Meanwhile the King had been compelled to reaffirm that Great Charter
which his father had unwillingly granted at Runnymede (S198).
Standing in St. Catherine's Chapel within the partially finished
church of Westminster Abbey (S207), Henry, holding a lighted taper in
his hand, in company with the chief men of the realm, swore to observe
the provisions of the covenant.
At the close he exclaimed, as he dashed the taper on the pavement,
while all present repeated the words and the action, "So go out with
smoke and stench the accursed souls of those who break or pervert this
charter."
There is no evidence that the King was insincere in his oath; but
unfortunately his piety was that of impulse, not of principle. The
compact was soon broken, and the lnd was again compelled to bear the
burden of exorbitant taxes. These were extorted by violence, partly
to cover Henry's own extravagance, but also to swell the coffers of
the Pope, who had promised to make Henry's son, Prince Edward, ruler
over Sicily.