e of
the great charter, there could scarcely occur any incident in which
they might not lawfully interpose their authority.
[FN [l] Rymer, vol. i. p. 201. Chron. Dunst vol. i. p. 73. [m] This
seems a very strong proof that the House of Commons was not then in
being; otherwise the knights and burgesses from the several counties
could have given in to the Lords a list of grievances, without so
unusual an election. [n] M. Paris, p. 181.]

John seemed to submit passively to all these regulations, however
injurious to majesty: he sent writs to all the sheriffs, ordering them
to constrain every one to swear obedience to the twenty-five barons
[o]: he dismissed all his foreign forces: he pretended that his
government was thenceforth to run in a new tenour, and be more
indulgent to the liberty and independence of his people. But he only
dissembled, till he should find a favourable opportunity for annulling
all his concessions. The injuries and indignities which he had
formerly suffered from the pope and the King of France, as they came
from equals or superiors, seemed to make but small impression on him:
but the sense of this perpetual and total subjection under his own
rebellious vassals sunk deep in his mind, and he was determined, at
all hazards, to throw off so ignominious a slavery [p]. He grew
sullen, silent, and reserved: he shunned the society of his courtiers
and nobles: he retired into the Isle of Wight, as if desirous of
hiding his shame and confusion; but in this retreat he meditated the
most fatal vengeance against all his enemies [q]. He secretly sent
abroad his emissaries to enlist foreign soldiers, and to invite the
rapacious Brabancons into his service, by the prospect of sharing the
spoils of England, and reaping the forfeitures of so many opulent
barons, who had incurred the guilt of rebellion by rising in arms
against him [r]: and he despatched a messenger to Rome, in order to
lay before the pope the great charter, which he had been compelled to
sign, and to complain, before that tribunal, of the violence which had
been imposed upon him [s].
[FN [o] Ibid. p. 182. [p] M. Paris, p. 183. [q] Ibid. [r] Ibid.
Chron. Dunst. vol. i. p.72. Chron. Malr. p. 188. [s] M. Paris, p.
183. Chron. Dunst. vol. i. p. 73.]

Innocent, considering himself as feudal lord of the kingdom, was
incensed at the temerity of the barons, who, though they pretended to
appeal to his authority, had dared, without waiting for