102 2TfK Kut-^tce of Kogamont)'* CJrabe, 



and possessions of the house of Salisbury, Talbot became 

 an inmate of his castle.* 



Ela returned to her father's hall, to the old castle of 

 Sarum, from which she had looked in her childhood on 

 the feats of arms that were exhibited in the tournament 

 arena. But those days had passed, for King John, 

 who now filled the throne, cared little for jousts or 

 minstrelsy. His thoughts brooded in sullen mood on 

 the discontents that were abroad, and on the distracted 

 condition of the country. Meanwhile the chivalrous 

 and devoted Longespe accompanied King John, who 

 went from place to place like the wild Arab, staying 

 nowhere, ever restless and inconstant. The Lady Ela 

 occasionally accompanied her husband in his expeditions, 

 but she preferred the order and dignity of her own well- 

 regulated household to the migrations of the court. The 

 earl, too, was often weary of his mode of life, but his 

 affection to his brother made him willing to relinquish 

 his home comforts, and if the king was ever sincerely 

 attached to any human being, it was to the gallant 

 Longespe. There is little doubt but that his affection for 

 the earl induced him to erect a tomb to the memory of his 

 unhappy mother, whose remains had been removed from 

 the place of their interment ; it was tastefully embossed 

 with fine brass, and had an inscription around the edge, f 



* Book of Lacock. 



j* A most beautiful copy was deposited, and may still be seen, in 

 the chamber of Records at Salisbury Cathedral. 



