El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-24
CHRISTMAS DAY
IN HISTORY
PAST
CONTINUED From Previous raeeJ.

tunes of the French campaign in which
he was then engaged. His defeat at
the battle of Bouvines on July 81. 1914,
gave strength to his opponents and af-
ter his return TO England the barons
met secretly at St Edmundsbury and
swcre TO demand from him the reStora-
tion Of their liberties by charter, under
the kings seal Having agreed to as
semble at the court for this purpose
during the coming Christmas festival.
they dispersed When Christmas day
arrived john was at Worcester, attend
ed only by a few of his immediate re-
tanners and some foreign mercenaries.
None of his great Vassals came TO offer
their ccngratulat iens- John, alarmed at
the absence Of the barons. rode to Lon
don and shut himself up in the house
OF the Knights Templars. At first the
king bore defiant attitude and met
the barons with an absolute refusal IF
all their demands, but he was forced TO
yield eventually, and one year later the
great charter was signed ct Runny-
mede
Historic Christmas Weddings.
King John was succeeded in 1916 by
Henry III. whose Christmas celebra-
lions were marked by the solemnizing
Of two great royal weddings 1t was
IN the twentieth year of his reign. 1885.
arrival of his bride, the princess Flea
nor. daughter of the count of Provence.
Henrys lavish celebrations eliminated
in the brilliant festival during the
Christmastide of 1852. when he gave
IN marriage his beautiful daughter. /
Margaret. to Alexander, king Of the
Scots Henry never allowed his finan-
ciaI enbarre ssment to bedim the luster
Of his entertainments and on this par
~
pledge his plate and jewels with the
citizens of London in order to replen- /
ish his exchequer. he solemnized the |
wedding and the day with a great ban |
quet for his thousand knights as well |
as the attendants Of the bridegroom. |
Six hundred oxen were roasted for meat /
and wine was served in proportion
Second only in Importance 20 the /
signing of the Magma Charta was the 1
summoning of the first ma tional parlia- /
ment during the reign of Henry III. |
The parliament was summoned during /
the Christmastide Of 1864. by the patrl- |
otto Simon de Nontfort, while the king /
was being held a prisoner. The form /
of national representation then inaugu-
rated had an incalculable influence on /
the rising liberties of the people, and |
will endure for all time.
Following Henry IIPs capitu1ation to
the demands Of the barons headed by
earl Simon. Edward II was imprisoned !
IN Kenilworth castle during the festival
OF 1926, marking The next Christmas (
victory for peoples tights The fol-
lowing Christmas the Incompetent king
was depcsed- Christmas, 1882, is red
letter day in Scottish annals for it
marked the defeat of Edward BaiIioI |
success was as unreal IS a dream He
was crowned at Scone in the month. Of
September and he fondiy imagined that
he had permanently conquered the "a
triotic Scotch mobiles who had opposed
him His reign lasted only few
months, however. for while he was
feasting at AMMAN. in Dumsriesshire.
the national party attacked him and lie
was routed. escaping only by springingi
upon the back Of a saddleless horse and
leaving behind his brother Henry.
slain
One of the most triumphant Of
Christmas celebrations for the Angso7
Saxons was that celebrated by Edward
III on French soil after the great bat
tie al Crecy. Pcitiers ari other places
The king was particularly happy for he
had reason TO be justly proud. not only
or his wn prowess brit Of lis son. thei
prince of Wales. who had won the rcle-
brated title of the Black Prince on
the field OF Crecy. During Edwards
absence, however. England was invaded
by David II of Scotland David was
ard taken prisoner by the
English army under Philippa, Edwari's
queen. who after the victory Joined
king Edward on the French battle
ground and they kept the Christmas
OF 1916 together with great rejoicing.
1t was during the Christmas festivities
Of this period that the most noble Or
der of the Garter was Instituted by Ed
ward III
A Christmas Conspiracy.
In connection with the Christmas fes-
tfval Of 1414 a conspiracy TO murder
king Henry Y is alleged against the
but the charge has never been
proved. II we are to be-
sieve the chroniclers of the times the