integrum consequeretur non obtinuit quod speravit ergò non nocet sibi Homagium Quia si Patroni filius petat Legatum relictum in testamento liberti excluditur c. Sed si non obtinuerit Legatum quod speravit petitio Legati sibi non praejudicat Praetereà indubiò non videtur quis juri suo tacitè renunciare ubi scit jus suum ubique durare c. Sed hìc scit Rex Angliae sus suum ubique durare quare non videtur indubiò Regno Franciae renunciare Sed Rex Angliae scit Jus suum ubique durare quod apparet quùm de Jure suo protestabatur quae protestatio conservat Jus protestantis c. Praetereà dictus Philippus Possessor Regni Franciae admisit Homagium ut Rex Franciae de facto qui Titulum in Regno non habuit Rege Angliae existente in proximiori Gradu ergò admissio Homagii non valuit cùm ea quae geruntur in Personâ illius qui Titulum non habuit nec habet nec valent nec praejudicant c. Praetereâ tunc quando praestitit Homagium in minori aetate erat constitutus c. As to the other Point the English Agents pleaded that not only the Dukedoms of Normandy and Aquitain with the Counties of Maine and Anjou were by Lineal Descent belonging unto the King their Master but that now also the whole Realm of France was his in Right of his Mother Daughter and now Heir of King Philip the Fair for thô the King doth not directly oppose their Salique Law as claiming not for his Mother but for himself as her Heir yet neither doth he want Arguments to invalidate the Authority of that Custom for as to the Words In terram Salicam Mulieres nè succedant he can prove against the French Glossers that the Realm of France was not to be understood thereby and that Pharamond was not as they pretend the Author of this Law For that the Land Salique is in Germany between the Rivers Elbe and Sala not far from Kuninghofen and that when Charles the Great who began his Reign 343 Years after the Death of Pharamond had overcome the Saxons he left there a Colony of Frenchmen who either in detestation of the dishonest Manners of the German Women or rather because a Masculine Government was more necessary for Souldiers made a Law that Females should not succeed to any Inheritance within that Land which is now called Misnia or Meissen by the Germans a Province in the Upper Saxony And further that this which now they call a Law was but a wicked and Usurpations Custom first of all introduced by f Mezeray Eng. fol. p. 27. vid. de his omnibus Franciae Historias Mich. Draytons Battle of Agincourt Stanza 19 20. p. 5. Clotaire the First to the Exclusion of his Nieces Chrotherge and Chrotesinda Daughters of his Elder Brother Childebert the First And further that even this supposed Law had not always been observed in France it self which was proved by several Instances As that King Pepin the Father of Charles the Great who deposed King Childeric the Third and last of the Merovean Race claimed the Crown of France of Pope Zachary as Heir General being descended of Blithildis Daughter of King Clotaire the First Further that Hugh Capet who upon the Death of Lewis V. usurped the Crown which was challenged by Charles Duke of Lorraine the sole Heir Male of the Line of Charles the Great to make his Title good pretended to come of the Lady Lindgardis Daughter of King Charles II. sirnamed the Bald who was Son of Lewis Debonnaire the Emperour and Grandson to Charles the Great Also that Lewis the IX who was Canonized but g Vid. Libbe Chron. Techn ad ann 1327. 45 Years before and hath been since called St. Lewis because he descended in a direct Line from the Usurper Hugh Capet could never be throughly satisfied in his Conscience how he might justly keep and enjoy the Crown of France till he was well informed and at last fully perswaded that Queen Isabell or Elizabeth his Grandmother Daughter to Baldwin of Hainalt was lineally descended from the Lady Ermingardis Daughter and Heir to the foresaid Charles Duke of Lorrain by which Marriage the Blood and Line of Charles the Great was again united and restored to the Crown of France So that it is manifest as day to those who are not wilfully blinded with Prejudice that the Title of King Pepin the Claim of Hugh Capet the Right of St. Lewis and consequently of the Royal House of France to that day were derived and conveyed from the Heir Female Thô now under pretence of such a Law they would debarr the King of England of his Right and Lawfull Inheritance Nor was Scripture forgot to be quoted in an Assembly where such Eminent Persons of the Clergy of both Nations besides the Head of the Church himself were present especially that fully decisive h Numbers c. 27. v. 8. Text so often upon this Occasion used wherein God himself declares That when a Man dies without a So◠the Inheritance should descend to the Daughter If a Man die and have no Son ye shall cause his Inheritance to pass unto his Daughter Which was made a standing Law by God himself in the Case of the Daughters of Zelophehad Much to this purpose was urged in King Edwards Behalf by the English Commissioners but the French alledged many things to the Contrary as the express Words of the Salique Law which they attributed to Pharamond and make to belong to the whole Realm of France and therefore it is matter of Fact that never any Woman was admitted to the Crown of that Kingdom And if no Female have any Right in her self much less can she transfer to another for nemo dat quod non habet also that he was a Stranger and so not to be admitted to the Government of that Realm which once before refused Charles Duke of Lorraine aforesaid upon that very Account thô he was unquestionably the next Heir They further urged the Judgment of the Twelve Peers of France who agreed the Crown to be King Philips Right also King Philips present Possession and long and peaceable Enjoyment and even King Edwards own Acknowledgment when he rendred Homage to him as to the true and lawfull King of France Thus on both sides Arguments were bandied with equal Facility the Judgment of the Law and the Opinion of the Doctors quoted the Niceties of Distinctions explained and the Strength of Objections foiled as may be seen at large in the foresaid MS. of Dr. Stillingfleet which Authentick Work was at the Command of King Henry V upon his renewing the Claim to the Crown of France collected and compiled by the venerable Father Thomas Beckington Dr. of Law and Dean of the Arches and afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells So nothing could be said on either side but an Answer was ready for
her Lands in that Kingdom had also been seized on From which Sr Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who having been clap'd into the Tower for Treason had made his escape into France as he was a most Politick and Vindicative Person took occasion to insinuate himself into the Queens Favour and by pretending to take her part against the Spencers the great Favourites of her Husband whom she extreamly hated involved her before she was aware into a Rebellion from which she could never extricate her self till she had ruin'd the King her Husband It is no way pleasant to me to relate the whole progress of that execrable Treason nor how the King of France being warned by King Edward durst not entertain any longer within his Dominions the Queen his Sister with this her Son Edward so that she was forced to flee to strangers for succour who being won by her charming tears adventur'd thô but a Few into this Kingdom where quickly encreasing their Numbers by a rash defection of the Giddy multitude they proceeded to the utmost Violations of Faith and Honour In short the old King at last was violently and illegally Depos'd and imprison'd thô with promise of security to himself AN. DOM. 1325. and the allowance of an Honourable Pension during life And our young Edward his eldest Son thô he could never be x Walsing hâ—st p 105. Hâ—â—â—nshead p 881. perswaded even to a Crown till he was made to believe his Father had desired it being at last won by the sight of his Father's seeming-voluntary Resignation which yet was extorted by fraudulent Promises and severe menaces took upon him the Crown and Government of this Kingdom III. Before this while the Realm was yet unsetled and the old King lay as then conceal'd in Wales y Sandford p. 158. He was by an Usurped Authority in an Assembly z Speed p. 564. Ashmole p. 644. of Lords met at Hereford the Queen and Sr Roger Mortimer being present made Custos or Lord Warden of the Kingdom by a common Decree bearing date the 20 of October whereupon all the Lords made him Homage and took an Oath of Allegiance to be Loyal to him as Lord Warden of England And on the twenty sixth of November following the Great Seal sent from the King his Father was deliver'd unto him at Martley Whereupon a a Walsingh hist p. 106. Sr The. de la Mere p. 8. l. 41. Parliament was summon'd to meet at Westminster about the Feast of Epiphany being called indeed in the old King's Name but the Briefs of Citation were signed by the Prince as Lord Warden of England In this Parliament thus called by his own Authority was the old King illegally depos'd when they had extorted his own consent to it by fair and foul means making so the young Prince believe that his Father had freely and willingly resign'd the Government of which matter we shall speak more largely when we come to relate the Murther of the said King Edward the Second But because many of our Historians lay some imputation upon the Name of King Edward the Third as if he was not wholly innocent of these Proceedings against his Father we are to consider the tenderness of his Age he being not then fourteen years old whereby he might very easily be impos'd upon by the treacherous subtlety of Mortimer and his Complices who were always about him also we should cast our eyes upon the severity he shew'd this same Mortimer when he understood the whole Treason nor is it a small sign of his innocence as to this point that he himself lived long and Reigned happily being blest with many Dutifull Children and that no other circumstance of his whole life can furnish us with any thing from whence we may suspect that he could be capable of so black and unnatural a Treason However b Ashmole p. 644 now the old King having resign'd the Crown great Preparations were made for this young Prince's Coronation he being on the 25 of January or the Conversion of St Paul and a c Lit. Dom. D. Sunday proclaimed King of England by Order and Consent of Parliament and Proclamations d Dugd. Warw. p. 165. a. were issued out in his Name declaring to the People that his Father the late King had made a Voluntary and free Resignation of his Regal Dignity to him as being his Eldest Son. And a week after by the direction of those who were Contrivers of this Revolution he was advis'd to Publish his Peace to the whole Kingdom which was done in these words Edward e Walsingh hist p. 105. Speed p. 565. Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 28. by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain to N. Sheriff of S. Greeting Whereas the Lord Edward our Father late King of England by Common Council and Assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Lords as well as that of the whole Commonalty of the Realm did voluntarily resign the Government thereof willing and granting that We as his Eldest Son and Heir should take upon Us the Rule and Government of the Kingdom And We by the consent and advice of the Prelates Earls and Barons aforesaid yeelding herein to our Fathers good Pleasure have taken upon Us the Government of the said Realm and received as the manner is the Fealties and Homages of the said Prelates and Barons Desiring therefore that our Peace should be inviolably kept to the quiet and benefit of our Liege People We will and command that presently upon sight of these Presents you cause our Peace to be Proclaim'd thrô all your Bailywick charging all and every one in our Name under pain and peril of Disherison and loss of life and limb not to presume to infringe or violate our said Peace but every one to prosecute his Actions and Causes without any outrage whatsoever according to the laws and customs of our Kingdom For We are ready and ever shall be to exhibit and afford to all and singular Plaintiffs as well poor as rich full Justice in our Courts according to due Course of Law. Witness Our Self at Westminster l mo Februarii Annóque Regni nostri Primo On the f Sandford p. 158. H. Knighten p. 2550. Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 2. n. 13. same day being Sunday and the Vigil of the Purification was the young King by the hands of his Cozen Henry Earl of Lancaster first girded with the Sword of Knighthood at which time the King himself Knighted many others among whom were three g Sandford p. 109. Catal. Hono p. 575. Dagd 1. Vol. p. 145. 147. Sons of the Lord Mortimer That day he was Crowned at Westminster by the hands of h Ashmole calls him William by mistake vid. Godw. Catal. Bps. c. Walter Reginald Archbishop of Canterbury and thereupon as an Earnest of the many Advantages his People were to reap from his prosperous Reign a General Pardon
is Proclaim'd which gave occasion to Succeeding Kings to grant a General Pardon at their first Coming to the Crown after the example of so great a Precedent I do not think it necessary to make any exact Narration of the Coronation of this Young Monarch because such things are so well known in general and others who delight in matters of less moment have not omitted a full Description thereof but I shall not forget to mention * Peâ—es Thom. Goldsmith ex Graii Hospitio one Medal which with many other of several devices was upon the Coronation Day flung among the People because we may thence make a guess at the ingenuity of that Age On the Pile was the Young Prince Crowned laying a Scepter on a heap of Hearts AN. DOM. 1327. An. Regni I. with this Motto POPULO DAT JURA VOLENTI And on the Reverse an Hand held forth as it were saving a Crown falling from on high with these words NON RAPIT SED RECIPIT IV. Now because of the Kings Tender Age for he was at that time but Fourteen Years two Months and eighteen Days old there were Twelve i H. Knighton p. 2556. Leland Collect. 1. vol. p. 685. Sr Rich. Baker Guardians appointed Him to wit Five Bishops Two Earls and Five Barons the Names of them were these Walter Reginald Archbishop of Canterbury William Melton Archbishop of York John Stratford Bishop of Winchester Thomas Cobham Bishop of Worcester and Adam Orleton Bishop of Hereford the two Earls were Thomas of Brotherton Earl Marshal and Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent both the Kings Uncles the Barons were John Lord Warren Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percy Oliver Lord Ingham and John Lord Ros. But k Walsing hist p. 109. over and above all in especial manner by consent of the Lords in Parliament and the Twelve Guardians themselves the Thrice Noble Henry de Torto Collo Earl of Lancaster Lincoln Leicester and Derby the Kings own Cozen was deputed to have the chief Care of the Kings Person upon l Sandford p. 109. Whom also and his Heirs as Earls of Leicester was settled at the same time the Stewardship of England Nor let it be wondred that this Earl the Kings Cozen should be prefer'd to either of his Uncles in this matter since thocirc of great Nobility and Honour they were both of less experience being young men nor was it so agreeable to Policy to give them the Greatest Power who were nearest of Blood as was afterwards sufficiently experienced in the Protectorship of Richard Duke of Glocester who made away his two Royal Nephews to obtain the Crown All these were able Men and firm to the Kings Person and Interest but little more than Shadows in this Station Roger Lord Mortimer overtopping all by his great Power derived from the influence he had with the Queen Mother By his means it was that the said Queen had so m Walsingh hist p. 108. hypod p. 110. excessive a Dowry now assigned her that the King her Son had scarce one Third part of his Crown Lands remaining to Himself of which yet Mortimer made good use to advance his Friends and establish his own Authority and Greatness The imprison'd King this while being allow'd but one hundred Marks by the Month nor was he long permitted to enjoy that neither But we shall refer the prosecution of this to its proper place V. And now immediately there arises matter to exercise the Genius of the Young King whose Inclinations tend all to Glory and we shall see how eagerly He snatches at the first opportunity to obtain it But here before we enter upon the Scotch War it will not be amiss to set down a brief Account of the State of Scotland at that time In the Year of our Lord n Buchan p. 240. see Hect. Bâ—â—t f. 291. An. Dom. 1286. 1285. King Alexander the Third dying suddenly without Issue there arose several considerable Persons who being some way allied to the Royal Family claim'd a Right to the Crown of that Kingdom But all their Pretences were swallowed up in those of the Lord John Baliol and of the Lord Robert Bruce who had by far the Clearer Title King Edward the First of England Grandfather to our Edward by right of Superiority which he claimed became Umpire of the Cause and he adjudged the Realm of Scotland to the Lord John Baliol not only because his Title was the best he claiming in Right of his Wife Dornagill eldest Daughter to the Lady Margaret eldest Daughter to David Earl of Huntington younger Brother to William King of Scots and Great Uncle to Alexander the Third but also because he offer'd to hold the Crown of Scotland of King Edward as Superior Lord which Robert Bruce absolutely refused to do But the Scots were so disgusted at Baliol for this his abjectness of mind that they began to rebell against him and threatned to choose Robert Bruce for their King whereby he being terrifi'd renounced his Allegiance to Edward the First and defi'd him but he was too weak to make good his Defiance both he and his son Edward Baliol and shortly after the Lord Robert Bruce being seized on were put in custody and the Kingdom of Scotland lapsed to King Edwards hands But not long after this the Scots being miraculously excited by the extraordinary courage of the famous William Wallaâ—e and at last Robert Bruce o Dugd. 1. V. l. p. 451. Earl of Carrick escaping from London he was made King thô he prov'd unable to do any great feat but rather sculked about seeking advantages till the Days of King Edward the Second a Prince of far less Fortune and Conduct in the War than his Father Long-shanks Against him he obtained the Memorable Battle at Bannocksborn near Striveling where perished no less than 50000 English if Hector Boetius may be credited among whom fell q Fabian p. 167 42 Lords and Barons and 67 Knights and Banerets besides 22 Great men whom the Scots took prisoners Upon which success as the English of the Borders were without measure dejected so the Scots were inflamed with pride and disdain as may appear from this Rhyme which among others was sang about their streets Maidens of England sore may you mourn For your Lemans ye have lost at Bannocksborn With Heve a low What ho weneth the King of England So soon to have won all Scotland With a Rumby low From this time Scotland gather'd strength and reputation and easily obtain'd a Peace with England on very good Terms King Robert hereby was more firmly settled in his Throne being a Father of one Son named David a Prince of great hope and of two Daughters the Lady Margaret wife to the Lord Walter Stuart and by him Mother to the young Lord Robert Stuart a person of rare endowments and expectation besides that the other Lady her younger Sister had then or shortly after a Son too by her Husband the Earl of
while to delay by reason of a War with the Flemmings which about this time he undertook on the behalf of the Earl of Flanders their Lord whom they had seditiously expell'd And indeed he found such c Frois c. 21. 22. Fabian p. 264 c. Success at Cassell that he slew 16000 of them and reduc'd all Flanders to his Obedience obliging them by Bond never to bear Arms against the King of France and so having restored the Earl to his former Authority being elevated with the conceit of this Success he began to look at Higher things But we are not yet called to Foreign Affairs Wherefore for a while we shall be content to speak of matters at home Inglorious truly for the most part and therefore Ungratefull but such as may bring Profit to the Observant Reader and are by no means to be omitted being necessary for the making out the Series of this Story and also very Usefull to inform Persons of High Condition how to bear themselves by the Example of others who went before them in the like Honours IV. Roger Lord Mortimer d Knighton p. 2553. now does all Influences all and Personates all He only places and displaces Great Officers and wholly Assumes the King's Authority and solely possesses his Ear. The e John Tinemouth Aur. hist ex Aed Lamb. p. 229. Earl of Lancaster himself cannot be permitted to approach his Lord and Master to inform or advise him nor any either Uncle or other Baron how Great soever unless of Mortimer's Opinion and even then whatever they said was watch'd by such as he had planted about the King for that purpose Among other instances of his Towring Spirit he presum'd to hold a f Knighton p. 2553. n. 50. Round Table at Bedford in imitation of King Arthur that Famous Breton Others confounding this Mortimer with a Former of the same Name place this Round Table at Kenelworth Castle in Warwickshire where they reckon up an hundred Knights and as many Fair Ladies besides other Guests and Spectators Many other Knights and Gentlemen repairing thither from Foreign parts for the Exercise of Arms by Tiltings and Martial Tournements While the Ladies sported themselves and delighted the Presence with the more feminine Diversion of Dancing being all richly clad in silken Mantles and other Ornaments agreeable to their Sex and Quality But here the Lord Mortimer appeared as the occasion so the Chief of all that were there both in the Ladies Eyes and the Opinion of the Knights themselves These Sports were begun on the Eve of St. Matthew the Apostle Mortimer perhaps out of a vain and cruel Pride insulting over the Ashes of the Dead King whom he had caused a year before to be murder'd on that Festival and so continued till the Morrow after St. Michael being the space of 11 days Let none conclude this last Reflection to be Malicious since not only the Day seems to warrant my Opinion but the place also of the Solemnity being that very Castle where that poor King first lost both his Crown and Liberty But in very deed this Round-Table at Kenelworth was g Monastic Ang. p. 223. a. another thing at another time and held by another Roger Lord Mortimer in the days of King Edward the First For thô a h Dugd. Warw. p. 164. b. Great Man calls that Roger Earl of March 't is done only by inadvertency for even this Roger was not yet Earl of March thô he was the * Catal. Hâ—nâ—r p. 574. First of that name ever so called But because the Round-Table is not only here mention'd but must hereafter be much more spoken of I shall here once for all observe i Cambden in Hamshire s 191 Dugd Warw. p. 154. that the Round-Table was devised to avoid Contention about Precedency and Athenaeus observes it to have been Customary among the Ancient Gauls to sit at their Round Tables their Esquires waiting behind with their Targets in their hands But to return to Mortimer this his High Carriage was so greatly stomacked by the King's Uncles and the Earl of Lancaster that they resolv'd to pull down the Pride of this Man or to die in the Undertaking But as yet there could none of them come to the private Speech of the Young King to lay before him the true State of Affairs they were so well watched by Mortimer On the Quindene k Dâ—gd 1 Vâ—l. p. 541. Catal. Hâ—â—â—â— â— p. 574. Thô the year there is said to bâ— 1327. by Mistake of St Michael a Parliament was called at Salisbury whither thô it had been Decreed that no Person whatsoever should presume to come Armed the Lord of Wigmore notwithstanding came with a great Rout of Armed Men at his Heels so that the Earl of Lancaster durst not come but for his own Defence put himself in Arms and then sent to the King his Reasons both of taking Arms and absenting from Parliament And it seems his Design was so apparently for the King's Honour that it was countenanced with the Presence of the King 's two Uncles Thomas Earl of Norfolk and Edmund Earl of Kent Stephen Gravesend Bishop of London and John Stratford Bishop of Winchester who was afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury Thomas Lord Wake Governour of Hertford Castle Henry Vicount Beaumont Sr. Thomas Rosselin Sr. Hugh Audley and others several whereof were of the twelve appointed to be the King's Guardians and the rest all Persons of Worth and Nobility The first occasion of this breach besides the Insupportable Pride and Avarice of the Lord Mortimer was this The Lord l M. S Vet. Aug. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 218. Robert Holland who had in the days of King Edward the Second occasion'd the Death of Thomas Earl of Lancaster however he had thereby incurr'd the indignation of the people upon Queen Isabella's return into England was not only deliver'd from Prison but became very Gracious with the said Queen and was of her Council and of Mortimer's But for all that being about the Sessions of this Parliament taken m Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 73. in a Wood near Henley-Park as he was riding to Queen Isabell then at London by Sr. Thomas Withers the said Sr. Thomas smote off his Head and sent it to his Master Henry Earl of Lancaster then at Waltham-Cross in Essex as an acceptable present This was not so well receiv'd by the said Earl of Lancaster whose Brother had been betray'd by Sr. Robert Holland as it was resented by the Queen Mother who had a great Favour for him and therefore she instantly urged the King her Son to take vengeance of his Murtherers especially of Sr. Thomas Withers But him the Earl of Lancaster had concealed till being therefore threatned by the Queen Mother and also stirr'd up by the Publick Clamours of the People who were extreamly opprest by her and Mortimer whereof the King bare all the blame thô he was but young and of tender
upon them if they did As for more circumstances of this Martial Sport they are neither fit to be minutely handled nor can I find them any where particularized But this is very likely that the Actions were performed with Gallantry enough and that the Undertakers on both sides were considerable Persons For some say p Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 893. the Young King himself with 12 more in his Company thô disguised were the Challengers ready to answer all Defendants that should come At least the King Queen and whole Court were Spectators with many thousands of the City But in the height of this Recreation there happen'd an accident which had like to have proved Tragical For the Stage q Stow's Survey of London p. 280. Hist p. 230. R. Baker p. 143. whereon the Queen and her Ladies were placed suddenly brake under them to the great affrightment of all the Company thô by the wonderfull Goodness of God it happen'd that no harm at all was done But the King was thereby so incensed at the Master-Workmen that it would have proved very difficult for them to have avoided a severe Punishment had not the Noble-minded Queen her self upon her knees requested their pardon Which besure the King would never have granted on any other consideration to those who had occasion'd the hazard of a Lady so dear unto him And indeed this vertuous Princess was of a most Generous and Compassionate Nature always desirous to do good but especially to the Afflicted and those who were brought into any undeserved Misfortune so that all along she Reign'd in the hearts of the People whose Welfare and Convenience she continually endeavour'd with all her Power III. About this time the Queen Mother who bore an Inveterate hatred against Edmund Plantagenet Earl of Kent one of the Kings Uncles chiefly for the Earl of Marche's sake to whose Unreasonable pride the Noble Princes Courage scorn'd to yield began earnestly to inform the Young King her Son against him as guilty of matters into which the subtle Mortimer had craftily insnared the Open-hearted Gentlman r Frois c. 23. fol. 13. a. Fox Acts Mon. p. 345. Some say that being the next Heir Apparent he was accused to have conspired the Death of the King his Nephew by poyson which might not perhaps sound so improbable but that at this time and for above six years after the Kings own Brother John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall was ſ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. alive thô Froisard and from him others by mistake say he was then newly dead besides this Earl of Kent had himself an Elder Brother then living which was Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshall of England and yet above all this there were two Ladies Joan Queen of Scotland and Princess Eleanor the Kings own Sisters surviving So that he could not by any means pretend to be the next Heir nor even his Enemies with any sense pretend it for him Moreover in the Records we find no mention of Poison nor that he was so much as accus'd of Designing to compass the King his Nephew's Death Unless that was obliquely insinuated as a consequence of his Delivering the Old King which it was lay'd to his charge that he endeavour'd 'T is certain the Poor Prince was first trepan'd into a Sham-plot and afterwards speciously by way of Friendship undermin'd so as to yield to make a confession of matters not seeming Treasonable which afterward his Enemies aggravated much higher upon the Assurance of a Pardon Instead whereof before he was brought to any legal Tryal or confronted by his Accusers a Warrant was suddenly sign'd for his Execution But lest it should be admired how any Man should now be accus'd of endeavouring to deliver the Old King who had been murder'd as appears almost two Years before I will exactly set down by what arts this Innocent Gentleman was train'd on to his utter Ruine Mortimer therefore and his Complotters with a design to make his Enemies obnoxious to him which he could no other way do they were Men of such known Loyalty and Integrity cunningly scatters it abroad that the Old King Edward the Second was still alive notwithstanding the late Rumour of his Death and Burial and that he now resided in the Castle of t Stow p. 229. ◠Corfe in Dorsetshire but was not to be seen in the day time by any means with much difficulty in the Night for fear he should hasten his own Death thereby Now to carry on this incredible Tale the better for those were cauteous and discreet Men whom Mortimer aim'd to catch there were several Knights appointed to make Shows and Masks and other Diversions upon the Battlements and Leads of the Castle which the Country People observing could not but imagin some great Prince or King to be there for whose pleasure and honour those Solemnities were so performed Hence the rumour of the Old King 's being still alive was spread far and near so that at last it came as was first design'd with some kind of Authority to the Earl of Kents Ears who desiring only as he thought to sift the Truth out entangled himself more strongly in an errour To the Castle of Corfe he privily sent one of his Confidents a Preaching Fryer with a charge to dive into the Matter He at last under much caution with a great deal of doe obtaining to be admitted into the Castle was even then out of pretended Fear kept close all the day in the Porters Lodge But at night being for more security as they held him in hand disguised in Lay-habit he was brought into the great Hall where he beheld one cloathed in Royal Habiliments to personate a King so that the Fryer himself either deceived by the glimmering of the Lamps or the Distance which he was forced to keep or the strength of prejudice working upon his Fancy did really take him for the Father of the Young King as he sat with seeming Majesty and Princely Attendants at a Royal Supper This Account the Fryer brought back to the Earl of Kent and whether himself also corrupted or really in mind perswaded did as really perswade the Unfortunate Prince that he had seen the King his Brother alive and well and at supper with his own Eyes Whereupon the Earl declared with an Oath that he would make use of all the Means and Interest he could to rescue the King his Brother from that unworthy Confinement u M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 220. Now when first this Rumour began to go abroad with some Authority Earl Edmund having some occasions at the Court of Rome held a Discourse with Pope John XXII at Avignion and said How Almighty God had many times for the love of Thomas of Lancaster done many fair Miracles upon severall both Men and Women who were through divers Maladies undone as to this World till thrô his Prayers they were restored unto their Health
firm to the Young King his Nephew as the Cause for which he died shews that his Heart was never false to the Old King his Brother Yet for all this it is said that he was the less lamented r Walsin Hypod. p. 111. n. 40. Stow p. 229. b. because his Servants were very oppressive to the Commons and many great Disorders were allowed in his Family Certainly 't is not enough for a Man of High Degree to do well himself but to take Care that those who are under him do so too Since he is not only lyable to be censur'd for their Miscarriages in this World but also in some measure to answer for them in that which is to come He left behind him ſ Sandford Geneal Hist p. 212 Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 94. Catal. Honor. p. 764. inter se cellatis by his Lady Margaret Sister of Thomas Lord Wake of Lydel Four Young Children two Sons Edmund and John who were both soon after restor'd in Blood but dy'd successively without Issue and two Daughters Margaret who was afterwards married to Amaneus Eldest Son to the Lord Bernard de la Brett or Albret of Gascoigne and the other a little Female Infant scarce then two Years old named Joan who afterwards became the Paragon of her whole Sex for Exquisite Beauty Modesty and Discretion and upon the Death of both her Brothers becoming the Sole Heiress of all her Fathers Possessions was commonly called by way of Eminence the Fair Countess of Kent of whom more hereafter From the foregoing Story we may observe how early in this Kingdom Malicious Statesmen who sought the Ruine of those who faithfully interpos'd to hinder their Ambitious Designs made use of this now more-common trick of buzzing Sham-plots into their Princes Ears Which however false and improbable would yet never want Evidences to make out some plausible Circumstances IV. And thus at last happily We have past over the less Gratefull Part of this King's Reign wherein we have beheld him not as he was in himself Bright and Vigorous but as he was misrepresented by those who under his Name did but Eclipse and darken his Royal Authority Now that all things might succeed the better the Hopefull young King resolves to begin with Heaven and remembring that in his former Troubles during his Fathers Reign or in his late Danger at Amiens when he narrowly escap'd being seiz'd upon by the French King he had made t Stow p. 230. b. Polyd. Virg. l. 19. p. 362. Walsing hist p. 112. Knighton p. 2555. Joh. Tinem fol. 229. a Vow in Devotion to visit some Holy Places in France he now sets himself about performing his Vow Leaving therefore his Brother John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall Protector of the Realm on Thursday in Easter-week u G. Lit. Dom. Pascha 8 April vid Labb Chro. Techn being the 12 of April he adventur'd privately to pass the Sea in the Company of John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and his Valiant and Loyal Servant William Montagu afterwards Earl of Salisbury disguised like Merchants the whole number amounting but to Fifteen Persons It was a bold not to say a rash undertaking for a King to expose his Person so lightly if it is Lawfull to term any thing Light that proceeds from a Mind so Religiously affected especially into a Country so jealous of his Fortune and where he had before been publiquely seen more than once But the Strength of his Devotion encourag'd him to it and the Success that followed makes it in him warrantable I say in him For no exact Rules can be prescrib'd to such Mighty over-working Spirits and Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar thô they have committed many seeming-Rash and Indiscreet Actions I know not who dare blame or censure them for it Our King accordingly soon Returns safe and with his whole Company when immediately at Dertford in Kent he holds a Great and Solemn Tourneament thereby to Exercise his Nobles to delight in Arms. Thus Early did this Monarch lay his Foundation by Piety and Industry on which afterwards he Reared so many Glorious Trophies of Victory But I am well aware that there is another Account of the Reasons which induc'd the King to cross the Seas at this time which because it is very probable I shall here also deliver King Edward as we said before delaying beyond the time prefix'd to send that Declaration of his Homage for it was not yet dispatch'd away by the French Ambassadors till May in this Year King Philip caused him x Du Chesne p. 639. c. ex Monsieur du Tillet c. again to be summon'd and after some Motions and Hostility done by the English who were Rendezvous'd at Sainctes the chief City of Saintogne in Aquitain he sent his Brother the Lord Charles of Valois Earl of Alenson who laid Siege before the Town Which King Edward understanding began to talk of Peace to the obtaining whereof he sent his Ambassadors into France with whom this Agreement was made on the Ninth of March at Paris viz. I. That King Philip shall grant a full Repeal of Banishment to the Principal Authors of the Motions of Guienne named in the Treaty of the Year One thousand three Hundred Twenty and six according to the Promise made by his Predecessor Charles the Fair. II. That the Treaties preceding which import That those who were banish'd by the King of France or his Court should not be received nor concealed in Guienne should be kept inviolably That even without the approbation of King Edward the Seneschals of France should have Power notwithstanding to Banish his Officers and Ministers for Faults committed in their Precincts as by right of Soveraignty the King of France may and doth especially protest that all the Liberties of which the said Seneschals have been in Possession before this Treaty shall be conserved unto them accordingly III. That as to the Sums of sixty Thousand pounds on the one part and of fifty Thousand Marks Sterling on the other which King Edward oweth to King Philip Reason shall be done by Payment or Compensation IV. That the Quality of the Homages of the Dutchy of Guienne and of the Earldoms of Ponthieu and Monstroile shall be declared to be Liege and the Form thereof expressed which shall be Renewed on every Change and the Kings shall promise to keep the Treaties of Peace made by their y Ibi malè ut opiner par leurs Successeurs Predecessors V. That the Castles of St. Croix Madailhem Puipines and du Bourdet shall be demolish'd according to the Form prescrib'd by Robert Bertrand Marshal of France and that the other Points of the Treaties remaining to be perfected shall be respectively accomplished VI. That the Siege held by the Earl of Alenson before the Town of Sainctes shall be raised as soon as King Edward shall have Ratified the present Accord the mean while that those who are culpable in the
Discord between the Father of our Lord the King and the Queen his Consort making her believe that if she went to him he would kill her with a Ponyard or other weapon or murder her some other way And by reason of that and other his Conveyances he did so much that the Queen never went to her Lord to afford him her Bed to the great dishonour of the King and the whole Realm and perhaps for time to come for its Dammage which God forbid 10. Item That the said Roger had taken and caused to be taken for himself and others of his Council the Kings Treasure without reason to be disposed of at his pleasure to the utter Impoverishment of the King so that he was left unable to pay for his Provision or maintain his Royal Estate 11. Item That the said Roger had taken to himself and his Allies the 30000 Marks which were paid by the Scots according to the form of the Peace so that nought thereof came to the Kings use or profit 12. These Articles with three more relating to the Publishing the Kings Secrets his Murdering and Fining several Peers of the Land and his Usurping the Kings Authority with some things in respect of the Kings Honour not to be drawn up in Writing which I suppose related to his Familiarity with the Queen Mother were the summ of what was said against him and consisted of Treasons Felonies and high Misdemeanours Whereupon the King o M. S. Rec. Parl. p. 10. Knighton p. 2558. n. 40. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm of the Records set out by Mr. Pryn p. 6. c. chargeth the Earls Barons and others Peers of the Realm to pronounce just Judgment upon him the said Roger Mortimer Who all thereupon consulting together agreed that all and singular the Articles against the said Roger above attested were true and notorious and known to all the People of the Land and especially that Article touching the Death of the King at Berkley-Castle Wherefore it was by them adjudged that the said Roger as a Traytor and an Enemy of the King and Kingdom should be Drawn and Hanged And this Sentence he received without being p Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 147. called to any kind of Answer as he himself had before order'd in the case of the Spencers and of the Lord Edmund late Earl of Kent the King's Uncle A just Judgment upon him though in it self illegal For it is not the usage of the Law of England to condemn without Hearing or due summons to Judgment And doubtless the sins of Sodom were more notorious to God in Heaven than those of any person can be to mortall Men in Parliament But yet we read in the Sacred Books how that most just Judge both would and did go down to hear and proceed in a Judicial way Wherefore also q Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. twenty four Years after his Attaindure was reversed and Roger his Grandson restored to all his Titles and Honours the Judgment being reckon'd void and erroneous because not done according to the Laws of England However now according to the Sentence the Earl Marshal being so commanded with the assistance of the Mayor and Sheriffs of London saw him executed upon the common Gallows now called Tyburn on the r Knighton p. 2559. l. 3. 29 of November being the Vigil of St. Andrew and a Thursday or rather Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. as it was found by inquisition twenty four Years after on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Catherine the Virgin which was the 26 of November and the very first day of this Parliaments Sitting and was t Menast Angl. 2 Vol. p. 224. buried the third Day after which indeed was the 29 of November having hung two days and two nights by the King 's special Commandment After which by the Kings Favour his Body was granted to the Friers-Minors or Gray-Friers in London who buried him in their Church now called Christ-Church whence u Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. many Years after he was translated to Wigmore So that Du x Du Chesne Histoire d' Angleterre p. 637. Chesne appears to be mistaken who affirms that he was hang'd drawn and quarter'd his Quarters set up upon the Gates of Four chief Cities of England and his Head upon London-Bridge He died seized y Dugd. 1 Vol. 147. of the Mannors of Stratfield-Mortimer and Wogfield as parcel of the Mannor of Wigmore also of the Mannor of Newbury and the Moiety of that Town all in Berkshire Likewise of the Mannors of Clifton upon Temede and Odingley in Worcestershire of the Mannors of Noke Mawrdyn and Wynfreton with the Advowson of the Church of Wynfreton in Herefordshire of the Castle and Mannor of Nerberth and the Third part of the Town of St. Clier with the Advowson of the Church the Third part of the Commots of Amgeyd and Pentyryock and the Third part of the Town of Haverford in Herefordshire of the Castles and Dominions of Blenleveny and Bulkedinas in the Marches of Wales besides z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 641. the Castle Town and Mannor of Denbeigh and the Cantreds of Roes Rewinoc and Keirmer with the Commot of Dinmal and the Appurtenances in Northwales as also the Castle and Mannor of Mongomery with the Mannor and Hundred of Chirbury in Shropshire All which his great Possessions were seized into the Kings Hands as a Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. appears by his Precepts bearing date the 23d of October which were directed to several Persons for the Seizing of his Castles Mannors and Lands in Wales he being then only under Arrest for several High Misdemeanors tending to the Dammage of the King and Kingdom as the words therein do import and within 3 Days following Commission was granted to John Kingston and Others to take an Inventory of all his Treasure and Jewels in Wales and the Marches but not to carry away any thing out of the Wardrobe of Joan his Wife then at Ludlow or any thing that belonged to any of her Children or Servants By this Lady Joan who was b Mills Catal. Honor. p. 575. Daughter and sole Heir of Peter Jenevill Knight this great but unhappy Man had Issue c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. four Sons and seven Daughters his First Son was Sr. Edmund who was never Earl of March his Fathers Attaindure not being reversed in his time the Second was Sr. Roger the Third Sr. Geoffry Earl of Jubien and Lord of Cowith which three were all Knighted at the Coronation of this King Edward and the Fourth was John Mortimer unhappily slain in a Tournament at Shrewsbury His Daughters were Catherine wife to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Joan married to James Lord Audely the Son of Nicholas Lord Audely Baron of Heleigh Agnes to Laurence Hastings afterwards Earl of Pembroke Margaret to Thomas Son and Heir of Maurice Lord Barkley or as d Catal. Nobility by R. B. Dugd. Bar. 1
the King either could not or would not of themselves be fully resolved but after the manner of that Age wished the King to Advise first with the Pope and also with the French King both which befriended King David of Scotland and concern'd themselves in his matters However King Edward was so far from either violating the Peace first or even when 't was done by the Scots from precipitating himself into a War that thô the French King did openly abett the Scots and the Pope did abett France as palpably yet he follow'd this Counsel For we find that about this time among others k Philipet's Catal Chanceli p. 36. he sent this same Bishop of Winchester into France concerning these Affairs Of whom this is observable that being then Lord Chancellour he did not as afterwards Cardinal Woolsey did in the Days of King Henry the VIII presumptuously carry the Great Seal with him beyond the Seas but left it in his Absence with those who both could and would be responsible for it during his abode in France And these things being thus done the l M. S. Sr. Rob. Cotton ibid. Commons had all leave to depart but the Lords were Commanded to attend the next day at which time the King dissolved the Parliament It is observable that on the first day of this Parliaments sitting Commandment was given to the Mayor of York in Presence of the King in full Parliament to see the King's Peace kept in the same City and the Suburbs thereof and to arrest them that did the contrary Also that Proclamation against Weapons and Plays should be made by the Steward and Martial before the Parliament-House and by the Mayor and Bayliffs in the City of York VI. Thus this Year ended the Peace not yet broke on the English part but all things being in so loose a Posture that nothing seem'd more certain than that a War would inevitably follow The Princess m Speeds Ed. 2. p. 564. §. 81. Eleanora King Edward's Younger Sister being about fourteen Years of Age was this Year given in Marriage to Reginald the Second Earl of Gueldre a great Lover of King Edward and the English Nation Her Portion was 15000 pounds Sterling no small Summe of Money in those Days for we find in Ancient Times that even the Marriages of the Daughters of France n Causin's Holy Câ—art l. 3. part 1 §. 39. n. 60. exceeded not 6000 Crowns ready Money thô in our Days a Merchant of London has made his Daughter worth Forty Sixty and a Hundred Thousand Pounds This Lady thô his second Wife brought to the said Earl two hopefull Sons Reginald and Edward both Dukes successively after their Father For when afterward King Edward was made Vicar of the Sacred Empire he Created this Earl Reginald Duke of Gueldre since which that Earldom became a Dukedom In her passage to Guelderland she was Honourably attended by many English Knights among whom was o Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 154. William Lord Zouch of Mortimer and Sr. Constantine Mortimer his Kinsman both Branches of that Great Family of the Mortimers late Lords of Wigmore Sr. Constantine four Years after became Steward of the Houshold to the foresaid Countess of Gueldre This p Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 214. Claus 6. Ed. 3. m. 31. Year the Lord Edmund Plantagenot Eldest Son of Edmund of Woodstock late Earl of Kent departed this Life being at his Death the King's Ward and so without Issue Whereupon his Brother John succeeded him in the said Earldom To repair which Diminution of the Royal Branches in England Queen q Knighton p. 2560. Speed p. 590. b. Stow p. 231. c. Philippa soon after Christmas was happily deliver'd at Woodstock near Oxford of her second Child a fair Daughter who was Christened by the Name of Isabella and many Years after by the King her Father given in Marriage to the Honourable and Valiant Lord Ingelram Coucy Earl of Guisnes and Soissons and in time Archduke of Austria CHAPTER the SIXTH AN. DOM. 1333. An. Regni VII The CONTENTS I. The Lord Robert Earl of Artois in Picardy being prosecuted by the French King flies into England to King Edward's Protection and becomes a Firebrand of the War against his Country II. King Edward Summons the King of Scotland to come and do Homage as also to render Barwick unto him with King David's Reply III. King Edward in Parliament resolves on a War with Scotland and sends his Defiance IV. Mutual Inroads as Praeludiums to the War with the Siege of Barwick V. King Edward's expedition in Scotland and return to the Siege before Barwick where he is met by the Lord Darcy VI. A Combat between a Scotch and English Knight with the Battle of Halidown VII The Names of the English Lords in that Battle with an account of the Loss on both sides Barwick taken and Garrison'd by King Edward VIII King Edward's Devotion after the Victory He leaves Edward Bailiol to prosecute the War in Scotland King David flies into France and makes a League Offensive and Defensive with King Philip. IX King Bailiol's Success in Scotland he calls a Parliament at St. Johnston to which the English Lords his Assistants come and do Homage for their Lands held in that Kingdom The Year concludes with the Death of the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Durham and the Lord Hugh Poynz I. THat it may appear that National Commotions and Destructive Wars do come by the Ordinance of God for the Correction of Pride Injustice or other Sins I shall here briefly touch at the seeds of the French War which being cast about this time lasted for so many years and brought forth so many strange and notable Events thô when first sow'd they seem'd so small and inconsiderable King Philip of Valois who now wore the Crown of France a Frois c. 25. obtain'd it at first chiefly by the Assistance Conduct and Authority of a Mighty Peer of that Kingdom named Robert Earl of Artois who was one of the most Noble Valiant and Politick Lords in France of High Lineage and Prince of the Blood. He had married King Philips's German Sister and was ever his Chief and Special Friend and Counsellour as well before in his private Condition as now in his Regal Eminence Insomuch that for the space of three or four Years nothing of any moment passed in all that Kingdom but at the Advise and Discretion of the Lord Robert of Artois This Lord Robert besides the Relation he bore to King Edward as having Married the Sister of King Philip who was Uncle to Queen Philippa was also by the b Sandford Geneal Hist p. 94. Mother's side descended from King Henry the Third of England King Edward's Great Grandfather by the Lady Blanch of Bretagne who was Daughter to Beatrice second Daughter to the said King Henry the Third He was the Son of Philip Earl of Artois Lord of Conches and Damfront and
by the Prowess of King Robert our Father from King Edward Father to the King your Master in time of Open War. And by the same Prowess he held it with Honour till by his Death it came with the rest of his Inheritance to Us his undoubted Son and Heir who intend also with our utmost Ability to hold it in the best manner we may But this Lords we require of you as Gentlemen and Christians that you would do your best to persuade the King your Master whose Sister we have taken into our Royal Bed that he will suffer us peaceably to enjoy our Rights and Franchises as his Ancestors have done before and leave freely in our Possession what our Father so valiantly wan and so quietly enjoy'd and at last so entirely transmitted to Us with his Crown and Kingdom Nor let the King your Master be too credulous of light Reports since we intend Religiously to keep the Peace so lately made at Northampton Nor let him give too much Faith to evil Counsellors whose restless Spirits stirr him up against us Since if any other Prince in the world intended to injure us He ought especially to aid succour and defend us for his Sisters sake whom we have Married and taken into our Bosom Upon this Answer the Ambassadors promising to acquit themselves as he had required them were dismissed but King Edward was nothing content when he heard them report the Answer I am well aware that the Scotch Writers imagining the better to colour all their losses deliver how their King David had before this even upon Bailiols Invasion convey'd himself with his Queen into France But neither doth it seem honourable nor reasonable that by so weak thô successfull an Enemy and at the appearance of such small Forces their King should be driven to such desperate Courses nor is it agreeable to other either Circumstances or Authors and it is utterly contradicted by Froisard who lived near those Days and took great Care and was very impartial in Collecting his History Wherefore with him we cannot admit that he left his Kingdom in this manner till the Main of his Forces were overthrown by King Edward in the Battle of Halidoun to which now we hasten III. The late-mention'd Answer from Scotland was no way pleasing to King Edward for whatever Natural affection for his Sister the Queen of Scots might persuade he saw plainly by the resolute Answer of King David that he was no longer to be rely'd on as a Friend than he should want Power of manifesting himself an Enemy to England that the Old League with France was more prevalent than this New Alliance with him that however now in his Pupillage he seem'd desirous of Peace within a few years he would prove both willing and able to wage the fiercer Wars It troubled him also not a little that while himself was under Age so Dishonourable a Bargain had been made wherein he had been induced to resign those Instruments of his Superiority over Scotland which as his Father had purchas'd with much Honourable Difficulty so till himself had regain'd them he could not be at friends with himself The present Occasion also seem'd more promising since the Scots had already broke the Peace and that on his Part beside the Limits of the Peace were fully expired that moreover King Bailiol had in Reality the best Right to that Crown from whom he might expect not only the accustomed Homage but also Restitution of what Himself in his Minority had by evil Counsel resign'd to the extream Diminution of his Honour and Royal Prerogative Add to all this that till he had settled his Affairs on that side he could not safely make any Pretensions to France which the Lord Robert of Artois from his first coming had vehemently instigated him unto according to that vulgar Saying He that the Realm of France would win Must with Scotland first begin Now therefore he calls his m Knighton p. 2562. Walsing hist p. 115. Parliament which as we said before met at York a little after the Purification of the Virgin Mary or rather in the beginning of March the * it began to sit in the 2d week in Lent Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 645. Second Sunday in Lent happening that Year on the last of February To this Parliment King Bailiol as holding of King Edward had his Summons but n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 6. 45. Walsing hist p. 115. n. 40. he understanding that his Enemies had laid wait for him in the adjacent Isles and elsewhere durst not adventure to come in Person but sent his sufficient Excuse by the Lord Henry Beaumont Earl of Buquhain the Lord William Montagu and other Lords and Knights who so evidently declared the Reasons of his Non-appearance at that time that their Apology was accepted by the King and his Council Here the King declaring to all his Lords the late Answer of the King of Scots to his Embassy o Frois c. 26. f. l. 15. b. demands their Advice thereupon and that they would consider what way he might best salve his Honour and maintain his Right The Result was The whole Parliament was of Opinion that the King could no longer with Honour put up those Wrongs and Injuries daily done unto him and his people by the Scots They humbly therefore pray'd and advis'd his Majesty to provide such force of Men and Arms as might not only reduce Barwick into his Power but also compell the King of Scotland gladly to seek his Peace by rendring unto him the accustomed Homage for that Kingdom In which Enterprise they all promised to assist him in Purse and Person The King as he was always very Gracious to his People thanked them heartily for the Loyal Affection wherewith they embrac'd his Honour and Interest and so having prefixed p Claus 7. Ed. 3. m. 19. Derse Trinity Sunday for the time wherein his Forces were to be Assembled at Newcastle upon Tine he Dissolv'd the Parliament Thus was a War resolv'd on But yet q Frois c. 26. ibid. before the King of England would draw his Sword he sends again to King David other Ambassadors to summon him to come and do the required Homage upon peremptory refusal whereof they were secretly instructed with full Authority to defie him But for all this the Scots were so Resolute upon their Liberty that no better Answer could be obtain'd than what was return'd before So that the Defiance was openly made and War Published between the two Nations r Virgil. l. 12. v. 503. Tanton ' placuit concurrere Motu O Deus aeternâ Gentes in Pace futuras IV. Before ſ Walsingh bist p. 114. n. 10. this King Edward had sent some Forces toward the North not to Invade Scotland but to make good the Borders in case of an Invasion from thence And well it happen'd that he had so provided For t Knighton p. 2562. n. 6◠before the Defiance was made the Lord
15. p. 314. n. 60. report King Edward of England calls forth his Hostage Sr. Thomas Seton together with his brother William whom he had taken prisoner and erecting a Gibbet in fight of the Town sends an Herald to assure Sr. Alexander that unless he would forthwith yield up the Town they should both be speedily executed What should the Captain do in this case he had already lost his Bastard son who for his worth and valour was no less dear to him than One of these Both these who were now ready to die except he yeelded were also Young Men of great Hope and to a Father not less dear than Life it self Yet Manly honour and the Duty he ow'd his Country pleaded strongly against Fatherly Affection and now in a manner he is resolved to conquer importunate Nature and make her as is fit give place to vertue when e're he was aware casting his watry eyes toward the Gallows and beholding again both his Sons his only Hopes ready to be sacrificed by the Hangman the violence of Natural Affection return'd again and wholly master'd his Nobler Thoughts of Honour But just then as he is resolving out of Paternal piety to be Impious to his common Mother his Country behold his Lady the Mother of the young Men putting on the Spirit of a Man which her Husband had laid off began to confirm his late-wavering Mind by laying before him What Duty he ow'd to his King and Country and how untainted the Honour of his Family had hitherto been That thô these their Children should thus perish they might have Others for neither was he nor her self as yet uncapable of producing more which we shall examin by and by that thô they should now escape once they must surely die but if now the Name of Seton should be blackned with Treason no time would purge it from their Posterity That she had often heard from the discourses of wise Men the Praise of those who had voluntarily resign'd their Children to death for the sake of their Country Beside should he prove Disloyal in hopes to save their Lives how could he assure himself to preserve them thereby Or that the perjur'd Tyrant says she would then keep his Word who had broke it already the day being not yet come on which he was engag'd to yield But the Succour being ready at hand which ought to secure the Hostage That therefore he should not seek to redeem an uncertain or short satisfaction for a certain and perpetual Blot of Infamy This Speech settling the Good Man in his Loyal Resolution she withdrew him from the Walls that he might no more be stagger'd when he should behold the shamefull End of his dear Children To say the truth this is a very pretty Tale and would make as much for the Honour of that Noble Virago as it reflects upon King Edward a stain of Inhumanity and Injustice But as I said before it is no way credible if we consider the little Authority wherewith it is confirmed only Hectors and Buchanans Word for 't the utter Improbability that so Gallant a Prince should be so ungenerously Cruel the Inconsistence of that part of the Speech wherein 't is affirmed that they were both capable of having more Children when her youngest Son was now so great a Soldier as they make him in the Sally wherein he was taken his Elder brother Sr. Thomas having been given as Hostage and yet an Elder than him named Sr. Alexander was a great Captain and slain at Kingcorne when Bailiol first landed in Scotland two Years before But above all we shall find a few Pages hence that this Sr. Alexander the Father the Town of Barwick being yielded when among others he had his choice to go or stay chose rather to yield Homage to King Edward of England which certainly neither his Lady would have suffer'd him to do nor Nature it self had his Children been now so unjustly and barbarously put to death by that King. Not to take notice of the Declamatory Art wherewith this Ladies Speech is fraught she in one place alluding to the stories of Macaria or Iphigenia among the Greek Tragedians or perhaps to the Tragedy of Jeptha which Buchanan himself had put forth and yet Hector is much more florid and rhetoricall in the Speech he makes her and he says too that the Scotch Army was not yet come neither But having thus for fear of being thought willing to conceal any Truth told an Incredible story to the Honour of a Scotch Lady I hope I may be allow'd at the same time to tell another every whit as well attested of an English Knight Now it is to be premised that in these Days there were found in the Great Wood of Caledon a sort of huge wild white Bulls called o Gesneri Hist Quadruped Bisons with shaggy and curled Mains like p Hector Boeth p. 6. n. 70. Lions otherwise not unlike to ours These q Holinshead Descript of Scotland p. 13. c. 7. were so Fierce and Savage that they could never be made familiar nor would they taste of any Herb or Grass on which they found the Scent of a Man after many days o When they were taken which was very hard to do they would refuse all sustenance and starve themselves to Death Whatever came against them they would with great Fury and Violence run at neither fearing Dogs Nets nor any kind of Weapon It is said the late King of Scotland Robert Bruce who greatly delighted to hunt these Bulls was one time overthrown by one of them and in evident Peril of his Life When a certain young Esquire that was at that instant near his Person running up to his Rescue and seising upon the Bulls Horns by plain Force overthrew him to the Earth and so held him till the Hunters came up and slew him For this Notable Fact of his the King endued him with large Possessions and from that time his Name became Turnbull which is retained by his Posterity even to this day Now this Turnbull being at this time of such Renown as also of incredible strength and Courage and of unusual Stature resolv'd to venture his Life for the Honour of his Country and accordingly on the Vigil of St. Margaret being the r Lit. Dom. C. 19 of July and a Monday before the Battles joyn'd came out of the Scottish Host and standing between both Armies by an Herald ſ Stow p. 231. Sr. Rich. Baker in Men of Note in K. Edward's time Challenged to fight a Mortal Duel with any One of all the English While every Mind was busied about this bold Defiance a young Knight of Norfolk whom Baker calls Venile Stow Venale but by good Authority I find his Name was Sr. Robert Benhale the * Vid. l. 1. c. 4. §. 6. p. 64. same who in the Parliament An o 1331 was Fined for a Riot offer'd himself before the King of England and kneeling desired his leave
being in a manner necessitated to break it when King Edward of England like a sudden Inundation rushing upon him drove all his High Designs and Vast Preparations another way I will not here dissemble that this first Mention of the Croisade and what else I have now related is nor without good Reason and Authority placed more forward by n Victorell p. 865. ibid. four Years But be sure the great Heat of all was about this time and I could not find a more proper place to mention the whole in than this upon several accounts wherefore also I believe Froissard chose to fix it hereabouts naming the Pope who sat then Benedict who notwithstanding entred not his Papacy till this Year King Philip who was look'd upon as the Chief General of this War and was so o Knighton p. 2567. Victorell 1 Vol. p. 865. stiled by the Pope made the greatest Preparation together with his Friends and Allies that ever yet had been seen either in the Days of Godfrey of Bouloigne or any other time before or after For in the Havens of Marseilles of Aquae Mortuae of Narbon and Mompellier were provided as many Vessels Ships Carricks and Gallies as would suffice for 60000 fighting Men with all their Horse Arms and other Warlike Furniture and Provision for 3 Years And besides p Pantaleon's Hist Rer. Gest Johannitarum Rhodier c. l. 4. p. 100. Odoric Raynald ad Baron Ano. 1333. §. 11. being assisted with the Popes Legats he had so wrought with Senior Philippo Belegno Blasio Zeno and Marino Morisini the Venetian Ambassadors that this Agreement was made the Pope and the French King setting out 20000 Horse and 50000 Foot to the War that the Venetians should furnish them with a Fleet of an hundred Sail whereof there should be Gallies man'd with 4000 Souldiers the Ships of burthen being fraught with Provision Engines and other things necessary for War as Bisquet Wine Fresh-water Powder'd Flesh Salt-Fish and the like Moreover King Philip sent his Ambassadors to Charles King of Hungary requesting him to open the Passages of his Country for these Holy Pilgrims who receiving the News gladly sent word of his Readiness to comply in all things with his Pleasure He sent also to Hugo the noble and valiant King of Cyprus to his constant Friend Robert King of Sicily and to the Genoans also to joyn the Venetians at Sea all who assured him they would gladly concurr with so great a Prince in so good an Enterprise The Grand Prior of France also was sent to the Isle of Rhodes to agree with the Knights of St. John to prepare things necessary in those Quarters The Rhodians lightly consented on certain Conditions to supply the Army from the fruitfull Isle of Candy anciently called Crete and at that time under the Dominion of the Venetians who had agreed with them of Rhodes to that purpose Thus in q Frois ibid. a manner all Christendom with one consent embrac'd this Holy War so that more than 300000 Men were ready to take the Cross upon them in this famous Expedition The Venetians had r Pantaleon l. 4. p. 100. already sent forth their Admiral Peter Zeno who being joyn'd with the Fleet of Rhodes by a wonderfull course of Victory chasing and destroying the Barbarians far and near secur'd all the Sea-coast which respects Syria about the Isles of Rhodes and Cyprus from the injuries of the Saracens and Tartars King Philips Navy also was ready in Provence and he had view'd it and made his Son John then about fourteen Years of Age his Lieutenant or Regent during his absence having commanded all his Lords to swear Obedience to him Nor content with all these vast Preparations he sent to our English Edward desiring also his Company in this his most Christian Undertaking but he being otherwise busied about his Wars in Scotland and not a little displeased that King Philip had interested himself in that his Quarrel made as then no direct Answer to his Embassy so that Philip perceiving he was not well satisfied in his mind and doubting to leave so Powerfull a Prince behind him in Discontent thought fit before he set forward to search his Mind more narrowly and thereupon by the Lord ſ Gaguin p. 133. Fabian p. 199 Ralph Earl of Ewe and High Constable of France he repeated his Embassy unto him These Ambassadors with some difficulty obtain'd an Audience thô little more was concluded on with them than that King Edward promised very speedily to send his Ambassadors over into France to confer about certain Points then in difference between the two Kings For said t Pantaleon l. 4. p. 100. Gaguin l. 8. p. 133. he The seat of this Holy War is not so far off as King Philip pretends it lies not in Palestine I am well assured but in Aquitain which evidently appears by his Offers that way already That as yet he said he could not consent to agree with him who had not agreed with his own self but had forgot if not broken the Promise made at Amiens about the Restoring of what he had seized on in Gascoigne That when once these Matters should be fully adjusted he would be rather more ready to undertake that Expedition than their Master With this short Answer he dismissed them promising to follow them with his Ambassadors II. Accordingly soon after there were u Gaguin ibid. Pantaleon ibid. Holinshead p. 897. Stow p. 232. Odoric Raynald An o Bened. XII 3. §. 42. sent Dr. John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Richard Bury Bishop of Durham William Lord Montagu and the Lord Geoffry Scroop of Masham who being come to Paris could not be admitted to King Philips Presence in requital as it should seem of King Edward's Reservedness lately shewn to his Ambassadors or perhaps to make them surmise that he feared not War much who was so little carefull of making Peace But when the English Lords had roundly told the Earl x Gaguin l. 8. p. 134. of Ewe the Marshall of Troyes and Peter Roger Archbishop of Roüen how highly they resented this coldness of the King 's and withall intimated how reasonable their Masters Requests would be they were forthwith order'd to be brought before him well received and graciously heard So that immediately the Matter about which they came was propounded to be taken in hand and throughly discussed King Edward's Demands from the Crown of France were only these 1. That perfect Peace and Amity between the two Kings should be inviolably maintained to both their Powers 2. That all Towns and Castles heretofore taken from the English in Gascoigne by the Lord Charles of Valois Father to King Philip should be entirely restored to the King of England 3. That the said King Philip should swear never to give any Aid or Succour to the Scots against the King of England All which being fully Ratified and Granted King Edward would be
Fabian p. 205. Earl thinking to chastise them for their presumption gather'd all his Lords and Knights about him but soon after being met by the Commons in plain Battle after a long Fight they utterly routed him so that he hardly saved himself by flight and then entring into a strong Castle of his he began to fortifie with all diligence III. Things thus standing between the Earl and his people r Frois c. 29. fol. 18. there arose in Gaunt a Man of mean Birth to the Highest Command of all he was by profession a Refiner of Honey or rather as others say Å¿ Mezeray ad hanc an p. 14. a Brewer his Name Jacob van Arteveld or as the French call him Jaques d' Arteville but by reason of his great Wealth subtle Wit and boldness of Mind he had long been of some Authority among the People whereupon now he improv'd his former Popularity so far that of a sudden by his Dexterity he render'd himself more absolute than ever the Earl of Flanders was himself or any other before him He had all things entirely at his Command none having Courage or Power to resist him for undertaking to be the Peoples Patron those who would not appear his Friends were look'd upon as Common Enemies And he never walk'd in the Streets of Gaunt with under Threescore or Fourscore lusty Yeomen at his Heels among whom were Three or Four who understood his most intimate Secrets So that whenever he met with any whom he feared or hated that man was slain without Remedy For so he had precontracted with those his three or four Intimado's that upon meeting of any One if he should make such and such a sign to them they should immediately dispatch him whatsoever he was even thô himself should say to the contrary without any scruple question or demurr By this means of those that did not love him he was so feared that every body was glad to dissemble a complyance with any thing that Jacob van Arteveld had a Mind to These Yeomen at any time when they had brought their Master home us'd to go abroad for their Dinners after which they would return again into the Street before his Lodgings and there wait till he came out and so attend him till Supper time Their standing wages were four Flemish groats per diem for each man beside other profits which four groats the day was duly paid every Week And thus in every Town he had Souldiers and Servants for their wages at his Commandment who were to watch and espie if any person had a Design against him or so and to give him Information thereof Which having once received he would never leave till he had banish'd or destroy'd that man. Especially he took care to banish all the Lords Knights Esquires and Burgesses who were known or suspected to be Friends to the Earl Of all whose Lands he would levy one Moiety for his own use the other to the use of the Wives and Children of the said Exiles As for the Earls Rents and Profits he collected them every groat himself and expended them at his Pleasure without taking or making any Account Yet if he said he wanted Money the People either durst not or would not but believe him and where he had a mind to borrow of any Burgess he was refus'd nothing But it is very observable that when God permits any great Evil to arise among men his gracious Providence at the same time is creating a Remedy against that Evil So now at that very time when Jacob van Arteveld was rising to this Insolence of Power a Friendship was making up between him and the English Interest which at last was the occasion of his Downfall as hereafter we shall see IV. For the English Lords who still kept an Honourable Port at Valenciennes when they understood the Errant about which the King their Master had sent Sr. Bernard Bret and also heard of this new discord between the Earl and the good Towns of Flanders they immediately thought to make some Advantage of all this for their Masters service knowing it would be very acceptable unto him if by any means they might win the Flemings to their side Upon their advising with the Earl in this Matter he plainly told them That without doubt the aid of the Flemings could not but be of very great Importance But added he I verily think your endeavours to gain them will prove utterly ineffectual unless you can first make Jacob van Arteveld your Friend The English Lords resolv'd to do their best and thereupon departed for Flanders Being there they distributed themselves into Three Parties One for Gaunt another for Bruges and the Third for Ipres and they all kept so high a Port and spent so largely as if Gold and Silver flow'd from their Hands And yet beyond all this they made many great Promises and Liberal Offers to those whom they confer'd with about these Matters 'T was the Bishop of Lincoln's Province to be at Gaunt and he succeeded so well by help of his smooth Tongue and more Eloquent Hand that Jacob van Arteveld became forthwith his humble Servant By Jacob's means the Representatives of the good Towns of Flanders were often conven'd together before whom the Offers of the English Commissioners were propounded concerning many considerable Advantages Priviledges and Franchises on such Conditions to be Granted unto them by the King of England In short things were here so well menaged that it was fully agreed that the King of England or any of his might come into Flanders armed or unarmed and go at his or their Pleasure But as for themselves they added how they were straightly bound to the Pope in a Bond of t Ashmole p. 650. 2000000 Florens of Gold to be paid on peril of a general Interdiction never more to make War against the King of France And with this Answer they desired the English Commissioners to be content for that time Hereupon they return'd very well satisfied to Valenciennes whence they sent frequently to England to give the King an account of their Progress and he for his part most liberally supply'd them with Gold and Silver to bear their own Charges and to present to the Lords of Almaine who were very ready to receive whatever was offer'd of that kind At this time also the King sent an Orator to the Pope Requesting that with his good leave he might enter a strict League and Alliance with the Emperour of Germany because as then the said Emperour was not only Excommunicate himself but also all those who joyned themselves unto him were involved in the like sentence But to this Request of the Kings the Pope refused to consent and endeavour'd to disswade him from that Design by his u Extant apud Odâ—ric Râ—nald ad An. 1337. §. 7. Letters bearing date at Avignon 13 Kal. August An o Pontificatûs 3. Thô for all this we shall find the King to enter a League
way or other He therefore would expect them all there again on the Third of August following at the farthest because the time of Action began to wear away To this Appointment having all agreed they took leave of the King who tarried still at Antwerp being lodged in the Abbey some of his Lords tarrying with him to bear him Company while others rode about the Country at great expence to negotiate the Kings Affairs and to gain the favour of the People as also to divert themselves and satisfie their Curiosity As for the Duke of Brabant he went to the City of Louvaine about seven Leagues East of Antwerp from whence he sent frequent Messages to the French King Requesting that he would not entertain any Suspicion of him nor give Credit to any idle Rumors For he assured him that he would by no means make any Alliance or Agreement to his Disadvantage Thô as he said the King of England being his Cosin-German he could not in Honour refuse him the Civility of his Country Thus the Duke of Brabant endeavouring to keep in with both Kings was really a Friend to neither but we shall see how he behaves himself now to King Edward The Third of August came and all the other Lords return'd to Antwerp except the Duke whereat the rest taking occasion said that as for their parts they and their Men were ready provided the Duke of Brabant would be as ready on his Part for he was nearer than they that being his Country That therefore when they should understand that he was fully provided they would not be one jot behind him With this tergiversation of theirs King Edward was inwardly very much displeased r Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. for he found no sincerity nor Honour in any one of them except the Earl of Gueldre and he privately told the Bishop of Lincoln and his Council that he had not been well advised hitherto However he immediately sent this their Answer to Louvain to the Duke of Brabant urging the Matter home to him and requiring him as his Friend Kinsman and Ally and as a Christian and a Man of Honour to deal sincerely and heartily with him for hitherto he said he very well perceived that he was but cold in the Matter and that he justly feared unless he grew more warm and shew'd more concern for the Cause he should loose the Assistance of all the other Lords of Almaine The Duke being thorougly awaken'd with this Alarm began to consider more seriously on the Matter that King Philip had been severe and cruel to him King Edward his Friend and able to be his Protector that he was ty'd to him not only on the account of Allyance but in Honour having passed his Word and contracted to be on his side only he fear'd that if the Rest of the German Lords should fall off he might be left a Prey to Philips anger Wherefore he at last declared to King Edward ſ Frois ibid. that now he was fully determin'd to be as ready as any One in his service only he desired once more to speak with the foresaid Lords altogether So that they were sent for again the time of their meeting fix'd about the middle of August the Place to be t Engl. Atlas 4 Vol. p. 234. Halle a strong Town of Hainalt on the very Borders of Brabant distant from Brussels but four English Miles thrô which the River Senne sends a small current and this Place was judged the fittest because the young Earl of Hainalt and his Uncle Lord John of Beaumont might be there In short the Result of this Parliament at Halle was this the Lords having again consider'd on the Premises found themselves so bent on King Edward's Service that they thought they never should desert him unless compell'd by the Emperour to whom only they ow'd Allegiance Wherefore in the Name of himself and all the Rest the Duke of Brabant spake thus to King Edward Sir we of our selves cannot find any just Cause all things consider'd to defie the French King without the Consent of the Emperour our Soveraign Lord or that he would Command Us so to do in his Name For long since in a Covenant mutually Sworn and Sign'd between France and Germany there is an Article that no King of France should take or hold any thing belonging of Right to the Empire Notwithstanding which Obligation this King Philip hath taken the Castle of Creveceur in Cambresis and the Castle of Alves in Bailleul u Mezeray Palencour and also the City of Cambray it self So that the Emperour has good Reason on his side to break with the king of France And Sir if you can obtain his Consent it will be more for our Honour otherwise the World will say that without the Imperial Authority the Lords of Almaine Commenced an unjust War having no Provocation thereto III. This Request appear'd but reasonable to the King wherefore he appointed the Marquess of Juliers with certain English Knights and Men Learned in the Laws together with some of the Earl of Gueldre's Council to go to the Emperour about the Premises Only the Duke of Brabant would by no means send any body in his Name because he would not be known to stir in the business till things should be ripe He stood in such fear of the King of France ever since that Quarrel about the Lord Robert of Artois of which we spake in the 7th Year of King Edward But yet however he freely Resign'd his stately Castle of Louvain to the King of England to lie in and to use as his own during his Royal Pleasure The Marquess and his Company found the Emperour at Flourebeche where they did their Message to him so well that together with the Perswasions of the Lady Margaret the Empress who was Sister to Queen Philippa of England he was willing to grant King Edward's Request for which end he desired an Enterview with him and immediately created the Earl of Reginald Duke of Gueldre and the Marquess William Earl of Juliers thô x Speeds Chron. p. 564. §. 81. some say this was done afterward by King Edward their Kinsman when he was Vicar of the Sacred Empire King Edward the mean while kept his Court with great Splendor at Louvain being lodged himself in the Castle for his better security since the City was Commanded thereby From hence he sent a considerable Part of his Forces into England as having little occasion for them yet to defend the Frontiers against the Scots At the same time he kindly invited his Beloved Queen to come over to him if she so pleased for he sent her word he was determin'd not to leave those Parts for the space of a Year at least The Queen shortly after went over to the King her Husband being then Great with Child of which being a Male she was happily deliver'd at y Walsingh Hypod p. 114 Hist p. 132. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. Leland Coll.
Glory of your Family And all this notwithstanding we have never offended You nor have done any thing against You althô we have also understood that it hath been falsly and deceitfully suggested to you by those who neither love You nor your Safety nor your Honour how we gave out of our Chamber a great quantity of Money to our Most Dear Son in Christ the Illustrious King of France in Aid of his War and also granted unto him the Institution of all Ecclesiasticall Persons in all Churches of his Dominions which Matters are known to be void of all manner of Truth For such things were never demanded of Us nor should we by any means have granted them had they been never so instantly requested of Us nor did we grant the Tythes to the King of France against You but against the Germans adhering to Lewis and Enemies to the foresaid Roman Church who were then even ready to invade the Realm of France as the common and known Report went as is expresly contained in the Grant of the said Tithes For it was not our Intention to administer fuel of Discord against You or to help them with any Supply but rather extreamly desiring that both your Kingdom and the Kingdom of France should enjoy Peace and Concord Unanimity and Prosperity We have to that purpose by our Letters directed to your Highness and to the said King of France and by our Legats de Latere Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church sent to those Parts with most ardent Desires travailed and cease not yet nor shall cease to travail that between You and the said King and both your Realms the serenity and brightness of Peace may shine forth Yet You O Most Dear Son giving as it seems credit to the foresaid false and lying Suggestions have shew'd your Self an Enemy and Persecutor of Us and of the said Roman Church and do invade and usurp the Honours and Rights of Us and of the said Church to whom the Government and Administration of the Roman Empire it being void as now it is known to be do of full Right belong by molesting the Prelates and Ecclesiasticall Persons who persist as is premised in due Devotion and Fidelity to Us and by endeavouring to withdraw them to the Obedience of the said Lewis being as is premised sententially condemned of divers Heresies Schisms and other Crimes and by the just Judgment of God and the Church deprived of all Kingly and Imperial Right if ever any hath or did belong unto him to perform a Recognisance and Homage or to You in his Name by attempting to induce them by coactive Methods and Comminations But I would to God O Son before you involve your self any further in these most dangerous and detestable Matters that you would seriously consider and set before the eyes of your Mind with mature Deliberation the hazardous Labyrinths and knotty Snares into which some who are more sollicitous about their own than your Affairs by their subtle and most exquisite Arts endeavour to involve You and to lay a Burthen upon you which by all means they desire to rid themselves of not easily supportable if you diligently attend the Circumstances nor without the hazard of your utter Ruine Nor would We have you ignorant how that our foresaid Predecessor in a certain Constitution made formerly by him with the Advice and Counsel of his said Brethren did promulge Excommunications and other heavy Sentences against all and singular of what State Dignity or Condition soever they should be whether Patriarchal or any other Superior as Pontifical or Royal who without the special Licence of the Apostolick See should presume to assume the Name of Vicar or of any other Office within the Lands of the said Empire it being void as then it was and now also is void as was premised or being assumed to retain it beyond the space of two Months or being laid down to reassume it any ways If they should remain refractory and would not obey and intend to the same We therefore who toward You O Son could not shut up our Bowels of Fatherly Compassion but are inwardly touch'd with Grief of Heart seeing such things devised as tend to the detriment of You and of your Honour and Estate Fame and Safety do entreat your Magnificence require and more earnestly exhort you in the Lord nevertheless persuading you by sound and fatherly Counsel that taking the Premises together with what else may occurr unto you into serious Consideration and moreover holding for certain and remembring that the said Lewis as we premised is neither King nor Emperour and that nothing which he hath done or shall do as long as he hath been and shall be bound by the said Processes Penalties and Sentences was or is valid or of any Authority Stress or Moment and that it is dangerous and very much to be feared by You to commit your Self to the uncertainties and hazards of War especially being involved in all the foresaid Processes Penalties and Sentences from which you cannot be deliver'd but only by the Apostolick See which has expresly kept in her own hands the Absolution therefrom and so becoming a Persecutor and Enemy of God and the said Roman Church From which things the Lord of Mercies protect and defend You. You should also consider diligently that thô it is natural for Man to sin yet perseverance in Sin ought to be reckon'd Diabolical and proper to Devils and that from these horrid Errors to which perhaps you have declined being seduced by the Serpents subtlety before they grow more deadly and stink worse and putrifie in the sight of God and Men We desire You to hasten back and to direct your feet in the right Way pleasing God and agreeable to your Condition Safety and Honour and rather than despise the Decrees of the said Cardinals who sincerely love You and your Realm to acquiesce in the mutual Reformation of Peace between You and the said King it being a thing so pleasing to God and desirable to Men. And surely it seems to Us that althô the Office of the said Vicarship might now have lawfully been assigned yet it would not become your Honour who are such and so Great a King and Prince and are known in the world to be ennobled with such a Royal Name and Title to be called the Vicar of any Temporal Lord whatsoever How much less then did it or doth it become your Eminence to be called his Vicar who as often aforesaid hath no Authority at all but is alas defiled with the blemish of so many Crimes and involved in such and so many heavy Penalties and Sentences together with all his Adherents And now know O most Loving Son that if you shall acquiesce in these our wholsom Admonitions thô You have been so moved as to fall We will effectually reach forth our Gracious Hand as far as by Gods Assistance we shall be able to raise You up again But otherwise We cannot forbear since
sudden there t Frois ibid. Du Chesne p. 649. started an Hare near the Frenchmen whereat those that saw her rais'd a Loud shouting so that the Hindermost thought thereby that the Armies were now upon the Point of Engaging Wherefore hastily they clap'd on their Helmets and took their Spears in their Hands and after the Manner to Encourage their Men to the Battle many New Knights were thereupon made especially Fourteen were then Created by the Earl of Hainault who were afterward in Derision called Knights of the Hare And some have made more Abusive Observations thereupon But all this while both the Armies stood still King Edward because he was unequal in Number and had beside a Promise to have Battle presented unto him if he would abide in the open Field and also because he could never imagine that so Glorious an Army with Four Kings their Leaders and such a Number of the Prime Nobility of France should ever refuse an Enemy that expected them took no thought of being the Aggressor and King Philip as yet doubted on the foremention'd Reasons whether he should proceed or no just at which time there were brought in to the Host Letters of Recommendation from Robert King of Sicily and Naples to the French King and his Council which dash'd the whole business Now this u Freis ib. c. 42. Mezeray p. 15. Du Chesne p 649. Asumcle p. 650. P. Amyl p. 275. c. exteri serè cinnes King was look'd upon in those Days to be the most Famous of all Men for his extraordinary Skill in Astrology whereby with the help of a good Genius he could shrewdly to say no more guess at many Notable Events He therefore when he saw the Wars between France and England open and that with all his own Personal Endeavours and Travels with the Pope at Avignion he could no way prevent it set himself to seek out earnestly some foreknowledge of the Event if he might by any means comprehend any thing of the Fortune of these two Princes Whether from consideration of their several Nativities both which are attainable and as for Our King Edward's together with that of his Son the Black-Prince I think to present them to the Reader in the Close of this Work or from what else he took his Opinion I know not but surely he succeeded so well that either he found out or thought he did that if the French King should Fight with King Edward of England in Person he must infallibly expect to be discomfited and that he saw those many ill Consequences which would fall on the Noble Realm of France by so Fatal a Miscarriage Wherefore being a Prince extreamly addicted to the Interest of France as one who had not only adventur'd but lost his Only Son in the Quarrel of that Kingdom as I shew'd in the Battle of Southampton he sent frequent Letters to King Philip his Cosin and to his Council of all whom he was held in great Esteem for his Piety Learning and Knowledge in Judicial Astrology as well as other Curiosities of Nature earnestly desiring that by no means they would adventure to give Battle to the English whenever King Edward should be Personally present especially at this time that he saw many Dreadfull Calamities to be threatned to France I take no notice here of the pitifull Cavils of the Ignorant or Prejudicated Critick but reckon it my Duty to relate Matter of Fact attested so credibly as this is and I am ready to believe that such a thing might proceed from the Infinite Goodness of Almighty God towards Christian People that by these Warnings King Philips fierce Mind might be rendred more susceptible of Offers of Peace and all those Miseries which were else to follow be thereby prevented Yet for all this King Philip was not absolutely perswaded from giving Battle he was too Wise to give an Implicit Faith to things apparently of no great Authority But however as the Morning was wholly spent in the former Debates so upon occasion of these Letters and the Discourses ensuing thereon the Afternoon was also taken up and the Day in a manner quite worn out So that at last leave was given for every Man to withdraw to his former Lodgings in the Camp. When the young Earl of Hainault saw by this Dishonourable delay that now no Battle was like to happen he immediately went off with all his Men in Displeasure and that Night reach'd Quesnoy Now toward the x Knighton p. 2575. n. 10. Evening of this Day three French Spies being brought before King Edward and separately examin'd declared that King Philip Design'd on the Saturday following to Present him Battle and that he was not encamped above a League and an half off On the Saturday therefore King Edward descended into the Field again as before and in the Forenoon there were taken certain of the French Scouts who said that the French were ready ranged in the Field and Resolved to give them Battle At which Report the English were well pleased as desiring above all things to bring the Matter to a full Tryal But in the mean time some of our Scouts were taken and among them a Knight of Almain who confessed in Order the whole Array of the English Army and their Ardent Desire to Fight Hereupon the first Battail of the French was Order'd to Retreat and they began to set up their Tents and to encompass the Camp with a Ditch and to cut down great Trees to lay between them and the Enemy to hinder all sudden approach But the English on the other Hand stood all Day in the Field on Foot always looking for the coming of the French but in vain Wherefore toward the approach of the Evening the Marshals of the Host and others considering that they had waited enough that Day of all Reason and that it was better to encamp by Daylight commanded to Horse and so went off on the Right hand towards Avesnes en Hainault But at the time of their removal King Edward sent to the French King telling him that all the Sunday following he would expect him as before in the same place Which also he did do But he heard no more of him but that on the Saturday when the English took Horse with Design to go into their Night Quarters the French Scouts without consideration believing that they intended to fall on their Army return'd in all haste with such a Report so that the King of France thinking fit to retire to a more secure Place there happen'd in the Reer such a y Walsingh hist p. 128. Knighton ibid. Panick Terror that for pressing over hastily on one another there were lost in a certain Miry Place more than a Thousand Horse Yet when after this the Army was disbanded because being late in the Year little more could now be done when King Philip reflected on the whole Matter he was extreamly displeased with himself that he had thus declin'd fighting But
the other of Roger Normans do constantly attend the Pleasure of the said Richard in the Port of South-hampton Further that all the Inhabitants should remain still upon the Place to Defend the same on Pain of loosing all they have Sr. Richard was to have all the Ammunition and Warlike Furniture of the same Town to be deliver'd into his Hands by Indenture and was endued with a like Power in all things as the Earl of Warwick had been when he was Governour there The Sheriff of Southampton having a Writ of Attendance on him for Victuals and other Necessaries Mr. Stephen Butterly and Mr. William Weston Serjeants at Arms were to provide sufficient Timber Boards and other Necessaries for the said Town by Indenture Thus much for the Sea and the Sea-coasts Now as for the Defence of the Marches of Scotland and the Places thereabouts which might want Strength or Provision William Snoring and John at Fennes Merchants of Lynn-Regis Robert of Bayon and Henry Smith Merchants of Barton upon Humber do undertake at a certain Price and by a certain Day to deliver Ten Thousand Quarters of all kind of Grain at the Town of Barwick and in the Road of Leigh Every Quarter of Wheat and Malt at 9 shillings of Oats Beans and Pease at 5 shillings To which there was added a Caution that under Colour of this Licence they should not serve the Kings Enemies Sr. Thomas Rokeby who for finding out the Scotch Army in the first Year of this King was by him Knighted as we shew'd in due place being now a Person of great Reputation for Valour Wisdom and Fidelity took upon him to keep the Castles of Edenburgh and Sterling till Midsummer next ensuing And the Division of all the Grain aforesaid and of other Victuals for the said Castles and the Town of Barwick being proportionably made the greatest Share was allotted to the Castles Next in Order to preserve the Isle of Wight this Wise and Great Assembly provided First that the inhabitants of the same during the War should be respited the Payment of any Aid to the King and that None of them should by any Means be dispensed with to travel abroad or to absent themselves out of the said Isle nor should be impannel'd or warned at any Assise or Inquest during the said War. Also that due Provision of Wine Grain Coals and other Necessaries for the Castle of Caresbrook in the said Isle be forthwith made the Kings Butler being appointed to deliver the Wine to Sr. John Langford Constable of the said Castle and William of Rewinock was commanded to provide the rest of the foresaid Necessaries Sr. John Ferrers Captain of Jersey Island was now appointed to send thither a sufficient Deputy to whom like Rules were set and Provision allow'd for Defence of the same Command being also sent to Bayliffs there to seise upon the Goods of one William Payne late Jurate of that Isle who Revolted to the Enemy and to Choose another On the back-side of this Roll are seen the Numbers of such Souldiers as were arrayed and set out by certain Nobles Knights and Gentlemen of the Counties of York Nottingham Derby Lancaster Westmorland and Cumberland by their particular Rates which in the whole amounted to 7400 Men of Arms 200 Archers on Horseback and two Thousand Halberdeers Those of the three first-named Counties were order'd at the Costs of the Country to March to Newcastle upon Tine only and they of Westmorland Cumberland and Lancaster to Carlile only And the Captains and other being together shall lie and forrage upon Scotland and not upon the Marches of England A Clergyman was appointed for the defraying of their Wages having the Lords Percy and Nevile to oversee his Accounts and to speak with the Nobles Knights and Captains to execute these Orders and to bargain with Merchants for Shifts and returns of Money The Lord Richard Talbot who was late Captain of Barwick upon his undertaking the Charge of Southampton was now discharged for a while thereof Sr. Walter Clark being appointed to keep the same till Easter next ensuing Those who had directed unto them the Commissions of Array for Souldiers for the County of York were Thomas Lord Wake William Lord Roos Sr. Thomas Vghtred Sr. William de la Pole and Sr. Michael Wath only afterwards Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 541. because the Lord Wake had been appointed Guardian of the Sea-coasts in Lincolnshire and had in that Service many Souldiers under him for whose support he had been at great Expences he was in consideration thereof discharged from finding such Men at Arms Hobelers and others as for his Lands in Yorkshire he had else been lyable to be charged with Those who had Commissions of Array for Nottingham and Derby were the Lord Nicolas Cantelupe Sr. Richard Willoughby and Sr. Thomas Longvillers all Noble Barons of the Realm For the County of Lancaster Sr. Henry Heydock and Sr. Robert Radcliff For Westmorland and Cumberland Anthony Lord Lucy Sr. Pierce Filliol Sr. Hugh Delowthrey and Sr. Robert Perning For Northumberland the Lord Henry Percy and Ralph Lord Nevill of Raby Ranulph Lord Dacres of the North Sr. John Fenwick and Sr. Thomas Helpscots all who were empower'd to Place and Displace Captains upon Reasonable Cause This is the Substance of the Parliament held at this time especially in Matters Relating to Scotland the Discourse whereof we shall refer to another Place and also to France CHAPTER the FOURTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward holds a Parliament of his Allies at Brussels in Brabant Where he takes upon him the Arms and Style of France the Flemings entring an Alliance with him and rendring him their Homage thereupon II. The Queen of England deliver'd of her Fourth Son at Gaunt with the Mannâ—r of King James the Second's Pedigree by the Mothers side down from him III. King Edward Publishes his Letters Patents Monitory to his Subjects of France to own his Authority as of their Rightfull King and to come to his Peace and Protection with a True Copy of the Letters IV. King Edward returns into England with Design to hold a Parliament the time whereof he fixes on the Wednesday after Midlent-Sunday which then fell on the Twenty Ninth of March. V. King Edward informs the Pope of his Reasons for Vsing the Style and Arms of France with the Popes Answer I. THE Sacred Solemnity of our Saviours Nativity being now over King Edward by Advice of the Lords of the Empire his Friends went from a Frois c. 43. Antwerp to Brussels the Chief City of Brabant there to hold a Parliament and to consult with his Friends how to proceed farther in his French Wars These Lords being there met accordingly first perswaded the King to require the Aid and Friendship of the Flemmings in this his Cause and that for his Sake they would defie the French King and March whither he should lead or direct them For all which he should Engage to Recover Lisle Doway
to come from the Pope to shew them That if they would return to their Duty and own themselves to hold only of his Holiness and of the Crown of France forsaking King Edward who as he said had enchanted them then he would forgive them all their Trespasses granting unto them a General Absolution and also quit them of 2000000 of Florens in which Summ they were bound unto him by a Former Obligation and that he would further procure them many Advantagious Privileges and Franchises The Flemings answer'd That they look'd upon themselves as fully acquitted already of whatsoever they were bound in to his Holiness Since they fought not against the King of France but the Usurper of that Crown King Philip being nettled with this Answer made his Complaint to the Pope and so well handled the Matter with him that contrary to the Opinion of St. Austin who says u Neque Multitudo neque Princeps Pepuli sunt excommunicandi August in Glossa ad Matth◠c. 13. That neither a Common-Wealth nor a Prince of a People ought to be excommunicated he too easily interdicted all Flanders insomuch that no Priest there durst say or sing any Divine Service while they should continue unreconciled to the Church Whereof when the Flemings complain'd bitterly to King Edward he sent them word that when he should come among them he would bring along with him Priests out of England that should sing Mass and perform Divine Service among them whether the Pope would or no For he said He had Authority and Privilege so to do And this Answer contented the Flemings But when King Philip saw he could not win them to his side by fair means then he sent command to his Garrisons of Tournay Lisle Douay and other Frontier Fortresses to make War on the Flemings and to overrun their Country According to these Orders the Lord Godmar du Fay Sr. John du Roy Sr. Matthew du Trie Marshall of Mirepoix and divers other Lords and Knights from Tournay Lisle and Doway collected a Body of 1000 Men of Arms 3000 Crossbows and Others who all together one evening setting out secretly from Tournay and riding about six leagues Northward came early the next Morning before Courtray By that time the Sun was risen they had gather'd together all the Cattel about the Town while a Party of them rode up to the very Gates and slew and hurt all whom they found without the Walls Then they return'd homeward with all their Prey which they carried clear off and found when they came to Tournay that they had got more than 10000 Sheep and of Swine Beefs and Kine as many more VII The Flemings were extreamly fretted at this Inroad of theirs but especially Jacob van Arteveld who swore to take a bloody Revenge within a little space And presently commanded the good Towns of Flanders to get ready their Quota's of Souldiers and send them to him to Geertsberg or Mount Gerard directly between Antwerp and Tournay by such a certain day in order to go with him before Tournay He wrote Letters also to the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Robert Hufford eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk being then at Ipres desiring them to come and meet him there at the same time He himself against the Day prefixed went out of Gaunt with his Men of War and made his Rendezvous at Mount Gerard aforesaid being on an Arm of the Skell where he resolved to stay for the Lords of England and the Men of Frank and Bruges The foresaid English Barons thought it dishonourable to delay a Matter of such Importance especially the Flemings being so forward in what they themselves on behalf of the King their Master extreamly desired wherefore they immediately dispatch'd an Answer to Jacob van Arteveld signifying that they would not fail to be with him at such a Day There was then at Ipre a Lord of Almain named Sr. Vauflart de la Croix who for a long time had made War against the Garrison of Lille by the Dutch called Ryssel whereby he was well acquainted with all the Avenues and Passages of that Country Him now the two English Lords took for their Guide and when the time appointed drew near marched out of Ipre with 50 Men of Arms and 40 Archers in their Company But as they came toward the Town of Lille either by Treason of some among them or by the Enemies Spies their Approach was signified to those of the Town who sent out beforehand 1500 Men both Horse and Foot in three several Bodies that the English might by no means escape It is likely they had at least a strong presumption some time before of this their Coming for in such a certain place they had made a great Dike where there never was any before that their Passage might be the slower and they might not slip quickly by unperceived Sr. Vauflart had guided them well till they came to this Dike but here he began to smell a Plot and making an Halt said to the English Barons My Lords now I see well you cannot pass without peril from the Garrison of Lille For this way is but newly thus stopped and without fail they have had notice of our Coming Wherefore by my advice you would do well to turn back again and take some other way But the Lords answer'd him Nay Sr. Vauflart it shall ne're be said that we went out of the way for fear of the Men of Lille therefore ride on before in Gods-name for we have promised Jacob van Arteveld to be with him as on this day And saying so they began to move forward but then Sr. Vauflart repli'd Gentlemen you have taken me in this journey for your Guide and I have been with you all this Winter in Ipres where indeed for your kind Company and singular Favours I have been particularly obliged unto you But if the Men of Lille once appear without the Walls never expect that I should stand by you For I design to save my self as soon as I may because if I am taken by them I am sure to die for it And you must pardon me if I love my Life something better than your good Company thô you are my Friends The English Lords laughed heartily at him and said Well Sr. Vauflart if it be so we freely excuse you from further Attendance And truly just as he had imagin'd so it fell out for unawares they were even then in danger of the French Ambush who cri'd out Hold Messieurs you are not like to pass this way without our Leave and at that instant they poured in a whole Flight of Arrows upon them and came out in good Order against them The Lord Vauflart had no sooner espi'd them but he turn'd his Horse and got out of the Preass as hastily as he might and setting spurs to his Horse escap'd away But the English Captains thought scorn to flinch and so rode forward till finding themselves enclos'd with their Enemies
Ancient Liberties or free Customs of our Church of Canterbury or diminish them in any thing or knowingly contravene the Privileges granted thereto or do ought against them and also those who wickedly and injuriously presume to disturb the Peace and Tranquillity of the King or Kingdom of England or shall give Counsel Aid or Favour thereto by the Authority and in the Name of God the Father Almighty and of his Son Jesus Christ of his most blessed Mother the Virgin Mary of blessed Thomas the glorious Martyr and of all the Saints Item That whereas in the great Charter of Henry once King of England it was Granted and Ordained that no Freeman of the Realm of England should be taken or imprisoned or disseised of his Free-hold or his Liberties or his Free Customs or be Outlaw'd or Banished or any other way molested and that upon a Freeman the Law should not pass unless by the lawfull Judgment of his Peers or by the Law of England and that the King would deny or sell or delay right and justice to no Man And that the City of London should have all her Ancient Liberties and Free Customs And several other Liberties and free Customs are prudently in the said Charter granted to the Realm of England to the Praise and Honour of God the Peace of the Catholick Church and the Quiet of the Realm And by the Archbishop and Bishops of the said Kingdom those have been excommunicated anathematized and sequestred from the Pale of Holy Mother Church who after the Grant of the said Charter and the Liberties and free Customs therein and in the Charter of the Forest contained and granted to the Church of England by any art or devise should violate infringe diminish or alter privily or openly by Deed Word or Counsel in rashly going against them or any of them in any Article Many notwithstanding not ignorant of the Premises do now rashly attempt to go against the said Charters the Liberties and free Customes in the said Charters contained and mightily endeavour to infringe them Now we being desirous to overthrow their detestable designs and to dissipate their vailed and pretended Ignorance by reducing the Premises into the notice of all Men do in general admonish all and singular who have done against the Premises in any manner of way or contrary to the said Charters or either of them have made Statutes or have kept them when made have introduced Customs or have kept them when introduced also the Writers of Statutes and Counsellours and Executors and those who shall presume to judge according to them That duly they amend themselves and by the appointment of their Ordinaries make full satisfaction for their Offences within 15 Days to be reckon'd from the time of this our Admonition Whom upon their Non-obedience from that time we denounce publiquely and solemnly to have incurred the said Sentence of Greater Excommunication confirmed of sure knowledge by Pope Innocent the IV. Item That all and singular who from the Houses Manors Granges or other Places to Archbishops Bishops or other Ecclesiasticall Persons belonging shall presume to take away seise consume or touch any thing against the Will of the Owners or those who are deputed the Keepers of the said thing or cause the said thing to be taken seised consumed or touched and approve the taking away the seising consuming or touching of the said thing done by their Abettors or in their Name are Violators of the said Liberties and Privileges Ecclesiastick and we publiquely and solemnly in these Writings denounce them ipso facto to incurr the Sentence of Greater Excommunication which in the Council of Oxford was made against the Violators of the Liberties of the Church Item Because the Iniquity of the times renders the Clergy odious to the Laiety insomuch that the Latter do seise on the Former and detain them against their Wills or not permit them to go freely whither they please we publiquely and solemnly denounce all and singular as well Clergymen as Laymen within our Province of Canterbury who knowing them to be Clergymen and publiquely and notoriously to be held and reputed for Clergymen and also to bear themselves as so having not confessed any crime nor being convicted or indicted do in custody or prison put and detain them against their Wills rashly in a Case not permitted by Law or the Custom of the Realm of England to the Scandal and manifest Injury of the Clergy to be involved in the Sentence of Greater Excommunication in this part made by the Canon Item Whereas all and singular who in our Province of Canterbury do maliciously from the false instigations of Hate lay a Crime to the charge of any Person or Persons who among good and grave Men were not before defamed of the said Crime whereby on occasion of the Charge they may any ways be grieved are and have been envolved in the Sentence of Greater Excommunication justly made by Holy Fathers in the Council of Oxford against Defamers of this kind and those who knowingly offend against Archbishops or their Spiritual Fathers Ambassadors of Christ Pillars of the Church do commit a sin so much the greater as is the Eminence of the Person offended We by the Authority wherewith we are invested do publiquely denounce all and singular who in our Province of Canterbury have falsly wickedly and malitiously already presumed or hereafter shall presume to lay to the Charge of an Archbishop or Bishop or any other the Crime of Treason or any other Crime contrary to the Constitution aforesaid to be involved in the said Sentence of Greater Excommunication in the said Council discreetly made and to be sequestred from the Pale of Holy Mother Church c. Besides all this the Archbishop sent the Letters afore-mention'd to all his Brethren and Suffragans that they also in their several Diocesses and Precincts should publiquely promulge the Sentences above-written Whereupon the King hearing of these Letters of the Archbishop and considering them together with others which as r Walsingh hist p. 142. n. 4. was thought some Courtiers had forged in his Name to render him more obnoxious that he might more plainly detect the Archbishops Falshood and establish the Reputation of his own Justice wrote this Letter to the Bishop of London and sent a Copy thereof to the Prior and Chapter of Canterbury VIII Å¿ Antiq. Brit. p. 224. Walsing hist p. 142. Fox Acts and Mâ—num p. 349. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to the Reverend Father in God Ralph Bishop of London Greeting It is manifest by old approved Histories but more clearly appears by what is dayly practised that many Men abusing the Favour of Princes and the Honour conferr'd upon them and waxing insolent thereby do sometimes by malitious and sly Insinuations endeavour to deprave the laudable Undertakings of Kings And that what we say may be rendred more manifest to all our Liege People We suppose
Your Selves herein that We may have cause to commend Your Care and Diligence Witness Our Self at Westminster the Twelfth day of February in the Year of Our Reign over England the 15 and over France the 2d. In Answer to this the Archbishop return'd the same Defence he had made in the Pulpit at Canterbury only mutatis mutandis with this Preface directed to the King viz. IX b Antiqu. Brit. p. 227. c. To his Dread Lord EDWARD by the Grace of God of France and England the most Illustrious King John by Divine Permission his humble Minister of the Church of Canterbury once Temporally but now more in the Lord wisheth Health both of Soul and Body and evermore to persevere in Good and Manfully to Resist envious and wicked Suggestions which easily corrupt Good Manners There are two Things whereby the World is principally governed the Holy Pontifical Authority and the Royal Power Of which the Burthen incumbent upon Priests is so much more weighty and sublime by how much at the Divine Scrutiny they are to give an Account even concerning Kings themselves And therefore your Majesty ought to know that You depend on their Judgment not that they can be directed by your Will. For who doubts but that the Priests of Christ ought to be accounted both Fathers and Masters of Kings and Princes and of all the Faithfull Is it not look'd on as a sign of a deplorable Madness for a Son to endeavour to bring under his Father or a Scholar his Master And that many Prelates have Excommunicated some of them Kings others Emperours the Canonical Authority of the Scriptures testifies And if you enquire for any thing particular of the Persons of Princes the blessed c c Innocent l. Papa Rom. flâ—ruit circa An. Chr. 404. Innocent smote the Emperour Arcadius with the edge of Excommunication because he consented that St. John Chrysostom should be violently expelled from his Seat. And the Holy Ambrose Archbishop of Milain for a fault which to other Priests seem'd not so very enormous bound the Emperour Theodosius the Great in the Bond of Excommunication who afterward having first given convenient Satisfaction obtain'd Absolution And in more convenient time and place many more Examples of the like nature may be produced Whatsoever Priests therefore offend by Error meerly humane which doth no way trespass upon the Faith of Religion it seems that they neither can nor ought to be punished by the Secular Power For it is the part of a good and religious Prince to restore broken and bruised Churches to build new ones to honour and with all respect imaginable to defend the Priests of God like unto Constantine that pious Prince of most Happy Memory who when the Complaints of Clergymen were brought unto him said You can be judged of None that is none of the Secular Judges who are reserved to the judgment of God alone according to the Assertion of the Apostle saying d d 1 Cor. c. 2. v. 15. The spiritual Man is judged of no man. Let your Majesty therefore consider what and how great the Punishment of that Son ought to be who uncovers the nakedness of his Father and wickedly defames his innocent Parent to whom as is premised he ought to yield all reverence and honour For the Pagan Princes after their manner yielded and do yield no small Honour to the Prelates of their Temples and Idols whom they termed Flamins How much more ought Christian Princes Worshippers of the True God and of the Christian Faith to reverence the Ministers and Prelates of Christ But alas in a preposterous and unnatural way the Honour which on Occasion of the Dignity wherein we thô unworthy preside ought unto us as unto your Father to be yielded is turned into Reproach the Respect into Reviling and Reverence into Contempt While You sent your Royal Letters Patents sealed with your Royal Seal or rather notorious Libels spitefully dictated and written by our Enviers and Enemies containing various crimes and many enormous Matters and false-invented Reproaches against us to our infamy as plainly by the reading thereof may appear to all the Suffragans of our Province of Canterbury Deans Abbots Priors and their Chapters and other Ecclesiasticall Persons to be published to the great Affront of us I hope and not of God himself That so the Devotion of our Flock toward us might wax cold and their Obedience be turned into Contempt From which unexpected not to say detestable Deed it evidently appears to all that behold it how the Royal Power which proceedeth from the Lord according to the saying of the wise King Solomon e e Wisd of Solomon c. 6. v. 1. 3. Hear ô ye Kings and understand Learn ô ye Judges of the ends of the Earth For Power is given unto you from the Lord and Soveraignty from the most High doth now presume to judge even the Lord God himself in the Persons of his Ministers and Priests not only to the violation of the Divine Law but against the Ordinance of God of humane Law and natural Reason and doth condemn its Spiritual Father and the chief Peer of the Land being not called not convicted and by your Record to use the vulgar word unheard to the hazard of your Soul to the exceeding prejudice of all us Peers and of all the People of the Land. Nor let any one maliciously accuse us that being conscious of our own Guilt we seek to hide our selves lest we should be obliged to bear the brunt of your Objections For the most High knoweth that we heartily desire to see you above all mortal Men that all Flattery remov'd we may intimate unto your Highness the dangers both of You and of your Kingdom and the Affection and loving Hearts of your Subjects and advise You that your Actions I wish they were all Praise-worthy might be as a Light to others according to that of the * * Claudian Regis ad exemplum tâ—tus componitur â—rbis Wise Man The World is by a King's Example sway'd And also that upon beholding our Face You might call to mind those Services which lately we have performed in your Employs carefully and Faithfully according to the Conscience of our Soul so God help us in the last Trial when all Men shall f f 2 Corin. c. 5. v. 10. stand before his Tribunal to receive the things done in their Bodies according to that they have done whether it be good or evil And especially that before You the Prelates Barons and Peers of the Realm we might set forth our Reputation which by your Letters and Libels aforesaid is basely torn and bespatter'd purged true and pure as I call God to Witness it is to Publique Knowledge But upon notice that certain of your principal Counsellors near your Person have given forth menaces of Death against us who are in this Land not as Joseph was in Egypt but like Tyrants now adays domineer in the Throne after
Generals we answer generally that according to the discretion given unto us by God being in your Offices we always faithfully served your Royal Majesty and in our Actions gave you in our judgment sound Counsel To prodigal Donations or unlawfull Alienations or excessive Largesses or Relaxations of great Sums of Money due unto You unless upon good Reasons by you done neither thrô Bribery Hate Love or Favour yielding fallaciously any Assent but to our Power conserving your Honour and Interest in the Premises and all other Matters And because sundry times we stiffly withstood several Donations and Relaxations we often went away with small Thanks from the Kings Servants and Others And if particularly any thing had been made out as to each of the Premises we should have given a particular Answer agreeable to God and the Truth For at present it doth not occurr to our Memory that your Royal Highness hath made any extraordinary Donations we being present and knowing those onely excepted which unto certain Earls lately by You first made by Consent of solemn Parliament then held in your Royal Palace at Westminster You of your Royal Bounty gave Which then we believed and yet do not to have been done to the Kings Prejudice but to make for your Interest and Honour For the Experience of things teaches what rank they held for You and your Realm and how much they have suffer'd and do suffer at present But as for any Excessive Largesses or Relaxations of the Kings Liberality made we remember not at present unless your Majesty would have us understand it of one Relaxation made to a Debtor even to all your People of England in your last Parliament You being present conven'd at Westminster Which Grace on that occasion was granted by the Assent of the King and of the whole Parliament on consideration of a greater Advantage thereby accruing to You viz. that the Community of the Land should grant You a Ninth aforesaid nor would the Community have otherwise assented to give the Subsidy of the said Ninth Which latter Instance where Reason sways ought not to be imputed unto us But when the said Generals are declared more particularly as the Law requires we will give in our Answer to what shall be so declared distinct enough And yet one thing we shall not here omit which we wonder that it should be objected against us namely that we have applied unto the use of us and of our Friends the Kings Rents and Revenues For the just Judge sitting in Heaven knows that hitherto we never appli'd any of the Kings Lands Rents or Profits to our selves or ours nor ever intended to apply them But in the Affairs of You and of your Father and Grandfather for whom we have crossed the Seas 30 times and have often gone to and fro for Scotland and in other your Employs we have spent so much of our own that of our Purses it may be said as above in your Letters it is repeated Here a little and there a little For from the beginning of the Wars to this present day we have received nothing at all from the Kings Exchequer except 300 l. And so the Evil design'd against us is remembred but our Labours Expences and Gratitude are utterly forgotten of all Men. u u Job c. 6. v. 2. Therefore I may say with Job Oh! that my sins were throughly weighed and my Calamity laid in the Balances together surely this would appear heavier than the sand of the Sea. As for Acceptors of Persons truly God is our Witness we never were but desirous always to prefer the Kings Will we placed and caused to be placed Worthy Persons in Publique Offices in whatsoever Lands or Places were subject to the Kings Government as far as Human Condition permitted us to know the Manners of Men according to the knowledge and power given us from above taking therefore Gifts or Rewards of no body And if any one will say or prove that we have taken any Gifts or Mony from any we shall be ready upon Occasion to answer all Plaintiffs or Impeachers whensoever it shall please the Kings Majesty according to the Law and Customs of the Realm the Honour of God our Estate and Order being in all things preserved Knowing most Serene Prince for certain that if we might with a safe Conscience reveal the secrets of your Council we could show openly to all the World to whom the Failing in all the Premises ought to be imputed in the just Judgment of God and all true Men. Thus much for the present may suffice as to the said infamous Libel and I wish that for your Majesties Honour it had never been written and published which althô at the first view it seems to bespatter and wound our Reputation yet things being seriously consider'd as they ought to be and the Writings therein contained weighed in a just Scrutiny those Men cannot avoid the blot of Treason to the King and Kingdom who dictated this Libel or thereto gave their Counsel and Consent or reported the Contents thereof to our Injury or published them to our Infamy Which may your Royal Majesty vouchsafe with an Upright Heart to consider whom may that King by whom x x Prov. c. 18. v. 15. Kings reign and Princes decree Justice vouchsafe to preserve in Health and in his own Love. Amen This notable and artificial Letter the Archbishop wrote in a strain agreeable to the Times sometimes standing stiffly upon his Pontifical Authority and the sacred Liberties of the Church sometimes humbly conceding the Regal Power always full of submissive Courage which was fomented by his Innocence or Dignity But all these Arts could neither frighten nor mollifie the Kings Exasperated Mind yet so that he presently followed it with this Reply which he sent as an Antidote against the Archbishops Insinuations to all the Bishops and Clergy of that Province X. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To the Bishops Deans Abbots Priors and their Chapters and other Ecclesiastical Persons of the Province of Canterbury Greeting The Wound of Hearts Pride which always soareth aloft doth often turn the Remedy to a Disease and the Physick to Poison And this is proved by the presumptuous Arrogance of John Archbishop of Canterbury who when lately he had publiquely Preached and commanded to be Published in several places of great Resort sundry sinister Matters concerning Us and Ours as more fully is contained in our Excusatory Letters to You and others thereupon directed now heaping up more heavy Injuries to his former endeavours to intimate to our Liege People that Our Excuses which We provided to heal the Wounds of Our Dignity and Royal Fame are not true and with Exquisite Engines to batter them and by New Letters lately sent to You and others with a slanderous Pen and lying Style more grievously and freely to defame them And thô it be the Custom of Popes Cardinals and Inferior Prelates to
a due State Counsel and a Treatise thereupon had with the Earls Barons and other Wise Men of our said Realm And for because We never consented to the making of the said Statute but as then it behoved Us We dissembled in the Premises by Protestations of Revocation of the said Statute if indeed it should proceed to eschew the Dangers which by denying of the same We feared to come forasmuch as the said Parliament otherwise had been without any Expedition in Discord dissolved and so our earnest business had likely been which God prohibit in Ruine And the said pretenced Statute We promised then to be Sealed It seemed to the said Earls Barons and other Wise Men that sithence the said Statute did not of our Free Will proceed the same should be void and ought not to have the Name nor strength of a Statute And therefore by their Counsel and Assent We have Decreed the said Statute to be void and the same inasmuch as it proceeded of Deed We have brought to be annulled Willing nevertheless that the Articles contained in the said pretenced Statute which by other of Our Statutes or of Our Progenitors Kings of England have been approved shall according to the form of the said Statute in every point as convenient is be observed And the same We do only to the Conservation and Redintegration of the Rights of Our Crown as We be bound and not that We should in any Wise aggrieve or oppress Our Subjects whom We desire to rule by Lenity and Gentleness And therefore We do command You that all these things You do to be openly proclaimed in such places within your Bayliwick where You shall see expedient Witness my self at Westminster the First day of October the XV Year of Our Reign This is the Famous Revocation which thô put among the Printed Statutes was meerly the Result of the Kings Prerogative Royal and yet in those days Esteemed of sufficient Force and as so afterwards confirmed by Act of Parliament as We shall see two Years hence CHAPTER the NINETEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Philip of France wins the Emperour to his side II. The Emperours Letters of Revocation to King Edward III. King Edwards answer thereto IV. The sudden Death of the Duke of Bretagne without Issue With the several Pretences of the Earl of Montford and Charles of Blois to that Dukedom V. Earl Montford seises his Fathers Treasure calls a. Parliament and goes forth with an Army to conquer his Inheritance VI. He goes into England does Homage to King Edward as true King of France for that Dukedom and implores his Protection VII On Charles of Blois his Complaint to King Philip Earl Montford is Summon'd to appear in the Chamber of France He comes to Paris but being in doubt gets secretly away again VIII The Dukedom adjudged to the Lord Charles of Blois IX King Philip promises unto him his Assistance and confiscates the Earldom of Montford which King Edward requites by giving the Earldom of Richmond unto the said Earl. X. Charles of Blois descends into Bretagne besieges Nantes and takes the Earl of Montford who is sent Prisoner to Paris XI The Countess of Montford prepares to renew the War. XII King Edward keeps his Christmas at Melros Abbey and the Earl of Darby at Roxborough whither certain Scotch Knights come to exercise Feats of Arms. XIII Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Fifth Son called Edmund of Langley His Christening solemnized with a Feast and Turneament Which is falsly said to have been for love of the Countess of Salisbury XIV A small Digression concerning Francis Petrarch the Italian Poet. XV. The Lord Douglas besieges Striveling and takes it King Edward goes against Scotland with a Royal Army The Scotch Lords offer Conditions to obtain a Truce which are accepted XVI King David of Scotland returns home again raises an Army and enters England lays Siege to Newcastle but leaves it again XVII The Captain of Newcastle rides post with the News to King Edward who prepares for Resistance XVIII King David takes and destroys the City of Durham XIX He lays Siege to the Castle of Werke the Story of King Edwards Amours with the Countess of Salisbury exploded XX. The Captain of the Castle passes thrô the Scotch Host in the Night to hasten King Edward to his Relief On Knowledge whereof the King of Scotland Retires XXI King Edward comes before the Castle of Werke and the next Day follows the Scots XXII A Truce taken between the two Kings with the several Reasons inducing them thereto The Earls of Murray and Salisbury acquitted their Ransoms I. ALL this while thô the Truce between France and England had more than Two Years to continue King Philip knowing that Truces are but Opportunities for Wise Enemies to improve to their Advantage like a Politick and Wary Prince thought good to take this time to recruit himself and to provide more strongly against a War which the Competition for a Crown seem'd to Entayl to future Ages And first after King Edward's own Method he desired to Establish himself with the Accession of some Powerfull Friends The Flemings he could by no means expect to prevail with while Jacob van Arteveld bore any Authority among them and the Earl of Hainalt was too much incensed to be wrought upon and the Duke of Brabant and other Lords of the Empire were still hamper'd in the Triple League made at Villenort Nor indeed did it seem feasable to gain any great footing in the Empire till the Emperour himself might be brought over The Emperours Friendship therefore seem'd as more considerable so upon many Accounts more attainable Lewis the Emperour had now to Wife the Lady Margaret Eldest Daughter to Jane of Valois King Philips Sister Besides he knew him extream desirous to be Reconciled to the Church if he might obtain Absolution from the Pope on no Dishonourable Conditions and King Philip had at that time the Popes Keys under his Girdle the Court of Rome being at Avignon in France The Emperour therefore he now secretly and effectually plyes by the Popes Letters and his own Ambassadors offering him both Temporal and Spiritual Advantages great Gifts and Pensions together with a Frank and easie Absolution from his long-continued Excommunication These things took with him so well that he presently sent unto King Edward these his Letters of Revocation II. a Walsingh hist p. 146. n. 30. Fox Acts and Monum p. 351. Stow p. 238. Odâ—ric Rainald ad hunc annâ—m §. 12. c. Lewis by the Grace of God Emperour of the Romans always Augustus to Edward King of England his Beloved Brother Greeting and unfeigned Love. Althô innumerable and arduous Affairs do lie upon our shoulders and We are variously and perpetually encumbred about them yet notwithstanding when the Discord arisen between You and Philip King of France our Beloved Cosin which unless it be appeased may for the future bring forth both to You and to your
the Matter was kept very close and none but his Council knew certainly of it for he had not been above Eight or Ten Days abroad in all and the Nantois thought he had visited some other Parts of his Dominions that while VII When the Lord n Prois c. 69. Charles Castillion commonly called Sr. Charles of Blois who look'd upon himself as true Heir of Bretagne in Right of his Wife heard of all the Conquests that the Earl had made in that Country which he took for his own he addrest himself to his Uncle King Philip to complain of these Injuries The King deliberating what course to take in this Affair was in the end counselled to summon the Earl of Montford by sufficient Messengers to make his Personal Appearance at Paris by such a day there to answer to what should be objected against him in the Chamber of France Messengers were accordingly sent who found him at Nantes keeping of a Solemn Festival Here he treated them highly and then having well understood their Errand answer'd that he would punctually obey the Kings Commandment Soon after being prepared for his Journey he rode from Nantes toward Paris with a Princely Equipage of 400 Horse in his Company The next day after his Arrival he rode with this Great Attendance to the Palace Royal Where the King and the 12 Peers with other High Lords of France expected his coming with the Young Lord Charles of Blois in their Company The Earl was conducted to the Kings Chamber being highly regarded and civilly saluted in his Passage thither by all the Lords for the Fame of his great Exploits and the Grandeur of his Person When he 〈◊〉 before the King he enclin'd his Body something low and said Sir I am come hither in Obedience to your Command and Pleasure The King answer'd Earl Montford for that you have so done I give you thanks But I wonder how you durst take upon You the Dukedom of Bretagne whereunto you have no Right For there is another nearer than your Self whom you seek to disinherit And to maintain your unjust Quarrel by Violence you have been with mine Adversary the King of England to whom as I am enformed you have done Homage for the same The Duke who thought it impossible that the King should know this Conveyance of his reply'd not without some Confusion Sir I beseech your Majesty not to believe any such Matter for You are not rightly informed as to that Point But Sir as for the Right which You mention saving your Displeasure You do me wrong to question it For Sir I know of none living so near to my Brother deceased as my Self And if it can be made appear by Right Law and Judgment that there is any Person nearer than I am I am not He that should rebell against Reason or be asham'd to renounce what I had unjustly usurped Well Sir rejoyn'd the King you say well But I command you in whatever you hold of me not to stirr from this City of Paris these Fifteen days in which space the 12 Peers and Lords of my Realm shall consider impartially on the Matter And then you shall know where the Right lies And if you shall presume to do otherwise be assured we shall not be Friends The Earl having promis'd all should be at his Pleasure went from the Court home to his Lodgings to Dinner But having din'd he mus'd much with himself in his Chamber and thought he had done too rashly in coming thither where he should be oblig'd to stand to the Award of such as were byass'd another way At last being o Mezeray p. 18. disguised like a Merchant and only three in his Company he privately took horse in a clear Night and leaving the City got home into Bretagne before the King or any else knew what was become of him Being come to Nantes he shew'd unto his Countess what he had done and wherefore and then by her Advice he rode about to all the Towns and Fortresses which he had won and set over them Vallant and Loyal Captains with sufficient Numbers of Souldiers Horse and Foot and gave them large Wages before-hand VIII For some p Prois c. 70. time the Court of France thought he had been detain'd in his Lodgings by some Indisposition seeing his Servants constantly about the House and tending his Affairs as if present But they also getting off by degrees when his Departure was fully known it may be guessed how deeply King Philip resented this Affront But for all that he kept so much decorum as to tarry till the 15th Day came whereon the Peers were to give their final Judgment concerning the Dukedom of Bretagne At the time appointed the Case was adjudged clearly in behalf of Sr. Charles of Blois his Lady Jane who was Daughter and Heir to Guy Earl of Pentebria Brother German to the Duke last deceased and therefore was now declared to have more Right than John Earl of Monford q Catal. Honer p. 6â—4 who was Younger Brother to the said Ladies Father by a second Venter namely by Violanta sole Daughter and Heir of Almaric Earl of Narbon and Montford They alledged further that althô the Earl of Montford had had the Right yet now he had forfeited it on two Accounts First because he had received the Dutchy of another Lord than of the French King of whom only he ought to hold it and secondly because he had broken the Kings express Command and disobeyed his Arrest in going away Wherefore neither would they r Mezeray p. 18. admit of his Request which was to accept of his Procuration whereby he had left One as his Deputy to manage this Matter in his Behalf From which Judgment it being manifestly influenced by King Philips Authority that Prince was much Å¿ Giov. Villani l. 11. c. 142. censur'd of injustice by those who allow'd the Ancient Order and Custom of the Baronages of France and the Salique Law especially since it was contrary to that very Judgment by which He himself had been Declared and Crowned King of France Since if Charles of Blois had the Right to the Dukedom of Bretagne by his Wife Daughter to the last Dukes Brother German much more had King Edward of England the Right to the Crown of France by his Mother sole Daughter and Heiress after the Death of Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair her Brethren of Philip the Fair King of France But Prejudice is so strange a thing that it byasses the Minds of the Great and the Wise Men of the World by representing Falshood and Injustice under the specious Titles of Fair and Equitable unless there be present an Awe of Religion and a Sense of Honour and Conscience to suppress those selfish Considerations IX However as soon as this Judgment was thus given King Philip called unto him the Young Lord Charles of Blois and said to him Fair Nephew you have a fair and large
Attempt himself When Sr. Edward saw this he said Well Gentlemen however I am sufficiently assured of the Loyalty and Good-will that you all bear to my Lady of this Castle wherefore for her sake and yours I 'll put my Life in hazard to do this Errand my self For I have such knowledge of you that I doubt not but you will make shift to hold out till my Return And I repose such a Considence in the Goodness of Our Soveraign Lord the King that he will shortly send me back unto You with such Relief as will please You. And then believe it his Majesty will so well Reward You that You shall all remain highly satisfied These Words kindly refreshed the Mind of the Noble Countess and the rest with her So when Night came he provided all things for his purpose as secretly as possible causing the fleetest Courser that he had to be ready saddled for him Surely either the Ladies Vertue or his Courage or both made Heaven propitious to the Enterprise for it rain'd so hard all that Night that the Scotch Sentinells kept all within under shelter whereby his Passage was not impeached and the Assault next Morning could not proceed to any purpose About Midnight Sr. Edward issued privily out of the Castle and passed within a while clear thró the Host unhurt and unperceived till being got clear he made forward with full speed It was now about Day-break when near half a League from the utmost Limits of the Scotch Camp he met with two Scots driving before them two Oxen and a Cow toward the Army whom upon Examination finding out he set upon them and wounded them both in several places for he would not kill them because he design'd they should tell their King what he was gone about But the Cattle he slew that the Scots might have no Benefit of them After which he said to the wounded Scots Now go your ways and tell your King that I am Edward Montagu who have this Night broke thrô his Camp and am now going to direct the King of England hither with his Army and with this he set forward upon the Spur. The News was brought to the King of Scots wherefore being hindred for a while by the fall of the rain as soon as he could he renewed the Assault with all the fury imaginable but gain'd nothing all the while Upon this the Lords of his Council who had seen so many Attacks made to no purpose but that his Army was daily diminished and weakned thereby fearing that the King of England might come suddenly upon them before the Castle could be won and so they might hazard not only the loss of what they had already gotten but of the King and Kingdom too upon these Considerations I say the Lords of Scotland agreed all together and thus one of them deliver'd their Minds to King David Sir hitherto You have Honourably performed Your Enterprise You have done considerable Damage to the English your Enemies you have taken and destroy'd the City of Durham and in this Country of Northumberland You have now kept the field 12 days And certainly Sir all things consider'd it were better to go home in time with Honour and save what You have already won then with Your wearied Forces to expect a fresh Enemy and so hazard the loss of all upon unequal Terms Your Majesty may more opportunely return another time when Your Men have refreshed themselves and Your Enemies are not at hand with such vast Preparations The King would not be against the general Opinion of all his Council but after a while thô very unwillingly yielded to follow their Advice So early the next Morning he passed the Tweed with all his Host taking the direct way to the Forest of Gedeours among the wild Scots there to remain and wait King Edwards Motions whether he would break up his Army and return or pierce into Scotland at that time XXI That g Frois c. 77. Du Chesne very day at Noon King Edward came thither with his Army to the same place where the Scots had lain and was mightily displeased that he found them not there For he came thither in such haste with hopes to give them Battle that his Infantry especially was much wearied However when he saw how the matter stood he gave Order to encamp there that Night and said how he intended to go see the Castle and give a visit to the Noble Lady the Countess of Salisbury For says Froisard he had not seen her since she was Married before which was near upon 14 Years ago if not more as may be gather'd from the Age of her Eldest Son who was fifteen Years old two Years after this as appears h Fsc 18. Ed 3. n. 51. by Record Wherefore I shall wholly wave that Popular but exploded Story of the Kings Amours with her at this time and only proceed in a way more conformable to Reason and undeniable Authority When King Edward had unarm'd him self he took 10 or 12 of his Barons with him and went to the Castle to salute the Countess and to see the manner of the Scots Assaults and the Defence that was made against them As soon as the Countess heard of the Kings coming she commanded the Gates to be set open and came forth to meet him in her most Rich Attire so that it is not to be doubted but that the Fame of he◠Courage preparing Mens minds and the Splendour of her Garb being added to a Person of that Sex of an high Quality and not too far gone in Years she might appear charming enough to give occasion of much merry talk among the Souldiers who saw her at that time and did possibly scatter such Reports as might propagate an erroneous Tradition even down to us When she came before the King she kneeled upon the Earth and returned her Dutifull Thanks for this his seasonable Succour The King took her up Graciously with a cheerfull and hearty Aire and perhaps as One of that Sex and Quality who had Honourably acquitted her self in a Danger brought upon her upon his account saluted her at the same time And so taking her by the hand he walk'd her easily toward the Castle talking no doubt pleasantly upon the way as a King not fully 30 Years old might probably do on such an occasion Whoso is minded to believe the other account of this Story where the King is made to fall in love with her him I refer to i Frois c. 77. Froisard who discourses it at large and is I must confess as to the main a very credible Historian Althô in this he is not to be followed by those who seriously confer circumstances of Names Times Places and Persons Here the King had a Noble Dinner provided for him both he and his Lords sitting down together at the same Table But the King himself ate but little whereat his Lords wondred much for he was wont to bear a cheerfull Countenance
render this High Design of his Adversary of England less effectual He d Walsing Hypod p. 117. Daniels hist p. 223 Steed c. also at the same time set up a Round-Table at Paris to which many Knights came from Bohemia Luxemburgh Germany and Italy And at the same time also he gave e Fox Acts Monum ad an 1344. ex Walsingh Hypod. p. 117. ad hunc an free leave to any of his Subjects to fell down Timber for making of Ships and encreasing his Navy Whereby no little Dammage was afterwards done to the Sea-Coasts of England But however as for the Round-Table he Erected it proved of no great Advantage to him for King Edward here gain'd the Point of him most notoriously by adding to his Round-Table a peculiar Device of the Blew-Garter With which he Honoured his Order For thô the whole Design was not as now consummated more time being Requisite to settle so substantial a Society together with all its Laws Ordinances and other Circumstances yet because at least the Design was now formed and this Years meeting did certainly give Occasion for the Foundation of that most Noble Order which in the f Ità expressè Statuta ipsius Fundatoris Ad honorem Omnipotentis Dei Sanctae Mariae Virginis gloriosae 7amp Sancti Georgii Martyris Dominus noster supremus Edvardus post Conquestum Tertius Rex Angliae anno Regni sui 23 tio Ordinavit Stabilivit Fundavit quandam Sccietatem sive Ordinem Militarem infra Castrum suum de Windesore in bunc modum c. Idem affirmatur in Copiâ Hattoniana in Statutis per Henricum V. refermatis ut in Statutis per Henricum VIII Latinis apud Ashmole in Appendice Anglicis in M. S. penes me Vid. Ashmole's Garter p. 187. 23 l. of this King received its full Establishment I shall to clear my self once for all of this Subject take leave in this place to discourse of the Institution and Original of the Knights of the Garter IV. It has been a Common and current Opinion that Joan Plantagenet called by some Countess of Salisbury by chance letting fall her Garter in a Dance the Amorous King snatching it up for the sake of the Beautifull Owner contrived thus to make it Honourable to all Ages but this we have already shew'd to want Authority when We overthrew the very occasion of it by proving that King Edward was not in love with this Lady to which We now add that even Froisard who makes him to have been in love with her yet when he comes to the Order of the Blew-Garter takes no Notice that it was ever intended as an Honour or remembrance of this or any other Ladies Garter Polydor Virgil a Man of indifferent Reputation being the First that ever mention'd such a thing brings it yet but as founded upon Fama Vulgi Publique Rumor only Besides of all those that hold this Opinion there are different judgements as to the Name and Person of the Lady some calling her Joan some Alice some Katherine others making her Countess of Salisbury and others again saying 't was Queen Philippa her self who once departing from the Kings presence to her own Apartment he soon after following happen'd to espy a Blew-Garter on the ground which his Attendants slightly passing by the King who knew the Owner commanded it to be taken up and given to him at the Receipt whereof he said You make but small account of this Garter but within a little while the very best of You shall be glad to Reverence the like And that the Motto of the Garter HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE was the Queens Answer when the King asked what she thought Men would conjecture of her upon dropping her Garter in such a Manner This Mr Ashmole g Ashmole Garter p. 180. quotes thrô lapse of Memory as from Du Chesne who yet h Da Chesne Histoire Generale D'Angleterre D'Escosse D'Ireland p. 670. in the place alledged has no such matter but only speaks of the Countess of Salisbury whose Garter he says when the Lords seeing the King take up smiled he said in French as aforesaid which signifies Let him be ashamed that thinks any Evil. Now thô all must acknowledge our King Edward to have been the first Founder of this Order of the Garter yet some have sought higher for the Original even up to the time of King Richard the First who began his Reign Anno Domini MCLXXXIX This valiant Prince say they i Black-Book Preface p. 13. after he had Conquer'd the Isle and Kingdom of Cyprus and lay now before Acon or Ptolemais a famous City of Phoenicia on the Borders of Palestine held then by the Sarazens being much wearied with the Tediousness of the Siege at last thrô some secret Impulse at the intercession and mediation of St. George as he imagin'd was inspired with fresh Courage and bethought himself of this Device to tie about the Left Legs of a select Number of Knights a Leathern Thong or Garter for no better were then at hand whereby being put in mind of the Glory that should accrue to them in vanquishing their Enemies together with an Assurance of proportionable Rewards if they succeeded they might be roused up to behave themselves gallantly and with more vigour in those Christian Wars Which Fact of his was done in Imitation of the Ancient Romans among whom were various Crowns invented for the honour and encouragement of those who had or should do well in the Service of their Country Some of the Names of which Knights as many as I have met with for Antiquity sake I shall here remember Sr. k Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 470. Michael Carrington King Richard's Standard-Bearer from whom Sr. Francis Smith Lord Carrington is descended Sr. John l Weevers Fun. Mon. 318. 319. St. John Sr. Frederick m Id. p. 818. Tilney who received the Order of Knighthood at Acon or Ptolemais aforesaid Sr. William Waterville Sr. Rob. Sackville Sr. Richard n Dudg 1 Vol. p. 627. 662. Camville who leaving his Fellow Sr. Robert Turneham in the Government of Cyprus without the Kings Leave waited upon him at the Siege of Acon but died there These and some other valiant Knights being thus encouraged were soon after by their Emulous Valour chief Instruments of Winning that Great City from the Pagans Whereupon King Richard after his Return home from the Wars and his Imprisonment in Germany determin'd with himself to institute and settle this most Noble Order of St. George and the Garter by the Patronage of which Saint and the Emblem of which Badge the English Nation had atchieved such Honour As for King Arthur thô the Original of the Round Table in this Nation is by many attributed unto him yet none as I can find do carry up the least Notion of the Garter so far Wherefore the Summ of all that hath hitherto been deliver'd upon this Subject
always Prelate of the Order and then he proceeded to give the same Habit to the other 25 Knights Companions as in Order they follow 2. His Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales now but in the 14 then in the 19 Year of his Age. 3. His Noble and Valiant Cousin Henry at that time Earl of Lancaster and afterwards Duke of the same Title 4. Thomas Beauchamp the thrice Noble and Valiant Earl of Warwick 5. John q Here Mr. Ashmole is stagger'd because 〈◊〉 he finds it on Record that John de Greilty Son. of Peter was Captal of Buch from the 5 to the 29 of King Edward the III as indeed he was from the 5 to the 50. Yet notwithstanding upon the Original Plate of his Name set up in the Chappel at Wâ—ndsor it is engraven Piers Capitow de la Bâ—uch as if his Name also was Peter When as it is evident that these Plates were not set up at the Foundation but many Years after perhaps after King Edward's Death as may be made manifest to any strict enquirer And his Fâ—ther being of the Name of Peter might cause a mistake at least in the Engraver From whence afterward Authority grew also even to other writings Nay I shall hereafter prove that as great a Mistake as this was engraven upon Queen Philippa's Tomb thô done in King Edwards Life de Greilly Captal of Buch which is a great Lordship in Aquitain the Governour whereof is stiled Captal and the Country it self is called le Captalat de Buch or Busch the chief Town whereof called la Teste de Buch is about seven Leagues Westward of Bourdeaux This Gentleman was a Mighty Man of Valour and most firm of all others to the English side so that after many Renowned Exploits whereof this History will not be silent being at last taken Prisoner by the French he chose rather to die in Prison than to swear never more to bear Arms for England 6. The next Knight in Order was Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford 7. William Montagu the hopefull young Earl of Salisbury 8. Roger Lord Mortimer Grandson to Roger Earl of March who five Years after obtain'd a Revocation of the Judgement against his Grandfather and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honours and Possessions Being for his Valour and Worth highly meriting to be inserted into this most Noble Order 9. After him was invested the Couragious Knight John Lord Lisle 10. Then Bartholomew Lord Burghersh alias Burwash Junior at that time but twenty Years old but every way Worthy of this Honour 11. John Lord Beauchamp younger Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick a Noble Martialist of that Age. 12. John Lord Mohun of Dunstor a Constant Attendant of the Black-Prince in all his Wars 13. Hugh Lord Courtney Son to Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire 14. Thomas Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire who about the time of this his Creation or the 23d. of King Edward was Married to the Beauty of England Joan Sister to the Earl of Kent 15. John Lord Grey of Codonore in Derbyshire 16. Sr. Richard Fitz-Simon whose Services in War rais'd him to this Honourable Title 17. Sr. Miles Stapleton a Man of Great Nobility and Integrity and Expert in Martial Affairs 18. Sr. Thomas Wale a Knight of great Vertue and Worthiness but one who thô by his early Valour he merited so High a Rank yet by his too early Death which happen'd within three Years after the Institution left his Stall void the First of all these Founders 19. Sr. Hugh Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the County of Stafford Knight from whom in a direct Line is Sr. Walter Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the foresaid County Baronet now r Ashmole ità Ano. Domini 1672. living descended 20. Sr. Nele Loring a Knight of great Valour and Nobility and whom we have shewn to have been first Knighted for his signal Courage in the Naval Fight at Sluce 21. The Lord John Chandos a most Illustrious Hero of whose Generosity and Valour to write sufficiently would require a large Volume 22. The Lord James Audley a most Adventurous and Fortunate Commander and Cousin to Nicolas Audley Earl of Gloucester 23. Sr. Otho Holland Brother to the Lord Thomas Holland aforesaid 24. Sr. Henry Eam of Brabant commonly by Historians called Sr. Henry of Flanders a Valiant and Loyal Servant to King Edward 25. Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt a Valiant Knight of Heinalt now Naturaliz'd in England 26. Sr. Walter Pavely who was Famous for his Exploits in several Warlike Expeditions These were the Names and this the Order of the First Knights of the Garter whom the thrice Noble King Edward chose to be his Companions and Fellows in this Honourable Society All Men of most signal Valour and Conduct of High Birth and untainted Loyalty So Generous and Heroick that they might all seem Worthy to be Kings and their Perseverance in Vertue to the last as it partly declares the sharp Judgement the King used in their Election so it shews of what Power and Efficacy that Honourable Tye was and what Obligations to Vertuous Behaviour it laid upon them But methinks it may justly be Wonder'd how it came to pass that this Great Honour being confer'd on so few those other Worthy Barons who deserv'd it no less being laid aside should notwithstanding never shew the least disgust at the Matter For certainly the Noble and Heroick Lord Walter Manny the Valiant and Daring Lord Reginald Cobham Richard Fitz-Alan the Great Earl of Arundel Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Lawrence Hastings Earl of Pembroke William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Warlike Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Roger Delaware and many more for Birth Wisdom Loyalty Wealth Vertue or Valour were well Worthy of the Highest Honours But this Prudent Prince would not make his Institution cheap by communicating it to many nor have any of his Successors to this Day exceeded the Number of 26. The mean while 't is highly probable that the other Lords thought it more Noble to grow emulous who of them should be most Worthy to ascend the first vacant Place and we find by Degrees that most of them did as the Stalls fell void attain to that Dignity as the two Earls of Essex and Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Suffolk the Lord Walter Manny and Reginald Lord Cobham and others but the Rest either died or were decrepit and past Action almost before their turns came and so found no Room at all VII The Order being thus well-stockt at the beginning has since that obtain'd such an High Esteem thrô all the Christian World that divers Å¿ Ashmole p. 189. Emperours Kings and Sovereign Princes have reputed it among their greatest Honours to be chosen and admitted thereunto insomuch as some of them have with Impatience Courted the Honour of Election
And we find remaining upon this Registry of True Glory no less than Eight Emperours of Germany Five French Kings Five Kings of Denmark Three Kings of Spain Two Kings of Scotland before the Realms were happily United Five Kings of Portugal Two Kings of Sweedland One King of Poland One King of Bohemia One King of Aragon Two Kings of Castille Two Kings of Naples Two Arch-Dukes One Duke of Guelderland One Duke of Holland Two Dukes of Burgundy Two Dukes of Brunswicke One Duke of Milain Two Dukes of Vrbin One Duke of Ferrara One Duke of Savoy Two Dukes of Holstein One Duke of Saxony and One Duke of Wertemberg Seven Count Palatines of the Rhyne Four Princes of Orange One Marquess of Brandenberg all Strangers besides many other Worthies and Persons of the Highest Rank and Vertue both at home and abroad to the Number of well near 500 since the First Institution All whose Names together with the Escutcheons of their Arms are still remaining Engraven on Square Plates of Mettal affixed to their several Stalls in the most Beautifull Chappel of St. George and every Knights Banner is set up over his Head during his Natural Life So that We may justly conclude with our Learned Selden that it exceeds in Majesty Honour and Fanie all Chevalrous Orders in the World. VIII No less Designs than these busied the Active Mind of this Illustrious Monarch when he met with any Respit from War which now is hasting on apace For while by the Device of his Round Table He was thus laying a Foundation for this Royal and Heroick Institution King Philip of France who already had begun to countermine him with another Table of his Erecting at Paris and was extreamly offended with whatever King Edward went about began to be jealous of certain of his Lords and others who hitherto had served him faithfully as if they secretly for all that favour'd King Edwards cause Whether that was True or no whereof they were suspected is no where made appear but however King t Frois c 99. Mezerâ—y p. 21. Philip under pretence of a Solemn Tourneament which he then held at Paris in imitation of King Edwards at Windsor as we shew'd train'd thither the Lord Oliver Clisson with ten or twelve other Lords of Bretagne in company of the Lord Charles of Blois and there the most Loyal and Valiant Lord Clisson was suddenly by the jealous Kings Order apprehended and clapt up in Prison no Man being able to imagine for what reason unless that because King Edward had chose rather to release him by Exchange for the Lord Stafford he was therefore suspected to be a secret Friend to the English And notwithstanding that he had so gallantly recover'd Vannes from the English and at the same time had rid King Philip of the Lord Robert of Artois one of his most mortal Enemies nowwithout any Process or hearing he was adjudged to be drawn thrô the City to the Place of Execution where u Fabian p. 272. he lost his Head and after that his Body was hanged in Chains upon a Gibbet and his Head sent to Nantes in Bretagne where it was advanced upon a Pole over the Gates of the City To the great x Mezeray p. 21. Astonishment of all Men and the infinite Regret and Indignation of the Nobility whose Blood till now was not used to be shed but in Battle for that Cruel Princes quarrel This Lord Clisson left behind him a young Son named Oliver as his Father was him his Relations upon this Disaster took up presently and carry'd unto the Countess of Montford where he was bred up with her young Son John who was just about the same Age with him Soon after there died in the same manner and for as little matter Sr. John and Sr. Godfry de Malestroit the Father and Son two Valiant and Worthy Bretons also Sr. John de Montauban Sr. William Bruce Sr. John Cablet and Sr. John du Plessis Knights and John Malestroit Nephew to the foresaid Sr. John the Elder Esquire as also Robert Bruce John and David de Sennes Esquires Shortly after there were also Executed in Paris or as some say y Frois c. 99. starved to Death three Valiant Knights of Normandy Sr. William Bacon Sr. Richard Percy and Sr. Rouland de la Rochetessone all whose Heads were sent to Carentan a Chief City in Normandy which afterwards proved the utter Ruine of that Place as we shall shew Sr. Godfry of Harecourt himself who was Lord of St. Saviour le Vicount and Brother of the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt had been served in no better manner but that he wisely kept aloof nor would he by any means obey King Philips Summons but at last despairing of any tolerable security in those parts he came over into England to King Edward who received him gladly and made good use both of his Valour and Counsel in the following War whereof he became a second Firebrand as the Lord Robert of Artois had been before him And King Philip after his old manner to enflame the business the more proceeded against him with an High Hand and openly proscribed him as a Traytor and Enemy to the Crown of France but King Edward on the other hand being then again at Enmity with Philip called him Cousin allowed him an Honourable Maintenance and made him one of the Marshals of his Host But this happen'd after the Death of the Lord Clisson z Frois c. 114. almost a Year Thus King Philip when he should rather have endeavoured of Enemies to make Friends by his rash severity and want of Princely connivence and temporizing a little rendred even many of his own Subjects Enemies unto him IX Of the first part of this Tragedy King Edward had News immediately for while a Frois c. 101. at Windsor he was busied in preparing his Round-Table of which we have spoken Mr. Henry b Fabian p. 273. Malestroit a Deacon in Holy Orders Master of the Requests to King Philip and younger Brother to Sr. Godfry of Malestroit whom the said King had unjustly put to Death came over to England in deep displeasure and told the King complaining unto him most lamentably of the Death of his Father Brother and Cousin and how cruelly and without all Reason King Philip had Executed several other Lords Knights and Esquires and especially the noble Lord Clisson who had so faithfully and valiantly served against the English only because he had a jealousie that they were secretly King Edwards Friends Wherefore he exhorted him earnestly that since the French King had thereby broken the Truce he would renew the War against him and Revenge the Blood of those his Innocent Friends How King Edward resented this News We shall shew when we have first dispatch'd what concerns this Messengeâ— Mr. Henry Malestroit To him the King presently assigned a place of good Authority in the City of Vannes in Bretagne which was then held of England
at his Funeral Where his Son afterwards erected to his Memory a Fair Tomb on the Northside of the High Altar in the Collegiate Church of our Lady called the New-Warke But there is no Coronet on his Head. II. About this time there happen'd a memorable Revolution in Flanders which may teach us how uncertain Popular Favour is and how suddain the Fall of those Great Ones proves who are not fixed on a sure Foundation We have frequently had occasion to speak of Jacob van Arteveld of Gaunt who had long govern'd all Flanders with a more absolute Sway than ever the Earls themselves had done This Man whether thrô hopes of raising his Family to future Time or whether out of Inclination or of meer Policy to secure his own Greatness by the Aid of England was all along a fast Friend to King Edward and had again as much respect and favour from that Prince as his Heart could desire He now d Frois c. 115. Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 854. in Confidence of his boundless Authority among the Commons of the Country grew so presumptuous as some while before this to entertain a Resolution of Disinheriting his Natural Lord Lewis Earl of Flanders and to put the Government thereof into the Hands of King Edward of England On Condition that He the said King should endow his Eldest Son the Prince of Wales therewith and make a Dukedom of the Earldom of Flanders These things being thus privately agreed on beforehand about the Feast of St. John Baptist King Edward having e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. left his Son Prince Lionel of Antwerp his Lieutenant at Home during his Absence took Shipping at Sandwich and came before Scluse with a great Navy the Young Prince Edward his eldest Son being with him and Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Thomas Lord Vghtred John Lord Seagrave John Lord Leiburn and many Others attending Him. The King lay at Anchor in the Haven of Scluse and there kept House on Board whither his Friends the Chief Men of Flanders came to visit him One Day the Flemish Burgesses being invited into the Kings Ship called the Catherine after a f Mezeray p. 23 ad hunc ann most Magnificent Collation bestowed on them by the King Jacob van Arteveld rose up and made a most plausible Oration extolling the King of England's great Power either to protect his Friends or to punish his Enemies he set forth also the notable Good-will which he had all along bore to his Allies and Subjects of Lower Germany That the Young Prince of Wales his Son did no way come short of his Fathers Steps but rather promised if God gave life to reach the very Height of all his Vertues That their own Lord Lewis unmindfull of the Welfare of his People had confederated with King Philip their Mortal Enemy and had himself made War against them and done unto them many great Inconveniences and Dammages Wherefore if they judged it fit to requite their Haters with Neglect and to pay unto their Lovers and Protectors Friendship and Service He must needs advise them either to make the Earl of Flanders pay his Homage unto King Edward to whom as to the Rightfull King of France it was only due or if thrô his Stubborn Obstinacy they could not prevail with him herein then wholly to cast off the hatefull Yoke of a Tyrannous and an Unkind Lord and submit to the pleasant and honourable Government of King Edward and his Son who would advance the Earldom of Flanders into a Dukedom and make them flourish above all other People in Trade and Prosperity III. When the Burgesses had all heard what secret Poison lurked in the Breast of this subtle Orator in their Hearts they utterly abominated his Perfidious Treason and firmly resolved never to be Guilty of so black and base a Deed as to disinherit and depose their own Natural Lord and his Young Son Lewis from their proper Right and Title But however to get off handsomly and make fair weather for the present after a little private Conference they gave this Answer to the King. Sir said they there is proposed unto us a Matter of no small Importance which may some Ages after very nearly concern the whole Country of Flanders and our Heirs for ever as well as our Selves And thô surely we know no Person in the World at this time whose Promotion and encrease of Wealth and Honour We so heartily desire as We do your Majesties Yet this Business we dare not of our selves determine unless the Commonalty of Flanders yield their Consent thereto Wherefore Sir for the present we crave leave to return every Man to his own City and there we shall confer with the Generality of every Town and Corporation and as the Major Part shall agree we shall act most willingly Within a Month at farthest we will all return hither again and bring your Majesty we doubt not such an Answer as shall be agreeable IV. The King and Jacob van Arteveld urged them much to make a more speedy Return but they could obtain no other Reply at that time wherefore they were all dismist to their own several Homes But Jacob tarried still with the King bearing him all along in hand that he would not fail to bring this Purpose to good Effect But King Edward who was not apt to be blinded with Prosperity and had a more piercing Judgment in publick Affairs doubted much not only lest this Business should miscarry but his Friend also incurr some Danger thereby Wherefore at parting he gave him great Caution in the Management of that Affair and allow'd him g Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 926. also for a Guard 500 Welchmen under the Command of Sr. John Maltravers senior and Sr. William Sturry Sr. John Maltravers was indeed a Baron of the Realm and the same Person we mention'd to have been concerned together with Sr. Thomas Gournay in the barbirous Murther of King Edward the Second wherefore also as we shew'd he fled upon that Act and was three Years after condemned in Parliament to be put to Death wherever he should be found with the price of 500 Marks for his Head or a 1000 for any one that should bring him in alive For fifteen Years after he had lived in great Penitence and very privately in and about Flanders and either finding some hopes from the Kings Mercy or being not so guilty as he was represented or in Confidence of having merited something by his late Services for he had lost h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 101. 102. all his Goods and suffer'd much hardship upon the Kings Account in Flanders he came now voluntarily to the King and rendred himself into his Hands Whereupon especially since he had never undergone a legal Trial he was respited now and by the King set over these Welchmen and six years after fully pardoned But to return This Guard some i Holinshead ibid. p. 926. say that
done Exploits worthy of the Voice of Fame However these French Lords knew him by Name for they had seen and known him in the Holy Wars in Prussia Granada and other Places and called out unto Him and his Company saying they would yield themselves his Prisoners Then Sr. Thomas Holland went thither with his Men and took the two Lords and 25. French Knights more who all yielded themselves to Sr. Thomas and those with him among whom we find one Thomas Leigh a valiant Esquire of the Lord Holland's who took the Earl of Tancarville i Holinshead Eng. Chron. p. 931. for which and other his worthy Services done in this and other Expeditions King Edward gave him the Lordship of Hanley in Broxton-Hundred in the County Palatine of Chester which still remains in that Ancient Family But to the Lord Holland besides the great Honours he arrived to afterwards the King k Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 74. gave 4000 Florens of Gold and in lieu thereof took the Earl of Eu for his own Prisoner This done and the Prisoners committed to safe Custody the Lord Holland remounted his Horse hastily and rode into the Streets where by his Authority he interposed and saved many Lives and preserved many Ladies young Damsels and Nuns from violation For now the Common Souldiers rag'd exceedingly because many of the Town being got on the tops of Houses had flung down Tiles Stones Timber and Iron wherewith they did much harm to their Enemies and not only provoked the Souldiers but also the King himself Insomuch that having heard at night how near upon 500 of his Men were in this manner either grievously hurt or killed out right by the Citizens he gave Command that the next day they should put all to the Sword and reduce the City to Ashes But then the Lord Godfry of Harcourt either in a pious Commiseration of his own Country or that he really saw of what ill Consequences such severe Beginnings might prove to the English stept out before the King and said Sir for God's Sake refrain your Passion a little and let what You have already done suffice for this time For You have still much Labour to go thrô before You can arrive at Calais whither You are designed And Sir in this Place there are many People who if driven to Despair will not fail so obstinately to defend their Houses and to sell their Lives so dearly as it may cost You many of your Men unless You resolve to destroy the City and the Spoil together Whereby peradventure You will not be able to accomplish your Design upon Calais which must needs redound to your no small Vexation Wherefore I pray Sir save the Lives of your Men for before a Month come to an end You will have occasion for them even thô You had as many more For besides the many Difficult Passages and Rencounters You will every day meet with I believe in my Conscience your Adversary King Philip will present You with Battle But if it shall please Your Majesty to proclaim a Pardon for all that shall submit I 'll engage that without any more Bloodshed You shall be Lord of this City and all that is therein The King having well weigh'd the Reason of these Words answer'd Sr. Godfry You are our Marshal order all things at your own Discretion So next Morning the Lord Godfry Harcourt rode early from Street to Street with his Banner displayed before him and commanded aloud by an Herald in the Kings Name l M.S. vet Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab at ante that no Man should presume to set fire to any House to murder any Person or to violate any Woman whatsoever The Townsmen hearing this Proclamation freely admitted the English into their Houses and gave them good Entertainment and many opened their Closets and bad them take what they pleased so they might be secure of their Lives And yet for all that there were many Rapes Murders and Robberies committed in the Town Thus the English were Lords of Caen where they tarried three Days gathering of the Spoil because they made Resistance and were taken by Force among other Riches of Gold and Silver and the like there were found as One m Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 62. p. 872. reckons no less than 40000 Pieces of Fine Cloath Silks and Linnen beside other Wares proportionable All which the King sent down the River Orne to Estrehan where the Navy lay to be carried to St. Saviour the Vicount from whence soon after by the Kings Command the Earl of Huntington conveyed all into England as well Cloth and other Stuff for Garments Vessels of Gold and Silver Jewels and other Riches as all the Prisoners whereof in this Bout at Caen there were no less than n Giov. Villani ibid. 86 Great Lords Barons and Knights and above 300 Rich Citizens IX King o Frois c. 125. Edward having now done his Pleasure at Caen after three Days without Firing the Place departed thence having also taken in Bayeux in the same Order he used before and continued his March thrô the Bishopricks of p Mezeray p. 25. Lisieux and Eureux having among others taken and sacked a good Town called Louviers where he found a vast quantity of Riches Drapery and other Merchandise He took also q Ashmole p. 654. Lisieux it self a chief City in Normandy and abounding with Wealth and Merchandise which his Souldiers plunder'd And hence r Rot. Norman 20 Ed. 3. m. 21. vid. Odoric Rainald ad hunc ann §. 39. He gave Letters of Protection and safe Conduct to Annibald Cardinal of Tusculan and Stephen Cardinal of St. John and St. Paul sent from the Pope to mediate Peace These Men hereupon soon after came to the King he being then at ſ Ashmole p. 654. Gaillon between Pont de l'Arche and Vernon which Place he had newly taken and burnt And here they represented unto him t Giov. Villar l. 12. c. 63. p. 873. vid Epist Papae ad Edvard Regem dat Avin iii Non. August Anno Pentif 5. apud Oder Raynald ad hanc an §. 40. how they were sent from his Holiness to endeavour an Accord between Him and the King of France willing him to remit the whole Matter to the Pious Decision of the Pope But King Edward who could put no Trust in the Pope would not hear of any Accord but presently brake off all Treaty with the said Legates because it appeared to him that the Pope was much more favourable to the King of France than to Him or his Cause Yet forasmuch as some of them had been rifled of what they had by some English Souldiers King Edward not only caused their own to be restored unto them but gave them something over and above of his own to make them amends and so they returned towards Paris The mean time King Edward with his Detachments overran the Country far and near and all the way he went on
Almighty preserved all the rest And surely since neither French nor English nor any other Writer are more particular in this Point and it is most c Vt patet ex Dugd. 2 Voll de Baronagio certain that not one of the English Nobility fell that Day it is to be look'd upon as a Remarkable Instance of Divine Favour to King Edwards Arms. XI One d Mezeray ad hunc an p. 26. Author only and He a very late One presumes on his own Authority to Averre that King Edward brought into this Battle Four or Five pieces of Cannon which did no small Execution but scatter'd an Infinite Terrour and Confusion among the Frenchmen for this says He was the First time that ever those thundring Engines were seen in the Wars of Europe Of which Deadly Machines both because they may be menaged by Persons of no Force or Courage and also cannot be resisted or eluded by any Natural Power or Conduct We may justly say as e Plutarch's Apopthegms Archidamus the Son of Agesilaus said of a certain Engine brought out of Sicily O Hercules now is the Valour of Mankind at an End But as my Design is not presently to admit every thing thô back'd with never so great Authority of Person if otherwise the Matter it self is void of truth or probability So neither shall I conceal what I have found as to the Antiquity of this Wonderfull Invention of Guns whatever Use the Reader may make thereof against my self For in such a Case the Love of truth ought to overballance all other Respects And thô the first Publique Use of Guns that We read of hath been generally held to be about the Year of our Lord 1380 as Magius or 1400 as Ramus in a Battle betwixt the Venetians and Genouese fought at Clodia-Fossa in which the Venetians so galled their Enemies that thô they saw Wounds and Death fly among them yet they knew not how it came or how to avoid it as Witnesseth Platina in the Life of Vrban the VI. And thô Laurentius Valla in a Book which as he says himself he wrote in the Year 1438 affirms that the f Nuper inventa est Machina quam Bombardam vocant Gun grew in Use not long before his time yet my g Dr. Hakewili's Apology of the Power and Providence of God c. l. 3. c. 3. p. 322. Author says he hath seen the Copy of a Record that Great Ordnance were brought by the French to the Battery of a Castle or Fort called Outwick near Calais and then in the Possession of the English whereof One William Weston was Captain who in the First of Richard the Second being question'd in Parliament for yielding up the Place doth in his excuse alledge that the Enemy brought to the Battery thereof Nine pieces of Great Cannon whereby the Walls and Houses of the said Castle were in divers places rent in sunder and sorely batter'd And in another place he calls the said Pieces most Huge Grievous and Admirable Ordnance And this his Answer h M. S. Rot. Parl. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Exact Abridgement Ano. 1 Rich. 2. n. 38. c. Sr. Robert Cotton says if it was true as it was not disproved was very Reasonable Notwithstanding he was for the same Surrender adjudged to Death and sent back to the Tower from whence he came because without Commission he yielded up the Place whereas he took upon him the Defence of the same And this Surrender happen'd in the last Year of King Edward the Third Predecessor to the said King Richard the Second And i Fran. Petrarch de Remediâ—s utriusque Fertunae l. 1. Dial. 99. p. 84. Erat haâ— Pestis nuper rara ut cum ingenti Miraculo cerneretur Nunc ut rerum pessmarum deciles sunt animi ita communis est ut unum quedlibet genus armorum Petrarch who died above three Years before King Edward the Third says of these Guns This Pestilent Device was lately so rare that it was look'd on with great Astonishment Now as Mens Minds are very apt to learn the Worst it is as Common as any other sort of Arms. Nay more than so we are credibly informed that a Commission is to be seen for making of Salt-Peter in Edward the Thirds time and another Record of Ordnance used in his Days some Twenty Years before his Death Nay We can go Higher yet and refer to that part of the Record of the k M.S. Rot. Parl. p. 34. §. 40. Sr. Rob. Cotten p. 24. §. 4â— 14 Edw. 3. Vd l 1. c. 16. §. 1. p. 179. 14 Year of this Kings Reign six Years before the Battle of Cressy in which is mention made of Thirty two Tuns of Powder And thô We are able to trace the Original of Guns thus High yet surely it doth not appear by any other Author except Mezeray that King Edward brought any such thing into the Field at this Battle The first time that Old Writers say he used them was at the Siege of Calais where thô he might be allowed to bring such Machines against Walls with more Generosity than Men Yet We shall shew hereafter that he only intended to reduce that Place by Famine and not to win them by Assault or Battery Nor can We find that during at least the greater part of his Reign any such Engines on either Part were brought into the Field or planted against any Castle or Fortress which doubtless would have been had they been well known at that time in these Parts or had either of those Princes been minded to make use of such inhuman Executioners No! Hitherto Men fought like Men and thô those Devillish Engines I grant were invented something about perhaps before this time yet either for a while they were not known or at least not made use of But if these Instruments were so Wonderfull to that Age how much more Admirable is the later Invention of our Days of Guns that are not actuated by Sulpher or any Combustible Matter but only by Wind. Of which a late * Dr. Burnet's Letters p. 265. Letter from Nâ—migen 20 May 1686. Author says thus There is in Basile a Gunsmith that maketh Wind-Guns and he shewed me One that as it received at once Air for 10 shot so it had this Peculiar to it which he pretends for his own Invention That he can discharge all the Air which may be parcelled out in 10 shot at once to give an home blow These are terrible Instruments indeed and it seems the Interest of Mankind to forbid them quite since they can be employed to assasine Persons so dextrously that neither Noise nor Fire will discover from what Hand the shot cometh But to return XII King Philip of France retired as We have shewn out of the Battle under favour of the Night Having not above l Frois c. 130. Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 66. p. 877. sixty Persons in his Company of whom only Five
Confederates convey'd thither their Cattle and other Commodities to be sold Besides which the Maishals of the Host would scour the Country daily and rode often toward Guisnes and Terouenne and to the Gates of Ardres and St. Omers and sometimes to Boulogne and mightily refreshed the Army with Prey which they brought thither in great abundance III. One time especially the f Knighton p. 2588. Earl of Warwick went forth with a Detachment of Men of Arms as far as Terouenne where he heard a Great Fair was then kept Here they sound the Bishop of Terouenne with 10000 Souldiers ready to Defend the Fair but this strength was not sufficient for they were all Worsted by the English the Bishop himself being grievously Wounded and hardly escaping with Life all the Merchandise and Riches of the Fair taken and carried away in Carts and upon Horses to the Camp before Calais to the Infinite Loss of the French and the Comfort and Satisfaction of their Enemies But as to this Action g Holinshead Eng. Chron. p. 937. another Reports that the Bishop himself not daring to expect the English fled away to St. Omers leaving the Defence of Terouenne to a Valiant Captain Sr. Arnold D'Andreghan who is said to have made a good Resistance thô in vain For the English enter'd the Place by fine Force slew all his Souldiers and took him Prisoner And having Sacked the City set it on Fire But as for my part I rather encline to believe the first Account because We shall find the Lord Arnold D'Andreghan to be now in Calais and the Bishop could not come with any hope of Protection to St. Omers for that was the same time actually Besieged by King Edwards Friends and Allies of Flanders Brabant and Hainalt who h Knighton p. 〈◊〉 n. 6â— seeing the Great Fortune of the King of England not only sent i 〈◊〉 Voâ—ages 1 Vol. p. 119. 38 Vessels well Mann'd to encrease his Fleet before Calais but also raised an Army by Land werewith they laid Siege to St. Omers and other Places as We shall shew hereafter And these Flemings k Holinshead â—â—gl Coron p. 937. when they understood what the English had done at Terouenne sent out a Party of their own thither who began a new Spoil and Slaughter of those Persons and things which had escaped the English Particularly they fired the Canons Houses and other Religious Places which in Devotion the Earl of Warwick had spared IV. Now there was at this time Captain of Calais a Renowned Knight of Burgundy named l Frois c. 133. John de Vienne afterwards Marshal of France and with him the Valiant Lord Arnold D'Andreghan Sr. John Surrey Sr. Barton Belborne Sr. Godfry de Lament Sr. Pepin de Vermand and divers other Knights and Esquires were there in Garrison all Brave and Resolute Men full of Courage and Loyalty to the King their Master When Sr. John de Vienne perceived that King Edward intended to lye long there he thought to rid the Town of as many useless Mouths as he could and so on a Wednesday being the 13 of September he forced out of the Town more than 1700 of the poorest and least necessary People Old Men Women and Children and shut the Gates upon them Who being demanded wherefore they came out of the Town Answer'd with great Lamentation that it was because they had nothing to live on Then King Edward who was so fierce in Battle shew'd a truly Royal Disposition by considering the sad Condition of these Forlorn Wretches For he not only would not force them back again into the Town whereby they might help to consume the Victuals but he gave them all a Dinner and two-pence a piece and leave to pass thrô the Army without the least Molestation Whereby he so wrought upon the hearts of these poor Creatures that many of them prayed to God for his Prosperity V. Of all this Years Expedition from the time that King Edward wan the City of Caen in Normandy even to this time One of the Kings Chaplains who was present and attended him all along wrote two Letters which for their Authority and further Confirmation of what We have said We here think good to subjoyn The First Letter of Michael Northborough a Dominican Fryer and Chaplain and Confessor to King Edward the Third m m Fox Acts and Mon. p. 504. ex Rob. Avesbury c. Benedicere Debemus Deum Caeli c. We have great Cause to Bless and Magnifie the God of Heaven and Worthily to Confess his Holy Name who hath so wrought his Mercies for Us. After the Conflict at Caen where many were put to the Sword and the City taken and sack'd even to the bare Walls the City of Bayenx immediately yielded of its own accord fearing least their Councils had been discover'd Thence our Lord the King directed his Progress towards Rouen and being at the City of Lisâ—eux there came unto him from the Pope two Cardinals to perswade him to admit of Peace These Cardinals being Graciously Received by the King had this Answer How the King being very desirous of Peace had used all Reasonable Ways and Methods to cultivate it and therefore had made many Fair Overtures and Conditions to the no small Prejudice of his own Cause And even yet was ready to admit of any Reasonable Offer if it might be secured unto him With this Answer the Cardinals being dismiss'd went to the French King the Kings Adversary to Treat and Sound him in like Manner and upon their Return to King Edward offer'd unto him in the French Kings Name the whole Dukedom of Aquitaine in as Ample Manner and as Full Assurance as everthe King his Father had it before him Besides further hopes of Obtaining more if a Treaty of Peace might take Place But forasmuch as that could not satisfie the Kings Mind and the Cardinals had not found the French King so tractable and inclin'd to the study of Peace as they expected they return'd to Avignon leaving the Matter as they found it And so the King Marching forward in his intended journey subdued all the Country and the great Towns without any Resistance of the Inhabitants who all fled and ran away before us God Almighty strack such a terrour into them as if they had lost their hearts So that in this Expedition as the King had taken many Towns and Villages he also subdued several strong Castles and fortify'd Places with little Labour His Enemy being then at Rouën had Raised a Mighty Army yet notwithstanding his Forces were so Numerous he still kept on the other side of the River Seyne breaking down all the Bridges that We might not come over to him And thô the Country was continually harassed spoiled sacked and consumed with fire for more than 20 Miles in circuit yet the French King thô sometimes distant scarce a Mile from us either would not or else durst not for he might have easily passed over the
Forest was in like manner suddenly slain by his own Cousin and Godson William Douglas the Son of Archimbald Douglas in Revenge of the Death of Sr. Alexander Ramsey While thus Scotland and especially the Family of the Douglasses was miserably divided in it self England and the Court of King Edward flourished with Honour Peace and Unity and the Lords of England laudably contended to outvie one another in Martial Worth and Bravery At Canterbury and Eltham in Kent at London Westminster Winchester Lincoln Windsor and other Places were held several Great and Magnificent Justs and Tourneaments Henry k Stow p. 245. Earl of Lancaster held a little after Easter a solemn Hastilude at Lincoln where were present with Isabel de Beaumont his Countess many Great Ladies and also certain Ambassadors from Spain who then came to Negotiate a Marriage l Stew ibid. Ashrnole p. 669. c. between the young Infant of Castille and Leon named Don Pedro Eldest Son and Heir Apparent to Alphonso XI King of Spain and the Lady Jane of the Tower one of the Daughters of King Edward who was then in the 13 Year of her Age. But this Poor Lady being espoused by Proxy and conveyed into that Country deceased presently of a great Mortality that then reign'd of which we shall speak hereafter At the Tourneament at m Dagd 2 Vol. p. 48. Canterbury among others Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk and Sr. John Beauchamp Brother to the Earl of Warwick had their Harness and other Accoutrements allowed them from the King the latter n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 231. being furnish'd out of the Kings Wardrobe with a Surcoat of fine Indian Silk embroider'd with the Arms of Sr. Stephen Cosington Knight Of whom thô he was not of Noble Blood we must needs Remark that he was a Gentleman of High Merit as will not only appear from the sequel of this our History but also may be rationally collected from this that his Arms were beaten on all the Eight Harnesses given by the King at this time and worn o Ashnâ—â—le p. 185. by Eight Renowned Combatants being the Challengers as the Prince of Wales the Earls of Lancaster and Suffolk Sr. John Grey Sr. John Beauchamp Sr. Robert Mauley Sr. John Chandos and Sr. Roger Beauchamp And at the Tourneament at Eltham we find among others that the Valiant and Noble Earl of p Dudg 1 Vol. p. 786. Lancaster and Hugh q Ashâ—nâ—le p. 696. Courtney Earl of Devonshire besides their Harness and other Accoutrements both for themselves and Horses had each of them an hood of fine White Cloth embroider'd with Dancing Men in Blew Habits and button'd before with large Pearls which were allowed them out of the Kings Wardrobe We must here against our usual Method insert a matter or two not of any great affinity to our Affairs even before we come to the end of this Year because there will not then appear any such convenient Room the beginning of the next Year being continuedly joyn'd to the end of this IV. On the 9 of June this Year Joan Queen of Naples and Countess of Provence in France sold all the County of Venaisin together with the City of Avignon to Pope Clement VI for the Sum of 80000 Florens of Gold of Florence Which said Places thô r Mezerdy ad hunc ann in Mâ—rgineâ— some say the Money was never paid belong to the See of Rome to this day How Charles II King of Naples had first a Right to Venaisin from King Philip the Fair who gave it unto him Ano 1290 upon the Marriage of Charles de Valois his Brother with Margaret the Daughter of that King this is all well known But the First occasion of this sale I do not speak of Queen Joan's Necessities of which the Pope made his Advantage not being so vulgarly understood we shall briefly from the Authority of a very Å¿ Peireskias apud Petrum Gassendum in Vitá illiuâ— p. 143. c. Judicious and Learned Gentleman declare it in this place In the Year 1209 Raymund the Third Earl of Tholouse being a Fautor of the Albâ—genses who were accounted Hereticks and as was thought chiefly concern'd in the Murther of the Pope's Legate was now a second time Excommunicated by Pope Innocent III from which time he began to be despoiled of his Territories till little or nothing was left entire So that 19 Years after it was thus agreed at Paris that to Alphonso the Son of Raymund should fall only the City it self of Tholouse with a few appurtenanees that the other Places beyond the Rhosne should belong to the King of France but whatever was by him or his Ancestors possessed on this side the said River should be the Pope's Patrimony But because the Men of these Parts did unwillingly submit to the latter Part of this Agreement being thereby upon occasion obliged to have their Appeals to Rome and therefore clave to Alphonso and his Heirs about fourscore Years after Pope Boniface VIII wholly acquitted them of all such Appeals and after him Pope Clement V to win their Hearts the more removed his Seat to Avignon in the First Year of his Pontificate or the t Victerell p. 833. celiat cum Labbe Chren Tech. ad hunc an Year of our Lord 1305. So that now after all when upon the Death of Benedict XII u Hâ—â—â—câ—rige sive Peiresâ—iam sive Gasendum qâ—â—a ab cirum alterutro Clemens VI pest Johannem â—daâ—â—tur cùm illum exceperit Benedicius bâ—ne Clemens ut ex emmlus Pentif Histeriis censtat who succeeded John XXII Clement the VI became Pope Queen Joan flying unto Avignon from Lewis King of Hungary who came to Revenge the Death of his Brother Andrew her Husband whom she had murdred made now unto the said Clement a Deed of sale of all those Rights which the Earls of Provence had from the very time of the Partition made between Raymund Berengarius Earl of Provence and Alphonso Earl of Tholouse Ano. Dom. 1125 and let this suffice for that Matter V. A certain x Guido Tract 2. Dect 2. c. 3. in Chirurgiâ Magnà Vid. Guliel Tookeri DD. Charâ—sina sinations p. 83. Author that flourished in these days and as himself witnesses lived at Avignon in the Service of the said Pope Clement VI doth more than intimate that the French King Philip of Valois had the Gift of healing the Disease called the Kings Evil with the Touch of his Hand only Thô if so we may well presume that our King Edward had the same Vertue not only as having more Right to the Crown of France but as descended of King Edward the Confessors Blood who was eminently signal in this Miraculous Grace and from y Polyder Virg. Hist l. 8. p. 143. n. 10. Vid. Tooker's Charisma sanitatis p. 83 84 85. whom as it were by Right of Inheritance the following Kings of England have derived the same Power as Polydore Virgil
and do give and grant to have and to hold to them and their Successors for free pure and perpetual Alms altogether free and quiet for ever from all secular exaction We have also granted unto them for Us and our Heirs and given leave that they the Warden and Canons may appropriate the said Churches and hold them so appropriated to their own uses to them and their Successors for ever notwithstanding the Statute set forth concerning Lands and Tenements not to be put to Mortmaine We will also that unto the said Warden Canons Knights and other Ministers of the said Chappel there to serve so much be paid every Year out of our Exchequer as together with the Profits arising from the said Churches shall seem sufficient and honest for their Diet and the support of the Burthens incumbent on them according to the Decency of their Condition the mean while until there shall be provided by Us in goods immoveable Lands Benefices or Rents to an agreeable sufficience and to our Honour to the Sum of a Thousand Pounds yearly All which We promise and undertake for Us and for our Heirs effectually to fulfill In witness whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patent Witness our self at Westminster the VI of August in the Year of our Reign of England XXII and of France IX From that Passage in these Letters And this We firmly decree inviolably ordain and by our Royal Authority as much as in us lies establish for ever it is to be observed that according to the Opinion of those times the Kingly Authority extended not to the instituting any where Men of Religion and other Officers to perform and attend the service of God For that lay in the Power and Disposition of the Pope And therefore King Edward setting forth what he had design'd in reference to the Endowment of this Chappel requested Pope Clement VI to grant unto the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Winchester full Authority and Power of ordaining and instituting the College and other things thereunto appertaining II. Hereupon the said Pope by his c Ashmole p. 152. Extat ibid. in Append. N. 11. exiâ—sâ— Aaâ—â—graphe c. Bull bearing date at Avignon Pridiè Calendas Decembris in the Ninth Year of his Pontificate which answers to the Thirtieth day of November Ano. Dom. d Nen 1351. ut Asmncle vid. Rainaid ad huncan Labbe in Chronel Techn 1350 commending the Pious intent of the King in this matter granted unto the Archbishop and Bishop aforesaid and to either of them full Power and Authority to ordain institute and appoint in this Chappel as should seem good to them a certain Number of Canons Priests Clerks Knights and Officers continually to attend upon the Service of God of which Canons and Priests one was to have the Title of Custos or Warden and preside over the Rest And in another Bull bearing date at Avignon II Idus Februarii the same Year he exempted the said College of Windsor from the Jurisdiction of Archbishops Bishops Archdeacons and the like as may be seen at large in the said e Eâ—tat Aâ—â—encle in Append. ce N. 111. Bull. III. And f Asâ—â—cle p. 128. 〈◊〉 Pat. de anno 23. Fd. 3. pars 1. m. 10. c. now at this time We find the King beginning seriously to apply himself to the compleating the College of the Chappel of St. George and to the enlarging and beautifying of the Castle And to this Work he appointed several eminent Surveyors among whom we find numbred John Peyntour Richard Rochell William Hurle William Ireland Robert Barnham John Brocas Oliver de Bourdeaux Thomas Foxley John Alkeshull Walter Palmer and William of Wickham who by this imployment became so acceptable to the King that in time after many other considerable Preferments he attained to the Dignity of Bishop of Winchester and was the second Prelate of the Garter All these during the whole time of this Magnificent Work were assign'd to press Hewers of Stone Carpenters and such other Artificers as were thought usefull and necessary to provide Stone Timber Lead Iron and other Materials and Carriages for them Three whereof to the end this great undertaking might be honestly and substantially performed were assigned joyntly and severally at least once a Moneth all together with all Care and Diligence to survey the Workmen and their Work and to encourage such as did their Duty competently well but to compell the Idle and Slothfull And after this manner the Building went on till the 43d Year of the said King at which time it was quite finished namely as much as this King undertook g Ashmole p. 129. that is to say the Chappel of St. George the Great-Hall of St. George the Kings Palace the Lodgings on the East and South-side of the Upper-Ward the Keep or Tower in the Middle-Ward the Houses for the Custos and Canons in the Lower-Ward together with the whole Circumference of the Walls and their several Towers and Gates as they stand to this day IV. But it was now that the most Noble Order of the Garter received its full Institution in such manner as We have h Lib. 1. c. 22. §. 6. p. 296. c. before related something largely in the 18 Year of this King Who on the 23 of April being a Thursday and the Festival of St. George i Registr M.S. Aâ—undel Archiv Câ—nt par 1. fâ—l 53. b. § 27. the Military Patron of England went himself with the 25 Knights Companions aforemention'd being all cloathed in Gowns of Russet and Mantles k Aâ—â—cle p. 209. 〈◊〉 Retul Compet Joh. Coke Cler. Magn. Garderch ab an 21. ed an 23. Ed. 3. n. 8. penes Reâ—â—â— Regis in Sâ—â—caric of Fine-Woollen Cloth of Blue-Colour pouder'd with Garters and each having a pair of long Cordans of Blue-silk fixed to his Collar together with the rest of the Habit of the Order in a Solemn Procession l Sr Th. de la Mare pud Stow p. 250. all bare-headed to the Chappel of St. George to hear Mass which was celebrated by William Edindon Bishop of Winchester and Prelate of the Order This done they return'd in their former Ranks to a Magnificent Feast at which they sat in such Regular Manner as is continued to this day At this Solemnity m Stâ—n p. 246. b. Ashmole p. 165. vâ—d l. 2. c. 6. §. 22. p. 414. King Edward after his usual Manner exhibited those Martiâ—l Sports of Tilting and Tourneament whereat King David of Scotland thô a Prisoner was not only permitted to be present but also to ennoble himself by the use and exercise of Arms the Harness of his Horse being made of Blue Velvet at King Edwards Charge with a Pale of Red Velvet and beneath a White-Rose embroidered thereon The King of England also himself held a part in these Solemn Justs having for his Devise a White-Swan Gorged Or with this daring and inviting
so well that he absolutely rejected these honest and advantagious Conditions But it happen'd soon after that having bought a young mettlesome Horse for 300 Crowns he would needs try him himself and in riding so spurr'd him that the Horse ran away with him and in running fell in a great Ditch where poor Croquart brake his Neck to the infinite regret of his Men but to the full satisfaction of all the Country thereabouts which he had so wonderfully harassed ravaged and plunder'd X. As for the Affairs of Ireland I have all this while forbore to speak more particularly of them because neither is the Matter it self of any great Moment and there is not only much variety and confusion in the Relation but also what is related is done very imperfectly at least nothing that I have met with hitherto hath given me satisfaction But however I shall not omit one or two Occurrences that are coincident with this Year in that Kingdom The Kings Lieutenant of Ireland at this time was k Holinshead Chron. Ireland p. 72. Sr. Robert Darcy Second Son to John Lord Darcy deceased and Brother to John Lord Darcy Junior under whom Sr. Thomas Rokeby l L. 1. c. 1. §. 6. p. 11. of whose being Knighted we spake in the beginning of this our Work was now Deputy-Lieutenant He had besides his ordinary Retinue assign'd him by the King for the defence of his Person and Authority 30 Men of Arms and 200 Archers on Horseback so long as it should be judged needfull This Gentleman was a Person of great sincerity and integrity and being once twitted for suffering himself to be served in Cups of Wood answer'd These homely Cups and Dishes pay truly for what they contain I had rather drink out of Wooden Cups and pay Gold and Silver than drink out of Gold and Silver and make Wooden Payment In the time of this Mans Governance there dwelt in the Province of Vlster a substantial English Knight called Sr. Robert Savage who the better to preserve his own from the suddain Incursions of the Wild Irish began to enclose and fortifie his Mannor-Houses with strong Castles Piles and Trenches exhorting his Son and Heir Henry Savage to pursue the same Work as a thing likely to be beneficial to himself and his Posterity Father replied the young Savage I am for that Proverb which says a Castle of Bones is better than one of Stones When Strength and Courage of valiant Men may be found to help us never will I by the Grace of God seek to lurk behind dead Walls My Fort shall be wherever young Blood is stirring and where I can find room to fight in Upon this Answer his Father in a heat surceased the Building and sware never to proceed any further therein But however the gallant young Henry Savage maintain'd his Possessions by the Valour of his Hands as he had promised And among many other of his Acts all worthy of eternal Memory I shall choose to relate this one not doubting but it s own Worth may attone for the Digression Having one time gather'd a little Band of Men to go forth against the Irish he allow'd to every Souldier to drink before they began their March a good Draught of Aqua-Vitae Wine or strong Ale and for Provision against their Return had kill'd ready beforehand great store of Beef Venison and Fowl Whereupon some of his Officers considering the uncertainty of War told him it would be better Policy to poison the Meat or at least to destroy it than to leave it there perhaps to feed and cherish a sort of Rude Barbarians their Enemies at so splendid a rate if being a few against many they should as 't was most likely miscarry in this Adventure Now God have Mercy replied this Worthy Gentleman smiling You are too full of envy against your Fellow Creatures This World is but an Inn to which we can claim no Propriety but are only as Tenants at will to the Landlord If it please him to command us to leave it as it were our Lodgings which he had lent us and to set other good Fellows in our Room what harm is it for us if we leave them some meat for their Suppers of which we our selves have no Occasion Let them win it hardly and they deserve to eat it For if they enter our Dwellings common Civility would do no less than welcome them with such Fare as the Country affords and with all my Heart much good may it do them Notwithstanding I repose such an assurance in the Grace of God and in your noble Courages that I am fully perswaded in my Mind we shall return Conquerours at Night and feast our selves with our own Provision Thus he said and thus accordingly he returned at Night having with a small Number slain no less than Three Thousand of the Irish his Enemies But however this Valiant Gentleman was of the Opinion with the Lacedaemonians and scorned to be defended by any other thing than his own Courage it is certain that for want of Walls and other places of Strength not only the family of the Savages but also most of many other English Gentlemen have been greatly diminished in Vlster and other parts of Ireland the lack of Walled Towns being one of the Principal occasions of the rude barbarity of that People XI But before we close this Year we think fit to remember a remarkable Instance of the Generous Prince of Wales his Bounty to a Valiant Servant of his Sr. Henry Eam of Flanders which will best be discover'd from an Instrument made unto him by the said Prince two Years before and now confirmed by the King his Father the Copy whereof being to be seen according to the Original French and Latine in m Ashmole Instit Garter p. 707. ex Pat. an 23. Ed. 3. par 2. m. 24. Esquire Ashmole's noble Work of the Garter we shall take leave to set it down in English The King to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting We have seen the Letters Patents of our most Dear most Well-beloved and most Trusty Son Edward Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester in these Words EDWARD Eldest Son of the Noble King of England and of France Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester to all who shall see or heat these Letters Greeting Know that whereas our Thrice-Dear and Well-beloved St. Henry Eam from the time that he hath taken at our hands the Order of Knighthood hath offer'd and promis'd of his Free-will to be intending to our Service during his Life and while we shall sufficiently furnish him with Arms to go along with Us to what part We shall please as well in Peace as in War and to bear Arms with Us at our Pleasure against all Men except the Duke of Brabant his Liege Lord in defence of his own Lands We accepting of this his Offer and Promise and being willing to retain him for our Service
his Cardinals in Council yet it is likely that they enjoy'd the said Benefit at last h Odor Rainal ad an 1350. §. 2. for it appears that soon after the same was granted to King Edward of England and to his Son Edward Prince of Wales to the Queens of England Isabell and Philippa and to Elisabeth Queen of Hungary II. The Jubilee began i Knighton p. 2602. n 29. vid Walsingh Hist p. 160. on the 25 of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and lasted until the said Feast of the Year following during the most part of which space especially about Easter Ascension-Day and Whatsuntide there was such a crowding rather than concourse of People at Rome k Vid. Matur Annot. ad D. Antenin Chron. p. 355. that Francis Petrarch who was then present says how it seem'd the late horria Plague had done little or no harm there came thither every day such Incredible Multitudes of Christian People from all parts of Europe Althö few or none went out of England upon that account except the l Dudg 1 Vol. p. 550. Lady Margaret Mother to William Lord Res of Hamlake King Edward m Knighton p. 26â—â— n. 30 40 50 c. expresly forbidding it as of ill Consequence to his Realm very considerable Sums of Money being necessarily on such occasions transported out of the Kingdom When the Pope understood this he sent his Nuntio's to the King of England desiring of him First that he would not hinder the Passage of those who desired to visit the Places of the Holy Apostles Item that he would grant a Truce that so the Earl of Lancaster might not act any Hostilities in Aquitain to the himdrance of those who desired to visit Holy Places Lastly that he would not hinder or permit to be hindred those who were promoted by his Bulls at the Court of Rome from receiving Benefices so incumbent on them To the first Article it was answer'd that the King being busied in his Wars did therefore Want to be Aided of what was his own and that it was necessary to provide for the Treasure of his Kingdom lest while the War endured it should be exported out of the Realm to the Prejudice of Him and of his Subjects And further as to this point the King caused to be proclaimed that all Englishmen as well at Rome as any other place beyond Sea should make haste to return home as soon as might be on pain of forfeiture of Life and Goods As to the second Article relating to the Truce it was answer'd that the King of France had often acted Hostilities during such a Truce upon the Lands of the King of England treacherously to the destruction of his People and contrary to the Conventions contained in the said Truce And as to the Third Article respecting the Provisors it was answer'd that the King would graciously receive Clergy-men making use of Papal Provision who were of good Condition and worthy of Promotion but not others And with this Answer the Popes Nuntio's returned III. About the n Vid. Odoric Rainald ad an 1349. §. 18. Albert. Argent in Chron. Ianquet Chron. ad an 1350. Walsing hist p. 160. Stow p. 246. same time there arose a certain Sect of People who were seised with a pious Frenzy and went about in several Parts of the World whipping themselves with four-corded Whips and Preaching Singing and Praying with much seeming Devotion but it proved no better than Hypocrisie or misguided Zeal at the best as may appear to any that shall consult the Places quoted in the Margin Wherefore the Pope wrote his Letters to the Archbishops and Bishops of Germany Poland Sweedland England and France enjoyning them to extinguish this Sect of Whippers and also to the several Kings that by their Kingly Authority they would uphold the said Prelates in this matter Particularly there are extant to our King Edward Letters from the Pope wherein he writes thus concerning the Rise of these Whippers o Tem. 8. Epist seer p. 104. apud Odor Rainal ad an 1349. §. 22. Latclym the Parts of Almain under the pretence of Piety and doing Penance there hath arisen a Superstitious and vain Generation and so having at large declared how they had been condemned by the Apostolick Decree and that Patriarchs and Archbishops had been enjoyned to pluck up that poisonous Plant which the Heavenly Husbandman had not planted he adds these Prayers Do You therefore ô most Dear Son not only drive away the same Wicked Persons if perhaps they should presume to come into your Kingdom out of the Limits of your said Kingdom but also that they may repent of their Follies and Errours and return to Modesty correct and punish them That so the Purity of the Catholick Faith may always shine forth and the leaven of the Malice of these Men may by your provident Care be taken away from among all your Subjects Dat. Avenion III Non. Decembris Anno Pontif VIII About p 〈…〉 p. 〈…〉 2â— b. Michaelmas this Year above an hundred and twenty Noblemen and Others Natives of Zealand Holland and Hainalt in the same blind Devotion passing thrô Flanders came into England and at London sometimes in the Cathedral of St. Paul sometimes in other Religious Places of the City made their procession all together being coverd from the Loins to the Heels with Linnen marked with Red Crosses before and behind and on their Hats all the rest of their Bodies being bare they had every one a Three-corded Whip in his hand well knotted wherewith twice or thrice in a Day they beat themselves on their bare bloody Bodies most cruelly Four of them singing all the while in their own Language and all the rest making up the Chorus King Edward thô he strictly forbad all others from joining with them inflicted no other Punishment on them than what was the effect of their own Folly seeing how severely they chastised themselves and knowing such Smarting Devotion could not hold out long if no manner of notice was taken of them I remember to have read q Vid. Diâ—gen Lâ—ert that when Diogenes the Cynick stood naked out of an Ostentatious humour in a very cold Season embracing a Pillar of Marble and all the People slocking about him pitied the poor Mans Condition the Divine Plato passing accidentally by told the Spectators If they really pitied him they should take no notice of him but pass regardless on and then they should see the Vain-glorious Philosopher make haste away and gladly â—un to a Fire In like manner these Enthusiasts when they saw none took notice of them and that but a few of the Common People afforded them any pity or respect the most part of them also flouting and deriding their Madness began to cool in their warm fit of Penance and at last vanished away as ashamed of their former folly Certainly the soundest and most effectual Devotion consisteth not
the Earl of Warwick Thomas Son to the Earl of Oxford and John Son to the Lord Moubray On the 2d of November or rather on All-Saints Day which is the First as we shall prove by and by the King began his March from Calais towards St. Omers whither he heard the King of France was come from Amiens wasting all the Country as he went. As he was between Guisnes and Ardres there came to him h Frois c. 155. the Marshal D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and Others from King John that i R. Avesbâ—ry Holinsh Eng. Chron. p 951. a. n. 20. under pretence of Discoursing Him they might take a full view of all his Forces And accordingly they returned with such a Report of his Strength that the French King was now determin'd not to hazard a Battle with him But rather to pass on before k Knighton p. 2610. n 60. breaking the Bridges behind him and gathering up or destroying all sorts of Provision that so the English might be forced for want thereof to return back for that time Whereupon l R. Avesbury Holinsh Eng. Chron. p 951. a. n. 30. Walsingh hist p. 263. M.S. vet Ang. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 229. as he design'd it came to pass for King Edward was so streightned thereby that he was obliged to return to Calais his Army having drank nothing but Water for three Days and all other Provisions being extream scarce The French Writers and Froisard m Frois c. 155. ibid. Mâ—zeray ad hunc an c. also himself for I am resolved to dissemble nothing say that King John by these Messengers offer'd King Edward to fight him either Body to Body or Power against Power whensoever himself should appoint but that King Edward declin'd the Offer and so went home again for England Surely I desire by no means to rob the French Nation of any real Flower of Honour but neither do I think it the part of a just Historian to receive any thing without an exact Scrutiny or to let Improbabilities and Indecorums to pass without the least Remark thô never so well attested It is evident both by the Challenge which King Edward sent formerly to this Kings Father as from sundry Authors of both Nations we n Vid. Lib. 1. c. 17. §. 2. p. 188. have shewn and from the nature of that Princes Circumstances as well as his ordinary Custom that it was better for him in his own Opinion to make a quick Dispatch of the War to which Opinion it must be allow'd his Courage was no way wanting so he could not have been brought over so often in Person without his own Will and that it was ever his Aim to obtain a Battle and that when offer'd he never refused to accept it and if he had had been laugh'd at by all the World since his only way was to win the Crown he claim'd by Fighting Nor was King John a better Man at Arms or better furnished for the War than his Father Philip or King Edward who was now in the Prime of his Manhood being but 43 Years old either of less Courage or Art or Strength either of Person or People than when he sent his Chartel of Defiance to King Philip of Valois That he should need to decline the same at this time And thô for this Assertion of theirs they bring no Record nor Authority but the Word of one ancient Author who might herein be misinformed yet we shall add to these our Reasons a more Authentick Testimony from our Records of Parliament which to establish my Opinion most expresly o M.S. Rot. Par. p. 86. n. 9. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm of the Recor. p. 90. n. 9. ad an 29. Ed. 3. n. 9. witness That on All-Souls Day the King marched toward his Enemy and profer'd him Battle which his Enemy by all means refused Wherefore having wasted and spoiled the Country seeing his own Army languish he returned to Calais where he made Honourable Peace and so came back into England to his Parliament Which he had summon'd to sit at Westminster on the p i.e. 12 Novemb Morrow after St. Martin the Bishop Now Froisard who happen'd by some Misinformation to give the first Authority to this Story q Frois c. 155. ibid. doth yet witness with Others that King Edward rode with a great Host as far as Hesdin where he brake up the Park and burnt the Houses within and about it thô he entred not either the Town or Castle And then as our Writers agree for want of Provisions he returned back to Calais on St. Martins Day being the r These to be taken inclusively For St. Martin the Bishops day is on the 12 of November and St. Martin the Pope's on 13 but this not meant here Eleventh after his Setting forth according to those who say He set forth on the 2d of November but the r These to be taken inclusively For St. Martin the Bishops day is on the 12 of November and St. Martin the Pope's on 13 but this not meant here Twelfth according to the Records which affirm how he marched forth of Calais on All-Souls or All-Saints Day That same Day being * Lit. Dom. D. a Thursday and the 12 of November the Å¿ R Avesbury Holinsh Eng. Chron. p 951. n. 40. a. Constable of France and other French Gentlemen came indeed to the end of the Causey of Calais with Credential Letters offering unto the King of England in presence of the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny to give him Battle on the Tuesday next following in answer to which Challenge the said Lords of England having full Power and Authority so to do offer'd unto the Constable in the King their Masters Name that he the said King of England to avoid shedding of Christian Blood would fight with the French King their Master Body to Body so to decide his Right or if that Offer should not take place then the two Kings to select Three or Four Knights apiece such as should be the nearest in Blood unto them and together with these to try the Matter But when both these Offers were rejected the English Lords offer'd to give Battle to the whole French Army either the next Day being Friday or on Saturday the Day after whether they would but the Constable and his Fellows continuing still in their first Demand refused both those Days Then at the last the English Lords said how they accepted of Tuesday the Day by them assign'd on this Condition That if they did not bring the King of England to a Battle on that Day then they would engage to yield themselves Prisoners to the French so that they would likewise undertake to yield themselves if their King kept not the promised Day To this equal but unexpected Proposal when the Constable of France having nothing ready to reply had made some Demurr at last upon
doth raise And Jovius rears a Statue to thy Praise By the Lady Donna aforesaid he had a Son called also Sr. John Hawkwood naturalized in the Eighth year of King Henry IV ten Years after the Death of his Father as e Johannes filius Johannis Hawkwood miles natus in partibus Italiae factus Indigena An o VIII Henrici IV. Mater ejus nata in partibus transmarinis M.S. in Bibl. Cotton in Archiv Turris Lond. 1 Part. Pat. 8. Hen. 4. m. 20. appears by the Record Nor was Sr. Robert Knolles less remarkable in these days who being born of mean Parentage in Cheshire was by his Valiant Acts advanced from a Common Souldier to a Great Commander his first Rise was in these Wars of Normandy of which we are speaking where with his English Troops and Navarrois he wan from the French Towns and Castles driving the Country before him like sheep and winning Prizes at such a Rate that all Men * Frois c. 178. were willing to follow his Fortune For he loaded all his Men with Plunder and was himself worth more than an 100000 Crowns VIII But besides this double torment which the French Nation at that time felt both in Bretagne and Normandy there arose in other parts of France a sort of Free-booters who were men neither provoked nor employ'd by any but therefore provoked because not employ'd they banded together to afflict rob and plunder the poor Country The Chief whereof at that time was g Frois c. 177. Sr. Arnold Cervoles a Gascogner who at the Battle of Poictiers was armed like one of the French Kings Sons being commonly called the Arch-Priest He was very wealthy and had for some while at his own Charges retained a good Number of Men of Arms and others of several Nations with whom he lately served the French King. But upon that Kings Imprisonment missing of his pay he thought he could not better employ himself and keep his Men together than by paying himself at the Countries cost This Arch-Priest knew the Clergy was Rich and therefore he took his way towards Provence intending to give his Holiness a Visit and to finger some of his Gold and all along in his way thither he plunder'd and pillag'd and took Towns and Castles Pope Innocent VI. was so terribly alarum'd at the noise of this approaching Storm that he fell to retain Men of War on all hands and made the Cardinals do the like moreover h Oder Rainâ—l ad hunc annum §. 3. 4. he wrote earnestly to the Emperour Charles requesting his Assistance as also to the Imprison'd King of France because the Dauphin was of no Authority But these Friends were far of and Sr. Arnold came daily nearer and nearer having harassed at his pleasure in Venaissin till coming toward Avignon i Frois ibid. Mezeray ad hunc annum the Pope and his Clergy not daring to trust to their Arms to be fairly rid of him fell into a Treaty with him till at last upon good security given and taken he was permitted to enter the City with certain of his Troops where he was as Honourably received as thô he had been Son to a King. Heâ—frequently dined with the Pope and the Cardinals and there obtained a Revocation of the Curse lately laid upon him and his Men and also a full pardon ab omni panâ culpâ which was made more relishing with an addition of 60000 Crowns of Gold presented unto Sr. Arnold he thereupon promising to leave those parts This he punctually observed but thô certain of his Men being now satisfied of their pay disbanded he kept the greater part of them still together and only changing his Quarters continued his new Profession At the same time there k Frois c. 178. arose another Warlike Company of Robbers under one Griffith a Welch Captain who kept between the Rivers of Loire and Seyne so that none durst travail on Horse or Foot between Paris and Orleans or between Paris and Montargis but all the People of the Country fled before them either to Orleans or to Paris This Captain Griffith whom some way or other his Men had made a Knight became wonderfull Rich by his excessive pillaging and plundering One day he would ride up almost to Paris another day to Orleans and a third to Chartres insomuch that there was no Town Castle nor Village except those that were fortify'd to purpose which they did not overrun rob and plunder as Espernon Gaillardon Rambouillet Alais Estampes Chastres Montereau Pluviers en Gastinois Milly Artenay Chastillon Montargis Illiers and divers other great and small Towns that You 'ld admire to think it And besides this they infested the Roads robbing all Passengers by 20 30 and 40 in a Company nor did they meet with any Resistance the Noble Realm of France was at that time in such Disorder These sort of Men called themselves La grand Compagnie and Les Compagnons and grew by Degrees numerous and lasted long and ravaged about in divers Countries to the great Terrour and Affliction of the whole Kingdom For the Three Estates did so clash with the Dauphin and with one another that they did to their Country more mischief than good and the Regent was not able to do any thing of Moment because he wanted both Money and Authority Wherefore the l Frois c. 179. fol. 98. Noble Men of France and the Prelates of Holy Church being weary of the troublesome Government of the Three Estates voluntarily gave up their share in the Rule and permitted the Provost of the Merchants to call some of the Burgesses of Paris and other Towns to an account because they had presum'd to call others to account whom they had no power to question IX At this the Provost taking more confidence upon him than hitherto he had done began to assemble certain of the Commons of Paris who were of his Mind and to all these he distributed Hats half-red and half-sky-colour'd to distinguish them from others With 3000 of these fellows being all armed he marched from the Augustins to the Palace of St. Paul where then the Dauphin was lodged having about him sundry Prelates and Noblemen of France But the Provost upon his coming having seised on the Gates and guarded all the Avenues mounted boldly up into the Prince's chamber with a great Rout of Armed Rascals in his Company Here he peremptorily desired the Dauphin to take upon him the Government which belonged to him by Inheritance that so the Realm which one day would be his might be defended better than it was and that those Companions who began to swarm about in the Nation plundering spoiling and ravaging without controll might be subdued The Dauphin said he would willingly take in hand so good a Work if he had wherewithall but that it ought to be rather expected from those who had received the Profits and Rents belonging to the Crown And says he for the reason of
before the King had left England he gave command that all the French Prisoners should be separately put in divers strong Castles and that the French King himself and his Son Philip should be surely kept in the Tower of London without any such liberty as he had before And the Lord Thomas f Walsing hist p. 166. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 169. of Woodstock the Kings Youngest Son being then scarce Five Years of Age was now constituted his Fathers Lieutenant and Lord Warden of England during this his intended Absence in France several of the most Politick Prelates and Counsellours of the Realm being appointed to act under his Authority There were also ordained certain Lords Knights and Esquires with their several Retinues to look to the Defence of the Realm and to be still ready to defend the Marches Castles and Havens of the same And things being thus settled at home the King himself with his Four Sons rode forth to Sandwich in Kent where he intended to go on board with all his Army The Kings Summons at this time had been particularly severe for except such and such none were permitted to stay at home g Knighton p. 2623. n. 10. between the Age of Twenty and Threescore So that after many Thousands had been turned back for some fault or other there remain'd at least an h Mezeray Matt. Villani l. 9. c. 53. p. 539. Walsing hist p. 166. 100000 of the most chosen Men and the best Arm'd throughout the whole Isle of Brittain And to receive them and their Provision there lay ready rigged at Sandwich 1123 Sail of Ships the latter i Matt. Villani l. 9. c. 53 p. 539. 123 Sail being those very Ships which had already convey'd the Duke of Lancaster to Calais with an infinite Quantity of Provision to be laid up in Magazines against the Kings coming King Edward therefore being come to Sandwich and having seen all his Men Muster'd between Sandwich and Dover declared aloud to all his Chief Captains and caused to be proclaim'd thrô the Army k M. S. Vet. Anglan Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 230. â—â—teri emnes That it was his Resolution to go over into France and never to return again alive till either by War he should have ended the Controversie or else obtain a Peace both to his Honour and Advantage otherwise that he would loose his Life in the Attempt And therefore said he if there are any among You that is not very willing to partake with me in whatever God shall please to send us Honour or Dishonour Peace or War Life or Death that Man hath now my Free leave to depart But of this sort of Men there was not one found in this Army For they all answer'd They were resolved to live and die with their Warlike King. Hereupon the King took shipping at Sandwich in the Dertmouth the 28 day of October being the Festival of St. Simon and Jude and a Monday inter auroram diei ortum Solis as the Words of the Record express and landed that Evening at Calais l Circà horanâ— Vesperarum Claus 33. Ed. 3. m. 9. Dorso vid. Ashmele p. 669. about the time of Evening Prayer Being thus happily arrived order was given to empty the Ships of all the Horses Armour and Provision and the next day the King held a Council of War to consider what Course to take Some were for advising him first to invade Flanders and Revenge all the Injurious and Unfaithfull dealing of the Flemmings But He who came over with a Design to reduce France to equal terms or to waste it with Fire and Sword rejected that Counsel as not so convenient for the present and commanded that all Men should be ready within five days saying that he intended to ride after his Cousin the Duke of Lancaster So early in a Morning m Frois c. 207. Holinsh p. 964. on the Fourth of November being a Monday he left Calais with all his Men and Carriages in the best Order that ever was us'd by any Army marching out of a Town The mean while the Duke of Lancaster who according to his Orders was returning toward Calais being now within four Leagues of that Place met with such Multitudes of Souldiers that they seem'd to cover the Face of the whole Country all so richly beseen with Feathers in their Crests their Arms bright and shining and their Banners and Ensigns waving in the Air that it seem'd to him the most Delightfull thing in the World to behold them marching all in Battle Array fair and softly When the Duke and the German Lords met the King he received them very graciously and feasted them Royally But after Dinner the Lords Strangers as Almains Brabanders Hainalders and other Mercenaries came all together before the King and told him how they had spent all their Money and pawn'd and sold all their jewels and other Goods except only their Horses and Armour So that little or nothing was left them wherewithall to do him any Service according to the Design of their coming nor yet had they enough left to bear their Charges home into their own Countries if they should now go home Wherefore they humbly entreated his Majesty that of his Royal Bounty he would please to take their case into consideration The King told them how their Proposal being unexpected he could not at that present give them a full and final answer but said he Gentlemen I think you are sufficiently wearied at this time wherefore go and refresh your selves and your Beasts at Calais for three or four days and to night or to morrow when I have advised with my Privy Council I will take Care to send You such an answer as may in reason content You. With that they took their leave of the King and of the Duke who now joyn'd him and so rode forward toward Calais by that time they had ridden about half a League farther they met with a vast Number of Carriages after which came the Prince of Wales in the Head of his Great Battail Arm'd most gloriously at all Points His shield of Arms which were France and England quarter'd over all a Labell of Three points Argent was richly diapred with Gold the same being curiously embossed and depicted with Embroidery on his Surcoat and the Caparisons of his Horse and on his Crest was a Lion gorged with a Labell as afore All his Men likewise were gallantly Armed and for Multitude seem'd to overspread the whole Country Thus the Black-Prince rode fair and softly ready ranged in Battle Array as thô he had been to engage immediately being still distant a League or two after the King his Father for the Carriages took up the space between and having a Wing both of Horse and Foot on each side Which Order the Strangers were extreamly taken with But when they had view'd this gallant Appearance and Reverently saluted the Prince and his Lords and were likewise received
those of the good Towns and Cities who took his part either for Conscience or hopes of Preferment or of their own good Wills not to mention the King of Navarre who at this time also made War in the Marches of Normandy And over and above all this the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt Å¿ Vid l. 3 c. 3. § 9. p. 561. who still held Garrison at the Fortress of Attigny on the River Aisne made great havock in those parts and found no opposition All his imagination night and day was only to lay stratagems how to surprize Towns and Castles and to win Prisoners and rich booty and to purchase a Name that might sound Famous in the Ears of his Lady the Countess Dowager of Kent One Night among others he rode to a strong Town and Castle in Laonnois near Montegu which was called Pierrepont and because it was very strong and scituated also in a Marish ground on the River of Serre all the Country thereabout had brought thither the very best of their goods for security Hither came Sr. Eustace with part of his Garrison in the Night and not scrupling to pass the Dangerous Marishes by such Guides as he had but going in great silence his Men assisting one another quite thorough them he came unperceived to the Walls and finding the Watch asleep mounted slew them enter'd the Town and wan it without any Resistance Here they found more Rich Booty than ever before they had met with at one time all which they took away with them and so having burnt the Town thô they could not hurt the Castle the next morning they return'd home again laden with Spoil and Booty About this time also the t Knighton p. 2624. n. 10. Earl of Armagnac then of the French side gave Battle to Gaston Phaebus Earl of Foix who was reputed a Friend to King Edward in the parts of Gascogne in which Battle the said Earl of Armagnac was overthrown with the loss of 15000 Men by the said Earl of Foix who himself suffer'd very little or no Damage But I will not dissemble that however so great a Loss of Frenchmen might be accounted some gain to the English yet the Earl of Foix was not at this time on the English part as will manifestly appear to those who shall consider that within a page or two following in the very first Article of the Peace the Earl of Foix together with the Earl of Armagnac and others is reckon'd among the Friends of the French Crown There was u Vid. Mezeray p. 63. 64. ad an 1362. indeed a Quarrel of some continuance and of very ill Consequence between these two Great Lords transmitted unto them by Inheritance concerning the Purparties of the Estate of Gaston de Bearn but that related nothing to the Quarrel of England or France and besides was again renew'd even when both the Parties were Friends to England till as we shall see in due place it was fully made up by the BLACK-PRINCE when he came to Bourdeaux to his Government of the Principality of Aquitain Thus was the Famous Realm of France with Civil Dissentions and Foreign Enemies streightned on all hands so that without a very particular Providence it had been impossible for King Edward to have failed in an absolute Conquest of that Crown x Matt. Villani l 9. c. 82. p. 558. Thô Matthew Villani attributes his failing therein rather to the Animosity Hate and Disdain which the Frenchmen bare against the English Nation insomuch that they could not endure to hear of them but had them ever in despite as a Vile and Base People Perhaps this might have been his judgement but I think not that it was ever a Popular Opinion in France or however that it was ill-grounded and senseless will appear to those who know how y Antiqui Fraci ut Saacnes à Getis sive Gothis oriundi Qui in Cimeriâ vocabantur Cimerit in Sarmatia 〈◊〉 in Thraâ—â—cta Tâ—â—aces sic Canbâ—i Germani Saeenes Ceitae Franci qui Galli pro locorum varictate Vid. R. Sheringham de Anglerum Gentis origine p. 164. c. both the Ancient Franks and the English Saxons had one and the same Original In these days z Frois c. 211. Paul. Aemâ—l p. 299. Ashmoâ—e p. 660. Pâ—a Acts Mon. p. 359. c. there lived a certain Fryar Minor a Man well seen both in Sacred and Profane Letters whose Name was John de Rochetailladée in Latine Joannes de Rupe-scissá He had preached of a long time in the City of Avignon with a Life answerable to his Doctrine But of late Pope Innocent VI. had clap'd him up close Prisoner in the Castle of Baignols in the Territory of Nismes between Avignon and Mompeliier The occasion of his Imprisonment was because he seemed a little too bold with the Clergy taxing them of many enormous Sins and denouncing sundry heavy Judgements shortly to fall upon them especially on the Prelacy for their great Pride and Sensuality Particularly he secretly touched the outragious Ambition of the Church of Rome with this pretty Apologue or Moral making use of an old Fable to a new purpose a Paul. Aemyl ibid. c. Once on a time all the Birds under Heaven made their Assembly in a certain place where when all the Rest appear'd in good plight decently deck'd with Plumes and Wings both for Vse and Ornament there was one only of shape indeed Majestick and Divine but all callow and wholly destitute of Feathers So that she could neither fly abroad nor consequently sustain her self with Nourishment Then the whole Assembly being moved with respect and pity agreed from their own Bodies to supply this Bird with Feathers that she might provide for her self and fly about as well as others But in process of time when this Bird beheld her self so finely adorned and perceived the Vniversal Respect she had among the Winged Nation she grew so proud and Insolent that in the end she provoked the Birds in a General Council to demand every one his own Feathers back again And so she was left to her former Poverty Shame and Nakedness This Fryar also in his various Discourses and Sermons foretold many things that he said should come to pass within the Realm of France and among the Grandees of Christendom in general for their grievous Oppressions of the Poor And particularly he doubted not by Letters to rebuke the sins of the French Court b Paul. Aemyl p. 299. C. and before the Battle of Poictiers to threaten King John himself with the approach of some heavy Calamity And c Frois c. 211. fol. 104. oftentimes he spake confidently of many wonderfull things averring that he would prove all his words by the Authority of the Apocalipse and other Canonical Books of the Prophets and Inspired Men the true Understanding whereof was open'd unto him by the Holy Ghost Upon which account he said he spake not as a Prophet
one of his Daughters for a Wife to his Son John with the Earldom of Vertus for her Dowry And we find that his Third Daughter Isabella was shortly after married to the said John Galeas XIV However the greater Part of the First Payment being now at last ready and all those who ought to be Hostages for the Rest being rendred up at St. Omers King Edward presently embarqued for France and on the m Fabian p. 242 b. ED. Lit. Dom. 9 of October being a Fryday arrived safely at Calais Upon his Arrival he went straight to the Castle to visit King John who welcom'd him with a loving and cheerfull Countenance agreeable to that sincerity whereof he was a professed Master As King Edward was taking his leave to retire to his Lodgings prepared for him in the Town King John desired him to come the next Day with his Sons and take a Dinner with him The Invitation King Edward accepted but entreated that it might be deferred till the Monday following and so that Day being the 12 of October was fixed At Dinner-time King Edward had the First Seat and held State next to him sat the French King thirdly the Black-Prince and lastly the Duke of Lancaster No more sitting at Table While they were at Dinner the Earl of Flanders came to the Castle to pay a Visit to both the Kings but especially to congratulate the Return of King John who received him with all imaginable Kindness When this Royal Entertainment was over Two of the King of Englands younger Sons and two of the French Kings took leave of their Fathers and rode towards Boulogne where at that time the Dauphin was He met them half way and conducted them the other half to Boulogne where they all rested that night The next Morning the Dauphin having left the two English Princes there as it were Pledges for his Security rode himself forth to Calais first he waited on his Father and afterwards both his Father and he went to King Edwards Palace to Dinner where they were received with much Honour and entertain'd at a most Royal Feast On the Wednesday being the 14 of October the said Dauphin took his leave of King Edward and of the King his Father and rode back to Boulogne upon whose safe Return King Edwards two Sons rode back again to Calais On the Saturday Seven-night after which was the 24 of October the Peace was fully sworn to and established by the two Kings in this manner The Two Kings being seated in two distinct Traverses in the Church of St. Nicolas at Calais High Mass was sung before them by Androine Abbot of Cluigny to the Offering whereof neither of the Kings came But when the Pax came to be kissed by which Ceremony was signified that the Peace of Christ should ever remain between them They to love each other as Christian Princes after his Command and Example the French King to whom it was first carried refused it in Modesty after which King Edward not admitting it in Generosity King John rose first and went toward King Edward who being aware thereof rose up hastily and ran to meet him where both again refusing the Pax they kissed each other with hearty Demonstrations of a mutual Friendship At this Mass both the Kings were severally sworn in Solemn Manner to maintain truly and perpetually the Articles of the said Peace And for the further Security thereof many of the Chief Lords of both Realms were sworn to help to preserve the same to their Powers especially the n Odor Rainal ad hunc an §. 3. two Eldest Sons of England and France and at the same time the Duke of Orleans in the Name of King John and Prince Philip of Navarre in the Name of the King his Brother sware to forget all Injuries on both Sides and to cultivate a mutual Friendship for the future These Oaths were thus taken both on the Evangelists and on the Eucharist and the two Kings received the Sacrament in both kinds thereupon And they were so well satisfied with the Conduct of the foresaid Abbot o Odor Rainal ibid. that they jointly requested of the Pope to bestow on him a Cardinals Cap for his diligent and effectual Service therein And thô we find the Pope in his Answer desires on certain Accounts to be excused for the present yet it is certain p Victorell ad an 1361. p. 917 that at the next Creation which happen'd the Year after he was made a Cardinal of the Title of St. Marcellus At the same time the Hostages who according to the 15 and 18 Articles were to be deliver'd as well for the Security of the Payment of the Kings Ransom as of the Restoration of those Places which as yet were not put into the English Hands were deliver'd unto King Edward and also there were then paid unto him q Ashmole p. 662. ex Rot. de Tract Pacis c. 400000 Scutes of Gold in Part of the First 600000 King Edward giving further time for the Payment of the remaining 200000 till Christmas and Lady-Day following Which done both the Kings gave forth interchangeably their Letters Patents concerning these things all bearing one Date and containing one Form only Mutatis Mutandis The Tenor of King Edwards wherein he lays by his Title of France being as followeth viz. XV. EDWARD * * Frois c. 212. fol. 105. by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and of Aquitain to all unto whom these Letters shall come Greeting We give you to understand that of all the Dissensions Debates and Discords moved or hereafter to be moved between Us and our Right Dear Brother the French King certain Commissioners and Deputies of ours and of our Dear Son the Prince of Wales having sufficient Power and Authority for Us and for Him and for our whole Realm on the one Party and certain other Commissioners and Deputies of our Dear Brother the French King and of our Dear Nephew Charles Duke of Normandy and Dauphin of Vienna Eldest Son to our said Brother of France having Power and Authority for his Father and for Himself on the other Party were assembled at Bretigny near to Chartres At which place it was agreed and accorded by the said Commissioners and Deputies of either Party upon all Dissentions Debates Wars and Discords whatsoever And the Deputies of Us and of our Son for Us and for Him and also the Deputies of our said Brother and of our said Nephew for them both did swear upon the Holy Evangelists to hold keep and accomplish this Treaty By the which Accord among other things our Brother of France and his said Son are bound and promise r r Article 1. to deliver and resign unto Us our Heirs and Successors for ever all the Counties Cities Towns Castles Forts Lands Isles Rents Revenues and other things as followeth besides that which already We have and hold in Guienne and in Gascogne to possess for ever
Damsels and Virgins Dehonestation of Married Women and Widows Burning of Towns Abbeys Mannors and Edifices Robberies and Oppressions a Disuse of the Roads and Ways Justice faileth the Christian Faith is waxen cold and Merchandise decayeth and so many other Mischiefs and horrible Deeds have ensued thereupon that the Numbers thereof cannot be said nor written Whereby those of our Realm and of other Realms in Christendom have sustained many Afflictions and Irreparable Losses Wherefore We considering and revolving the Evils aforesaid and how it is probable that Worser may follow in time to come and having great Pity and Compassion of our Good and Loyal People who so firmly and Loyally have bore themselves for so long a time in true Constancy and Obedience towards Vs by exposing their Bodies and their Goods to all Dangers without declining expences or charges whereof We ought to keep a perpetual Remembrance We have therefore several times yielded to a Treaty of Peace chiefly by means of the Honourable Fathers in God several Cardinals and Messengers of our Holy Father the Pope our Beloved and Faithfull the Abbot of Cluigny Father Simon de Langres Professor in Divinity Master of the Order of Fryars-Preachers and Hugh de Geneve Lord of Autun who were then with the said King of England in his Host and went and came so often between Charles our most Dear Eldest Son and between the said King of England our Brother and in sundry places held Treaties on the one Part and on the Other to Confer and Treat of a Peace between Vs who were then in England and the said King of England and the Realms of the One and of the Other And at last they assembled the Treaters and Procurators on the part of Vs and of our said Son for the Matters above written and the special Deputies Procurators and Treaters of our Nephew the Prince of Wales Eldest Son of the said King of England our Brother having Power and Authority from his said Father in that part at Bretigny near Chartres At which place it was conferred treated and accorded by the Treaters and Procurators of the One Part and of the Other concerning all the Discords Dissentions and Wars which We and the said King of England our Brother have had One against the Other The Which Treaty and Peace the Procurators of our Son for Vs and for Him and our said Nephew the Prince of Wales Eldest Son of the said King our Brother for his Father and himself sware on the Holy Gospels to hold and maintain And after that our said Son sware solemnly for Vs and for Himself and our said Nephew the Prince of Wales having Power thereto sware for his said Father our Brother and for Himself and We after these things thus done and unto Vs reported and declared considering that the said King of England our Brother had agreed and consented to the said Treaty and would hold keep and accomplish that and the Peace on his part the same Treaty and Peace being undertaken by advice and consent of sundry of our Blood and Lineage Prelates of Holy Church Dukes Earls as well Peers of France as others Clergy and Men of the Church Barons Knights and other Nobles Burgesses and other Wise Men of our Realm to appease the Wars and the Evils and Griefs aforesaid wherewith the People had been so hardly used rather than for our Deliverance to the Honour and Glory of the King of Kings and for Reverence of Holy Church of our Holy Father the Pope and of his said Messengers have consented and do consent unto and ratifie admit and approve thereof And whereas by the said Treaty and Peace We ought to deliver and resign and do give deliver and resign as is contained in our other Letters made therefore more fully unto our said Brother the King of England for ever for Him and his Heirs and Successors to hold perpetually and for ever all those things which follow in like manner as We and our said Son or any of our Ancestors Kings of France have held them in time past That is to say what is in Sovereignty to hold in Sovereignty and what in Demaine to hold in Demaine namely the City Castle and Earldom of Poctiers and all the Land and Country of Poictou also the Fief of Thoüars and the Land of Belleville the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land and Country of Sainctogne on this and on that side the Charente the Town and Castle of Rochelle and their appurtenances the City and Castle of Agen and the Land and Country of Agennois the City Castle and Earldom of Perigeux and the Land and Country of Perigort the City and Castle of Limoges and the Land and Country of Limosin the City and Castle of Cahors and all the Land and Country of Quercy the City Castle and Country of Tarbe the Land Country and Earldom of Bigorre the Earldom Land and Country of Gaure the City and Castle of Angoulesme and the Earldom Land and Country of Angoulesmois the City and Castle of Rodes and the Land and Country of Rouvergue and moreover that which the King of England or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Montrevil upon the Sea and its appurtenances Item the County of Ponthieu all entirely save and except according to the Tenor of the Article contained in the said Treaty which makes mention of the said County Item the Town and Castle of Calais the Town and Lordship of Merk the Towns Castles and Lordships of Sangate Coulogne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Woods Marishes Rivers Rents Lordships and other things contained in the said Article Item the Castle Town and Earldom of Guisnes all entirely with all the Lands Towns Castles Forts Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Fees and Rights according to the Tenour of the Article making mention thereof more fully in the said Treaty and the Isles adjacent to the Lands Countries and Places aforenamed together with all other Islands which the said King of England holdeth at present or held at the time of the said Treaty And whereas by the Form and Tenor of the said Treaty and Peace We and our said Brother the King of England owe and have promised by Faith and by Oath One to the Other and are bound We and our said Brother and our Eldest Sons aforesaid by obligation and promises by Faith and by Oath made on the One Part and on the Other certain Renunciations the One to the Other according to the Form and Tenor of two Articles contained among others in the said Treaty and Peace the Form whereof is this Item it is accorded that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for their Heirs and for all the Kings of France and their Successors as soon as may be and at the farthest by the Feast of St. Michael next coming in one Year without fraud or deceit shall render yield and deliver to the said King of
Pope and the Emperour And moreover they made a solemn Renuntiation to all Wars against each Other their Heirs and Successors Realms and Subjects to both which League and Renuntiation their Eldest and other Sons signed and divers of the Nobility on both Sides were sworn And then also a Proclamation issued forth from King Edward to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and to all other Captains of Towns Castles Forts c. held for the King in France for them to give Notice to all Places within their Command of this Peace and final Accord thus made between the two Kings After h Frois c. 213. all these Articles Letters and Commissions were made devised finished and deliver'd by the Advice and Consent of the Councils of England and France so that as to that Point both the Kings were well contented then they fell into a close Communication concerning the Lord Charles of Blois and the Lord John of Montford and their several Claims to the Dutchy of Bretagne for each pretended the whole and sole Right to that Heritage Some have been so bold in venting their Opinions as to say that King Edward and his Council were not over-warm in this Matter and surely in meer Policy he might well enough be supposed something cool For if now the Wars of Bretagne should be shut too there had been no Vent left for those many boistrous Troops which as yet lay in several Garrisons and upon their resigning those Fortresses must needs otherwise have filled England with Theeves and Robbers But certainly whoever impartially observes the honourable and sincere Practices of King Edward upon all Occasions and duly compares them with what relates to this Matter in the Articles and Letters foregoing will not so rashly attribute the ill Success of the Treaty of Bretagne to King Edwards Insincerity but rather to the Impracticableness of the Affair it self Since two such Valorous Young Princes had so fair a Pretence to so Noble a Dukedome that there could hardly remain any Prospect of deciding the Controversie without the Sword or the Death of one of the Parties But however it was when now upon Conference this New Treaty seem'd so hard to be brought to any good Issue Henry Duke of Lancaster who was a most valiant and expert Souldier but chiefly favour'd the Earl of Montford and wish'd his Advancement spake these words to the King of France in Presence of the King of England and the greater Part of both the Kings Councils Sir said he the Truce that was taken before Rennes between the Lord Charles of Blois and the Earl of Montford is not yet expired but is still to hold to the first Day of May next coming The King of England my Master here present by Advice of his Council and with Consent of my Lord the Prince his Son shall before that time send the Young Duke the Lord John of Montford with certain of his Council into France to your Majesty with full Power and Authority to confer and determine about the Right which the said Lord John ought to have as succeeding his Father in the Dutchy of Bretagne So then by You and your Council and by Ours together some agreeable Way may be taken between them for the better Security of which Affair I think it would be well to prolong the said Truce yet farther till the Feast of St. John Baptist next following According to this Device of the Dukes so it was done and concluded and the Truce relating to Bretagne prolonged to the Feast of St. John Baptist and then they fell to other Matters XX. And i Frois c. 213. f. 108. now that the Peace between England and France was fully confirmed King John was so elevated with the Assurance of Returning into his Country that he then first seem'd sincerely to rejoyce since his being taken Prisoner He shew'd unto King Edward such an hearty Good-Will that it appear'd plainly to have no mixture of Dissimulation and to his Nephew the Prince of Wales he declared all the endearing Signs of Royal Love and Affection that might be As also King Edward and his Son the Prince were exceeding Frank Generous and obligingly Open unto him These two Illustrious Monarchs who from this time till Death parted called themselves Brethren as a mutual remembrance of their Brotherly Amity gave now unto Four Knights of either Party such as chiefly in their stations had promoted this Peace 8000 Franks of Yearly Revenues for them and their Heirs for ever King John giving the said Summ to Four Knights of England and King Edward a like Revenue to Four Knights of France And at the same time because the Lands of St. Saviour le Vicount in Coutantine in Normandy were the King of Englands Right by a Deed of Gift and Sale from the Lord Godfry Harcourt deceased which Lands were not comprised in the Ordinance of the Treaty of Peace so that whoever held those Lands must do Homage therefore to the French King King Edward k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 503. now in respect of the many Laudable and Heroick Services of that Valiant and Renowned Knight the Lord John Chandos gave unto him and his Heirs for ever a Grant of the Baronies of St. Saviour le Vicount aforesaid of Daunvers and Dongeville as also of the Lands and Knights Fees of St. Mary de Montefarsellis and Romilly and of all other the Lands and Possessions of the said Godfry of Harcourt Which Princely Gift King John at the Request of King Edward confirmed now unto the said Lord John Chandos he doing Homage therefore unto him bating that Allegiance which he owed unto his Master the King of England And now when all the foresaid Agreements were as well made and devised and as firmly established as Human Wit could contrive so that it seem'd by reason of the sundry strict and solemn Engagements Counter-bonds and mutual Obligations between the two Kings and their Sons that the Peace would prove everlasting and when the Hostages were all come to Calais and the 400000 Crowns of Gold were paid down to the King of England and the remaining 200000 secured which was the First Payment then King Edward made a most Royal and Magnificent Supper for the French King within the Castle of Calais at which the Black-Prince and his Three Brethren Lionel John and Edmund with the Greatest Lords and Barons of England served the two Kings bare-headed After Supper the two Kings bad each other Good Night in the most Obliging Manner imaginable King Edward remaining still in the Castle and King John going to his Lodgings in the Town which had been prepared for him upon his being set at Liberty The next Morning l Fabian p. 243. being the 25 of October and a Sunday King John and all those who were to go with him took his leave of Calais and rode forth of the Town in the Forenoon King Edward himself conveying him a Mile onward of his Way and then the two Kings took
Wisdom is by no means rashly to be call'd in Question unless that he thought it reasonable to expect as true Service from these Men as he had his Ancestors had constantly found from the Inhabitants of Gascogne and Guienne and besides being himself a Just and Gracious Prince he might have a confidence by his Good and easie Government to bind them unto him for ever as surely he did several and had done all had all been alike capeable of being justly affected with Obligations But indeed nothing is more changeable and irrational than the Vulgar and more forgetfull of Benefits IV. However thus the King of England had now the Possession and Seisin of the whole Dutchy of Aquitain even from the River Loire to the Pirenean Mountains and on the other side toward Flanders of all the Earldom of Ponthieu and Guisnes and of all the Lands which he ought to have on that side the Sea that is to say in the Realm of France by Vertue of the said Treaty And so this Year the Lord John Chandos passed over the Sea as Regent and Lieutenant for the King of England in whose Name he began to take Possession of all the said Lands and received the Faiths and Homages of all the Earls Vicounts Barons Knights and Esquires and had deliver'd unto him by the Lord James of Bourbon all the Towns Forts and other Places which were to be deliver'd by the Tenor of the Peace And every where he set Captains Constables Bayliffs and Officers such as he thought good to ordain But himself resided for the most part at Niort a strong and great Town on the Borders of Poictou standing on la Sevre Niortoise g Ita Ferrar. in Neverâ—gus i. e. Nicrt about Nine Leagues from Rochelle Where he kept a Court like a Prince having an allowance sufficient for that purpose For King Edward who understood Men as well as any King in his Days sent him thither upon the account of his Sweet and Winning Behaviour which being accompanied with exquisite Prudence and unparallel'd Courage and Conduct made him appear the fittest Person to enter first upon that Government And because he knew Authority would grow cheap without external Pomp and Splendor he allow'd him to keep an house like a Prince and set the highest Marks of Honour upon him empowring him h Asâ—â—â—le p. 7â—2 even to grant Pardons for Treason Murder and Felony the King promising to Ratifie under his Great Seal whatsoever he should do in such cases Nor was this Noble Gentleman unworthy of this Advancement For as Froisard says he was a Good Knight Courteous and Benign Well-shap'd Liberal Heroick Wise and Faithfull in all Matters And had worthily behav'd himself among all Lords Knights Ladies and Damsels so that there was no Knight in his Days more generally beloved and praised of all People V. Now the mean while i Frois c. 214. fol. 109. b. that the Deputies of the King of England were taking Possession of the foresaid Lands according to the Tenor of the Treaty there were certain other Deputies appointed by the said King on the Marches and Limits of France and elsewhere who being joyned with others commission'd from the French King for that purpose were to deliver up unto him all that which being then in Possession of the King of England ought to go now to the King of France In order thereto these Deputies began to cause all manner of Men of War to avoid and depart out of the Holds and Garrisons which they held for the Kings Command ran strictly that all such who held of England should on peril of their Lives and Goods and of being reputed as Enemies and Traytors to the said King immediately leave and deliver up such Forts as they occupied to the French King and his Deputies they being his by Vertue of the Peace Now those Captains Knights and Esquires who were natural Subjects to the King of England and who valued their Duty readily obey'd the Kings Command and rendred up or caused to be rendred the Places under them But some refused to obey pretending now to make War in the Name and Title not of King Edward but of the King of Navarre thô that King was now a Friend to the House of France There were also many Strangers great Captains and Robbers who would not depart upon any account as Almaines Brabanders Flemings Hainalders and others besides some wicked Renegadoes both of England and France who being poor thought it the best way to enrich themselves by making War still in France And moreover many Hundreds of Common Souldiers whom their Captains having resign'd up their Fortresses according to King Edwards Command had dismissed and disbanded gather'd themselves now together again as thinking it better to continue the Wars with others like themselves than to return home to their poor Trades and perhaps many of them durst not go home again they were guilty of such Villanies or so mightily in Debt These Men being thus gather'd together elected from among them new Captains the main Qualities which recommended them to their Choice besides Courage and Skill in Arms being Cruelty Lust and Love of Rapine At first they rode about in small Companies and made their general Rendezvous in Champaigne then in Burgundy where they assembled in great Numbers being called Les Tard-Venus or the Late-Comers in respect of the other Companions who had before pillaged and destroy'd the Flower of all the Country These Robbers for their first Handsell went and took by Surprise the strong Fortress of Joinville where they found great Riches for all the Country thereabouts had entrusted the best of their Goods to the strength of that Place The Spoils taken here were estimated to the Value of an hundred thousand Franks aâ—â— given up wholly to the Conquerours who kept the Castle for some time overrunning and wasting from thence the Country of Champaigne and the Bishopricks of Verdun in Burgundy and Langres in Champaigne and when they had sufficiently ravaged these Parts then they sold the Castle of Joinville to those of the Country for 20000 Franks This done they enter'd into Burgundy where they rested themselves expecting a Reinforcement of Men like themselves all which time they were not idle but practised many Villanous Deeds For they had among them several Knights and Esquires Renegadoes even of those Parts who directed where and how to get Plunder and do Mischief They lay a long while about Besancon Dijon and Beaulne chief Cities of Burgundy and robbed and commanded all the Country about for there were none to encounter them After this they took the Town of Givry in Bresse which they plunder'd and so tarried thereabout because that was a plentifull Country and daily their Numbers encreased For all the Common Souldiers that came out of English Fortresses and had leave of their Captains to go whither they pleased drew thitherward continually so that by Lent they were in all about 16000 strong Now when
what Condition soever they be Privileges Immunities Franchises Liberties and Indulgences perpetual and temporal whatsoever to give and to grant And if of old given and granted together with the Customs and Usages provided they be not contrary to the Peace and Accord last made between Us and our most Dear Brother the King of France by our Authority to confirm when and as often as you shall be required so to do and any other things whatsoever to do and exercise which the True Prince of the said Provinces might or should do for the Welfare and Government of the Inhabitants thereof and for the Quiet of his Subjects All and singular which Premises We will have given alienated granted bestowed authorized restored revoked pardoned remitted conceded confirmed done acted and performed by You and your Deputies and from this time as heretofore they shall have a like perpetual Validity as if by Us they were done acted and performed as aforesaid And moreover and above and as there shall be need for their greater Validity from this time as heretofore We commend allow and approve and by the Tenor of these Presents confirm them Datum sub Magni Sigilli Nostri Testimonio in Palatio nostro Westmonasterii die 19 Mensis Julii Anno Domini Millesimo Tercentesimo Sexagesimo Secundo Regni Nostri Tricesimo Sexto Now to take away all Doubts and Contentions which may arise hereafter about this Matter and to the end that the Affair may be more clear over and above and again We reserve to our Selves and to our Majesty Royal expresly and by Tenor of these Presents the Direct Supremacy and all the Sovereignty and Resort of the whole Principality of Aquitain and Gascogne and of all the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Towns Forts Isles Provinces and Places and of all Prelates Earls Vicounts Barons Nobles and other Subjects and Inhabitants of the said Provinces which We have given to our said Eldest Son and conveyed unto his Person by the Tenor of our Letters hereabove incorporated And We will and declare that the Immediate Supremacy the whole Sovereignty and Resort abovemention'd be and remain for ever to Vs and to our said Majesty to use the said Resorts in time and place as We shall think fit which We will not nor intend to leave nor convey to our said Son by the Title of a Principality nor by any other thing whatsoever comprised in our said Letters And for an evident Token and clear Demonstration that our said Son shall hold and ought to hold under Vs of our said Majesty and by Liege Homage the which he hath made unto Vs at present all the said Things and every of them He shall be obliged to pay unto Vs every Year at our Palace of Westminster on the Feast of Easter one Ounce of Gold whereof he hath already given Vs Possession and Seisin as in token and Recognition of our Supream Dominion The which thing by the Name of Revenue and annual Tribute We impose on and really and de facto ordain of certain Knowledge and of our Authority and full Power and will that he pay it at the Place and Time above said reserving unto our Selves express and especial Power to diminish or enlarge the said Imposition and annual Tribute or appoint it to be paid unto Vs in other things at other times and elsewhere as it shall seem good unto Vs to do for the time to come in gracious Consideration and Regard had to the Estate of our said Son and to the Charges which are convenient of necessity to maintain and support him in the Government of the foresaid Countries Donne per Tesmoignance de nostre Grant Seal a nostre Palays de Westmonster le XIX jour de Juyl lan de Grace Mill. Triscentes Sexante and Deux de nostre Regne Trente Sisme III. When the Prince of Wales had made his Homage to the King his Father for this Principality of Aquitaine and had received these Letters Charters the King order'd him to prepare his Family according to the Dignity that he now held and then to pass the Seas in the Name of God and enter upon his Government For he saw well that his Son was of great Conduct Prudence and Courage and in the full Vigour of his Youth capable for any Government whatsoever He intended also hereby to render him the better instructed and as it were Tutor'd with Experience against the time that by his Decease he should succeed to the Crown of England and he well understood that by the Acquisition of so great a Principality he would be able and Rich enough to keep as Royal a Court as any King should do for at this time not to mention the Earldom of Kent and the other vast Lands and Possessions which he had with his Princess He was Prince of Aquitaine and Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester The Young Prince readily obey'd his Fathers Pleasure and busied himself the remainder of this Year about preparing for the Departure of himself and his Lady the Princess with all their Family After Christmas the King and Queen and all the rest of their Children Sons and Daughters went to Barkhamsteed near London a Mannor of the said Princes to visit and take their last leave of him And there they were altogether for several days during which space there were many serious Debates between the King and the Prince and also many Notable and Royal Diversions and Entertainments Froisard the French Historian i Frois l. ult fol. penalt c. 299 was then present in the Prince's Court and he says that at that time he heard an Ancient Knight named Sr. Bartholomew Bruels in discourse among the Ladies say how he had seen a certain Book written by way of Prophesie called le Brusc in English the Broom alluding no doubt to the Sirname of the Kings of England Plantagenet which Henry the Second obtain'd from the Flower of the Broom named in Latine Planta Genistae This Book said He expresly declares that neither the Prince of Wales Eldest Son to King Edward nor the Lord Lionel Earl of Vlster nor the Lord Thomas of Woodstock should ever come to the Crown nor none of King Edwards Sons should ever come to the Crown But that the Realm of England should within a while devolve to the House of Lancaster Whatever this Book was or by whatever Art written in this it failed not For the Black-Prince dying before his Father and Prince Lionel also Henry of Bolingbroke Earl of Darby Son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster usurped the Crown from Richard of Bourdeaux Son and Heir to the said Black-Prince and King of England at that time in whose House the Dignity Royal Remain'd to the Third Generation when the Yorkists wrested the Scepter into their own Hands and held it till the Uniting of both Houses But to return All things being now ready the Prince of Wales k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 233. Walsing hist p.
he would take Advice in the matter and return them his answer on such a day Till which time the Three Deputies went and lay at Rennes Then streight the Earl sent William Lord Latimer into England to certifie the King of the French Kings Proposals and to crave his opinion and direction in the Matter King Edward being rightly informed of the whole Affair said How he would advise the Earl of Monford to accept of a Peace on Condition he might ever after remain Duke of Bretagne and also thought good that he should shew himself inclinable to yield some Honourable Allowance to the Lady who called her self Dutchess Widow of the Lord Charles of Blois and that he should assign her some handsom Pension or yearly Revenue to be payable out of some certain place where it should best please her And he granted also that he might do to the King of France for that Dutchy as other Dukes his Predecessors have done heretofore This answer the Lord Latimer brought back again to the Earl who having read the King his Father-in-Law's Letters and understood his pleasure as to the Premises by advice of his whole Council sent presently for the French Commissioners to come before him at which time he gave them a very agreeable Answer But it was said to them expresly that the Earl of Monford would by no means lay down his Claim to the Dutchy of Bretagne but that he would remain Duke thereof and so be called while he lived Notwithstanding whereas the French King would have him peaceably to open his Cities Towns and Castles and to yield Faith and Homage unto Him and to do all other Rights and Services which the Dukes of Bretagne have done in times past all this the Earl is well content to do nay he shall gladly acknowledge the French King for his Natural Lord and render unto him his Homage and Service in presence of the Peers of France And further he makes Offer to give Friendly Aid Help and Comfort to his Cousin Relict of the Lord Charles deceased and moreover to use his Interest to deliver his Cousins her Sons out of Prison in England This Answer extreamly satisfied the French Lords and they took a certain day whereon these Matters were to be fully Ratified and Concluded at Guerande and with that the City of Quimpercorentin and all Bretagne was to be entirely his Accordingly the French Deputies sent away to the Duke of Anjou who was then at Angiers having from the King of France full Commission and Authority to conclude this Treaty or to lay it aside at his pleasure When the Duke of Anjou saw the Conditions he had a long Deliberation for thô he found the Earls Proposals extreamly reasonable considering the juncture of Affairs yet he remembred he had promis'd other things to the Dutchess his Mother-in-Law which notwithstanding he now saw to be exceeding difficult for him to perform But at last he was wholly overrul'd to accept and Ratifie the Treaty and the two Knights that were sent to him returned back to Rennes with his Answer engrossed and sealed Then the Messengers of the French King and the Deputies of Earl Monford went and met d Mezeray c. at Guerande where soon after the Peace was fully made and compleated on both Hands and Quimpercorentin was forthwith yielded up and all other Places that had hither to held out against the Earl of Monford and He remain'd thenceforth True Duke of Bretagne on this Condition that if he should leave no Children of his Body lawfully begotten then the Dukedom should return to the Children of the Lord Charles of Blois and also that the Lady Jane late Wife to the said Lord Charles deceased should be Countess of Pentebria or Pontheure which Lands were of the Yearly Value of 20000 Franks And also that Duke John should come into France whenever it should please the King to send for him and render unto him his Homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne For the surer Confirmation of all which there were sundry Charters and Instruments interchangeably Engrossed and Sealed on both Parts Thus did John Earl of Monford at length obtain the Dukedom he had so long contended for and henceforth remain'd Duke thereof without any contradiction till other Wars broke out again as We shall shew in due place When this Concord and Agreement was made between King Charles of France and the Duke of Bretagne the said King who was very Politick and desired greatly to win to his side as many brave Souldiers as he could restored unto the Gallant Young Lord Oliver Glisson what his Grandfather King Philip had taken from him when he so cruelly and unjustly put his Father to Death as we have e Vid. Lib. 1. c. 22. §. 8. p. 299 shew'd in the XVIII Year of King Edward's Reign After which time this brave Lord Clisson did by his Vertuous behaviour so win upon King Charles by degrees that at last nothing of moment could be done in France without him and he might e'n do whatever he pleased Which liberty however he used to no Mans hurt but only he utterly forgot his old Friends the English and ever after prov'd a true Frenchman And thus at last was the Fertile Country of Bretagne allowed a most pleasing Respit after those long and Cruel Wars which had almost emptied her Veins of the best Blood in France All the Natives were extream glad at this happy Change and received their New Lord with an universal Respect and unfeigned Joy he taking Faith and Homage of all the Cities Towns and Castles and of all the Prelates Barons Knights and Gentlemen of the whole Country Shortly after his Dear Lady Mary of England Fourth Daughter of King Edward was honourably convey'd over the Seas into Bretagne and there again the Marriage Rites were solemnly renewed with Feastings and Publick Rejoycing in the City of Nantes and in process of Time f Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 179. he had Issue by this Lady John Duke of Bretagne called the Sage Father of Peter and Francis both Dukes of Bretagne who died without issue Richard Earl of Estampes and Arthur Duke of Bretagne also the Third of that Name And thus We shall leave this Valiant Duke in the full Enjoyment of his Good Fortune till the Wars between France and England being renewed shall give us an Occasion to bring him upon the Stage again IV. Nor was there only a full Peace established thus in Bretagne but about the same time also Queen Jane Aunt to the King of Navarre and Queen Blanch his Sister endeavoured so earnestly that there was at last a Peace struck up between the French King and the King of Navarre chiefly by the prudent and dextrous Menagement of that renowned Lord the Captal of Busche who shew'd himself so diligent in Composing of Differences between these two Princes that in Consideration thereof King Charles wholly discharged him of all Obligations which lay upon him as to
them to be reasonable for the ease of his People That 3 s. 4 d. laid upon every Sack of Wooll at Calais and all other unreasonable Impositions may cease The King willeth that all unreasonable Impositions should cease It is agreed that One Staple be at l Melcomb Regis in 〈◊〉 Melcomb and another at Ipsewich and that all Merchants and others for their Ease may ship Woolls at Lewes where the Customers of Chichester shall take the Customs and the Customers of Yarmouth shall take in like manner at Lynn As for the Statutes made in this Parliament I shall refer those who desire to Inspect them to the Statute-Books in Print especially because those of this Year do more exactly agree with the Record Only for my self I must put in this Caution that whereas in the Record and Statute-Books this Parliament is rightly fixed to the 38 of Edward the Third considering that he began not to Reign till the 25 of January before which time the Parliament sat yet I have placed it here as well because I begin the Year constantly with January as because it was indeed the Thirty Ninth of this Kings Inchoate before the Parliament was adjourn'd For on the m Ita M.S. Feâ—â—rd Paâ—l â—â—d Sr. Rob. Câ—ttâ—â—'s Abrid pâ—â—ent Seventeenth legit Seventh of February after the King in Presence of the Lords and Commons had given his Royal Assent to all the Premises He gave his Thanks to the Three Estates and so gave them leave to depart VII Now is King Edward said to have finished all his Wars for he had full Peace with France and Scotland and all the Quarrels about the Dukedom of Bretagne were ended and Aquitaine gladly embraced the Government of his Son Prince Edward and his other Son the Duke of Clarence had brought Ireland to a very good Settlement Wherefore thô in the Midst of his Wars he always would find leisure to exercise Actions of Devotion Piety and Charity yet now he more seriously apply'd himself and in a manner wholly Dedicated his time to such Matters as in his Buildings at Windsor Castle Queenborough Castle and Town St. Stephen's Chappel at Westminster Aberconney in Wales Henley and East-Hamstead and his Royal Foundation of Kings-Hall in Cambridge which being afterwards augmented with the Addition of Two or Three other adjoyning Foundations was by King Henry VIII named Trinity-College and lastly by the Beautifull Accession of a Magnificent Building called the Library is rendred now the most August and Famous Structure that ever the Christian World hath seen Dedicated to the Studies of good Letters Which College is no less adorned with those Illustrious Lights of Learning that have continually shined there Nor have their Beams been confined to any Limits but have spread themselves like the Rays of the Sun over Earth and Heaven and enlightned the Church and State and the whole Universe 'T is now happily Govern'd by the Reverend Doctor John Montagu Brother to the Earl of Sandwich a Person no less conspicuous for his Eminent Parts and Vertues than for his Birth and Quality VIII This Flourishing Condition of our King Edward put the Pope it seems in mind of some Old Debts which he pretended to be due from England to the Apostolick See for the Kingdom of England and Lordship of Ireland which King John promised to hold of the Church as a Fee Farm for ever His n Extant apud Odor Rainald ad hunc an §. 13 Letters bear Date at Avignon Idibus Junii Ano. Pontif. III in which Letters it appears that the Sum demanded was but 1000 Marks sterling per annum and that the last payment was made by this King on the Seventh of July Ano. Dom. 1333 but had ever since by reason of the Wars been discontinued So that at this time there was due no less than 32000 Marks to the Apostolick Chamber Thô in good truth saving the Authority of these Letters I could never find o Vid. John Speed in the Reign of King John p. 500. §. 48. 49. that ever this Annual Pension was paid to Rome since the Days of King John. But in the next Year we shall see how King Edward now resented this Matter For the Pope had besides his foresaid Letters empower'd his Nuntio John Abbot of the Monastery St i Bavonis Gaudensis of the Order of St. Benedict in the Dioecese of Tournay by process to cite the King unto his Court to answer for his Default on Condition he should refuse to pay the Arrears But the effect of this daring Summons we shall see in the Parliament of the next Year IX At this time King Edward p Pat. 39. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 8. Ashmole p. 669. Sandford p. 178 Dugd. p. 761. Mills Catal. Hon. p. 440. Knighton p. 2628. n. 40. c. gave his Daughter the Lady Isabella in Marriage to the Young Lord Ingelram de Guisnes the Rites being performed with Great Pomp and Splendor at the Famous Castle of Windsor The said Lord was by Birth a Baron both of England and of France and his Titles were Lord and Baron of Coucy of Oisey and Mount-Mirabel of Doüilly of Beauraine and of Barques Earl of Soissons and of Nide and some Years after Arch-Duke of Austria Besides which the King at this time created him Earl of Albemarle to have and to hold the said Earldom for him and the Heirs Male of his and her Body for ever He also confirmed unto him the Mannor of Moreholme the Moieties of the Mannors of Wyersdale and Ashton with the Third Part of the Lordship of Whittington in the County of Lancaster to him and to the said Isabell and to the Heirs of their Bodies lawfully begotten I say he confirmed them unto him For the q Robert Glover Somerset Herald set forth by Tho. Mills Author of the Catalogue of Honour mistakes in saying they were now given him in the name of a Dowry since we find the said Places or the greatest part of them did belong unto his Grandfather r Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. William de Guisnes Lord Coucy What further Honours he obtain'd we shall see next Year wherefore at this time we shall only add this that the King gave him Å¿ Dugd. ibid. ex Pat. 39. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 8. leave to go over with his Lady into France declaring that whatever Children Male or Female they might have between them thô born beyond Sea they should enjoy and inherit all Lands descendible to them in this Realm as Freely as if they were born in England He bare for his Arms t Mill's Catal. Hon. p. 440. ubi haec Arma Periscelidi inveluta cernurtur the First and Fourth Barry of Viverry and Gules the Second and Third Gules A Fess Argent and in process of time he was elected into the Most Honourable Order of the Garter of which Grace he was well Worthy X. In these days King Edward caused the Lord
Earl by some English Title which all the Lords yielded to be very convenient Whereupon the King by his Letters Patents bearing e Dugd. 1 Vol. Baron p. 761. b. Date the same XI of May advanced him to the Title of Earl of Bedford and for the better support of himself and his Lady Isabell gave him a Grant of a 1000 Marks per annum to be paid him out of the Exchequer as also Thirty Marks more out of the Issues of the County of Bedford to be Yearly paid by the Sheriff of that Shire At that time f M.S. Ret. Par. c. ut suprà Sr. Thomas Ludlow Chief Baron of the Exchequer declared before the whole Parliament how William the Son and Heir of William Stephens who held diversly of the King in Capite as of the Crown had by Writ of Aetate probanda sued out Livery out of the Kings hands whereas the said William the Son for a long time should be within Age as by a prolix Schedule doth appear Whereupon the whole Parliament upon sight of the said William the Son judged him still to be within Age and therefore took Order that all his Hereditaments so sued out of the Kings hands should be forthwith reseised into the Kings hands till his full Age and that all Obligations Charters Statutes Recognisances and all other Writings made by the said William the Son should be null and void This done the King gave thanks to the Three Estates and licensed every One to depart and so this Session ended II. Galeacius or Galeas the Second Duke of Milain and Elder Brother to Duke Bernabo g Paul. Joviâ—s in Vitis Princip Mediolanens p. 151. being a Person of a truly Royal Spirit had already Married his Son John Galeas to the Lady Isabella Sister to the King of France and now for the more sure Establishing of his Affairs design'd to match his Beautifull Daughter Violantis with King Edward of England's Son Prince Lionel Duke of Clarence To that purpose he began to make some Overtures about this time insomuch that King Edward sent over to him an Embassy whereof the Lord h Dugd. 1 V. l. Baron p. 186. Humphry Bohun Earl of Northampton Hereford and Essex was the Principal Person to adjust Matters fully and equally on both sides The Effect of which Embassy we shall take notice of hereafter III. Dr. Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury i Godw. Catal. Bpsp. 142. riding to Magfield this Year his Horse chanced to fling him into a Miry Pool So being very wet however he continued his journey till he came to the said place Being there and having changed his Apparel he fell asleep but at his waking found himself in a Palsie and so within a few days died viz. on the 26 of April 1366. This Man k Vid. Anton. Wood Antiqu. Oxon. l. 2. p. 246. p. 338. founded a College in Oxford then called Canterbury College but since that it hath been mightily augmented and enlarged and bears the name of Christ-Church being at this time One of the most Magnificent Colleges in the whole World. This College the said Archbishop endow'd with good Possessions appropriating to the same the Parsonages of Pagham and Magfield but some Ages after the Famous and Munificent Cardinal Woolsey took it in as a part of his College and lastly that and this was accounted the Foundation of King Henry VIII so that now it is wonderfully encreased and is still acquiring New Magnificence and Beauty every day Archbishop Islip being thus dead the l Godâ— ibid. p. 143. Monks of Canterbury chose Dr. William Edington then Bishop of Winchester for Archbishop but he declin'd the Dignity saying as it is reported That Canterbury was the Higher Rack but Winchester the better Manger Whereupon Simon Langham then Bishop of Ely was translated to that See and John Barnet Bishop of Bath and Welles went to Ely and Bath and Welles was given to a Chaplain of the Black-Prince named Dr. John Harewell 'T is observable that Dr. Simon Langham m Philipet's Catal Chancell Treas p. 37. on the day of his Consecration demanded and had Homage of the Earl of Stafford of Sr. Thomas Ross Sr. John Tyrrell Sr. Robert Brockhill and Sr. Ralph Sr. Leger for their Lands which they held of the See of Canterbury But of this Great Prelate we shall speak more largely hereafter IV. In these n Frois c. 229. fol. 125. days there was still in France a Mighty Number of Warlike Companions who after the Wars of Bretagne were ended knew not what to do but however were so wickedly frugal that they had rather do Mischief than be idle The scene of all their Extravagances was the unhappy Realm of France which they called their Chamber for they durst not do any harm in Aquitaine the Land would not suffer them And to say the truth the greater part of their Captains were Gascogners or Englishmen Subjects of King Edward or the Prince his Son there were but a few Bretons and Runagate Frenchmen Wherefore many French Lords began to murmur against King Edward and the Prince and said among themselves how they did not acquit themselves fairly to the French King Since they did not do their utmost to destroy these kind of People who now began to be unsufferable For the Duke of Anjou had lately gone against them with an o Knighton p. 2628. n. 60. Dugd. 2 Vol. Baron p. 148. Army of 15000 Men all whom Sr. Nicolas Dagworth their General vanquished and put to slight and took many Prisoners among whom were the Duke of Orleans and the Duke of Anjou himself It is reported of this same Sr. Nicolas who was a Baron of England and Son to the Famous Sr. Thomas Dagworth of whom we have spoken heretofore in this History p Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. ex â—eland Collect. Vol. 1. p. 826. M.S. in Bibl. Bodleian that with Thirteen English Horse he fought sixty French near to Flavigny in Burgundy and by means of certain Chariots which he made use of for his Defence they being placed in a Circle whereinto he could enter at pleasure utterly vanquished them But that he Headed the Companions at this time against the Frenchmen proceeded from the great desire he had to Revenge the Blood of his Father who about 17 q Vid. Lib. 2. c. 9. §. 6. p. 445. Years before had been basely murder'd by the French in time of Truce However King Charles of France and his Nobles being terrified with this great Success of the Companions r Walsingh hist p. 175. n. 10 c. sent to King Edward of England desiring him to interpose his Authority against the Fury of these Men who were for the most part English or at least under his Dominion For it was so provided in the Articles of the Peace at Bretigny that if the Souldiers should refuse to acquiesce both the Kings should joyn together to compell them First
Esquire and others of his Domesticks and interred in the said Church of the Augustine-Fryars at Clare aforesaid near unto the Pody of his First Wife Elizabeth de Burgh But the Lord Edward Spencer who doubted some foul play had been used towards him tarried still in Italy and together with Sr. John Hawkwood and his Englishmen called the White-Company * Walsingh Hyped p. 131. n. 23 Frois c. 242. fol. 146. made fierce War upon the Dukes of Milain in Revenge of his Masters Death till at last he was fully satisfied of their Innocence as to that point and their great and unfeigned sorrow for the untimely loss of so Noble a Kinsman This was the first unkind Stroke of Fortune that ever King Edward felt and that no small one neither But he bore it with such Courage as might have obliged her if that Fickle Goddess was to be won by Gallantry to be more Respectfull unto Him for the future Though generally she is observed when once she grows Adverse to be much more extream in her Hate than before she had been in her Love. The Young Lady Violantis tried indeed to tast of Happiness after this Loss of her First Husband and was again m Elias Reasnerus ΒΑâ—ΙΑΙΚΩΠGenealegici Auctarium p. 196. Married to Otho Palaeologus Marquess of Monferrato But she did not long enjoy him neither for he was stabb'd by the hands of a base Hostler on the Mountains of Parma III. Before these things fell out namely on the n M.S. Rot. Par. p. 100 c. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 105. 24 of February King Edward had issued forth his Summons for his Parliament to sit at Westminster on the First Day of May then next ensuing On which Day being a Monday Dr. Simon Langham Archbishop of Canterbury declared to the Lords and Commons then assembled in the Painted-Chamber that it was His Majesties Pleasure to adjourn them to the Thursday following At which time the said Arch-bishop in Presence of the King Lords and Commons then all assembled in the said Painted-Chamber declared how the King yielded unto God Almighty his most hearty Thanks for having given him Victory over all his Enemies also for the peaceable and flourishing Condition of his Realm and for the great Loyalty of his Subjects and their constant Readiness to serve Him both in Body and Goods all which Blessings as he desired what in him lay to continue or rather to encrease so that he might the better succeed in that Resolution he had at this time called his Parliament to confer with them in Matters relating to the Premises So the remainder of that Day was spent in appointing Receivers and Tryers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales Scotland and Gascogne with other Foreign Places and Isles The next Day the said Arch-bishop declared how after a long Treaty between the Kings Commissioners and David Bruce King of Scotland King David at last made this Offer To preserve a perpetual Peace with England so that he might freely enjoy to Him and his Heirs for ever the whole Realm of Scotland in Fee without any Subjection or Vassalage which might be accounted a perpetual Reproach to that Kingdom Of which Terms of Peace the Lords and Commons being demanded their Advice gave in their Answers severally that they could not assent to any such Peace without Disherison of the King and his Crown and to the great Danger of their own Souls as who were sworn to uphold and maintain the same to their Power After which the said Arch-bishop in the Kings Name gave thanks to the Three Estates for their ready Compliance in assisting the Kings Wants by their Aids and Subsidies and shew'd them farther how at that time the King stood in as great need of a Considerable Supply as ever Whereupon the Lords and Commons granted unto the King for two Years of every Wooll-Pack 36 s. 8 d. for every Twelve Score of Fells as much and of every Last of Skins 4 l. over and above the usual Custom of 6 s. 8 d. for every Wooll-Pack and the same for every Twelve Score of Fells and of 13 s. and 4 d. for every Last of Skins Then certain New Statutes were prepared and made Law by the King and certain Old ones explained and confirmed as may be seen in the Printed Books referring to those Days which for the most part agree exactly with the Records The Londoners by their Representatives desired that no Foreigner should retail any Merchandise as Wine or any other Provision but this was not granted On the 21 of May the King gave Thanks to the Lords and Commons for their Coming and Aid granted and that Day all the Lords and sundry of the Commons dined with the King. After which Dinner Sr. John Leigh was brought before the King Lords and Commons such as dined there to answer certain Objections made against him and first to the Complaint of William Latimer as followeth The King had granted the Wardship of Robert Latimer the Son and Heir of Sr. Robert Latimer with certain Mannors during his Minority to Dr. Robert Wyvill Bishop of Sarum which Estate descending to the said William Latimer the King afterward granted to Sr. John Leigh during the said William's Minority The said William surmised that the said Sr. John being then Steward of the Kings House and of Power sent for him to London where by duress of Imprisonment he compelled the said William to surrender his Estate up into his Hands But the same Sr. John by Recognisance excuseth himself for that the Grant was made unto him which was not allowed foâ—â—hat the said William was not put out by due Process of Law. Another Matter was objected against the said Sr. John forasmuch as during the time he was Steward of the Kings House he should cause sundry Men to be attached and to come before him as before the Kings Council in such Places as he pleased where being out of Council he caused Men to answer as in Council And that he as Steward having Authority only within the Verge did notwithstanding cause sundry to be attached out of the Verge as John Goddard and Others making them to answer in the Marshalsea for things done out of the Verge and other some he had committed to the Tower of his own Authority as John Sibill Edmund o Urdsales Sr. Rob. Cotton Vrdsalls and others That he had also of his own Head against the Justices Command discharged out of Newgate Hugh Lavenham Purveyor who had appealed sundry Men of Felony That he had bargain'd formerly with Sr. Nicolas Lovaine for the Keeping of the Mannor of Raynham in Kent the which the said Sr. Nicolas claimed to hold during the Minority of the Son and Heir of John Staunton whereas the said Sr. John Leigh knew that the said Mannor was holden of the King in Capite as of the Castle of Dover Of all which Points because the said Sr. John could not purge himself he was
understanding that the King was then holding his Parliament at Westminster he obtained to be admitted into the Painted-Chamber where then the King sat with the Chief Lords of his Council Before whom having declared that he was an Esquire sent from the French King with Letters to the King of England he kneeled down to the King and deliver'd him the Letters The Valet being then dismist the King who was very desirous to hear News from France especially to know the Purport of these Letters caused them immediately to be open'd and read All that were present wondred extreamly when they heard the Defiance and saw the Seal and other sufficient Marks of its Authority But King Edward was mightily astonished that a Prince who was no a Mezeray p. 80. Man of his Hands should ever dare to defie Him and admired whence this strange Confidence should arise little thinking what crafty Measures had been taken while he was lull'd asleep by their subtle Overtures However for the present he gave order to tell the Valet how he had perform'd his Duty very punctually and might now e'n go about his Business for he should have no hindrance at all But both the King and his Council took it in great Indignation that so mean a Fellow should be sent with this Defiance and they all agreed That it was neither Reason nor Decorum that a War between two such Princes as the King of England and the French King should be published by a contemptible Valet It was more fitting to have been done by the hands of some Eminent Prelate or some Valiant Man either a Baron or a Knight at least And indeed this Indignity put upon so Great a Monarch was not well resented by many that were Friends to France but the French Ambassadors b Dinothi Advers p. 278. excused it to the Pope and to the Emperour that therefore their King chose to make his Defiance unto the King of England by Letters because he was but a Vassal unto France for the Lands of Aquitain and Poictou However King Edward who own'd no such Matter as knowing himself Absolute Lord of those Countries by the Tenor of the Peace took this Affront in great Despite But now it was past and no Remedy could be had Wherefore the Lords advised the King to send forthwith a Considerable Army into Ponthieu to keep the Frontiers there and especially to take Care of the good City of Abbeville which they knew to be in great Danger of loosing This Motion the King approved of and presently appointed the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Ralph Nevil the Lord William Windsor and one Lord more to go thither with 300 Men of Arms and a 1000 Archers in their Company But as these Lords made themselves ready with all the Expedition imaginable and were even now at Dover ready to cross the Seas there came other News into England For the French King had play'd his Cards too sure to be baffled now so that as soon as by all likelihood it might be conjectur'd that King Edward had received the Defiance Guy Earl of St. Paul and Sr. Hugh de Chastillon Master of the Crossbows of France drew toward the Parts of Ponthieu having secretly sent Command to all the Lords Knights and Esquires of Artois Hainalt Cambresis Picardy and Vermandois such as were their Friends to come to them immediately Wherefore being of a suddain reinforced with above sixscore Spears they came to Abbeville early in the Morning as they had determin'd before by private Agreement with the chief Burgesses and finding the Gates ready open for them went in directly without the least Opposition not doing any harm or violence in the World. But Sr. Hugh de Chastillon one of the chief Leaders marched straight forward without any noise and surprised Sr. Nicolas Louvain the Seneschal of Ponthieu and together with him the Treasurer of Ponthieu a Valiant Gentleman thô of the Clergy Thus the Frenchmen took many a Rich Prisoner with ease and the Englishmen lost all that ever they had in the City of Abbeville That same Day another Party of Frenchmen ran up to St. Valery and Crotoy and enter'd both Places and took them together with another Town on the Sea side called Noyelle sur Mer. A little after the Earl of St. Paul with another Party went to Pont de Remy on the Soame whither certain English had withdrawn themselves The Earl assaulted them briskly and was well received by the Defendants so that a fierce and notable Skirmish arose at which time the Earl Knighted his Eldest Son Valeran who shewed that Day by his Exploits how worthy he was of that Honour In short the English being both too inconsiderable in Number and also surprised were put to the Worse being all either routed slain or taken together with the Town and Fortress And thus in a manner all the Country and Earldom of Ponthieu was of a sudden cleared of the English so that they were now no more Formidable in those Parts Now there were still in England sundry of the French Hostages as the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne the Earl of Porcien the Lord of Roye the Lord of Mauliverer and divers Others besides most of those of the Good Towns of France who were all much troubled when they heard of the Defiance but now when News was brought how all Ponthieu was revolted overrun and conquer'd they were in a wofull Taking not knowing what King Edward would do with them in such a Case And surely when He heard the News from Ponthieu he was horribly incensed that the Country had so treacherously revolted from him and had many an Hard Thought against the French Hostages who remained still with him at London But yet he consider'd with Himself how it would be but fruitless Cruelty and a sign of Irrational Revenge to wreak his Displeasure upon them Wherefore he only resolved to keep them shorter of their Liberty and not permit them to take their pleasure as formerly and so he sent the Burgesses of the Cities and Towns of France into divers strong Fortresses about in several parts of England Nevertheless the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne he released for a Ransom of 30000 Franks and the Earl of Porcien for 10000. But the Lord of Roye could not be admitted to any Ransom For he was not at all beloved either by the King or any of his Court wherefore he was still detain'd a Prisoner in great fear and sorrow till by good Fortune he also happen'd to be delivered as we shall shew hereafter X. When the King of England c Frois c. 248. saw that he was not only Defied by the French King but had also actually lost the greater Part of Ponthieu for the safety whereof it had cost him more than an 100000 Franks besides the Revenues which the Country yielded to his Exchequer in repairing of Towns and Castles He saw plainly that it was high time to have an Eye on all Parts for he
c. 236. Caxton c. that not long before the King had sent the Ambassadors aforesaid to Avignon to require of Pope Gregory that as to the Reservation of Benefices of England made in his Court he would supersede Medling for the future that Clergymen might freely enjoy their Elections to Episcopal Dignities and that it might be sufficient for them to be confirmed by their Metropolitans as was the Antient Custom Upon these and the like Abuses they required Remedy of the Pope concerning all which Articles the said Ambassadors had certain Answers from his Holiness touching which the Pope enjoyned them upon their Return into England to certifie him by their Letters of the King's Will and of his Realm and also that they would press the King to let him first know what he and his Council design'd to do before they proceeded to determine any thing as to the Premises The Result whereof we shall refer to the next Year However in this Parliament it was Enacted That Cathedral Churches should enjoy their own Elections and that for the future the King should not write against the Persons so Elected but rather by his Letters endeavour their Confirmation if need were But this Statute availed not much afterward The o M.S. Ret. Par. ut ante Sr. Rob. Cotton ibid. Burgesses of Bristow in this Parliament require that the said Town with the Suburbs thereof may be a County of it self and that the Perambulation of the same with the Bounds thereof returned into the Chancery with all the Liberties and Charters thereto granted may be confirmed by Act of Parliament The King is content to grant that the Charters Liberties and Perambulation aforesaid may be confirmed under the Great Seal That no French Prior Alien be permitted to dwell within twenty Miles of the Sea-Coast for several Reasons there specified The King by his Council will provide therefore That Remedy may be had that Men be not called into the Exchequer upon Suggestion without Process contrary to the Statute made in the 42 Year of the King. Let any particular Man complain and he shall find Remedy After this the Lord Chancellor in the Kings Name gave great Thanks to the Lords and Commons and so this Session ended It is to be observed that the Printed Statute touching the Assize of Broad Cloath Cap. 1. agreeth with the Record As also that Cap. 2. touching Scottish Silver Coin. XVIII This Year it is reported p Mezeray ad hunc ann p. 92. Odor Rainal ad an 1374. §. 13. ex Chron. Belg. Job Leyd c. that there happen'd in Italy France and England especially in the Lower Countries a certain Maniack Passion or Frenzy unknown to former Ages for those who were tormented therewith which for the most part were the Scum of the People stript themselves stark naked put Garlands of Flowers on their Heads and taking one another by the Hands went about in the streets and into the Churches dancing singing and turning round with such vehemence that they would fall down to the ground quite out of Breath This Agitation made them swell so prodigiously that within an Hours time they would burst unless some-body took care to bind their Bellies about with strong Swathing-bands Those who looked on them too earnestly were often tainted with the same Malady It was thought to have come by some Diabolical Operation and that Exorcisms did much prevail against it The Vulgar called it St. John's Dance XIX There died q Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 70. b. about this time a valiant Baron of England named the Lord Miles Stapleton one * Vid. Lib. 1. c. 22. §. 7. p. 298. of the Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter leaving behind Thomas his Son and Heir then of full Age who yet died also this same Year without Issue leaving his Sister Elizabeth his next Heir she being then married to Sr. Thomas Metham Which Sr. Thomas having at that time Issue by her and doing his Homage had Livery of the Lands of her Inheritance There died r Walsing hist p. 183. Vid. Godwins Catal. Bish c. also this Year Dr. John Thoresby Archbishop of York and Dr. John Barnet Bishop of Ely besides the Bishop of Worcester of whose Death we spake at the beginning of the last Parliament Alexander Nevile succeeded in the See of York Thomas Fitz-Alan younger Son to the Earl of Arundel in that of Ely and Henry Wakefield in that of Worcester CHAPTER the ELEVENTH AN. DOM. 1374. An. Regni Angliae XLVIII Franciae XXXV The CONTENTS I. King Edward inquires into the Livings then in the Hands of Aliens with his Letters to the Bishop of Winchester for that purpose II. He sends Commissioners to treat with the Popes Legates about the Premisses with the Copy of their Commission and the Effect of their Treaty III. The Duke of Anjou's Expedition into Gascogne IV. A Truce between the Dukes of Lancaster and Anjou V. The Lords of High Gascosgne yield to the Duke of Anjou who takes in all 40 Towns and Castles from the English VI. Becherel for want of succour yields VII Sr. Hugh Chastillon Master of the Crossbows of France is redeem'd with an Adventure between him and the Lord of Gomegines Captain of Ardres for King Edward VIII A Treaty at Bruges concerning a Peace between the two Crowns wherein Care is had of the Earl of Pembroke and others taken formerly by the Spaniards with the Death of the said Earl of Pembroke and some Observations thereon IX The Death of Francis Petrarch Laureat Poet of Italy and some other Considerable Persons of England X. An Account of Madam Alice Perrers who was falsly said to be King Edward's Concubine I. KING Edward being perpetually alarum'd as well in Parliament as otherwise by his Subjects who complain'd of the many great Abuses done unto Him and his Authority by the See of Rome as of their Reservations and other Arts whereby they entrenched upon his Prerogative Royal and the Liberties of the Church of England exhausting his Kingdom to enrich Strangers and such as were his Enemies the King I say being now throughly awaken'd at these Cries of his People among other notable Ways whereby he encountred these Usurpations began a Fox Acts Monum p. 560. at this time to require an exact Survey of all Benefices and Dignities Ecclesiastical throughout his Dominions which were then in the Hands of Italians Frenchmen or other Aliens with a true Valuation of the same and sent unto all his Bishops his Royal Commission to make such Enquiry the Tenor whereof followeth EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to the Right Reverend Father in God William by the same Grace Bishop of Winchester Greeting Being willing for certain Reasons Us thereunto moving to be certified what and how many Benefices as well Archdeaconries and other Dignities as Vicarages Parsonages Prebends and Chapters within your Dioecese there be
Tivedale as well Religious as secular pray to be restored to their Possessions given from them to their Enemies Let the Lords Marchers there named treat thereof and report to the Lords in Parliament their Opinion concerning a Remedy The Citizens of York desire that whereas the Lord of Ard and Cockham in Holland hath stayed six and Thirty Surples of their Woolls to the Value of 1900 l. supposing that the King oweth him Money for his Service in France and will neither for the Kings Letters nor other means deliver their Woolls that therefore they may have Licence to stay the Ships of the same Lord at Calais or in England till they be paid and answer'd to the Value Let it be declared to the Grand Council and they shall have Remedy according to Reason John de q Ità M.S. sed Sr. Rob. Cotton Britshorne Bretshorne maketh his Title to the Mannor of Grinsteed in the County of Wilts and to the Advouson of the said Mannor and to the Moiety of the Mannor of Exbury in the County of Southampton and prayeth to be restored to the Possession of the same from Robert de Beverley the Premises being confessedly held of the King in Chief It is before the Great Council The Commons of Devonshire pray that they may be paid for Victuals taken of them by the Duke of Bretagne while he lay there a long time for passage and that from henceforth no Protection be granted to any Passenger over to take any Victuals otherwise than for present pay Let the Offenders for the time past answer and for the time to come the King will provide That Remedy may be had touching the Dishonest Returns of Bayliffs of Nihil habent against them for their bribing Fees and other Corruptions It is before the Grand Council Where Men for safeguard and fear of their Lives do fly to Church-yards and after depart therefrom the Steward of the Kings Houshold forthwith enquireth how they escaped out of the Church-yard and upon the Matter found awardeth an Escape against the Town or Parish wherein they pray Remedy The King will be advised herein That if the Party Plaintiff or Defendant upon his Habeas Corpus returned do not sue out his Nisi prius then the whole Process may be discontinued and that in all and every of the Kings Courts and that every Man may have the Nisi prius granted as well against the King as others without suing to the Privy Seal Let the Law used run That such as have or shall sue Livery upon an Inquest of Office by Escheators where those Lands indeed are not holden of the King may be received to aver of whom or by what Service the same Lands are holden If any Mans Inheritance be charged by any such Inquest he who will complain shall be received to traverse the Inquest before his Homage done That any Man having the Privy Seal for the Payment of Debts due by the King unto him shall not be stayed from the Payment thereof by any private Letter of the Treasurer The King granteth thereunto That a Parliament may be holden every Year the Knights of the Parliament may be chosen of the whole Counties and that the Sheriff may likewise be without Broakage in Court. As to the Parliament there are Statutes already made For the Sheriffs Answer hath been given and as for the Knights it is agreed that they shall be chosen by Common Consent of every County That such as by sinister means procure Extents against the King at One Value where it is thrice or however far better may be punished The King will make Enquiry thereof as himself pleaseth That no Pardon be granted to any Impeached in this Parliament being the Kings Counsellors or sworn to him but that such be thenceforth removed and never restored and an Act thereof to be made The King will do therein as shall please him That all the Articles of Wrongs declared in this Parliament against any Person may be duly determin'd by Commissions by the Kings Justices and other Lords and that the Judgement given in this Parliament be not Repealed by Reason of Broakers about the King. The King will do by Advice of his Council what shall seem best saving to every One his Liberties They require the King to have good Regard to the Government of the Realm that all Profits of the Crown may be employ'd to the Kings Honour The King as next above will do for his own Honour the Good Government Profit and Ease of the People That such as shall of their own Authority lay new Impositions without Assent of Parliament may lose Life Member and other Forfeitures Let the Common Law heretofore used run Then there follows a long Bill against the Broakages and corrupt Recovery of Religious Persons by the taking of Sheriffs that any notwithstanding such Recoveries might have Tryal and upon the Matter found those Religious Persons to be punished therefore as therein is contained with many other Matters relating to the same The Law therein heretofore used shall be kept That all Wapentakes and Hundreds let to Farm may be Repealed and none hereafter granted and that all Bayliffs may be sufficient and able The Statutes made therefore shall be kept That Remedy may be had so as there may be Reasonable warning given for the holding of Wapentakes and Hundreds The Statutes therefore made shall be kept That Presentments may be made but twice in the Year in Leets or great Wapentakes There be Statutes therefore That none but such as be r i.e. Resident Resiant do come to any Wapentake or Hundred There are Statutes provided therefore Complaint made against Bayliffs of Markets and Fairs who attach Men out of their Jurisdictions There are Statutes made therefore Against Bayliffs being Farmers of Wapentakes or Hundreds who thereby procure Plaints in other Mens Names and sue great Sums by dividing the same into less Sums Let them hold to the Statutes ¶ Petitions exhibited by the Clergy and their Answers That all Consultations may readily be granted in the Suit for Tythes of Sylva Caedua and that no Attachment do Ensue the same A Consultation granted doth suffice and if need be there may be a special Clause for Prohibitions Granted or to be Granted That the Ordinary may according to the Ecclesiastical Laws punish such as do fraudulently procure Consultations That in Matters touching the punishing of the Soul the Kings Prohibition may cease or a Consultation be granted That in Demands of Pensions by One Church from another no Prohibition be granted The Justices shall meet in the presence of certain Bishops who shall take Order therein to content In a Case of Tythes upon objection that the Tythes exceed a Fourth part of the Value of the Church a Prohibition is granted against the Canonical Sanction That the Kings Purveyors take up of the Clergy and cause them also to make Carriage for the King against their Traditions and Statutes therefore made That if the
his stead for the Remainder of the Year The Commons request that the King would appoint two Earls and two Barons to receive as well their Subsidy as the Subsidy of the Clergy and the Subsidy of Woolls granted in the last Parliament so as the same may be imploy'd upon the Wars and that the High Treasurer do in no wise intermeddle therewith But when afterwards it was made appear to how great a Sum the Wages of these Four Treasurers would amount then the Commons changed their Mind and required that the High-Treasurer might be the sole Menager thereof for the use of the Wars Afterwards viz. on the 22d of February certain Bishops and secular Lords and also the Chancellour Treasurer and Keeper of the Privy Seal by the Kings appointment went all to Sheen in Surrey where the King then lay sick and there in presence of them all the Articles of the Kings General Pardon were read with the Answers made to the Petitions of the Commons to which the King agreed willing that they should be read in the House the next day on which day he order'd them to be dissolved And so it was done the next day being the Twenty-third of February by Authority of the King and Prince Richard the President Petitions of the Commons with their Answers That all Persons and Corporations may have the Pardon freely without paying any thing for the Great Seal Such as for Felony are to sue shall do the same before the Nativity of St. John and pay the Fees only The Prelates Dukes Earls Barons Commons Citizens Burgesses and Merchants of England in this Parliament Å¿ Vid Mr. William Prinne in his Edition of S. Rob. Cotton's Abridgm p. 152 Petition the King not only for a Pardon in General and of Fines and Amerciaments before the Justices of the Peace not yet levied in special but they also subjoyn thereto this memorable Request That in time to come Your said Prelates Earls Barons Commons Citizens and Burgesses of your Realm of England may not be henceforth Charged Molested nor Grieved to make any Common Aid or sustain any Charge unless it be by the common Assent of the Prelates Dukes Earls and Barons and other People of the Commons of your Realm of England and that in full Parliament And that no Imposition be put upon their Woolls Wooll-Fells and Leather above the Ancient Custom that is to say of One Sack of Wooll Half a Mark and of One Last of Skins One Mark of Custom only according to the Statute made the Fourteenth Year of your Majesties Happy Reign saving unto Your Majesty the Subsidy granted unto You the last Parliament for a certain time and not yet levied To all which the King then gave Answer As to that That no Charge be laid upon the People but by common Assent The King is not at all Willing to do it without great Necessity and for the Defence of the Realm and where he may do it with Reason And as to that That Imposition be not laid upon their Woolls c. without the Assent of the Prelates Dukes Earls Barons and other People of the Commons of his Realm There is says He a Statute already made which the King wills to stand in its full force That such as owe unto the King may upon their Account be allowed of all such Laones as are due to them or to any of their Ancestors The Treasurer and Barons shall make allowance of due Debt That title of Prescription of any Liberties may as well be allowed as if it were by Grant and that Prescription may be from the Coronation of the King. The King by Advice will do herein as he shall think best That the Justices of the Peace do not enquire into any Articles which are to be redressed in any Lords Leet but only concerning the Peace and Labourers and that they hold their Sessions Four times a Year The Statutes heretofore made cannot stand if this be granted That the Patent of Reynold Chambers for being Water-Bayliff of the Thames may be revoked because on that pretence he suffereth Kiddles Trinks and other unlawfull Nets to be laid and cast in the said River of Thames The Chancellour calling unto him the Citizens of London the Constable of the Tower and Reynold Newport shall take Order therein The Citizens of London pray that the King will confirm unto them their Liberties for punishing all Misdemeanors in Southwark and that Commandment be given that the Marshal do not intermeddle within the part of Southwark which is called Gildable The King cannot do it without doing wrong to others The Citizens of London require Confirmation of the Kings Letters Patents made to them that no Stranger should sell any Merchandise or Ware to any other Stranger to the end that the same should be sold again Then follow the very Words of the Patent The King will be thereof informed The same Citizens pray that they may place and displace Coroners among themselves answering unto the King what belongeth thereto The King will not depart from his Ancient Right That no Alien do remain within the Realm during the Wars unless he be a Merchant or Artificer and that no Englishman become any Farmer to any Alien without Licence In which Act they protest that of Temporal things they owe Obeisance to none but to the King. The King by Advice will take Order therein That all Provisors of things from Rome and their Ministers may be out of the Kings Protection The Pope hath promised Redress the which if he do not the Laws therein shall stand That new Perambulations of the Forest be made according to the old Bounds out of which if any Forester do attache a Man that the attached may have his Writ of false Imprisonment Many Counties are not grieved wherefore let such as be shew their Complaint and they shall be heard That it may be declared what Pleas the Marshal shall hold and that Prescription may be as well allowed before the Marshal as before others the Kings Justices They shall hold such as have been in the times of the Kings Progenitors That no Man be impeached for hunting within the Purlieu or without the bound of the Forest and that there be levied no t Vid. Semneri Glessar in Assartari c. Assartments The Charter of the Forest shall be kept and as to the Assart the Demand is unreasonable That as well the Priest that taketh unreasonable Wages as the Giver thereof may either forfeit double to the King and that the same may be tryed before the Kings Justices The Statute therefore made shall be executed That the next Heirs of the Kings Wards may have the Wards Lands in Farm. There is a Statute therefore made That none of the Kings Officers be maintainers of any Quarrels within their Countries on pain to lose their Offices and to answer doubly to the Party grieved The King hath forbidden his Officers so to do and if any be grieved he
put all the Infidels to the Sword. This Peters Ancestor Guy of Lusignan King of Jerusalem k Speed p. 477. §. 40. in Ricardo Primo purchased the Island and Kingdom of Cyprus of our Richard the First King of England sirnamed Coeur du Lyon by Exchange for his Kingdom of Jerusalem ever since which it remain'd in the hands of the said Guy and his Descendants II. King Peter came to Avignon l Frois c. 217. about Candlemas in the beginning of this Year of whose Coming the whole Court was glad and most of the Cardinals together with the French King went forth to meet him and conducted him with much Honour to the Popes Palace where they were highly caressed and after a splendid entertainment the two Kings returned to their Lodgings prepared for them in Villeneufe Thus they tarried during all the season of Lent and made frequent Visits to the Pope and discoursed him of many serious Matters concerning which they came thither While the Kings were at Avignon there happen'd a Controversie in Arms which by the Court Martial was adjudged to be tried by Combat between two Noble and Experienced Knights namely Sr. Edmund de Pamiers and Sr. Fulk de Orillac the King of France being to sit as Judge of the Field Both the Knights behaved themselves with that Activity Skill and Resolution that is was no easie matter to say who was the Better So that when after a long and gallant Fight neither had any apparent Advantage of the other and both their Spears and Swords being broken they were proceeding to Pole-Axes King John presently flang down his Wardour and caused the Combat to cease after which He reconciled them together Now the King of Cyprus spake more than once to the Pope his Cardinals and the French King That it would be both an exceeding Honour and Advantage for all Christendom if some Powerfull Christian King would undertake to lead the Way over the Sea and rear his Banners against the Enemies of the Christian Faith who for want of such Opposition overran all Asia and hung now like a dreadfull Storm over Europe These Words the French King consider'd well and resolved with Himself if he might live Three Years longer to be One among the Foremost in this Holy Expedition not only out of a pious Consideration backed with the Words of the Pope and the King of Cyprus but also for two other Respects the one because his Father King Philip had made a Vow so to do to the m Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc an §. 14 Breach whereof he constantly attributed all the Miseries which had befell France since that time and the other that by so doing he should not only drain his own Country of those Evil Companions who harassed his People without any just Title or Pretence but also thereby prove an Instrument of saving their Souls by making them draw their Swords in the more righteous Cause of Christ These were his Reasons and this his Resolution which he kept secret to himself till Good-Fryday at which time Pope Vrban himself preached in his Chappel at Avignon in the Presence of both the Kings of Cyprus and of Frâ—nce and also of Waldemar King of Denmark who was newly come thither for the same purpose Sermon ended the French King in great Devotion stept forth and professed himself a Champion of Christ and took upon him the Croisade which he solemnly sware personally to set about and to begin the Voyage within two Years from that Time it n Pascha 2 Apr. Lit. Dom. A. being then the last of March. He also requested the Pope to yield his Consent and Furtherance thereto and by his Bulls to authorise this his pious Undertaking The Pope not only most readily agreed to this Request but also granted him his Pontifical Diploma Dat. Aven Pridie Kal. April Anno Pontif. I. Wherein he constitutes him Governour and Captain General of all the Christian Armies and produces these three Causes of that Expedition First the Indignity of the Matter that Christians should suffer those places which our Saviour had honoured with his Footsteps and the Mysteries of our Redemption to be defiled and trodden down of the Mahometans also the seasonable Occasion of Recovering Syria now that the strength of the Saracens was exhausted with a Pestilence and lastly the great Necessity of repressing the growing Tyranny of the Turks when 't was to be feared that all Christendom would be a prey unto them unless their Fury should meet with a timely Check Talayrand the Cardinal of Perigort was the Popes Legate in this Holy Expedition and then Methods were taken how to support the Design with Tithes and other pecuniary Collections the Prelates were commanded to publish this Croisade from their Pulpits and to distinguish those who took it upon them with the Sign of the Cross And then Excommunication and an Anathema was set forth against them who should offer to disswade the French King from his pious Design of recovering Syria On which account circular Letters were sent and solemn Prayers were appointed to engage the Divine Assistance The Pope also sent his Letters to the Emperour Charles to King Edward of England to Lewis of Hungary and to other Kings and Princes that they would now employ all their power and Conduct toward the reducing of Asia unto Christ and because King John could not conveniently set forth till about two Years after by reason that his Realm was so unsettled and he could not in less time finish his Musters and other vast Preparations thereupon wherefore he tied himself to a certain Day which was to be the Kalends of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand three Hundred Sixty and five The King of Cyprus resolved in the mean time to go about and visit all the great Courts in Europe and as he should succeed to go over before the King of France to whom the Pope o â—dâ—r Rain ad hâ—nc ann §. 19. promised considerable Assistance And thus a mighty Resolution was taken up and the Cross of Jerusalem was worn by John King of France Waldemar King of Denmark and Peter King of Cyprus p Freis c. 217. also by Talayrand commonly called the Cardinal of Perigort thô he was Earl of Perigort and Bishop Cardinal of Alba the same was done by the Earl of Artois and the Earl of Eu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and the Grand Prior of France and many other Lords and Knights then and there present The King of Cyprus was extreamly overjoy'd at the great Zeal he found in all these Christian Worthies and thought his Journey well bestow'd in so great a purchase towards the Advancement of Religion But yet not content with this he design'd to proceed and visit Charles the Emperour and all the Princes and Chief Lords of the Empire he intended likewise to see the King of England the Prince of Wales
and all other Potentates of Christendom to stir them up singly at least to a Contribution in Men or Money toward so pious and general an Undertaking And the Pope gave him many Absolutions and Pardons and full Authority to publish them the better to encline all Devout persons to joyn with him in so Holy and Meritorious a Cause as it was in those Days accounted And surely the King of Cyprus wherever he went easily engaged the Love of all Men for besides the Reputation which he had got in Arms and that himself had long been a Souldier in the same Quarrel he gave such good Reasons and spake so elegantly and perswaded so pathetically that all Men of War had far rather hear him than a Sermon of the Pope's to that purpose And so on this point they rested Having therefore thus forwarded his Business here he took his leave saying how he would go and visit the Emperour and the Lords of the Empire and promised to return thither again by Brabant Flanders and Hainalt and so he was dismist by the Pope and the French King who both acquitted themselves towards him very honourably the latter presenting him with many rich Gifts and Jewels and the former with Pardons Absolutions and Indulgences for Him and all his Men which as the Superstition of the Times went were no less Valuable After the King of Cyprus his Departure whom the King of Denmark accompanied King John also took his leave of the Pope and went to Mompellier to visit Languedoc for he had not been in those Parts of many Years before III. The mean while the King of Cyprus rode so long by his Journeys till he came to Prague the chief City of Bohemia where the Emperour then was of whom he was graciously received as also of all the Lords of the Empire there present It is said q Panâ—taleâ—n de Ord. Johannitarum Rebus Geslis l. 4. p. 102. that the Emperour told the King of Cyprus That he applauded his Words and approved of the Popes pious Endeavours as also of the French Kings Resolution and of the King of Denmarks and that for his own part he neither wanted Wealth nor Will to set about the Holy War if he thought it would really be so much for the Benefit of Christendom to shed the Blood of many good Men for the Affairs of Syria that it was impossible to recover those Countries without much Destruction of Christian People of which Slaughter to make no account was the part rather of an Hangman than of a Prince That moreover a Country so surrounded with Enemies if it should be won could not by any be long retain'd in Obedience wherefore to him it seem'd not the part of a Christian to seek the purchase of so little false Glory with the hazard of so many Lives But however lest any should imagin that he declin'd these Matters upon the account of Frugality he offer'd the King of Cyprus as much Money as might probably suffice for that War which he presently caused to be paid unto him The Emperours Liberality was imitated by the Dukes of Bavaria Austria and Saxony his Brethren the Marquess of Moravia and the Duke of Luxemburgh and others of all whom he received considerable Sums of Gold Three Weeks he tarried at Prague labouring all the while to bring over Proselytes to his intended Expedition against the Infidels and wherever he went while he was within the Bounds of the Empire his Charges were born by the Emperour After this he rode into the Dukedom of Juliers and thence into Brabant where he was received with much Honour by the Duke and Dutchess and highly entertain'd in their chief City of Brussels with Feastings Justs Tourneaments and other Princely Diversions and at his Departure he was largely presented with Jewels and other rich Gifts and after all he went into the Earldom of Flanders to visit Earl Lewis who treated him with great Magnificence at Bruges and in all things gave him full Satisfaction Here he staid therefore the remaining part of the Summer still minding the main Business for which he had left his own Country and earnestly exhorting the Earl and other Lords and Gentlemen to embarque in the same Bottom with him where Christ and his Holy Vicar were sure to be the Pilots and Earthly Honour and Immortal Glory lay ready for them at the end of their Voyage And all the Lords that heard him approved of his Words and declared themselves willing to follow him IV. The mean while King Edward had dealt very Graciously with all the French Hostages but especially r Frois c. 218. unto Four of the Chief of them he shew'd Great Favour namely unto the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Anjou the Duke of Berry and the Duke of Bourbon For he permitted these Four Princes to reside at Calais for such a time and during their stay there each of them to have four days liberty to ride abroad into the French Pale on the Marches of Calais provided that at the end of four days they return'd to Calais by Sun-setting And this Grace the King allow'd with a Good Design that so having some opportunity to be near their Friends they might the sooner gather up the Money still remaining due for King John's Ransom and thereby release themselves and their fellow Hostages These Four Lords being thus at Calais sent frequent Messengers to the French King and to the Duke of Normandy desiring them to make quick dispatch in working their Delivery as they had promised and sworn unto them when they went Hostages into England For if they were neglected any longer they were resolved to look to look to themselves because as they said they were not properly Prisoners but only sureties for another And that if the Principal would not concern himself to perform the Covenants for which they were Pledges it would be high time to shift as well as they could for themselves Thus eager were the Young Princes to be at liberty but King John and the Duke of Normandy and their Council were so deeply taken up in Matters of a more pressing Nature what in preparing for the Croisade and what for other Wars which the Inconstant King of Navarre began again to renew in France having already sent into Lombardy for certain Troops of the Companions to come to his Assistance that they had no leisure as then to take the Remonstrance of these Dukes into consideration or to send them any satisfactory Answer Whereupon the Duke of Anjou being young and angry and neither well considering his Fathers Honour nor his own took the opportunity one of the Four Days allow'd him to ride clear off whereat King John was infinitely displeased V. By this time the King of Cyprus having dispatch'd his Affairs with the Earl of Flanders came at last to Calais where he found the remaining three French Dukes of Orleans Berry and Bourbon the Duke of Anjou being as we shew'd newly escaped away These