第5章

shouldhavegivenhimgreatercreditevenforthat,ifithadbeenstrongenoughtoinducehimtosparetheeyesofacertainpoetheoncetookprisoner,whowasaknightbesides.Butheorderedthepoet"seyestobetornfromhishead,becausehehadlaughedathiminhisverses;andthepoet,inthepainofthattorture,dashedouthisownbrainsagainsthisprisonwall.KingHenrytheFirstwasavaricious,revengeful,andsofalse,thatIsupposeamanneverlivedwhosewordwaslesstobereliedupon.

CHAPTERXI-ENGLANDUNDERMATILDAANDSTEPHEN

THEKingwasnosoonerdeadthanalltheplansandschemeshehadlabouredatsolong,andliedsomuchfor,crumbledawaylikeahollowheapofsand.STEPHEN,whomhehadnevermistrustedorsuspected,starteduptoclaimthethrone.

StephenwasthesonofADELA,theConqueror"sdaughter,marriedtotheCountofBlois.ToStephen,andtohisbrotherHENRY,thelateKinghadbeenliberal;makingHenryBishopofWinchester,andfindingagoodmarriageforStephen,andmuchenrichinghim.ThisdidnotpreventStephenfromhastilyproducingafalsewitness,aservantofthelateKing,toswearthattheKinghadnamedhimforhisheiruponhisdeath-bed.OnthisevidencetheArchbishopofCanterburycrownedhim.ThenewKing,sosuddenlymade,lostnotamomentinseizingtheRoyaltreasure,andhiringforeignsoldierswithsomeofittoprotecthisthrone.

IfthedeadKinghadevendoneasthefalsewitnesssaid,hewouldhavehadsmallrighttowillawaytheEnglishpeople,likesomanysheeporoxen,withouttheirconsent.Buthehad,infact,bequeathedallhisterritorytoMatilda;who,supportedbyROBERT,EarlofGloucester,soonbegantodisputethecrown.Someofthepowerfulbaronsandprieststookherside;sometookStephen"s;allfortifiedtheircastles;andagainthemiserableEnglishpeoplewereinvolvedinwar,fromwhichtheycouldneverderiveadvantagewhosoeverwasvictorious,andinwhichallpartiesplundered,tortured,starved,andruinedthem.

FiveyearshadpassedsincethedeathofHenrytheFirst-andduringthosefiveyearstherehadbeentwoterribleinvasionsbythepeopleofScotlandundertheirKing,David,whowasatlastdefeatedwithallhisarmy-whenMatilda,attendedbyherbrotherRobertandalargeforce,appearedinEnglandtomaintainherclaim.AbattlewasfoughtbetweenhertroopsandKingStephen"satLincoln;inwhichtheKinghimselfwastakenprisoner,afterbravelyfightinguntilhisbattle-axeandswordwerebroken,andwascarriedintostrictconfinementatGloucester.MatildathensubmittedherselftothePriests,andthePriestscrownedherQueenofEngland.

Shedidnotlongenjoythisdignity.ThepeopleofLondonhadagreataffectionforStephen;manyoftheBaronsconsidereditdegradingtoberuledbyawoman;andtheQueen"stemperwassohaughtythatshemadeinnumerableenemies.ThepeopleofLondonrevolted;and,inalliancewiththetroopsofStephen,besiegedheratWinchester,wheretheytookherbrotherRobertprisoner,whom,asherbestsoldierandchiefgeneral,shewasgladtoexchangeforStephenhimself,whothusregainedhisliberty.Then,thelongwarwentonafresh.Once,shewaspressedsohardintheCastleofOxford,inthewinterweatherwhenthesnowlaythickupontheground,thatheronlychanceofescapewastodressherselfallinwhite,and,accompaniedbynomorethanthreefaithfulKnights,dressedinlikemannerthattheirfiguresmightnotbeseenfromStephen"scampastheypassedoverthesnow,tostealawayonfoot,crossthefrozenThames,walkalongdistance,andatlastgallopawayonhorseback.Allthisshedid,buttonogreatpurposethen;

forherbrotherdyingwhilethestrugglewasyetgoingon,sheatlastwithdrewtoNormandy.

IntwoorthreeyearsafterherwithdrawalhercauseappearedinEngland,afresh,inthepersonofhersonHenry,youngPlantagenet,who,atonlyeighteenyearsofage,wasverypowerful:notonlyonaccountofhismotherhavingresignedallNormandytohim,butalsofromhishavingmarriedELEANOR,thedivorcedwifeoftheFrenchKing,abadwoman,whohadgreatpossessionsinFrance.Louis,theFrenchKing,notrelishingthisarrangement,helpedEUSTACE,KingStephen"sson,toinvadeNormandy:butHenrydrovetheirunitedforcesoutofthatcountry,andthenreturnedhere,toassisthispartisans,whomtheKingwasthenbesiegingatWallingfordupontheThames.Here,fortwodays,dividedonlybytheriver,thetwoarmieslayencampedoppositetooneanother-ontheeve,asitseemedtoallmen,ofanotherdesperatefight,whentheEARLOF

ARUNDELtookheartandsaid"thatitwasnotreasonabletoprolongtheunspeakablemiseriesoftwokingdomstoministertotheambitionoftwoprinces."

Manyothernoblemenrepeatingandsupportingthiswhenitwasonceuttered,StephenandyoungPlantagenetwentdown,eachtohisownbankoftheriver,andheldaconversationacrossit,inwhichtheyarrangedatruce;verymuchtothedissatisfactionofEustace,whoswaggeredawaywithsomefollowers,andlaidviolenthandsontheAbbeyofSt.Edmund"s-Bury,wherehepresentlydiedmad.ThetruceledtoasolemncouncilatWinchester,inwhichitwasagreedthatStephenshouldretainthecrown,onconditionofhisdeclaringHenryhissuccessor;thatWILLIAM,anothersonoftheKing"s,shouldinherithisfather"srightfulpossessions;andthatalltheCrownlandswhichStephenhadgivenawayshouldberecalled,andalltheCastleshehadpermittedtobebuiltdemolished.Thusterminatedthebitterwar,whichhadnowlastedfifteenyears,andhadagainlaidEnglandwaste.InthenextyearSTEPHENdied,afteratroubledreignofnineteenyears.

AlthoughKingStephenwas,forthetimeinwhichhelived,ahumaneandmoderateman,withmanyexcellentqualities;andalthoughnothingworseisknownofhimthanhisusurpationoftheCrown,whichheprobablyexcusedtohimselfbytheconsiderationthatKingHenrytheFirstwasausurpertoo-whichwasnoexcuseatall;thepeopleofEnglandsufferedmoreinthesedreadnineteenyears,thanatanyformerperiodevenoftheirsufferinghistory.InthedivisionofthenobilitybetweenthetworivalclaimantsoftheCrown,andinthegrowthofwhatiscalledtheFeudalSystem(whichmadethepeasantsthebornvassalsandmereslavesoftheBarons),everyNoblehadhisstrongCastle,wherehereignedthecruelkingofalltheneighbouringpeople.Accordingly,heperpetratedwhatevercrueltieshechose.AndneverwereworsecrueltiescommitteduponearththaninwretchedEnglandinthosenineteenyears.

Thewriterswhowerelivingthendescribethemfearfully.Theysaythatthecastleswerefilledwithdevilsratherthanwithmen;thatthepeasants,menandwomen,wereputintodungeonsfortheirgoldandsilver,weretorturedwithfireandsmoke,werehungupbythethumbs,werehungupbytheheelswithgreatweightstotheirheads,weretornwithjaggedirons,killedwithhunger,brokentodeathinnarrowchestsfilledwithsharp-pointedstones,murderedincountlessfiendishways.InEnglandtherewasnocorn,nomeat,nocheese,nobutter,therewerenotilledlands,noharvests.

Ashesofburnttowns,anddrearywastes,wereallthatthetraveller,fearfuloftherobberswhoprowledabroadatallhours,wouldseeinalongday"sjourney;andfromsunriseuntilnight,hewouldnotcomeuponahome.

Theclergysometimessuffered,andheavilytoo,frompillage,butmanyofthemhadcastlesoftheirown,andfoughtinhelmetandarmourlikethebarons,anddrewlotswithotherfightingmenfortheirshareofbooty.ThePope(orBishopofRome),onKingStephen"sresistinghisambition,laidEnglandunderanInterdictatoneperiodofthisreign;whichmeansthatheallowednoservicetobeperformedinthechurches,nocouplestobemarried,nobellstoberung,nodeadbodiestobeburied.Anymanhavingthepowertorefusethesethings,nomatterwhetherhewerecalledaPopeoraPoulterer,would,ofcourse,havethepowerofafflictingnumbersofinnocentpeople.ThatnothingmightbewantingtothemiseriesofKingStephen"stime,thePopethrewinthiscontributiontothepublicstore-notverylikethewidow"scontribution,asIthink,whenOurSavioursatinJerusalemover-againsttheTreasury,"andshethrewintwomites,whichmakeafarthing."

CHAPTERXII-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHESECOND-PARTTHEFIRST

HENRYPLANTAGENET,whenhewasbuttwenty-oneyearsold,quietlysucceededtothethroneofEngland,accordingtohisagreementmadewiththelateKingatWinchester.SixweeksafterStephen"sdeath,heandhisQueen,Eleanor,werecrownedinthatcity;intowhichtheyrodeonhorsebackingreatstate,sidebyside,amidstmuchshoutingandrejoicing,andclashingofmusic,andstrewingofflowers.

ThereignofKingHenrytheSecondbeganwell.TheKinghadgreatpossessions,and(whatwithhisownrights,andwhatwiththoseofhiswife)waslordofone-thirdpartofFrance.Hewasayoungmanofvigour,ability,andresolution,andimmediatelyappliedhimselftoremovesomeoftheevilswhichhadariseninthelastunhappyreign.Herevokedallthegrantsoflandthathadbeenhastilymade,oneitherside,duringthelatestruggles;heobligednumbersofdisorderlysoldierstodepartfromEngland;hereclaimedallthecastlesbelongingtotheCrown;andheforcedthewickednoblestopulldowntheirowncastles,tothenumberofelevenhundred,inwhichsuchdismalcrueltieshadbeeninflictedonthepeople.TheKing"sbrother,GEOFFREY,roseagainsthiminFrance,whilehewassowellemployed,andrendereditnecessaryforhimtorepairtothatcountry;where,afterhehadsubduedandmadeafriendlyarrangementwithhisbrother(whodidnotlivelong),hisambitiontoincreasehispossessionsinvolvedhiminawarwiththeFrenchKing,Louis,withwhomhehadbeenonsuchfriendlytermsjustbefore,thattotheFrenchKing"sinfantdaughter,thenababyinthecradle,hehadpromisedoneofhislittlesonsinmarriage,whowasachildoffiveyearsold.However,thewarcametonothingatlast,andthePopemadethetwoKingsfriendsagain.

Now,theclergy,inthetroublesofthelastreign,hadgoneonveryillindeed.Therewereallkindsofcriminalsamongthem-

murderers,thieves,andvagabonds;andtheworstofthematterwas,thatthegoodpriestswouldnotgiveupthebadprieststojustice,whentheycommittedcrimes,butpersistedinshelteringanddefendingthem.TheKing,wellknowingthattherecouldbenopeaceorrestinEnglandwhilesuchthingslasted,resolvedtoreducethepoweroftheclergy;and,whenhehadreignedsevenyears,found(asheconsidered)agoodopportunityfordoingso,inthedeathoftheArchbishopofCanterbury."IwillhaveforthenewArchbishop,"thoughttheKing,"afriendinwhomIcantrust,whowillhelpmetohumbletheserebelliouspriests,andtohavethemdealtwith,whentheydowrong,asothermenwhodowrongaredealtwith."So,heresolvedtomakehisfavourite,thenewArchbishop;andthisfavouritewassoextraordinaryaman,andhisstoryissocurious,thatImusttellyouallabouthim.

Onceuponatime,aworthymerchantofLondon,namedGILBERTA

BECKET,madeapilgrimagetotheHolyLand,andwastakenprisonerbyaSaracenlord.Thislord,whotreatedhimkindlyandnotlikeaslave,hadonefairdaughter,whofellinlovewiththemerchant;

andwhotoldhimthatshewantedtobecomeaChristian,andwaswillingtomarryhimiftheycouldflytoaChristiancountry.Themerchantreturnedherlove,untilhefoundanopportunitytoescape,whenhedidnottroublehimselfabouttheSaracenlady,butescapedwithhisservantRichard,whohadbeentakenprisoneralongwithhim,andarrivedinEnglandandforgother.TheSaracenlady,whowasmorelovingthanthemerchant,leftherfather"shouseindisguisetofollowhim,andmadeherway,undermanyhardships,tothesea-shore.ThemerchanthadtaughtheronlytwoEnglishwords(forIsupposehemusthavelearnttheSaracentonguehimself,andmadeloveinthatlanguage),ofwhichLONDONwasone,andhisownname,GILBERT,theother.Shewentamongtheships,saying,"London!London!"overandoveragain,untilthesailorsunderstoodthatshewantedtofindanEnglishvesselthatwouldcarryherthere;sotheyshowedhersuchaship,andshepaidforherpassagewithsomeofherjewels,andsailedaway.Well!Themerchantwassittinginhiscounting-houseinLondononeday,whenheheardagreatnoiseinthestreet;andpresentlyRichardcamerunninginfromthewarehouse,withhiseyeswideopenandhisbreathalmostgone,saying,"Master,master,hereistheSaracenlady!"ThemerchantthoughtRichardwasmad;butRichardsaid,"No,master!

AsIlive,theSaracenladyisgoingupanddownthecity,callingGilbert!Gilbert!"Then,hetookthemerchantbythesleeve,andpointedoutofwindow;andtheretheysawheramongthegablesandwater-spoutsofthedark,dirtystreet,inherforeigndress,soforlorn,surroundedbyawonderingcrowd,andpassingslowlyalong,callingGilbert,Gilbert!Whenthemerchantsawher,andthoughtofthetendernessshehadshownhiminhiscaptivity,andofherconstancy,hisheartwasmoved,andherandownintothestreet;

andshesawhimcoming,andwithagreatcryfaintedinhisarms.

Theyweremarriedwithoutlossoftime,andRichard(whowasanexcellentman)dancedwithjoythewholedayofthewedding;andtheyalllivedhappyeverafterwards.

ThismerchantandthisSaracenladyhadoneson,THOMASABECKET.

HeitwaswhobecametheFavouriteofKingHenrytheSecond.

HehadbecomeChancellor,whentheKingthoughtofmakinghimArchbishop.Hewasclever,gay,welleducated,brave;hadfoughtinseveralbattlesinFrance;haddefeatedaFrenchknightinsinglecombat,andbroughthishorseawayasatokenofthevictory.Helivedinanoblepalace,hewasthetutoroftheyoungPrinceHenry,hewasservedbyonehundredandfortyknights,hisricheswereimmense.TheKingoncesenthimashisambassadortoFrance;andtheFrenchpeople,beholdinginwhatstatehetravelled,criedoutinthestreets,"HowsplendidmusttheKingofEnglandbe,whenthisisonlytheChancellor!"TheyhadgoodreasontowonderatthemagnificenceofThomasaBecket,for,whenheenteredaFrenchtown,hisprocessionwasheadedbytwohundredandfiftysingingboys;then,camehishoundsincouples;then,eightwaggons,eachdrawnbyfivehorsesdrivenbyfivedrivers:

twoofthewaggonsfilledwithstrongaletobegivenawaytothepeople;four,withhisgoldandsilverplateandstatelyclothes;

two,withthedressesofhisnumerousservants.Then,cametwelvehorses,eachwithamonkeyonhisback;then,atrainofpeoplebearingshieldsandleadingfinewar-horsessplendidlyequipped;

then,falconerswithhawksupontheirwrists;then,ahostofknights,andgentlemenandpriests;then,theChancellorwithhisbrilliantgarmentsflashinginthesun,andallthepeoplecaperingandshoutingwithdelight.

TheKingwaswellpleasedwithallthis,thinkingthatitonlymadehimselfthemoremagnificenttohavesomagnificentafavourite;

buthesometimesjestedwiththeChancelloruponhissplendourtoo.

Once,whentheywereridingtogetherthroughthestreetsofLondoninhardwinterweather,theysawashiveringoldmaninrags.

"Lookatthepoorobject!"saidtheKing."Woulditnotbeacharitableacttogivethatagedmanacomfortablewarmcloak?"

"Undoubtedlyitwould,"saidThomasaBecket,"andyoudowell,Sir,tothinkofsuchChristianduties.""Come!"criedtheKing,"thengivehimyourcloak!"Itwasmadeofrichcrimsontrimmedwithermine.TheKingtriedtopullitoff,theChancellortriedtokeepiton,bothwerenearrollingfromtheirsaddlesinthemud,whentheChancellorsubmitted,andtheKinggavethecloaktotheoldbeggar:muchtothebeggar"sastonishment,andmuchtothemerrimentofallthecourtiersinattendance.For,courtiersarenotonlyeagertolaughwhentheKinglaughs,buttheyreallydoenjoyalaughagainstaFavourite.

"Iwillmake,"thoughtKingHenrythesecond,"thisChancellorofmine,ThomasaBecket,ArchbishopofCanterbury.HewillthenbetheheadoftheChurch,and,beingdevotedtome,willhelpmetocorrecttheChurch.Hehasalwaysupheldmypoweragainstthepoweroftheclergy,andoncepubliclytoldsomebishops(I

remember),thatmenoftheChurchwereequallyboundtome,withmenofthesword.ThomasaBecketistheman,ofallothermeninEngland,tohelpmeinmygreatdesign."SotheKing,regardlessofallobjection,eitherthathewasafightingman,oralavishman,oracourtlyman,oramanofpleasure,oranythingbutalikelymanfortheoffice,madehimArchbishopaccordingly.

Now,ThomasaBecketwasproudandlovedtobefamous.Hewasalreadyfamousforthepompofhislife,forhisriches,hisgoldandsilverplate,hiswaggons,horses,andattendants.Hecoulddonomoreinthatwaythanhehaddone;andbeingtiredofthatkindoffame(whichisaverypoorone),helongedtohavehisnamecelebratedforsomethingelse.Nothing,heknew,wouldrenderhimsofamousintheworld,asthesettingofhisutmostpowerandabilityagainsttheutmostpowerandabilityoftheKing.Heresolvedwiththewholestrengthofhismindtodoit.

HemayhavehadsomesecretgrudgeagainsttheKingbesides.TheKingmayhaveoffendedhisproudhumouratsometimeorother,foranythingIknow.Ithinkitlikely,becauseitisacommonthingforKings,Princes,andothergreatpeople,totrythetempersoftheirfavouritesratherseverely.Eventhelittleaffairofthecrimsoncloakmusthavebeenanythingbutapleasantonetoahaughtyman.ThomasaBecketknewbetterthananyoneinEnglandwhattheKingexpectedofhim.Inallhissumptuouslife,hehadneveryetbeeninapositiontodisappointtheKing.Hecouldtakeupthatproudstandnow,asheadoftheChurch;andhedeterminedthatitshouldbewritteninhistory,eitherthathesubduedtheKing,orthattheKingsubduedhim.

So,ofasudden,hecompletelyalteredthewholemannerofhislife.Heturnedoffallhisbrilliantfollowers,atecoarsefood,drankbitterwater,worenexthisskinsackclothcoveredwithdirtandvermin(foritwasthenthoughtveryreligioustobeverydirty),floggedhisbacktopunishhimself,livedchieflyinalittlecell,washedthefeetofthirteenpoorpeopleeveryday,andlookedasmiserableashepossiblycould.Ifhehadputtwelvehundredmonkeysonhorsebackinsteadoftwelve,andhadgoneinprocessionwitheightthousandwaggonsinsteadofeight,hecouldnothavehalfastonishedthepeoplesomuchasbythisgreatchange.ItsooncausedhimtobemoretalkedaboutasanArchbishopthanhehadbeenasaChancellor.

TheKingwasveryangry;andwasmadestillmoreso,whenthenewArchbishop,claimingvariousestatesfromthenoblesasbeingrightfullyChurchproperty,requiredtheKinghimself,forthesamereason,togiveupRochesterCastle,andRochesterCitytoo.Notsatisfiedwiththis,hedeclaredthatnopowerbuthimselfshouldappointapriesttoanyChurchinthepartofEnglandoverwhichhewasArchbishop;andwhenacertaingentlemanofKentmadesuchanappointment,asheclaimedtohavetherighttodo,ThomasaBecketexcommunicatedhim.

Excommunicationwas,nexttotheInterdictItoldyouofatthecloseofthelastchapter,thegreatweaponoftheclergy.Itconsistedindeclaringthepersonwhowasexcommunicated,anoutcastfromtheChurchandfromallreligiousoffices;andincursinghimallover,fromthetopofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot,whetherhewasstandingup,lyingdown,sitting,kneeling,walking,running,hopping,jumping,gaping,coughing,sneezing,orwhateverelsehewasdoing.Thisunchristiannonsensewouldofcoursehavemadenosortofdifferencetothepersoncursed-whocouldsayhisprayersathomeifhewereshutoutofchurch,andwhomnonebutGODcouldjudge-butforthefearsandsuperstitionsofthepeople,whoavoidedexcommunicatedpersons,andmadetheirlivesunhappy.So,theKingsaidtotheNewArchbishop,"TakeoffthisExcommunicationfromthisgentlemanofKent."TowhichtheArchbishopreplied,"Ishalldonosuchthing."

Thequarrelwenton.ApriestinWorcestershirecommittedamostdreadfulmurder,thatarousedthehorrorofthewholenation.TheKingdemandedtohavethiswretchdeliveredup,tobetriedinthesamecourtandinthesamewayasanyothermurderer.TheArchbishoprefused,andkepthimintheBishop"sprison.TheKing,holdingasolemnassemblyinWestminsterHall,demandedthatinfutureallpriestsfoundguiltybeforetheirBishopsofcrimesagainstthelawofthelandshouldbeconsideredpriestsnolonger,andshouldbedeliveredovertothelawofthelandforpunishment.

TheArchbishopagainrefused.TheKingrequiredtoknowwhethertheclergywouldobeytheancientcustomsofthecountry?Everypriestthere,butone,said,afterThomasaBecket,"Savingmyorder."Thisreallymeantthattheywouldonlyobeythosecustomswhentheydidnotinterferewiththeirownclaims;andtheKingwentoutoftheHallingreatwrath.

Someoftheclergybegantobeafraid,now,thattheyweregoingtoofar.ThoughThomasaBecketwasotherwiseasunmovedasWestminsterHall,theyprevaileduponhim,forthesakeoftheirfears,togototheKingatWoodstock,andpromisetoobservetheancientcustomsofthecountry,withoutsayinganythingabouthisorder.TheKingreceivedthissubmissionfavourably,andsummonedagreatcounciloftheclergytomeetattheCastleofClarendon,bySalisbury.Butwhenthecouncilmet,theArchbishopagaininsistedonthewords"sayingmyorder;"andhestillinsisted,thoughlordsentreatedhim,andpriestsweptbeforehimandknelttohim,andanadjoiningroomwasthrownopen,filledwitharmedsoldiersoftheKing,tothreatenhim.Atlengthhegaveway,forthattime,andtheancientcustoms(whichincludedwhattheKinghaddemandedinvain)werestatedinwriting,andweresignedandsealedbythechiefoftheclergy,andwerecalledtheConstitutionsofClarendon.

Thequarrelwenton,forallthat.TheArchbishoptriedtoseetheKing.TheKingwouldnotseehim.TheArchbishoptriedtoescapefromEngland.Thesailorsonthecoastwouldlaunchnoboattotakehimaway.Then,heagainresolvedtodohisworstinoppositiontotheKing,andbeganopenlytosettheancientcustomsatdefiance.

TheKingsummonedhimbeforeagreatcouncilatNorthampton,whereheaccusedhimofhightreason,andmadeaclaimagainsthim,whichwasnotajustone,foranenormoussumofmoney.ThomasaBecketwasaloneagainstthewholeassembly,andtheveryBishopsadvisedhimtoresignhisofficeandabandonhiscontestwiththeKing.

Hisgreatanxietyandagitationstretchedhimonasick-bedfortwodays,buthewasstillundaunted.Hewenttotheadjournedcouncil,carryingagreatcrossinhisrighthand,andsatdownholdingiterectbeforehim.TheKingangrilyretiredintoaninnerroom.Thewholeassemblyangrilyretiredandlefthimthere.

Buttherehesat.TheBishopscameoutagaininabody,andrenouncedhimasatraitor.Heonlysaid,"Ihear!"andsattherestill.Theyretiredagainintotheinnerroom,andhistrialproceededwithouthim.By-and-by,theEarlofLeicester,headingthebarons,cameouttoreadhissentence.Herefusedtohearit,deniedthepowerofthecourt,andsaidhewouldreferhiscausetothePope.Ashewalkedoutofthehall,withthecrossinhishand,someofthosepresentpickeduprushes-rusheswerestrewnuponthefloorsinthosedaysbywayofcarpet-andthrewthemathim.Heproudlyturnedhishead,andsaidthatwerehenotArchbishop,hewouldchastisethosecowardswiththeswordhehadknownhowtouseinbygonedays.Hethenmountedhishorse,androdeaway,cheeredandsurroundedbythecommonpeople,towhomhethrewopenhishousethatnightandgaveasupper,suppingwiththemhimself.Thatsamenighthesecretlydepartedfromthetown;

andso,travellingbynightandhidingbyday,andcallinghimself"BrotherDearman,"gotaway,notwithoutdifficulty,toFlanders.

Thestrugglestillwenton.TheangryKingtookpossessionoftherevenuesofthearchbishopric,andbanishedalltherelationsandservantsofThomasaBecket,tothenumberoffourhundred.ThePopeandtheFrenchKingbothprotectedhim,andanabbeywasassignedforhisresidence.Stimulatedbythissupport,ThomasaBecket,onagreatfestivalday,formallyproceededtoagreatchurchcrowdedwithpeople,andgoingupintothepulpitpubliclycursedandexcommunicatedallwhohadsupportedtheConstitutionsofClarendon:mentioningmanyEnglishnoblemenbyname,andnotdistantlyhintingattheKingofEnglandhimself.

WhenintelligenceofthisnewaffrontwascarriedtotheKinginhischamber,hispassionwassofuriousthathetorehisclothes,androlledlikeamadmanonhisbedofstrawandrushes.Buthewassoonupanddoing.HeorderedalltheportsandcoastsofEnglandtobenarrowlywatched,thatnolettersofInterdictmightbebroughtintothekingdom;andsentmessengersandbribestothePope"spalaceatRome.Meanwhile,ThomasaBecket,forhispart,wasnotidleatRome,butconstantlyemployedhisutmostartsinhisownbehalf.Thustheconteststood,untiltherewaspeacebetweenFranceandEngland(whichhadbeenforsometimeatwar),anduntilthetwochildrenofthetwoKingsweremarriedincelebrationofit.Then,theFrenchKingbroughtaboutameetingbetweenHenryandhisoldfavourite,solonghisenemy.

Eventhen,thoughThomasaBecketkneltbeforetheKing,hewasobstinateandimmovableastothosewordsabouthisorder.KingLouisofFrancewasweakenoughinhisvenerationforThomasaBecketandsuchmen,butthiswasalittletoomuchforhim.HesaidthataBecket"wantedtobegreaterthanthesaintsandbetterthanSt.Peter,"androdeawayfromhimwiththeKingofEngland.

HispoorFrenchMajestyaskedaBecket"spardonforsodoing,however,soonafterwards,andcutaverypitifulfigure.

Atlast,andafteraworldoftrouble,itcametothis.TherewasanothermeetingonFrenchgroundbetweenKingHenryandThomasaBecket,anditwasagreedthatThomasaBecketshouldbeArchbishopofCanterbury,accordingtothecustomsofformerArchbishops,andthattheKingshouldputhiminpossessionoftherevenuesofthatpost.Andnow,indeed,youmightsupposethestruggleatanend,andThomasaBecketatrest.NO,notevenyet.ForThomasaBeckethearing,bysomemeans,thatKingHenry,whenhewasindreadofhiskingdombeingplacedunderaninterdict,hadhadhiseldestsonPrinceHenrysecretlycrowned,notonlypersuadedthePopetosuspendtheArchbishopofYorkwhohadperformedthatceremony,andtoexcommunicatetheBishopswhohadassistedatit,butsentamessengerofhisownintoEngland,inspiteofalltheKing"sprecautionsalongthecoast,whodeliveredthelettersofexcommunicationintotheBishops"ownhands.ThomasaBecketthencameovertoEnglandhimself,afteranabsenceofsevenyears.Hewasprivatelywarnedthatitwasdangeroustocome,andthatanirefulknight,namedRANULFDEBROC,hadthreatenedthatheshouldnotlivetoeataloafofbreadinEngland;buthecame.

Thecommonpeoplereceivedhimwell,andmarchedaboutwithhiminasoldierlyway,armedwithsuchrusticweaponsastheycouldget.

Hetriedtoseetheyoungprincewhohadoncebeenhispupil,butwasprevented.Hehopedforsomelittlesupportamongthenoblesandpriests,butfoundnone.Hemadethemostofthepeasantswhoattendedhim,andfeastedthem,andwentfromCanterburytoHarrow-

on-the-Hill,andfromHarrow-on-the-HillbacktoCanterbury,andonChristmasDaypreachedintheCathedralthere,andtoldthepeopleinhissermonthathehadcometodieamongthem,andthatitwaslikelyhewouldbemurdered.Hehadnofear,however-or,ifhehadany,hehadmuchmoreobstinacy-forhe,thenandthere,excommunicatedthreeofhisenemies,ofwhomRanulfdeBroc,theirefulknight,wasone.

Asmeningeneralhadnofancyforbeingcursed,intheirsittingandwalking,andgapingandsneezing,andalltherestofit,itwasverynaturalinthepersonssofreelyexcommunicatedtocomplaintotheKing.ItwasequallynaturalintheKing,whohadhopedthatthistroublesomeopponentwasatlastquieted,tofallintoamightyragewhenheheardofthesenewaffronts;and,ontheArchbishopofYorktellinghimthathenevercouldhopeforrestwhileThomasaBecketlived,tocryouthastilybeforehiscourt,"HaveInooneherewhowilldelivermefromthisman?"Therewerefourknightspresent,who,hearingtheKing"swords,lookedatoneanother,andwentout.

ThenamesoftheseknightswereREGINALDFITZURSE,WILLIAMTRACY,HUGHDEMORVILLE,andRICHARDBRITO;threeofwhomhadbeeninthetrainofThomasaBecketintheolddaysofhissplendour.Theyrodeawayonhorseback,inaverysecretmanner,andonthethirddayafterChristmasDayarrivedatSaltwoodHouse,notfarfromCanterbury,whichbelongedtothefamilyofRanulfdeBroc.Theyquietlycollectedsomefollowershere,incasetheyshouldneedany;andproceedingtoCanterbury,suddenlyappeared(thefourknightsandtwelvemen)beforetheArchbishop,inhisownhouse,attwoo"clockintheafternoon.Theyneitherbowednorspoke,butsatdownonthefloorinsilence,staringattheArchbishop.

ThomasaBecketsaid,atlength,"Whatdoyouwant?"

"Wewant,"saidReginaldFitzurse,"theexcommunicationtakenfromtheBishops,andyoutoanswerforyouroffencestotheKing."

ThomasaBecketdefiantlyreplied,thatthepoweroftheclergywasabovethepoweroftheKing.Thatitwasnotforsuchmenastheywere,tothreatenhim.ThatifhewerethreatenedbyalltheswordsinEngland,hewouldneveryield.

"Thenwewilldomorethanthreaten!"saidtheknights.Andtheywentoutwiththetwelvemen,andputontheirarmour,anddrewtheirshiningswords,andcameback.

Hisservants,inthemeantime,hadshutupandbarredthegreatgateofthepalace.Atfirst,theknightstriedtoshatteritwiththeirbattle-axes;but,beingshownawindowbywhichtheycouldenter,theyletthegatealone,andclimbedinthatway.Whiletheywerebatteringatthedoor,theattendantsofThomasaBeckethadimploredhimtotakerefugeintheCathedral;inwhich,asasanctuaryorsacredplace,theythoughttheknightswoulddaretodonoviolentdeed.Hetoldthem,againandagain,thathewouldnotstir.Hearingthedistantvoicesofthemonkssingingtheeveningservice,however,hesaiditwasnowhisdutytoattend,andtherefore,andfornootherreason,hewouldgo.

TherewasanearwaybetweenhisPalaceandtheCathedral,bysomebeautifuloldcloisterswhichyoumayyetsee.HewentintotheCathedral,withoutanyhurry,andhavingtheCrosscarriedbeforehimasusual.Whenhewassafelythere,hisservantswouldhavefastenedthedoor,buthesaidNO!itwasthehouseofGodandnotafortress.

Ashespoke,theshadowofReginaldFitzurseappearedintheCathedraldoorway,darkeningthelittlelighttherewasoutside,onthedarkwinterevening.Thisknightsaid,inastrongvoice,"Followme,loyalservantsoftheKing!"TherattleofthearmouroftheotherknightsechoedthroughtheCathedral,astheycameclashingin.

Itwassodark,intheloftyaislesandamongthestatelypillarsofthechurch,andthereweresomanyhiding-placesinthecryptbelowandinthenarrowpassagesabove,thatThomasaBecketmightevenatthatpasshavesavedhimselfifhewould.Buthewouldnot.Hetoldthemonksresolutelythathewouldnot.AndthoughtheyalldispersedandlefthimtherewithnootherfollowerthanEDWARDGRYME,hisfaithfulcross-bearer,hewasasfirmthen,aseverhehadbeeninhislife.

Theknightscameon,throughthedarkness,makingaterriblenoisewiththeirarmedtreaduponthestonepavementofthechurch.

"Whereisthetraitor?"theycriedout.Hemadenoanswer.Butwhentheycried,"WhereistheArchbishop?"hesaidproudly,"Iamhere!"andcameoutoftheshadeandstoodbeforethem.

Theknightshadnodesiretokillhim,iftheycouldridtheKingandthemselvesofhimbyanyothermeans.Theytoldhimhemusteitherflyorgowiththem.Hesaidhewoulddoneither;andhethrewWilliamTracyoffwithsuchforcewhenhetookholdofhissleeve,thatTracyreeledagain.Byhisreproachesandhissteadiness,hesoincensedthem,andexasperatedtheirfiercehumour,thatReginaldFitzurse,whomhecalledbyanillname,said,"Thendie!"andstruckathishead.ButthefaithfulEdwardGrymeputouthisarm,andtherereceivedthemainforceoftheblow,sothatitonlymadehismasterbleed.AnothervoicefromamongtheknightsagaincalledtoThomasaBeckettofly;but,withhisbloodrunningdownhisface,andhishandsclasped,andhisheadbent,hecommandedhimselftoGod,andstoodfirm.ThentheycruellykilledhimclosetothealtarofSt.Bennet;andhisbodyfelluponthepavement,whichwasdirtiedwithhisbloodandbrains.

Itisanawfulthingtothinkofthemurderedmortal,whohadsoshoweredhiscursesabout,lying,alldisfigured,inthechurch,whereafewlampshereandtherewerebutredspecksonapallofdarkness;andtothinkoftheguiltyknightsridingawayonhorseback,lookingovertheirshouldersatthedimCathedral,andrememberingwhattheyhadleftinside.

PARTTHESECOND

WHENtheKingheardhowThomasaBeckethadlosthislifeinCanterburyCathedral,throughtheferocityofthefourKnights,hewasfilledwithdismay.SomehavesupposedthatwhentheKingspokethosehastywords,"HaveInooneherewhowilldelivermefromthisman?"hewished,andmeantaBeckettobeslain.Butfewthingsaremoreunlikely;for,besidesthattheKingwasnotnaturallycruel(thoughverypassionate),hewaswise,andmusthaveknownfullwellwhatanystupidmaninhisdominionsmusthaveknown,namely,thatsuchamurderwouldrousethePopeandthewholeChurchagainsthim.

HesentrespectfulmessengerstothePope,torepresenthisinnocence(exceptinhavingutteredthehastywords);andhesworesolemnlyandpubliclytohisinnocence,andcontrivedintimetomakehispeace.AstothefourguiltyKnights,whofledintoYorkshire,andneveragaindaredtoshowthemselvesatCourt,thePopeexcommunicatedthem;andtheylivedmiserablyforsometime,shunnedbyalltheircountrymen.Atlast,theywenthumblytoJerusalemasapenance,andtherediedandwereburied.

Ithappened,fortunatelyforthepacifyingofthePope,thatanopportunityaroseverysoonafterthemurderofaBecket,fortheKingtodeclarehispowerinIreland-whichwasanacceptableundertakingtothePope,astheIrish,whohadbeenconvertedtoChristianitybyonePatricius(otherwiseSaintPatrick)longago,beforeanyPopeexisted,consideredthatthePopehadnothingatalltodowiththem,ortheywiththePope,andaccordinglyrefusedtopayhimPeter"sPence,orthattaxofapennyahousewhichI

haveelsewherementioned.TheKing"sopportunityaroseinthisway.

TheIrishwere,atthattime,asbarbarousapeopleasyoucanwellimagine.Theywerecontinuallyquarrellingandfighting,cuttingoneanother"sthroats,slicingoneanother"snoses,burningoneanother"shouses,carryingawayoneanother"swives,andcommittingallsortsofviolence.Thecountrywasdividedintofivekingdoms-DESMOND,THOMOND,CONNAUGHT,ULSTER,andLEINSTER-eachgovernedbyaseparateKing,ofwhomoneclaimedtobethechiefoftherest.Now,oneoftheseKings,namedDERMONDMACMURROUGH(awildkindofname,speltinmorethanonewildkindofway),hadcarriedoffthewifeofafriendofhis,andconcealedheronanislandinabog.Thefriendresentingthis(thoughitwasquitethecustomofthecountry),complainedtothechiefKing,and,withthechiefKing"shelp,droveDermondMacMurroughoutofhisdominions.

DermondcameovertoEnglandforrevenge;andofferedtoholdhisrealmasavassalofKingHenry,ifKingHenrywouldhelphimtoregainit.TheKingconsentedtotheseterms;butonlyassistedhim,then,withwhatwerecalledLettersPatent,authorisinganyEnglishsubjectswhoweresodisposed,toenterintohisservice,andaidhiscause.

Therewas,atBristol,acertainEARLRICHARDDECLARE,calledSTRONGBOW;ofnoverygoodcharacter;needyanddesperate,andreadyforanythingthatofferedhimachanceofimprovinghisfortunes.Therewere,inSouthWales,twootherbrokenknightsofthesamegood-for-nothingsort,calledROBERTFITZ-STEPHEN,andMAURICEFITZ-GERALD.Thesethree,eachwithasmallbandoffollowers,tookupDermond"scause;anditwasagreedthatifitprovedsuccessful,StrongbowshouldmarryDermond"sdaughterEVA,andbedeclaredhisheir.

ThetrainedEnglishfollowersoftheseknightsweresosuperiorinallthedisciplineofbattletotheIrish,thattheybeatthemagainstimmensesuperiorityofnumbers.Inonefight,earlyinthewar,theycutoffthreehundredheads,andlaidthembeforeMacMurrough;whoturnedthemeveryoneupwithhishands,rejoicing,and,comingtoonewhichwastheheadofamanwhomhehadmuchdisliked,graspeditbythehairandears,andtoreoffthenoseandlipswithhisteeth.Youmayjudgefromthis,whatkindofagentlemananIrishKinginthosetimeswas.Thecaptives,allthroughthiswar,werehorriblytreated;thevictoriouspartymakingnothingofbreakingtheirlimbs,andcastingthemintotheseafromthetopsofhighrocks.ItwasinthemidstofthemiseriesandcrueltiesattendantonthetakingofWaterford,wherethedeadlaypiledinthestreets,andthefilthyguttersranwithblood,thatStrongbowmarriedEva.Anodiousmarriage-companythosemoundsofcorpse"smusthavemade,Ithink,andonequiteworthyoftheyounglady"sfather.

Hedied,afterWaterfordandDublinhadbeentaken,andvarioussuccessesachieved;andStrongbowbecameKingofLeinster.NowcameKingHenry"sopportunity.TorestrainthegrowingpowerofStrongbow,hehimselfrepairedtoDublin,asStrongbow"sRoyalMaster,anddeprivedhimofhiskingdom,butconfirmedhimintheenjoymentofgreatpossessions.TheKing,then,holdingstateinDublin,receivedthehomageofnearlyalltheIrishKingsandChiefs,andsocamehomeagainwithagreatadditiontohisreputationasLordofIreland,andwithanewclaimonthefavourofthePope.Andnow,theirreconciliationwascompleted-moreeasilyandmildlybythePope,thantheKingmighthaveexpected,I

think.

Atthisperiodofhisreign,whenhistroublesseemedsofewandhisprospectssobright,thosedomesticmiseriesbeganwhichgraduallymadetheKingthemostunhappyofmen,reducedhisgreatspirit,woreawayhishealth,andbrokehisheart.

Hehadfoursons.HENRY,nowagedeighteen-hissecretcrowningofwhomhadgivensuchoffencetoThomasaBecket.RICHARD,agedsixteen;GEOFFREY,fifteen;andJOHN,hisfavourite,ayoungboywhomthecourtiersnamedLACKLAND,becausehehadnoinheritance,buttowhomtheKingmeanttogivetheLordshipofIreland.Allthesemisguidedboys,intheirturn,wereunnaturalsonstohim,andunnaturalbrotherstoeachother.PrinceHenry,stimulatedbytheFrenchKing,andbyhisbadmother,QueenEleanor,begantheundutifulhistory,First,hedemandedthathisyoungwife,MARGARET,theFrenchKing"sdaughter,shouldbecrownedaswellashe.Hisfather,theKing,consented,anditwasdone.Itwasnosoonerdone,thanhedemandedtohaveapartofhisfather"sdominions,duringhisfather"slife.Thisbeingrefused,hemadeofffromhisfatherinthenight,withhisbadheartfullofbitterness,andtookrefugeattheFrenchKing"sCourt.Withinadayortwo,hisbrothersRichardandGeoffreyfollowed.Theirmothertriedtojointhem-

escapinginman"sclothes-butshewasseizedbyKingHenry"smen,andimmuredinprison,whereshelay,deservedly,forsixteenyears.Everyday,however,somegraspingEnglishnoblemen,towhomtheKing"sprotectionofhispeoplefromtheiravariceandoppressionhadgivenoffence,desertedhimandjoinedthePrinces.

EverydayheheardsomefreshintelligenceofthePrinceslevyingarmiesagainsthim;ofPrinceHenry"swearingacrownbeforehisownambassadorsattheFrenchCourt,andbeingcalledtheJuniorKingofEngland;ofallthePrincesswearingnevertomakepeacewithhim,theirfather,withouttheconsentandapprovaloftheBaronsofFrance.But,withhisfortitudeandenergyunshaken,KingHenrymettheshockofthesedisasterswitharesolvedandcheerfulface.HecalleduponallRoyalfatherswhohadsons,tohelphim,forhiscausewastheirs;hehired,outofhisriches,twentythousandmentofightthefalseFrenchKing,whostirredhisownbloodagainsthim;andhecarriedonthewarwithsuchvigour,thatLouissoonproposedaconferencetotreatforpeace.

Theconferencewasheldbeneathanoldwide-spreadinggreenelm-

tree,uponaplaininFrance.Itledtonothing.Thewarrecommenced.PrinceRichardbeganhisfightingcareer,byleadinganarmyagainsthisfather;buthisfatherbeathimandhisarmyback;andthousandsofhismenwouldhaveruedthedayinwhichtheyfoughtinsuchawickedcause,hadnottheKingreceivednewsofaninvasionofEnglandbytheScots,andpromptlycomehomethroughagreatstormtorepressit.AndwhetherhereallybegantofearthathesufferedthesetroublesbecauseaBeckethadbeenmurdered;orwhetherhewishedtoriseinthefavourofthePope,whohadnowdeclaredaBeckettobeasaint,orinthefavourofhisownpeople,ofwhommanybelievedthatevenaBecket"ssenselesstombcouldworkmiracles,Idon"tknow:buttheKingnosoonerlandedinEnglandthanhewentstraighttoCanterbury;andwhenhecamewithinsightofthedistantCathedral,hedismountedfromhishorse,tookoffhisshoes,andwalkedwithbareandbleedingfeettoaBecket"sgrave.There,helaydownontheground,lamenting,inthepresenceofmanypeople;andby-and-byhewentintotheChapterHouse,and,removinghisclothesfromhisbackandshoulders,submittedhimselftobebeatenwithknottedcords(notbeatenveryhard,Idaresaythough)byeightyPriests,oneafteranother.ItchancedthatontheverydaywhentheKingmadethiscuriousexhibitionofhimself,acompletevictorywasobtainedovertheScots;whichverymuchdelightedthePriests,whosaidthatitwaswonbecauseofhisgreatexampleofrepentance.

ForthePriestsingeneralhadfoundout,sinceaBecket"sdeath,thattheyadmiredhimofallthings-thoughtheyhadhatedhimverycordiallywhenhewasalive.

TheEarlofFlanders,whowasattheheadofthebaseconspiracyoftheKing"sundutifulsonsandtheirforeignfriends,tooktheopportunityoftheKingbeingthusemployedathome,tolaysiegetoRouen,thecapitalofNormandy.ButtheKing,whowasextraordinarilyquickandactiveinallhismovements,wasatRouen,too,beforeitwassupposedpossiblethathecouldhaveleftEngland;andtherehesodefeatedthesaidEarlofFlanders,thattheconspiratorsproposedpeace,andhisbadsonsHenryandGeoffreysubmitted.Richardresistedforsixweeks;but,beingbeatenoutofcastleaftercastle,heatlastsubmittedtoo,andhisfatherforgavehim.

Toforgivetheseunworthyprinceswasonlytoaffordthembreathing-timefornewfaithlessness.Theyweresofalse,disloyal,anddishonourable,thattheywerenomoretobetrustedthancommonthieves.Intheverynextyear,PrinceHenryrebelledagain,andwasagainforgiven.Ineightyearsmore,PrinceRichardrebelledagainsthiselderbrother;andPrinceGeoffreyinfamouslysaidthatthebrotherscouldneveragreewelltogether,unlesstheywereunitedagainsttheirfather.IntheverynextyearaftertheirreconciliationbytheKing,PrinceHenryagainrebelledagainsthisfather;andagainsubmitted,swearingtobetrue;andwasagainforgiven;andagainrebelledwithGeoffrey.

ButtheendofthisperfidiousPrincewascome.HefellsickataFrenchtown;andhisconscienceterriblyreproachinghimwithhisbaseness,hesentmessengerstotheKinghisfather,imploringhimtocomeandseehim,andtoforgivehimforthelasttimeonhisbedofdeath.ThegenerousKing,whohadaroyalandforgivingmindtowardshischildrenalways,wouldhavegone;butthisPrincehadbeensounnatural,thatthenoblemenabouttheKingsuspectedtreachery,andrepresentedtohimthathecouldnotsafelytrusthislifewithsuchatraitor,thoughhisowneldestson.ThereforetheKingsenthimaringfromoffhisfingerasatokenofforgiveness;andwhenthePrincehadkissedit,withmuchgriefandmanytears,andhadconfessedtothosearoundhimhowbad,andwicked,andundutifulasonhehadbeen;hesaidtotheattendantPriests:"O,tiearopeaboutmybody,anddrawmeoutofbed,andlaymedownuponabedofashes,thatImaydiewithprayerstoGodinarepentantmanner!"Andsohedied,attwenty-sevenyearsold.