ve him within
their gates, although according to some, he was armed with letters patent
of the king addressed to the citizens on his behalf.(267) Under pretence
of holding a conference with the papal legate at the Church of Holy
Trinity, Aldgate, he gained admission for himself and followers: and there
he remained, having made himself master of the city's gates.(268)
Thereupon many citizens left the city, fearing the wrath of the king, and
once more the city was in the hands of the populace. The leading citizens
were placed under a guard; the aldermen and bailiffs were deposed to make
way for the earl's own supporters, and, for better security, a covered way
of timber was made from the city to the Tower.(269)

Whatever may have been the actual part played by the legate in admitting
the disinherited into the city, he soon showed his dissatisfaction at the
state of things within its walls, by leaving the Tower, to join the king
at Ham, and placing the disinherited--"the enemies of the king"--under an
interdict.(270)

(M168)

At length the king and the Earl of Gloucester came to terms (16 June). The
earl was to have his property restored to him, and the city was to be
forgiven all trespasses committed against the king since the time that the
earl made his sojourn within its walls. The earl gave surety in 10,000
marks for keeping the peace, and the citizens paid the king of the Romans
1,000 marks for damages they had committed three years before in his manor
of Isleworth.(271) Not a word about the imprisoned mayor, Fitz-Thomas!

(M169)

The king's letters patent granting forgiveness to the citizens for
harbouring the Earl of Gloucester(272) were followed in the spring of the
following year by another charter to the city.(273) But inasmuch as this
charter did not restore the mayoralty, the citizens had little cause to be
thankful and looked upon it as only an instalment of favours to come.

(M170)

Towards the end of this year or early in the next (1269), the city was
committed by the king to his son Edward, who ruled it by deputy, Sir Hugh
Fitz-Otes being again appointed Constable of the Tower, and warden of the
city.(274) It was through the good offices of the prince, that the
citizens eventually recovered the right to elect their mayor, so long
withheld. "About the same time, that is to say, Pentecost, 1270," writes
Fitz-Thedmar, "at the instance of Sir Edward, his lordship the king
granted unto the citizens that