CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

Importance of the Epoch—Its character in French and German History—In English History—Geographical Summary—Italy—Germany—France—Spain Page 1

CHAPTER II.

STEPHEN AND MATILDA.

Accession of Stephen—Arrest of the Bishops—Election of Matilda—The Anarchy—The PacificationPage 11

CHAPTER III.

THE EARLY YEARS OF HENRY II.

Terms of Henry’s accession—His character—His early reforms—His relations with France—War of Toulouse—Summary of nine years’ workPage 34

CHAPTER IV.

HENRY II. AND THOMAS BECKET.

The English Church—Schools of Clergy—Rise of Becket—Quarrel with the King—Exile—DeathPage 58

CHAPTER V.

THE LATTER YEARS OF HENRY II.

Continued Reforms—Revolt of 1173-1174—Renewed industry of Henry—His later years—Quarrel with Richard—Fall and deathPage 85

CHAPTER VI.

RICHARD CŒUR DE LION.

Character of the Reign—Richard’s first visit to England—His character—The Crusade—Fall of Longchamp—Richard’s second visit—His struggle with Philip—His death Page 110

CHAPTER VII.

JOHN.

John’s succession—Arthur’s claims—Loss of Normandy—Quarrel with the Church—Submission to the Pope—Quarrel with the Barons—The Great Charter and its consequences—Arrival of Lewis—John’s death Page 136

CHAPTER VIII.

HENRY III.

Character of Henry—Administration of William Marshall—Hubert de Burgh—Henry his own minister—Foreign favorites—General misgovernment—Papal intrigue and taxation Page 161

CHAPTER IX.

SIMON DE MONTFORT.

Delay of the Crisis—Simon de Montfort—Parliament of 1258—Provisions of Oxford—Political troubles—Award of St. Lewis—Battle of Lewes—Baronial government—Battle of Evesham—Closing yearsPage 189

CHAPTER X.

EDWARD I.

Position and character of Edward—The Crusade—The accession—The conquest of Wales—Edward’s legal reforms—Financial system—Growth of Parliament Page 212

CHAPTER XI.

THE CONFIRMATION OF THE CHARTERS.

Punishment of the Judges—Banishment of the Jews—Scottish succession—The French quarrel—The Ecclesiastical quarrel—The Constitutional crisis—The Confirmation of the Charters—Parliament of Lincoln—Its sequel—War of Scottish Independence—Edward’s deathPage 238

CHAPTER XII.

EDWARD II.

Character of Edward II.—Piers Gaveston—The Ordinances—Thomas of Lancaster—The Despensers—The King’s ruin and deathPage 263

Index Page 291