[45] “The first time, as far as we know, English was used in any public document.”—Blaauw, The Barons’ War.
“End, O Earl of Gloster, what thou hast begun!
Save thou end it fitly, we are all undone.
Play the man, we pray thee, as thou hast promised,
Cherish steadfastly the cause of which thou wast the head.
He that takes the Lord’s work up, and lays it down again,
Shamed and cursed may he be, and all shall say Amen.
Earl Simon, thou of Montfort, so powerful and brave,
Bring up thy strong companies thy country now to save,