PREFACE.

To my mind there is no more picturesqueperiod in the history of Western Europethan that of the Renaissance.

Among the many aspects in which it ispossible to regard this important epoch, that ofits influence on chivalry is one of the mostinteresting. The rough simplicity of the proudmediæval knight, gradually yielding to thesubtle spell of pure poesy and courtly love,while the barred helm and steel gauntlet werehardly doffed from the stern field, or gorgeoustourney, this is a subject which will alwaysfascinate.

However practical the world may grow, andperhaps, because of its very practicality, therewill always be minds which will turn withrelief to the romantic and the ideal. In theturmoil of real life, with its sordid materialism,there are many men and women who dwellwith delight on some noble life clothed roundwith the glamour of ancient time, and presentingitself to the mind in the garb of gorgeouspomp and splendid pageantry, who, while tryingto achieve some great emprise themselves,will dream of the men of old time, who havesoared aloft on the pinions of glorious fame.

With the privilege of a writer of fiction, Ihave chosen Sir Edward Woodville,[*]commonly called Lord Woodville, as the "eidolon"on which to clothe the heroic virtue of chivalry,without its many and grosser faults. So littleis known of the Captain of the Wight, butwhat little there is, shows him in so noble alight, that I feel I am not necessarilyexaggerating, may even be accurately describing,his

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