Publisher's Synopsis
Seldom had the interior of this island presented a more peaceful and prosperous aspect thanin the reign of Edward III., when the more turbulent spirits among his subjects had foundoccupation in his foreign wars, and his wise government had established at home a degree ofplenty, tranquility, and security, such as had probably never before been experienced in England.Castle and cottage, church and convent, alike showed the prosperity and safety of theinhabitants, at once by the profuseness of embellishment in those newly erected, and by theneglect of the jealous precautions required in former days of confusion and misrule. Thus it waswith the village of Lynwood, where, among the cottages and farm-houses occupying a fertilevalley in Somersetshire, arose the ancient Keep, built of gray stone, and strongly fortified; butthe defences were kept up rather as appendages of the owner's rank, than as requisite for hisprotection; though the moat was clear of weeds, and full of water, the drawbridge was so wellcovered with hard-trodden earth, overgrown at the edges with grass, that, in spite of the massivechains connecting it with the gateway, it seemed permanently fixed on the ground. The spikes ofthe portcullis frowned above in threatening array, but a wreath of ivy was twining up the grooveby which it had once descended, and the archway, which by day stood hospitably open, was atnight only guarded by two large oaken doors, yielding to a slight push. Beneath the southern wallof the castle court were various flower-beds, the pride and delight of the old seneschal, RalphPenrose, in his own estimation the most important personage of Lynwood Keep, manager of theservants, adviser of the Lady, and instructor of the young gentleman in the exercises of chivalry.
