[296] “Thomas’s Raglan,” p. 155.
[297] A MS. plan, which has just been sent to the Editor from Raglan, in confirmation of the above, seems to complete the evidence which was hitherto wanting.
[298] One solitary attempt to imitate the jousts and tournaments of former days, was made a few years ago at the expense of the Earl of Eglinton; but “the burlesque was apparently too extravagant, if not too costly, for repetition.”
[299] In the bowling-green attached to the residence of a gentleman at Muswell Hill, Hornsey, the ancient national game is still kept up—ritu majorum.
[300] Fosbroke, Nares, Strutt, Gage’s Hengrave Hall.—Encyclopædia of Antiq., vol. ii. p. 674.
[301] See “Strutt’s Sports,” p. 97.
[302] “Fosbroke’s Gymnastics.” The late Sir S. R. Meyrick gives various kinds of jousts, i. e. where the combat is limited to two rivals.
[303] Page 175 of this volume.
[304] The contributor of this anecdote is not sufficiently acquainted with the habits of birds as to pronounce that no bird builds its nest of white-thorn; but if such be really the case, that circumstance might surely have led the cavaliers to suspect that the prophecy had received some aid in its fulfilment from the worthy townsmen of Caernarvon. But the explanation given by the Marquess is, as usual, felicitously characteristic, and veiled in a politico-religious guise.
[305] Bayly, Apophthegm xix.