Chancellor to Henry II. and tutor to his son, he became a great favourite with the king, who afterwards made him Archbishop of Canterbury. He then espoused the cause of the clergy against the king, and so exasperated him by turning against him, that he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights, in whose presence the king had a short time previously rashly exclaimed: “Is there nobody that will rid me of this turbulent priest?” RICHARD CŒUR DE LION. Reigned 1189–1199. Son of Henry II.; succeeded his father in 1189 as King Richard I. Of the ten years of his reign, six months only were spent in England; his life was passed in the crusades in the Holy Land, when after taking Acre he attacked Jerusalem, but without success. On his return through Germany, after being shipwrecked, he was imprisoned by the emperor, and was not released until he had paid a heavy ransom. Shortly after his return he was besieging a castle in France, when he was shot by an arrow. STEPHEN CARDINAL LANGTON. Born 1151—Died 1228.—John. Stephen Langton, English Chancellor of the University of Paris, was made Archbishop of Canterbury, but, owing to the king’s opposition, did not enter into possession till 1213, when John was obliged to give way. Langton formed a solemn league with the English barons against the king’s tyranny; and the Great Charter of English liberty which they drew up was signed by John at Runnymead, near Windsor, in 1215. In the Great Charter the first idea of the House of Lords is drawn out. ROGER BACON. Born 1214.—Died 1294. A Franciscan monk, born at Ilchester, in Somersetshire. A natural philosopher and man of science. He is acknowledged to have introduced the study of chemistry into England, and was the first to combine the ingredients of gunpowder, though he did not foresee to what the discovery would lead. SIMON DE MONTFORT, Died 1265.—Henry III. Earl of Leicester, headed a rebellion against King Henry III., whom he defeated and took prisoner, with his son, Prince Edward, in a battle at Lewes. During the king’s imprisonment he called together a Parliament, the first to which the boroughs sent members. Prince Edward soon after this escaped, and collecting an army, attacked Montfort near Evesham, who, although he was an experienced general, was utterly defeated, and he and one of his sons were killed and almost torn to pieces. LLEWELLYN, Died 1282.—Henry III.—Edward I. The last king of Wales, who refusing to do homage to King Edward I., was attacked by him, and taken prisoner to London. He was released on paying a heavy tribute and giving up the whole of Wales, excepting the island of Angelsea; resisting the heavy yoke put upon him, he was surprised and slain a few years afterwards, in 1282. SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. Born 1276.—Died 1305.—Henry III.—Edward I.