defeated. The Normans then complained to the Edward I. King of France, who gave them leave to pillage the A.D. 1293. English. A number of petty sea-fights now took place, till, at last, a large French fleet, sailing to Gascony to fetch wines, met with, and destroyed, a number of English ships. The inhabitants of the Cinque Ports were greatly enraged at this, and fitted out a fleet of about sixty vessels, to attack the French on their return from Gascony. In this they succeeded, and gained a complete victory, seizing the wine with which the ships were laden. The King of France now demanded satisfaction of Edward, who, in reply, made very reasonable proposals. But the King of France would not listen to them, and ordered, that no French goods should be sent to England, and that no English goods should be allowed to come in to France. This was an injury to both nations, -as much to his own subjects, as to the English. In those days the true principles of commerce were not understood, and people thought they could injure their neighbours without hurting themselves. Philip, the King of France, not only did this, but he also summoned Edward, as his vassal the Duke of Aquitaine, The King to appear before him at Paris, to answer for the injuries and rebellions he had committed. Edward did not appear, and the King of France declared therefore that all his French dominions were forfeited.

of France summons

the King as his

of England

vassal;

he does

The

Edward's

The French attempted to take possession of not appear. Edward's dominions, but without much success, for French try Edward had prepared to defend himself. Neverthe- to seize less he negotiated for peace, and gave his brother, Ed- dominions mund, Earl of Lancaster, who was then in France, full powers to treat on such conditions as might prove satisfactory to the French King, and not be dishon

X

in France.

Edward I. ourable to himself. Edmund however found great A.D. 1293. difficulties in bringing this about; and was on his way to England, when he was induced to return by Treachery messengers from the Queen and Queen Dowager of France, who had lent themselves, as will presently be seen, to a plot, prepared by the King of France, to obtain possession of Edward's French dominions by fraud.

of the French.

Conditions

of peace.

The Queen and Queen Dowager offered their good offices, to mediate between France and England. The conditions proposed put Edward completely in the hands of Philip. Six of the strongest castles in Gascony were to be given up to the French; an officer, appointed by the King of France, was to live, and preside in his name, in every city of the Duchy, except Bourdeaux, Bayonne, and La Reole, till peace was concluded; and the King of England was to give hostages, for the due performance of the articles of peace, that were to be agreed between them. On these conditions being fulfilled, it was agreed that the King of France should recall his summons for the appearance of King Edward in Paris, and that the two Kings should meet at Amiens to settle conditions of peace, on conclusion of which the castles and hostages were to be restored. Letters of safe conduct were to be sent to Edward, previous to his setting out for Amiens.

The

Edmund wished to make sure, that these proposals were approved of by the King of France, and, with this object, he sought an interview with him. King promised, on the word of a king, to do all that the Queens had promised. Letters were then sent to recall the Constable of France, who was on his way to invade Gascony; and the Governor of that province,

WAR WITH FRANCE RESOLVED ON.

299

believing that all matters were settled between Edward I. Edward and Philip, unwarily sold the stores he had A.D. 1293. provided for the garrisons.

French

obtain

of Gascony

Philip's treachery, and the deceit of the two Queens, The now came to light. Finding that Gascony was at his mercy, he sent orders to his Constable, to go on with possession the invasion, and the province fell into the hands of through the French. Edmund appealed to Philip, reminding him of his promises. But the French King denied all knowledge of any agreement between them, and Edmund therefore at once returned to England.

treachery.

resolved on

liament.

On his arrival, Edward summoned a Parliament, War with to meet the week after Whitsuntide, to consider what France should be done. It was agreed, that, "the countries by Parthat had been thus seized by treachery, should be recovered by the sword." Edward then sent over to France to renounce his fealty to Philip, and at once made great preparations for war. He collected an army of 20,000 foot, and 500 horse, and went himself to Portsmouth, to take command of the troops intended for the invasion of France.

adopts

raising

In order to obtain money for the war with France, The King and to quell disturbances in Wales, which had arisen illegal from the collection of taxes there, the King issued writs means for from Portsmouth, on the 26th July, A.D. 1294, to seize, money. for the King's use, all the wool and tanned hides that were got ready for exportation, giving the owners tallies for them.

"This mode of proceeding, being

* A talley was a wooden rod or stick, split lengthwise into two portions, with notches of corresponding size and position on each portion. When a buyer and seller met together, notches, corresponding (according to an agreed system) to the sums of money paid, were cut across the stick, which was then split in two, and each person kept one half. In case of any dispute, the two halves were produced, and joined together, by which means it was easily ascertained whether or not the statements as to payment were correct.

A.D. 1294.

Edward I.

very arbitrary and contrary to law, created the King A.D. 1294. much ill-will, and discontent among his subjects, to whom it was very grievous."

Quarrel with the King of Castile.

Disturbances in Wales.

At the same time, he issued other writs, summoning a Parliament to meet on the 12th November, to furnish an aid for carrying on the war. But, to the great dissatisfaction of the clergy, he also seized vast sums of money, that were hoarded up in monasteries and cathedrals for ecclesiastical uses. Edward's foreign relations became further complicated by a quarrel with the King of Castile. The vessels of the Cinque Ports, which were always prowling about for mischief, seized 280 Spanish ships, laden with merchandise for France, in consequence of which, the King of Castile declared war against Edward.

Edward remained at Portsmouth with his army, ready to embark for France, from Midsummer to the beginning of September, being delayed by contrary winds.24 At length he became weary of waiting, and appointed commanders to go in his stead. His fleet set sail, about Michaelmas, A.D. 1294, but part was driven back by storms, and consequently the forces which were landed in Gascony did not meet with much success.

King Edward, having thus provided for the war with France, turned his attention to the disturbances, which had broken out in Wales, and ordered the forces, under Earl Edmund and others, which were on their way to Gascony, to march into North Wales instead. On the 11th November, they were driven back from Denbigh. Edward himself marched into South Wales, about the end of November, where he met with better success, and then marched into North Wales. He crossed the river Conway, with a small part of his

army, and took up his quarters in Conway Castle, Edward I. where he was besieged by the Welsh, and reduced to A.D. 1294. great straits; but on the arrival of the rest of his army, the Welsh were put to flight, and the King kept his Christmas in Conway Castle. The following year, the A.D. 1295. war was carried on with great vigour, and Wales was again reduced to subjection. The King built a castle Welsh at Beaumaris, in Angles-ey, garrisoned the sea-coasts subdued. of the mainland, cut down the woods, and thus completely broke the power of the Welsh, who caused no further trouble for many years.

Wars with Scotland.

entirely

Scotland.

We must now return to Scotland. Edward having Wars with quelled the Welsh disturbances, turned his attention to the war with France, and sent to Baliol, the King of Scotland, as his vassal, to demand from him the assistance, to which, as his Lord Paramount, he was entitled. He suspected his fidelity; and indeed, he had received information, that Baliol had entered into a treaty with France, by which it was agreed, that his son should marry the niece of the King of France, and that they should help each other in making war on Edward. Baliol refused the assistance which the King of England had demanded, and prepared for He banished the English out of Scotland,

war.

and seized their estates.

Edward now prepared to invade Scotland, and compel the submission of his vassal. At Newcastle the war broke out, without immediate intention on either side. Robert de Ros, an English nobleman, Lord of the Castle of Weark, was in love with a Scotch lady, and revolted to the Scots, leaving his