Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-04-04
s1R JOHN FALsrAFF.

Il is situated near the sea, and contains
a few houses and a great deal OF sand
There was few trees near it, and those
few seem sickly. as if their growth we're
stunned by the keen winds which sweep
along the coast The only object which
attracts attention is lofty tower, sur
mounted by slender fag-pole, which
points towards the sky. On nearer in
spection, it is found TO be only ruin
The winding stairs which led to the sum
NIT of the tower have been removed. aud
in places the wall has crumbled away,
leaving apertures through which the
winds moan mournfully. Four walls en-
close large space Of ground, but every
thing is decayed. and in. ruins. though
enough is left to give the spectator an
idea Of its former grandeur. Here is what
was a moat, but now dry ditch choked
up with mud and weeds !; and there is o
massive gate and remains of drawbridge.
Part of chapel is visible, where, in times
past, priests with rich vestments sung the
solemn mass and instructed the devout
christians who were assembled in the way
to everlasting life. But priests and audi
tors, nay the chapel itself, are gone, and
nought remains but the crumbling stones.
which mutely tell their tale.
The castle was built by NO less per-
sonage than Sir John Falstaff-- --honest Jack
Falstaff Yet the brave knight bore a
character far different from that portrayed
by the immortal dramatist. Sir John was
no bully, no boaster, no ignorant boor.-
England is indebted to him for council
and assistance 10 times Of danger, and
ought not entirely to forget the exploits
of so brave and loyal subject.
Old Fuller tells US that Shakespeare at
first introduced Sir John Oldcastle upon
the stage but that being resented on ac-
count Of the high religious character Of
the knight, he gave his ideal creation a
new name, being that Of another person
age of the period. whose real character
was scarcely less different.
Sir John Falstaff, or, more correctly,
Fastolfe, was the son of John Fastolfe, a
mariner, and came into the world about
1879. He was soon left fatherless, and
according to the custom OF the feudal
times, was placed under the guardianship
of John, Duke Of Bedford, the regent Of
France. He afterwards accompanied to
Ireland, Thomas, Duke Of Clarence, on his
appointment to the Governorship Of that
country. Whilst there. We presume. he
fell in love for on St. Hilary's day. 1909,
he married Millicent, daughter Of Sir Rob-
ert Tiptoft, the widow Of Sir Stephen
Scroope, whom, on his wedding day, he
contracted to give Eloo per annum for
pin money. The sum was regularly paid
until her death, which took place during
her husbands lifetime.
The vice regents court appears not to
have suited the tastes of Falstatf. who
was more addicted to fighting than loung-
ing about in idleness. He soon, there
fore, assumed another character, and ha.
wing buckled on his armour proceeded to
France where abundance of glory was to
be obtained. There his bravery soon
made him known. In the accounts Of
most of the engagements Of that period
Falstaff's name occurs in the list Of cons
batants. In Normandy. Gascony, Gu
ienue. Anjont and Maine, his arm helped
to sustain the British power. When Har-
ceur was taken in 1414, he was made
lieutenant of the place, and shortly after
received the honor of knighthood. AT
Agincourt he took noble prisoner-no
less parsonage than the Duke Of Allen.
con. He was in the midst Of the strife at
the taking Of Rouen, Caen, Falsie. and
Seez, aud stormed fortresses and castles
among others, the caStls Of SiIle le
Guillaume, for the capture Of which he
was rewarded by tho title Of Baron le
! France.
Among other honors poured upon him,
he was elected Knight Of the Garter
AT his election there were an equal num-
Der Of votes for our knight and Sir John
Radcliffe, whereupon the Duke Of Bed
ford gave the casting vote in favor Of Fal.
with expressions Of praise. Now Mon.
strelet. in his Chronicle. states that Fal-
staff was degraded from the order on ac-
count Of his dastardly conduct at the bat.
tie of Patay. where he and hissfOllowerS,
being struck with terror at the appear
ance Of the mysterious Joan OF Arc, took
to their heels and left the French army in
possession Of the 6eld. This tale uusup.
ported by other testimony, is utterly false
for although it is fact that Sir John was
\ put to fight at Patay, the tale of his be-
ing degraded from the order Of the Gar
ter is proved untrue by the circumstances
of his regular attendance at the chapters
Of the order long after the period at which
bis degradation is stated TO have taken
place. Shakespeare, however. did not for.
get this story witness the first part Ot
f" Henry W." where Lord Talbot says
' Shame on the Duke of Burgundy and thee
vowed, base knight, when did meet thee next
Totear the garter from thy craven leg, Cpluet-
ing Il cS.)
Which have done. because uawOrthHy
Thou vast ilstalied In that high degree.''
The erovning exploit of Sir John was
his brave conduct at The battle Of the
Herrings; and how could Yarmouth