Historic%20Yorkshire

Chapter X.
HOW KING HENRY ;RY III. KEPT CHRISTMAS
AT YORK.
AD the readerbeen in bodily presence at York
some days before Christmas, 1252, he would
have seen a sight that presented the old
feudal days in their best aspect. As he
stoodby the postern gates, or on one of the
roads leading to that ancient city, his attention
would have now been attractedby a party of gailyattired
knights, their partial armour gleaming out from
silken scarves and waving plumes, while their spirited
horses stepped high and restively to the music of their
bells; now by a bevy of fair ladies, with their cavaliers
and pages, their joyous tones and laughter making the
keen frosty air ring with mirth;nowby some staid priest
or prelateupon quiet-walkingpalfrey,but with,perchance,
some carnal weaponof defence girded on (for the roads
were but rough in these days, and bandits and outlaws
plentiful) ; and now-by strolling parties of musicians,
tumblers, and posture-men,who evidently scented some
gainin the approaching season. As, however, the reader
cannot thus translate his existence to the days of the
past, he must content himself with our account that such
was the sight at the time we mention, and that the
occasion was the marriage of the third child and eldest
daughter, Margaret, of King Henry III. of England,
to Alexander III. of Scotland. The alliance was con-