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Rh surance, it usually happened that there were among the persons assembled some barons, who, for their own interested motives, were ready to act as their protectors. On the present occasion, Isaac felt more than usually confident, being aware that Prince John was even then in the very act of negociating a large loan from the Jews of York, to be secured upon certain jewels and lands. Isaac's own share in this transaction was considerable, and he well knew that the Prince's eager desire to bring it to a conclusion would insure him his protection in the dilemma in which he stood.

Emboldened by these considerations, the Jew pursued his point, and jostled the Norman Christian, without respect either to his descent, quality, or religion. The complaints of the old man, however, excited the indignation of the byestanders. One of these, a stout well-set yeoman, arrayed in Lincoln green, having twelve arrows in his belt, with a baldric and badge of silver, and a bow of six feet length in his hand, turned short round, and while his countenance, which constant exposure to weather had rendered brown