"Fear! mother," replied Holgrave, taking a lance and battle-axe6 from their place over the chimney, and firmly grasping the former as he stood against the table; "I do not fear now, mother, nor need you—for, by the blessed St. Paul, they shall pass over my mangled7 body before they reach you!"
"Stephen Holgrave, are you mad?" returned Edith alarmed: "tell me the meaning of this!—Speak, I command thee!"
"Oh, mother, I cannot tell you," answered Holgrave, turning away his face from her searching glance; "Oh, no, I cannot tell you!"
"Stephen, you were not used to answer me thus. I charge you, by the authority and love of thy mother, and in the name of the blessed saints, to tell me what has happened."
"Alas8! my mother, you will know it soon enough. It is said you have—have—bewitched—or poisoned—the baron9's son!"
"Oh, mother!" shrieked11 Margaret. "Fly!—to the abbey, and take sanctuary12!"
"Margaret!" replied Edith, "I stir not hence. The guilty may take refuge from the anger of the laws; but it is not for the innocent to fear and fly like the felon14!"
Margaret then threw herself at the feet of Edith, and besought15 her, in the most earnest and pathetic manner, to take refuge at Hailes Abbey, in which she was seconded by Holgrave. The old woman remained silent; but there was a brightness—a glistening16 in her eyes as if a tear had started;—but if a tear did start, it did not fall. At length, recovering her composure, she rose firmly from her seat—
"My son," said she, "lay down your arms, I command. Should my life be offered up to the vengeful spirit of Thomas Calverley, who alone can be the foul17 author of this charge, it will be only taking from me a few short years—perhaps days—of suffering. But thou hast years of health and life before thee, and thou hast this gentle weeping creature to sustain."
"What!" interrupted Margaret warmly; "Oh, no—the mother of Stephen Holgrave to be torn from us without a blow! Did he not fight for his lord? and shall he not risk his life for his mother?"
"And is this thy counsel, foolish woman?" replied Edith, in a tone of rebuke18.
"She speaks my purpose," said Holgrave, as he grasped still firmer the poised19 weapon.
Edith stepped quickly up to her son and knelt before him—
"Oh Stephen, my son, my first-born—thy mother kneels to thee. Lay aside that lance and hearken to the words of her who bore thee, and nourished thee. Oh, bring not sorrow and ruin on thyself and her! What would be the bitterness of my dying moments if my son lived not to lay me beside his father?—if thy Margaret was left to mourn in lowly widowhood—and, perhaps, to fall beneath the base arts of Calverley! Oh, my son, my son, by the soul of thy dead father, and by the blessing20 of thy mother, resist not!—Hark! they come—they come! Haste, Stephen—Give me the weapon."
Holgrave, shocked and agitated21, could only think of raising his mother from her knees. He suffered her, without resistance, to take the lance from his hand, and then attempt, with her weak fingers, to remove the barricade, while advancing footsteps were heard without.
The hostile party reached the cottage, and the latch23 was quickly raised; but, finding it resist their attempts, the voice of Calverley, in an authoritative24 tone, pronounced—
"In the name of the Lord Roland de Boteler, I demand the body of Edith Holgrave, who is accused of the foul crimes of witchcraft25 and murder.—Open the door, Stephen Holgrave, if you are within!"
"Fiend of hell! it is he!" muttered Holgrave, gnashing his teeth, but without moving.
The party without seemed to have expected resistance; for the next moment a blow was struck upon the door which made the whole house shake; and the besieged26 perceived that they were forcing an entrance with the trunk of a young tree, or some such machine, in imitation of the ram27, not yet disused in warfare28. Speedily the timber yielded and cracked; and Holgrave, starting from the stupor29 in which he was plunged30, caught up the axe, and posted himself in an attitude of striking near the door.
"Pollute not thy hand with the blood of the base," said Edith, grasping her son's arm—"Judgment31 is mine, saith the Lord!"
"Thomas Calverley," continued she, in a loud calm voice, "produce your warrant!"
"The word of the Lord de Boteler," replied Calverley, "is warrant enough for the capture of the murderess of his child. Surrender, Stephen Holgrave, I command!"
At this moment a noise was heard, as if an entrance had been effected through the roof; and ere Holgrave could release his arm from his mother's hold, a shriek10 from Margaret struck upon his ear. He turned his head and beheld32 her covering him with outstretched arms from the drawn33 bows of two retainers, who appeared at the door of the room, or loft34, above.
"Archers35, do your duty!" shouted Calverley; but at the moment some voices without exclaimed suddenly, "My lord comes! My lord comes!" and the bowmen drew back, and Holgrave instinctively36 dropped his axe.
De Boteler, either through anxiety for Edith's arrest, or from an apprehension37 that Holgrave might oppose it, did indeed approach, and as he advanced, with hasty and agitated steps, and beheld the evidence of resistance in the rent roof and shattered door, his rage was extreme.
"Tear down the cottage!" cried he, his voice choked with passion, "and take this foul sorceress dead or alive!" The command was about to be fulfilled when the door was unbarred and opened by Holgrave.
"Stop;" said the baron, "the knave38 surrenders. Base-born churl39, how dare you oppose my commands?"
"My lord," said the intrepid40 yeoman, "I had a right to defend my dwelling41 against unlawful assault."
"Unlawful! Do you call the orders of your lord unlawful?"
"My Lord De Boteler," said Edith, stepping forward, and looking full at the baron. "It is unlawful to send armed men, in the open day, without warrant, save your own will, to attack the house of a faithful vassal42 and set his life in jeopardy43. Had you sent a messenger in peace, Edith Holgrave would have obeyed the mandate44. There was little need of all this tumult45 to take an aged46 woman, whom He knoweth is innocent, and whom you, Lord of Sudley, in your own breast——"
"Foul mouthed witch!" interrupted De Boteler, "keep thy tongue silent—no more—lest I anticipate justice by hanging you at your own threshold!"
"That you dare not do!" said Edith, calmly.
"Bear her away, Calverley—bear her away, or I cannot answer for the result. Place her in the dungeon47 at the top of the tower, and let no one see her till to-morrow, when she shall be conveyed to Gloucester Castle."
That same day, Calverley summoned, or rather packed, a jury at which he himself presided; and a verdict of wilful48 murder was returned against Edith. Apprehensive49, however, that the charge of poisoning might not be sustained upon the unsupported testimony50 of Mary Byles, he easily influenced the credulous51 jurors to believe that witchcraft had as much to do with the child's death as poison. His usual tact52, however, had forsaken53 him on this occasion, and it was not until the verdict was announced and recorded, that the unwelcome conviction flashed across his mind, that the temporal courts could exercise no jurisdiction54 over the crime of witchcraft. It was now too late to alter the language of the inquisition. It had gone forth55 to hundreds who awaited its promulgation56 with intense anxiety; and the language of the verdict that "Edith Holgrave delivered to Mary Byles, a certain charmed or poisonous drug, for the purpose of destroying Roland De Boteler, and which said drug was administered to, and caused the death of, the said Roland," was, in a few hours, familiar to the whole town and neighbourhood.
Calverley was too well aware of the jealous vigilance the church exercised in cases appertaining to its jurisdiction, not to feel apprehensive that its influence might be exerted to defeat the operation of the temporal court; for, although the ecclesiastical courts could not award the last penalty to persons convicted of witchcraft or heresy57, yet they were as tenacious58 of their exclusive right to investigate such cases, as if they possessed59 the power to punish. When a person accused of those crimes was adjudged to die, a writ60 was issued from the court of King's Bench called a writ de heretico comburendo, by virtue61 of which the victim was handed over to the temporal authority, and underwent the punishment awarded. But it was seldom, at this period, that the obstinacy62 of a delinquent63 brought about such a consummation, for a confession64 of the crime (if the first) only subjected him to ecclesiastical penance65 or censure66. It was not till the reign67 of James the First that we find any legislative68 enactment69 against witchcraft. The well known passage in Exodus70 which conveys the divine command to the great lawgiver, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," was the supposed authority from which the church derived71 its jurisdiction; and though the priests of the old law were armed with, and probably exercised, the ordinance72 in its fullest meaning, yet the disciples73 of a purer and milder doctrine74 delegated that authority to a power more suited to carry its decrees into effect.
The news of these transactions had no sooner reached the ears of father John, than he hastened to the abbot of Winchcombe, for the purpose of beseeching75 him to demand the prisoner in the name of the church.
Simon Sudbury, the mitred abbot, was a man of a fair and florid complexion76, with large, expressive77 eyes, that even at the age of fifty were of a deep and clear blue. He was tall, and just sufficiently78 corpulent to give an air of dignity to his figure; but even had his person been insignificant79, there sat on his brow, and glanced in his eye, that pride and conscious superiority which, even from an equal, would have extorted80 respect.
The monk81 made a lowly obeisance82 as he approached the abbot, and when desired to make known his business, he detailed83 in a brief but perspicuous manner the charge against Edith. The superior listened with calm attention; but it was evident that the Baron de Boteler was not one with whom he would feel disposed to interfere84.
"My son," said he, when father John had ceased, "it seems an oppressive case according to your statement; but you are well aware how much our holy church has been shorn of her power, and how eager the monarch85, and nobles, and even the people, are to abridge86 our privileges." The abbot paused, and again resumed: "I fear, my son, our remonstrance87 would be disregarded by this young lord, and only cause a further indignity88 to be cast on our holy church."
"My lord," answered the monk, "I would not urge you; but I so well know the woman's piety89 and innocence90, that it would be to participate in the guilt13 of her accusers not to implore91 your lordship's interposition." The abbot took up a pen that lay before him, and was about to write; but he laid it down again, saying—
"Would it not be better to await her trial, and should she be found guilty, petition the king for a pardon?"
"My lord, she may not survive the imprisonment92."
"Well, my son, her earthly troubles would then cease without our interference—the innocent are better away from this sinful world, where oppression rules with a strong hand."
"True," answered the monk, with increased tenacity93; "but will the Lord of life hold us guiltless, if we heed94 not the cry of the innocent?"
The abbot looked frowningly on father John, as he again took up the pen. "My son, you are not serving the church by such pertinacity95. This application will only expose one of its dignitaries to humiliation96; however, I shall write to the Baron, since you desire it, and demand that the accused be transferred to the tribunal over which we preside."
The abbot waved his hand impatiently, and the monk withdrew.
The hall of Sudley had been hastily hung with black cloth, and the walls of the adjoining apartment exhibited a similar covering; and here, surrounded by a number of lighted tapers97, lay the corpse98 of the little Roland. At the foot of the bier knelt a monk in silent prayer, and at the side sat the Lady Isabella, absorbed in a grief which none but a mother can feel, and regardless of her husband's intreaties to withdraw.
"Oh, no, not yet," she said, "I cannot yet leave my babe. It was but yesterday my heart bounded at the thought of caressing99 my lovely boy; and to-day—but this witch—this murderess!" she continued, turning round, and elevating her voice; "what of her? Does she confess her guilt?"
"No," replied Boteler; "and she persists that the potion, if rightly administered, would rather have benefited than harmed our Roland."
"Heed her not—she is as artful as vile—they are an evil brood altogether. Know you, De Boteler," she added quickly, "whether the young woman participated in the deed of darkness?"
"Nothing has appeared against her," replied the baron.
At this instant an attendant entered, and delivered a letter to her lord, from the abbot of Winchcombe, adding that two messengers were waiting in the hall.
The baron untied100 the silken cord that confined the parchment, and having hastily perused101 it, handed it to the Lady Isabella.
"De Boteler," said the lady, rising from her seat when her eyes had run over the writing, "this woman shall not escape justice. Go, my lord—remember your murdered child, and compromise not with those who would screen the guilty from punishment."
De Boteler moved from the illuminated102 bier, and entered the hall with a haughty103 step; and as his eye fell on Father John, the frown on his brow increased. He did not, however, appear to heed him, but, turning to the abbot's messenger, said,
"Monk!—I have read my lord abbot's letter, and it would seem that he ought to have known better than interfere in such a matter. My child has been poisoned—the evidence is clear and convincing—why, therefore, does he make such a demand?"
"My lord baron," replied the messenger, "the verdict states that a charmed potion had been administered to the young lord. This accusation104 precedes the charge of poisoning: therefore, the spiritual court must first decide on the fact of witchcraft, before the temporal tribunal can take cognizance of the other offence."
"And does your abbot think, when the hope of my house has perished, whether by false incantations or deadly poison, that——Depart, monk!" continued he, in a choked voice, "and tell your abbot that this woman's guilt or innocence shall be tried by the laws of the realm."
"Then, my lord, you will not comply with the mandate of my superior?"
"Mandate!" repeated the enraged105 baron—"ha! ha! Mandate, forsooth! From whom—from an impotent priest of a waning106 church—and which church, with the blessing of God and our good king, will soon cease to arrogate107 to itself the encroachment108 which it has made upon the royal prerogative109."
"Note down this speech, Father John," said the messenger. "And now, Baron of Sudley, I formally demand, in the name of Simon Sudbury, the mitred abbot of Winchcombe, the body of Edith Holgrave, whom you impiously and rebelliously110 detain against the privileges of holy church: and—"
"Hold, minion111! Cease! or you will tempt22 me to hang the culprit from the battlements of yonder keep, if it were only to afford news to your master. Presumptuous112 shaveling! know you not that the royal franchise113 granted to this manor114 empowers me to sit in judgment on my vassals115, and that it is only as an act of grace that she is handed over to a jury of the county."
"The 'act of grace,' my lord," said Father John, looking sternly at De Boteler, "only shows that your mind is not so fully116 convinced of this woman's guilt as to embolden117 you to take the charge of her death entirely118 upon your own conscience—"
"Base-born knave! do you think you wear a coat of mail in that hypocritical garb119. Ho! Calverley, let the woman be instantly transmitted to Gloucester castle, that my lord abbot may thunder his anathemas120 against its walls, if it so please him; and then bear this meddling121 monk to the tumbrel, that he may learn better than to beard his natural lord under his own roof."
"Not so, my lord," said Isabella, at the moment entering the hall, attracted by the loud tones of De Boteler's voice; "not so, my lord; the tumbrel is not for such as he, however rude his bearing. My Lord de Boteler," turning to the monk, "has doubtless given you an answer—retire, and do not farther provoke his wrath122."
"Lady," returned Father John, with dignity, "I retire at your bidding, but not through fear of the Baron de Boteler. Let him, if he will, insult and expose an anointed priest—but, woe123 to him if he does! The blight124 has already fallen on the blossom—beware of the tree!"
The baroness125 looked rebuked126; and before De Boteler could reply, the two monks127 left the hall.
"Did I not anticipate this result?" said the abbot, looking sternly at the mortified128 monk, as the messenger detailed the interview with the baron.
Father John bowed.
"Your importunity," continued the abbot, "has cast this indignity on holy church, and on me its minister; but nevertheless, this lord, powerful though he be, must be taught obedience129 to that power he has contemned130."
"My lord," replied the monk, encouraged by the abbot's energy, "our holy church, thank heaven, is not without one able and zealous132 advocate. A timorous133 attitude at this moment would only give fresh vigour134 to those who seek to abridge its power."
"Aye, my son, there has been timidity enough in those prelates, who tamely acquiesced135 in the late enactment against the clergy136; and, alas! how often since have the servants of God been dragged from the altar and imprisoned137 like felons138, merely to gratify the haughty barons139 in their desire to humble140 our holy religion! The king, too, is a masked enemy, and countenances141 the impious attempts to abridge our rights."
"And yet, my lord," returned John, "the church is the natural bulwark142 of royalty143: by humbling144 it, he paralyzes a power the most zealous, and the best calculated to maintain the divine right of kings."
"It is, indeed, the stay and hope of monarchy," replied Sudbury; "but kings are men, and fallible. This woman's case will, nevertheless, demonstrate whether further encroachments will be submitted to by the prelates without a struggle. I shall write letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Abbot of Westminster, and you, my son, shall bear them to London. Retire for the present, and prepare for your journey."
The abbot was as good as his word, and presently the fate of the obscure Edith Holgrave became a question which kindled145 the fires of party zeal131 in half the noble breasts in the kingdom. It is not to the purpose of our story to describe the intrigue146 which, at this period, tore asunder147 the court of Edward. Suffice it to say, that after many stormy discussions in the cabinet, at which the abbot's first messenger, father John, and De Boteler himself, were interrogated—the church triumphed; the Baron of Sudley was condemned148 to offer an expiatory149 gift, and a writ was issued to prohibit the court of assize from trying the prisoner.
On the day the prohibitory writ left London, a small iron box, with a superscription, addressed to Thomas Calverley, was left by a stranger at Sudley Castle, and immediately after, by another messenger, a packet, in which, within many envelopes, a key was concealed151. Calverley, naturally concluding that this key belonged to the box he had just received, with a variety of perplexing conjectures152, unlocked it, and beheld the crimson153 damask dress of a pursuivant, on which the royal arms were embroidered154 in gold, and beneath the dress a purse of gold coin and a scroll155 of parchment, on which the following was written, evidently in a disguised hand:—
"A chancery messenger will leave London on the morning you receive this: he is the bearer of a writ to prohibit the court of assize at Gloucester from trying Edith Holgrave.—Surely justice should not be thus defeated—the messenger will rest for some time to-morrow evening at Northleach.—Could not the dress that accompanies this enable you to demand the writ from the messenger in the king's name. Remember, however, the writ must not reach Gloucester."
Calverley started at the boldness of the proposition, and resolved, much as he desired that Edith should suffer, not to engage in so daring an act. But in a few minutes, as his mind became more familiarized with the idea, much of the supposed danger of the undertaking156 disappeared. He might disguise his countenance so, that, aided by the dress, detection would be almost impossible; and even if detected, the letter, which, despite of every effort at concealment157, bore evidence of the Lady Isabella's handwriting, would compel her to exert all her influence in his favour. Nevertheless, Calverley, possessing less physical than moral courage, could not bring himself to look with total indifference158 upon even the possibility of personal danger, and he determined159, therefore, to associate with him in the adventure the bold and reckless Byles.
Calverley would have willingly risked every thing but his personal safety to be revenged of her who strove to attach to him the suspicion of crime; and even when mounted on his steed, with a large dark cloak thrown over him to conceal150 the material of his dress, lest its singularity should attract observation, he could not help feeling a slight inward trepidation160.
As they proceeded, the heath gradually assumed the appearance of a scanty161 wood, the trees became more numerous, the thickets162 of greater extent, and the animal on which Calverley rode was frequently impeded163 by the withering164 stumps165 of trees that had been carelessly felled. He alighted just at the point where an abrupt166 opening between the clustering thickets led by a circuitous167 path of not more than a hundred yards to the high road to Gloucester.
Here Calverley's quick ear caught the sound of the tramping of a horse—his heart beat quick—it might be a traveller journeying to Gloucester, but it was more probable that it was the messenger. He threw the bridle168 of his horse over the branch of a tree, sprang to the end of the path, and, concealing169 himself behind the under-wood, discovered in a moment, by the dark medley170 hue171 of the rider's dress, that it was the man he expected. He hurried back, and, mounting his steed, waited till the echo of the horse's hoofs172 could no longer be distinguished173; and then, giving the impulse to his own spirited animal, he was the next moment bounding at full speed after the messenger, followed at a distance by his accomplice174.
Calverley was a good horseman, and it was but a short space ere he was within a few yards of the messenger, and shouting to him to halt. The man stopped, and, turning in his saddle, surveyed with some surprise (which could be seen even in the duskiness of twilight) the bright colours that distinguished the garb of a pursuivant.
"What! for Gloucester, friend? You must have been hard upon my heels the whole way for——"
"No," interrupted Calverley, in an assumed gruffness of tone, and with something more than his usual authoritativeness175, "my journey is ended now. The king has recalled that writ of prohibition176 you were to deliver to the judge. You are to return the writ to me, and proceed with your other dispatches."
The messenger had heard—for state secrets will sometimes transpire—that the chancellor177 had a struggle to obtain the writ; and this knowledge, though it made him the more readily credit Calverley's assertion, yet vexed178 him that his master should be foiled. Looking, therefore, with a surly scrutiny179 at the steward—
"The writ," said he, "was given to me by my lord archbishop; and how do I know that I should be right in surrendering it to a stranger? Have you any order from his grace?"
"Order from his grace," repeated Calverley, sarcastically180: "Do you not know, my good friend, that your master is in disgrace with mine, and that the eloquent181 William of Wykeham will, ere many days pass, be high chancellor of England. Come, come, give me the writ, and don't lose time. I must not stir from my saddle this night, unless to change horses, till I reach Westminster."
The news of Islip's dismissal confounded the messenger. This new pursuivant might be in the interest of William of Wykeham, and it would be ill policy to make an enemy where every good office might be wanting to preserve him his situation. At all events, there was little use in contending: he accordingly unlocked his bag, and Calverley, with a thrill of pleasure, felt the writ within his grasp.
A hasty salutation passed, and the horsemen rode off in opposite directions. Calverley then, sending his associate home, spurred on to Gloucester.
The steward's first care was to put up his horse at an inn a little within the north-gate of Gloucester; and then, proceeding182 on to where the four streets, leading from the four gates of the city form a cross, he went down Westgate-street, and, passing the beautiful cathedral, presently reached the Severn. The evening was dark, and, looking cautiously round, he dropt the damask dress,—and, as he thought, the prohibitory writ,—in the oblivious183 waters.
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1
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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2
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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4
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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7
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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8
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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15
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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32
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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33
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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34
loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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35
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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36
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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37
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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38
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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39
churl
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| n.吝啬之人；粗鄙之人 | |
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40
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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41
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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42
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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43
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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44
mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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45
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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46
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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47
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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48
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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49
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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50
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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51
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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52
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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53
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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54
jurisdiction
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| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
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55
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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56
promulgation
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| n.颁布 | |
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57
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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58
tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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59
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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60
writ
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| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
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61
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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62
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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63
delinquent
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| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
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64
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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65
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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66
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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67
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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68
legislative
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| n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的 | |
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69
enactment
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| n.演出，担任…角色；制订，通过 | |
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70
exodus
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| v.大批离去，成群外出 | |
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71
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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72
ordinance
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| n.法令；条令；条例 | |
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73
disciples
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|
| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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74
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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75
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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76
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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77
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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78
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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79
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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80
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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81
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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82
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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83
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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84
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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85
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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86
abridge
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| v.删减，删节，节略，缩短 | |
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87
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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88
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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89
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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90
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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91
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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92
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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93
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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94
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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95
pertinacity
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| n.执拗，顽固 | |
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96
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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97
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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98
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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99
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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100
untied
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| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
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101
perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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102
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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103
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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104
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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105
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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106
waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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107
arrogate
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| v.冒称具有...权利，霸占 | |
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108
encroachment
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| n.侵入，蚕食 | |
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109
prerogative
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| n.特权 | |
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110
rebelliously
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| adv.造反地，难以控制地 | |
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111
minion
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| n.宠仆；宠爱之人 | |
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112
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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113
franchise
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| n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权 | |
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114
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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115
vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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116
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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117
embolden
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| v.给…壮胆，鼓励 | |
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118
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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119
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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120
anathemas
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| n.（天主教的）革出教门( anathema的名词复数 )；诅咒；令人极其讨厌的事；被基督教诅咒的人或事 | |
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121
meddling
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| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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122
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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123
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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124
blight
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| n.枯萎病；造成破坏的因素；vt.破坏，摧残 | |
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125
baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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126
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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127
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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128
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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129
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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130
contemned
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| v.侮辱，蔑视( contemn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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132
zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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133
timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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134
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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135
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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137
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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138
felons
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| n.重罪犯( felon的名词复数 )；瘭疽；甲沟炎；指头脓炎 | |
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139
barons
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| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
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140
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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141
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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142
bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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143
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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144
humbling
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| adj.令人羞辱的v.使谦恭( humble的现在分词 )；轻松打败（尤指强大的对手）；低声下气 | |
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145
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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146
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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147
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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148
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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149
expiatory
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| adj.赎罪的，补偿的 | |
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150
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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151
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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152
conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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153
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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154
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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155
scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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156
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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157
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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158
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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159
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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160
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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161
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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162
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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163
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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164
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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165
stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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166
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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167
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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168
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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169
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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170
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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171
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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172
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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173
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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174
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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175
authoritativeness
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| [法]权威 | |
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176
prohibition
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| n.禁止；禁令，禁律 | |
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177
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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178
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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179
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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180
sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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181
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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182
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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183
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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