It is observed,[308] that in anno 1255, (39 Hen. III.) upon a full meeting of the nobles in Parliament at Westminster, the king specially applied himself to this earl by a formal speech for a large supply of money, viz. forty thousand pounds, the pope having also written letters to him for that purpose, signifying that he should therein give a good example to others; but herein he answered neither of their expectations. And being a person of high repute for his heroic and noble endowments, about two years after (in the parliament[309] held at London on the Feast of the Nativity), certain nobles of Almaine being arrived here, represented[309] to the whole baronage of England then met, that by unanimous consent of the princes of the empire he was elected King of the Romans, shewing letters testimonial for further manifestation thereof; soon after which, the Archbishop of Cologne, with divers others of the nobles of that country, came[310] likewise hither, and did homage[310] to him; whereupon, he gave[310] them five hundred marks towards their travelling expenses, as also a rich mitre, adorned with precious stones; which so pleased the archbishop, that he said[310] thus, as he hath put this mitre on my head, I will put the crown of Almaine on his. In order whereunto, taking leave[310] of his friends on the third day in Easter week, he committed[310] himself to the prayers of the religious, and began his journey towards Yarmouth, there to take shipping, leaving the charge[311] of his castles and lands in England to the Bishop of London, and arriving shortly at Aquisgrave, was there crowned[312] king upon Ascension day. Having thus received that great honour, he returned[313] thence the next year after, and landed[313] at Dovor upon the day of S. Julian, where the king met him with much joy. After this, during his stay here, he made great preparation for his journey back to receive the crown of the Empire, which the pope underhand endeavoured[314] to obtain for him. But that which I have next observed to be most memorable of him is, that upon that grand rebellion of those haughty spirited barons, then headed by Montfort Earl of Leicester and Clare Earl of Gloucester, he then adhered stoutly[315] to the king; and in 48 Henry III. marched with him to Northampton, where the chief strength of all their forces at that time were met together, and that he assisted[315] him in the siege and taking of that town, as also that, pursuing their dissipated forces into Sussex, (where the Londoners, with all their power recruited them,) he commanded[316] the body of the king’s army in that fatal battle of Lewes, where he shared with him in the unhappy success of that day, being there taken prisoner. Lastly, that (in anno 1267, 51 Hen. III.) he went[317] again into Germany, and there married[317] Beatrix, niece to the Archbishop of Cologne. And in 55 Hen. III. was made[318] Governor of Rockingham Castle, in com. Northampton, and Warden of the Forest.