onsisting of all the
tenants in capiti, who hold lands directly from the crown, were
present at Westminster. The king opened his griefs to them--griefs
which only money could assuage. But he was sternly informed that
money would only be granted when pledges (and they more binding
than his oft-broken word) were given for better government, and the
redress of specified abuses; and finally, after violent
recriminations between the two parties, as we should now say the
ministry and the opposition, headed by Earl Simon, parliament was
adjourned till the 11th of June, and it was decided that it should
meet again at Oxford, where that assembly met which gained the name
of the "Mad Parliament."

On the 22nd of June this parliament decreed that all the king's
castles which were held by foreigners should be rendered back to
the Crown, and to set the example, Earl Simon, although he had well
earned the name "Englishman," delivered the title deeds of his
castles of Kenilworth and Odiham into the hands of the king.

But the king's relations by marriage refused to follow this
self-denying ordinance, and they well knew that neither the old
king nor his young heir, Prince Edward, wished them to follow Earl
Simon's example. A great storm of words followed.

"I will never give up my castles, which my brother the king, out of
his great love, has given me," said William de Valence.

"Know this then for certain, that thou shalt either give up thy
castles or thy head," replied Earl Simon.

The Poitevins saw they were in evil case, and that they were
outnumbered at Oxford. So they left the court, and fled all to the
Castle of Wolvesham, near Winchester, where their brother, the
Bishop Aymer, made common cause with them.

The barons acted promptly. They broke up the parliament and
pursued.

Hubert was at Oxford throughout the session of the Mad Parliament,
in attendance on his lord, as "esquire of the body," to which rank
he, as we have said, had now attained; and at Oxford he met his
beloved Martin again. Yes, Hubert was now an esquire; now he had a
right to carry a shield and emblazon it with the arms of Walderne.
He was also withdrawn from that compulsory attendance on the ladies
at the castle which he had shared with the other pages. He had no
longer to wait at table during meals. But fresh duties, much more
arduous, devolved upon him. He had to be both valet and groom to
the earl, to scour his arms, to groom his horse, to attend