HORSE WON KINGDOM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 17

HORSE WON KINGDOM.

Edward, son of Henry 111., was long kept a prisoner by Simon <lc Mont fort, Earl of Leicester. Though the young prince was apparently free, a troop of guards on horses was always near at hand to prevent any attempt at escape. The Earl of Gloucester, who secretly supported the prince, gave him a horse, which, unknown to the guards, was the fastest racehorse in the country. The young prince watched his opportunity, and one day when out alone with his guards, made the suggestion that they should, race against one another for a prize. The guards saw no danger in this, arranging to race in turn, so that the prince was never left alone. When the competition was over, the horses of the guards were all tired out. It was then that the clever young prince waved them good-bye and dashed oIF on the fastest horse- in England so that none could catch him. After his escape, Prince Edward rallied his followers round him and soon crushed the Earl of Leicester, restoring the power of his father. He went afterwards on a crusade to Palestine. When he returned to England and was crowned as Edward I. at Westminster, he remembered what he owed to a horse, for during the celcbraitions, which lasted a fortnight, he set free 500 horses to be had for the catch'ing.