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The Little Duke

by Charlotte M。 Yonge








CHAPTER I


On a bright autumn day; as long ago as the year 943; there was a great bustle in the Castle of Bayeux in Normandy。

The hall was large and low; the roof arched; and supported on thick short columns; almost like the crypt of a Cathedral; the walls were thick; and the windows; which had no glass; were very small; set in such a depth of wall that there was a wide deep window seat; upon which the rain might beat; without reaching the interior of the room。 And even if it had come in; there was nothing for it to hurt; for the walls were of rough stone; and the floor of tiles。  There was a fire at each end of this great dark apartment; but there were no chimneys over the ample hearths; and the smoke curled about in thick white folds in the vaulted roof; adding to the wreaths of soot; which made the hall look still darker。

The fire at the lower end was by far the largest and hottest。  Great black cauldrons hung over it; and servants; both men and women; with red faces; bare and grimed arms; and long iron hooks; or pots and pans; were busied around it。  At the other end; which was raised about three steps above the floor of the hall; other servants were engaged。  Two young maidens were strewing fresh rushes on the floor; some men were setting up a long table of rough boards; supported on trestles; and then ranging upon it silver cups; drinking horns; and wooden trenchers。

Benches were placed to receive most of the guests; but in the middle; at the place of honour; was a high chair with very thick crossing legs; and the arms curiously carved with lions' faces and claws; a clumsy wooden footstool was set in front; and the silver drinking…cup on the table was of far more beautiful workmanship than the others; richly chased with vine leaves and grapes; and figures of little boys with goats' legs。  If that cup could have told its story; it would have been a strange one; for it had been made long since; in the old Roman times; and been carried off from Italy by some Northman pirate。

From one of these scenes of activity to the other; there moved a stately old lady:  her long thick light hair; hardly touched with grey; was bound round her head; under a tall white cap; with a band passing under her chin:  she wore a long sweeping dark robe; with wide hanging sleeves; and thick gold ear…rings and necklace; which had possibly come from the same quarter as the cup。  She directed the servants; inspected both the cookery and arrangements of the table; held council with an old steward; now and then looked rather anxiously from the window; as if expecting some one; and began to say something about fears that these loitering youths would not bring home the venison in time for Duke William's supper。

Presently; she looked up rejoiced; for a few notes of a bugle…horn were sounded; there was a clattering of feet; and in a few moments there bounded into the hall; a boy of about eight years old; his cheeks and large blue eyes bright with air and exercise; and his long light…brown hair streaming behind him; as he ran forward flourishing a bow in his hand; and crying out; 〃I hit him; I hit him!  Dame Astrida; do you hear?  'Tis a stag of ten branches; and I hit him in the neck。〃

〃You! my Lord Richard! you killed him?〃

〃Oh; no; I only struck him。  It was Osmond's shaft that took him in the eye; andLook you; Fru Astrida; he came thus through the wood; and I stood here; it might be; under the great elm with my bow thus〃… …And Richard was beginning to act over again the whole scene of the deer…hunt; but Fru; that is to say; Lady Astrida; was too busy to listen; and broke in with; 〃Have they brought home the haunch?〃

〃Yes; Walter is bringing it。  I had a long arrow〃

A stout forester was at this instant seen bringing in the venison; and Dame Astrida hastened to meet it; and gave directions; little Richard following her all the way; and talking as eagerly as if she was attending to him; showing how he shot; how Osmond shot; how the deer bounded; and how it fell; and then counting the branches of its antlers; always ending with; 〃This is something to tell my father。 Do you think he will come soon?〃

In the meantime two men entered the hall; one about fifty; the other; one or two…and…twenty; both in hunting dresses of plain leather; crossed by broad embroidered belts; supporting a knife; and a bugle… horn。  The elder was broad…shouldered; sun…burnt; ruddy; and rather stern…looking; the younger; who was also the taller; was slightly made; and very active; with a bright keen grey eye; and merry smile。 These were Dame Astrida's son; Sir Eric de Centeville; and her grandson; Osmond; and to their care Duke William of Normandy had committed his only child; Richard; to be fostered; or brought up。 {1}

It was always the custom among the Northmen; that young princes should thus be put under the care of some trusty vassal; instead of being brought up at home; and one reason why the Centevilles had been chosen by Duke William was; that both Sir Eric and his mother spoke only the old Norwegian tongue; which he wished young Richard to understand well; whereas; in other parts of the Duchy; the Normans had forgotten their own tongue; and had taken up what was then called the Langued'oui; a language between German and Latin; which was the beginning of French。

On this day; Duke William himself was expected at Bayeux; to pay a visit to his son before setting out on a journey to settle the disputes between the Counts of Flanders and Montreuil; and this was the reason of Fru Astrida's great preparations。  No sooner had she seen the haunch placed upon a spit; which a little boy was to turn before the fire; than she turned to dress something else; namely; the young Prince Richard himself; whom she led off to one of the upper rooms; and there he had full time to talk; while she; great lady though she was; herself combed smooth his long flowing curls; and fastened his short scarlet cloth tunic; which just reached to his knee; leaving his neck; arms; and legs bare。  He begged hard to be allowed to wear a short; beautifully ornamented dagger at his belt; but this Fru Astrida would not allow。

〃You will have enough to do with steel and dagger before your life is at an end;〃 said she; 〃without seeking to begin over soon。〃

〃To be sure I shall;〃 answered Richard。  〃I will be called Richard of the Sharp Axe; or the Bold Spirit; I promise you; Fru Astrida。  We are as brave in these days as the Sigurds and Ragnars you sing of!  I only wish there were serpents and dragons to slay here in Normandy。〃

〃Never fear but you will find even too many of them;〃 said Dame Astrida; 〃there be dragons of wrong here and everywhere; quite as venomous as any in my Sagas。〃

〃I fear them not;〃 said Richard; but half understanding her; 〃if you would only let me have the dagger!  But; hark! hark!〃 he darted to the window。  〃They come; they come!  There is the banner of Normandy。〃

Away ran the happy child; and never rested till he stood at the bottom of the long; steep; stone stair; leading to the embattled porch。  Thither came the Baron de Centeville; and his son; to receive their Prince。  Richard looked up at Osmond; saying; 〃Let me hold his stirrup;〃 and then sprang up and shouted for joy; as under the arched gateway there came a tall black horse; bearing the stately form of the Duke of Normandy。  His purple robe was fastened round him by a rich belt; sustaining the mighty weapon; from which he was called 〃William of the long Sword;〃 his legs and feet were cased in linked steel chain…work; his gilded spurs were on his heels; and his short brown hair was covered by his ducal cap of purple; turned up with fur; and a feather fastened in by a jewelled clasp。  His brow was grave and thoughtful; and there was something both of dignity and sorrow in his face; at the first moment of looking at it; recalling the recollection that he had early lost his young wife; the Duchess Emma; and that he was beset by many cares and toils; but the next glance generally conveyed encouragement; so full of mildness were his eyes; and so kind the expression of his lips。

And now; how bright a smile beamed upon the little Richard; who; for the first time; paid him the duty of a pupil in chivalry; by holding the stirrup while he sprung from his horse。  Next; Richard knelt to receive his blessing; which was always the custom when children met their parents。  The Duke laid his hand on his head; saying; 〃God of His mercy bless thee; my son;〃 and lifting him in his arms; held him to his breast; and let him cling to his neck and kiss him again and again; before setting him down; while Sir Eric came forward; bent his knee; kissed the hand of his Prince; and welcomed him to his Castle。

It would take too long to tell all the friendly and courteous words that were spoken; the greeting of the Duke and the noble old Lady Astrida; and the reception of the Barons who had come in the train of their Lord。  Richard was bidden to greet them; but; though he held out his hand as desired; he shrank a little to his father's side; gazing at them in dread and shyness。

There was Count Bernard; of Harcourt; called the 〃Dane;〃 {2} with his shaggy red ha

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