The next day there were more processions and more celebrations, but Richard himself was, fortunately for him, excused from taking any part in them. In the mean time, the people who managed the government in Richard's name heard the news that the French had learned, in some way, the tidings of King Edward's death, and had landed in the southern part of England, and were burning and destroying all before them. So they made all haste to raise an army to go and repel the invaders.
It was finally concluded, also, to appoint Richard's two uncles, namely, John, Duke of Lancaster, and Edmund, Earl of Cambridge, as his guardians until he should become of age. Some persons thought it was not safe to trust Richard to the Duke of Lancaster at all, but others thought it would be better to conciliate him by treating him with respect, than to make him an open enemy by passing over him entirely.
Richard was considered, at this time, a very amiable and good boy, and it was generally believed by the people of England that, with a right and proper training, he would grow up to be a virtuous and honest man, and they anticipated for him a long and happy reign. And yet, in a little more than ten years after he became of age, he was disgraced and dethroned on account of his vices and crimes.
Edmund, Earl of Cambridge.--Thomas of Woodstock.--Richard's young cousin, Henry of Bolingbroke.--A boy king in France.--Richard and Henry Bolingbroke.--French incursions into the Isle of Wight.--Curious story of the Scotch borderers.--Their strange ideas of the grace of God.--Nature of the royal government.--The House of Commons.--Luxury and extravagance of the nobility.--Wars.--Modes of warfare.--Mining.--Besieging engines.--The Duke of Lancaster's sow.--Gunpowder.--Story of the Welsh knight, Evan.--Siege of Mortain.--Situation of the castle.--Evan's hostility to the English.--Hatred of the English against Evan.--John Lamb.--John Lamb arrives at Mortain.--His reception by Evan.--State of the siege.--Curious manners and customs.--John Lamb accomplishes his purpose.--Death of Evan.--Interview between John Lamb and the governor of the castle.--The knights loved fighting for its own sake.--Their love of glory.--Story of De Langurant.--His men.--He challenges the governor of the castle to single combat.--Encounter of the knights.--Use of lances.--Manner in which such combats were fought.--Result of the combat between De Langurant and Bernard.--De Langurant refuses to surrender.--His fate.--Intolerable tyranny of the nobles in those days.--Oppression of the tax-gatherers.--Richard's helplessness.