CHAPTER VIII. THE CORONATION. NEARLY a century had elapsed since an occasion like the present had called together the different ranks and ordere of the English population. Native Britons, Saxons, Danes and Normans, hereditary enemies, had, by years of un-avoidable intercourse, and by a community of interests, been fused into one mass, and now vied with each other in manifesting their loyalty to a king in whose veins mingled the several streams of the great Scandinavian race. The independent Franklin, the stout yoeman from the country, and the rich citizen and industrious artisan, the curious vas-sal, the stately knight, and lordly baron, alike instinct with love for feasting and holiday show, hastened to witness the ceremony. The coronation of John had been unpopular, both from the well known malevolence of his disposition and the rival claims of his injured nephew. That of Henry III. took place in a remote part of thedtingdom, when a portion of the island was in the possession of the French, and the minds of the people were distracted between a fear of foreigners and a detestation of the reigning family. Not a man in the realm, therefore, could remember so grand a spectacle as the coronation of Edward and the beautiful Eleanora of Castile. When the crown was placed upon their heads by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a murmur of joy arose from the assembled throngs ; but when the herald stood forth and proclaimed an indemnity to all those who had been en-gaged in the civil commotions of the former reign, and the repeal of the cruel statutes, that had made so many worthy citizens outlaws and aliens in the 6i'ght of their English homes, the enraptured multitude made the welkin ring with shouts of—Long live King Edward 1—Long live our gracious Queen Eleanora ! ELEANORA. 405