Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/236

 2OO Readings in European History How Prince Louis aided a vassal against an oppressor. and pleasure, and satisfactorily adjusted the dispute which had given rise to the trouble. Matthew, count of Beaumont, had long cherished hatred against Hugh of Clermont, whose daughter he had married. This Hugh was a noble man, but simple and easy to lead. His son-in-law laid hold upon a castle called Luzarches (a share in which was his by right of marriage), and took it altogether, and left nothing undone in strengthening the tower with arms and soldiers. What could Hugh do but hasten to the defender of the kingdom, throw himself at his feet, and beg him with tears to have compassion on an old man and succor him, for he was grievously oppressed. " I would rather, O dearest Lord," he said, " that thou shouldst have all my land, because I hold it of thee, than that my unnatural son-in-law should have it. If he robs me of it, I wish to die." His sad misfortune smote the king to the heart. He gave the old man his hand in friendly wise and promised to aid him, and so sent him forth gladdened by hope. And his hope was not vain. For straightway messengers went forth from the court, who sought the count and commanded him, by authority of Hugh's defender, to restore to Hugh the estate of which he had been illegally despoiled ; and they summoned him to appear at the court, upon a day appointed, to defend his cause. The count did not obey this summons, so the defender made haste to execute vengeance. He gathered a great army and went forth against the rebel. He fell upon the castle and attacked it with arms and fire. By hard fighting he stormed and took it ; he then placed a strong guard in the keep, and after he had fortified it he restored it to Hugh just as he had promised to do. Thus the future king of France was ever busy, provid- ing wisely for the administration of the realm, subduing the rebellious, taking or forcing into submission the strongholds which were centers of revolt.