THE KING’S ACHIEVEMENT By Robert Hugh Benson Author of “By What Authority?” “The Light Invisible,” “A Book of the Love of Jesus,” etc. _Non minus principi turpia sunt multa supplicia, quam medico multa funera._ (Sen. de clem. 1, 24, 1.) _I must express my gratitude once more to the Rev. Dom Bede Camm, O.S.B., as well as to the Very Rev. Mgr. Barnes, who have done me great service in revising proofs and making suggestions; to the Rev. E. Conybeare, who very kindly provided the coins for the cover-design of the book; to my mother and sister, to Eustace Virgo, Esq., to Dr. Ross-Todd, and to others, who have been extremely kind in various ways during the writing of this book in the summer and autumn of 1904._ _I must also express my great indebtedness to the Right Rev. Abbot Gasquet, O.S.B., both on account of his invaluable books, which I have used freely, and for his personal kindness in answering my questions._ ROBERT HUGH BENSON _The Catholic Rectory, Cambridge, July 14, 1905._ CONTENTS BOOK I. THE KING’S WILL. CHAPTER I. A DECISION II. A FORETASTE OF PEACE III. THE ARRIVAL AT LEWES IV. A COMMISSION V. MASTER MORE VI. RALPH’S INTERCESSION VII. A MERRY PRISONER VIII. A HIGHER STEP IX. LIFE AT LEWES X. THE ARENA XI. A CLOSING-IN XII. A RECOVERY XIII. PRISONER AND PRINCE XIV. THE SACRED PURPLE XV. THE KING’S FRIEND BOOK II. THE KING’S TRIUMPH. PART I.--THE SMALLER HOUSES. I. AN ACT OF FAITH II. THE BEGINNING OF THE VISITATION III. A HOUSE OF LADIES IV. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING V. FATHER AND SON VI. A NUN’S DEFIANCE VII. ST. PANCRAS PRIORY VIII. RALPH’S RETURN IX. RALPH’S WELCOME PART II--THE FALL OF LEWES. I. INTERNAL DISSENSION II. SACERDOS IN AETERNUM III. THE NORTHERN RISING IV. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SEAL V. THE SINKING SHIP VI. THE LAST STAND VII. AXES AND HAMMERS BOOK III. THE KING’S GRATITUDE. I. A SCHEME II. A DUEL III. A PEACE-MAKER IV. THE ELDER SON V. THE MUMMERS VI. A CATASTROPHE VII. A QUESTION OF LOYALTY VIII. TO CHARING IX. A RELIEF-PARTY X. PLACENTIA XI. THE KING’S HIGHNESS XII. THE TIDINGS AT THE TOWER XIII. THE RELEASE BENEFICO--IGNOTO HVNC--LIBRVM D. THE KING’S ACHIEVEMENT CHAPTER I A DECISION