第10章

HewentwithagaycompanytotheDukeofGloucester"shouse,PlesheyCastle,inEssex,wheretheDuke,suspectingnothing,cameoutintothecourt-yardtoreceivehisroyalvisitor.WhiletheKingconversedinafriendlymannerwiththeDuchess,theDukewasquietlyseized,hurriedaway,shippedforCalais,andlodgedinthecastlethere.Hisfriends,theEarlsofArundelandWarwick,weretakeninthesametreacherousmanner,andconfinedtotheircastles.Afewdaysafter,atNottingham,theywereimpeachedofhightreason.TheEarlofArundelwascondemnedandbeheaded,andtheEarlofWarwickwasbanished.Then,awritwassentbyamessengertotheGovernorofCalais,requiringhimtosendtheDukeofGloucesterovertobetried.Inthreedayshereturnedananswerthathecouldnotdothat,becausetheDukeofGloucesterhaddiedinprison.TheDukewasdeclaredatraitor,hispropertywasconfiscatedtotheKing,arealorpretendedconfessionhehadmadeinprisontooneoftheJusticesoftheCommonPleaswasproducedagainsthim,andtherewasanendofthematter.Howtheunfortunatedukedied,veryfewcaredtoknow.Whetherhereallydiednaturally;whetherhekilledhimself;whether,bytheKing"sorder,hewasstrangled,orsmotheredbetweentwobeds(asaserving-manoftheGovernor"snamedHall,didafterwardsdeclare),cannotbediscovered.Thereisnotmuchdoubtthathewaskilled,somehoworother,byhisnephew"sorders.AmongthemostactivenoblesintheseproceedingsweretheKing"scousin,HenryBolingbroke,whomtheKinghadmadeDukeofHerefordtosmoothdowntheoldfamilyquarrels,andsomeothers:whohadinthefamily-

plottingtimesdonejustsuchactsthemselvesastheynowcondemnedintheduke.Theyseemtohavebeenacorruptsetofmen;butsuchmenwereeasilyfoundaboutthecourtinsuchdays.

Thepeoplemurmuredatallthis,andwerestillverysoreabouttheFrenchmarriage.ThenoblessawhowlittletheKingcaredforlaw,andhowcraftyhewas,andbegantobesomewhatafraidforthemselves.TheKing"slifewasalifeofcontinuedfeastingandexcess;hisretinue,downtothemeanestservants,weredressedinthemostcostlymanner,andcarousedathistables,itisrelated,tothenumberoftenthousandpersonseveryday.Hehimself,surroundedbyabodyoftenthousandarchers,andenrichedbyadutyonwoolwhichtheCommonshadgrantedhimforlife,sawnodangerofeverbeingotherwisethanpowerfulandabsolute,andwasasfierceandhaughtyasaKingcouldbe.

Hehadtwoofhisoldenemiesleft,inthepersonsoftheDukesofHerefordandNorfolk.Sparingthesenomorethantheothers,hetamperedwiththeDukeofHereforduntilhegothimtodeclarebeforetheCouncilthattheDukeofNorfolkhadlatelyheldsometreasonabletalkwithhim,ashewasridingnearBrentford;andthathehadtoldhim,amongotherthings,thathecouldnotbelievetheKing"soath-whichnobodycould,Ishouldthink.Forthistreacheryheobtainedapardon,andtheDukeofNorfolkwassummonedtoappearanddefendhimself.Ashedeniedthechargeandsaidhisaccuserwasaliarandatraitor,bothnoblemen,accordingtothemannerofthosetimes,wereheldincustody,andthetruthwasorderedtobedecidedbywagerofbattleatCoventry.Thiswagerofbattlemeantthatwhosoeverwonthecombatwastobeconsideredintheright;whichnonsensemeantineffect,thatnostrongmancouldeverbewrong.Agreatholidaywasmade;agreatcrowdassembled,withmuchparadeandshow;andthetwocombatantswereabouttorushateachotherwiththeirlances,whentheKing,sittinginapaviliontoseefair,threwdownthetruncheonhecarriedinhishand,andforbadethebattle.TheDukeofHerefordwastobebanishedfortenyears,andtheDukeofNorfolkwastobebanishedforlife.SosaidtheKing.TheDukeofHerefordwenttoFrance,andwentnofarther.TheDukeofNorfolkmadeapilgrimagetotheHolyLand,andafterwardsdiedatVeniceofabrokenheart.

Fasterandfiercer,afterthis,theKingwentoninhiscareer.

TheDukeofLancaster,whowasthefatheroftheDukeofHereford,diedsoonafterthedepartureofhisson;and,theKing,althoughhehadsolemnlygrantedtothatsonleavetoinherithisfather"sproperty,ifitshouldcometohimduringhisbanishment,immediatelyseizeditall,likearobber.Thejudgesweresoafraidofhim,thattheydisgracedthemselvesbydeclaringthisthefttobejustandlawful.Hisavariceknewnobounds.Heoutlawedseventeencountiesatonce,onafrivolouspretence,merelytoraisemoneybywayoffinesformisconduct.Inshort,hedidasmanydishonestthingsashecould;andcaredsolittleforthediscontentofhissubjects-thougheventhespanielfavouritesbegantowhispertohimthattherewassuchathingasdiscontentafloat-thathetookthattime,ofallothers,forleavingEnglandandmakinganexpeditionagainsttheIrish.

Hewasscarcelygone,leavingtheDUKEOFYORKRegentinhisabsence,whenhiscousin,HenryofHereford,cameoverfromFrancetoclaimtherightsofwhichhehadbeensomonstrouslydeprived.

HewasimmediatelyjoinedbythetwogreatEarlsofNorthumberlandandWestmoreland;andhisuncle,theRegent,findingtheKing"scauseunpopular,andthedisinclinationofthearmytoactagainstHenry,verystrong,withdrewwiththeRoyalforcestowardsBristol.

Henry,attheheadofanarmy,camefromYorkshire(wherehehadlanded)toLondonandfollowedhim.Theyjoinedtheirforces-howtheybroughtthatabout,isnotdistinctlyunderstood-andproceededtoBristolCastle,whitherthreenoblemenhadtakentheyoungQueen.Thecastlesurrendering,theypresentlyputthosethreenoblementodeath.TheRegentthenremainedthere,andHenrywentontoChester.

Allthistime,theboisterousweatherhadpreventedtheKingfromreceivingintelligenceofwhathadoccurred.AtlengthitwasconveyedtohiminIreland,andhesentovertheEARLOFSALISBURY,who,landingatConway,ralliedtheWelshmen,andwaitedfortheKingawholefortnight;attheendofthattimetheWelshmen,whowereperhapsnotverywarmforhiminthebeginning,quitecooleddownandwenthome.WhentheKingdidlandonthecoastatlast,hecamewithaprettygoodpower,buthismencarednothingforhim,andquicklydeserted.SupposingtheWelshmentobestillatConway,hedisguisedhimselfasapriest,andmadeforthatplaceincompanywithhistwobrothersandsomefewoftheiradherents.

But,therewerenoWelshmenleft-onlySalisburyandahundredsoldiers.Inthisdistress,theKing"stwobrothers,ExeterandSurrey,offeredtogotoHenrytolearnwhathisintentionswere.

Surrey,whowastruetoRichard,wasputintoprison.Exeter,whowasfalse,tooktheroyalbadge,whichwasahart,offhisshield,andassumedtherose,thebadgeofHenry.Afterthis,itwasprettyplaintotheKingwhatHenry"sintentionswere,withoutsendinganymoremessengerstoask.

ThefallenKing,thusdeserted-hemmedinonallsides,andpressedwithhunger-rodehereandrodethere,andwenttothiscastle,andwenttothatcastle,endeavouringtoobtainsomeprovisions,butcouldfindnone.HerodewretchedlybacktoConway,andtheresurrenderedhimselftotheEarlofNorthumberland,whocamefromHenry,inrealitytotakehimprisoner,butinappearancetoofferterms;andwhosemenwerehiddennotfaroff.BythisearlhewasconductedtothecastleofFlint,wherehiscousinHenrymethim,anddroppedonhiskneeasifhewerestillrespectfultohissovereign.

"FaircousinofLancaster,"saidtheKing,"youareverywelcome"

(verywelcome,nodoubt;buthewouldhavebeenmoreso,inchainsorwithoutahead).

"Mylord,"repliedHenry,"Iamcomealittlebeforemytime;but,withyourgoodpleasure,Iwillshowyouthereason.Yourpeoplecomplainwithsomebitterness,thatyouhaveruledthemrigorouslyfortwo-and-twentyyears.Now,ifitpleaseGod,Iwillhelpyoutogovernthembetterinfuture."

"Faircousin,"repliedtheabjectKing,"sinceitpleasethyou,itpleasethmemightily."

Afterthis,thetrumpetssounded,andtheKingwasstuckonawretchedhorse,andcarriedprisonertoChester,wherehewasmadetoissueaproclamation,callingaParliament.FromChesterhewastakenontowardsLondon.AtLichfieldhetriedtoescapebygettingoutofawindowandlettinghimselfdownintoagarden;itwasallinvain,however,andhewascarriedonandshutupintheTower,wherenoonepitiedhim,andwherethewholepeople,whosepatiencehehadquitetiredout,reproachedhimwithoutmercy.

Beforehegotthere,itisrelated,thathisverydoglefthimanddepartedfromhissidetolickthehandofHenry.

ThedaybeforetheParliamentmet,adeputationwenttothiswreckedKing,andtoldhimthathehadpromisedtheEarlofNorthumberlandatConwayCastletoresignthecrown.Hesaidhewasquitereadytodoit,andsignedapaperinwhichherenouncedhisauthorityandabsolvedhispeoplefromtheirallegiancetohim.

HehadsolittlespiritleftthathegavehisroyalringtohistriumphantcousinHenrywithhisownhand,andsaid,thatifhecouldhavehadleavetoappointasuccessor,thatsameHenrywasthemanofallotherswhomhewouldhavenamed.Nextday,theParliamentassembledinWestminsterHall,whereHenrysatatthesideofthethrone,whichwasemptyandcoveredwithaclothofgold.ThepaperjustsignedbytheKingwasreadtothemultitudeamidshoutsofjoy,whichwereechoedthroughallthestreets;whensomeofthenoisehaddiedaway,theKingwasformallydeposed.

ThenHenryarose,and,makingthesignofthecrossonhisforeheadandbreast,challengedtherealmofEnglandashisright;thearchbishopsofCanterburyandYorkseatedhimonthethrone.

Themultitudeshoutedagain,andtheshoutsre-echoedthroughoutallthestreets.Nooneremembered,now,thatRichardtheSecondhadeverbeenthemostbeautiful,thewisest,andthebestofprinces;andhenowmadeliving(tomythinking)afarmoresorryspectacleintheTowerofLondon,thanWatTylerhadmade,lyingdead,amongthehoofsoftheroyalhorsesinSmithfield.

ThePoll-taxdiedwithWat.TheSmithstotheKingandRoyalFamily,couldmakenochainsinwhichtheKingcouldhangthepeople"srecollectionofhim;sothePoll-taxwasnevercollected.

CHAPTERXX-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFOURTH,CALLEDBOLINGBROKE

DURINGthelastreign,thepreachingofWickliffeagainsttheprideandcunningofthePopeandallhismen,hadmadeagreatnoiseinEngland.WhetherthenewKingwishedtobeinfavourwiththepriests,orwhetherhehoped,bypretendingtobeveryreligious,tocheatHeavenitselfintothebeliefthathewasnotausurper,I

don"tknow.Bothsuppositionsarelikelyenough.ItiscertainthathebeganhisreignbymakingastrongshowagainstthefollowersofWickliffe,whowerecalledLollards,orheretics-

althoughhisfather,JohnofGaunt,hadbeenofthatwayofthinking,ashehimselfhadbeenmorethansuspectedofbeing.ItisnolesscertainthathefirstestablishedinEnglandthedetestableandatrociouscustom,broughtfromabroad,ofburningthosepeopleasapunishmentfortheiropinions.ItwastheimportationintoEnglandofoneofthepracticesofwhatwascalledtheHolyInquisition:whichwasthemostUNholyandthemostinfamoustribunalthateverdisgracedmankind,andmademenmorelikedemonsthanfollowersofOurSaviour.

Norealrighttothecrown,asyouknow,wasinthisKing.EdwardMortimer,theyoungEarlofMarch-whowasonlyeightornineyearsold,andwhowasdescendedfromtheDukeofClarence,theelderbrotherofHenry"sfather-was,bysuccession,therealheirtothethrone.However,theKinggothissondeclaredPrinceofWales;and,obtainingpossessionoftheyoungEarlofMarchandhislittlebrother,kepttheminconfinement(butnotseverely)inWindsorCastle.HethenrequiredtheParliamenttodecidewhatwastobedonewiththedeposedKing,whowasquietenough,andwhoonlysaidthathehopedhiscousinHenrywouldbe"agoodlord"tohim.TheParliamentrepliedthattheywouldrecommendhisbeingkeptinsomesecretplacewherethepeoplecouldnotresort,andwherehisfriendscouldnotbeadmittedtoseehim.Henryaccordinglypassedthissentenceuponhim,anditnowbegantobeprettycleartothenationthatRichardtheSecondwouldnotliveverylong.

ItwasanoisyParliament,asitwasanunprincipledone,andtheLordsquarrelledsoviolentlyamongthemselvesastowhichofthemhadbeenloyalandwhichdisloyal,andwhichconsistentandwhichinconsistent,thatfortygauntletsaresaidtohavebeenthrownupontheflooratonetimeaschallengestoasmanybattles:thetruthbeingthattheywereallfalseandbasetogether,andhadbeen,atonetimewiththeoldKing,andatanothertimewiththenewone,andseldomtrueforanylengthoftimetoanyone.Theysoonbegantoplotagain.AconspiracywasformedtoinvitetheKingtoatournamentatOxford,andthentotakehimbysurpriseandkillhim.Thismurderousenterprise,whichwasagreeduponatsecretmeetingsinthehouseoftheAbbotofWestminster,wasbetrayedbytheEarlofRutland-oneoftheconspirators.TheKing,insteadofgoingtothetournamentorstayingatWindsor(wheretheconspiratorssuddenlywent,onfindingthemselvesdiscovered,withthehopeofseizinghim),retiredtoLondon,proclaimedthemalltraitors,andadvanceduponthemwithagreatforce.TheyretiredintothewestofEngland,proclaimingRichardKing;but,thepeopleroseagainstthem,andtheywereallslain.

Theirtreasonhastenedthedeathofthedeposedmonarch.Whetherhewaskilledbyhiredassassins,orwhetherhewasstarvedtodeath,orwhetherherefusedfoodonhearingofhisbrothersbeingkilled(whowereinthatplot),isverydoubtful.Hemethisdeathsomehow;andhisbodywaspubliclyshownatSt.Paul"sCathedralwithonlythelowerpartofthefaceuncovered.IcanscarcelydoubtthathewaskilledbytheKing"sorders.

TheFrenchwifeofthemiserableRichardwasnowonlytenyearsold;and,whenherfather,CharlesofFrance,heardofhermisfortunesandofherlonelyconditioninEngland,hewentmad:

ashehadseveraltimesdonebefore,duringthelastfiveorsixyears.TheFrenchDukesofBurgundyandBourbontookupthepoorgirl"scause,withoutcaringmuchaboutit,butonthechanceofgettingsomethingoutofEngland.ThepeopleofBordeaux,whohadasortofsuperstitiousattachmenttothememoryofRichard,becausehewasbornthere,sworebytheLordthathehadbeenthebestmaninallhiskingdom-whichwasgoingratherfar-andpromisedtodogreatthingsagainsttheEnglish.Nevertheless,whentheycametoconsiderthatthey,andthewholepeopleofFrance,wereruinedbytheirownnobles,andthattheEnglishrulewasmuchthebetterofthetwo,theycooleddownagain;andthetwodukes,althoughtheywereverygreatmen,coulddonothingwithoutthem.Then,begannegotiationsbetweenFranceandEnglandforthesendinghometoParisofthepoorlittleQueenwithallherjewelsandherfortuneoftwohundredthousandfrancsingold.TheKingwasquitewillingtorestoretheyounglady,andeventhejewels;

buthesaidhereallycouldnotpartwiththemoney.So,atlastshewassafelydepositedatPariswithoutherfortune,andthentheDukeofBurgundy(whowascousintotheFrenchKing)begantoquarrelwiththeDukeofOrleans(whowasbrothertotheFrenchKing)aboutthewholematter;andthosetwodukesmadeFranceevenmorewretchedthanever.

AstheideaofconqueringScotlandwasstillpopularathome,theKingmarchedtotheriverTyneanddemandedhomageoftheKingofthatcountry.Thisbeingrefused,headvancedtoEdinburgh,butdidlittlethere;for,hisarmybeinginwantofprovisions,andtheScotchbeingverycarefultoholdhimincheckwithoutgivingbattle,hewasobligedtoretire.Itistohisimmortalhonourthatinthissallyheburntnovillagesandslaughterednopeople,butwasparticularlycarefulthathisarmyshouldbemercifulandharmless.Itwasagreatexampleinthoseruthlesstimes.

AwaramongtheborderpeopleofEnglandandScotlandwentonfortwelvemonths,andthentheEarlofNorthumberland,thenoblemanwhohadhelpedHenrytothecrown,begantorebelagainsthim-

probablybecausenothingthatHenrycoulddoforhimwouldsatisfyhisextravagantexpectations.TherewasacertainWelshgentleman,namedOWENGLENDOWER,whohadbeenastudentinoneoftheInnsofCourt,andhadafterwardsbeenintheserviceofthelateKing,whoseWelshpropertywastakenfromhimbyapowerfullordrelatedtothepresentKing,whowashisneighbour.Appealingforredress,andgettingnone,hetookuparms,wasmadeanoutlaw,anddeclaredhimselfsovereignofWales.Hepretendedtobeamagician;andnotonlyweretheWelshpeoplestupidenoughtobelievehim,but,evenHenrybelievedhimtoo;for,makingthreeexpeditionsintoWales,andbeingthreetimesdrivenbackbythewildnessofthecountry,thebadweather,andtheskillofGlendower,hethoughthewasdefeatedbytheWelshman"smagicarts.However,hetookLordGreyandSirEdmundMortimer,prisoners,andallowedtherelativesofLordGreytoransomhim,butwouldnotextendsuchfavourtoSirEdmundMortimer.Now,HenryPercy,calledHOTSPUR,sonoftheEarlofNorthumberland,whowasmarriedtoMortimer"ssister,issupposedtohavetakenoffenceatthis;and,therefore,inconjunctionwithhisfatherandsomeothers,tohavejoinedOwenGlendower,andrisenagainstHenry.Itisbynomeansclearthatthiswastherealcauseoftheconspiracy;butperhapsitwasmadethepretext.Itwasformed,andwasverypowerful;includingSCROOP,ArchbishopofYork,andtheEARLOFDOUGLAS,apowerfulandbraveScottishnobleman.TheKingwaspromptandactive,andthetwoarmiesmetatShrewsbury.

Therewereaboutfourteenthousandmenineach.TheoldEarlofNorthumberlandbeingsick,therebelforceswereledbyhisson.

TheKingworeplainarmourtodeceivetheenemy;andfournoblemen,withthesameobject,woretheroyalarms.Therebelchargewassofurious,thateveryoneofthosegentlemenwaskilled,theroyalstandardwasbeatendown,andtheyoungPrinceofWaleswasseverelywoundedintheface.Buthewasoneofthebravestandbestsoldiersthateverlived,andhefoughtsowell,andtheKing"stroopsweresoencouragedbyhisboldexample,thattheyralliedimmediately,andcuttheenemy"sforcesalltopieces.

Hotspurwaskilledbyanarrowinthebrain,andtheroutwassocompletethatthewholerebellionwasstruckdownbythisoneblow.

TheEarlofNorthumberlandsurrenderedhimselfsoonafterhearingofthedeathofhisson,andreceivedapardonforallhisoffences.

Thereweresomelingeringsofrebellionyet:OwenGlendowerbeingretiredtoWales,andapreposterousstorybeingspreadamongtheignorantpeoplethatKingRichardwasstillalive.Howtheycouldhavebelievedsuchnonsenseitisdifficulttoimagine;buttheycertainlydidsupposethattheCourtfoolofthelateKing,whowassomethinglikehim,washe,himself;sothatitseemedasif,aftergivingsomuchtroubletothecountryinhislife,hewasstilltotroubleitafterhisdeath.Thiswasnottheworst.TheyoungEarlofMarchandhisbrotherwerestolenoutofWindsorCastle.

Beingretaken,andbeingfoundtohavebeenspiritedawaybyoneLadySpencer,sheaccusedherownbrother,thatEarlofRutlandwhowasintheformerconspiracyandwasnowDukeofYork,ofbeingintheplot.Forthishewasruinedinfortune,thoughnotputtodeath;andthenanotherplotaroseamongtheoldEarlofNorthumberland,someotherlords,andthatsameScroop,ArchbishopofYork,whowaswiththerebelsbefore.Theseconspiratorscausedawritingtobepostedonthechurchdoors,accusingtheKingofavarietyofcrimes;but,theKingbeingeagerandvigilanttoopposethem,theywerealltaken,andtheArchbishopwasexecuted.ThiswasthefirsttimethatagreatchurchmanhadbeenslainbythelawinEngland;buttheKingwasresolvedthatitshouldbedone,anddoneitwas.

Thenextmostremarkableeventofthistimewastheseizure,byHenry,oftheheirtotheScottishthrone-James,aboyofnineyearsold.Hehadbeenputaboard-shipbyhisfather,theScottishKingRobert,tosavehimfromthedesignsofhisuncle,when,onhiswaytoFrance,hewasaccidentallytakenbysomeEnglishcruisers.HeremainedaprisonerinEnglandfornineteenyears,andbecameinhisprisonastudentandafamouspoet.

WiththeexceptionofoccasionaltroubleswiththeWelshandwiththeFrench,therestofKingHenry"sreignwasquietenough.But,theKingwasfarfromhappy,andprobablywastroubledinhisconsciencebyknowingthathehadusurpedthecrown,andhadoccasionedthedeathofhismiserablecousin.ThePrinceofWales,thoughbraveandgenerous,issaidtohavebeenwildanddissipated,andeventohavedrawnhisswordonGASCOIGNE,theChiefJusticeoftheKing"sBench,becausehewasfirmindealingimpartiallywithoneofhisdissolutecompanions.UponthistheChiefJusticeissaidtohaveorderedhimimmediatelytoprison;

thePrinceofWalesissaidtohavesubmittedwithagoodgrace;

andtheKingissaidtohaveexclaimed,"Happyisthemonarchwhohassojustajudge,andasonsowillingtoobeythelaws."Thisisallverydoubtful,andsoisanotherstory(ofwhichShakespearehasmadebeautifuluse),thatthePrinceoncetookthecrownoutofhisfather"schamberashewassleeping,andtrieditonhisownhead.

TheKing"shealthsankmoreandmore,andhebecamesubjecttoviolenteruptionsonthefaceandtobadepilepticfits,andhisspiritssankeveryday.Atlast,ashewasprayingbeforetheshrineofSt.EdwardatWestminsterAbbey,hewasseizedwithaterriblefit,andwascarriedintotheAbbot"schamber,wherehepresentlydied.IthadbeenforetoldthathewoulddieatJerusalem,whichcertainlyisnot,andneverwas,Westminster.

But,astheAbbot"sroomhadlongbeencalledtheJerusalemchamber,peoplesaiditwasallthesamething,andwerequitesatisfiedwiththeprediction.

TheKingdiedonthe20thofMarch,1413,intheforty-seventhyearofhisage,andthefourteenthofhisreign.HewasburiedinCanterburyCathedral.Hehadbeentwicemarried,andhad,byhisfirstwife,afamilyoffoursonsandtwodaughters.Consideringhisduplicitybeforehecametothethrone,hisunjustseizureofit,andaboveall,hismakingthatmonstrouslawfortheburningofwhatthepriestscalledheretics,hewasareasonablygoodking,askingswent.

CHAPTERXXI-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFIFTH

FIRSTPART

THEPrinceofWalesbeganhisreignlikeagenerousandhonestman.

HesettheyoungEarlofMarchfree;herestoredtheirestatesandtheirhonourstothePercyfamily,whohadlostthembytheirrebellionagainsthisfather;heorderedtheimbecileandunfortunateRichardtobehonourablyburiedamongtheKingsofEngland;andhedismissedallhiswildcompanions,withassurancesthattheyshouldnotwant,iftheywouldresolvetobesteady,faithful,andtrue.

Itismucheasiertoburnmenthantoburntheiropinions;andthoseoftheLollardswerespreadingeveryday.TheLollardswererepresentedbythepriests-probablyfalselyforthemostpart-

toentertaintreasonabledesignsagainstthenewKing;andHenry,sufferinghimselftobeworkeduponbytheserepresentations,sacrificedhisfriendSirJohnOldcastle,theLordCobham,tothem,aftertryinginvaintoconverthimbyarguments.Hewasdeclaredguilty,astheheadofthesect,andsentencedtotheflames;butheescapedfromtheTowerbeforethedayofexecution(postponedforfiftydaysbytheKinghimself),andsummonedtheLollardstomeethimnearLondononacertainday.SotheprieststoldtheKing,atleast.Idoubtwhethertherewasanyconspiracybeyondsuchaswasgotupbytheiragents.Onthedayappointed,insteadoffive-and-twentythousandmen,underthecommandofSirJohnOldcastle,inthemeadowsofSt.Giles,theKingfoundonlyeightymen,andnoSirJohnatall.Therewas,inanotherplace,anaddle-headedbrewer,whohadgoldtrappingstohishorses,andapairofgiltspursinhisbreast-expectingtobemadeaknightnextdaybySirJohn,andsotogaintherighttowearthem-buttherewasnoSirJohn,nordidanybodygiveinformationrespectinghim,thoughtheKingofferedgreatrewardsforsuchintelligence.

ThirtyoftheseunfortunateLollardswerehangedanddrawnimmediately,andwerethenburnt,gallowsandall;andthevariousprisonsinandaroundLondonwerecrammedfullofothers.Someoftheseunfortunatemenmadevariousconfessionsoftreasonabledesigns;but,suchconfessionswereeasilygot,undertortureandthefearoffire,andareverylittletobetrusted.TofinishthesadstoryofSirJohnOldcastleatonce,ImaymentionthatheescapedintoWales,andremainedtheresafely,forfouryears.

WhendiscoveredbyLordPowis,itisverydoubtfulifhewouldhavebeentakenalive-sogreatwastheoldsoldier"sbravery-ifamiserableoldwomanhadnotcomebehindhimandbrokenhislegswithastool.HewascarriedtoLondoninahorse-litter,wasfastenedbyanironchaintoagibbet,andsoroastedtodeath.

TomakethestateofFranceasplainasIcaninafewwords,I

shouldtellyouthattheDukeofOrleans,andtheDukeofBurgundy,commonlycalled"Johnwithoutfear,"hadhadagrandreconciliationoftheirquarrelinthelastreign,andhadappearedtobequiteinaheavenlystateofmind.Immediatelyafterwhich,onaSunday,inthepublicstreetsofParis,theDukeofOrleanswasmurderedbyapartyoftwentymen,setonbytheDukeofBurgundy-accordingtohisowndeliberateconfession.ThewidowofKingRichardhadbeenmarriedinFrancetotheeldestsonoftheDukeofOrleans.ThepoormadKingwasquitepowerlesstohelpher,andtheDukeofBurgundybecametherealmasterofFrance.Isabelladying,herhusband(DukeofOrleanssincethedeathofhisfather)marriedthedaughteroftheCountofArmagnac,who,beingamuchablermanthanhisyoungson-in-law,headedhisparty;thencecalledafterhimArmagnacs.Thus,Francewasnowinthisterriblecondition,thatithadinitthepartyoftheKing"sson,theDauphinLouis;thepartyoftheDukeofBurgundy,whowasthefatheroftheDauphin"sill-usedwife;andthepartyoftheArmagnacs;allhatingeachother;allfightingtogether;allcomposedofthemostdepravednoblesthattheearthhaseverknown;andalltearingunhappyFrancetopieces.

ThelateKinghadwatchedthesedissensionsfromEngland,sensible(liketheFrenchpeople)thatnoenemyofFrancecouldinjurehermorethanherownnobility.ThepresentKingnowadvancedaclaimtotheFrenchthrone.Hisdemandbeing,ofcourse,refused,hereducedhisproposaltoacertainlargeamountofFrenchterritory,andtodemandingtheFrenchprincess,Catherine,inmarriage,withafortuneoftwomillionsofgoldencrowns.Hewasofferedlessterritoryandfewercrowns,andnoprincess;buthecalledhisambassadorshomeandpreparedforwar.Then,heproposedtotaketheprincesswithonemillionofcrowns.TheFrenchCourtrepliedthatheshouldhavetheprincesswithtwohundredthousandcrownsless;hesaidthiswouldnotdo(hehadneverseentheprincessinhislife),andassembledhisarmyatSouthampton.Therewasashortplotathomejustatthattime,fordeposinghim,andmakingtheEarlofMarchking;buttheconspiratorswereallspeedilycondemnedandexecuted,andtheKingembarkedforFrance.

Itisdreadfultoobservehowlongabadexamplewillbefollowed;

but,itisencouragingtoknowthatagoodexampleisneverthrownaway.TheKing"sfirstactondisembarkingatthemouthoftheriverSeine,threemilesfromHarfleur,wastoimitatehisfather,andtoproclaimhissolemnordersthatthelivesandpropertyofthepeaceableinhabitantsshouldberespectedonpainofdeath.ItisagreedbyFrenchwriters,tohislastingrenown,thatevenwhilehissoldiersweresufferingthegreatestdistressfromwantoffood,thesecommandswererigidlyobeyed.

Withanarmyinallofthirtythousandmen,hebesiegedthetownofHarfleurbothbyseaandlandforfiveweeks;attheendofwhichtimethetownsurrendered,andtheinhabitantswereallowedtodepartwithonlyfivepenceeach,andapartoftheirclothes.AlltherestoftheirpossessionswasdividedamongsttheEnglisharmy.

But,thatarmysufferedsomuch,inspiteofitssuccesses,fromdiseaseandprivation,thatitwasalreadyreducedonehalf.

Still,theKingwasdeterminednottoretireuntilhehadstruckagreaterblow.Therefore,againsttheadviceofallhiscounsellors,hemovedonwithhislittleforcetowardsCalais.

WhenhecameuptotheriverSommehewasunabletocross,inconsequenceofthefortbeingfortified;and,astheEnglishmoveduptheleftbankoftheriverlookingforacrossing,theFrench,whohadbrokenallthebridges,moveduptherightbank,watchingthem,andwaitingtoattackthemwhentheyshouldtrytopassit.

AtlasttheEnglishfoundacrossingandgotsafelyover.TheFrenchheldacouncilofwaratRouen,resolvedtogivetheEnglishbattle,andsentheraldstoKingHenrytoknowbywhichroadhewasgoing."BytheroadthatwilltakemestraighttoCalais!"saidtheKing,andsentthemawaywithapresentofahundredcrowns.

TheEnglishmovedon,untiltheybeheldtheFrench,andthentheKinggaveorderstoforminlineofbattle.TheFrenchnotcomingon,thearmybrokeupafterremaininginbattlearraytillnight,andgotgoodrestandrefreshmentataneighbouringvillage.TheFrenchwerenowalllyinginanothervillage,throughwhichtheyknewtheEnglishmustpass.TheywereresolvedthattheEnglishshouldbeginthebattle.TheEnglishhadnomeansofretreat,iftheirKinghadanysuchintention;andsothetwoarmiespassedthenight,closetogether.

Tounderstandthesearmieswell,youmustbearinmindthattheimmenseFrencharmyhad,amongitsnotablepersons,almostthewholeofthatwickednobility,whosedebaucheryhadmadeFranceadesert;andsobesottedweretheybypride,andbycontemptforthecommonpeople,thattheyhadscarcelyanybowmen(ifindeedtheyhadanyatall)intheirwholeenormousnumber:which,comparedwiththeEnglisharmy,wasatleastassixtoone.Fortheseproudfoolshadsaidthatthebowwasnotafitweaponforknightlyhands,andthatFrancemustbedefendedbygentlemenonly.Weshallsee,presently,whathandthegentlemenmadeofit.

Now,ontheEnglishside,amongthelittleforce,therewasagoodproportionofmenwhowerenotgentlemenbyanymeans,butwhoweregoodstoutarchersforallthat.Amongthem,inthemorning-

havingsleptlittleatnight,whiletheFrenchwerecarousingandmakingsureofvictory-theKingrode,onagreyhorse;wearingonhisheadahelmetofshiningsteel,surmountedbyacrownofgold,sparklingwithpreciousstones;andbearingoverhisarmour,embroideredtogether,thearmsofEnglandandthearmsofFrance.

Thearcherslookedattheshininghelmetandthecrownofgoldandthesparklingjewels,andadmiredthemall;but,whattheyadmiredmostwastheKing"scheerfulface,andhisbrightblueeye,ashetoldthemthat,forhimself,hehadmadeuphismindtoconquerthereortodiethere,andthatEnglandshouldneverhavearansomtopayforHIM.Therewasonebraveknightwhochancedtosaythathewishedsomeofthemanygallantgentlemenandgoodsoldiers,whowerethenidleathomeinEngland,weretheretoincreasetheirnumbers.ButtheKingtoldhimthat,forhispart,hedidnotwishforonemoreman."Thefewerwehave,"saidhe,"thegreaterwillbethehonourweshallwin!"Hismen,beingnowallingoodheart,wererefreshedwithbreadandwine,andheardprayers,andwaitedquietlyfortheFrench.TheKingwaitedfortheFrench,becausetheyweredrawnupthirtydeep(thelittleEnglishforcewasonlythreedeep),onverydifficultandheavyground;andheknewthatwhentheymoved,theremustbeconfusionamongthem.

Astheydidnotmove,hesentofftwoparties:-onetolieconcealedinawoodontheleftoftheFrench:theother,tosetfiretosomehousesbehindtheFrenchafterthebattleshouldbebegun.Thiswasscarcelydone,whenthreeoftheproudFrenchgentlemen,whoweretodefendtheircountrywithoutanyhelpfromthebasepeasants,cameridingout,callingupontheEnglishtosurrender.TheKingwarnedthosegentlemenhimselftoretirewithallspeediftheycaredfortheirlives,andorderedtheEnglishbannerstoadvance.Uponthat,SirThomasErpingham,agreatEnglishgeneral,whocommandedthearchers,threwhistruncheonintotheair,joyfully,andalltheEnglishmen,kneelingdownuponthegroundandbitingitasiftheytookpossessionofthecountry,roseupwithagreatshoutandfellupontheFrench.

Everyarcherwasfurnishedwithagreatstaketippedwithiron;andhisorderswere,tothrustthisstakeintotheground,todischargehisarrow,andthentofallback,whentheFrenchhorsemencameon.

AsthehaughtyFrenchgentlemen,whoweretobreaktheEnglisharchersandutterlydestroythemwiththeirknightlylances,cameridingup,theywerereceivedwithsuchablindingstormofarrows,thattheybrokeandturned.Horsesandmenrolledoveroneanother,andtheconfusionwasterrific.Thosewhoralliedandchargedthearchersgotamongthestakesonslipperyandboggyground,andweresobewilderedthattheEnglisharchers-whoworenoarmour,andeventookofftheirleatherncoatstobemoreactive-cutthemtopieces,rootandbranch.OnlythreeFrenchhorsemengotwithinthestakes,andthosewereinstantlydespatched.AllthistimethedenseFrencharmy,beinginarmour,weresinkingknee-deepintothemire;whilethelightEnglisharchers,half-

naked,wereasfreshandactiveasiftheywerefightingonamarblefloor.

Butnow,theseconddivisionoftheFrenchcomingtothereliefofthefirst,closedupinafirmmass;theEnglish,headedbytheKing,attackedthem;andthedeadliestpartofthebattlebegan.

TheKing"sbrother,theDukeofClarence,wasstruckdown,andnumbersoftheFrenchsurroundedhim;but,KingHenry,standingoverthebody,foughtlikealionuntiltheywerebeatenoff.

Presently,cameupabandofeighteenFrenchknights,bearingthebannerofacertainFrenchlord,whohadsworntokillortaketheEnglishKing.Oneofthemstruckhimsuchablowwithabattle-axethathereeledandfelluponhisknees;but,hisfaithfulmen,immediatelyclosingroundhim,killedeveryoneofthoseeighteenknights,andsothatFrenchlordneverkepthisoath.

TheFrenchDukeofAlen噊n,seeingthis,madeadesperatecharge,andcuthiswaycloseuptotheRoyalStandardofEngland.HebeatdowntheDukeofYork,whowasstandingnearit;and,whentheKingcametohisrescue,struckoffapieceofthecrownhewore.But,heneverstruckanotherblowinthisworld;for,evenashewasintheactofsayingwhohewas,andthathesurrenderedtotheKing;

andevenastheKingstretchedouthishandtogivehimasafeandhonourableacceptanceoftheoffer;hefelldead,piercedbyinnumerablewounds.

Thedeathofthisnoblemandecidedthebattle.ThethirddivisionoftheFrencharmy,whichhadneverstruckablowyet,andwhichwas,initself,morethandoublethewholeEnglishpower,brokeandfled.Atthistimeofthefight,theEnglish,whoasyethadmadenoprisoners,begantotaketheminimmensenumbers,andwerestilloccupiedindoingso,orinkillingthosewhowouldnotsurrender,whenagreatnoisearoseintherearoftheFrench-theirflyingbannerswereseentostop-andKingHenry,supposingagreatreinforcementtohavearrived,gaveordersthatalltheprisonersshouldbeputtodeath.Assoon,however,asitwasfoundthatthenoisewasonlyoccasionedbyabodyofplunderingpeasants,theterriblemassacrewasstopped.

ThenKingHenrycalledtohimtheFrenchherald,andaskedhimtowhomthevictorybelonged.

Theheraldreplied,"TotheKingofEngland."

"WEhavenotmadethishavocandslaughter,"saidtheKing."ItisthewrathofHeavenonthesinsofFrance.Whatisthenameofthatcastleyonder?"

Theheraldansweredhim,"Mylord,itisthecastleofAzincourt."

SaidtheKing,"Fromhenceforththisbattleshallbeknowntoposterity,bythenameofthebattleofAzincourt."

OurEnglishhistorianshavemadeitAgincourt;but,underthatname,itwilleverbefamousinEnglishannals.

ThelossupontheFrenchsidewasenormous.ThreeDukeswerekilled,twomoreweretakenprisoners,sevenCountswerekilled,threemoreweretakenprisoners,andtenthousandknightsandgentlemenwereslainuponthefield.TheEnglishlossamountedtosixteenhundredmen,amongwhomweretheDukeofYorkandtheEarlofSuffolk.

Warisadreadfulthing;anditisappallingtoknowhowtheEnglishwereobliged,nextmorning,tokillthoseprisonersmortallywounded,whoyetwrithedinagonyupontheground;howthedeadupontheFrenchsidewerestrippedbytheirowncountrymenandcountrywomen,andafterwardsburiedingreatpits;howthedeadupontheEnglishsidewerepiledupinagreatbarn,andhowtheirbodiesandthebarnwereallburnedtogether.Itisinsuchthings,andinmanymoremuchtoohorribletorelate,thattherealdesolationandwickednessofwarconsist.Nothingcanmakewarotherwisethanhorrible.Butthedarksideofitwaslittlethoughtofandsoonforgotten;anditcastnoshadeoftroubleontheEnglishpeople,exceptonthosewhohadlostfriendsorrelationsinthefight.TheywelcomedtheirKinghomewithshoutsofrejoicing,andplungedintothewatertobearhimashoreontheirshoulders,andflockedoutincrowdstowelcomehimineverytownthroughwhichhepassed,andhungrichcarpetsandtapestriesoutofthewindows,andstrewedthestreetswithflowers,andmadethefountainsrunwithwine,asthegreatfieldofAgincourthadrunwithblood.

SECONDPART

THATproudandwickedFrenchnobilitywhodraggedtheircountrytodestruction,andwhowereeverydayandeveryyearregardedwithdeeperhatredanddetestationintheheartsoftheFrenchpeople,learntnothing,evenfromthedefeatofAgincourt.Sofarfromunitingagainstthecommonenemy,theybecame,amongthemselves,moreviolent,morebloody,andmorefalse-ifthatwerepossible-

thantheyhadbeenbefore.TheCountofArmagnacpersuadedtheFrenchkingtoplunderofhertreasuresQueenIsabellaofBavaria,andtomakeheraprisoner.She,whohadhithertobeenthebitterenemyoftheDukeofBurgundy,proposedtojoinhim,inrevenge.

HecarriedherofftoTroyes,wheresheproclaimedherselfRegentofFrance,andmadehimherlieutenant.TheArmagnacpartywereatthattimepossessedofParis;but,oneofthegatesofthecitybeingsecretlyopenedonacertainnighttoapartyoftheduke"smen,theygotintoParis,threwintotheprisonsalltheArmagnacsuponwhomtheycouldlaytheirhands,and,afewnightsafterwards,withtheaidofafuriousmobofsixtythousandpeople,broketheprisonsopen,andkilledthemall.TheformerDauphinwasnowdead,andtheKing"sthirdsonborethetitle.Him,intheheightofthismurderousscene,aFrenchknighthurriedoutofbed,wrappedinasheet,andboreawaytoPoitiers.So,whentherevengefulIsabellaandtheDukeofBurgundyenteredParisintriumphaftertheslaughteroftheirenemies,theDauphinwasproclaimedatPoitiersastherealRegent.

KingHenryhadnotbeenidlesincehisvictoryofAgincourt,buthadrepulsedabraveattemptoftheFrenchtorecoverHarfleur;hadgraduallyconqueredagreatpartofNormandy;and,atthiscrisisofaffairs,tooktheimportanttownofRouen,afterasiegeofhalfayear.ThisgreatlosssoalarmedtheFrench,thattheDukeofBurgundyproposedthatameetingtotreatofpeaceshouldbeheldbetweentheFrenchandtheEnglishkingsinaplainbytheriverSeine.Ontheappointedday,KingHenryappearedthere,withhistwobrothers,ClarenceandGloucester,andathousandmen.TheunfortunateFrenchKing,beingmoremadthanusualthatday,couldnotcome;buttheQueencame,andwithherthePrincessCatherine: