Chapter I: Preface

It is, perhaps, unfortunate that the period and, in some degree, the scene of my present work, coincide nearly with those of the most magnificent and gorgeous of historical romances, Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe.

It is hoped, however, that--notwithstanding this similarity, and the fact that in both works the interest turns in some degree on the contrast between the manners of the Saxon and Norman inhabitants of the isle, and the state of things preceding the fusion of the two races into one--notwithstanding, also, that in each a portion of the effect depends on the introduction of a judicial combat, or "Wager of Battle"--the resemblance will be found to be external and incidental only, and that, neither in matter, manner, nor subject, is there any real similarity between the books, much less any imitation or absurd attempt, on my part, at rivalry with that which is admitted to be incomparable. It will be seen, at once, by those who have the patience to peruse the following pages, that I have aimed at something more than a mere delineation of outward habits, customs, and details of martial or pacific life; that I have entered largely into the condition of classes, the peculiar institution of Serfdom, or White Slavery, as it existed among our own ancestors--that portion of whom, from which our blood is in the largest degree descended, being the servile population of the island--in the twelfth century, and the steps which led to its gradual abolition.

In doing this, I have been unavoidably led into the necessity of dealing with the ancient jurisprudence of our race, the common law of the land, the institution of Trial by Jury, and that singular feature in our old judicial system, the reference of cases to the direct decision of the Almighty by Wager of Battle, or, as it was also called, "the Judgment of God."

I will here merely observe that, while the gist of my tale lies in the adventures and escape of a fugitive Saxon Slave from the tyranny of his Norman Lord, my work contains no reference to the peculiar institution of any portion of this country, nor conceals any oblique insinuation against, or covert attack upon, any part of the inhabitants of the Continent, or any interest guaranteed to them by the Constitution. Nevertheless, I would recommend no person to open a page of this volume, who is prepared to deny that slavery _per se_ is an evil and a wrong, and its effects deteriorating to all who are influenced by its contact, governors alike and governed, since they will find nothing agreeable, but much adverse to their way of thinking.

That it is an evil and a wrong, in itself, and a source of serious detriment to all parties concerned, I can not but believe; and that, like all other wrongs and evils, it will in the end, by God's wisdom, be provided for and pass away, without violence or greater indirect wrong and evil, I both believe and hope.

But I neither arrogate to myself the wisdom of imagining how this is to be peacefully brought about in the lapse of ages, nor hesitate to dissent from the intemperance of those who would cut the Gordian knot, like Alexander, with the sword, reckless if the same blow should sever the sacred bonds that consolidate the fabric of the Union.

HENRY WM. HERBERT.

THE CEDARS, September, 1st., 1855.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

THE FOREST 11

CHAPTER II.

THE GOOD SERVICE 27

CHAPTER III.

THE GUERDON OF GOOD SERVICE 39

CHAPTER IV.

THE NORMAN LORDS 47

CHAPTER V.

THE SERF'S QUARTER 58

CHAPTER VI.

THE SAXON'S CONSTANCY 69

CHAPTER VII.

THE SLAVE-GIRL'S SELF-DEVOTION 81

CHAPTER VIII.

GUENDOLEN'S BOWER 91

CHAPTER IX.

GUENDOLEN 100

CHAPTER X.

THE LADY AND THE SLAVE 110

CHAPTER XI.

THE LADY'S GAME 126

CHAPTER XII.

THE DEPARTURE 136

CHAPTER XIII.

THE PROGRESS 148

CHAPTER XIV.

THE NEW HOME 159

CHAPTER XV.

THE OLD HOME 166

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ESCAPE 177

CHAPTER XVII.

THE PURSUIT 187

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE SANDS 198

CHAPTER XIX.

THE SUPPLIANT 217

CHAPTER XX.

THE LADY AND HER LOVER 230

CHAPTER XXI.

THE ARREST 245

CHAPTER XXII.

THE SHERIFF 260

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE TRIAL 272

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE ACQUITTAL 285

CHAPTER XXV.

THE FALSE CHARGE AND THE TRUE 300

CHAPTER XXVI.

WAGER OF BATTLE 310

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE BRIDAL DAY 324

SHERWOOD FOREST;

OR,

WAGER OF BATTLE.