. Manners and customs of the English nation, from the invation of Julius Cæsar to the present time . f the Anglo-Saxons,were the gleemen or merry-makers, and thew harpers. The gleemen were jugglers and panto-mimists as well as minstrels, and they were accus-tomed to associate themselves in companies, andamuse the spectators with feats of strength andagility, dancing and sleight-of-hand tricks. Among the minstrels who came into Englandwith William the Conqueror, was one namedTaillefer, of whom it is related that he was presentat the battle of Hastings, and took his place at thehead of the Norma
. Manners and customs of the English nation, from the invation of Julius Cæsar to the present time . f the Anglo-Saxons,were the gleemen or merry-makers, and thew harpers. The gleemen were jugglers and panto-mimists as well as minstrels, and they were accus-tomed to associate themselves in companies, andamuse the spectators with feats of strength andagility, dancing and sleight-of-hand tricks. Among the minstrels who came into Englandwith William the Conqueror, was one namedTaillefer, of whom it is related that he was presentat the battle of Hastings, and took his place at thehead of the Norman army, inspiriting the soldiersby his songs. Before the battle commenced, headvanced on horseback towards the English lines,and casting his spear three times into the air,caught it each time by the iron head, and thenthrew it among his enemies, one of whom hewounded. He then drew his sword and threw itinto the air, catching it as he had done the spearwith such dexterity, that the English who saw himbelieved that he was gifted with the power of en-chantment.* * Smiths Pic. Hist, cf Eng., p. Feasting. THE ENGLISH NATION. 47 The term minstrel—in Norman-French minis-traulx—came into use in England soon after theConquest, at which time, it is believed, that theclass of minstrels and jesters became much morenumerous. They enjoyed many privileges, and tra-velled from place to place, in time of war as well asof peace, in perfect safety; their persons wereheld sacred, and they were received wherever theywent with the warmest welcome and who had lived in the south of France werecalled troubadours—those in the northern provinces,trouveres. These poets became known throughoutEurope for their songs of love and war, in whichthey celebrated the beauty of women and theachievements of the brave. In England the professors of the minstrels artwere of various classes, which were distinguishedby the various names of singers, relaters of heroicactions, jesters, balanc
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