HISTORICAL NOTE

THE Great Charter had done much for the freedom of the English, but the barons and prelates still made up the council. The extravagance and falseness of Henry III (1216–1272) brought into life a strong party pledged for popular rights. Earl Simon de Montfort was its leader. In 1265, he forced the king to issue writs for a Parliament, to which two knights from each shire and also two representatives from each city and borough were summoned. This was the first representative Parliament, the beginning of the House of Commons. Civil war arose, and in the battle of Evesham, De Montfort was slain. His ideas, however, lived; and during the following reign, that of Edward I (1272-1307), what was known as the "Model Parliament" was formed.

Edward III, who came to the throne in 1327, laid claim to the crown of France, and thus England became involved in the Hundred Years' War. In order to get money for this war and for the crusades, many privileges were granted to towns. The scarcity of labor brought about by the Black Death, a terrible plague which is said to have swept away half the population of England, increased its value; and the success of the yeomen in the war showed them the needlessness of their dependence upon the knights for protection. Throughout the land there was dissatisfaction and discontent. There was also a longing for the religious aid and comfort which the prelates of the Church had often failed to make manifest. A reformer arose, John Wiclif. He instituted an order of "poor priests," whose work it was to go about through the land, preaching to the poor. Wiclif's democratic teachings were believed to be responsible in part for the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, which is said to have been punished by the execution of some fifteen hundred persons. Wiclif himself died peacefully in 1384, but his followers, the Lollards as they were called, suffered severe persecution.

THE BATTLE OF EVESHAM

[1265]

BY G. P. R. JAMES

Ir was about one o'clock on the 4th of August, 1265, when Simon de Montfort- having the king upon his right hand, with Lord le Despenser, the high justiciary, on the monarch's right, the Earl of Monthermer and Lord Ralph Basset on his own left, and some four or five and twenty knights and gentlemen following close upon his steps rode out from the highway leading from Evesham to Alcester, upon that ever-renowned plain, where the truncheon of power was to be wrested from his grasp forever.

The country was for the most part open, but there was a little wood and some rising ground to the right, a rivulet running along across the patch of common land which the road now traversed, and a cultivated field with its hedge-rows on the left. About a quarter of a mile from the point at which the highway issued from between the banks, was a stone post, marking the spot where three roads, coming down from some slight hills in front, met and united in the one along which De Montfort had marched from Evesham. For nearly the same distance beyond, these roads might be seen crossing the common, and then, plunging amongst woods and hedges, they ascended the gentle slope opposite.

The day was not so fine as the preceding one; clouds were gathering in the sky; the air was heavy and oppres

sive; the horses either languid or impatient, and everything announced that the sun would go down in storms. A small advance guard had been sent forward to reconnoiter the country in front, and the head of the column of the army was about a hundred yards behind the general and his companions; but no detachment had been on this, as on the preceding day, thrown out to examine the fields to the left of the line of march.

De Montfort's brow was calm and serene; he hoped, ere many hours were over, to unite his forces to those of his eldest son, and then, turning upon his enemy, to terminate the contest at a blow. Ere he had reached the stone at the crossing of the roads, however, three or four horsemen, at headlong speed, came down from the rising ground in front, and in a moment after, the whole advance guard were seen in full retreat.

"What is this?" asked De Montfort, spurring on his horse to meet the first of the men-at-arms who were approaching. "What news bring you in such haste?"

"My lord, there is a mighty power coming down upon you," cried the man; "we saw them from the edge of the slope beyond - full twenty thousand men."

"Did you see their banners?" demanded De Montfort.

"No," answered the messenger; "there were banners in plenty, but I marked not what they were."

"You are speedily alarmed," said the earl, in a cold tone. "Hugh de Monthermer," he proceeded, speaking to the young lord, who was close behind, "gallop up that hill there to the right, and bring us word what your keen eyes can see. I will ride on to the other slope, and judge for myself."

Hugh was away in a moment, and De Montfort continued, turning in the saddle - "My kind friend, Monthermer, my good Lord Ralph, I beseech you, array the men as they issue forth from between the banks. These that are coming must be the forces of my son from Kenilworth, but it is as well to be prepared. My Lord le Despenser, I leave you to entertain His Majesty I will be back directly. Some of you gentlemen follow me"; and spurring on at full speed, he crossed the little rivulet, and ascended the first slope of the ground beyond.

He there paused, for some minutes, watching attentively the country before him, through which, upon the left-hand road, was advancing a large body of men, under numerous banners. At length, he seemed satisfied, turned his horse, and rode back at an easy canter to the spot where the old Earl of Monthermer and Lord Ralph Basset were arraying the spearmen, archers, and crossbowmen, who had by this time come forth upon the common, while the men-at-arms were only beginning to appear, taking up a position behind the infantry.

"It is as well," said De Montfort, speaking, as they returned, to one of the gentlemen who had followed him "it is as well to put them in array, for we shall halt here for an hour, while the men refresh themselves. You saw those banners?"

"Yes, my lord," replied the knight; "I marked that of your son, and that of the Earl of Oxford."

"We will give them a cheer when they come up," continued De Montfort; and he rode on to the Earl of Monthermer, saying "It is my son, Monthermer; I see his banner, and Oxford's likewise. But here comes

your nephew. Who is this he is driving down before him, at the point of the lance? A crossbowman, it seems."

"My lord - my lord!" cried Hugh de Monthermer, as he came up - "prepare for instant battle. Prince Edward's army is within a mile, and Mortimer is coming up on the right-hand road."

"What! to the right?" exclaimed De Montfort. "How came he there? Well, let them come! they will meet more than they expected. My son is on the left. Advance our wing, my good Lord of Monthermer, that we may join with him more easily."

"My lord, you are deceived," said Hugh eagerly; "the banners you have seen are not your son's."

"But" cried De Montfort.

"Speak, sirrah!" exclaimed Hugh, turning sternly to the crossbowman, whom he had driven down before him; "speak, and let the earl hear the truth. Such bitter tidings should only come from the lips of an enemy. Speak, I say. My lord, this is one of Gloucester's archers; he will tell you more."

"Let him, then," said the earl. "Who are these, marching against me, sirrah?"

"Prince Edward, Roger Mortimer, and Gilbert de Clare," replied the man. "Your son, my lord, — kill me if you will, but it is the truth, your son was surprised in his bed, at Kenilworth, his army routed and dispersed, thirteen barons displaying their own banners were taken, and as many more were slain. The banners you have seen were captured by the prince, and are hung out but to deceive you."

"And my son?" asked De Montfort, gazing earnestly in the man's face. "What of my son?"