Page:The Queens of England.djvu/100

82 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. most magnificent scale had been made, took place within a week after the nuptial ceremony, and, as if to mark it with a more solemn character, Henry, two or three days preceding it, laid the first stone of the Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Anxious to do honor to their liege lady, the citizens of Lon- don had commanded their streets to be cleaned, so that when she passed naught offensive to her eyes or olfactory nerves could be encountered, while bright-colored tapestry and silks, wreaths of flowers, and flaunting banners, hung from the win- dows, making a gay and brilliant sight. The citizens, mounted on gallant steeds, and clothed in robes "dight with gold and rainbow hues," rode forth to meet their sovereigns, whose dresses, composed of a tissue of gold, then little known in England, and adorned with jewels of the most costly descrip- tion, dazzled the eyes of all beholders. Never previously had aught approaching the magnificence displayed on this occasion been witnessed in England, and long after did the heavy expense incurred for it embarrass the sovereign, and compel him to have recourse to his subjects to aid him in his difficul- ties. He found them little disposed to assist him, so that he had the double mortification of being obliged to solicit and of being refused. England, ever looking with jealousy and dislike to the influx of foreigners, viewed with distrust the numerous train that flocked over with the queen ; and the favor shown by Henry to the uncle of his consort, Peter of Savoy, tended greatly to increase these prejudices and jealousies. To gratify Eleanor, her weak husband bestowed on her uncle that portion of Lon- don which took the name of the Savoy, a piece of misplaced generosity that deeply displeased his already discontented sub- jects. The exactions of the pope, carried into effect by his legates, helped still more to alienate the affection and respect of the English from their sovereign, and as this alienation soon became known at foreign courts, encroachments were made on Henry's power, from the conviction entertained that, aware of the disaffection of his people, he dared not, however great the provocation, count on being assisted to repel or to avenge them. On the promises of Henry no confidence could be placed. His tergiversations had taught his favorites, as well as the rest of his subjects, to put no trust in him, and even those whom .he most favored were, by the force of example.