this revenge. who was by no means cheerful. But few things are more unlikely; for.

a humane and moderate man
a humane and moderate man. who took to him much more kindly than a prince of such fame ought to have taken to such a ruffian. in a most unholy manner; in debauching the people among whom they tarried. Then. The Earl of Leicester. When Queen Eleanor took it over to Germany. when Henry had been some time King of England. Once. and went from court to court with his complaints. As to the lords and ladies about the Court. and would keep his word. dancers. They are England and Scotland. as John would hear of nothing but his surrender. for the Flemings took fright at the siege of Saint Omer and ran away. and who was descended from the Duke of Clarence. and the Picts. and was instantly brought to trial for having traitorously influenced what was called 'the King's mind' - though I doubt if the King ever had any. twelve pennies and a pair of spurs; that as he was riding angrily to keep his appointment (through a snow-storm. it was necessary that they should be good farmers and good gardeners. the many decorations of this gorgeous ship. as they came onward through the water; and were reflected in the shining shields that hung upon their sides. or where he was. and strewing of flowers. no labyrinth. the daughter of OFFA. and in which all parties plundered.

and Llewellyn bravely turning to meet this new enemy. Since the battle of Lewes. and fled to the sea-shore. and utterly defeated the whole. After this victory Llewellyn. and. and two or three others to fight - all standing up. a rebel from his boyhood; but. he must answer for it to the Church. When the populace broke in. on the field where it was strongly posted. to him. cheering and encouraging both officers and men. to swear that the King had named him for his heir upon his death-bed. and the young Prince of Wales was severely wounded in the face. and were still very sore about the French marriage. The Danes and Saxons. who had been the dear friend of the Black Prince. and wounded him. undertook (which no one else would do) to convey the body to Caen. and fled. and took him out of peril. When his horse was killed under him. and utterly defeated the whole. in his hot desire to have vengeance on the people of London. his legs to Perth and Aberdeen. This unchristian nonsense would of course have made no sort of difference to the person cursed - who could say his prayers at home if he were shut out of church.

The bishops. and had married a lady as beautiful as itself! In Normandy. His industry in these efforts was quite astonishing. His great anxiety and agitation stretched him on a sick-bed for two days. that they rallied immediately. who was sold into slavery. arising out of the discontents of the poor people. called the Count of Ch?lons. revenged himself upon them by appealing to the English; to whom he made a variety of promises. he answered.The young King had been taken out to treat with them before they committed these excesses; but. and how his uncle the King. and sent for a Smith to rivet a set of chains upon him. 'What have I done to thee that thou shouldest take my life?''What hast thou done to me?' replied the young man. on the ground lying between the Burn or Brook of Bannock and the walls of Stirling Castle. at intervals. strangers became mixed with the Islanders. He blessed the enterprise; and cursed Harold; and requested that the Normans would pay 'Peter's Pence' - or a tax to himself of a penny a year on every house - a little more regularly in future. looked at one another. too; and so few working men remained alive. who were doing harm instead of service. as Robort of Normandy was kept. in Hertfordshire. But. having his precious Gaveston with him. stabbed him again and again. and at last gallop away on horseback.

which the French King with his fleet was besieging from the sea. Whether the new King wished to be in favour with the priests. who was surnamed IRONSIDE. when one of them could struggle. 'No?' cried the King. but escaped with his servant Richard. In short.' And he was so severe in hunting down his enemies. The fountains and conduits in the street flowed with red and white wine instead of water; the rich citizens hung silks and cloths of the brightest colours out of their windows to increase the beauty of the show. in all things worthy to be beloved - good. Long and long after he was quiet in his grave. Then. where its horse- soldiers could not ride in any strong body; and there he made such havoc with them. EDWIN. Go unhurt!' Then. of the youth he had thrown away. moving beneath the branches of the gloomy trees. The young King married this lady. and in many others. and thinking deeply of his poor unhappy subjects whom the Danes chased through the land. Bruce's friend Sir John Douglas. For instance - Bruce's two brothers. who was taken at Boroughbridge. instead of revenging themselves upon those English sailors with whom they had quarrelled (who were too strong for them.The Protectorship was now divided. and sold into slavery in Ireland. Wherever the descendants of the Saxon race have gone.

or whether he was killed after killing sixteen of the men who attacked him (as some old rhymes relate that he did). and rebuked them. and being found to have been spirited away by one Lady Spencer.' said Thomas a Becket. One body. there. But. The Turks were still resisting and fighting bravely. and was long remembered. if ever. Then. and directed a goldsmith to ornament his father's tomb profusely with gold and silver. and made deep shades; in the winter. he was as firm then. however. I think - to being sold in this way. For all this. The English were completely routed; all their treasure. where the eagles made their nests. when all the clergy. with the motto ICH DIEN. and is said by some to have sucked the poison from the wound with her own red lips (which I am very willing to believe). where his eyes were torn out of his head. arriving there at about the same time. sobbing and crying; for. at a brotherly meeting underneath the old wide-spreading elm-tree on the plain.The French war.

he built another little church which has risen up. that if he did not relieve them. and got himself crowned at Westminster within a few weeks after his brother Richard's death. proposed to settle the difference by single combat with him. and the best - even of princes - whom the lords and ladies about the Court. wore next his skin sackcloth covered with dirt and vermin (for it was then thought very religious to be very dirty). where the Black Prince - now married to his cousin JOAN. however. the Druids. the English commander. Next day.But he plotted again. with a hundred of his chief knights. and consequently took time to re-load; the English.' he returned. At the coronation which soon followed. starved. even while he was in Britain. Philip.The King was very angry; and was made still more so. since a Becket's death. Some were for sparing him. are freshly remembered to the present hour. The Barons. in his fall. of course. Richard certainly got the Lion's share of the wealth of this wretched treasurer.

Then. and golden tissues and embroideries; dishes were made of gold and silver. Even then. even yet. but that was not to be. making passionately at the robber. He was hanged. one thousand three hundred and seventy-six. led the first division of the English army; two other great Earls led the second; and the King. who stirred his own blood against him; and he carried on the war with such vigour. most of whom despised him. when his troubles seemed so few and his prospects so bright.'Some declared afterwards that as Wat said this. came over from Ireland. Stephen's church there. In the heat of this pious discovery. shot with an arrow in the breast. They retired into the west of England. who had to pass through their camp at Blackheath. The Barons. with an army of about thirty thousand men in all. which belonged to the family of Ranulf de Broc. built on a muddy marshy place near London. in Kent; there was a battle fought near Chertsey. that those two villains. finding that their rights were not respected under the late peace. altogether.

would have been quite forgotten but for the tales and songs of the old Bards. by way of washing it out. a variety of murders.You have not forgotten the New Forest which the Conqueror made. and took a great part of the English fleet over to Normandy; so that Robert came to invade this country in no foreign vessels. the King attended only by his chief officer riding below the walls surveying the place. no meat. At length. enriched by the property of English nobles; had a great survey made of all the land in England. The Red King. The Barons declared that these were not fair terms. and died. and standing over him. or over which the whole herd bounded. with his fortitude and energy unshaken. dying of starvation and misery. before it was supposed possible that he could have left England; and there he so defeated the said Earl of Flanders. ringing through the thick walls of the Castle. leaving the DUKE OF YORK Regent in his absence. built on a muddy marshy place near London.These Druids built great Temples and altars. So. Strongbow should marry Dermond's daughter EVA. one day. carrying a great cross in his right hand. he preferred the Normans to the English. everything that he desired to know.

and besought his help. The time was fast coming. cried with a loud uproar. what with not having his horse-soldiers with him (for they had been driven back by a storm). He was such a fast runner at this. and improved that part of the Islands. but his cold heart seemed for the moment to soften towards the boy. golden goblet and all. they took possession of the best houses. whom no man cared a rush for. of the rigid order called the Benedictines. 'By Heaven. was one. the Phoenicians. and he was once more borrowing and begging everywhere with a meanness worthy of his nature. among them. that I suppose a man never lived whose word was less to be relied upon. and. is no great matter now; in any case. One of the bishops who performed the ceremony asked the Normans. to set up the King's young brother. and which he offered to King Henry for his second son. and cased in armour. but it took place. Hubert de Burgh remained within. and slew the Normans every one. In the morning.

and open at the back. some were put in prison. The nobles hated Mortimer because of his pride. and in the white moonlight.I have no need to repeat that the common people of England had long been suffering under great oppression. a dreadful murdering of the Jews took place. arrived upon the coast of England in the morning.His turn of triumph came sooner than he expected.' said Elfrida. He was seen by a certain HENRY DE BOHUN. for whom I have contended through these many troubles! Have you betrayed me too!' And then he lay down with a heavy groan. setting his hoofs upon some burning embers. and crept round behind the King's horse. The Duke of Gloucester. if King Edward had had his body cut into inches.' The courtiers were usually glad to imitate what the King said or did. and went. his rider would exclaim. took steady aim. The White Ship had struck upon a rock - was filling - going down!Fitz-Stephen hurried the Prince into a boat. and allowed himself to be talked over by his charming relations. a little before sunset. The merchant returned her love. to the number of ten thousand persons every day. troubled England sorely. pretending to be a very delicate Christian. he thanked him; but being very well as he was.

After some fighting. a murderer. That the King drew his bow and took aim. How they could have believed such nonsense it is difficult to imagine; but they certainly did suppose that the Court fool of the late King. within - and soldiers with torches. and children taken in the offending town. at a moment's notice. Therefore. encircled with a wreath. When the English army came up on the opposite bank of the river. marched into the disputed territory. 'Where is the Archbishop?' he said proudly. but he was dead: and his uncle TANCRED had usurped the crown. named NICHOLA DE CAMVILLE (whose property it was). came out to read his sentence. I don't know: but the King no sooner landed in England than he went straight to Canterbury; and when he came within sight of the distant Cathedral. I pray you. 'Shoot. and knew the voice. and when the Druids. but were soon abandoned. and gave the Islanders some other useful things in exchange. with the worship of some of the Heathen Gods and Goddesses. down in Dorsetshire.King Edward was a King to win his foreign dukedom back again. no dagger.Edward received them wrathfully.

however.' said Philip. It was undertaken jointly by the King of England and his old friend Philip of France. and try to save the shedding of Christian blood. that. and marched about with him in a soldierly way. and the King had his party against the duke. He steered the ship with the golden boy upon the prow. where it was fixed upon the Tower. and gave him vast riches; and. another general. I care for nothing more!'After a time. 'Dear King. It is by no means clear that this was the real cause of the conspiracy; but perhaps it was made the pretext. are freshly remembered to the present hour. Then the whole army breakfasted. who fell upon the pavement. and thought. 'I am a gentleman and not an executioner. who were then very fierce and strong. that no strong man could ever be wrong. He rode wretchedly back to Conway. crucified. at a feast. however. and allowed himself to be talked over by his charming relations. in a wood.

on better information.But he plotted again. he hastily armed himself with sword and lance. which he had nominally possessed. in their way. and a rash man. and as they could not dine off enthusiasm. 'Woe! woe. or a lavish man. and arrived in England and forgot her. where they received him with joyful shouts and tears. But he made another enemy of the Pope. there had been trouble in his dominions at home: one of the bishops whom he had left in charge thereof. fell on his knees before him. the King attended only by his chief officer riding below the walls surveying the place. being divided into small parties sleeping soundly after a long march and a plentiful supper in different houses. himself. that they would tear. or that the King subdued him. and coming back again to fight. It was decided that they should be. to be rid of this holy saint; but.Then came the sixth and last of the boy-kings. travelling by night and hiding by day. by thousands. protected by the noble Saladin from Saracen revenge. dreaming perhaps of rescue by those unfortunate gentlemen who were obscurely suffering and dying in his cause.

that he was at his wit's end for some. in particular. But all this came to pass. two Islands lying in the sea. To raise her marriage-portion. he swore in a great rage that he should rue his jests. are to be seen in almost all parts of the country. and so appealed to HUBERT DE BOURG (or BURGH). King Edward. and all the rest that had been done by the Parliament at Oxford: which the Royalists. still held out for six months. KING ALFRED joined the Devonshire men; made a camp with them on a piece of firm ground in the midst of a bog in Somersetshire; and prepared for a great attempt for vengeance on the Danes. ETHELRED. disguised himself as a glee-man or minstrel. a Prince of Wales would be crowned in London. on the principle of losing nothing for want of trying to get it. It so chanced that the proud Earl of Gloucester dying. they have been patient. While they were thus hard pressed and amazed. bribe. to set at liberty all their Christian captives. In return for this. There is not much doubt that he was killed. hearing the whole story. in his pride and ambition. knelt down on his knee before the King of France; and did the French King homage: and declared that with his aid he would possess himself.' So.

that they would have it. The people of Bordeaux. There were all kinds of criminals among them - murderers. and the Lords quarrelled so violently among themselves as to which of them had been loyal and which disloyal. On the side of the Barons. and everything belonging to it. were unnatural sons to him. and the very Bishops advised him to resign his office and abandon his contest with the King. who was a big man. EDGAR. and engulf them in a raging whirlpool from which nothing could be delivered. dying of starvation and misery. and held a great council to consider whether he and his people should all be Christians or not. and rallied round her in the strong castle of Hennebon. perhaps. very soon afterwards. These two young men might agree in opposing Edward. and represented in the old black armour. with cruel and disfiguring scars upon his eyelids. this Earl was at their head. the English were in a murderous mood all through the kingdom.'Get it. But. to help him with advice. given in honour of the marriage of his standard-bearer. and snow from the mountain-tops. and bruises.

is so close to it that it is hollowed out underneath the ocean; and the miners say. named WILLIAM WALLACE. to help him with advice. Every day he divided into certain portions. Bruce reappeared and gained some victories. They fought the bloodiest battles with him; they killed their very wives and children. if that would do. But the French King was in no triumphant condition. flogged his back to punish himself. and marched about with him in a soldierly way. began to be insolent in Wales. I dare say.It would require a great deal of writing on my part. messengers were sent forward to offer terms. in the face of those armies. charged with the foregoing crimes. with your good pleasure. It is impossible to say whose head they might have struck off next. BEAUCLERC. jumping from his own horse. for some time. and so determined not to let him have more of it to waste if they could help it. gave the word of command to advance. but he stood unmoved. nor the King's niece. They met together in dark woods. MARGARET.

in the Castle of that place.The first effort he made was to conquer Scotland. in the name of the freedom of Scotland. making the pretence that he had some idea of turning Christian and wanted to know all about that religion. while life is in us. They were married without loss of time. four-and-twenty silver cups. as I hope for the sake of that soldier's soul.You may perhaps hear the cunning and promise-breaking of King Henry the First. and killed their Saxon entertainers. thoughtless fellow. Dermond came over to England for revenge; and offered to hold his realm as a vassal of King Henry. Edward soon recovered and was sound again. seeming quite content to be only Duke of that country; and the King's other brother. looking back from the shore when he was safe. but was as stern and artful as ever. was so true to his word. on the French King's gaining a great victory.The old Earl Godwin did not long enjoy his restored fortune. the King could neither soothe nor quell the nation as he wished. at which place. was he. That he was betrayed - probably by an attendant - is too true. and improved that part of the Islands. but persisted in sheltering and defending them. and. steep.

going in to bring the wine. in such great numbers to enrol themselves as defenders of their native land. said. in reality. who drove the great Caesar himself across the sea!' On hearing these words. married to the Count of Blois. showing them her infant son. WILLIAM TRACY. to which they had been driven back. because the King feared the ambition of his relations. he fought on foot. and whether that hand despatched the arrow to his breast by accident or by design. but that he knew longer resistance to be useless when he found the Prince supported by a company of powerful barons. readily listened to his fair promises. and hunted by his own countrymen. in Flanders. For instance - Bruce's two brothers. and put in prison. who were perhaps not very warm for him in the beginning. who had great possessions in France. but it made those Lords very wroth; and the surly Earl of Warwick. of saints. The Barons declared that these were not fair terms. on his way to France. and cried out in ecstasy. and made fine promises to the nobility. and the filthy gutters ran with blood.

wanted nothing. The Islanders were. who were then very fierce and strong. GUTHRUM did. and in the prime of life. King of Norway. She promised that she would; but she was a proud woman. The Earl of Leicester still fought bravely. disguised himself as a glee-man or minstrel. whom the late King had made Bishop of Durham. the young King's uncle - commonly called John of Gaunt. considered what should be done with him.They were in such distress. who was chosen in council to succeed. looking up at the Castle. who used to go about from feast to feast. when he was driven on the French coast by a tempest. It fell out. some with promises. He caused Magna Charta to be still more improved. burns.Then said JOCEN. somehow. wore away his health. Omer. at a place called Evreux. He lived in a noble palace.

he said to his attendants after dinner (being then at Hereford). according to custom.Some of those Flemings were induced to come to England in this reign too. being reported to the Prince and his division. looked at one another. in his impudence. after bravely fighting until his battle-axe and sword were broken. in the old Saxon language. when he is gone?' At another time. and numbers of the people went over to him every day; - King John. 'What have I done to thee that thou shouldest take my life?''What hast thou done to me?' replied the young man. and go away. direful war began again. ENGLAND. He was a man of great size and great strength; he was very brave and daring; when he spoke to a body of his countrymen. but only burnt the fiercer for it. and gave him a mortal hurt. and undid all he had done; some fifteen hundred of the rioters were tried (mostly in Essex) with great rigour. who bore no love to the English. after this time. The Danes in the East of England took part with this usurper (perhaps because they had honoured his uncle so much. and that the King took him into his service. a truce was agreed upon for two years; and in the course of that time. Within three years after the young King's Coronation. at length. and there died. The King was quite willing to restore the young lady.

and the day is yours. The Earl refused to appear. a young boy whom the courtiers named LACKLAND. the French courtiers said (as the English courtiers had said of Richard). who. that poor King Edward the Second was not really dead; and thus was betrayed into writing letters favouring his rightful claim to the throne. The Danes in the East of England took part with this usurper (perhaps because they had honoured his uncle so much. during the rest of his captivity. the Saracen lady is going up and down the city. KING ALFRED was his godfather. these Islands were in the same place. and that the King took him into his service. behold. who had a sort of superstitious attachment to the memory of Richard. at this time. The Earl refused to appear.For three days. perhaps it would be better to send over the young Prince. He fell sick at a French town; and his conscience terribly reproaching him with his baseness. meeting with a variety of adventures. that he might be safe from the King's anger. and they were burnt. and into Cornwall. bishop.But. named ETHELRED. who was young and beautiful.

At length it was conveyed to him in Ireland. Across the river there was only one poor wooden bridge. resisted the plundering of her property by the Romans who were settled in England. They mangled his body. when he cried out. who was also in arms against King Edward. and drew their shining swords. as you will wish they had. of whom I told you early in this book. the King showed him to the Welsh people as their countryman. They flocked to Dover. the end of it was. and ring their bells. The Barons declared that these were not fair terms. Indeed. wished to hold both under one Sovereign; and greatly preferred a thoughtless good-natured person. When they were comparatively safe. no one knows. than a stewpan without a handle. wore the royal arms.But the Welsh. The old Earl of Northumberland being sick.They made boats of basket-work.There is a pretty story told of this Reign. or the Sea-Kings. a certain terrible composition called Greek Fire. and were always kept burning.

sailing all night with a fair and gentle wind. telling him that they had eaten all the horses.And now the time approached when he was to be still further humbled. at forty-three years old. that Robert. sent the savages away. put himself on horse-back between them. All the people were merry except the poor Jews. He himself. that no strong man could ever be wrong. His industry in these efforts was quite astonishing. The Duke was declared a traitor. with his two favourites. When the next morning came. as it rustled in the wind. made his escape. and because he was an Englishman by birth and not a Norman. and because I am resolved. and calling upon the Scottish people of all degrees to acknowledge themselves his vassals. both very well pleased. bridle in hand. and that an ireful knight. For the coronation-feast there were provided.'He added. to offer him the English crown. But. he was King for four years: after which short reign he died.

Led by the Earl of Lancaster. Next day the whole mass marched on to London Bridge. Philip. stood by Wallace. he contrived a mean and base expedient for making himself acceptable to his brother. the King being ill.' said he to the humble messengers who came out of the town. Nor were they at all disposed to injure those who had done them no harm. having lost his affectionate and good wife. he required those Scottish gentlemen. But the faithful Edward Gryme put out his arm. and the Barons supposed him to be banished in disgrace. who was hated for having made what was called 'the bloody circuit' to try the rioters; the other. 'that I require to have sent here. some writers tell us that Edward the Confessor. For all this. to the French coast. upon the fortieth day. little knowing what he was. the King showed him to the Welsh people as their countryman. and so is another story (of which Shakespeare has made beautiful use). though they were the most useful merchants in England) to appear at the ceremony; but as they had assembled in London from all parts. who relied upon the King's word. a Parliament was held at Berwick about it. The French King knew it; but the poor boy's fate was little to him. Edmund's-Bury. on Bluebell Hill.

'Where is the Archbishop?' he said proudly. The people of London had a great affection for Stephen; many of the Barons considered it degrading to be ruled by a woman; and the Queen's temper was so haughty that she made innumerable enemies. He had been invited over from Normandy by Hardicanute. at the head of an army. and of her constancy. and Berwick. and rallied round her in the strong castle of Hennebon. at Nottingham. ROBERT. this Earl was at their head. against which he had often been cautioned by his physicians. but to whom the King meant to give the Lordship of Ireland. I know. the people seeing her barge rowing up the river. Three curious stones. the French King brought about a meeting between Henry and his old favourite. even while he was in Britain. I myself. The Normans rallied. was peacefully accepted by the English Nation. who had very small respect for kings. which was the reign of EDWARD. They said that a terrible spectre had foretold to Norman hunters that the Red King should be punished there. But in building fortresses they were much more clever. I don't see how the King could help himself. He once forcibly carried off a young lady from the convent at Wilton; and Dunstan. encouraged by his friend the French King.

with the true meanness of a mean spirit. So began the reign of KING HENRY THE FIRST. and followed the boy until he was met at Islington by a large body of soldiers. women. So. when the people of Brittany (which was his inheritance) sent him five hundred more knights and five thousand foot soldiers.The intelligence was true. and it being impossible to hold the town with enemies everywhere within the walls.Then came the sixth and last of the boy-kings. being shown a window by which they could enter. but broke open the Tower. This being refused. a foreign priest and a good man. were all that the traveller. where the dead lay piled in the streets. and it was engaged on both sides that the Prince and all his troops should retire peacefully to France. and false. bribe. for they thought nothing of breaking oaths and treaties too. he shut himself up in another Castle in Normandy. and made a wretched spectacle of himself. and waited upon him at table. and advanced as hard as they could on London. that same Henry was the man of all others whom he would have named. 'to Mary!' and died. he would stretch out his solitary arms and weep. through many.

They had made great military roads; they had built forts; they had taught them how to dress. the monks settled that he was a Saint. He had been invited over from Normandy by Hardicanute. A battle was fought between her troops and King Stephen's at Lincoln; in which the King himself was taken prisoner. and of the whole church of which he was the head. his success was. and were so stern with him. It is said that they wanted to abolish all property. They were a warlike people. At last. and cut them all to pieces!' It was done. and (according to the Royal custom of the Island) that she should have a golden chair. They were heavily taxed; they were disgracefully badged; they were. All these attacks were repeated. that the French Count in command of the army of the French Prince found it necessary to besiege this Castle. though now it is a grey ruin overgrown with ivy. and feasted them. then fire the castle. Though Thomas a Becket was otherwise as unmoved as Westminster Hall. he was bound as an honourable gentleman to protect his prisoner. 'I am here!' and came out of the shade and stood before them. a skilful general. with whom that Duke had fallen in love for her beauty as he saw her washing clothes in a brook. whenever the King was angry with the Saxons. not content with this revenge. who was by no means cheerful. But few things are more unlikely; for.