The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-02
WASHINGTON, ID. C..

CENTURY.
81 HENRY WILLIAM HERBERT.
CHAP. "
The Norman Lords.
Oh, it is excellent
To- have giants strength, but tyrannous
To use il like giant
Measure for Measure.
Urh mp in a green. gentle valley, lap
among the hills, which, though not very lofty,
mn, steep and abrupt with limestone crags
and l,lccs, heaving themselves above the soil
~, ,l.ir upper slopes and SUBMITS perched on
: mail isolated knoll, or hillock, so regular in
form. and 50 evenly scarped and rounded, that
:, lore ~, appearance of an artificial work
,.,I tn, tail Norman fortalice of Philip de
Nor,illc.
II aa, not a very large building, consisting
p-ipc.pallv Of single lofty square keep, OF
d.n;,n. with four square turrets at the angles
attached to the body Of the place, merlonwise
IS !, Is termed in heraldry, or corner to corner
r. Ing some twenty feet or more above the flat
r,,r al the tower, which was surrounded with
b,ayy projecting battlements widely overhang
inc he base, and pierced with crenelles for
archery. and deep manifestations, by which to
l..rr down boiling oil. or molten lead upon any
r,o should attempt the walls.
ip the upper stories, only, of this strong
l',., we're there any windows, such as de-
,-.,l i,,c name, beyond mere loops and ar
r.,yil,: hut there, far above the reach of any
,..irgladicr. they looked out, tall and shape.
Is. .mmerng in the summer sunshine, in the
-.h AMI gorgeous hues of the stained plass-at
iig- I'm. the most recent and costly of foreign
Injuries, opening on projecting gallery, OF
lar,izau. of curiously carved stone-work, which
rIn round all the four sides of the building, and
rendered the dwelling apartments of the castel
lau aul his family both lightsome and commo
di,u, One of the tall turrets, which have been
described. contained the winding staircase
which gave access TO the halls and guard-rooms
which occupied all the lower floors, and TO the
lattlcments above, while each of the others
contained sleeping chambers of narrow dimen.
Sons, on each story, opening into the larger
apartments.
Thu. keep, with the exception of the tall bat
trmcntod thanking walls, with their esplanades
and turretS. and advanced barbican or gate
house. was the only genuine Norman portion OF
tie castle. and occupied the very summit of the
knoll: but below it, and for the most part con
oealci and covered by the ramparts on which
ia ahgttcd. was a long, low, roomy stone build
ing. which had been in old times the mansion
of The Saxon thane. who had occupied the rich
and fertile lands of that upland vale, in the
usfy DAYS before the advent of the fierce and
daring Normans, to whom he had lost both life
and lands. and left an empty name alone to the
Inheritance which was not to descend to any
Of IL. race or lineage.
Below the walls, which encircled the hillock
about midway between the base and summit
except at one spot, where the gate-house was
tlrus. forward to the brink of large and
rapA brook, which had been made by artificial
means completely to encircle the little hill, the
slopes were entirely bare of trees or underwood
everything that could possibly cover the ad
vauccs of an enemy being carefully cut down OF
upoolcd, and were clothed only by dense car
pet " short. thick greensward, enamelled with
daisies pied and silver lady's smocks; but be
,ond the rivuet, covering all the bottom of the
valley with rich and verdant shade, were pleas
AM orchards and coppices, among which peepe6
oul the matched roofs and mud walls of the
ltla village, inhabited by tho few free laborers
ami the more numerous thralls and and-serfs
who cultivated the demesnes of the foreign
mobile. who possessed them by right of the
sword.
Through this pleasant little hamlet, the vel
nw road. which led up to the castle, wound
devious passing in its course by an open green
"n which half dozen sheep and two or three
asses were feeding on the short heritage, with 4
>iuaN Saxon chapel, distinguished By its low
round. wolf-toothed arch and belfrv. on the
farther side; and, In singular proximity to the
sacred edihce, small space, enclosed by @
ialiaadc, containing gallows, a whipping
post. and pair of stocks - sad monument.
O.. Saxon slavery, and Norman tyranny ant
wrong
In one Of the upper chambers of the feuda
ae"p. small square room, with vaulted roof
NPringiag from four clustered columns in the
corners, with four gr0ined ribs, meeting in tn,
centre, from which descended long, curiously
cared pendant of stone, terminating III a gill
lr'n caHd"labrum of several branches, two mel
"esr seated at a board. on which, though thu
>'..!d 'iaads OF the midday meal had been re
Hoyai hcre were displayed several silver dishes
with wastrl bread, dried fruits, and light con
i'ciian'. as well as two or three tall, graceful
na,7N oi tho light fragrant wines of Gascony
'"d Amou and several cups and tankards O.
rrhly chased and gided metal, intermixcC
"l'h two or three large bowled and thin-stem
meI S"hieiS OF purple and ruby colored glass.
ne room was very pleasant one, lighted BY
TWO IAN windows, on two different sides, which
stood WIDE open, admitting the soft. balmy
boring greenwoodS, the breezy voice of which
came gently in. whispering through the case
Arni. he walls were hung with tapestries Of
rmh'>Sei and gilded Spanish leather. adorned
"l.h spirited figures of Arab skirmishcrs ana
'hr>iian ohivalry, engaged in the stirrino
game OF warfare; while, no unfit decoration fo,
e. wall 50 covered, two or three fine suits Of
CHAIN and plate armor, FURNISHED so brightly
'h'i they Shonc like silver with their embla
r%n'd shields and appropriate weapons. stood
"h" armed knights on constant duty, in cano
f'r'l inches, framed especially to receive them
'afi'is, pages, and attendants, had all with.
W"Nh; and the two Norman barons sat alone
lr'e their wine in silence, and apparently
,.,r'''.hS on some subject which they found il
'''''' I" approach without offence or embar
-. n'- Al last, the younger of the two, SiI
""f Gc Morville, after drawing his open hand
''N9 his ialr broad forehead as If he would
nav swept away some cloud which gloomed
over ms mind. and drinking off deep goblet
""'' opened the conversation with evident
confusion and reluctance.
en- well, he said, I" it must out, Sir Gvo
'"i 'h"ugh 1t is not very grateful to speak Of
'hIiigF ! must needs do so, lest appear
you uheourtly and ungracious, in hesitatina
10 You, mime own most tried and trusty
'''"l' 10 whom owe no less than my own life
'l''a'l :, favor as the granting liberty to one
t IeVii OF Saxon. ] told you would dc
might; yet. by my fathers soul, know
"'' how to do i'll"
81. here Is the rub, my friend9 ?" replied the
Ia ntr' Kindly. " doubt not, if we put both our
S together, we can accomplish even a
Sa.a'er thing than making free English yeo
man OF Saxon thrall."
tn never was rich, as you well know, dc
;,"u''oois; but at the time of the Kings late
lead out mnlss WAS cSnnn hnt
mortgage this nv fortalice. with its demesne o
"aIiheotstow, and all its plenishing and stock
,as'le and thralls, and crops and fisheries, t.