"You see," said she, "that the happy star of Edward is setting. The
King of France not only maintains possession of that monarch's
territory at Guienne, but he holds him in check on the shores of
Flanders. Baffled abroad, an insurrection awaits him at home; the
priesthood whom he has insulted, trample name with anathemas; the
nobles whom he has insulted, trample on his prerogative; and the
people, whose privileges he has invaded, call aloud for redress. The
proud barons of England are ready to revolt; and the Lords Hereford and
Norfolk (those two earls whom, after madly threatening to hang,** he
sought to bribe to their allegiance by leaving them in the full powers
of Constable and Marshal of England), they are now conducting
themselves with such domineering consequence, that even the Prince of
Wales submits to their directions, and the throne of the absent tyrant
is shaken to its center.
**Edward intended to send out forces to Guienne, under the command of
Humphrey Earl of Hereford, the constable, and Roger Earl of Norfolk,
the Marshal of England, when these two powerful nobles refused to
execute his commands. A violent altercation ensued; and the king, in
the height of his passion, exclaimed to the constable, "Sir Earl, by
G-, you shall either go or hang.
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