- The Canterbury Pilgrims
The woodcut from a MS. of Lydgate’s “Storie of Thebes”, gives a general view of a town. The travelers in the foreground are a group of Canterbury pilgrims. - The Cat
The use of the regular mine for effecting a breach in the wall of a fortified place was well known, and often brought to bear. The miners began their work at some distance, and drove a shaft underground towards the part of the fortifications which seemed most assailable; they excavated beneath the foundations of the wall, supporting the substructure with wooden props until they had finished their work. Then they set fire to the props, and retired to see the unsupported weight of the wall bringing it down in a heap of ruins. The operation of mining was usually effected under the protection of a temporary pent-house, called a cat or sow. - The Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Warwick
The illustration is from the valuable MS. Life and Acts of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. The present is part of a fight before Calais, in which Philip Duke of Burgundy was concerned on one side, and Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, Richard Earl of Warwick, and Humphrey Earl of Stafford on the other. - The Feat of Arms at St. Inglebert’s
For an actual historical example of the tournament in which a number of knights challengers undertake to hold the field against all comers, we will take the passage of arms at St. Inglebert’s, near Calais, in the days of Edward III., because it is very fully narrated by Froissart, and because the splendid MS. of Froissart in the British Museum supplies us with a magnificent picture of the scene. - The Knight-Errant’s Squire
There is so much of character in his squire’s face in the picture, and that character so different from our conventional idea of a squire as he leans over the horse’s back talking to his master. - The Morning Stars singing together
In the MSS. we not unfrequently find the ordinary musical instruments placed in the hands of the angels; e.g., in the early fourteenth-century MS. Royal 2 B. vii., in a representation of the creation, with the morning stars singing together, and all the sons of God shouting for joy, an angelic choir are making melody on the trumpet, violin, cittern, shalm (or psaltery), and harp. - The Parish Clerk sprinkling the Cook
The Parish Clerk sprinkling the Cook The picture will shows the costume and the holy water-pot and aspersoir, and to indicate how he went into all the rooms of the house—now into the kitchen sprinkling the cook. - The Parish Clerk sprinkling the Knight and Lady
Picture shows the costume and the holy water-pot and aspersoir, and to indicate how he went into all the rooms of the house now into the hall sprinkling the lord and lady who are at breakfast. - The Ship Victoria
The woodcut is a reproduction from the frontispiece of one of Hulsius’ curious tracts on naval affairs, and represents the ship Victoria, in which Magellan sailed round the world, passing through the straits to which he gave his name. - Thirteenth Century Pilgrims (the two Disciples at Emmaus)
The most usual foreign pilgrimages were to the Holy Land, the scene of our Lord’s earthly life; to Rome, the centre of western Christianity; and to the shrine of St. James at Compostella. The number of pilgrims to these places must have been comparatively limited; for a man who had any regular business or profession could not[Pg 160] well undertake so long an absence from home. The rich of no occupation could afford the leisure and the cost; and the poor who chose to abandon their lawful occupation could make these pilgrimages at the cost of others; for the pilgrim was sure of entertainment at every hospital, or monastery, or priory, probably at every parish priest’s rectory and every gentleman’s hall, on his way; and there were not a few poor men and women who indulged a vagabond humour in a pilgrim’s life. The poor pilgrim repaid his entertainer’s hospitality by bringing the news of the countries through which he had passed, and by amusing the household after supper with marvelous saintly legends, and traveler’s tales. - Timber Fort
In the middle of the picture is a castle with a bridge, protected by an advanced tower, and a postern with a drawbridge drawn up. Archers, cross-bowmen, and men-at-arms man the battlements. In front is a group of men-at-arms and tents, with archers and cross-bowmen shooting up at the defenders. On the right is a group of men-at-arms who seem to be meditating an attack by surprise upon the postern. On the left, opposed to the principal gate, is the timber fort shown in the woodcut. Its construction, of great posts and thick slabs of timber strengthened with stays and cross-beams, is well indicated. There seem to be two separate works: one is a battery of two cannon, the cannon having wheeled carriages; the other is manned by archers. It is curious to see the mixture of arms—long-bow, cross-bow, portable fire-arm, and wheeled cannon, all used at the same time; indeed, it may be questioned whether the earlier fire-arms were very much superior in effect to the more ancient weapons which they supplanted. - Traders entering a Town
The illustration shows a group of people crossing the bridge into a town, and the collector levying the toll. The oxen and pigs, the country-wife on horseback, with a lamb laid over the front of her saddle, represent the country-people and their farm-produce; the pack-horse and mule on the left, with their flat-capped attendant, are an interesting illustration of the itinerant trader bringing in his goods. - Use of the Pavis
The archers of the castle found shelter behind the merlons of the battlements, and had the windows from which they shot screened by movable shutters; as may be seen in the next woodcut of the assault on a castle. It would have put the archers of the assailants at a great disadvantage if they had had to stand out in the open space, exposed defenceless to the aim of the foe; all neighbouring trees which could give shelter were, of course, cut down, in order to reduce them to this defenceless condition, and works were erected so as to command every possible coigne of vantage which the nooks and angles of the walls might have afforded. But the archers of the besiegers sought to put themselves on more equal terms with their opponents by using the pavis or mantelet. The pavis was a tall shield, curved so as partly to envelop the person of the bearer, broad at the top and tapering to the feet. - View of Jerusalem
View of Jerusalem - Walter of Hamuntesham attacked by a Mob
They were grateful men, these Benedictines of St. Alban’s; they have immortalised another of their inferior officers, Walterus de Hamuntesham, fidelis minister hujus ecclesiæ, because on one occasion he received a beating at the hands of the rabble of St. Alban’s while standing up for the rights and liberties of the church. - Warrior 11th Cenury
In the Additional MS. 11,695, in the British Museum, a work of the eleventh century, there are several representations of warriors thus fully armed, very rude and coarse in drawing, but valuable for the clearness with which they represent the military equipment of the time. At folio 194 there is a large figure of a warrior in a mail shirt, a conical helmet,[Pg 316] strengthened with iron ribs converging to the apex, the front rib extending downwards, into what is called a nasal, i.e., a piece of iron extending downwards over the nose, so as to protect the face from a sword-cut across the upper part of it. - William and Johanna Cheupaign
The donors seem to be chiefly tradespeople rather than merchants of the higher class, and of the latter half of the fourteenth century. Here, for example, are William Cheupaign and his wife Johanna, who gave to the Abbey-church two tenements in the Halliwelle Street. One of the tenements is represented in the picture, a single-storied house of timber, thatched, with a carved stag’s head as a finial to its gable. - William de Langley
William de Langley, who gave to the monastery a well-built house in Dagnale Street, in the town of St. Alban’s, for which the monastery received sixty shillings per annum, which Geoffrey Stukeley held at the time of writing. William de Langley is a man of regular features, partly bald, with pointed beard and moustache, the kind of face that might so easily have been merely conventional, but which has really much individuality of expression. The house—his benefaction—represented beside him, is a two-storied house; three of the square compartments just under the eaves are seen, by the colouring of the illumination, to be windows; it is timber-built and tiled, and the upper story overhangs the lower. The gable is finished with a weather-vane, which, in the original, is carried beyond the limits of the picture. - William the Conqueror’s Ship
The Bayeux tapestry is probably our earliest trustworthy authority for a British ship, and it gives a considerable number of illustrations of them, intended to represent in one place the numerous fleet which William the Conqueror gathered for the transport of his army across the Channel; in another place the considerable fleet with which Harold hoped to bar the way. The one we have chosen is the duke’s own ship; it displays at its mast-head the banner which the Pope had blessed, and the trumpeter on the high poop is also an evidence that it is the commander’s ship. - Wool Merchants from Northleach Church
Wool Merchants from Northleach Church - A Band of Minstrels
frequently the different members of the same band of minstrels present differences of costume, as in the instance here given, from the title-page of the fourteenth century MS. Add., 10,293; proving that the minstrels did not affect any uniformity of costume whatever. - Reading
Young girl reading - Cake
Little boy eating some cake while his dog looks on - Making cookies
Young girl doing some baking while her cat looks on - Cupid and the lovebirds
Cupid and the lovebirds - Cupid in the love boat
Cupid in the love boat - Our little Pat
OUR LITTLE PAT Our little Pat Was chasing the cat And kicking the kittens about. When mother said “Quit!” He ran off to sit On the top of the woodpile and pout; But a sly little grin Soon slid down his chin And let all the sulkiness out. - Going to bed
HIPPITY HOP TO BED O it’s hippity hop to bed! I’d rather sit up instead. But when father says “must,” There’s nothing but just Go hippity hop to bed. - The Animal Show
The Animal Show Father and mother and Bobbie will go To see all the sights at the animal show. Where lions and bears Sit on dining room chairs, Where a camel is able To stand on a table, Where monkeys and seals All travel on wheels, And a Zulu baboon Rides a baby balloon. The sooner you’re ready, the sooner we’ll go. Aboard, all aboard, for the Animal Show! - The Blue Song
The Blue Song Hot mush and molasses all in a blue bowl— Eat it, it’s good for you, sonny. ’T will make you grow tall as a telephone pole— Eat it, it’s good for you, sonny. Fresh fish and potatoes all on a blue plate— Eat it up smart now, my sonny. ’T will make you as jolly and fat as Aunt Kate— Eat it up quick now, my sonny. Sweet milk from a nanny-goat in a blue cup— Drink it, it’s good for you, sonny, ’T will fill you, expand you, and help you grow up, And make a real man of you, sonny. - Sister Kate
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Where are you going, sister Kate? I’m going to swing on the garden gate, And watch the fairy gypsies dance Their tim-tam-tum on the cabbage-plants— The great big one with the purple nose, And the tiny tad with the pinky toes. Where are you going, brother Ben? I’m going to build a tiger-pen. I’ll get iron and steel and ’lectric wire And build it a hundred feet, or higher, And put ten tigers in it too, And a big wildcat, and—mebbe—you. Where are you going, mother mine? I’m going to sit by the old grapevine, And watch the gliding swallow bring Clay for her nest from the meadow spring— Clay and straw and a bit of thread To weave it into a baby’s bed. Where are you going, grandma dear? I’m going, love, where the skies are clear, And the light winds lift the poppy flowers And gather clouds for the summer showers, Where the old folks and the children play On the warm hillside through the livelong day. - Under the Willow
Under the Willow Put down your pillow under the willow, Hang up your hat in the sun, And lie down to snooze as long as you choose, For the plowing and sowing are done. Pick up your pillow from under the willow, And clamber out into the sun. Get a fork and a rake for goodness’ sake, For the harvest time has begun. - Boots, Boots, Boots
Boots, Boots, Boots Buster’s got a popper gun, A reg’lar one that shoots, And Teddy’s got an engine With a whistler that toots. But I’ve got something finer yet— A pair of rubber boots. Oh, it’s boots, boots, boots, A pair of rubber boots! I could walk from here to China In a pair of rubber boots. - My Little Girlie
My Little Girlie Little girlie tell to me What your wistful blue eyes see? Why you like to stand so high, Looking at the far off sky. Does a tiny Fairy flit In the pretty blue of it? Or is it that you hope so soon To see the rising yellow Moon? Or is it—as I think I've heard— You're looking for a little Bird To come and sit upon a spray, And sing the summer night away? - Children playing
Children playing - Girl with Flowers
Girl with Flowers - Happy Days
"Are you going next week to see Phillis and Phoebe? Phillis on Monday will be just fourteen. She says we shall all have our tea in the garden, And afterwards have some nice games on the green. "I wanted a new frock, but mother said, 'No,' So I must be content with my old one you see. But then white is so pretty, and kind Aunt Matilda Has sent down a beautiful necklace for me." "Oh, yes, I am going, and Peggy is going, And mother is making us new frocks to wear; I shall have my red sash and my hat with pink ribbons— I know all the girls will be smart who are there. "And then, too, we're going to each take a nosegay— The larger the better—for Phillis to say That all her friends love her, and wish her so happy, And bring her sweet flowers upon her birthday. "And won't it be lovely, in beautiful sunshine, The table spread under the great apple tree, To see little Phillis—that dear little Phillis— Look smiling all round as she pours out the tea!" - In an Apple Tree
In September, when the apples were red, To Belinda I said, "Would you like to go away To Heaven, or stay Here in this orchard full of trees All your life?" And she said, "If you please I'll stay here—where I know, And the flowers grow." - Lady carrying child
Lady carrying child - Little Girls and Little Lambs
3 girls walking with their lambs on leashes - Little Phillis
I am a very little girl, I think that I've turned two; And if you'd like to know my name I'd like to tell it you. They always call me Baby, But Phillis is my name. No—no one ever gave it me, I think it only came. I've got a pretty tulip In my little flower-bed; If you would like I'll give it you— It's yellow, striped with red. I've got a little kitten, but I can't give that away, She likes to play with me so much; She's gone to sleep to-day. And I've got a nice new dolly, Shall I fetch her out to you? She's got such pretty shoes on, And her bonnet's trimmed with blue. You'd like to take her home with you? Oh, no, she mustn't go; Good-bye—I want to run now, You walk along so slow. - Mammas and Babies
"My Polly is so very good, Belinda never cries; My Baby often goes to sleep, See how she shuts her eyes. "Dear Mrs. Lemon tell me when Belinda goes to school; And what time does she go to bed?" "Well, eight o'clock's the rule. "But now and then, just for a treat, I let her wait awhile; You shake your head—why, wouldn't you? Do look at Baby's smile!" "Dear Mrs. Primrose will you come One day next week to tea? Of course bring Rosalinda, and That darling—Rosalie." "Dear Mrs. Cowslip, you are kind; My little folks, I know, Will be so very pleased to come; Dears—tell Mrs. Cowslip so. "Oh, do you know—perhaps you've not heard— She had a dreadful fright; My Daisy with the measles Kept me up every night. "And then I've been so worried— Clarissa had a fit; And the doctor said he couldn't In the least account for it." - Street Show
Puff, puff, puff. How the trumpets blow All you little boys and girls come and see the show. One—two—three, the Cat runs up the tree; But the little Bird he flies away— "She hasn't got me!" - Susan Blue
Oh, Susan Blue, How do you do? Please may I go for a walk with you? Where shall we go? Oh, I know— Down in the meadow where the cowslips grow! - The Daisies
You very fine Miss Molly, What will the daisies say, If you carry home so many Of their little friends to-day? Perhaps you take a sister, Perhaps you take a brother, Or two little daisies who Were fond of one another. - The Dancing Family
The Dancing Family - The Dancing Family
Pray let me introduce you to This little dancing family; For morning, afternoon, and night They danced away so happily. They twirled round about, They turned their toes out; The people wondered what the noise Could all be about. They danced from early morning, Till very late at night; Both in-doors and out-of-doors, With very great delight. And every sort of dance they knew, From every country far away; And so it was no wonder that They should keep dancing all the day. So dancing—dancing—dancing, In sunshine or in rain; And when they all left off, Why then—they all began again. - The Little Jumping Girls
Jump—jump—jump— Jump away From this town into The next, to-day. Jump—jump—jump— Jump over the moon; Jump all the morning, And all the noon. Jump—jump—jump— Jump all night; Won't our mothers Be in a fright? Jump—jump—jump— Over the sea; What wonderful wonders We shall see. Jump—jump—jump— And leave behind Everything evil That we may find. Jump—jump—jump— Jump far away; And all come home Some other day. - The Little London Girl
In my little Green House, quite content am I, When the hot sun pours down from the sky; For oh, I love the country—the beautiful country. Who'd live in a London street when there's the country? I live in a London street, then I long and long To be the whole day the sweet Flowers among Instead of tall chimney-pots up in the sky, The joy of seeing Birds and Dragon Flies go by. At home I lie in bed, and cannot go to sleep, For the sound of cart-wheels upon the hard street. But here my eyes close up to no sound of anything Except it is to hear the nightingales sing. And then I see the Chickens and the Geese go walking, I hear the Pigs and the Ducks all talking. And the Red and the Spotted Cows they stare at me, As if they wondered whoever I could be. I see the little Lambs out with their mothers— Such pretty little white young sisters and brothers. Oh, I'll stay in the country, and make a daisy chain, And never go back to London again. - The Little Queens Coming
With Roses—red Roses, We'll pelt her with Roses, And Lilies—white Lilies we'll drop at her feet; The little Queen's coming, The people are running— The people are running to greet and to meet. Then clash out a welcome, Let all the bells sound, come, To give her a welcoming proud and sweet. How her blue eyes will beam, And her golden curls gleam, When the sound of our singing rings down the street. - The Wedding Bells
The Wedding Bells were ringing, And Monday was the day, And all the little ladies Were there so fresh and gay. And up—up—up the steps they went, The wedding fine to see; And the Roses were all for the Bride, So pretty—so pretty was she. - Tip-A-Toe
Tip-a-Toe, See them go; One, two, three— Chloe, Prue, and me; Up and down, To the town. A Lord was there, And the Lady fair. And what did they sing? Oh, "Ring-a-ding-ding;" And the Black Crow flew off With the Lady's Ring. - To Baby
Oh, what shall my blue eyes go see? Shall it be pretty Quack-Quack to-day? Or the Peacock upon the Yew Tree? Or the dear little white Lambs at play? Say Baby. For Baby is such a young Petsy, And Baby is such a sweet Dear. And Baby is growing quite old now— She's just getting on for a year. - To the Mystery Land
Oh, dear, how will it end? Peggy and Susie how naughty you are. You little know where you are, Going so far, and so high, Nearly up to the sky. Perhaps it's a Giant who lives there, And perhaps it's a lovely Princess. But you very well know You've no business to go; You'll get yourselves into a mess. Oh, dear, I'm sure it is true; Whatever on earth can it matter to you? For you know it—oh, fie— That it's naughty to pry Into other's affairs— Into other folks houses to go, Where you know You're not asked. So you'd better come back While there's time, it is plain. Go home—and be never So naughty again. - Two girls
Two girls - When we went out with Grandmamma
When we went out with Grandmamma— Mamma said for a treat— Oh, dear, how stiff we had to walk As we went down the street. One on each side we had to go, And never laugh or loll; I carried Prim, her Spaniard dog, And Tom—her parasol. If I looked right—if Tom looked left— "Tom—Susan—I'm ashamed; And little Prim, I'm sure, is shocked, To hear such naughties named." She said we had no manners, If we ever talked or sung; "You should have seen," said Grandmamma, "Me walk, when I was young." She told us—oh, so often— How little girls and boys, In the good days when she was young, Never made any noise. She said they never wished then To play—oh, indeed! They learnt to sew and needlework, Or else to write and read. he said her mother never let Her speak a word at meals; "But now," said Grandmamma, "you'd think That children's tongues had wheels "So fast they go—clack, clack, clack, clack; Now listen well, I pray, And let me see you both improve From what I've said to-day." - When you and I grow up
When you and I Grow up—Polly— I mean that you and me, Shall go sailing in a big ship Right over all the sea. We'll wait till we are older, For if we went to-day, You know that we might lose ourselves, And never find the way. - Wishes
Wishes - First Arrivals
It is a Party, do you know, And there they sit, all in a row, Waiting till the others come, To begin to have some fun. Hark! the bell rings sharp and clear, Other little friends appear; And no longer all alone They begin to feel at home. To them a little hard is Fate, Yet better early than too late; Fancy getting there forlorn, With the tea and cake all gone. Wonder what they'll have for tea; Hope the jam is strawberry. Wonder what the dance and game; Feel so very glad they came. Very Happy may you be, May you much enjoy your tea. - Flower
Flower