4 TREVALLTAN. 



Land during the second cmsade. 13y a grant from the crown, the 

 castle and estates now j)assed into the hands of Sir Hugh Trevallyan, 



05 a reward for good service done in battle, and for wise counsel in 

 the cabinet. Sir Hugh was created an earl by Richard the Second. 

 Hitherto tJie fortress had home the name of Le Chateau d'Evereux, 

 but was changed by him to that of Trevallyan Castle, in honour of 

 his own family ; he also made some additions to the fortifications of 

 the place. Of its internal accommodations, it is needless to say more 

 than that they partook of the general character of those of that period, 

 little regard being paid to that polish and elegance which distinguishes 

 later days. The waves of the ocean washed the sands which lay at 

 the base of the rock on which the fortress was built ; and about two 

 miles to the southward were seen the white walls of St. Anne's con- 

 vent, on the apex of St. Michael's Mount. There were several other 

 monasteries in Cornwall and its neighbouring county, Devonshire, but 

 none equal to this of St. Anne, which was celebrated not only for the 

 piety of its nuns, but also for the riches of its treasury. 



The name of the last Earl of Trevallyan, the hero of our story, was 

 Richard. He was a man of tall stature and dark complexion. He 

 was fierce and intractable m his nature, though long experience had 

 taught him sometimes to listen to the suggestions of prudence. He 

 was honourable in his conduct, yet a certain rapacity of disposition did 

 at times exhibit itself; but this last was a failing of the times. His 

 features were handsome, but a cast of sternness which they habitually 

 wore, made him, at first sight, appear a man to be feared rather than 

 loved. 



It was a bright morning in the spring of the year 1538, that a 

 herald demanded admittance at the carefully-guarded gate of Tre- 

 vallyan Castle. The seneschal having, with his accustomed caution, 

 carefully peered forth from a loophole, hidden from the gaze of any 

 person standing without the entrance, demanded from whom the mes- 

 senger had come. He replied that he brought letters of importance 

 from the sovereign himself, which must immediately be submitted to 

 the inspection of the Earl of Trevallyan, in order that the king might 

 have his answer with the shortest possible delay. This message 

 having been communicated to his lord, the seneschal ordered the draw- 

 bridge to be lowered, and the portcullis raised ; after which the herald 

 was admitted, and conducted into a spacious and lofty hall, lighted at 



