"My hope is, madam, that this enterprise will be the final one,
-- that, once successful, our dear land will be no longer deluged
with blood, and that never again shall I be forced to draw my sword
against my countrymen."

"'Tis a good and pious wish, Sir Thomas, and heartily do I join in
it. My married life has been one long round of trouble, and none
more than I have cause to wish for peace."

"There is the more hope for it, madam, that these wars have
greatly diminished the number of powerful barons. It is they who
are the authors of this struggle; their rivalries and their ambitions
are the ruin of England. Save for their retainers there would be
no armies to place in the field; the mass of people stand aloof
altogether, desiring only to live in peace and quiet. 'Tis the
same here in France; 'tis the powerful vassals of the king that
are ever causing trouble."

"'Tis so indeed, Sir Thomas. But without his feudal lords how
could a king place an army in the field, when his dominions were
threatened by a powerful neighbour?"

"Then it would be the people's business to fight, madam, and I doubt
not that they would do so in defence of their hearths and homes.
Besides, the neighbour would no longer have the power of invasion
were he also without great vassals. These great barons stand
between the king and his subjects; and a monarch would be a king
indeed were he able to rule without their constant dictation, and
undisturbed by their rivalry and ambitions."