetings had passed. "And how did you

learn I was in the castle, for the strictest instructions were given that the tidings should not reach you."

The only response made by Surrey was to press her lily hand devotedly to his lips.

"I should not have ventured hither," pursued the Fair Geraldine, "unless you had sent me the relic as a token. I

knew you would never part with it, and I therefore felt sure there was no deception."

"Your messenger provided a ropeladder, by which I descended into the moat," she replied.

"You seem astonished at my resolution," she continued; "and, indeed, I am surprised at it myself; but I could

not overcome my desire to see you, especially as this meeting may be our last. The king, through the Lady

Anne Boleyn, has positively enjoined me to think no more of you and has given your father, the Duke of

Norfolk, to understand that your marriage without the royal assent will be attended by the loss of all the

"Alas!" replied the Fair Geraldine in a mournful tone, "I feel we shall never be united. This conviction, which

has lately forced itself upon my mind, has not made me love you less, though it has in some degree altered

"But I may be able to move the king," cried Surrey. "I have some claim besides that of kindred on the Lady

"Do not trust to her," replied the Fair Geraldine. "You may have rendered her an important service, but be not

too sure of a return. No, Surrey, I here release you from the troth you plighted to me in the cloisters."

I will not be released from it!" cried the earl hastily; "neither will I release you. I hold the pledge as sacred

"For your own sake, do not say so, my dear lord," rejoined the Fair Geraldine; "I beseech you, do not. That

your heart is bound to me now, I well believeand that you could become inconstant I will not permit

myself to suppose. But your youth forbids an union between us for many years; and if during that time you

should behold some fairer face than mine, or should meet some heart you may conceive more loving

though that can hardly beI would not have a hasty vow restrain you. Be free, thenfree at least for three

yearsand if at the end of that time your affections are still unchanged, I am willing you should bind

" I cannot act with equal generosity to you," rejoined Surrey in a tone of deep disappointment. "I would

sooner part with life than relinquish the pledge I have received from you. But I am content that my constancy

should be put to the test you propose. During the long term of my probation, I will shrink from no trial of

faith. Throughout Europe I will proclaim your beauty in the lists, and will maintain its supremacy against all

comers. But, oh! sweet Geraldine, since we have met in this spot, hallowed by the loves of James of Scotland

and Jane Beaufort, let us here renew our vows of eternal constancy, and agree to meet again at the time you

And as he spoke he drew her towards him, and imprinted a passionate kiss on her lips.

"No" she replied, '' your messenger merely showed it to me. But why do you ask? Ah! I understand. The

"Herne the Hunter," replied Surrey, in a whisper. "But fear nothing. I will defend you with my life. Ah!

"None would avail against him," murmured the Fair Geraldine. "Lead me forth; I shall die if I stay here."

Supporting her in his arms, Surrey complied, but they had scarcely gained the entrance of the arbour, when a

tall figure stood before them. It was the Duke of Richmond. A gleam of moonlight penetrating through the

leaves, fell upon the group, and rendered them distinctly visible to each other.

"Soh!" exclaimed the duke, after regarding the pair in silence for a moment, "I have not been misinformed.

"Richmond," said Surrey sternly, "we once were dear and loving friends, and we are still honourable foes. I

know that I am safe with you. I know you will breathe no word about this meeting, either to the Fair

"You judge me rightly, my lord," replied the duke, in a tone of equal sternness. "I have no thought of

betraying you; though, by a word to my royal father, I could prevent all chance of future rivalry on your part.

" Your grace acts as beseems a loyal gentleman," replied Surrey. "Hereafter I will not fail to account to you

Oh! let me interpose between you, my lords," cried the Fair Geraldine, "to prevent the disastrous

consequences of this quarrel. I have already told your grace I cannot love you, and that my heart is devoted to

the Earl of Surrey. Let me appeal to your noble natureto your generosity not to persist in a hopeless

"You have conquered madam," said the duke, after a pause. "I have been to blame in this matter. But I will

"I will now endeavour to heal the wounds I have unwittingly occasioned," said the Fair Geraldine. "I am

surprised your grace should be insensible to attractions so far superior to mine as those of the Lady Mary

"The Lady Mary is very beautiful, I confess," said the duke; "and if you had not been in the way, I should

"I ought not to betray the secret, perhaps," hesitated the Fair Geraldine, "but gratitude prompts me to do so.

Indeed! " exclaimed the duke. " If it be so, Surrey, we may yet be brothers as well as friends."

"And that it is so I can avouch, Richmond," rejoined the earl, "for I am in my sister's secret as well as the Fair

Geraldine. But now that this explanation has taken place, I must entreat your grace to conduct the Fair

Geraldine back to her lodgings, while I regain, the best way I can, my chamber in the Round Tower."

"I marvel how you escaped from it," said Richmond; "but I suppose it was by the connivance of the officer."

"He who set me freewho brought the Fair Geraldine hitherand who, I suspect, acquainted you with our

"You amaze me!" exclaimed the duke; "it was indeed a tall dark man, muffled in a cloak, who informed me

that you were to meet at midnight in King James's bower in the moat, and I therefore came to surprise you."

"Right!" exclaimed the demon, stepping from behind a tree, where he had hitherto remained concealed; "it

was II, Herne the Hunter. And I contrived the meeting in anticipation of a far different result from that

which has ensued. But I now tell you, my lord of Surrey, that it is idle to indulge a passion for the Fair

"Time will show," replied Herne. "I repeat, you will wed anotherand more, I tell you, you are blinder than

Richmond has shown himselffor the most illustrious damsel in the kingdom has regarded you with eyes of

"Ay, the Princess Mary," repeated Herne. "How say you now, my lord ? will you let ambition usurp the

No," replied Surrey. "But I will hold no further converse with thee. Thou wouldst tempt to perdition. Hence,

"Unless you trust yourself to my guidance, you will never reach your chamber," rejoined Herne, with a

mocking laugh. "The iron door in the mound cannot be opened on this side, and you well know what the

consequence of a discovery will be. Come, or I leave you to your fate." And he moved down the path on the

Pressing the Fair Geraldine to his breast, the Earl committed her to the charge of his friend, and tearing

himself away, followed the steps of the demon. He had not proceeded far when he heard his name

pronounced by a voice issuing from the tree above him. Looking up, he saw Herne in one of the topmost

branches, and at a sign, instantly climbed up to him. The thick foliage screened them from observation, arid

Surrey concluded his guide was awaiting the disappearance of the sentinel, who was at that moment

approaching the tree. But such apparently was not the other's intentions; for the man had scarcely passed than

Herne sprang upon the ramparts, and the poor fellow turning at the sound, was almost scared out of his senses

at the sight of the dreaded fiend. Dropping his halbert, he fell upon his face with a stifled cry Herne then

motioned Surrey to descend, and they marched together quickly to a low door opening into the keep. Passing

through it, and ascending a flight of steps, they stood upon the landing at the top of the staircase

communicating with the Norman Tower, and adjoining the entrance to Surrey's chamber.

Apparently familiar with the spot, Herne took down a large key from a nail in the wall, against which it hung,

"Enter," he said to Surrey, "and do not forget the debt you owe to Herne the Hunter."

II. How Sir Thomas Wyat found Mabel in the Sandstone Cave, and what happened to him there

A week after the foregoing occurrence, the Earl of Surrey was set free. But his joy at regaining his liberty was

damped by learning that the Fair Geraldine had departed for Ireland. She had left the tenderest messages for

him with his sister, the Lady Mary Howard, accompanied with assurances of unalterable attachment.

But other changes had taken place, which were calculated to afford him some consolation. Ever since the

night on which he had been told the Lady Mary was not indifferent to him, Richmond had devoted himself

entirely to her; and matters had already proceeded so far, that he had asked her in marriage of the Duke of

Norfolk, who, after ascertaining the king's pleasure on the subject, had gladly given his consent, and the

youthful pair were affianced to each other. Surrey and Richmond now became closer friends than ever; and if,

amid the thousand distractions of Henry's gay and festive court, the young earl did not forget the Fair

About a week after Wolsey's dismissal, while the court was still sojourning at Windsor, Surrey proposed to

Richmond to ride one morning with him in the great park. The Duke willingly assented, and mounting their

steeds, they galloped towards Snow Hill, wholly unattended. While mounting this charming ascent at a more

leisurely pace, the earl said to his companion, "I will now tell you why I proposed this ride to you, Richmond.

I have long determined to follow up the adventure of Herne the Hunter, and I wish to confer with you about

"I know not what to say, Surrey," replied the duke gravely, and speaking in a low tone. "The king, my father,

"I will take counsel with Lady Mary on the subject before I give an answer," rejoined Richmond.

"Then there is little doubt what your grace's decision will be," laughed Surrey. "To speak truth, it was the fear

of your consulting her that made me bring you here. What say you to a ride in the forest tomorrow night?"

"I have little fancy for it," replied Richmond; "and if you will be ruled by me, you will not attempt the

"My resolution is taken," said the earl; "but now, since we have reached the brow of the hill, let us push

A rapid ride of some twenty minutes brought them to the edge of the lake, and they proceeded along the

verdant path leading to the forester's hut. On arriving at the dwelling, it appeared wholly deserted, but they

nevertheless dismounted, and tying their horses to the trees at the back of the cottage, entered it. While they

were examining the lower room, the plash of oars reached their ears, and rushing to the window, they

descried the skiff rapidly approaching the shore. A man was seated within it, whose attire, though sombre,

seemed to proclaim him of some rank, but as his back was towards them, they could not discern his features.

In another instant the skiff touched the strand, and the rower leaping ashore, proved to be Sir Thomas Wyat.

On making this discovery they both ran out to him, and the warmest greetings passed between them. When

these were over, Surrey expressed his surprise to Wyat at seeing him there, declaring he was wholly unaware

"I came back about a month ago," said Wyat. "His majesty supposes me at Allington; nor shall I return to

"My errand is a strange and adventurous one," replied Wyat. "You may have heard that before I departed for

France I passed some days in the forest in company with Herne the Hunter. What then happened to me I may

not disclose; but I vowed never to rest till I have freed this forest from the weird being who troubles it."

"Say you so?" cried Surrey; "then you are most fortunately encountered, Sir Thomas, for I myself, as

Richmond will tell you, am equally bent upon the fiend's expulsion. We will be companions in the

"We will speak of that anon," replied Wyat. "I was sorry to find this cottage uninhabited, and the fair damsel

"It is a strange story," said Richmond. And he proceeded to relate all that was known to have befallen Mabel.

Wyat listened with profound attention to the recital, and at its close, said, " I think I can find a clue to this

mystery, but to obtain it I must go alone. Meet me here at midnight tomorrow, and I doubt not we shall be

"Not yet," rejoined Wyat. "But I will freely confess to you that there is much danger in the

enterprisedanger that I would not willingly any one should share with me, especially you, Surrey, to whom

I owe so much. If you do not find me here, therefore, tomorrow night, conclude that I have perished, or am

"Well, be it as you will, Wyat," said Surrey; "but I would gladly accompany you, and share your danger."

"I know it, and I thank you," returned Wyat, warmly grasping the other's hand; "but muchnay, allmay

remain to be done tomorrow night. You had better bring some force with you, for we may need it."

"I will bring half a dozen stout archers," replied Surrey and if you come not, depend upon it, I will either

"I did not intend to prosecute this adventure further," said Richmond; "but since you are both resolved to

Soon after this, the friends separated,Surrey and Richmond taking horse and returning to the castle,

discoursing on the unlookedfor meeting with Wyat, while the latter again entered the skiff, and rowed

down the lake. As soon as the hut was clear, two persons descended the steps of a ladder leading to a sort of

"Ho! ho! Ho!" laughed the foremost, whose antlered helm and wild garb proclaimed him to be Herne; "they

little dreamed who were the hearers of their conference. So they think to take me, Fenwolfha!"

"They should do so by this time," said Herne; "but I will tell thee why Sir Thomas Wyat has undertaken this

enterprise. It is not to capture me, though that may be one object that moves him. But he wishes to see Mabel

Lyndwood. The momentary glimpse he caught of her bright eyes was sufficient to inflame him."

"I am assured of it," replied Herne. "He knows the secret of the cave, and will find her there."

"I know not that," replied Herne. "I have my own views respecting him. I want to renew my band."

"You will not do so, dread master?" rejoined Fenwolf, trembling and turning pale. "She belongs to me."

"To thee, fool!" cried Herne, with a derisive laugh. "Thinkest thou I would resign such a treasure to thee? No,

"Darest thou to question me? "cried Herne, striking him with the hand armed with the iron gyves. "This to

And this to prove whether thou art mortal or rejoined Fenwolf, plucking his huntingknife from his belt, and

striking it with all his force against the other's breast. But though surely and forcibly dealt, the blow glanced

off as if the demon were cased in steel, and the intended assassin fell back in amazement, while an unearthly

laugh rang in his ears. Never had Fenwolf seen Herne wear so formidable a look as he at that moment

assumed. His giant frame dilated, his eyes flashed fire, and the expression of his countenance was so fearful

"Ah, miserable dog!" thundered Herne; "dost thou think I am to be hurt by mortal hands, or mortal weapons?

Thy former experience should have taught thee differently. But since thou hast provoked it, take thy fate!"

Uttering these words, he seized Fenwolf by the throat, clutching him with a terrific gripe, and in a few

seconds the miserable wretch would have paid the penalty of his rashness, if a person had not at the moment

appeared at the doorway. Flinging his prey hastily backwards, Herne turned at the interruption, and perceived

"Ah, it is thou, Tristram?" cried Herne; "thou art just in time to witness the punishment of this rebellious

"Well," said Herne, gazing at the halfstrangled caitiff, "he may live. He will not offend again. But why hast

"I came to inform you that I have just observed a person row across the lake in the skiff," replied the old man.

"It is Sir Thomas Wyat," replied Herne, "I am aware of his proceedings. Stay with Fenwolf till he is able to

move, and then proceed with him to the cave. But mark me, no violence must be done to Wyat if you find

him there. Any neglect of my orders in this respect will be followed by severe punishment. I shall be at the

Meanwhile, Sir Thomas Wyat, having crossed the lake, landed, and fastened the skiff to a tree, struck into the

wood, and presently reached the open space in which lay the secret entrance to the cave. He was not long in

finding the stone, though it was so artfully concealed by the brushwood that it would have escaped any

uninstructed eye, and removing it, the narrow entrance to the cave was revealed.

Committing himself to the protection of Heaven, Wyat entered, and having taken the precaution of drawing

the stone after him, which was easily accomplished by a handle fixed to the inner side of it, he commenced

the descent. At first, he had to creep along, but the passage gradually got higher, until at length, on reaching

the level ground, he was able to stand upright. There was no light to guide him, but by feeling against the

sides of the passage, he found that he was in the long gallery he had formerly threaded. Uncertain which way

to turn, he determined to trust to chance for taking the right direction, and drawing his sword, proceeded

For some time he encountered no obstacle, neither could he detect the slightest sound, but he perceived that

the atmosphere grew damp, and that the sides of the passage were covered with moisture. Thus warned, he

proceeded with great caution, and presently found, after emerging into a more open space, and striking off on

the left, that he had arrived at the edge of the pool of water which he knew lay at the end of the large cavern.

While considering how he should next proceed, a faint gleam of light became visible at the upper end of the

vault. Changing his position, for the pillars prevented him from seeing the source of the glimmer, he

discovered that it issued from a lamp borne by a female hand, who he had no doubt was Mabel. On making

this discovery, he sprang forwards, and called to her, but instantly repented his rashness, for as he uttered the

Wyat was now completely at a loss how to proceed. He was satisfied that Mabel was in the vault; but in what

way to guide himself to her retreat he could not tell, and it was evident she herself would not assist him.

Persuaded, however, if he could but make himself known, he should no longer be shunned, he entered one of

the lateral passages, and ever and anon, as he proceeded, repeated Mabel's name in a low, soft tone. The

stratagem was successful. Presently he heard a light footstep approaching him, and a gentle voice inquired

"You will not know me if I declare myself, Mabel," he replied, "but I am called Sir Thomas Wyat."

"The name is well known to me," she replied, in trembling tones; "and I have seen you onceat my

"I know that I am in the cave of Herne the Hunter," replied Wyat; "and one of my motives for seeking it was

"Alas! there is," she replied. " I am chained here by bonds I cannot break. Herne has declared that any attempt

at escape on my part shall be followed by the death of my grandsire. And he does not threaten idly, as no

doubt you know. Besides, the most terrible vengeance would fall on my own head. No,I cannotdare not

fly. But let us not talk in the dark. Come with me to procure a light. Give me your hand, and I will lead you to

Taking the small, trembling hand offered him, Wyat followed his conductress down the passage. A few steps

brought them to a door, which she pushed aside, and disclosed a small chamber, hewn out of the rock, in a

recess of which a lamp was burning. Lighting the lamp which she had recently extinguished, she placed it on

"Have you been long a prisoner here?" asked Wyat, fixing his regards upon her countenance, which, though it

"For three months, I suppose," she replied; "but I am not able to calculate the lapse of time. It has seemed

veryvery long. Oh that I could behold the sun again, and breathe the fresh, pure air!

"I have told you I cannot fly," she answered. "I cannot sacrifice my grandsire."

"But if he is leagued with this demon he deserves the worst fate that can befall him," said Wyat. "You should

I tremble to think of it," she replied; " but I fear that Herne has conceived a passion for me."

"Then indeed you must fly," cried Wyat; "such unhallowed love will tend to perdition of soul and body."

"There is hope," replied Wyat. "I will protect youwill care for youwill love you."

"Love me! "exclaimed Mabel, a deep blush overspreading her pale features. "You love another."

"Absence has enabled me to overcome the vehemence of my passion," replied Wyat, "and I feel that my heart

is susceptible of new emotions. But you, maiden," he added coldly," you are captivated by the admiration of

"My love, like yours, is past," she answered, with a faint smile; "but if I were out of Herne's power I feel that

I could love again, and far more deeply than I loved beforefor that, in fact, was rather the result of vanity

"Mabel," said Wyat, taking her hand, and gazing into her eyes," if I set you free, will you love me?"

"I love you already," she replied; "but if that could be, my whole life should be devoted to you. Ha!" she

exclaimed with a sudden change of tone, "footsteps are approaching; it is Fenwolf. Hide yourself within that

Though doubting the prudence of the course, Wyat yielded to her terrified and imploring looks, and

concealed himself in the manner she had indicated. He was scarcely ensconed in the recess, when the door

opened, and Morgan Fenwolf stepped in, followed by her grandfather. Fenwolf gazed suspiciously round the

little chamber, and then glanced significantly at old Tristram, but he made no remark.

"You must come at once," rejoined Fenwolf authoritatively."Herne will become impatient."

Upon this Mabel rose, and, without daring to cast a look towards the spot where Wyat was concealed, quitted

the cell with them. No sooner were they all out, than Fenwolf, hastily shutting the door, turned the key in the

lock, and taking it out, exclaimed, "So we have secured you, Sir Thomas Wyat. No fear of your revealing the

Utterly disregarding her cries and entreaties, Fenwolf dragged Mabel into the great cavern, and forced her to

take a seat on a bench near the spot where a heap of ashes showed that the fire was ordinarily lighted. All this

while, her grandfather had averted his face from her, as if fearing to meet her regards, and he now busied

himself in striking a light and setting fire to a pile of fagots and small logs of wood.

"I thought you told me Herne was here," said Mabel in a tone of bitter reproach, to Fenwolf, who seated

"Oh, do not detain Sir Thomas Wyat!" cried Mabel piteously; "do not deliver him to your dread master! Do

"I will tell you what I will do," replied Fenwolf, in a low tone; "I will set Sir Thomas at liberty, and run all

Saying which he arose, and, pushing a table near the bench, took the remains of a huge venison pasty and a

By this time Old Tristram, having succeeded in lighting the fire, placed himself at the farther end of the table,

and fell to work upon the viands with Fenwolf. Mabel was pressed to partake of the repast, but she declined

the offer. A large stone bottle was next produced and emptied of its contents by the pair, who seemed well

Meanwhile Mabel was revolving the possibility of flight, and had more than once determined to make an

attempt, but fear restrained her. Her grandsire, as has been stated, sedulously avoided her gaze, and turned a

deaf ear to her complaints and entreaties. But once, when Fenwolf's back was turned, she caught him gazing

at her with peculiar significance, and then comprehended the meaning of his strange conduct. He evidently

Satisfied of this, she became more tranquil, and about an hour having elapsed, during which nothing was said

by the party, the low winding of a horn was heard, and Fenwolf started to his feet, exclaiming

The next moment the demon huntsman rode from one of the lateral passages into the cave. He was mounted

on a wildlooking black horse, with flowing mane and tail, eyes glowing like carbuncles, and in all respects

Springing to the ground, he exchanged a few words with Fenwolf in a low tone, and delivering his steed to

him, with orders to take it to the stable, signed to Tristram to go with him, and approached Mabel.

"And he has told you he loves you, and has urged you to fly with him ha? "pursued Herne.

"He was mad to venture hither," continued Herne; "but having done so, he must take the consequences."

"He will perish by a hand as terrible as mine," laughed Herne " by that of famine. He will never quit the

"Unless he is leagued with me," replied Herne. "And now let him pass, for I would speak of myself. I have

already told you that I love you, and am resolved to make you mine. You shudder, but wherefore? It is a

glorious destiny to be the' bride of the wild hunterthe fiend who rules the forest, and who, in his broad

domain, is more powerful than the king. The old forester, Robin Hood, had his maid Marian; and what was he

compared to me? He had neither my skill nor my power. Be mine, and you shall accompany me on my

midnight rides; shall watch the fleet stag dart over the moonlight glade, or down the lengthened vista. You

shall feel all the unutterable excitement of the chase. You shall thread with me the tangled grove, swim the

river and the lake, and enjoy a thousand pleasures hitherto unknown to you. Be mine, and I will make you

mistress of all my secrets, and compel the band whom I will gather round me to pay you homage. Be mine,

and you shall have power of life and death over them, as if you were absolute queen. And from me, whom all

"Though I now inspire you with terror and aversion," pursued "the time will come when you will love me as

"Dead I" exclaimed Herne. "Thrice fifty years have flown since she dwelt upon earth. The acorn which was

shed in the forest has grown into a lusty oak, while trees at that time in their pride have fallen and decayed

away. Dead!yes, she has passed from all memory save mine, where she will ever dwell. Generations of

men have gone down to the grave since her timea succession of kings have lodged within the castle but I

am still a denizen of the forest. For crimes I then committed I am doomed to wander within it,and I shall

"Liberate me!" cried Mabel; "liberate your other prisoner and we will pray for your release."

"No more of this!" cried Herne fiercely. "If you would not call down instant and terrible punishment on your

head punishment that I cannot avert, and must inflictyou will mention nothing sacred in my hearing, and

"Oh, say not so! "cried Mabel, in a tone of commiseration. "I will tell you how my doom was accomplished,"

rejoined Herne wildly. "To gain her of whom I have just spoken, and who was already vowed to Heaven, I

invoked the powers of darkness. I proffered my soul to the Evil One if he would secure her to me, and the

condition demanded by him was that I should become what I amthe fiend of the forest, with power to

"I grasped at the offer," pursued Herne. "She I loved became mine. But she was speedily snatched from me

by death, and since then I have known no human passion except hatred and revenge. I have dwelt in this

forest, sometimes alone, sometimes at the head of a numerous band, but always exerting a baneful influence

over mankind. At last, I saw the image of her I loved again appear before me, and the old passion was revived

within my breast. Chance has thrown you in my way, and mine you shall be, Mabel."

"You cannot escape me," rejoined He me, with a triumphant laugh; "you cannot avoid your fate. But I want

not to deal harshly with you. I love you, and would win you rather by persuasion than by force. Consent to be

"Not only do I offer you Wyat's life as the price of your compliance," persevered Herne; "but you shall have

what ever else you may seek jewels, ornaments, costly attire, treasurefor of such I possess a goodly

"I will not always confine you to this cave," replied Herne."You shall go where you please, and live as you

"Tristram Lyndwood is no relative of yours," replied Herne. "I will now clear up the mystery that hangs over

your birth. You are the offspring of one who for years has exercised greater sway than the king within this

realm, but who is now disgraced and ruined, and nigh his end. His priestly vows forbid him to own you, even

"You have," replied Herne; "and he has seen youand little did he know when he sought you out, that he

was essaying to maintain his own power, and overturn that of another, by the dishonour of his daughter

though if he had done so," he added, with a scoffing laugh," it might not have restrained him."

"It is as I have told you," replied Herne. "You now know my resolve. To morrow at midnight our nuptials

"Ay, at that altar," he cried, pointing to the Druid pile of stones; "there you shall vow yourself to me and I to

you, before terrible witnesses. I shall have no fear that you will break your oath. Reflect upon what I have

With this he placed the bugle to his lips, blew a low call upon it, and Fenwolf and Tristram immediately

answering the summons, he whispered some instructions to the former, and disappeared down one of the side

Fenwolf's, deportment was now more sullen than before. In vain did Mabel inquire from him what Herne was

about to do with Sir Thomas Wyat. He returned no answer, and at last, wearied by her importunity, desired

her to hold her peace. Just then, Tristram quitted the cavern for a moment, when he instantly changed his

manner, and 'said to her quickly, " I overheard what passed between you and Herne. Consent to be mine, and

"That were to exchange one evil for another," she replied, "If you would serve me, deliver Sir Thomas Wyat."

Fresh logs were then thrown on the fire by Fenwolf, and, at his request, Tristram proceeded to a hole in the

rock, which served as a sort of larder, and brought from it some pieces of venison, which were broiled upon

At the close of the repast, of which she sparingly partook, Mabel was conducted by Morgan Fenwolf into a

small chamber opening out of the great cavern, which was furnished like the cell she had lately occupied,

with a small straw pallet. Leaving her a lamp, Fenwolf locked the door, and placed the key in his girdle.

Made aware by the clangour of the lock, and Fenwolf's exulting laughter, of the snare in which he had been

caught, Sir Thomas Wyat instantly sprang from his hidingplace, and rushed to the door; but being framed of

the stoutest oak, and strengthened with plates of iron, it defied all his efforts, nerved as they were by rage and

despair, to burst it open. Mabel's shrieks, as she was dragged away, reached his ears, and increased his

anguish; and he called out loudly to her companions to return, but his vociferations were only treated with

Finding it useless to struggle further, Wyat threw himself upon the bench, and endeavoured to discover some

means of deliverance from his present hazardous position. He glanced round the cell to see whether there was

any other outlet than the doorway, but he could discern none, except a narrow grated loophole opening upon

the passage, and contrived, doubtless, for the admission of air to the chamber. No dungeon could be more

Raising the lamp, he examined every crevice, but all seemed solid stone. The recess in which he had taken

shelter proved to be a mere hollow in the wall. In one corner lay a small straw pallet, which, no doubt, had

formed the couch of Mabel; and this, together with the stone bench and rude table of the same material,

Having taken this careful survey of the cell, Wyat again sat down upon the bench with the conviction that

escape was out of the question; and he therefore endeavoured to prepare himself for the worst, for it was

more than probable he would be allowed to perish of starvation. To a fiery nature like his, the dreadful

uncertainty in which he was placed was more difficult of endurance than bodily torture. And he was destined

to endure it long. Many hours flew by, during which nothing occurred to relieve the terrible monotony of his

situation. At length, in spite of his anxiety, slumber stole upon him unawares; but it was filled with frightful

How long he slept he knew not, but when he awoke, he found that the cell must have been visited in the

interval, for there was a manchet of bread, part of a cold neck of venison, and a flask of wine on the table. It

was evident, therefore, that his captors did not mean to starve him, and yielding to the promptings of appetite,

he attacked the provisions, determined to keep strict watch when his gaoler should next visit him.

The repast finished, he again examined the cell, but with no better success than before; and he felt almost

certain, from the position in which the bench was placed, that the visitor had not found entrance through the

After another long and dreary interval, finding that sleep was stealing upon him fast, he placed the bench near

the door, and leaned his back against the latter, certain that in this position he should be awakened if any one

attempted to gain admittance in that way. His slumber was again disturbed by fearful dreams; and he was at

length aroused by a touch upon the shoulder, while a deep voice shouted his own name in her ears.

Starting to his feet, and scarcely able to separate the reality from the hideous phantasms that had troubled

him, he found that the door was still fastened, and the bench unremoved, while before him stood Herne the

"Welcome again to my cave, Sir Thomas Wyat I" cried the demon, with a mocking laugh. "I told you, on the

night of the attempt upon the king, that though you escaped him, you would not escape me. And so it has

"I defy you, false fiend," replied Wyat. "I was mad enough to proffer you my soul on certain conditions; but

"No," replied Wyat, " I have purged my heart from the fierce and unhallowed passion that swayed it. I desire

If you have changed your mind, that is nought to me, " rejoined the demon derisively" I shall hold you to

"Again I say I renounce you, infernal spirit!" cried Wyat; "you may destroy my bodybut you can work no

"You alarm yourself without reason, good Sir Thomas," replied Herne, in a slightly sneering tone. "I am not

the malignant being you suppose me; neither am I bent upon fighting the battles of the enemy of mankind

against Heaven. I may be leagued with the powers of darkness, but I have no wish to aid them; and I therefore

leave you to take care of your soul in your own way. What I desire from you is your service while living.

Now listen to the conditions I have to propose. You must bind yourself by a terrible oath, the slightest

infraction of which shall involve the perdition of the soul you are so solicitous to preserve, not to disclose

aught you may see, or that may be imparted to you here. You must also swear implicit obedience to me in all

thingsto execute any secret commissions, of whatever nature, I may give youto bring associates to my

bandand to join me in any enterprise I may propose. This oath taken, you are free. Refuse it, and I leave

"I do refuse it," replied Wyat boldly. "I would die a thousand deaths rather than so bind myself. Neither do I

"You are a stout soldier, Sir Thomas Wyat," rejoined the demon, with a scornful laugh; "but you are scarcely

a match for Herne the Hunter, as you will find, if you are rash enough to make the experiment. Beware! "he

exclaimed, in a voice of thunder, observing the knight lay his hand upon his sword," I am invulnerable, and

you will, therefore, vainly strike at me. Do not compel me to use the dread means, which I could instantly

employ, to subject you to my will. I mean you well, and would rather serve than injure you. But I will not let

you go, unless you league yourself with me. Swear, therefore, obedience to me, and depart hence to your

"Perfectly well," laughed Herne. "It is now eventide, and at midnight the meeting will take place in the

forester's hut. If you attend it not, I will. They will be my prisoners as well as you. To preserve yourself and

"Before I return an answer," said Wyat, "I must know what has become of Mabel Lyndwood."

"She is so much to me that I will run a risk for her which I would not run for myself," replied Wyat. "If I

promise obedience to you, will you liberate her? will you let her depart with me?"

"No," said Herne peremptorily. "Banish all thoughts of her from your breast. You will never behold her

again. I will give you time for reflection on my proposal. An hour before midnight I shall return, and if I find

And with these words he stepped back towards the lower end of the cell. Wyat instantly sprang after him, but

before he could reach him a flash of fire caused him to recoil, and to his horror and amazement, he beheld the

When the sulphureous smoke, with which the little cell was filled, had in some degree cleared off, Wyat

examined the sides of the rock, but could not find the slightest trace of a secret outlet, and therefore

The next day Mabel was set at liberty by her gaoler, and the hours flew by without the opportunity of escape,

for which she sighed, occurring to her. As night drew on, she became more anxious, and at last expressed a

wish to retire to her cell. When about to fasten the door, Fenwolf found that the lock had got strained, and the

bolts would not move, and he was therefore obliged to content himself with placing a bench against it, on

About an hour after Mabel's retirement, old Tristram offered to relieve guard with Fenwolf, but this the other

positively declined, and leaning against the door, disposed himself to slumber. Tristram then threw himself

Byandby, however, when Fenwolf's heavy breathing gave token of the soundness of his sleep, Tristram

raised himself upon his elbow, and gazed round. The lamp placed upon the table imperfectly illumined the

cavern, for the fire which had been lighted to cook the evening meal had gone out completely. Getting up

cautiously, and drawing his huntingknife, the old man crept towards Fenwolf, apparently with the intent of

At that moment, as if preternaturally warned, Fenwolf opened his eyes, and seeing the old forester standing

"I am no traitor," replied the old man. "I heard a noise in the passage leading to Wyat's cell, and was about to

rouse you, when you awakened of your own accord, probably disturbed by the noise."

"It may be," replied Fenwolf, satisfied with the excuse, and relinquishing his grasp. "I fancied I heard

something in my dreams. But come with me to Wyat's cell. I will not leave you here."

And snatching up the lamp, he hurried with Tristram into the passage. They were scarcely gone, when the

door of the cell was opened by Mabel, who. had overheard what had passed; and so hurriedly did she issue

forth that she overturned the bench, which fell to the ground with a considerable clatter. She had only just

time to replace it, and to conceal herself in an a!1joining passage, when Fenwolf rushed back into the cavern.

It was a false alarm," he cried. "I saw Sir Thomas Wyat in his cell through the loophole, and I have brought

; While he placed his ear to the door, Mabel gave a signal to Tristram that she was safe. Persuaded that he

heard some sound in the chamber, Fenwolf nodded to Tristram that all was right, and resumed his seat.

In less than ten minutes he was again asleep. Mabel then emerged from her concealment, and cautiously

approached Tristram, who feigned, also, to slumber. As she approached him, he rose noiselessly to his feet.

"The plan has succeeded," he said in a low tone. "It was I who spoiled the lock. But come with me. I will lead

"You will only expose yourself to risk, and fail to deliver him," rejoined Tristram. "Fenwolf has the key of

his cell.Nay, if you are determined upon it, I will not hinder you. But you must find your own way out, for I

Motioning him to silence, Mabel crept slowly, and on the points of her feet, towards Fenwolf.

The key was in his girdle. Leaning over him, she suddenly and dexterously plucked it forth.

At the very moment she possessed herself of it, Fenwolf stirred, and she dived down, and concealed herself

beneath the table. Fenwolf, who had been only slightly disturbed, looked up, and seeing Tristram in his

former position, which he had resumed when Mabel commenced her task, again disposed himself to slumber.

Waiting till she was assured of the soundness of his repose, Mabel crept from under the table, signed to

Tristram to remain where he was, and glided with swift and noiseless footsteps down the passage leading to

In a moment, she was at the doorthe key was in the lockand she stood before Sir Thomas Wyat.

A few words sufficed to explain to the astonished knight how she came there, and comprehending that not a

In the passage, they held a brief consultation together in a low tone, as to the best means of escape, for they

deemed it useless to apply to Tristram. The outlet with which Sir Thomas Wyat was acquainted lay on the

other side of the cavern; nor did he know how to discover the particular passage leading to it.

As to Mabel, she could offer no information, but she knew that the stable lay in an adjoining passage.

Recollecting, from former experience, how well the steeds were trained, Sir Thomas Wyat eagerly caught at

the suggestion, and Mabel led him farther down the passage, and striking off through an opening on the left,

brought him, after a few turns, to a large chamber, in which two or three black horses were kept.

Loosening one of them, Wyat placed a bridle on his neck, sprang upon his back, and took up Mabel beside

him. He then struck his heels against the sides of the animal, who needed no further incitement to dash along

The trampling of the horse wakened Fenwolf, who started to his feet, and ran after them, shouting furiously.

But he was too late. Goaded by Wyat's dagger, the steed dashed furiously on, and plunging with its double

VI. Of the Desperate Resolution formed by Tristram and Fenwolf, and how the Train was laid.

Transported with rage at the escape of the fugitives, Fenwolf turned to old Tristram, and drawing his knife,

threatened to make an end of him. But the old man, who was armed with a short huntingsword, stood upon

his defence, and they remained brandishing their weapons at each other for some minutes, but without

"Well, I leave you to Herne's vengeance," said Fenwolf, returning his knife to his belt. "You will pay dearly

"I will take my chance," replied Tristram moodily: "my mind is made up to the worst. I will no longer serve

"What! dare you break your oath?" cried Fenwolf. "Remember the terrible consequences."

"I care not for them," replied Tristram. "Harkee, Fenwolf: I know you will not betray me, for you hate him as

much as I do, and have as great a desire for revenge. I will rid the forest of this fell being."

"Would you could make good your words, old man!" cried Fenwolf. "I would give my life for vengeance

"But how?" cried the other. "I have proved that he is invulnerable and the prints of his hands are written in

black characters upon my throat. If we could capture him, and deliver him to the king, we might purchase our

And taking up the lamp, he led the way down a narrow lateral passage. When about halfway down it, he

stopped before a low door, cased with iron, which he opened, and showed that the recess was filled with large

"Why, this is the powdermagazine," said Fenwolf. "I can now guess how you mean to destroy Herne. I like

the scheme well enough; but it cannot be executed without certain destruction to ourselves."

"I will take all the risk upon myself," said Tristram, "I only require your aid in the preparations. What I

propose to do is this. There is powder enough in the magazine, not only to blow up the cave, but to set fire to

all the wood surrounding it. It must be scattered among the dry brush wood in a great circle round the cave,

and connected by a train with this magazine. When Herne comes hack, I will fire the train."

"There is much hazard in the scheme, and I fear it will fail," replied Fenwolf, after a pause, "nevertheless, I

"Then, let us go to work at once," said Tristram, " for we have no time to lose. Herne will be here before

Accordingly, they each shouldered a couple of the bags, and returning to the cavern, threaded a narrow

While Fenwolf descended for a fresh supply of powder, Tristram commenced operations. Though autumn

was now far advanced, there had been remarkably fine weather of late; the ground was thickly strewn with

yellow leaves, the fern was brown and dry, and the brushwood crackled and broke as a passage was forced

through it. The very trees were parched by the longcontinued drought. Thus favoured in his design, Tristram

scattered the contents of one of the bags in a thick line among the fern and brushwood, depositing here and

there among the roots of a tree, several pounds of powder, and covering the heaps over with dried sticks and

While he was thus employed, Fenwolf appeared with two more bags of powder, and descended again for a

fresh supply. When he returned, laden as before, the old forester had already described a large portion of the

Judging that there was now powder sufficient, Tristram explained to his companion how to proceed; and the

other commenced laying a train on the left of the secret entrance, carefully observing the instructions given

him. In less than an hour, they met together at a particular tree, and the formidable circle was complete.

"So far, well I" said Tristram, emptying the contents of his bag beneath the tree, and covering it with leaves

With this, he opened another bag, and drew a wide train towards the centre of the space. At length, he paused

"I have ascertained," he said, "that this tree stands immediately over the magazine; and by following this

rabbit's burrow, I have contrived to make a small entrance into it. A hollow reed introduced through the hole,

And starting off to the side of the lake, he presently returned with several long reeds, one of which was

selected by Tristram and thrust into the burrow. It proved of the precise length required; and as soon as it

touched the bottom, it was carefully filled with powder from a horn. Having connected this tube with the side

train, and scattered powder for several yards around, so as to secure instantaneous ignition, Tristram

"We have now laid a trap from which Herne will scarcely escape," he observed, with a moody laugh, to

They then prepared to return to the cave, but had not proceeded many yards, when Herne, mounted on his

"Ah! what make you here? " he cried, instantly checking his career. "I bade you keep a strict watch over

"She has escaped with Sir Thomas Wyat," replied Fenwolf, "and we have been in search of them. "

Escaped!" exclaimed Herne, springing from his steed, and rushing up to him; "dogs! you have played me

"We had no hand in it whatever," replied Fenwolf doggedly. "She contrived to get out of a chamber in which

I placed her, and to liberate Sir Thomas Wyat. They then procured a steed from the stable, and plunged

"Hell's malison upon them, and upon you both!" cried Herne. "But you shall pay dearly for your

heedlessness, if, indeed, it has not been something worse. How long have they been gone?"

"Go to the cave," cried Herne, "and await my return there; and if I recover not the prize, woe betide you

"And woe betide you too, false fiend!" cried Fenwolf. "When you come back you shall meet with a welcome

you little expect. Would we had fired the train, Tristram, even though we had perished with him!"

It will be time enough to fire it on his return," replied the old forester; "it is but postponing our vengeance for

a short time. And now to fix our positions. I will take my station in yon brake."

"And I in that hollow tree," said Fenwolf. "Whoever first beholds him shall fire the train."

"Agreed!" replied Tristram. "Let us now descend to the cave and see that all is right in the magazine, and then

About ten o'clock in the night under consideration, Surrey and Richmond, accompanied by the Duke of

Shoreditch, and half a dozen other archers, set out from the castle, and took their way along the great park, in

They had not ridden far, when they were overtaken by two horsemen who, as far as they could be discerned

in that doubtful light, appeared stalwart personages, and well mounted, though plainly attired. The

"There are ill reports of the park, my masters," said the foremost of these persons to Surrey, " and we would

"But our way may not be yours, friend," replied Surrey, who did not altogether relish this proposal. "We are

"Our road lies in that direction," replied the other, " and, if you please, we will bear you company as far as we

go. Come, tell me frankly," he added, after a pause," are you not in search of Herne the Hunter?"

"Because if so," replied the other, "I shall be right glad to join you, and so will my friend, Tony Cryspyn, who

is close behind me. I have an old grudge to settle with this Herne, who has more than once attacked me, and I

"If you will take my advice, Hugh Dacre, you will ride on, and leave the achievement of the adventure to

"Nay, by the mass! that shall never be," rejoined Dacre, "if they have no objection to our joining them. If they

"I will be plain with you, my masters," said Surrey. "We are determined this night, as you have rightly

conjectured, to seek out Herne the Hunter; and we hope to obtain such clue to him as will ensure his capture.

If, therefore, you are anxious to join us, we shall be glad of your aid. But you must be content to follow, and

not leadand to act as you are directed or you will only be in the way, and we would rather dispense with

"And now that the matter is arranged, may I ask when you propose to go? "he continued.

"We are on our way to a hut on the lake, where we expect a companion to join us," replied Surrey.

"Ay," replied the earl, "and we hope to recover his fair granddaughter from the power of the demon."

The two strangers then rode apart for a few moments, and conversed together in a low tone, during which

Richmond expressed his doubts of them to Surrey, adding that he was determined to get rid of them.

The newcomers, however, were not easily shaken off. As soon as they perceived the duke's design, they

stuck more pertinaciously to him and the earl than before, and made it evident they would not be dismissed.

By this time they had passed Spring Hill, and were within a mile of the valley in which lay the marsh, when a

cry for help was heard in the thicket on the left, and the troop immediately halted. The cry was repeated, and

Surrey, bidding the others follow him, dashed off in the direction of the sound.

Presently, they perceived two figures beneath the trees, whom they found, on a nearer approach, were Sir

Dismounting by the side of his friend, Surrey hastily demanded how he came there, and what had happened?

"It is too long a story to relate now," said Wyat; "but the sum of it is, that I have escaped, by the aid of this

damsel, from the clutches of the demon. Our escape was effected on horseback, and we had to plunge into the

lake. The immersion deprived my fair preserver of sensibility, so that as soon as I landed, and gained a covert

where I fancied myself secure, I dismounted, and tried to restore her. While I was thus occupied, the steed I

had brought with me broke his bridle, and darted off into the woods. After a while, Mabel opened her eyes,

but she was so weak that she could not move, and I was fain to make her a couch in the fern, in the hope that

she would speedily revive. But the fright and suffering had been too much for her, and a succession of

faintingfits followed, during which I thought she would expire. This is all. Now, let us prepare a litter for

Meanwhile, the others had come up, and Hugh Dacre, flinging himself from his horse, and pushing Surrey

somewhat rudely aside, advanced towards Mabel, and, taking her hand, said, in a voice of some emotion,

"I am well known to Sir Thomas Wyat," replied Dacre, in a significant tone, "as he will avouch when I recall

certain matters to his mind. But do not let us lose time here. This damsel claims our first attention. She must

be conveyed to a place of safety, and where she can be well tended. We can then return to search for Herne."

Upon this, a litter of branches were speedily made, and Mabel being laid upon it, the simple conveyance was

sustained by four of the archers. The little cavalcade then quitted the thicket, and began to retrace its course

towards the castle. Wyat had been accommodated with a horse by one of the archers, and rode in a

They had got back nearly as far as the brow of Spring Hill, when a horseman, in a wild garb, and mounted on

a coal black steed, lashed suddenly and at a furious pace, out of the trees on the right. He made towards the

litter, overturning Sir Thomas Wyat, and before any opposition could be offered him, seized the inanimate

form of Mabel, and placing her before him on his steed, dashed off as swiftly as he came, and with a burst of

"It is Herne! it is Herne!" burst from every lip. And they all started in pursuit, urging the horses to their

utmost speed. Sir Thomas Wyat had instantly remounted his steed, and he came up with the others.

Herne's triumphant and demoniacal laugh was heard as he scoured with the swiftness of the wind down the

long glade. But the fiercest determination animated his pursuers, who, being all admirably mounted, managed

Away! away! he speeded in the direction of the lake; and after him they thundered, straining every sinew in

the desperate chase. It was a wild and extraordinary sight, and partook of the fantastical character of a dream.

At length Herne reached the acclivity, at the foot of which lay the waters of the lake glimmering in the

starlight; and by the time he had descended to its foot, his pursuers had gained its brow.

The exertions made by Sir Thomas Wyat had brought him a little in advance of the others. Furiously goading

All at once, as he kept his eye on the flying figure of the demon, he was startled by a sudden burst of flame in

the valley. A wide circle of light was rapidly described, a rumbling sound was heard like that preceding an

earthquake, and a tremendous explosion followed, hurling trees and fragments of rock into the air.

Astounded at the extraordinary occurrence, and not knowing what might ensue, the pursuers reined in their

steeds. But the terror of the scene was not yet over. The whole of the brushwood had caught fire, and blazed

up with the fury and swiftness of lighted flax. The flames caught the parched branches of the trees, and in a

The sight was awfully grand, for the wind, which was blowing strongly, swept the flames forward, so that

When the first flash was seen the demon had checked his steed and backed him, so that he had escaped

without injury, and he stood at the edge of the flaming circle watching the progress of the devastating

element; but at last, finding that his pursuers had taken heart and were approaching him, he bestirred himself,

Having by this time recovered from their surprise, Wyat and Surrey dashed after him, and got so near him

that they made sure of his capture. But at the very moment they expected to reach him, he turned his horse's

In vain the pursuers attempted to follow. Their horses refused to encounter the flames; while Wyat's steed,

But the demon held on his way, apparently unscathed in the midst of the flames, casting a look of grim

defiance at his pursuers. As he passed a tree, from which volumes of fire were bursting, the most appalling

shrieks reached his ear, and he beheld Morgan Fenwolf emerging from a hole in the trunk. But without

bestowing more than a glance upon his unfortunate follower, he dashed forward, and becoming involved in

Attracted by Fenwolf's cries, the beholders perceived him crawl out of the hole, and clamber into the upper

part of the tree, where he roared to them most piteously for aid. But even if they had been disposed to render

it, it was impossible to do so now; and after terrible and protracted suffering, the poor wretch, half stifled

with smoke, and unable longer to maintain his hold of the branch to which he crept, fell into the flames

Attributing its outbreak to supernatural agency, the party gazed on in wonder at the fire, and rode round it as

closely as their steeds would allow them. But though they tarried till the flames had abated, and little was left

of the noble grove but a collection of charred and smoking stumps, nothing was seen of the fiend or of the

hapless girl he had carried off. It served to confirm the notion of the supernatural origin of the fire, in that it

was confined within the mystic circle, and did not extend farther into the woods.

At the time that the flames first burst forth, and revealed the countenances of the lookerson, it was

discovered that the selfstyled Dacre and Cryspyn were no other than the king and the Duke of Suffolk.

"If this mysterious being is mortal, he must have perished now," observed Henry; "and if he is not, it is

Day had begun to break as the party quitted the scene of devastation. The king and Suffolk, with the archers,

returned to the castle; but Wyat, Surrey, and Richmond rode towards the lake, and proceeded along its banks

Their progress was suddenly arrested by the sound of lamentation, and they perceived, in a little bay

overhung by trees, which screened it from the path, an old man kneeling beside the body of a female, which

he had partly dragged out of the lake. It was Tristram Lyndwood, and the body was that of Mabel. Her tresses

were dishevelled, and dripping with wet, as were her garments; and her features white as marble. The old

With Wyat, to dismount and grasp the cold hand of the hapless maiden was the work of a moment.

"She is dead!" he cried, in a despairing voice, removing the dank tresses from her brow, and imprinting a

"I found her entangled among those waterweeds," said Tristram, in tones broken by emotion," and had just

dragged her to shore when you came up. As you hope to prosper, now and hereafter, give her a decent burial.

And, with a lamentable cry, he plunged into the lake, struck out to a short distance, and then sank to rise no

ON the anniversary of Saint George, 1536, and exactly seven years from the opening of this chronicle, Henry

assembled the knightscompanions within Windsor Castle to hold the grand feast of the most noble Order of

Many important events had occurred in the wide interval thus suffered to elapse. Wolsey had long since sunk

under his reverses for he never regained the royal favour after his dismissaland had expired at Leicester

But the sufferings of Catherine of Arragon were prolonged up to the commencement of the year under

consideration. After the divorce and the elevation of Anne Boleyn to the throne in her stead, she withdrew to

Kimbolten Castle, where she dwelt in the greatest retirement, under the style of the Princess Dowager.

Finding her end approaching, she sent a humble message to the king, imploring him to allow her one last

interview with her daughter, that she might bestow her blessing upon her; but the request was refused.

A touching letter, however, which she wrote to the king on her death bed, moved him to tears; and having

ejaculated a few expressions of his sense of her many noble qualities, he retired to his closet to indulge his

grief in secret. Solemn obsequies were ordered to be performed at Windsor and Greenwich on the day of her

With this arrangement Anne Boleyn cared not to comply. Though she had attained the summit of her

ambition; though the divorce had been pronounced, and she was crowned queen; though she had given birth

to a daughterthe Princess Elizabeth, afterwards the illustrious queen of that name two years before; and

though she could have no reasonable apprehensions from her, the injured Catherine, during her lifetime, had

always been an object of dread to her. She heard of her death with undisguised satisfaction, clapped her

hands, exclaiming to her attendants, "Now I am indeed queen!" and put the crowning point to her unfeeling

conduct by decorating herself and her dames in the gayest apparel on the day of the funeral.

Alas! she little knew that at that very moment the work of retribution commenced, and that the wrongs of the

injured queen, whose memory she thus outraged, were soon to be terribly and bloodily avenged.

Other changes had likewise taken place, which may be here recorded. The Earl of Surrey had made the tour

of France, Italy, and the Empire, and had fully kept his word, by proclaiming the supremacy of the Fair

Geraldine's beauty at all tilts and tournaments, at which he constantly bore away the prize. But the greatest

reward, and that which he hoped would crown his fidelitythe hand of his mistress was not reserved for

At the expiration of three years, he returned home, polished by travel, and accounted one of the bravest and

most accomplished cavaliers of the day. His reputation had preceded him, and he was received with marks of

the highest distinction and favour by Henry, as well as by Anne Boleyn. But the king was still averse to the

Finding so much opposition on all sides, the earl was at last brought to assent to the wish of the Fair

Geraldine, that their engagement should be broken off. In her letters, she assured him that her love had

undergone no abatementand never would do sobut that she felt they must give up all idea of an union.

These letters, probably the result of some manoeuvring on his own part, set on foot by the royal mandate,

were warmly seconded by the Duke of Norfolk, and after many and long solicitations, he succeeded in

The disappointment produced its natural consequences on the ardent temperament of the young earl, and

completely chilled and blighted his feelings. He became moody and discontented; took little share in the

amusement and pastimes going forward; and from being the blithest cavalier at court, became the saddest.

The change in his demeanour did not escape the notice of Anne Boleyn, who easily divined the cause, and

she essayed by raillery and other arts to wean him from his grief. But all was for some time of no avail. The

earl continued inconsolable. At last, however, by the instrumentality of the queen and his father, he was

contracted to the Lady Frances Vere, daughter of the Earl of Oxford, and was married to her in 1535.

For some time previous to the present era of this chronicle, Anne Boleyn had observed a growing coolness

towards her on the part of the king, and latterly it had become evident that his passion for her was fast

Though Anne had never truly loved her royal consort, and though at that very time she was secretly

encouraging the regards of another, she felt troubled by this change, and watched all the king's movements

with jealous anxiety, to ascertain if any one had supplanted her in his affections.

At length her vigilance was rewarded by discovering a rival in one of the loveliest of her dames, Jane

Seymour. This fair creature, the daughter of Sir John Seymour, of Wolff Hall, in Wiltshire, and who was

afterwards, it is almost needless to say, raised to as high a dignity as Anne Boleyn herself, was now in the

very pride of her beauty. Tall, exquisitely proportioned, with a complexion of the utmost brilliancy and

delicacy, large liquid blue eyes, bright chestnut tresses, and lovely features, she possessed charms that could

not fall to captivate the amorous monarch. It seems marvellous that Anne Boleyn should have such an

Skilled in intrigue herself, Anne, now that her eyes were opened, perceived all the allurements thrown out by

Jane to ensnare the king, and she intercepted many a furtive glance between them. Still she did not dare to

interfere. The fierceness of Henry's temper kept her in awe, and she knew well that the slightest opposition

would only make him the more determined to run counter to her will. Trusting, therefore, to get rid of Jane

Seymour by some stratagem, she resolved not to attempt to dismiss her, except as a last resource.

A slight incident occurred, which occasioned a departure from the prudent course she had laid down to

Accompanied by her dames, she was traversing the great gallery of the palace at Greenwich, when she caught

the reflection of Jane Seymour, who was following her, in a mirror, regarding a jewelled miniature. She

instantly turned round at the sight, and Jane, in great confusion, thrust the picture into her bosom.

"Let me look at it," cried Anne, snatching the picture from her. "Ah! call you this your father? To my

thinking it is much more like my royal husband. Answer me frankly, minionanswer me, as you value your

"I must decline answering the question," replied Jane, who by this time had recovered her composure.

"I intend no disrespect to your majesty," replied Jane, "and I will, since you insist upon it, freely confess that

I received the portrait from the king. I did not conceive there could be any harm in doing so, because I saw

Anne Boleyn turned as pale as death, and Jane Seymour perceived that she had her in her power.

"I gave the portrait to Sir Henry as a recompense for an important service he rendered me," said Anne, after a

"No doubt," replied Jane; "and I marvel not that he should press it so fervently to his lips, seeing he must

value the gift highly. The king likewise bestowed his portrait upon me for rendering him a service."

"Nay, there your majesty must hold me excused," replied the other. "It were to betray his highness's

"Well, you are in the right to keep the secret," said Anne, forcing a laugh. "I dare say there is no harm in the

portraitindeed, I am sure there is not, if it was given with the same intent that mine was bestowed upon

Norris. And so we will say no more upon the matter, except that I beg you to be discreet with the king. If

"Your majesty shall be obeyed," said Jane, with a look that intimated that the request had but slight weight

"Catherine will be avenged by means of this woman," muttered Anne as she turned away. "I already feel

some of the torments with which she threatened me. And she suspects Norris. I must impress more caution on

him. Ah! when a man loves deeply, as he loves me, due restraint is seldom maintained."

But though alarmed, Anne was by no means aware of the critical position in which she stood. She could not

persuade herself that she had entirely lost her influence with the king; and she thought that when his

She was mistaken. Jane Seymour was absolute mistress of his heart; and Anne was now as great a bar to him

as she had before been an attraction. Had her conduct been irreproachable, it might have been difficult to

remove her; but, unfortunately, she had placed herself at his mercy, by yielding to the impulses of vanity, and

This favoured personage was somewhat above the middle Size, squarely and strongly built. His features were

regularly and finely formed, and he had a ruddy complexion, brown curling hair, good teeth, and fine eyes of

a clear blue. He possessed great personal strength, was expert in all manly exercises, and shone especially at

the jousts and the manege. He was of an ardent temperament, and Anne Boleyn had inspired him with so

desperate a passion that he set at nought the fearful risk he ran to obtain her favour.

In all this seemed traceable the hand of fatein Henry's passion for Jane Seymour, and Anne's insane regard

for Norrisas if in this way, and by the same means in which she herself had been wronged, the injured

How far Henry's suspicions of his consort's regard for Norris had been roused did not at the time appear.

Whatever he felt in secret, he took care that no outward manifestation should betray him. On the contrary he

loaded Norris, who had always been a favourite with him, with new marks of regard, and encouraged rather

Things were in this state when the court proceeded to Windsor, as before related, on Saint George's day.

On the day after the solemnisation of the Grand Feast of the Order of the Garter, a masqued fete of great

splendour and magnificence was held within the castle. The whole of the state apartments were thrown open

to the distinguished guests, and universal gaiety prevailed. No restraint was offered to the festivity by the

king, for though he was known to be present, he did not choose to declare himself.

The queen sat apart on a fauteuil in the deep embrasure of a window; and as various companies of fantastic

characters advanced towards her, she more than once fancied she detected amongst them the king, but the

voices convinced her of her mistake. As the evening was wearing, a mask in a blue domino drew near her,

"It is," he replied. "Oh, madam! I have been gazing at you the whole evening, but have not dared to approach

"I am sorry you have addressed me at all, Norris," she rejoined. "Your regard for me has been noticed by

others, and may reach the king's ears. You must promise never to address me in the language of passion

"If I may not utter my love I shall go mad," replied Norris. "After raising me to the verge of Paradise, do not

"I have neither raised you nor do I cast you down," rejoined Anne. "That I am sensible of your devotion, and

grateful for it, I admit, but nothing more. My love and allegiance are due to the king."

"True," replied Norris bitterly; "they are so, but he is wholly insensible to your merits. At this very moment

"Ah! is he so? "cried Anne. " Let me have proof of his perfidy, and I may incline a more favourable ear to

"I will instantly obtain you the proof, madam," replied Norris, bowing and departing.

Scarcely had he quitted the queen, and mixed with the throng of dancers, than he felt a pressure upon his arm,

and turning at the touch, beheld a tall monk, the lower part of whose face was muffled up, leaving only a pair

"I know what you want, Sir Henry Norris," said the tall monk in a low deep voice; "you wish to give the

" What matters it who I am?" rejoined the other; "I am one of the masquers, and chance to know what is

passing around me. I do not inquire into your motives, and therefore you have no right to inquire into mine."

"It is not for my own satisfaction that I desire this proof," said Norris, "because I would rather shield the

king's indiscretions than betray them. But the queen has conceived suspicions which she is determined to

"Think not to impose upon me," replied the monk with a sneer. "Bring the queen this way, and she shall be

"I can run no risk in trusting you," said Norris, "and therefore I accept your offer."

Proceeding thus they glided through the throng of dancers, who respectfully cleared a passage for them as

they walked along until they approached the spot where the tall monk was standing. As they drew near him

he moved on, and Norris and the queen followed in silence. Passing from the great hall in which the crowd of

dancers were assembled, they descended a short flight of steps, at the foot of which the monk paused, and

pointed with his right hand to a chamber, partly screened by the folds of a curtain.

At this intimation the queen and her companion stepped quickly on, and as she advanced, Anne Boleyn

perceived Jane Seymour and the king seated on a couch within the apartment. Henry was habited like a

pilgrim, but he had thrown down his hat, ornamented with the scallop shell, his vizard, and his staff, and had

At the sight, Anne was tranfixed with jealous rage, and was for the moment almost unconscious of the

presence of Norris, or of the monk, who remained behind the curtain, pointing to what was taking place.

"Your majesty is determined to expose my blushes," said Jane Seymour, slightly struggling with her royal

"Nay, I only want to be satisfied that it is really yourself, sweetheart," cried Henry passionately. "It was in

mercy to me, I suppose, that you insisted upon shrouding those beauteous features from my view.

"Your majesty but jests with me," said Jane Seymour. "Jests!" cried Henry passionately. "By my faith! I

never understood the power of beauty till now. No charms ever moved my heart like yours; nor shall I know a

"I am grieved to hear it, my liege," replied Jane Seymour, "for I never can be yours, unless as your queen."

Again Norris hazarded a whisper to Anne Boleyn, which was answered by another nervous grasp of the hand.

"That is as much as to say," pursued Jane, seeing the gloomy reverie into which her royal lover was thrown,

"Those are the very words she used to me when I wooed her, and which induced me to divorce Catherine of

I dare not listen to your majesty," said Jane Seymour, in a tremulous tone; "and yet, if I dared speak

"Then I am well assured," said Jane,." that the queen no longer loves you; nay, that she loves another."

"It is false, minion! "cried Anne Boleyn, rushing forward, while Norris hastily retreated, " it is false! It is you

who would deceive the king for your own purposes. But I have fortunately been brought hither to prevent the

"You have chanced to overhear part of a scene in a masquerade, madamthat is all," said the king.

"I have chanced to arrive most opportunely for myself," said Anne. "As for this slanderous and deceitful

minion, I shall dismiss her from my service. If your majesty is determined to prove faithless to me, it shall

"Catherine of Arragon should have made that speech," retorted Jane Seymour bitterly. "She had reason to

complain that she was supplanted by one much beneath her. And she never played the king falsely."

"Nor have I!" cried Anne fiercely. "If I had my will, I should strike thee dead for the insinuation. Henry, my

"It may not be, madam," replied Henry in a freezing tone; "she has done nothing to deserve dismissal. If any

"And will you allow her to make these accusations against me without punishment?" cried Anne.

"Peace, madam!" cried the king sternly; "and thank my goodnature that I go no further into the matter. If

you are weary of the masque, I pray you retire to your own apartments. For myself, I shall lead Jane Seymour

"And if your majesty should need a partner," said Jane, walking up to Anne and speaking in a low tone, "you

The queen looked as if stricken by a thunderbolt. She heard the triumphant laugh of her rival; she saw her led

forth, all smiles and beauty and triumph, by the king to the dance, and she covered her face in agony. While

she was in this state, a deep voice breathed in her ears, "The vengeance of Catherine of Arragon begins to

Tottering to the seat which Henry and Jane had just quitted, Anne sank into it. After a little time, having in

some degree recovered her composure, she was about to return to the great hall, when Norris appeared.

"I did not deceive you, madam," he said, "when I told you the king was insensible to your charms; he only

"If you were to do so, she would soon be replaced by another," rejoined Norris. "The king delights only in

"You speak fearful treason, sir! " replied Anne; "but I believe it to be the truth."

"Oh, then, madam!" pursued Norris, "since the king is so regardless of you, why trouble yourself about him?

There are those who would sacrifice a thousand lives, if they possessed them, for your love."

"I fear it is the same with all men," rejoined Anne. "A woman's heart is a bauble which, when obtained, is

"Your majesty judges our sex too harshly," said Norris. "If I had the same fortune as the king, I should never

"The king himself once thought soonce swore so," replied Anne petulantly. "It is the common parlance of

"Oh, madam!" cried Norris, "you misjudge me greatly. My heart is not made of the same stuff as that of the

"Know you not that by these rash speeches you place your head in jeopardy?" said Anne."

"But your rashness endangers me," said the queen. "Your passion has already been noticed by Jane Seymour,

"Nay, if that he so," cried Norris, "and your majesty should he placed in peril on my account, I will banish

"No," replied Anne, " I will not tax you so hardly. I do not think," she added tenderly, "deserted as I am by

"You confess, then, that I have inspired you with some regard?" he cried rapturously.

"Do not indulge in these transports, Norris," said Anne mournfully. "Your passion will only lead to your

destruction perchance to mine. Let the certainty that I do love, content you, and seek not to tempt your fate

"Oh, madam! you make me the happiest of men by the avowal," he cried. "I envy not now the king, for I feel

"You must join the revel, Norris," said Anne; "your absence from it will be observed."

And extending her hand to him, he knelt down and pressed it passionately to his lips.

Ah! we are observed," she cried suddenly, and almost with a shriek. "Rise, sir!"

Norris instantly sprang to his feet, and, to his inexpressible dismay, saw the figure of a tall monk gliding

away. Throwing a meaning look at the almost sinking queen, he followed the mysterious observer into the

great hall, determined to rid himself of him in some way before he should have time to make any revelations.

Avoiding the brilliant throng, the monk entered the adjoining corridor, and descending the great staircase,

passed into the upper quadrangle. From thence he proceeded towards the cloisters near St. George's Chapel,

"You may guess," said Norris, sternly and drawing his sword. "There are secrets which are dangerous to the

possessor. Unless you swear never to betray what you have seen and heard, you die."

"You know that your life is in my power," he said, " and therefore you threaten mine. Well, e'en take it, if you

As he spoke, he drew a sword from beneath his robe, and stood upon his defence. After a few passes, Norris's

"You are now completely at my mercy," said the monk, "and I have nothing to do but to call the guard, and

"There is one wayand only oneby which my secrecy may be purchased," said the monk.

"Name it," replied Norris. "Were it to be purchased by my soul's perdition, I would embrace it."

"You have hit the point exactly," rejoined the monk drily. "Can you not guess with whom you have to deal?"

"Partly," replied Norris "I never found such force in mortal arm as you have displayed."

"Probably not," laughed the other: "most of those who have ventured against me have found their match. But

"I cannot quit the castle," replied Norris; "but I will take you to my lodgings, where we shall be wholly

And crossing the lower ward, they proceeded to the tower on the south side of it, now appropriated to the

About an hour after this Norris returned to the revel. His whole demeanour was altered, and his looks ghastly.

"What has happened?" said Anne, in a low tone, as he approached her. "Have you killed him?"

"You alarm me, Norris; what mean you?" she cried. "I mean this," he answered, regarding her with

passionate earnestness: "that you must love me now, for I have perilled my salvation for you. That tall monk

IV. Of the Secret Interview between Norris and Anne Boleyn, and of the Dissimulation practised by the King.

Henry's attentions to Jane Seymour at the masqued fete were so marked, that the whole court was made

aware of his passion. But it was not anticipated that any serious and extraordinary consequences would result

from the intoxicationfar less that the queen herself would be removed to make way for her successful rival.

It was afterwards, however, remembered that at this time Henry held frequent, long, and grave conferences

with the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk, and appeared to be engrossed in the meditation of some project.

After the scene at the revel, Anne did not make another exhibition of jealousy; but it was not that she was

reconciled to her situation, or in any way free from uneasiness. On the contrary, the unhappy Catherine of

Arragon did not suffer more in secret; but she knew, from experience, that with her royal consort all

One morning, when she was alone within her chamber, her father, who was now Earl of Wiltshire, obtained

"You have a troubled look, my dear lord," she said, as she motioned him to a seat.

"And with good reason," he replied. "Oh, Anne! words cannot express my anxiety at the present state of

"It will speedily pass by, my lord," she replied; "the king will soon be tired of his new idol."

"Not before he has overthrown the old one, I fear," rejoined the earl. "Jane Seymour's charms have usurped

entire sovereignty over him. With all her air of ingenuousness and simplicity, the minion is artful and

"So thought Catherine of Arragon," replied her father; "and yet she was divorced. Anne, I am convinced a

"I trust there are no grounds for charges against you by which it might be brought in jeopardy," replied the

"I am glad of it," rejoined the earl; "for I have heard that the king said to one who suggested another divorce

to him, ' No, if the queen comes within the scope of the divorce, she also comes within the pale of the

"That an attempt will be made against you, I firmly believe," replied the earl; "but if you are wholly innocent

"Oh, father! I know not that," cried Anne. "Innocence avails little with the stonyhearted Henry."

"It will prove your best safeguard," said the earl. "And now farewell, daughter! Heaven guard you! Keep the

So saying, he quitted the apartment, and as soon as she was left alone, the unhappy Anne burst into an agony

From this state of affliction she was roused by hearing her own name pronounced in low accents, and looking

"Oh, Norris!" she said, in a tone of reproach, " you have come hither to destroy me."

"No one knows of my coming," he said; "at least, no one who will betray me. I was brought hither by one

". Would you had never leagued yourself with him! " she cried; "I fear the rash act will bring destruction

" It is too late. to retract now," he replied; "besides, there was no help for it. I sacrificed myself to preserve

"But will the sacrifice preserve me?" she cried. "I fear not. I have just been told that the king is preparing

some terrible measure against me that he meditates removing me, to make way for Jane Seymour."

"You have heard the truth, madam," replied Norris.;he will try to bring you to the block."

"And with him, to try is to achieve," said Anne. "Oh, Norris! it is a fearful thing to contemplate such a

"But why contemplate it, madam?" said Norris; "why, if you are satisfied that the king has such designs

against you why, if you feel that he will succeed, tarry for the fatal blow? Fly with mefly with one who

loves you, and will devote his whole life to youwho regards you, not as the queen, but as Anne Boleyn.

Relinquish this false and hollow grandeur, and fly with me to happiness and peace."

"And relinquish my throne to Jane Seymour?" rejoined Anne "Never! I feel that all you assert is truethat

my present position is hazardous that Jane Seymour is in the ascendant, while I am on the decline, if not

wholly sunkthat you love me entirely, and would devote your life to mestill, with all these motives for

dread, I cannot prevail upon myself voluntarily to give up my title, and to abandon my post to a rival."

"You do not love me, then, as I love you, Anne," said Norris. "If I were a king,I would abandon my throne for

"You think so now, Norris, because you are not king," she replied. "But I am queen, and will remain so, till I

"I understand, madam," rejoined Norris gloomily. "But oh I bethink you to what risks you expose yourself.

"Full well," she replied" full well; but I will rather die a queen than live disgrace and ruined. In wedding

Before Norris could urge anything further, the door was suddenly opened, and a tall dark figure entered the

"One word more, and it is my last," said Norris to Anne." Will you fly with me tonight?all shall be

Scarcely had they disappeared when Henry entered the chamber. He was in a gayer mood than had been usual

"I am come to tell you, madam," he said, "that I am about to hold jousts in the castle on the first of May, at

which your good brother and mine, the Lord Rochford, will be the challenger, while I myself shall be the

"Why not make Jane Seymour queen of the jousts?" said Anne, unable to resist the remark.

"She will be present at them," said Henry, "but I have my own reasons," he added significantly, "for not

"Whatever may be your reasons, the wish is sufficient for me," said Anne. "Nay, will you tarry a moment

"I am busy at this moment," replied Henry bluffly; "but what is it you would say to me?"

"I would only reproach you for some lack of tenderness, and much neglect," said Anne. "Oh, Henry! do you

remember how you swore by your lifeyour crownyour faithall that you held sacred or dearthat you

"And so I would, if I could," replied the king; "but unfortunately the heart is not entirely under control. Have

"No," replied Anne. "I have certainly suffered severely from your too evident regard for Jane Seymour; but,

though deeply mortified and distressed, I have never for a moment been shaken in my love for your majesty."

"A loyal and loving reply," said Henry. "I thought I had perceived some slight diminution in your regard."

"I would fain believe so," said the king; "but there are some persons who would persuade me that you have

not only lost your affection for me, but have even cast eyes of regard on another."

"Those who told you so lied!" cried Anne passionately. "Never woman was freer from such imputation than

"If I did not, I should know how to act," replied the king. "You remember my pledge?"

"Full well," replied Anne; "and if love and duty would not restrain me, fear would."

"So I felt," rejoined the king; "but there are some of your sex upon whom nothing will operate as a

warningso faithless and inconstant are they by nature. It has been hinted to me that you are one of these;

but I cannot think it. I can never believe that a woman for whom I have placed my very throne in

jeopardyfor whom I have divorced my queen whose family I have elevated and ennobledand whom I

"And now farewell," said Henry. "I have stayed longer than I intended, and I should not have mentioned these

accusations, which I regard as wholly groundless, unless you had reproached me."

And he quitted the chamber, leaving Anne in a strange state of perplexity and terror.

The first of May arrived; and though destined to set in darkness and despair, it arose in sunshine and smiles.

All were astir at an early hour within the castle, and preparations were made for the approaching show. Lists

were erected in the upper quadrangle, and the whole of the vast area was strewn with sand. In front of the

royal lodgings was raised a gallery, the centre of which, being set apart for the queen and her dames, was

covered with cloth of gold and crimson velvet, on which the royal arms were gorgeously emblazoned. The

two wings were likewise richly decorated, and adorned with scutcheons and pennons, while from the

As soon as these preparations were completed, a throng of pages, esquires, armourers, archers, and

henchmen, entered it from the Norman gateway, and took up positions within the barriers, the space without

the pales being kept by a double line of halberdiers. Next came the trumpeters, mounted on richly

caparisoned horses, and having their clarions decorated with silken bandrols, fringed with gold. Stationing

themselves at the principal entrance of the lists, they were speedily joined by the heralds, pursuivants, and

Presently afterwards, the Duke of Suffolk, who was appointed judge of the lists, appeared, and rode round the

arena to see that all was in order. Apparently well satisfied with the survey, he dismounted, and proceeded to

Meanwhile, the crowd within the court was increased by a great influx of the different members of the

"Marry, this promises to be a splendid sight!" said the clerk of the kitchen; "the king will, no doubt, do his

"May be queen!" exclaimed Shoreditch. "You surely do not think the king will divorce his present consort?"

"Stranger things have happened," replied Cutbeard significantly. "If I am not greatly out of my reckoning," he

"The saints forefend!" cried Shoreditch; "what reason have you for thinking so?"

"That I may not declare," replied Cutbeard; "but before the jousts are over you will see whether I have been

"Hush!" exclaimed Shoreditch."There is a tall monk eyeing us strangely; and I am not certain that he has not

"He is welcome to the intelligence," replied Cutbeard; "the end will prove its truth."

Though this was uttered in a confident tone, he nevertheless glanced with some misgiving at the monk, who

stood behind Paddington. The object of the investigation was a very tall man, with a cowl drawn over his

brow. He had a ragged black beard, fierce dark eyes, and a complexion like bronze. Seeing Cutboard's glance

"You have nothing to fear from me; but talk not so loud if you value your head."

"Devil knows!" answered Cutbeard; "I never saw him before. But he has a villainous cutthroat look."

Soon afterwards a flourish of trumpets was heard, and amid their joyous bruit the queen, sumptuously arrayed

in cloth of gold and ermine, and having a small crown upon her brow, entered the gallery, and took her seat

within it. Never had she looked more beautiful than on this fatal morning, and in the eyes of all the beholders

she completely eclipsed her rival, Jane Seymour. The latter, who stood on her right hard, and was exquisitely

attired, had a thoughtful and anxious air, as if some grave matter weighed upon her

While the queen's attendants were taking their places, Lord Rochford, accompanied by Sir Henry Norris and

the Earls of Surrey and Essex, entered the lists. The four knights were completely armed, and mounted on

powerful steeds barded with rich cloth of gold, embroidered with silver letters. Each had a great crimson

plume in his helmet. They rode singly round the arena, and bowed as they passed the royal gallery, Norris

The field being thus taken by the challengers, who retired to the upper end of the court, a trumpet was thrice

sounded by a herald, and an answer was immediately made by another herald stationed opposite Henry the

Seventh's buildings. When the clamour ceased, the king fully armed, and followed by the Marquis of Dorset,

Henry was equipped in a superb suit of armour, inlaid with gold, and having a breastplate of the globose

form, then in vogue; his helmet was decorated with a large snowwhite plume. The trappings of his steed

were of crimson velvet, embroidered with the royal arms, and edged with great letters of massive gold

bullion, full of pearls and precious stones. He was attended by a hundred gentlemen, armourers, and other

Having ridden round the court like the others, and addressed his salutation exclusively to Jane Seymour,

Henry took his station with his companions near the base of the Round Tower, the summit of which was

A trumpet was now sounded, and the king and the Lord Rochford having each taken a lance from his esquire,

awaited the signal to start from the Duke of Suffolk, who was seated in the left wing of the royal gallery. It

was not long delayed. As the clarion sounded clearly and loudly for the third time, he called out that the

No sooner were the words uttered, than the thundering tramp of the steeds resounded, and the opponents met

midway. Both their lances were shivered; but as the king did not, in the slightest degree, change his position,

he was held to have the best of it. Courses were then run by the others, with varied success, the Marquis of

Dorset being unhorsed by Sir Henry Norris, whose prowess was rewarded by the plaudits of the assemblage,

"You have ridden well, Norris," cried Henry, advancing towards him. "Place yourself opposite me, and let us

As Norris reined back his steed, in compliance with the injunction, the tall monk stepped from out the line,

and drawing near him, said, "If you wish to prove victorious, aim at the upper part of the king's helmet." And

By the time Norris had placed his lance in the rest, the trumpet sounded. The next moment the word was

given, and the champions started. Henry rode with great impetuosity, and struck Norris in the gorget with

But Norris was more fortunate. Following the advice of the monk, he made the upper part of the king's

helmet his mark, and the blow was so well dealt, that, though he did not dislodge the royal horseman, it drove

The success was so unequivocal that Norris was at once declared the victor by the judge. No applause,

Norris dismounted, and committing his steed to the care of an esquire, and his lance to a page, took off his

helmet and advanced towards the royal gallery, near which the Earl of Surrey and Sir Thomas Wyat were

standing talking with the other dames. As Norris drew near, Anne leaned over the edge of the gallery, and

smiled at him tenderly, and, whether by design or accident, let fall her embroidered handkerchief.

Norris stooped to pick it up, regarding her as he did so with a glance of the most passionate devotion. A

terrible gaze, however, was fixed on the unfortunate pair at that moment. It was that of the king. While Henry

was careering in front of the gallery to display himself before Jane Seymour, a tall monk approached him,

Thus addressed, Henry raised his beaver, that he might see more distinctly, and beheld Norris take up the

embroidered handkerchief, which he recognised as one that he had given, in the early days of his affection, to

The sight stung him almost to madness, and he had great difficulty in repressing his choler. But if this slight

action, heightened to importance, as it was, by the looks of the parties, roused his ire, it was nothing to what

followed. Instead of restoring it to the queen, Norris, unconscious of the danger in which he stood, pressed

"I am hitherto the victor of the jousts," he said; "may I keep this as the prize?"

"It is the proudest I ever obtained," pursued Norris. And he placed it within his helmet.

Does your majesty see that?" cried the tall monk, who still remained standing near the king

"Death of my life!" exclaimed Henry, "it is the very handkerchief I gave her before our union! I can contain

myself no longer, and must perforce precipitate matters. What ho!" he cried, riding up to that part of the

"Wherefore, my dear liege?" said Suffolk. "The Earl of Surrey and Sir Thomas Wyat are about to run a

"Let them he stopped I say!" roared Henry, in a tone that admitted of no dispute. And wheeling round his

charger, he dashed into the middle of the barriers, shouting in loud, authoritative accents, "The jousts are at

The utmost consternation was occasioned by the announcement. The Duke of Suffolk instantly quitted his

seat, and pressed through the crowd to the king, who whispered a few hasty words in his ear. Henry then

called to the Earl of Surrey, the Marquis of Dorset, the Lord Clifford, Wyat, and some others, and bidding

them attend him, prepared to quit the court. As he passed the royal gallery, Anne called to him in an agonised

But without paying the slightest attention to her, he dashed through the Norman Gate, galloped down the

The confusion that ensued may be imagined. All saw that something extraordinary and terrible had taken

place, though few knew precisely what it was. Dismay sat in every countenance, and the general anxiety was

heightened by the agitation of the queen, who, uttering a piercing scream, fell back, and was borne off in a

Unable to control himself at the sight, Norris burst through the guard, and rushing up the great staircase, soon

gained the apartment to which the queen had been conveyed. Owing to the timely aid afforded her, she was

speedily restored, and the first person her eyes fell upon was her lover. At the sight of him a glance of

affection illumined her features, but it was instantly changed into an expression of alarm.

At this juncture the Duke of Suffolk, who, with Bouchier and a party of halberdiers, had entered the room,

stepped up to the queen, and said "Will it please you, madam, to retire to an inner apartment? I grieve to say

"You are charged with incontinency towards the king's highness," replied Suffolk sternly.

"I trust you will be able to prove yourself so, madam," said Suffolk. "Sir Henry Norris, your person is

Do not let these false and malignant accusations alarm you, madam," said Norri. "You have nothing to fear. I

"Sir Henry Norris," said the duke coldly, "your own imprudence has brought about this sad result."

"I feel it," replied Norris; "and I deserve the worst punishment that can be inflicted upon me for it. But I

declare to you as I will declare upon the rack, if I am placed upon itthat the queen is wholly innocent. Let

"You hear what Sir Henry says," cried Anne; "and I call upon you to recollect the testimony he has borne."

"I shall not fail to do so, madam," replied Suffolk. "Your majesty will have strict justice."

"Justice! "echoed Anne, with a laugh of bitter incredulity. "Justice from Henry the Eighth?"

"Beseech you, madam, do not destroy yourself," said Norris, prostrating himself before her. "Recollect by

whom you are surrounded. My folly and madness have brought you into this strait, and I sincerely implore

"You are not to blame, Norris," said Anne; "it is fate, not you, that has destroyed me. The hand that has dealt

"Captain Bouchier," said the Duke of Suffolk, addressing that officer, who stood near him," you will convey

Sir Henry Norris to the strong room in the lower gateway, whence he will be removed to the Tower."

"Farewell for ever, Norris!" cried Anne. "We shall meet no more on earth. In what has fallen on me I

recognise the hand of retribution. But the same measure which has been meted to me shall be dealt to others.

I denounce Jane Seymour before Heaven! She shall not long retain the crown she is about to snatch from

"Be advised, my gracious mistress," cried Norris, "and do not let your grief and distraction place you in the

"I denounce her!" persisted Anne, wholly disregarding the caution; "and I also denounce the king. No union

At a sign from the duke she was here borne, half suffocated with emotion, to an inner apartment, while Norris

was conveyed by Bouchier and a company of halberdiers to the lower gateway, and placed within the prison

VI. What passed between Anne Boleyn and the Duke of Suffolk, and how Herne the Hunter appeared to her

For some hours Anne Boleyn's attendants were alarmed for her reason, and there seemed good grounds for

the apprehension, so wildly and incoherently did she talk, and so violently comport herselfshe who was

usually so gentle now weeping as if her soul would pass away in tearsnow breaking into fearful hysterical

laughter. It was a piteous sight, and deeply moved all who witnessed it. But towards evening she became

calmer, and desired to be left by herself. Her wish being complied with, she fell upon her knees, and besought

"May my earthly sufferings," she cried, "avail me hereafter, and may my blood wash out my guilt. I feel

the enormity of my offence, and acknowledge the justice of my punishment. Pardon me, O injured

Catherinepardon me, I implore thee! Thou seest in me the most abject pitiable woman in the whole realm!

Overthrown, neglected, despised about to die a shameful deathwhat worse can befall me? Thine anguish

was great, but it was never sharpened by remorse like mine. Oh! that I could live my life over again. I would

resist all the dazzling temptations I have yielded toabove all, I would not injure thee. Oh! that I had

resisted Henry's lovehis false vowshis fatal lures! But it is useless to repine. I have acted wrongfully and

must pay the penalty of my crime. May my tears, my penitence, my blood operate as an atonement, and

In such prayers and lamentations she passed more than an hour, when her attendants entered to inform her

that the Duke of Suffolk and the Lords Audley and Cromwell were without, and desired to see her. She

"We are come to acquaint you, madam," said Suffolk, that you will be removed at an early hour tomorrow

"If the king will have it so, my lords," she replied, " I must needs go; but I protest my innocence, and will

protest it to the last. I have ever been a faithful and loyal consort to his highness, and though I may not have

demeaned myself to him so humbly and gratefully as I ought to have doneseeing how much I owe him

yet I have lacked nothing in affection and duty. I have had jealous fancies and suspicions of him, especially

of late, and have troubled him with them; but I pray his forgiveness for my folly, which proceeded from too

much regard, and if I am acquitted of my present charge, I will offend him so no more."

"We will report what you say to the king," rejoined Suffolk gravely; "but we are bound to add that his

highness does not act on mere suspicion, the proofs of your guilt being strong against you."

"There can be no such proofs," cried Anne quickly. "Who are my accusers? and what do they state?"

"You are charged with conspiring against the king's life, and dishonouring his bed," replied Suffolk sternly.

"They are base creatures suborned for the purpose!" cried Anne. "No loyal. person would so forswear

"Shall I not see the king before I am taken to the Tower?" said Anne, upon whom the terror of her situation

"His highness has quitted the castle," replied Suffolk, " and there is no likelihood of his return tonight."

"You tell me so to deceive me," cried Anne. "Let me see himlet me throw myself at his feet! I can

convince him of my innocence and move him to compassion! Let me see him, I implore of youI charge

"I swear to you, madam, that the king has departed for Hampton Court," replied Suffolk.

"Then take me to him there, under strong guard, or as secretly as you please," she cried passionately; "I will

"Were I to comply with your request it would be fruitless, madam," replied Suffolk; "the king would not see

"Oh, Suffolk!" cried Anne, prostrating herself before him, "I have shown you many kindnesses in my season

of power, and have always stood your friend with the king. Do me this favour now; I will never forget it.

Introduce me to the king. I am sure I can move his heart, if I can only see him."

"It would cost me my head, madam," said the duke in an inexorable tone. " Rise, I pray you."

"You are more cruel than the king," said Anne, obeying. "And now, my lords," she continued with more

composure and dignity, "since you refuse my last request, and plainly prove to me the sort of justice I may

expect, I will not detain you longer. I shall be ready to attend you to the Tower tomorrow."

"It is no matter," she rejoined; "I shall be ready when you will, for I shall not retire to rest during the night."

Upon this Suffolk and the others slowly withdrew, and Anne again retired to the oratory.

She remained alone, brooding, in a state of indescribable anguish, upon the probable fate awaiting her, when

Even in the gloom she recognised Herne the Hunter, and with difficulty repressed a scream.

"Not so loud," rejoined Herne, "or you will alarm your attendants. I will set you free on certain conditions."

"Ah! conditions!" exclaimed Anne, recoiling; "if they are such as will affect my eternal welfare, I cannot

"You will repent it when it is too late," replied Herne. "Once removed to the Tower I can no longer aid you.

"It would be useless," replied Herne. "I will only do what I have stated. If you fly with me, you can never

appear again as Anne Boleyn. Sir Henry Norris shall be set free at the same time, and you shall both dwell

"I cannot go," said Anne, holding back; "it were to fly to a worse danger. I may save my soul now; but if I

"I will not trust you," replied Anne. "I have yielded to temptation already, and am now paying the penalty of

"You are clinging to the crown," said Herne, "because you know that by this step you will irrecoverably lose

it. And you fancy that some change may yet operate to your advantage with the king. It is a vain delusive

hope. If you leave this castle for the Tower, you will perish ignominiously on the block."

"What will be, must be!" replied Anne. "I will not save myself in the way you propose."

"Then he will wrong me," replied Anne; "for I do love him. But of what account were a few years of fevered

"I will befriend you in spite of yourself," vociferated Herne, seizing her arm; "you shall go with me!"

"I will not," said Anne, falling on her knees. "Oh, Father of Mercy!" she cried energetically, "deliver me from

And when her attendants, alarmed by the sound, rushed into the chamber, they found her stretched on the

On that same night, at a late hour, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, entered the eastern side of the

home park, and stationed himself beneath the trees. He had not been there long, when the castle clock tolled

forth the hour of midnight, and ere the deep strokes died away, a second horseman was seen galloping across

"Has all been done as I directed, Suffolk? "he demanded, as the newcomer approached him.

"It has, my liege," replied the duke. "The queen is imprisoned within her chamber, and will be removed, at

"You had better start in an hour from this time," said the king. "It is a long passage by water, and I am

"Your wishes shall be obeyed," replied the duke. "Poor soul! her grief was most agonizing, and I had much

ado to maintain my composure. She implored, in the most passionate manner, to be allowed to see your

highness before her removal. I told her it was impossible; and that even if you were at the castle, you would

"You did right," rejoined Henry; "I will never see her morenot that I fear being moved by her prayers, but

that,. knowing how deceitful and faithless she is, I loathe to look upon her. What is expressed upon the matter

"Frankly then," replied the duke, "your highness's proceedings are regarded as harsh and unjustifiable. The

general opinion is, that you only desire to remove Anne to make way for Mistress Jane Seymour."

"Ha! they talk thus, do they?" cried the king. "I will silence their saucy prating ere long. Tell all who venture

to speak to you on the subject that I have long suspected the queen of a secret liking for Norris, but that I

determined to conceal my suspicions till I found I had good warrant for them. That occurred, as you know,

some weeks ago. However, I awaited a pretext for proceeding against them,and it was furnished by their own

imprudence today. Convinced that something would occur, I had made my preparations; nor was I deceived.

You may add, also, that not until my marriage is invalidated, Anne's offspring illegitimatised, and herself

"Has your majesty any further commands? "said Suffolk. "I saw Norris in his prison before I rode forth to

"Let him be taken to the Tower, under a strong escort, at once," said Henry. "Lord Rochford, I suppose, has

"It is needless," replied the king. "They are waiting for me, close at hand, at the foot of Datchet Bridge. Fare

well, my good brother; look well to your prisoners. I shall feel more easy when Anne is safely lodged within

So saying he wheeled round, and striking spurs into his steed, dashed through the trees, while the duke rode

Henry had not proceeded far, when a horseman, mounted on a sable steed, emerged from the thicket, and

galloped up to him. The wild attire and antlered helm of this personage proclaimed the forest fiend.

"Ah! thou here, demon!" cried the king, his lion nature overmastered by superstitious fear for a moment.

"You are on the eve of committing a great crime," replied Herne; "and I told you that at such times I would

"To administer justice is not to commit crime," rejoined the king. "Anne Boleyn deserves her fate."

"Think not to impose on me as you have imposed on Suffolk!" cried Herne, with a derisive laugh. "I know

your motives better; I know you have no proof of her guilt, and that in your heart of hearts you believe her

innocent. But you destroy her because you would wed Jane Seymour! We shall meet again ere longho! ho!

The Signal Gun. Windsor Castle VII How Herne appeared to Henry In the Home Park.ON that same night, at

a late hour, a horseman, mounted on a powerful steed, entered the eastern side of the home park, and

stationed himself beneath the trees. He had not been there long, when the castle clock tolled forth the hour of

midnight, and ere the deep strokes died away, a second horseman was seen galloping across the moonlit glade