e
tenets of Christianity, he worshipped the Saviour and adored His
Nativity, but his faith was a cheerful one, and he thought he best
honoured his Master by enjoying the good gifts which He sent. Hence
it was a part of his creed to be jovial at Christmas-tide. And so
Dame Alice had been busy all that day, and a part of the day before,
making Christmas pies, dressing Christmas meats, and otherwise making
ready for the great festival. John Longe, too, had not been idle. He
and his men had been working hard all day getting in huge Yule-logs
for the great kitchen fire, whilst William and little Agnes had been
employed in decorating the kitchen with evergreens and mistletoe,
displaying in great profusion the red berries of the holly bushes.
Everything was decked with evergreens, from the cups and platters on
the shelves to the hams and bacon hanging from the ceiling."

At length the preparations were completed; then came the telling of
tales and cheerful gossip round the blazing fire on Christmas Eve, and
the roasting of chestnuts on the embers. "Christmas Day passed at the
little homestead with all the social and religious honours that the
honest yeoman could think of. The little household attended the
service of Mass in the morning, and then, with clear consciences and
simple hearts, spent the rest of the day in domestic and convivial
enjoyment."

Returning to royalty, we next see illustrated Froissart's statement
that "Edward the third was right fortunate and happy in armes."

EDWARD THE THIRD'S VICTORIES AND FESTIVITIES.

[Illustration]

During the invasion of France, Edward III. raised the martial glory of
England by his splendid victories at Crecy, Poictiers, and other
places; and he kept Christmas right royally with his soldiers on
French soil. After the battle of Crecy, at which the Prince of Wales
gained the celebrated title of the Black Prince, Edward marched upon
Calais, and laid siege to it; and at length he took the place. During
Edward's absence, England was invaded by David II. of Scotland, who
was defeated and taken prisoner by the army under Philippa, Edward's
Queen. The brave Queen then joined King Edward on the French
battle-ground, and they kept the Christmas of 1346 with much
rejoicing.

During the Christmas festivities of this period the most noble Order
of the Garter was instituted by King Edward III. to excite emulation
amongst the aristocratic warriors of the time, in imitation of orders
o