Yet, in spite of all these precautions, accidents had befallen him.

On one occasion, Sir Symonds D'Ewes relates that he was thrown headlong into a pond; and on another, we learn from a different source that he was cast over his horse's head into the New River, and narrowly escaped drowning, his boots alone being visible above the ice covering the stream.

Moreover the monarch's attire was excessively stiff and cumbrous, and this, while it added to the natural ungainliness of his person, prevented all freedom of movement, especially on horseback.
His doublet, which on the present occasion was of green velvet, considerably frayed,--for he was by no means particular about the newness of his apparel,--was padded and quilted so as to be dagger-proof; and his hose were stuffed in the same manner, and preposterously large about the hips.

Then his ruff was triple-banded, and so stiffly starched, that the head was fixed immovably amidst its plaits.
Though not handsome, James's features were thoughtful and intelligent, with a gleam of cunning in the eye, and an expression of sarcasm about the mouth, and they contained the type of the peculiar physiognomy that distinguished all his unfortunate line.

His beard was of a yellowish brown, and scantily covered his chin, and his thin moustaches were of a yet lighter hue.