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so immediately concerns our own national position in the world.

The writer also trusts that the higher and more important lessons to be drawn from the past have not been overlooked in this new attempt to make history attractive. It is of the utmost value, for instance, to have it brought home to our understandings that "there is a God who reigneth in the earth," who over-rules all events, great or comparatively small, for His own glory; and to have it shown that it is only true righteousness that can exalt either an individual or a nation. The intention of these sketches has been to make those truths prominent, and to impress them on the mind of every reader.

In the present volume the author probably brings to a close the labours of his pen in this especial direction. He does this with some regretful longings, for there is enough in the history of our land to furnish materials for a long succession of more and yet more "STORIES OF OLD ENGLAND."

3 King for Two Months; and a
King for Two Years.

CHAPTER I.

THE RIVAL UNCLES.

ARLY in the spring of 1483,

EARLY

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a troop of cavalry was to be seen advancing at a steady pace along the principal road leading from Ludlow, in Shropshire, on the borders of Wales, towards London. The men were clad in armour, as all soldiers were in those days. They wore bright breastplates, and morions, or helmets; their legs were protected by greaves; and on their

hands they wore gauntlets, or iron-plated gloves. For offensive arms they had spears, swords, and daggers, with maces and battle-axes, these last hanging to their saddle-bows. The horses on which they were mounted

B

were strong, as they had need to be, seeing what a weight of iron they had to carry; and the riders' heels were equipped with long and sharp spurs-as the horses knew, to their pain and cost.

The band was numerous. There were two thousand soldiers and several grand-looking officers, besides attendants; so that, altogether, they had a formidable appearance. Their immediate object, however, was not fighting, as we shall see, though a little in advance rode one who carried a flag or banner, which waved defiance to enemies; and occasionally bugles or trumpets sounded, to keep the men in due order of march, and to remind them that they must be on the alert.

The principal leader and commander of this band was a nobleman, and brother to the Queen of England. His name was Rivers, and he was an Earl. He was one of the most accomplished men in England. At a time when the greater number of noblemen thought it enough to be able to couch a good lance (as they would have said), or to strike a foeman down with sword or battle-axe, and to rein in a fiery-spirited war-horse, Earl Rivers, in addition to these qualifications, was a man of learning; and was not only himself fond of literature, but was a friend of learned men. It was he who was the means of introducing the art of printing into England; and persuaded King Edward the Fourth to patronize and protect Caxton, the first English printer. Moreover, Earl Rivers was an excellent man of business, and wise in council. In this story, however, it is as a military leader that we have to do with him.

1 See "Stories of Old England," First Series, p. 274.

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