Book One, Chapters 38-42 Summary

John calls Llewelyn and the other Welsh Princes to England to do homage to their King. Gruffydd is not happy with his father's decision to heed the call, and Joanna refuses to accompany him, reluctant to see her father. John is bedridden with an attack of gout and holds meetings in his bedchamber. It is here that John tells Llewelyn he wants peace with Wales. While Llewelyn makes no promises, John argues with him about Joanna. John is convinced that Llewelyn has refused to allow Joanna to visit him and that he has poisoned her mind with lies about John. A few weeks later, the Pope chastises his Bishops for not supporting John in the Barons War and John has a decisive defeat against the remaining rebels who had offered the crown of England to Louis, Prince...