The ancient title THE GEORGE OF THE ORDER OF THE GARTER. of DUKE was revived in this reign, and the Black Prince was created "Duke of Cornwall," a title borne ever since by the

Prince of Wales. A new military order, the highest in the land, was also established; namely, the ORDER OF THE GARTER, limited to 26 knights of whom the king himself is chief. On the left leg they wear a garter of blue ribbons, adorned with pearls, and inscribed with the motto in French-"Evil be to him who evil thinks." (Honi soit qui mal y pense.) It was also in this eventful reign that Wycliffe, the earliest of the English reformers, began to protest against the peculiar doctrines of the Romish Church.

The Black Prince died in 1376, of consumption, in the 46th year of his age; and his father survived only about a year. The latter died at Shene, (now called Richmond, 1377 in Surrey) and was buried at Westminster. Edward III. died in the 51st year of his reign, and the 65th of his age.

Richard II, was the son of the Black Prince. He began his reign when only 11 years old. He was surnamed BORDEAUX, and likewise THE FOP; receiving the former name from the place of his birth and the latter because of his silly and extravagant manners. He was of a handsome but effeminate appearance, spoke in short sentences with an impediment in his speech, and seems to have thought that gaiety and display were the chief objects worthy of a king. He had no less than 10,000 domestics, of whom 2,000 were cooks; and the daily consumption in his household, of food and luxuries, was almost fabulous. His style of dress was equally extravagant, as well as highly absurd. His coat, which was covered with needle-work like a piece of tapestry, was stiff with gold and gems, and cost nearly £100,000. His example gave rise to a most ridiculous fashion in male costume. The dandies of that day did not think it right to have both sleeves of the same colour, nor even their two stockings; and they wore a shoe on one foot, and a boot on the other.

Soon after Richard's accession, a fleet had to be fitted out, to keep the French off the English coast; and the expense of this

with other causes, rendered necessary an increase of the taxes. Several taxations then took place; and lastly, a poll-tax of three groats was levied on every male and female over fifteen years of age. One of the collectors of this tax so grossly insulted a young girl, the daughter of a tiler, at Dartford (in Kent,) that the father with the blow of a hammer, struck him dead on the spot. His neighbours applauded the deed; and henceforth this Wat the Tiler, became leader of the men of Kent in resisting the tax. Similar resistance had broken out before this in Essex, under the leadership of an unruly priest, who called himself "Jack Straw." Having other grievances besides this tax, these people now determined to march in open riot to London. They met at Blackheath (in Kent), where they were addressed by an excommunicated priest, who took for his text

Proceeding to London, they broke open the prisons, pulled down the palace of the Savoy, and beheaded many of the wealthy citizens. They then demanded to see the king, but the archbishop of Canterbury unwisely said, that the king should not be seen by

such shoeless rebels: so they took the proud prelate and slew him. But the king himself said, that if they would go quietly to Mile End, he would meet them there and grant their demands. These were reasonable enough: namely, 1.-That he would abolish villanage; 2.-That land should be let at fourpence an acre ;* 3.-That they should be al- BADGE OF lowed to buy and sell at all fairs and markets; LANCASTER. and 4.-That the present riot should be forgiven. The king consented to these demands, and gave orders to prepare a charter for their confirmation. This pleased most of those present, and they began to disperse. But Wat the Tiler with some others, who wanted all the lawyers to be hanged, remained behind and committed further ravages. Richard met him next day at Smithfield; and while conversing with him, Wat began to play suspiciously with his dagger, and seemed as if he would seize the king's bridle: whereupon the

lord mayor, who was present, stabbed him in the throat, and another attendant despatched him as he lay on the ground. The mob was ready to avenge their leader's death, but the king with great boldness galloped towards them, crying, "what are ye doing, my lieges? The Tiler was a traitor. I am your king. I will be your leader. Follow me." Overawed by his firmness, they followed the king CREST OF RICHARD II. to some fields in Islington; where, meanwhile, the mayor had posted a strong force of soldiers. Seeing these, they asked the king for pardon; which he not only freely granted, but renewed to them the promise of a charter. But the Parliament which then met, revoked the charter; and over 1500 of the rioters were executed. Such was the famous rebellion 1381 of 1381. For a youth not quite sixteen years of age, Richard on that occasion shewed such presence of mind, that high expectations began to be formed of his future government; but these were by no means fulfilled.

Scotland and France now formed an alliance against England

* Besides the fact that land was not so valuable in those days, the value of money itself was much greater then than now. For instance, 1d. was a coin so valuable in those days, that it would buy a gallon of the very best ale; or pay a labourer for his day's work, without food: 24d. would buy a goose; 1s. 2d., a sheep; 3s. 3d. a quarter of wheat; and 16s., one of the best of fat oxen.