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CHAPTER XV. 



LIFE AND WOEK ON THE BARONY. 



On the principle of giving precedence to whom precedence is 

 due, let the rural life of a grand seigneur commence this 

 chapter. "We will then choose as a typical instance one who 

 takes an interest in estate affairs, recognises his onerous duties, 

 and is naturally disposed to a peaceful country existence. In 

 order to realise most thoroughly the features of such a domestic 

 life, let the reader assume the 7'dle of some honoured guest 

 who has been invited for a space to share the magnificent 

 hospitality of a baronial castle. Met at the door by porters, 

 ushers, and marshals, he would at first feel bewildered at the 

 host of ready hands outstretched to relieve him of his mails 

 and travelling attire, until the seneschal, in no way to be con- 

 fused with the already-mentioned estate officer, advances to 

 his rescue, and leads him away to prepare a hasty toilet for the 

 great midday meal in the hall. Passing over the preliminary 

 introduction to his host, the reader must imagine the scene of 

 repast, with its great high cross table at present unoccupied, 

 and the baronial freemen, consisting of knights, chaplains, and 

 gentlemen, arranging themselves at the two side tables, which 

 were placed at right angles to the raised dais. These gentle- 

 men are all neatly clad in the baronial livery, and too carefully 

 looked after to appear in ragged tabards, soiled herigauts, or 

 imitation short hose. After they are seated the crowd of 

 grooms files in and sits lower down, rising and leaving to- 

 gether at the conclusion of the meal. Under their table might 

 be observed the leathern jacks of ale, and upon that portion 

 allotted to the gentry the wine bottles, while under the lord's 



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