English over the border, and assumed the title of Guardian of Scotland and general of the Scottish army. But the brave "Wallace had now reached the pinnacle of his greatness, and his descent was most rapid. In May, 1298, Edward landed at Sandwich, hastened to the north, and at the head of eighty-eight thousand fighting men, marched from Iloseburgh to Falkirk, where he literally annihilated the Scottish army, and drove Wallace to resign his guardianship, and seek safety in the woods and wilds of his native land. Edward now returned to London, and was cordially welcomed by the good citizens, "who," says Stowe, "to commemorate his signal victory over the Scots, made great and solemn triumph in their city, every one according to his craft. Amongst other pageants and shows, the fishmongers passed through the city in grand procession headed by I four gilded sturgeons, and four silver j salmon, carried on eight richly capa-I risoncd horses. These were followed ! by forty-five armed knights, riding on ! horses, made like luces of the sea, then succeeded an effigy of St. Magnus, and behind this a thousand horsemen, all pompously dressed." Ere these loyal demonstrations had ceased, the Pope published his award, decreeing that peace between France and England should be ratified by the double marriage of Edward with Mar. garet of France, and of Edward's son, the Prince of Wales, with Isabella, Philip's daughter ; that Guienne should be restored to Edward, and also that the cities taken by Philip from the Earl of Flanders should be returned. These terms, although strongly objected to by some of the French nobles, met with the approval of the English court, and so far satisfied both monarchs, that the two marriages were speedily negociated. CHAPTER II. Parentage and education of Margaret of France—Her virtues—Dower—Journey to England—Marriage—Coronation omitted—Disparity between, the age of herself and her lord—Trices of provisions—Edward leaves Margaret to prosecute the Scotch war—She foliotes him—Birth of Thomas of Brotherton~-Royal excursions —Christmas festivity—Jesters—Truce with Scotland—Pleadings of the Scotch—• The Pope writes on their behalf—Answer of the English barons—Answer of Edward—Fable received for facts—Margaret vainly intercedes for the Scots—Gives birth to Prince Edward—Peace concluded with France—The Prince of Wales betrothed—Hostilities with Scotland renewed—Margaret accompanies Edward to the north—She attends the accouchement of the Countess of Hereford—Makes excursions—Siege of Stirling Castle—Edward and Margaret return to England—Execution of Wallace—Coinage regulations—London bakers—Robbery of the Exchequer—Disgrace andpunishment of Prince Edward—His sister's kindness—He is knighted—The King vows to avenge the murder of Comyn—Prince Edward and other new-made knights make a similar vow—They proceed to the northt followed by the King—Birth and Death of Margarets daughter, Eleanora. FRANCE, the subject of the present memoir, was the youngest daughter of Philip of France, surnamedthe Hardy, and Mary of lirabant. Her father died during her in fancy, and left her under the guardianship of her brother, Philip the Fair, the reigning King. She received her education under the immediate superintendence of her mother, a princess of great piety and goodness of heart. Margaret could not boast of captivating personal charms, but this deficiency of beauty was more than compensated