[9]. The taking down of the houses on old London Bridge, from a water-colour by C. Pyne (1800–1884), preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum • 51
[10]. Hugh of Clopton’s bridge at Stratford-on-Avon, fifteenth century • 55
[11]. The chapel on the bridge at Wakefield, century. From a copyright photograph by G. and J. Hall, of Wakefield • 67
[12]. The bridge with a defensive tower at Warkworth, Northumberland, fourteenth century. From a photograph by G. W. Wilson, of Aberdeen • 71
[13]. The defensive tower on the Monnow Bridge at Monmouth, from a photograph obligingly supplied by Mr. Oliver Baker • 75
[14]. The one-arched bridge on the Esk, near Danby Castle, Yorkshire, built during the fourteenth century by Neville, Lord Latimer, the arms of whom are still to be seen at the top of the bridge. From a photograph obtained through the kindness of the Rev. J. C. Atkinson, of Danby Parsonage, York • 77
[15]. The parliament sitting in Westminster. From the MS. Harl. 1319, in the British Museum, fol. 57, painted circa 1400. This MS. contains a chronicle of the last years of Richard II, written in his native tongue by a French gentleman called Créton, who accompanied the king in his last journey to Ireland. It is invaluable both for its text and its pictures; in both the author seems to have been very careful to adhere to facts. He begins writing in verse, but afterwards takes to prose, stating that he is coming now to events of such importance that he prefers using prose, to make sure that he shall not allow himself to be led by fancy.
He must have himself superintended the painting with the greatest care. There can be no doubt that the figures are actual portraits; of this there are two proofs: first, when the same person appears in several paintings he is always given the same features, and can be easily recognized; second, the exact resemblance of one of the persons can be put beyond a doubt, which makes it likely that the others also resemble their originals. Richard II, the image of whom constantly recurs in the pictures, is easily recognizable as having the same features as in the bronze statue over his tomb at Westminster. And we know for certain that this tomb and statue were ordered by Richard himself during his lifetime; the indenture with the seals attached, dated 18 Rich. II (1395), and binding two apparently English artists, viz., “Nicholas Broker et Godfrey Prest, citeins et copersmythes de Loundres,” is still in existence at the Record Office.
The sitting of the parliament here represented is the famous one when Richard was deposed, and Henry of Lancaster came forth to “chalenge yis Rewme of Yngland” (“Rolls of Parliament,” iii. p. 422), Oct. 1399, and the throne was then, as seen in the painting, left unoccupied, “sede regali cum pannis auri solempniter preparata, tunc vacua,” “Rolls,” ibid. On the right of the throne are seated the spiritual lords; on the left the temporal lords, knights, &c. The nearest to the throne left is Henry of Lancaster (wearing a tall fur cap). Says Créton:
“Entour le dit siége asez près