138 &wng of (SHtpgton* palace. 



husband. Lords of high degree are invited guests ; 

 with them are a large company of knights and squires, 

 and while tilts and tournaments are going on within the 

 walls, the retainers of the castle are seen coming with 

 provisions, or else driving both sheep and cattle, for the 

 demand for them is great. Alms are duly given by the 

 express desire of the queen, and those who seek for shelter 

 are hospitably entertained. 



In winter, the banquet room is lighted up with 

 large torches, and a band of minstrels make the castle 

 resound with their songs and roundelays. You may 

 hear occasionally the trampling of horses, even when the 

 company are set at table, and see a number of young 

 gallants, of knights, too, and minstrels, coming through 

 the great stone entrance, mounted on steeds richly ca- 

 parisoned, and clad in fantastic vestments of green and 

 gold, with high caps and ribands. Thus accoutred, they 

 ride round the hall, and pay their respects to the assem- 

 bled guests with such speeches as best please them. 

 But torches are not needed now, for summer is at its 

 height. Some converse in the great halls, others mount 

 to the top of the high keep, where they amuse them- 

 selves with observing the comers and goers from the 

 castle, and in watching whether any knights or ladies, 

 mounted on their palfreys, are coming from afar ; 

 others go forth to hunt over the wild moor, or to chase 

 the deer in his forest haunts. Others, again, amuse 

 themselves with tennis, or foot-ball, or in feats of arms. 



