HewentwithagaycompanytotheDukeofGloucester'shouse,PlesheyCastle,inEssex,wheretheDuke,suspectingnothing,cameoutintothecourt-yardtoreceivehisroyalvisitor.WhiletheKingconversedinafriendlymannerwiththeDuchess,theDukewasquietlyseized,hurriedaway,shippedforCalais,andlodgedinthecastlethere.Hisfriends,theEarlsofArundelandWarwick,weretakeninthesametreacherousmanner,andconfinedtotheircastles.Afewdaysafter,atNottingham,theywereimpeachedofhightreason.TheEarlofArundelwascondemnedandbeheaded,andtheEarlofWarwickwasbanished.Then,awritwassentbyamessengertotheGovernorofCalais,requiringhimtosendtheDukeofGloucesterovertobetried.Inthreedayshereturnedananswerthathecouldnotdothat,becausetheDukeofGloucesterhaddiedinprison.TheDukewasdeclaredatraitor,hispropertywasconfiscatedtotheKing,arealorpretendedconfessionhehadmadeinprisontooneoftheJusticesoftheCommonPleaswasproducedagainsthim,andtherewasanendofthematter.Howtheunfortunatedukedied,veryfewcaredtoknow.Whetherhereallydiednaturally;whetherhekilledhimself;whether,bytheKing'sorder,hewasstrangled,orsmotheredbetweentwobedsasaserving-manoftheGovernor'snamedHall,didafterwardsdeclare,cannotbediscovered.Thereisnotmuchdoubtthathewaskilled,somehoworother,byhisnephew'sorders.AmongthemostactivenoblesintheseproceedingsweretheKing'scousin,HenryBolingbroke,whomtheKinghadmadeDukeofHerefordtosmoothdowntheoldfamilyquarrels,andsomeothers:whohadinthefamily-
　　plottingtimesdonejustsuchactsthemselvesastheynowcondemnedintheduke.Theyseemtohavebeenacorruptsetofmen;butsuchmenwereeasilyfoundaboutthecourtinsuchdays.
　　Thepeoplemurmuredatallthis,andwerestillverysoreabouttheFrenchmarriage.ThenoblessawhowlittletheKingcaredforlaw,andhowcraftyhewas,andbegantobesomewhatafraidforthemselves.TheKing'slifewasalifeofcontinuedfeastingandexcess;hisretinue,downtothemeanestservants,weredressedinthemostcostlymanner,andcarousedathistables,itisrelated,tothenumberoftenthousandpersonseveryday.Hehimself,surroundedbyabodyoftenthousandarchers,andenrichedbyadutyonwoolwhichtheCommonshadgrantedhimforlife,sawnodangerofeverbeingotherwisethanpowerfulandabsolute,andwasasfierceandhaughtyasaKingcouldbe.
　　Hehadtwoofhisoldenemiesleft,inthepersonsoftheDukesofHerefordandNorfolk.Sparingthesenomorethantheothers,hetamperedwiththeDukeofHereforduntilhegothimtodeclarebeforetheCouncilthattheDukeofNorfolkhadlatelyheldsometreasonabletalkwithhim,ashewasridingnearBrentford;andthathehadtoldhim,amongotherthings,thathecouldnotbelievetheKing'soath-whichnobodycould,Ishouldthink.Forthistreacheryheobtainedapardon,andtheDukeofNorfolkwassummonedtoappearanddefendhimself.Ashedeniedthechargeandsaidhisaccuserwasaliarandatraitor,bothnoblemen,accordingtothemannerofthosetimes,wereheldincustody,andthetruthwasorderedtobedecidedbywagerofbattleatCoventry.Thiswagerofbattlemeantthatwhosoeverwonthecombatwastobeconsideredintheright;whichnonsensemeantineffect,thatnostrongmancouldeverbewrong.Agreatholidaywasmade;agreatcrowdassembled,withmuchparadeandshow;andthetwocombatantswereabouttorushateachotherwiththeirlances,whentheKing,sittinginapaviliontoseefair,threwdownthetruncheonhecarriedinhishand,andforbadethebattle.TheDukeofHerefordwastobebanishedfortenyears,andtheDukeofNorfolkwastobebanishedforlife.SosaidtheKing.TheDukeofHerefordwenttoFrance,andwentnofarther.TheDukeofNorfolkmadeapilgrimagetotheHolyLand,andafterwardsdiedatVeniceofabrokenheart.
　　Fasterandfiercer,afterthis,theKingwentoninhiscareer.
　　TheDukeofLancaster,whowasthefatheroftheDukeofHereford,diedsoonafterthedepartureofhisson;and,theKing,althoughhehadsolemnlygrantedtothatsonleavetoinherithisfather'sproperty,ifitshouldcometohimduringhisbanishment,immediatelyseizeditall,likearobber.Thejudgesweresoafraidofhim,thattheydisgracedthemselvesbydeclaringthisthefttobejustandlawful.Hisavariceknewnobounds.Heoutlawedseventeencountiesatonce,onafrivolouspretence,merelytoraisemoneybywayoffinesformisconduct.Inshort,hedidasmanydishonestthingsashecould;andcaredsolittleforthediscontentofhissubjects-thougheventhespanielfavouritesbegantowhispertohimthattherewassuchathingasdiscontentafloat-thathetookthattime,ofallothers,forleavingEnglandandmakinganexpeditionagainsttheIrish.
　　Hewasscarcelygone,leavingtheDUKEOFYORKRegentinhisabsence,whenhiscousin,HenryofHereford,cameoverfromFrancetoclaimtherightsofwhichhehadbeensomonstrouslydeprived.
　　HewasimmediatelyjoinedbythetwogreatEarlsofNorthumberlandandWestmoreland;andhisuncle,theRegent,findingtheKing'scauseunpopular,andthedisinclinationofthearmytoactagainstHenry,verystrong,withdrewwiththeRoyalforcestowardsBristol.
　　Henry,attheheadofanarmy,camefromYorkshirewherehehadlandedtoLondonandfollowedhim.Theyjoinedtheirforces-howtheybroughtthatabout,isnotdistinctlyunderstood-andproceededtoBristolCastle,whitherthreenoblemenhadtakentheyoungQueen.Thecastlesurrendering,theypresentlyputthosethreenoblementodeath.TheRegentthenremainedthere,andHenrywentontoChester.
　　Allthistime,theboisterousweatherhadpreventedtheKingfromreceivingintelligenceofwhathadoccurred.AtlengthitwasconveyedtohiminIreland,andhesentovertheEARLOFSALISBURY,who,landingatConway,ralliedtheWelshmen,andwaitedfortheKingawholefortnight;attheendofthattimetheWelshmen,whowereperhapsnotverywarmforhiminthebeginning,quitecooleddownandwenthome.WhentheKingdidlandonthecoastatlast,hecamewithaprettygoodpower,buthismencarednothingforhim,andquicklydeserted.SupposingtheWelshmentobestillatConway,hedisguisedhimselfasapriest,andmadeforthatplaceincompanywithhistwobrothersandsomefewoftheiradherents.
　　But,therewerenoWelshmenleft-onlySalisburyandahundredsoldiers.Inthisdistress,theKing'stwobrothers,ExeterandSurrey,offeredtogotoHenrytolearnwhathisintentionswere.
　　Surrey,whowastruetoRichard,wasputintoprison.Exeter,whowasfalse,tooktheroyalbadge,whichwasahart,offhisshield,andassumedtherose,thebadgeofHenry.Afterthis,itwasprettyplaintotheKingwhatHenry'sintentionswere,withoutsendinganymoremessengerstoask.
　　ThefallenKing,thusdeserted-hemmedinonallsides,andpressedwithhunger-rodehereandrodethere,andwenttothiscastle,andwenttothatcastle,endeavouringtoobtainsomeprovisions,butcouldfindnone.HerodewretchedlybacktoConway,andtheresurrenderedhimselftotheEarlofNorthumberland,whocamefromHenry,inrealitytotakehimprisoner,butinappearancetoofferterms;andwhosemenwerehiddennotfaroff.BythisearlhewasconductedtothecastleofFlint,wherehiscousinHenrymethim,anddroppedonhiskneeasifhewerestillrespectfultohissovereign.
　　'FaircousinofLancaster,'saidtheKing,'youareverywelcome'
　　verywelcome,nodoubt;buthewouldhavebeenmoreso,inchainsorwithoutahead.
　　'Mylord,'repliedHenry,'Iamcomealittlebeforemytime;but,withyourgoodpleasure,Iwillshowyouthereason.Yourpeoplecomplainwithsomebitterness,thatyouhaveruledthemrigorouslyfortwo-and-twentyyears.Now,ifitpleaseGod,Iwillhelpyoutogovernthembetterinfuture.'
　　'Faircousin,'repliedtheabjectKing,'sinceitpleasethyou,itpleasethmemightily.'
　　Afterthis,thetrumpetssounded,andtheKingwasstuckonawretchedhorse,andcarriedprisonertoChester,wherehewasmadetoissueaproclamation,callingaParliament.FromChesterhewastakenontowardsLondon.AtLichfieldhetriedtoescapebygettingoutofawindowandlettinghimselfdownintoagarden;itwasallinvain,however,andhewascarriedonandshutupintheTower,wherenoonepitiedhim,andwherethewholepeople,whosepatiencehehadquitetiredout,reproachedhimwithoutmercy.
　　Beforehegotthere,itisrelated,thathisverydoglefthimanddepartedfromhissidetolickthehandofHenry.
　　ThedaybeforetheParliamentmet,adeputationwenttothiswreckedKing,andtoldhimthathehadpromisedtheEarlofNorthumberlandatConwayCastletoresignthecrown.Hesaidhewasquitereadytodoit,andsignedapaperinwhichherenouncedhisauthorityandabsolvedhispeoplefromtheirallegiancetohim.
　　HehadsolittlespiritleftthathegavehisroyalringtohistriumphantcousinHenrywithhisownhand,andsaid,thatifhecouldhavehadleavetoappointasuccessor,thatsameHenrywasthemanofallotherswhomhewouldhavenamed.Nextday,theParliamentassembledinWestminsterHall,whereHenrysatatthesideofthethrone,whichwasemptyandcoveredwithaclothofgold.ThepaperjustsignedbytheKingwasreadtothemultitudeamidshoutsofjoy,whichwereechoedthroughallthestreets;whensomeofthenoisehaddiedaway,theKingwasformallydeposed.
　　ThenHenryarose,and,makingthesignofthecrossonhisforeheadandbreast,challengedtherealmofEnglandashisright;thearchbishopsofCanterburyandYorkseatedhimonthethrone.
　　Themultitudeshoutedagain,andtheshoutsre-echoedthroughoutallthestreets.Nooneremembered,now,thatRichardtheSecondhadeverbeenthemostbeautiful,thewisest,andthebestofprinces;andhenowmadelivingtomythinkingafarmoresorryspectacleintheTowerofLondon,thanWatTylerhadmade,lyingdead,amongthehoofsoftheroyalhorsesinSmithfield.
　　ThePoll-taxdiedwithWat.TheSmithstotheKingandRoyalFamily,couldmakenochainsinwhichtheKingcouldhangthepeople'srecollectionofhim;sothePoll-taxwasnevercollected.
　　CHAPTERXX-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFOURTH,CALLEDBOLINGBROKE
　　DURINGthelastreign,thepreachingofWickliffeagainsttheprideandcunningofthePopeandallhismen,hadmadeagreatnoiseinEngland.WhetherthenewKingwishedtobeinfavourwiththepriests,orwhetherhehoped,bypretendingtobeveryreligious,tocheatHeavenitselfintothebeliefthathewasnotausurper,I
　　don'tknow.Bothsuppositionsarelikelyenough.ItiscertainthathebeganhisreignbymakingastrongshowagainstthefollowersofWickliffe,whowerecalledLollards,orheretics-
　　althoughhisfather,JohnofGaunt,hadbeenofthatwayofthinking,ashehimselfhadbeenmorethansuspectedofbeing.ItisnolesscertainthathefirstestablishedinEnglandthedetestableandatrociouscustom,broughtfromabroad,ofburningthosepeopleasapunishmentfortheiropinions.ItwastheimportationintoEnglandofoneofthepracticesofwhatwascalledtheHolyInquisition:whichwasthemostUNholyandthemostinfamoustribunalthateverdisgracedmankind,andmademenmorelikedemonsthanfollowersofOurSaviour.
　　Norealrighttothecrown,asyouknow,wasinthisKing.EdwardMortimer,theyoungEarlofMarch-whowasonlyeightornineyearsold,andwhowasdescendedfromtheDukeofClarence,theelderbrotherofHenry'sfather-was,bysuccession,therealheirtothethrone.However,theKinggothissondeclaredPrinceofWales;and,obtainingpossessionoftheyoungEarlofMarchandhislittlebrother,kepttheminconfinementbutnotseverelyinWindsorCastle.HethenrequiredtheParliamenttodecidewhatwastobedonewiththedeposedKing,whowasquietenough,andwhoonlysaidthathehopedhiscousinHenrywouldbe'agoodlord'tohim.TheParliamentrepliedthattheywouldrecommendhisbeingkeptinsomesecretplacewherethepeoplecouldnotresort,andwherehisfriendscouldnotbeadmittedtoseehim.Henryaccordinglypassedthissentenceuponhim,anditnowbegantobeprettycleartothenationthatRichardtheSecondwouldnotliveverylong.
　　ItwasanoisyParliament,asitwasanunprincipledone,andtheLordsquarrelledsoviolentlyamongthemselvesastowhichofthemhadbeenloyalandwhichdisloyal,andwhichconsistentandwhichinconsistent,thatfortygauntletsaresaidtohavebeenthrownupontheflooratonetimeaschallengestoasmanybattles:thetruthbeingthattheywereallfalseandbasetogether,andhadbeen,atonetimewiththeoldKing,andatanothertimewiththenewone,andseldomtrueforanylengthoftimetoanyone.Theysoonbegantoplotagain.AconspiracywasformedtoinvitetheKingtoatournamentatOxford,andthentotakehimbysurpriseandkillhim.Thismurderousenterprise,whichwasagreeduponatsecretmeetingsinthehouseoftheAbbotofWestminster,wasbetrayedbytheEarlofRutland-oneoftheconspirators.TheKing,insteadofgoingtothetournamentorstayingatWindsorwheretheconspiratorssuddenlywent,onfindingthemselvesdiscovered,withthehopeofseizinghim,retiredtoLondon,proclaimedthemalltraitors,andadvanceduponthemwithagreatforce.TheyretiredintothewestofEngland,proclaimingRichardKing;but,thepeopleroseagainstthem,andtheywereallslain.
　　Theirtreasonhastenedthedeathofthedeposedmonarch.Whetherhewaskilledbyhiredassassins,orwhetherhewasstarvedtodeath,orwhetherherefusedfoodonhearingofhisbrothersbeingkilledwhowereinthatplot,isverydoubtful.Hemethisdeathsomehow;andhisbodywaspubliclyshownatSt.Paul'sCathedralwithonlythelowerpartofthefaceuncovered.IcanscarcelydoubtthathewaskilledbytheKing'sorders.
　　TheFrenchwifeofthemiserableRichardwasnowonlytenyearsold;and,whenherfather,CharlesofFrance,heardofhermisfortunesandofherlonelyconditioninEngland,hewentmad:
　　ashehadseveraltimesdonebefore,duringthelastfiveorsixyears.TheFrenchDukesofBurgundyandBourbontookupthepoorgirl'scause,withoutcaringmuchaboutit,butonthechanceofgettingsomethingoutofEngland.ThepeopleofBordeaux,whohadasortofsuperstitiousattachmenttothememoryofRichard,becausehewasbornthere,sworebytheLordthathehadbeenthebestmaninallhiskingdom-whichwasgoingratherfar-andpromisedtodogreatthingsagainsttheEnglish.Nevertheless,whentheycametoconsiderthatthey,andthewholepeopleofFrance,wereruinedbytheirownnobles,andthattheEnglishrulewasmuchthebetterofthetwo,theycooleddownagain;andthetwodukes,althoughtheywereverygreatmen,coulddonothingwithoutthem.Then,begannegotiationsbetweenFranceandEnglandforthesendinghometoParisofthepoorlittleQueenwithallherjewelsandherfortuneoftwohundredthousandfrancsingold.TheKingwasquitewillingtorestoretheyounglady,andeventhejewels;
　　buthesaidhereallycouldnotpartwiththemoney.So,atlastshewassafelydepositedatPariswithoutherfortune,andthentheDukeofBurgundywhowascousintotheFrenchKingbegantoquarrelwiththeDukeofOrleanswhowasbrothertotheFrenchKingaboutthewholematter;andthosetwodukesmadeFranceevenmorewretchedthanever.
　　AstheideaofconqueringScotlandwasstillpopularathome,theKingmarchedtotheriverTyneanddemandedhomageoftheKingofthatcountry.Thisbeingrefused,headvancedtoEdinburgh,butdidlittlethere;for,hisarmybeinginwantofprovisions,andtheScotchbeingverycarefultoholdhimincheckwithoutgivingbattle,hewasobligedtoretire.Itistohisimmortalhonourthatinthissallyheburntnovillagesandslaughterednopeople,butwasparticularlycarefulthathisarmyshouldbemercifulandharmless.Itwasagreatexampleinthoseruthlesstimes.
　　AwaramongtheborderpeopleofEnglandandScotlandwentonfortwelvemonths,andthentheEarlofNorthumberland,thenoblemanwhohadhelpedHenrytothecrown,begantorebelagainsthim-
　　probablybecausenothingthatHenrycoulddoforhimwouldsatisfyhisextravagantexpectations.TherewasacertainWelshgentleman,namedOWENGLENDOWER,whohadbeenastudentinoneoftheInnsofCourt,andhadafterwardsbeenintheserviceofthelateKing,whoseWelshpropertywastakenfromhimbyapowerfullordrelatedtothepresentKing,whowashisneighbour.Appealingforredress,andgettingnone,hetookuparms,wasmadeanoutlaw,anddeclaredhimselfsovereignofWales.Hepretendedtobeamagician;andnotonlyweretheWelshpeoplestupidenoughtobelievehim,but,evenHenrybelievedhimtoo;for,makingthreeexpeditionsintoWales,andbeingthreetimesdrivenbackbythewildnessofthecountry,thebadweather,andtheskillofGlendower,hethoughthewasdefeatedbytheWelshman'smagicarts.However,hetookLordGreyandSirEdmundMortimer,prisoners,andallowedtherelativesofLordGreytoransomhim,butwouldnotextendsuchfavourtoSirEdmundMortimer.Now,HenryPercy,calledHOTSPUR,sonoftheEarlofNorthumberland,whowasmarriedtoMortimer'ssister,issupposedtohavetakenoffenceatthis;and,therefore,inconjunctionwithhisfatherandsomeothers,tohavejoinedOwenGlendower,andrisenagainstHenry.Itisbynomeansclearthatthiswastherealcauseoftheconspiracy;butperhapsitwasmadethepretext.Itwasformed,andwasverypowerful;includingSCROOP,ArchbishopofYork,andtheEARLOFDOUGLAS,apowerfulandbraveScottishnobleman.TheKingwaspromptandactive,andthetwoarmiesmetatShrewsbury.
　　Therewereaboutfourteenthousandmenineach.TheoldEarlofNorthumberlandbeingsick,therebelforceswereledbyhisson.
　　TheKingworeplainarmourtodeceivetheenemy;andfournoblemen,withthesameobject,woretheroyalarms.Therebelchargewassofurious,thateveryoneofthosegentlemenwaskilled,theroyalstandardwasbeatendown,andtheyoungPrinceofWaleswasseverelywoundedintheface.Buthewasoneofthebravestandbestsoldiersthateverlived,andhefoughtsowell,andtheKing'stroopsweresoencouragedbyhisboldexample,thattheyralliedimmediately,andcuttheenemy'sforcesalltopieces.
　　Hotspurwaskilledbyanarrowinthebrain,andtheroutwassocompletethatthewholerebellionwasstruckdownbythisoneblow.
　　TheEarlofNorthumberlandsurrenderedhimselfsoonafterhearingofthedeathofhisson,andreceivedapardonforallhisoffences.
　　Thereweresomelingeringsofrebellionyet:OwenGlendowerbeingretiredtoWales,andapreposterousstorybeingspreadamongtheignorantpeoplethatKingRichardwasstillalive.Howtheycouldhavebelievedsuchnonsenseitisdifficulttoimagine;buttheycertainlydidsupposethattheCourtfoolofthelateKing,whowassomethinglikehim,washe,himself;sothatitseemedasif,aftergivingsomuchtroubletothecountryinhislife,hewasstilltotroubleitafterhisdeath.Thiswasnottheworst.TheyoungEarlofMarchandhisbrotherwerestolenoutofWindsorCastle.
　　Beingretaken,andbeingfoundtohavebeenspiritedawaybyoneLadySpencer,sheaccusedherownbrother,thatEarlofRutlandwhowasintheformerconspiracyandwasnowDukeofYork,ofbeingintheplot.Forthishewasruinedinfortune,thoughnotputtodeath;andthenanotherplotaroseamongtheoldEarlofNorthumberland,someotherlords,andthatsameScroop,ArchbishopofYork,whowaswiththerebelsbefore.Theseconspiratorscausedawritingtobepostedonthechurchdoors,accusingtheKingofavarietyofcrimes;but,theKingbeingeagerandvigilanttoopposethem,theywerealltaken,andtheArchbishopwasexecuted.ThiswasthefirsttimethatagreatchurchmanhadbeenslainbythelawinEngland;buttheKingwasresolvedthatitshouldbedone,anddoneitwas.
　　Thenextmostremarkableeventofthistimewastheseizure,byHenry,oftheheirtotheScottishthrone-James,aboyofnineyearsold.Hehadbeenputaboard-shipbyhisfather,theScottishKingRobert,tosavehimfromthedesignsofhisuncle,when,onhiswaytoFrance,hewasaccidentallytakenbysomeEnglishcruisers.HeremainedaprisonerinEnglandfornineteenyears,andbecameinhisprisonastudentandafamouspoet.
　　WiththeexceptionofoccasionaltroubleswiththeWelshandwiththeFrench,therestofKingHenry'sreignwasquietenough.But,theKingwasfarfromhappy,andprobablywastroubledinhisconsciencebyknowingthathehadusurpedthecrown,andhadoccasionedthedeathofhismiserablecousin.ThePrinceofWales,thoughbraveandgenerous,issaidtohavebeenwildanddissipated,andeventohavedrawnhisswordonGASCOIGNE,theChiefJusticeoftheKing'sBench,becausehewasfirmindealingimpartiallywithoneofhisdissolutecompanions.UponthistheChiefJusticeissaidtohaveorderedhimimmediatelytoprison;
　　thePrinceofWalesissaidtohavesubmittedwithagoodgrace;
　　andtheKingissaidtohaveexclaimed,'Happyisthemonarchwhohassojustajudge,andasonsowillingtoobeythelaws.'Thisisallverydoubtful,andsoisanotherstoryofwhichShakespearehasmadebeautifuluse,thatthePrinceoncetookthecrownoutofhisfather'schamberashewassleeping,andtrieditonhisownhead.
　　TheKing'shealthsankmoreandmore,andhebecamesubjecttoviolenteruptionsonthefaceandtobadepilepticfits,andhisspiritssankeveryday.Atlast,ashewasprayingbeforetheshrineofSt.EdwardatWestminsterAbbey,hewasseizedwithaterriblefit,andwascarriedintotheAbbot'schamber,wherehepresentlydied.IthadbeenforetoldthathewoulddieatJerusalem,whichcertainlyisnot,andneverwas,Westminster.
　　But,astheAbbot'sroomhadlongbeencalledtheJerusalemchamber,peoplesaiditwasallthesamething,andwerequitesatisfiedwiththeprediction.
　　TheKingdiedonthe20thofMarch,1413,intheforty-seventhyearofhisage,andthefourteenthofhisreign.HewasburiedinCanterburyCathedral.Hehadbeentwicemarried,andhad,byhisfirstwife,afamilyoffoursonsandtwodaughters.Consideringhisduplicitybeforehecametothethrone,hisunjustseizureofit,andaboveall,hismakingthatmonstrouslawfortheburningofwhatthepriestscalledheretics,hewasareasonablygoodking,askingswent.
　　CHAPTERXXI-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEFIFTH
　　FIRSTPART
　　THEPrinceofWalesbeganhisreignlikeagenerousandhonestman.
　　HesettheyoungEarlofMarchfree;herestoredtheirestatesandtheirhonourstothePercyfamily,whohadlostthembytheirrebellionagainsthisfather;heorderedtheimbecileandunfortunateRichardtobehonourablyburiedamongtheKingsofEngland;andhedismissedallhiswildcompanions,withassurancesthattheyshouldnotwant,iftheywouldresolvetobesteady,faithful,andtrue.
　　Itismucheasiertoburnmenthantoburntheiropinions;andthoseoftheLollardswerespreadingeveryday.TheLollardswererepresentedbythepriests-probablyfalselyforthemostpart-
　　toentertaintreasonabledesignsagainstthenewKing;andHenry,sufferinghimselftobeworkeduponbytheserepresentations,sacrificedhisfriendSirJohnOldcastle,theLordCobham,tothem,aftertryinginvaintoconverthimbyarguments.Hewasdeclaredguilty,astheheadofthesect,andsentencedtotheflames;butheescapedfromtheTowerbeforethedayofexecutionpostponedforfiftydaysbytheKinghimself,andsummonedtheLollardstomeethimnearLondononacertainday.SotheprieststoldtheKing,atleast.Idoubtwhethertherewasanyconspiracybeyondsuchaswasgotupbytheiragents.Onthedayappointed,insteadoffive-and-twentythousandmen,underthecommandofSirJohnOldcastle,inthemeadowsofSt.Giles,theKingfoundonlyeightymen,andnoSirJohnatall.Therewas,inanotherplace,anaddle-headedbrewer,whohadgoldtrappingstohishorses,andapairofgiltspursinhisbreast-expectingtobemadeaknightnextdaybySirJohn,andsotogaintherighttowearthem-buttherewasnoSirJohn,nordidanybodygiveinformationrespectinghim,thoughtheKingofferedgreatrewardsforsuchintelligence.
　　ThirtyoftheseunfortunateLollardswerehangedanddrawnimmediately,andwerethenburnt,gallowsandall;andthevariousprisonsinandaroundLondonwerecrammedfullofothers.Someoftheseunfortunatemenmadevariousconfessionsoftreasonabledesigns;but,suchconfessionswereeasilygot,undertortureandthefearoffire,andareverylittletobetrusted.TofinishthesadstoryofSirJohnOldcastleatonce,ImaymentionthatheescapedintoWales,andremainedtheresafely,forfouryears.
　　WhendiscoveredbyLordPowis,itisverydoubtfulifhewouldhavebeentakenalive-sogreatwastheoldsoldier'sbravery-ifamiserableoldwomanhadnotcomebehindhimandbrokenhislegswithastool.HewascarriedtoLondoninahorse-litter,wasfastenedbyanironchaintoagibbet,andsoroastedtodeath.
　　TomakethestateofFranceasplainasIcaninafewwords,I
　　shouldtellyouthattheDukeofOrleans,andtheDukeofBurgundy,commonlycalled'Johnwithoutfear,'hadhadagrandreconciliationoftheirquarrelinthelastreign,andhadappearedtobequiteinaheavenlystateofmind.Immediatelyafterwhich,onaSunday,inthepublicstreetsofParis,theDukeofOrleanswasmurderedbyapartyoftwentymen,setonbytheDukeofBurgundy-accordingtohisowndeliberateconfession.ThewidowofKingRichardhadbeenmarriedinFrancetotheeldestsonoftheDukeofOrleans.ThepoormadKingwasquitepowerlesstohelpher,andtheDukeofBurgundybecametherealmasterofFrance.Isabelladying,herhusbandDukeofOrleanssincethedeathofhisfathermarriedthedaughteroftheCountofArmagnac,who,beingamuchablermanthanhisyoungson-in-law,headedhisparty;thencecalledafterhimArmagnacs.Thus,Francewasnowinthisterriblecondition,thatithadinitthepartyoftheKing'sson,theDauphinLouis;thepartyoftheDukeofBurgundy,whowasthefatheroftheDauphin'sill-usedwife;andthepartyoftheArmagnacs;allhatingeachother;allfightingtogether;allcomposedofthemostdepravednoblesthattheearthhaseverknown;andalltearingunhappyFrancetopieces.
　　ThelateKinghadwatchedthesedissensionsfromEngland,sensibleliketheFrenchpeoplethatnoenemyofFrancecouldinjurehermorethanherownnobility.ThepresentKingnowadvancedaclaimtotheFrenchthrone.Hisdemandbeing,ofcourse,refused,hereducedhisproposaltoacertainlargeamountofFrenchterritory,andtodemandingtheFrenchprincess,Catherine,inmarriage,withafortuneoftwomillionsofgoldencrowns.Hewasofferedlessterritoryandfewercrowns,andnoprincess;buthecalledhisambassadorshomeandpreparedforwar.Then,heproposedtotaketheprincesswithonemillionofcrowns.TheFrenchCourtrepliedthatheshouldhavetheprincesswithtwohundredthousandcrownsless;hesaidthiswouldnotdohehadneverseentheprincessinhislife,andassembledhisarmyatSouthampton.Therewasashortplotathomejustatthattime,fordeposinghim,andmakingtheEarlofMarchking;buttheconspiratorswereallspeedilycondemnedandexecuted,andtheKingembarkedforFrance.
　　Itisdreadfultoobservehowlongabadexamplewillbefollowed;
　　but,itisencouragingtoknowthatagoodexampleisneverthrownaway.TheKing'sfirstactondisembarkingatthemouthoftheriverSeine,threemilesfromHarfleur,wastoimitatehisfather,andtoproclaimhissolemnordersthatthelivesandpropertyofthepeaceableinhabitantsshouldberespectedonpainofdeath.ItisagreedbyFrenchwriters,tohislastingrenown,thatevenwhilehissoldiersweresufferingthegreatestdistressfromwantoffood,thesecommandswererigidlyobeyed.
　　Withanarmyinallofthirtythousandmen,hebesiegedthetownofHarfleurbothbyseaandlandforfiveweeks;attheendofwhichtimethetownsurrendered,andtheinhabitantswereallowedtodepartwithonlyfivepenceeach,andapartoftheirclothes.AlltherestoftheirpossessionswasdividedamongsttheEnglisharmy.
　　But,thatarmysufferedsomuch,inspiteofitssuccesses,fromdiseaseandprivation,thatitwasalreadyreducedonehalf.
　　Still,theKingwasdeterminednottoretireuntilhehadstruckagreaterblow.Therefore,againsttheadviceofallhiscounsellors,hemovedonwithhislittleforcetowardsCalais.
　　WhenhecameuptotheriverSommehewasunabletocross,inconsequenceofthefortbeingfortified;and,astheEnglishmoveduptheleftbankoftheriverlookingforacrossing,theFrench,whohadbrokenallthebridges,moveduptherightbank,watchingthem,andwaitingtoattackthemwhentheyshouldtrytopassit.
　　AtlasttheEnglishfoundacrossingandgotsafelyover.TheFrenchheldacouncilofwaratRouen,resolvedtogivetheEnglishbattle,andsentheraldstoKingHenrytoknowbywhichroadhewasgoing.'BytheroadthatwilltakemestraighttoCalais!'saidtheKing,andsentthemawaywithapresentofahundredcrowns.
　　TheEnglishmovedon,untiltheybeheldtheFrench,andthentheKinggaveorderstoforminlineofbattle.TheFrenchnotcomingon,thearmybrokeupafterremaininginbattlearraytillnight,andgotgoodrestandrefreshmentataneighbouringvillage.TheFrenchwerenowalllyinginanothervillage,throughwhichtheyknewtheEnglishmustpass.TheywereresolvedthattheEnglishshouldbeginthebattle.TheEnglishhadnomeansofretreat,iftheirKinghadanysuchintention;andsothetwoarmiespassedthenight,closetogether.
　　Tounderstandthesearmieswell,youmustbearinmindthattheimmenseFrencharmyhad,amongitsnotablepersons,almostthewholeofthatwickednobility,whosedebaucheryhadmadeFranceadesert;andsobesottedweretheybypride,andbycontemptforthecommonpeople,thattheyhadscarcelyanybowmenifindeedtheyhadanyatallintheirwholeenormousnumber:which,comparedwiththeEnglisharmy,wasatleastassixtoone.Fortheseproudfoolshadsaidthatthebowwasnotafitweaponforknightlyhands,andthatFrancemustbedefendedbygentlemenonly.Weshallsee,presently,whathandthegentlemenmadeofit.
　　Now,ontheEnglishside,amongthelittleforce,therewasagoodproportionofmenwhowerenotgentlemenbyanymeans,butwhoweregoodstoutarchersforallthat.Amongthem,inthemorning-
　　havingsleptlittleatnight,whiletheFrenchwerecarousingandmakingsureofvictory-theKingrode,onagreyhorse;wearingonhisheadahelmetofshiningsteel,surmountedbyacrownofgold,sparklingwithpreciousstones;andbearingoverhisarmour,embroideredtogether,thearmsofEnglandandthearmsofFrance.
　　Thearcherslookedattheshininghelmetandthecrownofgoldandthesparklingjewels,andadmiredthemall;but,whattheyadmiredmostwastheKing'scheerfulface,andhisbrightblueeye,ashetoldthemthat,forhimself,hehadmadeuphismindtoconquerthereortodiethere,andthatEnglandshouldneverhavearansomtopayforHIM.Therewasonebraveknightwhochancedtosaythathewishedsomeofthemanygallantgentlemenandgoodsoldiers,whowerethenidleathomeinEngland,weretheretoincreasetheirnumbers.ButtheKingtoldhimthat,forhispart,hedidnotwishforonemoreman.'Thefewerwehave,'saidhe,'thegreaterwillbethehonourweshallwin!'Hismen,beingnowallingoodheart,wererefreshedwithbreadandwine,andheardprayers,andwaitedquietlyfortheFrench.TheKingwaitedfortheFrench,becausetheyweredrawnupthirtydeepthelittleEnglishforcewasonlythreedeep,onverydifficultandheavyground;andheknewthatwhentheymoved,theremustbeconfusionamongthem.
　　Astheydidnotmove,hesentofftwoparties:-onetolieconcealedinawoodontheleftoftheFrench:theother,tosetfiretosomehousesbehindtheFrenchafterthebattleshouldbebegun.Thiswasscarcelydone,whenthreeoftheproudFrenchgentlemen,whoweretodefendtheircountrywithoutanyhelpfromthebasepeasants,cameridingout,callingupontheEnglishtosurrender.TheKingwarnedthosegentlemenhimselftoretirewithallspeediftheycaredfortheirlives,andorderedtheEnglishbannerstoadvance.Uponthat,SirThomasErpingham,agreatEnglishgeneral,whocommandedthearchers,threwhistruncheonintotheair,joyfully,andalltheEnglishmen,kneelingdownuponthegroundandbitingitasiftheytookpossessionofthecountry,roseupwithagreatshoutandfellupontheFrench.
　　Everyarcherwasfurnishedwithagreatstaketippedwithiron;andhisorderswere,tothrustthisstakeintotheground,todischargehisarrow,andthentofallback,whentheFrenchhorsemencameon.
　　AsthehaughtyFrenchgentlemen,whoweretobreaktheEnglisharchersandutterlydestroythemwiththeirknightlylances,cameridingup,theywerereceivedwithsuchablindingstormofarrows,thattheybrokeandturned.Horsesandmenrolledoveroneanother,andtheconfusionwasterrific.Thosewhoralliedandchargedthearchersgotamongthestakesonslipperyandboggyground,andweresobewilderedthattheEnglisharchers-whoworenoarmour,andeventookofftheirleatherncoatstobemoreactive-cutthemtopieces,rootandbranch.OnlythreeFrenchhorsemengotwithinthestakes,andthosewereinstantlydespatched.AllthistimethedenseFrencharmy,beinginarmour,weresinkingknee-deepintothemire;whilethelightEnglisharchers,half-
　　naked,wereasfreshandactiveasiftheywerefightingonamarblefloor.
　　Butnow,theseconddivisionoftheFrenchcomingtothereliefofthefirst,closedupinafirmmass;theEnglish,headedbytheKing,attackedthem;andthedeadliestpartofthebattlebegan.
　　TheKing'sbrother,theDukeofClarence,wasstruckdown,andnumbersoftheFrenchsurroundedhim;but,KingHenry,standingoverthebody,foughtlikealionuntiltheywerebeatenoff.
　　Presently,cameupabandofeighteenFrenchknights,bearingthebannerofacertainFrenchlord,whohadsworntokillortaketheEnglishKing.Oneofthemstruckhimsuchablowwithabattle-axethathereeledandfelluponhisknees;but,hisfaithfulmen,immediatelyclosingroundhim,killedeveryoneofthoseeighteenknights,andsothatFrenchlordneverkepthisoath.
　　TheFrenchDukeofAlen噊n,seeingthis,madeadesperatecharge,andcuthiswaycloseuptotheRoyalStandardofEngland.HebeatdowntheDukeofYork,whowasstandingnearit;and,whentheKingcametohisrescue,struckoffapieceofthecrownhewore.But,heneverstruckanotherblowinthisworld;for,evenashewasintheactofsayingwhohewas,andthathesurrenderedtotheKing;
　　andevenastheKingstretchedouthishandtogivehimasafeandhonourableacceptanceoftheoffer;hefelldead,piercedbyinnumerablewounds.
　　Thedeathofthisnoblemandecidedthebattle.ThethirddivisionoftheFrencharmy,whichhadneverstruckablowyet,andwhichwas,initself,morethandoublethewholeEnglishpower,brokeandfled.Atthistimeofthefight,theEnglish,whoasyethadmadenoprisoners,begantotaketheminimmensenumbers,andwerestilloccupiedindoingso,orinkillingthosewhowouldnotsurrender,whenagreatnoisearoseintherearoftheFrench-theirflyingbannerswereseentostop-andKingHenry,supposingagreatreinforcementtohavearrived,gaveordersthatalltheprisonersshouldbeputtodeath.Assoon,however,asitwasfoundthatthenoisewasonlyoccasionedbyabodyofplunderingpeasants,theterriblemassacrewasstopped.
　　ThenKingHenrycalledtohimtheFrenchherald,andaskedhimtowhomthevictorybelonged.
　　Theheraldreplied,'TotheKingofEngland.'
　　'WEhavenotmadethishavocandslaughter,'saidtheKing.'ItisthewrathofHeavenonthesinsofFrance.Whatisthenameofthatcastleyonder?'
　　Theheraldansweredhim,'Mylord,itisthecastleofAzincourt.'
　　SaidtheKing,'Fromhenceforththisbattleshallbeknowntoposterity,bythenameofthebattleofAzincourt.'
　　OurEnglishhistorianshavemadeitAgincourt;but,underthatname,itwilleverbefamousinEnglishannals.
　　ThelossupontheFrenchsidewasenormous.ThreeDukeswerekilled,twomoreweretakenprisoners,sevenCountswerekilled,threemoreweretakenprisoners,andtenthousandknightsandgentlemenwereslainuponthefield.TheEnglishlossamountedtosixteenhundredmen,amongwhomweretheDukeofYorkandtheEarlofSuffolk.
　　Warisadreadfulthing;anditisappallingtoknowhowtheEnglishwereobliged,nextmorning,tokillthoseprisonersmortallywounded,whoyetwrithedinagonyupontheground;howthedeadupontheFrenchsidewerestrippedbytheirowncountrymenandcountrywomen,andafterwardsburiedingreatpits;howthedeadupontheEnglishsidewerepiledupinagreatbarn,andhowtheirbodiesandthebarnwereallburnedtogether.Itisinsuchthings,andinmanymoremuchtoohorribletorelate,thattherealdesolationandwickednessofwarconsist.Nothingcanmakewarotherwisethanhorrible.Butthedarksideofitwaslittlethoughtofandsoonforgotten;anditcastnoshadeoftroubleontheEnglishpeople,exceptonthosewhohadlostfriendsorrelationsinthefight.TheywelcomedtheirKinghomewithshoutsofrejoicing,andplungedintothewatertobearhimashoreontheirshoulders,andflockedoutincrowdstowelcomehimineverytownthroughwhichhepassed,andhungrichcarpetsandtapestriesoutofthewindows,andstrewedthestreetswithflowers,andmadethefountainsrunwithwine,asthegreatfieldofAgincourthadrunwithblood.
　　SECONDPART
　　THATproudandwickedFrenchnobilitywhodraggedtheircountrytodestruction,andwhowereeverydayandeveryyearregardedwithdeeperhatredanddetestationintheheartsoftheFrenchpeople,learntnothing,evenfromthedefeatofAgincourt.Sofarfromunitingagainstthecommonenemy,theybecame,amongthemselves,moreviolent,morebloody,andmorefalse-ifthatwerepossible-
　　thantheyhadbeenbefore.TheCountofArmagnacpersuadedtheFrenchkingtoplunderofhertreasuresQueenIsabellaofBavaria,andtomakeheraprisoner.She,whohadhithertobeenthebitterenemyoftheDukeofBurgundy,proposedtojoinhim,inrevenge.
　　HecarriedherofftoTroyes,wheresheproclaimedherselfRegentofFrance,andmadehimherlieutenant.TheArmagnacpartywereatthattimepossessedofParis;but,oneofthegatesofthecitybeingsecretlyopenedonacertainnighttoapartyoftheduke'smen,theygotintoParis,threwintotheprisonsalltheArmagnacsuponwhomtheycouldlaytheirhands,and,afewnightsafterwards,withtheaidofafuriousmobofsixtythousandpeople,broketheprisonsopen,andkilledthemall.TheformerDauphinwasnowdead,andtheKing'sthirdsonborethetitle.Him,intheheightofthismurderousscene,aFrenchknighthurriedoutofbed,wrappedinasheet,andboreawaytoPoitiers.So,whentherevengefulIsabellaandtheDukeofBurgundyenteredParisintriumphaftertheslaughteroftheirenemies,theDauphinwasproclaimedatPoitiersastherealRegent.
　　KingHenryhadnotbeenidlesincehisvictoryofAgincourt,buthadrepulsedabraveattemptoftheFrenchtorecoverHarfleur;hadgraduallyconqueredagreatpartofNormandy;and,atthiscrisisofaffairs,tooktheimportanttownofRouen,afterasiegeofhalfayear.ThisgreatlosssoalarmedtheFrench,thattheDukeofBurgundyproposedthatameetingtotreatofpeaceshouldbeheldbetweentheFrenchandtheEnglishkingsinaplainbytheriverSeine.Ontheappointedday,KingHenryappearedthere,withhistwobrothers,ClarenceandGloucester,andathousandmen.TheunfortunateFrenchKing,beingmoremadthanusualthatday,couldnotcome;buttheQueencame,andwithherthePrincessCatherine: