AsKingJohnhadnowsubmitted,thePope,toKingPhilip'sgreatastonishment,tookhimunderhisprotection,andinformedKingPhilipthathefoundhecouldnotgivehimleavetoinvadeEngland.
　　TheangryPhilipresolvedtodoitwithouthisleavebuthegainednothingandlostmuch;for,theEnglish,commandedbytheEarlofSalisbury,wentover,infivehundredships,totheFrenchcoast,beforetheFrenchfleethadsailedawayfromit,andutterlydefeatedthewhole.
　　ThePopethentookoffhisthreesentences,oneafteranother,andempoweredStephenLangtonpubliclytoreceiveKingJohnintothefavouroftheChurchagain,andtoaskhimtodinner.TheKing,whohatedLangtonwithallhismightandmain-andwithreasontoo,forhewasagreatandagoodman,withwhomsuchaKingcouldhavenosympathy-pretendedtocryandtobeVERYgrateful.TherewasalittledifficultyaboutsettlinghowmuchtheKingshouldpayasarecompensetotheclergyforthelosseshehadcausedthem;
　　but,theendofitwas,thatthesuperiorclergygotagooddeal,andtheinferiorclergygotlittleornothing-whichhasalsohappenedsinceKingJohn'stime,Ibelieve.
　　Whenallthesematterswerearranged,theKinginhistriumphbecamemorefierce,andfalse,andinsolenttoallaroundhimthanhehadeverbeen.AnallianceofsovereignsagainstKingPhilip,gavehimanopportunityoflandinganarmyinFrance;withwhichheeventookatown!But,ontheFrenchKing'sgainingagreatvictory,heranaway,ofcourse,andmadeatruceforfiveyears.
　　Andnowthetimeapproachedwhenhewastobestillfurtherhumbled,andmadetofeel,ifhecouldfeelanything,whatawretchedcreaturehewas.Ofallmenintheworld,StephenLangtonseemedraisedupbyHeaventoopposeandsubduehim.Whenheruthlesslyburntanddestroyedthepropertyofhisownsubjects,becausetheirLords,theBarons,wouldnotservehimabroad,StephenLangtonfearlesslyreprovedandthreatenedhim.WhenhesworetorestorethelawsofKingEdward,orthelawsofKingHenrytheFirst,StephenLangtonknewhisfalsehood,andpursuedhimthroughallhisevasions.WhentheBaronsmetattheabbeyofSaintEdmund's-Bury,toconsidertheirwrongsandtheKing'soppressions,StephenLangtonrousedthembyhisfervidwordstodemandasolemncharterofrightsandlibertiesfromtheirperjuredmaster,andtoswear,onebyone,ontheHighAltar,thattheywouldhaveit,orwouldwagewaragainsthimtothedeath.WhentheKinghidhimselfinLondonfromtheBarons,andwasatlastobligedtoreceivethem,theytoldhimroundlytheywouldnotbelievehimunlessStephenLangtonbecameasuretythathewouldkeephisword.WhenhetooktheCrosstoinvesthimselfwithsomeinterest,andbelongtosomethingthatwasreceivedwithfavour,StephenLangtonwasstillimmovable.WhenheappealedtothePope,andthePopewrotetoStephenLangtoninbehalfofhisnewfavourite,StephenLangtonwasdeaf,eventothePopehimself,andsawbeforehimnothingbutthewelfareofEnglandandthecrimesoftheEnglishKing.
　　AtEaster-time,theBaronsassembledatStamford,inLincolnshire,inproudarray,and,marchingneartoOxfordwheretheKingwas,deliveredintothehandsofStephenLangtonandtwoothers,alistofgrievances.'Andthese,'theysaid,'hemustredress,orwewilldoitforourselves!'WhenStephenLangtontoldtheKingasmuch,andreadthelisttohim,hewenthalfmadwithrage.ButthatdidhimnomoregoodthanhisafterwardstryingtopacifytheBaronswithlies.Theycalledthemselvesandtheirfollowers,'ThearmyofGodandtheHolyChurch.'Marchingthroughthecountry,withthepeoplethrongingtothemeverywhereexceptatNorthampton,wheretheyfailedinanattackuponthecastle,theyatlasttriumphantlysetuptheirbannerinLondonitself,whitherthewholeland,tiredofthetyrant,seemedtoflocktojointhem.
　　Sevenknightsalone,ofalltheknightsinEngland,remainedwiththeKing;who,reducedtothisstrait,atlastsenttheEarlofPembroketotheBaronstosaythatheapprovedofeverything,andwouldmeetthemtosigntheircharterwhentheywould.'Then,'
　　saidtheBarons,'letthedaybethefifteenthofJune,andtheplace,Runny-Mead.'
　　OnMonday,thefifteenthofJune,onethousandtwohundredandfourteen,theKingcamefromWindsorCastle,andtheBaronscamefromthetownofStaines,andtheymetonRunny-Mead,whichisstillapleasantmeadowbytheThames,whererushesgrowintheclearwaterofthewindingriver,anditsbanksaregreenwithgrassandtrees.OnthesideoftheBarons,cametheGeneraloftheirarmy,ROBERTFITZ-WALTER,andagreatconcourseofthenobilityofEngland.WiththeKing,came,inall,somefour-and-
　　twentypersonsofanynote,mostofwhomdespisedhim,andweremerelyhisadvisersinform.Onthatgreatday,andinthatgreatcompany,theKingsignedMAGNACHARTA-thegreatcharterofEngland-bywhichhepledgedhimselftomaintaintheChurchinitsrights;torelievetheBaronsofoppressiveobligationsasvassalsoftheCrown-ofwhichtheBarons,intheirturn,pledgedthemselvestorelieveTHEIRvassals,thepeople;torespectthelibertiesofLondonandallothercitiesandboroughs;toprotectforeignmerchantswhocametoEngland;toimprisonnomanwithoutafairtrial;andtosell,delay,ordenyjusticetonone.AstheBaronsknewhisfalsehoodwell,theyfurtherrequired,astheirsecurities,thatheshouldsendoutofhiskingdomallhisforeigntroops;thatfortwomonthstheyshouldholdpossessionofthecityofLondon,andStephenLangtonoftheTower;andthatfive-and-
　　twentyoftheirbody,chosenbythemselves,shouldbealawfulcommitteetowatchthekeepingofthecharter,andtomakewaruponhimifhebrokeit.
　　Allthishewasobligedtoyield.Hesignedthecharterwithasmile,and,ifhecouldhavelookedagreeable,wouldhavedoneso,ashedepartedfromthesplendidassembly.WhenhegothometoWindsorCastle,hewasquiteamadmaninhishelplessfury.Andhebrokethecharterimmediatelyafterwards.
　　Hesentabroadforforeignsoldiers,andsenttothePopeforhelp,andplottedtotakeLondonbysurprise,whiletheBaronsshouldbeholdingagreattournamentatStamford,whichtheyhadagreedtoholdthereasacelebrationofthecharter.TheBarons,however,foundhimoutandputitoff.Then,whentheBaronsdesiredtoseehimandtaxhimwithhistreachery,hemadenumbersofappointmentswiththem,andkeptnone,andshiftedfromplacetoplace,andwasconstantlysneakingandskulkingabout.AtlastheappearedatDover,tojoinhisforeignsoldiers,ofwhomnumberscameintohispay;andwiththemhebesiegedandtookRochesterCastle,whichwasoccupiedbyknightsandsoldiersoftheBarons.Hewouldhavehangedthemeveryone;buttheleaderoftheforeignsoldiers,fearfulofwhattheEnglishpeoplemightafterwardsdotohim,interferedtosavetheknights;thereforetheKingwasfaintosatisfyhisvengeancewiththedeathofallthecommonmen.Then,hesenttheEarlofSalisbury,withoneportionofhisarmy,toravagetheeasternpartofhisowndominions,whilehecarriedfireandslaughterintothenorthernpart;torturing,plundering,killing,andinflictingeverypossiblecrueltyuponthepeople;
　　and,everymorning,settingaworthyexampletohismenbysettingfire,withhisownmonster-hands,tothehousewherehehadsleptlastnight.Norwasthisall;forthePope,comingtotheaidofhispreciousfriend,laidthekingdomunderanInterdictagain,becausethepeopletookpartwiththeBarons.Itdidnotmuchmatter,forthepeoplehadgrownsousedtoitnow,thattheyhadbeguntothinknothingaboutit.Itoccurredtothem-perhapstoStephenLangtontoo-thattheycouldkeeptheirchurchesopen,andringtheirbells,withoutthePope'spermissionaswellaswithit.
　　So,theytriedtheexperiment-andfoundthatitsucceededperfectly.
　　Itbeingnowimpossibletobearthecountry,asawildernessofcruelty,orlongertoholdanytermswithsuchaforswornoutlawofaKing,theBaronssenttoLouis,sonoftheFrenchmonarch,toofferhimtheEnglishcrown.CaringaslittleforthePope'sexcommunicationofhimifheacceptedtheoffer,asitispossiblehisfathermayhavecaredforthePope'sforgivenessofhissins,helandedatSandwichKingJohnimmediatelyrunningawayfromDover,wherehehappenedtobe,andwentontoLondon.TheScottishKing,withwhommanyoftheNorthernEnglishLordshadtakenrefuge;numbersoftheforeignsoldiers,numbersoftheBarons,andnumbersofthepeoplewentovertohimeveryday;-
　　KingJohn,thewhile,continuallyrunningawayinalldirections.
　　ThecareerofLouiswascheckedhowever,bythesuspicionsoftheBarons,foundedonthedyingdeclarationofaFrenchLord,thatwhenthekingdomwasconqueredhewassworntobanishthemastraitors,andtogivetheirestatestosomeofhisownNobles.
　　Ratherthansufferthis,someoftheBaronshesitated:othersevenwentovertoKingJohn.
　　Itseemedtobetheturning-pointofKingJohn'sfortunes,for,inhissavageandmurderouscourse,hehadnowtakensometownsandmetwithsomesuccesses.But,happilyforEnglandandhumanity,hisdeathwasnear.Crossingadangerousquicksand,calledtheWash,notveryfarfromWisbeach,thetidecameupandnearlydrownedhisarmy.Heandhissoldiersescaped;but,lookingbackfromtheshorewhenhewassafe,hesawtheroaringwatersweepdowninatorrent,overturnthewaggons,horses,andmen,thatcarriedhistreasure,andengulftheminaragingwhirlpoolfromwhichnothingcouldbedelivered.
　　Cursing,andswearing,andgnawinghisfingers,hewentontoSwinesteadAbbey,wherethemonkssetbeforehimquantitiesofpears,andpeaches,andnewcider-somesaypoisontoo,butthereisverylittlereasontosupposeso-ofwhichheateanddrankinanimmoderateandbeastlyway.Allnighthelayillofaburningfever,andhauntedwithhorriblefears.Nextday,theyputhiminahorse-litter,andcarriedhimtoSleafordCastle,wherehepassedanothernightofpainandhorror.Nextday,theycarriedhim,withgreaterdifficultythanonthedaybefore,tothecastleofNewarkuponTrent;andthere,ontheeighteenthofOctober,intheforty-
　　ninthyearofhisage,andtheseventeenthofhisvilereign,wasanendofthismiserablebrute.
　　CHAPTERXV-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHETHIRD,CALLED,OFWINCHESTER
　　IFanyoftheEnglishBaronsrememberedthemurderedArthur'ssister,EleanorthefairmaidofBrittany,shutupinherconventatBristol,noneamongthemspokeofhernow,ormaintainedherrighttotheCrown.ThedeadUsurper'seldestboy,HENRYbyname,wastakenbytheEarlofPembroke,theMarshalofEngland,tothecityofGloucester,andtherecrownedingreathastewhenhewasonlytenyearsold.AstheCrownitselfhadbeenlostwiththeKing'streasureintheragingwater,andastherewasnotimetomakeanother,theyputacircleofplaingolduponhisheadinstead.'Wehavebeentheenemiesofthischild'sfather,'saidLordPembroke,agoodandtruegentleman,tothefewLordswhowerepresent,'andhemeritedourill-will;butthechildhimselfisinnocent,andhisyouthdemandsourfriendshipandprotection.'
　　ThoseLordsfelttenderlytowardsthelittleboy,rememberingtheirownyoungchildren;andtheybowedtheirheads,andsaid,'LongliveKingHenrytheThird!'
　　Next,agreatcouncilmetatBristol,revisedMagnaCharta,andmadeLordPembrokeRegentorProtectorofEngland,astheKingwastooyoungtoreignalone.Thenextthingtobedone,wastogetridofPrinceLouisofFrance,andtowinoverthoseEnglishBaronswhowerestillrangedunderhisbanner.HewasstronginmanypartsofEngland,andinLondonitself;andheheld,amongotherplaces,acertainCastlecalledtheCastleofMountSorel,inLeicestershire.Tothisfortress,aftersomeskirmishingandtruce-making,LordPembrokelaidsiege.Louisdespatchedanarmyofsixhundredknightsandtwentythousandsoldierstorelieveit.
　　LordPembroke,whowasnotstrongenoughforsuchaforce,retiredwithallhismen.ThearmyoftheFrenchPrince,whichhadmarchedtherewithfireandplunder,marchedawaywithfireandplunder,andcame,inaboastfulswaggeringmanner,toLincoln.Thetownsubmitted;buttheCastleinthetown,heldbyabravewidowlady,namedNICHOLADECAMVILLEwhosepropertyitwas,madesuchasturdyresistance,thattheFrenchCountincommandofthearmyoftheFrenchPrincefounditnecessarytobesiegethisCastle.Whilehewasthusengaged,wordwasbroughttohimthatLordPembroke,withfourhundredknights,twohundredandfiftymenwithcross-
　　bows,andastoutforcebothofhorseandfoot,wasmarchingtowardshim.'WhatcareI?'saidtheFrenchCount.'TheEnglishmanisnotsomadastoattackmeandmygreatarmyinawalledtown!'ButtheEnglishmandiditforallthat,anddidit-
　　notsomadlybutsowisely,thathedecoyedthegreatarmyintothenarrow,ill-pavedlanesandbywaysofLincoln,whereitshorse-
　　soldierscouldnotrideinanystrongbody;andtherehemadesuchhavocwiththem,thatthewholeforcesurrenderedthemselvesprisoners,excepttheCount;whosaidthathewouldneveryieldtoanyEnglishtraitoralive,andaccordinglygotkilled.Theendofthisvictory,whichtheEnglishcalled,forajoke,theFairofLincoln,wastheusualoneinthosetimes-thecommonmenwereslainwithoutanymercy,andtheknightsandgentlemenpaidransomandwenthome.
　　ThewifeofLouis,thefairBLANCHEOFCASTILE,dutifullyequippedafleetofeightygoodships,andsentitoverfromFrancetoherhusband'said.AnEnglishfleetoffortyships,somegoodandsomebad,gallantlymetthemnearthemouthoftheThames,andtookorsunksixty-fiveinonefight.ThisgreatlossputanendtotheFrenchPrince'shopes.AtreatywasmadeatLambeth,invirtueofwhichtheEnglishBaronswhohadremainedattachedtohiscausereturnedtotheirallegiance,anditwasengagedonbothsidesthatthePrinceandallhistroopsshouldretirepeacefullytoFrance.
　　Itwastimetogo;forwarhadmadehimsopoorthathewasobligedtoborrowmoneyfromthecitizensofLondontopayhisexpenseshome.
　　LordPembrokeafterwardsappliedhimselftogoverningthecountryjustly,andtohealingthequarrelsanddisturbancesthathadarisenamongmeninthedaysofthebadKingJohn.HecausedMagnaChartatobestillmoreimproved,andsoamendedtheForestLawsthataPeasantwasnolongerputtodeathforkillingastaginaRoyalForest,butwasonlyimprisoned.ItwouldhavebeenwellforEnglandifitcouldhavehadsogoodaProtectormanyyearslonger,butthatwasnottobe.WithinthreeyearsaftertheyoungKing'sCoronation,LordPembrokedied;andyoumayseehistomb,atthisday,intheoldTempleChurchinLondon.
　　TheProtectorshipwasnowdivided.PETERDEROCHES,whomKingJohnhadmadeBishopofWinchester,wasentrustedwiththecareofthepersonoftheyoungsovereign;andtheexerciseoftheRoyalauthoritywasconfidedtoEARLHUBERTDEBURGH.Thesetwopersonageshadfromthefirstnolikingforeachother,andsoonbecameenemies.WhentheyoungKingwasdeclaredofage,PeterdeRoches,findingthatHubertincreasedinpowerandfavour,retireddiscontentedly,andwentabroad.FornearlytenyearsafterwardsHuberthadfullswayalone.
　　ButtenyearsisalongtimetoholdthefavourofaKing.ThisKing,too,ashegrewup,showedastrongresemblancetohisfather,infeebleness,inconsistency,andirresolution.Thebestthatcanbesaidofhimisthathewasnotcruel.DeRochescominghomeagain,aftertenyears,andbeinganovelty,theKingbegantofavourhimandtolookcoldlyonHubert.Wantingmoneybesides,andhavingmadeHubertrich,hebegantodislikeHubert.Atlasthewasmadetobelieve,orpretendedtobelieve,thatHuberthadmisappropriatedsomeoftheRoyaltreasure;andorderedhimtofurnishanaccountofallhehaddoneinhisadministration.
　　Besideswhich,thefoolishchargewasbroughtagainstHubertthathehadmadehimselftheKing'sfavouritebymagic.Hubertverywellknowingthathecouldneverdefendhimselfagainstsuchnonsense,andthathisoldenemymustbedeterminedonhisruin,insteadofansweringthechargesfledtoMertonAbbey.ThentheKing,inaviolentpassion,sentfortheMayorofLondon,andsaidtotheMayor,'Taketwentythousandcitizens,anddragmeHubertdeBurghoutofthatabbey,andbringhimhere.'TheMayorpostedofftodoit,buttheArchbishopofDublinwhowasafriendofHubert'swarningtheKingthatanabbeywasasacredplace,andthatifhecommittedanyviolencethere,hemustanswerforittotheChurch,theKingchangedhismindandcalledtheMayorback,anddeclaredthatHubertshouldhavefourmonthstopreparehisdefence,andshouldbesafeandfreeduringthattime.
　　Hubert,whoreliedupontheKing'sword,thoughIthinkhewasoldenoughtohaveknownbetter,cameoutofMertonAbbeyupontheseconditions,andjourneyedawaytoseehiswife:aScottishPrincesswhowasthenatSt.Edmund's-Bury.
　　AlmostassoonashehaddepartedfromtheSanctuary,hisenemiespersuadedtheweakKingtosendoutoneSIRGODFREYDECRANCUMB,whocommandedthreehundredvagabondscalledtheBlackBand,withorderstoseizehim.TheycameupwithhimatalittletowninEssex,calledBrentwood,whenhewasinbed.Heleapedoutofbed,gotoutofthehouse,fledtothechurch,ranuptothealtar,andlaidhishanduponthecross.SirGodfreyandtheBlackBand,caringneitherforchurch,altar,norcross,draggedhimforthtothechurchdoor,withtheirdrawnswordsflashingroundhishead,andsentforaSmithtorivetasetofchainsuponhim.WhentheSmithIwishIknewhisname!wasbrought,alldarkandswarthywiththesmokeofhisforge,andpantingwiththespeedhehadmade;andtheBlackBand,fallingasidetoshowhimthePrisoner,criedwithalouduproar,'Makethefettersheavy!makethemstrong!'theSmithdroppeduponhisknee-butnottotheBlackBand-andsaid,'ThisisthebraveEarlHubertdeBurgh,whofoughtatDoverCastle,anddestroyedtheFrenchfleet,andhasdonehiscountrymuchgoodservice.Youmaykillme,ifyoulike,butIwillnevermakeachainforEarlHubertdeBurgh!'
　　TheBlackBandneverblushed,ortheymighthaveblushedatthis.
　　TheyknockedtheSmithaboutfromonetoanother,andsworeathim,andtiedtheEarlonhorseback,undressedashewas,andcarriedhimofftotheTowerofLondon.TheBishops,however,weresoindignantattheviolationoftheSanctuaryoftheChurch,thatthefrightenedKingsoonorderedtheBlackBandtotakehimbackagain;
　　atthesametimecommandingtheSheriffofEssextopreventhisescapingoutofBrentwoodChurch.Well!theSheriffdugadeeptrenchallroundthechurch,anderectedahighfence,andwatchedthechurchnightandday;theBlackBandandtheirCaptainwatchedittoo,likethreehundredandoneblackwolves.Forthirty-ninedays,HubertdeBurghremainedwithin.Atlength,uponthefortiethday,coldandhungerweretoomuchforhim,andhegavehimselfuptotheBlackBand,whocarriedhimoff,forthesecondtime,totheTower.Whenhistrialcameon,herefusedtoplead;
　　butatlastitwasarrangedthatheshouldgiveupalltheroyallandswhichhadbeenbestoweduponhim,andshouldbekeptattheCastleofDevizes,inwhatwascalled'freeprison,'inchargeoffourknightsappointedbyfourlords.There,heremainedalmostayear,until,learningthatafollowerofhisoldenemytheBishopwasmadeKeeperoftheCastle,andfearingthathemightbekilledbytreachery,heclimbedtherampartsonedarknight,droppedfromthetopofthehighCastlewallintothemoat,andcomingsafelytotheground,tookrefugeinanotherchurch.Fromthisplacehewasdeliveredbyapartyofhorsedespatchedtohishelpbysomenobles,whowerebythistimeinrevoltagainsttheKing,andassembledinWales.Hewasfinallypardonedandrestoredtohisestates,buthelivedprivately,andnevermoreaspiredtoahighpostintherealm,ortoahighplaceintheKing'sfavour.Andthusend-morehappilythanthestoriesofmanyfavouritesofKings-theadventuresofEarlHubertdeBurgh.
　　Thenobles,whohadriseninrevolt,werestirreduptorebellionbytheoverbearingconductoftheBishopofWinchester,who,findingthattheKingsecretlyhatedtheGreatCharterwhichhadbeenforcedfromhisfather,didhisutmosttoconfirmhiminthatdislike,andinthepreferenceheshowedtoforeignersovertheEnglish.Ofthis,andofhisevenpubliclydeclaringthattheBaronsofEnglandwereinferiortothoseofFrance,theEnglishLordscomplainedwithsuchbitterness,thattheKing,findingthemwellsupportedbytheclergy,becamefrightenedforhisthrone,andsentawaytheBishopandallhisforeignassociates.Onhismarriage,however,withELEANOR,aFrenchlady,thedaughteroftheCountofProvence,heopenlyfavouredtheforeignersagain;andsomanyofhiswife'srelationscameover,andmadesuchanimmensefamily-partyatcourt,andgotsomanygoodthings,andpocketedsomuchmoney,andweresohighwiththeEnglishwhosemoneytheypocketed,thatthebolderEnglishBaronsmurmuredopenlyaboutaclausetherewasintheGreatCharter,whichprovidedforthebanishmentofunreasonablefavourites.But,theforeignersonlylaugheddisdainfully,andsaid,'WhatareyourEnglishlawstous?'
　　KingPhilipofFrancehaddied,andhadbeensucceededbyPrinceLouis,whohadalsodiedafterashortreignofthreeyears,andhadbeensucceededbyhissonofthesamename-somoderateandjustamanthathewasnottheleastintheworldlikeaKing,asKingswent.ISABELLA,KingHenry'smother,wishedverymuchforacertainspiteshehadthatEnglandshouldmakewaragainstthisKing;and,asKingHenrywasamerepuppetinanybody'shandswhoknewhowtomanagehisfeebleness,sheeasilycarriedherpointwithhim.But,theParliamentweredeterminedtogivehimnomoneyforsuchawar.So,todefytheParliament,hepackedupthirtylargecasksofsilver-Idon'tknowhowhegotsomuch;IdaresayhescreweditoutofthemiserableJews-andputthemaboardship,andwentawayhimselftocarrywarintoFrance:accompaniedbyhismotherandhisbrotherRichard,EarlofCornwall,whowasrichandclever.Butheonlygotwellbeaten,andcamehome.
　　Thegood-humouroftheParliamentwasnotrestoredbythis.TheyreproachedtheKingwithwastingthepublicmoneytomakegreedyforeignersrich,andweresosternwithhim,andsodeterminednottolethimhavemoreofittowasteiftheycouldhelpit,thathewasathiswit'sendforsome,andtriedsoshamelesslytogetallhecouldfromhissubjects,byexcusesorbyforce,thatthepeopleusedtosaytheKingwasthesturdiestbeggarinEngland.HetooktheCross,thinkingtogetsomemoneybythatmeans;but,asitwasverywellknownthathenevermeanttogoonacrusade,hegotnone.Inallthiscontention,theLondonerswereparticularlykeenagainsttheKing,andtheKinghatedthemwarmlyinreturn.Hatingorloving,however,madenodifference;hecontinuedinthesameconditionfornineortenyears,whenatlasttheBaronssaidthatifhewouldsolemnlyconfirmtheirlibertiesafresh,theParliamentwouldvotehimalargesum.
　　Ashereadilyconsented,therewasagreatmeetingheldinWestminsterHall,onepleasantdayinMay,whenalltheclergy,dressedintheirrobesandholdingeveryoneofthemaburningcandleinhishand,stooduptheBaronsbeingalsotherewhiletheArchbishopofCanterburyreadthesentenceofexcommunicationagainstanyman,andallmen,whoshouldhenceforth,inanyway,infringetheGreatCharteroftheKingdom.Whenhehaddone,theyallputouttheirburningcandleswithacurseuponthesoulofanyone,andeveryone,whoshouldmeritthatsentence.TheKingconcludedwithanoathtokeeptheCharter,'AsIamaman,asIamaChristian,asIamaKnight,asIamaKing!'
　　Itwaseasytomakeoaths,andeasytobreakthem;andtheKingdidboth,ashisfatherhaddonebeforehim.Hetooktohisoldcoursesagainwhenhewassuppliedwithmoney,andsooncuredoftheirweaknessthefewwhohadeverreallytrustedhim.Whenhismoneywasgone,andhewasoncemoreborrowingandbeggingeverywherewithameannessworthyofhisnature,hegotintoadifficultywiththePoperespectingtheCrownofSicily,whichthePopesaidhehadarighttogiveaway,andwhichheofferedtoKingHenryforhissecondson,PRINCEEDMUND.But,ifyouorIgiveawaywhatwehavenotgot,andwhatbelongstosomebodyelse,itislikelythatthepersontowhomwegiveit,willhavesometroubleintakingit.Itwasexactlysointhiscase.ItwasnecessarytoconquertheSicilianCrownbeforeitcouldbeputuponyoungEdmund'shead.Itcouldnotbeconqueredwithoutmoney.ThePopeorderedtheclergytoraisemoney.Theclergy,however,werenotsoobedienttohimasusual;theyhadbeendisputingwithhimforsometimeabouthisunjustpreferenceofItalianPriestsinEngland;andtheyhadbeguntodoubtwhethertheKing'schaplain,whomheallowedtobepaidforpreachinginsevenhundredchurches,couldpossiblybe,evenbythePope'sfavour,insevenhundredplacesatonce.'ThePopeandtheKingtogether,'saidtheBishopofLondon,'maytakethemitreoffmyhead;but,iftheydo,theywillfindthatIshallputonasoldier'shelmet.Ipaynothing.'
　　TheBishopofWorcesterwasasboldastheBishopofLondon,andwouldpaynothingeither.Suchsumsasthemoretimidormorehelplessoftheclergydidraiseweresquanderedaway,withoutdoinganygoodtotheKing,orbringingtheSicilianCrownaninchnearertoPrinceEdmund'shead.Theendofthebusinesswas,thatthePopegavetheCrowntothebrotheroftheKingofFrancewhoconquereditforhimself,andsenttheKingofEnglandin,abillofonehundredthousandpoundsfortheexpensesofnothavingwonit.
　　TheKingwasnowsomuchdistressedthatwemightalmostpityhim,ifitwerepossibletopityaKingsoshabbyandridiculous.Hiscleverbrother,Richard,hadboughtthetitleofKingoftheRomansfromtheGermanpeople,andwasnolongernearhim,tohelphimwithadvice.Theclergy,resistingtheveryPope,wereinalliancewiththeBarons.TheBaronswereheadedbySIMONDEMONTFORT,EarlofLeicester,marriedtoKingHenry'ssister,and,thoughaforeignerhimself,themostpopularmaninEnglandagainsttheforeignfavourites.WhentheKingnextmethisParliament,theBarons,ledbythisEarl,camebeforehim,armedfromheadtofoot,andcasedinarmour.WhentheParliamentagainassembled,inamonth'stime,atOxford,thisEarlwasattheirhead,andtheKingwasobligedtoconsent,onoath,towhatwascalledaCommitteeofGovernment:consistingoftwenty-fourmembers:twelvechosenbytheBarons,andtwelvechosenbyhimself.
　　But,atagoodtimeforhim,hisbrotherRichardcameback.
　　Richard'sfirstacttheBaronswouldnotadmithimintoEnglandonothertermswastosweartobefaithfultotheCommitteeofGovernment-whichheimmediatelybegantoopposewithallhismight.Then,theBaronsbegantoquarrelamongthemselves;
　　especiallytheproudEarlofGloucesterwiththeEarlofLeicester,whowentabroadindisgust.Then,thepeoplebegantobedissatisfiedwiththeBarons,becausetheydidnotdoenoughforthem.TheKing'schancesseemedsogoodagainatlength,thathetookheartenough-orcaughtitfromhisbrother-totelltheCommitteeofGovernmentthatheabolishedthem-astohisoath,nevermindthat,thePopesaid!-andtoseizeallthemoneyintheMint,andtoshuthimselfupintheTowerofLondon.Herehewasjoinedbyhiseldestson,PrinceEdward;and,fromtheTower,hemadepublicaletterofthePope'stotheworldingeneral,informingallmenthathehadbeenanexcellentandjustKingforfive-and-fortyyears.
　　Aseverybodyknewhehadbeennothingofthesort,nobodycaredmuchforthisdocument.ItsochancedthattheproudEarlofGloucesterdying,wassucceededbyhisson;andthathisson,insteadofbeingtheenemyoftheEarlofLeicester,wasforthetimehisfriend.Itfellout,therefore,thatthesetwoEarlsjoinedtheirforces,tookseveraloftheRoyalCastlesinthecountry,andadvancedashardastheycouldonLondon.TheLondonpeople,alwaysopposedtotheKing,declaredforthemwithgreatjoy.TheKinghimselfremainedshutup,notatallgloriously,intheTower.PrinceEdwardmadethebestofhiswaytoWindsorCastle.Hismother,theQueen,attemptedtofollowhimbywater;
　　but,thepeopleseeingherbargerowinguptheriver,andhatingherwithalltheirhearts,rantoLondonBridge,gottogetheraquantityofstonesandmud,andpeltedthebargeasitcamethrough,cryingfuriously,'DrowntheWitch!Drownher!'Theyweresoneardoingit,thattheMayortooktheoldladyunderhisprotection,andshutherupinSt.Paul'suntilthedangerwaspast.
　　Itwouldrequireagreatdealofwritingonmypart,andagreatdealofreadingonyours,tofollowtheKingthroughhisdisputeswiththeBarons,andtofollowtheBaronsthroughtheirdisputeswithoneanother-soIwillmakeshortworkofitforbothofus,andonlyrelatethechiefeventsthataroseoutofthesequarrels.
　　ThegoodKingofFrancewasaskedtodecidebetweenthem.HegaveitashisopinionthattheKingmustmaintaintheGreatCharter,andthattheBaronsmustgiveuptheCommitteeofGovernment,andalltherestthathadbeendonebytheParliamentatOxford:whichtheRoyalists,orKing'sparty,scornfullycalledtheMadParliament.TheBaronsdeclaredthatthesewerenotfairterms,andtheywouldnotacceptthem.ThentheycausedthegreatbellofSt.Paul'stobetolled,forthepurposeofrousinguptheLondonpeople,whoarmedthemselvesatthedismalsoundandformedquiteanarmyinthestreets.Iamsorrytosay,however,thatinsteadoffallingupontheKing'spartywithwhomtheirquarrelwas,theyfelluponthemiserableJews,andkilledatleastfivehundredofthem.TheypretendedthatsomeoftheseJewswereontheKing'sside,andthattheykepthiddenintheirhouses,forthedestructionofthepeople,acertainterriblecompositioncalledGreekFire,whichcouldnotbeputoutwithwater,butonlyburntthefiercerforit.Whattheyreallydidkeepintheirhouseswasmoney;andthistheircruelenemieswanted,andthistheircruelenemiestook,likerobbersandmurderers.
　　TheEarlofLeicesterputhimselfattheheadoftheseLondonersandotherforces,andfollowedtheKingtoLewesinSussex,wherehelayencampedwithhisarmy.BeforegivingtheKing'sforcesbattlehere,theEarladdressedhissoldiers,andsaidthatKingHenrytheThirdhadbrokensomanyoaths,thathehadbecometheenemyofGod,andthereforetheywouldwearwhitecrossesontheirbreasts,asiftheywerearrayed,notagainstafellow-Christian,butagainstaTurk.White-crossedaccordingly,theyrushedintothefight.Theywouldhavelosttheday-theKinghavingonhissidealltheforeignersinEngland:and,fromScotland,JOHN
　　COMYN,JOHNBALIOL,andROBERTBRUCE,withalltheirmen-butfortheimpatienceofPRINCEEDWARD,who,inhishotdesiretohavevengeanceonthepeopleofLondon,threwthewholeofhisfather'sarmyintoconfusion.HewastakenPrisoner;sowastheKing;sowastheKing'sbrothertheKingoftheRomans;andfivethousandEnglishmenwereleftdeaduponthebloodygrass.
　　Forthissuccess,thePopeexcommunicatedtheEarlofLeicester:
　　whichneithertheEarlnorthepeoplecaredatallabout.Thepeoplelovedhimandsupportedhim,andhebecametherealKing;
　　havingallthepowerofthegovernmentinhisownhands,thoughhewasoutwardlyrespectfultoKingHenrytheThird,whomhetookwithhimwhereverhewent,likeapooroldlimpcourt-card.HesummonedaParliamentintheyearonethousandtwohundredandsixty-five
　　whichwasthefirstParliamentinEnglandthatthepeoplehadanyrealshareinelecting;andhegrewmoreandmoreinfavourwiththepeopleeveryday,andtheystoodbyhiminwhateverhedid.
　　ManyoftheotherBarons,andparticularlytheEarlofGloucester,whohadbecomebythistimeasproudashisfather,grewjealousofthispowerfulandpopularEarl,whowasproudtoo,andbegantoconspireagainsthim.SincethebattleofLewes,PrinceEdwardhadbeenkeptasahostage,and,thoughhewasotherwisetreatedlikeaPrince,hadneverbeenallowedtogooutwithoutattendantsappointedbytheEarlofLeicester,whowatchedhim.TheconspiringLordsfoundmeanstoproposetohim,insecret,thattheyshouldassisthimtoescape,andshouldmakehimtheirleader;
　　towhichheveryheartilyconsented.
　　So,onadaythatwasagreedupon,hesaidtohisattendantsafterdinnerbeingthenatHereford,'Ishouldliketorideonhorseback,thisfineafternoon,alittlewayintothecountry.'Asthey,too,thoughtitwouldbeverypleasanttohaveacanterinthesunshine,theyallrodeoutofthetowntogetherinagaylittletroop.Whentheycametoafinelevelpieceofturf,thePrincefelltocomparingtheirhorsesonewithanother,andofferingbetsthatonewasfasterthananother;andtheattendants,suspectingnoharm,rodegallopingmatchesuntiltheirhorseswerequitetired.ThePrincerodenomatcheshimself,butlookedonfromhissaddle,andstakedhismoney.Thustheypassedthewholemerryafternoon.Now,thesunwassetting,andtheywereallgoingslowlyupahill,thePrince'shorseveryfreshandalltheotherhorsesveryweary,whenastrangeridermountedonagreysteedappearedatthetopofthehill,andwavedhishat.'Whatdoesthefellowmean?'saidtheattendantsonetoanother.ThePrinceansweredontheinstantbysettingspurstohishorse,dashingawayathisutmostspeed,joiningtheman,ridingintothemidstofalittlecrowdofhorsemenwhowerethenseenwaitingundersometrees,andwhoclosedaroundhim;andsohedepartedinacloudofdust,leavingtheroademptyofallbutthebaffledattendants,whosatlookingatoneanother,whiletheirhorsesdroopedtheirearsandpanted.
　　ThePrincejoinedtheEarlofGloucesteratLudlow.TheEarlofLeicester,withapartofthearmyandthestupidoldKing,wasatHereford.OneoftheEarlofLeicester'ssons,SimondeMontfort,withanotherpartofthearmy,wasinSussex.TopreventthesetwopartsfromunitingwasthePrince'sfirstobject.HeattackedSimondeMontfortbynight,defeatedhim,seizedhisbannersandtreasure,andforcedhimintoKenilworthCastleinWarwickshire,whichbelongedtohisfamily.
　　Hisfather,theEarlofLeicester,inthemeanwhile,notknowingwhathadhappened,marchedoutofHereford,withhispartofthearmyandtheKing,tomeethim.Hecame,onabrightmorninginAugust,toEvesham,whichiswateredbythepleasantriverAvon.
　　LookingratheranxiouslyacrosstheprospecttowardsKenilworth,hesawhisownbannersadvancing;andhisfacebrightenedwithjoy.
　　But,itcloudeddarklywhenhepresentlyperceivedthatthebannerswerecaptured,andintheenemy'shands;andhesaid,'Itisover.
　　TheLordhavemercyonoursouls,forourbodiesarePrinceEdward's!'
　　HefoughtlikeatrueKnight,nevertheless.Whenhishorsewaskilledunderhim,hefoughtonfoot.Itwasafiercebattle,andthedeadlayinheapseverywhere.TheoldKing,stuckupinasuitofarmouronabigwar-horse,whichdidn'tmindhimatall,andwhichcarriedhimintoallsortsofplaceswherehedidn'twanttogo,gotintoeverybody'sway,andverynearlygotknockedontheheadbyoneofhisson'smen.Buthemanagedtopipeout,'IamHarryofWinchester!'andthePrince,whoheardhim,seizedhisbridle,andtookhimoutofperil.TheEarlofLeicesterstillfoughtbravely,untilhisbestsonHenrywaskilled,andthebodiesofhisbestfriendschokedhispath;andthenhefell,stillfighting,swordinhand.Theymangledhisbody,andsentitasapresenttoanoblelady-butaveryunpleasantlady,Ishouldthink-whowasthewifeofhisworstenemy.Theycouldnotmanglehismemoryinthemindsofthefaithfulpeople,though.Manyyearsafterwards,theylovedhimmorethanever,andregardedhimasaSaint,andalwaysspokeofhimas'SirSimontheRighteous.'
　　Andeventhoughhewasdead,thecauseforwhichhehadfoughtstilllived,andwasstrong,andforceditselfupontheKingintheveryhourofvictory.HenryfoundhimselfobligedtorespecttheGreatCharter,howevermuchhehatedit,andtomakelawssimilartothelawsoftheGreatEarlofLeicester,andtobemoderateandforgivingtowardsthepeopleatlast-eventowardsthepeopleofLondon,whohadsolongopposedhim.Thereweremorerisingsbeforeallthiswasdone,buttheyweresetatrestbythesemeans,andPrinceEdwarddidhisbestinallthingstorestorepeace.OneSirAdamdeGourdonwasthelastdissatisfiedknightinarms;but,thePrincevanquishedhiminsinglecombat,inawood,andnoblygavehimhislife,andbecamehisfriend,insteadofslayinghim.
　　SirAdamwasnotungrateful.Heeverafterwardsremaineddevotedtohisgenerousconqueror.
　　WhenthetroublesoftheKingdomwerethuscalmed,PrinceEdwardandhiscousinHenrytooktheCross,andwentawaytotheHolyLand,withmanyEnglishLordsandKnights.FouryearsafterwardstheKingoftheRomansdied,and,nextyearonethousandtwohundredandseventy-two,hisbrothertheweakKingofEnglanddied.Hewassixty-eightyearsoldthen,andhadreignedfifty-sixyears.HewasasmuchofaKingindeath,ashehadeverbeeninlife.HewasthemerepaleshadowofaKingatalltimes.
　　CHAPTERXVI-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHEFIRST,CALLEDLONGSHANKS
　　ITwasnowtheyearofourLordonethousandtwohundredandseventy-two;andPrinceEdward,theheirtothethrone,beingawayintheHolyLand,knewnothingofhisfather'sdeath.TheBarons,however,proclaimedhimKing,immediatelyaftertheRoyalfuneral;
　　andthepeopleverywillinglyconsented,sincemostmenknewtoowellbythistimewhatthehorrorsofacontestforthecrownwere.
　　SoKingEdwardtheFirst,called,inanotverycomplimentarymanner,LONGSHANKS,becauseoftheslendernessofhislegs,waspeacefullyacceptedbytheEnglishNation.
　　Hislegshadneedtobestrong,howeverlongandthintheywere;
　　fortheyhadtosupporthimthroughmanydifficultiesonthefierysandsofAsia,wherehissmallforceofsoldiersfainted,died,deserted,andseemedtomeltaway.Buthisprowessmadelightofit,andhesaid,'Iwillgoon,ifIgoonwithnootherfollowerthanmygroom!'
　　APrinceofthisspiritgavetheTurksadealoftrouble.HestormedNazareth,atwhichplace,ofallplacesonearth,Iamsorrytorelate,hemadeafrightfulslaughterofinnocentpeople;
　　andthenhewenttoAcre,wherehegotatruceoftenyearsfromtheSultan.HehadverynearlylosthislifeinAcre,throughthetreacheryofaSaracenNoble,calledtheEmirofJaffa,who,makingthepretencethathehadsomeideaofturningChristianandwantedtoknowallaboutthatreligion,sentatrustymessengertoEdwardveryoften-withadaggerinhissleeve.Atlast,oneFridayinWhitsunweek,whenitwasveryhot,andallthesandyprospectlaybeneaththeblazingsun,burntuplikeagreatoverdonebiscuit,andEdwardwaslyingonacouch,dressedforcoolnessinonlyalooserobe,themessenger,withhischocolate-colouredfaceandhisbrightdarkeyesandwhiteteeth,camecreepinginwithaletter,andkneeleddownlikeatametiger.But,themomentEdwardstretchedouthishandtotaketheletter,thetigermadeaspringathisheart.Hewasquick,butEdwardwasquicktoo.Heseizedthetraitorbyhischocolatethroat,threwhimtotheground,andslewhimwiththeverydaggerhehaddrawn.TheweaponhadstruckEdwardinthearm,andalthoughthewounditselfwasslight,itthreatenedtobemortal,forthebladeofthedaggerhadbeensmearedwithpoison.Thanks,however,toabettersurgeonthanwasoftentobefoundinthosetimes,andtosomewholesomeherbs,andaboveall,tohisfaithfulwife,ELEANOR,whodevotedlynursedhim,andissaidbysometohavesuckedthepoisonfromthewoundwithherownredlipswhichIamverywillingtobelieve,Edwardsoonrecoveredandwassoundagain.
　　AstheKinghisfatherhadsententreatiestohimtoreturnhome,henowbeganthejourney.HehadgotasfarasItaly,whenhemetmessengerswhobroughthimintelligenceoftheKing'sdeath.
　　Hearingthatallwasquietathome,hemadenohastetoreturntohisowndominions,butpaidavisittothePope,andwentinstatethroughvariousItalianTowns,wherehewaswelcomedwithacclamationsasamightychampionoftheCrossfromtheHolyLand,andwherehereceivedpresentsofpurplemantlesandprancinghorses,andwentalongingreattriumph.TheshoutingpeoplelittleknewthathewasthelastEnglishmonarchwhowouldeverembarkinacrusade,orthatwithintwentyyearseveryconquestwhichtheChristianshadmadeintheHolyLandatthecostofsomuchblood,wouldbewonbackbytheTurks.Butallthiscametopass.
　　Therewas,andthereis,anoldtownstandinginaplaininFrance,calledCh僱ons.WhentheKingwascomingtowardsthisplaceonhiswaytoEngland,awilyFrenchLord,calledtheCountofCh僱ons,senthimapolitechallengetocomewithhisknightsandholdafairtournamentwiththeCountandHISknights,andmakeadayofitwithswordandlance.ItwasrepresentedtotheKingthattheCountofCh僱onswasnottobetrusted,andthat,insteadofaholidayfightformereshowandingoodhumour,hesecretlymeantarealbattle,inwhichtheEnglishshouldbedefeatedbysuperiorforce.
　　TheKing,however,nothingafraid,wenttotheappointedplaceontheappointeddaywithathousandfollowers.WhentheCountcamewithtwothousandandattackedtheEnglishinearnest,theEnglishrushedatthemwithsuchvalourthattheCount'smenandtheCount'shorsessoonbegantobetumbleddownalloverthefield.
　　TheCounthimselfseizedtheKingroundtheneck,buttheKingtumbledHIMoutofhissaddleinreturnforthecompliment,and,jumpingfromhisownhorse,andstandingoverhim,beatawayathisironarmourlikeablacksmithhammeringonhisanvil.EvenwhentheCountownedhimselfdefeatedandofferedhissword,theKingwouldnotdohimthehonourtotakeit,butmadehimyieldituptoacommonsoldier.Therehadbeensuchfuryshowninthisfight,thatitwasafterwardscalledthelittleBattleofCh僱ons.
　　TheEnglishwereverywelldisposedtobeproudoftheirKingaftertheseadventures;so,whenhelandedatDoverintheyearonethousandtwohundredandseventy-fourbeingthenthirty-sixyearsold,andwentontoWestminsterwhereheandhisgoodQueenwerecrownedwithgreatmagnificence,splendidrejoicingstookplace.
　　Forthecoronation-feasttherewereprovided,amongothereatables,fourhundredoxen,fourhundredsheep,fourhundredandfiftypigs,eighteenwildboars,threehundredflitchesofbacon,andtwentythousandfowls.Thefountainsandconduitsinthestreetflowedwithredandwhitewineinsteadofwater;therichcitizenshungsilksandclothsofthebrightestcoloursoutoftheirwindowstoincreasethebeautyoftheshow,andthrewoutgoldandsilverbywholehandfulstomakescramblesforthecrowd.Inshort,therewassucheatinganddrinking,suchmusicandcapering,sucharingingofbellsandtossingofcaps,suchashouting,andsinging,andrevelling,asthenarrowoverhangingstreetsofoldLondonCityhadnotwitnessedformanyalongday.AllthepeopleweremerryexceptthepoorJews,who,tremblingwithintheirhouses,andscarcelydaringtopeepout,begantoforeseethattheywouldhavetofindthemoneyforthisjovialitysoonerorlater.
　　TodismissthissadsubjectoftheJewsforthepresent,Iamsorrytoaddthatinthisreigntheyweremostunmercifullypillaged.
　　Theywerehangedingreatnumbers,onaccusationsofhavingclippedtheKing'scoin-whichallkindsofpeoplehaddone.Theywereheavilytaxed;theyweredisgracefullybadged;theywere,ononeday,thirteenyearsafterthecoronation,takenupwiththeirwivesandchildrenandthrownintobeastlyprisons,untiltheypurchasedtheirreleasebypayingtotheKingtwelvethousandpounds.
　　Finally,everykindofpropertybelongingtothemwasseizedbytheKing,exceptsolittleaswoulddefraythechargeoftheirtakingthemselvesawayintoforeigncountries.ManyyearselapsedbeforethehopeofgaininducedanyoftheirracetoreturntoEngland,wheretheyhadbeentreatedsoheartlesslyandhadsufferedsomuch.
　　IfKingEdwardtheFirsthadbeenasbadakingtoChristiansashewastoJews,hewouldhavebeenbadindeed.Buthewas,ingeneral,awiseandgreatmonarch,underwhomthecountrymuchimproved.HehadnolovefortheGreatCharter-fewKingshad,throughmany,manyyears-buthehadhighqualities.Thefirstboldobjectwhichheconceivedwhenhecamehome,was,touniteunderoneSovereignEngland,Scotland,andWales;thetwolastofwhichcountrieshadeachalittlekingofitsown,aboutwhomthepeoplewerealwaysquarrellingandfighting,andmakingaprodigiousdisturbance-agreatdealmorethanhewasworth.InthecourseofKingEdward'sreignhewasengaged,besides,inawarwithFrance.Tomakethesequarrelsclearer,wewillseparatetheirhistoriesandtakethemthus.Wales,first.France,second.
　　Scotland,third.