Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 1.djvu/339

A.D. 1298.] unnecessary and impolitic while affairs in Scotland remained in such a critical position. The king made no direct reply to the address, and feeling himself secure in the loyalty of the people, he left the nobles to their discontent, and set sail for Flanders.



It is necessary here to relate the circumstances which led to the expedition in question. In the year 1294 Edward had concluded a treaty of marriage between his son Edward and Philippa, the daughter of Guy, Count of Flanders. This union was opposed to the interests of the King of France, who exerted every moans in his power to prevent it. Having in vain attempted to do so by a course of intrigues, Philip sent to invite the count to moot him at Corbeil, for the purpose of consulting on matters of importance. The old man, whose character was honest and unsuspicious, presented himself at the time appointed, when his person, with that of his wife, was seized by the orders of Philip, who conveyed them prisoners to Paris. This unknightly act of treachery excited general indignation throughout Europe, and the Pope having remonstrated with the king, he was compelled to sot the count at liberty. Before doing so, however, he compelled him to make oath that he would abandon the alliance with England, and, in pledge of the fulfilment of the vow, Philippa was required to be sent to Paris as a hostage. Those demands having been reluctantly complied with, the old count took a tender farewell of his child, who was then only twelve years old, and returned to his own dominions. An appeal which ho addressed to the Pope for the recovery of his, daughter was answered by a threat of excommunication against Philip; but that unscrupulous monarch retained possession of his fair hostage, in defiance of the thunders of the Church. It was at this time that the count entered into a coalition which had been recently formed by Edward, and which included the Emperor of Germany, the Duke of Austria, the Duke of Brabant, and tho Count of Bar.

Such were the circumstances under which Edward entered on the expedition which terminated with so little