Hissonwassoontaken,triedatHerefordbeforethesamejudgeonalongseriesoffoolishcharges,foundguilty,andhangeduponagallowsfiftyfeethigh,withachapletofnettlesroundhishead.
HispooroldfatherandhewereinnocentenoughofanyworsecrimesthanthecrimeofhavingbeenfriendsofaKing,onwhom,asamereman,theywouldneverhavedeignedtocastafavourablelook.Itisabadcrime,Iknow,andleadstoworse;but,manylordsandgentlemen-Ieventhinksomeladies,too,ifIrecollectright-
havecommitteditinEngland,whohaveneitherbeengiventothedogs,norhangedupfiftyfeethigh.
ThewretchedKingwasrunninghereandthere,allthistime,andnevergettinganywhereinparticular,untilhegavehimselfup,andwastakenofftoKenilworthCastle.Whenhewassafelylodgedthere,theQueenwenttoLondonandmettheParliament.AndtheBishopofHereford,whowasthemostskilfulofherfriends,said,Whatwastobedonenow?Herewasanimbecile,indolent,miserableKinguponthethrone;wouldn'titbebettertotakehimoff,andputhissonthereinstead?Idon'tknowwhethertheQueenreallypitiedhimatthispass,butshebegantocry;so,theBishopsaid,Well,myLordsandGentlemen,whatdoyouthink,uponthewhole,ofsendingdowntoKenilworth,andseeingifHisMajestyGodblesshim,andforbidweshoulddeposehim!won'tresign?
MyLordsandGentlementhoughtitagoodnotion,soadeputationofthemwentdowntoKenilworth;andtheretheKingcameintothegreathalloftheCastle,commonlydressedinapoorblackgown;
andwhenhesawacertainbishopamongthem,felldown,poorfeeble-headedman,andmadeawretchedspectacleofhimself.
Somebodyliftedhimup,andthenSIRWILLIAMTRUSSEL,theSpeakeroftheHouseofCommons,almostfrightenedhimtodeathbymakinghimatremendousspeechtotheeffectthathewasnolongeraKing,andthateverybodyrenouncedallegiancetohim.Afterwhich,SIR
THOMASBLOUNT,theStewardoftheHousehold,nearlyfinishedhim,bycomingforwardandbreakinghiswhitewand-whichwasaceremonyonlyperformedataKing'sdeath.Beingaskedinthispressingmannerwhathethoughtofresigning,theKingsaidhethoughtitwasthebestthinghecoulddo.So,hedidit,andtheyproclaimedhissonnextday.
IwishIcouldclosehishistorybysayingthathelivedaharmlesslifeintheCastleandtheCastlegardensatKenilworth,manyyears-thathehadafavourite,andplentytoeatanddrink-and,havingthat,wantednothing.Buthewasshamefullyhumiliated.Hewasoutraged,andslighted,andhaddirtywaterfromditchesgivenhimtoshavewith,andweptandsaidhewouldhavecleanwarmwater,andwasaltogetherverymiserable.Hewasmovedfromthiscastletothatcastle,andfromthatcastletotheothercastle,becausethislordorthatlord,ortheotherlord,wastookindtohim:untilatlasthecametoBerkeleyCastle,neartheRiverSevern,wheretheLordBerkeleybeingthenillandabsenthefellintothehandsoftwoblackruffians,calledTHOMASGOURNAYandWILLIAMOGLE.
Onenight-itwasthenightofSeptemberthetwenty-first,onethousandthreehundredandtwenty-seven-dreadfulscreamswereheard,bythestartledpeopleintheneighbouringtown,ringingthroughthethickwallsoftheCastle,andthedark,deepnight;
andtheysaid,astheywerethushorriblyawakenedfromtheirsleep,'MayHeavenbemercifultotheKing;forthosecriesforbodethatnogoodisbeingdonetohiminhisdismalprison!'Nextmorninghewasdead-notbruised,orstabbed,ormarkeduponthebody,butmuchdistortedintheface;anditwaswhisperedafterwards,thatthosetwovillains,GournayandOgle,hadburntuphisinsidewithared-hotiron.
IfyouevercomenearGloucester,andseethecentretowerofitsbeautifulCathedral,withitsfourrichpinnacles,risinglightlyintheair;youmayrememberthatthewretchedEdwardtheSecondwasburiedintheoldabbeyofthatancientcity,atforty-threeyearsold,afterbeingfornineteenyearsandahalfaperfectlyincapableKing.
CHAPTERXVIII-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHETHIRD
ROGERMORTIMER,theQueen'sloverwhoescapedtoFranceinthelastchapter,wasfarfromprofitingbytheexampleshehadhadofthefateoffavourites.Having,throughtheQueen'sinfluence,comeintopossessionoftheestatesofthetwoDespensers,hebecameextremelyproudandambitious,andsoughttobetherealrulerofEngland.TheyoungKing,whowascrownedatfourteenyearsofagewithalltheusualsolemnities,resolvednottobearthis,andsoonpursuedMortimertohisruin.
ThepeoplethemselveswerenotfondofMortimer-first,becausehewasaRoyalfavourite;secondly,becausehewassupposedtohavehelpedtomakeapeacewithScotlandwhichnowtookplace,andinvirtueofwhichtheyoungKing'ssisterJoan,onlysevenyearsold,waspromisedinmarriagetoDavid,thesonandheirofRobertBruce,whowasonlyfiveyearsold.ThenobleshatedMortimerbecauseofhispride,riches,andpower.Theywentsofarastotakeuparmsagainsthim;butwereobligedtosubmit.TheEarlofKent,oneofthosewhodidso,butwhoafterwardswentovertoMortimerandtheQueen,wasmadeanexampleofinthefollowingcruelmanner:
Heseemstohavebeenanythingbutawiseoldearl;andhewaspersuadedbytheagentsofthefavouriteandtheQueen,thatpoorKingEdwardtheSecondwasnotreallydead;andthuswasbetrayedintowritinglettersfavouringhisrightfulclaimtothethrone.
Thiswasmadeouttobehightreason,andhewastried,foundguilty,andsentencedtobeexecuted.TheytookthepooroldlordoutsidethetownofWinchester,andtherekepthimwaitingsomethreeorfourhoursuntiltheycouldfindsomebodytocutoffhishead.Atlast,aconvictsaidhewoulddoit,ifthegovernmentwouldpardonhiminreturn;andtheygavehimthepardon;andatoneblowheputtheEarlofKentoutofhislastsuspense.
WhiletheQueenwasinFrance,shehadfoundalovelyandgoodyounglady,namedPhilippa,whoshethoughtwouldmakeanexcellentwifeforherson.TheyoungKingmarriedthislady,soonafterhecametothethrone;andherfirstchild,Edward,PrinceofWales,afterwardsbecamecelebrated,asweshallpresentlysee,underthefamoustitleofEDWARDTHEBLACKPRINCE.
TheyoungKing,thinkingthetimeripeforthedownfallofMortimer,tookcounselwithLordMontacutehowheshouldproceed.
AParliamentwasgoingtobeheldatNottingham,andthatlordrecommendedthatthefavouriteshouldbeseizedbynightinNottinghamCastle,wherehewassuretobe.Now,this,likemanyotherthings,wasmoreeasilysaidthandone;because,toguardagainsttreachery,thegreatgatesoftheCastlewerelockedeverynight,andthegreatkeyswerecarriedup-stairstotheQueen,wholaidthemunderherownpillow.ButtheCastlehadagovernor,andthegovernorbeingLordMontacute'sfriend,confidedtohimhowheknewofasecretpassageunderground,hiddenfromobservationbytheweedsandbrambleswithwhichitwasovergrown;andhow,throughthatpassage,theconspiratorsmightenterinthedeadofthenight,andgostraighttoMortimer'sroom.Accordingly,uponacertaindarknight,atmidnight,theymadetheirwaythroughthisdismalplace:startlingtherats,andfrighteningtheowlsandbats:andcamesafelytothebottomofthemaintoweroftheCastle,wheretheKingmetthem,andtookthemupaprofoundly-darkstaircaseinadeepsilence.TheysoonheardthevoiceofMortimerincouncilwithsomefriends;andburstingintotheroomwithasuddennoise,tookhimprisoner.TheQueencriedoutfromherbed-
chamber,'Oh,mysweetson,mydearson,sparemygentleMortimer!'
Theycarriedhimoff,however;and,beforethenextParliament,accusedhimofhavingmadedifferencesbetweentheyoungKingandhismother,andofhavingbroughtaboutthedeathoftheEarlofKent,andevenofthelateKing;for,asyouknowbythistime,whentheywantedtogetridofamaninthoseolddays,theywerenotveryparticularofwhattheyaccusedhim.Mortimerwasfoundguiltyofallthis,andwassentencedtobehangedatTyburn.TheKingshuthismotherupingenteelconfinement,whereshepassedtherestofherlife;andnowhebecameKinginearnest.
ThefirstefforthemadewastoconquerScotland.TheEnglishlordswhohadlandsinScotland,findingthattheirrightswerenotrespectedunderthelatepeace,madewarontheirownaccount:
choosingfortheirgeneral,Edward,thesonofJohnBaliol,whomadesuchavigorousfight,thatinlessthantwomonthshewonthewholeScottishKingdom.Hewasjoined,whenthustriumphant,bytheKingandParliament;andheandtheKinginpersonbesiegedtheScottishforcesinBerwick.ThewholeScottisharmycomingtotheassistanceoftheircountrymen,suchafuriousbattleensued,thatthirtythousandmenaresaidtohavebeenkilledinit.BaliolwasthencrownedKingofScotland,doinghomagetotheKingofEngland;
butlittlecameofhissuccessesafterall,fortheScottishmenroseagainsthim,withinnoverylongtime,andDavidBrucecamebackwithintenyearsandtookhiskingdom.
FrancewasafarrichercountrythanScotland,andtheKinghadamuchgreatermindtoconquerit.So,heletScotlandalone,andpretendedthathehadaclaimtotheFrenchthroneinrightofhismother.Hehad,inreality,noclaimatall;butthatmatteredlittleinthosetimes.Hebroughtovertohiscausemanylittleprincesandsovereigns,andevencourtedtheallianceofthepeopleofFlanders-abusy,workingcommunity,whohadverysmallrespectforkings,andwhoseheadmanwasabrewer.Withsuchforcesasheraisedbythesemeans,EdwardinvadedFrance;buthedidlittlebythat,exceptrunintodebtincarryingonthewartotheextentofthreehundredthousandpounds.Thenextyearhedidbetter;
gainingagreatsea-fightintheharbourofSluys.Thissuccess,however,wasveryshortlived,fortheFlemingstookfrightatthesiegeofSaintOmerandranaway,leavingtheirweaponsandbaggagebehindthem.Philip,theFrenchKing,comingupwithhisarmy,andEdwardbeingveryanxioustodecidethewar,proposedtosettlethedifferencebysinglecombatwithhim,orbyafightofonehundredknightsoneachside.TheFrenchKingsaid,hethankedhim;butbeingverywellashewas,hewouldrathernot.So,aftersomeskirmishingandtalking,ashortpeacewasmade.
ItwassoonbrokenbyKingEdward'sfavouringthecauseofJohn,EarlofMontford;aFrenchnobleman,whoassertedaclaimofhisownagainsttheFrenchKing,andofferedtodohomagetoEnglandfortheCrownofFrance,ifhecouldobtainitthroughEngland'shelp.ThisFrenchlord,himself,wassoondefeatedbytheFrenchKing'sson,andshutupinatowerinParis;buthiswife,acourageousandbeautifulwoman,whoissaidtohavehadthecourageofaman,andtheheartofalion,assembledthepeopleofBrittany,whereshethenwas;and,showingthemherinfantson,mademanypatheticentreatiestothemnottodesertherandtheiryoungLord.Theytookfireatthisappeal,andralliedroundherinthestrongcastleofHennebon.HereshewasnotonlybesiegedwithoutbytheFrenchunderCharlesdeBlois,butwasendangeredwithinbyadrearyoldbishop,whowasalwaysrepresentingtothepeoplewhathorrorstheymustundergoiftheywerefaithful-firstfromfamine,andafterwardsfromfireandsword.Butthisnoblelady,whoseheartneverfailedher,encouragedhersoldiersbyherownexample;wentfromposttopostlikeagreatgeneral;evenmountedonhorsebackfullyarmed,and,issuingfromthecastlebyaby-path,fellupontheFrenchcamp,setfiretothetents,andthrewthewholeforceintodisorder.Thisdone,shegotsafelybacktoHennebonagain,andwasreceivedwithloudshoutsofjoybythedefendersofthecastle,whohadgivenherupforlost.Astheywerenowveryshortofprovisions,however,andastheycouldnotdineoffenthusiasm,andastheoldbishopwasalwayssaying,'Itoldyouwhatitwouldcometo!'theybegantoloseheart,andtotalkofyieldingthecastleup.ThebraveCountessretiringtoanupperroomandlookingwithgreatgriefouttosea,wheresheexpectedrelieffromEngland,saw,atthisverytime,theEnglishshipsinthedistance,andwasrelievedandrescued!SirWalterManning,theEnglishcommander,soadmiredhercourage,that,beingcomeintothecastlewiththeEnglishknights,andhavingmadeafeastthere,heassaultedtheFrenchbywayofdessert,andbeatthemofftriumphantly.Thenheandtheknightscamebacktothecastlewithgreatjoy;andtheCountesswhohadwatchedthemfromahightower,thankedthemwithallherheart,andkissedthemeveryone.
Thisnobleladydistinguishedherselfafterwardsinasea-fightwiththeFrenchoffGuernsey,whenshewasonherwaytoEnglandtoaskformoretroops.Hergreatspiritrousedanotherlady,thewifeofanotherFrenchlordwhomtheFrenchKingverybarbarouslymurdered,todistinguishherselfscarcelyless.Thetimewasfastcoming,however,whenEdward,PrinceofWales,wastobethegreatstarofthisFrenchandEnglishwar.
ItwasinthemonthofJuly,intheyearonethousandthreehundredandforty-six,whentheKingembarkedatSouthamptonforFrance,withanarmyofaboutthirtythousandmeninall,attendedbythePrinceofWalesandbyseveralofthechiefnobles.HelandedatLaHogueinNormandy;and,burninganddestroyingashewent,accordingtocustom,advanceduptheleftbankoftheRiverSeine,andfiredthesmalltownsevenclosetoParis;but,beingwatchedfromtherightbankoftheriverbytheFrenchKingandallhisarmy,itcametothisatlast,thatEdwardfoundhimself,onSaturdaythetwenty-sixthofAugust,onethousandthreehundredandforty-six,onarisinggroundbehindthelittleFrenchvillageofCrecy,facetofacewiththeFrenchKing'sforce.And,althoughtheFrenchKinghadanenormousarmy-innumbermorethaneighttimeshis-hethereresolvedtobeathimorbebeaten.
TheyoungPrince,assistedbytheEarlofOxfordandtheEarlofWarwick,ledthefirstdivisionoftheEnglisharmy;twoothergreatEarlsledthesecond;andtheKing,thethird.Whenthemorningdawned,theKingreceivedthesacrament,andheardprayers,andthen,mountedonhorsebackwithawhitewandinhishand,rodefromcompanytocompany,andranktorank,cheeringandencouragingbothofficersandmen.Thenthewholearmybreakfasted,eachmansittingonthegroundwherehehadstood;andthentheyremainedquietlyonthegroundwiththeirweaponsready.
UpcametheFrenchKingwithallhisgreatforce.Itwasdarkandangryweather;therewasaneclipseofthesun;therewasathunder-storm,accompaniedwithtremendousrain;thefrightenedbirdsflewscreamingabovethesoldiers'heads.AcertaincaptainintheFrencharmyadvisedtheFrenchKing,whowasbynomeanscheerful,nottobeginthebattleuntilthemorrow.TheKing,takingthisadvice,gavethewordtohalt.But,thosebehindnotunderstandingit,ordesiringtobeforemostwiththerest,camepressingon.Theroadsforagreatdistancewerecoveredwiththisimmensearmy,andwiththecommonpeoplefromthevillages,whowereflourishingtheirrudeweapons,andmakingagreatnoise.
Owingtothesecircumstances,theFrencharmyadvancedinthegreatestconfusion;everyFrenchlorddoingwhathelikedwithhisownmen,andputtingoutthemenofeveryotherFrenchlord.
Now,theirKingreliedstronglyuponagreatbodyofcross-bowmenfromGenoa;andtheseheorderedtothefronttobeginthebattle,onfindingthathecouldnotstopit.Theyshoutedonce,theyshoutedtwice,theyshoutedthreetimes,toalarmtheEnglisharchers;but,theEnglishwouldhaveheardthemshoutthreethousandtimesandwouldhavenevermoved.Atlastthecross-
bowmenwentforwardalittle,andbegantodischargetheirbolts;
uponwhich,theEnglishletflysuchahailofarrows,thattheGenoesespeedilymadeoff-fortheircross-bows,besidesbeingheavytocarry,requiredtobewoundupwithahandle,andconsequentlytooktimetore-load;theEnglish,ontheotherhand,coulddischargetheirarrowsalmostasfastasthearrowscouldfly.
WhentheFrenchKingsawtheGenoeseturning,hecriedouttohismentokillthosescoundrels,whoweredoingharminsteadofservice.Thisincreasedtheconfusion.MeanwhiletheEnglisharchers,continuingtoshootasfastasever,shotdowngreatnumbersoftheFrenchsoldiersandknights;whomcertainslyCornish-menandWelshmen,fromtheEnglisharmy,creepingalongtheground,despatchedwithgreatknives.
ThePrinceandhisdivisionwereatthistimesohard-pressed,thattheEarlofWarwicksentamessagetotheKing,whowasoverlookingthebattlefromawindmill,beseechinghimtosendmoreaid.
'Ismysonkilled?'saidtheKing.
'No,sire,pleaseGod,'returnedthemessenger.
'Ishewounded?'saidtheKing.
'No,sire.'
'Ishethrowntotheground?'saidtheKing.
'No,sire,notso;but,heisveryhard-pressed.'
'Then,'saidtheKing,'gobacktothosewhosentyou,andtellthemIshallsendnoaid;becauseIsetmyheartuponmysonprovinghimselfthisdayabraveknight,andbecauseIamresolved,pleaseGod,thatthehonourofagreatvictoryshallbehis!'
Theseboldwords,beingreportedtothePrinceandhisdivision,soraisedtheirspirits,thattheyfoughtbetterthanever.TheKingofFrancechargedgallantlywithhismenmanytimes;butitwasofnouse.Nightclosingin,hishorsewaskilledunderhimbyanEnglisharrow,andtheknightsandnobleswhohadclusteredthickabouthimearlyintheday,werenowcompletelyscattered.Atlast,someofhisfewremainingfollowersledhimoffthefieldbyforcesincehewouldnotretireofhimself,andtheyjourneyedawaytoAmiens.ThevictoriousEnglish,lightingtheirwatch-fires,mademerryonthefield,andtheKing,ridingtomeethisgallantson,tookhiminhisarms,kissedhim,andtoldhimthathehadactednobly,andprovedhimselfworthyofthedayandofthecrown.
Whileitwasyetnight,KingEdwardwashardlyawareofthegreatvictoryhehadgained;but,nextday,itwasdiscoveredthatelevenprinces,twelvehundredknights,andthirtythousandcommonmenlaydeadupontheFrenchside.AmongthesewastheKingofBohemia,anoldblindman;who,havingbeentoldthathissonwaswoundedinthebattle,andthatnoforcecouldstandagainsttheBlackPrince,calledtohimtwoknights,puthimselfonhorse-backbetweenthem,fastenedthethreebridlestogether,anddashedinamongtheEnglish,wherehewaspresentlyslain.Heboreashiscrestthreewhiteostrichfeathers,withthemottoICHDIEN,signifyinginEnglish'Iserve.'ThiscrestandmottoweretakenbythePrinceofWalesinremembranceofthatfamousday,andhavebeenbornebythePrinceofWaleseversince.
Fivedaysafterthisgreatbattle,theKinglaidsiegetoCalais.
Thissiege-everafterwardsmemorable-lastednearlyayear.Inordertostarvetheinhabitantsout,KingEdwardbuiltsomanywoodenhousesforthelodgingsofhistroops,thatitissaidtheirquarterslookedlikeasecondCalaissuddenlysprungaroundthefirst.Earlyinthesiege,thegovernorofthetowndroveoutwhathecalledtheuselessmouths,tothenumberofseventeenhundredpersons,menandwomen,youngandold.KingEdwardallowedthemtopassthroughhislines,andevenfedthem,anddismissedthemwithmoney;but,laterinthesiege,hewasnotsomerciful-fivehundredmore,whowereafterwardsdrivenout,dyingofstarvationandmisery.Thegarrisonweresohard-pressedatlast,thattheysentalettertoKingPhilip,tellinghimthattheyhadeatenallthehorses,allthedogs,andalltheratsandmicethatcouldbefoundintheplace;and,thatifhedidnotrelievethem,theymusteithersurrendertotheEnglish,oreatoneanother.Philipmadeoneefforttogivethemrelief;buttheyweresohemmedinbytheEnglishpower,thathecouldnotsucceed,andwasfaintoleavetheplace.UponthistheyhoistedtheEnglishflag,andsurrenderedtoKingEdward.'Tellyourgeneral,'saidhetothehumblemessengerswhocameoutofthetown,'thatIrequiretohavesenthere,sixofthemostdistinguishedcitizens,bare-legged,andintheirshirts,withropesabouttheirnecks;andletthosesixmenbringwiththemthekeysofthecastleandthetown.'
WhentheGovernorofCalaisrelatedthistothepeopleintheMarket-place,therewasgreatweepinganddistress;inthemidstofwhich,oneworthycitizen,namedEustacedeSaintPierre,roseupandsaid,thatifthesixmenrequiredwerenotsacrificed,thewholepopulationwouldbe;therefore,heofferedhimselfasthefirst.Encouragedbythisbrightexample,fiveotherworthycitizensroseuponeafteranother,andofferedthemselvestosavetherest.TheGovernor,whowastoobadlywoundedtobeabletowalk,mountedapooroldhorsethathadnotbeeneaten,andconductedthesegoodmentothegate,whileallthepeoplecriedandmourned.
Edwardreceivedthemwrathfully,andorderedtheheadsofthewholesixtobestruckoff.However,thegoodQueenfelluponherknees,andbesoughttheKingtogivethemuptoher.TheKingreplied,'I
wishyouhadbeensomewhereelse;butIcannotrefuseyou.'Soshehadthemproperlydressed,madeafeastforthem,andsentthembackwithahandsomepresent,tothegreatrejoicingofthewholecamp.IhopethepeopleofCalaislovedthedaughtertowhomshegavebirthsoonafterwards,forhergentlemother'ssake.
Nowcamethatterribledisease,thePlague,intoEurope,hurryingfromtheheartofChina;andkilledthewretchedpeople-
especiallythepoor-insuchenormousnumbers,thatone-halfoftheinhabitantsofEnglandarerelatedtohavediedofit.Itkilledthecattle,ingreatnumbers,too;andsofewworkingmenremainedalive,thattherewerenotenoughlefttotilltheground.
Aftereightyearsofdifferingandquarrelling,thePrinceofWalesagaininvadedFrancewithanarmyofsixtythousandmen.Hewentthroughthesouthofthecountry,burningandplunderingwheresoeverhewent;whilehisfather,whohadstilltheScottishwaruponhishands,didthelikeinScotland,butwasharassedandworriedinhisretreatfromthatcountrybytheScottishmen,whorepaidhiscrueltieswithinterest.
TheFrenchKing,Philip,wasnowdead,andwassucceededbyhissonJohn.TheBlackPrince,calledbythatnamefromthecolourofthearmourheworetosetoffhisfaircomplexion,continuingtoburnanddestroyinFrance,rousedJohnintodeterminedopposition;andsocruelhadtheBlackPrincebeeninhiscampaign,andsoseverelyhadtheFrenchpeasantssuffered,thathecouldnotfindonewho,forlove,ormoney,orthefearofdeath,wouldtellhimwhattheFrenchKingwasdoing,orwherehewas.ThusithappenedthathecameupontheFrenchKing'sforces,allofasudden,nearthetownofPoitiers,andfoundthatthewholeneighbouringcountrywasoccupiedbyavastFrencharmy.'Godhelpus!'saidtheBlackPrince,'wemustmakethebestofit.'
So,onaSundaymorning,theeighteenthofSeptember,thePrincewhosearmywasnowreducedtotenthousandmeninall-preparedtogivebattletotheFrenchKing,whohadsixtythousandhorsealone.
Whilehewassoengaged,therecameridingfromtheFrenchcamp,aCardinal,whohadpersuadedJohntolethimofferterms,andtrytosavethesheddingofChristianblood.'Savemyhonour,'saidthePrincetothisgoodpriest,'andsavethehonourofmyarmy,andI
willmakeanyreasonableterms.'Heofferedtogiveupallthetowns,castles,andprisoners,hehadtaken,andtosweartomakenowarinFranceforsevenyears;but,asJohnwouldhearofnothingbuthissurrender,withahundredofhischiefknights,thetreatywasbrokenoff,andthePrincesaidquietly-'Goddefendtheright;weshallfightto-morrow.'
Therefore,ontheMondaymorning,atbreakofday,thetwoarmiespreparedforbattle.TheEnglishwerepostedinastrongplace,whichcouldonlybeapproachedbyonenarrowlane,skirtedbyhedgesonbothsides.TheFrenchattackedthembythislane;butweresogalledandslainbyEnglisharrowsfrombehindthehedges,thattheywereforcedtoretreat.ThenwentsixhundredEnglishbowmenroundabout,and,comingupontherearoftheFrencharmy,rainedarrowsonthemthickandfast.TheFrenchknights,thrownintoconfusion,quittedtheirbannersanddispersedinalldirections.SaidSirJohnChandostothePrince,'Rideforward,noblePrince,andthedayisyours.TheKingofFranceissovaliantagentleman,thatIknowhewillneverfly,andmaybetakenprisoner.'SaidthePrincetothis,'Advance,Englishbanners,inthenameofGodandSt.George!'andontheypresseduntiltheycameupwiththeFrenchKing,fightingfiercelywithhisbattle-axe,and,whenallhisnobleshadforsakenhim,attendedfaithfullytothelastbyhisyoungestsonPhilip,onlysixteenyearsofage.Fatherandsonfoughtwell,andtheKinghadalreadytwowoundsinhisface,andhadbeenbeatendown,whenheatlastdeliveredhimselftoabanishedFrenchknight,andgavehimhisright-handgloveintokenthathehaddoneso.
TheBlackPrincewasgenerousaswellasbrave,andheinvitedhisroyalprisonertosupperinhistent,andwaiteduponhimattable,and,whentheyafterwardsrodeintoLondoninagorgeousprocession,mountedtheFrenchKingonafinecream-colouredhorse,androdeathissideonalittlepony.Thiswasallverykind,butIthinkitwas,perhaps,alittletheatricaltoo,andhasbeenmademoremeritoriousthanitdeservedtobe;especiallyasIaminclinedtothinkthatthegreatestkindnesstotheKingofFrancewouldhavebeennottohaveshownhimtothepeopleatall.
However,itmustbesaid,fortheseactsofpoliteness,that,incourseoftime,theydidmuchtosoftenthehorrorsofwarandthepassionsofconquerors.Itwasalong,longtimebeforethecommonsoldiersbegantohavethebenefitofsuchcourtlydeeds;buttheydidatlast;andthusitispossiblethatapoorsoldierwhoaskedforquarteratthebattleofWaterloo,oranyothersuchgreatfight,mayhaveowedhislifeindirectlytoEdwardtheBlackPrince.
AtthistimetherestoodintheStrand,inLondon,apalacecalledtheSavoy,whichwasgivenuptothecaptiveKingofFranceandhissonfortheirresidence.AstheKingofScotlandhadnowbeenKingEdward'scaptiveforelevenyearstoo,hissuccesswas,atthistime,tolerablycomplete.TheScottishbusinesswassettledbytheprisonerbeingreleasedunderthetitleofSirDavid,KingofScotland,andbyhisengagingtopayalargeransom.ThestateofFranceencouragedEnglandtoproposehardertermstothatcountry,wherethepeopleroseagainsttheunspeakablecrueltyandbarbarityofitsnobles;wherethenoblesroseinturnagainstthepeople;
wherethemostfrightfuloutrageswerecommittedonallsides;andwheretheinsurrectionofthepeasants,calledtheinsurrectionoftheJacquerie,fromJacques,acommonChristiannameamongthecountrypeopleofFrance,awakenedterrorsandhatredsthathavescarcelyyetpassedaway.AtreatycalledtheGreatPeace,wasatlastsigned,underwhichKingEdwardagreedtogiveupthegreaterpartofhisconquests,andKingJohntopay,withinsixyears,aransomofthreemillioncrownsofgold.Hewassobesetbyhisownnoblesandcourtiersforhavingyieldedtotheseconditions-
thoughtheycouldhelphimtonobetter-thathecamebackofhisownwilltohisoldpalace-prisonoftheSavoy,andtheredied.
TherewasaSovereignofCastileatthattime,calledPEDROTHE
CRUEL,whodeservedthenameremarkablywell:havingcommitted,amongothercruelties,avarietyofmurders.Thisamiablemonarchbeingdrivenfromhisthroneforhiscrimes,wenttotheprovinceofBordeaux,wheretheBlackPrince-nowmarriedtohiscousinJOAN,aprettywidow-wasresiding,andbesoughthishelp.ThePrince,whotooktohimmuchmorekindlythanaprinceofsuchfameoughttohavetakentosucharuffian,readilylistenedtohisfairpromises,andagreeingtohelphim,sentsecretorderstosometroublesomedisbandedsoldiersofhisandhisfather's,whocalledthemselvestheFreeCompanions,andwhohadbeenapesttotheFrenchpeople,forsometime,toaidthisPedro.ThePrince,himself,goingintoSpaintoheadthearmyofrelief,soonsetPedroonhisthroneagain-wherehenosoonerfoundhimself,than,ofcourse,hebehavedlikethevillainhewas,brokehiswordwithouttheleastshame,andabandonedallthepromiseshehadmadetotheBlackPrince.
Now,ithadcostthePrinceagooddealofmoneytopaysoldierstosupportthismurderousKing;andfindinghimself,whenhecamebackdisgustedtoBordeaux,notonlyinbadhealth,butdeeplyindebt,hebegantotaxhisFrenchsubjectstopayhiscreditors.TheyappealedtotheFrenchKing,CHARLES;waragainbrokeout;andtheFrenchtownofLimoges,whichthePrincehadgreatlybenefited,wentovertotheFrenchKing.Uponthisheravagedtheprovinceofwhichitwasthecapital;burnt,andplundered,andkilledintheoldsickeningway;andrefusedmercytotheprisoners,men,women,andchildrentakenintheoffendingtown,thoughhewassoillandsomuchinneedofpityhimselffromHeaven,thathewascarriedinalitter.HelivedtocomehomeandmakehimselfpopularwiththepeopleandParliament,andhediedonTrinitySunday,theeighthofJune,onethousandthreehundredandseventy-six,atforty-sixyearsold.
Thewholenationmournedforhimasoneofthemostrenownedandbelovedprincesithadeverhad;andhewasburiedwithgreatlamentationsinCanterburyCathedral.NeartothetombofEdwardtheConfessor,hismonument,withhisfigure,carvedinstone,andrepresentedintheoldblackarmour,lyingonitsback,maybeseenatthisday,withanancientcoatofmail,ahelmet,andapairofgauntletshangingfromabeamaboveit,whichmostpeopleliketobelievewereoncewornbytheBlackPrince.
KingEdwarddidnotoutlivehisrenownedson,long.Hewasold,andoneAlicePerrers,abeautifullady,hadcontrivedtomakehimsofondofherinhisoldage,thathecouldrefusehernothing,andmadehimselfridiculous.Shelittledeservedhislove,or-
whatIdaresayshevaluedagreatdealmore-thejewelsofthelateQueen,whichhegaveheramongotherrichpresents.Shetooktheveryringfromhisfingeronthemorningofthedaywhenhedied,andlefthimtobepillagedbyhisfaithlessservants.Onlyonegoodpriestwastruetohim,andattendedhimtothelast.
BesidesbeingfamousforthegreatvictoriesIhaverelated,thereignofKingEdwardtheThirdwasrenderedmemorableinbetterways,bythegrowthofarchitectureandtheerectionofWindsorCastle.Inbetterwaysstill,bytherisingupofWICKLIFFE,originallyapoorparishpriest:whodevotedhimselftoexposing,withwonderfulpowerandsuccess,theambitionandcorruptionofthePope,andofthewholechurchofwhichhewasthehead.
SomeofthoseFlemingswereinducedtocometoEnglandinthisreigntoo,andtosettleinNorfolk,wheretheymadebetterwoollenclothsthantheEnglishhadeverhadbefore.TheOrderoftheGarteraveryfinethinginitsway,buthardlysoimportantasgoodclothesforthenationalsodatesfromthisperiod.TheKingissaidtohavepicked'upalady'sgarterataball,andtohavesaid,HONISOITQUIMALYPENSE-inEnglish,'Evilbetohimwhoevilthinksofit.'ThecourtierswereusuallygladtoimitatewhattheKingsaidordid,andhencefromaslightincidenttheOrderoftheGarterwasinstituted,andbecameagreatdignity.Sothestorygoes.
CHAPTERXIX-ENGLANDUNDERRICHARDTHESECOND
RICHARD,sonoftheBlackPrince,aboyelevenyearsofage,succeededtotheCrownunderthetitleofKingRichardtheSecond.
ThewholeEnglishnationwerereadytoadmirehimforthesakeofhisbravefather.AstothelordsandladiesabouttheCourt,theydeclaredhimtobethemostbeautiful,thewisest,andthebest-
evenofprinces-whomthelordsandladiesabouttheCourt,generallydeclaretobethemostbeautiful,thewisest,andthebestofmankind.Toflatterapoorboyinthisbasemannerwasnotaverylikelywaytodevelopwhatevergoodwasinhim;anditbroughthimtoanythingbutagoodorhappyend.
TheDukeofLancaster,theyoungKing'suncle-commonlycalledJohnofGaunt,fromhavingbeenbornatGhent,whichthecommonpeoplesopronounced-wassupposedtohavesomethoughtsofthethronehimself;but,ashewasnotpopular,andthememoryoftheBlackPrincewas,hesubmittedtohisnephew.
ThewarwithFrancebeingstillunsettled,theGovernmentofEnglandwantedmoneytoprovidefortheexpensesthatmightariseoutofit;accordinglyacertaintax,calledthePoll-tax,whichhadoriginatedinthelastreign,wasorderedtobeleviedonthepeople.Thiswasataxoneverypersoninthekingdom,maleandfemale,abovetheageoffourteen,ofthreegroatsorthreefour-
pennypiecesayear;clergymenwerechargedmore,andonlybeggarswereexempt.
IhavenoneedtorepeatthatthecommonpeopleofEnglandhadlongbeensufferingundergreatoppression.Theywerestillthemereslavesofthelordsofthelandonwhichtheylived,andwereonmostoccasionsharshlyandunjustlytreated.But,theyhadbegunbythistimetothinkveryseriouslyofnotbearingquitesomuch;
and,probably,wereemboldenedbythatFrenchinsurrectionI
mentionedinthelastchapter.
ThepeopleofEssexroseagainstthePoll-tax,andbeingseverelyhandledbythegovernmentofficers,killedsomeofthem.Atthisverytimeoneofthetax-collectors,goinghisroundsfromhousetohouse,atDartfordinKentcametothecottageofoneWAT,atilerbytrade,andclaimedthetaxuponhisdaughter.Hermother,whowasathome,declaredthatshewasundertheageoffourteen;uponthat,thecollectorasothercollectorshadalreadydoneindifferentpartsofEnglandbehavedinasavageway,andbrutallyinsultedWatTyler'sdaughter.Thedaughterscreamed,themotherscreamed.WattheTiler,whowasatworknotfaroff,rantothespot,anddidwhatanyhonestfatherundersuchprovocationmighthavedone-struckthecollectordeadatablow.
Instantlythepeopleofthattownuproseasoneman.TheymadeWatTylertheirleader;theyjoinedwiththepeopleofEssex,whowereinarmsunderapriestcalledJACKSTRAW;theytookoutofprisonanotherpriestnamedJOHNBALL;andgatheringinnumbersastheywentalong,advanced,inagreatconfusedarmyofpoormen,toBlackheath.Itissaidthattheywantedtoabolishallproperty,andtodeclareallmenequal.Idonotthinkthisverylikely;
becausetheystoppedthetravellersontheroadsandmadethemsweartobetruetoKingRichardandthepeople.Norweretheyatalldisposedtoinjurethosewhohaddonethemnoharm,merelybecausetheywereofhighstation;for,theKing'smother,whohadtopassthroughtheircampatBlackheath,onherwaytoheryoungson,lyingforsafetyintheTowerofLondon,hadmerelytokissafewdirty-facedrough-beardedmenwhowerenoisilyfondofroyalty,andsogotawayinperfectsafety.NextdaythewholemassmarchedontoLondonBridge.
Therewasadrawbridgeinthemiddle,whichWILLIAMWALWORTHtheMayorcausedtoberaisedtopreventtheircomingintothecity;
buttheysoonterrifiedthecitizensintoloweringitagain,andspreadthemselves,withgreatuproar,overthestreets.Theybrokeopentheprisons;theyburnedthepapersinLambethPalace;theydestroyedtheDUKEOFLANCASTER'SPalace,theSavoy,intheStrand,saidtobethemostbeautifulandsplendidinEngland;theysetfiretothebooksanddocumentsintheTemple;andmadeagreatriot.Manyoftheseoutrageswerecommittedindrunkenness;sincethosecitizens,whohadwell-filledcellars,wereonlytoogladtothrowthemopentosavetherestoftheirproperty;buteventhedrunkenrioterswereverycarefultostealnothing.Theyweresoangrywithoneman,whowasseentotakeasilvercupattheSavoyPalace,andputitinhisbreast,thattheydrownedhimintheriver,cupandall.
TheyoungKinghadbeentakenouttotreatwiththembeforetheycommittedtheseexcesses;but,heandthepeopleabouthimweresofrightenedbytheriotousshouts,thattheygotbacktotheTowerinthebestwaytheycould.Thismadetheinsurgentsbolder;sotheywentonriotingaway,strikingofftheheadsofthosewhodidnot,atamoment'snotice,declareforKingRichardandthepeople;
andkillingasmanyoftheunpopularpersonswhomtheysupposedtobetheirenemiesastheycouldbyanymeanslayholdof.Inthismannertheypassedoneveryviolentday,andthenproclamationwasmadethattheKingwouldmeetthematMile-end,andgranttheirrequests.
TherioterswenttoMile-endtothenumberofsixtythousand,andtheKingmetthemthere,andtotheKingtherioterspeaceablyproposedfourconditions.First,thatneitherthey,northeirchildren,noranycomingafterthem,shouldbemadeslavesanymore.Secondly,thattherentoflandshouldbefixedatacertainpriceinmoney,insteadofbeingpaidinservice.Thirdly,thattheyshouldhavelibertytobuyandsellinallmarketsandpublicplaces,likeotherfreemen.Fourthly,thattheyshouldbepardonedforpastoffences.Heavenknows,therewasnothingveryunreasonableintheseproposals!TheyoungKingdeceitfullypretendedtothinkso,andkeptthirtyclerksup,allnight,writingoutacharteraccordingly.
Now,WatTylerhimselfwantedmorethanthis.Hewantedtheentireabolitionoftheforestlaws.HewasnotatMile-endwiththerest,but,whilethatmeetingwasbeingheld,brokeintotheTowerofLondonandslewthearchbishopandthetreasurer,forwhoseheadsthepeoplehadcriedoutloudlythedaybefore.HeandhismeneventhrusttheirswordsintothebedofthePrincessofWaleswhilethePrincesswasinit,tomakecertainthatnoneoftheirenemieswereconcealedthere.
So,Watandhismenstillcontinuedarmed,androdeaboutthecity.
Nextmorning,theKingwithasmalltrainofsomesixtygentlemen-
amongwhomwasWALWORTHtheMayor-rodeintoSmithfield,andsawWatandhispeopleatalittledistance.SaysWattohismen,'ThereistheKing.Iwillgospeakwithhim,andtellhimwhatwewant.'
StraightwayWatrodeuptohim,andbegantotalk.'King,'saysWat,'dostthouseeallmymenthere?'
'Ah,'saystheKing.'Why?'
'Because,'saysWat,'theyareallatmycommand,andhavesworntodowhateverIbidthem.'
SomedeclaredafterwardsthatasWatsaidthis,helaidhishandontheKing'sbridle.Othersdeclaredthathewasseentoplaywithhisowndagger.Ithink,myself,thathejustspoketotheKinglikearough,angrymanashewas,anddidnothingmore.Atanyratehewasexpectingnoattack,andpreparingfornoresistance,whenWalworththeMayordidthenotveryvaliantdeedofdrawingashortswordandstabbinghiminthethroat.Hedroppedfromhishorse,andoneoftheKing'speoplespeedilyfinishedhim.SofellWatTyler.Fawnersandflatterersmadeamightytriumphofit,andsetupacrywhichwilloccasionallyfindanechotothisday.ButWatwasahard-workingman,whohadsufferedmuch,andhadbeenfoullyoutraged;anditisprobablethathewasamanofamuchhighernatureandamuchbraverspiritthananyoftheparasiteswhoexultedthen,orhaveexultedsince,overhisdefeat.
SeeingWatdown,hismenimmediatelybenttheirbowstoavengehisfall.IftheyoungKinghadnothadpresenceofmindatthatdangerousmoment,bothheandtheMayortoboot,mighthavefollowedTylerprettyfast.ButtheKingridinguptothecrowd,criedoutthatTylerwasatraitor,andthathewouldbetheirleader.Theyweresotakenbysurprise,thattheysetupagreatshouting,andfollowedtheboyuntilhewasmetatIslingtonbyalargebodyofsoldiers.
Theendofthisrisingwasthethenusualend.AssoonastheKingfoundhimselfsafe,heunsaidallhehadsaid,andundidallhehaddone;somefifteenhundredoftheriotersweretriedmostlyinEssexwithgreatrigour,andexecutedwithgreatcruelty.Manyofthemwerehangedongibbets,andleftthereasaterrortothecountrypeople;and,becausetheirmiserablefriendstooksomeofthebodiesdowntobury,theKingorderedtheresttobechainedup-whichwasthebeginningofthebarbarouscustomofhanginginchains.TheKing'sfalsehoodinthisbusinessmakessuchapitifulfigure,thatIthinkWatTylerappearsinhistoryasbeyondcomparisonthetruerandmorerespectablemanofthetwo.
Richardwasnowsixteenyearsofage,andmarriedAnneofBohemia,anexcellentprincess,whowascalled'thegoodQueenAnne.'Shedeservedabetterhusband;fortheKinghadbeenfawnedandflatteredintoatreacherous,wasteful,dissolute,badyoungman.
ThereweretwoPopesatthistimeasifonewerenotenough!,andtheirquarrelsinvolvedEuropeinagreatdealoftrouble.
Scotlandwasstilltroublesometoo;andathometherewasmuchjealousyanddistrust,andplottingandcounter-plotting,becausetheKingfearedtheambitionofhisrelations,andparticularlyofhisuncle,theDukeofLancaster,andthedukehadhispartyagainsttheKing,andtheKinghadhispartyagainsttheduke.NorwerethesehometroubleslessenedwhenthedukewenttoCastiletourgehisclaimtothecrownofthatkingdom;forthentheDukeofGloucester,anotherofRichard'suncles,opposedhim,andinfluencedtheParliamenttodemandthedismissaloftheKing'sfavouriteministers.TheKingsaidinreply,thathewouldnotforsuchmendismissthemeanestservantinhiskitchen.But,ithadbeguntosignifylittlewhataKingsaidwhenaParliamentwasdetermined;soRichardwasatlastobligedtogiveway,andtoagreetoanotherGovernmentofthekingdom,underacommissionoffourteennobles,forayear.HisuncleofGloucesterwasattheheadofthiscommission,and,infact,appointedeverybodycomposingit.
Havingdoneallthis,theKingdeclaredassoonashesawanopportunitythathehadnevermeanttodoit,andthatitwasallillegal;andhegotthejudgessecretlytosignadeclarationtothateffect.Thesecretoozedoutdirectly,andwascarriedtotheDukeofGloucester.TheDukeofGloucester,attheheadoffortythousandmen,mettheKingonhisenteringintoLondontoenforcehisauthority;theKingwashelplessagainsthim;hisfavouritesandministerswereimpeachedandweremercilesslyexecuted.Amongthemweretwomenwhomthepeopleregardedwithverydifferentfeelings;one,RobertTresilian,ChiefJustice,whowashatedforhavingmadewhatwascalled'thebloodycircuit'totrytherioters;theother,SirSimonBurley,anhonourableknight,whohadbeenthedearfriendoftheBlackPrince,andthegovernorandguardianoftheKing.Forthisgentleman'slifethegoodQueenevenbeggedofGloucesteronherknees;butGloucesterwithorwithoutreasonfearedandhatedhim,andreplied,thatifshevaluedherhusband'scrown,shehadbetterbegnomore.Allthiswasdoneunderwhatwascalledbysomethewonderful-andbyothers,withbetterreason,themerciless-Parliament.
ButGloucester'spowerwasnottolastforever.Hehelditforonlyayearlonger;inwhichyearthefamousbattleofOtterbourne,sungintheoldballadofChevyChase,wasfought.Whentheyearwasout,theKing,turningsuddenlytoGloucester,inthemidstofagreatcouncilsaid,'Uncle,howoldamI?''Yourhighness,'
returnedtheDuke,'isinyourtwenty-secondyear.''AmIsomuch?'saidtheKing;'thenIwillmanagemyownaffairs!Iammuchobligedtoyou,mygoodlords,foryourpastservices,butI
needthemnomore.'Hefollowedthisup,byappointinganewChancellorandanewTreasurer,andannouncedtothepeoplethathehadresumedtheGovernment.Hehelditforeightyearswithoutopposition.Throughallthattime,hekepthisdeterminationtorevengehimselfsomedayuponhisuncleGloucester,inhisownbreast.
AtlastthegoodQueendied,andthentheKing,desiringtotakeasecondwife,proposedtohiscouncilthatheshouldmarryIsabella,ofFrance,thedaughterofCharlestheSixth:who,theFrenchcourtierssaidastheEnglishcourtiershadsaidofRichard,wasamarvelofbeautyandwit,andquiteaphenomenon-ofsevenyearsold.Thecouncilweredividedaboutthismarriage,butittookplace.ItsecuredpeacebetweenEnglandandFranceforaquarterofacentury;butitwasstronglyopposedtotheprejudicesoftheEnglishpeople.TheDukeofGloucester,whowasanxioustotaketheoccasionofmakinghimselfpopular,declaimedagainstitloudly,andthisatlengthdecidedtheKingtoexecutethevengeancehehadbeennursingsolong.