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.
