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:
