Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/55

Rh of the barons in their demand, did not think fit to deny them, but deſired reſpite and time to conſider of it, being a weighty buſineſs, till after Eaſter; and after ſeveral propoſals on both ſides, the King very unwillingly ſet a day, and the archbiſhop, biſhop of Ely, and lord marſhal were his ſureties, that then they ſhould all of them have ſatisfaction given them in reaſon. Upon this the lords went home. But the King in the mean time, by way of precaution, cauſed the whole realm to ſwear fealty to him alone againſt all men, and to renew their homages. And as a farther ſecurity and protection, more than out of devotion, at Candlemas following he took upon him the croſs.

Eaſter week the forementioned lords met at Stanford, who now had drawn together in favour of them almoſt all the nobility and principal gentry of England: ſo that they amounted to a numerous army; and the ſooner, becauſe K. had rendered himſelf univerſally hated. In this retinue were two thouſand knights, beſides all others of lower rank, horſe and foot diverſly armed. The King was then at Oxford expecting the coming of the parliament. On the Monday following theſe aſſociated barons came to Brackley; which,