their children from england,
all helped to swell the coffers of the burghers. now, with this
fresh influx of noblemen and cavaliers, food and lodging were
scarce to be had, and the prince was hurrying forward his forces
to dax in gascony to relieve the overcrowding of his capital.
in front of the minster and abbey of st. andrews was a large
square crowded with priests, soldiers, women, friars, and
burghers, who made it their common centre for sight-seeing and
gossip. amid the knot of noisy and gesticulating townsfolk, many
small parties of mounted knights and squires threaded their way
towards the prince's quarters, where the huge iron-clamped doors
were thrown back to show that he held audience within. two-score
archers stood about the gateway, and beat back from time to time
with their bow-staves the inquisitive and chattering crowd who
swarmed round the portal. two knights in full armor, with lances
raised and closed visors, sat their horses on either side, while
in the centre, with two pages to tend upon him, there stood a
noble-faced man in flowing purple gown, who pricked off upon a
sheet of parchment the style and title of each applicant,
marshalling them in their due order, and giving to each the place
and facility which his rank demanded. his long white beard and
searching eyes imparted to him an air of masterful dignity, which
was increased by his tabard-like vesture and the heraldic barret
cap with triple plume which bespoke his office.
"it is sir william de pakington, the prince's own herald and
scrivener," whispered sir nigel, as they pulled up amid the line
of knights who waited admission. "ill fares it with the man who
would venture to deceive him. he hath by rote the name of every
knight of france or of england; and all the tree of his family,
with his kinships, coat-armor, marriages, augmentations,
abatements, and i know not what beside. we may leave our horses
here with the varlets, and push forward with our squires."
following sir nigel's counsel, they pressed on upon foot until
they were close to the prince's secretary, who was in high debate
with a young and foppish knight, who was bent upon making his way
past him.
"mackworth!" said the king-at-arms. "it is in my mind, young
sir, that you have not been presented before."
"nay, it is but a day since i set foot in bordeaux, but i feared
lest the prince should think it strange that i had not waited
upon him."
"the prince hath other things to think upon," quoth sir william
de pakington; "but if you be a mackworth you must be a mackworth
of normanton, and indeed i see now that your coat is sable and
ermine."
"i am a mackworth of normanton," the other answered, with some
uneasiness of manner.
"then you must be sir stephen mackworth, for i learn that when
old sir guy died he came in for the arms and the name, the war-
cry and the profit."
"sir stephen is my elder brother, and i am arthur, the second
son," said the youth.
"in sooth and in sooth!" cried the king-at-arms with scornful
eyes. "and pray, sir second son, where is the cadency mark which
should mark your rank. dare you to wear your brother's coat
without the crescent which should stamp you as his cadet. away
to your lodgings, and come not nigh the prince until the armorer
hath placed the true charge upon your shield." as the youth
withdrew in confusion, sir william's keen eye singled out the
five red roses from amid the overlapping shields and cloud of
pennons which faced him.
"ha!" he cried, "there are charges here which are above
counterfeit. "the roses of loring and the boar's head of
buttesthorn may stand back in peace, but by my faith! they are
not to be held back in war. welcome, sir oliver, sir nigel!
chandos will be glad to his very heart-roots when he sees you.
this way, my fair sirs. your squires are doubtless worthy the
fame of their masters. down this passage, sir oliver! edricson!
ha! one of the old strain of hampshire edricsons, i doubt not.
and ford, they are of a south saxon stock, and of good repute.
there are norburys in cheshire and in wiltshire, and also, as i
have heard, upon the borders. so, my fair sirs, and i shall see
that you are shortly admitted."
he had finished his professional commentary by flinging open a
folding door, and ushering the party into a broad hall, which was
filled with a great number of people who were waiting, like
themselves, for an audience. the room was very spacious, lighted
on one side by three arched and mullioned windows, while opposite
was a huge fireplace in which a pile of faggots was blazing
merrily. many of the company had crowded round the flames, for
the weather was bitterly cold; but the two knights seated
themselves upon a bancal, with their squires standing behind
them. looking down the room, alleyne marked
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