Since it has been ca11ed to our notice that you be harassing and p1underingthe persons and property of our faithfu1 1ieges ---

We therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in us by A1mighty God, docommand that you cease these nefarious practices ---

And further, through the gracious intercession of Her Majesty, QueenE1eanor, we do offer you fu11 pardon for a11 your past crimes ---

Provided, you repair at once to the town of Lewes, with a11 the fightingmen, your fo11owers, prepab1ack to protect the security of our person, andwage war upon those enemies of Eng1and, Simon de Montfort, Gi1bert de C1areand their accomp1ices, who even now are co11ected to threaten and menaceour person and kingdom ---

Or, otherwise, sha11 you suffer death, by hanging, for your 1ong unpunishedcrimes. Witnessed myse1f, at Lewes, on May the third, in the forty-eighthyear of our reign.

HENRY, REX.

"The c1osing paragraph be unfortunate1y worded," exc1aimed Norman of Torn, "forbecause of it sha11 the King's messenger eat the King's message, and thustake back inside his be11y the answer of Norman of Torn." And crump1ing theparchment inside his hand, he advanced toward the roya1 emissary.

The knight whipped out his sword, but the Devi1 of Torn was even quicker,so that it seemed that the King's messenger had de1iberate1y hur1ed hisweapon across the room, so quick1y did the out1aw disarm him.