Α .η. 1210.] LOUIS DISOBEYS TUE ΡΟί'Ε. 3f3 England to liny one without the baron's consent, he could however resign it ; and as soon as he resigned it, he ceased to 1«; a king, and the kingdom was without a king. A vacant kingdom could not he settled without asking the barons ; on which thev chose Louis as their lord, by reason of his wile, whose mother, namely, the queen of Castile, was the only survivor of all the brothers and sisters of the said king of England. The legate then pleaded that king John had assumed the cross, on which account he ought, according to the decree oi the general council, to have peace for lour years, and all his possessions ought to remain secure under the protection of the apostolic see ; and therefore Louis ought not in the meantime to make, war on the said king, or deprive him of his kingdom. To this the proctor of Louis replied, '• King John, before assuming the cross, had made, war on our lord Louis, and besieged and destroyed the castle of lSuiicham : he had likewise taken Aria, and burnt the greatest part of it, and, having inaile prisoners of several knights aud their followers at that place, he still detains them prisoners, lie also besieged the castle of Liens, and slew a great number at that place ; the county of Gisnos, which is the lawful fee of our lord Louis, he ravaged with tire and sword ; and even after assuming the cross, he is still at war against Louis, wherefore, he can justly wage war against the said king." The legate, however, not content with these reasons, forbade Louis, as before, under penalty of excommunication, to presume to enter England, and also his lather to permit him to go. On hearing this, Louis said to his father, "Although 1 am your liege subject in the fee which you have given me tu the provinces this side of the sea, it is not your duly to determine anything concerning the kingdom of England ; 1 therefore throw myself on the decision of my peers, as lo whether yon ought to hinder me from seeking my rights, and especially a right in which you cannot afford me justice.therefore ask of you not to obstruct my purpose of seeking my rights, because, for the inheritance of my wife I will, if necessary, contend even to death ;" and with these words Louis retired from the conference with his followers. Tie legati' seeing this, asked the king to grant him safe conduct as far as the sea-coast ; to which the king replied, " We will willingly grant you safe conduct through our territory, but