第9章

Hissonwassoontaken,triedatHerefordbeforethesamejudgeonalongseriesoffoolishcharges,foundguilty,andhangeduponagallowsfiftyfeethigh,withachapletofnettlesroundhishead.

HispooroldfatherandhewereinnocentenoughofanyworsecrimesthanthecrimeofhavingbeenfriendsofaKing,onwhom,asamereman,theywouldneverhavedeignedtocastafavourablelook.Itisabadcrime,Iknow,andleadstoworse;but,manylordsandgentlemen-Ieventhinksomeladies,too,ifIrecollectright-

havecommitteditinEngland,whohaveneitherbeengiventothedogs,norhangedupfiftyfeethigh.

ThewretchedKingwasrunninghereandthere,allthistime,andnevergettinganywhereinparticular,untilhegavehimselfup,andwastakenofftoKenilworthCastle.Whenhewassafelylodgedthere,theQueenwenttoLondonandmettheParliament.AndtheBishopofHereford,whowasthemostskilfulofherfriends,said,Whatwastobedonenow?Herewasanimbecile,indolent,miserableKinguponthethrone;wouldn"titbebettertotakehimoff,andputhissonthereinstead?Idon"tknowwhethertheQueenreallypitiedhimatthispass,butshebegantocry;so,theBishopsaid,Well,myLordsandGentlemen,whatdoyouthink,uponthewhole,ofsendingdowntoKenilworth,andseeingifHisMajesty(Godblesshim,andforbidweshoulddeposehim!)won"tresign?

MyLordsandGentlementhoughtitagoodnotion,soadeputationofthemwentdowntoKenilworth;andtheretheKingcameintothegreathalloftheCastle,commonlydressedinapoorblackgown;

andwhenhesawacertainbishopamongthem,felldown,poorfeeble-headedman,andmadeawretchedspectacleofhimself.

Somebodyliftedhimup,andthenSIRWILLIAMTRUSSEL,theSpeakeroftheHouseofCommons,almostfrightenedhimtodeathbymakinghimatremendousspeechtotheeffectthathewasnolongeraKing,andthateverybodyrenouncedallegiancetohim.Afterwhich,SIR

THOMASBLOUNT,theStewardoftheHousehold,nearlyfinishedhim,bycomingforwardandbreakinghiswhitewand-whichwasaceremonyonlyperformedataKing"sdeath.Beingaskedinthispressingmannerwhathethoughtofresigning,theKingsaidhethoughtitwasthebestthinghecoulddo.So,hedidit,andtheyproclaimedhissonnextday.

IwishIcouldclosehishistorybysayingthathelivedaharmlesslifeintheCastleandtheCastlegardensatKenilworth,manyyears-thathehadafavourite,andplentytoeatanddrink-and,havingthat,wantednothing.Buthewasshamefullyhumiliated.Hewasoutraged,andslighted,andhaddirtywaterfromditchesgivenhimtoshavewith,andweptandsaidhewouldhavecleanwarmwater,andwasaltogetherverymiserable.Hewasmovedfromthiscastletothatcastle,andfromthatcastletotheothercastle,becausethislordorthatlord,ortheotherlord,wastookindtohim:untilatlasthecametoBerkeleyCastle,neartheRiverSevern,where(theLordBerkeleybeingthenillandabsent)hefellintothehandsoftwoblackruffians,calledTHOMASGOURNAYandWILLIAMOGLE.

Onenight-itwasthenightofSeptemberthetwenty-first,onethousandthreehundredandtwenty-seven-dreadfulscreamswereheard,bythestartledpeopleintheneighbouringtown,ringingthroughthethickwallsoftheCastle,andthedark,deepnight;

andtheysaid,astheywerethushorriblyawakenedfromtheirsleep,"MayHeavenbemercifultotheKing;forthosecriesforbodethatnogoodisbeingdonetohiminhisdismalprison!"Nextmorninghewasdead-notbruised,orstabbed,ormarkeduponthebody,butmuchdistortedintheface;anditwaswhisperedafterwards,thatthosetwovillains,GournayandOgle,hadburntuphisinsidewithared-hotiron.

IfyouevercomenearGloucester,andseethecentretowerofitsbeautifulCathedral,withitsfourrichpinnacles,risinglightlyintheair;youmayrememberthatthewretchedEdwardtheSecondwasburiedintheoldabbeyofthatancientcity,atforty-threeyearsold,afterbeingfornineteenyearsandahalfaperfectlyincapableKing.

CHAPTERXVIII-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHETHIRD

ROGERMORTIMER,theQueen"slover(whoescapedtoFranceinthelastchapter),wasfarfromprofitingbytheexampleshehadhadofthefateoffavourites.Having,throughtheQueen"sinfluence,comeintopossessionoftheestatesofthetwoDespensers,hebecameextremelyproudandambitious,andsoughttobetherealrulerofEngland.TheyoungKing,whowascrownedatfourteenyearsofagewithalltheusualsolemnities,resolvednottobearthis,andsoonpursuedMortimertohisruin.

ThepeoplethemselveswerenotfondofMortimer-first,becausehewasaRoyalfavourite;secondly,becausehewassupposedtohavehelpedtomakeapeacewithScotlandwhichnowtookplace,andinvirtueofwhichtheyoungKing"ssisterJoan,onlysevenyearsold,waspromisedinmarriagetoDavid,thesonandheirofRobertBruce,whowasonlyfiveyearsold.ThenobleshatedMortimerbecauseofhispride,riches,andpower.Theywentsofarastotakeuparmsagainsthim;butwereobligedtosubmit.TheEarlofKent,oneofthosewhodidso,butwhoafterwardswentovertoMortimerandtheQueen,wasmadeanexampleofinthefollowingcruelmanner:

Heseemstohavebeenanythingbutawiseoldearl;andhewaspersuadedbytheagentsofthefavouriteandtheQueen,thatpoorKingEdwardtheSecondwasnotreallydead;andthuswasbetrayedintowritinglettersfavouringhisrightfulclaimtothethrone.

Thiswasmadeouttobehightreason,andhewastried,foundguilty,andsentencedtobeexecuted.TheytookthepooroldlordoutsidethetownofWinchester,andtherekepthimwaitingsomethreeorfourhoursuntiltheycouldfindsomebodytocutoffhishead.Atlast,aconvictsaidhewoulddoit,ifthegovernmentwouldpardonhiminreturn;andtheygavehimthepardon;andatoneblowheputtheEarlofKentoutofhislastsuspense.

WhiletheQueenwasinFrance,shehadfoundalovelyandgoodyounglady,namedPhilippa,whoshethoughtwouldmakeanexcellentwifeforherson.TheyoungKingmarriedthislady,soonafterhecametothethrone;andherfirstchild,Edward,PrinceofWales,afterwardsbecamecelebrated,asweshallpresentlysee,underthefamoustitleofEDWARDTHEBLACKPRINCE.

TheyoungKing,thinkingthetimeripeforthedownfallofMortimer,tookcounselwithLordMontacutehowheshouldproceed.

AParliamentwasgoingtobeheldatNottingham,andthatlordrecommendedthatthefavouriteshouldbeseizedbynightinNottinghamCastle,wherehewassuretobe.Now,this,likemanyotherthings,wasmoreeasilysaidthandone;because,toguardagainsttreachery,thegreatgatesoftheCastlewerelockedeverynight,andthegreatkeyswerecarriedup-stairstotheQueen,wholaidthemunderherownpillow.ButtheCastlehadagovernor,andthegovernorbeingLordMontacute"sfriend,confidedtohimhowheknewofasecretpassageunderground,hiddenfromobservationbytheweedsandbrambleswithwhichitwasovergrown;andhow,throughthatpassage,theconspiratorsmightenterinthedeadofthenight,andgostraighttoMortimer"sroom.Accordingly,uponacertaindarknight,atmidnight,theymadetheirwaythroughthisdismalplace:startlingtherats,andfrighteningtheowlsandbats:andcamesafelytothebottomofthemaintoweroftheCastle,wheretheKingmetthem,andtookthemupaprofoundly-darkstaircaseinadeepsilence.TheysoonheardthevoiceofMortimerincouncilwithsomefriends;andburstingintotheroomwithasuddennoise,tookhimprisoner.TheQueencriedoutfromherbed-

chamber,"Oh,mysweetson,mydearson,sparemygentleMortimer!"

Theycarriedhimoff,however;and,beforethenextParliament,accusedhimofhavingmadedifferencesbetweentheyoungKingandhismother,andofhavingbroughtaboutthedeathoftheEarlofKent,andevenofthelateKing;for,asyouknowbythistime,whentheywantedtogetridofamaninthoseolddays,theywerenotveryparticularofwhattheyaccusedhim.Mortimerwasfoundguiltyofallthis,andwassentencedtobehangedatTyburn.TheKingshuthismotherupingenteelconfinement,whereshepassedtherestofherlife;andnowhebecameKinginearnest.

ThefirstefforthemadewastoconquerScotland.TheEnglishlordswhohadlandsinScotland,findingthattheirrightswerenotrespectedunderthelatepeace,madewarontheirownaccount:

choosingfortheirgeneral,Edward,thesonofJohnBaliol,whomadesuchavigorousfight,thatinlessthantwomonthshewonthewholeScottishKingdom.Hewasjoined,whenthustriumphant,bytheKingandParliament;andheandtheKinginpersonbesiegedtheScottishforcesinBerwick.ThewholeScottisharmycomingtotheassistanceoftheircountrymen,suchafuriousbattleensued,thatthirtythousandmenaresaidtohavebeenkilledinit.BaliolwasthencrownedKingofScotland,doinghomagetotheKingofEngland;

butlittlecameofhissuccessesafterall,fortheScottishmenroseagainsthim,withinnoverylongtime,andDavidBrucecamebackwithintenyearsandtookhiskingdom.

FrancewasafarrichercountrythanScotland,andtheKinghadamuchgreatermindtoconquerit.So,heletScotlandalone,andpretendedthathehadaclaimtotheFrenchthroneinrightofhismother.Hehad,inreality,noclaimatall;butthatmatteredlittleinthosetimes.Hebroughtovertohiscausemanylittleprincesandsovereigns,andevencourtedtheallianceofthepeopleofFlanders-abusy,workingcommunity,whohadverysmallrespectforkings,andwhoseheadmanwasabrewer.Withsuchforcesasheraisedbythesemeans,EdwardinvadedFrance;buthedidlittlebythat,exceptrunintodebtincarryingonthewartotheextentofthreehundredthousandpounds.Thenextyearhedidbetter;

gainingagreatsea-fightintheharbourofSluys.Thissuccess,however,wasveryshortlived,fortheFlemingstookfrightatthesiegeofSaintOmerandranaway,leavingtheirweaponsandbaggagebehindthem.Philip,theFrenchKing,comingupwithhisarmy,andEdwardbeingveryanxioustodecidethewar,proposedtosettlethedifferencebysinglecombatwithhim,orbyafightofonehundredknightsoneachside.TheFrenchKingsaid,hethankedhim;butbeingverywellashewas,hewouldrathernot.So,aftersomeskirmishingandtalking,ashortpeacewasmade.

ItwassoonbrokenbyKingEdward"sfavouringthecauseofJohn,EarlofMontford;aFrenchnobleman,whoassertedaclaimofhisownagainsttheFrenchKing,andofferedtodohomagetoEnglandfortheCrownofFrance,ifhecouldobtainitthroughEngland"shelp.ThisFrenchlord,himself,wassoondefeatedbytheFrenchKing"sson,andshutupinatowerinParis;buthiswife,acourageousandbeautifulwoman,whoissaidtohavehadthecourageofaman,andtheheartofalion,assembledthepeopleofBrittany,whereshethenwas;and,showingthemherinfantson,mademanypatheticentreatiestothemnottodesertherandtheiryoungLord.Theytookfireatthisappeal,andralliedroundherinthestrongcastleofHennebon.HereshewasnotonlybesiegedwithoutbytheFrenchunderCharlesdeBlois,butwasendangeredwithinbyadrearyoldbishop,whowasalwaysrepresentingtothepeoplewhathorrorstheymustundergoiftheywerefaithful-firstfromfamine,andafterwardsfromfireandsword.Butthisnoblelady,whoseheartneverfailedher,encouragedhersoldiersbyherownexample;wentfromposttopostlikeagreatgeneral;evenmountedonhorsebackfullyarmed,and,issuingfromthecastlebyaby-path,fellupontheFrenchcamp,setfiretothetents,andthrewthewholeforceintodisorder.Thisdone,shegotsafelybacktoHennebonagain,andwasreceivedwithloudshoutsofjoybythedefendersofthecastle,whohadgivenherupforlost.Astheywerenowveryshortofprovisions,however,andastheycouldnotdineoffenthusiasm,andastheoldbishopwasalwayssaying,"Itoldyouwhatitwouldcometo!"theybegantoloseheart,andtotalkofyieldingthecastleup.ThebraveCountessretiringtoanupperroomandlookingwithgreatgriefouttosea,wheresheexpectedrelieffromEngland,saw,atthisverytime,theEnglishshipsinthedistance,andwasrelievedandrescued!SirWalterManning,theEnglishcommander,soadmiredhercourage,that,beingcomeintothecastlewiththeEnglishknights,andhavingmadeafeastthere,heassaultedtheFrenchbywayofdessert,andbeatthemofftriumphantly.Thenheandtheknightscamebacktothecastlewithgreatjoy;andtheCountesswhohadwatchedthemfromahightower,thankedthemwithallherheart,andkissedthemeveryone.

Thisnobleladydistinguishedherselfafterwardsinasea-fightwiththeFrenchoffGuernsey,whenshewasonherwaytoEnglandtoaskformoretroops.Hergreatspiritrousedanotherlady,thewifeofanotherFrenchlord(whomtheFrenchKingverybarbarouslymurdered),todistinguishherselfscarcelyless.Thetimewasfastcoming,however,whenEdward,PrinceofWales,wastobethegreatstarofthisFrenchandEnglishwar.

ItwasinthemonthofJuly,intheyearonethousandthreehundredandforty-six,whentheKingembarkedatSouthamptonforFrance,withanarmyofaboutthirtythousandmeninall,attendedbythePrinceofWalesandbyseveralofthechiefnobles.HelandedatLaHogueinNormandy;and,burninganddestroyingashewent,accordingtocustom,advanceduptheleftbankoftheRiverSeine,andfiredthesmalltownsevenclosetoParis;but,beingwatchedfromtherightbankoftheriverbytheFrenchKingandallhisarmy,itcametothisatlast,thatEdwardfoundhimself,onSaturdaythetwenty-sixthofAugust,onethousandthreehundredandforty-six,onarisinggroundbehindthelittleFrenchvillageofCrecy,facetofacewiththeFrenchKing"sforce.And,althoughtheFrenchKinghadanenormousarmy-innumbermorethaneighttimeshis-hethereresolvedtobeathimorbebeaten.

TheyoungPrince,assistedbytheEarlofOxfordandtheEarlofWarwick,ledthefirstdivisionoftheEnglisharmy;twoothergreatEarlsledthesecond;andtheKing,thethird.Whenthemorningdawned,theKingreceivedthesacrament,andheardprayers,andthen,mountedonhorsebackwithawhitewandinhishand,rodefromcompanytocompany,andranktorank,cheeringandencouragingbothofficersandmen.Thenthewholearmybreakfasted,eachmansittingonthegroundwherehehadstood;andthentheyremainedquietlyonthegroundwiththeirweaponsready.

UpcametheFrenchKingwithallhisgreatforce.Itwasdarkandangryweather;therewasaneclipseofthesun;therewasathunder-storm,accompaniedwithtremendousrain;thefrightenedbirdsflewscreamingabovethesoldiers"heads.AcertaincaptainintheFrencharmyadvisedtheFrenchKing,whowasbynomeanscheerful,nottobeginthebattleuntilthemorrow.TheKing,takingthisadvice,gavethewordtohalt.But,thosebehindnotunderstandingit,ordesiringtobeforemostwiththerest,camepressingon.Theroadsforagreatdistancewerecoveredwiththisimmensearmy,andwiththecommonpeoplefromthevillages,whowereflourishingtheirrudeweapons,andmakingagreatnoise.

Owingtothesecircumstances,theFrencharmyadvancedinthegreatestconfusion;everyFrenchlorddoingwhathelikedwithhisownmen,andputtingoutthemenofeveryotherFrenchlord.

Now,theirKingreliedstronglyuponagreatbodyofcross-bowmenfromGenoa;andtheseheorderedtothefronttobeginthebattle,onfindingthathecouldnotstopit.Theyshoutedonce,theyshoutedtwice,theyshoutedthreetimes,toalarmtheEnglisharchers;but,theEnglishwouldhaveheardthemshoutthreethousandtimesandwouldhavenevermoved.Atlastthecross-

bowmenwentforwardalittle,andbegantodischargetheirbolts;

uponwhich,theEnglishletflysuchahailofarrows,thattheGenoesespeedilymadeoff-fortheircross-bows,besidesbeingheavytocarry,requiredtobewoundupwithahandle,andconsequentlytooktimetore-load;theEnglish,ontheotherhand,coulddischargetheirarrowsalmostasfastasthearrowscouldfly.

WhentheFrenchKingsawtheGenoeseturning,hecriedouttohismentokillthosescoundrels,whoweredoingharminsteadofservice.Thisincreasedtheconfusion.MeanwhiletheEnglisharchers,continuingtoshootasfastasever,shotdowngreatnumbersoftheFrenchsoldiersandknights;whomcertainslyCornish-menandWelshmen,fromtheEnglisharmy,creepingalongtheground,despatchedwithgreatknives.

ThePrinceandhisdivisionwereatthistimesohard-pressed,thattheEarlofWarwicksentamessagetotheKing,whowasoverlookingthebattlefromawindmill,beseechinghimtosendmoreaid.

"Ismysonkilled?"saidtheKing.

"No,sire,pleaseGod,"returnedthemessenger.

"Ishewounded?"saidtheKing.

"No,sire."

"Ishethrowntotheground?"saidtheKing.

"No,sire,notso;but,heisveryhard-pressed."

"Then,"saidtheKing,"gobacktothosewhosentyou,andtellthemIshallsendnoaid;becauseIsetmyheartuponmysonprovinghimselfthisdayabraveknight,andbecauseIamresolved,pleaseGod,thatthehonourofagreatvictoryshallbehis!"

Theseboldwords,beingreportedtothePrinceandhisdivision,soraisedtheirspirits,thattheyfoughtbetterthanever.TheKingofFrancechargedgallantlywithhismenmanytimes;butitwasofnouse.Nightclosingin,hishorsewaskilledunderhimbyanEnglisharrow,andtheknightsandnobleswhohadclusteredthickabouthimearlyintheday,werenowcompletelyscattered.Atlast,someofhisfewremainingfollowersledhimoffthefieldbyforcesincehewouldnotretireofhimself,andtheyjourneyedawaytoAmiens.ThevictoriousEnglish,lightingtheirwatch-fires,mademerryonthefield,andtheKing,ridingtomeethisgallantson,tookhiminhisarms,kissedhim,andtoldhimthathehadactednobly,andprovedhimselfworthyofthedayandofthecrown.

Whileitwasyetnight,KingEdwardwashardlyawareofthegreatvictoryhehadgained;but,nextday,itwasdiscoveredthatelevenprinces,twelvehundredknights,andthirtythousandcommonmenlaydeadupontheFrenchside.AmongthesewastheKingofBohemia,anoldblindman;who,havingbeentoldthathissonwaswoundedinthebattle,andthatnoforcecouldstandagainsttheBlackPrince,calledtohimtwoknights,puthimselfonhorse-backbetweenthem,fastenedthethreebridlestogether,anddashedinamongtheEnglish,wherehewaspresentlyslain.Heboreashiscrestthreewhiteostrichfeathers,withthemottoICHDIEN,signifyinginEnglish"Iserve."ThiscrestandmottoweretakenbythePrinceofWalesinremembranceofthatfamousday,andhavebeenbornebythePrinceofWaleseversince.

Fivedaysafterthisgreatbattle,theKinglaidsiegetoCalais.

Thissiege-everafterwardsmemorable-lastednearlyayear.Inordertostarvetheinhabitantsout,KingEdwardbuiltsomanywoodenhousesforthelodgingsofhistroops,thatitissaidtheirquarterslookedlikeasecondCalaissuddenlysprungaroundthefirst.Earlyinthesiege,thegovernorofthetowndroveoutwhathecalledtheuselessmouths,tothenumberofseventeenhundredpersons,menandwomen,youngandold.KingEdwardallowedthemtopassthroughhislines,andevenfedthem,anddismissedthemwithmoney;but,laterinthesiege,hewasnotsomerciful-fivehundredmore,whowereafterwardsdrivenout,dyingofstarvationandmisery.Thegarrisonweresohard-pressedatlast,thattheysentalettertoKingPhilip,tellinghimthattheyhadeatenallthehorses,allthedogs,andalltheratsandmicethatcouldbefoundintheplace;and,thatifhedidnotrelievethem,theymusteithersurrendertotheEnglish,oreatoneanother.Philipmadeoneefforttogivethemrelief;buttheyweresohemmedinbytheEnglishpower,thathecouldnotsucceed,andwasfaintoleavetheplace.UponthistheyhoistedtheEnglishflag,andsurrenderedtoKingEdward."Tellyourgeneral,"saidhetothehumblemessengerswhocameoutofthetown,"thatIrequiretohavesenthere,sixofthemostdistinguishedcitizens,bare-legged,andintheirshirts,withropesabouttheirnecks;andletthosesixmenbringwiththemthekeysofthecastleandthetown."

WhentheGovernorofCalaisrelatedthistothepeopleintheMarket-place,therewasgreatweepinganddistress;inthemidstofwhich,oneworthycitizen,namedEustacedeSaintPierre,roseupandsaid,thatifthesixmenrequiredwerenotsacrificed,thewholepopulationwouldbe;therefore,heofferedhimselfasthefirst.Encouragedbythisbrightexample,fiveotherworthycitizensroseuponeafteranother,andofferedthemselvestosavetherest.TheGovernor,whowastoobadlywoundedtobeabletowalk,mountedapooroldhorsethathadnotbeeneaten,andconductedthesegoodmentothegate,whileallthepeoplecriedandmourned.

Edwardreceivedthemwrathfully,andorderedtheheadsofthewholesixtobestruckoff.However,thegoodQueenfelluponherknees,andbesoughttheKingtogivethemuptoher.TheKingreplied,"I

wishyouhadbeensomewhereelse;butIcannotrefuseyou."Soshehadthemproperlydressed,madeafeastforthem,andsentthembackwithahandsomepresent,tothegreatrejoicingofthewholecamp.IhopethepeopleofCalaislovedthedaughtertowhomshegavebirthsoonafterwards,forhergentlemother"ssake.

Nowcamethatterribledisease,thePlague,intoEurope,hurryingfromtheheartofChina;andkilledthewretchedpeople-

especiallythepoor-insuchenormousnumbers,thatone-halfoftheinhabitantsofEnglandarerelatedtohavediedofit.Itkilledthecattle,ingreatnumbers,too;andsofewworkingmenremainedalive,thattherewerenotenoughlefttotilltheground.

Aftereightyearsofdifferingandquarrelling,thePrinceofWalesagaininvadedFrancewithanarmyofsixtythousandmen.Hewentthroughthesouthofthecountry,burningandplunderingwheresoeverhewent;whilehisfather,whohadstilltheScottishwaruponhishands,didthelikeinScotland,butwasharassedandworriedinhisretreatfromthatcountrybytheScottishmen,whorepaidhiscrueltieswithinterest.

TheFrenchKing,Philip,wasnowdead,andwassucceededbyhissonJohn.TheBlackPrince,calledbythatnamefromthecolourofthearmourheworetosetoffhisfaircomplexion,continuingtoburnanddestroyinFrance,rousedJohnintodeterminedopposition;andsocruelhadtheBlackPrincebeeninhiscampaign,andsoseverelyhadtheFrenchpeasantssuffered,thathecouldnotfindonewho,forlove,ormoney,orthefearofdeath,wouldtellhimwhattheFrenchKingwasdoing,orwherehewas.ThusithappenedthathecameupontheFrenchKing"sforces,allofasudden,nearthetownofPoitiers,andfoundthatthewholeneighbouringcountrywasoccupiedbyavastFrencharmy."Godhelpus!"saidtheBlackPrince,"wemustmakethebestofit."

So,onaSundaymorning,theeighteenthofSeptember,thePrincewhosearmywasnowreducedtotenthousandmeninall-preparedtogivebattletotheFrenchKing,whohadsixtythousandhorsealone.

Whilehewassoengaged,therecameridingfromtheFrenchcamp,aCardinal,whohadpersuadedJohntolethimofferterms,andtrytosavethesheddingofChristianblood."Savemyhonour,"saidthePrincetothisgoodpriest,"andsavethehonourofmyarmy,andI

willmakeanyreasonableterms."Heofferedtogiveupallthetowns,castles,andprisoners,hehadtaken,andtosweartomakenowarinFranceforsevenyears;but,asJohnwouldhearofnothingbuthissurrender,withahundredofhischiefknights,thetreatywasbrokenoff,andthePrincesaidquietly-"Goddefendtheright;weshallfightto-morrow."

Therefore,ontheMondaymorning,atbreakofday,thetwoarmiespreparedforbattle.TheEnglishwerepostedinastrongplace,whichcouldonlybeapproachedbyonenarrowlane,skirtedbyhedgesonbothsides.TheFrenchattackedthembythislane;butweresogalledandslainbyEnglisharrowsfrombehindthehedges,thattheywereforcedtoretreat.ThenwentsixhundredEnglishbowmenroundabout,and,comingupontherearoftheFrencharmy,rainedarrowsonthemthickandfast.TheFrenchknights,thrownintoconfusion,quittedtheirbannersanddispersedinalldirections.SaidSirJohnChandostothePrince,"Rideforward,noblePrince,andthedayisyours.TheKingofFranceissovaliantagentleman,thatIknowhewillneverfly,andmaybetakenprisoner."SaidthePrincetothis,"Advance,Englishbanners,inthenameofGodandSt.George!"andontheypresseduntiltheycameupwiththeFrenchKing,fightingfiercelywithhisbattle-axe,and,whenallhisnobleshadforsakenhim,attendedfaithfullytothelastbyhisyoungestsonPhilip,onlysixteenyearsofage.Fatherandsonfoughtwell,andtheKinghadalreadytwowoundsinhisface,andhadbeenbeatendown,whenheatlastdeliveredhimselftoabanishedFrenchknight,andgavehimhisright-handgloveintokenthathehaddoneso.

TheBlackPrincewasgenerousaswellasbrave,andheinvitedhisroyalprisonertosupperinhistent,andwaiteduponhimattable,and,whentheyafterwardsrodeintoLondoninagorgeousprocession,mountedtheFrenchKingonafinecream-colouredhorse,androdeathissideonalittlepony.Thiswasallverykind,butIthinkitwas,perhaps,alittletheatricaltoo,andhasbeenmademoremeritoriousthanitdeservedtobe;especiallyasIaminclinedtothinkthatthegreatestkindnesstotheKingofFrancewouldhavebeennottohaveshownhimtothepeopleatall.

However,itmustbesaid,fortheseactsofpoliteness,that,incourseoftime,theydidmuchtosoftenthehorrorsofwarandthepassionsofconquerors.Itwasalong,longtimebeforethecommonsoldiersbegantohavethebenefitofsuchcourtlydeeds;buttheydidatlast;andthusitispossiblethatapoorsoldierwhoaskedforquarteratthebattleofWaterloo,oranyothersuchgreatfight,mayhaveowedhislifeindirectlytoEdwardtheBlackPrince.

AtthistimetherestoodintheStrand,inLondon,apalacecalledtheSavoy,whichwasgivenuptothecaptiveKingofFranceandhissonfortheirresidence.AstheKingofScotlandhadnowbeenKingEdward"scaptiveforelevenyearstoo,hissuccesswas,atthistime,tolerablycomplete.TheScottishbusinesswassettledbytheprisonerbeingreleasedunderthetitleofSirDavid,KingofScotland,andbyhisengagingtopayalargeransom.ThestateofFranceencouragedEnglandtoproposehardertermstothatcountry,wherethepeopleroseagainsttheunspeakablecrueltyandbarbarityofitsnobles;wherethenoblesroseinturnagainstthepeople;

wherethemostfrightfuloutrageswerecommittedonallsides;andwheretheinsurrectionofthepeasants,calledtheinsurrectionoftheJacquerie,fromJacques,acommonChristiannameamongthecountrypeopleofFrance,awakenedterrorsandhatredsthathavescarcelyyetpassedaway.AtreatycalledtheGreatPeace,wasatlastsigned,underwhichKingEdwardagreedtogiveupthegreaterpartofhisconquests,andKingJohntopay,withinsixyears,aransomofthreemillioncrownsofgold.Hewassobesetbyhisownnoblesandcourtiersforhavingyieldedtotheseconditions-

thoughtheycouldhelphimtonobetter-thathecamebackofhisownwilltohisoldpalace-prisonoftheSavoy,andtheredied.

TherewasaSovereignofCastileatthattime,calledPEDROTHE

CRUEL,whodeservedthenameremarkablywell:havingcommitted,amongothercruelties,avarietyofmurders.Thisamiablemonarchbeingdrivenfromhisthroneforhiscrimes,wenttotheprovinceofBordeaux,wheretheBlackPrince-nowmarriedtohiscousinJOAN,aprettywidow-wasresiding,andbesoughthishelp.ThePrince,whotooktohimmuchmorekindlythanaprinceofsuchfameoughttohavetakentosucharuffian,readilylistenedtohisfairpromises,andagreeingtohelphim,sentsecretorderstosometroublesomedisbandedsoldiersofhisandhisfather"s,whocalledthemselvestheFreeCompanions,andwhohadbeenapesttotheFrenchpeople,forsometime,toaidthisPedro.ThePrince,himself,goingintoSpaintoheadthearmyofrelief,soonsetPedroonhisthroneagain-wherehenosoonerfoundhimself,than,ofcourse,hebehavedlikethevillainhewas,brokehiswordwithouttheleastshame,andabandonedallthepromiseshehadmadetotheBlackPrince.

Now,ithadcostthePrinceagooddealofmoneytopaysoldierstosupportthismurderousKing;andfindinghimself,whenhecamebackdisgustedtoBordeaux,notonlyinbadhealth,butdeeplyindebt,hebegantotaxhisFrenchsubjectstopayhiscreditors.TheyappealedtotheFrenchKing,CHARLES;waragainbrokeout;andtheFrenchtownofLimoges,whichthePrincehadgreatlybenefited,wentovertotheFrenchKing.Uponthisheravagedtheprovinceofwhichitwasthecapital;burnt,andplundered,andkilledintheoldsickeningway;andrefusedmercytotheprisoners,men,women,andchildrentakenintheoffendingtown,thoughhewassoillandsomuchinneedofpityhimselffromHeaven,thathewascarriedinalitter.HelivedtocomehomeandmakehimselfpopularwiththepeopleandParliament,andhediedonTrinitySunday,theeighthofJune,onethousandthreehundredandseventy-six,atforty-sixyearsold.

Thewholenationmournedforhimasoneofthemostrenownedandbelovedprincesithadeverhad;andhewasburiedwithgreatlamentationsinCanterburyCathedral.NeartothetombofEdwardtheConfessor,hismonument,withhisfigure,carvedinstone,andrepresentedintheoldblackarmour,lyingonitsback,maybeseenatthisday,withanancientcoatofmail,ahelmet,andapairofgauntletshangingfromabeamaboveit,whichmostpeopleliketobelievewereoncewornbytheBlackPrince.

KingEdwarddidnotoutlivehisrenownedson,long.Hewasold,andoneAlicePerrers,abeautifullady,hadcontrivedtomakehimsofondofherinhisoldage,thathecouldrefusehernothing,andmadehimselfridiculous.Shelittledeservedhislove,or-

whatIdaresayshevaluedagreatdealmore-thejewelsofthelateQueen,whichhegaveheramongotherrichpresents.Shetooktheveryringfromhisfingeronthemorningofthedaywhenhedied,andlefthimtobepillagedbyhisfaithlessservants.Onlyonegoodpriestwastruetohim,andattendedhimtothelast.

BesidesbeingfamousforthegreatvictoriesIhaverelated,thereignofKingEdwardtheThirdwasrenderedmemorableinbetterways,bythegrowthofarchitectureandtheerectionofWindsorCastle.Inbetterwaysstill,bytherisingupofWICKLIFFE,originallyapoorparishpriest:whodevotedhimselftoexposing,withwonderfulpowerandsuccess,theambitionandcorruptionofthePope,andofthewholechurchofwhichhewasthehead.

SomeofthoseFlemingswereinducedtocometoEnglandinthisreigntoo,andtosettleinNorfolk,wheretheymadebetterwoollenclothsthantheEnglishhadeverhadbefore.TheOrderoftheGarter(averyfinethinginitsway,buthardlysoimportantasgoodclothesforthenation)alsodatesfromthisperiod.TheKingissaidtohavepicked"upalady"sgarterataball,andtohavesaid,HONISOITQUIMALYPENSE-inEnglish,"Evilbetohimwhoevilthinksofit."ThecourtierswereusuallygladtoimitatewhattheKingsaidordid,andhencefromaslightincidenttheOrderoftheGarterwasinstituted,andbecameagreatdignity.Sothestorygoes.

CHAPTERXIX-ENGLANDUNDERRICHARDTHESECOND

RICHARD,sonoftheBlackPrince,aboyelevenyearsofage,succeededtotheCrownunderthetitleofKingRichardtheSecond.

ThewholeEnglishnationwerereadytoadmirehimforthesakeofhisbravefather.AstothelordsandladiesabouttheCourt,theydeclaredhimtobethemostbeautiful,thewisest,andthebest-

evenofprinces-whomthelordsandladiesabouttheCourt,generallydeclaretobethemostbeautiful,thewisest,andthebestofmankind.Toflatterapoorboyinthisbasemannerwasnotaverylikelywaytodevelopwhatevergoodwasinhim;anditbroughthimtoanythingbutagoodorhappyend.

TheDukeofLancaster,theyoungKing"suncle-commonlycalledJohnofGaunt,fromhavingbeenbornatGhent,whichthecommonpeoplesopronounced-wassupposedtohavesomethoughtsofthethronehimself;but,ashewasnotpopular,andthememoryoftheBlackPrincewas,hesubmittedtohisnephew.

ThewarwithFrancebeingstillunsettled,theGovernmentofEnglandwantedmoneytoprovidefortheexpensesthatmightariseoutofit;accordinglyacertaintax,calledthePoll-tax,whichhadoriginatedinthelastreign,wasorderedtobeleviedonthepeople.Thiswasataxoneverypersoninthekingdom,maleandfemale,abovetheageoffourteen,ofthreegroats(orthreefour-

pennypieces)ayear;clergymenwerechargedmore,andonlybeggarswereexempt.

IhavenoneedtorepeatthatthecommonpeopleofEnglandhadlongbeensufferingundergreatoppression.Theywerestillthemereslavesofthelordsofthelandonwhichtheylived,andwereonmostoccasionsharshlyandunjustlytreated.But,theyhadbegunbythistimetothinkveryseriouslyofnotbearingquitesomuch;

and,probably,wereemboldenedbythatFrenchinsurrectionI

mentionedinthelastchapter.

ThepeopleofEssexroseagainstthePoll-tax,andbeingseverelyhandledbythegovernmentofficers,killedsomeofthem.Atthisverytimeoneofthetax-collectors,goinghisroundsfromhousetohouse,atDartfordinKentcametothecottageofoneWAT,atilerbytrade,andclaimedthetaxuponhisdaughter.Hermother,whowasathome,declaredthatshewasundertheageoffourteen;uponthat,thecollector(asothercollectorshadalreadydoneindifferentpartsofEngland)behavedinasavageway,andbrutallyinsultedWatTyler"sdaughter.Thedaughterscreamed,themotherscreamed.WattheTiler,whowasatworknotfaroff,rantothespot,anddidwhatanyhonestfatherundersuchprovocationmighthavedone-struckthecollectordeadatablow.

Instantlythepeopleofthattownuproseasoneman.TheymadeWatTylertheirleader;theyjoinedwiththepeopleofEssex,whowereinarmsunderapriestcalledJACKSTRAW;theytookoutofprisonanotherpriestnamedJOHNBALL;andgatheringinnumbersastheywentalong,advanced,inagreatconfusedarmyofpoormen,toBlackheath.Itissaidthattheywantedtoabolishallproperty,andtodeclareallmenequal.Idonotthinkthisverylikely;

becausetheystoppedthetravellersontheroadsandmadethemsweartobetruetoKingRichardandthepeople.Norweretheyatalldisposedtoinjurethosewhohaddonethemnoharm,merelybecausetheywereofhighstation;for,theKing"smother,whohadtopassthroughtheircampatBlackheath,onherwaytoheryoungson,lyingforsafetyintheTowerofLondon,hadmerelytokissafewdirty-facedrough-beardedmenwhowerenoisilyfondofroyalty,andsogotawayinperfectsafety.NextdaythewholemassmarchedontoLondonBridge.

Therewasadrawbridgeinthemiddle,whichWILLIAMWALWORTHtheMayorcausedtoberaisedtopreventtheircomingintothecity;

buttheysoonterrifiedthecitizensintoloweringitagain,andspreadthemselves,withgreatuproar,overthestreets.Theybrokeopentheprisons;theyburnedthepapersinLambethPalace;theydestroyedtheDUKEOFLANCASTER"SPalace,theSavoy,intheStrand,saidtobethemostbeautifulandsplendidinEngland;theysetfiretothebooksanddocumentsintheTemple;andmadeagreatriot.Manyoftheseoutrageswerecommittedindrunkenness;sincethosecitizens,whohadwell-filledcellars,wereonlytoogladtothrowthemopentosavetherestoftheirproperty;buteventhedrunkenrioterswereverycarefultostealnothing.Theyweresoangrywithoneman,whowasseentotakeasilvercupattheSavoyPalace,andputitinhisbreast,thattheydrownedhimintheriver,cupandall.

TheyoungKinghadbeentakenouttotreatwiththembeforetheycommittedtheseexcesses;but,heandthepeopleabouthimweresofrightenedbytheriotousshouts,thattheygotbacktotheTowerinthebestwaytheycould.Thismadetheinsurgentsbolder;sotheywentonriotingaway,strikingofftheheadsofthosewhodidnot,atamoment"snotice,declareforKingRichardandthepeople;

andkillingasmanyoftheunpopularpersonswhomtheysupposedtobetheirenemiesastheycouldbyanymeanslayholdof.Inthismannertheypassedoneveryviolentday,andthenproclamationwasmadethattheKingwouldmeetthematMile-end,andgranttheirrequests.

TherioterswenttoMile-endtothenumberofsixtythousand,andtheKingmetthemthere,andtotheKingtherioterspeaceablyproposedfourconditions.First,thatneitherthey,northeirchildren,noranycomingafterthem,shouldbemadeslavesanymore.Secondly,thattherentoflandshouldbefixedatacertainpriceinmoney,insteadofbeingpaidinservice.Thirdly,thattheyshouldhavelibertytobuyandsellinallmarketsandpublicplaces,likeotherfreemen.Fourthly,thattheyshouldbepardonedforpastoffences.Heavenknows,therewasnothingveryunreasonableintheseproposals!TheyoungKingdeceitfullypretendedtothinkso,andkeptthirtyclerksup,allnight,writingoutacharteraccordingly.

Now,WatTylerhimselfwantedmorethanthis.Hewantedtheentireabolitionoftheforestlaws.HewasnotatMile-endwiththerest,but,whilethatmeetingwasbeingheld,brokeintotheTowerofLondonandslewthearchbishopandthetreasurer,forwhoseheadsthepeoplehadcriedoutloudlythedaybefore.HeandhismeneventhrusttheirswordsintothebedofthePrincessofWaleswhilethePrincesswasinit,tomakecertainthatnoneoftheirenemieswereconcealedthere.

So,Watandhismenstillcontinuedarmed,androdeaboutthecity.

Nextmorning,theKingwithasmalltrainofsomesixtygentlemen-

amongwhomwasWALWORTHtheMayor-rodeintoSmithfield,andsawWatandhispeopleatalittledistance.SaysWattohismen,"ThereistheKing.Iwillgospeakwithhim,andtellhimwhatwewant."

StraightwayWatrodeuptohim,andbegantotalk."King,"saysWat,"dostthouseeallmymenthere?"

"Ah,"saystheKing."Why?"

"Because,"saysWat,"theyareallatmycommand,andhavesworntodowhateverIbidthem."

SomedeclaredafterwardsthatasWatsaidthis,helaidhishandontheKing"sbridle.Othersdeclaredthathewasseentoplaywithhisowndagger.Ithink,myself,thathejustspoketotheKinglikearough,angrymanashewas,anddidnothingmore.Atanyratehewasexpectingnoattack,andpreparingfornoresistance,whenWalworththeMayordidthenotveryvaliantdeedofdrawingashortswordandstabbinghiminthethroat.Hedroppedfromhishorse,andoneoftheKing"speoplespeedilyfinishedhim.SofellWatTyler.Fawnersandflatterersmadeamightytriumphofit,andsetupacrywhichwilloccasionallyfindanechotothisday.ButWatwasahard-workingman,whohadsufferedmuch,andhadbeenfoullyoutraged;anditisprobablethathewasamanofamuchhighernatureandamuchbraverspiritthananyoftheparasiteswhoexultedthen,orhaveexultedsince,overhisdefeat.

SeeingWatdown,hismenimmediatelybenttheirbowstoavengehisfall.IftheyoungKinghadnothadpresenceofmindatthatdangerousmoment,bothheandtheMayortoboot,mighthavefollowedTylerprettyfast.ButtheKingridinguptothecrowd,criedoutthatTylerwasatraitor,andthathewouldbetheirleader.Theyweresotakenbysurprise,thattheysetupagreatshouting,andfollowedtheboyuntilhewasmetatIslingtonbyalargebodyofsoldiers.

Theendofthisrisingwasthethenusualend.AssoonastheKingfoundhimselfsafe,heunsaidallhehadsaid,andundidallhehaddone;somefifteenhundredoftheriotersweretried(mostlyinEssex)withgreatrigour,andexecutedwithgreatcruelty.Manyofthemwerehangedongibbets,andleftthereasaterrortothecountrypeople;and,becausetheirmiserablefriendstooksomeofthebodiesdowntobury,theKingorderedtheresttobechainedup-whichwasthebeginningofthebarbarouscustomofhanginginchains.TheKing"sfalsehoodinthisbusinessmakessuchapitifulfigure,thatIthinkWatTylerappearsinhistoryasbeyondcomparisonthetruerandmorerespectablemanofthetwo.

Richardwasnowsixteenyearsofage,andmarriedAnneofBohemia,anexcellentprincess,whowascalled"thegoodQueenAnne."Shedeservedabetterhusband;fortheKinghadbeenfawnedandflatteredintoatreacherous,wasteful,dissolute,badyoungman.

ThereweretwoPopesatthistime(asifonewerenotenough!),andtheirquarrelsinvolvedEuropeinagreatdealoftrouble.

Scotlandwasstilltroublesometoo;andathometherewasmuchjealousyanddistrust,andplottingandcounter-plotting,becausetheKingfearedtheambitionofhisrelations,andparticularlyofhisuncle,theDukeofLancaster,andthedukehadhispartyagainsttheKing,andtheKinghadhispartyagainsttheduke.NorwerethesehometroubleslessenedwhenthedukewenttoCastiletourgehisclaimtothecrownofthatkingdom;forthentheDukeofGloucester,anotherofRichard"suncles,opposedhim,andinfluencedtheParliamenttodemandthedismissaloftheKing"sfavouriteministers.TheKingsaidinreply,thathewouldnotforsuchmendismissthemeanestservantinhiskitchen.But,ithadbeguntosignifylittlewhataKingsaidwhenaParliamentwasdetermined;soRichardwasatlastobligedtogiveway,andtoagreetoanotherGovernmentofthekingdom,underacommissionoffourteennobles,forayear.HisuncleofGloucesterwasattheheadofthiscommission,and,infact,appointedeverybodycomposingit.

Havingdoneallthis,theKingdeclaredassoonashesawanopportunitythathehadnevermeanttodoit,andthatitwasallillegal;andhegotthejudgessecretlytosignadeclarationtothateffect.Thesecretoozedoutdirectly,andwascarriedtotheDukeofGloucester.TheDukeofGloucester,attheheadoffortythousandmen,mettheKingonhisenteringintoLondontoenforcehisauthority;theKingwashelplessagainsthim;hisfavouritesandministerswereimpeachedandweremercilesslyexecuted.Amongthemweretwomenwhomthepeopleregardedwithverydifferentfeelings;one,RobertTresilian,ChiefJustice,whowashatedforhavingmadewhatwascalled"thebloodycircuit"totrytherioters;theother,SirSimonBurley,anhonourableknight,whohadbeenthedearfriendoftheBlackPrince,andthegovernorandguardianoftheKing.Forthisgentleman"slifethegoodQueenevenbeggedofGloucesteronherknees;butGloucester(withorwithoutreason)fearedandhatedhim,andreplied,thatifshevaluedherhusband"scrown,shehadbetterbegnomore.Allthiswasdoneunderwhatwascalledbysomethewonderful-andbyothers,withbetterreason,themerciless-Parliament.

ButGloucester"spowerwasnottolastforever.Hehelditforonlyayearlonger;inwhichyearthefamousbattleofOtterbourne,sungintheoldballadofChevyChase,wasfought.Whentheyearwasout,theKing,turningsuddenlytoGloucester,inthemidstofagreatcouncilsaid,"Uncle,howoldamI?""Yourhighness,"

returnedtheDuke,"isinyourtwenty-secondyear.""AmIsomuch?"saidtheKing;"thenIwillmanagemyownaffairs!Iammuchobligedtoyou,mygoodlords,foryourpastservices,butI

needthemnomore."Hefollowedthisup,byappointinganewChancellorandanewTreasurer,andannouncedtothepeoplethathehadresumedtheGovernment.Hehelditforeightyearswithoutopposition.Throughallthattime,hekepthisdeterminationtorevengehimselfsomedayuponhisuncleGloucester,inhisownbreast.

AtlastthegoodQueendied,andthentheKing,desiringtotakeasecondwife,proposedtohiscouncilthatheshouldmarryIsabella,ofFrance,thedaughterofCharlestheSixth:who,theFrenchcourtierssaid(astheEnglishcourtiershadsaidofRichard),wasamarvelofbeautyandwit,andquiteaphenomenon-ofsevenyearsold.Thecouncilweredividedaboutthismarriage,butittookplace.ItsecuredpeacebetweenEnglandandFranceforaquarterofacentury;butitwasstronglyopposedtotheprejudicesoftheEnglishpeople.TheDukeofGloucester,whowasanxioustotaketheoccasionofmakinghimselfpopular,declaimedagainstitloudly,andthisatlengthdecidedtheKingtoexecutethevengeancehehadbeennursingsolong.