risdiction, that a grant was made him
to the effect, that if in cases of emergency suitable persons could not
be procured for the trial of delinquents, his own authority should be a
sufficient warrant for the purpose. Hence, from the nature of his
office, and the powers that were intrusted to him by the king, and
probably too from the natural bent of his disposition, arose the popular
dislike which vented itself in the well-known traditionary distich we
have taken as our motto.

In those days, when the gentry went little from home, set times of mirth
and recreation were constantly observed in their spacious and hospitable
mansions. Yule, or Christmas, was a feast of especial note and
observance. The great hall was mostly the scene of these boisterous
festivities; where, from the gallery, the lord of the mansion and his
family might witness the sports, without being incommoded by the uncouth
and rustic manners of their guests. It was the custom to invite all who
were in any way dependent on the proprietor, and who owed him suit and
service.

The mansion of Sir Ralph had, like those of the neighbouring gentry, its
lofty and capacious hall. At one end was a gallery resting on the heads
of three or four gigantic figures carved in oak, perhaps originally
intended as rude representations of the ancient Caryatides.

The Christmas but one following the elevation of Richard to the throne,
in the year of our redemption 1483, was a season of unusual severity.
Many tenants of Sir Ralph were prevented from assembling at the Yule
feast. A storm had rendered the roads almost impassable, keeping most of
the aged and infirm from sharing in this glorious pastime.

The Yule-log was larger than ever, and the blaze kept continually on the
roar. No ordinary scale of consumption could withstand the attacks of
the enemy, and thaw the icicles from his beard.

The wassail-bowl had gone freely about, and the company--Hobbe Adamson,
Hobbe of the Leghes, William the Arrowsmith, Jack the Woodman, Jack the
Hind, John the Slater, Roger the Baxter, with many others, together with
divers widows of those who owed service to their lord, clad in their
holiday costume--black hoods and brown jackets and petticoats--were all
intent upon their pastimes, well charged with fun and frolic. Their
mirth was, however, generally kept within the bounds of decency and
moderation by a personage of great importance, called the Lord of
Misrule, who, though not intole