Threeyearsafterwards,PrinceGeoffrey,beingunhorsedatatournament,hadhisbrainstrampledoutbyacrowdofhorsespassingoverhim.So,thereonlyremainedPrinceRichard,andPrinceJohn-whohadgrowntobeayoungmannow,andhadsolemnlysworntobefaithfultohisfather.Richardsoonrebelledagain,encouragedbyhisfriendtheFrenchKing,PHILIPTHESECONDsonofLouis,whowasdead;andsoonsubmittedandwasagainforgiven,swearingontheNewTestamentnevertorebelagain;andinanotheryearorso,rebelledagain;and,inthepresenceofhisfather,kneltdownonhiskneebeforetheKingofFrance;anddidtheFrenchKinghomage:anddeclaredthatwithhisaidhewouldpossesshimself,byforce,ofallhisfather\'sFrenchdominions.
AndyetthisRichardcalledhimselfasoldierofOurSaviour!AndyetthisRichardworetheCross,whichtheKingsofFranceandEnglandhadbothtaken,inthepreviousyear,atabrotherlymeetingunderneaththeoldwide-spreadingelm-treeontheplain,whentheyhadswornlikehimtodevotethemselvestoanewCrusade,fortheloveandhonouroftheTruth!
Sickatheart,weariedoutbythefalsehoodofhissons,andalmostreadytoliedownanddie,theunhappyKingwhohadsolongstoodfirm,begantofail.ButthePope,tohishonour,supportedhim;
andobligedtheFrenchKingandRichard,thoughsuccessfulinfight,totreatforpeace.RichardwantedtobeCrownedKingofEngland,andpretendedthathewantedtobemarriedwhichhereallydidnottotheFrenchKing\'ssister,hispromisedwife,whomKingHenrydetainedinEngland.KingHenrywanted,ontheotherhand,thattheFrenchKing\'ssistershouldbemarriedtohisfavouriteson,John:theonlyoneofhissonshesaidwhohadneverrebelledagainsthim.AtlastKingHenry,desertedbyhisnoblesonebyone,distressed,exhausted,broken-hearted,consentedtoestablishpeace.
Onefinalheavysorrowwasreservedforhim,evenyet.Whentheybroughthimtheproposedtreatyofpeace,inwriting,ashelayveryillinbed,theybroughthimalsothelistofthedesertersfromtheirallegiance,whomhewasrequiredtopardon.ThefirstnameuponthislistwasJohn,hisfavouriteson,inwhomhehadtrustedtothelast.
\'OJohn!childofmyheart!\'exclaimedtheKing,inagreatagonyofmind.\'OJohn,whomIhavelovedthebest!OJohn,forwhomI
havecontendedthroughthesemanytroubles!Haveyoubetrayedmetoo!\'Andthenhelaydownwithaheavygroan,andsaid,\'Nowlettheworldgoasitwill.Icarefornothingmore!\'
Afteratime,hetoldhisattendantstotakehimtotheFrenchtownofChinon-atownhehadbeenfondof,duringmanyyears.Buthewasfondofnoplacenow;itwastootruethathecouldcarefornothingmoreuponthisearth.Hewildlycursedthehourwhenhewasborn,andcursedthechildrenwhomheleftbehindhim;andexpired.
As,onehundredyearsbefore,theservilefollowersoftheCourthadabandonedtheConquerorinthehourofhisdeath,sotheynowabandonedhisdescendant.Theverybodywasstripped,intheplunderoftheRoyalchamber;anditwasnoteasytofindthemeansofcarryingitforburialtotheabbeychurchofFontevraud.
Richardwassaidinafteryears,bywayofflattery,tohavetheheartofaLion.Itwouldhavebeenfarbetter,Ithink,tohavehadtheheartofaMan.Hisheart,whateveritwas,hadcausetobeatremorsefullywithinhisbreast,whenhecame-ashedid-
intothesolemnabbey,andlookedonhisdeadfather\'suncoveredface.Hisheart,whateveritwas,hadbeenablackandperjuredheart,inallitsdealingswiththedeceasedKing,andmoredeficientinasingletouchoftendernessthananywildbeast\'sintheforest.
ThereisaprettystorytoldofthisReign,calledthestoryofFAIRROSAMOND.ItrelateshowtheKingdotedonFairRosamond,whowastheloveliestgirlinalltheworld;andhowhehadabeautifulBowerbuiltforherinaParkatWoodstock;andhowitwaserectedinalabyrinth,andcouldonlybefoundbyaclueofsilk.HowthebadQueenEleanor,becomingjealousofFairRosamond,foundoutthesecretoftheclue,andoneday,appearedbeforeher,withadaggerandacupofpoison,andlefthertothechoicebetweenthosedeaths.HowFairRosamond,aftersheddingmanypiteoustearsandofferingmanyuselessprayerstothecruelQueen,tookthepoison,andfelldeadinthemidstofthebeautifulbower,whiletheunconsciousbirdssanggailyallaroundher.
Now,thereWASafairRosamond,andshewasIdaresaytheloveliestgirlinalltheworld,andtheKingwascertainlyveryfondofher,andthebadQueenEleanorwascertainlymadejealous.
ButIamafraid-Isayafraid,becauseIlikethestorysomuch-
thattherewasnobower,nolabyrinth,nosilkenclue,nodagger,nopoison.IamafraidfairRosamondretiredtoanunnerynearOxford,anddiedthere,peaceably;hersister-nunshangingasilkendraperyoverhertomb,andoftendressingitwithflowers,inremembranceoftheyouthandbeautythathadenchantedtheKingwhenhetoowasyoung,andwhenhislifelayfairbeforehim.
Itwasdarkandendednow;fadedandgone.HenryPlantagenetlayquietintheabbeychurchofFontevraud,inthefifty-seventhyearofhisage-nevertobecompleted-aftergoverningEnglandwell,fornearlythirty-fiveyears.
CHAPTERXIII-ENGLANDUNDERRICHARDTHEFIRST,CALLEDTHELION-
HEART
INtheyearofourLordonethousandonehundredandeighty-nine,RichardoftheLionHeartsucceededtothethroneofKingHenrytheSecond,whosepaternalhearthehaddonesomuchtobreak.Hehadbeen,aswehaveseen,arebelfromhisboyhood;but,themomenthebecameakingagainstwhomothersmightrebel,hefoundoutthatrebellionwasagreatwickedness.Intheheatofthispiousdiscovery,hepunishedalltheleadingpeoplewhohadbefriendedhimagainsthisfather.Hecouldscarcelyhavedoneanythingthatwouldhavebeenabetterinstanceofhisrealnature,orabetterwarningtofawnersandparasitesnottotrustinlion-heartedprinces.
Helikewiseputhislatefather\'streasurerinchains,andlockedhimupinadungeonfromwhichhewasnotsetfreeuntilhehadrelinquished,notonlyalltheCrowntreasure,butallhisownmoneytoo.So,RichardcertainlygottheLion\'sshareofthewealthofthiswretchedtreasurer,whetherhehadaLion\'sheartornot.
HewascrownedKingofEngland,withgreatpomp,atWestminster:
walkingtotheCathedralunderasilkencanopystretchedonthetopsoffourlances,eachcarriedbyagreatlord.Onthedayofhiscoronation,adreadfulmurderingoftheJewstookplace,whichseemstohavegivengreatdelighttonumbersofsavagepersonscallingthemselvesChristians.TheKinghadissuedaproclamationforbiddingtheJewswhoweregenerallyhated,thoughtheywerethemostusefulmerchantsinEnglandtoappearattheceremony;butastheyhadassembledinLondonfromallparts,bringingpresentstoshowtheirrespectforthenewSovereign,someofthemventureddowntoWestminsterHallwiththeirgifts;whichwereveryreadilyaccepted.Itissupposed,now,thatsomenoisyfellowinthecrowd,pretendingtobeaverydelicateChristian,setupahowlatthis,andstruckaJewwhowastryingtogetinattheHalldoorwithhispresent.Ariotarose.TheJewswhohadgotintotheHall,weredrivenforth;andsomeoftherabblecriedoutthatthenewKinghadcommandedtheunbelievingracetobeputtodeath.
Thereuponthecrowdrushedthroughthenarrowstreetsofthecity,slaughteringalltheJewstheymet;andwhentheycouldfindnomoreoutofdoorsonaccountoftheirhavingfledtotheirhouses,andfastenedthemselvesin,theyranmadlyabout,breakingopenallthehouseswheretheJewslived,rushinginandstabbingorspearingthem,sometimesevenflingingoldpeopleandchildrenoutofwindowintoblazingfirestheyhadlightedupbelow.Thisgreatcrueltylastedfour-and-twentyhours,andonlythreemenwerepunishedforit.EventheyforfeitedtheirlivesnotformurderingandrobbingtheJews,butforburningthehousesofsomeChristians.
KingRichard,whowasastrong,restless,burlyman,withoneideaalwaysinhishead,andthattheverytroublesomeideaofbreakingtheheadsofothermen,wasmightilyimpatienttogoonaCrusadetotheHolyLand,withagreatarmy.Asgreatarmiescouldnotberaisedtogo,eventotheHolyLand,withoutagreatdealofmoney,hesoldtheCrowndomains,andeventhehighofficesofState;
recklesslyappointingnoblementoruleoverhisEnglishsubjects,notbecausetheywerefittogovern,butbecausetheycouldpayhighfortheprivilege.Inthisway,andbysellingpardonsatadearrateandbyvarietiesofavariceandoppression,hescrapedtogetheralargetreasure.HethenappointedtwoBishopstotakecareofhiskingdominhisabsence,andgavegreatpowersandpossessionstohisbrotherJohn,tosecurehisfriendship.JohnwouldratherhavebeenmadeRegentofEngland;buthewasaslyman,andfriendlytotheexpedition;sayingtohimself,nodoubt,\'Themorefighting,themorechanceofmybrotherbeingkilled;andwhenheISkilled,thenIbecomeKingJohn!\'
BeforethenewlyleviedarmydepartedfromEngland,therecruitsandthegeneralpopulacedistinguishedthemselvesbyastonishingcrueltiesontheunfortunateJews:whom,inmanylargetowns,theymurderedbyhundredsinthemosthorriblemanner.
AtYork,alargebodyofJewstookrefugeintheCastle,intheabsenceofitsGovernor,afterthewivesandchildrenofmanyofthemhadbeenslainbeforetheireyes.PresentlycametheGovernor,anddemandedadmission.\'Howcanwegiveitthee,O
Governor!\'saidtheJewsuponthewalls,\'when,ifweopenthegatebysomuchasthewidthofafoot,theroaringcrowdbehindtheewillpressinandkillus?\'
Uponthis,theunjustGovernorbecameangry,andtoldthepeoplethatheapprovedoftheirkillingthoseJews;andamischievousmaniacofafriar,dressedallinwhite,puthimselfattheheadoftheassault,andtheyassaultedtheCastleforthreedays.
ThensaidJOCEN,thehead-JewwhowasaRabbiorPriest,totherest,\'Brethren,thereisnohopeforuswiththeChristianswhoarehammeringatthegatesandwalls,andwhomustsoonbreakin.
Asweandourwivesandchildrenmustdie,eitherbyChristianhands,orbyourown,letitbebyourown.Letusdestroybyfirewhatjewelsandothertreasurewehavehere,thenfirethecastle,andthenperish!\'
Afewcouldnotresolvetodothis,butthegreaterpartcomplied.
Theymadeablazingheapofalltheirvaluables,and,whenthosewereconsumed,setthecastleinflames.Whiletheflamesroaredandcrackledaroundthem,andshootingupintothesky,turneditblood-red,Jocencutthethroatofhisbelovedwife,andstabbedhimself.Alltheotherswhohadwivesorchildren,didthelikedreadfuldeed.Whenthepopulacebrokein,theyfoundexceptthetremblingfew,coweringincorners,whomtheysoonkilledonlyheapsofgreasycinders,withhereandtheresomethinglikepartoftheblackenedtrunkofaburnttree,butwhichhadlatelybeenahumancreature,formedbythebeneficenthandoftheCreatorastheywere.
Afterthisbadbeginning,Richardandhistroopswenton,innoverygoodmanner,withtheHolyCrusade.ItwasundertakenjointlybytheKingofEnglandandhisoldfriendPhilipofFrance.Theycommencedthebusinessbyreviewingtheirforces,tothenumberofonehundredthousandmen.Afterwards,theyseverallyembarkedtheirtroopsforMessina,inSicily,whichwasappointedasthenextplaceofmeeting.
KingRichard\'ssisterhadmarriedtheKingofthisplace,buthewasdead:andhisuncleTANCREDhadusurpedthecrown,casttheRoyalWidowintoprison,andpossessedhimselfofherestates.
Richardfiercelydemandedhissister\'srelease,therestorationofherlands,andaccordingtotheRoyalcustomoftheIslandthatsheshouldhaveagoldenchair,agoldentable,four-and-twentysilvercups,andfour-and-twentysilverdishes.Ashewastoopowerfultobesuccessfullyresisted,Tancredyieldedtohisdemands;andthentheFrenchKinggrewjealous,andcomplainedthattheEnglishKingwantedtobeabsoluteintheIslandofMessinaandeverywhereelse.Richard,however,caredlittleornothingforthiscomplaint;andinconsiderationofapresentoftwentythousandpiecesofgold,promisedhisprettylittlenephewARTHUR,thenachildoftwoyearsold,inmarriagetoTancred\'sdaughter.
WeshallhearagainofprettylittleArthurby-and-by.
ThisSicilianaffairarrangedwithoutanybody\'sbrainsbeingknockedoutwhichmusthaveratherdisappointedhim,KingRichardtookhissisteraway,andalsoafairladynamedBERENGARIA,withwhomhehadfalleninloveinFrance,andwhomhismother,QueenEleanorsolonginprison,youremember,butreleasedbyRichardonhiscomingtotheThrone,hadbroughtouttheretobehiswife;
andsailedwiththemforCyprus.
HesoonhadthepleasureoffightingtheKingoftheIslandofCyprus,forallowinghissubjectstopillagesomeoftheEnglishtroopswhowereshipwreckedontheshore;andeasilyconqueringthispoormonarch,heseizedhisonlydaughter,tobeacompaniontotheladyBerengaria,andputtheKinghimselfintosilverfetters.Hethensailedawayagainwithhismother,sister,wife,andthecaptiveprincess;andsoonarrivedbeforethetownofAcre,whichtheFrenchKingwithhisfleetwasbesiegingfromthesea.
ButtheFrenchKingwasinnotriumphantcondition,forhisarmyhadbeenthinnedbytheswordsoftheSaracens,andwastedbytheplague;andSALADIN,thebraveSultanoftheTurks,attheheadofanumerousarmy,wasatthattimegallantlydefendingtheplacefromthehillsthatriseaboveit.
WherevertheunitedarmyofCrusaderswent,theyagreedinfewpointsexceptingaming,drinking,andquarrelling,inamostunholymanner;indebauchingthepeopleamongwhomtheytarried,whethertheywerefriendsorfoes;andincarryingdisturbanceandruinintoquietplaces.TheFrenchKingwasjealousoftheEnglishKing,andtheEnglishKingwasjealousoftheFrenchKing,andthedisorderlyandviolentsoldiersofthetwonationswerejealousofoneanother;consequently,thetwoKingscouldnotatfirstagree,evenuponajointassaultonAcre;butwhentheydidmakeuptheirquarrelforthatpurpose,theSaracenspromisedtoyieldthetown,togiveuptotheChristiansthewoodoftheHolyCross,tosetatlibertyalltheirChristiancaptives,andtopaytwohundredthousandpiecesofgold.Allthiswastobedonewithinfortydays;but,notbeingdone,KingRichardorderedsomethreethousandSaracenprisonerstobebroughtoutinthefrontofhiscamp,andthere,infullviewoftheirowncountrymen,tobebutchered.
TheFrenchKinghadnopartinthiscrime;forhewasbythattimetravellinghomewardwiththegreaterpartofhismen;beingoffendedbytheoverbearingconductoftheEnglishKing;beinganxioustolookafterhisowndominions;andbeingill,besides,fromtheunwholesomeairofthathotandsandycountry.KingRichardcarriedonthewarwithouthim;andremainedintheEast,meetingwithavarietyofadventures,nearlyayearandahalf.
Everynightwhenhisarmywasonthemarch,andcametoahalt,theheraldscriedoutthreetimes,toremindallthesoldiersofthecauseinwhichtheywereengaged,\'SavetheHolySepulchre!\'andthenallthesoldierskneltandsaid\'Amen!\'Marchingorencamping,thearmyhadcontinuallytostrivewiththehotairoftheglaringdesert,orwiththeSaracensoldiersanimatedanddirectedbythebraveSaladin,orwithbothtogether.Sicknessanddeath,battleandwounds,werealwaysamongthem;butthrougheverydifficultyKingRichardfoughtlikeagiant,andworkedlikeacommonlabourer.Longandlongafterhewasquietinhisgrave,histerriblebattle-axe,withtwentyEnglishpoundsofEnglishsteelinitsmightyhead,wasalegendamongtheSaracens;andwhenalltheSaracenandChristianhostshadbeendustformanyayear,ifaSaracenhorsestartedatanyobjectbythewayside,hisriderwouldexclaim,\'Whatdostthoufear,Fool?DostthouthinkKingRichardisbehindit?\'
NooneadmiredthisKing\'srenownforbraverymorethanSaladinhimself,whowasagenerousandgallantenemy.WhenRichardlayillofafever,SaladinsenthimfreshfruitsfromDamascus,andsnowfromthemountain-tops.Courtlymessagesandcomplimentswerefrequentlyexchangedbetweenthem-andthenKingRichardwouldmounthishorseandkillasmanySaracensashecould;andSaladinwouldmounthis,andkillasmanyChristiansashecould.InthiswayKingRichardfoughttohisheart\'scontentatArsoofandatJaffa;andfindinghimselfwithnothingexcitingtodoatAscalon,excepttorebuild,forhisowndefence,somefortificationstherewhichtheSaracenshaddestroyed,hekickedhisallytheDukeofAustria,forbeingtooproudtoworkatthem.
ThearmyatlastcamewithinsightoftheHolyCityofJerusalem;
but,beingthenamerenestofjealousy,andquarrellingandfighting,soonretired,andagreedwiththeSaracensuponatruceforthreeyears,threemonths,threedays,andthreehours.Then,theEnglishChristians,protectedbythenobleSaladinfromSaracenrevenge,visitedOurSaviour\'stomb;andthenKingRichardembarkedwithasmallforceatAcretoreturnhome.
ButhewasshipwreckedintheAdriaticSea,andwasfaintopassthroughGermany,underanassumedname.Now,thereweremanypeopleinGermanywhohadservedintheHolyLandunderthatproudDukeofAustriawhohadbeenkicked;andsomeofthem,easilyrecognisingamansoremarkableasKingRichard,carriedtheirintelligencetothekickedDuke,whostraightwaytookhimprisoneratalittleinnnearVienna.
TheDuke\'smastertheEmperorofGermany,andtheKingofFrance,wereequallydelightedtohavesotroublesomeamonarchinsafekeeping.Friendshipswhicharefoundedonapartnershipindoingwrong,arenevertrue;andtheKingofFrancewasnowquiteasheartilyKingRichard\'sfoe,ashehadeverbeenhisfriendinhisunnaturalconducttohisfather.HemonstrouslypretendedthatKingRichardhaddesignedtopoisonhimintheEast;hechargedhimwithhavingmurdered,there,amanwhomhehadintruthbefriended;
hebribedtheEmperorofGermanytokeephimcloseprisoner;and,finally,throughtheplottingofthesetwoprinces,RichardwasbroughtbeforetheGermanlegislature,chargedwiththeforegoingcrimes,andmanyothers.Buthedefendedhimselfsowell,thatmanyoftheassemblyweremovedtotearsbyhiseloquenceandearnestness.Itwasdecidedthatheshouldbetreated,duringtherestofhiscaptivity,inamannermorebecominghisdignitythanhehadbeen,andthatheshouldbesetfreeonthepaymentofaheavyransom.ThisransomtheEnglishpeoplewillinglyraised.
WhenQueenEleanortookitovertoGermany,itwasatfirstevadedandrefused.ButsheappealedtothehonourofalltheprincesoftheGermanEmpireinbehalfofherson,andappealedsowellthatitwasaccepted,andtheKingreleased.Thereupon,theKingofFrancewrotetoPrinceJohn-\'Takecareofthyself.Thedevilisunchained!\'
PrinceJohnhadreasontofearhisbrother,forhehadbeenatraitortohiminhiscaptivity.HehadsecretlyjoinedtheFrenchKing;hadvowedtotheEnglishnoblesandpeoplethathisbrotherwasdead;andhadvainlytriedtoseizethecrown.HewasnowinFrance,ataplacecalledEvreux.Beingthemeanestandbasestofmen,hecontrivedameanandbaseexpedientformakinghimselfacceptabletohisbrother.HeinvitedtheFrenchofficersofthegarrisoninthattowntodinner,murderedthemall,andthentookthefortress.Withthisrecommendationtothegoodwillofalion-
heartedmonarch,hehastenedtoKingRichard,fellonhiskneesbeforehim,andobtainedtheintercessionofQueenEleanor.\'I
forgivehim,\'saidtheKing,\'andIhopeImayforgettheinjuryhehasdoneme,aseasilyasIknowhewillforgetmypardon.\'
WhileKingRichardwasinSicily,therehadbeentroubleinhisdominionsathome:oneofthebishopswhomhehadleftinchargethereof,arrestingtheother;andmaking,inhisprideandambition,asgreatashowasifhewereKinghimself.ButtheKinghearingofitatMessina,andappointinganewRegency,thisLONGCHAMPforthatwashisnamehadfledtoFranceinawoman\'sdress,andhadtherebeenencouragedandsupportedbytheFrenchKing.WithallthesecausesofoffenceagainstPhilipinhismind,KingRichardhadnosoonerbeenwelcomedhomebyhisenthusiasticsubjectswithgreatdisplayandsplendour,andhadnosoonerbeencrownedafreshatWinchester,thanheresolvedtoshowtheFrenchKingthattheDevilwasunchainedindeed,andmadewaragainsthimwithgreatfury.
Therewasfreshtroubleathomeaboutthistime,arisingoutofthediscontentsofthepoorpeople,whocomplainedthattheywerefarmoreheavilytaxedthantherich,andwhofoundaspiritedchampioninWILLIAMFITZ-OSBERT,calledLONGBEARD.Hebecametheleaderofasecretsociety,comprisingfiftythousandmen;hewasseizedbysurprise;hestabbedthecitizenwhofirstlaidhandsuponhim;andretreated,bravelyfighting,toachurch,whichhemaintainedfourdays,untilhewasdislodgedbyfire,andrunthroughthebodyashecameout.Hewasnotkilled,though;forhewasdragged,halfdead,atthetailofahorsetoSmithfield,andtherehanged.
Deathwaslongafavouriteremedyforsilencingthepeople\'sadvocates;butaswegoonwiththishistory,Ifancyweshallfindthemdifficulttomakeanendof,forallthat.
TheFrenchwar,delayedoccasionallybyatruce,wasstillinprogresswhenacertainLordnamedVIDOMAR,ViscountofLimoges,chancedtofindinhisgroundatreasureofancientcoins.AstheKing\'svassal,hesenttheKinghalfofit;buttheKingclaimedthewhole.Thelordrefusedtoyieldthewhole.TheKingbesiegedthelordinhiscastle,sworethathewouldtakethecastlebystorm,andhangeverymanofitsdefendersonthebattlements.
Therewasastrangeoldsonginthatpartofthecountry,totheeffectthatinLimogesanarrowwouldbemadebywhichKingRichardwoulddie.ItmaybethatBERTRANDDEGOURDON,ayoungmanwhowasoneofthedefendersofthecastle,hadoftensungitorhearditsungofawinternight,andremembereditwhenhesaw,fromhispostupontheramparts,theKingattendedonlybyhischiefofficerridingbelowthewallssurveyingtheplace.Hedrewanarrowtothehead,tooksteadyaim,saidbetweenhisteeth,\'NowIprayGodspeedtheewell,arrow!\'dischargedit,andstrucktheKingintheleftshoulder.
Althoughthewoundwasnotatfirstconsidereddangerous,itwassevereenoughtocausetheKingtoretiretohistent,anddirecttheassaulttobemadewithouthim.Thecastlewastaken;andeverymanofitsdefenderswashanged,astheKinghadswornallshouldbe,exceptBertranddeGourdon,whowasreserveduntiltheroyalpleasurerespectinghimshouldbeknown.
BythattimeunskilfultreatmenthadmadethewoundmortalandtheKingknewthathewasdying.HedirectedBertrandtobebroughtintohistent.Theyoungmanwasbroughtthere,heavilychained,KingRichardlookedathimsteadily.Helooked,assteadily,attheKing.
\'Knave!\'saidKingRichard.\'WhathaveIdonetotheethatthoushouldesttakemylife?\'
\'Whathastthoudonetome?\'repliedtheyoungman.\'Withthineownhandsthouhastkilledmyfatherandmytwobrothers.Myselfthouwouldesthavehanged.Letmedienow,byanytorturethatthouwilt.Mycomfortis,thatnotorturecansaveThee.Thoutoomustdie;and,throughme,theworldisquitofthee!\'
AgaintheKinglookedattheyoungmansteadily.Againtheyoungmanlookedsteadilyathim.PerhapssomeremembranceofhisgenerousenemySaladin,whowasnotaChristian,cameintothemindofthedyingKing.
\'Youth!\'hesaid,\'Iforgivethee.Gounhurt!\'Then,turningtothechiefofficerwhohadbeenridinginhiscompanywhenhereceivedthewound,KingRichardsaid:
\'Takeoffhischains,givehimahundredshillings,andlethimdepart.\'
Hesunkdownonhiscouch,andadarkmistseemedinhisweakenedeyestofillthetentwhereinhehadsooftenrested,andhedied.
Hisagewasforty-two;hehadreignedtenyears.Hislastcommandwasnotobeyed;forthechiefofficerflayedBertranddeGourdonalive,andhangedhim.
Thereisanoldtuneyetknown-asorrowfulairwillsometimesoutlivemanygenerationsofstrongmen,andevenlastlongerthanbattle-axeswithtwentypoundsofsteelinthehead-bywhichthisKingissaidtohavebeendiscoveredinhiscaptivity.BLONDEL,afavouriteMinstrelofKingRichard,asthestoryrelates,faithfullyseekinghisRoyalmaster,wentsingingitoutsidethegloomywallsofmanyforeignfortressesandprisons;untilatlasthehearditechoedfromwithinadungeon,andknewthevoice,andcriedoutinecstasy,\'ORichard,OmyKing!\'Youmaybelieveit,ifyoulike;itwouldbeeasytobelieveworsethings.RichardwashimselfaMinstrelandaPoet.IfhehadnotbeenaPrincetoo,hemighthavebeenabettermanperhaps,andmighthavegoneoutoftheworldwithlessbloodshedandwasteoflifetoanswerfor.
CHAPTERXIV-ENGLANDUNDERKINGJOHN,CALLEDLACKLAND
ATtwo-and-thirtyyearsofage,JOHNbecameKingofEngland.HisprettylittlenephewARTHURhadthebestclaimtothethrone;butJohnseizedthetreasure,andmadefinepromisestothenobility,andgothimselfcrownedatWestminsterwithinafewweeksafterhisbrotherRichard\'sdeath.Idoubtwhetherthecrowncouldpossiblyhavebeenputupontheheadofameanercoward,oramoredetestablevillain,ifEnglandhadbeensearchedfromendtoendtofindhimout.
TheFrenchKing,Philip,refusedtoacknowledgetherightofJohntohisnewdignity,anddeclaredinfavourofArthur.Youmustnotsupposethathehadanygenerosityoffeelingforthefatherlessboy;itmerelysuitedhisambitiousschemestoopposetheKingofEngland.SoJohnandtheFrenchKingwenttowaraboutArthur.
Hewasahandsomeboy,atthattimeonlytwelveyearsold.Hewasnotbornwhenhisfather,Geoffrey,hadhisbrainstrampledoutatthetournament;and,besidesthemisfortuneofneverhavingknownafather\'sguidanceandprotection,hehadtheadditionalmisfortunetohaveafoolishmotherCONSTANCEbyname,latelymarriedtoherthirdhusband.ShetookArthur,uponJohn\'saccession,totheFrenchKing,whopretendedtobeverymuchhisfriend,andwhomadehimaKnight,andpromisedhimhisdaughterinmarriage;but,whocaredsolittleabouthiminreality,thatfindingithisinteresttomakepeacewithKingJohnforatime,hedidsowithouttheleastconsiderationforthepoorlittlePrince,andheartlesslysacrificedallhisinterests.
YoungArthur,fortwoyearsafterwards,livedquietly;andinthecourseofthattimehismotherdied.But,theFrenchKingthenfindingithisinteresttoquarrelwithKingJohnagain,againmadeArthurhispretence,andinvitedtheorphanboytocourt.\'Youknowyourrights,Prince,\'saidtheFrenchKing,\'andyouwouldliketobeaKing.Isitnotso?\'\'Truly,\'saidPrinceArthur,\'I
shouldgreatlyliketobeaKing!\'\'Then,\'saidPhilip,\'youshallhavetwohundredgentlemenwhoareKnightsofmine,andwiththemyoushallgotowinbacktheprovincesbelongingtoyou,ofwhichyouruncle,theusurpingKingofEngland,hastakenpossession.I
myself,meanwhile,willheadaforceagainsthiminNormandy.\'
PoorArthurwassoflatteredandsogratefulthathesignedatreatywiththecraftyFrenchKing,agreeingtoconsiderhimhissuperiorLord,andthattheFrenchKingshouldkeepforhimselfwhateverhecouldtakefromKingJohn.
Now,KingJohnwassobadinallways,andKingPhilipwassoperfidious,thatArthur,betweenthetwo,mightaswellhavebeenalambbetweenafoxandawolf.But,beingsoyoung,hewasardentandflushedwithhope;and,whenthepeopleofBrittanywhichwashisinheritancesenthimfivehundredmoreknightsandfivethousandfootsoldiers,hebelievedhisfortunewasmade.ThepeopleofBrittanyhadbeenfondofhimfromhisbirth,andhadrequestedthathemightbecalledArthur,inremembranceofthatdimly-famousEnglishArthur,ofwhomItoldyouearlyinthisbook,whomtheybelievedtohavebeenthebravefriendandcompanionofanoldKingoftheirown.TheyhadtalesamongthemaboutaprophetcalledMERLINofthesameoldtime,whohadforetoldthattheirownKingshouldberestoredtothemafterhundredsofyears;
andtheybelievedthattheprophecywouldbefulfilledinArthur;
thatthetimewouldcomewhenhewouldrulethemwithacrownofBrittanyuponhishead;andwhenneitherKingofFrancenorKingofEnglandwouldhaveanypoweroverthem.WhenArthurfoundhimselfridinginaglitteringsuitofarmouronarichlycaparisonedhorse,attheheadofhistrainofknightsandsoldiers,hebegantobelievethistoo,andtoconsideroldMerlinaverysuperiorprophet.
Hedidnotknow-howcouldhe,beingsoinnocentandinexperienced?-thathislittlearmywasamerenothingagainstthepoweroftheKingofEngland.TheFrenchKingknewit;butthepoorboy\'sfatewaslittletohim,sothattheKingofEnglandwasworriedanddistressed.Therefore,KingPhilipwenthiswayintoNormandyandPrinceArthurwenthiswaytowardsMirebeau,aFrenchtownnearPoictiers,bothverywellpleased.
PrinceArthurwenttoattackthetownofMirebeau,becausehisgrandmotherEleanor,whohassooftenmadeherappearanceinthishistoryandwhohadalwaysbeenhismother\'senemy,waslivingthere,andbecausehisKnightssaid,\'Prince,ifyoucantakeherprisoner,youwillbeabletobringtheKingyouruncletoterms!\'
Butshewasnottobeeasilytaken.Shewasoldenoughbythistime-eighty-butshewasasfullofstratagemasshewasfullofyearsandwickedness.ReceivingintelligenceofyoungArthur\'sapproach,sheshutherselfupinahightower,andencouragedhersoldierstodefenditlikemen.PrinceArthurwithhislittlearmybesiegedthehightower.KingJohn,hearinghowmattersstood,cameuptotherescue,withHISarmy.Soherewasastrangefamily-party!Theboy-Princebesieginghisgrandmother,andhisunclebesieginghim!
Thispositionofaffairsdidnotlastlong.OnesummernightKingJohn,bytreachery,gothismenintothetown,surprisedPrinceArthur\'sforce,tooktwohundredofhisknights,andseizedthePrincehimselfinhisbed.TheKnightswereputinheavyirons,anddrivenawayinopencartsdrawnbybullocks,tovariousdungeonswheretheyweremostinhumanlytreated,andwheresomeofthemwerestarvedtodeath.PrinceArthurwassenttothecastleofFalaise.
Oneday,whilehewasinprisonatthatcastle,mournfullythinkingitstrangethatonesoyoungshouldbeinsomuchtrouble,andlookingoutofthesmallwindowinthedeepdarkwall,atthesummerskyandthebirds,thedoorwassoftlyopened,andhesawhisuncletheKingstandingintheshadowofthearchway,lookingverygrim.
\'Arthur,\'saidtheKing,withhiswickedeyesmoreonthestonefloorthanonhisnephew,\'willyounottrusttothegentleness,thefriendship,andthetruthfulnessofyourlovinguncle?\'
\'Iwilltellmylovingunclethat,\'repliedtheboy,\'whenhedoesmeright.LethimrestoretomemykingdomofEngland,andthencometomeandaskthequestion.\'
TheKinglookedathimandwentout.\'Keepthatboycloseprisoner,\'saidhetothewardenofthecastle.
Then,theKingtooksecretcounselwiththeworstofhisnobleshowthePrincewastobegotridof.Somesaid,\'Putouthiseyesandkeephiminprison,asRobortofNormandywaskept.\'Otherssaid,\'Havehimstabbed.\'Others,\'Havehimhanged.\'Others,\'Havehimpoisoned.\'
KingJohn,feelingthatinanycase,whateverwasdoneafterwards,itwouldbeasatisfactiontohismindtohavethosehandsomeeyesburntoutthathadlookedathimsoproudlywhilehisownroyaleyeswereblinkingatthestonefloor,sentcertainruffianstoFalaisetoblindtheboywithred-hotirons.ButArthursopatheticallyentreatedthem,andshedsuchpiteoustears,andsoappealedtoHUBERTDEBOURGorBURGH,thewardenofthecastle,whohadaloveforhim,andwasanhonourable,tenderman,thatHubertcouldnotbearit.Tohiseternalhonourhepreventedthetorturefrombeingperformed,and,athisownrisk,sentthesavagesaway.
ThechafedanddisappointedKingbethoughthimselfofthestabbingsuggestionnext,and,withhisshufflingmannerandhiscruelface,proposedittooneWilliamdeBray.\'Iamagentlemanandnotanexecutioner,\'saidWilliamdeBray,andleftthepresencewithdisdain.
ButitwasnotdifficultforaKingtohireamurdererinthosedays.KingJohnfoundoneforhismoney,andsenthimdowntothecastleofFalaise.\'Onwhaterranddostthoucome?\'saidHuberttothisfellow.\'TodespatchyoungArthur,\'hereturned.\'Gobacktohimwhosentthee,\'answeredHubert,\'andsaythatIwilldoit!\'
KingJohnverywellknowingthatHubertwouldneverdoit,butthathecourageouslysentthisreplytosavethePrinceorgaintime,despatchedmessengerstoconveytheyoungprisonertothecastleofRouen.
ArthurwassoonforcedfromthegoodHubert-ofwhomhehadneverstoodingreaterneedthanthen-carriedawaybynight,andlodgedinhisnewprison:where,throughhisgratedwindow,hecouldhearthedeepwatersoftheriverSeine,ripplingagainstthestonewallbelow.
Onedarknight,ashelaysleeping,dreamingperhapsofrescuebythoseunfortunategentlemenwhowereobscurelysufferinganddyinginhiscause,hewasroused,andbiddenbyhisjailertocomedownthestaircasetothefootofthetower.Hehurriedlydressedhimselfandobeyed.Whentheycametothebottomofthewindingstairs,andthenightairfromtheriverblewupontheirfaces,thejailertroduponhistorchandputitout.Then,Arthur,inthedarkness,washurriedlydrawnintoasolitaryboat.Andinthatboat,hefoundhisuncleandoneotherman.
Heknelttothem,andprayedthemnottomurderhim.Deaftohisentreaties,theystabbedhimandsunkhisbodyintheriverwithheavystones.Whenthespring-morningbroke,thetower-doorwasclosed,theboatwasgone,theriversparkledonitsway,andnevermorewasanytraceofthepoorboybeheldbymortaleyes.
ThenewsofthisatrociousmurderbeingspreadinEngland,awakenedahatredoftheKingalreadyodiousforhismanyvices,andforhishavingstolenawayandmarriedanobleladywhilehisownwifewaslivingthatneversleptagainthroughhiswholereign.InBrittany,theindignationwasintense.Arthur\'sownsisterELEANOR
wasinthepowerofJohnandshutupinaconventatBristol,buthishalf-sisterALICEwasinBrittany.Thepeoplechoseher,andthemurderedprince\'sfather-in-law,thelasthusbandofConstance,torepresentthem;andcarriedtheirfierycomplaintstoKingPhilip.KingPhilipsummonedKingJohnastheholderofterritoryinFrancetocomebeforehimanddefendhimself.KingJohnrefusingtoappear,KingPhilipdeclaredhimfalse,perjured,andguilty;andagainmadewar.Inalittletime,byconqueringthegreaterpartofhisFrenchterritory,KingPhilipdeprivedhimofone-thirdofhisdominions.And,throughallthefightingthattookplace,KingJohnwasalwaysfound,eithertobeeatinganddrinking,likeagluttonousfool,whenthedangerwasatadistance,ortoberunningaway,likeabeatencur,whenitwasnear.
Youmightsupposethatwhenhewaslosinghisdominionsatthisrate,andwhenhisownnoblescaredsolittleforhimorhiscausethattheyplainlyrefusedtofollowhisbanneroutofEngland,hehadenemiesenough.ButhemadeanotherenemyofthePope,whichhedidinthisway.
TheArchbishopofCanterburydying,andthejuniormonksofthatplacewishingtogetthestartoftheseniormonksintheappointmentofhissuccessor,mettogetheratmidnight,secretlyelectedacertainREGINALD,andsenthimofftoRometogetthePope\'sapproval.TheseniormonksandtheKingsoonfindingthisout,andbeingveryangryaboutit,thejuniormonksgaveway,andallthemonkstogetherelectedtheBishopofNorwich,whowastheKing\'sfavourite.ThePope,hearingthewholestory,declaredthatneitherelectionwoulddoforhim,andthatHEelectedSTEPHEN
LANGTON.ThemonkssubmittingtothePope,theKingturnedthemalloutbodily,andbanishedthemastraitors.ThePopesentthreebishopstotheKing,tothreatenhimwithanInterdict.TheKingtoldthebishopsthatifanyInterdictwerelaiduponhiskingdom,hewouldtearouttheeyesandcutoffthenosesofallthemonkshecouldlayholdof,andsendthemovertoRomeinthatundecoratedstateasapresentfortheirmaster.Thebishops,nevertheless,soonpublishedtheInterdict,andfled.
Afterithadlastedayear,thePopeproceededtohisnextstep;
whichwasExcommunication.KingJohnwasdeclaredexcommunicated,withalltheusualceremonies.TheKingwassoincensedatthis,andwasmadesodesperatebythedisaffectionofhisBaronsandthehatredofhispeople,thatitissaidheevenprivatelysentambassadorstotheTurksinSpain,offeringtorenouncehisreligionandholdhiskingdomofthemiftheywouldhelphim.ItisrelatedthattheambassadorswereadmittedtothepresenceoftheTurkishEmirthroughlonglinesofMoorishguards,andthattheyfoundtheEmirwithhiseyesseriouslyfixedonthepagesofalargebook,fromwhichheneveroncelookedup.ThattheygavehimaletterfromtheKingcontaininghisproposals,andweregravelydismissed.ThatpresentlytheEmirsentforoneofthem,andconjuredhim,byhisfaithinhisreligion,tosaywhatkindofmantheKingofEnglandtrulywas?Thattheambassador,thuspressed,repliedthattheKingofEnglandwasafalsetyrant,againstwhomhisownsubjectswouldsoonrise.AndthatthiswasquiteenoughfortheEmir.
Moneybeing,inhisposition,thenextbestthingtomen,KingJohnsparednomeansofgettingit.HesetonfootanotheroppressingandtorturingoftheunhappyJewswhichwasquiteinhisway,andinventedanewpunishmentforonewealthyJewofBristol.UntilsuchtimeasthatJewshouldproduceacertainlargesumofmoney,theKingsentencedhimtobeimprisoned,and,everyday,tohaveonetoothviolentlywrenchedoutofhishead-beginningwiththedoubleteeth.Forsevendays,theoppressedmanborethedailypainandlostthedailytooth;but,ontheeighth,hepaidthemoney.Withthetreasureraisedinsuchways,theKingmadeanexpeditionintoIreland,wheresomeEnglishnobleshadrevolted.
Itwasoneoftheveryfewplacesfromwhichhedidnotrunaway;
becausenoresistancewasshown.HemadeanotherexpeditionintoWales-whenceheDIDrunawayintheend:butnotbeforehehadgotfromtheWelshpeople,ashostages,twenty-sevenyoungmenofthebestfamilies;everyoneofwhomhecausedtobeslaininthefollowingyear.
ToInterdictandExcommunication,thePopenowaddedhislastsentence;Deposition.HeproclaimedJohnnolongerKing,absolvedallhissubjectsfromtheirallegiance,andsentStephenLangtonandotherstotheKingofFrancetotellhimthat,ifhewouldinvadeEngland,heshouldbeforgivenallhissins-atleast,shouldbeforgiventhembythePope,ifthatwoulddo.
AstherewasnothingthatKingPhilipdesiredmorethantoinvadeEngland,hecollectedagreatarmyatRouen,andafleetofseventeenhundredshipstobringthemover.ButtheEnglishpeople,howeverbitterlytheyhatedtheKing,werenotapeopletosufferinvasionquietly.TheyflockedtoDover,wheretheEnglishstandardwas,insuchgreatnumberstoenrolthemselvesasdefendersoftheirnativeland,thattherewerenotprovisionsforthem,andtheKingcouldonlyselectandretainsixtythousand.
But,atthiscrisis,thePope,whohadhisownreasonsforobjectingtoeitherKingJohnorKingPhilipbeingtoopowerful,interfered.Heentrustedalegate,whosenamewasPANDOLF,withtheeasytaskoffrighteningKingJohn.HesenthimtotheEnglishCamp,fromFrance,toterrifyhimwithexaggerationsofKingPhilip\'spower,andhisownweaknessinthediscontentoftheEnglishBaronsandpeople.Pandolfdischargedhiscommissionsowell,thatKingJohn,inawretchedpanic,consentedtoacknowledgeStephenLangton;toresignhiskingdom\'toGod,SaintPeter,andSaintPaul\'-whichmeantthePope;andtoholdit,everafterwards,bythePope\'sleave,onpaymentofanannualsumofmoney.TothisshamefulcontracthepubliclyboundhimselfinthechurchoftheKnightsTemplarsatDover:wherehelaidatthelegate\'sfeetapartofthetribute,whichthelegatehaughtilytrampledupon.ButtheyDOsay,thatthiswasmerelyagenteelflourish,andthathewasafterwardsseentopickitupandpocketit.
Therewasanunfortunateprophet,thenameofPeter,whohadgreatlyincreasedKingJohn\'sterrorsbypredictingthathewouldbeunknightedwhichtheKingsupposedtosignifythathewoulddiebeforetheFeastoftheAscensionshouldbepast.Thatwasthedayafterthishumiliation.Whenthenextmorningcame,andtheKing,whohadbeentremblingallnight,foundhimselfaliveandsafe,heorderedtheprophet-andhissontoo-tobedraggedthroughthestreetsatthetailsofhorses,andthenhanged,forhavingfrightenedhim.