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diff --git a/9474-h/9474-h.htm b/9474-h/9474-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2581c72 --- /dev/null +++ b/9474-h/9474-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,22268 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + Cameos from English History, by Charlotte Mary Yonge + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cameos from English History, from Rollo to +Edward II, by Charlotte Mary Yonge + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II + +Author: Charlotte Mary Yonge + + +Release Date: December, 2005 [EBook #9474] +This file was first posted on October 4, 2003 +Last Updated: October 13, 2016 + + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMEOS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY *** + + + + +Text files produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Jayam Subramanian and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + CAMEOS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY + </h1> + <h2> + FROM ROLLO TO EDWARD II. <br /> <br /> <br /> By Charlotte Mary Yonge + </h2> + <h4> + 1873 + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + The “Cameos” here put together are intended as a book for young people + just beyond the elementary histories of England, and able to enter in some + degree into the real spirit of events, and to be struck with characters + and scenes presented in some relief. + </p> + <p> + The endeavor has not been to chronicle facts, but to put together a series + of pictures of persons and events, so as to arrest the attention and give + some individuality and distinctness to the recollection, by gathering + together details at the most memorable moments. Begun many years since, as + the historical portion of a magazine, the earlier ones of these Cameos + have been collected and revised to serve for school-room reading, and it + is hoped that, if these are found useful, they may ere long be followed up + by a second volume, comprising the wars in France, and those of the Roses. + </p> + <p> + <i>February 28th, 1868.</i> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>CAMEOS</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> CAMEO I. ROLF GANGER. (900-932.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> CAMEO II. WILLIAM LONGSWORD AND RICHARD THE + FEARLESS. (932-996.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> CAMEO III. YOUTH OF THE CONQUEROR. (1036-1066.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> CAMEO IV. EARL GODWIN. (1012-1052.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> CAMEO V. THE TWO HAROLDS. (1060-1066.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> CAMEO VI. THE NORMAN INVASION. (1066.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> CAMEO VII. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. (1066.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> CAMEO VIII. THE CAMP OF REFUGE. (1067-1072.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> CAMEO IX. THE LAST SAXON BISHOP. (1008-1095.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> CAMEO X. THE CONQUEROR. (1066-1087.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> CAMEO XI. THE CONQUEROR’S CHILDREN. (1050-1087.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> CAMEO XII. THE CROWN AND THE MITRE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> CAMEO XIII. THE FIRST CRUSADE. (1095-1100.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> CAMEO XIV. THE ETHELING FAMILY. (1010-1159.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> CAMEO XV. THE COUNTS OF ANJOU. (888-1142.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> CAMEO XVI. VISITORS OF HENRY I. (1120-1134.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> CAMEO XVII. THE BATTLE OF THE STANDARD. + (1135-1138.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> CAMEO XVIII. THE SNOWS OF OXFORD. (1138-1154.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> CAMEO XIX. YOUTH OF BECKET. (1154-1162) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> CAMEO XX. THE CONSTITUTIONS OF CLARENDON. + (1163-1172.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> CAMEO XXI. DEATH OF BECKET. (1166-1172.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> CAMEO XXII. THE CONQUEST OF IRELAND. (1172) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> CAMEO XXIII. THE REBELLIOUS EAGLETS. + (1149-1189.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> CAMEO XXIV. THE THIRD CRUSADE. (1189-1193) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> CAMEO XXV. ARTHUR OF BRITTANY. (1187-1206.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> CAMEO XXVI. THE INTERDICT. (1207-1214.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> CAMEO XXVII. MAGNA CHARTA. (1214-1217.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> CAMEO XXVIII. THE FIEF OF ROME. (1217-1254.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> CAMEO XXIX. THE LONGESPÉES IN THE EGYPTIAN + CRUSADES. (1219-1254.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> CAMEO XXX. SIMON DE MONTFORT. (1232-1266.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> CAMEO XXXI. THE LAST OF THE CRUSADERS. + (1267-1291.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> CAMEO XXXII. The CYMRY. (B.C. 66 A.D. 1269.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> CAMEO XXXIII. THE ENGLISH JUSTINIAN. + (1272-1292.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> CAMEO XXXIV. THE HAMMER OF THE SCOTS. + (1292-1305.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> CAMEO XXXV. THE EVIL TOLL. (1294-1305.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> CAMEO XXXVI. ROBERT THE BRUCE (1305-1308.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> CAMEO XXXVII. THE VICTIM OF BLACKLOW HILL. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> CAMEO XXXVIII. BANNOCKBURN. (1307-1313.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> CAMEO XXXIX. THE KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLE. + (1292-1316.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> CAMEO XL. THE BARONS’ WARS. (1310-1327.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0044"> CAMEO XLI. GOOD KING ROBERT’S TESTAMENT. + (1314-1329.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> INDEX. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + CAMEOS <br /> <br /> OF <br /> <br /> THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + Young people learn the history of England by reading small books which + connect some memorable event that they can understand, and remember, with + the name of each king—such as Tyrrell’s arrow-shot with William + Rufus, or the wreck of the White Ship with Henry I. But when they begin to + grow a little beyond these stories, it becomes difficult to find a history + that will give details and enlarge their knowledge, without being too + lengthy. They can hardly be expected to remember or take an interest in + personages or events left, as it were, in the block. It was the sense of + this want that prompted the writing of the series that here follows, in + which the endeavor has been to take either individual characters, or + events bearing on our history, and work them out as fully as materials + permitted, so that each, taken by itself, might form an individual Cameo, + or gem in full relief, and thus become impressed upon the mind. + </p> + <p> + The undertaking was first begun sixteen years ago, for a periodical for + young people. At that time, the view was to make the Cameos hang, as it + were, on the thread furnished by ordinary childish histories, so as to + leave out what might be considered as too well-known. However, as the work + made progress, this was found to be a mistake; the omissions prevented the + finished parts from fitting together, and the characters were incomplete, + without being shown in action. Thus, in preparing the Cameos for separate + publication, it has been found better to supply what had previously been + omitted, as well as to try to correct and alter the other Cameos by the + light of increasing information. + </p> + <p> + None of them lay claim to being put together from original documents; they + are only the attempt at collecting, from large and often not easily + accessible histories, the more interesting or important scenes and facts, + and at arranging them so that they may best impress the imagination and + memory of the young, so as to prepare them for fuller and deeper reading. + </p> + <p> + Our commencement is with the Dukes of Normandy. The elder England has been + so fully written of, and in such an engaging manner for youthful readers, + in the late Sir Francis Palgrave’s “History of the Anglo-Saxons,” that it + would have been superfluous to expand the very scanty Cameos of that + portion of our history. The present volume, then, includes the history of + the Norman race of sovereigns, from Rollo to Edward of Carnarvon, with + whose fate we shall pause, hoping in a second volume to go through the + French wars and the wars of the Roses. Nor have we excluded the mythical + or semi-romantic tales of our early history. It is as needful to a person + of education to be acquainted with them, as if they were certain facts, + and we shall content ourselves with marking what come to us on doubtful + authority. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO I. ROLF GANGER. (900-932.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 901. Edward the Elder. + 924. Athelstan. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 898. Charles + the Simple. + 923. Rudolf. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 899. Ludwig IV. + 912. Konrad. +</pre> + <p> + If we try to look back at history nine hundred years, we shall see a world + very unlike that in which we are now moving. Midway from the birth of our + Lord to the present era, the great struggle between the new and old had + not subsided, and the great European world of civilized nations had not + yet settled into their homes and characters. + </p> + <p> + Christianity had been accepted by the Roman Emperor six hundred years + previously, but the Empire was by that time too weak and corrupt to be + renewed, even by the fresh spirit infused into it; and, from the 4th + century onward, it had been breaking up under the force of the fierce + currents of nations that rushed from the north-east of Europe. The Greek + half of the Empire prolonged its existence in the Levant, but the Latin, + or Western portion, became a wreck before the 5th century was far + advanced. However, each conquering tribe that poured into the southern + dominions had been already so far impressed with the wisdom and dignity of + Rome, and the holiness of her religion, that they paused in their + violence, and gradually allowed themselves to be taught by her doctrine, + tamed by her manners, and governed by her laws. The Patriarch of Rome—<i>Papa</i>, + or Father—was acknowledged by them, as by the subjects of Rome of + old; they accepted the clergy, who had already formed dioceses and + parishes, and though much of horrible savagery remained to be subdued in + the general mass, yet there was a gradual work of amelioration in + progress. + </p> + <p> + This was especially the case with the Franks, who had overspread the + northern half of Gaul. Their first race of kings had become Christians + simultaneously with their conquest; and though these soon dwindled away + between crime and luxury, there had grown up under them a brave and + ambitious family, whose earlier members were among the most distinguished + persons in history. + </p> + <p> + Charles Martel turned back the Saracens at Tours, and saved Europe from + Mahometanism, and his grandson, Charles the Great, rescued the Pope from + the Lombards, and received from him in return the crown of a new Empire of + the West—the Holy Roman Empire, which was supposed to be the great + temporal power. As the Pope, or Patriarch, was deemed the head of all + bishops, so the Emperor was to be deemed the head of all kings of the + West, from the Danube and Baltic to the Atlantic Ocean—the whole + country that had once been held by Rome, and then had been wrested from + her by the various German or Teutonic races. The island of Great Britain + was a sort of exception to the general rule. Like Gaul, it had once been + wholly Keltic, but it had not been as entirely subdued by the Romans, and + the overflow of Teutons came very early thither, and while they were yet + so thoroughly Pagan that the old Keltic Church failed to convert them, and + the mission of St. Augustine was necessary from Rome. + </p> + <p> + A little later, when Charles the Great formed his empire of Franks, + Germans, Saxons, and Gauls, Egbert gathered, in like manner, the various + petty kingdoms of the Angles and Saxons under the one dominant realm of + Wessex, and thus became a sort of island Emperor. + </p> + <p> + It seems, however, to be a rule, that nations and families recently + emerged from barbarism soon fade and decay under the influence of high + civilization; and just as the first race of Frankish kings had withered + away on the throne, so the line of Charles the Great, though not inactive, + became less powerful and judicious, grew feeble in the very next + generation, and were little able to hold together the multitude of nations + that had formed the empire. + </p> + <p> + Soon the kingdom of France split away from the Empire; and while a fresh + and more able Emperor became the head of the West, the descendants of the + great Charles still struggled on, at their royal cities of Laon and + Soissons, with the terrible difficulties brought upon them by restless + subjects, and by the last and most vigorous swarm of all the Teutonic + invaders. + </p> + <p> + The wild rugged hills and coasts of Scandinavia, with their keen climate, + long nights, and many gulfs and bays, had contributed to nurse the Teuton + race in a vigor and perfection scarcely found elsewhere—or not at + least since the more southern races had yielded to the enervating + influences of their settled life. Some of these had indeed been tamed, but + more had been degraded. The English were degenerating into clownishness, + the Franks into effeminacy; and though Christianity continually raised up + most brilliant lights—now on the throne, now in the cathedral, now + in the cloister—yet the mass of the people lay sluggish, dull, + inert, selfish, and half savage. + </p> + <p> + They were in this state when the Norseman and the Dane fitted out their + long ships, and burst upon their coasts. By a peculiar law, common once to + all the Teuton nations, though by that time altered in the southern ones, + the land of a family was not divided among its members, but all possessed + an equal right in it; and thus, as it was seldom adequate to maintain them + all, the more enterprising used their right in it only to fell trees + enough to build a ship, and to demand corn enough to victual their crew, + which was formed of other young men whose family inheritance could not + furnish more than a sword or spear. + </p> + <p> + Kings and princes—of whom there were many—were exactly in the + same position as their subjects, and they too were wont to seek their + fortunes upon the high seas. Fleets coalesced under the command of some + chieftain of birth or note, and the Vikings, or pirates, sailed fearlessly + forth, to plunder the tempting regions to the south of them. + </p> + <p> + Fierce worshippers were they of the old gods, Odin, Frey, Thor; of the + third above all others, and their lengthy nights had led to their working + up those myths that had always been common to the whole race into a + beauty, poetry, and force, probably not found elsewhere; and that nerved + them both to fight vehemently for an entrance to Valhalla, the hall of + heroes, and to revenge the defection of the Christians who had fallen from + Odin. They plundered, they burnt, they slew; they specially devastated + churches and monasteries, and no coast was safe from them from the + Adriatic to the furthest north—even Rome saw their long ships, and, + “From the fury of the Northmen, good Lord deliver us,” was the prayer in + every Litany of the West. + </p> + <p> + England had been well-nigh undone by them, when the spirit of her greatest + king awoke, and by Alfred they were overcome: some were permitted to + settle down and were taught Christianity and civilization, and the fresh + invaders were driven from the coast. Alfred’s gallant son and grandson + held the same course, guarded their coasts, and made their faith and + themselves respected throughout the North. But in France, the + much-harassed house of Charles the Great, and the ill-compacted bond of + different nations, were little able to oppose their fierce assaults, and + ravage and devastation reigned from one end of the country to another. + </p> + <p> + However, the Vikings, on returning to their native homes, sometimes found + their place filled up, and the family inheritance incapable of supporting + so many. Thus they began to think of winning not merely gold and cattle, + but lands and houses, on the coasts that they had pillaged. In Scotland, + the Hebrides, and Ireland, they settled by leave of nothing but their + swords; in England, by treaty with Alfred; and in France, half by + conquest, half by treaty, always, however, accepting Christianity as a + needful obligation when they accepted southern lands. Probably they + thought that Thor was only the god of the North, and that the “White + Christ,” as they called Him who was made known to them in these new + countries, was to be adored in what they deemed alone His territories. + </p> + <p> + Of all the sea-robbers who sailed from their rocky dwelling-places by the + fiords of Norway, none enjoyed higher renown than Rolf, called the ganger, + or walker, as tradition relates, because his stature was so gigantic that, + when clad in full armor, no horse could support his weight, and he + therefore always fought on foot. + </p> + <p> + Rolf’s lot had, however, fallen in what he doubtless considered as evil + days. No such burnings and plunderings as had hitherto wasted England, and + enriched Norway, fell to his share; for Alfred had made the bravest + Northman feel that his fleet and army were more than a match for theirs. + Ireland was exhausted by the former depredations of the pirates, and, from + a fertile and flourishing country, had become a scene of desolation; + Scotland and its isles were too barren to afford prey to the spoiler; and + worse than all, the King of Norway, Harald Harfagre, desirous of being + included among the civilized sovereigns of Europe, strictly forbade his + subjects to exercise their old trade of piracy on his own coasts, or on + those of his allies. Rolf, perhaps, considered himself above this new law. + His father, Earl Rognwald, as the chief friend of the King, had been + chosen to cut and comb the hair which Harald had kept for ten years + untrimmed, in fulfilment of a vow, that his locks should never be clipped + until the whole of Norway was under his dominion. He had also been + invested with the government of the great Earldom of Möre, where the sons + of Harald, jealous of the favor with which he was regarded by their + father, burnt him and sixty of his men, in his own house. The vengeance + taken by his sons had been signal, and the King had replaced Thorer the + Silent, one of their number, in his father’s earldom. + </p> + <p> + Rolf, presuming on the favor shown to his family, while returning from an + expedition on the Baltic, made a descent on the coast of Viken, a part of + Norway, and carried off the cattle wanted by his crew. The King, who + happened at that time to be in that district, was highly displeased, and, + assembling a council, declared Rolf Ganger an outlaw. His mother, Hilda, a + dame of high lineage, in vain interceded for him, and closed her entreaty + with a warning in the wild extemporary poetry of the North: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Bethink thee, monarch, it is ill + With such a wolf, at wolf to play, + Who, driven to the wild woods away, + May make the king’s best deer his prey.” + </pre> + <p> + Harald listened not, and it was well; for through the marvellous dealings + of Providence, the outlawry of this “wolf” of Norway led to the + establishment of our royal line, and to that infusion of new spirit into + England to which her greatness appears to be chiefly owing. + </p> + <p> + The banished Rolf found a great number of companions, who, like himself, + were unwilling to submit to the strict rule of Harald Harfagre, and + setting sail with them, he first plundered and devastated the coast of + Flanders, and afterward turned toward France. In the spring of 896, the + citizens of Rouen, scarcely yet recovered from the miseries inflicted upon + them by the fierce Danish rover, Hasting, were dismayed by the sight of a + fleet of long low vessels with spreading sails, heads carved like that of + a serpent, and sterns finished like the tail of the reptile, such as they + well knew to be the keels of the dreaded Northmen, the harbingers of + destruction and desolation. Little hope of succor or protection was there + from King Charles the Simple; and, indeed, had the sovereign been ever so + warlike and energetic, it would little have availed Rouen, which might + have been destroyed twice over before a messenger could reach Laon. + </p> + <p> + In this emergency, Franco, the Archbishop, proposed to go forth to meet + the Northmen, and attempt to make terms for his flock. The offer was + gladly accepted by the trembling citizens, and the good Archbishop went, + bearing the keys of the town, to visit the camp which the Northmen had + begun to erect upon the bank of the river. They offered him no violence, + and he performed his errand safely. Rolf, the rude generosity of whose + character was touched by his fearless conduct, readily agreed to spare the + lives and property of the citizens, on condition that Rouen was + surrendered to him without resistance. + </p> + <p> + Entering the town, he there established his head-quarters, and spent a + whole year there and in the adjacent parts of the country, during which + time the Northmen so faithfully observed their promise, that they were + regarded by the Rouennais rather as friends than as conquerors; and Rolf, + or Rollo, as the French called him, was far more popular among them than + their real sovereign. Wherever he met with resistance, he showed, indeed, + the relentless cruelty of the heathen pirate; but where he found + submission, he was a kind master, and these qualities contributed to gain + for him an easy and rapid conquest of Neustria, as the district of which + Rouen was the capital was then called. + </p> + <p> + In the course of the following year, he advanced along the banks of the + Seine as far as its junction with the Eure. On the opposite side of the + river, there were visible a number of tents, where slept a numerous army + which Charles had at length collected to oppose this formidable enemy. The + Northmen also set up their camp, in expectation of a battle, and darkness + had just closed in on them when a shout was heard on the opposite side of + the river, and to their surprise a voice was heard speaking in their own + language, “Brave warriors, why come ye hither, and what do ye seek?” + </p> + <p> + “We are Northmen, come hither to conquer France,” replied Rollo. “But who + art thou who speakest our tongue so well?” + </p> + <p> + “Heard ye never of Hasting?” was the reply. + </p> + <p> + Hasting was one of the most celebrated of the Sea-Kings. He had fought + with Alfred in England, had cruelly wasted France, and had even sailed + into the Mediterranean and made himself dreaded in Italy; but with him it + had been as with the old pirate in the poem: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Time will rust the sharpest sword, + Time will consume the strongest cord; + That which moulders hemp and steel, + Mortal arm and nerve must feel. + Of the Danish band, whom ‘Earl Hasting’ led, + Many wax’d aged, and many were dead; + Himself found his armor full weighty to bear, + Wrinkled his brows grew, and hoary his hair; + He leaned on a staff when his step went abroad, + And patient his palfrey, when steed he bestrode. + As he grew feebler, his wildness ceased, + He made himself peace with prelate and priest; + He made himself peace, and stooping his head, + Patiently listen’d the counsel they said. + + “‘Thou hast murder’d, robb’d, and spoil’d, + Time it is thy poor soul were assoil’d; + Priests didst thou slay and churches burn, + Time it is now to repentance to turn; + Fiends hast thou worshipp’d with fiendish rite, + Leave now the darkness and wend into light; + Oh, while life and space are given, + Turn thee yet, and think of heaven.’ + + “That stern old heathen, his head he raised, + And on the good prelate he steadfastly gazed, + ‘Give me broad lands on the “Eure and the Seine,” + My faith I will leave, and I’ll cleave unto thine.’ + Broad lands he gave him on ‘Seine and on Eure,’ + To be held of the king by bridle and spear, + + “For the ‘Frankish’ King was a sire in age, + Weak in battle, in council sage; + Peace of that heathen leader he sought, + Gifts he gave and quiet he bought; + And the Earl took upon him the peaceful renown, + Of a vassal and liegeman for ‘Chartres’ good town: + He abjured the gods of heathen race, + And he bent his head at the font of grace; + But such was the grizzly old proselyte’s look, + That the priest who baptized him grew pale and shook.” + </pre> + <p> + Such had been the history of Hasting, now Count of Chartres, who without + doubt expected that his name and example would have a great effect upon + his countrymen; but the answer to his question, “Heard ye never of + Hasting?” met with no such answer as he anticipated. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” returned Rollo; “he began well, but ended badly.” + </p> + <p> + “Will ye not, then,” continued the old pirate, “submit to my lord the + King? Will ye not hold of him lands and honors?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” replied the Northmen, disdainfully, “we will own no lord; we will + take no gift; but we will have what we ourselves can conquer by force.” + Here Hasting took his departure, and returning to the French camp, + strongly advised the commander not to hazard a battle; but his counsel was + overruled by a young standard-bearer, who, significantly observing, + “Wolves make not war on wolves,” so offended the old sea-king, that he + quitted the army that night, and never again appeared in France. The + wisdom of his advice was the next morning made evident, by the total + defeat of the French, and the advance of the Northmen, who in a short + space after appeared beneath the walls of Paris. + </p> + <p> + Failing in their attempt to take the city, they returned to Rouen, where + they fortified themselves, making it the capital of the territory they had + conquered. + </p> + <p> + Fifteen years passed away, the summers of which were spent in ravaging the + dominions of Charles the Simple, and the winters in the city of Rouen, and + in the meantime a change had come over their leader. He had been + insensibly softened and civilized by his intercourse with the good + Archbishop Franco; and finding, perhaps, that it was not quite so easy as + he had expected to conquer the whole kingdom of France, he declared + himself willing to follow the example which he had once despised, and to + become a vassal of the French crown for the duchy of Neustria. + </p> + <p> + Charles, greatly rejoiced to find himself thus able to put a stop to the + dreadful devastations of the Northmen, readily agreed to the terms + proposed by Rollo, appointing the village of St. Clair-sur-Epte, on the + borders of Neustria, as the place of meeting for the purpose of receiving + his homage and oath of fealty. It was a strange meeting which there took + place between the degenerate and almost imbecile descendant of the great + Charles, with his array of courtly followers and his splendor and luxury, + and the gigantic warrior of the North, the founder of a line of kings, in + all the vigor of the uncivilized native of a cold climate, and the + unbending pride of a conqueror, surrounded by his tall warriors, over whom + his chieftainship had hitherto depended only on their own consent, gained + by his acknowledged superiority in wisdom in council and prowess in + battle. + </p> + <p> + The greatest difficulty to be overcome in this conference, was the + repugnance felt by the proud Northman to perform the customary act of + homage before any living man, especially one whom he held so cheap as + Charles the Simple. He consented, indeed, to swear allegiance, and declare + himself the “King’s man,” with his hands clasped between those of Charles; + but the remaining part of the ceremony, the kneeling to kiss the foot of + his liege lord, he absolutely refused, and was with difficulty persuaded + to permit one of his followers to perform it in his name. The proxy, as + proud as his master, instead of kneeling, took the King’s foot in his + hand, and lifted it to his mouth, while he stood upright, thus overturning + both monarch and throne, amid the rude laughter of his companions, while + the miserable Charles and his courtiers felt such a dread of these new + vassals that they did not dare to resent the insult. + </p> + <p> + On his return to Rouen, Rollo was baptized, and, on leaving the cathedral, + celebrated his conversion by large grants to the different churches and + convents in his new duchy, making a fresh gift on each of the days during + which he wore the white robes of the newly baptized. All of his warriors + who chose to follow his example, and embrace the Christian faith, received + from him grants of land, to be held of him on the same terms as those by + which he held the dukedom from the King; and the country, thus peopled by + the Northmen, gradually assumed the appellation of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Applying themselves with all the ardor of their temper to their new way of + life, the Northmen quickly adopted the manners, language, and habits which + were recommended to them as connected with the holy faith which they had + just embraced, but without losing their own bold and vigorous spirit. Soon + the gallant and accomplished Norman knight could scarcely have been + recognized as the savage sea-robber, once too ferocious and turbulent even + for his own wild country in the far North, while, at the same time, he + bore as little resemblance to the cruel and voluptuous French noble, at + once violent and indolent. The new war-cry of <i>Dieu aide</i> was as + triumphant as that of <i>Thor Hulfe</i> had been of old, and the Red Cross + led to as many victories as the Raven standard. + </p> + <p> + It is said that the word “Exchequer” is derived from the court of justice + established by Rollo, so called from the word “<i>Schicken</i>” + signifying, in his native tongue, to send, because from it judges were + sent to try causes throughout the dukedom. It is also said that the appeal + from them to the Duke himself, made in these terms, “J’appelle a Rou,” is + the origin of the cry “<i>Haro</i>” by which, for centuries after his + descendants had passed away from Normandy, the injured always called for + justice. This was for many centuries believed in Normandy, but in fact the + word <i>Haro</i> is only the same as our own “hurrah,” the beginning of a + shout. There is no doubt, however, that the keen, unsophisticated vigor of + Rollo, directed by his new religion, did great good in Normandy, and that + his justice was sharp, his discipline impartial, so that of him is told + the famous old story bestowed upon other just princes, that a gold + bracelet was left for three years untouched upon a tree in a forest. + </p> + <p> + He had been married, as part of the treaty, to Gisèle, daughter of King + Charles the Simple, but he was an old grizzly warrior, and neither cared + for the other. A wife whom he had long before taken from Vermandois had + borne him a son, named William, to whom he left his dukedom in 932. + </p> + <p> + All this history of Rolf, or Rollo, is, however, very doubtful; and + nothing can be considered as absolutely established but that Neustria, or + Normandy, was by him and his Northmen settled under a grant from the Frank + king, Charles the Simple, and the French duke, Robert, Count of Paris. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO II. WILLIAM LONGSWORD AND RICHARD THE FEARLESS. (932-996.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 927. Athelstan. + 940. Edmund I. + 947. Edwy. + 959. Edward. + 959. Ethelred II. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 936. Louis IV. + 954. Lothaire III. + 986. Louis V. + 987 Hugh Capet. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 936. Otho I. + 973. Otho II. + 983. Otho III. +</pre> + <p> + The Norman character was strongly marked. Their whole nature was strong + and keen, full of energy, and with none of the sluggish dulness that was + always growing over the faculties of the Frank and Saxon; and even to this + day the same energy prevails among their descendants, a certain portion of + the English nobility, and the population of Normandy and of Yorkshire. + </p> + <p> + There was a deep sense of religion, always showing itself in action, + though not always consistently, and therewith a grand sense of honor and + generosity, coupled, however, with a curious shrewd astuteness. The + high-minded Norman was the flower of chivalry and honor, the low-minded + Norman the most successful of villains—and there has often been a + curious compound of both elements in the character of some of the most + distinguished Normans whom history has to show. + </p> + <p> + Old Rollo caused his only son to be highly educated, and William of the + Long Sword grew up a prince to be proud of. His height was majestic, his + features beautiful, his complexion as pure and delicate as a maiden’s, his + strength gigantic, his prowess with all the weapons on foot and on + horseback unrivalled, and his wit and capacity of the brightest and most + powerful. Born since his father’s arrival in France, the tales of Thor and + Odin, the old giants, and the future Valhalla, wore things of the dark old + past to him, and he threw himself with his whole heart into the new faith. + So intensely devout was he, so fond of prayer and of the rites of the + Church, that Rollo called him fitter for a cloister than a dukedom; but + the choice was not open to him, an only son, with the welfare of the + Normans dependent on him; and while living in the world, his saintly + aspirations did not preserve him from a self-indulgent life at home, or + from unjust dealing abroad. But he had many fits of devotion. Once when + hunting on the banks of the Seine, he came on the ruins of the Abbey of + Jumièges; which had, many years before, been destroyed by Hasting. Two old + monks, who still survived, came forth to meet him, told him their history, + and invited him to partake of some of their best fare. It was coarse + barley bread, and the young duke, turning from it in disgust, carelessly + bestowed a rich alms upon them, and eagerly pursued his sport. He had not + ridden far before he roused a huge wild boar, and, in the encounter with + it, he broke his sword, was thrown from his horse, and so severely + injured, that his servants, on coming up, found him stretched insensible + upon the ground. Believing this accident to be the just punishment of + Heaven for his contempt for the old brethren, William, as soon as he + recovered his senses, desired to be carried to Jumièges, and there humbly + confessed his sinful feelings, and entreated their pardon. + </p> + <p> + His first care, when his health was re-established, was for the + restoration of Jumièges, which he built with great splendor, and often + visited. His chief desire was to enter the abbey as a brother of the + order, but his wish was opposed by the excellent Abbot Martin, who pointed + out to him that he ought not to desert the station to which he had been + called by Heaven, nor quit the government till his son was old enough to + take the charge upon himself, and at the same time encouraged him by the + example of many a saint, whose heavenward road had lain through the toils + and cares of a secular life. + </p> + <p> + William yielded to the arguments of the good father, but his heart was + still in the peaceful abbey, and he practised in secret the devotions and + austerities of the cloister to the utmost of his power, longing earnestly + for the time when he might lay aside the weary load of cares of war and of + government, and retire to that holy brotherhood. + </p> + <p> + In Normandy, his strict, keen justice made him greatly honored and loved, + but the French greatly hated and abhorred him, and his transactions with + them were sometimes cunning, sometimes violent. He had much of the old + Northman about him, and had not entered into the Church’s teachings of the + sanctity of marriage. Like his father, he had had a half-acknowledged + wife, Espriota, who was the mother of his only child, Richard, but he put + her away in order to ally himself with one of the great French families, + and he had his child brought up at Bayeux, among Norse-speaking nobles, as + if he would rather see him a Norseman than a, French prince. + </p> + <p> + The bold and devout but inconsistent William was the dread of all his + neighbors, and especially of Arnulf, Count of Flanders. William was in + alliance with Herluin, Count of Montreuil, against Arnulf; when, in 942, + he was invited to a conference on a small island in the Somme, and there, + having contrived to separate him from his followers, at a given signal one + of the Flemings struck him down with an oar, and a number of daggers were + instantly plunged into his breast. + </p> + <p> + The Flemings made their escape in safety, leaving the bleeding corpse upon + the island, where the Normans, who had seen the murder, without being able + to prevent or revenge it, reverently took it up, and brought it back to + Rouen. Beneath the robes of state they found it dressed in a hair-cloth + shirt, and round the neck was a chain sustaining a golden key, which was + rightly judged to belong to the chest where he kept his choicest treasure; + but few would have guessed what was the treasure so valued by the knightly + duke of the martial name, and doubtless there were many looks of wonder + among the Norman barons, when the chest was opened, and disclosed, instead + of gold and jewels, the gown and hood, the sandals and rosary, of a + brother of the Benedictine order. + </p> + <p> + He was buried beside his father, in the cathedral of Rouen, amid the + universal lamentations of his vassals; and his greatest friend and + counsellor, Bernard the Dane, Count of Harcourt, fetched from Bayeux his + only child, Richard, only eight years old, to be solemnly invested with + the ducal sword and mantle, and to receive the homage of the Normans. + [Footnote: This is the Norman legend. The French Chronicles point to + Norman treachery.] The bitter hatred of the French to the Normans could + not but break out in the minority. + </p> + <p> + To the surprise of the Normans, Louis IV., king of France, suddenly + arrived at Rouen, to claim, as he said, the homage of his young vassal. On + the following day, Richard did not, as usual, appear beyond the walls of + the castle, and there were rumors that he was detained there by order of + the king. Assembling in great numbers, the Rouennais came before the + castle, shouting loudly for “Richard! Richard! our little Duke!” nor could + they be pacified till Louis appeared at the window, lifting young Richard + in his arms, and made them a speech upon the gratitude and admiration + which he pretended to feel for Duke William, to whom he said he owed his + restoration to the throne of his fathers, and whose son he promised to + regard as his own child. + </p> + <p> + On leaving Rouen, Louis claimed the right of taking Richard with him, as + the guardian of all crown vassals in their minority; and Bernard de + Harcourt, finding it impossible to resist, only stipulated that the young + Duke should never be separated from his Norman esquire, Osmond de + Centeville, who on his side promised to keep a careful watch over him. + Richard was accordingly conducted to Montleon, and made the companion of + the two young princes, Lothaire and Carloman, and for some time no more + was heard respecting him in Normandy. At last arrived a message from + Osmond de Centeville, sent in secret with considerable difficulty, telling + the Normans to pray that their young duke might be delivered out of the + hands of his enemies, for that he was convinced that evil was intended, + since he was closely watched; and one day when he had gone down to the + river to bathe, the queen had threatened him with cruel punishments if he + again left the place. Bernard immediately ordered a three days’ fast, + during which prayers for the safety of the little duke were offered in + every church in Normandy, and further tidings were anxiously awaited. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the faithful squire was devising a plan of escape. He + caused the young Richard to feign illness, and thus obtained a slight + relaxation of the vigilance with which his movements, were watched, which + enabled him to carry to the duke’s apartments a great bundle of hay. At + nightfall he rolled Richard up in the midst of it, and laying it across + his shoulders, he crossed the castle court to the stable, as if he was + going to feed his horse, and as soon as it was dark he mounted, placing + the boy before him, and galloped off to a castle on the borders of + Normandy, where the rescued prince was greeted with the greatest joy. + </p> + <p> + The escape of his ward was followed by an open declaration of war on the + part of Louis IV., upon which the Count de Harcourt sent to Denmark to ask + succor from King Harald Blue-tooth, who, mindful of Duke William’s + kindness, himself led a numerous force to Normandy. Bernard, pretending to + consider this as a piratical invasion, sent to ask Louis to assist him in + expelling the heathens. Louis entered Normandy, and came in sight of the + Danish host on the banks of the river Dives, where Harald summoned him to + leave the dukedom to its rightful owner. Louis desired a conference, and a + tent was pitched between the armies, where the two kings met. + </p> + <p> + Bernard advised the King of France not to bring Herluin de Montreuil to + this meeting, since the Normans considered him as the occasion of their + duke’s death; but the French replied that no Dane should hinder their king + from taking with him whomsoever he pleased. While the two kings were in + the tent, Herluin, seeing a knight from the Cotentin, with whom he was + acquainted, went up to him and inquired after his health. + </p> + <p> + The Danes asked who he was, and the knight replied, “Count Herluin, who + caused Duke William’s death;” whereupon the wild Danes rushed upon him, + and killed him with their battle-axes. + </p> + <p> + A general conflict ensued; the French were put to flight, and by the time + the kings came out of the tent, the battle was decided. Louis mounted his + horse in order to rejoin his troops, but the animal ran with him into the + midst of the enemy, where Harald caught his bridle, made him prisoner, and + delivered him to four knights to keep. While, however, they were engaged + in plundering, he made his escape, and had ridden four leagues when he met + a soldier of Rouen, whom he bribed to hide him in an island in the Seine, + until he could find a fit opportunity of quitting Normandy. Harald and + Bernard, however, by making strict inquiries, discovered that the soldier + knew where he was, and seizing the man’s wife and children, threatened to + put them to death if he did not put the king into their hands. Louis was + accordingly delivered to them, but they shortly after released him on + receiving his two sons as hostages. + </p> + <p> + The younger of the two princes died shortly after his arrival in Normandy; + and anxiety for Lothaire, the remaining son, induced his father to come to + terms with the Normans; and, at St. Clair-sur-Epte, Louis swore to leave + Richard in undisturbed possession of his lands, and to extend the limits + of the duchy as far as the banks of the Epte, after which the young duke + paid him homage, and restored his son to him. + </p> + <p> + Richard then returned to Rouen, which he had not visited since he had been + carried to the French court, and was greeted with great joy by the + citizens, who were much delighted by his appearance, the height of his + figure, and the beauty of his countenance. The King of Denmark was also + received by them with great enthusiasm, who, after spending some time at + Rouen, returned home. + </p> + <p> + At the age of fourteen, Richard was betrothed to Emma, daughter of Hugh + the White, Count of Paris, a nobleman whose increasing power had long been + a subject of jealousy both to the court of Flanders and to the King of + France. On hearing of the intended connection between these two mighty + vassals, they united their forces to prevent it, and called in the aid of + Otho, Emperor of Germany, and Conrad, King of Burgundy. + </p> + <p> + While Louis and Conrad attacked the Count, Otho and Arnulf entered + Normandy, and laid siege to Rouen, but on the way thither were attacked by + an ambuscade under the command of the young Richard himself, who now for + the first time bore arms, and greatly signalized himself, putting the + Germans to flight, and killing the Emperor’s nephew with his own hand. + </p> + <p> + Otho still advanced and invested Rouen. Wishing to know what resources the + city contained, he sent to ask Richard’s permission to enter it, in order + to pay his devotions at the shrine of St. Ouen. His request was granted, + and in passing through the streets he perceived that the city was so well + defended that he could not hope to take it. On his return to the camp, he + told his council that he intended to make his peace with the Duke of + Normandy, by delivering up to him the Count of Flanders, the author of the + expedition. His council, however, persuaded him that this would be a + disgraceful action; and Arnulf, receiving some hint of his proposal, in + the middle of the night quitted the camp with all his men, and returned to + Flanders. The noise of his departure awoke the Germans, who, imagining + themselves to be attacked by the besieged, armed themselves in haste, and + there was great confusion till morning, when, perceiving The departure of + the Flemings, they set fire to their camp, and took the road to Germany. + The Normans, sallying out of the town, harassed the rear, killed a number + of them, and took many prisoners, and a great quantity of baggage. + </p> + <p> + In 954, Louis was killed by a fall from his horse, and was succeeded by + his son Lothaire, who inherited all his dislike to the Normans, and + especially hated the young duke, the companion of his boyhood, whose fame + had so far exceeded his own, both in feats of arms and skill in + government, and who, though only twenty-three, had been chosen by the wise + and great Count of Paris as the guardian of his children, and the model on + which his sons were to form themselves. + </p> + <p> + Twice did Lothaire, in conjunction with Count Thibaut de Chartres, a young + nobleman who envied the fame of Richard, attempt to assassinate him at a + conference; and the former, despairing of ridding himself of him by + treachery, assembled an army of fifty thousand men, entered Normandy, and + besieged Rouen. Here Richard, in a sudden night-attack on his camp, + dispersed his forces, and took a great number of prisoners, all of whom he + released without a ransom. Then, pursuing his advantage, he entered the + county of Chartres, but he was obliged to return to his duchy, to defend + it against a powerful league of all the neighboring princes, formed by the + king. + </p> + <p> + Fearing to be crushed by so mighty a force, he sent to ask succor from his + old friend, the king of Denmark, who, though too aged and infirm to come + himself to Normandy, equipped a numerous fleet, and sent his best warriors + to Richard. + </p> + <p> + The ravages which they committed compelled the king to send the Bishop of + Chartres to sue for peace, but he would not venture into the camp without + an escort from the duke, lest, as he said, “the Danish wolves should + devour him on the way.” + </p> + <p> + On his arrival, he implored Richard to have compassion on the French, who + suffered dreadful miseries from the Danes; and the duke, always desirous + of peace, willingly engaged to treat with the king, and withdrew his + forces into Normandy, to the great disappointment of the Danes, who had + expected to dethrone Lothaire, and to place the gallant Richard on his + throne. They were much surprised at the moderation of the demands which + he, a conqueror, made to the humiliated Lothaire, only desiring to be left + in quiet possession of his inheritance, and that a pardon should be + granted for all injuries committed on either side during the war. + </p> + <p> + Lothaire gladly agreed to these terms, and the remainder of Richard’s life + was spent in peace. Such of the latter’s subjects as had been trained to + arms in the constant wars during his minority, found employment in combats + with the Greeks and Saracens in Italy, where the twelve sons of a Norman + knight, named Tancred de Hauteville, laid the foundation of the kingdoms + of the Two Sicilies. Their place was supplied by the Danish allies, who, + full of admiration for the Fearless Duke, were desirous of embracing his + religion, and living under his government. Thibaut de Chartres came to + Normandy to implore his pardon, and was received with such kindness that + he was overcome with shame at his former conduct. + </p> + <p> + Richard was a stern but honorable man, and the courage and ability which + he displayed throughout these wars made a great impression on his Danish + allies, who were induced, in great numbers, to adopt the religion of the + Fearless Duke, and to live under his government. + </p> + <p> + How the truly great man takes his revenge, was indeed shown by Richard the + Fearless, the last time he took any part in the affairs of the nation. It + was when Hugh Capet, Count of Paris, once his ward, had been raised to the + throne of France by the authority of the Pope, and having received the + homage of every crown vassal excepting Arnulf of Flanders, proceeded to + ravage his county and seize his towns. Arnulf, completely reduced, saw no + hope for himself except in throwing himself on the mercy of Duke Richard, + the very man whose father he had murdered, and whom he had pursued with + the most unrelenting hatred from his earliest childhood. Richard had but + to allow royal justice to take its course, and he would have been fully + avenged; but he who daily knelt before the altar of the Church of Fescamp, + had learnt far other lessons. He went to Hugh Capet, and so pleaded with + him, that he not only obtained the pardon of Arnulf, but the restoration + of the whole of his county, and of both his cities. Thus, without doubt, + would the saintly William Longsword have desired to be revenged by his + only son. + </p> + <p> + Richard Sans Peur lived nine years after this, spending his time, for the + most part, in the Abbey of Fescamp, in devotion and works of charity, and + leaving the government to his eldest son, Richard the Good. He is thus + described by a Norman chronicler who knew him well in his old age: “He was + tall and well-proportioned, his countenance was noble, his beard was long, + and his head covered with white hair. He was a pious benefactor to the + monks, supplied the wants of the clergy, despised the proud, loved the + humble, aided the poor, the widow and the orphan, and delighted in + ransoming prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + He caused a stone coffin to be made for himself in his lifetime, and + placed in the Church of Fescamp, where, every Friday, he filled it with + wheat, which was afterwards distributed among the poor. In this Abbey he + died in 996, desiring to be buried outside the church, close beneath the + eaves, “where,” said he, “the droppings of water from the roof may fall on + me, and wear away the stains of earthly corruption.” + </p> + <p> + His daughter Emma is often mentioned in English history as the wife of + Ethelred the Unready, and afterward of Knut. She has often been much + blamed for this second marriage with the enemy of her country, but it + should be remembered how nearly the Northmen and Danes were connected, and + that Knut was the grandson of her father’s ally, Harald Blue-tooth. + </p> + <p> + The great event of Richard’s time was the above-mentioned recognition of + Hugh Capet as King of France. The Caroline race were Franks, chiefly + German in blood, and had never fully amalgamated with the race called + French, a mixture of Roman and Gallic, with only an upper stratum of the + true Frank. When the Counts of Paris obtained the throne, and the line of + Charlemagne retired into the little German county of Lotharingia, or + Lorraine, then France became really France, and a nation with a national + sovereign. Still it was a very small domain. Provence was part of the + German Empire, so was Burgundy; Anjou, Normandy, and Brittany were almost + independent, though owning a sort of allegiance to the king who reigned at + Paris. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO III. YOUTH OF THE CONQUEROR. (1036-1066.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1016. Knut. + 1036. Harold I. + 1039. Harthaknut. + 1041. Edward the + Confessor. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1031. Henry IV. + 1039. Philip I. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1021. Conrad II. + 1039. Henry III. + 1055. Henry IV. +</pre> + <p> + Richard, called the Good, son of Richard Sans Peur, does not seem to have + been in all respects equal to his father, nor did much that is worthy of + note occur in his time. + </p> + <p> + He died in 1026, leaving two sons, Richard and Robert, both violent and + turbulent young men, the younger of whom was called, from his fiery + temper, Robert the Devil. After a fierce dispute respecting Robert’s + appanage, the two brothers were suddenly reconciled, and, immediately + afterward, Richard died, not without suspicion, on the part of the French, + that he had been poisoned by his brother. + </p> + <p> + The Normans gave little heed to the calumny, and, in fact, the open, + generous temper of Robert was by no means likely to belong to a secret + murderer. The splendor of his court, and munificence of his gifts, + acquired for him the name of Robert the Magnificent, and the following, + among other instances, is recorded of his liberality: + </p> + <p> + When attending mass at the Abbey of Cerizy, his own foundation, he one day + remarked a stranger knight, when asked for his alms at the offertory, + reply sadly, that he had nothing to give. He beckoned to a squire, and + sent him to present the poor stranger with a purse containing a hundred + pounds, which the knight immediately offered on the altar. After the mass + was over, the sacristan came to ask him if he knew bow large the sum was, + or if he had given it by mistake, to which he replied, that he had offered + it wittingly, since it was for no other end that the Duke had sent it to + him. His answer was reported by the sacristan to the Duke, who instantly + sent the high-minded stranger a second purse, containing the same sum for + his own use. + </p> + <p> + Robert founded nine monasteries, and made large gifts to all the churches + in his duchy, entreating the prayers of the clergy and of the poor, for + the pardon of the sins of his youth; but his conscience was ill at ease, + and in the sixth year of his dukedom he resolved to go on pilgrimage to + the Holy Land, a journey which was then even more perilous than in + subsequent years, when the Crusades had, in some degree, secured the + safety of the pilgrims, and he seems to have been fully persuaded that he + should never return alive. + </p> + <p> + His chief care was for the welfare of his son, William, a boy of seven + years old, whose situation was the more precarious, because there was a + stain on his birth, his mother being the daughter of a tanner of Falaise, + so that it was more than probable that his right to the succession would + be disputed by the numerous descendants of Richard Sans Peur. Robert did + his best to secure his safety by calling together the vassals to do homage + to him, and placing him under the especial protection of Henry I. of + France, at whose court at Paris he left him. + </p> + <p> + Robert then set out on his pilgrimage, with a few companions, all wearing + the coarse garb of pilgrims, with staves in their hands, and their feet + bare. As they were passing the gates of a small town in Franche Comté, + Robert walking last, an insolent warder, tired of holding the gate open, + struck him such a blow on the shoulders with a halbert that he reeled + under it, but so changed was his once violent temper, that, seeing his + friends about to revenge the insult, he called out, “Let him alone; + pilgrims ought to suffer for the love of God. I love his blow better than + my city of Rouen.” + </p> + <p> + The next time Robert was heard of, was in humble guise, with staff and + wallet, when he received the blessing of the Pope at Rome; but afterward, + when he entered Constantinople, he appeared in all his wonted + magnificence. He rode to the palace of the Greek Emperor on a mule, shod + with golden shoes, so slightly fastened on as to be shaken off amongst the + crowds who surrounded him. + </p> + <p> + He travelled onward through Asia Minor, though attacked by a fever, which + obliged him to be carried in a litter by Moorish slaves—as he + himself expressed it to a Norman pilgrim whom he met returning, “to be + carried by devils to Paradise.” Safely arriving at Jerusalem, he there + paid the entrance-money for a multitude of poor pilgrims, whom he found + shut out because they were unable to pay the large toll demanded by the + Saracens; and after performing the accustomed devotions at the different + consecrated spots in the Holy City, he set out on his return to Normandy. + His health was already impaired by the fatigues of the journey, and he + died at the city of Nicaea, in the year 1035. There, in the now profaned + sanctuary, where was held the first general Council of the Church, rests, + in his nameless and forgotten grave, the last of the high-spirited and + devout Dukes of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + From the time of the departure of Duke Robert, dangers crowded round the + ducal throne of his child; nor were they, as in the stormy minority of + Richard Sans Peur, perils chiefly from enemies without, met by a band of + vassals, strong in attachment to their lord. The foes who threatened the + young William were of his own family, and his own subjects, and there was + none of that generous temper, even amongst his chief supporters, which, in + the case of his great-grandfather, had made the scenes of war and + bloodshed in which he was brought up, a school not of valor alone, but of + the higher virtues of chivalry. + </p> + <p> + The Norman barons, greatly altered from what they had been in the days + when the justice of Rollo prevailed, lived shut up in their strong + castles, making war on each other, like independent princes plundering the + poor, and committing horrible cruelties, entirely unrestrained by the + guardians of the Duke. These, indeed, seemed to be the especial mark for + the attacks of the traitors, for his tutor and seneschal were both + murdered; the latter, Osborn, Count de Breteuil, while sleeping in the + same room with him. Osborn left a son, William, called from his name Fils, + or Fitz Osborn, who grew up with the young Duke, and became his chief + companion and friend. + </p> + <p> + It is wonderful that William himself should have escaped death, when so + completely unprotected; but he was preserved through all these dangers for + the task which was prepared for him; and at a very early age, his numerous + troubles had formed his character in the mould fittest for him, who was to + be the scourge of England, and yet the founder of its greatness. + </p> + <p> + He was not sixteen when he first showed of what temper he was. His + great-uncle, the Count d’Arques, had set up a claim to the duchy, and was + besieged in his castle at Arques by Walter Gifford, Count de Longueville, + when the King of France succeeded in sending him such considerable + reinforcements and supplies, that Longueville sent information that he + should be obliged to raise the siege. The tidings reached the Duke, at his + hunting-lodge of Valognes. He stood for a few moments in deep thought, and + then called for his horse, only saying to his knights these few words, “<i>Qui + m’aime, me suive!</i>” “Let him who loves me, follow me!” and rode off at + full speed. He distanced all his followers, rode all night, only stopping + to take a fresh horse, and in the evening of the next day arrived quite + alone at the camp before Arques, swearing never to leave it till the + castle was in his hands. The siege was continued with vigor, and, in a + short time, it was surrendered, the Count taking refuge in France. + </p> + <p> + From this time William took the direction of affairs into his own hands, + and, by his firmness and ability, succeeded in restraining the excesses of + his lawless vassals, though their turbulence, and the severity of his own + silent and haughty disposition, made their submission very unwilling. When + he was about twenty, a dangerous conspiracy was formed against him by his + cousin, Guy of Burgundy, and a number of his chief vassals, who intended + to seize him at his hunting-lodge at Valognes, put him to death, and raise + Guy to the dukedom. + </p> + <p> + The conspirators met at Bayeux, the day before their intended treachery, + and, whilst dining there, called in to amuse them a half-witted man named + Gillos, and the plot was, inadvertently, mentioned in his presence. The + duke, when passing through the town, had shown the poor man some kindness, + and no sooner did he understand the intended treachery, than he left the + hall, and set off for Valognes, where he arrived just before midnight, + and, finding all gone to rest, began to batter the door with a stick, + shouting for the Duke. At first, William could not believe the story, but + Gillos seemed so much in earnest, that he deemed it advisable to go and + see what had given rise to the report, and, muffling himself in a cloak, + ran down stairs, himself saddled his horse, and rode toward Bayeux. Before + he had gone far, he heard the trampling of horses and clanking of weapons, + and, concealing himself among the trees, saw that the poor fool’s + information was perfectly correct, for the whole band of traitors passed + by exactly as they had been described. Upon this, he changed his course, + and turned toward the coast in the direction of Falaise, his birthplace, + and the town most devoted to his interests. The dawn of morning found him + with his horse so weary that it could hardly stand, at the entrance of a + small village, still at a considerable distance from Falaise, and ignorant + of the road. At that moment a gentleman came out of the principal house, + and the instant he beheld the young horseman, travel-stained and covered + with dust as he was, he exclaimed, “St. Mary, my Lord, what can have + brought you here in such a condition?” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, who know me so well?” asked William, in reply. + </p> + <p> + “By my faith,” was the answer, “I am called Hubert de Ryes. I hold this + village of you under the Count de Bessin. Tell me, boldly, what you need; + I will help you as I would help myself.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, Hubert de Byes took him into his house, gave him some + refreshment, and provided him with a fresh horse, sending his three sons + with him as guides, whilst he himself remained to misdirect the pursuers, + William safely arrived at Falaise, and, in memory of his escape, is said + to have caused his path to be traced out by a raised bank of earth, part + of which is still in existence. + </p> + <p> + Rallying his faithful subjects around him at Falaise, and obtaining aid + from the king, William met the rebels at Val des Demes. One of them came + over to his side before the battle, and, having previously sworn that the + Duke should be the first man whom he would strike, he began by giving his + armor a slight blow with the point of his lance, considering it necessary + thus to fulfil his rash oath to the letter. The rebels were totally + defeated, and either submitted to William’s mercy, or went to join their + countrymen, who were engaged in the conquest of Sicily. + </p> + <p> + This was the last attempt made by the Normans to resist their Duke, whose + authority was now fully established; but it was not long before a war + broke out with his powerful neighbor Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, which, + however, would scarcely deserve mention, but for the curious terms in + which a challenge was sent by the Duke to the Count, who had come to raise + the siege of Domfront. + </p> + <p> + “Tell the Count of Anjou,” said he to William Fitz Osborn and Roger + Montgomery, his messengers, “that if he attempts to carry victuals into + Domfront, he will find me before the gates, mounted on a bay horse, and + with a red shield. And that he may know me the better, I shall have at the + point of my lance a streamer of taffety, to wipe his face withal.” + </p> + <p> + In the battle which followed, a few days after, William fulfilled his + threat, by overthrowing the Count, who escaped with difficulty, with the + loss of part of an ear, and was soon after obliged to conclude a peace. + </p> + <p> + William married Matilda, daughter of the Count of Flanders, and of a + sister of Duke Robert the Magnificent; and having omitted to ask the + dispensation from the Pope, which was required on the marriage of such + near relations, his uncle, the Archbishop of Rouen, laid them both under + sentence of excommunication. William sought for an advocate to send to + Rome to plead for their absolution, and his choice fell upon Lanfranc, a + native of Lombardy, who had been bred as a lawyer, and was possessed of + great learning and talent, but had chosen to embrace the monastic life, + and had selected the Norman abbey of Bee as the place of his profession, + because the monks there were very poor, and very strict in the observance + of their rule. Lanfranc, at the Duke’s desire, travelled to Rome, and + there succeeded in obtaining the confirmation of the marriage, and the + absolution of the bride and bridegroom, on condition of their each + founding an abbey, and jointly building a hospital for the blind. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with this command, Matilda built the beautiful Abbaye aux + Dames at Caen, where her eldest daughter, Cecile, afterward took the veil, + and William founded, at the same place, the Abbey of St. Stephen, of which + Lanfranc was the first abbot. But fair as were the proportions of that + exquisite building, noble as were its clustered columns, and rich as were + the zigzag mouldings of its deep arches, its foundation was insecure, for + it was on iniquity. It stood on ground violently taken from a number of + poor people; and where could the blessing of Heaven have been? + </p> + <p> + Twenty-three years afterward a grave was dug in the noble choir of St. + Stephen’s Church, and William’s corpse was carried through the porch, + followed by a long train of nobles, knights, and clergy, but by not one of + his numerous children. The requiem was chanted, and orations were made in + praise of the Duke of Normandy, the King and Conqueror of England, the + founder of abbeys, the builder of churches, when suddenly the cry of “Ha + Ro!”—the Norman appeal for justice—was heard, and a man in + mean garments stood forth, and spoke thus: “Clerks and Bishops, this + ground is mine. Here was my father’s hearth. The man whom you praise + wrested it from me to build this church. I sold it not. I made no grant of + it. It is my right, and I claim it. In the name of Rollo, the founder of + his family, and of our laws, I forbid you to lay the body of the spoiler + therein, or to cover it with my earth.” + </p> + <p> + The Bishops were obliged to promise satisfaction to the man, and to pay + him on the spot sixty pence as the price of the Conqueror’s grave. But, + even then, his bones were not permitted to rest in peace. In the course of + the civil wars of France, his tomb was twice broken open by the Huguenots, + the first time rifled of the royal ornaments in which he had been arrayed, + and the second, the spoilers, disappointed of their expected prize, cast + out the mouldering bones, and dispersed them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO IV. EARL GODWIN. (1012-1052.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1013. Swein. + 1014. Knut. + 1015. Ethelred the Unready (restored). + 1016. Edmund Ironside. + 1018. Knut. + 1036. Harold I. + 1039. Harthaknut. + 1041. Edward the Confessor. +</pre> + <p> + The Danish conquest of England, although the power of the kings of that + nation continued but a short time, made great changes in the condition of + the country. The customs and laws that had hitherto been observed only in + the lands granted by Alfred to the Danes, spread into almost all the + kingdom, and the civilization which the great king had striven so hard to + introduce was well-nigh swept away. + </p> + <p> + England might be considered to be in three divisions—the West Saxon, + subject to the laws of Alfred; the Mercian, which had a law of its own; + and the East Anglian and Northern portion, where the population was + chiefly Danish, and which was therefore more under the immediate power of + the Danish kings. Under them, London became the royal residence, instead + of Winchester, and several words in our language still attest their + influence upon our customs. Of these is the word Hustings, for a place of + public assembly; and the title of Earl, for which the English language + afforded no feminine, till it borrowed the word Countess from the French, + reminds us that the Northern Jarls were only governors during the king’s + pleasure, and that their dignity conferred no rank on their families. + </p> + <p> + Under the Danish kings, the other divisions of England fell under the rule + of three great Earls. The Danish Northumbria was ruled by the great + Northman Siward Bjorn; Mercia was governed by the house of Leofric, an old + noble family connected with the ancient line of Mercian kings. + </p> + <p> + There were many of this family named Leofric, and it is probably of the + one living at this time that the curious old tradition of Coventry + belongs, which related how his wife, the Lady Godiva, rode through the + town with no covering but her abundant hair, to obtain from him the + remission of the townspeople from his oppressive exactions—a story + of which the memory is kept up at Coventry by a holiday, and the + procession of the Lady Godiva. + </p> + <p> + Wessex had become the portion of Godwin, son of Ulfnoth, and great-nephew + to the traitor, Edric Streona, the murderer of Edmund Ironside. There is a + story, probably a mere fiction, that this family was of mean origin, that + Ulfnoth was a herdsman of the south of Warwickshire, and that Godwin first + rose to distinction in the following manner: Ulf, a Danish Jarl, who had + married a sister of Knut, was separated from the army after one of the + battles with Edmund Ironside, and after wandering all night, met in the + morning with a youth driving a herd of cattle. He asked his name, and the + reply was, “I am Godwin, the son of Ulfnoth; and you, I think, are a + Dane.” + </p> + <p> + Ulf confessed that he was, and begged the young man to show him the way to + the Severn, where he expected to find the fleet. + </p> + <p> + “The Dane would be a fool who trusted to a Saxon,” answered Godwin; and + when Ulf continued his entreaties, he explained that the way was not long, + but that the serfs were all in arms against the Danes, and would kill both + him and any one whom they found guiding him. Ulf offered the young + herdsman a golden ring for his reward. He looked at it a moment, then + said, “I will take nothing from you, but I will be your guide,” and led + him home to his father’s cottage, where he was hidden through the whole + day. At night, when he prepared to set forth, Ulfnoth told him that Godwin + would not be able to return, since the peasants would kill him for having + protected a Dane, and therefore begged that the Jarl would keep him among + his own people, and present him to the King. + </p> + <p> + Ulf promised, and this, it is said, was the foundation of Godwin’s + greatness; but there is great reason to doubt the tale, and it is far more + probable that the family was anciently noble. Godwin married Gyda, the + sister of Ulf, and thus was brought into near connection with Knut; but + Ulf, his patron and brother-in-law, soon after was killed in one of those + outbursts of violence and cruelty to which Knut seemed to return whenever + he went back to his own savage North. + </p> + <p> + Knut had been defeated by the Swedes at Helge, and was at Roskild, when he + was playing at chess in the evening with Ulf, and, making an oversight, + lost a knight. He took the piece back again, changed his move, and desired + his opponent to go on playing; but the Jarl, choosing to play chess on + equal terms or not at all, threw down the board, and went away. + </p> + <p> + “Run away, Ulf the Fearful!” said Knut. + </p> + <p> + Ulf turned back, and answered, “Thou wouldst have run further at Helge + river! Thou didst not call me Ulf the Fearful when I came to thy help + while the Swedes were beating thee like a dog.” + </p> + <p> + Knut brooded on the offence all night, and in the morning sent his page to + kill the Jarl. The page found him at his prayers in church, and therefore + refrained; but Knut sent another of his followers, who slew him as he + knelt. + </p> + <p> + Godwin had, before this, gained too much favor to be likely to fall with + his brother-in-law. He was with the king on an expedition against the + Wends, and on the night before an intended battle, made a sudden attack + without Knut’s knowledge, and completely routed them. His talents were so + much appreciated, that he received the great Earldom of Wessex, the + portion of England least under the power of the Danes, and where the old + line of Alfred was most loved and regretted, since it was their hereditary + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + For this reason Godwin was desirous to maintain the Danes in England after + Knut’s death, and to keep the scattered royal line at a distance. + Harthaknut, whom the will of his father had called to the succession, was + absent in Denmark, and Godwin caused his brother, Harold Harefoot, to be + crowned in haste, though the Archbishop would not sanction the usurpation, + placed the crown and sceptre on the altar, and forbade the bishops to give + him their blessing. + </p> + <p> + Alfred and Edward, the two sons of Ethelred the Unready, had in the + meantime been brought up under the protection of their uncle, Richard the + Good, of Normandy, dwelling for the most part in those beautiful Abbeys of + Fescamp and Jumièges, which had been endowed by the piety of the Dukes, + and where they grew up in godliness and virtue, with gentle manners and + civilized tastes, far unlike to those which prevailed in their native + land. Robert the Magnificent was a great friend to them, and his death on + his pilgrimage made their abode in Normandy far less peaceful and secure. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the coronation of Harold Harefoot, they received a letter + purporting to come from their mother, Emma, widow of Knut, inviting them + to assert their claim to their father’s throne. Edward, with a band of + Normans, met his mother at Winchester, but he could not keep his followers + from plundering the country; and finding little hope of success, gave up + the attempt, and returned to Normandy. Alfred landed at Sandwich, in Kent, + and was so well received by the Archbishop and people, that Godwin, + becoming alarmed, had recourse to treachery, pretended to own him as king, + and conducted him to Guilford. Thither King Harold sent his Danes, who + seized the prince’s followers, after Godwin’s men had dispersed them + through the town and stupefied them with drink. Every tenth man was + killed, the rest were sold for slaves, and Alfred himself was carried to + Ely, where his eyes were torn out, and he died of the injury. His mother, + Emma, fled to Bruges, and this makes it probable that either she never + sent the letter at all, or was only the innocent instrument of Godwin’s + desire to rid himself of the royal family; but her son Edward believed her + to have been knowingly concerned in this horrible transaction, and never + regarded her as guiltless of his brother’s death. It is possible that + Godwin may also have been free from treachery, and have meant well by the + prince. + </p> + <p> + Her other son, Harthaknut, left Denmark to join her at Bruges, intending + in the spring to drive Harold from the throne; but death was beforehand + with him. Harold died in 1040, and Harthaknut had only to come to England + to take possession of the crown. Both these young men were, at heart, + savage Danes; and the first deed of Harthaknut, on his arrival, was to + satisfy his vengeance for the usurpation of his throne and the murder of + Alfred, by causing Harold’s corpse to be taken from its grave, the head + cut off, and the body thrown into a marsh. He threatened to punish Godwin, + but the Earl averted his wrath by the present of one of the long + serpent-like keels prized by the Danes, the prow gilded, and the crew of + eighty men, each fully equipped, and with a gold bracelet on the left arm. + </p> + <p> + Harthaknut was pacified by this gift, and contented himself with sending + for his surviving half-brother Edward from Normandy, and treating him as + became the Atheling. The wild, half-heathen court of Harthaknut was a + strange and bewildering change for the gentle Edward, whose habits and + tastes were only suited to the convent where he had spent his early days, + and who found in the rough affection of his Danish brother his only + protection from the fierce spirits around. His grief and dismay were great + when, after he had spent a few months in England, he heard that + Harthaknut, at the wedding-feast of the daughter of the Dane, Osgood + Clapa, from whom Clapham is named, had died suddenly, immediately after an + excessive draught of wine. + </p> + <p> + Edward found himself left without protection in the hands of the fierce + men who had murdered his brother. He was forty years old, and of an + inactive, timid disposition, which unfitted him for taking any bold + measures in this emergency; his affections were in the convents of + Normandy, and with the young son of his friend, Duke Robert, and he + earnestly entreated Godwin to allow him to return in safety thither. + </p> + <p> + The Earl, however, saw that neither Saxons nor Danes would submit to the + authority of one who was not of royal blood, and that the best hope of + preserving the power he had acquired in the latter reigns, was by setting + up a weak king, and governing in his name. He therefore replied by + tendering his submission to Edward, and promising to support him on the + throne, on condition that he would marry Edith, his daughter, so fair, so + gentle, and pious a lady, that it was a saying, “Even as the rose springs + from the thorn, so springs Edith from Godwin.” She was very learned, and + Ingulf, who afterward was the secretary of the Conqueror, and Abbot of + Croyland, loved to remember how, when he was a boy come from his + convent-school to visit his father at the court, the Lady Edith would send + for him, examine him in his studies, and end by causing her maiden to + count out three or four coins into his hand, and sending him to the royal + larder for refreshment. + </p> + <p> + Edward was thus placed upon the throne, and every act performed of his own + free will showed his gentleness and desire for his people’s good. At the + request of Edith, he abolished the Danegeld, or money raised first to + bribe the Danes, and then as their tribute; indeed, it was said that he + had seen a vision of an evil spirit dancing on the gold thus collected. He + made new laws in hopes of preventing crime, and set so strict an example + of attention to every rule of the Church, and giving alms so largely, that + he gained the love of his people, and fixed his memory in their hearts so + strongly, that he was revered as a Saint, and the title of Confessor was + given to him, though it properly only applies to one who has suffered + everything short of martyrdom, for the sake of the Christian faith. + </p> + <p> + The times were too rude and violent for a king of so soft a mould: crimes + were committed which he had no power to restrain, and, weak-handed and + bewildered, he seems to have acted in great matters much as he did in the + following adventure: He was lying on his bed, when a person came into the + apartment, and, thinking him asleep, stole some money out of a chest. The + King let this pass; but when the thief returned for a second handful, he + quietly said, “Sirrah, you had better take care, for if Hugolin, my + chamberlain, catches you, he will give you a sound beating.” Hugolin soon + came in, and was much concerned at the loss. “Never mind,” said the King; + “the poor man wants it more than we do.” + </p> + <p> + The sons of Godwin were growing up rude, high-spirited young men, who + presumed on their connection with the King to hold him cheap, and laugh at + him to his face. Sweyn, the eldest, was the worst, and at last caused + himself to be banished from the realm by the crime of carrying off the + Abbess from the Convent of Leominster. He then spent the life of a pirate, + in the course of which he visited the coast, and, while pretending to + attempt to be reconciled to his family, treacherously murdered his cousin + Biorn. After six years he repented, went barefoot on pilgrimage to + Jerusalem, and died while returning. The other brothers were stained with + no such enormities, but they were dreaded and disliked by the King, who + naturally turned to the friends of his youth, the Normans. + </p> + <p> + Norman dresses and customs were introduced, the King’s own handwriting was + in the foreign character, and he expressed his assent to the laws by + appending to them an impression of his seal, after the fashion of the + kings of France. He likewise invited many of his old friends from + Normandy, gave some of them lands in England, where they built fortified + castles, and bestowed the bishopries and abbeys upon Norman ecclesiastics. + Great discontent arose upon this, and Godwin and his sons took advantage + of them to gain popularity, by strenuously opposing everything Norman, and + maintaining, as they said, the old English customs. + </p> + <p> + Eustace als Gernons (the Whiskered), Count de Mantes, who had married the + King’s sister, came to visit Edward. At Dover a squabble took place + between his followers and the townspeople, in which several persons on + both sides were killed. Edward ordered Godwin to chastise the townspeople, + but, instead of this, the Earl collected an army, and marched upon the + King himself. They would have made him prisoner but for Leofric of Mercia, + and Siward, Earl of Northumbria, who both came to his rescue, and drove + Godwin and his family into exile. + </p> + <p> + Edward now felt himself truly King of England, and was able to enjoy a + short visit from the Duke of Normandy, who came to see him, and probably + then first conceived the hope of obtaining the crown of the ill-governed + and divided country that seemed ready to fall a prey to the first vigorous + enemy. + </p> + <p> + Earl Godwin was not long in assembling his friends, and making a descent + on the coast. All Kent and London rose in his favor, and Edward was + obliged to permit his return, and be reconciled to him. + </p> + <p> + Very shortly after his return, he was struck with a fit of apoplexy, while + feasting with the King at Easter. He was borne from the table by his two + eldest surviving sons, Harold and Tostig, and died five days after, in the + year 1052. The Norman chroniclers give the following account of his death: + One of the cup-bearers, while serving the King, happened to make a false + step, but saved himself from falling by the foot, at which Godwin + observed, “See how one brother helps another!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the king, “so would my brother have helped me, had he lived.” + </p> + <p> + “I know you suspect me of his death,” replied Godwin, “but may God, who is + true and just, cause this morsel of bread to choke me, if I am guilty of + his murder.” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had he spoken the words before he fell back, struck by the hand + of Heaven, and never uttered another word. Much doubt has been cast upon + this story, since it comes to us through Normans, who were great enemies + of his house. There is, however, nothing incredible in it; and other + instances have been known of persons who thus defied and brought upon + themselves the judgment of Heaven, in the full course of their crimes. + </p> + <p> + There is a propensity in these days to exalt the character of Godwin, as + if he had been an honest supporter of the old English habits against + foreign innovations. It is an entirely mistaken view, since Godwin climbed + into power by the favor of the enemies and destroyers of his country, + murdered the prince of the ancient line, and throughout the reign of the + lawful successor disturbed his peace, and attempts at civilization, by + factious opposition. Norman customs would have done far less harm to + England than the Danish invaders among whom Godwin had contentedly spent + the best years of his life. He seems throughout to have listened only to + his own ambition, and to have scrupled at nothing that could promote his + interest. Eloquence, and attention to the humors of the nation, won for + him wealth and power that rendered him formidable to the King, and he + built up a great name and fortune for himself, but brief and fleeting was + the inheritance that he bequeathed to his sons. In fourteen years from his + death only one of his brave band of sons survived, and he was a miserable + captive, who spent his whole existence in the dungeons of his chief enemy. + It seemed as if nothing that Godwin had acquired could be enduring, for + the very lands he left behind him no longer exist, his chief estate on the + coast of Kent was swallowed by the sea, and now forms the dangerous shoal + called the Goodwin Sands. + </p> + <p> + “Wise men also die and perish together, as well as the ignorant and + foolish, and leave their riches for other. + </p> + <p> + “And yet they think their houses shall continue forever; and that their + dwelling-places shall endure from one generation to another, and call the + lands <i>after their own names</i>.” + </p> + <p> + Far more enduring have been the memorials left by the meek Edward the + Confessor, though he had no son to carry on his name. He had vowed, during + his exile, to go on pilgrimage to Rome, but the Witenagemot refused to + consent to his leaving England, and he sent the Archbishop of York to ask + the advice of the Pope, Leo IX., who recommended him to perform some work + of piety at home. + </p> + <p> + This was the foundation of the Church of St. Peter’s, in the open country, + at the west end of London, and therefore called Westminster. It was built + with all the skill of Norman architects, and occupied several years. + Edward’s last illness prevented him from being present at its + consecration, and he was represented there by his wife, but he soon found + his rest there. It was dedicated on the Holy Innocents’ day, 1065, and he + was buried there on the 5th of January following. His memory seemed to + give an additional sacredness to the spot in the eyes of the loving + English, and the pavement round his tomb was worn away by their knees. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO V. THE TWO HAROLDS. (1060-1066.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1041. Edward the + Confessor. + 1066. Harold. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1059. Philippe I. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1055. Heinrich IV. +</pre> + <p> + The death of Godwin did not at first seem likely to diminish the power of + his family. Harold, his eldest surviving son, was highly endowed with + mental powers and personal beauty and prowess, and was much preferred by + Edward the Confessor to the old Earl himself. He obtained all his father’s + lands, and, shortly after, distinguished himself in a war with the Welsh, + showing, however, that vainglory was his characteristic; for he set up + mounds of stones along the course of his march, bearing the inscription, + “Here Harold conquered.” + </p> + <p> + The earls who had hitherto balanced the power of the Godwin family, were, + about this time, removed by death. Leofric, of Mercia, and his son Algar, + died within a few years of each other; and Algar’s sons, Edwin and Morkar, + were as yet young and timid. Old Earl Siward Biorn fought his last battle + when he assisted Malcolm Canmore in overthrowing the murderous usurper, + Macbeth, in Scotland. In the battle, Siward’s eldest-son, of the same name + as himself, was killed. The father only asked if his death-wound was in + front, and when he heard it was, “I heartily rejoice,” said he; “no other + death is worthy of my son.” + </p> + <p> + He himself was obliged, much against his will, to die in peace. “I am + ashamed,” he said, “after so many battles, to die like a cow; case me in + my armor, gird on my sword, put on my helmet, give me my shield and + battle-axe, lift me to my feet, that I may die like a man!” + </p> + <p> + The fierce old Earl’s younger son, Waltheof, was a mere child, and the + earldom of Northumbria was therefore given to Tostig, the son of Godwin, + but he so misgoverned it that he was, by command of the King, sent into + exile by his brother Harold, whom he thenceforth regarded with the utmost + hatred. + </p> + <p> + Harold stood so high in favor, both with King and people, that his views + began to take a still loftier flight, especially after the death of Edward + the Stranger, the only grown-up person excepting the King who inherited + the blood of Alfred. The stranger had indeed left an infant son, but his + rights were entirely overlooked. The King wished to leave his crown to his + cousin William, Duke of Normandy; and Harold, trusting to the general + hatred of the Norman race, hoped to secure it for himself, much in the + same way as Hugh Capet had lately dethroned the line of Charles le Magne + in France. + </p> + <p> + Edward the Confessor, desirous of a affording William some means of + curbing Harold’s ambition, sent to him as hostages Ulfnoth and Hako, a son + and grandson of Godwin. Harold, however, contrived to extort permission to + go to Rouen, and request their liberation, and set out from Bosham, in + Sussex. A storm wrecked him in Ponthieu; he was taken captive by the count + of that district, who gave him up to William in exchange for a + considerable manor, and thus, though he entered Rouen in state, he found + himself, instead of the ambassador of the King of England, in effect the + prisoner of the Duke of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + He was treated with great courtesy, accompanied William on an expedition + against the Duke of Brittany, and gave great help to the Normans by his + personal strength, when some of them were in danger, in crossing a river, + and, apparently, was in high honor; but William was determined not to miss + the advantage chance had thrown in his way; and when Harold, alter + spending some months at Rouen, proposed to return, he, in the first place, + insisted on drawing up a treaty of alliance and friendship with his good + friend the Earl of Wessex, to be sworn to on both sides. Very distasteful + must this promise of friendship have been to Harold, since the first + article required him to assist the Duke with all his power in obtaining + the crown of England upon Edward’s death; but he found it impossible to + resist, and declared himself perfectly willing to engage himself as + required. + </p> + <p> + An oath taken on the relics of the Saints was, at that time, considered as + more binding than one taken on the Holy Scriptures; and William commanded + that the most honored of these remains should be collected from various + churches and placed in a chest, covered with cloth of gold on which a copy + of the Gospels was laid. Harold, laying his hand on the book, swore to + observe the treaty faithfully; and when he had so done, William removed + the cloth and showed him the relics, at the sight of which he turned pale + and trembled—a sure sign, as was thought by the Normans who stood + round, that his conscience would not allow him to break an oath which was + believed to have thus acquired double force and sanctity. Yet Harold soon + proved that no oaths can bind a man who will not be bound by his simple + word. + </p> + <p> + A few months after his return from Normandy, he was standing by the + bedside of the dying Edward the Confessor, importuning his last moments + with entreaties to him to declare his successor. + </p> + <p> + “Ye know, full well,” said the poor old King, “that I have bequeathed my + kingdom to the Duke of Normandy; nay, some be here who have sworn oaths to + him.” + </p> + <p> + Harold pressed him for some other answer, and he replied, “Take it, + Harold, if such be thy will, but the gift will be thy ruin. Against the + Duke and his barons no might of thine will avail thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear not for me,” replied Harold, joyfully; “I fear neither Norman, nor + aught else.” + </p> + <p> + “May it fall to the most worthy!” was the faint answer of Edward. His + thoughts began to wander, and he uttered many passages of Scripture + speaking of desolation and destruction, which were afterward regarded by + his subjects as the last prophecies of their saintly king. He died two + days afterward, and, on the feast of Epiphany, 1066, Harold assumed the + crown. The coronation was solemnized by Alfred, Archbishop of York; but + whether the absence of the Primate Stigand was occasioned by his dislike + to the usurpation, or by the sentence of excommunication under which he + had been laid by the Pope, is not known. Be that as it may, there was + little joy to welcome the accession of Harold; the people were full of + melancholy forebodings, excited by the predictions of King Edward, as well + as by the appearance of a comet, then supposed to denote the approach of + misfortune; the great earls, Edwin and Morkar, were his enemies, the + nobles envied him, and stood aloof, significantly relating a story of his + boyhood, when he is said to have met with a severe fall in a foolish + attempt to fly from the top of a tower with wings of his own contrivance. + There is a Spanish proverb which, in truth, suited Harold well: “The ant + found wings for her destruction.” The bitterest of all his enemies was his + own brother, Tostig, who, having been banished partly by his means, on + account of his misgovernment of Northumbria, was living in Flanders, + whence, the instant he heard of Harold’s coronation, he hastened with the + tidings to Normandy; and not thinking William’s preparations speedy enough + to satisfy the impatience of his hatred, he went to Norway, where he found + a willing ally in Harald Hardrada, the last sea-king. + </p> + <p> + A curious story is told of the childhood of this Harald Hardrada, who was + the half-brother of the kingly St. Olaf, being the son of the haughty + Aasta and the peaceful Sigurd Syr. When Harald was about three years old, + St. Olaf was on a visit to his mother, and calling to his little brothers, + took the two eldest, Guttorm and Halfdan, one on each knee, and looked at + them, with a fierce countenance, at which both the little boys were + frightened, and ran away to hide themselves. He then took Harald on his + knee, and put on the same fierce look at him, but the child looked boldly + up in his face in return. As a further trial of his courage, the king + pulled his hair, upon which the little fellow undauntedly pulled the + king’s whiskers, and Olaf said, “Thou wilt be revengeful, some day, my + friend.” + </p> + <p> + The next day, Olaf found his little brothers at play; the two eldest + building little barns and enclosing cornfields, and Harald lying by the + side of a pool of water, in which he was floating small chips of wood. + </p> + <p> + “What are these?” asked the king. + </p> + <p> + “My ships of war,” said little Harald. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! my friend,” said the King, “the time may come when thou wilt command + ships.” + </p> + <p> + He then called the other two, and asked Guttorm what he would like best to + have. + </p> + <p> + “Corn land,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “And how great wouldst thou like thy corn land to be?” + </p> + <p> + “I would have the whole ness (peninsula) that goes out into the lake sown + with corn every summer.” + </p> + <p> + “And what wouldst thou like best?” he asked of Halfdan. + </p> + <p> + “Cows,” said the boy. + </p> + <p> + “How many wouldst thou like to have?” + </p> + <p> + “So many, that when they went to the lake to drink, they should stand as + tight round the lake as they could stand.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be a great house-keeping!” said the king; “and now, Harald, + what wouldst thou have?” “Followers.” + </p> + <p> + “And how many of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, so many as would eat up all Halfdan’s cows at a single meal!” + </p> + <p> + Olaf laughed, and said, “Here, mother, thou art bringing up a king.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, Guttorm and Halfdan followed the quiet life of their father, but + Harald was of far different temper. When Olaf returned from his exile in + Russia, young Harald, who was scarcely fifteen, joined him with all the + followers he could muster, and insisted on taking part in the battle of + Stiklestad. + </p> + <p> + Olaf told him he was too young; but Harald boldly answered, “I am not so + weak but I can handle the sword; and as to that, I have a notion of tying + the sword to my hand;” and then the brave boy sung out some verses, + composed on the spur of the moment, according to a talent often found + among the Northmen, and highly valued: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Our army’s wing, where I shall stand, + I will hold good with heart and hand; + My mother’s eye shall joy to see, + A batter’d, blood-stain’d shield from me. + The brave young skald should gaily go + Into the fray, change blow for blow; + Cheer on his men, gain inch by inch, + And from the spear-point never flinch.” + </pre> + <p> + Olaf saw plainly that his high-spirited mother had infused her own temper + into her youngest son as entirely as into himself, and yielded his consent + that Harald should take part in the battle. It was a mournful beginning + for a young warrior. Harald beheld the fall of his noble brother, and was + himself severely wounded. He was led from the field by a faithful bonder, + who hid him in his house; but the spirit of the young minstrel warrior was + undaunted, and, during his recovery, he sung thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “My wounds were bleeding as I rode, + And down the hill the bonders strode, + Killing the wounded with the sword, + The followers of their rightful lord. + From wood to wood I crept along, + Unnoticed by the bonder throng; + ‘Who knows,’ I thought, ‘a day may come, + My name may yet be great at home.’” + </pre> + <p> + As soon as his wounds were healed, Harald took refuge in Russia, and + thence travelled to Constantinople, where he became one of the renowned + guards of the Greek Emperor, composed of hired Northmen and Saxons, and + called Vaeringer, or Varangians, from the word <i>Wehr</i>, a defence. He + went from Constantinople to the Holy Land, bathed in the Jordan, paid his + devotions at Jerusalem, and killed the robbers on the way. Strange stories + were told of his adventures at Constantinople, of the Empress Zoe having + fallen in love with him, and of his refusal to return her affection; upon + which she raised an accusation against him, that he had misapplied the pay + of the Vaeringers, and threw him into prison, whence, as the story + related, he was freed by a lady, who was commissioned to rescue him by St. + Olaf, his brother, who appeared to her in a dream. She brought him a rope + ladder, and he escaped to his ship, broke through the chains that guarded + the harbor, and sailed northward through the Black Sea, composing on his + voyage sixteen songs in honor of Elisif, the Russian king’s daughter, whom + he married on his arrival at Novogorod. He obtained with her great riches, + which he added to the treasures he had brought from Constantinople. + </p> + <p> + St. Olaf’s son, Magnus, was reigning in Norway, and Harald Hardrada + designed to obtain from him a portion of the kingdom, to winch, by the old + Norwegian law, every descendant of Harald Harfagre had an equal claim. + Harald united with his cousin Swend, who had been dispossessed of an + earldom by Magnus, and they advanced together; but Harald was inclined, if + possible, rather to decide the matter by a treaty, than by force of arms; + while Swend, on the other hand, wished for war and revenge. + </p> + <p> + One evening, as the two allies were sitting together, Swend asked Harald + what he valued most of all his property. + </p> + <p> + “My banner, Land-Waster,” answered Harald. + </p> + <p> + “And wherefore?” + </p> + <p> + “It has always been said that this banner carries victory with it, and so + I have ever found it.” + </p> + <p> + “I will believe in that when thou hast borne it in three battles with thy + nephew Magnus, and won them all.” + </p> + <p> + “I know my kindred with king Magnus,” answered Harald, “without thy + recalling it; and though we are now in arms against him, our meeting may + be of another sort.” + </p> + <p> + They came to high words, Swend reproaching his ally with breaking his + agreement. Harald distrusted his intentions, and, at night, did not, as + usual, sleep in a tent on the deck of his ship, but left a billet of wood + in his place. At midnight a man rowed silently up to the side of the ship, + crept up to the tent, and struck so violent a blow with his axe, that it + remained sticking in the wood, while the murderer retired to his boat, and + rowed away in the dark. + </p> + <p> + Harald, convinced of this treachery, deserted Swend, and went to join + Magnus, who met him in a friendly manner, and invited him, with sixty of + his men, to a banquet. + </p> + <p> + After the feast, Magnus went round the table, distributing gifts of robes + and weapons to the sixty men; but when he came to Harald, he held up two + sticks, and asked which of them he would choose. Harald took the nearest, + and Magnus declared that therewith he gave up to him half his power and + land in Norway, making him of equal right with himself, and only reserving + the first seat when they should be together at any time. + </p> + <p> + Harald sent for all the treasure he had brought home, declaring that they + would likewise divide their riches; and the gold was weighed out, and + placed in two equal heaps, each on an ox-hide. But Magnus had no riches to + contribute, for he said that the turmoils in the country had so + impoverished him, that all the gold he possessed was the ring on his + finger, which his father, St. Olaf, had given him at their last parting. + Even this, Harald said, smiling, perhaps belonged rightfully to him, since + it was, at first, the property of his father, Sigurd Syr. However, the two + kings parted amicably, and reigned together without disagreements of any + consequence, for the remembrance of St. Olaf seemed always to be a link + between his son and brother. Magnus, the more gentle of the two, died just + as his uncle had led him to enter on a war of ambition with Swend, King of + Denmark. + </p> + <p> + Norwegian traditions relate that he dreamt that his father, St. Olaf, + appeared to him, saying, “Wilt thou choose, my son, to follow me, or to + become a long-lived and powerful king, at the cost of a crime that can + never be expiated?” + </p> + <p> + “Do thou choose for me, father,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then follow me,” replied the spirit. + </p> + <p> + Magnus awoke, told the dream, sickened, and died, leaving the whole of + Norway to Harald Hardrada, and declaring that it would be just not to + molest Swend in his possession of Denmark. + </p> + <p> + Harald reigned prosperously, until, in an evil hour, he received Tostig, + the son of Godwin, and listened to his invitation to come and invade + England, and revenge him on his brother Harold. He fitted out a great + armament, sailed up the Humber, plundered and burnt Scarborough, defeated + the young earls of Mercia and Northumberland, and summoned York to + surrender. + </p> + <p> + The citizens, dreading an assault, promised to yield the next day; and, + accordingly, early in the morning, Hardrada, Tostig and a small band of + followers, set out from their camp at Stamford Bridge, on the banks of the + Ouse, to receive the keys. The day was bright and warm, though late in + September, and the Northmen had left behind them their shirts of mail, and + only bore sword, shield, and helmet; even Harald himself had left behind + his hawberk Emma, and only wore a blue robe embroidered with gold, and a + rich helmet. + </p> + <p> + As they were approaching the city, they suddenly beheld a cloud of dust, + and beneath it the glitter of armor, glancing, as the Norwegians said, + like sparkling ice. As they came nearer, they could distinguish the red + dragon standard of Wessex, proving that there was the king whom they had + supposed to be far away on the south coast, watching to prevent the + landing of William of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Though taken by surprise, outnumbered, and half-armed, Hardrada did not + lose courage. He sent messengers to summon the rest of his men, and + planting in the midst his banner, Land-Waster, ranged his troops round it + in a circle, with the ends of their spears resting on the ground, and the + points turned outward. + </p> + <p> + Twenty horsemen, in full armor, advanced from the Saxon army, and one of + them, riding close up to the circle, called out, “Where is Earl Tostig, + the son of Godwin?” + </p> + <p> + “He is here!” replied Tostig. + </p> + <p> + “Thy brother salutes thee, offers thee peace, his friendship, and the + Earldom of Northumbria; nay, rather than not be friends with thee, he + would give thee the third of his kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “If he had held this language a year ago,” replied Tostig, who knew the + speaker but too well, “he would have saved the lives of many men. But what + will he offer my noble ally, King Harold Sigurdson?” + </p> + <p> + “Seven feet of English earth,” answered the horseman, proudly scanning the + gigantic figure of the Sea-King, “or maybe a little more.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Tostig, “King Harold, my brother, may prepare for battle. + Never shall it be said that the son of Godwin forsook the son of Sigurd.” + It must have been a strange look that passed between those two brothers, + thus on the verge of a deadly strife, each surrounded with dangers that + could scarcely be averted, and but of late actuated with bitter hate, but, + at the decisive moment, that hatred giving way, and their hearts yearning + to each other, with the memories of long-past days, yet both too proud to + show how they were mutually touched, too far pledged to their separate + parties to follow the impulse that would have drawn them once together in + love. It was too late; the battle must be fought—the brothers’ deeds + had decided their lot. + </p> + <p> + The Saxon horseman rode off, and the Norwegian King asked, who was the man + who had been speaking so well. + </p> + <p> + “It was King Harold Godwinson,” said Tostig. + </p> + <p> + “Why did I not learn this sooner?” said Hardrada. “He should never have + had to boast of the slaughter of our men.” + </p> + <p> + “It may have been imprudent,” said Tostig, “but he was willing to grant me + peace and a great dominion. If one of us must die, I had rather he should + slay me, than I slay him.” + </p> + <p> + So spoke Tostig, who had, of late, been rushing from country to country to + stir up foes against his brother. Surely he would have given worlds to + check the ruin he had wrought, though his sense of honor would not allow + him to forsake his ally. + </p> + <p> + “He is but a little man, but he sits firmly in his stirrups,” returned + Harald Hardrada; and then, to cheer his men in their desperate case, he + chanted aloud one of his impromptu war-songs: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Advance, advance, + The helmets glance; + But blue swords play + In our array. + + “Advance, advance, + No hawberks glance— + But hearts are here + That know no fear.” + </pre> + <p> + “These verses sound but ill,” said the Sea-King, interrupting himself; “we + will make some better;” and, careful of his verses as a Skald in his last + battle, as well as in his first, he sung: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “In battle morn we seek no lee, + With skulking head and bending knee, + Behind the hollow shield; + With eye and hand we guard the head, + Courage and promptness stand instead, + Of hawberk, on this field.” + </pre> + <p> + It was his death-song. Early in the battle his throat was pierced by an + arrow; and learning his death, Harold Godwinson sent once more to offer + Tostig pardon, and leave to the Northmen to return home; but they refused + quarter, and Tostig would not forsake them. The other Northmen from the + ships joined them, and the fight raged with more fury than ever in the + “death-ring,” as the Skalds termed it, round the banner Land-Waster. + Tostig fell there, and only a few fled to their ships, protected by a + brave Norseman, who stood alone to guard Stamford bridge, then only + consisting of a few planks, till an Englishman crept under, thrust up his + spear, and slew him from below. + </p> + <p> + However, Harold’s condition was too critical to allow of his wasting his + strength on a defeated foe; he allowed Hardrada’s son to return unmolested + to Norway with his fleet and the remains of his army, and he gave great + offence to his men by not sharing the plunder of the camp with them. + </p> + <p> + So died the last of the Sea-Kings, by the last Anglo-Saxon victory. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO VI. THE NORMAN INVASION. (1066.) + </h2> + <p> + The Duke of Normandy seems to have considered himself secure of the fair + realm of England, by the well-known choice of Edward the Confessor, and + was reckoning on the prospects of ruling there, where the language and + habits of his race were already making great progress. + </p> + <p> + On a winter day, however, early in 1066, as William, cross-bow in hand, + was hunting in the forests near Rouen, a horseman galloped up to him and + gave him, in a low voice, the information that his cousin, King Edward of + England, was dead, and that Earl Harold of Kent had been crowned in his + stead. + </p> + <p> + With fierce rage were these tidings given, for the bearer of them was no + other than Tostig, who attempted to bring the Normans against his brother, + before seeking the aid of Harald Hardrada in the north. + </p> + <p> + No less was the ire of the Norman Duke excited, but he was of too stern + and reserved a nature to allow his wrath to break out at once into words. + Sport, however, was at an end for him; he threw down his cross-bow, and + walked out of the forest, his fine but hard features bearing so dark and + gloomy an expression, that no one dared to ask what had disturbed him. + </p> + <p> + Without a word, he entered the castle, and there strode up and down the + hall, his hands playing with the fastenings of his cloak, until suddenly + throwing himself on a bench, he drew his mantle over his face, turned it + to the wall, and became lost in deep musings. + </p> + <p> + His knights stood round, silent and perplexed, till a voice was heard + humming a tune at a little distance, and the person entered who, more than + any other, shared the counsels of Duke William, namely, William + Fitzosborn, Count de Breteuil, son of that Osborn the seneschal who had + been murdered in the Duke’s chamber. + </p> + <p> + The two Williams were of the same age, had been brought up together, and + Fitzosborn now enjoyed the office of seneschal, and was on a more intimate + footing with his lord than any other was admitted to by the dark and + reserved prince. All the knights gathered round him to ask what ailed the + Duke. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said he, “you will soon hear news that will not please you;” and as + William, roused by his voice, sat up on the bench, he continued: “Sir, why + hide what troubles you? It is rumored in the town that the King of England + is dead, and that Harold has broken his faith, and seized the realm.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” replied the Duke. “I am grieved at the death of King + Edward, and at the wrong Harold has done me.” + </p> + <p> + Fitzosborn answered with such counsels as his master would best be pleased + to hear. “Sir, no one should grieve over what cannot be undone, far less + over what may be mended. There is no cure for King Edward’s death, but + there is a remedy for Harold’s evil deeds. You have warlike vassals; he + has an unjust cause. What needs there, save a good heart? for what is well + begun, is half done.” + </p> + <p> + William’s wishes lay in the direction his friend pointed out, but he was + wary, and weighed his means before undertaking the expedition against so + powerful and wealthy a state as England. His resources seemed as nothing + in comparison with those of England; his dukedom was but a petty state, + himself a mere vassal; and though he had reason to hope that the English + were disaffected toward Harold, yet, on the other hand, he was not + confident of the support of his own vassals—wild, turbulent men, + only kept in cheek by his iron rule, without much personal attachment to + one so unbending and harsh, and likely to be unwilling to assist in his + personal aggrandizement. + </p> + <p> + He paused and calculated, waiting so long that Tostig, in his impatience, + went to Norway, and tried to find a prompter for Harold. Messages in the + meantime passed between Normandy and England without effect. William + claimed the performance of the oaths at Rouen, and Harold denied any + obligation to him, offering to be his ally if he would renounce the + throne, but otherwise defying him as an enemy. + </p> + <p> + Having at length decided, William summoned his vassals to meet at + Lillebonne, and requested their aid in asserting his right to the English + Crown. + </p> + <p> + When he left them to deliberate, all with one consent agreed that they + would have nothing to do with foreign expeditions. What should they gain? + The Duke had no right to ask their feudal service for aught but guarding + their own frontier. Fitzosborn should he the spokesman, and explain the + result of their parliament. + </p> + <p> + In came the Duke, and Fitzosborn, standing forth, spoke thus: “Never, my + lord, were men so zealous as those you see here. They will serve you as + truly beyond sea as in Normandy. Push forward, and spare them not. He who + has hitherto furnished one man-at-arms, will equip two; he who has led + twenty knights, will bring forty. I myself offer you sixty ships well + filled with fighting men.” + </p> + <p> + Fitzosborn was stopped by a general outcry of indignation and dissent, and + the assembly tumultuously dispersed; but not one of the vassals was + allowed to quit Lillebonne till after a private conference with William, + and determined as they might be when altogether, yet not a count or baron + of them all could withstand the Duke when alone with him; and it ended in + their separately engaging to do just as Fitzosborn had promised for them; + and going home to build ships from their woods, choose out the most + stalwart villains on their estates to be equipped as men-at-arms and + archers, to cause their armorers to head the cloth-yard shafts, repair the + hawberks of linked chains of steel, and the high-pointed helmets, as yet + without visors, and the face only guarded by a projection over the nose. + Every one had some hope of advantage to be gained in England; barons + expected additional fiefs, peasants intended to become nobles, and + throughout the spring preparations went on merrily; the Duchess Matilda + taking part in them, by causing a vessel to be built for the Duke himself, + on the figure-head of which was carved a likeness of their youngest son + William, blowing an ivory horn. + </p> + <p> + William, in the meantime, sought for allies in every quarter, beginning + with writing to beg the sanction of the Pope, Alexander II., as Harold’s + perjury might be considered an ecclesiastical offence. + </p> + <p> + The Saxons were then in no favor at Rome; they had refused to accept a + Norman Primate appointed by Edward; and Stigand, their chosen Archbishop, + was at present suspended by the Court of Rome, for having obtained his + office by simony: the whole Anglo-Saxon Church was reported to be in a + very bad and corrupt state, and besides, Rome had never enjoyed the power + and influence there that the Normans had permitted her. Lanfranc, Abbot, + of St. Stephens, at Caen, and one of the persons most highly esteemed by + William, was an Italian of great repute at Rome, and thus everything + conspired to make the Pope willing to favor the attempt upon England. + </p> + <p> + He therefore returned him a Bull (a letter so called from the golden bull, + or bulla, appended to it), appointing him, as the champion of the Church, + to chastise the impious perjurer Harold, and sent him a consecrated + banner, and a gold ring containing a relic of St. Peter. + </p> + <p> + Thus sanctioned, William applied to his liege lord Philippe I. of France, + offering to pay homage for England as well as Normandy; but Philippe, a + dull, heavy, indolent man, with no love for his great vassal, refused him + any aid; and William, though he made the application for form’s sake, was + well pleased to have it so. + </p> + <p> + “If I succeed,” he said, “I shall be under the fewer obligations.” + </p> + <p> + When he requested aid from Matilda’s brother Baldwin, Count of Flanders, + the answer he received was a query, how much land in England he would + allot as a recompense. He sent, in return, a piece of blank parchment; but + others say, that instead of being an absolute blank, it contained his + signature, and was filled up by Baldwin, with the promise of a pension of + three hundred marks. + </p> + <p> + Everything was at length in readiness; nine hundred ships, or rather large + open boats, were assembled at the mouth of the Dive; lesser barks came in + continually, and counts, barons, and knights, led in their trains of + horsemen and archers. + </p> + <p> + All William’s friends were round him, and his two half-brothers, the sons + of Arlette, Robert, Count of Eu, and Odo, the warlike Bishop of Bayeux. + Matilda was to govern in his absence, and his eldest son, Robert, a boy of + thirteen, was brought forward, and received the homage of the vassals, in + order that he might be owned as heir of Normandy, in case any mishap + should befall his father on the expedition. + </p> + <p> + Nothing delayed the enterprise but adverse winds, and these prevailed so + long that the feudal army had nearly exhausted their forty days’ stock of + provisions; knight and man-at-arms murmured, and the Duke was continually + going to pray in the Church of St. Valery, looking up at the weathercock + every time he came out. + </p> + <p> + On the eve of St. Michael, the Duke’s anxious face became cheerful, for a + favorable wind had set in, and the word was given to embark. Horses were + led into the ships, the shields hung round the gunwale, and the warriors + crowded in, the Duke, in his own Mora, leading the way, the Pope’s banner + at his mast’s head, and a lantern at the stern to guide the rest. + </p> + <p> + By morning, however, he outstripped all the fleet, and the sailor at the + mast-head could see not one; but gradually first one sail, then another, + came in sight, and by the evening of Michaelmas-day, 1066, the whole nine + hundred were bearing, down upon Pevensey. + </p> + <p> + Those adverse winds had done Willium more favor than he guessed, for they + had delayed him till Harold had been obliged to quit his post of + observation in Sussex, and go to oppose the Northmen at York, and thus + there was no one to interfere with the landing of the Normans, who + disembarked as peacefully at Pevensey as if it had been Rouen itself. + </p> + <p> + William was almost the first to leap on shore; but as he did so, his foot + slipped, and he fell. Rising, with his hands full of mud, he called out, + “Here have I taken possession of the land which by God’s help I hope to + win!” Catching his humor, one of his knights tore a handful of thatch from + a neighboring cottage, and put it into his hand, saying, “Sir, I give you + seizin of this place, and promise that I shall see you lord of it before a + month is past.” + </p> + <p> + The troops were landed first, then the horses, and lastly the carpenters, + who set up at once three wooden forts, which had been brought in the ships + prepared to be put together. After dinner, William ordered all the ships + to be burnt, to cut off all hope of return. He continued for several days + at Pevensey, exercising the troops: and viewing the country. In one of + these expeditions, he gave, what was thought, a remarkable proof of + strength; for on a hot day, as they were mounting a steep hill, Fitzosborn + grew faint and exhausted by the weight of his ponderous iron hawberk. The + Duke bade him take it off, and putting it on over his own, climbed the + hill and returned to his camp wearing both at once. + </p> + <p> + His landing, though he saw no one, had in reality been watched by a + South-Saxon Thane, who, having counted Ins ships and seen his array, + mounted, and, without resting day or night, rode to York, where, as Harold + was dining, two days after the battle of Stamford Bridge, he rushed into + the hall, crying out, “The Normans are come! they have built a fort at + Pevensey!” + </p> + <p> + No time was to be lost, and at the dawn Harold and all his army were + marching southward, sending a summons to the thanes and franklins of each + county as he passed, to gather to the defence of the country. + </p> + <p> + His speed was too great, however, for the great mass of the people to be + able to join him, even if they had been so minded, and they were for the + most part disposed to take no part in the struggle, following the example + of the young Earls of Mercia, Edwin and Morkar, who held aloof, unwilling + alike to join Harold or the Normans. + </p> + <p> + When Harold reached London, his army was so much lessened by fatigue and + desertion, that his mother, Gytha, and his two youngest brothers, Gyrtha + and Leofwyn, advised him not to risk a battle, but to lay the country + waste before the Normans, and starve them out of England. Harold answered, + with the generous spirit that had been defaced and clouded by his + ambition, “Would you have me ruin my kingdom? By my faith, it were + treason. I will rather try the chances of a battle with such men as I + have, and trust to my own valor and the goodness of my cause.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet,” said Gyrtha, “if it be so, forbear thyself to fight. Either + willingly or under force, thou art sworn to Duke William. Thine oath will + weigh down thine arm in battle, but we, who are all unpledged, are free to + fight in defence of our realm. Thou wilt aid us if we are defeated, avenge + us if we are slain.” + </p> + <p> + Harold disregarded this advice, and was resolved to lead the host himself; + he gathered his followers from Kent and Wessex, and marched southward. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO VII. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS. (1066.) + </h2> + <p> + The first night after leaving London, Harold slept at Waltham Abbey, and + had much conference with the Abbot, who was his friend, and appointed two + Monks, named Osgood and Ailric, to attend him closely in the coming + battle. + </p> + <p> + On the 12th of October, Harold found himself seven miles from the enemy, + and halted his men on Heathfield-hill, near Hastings, the most + advantageous ground he could find. + </p> + <p> + On the highest point he planted his standard bearing the figure of a man + in armor, and marshalling his Saxons round it, commanded them to entrench + themselves within a rampart and ditch, and to plant within them a sort of + poles, on the upper part of which, nearly the height of a man from the + ground, they interwove a fence of wattled branches, so that while the + front rank might pass under to man the rampart, the rear might be + sheltered from the arrows of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + These orders given, Harold and Gyrtha rode together to a hill, whence they + beheld the Norman camp, when for a moment Harold was so alarmed at the + number of their tents that he spoke of returning to London and acting as + his mother had advised; but Gyrtha showed him that it was too late; he + could not turn back from the very face of the enemy, without being + supposed to fly, and thus yielding his kingdom at once. + </p> + <p> + Three Saxons presently came to the brothers who had been seized as spies + by the Normans, and, by order of William, led throughout his camp, and + then sent away to report what they had seen. Their story was that the + Norman soldiers were all Priests, at which Harold laughed, since they had + been deceived by the short-cut locks and smooth chins of the Normans, such + as in England were only worn by ecclesiastics, warriors always wearing + flowing locks and thick moustaches. + </p> + <p> + Several messages passed between the two camps, William sending offers of + honors and wealth to Harold and Gyrtha if they would cease their + resistance; but when all were rejected, he sent another herald to defy + Harold as a perjured traitor under the ban of the Church;—a + declaration which so startled the Saxons, that it took strong efforts on + the part of the gallant Gyrtha to inspirit them to stand by his brother. + </p> + <p> + This over, William addressed his soldiers from a little hillock, and put + on his armor, hanging-round his neck, as a witness of Harold’s falsehood, + one of the relics on which the oath had been taken. He chanced to put on + his hawberk with the wrong side before, and seeing some of his men + disconcerted, fancying this a token of ill, he told them that it boded + that his dukedom should be turned to a kingdom. + </p> + <p> + His horse was a beautiful Spanish barb sent him by the King of Castile; + and so gallantly did he ride, that there was a shout of delight from his + men, and a cry, “Never was such a Knight under Heaven! A fair Count he is, + and a fair king he will be! Shame on him who fails him!” + </p> + <p> + William held in his hand the Pope’s banner, and called for the + standard-bearer of Normandy; but no one liked to take the charge, fearful + of being hindered from gaining distinction by feats of personal prowess. + Each elder knight of fame begged to be excused, and at last it was + committed to Tunstan the White, a young man probably so called because he + had yet to win an achievement for his spotless shield. + </p> + <p> + The army was in three troops, each drawn up in the form of a wedge, the + archers forming the point; and the reserve of horse was committed to + Bishop Odo, who rode up and down among the men, a hawberk over his rochet + and a club in his hand. + </p> + <p> + On went the Normans in the light of the rising sun of the 13th of October, + Taillefer, a minstrel-knight, riding first, playing on his harp and + singing the war-song of Roland the Paladin. At seven o’clock they were + before the Saxon camp, and Fitzosborn and the body under his command + dashed up the hill, under a cloud of arrows, shouting, “Notre Dame! Dieu + aide!” while the Saxons within, crying out, “Holy Rood!” cut down with + their battle-axes all who gained the rampart, and at length drove them + back again. + </p> + <p> + A second onset was equally unsuccessful, and William, observing that the + wattled fence protected the Saxons from the arrows, ordered the archers to + shoot their arrows no longer point blank, but into the sky, so that they + might fall on the heads of the Saxons. Thus directed, these shafts + harassed the defenders grievously; and Harold himself was pierced in the + left eye, and almost disabled from further exertion in the command. + </p> + <p> + Yet at noon, the Normans had been baffled at every quarter, and William, + growing desperate, led a party to attack the entrance of the camp. Again + he was repulsed, and driven back on some rough ground, where many horses + fell, and among them his own Spanish charger. A cry arose that the Duke + was slain; the Normans fled, the Saxons broke out of their camp in + pursuit, when William, throwing off his helmet and striking with his + lance, recalled his troops, shouting, “Look at me! I live, and by Gods + grace I will conquer.” All the Saxons who had left the camp were slain, + their short battle-axes being unfit to cope with the heavy swords and long + lances of their enemies; and taught by this success, William caused some + of his troops to feign a flight, draw them beyond the rampart, turn on + them, and cut them down. The manoeuvre was repeated at different parts of + the camp till the rampart was stripped of defenders, and the Normans + forced their way into it, cut down the wattled fence, and gave admittance + to the host of horse and foot who rushed over the outworks. + </p> + <p> + Yet still the standard floated in the midst of a brave band who— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Though thick the shafts as snow. + Though charging knights like whirlwinds go, + Though bill-men ply the ghastly blow, + Still fought around their King.” + </pre> + <p> + All who came near that close-serried ring of steadfast Saxon strength were + cut down, and the piles of dead Normans round them were becoming ramparts, + when twenty knights bound themselves by an oath that the standard should + be taken, spurred their horses against the ranks, and by main force, with + the loss of ten of their number, forced an opening. Ere the ranks could + close, William and his whole force were charging into the gap made for a + moment, trampling down the brave men, slaughtering on all sides, yet still + unable to break through to the standard. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Till utter darkness closed her wing + O’er their thin host and wounded King.” + </pre> + <p> + Man by man the noble Saxons were hewn down as the Normans cut their way + through them, no more able to drive them back than if they had been the + trees of the forest. Gyrtha, the true-hearted and noble, fell under the + sword of a Norman knight, Leofwyn lay near him in his blood, yet still + Harold’s voice was heard cheering on his men, and still his standard + streamed above their heads. + </p> + <p> + At sunset, that well-known voice was no longer heard, and the setting sun + beheld Tunstan the White perform the crowning achievement of the day, + uproot the standard banner of Normandy that the morning beams had seen + committed to his charge. Not an earl or thane of Wessex was living; and + heaps of slain lay thick on Heathfield hill, and the valley round a very + lake of blood. Senlac, or Sanglac, was its old name, and sounded but too + appropriate to the French ears of the Conqueror, as, in a moment of sorrow + for the fearful loss of life he beheld, he vowed that here should stand an + Abbey where prayer should be made for pardon for his sins and for the + repose of the souls of the slaughtered. Darkness came on; but the Saxons, + retreating under its cover, were still so undaunted that the Normans could + hardly venture to move about the field except in considerable parties, and + Eustace of Boulogne, while speaking to the Duke, was felled to the earth + by a sudden blow. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, Gytha, the widow of Godwin, who had lost four children by + the perjury and ambition of one of them, came to entreat permission to + bury. Gyrtha and Leofwyn lay near together at the foot of the banner. + Harold was sought in vain, till Edith of the Swan neck, a lady he had + loved, was brought to help in the melancholy quest. + </p> + <p> + She declared a defaced and mangled corpse to be that of Harold, and it was + carried, with those of the two brothers, to the Abbey of Waltham, where it + was placed beneath a stone bearing the two sorrowful words, “Infelix + Harold.” + </p> + <p> + Years passed on, and the people had long become accustomed to the Norman + yoke, when there was much talk among them of a hermit, who dwelt in a cell + not far from the town, in the utmost penitence and humility. He was seldom + seen, his face was deeply scarred, and he had lost his left eye, and + nothing was known of his name or history; but he was deeply revered for + his sanctity, and when Henry Beauclerc once visited Chester, he sought a + private interview with the mysterious penitent. + </p> + <p> + It is said, that when the hermit lay on his death-bed, he owned himself to + be Harold, son of Godwin, once King of England for seven months. He had + been borne from the bloody hill, between life and death, in the darkness + of the evening, by the two faithful monks, Osgood and Ailric, and tended + in secret till he recovered from his wounds. + </p> + <p> + Since that time he had been living in penitence and contrition, unknown to + and apart from the world, and died at length, trusting that his forty + years’ repentance might be accepted. + </p> + <p> + If this tale be true, what a warning might not he have bestowed on the + young prince Henry, destined to run a like course of perjury and ambition, + and to feel it turn back upon him in the dreariness of desolate old age, + when “he never smiled again.” Had not the penitent Harold more peace at + the last than the king Henry? + </p> + <p> + The same story is told of almost every king missed in a lost battle. + </p> + <p> + Arthur, borne away to die at Avalon, and believed to be among the fairies; + Rodrigo, the last of the Goths, whose steed Orelio and horned helmet lay + on the banks of the river, and whose name was found centuries after on a + rude gravestone, near a hermitage; James IV., whom the Scots by turns + hoped to see return from pilgrimage, and pitied as they looked at Lord + Home’s border tower; the gallant Don Sebastian, the last of the glorious + race of Portuguese Kings, never seen after his shout of “Let us die!” in + the tumult of Alcaçer, yet long looked for by his loving people—of + each in turn the belief has arisen among the subjects who clung to the + hope of seeing the beloved prince, and dwelt on the doubt whether his + corpse was identified. In the cases of Harold and Rodrigo—generous + men tempted into fearful and ruinous crimes—one would hope the tale + was true, and that the time for repentance was vouchsafed to them; nor are + their stories entirely without authority. + </p> + <p> + Harold had three young children, who wandered about under the care of + their grandmother, Gytha, at one time finding a shelter in the Holms, + those two islets in the British Channel, at another taking refuge in + Ireland, whence they at length escaped to Norway, and the daughter married + one of the Kings of Novgorod, the beginning of the Empire of Russia. + Ulfnoth, the only remaining son of the bold Godwinsons, was the hostage + that Edward the Confessor had placed in the hands of the Duke of Normandy; + he was seized upon once more by William Rufus, and remained in captivity + till his death. The Conqueror kept his vow, and erected the splendid + Battle Abbey on the field that gave him a kingdom. The high altar stood + where Harold’s banner had been planted, and the enclosures surrounded + every spot where the conflict had raged. + </p> + <p> + They were measured out by the corpses of Normans and Saxons. The + Battle-roll, a list of every Norman who had borne arms there, was lodged + in the keeping of the Abbot, and contains the names of many a good old + English family which has held the same land generation after generation, + English now, though then called the Norman spoiler, but it is to be + feared, that the roll was much tampered with to gratify family vanity. + Battle Abbey was one of the greatest and richest foundations. The Abbot + was a friar, and, according to the unfortunate habit of exempting + monasteries from the Bishop’s jurisdiction, was subject to no government + but the Pope’s; and this led to frequent disputes between the Abbot and + the see of Winchester. + </p> + <p> + It was overthrown in the Reformation, and is now a mere ruin; but its + beautiful arches still remain to show that, better than any other + conqueror, William knew how to honor a battle-field. There is but one + other Battle Abbey in the world—Batalha in Portugal—which + covers the plain of Aljubarota, where Joao I. won his kingdom from + Castile; and as his wife was a daughter of John of Gaunt, a most noble and + high-minded princess, it is most probable that she suggested the work + after the example of her great ancestor; nay, when the visitor enters the + nave, and is reminded by the architecture of Winchester, it seems as if + Philippa of Lancaster might have both proposed the foundation, and sent to + England for the plan, to the Architect and Bishop, William of Wykeham. + </p> + <p> + Nor is Battle Abbey the only remaining monument of Hastings. Matilda’s own + handiwork prepared her thank offering of tapestry, recording her husband’s + victory; and this work, done as it was for a gift to Heaven, not a + vainglorious record, still endures in the very cathedral to which she gave + it, one of the choicest historical witnesses that have come down to our + times. We might be apt to regret that she did not present her work to + Battle Abbey, where it would have been most appropriate; but as the + Puritans would most likely have called it a Popish vestment savoring of + idolatry, we are consoled by thinking it probably owes its preservation to + her having chosen to give it as a hanging on festival days to the + Cathedral at Bayeux, the see of her husband’s half-brother, Odo, who + shared in all the toils and dangers of the expedition, and whom she has + taken especial care to represent for the benefit of the townspeople of + Bayeux; for wherever we find his broad face, large person, shaven crown, + and the chequered red and green suit by which she expressed his wadded + garment, his name is always found in large letters; and he is evidently in + his full glory when we find him, club in hand, at the beginning of the + battle, and these words worked round him: <i>Odo Eps.</i> (episcopus) <i>baculum + tenens, confortat pueros</i>. He was one of the bad, warlike Bishops of + those irregular times, and brought many disasters on himself by his + turbulence and haughtiness. + </p> + <p> + Matilda’s tapestry is a long narrow strip, little more than half a yard in + breadth. It begins with Harold’s journey to Normandy, and ends unfinished + in the midst of the battle; and most curious it is. The drawing is of + course rude, and the coloring very droll, the horses being red and green, + or blue, and, invariably, the off-leg of a different color from the other + three, while the ways in which both horses and men fall at Hastings make + the scene very diverting. + </p> + <p> + Her castles, houses, and more especially Westminster Abbey, are of all the + colors in the rainbow, and much smaller than the persons entering them, + and yet in every figure there is spirit, in every face expression, and + throughout, William, Harold, and Odo, bear countenances which are not to + be mistaken. Harold has moustaches, which none of the Normans wore. There + we find Harold taking his extorted oath; the death of King Edward, the + Saxons gazing with horror at the three-tailed comet; the ship-building of + yellow, green, and red boards, cut out of trees with most ludicrous + foliage; the moon just as it is described; the disembarkation, where a + bare-legged mariner wades out, anchor in hand; the very comical foraging + party; the repast upon landing, where Odo is saying grace with two fingers + raised in benediction, while the meat is served on shields, and fowls + carried round spitted upon arrows. Then follows the battle, where William + is seen raising his helmet by its nose-guard, and looking exceedingly + fierce as he rallies his men; where horses and men tumble head over heels, + and where, finally, Matilda broke off with a pattern of hawberks traced + out, and no heads or legs put to them. What stayed her hand? Was it her + grief at the conduct of her first-born that took from her all heart to + proceed with her memorial, or was it only the hand of death that closed + her toil, her womanly record of her husband’s achievements? + </p> + <p> + The border must not be forgotten. It is a narrow edge above and below. At + first it is worked with subjects from Phaedrus’s fables (on having + translated which was rested the fame of Henry’s scholarship), and very + cleverly are they chosen; for, as if in comment on Harold’s visit to + Rouen, we find in near neighborhood the stork with her head in the wolf’s + mouth, and the crow letting fall her cheese into the fox’s jaws. + </p> + <p> + Matilda did not upbraid the Normans by working the Parliament of + Lillebonne, but she or her designer surely had it in mind when a herd of + frightened beasts was drawn, an ape in front of them making an oration to + what may be a lion, as it is much bigger than the rest; but as Matilda + never saw a lion, the likeness is not remarkable. + </p> + <p> + Further on are representations of agriculture, sowing, reaping, &c. + Wherever there is a voyage, fishes swim above and below, and in the battle + there is a border plentiful in dead men. + </p> + <p> + The Bayeux tapestry—the “Toile de St. Jean,” as it is there called, + from the feast-day when the cathedral was hung with it—remained + unknown and forgotten, till it was brought to light by one of the last + people that could have been expected—Napoleon. He was then full of + his plan for invading England, and called general attention to the toile + de St. Jean, to bring to mind the Norman Invasion, and show that England + had once been conquered. + </p> + <p> + So she had, but he had to deal with the sons of both victors, and of those + who were slain. Now vanquished, Norman and Saxon were one, and by the + great mercy of Heaven upon their offspring, the English, not one battle + has been fought, since Hastings, with a Continental foe upon English + ground. + </p> + <p> + May that mercy be still vouchsafed us! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO VIII. THE CAMP OF REFUGE. (1067-1072.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1066. William I. +</pre> + <p> + In the fen country of Lincolnshire, there lived, in the reign of Edward + the Confessor, a wealthy Saxon franklin named Leofric, Lord of Bourn. He + was related to the great Earls of Mercia, and his brother Brand was Abbot + of Peterborough, so that he, and his wife Ediva, were persons of + consideration in their own neighborhood. They had a son named Hereward, + and called, for some unknown, reason, Le Wake, a youth of great height and + personal strength, and of so fierce and violent a disposition, that he + disturbed the peace of the neighborhood to such a degree that he was + banished from the realm. His high spirit found fit occupation in the + armies of foreign princes: and pilgrims and minstrels brought home such + reports of his prowess, that the people of Bourn no longer regarded him as + a turbulent young scapegrace, but considered him as their pride and glory. + </p> + <p> + After a brilliant career abroad, Hereward married a Flemish lady, and was + settled on her estates when the tidings reached him that his father was + dead, and that his aged mother had been despoiled of her property, and + cruelly treated, by a Norman to whom William the Conqueror had presented + the estate of Bourn. No sooner did he receive this intelligence, than he + set off with his wife, and, arriving in Lincolnshire, communicated in + secret with his old friends at Bourn, collected a small band, attacked the + Norman, drove him away, and re-instated Ediva in his paternal home. + </p> + <p> + But this exploit only exposed him to further perils. Normans were in + possession of every castle around; his cousins, the young Earls Edwin find + Morkar, had submitted to the Conqueror; Edwin was betrothed to Agatha, + William’s daughter; and their sister Lucy was married to an Angevin named + Ivo Taillebois bringing him a portion of their lands, in right of which he + called himself Viscount of Spalding. Their submission had availed them + little; they, as well as Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon (son of Siward, and + husband of the Conqueror’s niece, Judith), were feeling that a hand of + iron was over them, and regretting every day that he had not made common + cause against the enemy before he had fully established his power. + Selfishness, jealousy, and wavering, had overthrown and ruined the Saxons. + Each had sought to secure his own lands and life, careless of his + neighbors. No one had the spirit of Frithric, Abbot of St. Alban’s, who + blocked up the Conqueror’s march with trunks of trees, and when asked by + William why he had injured his woods for the sake of making an unavailing + resistance, replied, “I did my duty. If every one had done as much, you + would not be here.” According to their own tradition, the men of Kent, + coming forward, each carrying a branch of a tree, so that they advanced + unperceived, “a moving wood,” so encumbered William’s passage that he + could not proceed till he had taken an oath to respect their privileges. + London, too, preserved its rights, owing to the management of a burgess, + called Ansgard, who conducted the treaty with the Normans and would not + admit them into the city till its liberties were secured. + </p> + <p> + William himself was anxious to be regarded not as a conqueror, but as + reigning by inheritence from the Confessor. For this cause, when Matilda + was crowned, he caused a Norman baron, Marmion of Fontenaye, to ride into + the midst of Westminster Hall, and, throwing down his gauntlet, defy any + man to single combat who denied the rights of William and Matilda. He + himself took the old coronation oath drawn up by St. Dunstan, and pledged + himself to execute justice according to the old laws of Alfred and Edward. + </p> + <p> + But William, whatever might be his own good intentions, was pressed by + circumstances. He had lured his Normans across the channel with hopes of + rich plunder in England, and knight and squire, man-at-arms and archer, + were eager for their reward. Norman, Breton, Angevin, clamored for + possession: families of peasants crossed the sea, expecting, in right of + their French tongue, to be gentry at once, and lords of the churl Saxons; + while the Saxons, fully conscious of their own nobility, and possessors of + the soil for five hundred years, derided them in such rhymes as these: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “William de Coningsby + Came out of Brittany + With his wife Tiffany, + And his maid Manfas, + And his dog Hardigras.” + </pre> + <p> + But the laugh proved to be on the side of the new comers, and the Saxon, + whether Earl, Thane, Franklin, or Ceorl, though he could trace his line up + to Odin, and had held his land since Hengist first won Thanet, must give + place to Hardigras and his master. And though our sympathies are all with + the dispossessed Saxons, and the Normans appear as needy and rapacious + spoilers, there is no cause for us to lament their coming. Without the + Norman aristocracy, and the high spirit of chivalry and adventure thus + infused, England could scarcely have attained her greatness; for, though + many great men had existed among the unmixed Anglo-Saxon race, they had + never been able to rouse the nation from the heavy, dull, stolid + sensuality into which, to this day, an uncultivated Englishman is liable + to fall. + </p> + <p> + One Norman, the gallant Gilbert Fitz-Richard, deserves to be remembered as + an exception to the grasping temper of his countrymen. He would accept + neither gold nor lands for the services he had rendered at Hastings. He + said he had come in obedience to the summons of his feudal chief, and not + for spoil, and, now his term of service was at an end, he would go back to + his own inheritance, with which he was content, without the plunder of the + widow and orphan. + </p> + <p> + For it was thus that William first strove to satisfy his followers. Every + rich Saxon widow or heiress who could be found was compelled to marry a + Norman baron or knight; but when there proved to be not a sufficiency of + these unfortunate ladies, he was obliged to find other pretexts less + apparently honorable. Every noble who had fought in the cause of Harold + was declared a traitor, and his lands adjudged to be forfeited, and this + filled the Earldoms of Wessex and Sussex with great numbers of Normans, + who counted their wealth at so many Englishmen apiece, and made no scruple + of putting their own immediate followers into the manors whence they + thrust the ancient owners. As to the great nobles, they were treated so + harshly that they were all longing, if possible, to throw off the yoke, + and make the stand which they should have made a year ago, when William + had won nothing but the single, hard-fought battle of Hastings. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Norman adventurers took great state on them, all the more, + probably, because they had been nobodies in their own country. One of the + most haughty of all was the Spalding Viscount, Ivo, whose surname of + Taillebois seems to betray somewhat of his origin in Anjou. He was noted + for his pompous language and insolent bearing; he insisted on his vassals + kneeling on one knee when they addressed him, and he and his men-at-arms + took every opportunity of tormenting the Saxons. He set his dogs at their + flocks, lamed or drowned their cattle, killed their poultry, and, above + all, harassed a few brethren of the Abbey of Croyland, who inhabited a + grange not far from Spalding, to such a degree, that he obliged them at + last to retreat to the Abbey, and then filled the house with monks from + Anjou; and though the Abbot Ingulf was William’s secretary, he could + obtain no redress. + </p> + <p> + Such a neighbor as this was not likely to allow the re-instated Ediva to + remain at Bourn in peace, and Hereward found that he must continue in + arms, for her protection and his own. He placed his wife, Torfrida, in a + convent, and, collecting his friends around him, kept up a constant + warfare with the Normans, until at length he succeeded in fortifying the + Isle of Ely, and establishing there what he called the Camp of Refuge, as + it gave shelter to any Saxon who had suffered from the violence of the + Normans, or would not adopt the new habits they tried to enforce. + </p> + <p> + The weak, helpless, and aged, were sheltered by the monastery and its + buildings; the strong, enrolled in Hereward’s gallant band. Some of them + were of higher rank than himself, and in order that he might be on a par + with them, as well as with his Norman enemies, he sought the order of + knighthood from his uncle, Abbot Brand. + </p> + <p> + The Normans in general were knighted by lay nobles, and though their + prince, William Rufus, received the order from Lanfranc, they would not + acknowledge Hereward as a knight, though they could not help respecting + his truth, honor, and courage; and it was a common saying among them, that + if there had been only four men like him in England, they should never + have gained a footing there. No wonder, when he never hesitated to fight + singly with seven Normans at once, and each of his five principal + followers was a match for three. They were Ibe Winter, his + brother-in-arms; Eghelric, his cousin; Ital; Alfric; and Sexwald. + </p> + <p> + Many fugitives of high rank did Hereward receive in his Camp of Refuge. He + had nearly been honored by the presence of his hereditary sovereign, Edgar + the Etheling, but the plan failed. He did, however, shelter his two + cousins, Morkar and Edwin. They had suffered much from the insolence of + the Normans, and experienced the futility of the promises in which they + had trusted, until at length they had been driven to join a rising in the + North. It had been quickly suppressed, and the worst of all the cruelties + of the Normans had avenged it, while the two earls, now become outlaws, + fled to the Camp of Refuge. Thence Edwin was sent on a mission to + Scotland, but on the way he was attacked by a party of his enemies and + slain, after a gallant resistance. He was the handsomest man of his time, + and his betrothed, Agatha, was devotedly attached to him; it is even said + that the stern William himself wept when the bloody head of his daughter’s + lover was presented to him. A curious gold ornament has been of late years + found in the field where Edwin was killed, and antiquaries allow us to + imagine that it might have been a love-token from the Norman princess to + the Saxon earl. + </p> + <p> + Another fugitive in Hereward’s camp was the high-spirited Abbot Frithric, + whose steady opposition to the illegal encroachments of the Normans had + given great offence to William. Once Frithric had combined with other + influential ecclesiastics to require of the Conqueror another oath to + abide by the old English laws, and thus brought on himself an accusation + of rebellion and sentence of banishment. He assembled his monks, and told + them the time was come when, according to the words of Holy Scripture, + they must flee from city to city, bade them, farewell, and, taking nothing + with him but a few books, safely reached the Camp of Refuge, where he soon + after died. + </p> + <p> + Thorold, the new Norman Abbot of Malmesbury, kept a body of archers in his + pay, and whenever his monks resisted any of his improper measures, he used + to call out, “Here, my men-at-arms!” At length the Conqueror heard of his + proceedings. “I’ll find him his match!” cried William. “I will send him to + Peterborough, ‘where Hereward will give him as much fighting as he likes.” + </p> + <p> + To Peterborough, then, Thorold was appointed on the death of Hereward’s + uncle, Abbot Brand, while the poor monks of Malmesbury received for their + new superior a certain Guerin de Lire, who disinterred and threw away the + bones of his Saxon predecessors, and took all the treasure in the coffers + of the convent, in order that he might display his riches in the eyes of + those who had seen him poor. + </p> + <p> + Yet all the Norman clergy were not such as these, and never should be + forgotten the beautiful answer of Guimond, a monk of St. Leufroi, such a + priest as Fitz-Richard was a knight. William had summoned him to England, + and he came without delay; but when he was told it was for the purpose of + raising him to high dignity, he spoke thus: “Many causes forbid me to seek + dignity and power; I will not mention all. I will only say that I see not + how I could ever properly be the head of men whose manners and language I + do not understand, and whose fathers, brothers, and friends, have been + slain by your sword, disinherited, exiled, imprisoned, or harshly enslaved + by you. Search the Holy Scriptures whether any law permits that the + shepherd should be forced on the flock by their enemy. Can you divide what + you have won by war and bloodshed, with one who has laid aside his own + goods for the sake of Christ? All priests are forbidden to meddle with + rapine, or to take any share of the prey, even as an offering at the + altar; for, as the Scriptures say, ‘He that bringeth an offering of the + goods of the poor, is as one that slayeth the son before the father’s + eyes.’ When I remember these commands of God, I am filled with terror; I + look on England as one great prey, and dread to touch it or its treasures, + as I should a red-hot iron.” + </p> + <p> + Guimond then returned to Normandy, uninjured by the Conqueror, who, with + all his faults, never took offence at such rebukes; but the worldly-minded + clergy were excessively affronted at his censure of their rapacity, and + raised such a persecution against him that he was obliged to take refuge + in Italy. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the news arrived at the Camp of Refuge that the warlike Thorold + had been appointed to Peterborough, Hereward and his hand hastened to the + Abbey, and, probably with the consent of the Saxon monks, carried off all + the treasures into the midst of the fens. Thorold, with one hundred and + sixty men-at-arms, soon made his appearance, was installed as Abbot, and + quickly made friends with his Norman neighbor, Ivo Taillebois. + </p> + <p> + They agreed to make an expedition against the robber Saxons, and united + their forces, but Thorold appears to have been not quite as willing to + face Hereward as to threaten his monks, and let Ivo advance into the midst + of an extensive wood of alders, while he remained in the rear with some + other Normans of distinction. Ivo sought through the whole wood without + meeting a Saxon, and returning to the spot where he had left the Abbot, + found no one there, for Hereward had quitted the wood on the opposite + side, made a circuit, and falling suddenly on Thorold and his party, + carried them off to the fens, and kept them there till they had paid a + heavy ransom. + </p> + <p> + In 1072, the fifth year of the Camp of Refuge, it had assumed so + formidable an aspect, that William thought it necessary to take vigorous + measures against it, more especially as there had been lately a + commencement of correspondence with the Danes. The difficulty was to reach + it, for the treacherous ground of the fens afforded no firm footing for an + army; there was not water enough for boats, no station for archers, no + space for a charge of the ponderous knights, amongst the reedy pools. + William decided on constructing a causeway, and employed workmen to cut + trenches to drain off the water, and raise the bank of stones and turf, + under the superintendence of Ivo Taillebois. However, Hereward was on the + alert, harassing them perpetually, breaking on them sometimes on one side, + sometimes on the other, in such strange, unexpected ways, that at last the + viscount came to the conclusion that he must have magic arts to aid him, + and persuaded the king to let him send for a witch to work against him by + counter spells. Accordingly, she was installed in a wooden tower raised at + the end of the part of the causeway which was completed, and the workmen + were beginning to advance boldly under her protection, when suddenly smoke + and flame came driving upon them. Hereward had set fire to the dry reeds, + and, spreading quickly, the flame cut off their retreat, and the unhappy + woman perished, with many of the Normans. + </p> + <p> + Again and again were the Norman attacks disconcerted, and all that they + could attempt was a blockade, which lasted many months, and might probably + have been sustained many more by the hardy warriors, if some of the monks + of Ely, growing weary of the privations they endured, had not gone in + secret to the king, and offered to show him a way across the Marches, on + condition that the wealth of the Abbey was secured. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, a band of Normans crossed the fens, took the Saxons by + surprise, killed a thousand men, and forced the camp. Hereward and his + five comrades still fought on, crossed bogs where the enemy did not dare + to follow them, and at length escaped into the low lands of Lincoln, where + they met with some Saxon fishermen, who were in the habit of supplying a + Norman station of soldiers. These Saxons willingly received the warriors + into their boats, and hid them under heaps of straw, while they carried + their fish as usual to the Normans. While the Normans were in full + security, Hereward and his men suddenly attacked them, killed some, put + the rest to flight, and seized their horses. + </p> + <p> + Collecting others of his scattered followers, Hereward kept up his warfare + from his own house at Bourn, continually harassing the Normans, until at + length he took prisoner his old enemy, Ivo Taillebois, and, as the price + of his liberty, required him to make his peace with the Conqueror. This + was good news to William, who highly esteemed his valor and constancy, and + could accuse him of no breach of faith, since he had made no engagements + to him. Hereward was therefore received as a subject of King William, + retained his own estate, and died there at a good old age, respected by + both Saxons and Normans. + </p> + <p> + There is, indeed, an old Norman-French poem, that declares it was for the + love of a noble Saxon lady, named Alftrude, that Hereward ceased to + struggle with the victors. According to this story, Alftrude, an heiress + of great wealth, was so charmed by the report of Hereward’s fame, that she + offered him her hand, and persuaded him to make peace with William. It is + further said, that one afternoon, as he lay asleep under a tree, a band of + armed men, among whom were several Bretons, surrounded and murdered him, + though not till he had slain fifteen of them. + </p> + <p> + But this story is not likely to be true, since we know that Hereward was + already married, and the testimony of more than one ancient English + chronicler declares that he spent his latter years in peace and honor. He + was the only one of the Saxon chieftains who thus closed his days in his + native home—the only one who had not sought to preserve his own + possessions at the expense of his country, and who had broken no oaths nor + engagements. His exploits are told in old ballads and half-romantic + histories, and it is not safe to believe them implicitly, but his + existence and his gallant resistance are certain. + </p> + <p> + Many years after, the remains of a wooden fort, the citadel, so to speak + of the Camp of Refuge, still existed in the Isle of Ely, and was called by + the peasantry Hereward’s Castle. The treacherous monks of Ely were well + punished by having forty men-at-arms quartered on their Abbey. + </p> + <p> + Of the captives taken in the camp, many were most cruelly treated, their + eyes put out, and their hands cut off; others were imprisoned, and many + slain. Morkar, who was here taken, spent the rest of his life in the same + captivity as Ulfnoth, Stigand, and many other Saxons of distinction, with + the one gleam of hope when liberated at William’s death, and then the + bitter disappointment of renewed seizure and captivity. If it could be any + consolation to them, these Saxons were not William’s only captives. Bishop + Odo, of Bayeux, whom William had made Earl of Kent, after giving a great + deal of trouble to his brother the king, and to Archbishop Lanfranc, by + his avarice and violence, heard a prediction that the next Pope should be + named Odo, and set off to try to bring about its fulfilment in his own + person, carrying with him an immense quantity of ill-gotten treasure, and + a large number of troops, commanded by Hugh the Wolf, Earl of Chester. + </p> + <p> + However, Odo had reckoned without King William, and he had but just set + sail, when William, setting off from Normandy, met him in the Channel, + took his ships, and making him land in the Isle of Wight, and convoking an + assembly of knights, declared his offences, and asked them what such a + brother deserved. + </p> + <p> + Between fear of the king and fear of the Bishop, no one ventured to + answer, upon which William sentenced him to imprisonment; and when he + declared that no one but the Pope had a right to judge him, answered, “I + do not try you, the Bishop of Bayeux, but the Earl of Kent,” and sent him + closely guarded to Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Another Norman state-prisoner was Roger Fitzosborn, the son of William’s + early friend, who had died soon after the Conquest. Roger’s offence was + the bestowing his sister Emma in marriage without the consent of the king, + and in addition, much seditious language was used at the wedding banquet, + where, unhappily, was present Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon, the last Saxon + noble. + </p> + <p> + Roger, finding himself in danger, broke out into open rebellion, but was + soon made prisoner. Still the king would have pardoned him for the sake of + his father, whom William seems to have regarded with much more affection + that he be stowed on any one else, and, as a mark of kindness, sent him a + costly robe. The proud and passionate Roger, disdaining the gift, kindled + a fire, and burnt the garment on the dungeon floor; and William, deeply + affronted, swore in return that he should never pass the threshold of his + prison. + </p> + <p> + Waltheof, who was innocent of all save being present at the unfortunate + feast, might have been spared but for the wickedness of his wife, Judith, + William’s niece, who had been married to him when it was her uncle’s + policy to conciliate the Saxons. She hated and despised the Saxon churl + given her for a lord, kind, generous, and pious though he was; and having + set her affections on a young Norman, herself became the accuser of her + husband. Waltheof succeeded in disproving the calumnies, and the best and + wisest Normans spoke in his favor; but the spite of Ivo Taillebois, and + the hatred of his wife, prevailed, and he was sentenced to die. + </p> + <p> + He was executed at Winchester, where, lest the inhabitants should attempt + a rescue, he was led out, early in the morning, to St. Giles’s hill, + outside the walls. He wore the robes of an earl, and gave them to the + priests who attended him, and to the poor people who followed him. When he + came to the spot he knelt down to pray, begging the soldiers to wait till + he had said the Lord’s Prayer; but he had only come to “Lead us not into + temptation,” when one of them severed his head from his body with one blow + of a sword. + </p> + <p> + His body was hastily thrown into a hole; but the Saxons, who loved him + greatly, disinterred it in secret, and contrived to carry it all the way + to Croyland, where it was buried with due honors, and we may think of + Hereward le Wake attending the funeral of the son of the stalwart old + Siward Biorn. + </p> + <p> + As to the perfidious Judith, she reaped the reward of her crimes; she was + not permitted to marry her Norman lover, and he was stripped of all the + wealth she expected as the widow of Waltbeof. This was secured to her + infant daughter, and was so considerable, that at one time William thought + the little Matilda of Huntingdon a fit match for his son Robert; but + Robert despised the Saxon blood, and made this project an excuse for one + of his rebellions. Matilda was, however, a royal bride, since her hand was + given to David I. of Scotland, the representative of the old race of + Cerdic, and a most excellent prince, with whom she was much happier than + she could well have: been with the unstable Robert Courtheuse. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO IX. THE LAST SAXON BISHOP. (1008-1095.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1066. William I. + 1087. William II. +</pre> + <p> + The last saint of the Anglo-Saxon Church, the Bishop who lived from the + days of Edward the Confessor, to the evil times of the Red King, was + Wulstan of Worcester, a homely old man, of plain English character, and of + great piety. The quiet, even tenor of his life is truly like a “soft green + isle” in the midst of the turbulent storms and tempests of the Norman + Conquest. + </p> + <p> + Wulstan was born at Long Itchington, a village in Warwickshire, in the + time of Ethelred the Unready. He was the son of the Thane Athelstan, and + was educated in the monasteries of Evesham and Peterborough. When he had + been trained in such learning as these could afford, he came home for a + few years, and entered into the sports and occupations of the noble youths + of the time, without parting with the piety and purity of his conventual + life, and steadily resisting temptation. + </p> + <p> + His parents were grown old, and having become impoverished, perhaps by the + exactions perpetrated either by the Danes, or to bribe them away, retired + from the world, and entered convents at Worcester. Wulstan, wishing to + devote himself to the Church, sought the service of the Bishop, who + ordained him to the priesthood. + </p> + <p> + He lived, though a secular priest, with monastic strictness, and in time + obtained permission from the Bishop to become a monk in the convent, where + he continued for twenty-five years, and at length became Prior of the + Convent. The Prior was the person next in office to the Abbot, and + governed the monastery in his absence; and in some religious orders, where + there was no Abbot, the Prior was the superior. + </p> + <p> + Wulstan’s habits in the convent show us what the devotional life of that + time was. Each day he bent the knee at each verse of the seven Penitential + Psalms, and the same at the 119th Psalm at night. He would lock himself + into the church, and pray aloud with tears and cries, and at night he + would often retire into some solitary spot, the graveyard, or lonely + village church, to pray and meditate. His bed was the church floor, or a + narrow board, and stern were his habits of fasting and mortification; but + all the time he was full of activity in the cause of the poor, and, + finishing his devotions early in the morning, gave up the whole day to + attend to the common people, sitting at the church door to listen to, and + redress, as far as in him lay, the grievances that they brought him—at + any rate, to console and advise. The rude, secular country clergy, at that + time, it may be feared, a corrupt, untaught race, had in great measure + ceased to instruct or exhort their flocks, and even refund baptism without + payment. He did his best to remedy these abuses, and from all parts of the + country children were brought to the good Prior for baptism. Every Sunday, + too, he preached, and the Worcestershire people flocked from all sides to + hear his plain, forcible language, though he never failed to rebuke them + sharply for their most prevalent sins. + </p> + <p> + The fame of the holy Prior of Worcester began to spread, and on one + occasion Earl Harold himself came thirty miles out of his way to confess + his sins to him and desire his prayers. + </p> + <p> + About the year 1062, two Roman Cardinals came to Worcester with Aldred, + who had just been translated from that see to the Archbishopric of York. + They spent the whole of Lent in Wulstan’s monastery; and when, at Easter, + they returned to the court of Edward the Confessor, they recommended him + for the Bishop to succeed Aldred; and Aldred himself, Archbishop Stigand, + and Harold, all concurred in the same advice. The people and clergy of + Worcester with one voice chose the good Prior Wulstan; his election was + confirmed by the king, and he received the appointment. He long struggled + against it, protesting that he would rather lose his head than be made a + Bishop; but he was persuaded at last by an old hermit, who rebuked him for + his resistance as for a sin. He received the pastoral staff from King + Edward, and was consecrated by his former Bishop, Aldred. + </p> + <p> + As a Bishop he was more active than ever, constantly riding from place to + place to visit the different towns and villages; and, as he went, + repeating the Psalms and Litany, his attendant priests making the + responses; while his chamberlain carried a purse, from which every one who + asked alms was sure to be supplied. He never passed a church without + praying in it, and never reached his resting-place for the night without + paying his first visit to the church. Wherever he went, crowds of every + rank poured out to meet him, and he never sent them away without the full + Church service, and a sermon; nay, more—each poor serf might come to + him, pour out his troubles, whether temporal, or whether his heart had + been touched by the good words he had heard. Above all, Wulstan delighted + in giving his blessing in Confirmation, and would go on from morning till + night without food, till all his clergy were worn out, though he seemed to + know no weariness. + </p> + <p> + His clergy seem to have had much of the sluggishness of the Saxon, and + were often impatient of a temper, both of devotion and energy, so much + beyond them. If one was absent from the night service, the Bishop would + take no notice till it was over; but when all the others were gone back to + bed, he would wake the defaulter, and make him go through the service with + no companion but himself, making the responses. They did not like him to + put them out, as he often did on their journeys, while going through the + Psalms, by dwelling on the “prayer-verses;” and most especially did they + dislike his leading them to church, whatever season or weather it might + be, to chant matins before it was light. Once, at Marlow, when it was a + long way to church, very muddy, and with a cold rain falling, one of his + clergy, in hopes of making him turn back, led him into the worst part of + the swamp, where he sunk up to his knees in mud, and lost his shoe; but he + took no notice until, after the service was over, he had returned to his + lodgings, half dead with cold, and then, instead of expressing any anger, + he only ordered search to be made for the shoe. + </p> + <p> + Wulstan took no part in what we should call politics; he thought it his + duty to render his submission to the King whom the people had chosen, and + to strive only to amend the life of the men of the country. He was in high + favor with Harold during his short reign, and was for some time at court, + where the fine Saxon gentlemen learnt to dread the neighborhood of the old + Bishop; for Wulstan considered their luxury as worthy of blame, and + especially attacked their long flowing hair. If any of them placed their + heads within, his reach, he would crop off “the first-fruits of their + curls” with his own little knife, enjoining them to have the rest cut off; + and yet, if Wulstan saw the children of the choir with their dress + disordered, he would smooth it with his own hands, and when told the + condescension did not become a Bishop, made answer, “He that is greatest + among you shall be your servant.” + </p> + <p> + Aldred, Wulstan’s former Bishop, now Archbishop of York, was the anointer + of both Harold and William the Conqueror. He kept fair with the Normans as + long as he could, but at last, driven to extremity by the miseries they + inflicted on his unhappy diocese, he went to William arrayed in his full + episcopal robes, solemnly revoked his coronation blessing, denounced a + curse on him and his race, and then, returning to York, there died of + grief. + </p> + <p> + Eghelwin, Bishop of Durham, gave good advice to Comyn, the Norman Earl, + but it was unheeded, and the townsmen rose in the night and burnt Comyn to + death, with all his followers, as they lay overcome with wine and sleep in + the plundered houses. The rising of the northern counties followed, and + Eghelwin was so far involved in it, that he was obliged to fly. He took + shelter in the Camp of Refuge, was made prisoner when it was betrayed, and + spent the rest of his life in one of William’s prisons. + </p> + <p> + Our good Wulstan had a happier lot, and spent his time in his own round of + quiet duties in his diocese, binding up the wounds inflicted by the cruel + oppressors, but exhorting the Saxons to bear them patiently, and see in + them the chastisement of their own crimes. “It is the scourge of God that + ye are suffering,” he said; and when they replied that they had never been + half so bad as the Normans, he said, “God is using their wickedness to + punish your evil deserts, as the devil, of his own evil will, yet by God’s + righteous will, punishes those with whom he suffers. Do ye, when ye are + angry, care what becomes of the staff wherewith ye strike?” + </p> + <p> + He had his own share of troubles and anxieties, but he met them in his + trustful spirit, and straight-forward way. At Easter, 1070, a council was + held at Winchester, at which he was summoned to attend. He was one of the + five last Saxon Bishops; Stigand, who held both at once the primacy and + the see of Winchester; his brother, Eghelmar, Bishop of Elmham; Eghelsie, + of Selsey; and the Bishop of Durham, Eghelwin, who was in the Camp of + Refuge. + </p> + <p> + Two cardinals were present to represent the Pope, and on account of his + simony, Stigand was deposed and imprisoned, while Eghelric and Eghelmar + were also degraded. Yet Wulstan, clear of conscience, and certain of the + validity of his own election, was not affrighted; so far from it, he + boldly called on the King to restore some lands that Aldred of York had + kept back from the see of Worcester. + </p> + <p> + Thomas, Aldred’s successor, claimed them by a pretended jurisdiction over + Worcester, and the decision was put off for a court of the great men of + the realm, which did not take place till several fresh appointments had + been made. Lanfranc, the Italian, Abbot of Bec, had become Archbishop of + Canterbury, and was, of course, interested in guarding the jurisdiction of + the Archiepiscopal see. + </p> + <p> + Wulstan, in this critical time, was exactly like himself. He fell asleep + while Thomas was arguing, and when time was given him to think of his + answer, he spent it in singing the service of the hour, though his priests + were in terror lest they should be ridiculed for it. “Know you not,” he + answered, “that the Lord hath said, ‘When ye stand before king and rulers, + take no thought what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that + hour what ye shall speak.’ Our Lord can give me speech to-day to defend my + right, and overthrow their might.” Accordingly, his honest statement + prevailed, and he gained his cause. + </p> + <p> + There is a beautiful legend that Lanfranc, thinking the simple old Saxon + too rude and ignorant for his office, summoned him to a synod at + Westminster, and there called on him to deliver up his pastoral staff and + ring. Wulstan rose, and said he had known from the first that he was not + worthy of his dignity, and had taken it only at the bidding of his master, + King Edward. To him, therefore, who gave the staff, he would resign it. + Advancing to the Confessor’s tomb, he said, “Master, thou knowest how + unwillingly I took this office, forced to it by thee. Behold a new king—a + new law—a new primate; they decree new rights, and promulgate new + statutes. Thee they accuse of error in having so commanded—me of + presumption, in having obeyed. Then, indeed, thou wast liable to err, + being mortal—now, being with God, thou canst not err. Not to these + who require what they did not give, but to thee, who hast given, I render + up my staff. Take this, my master, and deliver it to whom thou wilt.” + </p> + <p> + He laid it on the tomb, took off his episcopal robes, and sat down among + the monks. The legend goes on to say, that the staff remained embedded in + the stone, and no hand could wrench it away, till Wulstan himself again + took it up, when it yielded without effort. The King and Archbishop fell + down at his feet, and entreated his pardon and blessing. + </p> + <p> + Such is the story told a century after; and surely we may believe that, + without the miracle, the old man’s touching appeal to his dead King, and + his humility, convinced Lanfranc that it had been foul shame to think of + deposing such a man because his learning was not extensive, nor his + manners like those of the courtly Norman. Be that as it may, thenceforth + Lanfranc and Wulstan worked hand in hand, and we find the Archbishop + begging him to undertake the visitation of the diocese of Chester, which + was unsafe for the Norman prelates. One great work accomplished by the + help of Wulstan was, the putting an end to a horrible slave-trade with + Ireland, whither Saxon serfs were sold, not by Normans, but by their own + country people, who had long carried it on before the Conquest. Lanfranc + persuaded William to abolish it, but the rude Saxon slave-merchants cared + nothing for his edicts, until the Bishop of Worcester came to Bristol, and + preached against the traffic, staying a month or two at a time, every + year, till the minds of the people of Bristol were so altered, that they + not only gave up the trade, but acquired such a horror of it that they + tore out the eyes of the last person who persisted in it. + </p> + <p> + The favor and esteem with which Wulstan was regarded did not cease, but he + was obliged to spend a life of constraint. The Archbishop made him keep a + band of armed retainers to preserve the peace of the country, and they + were new and strange companions for the old monk; but as he thought his + presence kept them from evil, he did not remain aloof, dining with them + each day in the public hall, and even while they sat long over the wine, + remaining with them, pledging them good-humoredly in a little cup, which + he pretended to taste, and ruminating on the Psalms in the midst of their + noisy mirth. + </p> + <p> + These were the days of church-building—the days of the circular + arch, round column, and zigzag moulding; of doorways whose round arch, + adorned with border after border of rich or quaint device, almost bewilder + us with the multiplicity of detail; of low square towers, and solid walls; + of that kind of architecture called Norman, but more properly a branch of + the Romanesque of Italy. + </p> + <p> + Each new Roman Bishop or Abbot thought it his business to renew his clumsy + old Saxon minster, and we have few cathedrals whose present structure does + not date from the days of the Conqueror or his sons. Walkelyn, Bishop of + Winchester, obtained a grant from William of as much timber from Hempage + Wood as could be cut in four days and nights; whereupon Walkelyn assembled + a huge company of workmen, and made such good use of the time, that when + the king passed that way, he cried out, “Am I bewitched, or have I taken + leave of my senses? Had I not a most delectable wood in this spot?” where + now only stumps were to be seen. + </p> + <p> + Wulstan had always been a church-builder, and he renewed his cathedral + after the Norman fashion; but when it was finished, and the workmen began + to pull down the old one, which had been built by St. Oswald, he stood + watching them in silence, till at last he shed tears. “Poor creatures that + we are,” said he, “we destroy the work of the saints, and think in our + pride that we improve upon it. Those blessed men knew not how to build + fine churches, but they knew how to sacrifice themselves to God, whatever + roof might be over them, and to draw their flocks after them. Now, all we + think of is to rear up piles of stones, while we care not for souls.” + </p> + <p> + Wulstan lived to a great age, survived William and Lanfrane, and assisted + to consecrate Anselm. In the last year of his life he kept each festival + with still greater solemnity than ever, and his feast for the poor + overflowed more than ever before; his stores were exhausted, though he had + collected an unusual quantity, and his clergy begged him to shut the gates + against the crowds still gathering; but he refused, saying none should go + empty away, and some gifts from his rich friends arrived opportunely to + supply the need. The Bishop sat in the midst as feasting with them, now + grown too feeble to wait on them, as he had always done hitherto. + </p> + <p> + At Whitsuntide, 1094, he was taken ill, and lingered under a slow fever + till the new year, when he died in peace and joy on the 19th of January. + His greatest friend, Robert, the Bishop of Hereford, a learned man, + understanding all the science of the time, a judge, and a courtly + Lorrainer, yet who loved to spend whole days with the unlettered Saxon, + came to lay him in his grave. He received, as a gift from the convent, the + lambskin cloak that Wulstan used to wear, in spite of the laughter of the + gay prelates arrayed in costly furs, keeping his ground by saying, that + “the furs of cunning animals did not befit a plain man.” He went home to + Hereford, and soon after died, having, it is said, been warned in a vision + by St. Wulstan that he must soon prepare to follow him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO X. THE CONQUEROR. (1066-1087.) + </h2> + <p> + In speaking of William, the Norman Conqueror, we are speaking of a really + great man; and great men are always hard to understand or deal with in + history, for, as their minds are above common understandings, their + contemporary historians generally enter into their views less than any one + else, and it is only the result that proves their wisdom and far-sight. + Moreover, their temptations and their sins are on a larger scale than + those of other men, and some of the actions that they perform make a + disproportionate impression by the cry that they occasion—the evil + is remembered, not the good that their main policy effected. + </p> + <p> + William was a high-minded man, of mighty and wide purposes, one of the + very few who understood what it was to be a king. He had the Norman + qualities in their fullest perfection. He was devoutly religious, and in + his private character was irreproachable, being the first Norman Duke + unstained by licence, the first whose sons were all born of his princess + wife. He was devout in his habits, full of alms-deeds; and strong and + resolute as was his will, he kept it so upright and so truly desirous of + the Divine glory and the Church’s welfare, that he had no serious + misunderstanding with the clergy, and lived on the most friendly terms + with his great Archbishop, Lanfranc. + </p> + <p> + He was one of those mighty men who, in personal intercourse, have a force + of nature that not merely renders opposition impossible, but absolutely + masters the will and intention, so that there is not even the secret + contradiction of mind. We have seen this in his dealings with both his own + Normans and the Saxons who came in contact with him. His presence was so + irresistible that men yielded to it unconsciously, but when absent from + him they became themselves again, and in the reaction they committed + treason against the pledges they seemed to have voluntarily given to him. + </p> + <p> + He was stern, fiercely stern. His standard and ideal were very high, such + as, perhaps, only the saintly could attain to. The men who never + quarrelled with him were Lanfranc, Edgar Atheling, and William Fitzosborn. + The first was saintly and strong; the second, honest, upright, and simple; + the third was endeared by boyish memories, and to these, perhaps, may be + added Edward the Confessor and good Bishop Wulstan. + </p> + <p> + Many others William tried to love and trust—his uncle Odo, his own + son, Earls Edwin and Morkar, Waltheof, the sons of Fitzosborn; but they + all failed, grieved, and disappointed him. None was strong, noble, or + disinterested enough not at one time or other to be a traitor; and, + perhaps, his really honest, open enemy, Hereward le Wake, was the person + whom he most valued and honored after the above mentioned. + </p> + <p> + And though his affection was hearty, his wrath when he was disappointed + was tremendous. And his disappointments were many, partly because his + standard was in every respect far above that of the men around him, and + partly because his presence so far lifted them to his level, that, when + they fell to their own, he was totally unprepared for the treachery and + deceit such a fall involved. + </p> + <p> + Then down he came on them with implacable vengeance, he was so very + “stark,” as the old chronicle has it. Battle, devastation, plunder, + lifelong imprisonment, confiscation, requited him who had drawn on himself + the terrible wrath of William of Normandy. There were few soft places in + that mighty heart; it could love, but it could not pity, and it could not + forgive. He was of the true nature to be a Scourge of God. + </p> + <p> + Hardened and embittered by the selfish treasons that had beset his early + boyhood, and which had forced him into manhood before his time, he came to + England as one called thither by the late king’s designation, and, + therefore, the lawful heir. The Norman law, a confusion of the old Frank + and Roman codes, and of the Norwegian pirate customs, he seems to have + been glad to leave behind. His native Normans must be ruled by it, but he + was an English king by inheritance, and English laws he would observe; + Englishmen should have their national share in the royal favor, and in + their native land. + </p> + <p> + But the design proved impracticable. The English had been split into + fierce parties long before he came, and the West Saxon, the Mercian Angle, + and Northumbrian Dane hated one another still, and all hated the Norman + alike; and his Norman, French, and Breton importations lost no love among + themselves, and viewed the English natives as conquered beings, whose + spoil was unjustly withheld from them by the Duke King. + </p> + <p> + Rebellion began: by ones, twos, and threes, the nobles revolted, and were + stamped out by William’s iron heel, suffering his fierce, unrelenting + justice—that highest justice that according to the Latin proverb + becomes, in man’s mind at least, the highest injustice. So England lay, + trampled, bleeding, indignant, and raising a loud cry of misery; but, in + real truth, the sufferers were in the first place the actual rebels, Saxon + and Norman alike; next, those districts which had risen against his + authority, and were barbarously devastated with fire and sword; and + lastly, the places which, by the death or forfeiture of native lords, or + by the enforced marriage of heiresses, fell into the hands of rapacious + Norman adventurers, who treated their serfs with the brutal violence + common in France. + </p> + <p> + Otherwise, things were left much as they were. The towns had little or no + cause of complaint, and the lesser Saxon gentry, with the Franklins and + the Earls, were unmolested, unless they happened to have vicious + neighbors. The Curfew bell, about which so great a clamor was raised, was + a universal regulation in Europe; it was a call to prayers, an intimation + that it was bedtime, and a means of guarding against fire, when streets + were often nothing but wooden booths thatched. The intense hatred that its + introduction caused was only the true English dislike to anything like + domiciliary interference. + </p> + <p> + The King has left us an undoubted testimony to the condition of the + country, and the number of Saxons still holding tenures. Nineteen years + after his Conquest, he held a council at Gloucester, the result of which + was a great “numbering of the people”—a general census. To every + city or town, commissioners were sent forth, who collected together the + Shire reeve or Sheriff—the Viscount, as the Normans called him—the + thegus, the parish priests, the reeves, and franklins, who were examined + upon oath of the numbers, names, and holdings of the men of their place, + both as they were in King Edward’s days, and at that time. The lands had + to be de scribed, whether plough lands or pasture, wood or waste; the + mills and fisheries wore recorded, and each farmer’s stock of oxen, cows, + sheep, or swine. The English grumbled at the inquiry, called it tyranny, + and expected worse to come of it, but there was no real cause for + complaint. The primary object of the survey was the land-tax, the + Danegeld, as it was called, because it was first raised to provide + defences against the Danes, and every portion of arable land was assessed + at a fair rate, according to ancient custom, but not that which lay waste. + The entire record, including all England save London and the four northern + counties, was preserved at Winchester, and called the Winchester Roll, or + Domesday Book. It is one of the most interesting records in existence, + showing, as it does, the exceeding antiquity of our existing divisions of + townships, parishes and estates, and even of the families inhabiting them, + of whom a fair proportion, chiefly of the lesser gentry, can point to + evidence that they live on soil that was tilled by their fathers before + the days of the Norman. It is far more satisfactory than the Battle Roll, + which was much tampered with by the monks to gratify the ancestral vanity + of gentlemen who were so persuaded that their ancestors ought to be found + there, that they caused them to be inserted if they were missing. Of + Domesday Book, however, there is no doubt, as the original copy is still + extant in its fair old handwriting, showing the wonderful work that the + French-speaking scribes made with English names of people and places. + Queen Edith, the Confessor’s widow, who was a large landholder, appears as + Eddeve, Adeve, Adiva—by anything but her true old English name of + Eadgyth. But it was much that the subdued English folk appeared there at + all. + </p> + <p> + The most real grievance that the English had to complain of was the Forest + Laws. The Dukes of Normandy had had many a quarrel in their Neustrian home + with their subjects, on the vexed question of the chase, their greatest + passion; and when William came into England as a victor, he was determined + to rule all his own way in the waste and woodland. All the forests he took + into his own hands, and the saying was that “the king loved the high deer + as if he was their father;” any trespass was severely punched, and if he + slaughter of any kind of game was a more serious thing than murder itself. + </p> + <p> + Chief of all, however, in people’s minds, was his appropriation of the + tract of Jettenwald, or the Giant’s Wood, Ytene, in South Hants. A + tempting hunting-ground extended nearly all the way from his royal city of + Winchester, broad, bare chalk down, passing into heathy common, and forest + waste, covered with holly and yew, and with noble oak and beech in its + dells, fit covert for the mighty boar, the high deer, and an infinity of + game beside. + </p> + <p> + With William’s paternal feelings toward the deer, he thought the cotters + and squatters, the churls and the serfs, on the borders of the wood, or in + little clearings in the midst, mischievous interlopers, and at one swoop + he expelled them all, and kept the Giant’s Wood solely for himself and his + deer, by the still remaining name of the New Forest. + </p> + <p> + Chroniclers talk of twenty-two mother churches and fifty-two parishes laid + waste, but there is no doubt that this was a monstrous exaggeration, and + that the population could not have been so dense. At any rate, whatever + their numbers, the inhabitants were expelled, the animals were left + unmolested for seven years, and then the Norman king enjoyed his sports + there among his fierce nobility, little recking that all the English, and + many of the Normans, longed that a curse should there light upon his head, + or on that of his proud sons. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XI. THE CONQUEROR’S CHILDREN. (1050-1087.) + </h2> + <p> + The wife of William of Normandy was, as has been said, Matilda, daughter + of Baldwin, Count of Flanders. The wife of such a man as William has not + much opportunity of showing her natural character, and we do not know much + of hers. It appears, however, that she was strong-willed and vindictive, + and, very little disposed to accept him. She had set her affections upon + one Brihtric Meau, called Snow, from his fair complexion, a young English + lord who had visited her father’s court on a mission from Edward the + Confessor, but who does not appear to have equally admired the lady. For + seven years Matilda is said to have held out against William, until one + twilight evening, when she was going home from church, in the streets of + Bruges he rode up to her, beat her severely, and threw her into the + gutter! + </p> + <p> + Wonderful to relate, the high-spirited demoiselle was subdued by this + rough courtship, and gave her hand to her determined cousin without + further resistance; nor do we hear that he ever beat her again. Indeed, if + he did, he was not likely to let their good vassals be aware of it; and, + in very truth, they seem to have been considered as models of peace and + happiness. But it is much to be suspected that her nature remained proud + and vindictive; for no sooner had her husband become master of England, + than she caused the unfortunate Brihtric, who had disdained her love, to + be stripped of all his manors in Gloucestershire, including Fairford, + Tewkesbury, and the rich meadows around, and threw him into Winchester + Castle, where he died; while Domesday Book witnesses to her revenge, by + showing that the lands once his belonged to Queen Matilda. + </p> + <p> + The indication of character in a woman who had so little opportunity of + independent action, is worth noting, as it serves to mark the spirit in + which her children would be reared, and to explain why the sons so + entirely fell short of all that was greatest and noblest in their father. + The devotion, honor, and generosity, that made the iron of his composition + bright as well as hard, was utterly wanting in them, or merely appeared in + passing inconsistencies, and it is but too likely that they derived no + gentler training from their mother. There were ten children, four sons and + six daughters, but the names of these latter, are very difficult to + distinguish, as Adela, Atheliza, Adelheid, or Alix, was a sort of feminine + of Atheling, a Princess-Royal title, and was applied to most of the eldest + daughters of the French and German-princes, or, when the senior was dead, + or married, to the surviving eldest. + </p> + <p> + Cecily, Matilda’s eldest daughter, was, even before her birth, decreed to + be no Adela for whom contending potentates might struggle. She was to be + the atonement for the parents’ hasty, unlicensed marriage, in addition to + their two beautiful abbeys at Caen. When the Abbaye aux Dames was + consecrated, the little girl was led by her father to the foot of the + altar, and there presented as his offering. She was educated with great + care by a very learned though somewhat dissipated priest, took the veil, + and, becoming abbess, ruled her nuns for many years, well contented and + much respected. + </p> + <p> + The next sister was the Atheliza of the family, but her name was either + Elfgiva or Agatha. She enjoys the distinction of being the only female + portrait in her mother’s tapestry—except a poor woman escaping from + a sacked town. She stands under a gateway, while Harold is riding forth + with her father, in witness, perhaps, of her having been betrothed to + Harold; or perhaps Matilda felt a mother’s yearning to commemorate the + first of her flock who had been laid in the grave, for Elfgiva died a + short time after the contract, which Harold would hardly have fulfilled, + since he had at least one wife already at home. + </p> + <p> + Her sister, Matilda, promoted to be Adeliza, was betrothed to another + Saxon, the graceful and beautiful Edwin, whom she loved with great ardor, + through all his weak conduct toward her father. After his untimely end, + she was promised to Alfonso I. of Castile, but she could not endure to + give her heart to another; she wept and prayed continually, but in vain as + far as her father was concerned. She was sent off on her journey, but died + on the way; and then it was that the poor girl’s knees were found to be + hardened by her constant kneeling to implore the pity that assuredly was + granted to her. + </p> + <p> + Constance married Alain Fergeant, a brother of the Duke of Brittany, and + an adventurer in the Norman invasion. He was presented with the Earldom of + Richmond, in Yorkshire; and as his son became afterward Duke of Brittany, + this appanage frequently gave title to younger brothers in the old + Armorican Duchy. That son was not born of Constance; she fell into a + languishing state of health, and died, four years after her marriage. + Report said that her husband’s vassals found her so harsh and rigorous, + that they poisoned her; and considering what her brothers were, it is not + unlikely. + </p> + <p> + Of the Adela who married that accomplished prince, Stephen, Count de + Blois, there will be more to say; and as to Gundred, the wife of Earl + Warenne, it is a doubtful question whether she was a daughter of William + and Matilda. Her tomb was lately found in Isfield Church, Sussex; but + though it has an inscription praising her virtues, it says nothing of her + royal birth. + </p> + <p> + The sons of William left far more distinct and undesirable traces of + themselves than their sisters. Robert was probably the eldest of the whole + family, and he was his mother’s favorite, like most eldest sons. He did + not inherit the stately height of the Norman princes, and, from his short, + sturdy form, early acquired the nickname of Courtheuse, by which he was + distinguished among the swarms of other Roberts. Much pains was bestowed + on his instruction, and that of his brothers, Richard and William, by the + excellent Lanfranc, and they all had great abilities; but there were + influences at work among the fierce Norman lads that rendered the holy + training of the good abbot wholly ineffectual. Their father, conscious of + his own defective right to the ducal rank, lost no opportunity of binding + his vassals to swear fealty not only to himself, but his eldest son; and + from Robert’s infancy he had learnt to hold out his hand, and hear the + barons declare themselves his men. When the Duke set out on his conquest + of England, he caused the oath to be renewed to Robert, and he at the same + time showed his love for William, then the youngest, by having him, with + his long red hair floating, carved, blowing a horn, at the figure-head of + the Mora. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the Conquest, when Matilda had lately been crowned Queen of + England, the fourth son, Henry, was born. He had much more personal beauty + and height than the other brothers, and there was always an idea floating + that the son born when his father was king had a right over his elder + brethren, and thus Henry was always an object of jealousy to his brothers. + Passionately fond of the few books he could obtain, he was called + Beauclerc, or the fine scholar; and whilst as little restrained by real + principle as his brothers, he was able to preserve a decorum and + self-command that kept him in better reputation. + </p> + <p> + The second brother, Richard, however, had no opportunity of showing his + character. He died in the New Forest, either from a blow on the head from + a branch of a tree, or from a fever caught in the marshes, and is buried + in Winchester Cathedral. Perhaps the doom came on him in innocent youth, + “because there was some good thing in him.” + </p> + <p> + In 1075, when Robert must have been a man some years over twenty, Henry a + boy of nine, and William probably twelve or fourteen, they all three + accompanied their father into Normandy, and were there in the fortress of + Aquila, or Aigle, so called because there had been an eagle’s nest in the + oak-tree close to the site of the castle. Robert was in a discontented + mood. The numerous occasions on which he had received the homage of the + Normans made him fancy he ought to have the rule in the duchy; his + mother’s favoritism had fostered his ill-feeling, and he was becoming very + jealous of red-haired William, who from his quickness, daring, and + readiness had become his father’s favorite; and though under restraint in + the Conqueror’s presence, was no doubt outrageously boisterous, insolent, + and presuming in his absence; and Henry, the fine scholar, his companion + and following his lead, secretly despised both his elders. + </p> + <p> + Robert’s lodging was suddenly invaded by the two wild lads and their + attendants. Finding themselves no better welcomed or amused than rude boys + are wont to be by young men, they betook themselves to an upper room, the + floor of which was formed by ill-laid, gaping planks, which were the + ceiling of that below. Here they began to play at dice; they soon grew + even more intolerably uproarious, and in the coarse of their quarrelsome, + boisterous tricks, overthrew a vessel of dirty water, which began to drip + through the interstices of the planks on their brother and his friends + below—an accident sure to be welcomed by a hoarse laugh by the rough + boys, but appearing to the victims beneath a deliberate insult. “Are you a + man not to avenge this shameful insolence?” cried Robert’s friends, + Alberic and Ivo de Grantmesnil. In a fury of passion, Robert rushed after + the lads with his sword drawn, and King William was roused from his sleep + to hear that Lord Robert was murdering his brothers. + </p> + <p> + The passion and violence of the elder son had the natural effect of making + the father take the part of the younger ones, and Robert was so much + incensed, that he rode off with his friends, and, collecting partisans as + he went, attacked Rouen. + </p> + <p> + He was of course repulsed, and many of his followers were made prisoners. + He held out in the border counties for a little while, but all his + supporters were gained from him by his father, and he at length came back + to court, and appeared reconciled. There, however, he had nothing to do, + and all the licentious and disaffected congregated round him; he idled + away half his time, and revelled the rest, and his pretensions magnified + themselves all the time in his fancy, till at last he was stimulated to + demand of his father the cession of Normandy, as a right confirmed to him + by the French king. + </p> + <p> + William replied by a lecture on disobedience, citing as examples of + warning all the Absaloms of history; but Robert fiercely answered, that he + had not come to listen to a sermon; he was sick of hearing all this from + his teachers, and he would have his answer touching his claim to Normandy. + </p> + <p> + The answer he got was, “It is not my custom to lay aside my clothes till I + go to bed.” + </p> + <p> + It sent him off in a rage, with all his crew of dissolute followers. He + went first to his uncle in Flanders, then to Germany and Italy, always + penniless from his lavish habits, though his mother often sent him + supplies of money by a trusty messenger, called Samson le Breton. However, + the King found him out, and reproached Matilda angrily; but she made + answer, “If Robert, my son, were buried seven feet under ground, and I + could bring him to life again by my heart’s blood, how gladly would I give + it!” The implacable William commanded Samson to be blinded, but he escaped + to the monastery of St. Everard, and there became a monk. + </p> + <p> + Returning, Robert presented himself to King Philippe of France, who was + glad to annoy his overgrown vassal by patronizing the rebellious son, and + accordingly placed Robert in the Castle of Gerberoi, where he might best + be a thorn in his father’s side. There William besieged him, bringing the + two younger sons with him, though Henry was but twelve years old. For + three weeks there was sharp fighting; and, finally, a battle, in which the + younger William was wounded, and the elder, cased in his full armor of + chain mail, encountered unknowingly with Robert, in the like disguising + hawberk. The Conqueror’s horse was killed; his esquire, an Englishman, in + bringing him another, was slain; and he himself received a blow which + caused such agony that he could not repress a shriek of pain. Robert knew + his voice, and, struck with remorse, immediately lifted him up, offered + him his own horse, and assured him of his ignorance of his person; but + William, smarting and indignant, vouchsafed no answer, and while the son + returned to his castle, the father went back to his camp, which he broke + up the next day, and returned to Rouen. + </p> + <p> + Robert seems to have been a favorite with the lawless Normans, who writhed + under the mighty hand of his father, and on their interference, backed by + that of the French king and the Pope, brought about a reconciliation in + name. The succession of Normandy was again secured to Robert, but + therewith he was laid under a curse by his angry father, whose face he + never saw again. + </p> + <p> + Other troubles thickened on William. Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, the bold, + rough, jovial half-brother, whom he had trusted and loved, was reported to + be full of mischievous plots. He seems to have been told by diviners that + the next Pope was to be named Odo, and, to secure the fulfilment of the + augury, he was sending bribes to Rome, and at the same time collecting a + great body of troops with whom to fight his way thither. He was in the + Isle of Wight, preparing to carry his forces to Normandy, when William + pounced, on him, and ordered him back again. It is not clear whether he + wished to prevent the scandal to the Church, or whether he suspected this + army of Odo’s of being intended to support Robert against himself; but, at + any rate, he made bitter complaint before the council of the way he had + been treated by son, brother, and peer, and sentenced Odo to imprisonment. + No one would touch the Bishop, and William was obliged to seize him + himself, answering, to Odo’s appeal to his inviolable orders, “I judge not + the Bishop, but my Earl and Treasurer.” + </p> + <p> + Another grief befell him in 1083, in the death of Matilda, who, it was + currently believed, pined away with grief at his fury against her beloved + first-born—anger that his affection for her could not mitigate, + though he loved her so tenderly that his great heart almost broke at her + death, and he never was the same man during the four years that he + survived her. + </p> + <p> + His health began to break; he had grown large and unwieldy, but his spirit + was as fiery as ever, and wherever there was war, there was he. At last, + in 1087, there was an insurrection at Mantes, supported by King Philippe. + William complained, but received no redress. Rude, scornful jests were + reported to him, and the savage part of his nature was aroused. + </p> + <p> + Always, hitherto, he had shown great forbearance in abstaining from direct + warfare on his suzerain, much as Philippe had often provoked him, but his + patience was exhausted, and he armed himself for a deadly vengeance. + </p> + <p> + His own revolted town of Mantes was the first object of his fury. It was + harvest-time, and the crops and vineyards were mercilessly trodden down. + The inhabitants sallied out, hoping to save their corn; but the ruthless + king made his way into the city, and there caused house, convent, and + church alike to suffer plunder and fire, riding about himself directing + the work of destruction. The air was flame above, the ground was burning + hot beneath. His horse stumbled with pain and fright; and the large, heavy + body of the king fell forward on the high steel front of the saddle, so as + to be painfully and internally injured. He was carried back to Rouen, but + the noise, bustle, and heat of the city were intolerable to him, and, with + the restlessness of a dying man, he caused himself to be carried to the + convent of St. Gervais, on a hill above the town; but he there found no + relief. He felt his time was come, and sent for his sons, William and + Henry. + </p> + <p> + The mighty man’s agony was a terrible one. “No tongue can tell,” said he, + “the deeds of wickedness I have wrought during my weary pilgrimage of toil + and care.” He tried to weigh against these his good actions, his churches + and convents, his well-chosen bishops, his endeavors to act uprightly and + justly; but finding little comfort in these, he bewailed his own destiny, + and how his very birth had forced him into bloodshed, and driven him to + violence, even in his youth. + </p> + <p> + The presence of his sons brought back his mind from the thought of his + condition, to that of the disposal of the lands which had become to him + merely a load of thick clay smeared with blood. Normandy, he said, must be + Robert’s; but he groaned at the thought of the misery preparing for his + native land. “Wretched,” he said, “must be the country under Robert’s + rule; but he has received the homage of the barons, and the grant once + made can never be revoked. To England I dare appoint no heir. Let Him in + whose hands are all things, provide according to His will.” + </p> + <p> + This was his first feeling, but when he saw William’s disappointment, he + added, that he hoped the choice of the English might fall on his obedient + son. + </p> + <p> + “And what do you give me, father?” broke in Henry. + </p> + <p> + “A treasure of 5,000 pounds of silver,” was the answer. + </p> + <p> + “What good will the treasure do me,” cried Henry, “if I have neither land, + nor house, nor home?” + </p> + <p> + “Take comfort, my son,” said his father; “it may be that one day thou + shalt be greater than all.” + </p> + <p> + These words he spoke in the spirit of foreboding, no doubt perceiving in + Henry a sagacity and self-command which in the struggle of life was + certain to give him the advantage of his elder brothers; but then, alarmed + lest what he had said might be construed as acknowledging Henry’s superior + claim as having been born a king’s son, he felt it needful to back up + Rufus’s claim, and bade a writ be prepared commanding Lanfranc to crown + William King of England. Affixing his signet, he kissed and blessed his + favorite, and sent him off at once to secure the English throne. Henry, + too, hurried away to secure his 5,000 pounds, and the dying man was left + alone, struggling between terror and hope. + </p> + <p> + He left sums of money for alms, masses, and prayers; and as an act of + forgiveness, released his captives—Earl Morcar, Ulfnoth, the + unfortunate hostage, Siward, and Roger de Breteuil, and all the rest; but + he long excepted his brother Odo, and only granted his liberation on the + earnest persuasion of the other brother, the Count of Mortagne. + </p> + <p> + He slept uneasily at night, awoke when the bells were ringing for lauds, + lifted up his hands in prayer, and breathed his last on the 8th of + September, 1087. + </p> + <p> + His sons were gone, his attendants took care of themselves, his servants + plundered the chamber and bed, and cast on the floor uncovered the mortal + remnant of their once dreaded master. And though the clergy soon + recollected themselves, and attended to the obsequies of their benefactor, + carrying the corpse to his own Abbey at Caen, yet even there, as has + already been said, the cry of the despoiled refused to the Conqueror even + the poor boon of a grave. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XII. THE CROWN AND THE MITRE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1087. William II. + 1100. Henry I. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1059. Philippe I. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1080. Heinrich IV. + 1105. Heinrich V. + + <i>Popes of Rome</i>. + 1066. Victor III. + 1073. Gregory VII. + 1088. Urban II. + 1099. Paschal II. +</pre> + <p> + Great struggles took place in the eleventh century, between the spiritual + and temporal powers. England was the field of one branch of the combat, + between Bishop and King; but this cannot be properly understood without + reference to the main conflict in Italy, between Pope and Emperor. + </p> + <p> + The Pope, which word signifies Father, or Patriarch, of Rome, had from the + Apostolic times been always elected, like all other bishops, by the + general consent of the flock, both clergy and people; and, after the + conversion of Constantine, the Emperor, as first lay member of the Church, + of course had a powerful voice in the election, could reject any person of + whom he disapproved, or nominate one whom he desired to see chosen, though + still subject to the approval of clergy and people. + </p> + <p> + This power was, however, seldom exercised by the emperors at Rome, after + the seat of empire had been transferred to Constantinople, and their power + over Italy was diminishing through their own weakness and the German + conquests. The election continued in the hands of the Romans, and in + general, at this time, their choice was well-bestowed; the popes were, + many of them, saintly men, and, by their wisdom and authority, often + guarded Rome from the devastations with which it was threatened by the + many barbarous nations who invaded Italy. So it continued until Pope + Zaccaria quarrelled with Astolfo, King of Lombardy, and summoned the + Carlovingian princes from France to protect him. These Italian wars + resulted in Charles-le-Magne taking for himself the crown of Lombardy, and + in his being chosen Roman Emperor of the West, by the citizens of Rome, + under the influence of the Pope; while he, on his side, conferred on the + pope temporal powers such as none of his predecessors had enjoyed. + </p> + <p> + From thenceforth the theory was, that the Pope was head of the Western + Church, with archbishops, bishops, clergy, and laity, in regular + gradations under him; while the Emperor was in like manner head of the + State, kings, counts, barons, and peasants, in different orders below him; + the Church ruling the souls, the State the bodies of men, and the two + chieftains working hand in hand, each bearing a mission from above; the + Emperor, as a layman, owning himself inferior to the Pope, yet the Pope + acknowledging the temporal power of the crowned monarch. + </p> + <p> + This was a grand theory, but it fell grievously short in the practice. The + city of Rome, with its worn-out civilization, was a most corrupt place; + and now that the Papacy conferred the highest dignity and influence, it + began to be sought by very different men, and by very different means, + from those that had heretofore prevailed. Bribery and every atrocious + influence swayed the elections, and the wickedness of some of the popes is + almost incredible. At last the emperors interfered to check the dreadful + crimes and profanity at Rome, and thus the nomination of the Pope fell + absolutely into their hands, and was taken from the Romans, to whom it + belonged. + </p> + <p> + In the earlier part of the eleventh century, a deacon of Rome, named + Hildebrand, formed the design of freeing the See of St. Peter from the + subjection of the emperors, and at the same time of saving it from the + disgraceful power of the populace. The time was favorable, for the + Emperor, Henry IV., was a child, and the Pope, Stephen II., was ready to + forward all Hildebrand’s views. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1059 was held the famous Lateran Council [Footnote: So called + from being convoked in the Church at the Lateran gate, on the spot where + St. John was miraculously preserved from the boiling oil.] of the Roman + clergy, in which it was enacted, that no benefice should be received from + the hands of any layman, but that all bishops should be chosen by the + clergy of the diocese; and though they in many cases held part of the + royal lands, they were by no means to receive investiture from the + sovereign, nor to pay homage. The tokens of investiture were the pastoral + staff, fashioned like a shepherd’s crook, and the ring by which the Bishop + was wedded to his See, and these were to be no longer taken from the + monarch’s hands. The choice of the popes was given to the seventy cardinal + or principal clergy of the diocese, who were chiefly the ministers of the + different parish churches, and in their hands it has remained ever since. + </p> + <p> + Hildebrand himself was elected Pope in 1073, and took the name of Gregory + VII. He bore the brunt of the battle by which it was necessary to secure + the privileges he had asserted for the clergy. Henry IV. of Germany was a + violent man, and a furious struggle took place. The Emperor took it on + himself to depose the Pope, the Pope at the same time sentenced the + Emperor to abstain from the exercise of his power, and his subject; + elected another prince in his stead. + </p> + <p> + At one time Gregory compelled Henry to come barefooted to implore + absolution; at another, Henry besieged Rome, and Gregory was only rescued + from him by the Normans of Apulia, and was obliged to leave Rome, and + retire under their protection to Apulia, where he died in 1085, after + having devoted his whole life to the fulfilment of his great project of + making the powers of this world visibly submit themselves to the dominion + of the Church. + </p> + <p> + The strife did not end with Gregory’s death. Henry IV. was indeed + dethroned by his wicked son, but no sooner did this very son, Henry V., + come to the crown, than he struggled with the Pope as fiercely as his + father had done. + </p> + <p> + It was not till after this great war in Germany that the question began in + any great degree to affect England. Archbishop Lanfranc, as an Italian, + thought and felt with Gregory VII.; and the Normans, both here and in + Italy, were in general the Pope’s best friends; so that, though William + the Conqueror refused to make oath to become the warrior of the Pope, + Church affairs in general made no great stir in his lifetime, and the + question was not brought to issue. + </p> + <p> + The face of affairs was, however, greatly changed by the death of the + Conqueror in 1087. William Rufus was a fierce, hot-tempered man, without + respect for religion, delighting in revelry, and in being surrounded with + boisterous, hardy soldiers, whom he paid lavishly, though at the same time + he was excessively avaricious. + </p> + <p> + He had made large promises of privileges to the Saxons, in order to obtain + their support in case his elder brother Robert had striven to assert his + claims; but all these were violated, and when Lanfranc remonstrated, he + scoffingly asked whether the Archbishop fancied a king could keep all his + promises. + </p> + <p> + Lanfranc had been his tutor, had conferred on him the order of knighthood + and had hitherto exercised some degree of salutary influence over him; but + seeing all his efforts in vain, he retired to Canterbury, and there died + on the 24th of May, 1089. + </p> + <p> + Then, indeed, began evil days for the Church of England. William seized + all the revenues of the See of Canterbury, and kept them in his own hands, + instead of appointing a successor to Lanfranc, and he did the same with + almost every other benefice that fell vacant, so that at one period he + thus was despoiling all at once—the archbishopric, four bishops’ + sees, and thirteen abbeys. At the same time, the miseries he inflicted on + the country were dreadful; his father’s cruel forest laws were enforced + with double rigor, and the oppression of the Saxons was terrible, for they + were absolutely without the least protection from any barbarities his + lawless soldiery chose to inflict upon them. Every oppressive baron + wreaked his spite against his neighbors with impunity, and Ivo Taillebois + [Footnote: See “The Camp of Refuge.”] was not long in showing his malice, + as usual, against Croyland Abbey. + </p> + <p> + A fire had accidentally broken out which consumed all the charters, except + some which were fortunately in another place, where they had been set + aside by Abbot Ingulf, that the younger monks might learn to read the old + Saxon character, and among these was happily the original grant of the + lands of Turketyl, signed by King Edred, and further confirmed by the + great seal of William I. + </p> + <p> + Ivo Taillebois, hearing of the fire, and trusting that all the parchments + had been lost together, sent a summons to the brethren to produce the + deeds by which they held their lands. They despatched a lay brother called + Trig to Spalding, with Turketyl’s grant under his charge. The Normans + glanced over it, and derided it. “Such barbarous writings,” they said, + “could do nothing;” but when Trig produced the huge seal, with William the + Conqueror’s effigy, still more “stark” and rigid than Sir Ivo had known + him in his lifetime, there was no disputing its validity, and the court of + Spalding was baffled. However, Taillebois sent some of his men to waylay + the poor monk, and rob him of his precious parchment, intending then again + to require the brotherhood to prove their rights by its production; but + brother Trig seems to have been a wary man, and, returning by a by-path, + avoided pursuit, and brought the charter safely home. A short time after, + Ivo offended the king, and was banished, much to the joy of the Fen + country. + </p> + <p> + Rapine and oppression were in every corner of England and Normandy, the + two brothers Robert and William setting the example by stripping their + youngest brother, Henry, of the castle he had purchased with his father’s + legacy. One knight, two squires, and a faithful chaplain, alone would + abide by the fortunes of the landless prince. The chaplain, Roger le Poer, + had been chosen by Henry, for a reason from which no one could have + expected the fidelity he showed his prince in his misfortunes, nor his + excellent conduct afterward when sharing the prosperity of his master. He + was at first a poor parish priest of Normandy, and Henry, chancing to + enter his church, found him saying mass so quickly, that, quite delighted, + the prince exclaimed, “Here’s a priest for me!” and immediately took him + into his service. Nevertheless, Roger le Poer was an excellent adviser, an + upright judge, and a good bishop. It was he who commenced the Cathedral of + Salisbury, where it now stands, removing it from the now deserted site of + Old Sarum. + </p> + <p> + Robert had not added much to the tranquillity of the country by releasing + his uncle, the turbulent old Bishop Odo, who was continually raising + quarrels between him and William. Odo’s old friend, Earl Hugh the Wolf, of + Chester, [Footnote: See the “Camp of Refuge.”] was at this time better + employed than most of the Norman nobles. He was guarding the frontier + against the Welsh, and at the same time building the heavy red stone pile + which is now the Cathedral of Chester, and which he intended as the Church + of a monastery of Benedictines. Fierce old Hugh was a religious man, and + had great reverence and affection for one of the persons in all the world + most unlike himself—Anselm, the Abbot of Bec. + </p> + <p> + Anselm was born at Aosta, in Piedmont, of noble parents, and was well + brought up by his pious mother, Ermengarde, under whose influence he + applied himself to holy learning, and was anxious to embrace a religious + life. She died when he was fifteen years of age, and his father was + careless and harsh. Anselm lost his love for study, and fell into youthful + excesses, but in a short time her good lessons returned upon him, and he + repented earnestly. His father, however, continued so unkind, and even + cruel, that he was obliged to leave the country, and took refuge, first in + Burgundy and then in Normandy, where he sought the instruction of his + countryman, Lanfranc, then Abbot of Bec. + </p> + <p> + He learnt, at Bec, that his father was dead, and decided on taking the + vows in that convent. There he remained for many years, highly revered for + his piety and wisdom, and, in fact, regarded as almost a saint. In 1092, + Hugh the Wolf was taken ill, and, believing he should never recover, sent + to entreat the holy Abbot to come and give him comfort on his death-bed. + Anselm came, but on his arrival found the old Earl restored, and only + intent on the affairs of his new monastery, the regulation of which he + gladly submitted to Anselm. The first Abbot was one of the monks of Bec, + and Earl Hugh himself afterward gave up his country to his son Richard, + and assumed the monastic habit there. + </p> + <p> + Whilst Anselm was on his visit to the Earl of Chester, there was some + conversation about him at Court, and some one said that the good Abbot was + so humble that he had no desire for any promotion or dignity. “Not for the + Archbishopric?” shouted the King, with a laugh of derision; “but”—and + he swore an oath—“other Archbishop than me there shall be none.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the clergy about this time requested William to permit prayers to + be offered in the churches, that he might be directed to make a fit choice + of a Primate. He laughed, and said the Church might ask what she pleased; + she would not hinder him from doing what he pleased. + </p> + <p> + He knew not what Power he was defying. That power, in the following + spring, stretched him on a bed of sickness, despairing of life, and in an + agony of remorse at his many fearful sins, especially filled with terror + at his sacrilege, and longing to free himself from that patrimony of the + Church which seemed to be weighing down his soul. + </p> + <p> + Anselm was still with Hugh the Wolf, probably at Gloucester, where the + King’s illness took place. A message came to summon him without delay to + the royal chamber, there to receive the pastoral staff of Canterbury. He + would not hear of it; he declared he was unfit, he was an old man, and + knew nothing of business, he was weak, unable to govern the Church in such + times. “The plough should be drawn by animals of equal strength,” said he + to the bishops and other friends who stood round, combatting his scruples, + and exulting that the king’s heart was at length touched. “Would you yoke + a feeble old sheep with a wild young bull?” + </p> + <p> + Without heeding his objections, the Norman clergy by main force dragged + him into the room where lay the Red King, in truth like to a wild bull in + a net, suffering from violent fever, and half mad with impatience and + anguish of mind. He would not hear Anselm’s repeated refusals, and + besought him to save him. “You will ruin me,” he said. “My salvation is in + your hands. I know God will never have mercy on me if Canterbury is not + filled.” + </p> + <p> + Still Anselm wept, imploring him to make another choice; but the bishops + carried him up to the bedside, and actually forced open his clenched hand + to receive the pastoral staff which William held out to him. Then, half + fainting, he was carried away to the Cathedral, where they chanted the <i>Te + Deum</i>, and might well have also sung, “The king’s heart is in the hand + of the Lord, as the rivers of water.” + </p> + <p> + But though William had thus been shown how little his will availed when he + openly defied the force of prayer, his stubborn disposition was unchanged, + and he recovered only to become more profane than ever. Gundulf, Bishop of + Rochester, when congratulating him on his restoration, expressed a hope + that he would henceforth show more regard to the Most High. “Bishop,” he + returned, as usual with an oath, “I will pay no honor to Him who has + brought so much evil on me.” + </p> + <p> + A war at this time broke out between William and his brother Robert, and + the King ordered all his bishops to pay him large sums to maintain his + forces. Canterbury had been so wasted with his extortions that Anselm + could hardly raise 500 marks, which he brought the King, warning him that + this was the last exaction with which he meant to comply. “Keep your money + and your foul tongue to yourself,” answered William; and Anselm gave the + money to the poor. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after, Anselm expostulated with William on the wretched state of + the country, where the Christian religion had almost perished; but the + King only said he would do what he would with his own, and that his father + had never met with such language from Lanfranc. Anselm was advised to + offer him treasure to make his peace, but this he would not do; and + William, on hearing of his refusal, broke out thus: “Tell him that as I + hated him yesterday, I hate him more to day, and will hate him daily more + and more. Let him keep his blessings to himself; I will have none of + them.” + </p> + <p> + The next collision was respecting the Pallium, the scarf of black wool + with white crosses; woven from the wool of the lambs blessed by the Pope + on St. Agnes’ day, which, since the time of St. Augustine, had always been + given by the Pope to the English Primate. Anselm, who had now been + Archbishop for two years, asked permission to go and receive it; but as it + was in the midst of the dispute between Emperor and Pope, there was an + Antipope, as pretenders to that dignity were called—one Guibert, + appointed by Henry IV. of Germany, besides Urban II., who had been chosen + by the Cardinals, and whose original Christian name was really Odo. + William went into a great fury on hearing that Anselm regarded Urban as + the true Pope, without having referred to himself, convoked the clergy and + laity at Rockingham, and called on them to depose the Archbishop. The + bishops, all but Gundulf of Rochester, were in favor of the King, and + renounced their obedience to the Primate; but the nobles showed themselves + resolved to protect him, whereupon William adjourned the council, and sent + privately to ask what might be gained by acknowledging Urban as Pope. + </p> + <p> + Urban sent a legate to England with the Pallium. The King first tried to + make him depose Anselm, and then to give him the Pallium instead of + investing the Archbishop with it; but the legate, by way of compromise, + laid it on the altar at Canterbury, whence Anselm took it up. + </p> + <p> + Two years more passed, and Anselm came to beg permission to go to Rome to + consult with the Pope on the miserable state of the Church. William said + he might go, but if he did, he himself should take all the manors of + Canterbury again, and the bishops warned him they should be on the king’s + side. + </p> + <p> + “You have answered well,” said Anselm; “go to your lord; I will hold to my + God.” + </p> + <p> + William banished him for life; but just before he departed, he came to the + King, saying, “I know not when I shall see you again, and if you will take + it, I would fain give you my blessing—the blessing of a father to + his son.” + </p> + <p> + For one moment the Red King was touched; he bowed his head, and the old + man made the sign of the cross on his brow; but no sooner was Anselm gone + forth from his presence, than his heart was again hardened, and he so + interfered with his departure, that he was forced to leave England in the + dress of a pilgrim, with only his staff and wallet. + </p> + <p> + In Italy, Anselm was able to live in quiet study, write and pray in peace. + He longed to resign his archbishopric, but the Pope would not consent; and + when Urban was about to excommunicate the King, he prevailed to prevent + the sentence from being pronounced. + </p> + <p> + William was left to his own courses, and to his chosen friend Ralph, a + low-born Norman priest, beloved by the King partly for his qualities as a + boon companion, partly for his ingenuity as an extortioner. He was + universally known by the nickname of Flambard, or the Torch, and was + bitterly hated by men of every class. He was once very nearly murdered by + some sailors, who kidnapped him, and carried him on board a large ship. + Some of them quarrelled about the division of his robes, a storm arose, + and he so worked on their fears that they at length set him on shore, + where William was so delighted to see him that he gave him the bishopric + of Durham, the richest of all, because the bishop was also an earl, and + was charged to defend the frontier against the Scots. + </p> + <p> + He had promised to relax the forest laws, but this was only one of his + promises made to be broken; and he became so much more strict in his + enforcement of them than even the Conqueror, that he acquired the nickname + of Ranger of the Woods and Keeper of the Deer. Dogs in the neighborhood of + his forests were deprived of their claws, and there was a scale of + punishments for poachers of any rank, extending from the loss of a hand, + or eye, to that of life itself. In 1099, another Richard, an illegitimate + son of Duke Robert of Normandy, was killed in the New Forest by striking + his head against the branch of a tree; and a belief in a family fate began + to prevail, so much so that Bishop Gundulf warned the King against hunting + there; but William, as usual, laughed him to scorn, and in the summer of + 1100 took up his residence in his lodge of Malwood, attended by his + brother Henry, and many other nobles. + </p> + <p> + On the last night of July a strange sound was heard—the King calling + aloud on St. Mary; and when his attendants came into his chamber, they + found him crossing himself, in terror from a frightful dream. He bade them + bring lights, and make merry, that he might not fall asleep again; but + there were other dreamers. With morning a monk arrived to tell that he had + had a vision presaging the King’s death; but William brayed his own + misgivings, and laughed, saying the man dreamt like a monk. “Give him a + hundred pence, and bid him dream better luck next time.” + </p> + <p> + Yet his spirits were subdued all the morning, and it was not till wine had + excited him that he returned to his vein of coarse, reckless mirth. He + called his hunters round him, ordered the horses, and asked for his new + arrows—long, firm, ashen shafts. Three he stuck in his belt, the + other three he held out to a favorite comrade, Walter Tyrrel, Lord de + Poix, saying, “Take them, Wat, for a good marskman should have good + arrows.” + </p> + <p> + Some one ventured to remind him of his dream, but his laugh was ready. “Do + they take me for a Saxon, to be frighted because an old woman dreams or + sneezes?” + </p> + <p> + The hunters rode off, Walter Tyrrel alone with the King. By-and-by a cry + rang through the forest that the King was slain. There was an eager + gathering into the beech-shaded dell round the knoll of Stoney Cross, + where, beneath an oak tree, lay the bleeding corpse of the Red William, an + arrow in his heart. Terror fell on some, the hope of self-aggrandizement + actuated others. Walter Tyrrel never drew rein till he came to the coast, + and there took ship for France, whence he went to the holy wars. Prince + Henry rode as fast in the opposite direction. William de Breteuil (eldest + son of Fitz-Osborn) galloped off to secure his charge, the treasury at + Winchester, and; when he arrived, found the prince before him, trying to + force the keepers to give him the keys, which they refused to do except at + their master’s bidding. + </p> + <p> + Breteuil, who, as well as Henry, had sworn that Robert should reign if + William died childless, tried to defend his rights, but was overpowered by + some friends of Henry, who now came up to the forest; and the next morning + the prince set off to London, taking with him the crown, and caused the + Bishop of London to anoint and crown him four days after his brother’s + death. + </p> + <p> + No one cared for the corpse beneath the oak, and there it lay till + evening, when one Purkiss, a charcoal-burner of the forest hamlet of + Minestead, came by, lifted it up, and carried it on his rude cart, which + dripped with the blood flowing from the wound, to Winchester. + </p> + <p> + There the cathedral clergy buried it in a black stone coffin, ridged like + the roof of a house, beneath the tower of the cathedral, many people + looking on, but few grieving, and some deeming it shame that so wicked a + man should be allowed to lie within a church. These thought it a judgment, + when, next year, the tower fell down over the grave, and it was rebuilt a + little further westward with some of the treasure Bishop Walkelyn had + left. Never did any man’s history more awfully show a hardened, impenitent + heart, going back again to sin after a great warning, then cut off by an + instantaneous death, in the full tide of prosperity, in the very height of + health and strength—for he was but in his fortieth year. + </p> + <p> + A spur of William Rufus is still preserved at the forest town of + Lyndhurst; Purkiss’s descendant still dwells at Minestead; part of the way + by which he travelled is called the King’s Lane, and the oak long remained + at Stoney Cross to mark the spot where the King fell; and when, in 1745, + the remains of the wood mouldered away, a stone was set up in its place; + but the last of the posterity of William the Conqueror’s “high deer” were + condemned in the course of the year 1831. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Minestead churl, whose wonted trade + Was burning charcoal in the glade, + Outstretched amid the gorse + The monarch found: and in his wain + He raised, and to St. Swithin’s fane + Conveyed the bleeding corse. + + And still—so runs our forest creed— + Flourish the pious woodman’s seed, + Even in the self-same spot: + One horse and cart, their little store, + Like their forefather’s, neither more + Nor less, their children’s lot. + + And still in merry Tyndhurst hall + Red William’s stirrup decks the wall; + Who lists, the sight may see. + And a fair stone in green Mai wood, + Informs the traveller where stood + The memorable tree. + + Thus in those fields the Red King died, + His father wasted in his pride, + For it is God’s command + Who doth another’s birthright rive, + The curse unto his blood shall cleave, + And God’s own word shall stand. +</pre> + <p> + Who killed William Rufus? is a question to which the answer becomes more + doubtful in proportion to our knowledge of history. Suspicion attached of + course to Tyrrel, but he never owned that the shaft, either by design or + accident, came from his bow, and no one was there to bear witness. Some + think Henry Beauclerc might be guilty of the murder, and he was both + unscrupulous enough and prompt enough in taking advantage of the + circumstance, to give rise to the belief. Anselm was in Auvergne when he + heard of the King’s death, and he is said to have wept at the tidings. He + soon received a message from Henry inviting him to return to England, + where he was received with due respect, and found that, outwardly at + least, order and regularity were restored in Church matters, and the + clergy possessed their proper influence. Great promises were made to them + and to the Saxons; and the hated favorite of William, Ralph Flambard, was + in prison in the Tower. However, he contrived to make his escape by the + help of two barrels, one containing wine, with which he intoxicated his + keepers, the other a rope, by which he let himself down from the window. + He went to Robert of Normandy, remained with him some time, but at last + made his peace with Henry, and in his old age was a tolerably respectable + Bishop of Durham. + </p> + <p> + Anselm was in favor at court, owing to the influence of the “good Queen + Maude,” and he tried to bring about a reformation of the luxuries then + prevalent especially long curls, which had come into fashion with the + Normans of late. Like St. Wulstan, he carried a knife to clip them, but + without making much impression on the gay youths, till one of them + happened to dream that the devil was strangling him with his own long + hair, waked in a fright, cut it all off, and made all his friends do so + too. + </p> + <p> + As long as Henry was afraid of having his crown disputed by Robert, he + took care to remain on excellent terms with the Church, and Anselm + supported him with all his influence when Robert actually asserted his + rights; but when the danger was over, the strife between Church and State + began again. In 1103, Henry appointed four bishops, and required Anselm to + consecrate them, but as they all had received the staff and ring from the + King, and paid homage for their lands, he considered that he could not do + so, conformably with the decree of the Lateran Council against lay + investiture. Henry was much displeased, and ordered the Archbishop of York + to consecrate them; but two of them, convinced by Anselm, returned the + staff and ring, and would not be consecrated by any one but their true + primate. + </p> + <p> + Henry said that one archbishop must consecrate all or none, and the whole + Church was in confusion. Anselm, though now very old, offered to go and + consult the Pope, Paschal II., and the King consented; but when Paschal + decided that lay investiture was unlawful, Henry was so much displeased + that he forbade the archbishop to return to England. + </p> + <p> + The old man returned to his former Abbey of Bec, and thus remained in + exile till 1107, when a general adjustment of the whole question took + place. The bishops were to take from the altar the ring and staff, emblems + of spiritual power, and to pay homage to the king for their temporal + possessions. The election was to belong to the cathedral clergy, subject + to the King’s approval. The usual course became that the King should send + to the chapter a <i>congé d’élire</i>, that is, permission to elect, but + accompanied by a recommendation of some particular person; and this + nominee of the crown was so constantly chosen, that the custom of sending + a <i>congé d’élire</i> has become only a form, which, however, is an + assertion of the rights of the Church. + </p> + <p> + A similar arrangement with regard to the presentation of bishops was + accepted in 1122 by Henry V. of Germany, who married Matilda, the daughter + of Henry I. + </p> + <p> + After the arrangement in 1107, Anselm returned to England, and good Queen + Maude came to meet him and show him every honor. His last year was spent + at Canterbury, in a state of weakness and infirmity, terminated by his + death on the 21st of April, 1109. + </p> + <p> + A gentle, studious man was the pious Anselm, our second Italian + archbishop, thrust into the rude combat of the world against his will, and + maintaining his cause and the cause of the Church with untiring meekness + and quiet resolution. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XIII. THE FIRST CRUSADE. (1095-1100.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + William II. + + <i>King of France</i>. + Philippe II. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + Heinrich IV. + + <i>Pope</i>. + Urban II. +</pre> + <p> + In the November of 1095 was seen such a sight as the world never afforded + before nor since. The great plain of La Limagne, in Auvergne, shut in by + lofty volcanic mountains of every fantastic and rugged form, with the + mighty Puy de Dome rising royally above them, was scattered from one + boundary to the other with white tents, and each little village was + crowded with visitants. The town of Clermont, standing on an elevation + commanding the whole extent of the plain, was filled to overflowing, and + contained a guest before whom all bowed in reverence—the Pope + himself—Urban II., whom the nations of the West were taught to call + the Father of Christendom. Four hundred Bishops and Abbots had met him + there, other clergy to the amount of 4,000, and princes, nobles, knights, + and peasants, in numbers estimated at 30,000. Every one’s eye was, + however, chiefly turned on a spare and sunburnt man, of small stature, and + rude, mean appearance, wearing a plain, dark serge garment, girt by a cord + round his waist, his head and feet bare, and a crucifix in his hand. All + looked on his austere face with the veneration they would have shown to a + saint, and with the curiosity with which those are regarded who have dared + many strange perils. He was Peter the Hermit, of Picardy, who had + travelled on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; had there witnessed the dreadful + profanities of the infidels, and the sufferings they inflicted on the + faithful; had conversed with the venerable Patriarch Simeon; nay, it was + said, while worshipping at the Holy Sepulchre, had heard a voice calling + on him to summon the nations to the rescue of these holy spots. It was the + tenth day of the council at Clermont, and in spite of the severe cold, the + clergy assembled in the open air on the wide space in front of the dark + stone cathedral, then, as now, unfinished. There was need that all should + hear, and no building could contain the multitudes gathered at their + summons. A lofty seat had been raised for the Pope, and Peter the Hermit + stood by his side. + </p> + <p> + All was silence as the Hermit stood forth, and, crucifix in hand, poured + forth his description of the blasphemy of the infidels, the desolation of + the sacred places, and the misery of the Christians. He had seen the very + ministers of God insulted, beaten, even put to, death: he had seen + sacrilege, profanation, cruelty; and as he described them, his voice + became stifle, and his eyes streamed with tears. + </p> + <p> + When he ceased, Urban arose, and strengthened each word he had spoken, + till the whole assembly were weeping bitterly. “Yes, brethren,” said the + Pope, “let us weep for our sins, which have provoked the anger of heaven; + let us weep for the captivity of Zion. But woe to us if our barren pity + leaves the inheritance of the Lord any longer in the hands of his foes.” + </p> + <p> + Then he called on them to take up arms for the deliverance of the Holy + Land. “If you live,” said he, “you will possess the kingdoms of the East; + if you die, you will be owned in heaven as the soldiers of the Lord; Let + no love of home detain you; behold only the shame and sufferings of the + Christians, hear only the groans of Jerusalem, and remember that the Lord + has said, ‘He that loveth his father or mother more than Me is not worthy + of Me. Whoso shall leave house, or father, or mother, or wife, or + children, and all that he has, for My sake, shall receive an hundredfold, + and in the world to come eternal life.’” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Deus vult; Deus vult;</i>”—It is God’s will—broke as with + one voice from the assembly, echoing from the hills around, and pealing + with a voice like thunder. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is God’s will,” again spoke Urban, “Let these words be your + war-cry, and keep you ever in mind that the Lord of Hosts is with you.” + Then holding on high the Cross—“Our Lord himself presents you His + own Cross, the sign raised aloft to gather the dispersed of Israel. Bear + it on your shoulders and your breast; let it shine on your weapons and + your standards. It will be the pledge of victory or the palm of martyrdom, + and remind you, that, as your Saviour died for you, so you ought to die + for Him.” Outcries of different kinds broke out, but all were for the holy + war. Adhemar de Monteil, Bishop of Puy, a neighboring See, first asked for + the Cross, and thousands pressed after him, till the numbers of Crosses + failed that had been provided, and the cardinals and other principal + persons tore up their robes to furnish more. + </p> + <p> + The crusading spirit spread like circles from a stone thrown into the + water, as the clergy of the council carried their own excitement to their + homes, and the hosts who took the Cross were beyond all reckoning. On the + right or wrong of the Crusades, it is useless as well as impossible to + attempt to decide. It was doubtless a spirit of religion, and not of + self-interest, that prompted them; they were positively the best way of + checking the progress of Mahometanism and the incursions of its + professors, and they were undertaken with far purer intentions than those + with which they were carried on. That they afterward turned to great + wickedness, is not to be denied; some of the degenerate Crusaders of the + latter days were among the wickedest of mankind, and the misuse of the + influence they gave the Popes became a source of some of the worst + practices of the Papacy. Already Pope Urban was taking on him to declare + that a man who perished in the Crusade was sure of salvation, and his + doctrine was still further perverted and falsified till it occasioned + endless evils. + </p> + <p> + Yet, in these early days, joined with many a germ of evil, was a grandeur + of thought, a self-devotion, and truly religious spirit, which will hardly + allow us to call the first Crusade other than a glorious and a Holy War. + </p> + <p> + It was time, politically speaking, to carry the war into the enemy’s + quarters, and repress the second wave of Mahometan conquest. Islam + [Footnote: Islam, meaning “the faith;” it is a barbarism to speak of the + faith of Islam.] has often been called the religion of the sword, and + Mahomet and his Arabic successors, under the first impulse, conquered + Syria, Persia, Northern Africa, and Spain, and met their first check at + Tours from Charles Martel. These, the Saracen Arabs, were a generous race, + no persecutors, and almost friendly to the Christians, contenting + themselves with placing them under restrictions, and exacting from them a + small tribute. After the first great overflow, the tide had somewhat + ebbed, and though a brave and cultivated people, they were everywhere + somewhat giving way on their orders before the steady resistance of the + Christians. Probably, if they had continued in Palestine, there would have + been no Crusades. + </p> + <p> + But some little time before the eleventh century, a second flood began to + rush from the East. A tribe of Tartars, called Turcomans, or Turks, + embraced Mahometanism, and its precepts of aggression, joining with the + warrior-spirit of the Tartar, impelled them forward. + </p> + <p> + They subdued and slaughtered the Saracens of Syria, made wide conquests in + Asia Minor, winning towns of the Greek Empire beyond where the Saracens + had ever penetrated, and began to threaten the borders of Christendom. + They were very different masters from the Arabs. Active in body, but + sluggish in mind, ignorant and cruel, they destroyed and overthrew what + the Saracens had spared, disregarded law, and capriciously ill-treated and + slaughtered their Christian subjects and the pilgrims who fell into their + hands. It was against these savage Turks that the first Crusade was + directed. + </p> + <p> + Peter the Hermit soon gathered together a confused multitude of peasants, + women, and children, with whom he set out, together with a German knight + named Walter, and called by his countrymen by the expressive name <i>Habe + Nichts</i>, translated into French, <i>Sans avoir</i>, and less happily + rendered in English, <i>The Penniless</i>. They were a poor, ignorant, + half-armed set, who so little knew what they were undertaking, that at + every town they came to they would ask if that was Jerusalem. Peter must + either have been beyond measure thoughtless, or have expected a miracle to + help him, for he set out to lead these poor creatures the whole length of + Europe without provisions. They marauded on the inhabitants of the + countries through which they passed; the inhabitants revenged themselves + and killed them, and the whole wretched host were cut off, chiefly in + Hungary and Bulgaria, and Peter himself seems to have been the only man + who escaped. + </p> + <p> + A better-appointed army, consisting of the very flower of chivalry of + Europe, had in the meantime assembled to follow the same path, though in a + different manner. + </p> + <p> + First in name and honor was Godfrey de Bouillon, Duke of Lorraine, one of + the most noble characters whom history records. He was pure in life, + devotedly pious, merciful, gentle, and a perfect observer of his word, at + the same time that his talents and wisdom were very considerable; he was a + finished warrior, expert in every exercise of chivalry, of gigantic + strength, and highly renowned as a leader. He had been loyal to the + Emperor Henry IV. through the war which had taken place in consequence of + his excommunication by Gregory VII. He had killed in battle the rebellious + competitor for the imperial crown, who, when dying from a wound by which + he had lost his right hand, exclaimed, “With this hand I swore fealty to + Henry; cursed be they who led me to break my oath.” Godfrey had likewise + been the first to scale the walls of Rome, when Henry IV. besieged Gregory + there; but he, in common with many others of the besieging force, soon + after suffered severely from malaria fever—the surest way in which + modern Rome chastises her invaders; and thinking his illness a judgment + for having taken part against the Pope, he vowed to make a pilgrimage to + Jerusalem. Soon after, the Crusade was preached, and Godfrey was glad to + fulfil his vow with his good sword in his hand, while Pope and princes + wisely agreed that such a chieftain was the best they could choose for + their expedition. + </p> + <p> + Many another great name was there: Raymond, the wise Count of Toulouse; + the crafty Boemond, one of the Normans of Sicily; his gallant cousin, + Tancred, a mirror of chivalry, the Achilles of the Crusade; but our limits + will only allow us to dwell on those through whom the Crusade is connected + with English history. + </p> + <p> + The Anglo-Normans had not been so forward in the Crusade as their + enterprising nature would have rendered probable, but the fact was, that, + with such a master as William Rufus, no one felt that he could leave his + home in anything like security. Helie de la Flèche, Count de Maine, + [Footnote: Robert of Normandy had been betrothed in his childhood to the + heiress of Maine, but she died before she was old enough for the marriage + to take place. In right of this intended marriage, the Norman Kings + claimed Maine, though Helie was the next heir.] took the Cross, and asked + William for some guarantee that his lands should not be molested. “You may + go where you like,” said William; “I mean to have your city. What my + father had, I will have.” + </p> + <p> + “It is mine by right,” said Helie; “I will plead it with you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will plead, too.” said William; “but my lawyers will be spears and + arrows.” + </p> + <p> + “I have taken the Cross; my land is under Christ’s own protection.” + </p> + <p> + “I only warn you,” said William, “that if you go, I shall pay the good + town of Mans a visit, with a thousand lances at my heel.” + </p> + <p> + So Helie stayed at home, and in two years’ time was made a prisoner when + in a wood with only seven knights. Mans was seized, and he was brought + before the King. “I have you now, my master,” said William. + </p> + <p> + “By chance,” said Helie; “but if I were free, I know what I would do.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do, you knave?” said William. “Hence, go, fly, I give you + leave to do all you can; and if you catch me, I ask nothing in return.” + </p> + <p> + Helie was set at liberty, and the next year, while William was absent in + England, managed to retake Mans. The Red King was hunting in the New + Forest when he heard the tidings; he turned his horse’s head and galloped + away, as his father had once done, with the words, “He who loves me, will + follow.” He threw himself into a ship, and ordered the sails to be set, + though the wind was so boisterous that the sailors begged him to wait. + “Fools,” he said, “did you ever hear of a drowned king?” He cruelly + ravaged Maine, but could not take the city, and, having been slightly + wounded, returned to meet his fate in the New Forest. + </p> + <p> + After this story, no one could wonder that it required a great deal of + enthusiasm to persuade a man to leave his inheritance exposed to the grasp + of the Red King, who, unlike other princes, set at nought the anathemas by + which the Pope guarded the lands of absent Crusaders. Stephen, Count de + Blois, the husband of William’s sister Adela, took the Cross. He was wise + in counsel, and learned, and a letter which he wrote to his wife is one of + the chief authorities for the early part of the expedition; but his health + was delicate, and it was also said that his personal courage was not + unimpeachable; at any rate, he soon returned home. + </p> + <p> + One of the foremost of the Crusaders was, however, our own Norman Prince, + Robert Courtheuse. Every one knows the deep stain of disobedience on + Robert’s early life; and yet so superior was he to his brothers in every + point of character, that it is impossible not to regard him with a sort of + affection, though the motto of his whole career might be, “Unstable as + water, thou shalt not excel.” + </p> + <p> + Never was man more completely the tool of every villain who gained his + ready ear. It was the whisper of evil counsellors that fired his jealousy + of his young brothers, and drove him into rebellion against his father; + the evil counsel of William led him to persecute Henry, loving him all the + time: and when in possession of his dukedom, his careless, profuse habits + kept him in constant poverty, while his idle good-nature left unpunished + the enormities of the barons who made his country miserable. + </p> + <p> + But in generosity he never failed; he heartily loved his brothers, while + duped and injured by them again and again; he always meant to be true and + faithful, and never failed, except from hastiness and weakness; and while + William was infidel, and Henry hypocritical, he was devout and sincere in + faith, though miserably defective in practice. + </p> + <p> + The Crusade was the happiest and most respectable period of his life, and + no doubt he never was more light-hearted than when he delivered over to + William the mortgage of his dukedom, with all its load of care, and + received in return the sum of money squeezed by his brother from all the + unfortunate convents in England, but which Robert used to equip his brave + knights and men-at-arms, assisted by some of the treasures of his uncle, + Bishop Odo, who had taken the Cross, but was too feeble and infirm to + commence the expedition. + </p> + <p> + The Crusaders were not sufficiently advanced in the knowledge of + navigation to attempt to enter Palestine by sea, and they therefore + traversed Germany, Hungary, and the Greek Empire, trusting to the Emperor + Alexis Comnenus to give them the means of crossing the Hellespont. Alexis + was in great dread of his warlike guests; the schism between the Greek and + Roman Churches caused continual heart-burnings; and at the same time he + considered, very naturally, that all the lands in the East at present + occupied by the Mahometans were his right. He would not, therefore, ferry + over the Crusaders to Asia till they had sworn allegiance to him for all + that they might conquer, and it was a long time before Godfrey would + comply. At last, however, on condition that the Greeks would furnish them + with guides and reinforcements, they took the oaths; but as Alexis did not + fulfil his part of the engagement, they did not consider themselves bound + to him. + </p> + <p> + At Nicea, the Crusading army, of nineteen different nations, of whom + 100,000 were horse and 500,000 infantry, came in sight of the Turks, and, + after a long siege and several hotly-contested battles, won the town. They + continued their march, but with much suffering and difficulty; Raymond of + Toulouse had an illness which almost brought him to the grave, and Godfrey + himself was seriously injured by a bear, which he had attacked to save the + life of a poor soldier who was in danger from its hug. He killed the bear, + but his thigh was much torn, and he was a long time recovering from the + effects of his encounter. + </p> + <p> + At the siege of Antioch were their chief disasters; they suffered from + hunger, disease, inundations of the Orontes, attacks of the enemy, until + the living were hardly enough to bury the dead. The courage of many gave + way; Robert of Normandy retired to Laodicea, and did not return till he + had been three times summoned in the name of the Christian Faith; and + Peter the Hermit himself, a man of more enthusiasm than steadiness, began + to despair, and secretly fled from the camp in the night. As his defection + would have done infinite harm to the cause, Tancred pursued him and + brought him back to the camp, and Godfrey obliged him to swear that he + would not again leave them. In the spring of 1098 a great battle took + place, in which Godfrey, Robert, and Tancred each performed feats of the + highest prowess. In the midst of the battle, Tancred made his esquire + swear never to reveal his exploits, probably as a mortification of his own + vanity in hearing them extolled. After a siege of more than seven months, + Boemond effected an entrance by means of an understanding with some of the + Eastern Christians within the town. It was taken, with great slaughter, + and became a principality ruled by the Sicilian Norman. + </p> + <p> + Another great victory opened the way to Palestine, and the Crusaders + advanced, though still very slowly. During the march, one of the knights, + named Geoffroi de la Tour, is said to have had a curious adventure. He was + hunting in a forest, when he came upon a lion struggling in the folds of a + huge serpent; he killed the serpent, and released the lion, which + immediately fawned upon him and caressed him. It followed him + affectionately throughout the Crusade, but when he embarked to return to + Europe, the sailors refused to admit the lion into their vessel. The + faithful creature plunged into the sea to follow its master, swam till its + strength was exhausted, and then sank and was drowned. [Footnote: + Michaud’s <i>Histoire des Croisades</i> gives this story from two + authorities.] + </p> + <p> + It was on a glowing morning of June, 1098, that the Crusading host, + Tancred first of all, came in sight of the object of all their toils—the + City set upon a Hill. + </p> + <p> + There it stood, four-square, on the steep, solid, fortification-like + rocks, rising from the rugged ravines, Kedron, Siloam, Jehoshaphat, + Gehenna, that form, as it were, a deep moat round the walls, and natural + defences, bulwarks planted by the Lord’s own hand around His own City, + while He was still her Tower of Salvation, and had not left her to the + spoiler. There stood the double walls, the low-built, flat-roofed, + windowless houses, like so many great square blocks, here and there + interspersed with a few cypresses and aloes, the mighty Tower of David, + the Cross of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and far above it, alas! the + dome of the Mosque of Omar, with its marble gates and porphyry pillars, on + the flat space on Mount Moriah, where the Temple had once flashed back the + sunlight from its golden roof. + </p> + <p> + Jerusalem, enslaved and profaned, but Jerusalem still; the Holy City, the + mountain whither all nations should turn to worship, the sacred name that + had been spoken with reverence in every holiest lesson, the term of all + the toils they had undergone. “Jerusalem! Jerusalem!” cried the foremost + ranks. Down fell on their knees—nay, even prostrate on their faces—each + cross-bearing warrior, prince and knight, page and soldier. Some shouted + for joy, some kissed the very ground as a sacred thing, some wept aloud at + the thought of the sins they had brought with them, and the sight of the + tokens of Zion’s captivity—the Dome and the Crescent. Then once more + their war-cry rose as with one voice, and Mount Zion and Mount Olivet + echoed it back to them, “<i>Deus vult! Deus vult!</i>” as to answer that + the time was come. + </p> + <p> + But Jerusalem was only in sight—not yet won; and the Crusaders had + much to suffer, encamped on the soil of iron, beneath the sky of brass, + which is part of the doom of Judea. The vineyards, cornfields, and + olive-trees of ancient times had given place to aridity and desolation; + and the Christian host endured much from heat, thirst, and hunger, while + their assaults on the walls were again and again repelled. They pressed + forward their attacks as much as possible, since they could not long exist + where they were. + </p> + <p> + Three great wooden towers were erected, consisting of different stages or + stories, where the warriors stood, while they were wheeled up to the + walls. Godfrey, Raymond, and Tancred each had the direction of one of + these towers, and on the fourteenth of July the general assault began. The + Turks, on their side, showered on them arrows, heavy stones, and Greek + fire—an invention consisting of naphtha and other inflammable + materials, which, when once ignited, could not be quenched by water, but + only by vinegar. It was cast from hollow tubes, and penetrating the armor + of the Christians, caused frightful agonies. + </p> + <p> + Raymond’s tower was broken down or burnt; Godfrey and Tancred fought on, + almost overpowered, their warriors falling round them, the enemy shouting + with joy and deriding them. At the moment when the Crusaders were all but + giving way, a horseman was seen on the Mount of Olives, his radiant armor + glittering in the sun, and raising on high a white shield marked with the + red Cross. “St. George! St. George!” cried Godfrey’s soldiers; “the Saints + fight for us! <i>Deus vult! Deus vult!</i>” and on they rushed again in an + ecstasy of enthusiasm that nothing could resist. Some broke through a + half-opened breach, some dashed from the wooden towers, some scaled the + fortifications by their ladders, the crowd came over the walls like a + flood, and swept all before them with the fury of that impulse. + </p> + <p> + There was a frightful slaughter; the Crusaders, brought up in a pitiless + age, looked on the Saracens as devoted to the sword, like the Canaanite + nations, and spared not woman or child. The streets streamed with blood, + and the more merciful chieftains had not power to restrain the carnage. + Raymond did indeed save those who had taken refuge in the Tower of David, + and Tancred sent three hundred in the Mosque of Omar his own good pennon + to protect them, but in vain; some of the other Crusaders massacred them, + to his extreme indignation, as he declared his knightly word was + compromised. + </p> + <p> + Godfrey had fought on as long as resistance lasted, then he threw himself + from his horse, laid aside his helmet and gauntlets, bared his feet, and + ascended the hill of Calvary. It was Friday, and the ninth hour of the + day, when the Christian chief entered the circular-vaulted church, and + descended, weeping at once for joy and for sorrow, into the subterranean + crypt, lighted with silver lamps—the Holy Sepulchre itself, where + his Lord had lain, and which he had delivered. Far from the sound of + tumult and carnage, there he knelt in humility and thankfulness, and in + time the rest of the chieftains gathered thither also—Tancred guided + by the chant of the Greek Christians who had taken refuge in the church. + Peter the Hermit sang mass at the altar, and thus night sunk down on + Jerusalem and the victorious Christians. + </p> + <p> + The following days confirmed the conquest, and councils began to be held + on the means of securing it. A King was to be elected, and it is said that + the crown was offered to Robert of Normandy, and declined by him. + Afterward, by universal consent, Godfrey de Bouillon was chosen to be King + of Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + He accepted the office, with all its toils and perils, but he would + neither bear the title nor crown. He chose to leave the title of King of + Jerusalem to Him to whom alone it belonged; he would not wear a crown of + gold where that King had Worn a crown of thorns, and he kept only his + knightly helmet, with the title of Defender and Baron of the Holy + Sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + Well did he fulfil his trust, ever active, and meeting the infidels with + increasing energy wherever they attacked him; but it was only for one + year. The climate undermined his health; he fell sick of a fever, and died + in July, 1100, just one year from the taking of Jerusalem. He lies buried + in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, beneath a stone bearing these words: + “Here lieth the victorious Duke Godfrey de Bouillon, who won all this land + to the Christian faith. May whose soul reign with Christ.” His good sword + is also still kept in the same church, and was long used to dub the + Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XIV. THE ETHELING FAMILY. (1010-1159.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + Knute and his sons. + Edward. + Harold. + William I. + William II. + Henry I. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + Henry I. + Philippe I. + Louis VI. +</pre> + <p> + When, in 1016, the stout-hearted Edmund Ironside was murdered by Edric + Streona, he left two infant sons, Edmund and Edward, who fell into the + power of Knute. + </p> + <p> + These children were placed, soon after, under the care of Olaf Scotkonung, + King of Sweden, who had been an ally of their grandfather’s, and had sent + to England to request that teachers of the Gospel might come to him. By + these English clergy he had been baptized, and his country converted, so + that they probably induced him to intercede with Knute for the orphan + princes. Shortly after, a war broke out between Denmark and Sweden, and + Olaf, believing, perhaps, that the boys were unsafe in the North, where + Knute’s power was so great, transferred them to Buda, to the care of + Stephen, King of Hungary. + </p> + <p> + It was a happy home for them. Stephen, the first king of Hungary, was a + most noble character, a conqueror and founder of a kingdom, humble, + devout, pious, and so charitable that he would go about in disguise, + seeking for distressed persons. He was a great lawgiver, and drew up an + admirable code, in which he was assisted by his equally excellent son + Emeric, and was the first person who in any degree civilized the Magyar + race. His son Emeric died before him, leaving no children; and, after + three years of illness, Stephen himself expired in 1038. His name has ever + since been held in high honor, and his arched crown, half-Roman, + half-Byzantine, was to the Hungarians what St. Edward’s crown is to us. + After Hungary was joined to the German Empire, there was still a separate + coronation for it, and it was preserved in the castle of Buda, under a + guard of sixty-four soldiers, until the rebellion of 1848, when it was + stolen by the insurgents, and has never since been recovered. + </p> + <p> + After Stephen’s death, there was a civil war between the heathen Magyars + and the Christians, ending in the victory of the latter, and the + establishment of Andrew in the kingdom. This was in 1051, and it was + probably the sister-in-law of this Andrew whom the Saxon prince Edward + married. All we are told about her is, that her name was Agatha, and that + she was learned and virtuous. + </p> + <p> + In 1058, Edward, the only survivor of the brothers, was invited by his + cousin, the childless Confessor, to return to England, and there be owned + as Etheling, or heir to the crown. He came, but after his forty years’ + absence from his native country, his language, habits, and manners were so + unlike those of the English, that he was always known by the name of + Edward the Stranger. + </p> + <p> + After two years, both the Stranger and his wife Agatha died, leaving three + young children, Christina, Margaret, and Edgar, of whom the boy was the + youngest. His only inheritance, poor child, was his title of Etheling, + declaring a claim which was likely to be his greatest peril. Edward the + Confessor passed him entirely over in disposing of his kingdom; and as he + was but six, or, as some say, ten years old, Harold seems to have feared + no danger from him, but left him at liberty within the city of London. + </p> + <p> + There he remained while the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings were + fought, and there, when the tidings came that the Normans had conquered, + the little child was led forth, while a proclamation was made before him + that Edgar was King of England. But it was only a few faithful citizens + that thus upheld the young descendant of Alfred. Some were faint-hearted, + others were ambitious; Edwin and Morkar said they would support him if the + bishops would; the bishops declared that the Pope favored the Normans. The + Conqueror was advancing, and from the walls of London the glare of flame + might be seen, as he burnt the villages of Hertfordshire and Surrey, and + soon the camp was set up without the walls, and the Conqueror lodging in + King Edward’s own palace of Westminster. The lame Alderman Ansgard was + carried in his litter to hold secret conference with him, and returned + with promises of security for lives and liberties, if the citizens would + admit and acknowledge King William. They dreaded the dangers of a seige, + and gladly accepted his proposal, threw open their gates, and came forth + in procession to Westminster to present him with the keys, basely carrying + with them the helpless boy whom they had a few weeks before owned as their + king. + </p> + <p> + Edgar was a fair child, of the old Saxon stamp of beauty, with flaxen hair + and blue eyes; and the Duke of Normandy, harsh as he usually was, received + him affectionately. Perhaps he thought of his own orphanhood at the same + age, and the many perils through which he had been preserved, and pitied + the boy deprived of his kingdom, without one faithful hand raised to + protect him, and betrayed to his enemies. He took him in his arms, kissed + him, promised him favors and kindness, and never broke the promise. + </p> + <p> + For the next two years Edgar remained at the court of William, until the + general spirit of hatred of the Normans began to incite the Saxons to rise + against them. Cospatric, Earl of Durham, thought it best to secure the + safety of the royal children, and, secretly withdrawing Edgar and his two + sisters from the court, he embarked with them for the Continent, intending + to take them to their mother’s home in Hungary. + </p> + <p> + Contrary winds drove the ship to Scotland, and there the orphans were + brought to King Malcolm III. Never had an apparent misfortune been in + truth a greater blessing. Malcolm had but seven years before been himself + a wandering exile, sheltered in the court of Edward the Confessor, after + his father, the gracious Duncan, was murdered, and the usurper Macbeth on + the throne. He had venerated the saintly Confessor, and remembered the + untimely death of the Stranger, which had left these children friendless + in what was to them a foreign land; and he owed his restoration to his + throne to the Saxon army under old Siward Bjorn. Glad to repay his + obligations, he conducted the poor wanderers to his castle of Dumfermline, + treated them according to their rank, and promised to assert Edgar’s claim + to the crown. + </p> + <p> + He accordingly advanced into England, where, in many places, partial + risings were being made on behalf of “England’s darling,” as the Saxon + ballads called young Edgar, after his ancestor Alfred. It was, however, + all in vain: Malcolm did not arrive till the English had been defeated on + the banks of the Tyne, and the Normans avenging their insurrection by such + cruel devastation, that nine years after the commissioners of Domesday + Book found no inhabitants nor cultivation to record between York and + Durham. + </p> + <p> + There is some confusion in both the English and Scottish histories + respecting Malcom’s exertions in Edgar’s cause; indeed, the Border warfare + was always going on, and now and then the King took part in it. At length + William and Malcolm, each at the head of an army, met in Galloway, and + after standing at bay for some days, entered into a treaty. Malcolm paid + homage to the English King for the two Lothians and Cumberland, and at the + same time secured the safety of Edgar Etheling. The boy solemnly renounced + all claim to the English crown, engaging never to molest the Conqueror or + his children in their possession of it; while, on the other hand, he was + endowed with estates in England, and a pension of a mark of silver a day + was settled upon him. He could not at this time have been more than + fourteen—there is more reason to think he was but ten years old—but + the oath that he then took he kept with the most unshaken fidelity, in the + midst of temptations, and of examples of successful perjury. + </p> + <p> + He returned with his friend to Scotland, where, the next year, his + beautiful sister Margaret consented to become the wife of their host, the + King Malcolm; but Christina, the other sister, preferred a conventual + life, though she seems for the present to have continued with Margaret at + Dumfermline. + </p> + <p> + Gentle Margaret, bred in some quiet English convent; taught by her mother + to remember the Greek cultivation and holy learning of good King Stephen’s + court; perhaps blessed by the tender hand of pious Edward the Confessor, + and trained by the sweet rose, Edith, sprung from the thorn, Godwin; she + must have felt desolate and astray among the rude, savage Scots, wild + chiefs of clans, owning no law, full of brawling crime and violence, too + strong to be kept in order by force, and their wives almost as untamed and + rude as themselves. Her husband was a rough, untutored warrior, ruling by + the main force of a strong hand, and asking counsel of his own honest + heart and ready wit, but perfectly ignorant, and probably uncouth in his + appearance, as his appellation of Cean Mohr means Great-head. + </p> + <p> + But Margaret was a true daughter of Alfred, and the traditions of the + Alfred of Hungary were fresh upon her, and, instead of sitting down to + cower alarmed amid the turmoils round her, she set herself to conquer the + evils in her own feminine way, by her performance of her queenly duties. + She was happy in her husband: Malcolm revered her saintly purity even more + than he loved her sweet, sunny, cheerful manner, or admired her surpassing + loveliness of person. He looked on her as something too precious and + tender for his wild, rugged court, and attended to her slightest bidding + with reverence, kissing her holy books which he could not read, and + interpreting her Saxon-spoken advice to his rude Celts. She even made him + help her to wash the feet of the poor, and aid her in disgusting offices + to the diseased, and his royal treasury was open to her to take all that + she desired for alms. Sometimes she would pretend to take it by stealth, + and Malcolm would catch her by the wrists and carry her to her confessor, + to ask if she was not a little thief who deserved to be well punished. In + his turn he would steal away her books, and bring them back after a time, + gilt and adorned with beautiful illuminations. + </p> + <p> + The love and reverence with which so bold a warrior treated her, together + with her own grace and dignity, had its effect on the unruly Scottish + chieftains, and not one of them ventured to use a profane word, or make an + unseemly jest before her. They had a rude, ungodly practice of starting + away from table without waiting for grace, and this the gentle queen + reformed by sending, as an especial gift from herself, a cup of wine to + all who remained. In after times the last cup was called, after her, St. + Margaret’s cup, or the grace-cup. + </p> + <p> + To improve the manners of the ladies, she gathered round her a number of + young girls, whom she brought up under her own eye, and she used to sit in + the midst of them, embroidering rich vestments for the service of the + Church, and permitting cheerful talk with the nobles whom she admitted—all + men of whose character she had a good opinion. She endeavored to reform + the Scottish Church which had become very sluggish, and did little to + contend with Highland savagery. There were only three Bishops and those + not with fixed sees. Margaret and her husband convened a synod, when + Margaret herself explained her views, and Malcolm interpreted. It was not + a usual order of things, but to themselves quite satisfactory, and + thenceforth the Scottish Church became assimilated to the rest of the + Western communion. It was a Saxon immigration: the Lowlands became more + English than England then was, and Scotch is still more like Saxon than + the tongue we speak. But the Celts bitterly hated the change; and + thenceforth the land was divided. + </p> + <p> + She was gay and playful; but her fasts and mortifications in secret were + very great. She cut off unnecessary food and sleep, and spent half the + night in prayer. She daily washed the feet of six poor people, and washed, + clothed, and fed nine orphan babes, besides relieving all who came to ask + her bounty, attending to the sick, and sending to ransom captives, + especially her own countrymen the English, lodging her rescued prisoners + in a hospital which she had founded, till they could be sent to their own + homes. + </p> + <p> + Leading this happy and holy life, Edgar left his sister about two years + after her marriage, upon an invitation from Philippe I. of France; but he + was shipwrecked on the coast of Normandy, and coming to Rouen, was kindly + received by William, and remained with him. A close friendship sprung up + between the disinherited Etheling and Robert the heir of Normandy, who was + only a year or two older. Both were brave, open-hearted, and generous, and + their love for each other endured, on Edgar’s side, through many a trial + and trouble. Happy would it have been for Robert had all his friends been + like Edgar Adeling, as the Normans called him. A few years more made Edgar + a fine young man, expert in the exercises of chivalry, and full of the + spirit of enterprise: but he did not join his friend in rebellion against + his father; and after Robert had quitted Rouen, never to return thither in + his father’s lifetime, he obtained permission from William to go on + pilgrimage, gave his pension for a fine horse, and set off for Italy with + two hundred knights, fought there, or in Sicily, against the Saracens, for + some time, and then continued his pilgrimage. + </p> + <p> + He returned through Constantinople, where many of the English fugitives + were serving in the Varangian guard. The Emperor Alexius Comnenus was much + pleased with him, and offered him high preferment if he would remain with + him; but Edgar loved his own country too well, and proceeded homeward. + </p> + <p> + He found a changed state of affairs on his arrival in Normandy. William + the Conqueror was dead, and Robert, with the aid of Henry Beauclerc, just + preparing to assert his right to the English crown against Red William. + Edgar Etheling offered his sword to assist his friend; but he was + shamefully treated. William came to Normandy, sought a conference with + Robert, cajoled or outwitted him into a treaty in which one of the + conditions was that he should withdraw his protection from both Edgar and + Henry, and deprive the former of all the lands in Normandy which their + father had given him. + </p> + <p> + Edgar retired to Scotland to his sister Margaret, whom he found the mother + of nine children, continuing the same peaceful, active life in which he + had left her, and her holy influence telling more and more upon her court. + Many Saxons had come to live in the lowlands of Scotland, and the habits + and manners of the court of Dumfermline were being fast modelled on those + of Westminster in the time of Edward and Edith. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm and William Rufus were at war, and Edgar accompanied his + brother-in-law to the banks of the Tyne, where they were met by William + and Robert. No battle took place; but Edgar and Robert, meeting on behalf + of the two kings, arranged a treaty of peace. In return for this service, + William permitted Edgar to return to England, being perhaps persuaded by + Robert and Malcolm that the English prince was a man of his word, though + to his own hindrance. + </p> + <p> + The peace, thus effected did not last long, most unhappily for Scotland. + Malcolm, with his two eldest sons, Edward and Edmund, invaded England, and + laid siege to Alnwick Castle, leaving the Queen at Edinburgh, seriously + ill. At Alnwick the Scottish army was routed, and Malcolm and Edward were + slain. The tradition is, that one of the garrison pretended to surrender + the castle, by giving the keys, through a window, on the point of a lance; + [Footnote: Curiously in accordance with this story we find, in the Bayeux + tapestry, the surrender of Dinan represented by the delivery of the keys + in this manner to William the Conqueror.] but that he treacherously thrust + the weapon into the eye of Malcolm, and thus killed him. The story adds + that thus the soldier acquired the name of Pierce-eye, or Percy; which is + evidently incorrect, since the Percys of Alnwick trace their origin to + William de Albini, who married Henry Beauclerc’s second queen, Alice of + Louvain. + </p> + <p> + An instant disturbance prevailed on the King’s death. His army fled in + dismay; his corpse was left on the ground, till a peasant carried it to + Tynemouth; his men were dispersed, slain, or drowned in their flight; his + young son Edmund, a stripling of eighteen or nineteen, just contrived to + escape to Edinburgh Castle. The first tidings that met him there were, + that his mother was dying; that she lay on her bed in great anxiety for + her husband and sons, and finding no solace except in holding a fragment + of the true Cross pressed to her lips, and repeating the fifty-first + Psalm. + </p> + <p> + The poor youth, escaped from a lost battle, and bearing such dreadful + tidings, was led to her presence at once. + </p> + <p> + “How fares it with your father and brother?” said she. + </p> + <p> + He feared to tell her all, and tried to answer, “Well;” but she perceived + how it was too plainly, and holding out the Holy Cross, commanded him to + speak the truth. “They are slain, mother—both slain!” + </p> + <p> + Margaret’s thoughts must have rushed back to the twenty-three years of + uninterrupted affection she had enjoyed with her lord, to her gallant son, + slain in his first battle, and onward to the unprotected state of the + seven orphans she left in the wild kingdom. Agony indeed it was; but she + blessed Him who sent it. “All praise be to Thee, everlasting God, who hast + made me to suffer such anguish in my death.” + </p> + <p> + She lingered on a few hours longer, while storms raged around. The wild + Celts hated Malcolm’s improvements and Saxon arts of peace, and his + brother Donald was placing himself at their head to deprive his lawful + brothers of their heritage. A troop of Highlanders were on their way to + besiege Edinburgh Castle, even when the holy Queen drew her last breath; + and her friends had barely time to admire the sweet peacefulness that had + spread over her wasted features, before they were forced to carry her + remains away in haste and secrecy, attended by her weeping, trembling + children, to Dumfermline Abbey, where she was buried. + </p> + <p> + Her children, seven in number (for Ethelred, the eldest, had died in + infancy), were left unprotected. Edmund was only eighteen, and timid and + gentle. Donald seized the crown; and the orphans remained in great danger, + till their brave uncle, Edgar Etheling, learnt the fatal tidings, and, + coming from England, fetched them all home with him, giving the two girls, + Edith and Mary, into the care of their aunt Christina, who was now Abbess + of Wilton. It was at some danger to himself that he took the desolate + children under his protection. A man named Orgar accused him to William + Rufus of intending to raise his nephews to the English crown. A knight, + named Goodwin, no doubt of Saxon blood, no sooner heard the aspersion, + than he answered by avowing the honor and faithfulness of his Etheling, + threw down his glove, and defied Orgar to single combat—“God show + the right.” It was shown; Orgar fell, and Saxons and Normans both + rejoiced, for the Etheling had made himself much beloved. + </p> + <p> + The Crusade was preached, and Robert invited Edgar to join in it; but he + could not forsake the charge of his sister’s children, and was forced to + remain at home. Revolutions, however, continued in Scotland. Donald was + overthrown by Duncan, a son of Malcolm, born long before his marriage; and + the Lowland Scots were impatient of the return to barbarism. Duncan was + killed, and Donald restored. Edgar hoped that his nephews might be + restored. Edmund had chosen to renounce the throne and embrace a religious + life; but the next in age, Edgar and Alexander, were spirited princes, and + eager to assert their right. + </p> + <p> + The Etheling had never shed blood to regain his own lost kingdom; but he + was a true knight-errant and redresser of wrongs. He asked leave from + William to raise a Saxon army to restore his nephew to the Scottish + throne; and such was the reliance that even the scoffer William had learnt + to place on his word, that it was granted. The English flocked with joy + round their “darling,” wishing, without doubt, that it was for the + restoration of the Saxon, instead of the Scottish Edgar, that they took up + arms. + </p> + <p> + At Durham the monks of St. Cuthbert intrusted to the Etheling their sacred + standard—a curious two-winged ensign, with a cross, that was carried + on a car. It was believed always to bring victory, and at the first sight + of it Donald’s men abandoned him, and went over to Edgar. Donald was made + prisoner, and soon after died. Young Edgar assumed the crown, sent for the + rest of his family, and had a happy and prosperous reign. + </p> + <p> + Had Edgar Etheling been selfish and ambitious, he might now, at the head + of his victorious Saxons, have had a fair chance of dethroning the tyrant + William; but instead of this, his thoughts were fixed on the Holy Land; + and embarking with his willing army, he came up with the Crusaders just in + time for the siege of Jerusalem, where the English, under “Edgar Adeling,” + fought gallantly in the assault in the portion of the army assigned to + Robert of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Edgar and Robert returned together, and visited the Normans of Apulia, + where Edgar had been some years before. Robert here fell in love with + Sybilla, the beautiful daughter of the Count of Conversana, and soon after + married her. It was in the midst of the wedding festivities that Ralph + Flambard, lately the wicked minister of William Rufus, arrived from + England, having escaped from prison, bringing the news that his master, + the Red King, was slain, and Henry Beauclerc wore the crown. The hasty + wrath of Duke Robert was quickly fanned by Ralph Flambard, and he set off + at once to attack his brother, and gain the kingdom which Henry had sworn + should be his. + </p> + <p> + However, on his arrival, he at first only amused himself with conducting + his bride through his dukedom, and being feasted at every castle. When two + knights of Maine came to tell him that Helie de la Flèche was besieging + their castles, he carelessly thanked them for their fidelity, but told + them he had rather gain a kingdom, than a county, and so that they should + make the best terms they could. + </p> + <p> + Sybilla’s dowry enabled Robert to raise a considerable army, and he had + likewise the support of most of the barons whose estates lay both in + Normandy and England, and who therefore preferred that the two states + should be united; whereas those who had only domains in England held with + Henry, wishing to be free from the elder and more powerful nobility of + Normandy. The Anglo-Saxons were for Henry, who had relieved them from some + of their sufferings, and had won their favor by his marriage, which + connected him with the Etheling. Edith, the eldest daughter of the good + Queen Margaret, had remained with her aunt Christina in the Abbey of + Wilton, after her brother had been made King of Scotland. She was like her + mother in many respects; and her aunt wished to devote her to the + cloister, and secure her from the cruel sorrows her mother had endured, + under the black veil that she already wore, like the professed nuns, to + shield her from the insults of the Norman knights, or their attempts to + secure a princess as a bride. But Edith remembered that her father had + once said that he destined her to be a queen, and not a nun. She + recollected how her mother had moulded her court, and been loved and + honored there, and her temper rebelled against the secluded life in the + convent, so much that, in a girlish fit of impatience, she would, when her + aunt was out of sight, tear off her veil and trample upon it. + </p> + <p> + At length the tidings came that Henry, the new King of England, wooed the + Princess of Scotland for his bride. + </p> + <p> + A marriage of policy it evidently was; for, unlike the generous love that + had caused Malcolm to espouse the friendless exile Margaret, Henry was a + perjured usurper, and dark stories were told of his conduct in Normandy. + Christina strongly and vehemently opposed the marriage, as the greatest + calamity that could befall her niece: she predicted that, if Edith + persisted in it, only misery could arise from it; and when she found her + determined, tried to prove her to be already bound by the promises of a + nun. + </p> + <p> + Here Christina went too far: a court was held by Archbishop Anselm, and it + was fully proved that the Lady Edith was under no vows. She was declared + free to marry, and in a short time became the wife of Henry, changing her + own Saxon name to the Norman Matilda, or Maude. In the first year of her + marriage, when Henry was anxious to win the favor of the English, he + conformed so much to their ways that the scornful Normans used to call him + and his young wife by the Saxon names of Godric and Godiva. The Saxons + thus were willing to stand by King Henry, all excepting the sailors, who + were won by Robert’s spirit of enterprise, and deserting, with their whole + fleet, went to Normandy, and brought Robert and his army safe to + Portsmouth. + </p> + <p> + This happened just as Edith Maude had given birth to her first child, at + Winchester. Robert was urged to assault the city; but he refrained, + declaring such would be an unknightly action toward his sister-in-law and + her babe. Henry soon came up with his forces, the brothers held a + conference, and, as usual, Robert was persuaded to give up his rights, and + to make peace. + </p> + <p> + For the next four years Robert continued in Normandy, leading a gay and + careless life at first with his beautiful Sybilla; but she soon died, + leaving an infant son, and thenceforward his affairs grew worse and worse, + as he followed only the impulse of the moment. From riot and drunkenness + he fell into fits of devotion, fasting, weeping, and praying; his poverty + so great that he was at one time obliged to lie in bed for want of + garments to wear; and his dukedom entirely uncared for, fields left + uncultivated, and castles which were dens of robbers. + </p> + <p> + The Normans begged that some measures might be taken for their relief, and + King Henry came, and, with Robert’s consent, set things on a better + footing; but meanwhile he was secretly making arrangements with the barons + for the overthrow of his brother. In two years’ time he had tempted over + almost every baron to desert the cause of their master, and in 1106 + prepared to wrest the dukedom from him. The unfortunate Robert came to him + at Northampton, almost alone, forced himself into his presence, and told + him he would submit everything to him, if he would only leave him the + state and honor due to his birth. Henry turned his back on him, muttering + some answer which Robert could not hear, and which he would not repeat. In + a passion, Robert reproached him with his ill faith and cruel, grasping + temper, left him hastily, and returned to Rouen, to make a last sad + struggle for his inheritance. + </p> + <p> + He placed his child in the Castle of Falaise, obtaining a promise from the + garrison that they would give up their trust to no summons but his own, or + that of a trusty knight called William de Ferrières. Hardly a vassal would + rally round him in his dire distress; his only supporters were two + outlawed barons, whom Henry had driven out of England for their violence, + and besides these there were two faithful friends of his youth, whose + swords had always been ready in his cause, except in the unhappy war + against his father. One was Helie de St. Saen, the other was Edgar + Etheling, who quitted his peaceful home, and all the favor he enjoyed in + England as uncle to the Queen, to bear arms for his despoiled and injured + friend. + </p> + <p> + Henry invaded Normandy, and all the nobles came over to his side. Robert + met him before the Castle of Tenchebray, and the two armies prepared for + battle the next day. In the evening a hermit came to the English camp; his + head strewn with ashes, and a cord about his waist. He conjured Henry to + cease from his unnatural war with a brother who had been a soldier of the + Cross, “his brow still shining with traces of the crown of Jerusalem,” and + prevailed so far as to gain permission to go and propose terms of peace to + the Duke of Normandy. On coming into his presence, the hermit begged to + kiss the feet which had trodden the pavement of the Holy Sepulchre, and + then exhorted Robert to be contented with the kingdom reserved for him in + heaven. He declared Henry’s terms very hard ones; but the Duke would have + accepted them, but that he was required to own himself vanquished; and + against this his haughty spirit revolted. He cast aside all offers of + accommodation, and prepared for battle. + </p> + <p> + The fight of Tenchebray took place on St. Michael’s Eve, 1106, the day + forty years since the Battle of Hastings; and when the Saxons in Henry’s + army turned Robert’s Normans to flight, they rejoiced as if they were + wiping out the memory of the defeat of Harold. Yet in the vanquished army + was their own Etheling, the darling of England, who was made prisoner + together with the unfortunate Robert, and led before Henry. It was the + last battle in which the two friends fought side by side; the disinherited + prince had fought for the son of the despoiler for the last time, and soon + they were to part, to spend the many remaining years of their lives in a + far different manner. + </p> + <p> + Robert was made to summon the surrender of Rouen, and Ferrières was sent + to receive Falaise, and the little William, heir of Normandy; but the + faithful garrison would not yield till Henry had conducted thither the + Duke himself, who called on them to surrender, lest the castle should be + taken by the wicked outlaw De Belesme. Little William was brought to the + King, and his tears and caresses for a moment touched Henry’s heart so far + that he gave the child into the charge of Helie de St. Saen, Robert’s + faithful friend, and husband of his illegitimate daughter. + </p> + <p> + It was the last time Robert of Normandy saw the face of his only child. + The boy went to Arques with the faithful Helie, while Robert was sent to + England, and imprisoned in Cardiff Castle. At first he was honorably + treated, and allowed to indulge in hunting and other amusements; but he + made an attempt to escape, and was only recaptured in consequence of his + horse having plunged into a bog, whence he could not extricate himself. + After this he was more closely guarded, and it is said that his eyes were + put out; but there is reason to hope that this may not be true. He was + under the charge of Robert, an illegitimate son of Henry, who had married + Amabel Fitzaymon, heiress of Gloucester, and who was a noble, high-minded, + chivalrous person, likely to do all in his power to cheer his uncle’s + captivity. + </p> + <p> + Here Robert from time to time heard of his son: first, how Henry had sent + messengers to seize him when St. Saen was absent from Arques; but happily + they came on a Sunday morning, when the child was at church, and the + servants, warned in time, carried him off to meet their brave master. Then + Helie chose to forfeit lands and castle rather than give up his trust, and + conducted his little brother-in-law from court to court, wherever he could + hope for security, till young William was grown up, and raised an army, + with the aid of Louis of France and Foulques of Anjou, to recover his + inheritance and rescue his father. But Foulques was detached from the + alliance by the betrothal of his daughter to Henry’s son William, and the + battle of Brenville ruined the hopes of William of Normandy. Next, Robert + learnt that the male line of the Counts of Flanders had failed, and his + son, as the representative of Matilda, the Conqueror’s wife, had been + owned as the heir of that rich country. Shortly after, the captive Duke + was one morning found weeping. He had had a dream, he said, in which he + had seen his son dying of a wound in the hand. The tidings came in due + time that William had been accidentally pierced by the point of a lance in + the hand, the wound had mortified, and he expired at the end of a week. + The prisoner still lived on, till, in the twenty-eighth year of his + captivity, death at length released him. There is a story of his having + starved himself to death in a fit of anger, because Henry had sent him a + robe after wearing it once; but this is very improbable. Robert had + reached a great age, and his was a character which was likely to be much + improved when absent from temptation and with time for thought. He lies + buried in Gloucester Cathedral, under an effigy carved in bog oak, with + the legs crossed, in memory of his crusade, but unfortunately painted in + such a manner as to entirely to spoil its effect. + </p> + <p> + Edgar Etheling was soon allowed to ransom himself, and retiring to his own + estates, lived there in peace. His niece, the good Queen Maude, lived on + in the English Court, trying to imitate her mother in her charities, and + being, like her, much beloved by the poor, to whose wants she ministered + with her own hands; while her youngest brother David, then a gay-tempered + youth, used to laugh at her for such mean toils, as he called them. No + help, such as her father had given St. Margaret, did Maude receive from + her husband; she had only the pain of watching his harshness, cruelty, and + hypocrisy, during the eighteen years of her marriage. She died in 1118, + leaving three children—Maude, already married to the Emperor of + Germany, and William and Richard. William Etheling is reported to have + been as proud as his sister Maude, and to have talked of using the churl + Saxons as beasts of burden. But there are stories more in his favor. He + seemed generously disposed toward his cousin, the son of Robert; and he + met his death in an attempt to save life, so that it may be hoped that he + was not entirely unworthy of the good old name of Etheling, which he bore + as heir to the throne. + </p> + <p> + Our Etheling Edgar lived on in peace through all the troublous times of + Stephen, without again appearing in history, till his death is noted in + 1159, ninety-three years after the Norman Conquest. + </p> + <p> + It has been the fashion to call him a fool and a coward; and no doubt the + ambitious men who broke oath after oath, and scrupled at no violence, so + esteemed one whose right was the inheritance over which they quarrelled. + Whether he was a fool, may be answered by showing that, after he was + fourteen, his name was never once brought forward by factious men for + their own purposes; that he conducted a treaty with Scotland, and restored + his nephew to the throne: and whether he was a coward, no one can ask who + has heard of him hastening to attack the Saracens of Apulia, invading + warlike Scotland, leading the English to scale the walls of Jerusalem, + and, lastly, fighting in a cause that could only be desperate, in a battle + that <i>must</i> be lost, where he had no personal interest, and only came + to aid a distressed and injured friend. No one can inquire into the + history of the last of the race of Alfred without acknowledging in him one + of the most perfect examples of true chivalry, in inviolate adherence to + his word, and in redressing of grievances, for which his good sword was + ever ready, though for his own rights it was never drawn, nor was one drop + of English blood shed that Edgar Etheling might reign. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XV. THE COUNTS OF ANJOU. (888-1142.) + </h2> + <p> + Having traced the ancestry of our Norman kings from the rocks of Norway + and the plains of Neustria, let us, before entering on the new race which + succeeded them, turn back to the woodland birthplace of the house of + Plantagenet, on the banks of the Loire. + </p> + <p> + The first ancestor to whom this branch of our royal line can be traced is + Torquatus, a native of Rennes in Brittany, and keeper of the forest of Nid + de Merle in Anjou, for the Emperor Charles the Bald. Of Roman Gallic + blood, and of honest, faithful temper, he was more trusted by his + sovereign than the fierce Frank warriors, who scarcely owned their prince + to be their superior; and in after times the counts and kings his + descendants were proud of deriving their lineage from the stout Woodman of + the Blackbird’s Nest. + </p> + <p> + His son Tertullus distinguished himself in battle, and died early, leaving + an only son, named Ingelger, who was godson to the Countess de Gastinois, + and was brought up in her castle, the school of chivalry and “courtoisie” + to the young vassals of the county. + </p> + <p> + The lady was heiress of Gastinois in her own right, and as the monarch had + the power of disposing of his wards in marriage, she had been obliged to + give her hand to the seneschal of Charles the Bald, a person whom she much + disliked. One morning her husband was found dead in his bed; and his + nearest relation, whose name was Gontran, accusing her of having murdered + him, laid claim to her whole inheritance. + </p> + <p> + The cause was brought before Charles the Bald, at Chateau Landon; and + Gontran offered to prove his words by the ordeal of battle, taking off his + gauntlet and throwing it down before the Emperor. Unless the countess + could find a champion to maintain her innocence, or unless Gontran was + overthrown in single combat, she would be completely ruined, adjudged a + murderess, and forced to hide her disgrace in a convent. None of the + knights present would undertake her cause; and after gazing round at them + in despair, she fainted away. + </p> + <p> + Her godson Ingelger, who attended her as a page, could not bear the sight + of her distress, and, as a last hope, threw himself on his knees before + the Emperor, entreating that, though he was only sixteen, and in the last + grade of chivalry, he might be allowed to take up the gauntlet, and assert + the innocence of his godmother. + </p> + <p> + Permission was granted; and Ingelger, trusting to the goodness of his + cause, spent the night in prayer, went in early morning with the countess + to hear mass, and afterward joined her in giving alms to the poor; then + she hung a reliquary round his neck, and sent him to arm for the decisive + combat. + </p> + <p> + The whole court were spectators; the Emperor Charles on his throne, and + the accused widow in a litter curtained with black. Prayers were offered + that God would show the right; the trumpets sounded, and the champions + rode in full career against each other. At the first onset Gontran’s lance + pierced his adversary’s shield, so that he could not disengage it, and + Ingelger was thus enabled to close with him, hurl him to the ground, and + dispatch turn with a dagger. Then, while the lists rung with applause, the + brave boy rushed up to his godmother, and threw himself into her arms in a + transport of joy. + </p> + <p> + The countess, thus cleared, only desired to retire from the world, and + besought the Emperor’s consent to her bestowing all her lands on her young + defender. It was readily granted; and shortly after Charles gave him, in + addition, the government of the city of Angers, and the adjoining county + of Anjou, whence he derives his title. [Footnote: Many similar tales of + championship will occur to every one, in romance and ballad. The Ginevra + of Ariosto, our own beautiful English ballad of Sir Aldingar, where it is + an angel in the form of a “tinye boy,” who appears to vindicate the good + fame of the slandered and desolate queen, the “Sir Hugh le Blond of + Arbuthnot, in Scotland.” Perhaps this story may be the root of all the + rest. It is recorded in the “Gesta Andegavorum,” in the compilation of + which a descendant of Ingelger had a considerable share.] + </p> + <p> + Little more is known of the first Count of Anjou, except that he bravely + resisted the Northern pirates; and for his defence of the clergy of St. + Martin of Tours was rewarded by a canonry, and the charge of the treasure + of the chapter. He died in 888, and was succeeded by his son Count + Foulques le Roux, or the Red. From this time the house of Anjou began to + acquire that character of violence, ambition, and turbulence, which + distinguished the whole family, till, six hundred years after, the last of + the race shed her blood on the scaffold of the Tower of London. It + therefore seems appropriate here to give the strange, wild story to which + they were wont to attribute their family temper, though it is generally + told of one who came later in the line. It was said that the count + observed that his wife seldom went to church, and never at the celebration + of mass; and believing that she had some unholy dealings to cause this + reluctance, he put her to the proof, by causing her to be forcibly held + throughout the service by four knights. At the moment of consecration, + however, the knights found the mantle alone in their hands; the lady had + flown through the window, leaving nothing behind her but the robe, and a + fearful smell of brimstone! + </p> + <p> + From the witch-countess, as she was called, her sons were thought to + derive the wild energy and fierce mutual hatred which raged for so many + centuries, and at last caused the extinction of the line. Foulques le Roux + was certainly not exempt, for he was believed to be the murderer of his + own brother. His eldest son, Geoffrey, called the Beloved of Ladies, died + before him; and Foulques, who succeeded him, though termed “<i>le bon</i>,” + had little claim to such a title, unless it was derived from his love of + learning and his friendship with the monks of Tours. + </p> + <p> + He composed several Latin hymns for the use of the Cathedral, and always + took part in the service on high festivals in his canonical dress, as + hereditary treasurer. + </p> + <p> + Once, when King Louis IV. was present, he and his courtiers irreverently + amused themselves during the service by making jests on the clerical + count. A few days after, Louis received the following letter: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The Count of Anjou to the King of France. Hail. Learn, my liege + Lord, that an unlettered King is no better than a donkey with + a crown on.” + </pre> + <p> + In spite of his devotion, to St. Martin, Foulques sacrilegiously robbed + the treasury of two golden vessels, and did not restore them till a severe + illness brought him to the point of death. The Bretons accuse him of a + horrible crime. He married the widow of Duke Alan <i>barbe torte</i>, who + brought with her to Angers her infant son, the little Duke Drogo. The + child died, and the Bretons believed that, for the sake of retaining the + treasure brought by his subjects, his stepfather had murdered him, by + pouring boiling water on his head while his body was in a cold bath, so + that, the two streams mingling, it might appear that he had been only + placed in tepid water. + </p> + <p> + However this might be, a war broke out between the Angevins and Bretons, + and there was bitter hatred between the two races, which is scarcely yet + at an end. Indeed, an Angevin Count could hardly in these days be a + peaceable man, bordering on such neighbors as Brittany, Normandy, and + Poitou. The Angevins were much more French than any of these neighbors; + and their domain being smaller, they generally held by the King. They were + his hereditary grand seneschals, carving before him on great occasions; + and Geoffrey Grise gonnelle, who succeeded Foulques le Bon in 958, was on + the side of the crown in all the war with Richard the Fearless of + Normandy. His ogre-like surname of Grise gonnelle simply means gray gown, + and is ascribed by the chronicle of Anjou to the following chivalrous + adventure: + </p> + <p> + In the course of the war with Normandy, when Harald Bluetooth’s Norwegians + were ravaging France, and were encamped before the walls of Paris, a + gigantic Berserk daily advanced to the gate of the city, challenging the + French knights to single combat. Several who accepted it fell by his hand; + and King Lothaire forbade any further attempts to attack him. Count + Geoffrey was at this time collecting his vassals to come to the King’s + assistance; and no sooner did he hear of the defiance of the Northman, + than, carried away by the spirit of knight-errantry, he bade his forces + wait for him at Chateau Landon; and, without divulging his purpose, rode + off, with only three attendants, to seek the encounter. He came to the + bank of the Seine in early morning, caused a miller to ferry him and his + horse across the river, leaving his squires on the other side, and reached + the open space before the walls in time to hear and answer the Northman’s + daily challenge. The duel ended in the death of the giant, and was + witnessed by the French on the walls; but they did not recognize their + champion, and before they could come down to open the gates, and thank + him, he was gone. He had cut off the enemy’s head, and, bidding the miller + carry it to the King, crossed the Seine again, met his squires at the + mill, and rejoined his vassals at Landon, without letting any one know + what had happened. + </p> + <p> + Lothaire was very anxious to know who the champion was; but all the miller + could tell him was, that it had been a man of short stature, and slight, + active figure, a capital horseman, whom he was sure he should know again + anywhere. In due time the nobles collected with their troops, and Geoffrey + among them. When they were in full assembly, Lothaire introduced the + miller, bidding him say whether the knight-errant was present. The man + fixed his eyes on the Count of Anjou, who wore a cassock of coarse gray + wool over his armor. “Yes,” he said, “‘tis he—<i>à la grise gonnelle</i>.” + </p> + <p> + It is also said that Geoffrey took his name from his frequent pilgrimages + to Rome, in which he wore the gray “palmer’s amice.” He was a favorable + specimen of the Angevin character, the knight-errant element predominating + over its other points, and rendering him honorable and devout, and not + more turbulent than could be helped by a feudal chief of the tenth + century. He died near Saumur, while besieging the castle of a refractory + vassal, in the year 987. + </p> + <p> + His son Foulques was surnamed Nerra, an old form of Le Noir, or The Black. + The name was derived from his complexion; but he merited it by his + disposition, for he was the most wicked of all the counts of Anjou. He was + very able, and, though little in stature, and lame, usually made his wars + turn out much to his advantage. In personal prowess he by no means + equalled his father; indeed, there was a Danish warrior, who guarded the + town of Saumur for the Count de Blois, that he dreaded so much as always + to gallop at full speed through the neighborhood, whenever he was obliged + to pass that way. However, he was not backward to risk his person on + occasion, and in a battle with the Count de Blois at Amboise was severely + wounded, his standard taken, and his troops forced to retreat, when his + vassal, the alert Herbert <i>Eveille chiens</i>, of Mans, came up with + fresh troops, fell on the men of Blois as they were bathing and resting + after the battle, cried the Angevin war-cry, “Rallie! rallie!” [Footnote: + “Go at then again!” evidently the origin of “to rally.”] and taking them + by surprise, turned the fortune of the day. This victory extended + Foulques’ domain to the bank of the Loire, and enabled him to lay siege to + Saumur. The citizens were too few to defend both gates, and, by the advice + of the monks of St. Florent, resolved to commit the defence of one to the + relics of St. Doucelin, which had the reputation of working miracles. The + reliquary was placed full before the eastern gate, in the hope that either + the Augevins would be afraid to break through, or that some evil + consequence might ensue on their attempting it, and the Saumurois went to + protect their western gate. However, Foulques Nerra seldom let scruples + interfere, and marched in without regard to the saint. He was very cruel + to his prisoners, and with his own hand thrust out the eye of one who + reproached him with his unworthy treatment. He built new walls round + Saumur, for which he was obliged to destroy some buildings belonging to + the monastery of St. Florent, and as he set fire to them with his own + hand, he called out to the saint to beg his pardon, swearing to build him + a much finer house. + </p> + <p> + It was the practice of Foulques Nerra to commit frightful crimes, and then + to expect to atone for them by vehemence in penance and devotion. He was + recklessly barbarous in his wars, and a cruel tyrant to his people, + filling his castle with miserable prisoners. He married a lady named + Hildegarde, a pious and gentle dame, whose influence had some effect in + calming his fierce passions and lessening his cruelty; but their son + Geoffrey Martel was as wild and violent as himself, though with more + generosity. A quarrel broke out, Geoffrey rebelled, was conquered, and his + father obliged him to come and ask pardon, crawling on all fours, with a + saddle on his back. + </p> + <p> + “So, sir, you’re tamed!” said the count, putting his foot on his neck. + </p> + <p> + “True! but by no one but my father,” the proud youth made answer. And + Foulques was so pleased, that he took him into favor again. + </p> + <p> + Foulques Nerra was a great founder of churches and convents, and made no + less than four pilgrimages to the Holy Land, in the third of which he + travelled part of the way with another ancestor of our kings, Robert the + Magnificent of Normandy. In the last, his penance exceeded all that had + yet been seen at Jerusalem. He stripped himself to his waist, and went + barefoot to the Holy Sepulchre, followed by two servants, whom he obliged + to beat him with rods, while at each step he exclaimed, “O Lord, have pity + on the wretched, perjured traitor Foulques!” + </p> + <p> + Such violent penances are repugnant to all our ideas, and if these rude + warriors believed that by them their crimes could be atoned, they were + grievously mistaken: but at the same time it must be remembered that they + were intended as tokens of repentance; and that, as we have seen in the + humiliation of the rebellious son of the count himself, it was the fashion + to punish the body, because the mind was too little cultivated to be alone + addressed. + </p> + <p> + Foulques III. died at Metz, in the course of his return from this + pilgrimage, in the year 1039. His son Geoffrey, called Martel, or the + Hammer, was a great warrior. William the Conqueror was his chief enemy, + and the curious challenge that once passed between them has been related. + Indeed, Henry I. of France, who was in dread of both, promoted their + quarrels by making a grant to William of all that he might be able to win + from Anjou; and the Angevins had given bitter offence to the Duke of + Normandy when he was besieging the town of Hambrières, by hanging up hides + over the walls, and shouting, “<i>A la pel! à la pel!</i>” (The hide! the + hide!) in allusion to his mother being the daughter of a tanner. + </p> + <p> + Their chief dispute was about the county of Maine—a name of evil + omen to their descendants. The only daughter of Count Herbert <i>Eveille + chiens</i> (Wake-dog) was betrothed to Robert Courtheuse; and though she + died before the marriage took place, William claimed the county for his + son on Herbert’s death. Geoffrey, who was the feudal lord of Maine, took + the part of the next heir, and invaded Normandy. On the river Dive, + Geoffrey, with his chief followers, was imprudent enough to cross by a + narrow bridge, leaving the main body of the troops on the other side, + where they were attacked by William. The bridge gave way, and the Angevin + army was destroyed in the sight of its lord. + </p> + <p> + This disaster broke the spirit of Geoffrey Martel. He was still a young + man, but he was worn out with disappointment. He had been twice married—the + second time to a very learned lady, named Grecia, who is famous for having + bought a book of homilies for two hundred sheep, twelve measures of + cheese, as much barley and millet, besides eight marks of silver and some + marten skins. Neither wife brought him any children: and at Whitsuntide, + 1060, he sent for his two nephews, the sons of his sister Ermengarde, and + divided his lands between them; giving Touraine and Landon to the eldest, + Geoffrey the Bearded, and Anjou to Foulques, called <i>Le Réchin</i>, or + The Quarrelsome, then only seventeen, whom he knighted. He died the next + Martinmas, in the robes of a monk; and thenceforth Foulques proved his + right to his surname by his perpetual wars and disputes with his brother. + Geoffrey <i>le Barbu</i> is famed for nothing but his misfortunes, and for + a curious suit which he had with the monks of St. Florent respecting some + woods on the banks of the Loire, which they declared to have been granted + them by Foulques Nerra. They brought witnesses to support their claim, as + they had no title-deeds; and Geoffrey agreed to have recourse to the + judgment of Heaven, as a proof whether the testimony was true or false. + The ordeal was to be by hot water. A great fire was lighted in the Church + of St. Maurice, at St. Angers, and a cauldron of water placed on it, into + which was plunged an old forester who had borne witness for the convent. + Without appearing to suffer inconvenience from the heat, he repeated what + he had formerly said and Geoffrey was obliged to abide by the result of + the ordeal. The monks proceeded to cut down the woods, and supplied their + place by the vineyards which have ever since been the pride of the Loire. + </p> + <p> + The strife respecting lay investiture was the ruin of the bearded + Geoffrey; he claimed the investiture of the Abbot of Marmoutiers as a + temporal baron, and thus caused himself to be excommunicated. His vassals + fell from him and he became an easy prey to his brother Foulques, who + threw him into the castle of Chinon, and kept him prisoner for thirty + years. + </p> + <p> + Foulques IV., le Réchin, was a scholar, and wrote a Latin history of + Anjou, of which, however, only a fragment is preserved. He was as wicked + as most of the race, fierce, violent, and voluptuous. He was no longer a + young man, and had been twice married and once divorced (one tradition + says that he was the husband of the demon-countess), when, in 1089, he + cast his eyes on the beautiful young Bertrade, daughter of the Count de + Montfort, and promised Duke Robert of Normandy to make over to him the + county of Maine, if he would use his influence with her parents to obtain + her for him. + </p> + <p> + The Count de Montfort would not give up his daughter to the wicked old + Angevin, till Robert, in his usual weak, good-natured fashion, had yielded + up a number of his own frontier castles as her purchase. Foulques did + indeed put Maine into his hands; but he did not keep it long, for Helie de + la Flèche set up his claim, and maintained it as we have seen. Nor did + Foulques gain much by his bargain; for Bertrade had no perfection but her + beauty, and, in the fourth year of her marriage, abandoned him and her + infant son, and went to the court of Philippe I. of France, who had lately + grown weary of his queen Bertha, the mother of his four children, and had + shut her up in the castle of Montreuil. + </p> + <p> + Philippe found some pretext for declaring that his first marriage and + Bertrade’s were both null and void; but not one French bishop could be + found to solemnize the disgraceful union he desired. He was obliged to + look beyond his own dominion, and it is said that it was the brother of + the Conqueror, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, who consented to pronounce a + blessing over their marriage. + </p> + <p> + They were not, however, allowed to sin unmolested. Bertrade’s husband made + war on them on one side, Bertha’s brother on the other. Philippe’s son + Louis fled to the protection of the English; and the Pope laid them under + excommunication. For nine years, however, they persisted in their crime; + but at last they made a show of penitence; the King pretended to renounce + Bertrade, and they were absolved. + </p> + <p> + Bertrade had forsaken her child; but she was very anxious that he should + succeed his father, instead of his elder brother Geoffrey, a high-spirited + youth, whom the peasantry of Anjou regarded as their friend and protector. + She contrived to sow dissension between him and his father, and at last + caused him to be assassinated. + </p> + <p> + Then she chose to come to Angers to see her son heir of Anjou, and + actually brought the King with her; made Philippe and her husband behave + in the most friendly manner, eat at the same table, sleep on the same + couch; and Foulques was even base enough to sit on a footstool at the feet + of this woman, who could scarcely have been better than the witch-lady + herself. + </p> + <p> + After the death of Philippe she returned to Anjou, and went into the Abbey + of Fontevraud, where she practised such rigorous penances that her health + sank under them. + </p> + <p> + Her son, Foulques V., succeeded to the county in 1109, and was a much + better man than could have been expected from the son of such parents. His + wife was Sybil, daughter of Helie de la Flèche, an excellent, gentle, and + pious lady, whom he loved devotedly. + </p> + <p> + His eldest daughter, the Alix, or noble maid of Anjou, whose name seems to + have been Matilda, was betrothed to William the Etheling, son of Henry I., + in order to detach her father from the cause of the unfortunate William + Clito of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Their marriage took place in the autumn of 1120, when the bridegroom was + seventeen and the bride twelve. It was celebrated with great splendor, and + all the Norman barons did homage to young William as their future Duke. + Afterward the English court repaired to Barfleur, there to embark for + their own island; but there was considerable delay in collecting shipping + enough for so numerous a party, and it was not possible to set sail till + the 25th of November. Just as the King was about to embark, a mariner, + named Thomas Fitzstephen, addressed him, with the offering of a golden + mark, saying that his father had had the honor of carrying King William to + the conquest of England, and entreating that his beautiful new vessel, the + Blanche Nef, or White Ship, with fifty good oarsmen, might transport the + present King. + </p> + <p> + Henry, always courteous, answered that his own arrangements were made, but + that no doubt his son, the Etheling, and his companions, would gladly make + the passage with him. The King then sailed, taking with him the little + bride, but leaving behind no less than eighteen ladies of the highest rank—among + them his niece, Lucy de Blois, Countess of Chester, and his illegitimate + daughter, Marie, Countess de Perche—also another illegitimate son, + named Richard, and all the gayest young nobles, who were in attendance on + the prince. Including the crew, the Blanche Nef was expected to carry full + three hundred persons across the Channel. All were in high spirits, in + that reckless state of mirth which the grave Scots deem as the absolute + presage of a fearful catastrophe, as well as often its cause; and the + young Etheling, with open-hearted, imprudent good-nature, presented the + crew with three casks of wine to drink to his health and the success of + the voyage. Such feasting took place, that all the rest of the fleet had + sailed; but Fitzstephen boasted that he would overtake and outstrip every + ship before they reached England. Some prudent persons—among them + young Stephen de Blois—left the ship; but no one else had any fears; + and though the night came on, there was a bright moon, and the water was + calm. Every sail was set; the rowers plied their utmost strength, and thus + it was with great violence that the ship ran foul of the rocks called the + Ras de Catte. A lamentable cry reached the ships of the King’s fleet; but + no one guessed the cause. A boat was lowered; Fitzstephen handed in the + prince and a few rowers, and bade them make for the shore; but just as + they had pushed off, William heard the agonized calls of his sister, the + Countess de Perche, and commanded the rowers to put back and save her. The + masterless, terrified multitude no sooner saw the boat approach, than they + all flung themselves headlong into it; down it went under them, and the + whole freight perished. The ship itself soon likewise foundered, and there + only remained, clinging to the mast, a young baron, named Godfrey de + l’Aigle, and a butcher of Rouen. Fitzstephen, however, swam up, and called + out to ask if the King’s son had got off safe. When he heard their answer, + he cried aloud, “Woe is me!” and sank like a stone. It was a cold night, + and, after some hours, young Godfrey became benumbed, lost his hold, and + likewise sank; but the butcher, in his sheepskin coat, held on till + daylight, when he was picked up by some fishermen, and told his piteous + tale. + </p> + <p> + Next day the news came to England, and every one knew it but the King. For + some days no one could summon up resolution to inform him of this + surpassing calamity; but at last a little boy was sent to fall at his + feet, and, weeping bitterly, to tell him all. The stern heart was wrung: + Henry fell senseless on the ground; and he, whose gayety had once almost + hidden his hard, selfish nature, never smiled again. + </p> + <p> + The Count of Anjou sent for his daughter and her dowry. The daughter came, + and afterward became a nun at Fontevraud; but no dowry was sent with her: + and Foulques returned to the cause he had deserted, gave her sister Sybil + to William Clito, and held with him till his early death. + </p> + <p> + On the death of his countess, Foulques vowed to go on a crusade. His + eldest son Geoffrey was but seven years old, and before setting out, he + solemnly placed the boy on the altar of St. Julian at Angers, saying, + “Great Saint, I offer thee my son and my lands; be the protector of both!” + </p> + <p> + Foulques maintained a hundred men-at-arms in Palestine for a year, at his + own expense, and signalized himself greatly. Baldwin I., King of + Jerusalem, the brother of Godfrey, had survived his brother eighteen + years, when, in 1118, the crown passed to Baldwin du Bourg, Count of + Essex, who, according to the usual fate of the Defenders of the Holy + Sepulchre, felt his health fast giving way under the influence of toil, + anxiety, and climate. He had been twice a prisoner, and had spent seven + years in captivity among the Infidels; but his kingdom had been bravely + defended by the knights of the Temple and Hospital, aided by Crusaders + from the West. Of these armed pilgrims the Count of Anjou was so much the + most distinguished, that, after his return, a knight was sent to him by + King Baldwin, to propose to give him the hand of Melisende, the eldest + princess of Jerusalem, and with it that crown of care and toil. + </p> + <p> + The crusading spirit was, however, strong in the house of Anjou, and so + continued for full three hundred years: and though Foulques was + considerably past forty, he accepted the offer, gave up his country to his + son Geoffrey, and set forth in 1127, married Melisende, and, four years + after, became King of Jerusalem. It was an unloving marriage; but he was + much respected and beloved, and his biographer observes that, though he + had red hair, he had not the faults common in men of that complexion. He + was continually in the field at the head of his knights, and won several + victories, one of which gained the town of Caesarea Philippi. He was + killed by a fall from his horse, near Acre, in 1142; and left two sons by + Melisende—Baldwin and Amaury, who afterward both reigned at + Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XVI. VISITORS OF HENRY I. (1120-1134.) + </h2> + <p> + Henry Beauclerc was really a great King. His abilities were high even for + one of the acute Normans, and he studied at every leisure moment. He + translated Aesop’s fables, not from Latin into French—which would + not have been wonderful—but from Greek to English. He seems to have + had a real attachment to the English, feeling that, in their sturdy + independence, he had the best preservative from the “outre cuidance” of + the Normans. Indeed, the English mind viewed Brenville as making up for + Hastings. He wrote a book of maxims, even on etiquette; and though his + heart was almost as hard as those of his brothers, his demeanor was far + more gracious: moreover, he felt remorse, as his brothers never did, nor + his father till his death. After he lost his son he had many a night of + anguish; when all the men of his kingdom seemed to come and reproach him + with their sufferings. But his reign, on the whole, was a breathing-time, + when he carried out his father’s policy, restrained the barons, and raised + the condition of the English. He was also greatly respected in other + countries, and had many royal visitors, among the chief of whom may be + reckoned his brother-in-law, David of Scotland, and Louis <i>l’éveillé</i>, + the prince of France. In the Conqueror’s lifetime Henry and Louis had met + at the court of France, where they had quarrelled at chess, and Henry, in + a passion, had struck Louis a violent blow. His elder brother, Robert, + then in exile in Paris, came in at the moment, and was so alarmed for the + consequences, that he dragged Henry down stairs, called for their horses, + and galloped away, never resting till he had seen the youth safely on the + bounds of Normandy, where Robert himself might not enter. King Philippe’s + anger is said to have been one of the causes of the war in which William + I. met with his death. + </p> + <p> + Now, however, Louis was a fugitive from the persecution of the wicked + Bertrade, and found shelter and protection in England till his father + became reconciled to him. + </p> + <p> + Another royal visitor was Sigurd the Crusader, king of part of Norway. + Eystein, Sigurd, and Olaf had been left orphans by the death of their + father, King Magnus, when Eystein, the eldest, was only fifteen. According + to the law of Norway, they all possessed an equal right to the kingdom; + but this led to no disputes, and they lived together on the most friendly + terms. Eystein was peaceably disposed and thoughtful, though lively; + Sigurd, though enterprising and spirited, had a strain of melancholy which + affected him when he was not actively employed: and one morning, Eystein, + observing that his looks were gloomy, drew from him that he had had a + dream. “I thought,” he said, “that we brothers were all sitting on a bench + in front of Christ Church in Drontheim, and our kinsman, Olaf the Saint, + came out in royal robes, glancing and splendid, and his face bright and + joyous. He took our brother Olaf by the hand, saying, ‘Come with me, + friend,’ and led him into the Church. Soon after, King Olaf the Saint came + forth again, but not so bright as before. He came to thee, brother, and + led thee with him into the church. Then I looked for him to come to me and + meet me; but it was not so: and I was seized with great sorrow, and was + altogether without strength; so that I awoke.” + </p> + <p> + Eystein interpreted the dream to mean that Olaf would die young and + innocent; that the Saint was less radiant in coming for himself, because + of his sins; and that Sigurd would be the longest-lived of the three. It + fell out much as the dream had presaged, for Olaf died in early youth. + </p> + <p> + Sigurd had the restless spirit of the Sea-kings, and became a Crusader. He + spent the first winter in England, the second in aiding the Christians of + Spain against the Moors: he visited the Normans in Sicily, and, as the + King of the whole Northern race, conferred on Count Roger de Hauteville + the title of King of Sicily, and then proceeded to Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + Baldwin I. received him splendidly, and availed himself of his aid to + capture the town of Zidon. He left the Holy Land, taking as his reward a + piece of the wood of the True Cross, and returned through Constantinople. + There Alexius Comnenus gave him a magnificent reception, which he tried to + requite by equal Ostentation, repeating Robert of Normandy’s invention of + the golden horse-shoes. He was entertained with grand games in the + Hippodrome, where the ancient Greek statues were much admired by his + followers and their Vaeringer brethren, who took them for their own + ancient Asagods. On his departure, he gave Alexius all his ships, the + figure-heads of which were made ornaments for one of the churches at + Constantinople; and some of the presents which he brought away are still + extant in Norway. In one little remote church there has lately been found + a curious Byzantine picture, representing the rescue of the True Cross + from the Persians by the Emperor Heraclius. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Eystein was leading a wise, beneficent, peaceable, and + pious life in Norway. But their different dispositions are best shown in a + discussion that the old Norwegian chronicle has recorded as taking place + soon after Sigurd’s return. The two brothers were, in the ancient fashion, + sojourning in the house of one of their bonders, and keeping open table, + when, one evening the ale was not good, Sigurd fell into one of his moods + of gloomy depression, and the guests sat round silent. + </p> + <p> + The good-natured Eystein said, “Let us fall on some jest to amuse people; + for surely, brother Sigurd, all people are well pleased when we converse + cheerfully.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you talk as much as you please, but let me be silent,” returned + Sigurd. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Eystein, “let us follow the old custom over the ale-table of + making comparisons. I will soon make it appear that, different as we are, + we are both equal, and one has no advantage over the other.” + </p> + <p> + He succeeded in drawing his brother into the game; and Sigurd, who was the + taller and stronger, answered, “Do you remember that I was always able to + break your back, if I had pleased, though you are a year older?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Eystein; “but you were not so good at games that need + agility.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember that I could drag you under water, when we swam together, + as often as I pleased?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” returned Eystein; “but I could swim as far as you, and dive as + well; and I could run on snow skates so well that no one could beat me, + and you could no more do it than an ox.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Sigurd, “you could hardly draw my bow, even if you took + your foot to help.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not so strong at the bow, but there is less difference in our + shooting near.” + </p> + <p> + “Beside,” continued the tall Sigurd, “a chief ought to be taller than + other men, easily seen and distinguished.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Eystein, who was the handsomest man in Norway, “good looks may + be an equal distinction. Besides, I am more knowing in the law, and my + words flow more easily.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you may know more law quirks. I have had something else to do,” + said the rough warrior. “No one can deny you a smooth tongue; and some say + you do not keep to what you promise—which is not kingly.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I promise satisfaction to one party before I have heard the other, + and then am forced to take something back. It would be easy to do like you—promise + evil to all. I never hear any complaint of your not keeping this promise + to them.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, and while I made a princely voyage, you sat at home like my father’s + daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “There you take up the cudgel,” said Eystein, merrily; “but I know how to + answer. If I did sit at home, like my father’s daughter, you cannot deny + that, like a sister, I furnished you forth.” + </p> + <p> + Sigurd continued: “I was in many a battle in the Saracens’ land, and + always came off conqueror; I won many precious goods, the like of which + were never seen here before; and I was always the most highly esteemed + where brave men met: while yours is but a home-bred renown. I went to + Palestine, I came to Apulia; but I did not see you there, brother. I gave + Roger the Great the title of King. I won seven battles; but you were in + none of them. I was at our Lord’s grave; but I did not see you there, + brother. I went to Jordan, where our Lord was baptized. I swam across the + river; but I did not see you there. A willow grew on the bank, and I + twisted the boughs into a knot, which is waiting there for you; for I said + that you should untie it, and fulfil the vow that is bound up in it.” + </p> + <p> + “I have little to set against this,” said Eystein; “but if you fought + abroad, I strove to be of use at home. In the north of Vaage I built + fish-houses, so as to enable the poor people there to earn a livelihood. I + built a priest’s house, and endowed a Church, where before all the people + were heathen; and therefore I think they will recollect that Eystein was + once King of Norway. The road from Drontheim goes over the Dofrefield, and + often travellers had to sleep in the open air; but I built inns, and + supported them with money, and thus wayfarers may remember that Eystein + has been King of Norway. Agdaness was a bare waste, and no harbor, and + many a ship was lost. Now, there is a good harbor, and a Church. I raised + beacons on the high ground; I built a royal hall in Bergen, and the Church + of the Apostles; I built Michael’s Church, and a Convent beside. I settled + the laws, so that all may obtain justice. The Jemteland people are again + joined to our realm, and more by kind words than by war. Now, though all + these are but small doings, yet I am not sure if the people of our land + have not been better served by them than by your killing blue men in the + land of the Saracens. Your deeds were great; yet I hope what I have done + for the servants of God may serve me no less for my soul’s salvation. So, + if you did tie a knot for me, I will not go to untie it; and if I had been + tying a knot for you, you would not have been King of Norway, when with a + single ship you came into my fleet.” + </p> + <p> + Eystein conferred many more benefits on his country, and on individuals + many acts of kindness—such as his undertaking by his conversation to + cheer and console one of his friends who had been disappointed in love. + This excellent King died at thirty-five, and it was said that there was + never so much mourning in Norway. Sigurd’s fate was sad; the shadow + predicted in his dream fell on him. His moodiness increased to + distraction, and nothing could be more wretched in those early times than + the condition of an insane king or of his country. He grew extremely + violent, and often did fearful mischief; but he still preserved his + generous spirit, and could always, even at the worst, be tamed by any one + who would boldly resist his fury. Happily, this only lasted six years, for + he died in 1330, at the age of forty. + </p> + <p> + This has been a long digression; but as Sigurd was the last of our + Northern visitors, we hope it may be pardoned for the sake of its + interest. + </p> + <p> + Henry I. gave his only daughter Maude in marriage to Henry V., Emperor of + Germany, a rebellious son, who had taken advantage of the sentence of + excommunication on his father, to strip him of his domains, and absolutely + reduce him to beggary. Maude was married to Henry V. at eleven years old, + when she was so small that she could not stand under the weight of her + robes, and the Archbishop of Cologne was obliged to hold her in his arms + during the celebration of the wedding. The principal favorites of the King + of England were at this time the sons of his sister Adela, three in + number: Theobald, Count de Blois and Champagne; Stephen, Count de + Mortagne, whom the King married to Matilda, heiress, of Boulogne, the + niece of good Queen Maude, and Henry, whom he made Bishop of Winchester. + </p> + <p> + Henry was persuaded to marry again, and his queen was the beautiful and + gracious Alice of Louvaine, a fair young girl of eighteen. His daughter + Maude returned from Germany in 1125; but there were strange stories that + her husband, the Emperor, was not dead, but had fled in secret from his + court, to dwell as a hermit in penance for his crimes. His funeral had, + however, been performed with full solemnity. King Henry regarded her as in + truth a widow, and was very anxious to bestow her a second time in + marriage. He caused his vassals to take an oath of fealty to her as his + heiress, and foremost in making this promise were David, King of Scotland—as + Earl of Huntingdon, in right of his wife, Waltheof’s daughter—and + Stephen de Blois, Count de Mortagne and Boulogne; while Henry engaged at + the same time that she should not be married without the consent of the + Barons. + </p> + <p> + Very soon, however, he broke his word, with the desire of conciliating + those troublesome neighbors of Normandy, the counts of Anjou. Foulques V. + showed himself so much inclined to befriend the son of Robert, that Henry + resolved to attach him to his own party, and proposed to him to give Maude + to his son Geoffrey, whom he desired should be sent at once to Rouen, that + he might see him, and confer on him the order of knighthood. + </p> + <p> + Young Geoffrey was only fifteen, but, unlike his ancestors, was very tall, + and had also inherited the beauty and grace of his grandmother Bertrade. + King Henry was delighted with him, and after examining him closely on all + the rules of chivalry, as well as on other points, to which Geoffrey + replied with much acuteness, showing himself a good scholar even in Latin, + resolved to make him his son-in-law. His knighthood was conferred with the + greatest splendor and all the formalities of the time. The first day he + entered the bath, the emblem of purity, and then was arrayed in fine + linen, a robe woven with gold, and a purple mantle. A Spanish horse was + presented to him, and he was armed in polished steel, and with a helmet + covered with precious stones; his gilded spurs were buckled on, and his + sword and lance given to him. He sprung on horseback without putting his + foot in the stirrup, and six days were spent in jousting with twenty-nine + young nobles, who were knighted at the same time. At the close of the + tourney, Henry conferred on him the accolade, or sword-blow, which was the + chief part of the ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Henry had great difficulty in making his daughter consent to the marriage. + Whether she believed her husband to be alive, or whether it was from + pride, or dislike to take so mere a boy as her bridegroom, her resistance + was long; and it was not till 1127 that she was brought by her father to + Mans, where the wedding took place, just before Geoffrey’s father departed + for Palestine. + </p> + <p> + Maude was proud and disdainful, and treated her young husband in the most + contemptuous way; and Geoffrey avoided her in return, spending most of his + time in hunting in the woods, where he used to wear the spray of broom + that became the cognizance of his house, and caused their surname of + Plantagenet. Perhaps it was in contrast to his wife’s haughtiness that he + chose to adopt this plant, considered as the emblem of humility, and + reminding her that she had married the descendant of the woodman + Torquatus. + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey seems to have been of a gay, lively temper, associating freely + with all who came in his way, and often doing kind actions. Once, as on + Christmas-day he was entering the Church of St. Julian at Mans, he met a + poor priest, meanly clad. + </p> + <p> + “What tidings?” said the Count. + </p> + <p> + “Glad tidings,” returned the priest. + </p> + <p> + “What are they?” + </p> + <p> + “‘To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given,’” the clerk made answer; + and Geoffrey was so struck with his appropriate manner, that he gave him a + valuable canonry. + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey was hunting in a forest, when he lost his way, and was benighted; + and, meeting a charcoal-burner, asked the road to Loches. The man offered + to become his guide, and accordingly the Count took him up on his horse, + talking gayly, and asking what people said of the Count. The peasant + answered that the Count himself was said to be friendly and free-spoken, + but his provost committed terrible exactions, of which he gave a full + account. Geoffrey listened, and in the morning rode into the town of + Loches with the charcoal-burner still <i>en croupe</i> (if his haughty + empress was there, he must have enjoyed provoking her), and there he + summoned all his provosts, himself examined their accounts, put an end to + their exactions, and ended by making the charcoal-burner a free man + instead of a serf. + </p> + <p> + There is a report that Maude’s first husband came to Angers in his + penance-garb, and on his death-bed told his confessor who he was; that the + confessor fetched the empress; and that she attended him in secret till + his death; but the truth of this tale is very uncertain. Maude had been + six years married to Geoffrey when her first child was born, Henry, called + by the Normans Fitz-Empress. + </p> + <p> + This event in some degree cheered the latter years of his grandfather, + King Henry, whose sin had found him out, in bitter remorse and fearful + dreams. Nobles, peasants, and clergy seemed in turn to be standing round + his bed, calling him to account for his misdeeds toward them. Many other + victims of his ambition might have been conjured up by his remorse—such + as the citizen of Rouen, spared by Robert, whom Henry threw from the top + of a high tower, whither he had treacherously invited him; the Norman + barons, with whom he had broken his faith; his gallant, generous brother, + so cruelly betrayed and imprisoned; his persecuted nephew, William Clito; + the unhappy troubadour, Lucas de Barré, whom he had blinded, for writing a + satire on him, and who dashed out his brains in despair on the prison + wall; and—almost the worst of all—the poor children of his + illegitimate daughter Juliana, left to the ferocious revenge of Raoul de + Harenc, by whom their eyes were put out and their noses cut off. With such + recollections as these to haunt his later years, no wonder Henry’s nights + were times of agony and wakefulness. + </p> + <p> + He tried to lose the thought of these horrors in activity, and was + constantly passing between England and Normandy. It was in the latter + country that he made his fatal supper of lampreys, after he had been + fatigued with hunting all day. A violent fever came on at night, and he + died on the 1st of December, 1135. + </p> + <p> + The court of Scotland presented a far different scene. David, the youngest + of the children of St. Margaret, inherited the crown in 1124, on the death + of his brother Alexander, and was treading in the same course as his + mother, his sister Maude, and his brethren. He belonged, indeed, to a + family of saints, and brought piety, firmness, cultivation, and a merciful + temper to improve his rugged country. He was a brave warrior: but he loved + the arts of peace, and one of his favorite amusements was gardening, + budding and grafting trees. + </p> + <p> + He administered strict justice, but shed tears as he ordered an execution; + and was so tender-hearted and ready to hear the poor, that he would take + his foot out of the stirrup when just ready for the chase, to listen to + the humblest complaint. Though lively and social in temper, he spent some + hours every evening alone, in prayer and meditation. + </p> + <p> + His wife was Matilda, daughter of that Earl Waltheof who was executed by + William I. She had previously been married to a Norman knight, Simon de + St. Liz, who died on pilgrimage, leaving her with two sons, Simon and + Waltheof. Two sons were likewise born to David; but the eldest was killed + in his infancy by an accident: and shortly after David took home as a + companion to the little Henry, Aelred, the son of a Saxon priest at + Hexham. + </p> + <p> + These four boys were brought up “in the nurture of good learning,” and in + godliness; but their different tempers soon showed themselves. Simon, the + little Earl of Northampton, while a child, was always playing at building + castles, and bestriding the “truncheon of a spear,” as a war-horse. + Waltheof was a builder, too, but his were churches, and his delight was in + making the sign of the Cross and singing chants. It was still the same as + they grew older; Waltheof ever drew more apart, and spent more time in + reading and prayer. His stepfather, the King, would take him to the chase, + and tell him to bear his bow; but he often found his bow in the hands of + another, and, after a search, discovered Waltheof reading or praying in a + secret glade, or under a tree. “Your boy,” he said to the Queen, “will + either die young, or leave us for the cloister.” + </p> + <p> + Aelred was Waltheof’s chief friend; but, though very pious, he was more of + a scholar, and read both romances of King Arthur and such works of Cicero + as had found their way to Scotland. He was lively in conversation; David + was fond of him, and used to tell him stories of his own younger days; and + Aelred became the loving chronicler of this happy court. + </p> + <p> + Prince Henry had the same holy temper, coupled with a bold spirit, that + was needed by the heir of Scotland, and showed himself full of the noble + qualities of his father and uncles. He was the true knight of the party, + as bold as a lion, yet as strict and devout as a monk, even in the camp. + Simon was no more than a rough, bold, tyrannical earl, and soon took up + his abode in England. + </p> + <p> + Ere long Aelred became a monk, and Waltheof was not slow in following his + example. Both entered the Cistercian order, and led holy lives, avoiding + all preferment—a difficult matter for Waltheof, stepson to one king + and cousin to another. His brother Simon took such offence at his + lowliness, that he actually threatened to burn down the convent of Waldon, + where Waltheof was living, because he thought it shame to see a descendant + of Siward a common monk in a poor monastery. + </p> + <p> + However, in time, promotion was thrust on them. Aelred became Abbot of + Rivaux, and Waltheof Abbot of Melrose. + </p> + <p> + Of the King and his son, more will be said in the next chapter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XVII. THE BATTLE OF THE STANDARD. (1135-1138.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1135. Stephen. + 1137. Louis VII. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1124. David I. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1107. Louis VI. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1125. Lothar II. + 1138. Konrad II. +</pre> + <p> + Earl Egbert of Gloucester was the son of Henry Beauclerc and of a + beautiful Welsh princess named Nesta, who had fallen into his hands in the + course of the war which he maintained for his brother William Rufus, on + the borders of Wales. Henry was much attached to the boy, and gave him a + princely education, by which he profited so as to become not only learned, + but of a far purer and more chivalrous character than was often to be + found among the great men of his time. + </p> + <p> + Henry I. provided for him, by giving to him the hand of the Lady Amabel + Fitzaymon, heiress of Glamorgan, and a ward at the disposal of the crown, + in whose right he became Earl of Gloucester. + </p> + <p> + Robert and his cousin, Stephen de Blois, both attended the death-bed of + Henry I., and heard his dying words: “I leave to my children whatever I + have gained. Let them do justice to those I have injured.” + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the King expired, than Stephen set off for England, where he + was already very popular, partly on account of his courteous manners and + goodly person, partly for the sake of his wife, Matilda of Boulogne, who + was treading in the steps of her aunt, the good Queen Maude. He landed at + Dover in the midst of a frightful thunder-storm, and though he found that + city and Canterbury closed against him, he met with a joyful reception in + London and Winchester. He bribed Hugh Bigod, the late King’s seneschal, to + swear that Henry had on his deathbed disinherited Maude, and left the + kingdom to him; and the Archbishop, William de Corboil, was credulous + enough to believe the tale, and crown the usurper; but discovery of the + falsehood hastened the old man’s death. + </p> + <p> + While this was passing, Robert of Gloucester was conducting the funeral of + his father; causing his body to be <i>salted</i>, instead of embalmed, and + bringing it to England to be buried at Reading, an abbey that Henry had + built and endowed for his burial-place. It is now completely ruined, and + few vestiges remain to show what the buildings were, far less any trace of + the tomb of the scholarly and cruel son of the Conqueror. + </p> + <p> + The Empress Maude was at the same time attending her husband, Geoffrey + Plantagenet, in a dangerous illness; and thus Stephen was enabled to + obtain possession of both England and Normandy, and received the + submission of all the nobles. The Earl of Gloucester, thinking resistance + vain, took the oath of fealty; reserving, however, the right of recalling + it if any injury was offered to him or to his property. + </p> + <p> + The next year Geoffrey de Bel raised an army, and entered Normandy; but + was met there by Stephen, wounded, and forced to retreat, leaving only a + few castles still holding out for the Empress. Stephen was besieging that + of Bertran, with an army composed partly of Normans and partly of natives + of his wife’s county of Boulogne, when, while he was taking his mid-day + sleep, a quarrel arose between the two brothers. Waking in haste, and + alarmed for his Boulognais, he took part against the Normans, calling out, + “Down with the traitors!” The Normans were greatly offended, and, having + retired to their tents, they held a council together, and ended by making + him the following plain-spoken address: + </p> + <p> + “Sir, a folly is better ended than continued. By ill advice, we took you + for our lord for a little while. If you blame us for it, you will not be + wrong. You have beaten our men, and called us traitors. Certes, we were + traitors when we left our rightful lady for a stranger. We have held with + you against our lady the Empress, and we repent, for we have sinned + against God and man: but we will no longer continue in the sin; and + therefore we bid you mount, and leave this host, for we will not suffer + you to remain in this country, unless it be the will of our lady the + Empress.” + </p> + <p> + Stephen begged them to let him remain till the next day but they swore + that, if he did, it should be the worse for him, and immediately escorted + him beyond the bounds of Normandy. They then brought back Maude, with her + husband and children; and the dukedom continued in the hands of Geoffrey + as long as he lived. + </p> + <p> + At the same time David, King of Scotland, recollecting the oath to Maude, + which he and Stephen had together sworn, took up arms in her cause, and + invaded England, forcing the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance. + His troops were a fearfully wild, untamed race, undisciplined and cruel, + and it was a dreadful thing to let loose such a host of savage marauders + without any possibility of restraining them. The Galwegians, Picts by + race, were the worst; but the Highlanders and Borderers were also + dreadfully cruel: and the English armed to protect themselves against the + inroad of their ancient foes. + </p> + <p> + The clergy of the North even deemed it a sacred war, and, by the authority + of Thurstan, Archbishop of York, gathered their flocks, and came, each + priest at the head of his parishioners, to the place of assembly at York, + where three days were spent in prayer and fasting; and then the old + Archbishop administered to them an oath never to desert each other, and + dismissed them with his blessing. Raoul, Bishop of Durham, was deputed by + him to take the lead, and to have the charge of the consecrated standards + of St. Cuthbert of Durham, St. Peter of York, St. John of Beverley, and + St. Wilfred of Ripon. These were all suspended from one pole, like the + mast of a vessel, surmounted by a cross, in the centre of which was fixed + a silver casket, containing the consecrated wafer of the Holy Sacrament. + The pole was fixed into a four-wheeled car, on which the Bishop stood. + Such cars were much used in Italy, where each city had its own consecrated + Gonfalone, on its caroccio, hung with scarlet cloth and drawn by oxen. The + English collected under this sacred standard were the stout peasants of + the North, the bowmen of Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire; each with a bow of + his own height, and a sheaf of arrows two cubits long; and there were also + many barons of Norman birth, of whom Walter L’Espee was the leader. Some + of these barons held their lands under David of Scotland, as Earl of + Cumberland, and two of them, Bernard Baliol and Robert Bruce, the last an + old friend of the King, went to the Scottish camp, to remonstrate with + him. Bruce begged him to retreat, described the horrors committed by his + wild Scots, told him of the strength of the English force, and ended by + declaring with tears that it would now become his duty to renounce his + allegiance, and array himself against his beloved prince. Good King David + shed tears, but William Macdonochie, the fierce lord of Galloway, burst + out with the exclamation, “Bruce, thou art a false traitor!” and the + insulted baron renounced all he held in Scotland, gave up his allegiance, + and rode back to the English army, at Northampton, bringing tidings that + the Scots were coming. + </p> + <p> + The host arrayed itself around their car, where the sacred standard waved + above their head, and the Bishop of Durham addressed them from beneath it, + reminding them of former victories. Walter L’Espee was the first to + respond. Grasping the hand of the Earl of Albemarle, he exclaimed, “I + pledge thee my troth that to-day I will overcome the Scots, or die!” “So + swear we all,” cried the other barons; and the whole host knelt down, the + Bishop pronounced over them the words of absolution, they replied with one + mighty sound of united voices, “Amen!” and arose. The knights and squires + sat with gathered reins and knees in rest, the yeomen stood each with his + good yew bow ready strung, awaiting the onslaught. + </p> + <p> + Less union was there in the hostile army, where it might be said that + there was no authority, for David was unable to restrain his wild subjects + from the North and West. The men of Galloway insisted on beginning the + attack; but as they wore no defensive armor, and had no weapons but long, + thin pikes, besides being more fierce than steady, the king hesitated. + “Why trust to a plate of steel or rings of iron?” exclaimed Malise of + Strathern. “I, who wear no armor, will go as far as any one with + breastplate of mail.” “You brag of what you dare not do!” said the Norman + Alan de Percy. But the King found himself obliged to yield the precedence + to the Galwegians, trusting far more to the lowland knights and + men-at-arms, whom he arrayed under his gallant son, Prince Henry, while he + himself commanded the reserve of Northern Scots. + </p> + <p> + The fierce Kelts of Galloway, guided by a tall spear, wreathed with + heather blossom, and shouting, “Albin! Albin!” with harsh, dissonant cries + like the roar of a tempest, fell headlong on the English ranks, and at + first their fury carried them on so that they burst through them as if + they had been a spider’s web. But the Norman chivalry round the standard + stood firm, and hewed down the undefended Galwegians, nor could the long + claymores of the Highland clans, who next attacked them, break through + their steel armor. The charge of Prince Henry’s horsemen had more effect, + and at one time the youth had almost won his way to the standard, when + some traitor in the rear raised a bloody head on the point of a lance, + shouting that the King was slain. In consternation the Scots gave back; + the English saw their advantage, and pressed upon them: and though David + rode forward and displayed the dragon standard which marked his presence + (inherited from the Saxon kings), he could not rally them, and but just + succeeded in protecting their flight to Carlisle, which then belonged to + him as Earl of Cumberland. + </p> + <p> + This first of the long series of Scottish defeats was called the Battle of + the Standard, from the banner of St. Cuthbert, which was always thought to + bring success. It came forth at the battle of Nevil’s Cross, and was again + victorious, and it was preserved with great reverence till the + Reformation, when, in 1549, Catherine Whittingham, the wife of the Dean of + Durham, burnt it, out of zeal against Popery. It is some comfort that she + was a Frenchwoman. + </p> + <p> + Stephen had left his Northern subjects to take care of themselves, because + he was full of perplexities in the South. He had tried to please all + parties, and by no means succeeded. He was a humane, kind-hearted man, and + really wished to befriend the unfortunate Saxons; but, on the other hand, + he was afraid to affront their Norman oppressors, whom he had allowed to + build castles, and strengthen themselves in the very way which it had been + Henry Beauclerc’s policy to prevent. Almost every spot where green mounds + and blocks of massive masonry remain within an ancient moat, is said by + tradition to have been “a castle in Stephen’s time,” and we wonder, + considering that he reigned but nine years, how such immense works could + have been effected. Dens of thieves they seem to have been, and misery and + destruction reigned round them; while the least attempt on the King’s part + to restrain the ferocity of their owners was requited by a threat of + bringing in our lady the Empress. + </p> + <p> + Her party became continually stronger, and Stephen, living in constant + mistrust, added to it by offending several Bishops, even his own brother, + Henry de Blois, by trying, to deprive them of their fortified castles. + Next he made an attack on the Earl of Gloucester, who, being thus freed + from his engagement to keep the peace, after repulsing Stephen, went to + Normandy to fetch the Empress, and inform her that this was the time for + establishing her right. + </p> + <p> + Maude, gladly accepted his invitation, but her husband Geoffrey seems to + have been glad to be rid of her ungracious company, and chose to remain in + Anjou. She landed in safety, for Stephen was at this time extremely ill, + and her brother placed her in Arundel Castle, which belonged to her + father’s widow, Queen Alice, lately married to William de Albini, the + ancestor of the noble line of Howard. Here Maude remained, while her + brother went to his own estates to raise troops; but in the meantime + Stephen recovered, and advanced on Arundel Castle. Queen Alice sent to + tell him that her stepdaughter had come to seek her protection, and beg + him not to make her do anything disloyal; and Stephen, who had many of the + qualities of a courteous knight, forbore to make any personal attack on + the ladies, but allowed the Empress to depart unmolested to meet Earl + Robert. + </p> + <p> + He brought her to his castle at Bristol, where she remained two years, + while the warfare was carried on in a desultory manner, chiefly by the + siege of castles. At last Stephen laid siege to Lincoln, where Robert’s + daughter was, with her husband Ralf, Earl of Chester. Her father came to + her relief with an army of 10,000 men. Stephen was advised to retreat; but + he thought his honor concerned, and gave battle. His forces were soon + overwhelmed; but he fought on desperately at the foot of his standard, so + fiercely that no one dared to approach him, though his sword and + battle-axe were both broken. At last a stone brought him to the ground, + and a knight, named William Kames, grappled with him and held him fast; + but even then he refused to yield the fragment of his sword to any but the + Earl of Gloucester, who came up at the moment and prevented any further + violence. + </p> + <p> + Stephen was given into the keeping of Countess Amabel, and Maude was + conducted in state to Winchester, where Stephen’s own brother, the Bishop, + proclaimed her Queen, standing on the steps of the altar. Her uncle, King + David, came to visit her, and she held her court with great splendor. It + was here that she disgusted every one by her disdainful manners, and + treated her cousin, Stephen’s queen, with such harshness as to drive her + to take up arms again. London had always been favorable to Stephen, and + two months of negotiation were necessary before David and Robert could + prevail on the citizens to receive her. At midsummer, however, they + consented to admit her, and she came to Westminster; but as soon as a + deputation of citizens were in her presence, she showed her pride and + hostile spirit. They asked for charters; she replied by ordering them to + bring money, and telling them they were very bold to talk of their + privileges, when they had just been aiding her enemies. Robert made + speeches to try to soften matters, and David reasoned with her in vain, + till she was convinced of her folly in a way for which he was little + prepared. It is said that she actually flew at him and struck him; and if + she could thus treat a royal uncle, how must not men inferior in rank have + sped? + </p> + <p> + It was noon, and the deputies went home, as Maude thought, to dinner; but + presently all the bells began to ring, and burghers, armed with bows and + bills, began to swarm in the streets. The followers of the Empress were + too few to resist; so, after a brief council, David galloped off to the + North, and Robert rode with his sister to Oxford, while the Londoners + opened their gates to Matilda, Stephen’s wife, and her son Eustace. + </p> + <p> + Robert went to raise more forces, and Maude, hearing that Bishop Henry de + Blois was conferring with his sister-in-law, sharply summoned him to her + presence. He quietly made answer, “<i>Parabo me</i>”—I prepare + myself; and Maude, in a passion, set out, intending to surprise him at + Wolvesley, his palace at Winchester. She found it well fortified, and laid + siege to it from the castle at Winchester, where she was joined by her + uncle and brother; and the town was in a miserable state, burnt by both + parties in turn. Twenty churches and two convents were destroyed, and the + Bishop took Knut’s crown out of the Cathedral—to save it from the + enemy, as was said, but it was never seen again. At last Eustace de Blois + and his mother brought such a force that the Empress was besieged in her + turn, and completely starved out. Her garrison resolved to break through + the enemy at all risks, and on Sunday they set forth, Maude riding first + with her uncle David, and Robert following with a band of knights, under a + vow to die rather than let her be taken. + </p> + <p> + At Stourbridge the pursuers came up with them, many of the knights fell, + and Robert was captured. So closely were the royal fugitives pursued, that + David at one time was in the enemy’s hands, and only escaped by the + stratagem of his godson, David Olifant. Maude and one faithful knight, by + the speed of their horses, reached Devizes, whence she was carried in a + coffin to Gloucester. + </p> + <p> + Maude could not make up her mind to release her foe, Stephen, even for the + sake of recovering her brother; but the Countess of Gloucester, + considering the King as her own property, acted for herself, and exchanged + him for her husband. Queen Matilda tried to make Robert promise to bring + about peace, to secure England to Stephen, and Normandy to Maude; but he + would make no engagements which he knew she would not observe, and matters + continued in the same state. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XVIII. THE SNOWS OF OXFORD. (1138-1154.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1135. Stephen. + + <i>Kings of Scotland</i>. + 1124. David I. + 1153. Malcolm V. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1137. Louis VII. + + <i>Emperor Of Germany</i>. + 1139. Konrad II. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1130. Innocent II. + 1143. Celestine II. + 1144. Lucius II. + 1145. Anastasius II. + 1154. Adrian IV. +</pre> + <p> + On the 1st of November, 1138, Stephen was set at liberty, and Robert of + Gloucester, being exchanged for him, rejoined his sister the Empress at + Gloucester; and during this time of quiet her fierce nature seems to have + somewhat softened. + </p> + <p> + Stephen, meanwhile, had one of his terrible attacks of illness, in which + he lay for hours, if not days, in a death-like lethargy, and, of course, + his followers did nothing but build castles whenever the frost would let + them work, prey on their neighbors, and make the state of the country far + worse than it had been under any of the Normans of hated memory. Maude’s + domain was in better order, as Robert’s rule was modelled on that of his + father’s, in its best points. It is wonderful that Robert, whose mother + was a princess by birth, and had been treated as a wife till the Etheling + marriage had become a matter of policy, should have put forward no + pretensions to the crown, but have uniformly given his staunch support to + his proud and ungrateful sister. In a council held at Devizes in the + course of the winter, it was decided that he should go to Normandy to + entreat the Count of Anjou to bring succors to his wife. Geoffrey, + however, had no desire to return to her haughty companionship, and + represented that there were still many castles in Normandy unsubdued. + Robert gave efficient aid in taking these; but Geoffrey still could not + persuade himself to meet his wife, though, at Robert’s persuasion, he + consented to give into his charge Henry, his eldest son, a boy of ten + years old, with a large body of troops. + </p> + <p> + Maude had, in the meanwhile, been placed in the strong fortress at Oxford; + but no sooner had Stephen recovered from his illness, than he collected + his army, and marched southward. In the end of September he besieged her + at Oxford, where at first she thought herself safe; but he crossed the + river, set fire to the city in several places, and blockaded her in the + castle. + </p> + <p> + Her nobles collected at Wallingford, and sent defiances to Stephen to + fight a pitched battle with them; but he knew his own advantage too well, + and took no notice. Earl Robert, landing near Wareham, tried to create a + diversion by besieging that seaport; but he could not draw the enemy off + from Oxford. Famine prevailed in the castle, and, after much suffering, it + became impossible for the garrison to hold out any longer. The depth of + winter had come, the ground was covered with snow, and the Isis was frozen + over. Maude, whose courage never failed, caused herself and three of her + knights to be dressed in white, and let down from the battlements upon the + snow, where they were met by one of Stephen’s men, whom they had gained + over, and by him were led, unseen and unheard, through the camp of the + enemy, hearing the call of the sentinels, and trembling with anxiety. For + six miles they crept over the snow, and at last arrived at Abingdon, + nearly frozen, for their garments had been far too scanty for the piercing + weather; but they could not remain a moment for rest or warmth, but took + horse, and never paused till they reached Wallingford Castle. Thither, so + soon as the news reached Earl Robert, he brought her young son, and her + troubles were forgotten in her joy. + </p> + <p> + Thence she repaired with her son to Bristol Castle, where the boy remained + under the care of a learned tutor named Matthew, who instructed him under + the superintendence of Earl Robert. + </p> + <p> + This great Earl deserved the name of Beauclerc almost as well as his + father; he was well read, and two histories were dedicated to him, William + of Malmesbury’s, and Geoffrey of Monmouth’s wonderful chronicle of the old + British kings, whose blood flowed in Robert’s veins; that chronicle—wrought + out of queer Welsh stories—that served as a foundation for Edward’s + claims on Scotland, and whence came our Lear and Cymbeline. + </p> + <p> + All that knightly training could do for young Henry was done by Earl + Robert, and the boy so far answered to his care as to have that mixture of + scholarliness and high spirit that was inherent in the Norman and Angevin + princes. But the shrewd unscrupulousness and hard selfishness of the + Norman were there, too—the qualities from which noble Gloucester + himself was free. It may be, however, that the good Earl did not see these + less promising characteristics of his ward; for, after five years of the + boy’s residence at Bristol, and the old desultory warfare between the + partisans of King and Empress, Count Geoffrey sent for his son, to take + leave of him before going on a crusade; and while Henry was absent, Earl + Robert died, in 1147. It speaks much for Henry Beauclerc’s court that such + men should have grown up in it as Robert of Gloucester and David of + Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey, in the meantime, paid a visit to his younger brother, Baldwin + III. of Jerusalem, a very gallant prince. On his return, Maude came back + to him, and after their eight years’ absence, they met with affection they + never had shown to one another before. She did not attempt to take the + government of Normandy, but left it wholly in Geoffrey’s hands. + </p> + <p> + Stephen, meanwhile, was unmolested in England till 1149, when Henry sailed + for Scotland, there to be knighted by his uncle, King David; while, + curiously enough, his younger brother Geoffrey was at the very same time + knighted by Stephen’s elder brother, Theobald, Count de Blois. + </p> + <p> + It was a year of grief to that excellent King, who suffered a great + affliction in the death of the chivalrous Henry, his only son, and the + father of a numerous infant family. His barons feared he would sink under + his sorrow, and came to comfort him; but they found him cheerful. “I ought + not to lament my son’s being taken away from me,” he said, “since he is + gone to enjoy the fellowship of my parents and my brethren, of whose souls + the world was no longer worthy. Should I mourn, it would be to arraign the + goodness and justice of God for removing him to the mansions of bliss + before me. I should rather be thankful, and rejoice that the Almighty + endowed my son with so much grace to behave himself in a manner to be so + beloved and lamented. Soon do I hope to follow, and, being delivered from + temporal miseries, to enjoy a blessed eternity with the saints in light.” + </p> + <p> + It was shortly after this that Aelred, the good Abbot of Rivaux, came to + Dunfermline, on the affairs of his order; and in the presence of this holy + man, the adopted brother of his beloved Henry, one of the four promising + boys who had gladdened the early days of his reign, the King’s grief broke + freely forth, though still it was not the sorrow of one who had no hope. + He told Aelred he saw in this calamity a punishment for the devastation he + had caused in his invasion of England, and would fain have laid down his + royalty, and spent the rest of his days in penitence in a convent; but he + was persuaded to relinquish the design, and guard the crown for his + grandsons. He shed tears as he tenderly embraced Aelred, and both felt it + was their last meeting. + </p> + <p> + David did not long survive his son. He appointed his eldest grandchild, + Malcolm, to succeed him, and set his affairs in order, redoubling all his + pious and charitable acts. One of the last things he was heard to say, + was, “Lord, I restore Thee the kingdom wherewith Thou didst entrust me. + Put me in possession of that whereof the inhabitants are all kings.” He + was soon after found dead, in the attitude of devotion. His body was + buried at Dunfermline, and his name added to the list of Scottish saints. + </p> + <p> + His grandsons, Malcolm, William, and David, were all good and valiant men. + </p> + <p> + Waltheof, his stepson, lived peaceably at Melrose, strict in rule, gentle + in manners, and peculiarly humble in demeanor, and poor in dress. He once + had occasion to meet King Stephen, and rode in among the barons in their + armor, only clad in his coarse serge frock, and mounted, on an old gray + horse. His brother Simon, who stood by the King, was displeased, and said, + “See, my lord, how my brother and thy kinsman does honor to his lineage.” + He met with a reply he little expected. “If thou and I had only the grace + to see it,” said Stephen, “he is an honor indeed to us. He adorns our + race, as the gem does the gold in which it is set!” And when he had parted + with the meek abbot, Stephen exclaimed, with tears, “This man has put all + worldly things under his feet; but we are presuming after this fleeting + world, and losing both body and soul in the chase.” + </p> + <p> + This must indeed have, been brought home soon after to Stephen, by the + fate of his wretched son Eustace. This fiery youth had desired to be + crowned in his father’s lifetime; but Archbishop Theobald, and all his + suffragans, perceiving that this would prevent the only hope of peace on + Stephen’s death, steadily refused, though the King shut them all up in his + hall, and threatened them violently. The next year, when the treaty was + made by which Henry of Anjou was to reign after Stephen, Eustace was so + enraged at finding himself excluded from the succession, that he rushed + off, accompanied by a party of lawless young men, and ravaged all + Cambridgeshire, committing dreadful excesses. It is to be hoped that he + was already under the influence of the brain-fever which came on in a few + days’ time, immediately after he had pillaged Bury St. Edmund’s, and of + which he died; leaving a belief among the country people, that, like King + Sweyn, he had been struck by the avenging hand of the Saint himself. His + father, King Stephen, only lived a few months after, worn out by the toils + and troubles which he had brought on himself by his own ambition. His son + William, who would have opposed Henry’s accession, was prevented, by + breaking his leg by a fall from his horse, and Henry peaceably gained the + throne. His mother, Empress Maude, had in the meantime retired to Anjou, + where she led a quiet life, giving up her rights to her son, and + apparently profiting by the lesson she had been taught when her prosperity + was turned at its full tide by her own pride and presumption. + </p> + <p> + Of the boys bred up in the good household of Dunfermline, Aelred was the + last survivor. Waltheof had the happiness, before his death, of seeing his + brother, the proud Earl Simon of Northampton, repent heartily, leave his + evil courses, found churches, and endow the convent of Waldon, which he + had once persecuted for sheltering his brother. Waltheof was elected to be + Bishop of St. Andrews, and Aelred, as head of the Cistercians in Britain, + came to Melrose, to order him, on his canonical obedience, to accept the + see. But Waltheof was weak in health, and knew that another call had gone + forth. He pointed to a stone slab on the floor of the chapter-house. + “There,” said he, “is the place of my rest. Here will be my habitation, + among my children.” + </p> + <p> + And in a short time he died, in the year 1159. Aelred lived seven or eight + years longer, and was highly honored and trusted by the young Malcolm of + Scotland. On his behalf the old Abbot undertook a journey, to treat with + the wild men of Galloway, whom Malcolm had three times defeated in battle, + and now wished to bring to terms. He succeeded in persuading their chief + to submit, and even to become a canon at Holyrood. + </p> + <p> + He afterward attended a chapter of his order at Pavia, and died at Rivaux, + after a long illness, about 1166. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XIX. YOUTH OF BECKET. (1154-1162) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1154. Henry II. + + <i>King Of Scotland</i>. + 1153. Malcolm V. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1137. Louis VII. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1138. Konrad II. + 1152. Friedrich II. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1154. Adrian IV. + 1159. Alexander III. +</pre> + <p> + Henry of Anjou showed, in his journey to England, both courage and + moderation. He remained there for some little time, and then returned home + to join his father in a war against the Count de Montreuil, who was + befriended by both Pope and King of France. The Pope excommunicated + Geoffrey, but he fought on, and made his enemy prisoner; then, at the + command of the King of France, released him. When the Pope would have + absolved Geoffrey, he refused, saying he had only done justice, and had + not deserved the sentence. A few months after, in 1151, a cold bath, when + he was heated with riding, brought on a fever that caused his death. + </p> + <p> + He left his son Henry his county of Anjou, to be resigned to Geoffrey if + he should become King of England, and commanded that his body should not + be interred till Henry had taken an oath to that effect. From this oath + Henry was absolved by Adrian IV, properly Nicholas Brakespeare, the only + English Pope, and stripped his brother of all his possessions. It was no + good omen for his own relations with his sons. His mother lived many years + in retirement, and used her influence chiefly for good. She died in 1167. + </p> + <p> + Henry, meantime, had come to the throne in 1154, and was the mightiest + King who had yet reigned in England. More than half France was his—partly + by inheritance, and partly by marriage with Eleanor, heiress of Aquitaine; + and he was quite able to rule his vast dominions. His alertness and + activity were the wonder of every one. He made journeys with great + rapidity, was always busy, and hardly ever sat down. He had a face like a + lion, well-knit limbs, and a hardy temperament. He was heedless what he + ate or wore, and was an embodiment of vehemence and activity. He threw + himself eagerly into the work of reducing to order the dreadful state of + things allowed by Stephen. + </p> + <p> + Down came the castles—once more the nobles found they had a strong + hand over them—no more dens of robbers were permitted—the King + was here, there, and everywhere. He had English to tame Anglo-Normans, + Angevins to set on French Normans, Poitevins to turn loose on both. He + knew what order was, and kept it; and the counsellor who aided him most + must now be described. + </p> + <p> + Here is the romantic ballad-tale of that counsellor’s origin, though it is + much to be feared that the fact cannot be established. + </p> + <p> + In the reign of Henry I. the citizens of London were amazed by the sight + of a maiden in an Eastern dress, wandering along the streets, plaintively + uttering the word “Gilbert!” Certain seafaring men declared that she had + prevailed on them to take her on board their vessel and bring her to + England, by constantly repeating the name “London!”—the only other + word in the language that she knew. + </p> + <p> + Poor lady! The mob of London were less compassionate than the sailors had + been. They hooted and hunted her, till she came to Southwark, in front of + a house belonging to Gilbert à Becket, a rich and prosperous merchant, + who, with his faithful serving-man, Richard, had lately returned from + pilgrimage. Richard, who had come out on hearing the noise, hurried back + into the house as soon as he perceived its cause; then, hastening out + again, went up to the poor, persecuted maiden, who fainted away at the + sight of him. He carried her to the house of an honorable widow lady, + desiring her, in his master’s name to take care of the desolate stranger, + with whom, on her revival, he held converse in her own tongue, and seemed + to cheer her greatly. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Gilbert à Becket was on his way to St. Paul’s, to consult the + Bishop of London. He related how, in the East, he and his man Richard had + been taken captive by the Saracens, and become slaves to a wealthy Emir. + In the course of their services to their master, Gilbert had attracted the + notice of his daughter, who had more than once asked him questions about + his faith and country, and had at last offered to contrive his escape, if + he would take her for his wife, and bring her to his own land. Gilbert, + who did not trust her, effected his escape with Richard without her + assistance, and returned to England, little thinking they should ever see + her again. But she followed him, leaving her home, her riches, and her + father, and seeking him through his long and dangerous journey, ignorant + of all save his name, and the name of his city. + </p> + <p> + Five other prelates were present when he told the story, and one, the + Bishop of Chichester, exclaimed, that Heaven itself most have conducted + the damsel, and advised that Gilbert should at once marry her. The next + day she was brought to St. Paul’s, and was there baptized by the name of + Matilda, Richard acting as interpreter; and shortly after the wedding took + place. + </p> + <p> + This romantic story was the origin of several old English ballads, one of + which celebrates the Saracen lady by the extraordinary title of Susy Pye, + perhaps a vulgarism of her original Eastern name. + </p> + <p> + In the first year of his marriage, Gilbert went on pilgrimage again, + leaving his wife under the care of his man Richard. Soon after his + departure she gave birth to a son, to whom she gave the name of Thomas, + and who was three years old by the time his father returned from the Holy + Land. They afterward had two daughters, named Mary and Agnes, and lived in + great piety and happiness, until the time of Matilda’s death, at the end + of twenty-two years. + </p> + <p> + Thomas received a clerkly education from the Canons of Merton, and showed + such rare ability that his whole family deemed him destined for great + things. He was very tall and handsome, and his aquiline nose, quick eyes, + and long, slender, beautiful hands, accorded with the story of his Eastern + ancestry; and he was very vigorous and athletic, delighting in the manly + sports of the young men of his time. In his boyhood, while he was out + hawking with a knight who used to lodge in his father’s house when he came + to London, he was exposed to a serious danger. They came to a narrow + bridge, fit only for foot-passengers, with a mill-wheel just below. The + knight nevertheless rode across the bridge, and Thomas was following, when + his horse, making a false step, fell into the river. The boy could swim, + but would not make for the bank, without rescuing the hawk, that had + shared his fall, and thus was drawn by the current under the wheel, and in + another moment would have been torn to pieces, had not the miller stopped + the machinery, and pulled him out of the water, more dead than alive. + </p> + <p> + It seems that it was the practice for wealthy merchants to lodge their + customers when brought to London by business, and thus young Thomas became + known to several persons of high estimation in their several stations. A + rich merchant called Osborn gave him big accounts to keep; knights noticed + his riding, and clerks his learning and religious life. + </p> + <p> + Some of the clergy of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who were among + those guests, were desirous of presenting him to their master. He at first + held back, but they at length prevailed with him: he became a member of + the Archbishop’s household, and, after he had improved himself in + learning, was ordained deacon, and presented with the Archdeaconry of + Canterbury, an office which was then by no means similar to what we at + present call by that name. It really then meant being chief of the + deacons, and involved the being counsellor, and, in a manner, treasurer to + the Bishop of the diocese; and thus, to be Archdeacon of Canterbury, was + the highest ecclesiastical dignity in the kingdom, next to that of the + prelates and great mitred abbots. + </p> + <p> + Thomas à Becket was a secular clerk, bound by none of the vows of monastic + orders; and therefore, though he led a strictly pure and self-denying + life, he did hot consider himself obliged to abstain from worldly business + or amusements, and in the year 1150 he was appointed Chancellor by Henry + II. He was then in his thirty-eighth year, of great ability and + cultivation, graceful in demeanor, ready of speech, clear in mind, and his + tall frame (reported to have been no less than six feet two in height) + fitting him for martial exercise and bodily exertion. The King, a youth of + little past twenty, delighting in ability wherever he found it, became + much attached to his gallant Chancellor, and not only sought his advice in + the regulation of England after its long troubles, but, when business was + done, they used to play together like two schoolboys. + </p> + <p> + It must have been a curious scene in the hall of Chancellor Becket, when, + at the daily meal, earls and barons sat round his table, and knights and + nobles crowded, so thickly at the others, that the benches were not + sufficient, and the floor was daily strewn with hay or straw in winter, or + in summer with green boughs, that those who sat on it might not soil their + robes. Gold and silver dishes, and goblets, and the richest wines, were + provided, and the choicest, most costly viands were purchased at any price + by his servants for these entertainments: they once gave a hundred + shillings for a dish of eels. But the Chancellor seldom touched these + delicacies, living on the plainest fare, as he sat in his place as the + host, answering the pledges of his guests, amusing them with his converse, + and providing minstrelsy and sports of all kinds for their recreation. + Often the King would ride into the hall, in the midst of the gay crowd + seated on the floor, throw himself off his horse, leap over the table, and + join in the mirth. + </p> + <p> + These rich feasts afforded afterward plentiful alms for the poor, who were + never forgotten in the height of Becket’s magnificence, and the widow and + the oppressed never failed to find a protector in the Chancellor. + </p> + <p> + His house was full of young squires and pages, the sons of the nobility, + who placed them there as the best school of knighthood; and among them was + the King’s own son Henry, who had been made his pupil. + </p> + <p> + The King seems to have been apt to laugh at Becket for his strict life and + overflowing charity. One very cold day, as they were riding, they met an + old man in a thin, ragged coat. + </p> + <p> + “Poor old man!” said Henry, “would it not be a charity to give him a good, + warm cloak?” + </p> + <p> + “It would, indeed.” said Becket: “you had better keep the matter in mind.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no; it is you that shall have the credit of this great act of + charity,” said Henry, laughing. “Ha! old man, should you not like this + nice, warm cloak?” and, with those words, he began to pull at the scarlet + and gray mantle which the Chancellor wore. Becket struggled for it, and in + this rough sport they were both nearly pulled off their horses, till the + clasp gave way, and the King triumphantly tossed his prize to the + astonished old man. + </p> + <p> + The Chancellor was in the habit of daily giving more costly gifts than + these, both to rich and poor; gold and silver, robes and jewels, fine + armor and horses, hawks and hounds—even fine new ships, were + bestowed by him, from the wealth of the old merchant Gilbert, as well as + from the revenues of his archdeaconry, and of several other benefices, + which the lax opinions of his time caused him to think no shame to keep in + his own hands. + </p> + <p> + We cannot call Thomas à Becket by any means a perfect character; but + thoroughly conscientious he must ever have been, and very self-denying, + keeping himself pure from every stain in the midst of the court, and + guarding himself by strict discipline. He was found to be in the habit of + sleeping on the bare boards beside his rich bed, and in secret he wore + sackcloth, and submitted to the lash of penance. His uprightness and + incorruptibility as a judge, his wisdom in administering the affairs of + state, and his skill in restoring peace to England, made the reign of + Henry Plantagenet a relief indeed to his subjects. + </p> + <p> + In almost every respect he lived like a layman. He hunted and hawked, and + was found fault with by the Prior of Leicester for wearing a cape with + sleeves, which it seems was an unclerical garment. The prior said it was + more unsuitable in one who held so many ecclesiastical preferments, and + was likely to become Archbishop of Canterbury. + </p> + <p> + To this Thomas answered: “I know three poor priests, each of whom I would + rather see Archbishop than myself. If I had that rank, I know full well I + must either lose the King’s favor, or set aside my duty to God.” + </p> + <p> + When Henry went to war with France respecting the inheritance of Eleanor + of Aquitaine, his wife, his Chancellor brought to his aid seven hundred + knights of his own household, besides twelve hundred in his pay, and four + thousand foot soldiers. He fed the knights themselves at his own table, + and paid them each three shillings a day for the support of their squires + and horses; and he himself commanded them, wearing armor, and riding at + their head. He kept them together by the sound of a long, slender trumpet, + such as was then used only by his own band; and in combat he showed + himself strong and dexterous in the use of lance and sword, winning great + admiration and respect even from the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Henry resolved to come to a treaty, and to seal it by asking the King of + France, Louis le Jeune, to give his daughter Margaret in marriage to + Henry, the heir of England. Becket was sent on this embassy, and the + splendor of his equipment was such as might become its importance. + </p> + <p> + Two hundred men on horseback, in armor or gay robes, were his immediate + followers, and with them came eight waggons, each drawn by five horses, a + groom walking beside each horse, and a driver and guard to every waggon, + besides a large, fierce dog chained beneath each. The waggons carried + provisions and garments, and furniture for the night: two were filled with + ale for the French, who much admired that English liquor; another was + fitted up as a kitchen, and another for a chapel. There were twelve + sumpter horses carrying small articles, and on the back of each of these + sat a long-tailed ape! + </p> + <p> + Dogs and hawks, with their attendants, accompanied the procession, the + whole marshalled in regular order, and the men singing as they went; and + the impression on the minds of all beholders was, “If such was the + Chancellor, what must be the King?” + </p> + <p> + At Paris all these riches were given away, and so resolved was Becket to + keep up his character for munificence, that he did not choose to be + maintained at the expense of the French King; and when Louis, wishing to + force him into being his guest, sent orders to the markets round to sell + nothing to the English Chancellor, his attendants disguised themselves, + and bought up all the provisions in the neighborhood. King Louis acquired + a great esteem and admiration for the Chancellor, and willingly granted + his request, betrothing Margaret, who was only seven years old, to Prince + Henry. She, as well as her little husband, became Becket’s pupils, by + desire of King Henry, and she, at least, never seems to have lost her + attachment to him. + </p> + <p> + The time Becket dreaded came. The good, old, peaceable Archbishop Theobald + died in 1162, and Henry, who was then at Falaise, ordered his Chancellor + to England, ostensibly to settle a disturbance in the western counties, + but in reality, as he declared in a private interview, that he might be + elected to the primacy. + </p> + <p> + Becket smiled, and, pointing to his gay robes, said, “You are choosing a + pretty dress to figure at the head of your monks of Canterbury. If you do + as you say, my lord, you will soon hate me as much as you love me now, for + you assume an authority in Church affairs to which I shall not consent, + and there will be plenty of persons to stir up strife between us.” + </p> + <p> + Henry did not heed the warning, and King, Bishops, and the Chapter of + Canterbury unanimously chose Becket as Archbishop, with only one reluctant + voice, that of Gilbert Folliot, Bishop of London, who expected the same + promotion himself. On Whit-Sunday Thomas received priest’s orders, and + shortly after was consecrated Bishop by Henry de Blois, Bishop of + Winchester, and brother of King Stephen. John of Salisbury, a priest of + Becket’s household, and his intimate friend, was sent to Rome to ask for + the pallium; and, bringing it home, laid it on the altar of Canterbury + Cathedral, whence the Archbishop took it up. + </p> + <p> + The magnificent Archdeacon was expected by King Henry to lead the same + life when Archbishop, and thus to secularize the Church. But Henry had + mistaken his man. Clever and clear-sighted as the King was, seven years of + transacting business together, and of familiar intercourse with the + frank-hearted, free-spoken Thomas à Becket, had failed to make him + conscious of the inner life and deep devotion, the mortification and + uncompromising sense of duty, that was the true spring of his actions. It + was no secret; Becket avowed it from the first; the King only did not see + it, because he <i>could</i> not understand it. + </p> + <p> + Becket had too high an idea of the office of a bishop to unite the care of + state affairs with it, and he at once resigned the chancellorship. + Outwardly there was not much difference—he still kept a magnificent + table, and entertained nobles and knights at his banquets; but his + self-discipline was secretly carried to a far greater extent than before. + He touched the wine-cup with his lips, to do honor to his guests, but his + drink was water in which hay had been boiled; and though costly meats were + placed before him, he hardly tasted them, and his chief food was bread. He + doubled all the gifts that Archbishop Theobald had been wont to make to + the poor convents and hospitals, and gave very large alms. Every day he + washed the feet of thirteen beggars, then fed them, and gave them each + four shillings. This was, in fact, considered as a religious duty, almost + an obligation on certain occasions. It is a ceremony still performed by + the Pope at Passion-tide; and Queen Elizabeth herself used to do so on + Maundy Thursday. The gifts now distributed by the Queen on that day are a + relic of the custom. + </p> + <p> + Archbishop Becket, when at Canterbury, often visited the cloisters, where + he sat reading among the monks; and he often went to see and console the + sick or infirm brethren, who were unable to leave their cells. He was much + loved and respected by those who knew him best; but the nobles, who had + usurped lands belonging to his see, dreaded his maintenance of his rights, + and hoped for disagreements between him and the King—especially one + Randolf de Broc, who wrongfully held the Castle of Saltwood, near + Canterbury. + </p> + <p> + However, at the first meeting all was smooth. On the return of the court + the Archbishop brought his pupil, Prince Henry, to meet his father at + Southampton, and was received with great affection. The King embraced him + eagerly, and spent much time apart with him, discussing all that had taken + place in his absence. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XX. THE CONSTITUTIONS OF CLARENDON. (1163-1172.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1151. Henry II. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1165. William. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1137. Louis VII. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1152. Friedrich II. + + <i>Pope</i>. + 1159. Alexander III. +</pre> + <p> + The strife between the Crown and the Mitre was not long in breaking out + again. The former strife had been on the matter of investiture; the strife + of the twelfth century was respecting jurisdiction. + </p> + <p> + We sometimes hear the expression, “Without benefit of clergy,” and the + readers of the “Lay of the Last Minstrel” cannot have forgotten William of + Deloraine’s declaration, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Letter or line know I never a one, + Were’t my neck-verse at Harribee.” + </pre> + <p> + These are witnesses of the combat between Henry II. and Thomas à Becket. + The Church, as bearing the message of peace, claimed to be exempt from the + sword of the State. Her sacred buildings protected the criminal, the + inhabitants of her lands were spared in war, and offences committed either + by an ecclesiastic or against one, were not liable to be punished by the + temporal power. This protection was extended not only over actually + ordained clergymen, but all who held any office in connection with + ecclesiastical affairs—all students, nay, all who were clerks enough + to read and write. Thus the wild borderers, when made prisoners, escaped + the halter by pretending to read a verse of the <i>Miserere</i>, which + they had learnt by heart in case of such an emergency, and called their + neck-verse; and “without benefit of clergy” was added to new laws, to + prevent education from exempting persons from their power. + </p> + <p> + But this arose long after the battle had been fought and won; and it is + not to be supposed, that the Church left offenders unpunished. + Imprisonment, loss of rank, and penance, fell heavily on them, and it was + only very hardened and desperate men who would die under excommunication + rather than endure all that was required before they could be reconciled + to the Church. + </p> + <p> + Henry II. had found the course of justice seriously impeded by these + privileges of the clergy, and convoking a council at Westminster, in 1163, + called on the bishops to consent that, as soon as a clerk should be proved + guilty of a crime, he should be deprived of his orders, and handed over to + receive punishment as a layman, at the hands of the King’s officer. + </p> + <p> + According to our views in the present day, this demand was just, but to + the Church of the twelfth century it seemed an attempt to deprive her of + powers committed to her trust; and considering the uncertainty of justice, + and the lawless tyranny and cruelty often exercised by the sovereigns and + nobles, the resistance made to Henry II. cannot be wondered at. + </p> + <p> + The bishops, however, first took the King’s view, and argued that a crime + was worse in a clerk than in another, so that he deserved no immunity. To + this Becket answered, that the loss of his orders was one penalty, and it + was not right that he should be punished twice for the same offence. They + said that the King would be displeased, and it would be better to give up + their liberties than to perish themselves. This cowardly plea Becket + treated no better than it deserved, and brought them over to his side, so + that they all answered the King, that their duty forbade them to comply + with his demand; Henry put the question in another form, asking them + whether they would in all things observe the royal Constitutions of his + ancestors. Becket replied, “We will in all things, saving the privileges + of our order;” and so, one by one, said they all, except Hilary of + Chichester, who was afraid, and left out the important restriction. But by + this cowardice all he gained was the King’s contempt. Henry chose him as + the one on whom to vent his passion, abused him violently, and quitted the + council, in one of his furious fits of rage. + </p> + <p> + Thenceforth Henry was at war with Becket. One of his first acts of spite, + was exiling the Archbishop’s friend, John of Salisbury, a faithful priest, + and an excellent scholar, as his correspondence with his master remains to + testify. It is curious to read his account of Paris. “The people here seem + to enjoy abundance of everything; the Church ceremonies are performed with + great splendor, and I thought, with Jacob, ‘Surely the Lord is in this + place, and I knew it not;’ also, in the words of the poet, + </p> + <p> + “‘Blessed is the banish’d man who liveth here.’ + </p> + <p> + “The French are much afraid of our King Henry, and hate him most + intensely; but this between ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop wrote to the Pope for counsel, but the King had strong + influence at Rome, and the Pope only advised Becket to preserve peace; + owning that what the King demanded was wrong, but recommending Becket to + give way, and make friends, so that England might be once more at his beck + and call. + </p> + <p> + For this policy Becket was far too straight-forward, and his perplexity + was great, especially when the Archbishop of York, who had always been his + enemy, the jealous and disappointed Gilbert Folliot of London, and the + time-serving Hilary of Chichester, all declared themselves of the King’s + party. + </p> + <p> + The Pope and his legate prevailed with Becket to consent to the + Constitutions of the realm, without making any exception; the King said + this must be done in public, and in January, 1164, convoked a council for + the purpose at Clarendon, in Wiltshire. + </p> + <p> + The Constitutions were read, and proved to contain much that was contrary + to the canons of the Church; they were discussed and commented on for + three days, and then, to Becket’s surprise and dismay, he was required not + only to agree to them by word of mouth, as he had already done, but to set + his archiepiscopal seal to them. He rose, and exclaimed, much agitated, “I + declare by God Almighty, that no seal of mine shall ever be set to such + Constitutions as these.” + </p> + <p> + The King left the room in a fury, and great confusion ensued, of which we + have no clear account. The nobles broke in on the bishops, and threatened + them in the King’s name; the Grand Master of the Templars persuaded + Becket, and it seems that his firmness in some degree gave way, though + whether what he repented of was the sealing the Constitutions, or merely + the promise he had given, we cannot tell. The assembly broke up, the King + and each of the Archbishops taking a copy of the Constitutions. + </p> + <p> + Becket, as he rode away, lamented over what had passed, as his faithful + friend and biographer, Herbert of Bosham, has recorded. “My sins are the + cause why the Church of England is reduced to bondage,” he said. “I was + taken from the court to fill this station, a proud and vain man; not from + the cloister, nor from a school of the Saviour, but from the palace of + Caesar. I was a feeder of birds, and I was suddenly made a feeder of men; + I was a patron of players, and a follower of hounds, and I became a + shepherd over many souls. I neglected my own vineyard, and yet was + intrusted with the care of others.” + </p> + <p> + He fasted, and abstained from ministering at the altar, till he had + received from the Pope a letter of absolution for his act of weakness; and + as the Pope gave no ratification of the Constitutions of Clarendon, he did + not consider them binding. + </p> + <p> + Henry shifted his ground, and, calling another Council at Northampton in + 1164, brought various petty charges against the Archbishop. The first was, + that a man named John Marshall had failed to obtain justice in his court. + The truth was, that the man had been caught making oaths on a jest-book, + instead of on the Gospels; and Becket, instead of coming himself to state + this, sent four knights with letters explaining it. + </p> + <p> + For this neglect, as it was said, of the King’s summons, Becket was + condemned to forfeit the whole of his personal property; and to this he + submitted, but without appeasing the King, who went on to accuse him of + taking the public money while Chancellor, when, as every one knew, he had + spent far more largely than ever he had received in the King’s service. + Not a person was there who did not know that his character stood far above + such base charges; besides, an appointment to an ecclesiastical dignity + was always supposed to clear from all former charges. + </p> + <p> + Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, brother of King Stephen, went to the + King, and offered to pay the whole sum required of Becket; but he was not + listened to, and the Bishops of Chichester and London plainly told the + Archbishop, that what was aimed at was to force him to resign. The plain, + blunt Bishop of Lincoln said, “The man’s life is in danger; he will lose + it, or his bishopric; and what good his bishopric will do him without his + life, I do not see.” + </p> + <p> + On the decisive day on which he was expected to submit to judgment, + Archbishop Thomas rose early and celebrated mass; after which, arrayed in + his pontifical dress, except his mitre and pall, he set out for the place + of meeting, attended by his faithful clerks. He wished to have gone + thither barefoot, and, bearing his cross, to have thrown himself at the + feet of the King, and intercede with him for the liberties of the Church; + but his clergy and the Templars persuaded him to relinquish this design, + contrary to his own judgment. He returned to it again so far, that, on + dismounting in the Castle court, he took his cross from Alexander + Llewellyn, its bearer, and carried it himself into the hall. The Bishop of + Hereford ran up to him, saying, “Suffer me, my lord, to carry the cross; + it is better than that you should carry it yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my son,” he answered, “suffer me to retain it, as the banner under + which I fight.” + </p> + <p> + A French archdeacon, who was present, said to the Bishop of London, “My + lord, do you allow the Archbishop to carry his own cross?” + </p> + <p> + “My good friend,” was Folliot’s rude reply, “he always was a fool, and + will continue so to the end.” + </p> + <p> + But when all gave way before the majestic figure of the Archbishop, with + the cross in his hand, Gilbert went up to him, and tried to snatch it + away, telling him he was disturbing the peace; for the King would take the + sword, and then the King and Archbishop would be matched against each + other. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Becket; “my cross is the sign of peace; the King’s sword + is an instrument of war.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down to wait, while the other prelates were called to a + consultation with the King in another apartment. His clerks sat round, and + Herbert de Bosham said, “If they lay violent hands on you, you can + excommunicate them all.” + </p> + <p> + “Far be that from our lord,” rejoined Fitzstephen, his secretary; “let him + rather follow the pattern of the ancient confessors and martyrs, and pray + for his enemies and persecutors.” + </p> + <p> + One of the King’s marshals touched Fitzstephen on the shoulder, telling + him it was forbidden to speak to the Archbishop; upon which he glanced at + his master, and pointed to the cross, to express what he was forbidden to + say. + </p> + <p> + The King sat in his own chamber, and the bishops and barons were sent in + turn with messages from him to the Archbishop. Becket appealed to the + Pope, and the bishops, on their side, appealed against the Archbishop; and + then the Earls of Leicester and Cornwall were sent to pronounce sentence + on him; but instead of allowing them to proceed, he declared that the King + had no right to call him to account for what had happened before he was + Archbishop; for it had been expressly declared, when he was appointed, + that he was freed from all former claims. + </p> + <p> + This was a point of view in which the Earls had not seen the case, and + they said they must go back to the King. “One word more,” said Becket: “as + the soul is more worthy than the body, so you are bound to obey God rather + than the King. Can the son judge his father? I can receive no judgment + from you or the King; the Pope alone, under God, is my judge. I place + myself and my Church under his protection. I call the bishops, who have + obeyed their King rather than God, to answer before his tribunal; and so, + protected by the Holy Catholic Church and the power of the Apostolic See, + I leave this court.” + </p> + <p> + He rose, followed by his clerks. Cries of abuse followed him; Ranulf de + Broc shot straws at him, and a relation of the King reproached him with + sneaking away like a traitor. “If I were a knight,” said the Archbishop, + “my sword should answer that foul speech.” + </p> + <p> + It was only the King’s immediate followers that thus reviled him; the poor + crowded after him in multitudes, so that he could hardly hold in his + horse, carry the cross, which he still retained, and give his blessing to + those who sought it. “See,” he said to his clerks, “what a glorious train + escorts me home! These are the poor of whom Christ spake, partakers of my + distress: open the door, and let us feast together!” + </p> + <p> + On coming to the monastery, they first went to the chapel, where he + prayed, and laid down the cross; then went to the refectory to take food. + In talking over the events of the day, he bade his clerks beware of + retorting on their enemies the abuse that was poured on them. “To rail,” + he said “is the mark of an inferior; to bear it, of a superior. If we + would teach them to control their tongues, let us show that we control our + ears.” + </p> + <p> + In the reading that evening, at supper, the text occurred, “If they + persecute you in one city, flee to another.” This Becket took as direction + for his course, and sent to ask the King for a safe-conduct to return to + Canterbury. The King said he should have an answer to-morrow, which Becket + and his clerks considered as a sign that his life was not safe. That + night, therefore, he, with three of his clergy, mounted at the postern of + the monastery, and rode off, in such torrents of rain, that four times he + was obliged to cut off a portion of his long cloak to relieve himself of + the weight. He made for Kent, travelling by night and hiding by day, for + twenty days, till he reached the coast, and at Estrey was hidden for + several days in a little secret chamber opening into the parish church, + whence, at mass, he gave the blessing to the congregation, though they + knew it not. At last a small open boat was procured, and, embarking on the + 2d of November, 1164, he safely landed near Gravelines. + </p> + <p> + The county of Boulogne belonged to Mary de Blois, Stephen’s daughter. She + had taken the veil at Romsey, when a girl; but on the death of her + brothers, Eustace and William, became the heiress of her mother’s county + of Boulogne, and had been stolen away and married, for the sake of her + inheritance, by Matthew of Flanders. The Archbishop had opposed this + marriage, and the count was therefore his enemy, so that he was obliged to + pass through his territory in the disguise of a Cistercian monk, calling + himself Brother Christian. + </p> + <p> + Twice he was in danger of discovery. The first time was when they met a + party of young men hawking. Becket, who had never lost his admiration for + the noble birds (for one of whom he had so nearly lost his life), showed + so much interest in the falcons, that their owner, surprised at seeing so + much sportsmanship in a monk, exclaimed, “You must be the Archbishop of + Canterbury!” “What!” said another of the hawking party, “do you think the + Archbishop travels in this sort?” And thus Becket was saved from being + obliged to make answer. The next time was at supper, when they had reached + the inn at Gravelines, where his great height and beautiful hands + attracted attention; and the host, further remarking that he bestowed all + the choicest morsels on the children, was convinced that this must be the + English Archbishop, whose escape was already known on the Continent, and + falling down at his feet, blessed the saints for bringing such a guest + under his roof. Becket was much afraid the good man might unintentionally + betray him, and left Gravelines early the next morning, on his way to the + monastery of St. Bertin’s, at St. Omer. It is amusing to find Becket’s + faithful clerks, on the Friday when they were to arrive at that hospitable + convent, trying to coax their master to grant them leave, after their + journey, to eat a little meat: “for, suppose there should be a scarcity of + fish.” Here they were joined by Herbert de Bosham, who had been sent to + Canterbury to collect such money and valuables as he could bring away. + </p> + <p> + Henry had in the meantime sent an embassy to desire the King of France not + to shelter “the late Archbishop;” but it met with no favorable reception + from Louis. “He is a noble-minded man,” said he; “if I knew where to find + him, I would go with my whole court to meet him.” + </p> + <p> + “But he did much harm to France,” said the Earl of Arundel, “at the head + of the English army.” + </p> + <p> + “That was his duty,” said Louis; “I admire him the more. If he had been my + servant, he would have done the same for me.” + </p> + <p> + Nor did the embassy meet with much better success on going to Sens, where + Pope Alexander III. then was. The Bishop of London began to abuse the + Archbishop virulently, saying that he had fled, “as the Scripture saith. + ‘The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth.’” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” interrupted the Pope, “spare. I entreat you, spare—” + </p> + <p> + “I will spare him, holy father,” said Gilbert + </p> + <p> + “Not <i>him</i>, but <i>yourself</i>, brother,” said Alexander; and + Gilbert was silenced. + </p> + <p> + Finding how favorably both Pope and King were disposed toward him, Becket + left his retreat at St. Omer, and was received with much respect by Louis + at Soissons, after which he proceeded to Sens. There he was treated with + high honor by Alexander, and almost his first measure was to confess, with + deep grief, that he considered his election uncanonical, “the handiwork of + men, and not of God,” and that therefore these troubles had fallen on his + Church. He therefore gave up his see; but the Pope would not accept his + resignation, and assigned to him the Cistercian Abbey of Pontigny as his + dwelling-place. Here he remained two years, while the King persecuted his + adherents and banished his kindred. Four hundred poor creatures were + stripped of their goods, and turned adrift in Flanders, where they must + have perished, had not the Count and the Empress Maude taken pity on them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXI. DEATH OF BECKET. (1166-1172.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England.</i> + 1154. Henry II. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1165. William. + + <i>King of France.</i> + 1137. Louis VII. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1152. Friedrich II. + + <i>Pope</i>. + 1159. Alexander III. +</pre> + <p> + In 1166, Pope Alexander III. returned to Rome, after many vain attempts to + reconcile the King and Archbishop, and it was determined that Becket + should pronounce sentence of excommunication on the King and his chief + followers in his uncanonical proceedings. Henry was at this time seriously + ill, and Becket therefore did not include him under the sentence; the + others were excommunicated, and this so exasperated Henry, that he + intimated to the monks at Pontigny that he should seize all the + possessions of the Cistercians in England, if they continued to harbor his + enemy. + </p> + <p> + The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their + guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart. “He who feeds the + birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me + and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation + from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions + for his abode. He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the + walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a + burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to + know their cause. “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I + dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think you are going to be a martyr?” said the abbot. “You eat and + drink too much for that.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that I am too self-indulgent,” said the Arch bishop; “but God is + merciful, albeit I am unworthy of His favor.” + </p> + <p> + Legates were sent by the Pope to negotiate, and many letters were written + on either side, but without effect. The difference was said to lie in a + nutshell; but where the liberties of the Church were concerned, Becket was + inflexible. At the Epiphany, 1169, he was put to a severe trial; Henry + himself, who had long been at war with Louis le Jeune, came to Montmirail, + to hold a conference and sign a treaty, and he was summoned to attend it. + By the advice of the legates and other clergy, Becket had agreed to give + up the phrase which had formerly given the King so much offence at + Clarendon, “Saving the privileges of my order,” but not without inserting + in its stead an equivalent, “Saving the honor of God,” which, as being + concerned in that of the Church, meant the same thing. + </p> + <p> + Yet on this the clergy of France, who were always extremely submissive to + the crown, were by no means of Becket’s opinion, and tried so hard to + persuade him, for the sake of peace, to suppress this clause altogether, + and make no reservation, that the bold and faithful Herbert de Bosham + began to fear he might give way, and, pressing through the crowd as the + Archbishop was advancing to the presence of the two kings, he whispered in + his ear, “Take heed, my lord—walk warily. I tell you truly, if you + leave out the words, ‘Saving God’s honor,’ as you suppressed the other + phrase, saving your own order, your sorrow will be renewed, and the more + bitterly.” + </p> + <p> + The throng was so dense, that Becket could only answer him by a look, and + he remained in great anxiety as he watched his master advance and throw + himself at the feet of King Henry; then, when raised up by the King, begin + to speak, accusing himself of being by his unworthiness, the cause of the + troubles of the English Church. “Therefore,” said he, “I throw myself on + your mercy and pleasure, my lord, on the whole matter that lies between + us, only <i>saving the honor of my God.</i>” + </p> + <p> + Henry burst out in rage and fury, heaping on Becket a load of abuse; + declaring, to the King of France that this was all a pretence and that he + himself was willing, to leave the Archbishop to the full as much power as + any of his predecessors, but that he knew that, whatever the Archbishop + disapproved, he would say was contrary to God’s honor. “Now,” said Henry, + “there have been many kings of England before me, some of greater power + than I am, some of less; and there have been many archbishops of + Canterbury before him. Now let him behave to me as the holiest of his + predecessors behaved to the least of mine, and I am satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + There was apparent reason in this, that brought over Louis to Henry’s + side, and he said, rather insultingly, “My lord Archbishop, do you wish to + be more than a saint?” + </p> + <p> + But Becket stood firm. He said there had indeed been holier and greater + archbishops before him, each one of whom had corrected some abuse of the + Church; and had they corrected all, he should not have been exposed to + this fiery trial. Besides, the point was, that Henry was not leaving the + Church as it had been under them, but seeking to bind a yoke on her that + they had never borne. Almost all the French clergy and nobles were now + against him; they called him obstinate and proud; the two kings mounted + their horses and rode away together, without bidding him farewell; and + some of the last words his clerks heard from the French nobles were, “He + has been cast out by England; let him find no support in France.” + </p> + <p> + Dreading what might come next, and grievously disappointed in their hopes + of returning to their homes, even his clerks were out of humor, and blamed + his determination. As they rode back in the gloom toward St. Columba, the + horse of one happened to stumble, and in his vexation he exclaimed, “Come + up, saving the honor of the Church and my order.” + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop looked grieved, but was silent, and Herbert took this + moment for riding up to him, and saying, “Heaven be praised, my lord, that + through all to-day’s tribulation you have been sustained by the Lord, and + have not suffered that slippery member to betray you into anything against + the honor of God.” + </p> + <p> + The great ground of anxiety was the displeasure of Louis, who had hitherto + not only allowed the exiles to take shelter in his dominions, but + absolutely maintained them; and if he was won over by their persecutors, + what was to become of them? + </p> + <p> + Their alarm increased as they heard nothing from him of his usual messages + of kindness and friendship, and they were consulting together on their + plans if they should be turned out of St. Columba. + </p> + <p> + “Never fear,” said the Archbishop; “I am the only person King Henry wishes + to injure: if I go away, no one will molest you.” + </p> + <p> + “It is for you we are anxious,” they said; “we do not see where you can + find refuge.” + </p> + <p> + “Care not for me,” he said: “my God can protect me. Though England and + France are closed against me, I shall not be undone. I will not apply to + those Roman robbers, who do nothing but plunder the needy. I have heard + that the people who dwell on the banks of the Arar, in Burgundy, are + open-handed. I will go among them, on foot, with one comrade, and they + will surely have compassion on me.” + </p> + <p> + Just then a messenger came to desire the Archbishop to come to the + lodgings of the French King. + </p> + <p> + “There! it is to drive us out of his kingdom,” said one of the clerks. + </p> + <p> + “Do not forebode evil,” returned Becket. “You are not a prophet, nor the + son of a prophet.” + </p> + <p> + Becket could hardly have been prepared for the manner of his reception. + Louis threw himself on his knees, crying out, “My father, forgive me; you + were the only wise man among us. We were all blinded and besotted, and + advised you to make God’s honor give way to a man’s will! I repent of it, + my father, and entreat you to bestow on me absolution!” + </p> + <p> + Louis had been brought to this change of mind by a breach of promise on + Henry’s part, but he never again wavered in his confidence and support of + Becket. + </p> + <p> + In the November of the same year there was another interview between the + two kings and Becket, at Montmartre, near Paris. + </p> + <p> + By this time, the Bishops of London and Salisbury had been excommunicated + for disobedience to their primate; and Henry, expecting the same stroke to + fall on himself, was resolved to put an end to the quarrel, and, bringing + back Becket to his kingdom, to deal with him there as best he might. + </p> + <p> + Becket did not, by any means, trust the King’s intentions, and had written + to ask the Pope what pledge for his security he had better require. + Alexander answered, that it was not accordant with the character of an + ecclesiastic to stipulate for such pledges, but that he had better content + himself with obtaining from the King a kiss of peace. + </p> + <p> + Now this kiss Henry would not give. He said he had sworn an oath never to + kiss the Archbishop, and this refusal immediately convinced every one that + evil was intended. Louis and all the Archbishop’s friends concurred in + advising him never to come to any terms without this seal of friend ship, + and entirely on this ground the treaty was broken off. One of Becket’s + clergy remarked, that the meeting had taken place on the spot where St. + Denys was put to death, adding, “It is my belief that nothing but your + martyrdom will insure peace to the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so,” said Becket; “God grant that she may be redeemed, even at the + sacrifice of my life.” + </p> + <p> + He began to make up his mind that, since the King had given up the point + at issue, he ought to allow no regard for his personal safety to keep him + away from his flock; but just at this point the quarrel became further + complicated. Henry, in dread of excommunication, resolved to have his son + Henry crowned, to reign jointly with him, and the difficulty arose that no + one could lawfully perform the coronation but the primate. Letters + prohibiting the bishops from taking part in the coronation were sent by + Becket, but, in the meantime, Gilbert Folliot had been appealing to Rome + against his own excommunication. The Pope, who had been shuffling + throughout, would not absolve him himself, but gave him letters to the + Archbishops of Rouen and Nevers, and they granted him absolution; on which + he returned triumphant to England, and joined with Roger of York and + Hilary of Chichester in setting the crown on the head of young Henry. It + was a measure which every person concerned in it had bitterly to rue—king, + prince, bishops, every one, except Margaret, young Henry’s wife, who + steadily avoided receiving the crown from any one but her old tutor and + friend, the primate. + </p> + <p> + Pope and Archbishop both agreed that this contempt of prohibition must be + visited by excommunication; and as Alexander had about this time + effectually humbled the pride of the Emperor Frederick, Henry thought it + time to submit, at least in appearance, lest his realm should be laid + under an interdict. At Freitval, therefore, he met the Archbishop in the + autumn of 1170, and all was arranged. He consented to the excommunication + of those concerned in the coronation; he held Becket’s stirrup; he did + everything but give the kiss of peace, but that he constantly avoided. + Even when they went to church together at Tours, when, in the course of + the communion service, Henry must have received the kiss from the + Archbishop, he contrived to change the service to the mass for the dead, + in which the kiss did not occur. The last time the King and Archbishop met + was at Chaumont, near Blois, and here they had a return of old feelings, + talked cheerfully and in a friendly manner, and Henry was so much touched + by his remembrance of his happiest and best days, when his noble + Chancellor was his friend and counsellor, that he exclaimed, “Why will you + not do as I wish you? I would put all my affairs into your hands.” + </p> + <p> + But Becket told his clerks that he recollected, “All these things will I + give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.” + </p> + <p> + They parted for the last time, and Becket prepared for his return, after + his seven years’ exile, sending before him letters from the Pope, + suspending the Archbishop of York, and excommunicating the other bishops + who had assisted at the coronation. At every step warnings met him that + the English coast was beset with his foes, lying in wait to murder him; + but he was resolved to proceed, and bold Herbert helped to strengthen his + resolution by his arguments. On the 3d of December he set sail from the + Boulogne coast. “There is England, my lord!” cried the rejoicing clerks. + </p> + <p> + “You are glad to go,” he said; “but, before forty days, you will wish + yourself anywhere else.” + </p> + <p> + With extreme joy did the people of Sandwich see, for the first time for + seven years, the archepiscopal cross, as it stood high above the prow of + the ship. They thronged to receive their pastor and ask his blessing, and + in every village through which he passed the parish priest came forth, + with cross or banner, his flock in procession behind him, and the bells + pealing merrily, while the road was strewed with garlands. + </p> + <p> + At Canterbury the joy was extreme; anthems were sung in all the churches, + and the streets resounded with trumpets and the shouts of the people in + their holiday robes. The Archbishop rode through the midst, saluted each + of the monks of Christ Church on the cheek, and then went straight to his + own cathedral, where his greeting to his flock was a sermon on the text, + “Here we have no abiding city.” + </p> + <p> + After taking possession of his palace, Becket set out to London to visit + his pupil, the young King, taking him a present of a fine horse; but he + was not allowed to see him, and the courtiers threatened him severely, + because of the rejoicings of the citizens of London. At home he was much + annoyed by his old enemy, Ranulf de Broc, who from Saltwood Castle made + forays on all that were going to the archiepiscopal palace, stole his + baggage, and cut off the tail of one of the poor horses that carried it. + </p> + <p> + The bishops who had been placed under the censures of the Church were, + meanwhile, in violent anger. Roger of York said he had 8,000 crowns in his + coffers, and would spend every one of them in beating down Thomas’s + insolence: and together they all set out to make their complaints to the + King, who was at Falaise. + </p> + <p> + It would seem that Henry either forgot, or did not choose to tell them, of + the permission he had given Becket at Freital, and he went into a passion, + saying, if all who were concerned in the coronation were to be + excommunicated, he ought to be one. The Archbishop of York talked of + patience and good contrivance. “What would you have me do?” said Henry. + </p> + <p> + “Your barons must advise you,” said one of the bishops (which, is not + known); “but as long as Thomas lives, you will never be at peace.” + </p> + <p> + Henry’s eyes flashed. “A curse,” cried he, “on all the false varlets I + have maintained, who have left me so long subject to the insolence of a + priest, without attempting to rid me of him!” + </p> + <p> + A council of the barons was called, and Henry found them willing enough to + advise him as he wished. “The only way to deal with such a fellow,” said + one, “is to plait a few withe in a rope, and have him up to a gallows.” In + the midst of the council, however, it was observed that four of the King’s + knights were missing—Reginald Fitzurse, William Tracy, Hugh + Morville, and William Brito. It was remembered that they had heard the + King’s words about the insolent priest, and, becoming alarmed for the + consequences, Henry sent off the Earl of Mandeville, and some others, with + orders to overtake them, and arrest the Archbishop. + </p> + <p> + The four knights had held a hasty council, after which they set out + separately, agreeing to meet in Saltwood Castle, where they were sure of + assistance in their designs from Randolf de Broc. They reached it on + Innocents’ day, and the next day set out for Canterbury, accompanied by + several of the Broc family and their armed retainers. In the meantime, + Becket had been keeping Christmas, and preaching his last sermon on the + text, “Peace on earth, good-will to men.” He had sent away his + cross-bearer, Alexander Llewellyn, and his high-minded friend, Herbert de + Bosham, with letters to the Pope—perhaps because he was afraid that + Herbert’s boldness might bring him into peril; and he was sitting in his + own chamber writing, when the four knights arrived, and desired to speak + with him. + </p> + <p> + He received them with his clergy about him, and they began to threaten him + in the name of the King, and order him to leave the kingdom. He must fully + have understood the meaning of all this; but he stood firm, and quietly + answered all their railing. They then told him his doings should recoil on + his own head; and on his replying that he was ready to suffer martyrdom, + they noisily left the room, Fiturse shouting out, “Ho! clerks and monks, + in the King’s name seize that man, and keep him till justice is done.” + </p> + <p> + “You will find me here,” answered Becket, standing by the door. + </p> + <p> + The knights had gone back to arm themselves and join their retainers. In + the meantime the terrified clergy fastened all the doors of the monastery, + and besought the Archbishop to take shelter in the church; but he seemed + the only person present who had no fear, and replied that he would not + flee—he would remain where he was. At last he was persuaded to come + into church, as it was the hour for vespers, and set off, with the cross + borne before him. + </p> + <p> + “My lord! my lord! they are arming!” cried one frightened monk; and + another brought word that they were upon them—Robert de Broc having + shown them the way through the orchard. Still Becket was calm; and as the + monks tried to drag him into the church, he stood at the door, saying, “Go + on with the holy service. As long as you are afraid of death, I will not + enter.” + </p> + <p> + They proceeded, and he advanced up the aisle. As he was going up the steps + to the altar, there was a rush of monks into the church; for Reginald + Fitzurse, with a drawn sword, had just come through the cloister door, the + other murderers following. Becket turned, on seeing the monks trying to + bolt and bar the church doors. “It is not right,” said he; “to make a + fortress of the house of prayer. It can protect its own, even if its doors + are open. We shall conquer our enemies by suffering, not by fighting.” + </p> + <p> + The vespers ceased; the clergy threw themselves on the altars for + protection; the Archbishop stood alone with one canon, with Fitzstephen + and Edward Grim, a priest who had come to visit him. In rushed the band of + armed men, crying out, “Where is the traitor, Thomas Becket?” To this he + made no answer; but when the cry was, “Where is the Archbishop?” he came + down the steps, saying, “Here I am; no traitor, but a priest of the Lord. + What would you of me?” + </p> + <p> + “Absolve those you have excommunicated.” + </p> + <p> + “They have not repented, and I will not.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall die.” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready, for the Lord’s sake; but, in the name of Almighty God, I + forbid you to harm these, whether priests or laymen.” + </p> + <p> + “Flee, or you are a dead man!” cried one, striking him with the back of + his sword, and unwilling, apparently, to slay him in the church. They + tried to push him away from the pillar against which he was standing, but + in vain. Becket was a tall, powerful man, expert in the use of weapons. + Had he snatched a sword from one of these, he might have saved his life; + but temporal arms he had long since laid aside, and he only stood still, + clasped his hands in prayer, and commended his soul to his God. Reginald + Fitzurse began to fear the people might break in to his rescue, and struck + a blow which wounded his head, as well as the arm of Edward Grim, who fled + to the altar; but Becket did not move hand or foot—only, as the + blood flowed from his face, he said, “In the name of Christ, and for the + defence of the Church, I am ready to die.” Tracy struck him again twice on + the head: he staggered, and, as he was falling, the fourth stroke, given + by Brito, cleft off the top of his skull with such violence, that the + sword broke against the pavement. + </p> + <p> + The murderers, after making sure of his death, left the church; the monks + took up his corpse, unwounded, save the crown of his head, which was + shattered to pieces above his tonsure, and laid it out on the high altar, + deeming that he had indeed been a sacrifice, and weeping as they beheld + the beauty of his peaceful expression, as if he had calmly fallen asleep. + They folded outward the haircloth shirt he had always worn secretly; and + as the blood still trickled from the wound, it was caught in a dish. + </p> + <p> + The threats of Randolf de Broc obliged them to bury him in haste the next + morning; and they were strictly forbidden to place his coffin among those + of the former archbishops—a command which they obeyed, from the + dread that otherwise his remains might be insulted. They had not long to + fear. Europe rang with horror at the crime, and admiration, rather than + compassion, for the victim. No one was more shocked than the King himself, + who was at Bure, in Normandy, when the news reached him. For three days he + remained shut; up in his room, taking no food, and seeing no one, in an + agony of grief and dismay at the consequence of his hasty words, and + dwelling on those days of early friendship which he had passed with the + murdered Becket. Not till these first paroxysms of grief were over was he + even able to think of the danger he was in; and he then sent off an + embassy to explain to the Pope how far he was from intending the bloody + deed, and to entreat forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + He was at a loss how to treat the murderers. He could not punish what his + own words had been supposed to authorize, and he dared not let them + escape, lest he should be supposed to be their defender. He therefore let + them reap the benefit of the liberties for which Becket had died: their + crime was done on the person of a clerk; therefore it was left to the + censures of the Church. + </p> + <p> + They had, in the meantime, fled to Morville’s Castle, in Cumberland, where + they found themselves regarded with universal execration; their servants + shrank from their presence, and, in the exaggerations of tradition, it was + said that the very dogs would not approach them. + </p> + <p> + Overwhelmed with remorse, they set out for Italy, and dreaded and avoided, + as if they bore a mark like the first “murderer and vagabond,” they threw + themselves at the feet of the Pope, and entreated to know what they should + do to obtain mercy. He ordered them to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; and + they all went except Tracy, who, lingering behind, was seized with a + dreadful illness, and died at Cosenza. The others all died within three + years, with deep marks of penitence, and were buried before the door of + the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + Henry obtained pardon from the Pope on giving up all attempts at + subjecting the Church to the law of the State, and on giving a large sum + of money to maintain 200 knights for three years in the Holy Land. He also + largely endowed Mary and Agnes Becket, the Archbishop’s sisters, with + possessions in his newly-conquered domain in Ireland; and one of them + became the ancestress of the noble family of Butler, Earls of Ormonde. + </p> + <p> + The cathedral at Canterbury had, in the meantime, been sprinkled with holy + water, to purify it from the crime of sacrilege and murder there + committed, and for which it had been a whole year left neglected, and + without the celebration of Divine service. On its reopening, gifts poured + in from all quarters, in honor of the Archbishop, and it was repaired and + beautified to a great degree. The beautiful circular chapel at the east + end was named Becket’s Crown, and the spot by the north transept, where he + fell, was termed The Martyrdom. Reports of miracles having been performed + at his intercession were carried to Rome, and Pope Alexander canonized him + as St. Thomas of Canterbury. The next year, 1174, Henry II., who was + broken down with grief at the rebellion of his sons, rode from Southampton + to Canterbury without resting, taking no food but bread and water, entered + the city, and walked through the streets barefoot to the cathedral, and + into the crypt, where he threw himself prostrate on the ground, while + Gilbert Folliot preached to the people. + </p> + <p> + In the chapter-house Henry caused each of the clergy present, to the + number of eighty, to strike him over the shoulders with a knotted cord, + and afterward spent the whole night beside the tomb. He heard mass the + next morning, and returned to London. + </p> + <p> + A few years after, Louis VII. came to pray at the tomb of his friend for + the recovery of his son Philippe Auguste, who was ill of a fever. He made + splendid gifts to the cathedral, and in especial a very large diamond, and + a golden cup. In Italy Thomas was equally honored. William the Good, of + Sicily, who married Joan, daughter to Henry II., placed a colossal statue + of St. Thomas of Canterbury in his new foundation, the Church of Monreale; + and at Agnani there is still preserved a richly-embroidered cope, + presented by Pope Innocent III., bearing thirty-six different scenes in + delicate needlework, and among them the death of the English Archbishop. + There are also many German and French representations of the subject; the + murderers, in the more ancient ones, carefully distinguished by their + shields: Morville, <i>fretty fleur-de-lis</i>; Tracy, <i>two bars gules</i>; + Brito, <i>three bears, heads muzzled</i>; Fitzurse, <i>three bears passant</i>. + </p> + <p> + In Henry III.‘s reign a new shrine was built at Canterbury, and the + Archbishop’s relics were thither translated. No saint in England was more + popular than St. Thomas of Canterbury, and frequent pilgrimages were made + to his shrine. The Canterbury Pilgrims of Chaucer are thither journeying, + and Simon of Sudbury, the archbishop killed by Wat Tyler’s mob, is said to + have made himself unpopular by rebuking the superstition that made the + ignorant believe in the efficacy of these pilgrimages. + </p> + <p> + Then came the reaction. Henry VIII., little able to endure such a saint as + Becket, sent the spoilers to Canterbury. Lord Cromwell burnt his relics, + and carried off the treasures of gold and jewels, which filled two chests, + so heavy that six or eight men were wanted to carry each of them. Henry + wore Louis VII.‘s diamond in a ring. The costly shrine was destroyed, and + the pavement, worn by the knees of the pilgrims, alone remained to show + where Becket’s tomb had been. In London, the house of Gilbert à Becket, in + Southwark, where the Saracen lady had ended her toilsome journey, and + where Thomas had been born, had, in Henry III.‘s reign, been made a + hospital; Edward VI. granted it for the same use; and thus it still + remains, by its old name of St. Thomas’s Hospital, which perhaps would not + so generally be given it, if it were known after what saint it was so + called. His likeness was destroyed in every church and public building, so + that but one head of St. Thomas à Becket is known to exist in England—namely, + one in stained glass, at the village of Horton, in Ribblesdale—and + even in missals and breviaries it was defaced. + </p> + <p> + No one has met with more abuse than Becket, ever since the Reformation. + Proud, ostentatious, hypocritical, and rebellious—these are the + terms usually bestowed on him. How far he deserves them, may be judged + from a life detailed with unusual minuteness by three intimate companions, + none of them treating him as faultless. Of the rights of the struggle we + will not speak. No one can doubt that Becket gave his life for the cause + which, in all sincerity, he deemed that of the Church against the World. + </p> + <p> + The fate of the murderers has been questioned in later times. It is said + that they died at home, in peace and fair prosperity; but the evidence on + either side is nearly balanced. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXII. THE CONQUEST OF IRELAND. (1172) + </h2> + <p> + Few histories are more strange and confused than the Irish. The + inhabitants of Ierne, or Erin, as far as anything credible can be + discovered about them, were of three different nations, who had in turn + subdued the island before the beginning of history. These were the Tuath + de Dunans, the Firbolg, and the Scots, or Milesians. Who the two first + were, we will not attempt to say, though Irish traditions declare that + some of them were there before the Flood, and that one Fintan was saved by + being transformed into a salmon, and so swimming about till the water + subsided, after which he resumed the human form, and lived so long that + the saying was, “I could tell you much, if I was as old as Fintan.” + </p> + <p> + The Milesians are not much behind their predecessors in their claim, for + they say they are descended from a son of Japhet, and first discovered + writing, and all the arts commonly said to have been derived from Egypt, + but which they assert were carried thither by one Neill, who gave his name + to the river Nile, as well as to his sons, all the O’Neills of Ireland. + </p> + <p> + It is more certain that these Milesians were Kelts, and were in early + times called Scots. A colony of them conquered the Picts; drove the + Caledonians into Galway, and gave North Britain, or Albin the name of + Lesser Scotland, while their own country, or Greater Scotia, returned to + its former name of Erin, called by the Romans Hibernia, and by the + English, Ireland. + </p> + <p> + The Erse tongue is nearly the same as the Gaelic, and there was much in + the Irish and Highland institutions showing their common origin. The clan + system prevailed in Ireland, the clans being called Septs, and all having, + as a surname, the name of the common ancestor. His representative, the + chief, was known as the Carfinny; but the succession was not determined by + the rules of primogeniture. It was always in one family, but the choice was + made by election of the next heir. When a Carfinny died, another came into + office who had been chosen on his accession as heir, or Tanist, and at the + same time another Tanist was chosen to succeed him as Carfinny at his + death. The land was the property of the tribe, divided into holdings; and + whenever the death of a considerable proprietor took place, there was a + fresh allotment of the whole, which, of course, as well as the choice of a + Tanist, set the whole population at war. + </p> + <p> + There were four kingdoms—Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Connaught—to + which the chiefs succeeded by tanistry, besides Meath, another kingdom + which always belonged to the principal king, or Toparch, who was in like + manner elected as Tanist on each new accession; and the number of battles + and murders among these wild Irish princes is beyond all estimate. Out of + 178 kings, 71 were slain in battle, and 60 murdered. + </p> + <p> + Christianity was brought to Ireland about the year 400, by St. Colman and + St. Patrick. It does not seem to have materially softened the manners of + the people at large, whose wars went on as fiercely as ever; but the + churches were seats of peace and learning, whence teachers went forth in + numbers into Gaul, and among the heathen Saxons of England. The Roman + calender shows so many names of Irish hermits, priests, and nuns, that we + do not wonder Erin once was known as the Isle of Saints. + </p> + <p> + The Northmen made their cruel inroads on Ireland, and swept away much of + the beginnings of civilization. Turges, a Danish chief, was, in 815, King + of all Ireland; and having forced Melachlin, or Malachy, King of Meath, to + give up his daughter to him, Melachlin sent with her, in the disguise of + female attendants, sixteen young men armed with skeynes, or long knives. + They killed Turges, and brought the princess back to her father, who was + waiting in ambush at no great distance with his armed men, set upon the + Danes, defeated them, and, being joined by the other Irish princes, + destroyed them all. + </p> + <p> + It is said that shortly before, Melachlin, when at the court of Turges, + had told him that Ireland was full of a kind of foul, ravenous bird, and + asked his advice how to get rid of them; to which Turges answered, that he + had better destroy the nests—eggs, nestlings, and all—counsel + which the Irish hardly needed; and the massacre of the Danish raven’s + brood was frightful. + </p> + <p> + During the lull brought about by Alfred’s conquests, the Irish enjoyed the + halcyon days remembered as those of Malachy with the collar of gold (which + he had torn from the neck of a conquered Dane), and those of Brien + Boromhe, or Boru, the great Brien, in whose reign a maiden, though + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Rich and rare were the gems she wore,” + travelled safely round the Green Isle unprotected, + save by “Erin’s honor and Erin’s pride.” + </pre> + <p> + But when England suffered again, Ireland shared its fate, and, in 1004, + Brien Boru, at the age of eighty-eight, perished in the great battle of + Clontarf, with his eldest son Morogh, and the Danes gained a permanent + settlement, besides making endless forays on the coast. King Olaf + Trygvesson, of Norway, conducted one of these descents; and while driving + off a large herd of cattle, a peasant so piteously entreated to have his + own cows restored, that the king told him he might take them, if he could + tell at once which they were, but that he must not delay the march. The + peasant said his dog knew them, and sent the animal into the midst of the + herd, which consisted of several hundreds, when he drove out just the + number his master had asked, and all bearing the same mark. The King + desired to purchase the intelligent animal, but the man begged that he + would take it as a gift; on which Olaf presented him with a gold ring, and + kept and valued the faithful Vige as “the best of dogs” for many years + after. + </p> + <p> + Turlogh, the contemporary of the Conqueror, seems to have been prosperous, + since his subjects were rich enough to buy the unfortunate English, who + were sold for slaves, till St. Wulstan put a stop to the traffic. + </p> + <p> + Morogh O’Brien, of Leinster, sent to William Rufus bog oak from the green + of Oxmanton, on the Liffey, to serve for the timber of the roof of + Westminster Hall; and this wood, enjoying the universal Irish exemption + from vermin, is said never to harbor a spider. Morogh was once told that + William Rufus intended to make a bridge of his ships, and conquer Ireland. + After some musing, Morogh asked, “Hath the King, in his great threatening, + said, ‘If it please God?’” “No!” “Then, seeing he putteth his trust only + in man, and not in God, I fear not his coming.” + </p> + <p> + Morogh was a peaceable man. Magnus, the Norse King of Man, by way of + defiance, sent him his shoes, ordering him to hang them on his shoulders + on Christmas-day, as he passed through his hall. The Irish were, of + course, much enraged at the insult offered to their master, but Morogh + only laughed at the folly of the conceit, saying, “I will not only bear + his shoes, but I had rather eat them, than that he should destroy one + province in Ireland.” Magnus did not, however, give up his purpose of + invasion, but was killed in reconnoitring the coast. Morogh was murdered + at Dublin about 1130, and thenceforward all was dire confusion. + </p> + <p> + The Irish Church had never been decidedly under the dominion of Rome, and + the Popes, in the divided state of the country, obtained neither money nor + obedience from it. They thought much advantage might be gained if it were + under the rule of England; and in 1154, Adrian IV., assuming that all + islands were at the disposal of the Church, gave Henry II. a bull, + authorizing him to become Lord of Ireland, provided he would establish the + Pope’s authority there. However, the Irish, not being likely readily to + receive their new Lord, and Henry having full occupation at home, allowed + his grant to rest in oblivion till circumstances arose to enable him to + avail himself of it. + </p> + <p> + Dermod MacMorogh, King of Leinster, a cruel savage, who had barbarously + revenged the death of his father, the good Morogh, had, in the year 1152, + stolen away Devorghal, the wife of Tigheirnach O’Rourke, Prince of + Breffny. The toparch, Turlogh O’Connor, was the friend of O’Rourke, and + forced Dermod to make restitution, but the husband and lover, of course, + remained bitter enemies; and when O’Connor died, the new chieftain, + O’Lachlan, being on the side of Dermod, O’Rourke was severely oppressed, + till the tables were turned by O’Lachlan being killed, and Roderick + O’Connor, the son of Turlogh, becoming toparch. Thereupon Leinster was + invaded in 1167, and Dermod was obliged to flee, setting fire to his + capital at Ferns. He hastened to Henry II. in Normandy, and offered his + allegiance, provided the King would restore him. But Henry was too much + engaged in his disputes with France to attend to the matter, and all + Dermod could obtain was a letter permitting the English knights to take up + his cause, if they were so inclined. + </p> + <p> + With these letters Dermod sought the fierce Normans whose estates bordered + on Wales. The first who attended to him was Richard de Clare, son of the + Earl of Pembroke, and surnamed Strongbow—a bold, adventurous man, + ruined by his extravagance, and kept at a distance by the King on account + of his ambition. To him Dermod offered the hand of his daughter Eva, and + the succession of Leinster, provided he would recover for him the kingdom. + Richard accepted, but thought it prudent to obtain the King’s special + permission; and in the meantime, Dermod, by his promises, further engaged + in his cause a small band of other knights—Robert Fitzstephen, + Maurice Fitzgerald, Milo Fitzhenry, Hervé de Montmarais, and some others. + In May, 1169, thirty knights, sixty men-at-arms, and three hundred + archers, landed at the Creek of Bann, near Wexford, to conquer Ireland. + </p> + <p> + They first besieged Wexford, and took it; then attacked the Prince of + Ossory, and gained a great victory; after which they had full opportunity + of seeing of what a savage they had undertaken the defence, for Dermod + mangled with his teeth the face of his chief foe among the slain, to + gratify his revenge. + </p> + <p> + However, they fought not for the right, but for the spoil; and when + Roderick O’Connor sent to declare war against them, and inform them of the + true character of their ally, they returned a scornful answer; and, with + their heavy armor and good discipline, made such progress against the + half-armed Irish kernes, that Richard Strongbow saw the speculation was a + good one, and was in haste for his share. He went to the King, to beg him + either to give him his inheritance, or to grant him leave to seek his + fortune in other lands. “Go where thou wilt, for what I care,” said Henry. + “Take Daedalus’s wings, and fly away.” + </p> + <p> + Taking this as sufficient consent, Strongbow sent before him 3,000 men + under his friend Raymond le Gros, and, landing on St. Bartholomew’s day, + joined his forces with Dermod, took Waterford, and in a few days was + married to Eva. The successes of the English continued, and on the death + of Dermod, which took place shortly after, he declared Earl Richard his + heir. However, the vassals would not submit to the Englishman, and the + invaders were for a time hard beset, and found it difficult to keep the + enemy at bay, while the King in great displeasure peremptorily summoned + Strongbow to return, and forbade men, horses, or arms to be sent to his + aid. On this Richard found himself obliged to make his peace with the + King, sending Raymond le Gros and Hervé de Montmarais before him. The King + was at Newnham, in Gloucestershire, and at first refused to see him, but + soon relented; and Richard, on entering his presence, threw himself on his + knees, and gave up to him the city of Dublin, and all other towns and + castles on the coast, after which Henry confirmed him in the possession of + the rest of Leinster, and made him Seneschal of Ireland, though at the + same time confiscating his castles in Pembrokeshire, because his + expedition had been unsanctioned. In October of the next year, 1172, Henry + himself came to Ireland, with 500 knights and 4,000 men-at-arms. The Irish + princes felt that it was needful to submit to such power, nor was it with + much reluctance on the part of the toparchs, who had some pride in being + under the sway of the mighty Henry Fitzempress, rather than that of the + petty chieftain of Meath. + </p> + <p> + Henry professed not to come as a conqueror, but in consequence of the + Pope’s grant, and soon received the submission of all the toparchs of + Leinster and Munster. Roderick O’Connor himself did not hold out, though + he would not come to the King, and only met Hugo de Lacy and William Fitz + Adhelm on the Shannon, where he swore allegiance, but, as appeared + afterward, with a mental reservation—Connaught he was willing to + hold under Henry, but Ireland he neither could nor did yield up. + </p> + <p> + Henry invited all these new subjects of his to keep Christmas with him at + Dublin, where he entertained them in a temporary structure of wicker-work, + outside the gates; and after receiving their homage, he gave them a + banquet of every kind of Norman delicacy, among which were especially + noticed roasted cranes—a food hitherto held in abhorrence by them, + so that partaking of it was a sort of pledge that they were about to + forsake their peculiar and barbarous habits. They are said to have been + much impressed by the splendor of Henry’s gold and jewels, the rich robes + of his court, and the chivalrous exercises of the knights and nobles. + Afterward he held a synod of the Irish clergy at Cashel, where he caused + the bull of Adrian to be read, and regulations were made for the Church, + requiring the priests to catechize children and baptize them, enforcing + the payment of tithes, and the performance of Divine service, as well as + that corpses should receive Christian burial. Henry had intended to + subject Ireland to English law, but the danger in which he had been + involved by the murder of Becket obliged him to return at Easter, before + his arrangements were completed. The lands settled by the Normans around + Dublin, which were called the English pale, were alone under English laws; + besides five septs—the O’Neills, the O’Connors, the O’Briens, the + O’Lachlans, and the MacMoroghs—all the rest were under the Brehon, + or Irish law; and an injury, or even murder done by an Englishman on one + of the Irish, was to be atoned for by a fine according to this code. + </p> + <p> + Hugo de Lacy, [Footnote: The readers of “The Betrothed” will here + recognise a friend.] constable of Chester, an old, experienced warrior, + much trusted by the King, was made governor of Ireland with a grant of the + county of Meath. Shortly after, Oraric, a chieftain of that territory, + invited De Lacy to a conference on the hill of Tara, whither each party + was to come unarmed. The night before the meeting young Griffith, the + nephew of Maurice Fitzgerald, dreamt that he saw a herd of wild boars rush + upon his uncle and Hugo de Lacy, and tear them to pieces with their tusks. + Treating this dream as a warning, he chose seven tall men of his own + kindred, armed them well, and, leading them near the place of conference, + began to career about with them as if in chivalrous exercises, always + watching the assembly on the hill. + </p> + <p> + After a time Oraric retired a few steps from the rest, and made a sign, on + which an Irishman came forward and gave him his weapons. He instantly fell + upon Hugo de Lacy, and would have cloven his skull, if the interpreter had + not thrown himself between, and saved his master, with the loss of his own + arm. Oraric’s men sprung from their ambush, but at the same moment the + eight Fitzgeralds rushed to the rescue; the traitor fled, pursued by + Griffith, who overtook him, thrust him through with a lance, cut off his + head, and sent it to King Henry. + </p> + <p> + Hugo de Lacy kept tolerable order until the King recalled him in the + troubles occasioned by the rebellion of the young princes, when trusty + friends were scarce. Earl Strongbow became governor, and was at once more + violent and less firm in the restraint of English and Irish. He quarrelled + with Raymond le Gros for presuming to gain the affections of his sister + Basilia, and took from him the command, conferring it on Hervé de + Montmarais, a person much disliked. Raymond went home to Wales, to receive + his inheritance, on his father’s death; and the Irish, as old Campion’s + history says, rose “tagge and ragge;” headed by Roderick O’Connor. They be + sieged Waterford and Dublin; and Strongbow, in distress, wrote to Raymond: + “As soon as you read this, make all the haste you can, bring all the help + you can raise, and you shall have what you have so long desired.” No + further summons was needed; and just as Waterford was on the point of + being taken, and the wild Irish were about to massacre the English, + Raymond, with twenty ships, sailed into the harbor, dispersed the Irish, + relieved Dublin, and in his full armor wedded the Lady Basilia. The very + next morning he pursued the Irish; he took Limerick, and reduced Roderick + to come to a final peace with the King, to whom that prince sent + messengers, disdaining to treat with Strongbow. + </p> + <p> + Montmarais, being displaced, went in revenge to the King, and maligned + Raymond, so that Henry empowered commissioners to inquire into his + conduct, and send him home. Just as he was departing, the O’Briens of + Thomond broke out in insurrection, and besieged Limerick; the troops + refused to march unless under Raymond, and the commissioners were obliged + to send him to chastise the rebels. He pushed his conquests into Desmond, + and established his good fame. During his absence Earl Strongbow died, + leaving, by Eva, one daughter named Isabel, who, being of tender age, + became the ward of the Crown. It is said that he also had a son by a + former wife, and that this youth, being seized with a panic in a battle + with the Irish, was afterward stricken through with a sword by his + command, though given with streaming tears. He was buried at Dublin, with + an epitaph recording his cowardice. + </p> + <p> + The friends of Montmarais were resolved to let no tidings of Strongbow’s + death reach Raymond, that so they might first gain the ear of the King, + and prevent him being made governor. They turned back all the servants, + and intercepted all the letters sent to him with the news, till they were + outwitted by Lady Basilia. She wrote a letter to her husband, with no word + of her brother, but full of household matters; among others, that she had + lost the “master tooth which had been so long ailing, and she sent it to + him for a token.” The tooth was “tipped with gold and burnished featly,” + but Raymond knew it was none of his lady’s; and gathering her meaning, + hurried home, and was made Protector of Ireland till the King’s pleasure + should be known. Henry sent as governor William Fitz Adhelm, a selfish + voluptuary, under whose command all went ill; and, indeed, the English + rule never prospered except when in the hands of good old Hugo de Lacy, + under whom “the priest kept his church, the soldier his garrison, and the + ploughman followed his plough.” But Henry, who was constantly tormented by + jealousies of his Anglo-Irish nobles, was perpetually recalling him on + suspicion, and then finding it necessary to send him back again. He built + many castles, and, while fortifying that of Dernwath, was entreated by + some of the Irish to allow them to work for hire. Glad to encourage any + commencement of industry, he took a pickaxe to show them how to work; when + one of them, seizing the moment when he bent forward to strike with it, + cleft his head with an axe, and killed him on the spot. His less worthy + nephew and namesake succeeded to his Irish estates, and at times held the + government. + </p> + <p> + King Henry intended Ireland as the inheritance of his son John, and in + 1185 wrote to request the Pope to grant him the investiture. Urban + returned a favorable answer, and with it a crown of peacock’s feathers set + in gold—a more appropriate present than he intended for the + feather-pated prince, who was then sixteen years of age, and who, having + been knighted by his father, set off for Dublin, accompanied by a train of + youths of his own age, whom the steadier heads of the good knight Philip + Barry, and his clerkly relative Gerald, were unable to keep in order. This + Gerald Barry was the historian commonly known as Giraldus Cambrensis, to + whom we are chiefly indebted for the account of the conquest of Ireland. + The Irish chiefs of Leinster flocked to pay their respects, but were most + improperly received by John and his friends, who could not restrain their + mirth at their homely garb, and soon proceeded to gibes and practical + jokes; pricking them with pins, and rapping them on the head with a stick + as they bent to pay homage, tweaking their ample mantles, and pulling + their long beards and moustaches, all as if they had studied to enrage + this proud and sensitive people. These were the Irish of the friendly + country; and when those of more distant and unsubdued regions heard what + treatment they had met, they turned back, and soon broke out in + insurrection. John and his gay companions did not stay to meet the storm + they had raised, but hastily fled to England, and the King wrote to Sir + John de Courcy to take the government, and do his best to restore + obedience. + </p> + <p> + It is round this De Courcy that the interest of the Irish wars chiefly + centres. [Footnote: This history of De Courcy is derived from an old life + of him by an Irish priest, which is disputed by many historical + authorities] In his youth, while serving the King in Normandy, he had made + friends with Sir Almeric Tristrem, and, in true chivalrous style, the two + knights plighted their faith in the Church of our Lady at Rouen, to be + sworn brethren-in-arms, to live and die for each other, and to divide + equally whatever they might gain in war. Their friendship was never broken + till death, and their whole career was one of perfect chivalry. Almeric + became the husband of his friend’s sister, and in honor of this closer + alliance changed his surname to De St. Laurence, their wedding-day being + the feast of that Saint. The two brethren-in-arms came into Ireland with + Henry in 1172, and De Courcy received a grant of Ulster, when he could + conquer it. Sir Almeric at once landed at Howth, and fought a bloody + battle, in which he gained the victory, but with the loss of seven of his + kindred, and for that reason Howth was made his portion, and long remained + in his family. At the battle of Daud, fought with Roderick O’Connor, the + two friends, with seven hundred men, were again victorious, owing to a + timely charge of Almeric’s with his reserve of forty horse. The next + midsummer another battle took place, with the same result, though Sir + Almeric was so sorely wounded that he was found lying, faint and bleeding, + under a hedge, eating honeysuckles by way of cure, and his son Nicholas + received nine wounds, and was left for dead. These successes made the + Irish submit, and De Courcy was acknowledged as their feudal chief. He + proceeded to build castles, and granted two of them to one MacMahon, who + had made every promise of fidelity. Within a month, De Courcy heard that + the castles were pulled down, and, on his calling his refractory vassal to + account, received a truly Irish answer: MacMahon said he had not promised + to hold stones, but land, and it was contrary to his nature to couch + within cold stones, when the warm woods were so nigh. + </p> + <p> + De Courcy proceeded to foray his land, and was driving off a great herd of + cattle, when a host of Irish set on him, and by their shouts so frightened + the cows, that they ran on the English, and more were killed by being + trodden down by them than were slain by the Irish; and De Courcy and De + St. Laurence with difficulty collected the remnant in a little fort. At + night Almeric went out to survey the enemy, and reported that there were + five thousand feasting and drinking at no great distance. If they should + fall on the wearied, hungry, and wounded English the next day, they would + make them an easy prey, and he therefore advised a night-attack, to take + them by surprise. The English sat silent, looking at each other, til Sir + John de Courcy spoke: “I looked all this while for some of these young + gallants to deliver their courage; but, Sir Almeric, where are their + horses bestowed?” + </p> + <p> + “Your white horse and my black,” said Sir Almeric, “I have cunningly + conveyed away, and the rest I can point out to you with my finger.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Sir John, “let two men ride these two horses, gather their + horses together, and drive them in on the enemy; then, all who can bear + arms shall follow, and we will serve them with their horses as they did us + with our kine.” + </p> + <p> + The stratagem was completely successful; the Irish were entirely routed + with great slaughter, while the English lost only two—though the + preceding day had lost them four hundred men. + </p> + <p> + By six battles, altogether, Sir John established his power, and he then + received from Henry the rank of Earl of Ulster. He governed Ireland from + the time of Prince John’s flight till the accession of Richard Coeur de + Lion, with great prosperity; and during this time Roderick O’Connor was + dethroned by his sons, and forced to retire to a convent, where he died. + </p> + <p> + King Richard left the management of Irish affairs to his brother, who took + the government from De Courcy, and gave it to Hugo de Lacy, the nephew. + He, comporting himself as a favorite, of John was likely to do, of course + occasioned another war, and Cathal O’Connor, the Bloody-handed, of + Connaught, began to threaten Ulster. De Courcy summoned Almeric to his + aid, and the good knight set out with two hundred foot and thirty horse; + but, while passing through the enemy’s country, he suddenly found himself + beset by Cathal, at the head of an enormous host. The horsemen might + easily have saved themselves by their speed; but though death was certain + if he remained, this true knight would not forsake the foot in their + extremity. + </p> + <p> + In Hanmer’s affecting words, “Sir Almeric turned him to the foot company, + and hardly gathering breath with the sorrow of his heart, resolved himself + thus: ‘I have no power to fly, and leave my friends, my flesh and blood, + in this extreme distress. I will live with them who for my sake came + hither, if it so please God; or I will die with them, if it be His + pleasure, that, ending here, we shall meet again, bodies and souls, at the + last day. God and the world bear witness that we do as Christian knights + ought to do. I yield my soul into God’s hands; my body to return whence it + came; my service to my natural prince; my heart to my wife, and brother + Sir John de Courcy; my might, my force, my bloody sweat, to the aid of you + all that are in the field.’ He alighted, kneeled on his knees, kissed the + cross of his sword, ran his horse through, saying, ‘Thou shalt never serve + against me, that so worthily hast served with me.’ All the horses were + then killed but two, on which he mounted two of the youngest of his + followers, bidding them watch the fight from the next hill, then make all + speed to bear his greetings to his brother De Courcy, and report that + day’s service.” + </p> + <p> + When the Irish saw the devoted band so firmly awaiting their attack, they + fancied that succor must be near, and did not venture their onset till the + whole country had been reconnoitred. Every Englishman was slain, but one + thousand Irish also fell, and the death of these brave men was not in + vain. Cathal was so impressed by their courage, that he sued for peace, + and never ventured another pitched battle. He afterward told Sir Hugo de + Lacy that he thought verily there never was the like seen on earth; for, + when the Englishmen could not stand, they set themselves back to back, and + fought on till the last man was slain. + </p> + <p> + De Courcy long survived his faithful brother-in-arms, and stood so high in + all men’s estimation, that De Lacy in jealousy sent information to King + John, soon after the death of Arthur, that the Earl of Ulster was sowing + disaffection by accusing him of his nephew’s murder. This was the very + thing for which John had lately starved to death the Lady de Braose and + her children, and he sent orders to De Lacy to attack the person of De + Courcy. Every means of open force failed, and De Lacy was reduced to + tamper with his servants, two of whom at length informed him that it was + vain to think of seizing their master when he had his armor on, as he was + of immense strength and skill, nor did he ever lay aside his weapons, + except on Good Friday, when he was wont to walk up and down the churchyard + of Downe, alone and unarmed. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, De Lacy sent a band of horsemen, who fell upon the betrayed + knight. He caught up a wooden cross, and made brave resistance, and so did + his two nephews, sons of Sir Almeric, who were with him; but they had no + weapon, and were both slain, while De Courcy was overpowered, and carried + a prisoner to London. The two traitors begged De Lacy to give them + passports to go to England; on which he gave them a sealed paper, on + condition of their not opening it themselves, nor returning on pain of + death. Now, the paper set forth that they were traitors no better than + Judas, and exhorted every true man to spit in their faces, and drive them + away. However, these letters were never delivered; for the wretched men + were driven, by stress of weather, back on the coast of Ireland, and De + Lacy had them hanged. + </p> + <p> + De Courcy continued in captivity till one of the many disputes between + John and Philippe Auguste was to be decided by the ordeal of battle. The + most stalwart of all John’s subjects was his prisoner, and he immediately + sent to release him from the Tower, offering him immense rewards if he + would become his champion. The old knight answered that King John himself + was not worthy to have one drop of blood shed for him; and as to rewards, + he could never requite the wrongs he had done him, nor restore the heart’s + ease he had robbed him of. For John Lackland he would never fight, nor for + such as him, but for the honor of the Crown, and of England, he undertook + the cause. The old warrior, wasted with imprisonment, was prepared by good + feeding, and received his weapons: the Frenchman fled at once, and De + Courcy prepared to return to Ireland. He made fifteen attempts to cross, + and each time was forced to put back. At length, as old chronicles relate, + he was warned in a dream to make the trial no more: for, said the voice, + “Thou hast done ill: thou hast pulled down the master, and set up the + servant.” + </p> + <p> + This was thought to refer to his having newly dedicated the cathedral of + Downe in the name of St. Patrick, whereas before it had been the Church of + the Holy Trinity. He took blame to himself, submitted, and going to + France, there died at an advanced age. For his championship, the right of + wearing the head covered in the presence of royalty was granted to him and + his heirs, and it is still the privilege of his descendants, the Earls of + Kinsale; + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “For when every head is unbonneted + They walk in cap and plume.” + </pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXIII. THE REBELLIOUS EAGLETS. (1149-1189.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1154. Henry II. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1165. William. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1137. Louis VII. + 1180. Philippe II. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1152. Friedrich I. + + <i>Popes of Rome</i>. + 1154. Adrian IV. + 1159. Alexander III. + 1181. Lucius III. + 1185. Urban III. + 1187. Gregory VIII. +</pre> + <p> + “The gods are just, and of our pleasant sins make whips to scourge us.” + This saying tells the history of the reign of Henry of the Court Mantle. + </p> + <p> + Ambition and ill faith were the crimes of Henry from his youth upward, and + he was a man of sufficiently warm affections to suffer severely from the + retribution they brought on him, when, through his children, they recoiled + upon his head. “When once he loveth, scarcely will he ever hate; when once + he hateth, scarcely ever receiveth he into grace,” was written of him by + his tutor, Peter of Blois, and his life proved that it was a true estimate + of his character. + </p> + <p> + The root of his misfortunes may be traced to his ambitious marriage with + Eleanor of Aquitaine, twelve years older than himself, and divorced by + Louis VII. of France on account of her flagrant misconduct in Palestine, + in the course of the miserable expedition called the Second Crusade. For + her broad lands, he deserted the woman whom he loved, and who had left her + home and duty for his sake, and on his promise of marriage. + </p> + <p> + Fair Rosamond Clifford was the daughter of a Herefordshire baron, with + whom Henry became acquainted in his seventeenth year, when he came to + England, in 1149, to dispute the crown with Stephen. He lodged her at + Woodstock, in the tower built, according to ballad lore, “most curiously + of stone and timber strong,” and with such a labyrinth leading to it that + “none, but with a clue of thread, could enter in or out.” There Rosamond + remained while he returned to France to receive Normandy and Anjou, on the + death of his father, and on going to pay homage to Louis VII., ingratiated + himself with Queen Eleanor, whose divorce was then impending. Eleanor and + her sister Petronella were joint heiresses of the great duchy of + Aquitaine, their father having died on pilgrimage to the shrine of + Santiago de Compostella, and the desire of the fairest and wealthiest + provinces of the south of France led the young prince to forget his ties + to Rosamond and her infant son William, and never take into consideration + what the woman must be of whom her present husband was resolved to rid + himself at the risk of seeing half his kingdom in the hands of his most + formidable enemy. + </p> + <p> + For some time Rosamond seems to have been kept in ignorance of Henry’s + unfaithfulness; but in 1152, the year of his coronation, and of the birth + of her second child, Geoffrey, she quitted Woodstock, and retired into the + nunnery of Godstow, which the King richly endowed. It has been one of the + favorite legends of English history, that the Queen traced her out in her + retreat by a ball of silk that had entangled itself in Henry’s spurs, and + that she offered her the choice of death by the dagger or by poison; but + this tale has been refuted by sober proof; there is no reason to believe + that Eleanor was a murderess; and it is certain that Rosamond, on learning + how she had been deceived, took refuge in the nunnery, where she ended her + days twenty years after, in penitence and peace, far happier than her + betrayer. Her sons, William and Geoffrey, were honorably brought up, and + her remains were placed in the choir, under a silken canopy, with tapers + burning round, while the Sisters of the convent prayed for mercy on her + soul and King Henry’s. Even King John paid the costs of this supposed + expiation; but St. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, not thinking it well that her + history should be before the minds of the nuns, ordered the corpse to be + interred in the ordinary burial-place of the convent. + </p> + <p> + During most of these twenty years of Rosamond’s repentance, all apparently + prospered with Henry. The rigorous justice administered by his excellent + chancellor, Ranulf de Glanville, had restored order to England; the only + man bold enough to gainsay him had been driven from the kingdom. Ireland + was in course of conquest, and his astute policy was continually + overreaching the simple-minded Louis VI., who, having derived the surname + of <i>le jeune</i> from his age at his accession, was so boyish a + character all his life as never to lose it. + </p> + <p> + Four sons and three daughters were born to Henry and Eleanor, and in their + infancy he arranged such alliances as might obtain a still wider power for + them—nay, even the kingdom of France. Louis VI. had married again, + but his second wife died, leaving two infant girls, named Margaret and + Alice, and to them Henry betrothed his two eldest sons, Henry and Richard. + It was to ask the hand of Margaret for the prince that Becket took his + celebrated journey to Paris, and the young pair, Henry and Margaret, were + committed to his care for education; but the disputes with the King + prevented their being sufficiently long in his hands for the correction of + the evil spirit of the Angevin princes. + </p> + <p> + By threats of war, Henry obtained for Geoffrey, his third son, Constance, + the only child of Conan, Duke of Brittany; though the Bretons, who hated + Normans, Angevins, and English with equal bitterness, were extremely angry + at finding themselves thus connected with all three. On Conan’s death, + Geoffrey, then ten years old, was called Duke of Brittany, but his father + took the whole government into his hands, and made it a heavy yoke. + </p> + <p> + John, Count of Mortagne, for whom no heiress had been obtained, was gayly + called by his father Lackland—a name which his after-life fitted to + him but too well. Richard was intended to be the inheritor of his mother’s + beautiful duchy of Aquitaine, where he spent most of his early years. It + was a strange country, where the ordinary events of life partook so much + of romance that we can hardly believe them real. + </p> + <p> + It had never been so peopled by the Franks as to lose either the language + or the cultivation left by the Romans. The <i>langue d’oc</i> had much + resemblance to the Latin, and was beautifully soft and adapted to poetry; + and when the nobles adopted chivalry, they ornamented it with all the + graces of their superior education. The talent of improvising verses was + common among them; and to be a minstrel, or, as they called it, a + troubadour (a finder of verses), was essential to the character of a + complete gentleman. + </p> + <p> + Courts of beauty and love took place, where arguments were held on cases + of allegiance of a knight to his lady-love, and competitions in poetry, in + which the reward was a golden violet. Each troubadour thought it needful + to be dedicated to the service of some lady, in whose honor all his + exploits in arms or achievements in minstrelsy were performed. To what an + extravagant length this devotion was carried, is shown in the story of + Jauffred Rudel, Lord of Blieux, who, having heard from some Crusaders a + glowing account of the beauty and courtesy of the Countess of Tripoli, on + their report made her the object of his affections, and wrote poem after + poem upon her, of which one has come down to our times: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “No other love shall e’er be mine, + None save my love so far away; + For one more fair I’ll never know, + In region near, or far away.” + </pre> + <p> + Thus his last verse may be translated, and his “<i>amour luench</i>,” or + love far away, occurs in every other line. He embarked for Palestine for + the sole purpose of seeing his <i>amour luench</i>, but fell sick on the + voyage, and was speechless when he arrived. The countess, hearing to what + a condition his admiration had brought him, came on board the vessel to + see him; the sight of her so charmed him, that he was able to say a few + words to her before he expired. She caused him to be buried with great + splendor, and erected a porphyry tomb over him, with an Arabic + inscription. + </p> + <p> + The romance of the Languedoçians was unhappily not accompanied by purity + of manners, and much of Queen Eleanor’s misconduct may be ascribed to the + tone prevalent in her native duchy, to which she was much attached. Her + brave son, Richard, growing up in this land of minstrelsy, became a + thorough troubadour, and loved no portion of his father’s domains as well + as the sunny south; and his two brothers, Henry and Geoffrey, likewise + fell much under the influence of the poetical knights of Aquitaine, + especially Bertrand de Born, Viscount de Hautefort, an accomplished noble, + who was the intimate friend of all the princes. + </p> + <p> + The King’s first disappointment was when, at length, a son was born to + Louis VI., who had hitherto, to use his own words, “been afflicted with a + multitude of daughters.” This son of his old age was christened “Philippe + <i>Dieu donné</i>,” and the servant who brought the welcome tidings of his + birth was rewarded with a grant of three measures of wheat yearly from the + royal farm of Gonesse. Soon after, Louis dreamt that he saw his son + holding a goblet of blood in his hand, from which his valor was predicted, + and he did indeed seem born to visit the offences of the Plantagenets on + their own heads. Even while quite a child, when present at a conference + between the two kings under the Elm of Gisors, he was shrewd enough to + perceive that Henry was unjustly overreaching his father, and surprised + all present by exclaiming, “Sir, you do my father wrong. I perceive that + you always gain the advantage over him. I cannot hinder you now, but I + give you notice that, when I am grown up, I will take back all of which + you now deprive us.” And, by fair means and foul, he kept his word. + </p> + <p> + Next Henry began to find that the Church would not allow him to remain in + peace while he kept the Archbishop in exile, and the dread of + excommunication caused him to obviate the danger of his subjects being + released from their oaths of allegiance, by causing his eldest son to be + crowned, and receive their homage. The Princess Margaret was in Aquitaine + with Queen Eleanor; and when she found that the rights of her former + tutor, Becket, were neglected, and the ceremony to be performed by the + Archbishop of York, she refused to come to England, and her husband was + crowned alone. It was then that his father carved at his banquet, and he + made the arrogant speech respecting the son of a count and the son of a + king. + </p> + <p> + That year was marked by the murder of the Archbishop, and soon after the + storm began to burst. Young Henry, now nineteen years of age, went with + his wife to pay a visit to her father at Paris, and returned full of + discontent, complaining that he was a king only in name, since he had not + even a house to himself, and insisting on his father’s giving up to him at + once either England, Normandy, or Anjou. + </p> + <p> + His complaints were echoed by Richard and Geoffrey, who were with their + mother in Aquitaine. Richard had received investiture of the county of + Poitiers, but the entire authority was in the hands of Castellanes, + appointed by his father, and the proud natives were stirring up the young + prince to shake off the bondage in which he, like them, was held. + Geoffrey, though only fifteen, thought himself aggrieved by not having yet + received his wife’s duchy of Brittany, and positively refused to pay + homage for it to his eldest brother, when newly crowned to repair the + irregularity of his first coronation, and for this opposition the + high-spirited Bretons forgave his Angevin blood, and looked on him as + their champion. The boys’ discontents were aggravated by their mother, and + the state of feeling was so well known in the South, that when Henry and + his eldest son came to Limoges to receive the homage of Count Raymond of + Toulouse, that noble, on coming to the part of the oath of fealty where he + was engaged to counsel his lord against his enemies, added, “I should warn + you to secure your castles of Poitou and Aquitaine, and to mistrust your + wife and sons.” + </p> + <p> + Henry, who was aware of the danger, under pretext of hunting, visited his + principal fortresses, and, to guard against the evil designs of his son + Henry, caused him to sleep in his own bedroom. At Chinon, however, the + youth contrived to elude his vigilance, stole away, and escaped to Paris, + where he was received in a manner that reflects great discredit on the + French monarch. + </p> + <p> + When the elder Henry sent to Paris to desire the restoration of the + fugitive, the messengers found him royally robed, and seated by the side + of the French King, who received them, asking from whom they came. + </p> + <p> + “From Henry, King of England, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of + Anjou and Maine.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not true. Here sits Henry, King of England, who has no message to + send me by you. But if you mean his father, the late King of England, he + has been dead ever since his son has worn the crown; and if he still + pretends to be a king, I will soon find a cure.” + </p> + <p> + Young Henry adopted a great seal, and wrote letters to the Pope, his + mother, and brothers, exciting them against his father, and putting forth + a manifesto declaring that he could not leave unpunished the death of “his + foster-father, the glorious martyr St. Thomas of Canterbury, whose blood + was crying out for vengeance.” + </p> + <p> + On receiving these letters, Richard and Geoffrey hurried to meet him at + Paris, and Queen Eleanor was following in male attire, when she was seized + and made prisoner. Louis caused the two boys to swear that they would + never conclude a peace with their father without his consent, and they + were joined by great numbers of the Norman and Poitevin nobility, even + from among the King’s immediate attendants. Each morning some one was + missed from his court, and known to be gone over to the enemy, but still + Henry outwardly kept up his spirits, conversed gaily, and hunted as usual. + </p> + <p> + Only once did he give way. Geoffrey, the son of Rosamond, was devotedly + attached to him, and had at his own expense raised an army of Brabançons, + or mercenary soldiers, and defeated an inroad of the Scots, and he now + brought his victorious force to the aid of his father. Rosamond was just + dead in her nunnery, and at his first meeting with her son, Henry embraced + him with tears, exclaiming, “Thou art my true and lawful son!” The + bishopric of Lincoln was destined to Geoffrey, but he was only twenty, and + was unwilling to take orders, thinking himself better able to help his + father as a layman. + </p> + <p> + The Brabançons were the only troops on whom the King could rely, and with + them he marched against the Bretons, who had been encouraged by Louis and + their young Duke to rebel. They were defeated, and Louis, not wishing to + run further risks, brought the three youths to the Elm of Gisors, and held + a conference with them, where Henry showed himself far more ready to + forgive than his sons to ask pardon. + </p> + <p> + Afterward young Henry and Geoffrey returned to Paris, and Richard to + Poitou, whence he soon came to the French court, to receive the order of + knighthood from Louis—another insult to his father. The two queens, + Eleanor and Margaret, were in the old King’s hands, and kept in close + captivity; the younger, who seems to have been a gentle and innocent lady, + was soon allowed to join her husband, but Eleanor was retained in + confinement at Winchester. As long as his mother, whom he tenderly loved, + was imprisoned, Richard thought his resistance justified, and Aquitaine + echoed with laments for the Lady of the South in the dungeon of her cruel + husband. Bertrand de Born, who had chosen her daughter Eleanor, Queen of + Castile, as the object of his songs, was especially ardent in his + lamentations. + </p> + <p> + The elder King’s grief at the continued misconduct of his sons led him to + humble himself at the tomb of Becket, and the penance he underwent brought + on a fever. He thought, however, that he had received a token of pardon, + when news was brought that his faithful son Geoffrey of Lincoln, and his + chancellor, Ranulf de Glanville, had defeated the King of Scots, William + the Lion, and made him prisoner at Prudhoe Castle. But King Henry had far + more to suffer! + </p> + <p> + His eldest son was invading Normandy, and he was forced to march against + him. After a battle at Rouen, the princes were reduced to obedience; + Richard was the last of all to be reconciled, believing, as he did, that + his cause was his mother’s, but he kept his oaths better than either of + the others. + </p> + <p> + A time of greater quiet succeeded, during which young Henry set out as a + knight-errant, going from one country to another in search of + opportunities of performing deeds of arms. He came, in 1180, to attend the + coronation of young Philippe II., who had just succeeded his father, in + his fifteenth year, and had, or pretended to have, a great friendship for + Geoffrey of Brittany. + </p> + <p> + Richard had in the meantime affronted Bertrand de Born, by assisting his + brother Constantine, whom he had deprived of his inheritance. Bertrand + rebelled with other Poitevins, proceeded to lash up, by verses, young + Henry, to join them against Richard, rousing him to be no more a mere king + of cowards, who had no lands, and never would have any. + </p> + <p> + Henry was worked upon to go to his father, and insist on receiving + Richard’s homage; and as he threatened to take the Cross and go to + Palestine, the old King, who doted on him, consented. Richard declared + this would be giving up the rights of his mother; and though he consented, + at his father’s entreaty, for the sake of peace, Henry was now affronted, + would not receive it, and, with Geoffrey, placed himself at the head of + the rebels of Poitou, and a fresh war broke out, and their father was + obliged to come to Richard’s aid. It seems to have been about this time + that the unhappy King caused a picture to be painted of four eaglets + tearing their father’s breast. “It is an emblem of my children,” he said. + “If John has not yet acted like his brethren, it is only because he is not + yet old enough!” + </p> + <p> + Henry and Geoffrey invited their father to a conference in Limoges, which + he was besieging; but as he entered the town, a flight of arrows was + discharged from the battlements, some of which rattled against his armor, + and one pierced his horse’s neck. The King held one of them up, saying, + “Ah, Geoffrey! what has thine unhappy father done that thou shouldest make + him a mark for thine arrows?” + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey treated the matter lightly. His brother was, however, so much + shocked, that for a little while he joined his father, swearing he would + never again rebel. + </p> + <p> + Only a few days had passed, before, on some trifling dispute, he again + quitted his father, and, vowing he would take the Cross, joined Geoffrey + and the rebel Poitevins. But this was indeed his last rebellion. He had + scarcely entered the town of Limoges, before a violent fever came on, and + in terror of death he sent to entreat his father to come and give his + blessing and forgiveness. It was too late. After that last treason, the + King could not trust himself in the rebel camp, and only sent the + Archbishop of Bordeaux to carry his signet ring, and assure his son of his + pardon. He found the unhappy young man in the agonies of death, lying on a + bed of ashes, accusing himself of having been a “wicked, undutiful son, + and bitterly disappointed at not seeing his father, to receive the + blessing he had once cast from him, and which in vain he now sought + earnestly and with tears.” He died, fervently pressing the ring to his + lips. Surely his remorse might have served for a warning to his brothers; + but when the sorrowful father sent a priest to entreat Geoffrey to make + peace over his grave, the fierce youth only answered that it was vain. + “Our grandmother, the Witch, has left us a doom that none of us shall ever + love the rest. It is our heirloom, and the only one of which we can never + be deprived!” + </p> + <p> + However, Limoges was taken, and in it Bertrand de Born, who was led before + the King to receive the punishment he deserved, and there he stood silent + and dejected. “Hast thou nothing to say for thyself?” said the King. + “Where is all thy ready flow of fine words? I think thou hast lost thy + wits!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, sire!” said Bertrand, “I lost them the day the brave young King + died!” + </p> + <p> + The father burst into tears, and exclaimed, “Sir Bertrand, thou mightest + well lose thy senses with grief for my son. He loved thee more than any + man on earth; and I, for love of him, give thee back thy castles and + lands.” + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey still held aloof, and spent his time with his friend Philippe of + France. At Paris, in 1186, he who called hatred his inheritance, and + spurned his father’s forgiveness, died without space for asking it, + leaving, indeed, his chosen heirloom to his innocent children. He was in + his twenty-fifth year, and the handsomest and the most expert in + chivalrous exercises of all his brothers; but in the midst of a great + tournament he was thrown from his horse, and trampled to death in the + throng before his squires could extricate him. + </p> + <p> + Richard, the second son, inheriting the “lyonnous visage” that Peter de + Blois ascribes to King Henry, and with it the Lion-heart, that gained him + his surname, had far more feeling and generosity than his brothers, and, + but for King Henry’s own crimes, he might have been his blessing and + glory. When Henry had provoked him, by desiring him, as being now heir of + Normandy and England, to yield up Poitou to his brother John, Richard had + refused; but on the King bringing his mother to Aquitaine, and reinstating + her in her duchy, he instantly laid down his arms, joyfully came to her, + and continued perfectly peaceable and dutiful whilst she still held her + rights. + </p> + <p> + But after all these warnings, Henry was sinning grievously against his + wife and son. Richard had been, in his infancy, betrothed to Alice of + France, who had been placed in his father’s keeping; but he had reached + his twenty-seventh year without having been allowed to see her, and there + was but too much reason to believe that the old King had wickedly betrayed + his trust, and corrupted her innocence. Richard had, in the meantime, + become attached to a modest, gentle maiden, Berengaria, sister to King + Sancho of Navarre, and was anxious to know on what ground he stood with + Alice; but the consequence of his first demonstration was, that Henry sent + Eleanor back to her prison at Winchester. + </p> + <p> + This broke the tie that held him to obedience, and he went to Paris to + consult with Philippe, Alice’s brother, on the best measures for breaking + off his unfortunate engagement, as well as on securing the succession to + the crown, which he suspected his father of wishing to leave to his + brother John. Philippe received him most affectionately; so that it is + said they shared the same cup, the same plate, and the same bed. + </p> + <p> + Just at this time, Archbishop William of Tyre came to preach a new + Crusade, and the description of the miseries of the Christians in + Palestine so affected the two kings and Richard, that they took the Cross, + and agreed to lay aside their disputes, to unite in the rescue of + Jerusalem. However, the concord did not last long; Richard quarrelled with + the Count of Toulouse, and a petty war took place, which the kings agreed + to conclude by a conference, as usual, under the Elm of Gisors. This noble + tree had so large a trunk, that the arms of four men could not together + encircle it; the branches had, partly by Nature, partly by art, been made + to bend downward, so as to form a sort of bower, and there were seats on + the smooth extent of grass which they shaded. King Henry first arrived at + this pleasant spot, and his train stretched themselves on the lawn, + rejoicing in being thus sheltered from the burning heat of the summer sun; + and when the French came up, laughed at them, left beyond the shade, to be + broiled in the sunbeams. This gave offence, a sharp skirmish took place, + the English drew off to Vernon, and Philippe, mindful of the indignation + he had felt in his boyhood under that tree, swore that no more parleys + should be held under it, and his knights hewed it down with their + battle-axes. + </p> + <p> + The war continued, and Richard fought gallantly on his father’s side; but + as winter drew on, it was resolved that a meeting should be held at + Bonmoulins to re-establish peace. Richard thought this a fit opportunity, + in the presence of Alice’s brother, for endeavoring to have his rights + confirmed, and to clear up the miserable question of his betrothal. In the + midst of the meeting he called on his father to promise him, in the + presence of the King of France, that he would no longer delay his + marriage, and declaration as his heir. + </p> + <p> + Henry prevaricated, and talked of bestowing Alice on John. + </p> + <p> + “This,” cried Richard, “forces me to believe what I would fain have + thought impossible! Comrades, you shall see a sight you did not expect.” + </p> + <p> + And ungirding his sword, he knelt down before Philippe, and did homage to + him, asking his assistance to re-establish his rights. Henry withdrew, + followed by a very small number of knights. They mostly held with the + young prince, won by his brilliant talents, great courage, and liberal + manners; and the King found the grief renewed that his son Henry had + caused him, while he himself, aged by cares rather than years, was less + able to cope with them: moreover, Richard was far more formidable than his + elder brother; Philippe a more subtle enemy than Louis; and above all, the + King’s own faults were the immediate cause of the rebellion. He took no + active measures; he only caused his castellanes in Normandy to swear that + they would yield their keys up to no one but to Prince John, on whom he + had concentrated his affections. He awaited the coming of the Cardinal of + Anagni, who was sent by the Pope to pacify these Crusaders, and remind + them of their vows. + </p> + <p> + Again the parties met, and the legate, with four archbishops, began to + speak of peace. + </p> + <p> + “I consent,” said Philippe, “for the love of Heaven and of the Holy + Sepulchre, to restore to King Henry what I have taken from him, provided + he will immediately wed my sister Alice to his son Richard, and secure to + him the succession of the crown, I also demand that his son John should go + to Palestine with his brother, or he will disturb the peace of the + kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “That he will!” exclaimed Richard. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Henry; “this is more than I can grant. Let your sister marry + John; let me dispose of my own kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the truce is broken,” answered the French King. The Cardinal + interfered, threatening to lay France under an interdict, and + excommunicate Philippe and Richard if they would not consent to Henry’s + conditions. Their answers were characteristic. + </p> + <p> + “I do not fear your curses,” said Philippe. “You have no right, to + pronounce them on the realm of France. Your words smell of English + sterlings.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll kill the madman who dares to excommunicate two royal princes in one + breath!” cried Coeur de Lion, drawing his sword; but his friends threw + themselves between, and the Cardinal escaped, mounted his mule, and rode + off in haste. + </p> + <p> + The French took Mans, and pillaged it cruelly, while Richard looked on in + shame and grief at the desolation of his own inheritance. His father, weak + and unwell, resolved to make peace, and for the last time appointed a + meeting with Philippe on the plain between Tours and Amboise. There it was + arranged that Richard should be acknowledged as heir, and Alice put into + the hands of the Archbishop either of Canterbury or Rouen, as he should + prefer, until he should return from the Crusade. The conference was + interrupted by a vivid flash of lightning and a tremendous burst of + thunder. To the evil conscience of the elder King it was the voice of + avenging Heaven: he reeled in his saddle, and his attendants were forced + to support him in their arms and carry him away. He travelled in a litter + to Chinon, where his first son had deserted him, and there, while he lay + dangerously ill, the treaty was sent to him to receive his signature, and + the conditions read over to him. By one of them, those who had engaged in + Richard’s party were to transfer their allegiance to him. + </p> + <p> + “Who are they—the ungrateful traitors?” he asked. “Let me hear their + names.” + </p> + <p> + His secretary began the list: “John, Count of Mortagne.” + </p> + <p> + “John!”—and the miserable father started up in his bed. “John! It + cannot be true!—my heart, my beloved son! He whom I cherished beyond + the rest—he for whose sake I have suffered all this—can he + also have deserted me?” He was told it was too true. “Well,” said he, + falling back on his bed, and turning his face from the light, “let the + rest go as it will! I care not what becomes of me, or of the world!” + </p> + <p> + He was roused in a few moments by the entrance of Richard, come, as a + matter of form, to ratify the treaty by the kiss of peace. The King, + without speaking, gave it with rigid sternness of countenance; but + Richard, as he turned away, heard him mutter, “May I but live to be + revenged on thee!” and when he was gone, the King burst out into such + horrible imprecations against his two sons, that the faithful Geoffrey of + Lincoln and the clergy of Canterbury, who attended him, were shocked, and + one of the monks reminded him that such hasty words had occasioned the + death of Becket. But he gnashed his teeth at them with fury. “I have been + and I am your lord, traitors that ye are!” he cried. “Away with you! I’ll + have none but trusty ones here.” + </p> + <p> + The monks left him; but one, turning round, said boldly, “If the life and + sufferings of the martyr Thomas were acceptable with God. He will do + prompt justice on thy body.” + </p> + <p> + The King threw himself out of bed, with his dagger in his hand; but was + carried back again, and continued to rave, though growing weaker. In an + interval of calm he was taken into the church, and absolution was + pronounced over him; but no persuasion would induce him to revoke his + curses against his sons: the delirium returned, and the last words that + were heard from his dying lips were, “Shame, shame on a conquered King! + Cursed be the day I was born! Cursed be the sons I leave!” + </p> + <p> + In his fifty-fifth year he thus miserably expired, and his son Geoffrey of + Lincoln with difficulty found any one to attend to his funeral; the + attendants had all fled away, with everything valuable that they could lay + their hands on. A piece of gold fringe was made to serve for a crown, and + an old sceptre and ring were brought from the treasury at Chinon; horses + were hired, and the corpse was carried, as he had desired, to be interred + in the beautiful Abbey of Fontevraud. In the midst of the service a + hurried step was heard. It was Richard, who, while laughing with his false + friend Philippe over his ungracious reception at Chinon, had been + horror-struck by the news that his father was dead, and that there was no + more forgiveness to be looked for. + </p> + <p> + He had hastily left the French, and now stood beside the coffin, looking + at the fine but worn and prematurely aged face, which bore the stamp of + rage and agony. A drop of blood oozed from the nostril—a token, + according to the belief of those times, that the murderer was present. + Richard hid his face in his hands in the misery of remorse, and groaned + aloud, “Yes, it was I who killed him.” He threw himself on his knees + before the altar, so remained “about as long as it would take to say a <i>Pater</i>” + and then, rising up in silence, dashed out of the church. + </p> + <p> + Ten years later, his corpse was, by his own desire, laid in humility at + his father’s feet. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXIV. THE THIRD CRUSADE. (1189-1193) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1189. Richard I. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1165. William. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1180. Philippe II. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1152. Friedrich I. + 1191. Henry VI. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1183. Clement III + 1191. Celestine III +</pre> + <p> + The vices of the Christians of Palestine brought their punishment. Sybilla + of Anjou, Queen of Jerusalem, had married the handsome but feeble-minded + Guy de Lusignan, who was no match for the Kurdish chieftain, Joseph + Salah-ed-deen, usually called Saladin, who had risen to the supreme power + in Egypt and Damascus. The battle of Tiberias ruined the kingdom, and the + fall of Jerusalem followed in a few weeks, filling Christendom with grief. + </p> + <p> + The archbishop and historian, William of Tyre, preached a Crusade in + Europe, and among the first to take the Cross were the Plantagenet princes + and Philippe Auguste of France. + </p> + <p> + The unhappy discord between Henry II. and Coeur de Lion hindered the + enterprise until the death of the father, which left the son a prey to the + bitterest remorse; and in the hope to expiate his crimes, he hurried on + the preparations with all the vehemence of his impetuous nature. + </p> + <p> + He hastened his coronation, and began to raise money by the most + unscrupulous means, declaring he would even have sold London itself could + he have found a bidder. He made his half-brother, Geoffrey, pay £3,000 for + the possession of the temporalities of the see of York, and sold the + earldom of Northumberland to the aged Bishop of Durham, Hugh Pudsey, + saying, laughing, that it had been a clever stroke to make a young earl of + an old bishop. William the Lion of Scotland was also allowed to purchase + exemption from his engagements to Henry II., by the payment of a large sum + of money and the supply of a body of troops under the command of his + brother David, Earl of Huntingdon. + </p> + <p> + These arrangements made, Richard marched to meet Philippe Auguste at + Vezelai, and agree on the regulations for the discipline of their host. If + rules could have kept men in order, these were strict enough, forbidding + all gaming, all foul language, all disputing, and all approach to licence, + and ordering all acquisitions to be equally divided; but with a prince + whose violent temper broke through all restraint, there was little hope of + their observance. The English wore white crosses, the French red, the + Flemings green, to distinguish the different nations. + </p> + <p> + They marched together to Lyons, whence Philippe proceeded across the Alps + to embark at Genoa in the vessels he had hired, and Richard went to + Marseilles, where his own fleet was appointed to meet him and transport + him to Messina, the place where the whole crusading army was to winter. He + waited for his ships till his patience failed, and, hiring those which he + found in the harbor, he sailed to Pisa, whence he rode to Salerno, and + there learning that his fleet had touched at Marseilles, and arrived at + Messina, he set out for the coast, attended by only one knight. On the way + he saw a fine hawk, kept at a cottage in a small village, and forgetting + that there were no such forest laws as in his own domains, he was enraged + to see the bird in the keeping of mean “<i>villeins</i>” seized upon it, + and bore it off on his wrist. This was no treatment for Italian peasants, + who, in general, were members of small, self-ruling republics, and they + swarmed out of their houses to recover the bird. One man attacked the King + with a long knife, and though Richard beat him off with the flat of his + sword, the assault with sticks and stones was severe enough to drive the + King off the field, and force him to ride at full speed to a convent. + </p> + <p> + He thence went to Bagnata, where he found his own ship <i>Trenc-la-Mer</i> + awaiting him. In full state he sailed into the harbor of Messina at the + head of his fleet, streamers flying from the masts, and music playing upon + the decks. He was received by the King of Sicily, Tancred, Count of Lecce, + who without much right had assumed the crown on the recent death of + William the Good, the last of the direct Norman line. + </p> + <p> + This William, had been married to Joan Plantagenet, Richard’s youngest + sister, who now came to join him, making complaints that Tancred was + withholding from her the treasures bequeathed to her by her husband; and + these were indeed of noted value, for she specified among them a golden + table twelve feet long, and a tent of silk large enough to contain two + hundred knights. + </p> + <p> + Tancred, who had lodged his royal guests, the one in a palace within the + town, the other in a pleasant house among the vineyards, was confounded at + these claims, and on his declaring that he had duly paid the Queen’s + dowry, Richard seized upon two of his castles, and, on a slight quarrel + with the inhabitants, upon the city of Messina itself. + </p> + <p> + Philippe Auguste interfered, not on behalf of the unfortunate Sicilian, + but to obtain a share of the spoil; requiring that the French standard + should be placed beside the English one on the walls, and that half the + plunder should be his. It was, however, agreed that the keeping of the + city should be committed to the Knights Templars until the three kings + should come to an agreement. + </p> + <p> + It was at this time that Richard again showed his violent nature. A + peasant happening to pass with an ass loaded with long reeds, or canes, + the knights began in sport to tilt at each other with them, and Richard + was thus opposed to a certain Guillaume des Barres, who had once placed + him in great danger in a battle in Normandy. Both reeds were broken, and + Richard’s mantle was torn; his jest turned to earnest, and he dashed his + horse against Des Barres, meaning to throw him from the saddle; but he + swerved aside, and the King’s horse stumbled, and fell. He took another, + and returned to the charge, but in vain; however, when the Earl of + Leicester was coming to his aid, he ordered him off. “It is between him + and me alone,” he said. At length repeated failures so inflamed his anger, + that he shouted, “Away with thee! Never dare appear in my presence again! + I am a mortal foe to thee and thine!” and it was only on the threat of + excommunication that he could be prevailed on to consent to the knight + remaining with the army. + </p> + <p> + In March, a meeting took place between the Kings of England and Sicily, in + which Tancred agreed to pay Richard and his sister 20,000 ounces of gold; + and Richard remitted his share as a portion for Tancred’s infant daughter, + whom he asked in marriage for his nephew, Arthur of Brittany. The two + Kings were much pleased with each other, and an exchange of presents was + made. + </p> + <p> + Tancred disclosed that the French monarch had falsely sent him a warning + that it was useless to trust the King of England, who only intended to + break his treaties; and when Richard refused to believe that his former + friend would so slander him, showed him the very letters in which Philippe + offered to assist in expelling him from the island. + </p> + <p> + Unwisely, Richard called his rival to account for his treachery; on which + Philippe retorted with the old engagement to his sister Alice, declaring + that this was only an excuse, for casting her off. Richard answered, that + her conduct made no excuse necessary for not marrying her, and proved it + so entirely, that Philippe was glad to hush the matter up, and rest + satisfied with a promise that she should be restored to her own count with + a sufficient pension. + </p> + <p> + It was time indeed for Richard to be free from his bonds to Alice, for he + had already sent his mother to conduct to him his own chosen and + long-loved lady, Berengaria of Navarre, a gentle, delicate, fair-haired, + retiring maiden, to whom he had devoted his Lion-heart in his days of + poetry and song in his beloved Aquitaine, and who was now willing to share + the toils and perils of his crusade. + </p> + <p> + She arrived on the 29th of March; but the season of Lent prevented the + celebration of their wedding, and Queen Eleanor, placing her under the + charge of Joan, the widowed Queen of Sicily, returned to England to watch + over her son’s interests there. The next day the fleet set sail, Richard + in his royal vessel, the ladies in another called the Lion; but a tempest + arose and scattered the ships, and though a lantern was hung from the mast + of <i>Trenc-la-Mer</i> as a guide to the others, she was almost alone when + she put into the harbor of Rhodes. + </p> + <p> + The King had suffered so much from sea-sickness, that he was forced to + remain there ten days, in much anxiety, and there his vessels gradually + joined him, and he heard tidings of the rest. Philippe Auguste, with six + vessels, was safe at Acre, and the Lion had been driven to the coast of + Cyprus. Isaac Comnenus, a Greek, who called himself Emperor of the island, + had behaved with great discourtesy, forbidding the poor princesses to + land, and maltreating the crews of the vessels that had been cast ashore. + </p> + <p> + All Coeur de Lion’s chivalry was on fire at this insult to his bride. He + sailed at once to Cyprus, made a rapid conquest of the whole island, and + took prisoners both the Emperor and his daughter. The only request + Comnenus made was, that he might not be put into iron chains; and he was + gratified by wearing silver ones, until his death, four years after. His + daughter became an attendant on Berengaria, and as the feast of Easter had + now arrived, Richard no longer deferred his marriage, which was celebrated + in the church of Limasol by the Bishop of Evreux. It is certainly one of + the strangest stories in our history, that one of our Kings should have + been married in that distant isle of Cyprus, after conquering it, as a + sort of episode in his crusade. + </p> + <p> + It was a victory not without great benefit to the Crusaders, for the + island was extremely fertile, and Richard appointed a knight, named Robert + de Turnham, to send constant supplies of provisions to the army in the + Holy Land; after which he set sail. + </p> + <p> + Guy de Lusignan had already laid siege to St. Jean d’Acre, or Ptolemais, a + city on the bay formed by the projection of the promontory of Mount + Carmel, admirably adapted as a stronghold, in which succor from Europe + might be received. Leopold of Austria brought the first instalment of + Crusaders; next followed Philippe of France; but the increase of the + number of besiegers only caused famine, until the conquest of Cyprus + insured supplies. Richard had sailed first for Tyre; but Conrade, Marquis + of Montferrat, Prince of Tyre, who was related to the Comneni, had given + orders that he should be excluded from the city; and he continued his + course to Acre, capturing, on his way, a large galley filled with troops + and provisions sent from Egypt to the relief of the besieged. + </p> + <p> + On his arrival, Richard at once resigned to Philippe half the booty, + whereupon the French King claimed half the island of Cyprus: this Coeur de + Lion replied he might have, if he was willing likewise to divide the + county of Flanders, which had just fallen to his wife by the death of her + brother. The siege was pressed on with the greatest ardor on the arrival + of the English, and Philippe was extremely jealous of the reputation + acquired by the brilliant deeds of daring in which Richard delighted, + while he himself was left completely in the shade. Cool, wary, and + prudent, he contemned the boisterous manners, animal strength, and + passionate nature of his rival, and nothing could be more galling than to + find himself disregarded, while all the “talk was of Richard the King,” + and all the independent bands from Europe clustered round the banner of + the Plantagenet. Philippe tried to win the hearts of the army by + liberality, and offered two pieces of gold a week to any knight who might + be distressed; Richard instantly promised four, adding a reward of high + value to any soldier who should bring him a stone from the walls of the + city; and such allurements led many to leave the French service for the + English. + </p> + <p> + The heat of the climate soon brought on fevers, and both the kings were + attacked. Richard, when unable to mount his horse, was carried on a + mattress to the front of the army, to superintend the machines and + military engines, often himself aiming a ballista at the walls. He thus + slew a Saracen whom he beheld parading on the ramparts in the armor of a + Christian knight who had lately fallen. Saladin was hovering around with + his army, attempting to relieve the town; but the Christian army enclosed + it, said the Arab writers, close as the eyelid does the eye, and he could + only obtain intelligence from the inhabitants by means of carrier-pigeons; + while at the same time some friend to the Christians within the town used + to shoot arrows into the camp, with letters attached, containing + information of all the plans of the besieged. The name of this secret ally + was never discovered, but his tidings often proved of the greatest + service.. + </p> + <p> + A curious interview took place, between Saladin’s brother, Malek-el-Afdal + (Just King), and a deputy sent by Richard, to arrange for a conference on + his recovery. The meeting was held in Saladin’s camp. “It is the custom of + our kings to make each other presents, even in time of war,” said the + deputy, “My master wishes to offer some worthy of the Sultan.” + </p> + <p> + “The present shall be well received,” said Malek-el-Afdal, “so that we + offer others in return.” + </p> + <p> + “We have falcons, and other birds of prey, which have suffered much from + the voyage, and are dying of hunger. Would it please you to give us some + poultry to feed them with? When recovered, they shall be a gift to the + Sultan.” + </p> + <p> + “Say rather,” returned Malek, “that your master is ill, and wishes for + poultry. He shall have what he will.” + </p> + <p> + Richard restored a Mussulman prisoner, and thereupon Saladin gave the + deputy a robe of honor, and sent an emir to the camp with presents of + Damascus pears, Syrian grapes, and mountain snow, which much conduced to + the convalescence of the Malek Rik, as the Saracens, who much admired and + feared King Richard, were wont to call him. + </p> + <p> + On his recovery, the siege was pressed on, fierce battles daily taking + place, though the heat was such that the burning rays of the sun had their + share of the slain. At last Saladin, much to his grief, was obliged to + send permission to the inhabitants to surrender; which they did, on + condition of being allowed to ransom themselves for a fixed sum of money + and the release of 2,600 Christian captives. Thus ended the three years’ + siege of Acre. The Kings of France and England set up their standards on + the chief towers, and it was here that Richard insulted the banner of + Austria, which had been planted beside them. He caused it to be torn down + and thrown into the moat, demanding how a Duke dared assume the rights of + a King. Leopold maintained a sullen silence, brooding over the indignity. + </p> + <p> + This overbearing conduct of Richard alienated the chief Crusaders, and + Philippe Auguste, whose health was really much impaired, resolved to + return home, and sent a deputation to acquaint Richard with his intention. + They were so much grieved at their King abandoning the enterprise, that, + when admitted into Richard’s presence, they could not utter a word for + tears. “It will be an eternal disgrace to himself and his kingdom,” said + Coeur de Lion; “but let him go, since he is dying for want of his fair + court of Paris.” He accordingly parted, after taking an oath to offer no + injury to the English possessions in Richard’s absence, and leaving Hugh, + Duke of Burgundy, with the portion of his army which remained in + Palestine. There was a dispute, too, on the succession to the crown of + Jerusalem. Sybilla’s death transferred her rights to her sister, Isabel, + the wife of Conrade of Montferrat; but Guy de Lusignan refused to give up + the title of King, and the Christians’ camp was rent with disputes. + </p> + <p> + At the end of August, Richard led his crusading troops from Acre into the + midst of the wilderness of Mount Carmel, where their sufferings were + terrible; the rocky, sandy, and uneven ground was covered with bushes full + of long, sharp prickles, and swarms of noxious insects buzzed in the air, + fevering the Europeans with their stings; and in addition to these natural + obstacles, multitudes of Arab horsemen harassed them on every side, + slaughtering every straggler who dropped behind from fatigue, and + attacking them so unceasingly, that it was remarked that throughout their + day’s track there was not one space of four feet without an arrow sticking + in the ground. + </p> + <p> + Richard fought indefatigably, always in the van, and always ready to + reward the gallant exploits of his knights. It was now that Guillaume des + Barres so signalized himself, that the King offered him his friendship, + and forgot the quarrel at Messina. Here, too, a young knight, who bore a + white shield in hopes of gaining some honorable bearing, so distinguished + himself, that Richard thus greeted him at the close of the day: “Maiden + knight, you have borne yourself as a lion, and done the deeds of six <i>croisés</i>” + and granted him a lion between six crosses on a red field, with the motto + “<i>Tinctus cruore Saraceno</i>” tinted with Saracen blood, whence he + assumed the name of Tynte. + </p> + <p> + At Arsoof, on the 7th of September, a great battle was fought. Saladin and + his brother had almost defeated the two Religious Orders, and the gallant + French knight, Jacques d’Avesne, after losing his leg by a stroke from a + scimitar, fought bravely on, calling on the English King, until he fell + overpowered by numbers. Coeur de Lion and Guillaume des Barres retrieved + the day, hewed down the enemy on all sides, and remained masters of the + field. It is even said that Richard and Saladin met hand to hand, but this + is uncertain. + </p> + <p> + This victory opened the way to Joppa, where the Crusaders spent the next + month in the repair of the fortifications, while the Saracen forces lay at + Ascalon. While here, Richard often amused himself with hawking, and, one + day, was asleep under a tree, when he was aroused by the approach of a + party of Saracens, and springing on his horse Frannelle, which had been + taken at Cyprus, he rashly pursued them, and fell into an ambush. Four + knights were slain, and he would have been seized, had not a Gascon + knight, named Guillaume des Porcelets, called out that he himself was the + Malek Rik, and allowed himself to be taken. Richard offered ten noble + Saracens in exchange for this generous knight, whom Saladin restored, + together with a valuable horse that had been captured at the same time. A + present of another Arab steed accompanied them; but Richard’s + half-brother, William Longsword, insisted on trying the creature before + the King should mount it. No sooner was he on his back, than it dashed at + once across the country, and before he could stop it, he found himself in + the midst of the enemy’s camp. The two Saracen princes were extremely + shocked and distressed lest this should be supposed a trick, and instantly + escorted Longsword back, with gifts of three chargers which proved to be + more manageable. + </p> + <p> + Malek-el-Afdal was always the foremost in intercourse with the Christians; + Richard knighted his son, and at one time had hopes that this youth might + become a Christian, marry his sister Joan, the widowed Queen of Sicily, + and be established as a sort of neutral King of Jerusalem; but this + project was disconcerted in consequence of his refusal to forsake the + religion of his Prophet. [Footnote: This is the groundwork of the + mysterious negotiations in the “Talisman” and of Madame Cottin’s romance + of “Matilde.”] + </p> + <p> + From Joppa the Crusaders marched to Ramla, and thence, on New-Year’s Day, + 1192, set out for Jerusalem through a country full of greater obstacles + than they had yet encountered. They were too full of spirit to be + discouraged, until they came to Bethany, where the two Grand Masters + represented to Richard the imprudence of laying siege to such + fortifications as those of Jerusalem at such a season of the year, while + Ascalon was ready in his rear for a post whence the enemy would attack + him. + </p> + <p> + He yielded, and retreated to Ascalon, which Saladin had ruined and + abandoned, and began eagerly to repair the fortifications, so as to be + able to leave a garrison there. The soldiers grumbled, saying they had not + come to Palestine to build Ascalon, but to conquer Jerusalem; whereupon + Richard set the example of himself carrying stones, and called on Leopold + to do the same. The sulky reply, “He was not the son of a mason,” so + irritated Richard, that he struck him a blow. Leopold straightway quitted + the army, and returned to Austria. + </p> + <p> + The reports from home made Richard anxious to return, and he tried to + bring the Eastern affairs to a settlement. He adjudged the crown of + Jerusalem to Conrade of Montferrat, giving the island of Cyprus and its + princess as a compensation to Lusignan; but Conrade had hardly assumed the + title of King, before his murder, by two assassins from the Old Man of the + Mountain, threw everything into fresh confusion; and the barons of + Palestine chose in his place Henry of Champagne, a nephew of Richard’s, a + brave knight, whom Queen Isabel was induced to accept as her third + husband. + </p> + <p> + It was not without great grief and many struggles that Coeur de Lion + finally gave up his hopes of taking Jerusalem. He again advanced as far as + Bethany; but a quarrel with Hugh of Burgundy, and the defection of the + Austrians, made it impossible for him to proceed, and he turned back to + Ramla. + </p> + <p> + While riding out with a party of knights, one of them called out, “This + way, my lord, and you will see Jerusalem.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Richard, hiding his face with his mantle, “those who are not + worthy to win the Holy City, are not worthy to behold it!” + </p> + <p> + He returned to Acre; but there, hearing that Saladin was besieging Joppa, + he embarked his troops, and sailed to its aid. The Crescent shone on its + walls as he entered the harbor; but while he looked on in dismay, he was + hailed by a priest, who had leapt into the sea, and swam out to inform him + that there was yet time to rescue the garrison, though the town was in the + hands of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + He hurried his vessel forward, leapt into the water breast-high, dashed + upward on the shore, ordered his immediate followers to raise a bulwark of + casks and beams to protect the landing of the rest, and, rushing up a + flight of steps, entered the city alone. “St. George! St. George!” That + cry dismayed the Infidels; and those in the town, to the number of three + thousand, fled in the utmost confusion, and were pursued for two miles by + three knights who had been fortunate enough to find horses. + </p> + <p> + Richard pitched his tent outside the walls, and remained there, with so + few troops that all were contained in ten tents. Very early one morning, + before the King was out of bed, a man rushed into his tent, crying out, “O + King! we are all dead men!” + </p> + <p> + Springing up, Richard fiercely silenced him. “Peace! or thou diest by my + hand!” Then, while hastily donning his suit of mail, he heard that the + glitter of arms had been seen in the distance, and in another moment the + enemy were upon them, 7,000 in number! + </p> + <p> + Richard had neither helmet nor shield, and only seventeen of his knights + had horses; but undaunted, he drew up his little force in a compact body, + the knights kneeling on one knee, covered by their shields, their lances + pointing outward, and between each pair an archer, with an assistant to + load his cross-bow; and he stood in the midst, encouraging them with his + voice, and threatening to cut off the head of the first who turned to fly. + In vain did the Saracens charge that mass of brave men, not one-seventh of + their number; the shields and lances were impenetrable: and without one + forward step, or one bolt from the crossbows, their passive steadiness + turned back wave after wave of the enemy. At last the King gave the word + for the crossbowmen to advance, while he, with seventeen mounted knights, + charged lance in rest. His curtal axe bore down all before it, and he + dashed like lightning from one part of the plain to another, with not a + moment to smile at the opportune gift from the polite Malek-el-Afdal, who, + in the hottest of the fight, sent him two fine horses, desiring him to use + them in escaping from this dreadful peril. Little did the Saracen prince + imagine that they would find him victorious, and that they would mount two + more pursuers! Next came a terrified fugitive, with news that 3,000 + Saracens had entered Joppa! He summoned a few knights, and, without a word + to the rest, galloped back into the city. The panic inspired by his + presence instantly cleared the streets, and, riding back, he again led his + troops to the charge; but such were the swarms of Saracens, that it was + not till evening that the Christians could give themselves a moment’s + rest, or look round and feel that they had gained one of the most + wonderful of victories. Since daybreak Richard had not laid aside his + sword or axe, and his hand was all one blister. + </p> + <p> + No wonder the terror of his name endured for centuries in Palestine, and + that the Arab chided his starting horse with, “Dost think that yonder is + the Malek Rik?” while the mother stilled her crying child by threats that + the Malek Rik should take it. + </p> + <p> + These violent exertions seriously injured Richard’s health, and a low + fever placed him in great danger, as well as several of his best knights. + No command or persuasion could induce the rest to commence any enterprise + without him, and the tidings from Europe induced him to conclude a peace, + and return home. Malek-el-Afdal came to visit him, and a truce was signed + for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, three hours, and + three minutes—thus so quaintly arranged in accordance with some + astrological views of the Saracens. Ascalon was to be demolished, on + condition free access to Jerusalem was allowed to the pilgrims; but + Saladin would not restore the piece of the True Cross, as he was resolved + not to conduce to what he considered idolatry. Richard sent notice that he + was coming back with double his present force to effect the conquest; and + the Sultan answered, that if the Holy City was to pass into Frank hands, + none could be nobler than those of the Malek Rik. Fever and debility + detained Richard a month longer at Joppa, during which time he sent the + Bishop of Salisbury to carry his offerings to Jerusalem. The prelate was + invited to the presence of Saladin, who spoke in high terms of Richard’s + courage, but censured his rash exposure of his own life. + </p> + <p> + On October 9th, 1193, Coeur de Lion took leave of Palestine, watching with + tears its receding shores, as he exclaimed, “O Holy Land! I commend thee + and thy people unto God. May He grant me yet to return to aid thee!” + </p> + <p> + The return from this Crusade was as disastrous as that from the siege of + Troy. David, Earl of Huntingdon, the Scottish King’s brother (the Sir + Kenneth of the Talisman), who had shared in all Richard’s toils and + glories, embarked at the same time, but was driven by contrary winds to + Alexandria, and there seized and sold as a slave. Some Venetian merchants, + discovering his rank, bought him, and brought him to their own city, where + he was ransomed by some English merchants, and conducted by them to + Flanders; but while sailing for Scotland, another storm wrecked him near + the mouth of the Tay, near the town of Dundee, the name of which one + tradition declares to be derived from his thankfulness—<i>Donum Dei</i>, + the Gift of God. He founded a monastery in commemoration of his + deliverance. + </p> + <p> + The two queens, Berengaria and Joan, were driven by the storm to Sicily, + and thence travelled through Italy. At Rome, to their horror, they + recognized the jewelled baldric of King Richard exposed for sale; but they + could obtain no clue to its history, and great was their dread that he had + either perished in the Mediterranean waves, or been cut off by the many + foes who beset its coasts. + </p> + <p> + His ship had been driven out of its course into the Adriatic, where the + pirates of the Dalmatian coast attacked it. He beat them off, and then + prevailed on them to take him into their vessel and land him on the coast + of Istria, whence he hoped to find his way to his nephew Otho, Count of + Saxony, elder brother of Henry, King of Jerusalem. This was the only + course that offered much hope of safety, since Italy, France, Austria, and + Germany were all hostile, and the rounding Spain was a course seldom + attempted; so that it was but a choice of dangers for him to attempt to + penetrate to his own domains. Another shipwreck threw him on the coast + between Venice and Aquileia; he assumed a disguise, and, calling himself + Hugh the Merchant, set out as if in the train of one of his own knights, + named Baldwin de Bethune, through the lands of the mountaineers of the + Tyrol. The noblesse here were mostly relatives of Conrade of Montferrat; + and Philippe Auguste having spread a report that Richard had instigated + his murder, it was no safe neighborhood. He sent one of his men to Count + Meinhard von Gorby, the first of these, asking for a safe-conduct, and + accompanying the request with a gift of a ruby ring. Meinhard, on seeing + the ring, exclaimed, “Your master is no merchant. He is Richard of + England: but since he is willing to honor me with his gifts, I will leave + him to depart in peace.” + </p> + <p> + However, Meinhard sent intelligence to Frederic of Montferrat, Conrade’s + brother, through whose domains Richard had next to pass. He sent a Norman + knight, called Roger d’Argenton, who was in his service, to seek out the + English King; but d’Argenton would not betray his native prince, warned + Richard, and told Frederic that it was only Baldwin de Bethune. Not + crediting him, the Marquis passed on the intelligence to the Duke of + Austria; and Richard, who had left Bethune’s suite, and was only + accompanied by a page, found every inhabited place unsafe, and wandered + about for three days, till hunger, fatigue, and illness drove him to a + little village inn at Eedburg. + </p> + <p> + Thence he sent his servant to Vienna, a distance of a few miles, to change + some gold bezants for the coin of the country. This attracted notice, and + the page was carried before a magistrate, and interrogated. He professed + to be in the service of a rich merchant who would arrive in a day or two, + and, thus escaping, returned to his master, and advised him to hasten + away; but Richard was too unwell to proceed, and remained at the inn, + doing all in his power to avert suspicion—even attending to the + horses, and turning the spit in the kitchen. His precautions were + disconcerted; the page, going again to Vienna, imprudently carried in his + belt an embroidered hawking-glove, which betrayed its owner to be of high + rank; and being again seized and tortured, confessed his master’s name and + present hiding-place. + </p> + <p> + Armed men were immediately sent to surround the inn, and the Mayor of + Vienna, entering, found the worn-out pilgrim lying asleep upon his bed, + and aroused him with the words, “Hail, King of England! In vain thou + disguisest thyself; thy face betrays thee.” + </p> + <p> + Awakening, the Lion-heart grasped his sword, declaring he would yield it + to none but the Duke. The Mayor told him it was well for him that he had + fallen into their hands, rather than into those of the Montferrat family; + and Leopold, arriving, reproached him for the insult to the Austrian + banner, which indeed was far more dishonored by its lord’s foul treatment + of a crusading pilgrim, than by its fall into the moat of Acre. He was + conducted to Vienna, and thence to the lonely Castle of Tierenstein, where + he was watched day and night by guards with drawn swords. Leopold sent + information of his capture to the Emperor, Henry VI., who bore a grudge to + Richard for his alliance with Tancred, who had usurped Sicily from the + Empress Constance; he therefore offered a price for the illustrious + prisoner, and placed him in the strong Castle of Triefels. Months passed + away, and no tidings reached him from without. He deemed himself forgotten + in his captivity, and composed an indignant <i>sirvente</i> in his + favorite Provençal tongue. The second verse we give in the original, for + the sake of being brought so near to the royal troubadour: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Or sachen ben, mici hom e mici baron, + Angles, Norman, Peytavin, et Gascon, + Qu’yeu non hai ja si pauore compagnon + Que per ave, lou laissesse en prison. + Faire reproche, certes yeu voli. Non; + Mais souis dos hivers prez.” + </pre> + <p> + Or, as it may be rendered in modern French: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Or sachent bien, mes hommes, mes barons, + Anglais, Normands, Poitevins, Gascons, + Que je n’ai point si pauvre compagnon + Que pour argent, je le laisse en prison. + Faire reproche, certes, je ne le veux. Non; + Mais suis deux hivers pris.” + </pre> + <p> + This melancholy line, “Two winters am I bound,” is the burden of the song, + closing the recurring rhymes of each stanza. In the next he complains that + a captive is without friends or relations, and asks where will be the + honor of his people if he dies in captivity. He laments over the French + King ravaging his lands and breaking the oaths they had together sworn + while he is “<i>deux hivers pris</i>,” and speaks of two of his beloved + troubadour companions by name, as certain to stir up his friends in his + cause, and to mourn for his loss while he is “<i>deux hivers pris</i>.” + </p> + <p> + He was right; the troubadours were his most devoted friends; Bertram de + Born was bewailing him, and Blondel de Nesle, guided by his faithful + heart, sang his King’s own favorite lays before each keep and fortress, + until the unfinished song was taken up and answered from the windows of + the Castle of Triefels. + </p> + <p> + The clue was found: Queen Eleanor wrote instantly to the Pope, calling on + him to redress the injury offered to a returning pilgrim, yet signed with + the Cross, and sent two abbots and the Bishop of Ely to visit him. From + them he learnt that his brother John and Philippe of France were using + every means to prevent his return; but this gave him the less concern, as + he said, “My brother John was never made for conquering kingdoms.” + </p> + <p> + His ex-chancellor, William Longchamp, who had been expelled from England + for tyrannical government, thought to serve his cause by a forgery of a + letter in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, purporting to be from the Old Man of + the Mountain, exculpating Richard from the murder of Conrade. It ran thus: + “To Leopold, Duke of Austria, and to all princes and people of the + Christian faith, Greeting. Whereas many kings in countries beyond the seas + impute to Richard, King and Lord of England, the death of the Marquis, I + swear by Him who reigns eternally, and by the law which we follow, that + King Richard had no participation in this murder. Done at our Castle of + Shellia, and sealed with our seal, Midseptember, in the year 1503 after + Alexander.” + </p> + <p> + No one thought of inquiring what brought this confession from the father + of assassins, or why he chose Alexander for his errand, the letter was + deemed conclusive, gave great encouragement to Richard’s partisans, and + caused many of the French to refuse to take up arms against him. + </p> + <p> + Now that his captivity was public, Henry VI. sent for him to Hagenau, + where he pleaded his cause before the diet, was allowed more liberty, and + promised permission to ransom himself, after performing homage to the + Emperor, which probably was required of him to show the subordination of + the Royal to the Imperial rank. + </p> + <p> + Philippe and John tempted the avarice of Henry by the offer of twice the + sum if he would give them the captive, or 20,000 marks for every month + that he was detained. However, the free princes of Germany, stirred up by + Richard’s nephew, the Count of Saxony, were so indignant at their master’s + conduct, that he could not venture to accept the tempting offer, and on + the 28th of February, 1194, he indited this note to his ally, the King of + France: “Take care of yourself! The devil is unchained; but I could not + help it.” + </p> + <p> + Philippe forwarded the warning to his accomplice, John, who tried to raise + the English to prevent his brother from landing; but they were rejoicing + at the return of their own King, and even before his arrival had adjudged + John guilty of treason, and sentenced him to lose his manors. + </p> + <p> + March 20th, Richard landed at Sandwich, and two days after entered London, + among the acclamations of his subjects, who displayed all their wealth to + do him honor, and caused the Germans who accompanied him to say that, if + their Emperor had guessed at half the riches of England, his ransom would + have been doubled. + </p> + <p> + John was soon brought to sue for the pardon so generously given, and all + ranks vied with each other in raising the ransom. William the Lion of + Scotland presented the King with 2,000 marks, and the first instalment was + sent to Germany; but before it arrived, Henry VI. was dead, and the + Germans were so much ashamed of the transaction, that they returned the + money. + </p> + <p> + Thus ended the expedition, in which Richard had gained all the glory that + valor and generosity could attain, conquered a kingdom and given it away, + fought battles with desperate courage and excellent skill, and shown much + fortitude and perseverance, but had marred all by his unbridled temper. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXV. ARTHUR OF BRITTANY. (1187-1206.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1154. Henry II. + 1189. Richard I. + 1199. John. + + <i>Kings of Scotland</i>. + 1158. Malcolm IV. + 1165. William. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1180. Philippe II. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1152. Friedrich I. + 1191. Henry VI. + + <i>Popes.</i> + 1183. Clement IV. + 1189. Celestine III. + 1193. Innocent III. +</pre> + <p> + The son of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Constance, Duchess of Brittany, was + born at Nantes, on Easter-day, 1187, six months after the death of his + father. He was the first grandson of Henry II., for the graceless young + King Henry had died childless. Richard was still unmarried, and the elder + child of Geoffrey was a daughter named Eleanor; his birth was, therefore, + the subject of universal joy. There was a prophecy of Merlin, that King + Arthur should reappear from the realm of the fairy Morgana, who had borne + him away in his death-like trance after the battle of Camelford, and, + returning in the form of a child, should conquer England from the Saxon + race, and restore the splendors of the British Pendragons. + </p> + <p> + The Bretons, resolved to see in their infant duke this champion of their + glories, overlooked the hated Angevin and Norman blood that flowed in his + veins, and insisted on his receiving their beloved name of Arthur. + Thanksgivings were poured forth in all the churches in Brittany, and the + altars and shrines at the sacred fountains were adorned with wreaths of + flowers. + </p> + <p> + At the same a time a Welsh bard directed King Henry to cause search to be + made at Glastonbury, the true Avallon, for the ancient hero’s corpse, + which, as old traditions declared, had been buried between two pyramids + within the abbey. There, in fact some distance beneath the surface, was + found a leaden cross, inscribed with the words, “<i>Hic jacet sepultus + inclytus Rex Arthurus in insula Avallonia</i>” (Here lies buried the + unconquered King Arthur in the isle of Avallon). A little deeper was a + coffin, hollowed out of an oak tree, and within lay the bones of the + renowned Arthur and his fair Queen Guenever. His form was of gigantic + size; there were the marks of ten wounds upon his skull, and by his side + was a sword, the mighty Caliburn, or Excalibar, so often celebrated in + romances. Guenever’s hair was still perfect, to all appearance, and of a + beautiful golden color, but it crumbled into dust on exposure to the air. + The Bretons greatly resented this discovery, which they chose to term an + imposture of Henry’s, in order to cast discredit on Merlin’s prediction. + </p> + <p> + They were, however, in no condition to oppose the grasping monarch; Henry + entered Brittany, assembled the States at Nantes, and claimed the + guardianship of his grandson’s person and domains. They were at first + intimidated by his threats, but Constance showed so much spirit, that she + obtained the keeping of her son, and the immediate government, though she + was not to act without the advice and consent of the King of England, who + received the oaths of the barons present. The widowed heiress suffered + much persecution from the different suitors for her hand, among whom + figured her brother-in-law, John Lackland; and Henry, fearing her marriage + with some powerful prince, so tormented her by threats of removing her son + from her charge, that he forced her into a marriage with Ranulf de + Blondeville, Count of Chester, grandson to an illegitimate son of Henry + I., a man of violent, and ambitious temper, and of mean and ungraceful + appearance. In a dispute which took place between him and the Count de + Perche, in Lincoln Cathedral, the latter contemptuously called him a + dwarf. “Sayest thou so?” cried Ranulf; “ere long I shall seem to thee as + high as that steeple!”—and his words were fulfilled, when, as Duke + of Brittany, he claimed the allegiance of the Count. + </p> + <p> + He made himself extremely hated in Brittany by his cruelty and injustice; + and no sooner had the news arrived of the death of Henry II., than the + people rose with one consent, drove him away, and restored the power to + Constance. Richard I. did not interfere in his behalf, and appeared + favorable to his nephew Arthur, acknowledging him as heir-presumptive of + England, and, when at Messina, betrothing him to the daughter of Tancred, + King of Sicily. It was probably in honor of this intended alliance that + Richard presented Tancred with the sword Excalibar, which certainly should + never have passed out of the possession of the British. + </p> + <p> + Constance remained at peace for the present, though Richard’s absence left + the other territories over which he asserted his power exposed to much + disturbance. He had left the government of England in the hands of Hugh, + Bishop of Durham (the young Earl), and William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely—a + native of Beauvais, who had risen to high favor in the employ first of + Geoffrey, the son of Rosamond, Archbishop of York, and was now chancellor, + and afterward of Richard. He was an arrogant man, and broke through all + restraint, imprisoned his colleague, deprived him of his offices, and + forced him to resign his earldom; then, when Richard despatched orders + that he should be re-instated, declared that he knew what were the King’s + private intentions, and should obey no public instructions. He sealed + public acts with his own seal instead of the King’s, kept a guard of + fifteen hundred rapacious and disorderly mercenaries, plundered men of + every rank, so that it was said “the knight could not keep his silver + belt, the noble his ring, the lady her necklace, nor the Jew his + merchandise.” He travelled in great state, with a train of minstrels and + jesters, who drowned the outcries of the injured people by songs in his + praise. Again Richard sent orders to restrain him, but in vain; he only + declared them a forgery, and pursued his careless course. + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey, Archbishop of York, had sworn not to enter the kingdom for three + years, but he now returned; whereupon the chancellor seized him while at + mass, and kept him prisoner. John had no love for his half-brother: but + this was a good opportunity of overthrowing the chancellor, after such an + outrage on the person of an archbishop; and, at the head of the barons and + bishops, he forced Longchamp to resign the chancellorship, and promise to + give up the keys of the King’s castles. + </p> + <p> + To avoid yielding the castles, he attempted to escape from England in + disguise, and arrived at the seashore of Kent in the dress of an old woman—a + gown with large sleeves, a thick veil, and a bundle of linen and ell-wand + in his hand. The tide did not serve, and he was forced to seat himself on + a stone to wait for his vessel. Here the fisherwomen came up and began to + examine his wares, and ask their price; but the English chancellor and + bishop understood no English, and only shook his head. Thinking him a + crazy woman, they peeped under his veil, and, “spying a great beard under + his muffler,” raised a shout which brought their husbands to the spot, + who, while he vainly tried to explain himself, dragged him in derision + through the mud, and shut him up in a cellar. He was, however, released, + gave up the keys, and left England. + </p> + <p> + Geoffrey became chancellor in his stead, and took possession of the see of + York. The next disturbance was caused by the return of Philippe of France, + begging Pope Celestine III. to absolve him of his oath to respect + Richard’s dominions. Celestine refused, and no one was found to second his + plans but Richard’s own brother John, whom he brought over by promises of + securing to him the succession, and bestowing on him the continental + fiefs. The English, and with them William the Lion of Scotland and his + brother David, maintained the rights of the young Arthur, and matters + continued in suspense till Richard’s release from his captivity. + </p> + <p> + Easily subduing and more easily pardoning his traitor brother, Richard + carried his arms into France, gained a victory at Vendome, and took the + great seal of France; then entered Guienne, where the turbulent nobility + had revolted, and reducing them, enjoyed a short space of tranquillity and + minstrelsy, and kept on a poetical correspondence with Count Guy of + Auvergne. + </p> + <p> + Arthur, who was now nine years old, was, in 1196, introduced by his mother + to the assembly of the States of Brittany, and associated with her in the + duchy. His uncle at the same time claimed the charge of him as his heir, + and invited Constance to a conference at Pontorson. On her way—it is + much to be feared with his connivance—she was seized by a body of + troops under her husband, the Earl of Chester, and carried a prisoner to + the castle of St. James de Beuvron. + </p> + <p> + Her nobles met at St. Malo, and deputed the seneschal of Rennes to inquire + of her how they should act, and to assure her of their fidelity. She + thanked them earnestly, but her whole entreaty was that they would guard + her son, watch him like friends, servants, and parents, and save him from + the English. “As for me,” wrote she, “that will be as God wills; but + whatever may befall me, do your best for Arthur my son. I shall always be + well, provided he is well, and in the care of good subjects.” + </p> + <p> + The vassals wept at this letter, full of maternal love; they swore to + devote themselves to their young lord, even to the death, and obtained + from him a promise never to treat with the English without their consent. + They placed him under the charge of the Sieur de Vitré, who conducted him + from castle to castle with so much secrecy, that Richard continually + failed in his attempts to seize on him. Treaties were attempted, but + failed, with mutual accusations of perfidy, and while Constance continued + a prisoner, a most desolating war raged in the unfortunate duchy. The + dislike and distrust that existed between Constance and her mother-in-law, + Queen Eleanor, seem to have been the root of many of these troubles; + Eleanor was all-powerful with her son, and contrived to inspire him with + distrust of Constance—a suspicion naturally augmented by her refusal + to allow him the care of her son, his own heir, whom she placed in the + hands of the foe of the English. + </p> + <p> + Richard’s troops were chiefly Brabançon mercenaries, or free-companions—a + lawless soldiery, deservedly execrated; and their captain, Mercadet, was a + favorite of the King on account of his dauntless courage and enterprise. + In a skirmish, Mercadot took prisoner the Bishop of Beauvais, one of the + warlike prelates who forgot their proper office. The Pope demanded his + liberation, and Richard returned the suit of armor in which the bishop had + been taken, with the message, “See if this be thy son’s coat, or no.” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said Celestine; “this is the coat of a son of Mars; I will + leave it to Mars to deliver him.” + </p> + <p> + Vitré succeeded in lodging young Arthur, his charge, in the hands of the + King of France, who espoused his cause as an excuse for attacking Richard. + Several battles took place, and at length another treaty of peace was + made, by which Constance was liberated, after eighteen months’ captivity. + Doubtless this would soon have proved as hollow as every other agreement + between the French King and the Plantagenet; but it was Coeur de Lion’s + last. + </p> + <p> + The Vicomte de Limoges, in Poitou, sent him two mule-burdens of silver, + part of a treasure found in his hands. Richard rapaciously claimed the + whole. “No,” said the Vicomte, “only treasure in gold belongs to the + suzerain; treasure in silver is halved.” + </p> + <p> + Richard, in anger, marched to Poitou with his Brabançons, and besieged the + Castle of Chaluz, where he believed the rest of the riches to be + concealed. In the course of the assault his shoulder was pierced by an + arrow shot from the walls by an archer named Bertrand de Gourdon, and + though the wound at first appeared slight, the surgeons, in attempting to + extract the head of the arrow, so mangled the shoulder, that fever came + on, and his life was despaired of. Mercadet, in the meantime, pushed on + the attack, took the castle, and brought Gourdon a prisoner to the King’s + tent. + </p> + <p> + “Villain, wherefore hast thou slain me?” said Richard. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” replied Gourdon, “thou hast with thine own hand killed my + father and my two brothers. Torture me as thou wilt; I shall rejoice in + having freed the world of a tyrant.” + </p> + <p> + The dying King ordered that the archer should be released, and have a sum + of money given to him; but the Brabançons, in their rage and grief, flayed + the unhappy man alive. Richard’s favorite sister Joan, Queen of Sicily, + had married Raymond, Count of Toulouse, who was at this juncture in great + distress from having taken the part of the persecuted Albigenses. She + travelled to her brother’s camp to ask his aid, but arriving to find him + expiring, she was taken ill, and, after giving birth to a dead child, died + a few hours after her brother. They were buried together, at their + father’s feet, at Fontevraud. Queen Berengaria survived him thirty years, + living peacefully in a convent at Mans, where she was buried in the church + of St. Julien, an English Queen who never set foot in England. + </p> + <p> + Loud were the lamentations of the troubadours of Aquitaine over their + minstrel King, Bertrand de Born especially, bewailing him as “<i>le roi + des courtois, l’empereur des preux</i>,” and declaring that barons, + troubadours, jongleurs, had lost their all. This strange, contradictory + character, the ardent friend yet the turbulent enemy of the Plantagenet + princes, ended his life of rebellion and gallantry as a penitent in the + Abbey of Citeaux. Dante nevertheless introduces him in his Inferno, his + head severed from his body, and explaining his doom thus: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Sappi ch’i’son Bertram dal Bornio, quelli + Che diedi al re Giovanni i ma’ comforti + I’ feci’l padre e’l figlio in se ribelli + Achitofel non fè pir d’Absalone + E di David co’ malvagi pungelli + Perch’ i’ parti cosi giunte persone + Partito porto il mio cerebro, lasso + Dal suo principio ch’é n questo troncone + cosi s’osserva in me lo contrapasso.” + </pre> + <p> + Queen Eleanor’s influence and Richard’s own displeasure at the Duchess of + Brittany so prevailed, that Arthur was not even named by the dying Coeur + de Lion; but he directed his barons to swear fealty to his brother John, + and the wish was universally complied with. + </p> + <p> + Philippe Auguste’s voice was the only one uplifted in favor of Arthur, but + it was merely as a means of obtaining a bribe, which John administered in + the shape of the county of Evreux, as a marriage-portion for his niece, + Blanche, the eldest daughter of Eleanor Plantagenet, Queen of Castile. + John, though half-married to various ladies, had no recognized wife, and + to give her to Louis, the eldest son of the King of France, would + therefore, as John hoped, separate France from the interests of the Breton + prince. He little thought what effect that claim would have on himself! + Queen Eleanor, though in her seventieth year, travelled to Castile to + fetch her granddaughter, a beautiful and noble lady, innocent of all the + intrigues that hinged on her espousal, and in whom France received a + blessing. + </p> + <p> + Philippe Auguste brought young Arthur to this betrothal, and caused him to + swear fealty to his uncle for Brittany as a fief of Normandy. Arthur was + now thirteen, and had newly received the order of knighthood, adopting as + his device the lion, unicorn, and griffin, which tradition declared to + have been borne by his namesake, and this homage must have been sorely + against his will. He was betrothed to Marie, one of the French King’s + daughters, and continued to reside at his court, never venturing into the + power of his uncle. + </p> + <p> + His mother, Constance, had taken advantage of this tranquillity to obtain + a divorce from the hated Earl of Chester, and to give her hand to the + Vicomte Guy de Thouars; but the Bretons appear to have disapproved of the + step, as they never allowed him to bear the title of Duke. She survived + her marriage little more than two years, in the course of which she gave + birth to three daughters, Alix, Catherine, and Marguerite, and died in the + end of 1201. + </p> + <p> + Arthur set off to take possession of his dukedom, and was soon delighted + to hear of a fresh disturbance between his uncle and the King of France, + hoping that he might thus come to his rights. + </p> + <p> + John had long ago fallen in love with Avice, granddaughter of Earl Robert + of Gloucester, and had been espoused to her at his brother’s coronation; + but the Church had interposed, and refused to permit their union, as they + were second cousins. He was now in the south of France, where he beheld + the beautiful Isabelle, daughter of the Count of Angoulême, only waiting + till her age was sufficient for her to fulfill the engagement made in her + infancy, and become the wife of Hugh de Lusignan, called <i>le brun</i>, + Count de la Marche, namely, the borders of English and French Poitou. + Regardless of their former ties, John at once obtained the damsel from her + faithless parents, and made her his queen; while her lover, who was + ardently attached to her, called upon the King of France, as suzerain, to + do him justice. + </p> + <p> + Philippe was glad to establish the supremacy of his court, and summoned + John to appear. John promised compensation, and offered as a pledge two of + his castles; then broke his word, and refused; whereupon Philippe took up + arms, besieged the castles, and had just destroyed them both, when Arthur + arrived, with all the Breton knights he could collect, and burning with + the eagerness of his sixteen years. + </p> + <p> + At once Philippe offered to receive his homage for the county of Anjou, + and to send him to conquer it with any knights who would volunteer to + follow him. Hugh de Lusignan was the first to bring him fifteen, and other + Poitevin barons joined him; but, in all, he could muster but one hundred + knights and four or five hundred other troops, and the wiser heads advised + him to wait for reinforcements from Brittany. The fiery young men, + however, asked, “When was it our fashion to count our foes?” and their + rashness prevailed. Arthur marched to besiege the town of Mirabeau, where + there resided one whom he should never have attacked—his aged + grandmother; but Constance had taught him no sentiment toward her but + hatred, and with this ill-omened beginning to his chivalry he commenced + his expedition. + </p> + <p> + The town was soon taken: but Eleanor’s high spirit had not deserted her; + she shut herself up in the castle, and contrived to send intelligence to + her son. John was for once roused, and marched to Mirabeau with such + speed, that Arthur soon found himself surrounded in his turn. The Queen + was in the citadel, the prince in the town, besieging her, and himself + besieged by the King on the outside; but the town wall was strong, and + John could not easily injure his nephew, nor send succor to his mother. + </p> + <p> + He recollected a knight named Guillaume dos Roches, who had once been + attached to Arthur’s service, but was now in his camp; and sending for + him, the wily King thus addressed him: “It is hard that persons who should + be friendly kindred should so disturb each other for want of meeting and + coming to an understanding. Here is Eleanor, my honored mother, + discourteously shut up in a tower in danger of being broken down by + engines of war, and sending forth nothing but cries and tears. Here is + Arthur, my fair nephew, who some day will be an honor to chivalry, going + straight forward, fancying nothing can hurt him, looking on battles as + feasts and sports. And here am I, John, his lord and King, who could + easily take from him at a blow all the rest of his life; I am waiting, and + endeavoring to spare him, though his men-at-arms may come and catch me + like a fox in the toils. Cannot you find some expedient? Can you remember + no friend of my fair nephew who could help you to restore peace, and + obtain a guerdon from me?” + </p> + <p> + “The only guerdon I desire,” replied Des Roches, “is the honor of serving + my lord; but one gift I entreat.” + </p> + <p> + “I grant it, by the soul of my father,” said John. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow, then,” said Des Roches, “the young Duke and all his young + lords shall be at your disposal; but I claim the gift you granted me. It + is, that none of the besieged shall be imprisoned or put to death, and + that Duke Arthur be treated by you as your good and honorable nephew, and + that you leave him such of his lands as rightfully pertain to him.” + </p> + <p> + John promised, and even swore that, if he violated his word, he released + his subjects from their oaths. Arthur’s stepfather, Guy de Thouars, + witnessed the agreement, and, thus satisfied, Des Roches introduced his + troops into the town at midnight, and Arthur and his followers were seized + in their sleep. But for John’s promise, he regarded it no more than the + wind; he sent twenty-two knights at once to Corfe Castle, chained two and + two together in carts drawn by oxen, where all but Hugh de Lusignan were + starved to death by his orders. He threw the rest into different prisons, + and closely confined his nephew at Falaise. Des Roches remonstrated, upon + which John attempted to arrest both him and De Thouars, but they escaped + from his dominions; and Des Roches was so grieved at the fatal consequence + of his treachery, that he became a hermit, and ended his life in penance. + </p> + <p> + The old Queen, whose disposition had softened with her years, charged + John, on pain of her curses, not to hurt his nephew, and exerted herself + to save the victims from barbarity. She prevailed so far as to obtain the + life of Lusignan; but he was shut up at Bristol Castle, where John + likewise imprisoned the elder sister of Arthur, Eleanor, a girl of + eighteen, of such peerless beauty that she was called the Pearl of + Brittany. John held a parley with his nephew at Falaise, when the + following dialogue took place; [Footnote: These particulars are from old + chronicles of slight authority.] + </p> + <p> + “Give up your false pretentions,” said John, “to crowns you will never + wear. Am I not your uncle? I will give you a share of my inheritance as + your lord, and grant you my friendship.” + </p> + <p> + “Better the hatred of the King of France!” exclaimed the high-spirited + boy; “he has not broken his faith, and with a noble knight there is always + a resource in generosity.” + </p> + <p> + “Folly to trust him!” sneered John. “French kings are the born enemies of + Plantagenets.” + </p> + <p> + “Philippe has placed the crown on my brow—he was my godfather in + chivalry—he has granted me his daughter,” said Arthur. + </p> + <p> + “And you will never marry her, fair nephew! My towers are strong; none + here resist my will.” + </p> + <p> + The boy burst out proudly: “Neither towers nor swords shall make me + cowardly enough to deny the right I hold from my father and from God. He + was your elder brother, now before the Saviour of men. England, Touraine, + Anjou, Guienne, are mine in his right, and Brittany through my mother. + Never will I renounce them, but by death.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it, fair nephew,” were John’s words, and with them he left his + captive alone, to dwell on the horrors thus implied. + </p> + <p> + Soon after, John secretly sent a party of men into Arthur’s dungeon, with + orders to put out his eyes. The youth caught up a wooden bench, and + defended himself with it, calling so loudly for help as to bring to the + spot the excellent governor of the castle, Hubert de Burgh, who had been + in ignorance of their horrible design. He sent away the assassins, and, as + the only means of saving the poor prince, he caused the chapel bell to be + tolled, and let it be supposed that he had perished under their hands. All + the world believed it, and Brittany and Normandy began to rise, to call + the murderer to account. Hubert thought he was doing a service in + divulging the safety of the prisoner, but the effect was, that John + transferred the poor boy to Rouen, and to the keeping of William Bruce. + </p> + <p> + He was an old man, and dreaded the iniquity that he saw would soon be + practised; and, coming to the King, gave up his charge in these words: “I + know not what Fate intends for your nephew, whom I have hitherto + faithfully kept. I give him up to you, in full health, and sound in limb; + but I will guard him no longer; I must return to my own affairs.” + </p> + <p> + John’s eyes flashed fury; but the baron retired to his own fiefs, which he + put in a state of defence. A few days after, John and his wicked squire, + Pierre de Maulac, left the court, giving notice that he was going to + Cherbourg, and, after wandering for three days in the woods of Moulineau, + came late at night in a little boat to the foot of the tower where Arthur + was confined. Horses were ready there, and he sent Maulac to bring him his + nephew. + </p> + <p> + “Fair nephew,” said he, “come and see the day you have so long desired. I + will make you free as air: you shall even have a kingdom to govern.” + </p> + <p> + Arthur began to ask explanations, but John cut him short, telling him + there would be time for questions and thanks; and Maulac helped him to his + horse, for he was so much weakened by his imprisonment that he could + hardly mount. They rode on, Arthur in front, till they came to a spot + where the river flowed beneath a precipitous bank. It was John’s chosen + spot; and he spurred his horse against his nephew’s, striking him down + with his sword. The poor boy cried aloud for mercy, promising to yield all + he required. + </p> + <p> + “All is mine henceforth,” said John, “and here is the kingdom I promised + you.” + </p> + <p> + Then striking him again, by the help of Maulac he dragged him to the edge + of the rock, and threw him headlong into the Seine, whose waters closed + over the brave young Plantagenet, in his eighteenth year, ending all the + hopes of the Bretons. The deed of darkness was guessed at, though it was + long before its manner became known; and John himself marked out its + consummation by causing himself to be publicly crowned over again, and by + rewarding his partner in the crime with the hand of the heiress of + Mulgrave. His mother, Queen Eleanor, is said to have died of grief at the + horror he had perpetrated. She had retired, after the siege of Mirabeau, + to the convent of Fontevraud, where she assumed the veil, and now shared + the same fate as her husband, King Henry—like him, dying + broken-hearted for the crimes of their son. She was buried beside him and + her beloved Coeur de Lion. + </p> + <p> + The Bretons mourned and raged at the loss of their young duke. His sister + Eleanor was wasting her youth and loveliness in a prison, which she only + left, after her oppressor’s death, to become a nun at Ambresbury; and they + therefore proclaimed as their duchess her little half-sister, Alix de + Thouars, who was, at four years old, presented to the States in her + father’s arms, and shortly after married to an efficient protector, Pierre + de Dreux, called, from his quarrels with the clergy, Mauclerc. + </p> + <p> + Never had the enemy of the Plantagenets been so well served as by King + John. Such was the indignation and grief of the whole French noblesse, + that, when Pope Innocent III sent out a legate to mediate between the two + kings, the barons bound themselves by a charter, “to second their lord, + King Philippe, in his war against King John, notwithstanding the will of + the Pope, exhorting him to contrive it without being dismayed by vain + words, and agreeing to give him all assistance, and enter into no treaty + with the Pope save with his consent.” + </p> + <p> + Finding his nobles in this disposition, Philippe ventured on an + unprecedented step, namely, that of summoning the King of England, as his + vassal for Normandy and Anjou, to answer for the crime done on the person + of his nephew, before his peers, namely, the other great crown vassals and + barons holding fiefs directly from the King. + </p> + <p> + John did not deny the competence of the court of peers, and sent Hubert de + Burgh, and Eustace, Bishop of Ely, to declare that he would willingly + appear, provided a safe-conduct was sent to him. Philippe declared that he + certainly might come in safety; but when they asked if he guaranteed his + security, supposing he was condemned, he replied, “By all the saints of + France, no! That must be decided by the peers.” The bishop declared that a + crowned head could not be tried for murder; the English barons would not + permit it. “What is that to me?” said Philippe. “The Dukes of Normandy + have certainly conquered England; but because a vassal augments his + domain, is the suzerain to lose his rights?” + </p> + <p> + Two months were allowed for John’s appearance in person; and on the + appointed day the assembly was held in the Louvre: the nobles in ermine + robes, and the heralds paraded the public places, calling on King John to + appear and answer for his felony; then, as no reply was made, judgment was + pronounced that his fiefs of Normandy, Anjou, and Poitou, were forfeited + to the Crown, Guienne alone being excepted, as its heiress, his mother, + was not at that time dead. + </p> + <p> + The execution followed upon the sentence: Philippe instantly marched into + Normandy, and seized upon towns, his flatterers said, as if he caught them + in a net. Chateau Gaillard, however, held out for more than a year, and + Philippe was forced to blockade it. It had been fortified to perfection by + Richard, who termed it his beautiful Castle on the Rock, and + pertinaciously defended by Roger de Lacy. All the non-combatants were + driven out; but the French would not allow them to pass through their + lines, and they lived miserably among the rocks, trying to satisfy their + hunger with the refuse of the camp. One wretched man was found gnawing a + piece of the leg of a dog, and when some compassionate French tried to + take it from him, he resisted, declaring he would not part with it till he + was satisfied with bread. They fed him, but he could hardly masticate, + though swallowing his food ravenously. + </p> + <p> + One tower was at last overthrown, and another was gained by a bold + “varlet,” named Bogis, who was lifted on the shoulders of his comrades, + till he could climb in at an undefended window, where he drew up sixty + more with ropes. They burnt down the doors, and entered the castle, where + only one hundred and fifty knights remained alive. Keeping them at bay, + Bogis lowered the drawbridge, and admitted the rest of the army; the + remains of the garrison retreated into the keep, still resolved not to + surrender, though battering-rams, catapults, and every engine of war was + brought to bear on them. A huge piece of wall fell down, still there was + no surrender; but with night, all resistance ceased, and the French, + entering in the morning, found every one of the garrison lying dead in the + dust and ruins, all their wounds in the face and breast—not one + behind, “to the great honor and praise of chivalry,” said their + assailants, who rejoiced in their valor. + </p> + <p> + Only one feeble attempt had been made by John to succor these noble and + constant men, though no further distant than Rouen, where he was feasting + with his new queen. All his reply to messages of Philippe’s advance was, + “Let him alone; I will regain more in a day than he can take in a year.” + </p> + <p> + Chinon was taken after a gallant defence, and in it Hubert de Burgh, for + whom John seems to have had an unusual regard. For a moment it grieved + him, and he awoke from his festivities to say to his queen: + </p> + <p> + “There, dame, do you hear what I have lost for your sake?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said Isabella, who had learnt by this time at how dear a price she + had purchased her crown, “on my part, I lost the best knight in the world + for your sake!” + </p> + <p> + “By the faith I owe you, in ten years’ time we shall have no corner safe + from the King of France and his power!” + </p> + <p> + “Certes! sir,” she answered, “I believe you are very desirous of being a + king checkmated in a corner.” + </p> + <p> + She seems to have taken every occasion of showing her contempt for the + mean-spirited wretch to whom she had given her hand: but at present her + treatment only incited the King’s ardor of affection: he formed more + schemes of pleasure for her, and turned a deaf ear to all complaints from + his deserted subjects, until Falaise had surrendered, Mont St. Michael was + burnt, and Rouen itself was threatened. Then he took flight, and returned + to England, where he made his Norman war a pretext for taxes; but when the + Rouennais citizens, who still had a love for the line of Rollo, came to + tell him that they must surrender in thirty days unless they were + succored, he would not interrupt his game at chess to listen to them; and, + when it was finished, only said, “Do as you can: I have no aid to give + you.” + </p> + <p> + They were therefore forced to surrender, Philippe swearing to respect + their rights and liberties; and thus, after three hundred years, did the + dukedom that first raised the Norman line to the rank of princes pass from + the race of Rollo, disgracefully forfeited by a cowardly murder. The four + little isles of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, and Sark, are the only remnant + of the duchy won by the Northman. They still belong to the Queen, as + Duchess of Normandy, are ruled by peculiar Norman laws, and bear on their + coinage only the three lions, without the bearings of her other domains. + </p> + <p> + Anjou, Maine, and Touraine, were won by the French, without one blow + struck in their defence by Ingelger’s degenerate descendant, “whose sinful + heart made feeble hand.” The recovery of his continental dominions served + as a pretext for a tax of every tenth shilling; but this being illegal, + Geoffrey, the Archbishop of York, refused to consent to, and threatened + excommunication to all in his diocese who should pay it. John vowed + vengeance, and placed his life in such danger that he was forced to flee + from the country, and his death abroad saved the King from the guilt of + the murder of a brother. + </p> + <p> + With the money John had raised, he levied a force of Brabançons and + free-companions, entered Anjou, burnt Angers, and besieged Nantes; but on + hearing of Philippe’s advance, retreated, and thus ended all hopes of his + regaining his inheritance. The Norman barons, whose lands had passed to + the French, told him that, if their bodies served him, their hearts would + be with the French, and, for the most part, transferred their allegiance, + and he remained with his disgrace. Thus was Arthur avenged. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXVI. THE INTERDICT. (1207-1214.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England.</i> 1199. John. + + <i>King of Scotland</i> 1163. William. + + <i>King of France</i> 1180. Philippe II. + + <i>Emperors of Germany.</i> + 1208. Otho IV. + 1209. Friedrich III. + + <i>Pope.</i> 1198. Innocent III. +</pre> + <p> + The election of bishops still remained a subject of dispute in the Church, + in spite of the settlement apparently effected in the time of Archbishop + Anselm, when it was determined that, on the vacancy of a see, the King + should send a <i>Congé d’élire</i> (permission to elect) to the chapter of + the cathedral, generally accompanied with a recommendation, and that the + prelate should receive investiture from the Crown of the temporalities of + his see. However, in the case of archbishoprics, the matter was + complicated by the right of the bishops to have a voice in the choice of + their primate, and by the custom of the Pope’s presenting him with a pall, + which the grasping pontiffs of the thirteenth century would fain have + converted into a power of rejection. At each election to Canterbury the + debate broke out, enhanced by the jealousies between the secular clergy, + who often formed the majority of the bishops, and who usually held with + the sovereign, and the regular monks of St. Augustine, who were the canons + of the cathedral, and looked to the Pope. + </p> + <p> + Richard, who succeeded Thomas à Becket, was a monastic priest, mild, and + somewhat time-serving, conniving at irregularities, and never apparently + provoked out of his meekness, except by the perpetual struggle for + precedence with the see of York—and no wonder, when, at a synod at + Westminster, Roger, Archbishop of York, fairly sat down in his lap on + finding him occupying the seat of honor next to the legate. Upon this the + Pope interfered, pronouncing the Archbishop of York, Primate of England, + and him of Canterbury, Primate of all England; but the jealousy as to the + right of having the cross carried before them in each other’s provinces + continued for centuries to a lamentable and shameful degree. + </p> + <p> + Baldwin, who succeeded him, seems to have been secular, but little is + known of him. He, with the consent of Richard Coeur de Lion, laid the + foundation of a convent at Lambeth, which he intended as a residence for + the primate, in order to lessen the preponderance of the canons of St. + Augustine; he then accompanied the King on the Crusade, and died of fever + before the walls of Acre. + </p> + <p> + Walter Hubert, Bishop of Salisbury, was also a Crusader, and a great + friend of Richard, who, from his imprisonment, wrote letters to point him + out as archbishop—a favor which he returned by great exertions in + raising the King’s ransom. He was a completely worldly and secular priest, + continually giving umbrage to his chapter, who used to complain of him to + the Pope, and obtain censures, of which he took no heed. When Richard made + him Grand Justiciary, they declared that it was contrary to all rule for + him to be judge in causes of blood; whereupon the Pope ordered the King to + remove him from the office, but without much effect. Sharing Richard’s + councils, he had the same dislike to Constance and her son, and willingly + crowned John, making a dangerous and disloyal speech, in which he + pronounced the kingdom elective, and to be conferred on the most worthy of + the royal family. He accepted the chancellorship from John, and was so + fond of boasting of its riches and dignities, that he drew on himself a + rebuke from Hugh Bardolfe, one of the rude barons. “My Lord, with your + leave, if you would consider the power and dignity of your spiritual + calling, you would not undertake the yoke of lay servitude.” But, + unchecked by this rebuke, he gave offence to John by foolishly trying to + vie with the King in the richness of the raiment given at Christmas to his + retainers—an affront to John which a sumptuous feast at Easter could + not efface. + </p> + <p> + The chief grievance to the Augustine chapter at Canterbury was the new + foundation at Lambeth; they dreaded that Becket’s relics might be + translated thither, and they never ceased appealing to Pope Innocent III. + till they had obtained an order for its demolition. This dispute made them + more than ever bent on an archbishop of their own choice. + </p> + <p> + Hubert died at Canterbury, July 18th, 1205, and the younger monks were + misled by party-spirit into the attempt to steal a march on the rest. They + assembled on the night of his death, and elected their sub-prior Reginald, + conducted him to the cathedral, placed him on the archiepiscopal throne, + and hurried him off in secret to Rome, with strict injunctions not to + divulge his election till he had obtained confirmation of it from the + Pope. + </p> + <p> + Reginald was as imprudent as might have been expected from his acceptance + of a dignity thus conferred; he had no sooner crossed the sea, than he + began to boast of his rank as archbishop-elect. These tidings coming back + to England, his own supporters were ashamed of him, and, willing to have + their transaction forgotten, joined with their elders, the bishops, and + the King, in appointing John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich, a man apparently + of the same stamp as Hubert, as he was one of the Justiciaries, and little + attentive to the affairs of his diocese. Twelve of the canons of St. + Augustine were despatched to Rome to explain the affair to the Pope, offer + him a present of 12,000 marks, and obtain the pall for Gray. + </p> + <p> + The Pope examined into the subject, and pronounced, of course, Reginald’s + election null, and Gray’s also null, because made before the former claim + had been disposed of. The twelve canons were therefore to make a fresh + election, and as this had been foreseen before they left home, the King + had bound them by oath to choose no one but Gray. Innocent might + justifiably object to such a person, but his proceedings were in + accordance with the violent and domineering spirit which actuated him. His + nominee was an Englishman named Stephen Langton, a learned man, who had + taught in the University of Paris, of which he was now chancellor; he had + been recommended from thence to Innocent, who had given him high office at + Rome, and made him a cardinal. His life was irreproachable, and he was + deeply learned in the Scriptures, which it is said he was the first to + divide into verses. To so distinguished and excellent a person Innocent + hoped no objection could arise; and when the canons of St. Augustine + demurred as to their oath, and the King and chapter’s right, he silenced + their scruples by threats of excommunication, and they all, excepting one + named Elias de Braintefeld, concurred in appointing Langton and enthroning + him, singing <i>Te Deum</i> while Elias stood at the door. + </p> + <p> + Innocent wrote to John two letters. The first was merely complimentary, + and contained four rings, with explanations of their emblematic meaning. + Their circular form signified eternity; their number, constancy; the + emerald was for faith; the sapphire for hope; the red granite for charity; + the topaz for good works. In his other letter, he recommended Langton to + the King, dwelling on his many high qualities, on which John himself had + previously complimented him. + </p> + <p> + A good archbishop was the last thing John desired, especially a man of + high spirit and ability, who would act as a restraint on him, and he + refused to receive the letters. The chapter of Canterbury, however, + confirmed the election, and the Pope, after waiting in vain for an answer + from the King, consecrated Stephen Langton at Viterbo, June 17th. + </p> + <p> + John certainly so far had the advantage that his opponents had placed + themselves in the wrong, but as no one could outdo him in that respect, he + instantly fell on the unfortunate monks of Canterbury, and declaring them + guilty of high treason, sent two of his most lawless men-at-arms and their + followers to drive them out of the country. At the same time he wrote to + the Pope that he was astonished at his thus treating a country that + contributed so largely to the papal revenues; that he was resolved to + support Gray’s election, and that he was determined that Langton should + never set foot in England. + </p> + <p> + Innocent remonstrated in vain, declaring that this should never be made a + precedent for interference with future appointments. John held out, and at + length the Pope availed himself of the power ascribed to him, to force the + King to compliance, by declaring his country under the ban of the Church. + </p> + <p> + It is said that, in the midst of the horrible confusion that followed the + death of Charlemagne, the idea of such an expedient had first arisen. In + the Synod of Limoges, the Abbot Odolric had proposed that, till the nobles + should cease from their ravages, the churches should be stripped of their + ornaments, the mass not be celebrated, no marriages take place, and the + abstinence of Lent be observed. This universal mourning had brought the + ferocious nobles to a sense of their guilt, and more peaceful times had + succeeded, so that an interdict was considered as one of the mightiest + weapons in the armory of the Church. + </p> + <p> + Only a few years before, Innocent had, by an interdict on the kingdom of + France, forced Philippe Auguste to put away Agnes de Meranie, whom he had + married in the lifetime of his lawful wife Ingeberge. Then (if ever) it + was properly employed, to enforce morality; but it was a different thing + to lay a whole nation under the ban of the Church merely for a dispute + respecting an appointment. + </p> + <p> + Innocent sent orders to the bishops of London, Ely, and Worcester, to + publish the interdict on the Monday of Passion week, 1208 (the second + before Easter). They went to the King, and besought him to be reconciled + with the Pope, and avert this dreadful edict. He grew pale with rage, + foamed at the mouth, and threatened them furiously; swore at the clergy, + drove them from his presence, and issued orders that his officers should + seize, the property of every man who paid any attention to the interdict. + “If you, or any of your body, dare to lay my states under interdict, I + will send you to Rome, and seize your goods; and if I catch one Roman + priest in my realms, I will cut off his nose and put out his eyes, that + all may know he is a Roman!” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, on the appointed day it was pronounced by the three + prelates, according to the appointed form. + </p> + <p> + At night the clergy assembled, each bearing a torch, and with one voice + chanted the <i>Miserere</i>, and other penitential psalms and prayers, + while the church-bells rang out the ‘broken funeral-knell. Veils were hung + over the crucifixes, the consecrated Wafer of the Host was consumed by + fire, the relics and images of the saints were carried into the crypts, + and then the bishops, in the violet robes of mourning used on Good Friday, + announced to the frightened multitude, in the name of Heaven, that the + domains of John, King of England, were laid under the ban of the Church + until he should have rendered submission to the Holy See. Every torch was + then at once extinguished, in token that the light of the Gospel was + denied them! + </p> + <p> + Thenceforth every church was closed; no bell pealed forth, no mass was + offered, no matins nor vespers were sung. Only the dying were permitted to + communicate, but their corpses were laid in the ground with maimed rites; + infants were baptized, but their mothers were churched only in the + churchyard, where on Sunday a sermon was preached, and on Good Friday the + cross was carried out and exposed for the veneration of the people. + </p> + <p> + The monasteries were allowed to carry on their services, on condition that + they did so with closed doors, admitting no one from without; and the + Cistercian order considered it as their privilege to be exempt, and to + open their churches for worship as usual. Neither did the King’s favorite, + Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, nor De Gray himself, choose to + acknowledge the interdict, so that the services continued as usual in + their sees, and in many single parishes. These were the only two bishops + in England; for the three who proclaimed the interdict had at once to flee + for their lives, and the others, few in number at present, soon followed + them. De Gray being soon after sent as deputy to Ireland, Des Roches was + the sole bishop left to all England. + </p> + <p> + The King made light of it; and when, in the chase, he killed an unusually + fat buck, he said, laughing, “Here is a fellow who has prospered well + enough without ever hearing matins or vespers.” But he was much enraged; + he imprisoned the relatives of the fugitive bishops, and announced himself + ready to drive every priest who should obey the interdict out of the + kingdom, to be maintained, as he said, by the Pope. The Archdeacon of + Norwich experienced his cruelty for consulting with his brethren on + enforcing it. The Angevin soldiers seized him, and soldered on his neck a + cope of lead, so that he perished in prison under its weight, and from + hunger. + </p> + <p> + Afterward, however, some terror seized on John, and he ordered his + officers to allow the bishops enough to provide them two dishes of meat + each day, while the secular clergy were to receive as much as should be + adjudged needful for their support by four sworn men of their parish. + Moreover, the man who, by word or deed, abused any of the clergy, should + forthwith be hanged upon an oak! + </p> + <p> + The Pope followed up his interdict by excommunicating John, and absolving + his subjects from their oaths of allegiance, but a strict watch was kept + on the ports, and no one seems ever to have dared to lay the bull before + the King. However, its existence was well known, and rendered John very + uneasy. He wished to hear what his fate was to be, and his half-brother, + William Longsword, brought him a hermit, named Peter of Wakefield, who + told him he would wear his crown no longer than next Ascension Day. John + flew into a rage, and called him idiot-knave; declared that, as idiot, he + pardoned him, but, as knave, he imprisoned him in Corfe Castle, till he + should see whether his tale came true. + </p> + <p> + The King, to preserve the obedience of the nobles, demanded their children + to be kept as hostages. One of those to whom the order came was William de + Braose, Lord of Bramber, in Sussex, and of a wide district in Ireland. + Herds of the wild white cattle with red ears roamed about his estate, and + his wife is said to have boasted that she could victual a besieged castle + for a month with her cheeses, and yet have some to spare. When John’s + squire, Pierre de Maulac, the hated governor of Corfe, who was accused of + having aided in the murder of Arthur, came to demand her children, the + high-spirited lady answered that the King had not taken such care of his + own nephew as to make her entrust her son to his keeping. Her husband was + alarmed for the consequences of her bold speech, sent four hundred of the + oxen as a present to the Queen, and fled with his wife to Ireland; but in + his absence, two years after, John made a progress thither, seized upon + her and her children, and sent them back to Corfe, where Maulac, by his + orders, starved them all to death in the dungeons. The eldest son escaped, + being with his father in France, where the unhappy Lord of Bramber died of + grief on hearing of their horrible fate, the most barbarous action which + has ever stained the pages of English history. + </p> + <p> + Innocent now put forth a bull addressed to the King of France, saying that + the prelates of Canterbury, London, and Ely, having declared to him the + cruel persecution of the English Church, he had, in presence of his + cardinals, solemnly deposed King John; and in order that a greater and + more noble prince might be summoned to the throne, he granted it to + Philippe Auguste, assuring him that all his efforts to conquer it should + be reckoned for the remission of his sins, and that he might transmit his + conquests to his descendants. He wrote other letters, desiring the French + nobles to second their King in their enterprise; and there were many + English who, grieved by the censures of the Church, and suffering personal + injuries from their tyrant, were ready to seek aid in a new dynasty. + Walter Hubert’s doctrine of the most worthy was an unfortunate one for + such a king as John, and he began to reap the fruits of it when placed in + comparison with Louis the Lion, whom, by the marriage with his niece, + Blanche of Castille, he had placed next in succession to his own infant + children. + </p> + <p> + Louis collected a fleet and army, and put forth a proclamation; while John + forced money from his subjects, robbed the monasteries, and tortured the + Jews. One of them, refusing to pay an exorbitant demand of 10,000 marks, + was seized, and condemned daily to lose a tooth until he should consent. + He held out seven days, and did not yield up the sum till he had lost all + his double teeth. Scotland and Wales were also stirred up against him; and + though he made a treaty with William the Lion, and defeated Llewellyn of + Wales, his danger was pressing, and John de Gray, the chosen archbishop, + is said to have done his best, to put the Pope in the right, by advising + his master to seek the alliance of the Emir of Cordova, Mahomet of Nesser, + one of the brave, generous, and learned Moors of Spain, who had it in his + power seriously to damage France on the southern frontier, and thus make a + diversion in his favor. + </p> + <p> + Two knights and a clerk, it is alleged, were sent on this mission, + proposing to Mahomet to take John under his protection on receiving a + tribute from him, and he even offered himself and De Gray to become + Mahometans, so as to be rid of Pope and cardinals together. + </p> + <p> + The bearers of this base proposal were admitted to the palace. At the + first door they found soldiers with drawn swords, in the second a band of + nobles, in the third a species of couch guarded by ferocious-looking + warriors, who opened their ranks and let them approach the Saracen prince. + They explained their mission, and gave him the King’s letters, which were + translated by an interpreter, while they studied the grave and majestic + but gentle expression of his countenance. After some minutes’ reflection, + he thus spoke: “A few moments ago I was reading a book by a Greek sage; + who was a Christian, by name Paul, whose words and acts please me + exceedingly. One thing alone in him displeases me, namely, that, born + under the Jewish law, he forsook the faith of his fathers to adopt a new + one. It is the same with your King of England, who, renouncing the + religion to which he was born, is bent and moulded like wax. I know the + Almighty is ignorant of nothing; and, had I been born with no religion, I + might have chosen the Christian. But tell me, what is the King of England—what + are the strength and riches of his realm?” + </p> + <p> + The clerk then spoke: “Our King is born of illustrious ancestors, his + domains are rich in fertile pastures, forests, and mines; his people are + mighty and handsome, possessed of sciences, and ruling over three tongues—Welsh, + Latin, and French. The English understand all arts, especially mechanics + and navigation, and they have gained the title of Island Kings.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, ha!” said the Moor, smiling; “but how can the prince of so fair a + kingdom condescend, to offer to give up his freedom, pay tribute, and put + himself under subjection? He must be sick. What is his age?” + </p> + <p> + “Between forty and fifty—strong and healthy.” + </p> + <p> + “I see how it is! He is losing his youthful spirit!” Then, after a + silence, “Your King is nothing; he is only a kinglet growing enfeebled and + old. I care not for him; he is unworthy to be united to me. Away with you! + Your master’s infamy stinks in my nostrils!” + </p> + <p> + The envoys retired in confusion; but the Emir had been struck by the + appearance of the clerk, a small, deformed man, with a dark, Jewish face, + one arm longer than the other, misshapen fingers, wearing the tonsure and + clerical habit; and thinking there must be superior intelligence to + counterbalance so unprepossessing an aspect, he sent for him in private, + and asked him on oath respecting the morals and character of his master. + He was obliged to confess the whole truth; and Mahomet asked, in surprise, + “How can the English allow this cowardly tyrant to misuse them? Are they + effeminate and servile?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” was the answer, “but they are very patient, until driven to + extremity; then, like the wounded lion or elephant, they rise against + their oppressor.” + </p> + <p> + “I blame their weakness,” said the Emir: “they should put an end to the + wretch.” + </p> + <p> + So, obtaining nothing for their master by his plan of apostasy, the envoys + were dismissed, the clerk alone having received a present from the Saracen + prince, who had been pleased with his ability. While buoyed up by these + hopes, John had shown some spirit; he had fitted out a fleet, which + suddenly crossed the Channel and burnt the French ships at Dieppe, and he + was at the head of an army of 60,000 men in Kent. But he did not trust his + own forces, and, on hearing there was no aid to be looked for from Spain, + his courage failed, and he was ready, after all his threats, to make any + concession. + </p> + <p> + Hubert, Abbot of Beaulieu, the monastery founded by John in expiation of + Arthur’s murder, was secretly sent with offers of submission, and two + Knights of the Temple arrived at the camp with a message that Cardinal + Pandulfo, the Pope’s legate, would fain see the King in private. John + consented, and Pandulfo, coming to him at Dover, terrified him dreadfully + with the description of the French armament, and then skilfully talked of + the Pope’s clemency and forgiveness. This took the more effect that + Ascension Day was approaching, and the prediction of Peter of Wakefield + way preying on his mind. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of May, John consented, in the presence of four of his nobles—the + Earls of Salisbury, Boulogne, Warenne, and Ferrars—to a treaty such + as had been previously offered to him, receiving Langton, recalling the + exiled clergy, and making restitution for the injuries they had suffered. + This deed was sealed by the King and the four earls, and it seemed as if + all were arranged. + </p> + <p> + Next day, however, the legate was closeted with the King; and on the + following, the eve of the Ascension, 1213, the English were amazed by the + proceedings of the King. + </p> + <p> + He repaired to the church of the Temple early in the morning, and there an + instrument was read aloud: “Ye know,” it said, in the name of John to his + subjects, “that we have deeply offended our Holy Mother the Church, and + that it will be hard to draw on us the mercy of Heaven. Therefore we would + humble ourselves, and without constraint, of our own free will, by the + consent of our barons and high justiciaries, we give and confer on God, on + the holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, on our Mother the Church, and on + Pope Innocent III. and his Catholic successors, the whole kingdom of + England and of Ireland, with all their rights and dependencies, for the + remission of our sins; henceforth we hold them as a fief, and in, token + thereof we swear allegiance and pay homage in presence of Pandulfo, Legate + of the Holy See.” + </p> + <p> + John seems to have found no chancellor who would seal the charter of his + shame, but to have had to set the great seal to it himself; thus giving to + the Pope, “for the remission of his sins,” the crown which the Saracen had + disdained! The cardinal legate seated himself on the vacated throne, John + knelt at his feet, laid down the crown, and spoke the words of allegiance + as a vassal, offering money as the earnest of the tribute. Pandulfo + indignantly trampled on the coin, in token that the Church scorned earthly + riches; but earthly honors Rome did not scorn, and for five days the crown + remained in the cardinal’s keeping. So John was discrowned on Ascension + Day, and Peter of Wakefield’s prediction was verified; but it did not save + the poor prophet. The vindictive wretch, who pretended to have yielded his + throne for the pardon of his sins, caused him and his son to be drawn at + the tails of horses, and hanged on gibbets. + </p> + <p> + The excommunication was removed, and the hateful John was declared a + favored son of the Church, while Pandulfo went to put a stop to the French + expedition. This was not quite so easy; Philippe Auguste had been at great + expense, and he could not endure to let his enemy escape him; he was the + Pope’s friend only when it suited him, and he swore that, Pope or no Pope, + he would invade England. Ferrand, Count of Flanders, remonstrated and + Philippe drove him away in a fury, “By all the saints, France shall belong + to Flanders, or Flanders to France!” + </p> + <p> + So he burst into Flanders, and besieged Ghent. Ferrand sent to John for + aid, and the fleet under the command of the earls of Holland and Salisbury + utterly destroyed the French fleet at Bruges, on which Philippe depended + for provisions, so that he was forced to retreat to his own country. The + following year, as he was still in opposition to the Pope, a league was + formed for the invasion of France, between John, his nephew Otho, Emperor + of Germany, and many other friends of Innocent, but it only resulted in a + shameful defeat at Bouvines, where Philippe signalized his courage and + generalship, and John and Otho fled in disgrace. In this battle the Bishop + of Beauvais again fought, but thought to obviate the danger of being + disavowed by his spiritual father by using no weapon save a club. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Stephen Langton arrived in England, took possession of + his see, and at Winchester received a reluctant kiss from the King, who + bitterly hated the cause of his shame. The Cardinal Archbishop publicly + absolved the King, and relieved the country from the interdict under which + it had groaned for five years. + </p> + <p> + It is a melancholy history of the encroachments of Rome, and of the + atrocious wickedness of the English King; and perhaps the worst feature in + the case was that his crimes went unreproved, and that it was only his + resistance to the Pope that was punished. The love of temporal dominion + was ruining the Church of Rome. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXVII. MAGNA CHARTA. (1214-1217.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1199. John. + 1216. Henry III. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1214. Alexander II. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1180. Philippe II. + + <i>Emperor of Germany.</i> + 1209. Friedrich II. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1198. Innocent III. + 1216. Honorius III. +</pre> + <p> + The first table of English laws were those of Ina, King of Wessex. Alfred + the Great published a fuller code, commencing with the Ten Commandments, + as the foundation of all law. Ethelstane and St. Dunstan, in the name of + Edgar the Peaceable, added many other enactments, by which the lives, + liberties, and property of Englishmen were secured as soundly as the + wisdom of the times could devise. + </p> + <p> + These were the laws of Alfred and Edward the Confessor, which William the + Conqueror bound himself to observe at his coronation, but which he + entirely set at nought, bringing in with him the feudal system, according + to his own harsh interpretation. The Norman barons who owned estates in + England found themselves more entirely subject to the King, who brought + them in by right of conquest, than they had been by ancient custom to + their duke in Normandy; and Saxons and Normans alike were new to the + strict Forest Laws introduced by William. + </p> + <p> + Every king of doubtful right tried to win the favor of the Saxons, a + sturdy and formidable race, though still in subjection, by engaging to + give them the laws of their own dynasty. With this promise William Rufus + was crowned, and likewise Henry I., who even distributed copies of the + charter to be kept in the archives of all the chief abbeys, but afterward + caused them, it seems, to be privately destroyed. Stephen made the same + futile promise, failing perhaps, more from inability than from design; and + after his death the nation was so glad of repose on any terms, that there + were no special stipulations made on the accession of Henry II. He and his + Grand Justiciary, Ranulf de Glanville, governed according to law, but it + was partly the law of Normandy, partly of their own device; the Norman <i>parlement</i> + of barons, and the Saxon Wittenagemot, were alike ignored. The King + obtained sufficient supplies from his own immense estates, and from the + fines which he had the power to demand at certain times as feudal + superior, and did in fact obtain at will, and exact even for doing men + justice in courts of law. + </p> + <p> + As long as there was an orderly sovereign, such as Henry II. the unlimited + power of the Crown was tolerable; under a reckless, impetuous prince like + Coeur de Lion, it was a grievance; and, in a tyrant such as John Lackland, + it became past endurance. His fines were outrageous extortion, and here + and there the entries in the accounts show the base, wanton bribery in his + court. The Bishop of Winchester paid a tun of good wine for not reminding + the King to give a girdle to the Countess of Albemarle; Robert de Vaux + gave five of his best palfreys that the King might hold his tongue about + Henry Pinel’s wife; while a third paid four marks for permission to eat. + Moreover, no man’s family was safe, even of the highest rank: the death of + the Lady of Bramber was fresh in the memory of all; and Matilda the Fair, + the daughter of Robert Lord Fitzwalter, was seized, carried from her home, + and, because she refused to listen to the suit of the tyrant, her father + was banished, his castles destroyed, and the maiden, after enduring with + constancy two years’ imprisonment in a turret of the White Tower of + London, was poisoned with an egg. + </p> + <p> + The person of whom John stood most in awe, was his Grand Justiciary, + Geoffrey Fitzpiers, who, though of low birth, had married the Countess of + Essex, and was highly respected for his character and situation. + </p> + <p> + One day the King, with his usual imprudence, pointed him out to the + Provost of St. Omer. “Seest thou him yonder? Never did one man watch + another as he watches me, lest I should get some of his goods; but as much + pains as he takes to watch me, so much do I take to gain them.” + </p> + <p> + Fitzpiers was not out of earshot, and his comment was, “Sir Provost, well + did I hear what the King said to thee; and since he is so set on my + wealth, he will surely get it; but thou knowest; and he knows, that I can + raise such a storm as he will feel many a day after my death.” + </p> + <p> + John’s fears did not prevent him from imposing a fine of 12,000 marks on + Geoffrey, which ended his patience. He entered into an understanding with + the barons, who had just been summoned by John to attend him on his + expedition against France. They joined him, but sailed no further than + Jersey, where they declared that the forty days they were bound to serve + by feudal tenure were passed; and all, turning back, met Archbishop + Langton and the Grand Justiciary at St. Albans, where Fitzpiers commenced + his retaliation, by proclaiming, in the King’s name, the old Saxon charter + of Alfred and Edward, renewed by Henry I., as well as the repeal of the + Forest Laws. + </p> + <p> + Back came John in rage and fury, and let loose his free-companions on the + estates of the confederates. At Northampton, Stephen Langton met him, and + forbade his violence. “These measures are contrary to your oaths,” he + said. “Your vassals have a right to be judged only by their peers.” + </p> + <p> + John reviled him. “Rule you the Church,” he said; “leave me to govern the + State.” + </p> + <p> + Langton left him, but met him again at Nottingham, assuring him the barons + would come to have their cause tried, and threatening excommunication to + every one who should execute the King’s barbarous orders. This brought + John to terms, and all parties met in London, where the Archbishop had a + previous conference with the barons, to which he brought a copy of the + Charter, with great difficulty procured from one of the monasteries. He + read it to them, commented on its provisions, and they ended by mutually + engaging to conquer, or die in defence of their rights as Englishmen. The + Norman barons were glad enough so to term themselves, and to take shelter + under English laws. + </p> + <p> + But it was the Pope’s kingdom now, not that of craven John; and Innocent + sent a legate, Nicholas, Cardinal Bishop of Tusculum, to settle the + affair. John debased himself by repeating the homage and oath of fealty, + and by giving a fresh charter of submission, sealed not with wax, but with + gold, as if to make it more binding. + </p> + <p> + The injuries done to the barons by the free-companions were beyond the + King’s power of restitution, but the Pope adjudged him to pay 15,000 marks + for the present, after which John set off on his disastrous journey to + Bouvines. In his absence, Fitzpiers died, and this quite consoled him for + his defeat. “It’s well,” he cried; “he is gone to shake hands in hell with + our primate Hubert! Now am I first truly a King!” + </p> + <p> + But Geoffrey’s storm was near its bursting, precipitated perhaps by the + loss of this last curb on the lawless King. Langton was seriously + displeased with the legate, who had taken all the Church patronage into + his hands, and was giving it away to Italians, foreigners, children—nay, + even promising it for the unborn. The Archbishop sent his brother Simon to + appeal to the Pope, but could get no redress. Innocent was displeased with + him for opposing the <i>protégé</i> of the papal see; and certainly he had + no right to complain of the Roman patronage while he held the see of + Canterbury. + </p> + <p> + However, he was too much of an Englishman to see his Church or his country + trampled down; and at Christmas, 1214, there was another assembly of the + barons at Bury St. Edmund’s. The plans were arranged, and an oath taken by + each singly, kneeling before the high altar in the church of the royal + Saxon saint, that if the laws were rejected, they would withdraw their + oaths of allegiance. + </p> + <p> + They set out for Worcester to present their charter to the King, but he + got intelligence of their design, hastened to London, and put himself + under the protection of the Knights of the Temple. They followed him, and + on Twelfth Day laid the charter before him. He took a high tone, and only + insisted on their declaring by hand and seal that they would never so act + again; but finding this was not the way to treat such men, promised, on + the security of the Archbishop, the Bishop of Ely, and Earl of Pembroke, + to grant what they asked at Easter. + </p> + <p> + He used the space thus gained in taking the Cross, that he might enjoy the + immunities of a Crusader, fortifying his castles, and sending for + free-companions, while both parties wrote explanations to the Pope. John + obtained encouragement, Langton was severely reprehended; Innocent + declared all the confederacies of the barons null and void, and forbade + them for the future, under pain of excommunication. + </p> + <p> + In Easter-week the barons met at Stamford, with 2,000 knights and their + squires. Their charter was carried to the King at Oxford by the Archbishop + and the Earls of Pembroke and Warenne. They were received with fury. “Why + do not they ask my crown at once?” cried John. “Do they think I will grant + them liberties that would make me a slave?” + </p> + <p> + Then, with more moderation, he proposed to appeal to the Pope, and to + redress all grievances that had arisen in his own time or in that of his + brothers; but they still adhered to their demands, and when Pandulfo + called on the Primate to excommunicate the insurgent barons, Langton made + answer that he was better instructed in the Pope’s views, and unless the + King dismissed his foreign soldiers, he should be obliged to excommunicate + them. + </p> + <p> + John offered to refer the matter to nine umpires—namely, Innocent, + four chosen by himself, and four by the barons; but this also was + rejected: the barons would have no terms short of their Great Charter; and + electing the most injured of all, Robert Fitzwalter, as their general, + they marched against Northampton. It was garrisoned by the King’s foreign + mercenaries, who refused all attempts to corrupt them; and as the want of + machines made it impossible to take it, the barons proceeded to Bedford + after fifteen days, their spirits somewhat damped. + </p> + <p> + However, Bedford opened its gates, and tidings reached them that London + was favorably disposed. They therefore proceeded thither, and arrived on + the first Sunday in June, early in the morning, when the gates were + opened, and the burghers all at mass in the churches. They entered in + excellent order, took possession of the Tower, and thence sent forth + proclamations, terming themselves the Army of God and of Holy Church, and + calling on every one to join them, under pain of being used as traitors + and rebels. + </p> + <p> + The whole country responded; scarcely a man, Saxon or Norman, who was not + with them in spirit; and John, then at Odiham, in Hampshire, found himself + deserted by all his knights save seven. He was at first in deadly terror; + but soon rallying his spirits, he resolved to cajole the barons, + pronounced that what his lieges had done was well done, and despatched the + Earl of Pembroke to assure them of his readiness and satisfaction in + granting their desires: all that was needed was a day and place for the + meeting. + </p> + <p> + “The day, the 15th of June; the place, Runnymede,” returned his loving + subjects. + </p> + <p> + The broad, smooth, green meadow of Runnymede, on the bank of the Thames, + spreading out fair and fertile beneath the heights of Windsor, became a + watchword of English rights. + </p> + <p> + The stalwart barony of England, Norman in name and rank, but with Saxon + blood infused in their veins, and strength consisting of stout Saxon + yeomen and peasantry, there arrayed themselves, with Robert Fitzwalter for + their spokesman and leader; and thither, on the other hand, came, from + Windsor Castle, King John, accompanied by Cardinal Pandulfo, Amaury, Grand + Master of the Temple, Langton, and seven other bishops, and Pembroke with + twelve nobles, but scarcely one of these, except the two first, whose + heart was not with the barons on the other side. + </p> + <p> + The charter was spread forth—the Great Charter, which, in the first + place, asserted the liberty of the Church of England, and then of its + people. It forbade the King to exact arbitrary sums from his subjects + without the consent of a council of the great crown vassals; it required + that no man should be made an officer of justice without knowledge of the + law; and forced from the King the promise not to sell, refuse, or defer + right or justice to any man; neither to seize the person or goods of any + free man without the lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the + land. The same privileges were extended to the cities, but the serfs or + villeins had no part in them; the nobility of England had not yet learnt + to consider them worthy of regard. Much, however, was done by the + recognition of the law, and Magna Charta has been the foundation of all + subsequent legislation in England. A lesser charter was added on the + oppressive Forest Laws, which it in some degree mitigated by lessening the + number of royal forests, and appointing nobles in each county to keep in + check the violence of the King’s keepers. + </p> + <p> + The original Charter itself, creased with age and injured by fire, but + with John’s great seal still appended to it, remains extant in the British + Museum, a copy beside it, bearing in beautiful old writing in Latin the + clear, sharp, lawyer-like terms with which the barons, who, rough and + turbulent as they were, must have had among them men of great legal + ability, sought to bind their tyrant to respect their lives and lands. + </p> + <p> + Four-and-twenty of their number, and with them the Mayor of London, were + appointed to enforce the observance of the Charter, which was sent out to + the sheriffs in all the counties to be proclaimed by them with sounds of + trumpet at the market-crosses and in the churches; while twelve men, + learned in the law, were to be chosen to inquire into and re dress all + grievances since the accession. Moreover, every Poitevin, Brabançon, and + other free-companion in the King’s service was to be immediately + dismissed, and the barons were to hold the city of London, and Langton the + Tower, for the next two months. + </p> + <p> + The Charter was thus sealed, June 15th, 1215; and John, as long as he was + in the presence of the barons, put a restraint on himself, and acted as if + it was granted, as it professed to be, of his own free will and pleasure, + speaking courteously to all who approached, and treating the matter in + hand with his usual gay levity, signing the Charter with so little heed to + its contents that the wiser heads must have gathered that he had no + intention of being bound by them. However, they had achieved a great + victory, and, after parting with him, amused themselves by arranging for a + tournament to be held at Stamford; while John, when within the walls of + Windsor, gave vent to his rage, threw himself on the ground, rolled about + gnawing sticks and straws, uttering maledictions upon the barons, and + denouncing vengeance against the nation that had made him an underling to + twenty-five kings. + </p> + <p> + On recovering, he ordered his horse, and secretly withdrew to the Isle of + Wight, where he saw no one but the piratical fishermen of the place, whose + manners he imitated, and even, it is said, joined in some of their lawless + expeditions. At the same time he despatched letters to the Brabançons and + Gascons, inviting them to the conquest of England, and promising them the + castles and manors of his present subjects. + </p> + <p> + The barons gained some tidings of his proceedings, and were on their + guard. Robert Fitzwalter wrote letters appointing the tournament to be + held, not at Stamford, but on Hounslow Heath, summoning the knights to it + with their arms and horses, and promising, as the prize of the tournay, a + she-bear, which the young lady of a castle had sent them. + </p> + <p> + To what brave knight the she-bear was awarded, history says not; for in + the midst came the tidings that the Pope had been greatly enraged, had + annulled the Charter as prejudicial to the power of the Church, and had + commanded the Archbishop of Canterbury to dissolve all leagues among the + vassals under pain of excommunication. The barons, having the Archbishop + on their side, thought little of the thunders of the Pope; but John was + emboldened to come forth, offer a conference at Oxford, which he did not + attend, and then go to Dover to receive the free-companions, who flocked + from all quarters. + </p> + <p> + The barons sent Stephen Langton to Rome to plead their cause, and found + themselves obliged to take up arms. William de Albini, one of the + twenty-five sureties, was sent to possess himself of the Castle of + Rochester; but before he could bring in sufficient stores, he was invested + by John, with Savary de Mauléon, called the Bloody, and a band of + free-companions, whose <i>noms de guerre</i> were equally truculent—namely, + the Merciless, the Murderer, the Iron-hearted. One of the archers within + the walls bent his bow at the King’s breast, and said to the castellane, + “Shall I deliver you from yonder mortal foe?” “No; hold thy hand,” said + Albini; “strike not the evil beast; shouldst thou fail, thy doom would be + certain.” “Then, betide what God will, I hold my hand!” said the archer. + </p> + <p> + For two months these brave men held out, but by St. Andrew’s Day they had + eaten all their horses, and the walls were battered down, so that Albini + was forced to surrender. John was for hanging the whole garrison, but + Mauléon said, “Sir, the war is not over; the chances are beyond reckoning. + If we begin by hanging your barons, your barons may end by hanging us.” So + Albini and the nobles were spared, but the archers and men-at-arms were + hung in halters to every tree in the forest. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the Archbishop had failed at Rome, and partly by his own fault, + for he had tried to make his brother Simon, a man generally detested, + Archbishop of York, and thus had given Innocent good reason for again + interfering. He was placed under sentence of suspension; the barons, + beginning with Fitzwalter, were excommunicated as rebels against a Church + vassal and Crusader, and termed as wicked as Saracens; and the city of + London was laid under an interdict. + </p> + <p> + The Londoners boldly declared that the Pope had no power to meddle in + their case, kept their churches open, and celebrated their Christmas as + usual; but beyond their walls it was less easy to be secure. + </p> + <p> + John now had two great armies of foreigners, and had been joined by + several of the barons’ party; and he marched with one of them for the + North, where young King Alexander of Scotland had laid siege to Norham, + and had received the homage of the neighboring nobility. + </p> + <p> + As John advanced, the barons burnt their houses and corn before him, while + he and his marauders ruined all they approached; he every morning, with + his own hands, set fire to his night’s lodgings, and in eight days five + principal towns were consumed, and the course of his army was like the bed + of a torrent. + </p> + <p> + Vowing he would unkennel the young fox, as he called Alexander, on account + of his red hair, John sent his troops into Scotland, where they laid the + whole country waste up to Edinburgh, and then, returning, reduced the + castles and ravaged the lands of the barons in Yorkshire, and the same + dreadful atrocities were perpetrated by his other army in the south of + England, till the country people called the free-companions by no other + name than Satan’s Guards, and the Devil’s Servants. + </p> + <p> + The barons had no stronghold left them but London, and saw their rank, + their families, and estates, at the mercy of the remorseless tyrant and + his savage banditti, backed by the support of their spiritual superiors. + In this condition they deemed all ties between them and their sovereign + dissolved, and, as their last resource, resolved to offer the crown to + Louis, the son of Philippe Auguste, and the husband of Blanche of Castile, + the marriage made to separate France from the cause of Arthur. It was a + step which even their extremity could not justify, passing over, as it + did, the rights of the captive Pearl of Brittany, of John’s own innocent + children, and of those of his eldest sister. But men have seldom been + harder pressed than were these barons; and they were further tempted by + the hope that all the mercenaries who were French subjects might be + detached from the enemy by seeing their own prince’s standard unfurled + against him. + </p> + <p> + Saher de Quincy, Earl of Winchester, and Robert Fitzwalter, were deputed + to carry letters to Prince Louis, who was then at war with the Albigenses + of Languedoc. The wary old King Philippe dissembled his joy at the + promised triumph over the hated Plantagenet, and at first declared that he + could not trust his son’s person in England, unless twenty-four nobles + were first given up to him as hostages; but he permitted Louis to send a + favorable reply to England, and the barons were so delighted at its + reception, accompanied by a few French volunteers, that they held another + tournament in its honor, but this was closed by the death of Geoffrey + Mandeville, who was accidentally killed by the lance of a Frenchman. + </p> + <p> + Innocent was much incensed at the enterprise of the French prince, + forgetting that he had already shown him the way to England. He sent his + legate, Gualo, with letters to forbid Philippe’s interference with a fief + of the Holy See, and these were laid before the court in full council. + Philippe, who always tried to have the law apparently on his side, began + by saying he was the devoted subject of the Pope, and it was by no counsel + or advice of his that his son disobeyed the court of Rome; but as he + declared that he had some rights to the English crown, it was fair to hear + him. + </p> + <p> + A knight then arose, and declared that John had been attainted and + condemned by Philippe’s own court on account of Arthur’s murder; that he + had since given his crown away without the consent of his barons; and as + no sovereign had any such right, the throne was vacant by his own act, and + his barons had full power to elect, and Louis to accept. + </p> + <p> + The legate declared John to be a Crusader, and therefore under the + Church’s peace for four years. He was answered, that John had himself + violated that peace; and then Louis, rising, and turning to his father, + said, “Sir, if I am your liegeman for the lands you have given me here, + you have no right to England, which is offered to me: you can decree + nothing on that head. I appeal to the judgment of my peers, whether I + ought to follow your commands or my rights. I beg you not to hinder my + designs, for my cause is just, and I will fight to the death for my wife’s + inheritance.” Then, red with anger, Louis the Lion left the assembly, + while the legate asked the King for a safe-conduct to England; and + Philippe replied, that on the French territory he was safe enough; but if, + on the coast, he fell into the hands of <i>King</i> Louis’s men, he could + not be responsible for his safety. + </p> + <p> + Gualo, however, came safely to England, and joined John at Dover, where he + promised him the succor of the Church; and Innocent, as an earnest, + excommunicated Louis, and preached to his cardinals on Ezekiel xxi. 28: + “The sword, the sword is drawn.” But this was one of the last public acts + of his life; he died at Perugia on the 8th of July, 1216, without having + been able to send any support to his obedient vassal. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Louis collected a great force, and embarked with it in 680 + vessels, under the command of Eustace the Monk, a recreant who had become + a pirate, and was reckoned the best mariner of his time. John fled from + Dover, leaving it to the trusty and loyal Hubert de Burgh, while Louis + disembarked at Sandwich, and was received by the barons, who were charmed + with his chivalrous and affable demeanor. They conducted him to London, + where, in St. Paul’s, he received their homage, and made oath to govern + them by good laws, after which he appointed Simon Langton his chancellor. + Nearly the whole country gave in their adhesion, Alexander of Scotland + paid him homage, the North rose in his favor, and the chief strongholds + that remained to John were Windsor Castle; Corfe, where, under the care of + his wicked follower, Pierre de Maulae, were his queen and little children; + and Dover, gallantly defended by Hubert de Burgh. + </p> + <p> + Nearly four months were spent by Louis in a vain attempt to take this + place; his supplies were cut off by the sailors of the Cinque Ports, who + were in John’s interest; and though Louis’s father sent him a battering + machine, called Malvoisine, or “Bad Neighbor,” he could make no impression + on the walls. Meantime, the estates of the barons were devastated by John + and his free-companions; and if ever the French prince retook any of the + castles, he retained them in his own hands, or gave them to his French + followers, instead of restoring them to their owners. They began to + suspect that they were in evil case, more especially when the Vicomte de + Melun, being suddenly seized by a mortal sickness, sent for all the nobles + then in London, and thus spoke: “I grieve for your fate. I, with the + prince and fifteen others, have sworn an oath, that, when the realm is + his, ye shall all be beggared, or exterminated as traitors whom he can + never trust. Look to yourselves!” + </p> + <p> + Suspicion thus excited, William Longsword and several other barons + returned to their allegiance, and forty more offered to do the same on the + promise of pardon. Louis was forced to raise the siege of Dover, and + John’s prospects improved; he took Lincoln, and marched to Lynn, whence he + wont to Wisbech, intending to proceed by the Wash from Cross-keys to + Foss-dyke, across the sands—a safe passage at low water, but covered + suddenly by the tide, which there forms a considerable eddy on meeting the + current of the Welland. + </p> + <p> + His troops were nearly all on the other side, when the tide began to rush + in. They gained the higher ground in safety; but the long train of wagons, + carrying his crown, his treasure, his stores of provision, were suddenly + engulfed, and the whole was lost. Some years since, one of the gold + circlets worn over the helmet was found by a laborer in the sand, but, in + ignorance of its value, he sold it to a Jew, and it has thus been lost to + the antiquary. + </p> + <p> + King John went into one of his paroxysms of despair at the ruin he beheld, + and, feverish with passion, arrived at the Cistercian convent of + Swineshead, where he seems to have tried to forget his disaster in a + carouse upon peaches and new ale, and in the morning found himself + extremely ill; but fancying the monks had poisoned him, he insisted on + being carried in a litter to Sleaford, whence the next day he proceeded to + Newark, where it became evident that death was at hand. A confessor was + sent for, and he bequeathed his kingdom to his son Henry. As far as it + appears from the records of his deathbed, no compunction visited him; + probably, he thought himself secure as a favored vassal of the Holy See. + When asked where he would be buried, he replied that he committed himself + to God and to the body of St. Wulstan (who had been canonized by Innocent + III. in 1203). He dictated a letter to the new Pope, Honorius III., and + died October 19, 1216, in the forty-ninth year of his age, the last and + worst of the four rebellious sons of Henry II., all cut off in the prime + of life. + </p> + <p> + His death made a great difference in the aspect of affairs. His innocent + sons had forfeited no claim to the affection of the English, and their + weakness was their most powerful claim. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Pembroke at once marched to Corfe Castle, and brought the two + boys, nine and seven years old, to Gloucester, where young Henry’s + melancholy coronation took place. In lieu of his father’s lost and + dishonored crown, a golden bracelet of his mother’s was placed upon his + head by the papal legate, instead of his own primate, and he bent his knee + in homage to the see of Rome. The few vassals who attended him held their + coronation banquet, and afterward bound a white fillet around their heads, + in token of their vow of fidelity to their little, helpless king. Magna + Charta was revised a few days after at Bristol; Henry was made to swear to + agree to it, and the Earl of Pembroke appointed as his protector. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Louis had received the news of his rival’s death while again + besieging Dover, the capture of which was most important to him, as + securing his communications with his own country. He sent tidings of it to + the garrison by two English barons, one of them Hubert’s own brother, + Thomas de Burgh. On their approach the sentinels sounded their horns, and, + without opening the gates, the governor came to speak to them, with five + archers, their crossbows bent. They told him of the King’s decease, and + reminded him of the oath Louis had made to hang him and all his garrison + if the town were taken by assault instead of surrender. His brother said + he was ruining himself and all his family, and the other knight offered + him, in the prince’s name, the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. But Hubert + would hear no more. “Traitors that you are,” he cried, “if King John is + dead, he leaves children! Say no more; if you open your lips again, I will + have you shot with a hundred arrows, not sparing even my brother.” + </p> + <p> + Louis was obliged to draw off his forces, returned to London, and took + Hertford; Robert Fitzwalter claimed the keeping of the castle as a family + right, but Louis forgot the necessity of conciliating the barons, and + replied that he could not trust a man who had betrayed his King. This, of + course, led to further desertions on the part of the English, and the + truce which prevailed through Lent added greater numbers to the young + King’s party than Blanche of Castile was able to collect in France for her + lord. + </p> + <p> + After Easter the Earl of Pembroke besieged Mountsorrel, in Leicestershire. + The Count de Perche came to its relief, and, after forcing him to retreat, + attacked Lincoln Castle, which was bravely held by the late castellane’s + widow, Nicolette de Camville. She contrived to send the Earl tidings of + her distress, and he set out from Newark with four hundred knights and + their squires, two hundred and fifty crossbowmen and other infantry, all + wearing white crosses sewn on their breasts, and sent forth by the legate + as to a holy war. The crossbowmen, under one of John’s free-companions, + were a mile in advance, and entered the castle by a postern, while the + French, taking the baggage for a second army, retreated into the town; but + there the garrison made a sally, and a battle was fought in the streets, + which ended in the total discomfiture of the French. The Count de Perche + was offered his life, but swearing that he would yield to no English + traitor, he was instantly slain, and the Fair of Lincoln, as it was + called, completely broke the strength of Louis. + </p> + <p> + He wrote word to his wife and father of his perilous situation, shut up + within the walls of London, and the whole country in possession of Henry, + and entreated them to send him reinforcements. Fear of the Pope prevented + Philippe from putting himself forward, but he connived at Blanche’s + exertions, and she succeeded in collecting three hundred knights, who were + to embark in eighty large ships, under the command of Eustace the Monk. + </p> + <p> + Hubert de Burgh, landsman as he was, resolved to oppose them to the + utmost, and with much difficulty collected a fleet of forty ships of all + sizes. Several of the knights, believing his attempt hopeless, declared + that they knew nothing of sea fights, and refused to share his peril; and + he himself was so persuaded that he was sacrificing himself, that he + received the last rites of the Church as a dying man, and left orders + that, in case of his being made prisoner, Dover should on no account be + surrendered, even as the price of his life. + </p> + <p> + Midway in the strait he met the French fleet; his archers showered their + arrows and quarrels, and, being on the windward, threw clouds of + quicklime, which blinded the eyes of the enemy; then, bearing down on + them, grappled the ships with iron hooks, and boarded them so gallantly, + that the French, little accustomed to this mode of warfare, soon gave over + resistance: many of the ships were sunk, and the rest completely + dispersed; the pirate monk Eustace was taken, and, being considered as a + traitor and apostate, was put to death, and his head carried on a pole to + Dover in triumph. + </p> + <p> + This defeat completely broke the hopes of Louis, and he sent to demand a + safe-conduct for messengers to Henry, or rather to the Earl of Pembroke, + offered to leave England, and concluded a peace, restoring the allegiance + of the barons, and even engaging to give up Normandy and Anjou on his + accession to the crown of France. He then returned to his own country, + where his father received him affectionately, blaming him, however, for + the want of skill and judgment with which he had conducted his affairs. + His departure took place in the end of 1217, and thus closed the wars + which established the Great Charter as the foundation of English law. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXVIII. THE FIEF OF ROME. (1217-1254.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1216. Henry III. + + <i>Kings of Scotland</i>. + 1214. Alexander II. + 1249. Alexander III. + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1180. Philip III. + 1223. Louis VIII. + 1226. Louis IX. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1209. Friedrich II. + 1250. Conrad IV. + + <i>Popes</i> + 1198. Innocent III. + 1216. Honorius III. + 1227. Gregory IX. + 1241. Celestin. IV. + 1242. Innocent IV. +</pre> + <p> + The Fief of Rome! For many years of the reign of Henry III. England could + hardly be regarded in any other light. + </p> + <p> + Henry’s life was one long minority; the guardians of his childhood were + replaced by the favorites of his manhood, and he had neither power nor + will to defend his subjects from the bondage imposed on them by his + father’s homage to Innocent III. + </p> + <p> + The legates, Gualo and Pandulfo, undertook the protection of the desolate + child, and nominated to the government the excellent William, Earl of + Pembroke, Earl Marshal; but on his death, shortly after, the + administration was divided between the justiciaries, Hubert de Burgh, and + John’s favorite, Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester. The latter was a + violent, ambitious, and intriguing prelate, and it was well for England + and the King when he engaged in a Crusade, and left the field to the loyal + Hubert. + </p> + <p> + Under the care of this good knight Henry grew up devoid of the vices of + his father, with more of the Southern troubadour than of the Northern + warrior in his composition, gentle in temper, devout of spirit, tender of + heart, well-read in history and romance, skilled in music and poetry, and + of exquisite taste in sculpture, painting, and architecture, Hubert must + have watched his orphan charge with earnest hope and solicitude. + </p> + <p> + Gradually, however, there was a sense of disappointment; years went by, + and Henry of Winchester was a full-grown man, tall and well proportioned, + his only blemish a droop of the left eyelid; but no warlike, no royal + spirit seemed to stir within him; he thought not of affairs; he left all + in the hands of his justiciaries, and, so long as means were given him of + indulging his love of splendor, he recked not of the extortions by which + the Italian clergy ruined his country, and had no idea of taking on him + the cares and duties of royalty. + </p> + <p> + His young Queen encouraged all his natural failings. She was one of the + four daughters of Beranger, last Count of Provence, highly accomplished + young heiresses. One of them already was wedded to Louis IX., the son of + Louis the Lion, who, by the death of his father and grandfather, had been + placed on the throne of France nearly at the same age and time as Henry in + England. Marguerite, whose device, the daisy, Louis wore entwined with his + own lily, was a meek, peaceful lady, submitting quietly to the dominion + exercised over her by Queen Blanche, her mother-in-law. Eleanor, the next + sister, was the beauty and genius of the family; she was called La Belle, + and, at fourteen, composed a romance in rhyme on the adventures of one + Blandin, Prince of Cornwall, which was presented to King Henry’s brother, + Richard, Earl of Cornwall, when, on returning from pilgrimage, he passed + through Provence. + </p> + <p> + Richard was struck with her beauty, and spoke of it to his brother, who, + against the wishes of De Burgh, offered her his hand. Richard soon after + married Sancha, another of the sisters, and Beatrix, the fourth, was the + wife of Charles, Count of Anjou, brother of Louis IX. The two queens seem + to have been proud of their dignity, for they used to make their countess + sisters sit on low stools, while they sat on high chairs. Sancha and + Beatrix pined to see their husbands kings, and in time had their wish. + Four uncles followed Queen Eleanor, young brothers of her mother, a + princess of Savoy. They were gay and courtly youths, and the King + instantly attached himself to them, and lavished gifts and honors upon + them, among others, the palace in London still called the Savoy. + </p> + <p> + Another tribe of his own relations soon followed. His mother’s first love, + Hugh de Lusignan, Count de la Marche, had been released from durance at + Corfe Castle in 1206, and had offered his aid to John, on condition of the + infant Joan, the child of his faithless Isabelle, being at once betrothed + to him and placed in his own hands. Lodging her in one of his castles in + Poitou, he went on a crusade, and, on his return, found her but seven + years old, but her mother a widow, beautiful as ever, and still attached + to him. They were at once married, and Joan was sent home to England, + where she became the wife of Alexander II. of Scotland, and his sister, + the Princess Margaret, was at the same time wedded to Hubert de Burgh. + </p> + <p> + The Lusignans were an old family, who had given a King to Jerusalem and a + dynasty to Cyprus; but they were a wild race, and a fairy legend accounted + for their family character. + </p> + <p> + Raymond de Lusignan, a remote ancestor, met, while wandering in a forest, + a maiden of more than mortal beauty, named Melusine, and, falling at once + in love, obtained her hand, on condition that he should never ask to + behold her on a Saturday. Their marriage was happy, excepting that all + their children had some deformity; but at last, in a fit of curiosity, + Raymond hid himself, in order to penetrate into his lady’s secret, and, to + his dismay, perceived that from the waist downward she was transformed + into a blue-and-white serpent, an enchantment she underwent every + Saturday. For years, however, he never divulged that he had seen her in + this condition; but at length, when his eldest son, Geoffrey (who had a + tusk like a wild boar), had murdered his brother, he forgot himself in a + transport of grief, and called her an odious serpent, who had contaminated + his race. Melusine fainted at the words, lamented bitterly, and vanished, + never appearing again except as a phantom, which flits round the Castle of + Lusignan whenever any of her descendants are about to die. + </p> + <p> + In this haunted castle the Queen contrived to gain a reputation for + sorcery and poisoning, and the connection brought no good on her royal + son, for she involved him in a war with France on behalf of her husband. + He met with no success, and his French domains were at the mercy of Louis + IX.; but that excellent prince would not pursue his advantage. “Our + children are first cousins,” he said; “we will leave no seeds of discord + between them.” He even took into consideration the justice of restoring + Normandy and Anjou, but concluded that they had been justly forfeited by + King John. + </p> + <p> + Four young Lusignans, or, as they were generally called, De Valence, were + sent by Isabelle to seek their fortune at the court of their half-brother, + who bestowed on them all the wealth and honors at his disposal; and gave + much offence to the English, who beheld eight needy foreigners preying, as + they said, upon the revenues. + </p> + <p> + Feasts and frolics, songs, dancing, and pageantry, were the order of the + day; romances were dedicated to the King, histories of strange feats of + chivalry recited, the curious old lays of Bretagne were translated and + presented to him by the antiquarian dame, Marie. Italian, Provençal, + Gascon, Latin, French, and English, were spoken at the court, which the + English barons termed a Babel, and minstrels of all descriptions stood in + high favor. There was Richard, the King’s harper, who had forty shillings + a year and a tun of wine; there was Henry of Avranches, the “archipoeta,” + who wrote a song on the rusticity of the Cornishmen, to which a valiant + Cornishman, Michael Blampayne, replied in a Latin satire, politely + describing the arch-poet as having “the legs of a sparrow, the mouth of a + hare, the nose of a dog, the teeth of a mule, the brow of a calf, the head + of a bull, the color of a Moor!” There was poor Ribault the troubadour, + whose sudden madness had nearly been fatal to Henry. Imagining himself the + rightful King, he rushed at midnight into a chamber he supposed to be the + King’s, and was tearing the bed to pieces with his sword, when Margaret + Bisset, one of the Queen’s ladies, who was sitting up reading a book of + devotions, heard the noise; roused the guard, and he was secured. There, + too, was the half-witted jester, who, we are sorry to say, was a chaplain, + with whom the King and his brother Aymer were seen playing like boys, + pelting each other with apples and sods of turf. + </p> + <p> + The King was fond of ornamenting his palaces with curious tapestry and + jewelry, worthy of the wedding-gift his wife had received from her sister, + Queen Marguerite, namely, a silver ewer for perfumes, in the shape of a + peacock, the tail set with precious stones. He adorned the walls with + paintings; there were Scripture subjects in his palace at Westminster; and + at Winchester, his birthplace, were pictures of the Saxon kings, a map of + the world, and King Arthur’s round table, inscribed with the names of the + knights, and Arthur’s full-length figure in his own place. It has survived + all changes; it was admired by a Spanish attendant at the marriage of + Philip II. and Queen Mary; it was riddled by the balls of the Roundheads, + and now, duly refreshed with paint, hangs in its old place, over the + Judge’s head in the County Hall. + </p> + <p> + To do Henry justice, he spent as freely on others as on himself; he + clothed and fed destitute children; and when in his pride, at the goodly + height of his five-year-old boy, he caused him and his little sisters to + be weighed, the counterpoise was coined silver, which was scattered in + largesse among his lieges. + </p> + <p> + Henry’s special devotion was to a Saxon saint, the mild Confessor, to whom + his own character had much likeness, and whose name he bestowed on his + eldest child, while he presented a shrine of pure gold to contain his + relics, and devoted £2,000 a year to complete the little West-Minster of + St. Peter’s, the foundation and last work of St. Edward. He rendered it a + perfect specimen of that most elegant of all styles, the early-pointed, + and fit indeed for the coronation church and burial-place of English + kings. + </p> + <p> + There was soon an end of Henry’s treasure, however; and no wonder, when, + besides his own improvidence, the Pope was sucking out the revenues of the + country. <i>Talliages</i>, of one tenth or one-twentieth of their + property, were demanded of the clergy; the tax of a penny, usually called + Peter-pence, was paid to him by every family on St. Peter’s Day, and + generally collected by the two orders of begging friars, who rode about on + this errand in boots and spurs, and owning the rule of no one but the + Pope, were great hindrances to the bishops and parish clergy. Still worse + was the power the Pope assumed to himself of seizing on Church patronage, + and thrusting in Italian clergy, often children or incapable persons, and + perfectly ignorant of the language. At one time 7,000 marks a year were in + possession of these foreigners, one of whom held seven hundred places of + preferment at once! + </p> + <p> + Innocent IV., who was chiefly guilty of these proceedings, was engaged in + a long struggle with Frederick II. of Germany, respecting the kingdom of + the two Sicilies, and the Guelf and Ghibelline struggle forever raging in + Italy, and it was this apparently remote quarrel which was in reality the + cause of the oppression and simony that so cruelly affected England. + </p> + <p> + The English bitterly hated the foreign clergy, and quarrels were forever + breaking out. When Otho, the legate, was passing through Oxford, and + lodging at Osney Abbey, a terrible fray occurred. The students, a strange, + wild set, came to pay him their respects; but his porter, being afraid of + them, kept them out, and an Irish priest, pressing forward to beg for + food, had some scalding water thrown in his face by the clerk of the + kitchen, the brother of the legate, who, used to Italian treachery, + entrusted to no one the care of his food. A fiery Welsh scholar shot the + legate’s brother dead with an arrow, and a great riot ensued. Otho locked, + himself up in the church-tower till night, then fled, through floods of + rain, hunted by the students, all yelling abuse, and getting before him to + the fords, so that the poor man had to swim the river five times, and came + half dead to the King at Abingdon. Next morning the scene was changed. + Earl Warenne and his bowmen came down upon Oxford, forty of the rioters + were carried off in carts like felons, interdicts and excommunications + fell on the university, and only when doctors, scholars, and all came + barefoot to ask the legate’s pardon, was the anger of the Pope appeased. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, there was a widespread confederation among the gentry against + these Italians, and rioters arose and plundered their barns, distributing + the corn to the poor. + </p> + <p> + Walter do Cantilupe, the young Norman Bishop of Worcester, was thought to + be among those in the secret, and the outrages grew more serious when an + Italian canon of St. Paul’s was seized and impressed by five men in masks. + Des Roches, the Bishop of Winchester, who had returned home, and was very + jealous of Hubert de Burgh, thought this a fit time for overthrowing him, + and publicly accused him of being in the plot. A young knight, Sir Robert + Twenge, came forward and confessed that he had been the leader of the + rioters under the name of Will Wither, and that the good old justiciary + had nothing to do with them. He was sent to do penance at Rome, and + Hubert’s enemies continued their machinations. + </p> + <p> + Henry and his Queen were tired of the sage counsels of the brave knight, + and open to all Des Roches’ insinuations, forgetting the wise though + punning warning of the wonderful Franciscan friar, Roger Bacon, who told + Henry there was nothing so dangerous in a voyage as “<i>les Pierres et les + Roches</i>.” At Christmas, the Bishop invited them to Winchester, and + there his sumptuous banquets and splendid amusements won the King’s + frivolous heart, and obtained his consent to dismiss Hubert from all his + offices, even from the government of Dover, which he had saved. Soon after + orders were sent forth for his arrest, that he might be tried for the + disturbances against the Italians, and likewise for having seduced the + King’s affections by sorcery and witchcraft. + </p> + <p> + Hubert placed his wealth in the care of the Templars, and took sanctuary + in the church of Merton, in Surrey; but the Mayor of London was ordered to + dislodge him, and the whole rabble of the city were setting forth, when + the Archbishop and Earl of Chester represented the scandal to the King, + and obtained letters of protection for him until the time for his trial, + January, 1233. Trusting to these letters, he set out to visit his wife at + Bury, but at Brentwood was waylaid by a set of ruffians called the Black + Band, and sent by the Bishop of Winchester. He retreated into the church, + but they dragged him from the very steps of the altar, and called a + blacksmith to chain his feet together. + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said the brave peasant, “never will I forge fetters for the + deliverer of my country.” + </p> + <p> + However, he was led into London with his feet chained under his horse. + There the Bishop of London, threatening excommunication for the sacrilege, + forced his enemies to return him to Brentwood church, which, however, they + closely blockaded till hunger forced him to deliver himself up to them. + </p> + <p> + He bought his life by giving up his treasures, and was imprisoned at + Devizes. Shortly this castle was given to Des Roches; and De Burgh, who + knew by experience how the change of castellane often brought death to the + captive, sought to escape. He gained over two of his guards, who carried + him to the parish church, for he was too heavily ironed to walk, and there + laid him down before the altar. They could take him no further, and the + warden of the castle cruelly beat him, and brought him back; but, as + before, the Bishop maintained the privileges of the sanctuary, and forced + the persecutors to restore him, and though he was again hemmed in there by + the sheriff, before he was starved out a party of his friends came to his + rescue, and he was carried off to the Welsh hills, there remaining till + recalled by the influence of the Archbishop. He was restored to his + honors, and though he once again had to suffer from Henry’s fickleness and + the rapacity of his court, his old age was peaceful and honored, as + befitted his unsullied fame. + </p> + <p> + This Archbishop was Edmund Rich, who had been elected in 1232, after two + short-lived primates had succeeded Langton. He was of a wealthy family at + Abingdon, and had been brought up entirely by an excellent mother, his + father having retired into a monastery. His whole childhood had been a + preparation for holy orders, and when he went to study at Oxford, he led a + life of the strictest self-denial, inflicting on himself all the rigorous + discipline which he hoped would conduce to a saintly life. When he had + become a teacher in his turn, such was his contempt for money, that, when + his pupils paid him, he would sprinkle it with dust, and say, “Ashes to + ashes, dust to dust,” and would let it lie in the window, without heeding + whether any was stolen. When, shortly after, made treasurer of Salisbury, + he kept an empty dish by his side at meals, and put into it what he denied + himself, sending it afterward by his almoner to the sick poor. He was a + constant reader of the Scriptures day and night, always kissing the holy + volume before commencing, and thus he derived the judgment and firmness + which enabled him to battle with the evils of his day. + </p> + <p> + Gifts were especially held in scorn and contempt by him. He was wont to + say, that between <i>prendre</i> and <i>pendre</i> there was but one + letter’s difference; and in a court so full of corrupt and grasping + clergy, this gave him untold power. + </p> + <p> + Peter des Roches was the head of these, representing King John’s former + policy, and uniting himself with the young Gascon relations of the King, + who were wont to say, “What are English laws to us?” + </p> + <p> + The family of Pembroke, Earls Marshal of England, were especially + obnoxious to this party, as resolute supporters of Magna Charta, and of + much power and influence. William, the eldest son of the late Protector, + was married to Eleanor, the King’s sister. He died early, and this party + tried to deprive his brother Richard of his inheritance; then, when this + did not succeed, Des Roches wrote letters in the King’s name to some of + the Norman-Irish nobles, offering them all his lands in that island, + provided they would murder him, ratifying these promises with the great + seal. + </p> + <p> + The assassins stirred up the Irish to attack Pembroke’s castles, so as to + bring him to Ireland; they then pretended to join with him in putting down + the rebellion, and, in the midst, waylaid him, and attacked him while + riding with a few attendants. Some of these he ordered at once to convey + his young brother to a place of safety, and gallantly defended himself, + but his horse was killed, and he was stabbed in the back; his servants, + returning, carried him home to his castle, but there the letter purporting + to be from the King was shown him, and his grief was so great that he + would not permit his wounds to be dressed, and died in a few hours. + </p> + <p> + Archbishop Edmund procured letters exposing this black treachery, and read + them before the whole court. Henry and all present burst into tears, and + the poor careless King confessed with bitter grief that he had often + allowed Des Roches to attach his seal to letters without knowing their + contents, and that this must have been one of them. Des Roches was + dismissed, and sent to his own diocese, where he soon after died at his + castle of Farnham. He was the founder of many convents, several in + Palestine, and others in his own diocese, among which was Netley, or + Letley (<i>Laeto Loco</i>), near Southampton, a beautiful specimen of the + pointed style. + </p> + <p> + Edmund could not prevent the King from intruding on the see of Winchester + the giddy young Aymar de Valence, already Bishop-designate of Durham. “If + my brother is too young, I will hold the see myself,” said the King. + </p> + <p> + Every attempt Edmund made to repress the grievous evils that prevailed was + frustrated by the authority of Rome. + </p> + <p> + The imperial family of Hohenstaufen were held in the utmost hatred by the + Popes; and Frederick II., being likewise King of Naples and Sicily, was an + object of great dread and defiance. Fierce passions on either side were + raging, and Innocent IV. regarded his spiritual powers rather as weapons + to be used against his foe the Emperor, than as given him for the + salvation of men’s souls. + </p> + <p> + As a warrior, he needed money: it was raised by exactions on the clergy, + going sometimes as far as demanding half their year’s income; as head of a + party, he needed rewards for his friends, and bestowed benefices without + regard to the age, the character, or the fitness of the nominee; moreover, + he trusted to the religious orders, especially those called Mendicant, for + spreading his influence, and he did not dare to restrain or reform their + disorders. + </p> + <p> + Archbishop Edmund, with his two friends, Robert Grosteste, Bishop of + Lincoln, and Richard Wych, Chancellor of Canterbury, did their best. + Robert’s history is striking. He was a nameless peasant of Suffolk, of the + meanest parentage, and only called Grosteste from the size of his head, + needing plenty of stowage (says Fuller) for his store of brains. How he + obtained education is not known, but he worked upward until he became a + noted teacher at Oxford, and afterward at Paris, where he lectured on all + the chief authors then known in Greek and Latin. He wrote two hundred + books, many on sacred subjects, and several poems in Latin and French; for + he was a great lover of minstrelsy, and his contemporary translator tells + us that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Next his chamber, besyde hys study + Hys harper’s chamber was thereby.” + </pre> + <p> + This poet and scholar was a most active, thorough-going, practical man, + and, when chosen as Bishop of Lincoln, showed his gratitude for the + benefits of his education by maintaining a number of poor students at the + University. He set himself earnestly to reform abuses in his diocese, + forcing the monasteries which held the tithes of parishes to provide + properly for their spiritual care, and making a strict inquiry into the + condition of the religious houses. They, however, appealed to Rome; and + Innocent, who had at first sanctioned his proceedings, was afraid of + losing their support, and ordered Grosteste to desist. The resolute Bishop + set off to Rome, and laid the Pope’s own letters before his face. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Innocent, “be content; you have delivered your own soul. If I + choose to show grace to these persons, what is that to you?” + </p> + <p> + Robert was anything but content, but he went home, and manfully struggled + with the evils that were rife, sometimes prevailing, sometimes + disappointed, always honest and steadfast. The more gentle Archbishop gave + up the contest, worn out by the vain attempt to preserve purity and order + between the fickle King, the oppressive Pope, the turbulent nobles, and + the avaricious clergy. Orders to him, to Robert, and to the Bishop of + Salisbury, to appoint no one to a benefice till three hundred Italians + were provided for, seemed finally to overpower him; he, with Richard Wych, + secretly left London, and arrived at Pontigny, where, three years after, + he died, in 1142, and has been revered as a saint. + </p> + <p> + Canterbury remained vacant for several years, the revenues being absorbed + by the King, and the refractory chapter tailing upon them to quarrel with + Grosteste, and going so for as to excommunicate him; whereupon the sturdy + Bishop trod the letter under foot, saying, “Such curses are the only + prayers I ask of such as you.” + </p> + <p> + After three years the King appointed to Canterbury the Queen’s uncle, + Boniface of Savoy, a man of no clerical habits; but the Queen wrote a + persuasive letter, by which she obtained the consent of Innocent. + </p> + <p> + So many monstrous demands had been made by the Pope, that, in 1245, the + nobles sent orders to the wardens of the seaports to seize every despatch + coming from Rome, and they soon made prize of a great number of orders to + intrude Italians into Church patronage. Martin, the legate, complained to + the King, who ordered the letters to be produced, but the barons took the + opportunity of laying before the King a statement of the grievances of the + Church of England, 60,000 marks a year being in the hands of foreigners, + while the whole of the royal revenue was but 20,000. Henry could only make + helpless lamentations, and, under pretext of a tournament, the Barons met + at Dunstable, and sent a knight to expostulate with the legate. This envoy + threatened him, that if he remained three days longer in England, his life + would not be safe—an intimation which drove him speedily from the + country. + </p> + <p> + The barons, hearing that the Pope was holding a council at Lyons, sent + deputies thither, with a letter drawn up by the Bishop of Lincoln, so + powerfully enforced by William de Powerie, their spokesman, that the + exposure of the enormities permitted in England called up a deep blush on + the face of Innocent, and he allowed that he had been wrong in thrusting + in these incompetent Italians. There was one good effected at this + council, namely, the appointment of Richard Wych to the see of Chichester. + </p> + <p> + Richard was the son of a Worcestershire yeoman, and was early, with his + elder brother, left an orphan. He was a studious, holy, clerkly boy, + looked on as fit for the cloister: but when his brother came of age, it + was found that the guardians had so wasted their goods, that their + inheritance lay desolate. The brother was in despair, but young Richard + comforted him, bade him trust in God, and himself laying aside the studies + he delighted in, look up the spade and axe, and worked unceasingly till + the affairs of the homestead were in a flourishing state. Then, when + prosperity dawned on the elder brother, the younger obtained his wish, and + went to study at Oxford, where he was so poor that he and two other + scholars had but one gown between them, lived hard, and allowed themselves + few pleasures; but this he was wont to call the happiest time in his life. + </p> + <p> + Afterward he went to Bologna, and, after seven years there, returned, and + was made Chancellor, first of Oxford, and afterward of Canterbury. There + was a most earnest attachment between him and St. Edmund, whom he followed + into his exile. The Bishop whom the King had appointed to Chichester was + examined by Grosteste, and found deficient in theology, and the chapter + and Pope agreed in choosing Richard Wych, who was consecrated by Innocent + himself. Henry, in displeasure, took all the temporalities of the see into + his hands, and for a year Richard lived at the expense of a poor parish + priest named Simon, whom he strove to requite by working in his garden, + budding, grafting, and digging, as he had once done for his brother. + </p> + <p> + He went about his diocese visiting each parish, and doing his work like + the early bishops of poorer days, and all the time making his suit to the + King to do him justice; but whenever he went to Westminster, meeting only + with jests and gibes from the courtiers. + </p> + <p> + The Pope was too busy to attend to him. That council at Lyons had ended in + sentence of deposition upon Frederick, and the combat raged in Italy till + his death, when Innocent, claiming Sicily as a fief of the Church, offered + it, if he could get it, to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, who had too much + sense to accept such a crown. + </p> + <p> + It then was offered to Henry for his son Edmund, whom he arrayed in the + robes of a Sicilian prince, and presented to the barons of England, asking + for men and money to win the kingdom. Not a man of them, however, would + march, or give a penny in aid of the cause, and therefore Innocent raised + money from the Lombard merchants in the name of the King of England. + </p> + <p> + No wonder Henry could not pay. His own household had neither wages, + clothes, nor food, except what they obtained by purveying—in their + case only a license to rob, since no payment was ever given for the goods + they carried off. His pages were gay banditti, and the merchants, farmers, + and fishers fled as from an enemy when the court approached; yet, at each + little transient gleam of prosperity, the King squandered all that came + into his hands in feasting and splendor, then grasped at Church revenues, + tormented the Jews, laid unjust fines on the Londoners, or took bribes for + administering justice, and all that he did was imitated with exaggeration + by his half-brothers, uncles, and favorites. + </p> + <p> + His chancellor, Mansel, held seven hundred benefices at once, and so + corrupted the laws, that one of the judges pronounced the source poisoned + from the fountain. Another chancellor was expelled from the court for + refusing to set the great seal to a grant to one of the Queen’s uncles of + four-pence on every sack of wool, and at one time Eleanor herself actually + had the keeping of the seal, and when the Londoners resisted one of her + unjust demands, she summarily sent the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs to the + Tower. + </p> + <p> + Isabel Warenne, the King’s cousin, and widow of the Earl of Arundel, an + excellent and charitable lady, still young, came to the King’s court to + seek justice respecting a wardship of which she had been deprived. She + spoke boldly to Henry: “My Lord, why do you turn your face from justice? + Nobody can obtain right. You are placed between God and us, but you govern + neither yourself nor us. Are you not ashamed thus to trample on the + Church, and disquiet your nobles?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, lady?” said the King. “Have the great men of England + chosen you for their advocate?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” said the spirited lady; “they have given me no such charter, + though you have broken that which you and your father have granted and + sworn to observe. Where are the liberties of England, so often granted? We + appeal from you to the Judge in heaven!” + </p> + <p> + All Henry could say, was, “Did you not ask me a favor because you were my + cousin?” + </p> + <p> + “You deny my right; I expect no favor,” and, so saying, Isabel left him. + </p> + <p> + After two years, Richard of Chichester was permitted to assume the + temporalities of his see, and most admirably he used them, doing every + kindness to the poor in his diocese, and always maintaining the right, + though more gently than his friend at Lincoln. Those were evil days, and + men’s sense of obedience and sense of right were often sorely divided. + Richard died in the year 1253, after a short illness, in which he was + attended by his friend Simon, leaving the memory of his peaceful, + charitable life, much beloved in his diocese, and was shortly after + canonized. “Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us,” were among his last + words. + </p> + <p> + The champion Robert Grosteste had one more battle to fight ere following + his two saintly brethren. + </p> + <p> + He was wont always to compare each bull which he received with the Gospels + and the canon law, and if he found anything in it that would not stand + this test, he tore it in pieces. In 1254, one of these letters commanded + him to institute to a benefice a nephew of the Pope, a mere child, besides + containing what was called the clause “<i>non obstante</i>” (namely, in + spite of), by which the Pope claimed, as having power to bind and loose, + to set aside and dispense with existing statutes and oaths, at his + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Grosteste wrote an admirable letter in reply. He said most truly, “Once + allowed, this clause would let in a flood of promise-breaking, bold + injustice, wanton insult, deceit, and mutual distrust, to the defilement + of true religion, shaking the very foundations of trust and security;” and + he also declared that nothing could be more opposed to the precepts of our + Lord and His apostles, than to destroy men’s souls by depriving them of + the benefits of the pastoral office by giving unfit persons the care of + souls. He therefore absolutely refused to publish the bull, or to admit + the young Italian to the benefice. + </p> + <p> + Innocent flew into a passion on reading the letter. “What meaneth this old + dotard, surd and absurd, thus to control our actions? Did not our innate + generosity restrain us, I would confound him, and make him a prodigy to + all the world!” + </p> + <p> + One of the Spanish cardinals, however, spoke thus: “We cannot deal harshly + with such a man as this. We must confess that he speaketh truth. He is a + holy man, of more religious life than any of us; yea, Christendom hath not + his equal. He is a great philosopher, skilled in Greek and Latin, a + constant reader in the schools, preacher in the pulpit, lover of chastity, + and hater of simony.” + </p> + <p> + Authorities are divided as to whether the Pope was persuaded to lay aside + his anger, or not. Some say that he sent off sentence of suspension and + excommunication; others, that he owned the justice of Grosteste’s letter. + It made little difference to the good Bishop, who lay on his deathbed long + before the answer arrived. He spoke much of the troubles and bondage of + the Church, which he feared would never be ended but by the edge of a + blood-stained sword, and grieved over the falsehood, perfidy, and + extortion, that were soiling his beloved Church; and thus he expired, + uplifting his honest testimony both in word and deed, untouched by the + crimes of his age. + </p> + <p> + Innocent IV. did not long survive him, and there is a remarkable story of + the commencement of his last illness. He dreamt that the spirit of Robert + Grosteste had appeared, and given him a severe beating. The delusion hung + about him, and he finally died in the belief that he was killed by the + blows of the English Bishop. + </p> + <p> + Sewel, Archbishop of York, had the same contest with Rome. Three Italians + walked into York cathedral, asked which was the Dean’s seat, and installed + one of their number there; and when the Archbishop refused to permit his + appointment, an interdict was laid on his see, and he died under + excommunication, bearing it meekly and patiently, and his flock following + his funeral in weeping multitudes, though it was apparently unblest by the + Church. + </p> + <p> + These good men had fallen on days of evil shepherds, and lamentable was + the state of Europe, when men’s religious feelings were perverted to be + engines for exalting the temporal power of the popedom, and their + ministers, mistaking their true calling, were struggling for an absolute + and open dominion, for which purity, truth, meekness, and every attribute + of charity were sacrificed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXIX. THE LONGESPÉES IN THE EGYPTIAN CRUSADES. (1219-1254.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1216. Henry III. + + <i>Kings of Scotland</i>. + 1214. Alexander II. + 1249. Alexander III. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1180. Philip III. + 1223. Louis VIII. + 1226. Louis IX. + + <i>Emperors of Germany.</i> + 1209. Friedrich II. + 1259. Conrad IV. + + <i>Popes.</i> + 1216. Innocent III. + 1227. Honorius III. + 1241. Gregory IX. + 1241. Celestin IV. + 1242. Innocent IV. +</pre> + <p> + The crusading spirit had not yet died away, but it was often diverted by + the Popes, who sent the champions of the Cross to make war on European + heretics instead of the Moslems of Palestine. + </p> + <p> + William Longespée, the son of Fair Rosamond, was, however, a zealous + crusador in the East itself. He had been with Coeur de Lion in the Holy + Land, and in 1219 again took the Cross, and shared an expedition led by + the titular King of Jerusalem, a French knight, named Jean de Brienne, who + had married Marie, the daughter of that Isabelle whom Richard I. had + placed on the throne of Jerusalem. Under him, an attempt was made to carry + the war into the enemy’s quarters, by attacking the Saracens in Egypt, and + with a large force of crusaders he laid siege to Damietta. The reigning + Sultan, Malek el Kamel, marched to its relief, and encamping at Mansourah, + in the delta of the Nile, fought two severe battles with doubtful success, + but could not assist the garrison, who, after holding out for fifteen + months, at length surrendered. The unhappy city was in such a state from + the effects of hunger and disease, that the Christians themselves, + suffering from severe sickness, did not dare to enter it, till the + prisoners, as the price of their liberty, had encountered the risk of + cleansing it and burying the dead. + </p> + <p> + Even then they remained, encamped outside, and Kamel continued to watch + them from Mansourah, where he built permanent houses, and formed his camp + into a town, while awaiting the aid of the natural defender of Egypt, the + Nile, which, in due time arising, inundated the whole Christian camp, and + washed away the stores. The troops, already reduced by sickness, were + living in a swamp, the water and mud ankle-deep, and with currents of + deeper water rushing in all directions, drowning the incautious; while + want and disease preyed upon the rest, till Jean de Brienne was obliged to + go and treat with the Sultan. When received courteously in the commodious, + royal tent at Mansourah, the contrast to the miseries which his friends + were enduring so affected him, that he burst into a fit of weeping, that + moved the generous Kamel at once, without conditions, to send as a free + gift a supply of provisions to his distressed enemies. A treaty was then + concluded, by which the crusaders restored Damiotta, after having held it + for eight months, and were allowed every facility for their departure. + </p> + <p> + Though hardy, patient and enterprising as a crusader, Longespée was + lawless and unscrupulous, and paid no respect to the ordinances of + religion, neither confessing himself nor being a communicant; while his + wife, the lady Ella, Countess of Salisbury in her own right, continued a + devout observer of her duties. + </p> + <p> + Soon after his return from Egypt, Longespée, in sailing from Gascony to + England, was in great danger, from a storm in the Bay of Biscay of many + days’ continuance, and so violent, that all the jewels, treasure, and + other freight, were thrown overboard to lighten the vessel. In the height + of the peril, the mast was illuminated, no doubt by that strange electric + brightness called by sailors “St. Elmo’s Light,” but which, to the + conscience-stricken earl, was a heavenly messenger, sent to convert and + save him. It was even reported that it was a wax-light, sheltered from the + wind by a female form of marvellous radiance and beauty, at whose + appearance the tempest lulled, and the ship came safely to land. + </p> + <p> + The Countess Ella availed herself of the impression thus made upon her + husband to persuade him to seek the ghostly counsel of St. Edmund Rich, + then a canon of Salisbury; and the first sight of the countenance of the + holy man at once subdued him, so that he forsook his evil ways, devoutly + received the rites so long neglected, and spent his few remaining years in + trying to atone for his past sins. + </p> + <p> + In 1226, he was taken suddenly ill at a banquet given by Hubert de Burgh, + and being carried home, sent for the Bishop of Salisbury, Richard Poer, + who found him in a high fever; but he at once threw himself from his bed + upon the floor, weeping, and crying out that he was a traitor to the Most + High: nor would he allow himself to be raised till he had made his + confession, and received the Holy Eucharist. + </p> + <p> + He died a few days subsequently, and was buried at Old Sarum, whence his + tomb was afterward removed to the cathedral at Salisbury, where his effigy + lies in the nave, in chain armor, with his legs crossed as a crusader. The + Countess Ella founded a monastery at Laycock, where she took the veil. Her + eldest son, William Longespée, succeeded to the Castle of Sarum, but + afterward offended the King by quitting the realm without the royal + license, for which breach of rule Henry III. seized his possessions, and + he remained a knight adventurer. In this capacity he followed his cousin, + Richard Plantagenet, Earl of Cornwall, who took the Cross in 1240. + </p> + <p> + By this time, Yolande, the daughter of Jean de Brienne, had carried her + rights to her husband, Frederick II., Emperor of Germany, the object of + the bitter hatred of the Popes, who had thwarted him in every way, when he + himself led an expedition to Palestine, and now, since the conquests of + the crusaders would go to augment his power, would willingly have checked + them. Gregory IX. strove to induce the English party to commute their vow + for treasure, but they indignantly repelled the proposal, and set forth, + under the solemn blessing of their own bishops. In France, they were + received with great affection by Louis IX., and with much enthusiasm by + the people; so that their progress was a triumph, till they came to + Marseilles, where they embarked, disregarding a prohibition from the Pope + which here met them. + </p> + <p> + At Acre, they were received by the clergy and people in solemn procession, + chanting, “Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord;” and high + were the hopes entertained that their deeds would rival those of the last + Richard Plantagenet and William Longespée. But Richard, though brave and + kindly-tempered, was no general; Palestine was in too miserable a + condition for his succor to avail it, and all he could do was to make a + treaty, and use his wealth to purchase free ingress to the holy places for + the pilgrims; and, without himself entering Jerusalem, he returned home. + He took with him as curiosities two Saracen damsels, trained to perform a + dance with each foot, on a globe of crystal rolling on a smooth pavement, + while they made various graceful gestures with their bodies, and struck + together a couple of cymbals with their hands. + </p> + <p> + This was the whole result of the Crusade, for the treaty was set at naught + by the Templars and Hospitallers, who called him a boy, and refused to be + bound by his compact. In 1245, William Longespée again took the Cross + under a very different leader. + </p> + <p> + In the previous year, Louis IX., King of France, had been attacked by an + illness of such severity that his life was despaired of; and at one time a + lady, who was watching by his bed, thought him actually dead, and was + about to cover his face. He soon opened his eyes, and, stretching out his + arms, said, “The light of the East hath shined on me, and called me back + from the dead,” and he demanded the Cross, and at once took the vow for + the deliverance of the Holy Sepulchre. To part with so just and excellent + a monarch on an expedition of such peril was grief and misery to his + subjects, and, above all, to his mother, Queen Blanche, and every means + was taken to dissuade him; but he would neither eat nor drink till the + sign was given to him; and as soon as he had strength to explain himself, + declared that he had, while in his trance, heard a voice from the East, + calling on him, as the appointed messenger of Heaven, to avenge the + insults offered to the Holy City. His mother mourned as for his death, his + counsellors remonstrated, his people entreated; but nothing could outweigh + such a summons, and his resolution was fixed. The Bishop of Paris saying + that the vow was made while he was not fully master of his senses, he laid + the Cross aside, but only to resume it, so as to be beyond all such + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + The Crusade was preached, but it had now become a frequent practice, of + which Henry III. was a lamentable example, lightly and hastily to assume + the Cross in a moment of excitement, or even as a means of being + disembarrassed from troublesome claims by the privileges of a Crusader, + and then to purchase from the Pope absolution from the vow. It had become + such an actual matter of traffic, that Richard of Cornwall positively + obtained from Gregory IX. a grant of the money thus raised from recreant + Crusaders. The landless William of Salisbury, going to the Pope, who was + then at Lyons, thus addressed him: “Your Holiness sees that I am signed + with the Cross. My name is great and well known: it is William Longespée. + But my fortune does not match it. The King of England has bereft me of my + earldom, but as this was done judicially, not out of personal ill-will, I + blame him not. Yet, poor as I am, I have undertaken the pilgrimage. Now, + since Prince Richard, the King’s brother, who has not taken the Cross, has + obtained from you a grant to take money from such as lay it aside, surely + I may beg for the like—I, who am signed, and yet without resource.” + </p> + <p> + He obtained the grant, and thus raised 1,000 marks, while Richard of + Cornwall actually gained from one archdeacon £600, and in proportion from + others. + </p> + <p> + Louis, for three years, was detained by the necessity of arranging matters + for the tranquillity of his own kingdom, and not till the Friday in + Whitsun-week, 1248, was he solemnly invested at St. Denis with the + pilgrim’s staff and wallet, and presented with the oriflamme, the standard + of the convent, which he bore as Count of Paris. His two brothers, Robert + Comté d’Artois, and Charles Comte d’Anjou, and his wife Marguerite of + Provence, accompanied him, together with a great number of the nobility, + among whom the most interesting was the faithful and attached Sieur de + Joinville, Seneschal of Champagne, who has left us a minute record of his + master’s adventures. + </p> + <p> + They sailed from Aigues Mortes, August 25th, 1248, and Joinville reflected + that he could not imagine how a man in a state of mortal sin could ever + put to sea, since he knew not, when he fell asleep at night, whether + morning would not find him at the bottom of the sea. On coming near the + coast of Barbary, Joinville’s ship seems to have been becalmed, for it + continued for three whole days in view of the same round mountain, to the + great dismay of the crew, until a <i>preux d’homme</i> priest suggested, + that in his parish, in cases of distress, such as dearth, or flood, or + pestilence, processions chanting the Litany were made on three Saturdays + following. The day was Saturday, and the crew acted on his advice, making + the procession round the masts, even the sick being carried by their + friends. The next day they were out of sight of the mountain, and on the + third Saturday safely landed at Cyprus. Here the Crusaders remained for + eight months, since Egypt was the intended point of attack, and they + wished to allow the inundation of the Nile to subside. At length, in the + summer of 1249, they arrived before Damietta, which was even better + fortified than when it had previously held out for fifteen months; but it + now surrendered, after Fakreddin, the Mameluke commander, had suffered one + defeat under its walls, and the Christians entered in triumph. Here Louis + made an unfortunate delay, while waiting for reinforcements brought by his + brother Alfonse, Comte de Poitiers. + </p> + <p> + To the rude and superstitious noblesse, a Crusade appeared a certain means + of securing salvation, as indeed the clergy led them to believe; and this + belief seemed to remove all restraint of morality from the ill-disposed, + so that the pure and pious King was bitterly grieved by the license which + he found himself unable to restrain. Much harm was done by the excess in + which the troops indulged while revelling in the plunder of Damietta. The + prudent would have reserved the stores there laid up for time of need, but + old crusaders insisted on “the good old custom of the Holy Land,” as they + called it, namely, the distribution of two-thirds among the army; and + though the King ransomed some portion, the money did as much harm in + promoting revelry as the provisions themselves. + </p> + <p> + Longespée arrived, with 200 English knights; but the small band of English + and their landless leader met with nothing but contumely from their + allies, especially the King’s brother, Robert Comte d’Artois, a haughty + and impetuous youth. The English took a small castle on the road to + Alexandria, where one of the Saracen Emirs had placed his harem. It was + reported that Longespée had acquired a huge treasure there, and Robert + insulted him to his face, and deprived him of his just share of the spoil. + Longespée, complained to the King; but Louis could give him no redress. + “You are no King, if you cannot do justice,” said William. + </p> + <p> + Louis meekly suffered the reproach. He had, in his submission, made over + his judgment and authority to the papal legates—men far less fit + than he to exercise power—and matters went chiefly as they and his + fiery brothers chose to direct. Wiser counsellors recommended securing the + other seaport, Alexandria; but Prince Alfonse declared, that the only way + to kill a snake, was to strike the head, and persuaded the council that + the move should be upon Grand Cairo, or, as the Crusaders chose to call + it, Babylon. + </p> + <p> + On November 25th, 1249, the army advanced, and the conjuncture should have + been favorable, for the Sultan was just dead, and his son absent at + Damascus; but nothing could have been worse concerted than the expedition—ill-provisioned, + without boats to cross the canals, without engines of war, the soldiery + disorganized; while the Mameluke force were picked soldiers, recruited + from the handsomest Circassian children, bred up for arms alone, and with + an <i>esprit de corps</i> that rendered them a terror to friend and foe + almost down to our own times. They harassed the Christians at every step, + and destroyed their machines, and terrified them excessively by showers of + Greek fire, a compound of naphtha and other combustibles launched from + hollow engines, which ignited as it traversed the air, and was very hard + to extinguish. + </p> + <p> + The Franks regarded it with a superstitious horror, as a fiendish mystery, + and compared it to a fiery dragon with a tail as long as a lance; but it + did not actually cause many deaths, and they met with no serious disaster + till they came to the canal of Aschmoum, which flowed between them and + Mansourah. They tried to build a causeway across it, but their + commencement was destroyed by the Greek fire, and a Bedouin offered, for + 500 bezants, to show them a ford on the Shrove Tuesday of 1250. Robert + d’Artois begged to lead the vanguard, and secure the passage of the rest; + and when the King hesitated to confide so important a charge to one so + rash and impetuous, he swore on the Gospels that, when he should have + gained the bank on the other side, nothing should induce him to leave it + till the whole army should have crossed. The King consented, but placed + the command in the hands of the wise Guillaume de Sonnac, Grand Master of + the Templars, who, with his knights, the Hospitallers, Longespée and the + English, and Robert’s own band, formed a body of 1,400. + </p> + <p> + The Saracens who guarded the ford were taken by surprise, and fled in + confusion; and the Christians, mounting the bank, beheld the inhabitants + and garrison of Mansourah hurrying away in terror. + </p> + <p> + The temptation made the impetuous prince forget his promises, and he was + dashing forward in pursuit, when the Grand Master tried to check him, by + representing that, though the enemy were at present under the influence of + panic terror, they would soon rally, and that the only safety for the + I,400 was to wait, with the canal in their rear, until the rest of the + army should have crossed; otherwise, as soon as their small number should + be perceived, they would infallibly be surrounded and cut off. + </p> + <p> + The fiery youth listened with scorn and impatience. “I see,” cried he, + “that it is well said, that the Orders have an understanding with the + Infidel! They love power, they love money, and so will not see the war + ended. This is the way that so many crusading princes have been served by + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Noble Count,” said Pierre de Villebride, the Grand Master of St. John, + trying to calm him, “why do you think we gave up our homes and took these + vows? Was it to overthrow the Church and lose our own souls? Such things + be far, far from us, or from any Christian.” + </p> + <p> + But De Sonnac would not parley; he called to his esquire, “Spread wide the + Beauséant banner. Arms and death must decide our honor and fate. We might + be invincible, united; but division is our ruin.” + </p> + <p> + Longespée interposed. “Lord Count,” said he, “you cannot err in following + the counsel of a holy man like the Grand Master, well tried in arms. Young + men are never dishonored by hearkening to their elders.” + </p> + <p> + “The tail! that smacks of the tail!” exclaimed the headstrong Robert. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote: On Thomas á Becket’s last journey to Canterbury, Raoul de + Broc’s followers had cut off the tails of his pack-horses. It was a vulgar + reproach to the men of Kent that the outrage had been punished by the + growth of the same appendage on the whole of the inhabitants of the + county; and, whereas the English populace applied the accusation to the + Kentishmen, foreigners extended it to the whole nation when in a humor for + insult and abuse, such as that of this unhappy prince.] + </p> + <p> + “Count Robert,” rejoined William, “I shall be so forward in peril to-day, + that you will not even come near the tail of my horse.” + </p> + <p> + With these words they all set out at full gallop, Robert’s old deaf tutor, + Sir Foucault de Nesle, who had not heard one word of the remonstrance, + holding his bridle, and shouting, “<i>Ores à eux! ores à, eux!</i>” They + burst into the town, and began to pillage, killing the Saracen Emir + Fakreddin, as he left his bath; but in the meantime, Bendocdar, another + Mameluke chief, had rallied his forces, threw a troop between them and the + ford, and thus, cutting them off, attacked them in the streets, while the + inhabitants hurled stones, boiling water, and burning brands from above. + </p> + <p> + Separated and surprised as they were, the little band sold their lives + dearly, forgot their fatal quarrels, and fought as one man from ten + o’clock till three. Robert entrenched himself in a house, defended himself + there for a long time, and finally perished in its ruins. Longespée was + killed at the head of his knights, who almost all fell with him; and his + esquire, Robert de Vere, was found with his banner wrapped around his dead + body. Only thirty-five prisoners were made, among them Pierre de + Villebride. Sonnac, after having lost a hundred and eighty of his knights, + fought his way through with the loss of an eye. + </p> + <p> + The King had, in the meantime, crossed the canal, and grievous was his + disappointment on finding that the Saracens were between him and his + brother. Every effort was made to break through to the rescue, but in + vain; and at one moment Louis himself was in the utmost danger, finding + himself singly opposed to six Saracens, whom, however, he succeeded in + putting to flight. With difficulty could his forces even maintain their + footing on the Mansourah side of the canal, and it was not till after a + long and desperate conflict that there was time to inquire for the + missing. The Prior de Rosnay came to the royal tent, to ask whether there + were any tidings of the Count, “Only that he is in Paradise,” said the + King. “God be praised for what He sends to us.” And he lifted up his eyes, + while the tears flowed down his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + It was believed, in England, that the Countess Ella of Salisbury had on + that day a vision of her son received into Paradise. + </p> + <p> + The bon Sieur de Joinville had his part in the brave deeds of the day: he, + with the Comte de Soissons and four other knights, guarded a bridge + against a mighty force of Saracens. “Seneschal,” cried the Count, “let + this canaille roar and howl; you and I will yet talk of this day in our + lady’s chamber.” + </p> + <p> + And Joinville fought on cheerfully, though twice dismounted, and in great + danger. But he kept up his heart, crying out, “Beau Sire, St. James, help + me, and succor me in my need!” and he came off safely, though pierced with + five arrows, and his horse with fifteen wounds. + </p> + <p> + The following day was a doubly sorrowful Ash-Wednesday in the Christian + camp; while the Mussulmans triumphed, calling the battle of Mansourah the + key of joy to true believers; and fancying, from the fleur-de-lys on the + surcoat, that the corpse of Robert was that of Louis himself, they + proclaimed throughout their camp, “The Christian army is a trunk without + life or head!” + </p> + <p> + They learnt their error on the Friday, when they made a furious attack on + the Crusaders, and Louis’s valor made itself felt, as he dashed through + showers of arrows and of Greek fire, and drove back the enemy as they were + surrounding his brother Charles. His other brother, Alfonse, was for a + moment made prisoner, but being much beloved, the butchers, women, and + servants belonging to the army, suddenly rushed forward and rescued him. + The Grand Master of the Templars lost his other eye, and was soon after + killed; and though the Christians claimed the victory, their loss was so + severe, especially in horses, that it was impossible to advance to Cairo, + and they therefore remained encamped before Mansourah. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more fatal could have been done: the marshy ground, the number of + dead bodies that choked the stream, the feeding on fish that had preyed + upon them—for the Lenten fast prevented recourse to solid food—occasioned + disease to break out—fever, dysentery, and a horrible disorder which + turned the skin as black and dry (says Joinville) as an old boot, and + caused great swelling and inflammation of the gums, so that the barbers + cut them away piecemeal. + </p> + <p> + The Saracens let them alone, only now and then launching volleys of Greek + fire. The King, on seeing these coming, would kneel down, and cry, “Lord, + spare my people!” But worse enemies were at work. Warrior after warrior + succumbed to his sufferings, and the clergy, going about among the dying, + caught the infection, till there were hardly sufficient to perform the + daily offices of religion. Joinville rose from his bed to lift up his + chaplain, who, while singing mass, fainted on the step of the altar. + Supported in his arms, he finished the mass, but, says the Seneschal, “he + never chanted more.” + </p> + <p> + Patiently and steadfastly all was borne: the Christians repented of their + late license, and suffered without murmurs, desertion, or submission, + encouraged by their good King, who spent his time in going from one bed to + another to encourage the sick, attend to their wants, and offer his + prayers with them. He was vainly entreated not to expose himself to the + infection. But love and duty equally led him among his people, and his + sad, resigned face never failed to cheer the sufferers, till he too was + laid on a bed of sickness. + </p> + <p> + Easter came, but famine was added to their miseries, and those who were + recovering from illness died of hunger. The new Sultan, Touran Chah, or + Almoadan, had at length arrived, and Louis tried to negotiate with him, + offering to surrender the town of Damietta, provided Jerusalem were placed + in his hands. The Sultan would have agreed, but required hostages, and, + when Louis offered his two brothers, refused any guarantee but the person + of the King himself. With one voice the French knights vowed that they + would all be killed rather than make a pledge of their King, and the + project was ineffectual. + </p> + <p> + Louis now resolved to attempt to retreat in secret, and on the 5th of + April he collected as many boats as possible upon the canal, there by + night to embark the sick, that they might ascend the Nile to Damietta. + Those who yet had strength to fight were to go by land; and he, though + very ill, refused to desert his army, and resolved to accompany them. In + the midst of the embarkation the Saracens discovered what was going on, + and fell upon them, shooting arrows at the sick as they were carried on + board. They hurried the vessels off, notwithstanding loud cries from the + land army of “Wait for the King! wait for the King!”—for the French + soldiery only longed to see their King in safety; but he came not, and + they pushed off. Before long the Sultan’s galleys met them with such + showers of Greek fire, that Joinville, one of those unfortunate sick, + declares that it seemed as if all the stars were falling. Soon they were + boarded by the enemy; Joinville gave himself up for lost, threw overboard + all his relics, lest they should be profaned, and prayed aloud; but a + Saracen renegade who knew him, came up to him, and by calling out, “The + King’s cousin!” saved his life, and that of a little boy in his company. + All who seemed capable of paying a ransom were made prisoners; the rest + had the choice of death or apostasy, and too many chose the last. + </p> + <p> + The rest of the army fared no better by land. Louis had mounted his horse, + though so weak that he could not wear his armor, and rode among the + knights, who strove to cut their way through the foe. The two good + knights, Geoffroi de Sargines and Gautier de Chatillon rode on each side + of him, and, as he afterward said, guarded, him from the Saracens as a + good servant guards his master’s cup from flies. They were obliged to + support him in his saddle after a time, so faint and exhausted did he + become; and at last, on arriving at a little village named Minieh, + Sargines look him from his horse, and laid him down just within a house, + his head on the lap of a Frenchwoman whom he found there, and watched over + him, expecting each breath to be the last. + </p> + <p> + Chatillon defended the entrance, rushing each moment on the Saracens, and + only resting to draw out the arrows with which he was covered. At last he + was overcome by numbers, and slaughtered; and another knight, Philippe de + Montfort, making his way to the King, who had somewhat revived, told him + that five hundred knights remained in full force, and, with his + permission, he could make good terms. Louis consented, and the Saracen + Emir was in the act of concluding a truce, when a traitor cried out, “Sir + French knights, surrender! the King bids you! Do not cause him to be + slain!” They instantly laid down their arms unconditionally, and the Emir, + whose ring had been already off his finger, looking round, said, “We make + no truce with prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + All was thus lost. The Saracens entered the village, and finding the King, + loaded him with chains, and placed him on board a vessel. His brothers + were likewise taken, and even the knights who were far advanced on the way + to Damietta, on hearing of their monarch’s captivity, dropped their arms, + and became an easy prey. The crosses and images of the Saints were trodden + under foot and reviled by the Mussulmans, and the prisoners, when all + those of importance had been selected, were placed in an enclosure, and + each man who would not deny his faith was beheaded. + </p> + <p> + The news of the ruin of the army and the captivity of her husband reached + Queen Marguerite at Damietta, where she was daily awaiting the birth of an + infant. Her despair and terror were such, that her life was in the utmost + danger, and nothing soothed her except holding the hand of an old knight, + aged eighty years, who did his utmost to calm her. If she slept for a few + moments, she awoke starting, and fancying the room was full of Saracens, + and the old knight had to assure her that he was there, and she need fear + nothing. Once she sent every one else out of the room, and, kneeling down, + insisted that he should make oath to do what she should require of him. It + was, that, should the enemy take the city, he would sweep off her head + with his sword, rather than let her fall into their hands. “Willingly,” + said the old knight. “Had you not asked it of me, I had thought of doing + so.” + </p> + <p> + The morning after, a son was born to her, and named Jean Tristan, on + account of the sadness that reigned around. On that very day word was + brought to her that the Genoese and Pisans, who garrisoned the town, were + preparing their vessels to depart. The poor Queen sent for their leaders, + and as they stood round her bed, she held up her new-born babe, and + conjured them not to desert the town and destroy all hopes for the King. + They told her that they had no provisions: on which she sent to buy up all + in the town, and promised to maintain them at her own expense; thus + awakening sufficient compassion and honor to make them promise at least to + await her recovery. Her first pledge of hope was a bulbous root, on which, + with a knife, had been cut out the word “<i>Espérance</i>,” the only + greeting the captive King could send to her. No wonder that plant has ever + since borne the well-omened name. + </p> + <p> + Louis, meanwhile, was carried by water to Mansourah, where he lay very + ill, and only attended by one servant and two priests. A book of Psalms + and the cloak that covered him were the sole possessions that remained to + him; but with unfailing patience he lay, feebly chanting the Psalms, never + uttering one word of complaint, and showing such honor to the office of + the priests, that he would not endure that they should perform for him any + of the services that his helplessness required. Nor did he make one + request from his enemies for his own comfort; though Touran Chah, struck + with his endurance, sent to him a present of fifty robes for himself and + his nobles; but Louis refused them, considering that to wear the robes of + the Saracen would compromise the dignity of his crown. The Sultan next + sent his physician, under whose care his health began to return, and + negotiations were commenced. The King offered as his ransom, and that of + his troops, the town of Damietta and a million of bezants; but the Sultan + would not be contented without the cities of the Crusaders in Palestine, + Louis replied that these were not his own; and when Touran Chah threatened + him with torture or lifelong captivity, his only reply was, “I am his + prisoner; he can do as he will with me.” + </p> + <p> + His firmness prevailed, and the Sultan agreed to take what he offered. + Louis promised the town and the treasure, provided the Queen consented; + and when the Mahometans expressed their amazement at a woman being brought + forward, “Yes,” he said, “the Queen is my lady; I can do nothing without + her consent.” + </p> + <p> + The King ransomed all his companions at his own expense, and there was + general rejoicing at the hopes of freedom; but, alas! the Sultan, Touran + Chan, was murdered by his own Mamelukes, who hunted him into the river, + and killed him close to the ship where Joinville had embarked. They then + rushed into the vessels of the Christians, who, expecting a massacre to + follow, knelt down and confessed their sins to each other. “I absolve you, + as far as God has given me power,” replied each warrior to his brother. + Joinville, seeing a Saracen with a battle-axe lifted over him, made the + sign of the Cross, and said, “Thus died St. Agnes.” However, they were + only driven down into the hold, without receiving any hurt. + </p> + <p> + Louis was in his tent with his brothers, unable to account for the cries + he heard, and fearing that Damietta had been seized, and that the + prisoners were being slain. At last there rushed in a Mameluke with a + bloody sword, crying, “What wilt thou give me for delivering thee from an + enemy who intended thy ruin and mine?” + </p> + <p> + Louis made no answer. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou not know,” said the furious Mameluke, “that I am master of thy + life? Make me a knight, or thou art a dead man.” + </p> + <p> + “Make thyself a Christian,” said the undaunted King, “and I will make thee + a knight.” + </p> + <p> + His calm dignity overawed the assassin; and though several others came in, + brandishing their swords and using violent language, the sight of the + majestic captive made them at once change their demeanor; they spoke + respectfully, and tried to excuse the murder; then, putting their hands to + their brow, and salaaming down to the ground, retired. They sounded their + drums and trumpets outside the tent, and it is even said they deliberated + whether to offer their crown—since the race of Saladin was now + extinct—to the noble Frank prince. Louis had decided that he would + accept it, in hopes of converting them, but the proposal was never made. + </p> + <p> + The Mamelukes returned to the former conditions of the treaty with the + King, but, when the time came for making oaths on either side for its + observance, a new difficulty arose. The Emirs, as their most solemn + denunciation, declared that, “if they violated their promises, they would + be as base as the pilgrim who journeys bareheaded to Mecca, or as the man + who takes back his wives after having put them away.” + </p> + <p> + In return, they required the King to say that, if he broke his oath, he + should be as one who denied his religion; but the words in which this was + couched seemed to Louis so profane, that he utterly refused to pronounce + them. + </p> + <p> + The Mahometans threatened. + </p> + <p> + “You are masters of my body,” he said, “but you have no power over my + will.” His brothers and the clergy entreated in vain, though the + Mamelukes, fancying that his resistance was inspired by the latter, seized + the Patriarch of Jerusalem, an old man of eighty, and tied him up to a + stake, drawing the cords so tight round his hands that the blood started. + </p> + <p> + “Sire, sire, take the oath!” he cried; “I take the sin upon myself.” + </p> + <p> + But Louis was immovable, and the Emirs at last contented themselves with + his word, and retired, saying that this was the proudest Christian that + had ever been seen in the East. + </p> + <p> + They knew not that his pride was for the honor of his God. + </p> + <p> + On the 6th of May, Geoffroi de Sargines came to Damietta, placed the Queen + and her ladies on board the Genoese vessels, and gave up the keys to the + Emirs. + </p> + <p> + The King was, on this, set free, but his brother Alfonso was to remain as + a hostage till the bezants were paid. The royal coffers at Damielta could + not supply the whole, and the rest was borrowed of the Templars, somewhat + by force; for Joinville, going to their treasurer in his worn-out garments + and his face haggard from illness, was refused the keys, till he said “he + should use the royal key,” on which, with a protest, the chests were + opened. + </p> + <p> + Philippe de Montfort managed to cheat the Mamelukes of 10,000 bezants, and + came boasting of it to the King; but Louis, much displeased, sent him back + with the remaining sum. + </p> + <p> + The King then embarked, still in much anxiety whether the Emirs would + fulfil their engagements and liberate his brother; but, late at night, + Montfort came alongside of the vessel, and called out, “Sire, speak to + your brother, who is in the other ship!” + </p> + <p> + In great joy Louis cried, “Light up! light up!” and the signals of the two + princes joyfully answered each other in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + The King sailed for Acre, and after some stay there, finding that his + weakened force could effect nothing, and hearing that the death of his + mother, Queen Blanche, had left France without a regent, he returned home, + and landed 5th of September, 1254, six years after his departure. + </p> + <p> + The Countess Ella and her son Nicholas, Bishop of Salisbury, raised an + effigy to William like that of his father, and the figures of the father + and son lie opposite to each other in the new cathedral founded by Bishop + Poore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXX. SIMON DE MONTFORT. (1232-1266.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England.</i> + 1216. Henry III. + + <i>Kings of Scotland.</i> + 1214. Alexander II. + 1249. Alexander III. + + <i>Kings of France.</i> + 1226. Louis IX. + + <i>Emperor of Germany.</i> + 1209. Friedrich II. + 1249. Conrad IV. + 1255. William. + + <i>Popes.</i> + 1227. Gregory IX. + 1241. Celestin IV. + 1242. Innocent IV. + 1254. Alexander IV. + 1261. Urban IV. +</pre> + <p> + The lawlessness of John Lackland led to the enactment of Magna Charta; the + extravagance of Henry of Winchester established the power of Parliament, + and the man who did most in effecting this purpose was a foreigner by + birth. + </p> + <p> + Amicia, the heiress of the earldom of Leicester, was the wife of Simon, + Count de Montfort, an austere warrior, on whom fell the choice of Innocent + III. to be leader of the so-called crusade against the unfortunate + Albigenses. Heretics indeed they were; but never before had the sword of + persecution been employed by the Church, and their fate is a grievous + disgrace to Rome, and to the Dominican order. Strict in life, but of cruel + temper, Count Simon was a fit instrument for the massacres committed; and + being a leader of great skill, he gained complete victories over the + native princes of the heretics, who, though not holding their opinions, + were unwilling to let them perish without protection. Raymond de St. + Gilles Count de Toulouse, Gaston Count de Béarn, and all the most famous + names of the south of France, took up arms in their defence; and even + Pedro, King of Aragon, joined, the confederacy; but at the battle of Muret + all were totally defeated, and Pedro lost his life. + </p> + <p> + The nobles were imprisoned, the peasants murdered by wholesale, villages + burnt down and the inhabitants slain, with out distinction of Catholic or + heretic, and all the time the followers of Montfort deemed themselves + religious men. The Lateran Council actually invested Simon with the + sovereignty of the counties of Toulouse and Carcassonne; but he was + extremely hated there, and Count Raymond, recovering his liberty, attacked + him, and regained great part of his own dominions. Montfort was besieging + the town of Toulouse, when, while hearing mass, intelligence was brought + to him that the garrison were setting fire to his machines. He rose from + his knees, repeating the first verse of the Song of Simeon, and rushing + out to the battle, was struck on the head by a stone from a mangonel on + the walls, and killed on the spot, June 25, 1218. He was a remarkable type + of that character fostered by the system of the Middle Ages, where + ambition and cruelty existed side by side with austere devotion, and were + encouraged as if they did service to Heaven. + </p> + <p> + His second son, Simon, had the same strong sense of religion, together + with equal talents, and unusual beauty of person, skill in arms, and + winning grace of deportment. The elder son, Amaury, was the heir of the + county of Montfort, and for some time Simon remained landless, the earldom + of Leicester having been forfeited on account of the adherence of the + family to the party of Louis the Lion in the wars that followed the + signing of Magna Charta. + </p> + <p> + In 1232, however, young Simon came to England to attempt the recovery of + his mother’s inheritance, and his graceful manners and Southern tongue at + once delighted Henry III. Another heart was at the same time gained; the + King’s sister, Eleanor, who had been left a widow at sixteen by the death + of the brave Earl of Pembroke, had, in her first despair, made a vow of + perpetual widowhood, and received the ring of dedication from the + Archbishop; but at the end of six years all this was forgotten; she fell + in love with the handsome Provençal, and prevailed on the King to sanction + with his presence a hasty private wedding in St. Stephen’s Chapel. + </p> + <p> + For some time the marriage remained a secret, and when it became known, + great was the indignation alike of clergy and laity. The Barons even + collected troops, and headed by Richard, the King’s brother, whom they + called the Staff of Fortitude, assembled at Southwark, and dreadfully + alarmed the poor King; but Montfort, who always possessed a great power + over men’s minds, managed to reconcile himself to Prince Richard, and to + disperse the other nobles. Still, the Archbishop termed it no marriage at + all, and Simon therefore set out at once for Rome, carrying letters from + Henry, and raising money by every means in his power, till he was able to + offer a sufficient bribe to obtain from the Pope a dispensation, with + which he returned to England a few days before the birth of his eldest + child, Henry. + </p> + <p> + Simon was now in high favor; the Barons, who at first looked on him as one + of the hated Southern adventurers, were gained over by his address and + adoption of their manners; and when, by the royal favor and the formal + cession by his brother Amaury, he obtained the earldom of Leicester, they + readily identified him with themselves. At court he was highly beloved; + his children were constantly at the palace; and in 1239, when Edward, heir + of the crown, was baptized, he was one of the nine godfathers—an + honor, perhaps, chiefly owing to his wealth, for this was at one of the + times when Henry’s finances were at so low an ebb that he, or his + messengers, made the birth of the child an excuse for their rapacity. Each + noble to whom the tidings were sent was obliged to make a costly gift; and + if he did not offer enough, his present was returned on his hands with + intimation that it must be increased. “God has given us this child,” said + a jester; “the King sells him to us.” + </p> + <p> + Montfort’s English popularity seems suddenly to have rendered the fickle + King jealous; for, to his great surprise, on the day of the churching of + the Queen, Henry suddenly met him, and forbade him to join in the service, + reviling him furiously for the circumstances of his marriage, and ordering + him at once to leave his dominions. Returning with his wife to his + lodgings, he was at once followed by messengers, ordering them both away; + and before sunset he was obliged to embark with Eleanor in a small vessel, + leaving behind them their infant son. + </p> + <p> + He placed his wife in safety in France, and proceeded to the Holy Land, + where he highly distinguished himself, and, as usual, gained every one’s + affection, so that the Barons of Palestine would fain have had him for + their leader in the absence of their young Queen Yolande and her husband, + Friedrich II. of Germany. + </p> + <p> + King Henry had forgotten his displeasure by the time he returned, and the + next ten years were spent in peace by the Earl and Countess, at their + castles of Kenilworth and Odiham, and the government of Gascony. Their + five sons were brought up as the playfellows of their royal cousins, and + were under the tutorship of the great Robert Grosteste, while the noble + and magnificent earl stood equally well with sovereign and people. His + chaplain, Adam de Marisco, seems to have been an admirable man, who never + failed to administer suitable reproofs to the Countess for love of dress + and other failings, all which she seems to have taken in good part. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Henry was plunging deeper in debt and difficulty. Every time his + council met they charged him with breaches of the Great Charter, and + refusing, in spite of his promises and pleas, to grant him any money, left + him to devise means of obtaining it by extortion. The Jews had always been + considered a sort of lawful property of the sovereign, who plundered them + without remorse; but even this resource was not inexhaustible, and he + looked with covetous eyes on the prosperous citizens of London. Once, when + he was in great distress, and it was suggested to him to pawn to them his + plate and jewels, he broke out passionately: “If the treasures of Augustus + were put up to sale, these clowns would buy them. Is it for them to assume + the style of Barons, and live sumptuously, while we are in want of the + necessaries of life?” Thenceforth he made still more unscrupulous demands + of the citizens, under the name of New-Year’s gifts, loans, &c.; and + Queen Eleanor had even less consideration, so that their Majesties became + the objects of the utmost hatred in the city. + </p> + <p> + In 1252 the Earl of Leicester was summoned from Gascony to answer various + charges of maladministration. His brother-in-law, Prince Richard, took his + part, with the two great Earls of Gloucester and Hereford, and it was + reported that he had pledged the Gascons by a solemn oath not to make any + complaint of his government. At any rate, they declared their intention of + withdrawing their allegiance if he were superseded, and he himself refused + to resign his post unless he were repaid the sums he had expended. + </p> + <p> + “I am not bound to keep my word with a traitor,” said Henry—words + which put Simon into a passion, and he replied: + </p> + <p> + “It is a lie! and whoever said so, I will compel to eat his words. Who can + believe you to be a Christian prince? Do you ever go to confession?” + </p> + <p> + “A Christian I am; I have often been to confession.” + </p> + <p> + “Vain confession, without repentance and reparation!” + </p> + <p> + “I repent of nothing so much,” cried the King, “as having fattened one who + has so little gratitude and so much ill manners.” + </p> + <p> + The friends of Simon checked further reply. Henry’s wrath was like straw + on fire; but he forgot that by it he lighted a flame more enduring, though + at first less visible; and he was vexed when the offended Montfort removed + his eldest son, Henry, from court. However, Gascony was wanted as a + government for Prince Edward, who was only thirteen years old, and + therefore Leicester was forced to resign, though he would not do so + without full compensation, such as Henry was ill able to afford. Yet, + affronted as he was, when the office of high steward of France was offered + to him, he would not accept it, by the advice of Grosteste, lest he should + seem unfaithful to his master. + </p> + <p> + To carry Prince Edward to Guienne was at present Henry’s favorite scheme, + and for this end every means of raising money was resorted to. The King + met the parliament, as he had done often before, with entreaties for a + grant to enable him to go and redeem the Holy Sepulchre; but this had been + far too frequently tried, and was unnoticed; so he next tried the bribe of + confirmation of the charters. All the assembly went to Westminster Abbey, + the bishops and abbots carrying tapers, and there the Archbishop of + Canterbury pronounced sentence of excommunication against whosoever should + infringe these charters. As he spoke, the tapers were dashed at once on + the ground, with the words, “May his soul who incurs this sentence be thus + extinguished for ever!” while Henry added, “So help me God! I will keep + these charters, as I am a man, as I am a Christian, as I am a knight, as I + am a king crowned and anointed.” + </p> + <p> + Yet a few days after, when the parliament was dismissed and the money in + his hands, the temptation to transgress the charter again occurred. His + conscience was still overawed, and he hesitated; but his uncles and + half-brothers bade him remember that, while he kept his oath, he was but + the shadow of a King, and that, should he scruple, three hundred marks + sent to the Pope would purchase his dispensation and discharge him of + guilt. + </p> + <p> + There was real need in Guienne; for Alfonso, King of Castile, had set up a + claim to that county, and threatened to invade it. Arriving there, Henry + gained some advantages, and concluded a peace, which was to be sealed by a + marriage between Edward of England and Dona Leonor of Castile, Alfonso’s + sister. Young as they were—Edward only fourteen and Leonor still + younger—they were at once brought to Burgos and there united; after + which a tournament was held, and the prince received knighthood from the + sword of Alfonso. Bringing his bride back to his father at Bordeaux, + Edward was received with a full display of luxury; all Henry’s money, and + more too, having been laid out on the banquetting, so that the King + himself stood aghast, and dismally answered one of his English guests, + “Say no more! What would they think of it in England?” + </p> + <p> + The young bride, Eleanor, as the English called her, was brought to + England, while Edward remained in Guienne, sometimes visiting the French + court, and going wherever tournaments or knightly exercises invited him. + He was far better thus employed, and in intercourse with St. Louis, than + in the miserable quarrels, expedients, and perplexities, at home; and thus + he grew up generous, chivalrous, and devout, his whole character strongly + influenced by the example he had seen at Paris. His features were fair, + and of the noblest cast, perfectly regular, and only blemished by a slight + trace of his father’s drooping eyelid; the expression full of fire and + sweetness, though at times somewhat stern. His height exceeded that of any + man in England, and his strength was in proportion; he was perfectly + skilled in all martial exercises, and we are told that he could leap into + the saddle when in full armor without putting his hand on it. + </p> + <p> + All the wealth in the family had always been in the hands of Prince + Richard, Earl of Cornwall, whose tin mines yielded such a revenue that he + was esteemed the richest prince in Europe. He had wisely refused the + Pope’s offer of the crown of Sicily; but at this time, the death of + Friedrich II., and of his son Conrad, leaving vacant the imperial crown, + he was so far allured by it, that he set off to offer himself as a + candidate, carrying with him thirty-two wagons, each drawn by eight + horses, and laden with a hogshead of gold. Judiciously distributed, it + purchased his election by the Archbishop of Mainz and some of the + electors, while others gave their votes to Alfonso of Castile, whose + offers had been also considerable. + </p> + <p> + Alfonso thenceforth was called <i>El Emperador</i>, and Richard was + generally known as King of the Romans, and his son as Henry d’Almayne, or + of Germany; but the Germans took no notice of either claimant beyond + taking their presents, and the only consequence was, that Richard was a + poorer man, and that his brother, the King, was ruined. + </p> + <p> + It was in 1258, while Richard was gone to be crowned at Aix-la-Chapelle, + that the long-gathering peril began to burst. There had been a severe + famine, which added to the general discontent; and though Richard sent + home forty vessels laden with corn, his absence was severely felt, and his + mediation was missed. The King saw Simon de Montfort in conference with + the nobles, and feared the consequences. Once, when overtaken by a sudden + storm on his way to the Tower, Henry was forced to take refuge at Durham + House, then the abode of the Earl, who came down to meet him, bidding him + not to be alarmed, as the storm was over. + </p> + <p> + “Much as I dread thunder and lightning, I fear thee more than all,” said + the poor King. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord,” said Montfort, “you have no need to dread your only true + friend, who would save you from the destruction your false councillors are + preparing for you.” + </p> + <p> + These words were better understood when, on the 2d of May, Henry, on going + to meet his parliament at Westminster, found all his Barons sheathed in + full armor, and their swords drawn. These they laid aside on his entrance, + but when he demanded, “What means this? Am I your prisoner?” Roger Bigod, + Earl of Norfolk, a proud, violent man, who had once before given the lie + to the King, answered: + </p> + <p> + “Not so, sir; but your love of foreigners, and your own extravagance, have + brought great misery on the realm. We therefore demand that the powers of + government be entrusted to a committee of Barons and Prelates, who may + correct abuses and enact sound laws.” + </p> + <p> + William de Valence, one of Henry’s half-brothers, took upon him to reply, + and high words passed between him and the Earl of Leicester; but the royal + party were overmatched, and were obliged to consent to give a commission + to reform the state to twenty-four persons, half from the King’s council, + and half to be chosen by the Barons themselves, in a parliament to be held + at Oxford. + </p> + <p> + This meeting, noted in history as the Mad Parliament, commenced on the + 11th of June, and the Barons brought to it their bands of armed retainers, + so as to overpower all resistance. The regulations were made entirely at + their will, and the chief were thus: That parliaments should assemble + thrice a year, that four knights from each county should lay before them + every grievance, and that they should overlook all the accounts of the + Chancellor and Treasurer. For the next twelve years this committee were to + take to themselves the power of disposing of the government of the royal + castles, of revoking any grant made without their consent, and of + forbidding the great seal to be affixed to any charter—the same + species of restraint as that under which King John had been placed at + Runnymede. + </p> + <p> + The King’s half-brothers would not yield up the castles in their + possession, but Montfort told William de Valence that he would have them, + or his head, and brought charges against them before the council, which so + alarmed them, that they all fled to Wolvesham Castle, belonging to Aymar, + as intended Bishop of Winchester. Thither the Barons pursued them, and, + making them prisoners, sent them out of the realm, with only six thousand + marks in their possession. + </p> + <p> + Their defeat proved how vain was resistance, and the whole royal family + were obliged to swear to observe the Acts of Oxford, as they were called. + The King’s nephew, Henry d’Almayne, protested that they were of no force + in the absence of his father, the King of the Romans. “Let your father + look to himself,” said Leicester. “If he refuse to act with the Barons of + England, not a foot of land shall he have in the whole realm.” + </p> + <p> + And accordingly, on his return, Richard was not allowed to land till he + had promised to take the oath, which he did at Dover, in the presence of + the King and Barons. + </p> + <p> + Queen Eleanor expressed herself petulantly as to the oath, and Prince + Edward was scarcely persuaded to take it; but at length he was forced to + yield, and having done so, retired from the kingdom in grief and vexation; + for, having sworn it, he meant to abide by it, not being as well + accustomed to oaths and dispensations as his father, who, of course, + quickly sent to Rome for absolution. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, when the twenty-four had to swear to it, the most + backward to do so was Simon de Montfort himself, who probably discerned + that the pledge was likely to be a mere mockery. When he at length + consented, it was with the words, “By the arm of St. James, though I take + this oath, the last, and by compulsion, yet I will so observe it that none + shall be able to impeach me.” + </p> + <p> + Prince Edward might have said the same; he even incurred the displeasure + of his mother for refusing to elude or transgress his oath, and was for a + time accused of having joined the Barons’ party. Meanwhile, the King and + Queen were constantly and needlessly affronting their subjects. “What! are + you so bold with me, Sir Earl?” said the King to Roger Bigod. “Do you not + know I could issue my royal warrant for threshing out all your corn?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” returned the Earl; “and could not I send you the heads of the + threshers?” + </p> + <p> + The hot-tempered, light-minded Queen Eleanor’s open contempt of the + English drew upon her such hatred, that vituperative ballads were made on + her, some of which have come down to our times. One attacks even her + virtue as a wife, and another is entitled a “Warning against Pride, being + the Fall of Queen Eleanor, who for her pride sank into the earth at + Charing Cross, and rose again at Queenhithe, after killing the Lady + Mayoress.” Unfortunately, popular inaccuracy has imputed her errors to the + gentle Eleanor of Castile, her daughter-in-law, and thus the ballad calls + her wife to Edward I., instead of Henry III. “A Spanish dame,” was a term + that might fairly be applied to the Provençal Eleanor, whose language was + nearly akin to Spanish, and whose luxury was sufficient to lead to the + accusation of + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Bringing in fashions strange and new, + With golden garments bright;” + </pre> + <p> + And that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The wheat, that daily made her bread + Was bolted twenty times: + The food that fed this stately dame + Was boiled in costly wines. + The water that did spring from ground + She would not touch at all, + But washed her hands with dew of heaven + That on sweet roses fall. + She bathed her body many a time + In fountains filled with milk, + And every day did change attire + In costly Median silk.” + </pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Eleanor of Provence, when “drest in her brief authority” as Lady +Chancellor, had arbitrarily imprisoned the Lord Mayor, and this the +ballad converts into a persecution of the unfortunate Lady Mayoress, + whom she sent”—into Wales with speed, + And kept her secret there, + And used her still more cruelly + Than ever man did bear. + She mude her wash, she made her starch, + She made her drudge alway, + She made her nurse up children small, + And labor night and day,” + and in conclusion slew her by means of two snakes. +</pre> + <p> + Afterward her coach stood still in London, and could not move, when she + was accused of the crime, and, denying it, sunk into the ground, and rose + again at Queenhithe; after which she languished for twenty days, and made + full confession of her sins! + </p> + <p> + The real disaster that befell Queen Eleanor in London was an attack by the + mob as she was going down the Thames in her barge. She was pelted with + rotten eggs, sheeps’ bones, and all kinds of offal, with loud cries of + “Drown the witch!” and at length even stones and beams from some houses + building on the bank assailed her, and she was forced, to return in speed + to the Tower. + </p> + <p> + Prince Edward was not always blameless. He had been employed against the + Welsh, and after the campaign, not knowing whither to turn for means of + paying his troops, he broke into the chests of the Knights Templars, to + whom his mother’s jewels had been pledged, and carried off not only these, + but much property besides that had been committed to the keeping of the + order by other parties. + </p> + <p> + As to the unfortunate Jews, each party considered them fair game; and + there were frequent attacks upon them, and frightful massacres, when the + choice of death or of Christianity was offered to them, and the Barons + seized their treasures. The curses of Deuteronomy, of the trembling heart, + and the uncertainty of life and possession, were indeed fulfilled on the + unhappy race. + </p> + <p> + For four years the committee of twenty-four held their power with few + fluctuations, until matters were driven to extremity by a proposal to + render the present state of things permanent, and at the same time by an + attack on the property of the moderate and popular King of the Romans on + the part of the Barons. + </p> + <p> + On this the royal party determined to submit the dispute to the + arbitration of the King of France, whose wise and fair judgments were so + universally famed that the Barons readily consented, with the exception of + Leicester, who was convinced that Louis would incline to the side of + Henry, both as fellow-king and as brother-in-law, and therefore refused to + attend the conference, or to consider himself bound by its decisions. + </p> + <p> + The judgment of Louis IX, was perfectly just and moderate. He declared + that Magna Charta was indeed binding on the King of England, and that he + had no right to transgress it; but that the coercion in which he had been + placed by the Mad Parliament was illegal, and that the Acts of Oxford were + null, since no subjects had a right to deprive their sovereign of the + custody of his castles, nor of the choice of his ministers. + </p> + <p> + As Montfort had foreseen, the Barons would not accept this decision, and + its sole effect was to release Prince Edward’s conscience, and open the + way to civil war. The two Eleanors, of Provence and Castile, were left + under the charge of St. Louis; and their namesakes of the other party, the + Countess of Leicester and her daughter, the Damoiselle de Montfort, + fortified themselves in their castle of Kenilworth, while arms were taken + up on either side. + </p> + <p> + Leicester, who held that the guilt of perjury rested with the other party, + and who had with him the clergy opposed to the Italian usurpation, deemed + it a holy war, and marked the breasts of his soldiers with white crosses, + imagining himself the champion of the truth, as he had been taught to + think himself, when bearing his first arms under his father in what was + esteemed the Provençal Crusade. Alas, when honorable and devout minds have + the fine edge of conscience blunted! Thus did the gallant and beloved “Sir + Simon the Righteous” become a traitor and a rebel. + </p> + <p> + The scholars of Oxford, who had not at all forgotten their quarrel with + king and legate, came out <i>en masse</i> under the banner of the + University (for once disloyal), to join Leicester’s second son, Simon, who + was collecting a body of troops to lead to his father in London. + </p> + <p> + Prince Edward, however, attacked them at Northampton, and effected a + breach in the wall. Young Montfort attempted a desperate sally, but was + defeated, and his life only saved by his cousin, the Prince, who + extricated him from beneath his fallen steed, and made him prisoner. + </p> + <p> + The King and Prince next marched to seize the Cinque Ports, and, while in + Sussex, Leicester followed them, and came up with them in a hollow valley + near Lewes. Here, with a sort of satire, the Barons sent to offer the King + 30,000 marks if he would make peace, and a like sum to the King of the + Romans if he would bring him to terms. The proposals were angrily repelled + by Edward, who, with accusations of his godfather as traitor and “<i>foi + menti</i>,” sent him a personal challenge. + </p> + <p> + Leicester spent the night in prayer, and in early morning knighted Gilbert + de Clare, the young Earl of Gloucester, who was at this time + enthusiastically attached to him. The battle then began, each army being + arrayed in three divisions. Prince Edward and Henry d’Almayne were opposed + to their two cousins, Henry and Guy de Montfort, with the bands from + London. Mindful of the outrage that his mother had sustained from the + citizens, Edward charged them furiously, and pursued them with great + slaughter, never drawing rein till he reached Croydon. + </p> + <p> + But, as they rode back to Lewes, the impetuous young soldiers beheld a + sight very different from their triumphant anticipations. The field was + scattered with the corpses of the Royalists, and the white-crossed troops + of the Barons were closely gathered round the castle and priory of Lewes. + In dismay, William and Guy de Lusignan turned their horses, and rode off + to embark at Pevensey. Seven hundred men followed them, and Edward and + Henry were left with the sole support of Roger Mortimer, a Welsh-border + friend of the former, with his followers. + </p> + <p> + The hot pursuit of the fugitive plunderers had ruined the day. Montfort + had concentrated his forces, and had totally routed the two kings; Richard + was already his prisoner, and Henry had no chance of holding out in the + priory. The princes undauntedly strove to collect their shattered forces, + and break through to his rescue, but were forced to desist by a message + that, on their first attack, the head of the King of the Romans should be + struck off. + </p> + <p> + To save his life, the two cousins therefore agreed to a treaty called the + Mise of Lewes, May 15th, 1264, by which they gave themselves up to the + Barons as hostages for their fathers, stipulating that the matter at issue + should be decided by deputies from the King of France, and that the + prisoners on either side should be set free. + </p> + <p> + Now began the great trial of Simon de Montfort—that of power and + prosperity—and he failed under it. Whatever might have been his + first intentions in taking up arms, he now proved himself unwilling to lay + aside the authority placed in his hands, even though he violated his oaths + in maintaining it, and incurred the sentence of excommunication which the + Pope launched against him. But when the most saintly English bishops of + their own time had died under it, it lost its power on the conscience. + </p> + <p> + No measures were taken for the French arbitration, nor were the prisoners + set free. The King of the Romans was confined at Kenilworth, and the two + young princes at Dover, the custody of which castle was committed to one + of their cousins, the Montforts, who allowed them no amusement but the + companionship of Thomas de Clare, the young brother of the Earl of + Gloucester. King Henry was indeed nominally at liberty, but watched + perpetually by Leicester’s guards, and not allowed to take a step or to + write a letter without his superintendence; and when the Mayor of London + swore fealty to him, it was with the words, “As long as he was good to + them.” Edward was made, on promise of liberation, to swear to terms far + harder than even the Acts of Oxford, and when the bitter oath had been + taken, he was pronounced at full liberty, and then carried off, under as + close a guard as ever, to Wallingford Castle. + </p> + <p> + Queen Eleanor was acting with great spirit abroad, gathering money and + collecting troops in hopes of better times, and seven knights still held + out Bristol for the King. They made a sudden expedition to Wallingford, in + hopes of rescuing the Prince; but the garrison were on the alert, and + called out to them that, if they wanted the prince, they might have him, + but only tied hand and foot, and shot from a mangonel; and Edward himself, + appearing on the walls, declared that, if they wished to save his life, + they must retreat. + </p> + <p> + This violent threat went beyond the instructions of Leicester, who removed + his nephew from the keeping of this garrison, and placed him at + Kenilworth. + </p> + <p> + But Simon was made to feel that he had little control over his followers, + and especially over his wild sons, who had learnt no respect to authority + at all, and outran in their violence even the doings of the Lusignan + family. Henry de Montfort seized all the wool in England, which was sold + for his profit, while Simon and Guy fitted out a fleet and plundered the + vessels in the Channel, without distinction of English or foreigners, and + thus turned aside the popularity which Leicester had hitherto enjoyed in + London. The Barons, too, already discontented at having only changed their + masters, so as to have the mighty Montfort over them instead of the weak + Plantagenet, could not bear with the additional lawlessness of sons who + made themselves vile without restraint. A violent quarrel arose between + these youths and Earl Gilbert de Clare, who challenged them to a joust at + Dunstable; but their father, dreading fatal consequences, forbade it, and + Gloucester retired to his estates in high displeasure. + </p> + <p> + Here he was joined by his brother Thomas, who came full of descriptions of + the princely courtesy and sweetness of manner of the royal Edward, which + contrasted so strongly with the presumption of his upstart cousins that + the young Earl was brought over to concert measures with the Prince’s + friend, Roger Mortimer. + </p> + <p> + In order to overawe the Welsh borderers, who were much attached to Edward, + Simon had carried his captive to Hereford Castle, whither Thomas de Clare + now returned as his attendant, taking with him a noble steed, provided by + Mortimer, with a message that his friends would be on the alert to receive + him at a certain spot. + </p> + <p> + Edward mounted his horse, rode out with his guard, set them to race, and + looked on as umpire, till, their steeds being duly tired, he galloped off, + and the last they saw of him was far in advance meeting with a party of + spears, beneath the pennon of Mortimer. And now the Earl of Leicester + experienced that “success but signifies vicissitude.” After his reign of + one year, his fall was rapid. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Gloucester had at once joined Edward, and in vain did + Leicester use the King’s name in calling on the military tenants of the + Crown; only a small proportion of his old partisans came to his aid, and + he remained on the banks of the Severn, waiting to be joined by his son + Simon, who had been besieging Pevensey, but now marched to his aid. + </p> + <p> + On his way, young Simon summoned Winchester, but was refused admittance. + However, the treacherous monks of St. Swithin’s let in his forces through + a window of their convent on the wall, and the city was horribly sacked, + especially the Jewry. Afterward he went to the family castle of + Kenilworth, where he awaited orders from his father. A woman named Margot + informed the Prince that it was the habit of Simon and his knights to + sleep outside the walls, for the convenience of bathing in the summer + mornings; and Edward, suddenly making a night-march, fell upon them while + in the very act, and took most of them prisoners, Simon just escaping into + the castle with his pages in their shirts and drawers, all his baggage and + treasures being taken. + </p> + <p> + Ignorant of this disaster, the Earl of Leicester proceeded, in hopes of + effecting a junction with his son, and had just arrived at Evesham when + banners were seen in the distance. Nicholas, his barber, who pretended to + have some knowledge of heraldry, declared that they belonged to Sir + Simon’s troops; but the Earl, not fully satisfied, bade him mount the + church-steeple and look from thence. The affrighted barber recognized the + Lions of England, the red chevrons of De Clare, the azure bars of + Mortimer, waving over a forest of lances. + </p> + <p> + “We are dead men, my Lord,” he said, as he descended. + </p> + <p> + And truly, when the Earl beheld the marshalling of the hostile array, he + could not help exclaiming, “They have learnt this style from me! Now God + have mercy on our souls, for our bodies are the Prince’s!” + </p> + <p> + Henry, the only son who was with him, exhorted him not to despair. + </p> + <p> + “I do not, my son,” replied the Earl; “but your presumption, and the pride + of your brothers, have brought me to this pass. I firmly believe I shall + die for the cause of God and justice.” + </p> + <p> + He prayed, and received the sacrament, as he always did before going into + battle; then arrayed his troops, bringing out the poor old King, in order + to make his followers imagine themselves the Royalists. He tried in vain + to force the road to Kenilworth; then drew his troops into a compact + circle, that last resource of gallant men in extremity, such as those of + Hastings and Flodden. Their ranks were hewn down little by little, and the + Prince’s troops were pressing on, when a lamentable cry was heard, “Save + me! save me! I am Henry of Winchester!” + </p> + <p> + Edward knew the voice, and, springing to the rescue, drew out a wounded + warrior, whom he bore away to a place of safety. In his absence, + Leicester’s voice asked if quarter was given. + </p> + <p> + “No quarter for traitors,” said some revengeful Royalist; and at the same + moment Henry de Montfort fell, slain, at his father’s feet. + </p> + <p> + “By the arm of St. James, it is time for me to die!” cried the Earl; and, + grasping his sword in both hands, he rushed into the thickest of the foe, + and, after doing wonders, was struck down and slain. Terrible slaughter + was done on the “desperate ring;” one hundred and sixty knights, with all + their followers, were slain, and scarcely twelve gentlemen survived. The + savage followers of Mortimer cut off the head and hands of Leicester, and + carried the former as a present to their lady; but this was beyond the + bounds of the orders of Prince Edward, who caused the corpses of his + godfather and cousin to be brought into the abbey church of Evesham, wept + over the playfellow of his childhood, and honored the burial with his + presence. + </p> + <p> + The battle of Evesham was fought on the 4th of August, 1265, fourteen + months after the misused victory of Lewes. + </p> + <p> + So died the Earl of Leicester, termed, by the loving people of England, + “Sir Simon the Righteous”—a man of high endowments and principles of + rectitude unusual in his age. His devotion was sincere, his charities + extensive, his conduct always merciful—no slight merit in one bred + up among the savage devastators of Provence—and his household + accounts prove the order and religious principle that he enforced. His + friends were among the staunch supporters of the English Church, and, + unlike his father, who thought to merit salvation as the instrument of the + iniquities of Rome, he disregarded such injunctions and threats of hers as + disagreed with the plain dictates of conscience. Thinking for himself at + length led to contempt of lawful authority; but it was an age when the + shepherds were fouling the springs, and making their own profit of the + flock; and what marvel was it if the sheep went astray? + </p> + <p> + He was enthusiastically loved by the English, especially the commonalty, + who, excommunicate as he was, believed him a saint, imputed many miracles + to his remains, and murmured greatly that he was not canonized. + After-times may judge him as a noble character, wrecked upon great + temptations, and dying as befitted a brave and resigned man drawn into + fatal error. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “If ever, in temptation strong, + Thou left’st the right path for the wrong, + If every devious step thus trode + Still led thee further from the road, + Dread thou to speak presumptuous doom + On noble ‘Montfort’s’ lowly tomb; + But say, ‘he died a gallant knight, + With sword in hand, for England’s right.’” + </pre> + <p> + For, though the rebellion cannot be justified, it was by the efforts and + strife of this reign that Magna Charta was fixed, not as the concession + wrung for a time by force from a reluctant monarch, but as the basis of + English law. + </p> + <p> + Prince Edward, in the plenitude of his victory, did not attempt to repeal + it; but, at a parliament held at Marlborough, 1267, led his father to + accept not this only, but such of the regulations of the Barons as were + reasonable, and consistent with the rigid maintenance of the authority of + the Crown. + </p> + <p> + Evesham was the overthrow of the Montfort family. Henry was there slain + with his father—though, according to ballad lore, he had another + fate—the blow only depriving him of sight, and he being found on the + field by a “baron’s faire daughter,” she conveyed him to a place of + safety, tended him, and finally became his wife, and made him “glad father + of pretty Bessee.” For years he lived and throve (as it appears) as the + blind beggar of Bethnal Green, till his daughter, who had been brought up + as a noble lady, was courted by various suitors. On her making known, + however, that she was a beggar’s daughter, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “‘Nay, then,’ quoth the merchant, ‘thou art not for me.’ + ‘Nor,’ quoth the inn-holder, ‘my wiffe shalt thou be.’ + ‘I lothe,’ said the gentle, ‘a beggar’s degree; + And therefore adewe, my pretty Bessee.’” + </pre> + <p> + However, there was a gentle knight whose love for “pretty Bessee” was + proof against the discovery of her father’s condition and the entreaties + of his friends; and after he had satisfied her by promises not to despise + her parents, the blind beggar counted out so large a portion, that he + could not double it, and on the wedding-day the beggar revealed his own + high birth, to the general joy. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, it does not appear as if Henry de Montfort might not have + prospered without his disguise. His mother was generously treated by the + King and Prince, and retired beyond sea with her sons Amaury and Richard; + and her daughter Eleanor, and his brother Simon, a desperate and violent + man, held out Kenilworth for some months, which was with difficulty + reduced; afterward he joined his brother Guy, and wandered about the + Continent, brooding on revenge for his father’s death. + </p> + <p> + The last rebel to be overcome was the brave outlaw, Adam de Gourdon, who, + haunting Alton Wood as a robber after the death of Leicester, was sought + out by Prince Edward, subdued by his personal prowess, and led to the feet + of the King. + </p> + <p> + The brave and dutiful Prince became the real ruler of the kingdom, and + England at length reposed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXI. THE LAST OF THE CRUSADERS. (1267-1291.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1216. Henry III. + 1272. Edward I. + + <i>Kings of Scotland</i>. + 1249. Alexander III. + 1285. Margaret. + (Interregnum.) + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1226. Louis IX. + 1270. Philippe III. + 1285. Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1273. Rodolph I. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1265. Clement IV. + 1271. Gregory X. + 1276. Innocent V. + 1277. John XXI. + 1277. Nicholas III. + 1281. Martin IV. + 1285. Honorius IV. + 1288. Nicholas IV. +</pre> + <p> + A hundred and seventy years had elapsed since the hills of Auvergne had + re-echoed the cry of <i>Dieu le veult</i>, and the Cross had been signed + on the shoulders of Godfrey and Tancred. Jerusalem had been held by the + Franks for a short space; but their crimes and their indolence had led to + their ruin, and the Holy City itself was lost, while only a few + fortresses, detached and isolated, remained to bear the name of the + Kingdom of Palestine. The languishing Royal Line was even lost, becoming + extinct in Conradine, the grandson of Friedrich II. and of Yolande of + Jerusalem, that last member of the house of Hohenstaufen on whom the Pope + and Charles of Anjou wreaked their vengeance for the crimes of his + fore-fathers. Charles of Anjou, brother of St. Louis, but of utterly + dissimilar character, had seized Conradine’s kingdom of the two Sicilies, + and likewise assumed his title to that of Jerusalem, thus acquiring a + personal interest in urging on another Crusade for the recovery of + Palestine. + </p> + <p> + Less and less of that kingdom existed. Bibars, or Bendocdar Elbondukdari, + one of the Mameluke emirs, who had become Sultan of Egypt during the + confusion that followed the death of Touran Chah, was so great a warrior + that he was surnamed the Pillar of the Mussulman Religion and the Father + of Victories—titles which he was resolved to merit by exterminating + the Franks. Cesarea, Antioch, Joppa, fell into his hands in succession, + and Tripoli and Acre alone remained in the possession of the Templars and + Hospitallers, who appealed to their brethren in Europe for assistance. + </p> + <p> + The hope of a more effective crusade than his first had never been absent + from the mind of Louis IX.; he had carried it with him through court and + camp, dwelt on it while framing wise laws for his people, instructing his + nobles, or sitting to do justice beneath the spreading oak-tree of + Vincennes. Since his return from Damietta, he had always lived as one + devoted, never wearing gold on his spurs nor in his robes, and spending + each moment that he could take from affairs of state in prayer and reading + of the Scripture; and though his health was still extremely frail and + feeble, his resolution was taken. + </p> + <p> + On the 23d of March, 1267, he convoked his barons in the great hall of the + Louvre, and entered the assembly, holding in his hand that sacred relic, + the Crown of Thorns, which had been found by the Empress Helena with the + True Cross. He then addressed them, describing the needs of their Eastern + brethren, and expressing his own intention of at once taking the Cross. + There was a deep and mournful silence among his hearers, who too well + remembered the sufferings of their last campaign, and who looked with + despair at their beloved King’s worn and wasted form, so weak that he + could hardly bear the motion of a horse, and yet bent on encountering the + climate and the labors that had well-nigh proved fatal to him before. + </p> + <p> + The legate, the Cardinal Ottoboni, then made an exhortation, after which + Louis assumed the Cross, and was imitated by his three sons, Philippe, + Tristan, and Pierre, and his son-in-law, Thibault, King of Navarre, with + other knights, but in no great numbers, for the barons were saying to each + other, that it was one of the saddest days that France had ever seen. “If + we take the Cross,” they said, “we lose our King; if we take it not, we + lose our God, since we will not take the Cross for Him.” The Sire de + Joinville absolutely refused on account of his vassals, and openly + pronounced it a mortal sin to counsel the King to undertake such an + expedition in his present state of health; but Louis’ determination was + fixed, and in the course of the next three years he collected a number of + gallant young Crusaders. + </p> + <p> + He had always had a strong influence over his nephew, Edward of England, + and the conclusion of the war with Montfort, as well as a personal escape + of his own, had at this period strongly disposed the Prince to acts of + devotion. While engaged in a game at chess with a knight at Windsor + Castle, a sudden impulse seized him to rise from his seat. He had scarcely + done so, when a stone, becoming detached from the groined roof over his + head, fell down on the very spot where he had been sitting. His + preservation was attributed by him to Our Lady of Walsingham, and the + beautiful church still existing there attests the veneration paid to her + in consequence, while he further believed himself marked out for some + especial object, and eagerly embraced the proposal of accompanying the + French King on his intended voyage. + </p> + <p> + Ottoboni preached the Crusade at Northampton on the 25th of June, 1269, + after which he gave the Cross to King Henry, to the Princes Edward and + Edmund, to their cousin Henry of Almayne, son to Richard of Cornwall, and + to about one hundred and fifty knights. The King intended as little to go + on the expedition as on any of the former ones, and he soon made over his + Cross to his son. Edward, who was fully in earnest, made every arrangement + for the safety of the realm in his absence, taking with him the turbulent + Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and appointing guardians for his two + infant sons, John and Henry, in case the old King should die during his + absence. His wife, Eleanor of Castile, insisted on accompanying him; and + when the perils of the expedition were represented to her, she replied, + “Nothing ought to part those whom God hath joined together. The way to + heaven is as near, if not nearer, from Syria as from England or my native + Spain.” + </p> + <p> + The last solemnity in which Edward assisted before his departure was the + translation of the remains of Edward the Confessor to their new tomb in + Westminster Abbey, the shrine of gold and precious stones being borne upon + the shoulders of King Henry himself, after which the princes took leave of + their father, and commenced their expedition, meeting on the way their + uncle, the King of the Romans, who was bringing home a young German wife, + Beatrice von Falkmart. Embarking at Dover on the 20th of August, 1270, the + princes made all speed to hasten across France, so as to come up with + Louis, who had set sail from Aigues Mortes on the 1st of July, with his + three sons, his daughter Isabelle, and her husband the King of Navarre, + and Isabelle the wife of his eldest son Philippe, as well as a gallant + host of Crusaders. He had appointed Cagliari as the place of meeting with + Edward of England, and with his brother Charles, King of Sicily; but he + found his sojourn there inconvenient; the Pisans, who held Sardinia, were + unfriendly, provisions were scarce, and the water unwholesome, and he + became desirous of changing his quarters. + </p> + <p> + The reasons which conduced to his fatal resolution have never been clearly + ascertained: whether he was influenced by his brother, the King of Sicily, + who might reasonably wish to see the Moors of Tunis, his near neighbors, + overpowered; or whether he was drawn along by the impatience of his + forces, who were weary of inaction, and thought the plunder of any + Mahometan praiseworthy; or whether he had any hope of converting the King + of Tunis, Omar, with whom he had at one time been in correspondence. When + some ambassadors from Tunis were at his court, a converted Jew had been + baptized in their presence, and he had said to them, “Tell your master + that I am so desirous of the salvation of his soul, that I would spend the + rest of my life in a Saracen prison, and never see the light of day, if I + could render your King and his people Christians like that man.” It does + not seem improbable that Louis might have hoped that his arrival might + encourage Omar to declare himself a Christian. But be this as it might, he + sailed from Cagliari, and on the 17th of June appeared upon the coast of + Africa, close to the ruins of ancient Carthage. + </p> + <p> + All the inhabitants fled to the mountains, and the shore was deserted, so + that the French might have disembarked at once; but Louis hesitated, and + waited till the next morning, when they found the coast covered with + Moors. However, the landing proceeded, the Moors all taking flight—happily + for the Christians, for their disorder was so great, that a hundred men + might have prevented their disembarkation. A proclamation was then read, + taking possession of the territory in the name of our Lord, and of Louis, + King of France. His servant. + </p> + <p> + The spot where the army had landed was a sandy island, a league in length, + and very narrow, separated from the mainland by a channel fordable at low + water, without any green thing growing on it, and with only one spring of + fresh water, which was guarded by a tower filled with Moorish soldiers. A + hundred men would have been sufficient to dislodge them; but few horses + had been landed, and those were injured by their voyage, and the knights + could do nothing without them. The men who went in search of water were + killed by the Moorish guard, and thirst, together with the burning heat of + the sun reflected by the arid sand, caused the Christians to suffer + terribly. + </p> + <p> + As to the King of Tunis, far from fulfilling Louis’ hopes, he sent him + word that he was coming to seek him at the head of 100,000 men, and that + he would only seek baptism on the field of battle; and at the same time he + seized and imprisoned every Christian in his dominions, threatening to cut + off all their heads the instant the French should attack Tunis. + </p> + <p> + After three days’ misery in the island, the Christians advanced across the + canal, and entered a beautiful green valley, where Carthage once had + stood, full of rich gardens, watered by springs arranged for irrigation. + The Moors buzzed round them, throwing their darts, but galloping off on + their advance without doing any harm. There was a garrison in the citadel, + which was all that remained of the once mighty town; and the Genoese + mariners, supported by the cavalry, undertook to dislodge them. This was + effected, and the ruinous city was in the hands of the French. A number of + the inhabitants had hidden themselves, with their riches, in the extensive + vaults and catacombs, and, to the shame of the Crusaders, their employment + was to search these wretches out and kill them, often by filling the + vaults with smoke. + </p> + <p> + Louis had promised his brother Charles to wait for him before marching + against Tunis, and messengers daily arrived with intelligence that the + Sicilian troops were embarking; but, as the days passed on, the malaria of + the ruined city and the heat of the climate were more fatal to the French + army than would have been a lost battle. The desert winds which swept over + them were hot as flame, and brought with them clouds of sand, which + blinded the men and choked up the wells, while the water of the springs + swarmed with insects, and all vegetable food failed. Disease could not be + long wanting in such a situation, and a week after the taking of Carthage + the whole camp was full of fever and dysentery, till the living had not + strength to bury the dead, but heaped them up in the vaults and the + trenches round the camp, where their decay added to the infection of the + air. The Moors charged up to the lines, and killed the soldiers at their + posts every day; and a poet within Tunis made the menacing verses: “Frank, + knowest thou not that Tunis is the sister of Cairo? Thou wilt find before + this town thy tomb, instead of the house of Lokman; and the two terrible + angels, Munkir and Nekir, will take the place of the eunuch Sahil.” + </p> + <p> + Lokman and Sahil had been Louis’ guards in his Egyptian captivity, and the + Moorish poet contrasts them with the two angels whom the Mahometans + believed received and interrogated the dead. + </p> + <p> + As long as his strength lasted, Louis went about among the tents, + encouraging and succoring the sufferers; but nearly at the same time + himself and his two sons, Philippe and Tristan, were attacked by the + malady. On Tristan, a boy of sixteen, born in the last Crusade, the + illness made rapid progress, and the physicians judged it right to carry + him from his father’s tent and place him on board ship. His strength + rapidly gave way, and he expired soon after the transit. Louis constantly + inquired for his son, but was met by a mournful silence until the eighth + day, when he was plainly told of his death, and shed many tears, though he + trusted soon to rejoin his young champion of the Cross in a better world. + The Cardinal of Alba, the papal legate, was the next to die; and Louis’ + fever increasing, so that he could no longer attend to the government of + the army, he sent for his surviving children, Philippe and Isabelle, and + addressed to them a few words of advice, giving them each a letter written + with his own hand, in which the same instructions were more developed. + They were beautiful lessons in holy living, piety, and justice, such as + his descendant, the Dauphin, son of Louis XV., might well call his most + precious inheritance. He bids his daughter to “have one desire that should + never part from you—that is to say, how you may most please our + Lord; and set your heart on this, that, though you should be sure of + receiving no guerdon for any good you may do, nor any punishment for doing + evil, you should still keep from doing what might displease God, and seek + to do what may please Him, purely for love of Him.” He desires her, in + adornment, to incline “to the less rather than the more,” and not to have + too great increase of robes and jewels, but rather to make of them her + alms, and to remember that she was an example to others. His parting + blessing is, “May our Lord make you as good in all things as I desire, and + even more than I know how to desire. Amen.” + </p> + <p> + To her he gave two ivory boxes, containing the scourge and hair-cloth + which he used in self-discipline, and which she afterward employed for the + same purpose, though unknown even to her confessor, until she mentioned it + at her death. + </p> + <p> + To Philippe he said much of justice and mercy, desiring him always to take + part against himself, and to give the preference to the weak over the + strong. He exhorted him to be careful in bestowing the benefices of the + Church, and to keep a careful watch over his nobles and governors, lest + they should injure the clergy or the poor. To reverence in church, and to + guarded language, he also exhorted him. Indeed, Joinville records, that in + all the years that he knew the King, he never heard from him one careless + mention of the name of God, or of the saints, nor did he hear him ever + lightly speak of the devil; and in this the Seneschal so followed his + example, that a blow was given in the Castle of Joinville for every + profane word, so that he hoped the ill habit was there checked. + </p> + <p> + The good King thus concludes: “Dear son, I give thee all the blessing that + father can and ought to give to son. May God of His mercy guard and defend + thee from doing aught against His will; may He give thee grace to do His + will; so that He may be honored and served by thee; and this may our Lord + grant to me and thee by His great largesse, in such manner that, after + this mortal life, we may see and laud and love Him without end.” + </p> + <p> + His children then took leave of him, and he remained with his confessors, + after which he received the last rites of the Church, and was so fully + conscious, that he made all the responses in the penitential Psalms. When + the Host was brought in, he threw himself out of bed, and received it + kneeling on the ground, after which he refused to be replaced in bed, but + lay upon a hair-cloth strewn with ashes. This was on Sunday, at three + o’clock, and from that time, while voice lasted, he never ceased praising + God aloud, and praying for his people. “Lord God,” he often said, “give us + grace to despise earthly things, and to forget the things of this world, + so that we may fear no evil;” or, “Make Thy people holy, and watch over + them.” On Monday he became speechless; but he often looked around him <i>débonnairement</i>, + and fixed his eyes on the cross planted at the foot of his bed, while + sometimes his attendants caught a faint whisper of “O Jerusalem! + Jerusalem!” + </p> + <p> + It was the heavenly Jerusalem that was before him now; and after lying as + if asleep for half an hour, he joined his hands, saying, “Good Lord, have + mercy on the people that remain here, and bring them back to their own + land, that they may not fall into the hands of their enemies, nor be + forced to deny Thy holy name!” Soon after, “Father, into Thy hands I + commend my spirit,” and, looking up to heaven, “I will enter into Thy + house, and worship in Thy tabernacle.” + </p> + <p> + It was three o’clock in the afternoon of the 25th of August, when Louis + drew his last breath, and his chaplains were still standing round his bed + of ashes, when, the sound of trumpets fell on their ears. The Sicilian + fleet had anchored, and the troops had landed while all the French were + hanging in suspense on each report of the failing strength of their King, + and had not even watched for that long-delayed arrival. The dead silence + that met the newcomers was their first intimation of the calamity; and + when Charles of Anjou reached his brother’s tent, and saw his calm + features fixed in death, he threw himself on his knees, and bitterly + reproached himself for his tardiness in coming to his aid. + </p> + <p> + The Sicilian troops gained some advantages over the Moors, and it was + proposed to finish the enterprise St. Louis had begun; but sickness still + made great ravages in the army, and the new King, Philippe III., was so + ill, that a speedy departure could alone save his life: a peace was + therefore concluded with the Tunisians, which was hardly signed when + Edward, with his English force, arrived upon the coast. He accompanied the + melancholy remains of the French army to Trapani in Sicily, whither + misfortunes still followed them. The young wife of Philippe III. was + thrown from her horse, and died in consequence; and his sister Isabelle, + and her husband the King of Navarre, both sank under the disorders brought + from Carthage. Broken in health and spirit, Philippe resolved to desist + from the Crusade, and both he and his uncle would have persuaded the + English to do the same, since their small force alone could effect + nothing; but Edward was undaunted. “I would go,” said he, “if I had no one + with me but Fowen, my groom.” + </p> + <p> + Philippe set out on his return to France, carrying with him five coffins—those + of his father, his brother, his wife, his sister, and brother-in-law. + Henry d’Almayne took the opportunity of his escort to return to England, + since the failing health of Henry III., and of his brother Richard, made + his presence desirable. He had arrived at Viterbo, when he entered a + church to hear mass. The Host had just been elevated, when a loud voice + broke on the solemnity of the service, “Henry, thou traitor, thou shalt + not escape!” + </p> + <p> + Henry turned, and beheld his cousins, Simon and Guy de Montfort, the + latter of whom had married the daughter of the Italian Count Aldobrandini, + and was living in the neighborhood. Their daggers were raised, and Henry + was unarmed. He sprang to the altar, and the two officiating priests + interposed; but the sacrilegious Montforts killed one, and left the other + for dead, and, piercing Henry again and again, slew him at the foot of the + altar. Then going to the church-door, where their horses awaited them, one + of them said, “I have satisfied my vengeance.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” said an attendant, “was not your father dragged through the + streets of Evesham?” + </p> + <p> + At these words the savages returned, and dragged the corpse by the hair to + the door of the church, after which they rode safely off. + </p> + <p> + Henry’s body was carried home, and buried in the Abbey of Hales. His + father probably never was aware of his death, for his own took place a few + months after. + </p> + <p> + The murderers were never traced out, and the remissness on the part of + Philippe and Charles left an impression on Edward’s mind that they had + connived at the murder. Of this Philippe at least may be acquitted; he + completed his sad journey, and buried his father at St. Denis, amid the + mourning of the whole nation, and yet their exultation, for miracles were + thought to be wrought at his tomb, and the Papal authority enrolled him + among the Saints. Old Joinville was cheered by a dream, in which he beheld + him resplendent with glory, and telling him that he would not quickly + depart from him, whereupon he placed an altar in the castle chapel to his + honor, and caused a mass to be said there every day. + </p> + <p> + St. Louis’ wisdom should be judged of rather by his admirable conduct in + daily life, and in the government of his people, than by his actions in + his unfortunate Crusades, when he seemed to give up all guidance and + common sense. At home he was so prudent, just, and wise, that few kings + have ever equalled him, and even the enemies of the faith that prompted + him cannot withhold their testimony that “virtue could be pushed no + further.” + </p> + <p> + In the spring, Edward, with 300 knights, sailed for Acre, and, on arriving + here [Footnote: Edward at Acre, 1271], made an expedition to Nazareth, + where he put all the garrison to the sword. He spent the winter in Cyprus, + and returned again to Syria in the spring; but he could never collect more + than 7,000 men under his standard, and an advance on Jerusalem was + impossible. He therefore remained in his camp before Acre, while his + knights went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and, while there, he narrowly + escaped becoming a seventh royal victim, to the Crusade. + </p> + <p> + The heat of the weather had affected his health, and he was lying on his + couch, only covered with a single garment, when a messenger approached + with letters purporting to be from the Emir of Joppa. While he was reading + them, the man suddenly drew out a poniard, and was striking at his side, + when Edward, perceiving his intention, caught the blow on his arm, and + threw him to the ground by a kick on the breast. The murderer arose, and + took aim again, but had only grazed his; forehead, when the Prince dashed + out his brains with a wooden stool. The attendants rushed in, and were + beginning to make up for their negligence by blows on the corpse, when + Edward stopped them, by sternly demanding what was the use of striking a + dead man. + </p> + <p> + It is on the authority of a Spanish chronicle that we hear that Eleanor, + apprehending that the weapon had been poisoned, at once sucked the blood + from her husband’s wounds. The fear was too well founded, and Edward was + in great danger; so that his men, in their first rage, were about to put + to death all their Saracen captives, when he roused himself to prevent + them, by urging, that not only were these men innocent, but that the enemy + would retaliate upon the many Christian pilgrims absent from the army. + </p> + <p> + The Grand Master of the Templars brought a surgeon, who gave hopes of + saving the gallant English prince by cutting out the flesh around the + wound. Edward replied by bidding him work boldly, and spare not; but + Eleanor could not restrain her lamentations, till he desired his brother + Edmund to lead her from the tent, when she was carried away, struggling + and sobbing, while Edmund roughly told her that it was better she should + scream and cry, than all England mourn and lament. + </p> + <p> + The operation was safely performed, but Edward made his will, and resigned + himself to die. In fifteen days, however, he was able to mount his horse, + and nearly at the same time Eleanor gave birth to her eldest daughter, + Joan, called of Acre, whose wild, headstrong temper was little fitted to + the child of a Crusade. + </p> + <p> + The army was weakened by sickness, and Edward decided on prolonging his + stay no longer; therefore, as soon as Eleanor had recovered, he left the + Holy Land, with keen regret, and many vows to return with a greater force. + These vows were never fulfilled, nor was it well they should have been. + Acre was a nest of corruption, filled with the scum of the European + nations, and a standing proof that the Latin Christians were unworthy to + hold a foot of the hallowed ground; and in 1291, eighteen years after the + conclusion of the seventh Crusade, it was taken by the Sultan Keladun, + after a brave defence by the Templars and Hospitallers; and since that + time Palestine has remained under the Mahometan, dominion. + </p> + <p> + Louis and Edward were the last princely Crusaders, though the idea lived + on in almost every high-souled man through the Middle Ages. Henry V. and + Philip le Bon of Burgundy both schemed the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre; + and the hope that chiefly impelled the voyage of Columbus was, that his + Western discoveries might open a way to the redemption of the Holy Land. + “Remember the Holy Sepulchre!” is a cry that can never pass from the ears + of men. + </p> + <p> + Death had been busy in England as in the crusading host, and the tidings + met Edward in Sicily that his home was desolate. His kind and generous + uncle, Richard, his gentle, affectionate father, and his two young + children, had all died during his absence. The grief that the stern Edward + showed for his father’s death was so overpowering, that Charles of Sicily, + who probably had little esteem for Henry, and thought the kingdom a + sufficient consolation, marvelled that he could grieve more for an aged + father than for two promising sons. “The Lord, who gave me these, can give + me other children,” said Edward; “but a father can never be restored!” + </p> + <p> + Before his return to England, Edward obtained from Pope Gregory X. justice + upon the murderers of Henry d’Almayne. Simon was dead, but Guy was + declared incapable of inheriting or possessing property, or of filling any + office of trust, and was excommunicated and outlawed. After Edward had + left Italy, the unhappy man ventured to meet the Pope at Florence in his + shirt, with a halter round his neck, and implored that his sentence might + be changed to imprisonment. The Pope had pity on him, and, after a + confinement of eleven years, he was liberated, and returned to his wife’s + estates. He afterward was taken prisoner in the wars in Sicily, but his + subsequent fate does not appear. + </p> + <p> + The history of the last of the Crusaders must not be quitted without + mentioning that the scene of St. Louis’ death is now in the hands of the + French, and that the spot has been marked by a chapel erected by his + descendant, Louis Philippe; and that our own Edward sleeps in his father’s + church of Westminster, beneath a huge block, unornamented indeed, but of + the same rock as the hills of Palestine; nay, it is believed that it is + probably one of those great stones whereof it was said; that not one + should remain on another. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXII. The CYMRY. (B.C. 66 A.D. 1269.) + </h2> + <p> + In ancient times the whole of Europe seems to have been inhabited by the + Keltic nation, until they were dispossessed by the more resolute tribes of + Teuton origin, and driven to the extreme West, where the barrier of rugged + hills that guards the continent from the Atlantic waves has likewise + protected this primitive race from extinction. + </p> + <p> + Cym, or Cyn, denoting in their language “first,” was the root of their + name of Cymry, applied to the original tribe, and of which we find traces + across the whole map of Europe, beginning from the Cimmerian Bosphorus, + going on to the Cimbri, conquered by Marius, while in our own country we + still possess Cumberland and Cambria, the land inhabited by the Cymry. + </p> + <p> + The Gael, another pure Keltic tribe, who followed the Cymry, have bestowed + more names, as living more near to the civilized world, and being better + known to history. Even in Asia Minor, a settlement of them had been called + Galatians, and the whole tract from the north of Italy to the Atlantic + was, to the Romans, Gallia. The name still survives in the Cornouailles of + Brittany and the Cornwall of England (both meaning the horn of Gallia), in + Gaul, in Galles, in the Austrian and Spanish Galicias, in the Irish Galway + and the Scottish Galloway, while the Gael themselves are still a people in + the Highlands. + </p> + <p> + Mingling with the Teutons, though receding before them, there was a third + tribe, called usually by the Teuton word “<i>Welsh</i>” meaning strange; + and these, being the first to come in contact with the Romans, were termed + by them Belgae. The relics of this appellation are found in the German + “Welschland,” the name given to Italy, because the northern part of that + peninsula had a Keltic population, in Wallachia, in the Walloons of the + Netherlands, who have lately assumed the old Latinized name of Belgians, + and in the Welsh of our own Wales. + </p> + <p> + This last was the region, scarcely subdued by the Romans, where the Cymry + succeeded in maintaining their independence, whilst the Angles and Saxons + gained a footing in the whole of the eastern portion of Britain. The + Britons were for the most part Christian, and partly civilized by the + Romans; but there was a wild element in their composition, and about the + time of the departure of the Roman legions there had been a reaction + toward the ancient Druidical religion, as if the old national faith was to + revive with the national independence. The princes were extremely savage + and violent, and their contemporary historian, Gildas, gives a melancholy + account of their wickedness, not even excepting the great Pendragon, + Arthur, in spite of his twelve successful battles with the Saxons. Merlin, + the old, wild soothsayer of romance, seems to have existed at this period + under the name of Merddyn-wilt, or the Wild, and bequeathed dark sayings + ever since deemed prophetic, and often curiously verified. + </p> + <p> + Out of the attempt to blend the Druid philosophy with Christianity arose + the Pelagian heresy, first taught by Morgan, or Pelagius, a monk of + Bangor, and which made great progress in Wales even after its refutation + by St. Jerome. It was on this account that St. Germain preached in Wales, + and produced great effect. The Pelagians gave up their errors, and many + new converts were collected to receive the rite of baptism at Mold, in + Flintshire, when a troop of marauding enemies burst, on them. The + neophytes were unarmed and in their white robes, but, borne up by the + sense of their new life, they had no fears for their body, and with one + loud cry of “Hallelujah!” turned, with the Bishop at their head, to meet + the foe. The enemy retreated in terror; and the name of Maes Garman still + marks the scene of this bloodless victory. + </p> + <p> + After this the heresy died away, but the more innocent customs of the + Druids continued, and the system of bards was carried on, setting apart + the clergy, the men of wisdom, and the poets, by rites derived from + ancient times. Be it observed, that a Christian priest was not necessarily + of one of the Druidical or Bardic orders, although this was generally + preferred. Almost all instructions were still oral, and, for convenience + of memory, were drawn up in triads, or verses of three—a mystic + number highly esteemed. Many of these convey a very deep philosophy. For + instance, the three unsuitable judgments in any person whatsoever: The + thinking himself wise—the thinking every other person unwise—the + thinking all he likes becoming in him. Or the three requisites of poetry: + An eye that can see Nature—a heart that can feel Nature—a + resolution that dares to follow Nature. And the three objects of poetry: + Increase of goodness—increase of understanding—increase of + delight. + </p> + <p> + Such maxims were committed to the keeping of the Bards, who were admitted + to their office after a severe probation and trying initiatory rites, + among which the chief was, that they should paddle alone, in a little + coracle, to a shoal at some distance from the coast of Caernarvonshire—a + most perilous voyage, supposed to be emblematic both of the trials of Noah + and of the troubles of life. Afterward the Bard wore sky-blue robes, and + was universally honored, serving as the counsellor, the herald, and the + minstrel of his patron. The domestic Bard and the chief of song had their + office at the King’s court, with many curious perquisites, among which was + a chessboard from the King. The fine for insulting the Bard was 6 cows and + 120 pence; for slaying him, 126 cows. With so much general respect, and + great powers of extemporizing, the Bards were well able to sway the + passions of the nation, and greatly contributed to keep up the fiery + spirit of independence which the Cymry cherished in their mountains. + </p> + <p> + When the Saxons began to embrace Christianity, and Augustine came on his + mission from Rome, the Welsh clergy, who had made no attempts at + converting their enemies, looked on him with no friendly eyes. He brought + claims, sanctioned by Gregory the Great, to an authority over them + inconsistent with that of the Archbishop of Caerleon; and the period for + observing Easter was, with them, derived from the East, and differed by + some weeks from that ordained by the Roman Church. An old hermit advised + the British clergy, who went to meet Augustine, to try him by the test of + humility, and according as he should rise to greet them, or remain seated, + to listen to his proposals favorably or otherwise. Unfortunately, + Augustine retained his seat: they rejected his plans of union; and he told + them that, because they would not preach to the Angles the way of life, + they would surely at their hands suffer death. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after, the heathen king, Ethelfrith, attacked Brocmail, the Welsh + prince of Powys, who brought to the field 1,200 monks of Bangor to pray + for his success. The heathens fell at once on the priests, and, before + they could be protected, slew all except fifty; and this, though the Welsh + gained the victory, was regarded by the Saxon Church as a judgment, and by + the Welsh, unhappily, as a consequence of Augustine’s throat. The hatred + became more bitter than ever, and the Welsh would not even enter the same + church with the Saxons, nor eat of a meal of which they had partaken. + </p> + <p> + Cadwallader, the last of the Pendragons, was a terrible enemy to the kings + of Mercia and Northumbria, and with him the Cymry consider that their + glory ended. Looking on themselves for generation after generation as the + lawful owners of the soil, and on the Saxons as robbers, they showed no + mercy in their forays, and inflicted frightful cruelties on their + neighbors on the Marches. Offa’s curious dyke, still existing in + Shropshire, was a bulwark raised in the hope of confining them within + their own bounds: + </p> + <p> + “That Offa (when he saw his countries go to wrack), From bick’ring with + his folk, to keep the Britons back, Cast up that mightly mound of eighty + miles in length, Athwart from sea to sea.” + </p> + <p> + The Danish invasions, by ruining the Saxons, favored the Welsh; and + contemporary with Alfred lived Roderic Mawr, or the Great, who had his + domains in so peaceful a state, that Alfred turned thither for aid in his + revival of learning, and invited thence to his court his bosom friend + Asser, the excellent monk and bard. Roderic divided his dominions—Aberfraw, + or North Wales, Dinasvawr, or South Wales, and Powys, or Shropshire—between + his three sons; but they became united again under his grandson, Howell + Dha, the lawgiver of Wales. + </p> + <p> + Actuated perhaps by the example of Alfred, Howell collected his clergy and + bards at his hunting-lodge at Tenby, a palace built of peeled rods, and + there, after fasting and praying for inspiration, the collective wisdom of + the kingdom compiled a body of laws, which the King afterward carried in + person to Rome to receive the confirmation of the Pope; and much edified + must the Romans have been if they chanced to glance over the code, since, + besides many wise and good laws, it regulated the minute etiquettes and + perquisites of the royal household. If any one should insult the King, the + fine was to be, among other valuables, a golden dish as broad as the royal + face, and as thick as the nail of a husbandman who has been a husbandman, + seven years. Each officer’s distance from the royal fire was regulated, + and even the precedence of each officer’s horse in the stable—proving + plainly the old saying, that the poorer and more fiery is a nation, the + more precise is their point of honor. It seems to have been in his time, + as a more enlightened prince, that the Welsh conformed their time of + keeping Easter to that of the rest of the Western Church. But Howell was + no longer independent of the English: he had begun to pay a yearly tribute + of dogs, horses, and hawks, to Ethelstane, and the disputes that followed + his death brought the Welsh so much lower, that Edgar the Peaceable easily + exacted his toll of wolves’ heads; and Howell of North Wales was one of + the eight royal oarsmen who rowed the Emperor of Britain to the Minster of + St. John, on the river Dee. + </p> + <p> + The Welsh had destroyed all their wolves before the close of Dunstan’s + regency, and Ethelred the Unready not being likely to obtain much respect, + the tribute was discontinued, until the marauding Danes again exacted it + under another form and title of “Tribute of the Black Army.” + </p> + <p> + Fierce quarrels of their own prevented the Welsh from often taking + advantage of the disturbances of England. As in Ireland, the right of + gavelkind was recognized; yet primogeniture was also so far regarded as to + make both claims uncertain; and the three divisions of Wales were + constantly being first partitioned, and then united, by some prince who + ruled by the right of the strongest, till dethroned by another, who, to + prove his right of birth, carried half his genealogy in his patronymic. + </p> + <p> + Thus Llewellyn ap Sithfylht, under whom “the earth brought forth double, + the cattle increased in great number, and there was neither beggar nor + poor man from the South to the North Sea,” was slain in battle, in 1021, + by Howell ap Edwin ap Eneon ap Owayn ap Howell Dha, who reigned over South + Wales till the son of Llewellyn, or, rather, Gryflyth ap Llewellyn ap + Sithfylht ap, &c., coming to age, dispossessed him, and gained all + Wales. It was this Gryffyth who received and sheltered Fleance, the son of + Banquo, when flying from Macbeth, and gave him in marriage his daughter + Nesta, who became the mother of Walter, the ancestor of the line of kings + shadowed in Macbeth’s mirror. + </p> + <p> + In the early part of Gryffyth’s reign, the Welsh flourished greatly. Earl + Godwin, in his banishment, made friends with him, and, favored by Saxon + treachery, he overran Herefordshire, and pillaged the cathedral. But, + after Godwin’s death, Harold, as Earl of Wessex, deemed it time to repress + these inroads, and, training his men to habits of diet and methods of + warfare that rendered them as light and dexterous as the wild + mountaineers, he pursued them into their own country, and burnt the palace + and ships at Rhuddlan, while Gryffyth was forced to take refuge in one of + his vessels. + </p> + <p> + Harold set up a pillar with the inscription, “Here Harold conquered;” and + the Welsh gave hostages, and promised to pay tribute, while Harold erected + a hunting-seat in Monmouthshire, and made an ordinance that any Welshman + seen bearing weapons beyond Offa’s dyke should lose his right hand. + Welshwomen might marry Englishmen, but none of the highborn Cymry might + aspire to wed an Englishwoman. Hating the prince under whom they had come + to so much disgrace, the Welsh themselves captured poor Gryffyth, and sent + his head, his hands, and the beak of his ship, to Edward the Confessor, + from whom they accepted the appointment of three of their native princes + to the three provinces. + </p> + <p> + Thus the strength of Wales was so far broken, that William the Conqueror + had only to bring a force with him, under pretext of a pilgrimage to the + shrine of St. David, to obtain the submission of the princes; and, in + fact, the Cymry found the Norman nobles far more aggressive neighbors than + the Angles had been since their first arrival in Britain. + </p> + <p> + The mark, or frontier, once the kingdom of Mercia, was now called the + March of Wales, where the Norman knights began to effect settlements, by + the right of the strongest, setting up their impregnable castles, round + which the utmost efforts of the Welsh were lost. Martin de Tours was one + of the first, and his glittering host of mail-clad men so overawed the + inhabitants of Whitchurch that they readily submitted, and he quietly + established himself in their bounds, treating them, as it appears, with + more fairness and friendliness than was then usual. He was a great + chess-player, and the sport descended from father to son, even among the + peasantry of Whitchurch, who long after were most skilful in the game. + </p> + <p> + Hugh Lupus, the fierce old Earl of Chester, was likewise a Lord Marcher, + and had, like the Bishop of Durham, the almost royal powers of a Count + Palatine, because, dwelling on the frontier, it was necessary that the + executive power should be prompt and absolute. Indeed, the Lords Marchers, + as these border barons were called, lived necessarily in a state of + warfare, which made it needful to entrust them with greater powers than + their neighbors, around whom they formed a sort of <i>cordon</i>, to + protect them from the forays of the half-savage Welsh. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-one baronies were formed in this manner along the March of Wales, + which constantly travelled toward the west. Robert Fitzaymon, by an + alliance with one Welsh chief, dispossessed another of Glamorgan, which he + left to his daughter Amabel, the wife of Earl Robert of Gloucester; and + Gilbert de Clare, commonly called Strongbow (the father of the Irish + Conqueror), obtained a grant from Henry I. of Chepstow and Pembroke, but + had to fight hard for the lands which had more lawful owners. In and out + among these Lords Marchers, and making common cause with them, were + settlements of Flemings. Flanders, that commercial state where + cloth-weaving first flourished as a manufacture, had suffered greatly from + the inundations of the sea, and the near connection subsisting between the + native princes and the sons of the Conqueror had led to an intercourse, + which ended in the weavers, who had lost their all, being invited by Henry + I. to take up their abode in Pembrokeshire, where they carried on their + trade while defending themselves against the Welsh, and thus first + commenced the manufactures of England. Resolute in resistance, though not + rash nor aggressive, and of industrious habits, they acted as a great + protection to the English counties, and down even to the time of Charles + I. they had a language of their own. + </p> + <p> + Owayn ap Gwynned, King of Aberfraw, or North Wales, had many wars with + Henry II.; and, uniting with the bard king, Owayn Cyvelioc, of Powysland, + did fearful damage to the English, which Henry attempted to revenge by an + incursion into Merionethshire; but though he gained a battle at Ceiroc, he + was forced to retreat through the inhospitable country, his troops + harassed by the weather, and cut off by the Welsh, who swarmed on the + mountains, so that his army arrived at Chester in a miserable state. He + had many unfortunate hostages in his hands, the children of the noblest + families, and on these he wreaked a cowardly vengeance, cutting off the + noses and ears of the maidens, and putting out the eyes of the boys. + </p> + <p> + Well might Becket, in his banishment, exclaim, on hearing such tidings, + “His wise men are become fools; England reels and stagers like a drunken + man.” + </p> + <p> + “You will never subdue Wales, unless Heaven be against them,” said an old + hermit to the King. + </p> + <p> + However, Henry had been carried by a frightened horse over a ford, of + which the old prophecies declared that, when it should be crossed by a + freckled king, the power of the Cymry should fall, and this superstition + took away greatly from satisfaction in the victory. The Welsh princes were + becoming habituated to the tribute, and in 1188, under pretext of + preaching a Crusade, Archbishop Baldwin came into Wales, and asserted the + long-disputed supremacy of Canterbury over the Welsh bishopries. He was + attended by Gerald Barry, or Giraldus Cambrensis, a half-Norman half-Welsh + ecclesiastic, who was one of the chief historians of the period, and had + the ungracious office of tutor to Prince John. + </p> + <p> + When Owayn ap Gwynned died, in 1169, the kingdom of Aberfraw, or North + Wales, was reduced to the isle of Anglesea and the counties of Merioneth + and Caernarvon, with parts of Denbigh and Cardigan. A great dispute broke + out for the succession. Jorwarth, the oldest son, was set aside because he + had a broken nose; and Davydd, the eldest son by a second wife, seized the + inheritance, and slew all the brethren save one, named Madoc, who sailed + away to the West in search of new regions. Several years after, he again + made his appearance in Aberfraw, declaring that he had found a pleasant + country, and was come to collect colonists, with whom, accordingly, he + departed, and returned no more. Many have believed that his Western Land + was no other than America, and on this supposition Drayton speaks of him, + in the “Polyolbion,” as having reached the great continent “Ere the + Iberian powers had found her long-sought bay, or any western ear had heard + the sound of Florida.” + </p> + <p> + Southey has, in his poem, made Madoc combine with the Aztecs in the + settlement of Mexico, but traces were said to be found of habits and + countenances resembling those of the Welsh among the Indians of the + Missouri; and, in our own days, the traveller Mr. Buxton was struck by + finding the Indians of the Rocky Mountains weaving a fabric resembling the + old Welsh blanket. If this be so, Christianity and civilization must have + died out among Madoc’s descendants: but the story is one of the exciting + riddles of history, such as the similar one of the early Norwegian + discovery of America. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXIII. THE ENGLISH JUSTINIAN. (1272-1292.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1272. Edward I. + + <i>Kings of Scotland</i>. + 1249. Alexander III. + 1285. Margaret. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1270. Philippe III. + 1235. Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1273. Rodolph I. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1271. Gregory X. + 1276. Innocent V. + 1277. John XXI. + 1277. Nicholas III. + 1281. Martin IV. + 1288. Nicholas IV. +</pre> + <p> + Never was coronation attended by more outward splendor or more heartfelt + joy than was that of Edward I. and Eleanor of Castile, when, fresh from + the glory of their Crusade, they returned to their kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Edward was the restorer of peace after a lengthened civil strife; his + prowess was a just subject of national pride, and the affection of his + subjects was further excited by the perils he had encountered. Not only + had he narrowly escaped the dagger of the Eastern assassin, but while at + Bordeaux, during his return, while the royal pair were sitting on the same + couch, a flash of lightning had passed between them, leaving them + uninjured, but killing two attendants who stood behind them. At + Châlons-sur-Marne he had likewise been placed in great danger by + treachery. The Count de Châlons had invited him to a tournament, and he + had accepted, contrary to the advice of the Pope, who warned him of evil + designs; but he declared that no king ever refused such a challenge, and + arrived at Châlons with a gallant following. The Pope’s suspicions were + verified; the Count, after breaking a lance with the King, made a sudden, + unchivalrous attack on him, throwing his arms round his body, and striving + to hurl him from the saddle; but Edward sat firm as a rock, and, touching + his horse with his spur, caused it to bound forward, dragging the Count to + the ground, where he lay, encumbered with his heavy armor; and Edward, + after harmlessly ringing on the steel with his sword, forced him to + surrender to an archer, as one unworthy to be reckoned a knight. A fight + had, in the meantime, taken place between the attendants on either side, + and so many of the men of the French party were killed, that the fray was + termed the Little Battle of Châlons. + </p> + <p> + Two years had elapsed since the death of King Henry, when, on the 18th of + August, 1274, the city of London welcomed their gallant, crusading King. + The rejoicings attested both his popularity and the prosperity which his + government had restored, for each house along the streets was decked with + silk and tapestry hangings, the aldermen showered handfuls of gold and + silver from their windows, and the fountains flowed with white and red + wine. The King rode along the streets, in the pride of manhood, + accompanied by his beautiful and beloved Eleanor; by his brother Edmund + and his young wife, Eveline of Lancaster; his sister Margaret and her + husband, Alexander II., the excellent King of Scotland; the young Princess + Eleanor, a girl of eleven, who alone survived of the children left in + England, and her infant brother Alfonso, who had been born at Maine, and + was looked on as heir to the throne. The Princess, Joan of Acre, was left + with her grandmother, the Queen of Castile. + </p> + <p> + The two kings, the princes, and nobles, on arriving at Westminster Abbey, + released their gallant steeds to run loose among the people, a free gift + to whoever should be able to catch them; for Edward had learnt from his + kindly father that the poor should have a plenteous share in all his + festivities. + </p> + <p> + There stood the West Minster on the bank of the Thames, rising amid green + fields and trees, at a considerable distance from the walled city, and + only connected with it by here and there a convent or church. Still + incomplete, the two fair towers showed the fresh creaminess of new + stonework, their chiselings and mouldings as yet untouched by time, + unsoiled by smoke, when Edward and his five hundred bold vassals sprang + from their steeds before the gates. + </p> + <p> + Among the train came a captive. Gaston de Monçda, Count de Béarn, one of + his Gascon vassals, had offended against him, and appealing to the + suzerain, the King of France, had been by him delivered up to Edward’s + justice, and was forced to ride in the gorgeous procession with a halter + round his neck. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Archbishop Kilwardby had anointed and crowned the King and + Queen, and the barons offered their homage, the unfortunate culprit came + forward on his knees to implore pardon, and Edward graced his coronation + by an act of clemency, restoring Gaston fully to his lands and honors, and + winning him thus to be his friend forever. + </p> + <p> + The royal banquet was held in Westminster Hall, and far beyond it. Wooden + buildings had been erected with openings at the top to let out the smoke, + and here, for a whole fortnight, cooking and feasting went on without + intermission. Every comer, of every degree, was made welcome, and enjoyed + the cheer, the pageantries, and the religious ceremonies of the + coronation. Three hundred and eighty head of cattle, four hundred and + thirty sheep, four hundred and fifty swine, besides eighteen wild boars, + and two hundred and seventy-eight flitches of bacon, with poultry to the + number of 19,660, were only a part of the provisions consumed. + </p> + <p> + However, the country still felt the effects of the lawless reign of Henry + III., and Edward’s first care was to set affairs on a more regular + footing. He sent commissioners to inquire into the title-deeds by which + all landed proprietors held their estates, and, wherever these were + defective, exacted, a fee for freshly granting them. The inquisition might + be expedient, considering the late condition of the nation, but the King’s + own impoverished exchequer caused it to be carried on ungraciously, and + great offence was given. When called on to prove his claims, the Earl + Warrenne drew his sword, saying, “This is the instrument by which I hold + my lands, and by the same I mean to defend them. Our forefathers, who came + in with William, the Bastard, acquired their lands by their good swords. + He did not conquer alone; they were helpers and sharers with him.” The + stout Earl’s title was truly found amply sufficient!’ + </p> + <p> + Not so was it with the Jews, who inhabited England in great numbers, and + were found through purchase, usury, or mortgage, to have become possessors + of various estates, which conferred on them the power of appearing on + juries, of, in some cases, presenting to church benefices, and of the + wardship of vassals. This was a serious grievance; and the King interfered + by decreeing that, in every instance, the lands should be restored either + to the original heirs on repayment of the original loan, or disposed of to + other Christians on the same terms. The King was, by long custom of the + realm, considered the absolute master of the life and property of every + Jew in his dominions, so that he was thought to be only taking his own + when he exacted sums from them, or forced them to pay him a yearly rate + for permission to live in his country and to act as money-lenders. Edward + thus believed himself to be making a sacrifice for the general good when + he forbade the Jews ever to lend money on usury, and in compensation + granted them permission to trade without paying toll; and he further took + the best means he could discover for procuring the conversion of this + people. The Friars Preachers were commanded to instruct them, and the + royal bailiffs to compel their attendance on this teaching; every favor + was shown to proselytes, and a hospital was built for the support of the + poorer among them, and maintained by the poll-tax obtained from their race + by the King. Should a Jew be converted, the King at once gave up his claim + to his property, only stipulating that half should go to support this + foundation. One young maiden, child of a wealthy Jew of London, on being + converted, became a godchild of Edward’s eldest daughter, Eleanor, whose + name she received; and she was shortly after married to the Count de la + Marcho, the King’s cousin, and one of the noble line of Lusignan—a + plain proof that in the royal family there was not the loathing for the + Israelite race that existed in Spain. + </p> + <p> + The Jews were obliged to wear a distinctive mark on their dress—a + yellow fold of cloth cut in the form of the two tables of the Law; and, + thus distinguished, often became a mark for popular odium, which fastened + every accusation upon them, from the secret murder of Christian children + to the defacing of the King’s coin. There was, in fact, a great quantity + of light money in circulation, and as halfpence and farthings were + literally what their name declares—silver pennies cut into halves + and quarters—it was easy for a thief to help himself to a portion of + the edge. However, Edward called in these mutilated pieces, and issued a + coinage of halfpence and farthings—that which raised the delusive + hopes of the Welsh. The clipping became more evident than ever, and the + result was an order, that all suspected of the felony should be arrested + on the same day. Jews, as well as Christians were seized; the possession + of the mutilated coin was taken as a proof of guilt; and in 1279, after a + trial that occupied some months, and in which popular prejudice would + doubtless make the case strong against the Jews, two hundred and eighty + persons, male and female, were hanged on the same day; after which a + pardon was proclaimed. + </p> + <p> + The English nation continued to hold the Jews in detestation, which was + regarded as a religious duty, and, year after year, petitioned the King to + drive them out of his dominions; but his patience was sustained by + continual gifts from the persecuted race until the year 1287, when, for + some unknown offence, he threw into prison the whole of them in his + dominions, up to the number of 15,000; and though their release was + purchased by a gift of £12,000, in 1290, their sentence of banishment was + pronounced. He permitted them to carry away their property with them, and + sent his officers to protect them from injury or insult in their + embarkation; but in some instances the sailors, who hated their freight, + threw them overboard, and seized their treasures. These murders, when + proved, were punished with death; but it was hard to gain justice for a + Jew against a Christian: and the edict of banishment was regarded by the + nation as such a favor, that the King was rewarded by a grant of a tenth + from the clergy and a fifteenth from the laity. + </p> + <p> + The merchants had earlier given him a large subsidy as a return for the + treaty which he had made in their favor with Flanders, which derived its + wool from England. Edward was very anxious to promote manufactures here, + and had striven to do so by forbidding the importation of foreign cloth; + but this not succeeding, the mutual traffic was placed on a friendly + footing. There was violent jealousy of foreigners among the English, and + it was only in Edward’s time that merchants of other countries were + allowed to settle in England, and then only under heavy restrictions. + </p> + <p> + Edward I. was the sovereign who, more than any other since Alfred, + contributed to bring the internal condition of England into a state of + security for life and limb. Robberies and murders had become frightfully + common; so much so, that the Statute of Winton, in 1285, enacted that no + ditch, bush, or tree, capable of hiding a man, should be left within two + hundred feet of any highway. If anything like this had been previously in + force, it was no wonder that Davydd of Wales objected to having a road + made through his forest. + </p> + <p> + In all walled towns the gates were to be kept shut from sunset to sunrise, + and any stranger found at large after dark was liable to be seized by the + watch; nor could he find lodging at night unless his host would be his + surety. Thieves seem to have gone about in bands, so that their capture + was a matter of danger and difficulty, and therefore, on the alarm of a + felony, every man was to issue forth with armor according to his degree, + and raise the hue and cry from town to town till the criminal was seized + and delivered to the sheriff. The whole hundred was answerable for his + capture—a remnant of the old Saxon law, and a most wise regulation, + since it rendered justice the business of every man, and also accustomed + the peasantry to the use of arms, the great cause of the English + victories. Judges were first appointed to go on circuit in the year 1285, + when they were sent into every shire two or three times a year to hold a + general jail delivery. But Edward had to form his judges as well as his + constitution, for, in 1289, he discovered that the whole bench were in the + habit of receiving bribes, from the Grand Justiciary downward: whereupon + he threw them all into the Tower, banished the chief offenders, degraded + and fined the rest, and caused future judges to be sworn to take neither + gift nor fee, only to accept as much as a breakfast, provided there was no + excess. + </p> + <p> + Still, the jurymen, [Footnote: On Thomas á Becket’s last journey to + Canterbury, Raoul de Broc’s followers had cut off the tails of his + pack-horses. It was a vulgar reproach to the men of Kent that the outrage + had been punished by the growth of the same appendage on the whole of the + inhabitants of the county; and, whereas the English populace applied the + accusation to the Kentishmen, foreigners extended it to the whole nation + when in a humor for insult and abuse, such as that of this unhappy + prince.] who were as much witnesses as what we now call jurors, were often + liable to be beaten and maltreated in revenge, and officers, called + “justices of <i>trailebaston”</i> were sent to search out the like + offences, which they did with success and good-will; and in, order that + speedy justice might be done in cases of minor importance, local + magistrates were appointed, the commencement of our present justices of + the peace. They were at first chosen by the votes of the freeholders, but + in Edward III.‘s time began to be nominated by the Crown. + </p> + <p> + Robert Burnel, the Chancellor, Bishop of Bath and Wells, probably had a + great share in these enactments. He was a better Chancellor than Bishop, + but he left to his see the beautiful episcopal palace still in existence + at Wells. He also built a splendid castle at his native place, Acton + Burnel, where some of the early Parliaments were held. + </p> + <p> + These Parliaments were only summoned by Edward I. when in great want of + money, for in general he raised the needful sums by gifts and talliages, + and only in cases of unusual pressure did he call on his subjects for + further aid. Four knights were chosen from each shire, and two burgesses + [Footnote: For a lively picture of a trial of the thirteenth century, see + Sir F. Palgrave’s “Merchant and Friar.”] from every town, of consequence; + and, besides, bishops and the barons, who had their seats by their rank; + but the two houses were not always divided:—except, indeed, that + sometimes the Northern representatives met at York, the Southern at + Northampton, and the county palatine of Durham had a little parliament to + itself. Serving in Parliament was expensive and unpopular, and the sheriff + of the county had not only to preside over the election of the member, but + to send him safe to the place of meeting; and often the Commons broke up + as soon as they had granted the required sum, leaving the Lords to + deliberate on the laws, or to bring grievances before the King, such + things being quite beyond their reach. + </p> + <p> + It was a time of great prosperity to the whole country, and such internal + tranquillity had scarcely prevailed since the time of Henry II., when the + difference between Saxon and Norman was far less smoothed down than at + present, and the feudal system weighed far more heavily. + </p> + <p> + Splendid castles were built, the King setting the example, and making more + arrangements for comfort in the interior than had yet been ventured upon; + and sacred architecture came to the highest perfection it has ever + attained. + </p> + <p> + Wherever we find a portion of our cathedrals with deep mouldings in + massive walls, slender columns of darker marble standing detached from + freestone piers, sharply-pointed arches, capitals of rich foliage folding + over the hollow formed by their curve, and windows either narrow lancet, + or with the flowing lines of flamboyant tracery, there we are certain to + hear that this part was added in the thirteenth century. + </p> + <p> + Edward gave liberally to the Church, especially to the order of Dominican, + or Preaching Friars; but it was found that in some instances the clergy + had worked on men’s consciences to obtain from them the bequest of lands + to the injury of their heirs, and a statute was therefore passed to + prevent such legacies from being valid unless they received the sanction + of the Crown. This was called the Statute of <i>Mortmain</i>, or Dead + Hands, because the framers of the act considered the hands of the monastic + orders as dead and unprofitable. + </p> + <p> + Even the world itself could hardly award the meed of unprofitable to the + studies of Roger Bacon, a native of Ilchester, born in 1214, who, after + studying at Oxford and at Paris, became a member of the Franciscan, or + Minorite Friars, and settled again at Oxford, where he pursued his studies + under the patronage of Bishop Robert Grostête. He made himself a perfect + master of Greek in order to understand Aristotle in the original, and + working on by himself he proceeded far beyond any chemist of his time in + discoveries in natural philosophy. Grostête and the more enlightened men + of the university provided him with means to carry on his experiments, + and, in twenty years he had expended no less than £2,000: but not without + mighty results; for he ascertained the true length of the solar year, made + many useful discoveries in chemistry and medicine, and anticipated many of + the modern uses of glass, learning the powers of convex and concave lenses + for the telescope, microscope, burning-glasses, and the camera obscura. + </p> + <p> + Above all, he was the inventor of gunpowder, the compound which was + destined to change the whole character of warfare and the destiny of + nations. But he was too much in advance of his time to be understood, and + the friars of his order, becoming terrified by his experiments, decided + that he was a magician, and after the death of his friend Grostête, kept + him in close confinement, and only permitted one copy of his works to pass + out of the monastery, and this, which was sent to the Pope, Clement IV., + procured his liberation. A few years after, the General of the + Franciscans, again taking fright, imprisoned him once more, and this + lasted eleven or twelve years; but Pope Nicholas IV. again released him, + and neither age nor imprisonment could break down his energy; he continued + steadily to pursue his discoveries, and add a further polish to his + various works, till his death, in 1292. Little as he was appreciated, he + left a strong impression on the popular mind. + </p> + <p> + Tradition declares that he constructed a huge head of brass, which uttered + the words, “Time is! Time was! Time will be!” and has connected this with + Brazen-Nose College, which, not having been founded till one hundred years + after, must in that case, as Fuller says, make time to be again. + </p> + <p> + He is a hero of the popular chap-books of old times, where he and his + associate, Friar Bungay, are represented as playing tricks on his servant + Miles, and as summoning the spirits of Julius Caesar and Hercules for the + edification of the kings of France and England, from whom, however, he + would accept no reward. Legends vary between his being flown away with + bodily by demons, and his making a grand repentance, when he confessed + that knowledge had been a heavy burden, that kept down good thoughts, + burnt his books, parted with his goods, and caused himself to be walled up + in a cell in the church and fed through a hole, and finally dug his grave + with his own nails! Thus, probably, has ignorant tradition perverted the + sense that coming death would surely bring, that earthly knowledge is but + vanity. + </p> + <p> + Still worse has fared his friend, Michael Scott of Balwirie, called by the + learned the Mathematician, by the unlearned, the Wizard. After the usual + course of university learning at Oxford and Paris, he went to Italy, where + he gained the patronage of the Emperor Friedrich II. He was learned in + Greek and in Arabic, and an excellent mathematician, but he bewildered + himself with alchemy and astrology; and, though he died unmolested in his + own country, in 1290 his fame remained in no good odor. Dante describes + him among those whose faces were turned backward, because they had refused + to turn the right way: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Michele Scotto fu, che veramente + De le magiche frode seppe il gioco.” + </pre> + <p> + In Scotland marvellous tales were current of him, and his own clansman, + Sir Walter, in his lay, has spread the mysterious tale of the Wizard and + his mighty book far and wide. + </p> + <p> + It was a period of very considerable learning among the studious among the + clergy in all countries, and every art of peace was making rapid progress + in England, under the fostering care of the King and Queen. No sovereign + was more respected in Europe than Edward; his contemporary, Dante, cites + him as an instance of a gallant son of a feeble parent: and he was often + called on as the arbiter of disputes, as when the kings of Arragon and + France defied each other to a wager of battle, to take place in his + dominions in Southern France, which combat, however, never took place. He + was a most faithful and affectionate husband and indulgent father, and the + household rolls afford evidences of the kindly intercourse between him and + his numerous daughters, judging by the interchange of gifts between them. + Eleanor, the eldest, who as princess could only give a gold ring, when + Duchesse de Bar brought as a Christmas-gift a leathern dressing-case, + containing a comb, a mirror silver-gilt, and a silver bodkin, so much + valued by the King that he kept them with him as long as he lived. + </p> + <p> + Joan of Acre, a wilful, lively girl, was wedded when very young to her + father’s turbulent friend, Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester; Margaret + was married, at fifteen, to the Duke of Brabant; and Mary was devoted to + the cloister. She became a nun of Fontevraud at the priory Ambresbury, in + accordance with the exhortations of the clergy to her parents; but there + was not much vocation to the cloister in her disposition, and she was as + often present at court pageants as her secular sisters. The Abbess of + Fontevraud would fain have had the princess among her own nuns, but Mary + resisted, and remained in the branch establishment, probably by exerting + her influence over her father, who seems seldom to have refused anything + to his children. + </p> + <p> + Stern in executing his duty, gentle to the distressed, most devout in + religious exercises, pure in life, true to his word, a wise lawgiver, and + steady in putting down vice, Edward seemed to be well deserving of the + honor of being the nephew of St. Louis, and to be walking in his + footsteps, but with greater force of character and good sense. The Holy + Land was still the object of his thoughts, and he had serious intentions + of attempting to rescue it, with forces now more complete and better + trained than those which he had drawn together in his younger days. His + views of this kind were strengthened by a serious illness, and he + announced his determination to take the Cross. + </p> + <p> + But in the twentieth year of Edward’s reign came his great temptation. + Ambition was the latent fault of his character, and a decision was brought + before him that placed a flattering prize within his grasp. He yielded, + and seized the prey; injustice, violence, anger, and cruelty followed, + promises were violated, his subjects oppressed, his honor forfeited, and + his name stained. From the time that Edward I. gave way to the lust of + conquest, his history is one of painful deterioration. + </p> + <p> + It was unfortunate for him that, at the very time that the lure was held + out to him, he was deprived of the gentle wife whose influence had always + turned him to the better course. Eleanor of Castile was on her way to join + him on his first expedition to the Scottish border, when she fell sick at + Grantham, in Lincolnshire; and though he travelled day and night to see + her, she died before his arrival, on the 29th of November, 1292. In + overwhelming grief Edward accompanied her funeral to Westminster, a + journey of thirteen days. Each evening the bier rested in the market-place + of the town, where the procession halted, till the clergy came to convey + it with solemn chantings to the chief church, where it was placed before + the high altar. At each of these resting-places Edward raised a + richly-carved market cross in memory of his queen; but, of the whole + thirteen, Northampton and Waltham are the only towns that have retained + these beautiful monuments to the gracious Eleanor, one of the best-beloved + names of our English history. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXIV. THE HAMMER OF THE SCOTS. (1292-1305.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1272. Edward I. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1292. John Balliol. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1285. Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1292. Adolph. + 1298. Albert I. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1287. Nicholas IV. + 1291. Boniface VIII. + 1294. Celestine V. + 1303. Benedict XI. +</pre> + <p> + The gallant line of Scottish kings descended from “the gracious Duncan” + suddenly decayed and dwindled away in the latter part of the thirteenth + century. They had generally been on friendly terms with the English, to + whom Malcolm Ceanmore and Edgar both owed their crown; they had usually + married ladies of English birth; and holding the earldom of Huntingdon, + the county of Cumberland, and the three Lothians, under the English crown, + they stood in nearly the same relation to our Anglo-Norman sovereigns as + did these to the kings of France. If France were esteemed a more polished + country, and her language and manners were adopted by the Plantagenet + kings, who were French nobles as well as independent sovereigns of the + ruder Saxons, so, again, England was the model of courtesy and refinement + to the earlier Scottish kings, who, in the right of inheritance from St. + David’s queen, Earl Waltheof’s heiress, were barons of the civilized court + of England, where they learnt modes of taming their own savage Highland + and island domains. + </p> + <p> + Thus, with few exceptions, the terms of alliance were well understood, and + many of the Cumbrian barons were liegemen to both the English and Scottish + kings. Scotland was in a flourishing and fast-improving condition, and + there was no mutual enmity or jealousy between the two nations. + </p> + <p> + Alexander III. was the husband of Margaret, the eldest sister of Edward + I., and frequently was present at the pageants of the English court. He + was a brave and beloved monarch, and his wife was much honored and loved + in Scotland; but, while still a young man, a succession of misfortunes + befell him. His queen died in 1275, and his only son a year or two after; + his only other child, Margaret, who had been married to Eric, Prince of + Norway, likewise died, leaving an infant daughter named Margaret. + </p> + <p> + Finding himself left childless, Alexander contracted a second marriage + with Yolande, daughter of the Count de Dreux; and a splendid bridal took + place at Jedburgh, with every kind of amusements, especially mumming and + masquing. In the midst, some reckless reveller glided in arrayed in + ghastly vestments, so as to personate death, and after making fearful + gestures, vanished away, leaving an impression of terror among the guests + that they did not quickly shake off—the jest was too earnest. + </p> + <p> + Less than a year subsequently, Alexander gave a great feast to his nobles + at Edinburgh, on the 15th of March, 1286. It was a most unsuitable day for + banquetting, for it was Lent; and, moreover, popular imagination, always + trying to guess the times and seasons only known to the Most High, had + fixed on tins as destined to be the Last Day. + </p> + <p> + But the Scottish nobles feasted and revelled, mocking at the delusion of + the populace, till, when at a late hour they broke up, the night was + discovered to be intensely dark and stormy. King Alexander was, however, + bent on joining his queen, who was at Kinghorn—perhaps he had + promised to come to calm her alarms—and all the objections urged by + his servants could not deter him. He bade one of his servants remain at + home, since he seemed to fear the storm. “No, my lord,” said the man, “it + would ill become me to refuse to die for your father’s son.” + </p> + <p> + At Inverkeithing the storm became more violent, and again the royal + followers remonstrated; but the King laughed at them, and only desired to + have two runners to show him the way, when they might all remain in + shelter. + </p> + <p> + He was thought to have been “fey”—namely, in high spirits—recklessly + hastening to a violent death; for as he rode along the crags close above + Kinghorn, his horse suddenly stumbled, and he was thrown over its head to + the bottom of a frightful precipice, where he lay dead. The spot is still + called the King’s Crag. + </p> + <p> + Truly it was the last day of Scotland’s peace and prosperity. Thomas of + Ereildoune, called the Rymour, who was believed to possess second sight, + had declared that on the 16th of March the greatest wind should blow + before noon that Scotland had ever known. The morning, however, rose fair + and calm, and he was reproached for his prediction. “Noon is not yet + gone!” he answered; and ere long came a messenger to the gate, with + tidings that the King was killed. “Gone is the wind that shall blow to the + great calamity and trouble of all Scotland,” said Thomas the Rymour—a + saying that needed no powers of prophecy, when the only remaining scion of + the royal line was a girl of two years old, the child of a foreign prince, + himself only eighteen years of age. + </p> + <p> + The oldest poem in the Scottish tongue that has been preserved is a lament + over the last son of St. David. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “When Alysander, our king, was dead, + That Scotland led in love and lee, + Away was sons of ale and bread, + Of wine and wax, of game and glee; + Our gold was changed into lead. + Christ, born in to virginity, + Succour Scotland, and remede + That stead is in perplexity.” + </pre> + <p> + The perplexity began at once, for the realm of Scotland had never yet + descended to the “spindle,” and the rights of the little “Maid of Norway” + were contested by her cousins, Robert Bruce and John Balliol, two of the + Cumbrian barons, half-Scottish and half-English, who, though their claims + were only through females, thought themselves fitter to rule than the + infant Margaret. + </p> + <p> + Young Eric of Norway sent to entreat counsel from Edward of England, and + thus first kindled his hopes of uniting the whole island under his sway. + “Now,” he said, “the time is come when Scotland and her petty kings shall + be reduced under my power.” The Scottish nobles came at the same time to + request his decision, which was readily given in favor of the little + heiress, whom he further proposed to betroth to his only son, Edward of + Caernarvon; and as the children were first cousins once removed, he sent + to Rome for a dispensation, while Margaret sailed from Norway to be placed + in his keeping. Thus would the young Prince have peaceably succeeded to + the whole British dominions; but the will of Heaven was otherwise, and + three hundred years of war were to elapse before the crowns were placed on + the same brow. + </p> + <p> + The stormy passage from Norway was injurious to the tender frame of the + little Queen: she was landed in the Orkney Isles, in the hope of saving + her life, but in vain; she died, after having scarcely touched her + dominions, happy in being spared so wild a kingdom and so helpless a + husband as were awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + Twelve claimants for the vacant throne at once arose, all so distant that + it was a nice matter to weigh their several rights, since the very nearest + were descendants of Henry, son of St. David, five generations back. + </p> + <p> + The Scots agreed to refer the question to the arbitration of one hitherto + so noted for wisdom and justice as Edward I. They little knew that their + realm was the very temptation that was most liable to draw him aside from + the strict probity he had hitherto observed. + </p> + <p> + He called on the competitors and the states of Scotland to meet him at + Norham Castle on the 10th of May, 1291, and the conference was opened by + his justiciary, Robert Brabazon, who, in a speech of some length, called + on the assembly to begin by owning the King as Lord Paramount of Scotland. + </p> + <p> + It had never been fully understood for how much of their domains the + Scottish kings did homage to the English, and the more prudent princes had + avoided opening the question, so that there might honestly be two opinions + on the subject. Still Edward was acting as the King of France would have + done had he claimed to be Paramount of England, because Edward paid homage + for Gascony, and he ought to have known that he was taking an ungenerous + advantage of the kingless state of his neighbors. + </p> + <p> + They made answer that they were incapable of making such an + acknowledgment; but Edward answered, “Tell them that by the holy St. + Edward, whose crown I wear, I will either have my rights recognized, or + die in the vindication of them.” + </p> + <p> + He gave them three weeks to consider his challenge, but in the meantime + issued writs for assembling his army; and thus left the more + quietly-disposed to expect an invasion, without any leader to oppose it; + while each of the twelve claimants could not but conceive the hope of + being raised to the throne, if he would consent to make the required + acknowledgment. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, they all yielded; and when the next meeting took place at + Hollywell Haugh, a green plain close to “Norham’s castled height,” the + whole body owned Edward as their feudal superior; after which the kingdom + of Scotland was delivered over to him, and the great seal placed in the + joint keeping of the Scottish and English chancellors. + </p> + <p> + In the following year, on the 17th of November, the final decision was + made. Nine of the claimants had such frivolous claims, that no attention + was paid to them, and the only ones worth consideration were those derived + from David, Earl of Huntingdon, the crusading comrade of Coeur de Lion, + and son of Henry, son of St. David. This Earl had left three daughters, + Margaret, Isabel, and Ada. Margaret had married Allan of Galloway, and + John Balliol was the son of her only daughter Devorgoil. Isabel married + Robert Bruce, and her son, Robert, Earl of Carrick, was the claimant; and + Ada had left a grandson, Florence Hastings, Earl of Holland. + </p> + <p> + A baron leaving daughters alone would divide his heritage equally among + them, and this was what Hastings desired; but Scotland was pronounced + indivisible, and he retired from the field. Bruce contended that, as son + of one sister, he was nearer the throne than the grandson of the other, + although the elder; but this was completely untenable, and Balliol, having + been adjudged the rightful heir, was declared King of Scotland, was + crowned, and paid homage to Edward. + </p> + <p> + He soon found that the fealty he had sworn was not, as he had hoped, to be + a mere dead letter, as with the former kings. Edward used to the utmost + the suzerain’s privilege of hearing appeals from the vassal-prince—a + practice never put in force by his predecessors, and excessively galling + to the new Scottish King, who found himself fettered in all his measures, + and degraded in the eyes of his rude and savage subjects, who regarded him + as having given away the honor of their crown. Whenever there was an + appeal, he was cited to appear in person at the English court, and was + treated, in fact, like a mere feudal noble, instead of the King of a brave + and ancient kingdom. Indeed, the Scots called him the “toom tabard,” or + empty herald’s coat—a name not unsuited to such a king of vain show. + </p> + <p> + By and by a war broke out between England and France, and Edward sent + summonses to the Scottish barons to attend him with their vassals. It was + no concern of theirs, and many flatly refused to come, whereupon he + declared them to have forfeited their fiefs, and thus pushed his + interference beyond their endurance. John Balliol, their unfortunate King, + who was personally attached to Edward, and at the same time greatly in + dread of his fierce vassals, was utterly confused and distressed; and + finding no help in him, his subjects seized him, placed him in a fortress, + under the keeping of a council of twelve, and in his name declared war + against England. + </p> + <p> + Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, to whom his father’s claims had descended, + remained faithful to King Edward, who, to punish the rebellion of the + Scots, collected an army of 30,000 foot and 4,000 horse, and, with the + sacred standards of Durham at their head, marched them into Scotland. + Berwick, then a considerable merchant-town, closed her gates against him, + and further provoked him by the plunder of some English merchant-ships. He + offered terms of surrender, but these were refused; and he led his men to + the assault of the dyke, that was the only defence of the town. He was the + first to leap the dyke on his horse Bayard, and the place was won after a + brave resistance, sufficient to arouse the passions of the soldiery, who + made a most shocking massacre, without respect to age or sex. + </p> + <p> + The report of these horrors so shocked John Balliol, that he sent to + renounce his allegiance to Edward, and to defy his power. “Felon and + fool!” cried Edward, “if he will not come to us, we must go to him.” + </p> + <p> + So frightful ravages were carried on by the English on one side and the + Scots on the other, till a battle took place at Dunbar, which so utterly + ruined the Scots, that they were forced to make submission, and Balliol + sued for peace. But Edward would not treat with him as a king, and only + sent Anthony Beck, the Bishop of Durham, to meet him at Brechin. He was + forced to appear, and was declared a rebel, stripped of his crown and + robes, and made to stand with a white rod in his hand, confessing that he + had acted rebelliously, and that Edward had justly invaded his realm. + After this humiliation, he resigned all his rights to Scotland, declaring + himself worn out with the malice and fraud of the nation, which was + probably quite true. He was sent at first to the Tower, but afterward was + released, lived peaceably on his estates in France, and founded the + college at Oxford that bears his name and arms. + </p> + <p> + The misfortunes endured by this puppet did not deter the Earl of Carrick + from aspiring to his seat; but Edward harshly answered, “Have I nothing to + do but to conquer kingdoms for you?” and sent him away with his eldest + son, a third Robert Bruce, to pacify their own territories of Carrick and + Annandale. Edward did nothing without law enough to make him believe + himself in the right, and poor Balliol’s forfeiture gave him, as he + imagined, the power to assume Scotland as a fief of his own. He caused + himself to be acknowledged as King of Scotland, destroyed the old Scottish + charters, and transported to Westminster the Scottish crown and sceptre, + together with the stone from Scone Abbey, on which, from time immemorial, + the Kings of Scotland had been placed when crowned and anointed. All the + castles were delivered up into his hands, and every noble in his dominions + gave him the oath of allegiance, excepting one, William, Lord Douglas, who + steadily refused, and was therefore carried off a prisoner to England, + where he remained to the day of his death. + </p> + <p> + Edward did not come in as a severe or cruel conqueror; he gave privileges + to the Scottish clergy, and re-instated the families of the barons killed + in the war. Doubtless he hoped to do great good to the wild population, + and bring them into the same order as the English; but the flaw in his + title made this impossible; the Scots regarded his soldiery as their + enemies and oppressors, and though the nobles had given in a + self-interested adhesion to the new government, they abhorred it all the + time, and the mutual hatred between the English garrisons and Scottish + inhabitants led to outrages in which neither party was free from blame. + </p> + <p> + As Hereward the Saxon had been stirred up against the Norman invaders, so + a champion arose who kept alive the memory of Scottish independence. + </p> + <p> + William Wallace was the younger son of Sir Malcolm Wallace of Ellerslie, + near Paisley, one of the lesser gentry, not sufficiently high in rank to + be required to take oaths to the English King. William was a youth of + unusual stature, noble countenance, and great personal strength and skill + in the use of arms, and he grew up with a violent hatred to the English + usurpers, which various circumstances combined to foster. While very + young, he had been fishing in the river Irvine, attended by a boy who + carried his basket, when some English soldiers, belonging to the garrison + of Ayr meeting him, insisted on seizing his trout. A fray took place, and + Wallace killed the foremost Englishman with a blow from the butt of his + fishing-rod, took his sword, and put the rest to flight. + </p> + <p> + This obliged him to fly to the hills. But in those lawless times such + adventures soon blew over, and, a year or two after, he was walking in the + market-place of Lanark, dressed in green, and with, a dagger by his side, + when an Englishman, coming up, insulted him on account of his gay attire, + and his passionate temper, thus inflamed, led to a fray, in which the + Englishman was killed. He then fled to the house where he was lodging, and + while the sheriff and his force were endeavoring to break in, the lady of + the house contrived his escape by a back way to a rocky glen called the + Crags, where he hid himself in a cave. The disappointed sheriff wreaked + his vengeance on the unfortunate lady, slew her, and burnt the house. + </p> + <p> + Thenceforth Wallace was an outlaw, and the most implacable foe to the + English. In his wild retreat he quickly gathered round him other men + ill-used, or discontented, or patriotic, or lovers of the wild life which + he led, and at their head he not only cut off the parties sent to seize + him, but watched his opportunity for marauding on the English or their + allies. There is a horrible story that the English governor of Ayr, + treacherously inviting the Scottish gentry to a feast, hung them all as + they entered, and that Wallace revenged the slaughter with equal cruelty + by burning the English alive in their sleep in the very buildings where + the murder took place, the Barns of Ayr, as they were called. The history + is unauthenticated, but it is believed in the neighborhood of Ayr, and has + been handed down by Wallace’s Homer, Blind Harry, whose poem on the + exploits of the Knight of Ellerslie was published sixty years from this + time. + </p> + <p> + The fame of Wallace’s prowess swelled his party, and many knights and + nobles began to join him. He raised his banner in the name of King John of + Scotland, and, with the help of another outlaw chief, Sir William Douglas, + pounced on the English justiciary, Ormesby, while holding his court at + Scone, put him to flight, and seized a large booty and many prisoners. + </p> + <p> + His forays were the more successful because the King was absent in + England, and the Chancellor, Hugh Cressingham, was not well agreed with + the lay-governor, John de Warrenne, Earl of Surrey. Many of the higher + nobility took his side, among them the younger Robert Bruce; but as the + English force began to be marshalled against him, they took flight for + their estates, and returned to the stronger party. It may have been that + they found that Wallace was not a suitable chief for more than a mere + partisan camp; brave as he was, he could not keep men of higher rank in + obedience. He lived by plunder, and horrible atrocities were constantly + committed by his men, especially against such English clergy as had + received Scottish preferment. Whenever one of these fell into their hands, + his sacred character could not save him; his arms were tied behind his + back, and he was thrown from a high bridge into a river, while the + merciless Scots derided his agony. + </p> + <p> + Warrene and Cressingham drew together a mighty force, and marched to the + relief of Stirling, which Wallace had threatened. The Scots had come + together to the number of 40,000, but they had only 180 horse; and + Warrenne had 50,000 foot and 1,000 horse. The Scots were, however, in a + far more favorable position, encamped on the higher ground on the bank of + the river Forth; and Warrenne, wishing to avoid a battle, sent two friars + to propose terms. “Return to your friends,” said Wallace; “tell them we + came with no peaceful intent, but determined to avenge ourselves and set + our country free. Let them come and attack us; we are ready to meet them + beard to beard.” + </p> + <p> + On hearing this answer, the English shouted to be led against the bold + rebel; but the more prudent leaders thought it folly to attempt to cross + the bridge, exposed as it, was to the enemy, but that a chosen body should + cross a ford, attack them in the flank, and clear the way. Cressingham + thought this policy timid. “Why,” said he to Warrenne, “should we protract + the war, and spend the King’s money? Let us pass on, and do our duty!” + </p> + <p> + Warrenne weakly gave way, and the English troops began to cross the + bridge, the Scots retaining their post on the high ground until Sir + Marmaduke Twenge, an English knight, impetuously spurred up the hill, when + about half the army had crossed, and charged the Scottish ranks. In the + meantime, Wallace had sent a chosen force to march down the side of the + hill and cut off the troops who had crossed from the foot of the bridge, + and he himself, rushing down on the advancing horsemen, entirely, broke + them, and made a fearful slaughter of all on that side of the river, + seizing on the bridge, so that there was no escape. One of the knights + proposed to swim their horses across the river. “What!” said Sir Marmaduke + Twenge, “drown myself, when I can cut my way through the midst of them by + the bridge? Never let such foul slander fall on me!” He then set spurs to + his horse, and, with his nephew and armor-bearer, forced his way back to + his friends, across the bridge, by weight of man and horse, through the + far more slightly-armed Scots. Warrenne was obliged to march off, with, + the loss of half his army, and of Cressingham, whose corpse was found + lying on the plain, and was barbarously, mangled by the Scots. They cut + the skin into pieces, and used it for saddle-girths; even Wallace himself + being said to have had a sword-belt made of it. + </p> + <p> + This decisive victory threw the greater part of Scotland into Wallace’s + hands; and though most of the great earls still held with the English, the + towns and castles were given up to him, and the mass of the people was + with him. He plundered without mercy the lands of such as would not join + him, and pushed his forays into England, where he frightfully ravaged + Cumberland and Northumberland; and from St. Luke’s to St. Martin’s-day all + was terror and dismay, not a priest remaining between Newcastle and + Carlisle to say mass. At last the winter drove him back, and on his return + he went to Hexham, a rich convent, which had been plundered on the + advance, but to which three of the monks had just returned, hoping the + danger was over. Seeing the enemy entering, they fled into a little + chapel; but the Scots had seen them, and, rushing on them, demanded their + treasures. “Alas!” said they, “you yourselves best know where they are!” + Wallace, coming in, silenced his men, and bade the priests say mass; but + in one moment, while he turned aside to take off his helmet, his fierce + soldiery snatched away the chalice from the altar, and tore off the + ornaments and sacred vestments. He ordered that the perpetrators should be + put to death, and said to the priests, “My presence alone can secure you. + My men are evil-disposed. I cannot justify, I dare not punish them.” + </p> + <p> + On returning to Scotland, he assumed the title of Governor, and strove to + bring matters into a more regular state, but without success; the great + nobles either feared to offend the English, or would not submit to his + authority. + </p> + <p> + In 1298, Edward, having freed himself from his difficulties in England and + France, hurried to the North to put down in person what in his eyes was + not patriotism, but rebellion. How violently enraged he was, was shown by + his speech to Sir John Marmaduke, who was sent by Anthony Beck, Bishop of + Durham, to ask his pleasure respecting Dirleton Castle and two other + fortresses to which he had laid siege. “Tell Anthony,” he said, “that he + is right to be pacific when he is acting the bishop, but that, in his + present business, he must forget his calling. As for yourself, you are a + relentless soldier, and I have too often had to reprove you for too cruel + an exultation over the death of your enemies. But, now, return whence you + came, and be as relentless as you choose; you will have my thanks, not my + censure; and, look you, do not see my face again till those three castles + be razed to the ground.” + </p> + <p> + The castles were taken and overthrown, but the difficulties of the English + continued to be great; the fleet was detained by contrary winds, and this + delay of supplies caused a famine in the camp. Edward was obliged to + command a retreat; but at that juncture, just as the country was so nearly + rescued by the wise dispositions of Wallace, two Scottish nobles, the + Earls of Dunbar and Angus, were led by a mean jealousy to betray him to + the English, disclosing the place where he was encamped in the forest of + Falkirk, and his intention of making a night-attack upon the English. + </p> + <p> + Edward was greatly rejoiced at the intelligence. “Thanks be to God,” he + exclaimed, “who has saved me from every danger! They need not come after + me, since I will go to meet them.” + </p> + <p> + He immediately put on his armor, and rode through the camp, calling on his + soldiers to march immediately, and at three o’clock in the afternoon all + were on their way to Falkirk. They halted for the night on a heath, where + they lay down to sleep in their armor, with their horses picketed beside + them In the course of the night the King’s horse trod upon him, breaking + two of his ribs; and a cry arose among those around him that he was slain, + and the enemy were upon them. But Edward, regardless of the pain, made the + alarm serve as a reveillè, mounted his horse, rallied his troops, and, as + it was near morning, gave orders to march. The light of the rising sun + showed, on the top of the opposite hill, the lances of the Scottish + advanced guard; but when they reached the summit, they found it deserted, + and in the distance could see the enemy preparing for battle, the foot + drawn up in four compact bodies of pikemen, the foremost rank kneeling, so + that the spears of those behind rested on their shoulders. “I have brought + you to the ring; hop if ye can,” was the brief exhortation of the outlawed + patriot to his men; and grim was the dance prepared for them. + </p> + <p> + Edward heard mass in a tent set up on the hill, and afterward held a + council on the manner of attack. An immediate advance was determined on, + and they charged the Scots with great fury. The horse, consisting of the + time-serving and cowardly nobility, fled without a blow, leaving Wallace + and his archers unsupported, to be overwhelmed by the numbers of the + English. Wallace, after a long resistance, was compelled to retreat into + the woods, with a loss of 15,000, while on the English side the slain were + very few. + </p> + <p> + Edward pushed on, carrying all before him, and wasting the country with + fire and sword; but, as has happened in every invasion of Scotland, famine + proved his chief enemy, and he was obliged to return to England, leaving + unsubdued all the lands north of the Forth. But his determination was + sternly fixed, and he made everything else give way to his Scottish wars. + </p> + <p> + The last stronghold which held out against him was Stirling Castle, under + Sir William Oliphant, who, with only one hundred and forty men, for ninety + days resisted with the most desperate valor; when the walls were broken + down, taking shelter in caverns hewn out of the rock on which their + fortress was founded. Edward, who led the attack, was often exposed to + great danger; his horse was thrown down by a stone, and his armor pierced + by an arrow; but he would not consent to use greater precautions, saying + that he fought in a just war, and Heaven would protect him. At last the + brave garrison were reduced to surrender, and came down from their castle + in a miserable, dejected state, to implore his mercy. The tenderness of + his nature revived as he saw brave men in such a condition. He could not + restrain his tears, and he received them to his favor, sending them in + safety to England. + </p> + <p> + Scotland was now completely tranquil, and entirely reduced. Every noble + had sworn allegiance, every castle was garrisoned by English. Balliol was + in Normandy, Bruce in the English army, and at last, in August, 1305, the + brave outlaw, Sir William Wallace, was, by his former friend, Monteith, + betrayed into the hands of the English. He was brought to Westminster, + tried as a traitor to King Edward, and sentenced to die. He had never + sworn fealty to Edward, but this could not save him; and on the 23d of + August, 1305, he was dragged on a hurdle to Smithfield, and suffered the + frightful death that the English laws allotted to a traitor. His head was + placed on a pole on London Bridge, and his several limbs sent to the + different towns in Scotland, where they were regarded far more as relics + than as tokens of disgrace. + </p> + <p> + Had Edward appreciated and pardoned the gallant Scot, it would have been a + noble deed. But his death should not be regarded as an act of personal, + revenge. Wallace had disregarded many a proclamation of mercy, and had + carried on a most savage warfare upon the Scots who had submitted to the + English with every circumstance of cruelty. Edward, who believed himself + the rightful King, was not likely to regard him as otherwise than a + pertinacious bandit, with whom the law might properly take its course. + More mercy might have been hoped from the prince who fought hand to hand + with Adam de Gourdon; but ambition had greatly warped and changed Edward + since those days, and the fifteen years of effort to retain his usurpation + had hardened his whole nature. + </p> + <p> + Wallace himself, half a robber, half a knight, has won for himself a place + in the affections of his countrymen, and has lived ever since in story and + song. To the last century it was regarded as rude to turn a loaf in the + presence of a Monteith, because that was the signal for the admission of + the soldiers who seized Wallace; and there can be little doubt that this + constant recollection was well deserved, since assuredly it was the spirit + of resistance maintained by Wallace, though unsuccessful, that lived to + flourish again after his death. + </p> + <p> + He was one of those men whose self-devotion bears visible fruits. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXV. THE EVIL TOLL. (1294-1305.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1272. Edward I. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1296. Edward I. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1285. Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1292. Adolf. + 1298. Albert I. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1294. Boniface VIII. + 1303. Benedict XI. +</pre> + <p> + Unlike the former Plantagenets, Edward I. was a thorough Englishman; his + schemes, both for good and evil, were entirely insular; and as he became + more engrossed in the Scottish war, he almost neglected his relations with + the Continent. + </p> + <p> + One of the most wily and unscrupulous men who ever wore a crown was seated + on the throne of France—the fair-faced and false-hearted Philippe + IV., the “pest of France,” the oppressor of the Church, and the murderer + of the Templars; and eagerly did he watch to take any advantage of the + needs of his mighty vassal in Aquitaine. + </p> + <p> + Edward had made alliances to strengthen himself. He had married his + daughter Eleanor to the Count of Bar, and Margaret to the heir of Brabant, + and betrothed his son Edward to the only daughter of Guy Dampierre, Count + of Flanders, thus hoping to restrain Philippe without breaking the peace. + </p> + <p> + Unluckily, in 1294, a sailors’ quarrel took place between the crews of an + English and a Norman ship upon the French coast. They had both landed to + replenish their stock of water, and disputed which had the right first to + fill their casks. In the fray, a Norman was killed, and his shipmates, + escaping, took their revenge by boarding another English vessel, and + hanging a poor, innocent Bayonne merchant from the masthead, with a dog + fastened to his feet. Retaliation followed upon revenge; and while the two + kings professed to be at peace, every ship from their ports went armed, + and fierce struggles took place wherever there was an encounter. Slaughter + and plunder fell upon the defeated, for the sailors were little better + than savage pirates, and were unrestrained by authority. Edward, who had a + right to a share in all captures made by his subjects, refused to accept + of any portion of these, though he did not put a stop to them. The Irish + and Dutch vessels took part with the English, the Genoese with the French. + At last, upward of two hundred French ships met at St. Mahé in Brittany, + and their crews rejoiced over the captures which they had obtained, and + held a great carousal. Eighty well-manned English vessels had, however, + sailed from the Cinque Ports, and, surrounding St. Mahé, sent a challenge + to their enemies. It was accepted; a ship was moored in the midst, as a + point round which the two fleets might assemble, and a hot contest took + place, fiercely fought upon either side; but English seamanship prevailed + over superior numbers, every French ship was sunk or taken, and, horrible + to relate, not one of their crews was spared. + </p> + <p> + Such destruction provoked Philippe, and he summoned Edward, as Duke of + Aquitaine, to deliver up to him such Gascons as had taken part in the + battle. This Edward neglected, whereupon Philippe sent to seize the lands + of Perigord, and, on being repulsed by the seneschal, called on Edward to + appear at his court within twenty days, to answer for his misdeeds, on + pain of forfeiting the province of Gascony. Edward sent first the Bishop + of London, and afterward his brother Edmund Crouchback, to represent him. + Edmund’s second wife was the mother of Philippe’s queen, and it was + therefore expected that he would the more easily come to terms, especially + as he was commissioned to offer the hand of his royal brother to Blanche, + the sister of Philippe, a maiden who inherited the unusual beauty of her + family. Apparently all was easily arranged: Philippe promised Edmund that + if, as a matter of form, Gascony were put into his hands by way of + forfeit, it should be restored at the end of forty days on the + intercession of the two ladies, and Blanche should be betrothed to the + King. + </p> + <p> + All was thus arranged. But at the end of the forty days it proved that + what Philippe had once grasped he had no notion of releasing; and, + moreover, that Blanche la Belle was promised to Albert of Hapsburg! If + Edward chose to marry any French princess at all, he was welcome to her + little sister Marguerite, a child of eleven, while Edward was fifty-five. + The excuse offered was, that Edward, had not obeyed the summons in person, + and that another outrage had been perpetrated on the coast. After another + summons, he was adjudged to lose not only Gascony, but all Aquitaine. + </p> + <p> + On discovering how he had been duped, Edward’s first impulse was to send + out his writs to collect his vassals to recover Gascony, chastise the + insolent ill faith of Philippe, and to stir up his foreign connections to + support him. He collected his troops at Portsmouth, hoping to augment his + army by a general release of prisoners, Scottish, Welsh, and malefactors + alike; but while he was detained seven weeks by contrary winds, all these + men, after taking his pay, made their escape, and either returned to their + countries, or marauded in the woods. A great insurrection broke out in + Wales, and he was forced to hasten thither, and from thence was called + away to quell the rising of the Scottish barons against Balliol. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, it fared ill with his foreign allies. The Duke of Brabant, + father-in-law to his daughter Margaret, was killed in a tournament at the + court of her sister Eleanor; and when Eleanor’s husband, Henri of Bar, + took up arms in the English cause, and marched into Champagne, he was + defeated, and made prisoner by the Queen of France. The poor old Count of + Flanders and his Countess were invited to Paris by Philippe, who insisted + that they should bring his godchild and namesake, the betrothed of young + Edward, to visit him. When they arrived, they were all thrown into the + prison of the Louvre, on the plea that Guy had no right to bestow his + daughter in marriage without permission from his suzerain. + </p> + <p> + Edward’s head was so full of Scotland, that he was shamefully indifferent + to the sufferings of his friends in his behalf. Poor Eleanor of Bar, after + striving hard to gain her husband’s freedom, died of grief, after a few + months; and Guy of Flanders contrived to obtain his own release by + promising to renounce the English alliance; but Philippe would not set + free the poor young Philippa, whom he kept in his hands as a hostage. + </p> + <p> + One cause of the King’s neglect was his great distress for money. He had + learnt to have recourse to his father’s disgraceful plea of a sham + Crusade, and thus, for six years, gained a tenth of the Church revenues; + but in 1294, requiring a further supply, he made a demand of half the + year’s income of the clergy. The new Archbishop, Robert Winchelsea, was + gone to Rome to receive his pall; the Dean of St. Paul’s, who was sent to + remonstrate with the King, died suddenly in his presence; but Edward was + not touched, and sent a knight to address the assembled clergy, telling + them that any reverend father who dared to oppose the royal will would be + considered to have broken the King’s peace. In terror they yielded for + that time; but they sent a petition to the Pope, who, in return, granted a + bull forbidding any subsidies to be paid by church lands to the King + without his permission. + </p> + <p> + Little did Edward reck of this decree. He knew that Boniface VIII. had his + hands full of his quarrels with the Romans and with Philippe le Bel, and + his own ambition was fast searing the conscience once so generous and + tender. Again he convened the clergy to grant his exactions, but + Archbishop Winchelsea replied that they had two lords, spiritual and + temporal; they owed the superior obedience to the spiritual lord, and + would therefore grant nothing till the Pope should have ratified the + demand; for which purpose they would send messengers to Rome. + </p> + <p> + The lay barons backed Edward in making a declaration of outlawry against + the clergy, and seizing all the ecclesiastical property, both lands and + treasures, except what was within churches or burying-grounds, declaring + that, if not redeemed by submission before Easter, all should be forfeited + forever. The Archbishop of York came to terms; but the Archbishop of + Canterbury held out, and was deprived of everything, retiring to a country + village, where he acted as parish priest, and lived upon the alms of the + parishioners. He held a synod, where excommunication was denounced on + those who seized church property; but the censures of the Church had lost + their terrors, and the clergy gradually made their peace with the King, + Winchelsea himself among the last. + </p> + <p> + The laity had looked on quietly at the oppression of the clergy, and + indeed had borne their share of exactions; but these came at last to a + point beyond endurance, and Edward’s need, and their obstinate resistance, + led to another step in the formation of our constitution. + </p> + <p> + In 1297 he made a new alliance with Guy of Flanders, and was fitting out + three armies, against Scotland, Guienne, and Flanders. To raise the means, + he exacted five marks as a duty on each sack of wool exported to Flanders, + and made ruinous requisitions for wheat on the landowners. Merchants and + burghers, barons and clergy, took counsel together, and finding each other + all of one mind, resolved to make a stand against this tax on wool, which + was called the “Evil Toll,” and to establish what Magna Carta had already + declared, that the nation would not be taxed against its own consent. + </p> + <p> + The King’s brother, Edmund of Lancaster, had lately died while commanding + in Guienne, and Edward, meeting his vassals at Salisbury, gave the command + of the army, thus left without a head, to Humphrey Bohun, Earl of + Hereford, and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk—the one Constable, the + other Marshal of England. To his great wrath, they answered that their + offices only bound them to attend the King’s person in war, and that they + would not go. Edward swore a fierce oath that they should either go, or + hang. Bigod coolly repeated the same oath, that he would neither go nor + hang, and back to their own estates they went, and after them thirty + bannerets, and 1,500 knights, who, by main force, hindered the King’s + officers from making any further levies on their barns and storehouses. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was left Edward, but to speak them fair. He summoned his vassals + to meet him in London, reconciled himself to Archbishop Winchelsea, and on + the 14th of July, 1297, when all were assembled at Westminster, he stood + forth on a platform, attended by his son, the Primate, and the Earl of + Warwick, and harangued the people. He told them that he grieved at the + burthens which he was forced to impose on them, but it was for their + defence; for that the Scots, Welsh, and French thirsted for their blood, + and it was better to lose a part, than the whole. “I am going to risk my + life for your sake,” he said. “If I return, receive me; and I will make + you amends. If I fall, here is my son: he will reward you, if faithful.” + </p> + <p> + His voice was broken by tears; and his people, remembering what he once + had been rather than what he was now, broke into loud shouts of loyal + affection. He appointed his son as regent, and set out for Flanders, but + not in time to prevent poor Guy from again falling into captivity, and + pursued by requisitions, to which he promised to attend on his return. All + the nobles who held with him accompanied him, and Bohun and Bigod were + left to act in their own way. + </p> + <p> + They rode to London with a large train, lodged complaints of the illegal + exaction before the Exchequer, and then, going to the Guildhall, worked up + the citizens to be ready to assert their rights, and compel the King to + revoke the evil toll, and to observe the charter. They had scrupulously + kept within the law, and, though accompanied by so many armed followers, + neither murder nor pillage was permitted; and thus they obtained the + sympathies of the whole country. + </p> + <p> + Young Edward of Caernarvon was but thirteen, and could only submit; and a + Parliament was convoked by his authority, when the present taxes were + repealed, the important clause was added to the Great Charter which + declared that no talliage or aid should thenceforth be levied without the + consent of the bishops, peers, burgesses, and freemen of the realm, nor + should any goods be taken for the King without consent of the owners. + </p> + <p> + Further, it was enacted that Magna Charta should be rehearsed twice a year + in all the cathedrals, with a sentence of excommunication on all who + should infringe it. The Archbishop enforced this order strictly, adding + another sentence of excommunication to be rehearsed in each church on + every Sunday against any who should beat or imprison clergymen, desiring + it to be done with tolling of bell and putting out of candle, because + these solemnities had the greater effect on the laity. This statute is a + sad proof how much too cheaply sacred things were held, and how habit was + leading even the clergy to debase them by over-frequent and frivolous use + of the most awful emblems. + </p> + <p> + Young Edward and his council signed the acts, and they were sent to the + King for ratification, with a promise that his barons would thereupon join + him in Flanders, or march to Scotland, at his pleasure. He was three days + in coming to his resolution, but finally agreed, though it was suspected + that he might set aside his signature as invalid, because made in a + foreign country. + </p> + <p> + Wallace’s proceedings in Scotland made Edward anxious to hasten thither + and rid himself of the French war. He therefore accepted the mediation of + Boniface VIII., and consented to sacrifice his unfortunate ally, Guy of + Flanders, whom he left in his captivity, as well as his poor young + daughter. Both died in the prison to which the daughter had been consigned + at twelve years old. The Prince of Wales, for whose sake her bloom wasted + in prison, was contracted to Isabelle, the daughter of her persecutor, + Philippe le Bel; and old King Edward himself received the hand of the + Princess Marguerite, now about seventeen, fair and good. Aquitaine was + restored, though not Gascony; but Edward only wanted to be free, that he + might hasten to Scotland. And, curiously enough, the outlaw Wallace, + whatever he did for his own land, unconsciously fought the battles of his + foes, the English nation; for it was his resistance that weakened Edward’s + power, and made necessity extort compliance with the demands of the + Barons. + </p> + <p> + At York, Bigod and Bohun claimed a formal ratification of the charter of + Westminster. He put them off by pleading the urgency of affairs in + Scotland, and hastened on; but when he returned, in 1299, the staunch + Barons again beset him, and he confirmed the charter, but added the + phrase, “Saving the rights of the Crown,” which annulled the whole force + of the decree. The two barons instantly went off in high displeasure, with + a large number of their friends; and Edward, to try the temper of the + people, ordered the charter to be rehearsed at St. Paul’s Cross; but when + the rights of the Crown were mentioned, such a storm of hootings and + curses arose, that Edward, taught by the storms of his youth not to push + matters to extremity, summoned a new parliament, and granted the right of + his subjects to tax themselves. + </p> + <p> + This right has often since been proved to be the main strength of the + Parliament, by preventing the King from acting against their opinion, and + by rendering it the interest of all classes of men to attend to the + proceedings of the sovereign: it has not only kept kings in check, but it + has saved the nobles and commonalty from sinking into that indifference to + public affairs which has been the bane of foreign nations. For, + unfortunately, the mass of men are more easily kept on the alert when + wealth is affected, than by any deeper or higher consideration. + </p> + <p> + When we yearly hear of Parliament granting the supplies ere the close of + the session, they are exercising the right first claimed at Runnymede, + striven for by Simon de Montfort, and won by Humphrey Bohun, who succeeded + through the careful self-command and forbearance which hindered him from + ever putting his party in the wrong by violence or transgression of the + laws. He should be honored as a steadfast bulwark to the freedom of his + country, teaching the might of steady resolution, even against the boldest + and ablest of all our kings. In spite of rough words, Edward and Bohun + respected each other, and the heir of Hereford, likewise named Humphrey, + married Elizabeth, the youngest surviving daughter left by good Queen + Eleanor. Another of Edward’s daughters had been married to an English + earl. Joan of Acre, the high-spirited, wilful girl, who was born in the + last Crusade, had been given as a wife to her father’s stout old comrade, + Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester. He died when she was only + twenty-three, and before the end of a year she secretly married her + squire, Ralph de Monthermer, and her father only discovered the union when + he had promised her to the Count of Savoy. Monthermer was imprisoned; but + Edward, always a fond father, listened to Joan’s pleading, that, as an + Earl could ennoble a woman of mean birth, it was hard that she might not + raise a gallant youth to rank. Ralph was released, and bore for the rest + of his life the title of Earl of Gloucester, which properly belonged only + to Joan’s young son, Gilbert. Joan was a pleasure-loving lady, expensive + in her habits, and neglectful of her children; but her father’s indulgence + for her never failed: he lent her money, pardoned her faults, and took on + himself the education of her son Gilbert, who was the companion of his own + two young sons by his second marriage, Thomas of Brotherton and Edmund of + Woodstock. + </p> + <p> + Their mother, Margaret of France, was a fair and gentle lady, who lived on + the best terms with her stepdaughters, many of whom were her elders; and + she followed the King on his campaigns, as her predecessor Eleanor had + done. Mary, the princess who had taken the veil, was almost always with + her, and contrived to spend a far larger income than any of her sisters, + though without the same excuse of royal apparel; but she was luxurious in + diet, fond of pomp and display; never moving without twenty-four horses, + and so devoted to amusement that she lost large sums at dice. She must + have been an unedifying abbess at Ambresbury, though not devoid of + kindness of heart. + </p> + <p> + Archbishop Winchelsea held a synod at Mertoun in 1305, where various + decrees were made respecting the books and furniture which each parish was + bound to provide for the Divine service. The books were to be “a legend” + containing the lessons for reading, with others containing the Psalms and + Services. The vestments were “two copes, a chasuble, a dalmatic, three + surplices, and a frontal for the altar.” And, besides these, a chalice of + silver, a pyx of ivory or silver, a censer, two crosses, a font with lock + and key, a vessel for holy water, a great candlestick, and a lantern and + bell, which were carried before the Host when taken to the dying, a board + with a picture to receive the kiss of peace, and all the images of the + Church. The nave, then as now, was the charge of the parish; the chancel, + of the rector. + </p> + <p> + This synod was Archbishop Winchelsea’s last act before the King took + vengeance on him for his past resistance. His friend and supporter, + Boniface VIII., was dead, harassed to death by the persecutions of + Philippe IV.; and Clement V., the new Pope, was a miserable time-server, + raised to the papal chair by the machinations of the French King, and + ready to serve as the tool of any injustice. + </p> + <p> + Edward disliked the Archbishop for having withstood him in the matter of + the tithe, as well as for having cited him in the name of the Pope to + leave Scotland in peace. The King now induced Clement to summon him to + answer for insubordination. Winchelsea was very unwilling to go to Rome; + but Edward seized his temporalities, banished eighty monks for giving him + support, and finally exiled him. He died in indigence at Rome. + </p> + <p> + He was a prelate of the same busy class as Langton, not fulfilling the + highest standard of his sacred office, but spirited, uncompromising, and + an ardent though unsuccessful champion of the rights of the nation. + </p> + <p> + If Langton be honored for his part in Magna Charta, Winchelsea merits a + place by his side, for it was the resistance of his party to the “Evil + Toll” that placed taxation in the power of the English nation, and in the + wondrous ways of Providence caused the Scottish and French wars to work + for the good of our constitution. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXVI. ROBERT THE BRUCE (1305-1308.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1272. Edward I. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1306. Robert I. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1285 Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1298. Albert I. + + <i>Pope</i>. + 1305. Clement V. +</pre> + <p> + The state of Scotland had, ever since the death of the good King + Alexander, been such that even honest men could scarcely retain their + integrity, nor see with whom to hold. The realm had been seized by a + foreign power, with a perplexing show of justice, the rightful King had + been first set up and then put down by external force, and the only + authority predominant in the land was unacknowledged by the heart of any, + though terror had obtained submission from the lips. + </p> + <p> + The strict justice which was loved and honored in orderly England, was + loathed in barbarous Scotland. It would have been hated from a native + sovereign; how much more so from a conqueror, and, above all, from a + hostile race, exasperated by resistance! Whether Edward I. were an + intentional tyrant or not, his deputies in Scotland were harsh rulers, and + the troops scattered throughout the castles in the kingdom used such cruel + license and exaction as could not but make the yoke intolerable, and the + enmity irreconcilable, especially in a race who never forgot nor forgave. + </p> + <p> + The higher nobility were in a most difficult situation, since to them it + fell to judge between the contending parties, and to act for themselves. + Few preserved either consistency or good faith; they wavered between fear + of Edward and love of independence; and among the lowland baronage there + seems to have been only William Douglas, of Douglasdale, who never + committed himself by taking oaths of fealty to the English king. Some + families, who were vassals at once of the English and Scottish crowns, + were in still greater straits; and among these there was the line of + Bruce. Robert de Brus had come from Normandy with William the Conqueror, + and obtained from him large grants in Yorkshire, as well as the lordship + of Annandale from one of the Scottish kings; and thus a Bruce stood + between both parties, and strove to mediate at the battle of the Standard. + His grandson married Isabel of Huntingdon, the daughter of the crusader, + David of Scotland, and thus acquired still larger estates and influence in + both countries. His son Robert made another English marriage with Isabel + de Clare, daughter of the Earl of Gloucester. The eldest son, Robert + Bruce, had gone as a crusader to Palestine, in company with his friend + Adam de Kilcontack, who was Earl of Carrick in right of his wife Martha. + Kilcontack died at the siege of Acre, and Bruce, returning, married the + young countess, and had a large family. + </p> + <p> + There were three Robert Bruces living at the time of the judgment at + Norham—the father, Lord of Annandale; the son, Earl of Carrick; and + the grandson, still a child. As he grew up, he was sent to serve in the + English army, and for some time did so without apparent misgivings; and + the connection was drawn closer by his marriage with Joan de Valence, one + of the cousins of Edward I. In order to secure a part of the property at + all events, the father gave up his Scottish fiefs to his son, and returned + to England, there to live in unbroken allegiance to Edward. + </p> + <p> + When Balliol was driven to declare against Edward, he confiscated the + estates of all who adhered to the English, and gave Annandale to John + Comyn of Badenoch, the son of his sister Marjory. The Red Comyn, as he was + called, seized Bruce’s Castle of Lochmaben, and sowed seeds of deadly + hatred; but on the downfall of Balliol he shared the captivity of the + unfortunate “toom tabard,” and did not return to Scotland for some years. + When Wallace’s revolt broke out, young Bruce, who was only twenty-three, + at first followed his instinct of obedience to Edward, and took an oath to + support him against all his enemies, and in pursuance of it ravaged the + lands of the brave Douglas, and carried his wife and children into + captivity. Some sense either of ambition or patriotism, however, stirred + within him, and assembling his men of Annandale, he told them that he had + taken a foolish oath, but that he deeply repented of it, and would be + absolved from it, inviting them to join him in maintaining the cause of + their country. They took alarm, and all disappeared in the course of the + night, and he joined the patriots alone, but not with all his heart, for + he soon made his peace with Edward, and gave his only child, Marjory, as a + hostage. Thenceforward he vacillated, sometimes inclining to the King, + sometimes to the Scottish party, and apparently endeavoring to discover + how far he could be secure of the Scots giving him their crown, provided + he took their part. He showed a lamentable contempt for his word; for, on + his father’s death, he again did homage, and swore fealty to Edward, both + for his lands in England and Scotland, and at the same time he was making + secret treaties with Lamberton, Bishop of St. Andrew’s, and with Comyn. + Balliol having resigned the crown, and being in prison with all his + family, was considered to be set aside, and Bruce proposed to Comyn, that + whichever of them should claim the kingdom, should purchase the support of + the other by resigning to him his own inheritance. Comyn appeared to + agree, and, to prevent suspicion, Bruce attended the court in London; but + while he was there, Comyn wrote to betray his proposal to Edward, who took + measures for seizing the conspirator; but these becoming known to his + cousin, young Gilbert de Clare, the King’s grandson, he contrived to give + Bruce warning by sending him a pair of spurs and some pieces of gold. + </p> + <p> + Bruce understood the hint, and galloped off with his horse’s shoes turned + backward, so as to baffle pursuit. He came safely, on the fifth day, to + his own border castle of Lochmaben, where he found his brother Edward. + Keeping watch, they seized a messenger on his way to the English court, + bearing letters from Comyn, which explained to Bruce what the peril had + been, and who the traitor. Still he was forced to dissemble, and went as + usual to the court of the English justiciary at Dumfries, which he was + bound to attend. Comyn was likewise present, and there were deadly glances + between the two. Bruce called Comyn to hold a private interview with him + in the church of the Minorite friars, and, while their words waxed fierce, + Bruce reproached Comyn with treachery. The answer was, “You lie!” and + Bruce, enraged, struck with his dagger at his enemy; then, horror-struck + at seeing him fall, rushed out of the church, and called, “To horse!” Two + of his attendants, Lindsay and Kirkpatrick, struck by his pale looks and + wild eyes, asked what had befallen him. + </p> + <p> + “I doubt,” he said, “that I have slain the Red Comyn!” + </p> + <p> + “You doubt!” cried Kirkpatrick; “I’ll mak sicker”—or sure: and, so + saying, hurried back into the church, and slew not only the wounded man, + but his uncle, Sir Robert Comyn, who tried to defend him. The “bloody + dirk” and the words “mak sicker” were adopted as crest and motto by the + Kirkpatrick family. Strange instance of barbarism, that the dastardly, + sacrilegious murder of a helpless man on the steps of the altar should be + regarded as an achievement worthy of pride! + </p> + <p> + Still, the fruits of that deed were the deliverance of Scotland. The man + who had hitherto wavered, cast about by circumstances, and swayed by + family interest, assumed a new character, and became the patient, + undaunted champion of his country. + </p> + <p> + In utter desperation, Bruce’s first measure was to defend himself against + the English justiciaries, and, rallying his friends, he took possession of + the castle of Dumfries, where they were holding their court in a hall. + They barricaded themselves within, but the fierce Scots set fire to the + doors, and they surrendered, whereupon Bruce permitted them to depart in + safety. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was left for Bruce, blood-stained and branded with treachery and + impiety, but to set up his standard and fight to the last; since he had + offended too deeply ever to find mercy, and the lot of Davydd or of + Wallace were samples of what he had to expect. He was handsome, well + educated, of great personal strength and prowess, and frank, winning + address, and the Scots had suffered so much under their oppressors, that + they were ready to rally round the first leader who offered himself. + </p> + <p> + Going to his castle of Lochmaben, he mustered his adherents. They amounted + only to three bishops, two earls, and fourteen barons, with their + followers, and his own four brothers, Edward, Nigel, Thomas, and + Alexander. With his little force he get out for Scone, where the Scottish + kings were crowned, and on his way met a young knight, riding alone, but + well mounted and well armed. As he raised his visor to do his homage to + the King Robert of Scotland, and showed his dark hair and complexion, he + was recognized as James, the eldest son of that William, Baron Douglas, of + Douglasdale, who alone had withheld his allegiance from Edward, and whose + lands, after Bruce himself had ravaged them, had been given to the English + Lord Clifford. The youth had been educated in France, and brought the + graces of a gentler school of chivalry when he cast in his lot with his + ill-used country men. Thus began the lifelong friendship of Bruce and + “good Sir James Douglas,” who was, “wise, wight, and worthy,” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Was never over-glad in winning, nor over-sad in tyneing.” + </pre> + <p> + From Scone, the crown, royal stone, and robes had been carried off to + England; and the Earl of Fife, who, since the days of Macduff, had had the + right of placing the King upon his throne, was in the hands of the + English: but the Bishop of Glasgow provided rich raiment; a little circlet + of gold was borrowed of an English goldsmith; and Isabel, Countess of + Buchan, the sister of the Earl of Fife, rode to Scone, bringing her + husband’s war-horses, and herself enthroned King Robert. The coronation + took place on the Feast of the Annunciation, 1306, and thus began a + dynasty whose fate was remarkably similar to the sacrilege and murder in + which their rise was founded. Never was royal line of whom it could so + truly be said, that the sword never departed from them, and there was not + an old man in their house for ever. High endowments and honest purposes + could not redeem them, and Scotland never rested nor was purified from + deadly hate and the shedding of innocent blood till the last of them was + dying, a childless exile, and her sceptre was in the hands of that power + against which Bruce arose. + </p> + <p> + The news of Brace’s coronation filled Edward I. with rage. Fourteen years’ + work, at the cost of honor, mercy, and the love of his people, all was + undone, and the spirit of independence still uncrushed. + </p> + <p> + Edward regarded Bruce as so sacrilegious a traitor, that a war with him + was almost sacred; he swore to revenge Red Comyn’s death, and prepared for + the war in the most solemn manner. His son Edward was in his 22d year, and + had not yet been knighted, and the King convoked all the young nobles to + share in the solemnity. + </p> + <p> + On Whitsun-eve three hundred tents were erected in the Temple gardens, and + in each was a young esquire of noble blood, clad in white linen and + scarlet cloth, from the King’s own wardrobe. Around the circular church of + the Temple they watched their armor, and in the early morning the Prince + received knighthood in private from the hands of his father, who had + become too unwell to encounter the whole fatigue of the day. The Prince + conferred the order on his companions, and a magnificent banquet took + place in Westminster Hall, where the old King himself presided. In the + midst a golden net was brought in containing two swans, the emblems of + constancy and truth; and laying his hand on these, the King vowed that he + would never sleep two nights in the same place till he should have + chastised the Scots, and that he then would embark for Palestine, and die + in the holy war. All the young knights made the same vow; and Edward made + them swear that, if he should die in the course of the war, they would + keep his body above ground till the conquest should be completed. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Clement V. had visited Bruce’s crime with + excommunication; and though the primate, Lamberton, would not receive the + letters bearing the sentence, it was less easy to be inattentive to the + enormous force that Edward I. had despatched under his viceroy, Aymar de + Valence, Earl of Pembroke, while he followed with mind only bent on + revenge. + </p> + <p> + Bruce ravaged Galloway, and marching on Perth, where De Valence was in + garrison, challenged him to come out to battle. Aymar answered that it was + too late in the day, and he must wait till morning; and the Scots settled + themselves in the wood of Methven, where they were cooking their suppers, + when Valence ungenerously took them by surprise, falling on them with a + far superior force. Robert was on the alert, and killed Aymar’s horse; but + three times he was himself unhorsed: and once Philippe Mowbray was crying + out that he had the new-made King, when Christopher Seton came to the + rescue, and killed the Englishman. Robert, with about five hundred men, + retreated safely into the rugged country of Athol; but he lost many of his + best friends, who were slain or made prisoners, the latter being for the + most part hung as rebels, except his sister’s son, Thomas Randolph, who + made his peace by renouncing his uncle. + </p> + <p> + King Edward had advanced as far as Carlisle. But he was now in his 67th + year, and though his blue eye was not dim, nor his tall form bent, age was + beginning to tell on him, and he was detained by sickness. His armies + advanced, and while their cruelties shocked even his stern heart, he set + them a fatal example by the unsparing manner in which he ordered the + execution of all whom he considered as accomplices in rebellion. + </p> + <p> + The King and his small band of followers lived a wild, outlaw life, in the + hills, hunting and fishing; and his English wife, Joan de Valence, with + his two sisters, Mary and Christian, and the Countess of Buchan, came, + under the escort of young Nigel Bruce, to join them. A few weeks ensued in + the wilds of Bredalbane which had all the grace of “As You Like It.” The + Queen and ladies were lodged in bowers of the branches of trees, slept on + the skins of deer and roe, and the King and his young knights hunted, + fished, or gathered the cranberry or the whortleberry for their food; + while the French courtliness of James Douglas, and the gracious beauty of + young Nigel, threw a romance over the whole of the sufferings so + faithfully and affectionately endured. + </p> + <p> + But advancing autumn forced them to think of providing shelter, and as + they advanced toward the Tay, they came into the country of John + Macdougal, Lord of Lorn, a son-in-law of the Red Comyn, and therefore at + deadly feud with the Bruces. He collected his Highland vassals, and set + upon the little band in a narrow pass between a lake and a precipice, + where they could not use their horses: and the Highlanders did dreadful + execution with their Lochaber axes; James Douglas was wounded, and so many + of the horses destroyed, that Bruce ordered a retreat, and set himself to + cover it, almost alone. Lorn himself was reminded of the heroes of + Highland romance, as he saw the knightly figure riding calmly along the + shore of the lake, guarding his flying army by the might of his presence, + and the Archdeacon of Aberdeen found a simile for him in the romances of + Alexander; but three men named M’Androsser, a father and two sons, all of + great strength, sprang forward, vowing to slay the champion, or make him + prisoner. One seized his rein, and at the same moment Bruce’s sword + sheared off the detaining hand, but not before the other brother had + grasped his leg to hurl him from the saddle. With a touch of the spur the + horse leaped forward, and as the man fell, his head was cleft by the + King’s sword. The grapple with the father was more severe; he grasped the + King’s mantle, and when Bruce dashed out his brains with his mace, the + death-clutch was so fast, that Bruce was forced to undo the brooch at his + throat to free himself from the dead man. The brooch was brought as a + trophy to Lorn, whose party could not help breaking out into expressions + of admiration, which began to anger him. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to give you pleasure,” he said, “to see such havoc made among + us.” “Not so,” answered one; “but be he friend or foe who achieves high + deeds of knighthood, men should do faithful witness to his valor.” + </p> + <p> + When the King had safely conducted his friends from this danger, he + decided that the ladies should be placed in Kildrummie Castle, in Mar, + under the keeping of young Nigel, while his followers dispersed for the + winter, and he would shelter in the Hebrides. It was a sad and long + parting, for Kildrummie Castle was soon taken, and Edward sternly + condemned Nigel to be hung, in spite of his youth and innocence; and + Christopher Seton, the King’s dearest friend, was soon after taken, and + shared the same fate. The bishops were carried in chains to England, and + Queen Joan also was sent home as a prisoner with her little daughter + Marjory. Mary Bruce and Isabel of Buchan were still more harshly treated, + being each shut up in an open cage of latticed wood, exposed to the + weather and to the public gaze, the one at Berwick, the other at Roxburgh + Castle. Christian had the better fate of being placed in a convent. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Bruce and his few friends had wandered on to the banks of + Loch Lomond, where they could only find one leaky boat, unable to hold + more than three. Bruce, Douglas, and one other were the first to cross, + and the third then rowed back for another freight, while throughout this + tedious waiting the King made his friends forget their troubles by + reciting poems and tales of chivalry. He spent part of the winter in + Kentire, and the rest at the little island of Rachrin, so entirely lost to + the knowledge of his enemies, that derisive proclamation was made for + Robert Bruce, lost, stolen, or strayed. The Pope’s legate solemnly + excommunicated him at Carlisle, with bell, book, and candle; and Annandale + was given to the Earl of Hereford, and Carrick to Henry Percy, whilst the + executions of his relatives and adherents were both savage and cruel. + </p> + <p> + It was while depressed by such dreadful tidings that Bruce, as he lay on + his bed at Rachrin, drew counsel and encouragement from the persevering + spider, resolved to stake his fortunes on another cast, and, if + unsuccessful, to die as a warrior in the Holy Land. The spring of 1307 was + coming on, and he had found a friend in Christina, the Lady of the Isles, + who furnished him with some vessels, in which Douglas descended upon the + Isle of Arran, and surprised Brodick Castle, which was full of supplies. + </p> + <p> + Bruce was not long in following them, and, landing secretly, blew his + bugle horn. + </p> + <p> + “The King!” cried James Douglas; “I know his manner of blowing!” + </p> + <p> + “The King!” cried Robert Boyd; “let us make speed to join him!”. + </p> + <p> + Bruce had brought with him thirty-three galleys, and, meditating a landing + in his own county of Carrick, just opposite, he sent a trusty friend, + named Cuthbert, to feel his way; agreeing that, if he found the people + favorably disposed, he should light a fire as a signal on Turnberry Head. + The flame burst out at night, and Bruce and his little band embarked; but, + on landing, he found no welcome on the shore, only Cuthbert, who knelt in + dismay to assure the King that he knew not what hand had kindled the + blaze; it was none of his, for the people were terror-stricken, Turnberry + Castle was full of English, and he feared that it was the work of + treachery. Nor has that strange beacon ever been accounted for; it is + still believed to have been lit by no mortal hand, and the spot where it + shone forth is called the Bogle’s Brae. Whether meteor or watch-fire, it + lit the way to Robert Bruce’s throne. + </p> + <p> + He took counsel whether to return, or not; but his fiery brother, Edward, + vowed that, for his part, he would never return to the sea, but would seek + his adventures by land, and Bruce decided on being led by his strange + destiny. Percy’s horses and men were quartered in the villages round, and + falling on them by surprise, he made a rich booty, and drove the remainder + to take refuge in the castle. + </p> + <p> + A lady of Bruce’s kindred brought him forty men and a supply of money and + provisions, but, on the other hand, she told him the sad news of the loss + of Kildrummie and the death of Nigel; and nearly at the same time, his two + youngest brothers, who had been to collect forces in Ireland, were met as + they landed by the Macdowalls of Galloway, routed, wounded, and made + prisoners. They were taken to King Edward at Carlisle, and at once hanged + without mercy. Bruce vowed a deadly vengeance, but he was again put to + dreadful straits. He had four hundred men with him at Ammock, in Ayrshire, + when Aymar de Valence and John of Lorn pursued him with eight hundred + Highlanders and men-at-arms, setting on his traces a bloodhound, once a + favorite of his own, and whose instinct they basely employed against his + master. + </p> + <p> + Bruce, hoping to confuse them, divided his followers into three bands, + appointing them a place of meeting; but the hound was not to be thus + baffled, and followed up his master’s footsteps. Again the royal party + broke up, the King keeping with him only his foster-brother; but again the + hound singled out his traces, and followed him closely. Lorn sent on five + of his fleetest Highlanders to outstrip the dog, believing them able to + cope with the two whose footmarks he saw. Bruce soon saw them dashing + alter him, and asked his foster-brother, “What aid wilt them make?” + </p> + <p> + “The best I can,” he said; and the King undertook to deal with three, + leaving the other two to his foster-brother; but he had to turn aside from + his own combat to rescue his companion, and four out of the five fell by + his hand; yet he thanked his foster-brother for his aid in the encounter. + The baying of the hound came near enough to be heard, revealing why the + enemy had so well distinguished his tread: and Bruce, who had been sitting + under a tree, spent with fatigue, sprang up, exclaiming that he had heard + that to wade a bow-shot through a stream would make any dog lose scent, + and he would put it to proof by walking down the little stream that + crossed the wood. This device succeeded, the running water effaced the + scent, the hound was at fault, and Lorn gave up the attempt. + </p> + <p> + Still the hunted pair were in evil case; they had lost their way, and were + spent with fatigue, and they could not extricate themselves from the + forest. By and by they met three wild, vagabond-looking men coming with + swords and axes, and one with a sheep thrown over his shoulders. The King + accosted them, and asked whither they were bound. They said they sought + Robert Bruce, since, wherever he was, there would be fighting. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me,” he said; “I will take you to him.” + </p> + <p> + At this they changed countenance, so that he suspected them, and insisted + that they should walk on before him in front, without the two parties + mingling together. At nightfall they came to an empty shed, where they + killed the sheep; but Bruce, still on his guard, chose to have a separate + fire, and to eat and sleep apart beside it, himself and his foster-brother + taking turns to watch. The foster-brother, heavy and exhausted, dropped + off to sleep on his watch, and almost at the same moment the three robbers + fell upon them. Bruce, who slept lightly, was on the alert in a moment, + and slew the whole three, but not in time to save his foster-brother, who + died under a blow from the marauders. The King then went mournfully on his + way to the place of rendezvous, and by and by came to a farm, where he was + welcomed by a loyal goodwife, who declared that she wished well to all + travellers for the sake of one—King Robert. Here he was joined by + one hundred and fifty men, with his brother Edward, and James Douglas; and + the first remedy thought of for all their fatigues was to fall on their + pursuers, who were carousing in the villages. Attacking them suddenly, + they inflicted far more injury than had been suffered through this day of + pursuit. + </p> + <p> + Bruce was gathering men so fast, that he ventured to give battle to Aymar + de Valence at London Hill, and defeated him chiefly by using the long + spears of the Scottish infantry against the horse of the English. Aymar + went to explain the state of affairs to King Edward at Carlisle. Such + tidings lashed the old monarch to more vehement action; he prepared to set + forth at once against the enemy; but it was not to be. Wars were over with + him forever. The sudden death of his daughter, Joan, strongly affected + him, and at only one day’s march from Carlisle he became so ill, that he + was forced to rest at Burgh on the Sands, where he speedily declined. His + last injunctions to his son were, to be kind to his little brothers, and + to maintain three hundred knights for three years in the Holy Land. The + report went, that he further desired that his flesh might be boiled off + his bones, and these wrapped in a bull’s hide to serve as a standard to + the army; but Edward’s hatred never was so mad as this would have been, + and there is no reason to believe in so absurd a story. + </p> + <p> + There could perhaps be found no more appropriate monument than that in + Westminster Abbey, contrasting, as it does, its stern simplicity with the + gorgeous grace of his father’s inlaid shrine, and typifying well the whole + story of the fallen though still devout crusader—the dark-gray slab + of Purbeck marble, with the inscription: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Edwardus Primus. Malleus Scotorum, 1308. Pactum Serva. + Edward the First. The Hammer of the Scots. Keep covenants. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXVII. THE VICTIM OF BLACKLOW HILL. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1307. Edward II. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1306. Robert I. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1385. Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1308. Henry VII. + + <i>Pope</i>. + 1305. Clement V. +</pre> + <p> + “The foolishness of the people” is a title that might be given to many a + son of a wise father. The very energy and prudence of the parent, + especially when employed on ambitious or worldly objects, seems to cause + distaste, and even opposition, in the youth on whom his father’s pursuits + have been prematurely forced. Seeing the evil, and weary of the good, it + often requires a strong sense of duty to prevent him from flying to the + contrary extreme, or from becoming wayward, indifferent, and dissipated. + </p> + <p> + This has been the history of many an heir-apparent, and of none more + decidedly than of Edward of Carnarvon. The Plantagenet weakness, instead + of the stern strength of the house of Anjou, had descended to him; and + though he had what Fuller calls “a handsome man-case,” his fair and + beautiful face was devoid of the resolute and fiery expression of his + father, and showed somewhat of the inanity of regular features, without a + spirit to illuminate them. Gentle, fond of music, dancing, and every kind + of sport, he had little turn for state affairs; and like his grandfather, + Henry III., but with more constancy, he clung to any one who had been able + to gain his affections, and had neither will nor judgment save that of the + friend who had won his heart. + </p> + <p> + His first friend—and it was a friendship till death—was Piers + Gaveston, the son of a knight of Guienne. Piers was a few years older than + the Prince, and so graceful, handsome, ready of tongue, and complete in + every courtly accomplishment, that Edward I. highly approved of him as his + son’s companion in early boyhood; and Piers shared in the education of the + young Prince of Wales and of his favorite sister, Elizabeth. Edward I. was + a fond father, and granted his son’s friend various distinguished marks of + favor, among others the wardship of Roger, the son and heir of the + deceased Edmund Mortimer, warden of the Marches of Wales. Whatever were + the intentions of Gaveston, Roger Mortimer did little credit to his + education. The guardian had a license to use his ward’s property like his + own till his majority, in order that he might levy the retainers for the + King’s service, and he obtained a handsome gratuity from the relatives of + the lady to whom he gave the youth in marriage, and this, probably, was + the extent of the obligations to which Gaveston considered himself as + bound. + </p> + <p> + Both he and his Prince were strongly sensitive to all that was tasteful + and beautiful; they were profuse in their expenditure in dress, in + ornament, and in all kinds of elegances, and delighted in magnificent + entertainments. They gave one in the Tower of London to the princesses, on + which occasion an immense expenditure was incurred, when the Prince of + Wales was only fifteen; and his presents were always on the grandest scale + to his sisters, who seem to have loved him as sisters love an only + brother. + </p> + <p> + By and by, however, generosity became profusion, and love of pleasure ran + into dissipation. Grave men grew uneasy at the idle levity of the Prince, + and were seriously offended by the gibes and jests in which the tongue of + Gaveston abounded, and at which he was always ready to laugh. In 1305, the + Prince made application to Walter Langley, Bishop of Litchfield, the + King’s treasurer, to supply him with money, but was refused, and spoke + improperly in his anger. It is even said that he joined Gaveston in the + wild frolic of breaking into Langley’s park, and stealing his deer. At any + rate, at Midhurst, on the 13th of June, the Bishop seriously reproved him + for his idle life and love of low company; and the Prince replied with + such angry words, that the King, in extreme displeasure, sent him in a + sort of captivity to Windsor Castle, with only two servants. + </p> + <p> + All his sisters rose up to take their brother’s part, and assure him of + their sympathy. The eager, high-spirited Joan, Countess of Gloucester, + sent him her seal, that he might procure whatever he pleased at her cost; + and Elizabeth, who was married to Humphrey de Bohun, the great Earl of + Hereford, wrote a letter of warm indignation, to which he replied by + begging her not to believe anything, save that his father was acting quite + rightly by him; but a few weeks after, he wrote to beg her to intercede + that his “two valets,” Gilbert de Clare and Perot de Gaveston, “might be + restored to him, as they would alleviate much of his anguish.” He + addressed a letter with the like petition to his stepmother, Queen + Margaret, and continued to evince his submission by refusing his sister + Mary’s invitations to visit her at her convent at Ambresbury. At the + meeting of parliament, Edward met his father again, and received his + forgiveness. All went well for some time, and he gracefully played his + part in the pageantry of his knighthood and the vow of the Swans. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston still continued about his person, and accompanied him to the + north of England. At the parliament of Carlisle, in 1307, the Prince + besought his father to grant his friend the earldom of Cornwall, the + richest appanage in the kingdom, just now vacant by the death of his + cousin, Edmund d’Almaine, son of the King of the Romans. Whether this + presumptuous request opened the King’s eyes to the inordinate power that + Gaveston exercised over his son, or whether he was exasperated against him + by the complaints of the nobles, his reply was, to decree that, after a + tournament fixed for the 9th of April, Gaveston must quit the kingdom + forever; and he further required an oath from both the friends, that they + would never meet, again, even after his death. Oaths were lightly taken in + those days, and neither of the gay youths was likely to resist the will of + the stern old monarch; so the pledge was taken, and the Prince of Wales + remained lonely and dispirited, while Piers hovered on the outskirts of + the English dominions, watching for tidings that could hardly be long in + coming. + </p> + <p> + So much did Edward I. dread his influence, that, on his deathbed, he + obliged his son to renew his abjuration of Gaveston’s company, and laid + him under his paternal malediction should he attempt to recall him. It + does not appear that Gaveston waited for a summons. He hurried to present + himself before his royal friend, who had, in pursuance of his father’s + orders, advanced as far as Cumnock, in Ayrshire. + </p> + <p> + Both had bitterly to rue their broken faith, and heavily did the father’s + curse weigh upon them; but at first there was nothing but transport in + their meeting. The merry Piers renewed his jests and gayeties; he set + himself to devise frolics and pageantries for his young master, and + speedily persuaded him to cease from the toils of war in dreary Scotland, + and turn his face homeward to the more congenial delights of his + coronation, and his marriage with the fairest maiden in Europe. To have + made peace with Bruce because the war was an unjust aggression, would have + been noble; but it was base neither to fight nor to treat, and to leave + unsupported the brave men who held castles in his name in the heart of the + enemy’s country. But Edward was only twenty-two, Gaveston little older, + and sport was their thought, instead of honor or principle. Piers even + mocked at the last commands of the great Edward, and not only persuaded + the new King to let the funeral take place without waiting for the + conquest of Scotland, but to bestow on him even the bequest set apart for + the maintenance of the knights in Palestine. At Dumfries, on his first + arrival, the coveted earldom of Cornwall was granted to him; and, on his + return, he was married to the King’s niece, Margaret de Clare, daughter to + Joan of Acre. He held his head higher than ever, and showed great + discourtesy to the nobility. He had announced a tournament at Wallingford + in honor of his wedding, and hearing that a party of knights were coming + to the assistance of the barons who had accepted his encounter, he sallied + out privately with his followers, and attacked and dispersed the allies, + so as to have the advantage in his own hands in the melée. Such a + dishonorable trick was never forgotten, though probably the root was + chiefly vanity, which seems to have been the origin of all his crimes, and + of his ruin. + </p> + <p> + The chancellor and all the late King’s tried ministers were displaced, and + some, among whom was the good Bishop of Litchfield, were imprisoned for + two years. Gaveston, without any regular appointment, took the great seal + into his own keeping, and set it to charters which he filled up after his + fancy. In the meantime, the King set off for France, to celebrate his + marriage with Isabel, the daughter of Philippe le Bel, the princess for + whose sake the Flemish maiden was pining to death in captivity. The seal + of this most wretched of unions was, that Philippe took this opportunity + of persuading the gentle, reluctant Edward II, to withdraw his protection + from the Templars in his dominions, and give them up to the horrible + cruelty and rapacity of their exterminator. Isabel’s dowry was furnished + from their spoils. The wedding took place on St. Paul’s Day, 1308, in the + presence of four kings and queens, and the festivities lasted a fortnight; + after which the young bride and bridegroom set off on their return to + Dover, where Edward’s favorite sister, Elizabeth, was already come to + greet the little Queen, a beautiful girl of thirteen, proud, + high-spirited, and exacting, very unwilling to be treated as a child. Her + two uncles came with her, and a splendid train of nobles; and two days + after their landing, Gaveston arrived at Dover, when, at first sight of + him, Edward rushed into his arms, calling him brother, and disregarding + every one else. Almost at the same time the King gave his favorite the + whole of the rich jewelry and other gifts which had been bestowed on him + by his father-in-law, Philippe le Bel; and this was regarded as a great + affront by the young Queen and her uncles. Gaveston had a childish + complaint of his own to make—men would not call him by his new + title; and presently a proclamation came out, rendering it a crime to + speak of him as Piers, Piers Gaveston, or as anything but the Earl of + Cornwall. + </p> + <p> + It was the more resented because he was not respectful with other men’s + titles, and amused the King with nicknames for the nobles. Thomas, Earl of + Lancaster, the son of Edmund Crouchback, was “the old hog” and the + “stage-player;” pale, dark, Provençal Aymar de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, + he called “Joseph the Jew;” the fierce Guy, Earl of Warwick, “the black + dog of Ardennes.” The stout Earl swore that he should find that the dog + could show his teeth; and when Gaveston announced a tournament for the + 18th of February at Feversham, no one chose to attend it, whereupon he + jeered at them as cowards. + </p> + <p> + The King issued writs summoning his nobles to meet for his coronation on + the 25th of February, but they took the opportunity of insisting that + Gaveston should be dismissed from favor. Edward evasively answered that he + would attend to their wishes at the meeting of parliament, and they were + obliged to be content for the present; but they were exceedingly angry + that, at the coronation, Piers appeared more splendidly and richly attired + than the King himself, and bearing on a cushion the crown of St. Edward, + while the Earl of Lancaster carried curtana, the sword of mercy, and his + brother Henry the rod with the dove. The Bishop of Winchester performed + the ceremony, Archbishop Winchelsea not having returned from his exile; + and the King and Queen made magnificent offerings: the King’s being first, + a figure of a king in gold, holding a ring; the second, of a pilgrim given + the ring; intended to commemorate the vision in which St. Edward received + the coronation-ring from St. John the Evangelist. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston arranged the whole ceremony; but as his own display was his chief + thought, he managed to affront every one, and more especially the young + Queen and her uncles, so that Isabel wrote a letter to her father full of + complaints of her new lord and his favorite, and Philippe entered into + correspondence with the discontented nobility. In the tournaments in honor + of the coronation, Piers came off victorious over the Earls of Lancaster, + Hereford, Pembroke, and Warrenne, and this mortification greatly added to + their dislike. At the meeting of parliament, the Barons were so determined + against the favorite, that finally Edward was obliged to yield, and to + swear to keep him out of the kingdom; though, to soften the sentence, he + gave him the manors of High Peak and Cockermouth, and made him governor of + Ireland, bestowing on him, as a parting token, all the young Queen’s gifts + to himself—rings, chains, and brooches; another great vexation to + Isabel. He was obliged, at the same time, to grant forty other articles, + giving greater security to the people. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston made a better governor of Ireland than could have been expected, + repressed several incursions of the wild Irish, and repaired the castles + on the borders of the English pale; but his haughty deportment greatly + affronted the Irish barons of English blood, and they were greatly + discontented with his rule. + </p> + <p> + The King was, in the meantime, doing his utmost to procure the recall of + the beloved Earl. He wrote to the Pope to obtain absolution from his oath, + and to the King of France to entreat him to relax his hostility; and he + strove to gain his nobles over one by one, granting offices to Lancaster, + and making concessions to all the rest. Philippe le Bel made no answer; + Clement V. sent exhortations to him to live in harmony with his subjects, + but at last absolved Gaveston, on condition that he should demean himself + properly, and submit his differences with the Barons to the judgment of + the Church. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston hurried home on the instant; his master flew to meet him, and + received him at Chester with raptures of affection. Thence Edward sent + explanations to the sheriffs of each county, saying, that Gaveston having + been unjustly and violently banished, it was his duty to recall him, to + have his conduct examined into according to the laws. The Barons, on the + other hand, put forth other declarations, persuading the people that the + King having violated one of the oaths, he evidently meant to break the + other forty, which regarded their personal liberties. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston did nothing to mitigate the general aversion. He had not learnt + wisdom by his first fall, and though the clergy and commons meeting at + Stamford granted a twenty-fifth of the year’s produce to the King, and + consented to his remaining so long as he should demean himself properly, + he soon disgusted them also. He wore the crown-jewels openly, and affected + greater contempt than ever for the Barons, till it became popularly said + that there were two Kings, the real one a mere subject to the false. The + young Queen wrote piteous complaints to her father of her husband’s + neglect; and the Countess of Cornwall had still greater wrongs from + Gaveston to complain of to her brother, the Earl of Gloucester. Dances, + sports, and gayeties were the occupation of the court, heedless of the + storm that was preparing. The Barons, jealous, alarmed, and irritated, + looked on in displeasure, and on the All-Saints’ Day of 1310, after high + mass at St. Paul’s, the bold-spirited Archbishop Winchelsea, in his + pontifical robes, standing on the step of the altar, made a discourse to + the Earls of Lancaster, Lincoln, Pembroke, Hereford, and eight other + persons, after which he bound them by an oath to unite to deliver the + kingdom from the exactions of the favorite, and pronounced sentence of + excommunication against any who should reveal any part of their + confederation before the time. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Lincoln, the last of the Lacys, shortly after fell sick, and + made what he thought a death-bed exhortation to the Earl of Lancaster, who + had married his only daughter, not to abandon England to the King and the + Pope, but, like the former barons, to resist all infractions of their + privileges. + </p> + <p> + This Earl of Lancaster was the son of Edmund Crouchback and of Blanche of + Artois, mother of the Queen of France. He was a fine-looking man, devout + and gracious, and much beloved by the people, who called him the Gentle + Count; but Gaveston’s nickname for him of the “stage-player” may not have + been unmerited, for he seems to have been over-greedy of popular applause + and influence, and to have had much personal ambition; and it does not + seem certain, though Gaveston might be vain, and his master weak and + foolish, that Lancaster and his friends did not exaggerate their faults, + and excite the malevolence of a nation never tolerant either of royal + favorites or of an expensive court. Pembroke was Aymar de Valence, son of + one of the foreign brothers who had been the bane of Henry III.; but now, + becoming a thorough Englishman, he bore the like malice to the unfortunate + Gascon who held the same post as his own father had done. Hereford, though + husband to the King’s favorite sister Elizabeth, was true to the stout old + Bohun, his father, who had sworn to Edward I. that he would neither go nor + hang. Two poor butterflies, such as Edward II. and Gaveston, could have + done little injury to the realm, but the fierce warriors were resolved to + crush them, impatient of the calls upon their purses made needful by their + extravagance. + </p> + <p> + A tournament had been announced at Kennington, and preparations were made; + but Gaveston’s jousts were not popular. None of the Barons accepted the + invitation, and in the night the lists and scaffolding were secretly + carried away. This mortification was ominous, but Edward’s funds were so + low that he could not avoid summoning a parliament to meet at Westminster; + and at their meeting the nobles again resorted to the device of Montfort + at the Mad Parliament. They brought their armed followers, and forced the + King to consent to the appointment of a committee of ordainers, who made + him declare that this measure proceeded of his own free will, and was not + to prejudice the rights of the Crown; but that their office would expire + of itself on the ensuing Michaelmas-Day. So strangely and inconsistently + did they try to bring about their own ends without infringing on the + constitution. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston had either previously hidden himself, or was driven away by the + ordainers; but the King, anxious to escape from their surveillance, + proclaimed an expedition to Scotland, and summoned his vassals to meet him + at York. Hardly any noble came except Gaveston, and they made an + ineffectual inroad into Scotland together, after which Gaveston shut + himself up in Bamborough Castle, while the King went to London to receive + the decision of the ordainers. The foremost was, of course, the banishment + of Gaveston; and he went, but only again to appear, before two months were + past, in the company of the King, at York. + </p> + <p> + Lancaster and his friends now look up arms and marched northward. Edward + and his court had proceeded to Newcastle, but no army was with them; and + on the report of the advance of the enemy the King fled to Tynemouth, and + embarked in a little boat with his friend, leaving behind him his wife, + discourteously perhaps, but hardly cruelly, for Isabel was the niece of + Lancaster, and probably would have been in more danger from a sea-voyage + in a rude vessel, than from the rebel lords. She was, however, greatly + offended, and was far more inclined to her uncle, who wrote her an + affectionate letter, than to her regardless husband. + </p> + <p> + Edward and Piers landed at Scarborough, where the King was obliged to + leave his friend for security, while he went on to raise his standard at + York. Few obeyed the summons, and Pembroke hastened to besiege + Scarborough. It was impossible to hold out, and Gaveston surrendered, + Pembroke and Henry Percy binding themselves for his safety to the King, + under forfeiture of life and limb. Gaveston was to be confined in his own + castle of Wallingford, and the Earl proceeded to escort him thither. But + at Dedington Pembroke left the party to visit his wife, who was in the + neighborhood, and, on rising in the morning, Gaveston beheld the guard + changed. They bore the badge of Warwick, and the grim black dog of + Ardennes rode exulting at their head. The unhappy man was set upon a mule, + and carried to Warwick Castle, where Lancaster, Hereford, and Surrey, were + met to decide his fate in the noble pile newly raised by Earl Guy, to whom + the loftiest tower owes its name. + </p> + <p> + They set Piers before them, and gave him a mock trial. At first there was + a reluctance to shed blood, but a voice exclaimed, “Let the fox go, and + you will have to hunt him again.” And it was resolved that, in defiance of + law and of their own honor, Piers Gaveston should die. + </p> + <p> + He flung himself on his knees before Lancaster, and implored mercy; but in + vain he called him “Gentle Count.” “Old hog” rankled in the mind of the + Earl, who, with his two confederates, rode-forth to Blacklow Hill, a knoll + between Warwick and Coventry, and there, beneath the clump of ragged + pine-trees, they sternly and ruthlessly looked on while, on June 19th, + 1312, the head of the unfortunate young Gaveston was struck off, a victim + to his own vanity and the inordinate affection of his master. + </p> + <p> + Pembroke, regretting either his carelessness or his treachery, when he saw + the dreadful consequences, went to the King, and satisfied him of his + innocence. Poor Edward was at first wild with grief and rage, but his + efforts to punish the murderers were fruitless; and gradually his wrath + cooled enough to listen to the mediation of the Pope and King of France, + and he consented to grant the Barons a pardon. They wanted to force him, + for their own justification, to declare Gaveston a traitor; but weak as + Edward was, his affection could not be overcome. He could forgive the + murderers, but he could not denounce the memory of the murdered friend of + his youth. And the Barons were forced to content themselves with receiving + a free pardon after they had come to profess their penitence on their + knees before the King enthroned in Westminster Hall. + </p> + <p> + Gaveston had been buried by some friars at Oxford; but, twelve years + after, Edward showed how enduring his love had been, by transporting the + corpse to the church he had newly built at Langley, and placing with his + own hands two palls of gold on the tomb. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXVIII. BANNOCKBURN. (1307-1313.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1307. Edward II. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1306. Robert I. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1285. Philippe IV. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1308. Henry VII. + + <i>Pope</i>. + 1305. Clement VI. +</pre> + <p> + While the son of the Hammer of the Scots wasted his manhood in silken + ease, the brave though savage patriots of the North were foot by foot + winning back their native soil. + </p> + <p> + Lord Clifford had posted an English garrison in Douglas Castle, and + reigned over Douglasdale, which had been granted to him by Edward I. on + the forfeiture of Baron William. It sorely grieved the spirit of James + Douglas to see his inheritance held by the stranger, and, with Bruce’s + permission, he sought his own valley in disguise, revealing himself only + to an old servant, named Thomas Dickson, who burst into tears at the first + sight of his young lord, and gave him shelter in his cottage. + </p> + <p> + Here Douglas lay concealed, while Dickson conducted to him, one by one, + his trusty vassals, and measures were concerted with total disregard to + the sacred holiday. Once, all Passion-tide would have been peaceful for + the sake of the Truce of God; but the wrongs of the Scots had blotted out + all the gentler influences that soften war, and in their eyes justified + treachery and sacrilege. On the Palm-Sunday of 1307, when the English + troops would come forth in procession to the Church of St. Bride, carrying + willow boughs in memory of the palm-branches at Jerusalem, the adherents + of Douglas intended to attack and beset them on all sides, and Douglas, by + way of encouragement, made a grant to Dickson of the lands of Hisleside. + Dickson and the other secret friends of the Scots mingled in the + procession, with their arms concealed, and entered the church with the + English, and no sooner had they disappeared within the low doorway, than + the loud slogan of “Douglas! Douglas!” was heard without. Dickson drew his + sword and ran upon the English, but the signal had been given too soon, + and he was overthrown and slain before Sir James came up. The English + bravely defended the chancel, but Douglas and his armed followers + prevailed, killed twenty-six, took twelve prisoners, and set out for the + castle, which, in full security, had been left with all the gates open, + with no one within but the porter, and the cook dressing the dinner, which + was eaten by very different guests from those whom they expected. Douglas + had not men enough to hold the castle, and had a great dislike to standing + a siege. “I had rather hear the lark sing, than the mouse squeak,” was his + saying, and he therefore resolved to return to his king on the mountains, + and carry off all the treasure and arms that could be transported from + Douglasdale. As to the remainder, he showed that French breeding had not + rooted the barbarian even out of the “gentil Lord James.” He broke up + every barrel of wheat, flour, or meal, staved every cask of wine or ale + among them on the floor of the hall, flung the corpses of dead men and + horses upon them, slew his prisoners on the top of the horrible compound, + and finally set fire to the castle, calling it, in derision, the Douglas + Larder. + </p> + <p> + Clifford, enraged at this horrible foray, came in person to Douglasdale, + cleansed the fire-scathed walls, built a new tower, and entrusted the + defence to a captain named Thirlwall. Him Sir James deluded by sending + fourteen men to drive a herd of cattle past the castle, when Thirlwall, + intending to plunder the drovers, came forth, fell into the ambush laid + for him by Douglas, and was slain with all his men. + </p> + <p> + It went forth among the English, that Black Sir James had made oath that, + if he abode not within his father’s castle, neither should any Englishman + dwell there. The knights of Edward’s court named it the “Perilous Castle + of Douglas,” and Lord Clifford found that even brave men made excuses, and + were unwilling to risk the dishonor of the loss, or to run the chance of + serving to furnish a second Douglas larder. At this juncture a young lady, + enthusiastic in romance, bethought her of making her hand the reward of + any knight who would hold out the Perilous Castle for a year and a day. + The spirited Sir John de Walton took the damsel at her word, and shut + himself up in Douglas Castle; but his prudence did not equal his courage, + and he fell a prey to the same stratagem which had deluded Thirlwall, + except that the bait, in this case, was sacks of corn instead of wandering + cattle. The young knight was slain in the encounter, when his lady’s + letters were found in his bosom, and brought to Sir James, who was so much + touched by this chivalrous incident that he spared the remainder of the + garrison, and gave them provisions and money to return in safety to + Clifford [Footnote: The wild adventures at the Perilous Castle derive a + most affecting interest from the chord they never failed to touch in the + heart of “The Last Minstrel.” Seen by him when a schoolboy, the Dale of + Douglas, the ruin of the castle, and the tombs at St. Bride’s, aided to + form his spirit of romance; the Douglas ballad lore rang in his ears + through life, stirring his heart and swelling his eyes with tears; and the + home of the Douglas was the last spot he sought to explore, in the land + which he loved with more than a patriot’s love. Castle Dangerous was the + last tale he told; and though the hand was feeble, the brain over-tasked, + and the strain faltering, yet still the same heart breathed in every word, + and it was a fit farewell from Scott to the haunted castles, glens, and + hills of his home.] + </p> + <p> + Douglasdale, Ettrick Forest, and Jeddart, were thus made too terrible to + be held by the English; but Bruce himself was for a long time disabled by + a severe illness which gave slight hope of recovery. At Inverary, the Earl + of Buchan made an attack on him when he was still so weak as to be obliged + to be supported on horseback by a man on either side of him; but he gained + a complete victory, and followed it up by such a dreadful devastation, + that “the harrying of Buchan” was a proverb for half a century. The oaks + sunk deep in the mosses bear marks of fire on their trunks, as if in + memory of this destruction. + </p> + <p> + Another victory, a “right fair point of chivalry,” was gained in Galloway + by Edward Bruce, who in one year, 1308, took thirteen fortresses in that + district. Robert might well say that “he was more afraid of the bones of + Edward I. than of the living Edward of Caernarvon, and that it was easier + to win a kingdom from the son than half a foot of land from the father.” + Edward II. was always intending to come to Scotland in person, and wasting + time in preparations, spending subsidies as fast as he collected them, and + changing his governors. In less than a year six different rulers were + appointed, and, of course no consistent course could be pursued by nobles + following each other in such quick succession. + </p> + <p> + At a lonely house near Lyme Water, Sir James Douglas captured the King’s + sister’s son, Thomas Randolph, and led him to Bruce. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Nephew” said Bruce, “you have forgotten your allegiance.” + </pre> + <p> + “Have Done nothing of which I have been ashamed,” returned Randolph. “You + blame me, but you deserve blame. If you choose to defy the King of + England, why not debate the matter like a true knight in a pitched field?” + </p> + <p> + “That may be hereafter,” replied Bruce, calmly; “but since thou art so + rude of speech, it is fitting thy proud words should be punished, till + thou learn my right and thy duty.” + </p> + <p> + Whatever was, strictly speaking, Bruce’s <i>right</i>, his nephew learnt + in captivity to respect it, gave in his adhesion to King Robert, was + created Earl of Moray, and became one of the firmest friends of his + throne. The world was beginning to afford the successful man countenance, + and the cunning Philippe le Bel wrote letters which were to pass through + England under the address of the Earl of Carrick, but, within, bore the + direction to King Robert of Scotland. + </p> + <p> + A vain march of Edward II into Scotland was revenged by a horrible inroad + of the Scots into Northumberland, up to the very gates of Durham. On his + return, Robert tried to surprise Berwick, but was prevented by the barking + of a dog, which awakened the garrison. He next besieged Perth. After + having discovered the shallowest part of the moat, he made a feint of + raising the siege, and, after an absence of eight days, made a sudden + night-attack, wading through the moat with the water up to his neck, and a + scaling-ladder in one hand, while with the other he felt his way with his + spear. + </p> + <p> + “What,” cried a French knight, “shall we say of our lords, who live at + home in ease and jollity, when so brave a knight is here risking his life + to win a miserable hamlet?” + </p> + <p> + So saying, the Frenchman rushed after the King and his men, and the town + was taken before the garrison were well awake. + </p> + <p> + About the same time Douglas came upon Roxburgh, when the garrison were + enjoying the careless mirth of Shrovetide. Hiding their armor with dark + cloaks, Sir James and his men crept on all-fours through the brushwood + till they came to the very foot of the battlements, and could hear a woman + singing to her child that the Black Douglas should not touch it, and the + sentries saying to each other that yonder oxen were out late. Planting + their ladders, the Scots gained the summit of the tower, killed the + sentinels, and burst upon the revelry with shouts of “Douglas! Douglas!” + The governor, a gallant Burgundian knight, named Fiennes, retreated into + the keep, and held out till he was badly wounded, and forced to surrender, + when he was spared, and retreated to die in England, while the castle was + levelled to the ground by Edward Bruce. + </p> + <p> + The destruction of these strongholds was matter of great joy to the + surrounding peasantry, who had been cruelly despoiled by the English + soldiers there stationed; and a farmer, named Binning, actually made an + attempt upon the great fortress of Linlithgow, which was well garrisoned + by the English. He had been required to furnish the troops with hay, and + this gave him the opportunity of placing eight strong peasants well armed, + lying hidden, in the wagon, by which he walked himself, while it was + driven by a stout countryman with an axe at his belt, and another party + were concealed close without the walls. + </p> + <p> + The drawbridge was lowered, and the portcullis raised to admit the forage, + when, at the moment that the wagon stood midway beneath the arch, at a + signal from the farmer, the driver with his axe cut asunder the yoke, the + horses started forward, and Binning, with a loud cry, “Call all! call + all!” drew the sword hidden under his carter’s frock, and killed the + porter. The eight men leaped out from among the hay, and were joined by + their friends from the ambush without; the cart under the doorway + prevented the gates from being closed, and the pile of hay caught the + portcullis as it fell. The Englishmen, surprised and discomfited, had no + time to make head against the rustics, and were slaughtered or made + prisoners; the castle was given up to the King, and Binning received the + grant of an estate, and became a gentleman of coat-armor, with a wagon + argent on his shield, and the harnessed head of a horse for a crest. + </p> + <p> + Jedburgh, Stirling, and Edinburgh, were the last castles still in the + hands of the invaders. The Castle of Edinburgh, aloft on the rock frowning + above the town, had been held by the English full twenty years, and, when + Randolph was sent to besiege it, was governed by a Gascon knight named + Piers Luband, a kinsman of Gaveston. In hatred and suspicion of all + connected with the minion, the English soldiers rose against the + foreigner, threw him into a dungeon, and, electing a fresh captain, made + oath to hold out to the last. The rock was believed to be inaccessible, + and a blockade appeared to be the only means of reducing the garrison. + This had already lasted six weeks, when a man named Frank, coming secretly + to Randolph, told him that his father had formerly been governor, and that + he, when a youth, had been in the habit of scrambling down the south face + of the rock, at night, to visit a young damsel who lived in the + Grass-market, and returning in the same manner; and he undertook to guide + a party by this perilous ascent into the very heart of the castle. + </p> + <p> + Randolph caught at the proposal, desperate as it was, and, selecting + thirty men, chose an excessively dark night for the adventure. Frank went + the first, climbing up the face of the precipice with hands and feet; then + followed Sir Andrew Grey; thirdly, Randolph himself; and then the rest of + the party. The ascent was exceedingly difficult and dangerous, especially + in utter darkness and to men in full armor, fearing to make the slightest + noise. Coming to a projecting crag, close under the wall, they rested to + collect their breath, and listen. It was the moment when the guards were + going their rounds, and, to their horror, they heard a soldier exclaim, as + he threw a pebble down on them, “Away! I see you well!” A few more stones, + and every man of them might have been hurled from the cliff by the + soldiers merely rolling down stones on them. They dared not more, and a + few moments’ silence proved that the alarm had been merely a trick to + startle the garrison—a jest soon to turn to earnest. + </p> + <p> + When the guard had passed on, the brave Scots crept to the foot of the + wall, where it was only twelve feet high, and fixed the iron hook of their + rope-ladder to the top of it. Ere all had mounted, the clank of their + weapons had been heard, shouts of “Treason!” arose, and the sentinels made + a brave resistance; but it was too late, and, after some hard fighting, + the survivors of the garrison were forced to surrender. Sir Piers Luband, + on being released from his dungeon, offered his services to King Robert, + whereupon the English laid all the blame of the loss of the castle upon + him, declaring that he had betrayed them. Randolph’s seizure of Edinburgh + was considered as the most daring of all the many gallant exploits of the + Scots. + </p> + <p> + Bruce forayed Cumberland, and threatened Berwick, so that the poor + Countess of Buchan was removed from thence to a more secure place of + captivity. He also pursued his enemies, the Macdougals of Lorn, up the + passes of Cruachan Ben, and even hunted them into the Isle of Man, where + he took Rushyn Castle, and conquered the whole island. In his absence, + Edward Bruce took Dundee, and besieged Stirling, until the governor, + Philip Mowbray, was reduced to such straits by famine, that he begged for + a truce, in which to go and inform the King of England of the state of + affairs, promising to surrender on the Midsummer Day of the following + year, if he were not relieved before that time. Edward Bruce granted these + terms, and allowed Mowbray to depart. Robert was displeased at such a + treaty, giving a full year to the enemy to collect their forces: but his + brother boldly answered, “Let Edward bring every man he has; we will fight + them—ay, and more too!” King Robert saw more danger than did the + reckless prince, but he resolved to abide by his brother’s word, though so + lightly given. It was, in fact, a challenge to the decisive battle, which + was to determine whether Bruce or Plantagenet should reign in Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Mowbray’s appeal met with attention at court. Edward II. had newly + recovered from the loss of Gaveston, and hoped by some signal success to + redeem his credit with his subjects. He sent his cousin, the Earl of + Pembroke, who was well experienced in Scottish wars, to the North; + despatched writs to ninety-three Barons to meet him with their retainers + at Newcastle, three weeks after Easter, 1313; summoned all the Irish + chiefs under his obedience to come with Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster; + called in Gascon troops, placed a fleet under the charge of John of + Argyle, and took every measure for the supply of his army with provisions, + tents, and every other necessary. For once the activity and spirit of his + father seemed to have descended upon him, and, as the summer of 1313 drew + on, he set out with Queen Isabel, and their infant son the Prince of + Wales, to St. Alban’s Abbey, where, amid prayers and offerings for the + success of his enterprise, he bade her farewell. + </p> + <p> + At Berwick he met his host, and, to his disappointment, found that four of + the disaffected earls, Lancaster, Warwick, Arundel, and Warrenne, had + absented themselves; but they had sent their vassals in full force. + Edward’s troops, at the lowest computation, could not have been less than + 100,000, of whom 40,000 were mounted, and 3,000 of these were knights and + squires, both men and horses sheathed in plate-armor. + </p> + <p> + To meet this force, Bruce could only muster 40,000 men, poorly armed, and + few of them mounted, and those on small, rough mountain steeds, utterly + incapable of withstanding the shock of the huge Flemish chargers ridden by + the English knights. The fatal power of the English long-bow was like wise + well known to the Scots; but Bruce himself was a tried captain, and the + greater part of his followers had been long trained by succession of + fierce conflicts. They had many a wrong to revenge, and they fought for + home and hearth; stern, severe, savage, and resolute, they were men to + whom defeat would have brought far worse than death—unlike the gay + chivalry who had ridden from England as to a summer excursion. + </p> + <p> + The army met in the Torwood, near Stirling, and were reviewed with + cheerfulness by King Robert. He resolved to compensate for the inferiority + of his cavalry by fighting on foot, and by abiding the attack in a field + called the New Park, which was so covered with trees and brushwood, and + broken by swamps, that the enemy’s horse would lose their advantage; and + on the left, in the only open and level ground near, he dug pits and + trenches, and filled them with pointed stakes and iron weapons called + calthorps, so as to impede the possible charge of the knights. + </p> + <p> + The little burn, or brook, of Bannock, running through rugged ground + covered with wood, protected his right, and the village of St. Ninian was + in front. He divided his little army into four parts: the first under his + brother Edward; the second under Douglas and young Walter, High Steward of + Scotland; the third under Randolph; and the fourth body, the reserve, + under his own command. The servants and baggage were placed on an eminence + in the rear, still called Gillies Hill. + </p> + <p> + By this time it was the 23d of June, and early on Sunday morning the + soldiers heard mass and confessed as dying men, then kept the vigil of St. + John by fasting on bread and water. Douglas and Sir Robert Keith rode out + to reconnoitre, and came back, reporting to the King that the enemy were + advancing in full force, with banners displayed and in excellent array; + but warily spreading a rumor among the Scots that they were confused and + disorderly. + </p> + <p> + In effect, Edward II. had hurried on so hastily and inconsiderately, that + his men and horses were spent and ill-fed when he arrived in the + neighborhood of Stirling. Two miles from thence, he sent 800 horsemen with + Sir Robert Clifford, with orders to outflank the Scottish army, and throw + themselves into the town. Concealed by the village of St. Ninian, this + body had nearly effected their object, when they were observed by the keen + eye of Bruce, who had directed his nephew to be on the watch against this + very manoeuvre. Riding up on his little pony to Randolph, he upbraided + him, saying, “Thoughtless man, you have lightly kept your trust! A rose + has fallen from your chaplet!” + </p> + <p> + Randolph at once hurried off with a small body of his best men to repair + his error; but presently his little party were seen so hotly pressed by + the English, that Douglas entreated to be allowed to hasten to his rescue. + “You shall not move,” said the King. “Let Randolph free himself as he may. + I will not alter my order of battle, nor lose my vantage of ground.” + </p> + <p> + “My liege,” cried Lord James, as the heavily-armed knights and horses + closed in on the few Scottish foot, “I cannot stand by and see Randolph + perish, when I can give him help! By your leave, I must go to his succor!” + </p> + <p> + Robert sighed consent, and Douglas hastened off; but at that moment he + beheld the English troop in confusion, some horses rushing away + masterless, and the rest galloping off, while the Scots stood compactly + among their dead enemies. + </p> + <p> + “Halt!” then said Douglas, “they have won; we will not lessen their glory + by seeking to share it.” + </p> + <p> + By this time the foremost English battalions, with the Earls of Gloucester + and Hereford, had come into the New Park, and were near enough to see King + Robert, with a gold crown on his helmet, riding on his pony along the + front of his lines. A relation of Hereford’s, Sir Henry Bohun, upon this + sight, rode impetuously forward to make a sudden attack on the leader, + expecting to bear him down at once by the weight of his war-horse. + </p> + <p> + Bruce swerved aside, so as to avoid the thrust of the lance, and at the + same moment, rising in his stirrups, with his battle-axe in hand, he dealt + a tremendous blow as Sir Henry was carried past; and such was the force of + his arm, that the knight dropped dead from his horse, with his skull cleft + nearly in two. + </p> + <p> + The Scottish chiefs, proud of their King’s prowess, but terrified by the + peril he had run, entreated him to be more careful of his person; but he + only returned by a tranquil smile, as he looked at the blunted edge of. + his weapon, saying “he had spoilt his good battle-axe.” + </p> + <p> + In revenge for this attack, the Scots pursued the English vanguard for a + short distance, but the King recalled them to their ranks, and made a + speech, calling on them all to be in arms by break of day, forbidding any + man to break his line for pursuit or plunder, and promising that the heirs + of such as might fall should receive their inheritance without the + accustomed feudal fine. + </p> + <p> + All night there was the usual scene; the smaller and more resolute army + watched and prayed, the larger revelled and slept. Edward, among his + favorites and courtiers, had hardly believed that there would “be any + battle, and had no notion of generalship, keeping his whole army + compressed together, so that their large numbers were encumbering instead + of being available. Five hundred horse were closely attached to his + person, with the Earl of Pembroke, Sir Ingeltram de Umfraville, and Sir + Giles de Argentine, the last a gallant knight of St. John. When he rode + forward in the morning, Edward was absolutely amazed at the sight of the + well-ordered lines of Scottish infantry, and turning to Umfraville, asked + if he really thought those Scots would fight. At that moment Abbot + Maurice, of Inchaffray, who had just been celebrating mass, came + barefooted before the array, holding up a crucifix, and raising his hand + in blessing, as all the army bent to the earth, with the prayers of men + willingly offering themselves. + </p> + <p> + “They kneel! they kneel!” cried Edward. “They are asking mercy.” + </p> + <p> + “They are, my liege,” said Umfraville, “but it is of God, not of us. These + men will win the day, or die upon the field.” + </p> + <p> + “Be it so,” said the King, and gave the word. + </p> + <p> + The Earls of Gloucester and Hereford rushed to the charge with loud + war-cries. Each Scot stood fast, blowing wild notes on the horn he wore at + his neck, and the close ranks of infantry stood like rocks against the + encounter of the mailed horse, their spears clattering against the armor + in the shock till the hills rang again. Randolph meanwhile led his square + steadily on, till it seemed swallowed up in the sea of English; and Keith, + with the five hundred horsemen of the Scots army, making a sudden turn + around Milton Bog, burst in flank upon the English archery, ever the main + strength of the army. The long-bow had won, and was again to win, many a + fair field; but at Bannockburn the manoeuvre of the Scots was ruinous to + the yeomanry, who had no weapons fit for a close encounter with mounted + men-at-arms, and were trodden down and utterly dispersed. + </p> + <p> + The ground was hotly contested by the two armies; banners rose and fell, + and the whole field was slippery with blood, and strewn with fragments of + armor, shivers of lances and arrows, and rags of scarfs and pennons. The + English troops began to waver. “They fail! they fail!” was the Scottish + cry, and as they pressed on with double vehemence, there rose a shout that + another host was coming to their aid. It was only the servants on the + Gillies Hill, crowding down in the excitement of watching the battle, but + to the dispirited English they appeared a formidable reinforcement of the + enemy; and Robert Bruce, profiting by the consternation thus occasioned, + charged with his reserve, and decided the fate of the day. His whole line + advancing, the English array finally broke, and began to disperse. Earl + Gilbert of Gloucester made an attempt to rally, and, mounted on a noble + steed—a present from the King—rode furiously against Edward + Bruce; but his retainers hung back, and he was borne down and slain before + his armorial bearings were recognized. Clifford and twenty-seven other + Barons were slain among the pits, and the rout became general. The Earl of + Pembroke, taking the King’s horse by the bridle, turned him from the + field, and his five hundred guards went with him. Sir Giles de Argentine + saw them safely out of the battle, then, saying, “It is not my custom to + fly!” he bade Edward farewell, and turned back, crying, “An Argentine!” + and was slain by Edward Bruce’s knights. + </p> + <p> + Douglas followed hotly on the King, with sixty horse, and on the way met + Sir Laurence Abernethy with twenty more, coming to join the English; but + finding how matters stood, the time-serving knight gladly proceeded to + hunt the fugitives, and they scarcely let Edward II. draw rein till he had + ridden sixty miles, even to Dunbar, whence he escaped by sea. + </p> + <p> + Bannockburn was the most total defeat which has ever befallen an English + army. Twenty-seven nobles were killed, twenty-two more and sixty knights + made prisoners, and the number of obscure soldiers slain, drowned in the + Forth, or killed by the peasantry, exceeds calculation. The camp was + taken, with an enormous booty in treasure, jewels, rich robes, fine + horses, herds of cattle, machines for the siege of towns, and, in short, + such an amount of baggage that the wagons for the transport were numerous + enough to extend in one line for sixty miles. Even the King’s signet was + taken, and Edward was forced to cause another to be made to supply its + place. One prisoner was a Carmelite friar named Baston, whom Edward of + Caernarvon had brought with him to celebrate his victory in verse; + whereupon Robert imposed the same task by way of ransom; and the poem, in + long, rhyming Latin verses, is still extant. + </p> + <p> + The plunder was liberally shared among the Scottish army, and the + prisoners were treated with great courtesy and generosity. The slain were + reverently buried where they fell, except Lord Clifford and the Earl of + Gloucester, whose corpses were carried to St. Ninian’s kirk, and sent with + all honor to England. + </p> + <p> + Bruce had not forgotten that the blood of the Clares ran in his own veins, + and that Gloucester had warned him of his danger at King Edward’s court: + he not only lamented for the young Earl, but he released Ralph de + Monthermer, the stepfather of Earl Gilbert, and gave him the signet-ring + of Edward II. to bear home. + </p> + <p> + Gilbert was the last male of the stout old line of De Clares. Gloucester, + and his estates descended to his three sisters—Margaret, the widow + of Gaveston; Eleanor, the wife of Hugh le Despenser; and Elizabeth, who + shortly after married John de Burgh, Earl of Ulster. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Hereford had taken refuge in Bothwell Castle, but was unable + to hold it out, and surrendered. He was exchanged for captives no less + precious to Robert Bruce than his well-earned crown. The wife, daughter, + and sister, who had been prisoners for eight years, were set free, + together with the Bishop of Glasgow, now blind, and the young Earl of Mar. + Marjory Bruce had grown from a child to a maiden in her English prison, + and she was soon betrothed to the young Walter, Steward of Scotland; but + it was enacted that, if she should remain without a brother, the crown + should descend to her uncle Edward. + </p> + <p> + That midsummer battle of Bannockburn undid all the work of Edward I., and + made Scotland an independent kingdom for three hundred years longer. + Ill-government, a discontented nobility, and a feeble King, had brought + England so low, that the troops could not shake off their dejection, and a + hundred would flee before two or three Scottish soldiers. Bruce ravaged + the northern counties every summer, leaving famine and pestilence behind + him; but Edward II. had neither spirit nor resolution to make war or + peace. The mediation of the Pope and King of France was ineffectual, and + years of warfare passed on, impressing habits of perpetual license and + robbery upon the borderers of either nation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XXXIX. THE KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLE. (1292-1316.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1272. Edward I. + 1307. Edward II. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1306. Robert I. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1285. Philippe IV. + 1314. Louis X. + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1292. Adolph. + 1296. Albert I. + 1308. Henry VII. + 1314. Louis V. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1296. Boniface VIII. + 1303. Benedict XI. + 1305. Clement V. +</pre> + <p> + Crusades were over. The dream of Edward I. had been but a dream, and + self-interest and ambition directed the swords of Christian princes + against each other rather than against the common foe. The Western Church + was lapsing into a state of decay and corruption, from which she was only + partially to recover at the cost of disruption and disunion, and the power + which the mighty Popes of the twelfth century had gathered into a head + became, for that very cause, the tool of an unscrupulous monarch. + </p> + <p> + The colony of Latins left in Palestine had proved a most unsuccessful + experiment; the climate enervated their constitutions; the <i>poulains</i>, + as those were called who were born in the East, had all the bad qualities + of degenerate races, and were the scorn, and derision of Arabs and + Europeans alike; nor could the defence have been kept up at all, had it + not been for the constant recruits from cooler climates. Adventurous young + men tried their swords in the East, banished men there sought to recover + their fame, the excommunicate strove to win pardon by his sword, or the + forgiven to expiate his past crime; and, besides these irregular aids, the + two military and monastic orders of Templars and Hospitallers were + constantly fed by supplies of young nobles trained to arms and discipline + in the numerous commanderies and preceptories scattered throughout the + West. + </p> + <p> + Admirable as warriors, desperate in battle, offering no ransom but their + scarf, these knightly monks were the bulwark of Christendom, and would + have been doubly effective save for the bitter jealousies of the two + orders against each other, and of both against all other Crusaders. Not a + disaster happened in the Holy Land but the treachery of one order or the + other was said to have occasioned it; and, on the whole, the greater + degree of obloquy seems usually, whether justly or not, to have lighted on + the Knights of the Temple. They were the richer and the prouder of the two + orders; and as the duties of the hospital were not included in their vows, + they neither had the same claims to gratitude, nor the softening influence + of the exercise of charity, and were simply stern, hated, dreaded + soldiers. + </p> + <p> + After a desperate siege, Acre fell, in 1292, and the last remnant of the + Latin possessions in the East was lost. The Templars and Hospitallers + fought with the utmost valor, forgot their feuds in the common danger, and + made such a defence that the Mussulmans fancied that, when one Christian + died, another came out of his mouth and renewed the conflict; but at last + they were overpowered by force of numbers, and were finally buried under + the ruins of the Castle of the Templars. The remains of the two orders met + in the Island of Cyprus, which belonged to Henry de Lusignan, claimant of + the crown of Jerusalem. There they mustered their forces, in the hope of a + fresh Crusade; but as time dragged on, and their welcome wore out, they + found themselves obliged to seek new quarters. The Knights of the + Hospital, true to their vows, won sword in hand the Isle of Rhodes from + the Infidel, and prolonged their existence for five centuries longer as a + great maritime power, the guardians of the Mediterranean and the terror of + the African corsairs. The Knights Templars, in an evil hour for + themselves, resolved to spend their time of expectation in their numerous + rich commanderies in Europe, where they had no employment but to collect + their revenues and keep their swords bright; and it cannot but be supposed + that they would thus be tempted into vicious and overbearing habits, while + the sight of so formidable a band of warriors, owning no obedience but to + their Grand Master and the Pope, must have been alarming to the sovereign + of the country. Still there are no tokens of their having disturbed the + peace during the twenty-two years that their exile lasted, and it was the + violence of a king and the truckling of a pope that effected their ruin. + </p> + <p> + Philippe IV., the pest of France, had used his power over the French + clergy to misuse and persecute the fierce old pontiff, Boniface VIII., and + it was no fault of Philippe that the murder of Becket was not parodied at + Anagni. Fortunately for the malevolent designs of the King, his messengers + quailed, and contented themselves with terrifying the old man into a + frenzied suicide, instead of themselves slaying him. The next Pope lived + so few days after his election, that it was believed that poison had + removed him; and the cardinals remained shut up for nine months at + Perugia, trying in vain to come to a fresh choice. Finally, Philippe fixed + their choice on a wretched Gascon, who took the name of Clement V., first, + however, making him swear to fulfil six conditions, the last and most + dreadful of which was to remain a secret until the time when the + fulfilment should be required of him. + </p> + <p> + Lest his unfortunate tool should escape from his grasp, or gain the + protection of any other sovereign, Philippe transplanted the whole papal + court to Avignon, which, though it used to belong to the Roman empire, + had, in the break-up after the fall of the Swabian house, become in effect + part of the French dominions. + </p> + <p> + There the miserable Clement learned the sixth condition, and, not daring + to oppose it, gave the whole order of the Templars up into his cruel + hands, promising to authorize his measures, and pronounce their abolition. + Philippe’s first measure was to get them all into his hands, and for this + purpose he proclaimed a Crusade, and actually himself took the Cross, with + his son-in-law Edward II., at the wedding of Isabel. + </p> + <p> + Jacque de Molay, the Grand Master, hastened from Cyprus, and convoked all + his chief knights to take counsel with the French King on this laudable + undertaking. He was treated with great distinction, and even stood + godfather to a son of the King. The greater number of the Templars were at + their own Tower of the Temple at Paris, with others dispersed in numbers + through the rest of France, living at ease and securely, respected and + feared, if not beloved, and busily preparing for an onslaught upon the + common foe. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, two of their number, vile men thrown into prison for former + crimes—one French, the other Italian—had been suborned by + Philippe’s emissaries to make deadly accusations against their brethren, + such as might horrify the imagination of an age unused to consider + evidence. These tales, whispered into the ear of Edward II. by his wily + father-in-law, together with promises of wealth and lands to be wrested + from them, gained from him a promise that he would not withstand the + measures of the French King and Pope; and, though he was too much shocked + by the result not to remonstrate, his feebleness and inconsistency + unfitted him either to be a foe or a champion. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th of September, 1307, Philippe sent out secret orders to his + seneschals. On the 13th of October, at dawn of day, each house of the + Templars was surrounded with armed men, and, ere the knights could rise + from their beds, they were singly mastered, and thrown into prison. + </p> + <p> + Two days after, on Sunday, after mass, the arrest was made known, and the + crimes of which the unfortunate men were accused. They were to be tried + before the grand inquisitor, Guillaume Humbert, a Dominican friar; but in + the meantime, to obtain witness against them, they were starved, + threatened, and tortured in their dungeons, to gain from them some + confession that could be turned against them. Out of six hundred knights, + besides a much greater number of mere attendants, there could not fail to + be some few whose minds could not withstand the misery of their condition, + and between these and the two original calumnies, a mass of horrible + stories was worked up in evidence. + </p> + <p> + It was said that, while outwardly wearing the white cross on their robe, + bearing the vows of chivalry, exercising the holy offices of priests, and + bound by the monastic rules, there was in reality an inner society, bound + to be the enemies of all that was holy, into which they were admitted upon + their reviling and denying their faith, and committing outrages on the + cross and the images of the saints. It was further said that they + worshipped the devil in the shape of a black cat, and wore his image on a + cord round their waists; that they anointed a great silver head with the + fat of murdered children; that they practised every kind of sorcery, + performed mass improperly, never went to confession, and had betrayed + Palestine to the Infidels. + </p> + <p> + For the last count of the indictment the blood that had watered Canaan for + two hundred years was answer enough. As to the confessional, the + accusation emanated from the Dominicans, who were jealous of the Templars + confessing to priests of their own order. With respect to the mass, it + appears that the habits of the Templars were similar to those of the + Cistercian monks; who, till The Lateran Council, had not elevated the Host + to receive adoration from the people. + </p> + <p> + The accusation of magic naturally adhered to able men conversant with the + East. The head was found in the Temple at Paris. It was made of silver, + resembled a beautiful woman, and was, in fact, a reliquary containing the + bones of one of the 11,000 virgins of Cologne. But truth was not wanted; + and under the influence of solitary imprisonment, hunger, damp and + loathsome dungeons, and two years of terror and misery, enough of + confessions had been extorted for Philippe’s purpose by the year 1309. + </p> + <p> + Many had died under their sufferings, and some had at first confessed in + their agonies, and, when no longer tortured, had retracted all their + declarations with horror. These became dangerous, and were therefore + declared to be relapsed heretics, and fifty-six were burnt by slow degrees + in a great inclosure, surrounded by stakes, all crying out, and praying + devoutly and like good Christians till the last. + </p> + <p> + Having thus horribly intimidated recusant witnesses, the King caused the + Pope to convoke a synod at Paris, before which the Grand Master, Jacques + de Molay, was cited. He was a brave old soldier, but no scholar, and + darkness, hunger, torture, and distress had so affected him, that, when + brought into the light of day, he stood before the prelates and barons, + among whom he had once been foremost, so utterly bewildered and confused, + that the judges were forced to remand him for two days to recover his + faculties. + </p> + <p> + When brought before them again, he was formally asked whether he would + defend his order, or plead for himself. He made answer that he should be + contemptible in his own eyes, and those of all the world, did he not + defend an order which had done so much for him, but that he was in such + poverty that he had not fourpence left in the world, and that he must beg + for an advocate, to whom he would mention the great kings, princes, + barons, bishops, and knights whose witness would at once clear his knights + from the monstrous charges brought against them. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he was told that advocates were not allowed to men accused of + heresy, and that he had better take care how he contradicted his own + deposition, or he would be condemned as relapsed. His own deposition, as + three cardinals avouched that he had made it before them, was then + translated to him from the Latin, which he did not understand. In + horror-struck amazement at hearing such words ascribed to himself, the old + knight twice made the sign of the cross, and exclaimed, “If the cardinals + were other sort of men, he should know how to deal with them!” + </p> + <p> + He was told that the cardinals were not there to receive a challenge to + battle. “No,” he said, “that was not what he meant; he only wished that + might befall them which was done by the Saracens and Tartars to infamous + liars—whose heads they cut off.” + </p> + <p> + He was sent back to prison and brought back again, less vehement against + his accusers, but still declaring himself a faithful Christian, and + begging to be admitted to the rites of religion; but he was left to + languish in his dungeon for two years longer, while two hundred and + thirty-one witnesses were examined before the commissaries. In May, 1311, + five hundred and forty-four persons belonging to the order were led before + the judges from the different prisons, while eight of the most + distinguished knights, and their agent at Rome, undertook their defence. + Their strongest plea was, that not a Templar had criminated himself, + except in France, where alone torture had been employed; but they could + obtain no hearing, and a report was drawn up by the commissaries to the + so-called Council of Vienne. This was held by Clement V. in the early part + of 1312; and on the 6th of March it passed a decree abolishing the Order + of the Temple, and transmitting its possessions to the Knights of St. + John. + </p> + <p> + There were other councils held to try the Templars in the other lands + where they had also been seized. In England, the confessions of the + knights tortured in France were employed as evidence, together with the + witness of begging friars, minstrels, women, and discreditable persons; + and on the decision of the Council of Vienne, the poor knights confessed, + as well they might, that their order had fallen under evil report, and + were therefore pardoned and released, with the forfeiture of all their + property to the hospital. Their principal house in England was the Temple + in Fleet street, where they had built a curious round church in the + twelfth century, when it was consecrated by the Patriarch Heraclius of + Jerusalem. The shape was supposed to be like the Holy Sepulchre, to whose + service they were devoted; but want of space obliged them to add a square + building of three aisles beyond. This, with the rest of their property, + devolved on the Order of St. John, who, in the next reign, let the Temple + buildings for £10 per annum to the law-students of London, and in their + possession it has ever since continued. The ancient seal of the knights, + representing two men mounted upon one horse, was assumed by the benchers + of one side of the Temple, though in the classical taste of later times + the riders were turned into wings, and the steed into Pegasus; while their + brethren bear the lamb and banner, likewise a remembrance of the Crusaders + who founded the round church, eight of whom still lie in effigy upon the + floor. + </p> + <p> + In Spain the bishops would hardly proceed at all against the Templars, and + secured pensions for them out of the confiscated property. In Portugal + they were converted into a new order for the defence of the realm. In + Germany, they were allowed to die out unmolested; but in Italy Philippe’s + influence was more felt, and they were taken in the same net with those in + France. There the King’s coffers were replenished with their spoil, very + little of which ever found its way to the Knights of St. John. The knights + who half confessed, and then recanted, were put to death; those who never + confessed at all, were left in prison; those who admitted the guilt of the + order, were rewarded by a miserable existence at large. The great + dignitaries—Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master, and Guy, the son of + the Dauphin of Auvergne, the Commander of Normandy, and two others—languished + in captivity till the early part of 1314, when they were led out before + Notre Dame to hear their sentence read, condemning them to perpetual + imprisonment, and rehearsing their own confession once more against them. + </p> + <p> + The Grand Master and Guy of Auvergne, both old men, wasted with + imprisonment and torture, no sooner saw the face of day, the grand old + cathedral, and the assembly of the people, than they loudly protested that + these false and shameful confessions were none of theirs; that their dead + brethren were noble knights and true Christians; and that these foul + slanders had never been uttered by them, but invented by wicked men, who + asked them questions in a language they did not understand, while they, + noble barons, belted knights, sworn Crusaders, were stretched on the rack. + </p> + <p> + The Bishops present were shocked at the exposure of their treatment, and + placed them in the hands of the Provost of Paris, saying that they would + consider their case the next morning. But Philippe, dreading a reaction in + their favor, declared them relapsed, and condemned them to the flames that + very night, the 18th of March. A picture is extant in Germany, said to + have been of the time, showing the meek face of the white-haired, + white-bearded Molay, his features drawn with wasting misery, his eyes one + mute appeal, his hands bound over the large cross on his breast. He died + proclaiming aloud the innocence of his order, and listened to with pity + and indignation by the people. His last cry, ere the flames stifled his + voice, was an awful summons to Pope Clement to meet him before the + tribunal of Heaven within forty days; to King Philippe to appear there in + a year and a day. + </p> + <p> + Clement V. actually died on the 20th of April; and while his nephews and + servants were plundering his treasures, his corpse was consumed by fire + caught from the wax-lights around his bier. His tyrant, Philippe le Bel, + was but forty-six years of age, still young-looking and handsome; but the + decree had gone forth against him, and he fell into a bad state of health. + He was thrown from his horse while pursuing a wild boar, and the accident + brought on a low fever, which, on the 29th of November, 1314, brought him + likewise to the grave. He left three sons, all perishing, after unhappy + marriages, in the flower of their age, and one daughter, the disgrace and + misery of France and England alike. + </p> + <p> + So perished the Templars; so their persecutors! It is one of the darkest + tragedies of that age of tragedies; and in many a subsequent page shall we + trace the visitation for their blood upon guilty France and on the line of + Valois. They were not perfect men. They have left an evil name, for they + were hard, proud, often, licentious men, and the “Red Monk” figures in + many a tradition of horror; but there can be no doubt that the brotherhood + had its due proportion of gallant, devoted warriors, who fought well for + the cross they bore. Their fate has been well sung by Lord Houghton: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The warriors of the sacred grave, + Who looked to Christ for laws, + And perished for the faith they gave + Their comrades and the cause; + + They perished, in one fate alike, + The veteran and the boy, + Where’er the regal arm could strike, + To torture and destroy: + + While darkly down the stream of time, + Devised by evil fame, + Float murmurs of mysterious crime, + And tales of secret shame. + + How oft, when avarice, hate, or pride, + Assault some noble hand, + The outer world, that scorns the side + It does not understand, + + Echoes each foul derisive word, + Gilds o’er each hideous sight, + And consecrates the wicked sword + With names of holy right. + + Yet by these lessons men awake + To know they cannot bind + Discordant will’s in one, and make + An aggregate of mind. + + For ever in our best essays + At close fraternal ties + An evil narrowness waylays + Our present sympathies; + + And love, however bright it burns + For what it holds roost fond, + Is tainted by its unconcern + For all that lies beyond. + + And still the earth has many a knight + By high vocation bound + To conquer in enduring tight + The Spirit’s holy ground. + + And manhood’s pride and hopes of youth + Still meet the Templar’s doom, + Crusaders of the ascended truth, + Not of the empty tomb.” + </pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XL. THE BARONS’ WARS. (1310-1327.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>King of England</i>. + 1307. Edward II. + 1314. Louis X. + 1316. Philippe V. + 1322. Charles IV. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1306. Robert I. + 1314. Louis V. + + <i>Kings of France</i>. + 1285. Philippe IV + + <i>Emperors of Germany</i>. + 1308. Henry VII. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1305. Clement V. + 1316. John XXII. +</pre> + <p> + It was the misfortune of Edward of Caernarvon that he could not attach + himself in moderation. Among the fierce Earls, and jealous, distrustful + Barons, he gladly distinguished a man of gentle mould, who could return + his affection; but he could not bestow his favor discreetly, and always + ended by turning the head of his favorite and offending his subjects. + </p> + <p> + There was at his court a noble old knight, Sir Hugh le Despenser, whose + ancestors had come over with William the Conqueror, and whose father had + been created a Baron in 1264, as a reward for his services against Simon + de Montfort. To this gentleman, and to his son Hugh, Edward became warmly + attached; and apparently not undeservedly, for they were both gallant and + knightly, and the son was highly accomplished, and of fine person. Edward + made him his chamberlain, and gave him in marriage Eleanor de Clare, the + sister of the Earl of Gloucester who was killed at Bannockburn, and one of + the heiresses of the great earldom, with all its rights on the Welsh + marches. + </p> + <p> + Still, the love and sympathy of the nation were with the King’s cousin, + Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, who probably obtained favor by liberality, or + by the arts for which poor Gaveston had named him the “stage-player,” + since his life seems to have been dissolute under much appearance of + devotion. The last great Earl of Lincoln had chosen him as his son-in-law, + while the intended bride, Alice, was yet a young child. In 1310, just + after Gaveston’s fall, Lincoln died, and the little Countess Alice, then + only twelve years old, became the wife of Lancaster; but in 1317 mutual + accusations were made on the part of the Earl and Countess, and Alice + claimed to be set free, on account of a previous promise of marriage; + while Lancaster complained of Earl Warrenne for having allowed a + humpbacked knight, named Richard St. Martin, to carry Alice off to one of + his castles, called Caneford, and there to obtain from her the troth now + pleaded against him. Edward II. told Lancaster that he might proceed + against Warrenne in the ordinary course of law: but this he would not do, + as he did not wish to prove his wife’s former contract, lest he should + lose her great estates with herself; and instead of going honorably to + work, he added this reply to his list of discontents against the King. + </p> + <p> + His friends even set it about that Edward II. was not the true son of + Edward I.; and a foolish man, named John Deydras, even came forward + professing to be the real Edward of Caernarvon, who had been changed at + nurse; but no one believed him, and he was hanged for treason. A like + story was invented, and even a ballad was current, making Queen Eleanor of + Provence confess that Edmund Crouchback, not Edward I., was the rightful + heir, but that he was set aside on account of his deformity; and + Lancaster, as Edmund’s son, was on the watch to profit by the King’s + unpopularity. Discontents were on the increase, and were augmented by a + severe famine, and by the constant incursions of the Scots. Such was the + want of corn, that, to prevent the consumption of grain, an edict was + enacted that no beer should be brewed; and meat of any kind was so scarce, + that, though the King decreed that, on pain of forfeiture, an ox should be + sold for sixteen shillings, a sheep for three and sixpence, and a fowl for + a penny, none of these creatures were forthcoming on any terms. Loathsome + animals were eaten; and it was even said that parents were forced to keep + a strict watch over their children, lest they should be stolen and + devoured. + </p> + <p> + While the King and Queen were banquetting at Westminster, at Whitsuntide, + 1317, a masked lady rode into the hall on horseback, and delivered a + letter to the King. Imagining it to be some sportive challenge or gay + compliment, he ordered that it should be read aloud; but it proved to be a + direful lamentation over the state of England, and an appeal to him to + rouse himself from his pleasures and attend to the good of his people. The + bearer was at once pursued and seized, when she confessed that she had + been sent by a knight; and he, on being summoned, asked pardon, saying he + had not expected that the letter would be read in public, but that he + deemed it the only means of drawing the King’s attention to the miseries + of his people. It may be feared that the letter met with the fate of + Jeremiah’s roll. + </p> + <p> + A cloud was already rising in the West, which seemed small and trifling, + but which was fraught with bitter hatred and envy, ere long to burst in a + storm upon the heads of the King and his friends. The first seeds of + strife were sown by the dishonesty of a knight on the borders of Wales, + one William de Breos. He began his career by trying to cheat his + stepmother of her dower of eight hundred marks; and when the law decided + against him, he broke out into such unseemly language against the judge, + that he was sentenced to walk bareheaded from the King’s Bench to the + Exchequer to ask pardon, and then committed to the Tower. In after years + he returned to his lordship of Gower, and there committed an act of fraud + which led to the most fatal consequences. Having two daughters, Aliva and + Jane, the eldest of whom was married to John de Mowbray and the second to + James de Bohun, he executed a deed, settling his whole estate upon Aliva, + and, in case of her death without children, upon Jane. But concealing this + arrangement, he next proceeded to sell Gower three times over—to + young Le Despenser, to Roger Mortimer, and to the Earl of Hereford; and + having received all their purchase-money, he absconded therewith. + </p> + <p> + Mowbray took possession of Gower in right of his wife, and was thus first + in the field; but Hugh le Despenser, whose purchase had been sanctioned by + the King, came down upon him with a strong hand, and drove him out of the + property. Thereupon Mowbray made common cause with all the other cheated + claimants, De Bohun joining the head of his house, the great Earl of + Hereford, who, with Roger Mortimer and his uncle, another Mortimer of the + same name, revenged their wrongs by a foray upon Lady Eleanor le + Despenser’s estates in Glamorganshire, killing her servants, burning her + castles, and driving off her cattle, so that in a few nights they had done + several thousand pounds’ worth of damage. The King, much incensed, + summoned the Earl of Hereford to appeal before the council; but the Earl + demanded that Hugh le Despenser should be previously placed in the custody + of the Earl of Lancaster until the next parliament; and, on the King’s + refusal, made another inroad on the lands of the Despensers, and betook + himself to Yorkshire, where the Earl of Lancaster was collecting all the + malcontents. + </p> + <p> + The two Earls, the Lords of the Marches or borders of Wales, and + thirty-four Barons and Knights, bound themselves by a deed, agreeing to + prosecute the two Despensers until they should be driven into exile, and + to maintain the quarrel to the honor of Heaven and Holy Church, and the + profit of the King and his family. Lancaster proceeded to march upon + London, allowing his men to live upon the plunder of the estates of the + two favorites. From St. Alban’s he sent a message to the King, requiring + the banishment of the father and son, and immunity for his own party. + Edward made a spirited answer, that the father was beyond sea in his + service; the son with the fleet; that he would never sentence any man + unheard; and that it would be contrary to his coronation oath to promise + immunity to men in arms against the public peace. + </p> + <p> + The Barons advanced to London, and, quartering their followers in Holborn + and Clerkenwell, spent a fortnight in deliberation. It appears that the + token of adherence to their party was the wearing of a white favor, on + which account the session of 1321 was called the Parliament of the White + Bands. One day, when these white ensigns mustered strongly, the Barons + brought forward an accusation on eleven counts against the two Despensers, + and on their own authority, in the presence of the King, banished them + from the realm, and pardoned themselves for their rising in arms. Edward + had no power to resist, and, accordingly, the act was entered on the + rolls, and the younger Hugh was driven from Dover, to join his father on + the Continent. + </p> + <p> + This success rendered the Barons’ party insolent, and about two months + after, when Queen Isabel was on pilgrimage to Canterbury, and had sent her + purveyors to prepare a lodging for her at her own royal Castle of Leeds, + the Lady Badlesmere, wife to the Castellane, who was also governor of + Bristol and had received numerous favors from Edward, refused admittance, + fearing damage to her party; and the Queen riding up in the midst of the + parley, a volley of arrows was discharged from the castle, and six of the + royal escort were killed. + </p> + <p> + Isabel of course complained loudly of such a reception at her own castle, + whereupon Bartholomew Badlesmere himself wrote from Bristol Castle an + impudent letter, justifying his wife’s conduct. Isabel was much hurt, + since she had always been friendly to the Barons’ party; and when she + found that even her uncle of Lancaster stood by the Badlesmeres, she + persuaded the King to raise an army to revenge the affront offered to her. + Summonses were therefore sent out, and the Londoners, with whom the Queen + was very popular, came in great force, and laid siege to Leeds Castle. + Lady Badlesmere expected to be succored by Lancaster; but he would not + come forward, and in a few days her castle was taken, her steward, Walter + Culpepper, hanged, and herself committed to the Tower. + </p> + <p> + Such a bold stroke on the King’s part emboldened the elder Le Despenser + return to England and join his master. Thereupon Lancaster summoned the + other nobles to meet him at Doncaster, to consult what measures should be + taken against the minions, and led an army to seize Warwick Castle, which, + during the minority of Earl Thomas of Warwick, belonged to the King. In + the meantime, Hugh followed his father, but, with English respect for + order, put himself under custody until his sentence of banishment should + be revoked. The matter was tried before the Bishops of the province of + Canterbury, when it was argued, on behalf of Hugh, that Magna Charta had + been set at naught by his condemnation without a hearing, and that the + King’s consent had been extorted by force; and the Earl of Kent, Edward’s + brother, with several others, making oath that they had been overawed by + the White Bands, the banishment was declared illegal, and the prisoners + set at liberty. + </p> + <p> + Lancaster proceeded to raise the north of England; Hereford and the two + Mortimers went to the marches of Wales to collect their forces; and + Edward, for once under the wise counsel of the Chancellor John de Salmon, + set forth alertly in December toward the West, that he might deal with the + two armies separately. He was very popular on the Welsh border, and met + with rapid success, breaking up the forces of the Lords Marchers before + they could come to a head, and finally making both the Mortimers + prisoners, sending them to the Tower. Hereford, with 8,000 men, made his + way to join Lancaster, who was at the head of a considerable force, and + had already taken the miserable step of entering into correspondence with + Robert Bruce, Douglas, and Randolph. Elated by the succor which they + promised, Lancaster advanced and laid siege to Ticknall Castle, but was + forced to retreat on the approach of the King. At Burton-upon-Trent, + however, they halted for three days, with Edward opposite to them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Upon the mount the King his tentage fixt, + And in the town the Barons lay in sight, + When as the Trent was risen so betwixt, + That for a while prolonged the unnatural fight.” + </pre> + <p> + However, a ford was found, and the royal army crossing, Lancaster set fire + to Burton, and retreated into Yorkshire, writing again from Puntefract + Castle under the signature of King Arthur, to ask aid from the Scots, and + secure his retreat. + </p> + <p> + As Michael Drayton observes, “Bridges should seem to Barons ominous;” for + at Boroughbridge, upon the Ure, Lancaster found Sir Andrew Harclay and Sir + Simon Ward, Governors of York and Carlisle, with a band of northern + troops, ready to cut off his retreat. The bridge was too narrow for + cavalry, and Hereford therefore led a charge on foot; but in this perilous + undertaking he was slain by a Welshman who was hidden under the bridge, + and who thrust a lance through a crevice of the boarding into his body as + he passed. His fall discomfited the rest, and Lancaster, who had been + attempting a ford, was driven back by the archery. He tried to bribe Sir + Andrew Harclay, and, failing, begged for a truce of one night, still + hoping that the Scots might arrive. Harclay granted this, but in early + morning summoned the sheriff and the county-force to arrest the Earl. + Lancaster retired into a chapel and, looking on the crucifix, said, “Good + Lord, I render myself to Thee, and put myself into Thy mercy.” He was + taken to York for one night, and afterward, to his own Castle of + Pontefract, where, on the King’s last disastrous retreat from Scotland, he + had mocked and jeered at his sovereign from the battlements: and Harclay + took care to make generally known the treasonable correspondence with + Scotland, proofs of which had been found on the person of the dead + Hereford. + </p> + <p> + The King presently arriving at Pontefract, brought Lancaster to trial + before six Earls and a number of Barons; and as his treason was manifest, + he was told that it would be to no purpose to speak in his own defence, + and was sentenced to the death of a traitor. In consideration of his royal + blood, Edward remitted the chief horrors of the execution, and made it + merely decapitation; but as the Earl was led to a hill outside the town, + on a gray pony without a bridle, the mob pelted him and jeered him by his + assumed name of King Arthur. “King of Heaven,” he cried, “grant me mercy! + for the king of earth hath forsaken me.” He knelt by the black with his + face to the east, but he was bidden to turn to the north, that he might + look toward his friends, the Scots; and in this manner he was beheaded. + The inhabitants of the northern counties were not likely to think lightly + of the offence of bringing in the Scots, and yet in a short time there was + a strong change of feeling. Lancaster was mourned as “the good Earl,” and + miracles were said to be wrought at his tomb. The King was obliged to + write orders to the Bishop of London to forbid the people from offering + worship to his picture hung up in St. Paul’s Church; and Drayton records a + tradition that “grass would never grow where the battle of Boroughbridge + had been fought.” It seemed as if Lancaster had succeeded to the + reputation of Montfort, as a protector of the liberties of the country: + but to our eyes he appears more like a mere factious, turbulent noble, + acting rather from spite and party spirit than as a redresser of wrongs; + never showing the respect for law and justice manifested by the opponents + of Edward I.; and, in fact, constraining the Royalists to appeal to Magna + Charta against him. Still there must have been something striking and + attractive about him, for, after his death, even his injured cousin Edward + lamented him, and reproached his nobles for not having interceded for him. + Fourteen bannerets and fourteen other knights were executed, being all who + were taken in arms against the King; the others were allowed to make + peace; and the Mortimers, who had been condemned to death, had their + sentence changed to perpetual imprisonment. Hereford’s estates passed on + to the eldest of his large family, the King’s own nephews. Lancaster left + no children, but his brother, Henry Wryneck, Earl of Derby, did not + receive his estates till they had been mulcted largely on behalf of the + Despensers. The father was created Earl of Winchester, and the son + received such bounty from the King, that all the old hatred against Piers + Gaveston was revived, though it does not appear that Hugh provoked dislike + by any such follies or extravagances. + </p> + <p> + The elder Roger Mortimer, the uncle, died in the Tower. The younger + contrived, after a year’s imprisonment, to make interest with one of the + servants in the Tower, Gerard de Asplaye, with whose assistance he gave an + entertainment to his guards, drugged their liquor, so as to throw them + into a heavy sleep, broke through the wall into the royal kitchen, and + thence escaped by a rope-ladder. Report afterward averred that it was the + fairest hand in England that drugged the wine and held the rope, and that + Queen Isabel, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “From the wall’s height, as when he down did slide, + Had heard him cry, ‘Now, Fortune, be my guide!’” + </pre> + <p> + Thus far is certain, that Isabel and Mortimer were inmates of the Tower at + the same time, in the year 1321; for she was left there while the King was + gone in pursuit of Lancaster, and she there gave birth to her fourth + child, Joan. Whether the prisoner then sought an interview with her, is + not known, but he was a remarkably handsome man, and Isabel, at twenty-six + years of age, was beautiful, proud, and with bitterness in her heart + against her husband for his early neglect. She had been on fairly good + terms with him ever since the birth of the Prince of Wales, and her grace + and beauty, her affable manners, and the idea that she was ill-used, made + her a great favorite with the English nation; but she was angered by the + execution of her uncle, the Earl of Lancaster, and from the time of the + King’s return she proceeded to manifest great discontent, and as much + dislike and jealousy of the Despensers as she had previously shown toward + Gaveston. + </p> + <p> + Mortimer escaped to France, and subsequent events made it seem as if she + had been acting in concert with him. He had married a French lady, Jeanne + de Joinville, and was taken at once into the service of King Charles IV. + </p> + <p> + Charles IV., le Bel, was the youngest of Isabel’s brothers, who had + succeeded each other so quickly that it seemed as though the sacrilegious + murder of the Templars was to be visited by the extinction of the male + line of Philippe IV. To Charles, Isabel sent great complaints, declaring + that she was “married to a gripple miser, and was no better than a + waiting-woman, living on a pension from the Despensers.” There had, in + fact, been a fierce struggle with them for power, and they had prevailed + to have all her French attendants dismissed, very probably on the + discovery of the transactions with Mortimer in the Tower, and a yearly + income had been assigned to her in lieu of her royal estates. This was + very irregularly paid, for affairs were in a most confused and disorderly + state, managed in a most childish manner. It appears that, when hunting at + Windsor, the Chancellor Baldock gave the great seal to the King to keep, + and that the King made it over to William de Ayremyne. + </p> + <p> + There were no doubt grounds for complaint on both sides; but Charles le + Bel saw only his sister’s view of the question, and resolved to quarrel + with his brother-in-law. Homage for the Duchy of Aquitaine had not been + rendered to him, and on this pretext he began to exercise all possible + modes of annoyance on the borders, and to give judgment against any + Guiennois or Poitevins who sued against Edward as their liege lord, Edward + remonstrated in vain, and sent his brother Edmund, Earl of Kent, a + fine-looking but weak young man of twenty-two, to endeavor to make peace, + but in vain: on the first pretext, a war on the borders broke out. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Edward took into his custody all the castles belonging to his + wife, declaring that he could not leave them in her hands while she was in + correspondence with the enemies of the country; and yet, with his usual + inconsistent folly, he listened to a proposal from her that she should go + to Paris to bring about a peace with her brother. + </p> + <p> + With four knights, Isabel crossed the sea, and presently made her + appearance at Paris in the character of an injured Princess, kneeling + before her brother, and asking his protection against the cruelty of her + husband; to which Charles replied, “Sister, be comforted; for, by my faith + to Monseigneur St. Denis, I will find a remedy.” + </p> + <p> + Isabel was lodged at the court of France, and treated with distinction. + Mortimer and all the banished English repaired to her abode, and all the + chivalry of France regarded her as an exiled heroine. She wrote to her + husband that peace might be scoured by the performance of the neglected + homage, and he was actually setting out for the purpose, when, in a second + letter, she told him that his own presence was not needed, but that his + ceremony might be gone through by his son Edward, Prince of Wales, + provided the duchy were placed in his hands as an appanage. + </p> + <p> + This proposal met with approval, and young Edward, then twelve years old, + under the charge of the Bishops of Exeter and Oxford, was sent to Paris, + after having promised his father to hasten his return, and not to marry + without his consent. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the boy arrived, than the homage was performed, and Edward + expected the return of both mother and son; but they still delayed, and on + receiving urgent letters from him, the Queen made public declaration that + she did not believe her life in safety from the Despensers. + </p> + <p> + Poor King Edward, amazed, and almost thinking her under a delusion, roused + all the prelates in the realm to write to her in defence of his friends, + and himself wrote to her brother, saying that she could have no reasonable + fear of any man in his dominions, since, if Hugh or any other person + wished to do her any harm, he himself would be the first to resent it. He + wrote likewise pre-emptorily to the Prince to return, but all in vain; and + a light was thrown on their proceedings, when Walter Stapleton, Bishop of + Exeter, returned home as a fugitive, having discovered a plot on + Mortimer’s part against his own life, and bringing word that Isabel’s + affection for Mortimer was the true cause of delay. It would also seem + that the Bishop had in part detected a conspiracy against his master, for + there were orders instantly sent to search all letters arriving at any of + the ports. + </p> + <p> + After Stapleton’s return, Edward’s letters to Charles, and even to the + Pope, became so pressing, that for very shame Charles could not allow his + sister to remain at Paris any longer, and, rather than provoke a war, he + dismissed her. She was a woman of great plausibility and fascination, and + she not only persuaded her young son to believe her in danger from his + father, but she also won over her brother-in-law, the Earl of Kent, as + well as her cousin, the Sieur Robert d’Artois; and setting out from Paris + in their company, she proceeded to the independent German principalities + in the guise of a dame-errant of romance, misused by her husband, + maltreated by her brother, denied a refuge even in her native country, and + seeking aid from foreign princes. + </p> + <p> + Every chivalrous heart, deluded by appearances, glowed with enthusiasm. At + Ostrevant, John, the brother of the Count of Hainault, came and vowed + himself her knight, promising to redress her wrongs. He conducted her to + his brother’s court at Hainault; and there the young Edward first beheld + the plump, blue-eyed, fair-haired, honest Philippa, a girl of about his + own age, and a youthful true-love sprang up between them—the sole + gleam of light in this dark period. + </p> + <p> + Isabel’s beautiful face and mournful tale deluded the young, as did + Mortimer’s promises the covetous. She finally set sail from Dort with + 2,500 French and Brabançons, under the charge of Sir John of Hainault, and + landed at Orwell, in Suffolk. The King had ordered that any one who landed + on the coast should be treated as a traitor, except the Queen and the + Prince, and had set a price on the head of Mortimer; but no one attended + to him. Isabel had won the sympathy of the nation by her fancied wrongs; + and Adam Orleton, Bishop of Hereford, a former partisan of Lancaster, was + working in her cause. + </p> + <p> + Both the King’s brothers, and his cousin, Henry of Lancaster, were of her + party; and the universal dislike and jealousy of Despenser made the more + loyal disinclined to exert themselves in the King’s behalf. He summoned + the Londoners to take up arms, but was answered, that though they would + shut the gates against all foreigners, they would not be led more than a + day’s march beyond the city walls. He could only seek a refuge among his + more attached subjects, the Welsh; and leaving his younger children and + his niece, the wife of Hugh le Despenser, in the Tower, he set off for the + marches of Wales. No sooner was he gone, than the citizens rose, seized + the Tower, and murdered the loyal Bishop of Exeter at St. Paul’s Cross, + throwing his body into the mud of the river, and sending his head to the + Queen. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, whose army increased every day, had arrived at Oxford, where + Adam Orleton preached a disgraceful sermon on the text, “My head, my head + acheth,” wherein he averred the startling prescription that the cure for + an aching head was to cut it off, and that the present head of England + needed this decisive remedy. + </p> + <p> + The poor King had gone to Gloucester, whence he sent the elder Le + Despenser to hold out Bristol Castle; but the townspeople proved so + disaffected, that the castle was forced to surrender to the rebels on the + third day. The Queen appointed a judge, who sentenced the old man, ninety + years of age, to be put to death; and the murder was committed the + following day, with all the circumstances of atrocity that had been spared + to Lancaster. At Bristol, Isabel became aware that her husband had fled + farther to the West; he had, in fact, sailed, with Hugh le Despenser and + the Chancellor Baldock, for Ireland, but he was driven back by contrary + winds, and forced to land in Glamorganshire. He wandered from castle to + castle, and was besieged at Caerphilli, whence it is said that he escaped + at night in the disguise of a peasant; and, to avoid detection, himself + assisted in carrying brushwood to feed the fires of the besiegers. He next + took refuge in a farmhouse, where the farmer tried to baffle the pursuers + by setting him to dig; but his awkwardness in handling the spade had + nearly betrayed him. For a short time he tarried at Neath Abbey, but left + it lest the monks should suffer for giving him shelter. At the end of + another week Despenser and Baldock were discovered, and delivered up to + Henry of Lancaster; and on this Edward came forward and gave himself up, + to save them, or to share their fate. + </p> + <p> + There was no hope; the King was kept in close custody, and Baldock was so + ill-treated that he died shortly after. Hugh le Despenser would eat no + food after he was taken; and, lest death should balk revenge, he was at + once brought to a sham trial, and accused of every misfortune that had + befallen England—of the loss of Bannockburn; of conspiracy against + the Queen; of counselling the death of Lancaster; and of suppressing the + miracles at his tomb. For all which deeds Sir Hugh le Despenser was + sentenced to die as a wicked and attainted traitor; and immediately after + he was drawn to execution in a black gown, with his scutcheon reversed, + and a wreath of nettles around his head—but, happily, nearly + insensible from exhaustion—and was hanged on a gallows fifty feet + high. His son Hugh, a spirited young man of nineteen, held out Caerphilli + Castle manfully, until he actually obtained a promise of safety, and lived + to transmit the honors of the oldest barony now existing in England. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Arundel was likewise executed, and Mortimer seized his + property; after which the Queen set out for London, summoning the + Parliament to meet at Westminster. + </p> + <p> + In this Parliament Adam Orleton began by making outrageous speeches as to + the certain death it would be to the Queen and Prince if the King were + released and restored to his authority, and he called upon the Lords to + choose whether father or son should be King. The London mob clamored in + fury without, ardent for the ruin of the King; and the Archbishop, saying, + <i>Vox populi vox Dei</i>, added his influence. Young Edward was led + forward, and a few hymns being hastily sung, received the oaths of + allegiance of all the peers present, except the prelates of York, London, + Rochester, and Carlisle, who boldly maintained the rights of the captive + King, though with great danger to themselves. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop of Rochester was thrown down by the furious mob, and nearly + murdered; and the sight so terrified the other friends of the poor King, + that not a voice was raised in his defence. A bill was passed declaring + Edward II. deposed, and Edward III. the sovereign; whereupon Isabel, to + keep up appearances, lamented so much, that she actually deceived her son, + who came forward, and with great spirit declared that he would never + deprive his father of the crown. + </p> + <p> + The King was at Kenilworth, honorably treated by his cousin, Henry of + Lancaster, and thither a deputation was sent to force him to resign his + dignity. The Bishops of Winchester and Lincoln were first sent to him to + argue, threaten, and persuade, and, when they thought him sufficiently + prepared, led him in a plain black gown to make his formal renunciation. + At the sight of his mortal enemy, Orleton, Edward sank to the ground, but + recovered enough to listen to a violent discourse from that rebel prelate, + reproaching him with all his misconduct, and requiring him to lay aside + his crown. Meekly, and weeping floods of tears, Edward replied, that “he + was in their hands, and they must do what seemed good to them; he only + thanked them for their goodness to his son, and owned his own sins to be + the sole cause of his misfortunes.” + </p> + <p> + Then Sir William Trussel, in the name of all England, revoked the oath of + allegiance, and the steward of the household broke his staff of office, as + he would have done had it been the funeral of his master. Would that it + had been his funeral, must have been the wish of the unfortunate Sir + Edward of Caernarvon, as he was thenceforth termed; disowned, degraded, + with wife, son, and brothers turned against him; not one voice uplifted in + his favor; all his friends murdered. He wrote some melancholy Latin verses + during his captivity, full of sad complaints of the inconstancy of + Fortune; but he had not yet experienced the worst that was in store for + him. At first, presents of clothes and kindly messages were sent to him by + the Queen; and when he begged to see her or his children, she replied that + it would not be permitted by Parliament. He pleaded again and again, and + Henry of Lancaster began so far to appear his friend, that Isabel took + alarm. The Pope refused her request that Thomas of Lancaster should be + canonized as a saint and martyr, and she feared that he might even + interfere on the King’s behalf, and oblige her to give up Mortimer, and + return to her husband. + </p> + <p> + Orleton had been sent on an embassy to the Papal court, but he was there + consulted by the Queen whether the King should be allowed to live. His + answer was the ambiguous line: “Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum + est.” (Edward to kill be unwilling to fear it is good.) + </p> + <p> + Doubt, in such a case, is certain to end in evil. That the King should + die, was determined, and the charge of the unfortunate monarch was + therefore transferred to Maurice, Lord Berkeley, and to Sir John + Maltravers. The latter set out with two men, named Ogle and Gurney, to + escort the King from Kenilworth. At Bristol such demonstrations were made + in his favor, that, taking alarm, his keepers clad him in mean and scanty + garments, and made him ride toward Corfe in the chilly April night, + scoffing and jeering him; and when, in the morning, they paused to arrange + their dress, they set a crown of hay in derision on his head, and brought + him, in an old helmet, filthy ditch-water to shave with. With a shower of + tears he strove to smile, saying that, in spite of them, his cheeks were + covered with pure warm water enough. They brought him to Berkeley Castle, + on the Severn, and there, it is said, tried to poison him; but his + strength of constitution resisted the potion, and did not fail, under + confinement or insufficient diet. At last, when Berkeley was ill, and + absent, came the night, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “When Severn should re-echo with affright + The sounds of death through Berkeley’s roofs that ring, + Shrieks of an agonizing king.” + </pre> + <p> + At those cries many a countryman awoke, crossed himself, and prayed as for + a soul departing in torment. Seven months after his deposition, Edward of + Caernarvon lay dead in Berkeley Castle, and the gates were thrown open, + and the chief burghers of Bristol admitted to see his corpse. No sign of + violence was visible, but the features, once so beautiful, were writhed + into such a look of agony, that the citizens came away awed and horrified; + and hearing the villagers speak of the cries that had rung from the walls + the night before, felt certain that the late King had perished by a + strange and frightful murder. + </p> + <p> + But those were no days for inquiry, and the royal corpse was hastily borne + to Gloucester Abbey Church, and there buried. The impression, however, + could not be forgotten; multitudes flocked to pray at the shrine of the + dead sovereign, whom living no one would befriend: and such offerings were + made at his tomb, that the monks raised a beautiful new south aisle to the + church; nay, they could have built the church over again with the means + thus acquired. A monument was raised over his grave, and his effigy was + carved on it—a robed and crowned figure, with hands meekly folded, + and a face of such exquisite, appealing sweetness, dignity, and + melancholy, that it is hardly possible to look at it without tears, or to + help believing that even thus might Edward have looked when, in all the + nobleness of patience, he stood forgiving his persecutors, as they crowned + him in scorn with grass, and derided his misfortunes. A weak and frivolous + man, cruelly sinned against, Edward of Caernarvon was laid in his untimely + grave in the forty-third year of his age. + </p> + <p> + Thus ended the Barons’ Wars, no patriotic resistance of an opposition who + used sword and lance instead of the tongue and the pen, but the factious + jealousy of men who became ferocious in their hatred of favoritism. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CAMEO XLI. GOOD KING ROBERT’S TESTAMENT. (1314-1329.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Kings of England</i>. + 1307. Edward II. + 1327. Edward III. + 1322. Charles IV. + + <i>King of Scotland</i>. + 1306. Robert I. + + <i>King of France</i>. + 1314. Louis X. + 1316. Philippe V. + + <i>Emperor of Germany</i>. + 1314. Louis V. + + <i>Popes</i>. + 1305. Clement V. + 1316. John XXII. +</pre> + <p> + As England waxed feebler, Scotland waxed stronger and became aggressive. + Robert’s queen was dead, and he married Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of + Ulster, thus making his brother Edward doubtful whether the Scottish crown + would descend to him, and anxious to secure a kingdom for himself. + </p> + <p> + Ireland had not been reconciled in two centuries to the domination of the + Plantagenets. The Erse, or Irish, believed themselves brethren of the + Scots, and in all their wanderings and distresses the Bruces had found + shelter, sympathy, and aid in the wild province of Ulster. It seemed, + therefore, to Edward Bruce a promising enterprise to offer the Irish + chieftains deliverance from the English yoke; and they eagerly responded + to his proposal. In 1314, he crossed the sea with a small force, before + any one was ready for him, and was obliged at once to return, having thus + given the alarm; so that Sir Edward Butler, the Lord Deputy, hurried to + the defence, and had mustered his forces by the time Edward Bruce arrived, + the next spring, with 6,000 men. He was actually crowned King, and laid + siege to Carrickfergus, while the wild chieftains of Connaught broke into + the English settlements, and did great mischief, till they were defeated + at Athenry by the Earl of Ulster’s brother and Sir Richard Bermingham. + After the battle, Sir Richard Bermingham sent out his page, John Hussy, + with a single attendant, to “turn up and peruse” the bodies, to see + whether his mortal foe O’Kelly were among them. O’Kelly presently started + out of a bush where he had been hidden, and thus addressed the youth: + “Hussy, thou seest I am at all points armed, and have my esquire, a manly + man, beside me. Thou art thin, and a youngling; so that, if I loved thee + not for thine own sake, I might betray thee for thy master’s. But come and + serve me at my request, and I promise thee, by St. Patrick’s staff, to + make thee a lord in Connaught of more ground than thy master hath in + Ireland.” Hussy treated the offer with scorn, whereupon his attendant, “a + stout lubber, began to reprove him for not relenting to so rich a + proffer.” Hussy’s answer was, to cut down the knave; next, “he raught to + O’Kelly’s squire a great rap under the pit of the ear, which overthrew + him; thirdly, he bestirred himself so nimbly, that ere any help could be + hoped for, he had also slain O’Kelly, and perceiving breath in the squire, + he drawed him up again, and forced him upon a truncheon to bear his lord’s + head into the high town.” + </p> + <p> + These notable exploits were rewarded by knighthood and the lordship of + Galtrim. + </p> + <p> + Robert Bruce brought a considerable army to the assistance of his brother, + and wasted the country up to the walls of Dublin; but Roger Mortimer + coming to the relief of the city, he was forced to retreat. It was a + horrible devastation that he made, and yet this was only what was then + supposed to be the necessity of war, for it was while burning many a + homestead, and reducing multitudes to perish with famine, that Bruce + halted his whole army to protect one sick and suffering washerwoman. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “This was a full great courtesy, + That swilk a king and so mighty + Gert his men dwell on this manner + But for a poor lavender.” + </pre> + <p> + Bruce was one of the many men tender to the friend, ruthless to the foe; + merciful to sufferings he beheld, merciless to those out of his sight. He + returned to Scotland, and Mortimer to England, both leaving horrible + hunger and distress behind them, and Mortimer in debt £1,000 to the city + of Dublin, “whereof he payde not one smulkin, and many a bitter curse he + carried with him beyond sea.” + </p> + <p> + Edward Bruce continued to reign in Ulster until the 5th of October, 1318, + when the last and nineteenth battle was fought between him and the + English, contrary to the advice of his wisest captains. His numbers were + very inferior, and almost the whole were slain. Edward Bruce and Sir John + Malpas, an English knight, were found lying one upon the other, slain by + each other’s hands in the deadly conflict. Robert, who was on the way to + bring reinforcements to his brother, turned back on hearing the tidings, + and employed his forces against his old foe, John of Lorn, in the Western + Isles, and it was on this occasion that, to avoid doubling the Mull of + Cantire, he dragged his ships upon a wooden slide across the neck of land + between the two locks of Tarbut—a feat often performed by the + fishermen, and easy with the small galleys of his fleet, but which had a + great effect on the minds of the Islemen, for there was an old saying— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “That he should gar shippes sua + Betwixt those seas with sailis gae + Should win the Islis sua till hand, + That nane with strength should him withstand.” + </pre> + <p> + Accordingly they submitted, and Lorn, being taken, was shut up for life in + Lochleven Castle. + </p> + <p> + It was about the time of Edward Bruce’s wild reign in Ulster that Dublin + University was founded by Archbishop Bigmore; and in contrast to this + advance in learning, a few years later, a horrible and barbarous warfare + raged, because Lord de la Poer was supposed to have insulted Maurice of + Desmond by calling him a rhymer. Moreover, at Kilkenny, a lady, called + Dame Alice Kettle, was cited before the Bishop of Ossory for witchcraft. + It was alleged that she had a familiar spirit, to whom she was wont to + sacrifice nine red cocks, and nine peacocks’ eyes; that she had a staff + “on which she ambled through thick and thin;” and that between compline + and twilight she was wont to sweep the streets, singing, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “To the house of William, my son, + Hie all the wealth of Kilkenny town.” + </pre> + <p> + She was acquitted on the charge of witchcraft, but her enemies next + attacked her on the ground of heresy, and succeeded in accomplishing her + death. + </p> + <p> + The Pope at Avignon assisted the English cause by keeping Bruce and his + kingdom under an interdict; but the Scots continued to make inroads on + England, and year after year the most frightful devastation was committed. + In 1319, the Archbishop of York, hoping for another Battle of the + Standard, collected all his clergy and their tenants, and led them against + Douglas and Randolph at Mitton; but their efforts were unavailing, and + such multitudes were slain, that the field was covered with the white + surplices they wore over their armor, and the combat was called the + Chapter of Mitton. + </p> + <p> + For many long years were the northern provinces the constant prey of the + Scots, as the discords of the English laid their country open to invasion. + Bruce himself was indeed losing his strength, the leprosy contracted + during his life of wandering and distress was gaining ground on his + constitution, and unnerving his strong limbs; but Douglas and Randolph + gallantly supplied his place at the head of his armies, and his affairs + were everywhere prospering. He had indeed lost his eldest daughter + Marjorie, but she had left a promising son, Robert Stuart; and to himself + a son had likewise been born, named David, after the royal Saint of + Scotland, and so handsome and thriving a child, that it was augured that + he would be a warrior of high prowess. + </p> + <p> + Rome was induced, in 1323, to acknowledge Robert as King, on his promise + to go on a crusade to recover the Holy Land—a promise he was little + likely to be in a condition to fulfil; and Edward II began to enter into + negotiations, and make proposals, that disputes should be set aside by the + betrothal of the little David and his youngest daughter, Joan. But these + arrangements were broken off by the rebellion of Isabel, and the + deposition of Edward of Caernarvon; and Bruce sent Douglas and Randolph to + make a fresh attack upon Durham and Northumberland. The wild army were all + on horseback; the knights and squires on tolerable steeds, the poorer sort + on rough Galloways. They needed no forage for their animals save the grass + beneath their feet, no food for themselves except the cattle which they + seized, and whose flesh they boiled in their hides. Failing these, each + man had a bag of oatmeal, and a plate of metal on which he could bake his + griddle-cakes. This was their only baggage; true to the Lindsay motto, the + stars were their only tents: and thus they flashed from one county to + another, doing infinite mischief, and the dread of every one. + </p> + <p> + While young Edward III was being crowned, they had well-nigh seized the + Castle of Norham. The tidings filled the boy with fire and indignation. He + was none of the meek, indifferent stock that the Planta Genista sometimes + bore, but all the resolution and brilliancy of the line had descended on + him in full measure, and all the sweetness and courtesy, together with all + the pride and ambition of his race, shone in his blue eye, and animated + his noble and gracious figure. He was well-read in chivalrous tales, and + it was time that he should perform deeds of arms worthy of his ladye-love, + the flaxen-haired Philippa of Hainault. + </p> + <p> + Strange was the contrast of the pure, ardent spirit, with the scenes of + shame and disgrace of which he was as yet unconscious. He knew not that he + was a usurper—that one parent was perishing in a horrible captivity, + the other holding himself and his kingdom in shameful trammels, and giving + them over into the power of her traitorous lover. + </p> + <p> + But Edward was sixteen, and Isabel and Mortimer could only hope to + continue their dominion by keeping him at a distance; and he was therefore + placed at the head of a considerable army, with Sir John of Hainault as + his adviser, and sent forth to deliver his country from the Scots. + </p> + <p> + Good Sir John of Hainault, accustomed to prick his heavy Flemish war-horse + over the Belgian undulating plains, that Nature would seem to have + designed for fair battle-fields, was no match for the light horsemen of + the Scots, trained to wild, desultory warfare. He and his young King + thought the respectable way of fighting was for one side to wait civilly + for the other, interchange polite defiances on either side, take no + advantage of ground, but ride fairly at each other with pennons flying and + trumpets sounding, like a tournament; and they did not at all approve of + enemies of whom they saw no trace but a little distant smoke in the + horizon, and black embers of villages wherever they marched. There was no + coming up with them. The barons set forth in the morning, fierce, and + wound up for a battle, pennons displayed, and armor burnished; but by and + by the steeds floundered in the peat-bogs, the steep mountain-sides were + hard to climb for men and horses cased in proof armor, and when shouts or + cries broke out at a distance, and with sore labor the knights struggled + to the spot in hopes of an engagement, it proved to have been merely the + hallooing of some other part of the army at the wild deer that bounded + away from the martial array. When, at night, they reached the banks of the + Tyne, and had made their way across the ford, they found themselves in + evil case, for all their baggage and provisions were far behind, stuck in + the bogs, or stumbling up the mountain-sides, and they had nothing to eat + but a single loaf, which each man had carried strapped behind him, and + which had a taste of all the various peat-bogs into which he had sunk. The + horses had nothing to eat, and there was nothing to fasten them to, so + that their masters were forced to spend the whole night holding them by + the bridles. They hoped for better things at dawn, but with it came rain, + which swelled the river so much that none of the foot or baggage could + hope to cross, nor, indeed, could any messenger return to find out where + they were. The gentlemen were forced to set to work with their swords to + cut down green boughs to weave into huts, and to seek for grass and leaves + for their horses. By and by came some peasants, who told them they were + fourteen miles from Newcastle and eleven from Carlisle, and no provisions + could be obtained any nearer. Messengers were instantly sent off, + promising safety and large prices to any one who would bring victuals to + the famishing camp, and the burghers of Newcastle and Carlisle seem to + have reaped a rich harvest, by sending a moderate supply of bread and wine + at exorbitant prices. For a whole week of rain did the army continue in + this disconsolate position, without tents, fire, or candle, and with + perpetual rain, till the saddles and girths were rotted, the horses wasted + to skeletons, and the army, with rusted mail and draggled banners and + plumes, a dismal contrast to the gay troops who had lately set forth. + </p> + <p> + After waiting a week, fancying the Scots must pass the ford, they gave up + this hope, and resolved to re-cross higher up. Edward set forth a + proclamation, that the man who should lead him where he could cope on dry + ground with the Scots, should be knighted by his own hand, and receive a + hundred pounds a year in land. Fifteen gentlemen, thus incited, galloped + off in quest of the enemy, and one of them, an esquire named Thomas + Rokeby, who made toward Weardale, not only beheld the Scots encamped on + the steep hill-side sloping toward the Wear, but was seized by their + outposts, and led before Douglas. Sir James was in a position where he had + no objection to see King Edward, with a natural fortification of rocks on + his flanks, a mountain behind, and the river foaming in a swollen torrent + over the rocks in the ravine in front of him. So, when Rokeby had told his + tale, Douglas gave him his ransom and liberty, on the sole condition that + he should not rest till he had brought the tidings to the King—terms + which he was not slow to fulfil. He found the English army on the Derwent, + at the ruined Augustinian monastery of Blanchland; and, highly delighted, + Edward gave the promised reward, and the army prepared for a battle by + confession and hearing mass. Then all set forth in high spirits, and came + to the spot, where they were so close to the enemy that they could see the + arms on the shields of the nobles, and the red, hairy buskins of the ruder + sort, shaped from the hides of the cattle they had killed. + </p> + <p> + Edward made his men dismount, thinking to cross the river; but, on + examination, he found this impossible. He then sent an invitation to the + Scottish leaders to come out and have a fair fight; but at this they + laughed, saying that they had burnt and spoiled in his land, and it was + his part to punish them as he could; they should stay there as long as + they pleased. As it was known that there was neither bread nor wine in + their camp, it was hoped that this would not be very long; but from the + merriment nightly heard round the watchfires, it seemed that oatmeal and + beef satisfied them just as well, and the English were far more miserable + in their position. + </p> + <p> + On the third night, though the fires blazed and the horns resounded at + midnight, by dawn nothing was to be seen but the bare, gray hill-side. The + Scots had made off during the night, and were presently discovered perched + in a similar spot on the river side, only with a wood behind them, called + Stanhope Park. + </p> + <p> + Again Edward encamped on the other side of the river, and watched the foe + in vain. One night, however, Douglas, with a small body of men, crept + across the river at a ford higher up, and stealing to the precincts of the + camp, rode past the sentry, crying out in an English tone, “Ha, St. + George! no watch here!” and made his way into the midst of the tents, + smiling to himself at the murmur of an English soldier, that the Black + Douglas might yet play them some trick. Presently, with loud shouts of + “Douglas! Douglas! English thieves, ye shall die!” his men fell on the + sleeping army, and had slain three hundred in a very short time, while he + made his way to the royal tent, cut the ropes, and as the boy, “a soldier + then for holidays,” awoke, “by his couch, a grisly chamberlain,” stood the + Black Lord James! His chaplain threw himself between, and fell in the + struggle, while Edward crept out under the canvas, and others of the + household came to his rescue. The whole army was now awakened, and Douglas + fought his way out on the other side of the camp, blowing his horn to + collect his men. On his return, Randolph asked him what he had done. “Only + drawn a little blood,” said Douglas. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Randolph, “we should have gone down with the whole army.” + </p> + <p> + “The risk would have been over-great,” said Douglas. + </p> + <p> + “Then must we fight them, by open day, for our provisions are failing, and + we shall soon be famished.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Sir James, “let us treat them as the fox did the fisherman, + who, finding him eating a salmon before the fire in his hut, drew his + sword, and stood in the doorway, meaning to slay him without escape. But + the fox seized a mantle, and drew it over the fire; the fisherman flew to + save his mantle, and Master Fox made off safely with the salmon by the + door unguarded!” + </p> + <p> + On this model the wary Scot arranged his retreat, making a multitude of + hurdles of wattled boughs to be laid across the softer places in the bog + behind them, and giving secret orders that all should be ready to move at + night. This could not be done so secretly that some tidings did not reach + the English; but they expected another night-attack, and, though they + continued under arms, made no attempt to ascertain the proceedings of the + enemy till daybreak, when, crossing the river, they found nothing alive + but five poor English prisoners bound naked to trees, with their legs + broken. Around them lay five hundred large cattle, killed because they + went too slowly to be driven along, three hundred skins filled with meat + and water hung over the fires, one hundred spits with meat on them, and + ten thousand of the hairy shoes of the Scots—the enemy were entirely + gone; and Edward, baffled, grieved, and ashamed, fairly burst into tears + at his disappointment. + </p> + <p> + His army was unable to continue the pursuit, and in two days arrived at + Durham, where the honest burghers had stored under outhouses all the + wagons that had been left behind in the advance thirty-two days before, + each with a little flag to show whose property it was. Tidings being + brought that the Scots had gone to their own country, Edward turned his + face southward, and, by the time he reached York, had had the + mortification of losing all his horses, from the privations the poor + creatures had undergone; while the discontent of his subjects found vent + in ascribing all the misfortunes to Roger Mortimer’s treachery—an + additional crime of which he may fairly be acquitted. Edward continued at + York all that autumn, apparently keeping aloof from his mother’s court; or + else it was her object to prevent him from perceiving the guilty counsels + that there prevailed, and which resulted in the murder of his father. To + York Sir John of Hainault fetched the young bride, his niece Philippa, and + the marriage took place in the cathedral on St. Paul’s Day, 1328, the two + young people being then sixteen and fifteen years of age. Meantime, Robert + Bruce, partially recovering, laid siege to Norham, and in the exhausted + state of England it was decided to offer him peace, fully acknowledging + his right to the throne, yielding up the regalia and the royal stone of + Scotland, and uniting his son David with the little Princess Joan. + </p> + <p> + The nation were exceedingly angry at the peace, necessary as it was, and + charged the disgrace upon Mortimer. They rose in tumult, and prevented the + coronation-stone from being taken away, and they called the marriage a + base alliance. Even Edward himself refused to be present with his young + wife at the marriage of his little sister, which was to take place at + Berwick. His mother tried to induce him to come, by arranging a joust; she + had six spears painted splendidly for his use, others for his companions, + and three hundred and sixty more for other English gentlemen; but he was + resolved to keep his Philippa aloof from the company of Mortimer and his + mother, and remained with her at Woodstock, notwithstanding all + temptations to display. + </p> + <p> + Bruce was too ill to go to Berwick, but gave his son, then five years old, + into the charge of Douglas and Randolph. The little bride, called by the + Scots Joan Makepeace, was conducted by her mother and Mortimer with the + most brilliant pomp. + </p> + <p> + Mortimer’s display and presumption outdid even poor Piers Gaveston: he had + one hundred and eighty knights in his own train alone, and their dress was + so fantastically gay that the Scots jested on them, and made rhymes long + current in the North: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Longbeards, heartless, + Gay coats, graceless, + Painted hoods, witless, + Maketh England thriftless.” + </pre> + <p> + Queen Isabel herself was wont to wear such a tower on her head, that + doorways had to be altered to enable her to pass under them; and her + expenses were so great, that no revenue was left to maintain her young + daughter-in-law Philippa. + </p> + <p> + Henry, sometimes called Wryneck, Earl of Derby, brother of the rebel + Thomas of Lancaster, and Thomas and Edmund, Earls of Norfolk and Kent, the + youngest sons of Edward I., had begun bitterly to repent of having been + deceived by this wicked woman. Even Adam Orleton had quarrelled with her + for attempting to exact a monstrous bribe for making him Bishop of + Winchester; but Mortimer was determined to keep up his power by violence. + At a parliament at Salisbury, where the young King and Queen were + presiding, he broke in with his armed followers, and carried them off in a + sort of captivity to Winchester. The three Earls took up arms, but the + Earls of Kent and Norfolk, who seem to have had their full share of the + family folly, deserted Lancaster, and he was forced to make peace, after + paying an immense fine. + </p> + <p> + Still Isabel and Mortimer felt their insecurity, or else they had such an + appetite for treachery and murder, that they were driven on to commit + further crimes. A report was set about that Edward of Caernarvon was still + living in Corfe Castle, and one of his actual murderers, Maltravers, + offered the unfortunate Edmund of Kent to convey letters from him to his + brother; nay, it was arranged, for his further deception, that he should + peep into a dungeon and behold at a distance a captive, who had sufficient + resemblance to the late King to be mistaken for him in the gloom. Letters + were written by the Earl and his wife to the imaginary prisoner, and + entrusted to Maltravers, who carried them at once to Queen Isabel. A + sufficient body of evidence having thus been procured for her purposes, + the unfortunate Edmund was arraigned before the parliament at Winchester, + when he confessed that the letters had been written by himself; and, + further, that a preaching friar had conjured up a spirit on whose + authority he believed his brother to be alive. He was found guilty of + treason, and sentenced to death by persons who expected that his rank + would save him; but the She-wolf of France was resolved on having his + blood, and decreed that he should die the next day. Such was the horror at + the sentence, that the headsman stole secretly away from Winchester to + avoid performing his office, and for four long hours of the 13th of March, + 1329, did Earl Edmund Plantagenet stand on the scaffold above the castle + gate, waiting till some one could be found to put him to death, in the + name of his own nephew and by the will of his mother’s niece. He was only + twenty-eight, and had four little children; and, in those dreary hours, + what must not have been his hopes that the young Edward would awaken to a + sense of the wickedness that was being perpetrated, so abhorrent to his + warm and generous nature! But hopes were vain. Queen Isabel “kept her son + so beset” all day, that no word could be spoken to him respecting his + uncle, and at length a felon was sought out, who, as the price of his own + pardon, dealt the death-stroke to the son of the great Edward. + </p> + <p> + After this act of intimidation, Mortimer’s insolence went still farther, + and England was fully sensible that the minion now reigning united all the + faults of the former ones—the extravagance and rapacity of Gaveston, + and the pride and violence of the Despensers; and as if to bring upon + himself their very fate, he caused himself to be appointed Warden of the + Marches of Wales, and helped himself to manor after manor of the Despenser + property. His name and lineage were Welsh, and in memory of King Arthur he + held tournaments which he called Round Tables, and made this display so + frequent, that his own son Geoffrey became ashamed of them, and called him + the King of Folly. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the modest and innocent young court at Woodstock was made happy + by the birth of the heir to the crown—a babe of such promise and + beauty that even grave chroniclers pause to record his noble aspect, and + the motherly fondness of the youthful Philippa, then only seventeen. Again + Queen Isabel was obliged to trust her son out of the hands of herself and + her minions. Her last brother, King Charles IV., was dead, leaving only + daughters; and though she fancied the claim of her son Edward to the + French crown to be nearer than that of Philippe, Count of Valois, the son + of her father’s brother, it was not convenient to press the assumption, + and it was therefore resolved that young Edward should go to Amiens to + perform his homage to Philippe. He was only fifteen days absent from + England, and duly swore fealty to Philippe; the one robed in blue velvet + and golden lilies, the other in crimson velvet worked with the English + lions; but the pageant was a worthless ceremony, and the journey was + chiefly important as bringing him to a full sense of the esteem in which + his mother was held at home and abroad. Edward was nearly nineteen, and + was resolved that he and his country should be held in unworthy bondage no + longer. He confided his plans to Sir William Montacute, and they agreed to + bring about the downfall of Mortimer at the next parliament, which was + summoned to meet at Nottingham. + </p> + <p> + So suspicious were the Queen and her favorite, that they always travelled + with a strong guard, and, on entering Nottingham Castle, the locks on all + the gates were changed, and the keys were every night brought to the + Queen, who hid them under her pillow. Edward himself was admitted, but + with only four attendants; and the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford were + not even allowed to lodge their followers in the town, but with insolent + words were quartered a mile off, to their own great discontent and that of + the country-folk. + </p> + <p> + Montacute meanwhile held counsel with Sir Robert Eland, the governor of + the castle, who told him that far without the walls lay a cave, whence a + subterraneous gallery led into the keep of Nottingham Castle. It was + believed to have been made for a means of escape in the days of Danish + inroads, and it was still practicable to lead a body of men through it. + Montacute undertook the enterprise on the 19th of October, 1330. Whether + the King crept through the passage, or only joined Montacute after he + emerged on the stairs, is not certain; but together, and with a troop of + armed men behind them, they broke into the room where Mortimer was + consulting with the Earl of Lincoln, and seized upon his person. The + Queen, nearly undressed, hurried out of the next room, and Edward stood + behind the door, that she might not see him; but she guessed that he was + present, and cried out piteously, “Fair son, have pity on gentle + Mortimer!” Her cries were unheeded, and Mortimer was, in the early + morning, sent off to the Tower of London, while all Nottingham rang with + shouts of joy. + </p> + <p> + Edward broke up the parliament, and summoned a new one to meet at + Westminster, where he called Mortimer to account for a tissue of such + horrible crimes that one alone would have secured his condemnation. The + Peers were asked what his sentence should be, and they all answered that + he ought to die like his victim, Hugh le Despenser, who had not had a + moment to speak in his own defence. Perhaps Edward dreaded to hear his + mother’s crimes disclosed, for he forbade the confession to be made known + of two of the accomplices in his father’s murder, and caused Mortimer to + die a traitor’s death at once at Tyburn—the inaugurating execution + at that melancholy spot. This hasty sentence stood Mortimer’s family in + good stead; for, as there was no sentence of attainder, they continued to + hold the earldom of March. Edward little thought that the grandson of his + father’s murderer would become the heir to his own throne. + </p> + <p> + The Pope wrote to Edward to intercede with him for his mother, but the + exhortation was hardly needed, for he showed the most delicate and filial + respect throughout for her name, and what truth and necessity compelled + him to declare against her, he charged on the evil influence of Mortimer. + Her grief and despair threw her into an absolute fit of madness at the + time of Mortimer’s execution, and she continued subject to fits of + distraction for many years after. She was shut up in Risings Castle, and + respectfully attended upon by a sufficient train; her son visited her from + time to time, but she never saw any others of her family; and when, after + twenty-eight years, she died, she chose to be buried in the church of the + Gray Friars, at Newgate, where lay the remains of Mortimer. + </p> + <p> + While these events were taking place in England, one of the great spirits + of the time was passing away at Cardross, in Scotland. Robert the Bruce + lay on his death-bed, and, calling for his nobles, bade them swear fealty + to his infant son, and appointed Randolph, Earl of Moray, as regent for + the child; for Sir James Douglas he reserved a yet dearer, closer charge. + Long ago, as he lay on his bed at Rachrin, had he vowed to go on + pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but before he had given rest to his country, the + deadly sickness had seized on him which was cutting him off in his + fifty-fifth year. He therefore entreated that Douglas would carry his + heart, to fulfil his vow, instead of himself, and that, making his way to + Jerusalem, he would lay it finally in the Holy Sepulchre. + </p> + <p> + Weeping so that he could hardly speak, Sir James thanked his master for + the inestimable honor, and vowed, on his faith as a knight, to do his + bidding. Robert likewise gave his nobles a set of counsels for the defence + of his kingdom, showing how truly he estimated its resources and method of + warfare; for it is said that no reverse ever afterward befell the Scots + but by their disregard of what they called “Good King Robert’s Testament”—precepts + he had obeyed all his life, and which stood nearly thus in old Scottish: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “On foot should be all Scottish war, + By hill and moss themselves to ware; + Let woods for walls be; bow and spear + And battle-axe their fighting gear: + That enemies do them na dreir, + In strait places gar keep all store, + And burn the plain land them before: + Then shall they pass away in haste, + When that they find nothing but waste; + With wiles and wakening of the night. + And mickle noise made on height; + Then shall they turn with great affray, + As they were chased with sword away. + This is the counsel and intent + Of Good King Robert’s Testament.” + </pre> + <p> + With these fierce, though sagacious counsels, the hero of Scotland died on + the 7th of June, 1329. He was buried in Dunfermline Abbey, after his heart + had been extracted and embalmed according to his command; but the + dissolution of the convents made sad havoc among the royal tombs of + Scotland, and two churches had risen and fallen above his marble tomb + before it was discovered among the ruins in 1819, and his remains were + found in a winding-sheet of cloth of gold, and the breastbone sawn + through. Multitudes were admitted to gaze on them, and there were many + tears shed, for, in the simple and beautiful words of Scott, “There was + the wasted skull which once was the head that thought so wisely and boldly + for his country’s deliverance; and there was the dry bone which had once + been the sturdy arm that killed Sir Henry de Bohun between the two armies + at a single blow, the evening before the battle of Bannockburn.” + </p> + <p> + The Bruce’s heart was enclosed in a silver case, and hung round the neck + of Douglas, who sailed at once on his pilgrimage, taking with him a + retinue befitting the royal treasure that he bore. But on his way he + landed in Spain, and esteeming that any war with any Saracen was agreeable + to his vow, he offered his aid to King Alfonso, of Castile. But he was + ignorant of the Moorish mode of fighting, and, riding too far in advance + with his little band, was inclosed and cut off by the wheeling horsemen of + the Moors. Still he might have escaped, had he not turned to rescue Sir + William St. Clair, of Roslyn; but in doing this he was so entangled, that + he saw no escape, and taking from his neck his precious charge, he threw + it before him, shouting aloud, “Pass onward as thou wert wont! I follow, + or die!” He followed, and died. His corpse was found on the battle-field + lying over the heart of Bruce, and his friends, lifting up the body, bore + it back again to his own little church of St. Bride of Douglas, where it + lies interred; while the crowned and bleeding heart shines emblazoned on + the shield of the great Douglas line, a memorial of the time and hearty + love that knit together, through adversity and prosperity, the good King + Robert and the good Lord James. The heart itself was given into the charge + of Sir Simon Locard, of Lee, already the keeper of the curious talisman + called the Lee Penny, brought by Earl David of Huntingdon from the East; + but he did not deem it needful to carry his burthen to Jerusalem, and it + was buried beneath the altar at Melrose Abbey, Sir Simon changed his name + to Lockhart, and bore on his shield a heart with a fetterlock, on his + crest a hand with a key, and for his motto, “<i>Corda serrata pando.</i>” + </p> + <p> + Here, then, we close the first series of Cameos, during which we have seen + the Norman conquerors gradually become English, and the kingdom take + somewhat of its present form. In another volume we hope to show the long + wars of the Middle Ages. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDEX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Acre, the siege of, + Prince Edward there, + its final conquest + by the Saracens, +Adela, William the Conqueror’s daughter, + married to Stephen of Blois, +Adrian IV., Pope, + Nicholas Brakespeare, an Englishman, + his grant of Ireland to Henry II., +Aelred, Abbot of Rivaux, + his visit to King David of Scotland, + death, +Agatha, wife of Edward the Etheling, +Alain Fergeant, + married to William the Conqueror’s daughter Constance, +Alberic, friend of Robert Courtheuse, +Albigenses, the war against, + led by Simon de Montfort, +Aldred, Archbishop of York, + consecrates Bishop Wulstan, + dies of grief, +Alexander III., Pope, + his support of Becket, +Alexander III., of Scotland, + at the coronation of Edward I., + his character, + his shocking death, + troubles in Scotland after this, +Alexis Comnenus, Greek Emperor, + his conduct to the crusaders, +Alfonso I. of Castile, + William the Conqueror’s daughter Matilda promised to, +Alfred, Archbishop of York, crowns Harold king of England, +Alfred Atheling, son of Ethelred the Unready, + his expedition against Harold Harefoot, + his murder, +Alftrude, tradition of Hereward’s love for, +Algar, son of Earl Leofric, +Alice of France, Richard Coeur de Lion bethrothed to, + disputes about this, +Alice of Louvain, second wife of Henry I. + married secondly to William de Albini, +Almayne, Henry of, son of Richard king of the Romans, + joins the last crusade, + his murder by the De Montforts, + punishment of his murderers, +Anjou, history of the Counts of, + loss of, by the English to Philippe Auguste, +Anjou, Charles, Comte d’, + joins the crusade of Louis IX, + seizes the crown of the Two Sicilies, + his conduct in the last crusade, + at the death of Louis IX., + Prince Edward’s reply to him, +Anselm, Archbishop: Bishop Wulstan assists at his consecration, + his birth and parentage, + enters the Abbey of Bec, + the Archbishopric of Canterbury forced upon him, + his collision with William Rufus, + banished for life, + returns on the death of Rufus, + disputes with Henry I., + again banished, + his return, death and character, +Ansgard, Alderman, his conference with William the Conqueror, +Antioch, siege of, + in the first crusade, +Apulia, the Normans in, +Aquitaine, acquired by Henry II’s marriage with Eleanor, + account of the duchy of, +Arnulf, Count of Flanders, + the foe of William Longsword, + makes war against Richard the Fearless, + Richard’s generosity to him, +Arques, Count d’, his conspiracy against William the Conqueror, +Arthur, King: history of his round table at Winchester, +Arthur of Brittany, + the joy at his birth, + Richard I. acknowledges him heir, + his residence at the court of Philippe Auguste, + at the siege of Mirabeau, + taken prisoner by King John, + the parley between them, + John’s attempted cruelty, + his murder by John, + avenged by Philippe Auguste, +Artois, Robert, Comte d’, + joins the crusade of Louis IX., + insults Longespée, + his impetuous character, + killed at Mansourah, +Ascalon, the crusaders at, +Atheling, <i>vide</i> Etheling. +Augustine, his dispute with the Welsh Church, +Auvergne, Guy of, + his cruel treatment and death, +Avignon, the papal court removed to, +Ayr, story of the barns of, +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Bacon, Roger, account of, +Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, +Baldwin, Count of Flanders, + William the Conqueror’s overtures to, +Baldwin I. king of Jerusalem, +Baldwin II. king of Jerusalem, +Balliol, John, lays claim to the crown of Scotland, + declared king, + treated as a vassal by Edward I., + humiliation of, + and subsequent career, +Bangor, slaughter of the monks of, +Bannockburn, battle of, + its results, +Bards, the, account of, +Barons, the, assembly of, + to adopt the charter, + their revolt, + their meeting with King John at Runnymede, + their war with King John, + offer the crown to Louis the Lion, + their demands at the Parliament of Westminster, + the meeting of, in the Mad Parliament, + their dispute with Henry III. referred to Louis IX., + refuse Louis IX.‘s decision, + their war with the king, + their discontent with Montfort, + their proceedings against Gaveston, + against the Despensers, +Batalha in Portugal, account of the Abbey of, + Battle Abbey, + history of, + the roll of, + unsatisfactory compared with Domesday Book, +Bayeux tapestry, description of the, +Bec, Lanfranc abbot of, + Anselm there, +Beck, Anthony, Bishop of Durham, + Edward I.‘s envoy to Balliol, + Edward I.‘s message to, +Becket, Gilbert à, legend of, +Becket, Thomas à, birth of, + his character and splendor, + appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, + his humility, + his quarrel with Henry II. + on the privileges of the clergy, + his reluctant consent to the Constitutions of Clarendon, + the King’s sentence against him, + his acts at the Council of Northampton, + his flight to the Continent, + supported by the Pope, &c., + retires to Pontigny, + conference with King Henry II. at Montmirail, + at Montmartre, + the King’s submission, + his return to Canterbury, + events of his martyrdom, + fate of his murderers, + his canonization, + general honor paid to him, + pilgrimages to his shrine, + its spoliation by Henry VIII, + summary of his character, +Benefit of clergy, meaning of, +Berengaria, Richard I.‘s attachment to, + their marriage, + her death, +Bernard, Count of Harcourt, + the friend of William Longsword, + his support of Richard the Fearless, +Bertrade, marries Foulques IV. of Anjou, + leaves him for Philippe I., +Bertram de Born, the troubadour, + laments Queen Eleanor’s imprisonment, + affronted by Richard I., + his interview with Henry II., + his laments for Richard I., + his death, + Dante’s mention of him in the “Inferno,” + Berwick, Edward I.‘s cruelty at, +Bigod, Roger, Earl of Norfolk, his answers to Henry III., + his opposition to the exactions of Edward I., +Binning, his capture at Linlithgow, +Bishops, dispute between King and Pope respecting the election of, +Blanche of Castile, her marriage to Louis the Lion, + death of, +Blondel, discovers Richard I. in captivity, +Blondeville, Ranulf de, his marriage to Constance of Brittany, +Boemond, joins the first crusade, + his conduct at the siege of Antioch, +Bohun, Humphrey, Earl of Hereford, his opposition to Edward I., + his success and high character, +Bohun, Sir H., his encounter with King Robert Bruce, +Boniface VIII., Pope, opposes Edward I.‘s exactions on the clergy, + death of, +Border warfare with the Scots, +Bosham, Herbert de, the friend of Archbishop Becket, +Brand, Abbot of Peterborough, + confers knighthood on Hereward, +Braose, William de, King John’s cruelties to, +Bretons, their joy at the birth of Prince Arthur, + their enmity to Richard I., +Brien Boru, King of Ireland, +Brihtric Meau, Queen Matilda’s love for, + her vengeance on his disdain, +Brito, William, murderer of Becket, + his armorial bearings, +Britons, the, after the departure of the Romans, +Bruce, the line of, history of, + troubles of Scotland under, +Bruce, Edward, besieges Stirling Castle, + commands a division at Bannockburn, + his invasion of Ireland, + death, +Bruce, Robert, lays claim to the crown of Scotland, +Bruce, Robert, the younger, joins Wallace, + lives in allegiance to Edward I., +Bruce, Robert III., vacillation of his early conduct, + his murder of the Red Comyn; + revolts against Edward I.; + coronation at Scone; + his excommunication; + his disaster at Methven; + wanderings, and adventures; + escape from the Lorns; + defeats Aymer de Valence; + his progress in the recovery of Scotland; + his preparations to meet Edward II.; + encounter with Sir Henry Bohun; + his victory at Bannockburn; + his invasion of Ireland; + inroads upon England; + recognised by the Pope; + his right to the throne acknowledged by England; + his dying injunctions and death; + fate of his heart. +Bruce, William, resigns the charge of Prince Arthur. +Bungay, Friar, the associate of Friar Bacon. +Burgh, Hubert de, governor of Prince Arthur; + taken prisoner by the French; + his defence of Dover; + defeats the French fleet; + his care of the minority of Henry III.; + machinations against him; + his imprisonment and escape; + subsequent history. +Burnel, Robert, Bishop, Edward I.‘s chancellor. +Bury St. Edmund’s, assembly of the Barons at. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Cadwallader, the last of the Pendragons. +Caen, the two abbeys founded at, + by William the Conqueror and Matilda; + Abbaye aux Dames at, + William the Conqueror’s eldest daughter becomes Abbess of; + William the Conqueror buried at. +Camp of refuge established in the Isle of Ely; + the principal fugitives there; + attacks on, by William the Conqueror; + betrayed by the monks of Ely; + cruelty to the captives taken there. +Canterbury and York, jealousy between. +Canterbury Cathedral, murder of Becket at; + Henry II. does penance in; + Becket’s shrine at. +Capet, Hugh, succeeds to the throne of France; + supported by Richard the Fearless; + importance of his recognition. +Cardinals, the, choice of the Pope vested in. +Carthage, Louis IX.‘s camp at; + his sickness and death there. +Cecily, William the Conqueror’s eldest daughter, becomes Abbess of Caen. +Châlons, Count de, his treachery to Edward I. +Charlemagne, receives the crown of the Holy Roman Empire; + degeneracy of his descendants; + overcome by the Northmen; + the race of, retire to Lorraine. +Charles Martel, exploits of. +Charles the Simple, King of France; + his contests with Rollo; + cedes Neustria to him; + Rollo marries his daughter. +Charles IV., his conduct in Queen Isabel’s quarrel with Edward II. +Charter, the Great, adopted by the Barons; + King John promises to grant it; + his prevarication; + its enactments; + signed by John; + annulled by Pope Innocent III.; + the war of the Barons to obtain it; + Henry III. made to agree to it; + end of the wars about it; + its acceptance by Henry III.; + renewal of, by the Barons, under Edward I. +Chateau Gaillard, the siege of. +Christina, daughter of Edward Etheling; + retires to a convent; + becomes Abbess of Wilton. +Christianity, conversion of the early French kings to; + acceptance of, by the Vikings. +Church and State, struggles between, in the eleventh century; + theory of; + adjustment of the disputes between; further disputes. +Church building in the early Norman days. +Church patronage, quarrel of the Barons with Innocent IV. respecting. +Clapham, derivation of its name. +Clare, Gilbert de, Earl of Gloucester, knighted by Montfort; + secedes from the Barons; + joins the last crusade; + married to Joan of Acre, daughter of Edward I.; + death of. +Clarendon, the Council and Constitutions of. +Clement V., Pope, character of; + excommunicates Bruce; + gives absolution to Gaveston; + elected Pope by the influence of Philippe IV.; + gives up the Knights Templars to him; + abolishes the Templars; + his death. +Clergy, the privileges of, Henry II.‘s opposition to; + Becket’s support of. +Clermont, council of, Peter the Hermit at. +Coinage, the, Edward I.‘s laws upon. +Comyn, Earl of Durham, murder of, by the townsmen. +Comyn the Red, his treachery to Robert Bruce; + murdered by Bruce. +Congé d’élire, origin of. +Conrad, King of Burgundy, makes war upon Richard the Fearless. +Conrade of Montferrat, his enmity to Richard I.; + made King of Jerusalem; + his assassination. +Constance, daughter of William the Conqueror, account of. +Constance of Brittany, her marriage with Geoffrey Plantagenet; + has the care of Prince Arthur; + her second marriage; + is seized and imprisoned; + her death. +Constantinople, Robert the Magnificent at, + Harold Hardrada’s adventures there, +Cordova, Emir of, King John’s embassy to, +Cressingham, Hugh, chancellor to Edward I., + his expedition against Wallace, + killed at the battle of Stirling, +Crusades, the, remarks upon, + the first led by Peter the Hermit, + its disastrous end, + followed by Godfrey de Bouillon and others, + account of, + the third account of, + the last history of, + the great abuse of them, +Curfew bell, origin of, +Cymry, the, original tribe of the Kelts, +Cyprus, conquest of, by Richard Coeur de Lion, +Damietta, the crusaders at, +Danish conquest of England, effects of, +David, Earl of Huntingdon, + joins the third crusade, + his adventures on his return home, +David I. King of Scotland, + a visitor of Henry I., + swears fealty to Maude, + his character, + invades England in favor of Maude, + defeated at the battle of the Standard, + his sorrows and death, +De Courcy, Sir John, made governor of Ireland, + his government there, + made Earl of Ulster, + treachery against him, + his imprisonment, + undertakes the championship of England, + privilege granted to him and his descendants, +Despensers, the, favorites of Edward II., + the Barons procure their banishment, + their return, + the King’s bounty to them, + their capture and execution, +Des Roches, Guillaume, King John’s promise to, + respecting Prince Arthur, + his remorse at the King’s treachery, +Des Roches, Peter, Bishop of Winchester, + refuses to acknowledge the interdict, + justiciary under Henry III., + his intrigue against Hubert de Burgh, + causes the death of the Earl of Pembroke, + his dismissal and death, +Divine service, decrees for, + at the Synod of Mertoun, +Domesday book, account of, +Donald Bane seizes the crown of Scotland, +Douglas Castle, contests in its recovery and defence, +Douglas, Sir James, his first meeting with Bruce, 391; + his constant adherence, + recovers his castle from the English, + his capture of Roxburgh Castle, + chivalrous conduct to Randolph, + his exploits on the Border, + Bruce’s dying injunction to, + carries Bruce’s heart to Spain, + his death there, +Dover besieged by Louis the Lion, + the siege raised, + battle of, +Dublin University, foundation of, +Dunbar, battle of, +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Earl, derivation of title of, + from the Danes, +Edgar Atheling, son of Edward the Stranger, + William the Conqueror’s friendship for, + account of him, + proclaimed King of England, + William the Conqueror’s conduct to, + efforts of Malcolm III. in his favor, + renounces his claim to the crown of England, + his subsequent career, + his death and character, +Edgar of Scotland restored to the throne, +Edinburgh Castle captured from the English, +Edith, wife of Edward the Confessor, + character of, +Edith of the Swan neck finds the body of Harold, +Edith, daughter of Margaret of Scotland, marries Henry I., + changes her name to Matilda or Maude, + See Maude. +Ediva, mother of Hereward, +Edmund Ironside, his two sons, +Edward the Confessor, son of Ethelred the Unready, + his gentle nurture in Normandy, + comes to his brother’s court in England, + his character, &c., + why called the Confessor, + instance of his gentleness, + his Norman propensities, + visited by Duke William of Normandy, + founds Westminster Abbey, + death and burial there, + his desire to leave his crown to William of Normandy, + conversation with Harold on his death-bed, + William the Conqueror’s friendship for, + Henry III.‘s devotion to, + translation of his remains, +Edward I., his marriage to Eleanor of Castile, + his character, + his conduct in taking the oath to the acts of Oxford, + his robbery of the Templars, + conduct at the siege of Northampton and the battle of Lees, + delivers himself up to the Barons, + his escape from Herford, + rescues his father at the battle of Evesham, + joins Louis IX. in the last Crusade, + his embarkation, + arrives at Acre, + attempted assassination there, + returns to England, + his tomb in Westminster Abbey, + Coronation of, + his treatment of the Jews + his laws, + parliaments, + prosperity of the kingdom in the early part of his reign, + respect shown him on the continent, + account of his daughters, + deterioration of his character in his later years, + death of his Queen Eleanor; + claims to be Lord paramount of Scotland; + the claim acknowledged; + invades Scotland; + deposes Balliol and gets himself acknowledged King; + his rage against Wallace; + wins the battle of Falkirk; + cruelty to Wallace; + duped by Philippe IV.; + is distressed for funds; + seizure of ecclesiastical property; + imposes the “evil toll,”; + marriage with Margaret of France; + grants the right of taxation to his subjects; + his vengeance on Abp. Winchelsea; + rage at Bruce’s revolt; + his vow against the Scots; + arrives at Carlisle; + cruelty to Bruce’s brothers; + his last injunctions and death; + his dread of Gaveston’s influence over his son. +Edward II., appointed regent in his father’s absence; + ceremony of his knighthood; + his appearance and character; + influence of friends over him; + his inordinate attachment to Piers Gaveston; + neglects his father’s injunctions respecting Scotland; + his marriage to Isabel of France; + the nobles demand Gaveston’s dismissal; + his coronation; + disputes with his nobles respecting Gaveston; + his expedition against Bruce; + his defeat at Bannockburn; + his attachment to the Despensers; + discontent of his subjects; + his queen’s complaints against him; + her invasion of England; + his wanderings and capture; + deposition; + captivity and ill-treatment; + his murder in Berkeley Castle; + his monument in Gloucester Cathedral. +Edward III., his march to the Border; + account of his warfare there; + his narrow escape from Douglas; + causes Mortimer’s arrest and execution; + his respectful conduct to Queen Isabel. +Edward the Atheling, his infant son Edgar; + his daughters; +Edward, son of Edmund Ironside; + his marriage; + owned as Etheling. +Edwin, grandson of Earl Leofric; + enemy of Harold; + submits to the conqueror; + and is betrothed to his daughter Matilda; + joins the Camp of Refuge; + is killed in combat. +Eghelemar, Bp. of Elmham. +Eghelsie, Bp. of Selsey. +Eghelwin. Bp. of Durham, joins the Camp of Refuge; + dies in captivity. +Egypt, crusade in, under William Longespée the Elder; + under Louis IX.. +Eleanor of Aquitaine, married to Henry II.; + evils resulting from this; + not the murderess of Fair Rosamond; + kept in captivity by her husband; + her dislike to Constance of Brittany; + beseiged at Mirabeau by Prince Arthur; + intercedes for Prince Arthur; + dies of grief at Fontévraud. +Eleanor of Castille, married to Edward I.; + accompanies him to the Holy Land; + sucks the poison from his wounds; + her death; + the crosses erected to her memory. +Eleanor of Provence, married to Henry III.; + vituperative ballads made on her; + her unpopularity; + her spirited conduct in the Barons’ war. +Elgiva, William the Conqueror’s daughter, representation of, + in the Bayeaux tapestry. +Ely, Isle of, the Camp of Refuge established there. +Emma, daughter of the Count of Paris, + betrothed to Richard the Fearless. +Emma, daughter of Richard the Fearless, + wife of Ethelred the Unready and Knut; + invites her sons to claim the throne of England. +Emperors of the West, their influence on the election of Popes; + deprived of this by the Lateran Council; + their struggle to regain it. +England, effects of the Danish conquest upon; + sad state of, + under William Rufus; + granted to France by Pope Innocent III.; + a fief of Rome; + the laws of, + adhered to by the Norman kings; + ignored by Henry II., + prosperity of, + in the early part of Edward the First’s reign; + increase of learning in; + discontented state of, + under Edward II.. +Ermengarde, mother of St. Anselm. +Espriota, wife of William Longsword. +Estates, inquisition into, + by Edward I.. +Etheling, account of the family of; + meaning of the term. +Ethelred the Unready, husband of Emma, daughter of + Richard the Fearless; + father of Edward the Confessor. +Eustace, Count de Mantes, + events of his visit to Edward the Confessor. +Eustace de Blois, son of Stephen; + his excesses and death. +Evesham, battle of. +Evil Toll, the, imposed by Edward I.; + opposition to, by the barons; + results in the right of self-taxation. +Exchequer, supposed derivation of. +Eystein, son of Magnus, King of Norway; + his discussion with his brother Sigurd; + his conduct as King of Norway. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Fair Rosamond, history of. +Falaise, William the Conqueror born at; + Prince Arthur in captivity there. +Falkirk, battle of. +Fescamp, Abbey of, Richard the Fearless buried there. +Fitzadhelm, William, Governor of Ireland. +Fitzosborn, William, the chief friend of William the Conqueror; + his counsel to William on Harold’s usurpation; + his charge at Hastings. +—— Roger, imprisoned by William the Conqueror. +Fitzpiers, Geoffrey, Grand Justiciary under King John. +Fitz-Richard, Gilbert, his noble conduct. +Fitzurse, Reginald, murderer of Becket; + his arms. +Fitzwalter, Lord, King John’s outrage upon; + the Barons make him their general. +Flambard, Ralph; made Bp. of Durham by William Rufus; + his subsequent career. +Flemings, the, settlement of, in Pembrokeshire. +Folliott, Gilbert, Bp. of London, + his disappointment at Becket’s promotion; + supports the king against Becket; + the pope’s reproof to him; + his excommunication. +Fontévraud, the burial-place of Henry II.; + of Richard I. and Joan of Sicily; + of Eleanor of Aquitaine. +Forest laws, the grievance of, under William the Conqueror; + their severity increased by William Rufus; + mitigated by Magna Charta. +Foulques I., le Roux, Count of Anjou. +Foulques II., le Bon, Count of Anjou. +Foulques III., Ferra, Count of Anjou; + his violent crimes and penances. +Foulques IV., le Réchin, Count of Anjou; + events of his marriage with Bertrade. +Foulques V., Count of Anjou; + joins the crusade; + becomes King of Jerusalem. +Franks, the conversion of their early kings to Christianity. +France, the Northmen in; + becomes a kingdom. +Franco, Abp., intercedes with the Northmen for Rouen; + his influence over Rollo. +Frederick II., struggle between, and Pope Innocent IV.; + deposed by Council of Lyons. +Frithric, Abbot of St. Alban’s, his opposition to William the Conqueror; + joins the Camp of Refuge, and dies there. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Gael, the, a Keltic tribe. +Gascony, seized by Philippe IV. +Gastinois, countess de, accused of murdering her husband; + vindicated by Ingelger. +Gattorm, brother of St. Olaf, story of his childhood. +Gaveston, Piers, account of; + Edward of Caernarvon’s attachment to; + banished by Edward I.; + returns on the accession of Edward II.; + his vanity and advancement; + his affronts to the nobles; + they demand his dismissal; + the king obliged to banish him; + his recall; + union of nobles against him; + his surrender; + his mock trial and death. +Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, his war and personal combat with Duke William. +Geoffrey, Grisegonelle, Count of Anjou; + legend of his name. +Geoffrey Martel, Count of Anjou. +Geoffrey, son of Foulques V., Count of Anjou. +Geoffrey of Anjou, his appearance and character; + married to Empress Maude; + origin of his surname Plantagenet; + death. +Geoffrey le Barbu, Count of Touraine. +Geoffrey, third son of Henry II., married to Constance of Brittany; + rebels against his father; + his death. +Geoffrey of Lincoln, son of Fair Rosamond, his fidelity to his father; + becomes Abp. of York and Chancellor; + driven abroad by King John, and dies there. +Geoffroi de la Tour and the lion. +Gerbervi, Robert Courtheuse besieged by his father there. +Germain, St., effect of his preaching in Wales. +Gifford, Walter, Count of Longueville, besieges Arques. +Gillow, makes known to Duke William the conspiracy against him. +Gisèle, the wife of Rollo. +Gisors, the elm of, conferences under; + description of. +Glanville, Ranulf de, Chancellor and Grand Justiciary to Henry II. +Godfrey de Bouillon, his noble character; + conduct of, at the siege of Antioch; + at Jerusalem; + chosen King of Jerusalem; + dies, and is buried there. +Godiva, Lady, probably date of the tradition of. +Godstow, Fair Rosamond retires to. +Godwin, Earl of Wessex; + traditions respecting his origin; + his services to Knut; + has Harold Harefoot crowned king; + his treachery to Alfred Atheling; + policy toward Edward the Confessor; + characters of his sons; + is driven into exile; + his reconciliation to Edward; + death and character. +Goodwin sands, origin of. +Gourdon, Adam de, the outlaw. +Gourdon, Bertrand de, cause of death + of Richard I. +Goutran, his accusation against the + Countess de Gastinois; overcome + by Ingelger. +Gray, John de, elected Abp. of Canterbury; + his election declared null + by the Pope, refuses to acknowledge + the Interdict; his advice to + King John. +Gregory VII., Pope, his struggle with + Henry IV. of Germany. +Grosteste, Robert, Bp. of Lincoln, history + of; his contest with the Pope + for the rights of the Church; his + death. +Gryffyth, King of Wales. +Gualo, the Pope’s legate; takes + charge of the minority of Henry III. +Guerrin de Lire, abbot of Malmesbury. +Guibert, the Antipope. +Guimond of St. Leufroi, his noble rebuke of William the Conqueror. +Gundred, doubts as to her being the daughter + of William the Conqueror. +Gundulf, Bp. of Rochester, his answer + to William Rufus; supports Anselm + against the King; warns + Rufus against hunting in the New + Forest. +Guy of Burgundy, his conspiracy against + William of Normandy. +Guy of Flanders, treachery to, by Phillipe IV.; + Edward I.‘s alliance + with; his death in prison. +Gyda, wife of Earl Godwin. +Gyrtha, his advice to his brother Harold; + death at Hastings. +Gytha, mother of Harold, her advice to + her son. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Hainault, Sir John of, heads Queen Isabel’s + invasion of England; accompanies + Edward III. to the Border; + marriage of Edward III. to his + niece. +Hako, grandson of Earl Godwin, hostage + to William of Normandy. +Halfdan, brother of St. Olaf, story of + his childhood. +Haro, supposed origin of the cry. +Harold Bluetooth, his support of Richard + the Fearless. +Harold Hardrada, Tostig seeks his alliance + against Harold of England; + stories of his childhood, succeeds to + the crown of Norway; accepts + Tostig’s invitation to invade England; + Killed at Stamford bridge. +Harold Harefoot, crowned King of England. +Harold Harfagre, King of Norway. +Harold, son of Earl Godwin; his + character; his popularity with the + king and people; hopes to secure + the crown, becomes prisoner to + William of Normandy, his oath + to assist him to the crown of England; + conversation at the death-bed of + Edward the Confessor, is crowned + King of England, defeats Harold + Hardrada at Stamford Bridge; + marches south to oppose William of + Normandy; his entrenchment at + Heathfield; wounded in the battle + of Hastings; his body found by + Edith; his burial at Waltham, + tradition of surviving the battle of + Hastings, his proceedings with + the Welsh. +Harthaknut becomes King of England; + revenges his brother’s wrongs; + sends for his brother Edward + from Normandy; his sudden death. +Hasting the Sea-king at Rouen; his + exploits; his interview with Rolf, + settlement in France. +Helie de la Flèche, conduct to, of William + Rufus; his claim to the + county of Maine. +Helie de St. Saen, friend of Robert + Courtheuse. +Henry I., Beauclerc, fourth son of William + the Conqueror; his interview + with his father on his death-bed; + ill-treated by his brothers; secures + the crown on the death of William + Rufus; suspicion that he + murdered Rufus; his disputes + with Anselm; marries Edith of + Scotland; Robert Courtheuse renounces + his English rights in his favor, + invades Normandy; his + misery at the shipwreck of his son; + his great abilities and learning; + marries Alice of Louvain; + declares his daughter Maude his successor, + marries her to Geoffrey + Plantagenet; remorse of his latter + years; his death. +Henry II., Fitz-Empress, birth of; + his training by the Earl of Gloucester; + accession to the throne; + marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine; + large dominions, activity and appearance; + his opposition to the + privileges of the clergy; quarrels + with Becket on this subject, condemns + Becket to forfeit his property; + his proceedings at the Council of + Northampton; conferences with + Becket at Montmirail and Montmartre; + complication of the quarrel; + submits to Becket, his hasty + imprecation against Becket; his + grief at Becket’s murder; conditions + of his pardon, his penance + at Becket’s tomb; invades Ireland; + the native princes submit + to him; his crimes, his marriage + the root of his misfortunes, + his family; rebellion of his sons; + arrogance of his son Henry; + his conduct to his queen; conference + with his sons at Limoges; + excites his son Richard to rebellion, + last interview with Phillippe Auguste, + grief at the treachery of + his son John, his miserable + death and burial, his proceedings + in Brittany respecting Prince Arthur, + ignores the Old English laws. +Henry III., coronation of, made to + agree to Magna Charta, his guardians + during his minority, his + character, foreign favourites at his + court, his extravagance, + poverty and rapacity, + his dispute with Simon de Montfort, + swears to keep the Great Charter, + his dispute with the Barons, + referred to Louis IX., + his position after the battle of Lewes, + his death. +Henry VIII., his spoliation of Becket’s shrine. +Henry I., of France, William of Normandy placed under his protection. +Henry IV., of Germany, his struggle with Pope Gregory VII., + appoints an antipope. +Henry V., of Germany marries Matilda, daughter of Henry Beauclerc, + strange stories about. +Henry VI., of Germany, his conduct to Richard I.. +Henry de Blois made Bp. of Winchester, + besieged at Winchester by Maude, + consecrates Becket Abp. of Canterbury, + his generous support of Becket. +Henry Plantagenet, eldest son of Henry II., + his marriage with Margaret of France, + coronation of, + in his father’s lifetime, + rebels against his father, + his arrogance to his father, + dispute with his brother Richard, + his unhappy death. +Henry, son of David I. of Scotland, + his character. +Hereward le Wake, parentage of, + attacks the Normans on his estate, + establishes the Camp of Refuge, + his prowess and courage, + his principal followers, + attacked by William the Conqueror at the Camp of Refuge, + his exploits there, + makes peace with William, + tradition of his love for Alftrude, + his latter days and death, + valued by William the Conqueror. +Herluin, Count of Montreuil, the ally of William Longsword, + suspected of causing his death, + killed by the Danes. +Hervé de Montmarais, his proceedings in Ireland. +Hilary, Bp. of Chichester, supports Henry II. against Becket, + his ex-communication. +Hilda, mother of Rolf Ganger. +Hildebrand frees the Pope from the subjection of the Emperor. + See Gregory VII. +Hildegarde, wife of Foulques III., + Count of Anjou. +Holy Land, the position of the Christians there at the last Crusade, + its colonization by the Latins unsuccessful. +Holy Roman Empire, the, its foundation, + Charlemagne the first Emperor, + its extent, France falls away from it. +Hospitallers and Templars, their jealousy of each other, + valor of the Hospitallers at the fall of the Acre, + their settlement at the Isle of Rhodes. +Houghton, Lord, his poem on the fate of the Templars. +Howell Dha, the Lawgiver of Wales. +Hugh the White, Count of Paris, + his daughter betrothed to Richard the Fearless. +Hugh the Wolf, Earl of Chester, his friendship for Anselm, + retires to a monastery, + his conduct as a Lord Marcher. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Ingelger, the legend of, becomes first Count of Anjou. +Ingulf of Croyland, his recollections of Queen Edith. +Innocent III., Pope, nominates Stephen Langton Abp. of Canterbury, + places England under an interdict, + annuls Magna Charta, + interferes against the crown of England being given to Louis the Lion, + his death. +Innocent IV., Pope, his exactions on England, + contests with Frederick II., + his exactions on the clergy, + interference with the English Church, + quarrel with the English Barons respecting Church patronage, + Bp. Grosteste opposes his encroachments, + his death. +Inquisition into estates by Edward I.. +Interdict, the, of England, by Pope Innocent III.. +Ireland, depredations of the pirates in, + the slave-trade with, + stopped by Bps. Wulstan and Lanfranc, + confusion of its early history, + its conversion to Christianity, + inroads of the Northmen, + Pope Adrian IV. grants it to Henry II., + invaded by Strong bow, + submission of, to Henry II., + regulations for the Church, + granted to John Lackland as his inheritance, + invasion of, by Edward and Robert Bruce. +Isabelle of Angoulème engaged to Hugh de Lusignan, + marries King John, + her contempt for her husband, + marries Hugh de Lusignan, + her reputation for sorcery. +Isabel of France, her marriage to Edward II., + her complaints against Gaveston, + report of her aiding the escape of the younger Mortimer, + complains to the King of France of her treatment; + goes to the French court; + her affection for Mortimer; + invades England; + her successes against her husband; + her conduct with Mortimer; + cruelty to the Earl of Kent; + her pleading for Mortimer; despair at his execution; + her death. +Italian clergy thrust into the English Church; + hatred of the English to these. +Ivo de Grantmesnil, friend of Robert Courtheuse. +Ivo Taillebois, Lord of Spalding; his overbearing conduct; + his expeditions against Hereward; + taken prisoner by him; + his outrages on Croyland Abbey; + banished by William Rufus. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Jerusalem, Robert the Magnificent at; + emotion of the first Crusaders at beholding it; + the slaughter there, + at its capture from the infidels; + King Richard’s grief at his inability to take it. +Jews, the persecution of, under Henry III; +their treatment by Edward I. +Joan, sister of Richard I., + Queen of Sicily, + dispute with King Tancred about; + takes charge of Berengaria; + dies, and is buried with her brother. +Joan of Acre, birth of; + marriage of, to Gilbert de Clare; + her second marriage to Ralph de Monthermer; + character; + her sudden death. +John Lackland, Ireland given him as his inheritance; + his unworthy conduct there; + reason of his name; + his father’s affection for him; + turns traitor to his father; + his conduct respecting Richard’s captivity; + Richard’s generous pardon to him; + bequeaths him the crown; + his marriage to Isabelle of Angoulême; + his promises respecting Prince Arthur; + imprisons him at Falaise; + his parley with him there and attempted cruelty; + murders Prince Arthur; + summoned by Philippe Auguste to answer for this; + his French fiefs declared forfeit; + conquered from him by Philippe; + his Queen’s contempt for him; + his dispute with the Pope about the election to + the See of Canterbury; + his reply to the threat of an interdict; + excommunicated; deposed; + his embassy to the Emir of Cordova; + submission to the Pope; + yields himself a vassal to Rome; + his outrageous exactions; + the Barons revolt against these; + promises to grant the Great Charter; + attempts to cajole the Barons; + signs the Charter; + his rage, and efforts to annul it; + his war with the Barons; + contest with Louis the Lion and the Barons; + loss of his treasure at the Wash; + his despair and death. +Joinville, Sieur de, accompanies Louis IX. on his crusade; + his bravery at Mansourah; + is taken prisoner; + opposes Louis’s second crusade; + his notices of Louis IX. +Joppa, the Crusaders at. +Judith, wife of Earl Waltheof; her perfidy to her husband. +Jumièges, Abbey of, restored by William Longsword. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Kelts, the history of. +Kent, Edmund, Earl of, Queen Isabel’s treachery and cruelty to. +Kent, the men of, their treaty with William the Conqueror. +Kings lost in battle, legends of their survival. +Kirkpatrick, his share in the murder of the Red Comyn. +Knut, husband of Emma, daughter of Richard the Fearless; + legends respecting his murder of Ulf. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Lacy, Hugo, made Governor of Ireland; + his murder. +Lacy, Hugo de (2d), made Governor of Ireland by King John; + his treachery to De Courcy. +Lancaster, Earl of, Gaveston’s nickname for; + unites with other nobles against Gaveston; + his part in the downfall and death of Gaveston; + his discontent toward Edward II; + his proceeding against the Despensers; + his arrest and execution; + his character. +Lanfranc, the first rise of; + his reputation at Rome; + becomes Abp. of Canterbury; + his esteem for Wulstan; + William the Conqueror’s friendship for; + commanded by William the Conqueror to + crown Rufus King of England; + favors the views of Gregory VII; + his death. +Langley, Walter, Bp. of Lichfield, + reproves Edward of Caernarvon; + his imprisonment. +Langston, Simon, brother of the abp. +Langton, Stephen, nominated by the Pope Abp. of Canterbury; + refused by King John; acknowledged by John; + takes possession of the see; + forbids John’s violence; + his support of Magna Charta against the Pope; + gets the Barons to adopt it; + his mission to Rome on behalf of it and the Barons. +Lateran Council, the, exactions of. +Laws of England, adhered to by the Norman Kings; + ignored by Henry II; + their violation by King John; + Edward I’s code of. +Lay investiture of bishops, disputes about their settlement, +Leofric, Earl of Mercia, + assists Edward the Confessor against Godwin, + his death, +Leofric, father of Hereward, . +Leofwyn, his advice to his brother Harold, + death at Hastings, +Leopold of Austria at the siege of Acre, + his banner insulted by Richard, + his quarrel with Richard at Ascalon, + seizes Richard on his return, +Lewes, the battle of, + its results, +Lillebonne, the parliament at, +Limoges, meeting of Henry II. and his sons at, +Lincoln, the fair of, +Linlithgow, the capture of, from the English, +Lion, anecdote of its faithfulness, +Lockhard, origin of the name of, +London, becomes the Royal residence under the Danes, + preserves its rights at the Norman Conquest, + submits to William the Conqueror, +Longchamp, William, Bp. of Ely, chancellor, +arrogant character of, + his disgrace, +Longespée, William, son of Fair Rosamond, + history of, + his death, +Longespée, William, the second son of the above, + joins Richard Plantagenet’s crusade, + gets a grant from the Pope for it, + joins the crusade of St. Louis, + his advice to Robert d’Artois, + killed at Mansourah, +Lords Marchers of Wales, the, +Lorn, John of, Bruce’s combat with, + his pursuit of Bruce, + is captured and imprisoned, +Lothaire, son of Louis IV., + companion of Richard the Fearless, + becomes hostage for his father, + succeeds to the throne of France, + his treachery to Richard the Fearless, + Richard’s victory over him, +Louis l’éveillé of France sheltered by Henry I., +Louis IV. of France, + carries off Richard the Fearless, + declares war against the Normans, + is taken prisoner, + his death, +Louis VI., le Jeune, why so named, +Louis VII., divorced from Eleanor of Aquitaine, + his support of Becket, + turns against him at Montmirail, + their reconciliation, + his tributes to Becket’s memory, + excites Henry II.‘s sons to rebellion. +Louis IX., becomes King of France, + takes the cross, + his embarkation, + arrival at Damietta, + at the battle of Mansourah, + his encampment there, + taken captive by the Saracens, + his conduct to the Memelukes, + release and return, + the dispute between Henry III. + and his Barons referred to him, + again takes the Cross, + joined by Prince Edward of England, + his expedition against Tunis, + his expedition against Tunis, + his disasters at Carthage, + his sickness there, + last hours and death, + his character, + Louis Philippe’s chapel on this spot of his death, +Louis the Lion, his marriage to Blanche of Castile, + the crown of England offered to him, + interference of the Pope against this, + his invasion of England, + the Barons’ suspicious of him, + his various contests, + concludes a peace and + returns home, 285. +Lusignan, Guy de, King of Jerusalem, +Lusignan, Hugh de, Count de la Marche, + engaged to Isabelle of Angoulême, + takes part with Prince Arthur, + imprisoned by King John, + marries Isabelle after John’s death, +Lusignan, de, legend of the house of, + the family favored by Henry III., See Valence de. +Lyons, council of, + the English deputies at, + deposes Frederick II., +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Macmorogh Dermod, King of Leinster, + his outrage and reverses, + gets assistance from Strongbow and others, +Madoc, the story of, +Mad Parliament, the, + meeting of, at Oxford, + its acts declared void by Louis IX., +Magna Charta. See Charta. +Magnus, King of Norway, + gives his kingdom to Harold Hardrata, +Mahometans, contract between the Saracenic and Turkish, +Malachy, King of Meath, legends of, +Malcolm III. of Scotland, + his kindness to the Etheling family, + his marriage to Margaret, + his character and reverence for his wife, + manner of his death, + troubles in Scotland after this, +Malek el Afdal, Saladin’s brother, his + courtesy to Richard I., +Malek el Kamel, sultan, opposes the Egyptian Crusaders, + his generosity, +Mamelukes, the, revolt of, + in St. Louis’s crusade, +Mansourah, contests at, + in the first Egyptian crusade, + battle of, + in St. Louis’s crusade, + horrors of encampment there, +Mantes, the insurrection at, William + the Conqueror’s fatal accident at, +March of Wales, the, under the Normans, +Margaret, daughter of Edward the Etheling; + marries Malcolm III. of Scotland; + her beneficial influence on Scotland and + the Scottish Church; + her death. +Margaret, the infant Queen of Scotland, death of. +Marguerite of Provence, Queen of France, + character of; + accompanies St. Louis on his crusade; + her sad position at Damietta. +Marguerite of France, her marriage to Edward I.; + her character. +Marlborough, the parliament of. +Marmion of Fontenaye, + William the Conqueror’s champion at his coronation. +Maine, loss of, by England to Philippe Auguste. +Martin, abbot of Jumièges, + his advice to William Longsword. +Matilda of Anjou, married to William the Etheling; + retires to a nunnery. +Matilda of Boulogne, wife of Stephen of Blois. +Matilda of Flanders, + her marriage to William the Conqueror; + founds the Abbaye aux Dames at Caen; + her help toward the invasion of England; + works the Bayeux tapestry; + her coronation; + character; + her affection for Robert Courtheuse; + her death; + her husband’s tender love for. +Matilda of Huntingdon, married to David I. of Scotland. +Matilda, daughter of William the Conqueror, + betrothed to Edwin; + her touching death. +Matilda, daughter of Henry I., + marries Henry V., of Germany. + See Maude. +Maude, the good queen, her support of Abp. Anselm; + her character and death. +Maude, or Matilda, daughter of Henry I.; + married to Henry V., of Germany; + Henry declares her his heir; + married secondly to Geoffrey Plantagenet; + her pride and haughtiness; + deprived by Stephen of the English crown; + her cause increases in strength; + proclaimed queen; + her disdainful manners; + her reverses at Winchester; + besieged by Stephen at Oxford; + escapes over the snow; + retires to Anjou. +Maulac, Pierre de, + aids in the murder of Prince Arthur; + his further cruelties. +Melisende, Princess of Jerusalem; + marries Foulques V. of Anjou. +Melusine of Lusignan, legend of. +Mercia, earldom of. +Mertoun, the Synod of. +Messina, Richard Coeur de Lion at. +Methven, battle of. +Milesians, the, myths concerning. +Mirabeau, siege of, by Prince Arthur. +Mitton, the Chapter of, the combat so called. +Molay, Jacques de, grand master of the Templars; + his trial; + his cruel treatment and death. +Monteil, Adhemar de, Bp. of Puy, + takes the Cross at the Council of Clermont. +Montfort, Guy, lawless conduct of; + murders Henry d’Almayne; + his excommunication and subsequent fate. +Montfort, Henry, lawless conduct of; + his death at the battle of Evesham; + ballad lore version of his fate. +Montford, Simon, the elder, history of; + his death. +Montford, Simon, the younger, + marries a sister of Henry III.; + his popularity; + the king’s jealousy of him; + his dispute with the king; + his conduct in taking the oath to the Acts of Oxford; + in the Barons’ war; + his behavior in prosperity; + violence and lawlessness of his sons; + his death at the battle of Evesham; + his noble character; + fate of his family. +Montford, Simon (3d), + his conduct at the siege of Northampton; + his lawless conduct; + sacks Winchester; + his escape from Kenilworth; + murders Henry D’Almayne. +Montgomery, Roger, + messenger of Duke William of Normandy. +Monthermer, Ralph de, his marriage to Joan of Acre. +Montmirail, + conference between Henry II. and Becket at. +Morkar, the grandson of Leofric; + the enemy of Harold; + submits to William the Conqueror; + joins the Camp of Refuge; + ends his life in captivity. +Morogh O’Brien, King of Ireland; + sends William Rufus oak for Westminster Hall. +Mortimer, Roger, at the battle of Lewes; + aids the escape of Prince Edward from Hereford. +Mortimer, Roger, senior and junior, + join the Barons against the Despensers; + taken prisoners by Edward II.; + sentenced to perpetual imprisonment; + death of the elder in the Tower. +Mortimer, Roger, the younger, + his escape from the Tower; + Queen Isabel’s affection for him; + anger of the nation at his display and presumption; + his arrest at Nottingham; + execution at Tyburn. +Morville, Hugh, murderer of Becket; + his armorial bearings. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Neustria, the district in France conquered by Rollo; + ceded to him by the king; + afterward termed Normandy. +New Forest, formation of, by William the Conqueror; + Richard, son of Robert Courtheuse, killed there; + death of William Rufus in. +Nicaea, Robert the Magnificent dies at; + the crusading army at. +Norham, conference at, + respecting the Crown of Scotland. +Norman Barons, + their character at the accession of Duke William. +Normandy, origin of its name; + sad state of, under William Rufus; + its troubles under Robert Courtheuse; + invasion and conquest of, by Henry I.; + lost to the English by John. +Normans, the, character of; + their exploits in Apulia; + put in possession of English estates; + beneficial effect of this on the English race; + their opinion of Hereward; + their rapacity in England; + support the popes against the emperors. +Northampton, council of, + proceedings against Becket at; + besieged by the Barons. +Northmen, the, account of; + their character as pirates; + as settlers; + gave the name to Normandy; + change in their character; + their inroads on Ireland. + See Normans. +Northumbria, the earldom of. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +O’Connor, Roderick. King of Ireland; + his opposition to the invaders. +Odo, Bp. of Bayeux, + joins William the Conqueror in his invasion of England; + commands the reserve at Hastings; + representation of him in the Bayeux tapestry; + his disgrace and imprisonment; + released by Robert Courtheuse; + takes the Cross; + blesses the unlawful marriage of Philippe I. +Olaf, St., his prophecies of his young brothers; + his death in battle. +Olaf Scotkonung, King of Sweden, + his charge of Edmund Ironside’s children. +Olaf Trygvesson in Ireland. +Oraric of Meath, treachery of. +Orleton, Adam, Bp. of Hereford, + his enmity to Edward II.; + his answer to Queen Isabel; + his quarrel with her. +Osborn, Counte De Breteuil, murder of. +Osgood, Clapa, the Dane, gives the name to Clapham. +Osmund de Centeville, + his fidelity to Richard the Fearless. +Otho, Emperor of Germany, + makes war against Richard the Fearless. +Otho, the Pope’s legate, tumult against, at Oxford. +Ottoboni, Cardinal, preaches the Crusade in France and England. +Oxford, Mande besieged at, by Stephen; + escapes from, over the snow; + meeting of the Mad Parliament at; + its acts declared void by Louis IX. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Pallium, the, Anselm’s dispute with William Rufus about. +Pandulfo, the Pope’s legate, King John’s submission to; + takes charge of Henry III. in his minority. +Parliament, the, of Westminster; + the Mad, of Oxford; + those under Edward I.; + increase of its power through the right of self-taxation. +Patriarch, the, of Rome, + acknowledged by the conquering tribes. +Paschall II., Pope, Anselm consults. +Pelagian heresy, the, in Wales. +Pembroke, Richard, Earl of, assassination of. +Pembroke, William, Earl of, has Henry III. crowned; + appointed his governor during his minority. +Percy, legend of the origin of the name. +Peter the Hermit, his appearance at the Council of Clermont; + leads the first Crusade; + defection of, at the siege of Antioch; + sings mass at the Holy Sepulchre. +Pevensey, landing of the Normans at. +Philippa of Hainault, Edward III.‘s first meeting with; + her marriage to him. +Philippe I. of France, + refuses to aid William the Conqueror’s invasion of England; + aids Robert Courtheuse against his father; + supports the insurrection at Mantes; + his connection with Bertrade, + wife of Foulques of Anjou. +Philippe August, his birth and early character; + his accession to the throne of France; + agrees to join Richard Coeur de Lion in a crusade; + his last meeting with Henry II.; + sets out with Richard on the Crusade; + his intended treachery; + his jealousy of Richard; + returns home; + his conduct respecting Richard’s captivity; + conduct toward Prince Arthur; + quarrel with King John; + summons John to answer for the murder of Prince Arthur; + invades his French fiefs; + wins back Normandy, Anjou, &c., from the English; + England granted to him by the Pope. +Philippe III., his father’s last advice to him; + gives up the Crusade. +Philippe IV., character of; + his deceit to Edward I.; + his treachery to the Count of Flanders; + persecution of Boniface VIII.; + causes the election of Clement V.; + his proceedings against the Templars; + his death. +Plantagenet, Richard. + See Richard. +Poer, Roger le, chaplain to Henry I., Bp. of Salisbury. +Poitiers, Alfonse, Count de, at the Crusade of St. Louis; + left as a hostage. +Pontigny, Becket retires to; + driven from thence. +Pope, the, rescued from the Lombards by Charlemagne; + signification of the word; + early power of; + becomes head of the Western Church; + atrocities attending the election of, + the election of, + transferred from the emperor to the cardinals; + the struggle to regain this, +Purkiss carries the body of William Rufus to Winchester; + his descendants still living in the New Forest. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Ralph Flambard, Bishop of Durham, the friend of Rufus; + incites Robert Courtheuse against Henry I. +Randolf de Brock, enemy of Becket; + assists his murderers. +Randolph, Thomas, his reply to Robert Bruce; + gives him his allegiance; + captures Edinburgh Castle; + his exploits in border warfare; + appointed regent of Scotland. +Raoul, Bp. of Durham, at the battle of the Standard. +Raymond le Gros, friend of Strongbow; + his exploits in Ireland; + made Protector of the kingdom. +Raymond of Toulouse joins the first crusade; + his conduct at the siege of Jerusalem. +Reginald, elected Abp. of Canterbury; + his election declared null by the Pope; +Rhodes, conquered by the Hospitallers. +Rich, Edmund, Abp. of Canterbury, character of; + exposes the treachery of Des Roches; + his retirement and death. +Richard, Apb. of Canterbury, character of. +Richard Coeur de Lion, second son of Henry II., + betrothed to Alice of France; + his love of Languedoc; + rebels against his father; + his dispute with his brother Henry; + origin of his surname; + agrees to join Philippe Auguste in a crusade; + disputes respecting his betrothal to Alice of France; + his attachment to Berengaria; + does homage to Philippe; + his last interview with his father; + remorse at his father’s death; + his preparations for the crusade; + joins with Philippe; + instances of his violent nature; + his dispute with Tancred of Sicily; + his conquest of Cyprus; + his marriage to Berengaria; + gallantry at Acre, + exploits in the march from Acre; + quarrel with Leopold of Austria; + his grief at being unable to take Jerusalem; + his daring courage at Joppa, + a truce signed with Saladin; + sets out on his return home; + his adventures by the way, + capture and imprisonment; + discovered by Blondel; + his release and return home; + his dispute with Constance of Brittany; + besieges the castle of Chaluz, + manner of his death there. +Richard Plantagenet, Earl of Cornwall, + undertakes a crusade; + its results; + elected King of the Romans; + takes the oath to the acts of Oxford; + taken prisoner at Lewes; + his death. +Richard, son of Robert Courtheuse, + killed in the New Forest. +Richard the Fearless, + son of William Longsword and Espriote; + succeeds to the dukedom, + carried off by Louis IV. + his escape, + does homage for his duchy; + his betrothal; + the wars against him, + attempts at his assassination; + his victory over Lothaire; + his character; + death, piety, etc. +Richard the Good, + succeeds his father Richard the Fearless; + his character; + his protection of the sons of Ethelred. +Richard, son of Richard the Good. +Richard, William the Conqueror’s second son, + early death of. +Robert, Bp. of Hereford, the friend of St. Wulstan. +Robert, count of Eu, + joins William the Conqueror in his invasion of England. +Robert, Count of Paris. +Robert Courtheuse, William the Conqueror’s eldest son; + his dispute with his brothers at L’aigle; + his rebellion against his father; + his mother’s affection for him; + encounters his father in battle; + his war with William Rufus; + takes the cross; + superiority of his character to his brothers’; + mortgages his dukedom to Rufus; + his conduct at the siege of Antioch; + declines being King of Jerusalem; + his friendship with Edgar Atheling; + his marriage; + gives up his rights to Henry I.; + Henry’s intrigues against him, ; + is taken prisoner; + imprisoned in Cardiff castle, ; + his last years and death. +Robert, Earl of Gloucester, son of Henry I.; + espouses the cause of the Empress Maude; + is taken prisoner; + exchanged for Stephen; + his staunch support of Maude; + his learning. +Robert the Magnificent, his character; + resolves on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land; + declares his son (William the Conqueror) his heir, + his pilgrimage and death. +Rochester, the siege of, by King John. +Rockingham, the convocation at. +Roderick Maur, the Welsh prince. +Roger, Abp. of York, the enemy of Becket; + his excommunication, + his jealousy of the Abp. of Canterbury, +Rognwald, earl, father of Rolf Ganger, +Rolf Ganger, origin of his name, + outlawed for piracy, + attacks Rouen , + his rude generosity, + interview with Hasting, + conquests in France, + Neustria (Normandy) ceded to him, + tradition of his homage to the King of France, + embraces Christianity, + his government of Normandy, + his history very doubtful, +Rollo, the French name for Rolf, +Roll of Battle Abbey, account of, +Roman Empire, the, decay of, +Rome, England a fief of +Rosamund Clifford, history of, +Rouen attacked by Rolf Ganger, + its surrender, + made the capital of the territory, + William Longsword buried at, + besieged by the enemies of Richard the Fearless, + the Abp. of, excommunicates William the Conqueror, +Roxburgh, capture of, by Sir James Douglas, +Rudel, Jauffred, the troubadour, the story of, +Runnymede, the Great Charter signed at, +Ryes, Hubert de, his service to Duke William, +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Sailors’ quarrel between France and England, +St. Laurence, Sir Almeric de, + brother in arms of Sir John de Courcy, + his exploits in Ireland, +St. Mahé, the sea-fight at, +St. Patrick, the conversion of Ireland by, +St. Thomas’s hospital, named after Archbishop Becket, +Saladin obtains supreme power in Palestine, + his courtesies to Richard I., +Salisbury, John of, the friend of Becket, + exiled by Henry II., +Samson le Breton, messenger of Queen Matilda, +Saracen Arabs, the, character of, +Savoy palace, the, origin of, +Saxons, the, held in no favor at Rome, + cause of their ruin at the Conquest, + their derision of the Normans, +Scandinavia, the nurse of the Teuton race, +Scotland, depredations of the pirates in, + its troubles after the death of Malcolm III., + decay of the kings of, + the troubles of, following the death of Alexander III., + claims to the crown of, referred to Edward I., + Edward I. claims to be Lord paramount, + harsh government of, under Edward I., + the troubles of, under the Bruce dynasty, + the strength of, under Robert Bruce, + peace concluded with, by England, +Scottish Church, the, reformed by Queen Margaret, +Scott, Michael, the wizard, account of, +Septs, system of, in Ireland, +Sepulchre, the Holy, the crusaders at, +Sewell, Abp. of York, + his opposition to the encroachments of Rome, +Ship, the White, story of the wreck of, +Sigurd the Crusader, visitor to Henry I., + his career, + his discussion with his brother Eystein, + his sad fate, +Simon, Earl of Northampton, son of Matilda of Scotland, + his character, + his contempt for his brother Waltheof, + his repentance and death, +Siward Biorn, Earl of Northumbria, + assists Edward the Confessor against Godwin, + his death, +Sonnac, Guillaume de, in the Egyptian crusade, +Stamford Bridge, battle of, +Standard, the, battle of, +Stapleton, Walter, Bp. of Exeter, + his murder at Paul’s Cross, +Stephen, Count of Blois, + married to William the Conqueror’s daughter Adela, + takes the Cross, + his character, +Stephen (II.) of Blois, favorite of Henry I., + swears fealty to Maude, + his proceedings on the death of Henry I., + obtains possession of England and Normandy, + his good qualities, + taken prisoner at Lincoln, + regains his liberty, + besieges Maude at Oxford, + retains the throne unmolested, + his death, +Stephen, King of Hungary, + his charge of Edmund Ironside’s children, + his character, +Stigand, Abp., + his absence from the coronation of Harold, + suspicion of, by the Court of Rome, + his deposition, +Stiklestad, battle of, +Stirling, battle of, + siege of, + siege of the castle by Edward Bruce, + Randolph’s conduct at, +Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, + his invasion of Ireland, + Henry II. makes him seneschal, + and governor, + his death, +Swend, quarrel of, with Harold Hardrada, +Sweyne, son of Earl Godwin, his character and crimes, +Sybil, daughter of Helie de la Flèche, + marries Foulques V. of Anjou, +Sybilla, wife of Robert Courtheuse, +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Taillefer, the minstrel knight at Hastings, +Tancred de Hauteville, the kingdom of + the Two Sicilies founded by his sons. +Tancred joins the first Crusade; + his prowess at Antioch; + at Jerusalem. +Tancred of Sicily, disputes between him and + Richard Coeur de Lion; + Prince Arthur betrothed to his daughter. +Templars, the Knights, + jealousy between them and the Hospitallers; + their valor at the fall of Acre; + their proceedings afterward; + given up by Clement V. to Philippe IV.; + their arrest and the accusations against them; + their order abolished by the Pope; + persecution of, in different kingdoms; + their character and fate. +Temple, the, in London, history of. +Teuchebray, battle of. +Teutons, the, reared in Scandinavia; + their law regarding land. +Theobald, Count de Blois, favorite of Henry I. +Thibaut, Count de Chartes, + his treachery toward Richard the Fearless; + his submission to him. +Thorer the Silent, son of Earl Rognwald. +Thorold, Abbot of Malmesbury, appointed to Peterborough; + his expedition against Hereward; + is taken prisoner. +Thurstan, Abp. of York. +Torfrida, wife of Hereward. +Torguatus, ancestor of the Anjou family. +Tostig, son of Earl Godwin; + becomes Earl of Northumbria; + banished by Harold; + becomes his bitter enemy; + invites Harold Hardrada to invade England; + his interview with his brother Harold; + is killed at Stamford Bridge. +Touraine, loss of, by the English to France. +Tracy, William, the murderer of Becket; + his armorial bearings. +Triefels, castle of, Richard Coeur de Lion immured in. +Troubadours, the, account of; + their lament for Coeur de Lion. +Tunis, Louis IX.‘s expedition against. +Tunstan the White, standard-bearer at Hastings. +Turges, the Dane, King of Ireland. +Turks, the, character of; + the first crusade directed against them. +Turlogh, King of Ireland. +Tynte family, origin of their name and armorial bearings. +Tyrrell, Walter, alone with Rufus at his death + in the New Forest. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Ulf, Earl Godwin’s brother-in-law, + legends respecting. +Ulfnoth, father of Earl Godwin; + remains in captivity till death. +Ulfnoth son of Earl Godwin, hostage to William of Normandy. +Urban II., Pope, elected by the cardinals; + presides at the Council of Clermont; + urges the first crusade. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Val des Dames, the battle of. +Valence de, the English cognomen of the Lusignan family. +Valence, Aymar de, his contest with Bruce; + his pursuit of him; + defeated by Bruce at Loudon Hill; + Gaveston’s nick-name for him; + unites with other nobles against Gaveston; + his character; + his conduct at the death of Gaveston; + sent by Edward II. to Scotland against Bruce. +Valence, William de, half-brother to Henry III., + opposition between him and the Barons. +Varangian guard, the. +Vikings, the, account of. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Wakefield, Peter, of his prediction to King John; + John’s cruelty to him. +Wales, early history of. +Walkelyn, Bishop of Winchester, + grant of timber to him by William the Conqueror. +Wallace, William, history of; + declares against Edward I.; + wins the battle of Stirling; + assumes the title of Governor; + defeated at the battle of Falkirk; + his betrayal and execution. +Wallingford Castle, Maude escapes to. +Walsingham, our Lady of, origin of the church of. +Walter, Hubert, Abp. of Canterbury, account of. +Walter l’Espee at the battle of the Standard. +Walter the Penniless joins the first crusade. +Waltham Abbey, Harold and his brothers buried at. +Waltheof, Earl of Huntingdon, son of Siward Biorn; + rejects submission to William the Conqueror; + perfidious conduct of his wife; + executed at Winchester. +—— son of Matilda of Scotland, character of; + becomes abbot of Melrose; + his meeting with King Stephen; + elected Bp. of St. Andrew’s. +Warrenne, John de, Earl of Surrey, + his sword his title to his estate; + his expedition against Wallace; + his conduct at the battle of Stirling. +—— Isabel, her appeal to Henry III. +Wash, the, loss of King John’s treasure at. +Welsh, the, a Keltic tribe; + their fierce internal quarrels; + their position under the Saxon and Norman kings. +Wessex, the earldom of. +Western Church, the, degeneration of, after the Crusades. +Western Empire, the, break up of. +Westminster Abbey, foundation of, + by Edward the Confessor; + Henry III.‘s benefactions to; + its appearance temp. Edward I. +Westminster Hall, the oak for the roof sent from Ireland. +White Ship, the story of the wreck of. +William the Conqueror, son of Robert the Magnificent, + acknowledged his father’s heir; + his accession; + early conspiracies against him; + defeats the rebels; + his war with Anjou; + marriage with Matilda of Flanders; + founds the Abbey of St. Stephen at Caen; + his grave and burial there; + his visit to Edward the Confessor; + Edward leaves the crown of England to him; + Harold becomes his prisoner; + obtains an oath of assistance from him; + receives tidings of Harold’s coronation; + summons a parliament at Lillebonne; + prepares for the invasion of England; + lands at Pevensey; + his appearance at the battle of Hastings; + his victory there; + his coronation; + his mode of satisfying his followers; + attacks the Camp of Refuge; + makes peace with Hereward; + his high character; + his principal friends; + his many disappointments; + character of his wife; + of his daughters; + of his sons; + rebellion of Robert Courtheuse against him; + his grief at Queen Matilda’s death; + his fatal accident at Mantes; + interview with his sons on his death-bed; + leaves the crown of England to William Rufus; + his death; + history of the submission of London to him; + his dealings with the Welsh. +William Rufus, his father’s love for him; + interview with his father on his death-bed; + he nominates him successor to the crown of England; + his oppression of the Church and people; + rapine under him in England and Normandy; + his remorse at his sacrilege; + makes Anselm Abp. of Canterbury; + his war with his brother Robert; + his disputes with Anselm; + exiles him for life; + his friend Ralph Flambard; + increases the severity of the Forest laws; + his dream the night before his death; + his death in the New Forest; + burial at Winchester; + relics of his death still remaining; + doubts by whom he was killed; + his conduct to Helie de la Flèche. +William Etheling, eldest son of Henry I.; + marries Matilda of Anjou; + drowned in the White Ship. +William Fitzosborne de Breteuil, + his proceedings on the death of Rufus. +William of Scotland, captivity of; + purchases his freedom. +William, son of Rollo, + his father leaves him his dukedom; + surnamed Longsword; + his character; + father of Richard the Fearless; + his base murder; + burial at Rouen. +William, son of Robert Courtheuse; + given in charge of Helie de St. Saen; + his career and early death. +Winchelsea, Robert, Abp. of Canterbury, + opposes Edward I.‘s exactions on the Clergy; + their reconciliation; + holds the Synod of Mertoun; + Edward’s vengeance on him; + his death and character; + his denunciations of Gaveston. +Winchester, the council of; + burial of Rufus at; + Maude besieged there; + sacking of, by Simon de Montfort. +Wolves’ heads, the tribute of, from Wales. +Woodstock, Fair Rosamond at. +Worcester cathedral, rebuilt by Wulstan. +Wulstan, the last Saxon bishop, account of; + chosen Bp. of Worcester; + his conduct at the council of Winchester; + legend of his staff at the Confessor’s tomb; + retains his bishopric; + rebuilds his cathedral; + his death; + William the Conqueror’s friendship for him. +Wych, Richard, Bp. of Chichester, history of; + his good works and death. + +York and Canterbury, jealousy between. + +Zoe, Empress of Constantinople, + her love for Harold Hardrada. +</pre> + <h3> + THE END + </h3> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cameos from English History, from +Rollo to Edward II, by Charlotte Mary Yonge + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMEOS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY *** + +***** This file should be named 9474-h.htm or 9474-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/4/7/9474/ + + +Text files produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Jayam Subramanian and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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