Chapter VII: 36

DEATH AND BURIAL OF KING RICHARD II.

Now consider, ye kings, lords, dukes, prelates, and earls, how very changeable the fortunes of this world are. This King Richard reigned twenty-two years in great prosperity, and with much splendor; for there never was a king of England who expended such sums, by more than a hundred thousand florins, as King Richard did in keeping up his state, and his household establishments. I, John Froissart, canon and treasurer of Chimay, know it well; for I witnessed and examined it during my residence with him for a quarter of a year. He made me good cheer, because in my youth I had been secretary to King Edward his grandfather, and the Lady Philippa of Hainault, Queen of England. When I took my leave of him at Windsor, he presented me, by one of his knights called Sir John Golofre, a silver gilt goblet, weighing full two marks, filled with a hundred nobles, which were then of service to me, and will be so as long as I live. I am bound to pray to God for him, and sorry am I to write of his death; but, as I have dictated and augmented this history to the utmost of my power, it became necessary to mention it, that what became of him might be known.

When King Richard was born, his father was in Galicia, which Don Pedro had given him to conquer. A curious thing happened on my first going to England, which I have much thought on since. I was in the service of Queen Philippa; and when she accompanied King Edward and the royal family, to take leave of the Prince and Princess of Wales, at Berkhampstead, on their departure for Aquitaine, I heard an ancient knight, in conversation with some ladies, say, “We have a book called Brut, that declares neither the Prince of Wales, Dukes of Clarence, York, nor Gloucester, will be kings of England, but the descendants of the Duke of Lancaster.” Now I, the author of this history, say that, considering all things, these two knights, Sir Richard de Pontchardon, and Sir Bartholomew Burghersh, in what they said, were both in the right; for all the world saw Richard reign for twenty-two years in England, and saw the crown then fall to the house of Lancaster. King Henry would never have been king, on the conditions you have heard, if his cousin Richard had treated him in the friendly manner he ought to have done. The Londoners took his part for the wrongs the king had done him and his children, whom they much compassionated.

When the funeral car of King Richard had remained in Cheapside two hours, it was conducted forward, in the same order as before, out of the town. The four knights then mounted their horses, which were waiting for them, and continued their journey with the body until they came to a village, where there is a royal mansion, called Langley, thirty miles from London. There King Richard was interred. God pardon his sins, and have mercy on his soul!

* * * * *

Charles Scribner’s Sons’ New and Standard Books for Young Readers for 1895-96

A NEW BOOK BY MRS. BURNETT

TWO LITTLE PILGRIMS’ PROGRESS

A STORY OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. By Mrs. FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT. Illustrated by REGINALD B. BIRCH. Uniform with “Fauntleroy,” etc. Square 8vo, $1.50.

The largest and most notable children’s book that Mrs. Burnett has written since “Fauntleroy.” It is a charming story of a little boy and girl, who, taking their small savings, leave home to visit the World’s Fair. This is their Pilgrims’ Progress; and their interesting adventures and the happy ending of it all Mrs. Burnett tells as no one else can. It is in the author’s best vein and will take place in the hearts of her readers close beside “Fauntleroy.”

MRS. BURNETT’S FIVE FAMOUS JUVENILES

=LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.= Beautifully illustrated by REGINALD B. BIRCH. Square 8vo, $2.00.

“In ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy’ we gain another charming child to add to our gallery of juvenile heroes and heroines; one who teaches a great lesson with such truth and sweetness that we part from him with real regret.”--LOUISA M. ALCOTT.

=SARA CREWE=; OR, WHAT HAPPENED AT MISS MINCHIN’S. Richly and fully illustrated by REGINALD B. BIRCH. Square 8vo, $1.00.

“It is a story to linger over in the reading, it is so brightly, frankly, sweetly, and tenderly written, and to remember and return to. In creating her little gentlewoman, ‘Sara Crewe,’ so fresh, so simple, so natural, so genuine, and so indomitable, Mrs. Burnett has added another child to English fiction.”--R. H. STODDARD.

=LITTLE SAINT ELIZABETH=, AND OTHER STORIES. With 12 full-page drawings by REGINALD B. BIRCH. Square 8vo, $1.50.

“Four stories different in kind, but alike in grace and spirit.”--SUSAN COOLIDGE.

=GIOVANNI AND THE OTHER=: CHILDREN WHO HAVE MADE STORIES. With 9 full-page illustrations by REGINALD B. BIRCH. Square 8vo, $1.50.

“Stories beautiful in tone, and style, and color.”--KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN.

=PICCINO=, AND OTHER CHILD STORIES. Fully illustrated by REGINALD B. BIRCH. Square 8vo, $1.50.

“The history of Piccino’s ‘two days’ is as delicate as one of the anemones that spring in the rock walls facing Piccino’s Mediterranean.... The other stories in the book have the charm of their predecessor in material and matter....”--Mrs. BURTON HARRISON.

* * * * *

BOOKS BY HOWARD PYLE

_A NEW BOOK JUST PUBLISHED_

=BEHIND THE GARDEN OF THE MOON.= A REAL STORY OF THE MOON ANGEL. Written and illustrated by HOWARD PYLE. Square 12mo, $2.00.

Underneath the charm of this original and delightful fairy tale of Mr. Pyle’s is a mystical moral significance which gives it the dignity of true literature in addition to its interest of adventure. Out of the truth that great deeds are achieved and high character moulded by entire spiritual consecration, rather than by direct and interested effort, the author has evolved a winning and delightful piece of fanciful fiction, and has illustrated it copiously in his happiest and most characteristically poetical vein.

=THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD= OF GREAT RENOWN IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. With many illustrations. Royal 8vo, $3.00.

“This superb book is unquestionably the most original and elaborate ever produced by any American artist. Mr. Pyle has told, with pencil and pen, the complete and consecutive story of Robin Hood and his merry men in their haunts in Sherwood Forest, gathered from the old ballads and legends. Mr. Pyle’s admirable illustrations are strewn profusely through the book.”--_Boston Transcript._

=OTTO OF THE SILVER HAND.= With many illustrations. Royal 8vo, half leather, $2.00.

“The scene of the story is mediæval Germany in the time of the feuds and robber barons and romance. The kidnapping of Otto, his adventures among rough soldiers, and his daring rescue, make up a spirited and thrilling story. The drawings are in keeping with the text, and in mechanical and artistic qualities as well as in literary execution the book must be greeted as one of the very best juveniles of the year, quite worthy to succeed to the remarkable popularity of Mr. Pyle’s ‘Robin Hood.’”--_Christian Union._

THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS IN THE CARIBBEES

By Dr. EUGENE MURRAY-AARON. With 8 full-page illustrations. Square 12mo, $2.00.

“Our author only reproduces the incidents and scenes of his own life, as an exploring naturalist, in a way to capture the attention of younger readers. The incidents are told entertainingly, and his descriptions of country and the methods of capture of butterflies and bugs of rare varieties are full of interest.”--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._

A NEW MEXICO DAVID

AND OTHER STORIES AND SKETCHES OF THE SOUTH-WEST. By CHARLES F. LUMMIS. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

“Mr. Lummis has lived for years in the land of the Pueblos; has traversed it in every direction, both on foot and on horseback; and it is an enthralling treat set before youthful readers by him in this series of lively chronicles.”--_Boston Beacon._

STORIES FOR BOYS

By RICHARD HARDING DAVIS. With 6 full-page illustrations. 12mo, $1.00.

“It will be astonishing indeed if youths of all ages are not fascinated with these ‘Stories for Boys.’ Mr. Davis knows infallibly what will interest his young readers.”--_Boston Beacon._

* * * * *

THE KANTER GIRLS

By MARY L. B. BRANCH. Illustrated by HELEN M. ARMSTRONG. Square 12mo, $1.50.

The adventures of Jane and Prue, two small sisters, among different peoples of the imaginative world--dryads, snow-children, Kobolds, etc.--aided by their invisible rings, their magic boat, and their wonderful birds, are described by the author with great naturalness and a true gift for story-telling. The numerous illustrations are very attractive, and in thorough sympathy with the text.

THE WAGNER STORY BOOK

FIRELIGHT TALES OF THE GREAT MUSIC DRAMAS. By WILLIAM HENRY FROST. Illustrated by SIDNEY R. BURLEIGH. 12mo, $1.50.

“A successful attempt to make the romantic themes of the music dramas intelligible to young readers. The author has full command of his subject, and the style is easy, graceful, and simple.”--_Boston Beacon._

ROBERT GRANT’S TWO BOOKS FOR BOYS

=JACK HALL=; OR, THE SCHOOL DAYS OF AN AMERICAN BOY. Illustrated by F. G. ATTWOOD. 12mo, $1.25.

“A better book for boys has never been written. It is pure, clean, and healthy, and has throughout a vigorous action that holds the reader breathlessly.”--_Boston Herald._

=JACK IN THE BUSH=; OR, A SUMMER ON A SALMON RIVER. Illustrated by F. T. MERRILL. 12mo, $1.25.

“A clever book for boys. It is the story of the camp life of a lot of boys, and is destined to please every boy reader. It is attractively illustrated.”--_Detroit Free Press._

CZAR AND SULTAN

THE ADVENTURES OF A BRITISH LAD IN THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR OF 1877-78. By ARCHIBALD FORBES. Illustrated. 12mo, $2 00.

“Very fascinating and graphic. Mr. Forbes is a forcible writer, and the present work has the vigor and intensity associated with his name. It is sure to be popular with youthful readers.”--_Boston Beacon._

JOSEPH THE DREAMER

By the author of “Jesus the Carpenter.” 12mo. _In Press._

The story of Joseph, told in the same popular, interesting, and realistic manner as that of Jesus in the author’s former book; not only setting forth truthfully and graphically the life of Joseph, but picturing as well the marvelous state of Egypt in which he lived.

JESUS THE CARPENTER

By A. LAYMAN. 12mo, $1.50.

“I think the idea of this book--the aim and the intention--excellent and the execution beautiful.”--Prof. A. B. BRUCE.

* * * * *

A NEW BOOK BY KIRK MUNROE

AT WAR WITH PONTIAC

OR, THE TOTEM OF THE BEAR. A Tale of Redcoat and Redskin. By KIRK MUNROE. With 8 full-page illustrations by J. FINNEMORE. 12mo, $1.25.

A story of old days in America when Detroit was a frontier town and the shores of Lake Erie were held by hostile Indians under Pontiac. The hero, Donald Hester, goes in search of his sister Edith, who has been captured by the Indians. Strange and terrible are his experiences: for he is wounded, taken prisoner, condemned to be burned, and contrives to escape. In the end there is peace between Pontiac and the English, and all things terminate happily for the hero. One dares not skip a page of this enthralling story.

THE WHITE CONQUEROR

A TALE OF TOLTEC AND AZTEC. By KIRK MUNROE. With 8 full-page illustrations by W. S. STACEY. 12mo, $1.25.

“The story is replete with scenes of vivid power; it is full of action and rapid movement; and he must be deficient in receptive faculty who fails to gain valuable historical instruction, along with the pleasure of reading a tale graphically told.”--_Philadelphia Bulletin._

STORIES OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND HISTORY By HENRIETTA CHRISTIAN WRIGHT.

_A NEW VOLUME JUST ISSUED._

=CHILDREN’S STORIES IN AMERICAN LITERATURE=, 1660-1860. 12mo, $1.25.

Miss Wright here continues her attractive presentation of literary history begun in her “Children’s Stories in English Literature.” Elliot, the translator of the Bible into the English language, Irving, Cooper, Prescott, Holmes, Longfellow, Hawthorne, Mrs. Stowe, Whittier, Poe, and Emerson are here considered, bringing the history of the subject down to the period of the Civil War, and treated with constant reference to that side of their works and personalities which most nearly appeals to children.

=CHILDREN’S STORIES IN ENGLISH LITERATURE.= Two volumes: TALIÈSIN TO SHAKESPEARE, SHAKESPEARE TO TENNYSON. 12mo, each, $1.25.

“It is indeed a vivid history of the people as well as a story of their literature: and, brief as it is, the author has so deftly seized on all the salient points, that the child who has read this book will be more thoroughly acquainted than many a student of history with the life and thought of the centuries over which the work reaches.”--_The Evangelist._

=CHILDREN’S STORIES OF THE GREAT SCIENTISTS.= With portraits. 12mo, $1.25.

“The author has succeeded in making her pen-pictures of the great scientists as graphic as the excellent portraits that illustrate the work. Around each name she has picturesquely grouped the essential features of scientific achievement.”--_Brooklyn Times._

=CHILDREN’S STORIES OF AMERICAN PROGRESS.= Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

“Miss Wright is favorably known by her volume of well-told ‘Stories in American History’: and her ‘Stories of American Progress’ is equally worthy of commendation. Taken together they present a series of pictures of great graphic interest. The illustrations are excellent.”--_The Nation._

=CHILDREN’S STORIES IN AMERICAN HISTORY.= Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

“A most delightful and instructive collection of historical events, told in a simple and pleasant manner. Almost every occurrence in the gradual development of our country is woven into an attractive story for young people.”--_San Francisco Evening Post._

* * * * *

G. A. HENTY’S POPULAR STORIES FOR BOYS

New Volumes for 1895-96. Each, crown 8vo, handsomely illustrated, $1.50.

Mr. Henty, the most popular writer of Books of Adventure in England, adds three new volumes to his list this fall--books that will delight thousands of boys on this side who have become his ardent admirers.

“Mr. Henty’s books never fail to interest boy readers. Among writers of stories of adventure he stands in the very first rank.”--_Academy_, London.

“No country nor epoch of history is there which Mr. Henty does not know, and what is really remarkable is that he always writes well and interestingly. Boys like stirring adventures, and Mr. Henty is a master of this method of composition.”--_New York Times._

A KNIGHT OF THE WHITE CROSS

A TALE OF THE SIEGE OF RHODES. With 12 full-page illustrations.

Gervaise Tresham, the hero of this story, joins the Order of the Knights of St. John, and leaving England he proceeds to the stronghold of Rhodes, and becomes a page in the household of the Grand Master. Subsequently, Gervaise is made a Knight of the Grand Cross for valor, while soon after he is appointed commander of a war-galley, and in his first voyage destroys a fleet of Moorish corsairs. During one of his cruises the young knight is attacked on shore, captured after a desperate struggle, and sold into slavery in Tripoli. He succeeds in escaping, however, and returns to Rhodes in time to take part in the splendid defence of that fortress. Altogether a fine chivalrous tale, of varied interest and full noble daring.

THE TIGER OF MYSORE

A STORY OF THE WAR W\WITH TIPPOO SAIB. With 12 full-page illustrations.

Dick Holland, whose father is supposed to be a captive of Tippoo Saib, goes to India to help him to escape. He joins the army under Lord Cornwallis, and takes part in the campaign against Tippoo. Afterwards he assumes a disguise; enters Seringapatum, the capital of Mysore, rescues Tippoo’s harem from a tiger, and is appointed to high office by the tyrant. In this capacity Dick visits the hill fortresses, still in search of his father, and at last he discovers him in the great stronghold of Savandroog. The hazardous rescue which Dick attempts, and the perilous night ride through the enemy’s country are at length accomplished, and the young fellow’s dangerous mission is done.

THROUGH RUSSIAN SNOWS

A STORY OF NAPOLEON’S RETREAT FROM MOSCOW. With 8 full-page illustrations and a map.

The hero, Julian Wyatt, after several adventures with smugglers, by whom he is handed over a prisoner to the French, regains his freedom and joins Napoleon’s army in the Russian campaign, and reaches Moscow with the victorious Emperor. Then, when the terrible retreat begins, Julian finds himself in the rear guard of the French army, fighting desperately, league by league, against famine, snow-storms, wolves, and Russians. Ultimately he escapes out of the general disaster, after rescuing the daughter of a Russian count; makes his way to St. Petersburg, and then returns to England. A story with an excellent plot, exciting adventures, and splendid historical interests.

* * * * *

G. A. HENTY’S POPULAR STORIES FOR BOYS

Each, crown 8vo, handsomely illustrated, $1.50.

=IN THE HEART OF THE ROCKIES.= A STORY OF ADVENTURE IN COLORADO.

“One of the most interesting and attractive stories for boys. It is a tale of adventure thrilling enough for the most daring readers.”--_Boston Journal._

=WULF THE SAXON.= A STORY OF THE NORMAN CONQUEST.

“An unusually realistic picture of the times. The scenes and incidents which Mr. Henty introduces are calculated to awaken fresh interest in the influence of the battle of Hastings upon the destiny of mankind.”--_Boston Herald._

=WHEN LONDON BURNED.= A STORY OF RESTORATION TIMES AND THE GREAT FIRE.

“An exciting story of adventure, at the same time dealing with historic truths deftly and interestingly.”--_Detroit Free Press._

=ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S EVE.= A TALE OF THE HUGUENOT WARS.

“Exciting enough to interest even the dullest of readers.”--_Boston Transcript._

=THROUGH THE SIKH WAR.= A TALE OF THE CONQUEST OF THE PUNJAUB.

“Not only interesting but instructive. It is related with great spirit and animation.”--_Boston Herald._

=A JACOBITE EXILE.= BEING THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG ENGLISHMAN IN THE SERVICE OF CHARLES XII. OF SWEDEN.

“Remarkable for its thrilling adventures and its interesting historical pictures.”--_Herald and Presbyter._

=BERIC THE BRITON.= A STORY OF THE ROMAN INVASION.

“It is a powerful and fascinating romance.”--_Boston Post._

=IN GREEK WATERS.= A STORY OF THE GRECIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE--1821-1827.

“It is a stirring narrative, wholesome and stimulating.”--_Congregationalist._

=CONDEMNED AS A NIHILIST.= A STORY OF ESCAPE FROM SIBERIA.

“A narrative absorbing and thrilling. The scenes of Siberian prison-life give the book a peculiar value.”--_Christian Advocate._

=REDSKIN AND COWBOY.= A TALE OF THE WESTERN PLAINS.

“Though it is full of hairbreadth escapes, none of the incidents are improbable. It is needless to say that the adventures are well told.”--_San Francisco Chronicle._

=THE DASH FOR KHARTOUM.= A TALE OF THE NILE EXPEDITION.

=HELD FAST FOR ENGLAND.= A TALE OF THE SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR.

⁂ _The above are Mr. Henty’s latest books. A full descriptive list containing all of Mr. Henty’s books--now 47 in number--will be sent to any address on application. They are all attractively illustrated and handsomely bound._

* * * * *

SAMUEL ADAMS DRAKE’S HISTORICAL BOOKS

=THE MAKING OF THE OHIO VALLEY STATES.= 1660-1837. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

=THE MAKING OF VIRGINIA AND THE MIDDLE COLONIES.= 1578-1701. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

=THE MAKING OF NEW ENGLAND.= 1580-1643. With 148 illustrations and with maps. 12mo, $1.50.

=THE MAKING OF THE GREAT WEST.= 1812-1853. With 145 illustrations and with maps. 12mo, $1.50.

“The author’s aim in these books is that they shall occupy a place between the larger and lesser histories of the lands and of the periods of which they treat, and that each topic therein shall be treated as a unit and worked out to a clear understanding of its objects and results before passing to another topic. In the furtherance of this method each subject has its own descriptive notes, maps, plans, and illustrations, the whole contributing to a thorough, though condensed, knowledge of the subject in hand.”--_New York Mail and Express._

POEMS OF CHILDHOOD BY EUGENE FIELD

=LOVE SONGS OF CHILDHOOD.= 16mo, $1.00.

=WITH TRUMPET AND DRUM.= By Eugene Field. 16mo, $1.25.

“His poems of childhood have gone home, not only to the hearts of children, but to the heart of the country as well, and he is one of the few contributors to that genuine literature of childhood which expresses ideas from the stand-point of a child.”--_The Outlook._

THE NORSELAND SERIES By H. H. BOYESEN.

=NORSELAND TALES.= Illustrated. 12mo, $1.25.

=BOYHOOD IN NORWAY=: NINE STORIES OF DEEDS OF THE SONS OF THE VIKINGS. With 8 illustrations. 12mo, $1.25.

=AGAINST HEAVY ODDS=, AND A FEARLESS TRIO. With 13 full-page illustrations by W. L. TAYLOR. 12mo, $1.25.

=THE MODERN VIKINGS=: STORIES OF LIFE AND SPORT IN THE NORSELAND. With many full-page illustrations. 12mo, $1.25.

The four above volumes in a box, $5.00.

“Charmingly told stories of boy-life in the Land of the Midnight Sun, illustrated with pictures giving a capital idea of the incidents and scenes described. The tales have a delight all their own, as they tell of scenes and sports and circumstances so different from those of our American life.”--_New York Observer._

TWO BOOKS BY ROSSITER JOHNSON

=THE END OF A RAINBOW.= AN AMERICAN STORY. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

“It will be read with breathless interest. It is interesting and full of boyish experience.”--_The Independent._

=PHAETON ROGERS.= A NOVEL OF BOY LIFE. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50.

* * * * *

MRS. BURTON HARRISON’S TALES

=BRIC-A-BRAC STORIES.= With 24 illustrations by WALTER CRANE. 12mo, $1.50.

“It is to be wished that every boy and girl might become acquainted with the contents of this book.”--JULIAN HAWTHORNE.

=THE OLD FASHIONED FAIRY BOOK.= Illustrated by ROSINA EMMET. 16mo, $1.25.

“The little ones, who so willingly go back with us to ‘Jack the Giant Killer,’ ‘Bluebeard,’ and the kindred stories of our childhood, will gladly welcome Mrs. Burton Harrison’s ‘Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales.’”--FRANK R. STOCKTON.

BOOKS OF ADVENTURE BY ROBERT LEIGHTON

=OLAF THE GLORIOUS.= A STORY OF OLAF TRIGGVISON, KING OF NORWAY, A.D. 995-1000. Crown 8vo, with numerous full-page illustrations, $1.50.

=THE WRECK OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE.= THE STORY OF A NORTH SEA FISHER BOY. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, $1.50.

=THE THIRSTY SWORD.= A STORY OF THE NORSE INVASION OF SCOTLAND, 1262-65. With 8 illustrations and a map. Crown 8vo, $1.50.

=THE PILOTS OF POMONA.= A STORY OF THE ORKNEY ISLANDS. With 8 illustrations and a map. Crown 8vo, $1.50.

“Mr. Leighton as a writer for boys needs no praise, as his books place him in the front rank.”--_New York Observer._

THINGS WILL TAKE A TURN

By BEATRICE HARRADEN, author of “Ships That Pass in the Night.” Illustrated. 12mo, $1.00.

The charm of this tale is its delicate, wistful sympathy. It is the story of a sunny-hearted child, Rosebud, who assists her grandfather in his dusty, second-hand bookshop. One cannot help being fascinated by the sweet little heroine, she is so engaging, so natural: and to love Rosebud is to love all her friends and enter sympathetically into the good fortune she brought them.

AMONG THE LAWMAKERS

By EDMUND ALTON. Illustrated. Square 8vo, $1.50.

“The book is a diverting as well as an instructive one. Mr. Alton was in his early days a page in the Senate, and he relates the doings of Congress from the point of view he then obtained. His narrative is easy and piquant, and abounds in personal anecdotes about the great men whom the pages waited on.”--_Christian Union._

EVENING TALES

DONE INTO ENGLISH FROM THE FRENCH OF FREDERIC ORTOLI, BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS. 12mo, $1.00.

“It is a veritable French ‘Uncle Remus’ that Mr. Harris has discovered in Frederic Ortoli. The book has the genuine piquancy of Gallic wit, and will be sure to charm American children. Mr. Harris’s version is delightfully written.”--_Boston Beacon._

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Froissart’s own cunning little poem of _Le Débat dou Cheval et dou Levrier_, recently printed for the first time by M. Buchon, gives such a picture of himself:--

“Froissars d’Escoce revenolt
Sus un cheval qui gris estoit;
Un blanc levrier menoit en lasse.”

[2] Froissart’s Chronicles were written in four volumes, or books. The parts I have taken from the first book cover a period of about thirty years, counting from the coronation of the young King Edward the Third of England in the year 1326 to the battle of Poitiers in the year 1356. The times covered by the other three books will be given as we come to them.

I have thought that the young readers of Froissart would care to know exactly how it was that such a wonderful amount of fighting had to be done during the fourteenth century, in England, France, and Flanders, as is described in this book; and I have therefore devoted the first forty or fifty pages to such extracts as would inform them upon the causes of these terrible and long-continued wars.--ED.

[3] The young readers of Froissart will be interested in some particulars of this exploit not given by our author. When Douglas made his first impetuous onset, it seemed as if he would be successful, even alone. The Saracens retreated in confusion, and Douglas and his party were tempted into a hot pursuit. “Taking the casket from his neck” (says Hailes, in the Annals of Scotland), “which contained the heart of Bruce,” Douglas “threw it before him, and cried, ‘Now pass thou onward, as thou wast wont; and Douglas will follow thee, or die.’” Presently the Saracens rallied, and surrounded the Scotch with overwhelming numbers. “Douglas fell while attempting to rescue Sir William Clare of Roslin, who shared his fate. Robert and Walter Logan, both of them knights, were slain with Douglas.... His few surviving companions found his body in the field, together with the casket, and reverently conveyed them to Scotland. The remains of Douglas were interred in the sepulchre of his fathers, in the church of Douglas; and the heart of Bruce was deposited at Melrose.”

[4] Who, although he had been the chief supporter of Philip for the crown, had afterwards become the object of Philip’s violent hatred, and had been banished the kingdom.

[5] But it is to be hoped that every young reader of Froissart will heartily despise such cunning. This act of Sir John Norwich was mean and small beyond all decent words; for he took the basest advantage of the Duke of Normandy’s honorable confidence in his fidelity to the sacred obligations of a truce.--ED.

[6] Boys who accompany King Edward on this expedition will be glad to know, at the outset, that they are not to be fobbed off with a few skirmishes and a retreat of both armies--as on the preceding ones. In fact, we are now on the way to fight the great battle of Crecy.--ED.

[7] French for _a harrow_.

[8] The mark “-“ over a letter denotes an _m_ or an _n_ added: thus “cāe” = _came_, “thē” = _them_.

[9] yᵗ = _that_.

[10] wᵗ = _with_.

[11] = _amonge_.

[12] That is, _had been there dead if_ (and = _an_) _it had not been for his page_.

[13] _almaygnes_ = _Allemands_ = _Germans_.

[14] That is, _makes him ready_.

[15] _Ensigns._

[16] _Two._

[17] _Mild maid_,--the Virgin Mary.

[18] _They._

[19] _Fly._

[20] _’gan_,--began.

[21] _Ay_,--yea.

[22] _Feod_,--one who owes fealty.

[23] The narrative has advanced five years since the last chapter. King John keeps his oath: he “sets out after” the prince, and in a short time brings on the great battle of Poitiers.--ED.

[24] Some say it was composed of sulphur, naphtha, pitch, gum, and bitumen; others, that the ingredients are not now known. It was invented by Callinicus of Heliopolis, in the seventh century, to destroy the ships of the Saracens.--ED.

[25] It was Arnaut (i.e., Arnold) de Cervolle who was surnamed the Archpriest.--ED.

[26] After the battle of Poitiers the wretched land of France was tormented by all the ills of lawlessness. This chapter, and the next three, particularly those describing the Jacquerie, will show every boy the frenzies to which a people may be driven when the law is weak. In this case the arm of the law--King John--was wholly lacking in France.--ED.

[27] Of Normandy.--ED.

[28] That is, Jack Goodman.--ED.

[29] Froissart’s Chronicles having been composed in four volumes, the peculiar nature of his work makes it well to preserve this division, aside from the general advantage of giving in unaltered form, so far as possible, the parts presented.--ED.

[30] This is King Charles the Sixth of France, called “the Maniac.” The narrative has here advanced twenty-four years since we left King John in England, a prisoner, after the battle of Poitiers. John has died, and been succeeded by Charles V.,--“the Wise,”--who has reigned sixteen years, and died. We now go on to see how his successor, young Charles the Sixth, fares in his wars with Philip von Artaveld to recover the rights of the Earl of Flanders. I have chosen these special chapters because they give us lively pictures of manners and customs among a different people from those illustrated by the selections of the first book. The insurrection of Wat Tyler, of which Froissart gives such a lively account in this book, ought really to begin these first chapters, since it occurred in 1378,--two years before the coronation of King Charles,--in the reign of Richard II. of England. The period covered by my extracts from this second book is therefore from 1378 to 1382, when the battle of Rosbecq was fought.--ED.

[31] I devote my selections from this book mainly to showing the manner in which the good canon Froissart picked up matter for his Chronicles from the conversation of chance travellers as he rode on his way; together with a glimpse of the handsome person and brilliant court of the great Béarnese lord Gaston Phœbus, Count de Foix. The time is the year 1388.--ED.

[32] His mother had been sent by her husband to bring home her dowry, in the hands of her brother the King of Navarre. The latter refused to send it; and the lady therefore remained in his country, fearing the anger of her husband if she should return without it.--ED.

[33] The young readers of Froissart may remember this passage when they come to read Chaucer’s account of the young squire who “Carf byforn his fadur at the table” (i.e., _carved before his father at the table_).--ED.

[34] For the sake of further variety I extract from Froissart’s fourth volume a lively picture of a crusade against the Saracens. The time is the last decade of the fourteenth century; more particularly, two months of the year 1390.--ED.

[35] Machines for throwing stones.--ED.

[36] Which I have selected for a concluding chapter because it is the last but one of Froissart’s book, and brings before us several persons who have figured in the history, as _dramatis personæ_ come forth at the last act of the play. Here are King Edward, with whose coronation my abridgment begins; Queen Philippa, whom we saw him marry; and King Richard II., whom we last beheld in front of Wat Tyler and his rebels.--ED.