ard had scarcely succeeded to the throne, before he set out on a
crusade, leaving the government of his country in the hands of William
Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, as chancellor.(143) With him was associated in
the government, Hugh de Puiset, or Pudsey, Bishop of Durham, but Longchamp
soon got the supreme control of affairs into his own hands, and commenced
to act in the most tyrannical fashion. He increased the security of the
Tower of London, which had been committed to his charge, by surrounding it
with a moat,(144) and having got himself nominated papal legate, made a
progress through the country committing the greatest extortion.(145)

(M101) (M102)

Report of the Chancellor's conduct having reached the ears of Richard, he
despatched the Archbishop of Rouen to England with a new commission, but
the worthy prelate on arrival (April, 1191), was afraid to present the
commission, preferring to let matters take their course.(146) Already a
fierce rivalry had sprung up between the chancellor and John, the king's
brother, who, for purposes of his own, had espoused the cause of the
oppressed. Popular feeling at length became so strong, that Longchamp
feared to meet John and the bishops, and, instead of going to Reading,
where his attendance was required, he hastened to London. Arriving there
(7 Oct.), he called the citizens together in the Guildhall, and prayed
them to uphold the King against John, whom he denounced as aiming plainly
at the Crown. The leading men in the city at the time were Richard
Fitz-Reiner and Henry de Cornhill. These took opposite sides, the former
favouring John, whilst the latter took the side of the chancellor.(147)
John's party proving the stronger of the two, Longchamp thought it safest
to seek refuge in the Tower.(148)

(M103)

As soon as John found that the chancellor had gone to London instead of
Reading, he too hastened thither. On his arrival he was welcomed and
hospitably entertained by Richard Fitz-Reiner who gave him to understand
on what terms he might expect the support of the city.(149) As to terms,
John was ready to accede to any that might be proposed.

(M104) (M105)

The next day (8 Oct.), a meeting of the barons of the realm, as well as of
the citizens of London, was convened in St. Paul's Church, to consider the
conduct of the chancellor, and it was thereupon decided that Longchamp
should be deposed from office. The story, as told by different
chroniclers,(150) varies in some