He was a loyal servant of the king, but an exacting and rapacious prelate.

However, I doubt not that the rents of the English nobles will soon be charged with sums sufficient for the ransom; and if this avail not, not one of them will grudge their silver flagons and vessels to melt down to make the total required.

But we must not flatter ourselves that he will obtain his liberty so soon as the money is raised.

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 Phillip of France for their support for his seizing the crown.