New-York tribune., 1901-09-19
KING RICHARDS DILEMMA.

E;no Richard the Absentee finds his DOMAIN
somewhat disturbed by rebellion. His people III
two of his dukedoms have refused to accept the
lords he wished to set over thefn hls person'ii
friend and partner in his private business VI
working for his own pocket all the time. Duke
Meyer. was sent by him to take possession Oh
the forfeited estates of Duke Hopper IN the
north The latter nobeman, however, refused
TO how TO the will of his sovereign, raised an
army of yeomen in the district, and completely
routed the Kings favorite. Just how he can
make peace with the King and be recognlzed as
a IovaI subject is not clear. but he is uhuoupt-
edly in possession of the fief and knight 10 DE
reckoned with.
Tho ouarrel between Duke Foley and Duke
Diver in the south is of even more serious
concern to King Richard. During hlng hich-
ards absence on the crusades some Oh Ills Hill
listers and nobles as is the way with the vassals
of absentees conspred against his peace 1or
their own purposes Lord Constable Devery
and Duke Sullivan made themselves the head OF
a group of mobiles in whose train all the thieves
and pamesters and lewd persons in the kingdom
travelled From them vast wealth was amassed.
Before the Kings return these men put up Duke
Foley 10 invade the territory of Duke Diver,
one of Richards faithful followers. The kings
regular troops, under the command or the Lord
Constable were sent against him, ana the dlS-
trict was also harried by the irregular crlminai
bands that look to Duke Sullivan for protection
from Justice A great battle was imminent just
as King Richard landed in the kingdom. AT his
first court audience he showed his displeasure
at the Lord Constable and sharply rebuked
Duke Sullivan for daring to invade the estates
of fellow vassal dwelling in the Kings peace
Rut the rebellious mobiles continued their war
fare on Duke Diver. and have completely
routed him and set Duke Foley in his place be-
fore the Kings eyes, and now they defy him to
disnossess their tool in the old dukedom of
Diver or TO punish them for their intrigue.
Richard the Absentee is now confronted by
serious situation If he tolerates such defiance
he himself may soon become puppet in the
hands of powerful mobiles, and if he tries TO pun
ism them they may break into open rebellion
against himself and leave the kingdom prey
TO foreign enemies The Lord Constable already
tramples over all the Kings subjects His nom
inaI superior, Lord Marshal Murphy, he treats
with contempt; the Regent, Lord Van Wyck
has been compIacent to his domination, and he
has boldly gone about the kingdom encouraging
ruffians matreating officers who tried TO make
them observe the law, sneerDg at those who
| preached righteousness and attaching in per-
! sonaI loyalty to himself the criminal bands
which have hitherto paid the privy purse for
liberty to overrun and oppress the popuace.
King Richard must soon decide whether he will
! let this Lord Devery be master of the kingdom,
and even when here reign without ruling, or
face the issue charge the Lord Constable and
| Duke Sullivan with treason and chop off their
heads, if they do not instead depose him and
| seize his crown.