Chapter I: The New Nation

I. Fusion of Races and Languages.--Abolition of the
presentment of Englishery, 1340--Survival of the French
language in the fourteenth century--The decline--Part played
by "lowe men" in the formation of the English language--The
new vocabulary--The new prosody--The new grammar--The
definitive language of England an outcome of a transaction
between the Anglo-Saxon and the French language 235

II. Political Formation.--The nation coalesces--The
ties with France and Rome are loosening or breaking--A new
source of power, Westminster--Formation, importance,
privileges of Parliament under the Plantagenets--Spirit of
the Commons--Their Norman bargains--Comparison with France 248

III. Maritime Power; Wealth and Arts.--Importance
of the English trade in the fourteenth century--The great
traders--Their influence on State affairs--The English,
"rois de la mer"--Taste for travels and adventures.
Arts--Gold, silver and ivory--Miniatures and
enamels--Architecture--Paintings and tapestries--Comparative
comfort of houses--The hall and table--Dresses--The nude--The
cult for beauty 255