On his head he wore a coronet, or rim of gold, enriched with
jewels; and his bushy hair and grizzled beard looked still more grim and
forbidding beneath these glittering ornaments. His eyes were quick and
piercing; his cheeks pale and slightly furrowed. A narrow and retreating
mouth, firmly drawn in, showed the bent of his disposition to be fierce
and choleric, and his wrath not easily turned aside. He was accompanied
by his billmen, together with some half-dozen attendants, clad in shirts
of chain mail and helmets fitting close to the head. These bore lances
after the Norman fashion then prevailing over the ruder customs of their
Saxon predecessors.
The more polished manners of the Norman's court had early pervaded the
ranks of the nobles; and even the few hereditary Saxon chiefs left in
possession of their ancient sovereignties, thought their domains cheaply
purchased by this obsequious show of homage to their king.
The Thane's chief henchman occupied the post of honour, whilst a little
footpage stood by his master's elbow.
The villains prostrated themselves.
"How now!--Where are the caitiffs I commanded of ye? I vow to the Virgin
and St Chadde, your own necks shall swing from the tower in their stead,
should ye fail in that which I require at your hands.
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