and none was found. And then each man went to his bed again; but this unhappy woman rested not; but she arose again, and went to the bed of Bernard, as she did tofore. And he cried again," thieves ! thieves!" And the thief was sought, but he was not found, ne published of him, which knew her well. And yet was she chafed the third time; and then with great pain she ceased, what for dread and de spair. And on the morrow, as they went by the way, his fellows repreved him of that he had so dreamed of thieves, and inquired of him what it was? And he answered, verily, I have suffered this night, the assailings of a thief: for mine hostess enforced to take away fro me, treasure not recoverable. These extracts will suffice to give the reader an idea of the ignorance and superstition which prevailed in the dark ages. Such were the tales invented and propagated by the monks, partly with pious, and partly with politic designs, which they imposed upon the people as genuine history, and which were received by them with eager and devout credulity. VOL. I. THE BOOK OF THE ORDER OF CHIVALRY, OR KNIGHTHOOD. THIS book was translated from the French, and printed by Caxton. It is a thin quarto, and without a date, though it is supposed to have been printed about the year 1484. It is divided into eight chapters. The 1st shews how a knight, who was a hermit, bestowed this rule, or order of chivalry, upon a squire. The 2d treats of the original of chivalry, or knighthood. 3. Of the office of chivalry. 4. Of the examination that ought to be made of the esquire, when he enters into the order. 5. In what manner the squire ought to receive chivalry. 6. Of the signefyaunce of the arms belonging to a knight. 7. Of the customs that appertain to a knight. 8. Of the honours that ought to be done to a knight. |