opposing his
brother, he could never be induced to invade the just rights of the
crown. He was as much distinguished by his economy as Henry was by his
profusion; and the care with which he husbanded his income gave him
the reputation of being the most opulent prince of Europe. Yet he
allowed himself to be dazzled with the splendor of royalty, and
incautiously sacrificed his fortune to his ambition. In the beginning
of the year 1256 the archbishops of Cologne and Mainz, with the
Elector Palatine, chose him at Frankfort king of the Romans; and a few
weeks later the Archbishop of Triers, the King of Bohemia, the Duke of
Saxony, and the Marquis of Brandenburg, the other four electors, gave
their suffrages in favor of Alphonso, King of Castile. It was,
however, in an evil hour for Henry that Richard departed for Germany.
The discontented barons, no longer awed by his presence, associated to
reform the State, under the guidance of the Earl of Leicester, high
steward, the Earl of Hereford, high constable, the Earl Marshal, and
the Earl of Gloucester. The circumstances of the times were favorable
to their views. An unproductive harvest had been followed by a general
scarcity, and the people were willing to attribute their misery, not
to the inclemency of the seasons, but to the incapacity of their
governors. Henry called a great council at Westminster, and on the
third day the barons assembled in the hall in complete armor. When the
King entered, they put aside their swords; but Henry, alarmed at their
unusual appearance, exclaimed, "Am I then your prisoner?" "No, sire,"
replied Roger Bigod, "but by your partiality to foreigners, and your
own prodigality, the realm is involved in misery. Wherefore we demand
that the powers of government be delegated to a committee of barons
and prelates, who may correct abuses and enact salutary laws." Some
altercation ensued, and high words passed between the Earl of
Leicester and William de Valence, one of the King's brothers. Henry,
however, found it necessary to submit; and it was finally agreed that
he should solicit the Pope to send a legate to England and modify the
terms on which he had accepted the kingdom of Sicily; that he should
give a commission to reform the State to twenty-four prelates and
barons, of whom one-half had been already selected from his council,
the other half should be named by the barons themselves in a
parliament to be held at Oxford; and that, if he faithfully ob