Show REWARD FOR GOOD SERVICE finales Ki nales earls had privilege of be ing covered before king pans has caught the hajet of going hatless and many stories connected ath hats and their history are re called it was once counted a orivl lege to walk not bareheaded but cov ered before a king the earls ot kinsale had this dubious distinction as reward for an old time service seven centuries ago phil p of france summoned that cheerful hero eng land s king john to mortal combat john thought he would rather not bi t offered de courcey earl of kin sale freedom from the dungeon where he lay if be would take in hand the commission de courcey spoiling or a fight agreed and john and philip sat together to see somebody some bod s head cracked the french champion ried off on seeing the size of the englishman whereupon the conqueror playfully stuck his helmet upon a post of oak and drove his sword through it and so deep into the wood that none save himself could withdraw it he had purchased his and his reward he heard from his magnanimous sovereign s aps thou art a pleasant companion and heaven keep thee in good beav ers never unveil thy bonnet aga n before king or subject |