ther by the authority of the Pope or anyone else--unless it
be from their sire, the King. This letter is signed, not only by the
principal lords of the kingdom, but also by several great barons of the
empire.

The epistle of the mayors, aldermen, jurats, consuls, universities,
communes, and communities of the towns of the kingdom of France has not
been preserved. It is known only, by the answer that the cardinals made,
that it was conceived in the same spirit as the letter of the barons.
The letter of the clergy is quite in another style: the clerks address
their very holy father and very holy sire, the Pope; expose to him the
complaints of the King and of the nobility; the necessity in which they
find themselves engaged to defend the King's rights, and the anger of
the laity; the imminent rupture of France with the Roman Church--and
even of the people with the clergy in general--and conjure the highest
prudence of the Pope to conserve the ancient union by revoking the
convocation of the ecclesiastical council.

The states-general were dissolved immediately after the unique _seance_
which had so well responded to the desires of the King. The means
employed to attain this result were not entirely loyal, nor was public
opinion altogether free; it was but slightly enlightened on the grave
debates that the authorities affected to submit to it. Nevertheless it
was an important matter, this call to the French nation, and it must be
acknowledged that the genius of France responded in proclaiming national
independence, and in repelling the intervention of the court of Rome in
the internal politics of the country.

WAR OF THE FLEMINGS WITH PHILIP THE
FAIR OF FRANCE

A.D. 1302

EYRE EVANS CROWE

Toward the beginning of the thirteenth century the people of
Flanders, whose country had been for centuries a feudal
dependency of France, were considerably advanced in wealth
and importance. They had become restive under the French
rule, and their discontent ripened into settled hostility.
Common commercial interests drew them into friendship with
England, and in the quarrel between Philip the Fair and
Edward I, 1295, concerning Edward's rule in Guienne
(Aquitaine) the Flemings allied themselves with the English
King.

In 1297 Philip invaded Flanders and gained several successes
against the Flemings, who were feebly aided by King Edward.
In 1299 the two kings settled their quarrel, and the