Threeyearsafterwards,PrinceGeoffrey,beingunhorsedatatournament,hadhisbrainstrampledoutbyacrowdofhorsespassingoverhim.So,thereonlyremainedPrinceRichard,andPrinceJohn-whohadgrowntobeayoungmannow,andhadsolemnlysworntobefaithfultohisfather.Richardsoonrebelledagain,encouragedbyhisfriendtheFrenchKing,PHILIPTHESECONDsonofLouis,whowasdead;andsoonsubmittedandwasagainforgiven,swearingontheNewTestamentnevertorebelagain;andinanotheryearorso,rebelledagain;and,inthepresenceofhisfather,kneltdownonhiskneebeforetheKingofFrance;anddidtheFrenchKinghomage:anddeclaredthatwithhisaidhewouldpossesshimself,byforce,ofallhisfather'sFrenchdominions.
　　AndyetthisRichardcalledhimselfasoldierofOurSaviour!AndyetthisRichardworetheCross,whichtheKingsofFranceandEnglandhadbothtaken,inthepreviousyear,atabrotherlymeetingunderneaththeoldwide-spreadingelm-treeontheplain,whentheyhadswornlikehimtodevotethemselvestoanewCrusade,fortheloveandhonouroftheTruth!
　　Sickatheart,weariedoutbythefalsehoodofhissons,andalmostreadytoliedownanddie,theunhappyKingwhohadsolongstoodfirm,begantofail.ButthePope,tohishonour,supportedhim;
　　andobligedtheFrenchKingandRichard,thoughsuccessfulinfight,totreatforpeace.RichardwantedtobeCrownedKingofEngland,andpretendedthathewantedtobemarriedwhichhereallydidnottotheFrenchKing'ssister,hispromisedwife,whomKingHenrydetainedinEngland.KingHenrywanted,ontheotherhand,thattheFrenchKing'ssistershouldbemarriedtohisfavouriteson,John:theonlyoneofhissonshesaidwhohadneverrebelledagainsthim.AtlastKingHenry,desertedbyhisnoblesonebyone,distressed,exhausted,broken-hearted,consentedtoestablishpeace.
　　Onefinalheavysorrowwasreservedforhim,evenyet.Whentheybroughthimtheproposedtreatyofpeace,inwriting,ashelayveryillinbed,theybroughthimalsothelistofthedesertersfromtheirallegiance,whomhewasrequiredtopardon.ThefirstnameuponthislistwasJohn,hisfavouriteson,inwhomhehadtrustedtothelast.
　　'OJohn!childofmyheart!'exclaimedtheKing,inagreatagonyofmind.'OJohn,whomIhavelovedthebest!OJohn,forwhomI
　　havecontendedthroughthesemanytroubles!Haveyoubetrayedmetoo!'Andthenhelaydownwithaheavygroan,andsaid,'Nowlettheworldgoasitwill.Icarefornothingmore!'
　　Afteratime,hetoldhisattendantstotakehimtotheFrenchtownofChinon-atownhehadbeenfondof,duringmanyyears.Buthewasfondofnoplacenow;itwastootruethathecouldcarefornothingmoreuponthisearth.Hewildlycursedthehourwhenhewasborn,andcursedthechildrenwhomheleftbehindhim;andexpired.
　　As,onehundredyearsbefore,theservilefollowersoftheCourthadabandonedtheConquerorinthehourofhisdeath,sotheynowabandonedhisdescendant.Theverybodywasstripped,intheplunderoftheRoyalchamber;anditwasnoteasytofindthemeansofcarryingitforburialtotheabbeychurchofFontevraud.
　　Richardwassaidinafteryears,bywayofflattery,tohavetheheartofaLion.Itwouldhavebeenfarbetter,Ithink,tohavehadtheheartofaMan.Hisheart,whateveritwas,hadcausetobeatremorsefullywithinhisbreast,whenhecame-ashedid-
　　intothesolemnabbey,andlookedonhisdeadfather'suncoveredface.Hisheart,whateveritwas,hadbeenablackandperjuredheart,inallitsdealingswiththedeceasedKing,andmoredeficientinasingletouchoftendernessthananywildbeast'sintheforest.
　　ThereisaprettystorytoldofthisReign,calledthestoryofFAIRROSAMOND.ItrelateshowtheKingdotedonFairRosamond,whowastheloveliestgirlinalltheworld;andhowhehadabeautifulBowerbuiltforherinaParkatWoodstock;andhowitwaserectedinalabyrinth,andcouldonlybefoundbyaclueofsilk.HowthebadQueenEleanor,becomingjealousofFairRosamond,foundoutthesecretoftheclue,andoneday,appearedbeforeher,withadaggerandacupofpoison,andlefthertothechoicebetweenthosedeaths.HowFairRosamond,aftersheddingmanypiteoustearsandofferingmanyuselessprayerstothecruelQueen,tookthepoison,andfelldeadinthemidstofthebeautifulbower,whiletheunconsciousbirdssanggailyallaroundher.
　　Now,thereWASafairRosamond,andshewasIdaresaytheloveliestgirlinalltheworld,andtheKingwascertainlyveryfondofher,andthebadQueenEleanorwascertainlymadejealous.
　　ButIamafraid-Isayafraid,becauseIlikethestorysomuch-
　　thattherewasnobower,nolabyrinth,nosilkenclue,nodagger,nopoison.IamafraidfairRosamondretiredtoanunnerynearOxford,anddiedthere,peaceably;hersister-nunshangingasilkendraperyoverhertomb,andoftendressingitwithflowers,inremembranceoftheyouthandbeautythathadenchantedtheKingwhenhetoowasyoung,andwhenhislifelayfairbeforehim.
　　Itwasdarkandendednow;fadedandgone.HenryPlantagenetlayquietintheabbeychurchofFontevraud,inthefifty-seventhyearofhisage-nevertobecompleted-aftergoverningEnglandwell,fornearlythirty-fiveyears.
　　CHAPTERXIII-ENGLANDUNDERRICHARDTHEFIRST,CALLEDTHELION-
　　HEART
　　INtheyearofourLordonethousandonehundredandeighty-nine,RichardoftheLionHeartsucceededtothethroneofKingHenrytheSecond,whosepaternalhearthehaddonesomuchtobreak.Hehadbeen,aswehaveseen,arebelfromhisboyhood;but,themomenthebecameakingagainstwhomothersmightrebel,hefoundoutthatrebellionwasagreatwickedness.Intheheatofthispiousdiscovery,hepunishedalltheleadingpeoplewhohadbefriendedhimagainsthisfather.Hecouldscarcelyhavedoneanythingthatwouldhavebeenabetterinstanceofhisrealnature,orabetterwarningtofawnersandparasitesnottotrustinlion-heartedprinces.
　　Helikewiseputhislatefather'streasurerinchains,andlockedhimupinadungeonfromwhichhewasnotsetfreeuntilhehadrelinquished,notonlyalltheCrowntreasure,butallhisownmoneytoo.So,RichardcertainlygottheLion'sshareofthewealthofthiswretchedtreasurer,whetherhehadaLion'sheartornot.
　　HewascrownedKingofEngland,withgreatpomp,atWestminster:
　　walkingtotheCathedralunderasilkencanopystretchedonthetopsoffourlances,eachcarriedbyagreatlord.Onthedayofhiscoronation,adreadfulmurderingoftheJewstookplace,whichseemstohavegivengreatdelighttonumbersofsavagepersonscallingthemselvesChristians.TheKinghadissuedaproclamationforbiddingtheJewswhoweregenerallyhated,thoughtheywerethemostusefulmerchantsinEnglandtoappearattheceremony;butastheyhadassembledinLondonfromallparts,bringingpresentstoshowtheirrespectforthenewSovereign,someofthemventureddowntoWestminsterHallwiththeirgifts;whichwereveryreadilyaccepted.Itissupposed,now,thatsomenoisyfellowinthecrowd,pretendingtobeaverydelicateChristian,setupahowlatthis,andstruckaJewwhowastryingtogetinattheHalldoorwithhispresent.Ariotarose.TheJewswhohadgotintotheHall,weredrivenforth;andsomeoftherabblecriedoutthatthenewKinghadcommandedtheunbelievingracetobeputtodeath.
　　Thereuponthecrowdrushedthroughthenarrowstreetsofthecity,slaughteringalltheJewstheymet;andwhentheycouldfindnomoreoutofdoorsonaccountoftheirhavingfledtotheirhouses,andfastenedthemselvesin,theyranmadlyabout,breakingopenallthehouseswheretheJewslived,rushinginandstabbingorspearingthem,sometimesevenflingingoldpeopleandchildrenoutofwindowintoblazingfirestheyhadlightedupbelow.Thisgreatcrueltylastedfour-and-twentyhours,andonlythreemenwerepunishedforit.EventheyforfeitedtheirlivesnotformurderingandrobbingtheJews,butforburningthehousesofsomeChristians.
　　KingRichard,whowasastrong,restless,burlyman,withoneideaalwaysinhishead,andthattheverytroublesomeideaofbreakingtheheadsofothermen,wasmightilyimpatienttogoonaCrusadetotheHolyLand,withagreatarmy.Asgreatarmiescouldnotberaisedtogo,eventotheHolyLand,withoutagreatdealofmoney,hesoldtheCrowndomains,andeventhehighofficesofState;
　　recklesslyappointingnoblementoruleoverhisEnglishsubjects,notbecausetheywerefittogovern,butbecausetheycouldpayhighfortheprivilege.Inthisway,andbysellingpardonsatadearrateandbyvarietiesofavariceandoppression,hescrapedtogetheralargetreasure.HethenappointedtwoBishopstotakecareofhiskingdominhisabsence,andgavegreatpowersandpossessionstohisbrotherJohn,tosecurehisfriendship.JohnwouldratherhavebeenmadeRegentofEngland;buthewasaslyman,andfriendlytotheexpedition;sayingtohimself,nodoubt,'Themorefighting,themorechanceofmybrotherbeingkilled;andwhenheISkilled,thenIbecomeKingJohn!'
　　BeforethenewlyleviedarmydepartedfromEngland,therecruitsandthegeneralpopulacedistinguishedthemselvesbyastonishingcrueltiesontheunfortunateJews:whom,inmanylargetowns,theymurderedbyhundredsinthemosthorriblemanner.
　　AtYork,alargebodyofJewstookrefugeintheCastle,intheabsenceofitsGovernor,afterthewivesandchildrenofmanyofthemhadbeenslainbeforetheireyes.PresentlycametheGovernor,anddemandedadmission.'Howcanwegiveitthee,O
　　Governor!'saidtheJewsuponthewalls,'when,ifweopenthegatebysomuchasthewidthofafoot,theroaringcrowdbehindtheewillpressinandkillus?'
　　Uponthis,theunjustGovernorbecameangry,andtoldthepeoplethatheapprovedoftheirkillingthoseJews;andamischievousmaniacofafriar,dressedallinwhite,puthimselfattheheadoftheassault,andtheyassaultedtheCastleforthreedays.
　　ThensaidJOCEN,thehead-JewwhowasaRabbiorPriest,totherest,'Brethren,thereisnohopeforuswiththeChristianswhoarehammeringatthegatesandwalls,andwhomustsoonbreakin.
　　Asweandourwivesandchildrenmustdie,eitherbyChristianhands,orbyourown,letitbebyourown.Letusdestroybyfirewhatjewelsandothertreasurewehavehere,thenfirethecastle,andthenperish!'
　　Afewcouldnotresolvetodothis,butthegreaterpartcomplied.
　　Theymadeablazingheapofalltheirvaluables,and,whenthosewereconsumed,setthecastleinflames.Whiletheflamesroaredandcrackledaroundthem,andshootingupintothesky,turneditblood-red,Jocencutthethroatofhisbelovedwife,andstabbedhimself.Alltheotherswhohadwivesorchildren,didthelikedreadfuldeed.Whenthepopulacebrokein,theyfoundexceptthetremblingfew,coweringincorners,whomtheysoonkilledonlyheapsofgreasycinders,withhereandtheresomethinglikepartoftheblackenedtrunkofaburnttree,butwhichhadlatelybeenahumancreature,formedbythebeneficenthandoftheCreatorastheywere.
　　Afterthisbadbeginning,Richardandhistroopswenton,innoverygoodmanner,withtheHolyCrusade.ItwasundertakenjointlybytheKingofEnglandandhisoldfriendPhilipofFrance.Theycommencedthebusinessbyreviewingtheirforces,tothenumberofonehundredthousandmen.Afterwards,theyseverallyembarkedtheirtroopsforMessina,inSicily,whichwasappointedasthenextplaceofmeeting.
　　KingRichard'ssisterhadmarriedtheKingofthisplace,buthewasdead:andhisuncleTANCREDhadusurpedthecrown,casttheRoyalWidowintoprison,andpossessedhimselfofherestates.
　　Richardfiercelydemandedhissister'srelease,therestorationofherlands,andaccordingtotheRoyalcustomoftheIslandthatsheshouldhaveagoldenchair,agoldentable,four-and-twentysilvercups,andfour-and-twentysilverdishes.Ashewastoopowerfultobesuccessfullyresisted,Tancredyieldedtohisdemands;andthentheFrenchKinggrewjealous,andcomplainedthattheEnglishKingwantedtobeabsoluteintheIslandofMessinaandeverywhereelse.Richard,however,caredlittleornothingforthiscomplaint;andinconsiderationofapresentoftwentythousandpiecesofgold,promisedhisprettylittlenephewARTHUR,thenachildoftwoyearsold,inmarriagetoTancred'sdaughter.
　　WeshallhearagainofprettylittleArthurby-and-by.
　　ThisSicilianaffairarrangedwithoutanybody'sbrainsbeingknockedoutwhichmusthaveratherdisappointedhim,KingRichardtookhissisteraway,andalsoafairladynamedBERENGARIA,withwhomhehadfalleninloveinFrance,andwhomhismother,QueenEleanorsolonginprison,youremember,butreleasedbyRichardonhiscomingtotheThrone,hadbroughtouttheretobehiswife;
　　andsailedwiththemforCyprus.
　　HesoonhadthepleasureoffightingtheKingoftheIslandofCyprus,forallowinghissubjectstopillagesomeoftheEnglishtroopswhowereshipwreckedontheshore;andeasilyconqueringthispoormonarch,heseizedhisonlydaughter,tobeacompaniontotheladyBerengaria,andputtheKinghimselfintosilverfetters.Hethensailedawayagainwithhismother,sister,wife,andthecaptiveprincess;andsoonarrivedbeforethetownofAcre,whichtheFrenchKingwithhisfleetwasbesiegingfromthesea.
　　ButtheFrenchKingwasinnotriumphantcondition,forhisarmyhadbeenthinnedbytheswordsoftheSaracens,andwastedbytheplague;andSALADIN,thebraveSultanoftheTurks,attheheadofanumerousarmy,wasatthattimegallantlydefendingtheplacefromthehillsthatriseaboveit.
　　WherevertheunitedarmyofCrusaderswent,theyagreedinfewpointsexceptingaming,drinking,andquarrelling,inamostunholymanner;indebauchingthepeopleamongwhomtheytarried,whethertheywerefriendsorfoes;andincarryingdisturbanceandruinintoquietplaces.TheFrenchKingwasjealousoftheEnglishKing,andtheEnglishKingwasjealousoftheFrenchKing,andthedisorderlyandviolentsoldiersofthetwonationswerejealousofoneanother;consequently,thetwoKingscouldnotatfirstagree,evenuponajointassaultonAcre;butwhentheydidmakeuptheirquarrelforthatpurpose,theSaracenspromisedtoyieldthetown,togiveuptotheChristiansthewoodoftheHolyCross,tosetatlibertyalltheirChristiancaptives,andtopaytwohundredthousandpiecesofgold.Allthiswastobedonewithinfortydays;but,notbeingdone,KingRichardorderedsomethreethousandSaracenprisonerstobebroughtoutinthefrontofhiscamp,andthere,infullviewoftheirowncountrymen,tobebutchered.
　　TheFrenchKinghadnopartinthiscrime;forhewasbythattimetravellinghomewardwiththegreaterpartofhismen;beingoffendedbytheoverbearingconductoftheEnglishKing;beinganxioustolookafterhisowndominions;andbeingill,besides,fromtheunwholesomeairofthathotandsandycountry.KingRichardcarriedonthewarwithouthim;andremainedintheEast,meetingwithavarietyofadventures,nearlyayearandahalf.
　　Everynightwhenhisarmywasonthemarch,andcametoahalt,theheraldscriedoutthreetimes,toremindallthesoldiersofthecauseinwhichtheywereengaged,'SavetheHolySepulchre!'andthenallthesoldierskneltandsaid'Amen!'Marchingorencamping,thearmyhadcontinuallytostrivewiththehotairoftheglaringdesert,orwiththeSaracensoldiersanimatedanddirectedbythebraveSaladin,orwithbothtogether.Sicknessanddeath,battleandwounds,werealwaysamongthem;butthrougheverydifficultyKingRichardfoughtlikeagiant,andworkedlikeacommonlabourer.Longandlongafterhewasquietinhisgrave,histerriblebattle-axe,withtwentyEnglishpoundsofEnglishsteelinitsmightyhead,wasalegendamongtheSaracens;andwhenalltheSaracenandChristianhostshadbeendustformanyayear,ifaSaracenhorsestartedatanyobjectbythewayside,hisriderwouldexclaim,'Whatdostthoufear,Fool?DostthouthinkKingRichardisbehindit?'
　　NooneadmiredthisKing'srenownforbraverymorethanSaladinhimself,whowasagenerousandgallantenemy.WhenRichardlayillofafever,SaladinsenthimfreshfruitsfromDamascus,andsnowfromthemountain-tops.Courtlymessagesandcomplimentswerefrequentlyexchangedbetweenthem-andthenKingRichardwouldmounthishorseandkillasmanySaracensashecould;andSaladinwouldmounthis,andkillasmanyChristiansashecould.InthiswayKingRichardfoughttohisheart'scontentatArsoofandatJaffa;andfindinghimselfwithnothingexcitingtodoatAscalon,excepttorebuild,forhisowndefence,somefortificationstherewhichtheSaracenshaddestroyed,hekickedhisallytheDukeofAustria,forbeingtooproudtoworkatthem.
　　ThearmyatlastcamewithinsightoftheHolyCityofJerusalem;
　　but,beingthenamerenestofjealousy,andquarrellingandfighting,soonretired,andagreedwiththeSaracensuponatruceforthreeyears,threemonths,threedays,andthreehours.Then,theEnglishChristians,protectedbythenobleSaladinfromSaracenrevenge,visitedOurSaviour'stomb;andthenKingRichardembarkedwithasmallforceatAcretoreturnhome.
　　ButhewasshipwreckedintheAdriaticSea,andwasfaintopassthroughGermany,underanassumedname.Now,thereweremanypeopleinGermanywhohadservedintheHolyLandunderthatproudDukeofAustriawhohadbeenkicked;andsomeofthem,easilyrecognisingamansoremarkableasKingRichard,carriedtheirintelligencetothekickedDuke,whostraightwaytookhimprisoneratalittleinnnearVienna.
　　TheDuke'smastertheEmperorofGermany,andtheKingofFrance,wereequallydelightedtohavesotroublesomeamonarchinsafekeeping.Friendshipswhicharefoundedonapartnershipindoingwrong,arenevertrue;andtheKingofFrancewasnowquiteasheartilyKingRichard'sfoe,ashehadeverbeenhisfriendinhisunnaturalconducttohisfather.HemonstrouslypretendedthatKingRichardhaddesignedtopoisonhimintheEast;hechargedhimwithhavingmurdered,there,amanwhomhehadintruthbefriended;
　　hebribedtheEmperorofGermanytokeephimcloseprisoner;and,finally,throughtheplottingofthesetwoprinces,RichardwasbroughtbeforetheGermanlegislature,chargedwiththeforegoingcrimes,andmanyothers.Buthedefendedhimselfsowell,thatmanyoftheassemblyweremovedtotearsbyhiseloquenceandearnestness.Itwasdecidedthatheshouldbetreated,duringtherestofhiscaptivity,inamannermorebecominghisdignitythanhehadbeen,andthatheshouldbesetfreeonthepaymentofaheavyransom.ThisransomtheEnglishpeoplewillinglyraised.
　　WhenQueenEleanortookitovertoGermany,itwasatfirstevadedandrefused.ButsheappealedtothehonourofalltheprincesoftheGermanEmpireinbehalfofherson,andappealedsowellthatitwasaccepted,andtheKingreleased.Thereupon,theKingofFrancewrotetoPrinceJohn-'Takecareofthyself.Thedevilisunchained!'
　　PrinceJohnhadreasontofearhisbrother,forhehadbeenatraitortohiminhiscaptivity.HehadsecretlyjoinedtheFrenchKing;hadvowedtotheEnglishnoblesandpeoplethathisbrotherwasdead;andhadvainlytriedtoseizethecrown.HewasnowinFrance,ataplacecalledEvreux.Beingthemeanestandbasestofmen,hecontrivedameanandbaseexpedientformakinghimselfacceptabletohisbrother.HeinvitedtheFrenchofficersofthegarrisoninthattowntodinner,murderedthemall,andthentookthefortress.Withthisrecommendationtothegoodwillofalion-
　　heartedmonarch,hehastenedtoKingRichard,fellonhiskneesbeforehim,andobtainedtheintercessionofQueenEleanor.'I
　　forgivehim,'saidtheKing,'andIhopeImayforgettheinjuryhehasdoneme,aseasilyasIknowhewillforgetmypardon.'
　　WhileKingRichardwasinSicily,therehadbeentroubleinhisdominionsathome:oneofthebishopswhomhehadleftinchargethereof,arrestingtheother;andmaking,inhisprideandambition,asgreatashowasifhewereKinghimself.ButtheKinghearingofitatMessina,andappointinganewRegency,thisLONGCHAMPforthatwashisnamehadfledtoFranceinawoman'sdress,andhadtherebeenencouragedandsupportedbytheFrenchKing.WithallthesecausesofoffenceagainstPhilipinhismind,KingRichardhadnosoonerbeenwelcomedhomebyhisenthusiasticsubjectswithgreatdisplayandsplendour,andhadnosoonerbeencrownedafreshatWinchester,thanheresolvedtoshowtheFrenchKingthattheDevilwasunchainedindeed,andmadewaragainsthimwithgreatfury.
　　Therewasfreshtroubleathomeaboutthistime,arisingoutofthediscontentsofthepoorpeople,whocomplainedthattheywerefarmoreheavilytaxedthantherich,andwhofoundaspiritedchampioninWILLIAMFITZ-OSBERT,calledLONGBEARD.Hebecametheleaderofasecretsociety,comprisingfiftythousandmen;hewasseizedbysurprise;hestabbedthecitizenwhofirstlaidhandsuponhim;andretreated,bravelyfighting,toachurch,whichhemaintainedfourdays,untilhewasdislodgedbyfire,andrunthroughthebodyashecameout.Hewasnotkilled,though;forhewasdragged,halfdead,atthetailofahorsetoSmithfield,andtherehanged.
　　Deathwaslongafavouriteremedyforsilencingthepeople'sadvocates;butaswegoonwiththishistory,Ifancyweshallfindthemdifficulttomakeanendof,forallthat.
　　TheFrenchwar,delayedoccasionallybyatruce,wasstillinprogresswhenacertainLordnamedVIDOMAR,ViscountofLimoges,chancedtofindinhisgroundatreasureofancientcoins.AstheKing'svassal,hesenttheKinghalfofit;buttheKingclaimedthewhole.Thelordrefusedtoyieldthewhole.TheKingbesiegedthelordinhiscastle,sworethathewouldtakethecastlebystorm,andhangeverymanofitsdefendersonthebattlements.
　　Therewasastrangeoldsonginthatpartofthecountry,totheeffectthatinLimogesanarrowwouldbemadebywhichKingRichardwoulddie.ItmaybethatBERTRANDDEGOURDON,ayoungmanwhowasoneofthedefendersofthecastle,hadoftensungitorhearditsungofawinternight,andremembereditwhenhesaw,fromhispostupontheramparts,theKingattendedonlybyhischiefofficerridingbelowthewallssurveyingtheplace.Hedrewanarrowtothehead,tooksteadyaim,saidbetweenhisteeth,'NowIprayGodspeedtheewell,arrow!'dischargedit,andstrucktheKingintheleftshoulder.
　　Althoughthewoundwasnotatfirstconsidereddangerous,itwassevereenoughtocausetheKingtoretiretohistent,anddirecttheassaulttobemadewithouthim.Thecastlewastaken;andeverymanofitsdefenderswashanged,astheKinghadswornallshouldbe,exceptBertranddeGourdon,whowasreserveduntiltheroyalpleasurerespectinghimshouldbeknown.
　　BythattimeunskilfultreatmenthadmadethewoundmortalandtheKingknewthathewasdying.HedirectedBertrandtobebroughtintohistent.Theyoungmanwasbroughtthere,heavilychained,KingRichardlookedathimsteadily.Helooked,assteadily,attheKing.
　　'Knave!'saidKingRichard.'WhathaveIdonetotheethatthoushouldesttakemylife?'
　　'Whathastthoudonetome?'repliedtheyoungman.'Withthineownhandsthouhastkilledmyfatherandmytwobrothers.Myselfthouwouldesthavehanged.Letmedienow,byanytorturethatthouwilt.Mycomfortis,thatnotorturecansaveThee.Thoutoomustdie;and,throughme,theworldisquitofthee!'
　　AgaintheKinglookedattheyoungmansteadily.Againtheyoungmanlookedsteadilyathim.PerhapssomeremembranceofhisgenerousenemySaladin,whowasnotaChristian,cameintothemindofthedyingKing.
　　'Youth!'hesaid,'Iforgivethee.Gounhurt!'Then,turningtothechiefofficerwhohadbeenridinginhiscompanywhenhereceivedthewound,KingRichardsaid:
　　'Takeoffhischains,givehimahundredshillings,andlethimdepart.'
　　Hesunkdownonhiscouch,andadarkmistseemedinhisweakenedeyestofillthetentwhereinhehadsooftenrested,andhedied.
　　Hisagewasforty-two;hehadreignedtenyears.Hislastcommandwasnotobeyed;forthechiefofficerflayedBertranddeGourdonalive,andhangedhim.
　　Thereisanoldtuneyetknown-asorrowfulairwillsometimesoutlivemanygenerationsofstrongmen,andevenlastlongerthanbattle-axeswithtwentypoundsofsteelinthehead-bywhichthisKingissaidtohavebeendiscoveredinhiscaptivity.BLONDEL,afavouriteMinstrelofKingRichard,asthestoryrelates,faithfullyseekinghisRoyalmaster,wentsingingitoutsidethegloomywallsofmanyforeignfortressesandprisons;untilatlasthehearditechoedfromwithinadungeon,andknewthevoice,andcriedoutinecstasy,'ORichard,OmyKing!'Youmaybelieveit,ifyoulike;itwouldbeeasytobelieveworsethings.RichardwashimselfaMinstrelandaPoet.IfhehadnotbeenaPrincetoo,hemighthavebeenabettermanperhaps,andmighthavegoneoutoftheworldwithlessbloodshedandwasteoflifetoanswerfor.
　　CHAPTERXIV-ENGLANDUNDERKINGJOHN,CALLEDLACKLAND
　　ATtwo-and-thirtyyearsofage,JOHNbecameKingofEngland.HisprettylittlenephewARTHURhadthebestclaimtothethrone;butJohnseizedthetreasure,andmadefinepromisestothenobility,andgothimselfcrownedatWestminsterwithinafewweeksafterhisbrotherRichard'sdeath.Idoubtwhetherthecrowncouldpossiblyhavebeenputupontheheadofameanercoward,oramoredetestablevillain,ifEnglandhadbeensearchedfromendtoendtofindhimout.
　　TheFrenchKing,Philip,refusedtoacknowledgetherightofJohntohisnewdignity,anddeclaredinfavourofArthur.Youmustnotsupposethathehadanygenerosityoffeelingforthefatherlessboy;itmerelysuitedhisambitiousschemestoopposetheKingofEngland.SoJohnandtheFrenchKingwenttowaraboutArthur.
　　Hewasahandsomeboy,atthattimeonlytwelveyearsold.Hewasnotbornwhenhisfather,Geoffrey,hadhisbrainstrampledoutatthetournament;and,besidesthemisfortuneofneverhavingknownafather'sguidanceandprotection,hehadtheadditionalmisfortunetohaveafoolishmotherCONSTANCEbyname,latelymarriedtoherthirdhusband.ShetookArthur,uponJohn'saccession,totheFrenchKing,whopretendedtobeverymuchhisfriend,andwhomadehimaKnight,andpromisedhimhisdaughterinmarriage;but,whocaredsolittleabouthiminreality,thatfindingithisinteresttomakepeacewithKingJohnforatime,hedidsowithouttheleastconsiderationforthepoorlittlePrince,andheartlesslysacrificedallhisinterests.
　　YoungArthur,fortwoyearsafterwards,livedquietly;andinthecourseofthattimehismotherdied.But,theFrenchKingthenfindingithisinteresttoquarrelwithKingJohnagain,againmadeArthurhispretence,andinvitedtheorphanboytocourt.'Youknowyourrights,Prince,'saidtheFrenchKing,'andyouwouldliketobeaKing.Isitnotso?''Truly,'saidPrinceArthur,'I
　　shouldgreatlyliketobeaKing!''Then,'saidPhilip,'youshallhavetwohundredgentlemenwhoareKnightsofmine,andwiththemyoushallgotowinbacktheprovincesbelongingtoyou,ofwhichyouruncle,theusurpingKingofEngland,hastakenpossession.I
　　myself,meanwhile,willheadaforceagainsthiminNormandy.'
　　PoorArthurwassoflatteredandsogratefulthathesignedatreatywiththecraftyFrenchKing,agreeingtoconsiderhimhissuperiorLord,andthattheFrenchKingshouldkeepforhimselfwhateverhecouldtakefromKingJohn.
　　Now,KingJohnwassobadinallways,andKingPhilipwassoperfidious,thatArthur,betweenthetwo,mightaswellhavebeenalambbetweenafoxandawolf.But,beingsoyoung,hewasardentandflushedwithhope;and,whenthepeopleofBrittanywhichwashisinheritancesenthimfivehundredmoreknightsandfivethousandfootsoldiers,hebelievedhisfortunewasmade.ThepeopleofBrittanyhadbeenfondofhimfromhisbirth,andhadrequestedthathemightbecalledArthur,inremembranceofthatdimly-famousEnglishArthur,ofwhomItoldyouearlyinthisbook,whomtheybelievedtohavebeenthebravefriendandcompanionofanoldKingoftheirown.TheyhadtalesamongthemaboutaprophetcalledMERLINofthesameoldtime,whohadforetoldthattheirownKingshouldberestoredtothemafterhundredsofyears;
　　andtheybelievedthattheprophecywouldbefulfilledinArthur;
　　thatthetimewouldcomewhenhewouldrulethemwithacrownofBrittanyuponhishead;andwhenneitherKingofFrancenorKingofEnglandwouldhaveanypoweroverthem.WhenArthurfoundhimselfridinginaglitteringsuitofarmouronarichlycaparisonedhorse,attheheadofhistrainofknightsandsoldiers,hebegantobelievethistoo,andtoconsideroldMerlinaverysuperiorprophet.
　　Hedidnotknow-howcouldhe,beingsoinnocentandinexperienced?-thathislittlearmywasamerenothingagainstthepoweroftheKingofEngland.TheFrenchKingknewit;butthepoorboy'sfatewaslittletohim,sothattheKingofEnglandwasworriedanddistressed.Therefore,KingPhilipwenthiswayintoNormandyandPrinceArthurwenthiswaytowardsMirebeau,aFrenchtownnearPoictiers,bothverywellpleased.
　　PrinceArthurwenttoattackthetownofMirebeau,becausehisgrandmotherEleanor,whohassooftenmadeherappearanceinthishistoryandwhohadalwaysbeenhismother'senemy,waslivingthere,andbecausehisKnightssaid,'Prince,ifyoucantakeherprisoner,youwillbeabletobringtheKingyouruncletoterms!'
　　Butshewasnottobeeasilytaken.Shewasoldenoughbythistime-eighty-butshewasasfullofstratagemasshewasfullofyearsandwickedness.ReceivingintelligenceofyoungArthur'sapproach,sheshutherselfupinahightower,andencouragedhersoldierstodefenditlikemen.PrinceArthurwithhislittlearmybesiegedthehightower.KingJohn,hearinghowmattersstood,cameuptotherescue,withHISarmy.Soherewasastrangefamily-party!Theboy-Princebesieginghisgrandmother,andhisunclebesieginghim!
　　Thispositionofaffairsdidnotlastlong.OnesummernightKingJohn,bytreachery,gothismenintothetown,surprisedPrinceArthur'sforce,tooktwohundredofhisknights,andseizedthePrincehimselfinhisbed.TheKnightswereputinheavyirons,anddrivenawayinopencartsdrawnbybullocks,tovariousdungeonswheretheyweremostinhumanlytreated,andwheresomeofthemwerestarvedtodeath.PrinceArthurwassenttothecastleofFalaise.
　　Oneday,whilehewasinprisonatthatcastle,mournfullythinkingitstrangethatonesoyoungshouldbeinsomuchtrouble,andlookingoutofthesmallwindowinthedeepdarkwall,atthesummerskyandthebirds,thedoorwassoftlyopened,andhesawhisuncletheKingstandingintheshadowofthearchway,lookingverygrim.
　　'Arthur,'saidtheKing,withhiswickedeyesmoreonthestonefloorthanonhisnephew,'willyounottrusttothegentleness,thefriendship,andthetruthfulnessofyourlovinguncle?'
　　'Iwilltellmylovingunclethat,'repliedtheboy,'whenhedoesmeright.LethimrestoretomemykingdomofEngland,andthencometomeandaskthequestion.'
　　TheKinglookedathimandwentout.'Keepthatboycloseprisoner,'saidhetothewardenofthecastle.
　　Then,theKingtooksecretcounselwiththeworstofhisnobleshowthePrincewastobegotridof.Somesaid,'Putouthiseyesandkeephiminprison,asRobortofNormandywaskept.'Otherssaid,'Havehimstabbed.'Others,'Havehimhanged.'Others,'Havehimpoisoned.'
　　KingJohn,feelingthatinanycase,whateverwasdoneafterwards,itwouldbeasatisfactiontohismindtohavethosehandsomeeyesburntoutthathadlookedathimsoproudlywhilehisownroyaleyeswereblinkingatthestonefloor,sentcertainruffianstoFalaisetoblindtheboywithred-hotirons.ButArthursopatheticallyentreatedthem,andshedsuchpiteoustears,andsoappealedtoHUBERTDEBOURGorBURGH,thewardenofthecastle,whohadaloveforhim,andwasanhonourable,tenderman,thatHubertcouldnotbearit.Tohiseternalhonourhepreventedthetorturefrombeingperformed,and,athisownrisk,sentthesavagesaway.
　　ThechafedanddisappointedKingbethoughthimselfofthestabbingsuggestionnext,and,withhisshufflingmannerandhiscruelface,proposedittooneWilliamdeBray.'Iamagentlemanandnotanexecutioner,'saidWilliamdeBray,andleftthepresencewithdisdain.
　　ButitwasnotdifficultforaKingtohireamurdererinthosedays.KingJohnfoundoneforhismoney,andsenthimdowntothecastleofFalaise.'Onwhaterranddostthoucome?'saidHuberttothisfellow.'TodespatchyoungArthur,'hereturned.'Gobacktohimwhosentthee,'answeredHubert,'andsaythatIwilldoit!'
　　KingJohnverywellknowingthatHubertwouldneverdoit,butthathecourageouslysentthisreplytosavethePrinceorgaintime,despatchedmessengerstoconveytheyoungprisonertothecastleofRouen.
　　ArthurwassoonforcedfromthegoodHubert-ofwhomhehadneverstoodingreaterneedthanthen-carriedawaybynight,andlodgedinhisnewprison:where,throughhisgratedwindow,hecouldhearthedeepwatersoftheriverSeine,ripplingagainstthestonewallbelow.
　　Onedarknight,ashelaysleeping,dreamingperhapsofrescuebythoseunfortunategentlemenwhowereobscurelysufferinganddyinginhiscause,hewasroused,andbiddenbyhisjailertocomedownthestaircasetothefootofthetower.Hehurriedlydressedhimselfandobeyed.Whentheycametothebottomofthewindingstairs,andthenightairfromtheriverblewupontheirfaces,thejailertroduponhistorchandputitout.Then,Arthur,inthedarkness,washurriedlydrawnintoasolitaryboat.Andinthatboat,hefoundhisuncleandoneotherman.
　　Heknelttothem,andprayedthemnottomurderhim.Deaftohisentreaties,theystabbedhimandsunkhisbodyintheriverwithheavystones.Whenthespring-morningbroke,thetower-doorwasclosed,theboatwasgone,theriversparkledonitsway,andnevermorewasanytraceofthepoorboybeheldbymortaleyes.
　　ThenewsofthisatrociousmurderbeingspreadinEngland,awakenedahatredoftheKingalreadyodiousforhismanyvices,andforhishavingstolenawayandmarriedanobleladywhilehisownwifewaslivingthatneversleptagainthroughhiswholereign.InBrittany,theindignationwasintense.Arthur'sownsisterELEANOR
　　wasinthepowerofJohnandshutupinaconventatBristol,buthishalf-sisterALICEwasinBrittany.Thepeoplechoseher,andthemurderedprince'sfather-in-law,thelasthusbandofConstance,torepresentthem;andcarriedtheirfierycomplaintstoKingPhilip.KingPhilipsummonedKingJohnastheholderofterritoryinFrancetocomebeforehimanddefendhimself.KingJohnrefusingtoappear,KingPhilipdeclaredhimfalse,perjured,andguilty;andagainmadewar.Inalittletime,byconqueringthegreaterpartofhisFrenchterritory,KingPhilipdeprivedhimofone-thirdofhisdominions.And,throughallthefightingthattookplace,KingJohnwasalwaysfound,eithertobeeatinganddrinking,likeagluttonousfool,whenthedangerwasatadistance,ortoberunningaway,likeabeatencur,whenitwasnear.
　　Youmightsupposethatwhenhewaslosinghisdominionsatthisrate,andwhenhisownnoblescaredsolittleforhimorhiscausethattheyplainlyrefusedtofollowhisbanneroutofEngland,hehadenemiesenough.ButhemadeanotherenemyofthePope,whichhedidinthisway.
　　TheArchbishopofCanterburydying,andthejuniormonksofthatplacewishingtogetthestartoftheseniormonksintheappointmentofhissuccessor,mettogetheratmidnight,secretlyelectedacertainREGINALD,andsenthimofftoRometogetthePope'sapproval.TheseniormonksandtheKingsoonfindingthisout,andbeingveryangryaboutit,thejuniormonksgaveway,andallthemonkstogetherelectedtheBishopofNorwich,whowastheKing'sfavourite.ThePope,hearingthewholestory,declaredthatneitherelectionwoulddoforhim,andthatHEelectedSTEPHEN
　　LANGTON.ThemonkssubmittingtothePope,theKingturnedthemalloutbodily,andbanishedthemastraitors.ThePopesentthreebishopstotheKing,tothreatenhimwithanInterdict.TheKingtoldthebishopsthatifanyInterdictwerelaiduponhiskingdom,hewouldtearouttheeyesandcutoffthenosesofallthemonkshecouldlayholdof,andsendthemovertoRomeinthatundecoratedstateasapresentfortheirmaster.Thebishops,nevertheless,soonpublishedtheInterdict,andfled.
　　Afterithadlastedayear,thePopeproceededtohisnextstep;
　　whichwasExcommunication.KingJohnwasdeclaredexcommunicated,withalltheusualceremonies.TheKingwassoincensedatthis,andwasmadesodesperatebythedisaffectionofhisBaronsandthehatredofhispeople,thatitissaidheevenprivatelysentambassadorstotheTurksinSpain,offeringtorenouncehisreligionandholdhiskingdomofthemiftheywouldhelphim.ItisrelatedthattheambassadorswereadmittedtothepresenceoftheTurkishEmirthroughlonglinesofMoorishguards,andthattheyfoundtheEmirwithhiseyesseriouslyfixedonthepagesofalargebook,fromwhichheneveroncelookedup.ThattheygavehimaletterfromtheKingcontaininghisproposals,andweregravelydismissed.ThatpresentlytheEmirsentforoneofthem,andconjuredhim,byhisfaithinhisreligion,tosaywhatkindofmantheKingofEnglandtrulywas?Thattheambassador,thuspressed,repliedthattheKingofEnglandwasafalsetyrant,againstwhomhisownsubjectswouldsoonrise.AndthatthiswasquiteenoughfortheEmir.
　　Moneybeing,inhisposition,thenextbestthingtomen,KingJohnsparednomeansofgettingit.HesetonfootanotheroppressingandtorturingoftheunhappyJewswhichwasquiteinhisway,andinventedanewpunishmentforonewealthyJewofBristol.UntilsuchtimeasthatJewshouldproduceacertainlargesumofmoney,theKingsentencedhimtobeimprisoned,and,everyday,tohaveonetoothviolentlywrenchedoutofhishead-beginningwiththedoubleteeth.Forsevendays,theoppressedmanborethedailypainandlostthedailytooth;but,ontheeighth,hepaidthemoney.Withthetreasureraisedinsuchways,theKingmadeanexpeditionintoIreland,wheresomeEnglishnobleshadrevolted.
　　Itwasoneoftheveryfewplacesfromwhichhedidnotrunaway;
　　becausenoresistancewasshown.HemadeanotherexpeditionintoWales-whenceheDIDrunawayintheend:butnotbeforehehadgotfromtheWelshpeople,ashostages,twenty-sevenyoungmenofthebestfamilies;everyoneofwhomhecausedtobeslaininthefollowingyear.
　　ToInterdictandExcommunication,thePopenowaddedhislastsentence;Deposition.HeproclaimedJohnnolongerKing,absolvedallhissubjectsfromtheirallegiance,andsentStephenLangtonandotherstotheKingofFrancetotellhimthat,ifhewouldinvadeEngland,heshouldbeforgivenallhissins-atleast,shouldbeforgiventhembythePope,ifthatwoulddo.
　　AstherewasnothingthatKingPhilipdesiredmorethantoinvadeEngland,hecollectedagreatarmyatRouen,andafleetofseventeenhundredshipstobringthemover.ButtheEnglishpeople,howeverbitterlytheyhatedtheKing,werenotapeopletosufferinvasionquietly.TheyflockedtoDover,wheretheEnglishstandardwas,insuchgreatnumberstoenrolthemselvesasdefendersoftheirnativeland,thattherewerenotprovisionsforthem,andtheKingcouldonlyselectandretainsixtythousand.
　　But,atthiscrisis,thePope,whohadhisownreasonsforobjectingtoeitherKingJohnorKingPhilipbeingtoopowerful,interfered.Heentrustedalegate,whosenamewasPANDOLF,withtheeasytaskoffrighteningKingJohn.HesenthimtotheEnglishCamp,fromFrance,toterrifyhimwithexaggerationsofKingPhilip'spower,andhisownweaknessinthediscontentoftheEnglishBaronsandpeople.Pandolfdischargedhiscommissionsowell,thatKingJohn,inawretchedpanic,consentedtoacknowledgeStephenLangton;toresignhiskingdom'toGod,SaintPeter,andSaintPaul'-whichmeantthePope;andtoholdit,everafterwards,bythePope'sleave,onpaymentofanannualsumofmoney.TothisshamefulcontracthepubliclyboundhimselfinthechurchoftheKnightsTemplarsatDover:wherehelaidatthelegate'sfeetapartofthetribute,whichthelegatehaughtilytrampledupon.ButtheyDOsay,thatthiswasmerelyagenteelflourish,andthathewasafterwardsseentopickitupandpocketit.
　　Therewasanunfortunateprophet,thenameofPeter,whohadgreatlyincreasedKingJohn'sterrorsbypredictingthathewouldbeunknightedwhichtheKingsupposedtosignifythathewoulddiebeforetheFeastoftheAscensionshouldbepast.Thatwasthedayafterthishumiliation.Whenthenextmorningcame,andtheKing,whohadbeentremblingallnight,foundhimselfaliveandsafe,heorderedtheprophet-andhissontoo-tobedraggedthroughthestreetsatthetailsofhorses,andthenhanged,forhavingfrightenedhim.