320 MATTHEW OE WS8TMIFSTEB. A.D. 1252. Alexander, king of Scothnd, espouses Margaret, daughter of Henry, at York. A.D. 1252. King Henry the Third, it heing the thirty-sixth year of hie reign, was at York, where Alexander, who was now king of Scotland, married Margaret, the daughter of the king of England, on the day of the feast of the Nativity o f the Lord, and the king of England at that city invested the king of Scotland with the helt of a knight. And the king of Scotland did homage to the king of England. The guardianship of the king of Scotland and the queen and kingdom were committed to Robert de Roa and to John de Baliol. A heavy tax was laid on the Jews. Simon, earl of Leicester, having grave accusations brought against him, resigned the government of Guienne to the king. A great drought prevailed for four months. Some beneficed clerks in the diocese of Lincoln were promoted to the priesthood against their will. Conrad in the mean time was successful in his war against the pope, nor did his habitual rapacious conduct avail the pope. Robert Passelewe of England, an old and obstinate man, in consequence of whose conduct the abbot of Ramsey had lost the greater part of his revenues, died, on the day of Saint Huon ; and many others as well, as he had had their peace disturbed, and their wealth curtailed by his proceedings. Concerning the general immorality of his character, many facts are recorded in this work. The dissensions which had existed between the abbot of Westminster and his chaplain were appeased by the intervention of the king. This year, too, that most notorious king of Spain, Alfonso, died ; and the king of England was greatly grieved thereat, but the lady Blanche was still more so. Guienne was conferred on Edward, and no mention was made of the earl, to whom it had formerly been granted and bestowed by charter, and in the possession of which he had been established. In the summer there was a great heat and drought of long continuance. A tournament took place this year, which was called the Round Table, in which that most gallant knight, Hervald de Montigney, died. William de Haverhulle, the king's chaplain and treasurer, died. The church of Ely, which had been magnificently repaired by bishop Hugo, was dedicated. The countess Margaret de Riparie» died. On the day of the feast of Saint Edward, a great council was held at