and the even more limited control which a medieval ruler had over these resources, were fatal obstacles in the way of too ambitious a policy.  Edward had inherited his father’s load of debt, and could only accomplish great things by further pledging his credit to foreign financiers, against whom his subjects raised unending complaints.  Yet, if his methods of attaining his objects were sometimes mean and often violent, there was a rare nobility about his general purpose.

Every precaution was taken to secure Edward’s succession and the establishment of the provisional administration which was to rule until his return.  Before leaving England in 1270, Edward had appointed as his agents Walter Giffard, Archbishop of York, Roger Mortimer, and Robert Burnell, his favourite clerk.  The vacancy of the see of Canterbury after Boniface’s death placed Giffard in a position of peculiar eminence.  Appointed first lord of the council, he virtually became regent; and he associated with himself in the administration of the realm his two colleagues in the management of the new king’s private affairs.  Early in 1273 a parliament of magnates and representatives of shires and boroughs took oaths of allegiance to the king and continued the authority of the three regents.  By the double title of Edward’s personal delegation and the recognition of the estates, Giffard, Mortimer, and Burnell ruled the country for the two years which were to elapse before the sovereign’s return.  Their government was just, economical, and peaceful.  Even Gilbert of Gloucester remained quiet, and, save for the refusal of the Prince of Wales to perform his feudal obligations, the calm of the last years of the old reign continued.  It is evidence of constitutional progress that the administration was carried on with so little friction in the absence of the monarch.  Roger Mortimer, the most formidable of the feudal baronage, was himself one of the agents of this salutary change.  The marcher chieftain put down with promptitude an attempted revolt of north-country knights which threatened public tranquillity.

Edward first heard of his father’s death in Sicily, but the tidings of the maintenance of peace rendered it unnecessary for him to hasten his return, and he made his way slowly through Italy.  In Sicily he was entertained by his uncle, Charles of Anjou.  Thence he went to Orvieto, where the new pope, Gregory X., who, as archdeacon of Liege, had been the comrade of his crusade, was then residing.  From king and pope alike Edward earnestly sought vengeance for the murder of Henry of Almaine.  Proceeding northwards, he was received with great pomp by the cities of Lombardy, and made personal acquaintance with Savoy and its count, Philip, his aged great-uncle.  Crossing the Mont Cenis, he was welcomed by bands of English magnates who had gone forth to meet him.  He was soon at the head of a little army, and in the true spirit of a hero of romance halted to receive the challenge of the boastful Count of Chalon.  The tournament between the best knights of England and Burgundy was fought out with such desperation that it became a serious battle.  At last Edward unhorsed the count in a personal encounter, which added greatly to his fame.  This “Little Battle of Chalon” was the last victory of his irresponsible youth.