Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/89

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MAGNA CHARTA.
43

knight, that had married this Gilbert’s ſiſter or niece without his licence, as he ſaid, to be taken up. And indeed being jealous of all the other noble and powerful men of the kingdom, he required hoſtages of them, ſuch and ſo many as might ſatisfy him that they would not rebel.

To the parliament at Weſtminſter, Auguſt 1. the earls and barons came armed, and the earl marſhal was on his way, coming to it; but going to lodge at his ſiſter’s houſe who was wife to Richard the King’s brother, ſhe advertiſed him of his danger, and that he would be ſeized. He being a man of a noble breaſt, could not readily believe woman’s talk till ſhe made it out: and then night coming on he rode another way, and never drew bit till he came well wearied into Wales. There were many earls and barons at this parliament, but there was nothing done in it becauſe of the abſence of the earl marſhal, Gilbert Basset, and ſome other lords.

After this, the King, by the advice of the biſhop of Wincheſter, gave ſummons to all that held of him by night ſervice, to be ready with their horſes and arms at Glouceſter, a week before aſſumption-day. And when the earl mar-

ſhal