Historic%20Yorkshire

64
HENRY THE III.'s CHRISTMAS AT YORK.
sideredof great politicalimportance,and to render every
honour to the celebration of the nuptials,Henry himself
and his Queen left their familiar subjects of the south to
take part personallyin the auspicious ceremony. The
knights and warriors we have described as wending their
way towards the grey walls of old York were the nobles
and gentlemen from every part who thus congregated to
evince their fealty, the ladies were their wives and
daughters, whose presence was to lend such a peaceful
and charming aspect to the gatheringand thefestivities;
while the ecclesiasticalpersonages,whoseattendance was
of importance,had drawn from all parts to countenance
the alliance, and partake of its immediate benefits, or a
part of them.
The crowds continued to pour in, and it was with difficulty
that accommodation could be provided. But
numerous special provisions had been made beforehand
for the properlodgingof all comers, in order to avoidany
unseemly brawl or dispute as to the quartering. The
whole of one street was reserved for the Scottish nobles
and their retinues, which included many knights whose
prowess and pride had been the theme of many a story,
and celebrated inmany a song. This precaution was one
of great wisdom, as otherwise a sanguinaryconflict might
have arisen, and the most disastrous results ensued.
What the consequences of a dispute between the fiery
representatives of the two nationalitiesmight have been,
can be well imaginedwhen we learn that the mareschals
among themselvescouldnot agreewhile selecting suitable
billets for their lords, and resortedto their fists as a handy
methodof argument. But the northernbloodthus roused,
speedily their staves, and finally their swords, were
brought into requisition. The tumult was quelled, but
only after one zealous partizan of his master's right to
certain advantages of lodgment was killed, others mortally
wounded, and many beside placed hors de combat
and the festal proceedings for some time. The aid of the
clerics was also utilised to good purpose in smoothing