The citizens met their reward for fidelity to the barons when John was
brought to bay at Runnymede. In drafting the articles of the Great Charter
the barons, mindful of their trusty allies, made provision for the
preservation of the city's liberties, and the names of Fitz-Walter and of
the mayor of the city appear among those who were specially appointed to
see that the terms of the charter were strictly carried out.(194)

By way of further security for the fulfilment of the articles of the
charter the barons demanded and obtained the custody of the City of
London, including the Tower, and they reserved to themselves the right of
making war upon the king if he failed to keep his word. For a year or more
the barons remained in the city, having entered into a mutual compact with
the inhabitants to make no terms with the king without the consent of both
parties.(195)

(M127)

The right of resistance thus established was soon to be carried into
execution. Before the year was out, John had broken faith, and was
besieging Rochester with the aid of mercenaries. An attempt to raise the
siege failed, owing to the timidity (not to say cowardice) of Fitz-Walter,
who, like the rest of the barons, was inclined to be indolent so soon as
the struggle with the king was thought to have ended.(196)

(M128)

The Pope supported his vassal king. For a second time during John's reign
London was placed under an interdict. The first occasion was in 1208, when
the whole of England was put under an interdict, and for six years the
nation was deprived of all religious rites saving the sacraments of
baptism and extreme unction.(197) It was then the object of Innocent to
stir up resistance against John by inflicting sufferings on the people,
now his purpose was to punish the people for having risen against John.

(M129) (M130)

The barons saw no other course open to them but to invite Louis the
Dauphin to come and undertake the government of the kingdom in the place
of John. On the 21st May, 1216, Louis landed at Sandwich and came to
London, where he was welcomed by the barons. Both barons and citizens paid
him homage, whilst he, on his part, swore to restore to them their rights,
to maintain such laws of the realm as were good, and to abolish those (if
any) that were bad.(198) Suspicion, however, had been aroused against
Louis by the confession of a French nobleman who had come over in his
train, and who had solemnly declared on his deat