The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part B.: From Henry III. to Richard III. — David Hume — John Shaqi
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part B.: From Henry III. to Richard III.
David Hume · en
After this second misfortune of the French, the English barons
hastened every where to make peace with the protector, and, by an early
submission, to prevent those attainders to which they were exposed
on account of their rebellion. Lewis, whose cause was now totally
desperate, began to be anxious for the safety of his person, and was
glad, on any honorable conditions, to make his escape from a country
where he found every thing was now become hostile to him. He concluded
a peace with Pembroke, promised to evacuate the kingdom, and only
stipulated in return an indemnity to his adherents, and a restitution of
their honors and fortunes, together with the free and equal enjoyment
of those liberties which had been granted to the rest of the nation.[**]
Thus was happily ended a civil war which seemed to be founded on the
most incurable hatred and jealousy, and had threatened the kingdom with
the most fatal consequences.
The precautions which the king of France used in the conduct of this
whole affair are remarkable. He pretended that his son had accepted of
the offer from the English barons without his advice, and contrary to
his inclination: the armies sent to England were levied in Lewis’s
name: when that prince came over to France for aid, his father publicly
refused to grant him any assistance, and would not so much as admit him
to his presence: even after Henry’s party acquired the ascendant, and
Lewis was in danger of falling into the hands of his enemies, it was
Blanche of Castile his wife, not the king his father, who raised armies
and equipped fleets for his succor.[***]
*. M. Paris, p. 206. Ann. Waverl. p. 183. W. Heming. p. 563.
Trivet, p. 109. M. West. p. 277. Knyghton, p. 2428.
**. Rhymer, vol. i. p. 221. M. Paris, p. 207. Chron. Dunst.
vol. i. p. 83. M. West. p. 278. Knyghton, p. 2429.
*** M, Paris, p. 256. Chron. Dunst, vol. i. p. 82.
All these artifices were employed, not to satisfy the pope; for he had
too much penetration to be so easily imposed on: nor yet to deceive the
people; for they were too gross even for that purpose: they only served
for a coloring to Philip’s cause; and in public affairs men are often
better pleased that the truth, though known to every body, should
be wrapped up under a decent cover, than if it were exposed in open
daylight to the eyes of all the world.