第6章

Threeyearsafterwards,PrinceGeoffrey,beingunhorsedatatournament,hadhisbrainstrampledoutbyacrowdofhorsespassingoverhim.So,thereonlyremainedPrinceRichard,andPrinceJohn-whohadgrowntobeayoungmannow,andhadsolemnlysworntobefaithfultohisfather.Richardsoonrebelledagain,encouragedbyhisfriendtheFrenchKing,PHILIPTHESECOND(sonofLouis,whowasdead);andsoonsubmittedandwasagainforgiven,swearingontheNewTestamentnevertorebelagain;andinanotheryearorso,rebelledagain;and,inthepresenceofhisfather,kneltdownonhiskneebeforetheKingofFrance;anddidtheFrenchKinghomage:anddeclaredthatwithhisaidhewouldpossesshimself,byforce,ofallhisfather"sFrenchdominions.

AndyetthisRichardcalledhimselfasoldierofOurSaviour!AndyetthisRichardworetheCross,whichtheKingsofFranceandEnglandhadbothtaken,inthepreviousyear,atabrotherlymeetingunderneaththeoldwide-spreadingelm-treeontheplain,whentheyhadsworn(likehim)todevotethemselvestoanewCrusade,fortheloveandhonouroftheTruth!

Sickatheart,weariedoutbythefalsehoodofhissons,andalmostreadytoliedownanddie,theunhappyKingwhohadsolongstoodfirm,begantofail.ButthePope,tohishonour,supportedhim;

andobligedtheFrenchKingandRichard,thoughsuccessfulinfight,totreatforpeace.RichardwantedtobeCrownedKingofEngland,andpretendedthathewantedtobemarried(whichhereallydidnot)totheFrenchKing"ssister,hispromisedwife,whomKingHenrydetainedinEngland.KingHenrywanted,ontheotherhand,thattheFrenchKing"ssistershouldbemarriedtohisfavouriteson,John:theonlyoneofhissons(hesaid)whohadneverrebelledagainsthim.AtlastKingHenry,desertedbyhisnoblesonebyone,distressed,exhausted,broken-hearted,consentedtoestablishpeace.

Onefinalheavysorrowwasreservedforhim,evenyet.Whentheybroughthimtheproposedtreatyofpeace,inwriting,ashelayveryillinbed,theybroughthimalsothelistofthedesertersfromtheirallegiance,whomhewasrequiredtopardon.ThefirstnameuponthislistwasJohn,hisfavouriteson,inwhomhehadtrustedtothelast.

"OJohn!childofmyheart!"exclaimedtheKing,inagreatagonyofmind."OJohn,whomIhavelovedthebest!OJohn,forwhomI

havecontendedthroughthesemanytroubles!Haveyoubetrayedmetoo!"Andthenhelaydownwithaheavygroan,andsaid,"Nowlettheworldgoasitwill.Icarefornothingmore!"

Afteratime,hetoldhisattendantstotakehimtotheFrenchtownofChinon-atownhehadbeenfondof,duringmanyyears.Buthewasfondofnoplacenow;itwastootruethathecouldcarefornothingmoreuponthisearth.Hewildlycursedthehourwhenhewasborn,andcursedthechildrenwhomheleftbehindhim;andexpired.

As,onehundredyearsbefore,theservilefollowersoftheCourthadabandonedtheConquerorinthehourofhisdeath,sotheynowabandonedhisdescendant.Theverybodywasstripped,intheplunderoftheRoyalchamber;anditwasnoteasytofindthemeansofcarryingitforburialtotheabbeychurchofFontevraud.

Richardwassaidinafteryears,bywayofflattery,tohavetheheartofaLion.Itwouldhavebeenfarbetter,Ithink,tohavehadtheheartofaMan.Hisheart,whateveritwas,hadcausetobeatremorsefullywithinhisbreast,whenhecame-ashedid-

intothesolemnabbey,andlookedonhisdeadfather"suncoveredface.Hisheart,whateveritwas,hadbeenablackandperjuredheart,inallitsdealingswiththedeceasedKing,andmoredeficientinasingletouchoftendernessthananywildbeast"sintheforest.

ThereisaprettystorytoldofthisReign,calledthestoryofFAIRROSAMOND.ItrelateshowtheKingdotedonFairRosamond,whowastheloveliestgirlinalltheworld;andhowhehadabeautifulBowerbuiltforherinaParkatWoodstock;andhowitwaserectedinalabyrinth,andcouldonlybefoundbyaclueofsilk.HowthebadQueenEleanor,becomingjealousofFairRosamond,foundoutthesecretoftheclue,andoneday,appearedbeforeher,withadaggerandacupofpoison,andlefthertothechoicebetweenthosedeaths.HowFairRosamond,aftersheddingmanypiteoustearsandofferingmanyuselessprayerstothecruelQueen,tookthepoison,andfelldeadinthemidstofthebeautifulbower,whiletheunconsciousbirdssanggailyallaroundher.

Now,thereWASafairRosamond,andshewas(Idaresay)theloveliestgirlinalltheworld,andtheKingwascertainlyveryfondofher,andthebadQueenEleanorwascertainlymadejealous.

ButIamafraid-Isayafraid,becauseIlikethestorysomuch-

thattherewasnobower,nolabyrinth,nosilkenclue,nodagger,nopoison.IamafraidfairRosamondretiredtoanunnerynearOxford,anddiedthere,peaceably;hersister-nunshangingasilkendraperyoverhertomb,andoftendressingitwithflowers,inremembranceoftheyouthandbeautythathadenchantedtheKingwhenhetoowasyoung,andwhenhislifelayfairbeforehim.

Itwasdarkandendednow;fadedandgone.HenryPlantagenetlayquietintheabbeychurchofFontevraud,inthefifty-seventhyearofhisage-nevertobecompleted-aftergoverningEnglandwell,fornearlythirty-fiveyears.

CHAPTERXIII-ENGLANDUNDERRICHARDTHEFIRST,CALLEDTHELION-

HEART

INtheyearofourLordonethousandonehundredandeighty-nine,RichardoftheLionHeartsucceededtothethroneofKingHenrytheSecond,whosepaternalhearthehaddonesomuchtobreak.Hehadbeen,aswehaveseen,arebelfromhisboyhood;but,themomenthebecameakingagainstwhomothersmightrebel,hefoundoutthatrebellionwasagreatwickedness.Intheheatofthispiousdiscovery,hepunishedalltheleadingpeoplewhohadbefriendedhimagainsthisfather.Hecouldscarcelyhavedoneanythingthatwouldhavebeenabetterinstanceofhisrealnature,orabetterwarningtofawnersandparasitesnottotrustinlion-heartedprinces.

Helikewiseputhislatefather"streasurerinchains,andlockedhimupinadungeonfromwhichhewasnotsetfreeuntilhehadrelinquished,notonlyalltheCrowntreasure,butallhisownmoneytoo.So,RichardcertainlygottheLion"sshareofthewealthofthiswretchedtreasurer,whetherhehadaLion"sheartornot.

HewascrownedKingofEngland,withgreatpomp,atWestminster:

walkingtotheCathedralunderasilkencanopystretchedonthetopsoffourlances,eachcarriedbyagreatlord.Onthedayofhiscoronation,adreadfulmurderingoftheJewstookplace,whichseemstohavegivengreatdelighttonumbersofsavagepersonscallingthemselvesChristians.TheKinghadissuedaproclamationforbiddingtheJews(whoweregenerallyhated,thoughtheywerethemostusefulmerchantsinEngland)toappearattheceremony;butastheyhadassembledinLondonfromallparts,bringingpresentstoshowtheirrespectforthenewSovereign,someofthemventureddowntoWestminsterHallwiththeirgifts;whichwereveryreadilyaccepted.Itissupposed,now,thatsomenoisyfellowinthecrowd,pretendingtobeaverydelicateChristian,setupahowlatthis,andstruckaJewwhowastryingtogetinattheHalldoorwithhispresent.Ariotarose.TheJewswhohadgotintotheHall,weredrivenforth;andsomeoftherabblecriedoutthatthenewKinghadcommandedtheunbelievingracetobeputtodeath.

Thereuponthecrowdrushedthroughthenarrowstreetsofthecity,slaughteringalltheJewstheymet;andwhentheycouldfindnomoreoutofdoors(onaccountoftheirhavingfledtotheirhouses,andfastenedthemselvesin),theyranmadlyabout,breakingopenallthehouseswheretheJewslived,rushinginandstabbingorspearingthem,sometimesevenflingingoldpeopleandchildrenoutofwindowintoblazingfirestheyhadlightedupbelow.Thisgreatcrueltylastedfour-and-twentyhours,andonlythreemenwerepunishedforit.EventheyforfeitedtheirlivesnotformurderingandrobbingtheJews,butforburningthehousesofsomeChristians.

KingRichard,whowasastrong,restless,burlyman,withoneideaalwaysinhishead,andthattheverytroublesomeideaofbreakingtheheadsofothermen,wasmightilyimpatienttogoonaCrusadetotheHolyLand,withagreatarmy.Asgreatarmiescouldnotberaisedtogo,eventotheHolyLand,withoutagreatdealofmoney,hesoldtheCrowndomains,andeventhehighofficesofState;

recklesslyappointingnoblementoruleoverhisEnglishsubjects,notbecausetheywerefittogovern,butbecausetheycouldpayhighfortheprivilege.Inthisway,andbysellingpardonsatadearrateandbyvarietiesofavariceandoppression,hescrapedtogetheralargetreasure.HethenappointedtwoBishopstotakecareofhiskingdominhisabsence,andgavegreatpowersandpossessionstohisbrotherJohn,tosecurehisfriendship.JohnwouldratherhavebeenmadeRegentofEngland;buthewasaslyman,andfriendlytotheexpedition;sayingtohimself,nodoubt,"Themorefighting,themorechanceofmybrotherbeingkilled;andwhenheISkilled,thenIbecomeKingJohn!"

BeforethenewlyleviedarmydepartedfromEngland,therecruitsandthegeneralpopulacedistinguishedthemselvesbyastonishingcrueltiesontheunfortunateJews:whom,inmanylargetowns,theymurderedbyhundredsinthemosthorriblemanner.

AtYork,alargebodyofJewstookrefugeintheCastle,intheabsenceofitsGovernor,afterthewivesandchildrenofmanyofthemhadbeenslainbeforetheireyes.PresentlycametheGovernor,anddemandedadmission."Howcanwegiveitthee,O

Governor!"saidtheJewsuponthewalls,"when,ifweopenthegatebysomuchasthewidthofafoot,theroaringcrowdbehindtheewillpressinandkillus?"

Uponthis,theunjustGovernorbecameangry,andtoldthepeoplethatheapprovedoftheirkillingthoseJews;andamischievousmaniacofafriar,dressedallinwhite,puthimselfattheheadoftheassault,andtheyassaultedtheCastleforthreedays.

ThensaidJOCEN,thehead-Jew(whowasaRabbiorPriest),totherest,"Brethren,thereisnohopeforuswiththeChristianswhoarehammeringatthegatesandwalls,andwhomustsoonbreakin.

Asweandourwivesandchildrenmustdie,eitherbyChristianhands,orbyourown,letitbebyourown.Letusdestroybyfirewhatjewelsandothertreasurewehavehere,thenfirethecastle,andthenperish!"

Afewcouldnotresolvetodothis,butthegreaterpartcomplied.

Theymadeablazingheapofalltheirvaluables,and,whenthosewereconsumed,setthecastleinflames.Whiletheflamesroaredandcrackledaroundthem,andshootingupintothesky,turneditblood-red,Jocencutthethroatofhisbelovedwife,andstabbedhimself.Alltheotherswhohadwivesorchildren,didthelikedreadfuldeed.Whenthepopulacebrokein,theyfound(exceptthetremblingfew,coweringincorners,whomtheysoonkilled)onlyheapsofgreasycinders,withhereandtheresomethinglikepartoftheblackenedtrunkofaburnttree,butwhichhadlatelybeenahumancreature,formedbythebeneficenthandoftheCreatorastheywere.

Afterthisbadbeginning,Richardandhistroopswenton,innoverygoodmanner,withtheHolyCrusade.ItwasundertakenjointlybytheKingofEnglandandhisoldfriendPhilipofFrance.Theycommencedthebusinessbyreviewingtheirforces,tothenumberofonehundredthousandmen.Afterwards,theyseverallyembarkedtheirtroopsforMessina,inSicily,whichwasappointedasthenextplaceofmeeting.

KingRichard"ssisterhadmarriedtheKingofthisplace,buthewasdead:andhisuncleTANCREDhadusurpedthecrown,casttheRoyalWidowintoprison,andpossessedhimselfofherestates.

Richardfiercelydemandedhissister"srelease,therestorationofherlands,and(accordingtotheRoyalcustomoftheIsland)thatsheshouldhaveagoldenchair,agoldentable,four-and-twentysilvercups,andfour-and-twentysilverdishes.Ashewastoopowerfultobesuccessfullyresisted,Tancredyieldedtohisdemands;andthentheFrenchKinggrewjealous,andcomplainedthattheEnglishKingwantedtobeabsoluteintheIslandofMessinaandeverywhereelse.Richard,however,caredlittleornothingforthiscomplaint;andinconsiderationofapresentoftwentythousandpiecesofgold,promisedhisprettylittlenephewARTHUR,thenachildoftwoyearsold,inmarriagetoTancred"sdaughter.

WeshallhearagainofprettylittleArthurby-and-by.

ThisSicilianaffairarrangedwithoutanybody"sbrainsbeingknockedout(whichmusthaveratherdisappointedhim),KingRichardtookhissisteraway,andalsoafairladynamedBERENGARIA,withwhomhehadfalleninloveinFrance,andwhomhismother,QueenEleanor(solonginprison,youremember,butreleasedbyRichardonhiscomingtotheThrone),hadbroughtouttheretobehiswife;

andsailedwiththemforCyprus.

HesoonhadthepleasureoffightingtheKingoftheIslandofCyprus,forallowinghissubjectstopillagesomeoftheEnglishtroopswhowereshipwreckedontheshore;andeasilyconqueringthispoormonarch,heseizedhisonlydaughter,tobeacompaniontotheladyBerengaria,andputtheKinghimselfintosilverfetters.Hethensailedawayagainwithhismother,sister,wife,andthecaptiveprincess;andsoonarrivedbeforethetownofAcre,whichtheFrenchKingwithhisfleetwasbesiegingfromthesea.

ButtheFrenchKingwasinnotriumphantcondition,forhisarmyhadbeenthinnedbytheswordsoftheSaracens,andwastedbytheplague;andSALADIN,thebraveSultanoftheTurks,attheheadofanumerousarmy,wasatthattimegallantlydefendingtheplacefromthehillsthatriseaboveit.

WherevertheunitedarmyofCrusaderswent,theyagreedinfewpointsexceptingaming,drinking,andquarrelling,inamostunholymanner;indebauchingthepeopleamongwhomtheytarried,whethertheywerefriendsorfoes;andincarryingdisturbanceandruinintoquietplaces.TheFrenchKingwasjealousoftheEnglishKing,andtheEnglishKingwasjealousoftheFrenchKing,andthedisorderlyandviolentsoldiersofthetwonationswerejealousofoneanother;consequently,thetwoKingscouldnotatfirstagree,evenuponajointassaultonAcre;butwhentheydidmakeuptheirquarrelforthatpurpose,theSaracenspromisedtoyieldthetown,togiveuptotheChristiansthewoodoftheHolyCross,tosetatlibertyalltheirChristiancaptives,andtopaytwohundredthousandpiecesofgold.Allthiswastobedonewithinfortydays;but,notbeingdone,KingRichardorderedsomethreethousandSaracenprisonerstobebroughtoutinthefrontofhiscamp,andthere,infullviewoftheirowncountrymen,tobebutchered.

TheFrenchKinghadnopartinthiscrime;forhewasbythattimetravellinghomewardwiththegreaterpartofhismen;beingoffendedbytheoverbearingconductoftheEnglishKing;beinganxioustolookafterhisowndominions;andbeingill,besides,fromtheunwholesomeairofthathotandsandycountry.KingRichardcarriedonthewarwithouthim;andremainedintheEast,meetingwithavarietyofadventures,nearlyayearandahalf.

Everynightwhenhisarmywasonthemarch,andcametoahalt,theheraldscriedoutthreetimes,toremindallthesoldiersofthecauseinwhichtheywereengaged,"SavetheHolySepulchre!"andthenallthesoldierskneltandsaid"Amen!"Marchingorencamping,thearmyhadcontinuallytostrivewiththehotairoftheglaringdesert,orwiththeSaracensoldiersanimatedanddirectedbythebraveSaladin,orwithbothtogether.Sicknessanddeath,battleandwounds,werealwaysamongthem;butthrougheverydifficultyKingRichardfoughtlikeagiant,andworkedlikeacommonlabourer.Longandlongafterhewasquietinhisgrave,histerriblebattle-axe,withtwentyEnglishpoundsofEnglishsteelinitsmightyhead,wasalegendamongtheSaracens;andwhenalltheSaracenandChristianhostshadbeendustformanyayear,ifaSaracenhorsestartedatanyobjectbythewayside,hisriderwouldexclaim,"Whatdostthoufear,Fool?DostthouthinkKingRichardisbehindit?"

NooneadmiredthisKing"srenownforbraverymorethanSaladinhimself,whowasagenerousandgallantenemy.WhenRichardlayillofafever,SaladinsenthimfreshfruitsfromDamascus,andsnowfromthemountain-tops.Courtlymessagesandcomplimentswerefrequentlyexchangedbetweenthem-andthenKingRichardwouldmounthishorseandkillasmanySaracensashecould;andSaladinwouldmounthis,andkillasmanyChristiansashecould.InthiswayKingRichardfoughttohisheart"scontentatArsoofandatJaffa;andfindinghimselfwithnothingexcitingtodoatAscalon,excepttorebuild,forhisowndefence,somefortificationstherewhichtheSaracenshaddestroyed,hekickedhisallytheDukeofAustria,forbeingtooproudtoworkatthem.

ThearmyatlastcamewithinsightoftheHolyCityofJerusalem;

but,beingthenamerenestofjealousy,andquarrellingandfighting,soonretired,andagreedwiththeSaracensuponatruceforthreeyears,threemonths,threedays,andthreehours.Then,theEnglishChristians,protectedbythenobleSaladinfromSaracenrevenge,visitedOurSaviour"stomb;andthenKingRichardembarkedwithasmallforceatAcretoreturnhome.

ButhewasshipwreckedintheAdriaticSea,andwasfaintopassthroughGermany,underanassumedname.Now,thereweremanypeopleinGermanywhohadservedintheHolyLandunderthatproudDukeofAustriawhohadbeenkicked;andsomeofthem,easilyrecognisingamansoremarkableasKingRichard,carriedtheirintelligencetothekickedDuke,whostraightwaytookhimprisoneratalittleinnnearVienna.

TheDuke"smastertheEmperorofGermany,andtheKingofFrance,wereequallydelightedtohavesotroublesomeamonarchinsafekeeping.Friendshipswhicharefoundedonapartnershipindoingwrong,arenevertrue;andtheKingofFrancewasnowquiteasheartilyKingRichard"sfoe,ashehadeverbeenhisfriendinhisunnaturalconducttohisfather.HemonstrouslypretendedthatKingRichardhaddesignedtopoisonhimintheEast;hechargedhimwithhavingmurdered,there,amanwhomhehadintruthbefriended;

hebribedtheEmperorofGermanytokeephimcloseprisoner;and,finally,throughtheplottingofthesetwoprinces,RichardwasbroughtbeforetheGermanlegislature,chargedwiththeforegoingcrimes,andmanyothers.Buthedefendedhimselfsowell,thatmanyoftheassemblyweremovedtotearsbyhiseloquenceandearnestness.Itwasdecidedthatheshouldbetreated,duringtherestofhiscaptivity,inamannermorebecominghisdignitythanhehadbeen,andthatheshouldbesetfreeonthepaymentofaheavyransom.ThisransomtheEnglishpeoplewillinglyraised.

WhenQueenEleanortookitovertoGermany,itwasatfirstevadedandrefused.ButsheappealedtothehonourofalltheprincesoftheGermanEmpireinbehalfofherson,andappealedsowellthatitwasaccepted,andtheKingreleased.Thereupon,theKingofFrancewrotetoPrinceJohn-"Takecareofthyself.Thedevilisunchained!"

PrinceJohnhadreasontofearhisbrother,forhehadbeenatraitortohiminhiscaptivity.HehadsecretlyjoinedtheFrenchKing;hadvowedtotheEnglishnoblesandpeoplethathisbrotherwasdead;andhadvainlytriedtoseizethecrown.HewasnowinFrance,ataplacecalledEvreux.Beingthemeanestandbasestofmen,hecontrivedameanandbaseexpedientformakinghimselfacceptabletohisbrother.HeinvitedtheFrenchofficersofthegarrisoninthattowntodinner,murderedthemall,andthentookthefortress.Withthisrecommendationtothegoodwillofalion-

heartedmonarch,hehastenedtoKingRichard,fellonhiskneesbeforehim,andobtainedtheintercessionofQueenEleanor."I

forgivehim,"saidtheKing,"andIhopeImayforgettheinjuryhehasdoneme,aseasilyasIknowhewillforgetmypardon."

WhileKingRichardwasinSicily,therehadbeentroubleinhisdominionsathome:oneofthebishopswhomhehadleftinchargethereof,arrestingtheother;andmaking,inhisprideandambition,asgreatashowasifhewereKinghimself.ButtheKinghearingofitatMessina,andappointinganewRegency,thisLONGCHAMP(forthatwashisname)hadfledtoFranceinawoman"sdress,andhadtherebeenencouragedandsupportedbytheFrenchKing.WithallthesecausesofoffenceagainstPhilipinhismind,KingRichardhadnosoonerbeenwelcomedhomebyhisenthusiasticsubjectswithgreatdisplayandsplendour,andhadnosoonerbeencrownedafreshatWinchester,thanheresolvedtoshowtheFrenchKingthattheDevilwasunchainedindeed,andmadewaragainsthimwithgreatfury.

Therewasfreshtroubleathomeaboutthistime,arisingoutofthediscontentsofthepoorpeople,whocomplainedthattheywerefarmoreheavilytaxedthantherich,andwhofoundaspiritedchampioninWILLIAMFITZ-OSBERT,calledLONGBEARD.Hebecametheleaderofasecretsociety,comprisingfiftythousandmen;hewasseizedbysurprise;hestabbedthecitizenwhofirstlaidhandsuponhim;andretreated,bravelyfighting,toachurch,whichhemaintainedfourdays,untilhewasdislodgedbyfire,andrunthroughthebodyashecameout.Hewasnotkilled,though;forhewasdragged,halfdead,atthetailofahorsetoSmithfield,andtherehanged.

Deathwaslongafavouriteremedyforsilencingthepeople"sadvocates;butaswegoonwiththishistory,Ifancyweshallfindthemdifficulttomakeanendof,forallthat.

TheFrenchwar,delayedoccasionallybyatruce,wasstillinprogresswhenacertainLordnamedVIDOMAR,ViscountofLimoges,chancedtofindinhisgroundatreasureofancientcoins.AstheKing"svassal,hesenttheKinghalfofit;buttheKingclaimedthewhole.Thelordrefusedtoyieldthewhole.TheKingbesiegedthelordinhiscastle,sworethathewouldtakethecastlebystorm,andhangeverymanofitsdefendersonthebattlements.

Therewasastrangeoldsonginthatpartofthecountry,totheeffectthatinLimogesanarrowwouldbemadebywhichKingRichardwoulddie.ItmaybethatBERTRANDDEGOURDON,ayoungmanwhowasoneofthedefendersofthecastle,hadoftensungitorhearditsungofawinternight,andremembereditwhenhesaw,fromhispostupontheramparts,theKingattendedonlybyhischiefofficerridingbelowthewallssurveyingtheplace.Hedrewanarrowtothehead,tooksteadyaim,saidbetweenhisteeth,"NowIprayGodspeedtheewell,arrow!"dischargedit,andstrucktheKingintheleftshoulder.

Althoughthewoundwasnotatfirstconsidereddangerous,itwassevereenoughtocausetheKingtoretiretohistent,anddirecttheassaulttobemadewithouthim.Thecastlewastaken;andeverymanofitsdefenderswashanged,astheKinghadswornallshouldbe,exceptBertranddeGourdon,whowasreserveduntiltheroyalpleasurerespectinghimshouldbeknown.

BythattimeunskilfultreatmenthadmadethewoundmortalandtheKingknewthathewasdying.HedirectedBertrandtobebroughtintohistent.Theyoungmanwasbroughtthere,heavilychained,KingRichardlookedathimsteadily.Helooked,assteadily,attheKing.

"Knave!"saidKingRichard."WhathaveIdonetotheethatthoushouldesttakemylife?"

"Whathastthoudonetome?"repliedtheyoungman."Withthineownhandsthouhastkilledmyfatherandmytwobrothers.Myselfthouwouldesthavehanged.Letmedienow,byanytorturethatthouwilt.Mycomfortis,thatnotorturecansaveThee.Thoutoomustdie;and,throughme,theworldisquitofthee!"

AgaintheKinglookedattheyoungmansteadily.Againtheyoungmanlookedsteadilyathim.PerhapssomeremembranceofhisgenerousenemySaladin,whowasnotaChristian,cameintothemindofthedyingKing.

"Youth!"hesaid,"Iforgivethee.Gounhurt!"Then,turningtothechiefofficerwhohadbeenridinginhiscompanywhenhereceivedthewound,KingRichardsaid:

"Takeoffhischains,givehimahundredshillings,andlethimdepart."

Hesunkdownonhiscouch,andadarkmistseemedinhisweakenedeyestofillthetentwhereinhehadsooftenrested,andhedied.

Hisagewasforty-two;hehadreignedtenyears.Hislastcommandwasnotobeyed;forthechiefofficerflayedBertranddeGourdonalive,andhangedhim.

Thereisanoldtuneyetknown-asorrowfulairwillsometimesoutlivemanygenerationsofstrongmen,andevenlastlongerthanbattle-axeswithtwentypoundsofsteelinthehead-bywhichthisKingissaidtohavebeendiscoveredinhiscaptivity.BLONDEL,afavouriteMinstrelofKingRichard,asthestoryrelates,faithfullyseekinghisRoyalmaster,wentsingingitoutsidethegloomywallsofmanyforeignfortressesandprisons;untilatlasthehearditechoedfromwithinadungeon,andknewthevoice,andcriedoutinecstasy,"ORichard,OmyKing!"Youmaybelieveit,ifyoulike;itwouldbeeasytobelieveworsethings.RichardwashimselfaMinstrelandaPoet.IfhehadnotbeenaPrincetoo,hemighthavebeenabettermanperhaps,andmighthavegoneoutoftheworldwithlessbloodshedandwasteoflifetoanswerfor.

CHAPTERXIV-ENGLANDUNDERKINGJOHN,CALLEDLACKLAND

ATtwo-and-thirtyyearsofage,JOHNbecameKingofEngland.HisprettylittlenephewARTHURhadthebestclaimtothethrone;butJohnseizedthetreasure,andmadefinepromisestothenobility,andgothimselfcrownedatWestminsterwithinafewweeksafterhisbrotherRichard"sdeath.Idoubtwhetherthecrowncouldpossiblyhavebeenputupontheheadofameanercoward,oramoredetestablevillain,ifEnglandhadbeensearchedfromendtoendtofindhimout.

TheFrenchKing,Philip,refusedtoacknowledgetherightofJohntohisnewdignity,anddeclaredinfavourofArthur.Youmustnotsupposethathehadanygenerosityoffeelingforthefatherlessboy;itmerelysuitedhisambitiousschemestoopposetheKingofEngland.SoJohnandtheFrenchKingwenttowaraboutArthur.

Hewasahandsomeboy,atthattimeonlytwelveyearsold.Hewasnotbornwhenhisfather,Geoffrey,hadhisbrainstrampledoutatthetournament;and,besidesthemisfortuneofneverhavingknownafather"sguidanceandprotection,hehadtheadditionalmisfortunetohaveafoolishmother(CONSTANCEbyname),latelymarriedtoherthirdhusband.ShetookArthur,uponJohn"saccession,totheFrenchKing,whopretendedtobeverymuchhisfriend,andwhomadehimaKnight,andpromisedhimhisdaughterinmarriage;but,whocaredsolittleabouthiminreality,thatfindingithisinteresttomakepeacewithKingJohnforatime,hedidsowithouttheleastconsiderationforthepoorlittlePrince,andheartlesslysacrificedallhisinterests.

YoungArthur,fortwoyearsafterwards,livedquietly;andinthecourseofthattimehismotherdied.But,theFrenchKingthenfindingithisinteresttoquarrelwithKingJohnagain,againmadeArthurhispretence,andinvitedtheorphanboytocourt."Youknowyourrights,Prince,"saidtheFrenchKing,"andyouwouldliketobeaKing.Isitnotso?""Truly,"saidPrinceArthur,"I

shouldgreatlyliketobeaKing!""Then,"saidPhilip,"youshallhavetwohundredgentlemenwhoareKnightsofmine,andwiththemyoushallgotowinbacktheprovincesbelongingtoyou,ofwhichyouruncle,theusurpingKingofEngland,hastakenpossession.I

myself,meanwhile,willheadaforceagainsthiminNormandy."

PoorArthurwassoflatteredandsogratefulthathesignedatreatywiththecraftyFrenchKing,agreeingtoconsiderhimhissuperiorLord,andthattheFrenchKingshouldkeepforhimselfwhateverhecouldtakefromKingJohn.

Now,KingJohnwassobadinallways,andKingPhilipwassoperfidious,thatArthur,betweenthetwo,mightaswellhavebeenalambbetweenafoxandawolf.But,beingsoyoung,hewasardentandflushedwithhope;and,whenthepeopleofBrittany(whichwashisinheritance)senthimfivehundredmoreknightsandfivethousandfootsoldiers,hebelievedhisfortunewasmade.ThepeopleofBrittanyhadbeenfondofhimfromhisbirth,andhadrequestedthathemightbecalledArthur,inremembranceofthatdimly-famousEnglishArthur,ofwhomItoldyouearlyinthisbook,whomtheybelievedtohavebeenthebravefriendandcompanionofanoldKingoftheirown.TheyhadtalesamongthemaboutaprophetcalledMERLIN(ofthesameoldtime),whohadforetoldthattheirownKingshouldberestoredtothemafterhundredsofyears;

andtheybelievedthattheprophecywouldbefulfilledinArthur;

thatthetimewouldcomewhenhewouldrulethemwithacrownofBrittanyuponhishead;andwhenneitherKingofFrancenorKingofEnglandwouldhaveanypoweroverthem.WhenArthurfoundhimselfridinginaglitteringsuitofarmouronarichlycaparisonedhorse,attheheadofhistrainofknightsandsoldiers,hebegantobelievethistoo,andtoconsideroldMerlinaverysuperiorprophet.

Hedidnotknow-howcouldhe,beingsoinnocentandinexperienced?-thathislittlearmywasamerenothingagainstthepoweroftheKingofEngland.TheFrenchKingknewit;butthepoorboy"sfatewaslittletohim,sothattheKingofEnglandwasworriedanddistressed.Therefore,KingPhilipwenthiswayintoNormandyandPrinceArthurwenthiswaytowardsMirebeau,aFrenchtownnearPoictiers,bothverywellpleased.

PrinceArthurwenttoattackthetownofMirebeau,becausehisgrandmotherEleanor,whohassooftenmadeherappearanceinthishistory(andwhohadalwaysbeenhismother"senemy),waslivingthere,andbecausehisKnightssaid,"Prince,ifyoucantakeherprisoner,youwillbeabletobringtheKingyouruncletoterms!"

Butshewasnottobeeasilytaken.Shewasoldenoughbythistime-eighty-butshewasasfullofstratagemasshewasfullofyearsandwickedness.ReceivingintelligenceofyoungArthur"sapproach,sheshutherselfupinahightower,andencouragedhersoldierstodefenditlikemen.PrinceArthurwithhislittlearmybesiegedthehightower.KingJohn,hearinghowmattersstood,cameuptotherescue,withHISarmy.Soherewasastrangefamily-party!Theboy-Princebesieginghisgrandmother,andhisunclebesieginghim!

Thispositionofaffairsdidnotlastlong.OnesummernightKingJohn,bytreachery,gothismenintothetown,surprisedPrinceArthur"sforce,tooktwohundredofhisknights,andseizedthePrincehimselfinhisbed.TheKnightswereputinheavyirons,anddrivenawayinopencartsdrawnbybullocks,tovariousdungeonswheretheyweremostinhumanlytreated,andwheresomeofthemwerestarvedtodeath.PrinceArthurwassenttothecastleofFalaise.

Oneday,whilehewasinprisonatthatcastle,mournfullythinkingitstrangethatonesoyoungshouldbeinsomuchtrouble,andlookingoutofthesmallwindowinthedeepdarkwall,atthesummerskyandthebirds,thedoorwassoftlyopened,andhesawhisuncletheKingstandingintheshadowofthearchway,lookingverygrim.

"Arthur,"saidtheKing,withhiswickedeyesmoreonthestonefloorthanonhisnephew,"willyounottrusttothegentleness,thefriendship,andthetruthfulnessofyourlovinguncle?"

"Iwilltellmylovingunclethat,"repliedtheboy,"whenhedoesmeright.LethimrestoretomemykingdomofEngland,andthencometomeandaskthequestion."

TheKinglookedathimandwentout."Keepthatboycloseprisoner,"saidhetothewardenofthecastle.

Then,theKingtooksecretcounselwiththeworstofhisnobleshowthePrincewastobegotridof.Somesaid,"Putouthiseyesandkeephiminprison,asRobortofNormandywaskept."Otherssaid,"Havehimstabbed."Others,"Havehimhanged."Others,"Havehimpoisoned."

KingJohn,feelingthatinanycase,whateverwasdoneafterwards,itwouldbeasatisfactiontohismindtohavethosehandsomeeyesburntoutthathadlookedathimsoproudlywhilehisownroyaleyeswereblinkingatthestonefloor,sentcertainruffianstoFalaisetoblindtheboywithred-hotirons.ButArthursopatheticallyentreatedthem,andshedsuchpiteoustears,andsoappealedtoHUBERTDEBOURG(orBURGH),thewardenofthecastle,whohadaloveforhim,andwasanhonourable,tenderman,thatHubertcouldnotbearit.Tohiseternalhonourhepreventedthetorturefrombeingperformed,and,athisownrisk,sentthesavagesaway.

ThechafedanddisappointedKingbethoughthimselfofthestabbingsuggestionnext,and,withhisshufflingmannerandhiscruelface,proposedittooneWilliamdeBray."Iamagentlemanandnotanexecutioner,"saidWilliamdeBray,andleftthepresencewithdisdain.

ButitwasnotdifficultforaKingtohireamurdererinthosedays.KingJohnfoundoneforhismoney,andsenthimdowntothecastleofFalaise."Onwhaterranddostthoucome?"saidHuberttothisfellow."TodespatchyoungArthur,"hereturned."Gobacktohimwhosentthee,"answeredHubert,"andsaythatIwilldoit!"

KingJohnverywellknowingthatHubertwouldneverdoit,butthathecourageouslysentthisreplytosavethePrinceorgaintime,despatchedmessengerstoconveytheyoungprisonertothecastleofRouen.

ArthurwassoonforcedfromthegoodHubert-ofwhomhehadneverstoodingreaterneedthanthen-carriedawaybynight,andlodgedinhisnewprison:where,throughhisgratedwindow,hecouldhearthedeepwatersoftheriverSeine,ripplingagainstthestonewallbelow.

Onedarknight,ashelaysleeping,dreamingperhapsofrescuebythoseunfortunategentlemenwhowereobscurelysufferinganddyinginhiscause,hewasroused,andbiddenbyhisjailertocomedownthestaircasetothefootofthetower.Hehurriedlydressedhimselfandobeyed.Whentheycametothebottomofthewindingstairs,andthenightairfromtheriverblewupontheirfaces,thejailertroduponhistorchandputitout.Then,Arthur,inthedarkness,washurriedlydrawnintoasolitaryboat.Andinthatboat,hefoundhisuncleandoneotherman.

Heknelttothem,andprayedthemnottomurderhim.Deaftohisentreaties,theystabbedhimandsunkhisbodyintheriverwithheavystones.Whenthespring-morningbroke,thetower-doorwasclosed,theboatwasgone,theriversparkledonitsway,andnevermorewasanytraceofthepoorboybeheldbymortaleyes.

ThenewsofthisatrociousmurderbeingspreadinEngland,awakenedahatredoftheKing(alreadyodiousforhismanyvices,andforhishavingstolenawayandmarriedanobleladywhilehisownwifewasliving)thatneversleptagainthroughhiswholereign.InBrittany,theindignationwasintense.Arthur"sownsisterELEANOR

wasinthepowerofJohnandshutupinaconventatBristol,buthishalf-sisterALICEwasinBrittany.Thepeoplechoseher,andthemurderedprince"sfather-in-law,thelasthusbandofConstance,torepresentthem;andcarriedtheirfierycomplaintstoKingPhilip.KingPhilipsummonedKingJohn(astheholderofterritoryinFrance)tocomebeforehimanddefendhimself.KingJohnrefusingtoappear,KingPhilipdeclaredhimfalse,perjured,andguilty;andagainmadewar.Inalittletime,byconqueringthegreaterpartofhisFrenchterritory,KingPhilipdeprivedhimofone-thirdofhisdominions.And,throughallthefightingthattookplace,KingJohnwasalwaysfound,eithertobeeatinganddrinking,likeagluttonousfool,whenthedangerwasatadistance,ortoberunningaway,likeabeatencur,whenitwasnear.

Youmightsupposethatwhenhewaslosinghisdominionsatthisrate,andwhenhisownnoblescaredsolittleforhimorhiscausethattheyplainlyrefusedtofollowhisbanneroutofEngland,hehadenemiesenough.ButhemadeanotherenemyofthePope,whichhedidinthisway.

TheArchbishopofCanterburydying,andthejuniormonksofthatplacewishingtogetthestartoftheseniormonksintheappointmentofhissuccessor,mettogetheratmidnight,secretlyelectedacertainREGINALD,andsenthimofftoRometogetthePope"sapproval.TheseniormonksandtheKingsoonfindingthisout,andbeingveryangryaboutit,thejuniormonksgaveway,andallthemonkstogetherelectedtheBishopofNorwich,whowastheKing"sfavourite.ThePope,hearingthewholestory,declaredthatneitherelectionwoulddoforhim,andthatHEelectedSTEPHEN

LANGTON.ThemonkssubmittingtothePope,theKingturnedthemalloutbodily,andbanishedthemastraitors.ThePopesentthreebishopstotheKing,tothreatenhimwithanInterdict.TheKingtoldthebishopsthatifanyInterdictwerelaiduponhiskingdom,hewouldtearouttheeyesandcutoffthenosesofallthemonkshecouldlayholdof,andsendthemovertoRomeinthatundecoratedstateasapresentfortheirmaster.Thebishops,nevertheless,soonpublishedtheInterdict,andfled.

Afterithadlastedayear,thePopeproceededtohisnextstep;

whichwasExcommunication.KingJohnwasdeclaredexcommunicated,withalltheusualceremonies.TheKingwassoincensedatthis,andwasmadesodesperatebythedisaffectionofhisBaronsandthehatredofhispeople,thatitissaidheevenprivatelysentambassadorstotheTurksinSpain,offeringtorenouncehisreligionandholdhiskingdomofthemiftheywouldhelphim.ItisrelatedthattheambassadorswereadmittedtothepresenceoftheTurkishEmirthroughlonglinesofMoorishguards,andthattheyfoundtheEmirwithhiseyesseriouslyfixedonthepagesofalargebook,fromwhichheneveroncelookedup.ThattheygavehimaletterfromtheKingcontaininghisproposals,andweregravelydismissed.ThatpresentlytheEmirsentforoneofthem,andconjuredhim,byhisfaithinhisreligion,tosaywhatkindofmantheKingofEnglandtrulywas?Thattheambassador,thuspressed,repliedthattheKingofEnglandwasafalsetyrant,againstwhomhisownsubjectswouldsoonrise.AndthatthiswasquiteenoughfortheEmir.

Moneybeing,inhisposition,thenextbestthingtomen,KingJohnsparednomeansofgettingit.HesetonfootanotheroppressingandtorturingoftheunhappyJews(whichwasquiteinhisway),andinventedanewpunishmentforonewealthyJewofBristol.UntilsuchtimeasthatJewshouldproduceacertainlargesumofmoney,theKingsentencedhimtobeimprisoned,and,everyday,tohaveonetoothviolentlywrenchedoutofhishead-beginningwiththedoubleteeth.Forsevendays,theoppressedmanborethedailypainandlostthedailytooth;but,ontheeighth,hepaidthemoney.Withthetreasureraisedinsuchways,theKingmadeanexpeditionintoIreland,wheresomeEnglishnobleshadrevolted.

Itwasoneoftheveryfewplacesfromwhichhedidnotrunaway;

becausenoresistancewasshown.HemadeanotherexpeditionintoWales-whenceheDIDrunawayintheend:butnotbeforehehadgotfromtheWelshpeople,ashostages,twenty-sevenyoungmenofthebestfamilies;everyoneofwhomhecausedtobeslaininthefollowingyear.

ToInterdictandExcommunication,thePopenowaddedhislastsentence;Deposition.HeproclaimedJohnnolongerKing,absolvedallhissubjectsfromtheirallegiance,andsentStephenLangtonandotherstotheKingofFrancetotellhimthat,ifhewouldinvadeEngland,heshouldbeforgivenallhissins-atleast,shouldbeforgiventhembythePope,ifthatwoulddo.

AstherewasnothingthatKingPhilipdesiredmorethantoinvadeEngland,hecollectedagreatarmyatRouen,andafleetofseventeenhundredshipstobringthemover.ButtheEnglishpeople,howeverbitterlytheyhatedtheKing,werenotapeopletosufferinvasionquietly.TheyflockedtoDover,wheretheEnglishstandardwas,insuchgreatnumberstoenrolthemselvesasdefendersoftheirnativeland,thattherewerenotprovisionsforthem,andtheKingcouldonlyselectandretainsixtythousand.

But,atthiscrisis,thePope,whohadhisownreasonsforobjectingtoeitherKingJohnorKingPhilipbeingtoopowerful,interfered.Heentrustedalegate,whosenamewasPANDOLF,withtheeasytaskoffrighteningKingJohn.HesenthimtotheEnglishCamp,fromFrance,toterrifyhimwithexaggerationsofKingPhilip"spower,andhisownweaknessinthediscontentoftheEnglishBaronsandpeople.Pandolfdischargedhiscommissionsowell,thatKingJohn,inawretchedpanic,consentedtoacknowledgeStephenLangton;toresignhiskingdom"toGod,SaintPeter,andSaintPaul"-whichmeantthePope;andtoholdit,everafterwards,bythePope"sleave,onpaymentofanannualsumofmoney.TothisshamefulcontracthepubliclyboundhimselfinthechurchoftheKnightsTemplarsatDover:wherehelaidatthelegate"sfeetapartofthetribute,whichthelegatehaughtilytrampledupon.ButtheyDOsay,thatthiswasmerelyagenteelflourish,andthathewasafterwardsseentopickitupandpocketit.

Therewasanunfortunateprophet,thenameofPeter,whohadgreatlyincreasedKingJohn"sterrorsbypredictingthathewouldbeunknighted(whichtheKingsupposedtosignifythathewoulddie)beforetheFeastoftheAscensionshouldbepast.Thatwasthedayafterthishumiliation.Whenthenextmorningcame,andtheKing,whohadbeentremblingallnight,foundhimselfaliveandsafe,heorderedtheprophet-andhissontoo-tobedraggedthroughthestreetsatthetailsofhorses,andthenhanged,forhavingfrightenedhim.