122 COACHING DAYS AND COACHING WAYS 



where Richard was waiting to superintend his execution 

 at what is now the Saracen's Head. 



In the courtyard of this inn, which was then called 

 the Blue Boar, and not "in an open space," as Shake- 

 speare has described it (as if he were speaking of 

 Salisbury Plain), Buckingham had his head cut off 

 according to contemporary prescription. We have none 

 of us seen the episode presented on the stage, but we 

 have read the carpenters' scene, which Shakespeare 

 \vrote in, to give the gentleman who originally played 

 Buckingham a chance, and allow a few moments more 

 preparation for Bosworth Field. And we may recollect 

 that it consists principally in Buckingham asking 

 whether King Richard will not let him speak to him, 

 and on being told not at all, informing the general 

 company, at some length, that it is All-Souls' Day, and 

 that as soon as he has been beheaded, he intends to 

 commence " walking." 



After Richard and Buckingham, there came to Salisbury 

 in the way of kings, Henry VH. in 1491. Henry VHI. 

 '^"^ 1535 with Anne Boleyn, already in all probability 

 engaged in those sprightly matrimonial differences as to 

 men and things which culminated the year following on 

 Tower Green. Next in order, came to Salisbury, Eliza- 

 beth, bound for Bristol, bent, as on all her royal pro- 

 gresses, on keeping her nobility's incomes within bounds, 

 and shooting tame stags that were induced to meander 

 before her bedroom windows. After the virgin queen 

 came James I., who liked the solitudes which surrounded 

 the Salisbury of those days, for the two-fold reason, firstly, 

 because they saved him in a large measure from the in- 

 vasion of importunate suitors (who were afraid of having 

 their purses taken on Salisbury Plain before they could 

 proffer their supplications), and, secondly, because they 

 were well stocked witli all sorts of game on w^hich he 

 could wreak his royal and insatiable appetite for himting. 

 Tlic "open" natin"e of the countr\' might ]^orhaps be 

 added as another reason lor the sporting king's liking 



