maintain that superiority in the field which they had hitherto
supported against the confederated barons. Many considerable noblemen
deserted John's party--the earls of Salisbury, Arundel, Warrenne,
Oxford, Albemarle, and William Mareschal the Younger. His castles fell
daily into the hands of the enemy; Dover was the only place which,
from the valor and fidelity of Hubert de Burgh, the governor, made
resistance to the progress of Louis; and the barons had the melancholy
prospect of finally succeeding in their purpose, and of escaping the
tyranny of their own King, by imposing on themselves and the nation a
foreign yoke.

But this union was of short duration between the French and English
nobles; and the imprudence of Louis, who on every occasion showed too
visible a preference to the former, increased their jealousy which it
was so natural for the latter to entertain in their present situation.
The Viscount of Melun, too, it is said, one of his courtiers, fell
sick at London, and, finding the approaches of death, he sent for some
of his friends among the English barons, and, warning them of their
danger, revealed Louis's secret intentions of exterminating them and
their families as traitors to their Prince, and of bestowing their
estates and dignities on his native subjects, in whose fidelity he
could more reasonably place confidence. This story, whether true or
false, was universally reported and believed; and, concurring with
other circumstances which rendered it credible, did great prejudice to
the cause of Louis. The Earl of Salisbury and other noblemen deserted
again to John's party; and as men easily change sides in civil war,
especially where their power is founded on a hereditary and
independent authority and is not derived from the opinion and favor of
the people, the French Prince had reason to dread a sudden reverse of
fortune.