“I believe that you will see there a great feast,—when France shall have crowned Edward’s head. He has well deserved it, my son; he is no fool;—he is a good knight, brave, and courteous.”
“Sir King,” said Roger, “for God’s sake, listen to me;—thou hast pierced me behind, so much has pity overcome me;—Now may God Almighty ordain by his commandment,—that thou perform this thing very gloriously!”
The decisive battle of Lewes, in 1264, was the subject of great exultation amongst the adherents of Simon de Montfort. The following song, in English, is directed against the king’s brother, Richard Earl of Cornwall, who had become very unpopular by his foreign schemes of ambition. He took shelter at a windmill, after he saw the king’s party defeated.
SONG AGAINST THE KING OF ALMAIGNE.
[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 58 vo, of the reign of Edw. II.]
Sitteth alle stille ant herkneth to me:
The Kyn of Alemaigne, bi mi leauté,
Thritti thousent pound askede he