centuries became virtually an English
town.

A truce was now, through the exertions of the pope's legates, made
between England and France, the terms agreed on being very similar
to those of the previous treaty; and when all his arrangements were
finished Edward returned with his queen to England, having been absent
eighteen months, during which time almost unbroken success had attended
his arms, and the English name had reached a position of respect and
honour in the eyes of Europe far beyond that at which it previously
stood.

CHAPTER XVIII: THE BLACK DEATH

The court at Westminster during the few months which followed the
capture of Calais was the most brilliant in Europe. Tournaments and
fetes followed each other in rapid succession, and to these knights came
from all parts. So great was the reputation of King Edward that deputies
came from Germany, where the throne was now vacant, to offer the crown
of that kingdom to him. The king declined the offer, for it would have
been impossible indeed for him to have united the German crown with that
of England, which he already held, and that of France, which he claimed.

Some months after his return to England the Black Prince asked his
father as a boon that the hand of his ward Edith Vernon should be
bestowed upon the prince's brave follower Sir Walter Somers, and as
Queen Philippa, in the name of the lady's mother, seconded the request,
the king at once acceded to it. Edith was now sixteen, an age at which,
in those days, a young lady was considered to be marriageable, and the
wedding took place with great pomp and ceremony at Westminster; the
king himself giving away the bride, and bestowing, as did the prince and
Queen Philippa, many costly presents upon the young couple. After taking
part in several of the tournaments, Walter went with his bride and Dame
Vernon down to their estates, and were received with great rejoicing
by the tenantry, the older of whom well remembered Walter's father and
mother, and were rejoiced at finding that they were again to become the
vassals of one of the old family. Dame Vernon was greatly loved by her
tenantry; but the latter had looked forward with some apprehension to
the marriage of the young heiress, as the character of the knight upon
whom the king might bestow her hand would greatly affect the happiness
and well being of his tenants.

Sir James Carnegie had not returned to England after the fall of Calais;
he perceiv