nry. With
their leader, the hopes of the barons had been extinguished: they
spontaneously set at liberty the prisoners who had been detained since
the battle of Lewes, and anxiously awaited the determination of the
Parliament, which had been summoned to meet at Winchester. In that
assembly it was enacted that all grants and patents issued under the
King's seal during the time of his captivity should be revoked; that
the citizens of London, for their obstinacy and excesses, should
forfeit their charter; that the Countess of Leicester and her family
should quit the kingdom; and that the estates of all who had adhered
to the late earl should be confiscated. The rigor of the last article
was afterward softened by a declaration, in which the King granted a
free pardon to those who could show that their conduct had not been
voluntary, but the effect of compulsion. These measures, however, were
not calculated to restore the public tranquillity. The sufferers,
prompted by revenge, or compelled by want, had again recourse to the
sword; the mountains, forests, and morasses furnished them with places
of retreat; and the flames of predatory warfare were kindled in most
parts of the kingdom. To reduce these partial but successive
insurrections occupied Prince Edward the greater part of two years. He
first compelled Simon de Montfort and his associates, who had sought
an asylum in the Isle of Axholm, to submit to the award which should
be given by himself and the King of the Romans. He next led his forces
against the men of the Cinque Ports, who had long been distinguished
by their attachment to Leicester, and who since his fall had, by their
piracies, interrupted the commerce of the narrow seas, and made prizes
of all ships belonging to the King's subjects. The capture of
Winchelsea, which was carried by storm, taught them to respect the
authority of the sovereign; and their power by sea made the Prince
desirous to recall them to their duty and attach them to the crown.
They swore fealty to Henry; and in return obtained a full pardon and
the confirmation of their privileges. From the Cinque Ports Edward
proceeded to Hampshire, which, with Berkshire and the neighboring
counties, was ravaged by numerous banditti, under the command of Adam
Gordon, the most athletic man of the age. They were surprised in Alton
Wood, in Buckinghamshire. The Prince engaged in single combat with
their leader, wounded and unhorsed him, and then, in reward of