The hillock bordered the high road to London--which then wound through wastes of forest land--and now emerging from the trees to the left appeared a goodly company.

First came two riders abreast, each holding a banner.

On the one was depicted the cross and five martlets, the device of Edward, afterwards surnamed the Confessor: on the other, a plain broad cross with a deep border round it, and the streamer shaped into sharp points.
The first was familiar to Edith, who dropped her garland to gaze on the approaching pageant; the last was strange to her.

She had been accustomed to see the banner of the great Earl Godwin by the side of the Saxon king; and she said, almost indignantly,-- "Who dares, sweet grandam, to place banner or pennon where Earl Godwin's ought to float ?" "Peace," said Hilda, "peace and look." Immediately behind the standard-bearers came two figures--strangely dissimilar indeed in mien, in years, in bearing: each bore on his left wrist a hawk.

The one was mounted on a milk-white palfrey, with housings inlaid with gold and uncut jewels.