of the Roman see the national spirit grew, and the next generation was to see the temper fostered by Gualo in its turn grow impatient of the papal supremacy.  It was Gualo, then, who secured the confirmation of the charters.  Even Louis unconsciously worked in that direction, for, had he not gained so strong a hold on the country, there would have been no reason to adopt a policy of conciliation.  We must not read the history of this generation in the light of modern times, or even with the eyes of Matthew Paris.

    [1] Grosseteste, Epistolae, p. 339.

The marshal had before him a task essentially similar to that which Henry II had undertaken after the anarchy of Stephen’s reign.  It was with the utmost difficulty that the sum promised to Louis could be extracted from the war-stricken and famished tillers of the soil.  The exchequer was so empty that the Christmas court of the young king was celebrated at the expense of Falkes de Breaute.  Those who had fought for the king clamoured for grants and rewards, and it was necessary to humour them.  For example, Randolph of Blundeville, with the earldom of Lincoln added to his Cheshire palatinate and his Lancashire Honour, had acquired a position nearly as strong as that of the Randolph of the reign of Stephen.  “Adulterine castles” had grown up in such numbers that the new issue of the Charter insisted upon their destruction.  Even the lawful castles were held by unauthorised custodians, who refused to yield them up to the king’s officers.  Though Alexander, King of Scots, purchased his reconciliation with Rome by abandoning Carlisle and performing homage to Henry, the Welsh remained recalcitrant.  One chieftain, Morgan of Caerleon, waged war against the marshal in Gwent, and was dislodged with difficulty.  During the war Llewelyn ap Iorwerth conquered Cardigan and Carmarthen from the marchers, and it was only after receiving assurances that he might retain these districts so long as the king’s minority lasted that he condescended to do homage at Worcester in March, 1218.

In the following May Stephen Langton came back from exile and threw the weight of his judgment on the regent’s side.  Gradually the worst difficulties were surmounted.  The administrative machinery once more became effective.  A new seal was cast for the king, whose documents had hitherto been stamped with the seal of the regent.  Order was so far restored that Gualo returned to Italy.  He was a man of high character and noble aims, caring little for personal advancement, and curbing his hot zeal against “schismatics” in his desire to restore peace to England.  His memory is still commemorated in his great church of St. Andrew, at Vercelli, erected, it may be, with the proceeds of his English benefices, and still preserving the manuscript of legends of its patron saint, which its founder had sent thither from his exile.