218 SFiK ucen'g 



asunder during the fearful contest of the Roses ; and 

 beside its noble trunk met those, in all the pride of chivalry 

 and loveliness of beauty, who now are resting from life's 

 weary pilgrimage beneath the tomb of Quentin Matsys. 



Who has not heard concerning the Duchess Dowager 

 of Bedford, how she left her high estate to wed a simple 

 squire, and to dwell with him in the beautiful solitude of 

 her dower castle of Grafton, far from the scene of her 

 former greatness ! The noble trees that grouped around 

 the castle wall, mingled with those of the wide forest of 

 Whittlebury, a royal chase, on the verge of which, and at 

 no great distance from the castle, stood this aged tree, 

 then in all the pride of sylvan majesty ; and far as the 

 eye could reach, extended one vast sweep of woodland 

 scenery, with breaks of lawn and thicket. The inhabi- 

 tants of Grafton Castle passed the first years of their 

 wedded life in comparative obscurity, exercising hospi- 

 tality, according to the manners of the age, yet keeping 

 as much as possible apart from the dangers and excite- 

 ments of public life. At length the necessity of provid- 

 ing for the elder branches of an increasing family, 

 rendered it desirable to strengthen their connexions, and 

 the Duchess of Bedford, whose rank was more exalted 

 than her fortune, resolved to introduce them at the court 

 of her friend, Queen Margaret, to whom her eldest 

 daughter, the beautiful Elizabeth Woodville, was appointed 

 maid of honour.* 



* Hall's Chronicle, p. 365. Parliamentary History. Vol. II. 345. 



