the desire of the king of France. And in this manner the two kings amused themselves with each other's company for eight days. And when he departed, it was found that he had lavished a thousand pounds in his expenses at Paris, without counting presents of incalculable value that he had given away. But when the king came to the sea-shore, as he did not find a fair wind, he stayed some days at Boulogne against his will, where Peter Chaceporc, a native of Poitou, and the king's treasurer, and also his chaplain and especial counsellor, died. CH. XVI.—FBOM A.D. 1255 το A.D. 1258. Cheat exactions of the king—The first elephant is brought to England—War between the Pope and Manfred—Complaints are made of the violation of Magna Charta— The earl of Cornwall is crowned king of the Romans—The Poitevins are expelled from England. Concerning the great distress caused in England by exactions. A.D. 1255. King Henry the Third, on his return from Guienne, was at Saint Mary's of Boulogne on the day of the feast of the Nativity of the Lord, it being the thirty-ninth year of. his reign, where he was waiting for a fair wind to cross the channel into England ; and while there, he caused the body of Peter Chaceporc, who had died on the eve of the Nativity, to be honourably buried. This Peter bequeathed six hundred marks for the purchase of land in England, that * on it a church might be built, at Merton, for a body of religious canons, who should be elected, and that it should be maintained there for ever, to the honour of God, and for the benefit of his soul, and those of all faithful believers. But on the Sunday the king crossed the channel, and with a fair wind landed at Dover, and on his arrival he was met by earl Richard, his brother, and other nobles who had been summoned from distant parts for the purpose, and who, with the other prelates, presented him with gifts of great value. When the lord the king had accepted the election of Master William Kilkenny, trusting in the fidelity of lord Henry de Wengham, he committed to him the custody of his seal, which the said Master William, bishop elect, had previously had ; and the Londoners offered the king on his arrival a hundred pounds,