l, the
knights wearing handsome suits of armour, and careering on gaily
caparisoned horses, made a very inspiriting scene, in which the
interest deepened when the usual combats between individuals or select
companies commenced."[35]

"For every knight that loved chivalry,
And would his thanks have a passant name,
Hath prayed that he might be of that game,
And well was him that thereto chosen was."[36]

The spectacle presented was one of great splendour; for "the
commencement of the reign of Henry VIII., who was then styled by his
loving subjects 'the rose without a thorn,' witnessed a remarkable
revival of magnificence in personal decoration. So brilliant were the
dresses of both sexes at the grand entertainment over which the King
and Queen presided at Richmond, that it is difficult to convey an
adequate idea of their splendour. But in the first half of the
sixteenth century the principal Courts of Europe were distinguished by
a similar love of display, which, though it fostered habits of luxury,
afforded an extraordinary impulse towards art."[37] In England the
love of finery became so general among the people that several
statutes were passed during Henry's reign to restrain it. But while
the King was quite willing that his subjects should observe due
propriety in regard to their own dress and adornments, not exceeding
the regulations laid down for their particular rank or station in
life, he was lavish in his own expenditure, and it pleased the people
to see Henry dressed in kingly fashion. He greatly increased his own
popularity by taking part in the tournaments, in which "he did
exceedingly well"; and he also assisted in the several curious and
picturesque masques of Christmastide.

On one occasion the King with some of the chief nobles of his Court
appeared apparelled as Robin Hood and his foresters, in which disguise
he entered unexpectedly into the Queen's chamber, "whereat," says
Holinshed, "the Queen and her ladies were greatly amazed, as well for
the strange sight as for the sudden appearance."

The splendour of the Court festivities necessitated

INCREASED EXPENDITURE FOR CHRISTMAS-KEEPING,

notwithstanding that the King's domestic affairs were managed by "a
good number of honourable, virtuous, wise, expert, and discreet
persons of his Council." The preserved bills of fare show that the
Court diet was liberal generally, but especially sumptuous at the
grand entertainments of Christmas. And