hapters of this work have appeared in the _Connoisseur_, and I
have to thank the editor for his courtesy in allowing me to reproduce
them.

I must also thank Mr. Pownall for his help in the early stages of my
labours.

One thing more I must add: I do not wish this book to go forth and be
received with that frigid politeness which usually welcomes a history
to the shelves of the bookcase, there to remain unread. The book is
intended to be read, and is not wrapped up in grandiose phrases and a
great wind about nothing; I would wish to be thought more friendly
than the antiquarian and more truthful than the historian, and so have
endeavoured to show, in addition to the body of the clothes, some
little of their soul.

DION CLAYTON CALTHROP.

Contents

PAGE

WILLIAM THE FIRST 1

WILLIAM THE SECOND 10

HENRY THE FIRST 21

STEPHEN 29

HENRY THE SECOND 46

RICHARD THE FIRST 55

JOHN 62

HENRY THE THIRD 67

EDWARD THE FIRST 81

EDWARD THE SECOND 92

EDWARD THE THIRD 102

RICHARD THE SECOND 122

THE END OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY 141

HENRY THE FOURTH 152

HENRY THE FIFTH 161

HENRY THE SIXTH 176

EDWARD THE FOURTH 198

EDWARD THE FIFTH 213

RICHARD THE THIRD 213

HENRY THE SEVENTH 223

HENRY THE EIGHTH 247

EDWARD THE SIXTH 274

MARY 283

ELIZABETH