Nicholas IV. interposed between Edward and his vows by denouncing the treaty of Oloron.[1] Though well-meaning, he was not strong enough to shake himself free from partisan traditions, and though honestly anxious to bring about a crusade, he could not see that he made the holy war impossible by interposing obstacles in the way of the one prince who seriously intended to take the cross.  While denouncing Edward’s treaty, Nicholas encouraged his crusading zeal by granting him a new ecclesiastical tenth for six years, a tax made memorable by the fact that it occasioned the stringent valuation of benefices, called the taxation of Pope Nicholas, which was the standard clerical rate-book until the reign of Henry VIII.  Despite the pope, Edward still persevered in his mediation, and in October, 1288, a new treaty for Charles’ liberation was signed at Canfranc, in Aragon, which only varied in details from the agreement of 1287.  Charles was released, but he straightway made his way to Rome, where Nicholas absolved him from his oath and crowned him King of Sicily.  Edward was bitterly disappointed.  He tarried in the south until July, 1289, usefully employed in promoting the prosperity of his duchy, crushing conspiracies, furthering the commerce of Bordeaux, and founding new bastides.  At last tidings of disorder at home called him back to his kingdom before the purpose of his continental sojourn had been accomplished.  But he still pressed on his thankless task, and in 1291 peace was made at Tarascon, between Aragon and the Roman see, on the hard condition of Alfonso abandoning his brother’s cause.  On Alfonso’s death soon afterwards the war was renewed, for James then united the Sicilian and Aragonese thrones and would not yield up either.  It was not until 1295 that Boniface VIII., a stronger pope than Nicholas, ended the struggle on terms which left the stubborn Aragonese masters of Sicily.

    [1] For his policy, see O. Schiff, Studien zur Geschichte P.
    Nikolaus IV. (1897).

Things had not gone well in England during Edward’s absence.  Edmund of Cornwall had shown vigour in putting down the revolt of Rhys, but he was not strong enough to control either the greater barons or the officers of the crown.  Grave troubles were already brewing in Scotland.  A fierce quarrel between the Earls of Gloucester and Hereford broke out with regard to the boundaries of Glamorgan and Brecon, and the private war between the two marchers proved more formidable to the peace of the realm than the revolt of the Welsh prince.  Even more disastrous to the country was the scandalous conduct of the judges and royal officials, who profited by the king’s absence to pile up fortunes at the expense of his subjects.  The highest judges of the land forged charters, condoned homicides, sold judgments, and practised extortion and violence.  A great cry arose for the king’s return.  In the Candlemas parliament of 1289 Earl Gilbert of Gloucester met a request for a general aid by urging that nothing should be granted until Englishmen once more saw the king’s face.  Alarmed at this threat, Edward returned, and landed at Dover on August 12, 1289.