o hear the glad
tidings of the teachings of Christ. From their living on charity they
came to be known as "Beggin Friars."

Others, like Roger Bacon at Oxford, took an important part in
education, and endeavored to rouse the sluggish monks to make efforts
in the same direction. Bacon's experiments in physical science, which
was then neglected and despiseed, got him the reputation of being a
magician. He was driven into exile, imprisoned for many years, and
deprived of books and writing materials.

But, as nothing could check the religious fervor of his mendicant
brothers, so no hardship or suffering could daunt the intellectual
enthusiasm of Bacon. When he emerged from captivity he issued his
great book entitled an "Inquiry into the Roots of Knowledge."[1] It
was especially devoted to mathematics and the sciences, and deserves
the name of the encyclopedia fo the thirteenth century.

[1] Bacon designated this book by the name of "Opus Majus," or
"Greater Work," to distinguish it from a later summary which he alled
his "Opus Minus," or "Smaller Work."

209. The "Mad Parliament"; the Provisions of Oxford (1258).

But the prodigal expenditure and mismanagement of Henry kept on
increasing. At last the burden of taxation became too great to bear.
Bad harvests had caused a famine, and multitudes perished even in
London. Confronted by these evils, Parliament (S205) met in the Great
Hall at Westminster. Many of the barons were in complete armor. As
the King entered there was an ominous clatter of swords. Henry,
looking around, asked timidly, "Am I a prisoner?"

"No, sire," answered Earl Bigod (S172); "but we must have reform."
The King agreed to summon a Parliament to meet at Oxford and consider
what should be done. The enemies of this assembly nicknamed it the
"Mad Parliament" (1258); but there was method and determination in its
madness, for which the country was grateful.

With Simon de Montfort, the King's brother-in-law, at their head, they
drew up a set of articles, called the Provisions of Oxford, to which
Henry gave an unwilling assent. These Provisions practically took the
government out of the King's inefficient hand and vested it in the
control of three committees, or councils. (See Summary of
Constitutional History in the Appendix, p. x, S11.)

210. Renewal of the Great Charter (1253).

Meanwhile the King had been compelled to reaffirm that Great Charter
which his father had unwillingly grante