The Andreds-Weald; Or, the House of Michelham (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1878 Excerpt: ... EPILOGUE. It was the close of an autumnal day, in the reign of King Stephen, when Walter de Lacy was Abbot of Battle. The sun was sinking beneath the lofty range of downs which terminate in the promontory of Beachy Head; all day long the heavens had been obscured by rushing clouds, but now openings of fiery light appeared over the rounded outlines of the hills. The orb of day reddened the scene, making the rain-drops glitter as if they were jewels on each fading leaf, and tempted the brethren of Battle Abbey to walk on the terrace which faced the western horizon, as it does this day, after seven centuries have passed away. At the projecting south-west angle of the terrace, in a recess of the turreted wall overhanging the vale, stood an aged monk. Aged indeed for his frame was bent and worn, a few white locks alone clustered around Lis forehead, and every line on his features seemed to speak of the decay of physical power. But there was a strange, almost an unearthly brilliancy in his eyes, which seemed to retain a life all their own. Fair was the scene those eyes gazed upon, if, indeed, age had not dimmed them. The dense forest which lay to the northwest, was the southern part of the great Andredsweald. The sea glistening in the fiery light which issued from the west, stretched southward and westward, and in the far distance could be seen an eminence, crowned with towers, surrounding a high and huge keep, close upon the sea. Immediately beneath, the land fell away in gentle descent to the brook which drained the valley, and then rose again to an opposite eminence; it was the vale of Sanguelac, or Senlac. "Father Oswald," said a j'oung novice, approaching the aged monk, "do you not fear the cold air of the evening? the wind is chill, and you will suffer pai...