LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Norman Arches...
William the Conqueror...
William the Conqueror, from Tapestries...
Conqueror and Conquered...
Landing of William the Conqueror...
Ruins of Hastings...
Old Westminster...
Ships of William the Conqueror, from Tapestries....
The Tower..
Robert Discovers his Father..
Trophy of Norman and Saxon Arms..
Pleasure Barge on the Thames..
Matilda of Scotland..
Queen Margaret's Chapel..
The Beacon..
Death of the Red King..
College at Oxford..
Playing at Bowls..
Norman Font..
Exterior Pulpit..
Ancient Windsor Castle..
Abbey of St. Etienne..
Norman Tower..
Entrance to Norman Chapel..
Arundel Castle..
Horn..
Scold's Bridle..
A Battle..
Escape from Oxford..
Norman Robe..
The Pilgrim..
Eleanora of Aquitaine..
Crusaders on their March..
The Maze...
Murder of Thomas Becket...
Tomb of Henry II...
Berengaria of Navarre...
Leaders of the First Crusade...
Capture of Acre...
Costumes of the Period...
Isabella of Angoulme...
The Crypt in Old Windsor...
John's Anger after Signing Magna Charta...
Magna Charta Island...
Interior of Gloucester Cathedral...
Eleanor of Provence...
Angel Tower and Chapter-House, Canterbury...
York, Chapter-House...
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland...
Gateway and Keep, Alnwick...
King Henry and his Barons...
Archers...
Eleanora of Castile...
Attempt on Edward's Life...
Caernarvon Castle...
Marguerite of France...
Old Charing Cross...
Isabella of France...
Retainer's Hall...
Westminster Hall...
Under the Tower...
City Hall, Valenciennes...
Old Fort at Oxford...
Edward II. and his Jailers...
Tomb of Edward II., Gloucester Cathedral...
Philippa of Hainault...
Doorway...
Philippa on her Knees before the King...
Tomb of Edward III...
Anne of Bohemia...
Houses on Old London Bridge...
Beards...
Isabella of Valois...
Joanna of Navarre...
Shrewsbury...
Before Agincourt...
Costumes...
Katherine of Valois...
Friar Bacon's Study...
Donjon at Vincennes....
Margaret of Anjou...
Ruins of Kenilworth Castle...
Royal Apartments...
Warwick Castle...
View of Verdun...
Elizabeth Woodville...
Windsor Castle...
Vault of St. George's Chapel...
Bloody Tower...
Crypt in Tower...
Anne of Warwick...
Dungeon, Tower...
Elizabeth of York...
Chapel of Henry VII...
Costumes...
Katherine of Arragon...
The Alhambra...
London Bridge...
Reception Room...
Richmond Church...
Richmond Palace...
Bedroom of Henry VIII., Knoll Castle...
House of Sir Thomas More...
Wolsey's Tower...
Hever Castle...
Whitehall, Wolsey's Palace...
Anne Boleyn's Chamber, Hever Castle...
Watergate, Tower...
Hampton Court...
Jane Seymour..
Hampton Court, Garden Front..
Waterloo Bridge and Somerset House..
Guard Chamber, Lambeth Palace..
Heads on Old London Bridge..
Court Gardens..
Stairway..
Katharine Parr..
Old St. Paul's..
Essex House..
STORIES OF THE LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND
Compiled From Agates Strickland, For Young People
CHAPTER I. MATILDA OF FLANDERS, WIFE OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
(1031-1083).
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M atilda, wife of the great William, the Conqueror, was an exceedingly handsome woman, and as she had received the best education that was possible in her times, she was as celebrated for her learning as for her beauty. She was, besides, generous and religious, and had all the qualities necessary for the position she was called upon to fill.
She was famed for her fancy-work, which was looked upon as one of the most important and desirable occupations for ladies of rank; and any woman who could spin, weave and embroider was considered quite a treasure.
Matilda had three cousins who were such skilful needlewomen, that they were sought in marriage by the greatest princes of Europe. Their work has not been preserved, but Matilda's still remains and is called the Bayeux Tapestry. It is the most wonderful achievement in needlework ever accomplished by any woman. But we shall tell more about it, by-and-bye.
Matilda's father was Earl of Flanders, a rich, powerful prince, skilled in the arts of peace and war. He was, besides, such a popular man that all the rulers in his neighborhood were anxious to win the hand of his beautiful daughter.
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Her cousin, William of Normandy, was the most accomplished of them all, and loved her devotedly. He was handsome, brave and talented, and so strong, that, it is said, no man could bend his bow but himself. And he was such a sure marksman, that even when riding at full speed, he seldom missed his aim. It is remarkable that although he was the tallest man in his army, he passed through all his battles without the loss of a drop of blood, until towards the close of his career, when he was wounded by his own son.
Strange to say, this young man did not find favor in the eyes of his lady cousin at all; this mortified him so much, that he resolved to win her in spite of herself.
He had a rival in a young Saxon nobleman named Brihtric Meaw, who had come to Flanders as ambassador from Edward the Confessor, then on the British throne. This favored gentleman was so fair and light-haired that he was nicknamed "Snow." Matilda loved him in secret, which is probably the reason why she would not listen to her cousin William. But Brihtric Meaw does not seem to have cared particularly for her, and so did not find out what her sentiments were towards him. Thus, quite innocently, he never attempted to court her, and she could not forgive his indifference. Still her mind was filled with him, and this made her treat William coldly. He was not to be baffled, however, but courted her through seven long and tedious years.