Exit.
HISTORICAL EPISODE.
OLD LONDON BRIDGE
FROM THE SURREY SIDE OF THE RIVER.
RECEPTION OF KING HENRY THE FIFTH
ON ENTERING LONDON,
AFTER THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT. *
* Extracts of King Henry’s reception into London, from the anonymous Chronicler, who was an eye-witness of the events he describes:—
“And when the wished-for Saturday dawned, the citizens went forth to meet the king.***viz., the Mayor[†] and Aldermen in scarlet, and the rest of the inferior citizens in red suits, with party-coloured hoods, red and white.***When they had come to the Tower at the approach to the bridge, as it were at the entrance to the authorities to the city.***Banners of the Royal arms adorned the Tower, elevated on its turrets; and trumpets, clarions, and horns, sounded in various melody; and in front there was this elegant and suitable inscription upon the wall, ‘Civitas Regis justicie’—(‘The city to the King’s righteousness.’)***And behind the Tower were innumerable boys, representing angels, arrayed in white, and with countenances shining with gold, and glittering wings, and virgin locks set with precious sprigs of laurel, who, at the King’s approach, sang with melodious voices, and with organs, an English anthem.
******