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FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 BY 
 
 BARBARA HEMPHILL, 
 
 AUTHOE OF " LIONEL DEEBHUEST ; OE, FASHIONABLE LIFE UNDEE THE 
 
 BEGENCY," " THE PEIESl's NIECE; OE, HEIRSHIP OF BAENULPH," 
 
 ETC. ETC. 
 
 u Whither my younger feet wandered, I hetook me among those 
 lofty fables and romances which recount the deeds of chivalry. 1 ' — 
 Milton. 
 
 IN THEEE VOLUMES. #v 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193 PICCADILLY. 
 
 1857. 
 
 /J/ * * AjThe Author reserves the right of Translation. 
 
 r* 
 
4 4 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 Printed by G. Barclay, Castle St. Leicester ! 
 
8a 3 
 
 -v.l. 
 
 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 In front of her Adrastes sits, nor heeds 
 
 Aught but her charms. He moves not — scarce 
 
 respires — 
 So steadfastly he hangs on her, and feeds 
 His pining hopes." — Tasso. 
 
 Towards the conclusion of the thirteenth 
 
 _: century, Charles, Count de Valois, repaired 
 
 ; to Munich, in pursuance of some political 
 
 treaties which Philip le Bel of France was 
 
 secretly negotiating with the Ghibeline 
 
 party ; and . in all the refinements of a 
 
 subtle and courtly policy no noble in 
 
 the French dominions could compete with 
 
 -the accomplished De Yalois. 
 
 VOL. I. b 
 
% FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 He was then in the prime of life, a 
 celebrated warrior, being the hero of many 
 a hard - fought battle ; excelled in all 
 knightly accomplishments ; and was so 
 popular among the ruling powers of Chris- 
 tendom that he expected shortly to be 
 elected Emperor of Germany ; besides 
 which, he held at command the much- 
 disputed-for crown of Arragon. And so 
 great was his influence over the King that 
 it was said, " Though Philip sits on the 
 throne of France, Charles de Yalois wields 
 the sceptre;" also though so esteemed for 
 personal advantages as to be distinguished 
 by the cognomen of " Philip le Bel/' still, 
 in height and noble proportions De Yalois 
 was the King's superior ; but this awakened 
 no jealousy or rivalship ; on the contrary, 
 the finest — we might almost say the only 
 amiable trait in the characters of these 
 two despotic men was their strong frater- 
 nal attachment, and which lasted during 
 their remarkable lives. 
 
 A tissue . of dark intrigues, irrelevant 
 to our narrative, and which indeed were 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 3 
 
 so involved in mystery as to elude the 
 researches of history, had, for some time 
 previous to De Valois' arrival at Munich, 
 released him from the political union which, 
 early in life, owing to the interests of France 
 and the machinations of Philip, he had 
 formed with Catherine, daughter of the 
 weak and ill-fated Baldwin II., of Con- 
 stantinople. Thus emancipated from a 
 tie formed hy policy, not affection, he 
 was in the full spirit for enjoyment and 
 hope. 
 
 By the Duke of Bavaria, De Valois, 
 independent of the advantages expected 
 to result to the Ghibeline party from the 
 secret negotiation with France, was hailed 
 as a welcome and distinguished guest ; 
 and the most splendid preparations for 
 his reception were being arranged, includ- 
 ing all kinds of sylvan sports ; and on 
 the evening of his arrival a banquet was 
 given in the baronial hall of the princely 
 palace of Munich, and to it none but 
 nobles of the first degree were invited. 
 
 At the upper end of the lofty hall 
 
4 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 rose, elevated by several steps, a dais, 
 designed exclusively for those who could 
 claim alliance with royal blood ; and among 
 its noble dames sat Beatrix Visconti, re- 
 markable, amidst even the beautiful, for 
 the grace and dignity of her deportment, 
 which indeed amounted to stateliness ; and 
 this high bearing was most unjustly im- 
 puted to a pride and haughtiness, of which 
 her pure nature was incapable. 
 
 Only entering on her twentieth year, 
 Beatrix betrayed a calm self-possession 
 and gravity which certainly more properly 
 seemed to belong to a staid matron than 
 to a blooming girl for the first time eman- 
 cipated from the gloom and austere for- 
 malities of a convent, to take a high place 
 amidst the pomps, the pride, and pleasures, 
 of her princely house ; for, though poor, 
 and consequently dependent, she was nearly 
 related to Bavaria's Duke. 
 
 From whatever cause Beatrix's reserve 
 originated, it certainly was well suited to 
 her particular style of beauty ; for in height 
 she rose above the general standard of wo- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 5 
 
 men, being five feet eight, and of full though 
 elastic proportions, with rather high chiselled 
 features of the Roman cast, relieved from 
 the least appearance of masculine by the 
 rich softness of a skin lightly tinged with 
 olive ; and through the rounded, dimpled 
 cheeks mantled a bloom resembling the 
 pomegranate's delicate blossom ; then her 
 long hazel eyes were shaded by lashes of 
 dark chestnut, and their expression was 
 so gentle, timid, retiring, and sad, that 
 few could meet their gaze without emotion ; 
 and all was set off by the luxuriant hair, 
 which, braided with innumerable strings of 
 orient pearls, at once shaded and adorned 
 the finely rounded head and shoulders. 
 Such was Beatrix Visconti ; remarkable 
 in beauty, lofty in height, attired in regal 
 splendour, she stood forth the Juno at a 
 banquet, whose rich appointments, luxu- 
 rious viands, perfumed wines, and brilliant 
 lights, rendered it a feast worthy of the 
 gods of high Olympus. 
 
 With the grave forms and ceremonies 
 of his court, after having first introduced 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 De Valois to the dames and other ladies, 
 the Duke presented him to the timid, 
 sensitive, blushing Beatrix ; and she was 
 just the person to captivate his pride, 
 and win his admiration : and this, probably 
 the happiest evening of the Count's life, 
 subsequently led to events of the gravest 
 interest. 
 
 A few short weeks, and the admiration 
 of De Yalois assumed the tone of vio- 
 lent passion, so absorbing as to render 
 every other feeling or interest compara- 
 tively of no importance ; and yet, except 
 in self-deception, he received no encourage- 
 ment to his ecstatic hopes. Far from it, 
 the stately, reserved maiden shunned his 
 society ; and when in his presence shrank 
 coldly from his attentions. But, hurried 
 on by love, he was insensible to all but 
 its anticipated raptures ; and Beatrix, in 
 despite of her efforts, became the arbitress 
 of his fate. Subsequently, when circum- 
 stances obliged him to reflect over the in- 
 fatuation of his unrequited love, yielding 
 to superstition, and with which his spirit 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 7 
 
 was deeply imbued, he imputed his frenzied 
 attachment to the influence of some en- 
 chantment, wrought by necromancy for 
 his destruction ; and this wild fancy gave 
 a strange impress to his future character. 
 
 Although, at the period of which we 
 speak, undoubtedly morals were dissolute, 
 — marvellously so: it might be that the 
 Crusades, — "that brilliant illusion," — by 
 breaking- down the barriers of domestic 
 life and its wholesome restraints, had at 
 once loosened the reins of passion, and 
 given a dangerous scope to the imagina- 
 tion. Whatever the cause, manners were 
 corrupt, though among the great disguised 
 under the observance of rigid propriety ; 
 and, at all events, the seeming of stateli- 
 ness and attention to forms best suit the 
 aristocracy of all ages. 
 
 Independent of this seeming a nobler 
 sentiment was slowly rising by its glory to 
 refine the grosser nature of man, by exalting 
 his opinion of the gentler sex, ever formed 
 to his will. For just then the genius of 
 Dante was shedding the first faint dawn 
 
8 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 of his divine inspiration over the nearly 
 brutal habits of the age ; in his refine- 
 ment struggling to elevate woman to her 
 proper sphere, as a being enthusiastic, 
 gentle, pious, submissive, full of heavenly 
 thoughts. Such was the poet's Beatrice, 
 and such to the enamoured De Valois 
 appeared Beatrix Visconti ; for at that 
 period he was replete with a noble emu- 
 lation to copy the virtues of Dante, though 
 he could not aspire to his genius. He and 
 the poet had fought side by side in the 
 battle-field ; and the bold courage con- 
 genial to both their characters for a 
 period united them in the bands of sym- 
 pathy and friendship. Little did De Valois 
 then anticipate that disappointed love would 
 destroy and wither all the finest percep- 
 tions of his mind; and that Dante's guerdon 
 of friendship would be to immortalise his 
 (De Valois') vices, by introducing his name 
 into the learned pages of his imaginary 
 Purgatory. 
 
 The wildest fables descriptive of the 
 power of love could not exaggerate that 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 9 
 
 of De Valois for Beatrix : his spirit was 
 subjugated to her will. While on her side 
 she shunned, not sought, his attentions ; 
 indeed, the expression of her countenance, 
 always grave, assumed an air of sadness 
 and disquiet at his approach. This was 
 discovered by the whole court ; who, like 
 every other society, found their occupation 
 in watching others : unhesitatingly they im- 
 puted her emotions to apprehension lest the 
 Prince might not demand her in marriage, 
 and then again she would have to retire 
 to the solitudes of Grenoble and the Car- 
 melite sisters. Unconscious of how closely 
 she was observed, and in her self-absorption 
 indifferent on the subject, Beatrix kept as 
 much secluded as her position permitted, 
 under the plea that a conventual education 
 had left her ignorant of the accomplishments 
 of riding, falconry, and dancing. She assidu- 
 ously applied herself to stringing pearls into 
 a variety of chains and ornaments, or em- 
 broidering with threads of silk and gold, or 
 illuminating missals; — all these her works 
 to be presented as offerings on the Virgin's 
 
10 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 shrine of the convent where she had been 
 educated. In truth, though she dared not 
 avow it, her spirit languished to be once more 
 within its holy fane; where, alas for Beatrix ! 
 worldly passions oft interrupted her devotions. 
 With perfect delight the Duke marked 
 the progress of De Valois' passion ; although 
 in other respects by no means unamiable, 
 where the interests of his party, the Ghibe- 
 lines, were involved, every other considera- 
 tion became secondary. In the present 
 instance, from a tissue of political calcu- 
 lations, useless to unravel, the Count's 
 union with a daughter of the house of 
 Bavaria would be full of promise, — a 
 matter of vital importance to its interests. 
 As before remarked, De Valois was known 
 to be in point of fact the ruler of France ; 
 also he held the crown of Arragon at plea- 
 sure : thus his love for Beatrix was most 
 fortunate. 
 
 Influenced by these hopes, the Duke's 
 treatment of De Valois was reverential, — 
 nay, more. Beatrix also, as a means, was 
 elevated in the Duke's opinion, and that 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 11 
 
 of his Court. Heretofore, in despite of 
 her superior beauty and worth, she had 
 merely been considered as the orphan of 
 a princely house, who should seek sanctu- 
 ary in a convent, to relieve her friends 
 from all responsibility concerning her ; but 
 now she rose into an object of adulation, 
 as one who would serve, not encroach on, 
 the family interests. There was a deep, 
 though suppressed sentiment of scorn in 
 Beatrix as she witnessed these results ; 
 but her prominent sentiment was terror. 
 Coldly and passively she received the devo- 
 tion of her princely lover. Imputing this 
 to the proud stateliness of her nature, it 
 rather increased his admiration, as suit- 
 ing his ideas of noble birth, than damped 
 his * hopes ; indeed, in the ardour of his 
 passion, fervid even for his fierce nature, 
 De Yalois was incapable of just observation 
 or reflection. Not so Beatrix ; she was 
 fully aware of his sentiments, and her con- 
 sequent difficulties. However, on the sub- 
 ject of love, women are even more clear- 
 sighted than men. 
 
12 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 The proud maid had declined to partake 
 in De Valois* amusements or recreations : 
 then, all manly as were his tastes, conquered, 
 subdued, with gentle tenderness he suc- 
 cumbed to her feminine employments, — a 
 Hercules wielding the distaff, a lion guided 
 by a single hair. Hour after hour reclining 
 at her feet, he would arrange the different- 
 sized pearls, or twine silks, or select pencils ; 
 and that, too, without receiving one word of 
 thanks or smile of approbation. 
 
 Incapable of the littleness of coquetting 
 or deception, unsophisticated as she was, 
 still Beatrix could not be deceived as to the 
 vehement sensations with which she had 
 inspired the Prince, and trembled at the 
 thoughts to what a tide of woe his ill-placed 
 passion might lead. She became fevered, 
 restless, miserable ; her first matin and latest 
 vesper were breathed to the Blessed Mary 
 to guard her through the advancing trial ; 
 tears constantly dewed her pillow, and sad- 
 der and sadder she became ; and was 
 wrought to such a state of mind, that when 
 she heard the approaching footsteps of De 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 13 
 
 Valois, she would start up trembling, fearful 
 lest the moment for demanding her in mar- 
 riage had arrived. Then the deep glow of 
 confusion would dye her cheeks with crim- 
 son ; a moment, and it was succeeded by- 
 extreme paleness, while the lustrous eyes 
 filled with tears as their lids fell beneath 
 the impassioned glances of her lover. 
 
 These symptoms, far from being imputed 
 to dislike, seemed to the view of De Yalois 
 as the emanations of maiden timidity and 
 modesty confused, lest the heart's secret of 
 reciprocal love might be suspected. All 
 this was so feminine, so lovely, it increased 
 his rapture to an uncontrollable degree, and 
 he resolved to dally no longer, but to adopt 
 immediate measures to win Philip's consent ; 
 not that his interference should check his 
 (De Valois') union with the woman he loved 
 and esteemed. 
 
 Of course, princely policy would raise 
 many obstacles to his union, but his (De 
 Valois') part was taken ; and he would see 
 the Viper of the Ghibeline, the Cross of the 
 Guelph, and the Oriflamme of France, lowered 
 
14 FL-EIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 to the infidel Saracen without raising a hand 
 to protect them ere he would resign Beatrix, 
 his beloved choice. 
 
 As a noble and a warrior, Charles de 
 Valois was perfectly ignorant of the arts of 
 writing or reading ; such knowledge his 
 high order despised, as only fitting for clerks 
 or deacons. True, Dante was a scholar ; 
 but then Dante stood alone, was viewed 
 as a being who more properly belonged to 
 another and higher sphere than this world 
 of sin and sorrow ; thus, as yet, his example 
 had held no influence as to the advance of 
 letters. So the usual way of communication, 
 by minstrels or pilgrims, was in practice 
 embarrassing, as these Mercuries were of 
 necessity admitted into the secrets of their 
 employers, gaining for them a dangerous 
 influence. 
 
 In the present instance De Valois, from 
 friendship to the poet, sent off a minstrel 
 to acquaint Dante of his happy love, for 
 he never doubted Beatrix reciprocating his 
 feelings, and a pious friar went to Avignon 
 to urge on Nicholas IV., who then filled 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 15 
 
 the Papal chair, to use his holy influence 
 with Philip of France to grant his sanction 
 to the union ; in which event he (De Yalois) 
 would yield up his claim on the crown of 
 Arragon — at the period one of the apples 
 of discord among the princes of Christen- 
 dom — to his Holiness's disposal. How un- 
 speakably great must have been the passion 
 of the proudest noble that almost ever lived, 
 when he resigned a crown for his mistress's 
 possession ! 
 
 The messengers thus sent seemed to have 
 winged feet ; for more speedily than even 
 the impatient love of De Valois had antici- 
 pated, an ecclesiastic, in whom Philip le Bel 
 placed confidence, arrived at the palace of 
 Munich, invested with the royal authority 
 to inquire into every circumstance connected 
 with De Valois' passion for Beatrix Yis- 
 conti ; and what results, advantageous to 
 France, were likely to result from an union 
 between it and the Ghibeline party, of whom, 
 after Austria, Bavaria's Duke was the chief. 
 
16 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " He was a shephard, and no mercenary ; 
 And though he holy were, and virtuous, 
 He was to sinful men not dispiteous. 
 Nor of his speeche dangerous, ne digne, 
 But in his teaching discreet and benign. 
 To drawen folk to Heaven wit] fairness, 
 By good example, was his business." 
 
 Chaucer. 
 
 The confidential friend appointed by Philip 
 to negotiate between him and his brother 
 De Valois in a matter of such vital import- 
 ance to France as the union of the latter, 
 was a young priest, by name Francesco 
 d'Esculo. Being of noble descent, Francesco 
 had been educated in the Chateau d'Evreux, 
 and soon became esteemed for superior 
 talents, extensive learning, and unaffected 
 piety. 
 
 Highly esteeming D'Esculo, De Valois 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 1? 
 
 hailed his presence as an augur of supcess, 
 granting him an immediate audience. The 
 particulars of this interview never trans- 
 pired ; but its results must have proved 
 satisfactory, for De Valois, no longer dread- 
 ing any obstacle to his impatient love, and 
 being resolved to concede all demands rather 
 than resign Beatrix, within the hour laid 
 his proposals before the Duke, requesting 
 that there should be no delay — even though 
 the evening was far advanced — in making 
 known his intentions to Beatrix, hoping that 
 next day she would admit him, a devoted 
 slave, to her presence, when, kneeling, he 
 would sue for the honour of her hand. So 
 spoke the impassioned Prince, never doubt- 
 ing acceptance of his offers. 
 
 Long as the Duke had hoped for this 
 consummation, so great was his joy at the 
 realisation that only by an effort could he 
 preserve the dignity of self-possession. Ke- 
 solved not to be outdone in generosity, with 
 sincerity he assured De Yalois, that, far from 
 taking advantage of his confidence, in every 
 
 vol. i. c 
 
18 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 arrangement connected with these fortunate 
 nuptials, the interests and policy of France 
 should be held as dear and sacred as that of 
 Bavaria. " For," exclaimed the Duke, " I 
 do not hesitate to acknowledge that this is 
 the proudest event of my life." So saying, 
 he grasped De Valois' hand, exclaiming, 
 '' I must not be so selfish in my joy as to 
 delay the happiness of our charming Beatrix, 
 who, I doubt not, will be the happiest of us 
 all, if that indeed be possible." 
 
 Smiling and well pleased, De Valois 
 returned the pressure of the Duke's hand ; 
 then the proud, sanguine chiefs separated, 
 the latter proceeding rapidly, by a long col- 
 onnade which formed a short cut, to the 
 square northern tower, within which were 
 the suite of apartments occupied by Beatrix. 
 
 Too much excited for company, in place 
 of returning to the hall, which was full of 
 noble convivial guests, De Valois glided 
 out through one of the small portals which 
 opened at the back of the palace ; and, care- 
 less of where he directed his steps, so he 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 19 
 
 could elude observation, struck into a grove 
 which, at a short distance, bounded the 
 eastern side of the quickly-flowing Iser. 
 
 His spirits were in a perfect tumult of 
 delight, and his heart overflowed with grati- 
 tude to Philip for having raised no obstacles 
 to his hopes, but such as a little well-directed 
 policy and diplomacy with ruling powers 
 would overcome. Lost in contemplations of 
 exceeding happiness, he was insensible to ex- 
 ternal objects ; yet a glorious night-scene 
 spread out, the beams of a moon, nearly at 
 its full and unobscured by a single cloud, 
 sported and danced on the rippling transpa- 
 rent waters, studding the Iser with innu- 
 merable brilliant sparkles, and irradiating 
 the tops of the dark cypress -trees. The 
 freshening breeze meantime swept gently 
 through the branches, which unresistingly 
 yielded to its force ; still, as if in displeasure, 
 sent forth a musical murmuring sound, like 
 the soft wild notes of ^Eolian harps, and 
 this alone disturbed the calm repose. But 
 all these glories of the Creator were lost to 
 the lover, until roused by observing, through 
 
20 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 a vista which suddenly opened to his view, 
 the lights shining from Beatrix's well-known 
 bower. In perfect rapture he stretched out 
 his arms, uttering words of tenderness and 
 passion, as if, borne on the wings of the 
 wind, they could reach his mistress's ear. 
 On the instant a large white owl sped from 
 the topmost pinnacle of the tower, flapping 
 its, wings and uttering its discordant note ; 
 blinded by the moon's radiance, it struck 
 with force against De Valois' face, startling 
 him from his dream of fancied love ; the 
 next moment, poising itself on high, the 
 bird of Pallas disappeared, and silence again 
 reigned. 
 
 Constitutionally superstitious De Yalois 
 for an instant experienced discomposure. 
 
 " Ha ! how is this ?" he muttered, looking 
 around, " I am in the cypress-grove leading 
 to the sculptured cemetery of the royal house 
 of Bavaria — these funereal trees — this pass- 
 age to the dead — this night-bird of ill omen, 
 — I like not this, it augurs ill ... . Shame 
 to my manhood for such thoughts ! My 
 page Gaultier would blush to admit such 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 21 
 
 fancies were he on the bed of sickness ; and 
 as to me what have I to fear ? All is pros- 
 perity — empire within my grasp — the friend- 
 ship of genius — the love of beauty is mine 
 — I must be more than fool to let fancies 
 disturb my peace !" So thinking, the Count 
 entered into the meadow-land and returned 
 to seek his couch, sleepless it had proved 
 could he have anticipated the scene enacting 
 in the northern tower. 
 
 In a small oratory adjoining her sleep- 
 ing chamber — termed a bower — Beatrix was 
 en^aoed at her devotions when, unannounced, 
 the Duke entered into her presence ; a prayer 
 to the saints was faintly uttered by the trem- 
 bling girl, who at once guessed that the 
 hour of trial was come. On the particulars 
 of the scene which occurred, having much 
 to relate of graver import, we shall touch 
 lightly. 
 
 Leading Beatrix to her bower, and seat- 
 ing himself beside her, with much energy 
 the Duke explained his business ; and, never 
 doubting her participation in his pride and 
 satisfaction, tenderly embraced and congra- 
 
22 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 tulated her on the brilliant conquest she had 
 made. 
 
 Description must fail in conveying even 
 a faint outline of the Duke's surprise — disap- 
 pointment—horror, for his despair rose to 
 horror at Beatrix's steady rejection of De 
 Valois. At first he fancied that with a 
 woman's refinement, not wishing to avow 
 sentiments of passion, she only rejected 
 the princely offer from coquetry, excusable 
 as springing from delicacy, not from vanity : 
 and as she had become a person of import- 
 ance, he stooped his haughty, irascible temper 
 to soothe and please her maiden humour ; 
 but when the truth of her denial and steadi- 
 ness of purpose burst on his knowledge, it 
 nearly wrought him to madness. What ! to 
 see the interests of the Ghibelines, of Bavaria, 
 nay, of the Empire, seriously injured and 
 embarrassed by the perverseness of a girl but 
 twenty, — a dependant on his (the Duke's) 
 bounty ! Oh, it could not be that the hopes 
 founded on De Valois' love, and just then 
 ready for fruition, could be so blasted ! And 
 what but demoniacal influence could tempt 
 
FRETDA THE JONGLEUR. 23 
 
 Beatrix to reject beauty, gallantry, rank, 
 wealth, love — all at her command? No 
 wonder that the Duke was in despair : its 
 outbreak was humiliating, forgetful of all 
 dignity, he actually, in wild entreaty, knelt at 
 her feet — nay, even with unmanly tears, re- 
 presented the violence and warfare which 
 would arise to Bavaria if Charles de Valois 
 was offended. Bribes were then offered, as 
 unavailing as threats they proved ; till, ren- 
 dered furious by the gentle but determined 
 rejection of Beatrix, he burst forth into 
 fearful imprecations, vowing that if she did 
 not consent, he would have her plunged into 
 the dark dungeons which lay beneath the 
 banqueting-halls of the royal palace, to in- 
 crease by contrast -the sufferings of the 
 victims of Power, and there the form, so 
 dear to the enamoured Prince, should be 
 subjected to the rack, until every joint was 
 loosed from its socket, and the beauty which 
 had wrought the mischief defaced ! 
 
 Beatrix listened, shuddered — nay, 
 screamed from terror — at the awful threat ; 
 that such cruelties were practised she had 
 
24< FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 oft heard, still the courage of her race did 
 not desert her — she would not consent; 
 but, however willing the spirit to uphold 
 her resolution, the flesh was weak, and, 
 amidst sobs of agony, she fell fainting at 
 the stern chief's feet ! To such fury was he 
 wrought, it is hard to say what violence 
 might not have ensued ; but, happily, the 
 priest D'Esculo entered. Never anticipating 
 Beatrix's refusal, the Duke had com- 
 manded his presence in her bower at the 
 eleventh hour ; a water- clock had struck 
 eleven some moments before, and it was an- 
 nounced by gongs sounded to proclaim the 
 time throughout the palace and its wide 
 courts. 
 
 Better pass over the ensuing scene ; by 
 calmness the priest at length prevailed upon 
 the Duke to retire and leave the lady to his 
 influence, adding, " If it seems fitting, noble 
 chief, I shall spare no persuasion to win her 
 to your purpose and to De Valois' love." 
 
 On the Duke's departure, D'Esculo placed 
 Beatrix on a heap of cushions, bathed her 
 temples with essences, and thus awakened 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. Q5 
 
 her to consciousness ; then he strove to win 
 on her confidence by words of tenderness and 
 encouragement. Soothed by such sympathy, 
 her terrors calmed down and found relief in 
 a flood of tears. 
 
 When she was more composed, with 
 much eloquence D'Esculo entreated to know 
 on what grounds she had so peremptorily — 
 to the displeasure of the Duke — rejected 
 the noble offers of the Count, dwelling upon 
 his superior accomplishments, and still more 
 forcibly representing the evil consequences 
 to which her conduct might lead. 
 
 " Alas !" she mournfully exclaimed ; 
 " for weeks I have contemplated with regret 
 all you advance, and would gladly have 
 evaded the Count's acknowledgment of his 
 ill-placed passion ; add not then, good priest, 
 to my trials by preaching impossibilities : — 
 De Yalois I cannot accept ! And, oh I" she 
 added, rising and clasping her hands to- 
 gether, " in the name of the saints, I im- 
 plore of you to obtain permission for my 
 return to the Convent ! Oh, that I had 
 
2G FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 never quitted its blessed sanctuary!" Her 
 tears increased. 
 
 a Now, lady," replied the priest, with 
 vivacity, "I comprehend the mystery; you 
 are vowed to Heaven ; and fear not, all the 
 crowned heads in Christendom shall not — 
 dare not — stand between you and your alle- 
 giance to God ! Blessed maid, truly thou 
 hast chosen the better part !" 
 
 Covered with confusion and remorse, 
 Beatrix buried her glowing face in the 
 cushions. 
 
 " Speak, lady ! and assure me," cried 
 Francesco, with emotion, " that my surmise 
 is correct!" 
 
 " Alas !" she faintly uttered ; "pray for 
 me ; I am but a weak woman. Oh, that 
 Religion was my hope, my staff! Pray for 
 me, good priest ! " 
 
 Then he gravely observed, " I can draw 
 but one inference, — you love, and not De 
 Valois. Speak, lady, to the purpose ! " 
 
 " Alas ! good priest, have pity! — have 
 mercy ! " 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. Tj 
 
 " Lady, be not thus agitated ! Speak 
 freely ! I will not, by my soul's weal, betray 
 your confidence ! " 
 
 " Nor I his," she replied with spirit. 
 " Nay, urge me not ! Torture shall not win 
 me to break a promise to him I love ! " 
 
 " Is he worthy of affection ?" sternly de- 
 manded Francesco, " or one of whom the 
 Visconti is ashamed? lady, shudder at 
 disgrace ! " 
 
 " Disgrace ! " she reiterated, springing 
 to her feet, and drawing up to her full 
 height, "disgrace and Yisconti shall never 
 be coupled. Him I love is the best lance in 
 Christendom. The Paynim blenches in his 
 presence. Among chieftains my love is the 
 Chief!" 
 
 A smile just hovered on the priest's lips 
 at this unguarded avowal of Beatrix's secret. 
 Suppressing its expression, he meekly re- 
 marked, "I fear, lady, that to this boasted- 
 of knight, and not to Heaven, the vows which 
 bind you to reject Valois' princely offer were 
 pledged. Is my suggestion correct ? Better 
 place in me full confidence ; it will more 
 
28 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 fully enable me to serve, — and such, lady, is 
 my intention ; for to soothe the afflicted, and 
 to support the weak, is my holy mission as 
 ordained by Christ." 
 
 Subdued Beatrix fell on her knees, ex- 
 claiming, " Then, in the name of Him 
 whose minister you are, spare these in- 
 quiries." On this she kissed her crucifix. 
 "lam doubly sworn neither to desert him 
 I love, nor to betray his name ; and weak as 
 my woman's heart may in other respects 
 prove, I call the Virgin to witness, that 
 human power shall not tempt me to trans- 
 gress — even in thought — my allegiance to 
 him I have sworn to obey and love ! " 
 
 " Lady, I respect the sentiment too much 
 to desire your breach of promise. Still, it 
 was wrong, — very wrong, for one so young, 
 so gifted, and of noble birth, to act in a 
 manner to endanger her respectability and 
 offend her family. Pray God, you have not 
 been deceived." 
 
 " Oh ! spare these just censures. Alas ! 
 it needeth not to reproach me. And for 
 the sake of Him, whose example you would 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 29 
 
 follow, uphold me in this great danger. 
 Keep in remembrance that all the miracles 
 of Christ were shown in offices of mercy. 
 Oh ! then, have compassion. Think,— oh ! 
 think, of the fierce spirits I have inadvert- 
 ently raised, and who now contend against 
 me. Say, good father, — say that you will 
 befriend me." 
 
 She knelt at his feet, clung to his knees, 
 sobbing with agitation. He attempted to 
 raise her. 
 
 "No, no!" she cried; "never, until I 
 obtain your promise of protection and sup- 
 port. In this proud palace all else will 
 persecute me for daring to disobey the 
 Duke's stern command." 
 
 Moved by her entreaties, D'Esculo gently 
 said, " Compose yourself. I do promise. 
 Lady, rise, and quickly command this emo- 
 tion. Some one approaches — listen!" 
 
 Beatrix had scarcely reseated herself, 
 when the door opened, and a varlet entered 
 to command D'Esculo's immediate presence 
 in the Duke's cabinet. 
 
 " I shall follow you," replied D'Esculo. 
 
30 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 He then solemnly repeated his promise to 
 Beatrix, and quitted the apartment. 
 
 Though incapable of hypocrisy, being 
 resolved to protect Beatrix, in the long 
 discussion he held with the nearly maddened 
 Duke, D'Esculo avoided all allusion to her 
 former attachment, insisting on the pro- 
 priety of her being restored to her Convent, 
 where his Highness might dictate any pen- 
 ance or restrictions he pleased. 
 
 " Curse her ! " vehemently roared the 
 Duke. " My part in her is over ; she will 
 live to repent her presumption and folly : 
 but, as you say there is no alternative, I 
 must submit. And as I have yielded to your 
 entreaties not to punish her as my anger 
 dictates, and which, as you say, might still 
 further offend the Yalois, I expect in return 
 that you will communicate with the Count 
 on this unhappy business. Explain to him 
 that Beatrix, being devoted and vowed to a 
 life of religion and solitude, duty compels 
 her to cast aside each earthly good to bear 
 the cross ; but, above all things, impress on 
 De Valois my sincere regret at his disap- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 81 
 
 pointment, proffer him my friendship and 
 assurance of support in the political treaties 
 he came here to negotiate." 
 
 So saying, the Duke dismissed D'Esculo, 
 bitterly remarking, " It were, indeed, absurd 
 to let a maiden's ill-timed devotion interfere 
 with the friendship of men and the policy of 
 princes." 
 
 The priest's task of conciliation with De 
 Valois was far more difficult and painful. 
 D'Esculo had little or no sympathy with the 
 graspings or disappointments of ambition ; 
 but he could enter with feeling into the 
 agonies of unrequited love. Happily, like 
 the Duke, on learning that Beatrix wished 
 to return to her Convent, and that former 
 vows prevented the possibility of her re- 
 ceiving the Count's addresses, he at once 
 concluded she meant to adopt the veil. 
 Thus, no jealousy, either of rivalship or 
 human affections, arose. Nor was hope 
 crushed ; for though he did not confide his 
 plans, they were in his own mind rapidly 
 formed. A year must elapse, according to the 
 general rules, ere Beatrix could adopt the 
 
32 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 black veil. Meantime he would win over 
 his Holiness Nicholas to prevent such a con- 
 summation ; with the crown of Arragon to 
 bribe, he felt no fears of the Pope's rejection. 
 Meantime he would permit Beatrix quietly 
 to enjoy her solitude. After the specimens 
 she had enjoyed of the pride and pleasures 
 of her position at Munich, from his know- 
 ledge of human nature, the Count anti- 
 cipated that she would soon be wearied with 
 the Carmelites' solitude. Nor would he lose 
 sight of her, — at least, her every action 
 should come to his knowledge. 
 
 These hopes and a happy mood, after the 
 first burst of passion, reconciled the Count 
 to what he persuaded himself was a tem- 
 porary separation. Then he was obliged to 
 go to Flanders on business of importance to 
 France ; and after Philip's generous conduct 
 relative to giving an almost unqualified con- 
 sent to the union with Beatrix, he (Charles 
 de Valois) would not deceive his wishes. 
 All this proves that at that period De Valois 
 was possessed of many amiable qualities. 
 
 A few days after he bade the Duke a 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 33 
 
 friendly adieu, requesting that no severity 
 should be used towards Beatrix, who had 
 merely chosen a pious vocation. His part- 
 ing with her was affecting, and taught Beatrix 
 to view him with esteem and a sisterly 
 affection. 
 
 On the morning after these farewells, 
 De Yalois, accompanied by a gorgeous train, 
 left for Flanders ; and the same hour, Beatrix, 
 escorted by some of the Duke's attendants — 
 for pride granted what anger would have 
 denied — departed for the Carmelite Con- 
 vent situated in the solitudes of Grenoble. 
 
 VOL. i. D 
 
34) FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " My lord, I would I might entreat your honour 
 To scan this thing no farther ; leave it to time." 
 
 Shakspere. 
 
 G-aultier, De Valois' squire, had attended 
 him to Munich. 
 
 The last scion of an ennobled but im- 
 poverished house, Gaultier had been placed, 
 for the purpose of a religious education, in 
 the far-celebrated Monastery of Chartreuse. 
 Possessed of a warlike, adventurous spirit, 
 the youth shrank with dismay from the idea 
 of a profession he perfectly abhorred. While 
 wasting the midnight lamp, not in devotion, 
 but in future plans of escape, the unexpected 
 marriage of an only sister to Count Nicon, 
 of the house of D'Evreux, changed the whole 
 colour of his destiny. At his sister s wed- 
 ding he became acquainted with the Valois, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 35 
 
 who, pleased with Gaultier's frank manner 
 and his excellence in sylvan sports, — a know- 
 ledge acquired in boyhood, ere he had entered 
 the Chartreuse, — and discovering his disin- 
 clination to a conventual life, proposed ap- 
 pointing him as one of his squires, intimating 
 to 'the youth's friends that this arrangement 
 would not interfere with Gaultier's sacred 
 profession — merely change him from a monk 
 of St. Bruno's to a warrior-priest — an ano- 
 malous character at the period very general ; 
 and as the chief object of the youth's family 
 was to relieve themselves of a troublesome 
 encumbrance, no objection was offered. 
 
 Of a superior, though ill-directed intel- 
 lect, De Valois possessed a quick, keen, and 
 just insight into character ; he was seldom 
 deceived, and this, in after-life, enabled him 
 still better to deceive. Gaultier's was a 
 mind easily understood : prompt to learn, 
 accommodating, cheerful, amusing, ready to 
 oblige, slow to refuse, still essentially selfish, 
 unstable in principle, he was easily led on, 
 be it to good or to evil, deceptive to a 
 degree, for from the period he had been 
 
36 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 forced into the Chartreuse, his whole thoughts 
 and actions had been devoted to deceive, 
 and, of necessity, the deceiver is ever false, 
 timid, egotistic. On the other hand, Gaultier 
 was replete with a bold, adventurous courage ; 
 rode well, and had an excellent taste in 
 music ; could play on several instruments ; 
 and a well-directed, though not good voice, 
 enabled him to add to the conviviality of 
 the board. So, on the whole, the Count 
 considered Gaultier an acquisition during 
 his lighter hours, and being far too proud 
 to admit of intimacies, his true, and only 
 confided-in friend was his brother Philip le 
 Bel. 
 
 De Valois' whole life, since the first 
 down of manhood shaded his chin, had been 
 consecrated to political scheming of one de- 
 scription or another ; thus he was quick 
 in forming intrigues, — many unchivalrous 
 enough to tarnish, had they been discovered, 
 his knightly fame ; but the Spartan opinion, 
 that the disgrace lies not in the act but in 
 the discovery, has influenced the distin- 
 guished of all ages and of all countries. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 3J 
 
 Satellites, of necessity, the powerful must 
 have. Woe to those who deviate from the 
 orbit of their ruling planet ! The darkness 
 of this world's ruin will fall upon them. In 
 the present instance De Yalois resolved to 
 employ Gaul tier as a spy. Nor did he con- 
 descend to use entreaties ; he merely said, 
 " Gaultier, what I now confide in your 
 keeping is to be secret as the grave. Kiss 
 your crucifix, and say, I promise ! " The 
 squire obeyed without inquiry. De Valois 
 then descended so far from his stateliness as 
 to confide that his love for Beatrix was so 
 absorbing, that during his absence from her 
 it would gratify him to learn how she spent 
 her time, at what hour she rose, when re- 
 tired, what were her occupations, did she 
 tend the sick, cultivate flowers, or devote 
 her time to the embroidery and illumin- 
 ation of missals. But, above all, he (De 
 Valois) should learn when she accepted of 
 the white veil preliminary to that of the 
 black : he shuddered at the thought, 
 though resolved that the latter vows should 
 never by Beatrix be pronounced. Now in 
 
38 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 all this there was not one shade of suspicion 
 or of jealousy, — ah ! no ; it was but the 
 emanation of an absorbing, devoted pas- 
 sion, whose spirit, even in absence, would 
 hover round the shrine of its idol. 
 
 At first Gaultier started back from the 
 degradation of this espionage ; but at length, 
 from his unstable principles, not only con- 
 sented, but expatiated on his power to serve 
 his chief, and began to view his employment 
 in the light of an adventure. 
 
 " Noble Count," he observed, " I can 
 fully, from the following circumstances, meet 
 your wishes. Have patience as I explain/' 
 
 De Valois bowed in acquiescence. Gaul- 
 tier proceeded, — 
 
 "Noble Count, I was but ten years when 
 placed in the Chartreuse, but even then had 
 some knowledge of fencing, hawking, fishing, 
 and the use of the bow — excuse me I must 
 be explanatory — and these amusements in- 
 fluenced my conduct. You must know that 
 the Monastery of the Chartreuse, in which 
 I resided, lies midway between the Prince 
 of Dauphiny's feudal castle — a noble pile 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 39 
 
 of great antiquity — and the Convent of the 
 Carmelite sisters, at present the sanctuary 
 of Beatrix Visconti. Now these nuns are 
 most charitable. I know them and their 
 customs ; for my health, suffering from con- 
 finement on the first year of my residence in 
 the Monastery, — being small and delicate for 
 my years, I might have passed for only 
 eight, — I spent some months under their 
 pious care ; my chief occupation being to go 
 off to the Prince of Dauphiny's for flowers 
 to dress the shrines, fruits to regale the 
 sisters, and wine and viands for the sick ; 
 for the Prince is of a noble nature, and, 
 during these flits of mine, many an hour I 
 spent practising sylvan sports. So, one way 
 or another, I became the friend of all parties ; 
 and even as I grew up, the gentle sisters, 
 from the long habit of considering me a 
 child, — their ' fetch-and-carry/ they play- 
 fully said, never prohibited my visits ; so 
 the Convent is open to me at pleasure." 
 
 <f Hah! that is well!" interrupted De 
 Valois ; " but, oh, that I could in that 
 respect, Gaultier, change places with you ! " 
 
40 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 The Count sighed profoundly, and rose to 
 retire. 
 
 C( One observation more, my noble chief," 
 continued Gaultier. "Though pure and 
 cold as the sculptured saints on their shrines, 
 and though of the strict order of the Car- 
 melites, these sisters, and the young novi- 
 tiates under their guardianship, in conse- 
 quence of the retirement of their locality, 
 are admitted to more liberty than is usual 
 to the religieuse. The Convent is situated 
 between the towns of Grenoble and Cham- 
 berry, and the only chieftain in the neigh- 
 bourhood is the pious Prince of Dauphiny, 
 who rarely visits his castle, although his 
 seneschal is authorised to dispense ample 
 charities; and as to the surrounding serfs, 
 they possess as little intellect as the cattle 
 and goats they tend. Consequently, the 
 young ladies educating in the Convent are 
 permitted to stroll by themselves at pleasure 
 by the banks of the Isere, which, in its 
 discursive meanderings, glides by the blessed 
 ground or through the dense pine-woods 
 stretching on from the Chartreuse in the 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 41 
 
 direction of Mont Blanc ; and many an 
 eyas I have seen the damsels fly, and many 
 an arrow sped from their ashen bows : — oh, 
 but some of the fair archers would shame 
 
 our bowmen ! " 
 
 " Enough, Gaultier! Depart for Gre- 
 noble to-morrow. Be faithful, observant, 
 and true. Here!" — handing a well-filled 
 purse — " for your expenses.'' Thus saying, 
 De Valois retired. 
 
42 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " I watched her steps, and silent came 
 Where she sat her on a stone — 
 No watchman stood by the dreary flame, 
 It burned all alone. 
 
 The second night I kept her in sight 
 
 Till to the fire she came ; 
 And, by Mary's might ! an armed knight 
 
 Stood by the lonely flame." 
 
 Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. 
 
 On the morning subsequent to this conver- 
 sation, De Valois departed for Flanders, 
 where, despite his impatience, from a variety 
 of contending subjects, he was detained nine 
 months. However, he had succeeded in his 
 negotiation. 
 
 On reaching Paris, his first act was to 
 send express for Gaultier. Communication 
 by letter was with the Count out of the 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 43 
 
 question ; and his heart panted to hear of 
 Beatrix, his beloved one, — soon he expected 
 to be his, — solely his, for Nicholas IV. had 
 conceded to his (De Valois') wishes and 
 bribes ; and Beatrix, no matter her vocation, 
 should not be a professed sister. The mat- 
 ter was finally arranged, and the Abbess of 
 the Carmelites had received peremptory com- 
 mands on the subject. 
 
 Well pleased was the squire to receive 
 his chief's mandate. His espionage had 
 been most successful, and the excitement it 
 awakened being exhausted, he gladly left the 
 solitudes of Grenoble and its austere brother- 
 hood for the gaieties of Paris and the war- 
 like pleasures of De Valois' wide courts. 
 
 Gaultier's education, up to that period, 
 as to the refinements of society, had been 
 sadly neglected : in short, he had never been 
 initiated in its courtly restraints. The rigid 
 monks seldom spoke, and never addressed 
 youth but to sermonise and correct. The 
 Carmelite sisters only made use of " fetch- 
 and-carry ;" thus, though by his talents he 
 picked up accomplishments, his ideas were 
 
44 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 chiefly collected from the dependants of the 
 Prince of Dauphiny's household, who sport- 
 ively instructed the "merry hoy" in sylvan 
 recreations. Nor had the degraded office of 
 spy improved his mind. Consequently, in a 
 coarse, unequivocal manner, he made the 
 following revelations to the courtly, ardent 
 Count, unaware of the tortures he inflicted, 
 and of man's natural instinct to shrink from 
 and hate those who inflict wounds on his 
 self-love and hopes of enjoyment, more par- 
 ticularly on the subject of love. 
 
 It were tedious to follow up Gaultier's 
 discourse, replete with egotism ; in its vanity 
 imputing so much cleverness to himself for 
 an espionage which marked him with con- 
 tempt, — nay, even to that of his proud 
 employer. So as succinctly as possible we 
 shall explain his discoveries. 
 
 It appeared, that some fourteen months, 
 or thereabouts, ere Beatrix's meeting with 
 De Valois at Munich, she had become ac- 
 quainted with the Templar, Guy d' Auvergne, 
 and an attachment sprang up between her 
 and the Knight. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 45 
 
 The course of their acquaintance was 
 simply as follows: — Though probably in- 
 tended for conventual life, as vet the Duke 
 of Bavaria, her guardian, had expressed no 
 wish on the subject ; so Beatrix, enjoying 
 the liberty of a boarder, was permitted to 
 spend the Easter, and other holy weeks, at 
 the Prince of Dauphiny's castle, his daughter 
 being also a boarder at the Convent, and the 
 girls had formed a friendship and companion- 
 ship. 
 
 Guy d'Auvergne was considered the best 
 lance of his Order, and ranked, in point of in- 
 fluence and power, next to the Grand Master. 
 In personal beauty, the Templar was by no 
 means equal to De Valois, and in all respects 
 these two remarkable chiefs were opposite. 
 Guy's height was scarcely five feet nine, 
 powerfully made, and of great muscular 
 development, having practised the use of 
 arms almost from infancy. His features, 
 though not classical, were well proportioned, 
 and his countenance free, open, manly, play- 
 ful ; large, but not prominent blue eyes, 
 full of meaning; and the ready laugh dis- 
 
46 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 played fine teeth. The impression left was, 
 Guy may be won by passion to err, but could 
 never be mean, cruel, or unknightly, — 
 would never betray confidence ; ah, no, im- 
 possible! Then there was a charm in his 
 manner ; for though well known to be one of 
 the greatest warriors of the age, — " the hero 
 of a hundred battles," — there was nothing of 
 the profession about him ; his fierceness was 
 cast aside with his armour ; he was the pro- 
 moter of fun and frolic, — a very school-boy in 
 his glee. He possessed the tact of at once 
 treating his inferiors with kindness and con- 
 fidence, and still keeping them in their pro- 
 per sphere. None dare presume on his kind- 
 ness. Then he could so gracefully cast off 
 the formalities of state. In short, Guy 
 d'Auvergne was formed to be loved, and 
 worthy of, esteem and friendship. His weak- 
 ness lay in a too powerful admiration of the 
 gentler sex, and he had proved as successful 
 in the field of Venus as of Mars. But this 
 weakness ultimately wrought the ruin of the 
 Templar and of his Order, — that Order 
 which he would have perished to uphold. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 47 
 
 Undeniably, a love of pleasure tainted the 
 noble qualities of several of the younger 
 Templars ; and while every other vow was 
 religiously observed, that of chastity was too 
 often disregarded. Be that as it may, Beatrix 
 soon became tenderly, sincerely devoted to 
 D'Auvergne, and he loved her with all the 
 intensity of his ardent nature ; still he con- 
 trolled, though he could not conquer, the 
 sentiment. The exquisite purity of her 
 mind, her conventual education, her exalted 
 position, her youth, — all crushed every hope 
 of possession. So he argued, still adoring. 
 
 In this trial the Templar was supported 
 by the romance of the age ; for he, an ac- 
 complished knight, had early been instructed 
 in the subtleties and platonic refinements of 
 the passion as discussed in the courts of love ; 
 and his affection for Beatrix was exactly the 
 circumstance to illustrate the sentiment of 
 self-denial. So he heroically resolved to shun 
 the temptations while he had power so to 
 do ; but then the selfishness of man's nature 
 predominated, and while almost in despair, 
 he avowed to the blushing, weeping, trem- 
 
48 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 bling girl, his vow of chastity which separated 
 them for ever. Kneeling at her feet, he 
 entreated that she would soothe his anguish 
 by a promise not to wed another. Oh ! he 
 could not survive that torture. Selfish and 
 cruel as she must consider the avowal, he 
 acknowledged that even her death were pre- 
 ferable to her marrying. The very supposi- 
 tion of a rival in a heart where her image 
 was then enshrined, would drive him to 
 madness. Alas, for woman's devotion ! the 
 noble-minded Beatrix, pleased, not offended, 
 at this proof of love, on the instant solemnly 
 vowed never to wed another ; in fact, she 
 felt that it would be impossible, for her heart 
 could know no change. Then D'Auvergne 
 folded her in, what he feared, was a last 
 embrace ; and so, amidst tears and sighs, 
 they parted, — he for Palestine, and soon after 
 Beatrix was summoned to Munich. 
 
 The circumstances of the Holy War had 
 unexpectedly brought D'Auvergne back to 
 France ; and it so happened that at the 
 period of Beatrix's return to the Convent in 
 disgrace for rejecting De Valois' offers, the 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 49 
 
 Templar was staying at the castle of his 
 brother, the Prince of Dauphiny. Here 
 was one of those chances — as men term 
 them — which, without an effort on the 
 side of those concerned, decide their for- 
 tunes. 
 
 At this unexpected meeting, weeping on 
 the bosom of her lover, Beatrix confessed 
 that she trembled lest the Duke of Bavaria, 
 to uphold some political treaties, would act 
 cruelly towards her if she refused to wed 
 some chief of his selection. She knew the 
 fierce Templar too well to mention De 
 Valois. A feud between two such powerful 
 chiefs would have been of grave conse- 
 quence, — nay, even to Christendom. 
 
 The very supposition of a rival roused 
 all the passions of D'Auvergne. Again he 
 received — nay, at the altar — Beatrix's vows 
 of constancy. After which he speeded to 
 Avignon, where Nicholas then was, and by 
 bribes and promises — for D'Auvergne pos- 
 sessed powerful interest — won the Pope to 
 secretly absolve him from his vow of chastity. 
 
 VOL. I. E 
 
50 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 And this was more, as future events proved, 
 to satisfy the scruples of Beatrix than his own 
 conscience. This point being gained, the 
 rest was of easy attainment. A monk of 
 the Chartreuse, with the consent of the 
 Carmelite Abbess, performed the marriage- 
 ceremony, to legalise which no means were 
 spared. After this, for a period, the Tem- 
 plar removed his lonely bride to the Castle ; 
 its Prince being absent. However the monks 
 and sisters might regret all this, they dared 
 not murmur or interfere. The Convent of 
 the latter was founded and supported by the 
 house of D' Auvergne ; and well the religeuse 
 knew that if they offended a Templar, their 
 sanctuary would be invaded, and most pro- 
 bablv feed the flames of a fierce, uncurbed 
 despotism, roused to revenge. 
 
 Such was the state of things when 
 Gaultier reached Grenoble. To the Char- 
 treuse he was admitted, but no longer re- 
 ceived within the Carmelite Convent, to 
 which Beatrix had returned. However, 
 she and D' Auvergne constantly met ; these 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 51 
 
 meetings were obliged to be secret ; except 
 the monk who performed the ceremony, 
 none of the confraternity were aware of the 
 marriage. Then his Holiness Nicholas had 
 commanded secresy, and discovery would 
 bring ruin on the sisterhood ; but who can 
 elude espionage ? Woe to Gaultier had his 
 been suspected ! It was not, and he watched 
 until he ascertained that Beatrix had a lover, 
 and that that lover was a Knight-Templar, 
 and that their trysting-place was a deserted 
 cottage, secluded within the pine -forest. 
 This was all Gaultier learned — he dared not 
 inquire ; for well he knew that his post was 
 as dangerous as it was derogatory. A short 
 time before De Valois had summoned him to 
 Paris, the lovers seemed to have disappeared; 
 at all events, their private interviews had 
 ceased. This summed up all the Squire's 
 knowledge, but, with bad taste, he described 
 the evident rapture with which Beatrix ever 
 rushed forward to meet her lover. 
 
 Who could follow up the tide of woe and 
 of passion which darted through De Valois' 
 soul as he eagerly drank in the terrible 
 
 UNWEBSVN OFJLU 
 UBRMW 
 
 
52 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 information ? O Christ ! could it be true 
 that Beatrix, for whose truth and purity he 
 would fearlessly have pledged his immortal 
 spirit, could be a wanton ? There was the 
 sting, sharper than disappointed love or 
 furious jealousy. Yes ; the tale of Gaultier 
 bore the impress of fact. Beatrix must 
 know that the Templars were vowed to 
 chastity — their marriages prohibited. Still, 
 she who had rejected his (De Valois') 
 honourable love slept on the bosom of him 
 who could not wed her, and who, by the 
 breach of his knightly vow and her seduction, 
 proved himself a reckless profligate ; and 
 yet, despising her, such was Beatrix's hold 
 on De Valois' affections, that he could not 
 uproot her from his heart! Dismissing 
 Gaultier, — whom, as the messenger of such 
 fatal news, he positively abhorred, — within 
 his secret chamber, the Count for some 
 hours yielded to uncurbed frenzy. Then he 
 rushed to the oratory, and, flinging himself 
 on its altar, in the forcible language of the 
 age, which, while upholding Christianity, 
 was deeply imbued with the worst forms of 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 53 
 
 Paganism, he consecrated his future life to 
 the Furies of anger and revenge. Destructive 
 to many proved this terrible heathen vow. 
 From that night a change passed over the 
 spirit of Charles Count de Valois. 
 
54) FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 PHILIP LE BEL. 
 " Mai di Francia." — Dante. 
 
 The following week was devoted by De 
 Valois to instituting private inquiries lead- 
 ing to the discovery of who was the Templar 
 that had proved his rival in Beatrix's affec- 
 tion. This knowledge he deemed absolutely 
 necessary to the publishing of, and the re- 
 venge of what in his egotistic pride he con- 
 sidered an inexcusable presumption. And 
 overlooking the levities of his own conduct, 
 he wrought himself up to a perfect furor 
 against a Templar who dared to transgress 
 the holy vow of chastity pledged by his 
 Order. The Count's virtuous indignation 
 was a fine illustration of the general practice 
 of being more tender for other men's con- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 55 
 
 sciences than one's own — a keen perception of 
 the mote in our neighbour's eyes, and a total 
 insensibility of the beam in our own. 
 
 At length, although the fact could not 
 perhaps be fully proved, still, from a concate- 
 nation of circumstances which reached De 
 Valois' knowledge, he entertained not a 
 doubt but that Guy d'Auvergne was the 
 man — no mean antagonist; and the noble 
 bearing and warlike character of his rival, 
 while it in some degree exonerated Beatrix, 
 added fuel to his jealousy and hate. 
 
 With a knowledge of Beatrix's lover to 
 work upon, the Count's part was taken ; he 
 could not endure postponement of the revenge 
 his heart panted after with an impatience 
 exceeding that of his passionate love, while 
 it still glowed with the hope of possessing. 
 
 De Valois hastened to the Louvre, de- 
 manded and obtained an instant audience of 
 the King. Then curbing his ferocity under 
 the seeming of calm reasoning, he explained 
 (as far as he was acquainted) all relative to 
 Beatrix Visconti since his first introduction 
 to her at Munich, and demanded an im- 
 
56 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 mediate trial of the Templar for a shameful 
 breach of his Order's vow of chastity. 
 
 " Reflect, my liege," he observed, " it 
 offers the first opportunity of clipping the 
 wings of this haughty, presumptuous con- 
 fraternity, more powerful than royalty it- 
 self." 
 
 Philip had been an attentive and deeply in- 
 terested listener. In answer he said, "Charles, 
 my brother, I hate these Ked-Cross Knights 
 with an intensity exceeding yours. Forget 
 you that these Templars have constantly 
 stood between my subjects and me, exposing 
 many of the stratagems of my policy and of 
 my necessities to the public ? I have long 
 viewed the proud Order as an enemy — a 
 dangerous one. Still, credit me, the hour 
 of triumph over them has not yet come. 
 The seed of their annihilation is scattered 
 wide. Many a crowned head anxiously 
 watches for its fruition, but the time for 
 reaping the guerdon of our well-laid plot has 
 not yet, I repeat, arrived. The reapers are 
 ready when the time for cutting down ap- 
 pears. Woe, then, to the Templars!" 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 57 
 
 Passionately interrupting the King, De 
 Valois loudly exclaimed, " I tell you, that by 
 the breach of D'Auvergne's vow and the 
 seduction of a noble lady, the time to triumph 
 over the enemy has come ! Let it not pass 
 without executing our just revenge." 
 
 Philip sneered, then sternly replied, 
 " Charles, jealousy misleads your usual judg- 
 ment. Are you not aware that, in consequence 
 of the ill-health of Peter de Beaujeau — by the 
 way, a strange mystery attends this illness — 
 Guy d'Auvergne is, in point of fact, the 
 Grand Master ; and even now, while you and 
 I are conversing, is on his way to Palestine, 
 there to command the warlike Order until 
 Peter de Beaujeau's health improves ; and 
 deeply do I regret to say, that in the Holy 
 Land affairs seem going against the Croisses? 
 Curses on the Saracen infidels ! You look sur- 
 prised, De Yalois ; — nay, more strange still, 
 during the absence of her Templar, Beatrix 
 Visconti is actually under his Holiness' 
 guardianship, and by him has been placed 
 in a Convent at Avignon ; — nay more, ere 
 leaving for the East, DAuvergne spent some 
 
58 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 days with Nicholas IV., his friend, and the 
 small supplies that his Holiness, — who, you 
 know, has no wish to support the Crusade — 
 granted were to pleasure D'Auvergne." 
 
 " Saints of heaven! can this he true?" 
 ejaculated De Valois, in surprised dejection ; 
 "and what could he the motive of this 
 strange friendship — if friendship you call 
 the alliance of a crooked, unholy policy ? " 
 
 " Most truly you term it an unholy alli- 
 ance, heing, to my certain knowledge, a bond 
 formed for the purpose of humbling France. 
 Humble France, forsooth ! by the God of 
 heaven, it cannot — shall not be while I, Philip, 
 live, or you either, my brother ! A holy 
 alliance! — strange holiness, where the parties 
 are a subtle priest and a dissolute Templar ! " 
 He paced the apartment in ill- suppressed 
 rage. 
 
 " Nay," cried De Valois, too much en- 
 grossed with his feelings to heed the King's, 
 "I see, Philip, that my wrongs sit lightly, 
 while your own, and those only surmised, 
 irritate you to fury. Now, I have my 
 passions as well as you ; and I know my 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 59 
 
 power ; and as I perceive that in this 
 insult to my love you take no part, then, 
 by the Saints, I shall work out my revenge 
 on the Templar single-handed ! " he waved 
 his right arm around. 
 
 " Do at your pleasure," angrily retorted 
 the King : "and by so doing hurl destruction 
 on yourself — it may be, on France ; for these 
 Templars and their ally, Nicholas, hate me 
 individually, and have collectively designs 
 on our fair France. A pretty fief it would 
 prove to divide between them ! Shame, De 
 Valois, to your manhood, to let a woman's 
 love, — a wanton she has proved, — risk the 
 exposure of your dishonour, which would at 
 once involve you, and disgrace your princely 
 house. By Heaven, sir, it shall not be ! 
 I, as a Valois and a king, would be in- 
 volved in the shame, — ruin the result!" 
 
 " Disgrace! shame! what mean you?" 
 vociferated De Yalois. " King and brother 
 though you be, I demand an explanation, — 
 a satisfaction ! " 
 
 " Both ! " contemptuously replied Philip. 
 " For the first, reflect, that for the delectable 
 
60 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 purpose of watching over a young maiden, 
 — who never encouraged your love, and un- 
 hesitatingly rejected your princely offers, — 
 against all the usages of society, the laws 
 of honour and of chivalry, you insinuated 
 a spy into her convent ; and this, if known, 
 all the crowned heads in Europe could not 
 efface the dishonour. You would at once 
 have your shield reversed, and your name 
 defaced ignominiously from the archives of 
 our house. Pray, listen, — nay more, the 
 Brothers of St. Bruno, the Carmelite Sisters, 
 the Templars, the Ghibeline party, would 
 rise against France — dishonoured France. 
 See the consequences. To uphold the Vis- 
 conti dignity, D'Auvergne would retire from 
 his Order ; his vows would be annulled by 
 his Holiness ; and in triumph he would 
 wed Beatrix ; while you, as a recreant, 
 should hide your dishonoured head. So 
 much for my explanation. Now, for the 
 satisfaction, receive this brotherly embrace." 
 He embraced De Valois tenderly. 
 
 " Then you, Philip, command that I 
 «hall let my sword of vengeance rust in 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 6l 
 
 my scabbard, while D'Auvergne revels in 
 the arms of her I so madly love; — yea, 
 in despite of her rejection!" 
 
 Taking his hand, the King said, — 
 "I swear, De Valois, that not only 
 D'Auvergne, but the whole confraternity of 
 the Templars, shall be destroyed. Know 
 my secret. I am vowed, with several of 
 the crowned heads of Europe, to work 
 out their annihilation. And it may be 
 termed an act of self-defence; for so 
 rapid has been the Order's prosperity, and 
 power, and wealth, that if some check is 
 not given to the progress of those haughty 
 chiefs, whose grasping ambition keeps pace 
 with their rapid fortunes, the next gene- 
 ration may expect to see the offspring of 
 the Templars' unhallowed love filling the 
 thrones of Europe ; while the descendants 
 of the Valois, of the Guelf, and Ghibeline, 
 act as seneschals to usher them into the lofty 
 halls of their ancestral strongholds." 
 
 "When, then," demanded Valois, sul- 
 lenly, " are these haughty knights to be 
 
62 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 humbled? and what, may I demand, are 
 your plans for their destruction?" 
 
 '* They are such as from which human 
 aid cannot save them," replied Philip, with 
 vivacity. " You must know that, from a spirit 
 of rivalship and envy, the Hospitallers posi- 
 tively hate the Templars ; who in every 
 trial, warlike or civil, bear off the triumph. 
 To account for this, the Hospitallers secretly, 
 in low whisperings, insinuate that the Tem- 
 plars, for this world's greatness, hold converse 
 with evil spirits : practising the unholy 
 rites of paganism and magic, and im- 
 piously trample on their crucifixes" (cross- 
 ing himself,) "that they — " 
 
 " What ! " interrupted De Valois ; " can 
 any mind, except a serf's, be so obtuse as 
 to credit for a moment such a wild, im- 
 probable fiction, — that the soldiers of the 
 Cross, — they who would sacrifice their lives 
 to guard the hallowed sepulchre of their 
 High -Priest, would practise such blas- 
 phemies as idolatry and magic,— accursed 
 both! Forgive me, Eoyal brother, but 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 63 
 
 you seek after a chimera to perfect your 
 revenge, overlooking the breach of vows 
 among the Order, — a tangible error, which 
 can be proved. The Templars pagans, — 
 idolaters, — trampling on the holy symbol 
 of their faith, — no person would believe 
 such nonsense." 
 
 " Credit me," answered Philip ; 6i there 
 is nothing of evil which the heart of man 
 is not capable of imagining, and no slander 
 so great that will not gain belief. Start but 
 an idea, so it be corrupt, and the majority 
 of the people will greedily receive and adopt 
 it, while they are ever tardy in doing justice 
 to superiority of intellect or of virtue. By 
 nature man is corrupt. Our first parent 
 turned from the converse of angels and 
 gave ear to the serpent, whose charm was 
 sin. But enough of this for the present. 
 This evening I shall devote to you, Charles, 
 and then we can calmly discuss this busi- 
 ness ; we have been too hasty as yet on 
 this subject. — By-the-by, have you heard 
 these strange reports of Peter de Beaujeau's 
 mysterious recovery?" 
 
64 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 "Now I remember some whispered in- 
 sinuations, to which, heretofore feeling no 
 particular interest in the Templars, I paid 
 no attention. Pray explain the mystery ; 
 you have aroused my curiosity." 
 
 ''Far as I know this evening you shall 
 learn ; just now I am hurried, as our 
 presence is expected at the Chastelet, to 
 meet a synod of our good, pious prelates, 
 anxious, no doubt, to warm themselves, this 
 sharp weather with its north-easterly, at a 
 good and blessed auto-da-fe of the Jews, 
 whose offence, we opine, was most heinous, — 
 the refusing further supplies of their gold. 
 What say you, De Valois? do you think 
 our ecclesiastics could be severe on the 
 broken vows of chastity to which they 
 likewise are bound ; and, if rumour speak 
 true, rarely, with a few exceptions, observe?" 
 
 " Particularly severe," replied the Count ; 
 "for men are always most severe on the crimes 
 to which they feel disposed. Envy lies at 
 the bottom of their virtuous indignation of 
 enjoyments they covet, but cannot partake." 
 
 " Truly," thought Philip, " we never 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 65 
 
 know ourselves. How self-deceived is the 
 Count ! Well, it is ever thus." 
 
 Their horses were announced. 
 
 M I shall accompany you to the Chastelet," 
 observed De Yalois ; " I want to meet some 
 friends there ; and we can converse over 
 this my business as we proceed. Blessed 
 Saints ! what would not I forfeit to bring 
 forward some charges against the Templars 
 potent enough to let them, in place of the 
 Israelites, feed the flames?" 
 
 " Improve on the wish,'' gaily replied 
 Philip : " to please me, De Valois, both the 
 Jews and their enemies, the Eed - Cross 
 knights, should burn in one holy flame. 
 Blessed Saints ! grant that I may live to 
 see the glorious sight ; and who knows 
 what good Providence has in store for 
 me?" 
 
 Thus conversing, the Royal brothers rode 
 on to the Chastelet. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
66 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ACRE. 
 
 " There the wild Crusaders form, 
 There assembled Europe stands ; 
 Heav'n, they deem, awakes the storm, 
 Hell the Paynim's blood demands." 
 
 Carltle's Poems. 
 
 Some thirteen months have elapsed since 
 the conversation related in our last chapter 
 took place between Philip le Bel and Charles 
 de Valois in the palace of the Louvre, and 
 the scene of our tale shifts to Palestine. 
 
 It was the Christmas of 1290, and the 
 Christian forces had collected in Acre ; and 
 without its walls, to an almost incredible 
 number, were encamped the dark hosts of 
 the Saracen powers. 
 
 Never had the pomp and circumstance 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. Gj 
 
 of war cast a more brilliant veil over its sad 
 realities than at the period of what may be 
 termed the Croisses' last efforts in Syria. 
 To outward seeming all bore the impress of 
 a noble chivalry, exalted by the pious object 
 of defending the Saviour's tomb from un- 
 holv disbelievers, thus doing; honour to His 
 blessed atonement, the staff of faith and of 
 hope to pious Christians. 
 
 The situation of Acre, surrounded by 
 holy places connected with the Crusaders' 
 faith, was in itself an object of profound in- 
 terest, inspiring them with a still more 
 fervent zeal to protect it from infidel power ; 
 and less divine causes taught them to ear- 
 nestly struggle to keep possession of a place 
 replete with natural beauties, embellished 
 by art, and endeared by historic memories. 
 
 It stood in the midst of a wide-spreading 
 fruitful plain, swelling into gentle undula- 
 tions, whose sides, when the season permitted, 
 were rich in wild flowers of various hues ; 
 their delicate perfumes scattered around by 
 southern breezes which fanned the earth, and 
 
68 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 filled the whole space with a fragrance so 
 pure, that it refreshed without depressing 
 the senses. This plain lay to the north and 
 east. At the western extremity rolled the 
 blue waters of the Mediterranean, studded 
 with innumerable vessels, over whose lofty 
 masts proudly waved the pennons of the 
 Croisses ; but more prized, more lovely still, 
 was the southern boundary, with its semi- 
 circular bay extending to Mount Carmel. 
 
 Mount Carmel, what a host of recollec- 
 tions it revives, all connected with sacred 
 history ! Mount Carmel, where Nabal the 
 rich and foolish resided ; and where Heze- 
 kiah, a king, yet delighting in husbandry, 
 pastured his cattle. Mount Carmel, Par- 
 nassus of the Jewish bards, how much of 
 melody do we not owe to your inspirations ! 
 And, amidst thy fruitful shades, those con- 
 versant with coming events sought peace to 
 soothe the sad knowledge of their prophetic 
 spirits. And at the period of which we 
 write, many a hermit found shelter and re- 
 pose beneath its woods or caverns, amidst 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 69 
 
 scenes of violence and fUly dedicating them- 
 selves to their God. 
 
 Acre — the seat of war — was worthy of 
 the fine environs by which it was surrounded, 
 being distinguished among cities by its 
 double wall of defence, its fine aqueducts, 
 noble ports, and stately buildings, over 
 which then majestically waved the broad 
 banners of a hundred kings and chieftains, 
 displaying every order of knighthood apper- 
 taining to Christendom ; while the streets 
 and avenues were crowded by denizens of 
 each land, the effect increased by each being 
 clad in the peculiar costume of his nation. 
 The whole was highly dramatic and im- 
 posing. 
 
 But amidst this gallant show, these gay 
 externals, of a truth Acre was a very pande- 
 monium of fierce passions, pride, emulations, 
 contentions, and dissipation. The ruling 
 chiefs were the greatest aggressors. And 
 their dependants were not slow in following 
 the evil example. 
 
 Of its palaces the most remarkable was 
 the fortified Convent of the Templars, it 
 
70 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 being undoubtedly the most extended build- 
 ing, and best defended stronghold in Acre. 
 No other power could singly compete with 
 the Red-Cross Knights. Near to it stood 
 the cursed tower, in their possession ; and 
 within view rose the Hospital of the Knights 
 of St. John, also well circumstanced for the 
 defence of that celebrated confraternity, and 
 the cause they so piously supported. 
 
 An observatory was situated over the 
 extreme tower of the Templars' stronghold ; 
 thus they commanded a bird's-eye view of 
 the town and the adjacent country for miles 
 around ; and, in despite of their indomitable 
 courage and pride, a prayer to the Virgin 
 for support hovered on their lips, and a 
 quickly-suppressed throb of terror panted in 
 their hearts, as they gazed on the widely- 
 spreading encampment of their oft-insulted 
 foes. To the right, on an exalted elevation, 
 so as to overlook his hosts, rose the gorgeous 
 pavilion of the Sultan Khalil, over which 
 stood out the dazzling crescent, glittering 
 with a thousand gems of inestimable value. 
 Higher again, as if to shade and protect its 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 7^ 
 
 glory, hung the broad, black flag, emble- 
 matical of the death sworn by the stern 
 Mussulman chief to the Christians for many 
 a faithfully-remembered deed of cruelty that 
 they had wantonly perpetrated on the Sara- 
 cens. To the base of the Sultan's pavilion 
 ran circle after circle of tents, adorned ac- 
 cording to their occupiers' degrees of rank ; 
 but over each, however humble, waved the 
 black symbol of Death — death to the 
 
 Croisses ! 
 
 ^p ^? 3? •?<? 
 
 It was Christmas eve, and a large com- 
 pany of the Templars were collected in the 
 refectory of their Convent to enjoy the festive 
 season. Guy d'Auvergne then acted as Grand 
 Master, Peter de Beaujeau being absent ; 
 however, he was expected to arrive within a 
 few days to resume his command. Meantime, 
 as he was severe in his strictness to rules, 
 and morose in his piety, D'Auvergne — being 
 of different views, to the great delight of some 
 of the brothers and the silent disapprobation 
 of others, — amused the period, until " the tug 
 of war * commenced, bv a constant round of 
 
72 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 amusements, such as music, dancing, feast- 
 ings, moralities, mummeries, &c. Nothing 
 beyond this had he countenanced ; and 
 where there was no gross immorality, he 
 saw nothing to condemn ; and haughtily 
 silenced the elders who presumed to preach 
 within his jurisdiction, that such levities 
 were the first footsteps to vice, and that men 
 generally, who indulged too freely in them, 
 slipped down the precipice to destruction. 
 
 It was Christmas eve — early evening — 
 the knights sat in the refectory. It was 
 an extremely large hall, of an oblong form, 
 and displayed rude, barbaric grandeur, in- 
 termingled with Oriental elegance and 
 luxury ; indeed, among the Croisses this 
 heterogeneous style of furnishing continued 
 to prevail for many ages, — the European 
 chiefs preserving, probably from pride, the 
 T-emains of their ancestors' habits and tastes. 
 Tapestry, armour, weapons, were hung 
 against the walls indiscriminately here and 
 there, while other parts remained quite 
 bare, except a torch was stuck against it. 
 
 A table ran up the centre of the hall, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. J3 
 
 leaving at the entrance a space of some 
 thirty feet square for the musicians or 
 dancers, who generally attended on festive 
 occasions to amuse the knights. The upper 
 end of the board formed a large crescent, 
 elevated by three steps ; this was designed 
 for the Grand Master, or the most exalted 
 of the Order ; and in its lights, viands, wines, 
 and perfumes, might have suited the magni- 
 ficent taste and Oriental habits of Khalil 
 the Sultan, remarkable for fastidiousness 
 in all that was refined and splendid. From 
 the horns of the crescent ran down tables 
 for the less - distinguished knights, well 
 loaded with all that was substantial and 
 palatable. Among other usages peculiar to 
 the Templars was, once the company sat 
 down, the dismissal of attendants, who re- 
 mained outside, beyond the possibility of 
 hearing the knights converse, and were 
 only to be summoned by a silver bell, which 
 stood near to the chief of the party. 
 
 On the evening we allude to, Guy 
 d'Auvergne filled the most distinguished 
 place, and with some of the chiefs, was 
 
74 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 indulging more freely than usual with the 
 richly-perfumed wines, to divert the lassi- 
 tude which ever results during unoccupied 
 time to those accustomed to lives of power- 
 ful excitement. A party of Saxon jongleurs 
 had the preceding day arrived in Acre ; for 
 these actors, to promote pleasure, were 
 admitted free access by both Christian and 
 Saracen ; and this very afternoon, the 
 jongleurs had been commanded to attend at 
 the ninth hour, when darkness fell over 
 the city, in the refectory of the Convent, 
 and to keep the appointment secret. It is a 
 curious, though well-authenticated fact, that 
 the secrets of the Templars, which, of neces- 
 sity, must have been known to so many, 
 never became public ; nay, even at the 
 Order's annihilation they w r ere so shrouded 
 in mystery, as even to the present time to 
 leave it a difficult, — nay, impossible task to 
 divide the truth from the fable, as connected 
 with the extraordinary charges brought for- 
 ward against their Christian faith, and fear- 
 fully wicked and absurd idolatries. 
 
 6i Sir Almeric^ exclaimed D'Auvergne 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 7 5 
 
 impatiently, addressing a Templar, who sat 
 at his right side, u how is this ? Full fifteen 
 minutes past nine, and these expected 
 musicians not here ! There must be some 
 cause. They dared not wantonly disobey our 
 command ! Think you that Khalil may have 
 heard of their arrival and summoned them to 
 his amusement? — thus we are disappointed. 
 By the Saints, I shall not patiently submit ! " 
 
 he was rising in anger. 
 
 © © 
 
 " Might I advise," replied Sir Almeric, 
 "a few moments more of patience. Secresy 
 was commanded ; may it not then be that 
 the jongleurs await some favourable mo- 
 ment ; the leader of these jongleurs, I 
 understand, is a person of superior intellect 
 and conduct — quite a marvel, if my inform- 
 ant has not exaggerated ; and then I am 
 
 ©O ' 
 
 told that the beauty of one of the dancers 
 is exceeding. I, for one, shall be disap- 
 pointed if anything occurs to prevent their 
 performing before us." 
 
 ''Hah!" cried D'Auvergne, reseating 
 himself, ''this pleases me ! I, too, have heard 
 some strange reports of this Saxon company. 
 
76 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Oblige me, — Sir Almeric, it will soothe our 
 impatience, — by communicating all }-ou know 
 of them ; and be brief, lest we may be inter- 
 rupted." 
 
 " My knowledge is very meagre on the 
 subject. Undoubtedly, a romance is con- 
 nected with the party of musicians now in 
 Acre, one which to me is interesting. 
 
 " Tradition imputes to these jongleurs a 
 very ancient and noble ancestry. It appears 
 that they trace their origin as far back as to 
 the period when the sons of Constantine the 
 Great commenced their barbarous persecu- 
 tions against paganism ; and, as you may 
 believe, by analogy, the higher the rank of 
 the infidels and the larger their possessions, 
 the more cruelly they were treated. In this 
 dread extremity of a fearful vicissitude, the 
 wretched idolaters of images made by men's 
 hands, to save their lives, fled in all directions, 
 seeking refuge from despotism in distant 
 lands, pertinaciously adhering to their ab- 
 horred rites of paganism, which persecution 
 had confirmed, not conquered. 
 
 64 Thus impoverished, wretched, separated 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 77 
 
 from home, country, and friends, to keep 
 amidst distance and the wide waste of years 
 a knowledge of each other to be handed 
 down from generation to generation, the 
 most learned invented, or, more properly 
 speaking, arranged a number of signs, 
 tokens, and words, by which the fugitives 
 would be able to recognise each other under 
 any circumstances ; and then, by the most 
 solemn obligations, they were bound to sup- 
 port, as far as lay in their power, their fel- 
 low-sufferers of the pagan race ; added to 
 this, profound secresy was demanded. The 
 transgressor either of neglecting relief to 
 those who required it, or of betraying one 
 law of the institutes thus formed, was sub- 
 jected to death, and no escape or relenting. 
 
 " That these obligations, forms, and 
 signs, were pagan and connected with magic, 
 which these idolaters studied as a part of 
 their demoniacal creed, I entertain no doubt," 
 observed Sir Almeric. tc Now, if in place 
 of cruelties and persecution, these sons of 
 Constantine had employed the followers of 
 
78 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Christ to employ reason and lenity, how- 
 different, probably, had been the result ! " 
 
 " Good, Sir Almeric, in theory," gaily 
 replied D' Auvergne ; " but in that case 
 thev should have followed the divine com- 
 mand, * Grant unto Csesar the things that 
 are Csesar's ; ' whereas these ambitious men 
 coveted the broad lands and gilded palaces 
 of the Csesars. Tut, my friend ! though no 
 preacher as thou art, Sir Almeric, still I 
 know, — and credit me, all gay as is my bear- 
 ing, the knowledge is painful — that the fire- 
 brand of religious controversy is far oftener 
 lighted by Christian or heathen for the sake 
 of this world's gain, than for the guerdon of 
 God's grace. Pray Christ assoil our souls !" 
 He kissed his crucifix with enthusiasm, add- 
 ing, " Pray, Sir Almeric, proceed. Know 
 you more of these scattered people ? They 
 awaken curiosity." 
 
 " But little, for closely they preserve the 
 vow of secresy. It is said that these jongleurs 
 now in Acre are the descendants of some of 
 these races, and that they excel to a marvel 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 79 
 
 in palmistry, astrology, and such arts ; and 
 my informer insinuated that this excellence 
 results from magic, and communicating with 
 the Evil One. If so, and their attendance 
 here is discovered, it may lead to unpleasant 
 inferences, and " 
 
 "Hush! hush !" interrupted D'Auvergne, 
 hastily ; " hear you not soft music ? It must 
 be the jongleurs ! See ! they enter. 1 wish, 
 Sir Almeric, you had earlier acquainted me 
 with this report of their dealing in magic ; 
 but it is now too late ; so, in the Saints' 
 name, let us cast aside regrets, and enjoy 
 the passing hour!" 
 
 " Ever so," thought Sir Almeric, " with 
 Guy d'Auvergne, even though he saw the 
 finger of prophecy sign our Order's destruc- 
 tion on the wall. I almost envy his joyous 
 spirit, reckless though he be. Truly, suf- 
 ficient for the day is his practice." 
 
80 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 " Who is the maid with golden hair, 
 With eyes of fire and feet of air, 
 Whose harp around my altar swells, 
 The sweetest of a thousand shells ? " 
 
 Moore. 
 
 " Sure, sure, when man so oft allows 
 Religion's wreath to blind his brows, 
 Weak, wondering woman must believe, 
 When pride and zeal at once deceive ; 
 When flattery takes a holy vest, 
 Oh ! 'tis too much for woman's breast." 
 
 Moore. 
 
 The party of jongleurs, who entered the 
 refectory, were preceded by a remarkably 
 tall woman, of large but not heavy propor- 
 tions. She appeared of middle age, had 
 a particularly fair complexion, and well-cut 
 features, of an expression at once austere 
 and melancholy; her dress was grave and 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 81 
 
 unpretending ; still, her air was so dignified 
 and imposing, that, in despite of her 
 itinerant life, she commanded respect. 
 Among her own people this leader — for 
 such she was — of the Saxon jongleurs, was 
 known by the sobriquet of the " Amazonian," 
 both in consequence of her masculine height, 
 still more for some feats of courage and 
 generalship she had performed in protection 
 of her horde, who perfectly reverenced this 
 their chief or leader — an honour rarely con- 
 ferred on a woman. 
 
 The Amazonian was followed by a party 
 of dancing-girls from Mysore, six in number, 
 and six boys with cymbals and tambours ; 
 also, there were a couple of jugglers to show 
 off sleight-of-hand in tossing balls, tumbling, 
 and such feats. In the wake of these might 
 be observed two figures, who glided into the 
 hall, and then stood unobserved behind one 
 of the pillars near to the entrance. 
 
 After a few forms to render the scene 
 more effective, the boys, with surprising skill, 
 struck up some warlike airs, accompanied 
 by their voices, in celebration of the Croisses' 
 
 VOL. I. G 
 
82 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 conquests over the Saracens. After which, 
 in the space below the festive board, the 
 dancing-girls performed wonders of activity 
 and grace, keeping time to the cymbals and 
 tambours ; and as they rested, the jugglers 
 brought their skill into requisition to please 
 the knights, who loudly applauded and 
 encored, and with their own hands poured 
 forth the richest wines, which, with confec- 
 tions and perfumes, they presented more 
 particularly to the girls of Mysore, to whom 
 several of the chiefs presented gems of value, 
 and princely was the largess poured into the 
 Amazonian's lap. Upon this, being well 
 pleased, she beckoned forward the two 
 figures who heretofore had remained con- 
 cealed, one of these was a tall man, clad 
 in a flowing robe of black ; the other was 
 Freida the Jongleur, and on the in- 
 stant she commanded the fixed attention 
 and admiration of the company. 
 
 Freida was endowed with superior 
 beauty and talents ; and the Amazonian, 
 proud of the loveliness of this her daughter, 
 spared no trouble or expense to show off 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 83 
 
 her person and accomplishments to advan- 
 tage. And on this evening of her appear- 
 ance before the Templars, Freida was at- 
 tired in a fantastic, though somewhat 
 Oriental, style. 
 
 She wore drawers of slight white Persian 
 silk, of immense width, clasped round the 
 delicate ankle by bands of elastic gold, 
 studded with brilliants and emeralds of 
 great price ; over these was thrown a dress 
 of Chios gauze, shading the bosom just 
 swelling into womanhood. A robe of azure 
 Damascus silk was confined to the waist by 
 a zone of gold sparkling with jewels ; and 
 Freida wore bracelets of the same. A circle 
 of orient pearl in the form of a diadem 
 ornamented the head ; from which flowed, 
 nearly to the feet, a profusion of fair waving 
 hair, unconfined by braiding or ornament. 
 This fantastic and splendid dress in some 
 degree resembled that at the period worn 
 by the Almaghs of Egypt, only that of the 
 latter too fully displayed the charms of the 
 wearer ; whereas Freida's was so arranged, 
 that Beatrix, the Christian maid, need not 
 
84 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 have blushed to have worn it before the 
 stern Brothers of St. Bruno, who might 
 have condemned its vanity and extravagance, 
 but not its want of virgin delicacy. 
 
 Freida danced with graceful elegance, 
 accompanying her movements with a tam- 
 bourine of ebony, inlaid with silver and 
 gems ; occasionally she tossed this, with her 
 sandalled foot, on high ; when the tambour- 
 performers caught it, and then she marked 
 time with castanets ; they accompanying her 
 again ; the tambourine spins on high more 
 charming than ever from the throwing back 
 of her head, the dancer catches it, moving 
 with a mixture of playfulness, exquisite 
 grace, and almost childish delight, at the 
 inspirations of the music, and dancing up 
 the path between the narrow tables to the 
 crescent, then moved backwards to the 
 space with equal rapidity and ease. De- 
 scription fails in conveying an idea of the 
 whole scene. 
 
 Yet here there was none of the sur- 
 prising activity and wonderful elasticity of 
 limb sported by the girls from Mysore. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 85 
 
 No ; Freida's movements were as simple as 
 graceful ; but there was a surpassing charm 
 in her classically-formed limbs, in the har- 
 mony of shape, in the full ruby lips where 
 smiles dimpled, the rounded blushing cheeks, 
 in the luxuriant bair, now clouding, then 
 adorning. In short, she was calculated to 
 captivate, yet Freida was well worthy of 
 awakening loftier sentiments than mere per- 
 sonal beauty can ever command. 
 
 Though varied in eifect, this scene 
 awakened emotions in the breasts of the 
 Templars. The old and stern justly dis- 
 approved of this display of female charms. 
 Why should men be thus tempted to break 
 in spirit their vows of abstinence ? Some 
 of the younger but pious brothers, with a 
 prayer to the Virgin, pressed their hands 
 on their cross-hilted weapons, thus to guard 
 them from evil thoughts. Others, again, 
 among whom ranked Sir Almeric, having 
 heard the report that these jongleurs were 
 pagans, viewed Freida's beauty as a gift 
 from the Evil One, and shuddered at the 
 sentiments of admiration they could scarcely 
 
86 FRETDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 control, drawing out for protection their 
 crucifixes. We grieve to say, these pious men 
 were in the minority, and the general feel- 
 ing of the brotherhood was unbounded ad- 
 miration. Woe to them had they been 
 tempted by hope! — slight shield to their 
 virtue had proved their knightly vow, so 
 had prosperity corrupted by its proud in- 
 fluence the once holy confraternity. 
 
 The first rays of the rising morning 
 faintly tinted the horizon ere the jongleurs 
 retired, and for several successive evenings 
 they performed in the refectory, varying the 
 forms of amusement. 
 
 Now of the Templars none admired 
 Freida with the same intensity of passion as 
 the ardent Guy d'Auvergne ; but his truth 
 to Beatrix, his Christian bride, then the 
 mother of a son, his legitimate heir (for 
 his union with Beatrix being countenanced 
 by the Pope was legal), taught him to curb, 
 if he could not conquer, this newly-awakened 
 passion. Still, in his pride, fancying that he 
 could not be tempted to yield against his 
 judgment, D'Auvergne shunned not temp- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 87 
 
 tation. But the Templar soon found that 
 every shield but that of taking up in spirit 
 and in truth the Cross of our redemption to 
 rest upon, is but a bending reed, from which 
 we totter and fall. Woe to D'Auvergne! 
 
 It was to be the last night of the jon- 
 gleurs' performance before the Templars. 
 Next day Peter de Beaujeau was expected to 
 fill his high command. This to the pure in 
 mind was hailed with pleasure ; for the 
 Grand Master was an austere, pious man. 
 However, the gay and dissolute regretted 
 his presence as a check to their pleasures. 
 
 The performance was over ; gifts which 
 royalty would scarcely have presented were 
 given to the jongleurs. As they were retir- 
 ing, the Amazonian drew back her party ; 
 as just outside the Convent one of these 
 broils which frequently disturbed the city's 
 peace was going forward, and she dreaded 
 encountering the combatants. 
 
 " The sun is above the horizon already," 
 whispered Sir Almeric to Guy d'Auvergne ; 
 "it would not do to have these heathens 
 seen departing from our Convent." 
 
88 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 '' True," answered D'Auvergne, throw- 
 ing a large mantle over his armour. " I 
 will protect them beyond the scene of 
 turbulence. Meantime, Sir Almeric, you 
 here await my return." 
 
 Sir Almeric had been mistaken as to 
 time. Night still shrouded all without in 
 a deep starless gloom, favourable to the 
 party's escape. By the side of Freida, Guy 
 d'Auvergne placed himself in the rear, the 
 Amazonian leading the way to their encamp- 
 ment, situated on the boundary of the 
 northern side of a thick grove of palm 
 and olive trees. 
 
 They had passed the combatants, when 
 Freida, who, from the presence of D'Au- 
 vergne, had been trembling with emotion, 
 stumbled and fell, straining her ankle. A 
 slight ejaculation of acute pain burst forth. 
 The remainder of the party had passed on. 
 The Templar raised her tenderly in his 
 arms — she was unequal to walk — and as 
 she clung round his neck for support, words 
 of tenderness, which D'Auvergne could no 
 longer control, burst forth. They were 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 89 
 
 reciprocated by the inexperienced dancer, 
 who had been but too sensible of the Tem- 
 plar's attention. That time there was no 
 explanation. Let us be brief. Night after 
 night, D'Auvergne went secretly to inquire 
 after Freida, Her beauty, her "enius, the 
 refinement of her mind, the wild unsophisti- 
 cated romance of her character, won on his 
 affections to such a degree, that resistance, 
 after so far yielding, was impossible ; and 
 in an evil hour the Templar, reckless of all 
 consequences, demanded Freida the beautiful 
 from her mother, the Amazonian leader of 
 the jongleurs. 
 
 And who is this pagan maid who rivals 
 D'Auvergne's Christian bride, Beatrix Vis- 
 conti, the descendant of princes, in his 
 
 inconstant love ? 
 
 # # # # # 
 
 So far as he had spoken, Sir Almeric 
 was correct in his description of the jong- 
 leurs. And in these performances before 
 the knights, there was neither levity nor 
 want of delicacy, Far from it ; under the 
 Amazonian s austere rule, none of her slaves 
 
90 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 — for such, in point of fact, they were — dare 
 lessen the value of her party by indiscretion. 
 Woe to those who erred ! And dissolute as 
 were the Free Companions, or other knightly 
 orders, they were bound to protect, not 
 insult, a wandering people — outcasts from 
 legal protection. To guard such from per- 
 secution and cruelty was the fundamental 
 point of chivalry. 
 
 Fugitives on the face of the earth, in 
 unity alone they sought support ; the few- 
 ness of their wants in a great degree en- 
 suring independence. Still, none of the 
 jongleurs ventured forth unarmed ; their 
 weapons being disguised under the folds of 
 their garments. Even the youthful Freida 
 wore a dagger. 
 
 The forms of these wanderers were 
 peculiar, and in many respects patriarchal, 
 and for ages had been fixed as those of the 
 Medes and Persians. After their dispersion, 
 they divided into several tribes, each ap- 
 pointing a chief, termed a "leader," who 
 ruled over their company with despotic 
 sway ; and every seven years ambassadors 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 91 
 
 were sent from one tribe to another for the 
 purpose of keeping up their connexion and 
 to amalgamate their interests, but, above all, 
 to preserve an extensive knowledge of lan- 
 guages. For the fugitives were to be found 
 in the frozen regions of Siberia, among the 
 fastnesses of the Alps, and amidst the 
 gloomy forests of Bohemia. Also in Asiatic 
 Turkey and in Egypt ; in short, wherever 
 they could escape the Christians and per- 
 form the dark rites of idolatry. 
 
 It became usual, as time advanced, to 
 specify the particular tribes by calling them 
 after the birth-place of the leaders ; and the 
 Amazonian having been born in Saxony, 
 towards the confines of Hungary, her horde 
 went by the name of the Saxon Jongleurs. 
 As in pursuance of our tale, we shall here- 
 after have to speak more fully of these 
 extraordinary people, we now confine our- 
 selves to what is more particularly connected 
 with the loves of Freida and D'Auvergne. 
 
 The love of offspring, natural to all 
 mothers, rose to an inordinate degree among 
 the hordes. The Amazonian, besides Freida, 
 
92 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 already described, had a son. He was her 
 firstborn and dearest, and Jacques de Lor, so 
 he was called, was subsequently well known 
 during the thirteenth century in France, 
 having been involved in one of the most awful 
 tragedies that Paris — the theatre of so many 
 mighty and terrible events — ever witnessed. 
 At the time of his introduction into the 
 refectory of the Templars, Jacques was about 
 two-and-twenty ; and while Freida was ex- 
 quisitely fair and of delicate proportions, 
 Jacques was almost of Egyptian complexion, 
 and upwards of six feet two, of herculean 
 make, but very thin ; his eyes were deeply set 
 beneath brows of ebon darkness ; and his 
 hair, soft and glossy, fell in a luxuriance 
 equal to Freida's, only with more natural 
 curls. As a boy, Jacques had been deemed 
 good-looking, and was the very idol of the 
 Amazonian ; but for the last three years a 
 change had passed over his spirit. While 
 Freida was resigned to the care of some of 
 the elders of the Saxon tribe, Jacques had 
 accompanied the Amazonian to Said or 
 Upper Egypt, and there left, while she pro- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 93 
 
 ceeded on a more distant journey. Two 
 years elapsed ere her return, when with 
 dread she found that her son, amidst the 
 ruins of Thebes, li the city of a hundred 
 gates," had devoted his time and superior 
 talents to the criminal study of the occult 
 sciences and of magic, instructed in these 
 mysteries by Egyptian gipsies, those who 
 were descended from the pagans who had 
 fled ages back the Christian persecutions 
 of Titus and Vespasian. 
 
 Possessed of common sense, improved by 
 experience, the Amazonian was bitterly, 
 grievously afflicted at her son's pursuit of 
 an illusion — such she termed it — knowledge, 
 that if persisted in, must ultimately lead to 
 his ruin. But vain proved her efforts to 
 wean Jacques from his studies ; they charmed, 
 fascinated, spell-bound him by their wild fan- 
 tasies. Thus disunion sprang up between 
 him and the leader ; the more regretted by 
 her, as except on this one subject he was a 
 person of the most amiable manners, exten- 
 sive information, and pure morality, and 
 
94 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 exalted to a remarkable degree in all that 
 was benevolent and unselfish. 
 
 With Freida's occupations also the Ama- 
 zonian was discontented. We have said 
 that during her long absence she had con- 
 signed the maiden to some of the most 
 respected of the horde. It appeared that 
 for the greater part of the period they had 
 encamped either in Saxony or Franconia, 
 not extending their migrations. Placed 
 amidst the gloomy forests, in which the 
 people pitched their tents, — left by the 
 elders, to whose care she had been consigned, 
 to seek her own amusement, Freida found it 
 in reading works of superior, though ob- 
 solete learning. Among the household gods 
 of the fugitives were two curiously-wrought 
 chests filled with volumes much valued, from 
 their having for ages belonged to the Saxon 
 tribe, who carried them about with their 
 tents. It is remarkable that most of these 
 volumes were either of Jewish origin, or of 
 the first disciples of the Christian Church 
 when Christianity was in its purity, un- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 95 
 
 clouded b} T the strange fantasies with which, 
 according to the fashion of their minds, men 
 have succeeded in obscuring the glorious 
 lights of Gospel truths by disseminating 
 their own opinions. 
 
 Too young and uninformed to extract 
 the wholesome from the deleterious, con- 
 founded by allegories and reasoning too 
 subtle for her understanding, Freida studied 
 for recreation and amusement. Conse- 
 quently, everything of adventure or story 
 seemed most to interest. Her acquaintance 
 with several languages facilitated her pur- 
 suit. Thus she gathered gems of knowledge 
 from every land, sparkles from high Olym- 
 pus ; but, unhappily, like Aladdin in the 
 Eastern tale, unconscious of their value, she 
 felt rather encumbered than profited by the 
 load. Still, as subsequently appeared, some 
 few grains of divine truth fell on her soul, 
 " to bring forth fruit in due season." 
 
 This child of study had neglected the 
 accomplishments of music and dancing, the 
 principal means of supporting the tribe, 
 therefore was the Amazonian displeased. 
 
96 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 However, Freida applied herself with such 
 industry to acquire this knowledge, that she 
 succeeded so far as to charm the Templar 
 D'Auvergne, who, as already related, de- 
 manded her from the Amazonian. 
 
 This demand was received by the Saxon 
 leader with sincere regret and terror. Well 
 she understood that, however courteously 
 spoken, the demand was imperative. There 
 was almost despair in her heart as she re- 
 quested a few days of consideration from the 
 Templar. 
 
 " Be it so," he haughtily repeated. 
 " Two days I grant : my love is impatient." 
 
 When the proposal was explained to 
 Freida, only just entering on her sixteenth 
 year, blushingly she received it in the simple 
 truthfulness of her inexperience, admitting 
 that she loved, — tenderly loved, the Templar. 
 Jacques de Lor, — who had ever pitied his 
 sister, whom he loved with the most sincere 
 affection, for the harsh severity the Ama- 
 zonian showed in not permitting her to 
 enjoy the solitary pleasure of reading, — sided 
 with Freida's wishes ; thus the Amazonian 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 97 
 
 was compelled to consent, although with 
 the prescience of experience she foresaw 
 much misery to the girl who placed her 
 happiness on a Christian knight, one who 
 at the call of passion could sacrifice his 
 Order's vow, and outrage all the feelings 
 and customs of his creed and country. 
 
 On one point the Amazonian would not 
 yield, though death to all should result. 
 Except D'Auvergne wedded Freida by the 
 simple but binding forms of the fugitive 
 tribes, she should not be his. Here, happily, 
 both Jacques and Freida entered into the 
 Amazonian's views, the latter declaring, that 
 dear as was the Templar, she would not 
 sacrifice her honour on the altar of Love. 
 
 When first learning of this, the Templar 
 drew back with horror ; but he had loosened 
 the reins of his passions, and they now mas- 
 tered his reason and interests. Still there 
 was a struggle. He used all his seductions 
 to win Freida upon his own terms ; her 
 virtue and fixedness of purpose, even in such 
 early youth, were unconquerable. He en- 
 treated, she pleaded and caressed. The 
 
 VOL. i. h 
 
98 FRE1DA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 conquest was hers, and they were mar- 
 ried. 
 
 Having once consented to what in his 
 soul he considered a matter, after all, of no 
 importance, as no tie with a pagan and a 
 fugitive could be imposing, and smothering 
 the voice of conscience at thus outraging his 
 duty to God and to his beloved Beatrix, — for 
 beloved she was even in the face of gross 
 infidelity, — besides, she was the mother of 
 his heir, — the Templar, with the haughty 
 recklessness of his nature, and of a position 
 so exalted that it gave him courage to tram- 
 ple on all sacred or worldly institutions which 
 interfered with his pleasure ; and such was 
 his overweening pride — it was the stumbling- 
 block, this pride, of his Order — that except 
 for some twitches of conscience relative to 
 Beatrix, — he had treated the formality of a 
 marriage with the dancing-girl as a mere 
 badinage. 
 
 Jacques de Lor performed the ceremony 
 with a fervour and solemnity equal to a 
 Christian priest after the jongleur fashion ; 
 thus all the scruples of Freida were satisfied. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 99 
 
 Passionately D'Auvergne pressed his beauti- 
 ful prize to his bosom ; then cast round her 
 neck a chain of massy gold, to which was 
 suspended a Templar's cross of inestimable 
 rubies, and worthy of his pride and magnifi- 
 cence was the largess presented to the Ama- 
 zonian. Jacques, the enthusiast, declined 
 presents valueless to him, all but the pursuit 
 of the occult science. 
 
 Preparatory to the ceremony all had 
 been arranged for Freida to accompany the 
 Templar, in the character of his page, to 
 the Convent. The times admitted a freedom 
 of dress, according to fancy ; thus Freida, 
 without arousing observation, might keep 
 down a visor attached to her page's head-gear; 
 then the width of her loose trousers, and 
 the length of her tunic, and an outer mantle, 
 rendered the attire perfectly modest, and, 
 indeed, feminine. Her being an admirable 
 horsewoman, and speaking the French lan- 
 guage with the purity of a native, aided the 
 deception. Probably Sir Almeric, and some 
 others of the knights, might have their sus- 
 picions of the favoured page ; this is but a 
 suggestion ; if so the manners of the Tern- 
 
100 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 plars, as a body, were too dissolute to be out- 
 raged at a breach of morality ; and Peter 
 de Beaujeau and the others of the company 
 who were true to their holy vows, were, 
 through their very purity, easily deceived. 
 Virtuous themselves, they suspected not 
 others of gross sin. 
 
 The Amazonian was an austere, exact- 
 ing parent and leader ; still, so just in her 
 authority, and so truthful, that all of the 
 horde respected, and many sincerely loved 
 her. 
 
 The parting of Freida from the leader 
 and the wandering people, whose habits 
 were hers, and who tenderly loved this 
 beautiful young scion of their wild race, 
 was affecting; but dearer, more regretted 
 than all by Freida, was her brother Jacques. 
 From infancy he had been so kind, so 
 tender, so supporting to her; and within 
 the last week, preparatory to their separa- 
 tion, it might be for ever, he had initiated 
 her into the mysteries and solemn secrets of 
 the jongleur horde, — a knowledge rarely 
 communicated to women, and never before to 
 one so young as Freida ; but De Lor fondly 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 101 
 
 loved his sister, and foresaw that the know- 
 ledge he imparted might yet prove a shield 
 in the hour of danger ; and to such, alas ! 
 her union with one of the Christian knights, 
 the enemies and persecutors of the jongleur 
 people, must expose her. 
 
 They parted. Alas ! how sad these 
 partings from the associations of early life ! 
 They parted ; Freida to accompany her Red- 
 Cross knight, — to whom her resistance of his 
 looser proposals, and the sensibility she dis- 
 played, proved how dearly she must love 
 him ; for well he knew that the gauds or 
 distinctions of civilised life formed no part, 
 not an iota, in the happiness of the young 
 jongleur, — so he bore her to the Convent. 
 And on the following morning, from its 
 tower of observation, the Templar's bride 
 beheld the departure of the horde for north- 
 ern Europe. Ah! this was a heavy grief: 
 sighs burst forth ; tears flowed over the soft 
 cheeks ; but he, the adored, pressed her to 
 his bosom, and then and for ever after she 
 loved him, with the inflexible constancy 
 and the heroic sentiments for which the 
 
102 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 women of Saxony have ever been so dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 But where is Beatrix ? what of her ? 
 
 Beatrix, the constant, devoted bride of 
 the reckless Templar, — she who had re- 
 jected De Valois, and the crown of Saxony, 
 and the rule of France, for D'Auvergne, — 
 unceasingly regretted her husband's absence; 
 and, next to God, he was enshrined in her 
 heart ; and the present was lost, had be- 
 come a blank, in calculating the probable 
 period of his return. True, the knight 
 dared not as yet claim her as his bride, 
 still, the Church had by its highest priest 
 sanctioned their union ; thus delicacy, pro- 
 priety, and faith, were satisfied, in her true 
 and gentle bosom. 
 
 Some five months after her knight's 
 departure for Syria she had given birth 
 to a son in the retired cell she occupied ; 
 and Nicholas, then in Avignon, his palace 
 being near unto the convent in which 
 Beatrix resided, had secretly christened 
 the babe, calling it Rhodolph, after his 
 grandsire. The Pope, an amiable, benevolent 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. * 103 
 
 man, though in some respects of a peculiar 
 cast of thought, felt interested in the gentle 
 and pious Beatrix : for his Holiness knew 
 the Templars well ; woe to the bride of 
 him who lightly breaks his holy vows, 
 
 for human ties cannot bind him ! 
 
 # # # # 
 
 By a singular coincidence, on the very 
 evening D'Auvergne pledged his vows to 
 the beautiful pagan, Beatrix — it being the 
 Christmas blessed season — knelt at the Vir- 
 gin's shrine ; her babe was then some six 
 months old. In its infant, still for the 
 age muscular, hands, she had placed a 
 small crucifix, which it impulsively grasped, 
 then, holding him as high as her arms could 
 reach, the devoted wife offered up her fer- 
 vent prayers to the blessed saints for pro- 
 tection of her knight, — that dear child's 
 father, — amidst the strife and danger of 
 battle ; and that babe, too, could it under- 
 stand, would have prayed. And this was 
 Beatrix's nightly occupation ; her pure soul, 
 untainted and unclouded by one suspicion 
 of her betrotbed's infidelity, — she knew not 
 that such Vice existed. 
 
104 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 "Par sainte Marie, si belle creature ne vis je 
 concque, en ma vie. Je crois que c'est un ange du 
 ciel, ou une seraine de mer. Je crois que homme 
 n'engendra si belle creature." — La Fleur de Batailles. 
 
 Among the adventurous who crowded to 
 Acre was De Valois' squire, — he who had 
 acted as a spy to discover the secrets of 
 Beatrix. 
 
 Gaultier's maternal uncle having been 
 appointed legate to his Holiness, had taken 
 his nephew with him to Palestine ; and 
 to this promotion of his favourite, De Valois 
 offered no objection ; on the contrary, acted 
 liberally towards him. 
 
 It was now late in the April of 1291, 
 and the weather, as might at that season 
 be expected, was soft and fine. About 
 four in the afternoon, Gaul tier was riding 
 
FRETDA THE JONGLEUR. 105 
 
 down by the bay, having for the last hour 
 been engaged in prayer at the Chapel of 
 St. Peter in the neighbourhood of Mount 
 Carmel, — for ere leaving Europe, Gaultier 
 had been ordained by his uncle, preparatory 
 to fleshing his maiden sword in Palestine, as 
 ^a warrior-priest. 
 
 He rode slowly, to enjoy the luxurious 
 atmosphere, and to admire the effect of a 
 band of Templars seen in the distance as 
 they rode through a path of the adjacent 
 fields ; their floating pennons and gleaming 
 arms looked so warlike, just to Gaul tier's 
 taste, when suddenly the gallant charger on 
 which he was mounted, li snuffing the battle/' 
 pricked up its ears, and tossed its mane, im- 
 patiently neighing, for on the instant the 
 loud clash of the Moslems' arms was heard, 
 accompanied by the trumpet sound of the 
 Templars' well-known war-call. 
 
 There was scarcely a day that some 
 skirmish did not occur between the Chris- 
 tians and their dark foes. Of course Gaul- 
 tier experienced no surprise ; still to rush 
 forward to the fray seemed the mutual im- 
 
106 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 pulse of himself and steed. Such was the 
 rapid pace of the latter, that they soon 
 reached a thick grove of olive-trees, and 
 beheld a few of the attendants of the Tem- 
 plars, very lightly defended, attacked by a 
 number of Moslems, armed cap-d-pie. 
 
 Gaultier's presence was fortunate ; it 
 renewed the courage of the Christians, while 
 depressing that of the assailants, each party 
 supposing that he would be followed by a 
 band of warriors. 
 
 While the young priest dealt about his 
 sturdy strokes — for he was a skilful swords- 
 man — suddenly a youth in page's attire, 
 and mounted on a cream-coloured palfrey, 
 grasped his arm, and addressing him in 
 French with almost whispered words, said, 
 "For the sake of your knightly vows, Sir 
 Christian, assist me, the weakest, most de- 
 fenceless of the party ! here by a foolish 
 frolic, I, a lady, unable to protect myself, 
 am in great danger. Nay, hesitate not, Sir 
 Knight ! see you at short distance the cloud 
 of dust rising in the northern direction ;• it 
 is a band of the fierce Templars roused by 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 107 
 
 their trumpet-call ! Oh, in mercy, aid my 
 escape ; else see me rush on the scimeters 
 of the foe, better than brave the Templars' 
 anger ! See ! see ! the band advances ! " 
 
 It was so. No longer hesitating to 
 obey the gentle, energetic tones imploringly 
 addressing him, Gaultier caught hold of 
 the palfrey's reins with his left hand, his 
 right wielding a broad sword around ; and 
 in this fashion, with a sudden twist of the 
 well-trained steeds, dashed by the foe, re- 
 ceiving one or two gashes in the struggle ; 
 and then, at the top of their speed, they 
 pursued the way by the shores of the Medi- 
 terranean to Acre, nor paused until, having 
 approached the town, the steeds stopped to 
 take breath. 
 
 " Here," said the page, gently, " we are 
 free from clanger." 
 
 " I proved a caitiff," sighed Gaultier, 
 dejectedly, " to desert the Christians in ex- 
 tremity." 
 
 c< Not so," answered the page ; " know- 
 ing my sex, and that I was the weakest, 
 your vow commanded it ; and fear not the 
 
108 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 result, for the Templars, who were returning 
 from their devotions, answered their party's 
 trum pet-call.' ' 
 
 Woe for the Moslems ! for in warfare 
 the Red-Cross Knights know no mercy. 
 
 As she spoke, Gaultier, pleased at the 
 adventure, examined her person attentively. 
 The face was covered by a visor, carefully 
 fastened to a cap of velours, — but her form 
 was exquisitely graceful. Slight and elegant 
 in its proportions, and clad in the usual 
 dress of a page, only there was less em- 
 broidery and ornament ; but a chain of 
 massive gold was thrown round the neck, 
 and i to it was suspended a ruby cross of 
 exceeding lustre. He was started from his 
 contemplation by her exclaiming, — 
 
 " Sir Priest, receive my thanks. You 
 have acted gallantly, generously, by me ! 
 saved me from a danger heavier than death ! 
 Farewell! and, Sir Priest, — I know you to 
 be such, having often seen you in the train 
 of the Legate, — now, by the Saints you 
 Christians worship, promise not to betray 
 the adventure which has introduced us to 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 109 
 
 one another : to you it would be idle talk, 
 and to me bring woe ! Farewell ! " 
 
 " Nay ! " he exclaimed, grasping the pal- 
 frey's bridle, " we part not thus. If I have 
 been so blessed as to serve you," then he 
 added playfully, " as a good knight, I am 
 entitled to a fair lady's favour, — come, say 
 who you are ? when we may next meet ? 
 and let me gaze on the face and lips from 
 which accents so melodious have flowed!" 
 
 "You ask small guerdon," she replied, 
 " for my deliverance ; but yonder, at short 
 distance, rise the towers of strength, which 
 mark the fortress of the Templars. Within 
 its holy walls I am protected ; and woe to 
 you, Sir Priest, and still more to me, if even 
 this, our light converse, should transpire to 
 rouse my protector's fierce jealousy; and 
 yet it needeth not, for my all of love, of 
 hope, is concentrated in him. Nay, Sir 
 Priest, reproach me not ! Mark ! should 
 circumstances require my aid, and in these 
 turbulent times, the enemy within view, it 
 is hard to say who will prove the strongest 
 
110 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 or the weakest — then shall I not fail to 
 repay kindness. It is the law of my people 
 to be grateful to those who have served 
 them, and equally unrelenting in vengeance 
 to their offenders. Again, I say, farewell ! " 
 
 She gently shook the palfrey's bridle ; it 
 advanced a few steps forward, but still hold- 
 ing the rein, Gaultier drew it back. 
 
 " At least," he imploringly said, " let 
 me view the countenance of her I have up- 
 held ; for the present I ask no more." 
 
 In a sportive, coquettish manner, she 
 raised the cap of velours with its visor, 
 waved it in the air, while Gaultier gazed 
 with surprised admiration on a beauty far 
 exceeding any he had even conceived. 
 Amused at his evident abstraction, in which 
 he had let go the bridle, she smartly struck 
 the palfrey ; it bounded forward to the for- 
 tress quickly, and she sounded the horn 
 which hung outside ; the portals flew open, 
 and the next moment closed on the lovely 
 Freida. Gaultier, who had followed, though 
 not in time to overtake, heard her playful, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. Ill 
 
 girlish laugh. Now, the whole of this scene 
 had occupied little more than an hour ; 
 still, for life, it remained impressed on 
 Gaultier's mind, influencing his future des- 
 tiny, and leading to some of the most im- 
 portant events in the history of France. 
 
112 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " Grief, Sorrow, Pain, Cruelty, and Fear, 
 Ran shrieking on all sides ; and you might see 
 Death the Destroyer stride from van to rear 
 In thousand guises, but cheering those that flee ; 
 Conquering the brave ; and with bloody sea 
 Billowing the ground." — Wiffin's Tasso. 
 
 On the afternoon of Gaul tier's meeting with 
 Freida, Acre had worn its usual appearance 
 of warlike preparations, internal contentions 
 among the chiefs, and dissolute pleasures 
 extending to every grade of society. It sub- 
 sequently appeared that during the skirmish, 
 from whose violence Freida had escaped, the 
 Christians having, by the timely assistance 
 of the Templars, been conquerors, in the 
 flush of victory and the spirit of party, prac- 
 tised great cruelties over the Saracens, and 
 this new act of the oft -repeated insults 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 113 
 
 roused Khalil to such fury, that on the pre- 
 ceding day he regularly commenced to be- 
 siege Acre, fiercely announcing his intention 
 by the loud clangour of trumpets and brazen 
 drums, sounding the knell of death to tens 
 of thousands. 
 
 Roused by the warlike sound to a sense 
 of danger, in this hour of tribulation bitterly 
 execrating the petty divisions and jealousies 
 which heretofore had separated, and of ne- 
 cessity weakened, the Christian power, the 
 seventeen royal chiefs then ruling in Acre 
 hastily met, a general council was sum- 
 moned, war proclaimed, and all that wisdom 
 could suggest, to aid the holy blessed cause 
 over which the Cross waved, was put into 
 requisition to obtain conquest. 
 
 " Our hope is in God ! " simultaneously 
 exclaimed the warriors. " Still Khalil is 
 the first Saracen general of the age, — his 
 power immeasurable, and his troops un- 
 countable ! " 
 
 Then the chiefs embraced, — a holy sa- 
 crament was enjoined, and at it each so- 
 
 VOL. I. I 
 
114 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 lemnly vowed to perish ere the Crescent of 
 the unbelievers should fill the place of the 
 Standard of the Labarum. And from this 
 the different powers of Christendom com- 
 bined their forces, all the petty passions 
 which had before influenced them vanished, 
 and were only remembered with shame and 
 regret at the contemptible weakness. 
 
 Alas ! for the Christians, their repent- 
 ance and unity had come too late. Their 
 vices of profligacy, injustice, and cruelty, de- 
 manded retribution, and the Sultan Khalil 
 was the appointed Avenger. Undoubt- 
 edly, among the Christians in Palestine, 
 many truly pious, believing men were to be 
 found : they were in the minority. It is one 
 of the mysteries of Him, inscrutable in his 
 wisdom, that the innocent oft suffer for the 
 guilty. 
 
 It belongs not to our purpose to describe 
 the particulars of a siege recounted in cha- 
 racters of blood and fire in history's most 
 important pages. And of its grave facts we 
 shall only touch on those particulars imme- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 115 
 
 diatelv connected with the events of our 
 
 tale. 
 
 # * * # 
 
 Urged on by every motive that can in- 
 fluence man, the courage of the Christians 
 amounted to enthusiasm, before whose in- 
 spirations human life was not a grain of 
 dust in the balance when weighed against 
 conquest ; and for three -and -thirty days 
 they guarded the town with a skill and 
 courage which, in its details of strength, 
 knowledge of their weapons, and self-sacri- 
 fice, positively appear fabulous. Yet genius 
 fails when it would fully describe the un- 
 adorned facts of that terrible siege. 
 
 The strength of the Moslem forces con- 
 sisted of sixty thousand horse, and upwards 
 of one hundred thousand infantry, all well 
 trained to arms. Independent of this the 
 Saracens possessed several engines of de- 
 struction, and were perfect in their uses and 
 power. And by means of these, on the 
 thirty-third day, the double wall of the city 
 was forced, and its principal tower gained bv 
 the enemy. Then, indeed, commenced the 
 
116 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 fearful a tug of war, when foe met foe in 
 deadly embrace." 
 
 And now it would seem as if but one 
 spirit animated the Christian heroes. Vain 
 the unity of purpose, — for Khalil, politic as 
 courageous, gave a fresh impetus to his men 
 by leading them up a height* formed by the 
 lifeless corpses of their late companions-in- 
 arms, until they became more like ravening 
 wolves than human beings. We drop a 
 curtain over such descriptions. The Sara- 
 cens took possession of Acre. 
 
 Even in this hopeless extremity, for 
 three days the Templars defended their Con- 
 vent, until of the most gallant band of 
 knights that Europe ever boasted but ten 
 of five hundred escaped the general carnage ; 
 and these ten, attended by their Grand 
 Master, Peter de Beaujeau, collected beneath 
 the battlements of the cursed tower, which 
 they nightly repaired with their own hands ; 
 it was the last stronghold left to the Christ- 
 ians. Unhappily, on the third evening, an 
 arrow shot through the heart of the Grand 
 Master, also part of the tower fell in. Now, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 117 
 
 indeed, the most sanguine felt there was no 
 hope. The infidels must triumph. Acre 
 was lost. 
 
 The first division which had yielded to 
 the enemy were the Italian troops, headed 
 by the Pope's legate, among them Gaultier, 
 who had a conlmand, distinguished himself. 
 Finding that his party were defeated, he at 
 once volunteered to join the Templars, who 
 readily accepted his offer, appointing him 
 to a command of importance. And it so 
 chanced that at the period of the Grand 
 Master's wound, unaware that it was mortal, 
 Gaultier gallantly protected the prostrate 
 form from further injury, until he received 
 several spear-wounds, his senses failed, he 
 fell over the body of Peter de Beaujeau soon 
 after, and others rolled over his ; but he 
 was at that period unconscious, even though 
 the din of battle had reached its highest 
 point and its horrors assumed a more ter- 
 rible aspect. The Saracens were undoubted 
 conquerors, announced by demoniacal yells, 
 followed up by barbarous cruelties. 
 
 The defeated, humbled, scattered Christ- 
 
118 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 ians, in despair now clung to life, and wildly 
 sped towards the Mediterranean, where their 
 ships lay at anchor. Sounding trumpets, 
 beating drums, yelling, boasting, triumph- 
 ing, their dark foes pursued ; and soon the 
 quarter near the Templars' stronghold, so 
 lately the scene of the battle, was deserted, 
 and darkness prevailed over the scene, oc- 
 casionally brightened by flashes of lightning, 
 or the lurid flames rising from some burning 
 fortress, casting the ghastly forms of the 
 dying and the dead into terrible relief; and 
 their throes of agony alone, during the hush 
 of the storm, broke on the scene. 
 
 And now, amidst the partial darkness, 
 a long train of nuns is seen ; they come, like 
 ministering spirits, to soothe the afflicted ; 
 and, as they raise their rich, clear, melodi- 
 ous voices, to chant forth the hymn, — 
 
 " Jesus, Lord, repair our losse, 
 Restore to us the holy Crosse," 
 
 thev seemed to the wounded a choir of 
 angels ; and hopes, blessed hopes of eternity, 
 were awakened in hearts which, it may be, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 119 
 
 previously dared to murmur at the decrees 
 of Providence. Oh! it was joy, rapture in 
 the awful hour of death ! — death in the cold, 
 cheerless, bloody field of battle, of murder, 
 and of strife, to hear the voice of prayer, to 
 feel woman's soft hands dress their wounds, 
 to recline on her bosom as she moistens the 
 parched lips which before had franticly 
 groaned for one drop to check the quenching 
 thirst ; for these blessed women had scattered 
 themselves through the place assisting and 
 comforting the victims of unsanctified am- 
 bition or of mistaken zeal ! 
 
 These true Sisters of Charity were in 
 the remotest direction from Gaultier, whose 
 senses had returned, but, from the loss of 
 blood, he had not strength to disengage 
 himself from a corse pressing on his chest ; 
 and still, with agony, just near he beheld 
 the cursed tower, shaken by the wind, every 
 moment threatening to fall and bury him 
 beneath its ruins. More fearful still, the 
 conflagration lighted by the Moslems came 
 crackling and hissing towards him ; his 
 frantic cries for help were lost in the roaring 
 
120 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 of a storm, accompanied by flashes of light- 
 ning and repeated claps of thunder, vain 
 would imagination attempt to depict a scene 
 of such combined horrors and dangers. 
 
 " Son of God ! " groaned Gaultier, grasp- 
 ing his crucifix, a aid me in this extremity!" 
 
 With this prayer and a violent effort, he 
 succeeded in dashing off the corse, sprang 
 to his feet, made a rush of some hundred 
 paces — staggered — fell ! There was a loud 
 crash ; the tower had partly fallen, ex- 
 tinguishing beneath its huge stones the fire, 
 — then all was darkness. 
 
 And now Gaultier distinguished the 
 clatter of horses' hoofs, and through the 
 gloom some object glitters. The embers 
 seem to have been stirred up ; a light again 
 spreads over the field of blood ; a fan- 
 tastically- attired form stands by him. 
 
 Surprise at the strange appearance, and 
 fearful superstitions, oppress Gaultier. An- 
 other moment, and, despite of weakness and 
 the grief of defeat, a sentiment of rapture 
 glows through his veins, for the well-remem- 
 bered voice of the lady-page he had rescued 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 121 
 
 from the Saracens fell in tender accents on 
 his ear, as she exclaimed, — 
 
 " Sir Priest, happy was the chance which 
 led me here, through the contending elements 
 of this fearful night, over which Ate seems 
 to reign! Your cries of despair reached 
 me, and in pity I rode forward to yield relief, 
 little suspecting that it was the gallant youth 
 to whom I owed escape from a danger more 
 dreadful than death !" 
 
 Thus speaking, she clapped her hands ; 
 then two Aleppines, clad in loose gambezoons, 
 approached. Freida (for it was the jongleur) 
 addressed them in Arabic. In obedience to 
 her command, Gaultier was raised ; his 
 wounds, into -which some sweet-smelling 
 balsam was poured, bound up, and a reviving 
 draught presented. All this time, though 
 soothed by the attention, and though Freida 
 in her beauty stood near, he kept his eyes 
 closed to shut out the ghastly forms of his 
 late gallant comrades scattered around. 
 
 "How feel you now, Sir Priest?" in- 
 quired the soft voice of Freida, in French. 
 
122 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 "Have you strength enough to mount my 
 palfrey and keep your seat ? Zineb is met- 
 tlesome, and of stubborn humour, but I can 
 sit before and guide her paces. Pray be 
 quick ! every moment I tremble lest these 
 vengeful Mamelukes may return to this 
 quarter and put us to the sword ! " 
 
 On this Gaultier attempted to rise, but 
 overcome by weakness, fell back. 
 
 Then again Freida addressed the Alep- 
 pines in Arabic, who placed him on the 
 steed, and, in despite of his disapprobation, 
 bound him. Quite necessary, for he stag- 
 gered about from exhaustion like a drunken 
 man. 
 
 " Rest against me, Sir Priest," cried 
 Freida, as, gathering up the reins, she lightly 
 bounded up, seating herself almost on the 
 proudly-arched neck of Zineb, which she 
 addressed and patted as if it was capable of 
 understanding. u We must move slowly, 
 cautiously," she sighed, " not to trample on 
 these sad forms. Observe how tender the 
 instincts of this palfrey, how she picks her 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 123 
 
 steps. I tell you, Sir Priest, man is more 
 cruel and blood-thirsty than the brutes of 
 the field. This city of crime and cruelty 
 proves my assertion to be true." 
 
 Ten minutes might have elapsed since 
 Gaultier mounted ; the fires had again died 
 away ; a wild, sweeping storm, which, in its 
 force, was wrecking the vessels in which the 
 Christian fugitives attempted their escape, 
 hurling hundreds into the devouring deep. 
 It seemed as if an avenging God, in retribu- 
 tion of the crimes by w r hich the Croisses had 
 insulted Him whose sepulchre they offered 
 to protect, poured forth the full vial of his 
 wrath ! • 
 
 Onward rushed the wind, levelling all 
 that obstructed its course ; and, just as the 
 palfrey reached the Hospital of the Knights 
 of St. John, its last tower shaking and sway- 
 ing in the storm, seemed on the point of 
 falling. To escape from its crash, out darted 
 some of the knights ; while Zineb, terrified 
 by the bright flashes of continued forked 
 lightning, instinctively paused. The strange 
 sight which now met the knights' view by 
 
124 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 awakening unearthly fears, rendered them 
 insensible to real danger. Sinking on their 
 knees, and uplifting their cross -handled 
 swords, they chanted forth the Ora pro nobis 
 in sonorous voices. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 1&5 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Art thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn'd?" 
 
 Shakspere. 
 
 The appearance which thus affected the 
 Knights of St. John, though simple in 
 description, in effect undoubtedly seemed 
 strange and mysterious. 
 
 Amidst the reigning horrors Freida had 
 ridden forth in a dancing costume, — the 
 most superb in her possession, — merely 
 casting over it a dark mantle, studded 
 with a crescent and stars, to be worn on 
 dramatic occasions when she personated 
 Night. The breeze had spread the robe 
 to its full extent; while the steed was 
 shaded behind a heap of ruins, and to 
 gain a bird's-eye view of the field, so as 
 
126 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 to guide her way, Freida (a perfect eques- 
 trian) stood on the palfrey, her beauty 
 gleaming forth in renewed lustre, from the 
 flush of excitement and anxiety. Against 
 her was just distinguishable the ghastly 
 face of the Legate's nephew, well known 
 in Acre, and who had been seen by 
 hundreds to fall dead (so it was believed), 
 as he boldly shielded the remains of the 
 Grand Master of the Templars from the 
 infidel Saracens. 
 
 " Holy Saints, assoil our suffering 
 souls!" shouted the knights. "What is 
 this we behold? — yes, it is Gaultier, the 
 Legate's nephew ; — there is no mistaking. 
 God have mercy! — Holy Virgin, in pity 
 inspire us with the knowledge whether it 
 be a spirit of light or of evil which now 
 wafts him to the final goal of the blessed 
 or accursed?" They shuddered, elevated 
 still higher the cross - handled weapons, 
 and louder sang out the Ora pro nobis. 
 
 Though weak to exhaustion, witnessing 
 this, Gaultier struggled like a netted lion 
 to get free ; passionately exclaiming, — 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 127 
 
 " Page — lady — angel — demon — what- 
 ever thou art, I pray release me ! " 
 
 Ere she could reply a party of Saracens, 
 who lay in ambush, pounced on the terror- 
 stricken knights, and, ere aroused to their 
 position, two of the five were killed ; the 
 remaining three defended themselves with 
 the desperation of despair, but of the result 
 Gaultier was no witness ; for, aware that 
 the next attack of the Moslems would be on 
 her party, Freida cautiously guided the pal- 
 frey until she had cleared the rubbish, — no 
 time now to venerate the dead, — so onward 
 she hurried, from her standing attitude and 
 the fires discerning her way until she entered 
 an avenue leading to the bay, then resuming 
 her seat, loosing the reins, and giving a light 
 touch to the Arab steed, it dashed on with 
 almost incredible swiftness, and soon the city 
 was far behind. 
 
 Full of indefinable terrors, Gaultier had 
 thrust his hand into his bosom, grasping his 
 crucifix, and, on losing sight of the Knights 
 of St. John, so great was his discomfiture 
 that he had fainted. He was slowly re- 
 
128 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 viving from the fresh breezes of the bay 
 wafting over him, when Freida stopped, 
 and drawing forth a bottle, obliged him 
 to swallow some drops. 
 
 Shrinking back, he uttered, — " Forgive 
 me, but terrible surmises arise ; say, who 
 and what art thou before whom the gallant 
 Knights of St. John trembled?" 
 
 " Drink without fear," was the reply. 
 " She who has saved your life is mortal. 
 Cast off then these wild fears, and raise 
 your heart to Him you Christians worship 
 in thanksgiving for your escape from ac- 
 cumulated dangers ; for, learn, that of 
 your hapless armies, of those who escaped 
 the Moslem's sword, hundreds perished 
 within the roaring waves of the deep. 
 Priest, it seems to me that your meek 
 but just God, provoked at having his 
 pure altars polluted by crime, raised in 
 retributive justice this terrible storm." 
 
 Abashed, confounded, wondering, he 
 made no reply ; atfd onward they pro- 
 ceeded at a rather slow pace until they 
 reached Mount Carmel. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 129 
 
 Freida, who seemed well acquainted 
 with the place, drew up to a little knoll 
 embowered with olive and myrtle trees, 
 while the verdant sward was enamelled 
 with violets and hyacinths, raising their 
 humble blossoms amidst crowds of roses. 
 After the fatigues, fires, and horrors of 
 Acre, it seemed a perfect paradise, redo- 
 lent of perfumes ; while a thousand birds, 
 rejoicing in the morning — heaven's Own light, 
 — and in the calm — for the storm had passed 
 away,— filled the air with notes of>harmony. 
 # # # # 
 
 Zenib was left to feed on the herbage ; 
 Gaultier reclined against a tall, growing pop- 
 lar; and Freida's elastic spirit, yielding to 
 the charms around, became cheerful and 
 communicative ; and to Gaultier's anxious 
 inquiries for an explanation gaily replied, — 
 
 "So, Sir Priest, you still tremble in 
 doubts whether your preserver is a woman 
 or a demon ? According to your creed, 
 were I the latter I dare not venture within 
 this holy place ; and know, beyond this 
 spot, the terminus marked by my Templar, 
 
 VOL. I. K 
 
130 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 I presume not to go. Now, attend, as it 
 concerns your safety. 
 
 "You already know that I am under 
 a Templar's protection. And, probably 
 in penance for his love to me a pagan," — 
 ( Gaultier started, sh uddered, ) — ' ' he frequent- 
 ly rode here on his way to St. Peter's chapel, 
 or to visit a holy pilgrim ; and, as I accom- 
 panied his rides, this was our trysting-place, 
 for the pious knight would not pollute the 
 Chapel or Hermitage by my unsanctified 
 presence." She smiled, then added, "But 
 every moment the Aleppines may arrive, so 
 attend as I explain my plan for your safety." 
 With these words she stood up, and stretch- 
 ing out her arm, observed, " Sir Priest, turn 
 in this direction, and rising to the right 
 of the bay you will see the pinnacle of 
 a rock ; beneath its shelter Nature has 
 scooped out a cavern, and within it, for 
 the last twenty years, has resided a hermit : 
 a holy man, one deemed by the Christians 
 a saint ; and with him you will be certain 
 of finding sanctuary until you have strength 
 and opportunity for flight to Cyprus; which 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 131 
 
 no doubt will be the refuge of many a fugi- 
 tive ; and from thence at pleasure you can 
 return to your country, France. Alas ! for 
 my wandering people all countries are alike." 
 
 Yielding to the impulse of uncontrollable 
 passion, Gaultier flung himself on his knees, 
 exclaiming, "And to me, too, lovely stranger, 
 France, — nay, the whole world, would seem a 
 joyless desert if unbrightened by your pre- 
 sence. Nay, turn not thus aside. Angel 
 of beauty ! learn that I love you, and, what- 
 ever the consequences, we must not part." 
 He spoke hurriedly, passionately attempting 
 to grasp her hand. 
 
 She coloured and frowned in surprised 
 anger, then sternly said, " And is this un- 
 generous outbreak of unlawful passion the 
 reward for your life preserved ? Shame to 
 your sex, who ever impute unholy thoughts 
 to woman's generous benevolence and self- 
 sacrifice at the shrine of charity! Thou 
 almost teachest me to regret that I did not 
 let you perish in yonder field of blood." 
 
 She was moving off, but he grasped her 
 dress, as he uttered, — 
 
132 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 '* Scorn me, — crush me as a worm beneath 
 your feet, still learn that since our first 
 interview I have loved ; for that cause, in 
 the hope of again seeing you, I joined the 
 Templars. Then when amidst danger and 
 death, like some good genius, you saved me 
 from surrounding horrors, gratitude, united 
 with love, rendered the new-born passion a 
 fixed principle — a faith— a hope." 
 
 Interrupting him, she cried, "Shame! 
 a Christian priest, and love a pagan ! That, 
 indeed, were Sin." 
 
 " Oh ! speak not thus. Thou so lovely 
 couidst not be a pagan. You but mock my 
 misery. Recall your words." 
 
 ''I shall not gainsay the truth," she 
 replied. "lama pagan, and as to your 
 love, Sir Priest, it will soon pass away in 
 another fancy; for my people report the 
 Franks to be as capricious as ardent in their 
 passions. Besides," she added, smiling, 
 " have I not proof of your caprice ? Not half- 
 an-hour since you doubted but that I was 
 an evil spirit — a fairy — a sprite. Confess 
 the truth." 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 133 
 
 " Nay, excuse my fears. Reflect how 
 mysterious in the field of death to see a 
 form of beauty thus fantastically equipped." 
 
 "A few words presently will explain the 
 circumstance. Meantime here come the 
 Aleppines, with steeds and refreshments. 
 That charger in a knight's accoutrements, 
 I mean as a present to you. Nay, no 
 thanks ; gratitude is the boasted virtue of 
 my people ; we are vowed to it, and seldom, 
 of a truth, from men's innate selfishness is 
 the duty or pleasure, as it may be, called 
 into action." 
 
 The Aleppines now laid a basket con- 
 taining figs, dried fruits, cakes made of 
 flour and honey, and a bottle of Cyprus 
 wine. After partaking of which, seeing that 
 Gaultier was revived, Freida said, — 
 
 "Sir Priest, being impatient to retire, I 
 must be brief in my explanation. Well, then, 
 by the forms of the Saxon horde, I became 
 a Templar's bride — the great bond of unity 
 between us being love. This union, of 
 necessity, was to separate me from my 
 people ; and then my brother, for the first 
 
134 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 time, had me initiated into the solemn rites 
 of free-masonry, — a mystery even among 
 the fugitive tribes rarely confided to our sex ; 
 but as the daughter of a leader, and being 
 deemed learned, I became an exception to 
 the general rule. Ages long past, this bond 
 of fraternity — now become known, and oft 
 adopted, in civilised nations — originated 
 among the persecuted pagans. But time 
 presses, and this just now is of no import- 
 ance, farther than to explain the means by 
 which I rode forth in what you term fan- 
 tastic attire. 
 
 u My brother's name is Jacques de Lor, 
 and, from natural genius, assisted by the 
 study of the occult science, he has become a 
 prophet." Shuddering, Gaultier crossed 
 himself. " And, by this prescient know- 
 ledge, foreseeing that the Saracens would 
 conquer, and that I might in consequence 
 be in extremity, he confided to my keeping 
 the wonderful fact that the family of Khalil, 
 the Sultan, was descended from the wander- 
 ing tribes, and that Khalil was one of the 
 initiated : * Consequently, my dear Freida,' 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 135 
 
 continued Jacques, ' should you ever require 
 the Sultan's aid, he is bound by obligations 
 mortal dare not evade, to support you under 
 any emergency.' This conversation passed 
 the evening previous to my union with the 
 Templar. 
 
 " Sir Priest, it is needless to dwell upon 
 a siege in which you acted so gallant a part. 
 Still less is it requisite to recapitulate my 
 anxiety during the period — all my interest 
 being for the Christians. Already had the 
 struggle lasted for eight-and-twenty days. 
 The wall and chief tower were gained by the 
 Moslems. Still the Sultan was not content ; 
 the aim of his pride and vengeance being 
 to conquer, in his own person, the Templars. 
 They, indeed, were antagonists worthy of 
 Khalil. 
 
 *' In effect, on the forenoon of the twenty- 
 eighth day, mounted on his famous charger 
 Abuekar, a dazzling crescent of incalculable 
 value glittering on its front, a black pennon, 
 symbolical of the death vowed to the Chris- 
 tians, dangling from his saddle-bow, and 
 followed by a band of picked warriors, boldly 
 
136 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 the Sultan dashed up to the chief portal 
 of the stronghold of the Templars, over 
 which waved the banner of the Cross. 
 
 '• Fierce and determined as a stag at 
 bay, my gallant knight, supported by a 
 remnant of his Order, confronted the Sultan. 
 Scarcely could the genius of Greece's im- 
 mortal bard do justice to the combat which 
 ensued. At both sides was indomitable 
 courage, and a resolve to die or conquer. 
 To me the memory is so painful that I must 
 pass over all description. 
 
 " In the disguise of a squire, a light 
 shirt of ringed mail beneath a tunic, which, 
 though unusual, I always wore, my woman's 
 heart trembling with terror at the death 
 which surrounded me, and weeping with 
 pity, still nerved by love to support any 
 agony, or risk, or danger, in support of him 
 I loved, and whose life I valued far beyond 
 my own ; — thus I hovered near my hero. In 
 the wild conflict, none had leisure to observe, 
 that, though trying to shield myself, I did 
 not attack others. Just then the Christian's 
 loud shout of conquest echoed triumphantly. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 137 
 
 Of the Moslems, but Khalil and three of his 
 band remained. Alas ! on the instant, ere 
 the reverberation died away, a party rushed 
 forward to the Sultan's aid, and so supported, 
 the fortune of the combatants changed. 
 
 " Soon, and my Templar's horse was 
 killed by the thrust of a lance, and him I 
 loved, covered with wounds, fell insensible 
 on the ground. The scimitar of the Sultan 
 was raised to strike the death-blow, when, 
 with a piercing cry of despair, careless of 
 the danger, I dashed my well-trained Zenib 
 forward, so as to stand between my prostrate 
 hero and Khalil. Happily, I retained self- 
 possession. I addressed the Sultan in his 
 native language, termed him brother in 
 unity, made the mystic sign of free-masonry, 
 then pointed to the Templar. 
 
 " The Sultan returned the sign ; ordered 
 on the instant that myself and the wounded 
 Templar should be unmolested : this ex- 
 ceeded my hopes. In short, by my pointing 
 to the Red-Cross knight, Khalil supposed 
 that he, too, was a brother-mason. 
 
 '* I should have mentioned that the two 
 
138 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Aleppines belong to the Saxon Jongleurs, 
 and, with a party of dancers, had continued 
 in Acre, visiting the adjacent towns to earn 
 money by their performances. To this the 
 Amazonian leader had offered no objection, 
 occasional separations, for the promotion of 
 their interests, being customary among the 
 horde. I had, of course, shown my people 
 many kindnesses, and now I commanded 
 their services. So I had the Templar — 
 insensible from loss of blood — removed to 
 a place of safety. 
 
 " And now a more difficult and danger- 
 ous part was to be acted, else the Templar 
 had better died in the field of strife. 
 
 " A resident in the knights' stronghold, 
 I knew its secrets ; and that, besides vast 
 treasures in gems and gold, and even greater 
 wealth in the bonds of almost every crowned 
 head in Europe for money lent by the Order ; 
 and still more sacred and more valuable to 
 the knights, in the secret recesses of their 
 Convent were deposited records connected 
 with the mysteries, duties, and actions of the 
 Order. And some two davs after the battle 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 139 
 
 I have so faintly delineated, Khalil and his 
 chieftains had possession of the Temple. 
 
 " I reflected that could I but gain ad- 
 mittance to the Convent ere it was sacked, 
 then would I secure these records, whose 
 discovery might lead to the Templars' de- 
 struction, as much of their knowledge was 
 of strange import. A noble illustration 
 of woman's courage and self-sacrifice was 
 before me in the conduct of the beautiful 
 nuns of St. Mary, who, belonging to the 
 highest aristocracy, and selected, owing to 
 superior beauty, for their religious vocation, 
 had, on hearing of the Moslems' conquest, 
 to avoid their pollutions, disfigured their 
 beauty, and welcomed the death hurled on 
 them, in revenge, by their disappointed foes. 
 Hah ! the sun has risen above the horizon ! 
 I must be quick ! 
 
 11 Clad in this fantastic attire, and ac- 
 companied by the Jongleurs, I demanded 
 permission to dance before the Sultan. It 
 was granted. How my heart shuddered 
 when I saw Khalil in the very seat where, 
 attired exactly in the same gay fashion, I 
 
140 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 had first beheld my Templar. True to the 
 Red-Cross Knight, I would have submitted 
 to a fate terrible as that of the holy virgins 
 of St. Mary, ere betraying his confidence. 
 So when the Sultan, all his passions excited 
 by war and revelry, expressed himself en- 
 amoured of my charms, and would have 
 loved me, again I made the mystic signs of 
 brotherhood, and demanded his protection, 
 not love." 
 
 " And is it possible," interrupted Gaul- 
 tier with vivacity, " that the Moslem chief, 
 with your loveliness at his command, re- 
 spected these obligations, — such self-denial 
 could only be expected from a Christian ? " 
 
 " Khalil did respect the obligations of 
 free-masonry. Woe to his spirit had he 
 not, for then had it been consigned to the 
 Furies : such is my creed ! Happily the 
 Sultan did not recognise in me the squire 
 who in the battle had claimed fraternity, and, 
 on conversing with me, found much interest 
 in my knowledge of the wandering people. 
 And as I sued his protection for the Jon- 
 gleurs then in Acre, he generously — for he 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 141 
 
 is of a noble nature — gave me a signet-ring, 
 also the watchword of the Saracens ; and 
 by these tokens I was shielded among them 
 from suspicion or danger ; and for the 
 Christians in more peaceful days, this fierce 
 conflict past, harps and cymbals shall raise 
 their loudest notes in praise of the super- 
 stitions which acted as a charm to guard me 
 from violence. As I nightly rode or walked 
 through the field of death, conveying to a 
 place of security the records and treasures 
 of the Templars, being clad in the glittering 
 mantle of a starlit Night, I passed onward 
 as a spirit, from whose visionary presence 
 the bravest warriors fled in dismay. 
 
 "Now, Sir Priest, as last night amidst 
 the raging of the storm I passed through 
 on my way to the Templar, hearing moans 
 I sought the sufferer, alike to me whether 
 he was Moslem or Christian so I could 
 relieve ; and in the folds of my garment I 
 always carry, beside my dagger, a phial of 
 balm of great price, but whose healing 
 quality is almost incredible; — you know the 
 rest. Now hasten to the Hermitage, some 
 
142 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Saracen else may wander to this delicious 
 spot and sacrifice the life I wished to pre- 
 serve. Farewell ! I return to him I love ! " 
 
 " And must we indeed part ? " cried 
 Gaultier, again yielding to his passion. 
 " Nay ; hear me ! I ask no return ; but 
 let me live in your presence ! I ask but 
 to be your slave ! Put a collar round my 
 neck ! place me in the lowest servitude ! 
 but do not leave me to the misery of 
 parting ! Rather would I bear to have this 
 dagger struck to my heart!" 
 
 She calmly took the dagger, observing, 
 " I shall keep it in memory of this scene ; 
 — here is mine in return ! " She handed a 
 tiny stiletto with a richly-gemmed hilt. u A 
 few short months, — it may be weeks, and a 
 token will be necessary to keep the memory 
 of one for whom — now obeying the mere 
 impulse of passion — you would stake your 
 immortal soul, for I know the pure doctrines 
 of your holy faith," she sighed convulsively, 
 and paused; after a time, added, " Then, Sir 
 Priest, the gratitude due for life saved will 
 be secondary to that experienced at my 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 143 
 
 rejection of your unsanctified professions. 
 So, accept this stiletto; though from a 
 pagan, may it work you good.'' 
 
 Turning towards the Aleppines, she 
 threw off her glittering veil of Night, 
 fastened with its large gold buttons a large 
 Arabian mantle, termed an abas, round her 
 throat, its wide dark folds covered her 
 person. Quickly folding up her luxuriant 
 hair, she drew the hood over her head and 
 face, and thus disguised, sprang on a steed. 
 
 With deep regret Gaultier saw her de- 
 part, followed by one of the Aleppines, also 
 mounted, while the other carefully led the 
 cream-coloured palfrey ; then he slowly pro- 
 ceeded to the Hermitage, where he found 
 several other Christian knights, and with 
 these, his fellow-soldiers in defeat and af- 
 fliction, received every kindness from the 
 pious hermit of Mount Carmel. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 THE SCENE OF OUR TALE SHIFTS TO PARIS. 
 
 " No law, no right : gold, violence, 
 And licentiousness ruling all." 
 
 Swift as the flight of an arrow through the 
 air, a period of twenty years, or thereabouts, 
 has glided away since the events recorded 
 in our last chapter. Acre, the theatre of 
 so many glorious events, had become a ruin, 
 by the stern command of the conquering 
 Sultan ; its fortifications and churches had 
 been demolished, and along its romantic 
 coast, " which had so long resounded with 
 the World's Debate, a mournful and soli- 
 tary silence prevailed." 
 
 Having continued for some weeks with 
 the hermit of Mount Carmel, Gaultier 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 145 
 
 being recovered from the effects of the 
 wounds received at Acre, proceeded to Na- 
 tolia, where, through the interest of his 
 uncle — the Legate — he had been appointed 
 to a rich deaconry, situated in the neigh- 
 bourhood of the mountain districts. In this 
 delicious, fruitful clime, Gaultier was more 
 remarkable for his pleasing than devout 
 qualities. Time dealt leniently with him, 
 and at forty he might have passed for some 
 ten years younger. 
 
 About that period his brother-in-law, 
 Count Nicon, died, and as he, Gaultier, 
 had been left, the Count's executor, also 
 guardian to his only child, a son, then a 
 youth, however loth to quit his deaconry, 
 Gaultier was obliged to proceed to Paris ; 
 and as he journeyed there, he cheered himself 
 by anticipating the renewal of past acquaint- 
 ances, more particularly that of Charles de 
 Valois. 
 
 On his first arrival, the Deacon was well 
 received by the princely family of D'Evreux, 
 relatives of the late Count Nicon. And he 
 found his nephew a fine promising youth ; 
 
 VOL. I. L 
 
146 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 and the merchants in whose trust Count 
 Nieon had lodged sums of money for the 
 advantage of his son Foulque, unhesita- 
 tingly admitted Gaultier's legal and natural 
 right to rule over the revenues of his 
 nephew until he reached the age of five- 
 and-twenty, as commanded by the testament 
 of Count Nicon. 
 
 In the midst of this prosperity, a 
 strange, unexpected accusation involved the 
 Deacon in a danger which threatened him 
 with a fearful death. 
 
 Gaultier was summoned to appear before 
 the States-General that day week — it was 
 then Thursday, 10th of September — to 
 answer for the following charges brought 
 against him by the venerable Knights of 
 St. John. 
 
 Our readers will remember that on the 
 night Freida, in the fantastic dress of an 
 Armagh, bore Gaultier through Acre, that 
 they had been seen by a party of the Knights 
 of St. John, and been mistaken by them, 
 through the dubious light, for a supernatu- 
 ral appearance. Three of those Knights had 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 147 
 
 escaped from the Moslems, and in due time 
 returned to their native France. And among 
 the numerous tales recorded by the Croisses, 
 that of the Legate's nephew — Gaul tier — 
 having been borne through the air by a 
 spirit of unequalled beauty, was deemed 
 the most marvellous ; and throughout the 
 baronial halls of Christendom, the minstrels 
 of Provence, in heroic measure, sung forth 
 the wondrous fable. Thus after a period of 
 twenty years, the wild report was remem- 
 bered and with exaggeration. 
 
 Great, then, was the consternation aroused 
 when, robust with health, Gaultier made his 
 appearance in Paris, where, unhappily for 
 him, resided the three Knights of St. John 
 who had escaped the horrors of that terrible 
 night. Now they had seen Gaultier fall 
 lifeless — as all believed — on the corse of the 
 Grand Master ; then borne, subsequently, 
 through ether by a being of unearthly ap- 
 pearance. There was but one conclusion — 
 to have his body resuscitated into life, the 
 Legate's nephew had pledged his immortal 
 soul to the principle of Evil. This was a 
 
148 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 crime of the greatest magnitude, to answer 
 for which he was summoned to attend before 
 the States -General. In this fearful ex- 
 tremity, as a last hope he applied to Charles 
 de Valois, who granted him an immediate 
 audience. 
 
 Since the siege of Acre, many events had 
 taken place in France calculated to feed the 
 unextinguished revenge of the royal brothers 
 against the Templars, whose power and 
 wealth had so increased, that they were 
 viewed by the populace more with the 
 reverence due to demigods than to men. 
 Whereas Philip le Bel, independent of the 
 demands on his exhausted exchequer, had 
 sunk in public estimation since the Templars 
 had exposed the base measure adopted by him 
 of clipping the golden coin of France ; be- 
 sides this dishonesty, other acts of kingly 
 meanness, too tedious to enumerate, had 
 been published by the Eed-Cross Knights, 
 
 At the period, injustice, persecution, 
 cruelty, licentiousness, were the fruits of 
 uncurbed despotism. The tyranny of an 
 unlettered aristocracy had reduced the people 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 149 
 
 to mere beasts of burden. Alas ! for those 
 " hewers of wood and drawers of water," the 
 iron rule had crushed their humanities ; but 
 even then they entertained some ideas of 
 true greatness and respectability. The very 
 Lazaruses at the gates of the Diveses 
 scorned meanness and deception in their 
 superiors ; consequently, when Philip's 
 peculations were made public, he became 
 a subject of scorn ; and this mortification 
 wounded him more severely than greater 
 losses had ever done, pride being his ruling 
 feature, and the staff of his power. 
 
 Here, again, it was the Templars who 
 had acted the enemy, and yet the King's 
 and De Valois' sworn revenge remained 
 impotent, until, with the keen apprehension 
 and political arrangement for which he was 
 remarkable, De Yalois founded their ruin 
 on the absurd accusation brought forward 
 against Gaul tier. 
 
 Of all men, Charles Count de Valois 
 possessed the rare talent of persuasiveness 
 and examination, without apparent interest 
 or descent from his stately, dignified man- 
 ner. The Deacon was but as a toy, to be 
 
150 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 twisted at the Count's pleasure. So onward 
 Gaultier was led to detail in full his meet- 
 ing with Freida on the bay near Acre. 
 Subsequently, her kindness in conveying 
 him to Mount Carmel ; in short, all but the 
 name of Freida was told. Some undefined 
 sentiment of lingering passion, or of grati- 
 tude, rendered the name sacred to his 
 memory. He would not, could not utter it. 
 
 A patient, attentive listener, De Yalois 
 offered no interruption until all was ex- 
 plained ; then he said, — 
 
 " I wish you had learned that Jongleur's 
 name. However, it matters not ; you know 
 her to have been a pagan, and to have used 
 mystic signs, and to have resided with the 
 Templars ?" 
 
 Gaultier answered in the affirmative. 
 
 "Now, listen attentively," said De Valois. 
 " On Thursday next you appear before the 
 States- General ; there shall I attend to up- 
 hold your cause. Mark me ! you must swear, 
 — nay, on this blessed symbol," he drew forth 
 his crucifix, "to what I assert relative to 
 this curious affair." 
 
 " Noble Prince, doubt me not ; though 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 151 
 
 death be the result, I shall boldly, through 
 the Saints' assistance, repeat the exact 
 truth!" 
 
 " Not so," haughtily interrupted De 
 Valois ; " but you shall swear as I dictate ; 
 and, Deacon, learn, the exact truth may not 
 suit our purpose. They who guide the 
 helm of the State— moreover, France — may 
 to its advantage deem it wise to steer from 
 the usual course ; it may be, beneath the 
 shadow of the rocks or through the waters 
 of corruption, the object in view being to 
 rise on the billows of popularity. Now with 
 you, Sir Priest or Deacon, I shall not seek 
 the shadow. Know, then, my object is the 
 ruin of the Knights Templars. Through 
 natural or legitimate means this has proved 
 impossible, but by your assistance I can 
 raise a host of evil spirits to witness crimes 
 against them, such as human ingenuity will 
 vainly struggle to refute." 
 
 Gaultier shuddered, exclaiming, " As a 
 Christian priest and a warrior in Acre, 
 Truth must be my shield!" 
 
 il Then next Thursday perish by fire, a 
 
152 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 foretaste of the eternal ones to which you 
 are doomed ! for through your half-acknow- 
 ledged tale I have discovered that you, a 
 Christian priest, loved this mystic pagan 
 with sinful passion. But we lose time, 
 and the Provost of Paris, whom I have 
 summoned, grows, I opine, impatient of 
 
 this delay ; so, Sir Priest or Deacon " 
 
 Interrupting him, Gaul tier exclaimed, — 
 " I was priested in Avignon ere I left 
 for Acre ; but, at the Legate's desire, I 
 acted in Natolia as deacon." 
 
 "This is of no import whatever," 
 haughtily replied De Yalois. u It rests with 
 yourself to be, in due time, a cardinal ; this 
 I promise ; and, in good or in evil, I never 
 forego a promise ; you have but to act in 
 this matter as I shall command, and from 
 that period your Church promotion com- 
 mences. Nay, more, the present Bishop of 
 Longris is an old man ; once he dies, the 
 see shall be yours. You hesitate, then ? 
 By all the Saints, I swear that this hour 
 you shall be cast into prison, and only 
 released to feed the funeral pyre!" 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 153 
 
 " What would you, noble Prince ?" 
 muttered Gaultier, tremulously. 
 
 "Obedience, — unequivocating and im- 
 plicit obedience. I sue not ; the power rests 
 with me to command. Follow !" 
 
 In terror Gaultier obeyed. They passed 
 through several apartments, until they 
 reached the Count's cabinet. It was a 
 large, lofty room, wainscoted with carved 
 oak, its gloom relieved by casements open- 
 ing on a wide court planted with trees. 
 These lay at the southern side ; at the 
 eastern end was a superb stained- glass 
 window, representing the Crucifixion ; be- 
 neath which, in a recess formed by screens 
 of gilt leather, was an altar, with its sacred 
 adornments ; at its base lay spread out a 
 carpet of the coarsest, roughest horse- 
 hair. 
 
 In the centre of the room was a table 
 supported on three sphynxes ; and round this 
 were several chairs, their high backs carved 
 with the arms of France. On one of these, 
 facing the south, sat the Provost of Paris. 
 The casements being open, exposed to view 
 
154 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 a company of his Serjeants fully armed, and 
 distinguishable by their long pointed caps 
 of red and green. There, ranged in order 
 under a row of acacia- trees, they stood 
 rigid as statues, but ready at command, yea, 
 and willing too, to drag the condemned to 
 prison or to death. 
 
 As holding a prominent place in this 
 period of the history of Paris, the Provost 
 commands attention. 
 
 His age might be fifty-five ; he appeared 
 considerably older : in person, of rather low 
 stature, with spare, straight limbs, and high, 
 square shoulders, disproportionately large for 
 the rest of his figure, and which, from a 
 habit of throwing his head back when con- 
 versing or walking, gave him a most un- 
 graceful, almost revolting appearance. 
 
 His dress, though correct as to his rank, 
 was particularly unbecoming. It consisted 
 of a tight - fitting, dark, tawny- coloured 
 velvet, termed a cote hardie, being embroi- 
 dered in a quaint fashion, representing 
 grotesque animals, and tied down the front 
 with tassels of green and orange, inter- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 155 
 
 mingled with gold thread. This tunic merely 
 reached the hips, and was nearly met by blue 
 trunk-hose. Over all was thrown a short 
 green mantle edged with lace, and lined 
 with fur. 
 
 The Provost wore a tight-fitting skull- 
 cap of white silk, tied under his chin, on 
 which grew a rough, thick, grizzled beard, 
 originally of a sandy colour ; this, with his 
 lean, embrowned visage, formed a hideous 
 contrast to the white glossy cap. But it was 
 the countenance which fastened Gaultier's 
 attention. From beneath a high, wrinkled 
 forehead, and strongly-marked eyebrows of 
 the reddish colour of the beard, glanced out 
 a pair of small, round, deep-set, greyish-blue 
 eyes, with a rat-like expression of inquiry 
 and anxiety, and such an intense look of 
 examination, that the boldest shrank from 
 their gaze ; and yet, as if by fascination, 
 could not withdraw their regards from the 
 unpleasing object. The nose was the only 
 redeeming feature, it being finely propor- 
 tioned ; but the mouth was hideous, from 
 the long yellow teeth, and its corners — when 
 
156 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 the Provost sneered — he never laughed or 
 smiled — glancing upwards as if to meet the 
 brows which were pointed down ; and over 
 his neck streamed long, coarse, sandy hair. 
 In consequence of the repulsive expression 
 of his eyes, and its being reported that from 
 his scanty meals he fed the rats — sole com- 
 panions of his solitude, permitted to sport 
 about his study — he was best known by the 
 sobriquet of the chefdes rats. 
 
 However repellent in appearance, the 
 Provost was undoubtedly the most learned 
 man of his time, being intimately acquainted 
 with the jurisprudence of the Romans, also 
 with the Norman and Saxon laws. Then he 
 possessed an insight into character and a 
 quick discernment, which, in that age of 
 ignorance, was frequently suspected to ori- 
 ginate in preternatural knowledge. In al- 
 most every treaty he was consulted by 
 Philip of France and by His Holiness, and 
 frequently was the chosen arbitrator to de- 
 cide on the disputes of the Barons, private 
 or political. Thus the power to improve 
 the laws and habits of his country lay with 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 1.57 
 
 him ; but, yielding up his spirit to the 
 ignoble passion of avarice, in place of 
 struggling to enlighten the age so absorbed 
 in dark superstitions, he advanced injustice, 
 cruelty, barbarism, to fill his coffers ; for to 
 such an extent did the unaccountable pas- 
 sion of avarice rule his mind, that it was 
 reported that, with sufficient means for 
 luxuries, he denied himself nearly the neces- 
 sary aliments to support his life. And yet 
 he had no heirs, no friends, no visible object 
 to advantage by the hoarded treasure. 
 
 Another trait in the Provost must not 
 be overlooked. His information on sacred 
 subjects had taught him to rise far above 
 the gloom of bigotry or fantasies of super- 
 stition ; but, as too often occurs — in cast- 
 ing off these terrible incubuses — which 
 ignorance and imagination have grafted on 
 the glorious light of Gospel faith, he had 
 neglected the truths of revelation and sank 
 into the torpor of scepticism. Consequently, 
 in the Provost's breast, no hope, no fear, — 
 in short, no sentiment but self-interest re- 
 
158 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 mained, an exclusive, sincere idolatry to 
 Mammon ruled his every action. 
 
 "Sir Provost," said De Valois, laying 
 his hand on Gaultier's shoulder with a 
 smile, " here seems a form of flesh and 
 bone — not a shadow to be flitted through 
 air. What say you, Sir Provost ?" 
 
 "The report is beyond absurdity!" 
 sneered the Provost ; " still, no fault to the 
 Knights of St. John, it would not answer 
 to return from Palestine, where all was lost 
 to the Saracen, without, at least, some tale 
 of wonder to woo the mind from stern 
 truths. Poor guerdon for honour and 
 treasure lost!" 
 
 Passionately interrupting him, De Valois 
 called out, — 
 
 " The noble Knights of St. John lost no 
 honour. Acre was lost by the accursed Tem- 
 plars secretly combining with the Moslems ; 
 worse again, by summoning demoniacal 
 powers to hurl defeat on the Christians. 
 This shall be proved to their confusion ! " 
 
 "And you believe in the possibility of 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 159 
 
 this last accusation ? " in surprise demanded 
 the Provost of De Yalois. 
 
 " Yes," sternly replied De Valois ; " and 
 incredulous as you, Sir Provost, are well 
 known to he on most sacred subjects, I can 
 convince you of the awful fact of those 
 Templars holding converse with ' superna- 
 tural beings. Resume your seat, and write 
 as I shall dictate, and remember who com- 
 mands obedience." 
 
 Scarcely suppressing his scorn the Pro- 
 vost obeyed, glancing at Gaultier. 
 
 Charles de Valois stood near the table ; 
 his towering form richly attired in a tunic 
 of black Damascus silk, embroidered round 
 the edge with gold and purple, interwoven 
 with orient pearl ; his jewelled baldric 
 sent forth a thousand brilliant rays, a 
 princely robe of scarlet lined with minever 
 fell back in graceful folds, resting on the 
 ground ; the plumed hat was cast aside, 
 leaving the finely-formed head shaded by 
 a profusion of dark, glossy hair, to view ; 
 with one hand resting on his hip, the right 
 foot being thrown forward, he laid the other 
 
160 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 hand to keep down the vellum on which 
 the Provost wrote. It was impossible to 
 conceive a more perfect model of manly 
 beauty and grandeur, — 
 
 " A fairer form lost not Heaven." 
 
 And this superiority rendered the chef des 
 rats more hideous and repulsive. As in 
 terror Gaultier gazed on these men, the 
 arbitrators of his destiny, they seemed the 
 very incarnation of the evil spirits — Am- 
 bition and Avarice. 
 
 Addressing the Provost in a deep, im- 
 pressive voice, De Valois observed, — 
 
 " I have long since confided to you my 
 fixed determination of annihilating the 
 Order of the Templars : more particularly 
 the present Grand Master, De Molai, and 
 next to him in authority, Guy D'Auvergne, 
 are obnoxious to me. I hate the latter ! " he 
 hissed these words through his teeth like a 
 serpent. " Now hear my plan of accusation 
 founded on the reports of the Knights of St. 
 John against this Priest Gaultier. And as 
 I speak, write in whatever fashion you con- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. l6l 
 
 sider most likely to give force to my revela- 
 tions, still I am not to appear as the accuser. 
 Here is the man !" He pointed to Gaultier, 
 who started, trembled, would have spoken, 
 but his silence was commanded. Then De 
 Valois spoke, — 
 
 " Previous to the siege of Acre, Peter 
 Beaujeau was appointed Grand Master. 
 This promotion awakened dark surmises 
 on the following account : — 
 
 " A few years previously De Beaujeau 
 had received in a skirmish with some 
 Moslem foes the wound of a poisoned 
 dart, deemed by the attending leeches to 
 be mortal ; so, after the last rites of his 
 religious observances were piously admin- 
 istered, all retired from the sick brother's 
 cell, that he undisturbed might die in 
 peace ; when, lo ! within the week he 
 appeared in the refectory in perfect health, 
 accounting for his recovery by saying, 
 that as he still uttered what he deemed 
 his last prayer a pilgrim entered the cell 
 in silence, examined the wound, applied 
 some sharp instrument of strange fashion, 
 
 VOL. I. M 
 
162 FRETDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 which drew forth a quantity of dark blood, 
 after which sweet-smelling balm was poured 
 in, the wound bound up, a draught adminis- 
 tered, and sleep and health followed. 
 
 "'Where is the skilful pilgrim?' de- 
 manded the brothers ; ' largely shall he 
 be rewarded.' 
 
 " ' I know not,' was the reply. ' When, 
 grateful for life preserved, I offered gold, 
 he declined, mournfully observing, \ Doomed 
 by a penance to wander for ten years through- 
 out Christendom, dedicating my time and 
 knowledge to the alleviation of human 
 suffering : the hope and guerdon in view 
 being absolution for a fearful crime com- 
 mitted by me in a fatal moment of un- 
 curbed passion, but which years may fail 
 to expiate, I merely performed a duty, 
 in this instance, Sir Knight, — a pleasing 
 one.' With these words he retired, and 
 since I have not seen him.' 
 
 "From that period, though formerly of 
 a cheerful, active temperament, De Beau- 
 jeau became melancholy and desponding ; 
 the more remarkable as his prosperity 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 163 
 
 advanced so rapidly that he was appointed 
 Grand Master, in preference to many who 
 were his superiors in birth and talent. 
 From all this dark suspicions arose ; now 
 ratified by his spirit having been seen 
 wafted through air, no doubt to the tor- 
 tures of an eternal retribution ; for De 
 Beaujeau had sold himself, for a renewal 
 of life crowned with prosperity, to the 
 Evil One. This I can and will have 
 proved by Gaul tier the Deacon." 
 
 Gaultier attempted to explain, but 
 confronting him with a look of scorn 
 and defiance almost demoniacal, De Valois 
 exclaimed, — 
 
 "Dare not to dispute my evidence, or, 
 by all I hold sacred, you shall perish ! 
 Charles de Valois swears it!" 
 
 Then, turning to the Provost, who 
 kept his face bent down on the vellum 
 so as to disguise its expression, he em- 
 phatically said, — 
 
 "Sir Provost, pray attend as I eluci- 
 date the facts of this charge brought 
 against Gaultier : — On the night of the 
 
164 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 18 th of May, — 91, Peter de Beaujeau 
 fell lifeless in this the last struggle of 
 the Christians to retain Acre, and a few 
 moments after, this Deacon" — he pointed 
 to Gaultier — " covered with wounds fell 
 near the corse, after which for some 
 hours he remained so insensible as to 
 be supposed dead. From this insensi- 
 bility about midnight he was aroused by 
 seeing a form of surpassing brilliancy 
 leaning over the Grand Master's body, 
 from which, in strange fashion, issued 
 yells of despair ; then, by some preter- 
 natural means, it rose in air. Springing 
 up, Gaultier strove to clear the corse 
 from the enslaving fiend ; and, probably, 
 during this faint effort was seen by the 
 pious brothers of St. John : there lay 
 the cause of their mistake. However, 
 this very hour an express shall be for- 
 warded to the Hermit of Carmel, who 
 afforded Gaultier protection, and granted 
 him shelter ; also several noble Christian 
 knights, who also fled to the Hermitage, 
 shall appear to give evidence of Gaultier's 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 1 65 
 
 innocence ; while he can prove indubitably 
 that the Templars harboured within their 
 convent a pagan idolater, — one conversant 
 with mystic signs, and whose brother, a 
 magician, prophesied the conquest of the 
 Saracens, and the defeat of the Christians, 
 all from a knowledge that the Templars 
 sided with the former, who were in league 
 with demoniacal powers." 
 
 Here De Valois notified particularly the 
 crimes of which he accused the Order. 
 
 Perceiving that the plot long forming 
 for the Templars' annihilation would soon 
 be put into execution, and only calculating 
 on the gains that might arise to himself, 
 the Provost, with perspicuity, and in the 
 most impressive manner, wrote down the 
 evidence, — his haggard, acrid countenance 
 lighting up into pleasure at the antici- 
 pated gold, for De Valois was liberal to 
 those who aided his nefarious purposes. 
 Gaultier, who could write, was then com- 
 manded to sign his name ; and to this 
 strange document De Valois affixed his 
 signet, and drew a sign of the cross ; 
 
166 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 then, kneeling on the sackcloth at the 
 base of the altar, he offered up a silent 
 prayer, The Provost sneered meantime, 
 eyeing Gaultier with a sinister expression. 
 "Alas!" reflected the Deacon; "now, 
 of a truth, have I, to save my wretched 
 base life, yielded up my spirit to these 
 fiends of darkness. Woe to me, too beau- 
 tiful Freida! the hour we met has ruled 
 my destiny." 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 167 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 " What, though the field be lost, 
 All is not lost : the unconquerable will 
 And study of revenge ; immortal hate, 
 And courage never to submit or yield." 
 
 Milton. 
 
 To enter into a detail of tbe persecutions 
 and proceedings against the company of the 
 Templars were tedious and unnecessary ; so 
 we come at once to the charges instituted 
 against the Grand Master, James de Molai, 
 and Guy D'Auvergne ; and although many 
 powerful chiefs united to work out the de- 
 struction of the Red-Cross Knights, Philip 
 le Bel undoubtedly was their bitterest perse- 
 cutor. 
 
 At the period of Gaultier's confession to 
 De Valois, and which was the fundamental 
 
168 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 point of the extraordinary charges which 
 that fierce Count resolved to bring forward, 
 Guy D'Auvergne was in Athens with his 
 son Rhodolphe, who had grown up to man- 
 hood; and the youth having distinguished 
 himself in several feats of arms, the Emperor 
 of Germany not only presented him with a 
 high order of knighthood, but with his Im- 
 perial hands fastened on his golden spurs, 
 and girded the sword of honour. 
 
 On receiving, in military form, a sum- 
 mons from the Kings of France, Arragon, 
 Castile, and Portugal (as yet England had 
 not joined in the infamous though royal 
 cabal), to appear before the States- General 
 in Paris, to answer for the crimes alleged 
 against him and his Order, D'Auvergne, 
 holding such exaggerated accusations in 
 scorn, in despite of the entreaties of his 
 friends and the supplication of his son, who 
 vainly represented the great power and ex- 
 cessive wickedness of his persecutors, set 
 off for France, commanding his son Rho- 
 dolphe to remain in Athens until further 
 orders ; and, by a strange coincidence, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 169 
 
 D'Auvergne and James de Molai entered 
 the city of Paris within the same hour, and 
 both were instantly seized and cast into 
 separate dungeons of the Temple prison. 
 
 " Glory to the Saints ! " muttered De 
 Valois, as he strode in silent exultation up 
 and down his cabinet ; " I have entrapped 
 these lion-hearted chiefs within a net of 
 meshes woven by the Furies — Vanity, Envy, 
 Malice, Hatred, Revenge, and, greater devil 
 than all, Avarice ! Rich guerdon for our 
 royal brother and allies, the Knights' accu- 
 mulated treasures ; happier for the Tem- 
 plars had they strictly adhered to their first 
 rigid vows of poverty and humility. Well, 
 from me the Red-Cross Knights deserve no 
 mercy ; collectively they snatched from my 
 hands the Imperial crown, when millions 
 were prepared to hail me as Emperor. And 
 then this D'Auvergne stood between me 
 and my love." 
 
 He paused, and something of softness 
 passed over his countenance as he thought, 
 " O Beatrix ! had you returned my passion, 
 then had thy woman's tenderness softened 
 
170 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 and sweetened my sterner nature." He 
 clenched his hands, and hissing through 
 his teeth, exclaimed, " Cursed be the hour 
 my heart first yielded to your influences, but 
 for it I never had vowed myself to revenge ; 
 and now the demoniacal passion fills each 
 chamber of my soul, almost to the extinction 
 of every other sentiment. But here comes 
 the King's summons ; I must to the Royal 
 
 presence." 
 
 # # * # 
 
 The anxiously looked-for trial of the 
 Templars had only been postponed until 
 De Molai and D'Auvergne were secured, 
 and they, with the bold courage which 
 marked their characters, had madly re- 
 signed themselves to their enemies. All 
 Christendom was agitated by this, the bold- 
 est and most terrible exertion of despotic 
 power Europe had ever witnessed. The 
 Templars had many friends, but they were 
 few in comparison to their persecutors. 
 
 Among the dreadful crimes charged 
 against the pre -doomed Order were the 
 fearful accusations of practising idolatrous 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 171 
 
 rites, even to the offering up of human 
 sacrifices ; to this were added marvellous 
 tales of their feline worship, and the ridi- 
 culous one of having entered into negotia- 
 tions to deliver up the Christian lands to 
 Saracen powers ; and, more criminal and 
 awful still, of having, by necromancy and 
 various arts of magic, evoked the spirits of 
 darkness to aid these infamous acts and in- 
 tentions. To these awful accusations were 
 added the more tangible crimes of the 
 Knights' habits of luxury, magnificence, 
 and dissipation, also the constant breach of 
 their vows of chastity. By such conduct 
 they had set aside the fundamental princi- 
 ples of their Institution — poverty, humility, 
 and abstinence from all carnal indulgences. 
 The ready credence granted by the many to 
 such improbable charges was a humiliating 
 proof of the justice of Philip le Bel's bitter 
 censure, " That there is nothing of evil which 
 the heart of man cannot conceive, and no 
 slander so great that will not gain belief." 
 
 Treating with scorn accusations at once 
 gross, ridiculous, impossible to be substanti- 
 
1J2 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 ated, the Templars disdained to offer any 
 defence to these absurdities, rendered con- 
 temptible by their accusers imputing the 
 crescent-shaped table, which stood at the 
 upper end of the Refectory at Acre to some 
 symbolical connexion between them and the 
 Saracens. It might be a sign of a pledge 
 to deliver up the town to the enemy. 
 
 At this charge the Red-Cross Knights 
 became furious, representing its folly, when 
 of five hundred Templars on the morning 
 the siege commenced, but ten remained alive, 
 and of these five were severely wounded on 
 the fatal afternoon Acre was lost to the 
 Christians. u In short," replied De Molai, 
 who spoke for his company, " to answer such 
 accusations were a folly ; well we know that 
 the crowned heads, who are engaged in this 
 infamous scheme, hunger after our wealth, 
 and have long been jealous of our feats of 
 arms, far exceeding their many efforts of 
 gallantry ! Now, Sons of France ! " called 
 the Grand Master aloud, " attend as I con- 
 front these my accusers, and demand, Can 
 they bring any witnesses, any tangible proofs 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 173 
 
 of the great crimes of which you accuse our 
 Order ! I say, Philip of France, and you, 
 De Valois, and Nobles, all collected against 
 us, from whatever country you come, that 
 Satan must have inspired you to the de- 
 moniacal part you now act, when you dare 
 to accuse us, the sworn soldiers of the 
 Cross, dedicated to its service, of having 
 insulted the majesty of God, which would 
 not only have proved us perjurers but fools ; 
 to such exaggerated charges I disdain reply ! 
 What ! trample upon this, our earthly staff 
 and future hope ! " he drew forth his Crucifix 
 and kissed it. " That some of our younger 
 brethren have sometimes yielded to the se- 
 ductions of passion, and thus broken their 
 vows of chastity, I do not deny, for, alas! 
 man is prone to sin ; but when such crimes 
 occurred among our Order, terrible was the 
 penalty inflicted upon the transgressors. 
 And now, Philip of France, I defy you and 
 the kings and rulers, who, urged on by the 
 most nefarious purposes, have taken counsel 
 against us, the soldiers of the Cross, to 
 prove one of your charges. Incapable of so 
 
174 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 doing, Christendom shall judge between us 
 to your discomfiture, and to that of your 
 base allies." 
 
 Ere Philip could frame a reply to this 
 manly defiance, Charles de Valois stepped 
 forward, and in a tone of stern decision 
 said, — 
 
 " I can prove that Guy D'Auvergne, one 
 of the most exalted of the Templars, first 
 broke his vow of chastity by being united to 
 a lady of high degree ere he went to Pales- 
 tine ; yet, such was his licentiousness, that he 
 then took to his arms a Saxon pagan, and 
 she resided with him at Acre in the Tern- 
 plars' well-fortified convent, instructing the 
 brotherhood in all the devices of a damned 
 idolatry ; and of this I can bring a witness, 
 one who conversed with this pagan, but 
 who happily escaped from the pollutions of 
 her sorcery ! " Gaultier was now brought 
 forward, and his detail, partly true, but still 
 artfully adapted to the Valois' views, awak- 
 ened a strong feeling in the public mind 
 against the prisoners, more especially against 
 D'Auvergne. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 175 
 
 As Gaultier gave his evidence, a livid 
 paleness spread over D'Auvergne's counte- 
 nance, which previously had been dignified 
 by calm sternness of purpose. His lips 
 became rigid, he essayed to speak, but words 
 were denied, and a groan of anguish, which 
 he had not power to control, burst forth. 
 
 It might be that he felt his enemies had 
 at length found out a tangible clue to work 
 out his and his Order's destruction ; and 
 now his dark, finely-formed features relax, 
 a flush passes over his cheeks, for memory 
 brings back in sad contrast the days of 
 tender love spent with Beatrix, of madden- 
 ing, rapturous passion with Freida, — she, so 
 beautiful, so cruelly deserted, — then came 
 remorse. And as these complex feelings 
 chased each other, his countenance varied, 
 leaving no douht on the mind of De Valois 
 of his having been the protector of the 
 Jongleur. 
 
 Again De Molai would have spoken, but 
 Philip artfully interrupted him by exclaim- 
 ing*— 
 
 "Wretched sinner, add not deliberate 
 
176 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 falsehood to your many crimes, for of this 
 pagan woman's residence within your con- 
 vent you could not have remained in igno- 
 rance! And as to you, Guy D'Auvergne, 
 guilt is impressed on your countenance. 
 Awake ! I say ; awake from this depth of 
 crime, and do first penance by confessing 
 here, before collected thousands, the sins of 
 which you and your Order have been guilty. 
 Here lies your only chance of mercy on 
 eartb, or forgiveness in heaven ! " 
 
 " Think you that for all earth's pos- 
 sessions I would falsify the truth or 
 calumniate my Order! Well you know to 
 the contrary, Philip ! " exclaimed D'Au- 
 vergne, vehemently. " France is besotted if 
 she guesses not that the crimes imputed to 
 the Templars by their most corrupt, most 
 unchivalrous, though royal persecutors, arise 
 from jealousy and cupidity ! Still acting a 
 demon's part, you gloss over yourinjustice and 
 cruelty ! but France is recreant if she forgets 
 our deeds of arms, which have added so 
 many rays to her circle of glory ! To France, 
 then, not to Philip, or his despicable satellite, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 177 
 
 Clement, do the Templars look for just- 
 ice. Strong in innocence, we demand but 
 Justice." 
 
 ''Enough; I am answered!'' retorted 
 Philip. u Sir Knight, disrespect to the 
 holy Pontiff, and disloyalty to your anointed 
 King, should be sufficient to condemn you ; 
 but well we comprehend that these words of 
 defiance are assumed to divert men's minds 
 from your vices, too horrible to dwell upon. 
 We owe it to these, our good citizens," — 
 and he waved his hand around, — "to prove 
 that we act with justice. Thus we shall 
 adopt measures of satisfying the most in- 
 credulous, and those most wedded to your 
 interests, of your unparalleled guilt ! Ho ! 
 here, Sir Provost, to the rack with these 
 infidels ! And, mark me, spare not the 
 torture to those who have dared to insult 
 their Redeemer's image ; and I command 
 that each word they utter on the rack be 
 written to their confusion. Come, no delay ! 
 
 — no parleying ! — off with the prisoners ! " 
 
 # * # * 
 
 It were painful to describe in detail the 
 
 VOL. I. N 
 
178 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 fulfilment of this terrible sentence, and which 
 was put into execution by the unrelenting 
 agents of royal cruelty. De Molai, the 
 Grand Master, being torn on the rack to 
 obtain reprieve from unspeakable torture, 
 admitted falsely — weakly admitted the truth 
 of several of the charges brought against 
 his Order. Thus this truly pious man, 
 who, in truth, was kept in ignorance of 
 the profligacy of the Knights, tarnished his 
 former glory, and embittered the short rem- 
 nant of his life with shame and remorse. 
 Not so Guy D'Auvergne ; though guilty in 
 his amours, in all else dignified and true, 
 he bore up manfully. Firmly setting his 
 teeth, closing his eyelids, and clenching his 
 hands, he submitted in silence to anguish 
 infernal in its cruelty. 
 
 Now the report of these sufferings and 
 the courage of D'Auvergne, equalled by 
 several of the other Templars, began to 
 awaken a public feeling in their favour. 
 Alarmed at this, the allies resolved that 
 their wisest plan was to forward the final 
 trial of the Red-Cross Knights. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 179 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 " Lo ! the new Pilate, of whose cruelty 
 Such violence cannot fill the measure up, 
 With no decree to sanction, pushes on 
 Into the temple his yet eager sails." 
 
 Carew's Dante. 
 
 " Justice may I have of Heaven, 
 If I can have none of thee." 
 
 The Cid. 
 
 A month, or it might be five weeks, had 
 passed since the scene of torture with which, 
 in hurried detail, we closed our last chapter. 
 The Templars lay in the dark dungeons of 
 the Temple, none admitted to their presence 
 but some of St. Bruno's pious brothers, at 
 once to pour balm into their torn flesh and 
 prepare them for approaching death ; for, 
 in his clemency, Philip denied them not the 
 shrive and blessed wafer ; and when De 
 
180 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Valois would have interfered, he sternly 
 replied, — 
 
 " Man's power extends not beyond the 
 grave ; be content, to that bourne I shall 
 soon consign your rival, D'Auvergne. 
 Strange, inexplicable are the works of 
 destiny, that your love, my brother, for 
 Beatrix Visconti should have led to the 
 greatest event ever witnessed in Chris- 
 tendom." 
 
 # # * # 
 
 None were admitted within the solitary 
 and separated cells of the Templars save 
 St. Bruno's brothers ; and their report of 
 the sufferings, the piety, and patience of 
 the knights, began to awaken sympathy, 
 and with it doubts of their guilt. This 
 reached Philip : alarmed for what might 
 be the result of such feelings, he summoned 
 De Valois to his presence, and acquainted 
 him with this discrepancy in public opinion. 
 Furious lest his victim should escape at the 
 eleventh hour, the revenge of De Valois 
 received a fresh impetus, and in stern 
 accents he exclaimed, — 
 
FltEIDA THE JONGLEUR. 181 
 
 * My royal brother, you must adopt 
 prompt measures, they are our only chance ; 
 the people must be taken by surprise, no 
 time left for explanation. Once opinion 
 fluctuates, who can reckon upon what 
 course it will take ? " 
 
 " And yet, Charles," replied Philip, 
 gravely, " it is a bold act even for royalty 
 to set aside the very show of justice, but I 
 fully coincide in your views : thus expe- 
 diency presses me on to what, to you I 
 may admit, is a measure of gross injustice. 
 Happily, the interests of my allies, — nay, 
 of every state in Christendom, are involved 
 in the destruction of the Templars. Woe 
 to them if the fierce warriors escaped ! By 
 my soul's wail, I do believe that ere many 
 months, in pure revenge, they would place 
 the Saracen powers on our Christian 
 thrones ! No, we have gone too far to 
 recede : self-preservation, and that of the 
 blessed Cross" (the royal brothers piously 
 crossed themselves), M impel us forward; 
 it is our bounden duty to exterminate 
 the fraternitv." 
 
182 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 So argued the royal assassins : for such, 
 
 in point of fact, they proved themselves to be. 
 
 # # # # 
 
 On the 3d of August, 1316, a high 
 scaffold was erected in front of Notre 
 Dame ; and about the vesper hour Philip 
 le Bel and Charles de Valois, in all the 
 pomp of state costume, and attended by 
 a gallant company of cavaliers, were the 
 first to ascend the fatal elevation. It was 
 Philip's policy to give an appearance of 
 solemnity and grandeur to the scene : he 
 hoped by dramatic effect to amuse the 
 people into forgetfulness or indifference 
 as to the original cause of a meeting so 
 truly nefarious. 
 
 st Valois," he whispered, " our part has 
 long been decided upon ; I have ever re- 
 marked, from the innate selfishness of man's 
 nature, that if a crowd is amused it will as 
 readily shout out its discordant notes of 
 glee at an auto-da-fe as at a mumming 
 or morality : therefore these my gorgeous 
 preparations, not in compliment to the 
 haughty Templars, our sworn foes." 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 183 
 
 "More gaily, — far more gaily," sneered 
 De Valois, " would the people witness an 
 auto-da-fe than a morality. How oft have 
 1 not said that the leaven of Cain, the 
 first murderer, still works within our 
 bosoms ! In the egotism of pride we 
 yield to jealousy, then start up hatred and 
 revenge against the more fortunate sons of 
 earth, — this is the true germ of rebellion ; 
 we would hurl them from their high estate, 
 crush them, trample upon them, rising on 
 their ruins, then glory in witnessing their 
 destruction ; next we find a salvo for our 
 wounds of conscience, — our enemies were the 
 descendants of Cain ; it must be so. And 
 has it not been said, Let every man raise 
 his hand against the seed of Cain ? At least, 
 I can answer that we of the house of Valois 
 have ever acted upon this principle : here 
 then we find ' the bane and antidote.' Nay, 
 my royal brother, look not so chafed ; my 
 words just now have unbidden, emanated 
 from the depths of my heart; it is seldom that 
 I thus let passion conquer courtly prudence : 
 but to see the grovelling multitude rush for- 
 
184 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 ward to witness the misery of those they so 
 lately worshipped, and that, too, without 
 any feeling stronger than curiosity, — oh! 
 it makes me shrink from my own nature. 
 Methinks, if I possessed the power, I would, 
 on the instant, hurl down Heaven's mighty 
 bolt, and crush the dastards to death!" 
 
 As Valois thus expressed himself, his 
 countenance assumed a fearful and de- 
 moniacal expression. Philip made no 
 reply ; he knew that there were moments 
 when De Valois' passions were ungovern- 
 able. Just then they were joined by the 
 Archbishop of Sens, two cardinals, legates 
 of his Holiness the Pope, and several other 
 distinguished ecclesiastics, each clad in gor- 
 geous sacerdotal robes, according to the 
 degree of his Christian calling. The other 
 end of the platform was occupied by the 
 Grand Master, James de Molai, Guy 
 D'Auvergne, and two Priors of the Temple, 
 attired in their flowing mantles of pure 
 white, and blood -red crosses, their long 
 beards falling below their waists ; and near 
 to them, in coarse, camlet gowns, hempen 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 185 
 
 girdles, and crucifixes of iron, stood three 
 of the pious brothers of St. Bruno, to shrive 
 the penitents, of whose condemnation to 
 death none doubted, for, alas, already the 
 stake was prepared! 
 
 At a short distance from the platform 
 rose a huge pile of wood, at either end of 
 which stood a youth clad in a saffron- 
 coloured tunic, his head uncovered, and 
 carelessly waving in his hand a flaming 
 torch, to light the funeral pyre of the 
 gallant knights of that Order which, for 
 upwards of two centuries, had ruled over 
 the destinies of nations, to the glory and 
 support of Christianity. 
 
 Leaning with folded arms against one 
 of the pillars which supported the railing 
 of a temporary gallery that surrounded 
 the platform, Charles de Valois viewed 
 the whole bearings of the scene with that 
 mixture of fierce passion, sneering philoso- 
 phy, and gloomy superstition, which ren- 
 dered his character so anomalous that his 
 most intimate friends could not comprehend 
 it. Thus, while he exercised the most des- 
 
186 FREIUA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 potic power over Philip, over Clement, and 
 several other potentates, they viewed him 
 with suspicion, timidly shrinking from 
 holding unnecessary confidence with one 
 so dark and mysterious. 
 
 Like most persons of ardent tempera- 
 ment, once his object was gained, De Valois 
 became languid and indifferent ; his mind 
 required the stimulus of doubts, fears, and 
 hopes, to urge it onward. At the moment 
 of which we now speak, he had sunk into 
 listlessness, when his attention was roused 
 by observing one of the monks of St. Bruno 
 stagger and then fall at the feet of D'Au- 
 vergne, casting his arms round the knight's 
 knees as if for support. In the movement, 
 the wide camlet sleeve fell back, exposing to 
 view an arm of feminine roundness, while, 
 quick as lightning, tapered fingers were 
 raised to draw down the sleeve. 
 
 Till then the Templar had stood calm, 
 erect, unmoved as a statue, with his arms 
 folded on his high breast, a smile of scorn 
 playing on his lip, while his dark eyes 
 looked around in stern defiance ; but now 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 187 
 
 a change passed over his features, his right 
 hand glided down beneath his robe and 
 rested gently on the kneeling brother's head, 
 while a shudder of anguish shook his well- 
 knitted frame ; and as Valois impulsively 
 stepped more forward, his sharpened ear 
 caught the deep, low wail of a woman's ill- 
 suppressed woe. It rose from a heart which 
 vainly struggled to disguise its emotion — its 
 despair. 
 
 "Ha!" thought De Valois; "now by 
 the Christ, my hour of triumphant revenge 
 has come. He who quailed not before the 
 Saracen hosts, but with unblenched cheeks 
 rushed into the melee of the battle, — he 
 who murmured not at the rack's most in- 
 genious tortures, but strung his nerves to 
 the agony, now pales and quivers at the 
 grief of her he loves — whom I loved. As 
 I live, tears chase each other down the 
 warrior's cheeks. D'Auvergne, Beatrix, 
 my vengeance is complete ; I would not 
 exchange it for the Imperial crown of which 
 the base Templars deprived me. And yet 
 
188 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 to be so loved, even now methinks that I 
 would change sides with D'Auvergne." 
 
 There was a stir at the prisoners' end of 
 the scaffold. D'Auvergne had sunk on his 
 knees, with his right hand he elevated his 
 crucifix, while his left arm supported St. 
 Bruno's brother, whose forehead reclined 
 against his shoulder ; and as the knight 
 stooped over it, his lips moved with rapid 
 utterance and his manly countenance dark- 
 ened with despair. It was a strange shrive, 
 for to his energetic speech the brother offered 
 no reply but sobs of anguish. Opposite, as 
 if to shield them from view, stood the Grand 
 Master and the Priors of the Temple, while 
 emotion also flushed their brows, lately so 
 resigned. 
 
 De Valois grasped the King's arm as he 
 whispered, — 
 
 " Mark me, Philip, yon kneeling brother 
 is the Templar's bride — Beatrix Visconti. 
 Let her be dragged forward before the 
 multitude — uncowl her — ungown her — show 
 the false woman up — there needeth no other 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 189 
 
 proof to uphold your justice, or the Tem- 
 plar's guilt ; thus shall we be applauded, 
 not execrated for this act of justice." He 
 gave his scornful laugh, as he added, " See, 
 the crowd have so accumulated, that even 
 the massive roof of Notre Dame is covered 
 with the loathsome canaille; they will shout 
 in delight at this episode in the tragedy they 
 have come to witness ; it gives variety to 
 the scene. Ha ! ha ! ha ! — the vilains !" 
 
 The countenance of Philip, flushed with 
 anger, addressing Valois with a sternness 
 he seldom to him ventured to assume, he 
 sharply said, — 
 
 u Ho ! Sir Count, think you that we 
 continued insensible to this strange business, 
 or that we were slow in discovering the 
 lady's disguise ? No ; we saw it all, but 
 would not to the impulse of passion in a 
 moment forfeit the prize which for years we 
 have struggled to obtain, and that, too, just 
 as it is within our grasp. Valois, you boast 
 of man's Cain-like nature ; but I tell you 
 that you carry your evil opinion of your 
 species too far. The greater mass of the 
 
190 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 people are more imbued with the gentle 
 qualities of Abel than the murderer's cruelty. 
 You look incredulous ; observe, I speak not 
 of those who are influenced by self-interest — 
 there most men fail. Now the French, I 
 aver, are a gallant race, romantic and chi- 
 valrous, with sympathies easily excited. 
 This lady's devotion and tenderness will 
 at once interest their feelings in her favour 
 and in that of her lover. Amidst the crimes 
 laid to the Templar's charge, the breach of 
 his vow of chastity will appear venial ; while 
 the constancy which led Beatrix to attend 
 him here at the risk of her own life, will 
 teach the people to adopt her cause ; and I 
 would stake my crown to a florin that if 
 her disguise is penetrated, there is not one 
 of the heterogeneous crowd who, under the 
 impulse of imagination, will not rush for- 
 ward to adore her. When the Franks are 
 roused to enthusiasm, nothing can impede 
 their progress ; and I should not wonder if 
 they cast ourselves into the flames as a 
 peace-offering to the Red-Cross Knights, 
 following up the act of restitution by placing 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 191 
 
 D'Auvergne on the throne of France, and 
 De Molai in the Papal chair. You should 
 hold in remembrance that our long perse- 
 cutions against the Templars have palled 
 the public appetite. Now their regeneration, 
 and our destruction, would be a novelty — 
 the first of all charms to our volatile sub- 
 jects." 
 
 The De Valois looked dissatisfied, and 
 was turning off, when the Archbishop of 
 Sens, who had heard their colloquy, said, — 
 
 " Philip is right ; the crowd only wish 
 for excitement, and care little in what it 
 originates. Independent of which, several 
 of the Ghibelline faction are now in Paris ; 
 secretly they are the Templars' friends, and 
 are ripe for insurrection if opportunity 
 offer." 
 
 Then angrily interrupted De Valois : — 
 
 " We had better remand the prisoners 
 to their dungeons. The emotion of Lady 
 Beatrix must betray her. I begin to think 
 that you, sirs, are right, and if her stately 
 beauty is exposed to view, it must awaken 
 
192 FRE1DA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 sympathy." He attempted to sneer, but a 
 sigh burst forth. 
 
 " Circumstances now leave me no choice," 
 said Philip ; " I must be quick and decisive. 
 I have before remarked that the tide of 
 opinion is turning in the knights' favour. 
 Before it rushes fully in, all must be over. 
 Any further examination could only end to 
 the Templars' honour. A repetition of 
 the torture would prove their invincible 
 courage, and awaken greater sympathy and 
 compassion." He then turned to the Car- 
 dinals, who obsequiously assented to his 
 opinion. After which, with an air of stately 
 dignity, which well became his style of 
 beauty and royal position, Philip advanced 
 towards the prisoners, and in a loud but 
 solemn voice, called out, " James de Molai, 
 and you, Guy D'Auvergne, in the name of 
 the blessed Redeemer, whose image you have 
 so wickedly, wantonly, and grossly insulted, 
 and of the blessed Virgin, whose purity you 
 have most impiously dared to scoff at ; and 
 in that of all the Saints, I adjure you to 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 193 
 
 confess your sins before these holy men," — 
 he pointed to the Cardinals — " whom, in his 
 great clemency, the Pope has graciously 
 empowered to absolve you. And I say unto 
 you, Templars, raise your voices, though it 
 be to your own confusion, that the vast 
 multitude here collected may hear and thus 
 learn to glorify God, who thus, in awakening 
 you to repentance, instigates you, by your 
 own voices and free-will, to admit the justice 
 of citing your Order to appear before the 
 royal tribunals of Christendom, there to 
 answer for crimes too monstrous to be again 
 detailed." 
 
 As Philip thus spoke, a silence so pro- 
 found was observed it seemed as if the 
 multitude had ceased to breathe. 
 
 Guy D'Auvergne was the first to move. 
 Springing up while St. Bruno's brother 
 still clung wildly to his knees, he boldly 
 confronted Philip, exclaiming, — 
 
 "Away! away, I say, with this shallow 
 mockery of justice and religion, which adds 
 the meanness of hypocrisy to your other 
 crimes ! Full well you know that the alle- 
 
 vol. i. o 
 
194 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 gations brought against our Order are false ; 
 we are innocent of all, save the common 
 frailties inherent to our fallen nature. But 
 defence is vain, for the royal decree of 
 iniquity has gone forth against us, and we 
 have but to meet our doom with a courage 
 inspired by innocence. But, Sons of France," 
 he added, turning towards the spectators, 
 '' be not dazzled by the glittering veil these 
 disciples of Mammon cast over their cor- 
 ruption, it is the whitening of the sepulchre. 
 Ha! though the powers of hell have pre- 
 vailed against our Order, posterity shall 
 judge between us ! to them I leave our 
 acquittal.' ' 
 
 *' Posterity, say you ? * retorted the 
 Grand Master, as he advanced to where 
 the royal party stood, " not such the tri- 
 bunal to which I shall appeal for justice in 
 this sad extremity." He then prostrated him- 
 self on the ground, and continued for some 
 time in prayer, then rising, and in a calm, 
 impressive voice, he said, " Philip of France, 
 and you His Holiness's legates, hear my 
 confession, and let no ear be closed against 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 19«5 
 
 it. To relieve this my weak and mortal body 
 from unspeakable torture, in my agony I 
 shamefully admitted the perpetration of 
 crimes of the very nature of which I was, and 
 am, ignorant ; and this was in me a grievous 
 sin. Alas! that I had not strength to imitate 
 D'Auvergne's resolution, who, under still 
 greater suffering, refused to deviate from 
 the truth ! Such, O king ! is my confession. 
 Now, now for the time of my justification ! 
 I address Clement, the holy Pontiff, through 
 his legates. ' Clement ! seeing though thou 
 art a cruel tyrant, that there is still no 
 higher amongst mortal men to whom I can 
 appeal for my unjust death, I cite thee, to- 
 gether with King Philip le Bel of France, 
 to the tribunal of Christ, the just and im- 
 maculate Judge, who redeemed me, there, 
 within one year and a day, to meet me face 
 to face, when I shall lay my case before 
 Him who, surrounded with glory, shall 
 judge between us, and justice shall be ad- 
 ministered without any by respect ; till then 
 I speak no more in my defence !" : 
 
196 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 The brow of Philip paled at this terrible 
 citation : he affected to smile, however, in 
 scorn, and drew up his person to the highest ; 
 but his lip quivered, a strange sensation of 
 dread passed through his heart, an inward 
 but awful conviction that the Grand Master 
 had power to summon him before the 
 Throne of the Almighty. Then his many 
 crimes rose in array before the King, — the 
 gulf of eternal, impassable woe seemed to 
 yawn beneath his feet. He had ever scoffed 
 in his own mind at the supposition that 
 the Templars communicated with preter- 
 natural powers ; now he admitted the be- 
 lief, and then a voice fell on his ear, mut- 
 tering, — 
 
 " Philip, what avails the earthly gran- 
 deur you have so hungered after? — you 
 must obev the Grand Master's call, — within 
 a year you Die !" 
 
 Observing his agitation, the Archbishop 
 of Sens whispered, — 
 
 " My royal Master, this emotion is ill- 
 timed ; a thousand eyes are fixed on you,— 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 197 
 
 the tide of opinion you so dreaded is on the 
 turn, — this moment is yours, I would not 
 answer for the next. Rouse yourself, then, 
 to action ! " 
 
 So advised, Philip summoned up courage. 
 Again he raised his voice, but a slight 
 tremor was perceptible as he called out, — 
 
 u All further examination or parleying 
 with these criminals, who one dav confess 
 their sins, the next deny them, and then 
 attempt to intimidate justice by mystified 
 words and dark threats of eternity, were 
 an insult to our good citizens of France, 
 to which I, their anointed king, must not 
 subject them. Therefore, in the presence 
 of this assembly, I condemn you, James 
 de Molai, and you, Guy D'Auvergne, for 
 the following heinous offences," (here he 
 distinctly repeated the monstrous crimes 
 imputed to the Templars,) "to the imme- 
 diate punishment of being consumed by 
 the tortures of slow fire. May it purify 
 your wretched souls. But, as in all things 
 I wish to be merciful, for the present let 
 
198 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 the Priors of the Temple be removed to 
 their dungeon ; their guilt not being so 
 flagrant, I shall treat them with clemency. 
 What say you, legates?" 
 
 Ere they could answer, one loud, 
 piercing cry burst on the air, a general 
 confusion ensued. 
 
 "From whence comes it ?" demanded 
 many. 
 
 u It is one of St. Bruno's brothers, who 
 has been seized with a fit. Make way, 
 good people, we would bear him to Notre 
 Dame!" 
 
 The crowd fell back, and the lifeless 
 form of the monk was rapidly borne by 
 his pious brethren towards the sacred 
 edifice, — the sanctuary granted through 
 God's mercv. 
 
 m 
 
 De Valois' heart had responded to the 
 wild cry of despair ; for a moment revenge 
 yielded to love. Beatrix, so beautiful, so 
 devoted, so courageous, rose up before him. 
 
 " It cannot be that she is dead ! " he 
 thought, as he made a spring to follow 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 199 
 
 the monks ; but Philip, with a powerful 
 grasp, held him back, exclaiming, — 
 
 " Ha, sir ! by St. Genevieve, you are 
 distraught ! What ! are we all to be sa- 
 crificed to your fruitless passion, or it may 
 be to a late repentance ? Have you for 
 years urged us on to this business, and 
 would now interfere with its execution ? 
 But see, already have St. Bruno's brothers 
 entered Notre Dame. Its portals are 
 closed — even royalty dared not invade its 
 sanctuary. Have you not observed that 
 since the Grand Master's mysterious sum- 
 mons to me and Clement, that the multi- 
 tude have appeared discontented ? Charles, 
 I know them best : they regret the part 
 they have acted to the Templars, so long 
 their Idol, and would gladly elevate them 
 
 to their former position This way is 
 
 clear : it will lead us to our steeds. Sens, 
 my good prelate, see to the prisoners, we 
 deny them not shrift or sacrament ; but the 
 prayer must be short, — the fire swift, — no 
 need to lengthen their tortures." 
 
200 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 "Fear not, my royal Master," replied 
 the Archbishop ; " on so grave an occa- 
 sion few words suffice between the penitent 
 and the priest." 
 
 It was evening when the Archbishop of 
 Sens joined the royal banquet at the Louvre, 
 none were present but the cardinals from 
 Rome, and some princes of the blood of 
 France ; so, without hesitation, he an- 
 nounced the death of the Grand Master 
 and of D'Auvergne : they had died like 
 martyrs, amidst the flames which encircled 
 them, asserting their innocence, and raising 
 their voices in hallelujahs to the glory of 
 God. With them perished the last hope 
 of the Red-Cross Knights ; within a few 
 months subsequently the whole Order was 
 suppressed. 
 
 # # # # 
 
 The fate of the Templars being so inter- 
 woven with history, I have passed as lightly 
 as possible over the subject. There can -be 
 no doubt of the injustice and cruelty with 
 
FRETDA THE JONGLEUR. 201 
 
 which they were treated, and that their 
 trials and annihilation were followed by the 
 most dreadful consequences to the moral 
 and social state of society, more especially 
 in France. The extraordinary crimes laid 
 to their charge awakened a dangerous cu- 
 riosity after forbidden things, and a belief 
 in demoniacal influence, and of the embody- 
 ing of evil spirits into the human form, with 
 other wild and vicious fancies ; and ere the 
 conclusion of the century these became so 
 general, that the usual vices to which the 
 nature of man disposes him, were considered 
 of little importance. Consequently, being un- 
 curbed, they extended to a frightful degree, 
 finding a ready excuse in the fearful idea 
 that evil spirits, entering into the bodies 
 of men, urged them on to their destinies : 
 this horrible belief in demoniacal influence 
 rapidly led to the wildest fantasies of an 
 abhorred worship ; and the strange madness 
 extended throughout France, hurling thou- 
 sands to destruction. Deeply were the 
 Templars avenged ! 
 
202 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 " What boots the god-like giant to provoke, 
 Whose arm may sink me at a single stroke ?" 
 
 Pope's Odyssey. 
 
 It formed a trait in the policy of Charles 
 Count de Valois to banish speedily from his 
 presence those creatures of his power who 
 had succumbed to his will. Once their 
 services were not required, he despised them 
 for want of manly independence ; and hu- 
 miliating to his indomitable pride was the 
 necessity which obliged him to spread out 
 his secret thoughts and plans to such men. 
 
 " Caitiffs I" he would mutter ; " jackals, 
 to hunt down the quarry for other men's 
 passions to prey upon ; your object being 
 gain, it may be to win a salute from one of 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 203 
 
 superior rank. I have witnessed such, — yea, 
 and among those who wear golden spurs. 
 Poor guerdon, methinks ! Well, I must 
 see this Gaultier ; he may still serve my 
 purpose, and that, too, without subjecting 
 me to the reproach of his presence. I can 
 endure vice, but not meanness. He shall 
 have his promised reward ; therefore, he 
 has no right to complain." 
 
 Gaultier, who during the period of the 
 Templars' trial had resided in the palace of 
 De Yalois, and still continued there, hastily 
 obeyed his chief's summons. 
 
 u Gaultier," said De Valois, in a haughty, 
 careless manner, " I have some inquiries to 
 make of importance to me. How comes it 
 that you have got possession of the large 
 sums amassed from the revenues of the old 
 Baron D'Evreux, who has so long absented 
 himself from France ? I knew not of this 
 until yesterday evening, when circumstances 
 brought it to my knowledge. Be explicit." 
 
 There was something of pride in Gaul- 
 tier's manner as he replied, — 
 
204 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 " Simply, noble Count, because my sister 
 was married to Count Nicon, the Baron 
 D'Evreux's only brother ; and her son 
 Foulque, my nephew, will, on the Baron's 
 death, be heir to his vast revenues. I met 
 the old man in the East: some acts of 
 kindness occasionally took place between us. 
 Thus, on Count Nicon's death — my sister 
 has long been numbered with the dead — 
 he appointed me sole guardian of Foulque, 
 and empowered me to receive the fruits of 
 his estates ; of course, in safe keeping, for 
 him to dispose of at pleasure." Here Gaul- 
 tier paused, sighed naturally, and added, 
 "It was Count Nicon's death which un- 
 happily brought me back to France, and 
 embroiled me in this affair of the Tem- 
 plars " 
 
 Interrupting him hastily, De Valois 
 said, — 
 
 " I never forego or evade a promise. 
 Already the bishopric of Longris is secured 
 to you. Even were Philip and I to die, 
 you shall have the mitre. Fear not ! And 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 205 
 
 now for a more important subject. I am 
 not yet satisfied about these revenues of 
 Baron D'Evreux. You say one Foulque, 
 your nephew, is heir. How is that ? Was 
 not the Baron married? Had he not a 
 daughter ? Such was my belief." 
 
 il It were a long story to explain," coldly 
 answered Gaultier. 
 
 " Not so. I would learn every particu- 
 lar : so, Sir Priest, your being explicit will 
 oblige : " he spoke friendly. 
 
 " When the present old Baron D'Evreux," 
 said Gaultier, " came into possession of his 
 estates, he found them encumbered to their 
 full value. Consequently, when he married 
 the Lord D'Anville's beautiful heiress, aware 
 of his own circumscribed means, and being 
 romantically in love, he left the whole 
 disposal of the D'Anville property to his 
 lordship. 
 
 "Now it so happened, that owing to 
 a royal grant of St. Louis, given, it was 
 said, in reward of a large sum advanced to 
 him towards carrying on the Crusade, the 
 
206 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Lord D'Anville and his heirs possessed full 
 power to dispose of their fief at pleasure, 
 and that too by testament, although such 
 power granted to a subject was against the 
 spirit of the feudal law, which goes to 
 
 say " 
 
 Impatiently De Valois interrupted, — 
 " You try my patience, Sir Deacon ! 
 Think you that I remain ignorant of the 
 laws of France ? Besides, this is not the 
 point upon which I want to be instructed. 
 Pray avoid these digressions, and, clearly 
 as you can, explain to me how your nephew 
 is heir to the old Baron. I say he had a 
 daughter." 
 
 " Count de Valois, then I have but to 
 mention that the Lord D'Anville — he was 
 not noble, only ennobled — proud of his daugh- 
 ter being connected to the royal house of 
 France, to preserve that connexion had the 
 whole of the united estates of his daughter 
 and of his son-in-law settled on the fruits of 
 their marriage, of either sex ; thus, in failure 
 of male issue, a daughter would inherit, and 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 207 
 
 he spared neither expense nor trouble to 
 confirm this deed of settlement. Great 
 wealth gives power ; by it the Lord D'An- 
 ville obtained the impress of the royal seal 
 of France and of the holy keys of St. 
 Peter to validate the arrangement. This 
 secured, he generously, in the event of his 
 daughter having no children to inherit, be- 
 queathed the whole of the estates to the next 
 male heirs of the Baron D'Evreux's family." 
 
 " So far all is comprehended by me," 
 observed De Valois. 
 
 " The marriage of Baron D'Evreux with 
 D'Anville's beautiful heiress was celebrated 
 at his ancestral castle in Mayenne with regal 
 magnificence. Never was there a greater 
 promise of happiness ; but ere fifteen months 
 had fully elapsed, the Baroness, in giving 
 birth to a daughter, expired. Then whis- 
 pers were circulated that the fierce temper 
 of the Baron had depressed the spirits of his 
 gentle bride, bringing on a slow but certain 
 decline. Be that as it may, from the period 
 of the Baroness's death, a hostile feeling 
 
208 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 existed between Lord D'Anville and his 
 princely son-in-law. 
 
 "It was the policy of both parties to 
 suppress this ill-feeling. Lord D'Anville 
 wished to have the guardianship of the 
 little Louise ; so he resided with her at the 
 Castle in Mayenne, gaining the liberty by 
 granting large sums to the Baron, who con- 
 soled his short-lived grief for his bride's 
 death by dissipation in Paris. Louise had 
 scarcely reached her sixteenth year when 
 Lord D'Anville died. Being for some time 
 aware of his approaching end, he left Louise 
 to the care of a near kinsman, a youth of the 
 name of Francesco D'Esculo, one who had 
 tenderly loved his daughter ; and who, when 
 she gave her hand to Baron D'Evreux, being 
 hopeless of earthly happiness, had cast off 
 his warlike pursuits and earthly ambition to 
 bear the Cross of his Redeemer. 
 
 w It was not until Lord D'Anville's death 
 that Baron D'Evreux experienced the dis- 
 advantages of the settlements to which he had 
 weakly, under the influence of a short-lived 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 209 
 
 love, agreed. Here lay the difficulty. Posi- 
 tively, be could not command a rood of his 
 wide estates ; and D'Anville, who hated him, 
 had left, from the hour of his death, all his 
 property to his granddaughter Louise ; and 
 merchants of the highest respectability were 
 appointed trustees until she attained the age 
 of twenty-five. 
 
 u D'Anville was gone ; so the fierce tem- 
 per of Baron DEvreux had none upon whom 
 to pour forth the venom of disappointment 
 but his innocent daughter, towards whom he 
 imbibed such a dislike — he had never loved 
 her — that her very sight became painful to 
 him ; and, totally neglecting her, he left the 
 timid girl in Mayenne under D'Esculo's 
 guardianship. 
 
 " Two years passed off without any event 
 of importance. Louise remained in Mayenne ; 
 for, as is recorded, she seems to have been 
 a weak, timid girl, unequal to excel in any 
 accomplishments, and, like her mother, was 
 of delicate health. Of her father the Baron 
 she was much afraid ; the very mention 
 
 VOL. I. p 
 
210 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 of his name startled her. D'Esculo, her 
 guardian, she esteemed, but he was her 
 instructor ; and youth, shrinking from au- 
 thority, seldom confides in their teachers. 
 Still Louise was cheerful ; she understood 
 embroidery, also falconry, and fed her eyasses. 
 Then she delighted in the music and ro- 
 maunts of the old minstrels : probably the 
 former gave an impress to her mind. 
 
 " From this simple mode of life Louise was 
 roused by a stern mandate from the Baron, 
 announcing his approaching nuptials with a 
 lady of rank, and commanding her to prepare 
 for the Convent of Laval, where, within a 
 few months, she (Louise) was to enter on her 
 novitiate. At the same time letters came 
 from the Baron to D'Esculo : their purport 
 never transpired ; but, from their tenor, 
 discovering that the Baron was resolved in 
 his despotic purpose, and knowing him to 
 be capable of any act of cruelty, he (D'Esculo) 
 resolved, as the only means of controverting 
 him, to set off immediately to Rome and 
 win over Boniface, who then filled the Papal 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 21 1 
 
 chair, to uphold Louise. Lord D'Anville had 
 been Boniface's earliest friend. 
 
 il Just then the castle was crowded with 
 artisans preparatory to the Baron's second 
 nuptials. Among others was a jeweller, by 
 name Hubert Clisson. Louise found pleasure 
 in hearing from him explanations of ar- 
 morial bearings and proud lineage, while he 
 polished up shields and corslets. The ar- 
 tisan was young ; Louise beautiful, weak, 
 romantic, ignorant as a babe of the world ; 
 she had never wandered beyond the castle's 
 wide bounds. 
 
 4 'How he, of low degree, presumed to 
 confess his love, none ever heard. The 
 words of tenderness fell on a yielding, con- 
 fiding, innocent heart. To her inexperience, 
 the fire of the holocaust purified the offering, 
 though, in the world's estimation, the hands 
 which presented it were vulgar ; and, ere 
 her feelings were suspected, she had fled 
 from the castle with her lover." 
 
 " And thus," exclaimed De Valois, " dis- 
 graced her family. Now, Gaultier, I have 
 
212 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 before heard these events, though not so 
 fully ; but what I want to learn is the truth 
 of a report that this Lady Louise bore a 
 child to the jeweller ; if so, how comes your 
 nephew to be heir ? " 
 
 " There was a report to that purport, 
 but it was vague and unfounded," replied 
 Gaultier. " After Lady Louise's elopement 
 with the jeweller, the Baron's second nup- 
 tials were broken off; and some six years 
 Subsequently, he adopted my nephew, Sir 
 Foulque, as his heir. This could not have 
 been, had his daughter left a child." 
 
 " Gaultier," said De Valois, "there was 
 still another report, that this base Hubert 
 Clisson and his bride were discovered by 
 the D'Evreux, and that with his own hands 
 the Baron washed out the stain his daugh- 
 ter's disgraceful marriage had impressed on 
 his family with her blood. Now the Baron's 
 long absence in the Holy Land, where he 
 leads a life, I hear, of solitude, gives a 
 colouring to this report. Had I been in his 
 place, by the Saints of Heaven, I had gloried, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 213 
 
 not pined at my just revenge. Faugh ! the 
 daughter of a noble wed with an artisan ! 
 Shame ! shame ! " 
 
 There was a pause. Then De Valois 
 observed, — 
 
 " So, Sir Deacon, you received from the 
 merchants large sums of the money saved 
 out of those estates of the D'Evreux?" 
 
 " In trust," replied Gaultier, " I have." 
 
 " It's well," hastily exclaimed De Valois. 
 " You must accommodate me with the loan 
 of seventy thousand gold florins. Your 
 having the power is fortunate. My security 
 is undoubted. I want but time to wrin"f twice 
 the sum from these stubborn, money -making 
 Flemings. I say, Sir Deacon, how soon 
 can you procure the money?" 
 
 "Seventy thousand florins ! Noble prince, 
 I do not possess one hundred florins. How 
 should I ?" 
 
 " Those you have in trust. I know 
 their extent ; it may be that fifty will 
 answer. Nay, start not ! This agitation is 
 useless. Listen to my emergency, and be 
 
214 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 secret as the grave. The tongue which 
 betrays me shall be burnt to a cinder." 
 
 Gaultier shuddered. 
 
 De Valois proceeded : — 
 
 " While asking this favour, it were use- 
 less to equivocate facts. I have squandered 
 away public monies intrusted to my care — 
 of this Philip le Bel is ignorant. Now the 
 Minister of France, Enguerand Marigni, 
 has publicly, — nay, before the assembled 
 Barons, accused me of the crime. Nay, by 
 the living God ! when, frantic at the shame, 
 I gave him the lie, the proud Norman in 
 his rage struck me — struck me — Charles 
 de Valois, leaving me no choice but revenge ; 
 for refining on his insolence, he refused on 
 the plea, that by the embezzlement of this 
 cursed money, I had proved myself recreant 
 to the laws of chivalry. Consequently, that 
 he, a Norman knight, would but sully his 
 sword by meeting me in single combat." 
 
 Here the Count started up, and mutter- 
 ing the most awful imprecations against 
 Marigni, tramped the apartment. Resum- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 215 
 
 ing his place and self-possession, in a bland 
 manner he said, — 
 
 " On Wednesday the 10th — this is the 
 4th — the prelates and peers of France meet 
 in the Chastelet to inquire into those grave 
 charges ; and there is but one way of re- 
 futing them — that is, to lay down the full 
 sum intrusted to my keeping. And blessed be 
 the Saints" — he kissed his Crucifix — "who 
 have given you the power to serve me in this 
 extremity. I see the hand of God in it. 
 For the rest, let Marigni and all he loves 
 tremble at my revenge. Woe to them ! for 
 though by the Templars I was deprived of 
 the Imperial crown and disappointed in my 
 love, still my hate, in comparison to that 
 with which Enguerand Marigni's insult has 
 inspired me, was but as the light of yon pale 
 star rising in the northern hemisphere to 
 the full blaze of the sun's meridian glory. 
 Now, Sir Priest, after this revelation, you 
 must be aware that I cannot release you 
 from lending me the florins. As to the re- 
 payment, I promise to be punctual, though 
 
216 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 I cannot fix the exact period ; and to prove 
 my gratitude — quickly as I can have you 
 presented, you shall have a Cardinal's hat. 
 Now adieu, Philip expects me to join his 
 afternoon ride." 
 
 " There is no alternative," groaned 
 Gaultier, striking his forehead. " That des- 
 perate Prince is my evil destiny. Step by 
 step I feel him hurling me into the abyss of 
 crime — joyless crime. Yet while I feel the 
 waters of destruction closing around me, I 
 have no means of escape. Vengeance ! un- 
 relenting vengeance! seems the element of 
 his nature. If I refuse his demand, his 
 terrible enmity will be turned against me. 
 Then let me do him justice. De Valois never 
 forfeits his promise of guerdon to those who 
 serve him. He may as well have the money 
 of Baron D'Evreux in keeping — it will be 
 equally secure — and without injustice. I 
 win a Cardinal's hat, —a rank to which, in my 
 wildest dreams of ambition, I never looked 
 forward." 
 
 The Cardinal's hat in perspective hushed 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 217 
 
 conscience ; or, to speak more correctly of 
 the Deacon, fear in his versatile mind. And 
 on the appointed day De Valois received 
 the money. 
 
 The Count then represented to Gaultier 
 the absolute necessity of his retiring from 
 France until the present feeling of regret 
 for the Templars' fate died away. " Philip 
 le Bel's two younger sons have so warmly 
 defended the Red- Cross Knights, and ex- 
 pressed their disapprobation, that their im- 
 perious father has banished them from 
 court, appointing Francesco D'Esculo, the 
 companion of their exile, also to act as their 
 tutor. 
 
 " Now," proceeded De Yalois, " you see, 
 Gaultier, the folly of your remaining in 
 France. Be advised, and for the present 
 return to the East." 
 
 "I have no choice," bitterly replied 
 Gaultier. The following week he left for 
 Natolia. 
 
218 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 " This looks quite lonely : 
 No banner flying from the walls, 
 No pages and no seneschals, 
 No warders, and one porter only." 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 The next three years Gaul tier chiefly 
 resided on the southern coast of Natalia; 
 gradually its soft climate and the luxurious 
 habits he acquired rendered him a mere 
 sensualist : scarcely a trait of his gallant, 
 adventurous spirit could be traced. Having 
 once encroached on the money intrusted to 
 his care, after a little hesitation, he ap- 
 propriated large sums to support his own 
 pleasures. 
 
 The frequent disputes at this period 
 between the Moslem and Christian powers 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 219 
 
 rendered intelligence from Europe uncer- 
 tain ; and the only news of importance 
 that reached Gaultier was the startling 
 fact, that Philip le Bel and his Holiness, 
 Clement, had both died at the period 
 they had been summoned by James de 
 Molai to meet him at the throne of 
 grace, there to await the judgment of 
 God. Then came the elevation of Louis 
 Hutin to the throne of France ; and his 
 death within the space of sixteen months 
 raised Philip V. to the sceptre. This 
 to Gaultier was a source of regret : as 
 before mentioned, this prince had adopted 
 the Templars' cause so warmly that he had 
 actually challenged Charles, Count de Valois 
 (his uncle), to break a lance in single com- 
 bat, thus to decide the Templars' guilt or 
 innocence. On the pretence that he would 
 not combat with a beardless boy, De Valois 
 had declined : and now this beardless boy 
 was King of France! 
 
 # # # # # 
 
 Another year swept swiftly by, and then 
 
220 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Gaultier received notice that he had been 
 appointed to the see of Longris ; about the 
 same period the old baron, D'Evreux, died 
 in Jericho. These events obliged Gaultier's 
 return to Paris. There his first business 
 should be to demand from De Valois the 
 large sums he had advanced, — for now the 
 time to account for his (Gaultier's) steward- 
 ship had arrived. 
 
 On reaching Paris, Gaultier hired a 
 magnificent hotel, situated on the banks 
 of the Seine, to the left of the grand 
 Chastelet; and, on the King's first recep- 
 tion, followed by a gorgeous train of at- 
 tendants, he proceeded to the Louvre. 
 
 The Court was crowded, and the young 
 monarch's address to the lately-appointed 
 Bishop of Longris was haughty and dis- 
 courteous : remarkable, as in general Philip 
 was bland to politeness. In short, indepen- 
 dent of the Templars, the King was irritated 
 at finding that his Queen, Jane D'Artois, 
 had selected Longris as her confessor. To 
 interfere with her on sacred matters had 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 221 
 
 been despotic, and she had rejected his 
 entreaties on the subject. 
 
 Retiring early from the royal presence, 
 and having dismissed his suite, Gaultier, 
 in a brisk pace, rode off to the palace of 
 De Valois. On reaching the outer court 
 he was surprised at its air of neglect and 
 desolation. When last he had entered the 
 quadrangle it was filled by a gallant retinue : 
 their rich armour glancing in the evening 
 light ; while gay squires, and saucy pages, 
 clad in silken sheen and waving plumes, 
 sauntered about, awaiting their chief's 
 commands ; enlivening the time by music, 
 or flashes of wit ; — then all had been 
 life and merriment. 
 
 What meant the change? could De 
 Valois be dead ? Impatiently Gaultier 
 sounded a horn, encrusted with gold, 
 which hung at the outer gate ; another 
 blast, and still no answer; another, and 
 the wide portals, creaking on the rust- 
 eaten hinges, were half opened, and an 
 old porter demanded, " Your business ? " 
 
222 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 "Is the De Valois dead?" cried Gaul- 
 tier, tremulously, and with impatience. 
 
 " Speak loud ! I am troubled with a 
 deafness ; " and a head wrapped up in a 
 red cap popped forward. 
 
 •'Fool!" muttered Gaultier. Then, 
 aloud, "Is De Valois dead? It must 
 be so : death alone could have wrought 
 this change." 
 
 " Not dead," answered the porter ; " but 
 he has vanished in some strange fashion." 
 
 "What mean you? Speak to the pur- 
 pose," roared out Gaultier. 
 
 "I am deaf," persisted the porter, 
 stupidly ; " and when you speak so loud, 
 I hear a sound, it pains me, but I do not 
 understand. Put your mouth to my ear, 
 and speak slow and distinct." 
 
 There was no other alternative, thus, 
 after a time, Gaultier elicited the following 
 information : — 
 
 "During the reign of Louis Hutin, 
 De Valois ruled France, and pursued his 
 revenge on Enguerand Marigni ; and it 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 223 
 
 was the received belief that, in carrying 
 out his plans of ambition and vengeance, 
 the Valois had recourse to magical influ- 
 ence, being assisted in his fell pursuits 
 by a pagan, — one of the Saxon Jongleurs, — 
 a race then banished from France. Sir," 
 proceeded the porter, as Gaultier sternly 
 questioned, "at the period I suffered from 
 fever ; it left me deaf, and my memory since 
 has been failing ; but I do just remember 
 that this pagan sorceress was burned : that 
 is all I knew of her ; but I am certain that 
 De Valois fell into great disrepute by this 
 wicked pagan, his only friend being Louis 
 Rutin, so, on his death, the Count vanished. 
 Some said that he had gone to the Holy Land 
 to expiate his sins ; others, that, as a severe 
 expiation, he had taken the vows of La 
 Trappe ; but the general belief is, that 
 this sorceress spirited him away ; " and the 
 porter crossed himself, and began to mumble 
 a credo. 
 
 The heart of Gaultier throbbed with 
 conflicting passions, as he listened to these 
 
224 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 imperfect explanations. With De Valois 
 he not only lost the large sums advanced, 
 but the prospects of a Cardinal's hat, — the 
 goal of his ambition ; yet disappointment 
 for a moment vielded to a softer feeling, as 
 he thought, Could the pagan, the Saxon sor- 
 ceress, be Freida ? and, though nearly six- 
 and- twenty years had elapsed since he parted 
 from her at Mount Carmel, she rose to his 
 memory in all the freshness of her exquisite 
 and youthful beauty, just bursting into wo- 
 manhood, each charm enhanced by her en- 
 thusiastic and eloquently expressed devotion 
 to her Templar ; then he thought of his own 
 quickly-raised passion, on whose shrine he 
 would have sacrificed every earthly and 
 future prospect, — yea, a Christian's faith. 
 (t Beautiful Freida," he muttered ; " to 
 me you were indeed a sorceress, casting your 
 enchantments around me. How delicious, 
 how torturing, how transient, were the emo- 
 tions with which you inspired me ! Oh, how 
 preferable to the cold calculations of pride 
 and ambition ! But why indulge in these 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 225 
 
 thoughts, or suppose that the sorceress in 
 De Valois' employment was you, Freida? 
 No, the thing is impossible ; and this is 
 no time to indulge in idle fancies, when 
 ruin surrounds me." 
 
 Thus reflecting, he quitted the palace of 
 De Valois, and rode slowly towards Notre 
 Dame, whose vesper hymns broke musically 
 on the silent and deserted streets. 
 
 Degraded as was the spirit of Gaultier, 
 he could not approach this " Queen of Ca- 
 thedrals " without some awakenings of better 
 and holier feelings. Its noble outline was 
 just visible through the increasing gloom ; 
 while here and there from the deeply-stained 
 glass streamed forth a thousand iris hues, 
 gleaming over the dark walls and pavement, 
 which they partially illuminated, while the last 
 hymn, chorused forth by a thousand voices, 
 floated around in a continued strain of 
 melody. 
 
 Oh ! how enrapturing, entrancing, in- 
 spiring, is not that stream of sacred music ! 
 Even the sordid soul of Gaultier was affected, 
 
 VOL. I. Q 
 
<2%6 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 and for a moment the blessed inspiration 
 exalted his thoughts to heaven. Who, in- 
 deed, gazing on that holy fane, worthy of its 
 glorious consecrations, could remain insen- 
 sible to the God to whom for untold ages 
 it had been dedicated, though the forms of 
 man's worship may have differed? Who 
 could remain insensible to the temple, em- 
 balmed by the memory of past days, en- 
 deared by the monuments of the departed 
 great, and whose echoes for centuries have 
 been the repetition of prayers, pouring 
 forth from contrite hearts the words of 
 gratitude and of love to a merciful Creator ? 
 
 Subdued, and for the moment inspired 
 by holy thoughts, Gaultier alighted, meaning 
 to enter the sacred fane ; but the last vesper 
 hymn was over, the lights were extinguished, 
 and a vast congregation rushed out, impatient 
 to return to the occupations and pleasures 
 of this transient world. 
 
 To shun the crowd, Gaultier hurried off 
 some distance, groping his way, for the 
 darkness of night prevailed. Suddenly he 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. QT) 
 
 perceived the flash of torches ; they were 
 carried by a party of young cavaliers, a gay 
 set of rufflers, who evidently had been doing 
 honour to Bacchus. The light fell upon a 
 rude monument erected on the spot where 
 the Templars had suffered death. Cold 
 damps at the recollection hung on Gaultier's 
 forehead. 
 
 " Ho ! by the blessed Virgin," exclaimed 
 one of the cavaliers, " were I Philip the Long 
 I would remove this proof of my father's 
 crime and cruelty ! " 
 
 " Curses attend on the murderers of the 
 Red- Cross Knights ! " cried the whole party 
 simultaneously. 
 
 " On one and all of them !" shouted out 
 another. 
 
 "I. marvel," exclaimed a third, " how 
 Philip le Bel and his Holiness looked when 
 they stood up there," (pointing upwards), 
 "at Christ's tribunal, to answer the Grand 
 Master's accusation. No paltering of justice 
 or respect of persons in heaven. How the 
 crowned heads must have trembled ! Ha ! 
 ha! ha!" 
 
228 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 "Crowned heads!" retorted a fourth; 
 " bald ones, I wot ! Why, the ermine, the 
 sceptre, the crown, and tiara, all remained 
 on earth to adorn other heads ! " 
 
 " Tush ! man, the king never dies, nor 
 his holiness the pope either ; then remember 
 we brought nothing into this world, and 
 shall take nothing out of it!" 
 
 This sally was followed by loud laughter, 
 and on the instant they discovered Gaul tier 
 in his ecclesiastical dress. 
 
 u Ha ! Sir Priest," they simultaneously 
 roared out ; " come you to lecture and ab- 
 solve ? Down on your knees and be the 
 first to confess — I cry, confess ! " 
 
 Not wishing to engage in a brawl with 
 the bacchantes, the Deacon would have re- 
 tired, but obstructing his passage, they 
 continued, — 
 
 " Nay ; you shall answer. Should not 
 these good swords " (flourishing theirs) 
 Ci strike death to those who annihilated the 
 confraternity of the noblest knights that 
 ever put lance in rest? The glory of all 
 Christendom were the Templars ; now see 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 229 
 
 the consequence of their destruction. In 
 place of them have sprung up the loath- 
 some Dominicans and Franciscans, just as 
 grubs emanate in shoals from the forms of 
 beauty when prostrate in the cold embrace 
 of death. Mark the result. The Red-Cross 
 Knights, by example — who cares for pre- 
 cepts ? — encouraged pleasure; whereas these 
 canting friars make a crime of all amuse- 
 ment, would deny the light of heaven if they 
 possessed power. Truly their ways are the 
 ways of darkness, in place of peace, love, 
 and harmony ! " 
 
 Shouts of riotous laughter followed this 
 remark, accompanied by a clash of weapons. 
 
 There sat on the base of the monument 
 a woman clad in the gloomy weeds of 
 widowhood, a wimple drawn closely over 
 her face completely disguised it. 
 
 " Cavaliers," mildly observed Gaultier, 
 pointing towards her, " we must not dis- 
 turb this mourner for the departed." 
 
 " Ho ! Sir Priest, presume you to in- 
 sinuate that a woman mourns the Templars, 
 they who never broke their vows of chastity ?" 
 
230 FRE1DA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 " It may be," said Gaultier, smiling, "a 
 mother or a sister who weeps their loss ; 
 therefore, most noble cavaliers and cham- 
 pions of the departed knights, disturb not 
 the prayers for their souls' weal." 
 
 "Well said, thou man of God!" they 
 gaily replied. Then shouting, flashing their 
 torches and their swords, off they went, for 
 the delectable purpose of creating confusion. 
 
 Glad to escape, Gaultier was hastening 
 off in another direction, when the widow 
 started up, grasped his wrist, placed a slip 
 of vellum in his hand, and then fled with 
 such speed, that ere he recovered from the 
 surprise her conduct awakened, she was 
 lost to view. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 231 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 " 'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, 
 How much I have disabled mine estate, 
 By something showing a more swelling port 
 Than my faint means would grant continuance : 
 Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd 
 From such a noble rate ; but my chief care 
 Is, to come fairly off from the great debts, 
 Wherein my time, something too prodigal, 
 Hath left me gaged." — Shakspeare. 
 
 On reaching bis hotel, Gaultier's first care 
 was to examine the scroll so mysteriously 
 thrust into his hand ; he then hastened to 
 greet his nephew, Foulque D'Evreux, who, he 
 understood, had arrived during his absence. 
 He found Foulque, though of a hand- 
 some form, rude and coarse in manner. On 
 his father's death he had taken up his re- 
 sidence in the donjon of a Roturier, there 
 he had acquired a perfect knowledge of the 
 
232 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 use of weapons and of sylvan sports, but re- 
 mained in total ignorance of the courtesies 
 of life, which he deemed effeminate. Con- 
 sequently, he was despised by his compeers, 
 who gave him the sobriquet of the " Eotu- 
 rier's eleve." 
 
 After having partaken of refreshments 
 Foulque exclaimed, — 
 
 " I say, Bishop, you are welcome back to 
 France if you confirm the report which has 
 brought me from Laval — that of Baron 
 D'Evreux's death. How died the old peni- 
 tent?" 
 
 Gaultier was startled ; he had hoped 
 that intelligence of the Baron's death had 
 not as yet reached his nephew's knowledge. 
 
 Foulque laughed rudely, then observed, — 
 
 " Good uncle, of the large sums depo- 
 sited in your hands by the late Baron for 
 me his heir, I mean to make good use. I 
 will have the baronial castle of my haughty 
 ancestors fully restored to its original gran- 
 deur ; not but that I far prefer the manly 
 habits of the Roturier class. But of the 
 castle ; how its time-worn tapestry and rat- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 233 
 
 eaten wainscoting will wave at the notes of 
 dancing and revelry so long silenced ! Yes, 
 the minstrelsy of pleasure shall resound 
 through the now desolate halls, and. the wide 
 courts rebound with the trumpet's blast, to 
 summon my large retinues to tourney, or, 
 it may be, sylvan sports. So, come we at 
 once to the reckoning, — no lack in the pay- 
 ment, I hope ? " 
 
 There was a sneer of sarcasm attending 
 this remark, accompanied by a bold look. 
 
 " Ha ! he suspects me ! " reflected Gaul- 
 tier. "I like not the youth, though his form 
 is noble. Well, the power to humble, for 
 the present at least, lies with me." 
 
 Then addressing Foulque, he said, — 
 
 " Young Sir, I cannot give up the money 
 received in trust until your right of inhe- 
 ritance is proved." 
 
 " What means this ? I understood that 
 D'Evreux was dead. So, after all, the old 
 Baron still lives ?" 
 
 " No !" coldly answered Gaultier, u he 
 is dead — died at Jericho I" 
 
 Then fiercely uttered Foulque, — 
 
234 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 " What my friend the Roturier told 
 me is true ; and you, my pious uncle, have 
 spent the money, and now by a glossing 
 tongue hope to deceive ; but I am off this 
 instant to the Provost. Gold he shall have, 
 so he sees me righted ! " He started up and 
 rushed to the door. 
 
 Gaultier drew him back. Speaking 
 hurriedly, he said, — 
 
 "Foulque, your only chance, — nay, only 
 hope, — is in our unity of purpose. The 
 grand-daughter of old Baron D'Evreux lives, 
 and is undoubted heiress of the vast 
 wealth left by the Lord of D'Anville." 
 
 "Holy Saints! Can this be true?" 
 cried Foulque, at once subdued. 
 
 " Fatally so ! Here rest on this bench 
 while I explain particulars, and which have 
 only reached my knowledge of late." 
 
 "You, of course, Sir Foulque, are ac- 
 quainted with the history of Louise until 
 her elopement with the artisan ?" 
 
 " Perfectly ; I have heard it a hundred 
 times, — the disgrace to her family, the 
 theme can never be forgotten.'* 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 235 
 
 " Well, then," proceeded Gaultier, " two 
 years after the mesalliance, Baron D'Evreux 
 discovered that his daughter resided in 
 Bo urges with her humble husband the 
 jeweller, Hubert Clisson. Considering so 
 low a person as an artisan unworthy of 
 honourable treatment, with a large retinue 
 he proceeded to Bourges. It was near mid- 
 night ere the Baron arrived, but his im- 
 patience brooked no delay. So, followed by 
 his men-at-arms, he rushed into the humble 
 habitation of the jeweller, who, surrounded 
 by workmen, was engaged in cleaning up some 
 sacerdotal plate. A fierce fray ensued. The 
 apartment flowed with blood ! Disturbed 
 from slumber by the confusion, though 
 ignorant of its cause, Louise, casting a large 
 mantle over her person, rushed in. A mo- 
 ment explained the whole truth ; while the 
 Baron, discovering by her enlarged form 
 that she was on the eve of still further dis- 
 gracing her house, by giving an heir to 
 Hubert, in his frenzy made a deadly thrust 
 at the jeweller. The quick eye of Louise 
 
236 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 perceived the danger ; she flew between her 
 father and husband, and, unhappily, the 
 swords of both the combatants wounded her. 
 By this time Francesco D'Esculo, the priest, 
 Louise's guardian, entered ; he resided at 
 the period with the jeweller, and had retired 
 to rest ; catching the nearly lifeless form of 
 the ill-fated lady in his arms, he beckoned 
 to one of the workmen to assist him, and 
 while the foes fought like maniacs, bore 
 her secretly to the Convent of St. Mary's, 
 adjoining the ancient cathedral. There, 
 being seized by the pangs of labour, the 
 murdered lady gave birth to a daughter, 
 and soon after expired." 
 
 Interrupting him, Foulque exclaimed, — 
 "Even if she — that i child — lives, the 
 fruit of a mesalliance cannot inherit, — it 
 were against the spirit of the feudal laws, — 
 a son so born would be considered a bastard, 
 and not admitted within any order of 
 chivalry. Thus my heirship cannot be set 
 aside by this offspring of the jeweller — a 
 cleaner of plate. I suspect some priestly 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 267 
 
 legerdemain. Nay, good uncle, you have 
 spent my dues, and would foil me off with 
 a well-got-up tale." 
 
 Smothering his indignation at Foulque's 
 just but coarse accusation, the Bishop re- 
 plied, — 
 
 '' Let us for the present confine our con- 
 versation to the heirship — dispute your 
 rights when they are proved, then act to- 
 wards me at pleasure. Your observation, 
 relative to the offspring of mesalliances, 
 as a general rule is correct ; but still, 
 in defiance of it, several of the French 
 barons, by means of letters of nobility 
 and other favours, so descended, have 
 been admitted into the highest orders of 
 chivalry and permitted to inherit fiefs. 
 Keep in mind, Sir Foulque, that power 
 lies with the aristocracy, else it were but 
 a shadow ; and they, like all other confra- 
 ternities, uphold, from self-interest, their 
 Order. A house set against itself will surely 
 fall. Woe to our seigneurs when disunion 
 appears among them ; it leaves a gap for 
 
238 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 the mob to enter ; who, mark me, are 
 never slow in reaping their own advantage ! 
 
 u Now to return to this granddaughter of 
 Baron D'Evreux. The nuns of St. Mary's 
 tenderly nursed the hapless orphan ; for 
 Hubert Clisson having wounded the Baron, 
 it was believed mortally, fled from Bourges." 
 
 " Who cares about the cleaner of silver ? 
 No more of him ! I want to learn all par- 
 ticulars of this child — my rival." 
 
 " Then," observed Gaultier, angrily, 
 M do not interrupt me by unwarranted re- 
 marks. The priest, D'Esculo, experiencing 
 a deep interest in the babe, and being a 
 person of profound learning and influence 
 in the Church, on the very night of its 
 birth admitted the Bishop of Bourges into 
 his confidence ; and he from that time acted a 
 father's part towards the child, commanding 
 the nuns to keep its birth a secret, and to 
 watch over it with maternal care. The 
 remains of Louise were privately interred in 
 the Cemetery of St. Mary's ; after which the 
 Bishop of Bourges hastened to Rome, where 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 239 
 
 Boniface VIII. then filled the Papal chair, and 
 over whom the Bishop must have possessed 
 great influence, for Boniface went back with 
 him privately to Bourges, and had the babe 
 christened Bona, as he declared himself her 
 sponsor. Then his Holiness, with his own 
 hands, wrote a certificate of her birth. This 
 he intrusted to D'Esculo ; and not content 
 with that, obtained letters of nobility ; such 
 as at any period, were they brought forward, 
 would ensure the child's inheritance of the 
 D'Anville and D'Evreux property." 
 
 u When learned you all this ?" demanded 
 Foulque, suspiciously. 
 
 " Shortly previous to my leaving Na- 
 tolia, upon hearing that Baron D'Evreux 
 was quickly fading, D'Esculo, who, you must 
 know, is now one of the most powerful of 
 the Cordelier brothers, also the friend and 
 councillor of Philip V. of France, proceeded 
 to Jericho, feeling it an imperative duty to 
 acquaint the Baron of tbc existence of his 
 grandchild and heiress, Bona." 
 
 " And how did the Baron receive the 
 
24<0 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 intelligence ? " cried Foulque, with inte- 
 rest. 
 
 "Subdued by penitence — for his heart 
 whispered that it was his hand which had 
 struck Louise's death-blow, — the Baron re- 
 ceived it as a grace from God. You, 
 Foulque, he never could endure ; and now 
 in old age his memory turned back with 
 regret at his former acts of pride and des- 
 potism. Bound by a vow never to quit 
 the Holy Land, he could not return to 
 Europe, else he would have hastened there 
 to fold Bona to his arms. He begged that 
 she might be brought to see him ; but just 
 at the period, Hubert Clisson had removed 
 his daughter from her nunnery to his own 
 care ; and as his hatred for the D'Evreux 
 knew no diminution, sternly the jeweller re- 
 fused this last boon to the Baron, who did 
 not long survive the refusal. Having, ere 
 he expired, ratified by every means in his 
 power the settlements made at his union 
 with D'Anville's heiress, and committing all 
 the documents to DEsculo's care, that he 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 241 
 
 might see Bona established in her rights, 
 the Baron then requested that I should be 
 apprised of these particulars, and that I 
 should account to the Friar D'Esculo for 
 the monies I had received from his reve- 
 nues ; thus I acquired a knowledge of these 
 facts." 
 
 "Expressed the Baron no regret for my 
 disappointment, educated as I have been, 
 his expectant heir ? " demanded Foulque. 
 
 " None, as I can hear," answered Gaul- 
 tier ; " so, Foulque, you must learn to 
 struggle against this disappointment." 
 
 "So sincerely," retorted Foulque, "do I 
 hate the French nobles, that, were it not for 
 one tie which binds me to France, gladly 
 would I quit it to join the noble bands now 
 secretly forming in Guienne to assert man's 
 independence over the conventions of society. 
 Even now am I acquainted with several of 
 their partisans, some of whom tarry in Paris. 
 I tell you, Bishop, these freebooters will lead 
 a merry life, snapping asunder the factitious 
 restraints of custom and of you holy men." 
 
 VOL. I. R 
 
242 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 Here Foulque laughed. " Why," he con- 
 tinued, " they follow their free- wills, finding 
 quarters in city or mountain. I wot, the 
 fattest oxen, the richest wines, and the 
 smile — it may be, the tears — of beauty, are 
 the immediate guerdon of their prowess in 
 arms !" 
 
 " Spare these wild fancies," cried Gaul- 
 tier. " Seek to win this Bona in marriage, 
 then take your place in D'Evreux's castle as 
 its lord/' 
 
 " What ! " exclaimed Foulque, who, with 
 all his rough recklessness, much of which 
 emanated from conscious inferiority to the 
 young patricians who so oft insulted him, 
 possessed a true Celtic pride of ancestry 
 and a sincere contempt for those deemed 
 plebeians ; a prejudice which no circum- 
 stance could conquer, as he was incapable 
 of appreciating the higher attributes of 
 Mind, — " what! aD'Evreux further degrade 
 his race by more closely uniting the ties of 
 an unequal union ! No prouder hopes at- 
 tach me to France, else Guienne were my 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 243 
 
 retreat. But, good uncle, it waxes late ; 
 say when we shall meet again. Think not 
 I shall so meekly yield my rights ; no, by 
 the mass ! I suspect you pious men. It 
 may be, that you and this friar have in 
 righteousness combined to rob — deceive me. 
 If this Bona has a right to claim the in- 
 heritance, why starts she not forward?" 
 
 " That, indeed, is a mystery," replied 
 Gaultier ; " but the night is nearly past ; 
 this day's excitement renders rest necessary. 
 Leave me, Foulque, till to-morrow evening, 
 then meet me here. Meantime, be prudent. 
 I trust that no account of D'Evreux's death 
 has reached France. Once this D'Esculo 
 arrives in Paris, then all must be concluded. 
 It may be to my ruin," he thought, as he 
 closed the door after Foulque. 
 
244 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 " These things which now seem frivolous and slight 
 Will prove of serious consequence." — Horace. 
 
 " To hear such wrangling is joy to vulgar minds." 
 
 Earlier on the following evening than the 
 Bishop had expected, Foulque entered his 
 apartment, with a manner more subdued 
 and respectful than that with which he had 
 addressed his uncle on their former meet- 
 ing. 
 
 " Now, good Priest," he cried, u Iam 
 come to confide a secret to you — term it 
 confession, if that suits your humour. No 
 need of bidding you be secret." He put his 
 finger to his lip ; '' because it will be your 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 245 
 
 interest to be silent, and no gag closes up 
 the lips so tight and true as self-interest 
 when ha ! ha ! ha !" 
 
 " Bantering fool ! he is my torment," 
 soliloquised Longris, suppressing a sigh. 
 
 " Now, listen attentively," proceeded 
 Foulque. " I love Agatha D'Abeis, heiress 
 of the fief of D'Abeis and its ancient strong- 
 hold. It is in Mayenne, not quite three 
 leagues from the Chateau D'Evreux. Now 
 these two fiefs being united would render me 
 the most powerful of the northern Barons. 
 What say you to that, Sir Bishop ?" 
 
 " The hope delights me, — proceed. Say, 
 does the maiden love you, Foulque ? You 
 are of noble form. I am impatient for the 
 facts of this expected union." 
 
 "You out-run facts," cried Foulque, 
 passionately. '' Again, I demand atten- 
 tion. 
 
 16 It seems that some levity of the Lady 
 Agatha's offended the preux chevalier, her 
 grandfather, who had reared her from in- 
 fancy. In some wild prank, Agatha had, it 
 
246 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 is whispered — none dared aloud impugn a 
 maiden's discretion — kept company with a 
 reputed sorceress, a Jongleur, of the name of 
 Freida — or probably with her ghost — as 
 that same Freida had been burned to death 
 in Paris — that is, if a sorceress can die — 
 some time previous to the period when it 
 was suspected that Agatha yielded herself 
 up to her wicked influences. By the way, 
 my pious uncle, it was well known that your 
 chief, Charles, Count de Valois, was be- 
 witched by this same jongleur. More of 
 this anon. I return to the old Count 
 D'Abeis, who adopted a strange mode of 
 proving his heiress's innocence. You must 
 know that, from circumstances it were 
 tedious to enumerate, Count D'Abeis had 
 full power to dispose of his fief at pleasure, 
 independent of royal authority. So, taking 
 advantage of a code of chivalry — insti- 
 tuted by its noblest Order — no doubt, 
 hoping to exalt his heiress far above a 
 whispered slander, he has made a testa- 
 ment by which Lord Rhodolphe Visconti, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 247 
 
 son of the Templar, Guy D'Auvergne, and 
 I are to enter the lists in single combat 
 — the guerdon to the conqueror — the 
 beautiful Agatha and her broad lands. 
 So far all is just." 
 
 "Perfectly," interrupted Longris. "The 
 man that would not venture his life for a 
 maiden's hand is not worthy of her pos- 
 session." 
 
 " Yes, had the Count acted equally ; but 
 for three months this combat is not to take 
 place. Meantime Agatha is in Paris, under 
 the protection of its Queen, Jane D'Artois ; 
 and during the period, Rhodolphe is to take 
 possession of the Castle of D'Abeis and all 
 its appliances. Nay, more, should this Rho- 
 dolphe, from any reasonable motive, decline 
 Agatha's hand, or she his, then half of the 
 estates go to him, the remainder on Agatha's 
 death equally between the Benedictine 
 brothers of Mayenne and the Carmelite 
 sisters of Laval. Was there ever so vin- 
 dictive an old tyrant as this Count 
 D'Abeis?" 
 
 " She must have offended him deeply," 
 
248 FRIEDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 remarked Longris, musingly, " when on his 
 death-bed the Count thus acted." 
 
 " Her levity, it is reported, killed the proud 
 old man. Some one had marked his castle 
 to her disgrace. I removed the mark ere 
 aught but the Count discovered the blemish. 
 Therefore was I granted a chance of the 
 heiress, else bequeathed to this Rhodolphe. 
 His she shall never be ; for no man could 
 excel me in any passage of arms. Still as, 
 no doubt, the Templar's son is an accom- 
 plished knight, and Dame Fortune oft plays 
 capricious tricks, should he be conqueror, 
 quick be his shrive, for the next sun shall 
 rise on his corse! My part is taken." 
 Foulque strode the room with hasty steps. 
 
 " Foulque," cried Longris, " meet not in 
 honourable combat a noble knight for a lady 
 whose castle was marked — whose fair name 
 is stained. It were unknightly." 
 
 Turning round fiercely, Foulque ex- 
 claimed, — 
 
 "It was slander or sorcery, I care not 
 which. Learn, then, that I love Agatha 
 with an intensity of passion which mocks 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 249 
 
 the subtle, fanciful sophistry poured forth 
 in the courts of love with such pompous 
 solemnity : false sentiment, the Cordelier 
 Brothers term it, and opine that it is a 
 refinement full of seduction, invented by 
 the Evil One, to lead souls imperceptibly 
 into licentiousness and sin ; such sophists, 
 imitators I deem them of that effeminate 
 Italian, Dante, who, in his poetic enthu- 
 siasm, has enshrined his mistress on high, 
 like some bright planet, where the incense 
 of tears and sighs are the oblations offered. 
 Now to me I esteem such sentiments a 
 delusion, a fantasy, which finds its en- 
 joyment in the dazzling but impalpable 
 shadows of imagination. Not such the 
 reward my impatient love demands : 
 Agatha shall be mine, though a hun- 
 dred knights challenge me to dispute the 
 prize !" 
 
 The Bishop angrily retorted, — 
 " You, Sir Foulque, I grieve to discover, 
 have imbibed the unchivalrous ideas of the 
 Roturier class ; expect me not to adopt 
 
&50 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 them ; but last night you contemned Bona 
 Clisson as unworthy." 
 
 " Because," burst forth Foulque, "her 
 father was of low degree, — an artisan ; 
 there can be no mistake there, — so I, a 
 D'Evreux, disdain her; whereas, Agatha 
 is nobly born ; is the favourite of Jane 
 D'Artois ; her intimacy with a sorceress, 
 which I do not believe, only suspected by 
 a few in Mayenne, — the report has not 
 reached Paris ; - — more influential, still I 
 love her. And think not, my pious 
 churchman, that I have slept on my 
 post : I am head of the malcontents, 
 and, ere Ehodolphe Visconti is wedded 
 to Agatha D'Abeis, or Bona Clisson takes 
 her high place in the castle of D'Evreux 
 as its mistress, Paris, — nay, France, shall 
 be deluged with blood ! Listen ! you 
 dare not betray, for necessity obliges 
 you to be of our party : the Dominicans, 
 so powerful, have secretly joined our con- 
 federation to dethrone Philip V. They 
 despise him for upholding the Jews, — those 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 251 
 
 abandoned children of Israel ; and they ex- 
 perience fiercer jealousy at his selecting a Cor- 
 delier friar, — that intermeddling D'Esculo, — 
 for his confessor. Still, in respect of Philip 
 V. having so warmly upheld the Templars, 
 a large party of their friends will uphold 
 him, except, meantime, they join in the 
 pranks of the devil's sabbath, — the ruling 
 madness of the age." 
 
 " Every age," sighed Gaultier, " is 
 marked by some peculiar frenzy. But this 
 is not to our purpose : D'Esculo being the 
 King's confessor proves most unfortunate ; 
 no doubt but that he will at once influence 
 his Majesty to adopt the cause of Bona 
 Clisson. I dread his arrival in Paris." 
 
 " He is here already," replied Foulque. 
 " This very evening, as I came along, I saw 
 him enter the Louvre ; he was pointed out 
 to me, and the remark made was, ' There is 
 Francesco D'Esculo, the Cordelier brother ; 
 and with all his bare feet and humble bear- 
 ing he guides the King in all matters, be 
 they spiritual or secular.' However, in 
 
252 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 contradistinction, the Queen hates the 
 whole of the fraternity of Cordeliers, for 
 being so strict ; she selected you, my pious 
 uncle, for being more musical than pious : 
 so say the Parisians. Now I am well 
 pleased at her Majesty's dislike to Esculo, 
 for I much fear the friar is aware of the 
 disgrace which fell on Lady Agatha ; and 
 any charge of having associated with a 
 sorcerer, however light, would be de- 
 structive, not only to the damsel's fame, 
 but it might be to her life." 
 
 u You have acted judiciously in placing 
 this confidence in me. As the Queen's con- 
 fessor, I must spend much time at Court, 
 and the more acquainted I am with its 
 secrets and disunions the better ; from the 
 most trivial matters serious consequences 
 oft ensue. Now our confidence shall be 
 mutual: — a mysterious event occurred last 
 night, as I stood near the monument to mark 
 where the Templars had been burned, a widow 
 thrust this scroll into my hand. Read it ! " 
 
 " I am not a clerk or priest," in- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 253 
 
 dignantly replied Foulque, pushing it back ; 
 " to read. The sword, not the pen, belongs 
 to my noble grade. Even the Roturier 
 class despise learning ; so read it, good 
 Bishop." 
 
 He read as follows : — 
 
 " Gaultier, now Bishop of Longris, I, 
 the writer of this scroll, am fully aware of 
 the extent of your embarrassments ; also 
 that Bona Clisson is heiress to the demesnes 
 of the D'Evreux ; and that your nephew, 
 Sir Foulque, loves lady Agatha D' Abeis, and 
 will dispute her possession with Rhodolphe 
 Visconti, with whose skill in arms he can- 
 not compete. Now, mark me, I possess 
 the means of relieving you from your debts, 
 were they treble the sum, of disinheriting 
 Bona Clisson, and placing your nephew in 
 the castle of D'Evreux as its undisputed 
 lord. Nay, more, — at my command, Agatha 
 D'Abeis shall be his bride. But for all 
 this I must be rewarded, — not in gold, I 
 seek no earthly dross, — my price is the 
 blood of my enemies ! Nay, start not, the 
 
254 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 weregild must be paid. Soon we shall 
 again meet ; till then be secret." 
 
 " Lay you any stress on these wild 
 words?" demanded Foulque, angrily. "It 
 must be a witch who indited them. What ! 
 to say I could not compete with this Rho- 
 dolphe in arms ? She lies ! No Bavarian 
 in Europe could compete with a French- 
 man's skill. Can you, Longris, divine who 
 she is ? some acquaintance she must have 
 with you. In faith, I have my suspicions : 
 uncle, I doubt your honesty." 
 
 " Nay ; this eternal suspicion on your 
 part may prove destruction to our hopes ! 
 Fool to doubt where self-interest is in ques- 
 tion ! 'Tis my advantage to serve you, 
 equally yours to serve me ; that forms our 
 bond of union." 
 
 "Be it so, good bishop ; who, think 
 you, wrote that scroll ? " 
 
 " I cannot, from events lately come to 
 my knowledge, imagine. There was one," he 
 thought, 6i but for the terrible end she has 
 come to — poor Freida ! " Aloud, * * The vellum 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. Q55 
 
 evidently was torn from some tablet, and 
 hastily written with a charcoal pencil ; still 
 the characters are fine, bold, and legible. 
 Foulque, attend to what I am going to say." 
 
 "Not now, by the Virgin!" exclaimed 
 Foulque; foron the instant loud, angry voices, 
 accompanied by lusty blows from bludgeons, 
 were heard issuing from the streets. 
 
 " Hurrah ! hurrah ! " roared Foulque in 
 glee, and bounding about the apartment. 
 
 " What can it mean ? " demanded Gaul- 
 tier in surprise. 
 
 " Only a row between the holy frater- 
 nities of the Dominicans and Franciscans, 
 engaged, no doubt, at their eternal disputa- 
 tions. Stop ! I hear distinctly the sonorous 
 voice of Ulbertinus de Cassalis, leading on 
 the Cordeliers to preach, with a thundering 
 voice, his polemics against those of the 
 Dominicans, more particularly to condemn 
 the memory of Duns Scotus, who had 
 made some attack on Francesco D'Esculo, 
 who, by the by, never joins in this masculine 
 method of kicking up rows, which I delight 
 
256 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 in ! Now, from this hour I change sides ! 
 Heretofore I backed the Franciscans ; but 
 as D'Esculois the friend of this upstart rival 
 baron, I now cast my glove at the fra- 
 ternity of Cordeliers. Hurrah ! hurrah ! 
 for the Dominicans ! hurrah ! hurrah ! " 
 
 Thus shouting, off rushed Sir Foulque, 
 followed by a pair of Maltese dogs, his 
 constant companions, to take an active part 
 in the disgraceful riots which almost nightly, 
 under the name of Religion, disturbed the 
 city's peace. Alone, Gaultier in anger mut- 
 tered, — 
 
 " Cursed was the extravagance which 
 has placed me in the power of that banter- 
 ing fool. I could almost wish to see this 
 Bona Clisson, deemed so beautiful, take 
 place before him, — ay, though Charles de 
 Valois was wont to say that it required 
 seven generations to expunge the muddy 
 streams of low-bred blood, such as she must 
 inherit from the jeweller. Yet surely this 
 Foulque teaches one to mock at the pre- 
 judices, in favour of gentle lineage, of the 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 25J 
 
 princely house of D'Evreux. He possesses 
 not a courteous or noble sentiment, save 
 personal courage, in which the beasts of the 
 forest excel him. He mocks at the customs 
 of our feudal laws ; nay, even for religion 
 has no respect. He would wed a lady of 
 tainted fame, and then uphold her claims to 
 society at the point of his ever-ready sword. 
 Yet by boldness it seems he has gained a 
 rule over thousands of these fierce free- 
 booters for me. I must not quarrel with 
 the bravo ; it were madness in my present 
 extremity. No ; I shall follow the advice 
 of the wily Valois, and not cast away a tool 
 I may require, though the metal be base 
 and sordid." 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
258 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 " Darkness must overshadow all his bounds — 
 Palpable darkness — and blot out three days." 
 
 Milton. 
 
 " And God said, Let there be light : and there was 
 light." — Genesis. 
 
 Thus Gaultier and Sir Foulque, though 
 differing so essentially in character and 
 manner, became amalgamated together by 
 the bond of self-interest. The Bishop 
 hoped by hypocrisy to make Foulque's 
 fierceness useful to his purpose. 
 
 Three weeks glided by, D'Esculo the 
 friar was in Paris, still no report of Baron 
 D'Evreux's death was circulated, and of 
 Bona Clisson no one seemed to have ever 
 heard. In vain Gaultier puzzled himself 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 259 
 
 on this strange suppression of important 
 facts, — 
 
 '' There must be some under-current,'' 
 he reflected, " else ere this D'Esculo would 
 have announced to the royal family the de- 
 mise of their kinsman, D'Evreux." 
 
 Without experiencing much interest in 
 the disaffection which reigned against Philip, 
 Gaultier had been led on by Foulque to 
 take a place among the confederations 
 uniting to curb the power of the throne. 
 The chief fault found with Philip was his 
 abhorrence of the cruelties practised against 
 the Jews, who, supported by his justice, 
 peremptorily refused to grant any more 
 money to the nobles, — the haughty aris- 
 tocrats, who, under the shield of Christ- 
 ianity, had for ages robbed and maltreated 
 them. No longer looking to the Israelites 
 for assistance, Gaultier saw that no means 
 remained by which he could escape from 
 public disgrace, and what, from his luxu- 
 rious tastes, he as much dreaded — poverty ; 
 but by obtaining for Foulque the D'Evreux 
 inheritance, who in the event had sworn to 
 
260 FRETDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 acquit him of all responsibility for the re- 
 venues he had received, also to provide for 
 him nobly, and, if necessity required, assist in 
 liquidating his debts to the exacting Jews : 
 whereas, should Bona be established in her 
 birthright, from the honourable and stern 
 D'Esculo, or the austere, unrelenting Hu- 
 bert Clisson, Gaultier could expect no 
 mercy, and, of necessity, the young damsel 
 would be solely guided by their advice. 
 
 Since the evening when the piece of 
 vellum had been thrust into Gaultiers hand 
 near Notre Dame, he had heard no more on 
 the subject, neither could he gain information 
 of Charles de Valois, and to inquire after 
 any circumstances at all mysterious he dare 
 not ; for, having once been publicly accused 
 of holding communion with an evil spirit, 
 the slightest act might awaken suspicion 
 against him, and another and greater danger 
 be added to those with which he was already 
 encompassed. 
 
 sHr -w 3? -if 
 
 To more clearly understanding the suc- 
 ceeding events of our tale, a short review of 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 26 1 
 
 France at the period when its tragic scenes 
 occurred, is absolutely necessary. It was 
 early in the fourteenth century, and never 
 had the kingdom, both politically and reli- 
 giously, been more debased. After the last 
 Crusade of St. Louis — so unfortunate in its 
 results — the spirit of romance and chivalry 
 rapidly declined. The abnegation of every 
 selfish interest to an exalted sense of their 
 country's glory ; the purity of love, which in 
 its refinement scarcely sought the gratifica- 
 tion of passion ; the high bearing, the cour- 
 tesy, the self-esteem, and respect for public 
 opinion ; the truth, the allegiance, the gran- 
 deur, which had emanated from the laws of 
 chivalry, originally instituted by a proud 
 and gallant race, who, by the assumption 
 of God-like virtue, strove to elevate and 
 ennoble humanity, extending the principles 
 of justice and charity throughout the Christ- 
 ian states, were rapidly degenerating into a 
 coarse licentiousness, which, springing from 
 the most contemptible causes, under the 
 insulted name of Liberty, was ready to 
 burst forth into insurrection, happily curbed 
 
c 26 v 2 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 by the jealousies and heart-burnings which 
 each class experienced towards those of a 
 higher degree : thus from evil sprang good. 
 As to Religion, vainly did she struggle to 
 force the pure light of Gospel truths through 
 the dark and blood-stained shroud with 
 which bigotry and superstition enveloped 
 her. 
 
 Amidst these moral ills, Philip V., by 
 the enforcement of the Salic law, considered 
 obsolete, ascended the throne. His elevation 
 had been opposed by his brother, the Earl 
 of Marsh, and others of the royal blood, 
 who adopted the cause of Louis Hutins 
 daughter, the infant Duchess of Burgundy. 
 Thus, though Philip was by nature bene- 
 volent, just, fond of letters, and the friend 
 of Dante — "that morning- star of litera- 
 ture" — unhappily he was not appreciated 
 by his subjects, and his short reign pre- 
 sented a scene of disappointment and vain 
 contentions ; and these evils at the period, 
 or thereabouts, of Gaultier's arrival from 
 JSTatolia, were reaching to a climax. 
 
 For several months France had suffered 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 263 
 
 from a scarcity of provisions, which, though 
 not amounting to the horrors of famine, had 
 created much distress and illness. In 1319, 
 the harvest, though unusually late, awak- 
 ened no anxiety, as its prospects were flou- 
 rishing, until early in July, when the whole 
 country was desolated by storms of hail and 
 rain, unprecedented in the memory of the 
 oldest people : the vines, torn up by the 
 roots, were scattered in wild confusion ; the 
 rich fields of corn, in the pride of their 
 golden treasures, lay rotting on the ground ; 
 the orchards partook of the same destruc- 
 tion ; and the people in dismay foresaw a 
 famine, fearful as that which the year be- 
 fore had desolated England, rapidly ap- 
 proaching. The damps arising from such 
 unseasonable weather, and the consequent 
 depression of the public mind, caused a 
 pestilence to break forth ; the form of the 
 malady was unusual, and swept away thou- 
 sands. Such accumulated miseries drove 
 the Parisians to frenz} 7 , and they unhesi- 
 tatingly accused the Jews of having ac- 
 cepted bribes from the Saracen princes to 
 
£64 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 poison the wells, the infidels hoping by 
 this means to put a stop to a Crusade then 
 in contemplation. And the multitude loudly 
 and sternly demanded from Philip that the 
 Israelites should for this crime be consigned 
 to an auto-da-fe. 
 
 Philip was shocked and embarrassed by 
 a demand so fiercely advanced. He shud- 
 dered at its injustice, inhumanity, and falsity. 
 To suppose that the Jews would poison the 
 water which supplied themselves and families, 
 was absurd ; but attempting to reason with 
 an infuriated multitude, whom he well knew 
 were urged on by the nobles, who owed the 
 Israelites large sums of money, would have 
 been equally ridiculous, and to no purpose. 
 
 " Alas ! " he said, addressing Francesco 
 D'Esculo the friar, "how difficult for a 
 king to administer justice ! In declaring my 
 intention to support the Israelites in their 
 just demands for monies lent, far from 
 serving, I have roused the barons to perse- 
 cute them with unrelenting cruelty. The 
 fire of an auto-da-fe would quickly liquidate 
 their debts." 
 
FRE1DA THE JONGLEUR. 265 
 
 "And," replied Francesco, bitterly, "as 
 they are disbelievers, our Christian brethren 
 may assert that they will be accepted as a 
 sacrifice — a sweet-smelling savour to purify 
 them from their sins. However, Sire, I feel 
 all the difficulties of your position. Should 
 you refuse, Christendom rises against you 
 as a disbeliever ; and .your crown, it may be 
 your life, be endangered." 
 
 "I will forfeit both my crown and my 
 life," cried Philip, with animation, "ere I 
 consent to such an act of cruel injustice, 
 moreover, being acquainted with the source 
 from which the persecutions have sprung. 
 But, D'Esculo, another misfortune still 
 further distresses France. Large droves of 
 wolves are rushing through the country, 
 nay, even • within a league of this our city, 
 and committing the most frightful depre- 
 dations, more particularly in the neighbour- 
 hood of the Marne, where, descending from 
 the forest of the Ardennes, they have, — by 
 an express this day arrived at the Louvre — 
 I find desolated whole villages. Blessed 
 Saints ! it is frightful. Advise with me, 
 
2f)6 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 friar, how to guard against, or at least how 
 to lessen, the destruction which threatens my 
 subjects. Oh! aid me, good friar, in relieving 
 my people from these fearful visitations." 
 
 * vf *rr •/?* *7p 
 
 Influenced by D'Esculo's advice, Philip 
 declared his fixed determination, that 
 ere he consented to the auto-da-fe of the 
 disbelieving Jews, prayers and oblations 
 should be offered up in all the churches, 
 entreating of the Almighty to grant some 
 sign of grace — a token of relief from the 
 evils which encompassed the city. Should 
 it be graciously granted, then the Israelites 
 were to be spared ; but should God's glory 
 not be rendered visible, then were they to 
 die at Montfaucon by fire ! 
 
 Language vainly struggles to convey an 
 idea of the public mind at this juncture. 
 Wrought to frenzy hy the horrors of disease 
 and approaching famine, despair lashed 
 on the furious passions of fanaticism, pre- 
 judice, pride, avarice, revenge, besides a 
 thousand minor considerations which urged 
 the Christians to compass the Jews' destruc- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 267 
 
 tion, who, expecting no mercy, shielded 
 themselves with the stern purpose of boldly 
 meeting the tortures they could not evade, 
 finding consolation in secreting their wealth 
 — "the golden calf of their idolatry," and 
 the chief cause of their persecutions. 
 
 And now for three nights, clad in sack- 
 cloth, and having observed a strict fast, 
 Philip repaired to Notre Dame, and there, 
 prostrate at the base of its high altar, with 
 pious invocations implored some signal of 
 Divine grace for his suffering people. 
 
 To increase the despair of the Parisians, 
 a dense fog enshrouded the city with the 
 gloom of night. The darkness being ren- 
 dered more palpable by long lines of torches, 
 and terrible from the yells of an infuriated 
 and awe-struck multitude, who, in the pro- 
 fundity of ignorance and superstition, im- 
 puted each cause, — nay, even the gloom of 
 the heavens, to the Jews — roaring forth, — 
 
 " Philip, King of France, we demand at 
 your hands the sacrifice of the disbelieving 
 Israelites, to appease God's and the Saints' 
 vengeance. If not, we shall take the power 
 
268 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 in our own hands. See to it then, thou 
 unwise King ; your father did not hesitate 
 to burn the Templars, Christian Knights, 
 and you would shield these circumcised Jews 
 — the persecutors of Christ — the crucifiers 
 of Jesus." 
 
 Sometimes these fearful threats were an- 
 nounced by a flourish of trumpets, a man 
 dressed as herald ever heading the mob, 
 whose imprecations were too horrible to be 
 repeated, as they amounted' to blasphemy. 
 
 Three days the darkness overshadowed 
 the city ; the fourth morning proved to be 
 St. James's blessed day ; and if no sign 
 appeared that night, the Jews should perish. 
 It was a fearful epoch ; the pulses of life 
 seemed to stand still in every well-thinking 
 heart. Blessed, thrice blessed, be the great 
 Jehovah ! " he said, Let there be light ; and 
 there was light ! " the signal of mercy ap- 
 peared suddenly at mid-day. The sun burst 
 forth with a splendour and warmth such as 
 more properly belong to an Eastern clime. 
 Before its glorious radiance the heavy mists 
 separated, scattered, evaporated, leaving the 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 269 
 
 horizon calm, clear, dazzling. The effect of 
 this phenomenon on the versatile Parisians 
 was instantaneous. They rushed forth in 
 thousands to hail this proof of God's com- 
 passion towards his people. In their ecstasy 
 all existing evils were for the moment over- 
 looked, and now acclamations of joy replaced 
 their former demoniacal execrations. Sorrow 
 was forgotten. Enthusiastic delight as- 
 sumed the form of devotion. The crowd 
 prostrated themselves in the streets, squares, 
 and places, simultaneously raising their 
 hands and voices in prayers, truthful and 
 pious for the time being. Never had the 
 glorious orb been more fervently adored, not 
 in the lofty Pyraeum of Suza, the Persian's 
 most sacred and revered temple. 
 
 Nor was the expression of joy confined 
 to man alone. No ; a thousand birds, 
 vivified by the reanimating principle, flut- 
 tered through the air, filling it with their 
 various notes of harmony. Myriads of in- 
 sects, quickened into life, buzzed around; the 
 flowers expanded their delicate petals to 
 imbibe the genial warmth, and in return 
 
270 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 exhaled the delicious incense of rich per- 
 fume. All earth rejoiced at the glory of 
 God. Suddenly the peal of bells from 
 innumerable churches resounded throughout 
 the city, loudly summoning the pious to 
 enter the holy sanctuaries, and offer up the 
 sacrifice of prayer and alms for the brilliant 
 signal of God's mercy.' Then came forth 
 long lines of monks bearing the uplifted 
 host, and chanting forth, with loud sonorous 
 voices, the " Gloria in excelsis Deo." In 
 their wake followed coped and mitred pre- 
 lates, sandalled and bare-footed friars, proud 
 barons, gallant knights, squires, burghers, 
 rabble ; in short, the heterogeneous popula- 
 tion mixed and crowded together, for the 
 moment connected by the general feeling of 
 
 joy- 
 As the monks advanced, the transport of 
 
 the people increased ; but the object of 
 
 devotion was changed ; they cast down their 
 
 eyes from the dazzling light of heaven to 
 
 kneel in humility before the host. If their 
 
 emotions were less lively and ecstatic, they 
 
 were more profound, more sacred. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 271 
 
 None felt so pure a sentiment of pleasure 
 as Philip ; and, attended by his retinue, he 
 proceeded to Notre Dame to join in the 
 general thanksgiving; and after the cere- 
 monies of the mass were concluded, he 
 poured a large heap of gold on the altar 
 to be distributed among the poor and sick. 
 The Queen followed his example, as did the 
 remainder of the congregation, according to 
 their means, or the inspiration of a holy 
 benevolence. 
 
 Being resolved to take advantage of this 
 happy event, the King proceeded from Notre 
 Dame to the grand Chastelet, where he had 
 hastily convoked a synod of his prelates and 
 great feudatories. Taking his high place 
 among them, he spoke with much eloquence 
 in favour of the Jews, expressed his belief 
 that the radiant appearance of the heavens 
 was granted as a sign to spare the city from 
 witnessing the horrors of an auto-da-fe, and 
 then explained the cruelty and folly of the 
 charges which had been adduced against 
 the Israelites. 
 
 His address at first was hailed by the 
 
2J2 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 people with acclamations of applause, but, 
 unhappily, Longris and a powerful party, 
 who were largely indebted to the disbeliev- 
 ing Jews, expecting, from their knowledge 
 o,f Philip, to hear this address, were pre- 
 pared to refute him, and became so insolent 
 and rebellious, that the King hastily retired. 
 It was then that Francesco D'Esculo stepped 
 forward to defend the Jews ; his eloquence — 
 for undoubtedly he was the most powerful 
 orator of the age — his keen perception of 
 ulterior motives, his well-directed sarcasms, 
 his known influence with the confraternity 
 of Cordeliers, all terrified the barons into a 
 compromise ; and it was settled that the 
 Israelites should be spared, conditionally 
 that they evacuated Paris ere three weeks 
 expired ; any Jews found after that period 
 should perish by fire. The nobles hoped, 
 by this hurry, to still evade their debts due 
 to the disbelievers. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUH. 273 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 " 111 fits it me, whose friends are sunk to beasts, 
 To quaff thy bowls, and riot in thy feasts." 
 
 Homer. 
 
 Philip had invited his prelates and barons 
 to a banquet in the Louvre, to celebrate 
 the sun's rise ; and although after their 
 opposition in the Chastelet he felt little 
 inclined to receive them, still, though grave, 
 he met them with courtesy ; but there was no 
 cordiality, — resentment, though suppressed, 
 existed on the King's side ; and conscious 
 rebellion on that of several of the barons ; 
 and the latter, careless of the royal presence, 
 indulged, even to inebriety, in deep draughts 
 of the luscious wines. Perceiving this, 
 Philip, with austere dignity, and an ex- 
 
 VOL. I. T 
 
274 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 pression of disgust, retired to his favourite 
 retreat. 
 
 It was an oblong apartment, situated in 
 the most ancient tower of the Louvre, and 
 connected with the chambers of state by a 
 long, narrow, lofty corridor. The ceiling 
 of this apartment was richly carved in oak, 
 and represented the crucifixion. The 
 figures were well delineated, and thrown 
 out in strong relief by a ground of azure 
 and gold, then in tolerable preservation. 
 
 The walls were covered with tapestry, 
 which seemed coeval with the building. 
 It represented, in quaint device, the exodus 
 of the children of Israel, from the period 
 of their escape from Egypt until their 
 arrival in the land of Canaan ; the vivid 
 colours of the embroidery had resisted 
 the influence of time, and still retained 
 their lustre ; while the unnatural and 
 grotesque contour of the figures betrayed 
 the wild imaginings of a devout, super- 
 stitious, but unartistical age. 
 
 In the front was Moses, a short, clumsy, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. T{5 
 
 dark Ethiopian, clad in a cumbrous, un- 
 graceful fashion. In his hand he held a 
 wand, the upper part of which described 
 a serpent. On his right stood Aaron, with 
 a long, solemn visage ; and Miriam, dressed 
 in the loose fashion of a dancer, followed, 
 playing the cymbals, and kicking up her 
 feet in mid-air ; then advanced in proces- 
 sion a long line of figures seen in profile, 
 their right legs stiff and unbending, stepping 
 forward in the order of a regular march ; 
 and as they proceeded they trampled on 
 the prostrate gods of Egypt, who all fell 
 down as Moses waved his serpent around ; 
 then the countenances of these children of 
 promise were rendered hideous by the grim 
 look of triumph which disfigured their natu- 
 ral ugliness. That nothing should be lost 
 in this grotesque representation, overhead 
 flew eagles, ostriches, pelicans, herons, hawks, 
 geese, ducks, in short, the whole feathered 
 tribe of Africa, being of various sizes, to suit 
 the measure of the canvass. Nature was 
 never attended to : the bills of all these 
 birds were distended, to express their 
 
276 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 screaming, either at quitting Egypt with 
 the fugitives, or it might he with grief 
 at the departure of the children of Israel. 
 In the distance rose the pyramids, and 
 though the outlines were harsh, and the 
 sky wrought into fantastic shades of purple, 
 crimson, and blue, out of which peeped the 
 broad disk of a golden sun, still the forms 
 of these vast monuments of the past were 
 correctly portrayed, and were so imposing 
 that they gave an interest and character 
 to the representation. Besides the tapestry 
 the chamber contained Arabian astronomical 
 instruments, of ancient fashion ; cabinets of 
 curiosities connected with sciences then un- 
 known or obsolete ; manuscripts of inesti- 
 mable value, as the only records of long- 
 forgotten ages ; but more dear — more prized 
 than all, were the relics of saints and martyrs, 
 — mouldering fragments, piously preserved 
 in caskets of gold, ivory, and ebony. 
 
 Tradition said that this apartment had 
 been the regal cabinet of the Merovingian 
 kings ; and in deep recesses at each side of 
 the door, which opened from the corridor, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 277 
 
 were still to be seen figures of their long- 
 haired princes. They were elevated on 
 gigantic bucklers of bronze. The figures, 
 which were of carved wood, elaborately 
 painted in many colours and devices, were 
 much mutilated and defaced ; but the 
 bucklers, engraved with hieroglyphics, 
 were in high preservation, objects of 
 curiosity and terror : as it was said, 
 that those who could unravel their mys- 
 teries would acquire the arts of magic 
 and invocation of spirits. The tradition 
 also said that the tapestry of Egyptian 
 workmanship had once adorned the palace 
 of a Memphian king ; and afterwards, by 
 a circumstance too wondrous in its details 
 for modern belief, and in its bearing un- 
 fitted for Christian ears, had fallen into 
 the hands of Clodian, one of the first of 
 the Gaulish kings, and who esteemed it 
 far above his kingdom. 
 
 The northern extremity of the Tapestry- 
 chamber, — so it was called, — opened on a 
 narrow, winding staircase, which led to a 
 tower, dignified by the title of the "Tour 
 
278 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 de la Libraire," and which contained a 
 valuable collection of books and manu- 
 scripts ; and it was lighted every night, at 
 the royal expense, with three chandeliers, 
 besides several small, moveable, silver lamps, 
 for the accommodation of students ; and, 
 until the dissolution of the Templars, — 
 who ever encouraged literature, — had been 
 much frequented ; but, from the period 
 of their destruction, so rapid was the de- 
 generacy of the French, that it was seldom 
 visited, save by some old gown or Church- 
 man. But Philip, imbued with an ardent 
 desire to introduce a love of letters among 
 his subjects, had already added, at vast 
 expense, from his own private resources, 
 a considerable number of books to the 
 previous collection, and in every respect 
 increased the facilities of knowledge ; and 
 being romantic, with a strong taste for the 
 antique, he chose the Tapestry-chamber for 
 his exclusive use. In every respect the 
 King's tastes offended his barons, who 
 considered literary pursuits as only fitting 
 for clerks or monks; and yet so ignorant 
 
FRE1DA THE JONGLEUR. 279 
 
 were the latter that several of them could 
 not read their breviaries. 
 
 On the evening of Saint James's festival, 
 when Philip escaped from the revels of his 
 guests, he entered, with hurried steps, into 
 the Tapestry-chamber, and, casting aside his 
 robe of state, threw himself indolently on a 
 chair which was placed near one of the nar- 
 row, richly-stained casements, and through 
 which the setting sun still shed a varied 
 light. On a table near unto him were 
 scattered some dark volumes with golden 
 clasps, a small sheet or two of vellum in- 
 scribed with characters in red ink ; besides 
 these were flasks of wine and baskets of 
 confections. On the broad hearth burned 
 logs of wood, whose glowing heat expanded 
 through the lofty apartment. The venerable 
 Bishop of Paris reclined on a settle near 
 the blazing embers. He was clad in full 
 state pontificals ; his mitre had fallen from 
 his head, displaying the noble contour of his 
 deeply-furrowed brow and highly-polished 
 crown. A few straggling grey hairs just 
 sufficed to mark the tonsure, while his heavy 
 
280 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 breathing, now and then accompanied by a 
 most unharmonious snore, proved that, ig- 
 norant of the royal presence, the old man 
 had fallen asleep. 
 
 On Philips entrance, Francesco D'Es- 
 culo, who had been writing at the table (for 
 this retreat was ever open to him and to the 
 Bishop), arose, and, with an air of respectful 
 humility, remained standing. After a time 
 Philip addressed him, saying, — 
 
 "Sir Friar, methinks since the scene of 
 this morning at the Chastelet, when my 
 subjects granted to your eloquence what they 
 insolently refused to my entreaties or au- 
 thority, that it is I should stand in your 
 presence, not you in mine ; yet, on the score 
 of eloquence, both in Artois and Avignon, 
 I was not considered deficient. I marvel, 
 friar, by what arts you won over my stub- 
 born Barons to spare these hapless Jews. 
 See, D'Esculo, that they quit Paris by the 
 appointed time, and use your eloquence to 
 assure them that the money they fairly lent 
 to my feudatories shall be repaid." 
 
 "Your Majesty shall be obeyed," an- 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 281 
 
 swered D'Esculo. " And now, Sire, with 
 your permission I shall explain the secret of 
 my success this day at the Chastelet ; and 
 then may I presume to advance a request?" 
 
 " I am impatient to learn both," said 
 Philip, hastily, " but you must be brief : time 
 presses." 
 
 " Sire, the secret of my success is easily 
 explained. Judging of others through the 
 medium of your own exalted nature, you 
 strove to gain your point through the senti- 
 ments of reason, of humanity, and of religion, 
 whereas I applied to the passions and in- 
 terests of my hearers. My knowledge, ac- 
 quired- through the confessional, convinces 
 me that few men, even if they possessed 
 capacity, would be at the trouble of reason- 
 ing ; and as to the charities of life, they are 
 blasted by the influence of despotism and 
 religious persecution. Thus, in my address 
 this morning, I had only to convince Longris, 
 and all others indebted to the Jews, that if 
 they persisted in their cruel demand of an 
 auto-da-fe, that their secret motives should 
 
282 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 be exposed, and that with these motives I 
 was well acquainted." 
 
 " At least, friar, you would soothe our 
 wounded feelings, — wounded by the base 
 ingratitude of my subjects. But no more 
 of this. Here," and he pushed a goblet of 
 wine towards the friar, " resume your seat, 
 and join me in drinking that our old age 
 may be like unto this our Bishop of Paris, 
 in pious resignation and untainted morals." 
 With these words Philip raised a goblet to 
 his lips, but drank sparingly ; then, in a 
 cheerful tone, said, " Francesco, we should 
 thank the wolves that their ravenous ap- 
 petites are too gross to relish the inspiring 
 grape, else had we been robbed of our most 
 delicious wines. How is this, friar ? do you 
 refuse to pledge your sovereign? where so 
 few of my subjects are loyal, you, methinks, 
 should not prove recreant." 
 
 D'Esculo replied, — 
 
 " Sire, when I repeat that it is against 
 the vows of my Order, you will excuse me." 
 
 " Enough," answered Philip, as, leaning 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 283 
 
 back in his chair, he attentively observed 
 the Mendicant, who, clad in the tight, coarse, 
 camlet gown of the spiritual Franciscans, 
 fastened round the body with a girdle of 
 twisted cords, to which was a crucifix of 
 iron, his feet un sandalled ; still, from his 
 dignified deportment, and a countenance 
 which, though grave to austerity, beamed 
 with high intellect, possessed an air of 
 dignity and self-possession which would have 
 graced a throne. After contemplating him 
 for some time, Philip gaily said, " So, 
 D'Esculo, not even in honour of a saint, or 
 in gratitude to the sun's bursting forth in 
 its brightest glory from beneath the por- 
 tentous clouds, — yea, just in time to redeem 
 the ill-fated Jews from torture and death, 
 will you pledge your sovereign. What would 
 our prelates and barons say to this ill-timed 
 sobriety ? By the holy rood ! they would 
 condemn you to be devoured by the wolves 
 for presuming, in defiance of their example, 
 to remain sober on a festival ! " 
 
 The friar smiled, and then in a caustic 
 tone replied, — 
 
284 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 " There your Majesty is mistaken, for if 
 we Mendicants once took to drinking wine 
 freely — being mostly men of good appetites 
 and discriminating palates — we should soon 
 make as much havoc among their much- 
 prized vins de Reivere, as the wolves have 
 made among your Majesty's subjects." 
 
 " And raise the price of wine," inter- 
 rupted the King, laughing ; " which would 
 oblige our pious churchmen and proud 
 nobles to borrow still more largely from the 
 Israelites. Even our Redeemer's sign of 
 grace would not then, I wot, save them from 
 the flames. Nay, not even if supported by 
 your eloquence, friar." 
 
 D'Esculo was going to reply, when a 
 blast was sounded on a small silver horn, 
 which hung outside the door opening into 
 the corridor, and which was used to an- 
 nounce any person's approach. Ere an an- 
 swer could well be given, a louder and 
 more impatient note was wound. 
 
 "How now?" cried Philip, angrily. 
 " Can I find no respite from business and 
 intrusion ? Some of our Barons, no doubt, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 285 
 
 after deep wassail, come here to insist on 
 the Jews' destruction. Mark me, friar, if 
 these disbelievers were of a truth bribed by 
 the Saracens to poison us pious Christians, 
 then had they, for they are not deficient in 
 art, poisoned the wine they so seldom use, 
 and not the public fountains. By the Saints 
 of heaven ! they so persecuted might almost 
 stand acquitted of the deed." Another wind 
 of the horn. " See to the door, Sir Friar." 
 
 D'Esculo obeyed, and an officer of the 
 household, followed by an express dressed in 
 the livery, and wearing the badge, of the 
 Viscontis, entered ; the former presenting a 
 letter, said, — 
 
 " Your Majesty, this valet has ridden at 
 the top of his speed from Mayenne, bearing 
 this to your Majesty from the Lord Rho- 
 dolphe Yisconti, who, impatient for an im- 
 mediate answer, ordered this, his messen- 
 ger, on peril of his life, to quit Paris this 
 evening on his return. Your Council, who 
 still remain in waiting, considering there 
 must be good cause for such expedition, 
 
286 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 advised to have the letter laid before your 
 Majesty." 
 
 " It is well," answered the King ; " re- 
 tire and see the Lord Rhodolphe's varlet 
 attended to." 
 
 They retired. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 287 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 RHODOLPHE VISCONTI. 
 
 " Un chevalier sans peur et sans reproche." 
 
 " Rhodolphe Visconti," muttered Philip, 
 as he unwound a small gold chain of ex- 
 quisite workmanship, which encircled the 
 clumsy letter. " Ha ! this chain is a pretty 
 device." 
 
 " May I inquire the cause of such 
 speed?" mildly inquired Francesco. 
 
 " A nattering one to me," replied the 
 King — "listen. This letter comes from the 
 son of the ill-fated Templar — D'Auvergne. 
 Well, this son, Rhodolphe, who announces 
 himself as a Knight of the Elephant, — I think 
 the Order belongs exclusively to Denmark, — 
 however, this youth, it appears, received the 
 
288 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 honour after distinguishing himself at the 
 battle of the Neckar. Well, having by the 
 capricious testament of the old Count 
 D'Abeis, come in for a castle and large 
 fief in Mayenne, he proceeded to take pos- 
 session, when, to his horror, he found the 
 country in a frightful state from the devas- 
 tating incursions of the wolves. You see by 
 this, friar, that the accounts I have received 
 from Laval of those monsters have not been 
 exaggerated. Now, listen, and admire the 
 heroism of this Bavarian. Hoping in future 
 to hold the rank of one of my Barons, and 
 having, during a stay he made some time 
 past amidst the Pyrenees, acquired a know- 
 ledge of the best method of hunting the 
 wolves ; moreover, having in his possession 
 a pack of the far-famed Irish wolf-hounds, 
 he only waits my permission and assistance 
 to proceed at once to the Ardennes, and 
 there to unite with my feudatories in ex- 
 terminating the monsters and relieving the 
 serfs from an excess of misery, resulting 
 from the combination of ills under which 
 thev now suffer. But, however laudable 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 289 
 
 the Bavarian's intentions, still in France ad- 
 mitting me to be his liege lord, also dreading 
 defeat to his noble purpose, through fears 
 of awakening jealousy among the northern 
 Barons, he awaits my sanction, claiming im- 
 mediate attention to a request involving 
 human life." 
 
 " This heroism is worthy of the Tem- 
 plar's son," cried the friar, with vivacity. 
 
 " Write at once," interrupted Philip, 
 " to say that I accept the gallant offer. 
 Also address the northern Barons from me, 
 commanding their assistance in destroying 
 the wolves. Add that I invest this Rho- 
 dolphe with power to commute the sen- 
 tence against criminals if they use their 
 efforts for this humane purpose ; in short, 
 each criminal who brings a wolf's head, 
 shall not only be forgiven, but rewarded. 
 In this, I only follow the example of Eng- 
 land's far-renowned King Edgar. One word 
 more, friar, ere you commence writing." 
 
 D'Esculo laid aside the pen and bowed 
 meekly. 
 
 '' You, of course, friar, are fully aware 
 vol. i. u 
 
290 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 of the strange capricious testament made 
 by the late Count D'Abeis. By it this 
 Rhodolphe, and that half-savage Foulque 
 D'Evreux, the Roturier's eleve, are to dis- 
 pute by single combat for the Lady Agatha's 
 hand and her broad lands. Our Queen, 
 who much loves Agatha, is enraged at this. 
 Now, I hope Rhodolphe may win the prize. 
 I tell you, friar, not in France is there a 
 more dangerous subject than our newly- 
 elected Bishop of Longris. Now to your 
 letters, DEsculo." 
 
 He rose to depart. Clasping his hands 
 together, D'Esculo meekly said, — 
 
 '' My liege, I have a request — may I 
 
 presume ?" 
 
 " Why hesitate?" graciously interrupted 
 
 Philip ; "I am well pleased that I can assist 
 you. Heretofore I have been the obliged. 
 Whereas it is the royal prerogative to con- 
 fer, not to receive favours." 
 
 " But your Majesty wishes to visit her 
 Majesty ? " said the friar. 
 
 '• And for that cause should not be de- 
 layed by ill-timed excuses." He sat down, 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 29 I 
 
 pointed to a chair for the friar, saving, 
 " My friend, be brief." 
 
 The friar obeyed the motion of the 
 King's hand, and leaning towards him, said, 
 with emotion, — 
 
 " Sire, the request I presume to make is 
 relative to a maiden of such exquisite beauty 
 and incomparable virtue, that in contem- 
 plating her one wonders how such perfection 
 can exist on earth." 
 
 Philip laughed aloud, exclaiming, — 
 " Oh ! our good friar must be distraught 
 to extol the beauties of a young maiden after 
 this fashion. Who may she be ? " 
 
 " Your Majesty, her name is Bona 
 Clisson. May I remind you that some nine 
 months since, when I mentioned my inten- 
 tion of proceeding to Palestine, I explained 
 that it was to see the old Count D'Evreux, 
 for the purpose of revealing to him that he 
 had a granddaughter, sole heiress of the 
 vast property of Louise D'Anville, by set- 
 tlements made on his marriage with her 
 mother, Baron D' Anville's daughter ? Pro- 
 bably, Sire, you forget the circumstance of 
 
292 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 the Count's daughter having eloped with a 
 jeweller of the name of Hubert Clisson." 
 
 << Forget the low marriage of our kins- 
 woman, Louise D'Evreux? Tut! France 
 will never forget the degradation to our 
 house. I was but a child when the elope- 
 ment took place, and still the event is as 
 fresh in my memory as if but of yesterday's 
 occurrence." 
 
 " I also, Sire, repeated to you the painful 
 circumstances attending Bona's birth, her ill- 
 fated mother dying on the instant, and how 1 
 proceeded to the Bishop of Bourges, and 
 through his influence how Boniface came to 
 the Convent of St. Mary's, christened the babe 
 after himself, consigned her as a sacred charge 
 to the holy Sisters, and by every means con- 
 firmed her heirship to the D'Anville estates." 
 
 "Yes, yes," impatiently cried Philip; 
 " I perfectly remember. Do you forget, 
 friar, that at my instigation you consulted 
 the Provost of Paris — the best gownsman 
 in Europe — and that he satisfied you 
 that this Bona's rights could not be dis- 
 puted ? and even then I went through some 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 293 
 
 forms of our Provost's dictating to render it 
 more secure ; and here now I am ready to 
 uphold this Bona's claims. What more do 
 you require ? Why delay the proofs ?" 
 
 "Alas! my liege, hy a circumstance so 
 extraordinary as to almost impress my mind, 
 in despite of my former convictions, with a 
 belief in sorcery, I have lost those papers 
 committed to my trust as a sacred charge ! " 
 On uttering these words, the friar clasped 
 his hands with an expression of uncontrol- 
 lable sorrow, drooping his head on his 
 bosom. 
 
 " This, indeed, is most unfortunate," said 
 the King, in a tone of interest. u Without 
 these papers the claims of Bona would 
 appear a mere invention. If I mistake 
 not, she has entered her nineteenth year, 
 and her very existence is unknown in 
 France. You speak of sorcery, — Sir 
 Foulque D'Evreux is next heir ; and his 
 uncle, our rebellious prelate, Longris, was, 
 you know, in early life accused of holding 
 converse with evil spirits ; doubly accursed 
 they must have been, as they led to the gal- 
 
29i FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 lant Templars' annihilation. Say, D'Esculo, 
 do you think that he may have fascinated 
 these papers, by preternatural ways, from 
 your possession ? lightly you could not have 
 guarded bonds of such importance." 
 
 " Undoubtedly, your Majesty, the Bishop 
 of Longris or his nephew are not concerned 
 in this business. It was in Grenoble that 
 the papers were lost in some mysterious 
 manner. Strangely mysterious ! for I call 
 the Saints to witness that on the same 
 evening I beheld the sorceress known in 
 Paris by the name of Freida!" — he crossed 
 himself with devotion, adding, — "I could 
 not mistake her beauty, but supposed her 
 dead!" 
 
 " Say you so ? that vile Saxon Jongleur 
 connected with that prince of evil, my uncle, 
 Charles de Valois ! I tell you, friar, it was 
 by their machinations my ill-fated brother, 
 Hutin, perished! True, I have succeeded 
 to the crown, and it is crushing me also to 
 death. Should this sorceress be discovered, 
 then, by the Saints, although I hoped never 
 to witness another tragedy of the kind in 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 295 
 
 Paris, she shall perish by fire ! Know you 
 where to find her ?" 
 
 " Sire, unfortunately, she escaped : as I 
 have said, the whole business was so mys- 
 terious as to savour of witchcraft. To- 
 morrow I set off for Grenoble, once more 
 to search after these papers. My liege, 
 I cannot express the depth of my sorrow 
 when I reflect that, through some inadver- 
 tence on my part, — that is, if preternatural 
 powers have not been brought into play, — 
 Bona Clisson, dear to me as ever child was 
 to father, will be deprived of her inherit- 
 ance, and of the high position she is so 
 formed to adorn. Your Majesty looks 
 surprised : such sentiments appear worldly, 
 contradictory in the Mendicant who has 
 entered into vows against all earthly pride 
 and luxury. For myself, I not only renounce 
 but despise them ; still, ' granting unto 
 Caesar the things that are Caesar's,' 1 
 would place Bona in the ancestral halls 
 of the D'Evreux, purchased, as I may say, 
 by the wealth of the D'Anvilles." D'Esculo 
 rose, and with uncontrollable emotion added, 
 
296 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 u Sire, I have sternly uprooted from my 
 heart every human passion, but never, never 
 can forget Louise D'Anville, — my first, my 
 cherished, my only love ! I cannot control 
 these expressions, even though you, Sire, 
 may despise me for weakness." 
 
 "Far from it, D'Esculo," said Philip, 
 in kindly accents ; "I esteem you all the 
 more for this outbreak of tenderness ; and 
 find it easier to confide in the man full of 
 natural sentiments of love and affection than 
 in the austere cynic, from whom I might 
 gain wisdom, but, in the hour of disappoint- 
 ment or weakness, could seek no sympathy. 
 Resume your seat, good friar, and say, where 
 now is the old Count D'Evreux ? Even with 
 the loss of these papers, the right to establish 
 Bona's claims lies with him, and 1 shall use 
 my influence to that effect." 
 
 " He died some weeks since, in Jericho," 
 was the answer. 
 
 " What ! one of my nobles, a kinsman, 
 too, dead, and the event not announced?" 
 cried Philip, angrily. "Sir, how is this ?" 
 
 ''Your Majesty," said the friar, ''is 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 297 
 
 aware that only a few days have elapsed 
 since my return to Paris, and these have 
 been so engrossed with public affairs that, 
 until this evening, I could not presume to 
 request your attention, and have carefully 
 guarded the secret of the Count's death, 
 hoping to find the lost papers. Were it 
 announced, Sir Foulque would immediately 
 go to D'Evreux, take possession of the castle, 
 and render the recovery still more difficult." 
 
 " You are right," answered Philip, taking 
 the friar by the hand ; " now say in what way 
 can I serve you ? " 
 
 Thus encouraged, D'Esculo rose, and, 
 with hands meekly clasped, and in a tone of 
 profound interest, said, — 
 
 " My liege, Hubert Clisson, though a 
 strictly honourable, is a most stern man, 
 rendered unrelenting from untoward circum- 
 stances ; imputing the whole misery of his 
 life, — namely, the violent death of his high- 
 born dame, the loss of his hard-earned 
 gains, his long exile from France, and 
 consequent separation from Bona, his only 
 child, — to the pride, despotism, and injustice 
 
298 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 of a too-powerful aristocracy. He perfectly 
 abhors the whole class, a sentiment of 
 revenge being intermingled with his ab- 
 horrence ; and this has urged him, in the 
 hope of mortifying the house of D'Evreux, 
 also to guard Bona from being corrupted 
 by the temptations held out to aristocratic 
 pride, to affiance her to a young artisan 
 of his own calling, — a person, as I under- 
 stand, of comely appearance, but deficient 
 in courtesy, totally unacquainted with the 
 habits of the great. In vain has the hapless 
 maiden, — who, though kept in ignorance of 
 the vast wealth she should inherit, being 
 full of refinement, and not untainted with 
 ancestral pride, — knelt in wild entreaty to be 
 spared from a hateful marriage ; requiring 
 no greater boon than permission to take 
 the vows of the convent where she has been 
 educated. Hubert Clisson, who, from their 
 separation, experiences not the tenderness of 
 a parent, while he expects the obedience, 
 remains obdurate — " 
 
 Here D'Esculo, sighing deeply, broke off 
 his sentence, too much agitated to proceed. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 299 
 
 " D'Esculo," said Philip, " you have 
 awakened our interest for this young maiden. 
 Where resides she at present?" 
 
 " Your Majesty, for the last twelve 
 months or upwards she has resided with 
 Hubert Clissun. Just now they are in Tours, 
 but are soon to proceed to Paris, where this 
 hateful union is to be consummated. Now, 
 Philip, hear me with attention, and grant 
 my request!" Thus speaking, he sank on 
 one knee before the King, grasping his 
 hand : " For the sake of innocence, of 
 beauty, of justice, should Bona seek your 
 protection, grant it ! Jane of Artois, your 
 Queen, will not gainsay your commands, if 
 you press them with decision/' 
 
 " Rise, D Esculo ! it needeth no en- 
 treaties to make us grant our protection 
 to a maiden in distress, — moreover, a kins- 
 woman, for such, as a descendant of the 
 D'tvreux, is this Bona. And, friar, were 
 these claims not sufficient, as dear to you, 
 our friend and adviser, we would cast over 
 her the shield of royalty. Say when may 
 
300 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 we expect her ? I shall prepare the Queen 
 to receive her with gentle courtesy." 
 
 " Sire ! my request is only in the event 
 of the jeweller proceeding to compel Bona 
 to pronounce the vows of marriage to one 
 she loathes and abhors, else to remove her 
 from a father's protection were an act of 
 despotism ! " 
 
 " Think you," demanded Philip, te that 
 this Clisson would not be proud to see his 
 daughter so placed, acknowledged as a 
 D'Evreux?" 
 
 " Certainly not ! " replied the Friar ; 
 " he has no ambition, and dreads that, 
 should she be seen ere her nuptials, that 
 Sir Foulque D'Evreux will adopt any mea- 
 sures of violence to secure her hand : it 
 may be her death, she being the only ob- 
 stacle to his wealth. ,, 
 
 " And pray, friar," cried Philip, "are we 
 to ride forth in quest of this damsel, like some 
 knight-errant, mad after adventure? We 
 leave such wild pranks to our sister Isabella 
 of England." This was said with sarcasm. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 301 
 
 " Your Majesty, depending on your 
 favour, I have thus arranged : — the Pere 
 Lagravare, he who last spring attended 
 your Majesty for the wound inflicted on 
 you at the boar-hunt by an ill-sped arrow, 
 is the friend of Hubert Clisson. Now, as 
 being a person of a noble nature, Lagravare 
 much disapproves of a gentle damsel, like 
 Bona, being kept ignorant of the wide 
 demesnes to which she is rightful heir ; still 
 more of being offered up on the altar of 
 Hymen as a sacrifice to her father's pride 
 and disappointment. Thus, during my 
 absence, he has promised to fill my place ; 
 and should Hubert use any violence in 
 enforcing Bona's consent to a union she 
 abhors, to place her under your Majesty's 
 protection. It is needless to request that, 
 under such circumstances, her sanctuary 
 may be kept secret. Alas ! for poor Bona ! 
 until within the last few months she was 
 happy in her conventual retirement, — had 
 never even heard of scenes of violence and 
 danger." The friar sighed heavily. 
 
 '* D'Esculo ! by the holy rood, we will guard 
 
302 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 this your treasure ! " exclaimed Philip, with 
 vivacity, — " yea, though violence to our 
 royal person should ensue." 
 
 "She is my earthly treasure!" replied 
 the friar, in a tone of profound sadness. 
 He paused and then added, " Sire, for this 
 promise of kindness towards Bona, command 
 in future my humble services ; and should 
 vou require them, those of the whole frater- 
 nity of the Cordeliers, — ay, to the opposing 
 of His Holiness, John XXII., — thus I swear 
 to what I have promised." He pressed his 
 crucifix to his lips. Catching it from him, 
 Philip exclaimed, — 
 
 " Thus, too, by this holy symbol, we 
 swear to protect Bona Clisson, even to the 
 death of those who would injure her ! None 
 such shall we spare, if occasion demand, 
 save her father, whose rights of parentage, 
 even when too tightly drawn, still afford an 
 excuse no other could offer ! " 
 
 As the King kissed the iron cross he 
 sank on his knees, the friar leant over him 
 with clasped hands, and pronounced a 
 benison, after which Philip arose. 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 303 
 
 " D'Esculo, when mean you to depart?" 
 demanded the King. 
 
 " Your Majesty, when these letters, ac- 
 cording to your commands, are despatched, 
 I shall see the Pere Lagravare ; he resides 
 in the wood of Vincennes, and by to-mor- 
 row's sun hope to start from Paris." 
 
 11 What call you this artisan, whom the 
 jeweller would force his daughter to wed ?" 
 
 " Paul Deschamps : he also is a working 
 jeweller, an apprentice of Clisson's." 
 
 While this conversation proceeded, 
 Philip had stirred up the fire into a bril- 
 liant blaze, shedding patches of light here 
 and there on the tapestry, throwing its 
 quaint designs into fantastic relief. 
 
 Stooping, the King raised the mitre, 
 which rested near the sleeping Bishop, 
 observing, — 
 
 rf Friar, disturb not this old man's re- 
 pose until you are about to retire ; he needs 
 rest after the day's fatigue. Here, place 
 this mitre on your head, I wish to see how 
 that ample forehead of yours will look be- 
 neath its shade." 
 
S04« FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 " Sire, you will excuse me," he replied ; 
 " the serpent of Ambition lies between its 
 folds, and I who have so often preached to 
 your Majesty to shun the dangers that lurk 
 in the bright eyes or syren voice of beauty, 
 must not seek temptation in another form. 
 Age has its allurements as well as youth." 
 
 "But, D'Esculo, the sluggish blood that 
 circulates through our Archbishop's veins, 
 by nature's course must soon cease to flow. 
 Are you too proud to accept a favour from 
 your monarch ? An exalted position will 
 extend your power of doing good. Come, 
 on with the mitre." 
 
 " Excuse me, my respected liege ; but 
 even at the command of my King, I cannot 
 break through my vows to God." 
 
 "Nay, mark me, friar," cried Philip, 
 with indignation, " vanity is a greater sin — 
 at least, to human comprehension — than 
 either love or ambition, being equally cul- 
 pable, less ennobling, and more essentially 
 selfish. You, Sir Friar, ape at the stern 
 cynicism of Diogenes ; you refine on pride 
 and independence ; by learning to exist on 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 30.5 
 
 the simplest necessaries, you struggle to rise 
 above your species ; not by the attainment 
 of power, but by deriding its acquisition. 
 Such a character might suit the taste of the 
 Macedonian Philip ; but Philip of France 
 admires it not, and will place no confidence, 
 accept no assistance from one whose austerity 
 rejects his services !" 
 
 The King turned away in anger. 
 
 il My respected monarch," answered the 
 friar, calmly, " be just as you are generous, 
 and permit men to choose their own path to 
 happiness. This mitre," and he held it up, 
 " to my view contains within its dazzling 
 circle a thousand duties, imperative as they 
 are sublime : * From those to whom much 
 is given, much will be required.' I have 
 not courage to undertake its manifold re- 
 sponsibilities. The angry contempt of the 
 prelates, if I did not uphold their earthly 
 pomp and pride ; become a proverb among 
 nations ; the constant contentions of the 
 barons, struggling for supremacy over the 
 Church ; the envy, jealousy, and indignation 
 of the whole fraternity of the Cordeliers ; 
 
 vol. i. x 
 
306 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 the malice and contempt of the Dominicans ; 
 the exchange of the calm retirement which 
 my present unimportance permits me to 
 enjoy, for the noisy importunity of function- 
 aries ; bowing, sycophantic cures and dea- 
 cons, all grasping after the flesh-pots of 
 Egypt, and seeking in me a handle — a tool 
 to their ambition. And what does your 
 Majesty offer for this sacrifice of my time, 
 of my peace, of my hopes ; for eternity is 
 involved in the acceptance — this showy 
 head-gear, that vulgar eyes may gaze and 
 wonder ; and the chasuble of purple, so 
 often mocking the misery it covers ? " 
 
 "Nay, by the holy rood, thou scornful 
 friar!" interrupted the King, stamping with 
 passion, " you may reject our royal favour ; 
 never again shall you have the opportunity ; 
 but dare not, in my presence, to reflect upon 
 others ! France never contained a purer 
 spirit of righteousness than that of our good 
 old Archbishop. We marvel how, for a 
 moment, we considered it just to fill the 
 place of this good prelate by a spiritual 
 friar, whose virtue I now suspect consists in 
 
FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 307 
 
 his camlet frock and bare feet. It were a 
 poor exchange ! " 
 
 u Your Majesty is right. I doubt if the 
 kingdom can produce a man worthy to sup- 
 ply the place of this saintly bishop, who is 
 as pure and free from sin as human nature 
 can admit ; and while I do the Archbishop 
 this justice, permit me, in all humility, to 
 acknowledge that beneath my calm exterior 
 lie the embers of many passions, which, if 
 stirred up by temptation and opportunity, 
 might prove too strong for reason. This 
 must be my shield and staff" (he touched 
 his crucifix). " Yet ere your Majesty re- 
 tires, permit the Mendicant to supplicate 
 one favour, one of inestimable value, and 
 the only boon for himself which D'Esculo 
 will ever demand from Philip of France." 
 
 " Name it!" replied the King, whose 
 anger was appeased. " To demand our 
 assistance is the surest road to our favour." 
 
 Again sinking on one knee, the friar 
 emphatically said, — 
 
 " What I dare to demand is the friend- 
 ship and confidence of my royal master. In 
 
308 FREIDA THE JONGLEUR. 
 
 return,, I swear allegiance and truth incor- 
 ruptible to his righteous interests." 
 
 " Rise ! " exclaimed Philip. " My friend, 
 you possess both." Then he playfully added: 
 u I tell you, Sir Friar, of all our court you 
 are the most subtle flatterer ; there is no 
 resisting your refined eloquence. So, nothing 
 will content our Mendicant but royal friend- 
 ship and confidence ! Obtaining these, with 
 your genius, and through your counsels, you 
 might expect to rule over France. Nay, 
 frown not, I but amuse myself ! Farewell, 
 D'Esculo ; but soon hasten back, if but to 
 guard me from the machinations of this 
 Longris. I can scarcely repress my dislike 
 to that man, still he is the Queen's con- 
 fessor." 
 
 Waving his hand, the King tben retired 
 from the Tapestry Chamber, and hastened to 
 the Queen's apartments, where his presence 
 was impatiently expected. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 The political union which Charles de Valois had formed 
 with Catherine, daughter of Baldivin II. of Con- 
 stantinople. — Vol. i. p. 3. 
 
 Historians disagree as to the marriage of Charles 
 Count de Valois, brother to Philip le Bel of France. 
 Gibbon, in his "Roman Empire," speaking of Bald- 
 win II. of Constantinople, says : — " And the preten- 
 sions of his daughter, Catherine, were transported by 
 her marriage to Charles Count de Valois, the brother 
 of Philip the Fair." — Gibbon's Roman Empire. 
 
 " Boniface had invited Charles of Valois, Philip's 
 brother, to Italy, where he made him vicar in Tus- 
 cany ; and, after marrying the granddaughter of Bald- 
 win II., he declared him Emperor of the East." — 
 Guthrie's General History. 
 
 The period of De Valois' emancipation from an 
 union, formed by political intrigue, is still more am- 
 biguous ; so, most probably, in assigning a period for 
 the event to suit my romance, I have been guilty of 
 an anachronism. — The Author. 
 
310 NOTES. 
 
 Introducing his name into the learned pages of his 
 imaginary Purgatory. — Vol. i. p. 8. 
 
 Charles de Yalois, when Boniface VIII. in- 
 vested him with power in Italy, was guilty of great 
 injustice and cruelty. / "It was then that Dante and 
 Petrarco dell' Ancisa (the father of Petrarch) were 
 exiled from their country." — Sismondi. 
 
 For this stern act of injustice from one in early 
 youth his friend, the divine poet never (as appears 
 by his works) forgave De Valois, or his instigator, 
 Philip le Bel, whose crimes he has immortalised by 
 his genius. 
 
 Disfigured their beauty, and welcomed the death hurled 
 on them by their disappointed foes. — Vol. i. p. 139. 
 
 " On hearing of the Moslems' success in Acre, the 
 nuns of St. Mary's, ladies of illustrious birth and re- 
 puted beauty, in their despair, and to escape the 
 caresses of the infidel conquerors, disfigured their 
 beauty to a frightful degree ; — disappointed, irritated, 
 disgusted, in their fury, the Moslems put the whole 
 sisterhood to death." — Gibbon. 
 
 Dreadful crimes charged against the pre-doomed 
 Order.— Vol. i. p. 170. 
 
 " The fearful persecutors against the Templars 
 accused them, at the time of their matriculation, of 
 renouncing God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin, and all the 
 Saints. 
 
 " It was said that the brethren used often to spit 
 
NOTES. 311 
 
 and trample on the cross, in proof of their contempt of 
 Christ, who was crucified, they averred, for his own 
 crimes, and not for the sins of the world. Out of 
 their disdain of God and His Son, they adored a cat 
 and certain wooden and golden Idols. The Grand 
 Master could absolve brethren from sins. None of 
 these idols were ever found, which went far to prove 
 the Templars' innocence. Other crimes, also of grave 
 import, were imputed to the pre-doomed Templars." — 
 Mills's History of the Crusades. 
 
 " The cause of the Templars' ruin undoubtedly was 
 their extraordinary wealth." — Ibid. 
 
 " If Philip had on his own authority pronounced 
 the abolition of the Order, the people would have 
 revered the Templars as victims of royal tyranny. 
 .... It was necessary, therefore, for the purpose of 
 seducing the vulgar, to calumniate the knights, and to 
 hold them up to public view as heretical and impious 
 men. Clement was as selfish as Philip ; for many 
 of the estates of the Templars were withheld from the 
 Hospitallers till the new claimants paid large tributes 
 to the coffers of St. Peter." — Ibid. 
 
 His despicable satellite, Clement. — Vol. i. p. 176. 
 
 " Philip le Bel succeeded in having a Frenchman 
 elected pope, under the name of Clement V. ; and, to 
 keep him more subservient to his will, retained him 
 in France, drawing thither also the College of Car- 
 dinals, who were recruited in that country, so that 
 the successors of Clement might also be Frenchmen. 
 It was the beginning of the long retirement, or, as the 
 
312 NOTES. 
 
 Italians call it, exile of the popes at Avignon, and 
 which terminated in 1377." — Sismondi. 
 
 Previous to the elevation of Clement V. to the 
 holy see, Avignon being dependent on the popes, it 
 was a favourite retreat of theirs ; and they possessed a 
 noble castle, built in the purest style of Gothic archi- 
 tecture, on the banks of the Rhine, near the town of 
 Avignon. — Note by the Author. 
 
 Long beards falling below their waists. — Vol. i. 
 p. 184. 
 
 " In opposition to all the other religious confra- 
 ternities, the Templars wore long beards." — Dugd ale's 
 Warwickshire. 
 
 I cite thee, Clement, together with Philip le Bel, to 
 the tribunal of Christ, within one year and a day. 
 —Vol. i. p. 195. 
 
 " A Templar being to be burned, and seeing the 
 Pope and King Philip of France looking out at a 
 window, cried unto them, — ' Clement, thou cruel 
 tyrant, seeing there is no higher amongst mortal 
 men to whom I should appeal for my unjust death, 
 I cite thee, together with King Philip, to the tribunal 
 of Christ, the just judge, who redeemed me, there 
 both to appear within one year and a day ; when I will 
 lay open my case, and justice shall be done without 
 any by-respect.'" — Fuller's History of the Holy 
 Wars. 
 
 " Clement V. and Philip IV. expired within a few 
 
NOTES. 313 
 
 months of each other ; and popular belief connected 
 their deaths with the last wrongs of the illustrious 
 body which they had jointly laboured to exterminate. 
 " When the sentence of death, preparatory to its 
 execution, was read to the culprits, in the porch of 
 Notre Dame, at Paris, De Molai and the commander 
 of Normandy protested their entire innocence, and de- 
 clared that the confession which had been recited was 
 altogether false. The prelates to whose custody the 
 prisoners had been intrusted hesitated as to further 
 proceedings ; but Philip, less inclined to mercy, 
 ordered instant execution. A pile was hastily 
 framed, at the hour of vespers, on a spot adjoining 
 the royal gardens ; and the noble sufferers, while 
 amidst the flames, continued to maintain the iniquity 
 of their sentence. It is asserted that the Grand 
 Master, after he had been chained to the stake, cited 
 his two oppressors to appear with him before the 
 
 judgment-seat of God These words were, 
 
 perhaps, remembered, not without anguish, on the 
 dying pillows of those to whom they had been di- 
 rected. The treasure of Clement was pillaged by 
 the rapacity of his attendants, almost before he had 
 drawn his latest breath; and the magnificent bier 
 upon which his corpse was exposed in funeral pomp, 
 caught fire amidst the tumult, so that his remains 
 were more than half consumed. The last moments 
 of Philip did not encounter the like disturbance : but 
 his death occurred at the premature age of forty-six, 
 from an accident while hunting. A wild boar rose 
 between the legs of his horse, which threw him ; and 
 
314 NOTES. 
 
 the King, having been conveyed to Fontainbleau, 
 died, after languishing many weeks under the in- 
 juries which he received from his fall." — Library of 
 Useful Knowledge : France. 
 
 "Pope Clement and King Philip, by a strange 
 fatality, were, within the time prefixed by the Tem- 
 plar, summoned to death, to answer to God for what 
 they had done." — Fuller. 
 
 The death of the Grand Master and of UAuvergne ; 
 they died like martyrs. — Vol. i. p. 200. 
 
 " James de Molai and Guy D'Auvergne (the 
 brother of the Prince of Dauphiny) were burnt 
 alive (on the same day) before a slow fire, on the 
 very spot in Paris which has been adorned, in modern 
 times, with a statue of Henry IV. With their dying 
 lips they bore testimony to their own innocence of the 
 horrible charges brought against them, and of the 
 virtue of their Order ; amidst the flames glorifying 
 God, and singing hallelujahs. Two priors who had 
 been tried with them seem to have died in prison." — 
 Mills's History of the Crusades. 
 
 The wildest fantasies of an abhorred worship. — 
 Vol. i. p. 201. 
 
 " The Devil's Sabbath, — that extraordinary mad- 
 ness which reigned in France during the fourteenth 
 century, presenting scenes of vice and delusion the most 
 fearful and revolting, — was, at the period, imputed by 
 the Archbishop of Bourges, one of the most moral and 
 
NOTES. 315 
 
 learned ecclesiastics of his age, to have originated in 
 the preternatural crimes brought against the people's 
 former idol, — the Knights Templars." — See Fuller's 
 History of the Holy War, for a description of these 
 orgies. 
 
 I gave him the lie; the proud Norman struck me — 
 struck me, Charles de Valois. — Vol. i. p. 214. 
 
 " Le Roi etant un jour au conseil, on y parla des 
 moiens de remplir le Tresor Roial, qui se trouva tres 
 degarni a la mort de Phillippe Le Bel. Le Comte 
 De Valois dit, " Que Marigni en aiant en l'adminis- 
 tration c'etait a lui a rendre compte de la disette qu'on 
 rapporte ! " Marigni repondit, " Qu'il etait pret de le 
 faire !" "Que ce soit done tout maintenant ? " dit 
 le Comte de Valois. "J'en suis content!" repartit 
 Marigni. " Je vous en ai donne, Monsieur, une partie, 
 et le reste a ete emploie au service du Roi." " Vous 
 en avez menti ! " reprit le Comte De Valois. Marigni, 
 outre d'un tel affront, ni se posseda pas et rendit le 
 dementi au Prince, qui portent aussitot la main a Tepee, 
 fut pret de le percer, sans aucun egard a la presence du 
 Roi, s'il n'ont ete retenu." — Histoire de France, par 
 P. G. Daniel. 
 
 i 
 
 The devastating incursions of the wolves. — 
 Vol. i. p. 288. 
 
 It gives a curious idea of the state of Paris, to 
 be told that, in 1437 and the following years, numbers 
 of the citizens in the immediate neighbourhood were 
 
316 NOTES. 
 
 devoured by wolves, who used to enter the town by 
 the river. — Library of Entertaining . Knowledge, 
 entitled " Paris and its Historical Scenes." 
 
 The wolves mentioned in this work, as descending 
 from the Ardennes, were of an earlier period. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 London :— Printed by G. Barclay, Castle St. Leicester Sq. 
 


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