shouldhavegivenhimgreatercreditevenforthat,ifithadbeenstrongenoughtoinducehimtosparetheeyesofacertainpoetheoncetookprisoner,whowasaknightbesides.Butheorderedthepoet'seyestobetornfromhishead,becausehehadlaughedathiminhisverses;andthepoet,inthepainofthattorture,dashedouthisownbrainsagainsthisprisonwall.KingHenrytheFirstwasavaricious,revengeful,andsofalse,thatIsupposeamanneverlivedwhosewordwaslesstobereliedupon.
　　CHAPTERXI-ENGLANDUNDERMATILDAANDSTEPHEN
　　THEKingwasnosoonerdeadthanalltheplansandschemeshehadlabouredatsolong,andliedsomuchfor,crumbledawaylikeahollowheapofsand.STEPHEN,whomhehadnevermistrustedorsuspected,starteduptoclaimthethrone.
　　StephenwasthesonofADELA,theConqueror'sdaughter,marriedtotheCountofBlois.ToStephen,andtohisbrotherHENRY,thelateKinghadbeenliberal;makingHenryBishopofWinchester,andfindingagoodmarriageforStephen,andmuchenrichinghim.ThisdidnotpreventStephenfromhastilyproducingafalsewitness,aservantofthelateKing,toswearthattheKinghadnamedhimforhisheiruponhisdeath-bed.OnthisevidencetheArchbishopofCanterburycrownedhim.ThenewKing,sosuddenlymade,lostnotamomentinseizingtheRoyaltreasure,andhiringforeignsoldierswithsomeofittoprotecthisthrone.
　　IfthedeadKinghadevendoneasthefalsewitnesssaid,hewouldhavehadsmallrighttowillawaytheEnglishpeople,likesomanysheeporoxen,withouttheirconsent.Buthehad,infact,bequeathedallhisterritorytoMatilda;who,supportedbyROBERT,EarlofGloucester,soonbegantodisputethecrown.Someofthepowerfulbaronsandprieststookherside;sometookStephen's;allfortifiedtheircastles;andagainthemiserableEnglishpeoplewereinvolvedinwar,fromwhichtheycouldneverderiveadvantagewhosoeverwasvictorious,andinwhichallpartiesplundered,tortured,starved,andruinedthem.
　　FiveyearshadpassedsincethedeathofHenrytheFirst-andduringthosefiveyearstherehadbeentwoterribleinvasionsbythepeopleofScotlandundertheirKing,David,whowasatlastdefeatedwithallhisarmy-whenMatilda,attendedbyherbrotherRobertandalargeforce,appearedinEnglandtomaintainherclaim.AbattlewasfoughtbetweenhertroopsandKingStephen'satLincoln;inwhichtheKinghimselfwastakenprisoner,afterbravelyfightinguntilhisbattle-axeandswordwerebroken,andwascarriedintostrictconfinementatGloucester.MatildathensubmittedherselftothePriests,andthePriestscrownedherQueenofEngland.
　　Shedidnotlongenjoythisdignity.ThepeopleofLondonhadagreataffectionforStephen;manyoftheBaronsconsidereditdegradingtoberuledbyawoman;andtheQueen'stemperwassohaughtythatshemadeinnumerableenemies.ThepeopleofLondonrevolted;and,inalliancewiththetroopsofStephen,besiegedheratWinchester,wheretheytookherbrotherRobertprisoner,whom,asherbestsoldierandchiefgeneral,shewasgladtoexchangeforStephenhimself,whothusregainedhisliberty.Then,thelongwarwentonafresh.Once,shewaspressedsohardintheCastleofOxford,inthewinterweatherwhenthesnowlaythickupontheground,thatheronlychanceofescapewastodressherselfallinwhite,and,accompaniedbynomorethanthreefaithfulKnights,dressedinlikemannerthattheirfiguresmightnotbeseenfromStephen'scampastheypassedoverthesnow,tostealawayonfoot,crossthefrozenThames,walkalongdistance,andatlastgallopawayonhorseback.Allthisshedid,buttonogreatpurposethen;
　　forherbrotherdyingwhilethestrugglewasyetgoingon,sheatlastwithdrewtoNormandy.
　　IntwoorthreeyearsafterherwithdrawalhercauseappearedinEngland,afresh,inthepersonofhersonHenry,youngPlantagenet,who,atonlyeighteenyearsofage,wasverypowerful:notonlyonaccountofhismotherhavingresignedallNormandytohim,butalsofromhishavingmarriedELEANOR,thedivorcedwifeoftheFrenchKing,abadwoman,whohadgreatpossessionsinFrance.Louis,theFrenchKing,notrelishingthisarrangement,helpedEUSTACE,KingStephen'sson,toinvadeNormandy:butHenrydrovetheirunitedforcesoutofthatcountry,andthenreturnedhere,toassisthispartisans,whomtheKingwasthenbesiegingatWallingfordupontheThames.Here,fortwodays,dividedonlybytheriver,thetwoarmieslayencampedoppositetooneanother-ontheeve,asitseemedtoallmen,ofanotherdesperatefight,whentheEARLOF
　　ARUNDELtookheartandsaid'thatitwasnotreasonabletoprolongtheunspeakablemiseriesoftwokingdomstoministertotheambitionoftwoprinces.'
　　Manyothernoblemenrepeatingandsupportingthiswhenitwasonceuttered,StephenandyoungPlantagenetwentdown,eachtohisownbankoftheriver,andheldaconversationacrossit,inwhichtheyarrangedatruce;verymuchtothedissatisfactionofEustace,whoswaggeredawaywithsomefollowers,andlaidviolenthandsontheAbbeyofSt.Edmund's-Bury,wherehepresentlydiedmad.ThetruceledtoasolemncouncilatWinchester,inwhichitwasagreedthatStephenshouldretainthecrown,onconditionofhisdeclaringHenryhissuccessor;thatWILLIAM,anothersonoftheKing's,shouldinherithisfather'srightfulpossessions;andthatalltheCrownlandswhichStephenhadgivenawayshouldberecalled,andalltheCastleshehadpermittedtobebuiltdemolished.Thusterminatedthebitterwar,whichhadnowlastedfifteenyears,andhadagainlaidEnglandwaste.InthenextyearSTEPHENdied,afteratroubledreignofnineteenyears.
　　AlthoughKingStephenwas,forthetimeinwhichhelived,ahumaneandmoderateman,withmanyexcellentqualities;andalthoughnothingworseisknownofhimthanhisusurpationoftheCrown,whichheprobablyexcusedtohimselfbytheconsiderationthatKingHenrytheFirstwasausurpertoo-whichwasnoexcuseatall;thepeopleofEnglandsufferedmoreinthesedreadnineteenyears,thanatanyformerperiodevenoftheirsufferinghistory.InthedivisionofthenobilitybetweenthetworivalclaimantsoftheCrown,andinthegrowthofwhatiscalledtheFeudalSystemwhichmadethepeasantsthebornvassalsandmereslavesoftheBarons,everyNoblehadhisstrongCastle,wherehereignedthecruelkingofalltheneighbouringpeople.Accordingly,heperpetratedwhatevercrueltieshechose.AndneverwereworsecrueltiescommitteduponearththaninwretchedEnglandinthosenineteenyears.
　　Thewriterswhowerelivingthendescribethemfearfully.Theysaythatthecastleswerefilledwithdevilsratherthanwithmen;thatthepeasants,menandwomen,wereputintodungeonsfortheirgoldandsilver,weretorturedwithfireandsmoke,werehungupbythethumbs,werehungupbytheheelswithgreatweightstotheirheads,weretornwithjaggedirons,killedwithhunger,brokentodeathinnarrowchestsfilledwithsharp-pointedstones,murderedincountlessfiendishways.InEnglandtherewasnocorn,nomeat,nocheese,nobutter,therewerenotilledlands,noharvests.
　　Ashesofburnttowns,anddrearywastes,wereallthatthetraveller,fearfuloftherobberswhoprowledabroadatallhours,wouldseeinalongday'sjourney;andfromsunriseuntilnight,hewouldnotcomeuponahome.
　　Theclergysometimessuffered,andheavilytoo,frompillage,butmanyofthemhadcastlesoftheirown,andfoughtinhelmetandarmourlikethebarons,anddrewlotswithotherfightingmenfortheirshareofbooty.ThePopeorBishopofRome,onKingStephen'sresistinghisambition,laidEnglandunderanInterdictatoneperiodofthisreign;whichmeansthatheallowednoservicetobeperformedinthechurches,nocouplestobemarried,nobellstoberung,nodeadbodiestobeburied.Anymanhavingthepowertorefusethesethings,nomatterwhetherhewerecalledaPopeoraPoulterer,would,ofcourse,havethepowerofafflictingnumbersofinnocentpeople.ThatnothingmightbewantingtothemiseriesofKingStephen'stime,thePopethrewinthiscontributiontothepublicstore-notverylikethewidow'scontribution,asIthink,whenOurSavioursatinJerusalemover-againsttheTreasury,'andshethrewintwomites,whichmakeafarthing.'
　　CHAPTERXII-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHESECOND-PARTTHEFIRST
　　HENRYPLANTAGENET,whenhewasbuttwenty-oneyearsold,quietlysucceededtothethroneofEngland,accordingtohisagreementmadewiththelateKingatWinchester.SixweeksafterStephen'sdeath,heandhisQueen,Eleanor,werecrownedinthatcity;intowhichtheyrodeonhorsebackingreatstate,sidebyside,amidstmuchshoutingandrejoicing,andclashingofmusic,andstrewingofflowers.
　　ThereignofKingHenrytheSecondbeganwell.TheKinghadgreatpossessions,andwhatwithhisownrights,andwhatwiththoseofhiswifewaslordofone-thirdpartofFrance.Hewasayoungmanofvigour,ability,andresolution,andimmediatelyappliedhimselftoremovesomeoftheevilswhichhadariseninthelastunhappyreign.Herevokedallthegrantsoflandthathadbeenhastilymade,oneitherside,duringthelatestruggles;heobligednumbersofdisorderlysoldierstodepartfromEngland;hereclaimedallthecastlesbelongingtotheCrown;andheforcedthewickednoblestopulldowntheirowncastles,tothenumberofelevenhundred,inwhichsuchdismalcrueltieshadbeeninflictedonthepeople.TheKing'sbrother,GEOFFREY,roseagainsthiminFrance,whilehewassowellemployed,andrendereditnecessaryforhimtorepairtothatcountry;where,afterhehadsubduedandmadeafriendlyarrangementwithhisbrotherwhodidnotlivelong,hisambitiontoincreasehispossessionsinvolvedhiminawarwiththeFrenchKing,Louis,withwhomhehadbeenonsuchfriendlytermsjustbefore,thattotheFrenchKing'sinfantdaughter,thenababyinthecradle,hehadpromisedoneofhislittlesonsinmarriage,whowasachildoffiveyearsold.However,thewarcametonothingatlast,andthePopemadethetwoKingsfriendsagain.
　　Now,theclergy,inthetroublesofthelastreign,hadgoneonveryillindeed.Therewereallkindsofcriminalsamongthem-
　　murderers,thieves,andvagabonds;andtheworstofthematterwas,thatthegoodpriestswouldnotgiveupthebadprieststojustice,whentheycommittedcrimes,butpersistedinshelteringanddefendingthem.TheKing,wellknowingthattherecouldbenopeaceorrestinEnglandwhilesuchthingslasted,resolvedtoreducethepoweroftheclergy;and,whenhehadreignedsevenyears,foundasheconsideredagoodopportunityfordoingso,inthedeathoftheArchbishopofCanterbury.'IwillhaveforthenewArchbishop,'thoughttheKing,'afriendinwhomIcantrust,whowillhelpmetohumbletheserebelliouspriests,andtohavethemdealtwith,whentheydowrong,asothermenwhodowrongaredealtwith.'So,heresolvedtomakehisfavourite,thenewArchbishop;andthisfavouritewassoextraordinaryaman,andhisstoryissocurious,thatImusttellyouallabouthim.
　　Onceuponatime,aworthymerchantofLondon,namedGILBERTA
　　BECKET,madeapilgrimagetotheHolyLand,andwastakenprisonerbyaSaracenlord.Thislord,whotreatedhimkindlyandnotlikeaslave,hadonefairdaughter,whofellinlovewiththemerchant;
　　andwhotoldhimthatshewantedtobecomeaChristian,andwaswillingtomarryhimiftheycouldflytoaChristiancountry.Themerchantreturnedherlove,untilhefoundanopportunitytoescape,whenhedidnottroublehimselfabouttheSaracenlady,butescapedwithhisservantRichard,whohadbeentakenprisoneralongwithhim,andarrivedinEnglandandforgother.TheSaracenlady,whowasmorelovingthanthemerchant,leftherfather'shouseindisguisetofollowhim,andmadeherway,undermanyhardships,tothesea-shore.ThemerchanthadtaughtheronlytwoEnglishwordsforIsupposehemusthavelearnttheSaracentonguehimself,andmadeloveinthatlanguage,ofwhichLONDONwasone,andhisownname,GILBERT,theother.Shewentamongtheships,saying,'London!London!'overandoveragain,untilthesailorsunderstoodthatshewantedtofindanEnglishvesselthatwouldcarryherthere;sotheyshowedhersuchaship,andshepaidforherpassagewithsomeofherjewels,andsailedaway.Well!Themerchantwassittinginhiscounting-houseinLondononeday,whenheheardagreatnoiseinthestreet;andpresentlyRichardcamerunninginfromthewarehouse,withhiseyeswideopenandhisbreathalmostgone,saying,'Master,master,hereistheSaracenlady!'ThemerchantthoughtRichardwasmad;butRichardsaid,'No,master!
　　AsIlive,theSaracenladyisgoingupanddownthecity,callingGilbert!Gilbert!'Then,hetookthemerchantbythesleeve,andpointedoutofwindow;andtheretheysawheramongthegablesandwater-spoutsofthedark,dirtystreet,inherforeigndress,soforlorn,surroundedbyawonderingcrowd,andpassingslowlyalong,callingGilbert,Gilbert!Whenthemerchantsawher,andthoughtofthetendernessshehadshownhiminhiscaptivity,andofherconstancy,hisheartwasmoved,andherandownintothestreet;
　　andshesawhimcoming,andwithagreatcryfaintedinhisarms.
　　Theyweremarriedwithoutlossoftime,andRichardwhowasanexcellentmandancedwithjoythewholedayofthewedding;andtheyalllivedhappyeverafterwards.
　　ThismerchantandthisSaracenladyhadoneson,THOMASABECKET.
　　HeitwaswhobecametheFavouriteofKingHenrytheSecond.
　　HehadbecomeChancellor,whentheKingthoughtofmakinghimArchbishop.Hewasclever,gay,welleducated,brave;hadfoughtinseveralbattlesinFrance;haddefeatedaFrenchknightinsinglecombat,andbroughthishorseawayasatokenofthevictory.Helivedinanoblepalace,hewasthetutoroftheyoungPrinceHenry,hewasservedbyonehundredandfortyknights,hisricheswereimmense.TheKingoncesenthimashisambassadortoFrance;andtheFrenchpeople,beholdinginwhatstatehetravelled,criedoutinthestreets,'HowsplendidmusttheKingofEnglandbe,whenthisisonlytheChancellor!'TheyhadgoodreasontowonderatthemagnificenceofThomasaBecket,for,whenheenteredaFrenchtown,hisprocessionwasheadedbytwohundredandfiftysingingboys;then,camehishoundsincouples;then,eightwaggons,eachdrawnbyfivehorsesdrivenbyfivedrivers:
　　twoofthewaggonsfilledwithstrongaletobegivenawaytothepeople;four,withhisgoldandsilverplateandstatelyclothes;
　　two,withthedressesofhisnumerousservants.Then,cametwelvehorses,eachwithamonkeyonhisback;then,atrainofpeoplebearingshieldsandleadingfinewar-horsessplendidlyequipped;
　　then,falconerswithhawksupontheirwrists;then,ahostofknights,andgentlemenandpriests;then,theChancellorwithhisbrilliantgarmentsflashinginthesun,andallthepeoplecaperingandshoutingwithdelight.
　　TheKingwaswellpleasedwithallthis,thinkingthatitonlymadehimselfthemoremagnificenttohavesomagnificentafavourite;
　　buthesometimesjestedwiththeChancelloruponhissplendourtoo.
　　Once,whentheywereridingtogetherthroughthestreetsofLondoninhardwinterweather,theysawashiveringoldmaninrags.
　　'Lookatthepoorobject!'saidtheKing.'Woulditnotbeacharitableacttogivethatagedmanacomfortablewarmcloak?'
　　'Undoubtedlyitwould,'saidThomasaBecket,'andyoudowell,Sir,tothinkofsuchChristianduties.''Come!'criedtheKing,'thengivehimyourcloak!'Itwasmadeofrichcrimsontrimmedwithermine.TheKingtriedtopullitoff,theChancellortriedtokeepiton,bothwerenearrollingfromtheirsaddlesinthemud,whentheChancellorsubmitted,andtheKinggavethecloaktotheoldbeggar:muchtothebeggar'sastonishment,andmuchtothemerrimentofallthecourtiersinattendance.For,courtiersarenotonlyeagertolaughwhentheKinglaughs,buttheyreallydoenjoyalaughagainstaFavourite.
　　'Iwillmake,'thoughtKingHenrythesecond,'thisChancellorofmine,ThomasaBecket,ArchbishopofCanterbury.HewillthenbetheheadoftheChurch,and,beingdevotedtome,willhelpmetocorrecttheChurch.Hehasalwaysupheldmypoweragainstthepoweroftheclergy,andoncepubliclytoldsomebishopsI
　　remember,thatmenoftheChurchwereequallyboundtome,withmenofthesword.ThomasaBecketistheman,ofallothermeninEngland,tohelpmeinmygreatdesign.'SotheKing,regardlessofallobjection,eitherthathewasafightingman,oralavishman,oracourtlyman,oramanofpleasure,oranythingbutalikelymanfortheoffice,madehimArchbishopaccordingly.
　　Now,ThomasaBecketwasproudandlovedtobefamous.Hewasalreadyfamousforthepompofhislife,forhisriches,hisgoldandsilverplate,hiswaggons,horses,andattendants.Hecoulddonomoreinthatwaythanhehaddone;andbeingtiredofthatkindoffamewhichisaverypoorone,helongedtohavehisnamecelebratedforsomethingelse.Nothing,heknew,wouldrenderhimsofamousintheworld,asthesettingofhisutmostpowerandabilityagainsttheutmostpowerandabilityoftheKing.Heresolvedwiththewholestrengthofhismindtodoit.
　　HemayhavehadsomesecretgrudgeagainsttheKingbesides.TheKingmayhaveoffendedhisproudhumouratsometimeorother,foranythingIknow.Ithinkitlikely,becauseitisacommonthingforKings,Princes,andothergreatpeople,totrythetempersoftheirfavouritesratherseverely.Eventhelittleaffairofthecrimsoncloakmusthavebeenanythingbutapleasantonetoahaughtyman.ThomasaBecketknewbetterthananyoneinEnglandwhattheKingexpectedofhim.Inallhissumptuouslife,hehadneveryetbeeninapositiontodisappointtheKing.Hecouldtakeupthatproudstandnow,asheadoftheChurch;andhedeterminedthatitshouldbewritteninhistory,eitherthathesubduedtheKing,orthattheKingsubduedhim.
　　So,ofasudden,hecompletelyalteredthewholemannerofhislife.Heturnedoffallhisbrilliantfollowers,atecoarsefood,drankbitterwater,worenexthisskinsackclothcoveredwithdirtandverminforitwasthenthoughtveryreligioustobeverydirty,floggedhisbacktopunishhimself,livedchieflyinalittlecell,washedthefeetofthirteenpoorpeopleeveryday,andlookedasmiserableashepossiblycould.Ifhehadputtwelvehundredmonkeysonhorsebackinsteadoftwelve,andhadgoneinprocessionwitheightthousandwaggonsinsteadofeight,hecouldnothavehalfastonishedthepeoplesomuchasbythisgreatchange.ItsooncausedhimtobemoretalkedaboutasanArchbishopthanhehadbeenasaChancellor.
　　TheKingwasveryangry;andwasmadestillmoreso,whenthenewArchbishop,claimingvariousestatesfromthenoblesasbeingrightfullyChurchproperty,requiredtheKinghimself,forthesamereason,togiveupRochesterCastle,andRochesterCitytoo.Notsatisfiedwiththis,hedeclaredthatnopowerbuthimselfshouldappointapriesttoanyChurchinthepartofEnglandoverwhichhewasArchbishop;andwhenacertaingentlemanofKentmadesuchanappointment,asheclaimedtohavetherighttodo,ThomasaBecketexcommunicatedhim.
　　Excommunicationwas,nexttotheInterdictItoldyouofatthecloseofthelastchapter,thegreatweaponoftheclergy.Itconsistedindeclaringthepersonwhowasexcommunicated,anoutcastfromtheChurchandfromallreligiousoffices;andincursinghimallover,fromthetopofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot,whetherhewasstandingup,lyingdown,sitting,kneeling,walking,running,hopping,jumping,gaping,coughing,sneezing,orwhateverelsehewasdoing.Thisunchristiannonsensewouldofcoursehavemadenosortofdifferencetothepersoncursed-whocouldsayhisprayersathomeifhewereshutoutofchurch,andwhomnonebutGODcouldjudge-butforthefearsandsuperstitionsofthepeople,whoavoidedexcommunicatedpersons,andmadetheirlivesunhappy.So,theKingsaidtotheNewArchbishop,'TakeoffthisExcommunicationfromthisgentlemanofKent.'TowhichtheArchbishopreplied,'Ishalldonosuchthing.'
　　Thequarrelwenton.ApriestinWorcestershirecommittedamostdreadfulmurder,thatarousedthehorrorofthewholenation.TheKingdemandedtohavethiswretchdeliveredup,tobetriedinthesamecourtandinthesamewayasanyothermurderer.TheArchbishoprefused,andkepthimintheBishop'sprison.TheKing,holdingasolemnassemblyinWestminsterHall,demandedthatinfutureallpriestsfoundguiltybeforetheirBishopsofcrimesagainstthelawofthelandshouldbeconsideredpriestsnolonger,andshouldbedeliveredovertothelawofthelandforpunishment.
　　TheArchbishopagainrefused.TheKingrequiredtoknowwhethertheclergywouldobeytheancientcustomsofthecountry?Everypriestthere,butone,said,afterThomasaBecket,'Savingmyorder.'Thisreallymeantthattheywouldonlyobeythosecustomswhentheydidnotinterferewiththeirownclaims;andtheKingwentoutoftheHallingreatwrath.
　　Someoftheclergybegantobeafraid,now,thattheyweregoingtoofar.ThoughThomasaBecketwasotherwiseasunmovedasWestminsterHall,theyprevaileduponhim,forthesakeoftheirfears,togototheKingatWoodstock,andpromisetoobservetheancientcustomsofthecountry,withoutsayinganythingabouthisorder.TheKingreceivedthissubmissionfavourably,andsummonedagreatcounciloftheclergytomeetattheCastleofClarendon,bySalisbury.Butwhenthecouncilmet,theArchbishopagaininsistedonthewords'sayingmyorder;'andhestillinsisted,thoughlordsentreatedhim,andpriestsweptbeforehimandknelttohim,andanadjoiningroomwasthrownopen,filledwitharmedsoldiersoftheKing,tothreatenhim.Atlengthhegaveway,forthattime,andtheancientcustomswhichincludedwhattheKinghaddemandedinvainwerestatedinwriting,andweresignedandsealedbythechiefoftheclergy,andwerecalledtheConstitutionsofClarendon.
　　Thequarrelwenton,forallthat.TheArchbishoptriedtoseetheKing.TheKingwouldnotseehim.TheArchbishoptriedtoescapefromEngland.Thesailorsonthecoastwouldlaunchnoboattotakehimaway.Then,heagainresolvedtodohisworstinoppositiontotheKing,andbeganopenlytosettheancientcustomsatdefiance.
　　TheKingsummonedhimbeforeagreatcouncilatNorthampton,whereheaccusedhimofhightreason,andmadeaclaimagainsthim,whichwasnotajustone,foranenormoussumofmoney.ThomasaBecketwasaloneagainstthewholeassembly,andtheveryBishopsadvisedhimtoresignhisofficeandabandonhiscontestwiththeKing.
　　Hisgreatanxietyandagitationstretchedhimonasick-bedfortwodays,buthewasstillundaunted.Hewenttotheadjournedcouncil,carryingagreatcrossinhisrighthand,andsatdownholdingiterectbeforehim.TheKingangrilyretiredintoaninnerroom.Thewholeassemblyangrilyretiredandlefthimthere.
　　Buttherehesat.TheBishopscameoutagaininabody,andrenouncedhimasatraitor.Heonlysaid,'Ihear!'andsattherestill.Theyretiredagainintotheinnerroom,andhistrialproceededwithouthim.By-and-by,theEarlofLeicester,headingthebarons,cameouttoreadhissentence.Herefusedtohearit,deniedthepowerofthecourt,andsaidhewouldreferhiscausetothePope.Ashewalkedoutofthehall,withthecrossinhishand,someofthosepresentpickeduprushes-rusheswerestrewnuponthefloorsinthosedaysbywayofcarpet-andthrewthemathim.Heproudlyturnedhishead,andsaidthatwerehenotArchbishop,hewouldchastisethosecowardswiththeswordhehadknownhowtouseinbygonedays.Hethenmountedhishorse,androdeaway,cheeredandsurroundedbythecommonpeople,towhomhethrewopenhishousethatnightandgaveasupper,suppingwiththemhimself.Thatsamenighthesecretlydepartedfromthetown;
　　andso,travellingbynightandhidingbyday,andcallinghimself'BrotherDearman,'gotaway,notwithoutdifficulty,toFlanders.
　　Thestrugglestillwenton.TheangryKingtookpossessionoftherevenuesofthearchbishopric,andbanishedalltherelationsandservantsofThomasaBecket,tothenumberoffourhundred.ThePopeandtheFrenchKingbothprotectedhim,andanabbeywasassignedforhisresidence.Stimulatedbythissupport,ThomasaBecket,onagreatfestivalday,formallyproceededtoagreatchurchcrowdedwithpeople,andgoingupintothepulpitpubliclycursedandexcommunicatedallwhohadsupportedtheConstitutionsofClarendon:mentioningmanyEnglishnoblemenbyname,andnotdistantlyhintingattheKingofEnglandhimself.
　　WhenintelligenceofthisnewaffrontwascarriedtotheKinginhischamber,hispassionwassofuriousthathetorehisclothes,androlledlikeamadmanonhisbedofstrawandrushes.Buthewassoonupanddoing.HeorderedalltheportsandcoastsofEnglandtobenarrowlywatched,thatnolettersofInterdictmightbebroughtintothekingdom;andsentmessengersandbribestothePope'spalaceatRome.Meanwhile,ThomasaBecket,forhispart,wasnotidleatRome,butconstantlyemployedhisutmostartsinhisownbehalf.Thustheconteststood,untiltherewaspeacebetweenFranceandEnglandwhichhadbeenforsometimeatwar,anduntilthetwochildrenofthetwoKingsweremarriedincelebrationofit.Then,theFrenchKingbroughtaboutameetingbetweenHenryandhisoldfavourite,solonghisenemy.
　　Eventhen,thoughThomasaBecketkneltbeforetheKing,hewasobstinateandimmovableastothosewordsabouthisorder.KingLouisofFrancewasweakenoughinhisvenerationforThomasaBecketandsuchmen,butthiswasalittletoomuchforhim.HesaidthataBecket'wantedtobegreaterthanthesaintsandbetterthanSt.Peter,'androdeawayfromhimwiththeKingofEngland.
　　HispoorFrenchMajestyaskedaBecket'spardonforsodoing,however,soonafterwards,andcutaverypitifulfigure.
　　Atlast,andafteraworldoftrouble,itcametothis.TherewasanothermeetingonFrenchgroundbetweenKingHenryandThomasaBecket,anditwasagreedthatThomasaBecketshouldbeArchbishopofCanterbury,accordingtothecustomsofformerArchbishops,andthattheKingshouldputhiminpossessionoftherevenuesofthatpost.Andnow,indeed,youmightsupposethestruggleatanend,andThomasaBecketatrest.NO,notevenyet.ForThomasaBeckethearing,bysomemeans,thatKingHenry,whenhewasindreadofhiskingdombeingplacedunderaninterdict,hadhadhiseldestsonPrinceHenrysecretlycrowned,notonlypersuadedthePopetosuspendtheArchbishopofYorkwhohadperformedthatceremony,andtoexcommunicatetheBishopswhohadassistedatit,butsentamessengerofhisownintoEngland,inspiteofalltheKing'sprecautionsalongthecoast,whodeliveredthelettersofexcommunicationintotheBishops'ownhands.ThomasaBecketthencameovertoEnglandhimself,afteranabsenceofsevenyears.Hewasprivatelywarnedthatitwasdangeroustocome,andthatanirefulknight,namedRANULFDEBROC,hadthreatenedthatheshouldnotlivetoeataloafofbreadinEngland;buthecame.
　　Thecommonpeoplereceivedhimwell,andmarchedaboutwithhiminasoldierlyway,armedwithsuchrusticweaponsastheycouldget.
　　Hetriedtoseetheyoungprincewhohadoncebeenhispupil,butwasprevented.Hehopedforsomelittlesupportamongthenoblesandpriests,butfoundnone.Hemadethemostofthepeasantswhoattendedhim,andfeastedthem,andwentfromCanterburytoHarrow-
　　on-the-Hill,andfromHarrow-on-the-HillbacktoCanterbury,andonChristmasDaypreachedintheCathedralthere,andtoldthepeopleinhissermonthathehadcometodieamongthem,andthatitwaslikelyhewouldbemurdered.Hehadnofear,however-or,ifhehadany,hehadmuchmoreobstinacy-forhe,thenandthere,excommunicatedthreeofhisenemies,ofwhomRanulfdeBroc,theirefulknight,wasone.
　　Asmeningeneralhadnofancyforbeingcursed,intheirsittingandwalking,andgapingandsneezing,andalltherestofit,itwasverynaturalinthepersonssofreelyexcommunicatedtocomplaintotheKing.ItwasequallynaturalintheKing,whohadhopedthatthistroublesomeopponentwasatlastquieted,tofallintoamightyragewhenheheardofthesenewaffronts;and,ontheArchbishopofYorktellinghimthathenevercouldhopeforrestwhileThomasaBecketlived,tocryouthastilybeforehiscourt,'HaveInooneherewhowilldelivermefromthisman?'Therewerefourknightspresent,who,hearingtheKing'swords,lookedatoneanother,andwentout.
　　ThenamesoftheseknightswereREGINALDFITZURSE,WILLIAMTRACY,HUGHDEMORVILLE,andRICHARDBRITO;threeofwhomhadbeeninthetrainofThomasaBecketintheolddaysofhissplendour.Theyrodeawayonhorseback,inaverysecretmanner,andonthethirddayafterChristmasDayarrivedatSaltwoodHouse,notfarfromCanterbury,whichbelongedtothefamilyofRanulfdeBroc.Theyquietlycollectedsomefollowershere,incasetheyshouldneedany;andproceedingtoCanterbury,suddenlyappearedthefourknightsandtwelvemenbeforetheArchbishop,inhisownhouse,attwoo'clockintheafternoon.Theyneitherbowednorspoke,butsatdownonthefloorinsilence,staringattheArchbishop.
　　ThomasaBecketsaid,atlength,'Whatdoyouwant?'
　　'Wewant,'saidReginaldFitzurse,'theexcommunicationtakenfromtheBishops,andyoutoanswerforyouroffencestotheKing.'
　　ThomasaBecketdefiantlyreplied,thatthepoweroftheclergywasabovethepoweroftheKing.Thatitwasnotforsuchmenastheywere,tothreatenhim.ThatifhewerethreatenedbyalltheswordsinEngland,hewouldneveryield.
　　'Thenwewilldomorethanthreaten!'saidtheknights.Andtheywentoutwiththetwelvemen,andputontheirarmour,anddrewtheirshiningswords,andcameback.
　　Hisservants,inthemeantime,hadshutupandbarredthegreatgateofthepalace.Atfirst,theknightstriedtoshatteritwiththeirbattle-axes;but,beingshownawindowbywhichtheycouldenter,theyletthegatealone,andclimbedinthatway.Whiletheywerebatteringatthedoor,theattendantsofThomasaBeckethadimploredhimtotakerefugeintheCathedral;inwhich,asasanctuaryorsacredplace,theythoughttheknightswoulddaretodonoviolentdeed.Hetoldthem,againandagain,thathewouldnotstir.Hearingthedistantvoicesofthemonkssingingtheeveningservice,however,hesaiditwasnowhisdutytoattend,andtherefore,andfornootherreason,hewouldgo.
　　TherewasanearwaybetweenhisPalaceandtheCathedral,bysomebeautifuloldcloisterswhichyoumayyetsee.HewentintotheCathedral,withoutanyhurry,andhavingtheCrosscarriedbeforehimasusual.Whenhewassafelythere,hisservantswouldhavefastenedthedoor,buthesaidNO!itwasthehouseofGodandnotafortress.
　　Ashespoke,theshadowofReginaldFitzurseappearedintheCathedraldoorway,darkeningthelittlelighttherewasoutside,onthedarkwinterevening.Thisknightsaid,inastrongvoice,'Followme,loyalservantsoftheKing!'TherattleofthearmouroftheotherknightsechoedthroughtheCathedral,astheycameclashingin.
　　Itwassodark,intheloftyaislesandamongthestatelypillarsofthechurch,andthereweresomanyhiding-placesinthecryptbelowandinthenarrowpassagesabove,thatThomasaBecketmightevenatthatpasshavesavedhimselfifhewould.Buthewouldnot.Hetoldthemonksresolutelythathewouldnot.AndthoughtheyalldispersedandlefthimtherewithnootherfollowerthanEDWARDGRYME,hisfaithfulcross-bearer,hewasasfirmthen,aseverhehadbeeninhislife.
　　Theknightscameon,throughthedarkness,makingaterriblenoisewiththeirarmedtreaduponthestonepavementofthechurch.
　　'Whereisthetraitor?'theycriedout.Hemadenoanswer.Butwhentheycried,'WhereistheArchbishop?'hesaidproudly,'Iamhere!'andcameoutoftheshadeandstoodbeforethem.
　　Theknightshadnodesiretokillhim,iftheycouldridtheKingandthemselvesofhimbyanyothermeans.Theytoldhimhemusteitherflyorgowiththem.Hesaidhewoulddoneither;andhethrewWilliamTracyoffwithsuchforcewhenhetookholdofhissleeve,thatTracyreeledagain.Byhisreproachesandhissteadiness,hesoincensedthem,andexasperatedtheirfiercehumour,thatReginaldFitzurse,whomhecalledbyanillname,said,'Thendie!'andstruckathishead.ButthefaithfulEdwardGrymeputouthisarm,andtherereceivedthemainforceoftheblow,sothatitonlymadehismasterbleed.AnothervoicefromamongtheknightsagaincalledtoThomasaBeckettofly;but,withhisbloodrunningdownhisface,andhishandsclasped,andhisheadbent,hecommandedhimselftoGod,andstoodfirm.ThentheycruellykilledhimclosetothealtarofSt.Bennet;andhisbodyfelluponthepavement,whichwasdirtiedwithhisbloodandbrains.
　　Itisanawfulthingtothinkofthemurderedmortal,whohadsoshoweredhiscursesabout,lying,alldisfigured,inthechurch,whereafewlampshereandtherewerebutredspecksonapallofdarkness;andtothinkoftheguiltyknightsridingawayonhorseback,lookingovertheirshouldersatthedimCathedral,andrememberingwhattheyhadleftinside.
　　PARTTHESECOND
　　WHENtheKingheardhowThomasaBeckethadlosthislifeinCanterburyCathedral,throughtheferocityofthefourKnights,hewasfilledwithdismay.SomehavesupposedthatwhentheKingspokethosehastywords,'HaveInooneherewhowilldelivermefromthisman?'hewished,andmeantaBeckettobeslain.Butfewthingsaremoreunlikely;for,besidesthattheKingwasnotnaturallycruelthoughverypassionate,hewaswise,andmusthaveknownfullwellwhatanystupidmaninhisdominionsmusthaveknown,namely,thatsuchamurderwouldrousethePopeandthewholeChurchagainsthim.
　　HesentrespectfulmessengerstothePope,torepresenthisinnocenceexceptinhavingutteredthehastywords;andhesworesolemnlyandpubliclytohisinnocence,andcontrivedintimetomakehispeace.AstothefourguiltyKnights,whofledintoYorkshire,andneveragaindaredtoshowthemselvesatCourt,thePopeexcommunicatedthem;andtheylivedmiserablyforsometime,shunnedbyalltheircountrymen.Atlast,theywenthumblytoJerusalemasapenance,andtherediedandwereburied.
　　Ithappened,fortunatelyforthepacifyingofthePope,thatanopportunityaroseverysoonafterthemurderofaBecket,fortheKingtodeclarehispowerinIreland-whichwasanacceptableundertakingtothePope,astheIrish,whohadbeenconvertedtoChristianitybyonePatriciusotherwiseSaintPatricklongago,beforeanyPopeexisted,consideredthatthePopehadnothingatalltodowiththem,ortheywiththePope,andaccordinglyrefusedtopayhimPeter'sPence,orthattaxofapennyahousewhichI
　　haveelsewherementioned.TheKing'sopportunityaroseinthisway.
　　TheIrishwere,atthattime,asbarbarousapeopleasyoucanwellimagine.Theywerecontinuallyquarrellingandfighting,cuttingoneanother'sthroats,slicingoneanother'snoses,burningoneanother'shouses,carryingawayoneanother'swives,andcommittingallsortsofviolence.Thecountrywasdividedintofivekingdoms-DESMOND,THOMOND,CONNAUGHT,ULSTER,andLEINSTER-eachgovernedbyaseparateKing,ofwhomoneclaimedtobethechiefoftherest.Now,oneoftheseKings,namedDERMONDMACMURROUGHawildkindofname,speltinmorethanonewildkindofway,hadcarriedoffthewifeofafriendofhis,andconcealedheronanislandinabog.Thefriendresentingthisthoughitwasquitethecustomofthecountry,complainedtothechiefKing,and,withthechiefKing'shelp,droveDermondMacMurroughoutofhisdominions.
　　DermondcameovertoEnglandforrevenge;andofferedtoholdhisrealmasavassalofKingHenry,ifKingHenrywouldhelphimtoregainit.TheKingconsentedtotheseterms;butonlyassistedhim,then,withwhatwerecalledLettersPatent,authorisinganyEnglishsubjectswhoweresodisposed,toenterintohisservice,andaidhiscause.
　　Therewas,atBristol,acertainEARLRICHARDDECLARE,calledSTRONGBOW;ofnoverygoodcharacter;needyanddesperate,andreadyforanythingthatofferedhimachanceofimprovinghisfortunes.Therewere,inSouthWales,twootherbrokenknightsofthesamegood-for-nothingsort,calledROBERTFITZ-STEPHEN,andMAURICEFITZ-GERALD.Thesethree,eachwithasmallbandoffollowers,tookupDermond'scause;anditwasagreedthatifitprovedsuccessful,StrongbowshouldmarryDermond'sdaughterEVA,andbedeclaredhisheir.
　　ThetrainedEnglishfollowersoftheseknightsweresosuperiorinallthedisciplineofbattletotheIrish,thattheybeatthemagainstimmensesuperiorityofnumbers.Inonefight,earlyinthewar,theycutoffthreehundredheads,andlaidthembeforeMacMurrough;whoturnedthemeveryoneupwithhishands,rejoicing,and,comingtoonewhichwastheheadofamanwhomhehadmuchdisliked,graspeditbythehairandears,andtoreoffthenoseandlipswithhisteeth.Youmayjudgefromthis,whatkindofagentlemananIrishKinginthosetimeswas.Thecaptives,allthroughthiswar,werehorriblytreated;thevictoriouspartymakingnothingofbreakingtheirlimbs,andcastingthemintotheseafromthetopsofhighrocks.ItwasinthemidstofthemiseriesandcrueltiesattendantonthetakingofWaterford,wherethedeadlaypiledinthestreets,andthefilthyguttersranwithblood,thatStrongbowmarriedEva.Anodiousmarriage-companythosemoundsofcorpse'smusthavemade,Ithink,andonequiteworthyoftheyounglady'sfather.
　　Hedied,afterWaterfordandDublinhadbeentaken,andvarioussuccessesachieved;andStrongbowbecameKingofLeinster.NowcameKingHenry'sopportunity.TorestrainthegrowingpowerofStrongbow,hehimselfrepairedtoDublin,asStrongbow'sRoyalMaster,anddeprivedhimofhiskingdom,butconfirmedhimintheenjoymentofgreatpossessions.TheKing,then,holdingstateinDublin,receivedthehomageofnearlyalltheIrishKingsandChiefs,andsocamehomeagainwithagreatadditiontohisreputationasLordofIreland,andwithanewclaimonthefavourofthePope.Andnow,theirreconciliationwascompleted-moreeasilyandmildlybythePope,thantheKingmighthaveexpected,I
　　think.
　　Atthisperiodofhisreign,whenhistroublesseemedsofewandhisprospectssobright,thosedomesticmiseriesbeganwhichgraduallymadetheKingthemostunhappyofmen,reducedhisgreatspirit,woreawayhishealth,andbrokehisheart.
　　Hehadfoursons.HENRY,nowagedeighteen-hissecretcrowningofwhomhadgivensuchoffencetoThomasaBecket.RICHARD,agedsixteen;GEOFFREY,fifteen;andJOHN,hisfavourite,ayoungboywhomthecourtiersnamedLACKLAND,becausehehadnoinheritance,buttowhomtheKingmeanttogivetheLordshipofIreland.Allthesemisguidedboys,intheirturn,wereunnaturalsonstohim,andunnaturalbrotherstoeachother.PrinceHenry,stimulatedbytheFrenchKing,andbyhisbadmother,QueenEleanor,begantheundutifulhistory,First,hedemandedthathisyoungwife,MARGARET,theFrenchKing'sdaughter,shouldbecrownedaswellashe.Hisfather,theKing,consented,anditwasdone.Itwasnosoonerdone,thanhedemandedtohaveapartofhisfather'sdominions,duringhisfather'slife.Thisbeingrefused,hemadeofffromhisfatherinthenight,withhisbadheartfullofbitterness,andtookrefugeattheFrenchKing'sCourt.Withinadayortwo,hisbrothersRichardandGeoffreyfollowed.Theirmothertriedtojointhem-
　　escapinginman'sclothes-butshewasseizedbyKingHenry'smen,andimmuredinprison,whereshelay,deservedly,forsixteenyears.Everyday,however,somegraspingEnglishnoblemen,towhomtheKing'sprotectionofhispeoplefromtheiravariceandoppressionhadgivenoffence,desertedhimandjoinedthePrinces.
　　EverydayheheardsomefreshintelligenceofthePrinceslevyingarmiesagainsthim;ofPrinceHenry'swearingacrownbeforehisownambassadorsattheFrenchCourt,andbeingcalledtheJuniorKingofEngland;ofallthePrincesswearingnevertomakepeacewithhim,theirfather,withouttheconsentandapprovaloftheBaronsofFrance.But,withhisfortitudeandenergyunshaken,KingHenrymettheshockofthesedisasterswitharesolvedandcheerfulface.HecalleduponallRoyalfatherswhohadsons,tohelphim,forhiscausewastheirs;hehired,outofhisriches,twentythousandmentofightthefalseFrenchKing,whostirredhisownbloodagainsthim;andhecarriedonthewarwithsuchvigour,thatLouissoonproposedaconferencetotreatforpeace.
　　Theconferencewasheldbeneathanoldwide-spreadinggreenelm-
　　tree,uponaplaininFrance.Itledtonothing.Thewarrecommenced.PrinceRichardbeganhisfightingcareer,byleadinganarmyagainsthisfather;buthisfatherbeathimandhisarmyback;andthousandsofhismenwouldhaveruedthedayinwhichtheyfoughtinsuchawickedcause,hadnottheKingreceivednewsofaninvasionofEnglandbytheScots,andpromptlycomehomethroughagreatstormtorepressit.AndwhetherhereallybegantofearthathesufferedthesetroublesbecauseaBeckethadbeenmurdered;orwhetherhewishedtoriseinthefavourofthePope,whohadnowdeclaredaBeckettobeasaint,orinthefavourofhisownpeople,ofwhommanybelievedthatevenaBecket'ssenselesstombcouldworkmiracles,Idon'tknow:buttheKingnosoonerlandedinEnglandthanhewentstraighttoCanterbury;andwhenhecamewithinsightofthedistantCathedral,hedismountedfromhishorse,tookoffhisshoes,andwalkedwithbareandbleedingfeettoaBecket'sgrave.There,helaydownontheground,lamenting,inthepresenceofmanypeople;andby-and-byhewentintotheChapterHouse,and,removinghisclothesfromhisbackandshoulders,submittedhimselftobebeatenwithknottedcordsnotbeatenveryhard,IdaresaythoughbyeightyPriests,oneafteranother.ItchancedthatontheverydaywhentheKingmadethiscuriousexhibitionofhimself,acompletevictorywasobtainedovertheScots;whichverymuchdelightedthePriests,whosaidthatitwaswonbecauseofhisgreatexampleofrepentance.
　　ForthePriestsingeneralhadfoundout,sinceaBecket'sdeath,thattheyadmiredhimofallthings-thoughtheyhadhatedhimverycordiallywhenhewasalive.
　　TheEarlofFlanders,whowasattheheadofthebaseconspiracyoftheKing'sundutifulsonsandtheirforeignfriends,tooktheopportunityoftheKingbeingthusemployedathome,tolaysiegetoRouen,thecapitalofNormandy.ButtheKing,whowasextraordinarilyquickandactiveinallhismovements,wasatRouen,too,beforeitwassupposedpossiblethathecouldhaveleftEngland;andtherehesodefeatedthesaidEarlofFlanders,thattheconspiratorsproposedpeace,andhisbadsonsHenryandGeoffreysubmitted.Richardresistedforsixweeks;but,beingbeatenoutofcastleaftercastle,heatlastsubmittedtoo,andhisfatherforgavehim.
　　Toforgivetheseunworthyprinceswasonlytoaffordthembreathing-timefornewfaithlessness.Theyweresofalse,disloyal,anddishonourable,thattheywerenomoretobetrustedthancommonthieves.Intheverynextyear,PrinceHenryrebelledagain,andwasagainforgiven.Ineightyearsmore,PrinceRichardrebelledagainsthiselderbrother;andPrinceGeoffreyinfamouslysaidthatthebrotherscouldneveragreewelltogether,unlesstheywereunitedagainsttheirfather.IntheverynextyearaftertheirreconciliationbytheKing,PrinceHenryagainrebelledagainsthisfather;andagainsubmitted,swearingtobetrue;andwasagainforgiven;andagainrebelledwithGeoffrey.
　　ButtheendofthisperfidiousPrincewascome.HefellsickataFrenchtown;andhisconscienceterriblyreproachinghimwithhisbaseness,hesentmessengerstotheKinghisfather,imploringhimtocomeandseehim,andtoforgivehimforthelasttimeonhisbedofdeath.ThegenerousKing,whohadaroyalandforgivingmindtowardshischildrenalways,wouldhavegone;butthisPrincehadbeensounnatural,thatthenoblemenabouttheKingsuspectedtreachery,andrepresentedtohimthathecouldnotsafelytrusthislifewithsuchatraitor,thoughhisowneldestson.ThereforetheKingsenthimaringfromoffhisfingerasatokenofforgiveness;andwhenthePrincehadkissedit,withmuchgriefandmanytears,andhadconfessedtothosearoundhimhowbad,andwicked,andundutifulasonhehadbeen;hesaidtotheattendantPriests:'O,tiearopeaboutmybody,anddrawmeoutofbed,andlaymedownuponabedofashes,thatImaydiewithprayerstoGodinarepentantmanner!'Andsohedied,attwenty-sevenyearsold.