AMBITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1941, Page 6

AMBITION

THE RUIN OF DE MANDEVILLE. Ambition was the ruin of Macbeth. It was also the ruin of Geoffrey de Mandeville. Let his’sad story teach us all a lesson, that is, if we need one, which we probably do not. He was Earl of Essex, grandson of that Geoffrey who “came over with the Conqueror.”

He fought for King Stephen. He had control of the Tower of London. He was important even as a young man. but he was avaricious and ambitious. He was never satisfied. He bullied all his followers in the eastern counties of England, turned to the side of the Empress Maud because he thought she was likely to win more power than the weak king, and got himself made an Earl, keeping knights’ fees and privileges.

By devious ways, none of them honourable, he extended his dominions. He was made hereditary sheriff and justice of Essex.

One would have thought all this enough for any man, but Geoffrey was hungry. He deserted Maud, imprisoned'her bishop, and went over to the Queen's side. He bought a pardon, became sheriff and justice of Hertfordshire, London, and Middlesex (as well as Essex) and had such legal power that he could turn the scales of jus•tice in his own favour every time. By 1142 lie was the most powerful man in the realm—more powerful than the king, a lord able to browbeat everybody else—wealth, position, supremo authority.

But he was ambitious—as they said Caesar was. He began fresh intrigues —and gambled on a turn of fortune. He lost. He lost everything, including his life. Accused of treason, he rushed from the court like a mad man, screaming and biting, hurling men aside, shouting for vengeance, and making a bold attack cut his enemies, failing miserably, and dying of a wound.

.As he had been excommunicated no one dare bury him. so they soldered him up in a lead,coffin, and hung him in a tree in an orchard, and there, he r-'mained for twenty years, burying him at last in the Temple Church in London.