antiquaries.  With such ideas of superior beings, the Normans, Saxons, and other Gothic tribes, brought their ardent courage to ferment yet more highly in the genial climes of the south, and under the blaze of romantic chivalry.  Hence, during the dark ages, the invisible world was modelled after the material; and the saints, to the protection of whom the knights-errant were accustomed to recommend themselves, were accoutered like preux chevaliers, by the ardent imaginations of their votaries.  With such ideas concerning the inhabitants of the celestial regions, we ought not to be surprised to find the inferior spirits, of a more dubious nature and origin, equipped in the same disguise.  Gervase of Tilbury (Otia Imperial, ap.  Script, rer.  Brunsvic, Vol.  I. p. 797.) relates the following popular story concerning a Fairy Knight.  “Osbert, a bold and powerful baron, visited a noble family in the vicinity of Wandlebury, in the bishopric of Ely.  Among other stories related in the social circle of his friends, who, according to custom, amused each other by repeating ancient tales and traditions, he was informed, that if any knight, unattended, entered an adjacent plain by moon-light, and challenged an adversary to appear, he would be immediately encountered by a spirit in the form of a knight.  Osbert resolved to make the experiment, and set out, attended by a single squire, whom he ordered to remain without the limits of the plain, which was surrounded by an ancient entrenchment.  On repeating the challenge, he was instantly assailed by an adversary, whom he quickly unhorsed, and seized the reins of his steed.  During this operation, his ghostly opponent sprung up, and, darting his spear, like a javelin, at Osbert, wounded him in the thigh.  Osbert returned in triumph with the horse, which he committed to the care of his servants.  The horse was of a sable colour, as well as his whole accoutrements, and apparently of great beauty and vigour.  He remained with his keeper till cock-crowing, when, with eyes flashing fire, he reared, spurned the ground, and vanished.  On disarming himself, Osbert perceived that he was wounded, and that one of his steel boots was full of blood.  Gervase adds, that, as long as he lived, the scar of his wound opened afresh on the anniversary of the eve on which he encountered the spirit."[A] Less fortunate was the gallant Bohemian knight, who, travelling by night, with a single companion, came in sight of a fairy host, arrayed under displayed banners.  Despising the remonstrances of his friend, the knight pricked forward to break a lance with a champion who advanced from the ranks, apparently in defiance.  His companion beheld the Bohemian over-thrown horse and man, by his aerial adversary; and, returning to the spot next morning, he found the mangled, corpse of the knight and steed.—­Hierarchie of Blessed Angels, p. 554.

[Footnote A:  The unfortunate Chatterton was not, probably, acquainted with Gervase of Tilbury; yet he seems to allude, in the Battle of Hastings, to some modification of Sir Osbert’s adventure: