Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/245

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The Development of France 209 friends of the king. And thus was peace restored between the king and the count as by a miracle, for it was con- cluded without shedding human blood. And when all the people heard of these things they were filled with great joy, and praised and blessed God who saves those who put their hope in him. V. PHILIP AUGUSTUS AND JOHN OF ENGLAND In 1 20 1 John, king of England, came to Paris and was 94a. How received with much honor by King Philip. When he Augustus withdrew to his own lands again, he and Philip appeared took Nor- mandy from to be upon the best terms, and the French king was King John. able to turn his attention to a couple of recalcitrant J^^ counts who were " persecuting the churches of God and despoiling them of their goods," and who refused to obey his summons to appear at his court. But mean- while new difficulties arose with King John. These are explained by Rigord as follows : The king of the French summoned John, king of England, John of Eng- as his liegeman, holding from him the counties of Poitou and lan f refuses 8 ' . . . to do homage Anjou and the duchy of Aquitame, to come two weeks alter to Philip Easter to Paris to give a satisfactory answer to the charges Augustus, which Philip made against him. But since the king of Eng- land, instead of coming in person on the day indicated, did not even send a satisfactory reply, the king of the French, with the advice of his princes and barons, assembled an army, entered Normandy, and took the little fort of Boutavant, which he destroyed. Orgueil, Mortemer, and all the land which Hugh of Gournay held soon fell into his power. At Gour- nay he made Arthur [John's brother] a knight and delivered to him the county of Brittany, which had fallen to him by hereditary right. He even added the counties of Anjou and of Poitou, which he had acquired by right of arms. Lastly, he gave him the support of two hundred knights, with a considerable sum of money. Then the king received