The legends of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Bevis of Southampton, Guy of Warwick, Adam Bell, and Clymme of Clough, were favourites among the lovers of romance; but the people of this age, being very superstitious, were very fond of stories about ghosts and goblins, believing them to be founded on fact, and also attributing feats performed by conjurors and jugglers to supernatural agency. The King himself was equally superstitious, for Strutt in describing the tricks of jugglers says: "Our learned monarch, James I., was perfectly convinced that these, and other inferior feats exhibited by the tregetours, could only be performed by the agency of the devil, 'who,' says he, 'will learne them many juglarie tricks, at cardes and dice, to deceive men's senses thereby, and such innumerable false practiques, which are proved by over-many in this age.'"[68] Looking back to the ancient superstitions about ghosts and fairies, Dryden, the poet, has some lines which may fitly close this chapter:-- "I speak of ancient times, for now the swain Returning late may pass the woods in vain, And never hope to see the mighty train; In vain the dairy now with mint is dressed, The dairy-maid expects no fairy guest, To skim the bowls and after pay the feast. She sighs and shakes her empty shoes in vain, No silver penny to reward her pain: For priests, with prayers and other godly gear, Have made the merry goblins disappear." [58] "Curiosities of Literature." [59] "Memoirs of Ben Jonson." [60] "Progresses of King James the First." [61] Cassell's "History of England." [62] This portion is inserted to introduce _the Prince's Triumph_, as they are termed. [63] Cassell's "History of England." [64] Nichols's "Progresses." [65] "Camden's Annals." [66] "Progresses." [67] "Library of English Literature." [68] "Daemonologie," by King James I. CHAPTER IX. CHRISTMAS UNDER CHARLES I. AND THE COMMONWEALTH. (1625-1660.) KING CHARLES THE FIRST was the second son of James I. and of Anne, daughter of Frederick III., King of Denmark, and he came to the throne on the death of his father in March 1625. As Prince Charles he had taken part in the Court entertainments of Christmastide, and had particularly distinguished himself in Ben Jonson's masque, "The Vision of Delight." These magnificent Christmas masques were continued after Charles's accession to the throne until the troubles of his reign stopped them. Gifford[69] mentions that Jonson's "Masque of Owls" was presented at Kenilworth Castle, "By the Ghost of Captain Cox mounted on his Hobby-horse, in 1626":-- "_Enter_ Captain Cox, _on his Hobby-horse._