which required a strong man able to undergo much without being beaten, he for his part desired that merit should gain it rather than favour; wherefore his request was that all who were interested in the matter should appear next holiday, after evensong, on the green, to have a bout or two at quarter-staff (the weapon most in use in those days), and so remove all pretext for his being afterwards hated or envied. This suggestion was so fair that it was denied by none, but accepted by all, and George was much commended for having proposed it. The day was appointed, and a proclamation made, not only to the neighbouring villages but also in all the market towns in the country, that whosoever would appear-whether strangers or not-should not only have fair play, but he who by staff and law could maintain his claim should have the Pindarship during his life, etc. When the time came, a great crowd of people appeared from all parts, and many stout champions entered the lists. Many a tinker was seen with his long staff on his shoulder (for lances belonged to horsemen only), and there was not one but would venture his body in the fight. George was the challenger, the rest defendants; the prize, the Pindarship. Neither bakers nor butchers were excluded, nor fencers, even, for the challenge was general. Many who made no pretensions to the place came solely to show their valour.

The champion stands forth, a defendant appears, the charge is sounded-not by trumpets but by bagpipes, as the Scotsmen go to war. As one is struck down, another starts up in his place. In this combat George may well be compared with Hercules fighting with Hydra; for as soon as one opponent is van

quished, two or three appear in his stead.* Fewer staves have been broken at a tilt on a coronation day than quarter-staves at this trial of strength. Twenty heads, which at first stood upright on their respective shoulders, in less than an hour stooped lower than their knees; yet there was in George no sign of weakness or weariness. He seemed as fresh as when he began. Some of those who came to make proof of their valour, learned, by other men's fates, to be wary, and forebore to enter the lists, deeming that the safest way-seeing so many cracked crowns pass current— to sleep in a whole skin. In short, George opposed so many that at last there were none to resist; and the office, by common consent, was conferred on him. All acknowledged, moreover, that it was his by merit and not by favour.

It chanced that as his valour attracted the hearts of all men, his fair and genteel appearance made him of interest to many women, and to one in particular, a beautiful damsel named Beatrice, only daughter and heiress of a rich justice of the peace, whose name was Grymes; a man of wealth and of no mean reputation. This maiden, who was the chief beauty in the north country, was espied by George in such breathing space as he enjoyed when, having foiled one champion, he awaited the coming of another; and she, perceiving that whenever he had an opportunity he cast a loving glance in her direction, was not slow to respond. Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?' The saying was true enough in this case, for ever afterwards there was an impression of such cordial and entire love between Beatrice and George that neither prevention nor *Note Q.

disaster could erase it. Of this we will speak further in the sequel. But here for the present we shall leave our new-made Pindar, who was carried home shoulder-high by the lusty lads of the town, whilst his sweetheart, attended by the country maidens. according to her degree, returned to her father's house, some two miles off, though-had modesty permitted-she would rather have made a shorter journey of it and borne George company, even as he would have willingly made the longer journey and escorted her home. But as neither could have their wish, part they must, and part they did; yet met as closely in their thoughts as they were far divided in their bodies. Thus we take leave of them for a little time, whilst I tell you what was happening in the affairs of the nation.

Of a great Insurrection in the Kingdom, made by the Earl of Kendal and his Accomplices on Account of a vain Prophecy; and how George a Green demeaned himself towards the Rebels

Richard the First, [second] son of Henry II., after his father's death,* began his reign in 1189. Having settled his affairs in Normandy and England, and released his mother, Eleanor, from prison (his father having kept her in confinement because she had caused the death of his beloved Rosamond), the King conferred many honours on his younger brother, John, to whom he gave the provinces of Nottingham, Devonshire and Cornwall. He also created him Earl of Lancaster, and married him to the Earl of Gloucester's heiress, by which match the earldom *Note R. † Note S.

*

shortly came into his hands. These matters satisfactorily accomplished, King Richard prepared for a voyage to the Holy Land with Philip II., King of France. During his absence he constituted the Bishop of Ely, then Chancellor of England, Vice-regent of the kingdom. The covetousness of this bishop, on the one hand, and the ambition of the King's brother [John] on the other, caused factions to arise against the tyrannous prelate, and great distractions ensued. Nay, a third ulcer, worse than these, broke into open rebellion—namely an insurrection raised by the Earl of Kendal and several of his adherents, such as the Lord Bonville, Sir Gilbert Armstrong, and others. These, having collected an army of some twenty thousand malcontents, made public proclamation that they came into the field solely to purchase their countrymen's liberty and to free them from the great and insufferable oppression of the prince and prelate. This drew many followers to the Earl's side, so that he seemed to have got together a very potent army. But the main reason of this rebellion was that when the Earl was still a child, a soothsayer had prophesied that Richard and he should meet in London and the King doff his bonnet to him; a prediction which eventually proved true, but not as it was expounded.

The Earl's army struck terror to the hearts of the King's faithful subjects in the north, who wished for the good of the Commonwealth and the safety of the kingdom; yet many were forced through fear to supply his men with the necessary provisions, lest they should make havoc of all they possessed. The Earl being for some time destitute of many things needful to an army, the three confederates, encamp

*Note T.

ing some five miles from the town of Wakefield, drew up a commission, which they each signed with their own seals, and sent it by one Mannering, a servant of the Earl's, to the bailiff and townsmen of Wakefield, desiring them to send a quantity of provisions, corn and cattle, with other necessaries for the use of their host. A sum of money was also required, to pay the soldiers. Mannering was to use persuasion first, then-if they denied his request-he was to threaten them with fire and sword. News of this commission coming to their ears, the bailiff and his fellows sent a message to the neighbouring justices (Master Grymes included), appointing a meeting in the town hall. At this many of the commons were present, George a Green amongst them. Before this assembly the messenger [Mannering] appeared, showed his warrant, and, according to his orders, entreated his love and favour. The bailiff and justices were loath to grant his request, which was contrary to their allegiance; yet they were afraid to deny it peremptorily, and stood wavering and debating amongst themselves what they had better do. Seeing this, Mannering began to alter his tone, first taunting them and deriding their cowardice, then threatening them that if they did not at once comply with his demands the army would instantly despoil them of their goods, ravish their daughters, and make a bonfire of the town, as an example to others who should dare to oppose the Earl. At this haughty and insufferable menace, whilst the bench sat quaking, George pressed forward through the crowd and asked leave to answer the messenger. Permission being granted him, he boldly stepped up to the latter and demanded his name.