a manner still more authentic and more solemn than any which he had
hitherto employed. All the prelates and abbots were assembled: they held
burning tapers in their hands: the Great Charter was read before them:
they denounced the sentence of excommunication against every one who
should thenceforth violate that fundamental law: they threw their tapers
on the ground, and exclaimed, "May the soul of every one who incurs this
sentence so stink and corrupt in hell!" The king bore a part in this
ceremony, and subjoined, "So help me God, I will keep all these articles
inviolate, as I am a man, as I am a Christian, as I am a knight, and as
I am a king crowned and anointed."[**] Yet was the tremendous ceremony
no sooner finished, than his favorites, abusing his weakness, made
him return to the same arbitrary and irregular administration; and the
reasonable expectations of his people were thus perpetually eluded and
disappointed.[***]

* M. Paris, p. 579.

** Ibid. p. 580. Ann. Burt. p. 323. Ann. Waverl. p. 210. W
Heming. p. 571. M. West. p. 353.

*** M. Paris, p. 597, 608.

{1258.} All these imprudent and illegal measures afforded a pretence to
Simon de Mountfort, earl of Leicester, to attempt an innovation in the
government, and to wrest the sceptre from the feeble and irresolute
hand which held it. This nobleman was a younger son of that Simon de
Mountfort who had conducted with such valor and renown the crusade
against the Albigenses, and who, though he tarnished his famous exploits
by cruelty and ambition, had left a name very precious to all the bigots
of that age, particularly to the ecclesiastics. A large inheritance
in England fell by succession to this family; but as the elder brother
enjoyed still more opulent possessions in France, and could not perform
fealty to two masters, he transferred his right to Simon, his younger
brother, who came over to England, did homage for his lands, and
was raised to the dignity of earl of Leicester. In the year 1238, he
espoused Eleanor, dowager of William, earl of Pembroke, and sister to
the king;[*] but the marriage of this princess with a subject and a
foreigner, though contracted with Henry's consent, was loudly complained
of by the earl of Cornwall and all the barons of England; and Leicester
was supported against their violence by the king's favor and authority
alone.[**] But he had no sooner established himself in his possessions
and dignities, than he