But he has
a villainous cut-throat look."
Soon afterwards a flourish of trumpets was heard, and amid their
joyous bruit the queen, sumptuously arrayed in cloth of gold and
ermine, and having a small crown upon her brow, entered the gallery,
and took her seat within it. Never had she looked more beautiful than
on this fatal morning, and in the eyes of all the beholders she
completely eclipsed her rival, Jane Seymour. The latter, who stood on
her right hard, and was exquisitely attired, had a thoughtful and
anxious air, as if some grave matter weighed upon her
While the queen's attendants were taking their places, Lord Rochford,
accompanied by Sir Henry Norris and the Earls of Surrey and Essex,
entered the lists. The four knights were completely armed, and
mounted on powerful steeds barded with rich cloth of gold,
embroidered with silver letters. Each had a great crimson plume in his
helmet. They rode singly round the arena, and bowed as they passed
the royal gallery, Norris bending almost to his saddle-bow while
performing his salutation to the queen.
The field being thus taken by the challengers, who retired to the upper
end of the court, a trumpet was thrice sounded by a herald, and an
answer was immediately made by another herald stationed opposite
Henry the Seventh's buildings.
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