the rear of the confederates, the victory might have
been secured. But he remembered the insults which the citizens had
offered to his mother, and the excesses of which they had lately been
guilty; the suggestions of prudence were less powerful than the thirst
of revenge; and the pursuit of the fugitives carried him with the
flower of the army four miles from the field of battle. More than
three thousand Londoners were slain; but the advantage was dearly
purchased by the loss of the victory and the ruin of the royal cause.
Leicester, who viewed with pleasure the thoughtless impetuosity of the
Prince, fell with the remainder of his forces on Henry and his
brother. A body of Scots, who fought on foot, was cut to pieces. Their
leaders, John Comyn and Robert de Bruce,[62] were made prisoners: the
same fate befell the King of the Romans; and the combat was feebly
maintained by the exertions and example of Philip Basset, who fought
near the person of Henry. But when that nobleman sank through loss of
blood, his retainers fled; the King, whose horse had been killed under
him, surrendered; and Leicester conducted the royal captive into the
priory. The fugitives, as soon as they learned the fate of their
sovereign, came back to share his captivity, and voluntarily yielded
themselves to their enemies.

When Edward returned from the pursuit, both armies had disappeared. He
traversed the field, which was strewed with the bodies of the slain
and the wounded, anxiously, but fruitlessly, inquiring after his
father. As he approached Lewes, the barons came out, and, on the first
shock, the earl Warenne, with the King's half-brothers and seven
hundred horse, fled to Pevensey, whence they sailed to the Continent.
Edward, with a strong body of veterans from the Welsh marches, rode
along the wall to the castle, and understanding that his father was a
captive in the priory, obtained permission to visit him from
Leicester. An unsuccessful attempt made by the barons against the
castle revived his hopes; he opened a negotiation with the chiefs of
the party; and the next morning was concluded the treaty known by the
name of "the Mise of Lewes." By this it was agreed that all prisoners
taken during the war should be set at liberty; that the princes Edward
and Henry should be kept as hostages for the peaceable conduct of
their fathers, the King of England and the King of the Romans; and
that all matters which could not be amicably adjusted in the