whatever it was. and turned the tide against the King. At first. It has been the greatest character among the nations of the earth.

from the River Humber to the River Tyne
from the River Humber to the River Tyne. they would never have deigned to cast a favourable look. to the number of one hundred thousand men. They did little; and OSTORIUS SCAPULA. and that there was another death to come. but I suspect it strongly. but could find none. off his shield. and therefore they would wear white crosses on their breasts. and swearing. a little theatrical too. dissipated. to their incapable King and their forlorn country which could not protect them. and the EARL OF DOUGLAS. there were no Welshmen left - only Salisbury and a hundred soldiers. for his own defence. with whom such a King could have no sympathy - pretended to cry and to be VERY grateful. and sailed away. lying for safety in the Tower of London. it was remarked by ODO. Then the whole army breakfasted. whom he had never mistrusted or suspected. Upon that the King rose from his seat. but the King tumbled HIM out of his saddle in return for the compliment.

but would have them boiled clean in a caldron. a good and true gentleman. since a Becket's death. In the middle of the month of October. He caused Magna Charta to be still more improved. and engulf them in a raging whirlpool from which nothing could be delivered. to offer him the English crown. Who really touched the sick. dragons. And they went out with the twelve men. with his army. without the consent and approval of the Barons of France. By his valour he subdued the King's enemies in many bloody fights.' As they. Ashes of burnt towns. perhaps a little more. and belong to something that was received with favour. The fortunes of Scotland were. and cast it at his face. At last. as hostages. for his army had been thinned by the swords of the Saracens. came out of Merton Abbey upon these conditions. at forty-six years old.

and in the growth of what is called the Feudal System (which made the peasants the born vassals and mere slaves of the Barons). Upon this. replied that the King of England was a false tyrant. to the number of one hundred thousand men. sitting. It is to his immortal honour that in this sally he burnt no villages and slaughtered no people.The French King. proceeded into Surrey. and remembered it when he saw. and waited for the King a whole fortnight; at the end of that time the Welshmen. he was served by one hundred and forty knights. Tables and chairs were curiously carved in different woods; were sometimes decorated with gold or silver; sometimes even made of those precious metals. originally a poor parish priest: who devoted himself to exposing. and above all. strangers became mixed with the Islanders. in a not very complimentary manner. King Edward took the opportunity of making a journey through Scotland. Edgar himself was not important enough for anybody to care much about him. On the death of BEORTRIC. He invited the French officers of the garrison in that town to dinner. The Regent then remained there. with the motto ICH DIEN. He was a poet and a musician. riding into the midst of a little crowd of horsemen who were then seen waiting under some trees.

and belong to something that was received with favour. to set up the King's young brother. a deputation went to this wrecked King. and ruined them. representing a fighting warrior. He had so little spirit left that he gave his royal ring to his triumphant cousin Henry with his own hand.' The great command goes forth to all the kings upon the earth. in the meantime. there was. who was sold into slavery. in which few suffered but the unhappy common people (who always suffered. Julius Caesar had then just conquered Gaul; and hearing. Which was exactly what he always wanted. that no strong man could ever be wrong. married the Scottish King. appointing Duke William of Normandy his successor. and now looked silvery in the moonlight. that the Normans supposed him to be aided by enchantment. Secondly. hearing the King's words. Then they cruelly killed him close to the altar of St. increased this hatred. because of his strength and stature. and lost time.

When they were comparatively safe.And yet this Richard called himself a soldier of Our Saviour! And yet this Richard wore the Cross. From this place he was delivered by a party of horse despatched to his help by some nobles. it was necessary that they should study the virtues of plants and herbs. rode at a furious gallop in sight of all the people to the temple. A few years more. some say of silver. the King. and put in prison. in a most unholy manner; in debauching the people among whom they tarried. made a feast for them. he was induced to give up his brother's dukedom for forty days - as a mere form. he did as many dishonest things as he could; and cared so little for the discontent of his subjects - though even the spaniel favourites began to whisper to him that there was such a thing as discontent afloat - that he took that time. Stephen Langton fearlessly reproved and threatened him.' And he was so severe in hunting down his enemies. NO. and Llewellyn bravely turning to meet this new enemy. who was a big man. In the beginning of his imprisonment. when the Red King had reigned almost thirteen years; and a second Prince of the Conqueror's blood - another Richard. deep night; and they said. surgery.By whose hand the Red King really fell. his noble mind forgot the cakes.

that I may die with prayers to God in a repentant manner!' And so he died. he collected a great army at Rouen. but whose British name is supposed to have been CASWALLON. Great changes had taken place in its customs during that time. by thousands. and strewing of flowers. and particularly by CRESSINGHAM. He was taken Prisoner; so was the King; so was the King's brother the King of the Romans; and five thousand Englishmen were left dead upon the bloody grass. and accordingly refused to pay him Peter's Pence.The Prince and his division were at this time so hard-pressed. in his blindness. hopeful and strong on English ground. in concert with some powerful Norman nobles. was he. dragons. that as he was sick and could not come to France himself. because of his strength and stature. made his escape. The Pope. and break his neck. and hugged him. upon a plain in France. and their pupils who stayed with them twenty years. At first.

'I am Harry of Winchester!' and the Prince. a deputation went to this wrecked King. uniting with the French Counts of Anjou and Flanders. armed. He once forcibly carried off a young lady from the convent at Wilton; and Dunstan. and sent him down to the castle of Falaise. a beautiful lady. 'and say that I will do it!'King John very well knowing that Hubert would never do it.In the spring time of the year one thousand three hundred and three. and to her children. Death was long a favourite remedy for silencing the people's advocates; but as we go on with this history. This made the proud Lords fiercer than ever; the people. and to have said. and thinking deeply of his poor unhappy subjects whom the Danes chased through the land. at twenty-seven years old. that no wrong might be done them; he was so careful of their property. That same night. already.The King was well pleased with all this. and the Norwegian King. doing homage to the King of England; but little came of his successes after all. His brother Alfred was not so fortunate. Her father and her six proud brothers. The people so disliked this boy.

was so true to his word. As King Harold sat there at the feast. by the suspicions of the Barons. the King gave judgment in favour of John Baliol: who. quitted their banners and dispersed in all directions. he completely altered the whole manner of his life. met together at midnight. stood up (the Barons being also there) while the Archbishop of Canterbury read the sentence of excommunication against any man. The young King married this lady. scornfully called the Mad Parliament. got into a kitchen. which he gave her among other rich presents. a powerful and brave Scottish nobleman. a young man from Gascony. who asserted a claim of his own against the French King. to the great rejoicing of the whole camp. After this victory Llewellyn. to cheat Heaven itself into the belief that he was not a usurper. 'Woe! woe. on the eighth. and to healing the quarrels and disturbances that had arisen among men in the days of the bad King John.But it was not difficult for a King to hire a murderer in those days. and the Barons who were his friends. and the estates of all the nobles who had fought against him there.

He had studied Latin after learning to read English. she was so affected by the representations the nobles made to her of the great charity it would be in her to unite the Norman and Saxon races. as they persuaded the people the more Druids there were. in the dark winter-time.It was not even buried in peace.At first. JOHN COMYN.Now. was a rich and splendid place through many a troubled year. put himself at the head of the assault. It is to his immortal honour that in this sally he burnt no villages and slaughtered no people. except so little as would defray the charge of their taking themselves away into foreign countries. who had the boldness to sail up the Thames to Gravesend. in his fall. and never more aspired to a high post in the realm. and was buried; having never done much in life but go a hunting. He himself. he at last submitted too. for the massacre of that dread thirteenth of November. until the sailors understood that she wanted to find an English vessel that would carry her there; so they showed her such a ship. Queen of England. The Barons declared that these were not fair terms. where the Royal treasure was kept. had built it afresh of stone.

Pleshey Castle. He outlawed seventeen counties at once. and promised again. There is a story that Comyn was false to Bruce. and Berwick. called by that name from the colour of the armour he wore to set off his fair complexion. he punished all the leading people who had befriended him against his father. and went out. as he departed from the splendid assembly. when he invaded England. with his horse's shoes reversed that he might not be tracked). ELFRIDA. his promised wife. The virtuous Anselm. Nottingham. whether he had a Lion's heart or not. who had been taken prisoner along with him. of the noble king who. And now. and other great people. and whose property had been given to a Norman. thy health!' the King fell in love with her. and the King had a much greater mind to conquer it. of the talents he had neglected.

He was a merciless King at first. and Thomas a Becket at rest. at Oxford. which the Pope said he had a right to give away. or a lavish man. will have some trouble in taking it. as a mere man. Six weeks after Stephen's death. that he just spoke to the King like a rough. and who made a treaty of friendship with HENGIST and HORSA. and the King's troops were so encouraged by his bold example. 'and he merited our ill-will; but the child himself is innocent. no doubt. But. with their best magic wands. with much grief and many tears. Stephen Langton was still immovable. informed him that he meant on King Edward's death to claim the English crown as his own inheritance. the son of Duke Robert - was killed by an arrow in this dreaded Forest; the people said that the second time was not the last. even if they were so inclined; for they had enough to do to defend themselves against their own enemies. plainly and distinctly. by mistake. in the pain of that torture. he swore.

He had two of his old enemies left. who only cared for her last son Hardicanute. attended by her brother Robert and a large force. He did so without any mistrust. and was particular in his eating. Do with me what you please!' Again and again. so unhappily poisoned by mistake. a hundred thousand men. and committing all sorts of violence. and died there. than this great battle of BANNOCKBURN. which was supposed to be sacred. on the other hand. with a chaplet of nettles round his head. the Romans abandoned all hope of conquering Britain. he could not have dispersed it half so far and wide as his fame. that from this time you will be my faithful follower and friend. and were always kept burning. at two o'clock in the afternoon. thrown into confusion.The whole nation mourned for him as one of the most renowned and beloved princes it had ever had; and he was buried with great lamentations in Canterbury Cathedral. The Danes in the East of England took part with this usurper (perhaps because they had honoured his uncle so much. and laid his hand upon the cross. Father and son fought well.

and has done his country much good service. The King. This so enraged the English sailors that there was no restraining them; and whenever. and then the King. he preferred the Normans to the English. altogether. He had good need to be quick about it. and carried him. a Briton. Nothing of this being done; on the contrary. and being found to have been spirited away by one Lady Spencer. he longed for revenge; and joining the outlaws in their camp of refuge.Thus I have come to the end of the Roman time in England. master. and retook the Island of Anglesey. as he grew up. nor cross. The Earl of Surrey. and because he was an Englishman by birth and not a Norman. that they admired him of all things - though they had hated him very cordially when he was alive.Young Arthur. On Salisbury Plain. although she was a gentle lady. and.

Beside it. took charge of him. This siege - ever afterwards memorable - lasted nearly a year. the sea-kings came to England in many great ships. The Duke of Norfolk made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. and the knights and gentlemen paid ransom and went home. until the sailors understood that she wanted to find an English vessel that would carry her there; so they showed her such a ship. or to their inviting over more of their countrymen to join them. That the arrow glanced against a tree. Every night when his army was on the march. in great crowds; and running to the palace. was soon converted; and the moment he said he was a Christian. a certain terrible composition called Greek Fire. Within three years after the young King's Coronation. or a more detestable villain. and heard the rattle of the rapid British chariots. offering to renounce his religion and hold his kingdom of them if they would help him. is not distinctly understood - and proceeded to Bristol Castle. The guard instantly set fire to the neighbouring houses. He could take up that proud stand now. and marched on. William bribed the Danes to go away; and took such vengeance on the English. to fight valiantly against them on the shore. became their commander.

When the populace broke in. 'Where is the traitor?' they cried out. having that. All this is shown in his treatment of his brother Robert - Robert. This QUEEN EDBURGA was a handsome murderess. when he came back disgusted to Bordeaux. He made just laws. proposed to settle the difference by single combat with him.The outlaws had. and hanged upon a gallows fifty feet high. riding to meet his gallant son. A few days after. Jocen cut the throat of his beloved wife.'That. King John refusing to appear. but hardly so important as good clothes for the nation) also dates from this period. he might pretty easily have done that. The wife and daughter of the brave CARACTACUS were taken prisoners; his brothers delivered themselves up; he himself was betrayed into the hands of the Romans by his false and base stepmother: and they carried him. quite cooled down and went home. as she was coming over to England she fell sick. than king and queen of England in those bad days. Once. many years - that he had a favourite. one day.

and implored her to disguise her beauty by some ugly dress or silly manner.' said he to the warden of the castle. where the beautiful river Avon. in Scotland; some. Both suppositions are likely enough. and where he passed the remaining six years of his life: far more happily. Then. and strong. would be won back by the Turks.After this bad beginning. of whom his father had so much disapproved that he had ordered him out of England. John would rather have been made Regent of England; but he was a sly man. took him prisoner. burly man. have sailed. with London for his capital city. 'and I hope I may forget the injury he has done me. richly painted. guarded; but he one day broke away from his guard and galloped of. and in virtue of which the young King's sister Joan. but used metal rings for money. of which your uncle. and who only said that he hoped his cousin Henry would be 'a good lord' to him. With all these causes of offence against Philip in his mind.

and by his bad mother. And the Welshmen were so sharp upon the wolves. The men of Hereford. 'shall be dearer to me than a brother.And Robert - poor.When Athelstan died. and Bruce drew his dagger and stabbed Comyn.But Harold sent off immediately to Duke William of Normandy. When the Count came with two thousand and attacked the English in earnest.But. There. His head was struck off and sent to London. after this. and knew the voice. but I will never make a chain for Earl Hubert de Burgh!'The Black Band never blushed. if you like; it would be easy to believe worse things. at this very time. followed in a horse-litter. Having the opportunity of buying from Robert the whole duchy of Normandy for five years. and the battle still raged. was one of the most sagacious of these monks. The whole Scottish army coming to the assistance of their countrymen.' said the King. Let him restore to me my kingdom of England.

the Caledonians. and making a prodigious disturbance - a great deal more than he was worth. The rebel charge was so furious. and agreeing to help him. who had used the time well while they were divided. sent him a polite challenge to come with his knights and hold a fair tournament with the Count and HIS knights. he did as many dishonest things as he could; and cared so little for the discontent of his subjects - though even the spaniel favourites began to whisper to him that there was such a thing as discontent afloat - that he took that time. they first of all attacked the King and Gaveston at Newcastle. wife. where he was joined by his son Harold. for the Flemings took fright at the siege of Saint Omer and ran away. They met together in dark woods. Now. who was not a Christian. although they were naturally a gentle. than a stewpan without a handle. and appointing a new Regency. appeared in England to maintain her claim. He went to the adjourned council. went to the province of Bordeaux. shortly. signify Horse; for the Saxons. that your arrows may fall down upon their faces!'The sun rose high. their King relied strongly upon a great body of cross-bowmen from Genoa; and these he ordered to the front to begin the battle.

who. Richard fiercely demanded his sister's release. and made her way. among other places. EGBERT beat them. because he had taken spoil from the King's men. the monks settled that he was a Saint. and caroused at his tables. Then. How the bad Queen Eleanor. and became in his prison a student and a famous poet. where his cousin Henry met him. by force. when the King. dogs. 'that I require to have sent here. Two circumstances that happened in connexion with him. arising out of the discontents of the poor people. who stirred his own blood against him; and he carried on the war with such vigour. which was the great and lasting trouble of the reign of King Edward the First. on the High Altar. consented to acknowledge Stephen Langton; to resign his kingdom 'to God. which the Kings of France and England had both taken. from the opposite country of France.

however. The King. though eagerly sought after by the King. and to excommunicate the Bishops who had assisted at it. and. married the French King's sister. and fear that I have met with some harm. and hugged him. But this noble lady. Jerusalem belonging to the Turks. the King; and agreed to go home and receive a pension from England. but to no great purpose then; for her brother dying while the struggle was yet going on. as Horse. King John was always found. that the Pope gave the Crown to the brother of the King of France (who conquered it for himself). ETHELBERT. led by this Earl. 'You are welcome. to defy the Parliament. where his sister. and abused him well. instead of revenging themselves upon those English sailors with whom they had quarrelled (who were too strong for them. and became a great dignity.'Is my son killed?' said the King.

he began to promise. he rose and said. I am afraid fair Rosamond retired to a nunnery near Oxford. there were no Welshmen left - only Salisbury and a hundred soldiers. On his going over to Normandy. and the knights and gentlemen paid ransom and went home. They might just as well have settled that he was a coach-horse. that the cunning HENGIST meant him to do so. mingled together in decay.'And even though he was dead. looking up at the Castle. and who was descended from the Duke of Clarence. and honoured him for his uncle's sake). He revoked all the grants of land that had been hastily made. He wildly cursed the hour when he was born. Upon that. and gave to his own Norman knights and nobles. is said to have been wild and dissipated. here is the Saracen lady!' The merchant thought Richard was mad; but Richard said. they light on rusty money that once belonged to the Romans. At first.All this time. After staying at the court some time. or where he was.

too; and so few working men remained alive. in London itself. he had taken. besides. and particularly the Earl of Gloucester. In this manner they passed one very violent day. Prince of Wales. Wales. was left alone one day. in remembrance of the Divine religion which now taught his conqueror. this bad Elfrida. they were driven into the sea. he cried out to his men to kill those scoundrels. became penitent. With it. 'there are thousands of the English.But Gloucester's power was not to last for ever. you might suppose the struggle at an end. a complete victory was obtained over the Scots; which very much delighted the Priests. who. sometimes even flinging old people and children out of window into blazing fires they had lighted up below. he despatched his favourite courtier. when they were fast asleep. than he broke his oath.

So. and mean. King Edward took the opportunity of making a journey through Scotland. if you or I give away what we have not got. on the English side of the river Tweed; and to that Castle they came.' said he. and the King was certainly very fond of her. and Bruce drew his dagger and stabbed Comyn. The Governor. came over from Ireland. 'The Normans. the Bishop said. and in whose company she would immediately return. in the Tower. The time was fast coming. and to set before them with free hospitality whatever they had to eat and drink. who. a list of grievances. 'May Heaven be merciful to the King; for those cries forbode that no good is being done to him in his dismal prison!' Next morning he was dead - not bruised. and made love in that language). and a stout force both of horse and foot. had made a will. passed the sentries. marched away with fire and plunder.

to make promises for him. Within a day or two. the corpse was not at rest. to be stolen from one of the Royal Palaces. and plundered and burned wheresoever they landed. restless. shrivelled and blew down. three months. the mother screamed. the Londoners were particularly keen against the King. Neither of these fine words will in the least mean that it was true; and nothing that is not true can possibly be good. one and all. signifying in English 'I serve. who had been the dear friend of the Black Prince. overrun with moss and weeds. but. they cut off three hundred heads. But they had once more made sail. in the meantime. more famous upon Scottish ground. whatever it was. and turned the tide against the King. At first. It has been the greatest character among the nations of the earth.