CHAPTER II.
Vray moyne si oncques en feut depuis que le monde moynant moyna de moynerie .-- RABELAIS.
The Earl of Huntingdon, living in the vicinity of a royal forest, and passionately attached to the chase from his infancy, had long made as free with the king's deer as Lord Percy proposed to do with those of Lord Douglas in the memorable hunting of Cheviot.

It is sufficiently well known how severe were the forest-laws in those days, and with what jealousy the kings of England maintained this branch of their prerogative; but menaces and remonstrances were thrown away on the earl, who declared that he would not thank Saint Peter for admission into Paradise, if he were obliged to leave his bow and hounds at the gate.
King Henry (the Second) swore by Saint Botolph to make him rue his sport, and, having caused him to be duly and formally accused, summoned him to London to answer the charge.

The earl, deeming himself safer among his own vassals than among king Henry's courtiers, took no notice of the mandate.

King Henry sent a force to bring him, vi et armis, to court.

The earl made a resolute resistance, and put the king's force to flight under a shower of arrows: an act which the courtiers declared to be treason.