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made his son Edward promise never to give up the struggle till he had conquered the Scotch. To die with such fierce words upon his lips, was more like an ignorant heathen, than a Christian on the point of entering his Saviour's presence. He was like too many others who seem to promise well in their youth, but the good seed of the Gospel not having taken deep root in their hearts, though it springs up at first, is soon choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life, and brings no fruit to perfection. We may be very thankful that we live in more enlightened times, and be sorry that Edward had not learned to practise the lessons of mercy taught in the Gospel. By his severity he completely defeated his own aim ; for the Scotch were so enraged at the cruelty with which they were treated, that they held the English in abhorrence, and resolutely opposed every attempt at subduing them, till, two centuries later, when one of their own kings becoming heir to the kingdom of England, the sovereignty of the two countries was ever after held by the same person.

a very

Although so stern in war, Edward was affectionate husband as well as son. His queen Eleanor (the same who saved his life in the Holy Land, by sucking the poison from his wound), gene

rally accompanied him in his war excursions. She died at Harby, in Lincolnshire, and Edward accompanied her body from thence to Westminster, where it was buried, and caused beautiful crosses to be erected wherever they rested on this melancholy journey. Some of these are still standing; one of them, near Northampton, called Queen's Cross, and another is at Waltham Cross, in Hertfordshire; there were ten altogether, and the last was built at what was then the village of Charing, now called Charing Cross, and one of the most bustling parts of London. Edward and Eleanor had fifteen children, the first nine of whom died. One of these, a son, dying about the same time as the old king Henry, Edward was observed to grieve much more for his father than for his child; and on being asked the reason of this, he replied, "God can give us many children, but we can have but one father."

Several useful laws were made in this reign for checking the power of the clergy and the nobles, and for the better regulation of property, but they are rather above the comprehension of my young readers at present. Edward reigned thirty-five years, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

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He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Edward of Carnarvon, the first prince of Wales.

I have forgotten to mention in its proper place, that Edward the first brought from Scotland the large stone on which the Scottish kings always sat when they were crowned, and which was held in high honour among them. It was framed, and made into a magnificent coronation chair, which is used for that purpose to this day. Edward was surnamed Longshanks, from his remarkable length of limb.

CHAPTER XIV.

EDWARD THE SECOND-FROM 1307 TO 1327.

THE reign of Edward the second contains so much that must shock the feelings of my young readers, that I will pass it over very shortly, for I am sure they can find no pleasure in reading of actions so dishonouring to the name of Christian. Edward was thoroughly selfish; he only thought from morning till night how to please himself, and disregarded altogether the real good of his country. Avoiding the good and the wise, he gave himself up entirely to the society of worthless favourites, on whom he showered wealth and honours, to the exclusion of others far more worthy of his regard. The first of these companions was named Piers Gaveston, a man of so bad a character that Edward the first had banished him the country, and on his death-bed exacted a promise from his son never to recal him. But no sooner was his father dead than Edward brought back his friend, and utterly disregarded his other command to prosecute the

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war in Scotland until the country should be wholly subdued. But Gaveston's conduct so incensed the whole nation against him, that a tumult was excited, and the favourite taken prisoner and beheaded.

The people then became so clamorous against the king, that, to please them, he was obliged to continue the Scottish war; but though his army was twice the size of the one opposed to him by Bruce, Edward was quite defeated at a place called Bannockburn, near Stirling; and the freedom of Scotland was thus secured. Truly, "there is no king saved by the multitude of an host." If "the Lord of Hosts be with them, kings need not be afraid of ten thousands of people that set themselves against them round about."

Edward married Isabella of Valois, and it was hoped he would then conduct himself with greater steadiness and prudence. But he was so far from taking warning by the past, that he soon placed himself under the influence of another favourite, Hugh Spenser, a Welshman, of insolent temper and rapacious disposition, whom he loaded with riches, and with the confiscated estates of the nobles who opposed him.

The queen Isabella, who was sister to the king