360 ROBIN HOOD.

dwelling in the village where he was born. While he had
thoughts of this sort, one time when he took many rich prizes,
he resolved to make a present to the queen. The name of the
queen was Eleanor ; she was the mother of King Richard the
First, and had great power in her son’s reign. Queen Eleanor
was very much pleased with Robin Hood's present, and said to
herself, “ If I live one year to an end, I will bea friend to thee
and all thy men.”

Soon after, King Richard made a grand match in his court
of all the bowmen of his guards and army. Queen Eleanor
thought this a good time to do what she had in her mind, so
she called her favourite page, whose name was Richard Parting-
ton, and gave him his errand. ‘The page set out straight to
Sherwood Forest ; and when he came to Robin Hood, he said,
“Queen Eleanor greets you well; she bids you post to London,
where there is to bea match at the cross-bow, and she has
chosen you and your men to be her champions.” On the day
of this great match, the king’s bowmen, who were thought the
best archers in all England, were ranged on one side. After a
time, the queen’s champions came in and were ranged on the
other side; they were all strangers, and no man knew any of
them. King Richard then declared what the prize was that
should be bestowed upon the conquerors, and the lords of the
court began to make bets upon the venture. The bets were
three to one in favour of the king’s men, “ Isthere no knight
of the privy council,” said Queen Eleanor, “who will venture
his money on my side? Come hither to me, Sir Robert Lee,
thou art a knight of high descent.” Sir Robert Lee begged the
queen to excuse him from such a trial. “Come hither to me,
thou bishop of Hereford,” said Queen Eleanor, “for thou arta
noble priest.” Now this bishop was Robin Hood's old foe.
silver mitre,” said the bishop, “I will not bet a
'—“If thou wilt not bet on the queen's side,” said