an evil thing ; -which indeed would greatly tarnish your glory, and heap infamy on the head of myself and my husband." Astonished and chagrined at this retort, Edward, after passing a gloomy day and a restless night, quitted the castle at the break of the following morn, and, at parting, told the Countess that he trusted, when they again met, she would grant his suit. CHAPTER II. Feast of the Round Table—The Princess Mary born—Philippa's lovefor her children—Their places of residence—Re-commencement of war with France—Edward names Philippa and Prince Lionel regents—Embarks with the Black Prince for France—The battle of Cressy—Birth of the Princess Margaret—Siege of Calais —Philippa at Nevill's Cross—Capture of the Scotch King—Philippa voyages to Calais—Surrender of Calais — The burghers condemned to death by Edward —Saved by the intercession of Philippa—Calais peopled by the English—Made a staple town—Edward signs a truce, and returns to England with Philippaand the Black Prince—Order of the Garter instituted—Ravages by the plague—·To what attributed—Its consequences—Birth of Philippa's two youngest sons —Her encouragement to trade—Renewal of the war with France—Scotch In l Ο further his projects against France, by drawing intoEngland the leading chivalry of the continent with whom he might treat in person, Edward ordered tournaments to be published, and received all persons of distinction who were present at these mockfights with marked honour, courtesy, and magnificence. Finding these entertainments answer beyond his expectations, he, to add to their solemnity, and to free himself from the ceremonies to which the difference of rank and condition would have obliged him, projected the revival of King Arthur's Round Table. Upon New Year's Day, 1344, he published royal letters of protection for the safe coming and returning of such foreign knights as had a mind to venture their reputation at the jousts and tournaments about to be held. The place of solemnity was Windsor: it was began by a feast, and a round table was erected in the castle of two hundred feet diameter, at wliich the knights were entertained with sumptuous fare and merry music. The feast was held on St. George's Day, and graced by the presence of Queen Philippa, and three hundred high-born ladies, all dressed in splendid robes of similar form and colour. On the tenth of October, 1344, the Queen gave birth to the Princess Mary, afterwards married to John de Montfort, Duke of Brittany. The accouchement took place at Waltham, near Winchester, and Philippa's uprising was celebrated with more than ordinary magnificence. Roth Edward and Philippa spent all the time they could devote to domestic enjoyments, in the company of their beloved offsprings, who resided alternately at the Tower, Woodstock, Langly, Eltham, or other of the royal residences, under the care of able guardians and instructors, and were well supplied with all necessaries, comforts, conveniences, and luxuries. In 1345, it became evident that peaco with Franco could not longer endure. Edward, therefore, to commence the campaign, obtained from his pailiament grants of wool—money being scarce-— whilst Pbilippa established the so-long