eir heads as a sign of their homage to the innocent,
helpless child. They made him swear to do as his father had promised in
the great charter sealed at Runnymede; and the Earl of Pembroke was
appointed to govern the kingdom till Henry grew up.

Henry grew up unlike his cruel father. He was gentle, tenderhearted,
fond of romance, music and poetry, sculpture, painting and architecture.
Some of the most beautiful churches we have were built in his reign.
But, though he had so many good qualities, he had no bravery, no energy
and perseverance. He was fond of pleasure and of the beautiful things of
this world, and cared too little for the beautiful things of the soul.
He was fond of gaiety, and his young queen was of the same disposition.
She was one of four sisters. Two of these sisters married kings and two
married counts, and the kings' wives were so proud of being queens that
they used to make their sisters, the countesses, sit on little low
stools while they themselves sat on handsome high chairs.

Henry's time passed in feasts and songs and dancing. Romances and
curious old Breton ballads were translated into English, and recited at
the Court with all sorts of tales of love and battle and chivalry.

The object of chivalry was to encourage men in noble and manly
exercises, and to teach them to succour the oppressed, to uphold the
dignity of women, and to help the Christian faith. And chivalry was made
attractive by all sorts of gay and pretty devices. Knights used to wear
in their helmets a ribbon or a glove that some lady had given them, and
it was supposed that, while they had the precious gift of a good lady in
their possession, they would do nothing base or disloyal that should
dishonour the gift they carried.

[Illustration]

Each young noble at twelve years old was placed as page in some other
noble household. There, for two years, he learned riding and fencing,
and the use of arms. When the lord killed a deer the pages skinned it
and carried it home. At a feast the pages carried in the chief dishes
and poured the wine for their lords to drink. They helped the ladies of
the house in many ways, and carried their trains on state occasions.

At fourteen a page became a squire. He helped his lord to put on his
armour, carried his shield to battle, cleaned and polished his lord's
armour and sharpened his sword, and he was allowed to wear silver spurs
instead of iron ones, such as the common people wore.

When h