Prince John has long been yearning for sovereignty.

He has long exercised the real, if not the nominal, power, and he has been intriguing with the pope and Philip of France for their support for his seizing the crown.

He will throw every obstacle in the way, as, we may be sure, will Philip of France, Richard's deadly enemy.

And now about yourself, Sir Cuthbert; tell me what has befallen you since we last met." Cuthbert related the adventures which had befallen him, and heard those of Sir Baldwin.
"You have not, I suppose," the latter remarked, "as yet seen Prince John ?" "No," Cuthbert replied, "I thought it better to come down to ask you to advise me on the position of affairs before I attempted to see him." "You did well," Sir Baldwin said.

"When I arrived, I found that the proper officials had, according to King Richard's instructions, draw up the patent conferring upon you the lands and title of Earl of Evesham, before leaving Acre, and had received the king's signature to it.