Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/57

Rh returned to the barons, and there reported juſt what the King had ſaid in order. Whereupon the barons preſently choſe them a general, and flew to their arms, and marched directly to Northampton to ſeize that caſtle. But having ſpent fifteen days in that fruitleſs attempt, having no petards nor other warlike inſtruments to carry on a ſiege, ſomewhat abaſhed with this diſappointment, they marched to Bedford, where they were kindly received; and by meſſengers ſent to them from the principal citizens, were invited to London. When they were come thither, they ſent letters to all the earls, barons, and knights, that as yet ſeemed to adhere to the King, though it were but feignedly; that as they tendered their eſtates, they ſhould leave a perjured King, and come and join them, and effectually engage with them for the liberties and peace of the realm: otherwiſe, they threatened to treat them as public enemies. Upon which, moſt of the lords, who had not as yet ſworn to the ſaid liberties, wholly leaving the King, came to London, and there aſſociated with the barons.

“, ſeeing himſelf thus generally forſaken, ſo that he had hardly ſven knights remaining with him, and fearing, leſt the barons ſhould