In execution of the resolution which he had formed during his cooler

moments, Prince John received Cedric and Athelstane with distinguished

courtesy, and expressed his disappointment, without resentment, when the

indisposition of Rowena was alleged by the former as a reason for her

not attending upon his gracious summons. Cedric and Athelstane were both

dressed in the ancient Saxon garb, which, although not unhandsome in

itself, and in the present instance composed of costly materials, was

so remote in shape and appearance from that of the other guests, that

Prince John took great credit to himself with Waldemar Fitzurse for

refraining from laughter at a sight which the fashion of the day

rendered ridiculous. Yet, in the eye of sober judgment, the short close

tunic and long mantle of the Saxons was a more graceful, as well as a

more convenient dress, than the garb of the Normans, whose under garment

was a long doublet, so loose as to resemble a shirt or waggoner's frock,

covered by a cloak of scanty dimensions, neither fit to defend the

wearer from cold or from rain, and the only purpose of which appeared

to be to display as much fur, embroidery, and jewellery work, as the

ingenuity of the tailor could contrive to lay upon it. The Emperor

Charlemagne, in whose reign they were first introduced, seems to have

been very sensible of the inconveniences arising from the fashion of

this garment. "In Heaven's name," said he, "to what purpose serve these

abridged cloaks? If we are in bed they are no cover, on horseback they

are no protection from the wind and rain, and when seated, they do not

guard our legs from the damp or the frost."

Nevertheless, spite of this imperial objurgation, the short cloaks

continued in fashion down to the time of which we treat, and

particularly among the princes of the House of Anjou. They were

therefore in universal use among Prince John's courtiers; and the

long mantle, which formed the upper garment of the Saxons, was held in

proportional derision.

The guests were seated at a table which groaned under the quantity of

good cheer. The numerous cooks who attended on the Prince's progress,

having exerted all their art in varying the forms in which the ordinary

provisions were served up, had succeeded almost as well as the modern

professors of the culinary art in rendering them perfectly unlike their

natural appearance. Besides these dishes of domestic origin, there were

various delicacies brought from foreign parts, and a quantity of rich

pastry, as well as of the simnel-bread and wastle cakes, which were only

used at the tables of the highest nobility. The banquet was crowned with

the richest wines, both foreign and domestic.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024