the Scotch nobles would give him a chance of dealing Edward I. with Scotland, as he had dealt with Wales. But, if A.D. 1292. such ideas did cross his mind, he did not allow them to influence his acts before Baliol was on the throne. It is, however, unusual, to wait till the victim is firmly seated in a place of power, before an attempt is made to sacrifice him. Still, till Baliol was on the throne, Edward treated him with justice and courtesy. No sooner was he made king, than Edward became unjust and despotic towards him.

behaves

Within four days of Baliol's doing homage, a and complaint was made against some of the judges unjustly. appointed by Edward while the throne was empty. Edward was reminded, that he had promised to observe the laws of Scotland, in answer to which, Roger Brabazon, his Justiciary, replied, that, "if the King of England had made any such temporary promises, when there was no king in Scotland, he had performed them, and that, by such promises, he would not now be restrained or bound." The King himself repeated the same, and added, that, "if it were necessary, and the quality of the cause required it, he would call the King of Scotland himself, to appear before him, in his kingdom of England."

releases

promises,

quently has

This threat was soon put in execution; but, in the Baliol meantime, the wretched Baliol had released King the King Edward from all his promises and oaths. Baliol from his had now to submit to still further degradation. The and conseEarl of Fife complained, that he had been deprived of to submit certain lands and tenements by Baliol, and appealed degrada to Edward, as his Lord Paramount, for redress. tion. Edward summoned Baliol to appear before him in England, although it had been agreed, in the marriage treaty, that no person should be summoned out of

to further

Edward I. Scotland to do homage.

A.D. 1292.

He

Baliol had spirit enough, for the moment, to disregard this summons, but, on Edward again summoning him to appear before his Parliament at Westminster, his heart failed him. A.D. 1293. presented himself before the Parliament, the following Michaelmas, A.D. 1293. On being asked, what answer he had to make to the complaints of the Earl of Fife, he replied, "I am the King of Scotland. To the complaint of Macduff, or to any matters respecting my kingdom, I dare not make answer without the advice of my people." "What means this refusal ?" cried Edward. "Are you not my liegeman? have you not done homage to me? is it not my summons that brings you here?" Balio still struggled in the meshes of the net, in which he was entangled, alleging, that he dared not answer without the advice of his people. The Parliament supported Edward, and advised him to seize three of the strongest castles in Scotland. But he feared to go too far. He did not wish to provoke the Scotch into open rebellion, and at last, agreed to postpone the further consideration of this business till the following year.

Disputes with France.

Origin of quarrel with

France.

Wars with France.

We must now leave Scotland for a time, as Edward was occupied in disputes with France, and disturbances in Wales, during the next two years.

In

The dispute with France began in this way. the spring of A.D. 1293, certain English and Norman seamen were getting water for their ships, at a spring on the coast of Normandy, when a quarrel arose between them, which ended in the death of a Norman. His countrymen tried to avenge his death, but were

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. 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, 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. he does 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. Nevertheless 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

The King

of France summons

the King as his

of England

vassal;

The

to seize

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

of the French.

Conditions

of peace.

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.

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.

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. The 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,

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

of Gascony

Philip's treachery, and the deceit of the two Queens, The now came to light. Finding that Gascony was at his obtain 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.