History holds but few such characters as John, who was not successful
even in crime. He may be regarded roughly as the royal poultice who
brought matters to a head in England, and who, by means of his
treachery, cowardice, and phenomenal villany, acted as a
counter-irritant upon the malarial surface of the body politic.

After the death of John, the Earl of Pembroke, who was Marshal of
England, caused Henry, the nine-year-old son of the late king, to be
promptly crowned.

Pembroke was chosen protector, and so served till 1219, when he died,
and was succeeded by Hubert de Burgh. Louis, with the French forces, had
been defeated and driven back home, so peace followed.

Henry III. was a weak king, as is too well known, but was kind. He
behaved well enough till about 1231, when he began to ill-treat de
Burgh.

He became subservient to the French element and his wife's relatives
from Provence (pronounced _Provongs_). He imported officials by the
score, and Eleanor's family never released their hold upon the public
teat night or day. They would cry bitterly if deprived of same even for
a moment. This was about the year 1236.

[Illustration: THE PROMPT CORONATION OF THE NINE-YEAR-OLD KING HENRY.]

Besides this, and feeling that more hot water was necessary to keep up a
ruddy glow, the king was held tightly beneath the thumb of the Pope.
Thus Italy claimed and secured the fat official positions in the church.