EDWARD was recovering from his wound, and the ambassadors of Bibara Bendocdar were hastening back to their master, when "some Preacher and Minorite brethren" reached Acre, and made their way to the residence of Theobald, Archdeacon of Liege. The intelligence brought by these holy men was such as to secure them an early audience. In fact, they, had come from Viterbo with news that the cardinals had elected Theobald to the papal dignity. All Acre was excited by this event; and the Syrian Christians delighted their minds with the idea that the elevation of the legate to the chair of St. Peter, would lead to a mighty effort for the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Infidels.
Theobald was hardly less sanguine than his neighbors, and with high resolutions, prepared to sail for Italy. Before embarking, however, he assured the Christians of Syria, that he would exert all his influence on their behalf; and in a discourse, addressed to a large assembly, took for his text: " If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may I myself be forgotten among men!" Having given this solemn pledge, Theobald departed to ascend the papal throne with the title of Gregory the Tenth.
Meanwhile Edward began to think seriously of England. He could now entertain little hope of accomplishing anything of consequence in the East; and he had received from his aged father letters urging his immediate return. After doing all in his power to strengthen Acre, the Prince became anxious to see a peace negotiated, and the King of Cyprus and Jerusalem concluded a treaty with Bibars Bendocdar. By this treaty it was agreed that the Christians should peacefully hold Acre, and a certain extent of territory in the vicinity of the city; and the English Prince, albeit not much relishing the conditions, was fain to consent. Matters having thus been arranged, Edward, with the Princess, and their infant daughter, Joan of Acre, prepared to return to England, for which his brother Edmund, and several of his companions, had already set out.
After sailing from Syria, where he left a reputation inferior to no man who had ever borne the cross, Edward, on the 15th of August, 1272, landed at Tra-pani, in Sicily. At that place, he received a pressing invitation from his old tutor to visit Borne; and crossed the Faro, a narrow strait that separates Sicily from Calabria. At a mountain village of Calabria, Edward, who had already received intelligence of the death of his son, Prince John, was informed that, in December, 1271, his lather, King Henry, had died at Westminster. On hearing this, Edward was so much affected, that Charles of Anjou, who knew nothing of tenderness but the name, expressed his extreme surprise.
"Cousin," said Charles roughly, " I cannot but marvel, that you grieve so much more for your aged father, than you did for your young son."
"The loss of a son," said Edward, "is a calamity which, with God's blessing, I may live to repair; but the loss of a father is irreparable."
Proceeding on his way, Edward, in the month of February, 1273, reached Borne, and remained for several days in "the Eternal City." Finding, however, that the Pope was absent at Civita Vecchia, about forty miles from Rome, he turned towards that town, and was there received by Gregory with high honors. After being treated by his host with the utmost consideration, and warned to beware of the machinations of his foes, Edward left Civita Vecchia, and pursued his journey through Italy.
Never had the presence of a crusader in Europe excited so much admiration or elicited so much applause. Edward's fame as a champion of the cross had preceded him; and, in every city, the inhabitants came forth to do him honor. By the Milanese, especially, he was received with enthusiasm; and they forced on his acceptance rich presents of horses and purple mantles. After crossing the Alps, he met a deputation from England, who formally announced his accession; and then he paid a visit of ceremony to Philip of France.
From Paris Edward proceeded to Aquitaine to settle the affairs of that province, and knowing that all was quiet in England, remained on the Continent, hoping to fathom the projects of the French King, whom he distrusted. This nearly cost him dear, and proved too plainly that the Pope, in warning Edward to beware of his foes, was animated by no groundless suspicions.
The summer of 1274 had set in, and Edward was still lingering on the Continent, when, to his surprise, he received a challenge from the Count of Chalons. The Count, distinguished as a warrior, pretended great eagerness to break a lance with a champion who had filled the East with his renown; and Edward, with little hesitation, accepted this challenge to the listed plain. Each was to be accompanied by a thousand men, and preparations were forthwith made for the grand encounter.
At the time and place appointed, Edward, with a heart as fearless as the lion on his shield, appeared in the lists, attended by a thousand warriors and bestriding one of those war-steeds celebrated in minstrels' song. Soon after the challenger appeared, but, to Edward's surprise, with double the followers agreed on. Suspicions of foul play immediately pervaded the English ranks, and were soon confirmed by a furious assault.
A fierce conflict now took place; and the Count of Chalons, a champion of great physical prowess, threw his brawny arms around Edward's neck; and made a desperate effort to drag the English King to the ground. But the Count soon found that he had mistaken his man. Not only did Edward sit firm as a rock, hot, giving his charger the spur, he lifted tbe Count from his saddle, and hurled the bulky warrior headlong to the ground. The Count's knights spurred m to the rescue; but the Count, bruised and terrified, cried lor quarter, and offered to surrender his sword. With a look of disdain, Edward turned away, and ordered an English soldier to receive the weapon. Meanwhile, the English bowmen had driven the Count's infantry from the field; and brought the struggle to a termination little anticipated by their assailants.
After this conflict, which was long remembered as "the little war of Chalons," Edward turned his steps homeward; and, landing at Dover on the 2nd of August, he prepared to enter London. Never before had tbe English capital presented an aspect so gay. Wine flowed without stint, the streets were hung with silken cloths, arras, and tapestry, and the municipal functionaries manifested their enthusiasm by throwing handfuls of gold and silver from the windows. As Edward and his fair spouse entered tbe city, the streets rang with cheers; and not until they bad disappeared within the Palace of Westminster did the populace cease from displaying their enthusiasm. Nor was this popularity evanescent. Ere long Simon de Montfort was quite forgotten by his former idolaters; and all caps were in the air for " the good King Edward." After a reign of thirty-five years, Edward was still the hero of Englishmen; and when he expired at Burgh-on-the-Sands, his death was bewailed by the whole nation.
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
