Barons outbearded him, and Magna Carta was the result. His son, Henry III, had a moderate Beard, and the longest reign till George III. Edward I, shewed the Scots what a long Beard could do with long shanks, and a long head to back it.[1] This king has been called the English Justinian, both he and the Roman Emperor being noted for improving the laws, and cherishing their Beards. Edward the 2nd's Beard, like his character, was more ornamental than strong, and his reign is chiefly memorable for the composition of that favorite old song quoted by Shakspeare, "Tis merry in hall, when Beards wag all!"
Edward the 3rd's bold Beard spread terror in Scotland and France, and that of his son, the Black Prince—young as he died—was an apt type of his "prowess in the tented field."
Richard the 2nd, with all his faults, was neither deficient in Beard nor in courage-the latter shewn in his meeting with Wat Tyler, and his defence against his assassins. Henry IV, the crafty Bolingbroke, had a chin cover, in whose every curl lurked an intrigue, of which his son, Henry V, who was made of other metal, was so ashamed, we presume, that he wore in penitence a shaven chin throughout his ten years' reign, as may be seen by his monument in Westminster Abbey, the remains of which still exist.
- ↑ No true Scotchman would pardon me if I omitted to note that the brave Wallace had "a most brave Beard."
