day of December she sate with their majesties and the nobility at a
grand spectacle of justing, when two hundred spears were broken. Half
of the combatants were accoutred in the Almaine and half in the
Spanish fashion. Thus our chronicler, who is fond of minute
description. But these and other particularities, insignificant as
they seem, which he has recorded so carefully, are a vindication of
Queen Mary's character in the treatment of her sister; they prove that
the Princess, during her residence at Hatfield, lived in splendour and
affluence; that she was often admitted to the diversions of the Court;
and that her present situation was by no means a state of oppression
and imprisonment, as it has been represented by most of our
historians."

[Illustration: Saints and angels.]

THE ROMISH PRIESTLY PRACTICES

on "Christmass-daye," at this period, are referred to in the
following translation from Naogeorgus, by Barnaby Googe:--

"Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe;
Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Masse,
This time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly
Do think the waters all to wine are chaunged sodainly;
In that same houre that Christ Himselfe was borne, and came to light,
And unto water streight againe transformde and altred quight.
There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch,
That first to aultar commes, which then they privily do snatch.
The priestes, least other should it have, take oft the same away,
Whereby they thinke throughout the yeare to have good lucke in play,
And not to lose: then straight at game till day-light do they strive,
To make some present proofe how well their hallowde pence wil thrive.
Three Masses every priest doth singe upon that solemn day,
With offrings unto every one, that so the more may play.
This done, a woodden childe in clowtes is on the aultar set,
About the which both boyes and gyrles do daunce and trymly jet;
And Carrols sing in prayse of Christ, and, for to helpe them heare,
The organs aunswere every verse with sweete and solemne cheare.
The priestes do rore aloude; and round about the parentes stande
To see the sport, and with their voyce do helpe them and their hande."

THE CHRISTMAS MUMMERS

played a prominent part in the festivities of this period, and the
following illustration shows how they went a-mumming.

[Illustration: RIDING A-MUMMING AT CHRISTMASTIDE.]