Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/758

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BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY

gnarded by Augustino Beltrano, her husband, who was hurried away by unjust suspicions.

Madame Genlis.


ROSAMOND CLIFFORD, the fair and unfortunate Mistress of Henry II. in the 12th Century,

From whose history, whether fabulous or true, innumerable little poems and dramatic pieces have been written.

The anxiety which he must have had in the progress of his life, to conceal this amour from the high-spirited Eleanor, gave rise, probably, to Brompton's tale of the bower of Woodstock, and of Rosamond's death by poison. We know not exactly when she died; but we are told that her body was found, near Godstow nunnery, cased in leather, (like that of Henry I.) and then in lead, and that when opened, a very sweet smell came out of it.

The tomb of Rosamond, lighted by many wax tapers, and shaded by a gay canopy, offended the zeal of St. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, in 1300.—"Dig up her body," said the stern prelate, "and bury her out of the church, lest her example cause evil to her sex; for, after all, what was she but a harlot?"

Andrew's Great Britain.


ROSERES (ISABELLA DE JOYA, or DE), a Spanish Lady, of the 16th Century,

"It is related that she preached in the cathedral of Barcelona, to the admiration of a crouded audience. (I suppose the prelate, who allowed of such a novelty,

was