<ourt. 9 



the Londoners, when the train, having passed over the sea 

 to Dover, came within sight of the city gates. Ladies 

 of the highest rank were assembled to receive their 

 queen, all in their best attire, and with them came the 

 great authorities both of the court and city. The gates 

 were then thrown open with much solemnity, and Anne of 

 Luxemburg having been conducted with chivalrous mag- 

 nificence to the Palace of Westminster, the ceremony of 

 her marriage was completed on the twentieth day after 

 Christmas. 



Christmas was well kept that year both in town and 

 country ; but when the trees burst forth into leaf and 

 beauty, and the contented note of the solitary cuckoo, 

 was heard in the still forest, the country people thought 

 that they would rejoice again, and this occasioned the 

 May-pole to be set up. They did not gather any 

 branches from the yew, for the yew is a funereal tree, 

 used to deck the grave of him who has nought to do with 

 the cheerful scenes of busy life. 



With the noble train who entered London came Mar- 

 garet of Silesia, daughter of the Duke of Theise, and 

 niece to the King of Bohemia, as the confidential friend, 

 and first-cousin of the queen. This lady was received 

 with great distinction, and apartments were assigned her 

 in the palace, not only on account of her youth, but that 

 she might enjoy a frequent intercourse with the friend 

 who was most dear to her. But these halcyon days were 

 not of long continuance. The queen died at Shene in 



B5 



