At that time, when the barons of England were expected to decide which rose they would wear, it was almost a disgrace not to have their castles ornamented in every part with the especial rose--red or white--which they espoused. It is singular that a flower should be the symbol of contention throughout the whole kingdom. The Lord De Freston lost nothing of his reputation by commanding his adherents to espouse neither side. They reached the Baron's entrance-hall, where Ellen's maid stood in readiness to receive the mantle and hood of her mistress, and to await her retirement to her room. The retainers, in their military habiliments still, as in war-like days, assembled in rank and file in the ancestral hall: and every day with their burnished arms, their broad breast-plates, and high peaked helmets, made their appearance at the mid-day meal, before the baron or his mareschal. The utmost regularity prevailed in that mansion, and the absence of any member of the establishment was observable immediately. All raised their right hands to their helmets as De Freston and his daughter entered. His archers rested on their bows, his spearmen on their spears, whilst his boatmen, with the Flemish pea-green jackets and woollen hose, looked, in their sea-faring dresses, the most independent among his retainers. Fifty spearmen, as many archers, twelve boatmen, grooms of the chambers, and grooms of the stable, together with domestics, in-door and out, were all assembled in that spacious, lofty hall; and before they filed off into the great dining-room, or, as it was then called, the steward's refectory, they had to make this daily assembling a conspicuous part of their duty. Every man's name was chalked upon the boards of the house the day of his coming into his lord's service, and his place and position. It was part of the steward's office to call over their names, and signify the cause of absence to De Freston. In this manner, before partaking of their master's meat, every man was inspected, and it added no little to the pride of the lord, as of pleasure to his vassal, to be recognised daily for punctuality and cleanliness. 'A man is mighty,' thought Wolsey, as he surveyed the band of warriors and retinue of servants, 'a man is mighty who can depend upon himself without these adjuncts! Yet he who is popular with his own people, who serve him heart and hand, and without many protestations but with faithful deeds, must feel strengthened in his castle. Should I ever be a lord, I will take pleasure in seeing my retainers marshalled in this way. It must add to mutual regard, and make a man appear to himself of some consequence.'