Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/107

Rh for the earl marſhal, to be read in full parliament, at which the King and the whole aſſembly wept. And the King confeſſed in truth, that being compelled by the biſhop of Wincheſter and his other counſellors, he had commanded his ſeal to be put to ſome letters that were preſented to him; but he affirmed with an oath, “That he never heard the contents of them.” To whom the archbiſhop ſaid, “King, ſearch your conſcience: for all thoſe that procured theſe letters to be ſent, or were privy to them, are as guilty of the marſhal’s death, as if they had tilled him with their own hands.” Then the King taking advice, ſummoned his miniſters to anſwer for his treaſure, and the ill uſe of his ſeal when he knew nothing of it: upon which ſome took ſanctuary, others abſconded, and ſome fled to Rome. and were afterwards tried in the King’s bench, where the King himſelf ſitting with the judges, charged them with the particulars of their evil counſel, “and called them wicked traitors;” and they were deeply fined. And yet the next year theſe two were received into grace and favour again, after he had removed many of his new counſellors and officers, to the admiration of his people, and had demanded the great ſeal from the biſhop of Cheſter his chancellor with a great deal of ,