Following the advice of the monk, he
made the upper part of the king's helmet his mark, and the blow was so
well dealt, that, though he did not dislodge the royal horseman, it drove
back his steed on its haunches.
The success was so unequivocal that Norris was at once declared the
victor by the judge. No applause, however, followed the decision, from
a fear of giving offence to the king.
Norris dismounted, and committing his steed to the care of an esquire,
and his lance to a page, took off his helmet and advanced towards the
royal gallery, near which the Earl of Surrey and Sir Thomas Wyat were
standing talking with the other dames. As Norris drew near, Anne
leaned over the edge of the gallery, and smiled at him tenderly, and,
whether by design or accident, let fall her embroidered handkerchief.
Norris stooped to pick it up, regarding her as he did so with a glance of
the most passionate devotion. A terrible gaze, however, was fixed on
the unfortunate pair at that moment. It was that of the king. While
Henry was careering in front of the gallery to display himself before
Jane Seymour, a tall monk approached him, and said, "Look at Sir
Henry Norris!"
Thus addressed, Henry raised his beaver, that he might see more
distinctly, and beheld Norris take up the embroidered handkerchief,
which he recognised as one that he had given, in the early days of his
affection, to the queen.
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