The Little Duke: Richard the Fearless

the year 943, there was a great bustl

was a wide deep window seat, upon which the rain might beat, without reaching the interior of the room. And even if it had come in, there was nothing for it to hurt, for the walls were of rough stone, and the floor of tiles. There was a

ooks, or pots and pans, were busied around it. At the other end, which was raised about three steps above the floor of the hall, other servants were engaged. Two young maidens were stre

umsy wooden footstool was set in front, and the silver drinking-cup on the table was of far more beautiful workmanship than the others, richly chased with vine leaves and grapes, and figures of little boys

sweeping dark robe, with wide hanging sleeves, and thick gold ear-rings and necklace, which had possibly come from the same quarter as the cup. She directed the servants, inspected both the cookery and arrangements of the table, held coun

ll, a boy of about eight years old, his cheeks and large blue eyes bright with air and exercise, and his long light-brown hair streaming behind him, as he ran

Richard! you

and I stood here, it might be, under the great elm with my bow thus"-And Richard was beginning to act over again the whole scene of

bringing it. I h

owing her all the way, and talking as eagerly as if she was attending to him, showing how he shot, how Osmond shot, how the deer bounded, and how

le-horn. The elder was broad-shouldered, sun-burnt, ruddy, and rather stern-looking; the younger, who was also the taller, was slightly made, and very active, with a bright keen grey eye, and merry sm

villes had been chosen by Duke William was, that both Sir Eric and his mother spoke only the old Norwegian tongue, which he wished young Richard to understand well, whereas, in other par

h placed upon a spit, which a little boy was to turn before the fire, than she turned to dress something else, namely, the young Prince Richard himself, whom she led off to one of the upper rooms, and there he had full time to talk, while she, great lady though she was, herself

dagger before your life is at an end," said

Bold Spirit, I promise you, Fru Astrida. We are as brave in these days as the Sigurds and

said Dame Astrida; "there be dragons of wrong here a

u would only let me have the dagger! But, hark! hark!" he darted to

form of the Duke of Normandy. His purple robe was fastened round him by a rich belt, sustaining the mighty weapon, from which he was called "William of the long Sword," his legs and feet were cased in linked steel chain-work, his gilded spurs were on his heels, and his short brown hair was covered by his ducal cap of purple, turned up with fur, and a feather fastened in by a jewelled clasp. H

receive his blessing, which was always the custom when children met their parents. The Duke laid his hand on his head, saying, "God of His mercy bless thee, my son," and lifting him in his arms, held him t

old Lady Astrida, and the reception of the Barons who had come in the train of their Lord. Richard was bidden to greet them

is thick eyebrows, one of them mis-shapen in consequence of a sword cut, which had left a broad red and purple scar across both cheek and forehead. There, too, came tall Baron Rainulf, of Ferrières,

cup and trencher. All through the meal, the Duke and his Lords talked earnestly of the expedition on which they were bound to meet Count Arnulf of Flanders, on a little

owns on his borders, to which Normandy had long laid claim, but the Duke shook his he

aid, the boards which had served for tables were removed, and as it was still light, some of the guests went to see how

s, how his arrow had hit the deer to-day, how Sir Eric let him ride out to the chase on his little pony, how Osmond

l. "And, Richard," said he at last, "have you nought to tell me of Father Lucas, and his gr

the clasp of his father's belt, and looking down, "I don'

earn them, I hope

er Lucas will always come when the sun is so bright, and the wood so green, tha

and Richard, rather encouraged, went on more bold

ow, no," sa

ng, just as if I was a clerk, instead of a young Duke?" Richard looked up in his father's face, and then

ould give much to be able myself to read those holy books which I must now only hear read to

Nobles never lear

y boy, for the Kings of France and England, the Counts of Anjou, of P

this King Louis to his throne, I was ashamed to find myself one

as you, father," said Richard, p

h masters as you may be. And hark, Richard, not only can all Princes here read, but in England, King Ethelstane would have every Noble taught;

d Richard, raising his he

m? and wh

ing the ravens to feast upon the Saxon. Oh! had I been his son, how I would have carried on the feud! How I would have laughed when I cut down the false traitors, and burnt their palaces!" Richard's e

liam loo

l thoughts, fit only for the worshippers of Odin and Thor. Neither Ragnar nor his sons knew better th

her!" said Richard, looking up w

has been said, 'Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.' Listen to me, my son, Christian as is this nation of ours, this duty of forgiveness is too often neglected, but let it not be so with you. Bear in mind, whenev

, "Yes, father, but I could never have pa

is unhappy Kingdom of France, then, remember what I say now. I charge you, on your duty to God and to your father, that you keep up no feud, no hatred, but rathe

r's shoulder. There was a silence for a little space, during which he began to revive into

ling it out with a jerk, he saw a silver key attached to it. "O

Duke William, as he replaced t

asure, father! Is

om its too busy investigations; and some of the Barons at that moment ret

rd on his journey, giving Richard hopes he might return in a fortnight's time, and obtaining from him