104 



wilderness,* and while the earl and Falcasius were thus 

 mercilessly occupied, the king's arms spread equal deso- 

 lation in other parts, till at length the castles of Mount- 

 sorrel, in Leicestershire, and that of Robert de Ros, in 

 Yorkshire, alone remained to the insurgent barons. To 

 this succeeded the coming over of the French king, in 

 order to assist the barons, the seeming defection of the 

 earl, the death of John, and the coronation of young 

 Henry. The country was again at peace, and Longespe 

 returned to his home and family. With the passing 

 away of battle scenes, seemed to have passed also the 

 fierce spirit of the earl. We hear of him as a kind hus- 

 band and indulgent father, as a bounteous master, and 

 one who loved to promote good works. The gentle 

 influence of Lady Ela apparently recalled him to the mood 

 of better days, as the associating with De Breant had 

 urged him to deeds of rapine and injustice. The beau- 

 tiful cathedral of Salisbury was founded by him, and 

 thither came, at his request, the bishop of the diocese, 

 with a few earls and barons, and a vast concourse of 

 people from all parts, on the day appointed for laying 

 the first stone. Divine service having been performed in 

 the ancient edifice, the bishop put off his shoes, and 

 walked in procession with his clergy to the site of the 

 new foundation, singing the litany as they went. The 

 bishop then addressed the people, and taking a stone in 

 his hand, he placed it in the name of Pope Honorius, 

 * Matt, of Paris. Clause Rolls. 



