on with his own hands. The
next day William, King of Scotland, David his brother, and the English
barons and free tenants did homage and swore fealty to the young King.
Why the wife of the Prince was not crowned with her husband we are not
informed; but Louis took to himself the insult offered to his
daughter, and entered the borders of Normandy with his army. Henry
hastened to defend his dominions; the two monarchs had a private
conference; the former treaty was renewed; and a promise was given of
an immediate reconciliation with the Primate.

Every attempt to undermine the integrity of the Pontiff had now
failed; and Henry saw with alarm that the thunder, which he had so
long feared, was about to burst on his dominions. A plan of adjustment
had been arranged between his envoys and Alexander; and to defeat the
chicanery of his advisers, it was accompanied with the threat of an
interdict if it were not executed within the space of forty days. He
consented to see the Archbishop, and awaited his arrival in a spacious
meadow near the town of Freitville on the borders of Touraine (July
22d). As soon as Becket appeared, the King, spurring forward his horse
with his cap in his hand, prevented his salutation; and, as if no
dissension had ever divided them, discoursed with him apart, with all
that easy familiarity which had distinguished their former friendship.
In the course of their conversation, Henry exclaimed, "As for the men
who have betrayed both you and me, I will make them such return as the
deserts of traitors require." At these words the Archbishop alighted
from his horse, and threw himself at the feet of his sovereign, but
the King laid hold of the stirrup, and insisted that he should
remount, saying: "In short, my Lord Archbishop, let us renew our
ancient affection for each other; only show me honor before those who
are now viewing our behavior." Then returning to his attendants, he
observed: "I find the Archbishop in the best disposition toward me:
were I otherwise toward him, I should be the worst of men." Becket
followed him, and by the mouth of the Archbishop of Sens presented his
petition. He prayed that the King would graciously admit him to the
royal favor, would grant peace and security to him and his, would
restore the possessions of the See of Canterbury, and would, in his
mercy, make amends to that Church for the injury it had sustained in
the late coronation of his son. In return he promised him love, h