Originally published in 1853, this collection of anecdotes, poems, and historical accounts offers a rich and vivid portrait of early English history and literature. Drawing on manuscripts and other primary sources, the authors provide insights into the customs, beliefs, and daily life of the English people from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature, folklore, or history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.