6. While Wat Tyler was speaking he was seen to place his hand on his dagger, and the Lord Mayor of London, fearing he would use it, struck him to the ground, where he was soon killed.

7. When the people saw their leader fall they were very angry, and bent their bows to shoot, but Richard, although he was only sixteen years of age, galloped up to them and said, "What is the meaning of this, my good people? Are you angry that you have lost your leader? I am your king, and I will be your leader."

8. They were so pleased with the king's boldness that they quietly followed him into the fields, where he promised to grant their requests, and persuaded them to return home.

9. Richard failed, however, to keep his promise, and many of the peasants were afterwards executed.

Dis-con-tent'ed, not pleased or

satisfied.

Ex'e-cu-ted, put to death.

chief magistrate in the city of London.

Peas'ants, country people.

Lord Mayor of Lon'don, the Re-quests', things asked for.

Smith'field, a part of London.

In the reign of Richard the Second the peasants were very discontented, and disliked paying the heavy taxes required by the king. A large number, under Wat Tyler, marched to London, and killed many of the great men. They were met by the king at Smithfield. When Wat Tyler was talking to Richard, he was struck to the ground by the Lord Mayor and killed. Tyler's friends were very angry, but the king persuaded them to go quietly back to their homes.

THE MAID OF ORLEANS.

XVI. THE MAID OF ORLEANS.

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1. Like some other English kings, Henry the Fifth tried to conquer France. He did not live long enough to end the war, but it was carried on in the reign of his son, Henry the Sixth.

2. At first the English gained many victories, but after a time they were again and again sadly beaten. This great change was chiefly brought about by means of a French country girl, named Joan of Arc.

3. Whenever Joan heard people talking about the war she used to listen attentively to what was said, for she very much pitied her king, and wished that he could drive the English out of the country.

4. By and bye she began to fancy that she could hear heavenly voices telling her to go to the French king, and help him to fight.

5. Joan thought she must obey the voices, and she went to the king. At first he only laughed at her, and thought she was mad; but she appeared so earnest that in the end she was made a general in the army. Then she dressed herself in men's clothes, and wore a suit of armour.

6. The French soldiers were very pleased to have Joan with them, and felt sure that by her help they would be able to conquer.

7. The first thing they did was to march to a city called Orleans, which the English were trying to take. Joan, mounted on a white horse, rode at

the head of the army. At her side was a sword,

and in her hand she carried a banner.

8. The English soldiers were very much afraid of

Joan. They called her a witch, and thought she could do them a great deal of harm. When they met the French they did not fight as bravely as they formerly did, and were soon obliged to leave the city in peace.

9. On account of this victory the French thought more highly than ever of Joan, and in honour of what she had done they called her the Maid of Orleans.

10. Her next work was to take her king to be crowned according to custom at Rheims. They had to march through a part of the country full of English soldiers, but with Joan as their leader the French were able to defeat all who opposed them.

11. When the king was crowned, Joan- wished very much to go home to her father and mother, but the king persuaded her to stay with his army.

12. It would have been much better for the poor girl if she had been allowed to return, for soon afterwards she fell into the hands of the English, who burnt her alive as a witch.

At-tent'ive-ly, with great care, earnestly.

A witch, a woman who was
thought to be very wicked, and

Henry VI. began to reign,
The Maid of Orleans,

to receive great power from evil spirits.

Fan'cy, suppose, believe, think.

SUMMARY.

A.D. 1422.
1429.

When Henry the Sixth became king the English were at war with the French. At first they conquered a great part of France, but after a time they were sadly beaten. The change was brought about by a French peasant girl named Joan of Arc. She thought she was sent by heaven to deliver her country. The king made her a general in the army. The English called her a witch, and were afraid of her. She drove them from Orleans, which they were trying to capture, and took her king safely to Rheims to be crowned. Joan afterwards taken prisoner by the English, and burned as a witch.

THE QUEEN AND THE ROBBER.

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XVII.—THE QUEEN AND THE ROBBER. 1. Some years after the Maid of Orleans had been put to death, the Duke of York, an English nobleman, said that he had a better right to be king than Henry the Sixth, whose grandfather, Henry the Fourth, had wrongfully taken the crown.

2. As there were many people who believed the Duke, and were ready to fight for him against the king, a war broke out which lasted thirty years.

3. All who were on the king's side wore a red rose, while the friends of the Duke of York wore a white one. Thus it is that this war is always

spoken of as "The War of the Roses."

4. In a battle fought at Hexham, the king was defeated and obliged to flee.

son also took to flight, and

The queen and her sought safety in a

wild forest near the coast. There she fell into the hands of some robbers, who took from her all her rings and jewels, and treated her very badly.

5. When the robbers tried to divide the spoil they could not agree, and while they were quarrelling about their shares the queen and her son were able to escape.

6. They went into the thickest part of the forest, where they wandered about for some time. They were without food, and knew not where to go. While they were in this sad condition, the queen saw another robber coming to them with a sword. in his hand.

7. As she saw no means of escape she took the little prince by the hand, and advancing to meet

the robber said, "My friend, I am your queen, and this little boy is your king's son. I commit him to your care."

8. The robber was so pleased at being trusted by the queen that he took care of them, and helped them to escape to the Continent.

In the reign of Henry the Sixth the Duke of York claimed the crown. A war which lasted thirty years broke out. It was called the War of the Roses, because the king's friends wore a red rose, and the duke's friends a white rose. In the battle of Hexham the king was defeated, and obliged to flee. The queen and her son sought safety in a forest. There they were robbed of their money and jewels. While they were wandering about they were met by a kindhearted robber, who took care of them, and helped them to get out of the country.