reckoning of the year from Easter
to Easter, subsequently fixed for convenience' sake at the 25th of
March.

Note 6. I have searched all the Wardrobe Accounts in vain for the
wedding attire of this royal pair. The robes described are that worn by
the King for his coronation; that in which the Queen rode from the Tower
to Westminster the day before her coronation; and that in which she
dined after the same ceremony. These details are given in the Wardrobe
Accounts, 33/2, and 34/13. It was the fashion at this time for a
bride's hair to be left flowing straight from head to foot.

Note 7. Chaucombe was in the Household, but of his special office I
find no evidence.

Note 8. A coarse variety of silk, used both for garments and
upholstery.

Note 9. Dr Barnes tells his readers that Lancaster was at this time so
old as to be nearly decrepit; and two years later, that he was "almost
blind for age." He was exactly forty-one, having been born in 1287
(Inq. Tho. Com. Lane, 1 Edward the Third 1. 88), and 53 years had not
elapsed since the marriage of his parents. We may well say, after
Chancellor Oxenstiern, "See with how little accuracy history is
written!"

Note 10. Tender, sensitive, either in body or mind. This word is still
a provincialism in the North and West.

Note 11. _Prob. aet. Johannis Com. Kant._, 23 Edward the Third 76,
compared with _Rot. Pat._, 4 Edward the Third, Part 1, and _Rot.
Claus._, 4 Edward the Third.

PART ONE, CHAPTER 6.

NEMESIS.

"The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small."

Longfellow.

After this, the Queen kept the King well in hand. To speak sooth, I
should say the old Queen, or Queen Isabel, for now had we a young Queen.
But verily, all this time Queen Philippa was treated as of small
account; and she, that was alway sweet and gent, dwelt full peaceably,
content with her babe, our young Prince of Wales, that was born at
Woodstock, at Easter of the King's fourth year [Note 1], and the old
Queen Isabel ruled all. She seemed fearful of letting the King out of
her sight. When he journeyed to the North in August, she went withal,
and came back with him to Nottingham in October. It was she that writ
to my Lord of Hereford that he should not fail to be at the Colloquy
[note 2] to be held in that town the fifteenth of October. With her was
ever my Lord of March, that was as her shadow: my Lady of March, that
might have required to have her share