Richard, earl Mareschal, who had
succeeded to that dignity on the death of his brother William, was
chased into Wales; he thence withdrew into Ireland, where he
was treacherously murdered by the contrivance of the bishop of
Winchester.[*] The estates of the more obnoxious barons were
confiscated, without legal sentence or trial by their peers; [**] and
were bestowed with a profuse liberality on the Poictevins. Peter even
carried his insolence so far as to declare publicly, that the barons of
England must not pretend to put themselves on the same foot with those
of France, or assume the same liberties and privileges: the monarch in
the former country had a more absolute power than in the latter. It had
been more justifiable for him to have said, that men so unwilling to
submit to the authority of laws, could with the worst grace claim any
shelter or protection from them.

When the king at any time was checked in his illegal practices, and when
the authority of the Great Charter was objected to him, he was wont to
reply, "Why should I observe this charter, which is neglected by all my
grandees, both prelates and nobility?" It was very reasonably said to
him, "You ought, sir, to set them the example." [***]

So violent a ministry as that of the bishop of Winchester could not be
of long duration; but its fall proceeded at last from the influence of
the church, not from the efforts of the nobles. Edmond, the primate,
came to court, attended by many of the other prelates, and represented
to the king the pernicious measures embraced by Peter des Roches, the
discontents of his people, the ruin of his affairs; and after requiring
the dismission of the minister and his associates, threatened him
with excommunication in case of his refusal. Henry, who knew that an
excommunication so agreeable to the sense of the people could not
fail of producing the most dangerous effects, was obliged to submit:
foreigners were banished; the natives were restored to their place in
council;[****] the primate, who was a man of prudence, and who took care
to execute the laws and observe the charter of liberties, bore the chief
sway in the government.

{1236.} But the English in vain flattered themselves that they should be
long free from the dominion of foreigners. The king, having married
Eleanor, daughter of the count of Provence,[*****] was surrounded by a
great number of strangers from that country, whom he caressed with the
fondest affectio