第7章

AsKingJohnhadnowsubmitted,thePope,toKingPhilip"sgreatastonishment,tookhimunderhisprotection,andinformedKingPhilipthathefoundhecouldnotgivehimleavetoinvadeEngland.

TheangryPhilipresolvedtodoitwithouthisleavebuthegainednothingandlostmuch;for,theEnglish,commandedbytheEarlofSalisbury,wentover,infivehundredships,totheFrenchcoast,beforetheFrenchfleethadsailedawayfromit,andutterlydefeatedthewhole.

ThePopethentookoffhisthreesentences,oneafteranother,andempoweredStephenLangtonpubliclytoreceiveKingJohnintothefavouroftheChurchagain,andtoaskhimtodinner.TheKing,whohatedLangtonwithallhismightandmain-andwithreasontoo,forhewasagreatandagoodman,withwhomsuchaKingcouldhavenosympathy-pretendedtocryandtobeVERYgrateful.TherewasalittledifficultyaboutsettlinghowmuchtheKingshouldpayasarecompensetotheclergyforthelosseshehadcausedthem;

but,theendofitwas,thatthesuperiorclergygotagooddeal,andtheinferiorclergygotlittleornothing-whichhasalsohappenedsinceKingJohn"stime,Ibelieve.

Whenallthesematterswerearranged,theKinginhistriumphbecamemorefierce,andfalse,andinsolenttoallaroundhimthanhehadeverbeen.AnallianceofsovereignsagainstKingPhilip,gavehimanopportunityoflandinganarmyinFrance;withwhichheeventookatown!But,ontheFrenchKing"sgainingagreatvictory,heranaway,ofcourse,andmadeatruceforfiveyears.

Andnowthetimeapproachedwhenhewastobestillfurtherhumbled,andmadetofeel,ifhecouldfeelanything,whatawretchedcreaturehewas.Ofallmenintheworld,StephenLangtonseemedraisedupbyHeaventoopposeandsubduehim.Whenheruthlesslyburntanddestroyedthepropertyofhisownsubjects,becausetheirLords,theBarons,wouldnotservehimabroad,StephenLangtonfearlesslyreprovedandthreatenedhim.WhenhesworetorestorethelawsofKingEdward,orthelawsofKingHenrytheFirst,StephenLangtonknewhisfalsehood,andpursuedhimthroughallhisevasions.WhentheBaronsmetattheabbeyofSaintEdmund"s-Bury,toconsidertheirwrongsandtheKing"soppressions,StephenLangtonrousedthembyhisfervidwordstodemandasolemncharterofrightsandlibertiesfromtheirperjuredmaster,andtoswear,onebyone,ontheHighAltar,thattheywouldhaveit,orwouldwagewaragainsthimtothedeath.WhentheKinghidhimselfinLondonfromtheBarons,andwasatlastobligedtoreceivethem,theytoldhimroundlytheywouldnotbelievehimunlessStephenLangtonbecameasuretythathewouldkeephisword.WhenhetooktheCrosstoinvesthimselfwithsomeinterest,andbelongtosomethingthatwasreceivedwithfavour,StephenLangtonwasstillimmovable.WhenheappealedtothePope,andthePopewrotetoStephenLangtoninbehalfofhisnewfavourite,StephenLangtonwasdeaf,eventothePopehimself,andsawbeforehimnothingbutthewelfareofEnglandandthecrimesoftheEnglishKing.

AtEaster-time,theBaronsassembledatStamford,inLincolnshire,inproudarray,and,marchingneartoOxfordwheretheKingwas,deliveredintothehandsofStephenLangtonandtwoothers,alistofgrievances."Andthese,"theysaid,"hemustredress,orwewilldoitforourselves!"WhenStephenLangtontoldtheKingasmuch,andreadthelisttohim,hewenthalfmadwithrage.ButthatdidhimnomoregoodthanhisafterwardstryingtopacifytheBaronswithlies.Theycalledthemselvesandtheirfollowers,"ThearmyofGodandtheHolyChurch."Marchingthroughthecountry,withthepeoplethrongingtothemeverywhere(exceptatNorthampton,wheretheyfailedinanattackuponthecastle),theyatlasttriumphantlysetuptheirbannerinLondonitself,whitherthewholeland,tiredofthetyrant,seemedtoflocktojointhem.

Sevenknightsalone,ofalltheknightsinEngland,remainedwiththeKing;who,reducedtothisstrait,atlastsenttheEarlofPembroketotheBaronstosaythatheapprovedofeverything,andwouldmeetthemtosigntheircharterwhentheywould."Then,"

saidtheBarons,"letthedaybethefifteenthofJune,andtheplace,Runny-Mead."

OnMonday,thefifteenthofJune,onethousandtwohundredandfourteen,theKingcamefromWindsorCastle,andtheBaronscamefromthetownofStaines,andtheymetonRunny-Mead,whichisstillapleasantmeadowbytheThames,whererushesgrowintheclearwaterofthewindingriver,anditsbanksaregreenwithgrassandtrees.OnthesideoftheBarons,cametheGeneraloftheirarmy,ROBERTFITZ-WALTER,andagreatconcourseofthenobilityofEngland.WiththeKing,came,inall,somefour-and-

twentypersonsofanynote,mostofwhomdespisedhim,andweremerelyhisadvisersinform.Onthatgreatday,andinthatgreatcompany,theKingsignedMAGNACHARTA-thegreatcharterofEngland-bywhichhepledgedhimselftomaintaintheChurchinitsrights;torelievetheBaronsofoppressiveobligationsasvassalsoftheCrown-ofwhichtheBarons,intheirturn,pledgedthemselvestorelieveTHEIRvassals,thepeople;torespectthelibertiesofLondonandallothercitiesandboroughs;toprotectforeignmerchantswhocametoEngland;toimprisonnomanwithoutafairtrial;andtosell,delay,ordenyjusticetonone.AstheBaronsknewhisfalsehoodwell,theyfurtherrequired,astheirsecurities,thatheshouldsendoutofhiskingdomallhisforeigntroops;thatfortwomonthstheyshouldholdpossessionofthecityofLondon,andStephenLangtonoftheTower;andthatfive-and-

twentyoftheirbody,chosenbythemselves,shouldbealawfulcommitteetowatchthekeepingofthecharter,andtomakewaruponhimifhebrokeit.

Allthishewasobligedtoyield.Hesignedthecharterwithasmile,and,ifhecouldhavelookedagreeable,wouldhavedoneso,ashedepartedfromthesplendidassembly.WhenhegothometoWindsorCastle,hewasquiteamadmaninhishelplessfury.Andhebrokethecharterimmediatelyafterwards.

Hesentabroadforforeignsoldiers,andsenttothePopeforhelp,andplottedtotakeLondonbysurprise,whiletheBaronsshouldbeholdingagreattournamentatStamford,whichtheyhadagreedtoholdthereasacelebrationofthecharter.TheBarons,however,foundhimoutandputitoff.Then,whentheBaronsdesiredtoseehimandtaxhimwithhistreachery,hemadenumbersofappointmentswiththem,andkeptnone,andshiftedfromplacetoplace,andwasconstantlysneakingandskulkingabout.AtlastheappearedatDover,tojoinhisforeignsoldiers,ofwhomnumberscameintohispay;andwiththemhebesiegedandtookRochesterCastle,whichwasoccupiedbyknightsandsoldiersoftheBarons.Hewouldhavehangedthemeveryone;buttheleaderoftheforeignsoldiers,fearfulofwhattheEnglishpeoplemightafterwardsdotohim,interferedtosavetheknights;thereforetheKingwasfaintosatisfyhisvengeancewiththedeathofallthecommonmen.Then,hesenttheEarlofSalisbury,withoneportionofhisarmy,toravagetheeasternpartofhisowndominions,whilehecarriedfireandslaughterintothenorthernpart;torturing,plundering,killing,andinflictingeverypossiblecrueltyuponthepeople;

and,everymorning,settingaworthyexampletohismenbysettingfire,withhisownmonster-hands,tothehousewherehehadsleptlastnight.Norwasthisall;forthePope,comingtotheaidofhispreciousfriend,laidthekingdomunderanInterdictagain,becausethepeopletookpartwiththeBarons.Itdidnotmuchmatter,forthepeoplehadgrownsousedtoitnow,thattheyhadbeguntothinknothingaboutit.Itoccurredtothem-perhapstoStephenLangtontoo-thattheycouldkeeptheirchurchesopen,andringtheirbells,withoutthePope"spermissionaswellaswithit.

So,theytriedtheexperiment-andfoundthatitsucceededperfectly.

Itbeingnowimpossibletobearthecountry,asawildernessofcruelty,orlongertoholdanytermswithsuchaforswornoutlawofaKing,theBaronssenttoLouis,sonoftheFrenchmonarch,toofferhimtheEnglishcrown.CaringaslittleforthePope"sexcommunicationofhimifheacceptedtheoffer,asitispossiblehisfathermayhavecaredforthePope"sforgivenessofhissins,helandedatSandwich(KingJohnimmediatelyrunningawayfromDover,wherehehappenedtobe),andwentontoLondon.TheScottishKing,withwhommanyoftheNorthernEnglishLordshadtakenrefuge;numbersoftheforeignsoldiers,numbersoftheBarons,andnumbersofthepeoplewentovertohimeveryday;-

KingJohn,thewhile,continuallyrunningawayinalldirections.

ThecareerofLouiswascheckedhowever,bythesuspicionsoftheBarons,foundedonthedyingdeclarationofaFrenchLord,thatwhenthekingdomwasconqueredhewassworntobanishthemastraitors,andtogivetheirestatestosomeofhisownNobles.

Ratherthansufferthis,someoftheBaronshesitated:othersevenwentovertoKingJohn.

Itseemedtobetheturning-pointofKingJohn"sfortunes,for,inhissavageandmurderouscourse,hehadnowtakensometownsandmetwithsomesuccesses.But,happilyforEnglandandhumanity,hisdeathwasnear.Crossingadangerousquicksand,calledtheWash,notveryfarfromWisbeach,thetidecameupandnearlydrownedhisarmy.Heandhissoldiersescaped;but,lookingbackfromtheshorewhenhewassafe,hesawtheroaringwatersweepdowninatorrent,overturnthewaggons,horses,andmen,thatcarriedhistreasure,andengulftheminaragingwhirlpoolfromwhichnothingcouldbedelivered.

Cursing,andswearing,andgnawinghisfingers,hewentontoSwinesteadAbbey,wherethemonkssetbeforehimquantitiesofpears,andpeaches,andnewcider-somesaypoisontoo,butthereisverylittlereasontosupposeso-ofwhichheateanddrankinanimmoderateandbeastlyway.Allnighthelayillofaburningfever,andhauntedwithhorriblefears.Nextday,theyputhiminahorse-litter,andcarriedhimtoSleafordCastle,wherehepassedanothernightofpainandhorror.Nextday,theycarriedhim,withgreaterdifficultythanonthedaybefore,tothecastleofNewarkuponTrent;andthere,ontheeighteenthofOctober,intheforty-

ninthyearofhisage,andtheseventeenthofhisvilereign,wasanendofthismiserablebrute.

CHAPTERXV-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHETHIRD,CALLED,OFWINCHESTER

IFanyoftheEnglishBaronsrememberedthemurderedArthur"ssister,EleanorthefairmaidofBrittany,shutupinherconventatBristol,noneamongthemspokeofhernow,ormaintainedherrighttotheCrown.ThedeadUsurper"seldestboy,HENRYbyname,wastakenbytheEarlofPembroke,theMarshalofEngland,tothecityofGloucester,andtherecrownedingreathastewhenhewasonlytenyearsold.AstheCrownitselfhadbeenlostwiththeKing"streasureintheragingwater,andastherewasnotimetomakeanother,theyputacircleofplaingolduponhisheadinstead."Wehavebeentheenemiesofthischild"sfather,"saidLordPembroke,agoodandtruegentleman,tothefewLordswhowerepresent,"andhemeritedourill-will;butthechildhimselfisinnocent,andhisyouthdemandsourfriendshipandprotection."

ThoseLordsfelttenderlytowardsthelittleboy,rememberingtheirownyoungchildren;andtheybowedtheirheads,andsaid,"LongliveKingHenrytheThird!"

Next,agreatcouncilmetatBristol,revisedMagnaCharta,andmadeLordPembrokeRegentorProtectorofEngland,astheKingwastooyoungtoreignalone.Thenextthingtobedone,wastogetridofPrinceLouisofFrance,andtowinoverthoseEnglishBaronswhowerestillrangedunderhisbanner.HewasstronginmanypartsofEngland,andinLondonitself;andheheld,amongotherplaces,acertainCastlecalledtheCastleofMountSorel,inLeicestershire.Tothisfortress,aftersomeskirmishingandtruce-making,LordPembrokelaidsiege.Louisdespatchedanarmyofsixhundredknightsandtwentythousandsoldierstorelieveit.

LordPembroke,whowasnotstrongenoughforsuchaforce,retiredwithallhismen.ThearmyoftheFrenchPrince,whichhadmarchedtherewithfireandplunder,marchedawaywithfireandplunder,andcame,inaboastfulswaggeringmanner,toLincoln.Thetownsubmitted;buttheCastleinthetown,heldbyabravewidowlady,namedNICHOLADECAMVILLE(whosepropertyitwas),madesuchasturdyresistance,thattheFrenchCountincommandofthearmyoftheFrenchPrincefounditnecessarytobesiegethisCastle.Whilehewasthusengaged,wordwasbroughttohimthatLordPembroke,withfourhundredknights,twohundredandfiftymenwithcross-

bows,andastoutforcebothofhorseandfoot,wasmarchingtowardshim."WhatcareI?"saidtheFrenchCount."TheEnglishmanisnotsomadastoattackmeandmygreatarmyinawalledtown!"ButtheEnglishmandiditforallthat,anddidit-

notsomadlybutsowisely,thathedecoyedthegreatarmyintothenarrow,ill-pavedlanesandbywaysofLincoln,whereitshorse-

soldierscouldnotrideinanystrongbody;andtherehemadesuchhavocwiththem,thatthewholeforcesurrenderedthemselvesprisoners,excepttheCount;whosaidthathewouldneveryieldtoanyEnglishtraitoralive,andaccordinglygotkilled.Theendofthisvictory,whichtheEnglishcalled,forajoke,theFairofLincoln,wastheusualoneinthosetimes-thecommonmenwereslainwithoutanymercy,andtheknightsandgentlemenpaidransomandwenthome.

ThewifeofLouis,thefairBLANCHEOFCASTILE,dutifullyequippedafleetofeightygoodships,andsentitoverfromFrancetoherhusband"said.AnEnglishfleetoffortyships,somegoodandsomebad,gallantlymetthemnearthemouthoftheThames,andtookorsunksixty-fiveinonefight.ThisgreatlossputanendtotheFrenchPrince"shopes.AtreatywasmadeatLambeth,invirtueofwhichtheEnglishBaronswhohadremainedattachedtohiscausereturnedtotheirallegiance,anditwasengagedonbothsidesthatthePrinceandallhistroopsshouldretirepeacefullytoFrance.

Itwastimetogo;forwarhadmadehimsopoorthathewasobligedtoborrowmoneyfromthecitizensofLondontopayhisexpenseshome.

LordPembrokeafterwardsappliedhimselftogoverningthecountryjustly,andtohealingthequarrelsanddisturbancesthathadarisenamongmeninthedaysofthebadKingJohn.HecausedMagnaChartatobestillmoreimproved,andsoamendedtheForestLawsthataPeasantwasnolongerputtodeathforkillingastaginaRoyalForest,butwasonlyimprisoned.ItwouldhavebeenwellforEnglandifitcouldhavehadsogoodaProtectormanyyearslonger,butthatwasnottobe.WithinthreeyearsaftertheyoungKing"sCoronation,LordPembrokedied;andyoumayseehistomb,atthisday,intheoldTempleChurchinLondon.

TheProtectorshipwasnowdivided.PETERDEROCHES,whomKingJohnhadmadeBishopofWinchester,wasentrustedwiththecareofthepersonoftheyoungsovereign;andtheexerciseoftheRoyalauthoritywasconfidedtoEARLHUBERTDEBURGH.Thesetwopersonageshadfromthefirstnolikingforeachother,andsoonbecameenemies.WhentheyoungKingwasdeclaredofage,PeterdeRoches,findingthatHubertincreasedinpowerandfavour,retireddiscontentedly,andwentabroad.FornearlytenyearsafterwardsHuberthadfullswayalone.

ButtenyearsisalongtimetoholdthefavourofaKing.ThisKing,too,ashegrewup,showedastrongresemblancetohisfather,infeebleness,inconsistency,andirresolution.Thebestthatcanbesaidofhimisthathewasnotcruel.DeRochescominghomeagain,aftertenyears,andbeinganovelty,theKingbegantofavourhimandtolookcoldlyonHubert.Wantingmoneybesides,andhavingmadeHubertrich,hebegantodislikeHubert.Atlasthewasmadetobelieve,orpretendedtobelieve,thatHuberthadmisappropriatedsomeoftheRoyaltreasure;andorderedhimtofurnishanaccountofallhehaddoneinhisadministration.

Besideswhich,thefoolishchargewasbroughtagainstHubertthathehadmadehimselftheKing"sfavouritebymagic.Hubertverywellknowingthathecouldneverdefendhimselfagainstsuchnonsense,andthathisoldenemymustbedeterminedonhisruin,insteadofansweringthechargesfledtoMertonAbbey.ThentheKing,inaviolentpassion,sentfortheMayorofLondon,andsaidtotheMayor,"Taketwentythousandcitizens,anddragmeHubertdeBurghoutofthatabbey,andbringhimhere."TheMayorpostedofftodoit,buttheArchbishopofDublin(whowasafriendofHubert"s)warningtheKingthatanabbeywasasacredplace,andthatifhecommittedanyviolencethere,hemustanswerforittotheChurch,theKingchangedhismindandcalledtheMayorback,anddeclaredthatHubertshouldhavefourmonthstopreparehisdefence,andshouldbesafeandfreeduringthattime.

Hubert,whoreliedupontheKing"sword,thoughIthinkhewasoldenoughtohaveknownbetter,cameoutofMertonAbbeyupontheseconditions,andjourneyedawaytoseehiswife:aScottishPrincesswhowasthenatSt.Edmund"s-Bury.

AlmostassoonashehaddepartedfromtheSanctuary,hisenemiespersuadedtheweakKingtosendoutoneSIRGODFREYDECRANCUMB,whocommandedthreehundredvagabondscalledtheBlackBand,withorderstoseizehim.TheycameupwithhimatalittletowninEssex,calledBrentwood,whenhewasinbed.Heleapedoutofbed,gotoutofthehouse,fledtothechurch,ranuptothealtar,andlaidhishanduponthecross.SirGodfreyandtheBlackBand,caringneitherforchurch,altar,norcross,draggedhimforthtothechurchdoor,withtheirdrawnswordsflashingroundhishead,andsentforaSmithtorivetasetofchainsuponhim.WhentheSmith(IwishIknewhisname!)wasbrought,alldarkandswarthywiththesmokeofhisforge,andpantingwiththespeedhehadmade;andtheBlackBand,fallingasidetoshowhimthePrisoner,criedwithalouduproar,"Makethefettersheavy!makethemstrong!"theSmithdroppeduponhisknee-butnottotheBlackBand-andsaid,"ThisisthebraveEarlHubertdeBurgh,whofoughtatDoverCastle,anddestroyedtheFrenchfleet,andhasdonehiscountrymuchgoodservice.Youmaykillme,ifyoulike,butIwillnevermakeachainforEarlHubertdeBurgh!"

TheBlackBandneverblushed,ortheymighthaveblushedatthis.

TheyknockedtheSmithaboutfromonetoanother,andsworeathim,andtiedtheEarlonhorseback,undressedashewas,andcarriedhimofftotheTowerofLondon.TheBishops,however,weresoindignantattheviolationoftheSanctuaryoftheChurch,thatthefrightenedKingsoonorderedtheBlackBandtotakehimbackagain;

atthesametimecommandingtheSheriffofEssextopreventhisescapingoutofBrentwoodChurch.Well!theSheriffdugadeeptrenchallroundthechurch,anderectedahighfence,andwatchedthechurchnightandday;theBlackBandandtheirCaptainwatchedittoo,likethreehundredandoneblackwolves.Forthirty-ninedays,HubertdeBurghremainedwithin.Atlength,uponthefortiethday,coldandhungerweretoomuchforhim,andhegavehimselfuptotheBlackBand,whocarriedhimoff,forthesecondtime,totheTower.Whenhistrialcameon,herefusedtoplead;

butatlastitwasarrangedthatheshouldgiveupalltheroyallandswhichhadbeenbestoweduponhim,andshouldbekeptattheCastleofDevizes,inwhatwascalled"freeprison,"inchargeoffourknightsappointedbyfourlords.There,heremainedalmostayear,until,learningthatafollowerofhisoldenemytheBishopwasmadeKeeperoftheCastle,andfearingthathemightbekilledbytreachery,heclimbedtherampartsonedarknight,droppedfromthetopofthehighCastlewallintothemoat,andcomingsafelytotheground,tookrefugeinanotherchurch.Fromthisplacehewasdeliveredbyapartyofhorsedespatchedtohishelpbysomenobles,whowerebythistimeinrevoltagainsttheKing,andassembledinWales.Hewasfinallypardonedandrestoredtohisestates,buthelivedprivately,andnevermoreaspiredtoahighpostintherealm,ortoahighplaceintheKing"sfavour.Andthusend-morehappilythanthestoriesofmanyfavouritesofKings-theadventuresofEarlHubertdeBurgh.

Thenobles,whohadriseninrevolt,werestirreduptorebellionbytheoverbearingconductoftheBishopofWinchester,who,findingthattheKingsecretlyhatedtheGreatCharterwhichhadbeenforcedfromhisfather,didhisutmosttoconfirmhiminthatdislike,andinthepreferenceheshowedtoforeignersovertheEnglish.Ofthis,andofhisevenpubliclydeclaringthattheBaronsofEnglandwereinferiortothoseofFrance,theEnglishLordscomplainedwithsuchbitterness,thattheKing,findingthemwellsupportedbytheclergy,becamefrightenedforhisthrone,andsentawaytheBishopandallhisforeignassociates.Onhismarriage,however,withELEANOR,aFrenchlady,thedaughteroftheCountofProvence,heopenlyfavouredtheforeignersagain;andsomanyofhiswife"srelationscameover,andmadesuchanimmensefamily-partyatcourt,andgotsomanygoodthings,andpocketedsomuchmoney,andweresohighwiththeEnglishwhosemoneytheypocketed,thatthebolderEnglishBaronsmurmuredopenlyaboutaclausetherewasintheGreatCharter,whichprovidedforthebanishmentofunreasonablefavourites.But,theforeignersonlylaugheddisdainfully,andsaid,"WhatareyourEnglishlawstous?"

KingPhilipofFrancehaddied,andhadbeensucceededbyPrinceLouis,whohadalsodiedafterashortreignofthreeyears,andhadbeensucceededbyhissonofthesamename-somoderateandjustamanthathewasnottheleastintheworldlikeaKing,asKingswent.ISABELLA,KingHenry"smother,wishedverymuch(foracertainspiteshehad)thatEnglandshouldmakewaragainstthisKing;and,asKingHenrywasamerepuppetinanybody"shandswhoknewhowtomanagehisfeebleness,sheeasilycarriedherpointwithhim.But,theParliamentweredeterminedtogivehimnomoneyforsuchawar.So,todefytheParliament,hepackedupthirtylargecasksofsilver-Idon"tknowhowhegotsomuch;IdaresayhescreweditoutofthemiserableJews-andputthemaboardship,andwentawayhimselftocarrywarintoFrance:accompaniedbyhismotherandhisbrotherRichard,EarlofCornwall,whowasrichandclever.Butheonlygotwellbeaten,andcamehome.

Thegood-humouroftheParliamentwasnotrestoredbythis.TheyreproachedtheKingwithwastingthepublicmoneytomakegreedyforeignersrich,andweresosternwithhim,andsodeterminednottolethimhavemoreofittowasteiftheycouldhelpit,thathewasathiswit"sendforsome,andtriedsoshamelesslytogetallhecouldfromhissubjects,byexcusesorbyforce,thatthepeopleusedtosaytheKingwasthesturdiestbeggarinEngland.HetooktheCross,thinkingtogetsomemoneybythatmeans;but,asitwasverywellknownthathenevermeanttogoonacrusade,hegotnone.Inallthiscontention,theLondonerswereparticularlykeenagainsttheKing,andtheKinghatedthemwarmlyinreturn.Hatingorloving,however,madenodifference;hecontinuedinthesameconditionfornineortenyears,whenatlasttheBaronssaidthatifhewouldsolemnlyconfirmtheirlibertiesafresh,theParliamentwouldvotehimalargesum.

Ashereadilyconsented,therewasagreatmeetingheldinWestminsterHall,onepleasantdayinMay,whenalltheclergy,dressedintheirrobesandholdingeveryoneofthemaburningcandleinhishand,stoodup(theBaronsbeingalsothere)whiletheArchbishopofCanterburyreadthesentenceofexcommunicationagainstanyman,andallmen,whoshouldhenceforth,inanyway,infringetheGreatCharteroftheKingdom.Whenhehaddone,theyallputouttheirburningcandleswithacurseuponthesoulofanyone,andeveryone,whoshouldmeritthatsentence.TheKingconcludedwithanoathtokeeptheCharter,"AsIamaman,asIamaChristian,asIamaKnight,asIamaKing!"

Itwaseasytomakeoaths,andeasytobreakthem;andtheKingdidboth,ashisfatherhaddonebeforehim.Hetooktohisoldcoursesagainwhenhewassuppliedwithmoney,andsooncuredoftheirweaknessthefewwhohadeverreallytrustedhim.Whenhismoneywasgone,andhewasoncemoreborrowingandbeggingeverywherewithameannessworthyofhisnature,hegotintoadifficultywiththePoperespectingtheCrownofSicily,whichthePopesaidhehadarighttogiveaway,andwhichheofferedtoKingHenryforhissecondson,PRINCEEDMUND.But,ifyouorIgiveawaywhatwehavenotgot,andwhatbelongstosomebodyelse,itislikelythatthepersontowhomwegiveit,willhavesometroubleintakingit.Itwasexactlysointhiscase.ItwasnecessarytoconquertheSicilianCrownbeforeitcouldbeputuponyoungEdmund"shead.Itcouldnotbeconqueredwithoutmoney.ThePopeorderedtheclergytoraisemoney.Theclergy,however,werenotsoobedienttohimasusual;theyhadbeendisputingwithhimforsometimeabouthisunjustpreferenceofItalianPriestsinEngland;andtheyhadbeguntodoubtwhethertheKing"schaplain,whomheallowedtobepaidforpreachinginsevenhundredchurches,couldpossiblybe,evenbythePope"sfavour,insevenhundredplacesatonce."ThePopeandtheKingtogether,"saidtheBishopofLondon,"maytakethemitreoffmyhead;but,iftheydo,theywillfindthatIshallputonasoldier"shelmet.Ipaynothing."

TheBishopofWorcesterwasasboldastheBishopofLondon,andwouldpaynothingeither.Suchsumsasthemoretimidormorehelplessoftheclergydidraiseweresquanderedaway,withoutdoinganygoodtotheKing,orbringingtheSicilianCrownaninchnearertoPrinceEdmund"shead.Theendofthebusinesswas,thatthePopegavetheCrowntothebrotheroftheKingofFrance(whoconquereditforhimself),andsenttheKingofEnglandin,abillofonehundredthousandpoundsfortheexpensesofnothavingwonit.

TheKingwasnowsomuchdistressedthatwemightalmostpityhim,ifitwerepossibletopityaKingsoshabbyandridiculous.Hiscleverbrother,Richard,hadboughtthetitleofKingoftheRomansfromtheGermanpeople,andwasnolongernearhim,tohelphimwithadvice.Theclergy,resistingtheveryPope,wereinalliancewiththeBarons.TheBaronswereheadedbySIMONDEMONTFORT,EarlofLeicester,marriedtoKingHenry"ssister,and,thoughaforeignerhimself,themostpopularmaninEnglandagainsttheforeignfavourites.WhentheKingnextmethisParliament,theBarons,ledbythisEarl,camebeforehim,armedfromheadtofoot,andcasedinarmour.WhentheParliamentagainassembled,inamonth"stime,atOxford,thisEarlwasattheirhead,andtheKingwasobligedtoconsent,onoath,towhatwascalledaCommitteeofGovernment:consistingoftwenty-fourmembers:twelvechosenbytheBarons,andtwelvechosenbyhimself.

But,atagoodtimeforhim,hisbrotherRichardcameback.

Richard"sfirstact(theBaronswouldnotadmithimintoEnglandonotherterms)wastosweartobefaithfultotheCommitteeofGovernment-whichheimmediatelybegantoopposewithallhismight.Then,theBaronsbegantoquarrelamongthemselves;

especiallytheproudEarlofGloucesterwiththeEarlofLeicester,whowentabroadindisgust.Then,thepeoplebegantobedissatisfiedwiththeBarons,becausetheydidnotdoenoughforthem.TheKing"schancesseemedsogoodagainatlength,thathetookheartenough-orcaughtitfromhisbrother-totelltheCommitteeofGovernmentthatheabolishedthem-astohisoath,nevermindthat,thePopesaid!-andtoseizeallthemoneyintheMint,andtoshuthimselfupintheTowerofLondon.Herehewasjoinedbyhiseldestson,PrinceEdward;and,fromtheTower,hemadepublicaletterofthePope"stotheworldingeneral,informingallmenthathehadbeenanexcellentandjustKingforfive-and-fortyyears.

Aseverybodyknewhehadbeennothingofthesort,nobodycaredmuchforthisdocument.ItsochancedthattheproudEarlofGloucesterdying,wassucceededbyhisson;andthathisson,insteadofbeingtheenemyoftheEarlofLeicester,was(forthetime)hisfriend.Itfellout,therefore,thatthesetwoEarlsjoinedtheirforces,tookseveraloftheRoyalCastlesinthecountry,andadvancedashardastheycouldonLondon.TheLondonpeople,alwaysopposedtotheKing,declaredforthemwithgreatjoy.TheKinghimselfremainedshutup,notatallgloriously,intheTower.PrinceEdwardmadethebestofhiswaytoWindsorCastle.Hismother,theQueen,attemptedtofollowhimbywater;

but,thepeopleseeingherbargerowinguptheriver,andhatingherwithalltheirhearts,rantoLondonBridge,gottogetheraquantityofstonesandmud,andpeltedthebargeasitcamethrough,cryingfuriously,"DrowntheWitch!Drownher!"Theyweresoneardoingit,thattheMayortooktheoldladyunderhisprotection,andshutherupinSt.Paul"suntilthedangerwaspast.

Itwouldrequireagreatdealofwritingonmypart,andagreatdealofreadingonyours,tofollowtheKingthroughhisdisputeswiththeBarons,andtofollowtheBaronsthroughtheirdisputeswithoneanother-soIwillmakeshortworkofitforbothofus,andonlyrelatethechiefeventsthataroseoutofthesequarrels.

ThegoodKingofFrancewasaskedtodecidebetweenthem.HegaveitashisopinionthattheKingmustmaintaintheGreatCharter,andthattheBaronsmustgiveuptheCommitteeofGovernment,andalltherestthathadbeendonebytheParliamentatOxford:whichtheRoyalists,orKing"sparty,scornfullycalledtheMadParliament.TheBaronsdeclaredthatthesewerenotfairterms,andtheywouldnotacceptthem.ThentheycausedthegreatbellofSt.Paul"stobetolled,forthepurposeofrousinguptheLondonpeople,whoarmedthemselvesatthedismalsoundandformedquiteanarmyinthestreets.Iamsorrytosay,however,thatinsteadoffallingupontheKing"spartywithwhomtheirquarrelwas,theyfelluponthemiserableJews,andkilledatleastfivehundredofthem.TheypretendedthatsomeoftheseJewswereontheKing"sside,andthattheykepthiddenintheirhouses,forthedestructionofthepeople,acertainterriblecompositioncalledGreekFire,whichcouldnotbeputoutwithwater,butonlyburntthefiercerforit.Whattheyreallydidkeepintheirhouseswasmoney;andthistheircruelenemieswanted,andthistheircruelenemiestook,likerobbersandmurderers.

TheEarlofLeicesterputhimselfattheheadoftheseLondonersandotherforces,andfollowedtheKingtoLewesinSussex,wherehelayencampedwithhisarmy.BeforegivingtheKing"sforcesbattlehere,theEarladdressedhissoldiers,andsaidthatKingHenrytheThirdhadbrokensomanyoaths,thathehadbecometheenemyofGod,andthereforetheywouldwearwhitecrossesontheirbreasts,asiftheywerearrayed,notagainstafellow-Christian,butagainstaTurk.White-crossedaccordingly,theyrushedintothefight.Theywouldhavelosttheday-theKinghavingonhissidealltheforeignersinEngland:and,fromScotland,JOHN

COMYN,JOHNBALIOL,andROBERTBRUCE,withalltheirmen-butfortheimpatienceofPRINCEEDWARD,who,inhishotdesiretohavevengeanceonthepeopleofLondon,threwthewholeofhisfather"sarmyintoconfusion.HewastakenPrisoner;sowastheKing;sowastheKing"sbrothertheKingoftheRomans;andfivethousandEnglishmenwereleftdeaduponthebloodygrass.

Forthissuccess,thePopeexcommunicatedtheEarlofLeicester:

whichneithertheEarlnorthepeoplecaredatallabout.Thepeoplelovedhimandsupportedhim,andhebecametherealKing;

havingallthepowerofthegovernmentinhisownhands,thoughhewasoutwardlyrespectfultoKingHenrytheThird,whomhetookwithhimwhereverhewent,likeapooroldlimpcourt-card.HesummonedaParliament(intheyearonethousandtwohundredandsixty-five)

whichwasthefirstParliamentinEnglandthatthepeoplehadanyrealshareinelecting;andhegrewmoreandmoreinfavourwiththepeopleeveryday,andtheystoodbyhiminwhateverhedid.

ManyoftheotherBarons,andparticularlytheEarlofGloucester,whohadbecomebythistimeasproudashisfather,grewjealousofthispowerfulandpopularEarl,whowasproudtoo,andbegantoconspireagainsthim.SincethebattleofLewes,PrinceEdwardhadbeenkeptasahostage,and,thoughhewasotherwisetreatedlikeaPrince,hadneverbeenallowedtogooutwithoutattendantsappointedbytheEarlofLeicester,whowatchedhim.TheconspiringLordsfoundmeanstoproposetohim,insecret,thattheyshouldassisthimtoescape,andshouldmakehimtheirleader;

towhichheveryheartilyconsented.

So,onadaythatwasagreedupon,hesaidtohisattendantsafterdinner(beingthenatHereford),"Ishouldliketorideonhorseback,thisfineafternoon,alittlewayintothecountry."Asthey,too,thoughtitwouldbeverypleasanttohaveacanterinthesunshine,theyallrodeoutofthetowntogetherinagaylittletroop.Whentheycametoafinelevelpieceofturf,thePrincefelltocomparingtheirhorsesonewithanother,andofferingbetsthatonewasfasterthananother;andtheattendants,suspectingnoharm,rodegallopingmatchesuntiltheirhorseswerequitetired.ThePrincerodenomatcheshimself,butlookedonfromhissaddle,andstakedhismoney.Thustheypassedthewholemerryafternoon.Now,thesunwassetting,andtheywereallgoingslowlyupahill,thePrince"shorseveryfreshandalltheotherhorsesveryweary,whenastrangeridermountedonagreysteedappearedatthetopofthehill,andwavedhishat."Whatdoesthefellowmean?"saidtheattendantsonetoanother.ThePrinceansweredontheinstantbysettingspurstohishorse,dashingawayathisutmostspeed,joiningtheman,ridingintothemidstofalittlecrowdofhorsemenwhowerethenseenwaitingundersometrees,andwhoclosedaroundhim;andsohedepartedinacloudofdust,leavingtheroademptyofallbutthebaffledattendants,whosatlookingatoneanother,whiletheirhorsesdroopedtheirearsandpanted.

ThePrincejoinedtheEarlofGloucesteratLudlow.TheEarlofLeicester,withapartofthearmyandthestupidoldKing,wasatHereford.OneoftheEarlofLeicester"ssons,SimondeMontfort,withanotherpartofthearmy,wasinSussex.TopreventthesetwopartsfromunitingwasthePrince"sfirstobject.HeattackedSimondeMontfortbynight,defeatedhim,seizedhisbannersandtreasure,andforcedhimintoKenilworthCastleinWarwickshire,whichbelongedtohisfamily.

Hisfather,theEarlofLeicester,inthemeanwhile,notknowingwhathadhappened,marchedoutofHereford,withhispartofthearmyandtheKing,tomeethim.Hecame,onabrightmorninginAugust,toEvesham,whichiswateredbythepleasantriverAvon.

LookingratheranxiouslyacrosstheprospecttowardsKenilworth,hesawhisownbannersadvancing;andhisfacebrightenedwithjoy.

But,itcloudeddarklywhenhepresentlyperceivedthatthebannerswerecaptured,andintheenemy"shands;andhesaid,"Itisover.

TheLordhavemercyonoursouls,forourbodiesarePrinceEdward"s!"

HefoughtlikeatrueKnight,nevertheless.Whenhishorsewaskilledunderhim,hefoughtonfoot.Itwasafiercebattle,andthedeadlayinheapseverywhere.TheoldKing,stuckupinasuitofarmouronabigwar-horse,whichdidn"tmindhimatall,andwhichcarriedhimintoallsortsofplaceswherehedidn"twanttogo,gotintoeverybody"sway,andverynearlygotknockedontheheadbyoneofhisson"smen.Buthemanagedtopipeout,"IamHarryofWinchester!"andthePrince,whoheardhim,seizedhisbridle,andtookhimoutofperil.TheEarlofLeicesterstillfoughtbravely,untilhisbestsonHenrywaskilled,andthebodiesofhisbestfriendschokedhispath;andthenhefell,stillfighting,swordinhand.Theymangledhisbody,andsentitasapresenttoanoblelady-butaveryunpleasantlady,Ishouldthink-whowasthewifeofhisworstenemy.Theycouldnotmanglehismemoryinthemindsofthefaithfulpeople,though.Manyyearsafterwards,theylovedhimmorethanever,andregardedhimasaSaint,andalwaysspokeofhimas"SirSimontheRighteous."

Andeventhoughhewasdead,thecauseforwhichhehadfoughtstilllived,andwasstrong,andforceditselfupontheKingintheveryhourofvictory.HenryfoundhimselfobligedtorespecttheGreatCharter,howevermuchhehatedit,andtomakelawssimilartothelawsoftheGreatEarlofLeicester,andtobemoderateandforgivingtowardsthepeopleatlast-eventowardsthepeopleofLondon,whohadsolongopposedhim.Thereweremorerisingsbeforeallthiswasdone,buttheyweresetatrestbythesemeans,andPrinceEdwarddidhisbestinallthingstorestorepeace.OneSirAdamdeGourdonwasthelastdissatisfiedknightinarms;but,thePrincevanquishedhiminsinglecombat,inawood,andnoblygavehimhislife,andbecamehisfriend,insteadofslayinghim.

SirAdamwasnotungrateful.Heeverafterwardsremaineddevotedtohisgenerousconqueror.

WhenthetroublesoftheKingdomwerethuscalmed,PrinceEdwardandhiscousinHenrytooktheCross,andwentawaytotheHolyLand,withmanyEnglishLordsandKnights.FouryearsafterwardstheKingoftheRomansdied,and,nextyear(onethousandtwohundredandseventy-two),hisbrothertheweakKingofEnglanddied.Hewassixty-eightyearsoldthen,andhadreignedfifty-sixyears.HewasasmuchofaKingindeath,ashehadeverbeeninlife.HewasthemerepaleshadowofaKingatalltimes.

CHAPTERXVI-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHEFIRST,CALLEDLONGSHANKS

ITwasnowtheyearofourLordonethousandtwohundredandseventy-two;andPrinceEdward,theheirtothethrone,beingawayintheHolyLand,knewnothingofhisfather"sdeath.TheBarons,however,proclaimedhimKing,immediatelyaftertheRoyalfuneral;

andthepeopleverywillinglyconsented,sincemostmenknewtoowellbythistimewhatthehorrorsofacontestforthecrownwere.

SoKingEdwardtheFirst,called,inanotverycomplimentarymanner,LONGSHANKS,becauseoftheslendernessofhislegs,waspeacefullyacceptedbytheEnglishNation.

Hislegshadneedtobestrong,howeverlongandthintheywere;

fortheyhadtosupporthimthroughmanydifficultiesonthefierysandsofAsia,wherehissmallforceofsoldiersfainted,died,deserted,andseemedtomeltaway.Buthisprowessmadelightofit,andhesaid,"Iwillgoon,ifIgoonwithnootherfollowerthanmygroom!"

APrinceofthisspiritgavetheTurksadealoftrouble.HestormedNazareth,atwhichplace,ofallplacesonearth,Iamsorrytorelate,hemadeafrightfulslaughterofinnocentpeople;

andthenhewenttoAcre,wherehegotatruceoftenyearsfromtheSultan.HehadverynearlylosthislifeinAcre,throughthetreacheryofaSaracenNoble,calledtheEmirofJaffa,who,makingthepretencethathehadsomeideaofturningChristianandwantedtoknowallaboutthatreligion,sentatrustymessengertoEdwardveryoften-withadaggerinhissleeve.Atlast,oneFridayinWhitsunweek,whenitwasveryhot,andallthesandyprospectlaybeneaththeblazingsun,burntuplikeagreatoverdonebiscuit,andEdwardwaslyingonacouch,dressedforcoolnessinonlyalooserobe,themessenger,withhischocolate-colouredfaceandhisbrightdarkeyesandwhiteteeth,camecreepinginwithaletter,andkneeleddownlikeatametiger.But,themomentEdwardstretchedouthishandtotaketheletter,thetigermadeaspringathisheart.Hewasquick,butEdwardwasquicktoo.Heseizedthetraitorbyhischocolatethroat,threwhimtotheground,andslewhimwiththeverydaggerhehaddrawn.TheweaponhadstruckEdwardinthearm,andalthoughthewounditselfwasslight,itthreatenedtobemortal,forthebladeofthedaggerhadbeensmearedwithpoison.Thanks,however,toabettersurgeonthanwasoftentobefoundinthosetimes,andtosomewholesomeherbs,andaboveall,tohisfaithfulwife,ELEANOR,whodevotedlynursedhim,andissaidbysometohavesuckedthepoisonfromthewoundwithherownredlips(whichIamverywillingtobelieve),Edwardsoonrecoveredandwassoundagain.

AstheKinghisfatherhadsententreatiestohimtoreturnhome,henowbeganthejourney.HehadgotasfarasItaly,whenhemetmessengerswhobroughthimintelligenceoftheKing"sdeath.

Hearingthatallwasquietathome,hemadenohastetoreturntohisowndominions,butpaidavisittothePope,andwentinstatethroughvariousItalianTowns,wherehewaswelcomedwithacclamationsasamightychampionoftheCrossfromtheHolyLand,andwherehereceivedpresentsofpurplemantlesandprancinghorses,andwentalongingreattriumph.TheshoutingpeoplelittleknewthathewasthelastEnglishmonarchwhowouldeverembarkinacrusade,orthatwithintwentyyearseveryconquestwhichtheChristianshadmadeintheHolyLandatthecostofsomuchblood,wouldbewonbackbytheTurks.Butallthiscametopass.

Therewas,andthereis,anoldtownstandinginaplaininFrance,calledCh僱ons.WhentheKingwascomingtowardsthisplaceonhiswaytoEngland,awilyFrenchLord,calledtheCountofCh僱ons,senthimapolitechallengetocomewithhisknightsandholdafairtournamentwiththeCountandHISknights,andmakeadayofitwithswordandlance.ItwasrepresentedtotheKingthattheCountofCh僱onswasnottobetrusted,andthat,insteadofaholidayfightformereshowandingoodhumour,hesecretlymeantarealbattle,inwhichtheEnglishshouldbedefeatedbysuperiorforce.

TheKing,however,nothingafraid,wenttotheappointedplaceontheappointeddaywithathousandfollowers.WhentheCountcamewithtwothousandandattackedtheEnglishinearnest,theEnglishrushedatthemwithsuchvalourthattheCount"smenandtheCount"shorsessoonbegantobetumbleddownalloverthefield.

TheCounthimselfseizedtheKingroundtheneck,buttheKingtumbledHIMoutofhissaddleinreturnforthecompliment,and,jumpingfromhisownhorse,andstandingoverhim,beatawayathisironarmourlikeablacksmithhammeringonhisanvil.EvenwhentheCountownedhimselfdefeatedandofferedhissword,theKingwouldnotdohimthehonourtotakeit,butmadehimyieldituptoacommonsoldier.Therehadbeensuchfuryshowninthisfight,thatitwasafterwardscalledthelittleBattleofCh僱ons.

TheEnglishwereverywelldisposedtobeproudoftheirKingaftertheseadventures;so,whenhelandedatDoverintheyearonethousandtwohundredandseventy-four(beingthenthirty-sixyearsold),andwentontoWestminsterwhereheandhisgoodQueenwerecrownedwithgreatmagnificence,splendidrejoicingstookplace.

Forthecoronation-feasttherewereprovided,amongothereatables,fourhundredoxen,fourhundredsheep,fourhundredandfiftypigs,eighteenwildboars,threehundredflitchesofbacon,andtwentythousandfowls.Thefountainsandconduitsinthestreetflowedwithredandwhitewineinsteadofwater;therichcitizenshungsilksandclothsofthebrightestcoloursoutoftheirwindowstoincreasethebeautyoftheshow,andthrewoutgoldandsilverbywholehandfulstomakescramblesforthecrowd.Inshort,therewassucheatinganddrinking,suchmusicandcapering,sucharingingofbellsandtossingofcaps,suchashouting,andsinging,andrevelling,asthenarrowoverhangingstreetsofoldLondonCityhadnotwitnessedformanyalongday.AllthepeopleweremerryexceptthepoorJews,who,tremblingwithintheirhouses,andscarcelydaringtopeepout,begantoforeseethattheywouldhavetofindthemoneyforthisjovialitysoonerorlater.

TodismissthissadsubjectoftheJewsforthepresent,Iamsorrytoaddthatinthisreigntheyweremostunmercifullypillaged.

Theywerehangedingreatnumbers,onaccusationsofhavingclippedtheKing"scoin-whichallkindsofpeoplehaddone.Theywereheavilytaxed;theyweredisgracefullybadged;theywere,ononeday,thirteenyearsafterthecoronation,takenupwiththeirwivesandchildrenandthrownintobeastlyprisons,untiltheypurchasedtheirreleasebypayingtotheKingtwelvethousandpounds.

Finally,everykindofpropertybelongingtothemwasseizedbytheKing,exceptsolittleaswoulddefraythechargeoftheirtakingthemselvesawayintoforeigncountries.ManyyearselapsedbeforethehopeofgaininducedanyoftheirracetoreturntoEngland,wheretheyhadbeentreatedsoheartlesslyandhadsufferedsomuch.

IfKingEdwardtheFirsthadbeenasbadakingtoChristiansashewastoJews,hewouldhavebeenbadindeed.Buthewas,ingeneral,awiseandgreatmonarch,underwhomthecountrymuchimproved.HehadnolovefortheGreatCharter-fewKingshad,throughmany,manyyears-buthehadhighqualities.Thefirstboldobjectwhichheconceivedwhenhecamehome,was,touniteunderoneSovereignEngland,Scotland,andWales;thetwolastofwhichcountrieshadeachalittlekingofitsown,aboutwhomthepeoplewerealwaysquarrellingandfighting,andmakingaprodigiousdisturbance-agreatdealmorethanhewasworth.InthecourseofKingEdward"sreignhewasengaged,besides,inawarwithFrance.Tomakethesequarrelsclearer,wewillseparatetheirhistoriesandtakethemthus.Wales,first.France,second.

Scotland,third.