in which she exercised her influence to compel all vessels freighted with corn, wool, or any peculiarly valuable cargo, to unlade at lier hithe, or quay, called Queen-hithe, becauso at that port the dues which formed a part of the revenues of the queens-consort of England, and the tolls, were paid according to the value of the lading. In order to annoy the citizens of London, Henry, during the disputes regard-ing the queen's gold, revived the old Saxon custom of con-vening folkmotes which was in reality the founding the House of Commons.—Queens of England. NOTE TTTT.—PAGE 365. "Holy crown of Thorns.'"—This inestimable relic was borne in triumph through Paris by Louis himself—barefoot and in his shirt, and a free gift of ten thousand marks re-conciled the emperor, Baldwin de Courtenay, to his loss. The success of this transaction tempted him to send to the king a large and authentic portion of the true cross, the baby linen of the Son of God, the lance, the sponge, and the chain of his Passion.—Gibbon, vol. vi. p. 122. NOTE UUUUi—PAGE 367. "Lay concealed?'—During the captivity of her husband and son, it is asserted that Eleanor, of Provence, made more than one private visit to England, but she ostensibly resided in France with her younger children, under the kind protection of her sister, Queen Marguerite. Robert, of Gloucester said that she was espy in the land for the purpose of liberating her brave son.— Queens of England. NOTE WW.—PAGE 373. " Shouts of pursuers."—Lady Maud Mortimer having sent her instructions to Prince Edward, he made his escape by riding races with his attendants till he had tired their horses, when he rode up to a thicket where dame Maud had ambushed a swift steed. Mounting his gallant courser, Edward turned to his guard, and bade them " commend NOTES. 491