Three Dukes together with the King of England's Captains who had the charge of them received the King of Cyprus into Calais where they were all together for two or three days till there came from England a Safe Conduct bearing Date 6 f Ashmole p. 665. December and to continue in Force till Midsummer following for the King of Cyprus the King of Denmark and Albert Duke of Bavaria Then these two Kings and the Duke aforesaid took shipping for England and arrived at Dover a little before Christmas where tarrying two days to refresh themselves and their Retinues and till all their Carriages and Horses were unshipped they rode by small journeys easily till they came to London Here at the Kings Command they were Honourably met by the Young Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton by the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Edward Spencer the Lord Ralph Ferrers Sr. Richard Pemburge and Sr. Richard Sturry together with the Lords of France Hostages who conducted them to the Lodgings prepared for them 'T is to no purpose to mention all the Great Dinners and Publick Entertainments wherewith King Edward received these Grand Personages he shewing by all ways imaginable the high Respect he had for them and for the Pious Enterprise they had all taken in Hand But unto the King of Cyprus he made a free declaration of his Mind saying That from his Soul he desired to be reckon'd among the Heroick Champions of the Christian Faith but he added how it could not be warranted by the Word of God that Religion was to be propagated by the Sword or that it was a thing pleasing to God to endeavour the Recovery of the Land of Palestine at the expence of so much Christian Blood as it hath too often cost already or that it was the Duty of a Christian King without any absolute necessity to leave his own Subjects over whom God hath set him to rush into Foreign Wars which had no immediate relation to him But only in this case where a Pagan Prince doth unjustly seek to ruine or destroy any Christian Prince that it would be the Interest of other Christians near unto him to protect and maintain his cause with their United Powers against the said Infidel That as for him he was not to be look'd on in that capacity neither could he be spared from the Realm for thô blessed be God! he had now Peace both abroad and at home yet it behov'd him not only to look to the Peaceable Government of his Realm but also to stand upon his Guard lest by occasion of his Absence an Advantage might be taken against him which he might never be able to repair But as to a Friend and to a Christian King who had come so far for the cause of Christendom he promised him very considerable Sums of Money and leave to take as many Voluntiers as he could raise thrô the Realm VI. Before this t M.S. Rot. Par. p. 92. Ano. 37. Ed. 3. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgement p. 96. c. Vid. Statute Book p. 120. there was a Parliament Summon'd this Year to meet the King at Westminster as on the Fryday in the Octaves of St. Michael being the Sixth of October of which I shall take leave to glean some few remarkable Observations On the Fryday aforesaid both houses not being full the Lord Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green in presence of the King Lords and Commons by the Kings Order prorogued the Parliament till Fryday following At which time Simon Langham Bishop of Ely and Lord Chancellour of England declared before the Lords and Commons the Reasons why the King had called the said Parliament namely because he was desirous to know the Grievances of his Subjects and particularly that he might by the help of their advice redress what wrongs had been done against the Liberties of Holy Church and also all Enormities especially about exhibiting of Petitions Then there were appointed Receivers and Tryers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland also for Aquitaine and other Foreign Places and Isles On the Wednesday after Commandment was given that no Man should transport Woollen Clothes Sheep Butter Cheese Malt or Ale only that the Merchants of Almaine might export Worsteds and straight Clothes and the Merchants of Gascogne might carry forth Woolen Clothes to the Value of the Wines imported Then the Commons gave the King their most humble thanks for the great Goodness he had shewed and confirmed unto them with his own Mouth the last Parliament And they humbly pray that the King would enjoyn the Archbishops and all others of the Clergy that they would put up their joynt Prayers to God Almighty for the Prosperity of his Majesty in Order to the Peace and good Government of the Land and for the continuance of his Majesties Good-Will towards his Commons The same prayeth the King. That the Coyners be order'd to Coyn half their Bullion into half-pence and farthings for the use of the Poor The King hath so appointed That Remedy may be had against Merchants Hostelers Regraters and Forestallers of Wares Fish Wine and Corn. The Ordinance for Fish sold at Blackney in Norfolk shall be kept to look to the Execution whereof William Wickingham and John Barry are appointed That an Order be set forth against Merchants for exporting of Corn Meal and other such Provision A Proclamation to the contrary hath been and is now again newly made That Remedy be had against Wears and such other Engines on Rivers as are a great annoyance to Boats. The Statute made for that purpose shall be kept That the House of Commons may choose Justices of the Peace for every County and that those whom they shall so choose be not displaced upon any surmises Let the House of Commons name Able Men and the King will choose as he thinks best That such Persons as in the time of the Great Pestilence did let out their Mannors which they held of the King in Capite to sundry Persons for term of Life without Licence may accordingly continue the same untill the Land become more populous The King will be advised That those who bring in any Wines from any of the Kings Dominions may be obliged to bring Testimonial under Chief Officers hands of the Prizes of the same so that upon their Arrival the Justices of the Peace may set Prizes agreeable thereto The Statute therefore made shall stand The Printed Statutes for the u Vid. quâ—medò Rot. Parl. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 97 c. n. 20. c. most part agree exactly with the Records except that where the Print touching Wines hath Couchers the Record hath English Couchers and that of the Seventh Chapter in the Print touching Silver Vessels and of the Nineteenth for finding of Hawks there is no mention found in the Record This Parliament was continued by several Prorogations till the Third of November when the Lord Chancellour in Presence of the King Lords and Commons declared that
whom he is Godfather From p. 662. to p. 669. Chap. XIII A Parliament at Westminster wherein notice is taken of the Pope's foremention'd Demand of the King Peter-Pence forbid to be paid The Quarrel between the Fryars Mendicants and the two Vniversities taken up by the King. The Lord of Coucy made Earl of Bedford A Treaty of Marriage between Prince Lionel and the Lady Violantis Daughter to Galeas Duke of Milain Archbishop Islip dies his Foundation of Canterbury College in Oxford now called Christ-Church Dr. Langham Bishop of Ely translated to Canterbury On the French King's Complaint of the Companions King Edward prepares an Army against them But on the French King's being jealous desists The French King and the Pope endeavour to draw off the Companions into Hungary but it will not do From p. 669. to p. 672. BOOK IV. CHAP. I. DON Pedro's Character The Pope excommunicates him and legitimates his Bastard Brother The Companions joyn Sr. Bertram of Clequin and march against Don Pedro who being forsaken of all flies from place to place and absconds in Galizia Don Henry the Bastard is made King of Spain Don Pedro implores the Protection of the Black-Prince and arrives at Bayonne Prince Edward receives him with much Humanity The Reasons Pro and Con why the Prince should or should not assist him The Prince has his Fathers leave to undertake his Quarrel The King of Navarre is won The Copy of a Famous Grant of Don Pedro to King Edward and to the Prince and the Kings of England and their Eldest Sons for Ever Prince Edward sends for his Captains who were then in the Bastards Service The Bastard's surprise at the News of the Prince's Design Sr. Bertram goes back into France to raise Friends Divers Opinions touching this undertaking of the Prince's The Bastard renews his Alliance with the King of Aragon c. The Prince's Zeal for this War. The Lord of Albret engages to bring a 1000 Spears The Companions being besieged in Montabuan beat the French. James King of Majorica comes to Bourdeaux to implore the Prince's Aid against the King of Aragon The Prince by Advice of his Council countermands 800 of the Lord Albret's 1000 Spears From p. 674. to p. 694. Chap. II. A second Son Born to the Black-Prince named Richard. The Prince begins his March is joyn'd by the Duke of Lancaster He passes the Pirenaean Mountains the Order of his Army the Names of his Chief Captains Don Henry sends his Expostulation and Defiance to him The Lord Thomas Felton takes Navaret Salvatierra yields to the Prince The Lord Thomas Felton beats up the Bastard's Quarters and sends Intelligence to the Prince Don Henry goes forward but halts at St. Miguel The Prince expects him at Victoria The Earl of Sancelloni beats up the Prince's Quarters and takes the Lord Thomas Felton and all his Company The Discourse thereupon had in the Spanish Camp. The Prince passes the Ebro and answers Don Henry's Letters Don Henry's Resolution The two Armies move forward The Order and Number of the Spaniards The Lord Chandos made a Banneret The Prince's Prayer before the Fight The Famous Battle of NAJARA in Spain where the Bastard receives a Mighty overthrow The City of Najara taken The time and place of the Battle The Number of the slain on both sides The Prince obliges Don Pedro to grant a General Pardon All Spain comes in and submits to Don Pedro and the Prince The Prince demands his Souldiers pay of the King who goes to Seville but sends none The Great Renown of the Black-Prince after this Victory The Black-Prince returns home without his Money The first Change of King Edward's Fortune The Danish Fleet beaten by the English The Death of Don Pedro King of Portugal sirnamed the Justiceer From p. 695. to p. 718. Chap. III. Prince Lionel is Married to the Lady Violantis He falls sick and dies A Parliament at Westminster The Archbishop of Canterbury made Cardinal A Sea-Woman taken in the Zuyder-zea Sr. Bertram by a Fineness obtains to be ransom'd The Companions wanting their Pay prove troublesome to the Principality But at the Prince's Command they go away and do much Mischief in France The Prince taxes his Subjects which occasions a Revolt From p. 718. to p. 725. Chap. IV. Don Henry the Bastard finding the Prince of Wales embroyl'd returns into Spain surprises the King Don Pedro beats him takes him and kills him with his own Hands The King of France being urged by the Discontented Gascogne Lords Summons the Prince of Wales to appear before him William of Wickham made Bishop of Winchester c. The Prince of Wales falls sick of an incurable Disease He sends the Lord Chandos against the Gascogne Lords The French King surprises Ponthieu and defies King Edward Who in Parliament resumes his Title to France and obtains a Mighty Aid for his Wars The Black-Prince makes the Captal of Busche Earl of Bigorre which Creation is confirm'd by the King his Father From p. 725. to p. 742. Chap. V. The War begins in the Principality Mutual Losses and Gains The two Kings set forth an Account of their several Causes their Rights argued The Pedigree of the Kings of France King Edward's Reasons for his Right and Title to France From p. 743. to p. 758. Chap. VI. The Duke of Burgundy Marries the Earl of Flanders his Daughter Mutual Losses and Gains The Earl of Pembroke's Danger The Death of Queen Philippa The Duke of Lancasters Expedition The Earl of Warwick dies The Duke of Lancaster a Widower The Death of the Earl of Suffolk and of the Bishop of Excester The French King raises a Tax From p. 759. to p. 782. Chap. VII The Death of the Lord John Chandos The War hot in Gascogne The Death of David Bruce King of Scotland The Genealogy of his Successor Robert STUART An Old Error concerning King Robert's Children confuted Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition into France The Black-Prince sacks Limoges and Sr. Bertram of Clequin made Constable of France Pope Urban dies Maximus Planudes flourishes From p. 783. to p. 812. Chap. VIII The Death of the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt The Danger and Escape of the Lord Raimond of Marvejols The Black-Prince his Eldest Son dies He returns into England sick The War in Gascogne A Parliament at Westminster King Edward beats the Flemings at Sea. James King of Majorica dies The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge Marry the Two Daughters of Don Pedro late King of Spain The Pope's endeavours for Peace The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl his Brother return with their Ladies into England From p. 812. to p. 826. Chap. IX The Death of the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny The War hot in Gascogne The Earl of Pembroke taken by the Spaniards Poictiers and Rochelle yielded to the French. Thoüars besieged King Edward sets sail to raise the Siege but the Wind will not serve so Thoüars is lost The Duke of Bretagne made
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
said That the World was nigh at an End. In those days one a Sherburn en Manilius his Spher in Catal. Astron p. 35. Cichus Asculanus Dr. in Physick a Philosopher and publique Professor of Astronomy at Bologna in Italy being accused for a Necromancer was burnt alive at Florence in the Seaventieth year of his Age Whose Learning in Judicial Astrology meeting with an ignorant Age might pass for Conjuration as a little after Petrarch himself was looked on for a Wizard even by a Pope of Rome Thô b Odoric Rain Anno Chr. 1327 §. 46. Joh. Villani l. 10. c. 41. indeed it was laid among other things to his Charge that in a Treatise called de Sphaera which he set forth at Bologna he affirmed that Spirits were generated in the Superior Orbes which by Incantation could be compelled to wonderfull Operations and that the Stars had Influence upon the Wills of men and could enforce and determine them And which seems most horrible that our Saviour Christ being born under such a Position was thereby necessitated to live Meanly and to die Miserably But that Antichrist being to be born under a quite different Position should obtain immense Riches Power and Dominion But we are not here to inquire how true or untrue this Charge was wherefore we shall end this first Year and Chapter together CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS I. King Edward takes to Wife the Lady Philippa Youngest Daughter to William the Good Earl of Heinalt II. The shamefull Peace struck up with the Scots at Northampton at which time all the Evidences which Recorded the Subjection of that Nation to the Crown of England are deliver'd up again III. King Edward looses hereby in the Opinion of his Neighbours especially the French and Scots IV. The Insolence and Power of Mortimer whereby he provokes certain Peers to Arms A Parliament at Salisbury the Lords reconcil'd to the King Mortimer made Earl of March. V. The Pedigree of Henry Lord Beaumont VI. Mortimer entertains the King. I. A While a Frois c. 19. after the Scotch Expedition An. Regni II. King Edward by Advice of the Queen his Mother with the Consent of his Uncles the Earl of Lancaster the Lord of Wigmore and all the Barons of the Realm sent Dr b Ashmoles Garter p. 669. ex Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 15. Dat. 8. Octob. Roger Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield with two Knights Bannerets and two Men Learned in the Laws to the Lord John of Heinalt to request of him in way of Friendship that he would join with them to require of his Brother the Earl of Heinalt one of his Daughters in Marriage for the Young King of England their Master For the King and the Queen his Mother had such a kindness for that Family that at this time no Lady in the World could have stood in Competition with one of Sr John's Neices for King Edwards Affections That some such Motion had been formerly made I will not absolutely deny thô it should seem partly by this manner of requesting and partly by what follows that as yet no bargain or mutual affiance had been made as many suppose perhaps not mention'd since now they were fain to apply themselves to Sr John's Mediation AN. DOM. 1328. who seem'd hitherto ignorant of any such matter thô himself so lately had left England When the Ambassadors with an Honourable Equipage were come to Valenciennes the chief City of Heinalt the Earl William and his Lady Jane de Valois received them very gladly and entertain'd them during their stay with great Splendour and Magnificence 'T is reported that one day c John Harding c. 178. fol. 177. Stanza 2.3 4 c. 182. fol. 184. when the Earl brought forth all his Five Daughters to their View while the others being amazed with the Beauties and delicate Shape of them all stood in deep suspence not knowing which to prefer the piersing Eye of the Bishop observing with good heed the Lady Philippa to be the best built about the Hips and of a good Sanguine Complexion agreeing with the Kings he secretly advis'd his Colleagues that she was the Lady among them all that was most likely with her sweet Disposition to please the King their Master and also to bring forth a numerous and Hopefull Progeny This coming thus from a Bishop whose Order was not then allow'd to Marry gave occasion of much Diversion and Mirth to the Company But however the Judgement prevail'd and Madam Philippa who was the very d Sic in illius Epitaphio Gailielmi Hannonis sobeles postrema Philippa Hic reseo quondam Pulchra decore jacet Stows Survey London p. 505. youngest of the Ladies and hardly fourteen years of age was pitch'd upon to be their Queen This Story however unfit it may seem to some for the lightness of it to appear in this place I thought good to set down not only because it bears some Reason with it but because to those who consider the Event it may rather seem a Work of Providence the Bishop by Chance or by some Impulse or by his Skill in Nature happening on what prov'd really a Truth Upon this Conclusion the Earl who knew the Quality of the Ambassadors and their full Instructions in the Affair after many thanks acknowledging the great Honours done to his House by the King of England his Mother and his Council said He was ready to allow the Consummation of the Business provided his Holiness the Pope would consent to give them a Dispensation For indeed the Lady Philippa's Mother Jane de Valois was Daughter to Charles Earl of Valois which Charles was Uncle to Isabella King Edward's Mother The Ambassadors were well content with this Answer and immediately dispatch'd away the two Knights and the two Learned in the Law to Avignon where at that time and long after the Popes resided to obtain a Dispensation The Pope at that time was John XXII who having well consider'd the Equity of the Cause with the Consent of the whole College of the Cardinals granted their desire and after a Splendid Entertainment dismist them For these were fit Servants for a King They dispatch'd their Masters business with great Discretion and Expedition minding nothing but how to finish this great Affair thoroughly and speedily Upon this all the rest was concluded and agreed on between the Parties and while Preparations were making to Convey the young Lady into England according to the Dignity of the House whence she came and the weight of that Title she was going to receive the Marriage e Ashmole p. 669. was first solemnized by a sufficient Proxy sent to Valenciennes by the King of England Hereupon after some few enforced Delays of Feastings and Princely Entertainments among her Parents and Relations the Ambassadors with their new Queen her Uncle Sr. John other honourable Company in great satisfaction took the Sea at Whitsan near Calais and so came all
into England by these his Ambassadors the two Bishops of Chartres and of Beauvois the Lord Lewis of Cleremont the Duke of Burbon the Earl of Harecourt and the Earl of Tancarville and divers other Knights and Learned Men whom he sent into England to demand a further performance and satisfaction in the Premises By this time the King of England and his Council who were then at Westminster had well consider'd the Usage of former Kings of England when they did Homage in like Case for the Dukedom of Aquitain And they saw that things had indeed been of old so performed as they now were demanded to be done And thô many in the Realm were Highly offended at these doings of the French King and stuck not openly to declare that the King of England their Lord was Truer Heir to the Crown of France by Right of Succession than was Philip of Valois himself yet the King and his Council at this time prudently forbore to take notice hereof till he had better weigh'd his own strength and sounded his Friends and Allies So that now not one Word was mention'd concerning King Edward's Pretences thô much time was spent in searching and arguing whereby the Ambassadors were fain to tarry in England all that Winter till the May following before which they could not obtain any positive Answer But then at last the King being prevail'd on by his Council wrote these his Letters Patents Seal'd with his Broad Seal wherein he acknowledges that he ought to have done Homage to the King of France for his Countries and Seigniories held in France the Tenour of which Letters followeth k Frois c. 24. fâ—l 14. b. Da Chesne l. 14. p. 638. Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain to all who shall see or hear these Presents Greeting Be it known that whereas we made Homage at Amiens to the most Excellent Prince our Dearest Lord and Cozen Philip King of France and then it was of him required that we should acknowledge the said Homage to be l Homage Liege is done by the Vassal ung â—t bare-headed with joyned Hands laid on the Evangelists and a Kiss received in the taking of his Oath c. Vid. Cetgrace in hoc Titulo Liege and that we in doing the said Homage should promise expresly to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty Which thing We did not as then because We were not fully informed but only made unto the said King of France our Homage in general Terms Saying that we enter'd his Homage as our Predecessors Dukes of Guienne in time past had enter'd the Homage of the Kings of France for the time being But being since that time well informed of the truth we do by these presents acknowledge that the said Homage which we made in the City of Amiens to the King of France as it was in general Terms is and ought to be intended Liege and that we ought to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty as Duke of Aquitain and Peer of France and Earl of Ponthieu and Monstreul And We promise to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty And to the intent that hereafter should arise no difference for this cause We promise for Us and our Successors Dukes of Aquitain that this Homage shall be made in this Manner The King of England Duke of Aquitain shall hold his Hands between the Hands of the King of France and he that is to speak for the King of France shall say thus You become Liegeman to our Lord the King here present as Duke of Guienne and Peer of France and you promise to bear to him Faith and Loyalty Say Yes And the King of England Duke of Aquitain and his Successors shall say Yes And then the King of France shall receive the said King of England and Duke of Guienne to the said Homage Liege with Faith and Troth by word of Mouth saving his own Right and all other Furthermore when the said King and Duke shall enter the Homage of the King of France for the Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstreul he shall put his Hands between the Hands of the King of France for the said Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstreul and he that shall speak for the King of France shall address his Speech to the said King and Duke and shall say thus You become Liegeman to our Lord the King of France here present as Earl of Ponthieu and Monstreul and you promise to bear unto him Faith and Loyalty Say Yes And the King Earl of Ponthieu shall say Yes And then the said King of France shall receive the said King and Earl to the said Homage with Faith and Troth by word of Mouth saving his own Right and all other And thus it shall be done and Renewed as often as Homage shall be done Of which We and Our Successors Dukes of Guienne shall after the said Homage done deliver Our Letters Patents Sealed with Our Great Seal if the King of France shall so require And moreover We promise in good Faith to hold and keep entirely the Peace and Accord made between the Kings of France and the said Kings of England Dukes of Guienne c. These Letters the French Ambassadors deliver'd to the King their Master who caused them to be kept in his Chancery II. But before this while the Ambassadors were at London being then but just come thither the King intending to let the French-men see what kind of men he Ruled over and what he might do if too far provoked privately order'd that certain choice Knights should make a Challenge as of their own Heads Who gladly taking this occasion published throughout the City with Sound of Trumpet that on the m Joh. Tinemâ—uth fol. 229. Walsingh hist p. 112. 25 of September being the Munday after that Thursday which was St. Matthew's day there were Thirteen Knights in London that would be ready for three days together to perform Feats of Arms against all Comers whatsoever The Place appointed for the Solemnity was Cheapside between the Cross and Soperlane where the Stony Street n Stow's Survey of London p. 280. was well cover'd with Sand that the Horses might not slide when they ran their Courses And there was a Spacious Wooden Scaffold like a Tower Erected cross the Street whereon Queen Philippa and many of the Greatest and Fairest Ladies Assembled from all parts of the Realm did stand richly attired to behold the Solemnity The Lord Maurice second Brother to Thomas Lord Barkley was of such Renown for Martial Atchievements at this time that among other Accoutrements prepared for this Turneament o Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 356. divers Surcoats were used depicted with his Arms and Cognizance That any of the French undertook with these Challengers I do not find thô 't is highly probable that being Persons of Title and Honour they would by no means omit such an opportunity of signalizing themselves since it could not but reflect
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
time to appear and all publique Affairs happily succeeded henceforward both to the King and his People Doctor Walter k Holinst Eng. Chron. p. 1002. Burleigh or Burley who had been bred up in Merton College in the famous University of Oxford was at this time of such Fame for learning and piety that he was taken into Queen Philippa's Service at her first coming into England and became her Almoner still encreasing in great Estimation at Court Insomuch that when this Young Prince Edward was able to learn his Book this Doctor was appointed to be his Tutor whereupon Simon Burley who was son to Sr. John Burley a near Kinsman of the Doctors was admitted among other young Gentlemen to be School-fellow with this Hopefull Prince By which occasion he wan so much upon the Princes Favour that afterwards by his means he was advanced to great Honour being in time made Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and also had the Government and Education of the Prince's Son Richard of Bourdeaux comitted to his Trust As for the Young Prince Edward the King his Father by l Ashmole p. 670. Sand-Geneal Hist p. 181. ex Cart. 7. Ed. 3. m. 4. ex Pat. 7. Ed. 3. p. 1. m 13. his Charters dated the Eighteenth of May in the Seventh Year of his Reign when he was but in the Third Year of his Age granted unto him by the Title of Edward his most Dear and Eldest Son the County of Chester the Castles of Chester Beston Rothelan and Flint and all his Lands there as also the Cantred and Land of Englefield with their Appurtenances to him and his Heirs Kings of England together with all Knights-Fees Advowsons Liberties Royalties and all other things belonging to the said County Castles Lands and Cantreds as well in England as in Wales and the Marches thereof as fully and under the same Conditions as himself had received them before he was King from which time he had the Title of Earl of Chester added to his Style But intending to enable him yet better to maintain this his Dignity the next day the King gave him all the Corn as well in Granges as growing on the Ground as also all the Arms Victuals Cattle Goods and Chattels in all the said Castles Lands and other Places to him before granted together with all Debts Arrearages of Accounts and other Services due to himself But in the m Cart. 11. Ed 3. n. 55. Eleventh Year of his Reign and the Seventh of this Princes Age upon the Death of John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall the King created him Duke of Cornwall as appears by his Charter of Creation bearing Date the 17 of March the same Year investing him by the Sword only which was the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England At the same time the King setled upon him divers Mannors and Franchises expresly set down in the said Charter for the better support of his Ducal State and Honour all which thô some lay in other Counties were thereby made part of the Dutchy of Cornwall And further by Letters Patents dated the same day he granted unto him the Stanneries in Cornwall together with the Coinage of Tynn and all the Issues and Profits thence arising as also the Profits and Perquisits of the Courts of the Stanneries except only a 1000 Marks granted to William Montagu then Earl of Salisbury and his Heirs out of the Issues thereof till Lands were provided for the said Earl of that yearly Value And afterwards granted that all the Castles Honours Mannors Lands and Tenements belonging to the Dukedom or Earldom of Cornwall which were held in Dower or for term of Life or Years whose Reversions belonged to the King should remain to this Prince as Duke still as they fell and to the Eldest Sons of him and his Heirs as Dukes of the foresaid Dukedom After this in the Parliament held in the Seventeenth of this King his Father he n 12 Maii Car. 17. Ed. 3. m. 24. n. 27. Created him Prince of Wales and invested him with a Coronet a Gold Ring and a Silver Rod And the better to support his State as Prince of Wales he gave him several Lands which are all particularly enumerated in a Writt directed to William Emeldon to deliver them unto this Prince or his Attourney He also gave him all Debts and Arrears of Foreign Rents due to himself for what cause soever in North-Wales and South-Wales to the time of his being created Prince of Wales as also all Victuals Arms Horses and other Cattel Goods and Chattels in all the Castles and Lands which he held by the Kings Grant. After all which this Noble Prince was made Knight of the Garter at the First Institution of that Famous Order and lastly Prince of Aquitain in France and for his Courage and Conduct his Policy and Courtesie became in time the most Renowned Captain in the World being for his Dreadfull Deeds in War as most agree sirnamed by the French le Neoir or the Black-Prince VI. In these Days the Young King of England finding himself a Father began indeed to play the Man and thô he was then but 18 Years of Age takes a resolution to govern his Realm no more by Others but Himself in Person hearing and learning the Truth in weighty Affairs and distributing Justice and Mercy to such who should lay the best claim to either But while Mortimer held his present Station 't was not possible the King should be Master of his own Purposes Now therefore to him we hasten who seems already to have been too long free from that Vengeance which always pursues ambitious and bloody Traitors Of his Treachery and Cruelty we had no small Instances before But by a certain fatal Ordinance that wicked Men must of themselves advance and further their own Ruine his insupportable Arrogance and too opiniative Security thence proceeding was the chief Occasions of his suddain Downfall In the Quindenes of St. Michael the King holding a Parliament at Nottingham Mortimer appear'd in such splendour and so well attended that he became both the Envy and Terror of all the Kings Friends no man durst name him by any other Title than his new-acquired but much-envy'd one the Earl of March And his Interest and possessions bound those to him whom his Power could not move For in these days he bore such sway that he obtain'd whatever he had a mind to as appears by these following Grants from the Young King who by his o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. Cart. 4. Ed. 3. n. 64. Charter dated this Year besides all he had got before granted unto him the Castle and Mannor of Hanley with the Chaces of Malverne and Cors in the Counties of Worcester and Glocester also the Town of Wiche in Worcestershire with the Castle of Clifford and Mannor of Glasebury part of the Possessions of Hugh Spencer the younger not yet free from
The Scotch Preparations against the War which they expected from England V. King Edward's Provision against them and a Parliament at York VI. The King's Sister Married to the Earl of Gueldre The young Earl of Kent dies The Queen deliver'd of a Daughter I. ON the 27 a M. S. Rot. Parl. p. 16. c. Sr. Rob. Cotten p. 11. c. of April being the Monday after the Feast of St. George AN. DOM. 1332. An. Regni VI. King Edward held his Parliament again at Westminster where that we may see what Prudent Care was taken in those days by that August Assembly that their Debates should not be aw'd by Fear nor disturbed by Tumults it was first by the King's Order proclaim'd that no Man on pain of forfeiting all his substance should presume to use or wear any Coat of Plate or other Weapon offensive or defensive in London Westminster or the Suburbs of the same And also that during the time of this Session no Games or other plays of men women or children should be used in Westminster to the disturbance of the Parliament Here also once for all we shall mention the Laudable Custom of Parliaments in these days whereby they had certain appointed not only to be Receivers but also Tryers of Petitions who were to enquire of matter of Fact expressed in the Petition that so it might be cleared and rightly stated before it came to be debated in full Parliament But the first day nothing more was done except the Proclamation aforesaid because the Archbishop of Canterbury and Others were not yet come After this Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury and John b Vid. Gedwâ—n's Catal. Bpâ— Philipet's Catal. Chancellors Stratford Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellour of England began to open the Parliament and by way of Oration shew'd how the French King as then intended a Voyage into the Holy Land and desired the King's Company in that pious Enterprise Which caused his Majesty thus to call them together at this time Then Sr. Geoffry Scroop of Masham in the King's Presence and at his Command declared further that it was as well to redress the Breaches of the Laws and his Peace as for the Voyage to the Holy Land that he had called them together The Prelates alledging that it did not properly belong to their Function to be present at Criminal Debates with a Proviso of reserving their Rights still to themselves and Successors withdrew with the Proctors of the Clergy to consult together by themselves And the c Les Dits Countz Barâ—â—s Grauntz par eux Mesmes Ita in Recordo Earls Barons and other Grandees consulted by themselves apart as also did the Commons they at that time d M. S. p. 17. §. 9. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 12. §. â—0 having no Speaker of their own As for the King's Voyage to the Holy Land it was thought as yet too Early for his Years and the Good of his Realm to be undertaken and therefore 't was resolv'd it should be defer'd for three Years As to the Treaty of Peace with France by way of Marriage which we mention'd in the foregoing Parliament Sr. Geoffry Scroop now declaring that the French King had assured our Ambassadors that if his Majesty would in Person go over to him in order to an amicable Conference he should find nothing but Friendship and Honour at his Hands Upon this Declaration Sr. Geoffry requiring their advice was answer'd that for those Reasons with his Majesties good liking they agreed he should pass the Seas and therefore would humbly Request him to defer his Personal Expedition into Ireland for one Year but yet so as that an Army should be sent thither And then as to matters relating to the Conservation of the King's Peace the Lords and e Les Grauntz Great Men returning declare by the Mouth of the Lord Henry Beaumont how they think fit that certain Justices be appointed in every County with Power to set Officers in every Town who by the Assistance of the Constables should apprehend all guilty or suspicious Persons and make Publique Hue and Cry. And further it was Enacted by Authority of the King Prelates Lords and Commons that sentence of Excommunication should be published in all Churches and Chappels throughout the Realm against all Breakers of the King's Peace or their Abettors And also Power was granted to dispence with all Obligations made by Word Oath or Bond relating to the countenancing or concealing of any Violators of the Peace To such an Heighth of Insolence had some ill Subjects grown in the Minority of this King that he was fain not only to go in Person to suppress them as I shew'd before but now also to draw forth both the Civil and Spiritual Sword against them But I must not here omit what I find in the Remembrances of this Parliament that in a Debate held between Sr. John Grey of Rotherfield and Sr. William de la Zouch before the King and his Council they grew to such high Words that at last Sr. John drew his Dagger upon Sr. William in the Presence For which presumption they were both commanded to Prison althô they were Barons of the Realm And being afterwards brought forth to answer the Contempt upon equal hearing the said Sr. William was acquitted but Sr. John Remanded to Prison there to remain during his Majesties Pleasure Thus like a Wise Builder did this Monarch begin with a firm Foundation as thinking it Necessary to Govern well at Home before he could Expect to Conquer abroad II. And surely now was Fate busied not a little in preparing Matter for his Sword France was not yet Ripe and Ireland was not Worthy enough to employ so Noble an Arm but Scotland to its unhappy Honour did both seem a more equal Enemy and by its Evil Genius was already hasting to rush into that War which of it self came too soon upon them But because hitherto I have not seen any Author either Foreign or Domestick that seems fully to understand the Cause of King Edward's Invading that Realm some saying he did it out of Interest which that he might do partly I shall not deny f Polyder Virgil c. others that demanding Barwick as his Right and being refus'd he made that Refusal an occasion of breaking the Peace I shall now therefore Faithfully and Distinctly set down all that I have learn'd of this Matter and leave it to the Decision of the Impartially Judicious King Edward had hitherto kept the Quadriennial Peace most punctually saving only that he hindred not those of his Subjects who claim'd Lands in Scotland which by peaceable Means they could not enjoy from using their best endeavours thô without the least help from him for the Recovery of their Right Nay we find it expresly mention'd to his Honour g Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 51. a. ex Claus 4. Ed. 3. m. 12. that these English Adventurers undertaking that War without his leave for
won't feed the Sheep thô Odoricus * An. 1330. n. 40. Rainaldus says he intended all this for the Holy War. But whatever this his Avarice brought him to after Death 't is certain his Successor Pope Benedict made no ill use of that ill gotten Treasure but kept great Hospitality and bestowed much in Magnificent Buildings and Design'd many Great and Worthy Matters indeed some whereof took no Effect thô a special Occasion seem'd to be offer'd now at this time by the coming of the King of France and those with him Upon their first Arrival his Holiness and the College of Cardinals Received them with much Honour and Respect appointing for them all according to their Quality convenient Lodgings at Villeneufe without the Town After whom within few days came thither f Vict. rellus James 1 Vol. p. 871. sed Pedro apud Frois Alphonso Rainald ad Baron 1335. n. 39. recte Alphonso King of Aragon also as well on the same Design with the others as to require the Popes Assistance in the adjusting of Matters between James King of Majorica and himself relating to Sardinia and Corsica for * Victorellus ibid. which Received on the Conditions which Pope Boniface the VIII had imposed he had by his Ambassadors done Homage to Pope Innocent Predecessor to this Benedict While these Great Personages remain'd thus at Avignion Highly Honoured and Entertain'd by the Court of Rome tidings came that in Granada Prussia Palestine Armenia and Greece the Enemies of God became strong that the Africans and Saracens of Granada infested Spain the Turks Grecia the Egyptians and Babylonians Armenia that Orchanes especially and his Captains had Wonderfull Success against Christianity that well nigh all the Realm of g Rascia vulgò le Rasce pars Regni Hungariae late sumpti c. Rascia was overrun by the Infidels and that the King thereof being a Christian was by them most Barbarously Martyr'd and put to Death These News greatly Afflicted the Hearts of all those Christian Worthies insomuch that the Pope himself on the Good-Fryday following Preached before the Kings and Princes a Passion-Sermon with much Devotion Wherein after he had most feelingly set forth the Wonderfull Condescention of our Lord Jesus for our Sakes the unspeakable Extremity of the Pains he underwent for us and at last even Death it self a most bitter and Ignominious Death the Memory whereof was continually with most sorrowfull Compunction Recorded by all good Christians in especial Manner on that day after this and more to the like Purpose he earnestly Exhorted his Royal Auditory in Pious Gratitude for all these transcending Benefits to adventure now something for their Gracious Lord and Masters Sake with Christian Courage to undertake his Battles and with the Hazard of their Frail Bodies to oppose the Enemies of his most Holy Religion the Blasphemers of his Great and Glorious Name To all which he added the Examples of many Christian Princes their Predecessors the Everlasting Renown that would recommend their Names to Posterity the Great Rewards they would purchase thereby as here an Absolution from all their Sins and in the end an Eternal Weight of Glory All the Princes but especially King Philip were sensibly moved by this Pious and Eloquent Harangue which was insinuated with very Pathetical Applications exaggerated with many Figurative Expressions Illustrated with much Copiousness of Language and Variety of Historical Instances but above all deliver'd with so much Zeal and shining with so much Truth and Sincerity that it easily made way into the very Souls of those who came before with a good Affection to the Cause So that what thrô Pity joyn'd with Royal Courage what thrô the Hopes of worldly Honour and Eternal Felicity what thrô the Confidence of sufficient Assistance and the Feasability of the Matter first of all King Philip Bravely professes himself a Champion of Christ and Vows to take upon him the Croisade Especially having consider'd in his Mind that long since this same Matter had busied his Thoughts thô he could never absolutely fix upon it till now for want of sufficient Motives and Leisure from other Affairs His Holiness highly Applauded this Heroick Resolution and besides a Liberal Assistance in Money promised to all the Undertakers a Plenary Indulgence and full Absolution ab omni poenâ culpâ From which Encouragement and the Example of so great a King were moved to the same Resolution John K. of Bohemia Philip King of Navarre Alphonso King of Aragon and many Dukes Earls Barons Knights and Esquires with four Cardinals h Victorell p. 880. Talayrand Earl of Perigort Cardinal of St. Peter ad Vincula titulo Eudoxiae Prior of the Priests Neapoleo Cardinal of St. Adrian Prior of the Deacons Gauceline Bishop Cardinal of Alby a City of Gallia Narbonensis and Bertrand de le Puy Bishop of i Lloyds Peet Diction tit Ostia Ostia which latter by right is Senior Cardinal and is by his Place to Crown the Popes of Rome Presently hereupon was the Croisade published thrô all Christendom whereat as many as were truly Pious or Valiant rejoyced Highly those supposing Religion would be much Advanced thereby and these hoping to purchase Immortal Honour by their Deeds of Arms and Noble Chevalry The whole business therefore being thus thoroughly agreed on at Avignion the Kings and the other Grandees having taken their leave went their ways to provide for this Weighty Affair King k Frois ibid. Philip went along with the King of Aragon as far as Monpellier at which place he tarried a while till he had made a full Reconciliation and Peace between the King of Aragon and the King of Majorica After which Christian Work he returned by small journeys but with great Expence into France visiting his Towns and Castles as he went thrô Auvergne Berry Beausse and Gastinois till he came to Paris where he was Received with Great Triumphs and Feastings At that time the Kingdom of France was very Puissant and Flourishing with Nobility Gentry and good Men of War as also with much Plenty and Riches the Consequences of a long Peace and Prosperity But besides this the Pope gave that King a Large Assistance in Money and promised much more but especially he Granted him a l Knighton p. 2567. Tenth of his own Subjects for m Victorell 1 Vol. p. 865. §. c. six Years to come towards this intended War Such was the Policy of Popes whereby they came by Degrees to so great Authority over Princes for first they granted things gratefull to them Kings being willing to connive at these their Encroachments which were so profitable to themselves and afterwards they pleaded prescription to dispose Matters as well against as with the Pleasure of Christian Monarchs King Philip indeed gave his Oath to his Holiness not to put these sexennial Tythes to any other use except that of this Holy War Thô afterwards he either forgot or dispensed with this Oath
so well that they can best of all Men living advise You what Friends to have recourse to and by what means you may oblige them to your Side VI. The King was so well satisfied with this Answer that forthwith e Frois ibid. Walsingh hist p. 118. Ashmole p. 646. he sends over to his Father-in-Law that right Politick Prelate Henry Burwash Lord Bishop of Lincoln with two Banerets the Lord William Montagu and the Lord William Clinton and many other Nobles besides two other Doctors learned in the Laws All who with a fair Wind arrived at Dunkirk and thence riding thrô Flanders came to Valenciennes the chief City of Heinalt where they found the Old Earl lying on his Bed sick of the Gout and the Lord John his Brother with him They were highly entertained and respected by the Earl and his Brother for the sake of him that sent them whereupon having distinctly shew'd the cause of their coming with King Edwards Pretensions to the Crown of France and all his Reasons and Scruples on either Hand they were thus answer'd by the Earl. So God bless me as I should heartily rejoyce if King Edward's Designs might take a full and happy Effect For I rather desire the Prosperity of him who hath married my Daughter than of him who thô I have married his Sister yet never did any thing of Good for me or mine Nay he was the occasion of hindering the young Duke of Brabant from marrying one of my Daughters as he desired to do Wherefore I shall be so far from failing to aid my Dear and Well-beloved Son the King your Master that I shall always be ready to the best of my Power to further his Undertakings both by Prudent Advice and Warlike Assistance Nor do I at all doubt but that my Brother Sr. John will do the same who has not been slothfull in his Service to the King your Master before this But alas our Country of Heinalt is too too inconsiderable in respect of the flourishing Realm of France And if we of our selves should once provoke the French Arms upon us England you know is too far off to afford us any timely Assistance Upon this the Bishop of Lincoln answered thus unto the Earl. Sir We most heartily in our Royal Masters Name return you our Thanks for the great Affection you are pleased to bear unto his Affairs and humbly desire you to give our Lord the King of England your Advice whose Friendship he had best have recourse to for their Assistance in this weighty Concern especially of such who are your Neighbours and border upon the Realm of France That thereby we may not only be render'd more Powerfull to prosecute this our Master's quarrel but your Country also may be more strongly Protected against any Violence which otherwise it might suffer for our sakes Surely Gentlemen repli'd the Earl I cannot for the present think of any more Puissant in War nor more surely my Friends nor more likely to be His than the Noble Duke of Brabant his Cosin-German the Earl of Gueldre who hath Married his Sister the Bishop of Liege the Archbishop of Colen the Marquis of Juliers Sr. Arnold of Baquehen Sr. Valeran his Brother and the Lord of Faulquemont For these Lords as they are well addicted to your Masters Interest so are they the only Men that at the shortest warning can Raise the greatest Numbers of good Souldiers of any I know They are all good Captains and well enclin'd to War especially against France which is near at hand if your Master can prevail with them to begin once being all together able to serve him with 10000 Men of Arms if they may have wages accordingly And then if he please to come this way 't is but passing the Water of Oyse and he is in King Philip's Dominions VII This was the Effect of this first Essay which when King Edward heard he was well satisfied and resolved to push on the business with all Speed and Vigour possible As for those English Ambassadors who were then in France they were now remanded home because King Edward understood f Walsing Hypod p. 114. n. 1. that while they were treating of a Peace King Philip had sent a well-rigg'd Fleet to the Assistance of the Scots against him Now the Admiral of this Navy for the French was g Ashmole p. 677. David Bruce the exil'd King of Scotland who did much mischief to the English Merchants about the Isle of Wight and besides had already enter'd the Isles of Garnsey and Jarsey and put divers of the Inhabitants to the Sword. Wherefore King Edward immediately h 11 Decemb. Rot. Scot. 10. Ed. 3. m. 3. gave Commission to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Henry Plantagenet Son to Henry Earl of Lancaster and others himself being then at Bothwell in Scotland so busied in the Affairs of that Realm that he could not be at the meeting appointed to treat with certain Prelates and others whom he had commanded to meet at London on Wednesday after New-years day following upon Matters relating to the Defence and safety of the Kingdom repulsion of the Enemies and other things concerning the State of the King and his Realm as also seriously and fully to acquaint them with the Kings Intensions to Ordain and do all things referring thereunto and to His Honour as if he were there Personally present Nor indeed was the King of Englands Design i Frois c. 28. wholly unknown to King Philip of France for whether by meer Suspicion or more certain Information the matter began by little and little to take wind so much that presently the Mighty Zeal for the Holy War grew cold in France of a sudden and King Philip countermanded all his Officers from making any farther Preparations till he might see whither King Edward's Designes would tend But before I proceed with those matters I shall rid my hands of some things which falling about this time are fittest here to be inserted Only I must not omit that k Od. ric Rainald ad An. 1336. § 46. Pope Benedict seeing how matters began to go between the two Kings sent by the hands of his Nuntio Philip de Camberlake his Letters bearing date the x Kal. Decemb. to both the Kings endeavouring to perswade them to an Accommodation but especially he sought to pacifie King Edward's enflamed mind and exhorted him to put away from him the Lord Robert of Artois who continually stirr'd him up to the War besides which he wrote to Queen Philippa and the Archbishop of Canterbury that they would use their endeavours to bring the King to Terms But all was too late King Edward was too far exasperated by the Insolence of his Adversary And thus the War began to break out between England and France than which hardly ever any was either of more long continuance or of more Fatal Consequence to Christendom VIII On the l Adam Marimouth 14 of September or
with the said Emperour the Year following V. Thus strongly did King Edward prepare before he would Commence a War against so Powerfull a Monarch all which thô it prov'd in a manner unprofitable and thô little or nothing of all his Glorious Actions was really performed but by his own Forces as we shall shew hereafter Yet his great Prudence appears sufficiently from these Instances of his Foresight and Conduct and that he was not Rash nor Presumptuous but Resolute with Deliberation Yet next to God he reposed his chief Confidence in the Valour of his own Subjects and now as well to Reward past Services as to give Encouragement to new Ones in a Parliament held at Westminster * Knighton p. 2568. n. 50. about the Feast * â— e 12 Martii of St. Gregory the Pope and Confessor he converted the Earldom of Cornwall void by the Death of the Lord John of Eltham his Brother into a Dukedom and confer'd it on his Eldest Son and Heir Prince Edward who was now but six Years of Age x Ashmole p. 671. investing him by the sword only together with the County Palatinate of Chester adding shortly after such Mannors and Priviledges to this Title y Dugd. Warw. p. 90. which were for the future to be inseperable and to descend perpetually to the Eldest Sons of the Kings of England his Successors but upon the Death or Non-existence of such Dukes to revert unto the Crown And z Ashmole ibid. this was the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England The Charter of this Creation bears date the 17 of March but other particulars of this Matter I have already spoken of when I was about the Birth of this young Prince On the day preceding the King created the Lord Henry a Vid. Dugd. Bar. ad horum singulerum nâ—nana c. Knighton p. 2568 n. 60. Adam Muriâ—â—uth Will. Shâ—psteed Sr Tâ—â— de la Mâ—re Plantagenet Son to the Earl of Lancaster Earl of Darby and the Lord William Montague at the same time he made Earl of Salisbury with a grant of the yearly Rent of 20 l. out of the Profits of that County also the Lord William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon with a grant of a 1000 Marks Land per annum for him and his Heirs-male for ever besides 20 l. Rent also issuing out of the Profits of that County for his better support in that Dignity At the same time the Lord Hugh Audley Cosin to the Lord James Audley was created Earl of Glocester the Lord Hugh Courtney an old tough Souldier of almost Fourscore was now created Earl of Devonshire thô he was made so by Writ two Years before as we have shewed Besides these the Lord Robert Hufford was made Earl of Suffolk and the Lord William Bohun Earl of Northampton to the Earl of Northampton shortly after the King gave a Grant of the Castle Mannor and Town of Stamford with the Lordship of Grantham in Lincolnshire which John Warren Earl of Surrey held for Life also of the Castle and Mannor of Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire and of the Castle and Mannor of Okeham in Rutland with the Sheriffalty of the said County to hold to himself and the Heirs-Male of his Body under certain conditions in the said Grant expressed The extent whereof may be f Esc 14. Ed. 3. n. 67. Linc. seen in the Record To the Earl of Suffolk the King gave over and above an annuity of twenty pounds sub nomine honore Comitis pro tertio Denario Comitatûs illius which anciently belonged to all Earls the Honour g Mill's Catal. Honor. p. 528. of Eay in Suffolk and the Mannor of Base-Court in the Parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate in London commonly called the Barbican * Stow's Survey of Lond. Hist p. 233. because of old it had been a Burgkenning or Watch-Tower for the City Many like Advantages together with their Honours the King at this time heap'd on the rest of these Noble and Valiant Earls at which time also the young Duke of Cornwall afterwards Prince of Wales made h 24. Adam Marim Stow p. 233. Holinsh p. 900. twenty new Knights to wit Sr. Edward Montague Brother to the Earl of Salisbury and Simon i Godw. Catal. Dpps. p. 268. Montague Bishop of Ely Sr. Thomas Somerton Sr. John Lisle Son to Robert Lord Lisle Sr. Richard Darcy Sr. Damorie Sr. John Poultney Sr. Peter de la Mere Sr. Roger Banant Sr. Roger Hilary Sr. Bolingbroke Sr. Buterell Sr. Simon Swanland Sr. William k Weevers Fun. Monum p. 269. Scott Sr. William Basset Sr. Robert Sodington Sr. William de la Zouch Sr. Cogshall Sr. Roger Sangraville Sr. John Strachie and Sr. Thomas de la More who wrote in French the Life and Death of Edward the Second and also of our Edward the Third both which are Extant in Latine thô the latter is not yet published What we said of the Woollen Manufacture in the Fourth Paragraph of the preceding Chapter some will have to have been done in this Parliament the matter is all one let the time be now or then for by these l Vid. Statute Book An. xi Ed. 3. p. 77. Laws which gave so great Encouragement to Foreign Clothworkers to come hither and also prohibited that none should buy any Cloth made beyond Sea the occupation of Cloth-Weevers soon came in quest more than ever before in this Nation Sr. John Charleton m Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 72. Senior Lord of Powys a Man highly Esteemed for his Fidelity Prudence and Valour was at this time constituted Justice of Ireland the Lord n Id. 1 Vol. p. 371 Darcy being then Steward of the Kings Houshold and otherwise employ'd in the Kings Affairs and accordingly in October following o Chron. Job Clinne i.e. 14 Octob. E Dom. Lit. on the Festival of St. Calixt the Pope and a Tuesday he arrived safely there with his Brother Thomas Bishop of Hereford Chancellor and Thomas Rice Treasurer of Ireland and two Hundred lusty Welchmen But whether for any just cause or no in the Year following the Bishop p Godw. Catal. Bpps. p. 458. Holinshead Ireland p. 71. his Brother complaining to the King by Letters of Sr. Johns Misgovernment was himself appointed in his Room and further made Guardian or Deputy of that Realm But the Affairs of Ireland I shall not prosecute because I haste to more Considerable and Weighty Matters referring the Reader to Holinshead and others who may satisfie them of those things And forasmuch as there were sundry q Ex Bundello Pricrat Alienigenarum Ano. 11. Ed. 3. fisco applicaterum Vid. Clem. Reyneri Apâ—stel Benedictinerum in Appen Par. 2. p. 71. Weever's Fun. Monum p. 328. Priories at that time in England belonging to Foreign Abbeys and thereupon called Aliens because they were Cells to some Monastery or other beyond the Seas the Number whereof
Rob. Cottoos Abridgment of the Records p. 143. Rex Charissimo Filio suo Richardo Principi Walliae c. But I believe this Place being thrô Age obscur'd and so left to Conjecture was for hast mistaken in that manner John Earl of Kent with any of the Blood Royal. 4. To make Restitution for any Dammage he tender'd to King Philip as much Mony as he should in reason demand 5. He also proffer'd to take a Voyage to the Holy Land with the King of France if he would restore his Lands unto him 6. To go the Voyage if he would restore but Half or Some of those Lands 7. To take the Voyage with him if he would but make Restitution after his Return Or 8. Lastly to take the Voyage singly by Himself so that at his Return he would restore him his Right These Overtures with many others which the King or his Council could think of were offer'd to the King of France in Order to a Peace with this General Proposal beside That if any one could think of any other way tending to an Accommodation He would be ready to accept thereof But all was in vain for King Philip on the contrary not only still held his Lands beyond Sea but excited and maintained the Scots against him and also by his Navy did much Mischief at Sea. I wholly here pass by the Matters of Scotland till a more convenient Opportunity for fear of interrupting the Thread of our History especially because all was done there by snatches and fits and intervalls King Bailiol with various Fortune contending to keep on his Head a Crown more full of Thorns than of Jewels X. Now the o Ashmole p. 649. Pope perceiving that the storm of War was ready to break forth to the great Hazard of the Interest of Christendom sent into England about the Feast of St. Martin p Victorelius Ciacon 1 Vol. p. 862. §. 24. p. 857. §. 4. Holinshead Engl. Chr. p. 901. c. Pedro Priest Cardinal of St. Praxeda and q Vid. Odoric Rainald ad An. 1337. §. 15. ubi Papalis Commissio his Cardinalibus facta Bertrand Deacon Cardinal of St. Mary in Aquiro to use their best Endeavours to compose the Differences now growing High between the two Kings For the more Honourable Reception of these Christian Peacemakers according to the Kings Order the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Winchester Ely Chichester Coventry and Lichfield with the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London went forth and met them on Shooters Hill. The young Duke of Cornwall with the Earl of Surrey and many other of the Nobility received them a Mile without the City and the King himself met them at the lesser Hall-door of his Palace at Westminster and carried them into the Painted Chamber where they deliver'd their Message Hereupon the King caused a Parliament to be summon'd to meet him at Westminster on the Morrow after Candlemas day r Ashmole p. 649. till which time upon the Cardinals Mediation thô Peace could not be effected a Truce was agreed on Nor ſ Odoric Rainald ad An. 1337. §. 20. yet was Peace the only business about which these Cardinals came but the Priviledges and Immunities of the Church as appears by the Popes Letter to the King bearing Date IX Kal. Julii An o Pontificatûs III. However these Cardinals thô they came to make Peace were not yet rightly prepared for the Work For they made it evidently appear that they were more concern'd for the King of France and so not fit to be as indifferent Composers of Matters between the two Kings And this was notoriously demonstrated by t Walsing Hist p. 146. Edit Franc. n. 20. Bertrand the French Cardinal in a Sermon of his ad Clerum wherein he could not forbear putting a false Gloss upon King Edward's Actions and Adorning and Gilding King Philip's cause till the Archbishop of Canterbury not able to endure his Insolence rose up and confuted all his Arguments and Publiquely declared his Assertions to be vain false and frivolous And from that time it was the Common talk in England that the King of England had a Right to the Crown of France which he intended to claim and pursue This u Gesta PPae Benedicti XII apud Besqu M.S. Bibl. Vatican sign n. 3765. in Ben. XII Odoric Rainald ad hune An. §. 30. Year on the third of June there was a certain Fryer named Franciscus de Pistorio of the Order of the Minors deliver'd over to the Secular Power and burnt as an Heretick at Venice for persisting in this Assertion That Christ and his Disciples possessed nothing either in Proper or in Common the Contrary to which Pope John XXII had determin'd in the Constitution which begins Cum inter Nonnullos CHAPTER the ELEVENTH The CONTENTS I. A Parliament the Cardinals return into France together with Commissioners from King Edward II. Whose Overtures being by the French rejected King Edward with a Fleet of 500 Ships sets sail for Flanders and arrives at Antwerp whither he Summons his Allies with whom he holds a Parliament which begets another at Halle III. King Edward sends from thence an Embassy to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria and invites his Queen to come over from England to him she is soon after her coming deliver'd at Antwerp of her Third Son named Lionell Prince Thomas of Brotherton the Kings Vncle dies An English Lord's Son that was Born beyond Sea Naturalized IV. An Enterview between the Emperour and the King of England the latter being made Vicar-General of the Empire by the Former V. King Edward calls a Parliament of his Allies in Brabant with the effects thereof VI. A day appointed whereon all the Confederates are to come with their several Quota's to the King of England AN. DOM. 1338. An. Regni XII who keeps his Court the mean while at Antwerp The Duke of Brabant keeps fair with the French King. VII Prince Edward of England Duke of Cornwal holds two Parliaments in the King his Fathers Absence For whom he obtains a Mighty aid The English Navy reinforced with sixty Sail. I. ON the third of February or the Morrow after Candlemas-day the Parliament began where the Truce was Prorogued a Ashmole p. 649. to the First of March following b Holinshead p. 902. The Laity at the same time granted to the King the One half of their Woolls throughout the whole Realm for the next Summer which he received Graciously and also he Levied of the Clergy the whole causing them to pay nine Marks of every Sack of the best Wooll but after the Rate of the One half he took in whose hands soever it was found as well Merchants as others according to the foresaid Grant So that of the Abbey of Leicester only as c Knighton p. 2570. Knighton one of that House witnesses he had no less then 18 Sacks After d Holinshead ibid. this he
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.
intend to the Cause of our Saviour which is neglected and may thereby be attributed to the great shame and ignominy of every Christian King thô never so well deserving But we know not for what Offence it happens that from the meek Offers of Peace from whence Friendship ought to arise there hath grown a Swelling of greater Anger and Obstinacy in our Persecutors Mind against Us Thô God and our Conscience bearing Us witness We have not provoked Him by any one fact or attempt made by Us against Him. Nay the Eyes of all the World our publique Witnesses do see with how many and great Indignities our foresaid Persecutor who stiles himself King of France doth daily wound and defalcate Us and our Rights He is at this Present an Invader and unjust Usurper of the Realm of France it self which is known to belong to Us by all true Right of Succession not having been asham'd to withhold by Force that Crown which he ought rather to claim by Law and Equity We being called and heard thô We were a Male and it could no way be doubted but that We were a Person principally concern'd in the Matter and Our Right was as Notorious in that very Realm as it is founded on the Law of Nature The matter of Fact being Evident that Philip of Famous Memory late King of France Father of Charles King of France last-deceased and of the most Serene Lady Isabella Queen of England Our Mother was our Grandfather And that to the same Charles at the time of his Death no Male living of those who together with him descended from the same Philip was nearer than Our Selves And thô the Female Person by Custom Anciently observed in that Kingdom be rendred uncapable of inheriting that Crown this Law being principally intended for the Good of the Realm that under a frail Womans Government the Kingdom should not fall to ruine thô it excludes the Person of the Woman doth not yet exclude the Person of the Male descending from the Woman thus excluded d d Here a Clause of which I can make no good Sense is left out Beside by the foresaid Law the Female Frailty is excluded from the Kingdom that the Realm may be more Advantagiously provided for and the nearest Male be admitted Or else let him be admitted rather to that Right who doth not primarily proceed from the Mother so excluded but is to be look'd on as a Nephew propagated Originally from the Grandfather otherwise there would follow another absurdity of Injustice that the Collaterals of the same Line should be excluded and a more Remote Kinsman call'd in when by the very Natural Law of Nations Brothers and Sisters and their Children are in mutual Succession still Prefer'd to other Collaterals of another Line And thence the said Law arose in Favour of Kings and Hate of the Females Inability to Reign not that by the Injury done to the Female an Occasion also should be taken of Injuring the Male Descendant Nor yet is it to be thought that the intention of this Law could be so unjust as to condemn the Mother and the Son being of another Country Nay rather on the contrary by that very Judgement of the Law whereby the Mother is remov'd from the Succession the Son being seated in his Mothers Place and supplying her deficiency the Succession devolves unto him Just as a Son steps into the Right and Degree of his Father deceased so as to be admitted to the Succession of his Father among his Fathers Brethren Then well may the disconsolate Mother thô by the foresaid Rigour of the Law divested of her Royal Inheritance Rejoyce again and be Comforted that her Son is so substituted in her Place Nor then is Affliction added to Affliction which the Sacred Consideration of the Law abhorreth as we see even where the Law hath not laid an easie Burden of Affliction but a case in the Law which condemns that customary Law that yields the goods of shipwrack'd Persons to another Because it there expresly corrects it by this reason that we should avoid adding to Affliction much more for that very Reason is it forbid Let it therefore satisfie this Law of France that from a Mother more then Pregnant who yet was not made a Woman by any of her own fault but by necessity of Nature it fully cuts off the Root of Royalty And that so the Mother by the Law of her Disherison doth expresly suffer as it were a certain Shipwrack But let it not also be cruelly and against all Right concluded that she is in the Person of her disinherited Son to suffer a second and a worser Shipwrack or that without a Fault the Punishment should be doubled when even where a Fault is the Punishment ought to be mitigated Otherwise if because the Mother is not Lawfully admitted to the Throne the Son must be understood to be Lawfully expelled from the Throne Then had not the Kingdom of the Jews of Right belonged to the Holy Jesus which is against the Foundation of our Faith to assert Who notwithstanding he was the Son of God begotten in a Mystery without the Company of a Man of a Female of the Royal Stem of David even of the Virgin Mary who her self was not admitted to the Kingdom nor perhaps ought she to be admitted yet by the undoubted certainty of Faith became the True and Lawfull King of the Jews And God forbid that this Royal Succession of King Jesus should be either an untying or breaking of the Legal Observance since he came not to break the Law but to fulfill it Wherefore this most Excellent Instance of Lawfull Succession by Right of the Mother may reasonably put to silence the pretended Reasons of the Enemies of our Right in the said Kingdom of France That the Saviour of the World and We a Poor Mortal Sinner whom parity of reason as to this reconciles together may not be separated as to Our Lawfull Degree and Order of Succession by any vain Constitution or forced Interpretation of humane Laws And yet for all this there was not only not any due Citation of Us made nor our Defence thô in a Matter so highly Prejudicial to Our Right admitted but also Our Proctors who instantly desired that they might Legally appear for Us and Our Title were so far from being allowed an equitable Hearing as that they were rudely and unjustly repelled with horrible Menaces of no less than present Death Wherefore their Procedure thô the Deed of the Twelve Peers of France hinders Our said Title nothing at all since as to Us who were then Weak and in Our Minority they laying by the part of indifferent Judges perform'd the Office of Thieves and Robbers Whose Process thus made against Us to Our Prejudice even Our very Minority renders invalid in the Law. For neither could it have been effectual had it been made against an Adult Person that Just Defence being so deny'd which to every Freeman is allow'd
even by the Law of Nature which neither any Prince nor any Law ought to infringe Besides it is now publiquely known every where how in Our Dukedom of Aquitain he has invaded and violated Our Rights flying upon our Lands and wasting those he could take Which having joyned to those he had seised before and without any Fear of God saying that he has Law at Will he still most injuriously detains As for the Scots whom the Rights of Ancient Times had made subject to Our Crown they by the Disloyal madness of Rebellion kicking against their Natural Lord were guilty of High Treason a Fault which they have continued down from Our Predecessors even unto Us. Yet with these that they might be the more enabled to offend Us he has in despight of Us enter'd a League Cherishing and Maintaining them in so ungratefull and black a Crime against Us thô by Right of Blood and Nature he ought rather to stand on our side And when all these Premises did not satisfie his unsatiate desire of abusing Us having collected all the Forces he could possibly bring together he prepared unawares to swallow Us up with the torrent of his Anger desiring to remove Us out of the World because perhaps by his own evil Designs against Us he measured Ours against him Thô none can justly collect or measure Our Intentions by meer Conjecture since we have not done any Act meriting such an Opinion Moreover not well resenting the Gift of Divine Providence bestowed on Us he seems to reckon it an Injury done to him that we live and Reign in Our Kingdom of England and over what else the Lord gave Us to Rule in Prosperity at least but for him in Peace And all this we imagine he hath done only because the People that serveth Us or rather whom we by Our indefatigable Cares do constantly serve have hitherto by the Gift of God continued in Great Glory and Renown Yet these things thô heard and known did not presently move Us but we past them by with a Charitable dissimulation sparing no Labour nor cost to appease his Persecuting Violence against Us and to make as much as in Us lay Our Reign to pass peaceably with him Until we saw his Sword even ready unsheath'd for the Destruction of Us and Ours and prepared for Our utter Extermination And now will any Body perswade Us that such an Uncle so well known to Us and a Prince of such Power thô We were then busied in other Wars ought to be neglected Who being armed with the Right of his own Will and surrounded with a Mighty Power collected from all Parts that he might more freely persecute Us at his Pleasure deserts even the Cause of Christ which he had sworn to maintain What therefore should not a King that even now sees himself and his State in apparent Danger endeavour to do for his own Right and Security Surely he only can tell who knows what such a Man ought not to do who contends only to avoid Injuries and Losses especially in those things that so nearly concern his very Life being Or can that be said to be a light and idle Fear which could shake the Constant Courages even of Noble and Valiant Princes Our Allies only for Our Sakes Much more then ought it to Alarum Us whom only the Preparations of all these terrible things did concern For this Cause therefore even by Natural Impulse being made not voluntary but necessary Defenders of Our own Rights and those of Our Subjects and seeking for the most Prudent Course of Proceeding according to the Military Precepts of the most Illustrious Captains of Antiquity since Hostile Preparations are more dangerously expected at our own Doors than repelled to those of our Enemies We thought it better to meet them that they might not fall upon Us unprepar'd but be stifled where first they had their Birth Not only following the advice but using the Assistance of those whom Consanguinity and Affinity hath joyned unto Us and to whom it as well belonged to prevent together with Us Our Downfall which would even to them have proved little less than Fatal According to these Counsels and by these Aids We resolvedly endeavour to secure Our Selves committing into the Hands of God our Righteous Cause which once We were willing to have refer'd to Your Apostolick See or to any other Good Men indifferent and free from prejudice nothing doubting but that He who sees all things from on High will give a most just Sentence and bring it to pass with the Power of his Sword. Nor do we believe Holy Father that any Equal Umpire or Just Judge can so Interpret or wrest this our Act that what We have done for Our own Defence and the Security of Our Just Rights t t One Clause of which I could make no serse left out he should esteem an Injury or Offence Nay rather we believe and are sure that the true Intention of Our heart will be consider'd and that such a One will weigh in the Balance of unbyass'd judgement what we go about and why we undertake this arduous Affair◠That as the Sanction of the Law teacheth the Deed may not be censur'd from the Words but from the Deed the Words may be consider'd ſ ſ Hic etiam Clausulam emitte eâdem ratione ductus Let therefore all vain Surmises about our Actions be laid aside and let them only take Place in what appears certain but not in uncertain Matters And now perhaps an Accuser who is but a bad Interpreter of Our Actions because We have enter'd Friendship with a Man against whom the Church or the Vicar thereof is said to have proceeded will be apt to say that We do not perform the part of a Brother or an Ally because forsooth We are gaining to Our side such necessary Power whereby We may defend Our Selves from the Dangers that threaten our Ruine and may be enabled to contend for the just obtaining of Our Rights But in the mean time such a One forgets to say that We intend to defend Our Selves and to strive for what is Our own which is the real Truth of the Matter For We are so far from opposing him or favouring any of his Opposers that We should rather of Our Selves without any respect of Danger expose Our Selves for his Honour as becomes the Catholick Piety of Kings Yet thus He accuses Us when yet as the intention of all Equity allows the Final Cause of every Action or the Reason is to be principally attended and from a Knowledge of the Will and Purpose there should arise a distinct and certain Knowledge of the Deed call'd in question and as to humane Actions only the Real Act not the Verbal Conception ought to be weigh'd He forgets to say that of this Matter We only make a shield against him who levell'd a deadly blow at Our Head And that We have done after the Example of a Wise Physician who by his
the very Duty of our Apostolick Employment requires so much of Us but take Order to provide the best Remedy as to the Premises by proceeding against you which will be very troublesom and ungratefull to Us if it shall which God forbid be necessary as Justice so requiring both ought and may be done Given at Avignion under the Seal of the Fisher c. in the i i â—v apud Oderic v Year of our Pontificate on the Ides of November CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward summons the German Lords to meet him at Mechlin in Brabant II. Vpon their Meeting the King and They send their several Defiances to King Philip. III. The Lord Walter Manny begins the War and takes Thin l'Evesque which he garrisons for King Edward The Earl of Salisbury makes an Incursion into the Bishoprick of Liege IV. The King of France's Preparations V. The French Navy burn Southampton VI. King Edward lays Siege to Cambray VII But on News of King Philips Preparations rises and goes forth to meet him putting all to Fire and Sword as he goes VIII The two Kings face one another at Vironfosse in Cambresis A Day appointed for Battle with the Order and Number of both Armies IX The true Reasons why the French declined to fight and the sudden Departure of King Philip. X. King Edward returns to Antwerp where having sent for his Son the Prince to come to him he keeps his Christmas XI A Copy of the Pope's Letter to King Edward to move him to Peace XII King Edwards Answer thereto XIII Two notable Parliaments held at Westminster one by the Prince before his Departure out of England and the other by Commissioners empowered thereto by the King. I. BEfore the Return of this Answer from the Pope AN. DOM. 1339. An. Regni XIII King Edward immediately after the Date of his own Letters began his March to a Frois c. 35. Villenort in Brabant where he lodged his People partly in the Town and partly without in Tents and Pavilions along the River side Here he tarried from the 20th of July till the middle of August still expecting the Coming of the Lords of the Empire his Allies but especially of the Duke of Brabant on whom chiefly the rest did depend as to their resolution in this Matter But when his Patience was almost tired with fruitless expectation he was fain to send once more his special Summons to each of them commanding them to come and meet with him at Mechelen the Metropolis of Brabant on b 1 Septemb. St. Giles his Day following and then and there to shew him the Cause of those ill-boding Delays Now all this while that the King waited thus at Villenort for his Confederates he maintain'd idly at his own Costs and Charges 1600 Men of Arms all English and 10000 Archers of England besides all other necessary Provisions for his Court and beside the great Armies and Garrisons he had in other Places and upon the Seas and beside the vast Summs of Mony which he had dispos'd of to the Lords his Confederates The French King for his part was not unpurvey'd of necessaries for Resistance for beside his formidable Preparations in France Normandy and Aquitain he had set forth a Mighty Fleet of Ships consisting of French Normans Bretons Picards and Spaniards who had Orders as soon as ever the War should be once open and the Defiances made to land on some of the Sea-coasts of England where they could to their best advantage and to put all to Fire and Sword and Rapine So honourable in those days were Christian Princes as thô they manifestly prepared against each other not to begin open War till they had given mutual Warning thereof II. On the first of September or St. Giles his day according to King Edward's Summons these tardy Lords of Almain came all at last to Mechelen unto him where they immediately enter'd upon consideration of the present Affairs There was much Debate among them but in the end it was resolved that the King of England should set forward within fifteen days at farthest and to the intent their Cause should not appear unwarrantable they all agree'd to send their particular Defiances to the French King. First the King of England c Frois ibid. then the Duke of Guerles or Gueldre late Earl and William Earl of Juliers late Marquess but now advanced to higher Dignities by King Edward d Knighton p. 2574. n. 30. 40. then the Lord Robert of Artois the Lord John of Heinalt the Marquesses of Nuys and Blanckeberg the Lord of Faulquemont or Valkenberg as the Dutch call it Sr. Arnold of Baquehen the Archbishop of Colen Sr. Galeace his Brother and the rest of the Lords of the Empire All these had their particular and special Defiances written signed and sealed excepting of all the Confederates the Duke of Brabant only who said He would do the like by himself at his best Convenience Henry Lord Bishop of Lincoln was chosen to carry these Defiances into France being attended with the Herald Windsor who was Principal King at Arms of England in those days These presently carried them to Paris and there Windsor after the Defiances were deliver'd openly defi'd King Philip of Valois in the Name of the King of England his Master and then having Both performed their Business so discreetly that they could not justly incurr any reproach or blame thô inwardly King Philip boiled with Fury they demanded and obtained a safe Conduct and so return'd to the King their Master who tarried for them at Mechlin III. That very Week that the Lord Walter Manny understood for certain how the Defiances had been made he took to him fourty Spears e Frois c. 36. and rode thrô Brabant Night and Day till he came into Heinalt and entred the Wood of Blaton His Resolution and Design was not as yet known to any of his Followers but those few of his Friends only to whom he thought it necessary to Communicate his Purpose and to these he privately confessed how he had promised before some great Ladies in England to be the very first that after the War was Proclaim'd should enter the Confines of France and perform some notable Exploit of Arms That now therefore in pursuance of his Vow he resolves for Mortagne a Town and Fortress on the Confines of Heinalt two Leagues from Tournay towards Valenciennes which belonged then to King Philip and that therefore this he would endeavour to surprise So having passed thrô the Wood of Blaton he came early one Morning before Sunrise to Mortagne where by chance he found the small Door of the Great Gate of the Town standing open Hereupon alighting immediately from his Horse with all his Company having appointed certain to stand still and Guard the Gate against his Return he enter'd with all the rest and went thrô the High-Street with his Banner before him in good close Order till he came to
Peace and Concord would not only be rendred difficult but which God of his infinite Mercy avert impossible And moreover it doth not seem less worthy of consideration how mightily by occasion of the present Wars your Majesties Subjects are as it is said many ways exhausted of their Mony and other their Goods and are like upon continuance of such Burthens which God forbid to be further grieved And that the Event of War is doubtfull but especially upon the Divine Indignation to be feared Wherefore We more earnestly in the Lord require and exhort your Royal Magnificence nevertheless beseeching You by the Mercies of God that taking the Premises and what else may occurr to your Royal Wisdom into your Princely Consideration you may by taking Truce with the said King and renewing the Peace obviate the dangers both of your Self most Dear Son and of your People and so please God who loveth Peace and delighteth in Peace-makers rendring thereby your self more acceptable unto Him and confirming the strength of your whole Kingdom And that therefore you would incline to the wholsom Admonitions and Perswasions of ourdear Sons Peter of the Title of St. Praxedis Priest and Bertrand of St. Mary in Aquiro Deacon Cardinals of the Apostolick See our Nuntio's who are zealous of your Royal Honour and Success and whom we have lately by Advice of our Brethren sent to those Parts for that purpose Truly considering the Premises and that we might prevent the like dangers and innumerable more which are ready to follow from the said Wars and that between You our most Loving Son and the said King who is by the near Tye of Blood and Affinity joyned unto You the fulness of Peace and mutual Charity may flourish We wish with most ardent desires a Reformation of this Peace and if perhaps it cannot be obtained by the Instance of the said Cardinals yet if You O most Dear Son and the said King disposing your selves to mutual Concord acceptable to God amiable to Men profitable to Christendom and many ways the best for both of You will but consent that We also in our own Person should intend as Friendly Moderators to the Reformation of Peace taking a mutual Truce and granting a Cessation from Arms for a convenient time wherein the Treaty of Peace may be begun continued and if the Lord of Mercies grant brought to an happy End We thô we are continually occupied with weighty and importable Affairs even above our strength do notwithstanding thrô Desire of the said Peace hereby offer Our selves ready as far as conveniently and with honesty may be done effectually to interpose in the Reformation of this Peace to the Quiet Profit and Honour of each Party our share of Sollicitude as it shall be administred unto Us from above Concerning all which we request your Royal Majesty upon the most mature Deliberation to write unto Us your Pleasure Given c. at Avignon x Kalen. Jan. Anno Pontif iv To this Letter of the Popes the King of England wrote this Answer * * Walsingh hist p. 130. To the most Holy Father in God Benedict by Divine Providence Bishop of the Holy Roman Church Edward by the Grace of God King of France and of England and Lord of Ireland Devout Kissings of his Holy Feet We received with due Reverence and Devotion the Letters of your Holiness sent last unto Us wherein your Goodness persuades us to renew the Peace or take a Truce with the Lord Philip of Valois graciously adding that You in your own Person would intend to the Reformation thereof as a Friendly Moderator if We and the said Philip would consent thereto Surely We considering in the Lord your Holinesses Affection which is so sollicitous for the quiet of your Sons do humbly return You all possible Thanks for that your wholsom Persuasion and an Offer so condescending and so pious and in a firm love and confidence of your Integrity we desire to follow your Counsel and particularly to conform Our selves to your Holy Pleasure But it is now notoriously known how the said Philip contrary to Justice hath usurped unto himself the Kingdom of France lawfully devolved unto Us by the Death of the Lord Charles of Famous Memory the last King of France our Uncle And not content with this he hath seised into his hands our Lands in the Dutchy of Aquitain as many as he was able in Hostile manner invading our Islands in the Sea and also our Kingdom of England with that very Fleet which under colour of an Holy Expedition beyond Sea he pretended to rig forth having sworn for the Cause of Christ He hath also excited the Scots to rebell against us designing altogether to oppress us that so according to his unsatiable Desire of Sovereignty he may the more freely withhold from us our said Kingdom of France and other our Hereditary Lands To whom as we remember we have written before to your Holiness We have offer'd many desirable Methods of Peace willing even to purchase Quiet of him thô with no small Resignation of our own Rights But he long holding us in suspense by divers specious Treaties and exposing us to vast Expences that so he might drain our Exchequer and render us thereby unable to recover our Rights hath at last took no care to give us any Satisfaction but still his Persecution encreased and rag'd against Us Wherefore necessity so compelling We are now come to the Parts beyond Sea to take unto us the Assistance of our Friends to revenge the Injuries done and to repulse those that would have been done by him unto Us and to obtain our Hereditary Rights Which certainly we intend not to neglect but will pursue them when we cannot by any other agreeable way by Force of Arms God being our Help And althô in Presence of the Reverend Fathers Peter of the Title of St. Praxedis Priest and Bertrand of St. Mary in Aquiro Deacon Cardinals and Nuâ—tio's to your Holiness who have laudably and sollicitously labour'd in the Affair of Peace the said Realm of France which by all Right is known to belong to Us hath been demanded and We have under certain ways of Peace caused our said Will to be sincerely open'd to the foresaid Cardinals always offering Our selves ready to embrace any reasonable Method of Peace on condition the Adverse Party will agree thereto Yet neither by the said Cardinals nor by Others could we know to this Day that he the said Philip would do or offer any thing of Satisfaction unto Us. And truly if then he had made but never so small Offers to shun the hazards of Wars and the prosuseness of Expences we should have made a reasonable Answer thereupon but now we see not what we can do farther with our Honour in the way of Peace But for all that if it shall now please the foresaid Lord Philip to offer us any Reasonable Way or if your Prudent Consideration or the said Lords Cardinals shall open unto
us any agreeable Method of Peace to which the said Philip shall consent presently when we shall be once assured thereof we will take Deliberation thereupon and with all speed return such an Answer as ought to seem reasonable and acceptable to your Holiness and to All that have a solid right and ordinate Reason And if perchance in the foresaid Method of Treating the Consent of our Friends and Allies should seem requisite to be obtain'd We our selves will put too all possible Diligence insomuch that it shall appear not to be our Fault that a firm Peace doth not follow thereupon if the other Party will but condescend to Reason We therefore heartily beseech your Clemency that if it please you you would duly weigh our Justice and Intention founded upon Truth and incidently cherish Us who continue in all fulness of Devotion to You and the Holy Roman Church with the favour of solid Love and Charity esteeming of Us as of a most Devout Son. For God the Lord of Consciences is our Witness that We desire to augment the Honours and Liberties of the Church and if God shall grant us to prosper with devout and humble Affection we aspire to fight his Battles against the Enemies of his Faith. God preserve your Holiness c. Given c. XI Before this there were two Parliaments this Year held at Westminster One being called by the Duke of Cornwall who had Commission thereto from the King his Father The Other by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Others who in the Absence of the King and his Son Prince Edward Duke of Cornwall had the same Commission The First was held on the Quindene of St. Michael or the 13 of October * C. Lit. Dom. which then fell on a Wednesday At the Opening h M.S. Rot. Parl. p. 23. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 17. §. 1 2 3. c. whereof its Causes were declared to be Three First to take care for a strict Observation of the Kings Peace Secondly to provide for Defence of the Marches toward Scotland For that People being thereto instantly urged by their Kings Letters from France and the promised Assistance of the French King began to stir again notwithstanding the Truce And the Third and last Reason was for the better keeping the Sea To all which was added a Demand of a Supply for the King in his Wars After this the Archbishop of Canterbury who together with Dr. Richard Bury Bishop of Durham and Sr. Michael de la Pole came from beyond the Seas as the Kings Messengers to the Parliament made a Narration of the Kings Exploits which he had atchieved in those Parts at that time and the present Hazards both He and his Men were exposed to without liberal and speedy Supplies out of England The King as then lay near St. Quintin accompanied with 15000 Men of Arms and of Archers and Others more than 30000 as appeared by his Letters to the Lord William Clinton Earl of Huntington who was then i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 531. Admiral of the River Thames and Warden of the Cinque-Ports and to the Merchants at Pearch besides what we have related before of this Expedition It was also further declared that the King and Others about him for the procuring of his Allies to assist him thus far and for his own necessary Expences in this War stood bound in Three hundred thousand Pounds which in Honour he could not but pay before he left those Parts Wherefore the Result was he wanted liberal Contributions Hereupon the Young Prince Edward Duke of Cornwall and Warden of England with the other Lords granted unto the King the Tenth Sheaf of all the Corn of their Demesnes except of their bound Tenants the Tenth Fleece of Wooll and the Tenth Lamb of their own Store to be paid for two Years Desiring withall that the Maletoste or Wrong set upon Wooll be revoaked and that this Grant turn not into a Custom All which was allow'd by the Prince in the Kings Name For he had full Commission by the Kings Letters Patents to grant what should appear reasonable to the Lords and Commons The Lords demand that the Keeping of the Kings Wards Lands may be committed to the next of Kin to the said Ward And that Remedy be provided against those who dying pass away their Lands to defraud the Lord of the Wardship or the King himself To this the Commons answered that as they knew well so they heartily tendred the Kings Estate and were ready according to their Duty to maintain the same But this being a new Point they durst not determin about it till they had further conferred with their Counties that sent them And so desiring Respite till another time they promise to travel and enquire throughout their several Counties To the Three Causes of their Assembling at this time the Commons answer'd thus First as to the Keeping of the King's Peace that would be kept sacred if good and couragious Justices were appointed in every County and such as were permitted to Main-prise do put in good Sureties as Esquires or Gentlemen and if no Pardon were granted but by Parliament These Matters once established they humbly conceive the Peace could not be violated Then as to the Defence of the Northern Marches they thought that would best be performed if all who had Lands in those Parts were obliged to live upon them As for the Keeping of the Seas they proposed that the Cinque-Ports or other Haven Towns which are discharged of all other Contributions should look to that especially and also that those who had Lands either there or elsewhere upon the Sea coasts should repair thereto and dwell upon them Then the Commons demanded a few things First that the King will pardon all Felonies Escapes Trespass for the Forests and otherwise all Aids to make the Kings Son a Knight or to Marry his Daughter That all Purveyors as well with Commission as without shall be arrested if they make not present Pay. That the King would pardon old Debts and Duties from any time to before his Coronation That all Customs of Wooll and Lead may be taken as they have been and not as lately enhanced with Common Assent and that if they be Resistance may be made And lastly that knowledge may be had how these things may be assured But their Art to provide against the Scarcity of Mony was this that every Merchant for every Sack of Wooll exported should be obliged to bring in at least 40 s. of Bullion to be coined within the Realm For the upholding the Kings Navy it was Enacted that the Navy of the whole Realm except what should be Actually in the Kings Service for the time being should remain in some certain place without any scattering by any private Men till further Order be taken 'T is agree'd that the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Nobles should by their Letters require the Archbishop of York and his Clergy largely to contribute for the
Defence of the North even as they had already done And then several were appointed to follow this device and to prepare the Commissions for Array into divers Countries It is agree'd that the Inhabitants of Holderness in Yorkshire should be Arrayed and grant Aid for the Defence of those Marches as well as others of the County of York altho they be appointed by Commission to keep the same It is agree'd that the Commissions of Sr. William Wallingford and all other Commissioners for Purveyance for the King be utterly void And that all Officers of the Ports by the Kings Writ do refrain the exporting of k Alii legunt Coyne Corn. That the Earl of Richmond the Lord Clifford the Lord Roos of * M.S. Wake male Werke the Lord Moubray and Sr. William Daubeny should be commanded by Writ to repair towards their Lands for the Defence of the North Marches or if unable or otherwise occupy'd in the Kings Service then to send their Quota's thither to the Lords who were Captains there That the Writs of Summons for the next Parliament should charge every Sheriff to return for his County two Knights girded with Swords That every Archbishop and Bishop do before the next Session of Parliament take a Certificate of all Benefices being in the Hands of Aliens of the Value of each of them and of Residence or Non-Residence thereon That two Writs be issued out the One to call a Convocation of the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury and the other of York against Hilary Term following It is also determin'd that the Parliament should be Summon'd against the Octaves of St. Hilary then ensuing Of which we shall now take leave to discharge our selves that our following Discourse may find no Interruption When the time of the next Sessions of Parliament approached l Rot. Parl. M. S. ibid. p. 25. Sr Rob. Cotton p. 19. because the Duke of Cornwall Warden of England was busied about the Kings Weighty Affairs being as I shew'd with his Father beyond Sea there were appointed to preside in Parliament John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellour and William de la Zouch Archbishop of York m Philipet's Catal p. 33. Lord Treasurer with the Dean of York and Sr. John Willoughby Deputy Lord Chief Justice Sr. John Stonore Justice of the Kings Bench and Sr. John St. Paul any Four Three or Two of these by the Kings Letters Patents were appointed to begin continue and end the Parliament for and in the Name of the King and the Lord Warden of England and there to do all things which the said Guardian should do until his or the King his Fathers coming The Commission began Edvardus D. Gr. c. and ended Teste Edvardo Duce Cornubiae Com. Cestr Filio nostro Charissimo Gardiano de Angl. These n Jan. 20. Commissioners aforesaid caused sundry of the Lords and Commons to assemble in the Presence Chamber AN. DOM. 1340. An. Regni XIV because several of both Houses were not yet come they continued the Parliament from day to day till the * Dom. Lit. B. A. Monday next after the Octaves aforesaid during which time Merchants Owners of Ships and Mariners did attend That o Jan. 24. same day the Causes of the Parliament were declared to be the same as before namely for Granting the King an Aid for keeping of the Sea and for Defence of the North Marches whereunto the Commons require Respit until Saturday the 19 of February And then they unanimously offer'd to the King for Aid 30000 Sacks of Wooll on certain Conditions expressed in a pair of Indentures But for the better Expedition after some Debate they yielded to give the King presently 2500 Sacks of Wooll so as if the King liked the Conditions aforesaid the same should go in part of Payment if not they were freely offer'd unto him The Lords promised to send unto the King to know his Pleasure and in the mean time they also for their Parts grant that such of them or of their Peers as hold by a Barony should give to the King the Tenth of their Grain Wooll and Lambs and of all their own Demesnes As for the Merchants their Day was put off till p i.e. 6 Martii nam Pascha hoc ano. 16. April Monday in the First Week of Lent but the Mariners of the Cinque Ports promised to make ready their Ships before q i.e. 26 Martii Midlent viz. 21 Ships of their own and 9 of the Thames and to bear half the Charges themselves the other half the Privy Council promised to bear of their own good Will to their King and Country but not of Duty or that it should stand for a Precedent The Mariners of the West promise to set forth 90 Sail and 10 Ships of the Burthen of one Hundred Tunn or more and to bear the whole Charges if they could Two Sufficient Scholars were appointed to compute the Charges the One for the West and the Other for the Cinque Ports It was here order'd that all Ships of Portsmouth and from thence toward the West of the Burthen of one Hundred Tunn or upward should ride at Dartmouth the Admiral to be Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel and that the Ships of the Cinque Ports and the Thames being of that Burthen should ride at Winchelsea the Admiral to be William Clinton Earl of Huntington The whole Fleet to be ready before the end of Lent. Command was given to the Admirals to stay all other Ships which might pass the Seas and to warn them to go into safe Harbours And to Furnish this Fleet with Souldiers beside those whose Duty was to attend and also those who were prest general Proclamation was order'd to be made that all Persons who had received of the King Charters of Pardon should now repair to the Sea-coasts for the Kings Service on pain of forfeiting the same The Lord Richard Talbot that Noble Warrier some of whose Valiant Acts we have mention'd in the Scotch War having in Parliament undertaken for the security of the Town of Southampton is now appointed Captain of the Town and allow'd for that Service 20 Men of Arms and an 100 Archers extraordinary at the Kings Wages and more upon occasion All which Souldiers to have one Months Pay beforehand and Sr. Richard one 100 Pounds by way of Gratuity Being also appointed to see the said Town forthwith fortified according to Covenants in a pair of Indentures and to levy the Charges of the Neighbours bordering thereabouts and if that shall not suffice of the Inhabitants The Bishop of Winchester who at that time was Adam Orleton the Traytor the Prior of St. Swithens and the Abbot of Hyde were order'd to keep at their Mannors near Southampton with all their Powers to be ready to assist the said Sr. Richard at his Call Also that two Pinaces the one at r Itâ— cerrigo pro Welbroâ—k in M. S. Sr. R. Cotton Milbrook
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
and Bethune which three Towns the French King withheld from Flanders Upon King Edwards Request therefore Jacob van Arteveld came to this Parliament at Brussels with a great Retinue as if he had been Earl of Flanders and at his Motion all the Chief Burgesses of Gaunt and the other Good Towns of that Country by some called the Hanse-Towns of Flanders thô properly speaking they belong rather to the Four Provinces of Lubeck Cologne Brunswick and Dantzick All these were well pleased with the foresaid Promise of King Edward and thereupon desired to take Advice among themselves When having Retired and Debated sufficiently upon the Point they gave the King this Answer the Contrivance and Menagement of all which is Attributed to Jacob van Arteveld Sir You were pleased to require of Us that which of Our selves We would most willingly do if We might do it handsomly and without Loss or Dishonour But alas Sir We are Obliged both by Oath and a Bond of b Ashmole p. 650. Fox p. 340. Sandford p. 160 2000000 of Florens of Gold to be paid into the Popes Chamber never to make War against the King of France whosoever he shall be Which Forfeiture not only keeps Us in Aw but also the Danger of being Interdicted by the Pope if We break Our Oath made to him But Sir If You will but undertake to bear the Arms of France and Quarter them with the Arms of England and Own Your Self publiquely King of France as indeed You are and ought of Right to be Accounted then We will look upon You as the True King of France against whom We are not to make War and thereupon demand of You an Acquittance of Our said Bond which You may Grant Us as King of France By this means We shall be assured of Our Money and acquitted of Our Oath and then We will be ready to serve You in what You shall Command This Fine Trick was thus Invented by that subtle Demagogue Jacob van Arteveld to satisfie the unthinking Commons of the Equity of standing to King Edward against France notwithstanding all their Solemn Engagements to the Contrary However the King demurr'd at this their Answer For thô he knew he might Lawfully claim the Crown of France in Right of his Mother Queen Isabella yet he thought it neither Reasonable nor much for his Honour to take upon him the Arms and Kingly Title of that Realm before he had made Conquest of any Part thereof not being sure that ever he should be able to bring those Matters to effect On the other side he was very loath to refuse the Flemmings this their Desire because they might prove so Instrumental in his Service Whereupon he Advis'd in private with the Dukes of Brabant and Gueldre the Earls of Juliers and Blankburg Mons and Bergen the Lords of Hainault and Valkenburgh the Lord Robert of Artois and his English Peers by whose Advice he return'd this Answer That if they would Swear and Seal to this Covenant and Engage to serve him upon all Occasions in his War he would then readily do all this since in Equity he might and further undertake to restore them those three Cautionary Towns of Lille Doway and Bethune which they had deliver'd as Pledges of their Faith to the French King. To this the Flemmings agree'd and d Joh. Villani l. 11. c. 108. Odoric Rainald ad hunc annum §. 3. Hocsem l. 2. c. 25. so the 23 of January was appointed firmly to Ratifie these mutual Covenants and Conditions at Gaunt on which day the King and most of the forenamed Lords came to Gaunt where he was met by the Chief Burgesses of all the Towns of Flanders and then and there all the foresaid Agreements being ready Engrossed were rehearsed Sworn and Seal'd to and so the King took upon him the Style of France and Quarter'd the Arms of that Kingdom with those of England But thô e Speed p. 572. afterwards perhaps to gratifie the French Nation or because that was the more Ancient and Greater Monarchy he placed the Flowers de Lis in the Dexter and more Honourable Quarter yet it is highly probable that at their First Entermingling it was not so as appears not only by the Figure of this King in Armour trampling on a Boar by a Castle signifying France in a very Old Vellam M. S. now by me where the English Lions are ranged in the First and Last Quarters of his Shield but also from f Speed p. 572. a Seal of Queen Isabella this Kings Mother where the Arms of England as being those of the Husband's Line and therefore to have Precedence are Marshal'd where now the Flower de Luces shine But to put this out of all Doubt We shall further produce the Words of King Philip spoken at this time upon occasion of this Action of King Edwards to certain English Gentlemen sent to him about the present Affairs Our g Stâ—â— p. 236. Cosin says he doth wrongfully Quarter the Arms of England and France which notwithstanding doth not so much displease Us because indeed he is descended thô by the Weaker Sex of Our Kin and therefore as being a Batchelour We could easily be content to allow him part of the Arms of France but whereas in his Seals and Letters Patents he Styles himself King of England and of France in the One and sets the Quarter of his Arms with Leopards before the Quarter Charged with Lillies in the Other this is that which We disdain exceedingly For thereby it should seem he Prefers that Inconsiderable Isle of England before the Mighty Kingdom of France To this Complaint Sr. John Shoreditch the King of Englands Agent made Answer that it was the Custom of England to set the Title and Arms of their Progenitors before the Arms and Title of a Right derived from the Mother And thus said he doth my Lord the King of England Prefer his Paternal Coat both out of Duty and Reason But as it appears soon after they were alter'd even as now they stand at this Day only h Sandford p. 157. an Not. vid. eund ibid. in Notis p. 270. that when Charles the Sixth of France with Design to shew a Difference changed the Semee Flours de Lize into Three Our King Henry the V. also did the like and so it hath continued ever since Either at this time or soon after the King set at the Foot of his Shield beneath the Arms of France and England thus quarter'd this French Motto DIEV ET MON DROIT in English GOD AND MY RIGHT declaring thereby his Confidence to be only in God and the Equity of his Cause Which Motto with the Title of France hath been continued by the Kings of England his Successors even unto this day That King Edward might justifie his Title to the Kingdom of France whose Arms he thus undertook to Bear he sent his Ambassadors to the Pope with these Instructions following i Odâ—râ—â—uâ— Raynald ad hunc
Realm Our Purpose is not to proceed rashly or by Our own Will but by the Discreet Advice and Counsel of the Peers Prelates Nobles and other Our Faithfull Subjects of the kingdom so far forth as shall make for the Honour of God the Defence and Advancement of the Church which in all fullness of Devotion We Reverence and to the Advantage both Publique and Private of all the Subjects thereof with full Execution of Justice by the Grace of God to be Administred unto all and Singular Persons We being earnestly carefull for the Honour Profit and Tranquility of You all For as the Lord knoweth nothing will be more acceptable to Us than that by Our carefull Solicitude Peace may be engendred in General among all Christians but especially betwixt Us so that by Our Concord the force and Strength of all Christian Princes may be united together for the Recovery of the Holy Land which Our Saviour and Redeemer hath dedicated with his own Precious Blood whereunto We will endeavour Our Selves thrô the Grace of the Holy Ghost And forasmuch as We have offer'd to the foresaid Lord Philip divers Friendly and Reasonable Conditions of Peace whereunto he would neither condescend nor agree to any Conformity nay rather he moveth against Us unjust War to the Utter Subversion of Our State We are of Necessity compelled to the uttermost of Our Power for Our own Security and the Recovery of Our Right to Defend Our Selves by force of Arms Not seeking any slaughter of Good and Humble Subjects but desiring their safeguard and Profit For the which Cause all and singular such Our Subjects of the Kingdom of France as shall submit themselves unto Us as unto the True King of France between this and the Feast of Easter next ensuing professing unto Us their Fealty and doing unto Us as unto the King of France of Duty it appertaineth so as Our beloved Subjects of Flanders have done already or shall be ready to offer themselves so to do All such We willingly Admit and Receive to Our Peace and Grace under Our Protection to be defended them to maintain as is convenient from all molestation and trouble whatsoever in Person or Goods hereafter to be inflicted by Us or by Our Officers upon whatsoever occasion of Rebellion afore-passed And forasmuch as the Premises cannot easily be intimated to all and singular Persons We have provided the same to be fixed upon Church Doors and in other publick Places whereby the Manifest Notice thereof may come to all Men to the Comfort of You that are to Us Loyal and to the Information of those who thrô the Sinister dealing of Our Enemies are otherwise informed of Us. Given at Gaunt the 8 day of February in the Year of Our Reign over France the First and over England the Fourteenth IV. Presently after King Edward had thus assumed the Arms and Style of France and had caused his Great Seal to be Changed leaving the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Robert Hufford le Fitz Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk in Flanders with his Queen and Children he took the Sea for England and Landed safe at x Claus 14. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 42. derso Orwell in Suffolk on the 21 of February at Nine of the Clock in the Morning on which very day that his New Seal might be made more Publique he caused y 21 Febr. ibid. m. 33. in derso Impressions thereof and of his Privy Seal which was also alter'd to be made and sent to all the Sheriffs in England to be Published in the several Counties in regard he intended at the meeting of the Parliament on the z 29 Martii Wednesday next after Midlent-Sunday to acquaint them with the Cause wherefore he had added to his Style the Title of King of France And on the First of March following he deliver'd his New Broad Seal to Sr. John de St. Paul in the Cage-Chamber at Westminster the Old Great Seal being then deliver'd up to him by the said Sr. John which he gave to William de Kildesby to be laid up in his Wardrobe But it is to be a Vid. hujus sigilli Imaginem Sandford p. 124 remembred that upon this Change there were two Seals made alike in all things but only One was circumscribed Edvardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae And the other was Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Franciae Angliae Dominus Hiberniae the Style being varied in Respect of the Place as Our King is now in Scotland called Rex Scotiae Angliae but in England Anglia is put first But of King Edward and his Affairs in Parliament We shall not yet speak till We have given some account of other Matters of no small Consequence in other parts which fell after the two Armies had broke up at Vironfoss without engaging V. Only here We shall remember that the King of England upon this variation of his Seal to set forth the Equity of his Cause sent his Letters to the Pope wherein using the Style of King of France and the Lillies quarter'd he largely sets forth how the Realm of France was devolved unto him by Hereditary Right and that Philip of Valois had by Violence and Injustice usurped it M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet p. 1. apud Odoric Rainald ad An. 1340. § 4. ex Tom. 6. Epist Secret. 255. in Vatican to whom the Pope sent an Answer the Tenour whereof followeth Benedict the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to his most Dear Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolical Benediction When lately the Letters of Your Royal Excellency were presented to Our Apostleship and the Contents thereof more fully understood as soon as ever a New Title therein described and the Impression of a Seal engraven with the Arms of France and England did at first view appear they Administred unto Us great Matter of Astonishment and Admiration For by how much We Embrace You with the Preheminence of a more Ample Charity by so much the more grievously are We afflicted inwardly while We perceive You to be led by Perverse and Deceitfull Counsels and to be induced to such things as are neither Expedient nor Decent Nor doth our inward Affection permit Us to be silent or dissemble but that We should set before the Eyes of Your Mind these things that You may be able more Discreetly and Profitably to take Care to Your self as to the Premises For it is affirmed for certain and undoubted that whereas the Custom hitherto kept inviolably doth not admit the Succession to the Realm of France by the Female Line the Succession is said not to be due unto You who as You know are descended of the Stock of the House of France by the Female Line And if no such Custom did forbid the c c Successâ—ne M. S. Successionem Odoric Successive Proceeding of the Female Line to the Crown of the
and other Profits rising of the said Realm of England shall be set and dispended upon the Maintenance of the Safeguard of our said Realm of England and of our Wars of Scotland France and Gascoign and in no place elswhere during the said Wars Besides which extraordinary Grant of the Lords and Commons the Clergy also at the Motion of the Archbishop freely gave unto the King a Tenth Here also because the King in his Style was called King of France and had alter'd his Arms whereby his Subjects might think themselves in danger of becoming a Province to France that being the greater Kingdom the Kings Letters Patents of Indemnity were granted beginning d Vid. Statute Book 1 Vol. p. 82 Edvardus c. Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all those who these Letters shall hear or see Greeting Know ye that whereas some People do think that by reason that the Realm of France is devolved unto Us as Right Heir of the same and forasmuch as We be King of France our Realm of England should be in Subjection to the King and Realm of France in time to come We having regard to the Estate of our Realm of England and namely that it never was nor ought to be in Subjection nor in the Obeisance of the Kings of France which for the time have been nor of the Realm of France And willing to provide for the Safety and Defence of the said Realm of England and of our Liege People of the same do will and grant and establish for Us and for our Heirs and Successors by Assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commons of our Realm of England in this our present Parliament summon'd at Westminster the Wednesday next after the Sunday in Midlent the xiv Year of our said Reign of our Realm of England and the First of France that by the cause or colour of this that We be King of France and that the said Realm to Us pertaineth as afore is said or that We cause Our Selves to be named King of France in our Stile or that We have changed our Seals or our Arms nor for Commands which We have made or hereafter shall make as King of France neither our said Realm of England or the People of the same of what Estate or Condition they be shall not in any time to come be put in Subjection or in Obeisance of Us nor of our Heirs nor Successors as Kings of France as aforesaid nor be subject nor obedient but shall be free and quit of all manner of Subjection and Obeisance aforesaid as they were wont to be in the time of our Progenitors Kings of England for ever In Witness whereof c. Certain Bishops and Lords require of his Majesty to be saved harmless for those great Summs of Money wherewith they stood bound on the Kings Behalf to the Duke of Brabant in case the Duke of Cornwall should not Marry with the Daughter of the said Duke which Request was granted and all with the Letters Patents aforesaid was enrolled in the Chancery The Petitions also of the Clergy by Assent were made into a Statute beginning Edvardus c. and enrolled as above After this certain fit Persons there named were appointed for several Affairs some to hold Debate of matters concerning Flanders some to speak with the Merchants touching Exchange to Brussels and to confer with the Merchants of England some to dilate with Priors Aliens of which we shall speak more hereafter others to advise touching the Defence of the North Marches others to treat about the Affairs of Gascoign and others how best to preserve the Islands and the Sea-coasts As to the Keeping of the Peace and performing of Covenants between the Duke of Brabant and Others on the Kings Behalf that was all to be debated in the Kings own Presence Concerning the raising of Money that was refer'd to the Commons But because the Taxes last granted were not duly answer'd to the King by those who had been entrusted with the Care thereof Certain Persons were now appointed to take the Accounts of Sr. William de la Pole Sr. John Charnells and Paul de Monteflore and Others who had received Money Wooll and other Goods to the Kings Use Whereupon Sr. William de la Pole and the Rest had Day given them to shew their Accompts each of them finding their sufficient Sureties The Earl of Derby and the Lord Wake were Sureties for Sr. William the same Earl of Darby and the Lord John Montgomery for Sr. John Charnells John Lord Dacres and Reginald Lord Cobham Sr. John Shareshull and Sr. John Stradling stood for Paul de Monteflore Sr. John Sturmy and Sr. John Charnells were bound for William Welchborne and the Earl of Huntington engaged for Pierce Dyme and other Merchants of Barton Thereupon the Parliament was Protogued till Wednesday in Easter Week then ensuing At which time certain were appointed to sit on Petitions had before the King When also the Bishops at the Kings Request promised never to dissent from the Kings Promise made for the Customs of Wooll but by Common Assent of Parliament A Motion to remember to Repeal a Commission made to Sr. Robert Waterford of the e Appâ—ser M.S. Opposer in the Exchequer Also to remember to respit the Prior of St. Dennis near Southampton and of Southwick from paying of the Tenths and Fifteenths And to direct a Commission to Sr. Robert Popham to be Sheriff of Southampton during the Kings Pleasure It is Enacted that the King may with the Assent of his Allies make any reasonable Peace In this Parliament in f M.S. Sr. R. Cotton ibid. Dagd 2 Vol. p 113. consideration of the many Good Services done by the Marquess of Juliers the King made him Earl of Cambridge and gave him in Fee a 1000 l. per annum till he could provide for him so much of Hereditaments Whence it appears that the Learned Antiquary g Cambden Brit. Mr. Cambden was mistaken who says that King Edward the Third for the Love he bore to Queen Philippa his Consort created the Lord John of Hainault her Uncle Earl of Cambridge And that upon his Revolt to the French he devested him thereof and conferr'd it upon William Marquess of Juliers Sisters Son to that Queen Whereas the said Lord John was not now nor of some Years after Revolted to the French as We shall shew in due place so that he could not yet forfeit with Edward nor is there any thing at all in Our publique Records that may give the least Countenance to this Assertion of that Famous Man as the Diligent Sr. William Dugdale acknowledges Whereas it is most Evident that at this time the Marquess of Juliers was created Earl of Cambridge as We have shewn But We have not made this Observation upon so Great and Venerable a Person out of Envy or Ostentation rather thrô love of Truth alone and to infer
the Nativity of St. John Baptist next ensuing and all that Day till the next Morning at Sun-rise in manner and form following that is to say 1. That z Knighton p. ibid. Fox Acts and Mon. p. 348 Du Chesne p. 653. c. during the said Truce no evil Will or Mistrust of either Party of it self shall be prejudicial to the said Truce and Respit 2. Item That during the said Truce either of the said Princes their Helpers Coadjutors and Allies whosoever shall remain in such Possession and Seisin as they have at this Time of all Goods Lands and Possessions which they hold and have conquer'd howsoever 3. Item It is accorded that during the said Truce the said Princes their Aiders Coadjutors and Allies may safely go from one Country to another and all Merchants with all their Merchandise and all manner of their Subjects with their Goods and Purveyances as well by Land as by Sea and by Water freely as they were wont in the times of the Ancestors of the said Kings only paying therefore the Customes anciently used Except such banish'd Men or any of them as have been banished out of the said Realms for other Causes than the Wars between the said Princes But that the Barons of Gascoign and of the Dutchy of Guienne and other Persons of Gascoign and of the Dutchy that are banished may be comprised in this Truce so as freely to come and go from one Country to another during the said Truce 4. Item It is accorded that the said two Kings shall not procure nor cause to be procured either by Themselves or by any Other that any new Practice or Grievance be made by the Bishop of Rome or Others belonging to Holy Church whatsoever upon or against either of the said Kings their Coadjutors or Allies or upon their Lands or Subjects by Occasion of the said War or any other Cause nor for Services which the said Allies or Coadjutors have done to the said Kings or either of Them. And that if our Holy Father the Pope or any Other will do against the Premises the two Kings shall hinder him or them to their Power without any fraud during the said Truce 5. Item That the Truce be immediatly proclaim'd in both the Hosts that all who know and hear it may be obliged to keep and observe it 6. Item It is agreed that within 20 Days to begin from this day either of the Kings shall cause to be proclaim'd in Gascoign and the Dutchy of Aquitaine in the Lands which they hold the Articles of this Truce that they may be known and understood 7. Item It is agreed that if by either of the said Kings their Subjects Coadjutors or Allies any Siege be laid in Gascoign in the Dutchy of Aquitain or in the Isles of the Sea in Garnsey or Jersey the same Sieges shall be raised as soon as this Truce shall come to their Cognizance And that a This is omitted in Fos who also varies not a little from the Original French both here and elsewhere c. Fourteen Persons to wit Seven for each of the Kings shall enter every Town Castle and Fortress where the Sieges shall be and shall view their Store of Provision both of Men and Victuals to the intent that on the Day when the Truce shall end the said Towns Castles and Fortresses shall remain and be furnished with the like Number of Men and the like Quantity of Victuals as at first they were found to be by the foresaid fourteen Persons 8. Item It is accorded that the Banished and Fugitives of the Country of Flanders that have been on the Part of the King of France b Here the old French a little imperfect shall not return during the Truce and if they do they shall forfeit all the Goods they have in Flanders 9. Item It is accorded that during the said Truce all Prisoners taken in this War shall be released from their Prisons upon their Faith and Oath to return thither again if they shall not be ransomed within the term of the said Truce so as if the said Prisoners shall deny in their due times to return themselves back to Prison the said Truce failing that then upon the failure of every Prisoner his Lord shall constrain him to come and make restitution of his Person So that the Levies which were made before this Truce in time of War whether they be Goods Spiritual or otherwise shall remain without making Restitution during the Truce 10. Item It is agreed that a Truce be forthwith taken between the English and the Scots their Aiders and Allies untill the Feast of St. John Baptist aforesaid And that certain Persons shall be deputed by the said Parties to be at a certain Day on the Marches of England and Scotland to vouch and stand to the said Truce c Frois c. 63. fol. 35. But if the Scots or any other of the Allies on either Side shall refuse to admit of this Truce let them be at their own Choice however France Picardy Burgundy Bretagn and Normandy shall be bound to this Peace without any Exception So that during the Truce however the Scots shall obtain no manner of Aid or Reinforcement from the French. 11. Item It is accorded that this Truce shall be proclaimed in England and Scotland within 26 Days after the Date of these Letters 12. Item it is accorded that within this Truce shall be included and comprised the Spaniard the Catalaunian the Genouese the Provincial the Bishop and Chapter of Cambray and the Castles in Cambresis as also the Lord of Albret the Vicount of Fronsac Gaston Lord of Lille the Lord of Tricouleon Sr. John Vernon and the Lord of Roye In Witness whereof We the foresaid John King of Bohemia c. on the one Party and on the other B. A. Dom. Lit. have Sealed this Instrument of Truce and Peace and deliver'd the same accordingly in the Church of Spetelin on Monday the 25 of September in the Year of Grace MCCCXL d Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. Besides there was at this time Consideration taken of the Flemings the Summ of Mony wherein they stood bound to the Pope and the French King being now released unto them And as by King Philips means they had before been Excommunicated so now at his Request the Interdict was repealed and they again received into the Bosom of the Church Lewis Earl of Flanders being thereupon restored to his Country It was moreover at this Treaty e Freis c. 63. fol. 35. resolv'd that either Party should send four or five Persons as their Commissioners to meet at Arras whither also the Bishop of Rome was to send 2 more who all together were to consult in order to a full Confirmation of the Peace between the Two Kings XII The Contents of this Truce were immediately proclaimed in both Armies whereof the Brabanders especially were wonderfull glad For they came at first but with an ill Will to
Edward II. refus'd to give him Homage from the withholding of which we have seen the first Causes of Dissention between the two Kings to have flow'd or of what had been forceably taken by King Philip himself in this last War. Thus were both the Kings disposed in their Minds So that little Good was to be expected from any Treaty And now came the time wherein by the Articles of the Truce the Parliament was appointed to be at Arras the Chief City of Artois lying upon the River of Scarpe When there came thither from the Pope l Gaguin p. 139. who in this Cause was not to be look'd on as a Judge but only as an indifferent Friend to the Common Peace the Cardinal of Naples and the Cardinal of Cleremont commonly so called thô they had only been Bishops of those Titles before they were made Cardinals These Legates going first to Paris where they confer'd with the King came now to Arras together with the French Commissioners who were Charles de Valois Earl of Alancon King Philips own Brother Peter Duke of Bourbon Lewis Earl of Flanders Guy Castilion Earl of Blois the Archbishop of Senes the Bishop of Beauvais and the Bishop of Auxerre They were met by seven of King Edward's Delegates who were Dr. Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln Dr. Richard Bury Bishop of Durham Henry Plantagenet Earl of Darby Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Robert of Artois Earl of Richmond Sr. John of Hainault Lord of Beaumont and Sr. Henry Eam of Flanders All these held a Treaty together for 15 days but yet they perform'd but little as to a Final Composition for the English Demands were too High and the French Concessions too low they yielding to offer nothing but the m Frois c. 63. ibid. Earldom of Ponthieu which was his Mothers Dowry However they now made shift to prolong the Truce then in being for two Years more and farther than this the Cardinals could not perswade them Wherefore thus much being done and duly Ratified the Council brake up and the Cardinals at the Lord John of Hainalts desire passed homeward thrô that Country where by him and the Earl they were Feasted Nobly Now according to the Ninth Article of the foremention'd Truce the Earl of Salisbury and n Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48 b. Waisâ—â— hist p. 135. n. 10. Robert Hufford le Fitz Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk were released from their Imprisonment a Ransome being appointed which they were to pay before the end of the said Truce or else render up their Bodies to Prison But here Authors make no small confusion some alledging that the Earl of Salisbury was deliver'd in Exchange for the Earl of Murray a Scot which could not be till the latter end of the next Year as we shall shew in due place Others confessing that he was now deliver'd do add that immediately thereupon he went with many other English Knights to the Siege of Algezira in Spain to help the Good King Alphonso against the Moors And this is the saying of o Leland Collect. 1 Vol. p. 805. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. Leland himself But surely this followed the Siege of Vannes in Bretagne and not of Tournay in Flanders For as yet Alphonso had not Won the great Battle of Tartessos of which by and by and yet this Battle preceded the Siege of Algezira However this is certain * Sr Roh Cottens M.S. p. 44. §. 43. Godwins Gatal Bps. p. 136. c. that the Earl of Salisbury was present at the next Parliament which sat in April following Thô many such Matters having been so confusedly related by Authors much Difficulty hath arose to Us in this Our Undertaking Upon which Account the Intelligent Reader will pardon these Digressions which seem necessary for the clearing of the Truth XIV Soon after the Prolongation of the Truce the Famous Dr. Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln p Godw. Catal. Bps. Linc. p. 304 Stow p. 238. Departed this Life about the Festival of Christmas at the City of Gaunt in Flanders in the Service of the King his Master to whom he was very Necessary Of him q Walsingh hist p. 150. Walsingham Reports a divertive Story which since r Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 35. Sr. William Dugdale ventures to relate I shall not scruple neither He is said to have made a new Park at Tynghurst wherein he enclosed much ground that belong'd to divers of his poor Tenants who therefore pursued him with many a bitter Curse Now soon after his Death say they he appear'd unto a certain Person who had been one of his Esquires in the Habit of a Keeper with a Bowe a Quiver of Arrows his Hom by his side and his cloathing was all in Green to whom he said Thou know'st how I 've offended God and injur'd the Poor by enclosing this Park Wherefore I am enjoyned Penance to be the Keeper thereof till these enclosures be laid open again Go therefore to my Brethren the Canons of Lincoln and entreat them from me to make Restitution to the Poor of what I so unjustly took from them The Canons upon this Message sent one of their Company named William Batchelor to see the Dead Bishops Will performed Who accordingly caused the Banks and Pales to be thrown down and the Ditches fill'd up again and having so done return'd by St. Albans where he Related the whole Matter to Michael the Abbot of that Place I should not care to tell such idle Stories but that there may be Readers also of that Size who will take pleasure in such Entertainment But much less do I concern my self in seriously confuting them And yet I will not let this go thus because Walsingham who was a Monk and therefore thrô Prejudice or Ignorance might either deceive or be deceived has noted him for a Covetous worldly wretch For his Quality he was Younger Å¿ Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 35. Brother to the Lord Bartholomew Burwash the Elder and t Godw. Catal. Bps. p. 303. Nephew to the Great Sr. Bartholomew Badlesmere Baron of Leeds For his Natural Abilities he was a Person of Good Learning but of exceeding Great Skill in Politicks as may be gather'd from his Prudent Menagement of Embassies and other Publique Affairs And as for his Charity which is a Vertue directly Opposite to Avarice We find u Godwin ibid. p. 304. that together with a Brother of his Sr. Robert Burwash he was a Founder of a Grammar School in Lincoln to which he left Maintenance for five poor Priests and as many poor Scholars for ever He had his Education at x Godw. p. 303. Oxford and had been y Philipot's Catal Châ—ncel c. twice Lord Treasurer of England and for a while Lord Chancellour till of his own Accord he Resign'd that Place because of his Publique Employments in which at last he Deceased at Gaunt but was brought over Sea and z Godw. p. 304. Buried in Lincoln
false Accusations against any Person but especially all those who should bring an Archbishop or any other Bishop of his Province into the Kings Hate or Anger and him or them of Treason or any other Notorious and Capital Crime falsly Accuse And having Published these Articles in his Church he commanded the Bishop of London and all the Suffragans of his Province to Publish the same in their Churches and Dioceses Presently hereupon the King that he might some way obviate these High Proceedings of the Archbishop wrote to the Bishop of London setting forth that at the perswasion of the Archbishop he had undertaken so doubtfull and Difficult a War to Recover his Right and Inheritance But that He who had been the Author of the War having now conspired with his Enemy the French King had at last perswaded him that after the profusion of such vast Expences to no purpose he would lay down the Claim of his Right and disband his Army That he had not as he promised purvey'd sufficiently for his Army nor satisfied his Foreign Creditors of whom upon his Security vast Summs of Money had been taken up for support of his Wars and who were continually importuning the King and his Lords That at last he had demanded of him an Account how he had Administred the Realm which he cunningly under Pretence of Excommunications and Censures hath eluded After this Ralph Lord Stafford was by the King sent unto the Archbishop who taking along with him John Burton Advocate and John Faringdon publique Notary warn'd him again in the Kings Name that without more delay he should Repair to the King there to Advise together with other Prelates and Lords about the War and Matters Relating to England and France the King o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 159. ex Walsingbam offering him a safe Conduct to that purpose to the end he might understand what Defence he could make for that his Neglect But him also the Wary Archbishop put off saying only that he would consider of it A little after there came out of Flanders to Canterbury Messengers from the Duke of Brabant who when the Archbishop would not be seen by them declared the Cause of their coming in Writing fix'd up at Noon-day upon the High Cross without the Gate of the Priory of Canterbury importing that John Archbishop of Canterbury was Cited and Warned into Court by the Duke of Brabant that so he might Lawfully answer in Flanders for the Debts of the King of England for which he stood Engaged there to remain according to Oath in that Part by him made till his Lords Debts were fully cleared In this hurry comes a Letter from the King to the Prior and Convent of Canterbury being the same with those Letters which he had wrote to the Bishop of London with a Command to read it out Publiquely before the People and Clergy of Canterbury The Prior and Convent having received it inform the Archbishop thereof and shew him the open Letter He on Ashwednesday following before all the People and Clergy gets up into the Pulpit in Canterbury Church and there in a Sermon spake Largely of his Loyalty and Integrity in Menaging the Kings Affairs Then he commanded the Kings Letters wherein the King had laid Heavy things to his Charge to be Read Openly Which done he dexterously takes off each Crime and Accusation in Order After which the Answer that now he gave by Word of Mouth being Digested into Writing he Published over all his Province of Canterbury All which Letters because of many Excellent Sayings therein and for that they make much for the Clearing the Story I have thought fit to set down at Large from Stephen Byrchinton or Brickington a Benedictin Monk of Canterbury who flourished in that Age and others of good Authority And first we shall produce the Archbishops Letter to his Majesty taken from the Original Latine for Mr. Fox is not Exact in his Translation III. MOST Dear Lord may it please Your Majesty to consider p p Walsingh hist p. 136 Fox Acts and Men. p. 350. that the most special thing which keepeth Kings and Princes in the most Flourishing Condition is Wise Counsel And therefore says the Wise Man Where there are many Counsellors that is Good Ones there is safety And it is written in the Book of Kings that Solomon the Wisest of Kings took unto him the most Ancient and Sagest Persons of his Realm by whose Advice temper'd with his own Judgement he continually preserved the Land of Israel in Peace and held all his Neighbour Kings round about him as his Tributaries and Vassals Now when he was gone the way of all Flesh his Son Rehoboam Reigned who despising the Counsel of the Elders who had stood before his Father adhered to the Young Men who were willing to please him whence he justly lost the whole Kingdom of Israel except a Twelfth Part reserved unto him of the Lord. In like manner many Kings as well of Israel as of other Countries being led by Evil Counsel have been reduced to great extremities And sir you well remember saving your Royal Pleasure that by the Sinister Advice taken by Our Late Lord the King Your Father whom God assoile against the Law of the Land and Magna Charta of the Peers of the Realm and others some he imprison'd some he put to Death siesed on their Goods and vexed others with Intolerable Fines And what happen'd thereby unto him Your Majesty well knows After his Days also by means of Evil Counsellors which were about Your Person Your Majesty had almost lost the Hearts of Your People but from them as it pleased him the Lord Jesus Christ hath delivered You. From that time by the Good Advice and Prudence of Your Prelates Peers and Counsellors of the Land Your Affairs are so well Menaged that You now entirely Possess the Affections of Your People and Your Subjects as well Spiritual as Temporal have given unto Your Majesty greater Aids than to any of Your Progenitors So that by the means of Good counsell the Votes of Your People and the special Grace of Almighty God You have obtain'd many Glorious Victories over Your Enemies of Scotland and France and are at this Day Reputed the most Noble Prince in Christendom But now Your Majesty by the Perverse Counsel of some Men who are rather known to Respect their own Profit and Advantage than either Your Majesties Honour or the Welfare of Your People have caused Clergymen and others of Your Subjects to be siezed and undue Processes to be made against the Laws of the Land which by Oath made at Your Coronation You are bound to observe and also against Magna Charta which whosoever shall presume to infringe are by the Prelates of England and the Popes Bull which we are known to have by Us to be Excommunicate All which things as they are to the great Peril and Danger of Your Soul so also alas are they to the great
receive the Discourses and Letters of Kings respectfully and graciously yet Our Excusatory Letters containing as in due place and time We intend fully to prove true and just Matter he intitles Detestable Scandalous Libells putting a false blot upon Our Name Because if any One that hath the Custody of a Common Weal is ready to prove those Crimes that are committed to writing if truth corroborate his Assertions he is vindicated from the Scandal of Libelling and is thereby accounted Praise-Worthy He also not observing the manner of his Predecessors who used to Honour and Love their Princes and cause y y 1 Tim. c. 2. v. 1. Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks to be made by themselves and others for them and to teach them in the Spirit of Meekness begins the Web of Faction and perverse Contention against Us and Our Servants in the Spirit of Pride z z Psalm 128. v. 3. making long his Iniquity and seeking which is the Comfort of Wretches more Companions in his punishment And which is worse by his Lying Words he wickedly endeavours to precipitate into a Disrespect and Contempt of Us his Suffragans and other Our Devout and Loyal Subjects And althô with God not the Heighth of a Mans Degree but the Passing of a Good Life gains approbation this Man Glorying in the Loftiness of his Condition requires unto himself as unto the Ambassador of Christ that Reverence which being due from Him unto Us He doth not pay Nay when both He and other Prelates of the Realm who receive the Temporals of their Churches from Us by their Oath of Allegiance do owe unto Us Faith Honour and Reverence He only is not asham'd to render unto Us instead of Faith Treachery in lieu of Honour Reproach and for Reverence Contempt Wherefore althô We are ready and always have been to respect as is meet Our Spiritual Fathers yet as for their Offences which We see to abound to the Hazard of Us and of Our Kingdom We ought not to pass them over slightly But the said Archbishop complains that certain Crimes were in Our said Excusatory Letters objected against him thô absent unheard and without Defence and that he was condemn'd of Capital Matters as if We as He foolishly pretends had to the utmost proceeded criminally against him which is not true When We only supply'd the place of an Excuse being compell'd of Necessity lest We should seem to neglect Our own Reputation But let this Cavilling Reprover see if this complaint may not justly be retorted upon his own Head who falsely and maliciously in positive Words describes Us his King and Our Counsellors thô absent unhear'd and without Defence as Oppressors and Transgressors of the Laws altogether When as He is justly blamed who incurrs the Fault which he himself Reproves and a a Rom. c. 2. v. 1. wherein he judgeth another he condemneth himself while he himself is found reproveable in the same thing Moreover althô he studied to serve not Our Interest but his own Covetousness yet he upbraids and boasts that he hath labour'd so Mightily in the Kings Affairs to use his own Words that thereby he feared how he had manifoldly incurred the heavy displeasure both of God and Man And this he might justly fear since he may be reckon'd among that sort of Men who according to the Prophetical taunt b b Jer. c. 9. v. 5. have taught their tongues to speak lies and weary themselves to commit Iniquity But as to certain other false and specious Words contained in the Letters of the said Archbishop thô We might confute them with Reasons more clear than the Light yet lest We should protract Discourse We thought fit for the present not to answer them because it is not decent to strive with a contentious Man nor agree with him in perverseness But We command You. firmly in the Faith and Love wherein You are bound unto Us enjoyning You that notwithstanding any Mandate of the said Archbishop to which in derogation of the Royal Honour against Your Oath of Allegiance made unto Us You ought not to obey You forthwith proceed to the Publication of those things which in Our foresaid Excusatory Letters are contained according to their Order And because We are and ought to be extreamly jealous concerning the maintenance of Our Rights and Prerogatives Royal which the Worthily remembred Supremacy of Our Progenitors Kings of England hath Gloriously defended and because the said Archbishop to stir up the Clergy and People against Us and to hinder the Carrying on of Our War which by his Counsel principally We undertook hath caused and commanded by others to be done and Published certain Denunciations and Publications of Sentences of Excommunication and Monitions Injurious and prejudicial to Our Crown and Dignity Royal since thereby he endeavours in sundry Articles to take away from Us the Jurisdiction notoriously to Us belonging and whereof We being a King Anointed are known to be capable and which both We and Our Progenitors the Popes Prelates and Clergy of Our Kingdom both knowing and allowing have peaceably enjoy'd time out of Mind to the Hurt of Our Majesty Royal and the manifest derogation of Our Rights and Kingly Prerogatives We therefore strictly and upon your Peril forbid You that neither by your selves nor by others you make nor as much as in you lies by others suffer to be made any such undue Publications Denuntiations or Monitions Prejudicial and Derogatory to Our Rights and Prerogatives Royal or any thing else whereby Our Liege Subjects may be stirred up against Us or the Carrying on of Our War may be any way hindred to the Subversion of Us and of Our Liege People which God forbid at the Command of the Archbishop or any other whatsoever And if any thing in this kind hath by You been attempted that forthwith You Repeal it Witness Our Self at the Tower of London the 31 of March in the Year of Our Reign of England the 15 and of France 2. This truly Royal Command of the Kings being obey'd by all the Bishops of the Province of Canterbury the King resolved to maintain the Rights of his Crown and Summons a Parliament to which also the Archbishop is called c Antiqu. Brit. p. 235. n. 55. the Kings Royal Protection being Granted him that he might safely come thither XI On the d Pascha 8 April Lit. Dom. G. Ninth of April being Easter e M. S. Rot. Parl. p. 40. c. Exact Abridgement by Sr Rob. Cotton p. 31. Monday King Edward held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster the Causes whereof were declared to be how the King might be speedily supply'd with the Grants yielded unto him last Year upon his passing in Person against his Enemy Philip of Valois who had taken away part of the Dutchy of Guienne much part of which Grant was kept from the King by Evil Officers Also secondly how more plenty of Money might be raised and
whether Florens were to be current with Sterling After which Declaration was made in the Kings Name that whoever of his Subjects should think themselves hardly used either by the King or his Officers upon Complaint and Proof made should have their Remedy The mean while the Archbishop in Order to be present at this Session of Parliament f Antiqu. Brit. p. 235. n. 56. came to London repaired secretly to the Bishops of London and Chichester by whom he is convey'd to the Kings Palace where the Parliament sat with a great Company of Clergymen and Souldiers Upon his Entrance into the House the Kings Steward and Chamberlain met him who in the Kings Name forbad him to enter the Parliament untill in the Kings Exchequer he had undergone a Tryal concerning Crimes laid to his Charge Canterbury lest he should move the King too much went into the Exchequer and there took a Copy of the Articles whereof his Accusation was framed to which he promised after a mature deliberation to return an Answer Then with the Kings leave he enter'd the Parliament and there before the Prelates and Lords of the Realm declared the causes of his coming to be for the Honour Rights and Liberties of the Church for the Profit and Commodity of the Realm and for the Interest and Honour of the King and lastly that he might clear himself in Parliament of several Crimes laid to his Charge and Published over all England That day there was nothing done but the Parliament being at the Kings command Adjourn'd every one went his way But from g M. S. ibid. §. 6. Sr. Rob. Cottons Exact Abridgement Thursday the 12 of April till Thursday the 19 the Parliament continued from day to day in debate upon this point that the Nobles of this Land should not be put to answer but before their Peers in open Parliament Whereupon are named Four Bishops Four Earls and Four Barons to draw up the Platform for the Kings View Their h Antiqu. Brit. p. 236. Godwins Cat Bps p. 136. Names were these the Prelates Ralph Stafford Bishop of London Ralph Shrewsbury Bishop of Bath and Wells John Grandeston Bishop of Exceter and Thomas Charleton Bishop of Hereford The Four Earls were Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel William Montagu Earl of Salisbury William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon and Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk The Four Barons were Henry Lord Piercy Thomas Lord Wake Ralph Lord Basset and the Lord Ralph Nevill These being also to enquire concerning the Crimes laid against the Archbishop and to prepare them for the King among other things determin'd that the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer and other High Officers of State should be included under the Names of Peers and set down a Request that all Conditions and Estates might enjoy their proper and peculiar Liberties By that time these things were thus forwarded the Archbishop came again to the Parliament but was forbid by the Captain of the Kings Guard i Antiqu. Brit. Godw. ut supra Sr. William Attewood to enter Whereupon he spake thus to the People that flocked about him My Friends the King by his Writ of Summons hath called me to this Parliament and I who am the Chief Peer of the Realm and who next the King have the First Voice in Parliament claim the Rights of my Church of Canterbury and therefore require entrance into Parliament But when for all this being kept out by the Guard he could not enter he took his Cross in his own Hands and solemnly protested that he would not stir from that place till the King gave him leave to come into Parliament or a sufficient Reason why he should not While he stood there in this manner some that were by began to revile him telling him that he was a Traytor and had deceived the King and betray'd the Realm To whom the Archbishop The Curse of Almighty God and of his Blessed Mother and of St. Thomas and Mine also be upon the Heads of them that inform the King so Amen Amen In this hurry certain Noblemen chancing to come out he besought them to Request the King in his behalf and for the Right of his Church of Canterbury this they kindly promise him to do The mean while certain Articles cunningly contriv'd and so as they might stir up the hate of the Common People against him are scatter'd about in all places The Authors of this trouble of the Archbishops were thought to be that subtle Engineer Adam Orleton Bishop of Winchester the Lord Darcy and Dr. William Killesby but Winchester cunningly dissembled the Matter and the other two were his open Enemies However at last by the Intercession and Favour of the Lords the King gave leave for his Admission into Parliament where he offer'd to purge himself Lawfully in Parliament of the Crimes objected unto him But he was referr'd to the Consideration of the Twelve Peers who had his Cause in Hand at that time On the 19 of April being a Thursday k M. S. Ret. Parl. p. 41. §. 8. Sr. R. Cotton p. 31. ibid. the King came into St. Edward's Chamber commonly called the Painted Chamber before whom in sight of all the Lords and Commons the Archbishop humbled himself and required his Gracious Pardon which upon the whole Parliaments General Suit and Entreaty his Majesty granted After which the Archbishop desired that whereas he was publiquely defamed thrô the Realm he might now be Arraigned in Open Parliament before his Peers But the King answer'd he would first attend to the Common Affairs and after that examine lighter Matters However a little after without any more Accusation or Answer the King of his own accord declared him Legally purged and excused and ever after held him more Dear than before Thus ended the Archbishops Troubles the Matter being no more resumed he either appearing Innocent which is most likely or however made so by the Kings Pardon Thô at that time all things touching his Arraignment were deliver'd l M.S. Id. p. 45. §. 48. Sr. Rob. Cotton to remain with Dr. William Killesby Keeper of the Privy Seal who as We observ'd before was thought no very Good Friend to the Archbishop But the Gracious King it seems had a Mind not to destroy so able a Minister but only to humble him and break his High Prelatical Obstinacy which for a while seem'd ready to Cope with his Regal Power But upon occasion of this Contrast the m M. S. Id. p. 42. c. Clergy of England in this Parliament made these Requests to the King That the Liberties of Holy Church may be kept and the Great Charter be newly proclaim'd and by Oath confirmed The King answer'd that it was his Desire that Magna Charta should be observed but that it seem'd to him sufficient for either that or other their Liberties to be exemplifi'd under the Great Seal and that more Oaths were not necessary especially since already too many
The Occasion was given first in Bretagne For e Frois c. 63. fol. 35. after the Truce had been confirmed and sealed before the City of Tournay and every Man was gone his way the Lord John Dreux then Duke of Bretagne who had been there on the French Kings side in as gallant an Equipage as any other Prince whatsoever upon his Return homewards fell suddenly sick of a mortal Disease and died in little Bretagne and was buried at f Catal. Honor. p. 606. Ploermell in the Diocess of Nantes He had been thrice married first to Isabell Daughter of Charles Earl of Valois and Alanson and Sister to King Philip of Valois secondly to Blanch Daughter of the King of Castille and lastly to Margaret Daughter of Edward Earl of Savoy but yet died without any Issue From whence a lasting War was entailed upon his Country which occasionally also involved the Realms of France and England This same Duke g Frois ibid. Catal. Honor. had two younger Brethren the one by the Fathers side onely of a second Venter named John Earl of Montfort who was then living the other named Guy Earl of Pentebria his Brother both by Father and Mother side was dead indeed but had left one Daughter behind him named Jane which her Uncle the late Duke had before his Death married to the young Lord Charles Castillion Eldest Son to Guy Earl of Blois by another Sister of King Philip of France Upon which Marriage the said King promised after the Decease of her Uncle Duke John to uphold and maintain the said Charles her Husband in the Dukedom of Bretagne For the late Duke always suspected vehemently that his Half-brother Monford would struggle for the Inheritance after his Death against the Daughter of his own Brother Guy to whom he reckon'd it more justly belonged That she might therefore find an able Friend upon Occasion to abett her Quarrel he thus wisely to his thinking match'd her with a Son of King Philips Sister And accordingly King Philip however partial he was in King Edwards Cause who claim'd the Crown of France by a Title derived from a Woman yet without any Scruple undertook to defend the Title of his Nephew Charles to this Dukedom as we shall shew at large anon V. However John Earl of Monford had this Advantage that he h Frois ibid. first heard of the Duke his Brothers Death and thereupon resolving not to dally in a matter of such Consequence he rode immediately to Nantes the chief City in Bretagne where upon his fair Address to the Burgesses and those of the Country thereabouts he was forthwith received as their Chief Lord and had Homage and Fealty done unto him Then the Earl and his Lady Margaret Daughter to i Mezeray p. 19. Robert late Earl of Flanders and Sister to Lewis of Cressy the present Earl of Flanders a Lady of a most Masculine Spirit determin'd by Advice of their Council to call a Court of Parliament and keep a Solemn Feast on such a Day at Nantes against which time the Earl of Montford sent forth his Summons to all the Nobles and Representatives of the good Towns of Bretagne to be there to render their Homage and Fealty unto Him as unto their Soveraign Lord. But in the mean while before the time of the Feast came the Earl of Montford went from Nantes with a competent Number of Men of Arms unto Limoges the Chief Town of Limousin whereof the Dukes of Bretagne were Vicounts where he was informed that the vast Treasures which his Father Arthur had amassed together were securely kept Being come thither he enter'd the City in great Pomp and Splendour and was honourably received of all the Clergy Burgesses and Commons who then and there made Homage and swore Fealty unto him Here he handled the Matter so discreetly that he had all that inestimable Treasure deliver'd up to him which of a long time before his Father had gather'd and strongly secur'd with this Injunction left to his Son that he should not meddle therewith till he should be brought to some Extremity So having obtained this hitherto untouch'd Prize he brought it away with him to Nantes to the Countess his Wife as the most able Nerves of the War which he expected By this time was the Day of the Solemn Feast come but no Breton of any great Name or Quality was found to be concern'd at Monfords Summons onely one valiant and wealthy Lord named Sr. Henry du Leon came thither to yield him his Obersance However the Feast was continued for three Days with much Real Pomp but Feigned Cheer because it look'd so ill that his Cause was so universally discountenanced by the Nobility and Gentry After the Feast it was resolved that all the New-found Treasure should be set apart for Wages for Men of War both Horse and Foot which the Earl design'd to retain on all Hands as well to constrain the Rebellious as to maintain the Dutchy against his Adversary Being therefore as soon as might be well furnished with Men of War and Chosen Captains from divers Countries he resolved to March forth and either by Love or Force make himself Lord of all Bretagn The first Place he design'd to attempt was the strong Castle of Brest standing upon an Arm of the Sea the Captain whereof was the Lord Garnier Clisson a Noble Knight and one of the Greatest Barons of Bretagne Earl Monford all along in his Passage thither prest the Men of the Country to his Service none daring to refuse so that by that time he came thither his Forces were mightily encreased Brest and Nantes being distant almost the whole length of Bretagne one from another Being come to the Castle he sent the Lord Henry du Leon to summon the Captain to yield up the Place and to obey the Earl as his Lord and Duke of Bretagn The Captains Answer was short That he was not inclin'd to do any such Matter till he should be commanded so to do by the Right Heir of that Dukedom So the next day an Assault was given But within the Castle were 300 Men of Arms besides Others and all things were well disposed for Defence Wherefore the Captain full of Courage came to the Barriers with 40 good Men of Arms and made a very brave Resistance But so many of the Assailants came thither that at last the Barriers were won by fine Force the Defendants being obliged to retire toward the Castle in some Confusion having lost several of their Company But the Captain did so much that he secur'd the Retreat to the rest as far as the first Gate When those who kept the Ward thereof fearing from what they saw more mischief in an ill time let down their Portcullis and shut their Captain out with most of his Company who fought with him in the Reer with much Resolution and Bravery Thus they all remain'd without expos'd to eminent Danger for the Captain would never yield
do what became his Wisdom and Courage but he was something surpris'd to be taken at such a time when most of his best Friends were absent with the Earl of Salisbury who lay then before Rennes but knew nothing of this matter it had been carried on so privately When the Besiegers had made good their Approaches and rightly fitted themselves they immediately fell on the Assault which they maintain'd with incredible Fury and Resolution For they feared lest the Earl of Salisbury should be informed of this their undertaking before they had effected their Design The Lords Henryds Leon and Sr. Oliver Clisson gave the greatest Encouragement and set the best Example so that never any Attack was carried on with more Ardour nor obtain'd better Success For there were so many places to be Mann'd and so few hands to perform that at last they wan the Barriers not long after the Gates and so they entred the City by force the English being now in their turn put to the chace many hurt and taken and more slain The Lord Robert of Artois escaped very narrowly thrô a Postern thô grievously wounded and with him the Lord Stafford who both got to the Countess to Hennebond The Lord Hugh Spencer was taken by the Lord Henry du Leon but so grievously wounded as Froisard says that he died within three Days after Thô this is a mistake for this Baron Spencer died not till p Dâ—dg 1 Vol. p. 395. six Years after as appears from the Records only indeed a Brother of his Sr. Edward Spencer we find to have departed this Life about this time But neither will I affirm that he was the Man for his Death is set a little more forward VIII Thus q Frois c. 93. fol. 47. b. was the City of Vannes retaken and fortified and repaired with all Expedition imaginable for fear of a Relapse so that within a short space it was much better provided to endure a Siege than ever before The Lord Robert of Artois tarried a while at Hennebond to seek remedy for his Wounds but neither did the Air agree with him nor the Physick For he found but little good there So he was advis'd to return into England where he might get more skilfull Chirurgeons But in his voyage the Sea and the Weather us'd him so unkindly that his sores fester'd insomuch that being brought to London he there died soon after Surely thô his High Spirit not being able to brook an injury from one whom He had in a manner raised to a Crown had urged him to open Enmity with his own Country yet for his Valour Conduct and Loyalty to King Edward he ought not to be deprived of his due Commendations especially since his fault against his Country may seem to have been expiated by his violent Death but the Worth of the Man may appear to have been considerable since his fall was bemoan'd as a Publique Loss over all England and King Edward himself being present at his Funeral in St. Pauls Cathedral perform'd his Obsequies as solemnly as if he had been his own Cosin Henry Plantagenet the most Noble and Valiant Earl of Darby Nor that only but he made a vow that he would severely revenge his Death and to that purpose would go himself in Person into Bretagne and bring the Country into such heavy desolation that it should not be recover'd of fourty Years He that could resolve to do so much for his sake after Death cannot but be supposed to have had an high esteem for his Person when living Althô I do not find that he had any Monument raised for him over the place of his Burial Perhaps King Edward thought as the late Noble Montross wrote for his Martyr'd Prince that it was more fitting To sing his Obsequies with Trumpets Sounds And write his Epitaph in Blood and Wounds However the Kingdom of France did not gain much by his Fall for her evil Genius soon after rais'd up another Native of her own who prov'd as great a Firebrand of the War against Her. IX But we must not omit a Memorable Parliament which King Edward held this Year at his Palace of Westminster die Lunae post Quindenam Paschae that is on * E. Lit. Dom. Pascha 13. April the 28 Day of April during the Sessions whereof viz. on the 12 of May being a Monday King Edward created r Ashincle's Garter p. 671. Adam Marimouth M. S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 226. ad hunc an c. his Eldest Son Edward who was now in the Thirteenth Year of his Age Prince of Wales investing him with a Coronet a Gold Ring and a silver Rod And that he might be enabled to maintain a Port according to his Style and Dignity besides his former Titles and Profits annexed thereto he added several other Lands which are all particularly enumerated in a Writ directed to William Emelden ordering him to deliver them unto this Prince or his Attorney together with this Dignity Further the King granted him all Debts and Arrears of Foreign Rents due to himself for what cause soever in North and South-Wales to the time of his being created Prince of Wales as also all Victuals Arms Horses Oxen Cows and other things in and upon all the Castles and Lands which he held by the Kings Grant. At the same time the King Knighted several young Noblemen particularly Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 231. John Beauchamp younger Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick to whom he then gave an allowance of twenty pounds per annum toward his better support in the Kings Service Now it was Enacted t M.S. Rot. Parl. p. 50. §. 23. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 38. §. 23. that the Statute made at Westminster 15 of Edward 3. which the King had soon after revoked as we have shewn should accordingly be utterly Repealed and lose the Name of a Statute as contrary to the Laws and the Kings Prerogative But forasmuch as the Articles there made were Reasonable it was Enacted that such Articles and others agreed on in this Parliament should be made into a Statute by Advice of the u i. e. of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas. Justices X. In this Parliament it is Recorded x 17. Ed. 3. n. 59 in Dorso Vid. M.S. Rot. Parl. p. 54. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgement p. 41. Fox Acts Mon. p. 388. c. That the Commons of England made great Complaint of the Provisions and Reservations coming from the Court of Rome Whereby the Pope took up beforehand the future vacancies of Ecclesiastical Dignities for Aliens and such as had nothing to do within this Realm They remonstrated to the King the Manifold Inconveniences ensuing thereby as the Decay of Hospitality the transporting of the Treasure of the Realm to the Maintenance of the Kings Mortal Enemies the Discovering of the Secrets of the Kingdom and the utter discouragement disabling and impoverishing of Scholars Natives of the Land.
and Seisin as they have at this Day in all those Goods Lands and Possessions which they hold or have any way acquired 10. Item That they shall go from one Country to another as well Merchants with their Merchandise as any other Subjects either by Land or by Water only paying their usual Customs freely and securely as they were wont to go and come in the time of the Predecessors of the said Kings Except such as are banished the said Realms for other causes than for the Wars of the said Kings But the Barons of Gascoign and others banished out of the said Dukedom are contained in the said Truce and may come and go during the Truce so often remembred Only the Banished and Fugitives of the Country of Flanders who have been on the part of the King of France shall not during the Truce return into Flanders 11. Item The said Truce shall contain and comprise Spain Catalaunia Genoua Provence the Bishop and Chapter of Cambray the Castles of Cambresis the Lord of Albret the Vicount of Fronsac the Lord of Tricouleon the Lord John de Vernon and the Lord of Roye 12. To all which Articles and Agreements the Lord Otho Duke of Burgundy the Lord Peter Duke of Bourbon with the Earls of Boulogne Auxerre Sancerre Joigny and Porcien the Lords Milo de Nogheres and Ingelram de Coucy upon the Soul of the Lord Philip King of France and the Lord Henry de Lancaster Earl of Darby the Lord William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord William Montagu Earl of Salisbury Ralph Lord Stafford Bartholomew Lord Burwash Nicolas Lord Cantilupe Reginald Lord Cobham Walter Lord Manny Maurice Lord Barkley and Doctor John Hufford Archdeacon of Ely on the Soul of the Lord Edward King of England according to a Commission by the said Kings to them made have taken their Corporal Oath by laying their Hands upon the Holy Gospel Given in the Priory of St. Mary Magdalene in Malestroit of the Order of St. Benedict in the Dioecese of Nates 19 January 1343. Thus the Articles of the Truce being solemnly confirmed by the Oaths of the Lords abovemention'd the Cardinals caused a Charter thereof to be drawn up in the form aforesaid to which all the said Persons set to their Hands and Seals on the Day and Year above written in the presence of the Cardinals themselves and many great Lords Knights and Gentlemen of either Nation And thus We end the Transactions of this Year relating to the Wars of Bretagne and shall therewith conclude this Chapter also when We have after our usual Custom added two or three Occurrences which could not be properly ranged in any other place or method This Truce thus taken i Hecsemius in Alphonso c. 28. many great Lords and valiant Knights of England France and Bretagne took their journey with all haste into Spain to help King Alphonso against the Saracens of Granada among whom are reckon'd the Noble Lord k Knighton p. 2583. n. 20. Hocsem ibid. ubi pro Darby legit Arbidi pro Salisbury Soluz beri satis imperitè Henry Earl of Darby William Earl of Salisbury Sr. Maurice Son to the Lord Thomas Berkley with a goodly Band of young Gentlemen Voluntiers They found King Alphonso at the Siege of Algezira before which he had now layn a long time and here among others the Earl of Darby and his English Troops who had fought twice with the Pagans who came to relieve the place to their great Honour behav'd themselves so well together with the other Christian Worthies that now at length after a Siege of three Years the City was yielded up to the King of Spain and Jutzeph King of Granada who had held the place against him became l 1 Walsing hist p. 154. n. 20. Odoric Rainâ—ld ad an 1344. §. 51. ad §. 53. thenceforth his Vassal and paid him a Yearly Tribute of 12000 Florens The Pope l 1 Walsing hist p. 154. n. 20. Odoric Rainâ—ld ad an 1344. §. 51. ad §. 53. hearing of the taking of this City made it an Episcopal Seat and subjected the Bishop thereof as a Suffragan to the Metropolitan Church of Hispalis or Sevil. But the two English Earls went not only this tiem in Quality of Champions of Christ but also of m Râ—t Fran. 17. Ed. 3. m. 12. ex Dudg 1 Vol. p. 784. Ambassadors from the King their Master to treat with Alphonso King of Castille for the composing of certain differences betwixt the Subjects of that King and the Subjects of King Edward especially Mariners and Citizens of Bayonne All which Matters both of War and Peace being happily by them performed they shortly after return'd home with great Glory On the n Mezeray p. 21. 28 or as others say on the * Scipio Mazzella's Hist of Naples p. 157. 20 of January this Year 1343 that most Noble and Learned Prince Robert King of Sicily Naples and Jerusalem departed this Life after he had Reigned 33 Years 4 Moneths and 24 Days He was as Mazzella Collenutius and other Neopolitan Writers testifie a Wise and Learned King and much Renowned for his Skill in Astrology as We have more then once intimated He made Honourable Wars with Henry the VII Emperour of Germany and Father to John of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia also with Frederick King of Sicily and lastly in Tuscany in behalf of the Florentines where in the Famous overthrow of Montacatino in a Battle fought between the Guelphs and the Gibellines he lost Philip Prince of Tarentum and Peter Earl of Gravina his Brothers He sent his Son Charles firnamed Sans-Terre against Frederick King of Sicily and went himself against Castruccio Castricani the Head of the Gibellines at what time the Dominion of Florence was given unto Charles Sans-Terre He was a Religious Prince and a Lover of Learned Men as who could best judge of them whereof We shall produce but two instances the One That Marvellous stately Church and other things which he builded in Naples and the Second may be the Great Familiarity which he constantly held with those bright Lights of Tuscany Petrarch and Boccace Our Stories do mention a Son of his slain at Southampton when that Town was fired by the French but I find no other Son that he had except Charles Sans-Terre whom being Famous for his Prowess and Valour I dare not avouch to have died then However he left his Kingdom to Joan the sole Daughter of his Son Charles aforesaid who o Giovanni Villani l. 12. c. 50. 51. being enslaved with the Love of her own Cousin Lewis Prince of Tarentum and not satisfied with the cold embraces of her Husband Andrew Son to the King of Hungary caused him to be hanged in a silken Sash out of her Chamber Window But his Father Charles Humbert in Revenge hereof did so much interrupt her unlawfull Pleasures that ever after she lived in no less disquiet than Disgrace till
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
Christendom he sent r Odor c. Rainald ad 〈◊〉 annu◠§. 61. 62. his Letters to the Pope shewing how King Philip had despightfully slain and put to Death Good and Loyal Knights and Gentlemen upon his Account and for hate of his Person whereby he had notoriously violated the Truce lately taken between them which as he could not but highly resent so he was preparing to revenge it But yet if King Philip would according as Reason requireth retract for what he had done amiss and offer Satisfaction for these injuries he would at the time appointed send other Ambassadors to the Apostolick See and give them Instructions for making Peace The Pope having heard thus much return'd an Answer to this Purpose After having manifested to King Edward in how great Dangers the whole Christian World was tossed and that this Mortal War thus kindled between France and England did grievously afflict the Church he then told him that King Philip had granted Letters of safe Conduct as the English Ambassadors had required and as to the Death of the Lords Esquires and Others King Philip had wrote unto him that they for their enormous Crimes Murders and Rapines had been justly put to Death by him not thereby to break the Truce but by the fear of their Punishment to terrifie others from the Breach thereof and that he had added how the King of England's Garrisons had attempted many things against the Truce Then he begg'd the King to let him know his Secret Resolutions for that he would never divulge them but use his utmost to make a final Peace which was so profitable and advantagious to the Expedition against the Turks And he assured him that hitherto he had defer'd to dispence with the Canon-Law for the Marriage between his Eldest Son and the Duke of Brabant's Daughter in hopes that by that Bond of Affinity tied in France a sure Peace would ensue c. Thus the Pope neglected not to heal these Wounds of Bleeding Christendom but King Edward was too much exasperated by his Adversary to stop now since nothing of Satisfaction was offer'd but only frivolous and false Excuses Wherefore in order to enable himself the better to carry on this War he now held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster on the 7 Day of June being the Å¿ M.S. Pâ—t Pâ—â— p. 56 18 Ed. ◠§. 1. Sr. Râ—b Cottens Abridgment p. 44 c. v. Statute Bâ—cks Monday next after the Octaves of Holy Trinity On which day in presence of the King certain of the Lords and Commons being then assembled in St. Edwards Chamber otherwise called the Painted Chamber and the Lord Chancellor at the Kings Command declared how sundry things of the last Parliament were left to be done at this And that the Archbishop of Canterbury had against the time of the said Parliament called a Convocation of his Clergy At which Parliament and Convocation sundry of all Estates were absent c. Whereat the King did no less muse than he was thereat offended Wherefore he charged the Archbishop for his part to punish the Defaults of the Clergy and he would do the like touching the Parliament Hereupon Proclamation was made that none should wear Armour or Weapons in or about London and Westminster during the Session of the Parliament Receivours of Petitions for England Gascogne Wales Ireland Bretagne Scotland and the Foreign Isles and other Places beyond the Seas Sr. Thomas Drayton appointed Clark of the Parliament and this is all was done that Day being Monday On the Tuesday the Names of the Lords of the Parliament were examined before the King that such as made default in being absent might abide the Kings Order On Tursday after the Chancellour in full Parliament in Presence of the King and of his Son the Prince of Wales declared the Cause of the same Parliament viz. The Articles of the Truce and the Breaches of the same by the French King which were there particularly instanced Whereupon the Three Estates were willed to advise upon the Premises and to shew their Opinion of them by Monday next ensuing The same Monday they had their time enlarged untill Wednesday in the Week of St. John being the 23 of June on which day every of the Lords and Commons by themselves with one Assent required the King to end the same War either by Battle or Honourable Peace And if the King shall attempt War eftsoons that he do not stay the same at the Letters or Requests of the Pope or of any whomsoever but to end the same by Dint of Sword. Whereunto the King agreed but forasmuch as the same could not be atchieved without Aid the Clergy of Canterbury granted unto the King a Desme Triennial And the Commons granted unto him Two Fifteenths of Counties and Two Desmes of Cities and of Towns on Condition that the same be leavied in such manner as the last was that the Commons Petitions be Granted and that the same may be imployed upon the Wars with the Assent of the Lords That the Prince and Sr. Edward Bailiol may lie on the North-Marches And because the King should pass over the Seas in Person to end this Quarrel they further grant unto the King a Third Fifteenth Then after the Petitions of the Commons and Clergy with their Answers the Commons by their Petition recite the Act of Provision made in the last Parliament and because no Penalty was provided therefore request that such as incurr the breach of the same by receipt procuring or Counsel in stay of any temporal judgement shall lie in perpetual Prison or be forejudged the Land And that all Justices of Assises Goal-Delivery and Oyer and Terminer may determine the same And that the Act of Provision may continue for ever That if any Archbishop or other Person Religieux or other do not present within four Moneths some able Clerk to any Dignity whereof any Person hath obtained from the Court of Rome any Provision but surcease the same that then the King may present some able Clerk himself That 〈◊〉 any Bishop Elect shall refuse to take such t Ità M.S. sed Brother in Sr. Rob. Cotten Bishop other than by such then such Clerk shall not enter nor enjoy his Temporalities without the Kings special Licence That the King shall dispose of all such Benefices and Dignities of such Aliens his Enemies as remain in such Countries of his Enemies and employ the Profits thereof to the Defence of the Realm That Commissions be sent into all the Kings Ports to apprehend all such Persons as shall bring in any such Instrument from the Court of Rome and to bring them forthwith before the Council to answer thereto That the Deanery of York which is recoverable by Judgement in the Kings Court may be bestowed upon some Able Man within the Realm who will maintain the same against him who holdeth the same by Provision from the Court of Rome being the Common Enemy to the King
in the conclusion vid. M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet n. 7. which We do unwillingly and for want of a Remedy We thought good to signifie to the said Lord the Pope and the foresaid Cardinals by whose Mediation We Consented to the said Truce to be by them as Persons indifferent to either Party insinuated to those who might have another Perswasion of our Actions And lest Nimble Fame by her hasty Relations should cause You to think amiss of Us that We may settle the Minds of our Friends We have thought fit to unfold the Naked Truth unto You recommending unto You all our Innocence and the Justice of our Cause Dat. at Westminster the 14 Day of June In the Year of our Reign of England the XIX and of our Reign of France VI. IV. After having thus Published his Intentions the King seriously h Ashmole p. 654. sets himself to provide for the War and to equip a Royal Army wherewith to enter France in Person the following Year But in the mean time he provided that what was on the last Year in Gascogne should now be well maintain'd and therefore i Ashmâ—le p. 680. before the Date of this Manifesto he renew'd his k Maii 10. ex Ret. Vasâ— 19. Ed. 3. Commission to the Valiant Lord Henry Plantagenet Earl of Darby empowering him to Treat and Conclude with all Persons of whatsoever State or Condition Kingdom or Nation for settling firm Alliances and mutual Assistance between the King and them as also to retain Men for the Kings Service and to agree about their Fees Wages and other Rewards And in consideration of his late great Successes and his Extraordinary Abilities for the War within a few l 15 Maii Rot. Vasc 19. Ed. 3. m. 6. Rot. Franc. 19. Ed. 3. m. 6. Days after he constituted him his sole Lieutenant and Captain in the Dutchy of Aquitain and the Parts adjacent with Power to do and Execute all things belonging to that Character And he issued out his Royal Proclamation to all Archbishops and other Prelates Earls Barons Viscounts Governours of Fortresses and other Officers commanding them all to yield Obedience to him as unto the Kings Lieutenant V. On the m Claus 19. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 12. 11 of June the Earl having shipt most of his Horse at Southampton and being himself ready to depart Command was sent to the Sheriff of London to make Proclamation That all Men of Arms Archers and others who were to go with him should with all possible speed repair to Southampton Being on board he had a fair Wind and without any let or stay Landed at Bayonne in Gascogne whence he went to Bourdeaux and having for Encouragement sake made 50 New Knights immediately after his n These things being taken from the Records We must pardon Froisard who thought he winter'd at Bourdeaux and took the Field in May. Arrival he took the Field with a great Number of Men of Arms and Archers with a Resolution to lay Siege to la Reole upon the Garonne about 9 Leagues from Bourdeaux The first Day he rode from Bourdeaux to Bergerac where he met with the Earl of Pembroke who was ready to joyn him Having tarried there three Days they all began to March being in Number a 1000 Men of Arms and 2200 Archers on Horseback besides others Thus they rode forth till they came to o Frois c. 108. Du Chesne p. 662. Ashmâ—le p. 680. St. Basil a Castle of considerable strength which they laid Siege to But the Garrison considering that the greatest part of the Lords Knights and Captains of their side were either slain or in Prison and seeing no likelyhood of any timely Succour from any other Part concluded to deliver up the Place and so yielded themselves and swore Fealty to the King of England Matters being duly settled here the Earl Marched forward taking the way to the strong Castle of Aiguillon in Agennois But meeting in his march with a Fort called Rochemillone thô he knew it was furnished with Souldiers and Artillery yet he commanded it to be Assaulted Which was done with much Bravery But the Defendants cast forth huge Stones Barrs of Iron Pots of quick Lime and other offensive Matter whereby many of the most forward and venturous were grievously annoyed The Earl of Darby seeing this sounded a Retreat for that time and resolved to use another Method The next day he compelled the Bores of the Country to bring thither great quantities of Bushes Faggots Dung Straw and Earth with which a great part of the Ditch was so well filled that they might approach close to the Walls Then he caused 200 Men of the Country to go before having great Pick-Axes in their hands and strong Targets over their Heads lockt together in manner of a Penthouse like the old Roman Testudo These were followed by 300 choice Archers who while the other undermin'd the Wall shot so fiercely and so close together that hardly any Man could appear at his Defence but he was taken off Yet the French held out obstinately thô this manner of Attack was carried on thus most part of the Day till at last the Miners made so great a Breach thrô the Wall that ten Men might enter a breast This unexpected Misfortune quite brake the Courages of the Defendants so that immediately every Man began to look out for himself some flying into the Church and some few stealing away by a back Gate But that Passage being soon secur'd most of the Garrison was put to the Sword except those whom being fled to the Church the Earl of Darby pardon'd for that Respect and because they implor'd his Mercy Both the Town and Castle were immediately taken and plunder'd but nothing destroy'd for the Earl intended to Repair the breach and to leave a Garrison there which he did under the Command of Richard Mills and Robert Scott Esquires Thence he proceeded and laid Siege to the Town of Monsegur the Captain whereof was Sr. Hugh Bâtefoile a Man of great Courage Experience and Honour Who being summon'd rejected all Conditions of Peace and said he was ready either to maintain the place or to die in the Action Wherefore the Earl of Darby being resolv'd not to have his Successes scandal'd with a foile here sent for Engines of Battery to Bourdeaux and to Bergerac wherewith he cast Mighty Stones against the Town which brake down Walls Roofs of Chambers and Houses Now when the nimble Course of his Victories had received a Check here for 15 Days he resolv'd a General Assault but first after his usual Method sent again to the Inhabitants to warn them that if they were taken by force they must all expect nothing but Death but if they would own the King of England for their Lord he would then both Pardon and take them for his Friends The Townsmen would very gladly have accepted these Conditions But as yet they had no Power so to do wherefore they
own Castle called Castillon upon the Dordonne where he found the Frenchmen who had invested it the Day before and made a vigorous Assault or two but to little Purpose The English immediatly set spurs to their Horses and assailed the Frenchmen with such fury that after a sharp and hard Rencounter they totally routed them having slain and taken Prisoners no less than 2000 Foot and 400 Horse among whom the Seneschal himself and many other Persons of Quality were taken The Residue made their escape by reason of the Weariness of the English in obtaining this Victory Many such Successes the Earl of Lancaster had against several of the French Detachments which either Himself or some of his Captains Chanced to meet with So that the Duke of Normandy was in a manner besieged himself by him and his Garrisons for he durst never send out any Parties but in very considerable Numbers whereby he was not without his difficulties Neither was he able as oft as need required to get in sufficient Provision for the Army for fear of the Earl of Lancaster who thô he was not strong enough to raise the Siege yet so well watched his Advantages that the Besiegers were likely to be soon wearied out CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS I. King Edward resolved in Person to succour his Friends in Aiguillon calls a Parliament at Westminster and takes Order for the Government and Defence of the Realm during his Absence II. He sets Sail for Gascogne but lands in Normandy III. Vpon his Landing he Knights his Son Edward Prince of Wales and together with him certain young Noblemen IV. King Philip hearing of his Adversary's Landing sends some Troops to defend Caen against him V. A cruel Execution done at Paris upon a Frenchman for Asserting King Edward's Right to the Crown of France VI. King Edward marches thrô Normandy in Hostile Manner VII King Philip prepares to oppose him VIII King Edward takes St. Lo and Caen. IX Two Cardinals sent to him from the Pope to exhort him to Peace but in vain While he tarries at Poissy to repair the Bridge in order to get over the Seyne he sends a Defiance to King Philip with different Remarks thereupon X. King Philip goes to his Army King Edward gets over the Seyne receives an Answer of his Challenge from King Philip to which he replies His Progress thrô France XI King Edward's Princely Carriage to two Fair Ladies that were taken at Poix The Men of Poix being found Treacherous are put to the Sword. XII King Edward endeavours to get over the Somme the French King following with a great Army The Opinion of some Authors as to his Flight examin'd XIII A French Prisoner offers to shew King Edward a Passage over the Somme Which yet King Philip for fear of the worst had guarded XIV King Edward passes the Somme at Blanche ttaque and discomfits those that kept the Passage XV. King Philip displeased hereat returns to Abbeville for that Night while King Edward prepares to receive him and encamps in the Fields of Cressy I. THE mean while King Edward had full Information from the very beginning of the Duke of Normandy's Descent into Guienne and had particular Notice from the Earl of Darby of all the Occurrences in those Parts from time to time Wherefore he resolved to go now in Person to save his Lands and succour his Loyal Friends and Subjects But first to settle Matters at home He held his High Court of Parliament a Holingshead Engl. Chron. p. 929. at Westminster about the Season of Lent where he took into his own Hands all the Profits Revenues and other Emoluments which the Cardinals and other Foreign Clergy held within the Land for he thought it not reason that those who favour'd the Pope who was b M.S. Author is Anâ—nymi ea Vaticano sign n. 3765. in Clem. Vl. Odoric Rain ad ann 1342. §. 6. a Frenchman born and the French King who was his Adversary should enjoy any such Promotion or Advantage in his Realm Here he Order'd that all his Justices throughout his Dominions should renounce and utterly forbear taking of Pensions Fees Bribes or any Sort of Gratuities which before they were found to receive both of Lords Temporal and Spiritual and Others that so their Hands being free from Bribery Justice might be by them more purely and uprightly administred For this Pious Prince then thought he might expect a Blessing upon the Justice of his Cause when he took Care that his Subjects might meet with Righteous Judgment Here therefore it was that a Form of Oath was drawn up for all Justices which thô in the Book of Statutes falsly placed in the 18 Year of this King as we observed before in the last Clause of Paragraph XIII doth properly belong to this Place and for its Rarity deserves also to be here repeated Ye shall swear c Statute Beck p. 88. that Well and Lawfully Ye shall serve our Sovereign Lord the King and his People in the Office of Justice and that Lawfully You shall Counsel the King in his Business and that Ye shall not Counsel nor assent to any thing which may turn him in Damage or Disherison by any Manner Way or Colour And that Ye shall not know the Damage or Disherison of him Whereof Ye shall not do him to be warned by your self or by other That Ye shall do even Law and Execution of Right to all his Subjects Rich and Poor without having Regard to any Person And that Ye take not by your self nor by other privily nor apertly Gift nor Rewards of Gold nor Silver nor of any other thing which may turn to your Profit unless it be Meat or Drink and that of small value of any Man that shall have any Plea or Process hanging before You as long as the same Process shall be so hanging nor after the same Cause And that Ye take no Fee as long as Ye shall be Justice nor Robes of any Great Man or small but of the King himself And that Ye give none Advice nor Counsel to no Man Great nor Small in case where the King is Party And in case that any of what Estate or Condition they be come before You in your Sessions with Force and Arms or otherwise against the Peace or against the Form of the Statute therefore made to disturb Execution of the Common Law or to meance the People that they may not pursue the Law that Ye shall do their Bodies to be arrested and put in Prison And in case they be such that Ye may not arrest them that Ye certifie the King of their Names and of their Misprision hastily so that he may thereof ordain a covenable Remedy And that Ye by your self nor by other privily nor apertly maintain any Plea or Quarrel hanging in the Kings Court or elsewhere in the Country and that Ye deny no Man Common Right d i.e. upon occasion by the Kings Letters nor none other
Mans nor for none other Cause and in case any Letters come to You contrary to the Law that Ye do nothing by such Letters but certifie the King thereof and go forth to do the Law notwithstanding the same Letters And that Ye shall do and procure the Profit of the King and of his Crown with all things where Ye may reasonably do the same And in case Ye be from henceforth found in Default in any of the points aforesaid Ye shall be at the Kings Will of Body Lands and Goods thereof to be done as shall please him As God You help and all his Saints A like form mutatis mutandic was set for the Clerks of the Chancery for which we refer the Reader to the Statute-Book Where also he will find an excellent Statute made 7 Maii Anâ— Reg. Angl. 20. Fr. 7. which is to be refer'd hither Now also the King hearing e Holinshead Eng. Chr. p. 929. Complaints made against the Purveyors of Victuals for his Houshold who under Colour of their Commissions abused the same in taking up whatever they pleased among the Commons at the rate only set in their Commission he caused strict Inquisition to be made of these Misdemeanours and those who were found Offenders in the Premises of which there were many all condemned some to the Gallows and other to Great-Fines whereby the Groans of the Commons ceased and other of the Kings Officers were made more Wary and Discreet Having thus provided for the settlement of Justice during his Absence he f Frois c. 121. left his Queen to the Care of his Cousin John Plantagenet the Young Earl of Kent his Second Son Prince Lionel of Antwerp he g Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 167. ex Rot. c. constituted his Lieutenant of the Realm appointing the Archbishop of Canterbury and others of his Council to assist him And to Watch the Motions of Scotland b Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 929. he left the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Ralph Nevil of Raby together with the Archbishop of York the Bishop of Durham the Bishop of Lincoln and the Chief Lords of the North But he gave an especial Charge to Sr. Geoffry Witchingham Lord Mayor of London and to John Croyden and William Clopton Sheriffs to take diligent Care of the Peaceable and Quiet Government of the City and particularly he i 20 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 18. 26. commanded them to look after the Spreaders of False News in and about the City and to apprehend all such Persons and lay them up in the Prison of Newgate II. And having thus providently settled Affairs at home k 6 Maii Claus 20. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 11. dersc vid. Rot. Franc. 20. Ed. 34. 2. m. 2. and sent to the Prior of the Order of Fryers Preachers in London to offer up Prayers that God would please to Protect and Defend him and give his Forces Victory over his Enemies he repaired to his Army which was now ready to go on board And there he spake aloud to all his Captains and Officers which was also communicated to the whole Army l Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 62. p. 872 That he had more Right to the Realm of France upon the account of Queen Isabella his Mother Daughter of Philip the Fair than Philip of Valois had who was Son of the Lord Charles Second Brother which was of the said Philip the Fair who now usurped the said Realm thô he was not in the direct Line but collateral He therefore earnestly desired them to play the Men forasmuch as it was his Resolution to send back his Navy again as soon as ever he was Arrived in the Realm of France Wherefore it behoved them to be Valiant and either to Win the Land with their Swords or resolve to die every Man for they would have no place to flye But that if any one was in doubt or fear to pass the Seas with him he might ev'n stay in England with his good leave To this they all answer'd as it were with one Voice That they would follow him as their Good and Dear Lord with a good Will even to the Death Then the King seeing his Men well disposed to the War deliver'd his Letters close Sealed to the Admirals of his Fleet least it should happen that by force of Wind they should be separated from the Rest in which letters was contained where he would have them Land and commanded them unless they were divided by Storm not to open them till they came to Land. And so he went on board in the Name of God and St. George at m Frois c. 221. Southampton in the close of June with a Fleet of n Mezeray ad hanc an p. 24. ubi 200. Knighton verò 1100 magnas naves 500 mineres ponit p. 1585. n. 40. Stow p. 241. has a 1000 ships of Barthen and Pinaces Speed p. 577. about a 1000 Sail. Gaguin 1100. Grov Villani 6â—0 c. 200 Sail thô Authors vary much in the Number wherein were 4000 Men of Arms 10000 Archers and Footmen of Wales 12000 and 6000 Irishmen The King had with him in his Company the Young Prince of Wales at that time about sixteen Years of Age There was also Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel John Vere Earl of Oxford William Clinton Earl of Huntington Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk and of Barons the Young Lord Roger Mortimer the Lord Gerard o Dudg 1 Vol. p. 738. Lisle and his Kinsman the Lord John Lisle the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lords John and Roger Beauchamps the Lord John Moubray the Lord William Ros of Hamlake the Lord Thomas Lucy of Cockermouth the Lord William Felton the Lord Thomas Bradestan the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcoate John Lord Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Peter Mauley V. of the Name * Hâ—c nemina â—u sequuntur ad numerum 22. er M. S. Vetust Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. cui titâ—â—us Acta Edvardi Fihi Edvardi Tertii Thomas Lord Vghtred John Lord Fitz-Walter William Lord Kerdeston the Lord Roger Say the Lord Almaric de St. Amand the Lord Robert Bourchier the Lord John le Strange the Lord Edward Montagu the Lord Richard Talbot the Lord John Mohun of Dunster William Lord Boteler of Wemme Robert Lord Ferrers John Lord Seymor John Lord Grey William Lord Botreaux the Lord Hugh Spencer the Lord John Striveling Michael Lord Poynings Robert Lord Morley Thomas Lord Ashley John Lord Sutton the Lord Nicholas Cantilupe and Others and of Knights Batchelours the Lord John Chandos the Lord Peter Audeley and the Lord James Audeley the Lord Bartholomew Burwash junior the Lord Thomas Holland the Lord Fulk Fitz Warine Sr. Richard Pembroke and several others There were but a few Strangers at this time with King Edward because his Friends of Germany had fell off together
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
Mist that a Man could hardly see the breadth of an Acre from him but however the King of England and his Marshals sent out u Id. Mezeray c. 500 Spears and 2000 Archers on Horseback to scour the Fields and to see whether any Frenchmen were again gather'd together Now many Inhabitants of Abbeville and St. Requier in Ponthieu with the Commons of Rouën and Beauvais had early that Morning being the Day before joyned together come into the Field not knowing of the late Discomfiture Some say that the English had reared French Colours which they had taken in the Fight whereby those Frenchmen being deceived came up to joyn them as if they had been their Friends The English immediately made them know their Errour and set upon them so lustily that within a little while they put them to Flight and chased them and slew in the Ways and among the Hedges and Bushes more than 7000 Men nor had one of them escaped if the Day had been clear They had scarce wip'd their Swords and recover'd their Order when they had an other Occasion to bestir themselves For now they met with a more formidable Number of their Enemies who were conducted by two Noble Leaders the Archbishop of Rouën and the Grand Prior of France they also being ignorant of the Overthrow given to their Friends the Day before For they had heard how King Philip intended not to fight till the Sunday and therefore came thither now to his Assistance Upon these the Day beginning now to clear the Englishmen under the Leading of the Earls of Arundel x Vid. Michael Northburgh's Letter l. 2. c. 4. §. 5. Northampton and Suffolk set with a Courage which their last acquired Victory had doubled and fought so obstinately that after a Stout Resistance they gain'd a Compleat Conquest having slain the two Leaders with 2000 of their best Men upon the Spot and pursuing the Chace for 3 Leagues together Beside these two Successes they met with several Frenchmen who had strayed in the Dark night and not knowing where the King or any of his Captains were had lain about in the Fields But their Respit was not long for now they were all put to the Sword as many as were found and sent to bear them Company who were slain the Day before Whereby it was thought that of the Commons and Footmen of the Cities and Good Towns of France there fell now four times as many as were slain on the Saturday in the great Battle XIV That same y Frois c. 132. Sunday about Noon as the King came from Hearing Divine Service the Captains of this Brigade return'd and shew'd the King what they had seen and done and how they had succeeded and assured him that there was no more Appearance of any Enemy in the Field Then the King order'd the Lord Reginald Cobham and Sr. Richard Stafford Brother to the Lord Ralph Stafford with three Heralds in their Company to go and search the Field and view the Number and Quality of the Slain For in those Days every Great Man wore a Surcoat of his Arms over his Armour to distinguish him according to his Quality These visited in Order the Bodies of all them that were slain and when they had taken a full and exact Account of every Parcel certain Men who were thereto appointed of the King spoil'd their Bodies taking their Money and Rings and what else was most valuable but with so much Decency that they left their Apparel on to cover their Nakedness All which Booty the King caused to be distributed among his Souldiers by equal Portions These Lords with the Heralds returned from visiting the Dead and brought along with them all the Spoil of the Field just as the King was going to Supper and after Supper they reported to the King a just Account of what they had found namely that there lay Dead in the Field 11 Great Princes 80 Bannerets 1200 Knights and more than 30000 of the Common Souldiers The Contemplation of this Success made a z Giov. Villani p. 879. pious Historian of those Days break out after this manner O Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts how great is thy Power in Heaven and Earth and especially in Battles Since sometimes nay very often he brings to pass that a small People and Power doth vanquish Mighty Armies thereby to set forth his own Power and to pull down the Proud and Arrogant and to punish the Sins of Kings Lords and People And particularly in this Discomfiture he shew'd his Power evidently for there were Thrice as many Frenchmen as English But yet this was not says he without just Cause that such Mischief should happen to the King of France Since among his other Offences that we may not instance in the Wrong done to the King of England and other his Lords in Usurping their Inheritance and Lordships but Ten years before being sworn to Pope John to undertake the Croisade and promising within two Years to go beyond the Seas and to regain the Holy Land he took the Tenths and Subsidies of all his Realm and yet made War against Christian Princes unjustly On occasion whereof there died and were taken Prisoners by the Saracens beyond the Seas of Armenians and other Christians above an 100000 who in Confidence of his Assistance had begun the War against the Saracens in Syria Thus far Giovanni Villani XV. The King of England kept the Field all Sunday-Night also and on the Mâ—nday Morning he prepared to March thence but a Frois c. 132. first by Proclamation granted a Truce to all the Towns thereabouts for Three Days that so the Country People might be encouraged to come forth and search the Fields of Cressy and to bury their Dead But as for the Bodies of the Kings and Great Princes he caused them to be taken up decently and conveyed along with him in solemn Pomp to Monstrevil were they were all deposited in Holy Ground in the Great Abby The King b Giov. Vill m. l. 12. c. 66. p. 878. Himself and his Chief Lords wearing Blacks at their Funerals especially for the Sake of John the Famous Old King of Bohemia whose Death he took heavily and prosecuted with Lamentations After which he sent his Body with much Honour to the Marquess his Son then at the Abby of Riscampo whence afterwards it was honourably conveyed to Luxemburgh by his Son aforesaid While the King lay thus at Monstrevil his Marshals made an Excursion towards Hesdin and burnt Campagne and Beauraine but they let the Castle alone because it required some time to win it and that Night they lodged by the River of Canche near Hesdin towards Blangy The next Day the whole Army began to March forward c Frois Knighten p. 2588. Da Chesne p. 665. towards Boulogne and by the way took St. Josse the Town of Estaples Neufchastel St. Estienne and burnt and wasted all the Country for about 8
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
their Qualities Estates and Offices and ordained the like thrô the whole Kingdom They set also a general Tax upon the whole Clergy nor were they shie to make bold with what Sums had been gathered through France for the Holy War and with the Plate Shrines and other Riches and Profits of Abbeys and Monasteries Particularly the King having received a Subsidy which was required of the Monks of St. Dennis among certain other Jewels of that Place which he would needs have demanded a great Crucifix of Masse Gold standing over the High Altar of the Monastery But to this the Monks replied that it could not be taken away without great hazard of the Souls of those who should be concerned in that Action For Pope Eugenius the III more than 200 Years before had in the Days of Lewis the VII King of France solemnly accursed all those of any Degree whatsoever that should offer to lay violent hands upon that Crucifix sacrilegiously to take it away from its Place or to convert it to any Secular Use as f Fabian ibid. appeareth by a Plate engraven under the Pedestall of the Cross With which Answer King Philip was satisfied In this Parliament it was also Ordained that the King should send forth his general Summons throughout the whole Realm commanding all Persons who any way held of the Crown of France to be with the King at the City of Amiens by Whitsuntide next following g Kal. April Pasch Whitsunday falling on the 20 of May that Year there to attend at the Rendezvous with all their several Retinues in their best Array Nor did they forget to invite all the Friends and Allies of the House of France especially the Lord Charles of Luxemburgh Son to the late King of Bohemia and Elect Emperour or King of the Romans set up by the Pope and his Adherents against the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria who again lay under the Censures of the Church And lastly to enflame the Minds of the French Nation more eagerly to prosecute their Revenge against the English King Philip h Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 85. p. 894. caused to be brought from St. Dennis the sacred Banner of Oriflambe which of old was never taken down but in the Cause of Christ against Infidels or upon some great Distress or Necessity of the King and the Realm of France But now it was taken down to be used against King Edward and was committed to the Custody of a Burgundian Lord a Noble Gentleman and approved in Arms and having repeated his Commands to all Men to be ready to follow this Banner when he should require them for that time he dismist the Parliament II. Having seen in what manner King Philip bestirr'd himself to rear his Half-ruin'd Affairs let us now take notice how King Edward thô abroad influences Matters at home towards the Establishing what he had already done and was yet undertaking For both these Princes understood well that the time which was unfit for Action was the most proper for Counsel and that they could not better pass the Winter then in providing against the Casualties of the Summer Wherefore at King Edward's Command a Parliament was also called at Westminster by his second Son Prince Lionel then Lord Warden of England for the King his Father i M.S. Rec. Parl. 61. Sr. Rob. Cottens Abridgment p. 46. which Parliament began the third Day of the New-year on the Monday next after Christmas-day as if it was the best Auspice not only to end the Old-year but to begin the New by wholsome Advice and Counsel On which Day Command was given by Prince Lionel that Proclamation should be made against wearing of Armour and using of Games in and about Westminster during this Sessions Then also a time was appointed for all such as would exhibit any Petitions and Receivers also and Tryers were constituted to take and consider of the several Petitions referring to England Ireland Wales Scotland Gascogne and other Foreign Parts and Isles and thereupon Sr. Thomas Drayton being appointed Clerk of the Parliament because several of the Lords and Commons were not yet come they adjourn'd till next Day At which time the House being informed that Sr. Bartholomew Burwash Sr. John Darcy Lord Chamberlain Mr. John Thoresby and Mr. John Charleton were arrived as Messengers from the King then lying before Calais but could not be ready to make their appearance there till Wednesday next after the Morrow the Parliament was prorogued until that Day At which time Declaration was made in open Parliament that the Reasons of that their present meeting were because the King since his passing the Sea and his Attempts in France was now uncertain of his Condition that according to the Issue or Exigence of Affairs abroad Matters might be concerted at home for the safety of his Majesty and the Common Peace and Wealth of his Kingdom which latter was visibly damnified by the sufferance of false Money Then were produced the Kings Letters Patents Credential wherein among other Matters the foresaid Declaration was verbatim expressed the Letters bearing Date before Calais Which being read in open Parliament Sr. Bartholomew Burwash for and in the Name of himself and the rest of his Colleagues in presence of the Lord Warden of England and of the Three Estates declared the good Success of the King since his Arrival at la Hogue in Normandy as in surprising and taking of many Towns and Castles of War as well at Caën as elsewhere and also of the Great Victory obtain'd at Cressy where the whole Power of France was discomfited and how the King was now come before Calais from whence he intended not to depart till by the help of God he had won the same After which he intended to pursue the Enemy without return till the War should be fully ended This done he produced the Copy of an Order made by the King of France in reference to his Son the Duke of Normandy and others Nobles of that Country which was particularly recited being called the Ordinance of Normandy and was to this effect That the Duke of Normandy should pass as Chief with other Nobles of that Province into England with 40000 Men of Arms Knights Esquires and Persons of good Estate and 40000 Footmen Methods being there prescribed for keeping the Sea and an Order also added that the said Duke should remain in England with the said Forces for the space of ten Weeks And in case the Realm of England should in this Expedition be Conquer'd that then the Conquest should solely be to the Name Honour and Advantage of the said Duke and all whatsoever the King of England at that time had there should remain entirely to the said Duke and the Knights and Lords with him That all that which belonged to the Nobles and secular Persons of England should be bestowed on the Churches and Famous Towns of Normandy only of the Revenues of the Church of England the French King
Kings only Brother the little Young Duke of Burgundy Son to his Queen by her First Husband the Lord Philip aforesaid the Earl of Dampmartin and Others And at the same h Martin p. 125 time in consideration of the eminent and agreeable Services of the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain who had lately enter'd the narrow Seas in Behalf of the French with a Powerfull Fleet and thô he was beaten by King Edward as we shew'd even now had first done considerable dammage to England created him Earl of Angoulesme The i Frois ibid. next day the King removed thence and went to Laon and so thrô Soissons and Senlis after which both He and his Queen enter'd into Paris on the 17 of October in great Triumph where there was general Feasting and Revels for an whole Week together and the King tarried at his Palace of Nesle untill the Eleventh of November or the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop and Confessor during which time he sent forth his Summons for the Three Estates to meet him in Parliament at such a Day VI. Now it is to be noted k Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 37. c. that in these Days there was hot War between the Soldan of Babylon and Constantine King of Armenia the former invading the King of Armenia's Dominions with vast and numerous Armies and the latter endeavouring by the united Strength of his own Subjects the Cypriotes and Rhodians to repell the Violence of the said Heathen Invaders or at least to stop their Progress which then began to threaten all Christendom Among l Walsing Hist p. 160. n. 25. Stow p. 250. b. n. 56. Holinsh p. 945. b. n. 20. the several great Men who together with the Christian Princes were engaged in this Holy War whereof Hugh the Valiant King of Cyprus was the most Notable there was a Cypriote Knight named John de Vesconti of the King of Cyprus his Blood and a Knight of France called Thomas de la Marche Bastard-Brother to John de Valois the French King both who had a considerable Command in the Christian Army It so fell out that John de Vesconti laid slat Treason to the Charge of the Bastard of France namely that he had secretly appointed in Consideration of a certain Summ of Gold to be paid unto him before-hand in part of a greater Summ to be paid afterward to betray the Christian Army to the Turks The Defendant strenuously denied the Charge which the Appellant as eagerly urged but there was no other Proof on either side save only their single Asseverations Whereupon a Challenge being denounced and accepted between the Parties the Christian Captains fearing either to displease the King of Cyprus or the King of France to whom they were Allied or at least doubting some Dissention might happen thereupon among themselves by reason of Part-taking on either side made them both swear to stand to their Award as it should be determin'd by the Confederates in Council The Judgment was that they should take and carry Letters importing their Cause fully and clearly from the said Christian Princes unto King Edward of England and to submit themselves to be tried by Combat before him as the most Worthy and Honourable Prince in all Christendom they swearing to remain as perfect Friends untill that time As it was determin'd so these Generous Knights performed and came into England in the beginning of September and forthwith presented their Letters unto King Edward in the Name of the Kings of Armenia and Cyprus and the rest of the Princes and Captains of the Christians containing the whole Difference between them and that they were to determine the Matter by Combat before him as their Judge And then again Sr. John de Vesconti openly before the King began to accuse Sr. Thomas de la Marche of the Treasonable Intent and Purpose aforesaid challenging to prove it upon his Body and thereupon flung down his Gantlet Which the said Sr. Thomas as boldly took up and accepted the Challenge in proof of his Innocency King Edward having read the Letters and seriously consider'd the whole Matter set them a Day C. Lit. Dom. namely the Fourth of October being the Monday after St. Michael wherein to decide their Quarrel in close Field within the Lists at his Palace of Westminster On the day appointed they met accordingly Armed at all Points on Horseback the King the Prince of Wales and the whole Court of England being Spectators There presently upon Sound of Trumpet began a most gallant Combat between these two Gentlemen for at the Tilt both their Spears brake on each others Shield yet neither of them was moved from his Saddle wherefore as it were by Consent they both alighted at one instant and renewed the Combat on Foot till having with equal Valour and Discretion fought a Considerable while both their Weapons were rendred useless and they were obliged to come to close Grapple till by Wrestling both fell lock'd together still contending for the Victory Now the Visors of both their Helmets were defended before with small distant Bars of Steel thrô which they might see and breath more freely all the rest of their Bodies being wholly cover'd with Armour Wherefore Sr. Thomas de la Marche the Knight of France who only of the two had certain short but sharp Pricks of Steel called m Ab Angle Sar. Gadd Massa chalybis Gadlings enclosed in the Joints of his Right Gauntlet struck therewith at the Visor of Sr. John de Vesconti as often as he could come at him and grievously tormented him in the Face Insomuch that being himself unprovided of the like Gadlings he was forced thrô Extremity of pain to cry out aloud as one that could not help himself At that King Edward flang down his Wardour and the Marshal cried Ho and so the Combat ceased the King adjudging the Victory to the Frenchman and the Vanquished to be at his Mercy according to the Law of Arms. Sr. Thomas de la Marche however being satisfied with so plain and honourable a Proof of his Innocency before so Great a Presence forbore to use his power over his Enemy and only took him and made a Present of him unto the Black-Prince to use at his Discretion Which done with great Devotion he Dedicated his own Suit of Armour to the English Patron St. George in the famous Cathedral of St. Paul at London A few Days after this King Edward having graciously entertained and rewarded the Bastard of France sent him home honourably with Commendations to King John his Brother And as for the Captive Knight of Cyprus some while after the Generous Prince of Wales for the Sake of the King of Cyprus gave him his full Liberty and let him go at his Leisure VII Now King John of France before the return of his Bastard-Brother had heard of all this business and taking it in deep indignation that a Frenchman of
his Blood should yield to try a Combat before a King his Enemy was mortally displeased at him and thô he had gain'd such Honour both in the Holy Wars and in the late Duel absolutely deny'd to admit him into his Presence But after a few days having with much adoe and earnest Intercession obtain'd admittance the said Lord Thomas as one that was desirous to shew himself a true Subject and so to recover his Brothers favour besides his declaring the necessity which the Christian Lords had put upon him to go into England began among his excuses highly to extoll the Generosity of King Edward and to shew how justly his Fame was spread throughout the whole World Nor did he forget to commend his Equity which he had shewn in his cause not at all accepting the Person of the Cypriote althô it was well known what a Friend he was to the King of Cyprus himself but Prefer'd and Honoured and Rewarded me said he thô I am a Frenchman and Brother and Servant to you my Lord the King of France These Words the Noble Earl of Ewe and of Guisnes and Constable of France then Present not knowing how distastfull they were to King John confirmed by his own experience and rose up and shew'd among other instances n Knighton p. 2607. n. 1. c. how far that Noble King had banish'd all envy and hatred from his Bâ—east insomuch that lately in a solemn Tourneament at Windsor he had not only admitted him being a Prisoner to that Honourable Exercise but gave him an allowance of all necessary accoutrements and at last rewarded him with a Rich Pâ—ize and new had sent him home upon his Parole in trust of a small Ransom and other as Negotiator for the Redemption of others than a Prisoner himself whereby said he I am put in a Capacity to serve your Majesty as I served your Father or blessed Memory These true Praises of King Edwards Princely Disposition enflam'd the envious heart of lâ—ing John with Madness so that immediately without any in thâ—â— consideration or process of Law he caused them both to be apprehended and sâ—ung in Prison and the third day after o Frois c. 159. Me. 〈◊〉 ad 〈◊〉 namely on the 19 of November to be beheâ—ded by night in the Presence of the Duke of Bourbon and seven or eight other Lords of Note before whom the Earl of Ewe is said to have confessed certain points of Treason whereof he stood guilty But however all the Treason that Envy it self could lay to the Bastards Charge was only that as he was bound by Oath to 〈◊〉 the Christian Princes in the Holy War he had accordingly committed his cause to the Arbitration of the King of England And as for the Earl of â—â—we whatever at that time was devis'd to blacken him he was notoriously a Person of such Gallantry and had already so eminently signaliz'd his Loyalty that to this day it could never be believed that he could be really guilty of any manner of Treason tho some rather by way of conjecture than proof pretend to colour the Matter that his require passing too and fro between England and France which he did in order to hasten the Redemption of his Fellow-Prisoners was with Designs in favour of the 〈◊〉 Others say p Stâ—w p. 251. that he was suspected of being over Familiar with the French Queen and that therefore King John after the fall of these two Great but Unfortunate Gentlemen famished his Queen to Death thô she was Daughter to John of Luxemburgh that Noble King of Bohemia who lost his Life at the Battle of Creâ—â— in the cause of France But this is a most false and irrational Story for King Jâ—hus first Wife q L. 2. c. 7. §. 13. p. 427. who indeed was Daughter to the said King of Bohemia died as we shew'd two Years before And his second Wife his Queen at this time who was Daughter to William Earl of Boulogne lived in his Favour and died not till many Years after However the Earl of Ewe's Lands and Honours r Frois c. 153. Mezeray ibid. Mâ—rtâ—â— p. 125. Knight n ibid. c. were parcell'd out to otheâ—s his Office of Constable of France in January following was by the King confer'd on the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain whom already he had made Earl of Argulesme his Earldom of Eu he gave to the Lord John of Artois Eldest Son to Sr. Robert of Artois of whose Revolt from France and Friendship to King Edward we have spoken in the first part of this our History Only the Earldom of Guisnes he left with the Lady Jane sole Daughter of the Defunct Earl of Ewe who was then Married to Walter Duke of Athens and after his Decease to Lewis Earl of Estampes of the house of Eureux from whom are derived the present Earls of Eu Princes of the Blood. VIII About this time the Scots not yet agreeing to redeem their King David who was still a Prisoner here nor admitting of any just offers of Composition but rather provoking the King of England farther by their Insolencies Cruelties and Depredations He for his part considering that the Truce with France would either be soon ended by violation or of its own course sent his Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 160. p. 275 p. 294. Commissioners viz. Dr. Thomas Hatfield Bishop of Durham the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Henry Piercy and the Lord Ralph Nevill to treat with the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland and other Nobles of that Realm then met at York about a firm and final Peace between the two Nations And this Treaty was held on with good hopes of Success even till the end of the next Year for we find that it was at last between them agreed t Rot. Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmole p. 657. that upon the coming into England of the young Lord John Eldest Son and Heir of Robert Stuart and several other young Noblemen Hostages for the said King he himself should be permitted to go into Scotland and upon his return back the Hostages should be deliver'd The Kings Letters of safe Conduct to the Hostages and of Power to certain Commissioners to receive them and to take King Davids Oath for his Return and the Command for his safe Custody at Newcastle till the Hostages were all come bear date the 5 of September an 25. Ed. 3. to continue in force till the Quindena of the Purification next following and on the 3 of November after they were renewed with a further term even to the Feast of St. Philip and James ensuing According to this agreement the Hostages being come and disposed into the Castles of York and Nottingham King Edward sent his Command u Râ—s Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. bearing date the 5 of October to Sr. John Copland High-Sheriff of Northumberland the same who first took the King of Scotland
Statute therefore provided The King willeth that the Statutes be kept and all just Complainants heard That no Purveyance be made for Hay or Oates for Horses The Statute shall be observed That the Payment of Merchants for Wafting over their Goods may cease The King will be advised It seems that it appear'd highly reasonable to that Wise Prince by this his Answer to this last Petition that such Payment ought to be exacted It being but equitable that those Tradesmen or Merchants for whose benefit and security the King at his vast Expence doth more especially maintain the Dominion of the Seas should by a proportionable Custom on those Goods so exported contribute towards the better enabling him to defend and secure them in that their Traffick And this Payment was called Tonnage and Poundage Further the Commons petition That the Subsidy of Wooll viz. of every Sack may cease But because that Subsidy had been granted unto the King for a longer time that Petition fell Then to the request That Sheriffs Escheators and Coroners may have sufficient Allowance in their several Counties it was answer'd that the Statute made for that Purpose should be kept That Remedy may be had against Sheriffs for Paying the Kings Duties The Treasurer upon Complaint shall pay the same That every Judgment in the Common Pleas may pass under the Seal of the Chief Justice as in Cases of Oyer so that the Charges of the Great Seal may cease This Motion seems unreasonable That no Pardon be granted to any Murtherer or Felon but where the King may save his Oath This the King freely granteth That the Fines of Chancery Writs may be abated The King willeth that the Chancellour consider the Quality and Degree of every Person That no Purveyor of Timber do take away Trees about any Mans House and that henceforward Exception be made as to that Point in all their Commissions This the King granteth That no Writ de Excommunicato Capiendo come forth before a Scire Facias be directed to cause the Party to answer And that the Party may answer to the Cause after Letters of Excommunication To these two Petitions this one Answer was given that it could not be granted That the Merchants may be paid their Loans in every Sack of Wooll Walter de Chirton the Kings Farmer of his Customs hath not yet brought in his Accounts It is Enacted That the Statute of Westminster made against the Destruction of Salmons be observed and that all Mills set on Rivers be thrown down It is Enacted that the Justices of Oyer and Terminer shall seise and take the Fines of the Parties in their Presence and by their own Accord And that no Pardon shall be granted to such as bring in False Money That Remedy may be had against the Oppression of Ordinaries and their Officers The Laws of the Land and of the Church shall be observed It is complained That the Custom for every 300 of Wooll-Fells was 46 s. and 8 d. whereas of old it was but 3 s. and 4 d. for every 100 that is 10 s. for every 300. The present Custom being of long time received and established ought not to be withdrawn That a Standard of all Sorts of Measures may be in every County If there be not there shall be That no Statute be alter'd for any Private Cause Let this Petition be better explain'd against the next Parliament Now it is to be observed that the Printed Statutes touching those that are born beyond the Seas and that touching the Measure and Content of Woollen Cloths Chapter 1. As also that of Merchandises to be sold by Strangers Chap. 2. Together with that of Forestalling Chap. 3. And that for pulling down Mills set upon Rivers Chap. 4. agree all with the Record But only the Four latter in the Print are said to be made at the Vtas of St. Hilary an 25. Ed. 3. Whereas it should be the Vtas of the Purification as appears from the Record So also the Act of Provisions made against the Pope's unjust Encroachments agreeth with the Print Chap. 1. 2. As also that about Labourers Chap. 8. In dorso hujus Rotuli is contained a Proclamation against Wearing of Arms and against Players and Games in and about Westminster during the Sessions of Parliament and the Writ also of Proclamation for the True Making of Woollen Cloth is endorsed II. This t Mezeray ad 〈◊〉 mean while the Truce with France not being fully ended however each party took the Liberty as they saw Advantage to enterprize somewhat upon one another Sr. John Beauchamp Captain of Calais for King Edward understanding that the ways thereabout were much infested by the French even as if it had been in time of open War u Knight â— p. 26â—2 went forth of the Garrison with 300 Men of Arms and 200 Archers on Horseback and took up booty about in the Country for 10 Leagues together But in his Return he was encountred by the Lord of Beaulieu with a Brigade of 2000 which Lord notwithstanding he slew and had doubtless routed all his Company but that before he had compleated the Victory another strong party came upon him so that he himself and 20 more Knights of England were taken Prisoners almost all the rest of his Men being slain But Sr. John and his Fellow-Prisoners were soon redeemed and sent into England He was x Stow p. 251. succeeded by Sr. Robert y Vâ—d 〈◊〉 p. 683. 〈◊〉 Ret. Franc. 32 Fd. 3. p. 8. Herle who being recruited with a Choice Band lead by the Lord Walter Manny rode forth for all that into the French Pale and having done much damage about in the vicinage came off not only without loss but with a vast booty of Oxen Sheep and Swine so that a fat Ox at Calais would hardly yield sixteen pence Sterling there was at that time such exceeding plenty of Cattle But about Easter z Knighton p. 2602. n. 48. Sten p. 251. 〈◊〉 40. Pascha â—â—tigit 17 April hee anno Lit. Dom. B. King Edward sent over Henry then newly-created Duke of Lancaster who soon after marching forth of Calais went along by the Sea-Coasts of Artois and Picardy and burnt the suburbs of Boulogne to the very Walls He made an Assault also upon the Town it self but could not prevail because the Scaling Ladders which he brought with him were too short However he fired all the Vessels in the Haven and then proceeded along down to Estaples on the River Canche which having plunder'd he took a Compass to return backward on the Right Hand and did the like to Fauquenberge and after that to Terouënne only here many of his Men were hurt by the Townsmen who fled into the Church and thence made stout resistance till that also was taken and the Frenchmen for the most part put to the Sword. In the Havens of these Towns he sired above an Hundred Vessels of all sorts and then went on burning all about
Staple in the Statute-Book because it agreeth exactly with the Record containing 28 Chapters The Seventh day of October Sr. Bartholomew Burwash the Kings Chamberlain in the Presence of the King Lords and Commons sheweth how the King had attempted and pursued War against the French without Charging of the Commons And to end the same he had made great means to the Pope but that since he could not obtain any good end of the War he now required the Commons to grant him the Subsidy of Wooll who thereupon by whole assent granted him the same for Three Years The Print against Provisors that sue to the Court of Rome c. 1. agreeth with the Record the Print that all Suggestions shall be put into Pardons c. 2. agreeth with the Record The Print that Justices of the Peace should look after Victuallers c. 3. agreeth with the Record But the Statute of Wines in the Print c. 5 6 7 and 8. is not in the Roll nor in the Printed Calendar of Parliaments The Commons Petitions are as followeth viz. That the King would revoke the Office of Alnage and take three pence of every Cloth. Let the Commons talk with the Chancellour and Treasurer to the end good Recompence be made for the said Alnage That the Subsidies and other Aids granted may be employed only in the Wars It pleaseth the King. That the Coin may be reduced into old Sterling It was answer'd the last Parliament That the Staple may be appointed at Worcester Nottingham Hull St. Botolphs Stamford Lyn Ipswich and Canterbury One shall be at Canterbury and that only in Honour of St. Thomas That the Lords and Commons may by Easter following appoint out three Sorts of Wolls which shall then Commence The King will be advised That the outragious Fines taken by Sr. John Molins and such other Commissioners may be remedied Vpon Complaint Redress shall be had It is Enacted that all the Articles of the Staple shall be proclaimed throughout the Realm and confirmed at the next Parliament VII Thus this Year ended and on the 15 of March following King Edward sent forth his Writs of Summons to his Barons to meet him in Parliament on the Monday after St. Mark the Evangelist or the 28 of April On the q M.S. Rot. Par. 28 Ed. 3. m. 1. p. 579. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 85. Monday aforesaid the Lord Chief Justice Sr. William Shareshull in the Painted Chamber made open Proclamation before the King Lords and Commons that the Parliament was called for three Causes First For the Establishing the Staple within the Realm and for Confirmation of the Ordinances made at the last Great Council Secondly How they might treat of a Peace with France for that by War the King saw his Subjects greatly wasted and Thirdly For Receiving of Petitions and redress of Enormities all which without a Parliament could not be effectually ended Here Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore being Grandchild to the old Roger Mortimer Earl of March who had been executed for Treason r Vid. l. 1. c. 3 §. 6. p. 46. ad p. 54. An. 4. Ed. 3. twenty three Years before had such favour as Å¿ M. S. ibid. Sr. Rob. Cotton ibid. Ashmole p. 692. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. upon his Petition to obtain a Reversal of the Judgment given against his Grandfather aforesaid as erroneous and utterly void for that he that said Earl was put to Death against Law having never been called to open Answer before his Peers Whereupon this said Roger from thence forward bare the Title of Earl of March and had again Restitution of the Castles and Lordships of Blenleveny and Bulkedinas whereof his Grandfather died seised as also all his other Lands which upon that Forfeiture coming to the Crown had been bestowed on William Lord Montagu and Others But the Charter of his Restitution t Tho. Mills Catal Hen. p. 576. bears a later Date viz. on the 19 of Novemb Anno Regni 29. 1355. In u Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 317. M.S. Ret. Par. p. 80. §. 13. c. Sr. Rob. Câ—tton p. 86 c. like manner Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel upon his humble Petition wherein he remonstrated that Edmund Earl of Arundel his Father had been unjustly put to Death was thereupon as Heir unto him fully restored And because the Death of his Father had been occasion'd by the means of Roger Mortimer Grandfather to the foresaid Roger Earl of March to prevent all further Heart-burnings between the two Families it was now x Dagd 1 Vol. p. 317. 〈◊〉 Claus 28 Ed. 3. in dâ—rse m. 10. by Indenture made betwixt this Earl Richard and the said Earl Roger agreed that Edmund Son and Heir to the said Richard should take to Wise Alice the Daughter of the said Roger and that she should have Three Thousand Marks for her Portion viz. one Thousand at the Sealing of that Agreement upon their Marriage at her Seventh Year of Age one Thousand more and at her accomplishing the Age of Thirteen the remaining Thousand Now before this as we have already observed the King in Council resolved to withdraw the Mart or Staple of Woolls from the Towns of Flanders because that People thô they received much Advantage thereby had not kept true Touch with him and accordingly he commanded the same to be kept at y Holinsh Engl. Chren p. 948. Statute-Beek p. 102. Westminster Chichester Lincoln Bristow Canterbury Hull and other Places In pursuance of which wholsom Device it was z M.S. Rot. Par. p. 80. n. 16. Sr. Rob-Cotton p. 86. ibid. c. now Enacted that all the Ordinances made in the last Great Council assembled at Westminster touching the Staple be confirmed to continue for ever It is Enacted that the Justices of the Peace shall be of the Best in every County that upon the Displacing of any of them others be placed at the Nomination of the Knights of the same County that they sit four times at least every Year That none be displaced without the Kings Special Commandment or Testimony of their Fellows It is Enacted that no Purveyor being arrested for any Misdemeanour shall have any Privy-Seal to cause such as arrested him to come before the Council to answer the King but have his Remedy at the Common Law. The Commons Petitions with the Kings Answers thereto were these That the Surplusage of the Fines of the Statute of Labourers may be entirely distributed among the Poor of the whole County and not to poor Towns only It shall be parted among the poor Towns only That the Writ of Estreat may lie in every Action where the Party shall recover Dammages of Estreats after the Writ purchased The old Law shall be continued That Remedy may be had in such Cases where the King receiveth the Profits of the Wards Lands as well of Soccage as otherwise where no part of the same is holden of him The Law heretofore used shall continue That it may be order'd
Cardinal by the Will and Consent of the said King of France and his Council To which o Leco supra citate Odoricus Rainaldus adds these Words What dreadfull slaughters King John brought upon himself thereby with a like event as his Father Philip had revoked the Peace made with the English Commissioners from whence we said the English War brake forth whereby France was embroil'd for so many Years will appear hereafter IX Since we spake a little above of the Death of Dr. William Batemanâ— it is fit that we take our leave something more solemnly of so Worthy a Person of whom many commendable things are to be said thô only to excite Vertue in a Degenerate Age by the example of others whose Liberality have embalmed their Names to late Posterity He was p Godw. Catal. Bâ—s p. 426. born at Norwich bred at Cambridge and being Dr. of the Civil Law and Arch-Deacon of Norwich was at last elected Bishop by the General Consent of the Convent He was the first Founder of Trinity-Hall in Cambridge appointing it as it remains to this day a perpetual Seminary of Learned Civilians and giving certain Lands toward the Maintenance thereof He founded also the Hall of the Annunciation of our Lady in the said University and gave one of the Publick Chests And provoking others to follow his good Example he perswaded one Edward Gonwell alià s Gonvill to found another Hall in the same English Athens which afterwards was much augmented at the Cost and Charges of one John Caius a Learned Physician and is now after both their Names called Gonvill and Key 's College Dr. Bateman was succeeded in the See of Norwich by q Dagd 1 Vol. p. 275. Richard Piercy younger Brother to Henry Lord Piercy which Henry was never Earl of Northumberland thô Godwin by mistake calls him so and gives unto this Richard the Name of Thomas as Stow also doth but Father to the first Earl of that Name X. About this time r Stow p. 255. Walsing Hyped p. 122. hist p. 161. Foâ— p. 361. Holinshead p. 948. there fell a Cruel Dissention in the Famous University of Oxford between the Scholars and the Townsmen The occasion whereof was this On the Tenth Å¿ Anton. Wood's Antiqâ— Oxon. of February t L. 1. p. 174. ad annum 1354. ex Reg. Synwell dicto fol. 67 68 69 c. Dom. Lat. D. ad an 1354 / 5. which in the Year 1354 / 5 happen'd on a Tuesday and the Feast of St. Scholastica the Virgin Walter Sprinheuse and Roger Chesterfield with other Scholars went to a Tavern called Swindlestock or Swinstock at the Sign of the Mermaid in the Street named Quatervois and there finding fault with the Wine called for John Croydon the Vintner and demanded better Wine Here Words being multiply'd and the Vintner not at all complying the Scholars went so far as to strike the Pot and Wine and all about his Head. Upon this Affront he ran down made his complaint to his servants and family and afterward to his Neighbours so that in short a great part of the Town conspired the Destruction of the Scholars and rang the Town Bell at St. Martins Whereupon the University Bell of St. Maries was rung also and so the Scholars and Townsmen being armed with Bows and other Weapons had a scuffle till the Evening parted them and as yet no great harm was done But the next day the Countrymen near Oxford to the Number of about 2000 came in to the Assistance of the Townsmen with a Black-Banner born before them Whereupon the Scholars fled to their Colleges but the enraged Multitude breaking in upon them slew many whom they flung in their Bog-houses and then rent and tare their Books and Writings to pieces and carried away the College-Plate and what else they pleased There were the Names of more than 28 University men slain and wounded that day given in to the Bishop of Lincoln a few days after besides those who being secretly buried were not heard of any more For this Riot the King * Ret. Claus 29. Ed. 3 m. 9. seised on the Liberties of the City the greater part whereof were granted to the University which they enjoy to this Day However for that time the University was in a manner dissolved all Scholars but those of Merton College going to their Friends and Relations where they continued for a Year or two after The mean u Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 949. Anton. Wood's Antiqu. Oxon. l. 1. p. 174. 176. while the Bishop of Lincoln inhibited all Priests to celebrate Divine Service in presence of any Layman within the City of Oxford and the King sending his Justices thither to take knowledge of this disorderly Riot there were divers both of the Townsmen and Scholars endited and certain of the Burgesses as Richard Forester and Robert Lardiner and the Mayor himself John Bereford were committed to Prison And the High-Sheriff named Richard Williamscote because he did not according to his Duty in helping the University and the Vicechancellour was removed and John Laundels put in his Place The x Anton Wood's Antiqu. Oxon. l. 1. p. 176 c. former Mayor and Bailiffs being now clapt up in the Tower at the y In Minâ—r Rubr. Libr. Civ Oxon. C. fol. 27. Kings Command another Mayor was chosen whose Name was John de St. Frideswide and two new Bailiffs William Somerford and Hugh Yeftele alià s Eifley who were to hold for the remainder of the Year The next day after their Names were carried to the King and Attourneys sent to beg in their behalf his Majesties Pardon for the foresaid Sedition About which time certain Advocates for the University were also at Court solliciting an end of these Matters Whereupon both Parties being cited up to London sent thither their several Advocates The University wholly resign'd both her self and Privileges into the Kings hands Then also the Townsmen produced their Resignation and rendred up all their Privileges and Liberties their Persons and Goods moveable and immoveable and their Gilds whatsoever as well general as special and all their Rights they entirely submitted to the Kings disposal and this they did as they confess in the form of their Surrender because if they should be proceeded against by any other way of Law and solemnly the examination of their cause would tend to their greater Confusion and Punishment c. These Surrenders were made on the Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Dunstan the Bishop before John Archbishop of York Chancellour and William Bishop of Winchester Treasurer and the Justices and others of the Kings Council in the Council Chamber by the Exchequer at Westminster At which time both Parties humbly petition'd that the Kings Majesty would accept of their Resignations But the King commanded them to be deliver'd into the hauds of David Wollere Master of the Rolls of Chancery to be kept until such time as upon due
pressing he flatly refused to make any such Bargain So that the English Lords perceived plainly how their Enemies meant not to afford them Battle as at first they pretended but only by Delays to seek Advantages and to put their Master to Charges thereby to make him weary of the War. However because of the Season of the Year the Commissioners on both Sides made shift to strike up a Temporary Truce t Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 787. to endure till Easter which done they parted asunder without any more medling for that time King Edward stayed at Calais however till the Tuesday u 17 Novemb. following at which time having paid the Lords Strangers their appointed Wages because he saw no appearance of having Battle given him he embarqued for England where the next day he happily arrived and came to his Parliament then sitting at Westminster VI. This x M.S. Rot. Par. p. 85. §. 1 4 5 6. c. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 90. c. Parliament first began to sit on the Day of St. Martin the Bishop being the very Day on which the King return'd to Calais from pursuit of his Enemies but upon the Account of the Kings Absence as well as for other Causes had been Adjourned first from the said 12 of November to the 23d and after from thence to 25th by which time the King was returned to his Parliament But before we enter upon this Affair it will not be amiss to dispatch other Matters out of the way in order to clear some Passages which follow Besides what we mention'd and the approach of Winter there was a further Reason why King Edward made so much haste home into England for while he was yet in Artois he had News brought him How on the Sixth of November the Scots came very early one Morning to Barwick and having by Surprize taken the Town thô with the Death of only three or four Englishmen whom they found upon the Watch they seised on all the Goods and Persons therein except those who had got into the Castle But the Castle they could not take the Bridge being drawn up Thô notwithstanding they held the Town as their own till King Edward drove them away as we shall shew in due place Now before King Edward was come into France King John had y Hector Bret. l. 15. f. 325. n. 40. c. Buchan l. 9. p. 303. Holinsh hist Scotl. p. 242 Knighton p. 2611. n. 1. c. sent the Lord Eugenie Garenciers with a select Number of Frenchmen and 40000 Crowns in Gold into Scotland to encourage that People to invade England thereby to give a Diversion to King Edward as soon as ever he should have left his Kingdom Whereupon Patrick Earl of March and the Lord William Douglas being accompanied with Fourty French Captains of Name beside the Lord of Garenciers marched silently towards Barwick and in a certain convenient Place not far off the two Earls planted themselves in a strong Ambush Then Sr. William Ramsey of the Dalehouse according to Order with 400 Light-Horse in his Company began to drive a great many Head of Cattle near the Town to decoy the Garrison into their Ambush The Souldiers of the Town seeing such a Booty sallied out under the Command of Sr. Thomas Grey as was expected and hardly pursued after the Cattle and their Drivers till e'r they were aware they fell into the Scotch Ambush where being suddenly surrounded after a stout Resistance they were all slain except Sr. Thomas Grey their Captain with his Son Sr. John Dacres and a few more Esquires and Gentlemen whom they kept to Ransom Thô the Scots themselves lost in this Skirmish several Persons of Quality as Sr. John Haliburton Sr. James Turnbull and Others z Hector l. 15. f. 325. n. 62. Hector says certain Frenchmen bought of the Scots the English Prisoners and then presently put them to the Sword in revenge of their Friends and Parents slain by them at Cressy and elsewhere But this I 'll not believe the French being naturally a People of more Honour Early the next Morning the Scots encouraged with this Victory approached the Town of Barwick and when the Watch was in a manner overcome with Sleep set their Ladders to the Walls mounted and enter'd the Place Those few English whom they found ready they fell upon and slew thô not without loss to themselves for by their Acknowledgment there fell on the Scots side Sr. Thomas Vaux Sr. Andrew Scot of Balvere Sr. John Gourdon Sr. William Sinclare Sr. Thomas Preston and Sr. Alexander Moubray And of the English Sr. Alexander Ogle the Captain of the Town Sr. Everard Grey and Sr. Thomas Piercy Brother as they say to the Earl of Northumberland thô as yet that Title did not belong to that Name and in the Genealogy of the Lord Piercy there is no mention of a Brother of his so named in those Days But 't is usual with the Scotch Historians to create Men and Titles and then to slay them to advance as they imagin the Honour of their Nation I 'll give but one Instance of Hectors Ignorance or at least indiligence speaking of the Battle of Poictiers which happened a little after he says a Hector Boet. Sect. Hist l. 15. f. 327. l. 27. c. The same time these things were done in Scotland Richard the Son of Edward the Third Prince of Wales He who afterwards as King of England succeeded in his Fathers Place having conquer'd John King of France and bringing him into England c. We may well expect wonderfull intelligence from this Man as to the Families of the English Nobility who is so grosly ignorant of the Name of the Greatest Prince Son to the Greatest King that England ever produced But to return Whatever the Manner was of Winning Barwick the Scots are said at this time b M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 229. to have slain no more of the English but only those who resisted But when King Edward heard of the Loss of the Town he forthwith hasted into England to his Parliament as we shew'd before where for the ardent desire he had to recover the Town and save the Castle he tarried but three Days before he began to march for Scotland and yet in that time the Parliament performed Matters worth our Notice Of which now we shall speak briefly Only we must not forget c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 741. ex Rec. v. Stow p. 255. b.n. 46. c. that the Lord William Greystoch who had been constituted Captain of the Town of Barwick but was absent at the time of its Taking did then much incurr the Displeasure of the King therefore But it being clearly proved that his Absence was occasion'd by the Kings Command for he attended the King personally into France as he was order'd at the request of Queen Philippa he obtained his Pardon VII At the Opening of this Parliament d M.S. Rot. Par.
Repeal The Lords and all that were present beheld each other and said among themselves how it proceeded of a Generous Mind to bestow so Honourable a Gift so freely and so they answer'd him with one Voice Sir be it with You as it shall please God However We shall all bear Witness of this Your Deed of Gift where-ever we are XI With that they all left him to his Repose and some of them return'd to wait upon the Prince of Wales who intended that Night to make a Magnificent Supper for the French King and others who were Prisoners of the Highest Quality And this he might easily do now as being sufficiently furnish'd with all manner of Provision such as the French had brought with them Whereas before this his Men wanted Victuals so greatly that some of them had not of three days tasted any good Bread. So that the i Du Chesne p. 676. D. Rashness of King John was notorious who would needs give them Battle whereas by holding them Besieged in the place where they were it was believed he might have enforced them to yield or at least by depriving them of their Advantagious Post have obtained a Victory over them That k Frois c. 168. fol. 84. same Night therefore the Prince had a Magnificent Supper in his Pavilion for Honour of the French King and the Chief of the Lords his Prisoners He obliged the French King to sit in his own Chair of State at the Head of the Table and together with him he caused his Son Philip to sit down as also the Lord James of Bourbon Earl of Ponthieu the Lord John of Artois Earl of Ewe and the Lord Charles of Artois his Brother Earl of Tancarville being all of the Royal-Blood of France Besides whom there sat the Earl of Estampes the Earl of Graville the Lord of Partenay and some few more at the Kings Table and the other Lords Knights and Esquires of France such as were not wounded sat at other Tables And all Supper-time the Prince l Matth. Villani l. 7. c. 20. Mezeray Frois c. would needs serve in his own Person before the King in as Humble and Respectfull Manner as he could devise and for all the King could say would not sit down affirming That he was not Worthy to sit down with so Mighty a Monarch as the King was But when for all this he perceived that the Kings Countenance was too much cast down he attempted to raise his Spirits with such Words as these m Du Chesne p. 678. Paul. Aemyl p. 287. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 960. apud quos emnes â—â—ta hac Oratic Sir there is no cause that You who are the most Brave and Valiant among Christian Kings should continue thus Pensive and Troubled Althô at this time your Arms have not been favour'd by Him in whose Dispose all Battles are For still your Generosity is acknowledged Your Dignity preserved and Your Majesty held Sacred and whatsoever else was truly Yours remaineth still entire neither to be violated nor empaired by Time or any other Force God Almighty hath ordained that as all other things so the Fortune of War should remain in his Hands alone Your Progenitors have atchieved many Glorious Enterprises as well by Sea as by Land The whole Compass of Europe all the East all Realms and Countries both far and near are filled with the Trophies and Victories of France The Faith and Grandeur of the Christian Name have by your Predecessors and their Subjects been defended and propagated against the most Mighty and Puissant Captains of the Infidels Your Valour and the Reputation of your Arms are Celebrated and Renowned thrô the whole World There is no Nation that doth not confess its Obligations to the French and no People that may not yet expect to be beholding to their Favours Perhaps among so many innumerable Triumphs One or Two Battles have succeeded a little otherwise than you would The Vsual Instability of Fortune would have it so which sometimes baffles the Force of Multitudes and Conquers the Opposition of Men Horse and Armour But it lies in the Power of your own Magnanimity to harden your soul against Adversity and to keep your own Mind still unconquer'd Nor shall this Day detract any thing from you or yours for as for my part I promise you that this Realm of France in which we are and which hath produced and nourished many of my Progenitors shall find me Gratefull to Her and mindfull of my Original and toward your Majesty if you will permit me to glory in that Title a most humble and respectfull Kinsman There are many Reasons to preserve Love and Friendship betwixt You and my Father which I hope will be not a little prevalent For I know well the most intimate Thoughts and Affections of his Mind and that You will easily come to a reasonable Agreement with Him. And as for me may he then refuse to own me for his Son when I cease to hold you in the same degree of Reverence Honour and Respect which I ow unto his own Person This wonderfull Submission in a Conquerour a Young Prince little more than five and twenty Years of Age did almost melt the unfortunate Captive to Affectionate Tears The French Lords who saw him so humble in so high a Gale of Prosperity and heard the Generous Language he so obligingly utter'd n Frois c. 168. began to say softly among themselves That he had spoken nobly and that in all probability he would prove a most Accomplish'd Prince if God would grant him to live and to persevere in the same good Fortune King John saw o P. Aenyl p. 288. plainly now that at least he was not unhappy in this that he had fallen into the Hands of a most obliging Conquerour And thô inwardly afflicted in his Mind he forced himself to a civil Smile and looking obligingly to the Prince he said p Stow p. 263. Thô it hath been our Chance to fall into an inconsole able Sorrow yet for all that Kind Cousin We think it becomes us to smother our Griefs as much as we may since thô by the Law of Arms and the Chance of War We be under the Subjection of another yet it is under so Worthy a Prince as your Self by whom to be vanquish'd is no Dishonour Especially since we were not as Cowards or faint-hearted Runnagates taken in flight or lying hid in a corner but in the open Field with Sword in Hand where we were as ready to die as to live in defence of Justice The q Frois c. 168. fol. 84. b. Prince replied Sir methinks you for your part ought rather to rejoyce thô all things did not fall out according to your Wish For this very Day You have won the high Renown of Personal Valour above all Others that bore Arms on your Side Sir I say not this to flatter your Sorrow or to deride You for all the Captains on our
Foundation of an Honourable Name which should be venerable to late Posterity XIII And thus did Edward the BLACK-PRINCE now doubly dyed Black by the Terrour of his Arms continue his March without b Frois c. 169. the least Opposition thrô Porctou and Saintogne till he came to Blaye where he passed over the River Garonne and so came in Safety and Honour to his Chief City of Bourdeaux It can hardly be imagin'd with what extravagant Joy and Triumph and Honourable Feastings and splendid Pageants this Victorious Prince was received into that City both by the Clergy and Laity all Sorts of People extolling his Praise and rejoycing in his Presence From hence the c Polyd. Virgil. p. 384. Prince wrote Letters into England to the King his Father giving him a full but modest Account of his Success and promising God willing the next Spring to bring over his Royal Prisoner into England For by that Time he would have his Navy well equipped and furnished with Men of War. King Edward was wonderfully pleased with this extraordinary Success of his Sons but when the News of the Victory was divulged among the People Men were almost beside themselves for Joy the Conduits ran with Wine Bonfires were continually flaming Songs and Musick Plays Feasts and Wakes were in all Places Thus the Vulgar But the King d Vid. Odor Rainalâ—ad hunc an §. 7. Matt. Villant l. 7. c. 21. P. Virgil. l. 19. p. 381. Frois ibid. Himself like a Wise and Religious Prince who knew the Instability of Fortune even before he felt it Himself by the Example of the French Kings so suddain and unexpected Fall not only return'd his own Thanks to God Almighty for so signal a Victory e Matt Villani l. 7. c. 21. but summon'd his Lords together to whom he seriously declared that this Victory was not obtain'd by any Vertue or Power of his Son or Subjects but by the Grace of God alone wherefore he enjoyned them all neither by Feasting nor otherwise to express any loose Joy or Vain-glory. And at the same time he further enjoyned Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury and John Thoresby Archbishop of York that for Eight Days together they should thrô their several Provinces use Publique Processions and Prayers for the Souls of those who fell in the Battle and also return solemn Thanksgivings to God for so signal a Mercy vouchsafed unto the English Nation by which instance of Moderation he gain'd no less Glory to Himself than his Son had done by his Victory XIV Presently after the Battle of Poictiers the Cardinal of Perigort applied himself again to the Victorious Prince in order to settle some kind of Agreement between the Two Realms At first it is said Å¿ Froisae 169. fol. 85â— that the Prince would not vouchsafe to speak with him or so much as to see his Face because of the Chastelain of Emposta and others of his Retinue who were found to stand against him in the Battle of Poictiers For he could not believe as yet but that the Cardinal sent them thither However when the Cardinal saw the Prince's Strangeness and understood the true Cause thereof he made use of the Mediation of the Lord of Chaumont the Lord of Monferrant and the Captal of Busche who were his Cousins protesting unto them in Verbo Sacerdotis that he was not consenting to that Action of his Men. And these Lords spake so much in the Cardinals Behalf and gave the Prince so many Reasons that at last he was content to hear what the Cardinal could say for himself And he having once gain'd that Point excused himself so discreetly that the Prince and his Council had no further Suspicion of him Whereupon he recover'd the Princes good Opinion and redeemed his Men at reasonable Ransoms For the Chastelain himself was set but at a Thousand g Frank 2â— Franks which makes an 100 l. Sterling which Summ he afterward paid From this time the Prince received the Holy Father with so much Sweetness and Humanity that he could not but highly commend him therefore in his Letters to the Pope wherein also he set forth the Princes Moderation which he shew'd toward the King of France Insomuch that his Holiness sent his Letters to the Prince wherein he exhorted him yet farther to shew Clemency to the Conquered and amidst his Triumphant Fortune to accommodate his Mind to Peace and to return Thanks to God Almighty As appears more largely from the Letters themselves the Tenour h Odo Raiâ—al all hanc ann §. 8. 9. ex Tâ—n 4. Epist Secret. p. 2â—1 c. whereof followeth INNOCENT the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to Edward Prince of Wales Eldest Son of our most Dear Son in Christ the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolical Benediction Althô O Son You may as we probably believe after the manner of the World glory in the Felicity of your Successes yet we hold undoubtedly that as one Devout toward God and derived of Parents devout also toward him You do with reverence refer the Glory of your Triumphs and the Honour of your Victories to God your Creator from whom is all Victory and all Triumph We hold that in them you consider the Effusion of human Blood We hold that you regard the Peril of Souls and that therefore you do so much the more humble your Self in the sight of your God by how much as a wise and prudent Person you may plainly perceive that for those you ought to return him Thanks for these to beg Pardon of him For althô the same God who bestows his Gifts as he pleases hath made you Glorious with the Titles of Victories and the Pomp of Triumphs yet he doth detest the Slaughter of his People nor would have the Rancor or Hate the Right or Wrong of Rulers to be compensated with the Destruction of faithfull and innocent Subjects Which we in serious Meditation weighing with out selves nothing doubt nay perhaps we are certain that You by how much you have received more prosperous things of the Hand of the Lord are so much the more prompt to Peace so much the more favourably enclin'd to Concord Especially since it is usual for Powerfull Men who follow Goodness that Prosperity doth rather stir them up dayly to Mercy that Success doth rather induce them perpetually to Gentleness For Goodness is never taken notice of in any One but onely when it is in his Power to be Cruel the Sweetness of Clemency is rarely known unless when it might deal severely Power therefore gives occasion to Clemency and a Cause also to Goodness This Occasion therefore and this Cause We require of You since you are able to express it and for a Peace to be by the Help of God reformed between our most Dear Son in Christ John the Illustrious King of France whom the Event of War hath brought into your Prison and your Self we confidently approach your Highness
desiring You as affectionately as we can and more earnestly beseeching You by the Bowels of the Mercies of God that rendring a return of Gratitude to the Lord your God for those things which he hath given unto You You would accommodate your Soul prepare your Heart and dispose your Mind to Peace and Concord For You know that the Great King of Peace by whom You live and reign doth command You to love Peace and refuses to dwell in the Hearts of the Unmercifull And lest we should more prolixly enlarge our Epistle we add unto our Prayers that those things which our Reverend Brother Talayrand Bishop of Alby and our Beloved Son Nicolas titulo Sancti Vitalis Priest-Cardinal Nuntio's of the Apostolick See or either of them in their own Persons or in Others shall relate unto You as to this Point or declare unto You by Letters You would undoubtedly believe and by a pious Prosecution fulfill them with the desired Fruits of your Actions Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontificatús nostri IV. By other Letters also of the same Date the Pope highly applauded the Young Prince for that he had honourably received the Cardinal Talayrand and had in the midst of Prosperity overcome that insolence of Mind which usually attends Conquerours and gave him his Thanks for having entertain'd the French King with such singular Courtesie Our Reverend Brother says he Talayrand Bishop of Alby Nuntio of the Apostolick See wrote unto us by his Letters that You confirming and enhancing the Nobility which you derive from your Stock by your Generosity of Soul and the exercise of Vertues have entertain'd him with such Honours and such Favours as became a Son to exhibit to his Father in Christ And that which is greater than all these preparing your Mind equally for all Events and not being puffed up with any Prosperity of Successes but always more humble in the sight of the Lord your God attributing all unto him from whom you have received all You do graciously allow unto our Dear Son in Christ John the Illustrious King of France whom the Event of War hath brought into your Prison that Honour which belongs to so great a Prince Vpon which account returning unto your Highness our deserved Praises and hoping undoubtedly that the Omnipotent God who hath respect unto the Lowly but knoweth the Proud afar off will bestow on You more abundantly and freely the Grace of his Benediction c. Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontif. IV. XV. All this while i Frois c. 169. fcl 75. did Edward the Black-Prince continue at Bourdeaux having with his ready Mony bought up of the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne all those French Prisoners whom he design'd to carry along with the King into England For as for those whom the English Lords had taken he intended not to buy them till they were brought safe home The French King he lodged honourably in a magnificent Apartment in the Abby of St. Andrew and Himself kept Court in the other Apartment of the same Abby like unto it Now there were many Questions Contrasts and Challenges among several Knights and Esquires of Gascogne concerning the Taking of the French King divers of them affirming how they were the Men that took him But Sr. Dennis Morbeque by Right of Arms and true Tokens which he shew'd as the Kings own Gauntlet challenged him for his rightfull Prisoner Yet for all that this Mans Cause seem'd so evident insomuch that the Pretensions of all Others were silenced thereby an Esquire of Gascogne called Bernard de Troutes averred how he had more Reason to lay Claim to that Honourable Action Between these two there was much Fending and Proving in Presence of the Prince and other Lords that sat with him to hear the Cause But when once it came to a Challenge between them then the Prince commanded them both peremptorily to surcease and to forbear any further proceeding till they came into England on pain of his Displeasure for he said no manner of Decision or Determination should be made but by the King his Father However because the French King himself enclin'd more to Sr. Dennis of Morbeque than to any other and wish'd as he said privately that he alone might have the Honour which he had so well deserved the Generous Prince considering that being a banished Man he had little more than his Wages and what he purchased in War caused secretly to be deliver'd into his Hands 2000 Nobles to maintain his Estate handsomly withall against the time he should appear in the Court of England And to end this Matter once for all when the next Year King Edward and his Council had determin'd the Cause in his behalf the Prince k Paul. Aeonylius p. 288. gave him 5000 Crowns of Gold more as a Reward for that Service For as we shew'd before all Prisoners who are valued above 10000 Crowns belong not unto him that took him but to the Prince Thus the Prince of Wales tarried at Bourdeaux providing and ordaining his Affairs as he thought best till it was Lent during which time the Souldiers of England and Gascogne spent in Mirth and Revell especially in the Christmas Holy-days all the Gold and Silver which they had won with the hazard of their Lives For Souldiers and Seamen thô they court Money at the Highest rate of any others take their leave of it as pleasantly and as unconcernedly as any Men whatsoever Those Knights l Frois c. 169. Gentlemen and others who had been present in the Battle of Poictiers upon their return into England were welcomed treated and caressed highly by all Men where-ever they came and in all respects Prefer'd to others of their Rank and Condition So Honourable is it to be Brave upon a good and just account But on the contrary m Frois c. 170. all the Lords Knights and Esquires of France who had fled from the Battle were so hated reviled and pointed at whereever they came that they durst hardly venture to appear in any great Town or publick place of Resort Now about the time n Frois c. 170. that this Battle of Poictiers was fought Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was in the County of Eureux in Normandy and toward the Marches of Coutances together with Prince Philip of Navarre and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt in his Company These Great Captains endeavour'd all they could to joyn the Prince of Wales before that Battle but they could not by any means Because all the Passages on the River of Loire were so surely guarded However hearing shortly after of the Prince's Success they were wonderfully pleased and Prince Philip of Navarre soon after went for England to speak with the King about the further Progress of his Affairs and the Duke of Lancaster as we shew'd before diverted into Bretagne to the Countess of Monford where shortly after he went and laid Siege to Rennes having constituted the Lord Godfry of
Belleville the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land and Country of Sainctogne on this side and on that side the Charente l This Clause omitted in Du Chesne's Copy sed ea Johannis Regis Franciae Recapitulatione alâ—is addo res â—â—sa prebat la Rochelle Angis traditam with the Town and Castle of Rochelle and their Appurtenances The City and Castle of Agen and the Land and Country of Agenois The City and Castle and the whole 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 the Land and Country of m i.e. Quercy Cahorsin 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 Angoulesmâ—is The City and Castle of Rodes and the Land and Country of Rovergue And if there are any Lords as the Earl of Foix the Earl of Armagnac the Earl of L'Isle the n Hunc addo eâdem ratâ—one quâ clrâ—sulam super◠〈◊〉 Vicount of Carmaine the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Limoges and Others who hold any Lands or Places within the Bounds of the said Places they shall make Homage to the King of England and all other Services and Duties due because of their Lands or Places in like manner as they have done in time passed 2. Item That the King of England shall have all that which the King of England or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Monstrevil on the Sea. 3. Item the King of England shall have the Earldom of Ponthieu all entirely saving and excepting that if any things of the said County and its Appurtenances have been alienated by the Kings of England which have been to other Persons than to the King of France then the King of France shall not be obliged to render them to the King of England And if the said Alienations have been made to the Kings of France which have been for the time without any o i.e. Middle Person Mean and the King of France holds them at present in his Hand he shall leave them to the King of England entirely excepting that if the Kings of France have had them in Exchange for other Lands the King of England shall deliver to the King of France that which he had by Exchange or quit those things so alienated But if the Kings of England which have been for the time have alienated or conveyed any things to other Persons than to the King of France he shall not be obliged to restore them Also if the things abovesaid owe Homages the King shall give them to another who shall do Homage to the King of England and if the things do not owe Homage the King of France shall put in a Tenant who shall do him Service within a Year following after he shall be gone from Calais 4. Item That the King of England shall have the Castle and Town of Calais The Castle Town and Lordship of Merk the Castles Towns and Lordships of Sangate Cologne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Woods Marishes Rivers Rents Lordships Advousons of Churches and all other Appurtenances and Places lying between the Limits and Bounds following That is to say to the Border of the River before Graveling and so by the same River round about Langle and by the River which runs beyond the Poil and by the same River which falls into the great Lake of Guisnes as far as Fretun and thence by the Vally about p i.e. Chalkhill Calculi Hill enclosing that Hill and so to the Sea with Sangate and all its Appurtenances 5. Item That the King of England shall have the Castle Town and the whole Earldom of Guisnes entirely with all the Lands Towns Castles Fortresses Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Forests and Rights thereof as entirely as the Earl of Guisnes last deceased had them in his Time and that the Churches and the good People being within the Limitations of the said Earldom of Guisnes of Calais and Merk and of other Places abovesaid shall obey the King of England in like manner as they obey'd the King of France or the Earl of Guisnes for the time being All which things of Merk and Calais being contained in this present Article and the Article next preceding the King of England shall hold in Demaine except the Heritage of the Churches which shall remain to the said Churches entirely wheresoever they be and so except the Heritages of other People of the Country of Merk and Calais seated without the said Town of Calais unto the value of an Hundred Pounds per annum of currant Money of that Country and under Which Inheritances shall remain to them even to the Value abovesaid and under But the Habitations and Inheritances being within the said Town of Calais with their Appurtenances shall remain to the King of England in Demain to order them after his Pleasure And also to the Inhabitants in the Countie Town and Land of Guisnes shall remain all their Demains entirely and fully and shall return to them again forthwith save what is said of the Frontiers Metes and Bounds in the last preceding Article 6. Item It is accorded that the said King of England and his Heirs shall have and hold all the Isles adjacent to the Lands Countries and Places above-named together with all other Islands which the King of England holdeth at this present 7. Item It is accorded that the said King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for all their Heirs and Successors as soon as may be and at the furthest 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 England and to all his Heirs and Successors and shall convey unto them all the Honours Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognisances Rights mere and mixt Empire and all manner of Jurisdictions High and Low Resorts Safeguards Advousons Patronages of Churches and all manner of Dominions and Superiorities and all the Right which they have or may have had which did appertain doth appertain or might appertain by any Cause Title or Colour of Right to them to the Kings and to the Crown of France by occasion of the Cities Counties Castles Towns Lands Countries Isles and Places before-named and of all their Appurtenances and Dependances wheresoever they shall be and of every of them without retaining or holding back any thing to them to their Heirs or Successors or to the Kings or to the Crown of France And also the said King and his Eldest Son shall command by their Letters Patents all Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of Holy Church and also all Earls Vicounts Barons Nobles Citizens and Others whatsoever of the Cities Counties Lands
be within One Year next after that the King of France shall depart from Calais the Lord John Earl of Monford shall have the Earldom of Monford with all the appurtenances he doing for the same Liege Homage to the King of France and all such Duties and Services which a good and Loyal Liege-Vassal ought to do to his Liege Lord because of the said Earldom And also his other Heritages shall be rendred unto him which are not of the Dutchy of Bretagne he doing Homage or other Duty therefore as it appertaineth And if he will challenge any thing in any of the Inheritances which are of the said Dutchy besides the Country of Bretagne good and speedy Reason shall be done him by the Court of France 22. Item Concerning the Question as to the Demaine of the Dutchy of Bretagne which is between the said John of Monford on the one Party and Charles of Blois on the other Party it is agreed that the two Kings having called before them or their Deputies the Principal Parties of Blois and Monford shall by themselves or Special Deputies as soon as may be inform themselves of the Right of both Parties and do their best to set them at an Agreement touching what is in Controversie between them And in case the said Kings by themselves or their Deputies shall not be able to bring them to an Agreement within One Year next after that the King of France shall be arrived at Calais then the Friends of the one Party and of the other shall diligently inform themselves of the Right of the Parties in manner abovesaid and shall endeavour to bring the said Parties to an Agreement to the best of their Power and as soon as may be And if they cannot bring them to an Agreement within half a Year next following they shall then report unto the said two Kings or to their Deputies all that which they shall have found about the Right of the Parties and touching the points of Discord which shall remain between them both And then the two Kings by themselves or their Special Deputies as soon as may be shall set the said Parties at an Agreement or shall declare their final sentence about the Right of the one Party and of the other and the same shall be put in Execution by the two Kings And in case they cannot do this within half a Year next following then the said Principal Parties of Blois and Montford shall do what they shall think best and the Friends of the one Part and of the other shall aid either Part as they please without any Impeachment from the said Kings and without any Damage Blame or Reproof by either of them at any time for the cause aforesaid And if it so happen that one of the said Parties will not sufficiently appear before the said Kings or their Deputies at the time which shall be appointed for them And also in case that the said Kings or their Deputies shall have ordained and declared that the said Parties should be at concord or shall declare their sentence for the Right of the one Party and either of the said Parties will not agree unto the same nor obey the said Declaration then both the said Kings shall be against him with all their Power and aid the other Party which is content to agree and to obey But the two Kings shall in no case neither in their own proper Persons nor by others make or enterprize War one against the other for the cause aforesaid And always the Sovereignty and Homage of the said Dukedom shall remain to the King of France 23. Item That all the Lands Countries Towns Castles and other Places yielded over to the said Kings shall be in such Liberties and Franchises as they are at this present And these Franchises shall be confirmed by the said Lords the Kings or by their Successors and by every of them so often as they shall be duly required thereto if they be not contrary to this present Agreement 24. Item that the said King of France so soon as he can and at the farthest within one Year next after that he shall depart from Calais shall without deceit render and cause to be rendred de facto to Monsieur Philip of Navarre and to all his Publique Adherents all the Towns Castles Forts Lordships Rights Rents Profits Jurisdictions and Places whatsoever which the said Monsieur Philip as well in his own Right as in the Right of his Wife or which the said Adherents do hold or ought to hold in the Realm of France Neither shall the said King do unto them at any time Reproach Dammage or Impeachment for any thing done heretofore but shall forgive them all Offences and Misprisions for the time past by occasion of the War. And of this they shall have his Letters good and sufficient so as the said Monsieur Philip and his said Adherents shall return to his Homage do unto him their Duties and be unto him Good and Loyal Vassals 25. Item It is agreed that the King of England for this time only may give unto whom it shall please him in Heâ—itage the Lands and Inheritance which sometimes appertained to Godfry of Harcourt to be held of the Duke of Normandy or of any other Lords of whom they should be holden of Right by the Homages and Services anciently accustomed 26. Item It is agreed that no Person or Country which have been of the Obedience of the One Party and by this Agreement shall come to the Obedience of the Other Party shall be Impeached for any thing done in time past 27. Item It is agreed that the Lands of the Banished and Adherents of the One Party and of the Other and also of the Churches of the One Kingdom and of the Other and all they who are disinherited or expelled from their Lands and Heritages or are charged with any Pension Taillage or Debt or otherwise grieved in any manner whatsoever because of this War shall be restored intirely to the same Rights and Possessions which they had before the War began And that all manner of Forfeitures Debts and Misprisions done by them or any of them in the mean time shall be wholly pardon'd and that these things shall be done as soon as may be effectually and at the farthest within one Year next after that the King of France shall be gone from Calais excepting what was said in the Article of Calais and Merks and other Places in the said Article named excepting also the Vicount of Fronsac and Monsieur John de Galard who are not comprised in this Article but their Goods and Heritages shall remain in the same State wherein they were before this present Treaty 28. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall effectually deliver unto the King of England as soon as may be and at the farthest before the Feast of St. Michael the Year next coming after his Departure from Calais all the Cities Towns Countries and other
who shall rebell or will not accord to the Premises the said Kings shall use all their said Power of Body Goods and Counsel to reduce the said Rebels to true Obedience according to the Form and Tenor of the said Treaty And moreover the said Kings shall submit themselves their Heirs and Realms to the Correction of our Holy Father the Pope that he may constrain by Sentences and Censures of the Church and other due ways Him who shall rebell according as Reason shall require And among the Confirmations and Securities aforesaid the said Kings and their Heirs shall renounce by Faith and by Oath all War and all Proceedure of Fact And if thrô the Disobedience Rebellion or Power of any Subjects of the Realm of France or any just Cause the King of France or his Heirs or any of them shall not be able to accomplish all the Premises the King of England and his Heirs or any of them shall not nor ought not to make War against the said King of France nor his Heirs nor his Realm but both together shall endeavour to bring the Rebels to true Obedience and to accomplish the Premises And if any of the Realm or Obeisance of the King of England will not restore the Castles Towns or Forts which they hold in the Realm of France and obey the Treaty aforesaid or for just cause cannot accomplish that which He ought to do by this present Treaty neither the King of France nor his Heirs nor any for them shall make any War upon the King of England or his Realm but both together shall put to their Power to recover the Castles Forts and Towns aforesaid and to be a Means that all Obedience and Accomplishment may be done to the foresaid Treaties And there shall also be done and given of the one Party and of the Other according to the Nature of the Fact all manner of Confirmations and Securities that they can think on or devise as well by the Pope and the College of the Court of Rome as otherwise perpetually to hold and preserve the Peace and all other Matters here-above recorded 38. Item It is agreed by the present Treaty and Accord that all other Accords Treaties or Conferences if any have been made or debated in time past shall be null and of no Force and altogether made void neither may the Parties at any time relieve themselves nor make any Complaint the one against the other on occasion of the said Treaties or Accords if any such hath been as is said 39. Item That this present Treaty shall be approved sworn and confirmed by the two Kings at Calais when they shall be there in Proper Person And after that the King of France shall be gone from Calais and shall be within his own Power the said King of France within one Month next following his said Departure shall make Letters Patents Confirmatory of the same and such others as shall seem necessary and shall send and deliver them at Calais to the said King of England or his Deputies in the said Place And also the said King of England when he receives the said Letters Confirmatory shall deliver back his Letters Confirmatory like unto them to the King of France 40. Item It is agreed that neither of the Kings shall procure or cause to be procured by Himself or Others that any Innovations or Grievances he done by the Church of Rome or others of Holy Church whosoever they be against this present Treaty upon either of the said Kings their Coadjutors Adherents or Allies whatsoever nor upon their Lands or Subjects by occasion of War nor for other Cause nor for Services which the said Coadjutors Adherents or Allies have done to the said Kings or any of them And if our said Holy Father the Pope or any other would do so the two said Kings shall hinder it to their Power sincerely without fraud 41. Item Concerning the Hostages which shall be deliver'd to the King of England at Calais and concerning the Manner and Time of their Departure the two Kings shall determin at Calais XI These Articles being thus agreed on first by the Commissioners of King Edward and of the Regent of France were also after that allowed by both the Principals thô the Regent is said to have yielded thereto in a manner by Force and Constraint because he saw the Realm was no longer able to subsist amidst those Desolations and Ruines which the War brought However sending back the Testimony of his Hand and Seal that he had consented thereto in order to the full Completion of this Treaty a Truce was taken to continue between the two Kings their Adherents and Confederates from that time to the Feast of St. Michael then next following and from thence on for a Year that so all Matters in order to a firm and perpetual Peace might be duely and rightly devised and established The mean while till King John might be at Liberty only the two Eldest Sons of the Kings were solemnly sworn to uphold and maintain this Agreement aâ—d first the Prince of Wales ordained on his Part y Tillet has six and Fab. Four Barons of England that is to say the Lord Ralph Stafford Earl of Stafford the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord Guy Brian and the Lord Roger Beauchamp of Bletso who were received into Paris as Messengers from Heaven all the Bells ringing and the People thronging the streets as to see a Triumph all the Street where they passed z Du Chesne p. 692. C. being spread and tapistred if we may believe it with Cloth of Gold. They went straight to the Palace where the Regent his Brethren and their Uncle with many Lords and Prelates received them honourably Du Chesne says that here in the Great Hall in presence of all the People the English Lords made their Oath and sware in the Name of the King their Master and of his Sons upon the Holy Eucharist and upon the Holy Evangelists to accomplish and hold the said Articles From the Hall they were conducted to a Magnificent Feast and from thence to the Chappel where the Regent shewed them many Jewels and Relicts and presented them with one Great Thorn which was believed to have belonged to the Crown of our Saviour After this they return'd and the Regent on his Part deputed Four Nobles of France who went immediately after to Louviers in Normandy where at that time the Prince of Wales was and there made for him the same Oath in Presence of the said Prince But it is my Opinion that these Lords on each Side went rather to take the Oath first of the Dauphin and then of the Black-Prince as most other Writers affirm the manner whereof a Walsingh hist p. 167. Hypod. p. 127. vid. Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 1. Fabian p. 241. c. Walsingham thus describes That at Paris in the time of Low Mass when they had thrice sang O Lamb of God which takest away the
of this Treaty And that We transfer and convey away all the Right which We might have in any of these Things that ought not to be delivered to Us by Vertue of this Treaty Concerning all which Things after divers Alterations about the same especially because the said Renuntiation Conveyance Quitting and Leaving of all the said Things should be accomplished as soon as our said Brother hath deliver'd unto Us or to our Deputies the City and Castle of Poictiers with all the Land and County of Poictou and the Fee of Thoüars the City and Castle of Agen and all the Land and Country of Agâ—nois the City and Castle of Perigeux and all the Land and Country of Perigord the City and Castle of Caâ—â—rs and all the Land of Quercy the City and Castle of Rodes and all the Land and Country of Rouvergue the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land thereunto belonging the City and Castle of Limoges and whatever We or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Monstrevil with the Appurtenances also the County of Ponthieu whole and entirely save and except according to the Tenor of the Article contained in the said Treaty where it maketh mention of the said County also the Castle and Town of Calais and the Castle Town and Lordship of Sangate Coulogne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Rivers Marishes Woods Rents Lordships and other things contained in the Article thereof making mention Also the Castle Town and whole County of Guisnes with all the Lands Castles Towns Forts Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Forests and other Rights according to the Tenor of the Article thereof making mention more plainly in the said Treaty with the Isles that we hold already that is to say at the time of the said Treaty and Peace I say concerning all these Things We and our Brother the French King have promised by Faith and Oath each to other the same Treaty and Peace to hold keep and accomplish and not to do any thing contrary thereto and both We and our said Brother and our Eldest Sons are mutually bound by Obligation and Promise by Faith and Oath the one Part to the Other except certain mutual Renuntiations according to the Tenor and Form of the said Articles and Peace as followeth * * Article 8. c. Item it is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for their Heirs for ever 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 England his Heirs and Successors and convey unto them all the Honours Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognisances Rights Fealties and Imperial Jurisdictions High or Low Resorts Safeguards Advousons Patronages of Churches Lordships and Sovereignties that appertain or may appertain in any manner of wise to the Kings and to the Crown of France or to any other Person because of the King or of the Crown of France wheresoever it be in Cities Towns Castles Lands Isles Countries and Places before-named or in any of them or their Appurtenances and Appendages whatsoever whether Dukes Earls Vicounts Archbishops or other Prelates of Holy Church Barons Nobles and others nothing thereof being to the Kings or Successors of the Crown of France reserved so that neither They nor any of their Heirs or Successors nor any French Kings nor Others by reason of the King or Crown of France make any Challenge or Demand in time to come of the King of England his Heirs or Successors or any of his Men or Subjects aforesaid because of the said Countries or Places So that all Persons aforesaid their Heirs and Successors and all other Persons Cities Counties Lands Countries Isles Castles and Places aforesaid and all their Appurtenances and Appendages shall hold of the King of England perpetually peaceably and freely the said King of England to have over them Dominion Sovereignty Obeisance Allegiance and Jurisdiction as the Predecessors of the French King have had in time past and that the Kings of England their Heirs and Successors shall have and hold peaceably all the foresaid Countries in their full Franchises and Liberties for ever as Lords and Liege Sovereigns and as Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without Acknowledging of any Sovereignty Obeisance Homage Resort or Subjection and without doing in time to come any manner of Service or Recognisance to the King or to the Crown of France for the Cities Counties Castles Countries Lands Isles Places and Persons before-named or for any of them Also it is accorded that the French King and his Eldest Son shall expresly Renounce the said Resorts and Sovereignty and all the Right that they have or may have in all these Things such as by this present Treaty ought to appertain to the King of England and in like manner the King of England and his Eldest Son Renounceth all things such as by this present Treaty ought not to be deliver'd unto him and Renounceth all other Demands of the Realm of France and especially the Name Right Claim and Arms of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy and of the Dutchy of Touraine and of the Counties of Anjou and Maine and of the Sovereignty and Homage of the Earldom and County of Flanders and all other Demands which the King of England made at the time of the said Claim or might make in time to come to the said Realm of France by any manner of Cause whatsoever except all that by this Treaty ought to be deliver'd to the King of England and his Heirs And they to transfer convey and mutually quit each King to the Other for ever all the Right which they ought otherwise to have in these things which by this present Treaty are to be deliver'd to each of them at the Time and Place when and where the said Renunciations shall be exchanged And because that our said Brother of France and his Eldest Son to hold and perform the Articles of the said Peace have expresly Renounced the Resorts and Sovereignties comprised in the said Articles and all the Right which they ought to have or might have in all the said things which our said Brother hath deliver'd and left unto Us and all other things which from henceforth shall abide and pertain to Us by Vertue of the said Treaty and Peace We also in like manner expresly renounce all such Things as by the said Treaty are not to be deliver'd unto Us or to our Heirs And likewise all Demands that we have made or might make of our said Brother of France and particularly the Name and Right of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy and of the Dutchy of Touraine and of the Counties of Anjou and Maine and the Homage and
Sovereignty of the Earldom of Flanders and all other Demands that we have made or might make of our said Brother for whatsoever cause it be ever except all that which by this present Treaty ought to remain to Us and to our Heirs And We shall transfer convey and leave to Him and He to Us and so mutually each to Other in the best manner and as speedily as We may all such Right as Each of Us ought or may have in every thing which by this Treaty and Peace ought to abide and remain with and to be deliver'd to each other of Us Reserving still to the Churches and to Men of the Church all that which to them appertaineth or may appertain and all that is usurped and withheld from them by Occasion of the Wars shall be again recompenced restored and deliver'd And also all the Towns Forts and Habitations with the Dwellers in them shall remain and abide in their full Liberties and Franchises as they did before they came into our Hands and Dominion and that to be confirmed unto them by our said Brother of France if he shall be required so to do and that We do not the contrary in any of the foresaid Things or Subjections And as to Us and all things to Us our Heirs and Successors pertaining We submit our Selves in this Point to the Jurisdiction and Coercion of the Church of Rome and We will and consent that the Bishop of Rome shall confirm all these things in giving Monitions and General Commands for the Completion thereof against Us our Heirs and Successors and against our Subjects Commons Colleges Universities or single Persons whatsoever and in giving General Sentences Excommunication Suspension or Interdiction to be laid upon Us or Them who shall do the Contrary And that the said Sentences may fall upon Us or Them as soon as We or They act or endeavour by seising any Town Castle City Fort or any thing doing ratifying or consenting in giving Counsel Comfort Favour or Aid privily or openly against the said Peace Of which Sentences the Parties offending not to be assoyled till full satisfaction be made to all them who have had or susteined any Dammage in that Behalf And moreover to the intent that this said Peace be more firmly kept and holden for ever We will and consent that if any Pacts Confederations Alliances and Covenants howsoever they be called shall be any way prejudicial to the said Peace at this time or hereafter to be made even suppose they be firm and deliver'd on certain Penalties or by Oaths confirmed or otherwise ratified or embulled by our Holy Father the Pope or any other they shall notwithstanding be ipso facto cancell'd and of none effect as contrary to the Weal Publick unprofitable to Peace and to all Christendom and displeasing to God Almighty And all Promises and Oaths in such Cases shall be excused and disanulled by our Holy Father the Pope so that none be bound to hold or keep any such Promises Oaths Alliances or Covenants to the intent that hereafter the like may not be attempted And if any endeavour the Contrary that it be void and of none effect And as for our Part We shall not fail to punish all such as Violaters and Breakers of the Peace both in their Bodies and Goods as in equity and reason the Case shall require And if We procure or suffer to be done the Contrary which God forbid then We will that We be reputed for false and untrue and that we incurr such Blame and Infamy as a King Sacred ought to incurr in such a Case And We swear on the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ to hold keep and accomplish the said Peace and to do nothing contrary thereto neither in our own Person nor by any other in any manner of case And to the intent that these said Bonds should be fulfilled We bind Us and our Heirs and all the Goods of Us and of our Heirs to our said Brother of France and to his Heirs and also We swear on the Holy Gospels by Us corporally touched that We will perform hold and accomplish in the foresaid Cases all the said Things by Us promised and accorded And We will that in like case our said Brother or his Deputies in Place Time and Manner as aforesaid present unto Us his Letters with a like Assurance on his Part comprised therein to the Effect and Strength of our Letters which We have promised and delivered as aforesaid Always saved and reserved by Us our Heirs and Successors that the said Letters above-incorporated be of none Effect nor bring unto Us any manner of Prejudice or Dammage untill the time that our said Brother and Nephew have made sent and delivered unto Us the foresaid Renunciations according to the manner above-devised And till that be done these our Letters not to be against Us our Heirs or Successors in any manner of wise but in the foresaid Case In witness whereof We have set our Seal to the present Letters Dated at Calais 24 of October in the Year of our Lord MCCCLX XVI The same Letters were set forth in the Name of King John of the same Date and besides them there a M. S. Reverendi admodùm Edvardi Stillingfleet S.T.P. Ecclesiae Cathed D. Pauli Decan Cui titulus sequitur Renuntiatio pura per Regem Franci◠are others which contain the Renunciation of the French King the Tenor whereof followeth JOHN by the Grace of God King of France to all unto whom these Presents shall come Greeting We give you to know that We have promised and do promise to render or cause to be rendred and deliver'd really and de facto to the King of England Our Most Dear Brother or to his Especial Deputies in that part at the Augustin Fryars within the Town of Bruges on the Day of the Feast of St. Andrew next coming in one Year Letters sealed with our Great Seal bound with Silk and Green-Wax on Condition that our said Brother shall make the Renuntiations which he ought to make on his Part and on the Part of our Most Dear Nephew his Eldest Son and shall have rendred them to our People or Deputies at the said Place and Time in Manner as they are obliged of which our Letters the Tenor word for word followeth JOHN by the Grace of God King of France We give to know unto all present and to come that whereas Mortal Wars have long endured between our Most Dear Lord and Father late King of France when living and after his Decease between Vs on the one Part and the King of England our Brother who challenged unto himself to have Right to the said Realm on the other Part having brought many great Damages not only unto Vs and to all our Realm but to the Neighbouring Realms also and to all CHRISTENDOM For by the said Wars oftentimes have happen'd Mortal Battles Slaughters Ravagings and Destruction of People and Peril of Souls Deflowring of
England and to all his Heirs and Successors and shall convey unto them all the Men Honours Regalities Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognizances Oaths Rights Mere and Mixt Empire all manner of Jurisdictions High and Low Resorts Safeguards and Lordships and Superiorities which appertain'd or may in any wife appertain to the Kings of France and to the Crown or to any other Person because of the King and Crown of France at any time in Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles and Places aforenamed or in any of them and their appurtenances and appendages whatsoever or in the Persons thereof Vassals or Subjects whatsoever be they Princes Dukes Earls Vicounts Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of the Church without retaining or reserving any thing therein to themselves their Heirs and Successors or any of the Kings of France or any other whatsoever because of the King and Crown of France whereby they their Heirs and Successors or any King of France may challenge or demand any thing in time to come of the King of England his Heirs and Successors or of any of the Vassals and Subjects aforesaid in regard of the Countries and Places abovenamed so as all the above-named Persons their Heirs and Successors shall for ever be Liege-men and Subjects to the King of England and to his Heirs and Successors and that the King of England his Heirs and Successors shall have and hold all the Persons Cities Counties Lands Countries Isles Castles and Places above-named and all their Appurtenances and appendages And the Premises shall remain unto them fully freely and for ever in their Dominion Sovereignty Obeisance Allegiance and Subjection as the Kings of France at any time ever had or held them And that the said King of England his Heirs and Successors shall have and hold for ever all the Countries above-named with their appurtenances and appendages and other things aforesaid with all Franchise and perpetual Liberty as Sovereign and Liege-Lords and as Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without Recognizing any Sovereign or doing any Obedience Homage Resort or Subjection and without doing in any time to come any Service or Recognizance to the Kings or to the Crown of France for the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles Places and Persons above-named or for any of them Item It is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son shall Renounce expresly the said Resorts and Sovereignty and all the Right which they have and may have in all those things which by this present Treaty ought to belong to the King of England And likewise the King of England and his Eldest Son shall expresly Renounce all those things which by this present Treaty ought not to be deliver'd unto or abide with the King of England and especially the Name and Right of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demaine of the Dutchy of Normandy of the Dutchy of Touraine of the Earldoms of Anjou and Maine the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dutchy of Bretagne the Sovereignty and Homage of the Country and Earldom of Flanders and all other Demands which the King of England hath made or may make against the King of France for whatsoever cause it may be saving and excepting what by this present Treaty ought to remain and be rendred to the King of England and his Heirs And the two Kings shall convey resign and quit the One to the Other for ever all the Right that each of them hath or may have to those things which by this present Treaty ought to remain and to be rendred to each of them as for the time and place when and where the said Renunciations shall be made the two Kings shall confer and agree together at Calais Now We to uphold and accomplish the Articles Peace and Accord aforesaid do Renounce expresly all Resorts and Sovereignties and all Right which we have and may have in all the things aforesaid which We have rendred and deliver'd and resign'd to the said King of England our Brother and which from this time forth ought to remain and appertain unto him by the said Treaty and Peace In respect that He and the said Prince his Eldest Son have Renounced expresly all those things which by the said Treaty ought not to be rendred unto nor to remain with the said King of England our Brother for him and for his Heirs and all Demands which he maketh or may make against Vs And especially the Name and Right of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy of the Dutchy of Touraine of the Counties of Anjou and Maine the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dutchy of Bretagne the Sovereignty and Homage of the Earldom and Country of Flanders and all other Demands which the said King of England maketh or may make of Vs for any cause whatsoever saving and excepting what by this present Treaty ought to remain and to be rendred to the said King of England and his Heirs And unto him We convey yield and resign and He unto Vs and each to Other to the best of our Power all the Right which either of Vs might or may have in all those things which by the said Treaty and Peace ought to remain and be deliver'd to either of Vs Saving still and reserving to the Churches and to Men of the Church that which to them appertaineth and all that which hath been usurped and detained from their Hands by occasion of the Wars that this be rendred and delivered unto them And that the Towns and Forts and all the Inhabitants thereof shall be and remain in such Liberties and Franchises as they were before they came into our Hands and Dominion and that to be confirmed unto them by the said King of England if he shall be thereto required and that We do not the contrary in any of the Matters aforesaid And as to this point We submit our selves our Heirs and Successors to the Jurisdiction and Coërcion of the Church of Rome and We Will and consent that our Holy Father the Pope shall confirm all these things in giving Monition and General Commands for the accomplishment thereof against Vs our Heirs and Successors and against all our Subjects be they Commons Colleges Vniversities or single Persons whatsoever and in giving General Sentences of Excommunication Suspension or Interdiction to be incurred by Vs and by them who shall do the contrary And that the said Sentences may fall upon Vs or them as soon as We or They act or endeavour by seising any Town Castle City Fort or any thing doing ratifying or consenting in giving Counsel Comfort Favour or Aâ—d privily or openly against the said Peace Of which Sentences they shall not be absolved till they shall have made full satisfaction to all those who by that Act have sustained or suffer'd Damages And moreover to the Intent that this said Peace be more firmly kept and holden for
Aquitaine To all our Captains Keepers of Towns and Castles Subjects Adherents and Allies being in the Parts of France as well in Picardy Burgundy Anjou Berry Normandy Bretagne Auvergne Champaigne Maine Touraine as in all the bounds and limitations of the Demaine and Tenure of France Greeting A final Peace and accord having been made between Us and our Brother of France our Allies and Adherents comprising all the Debates and Discords that have been in time past or may be to which We have sworn on the Body of Jesus Christ and also our Eldest Son and our other Children and others of our Blood with divers Prelates Barons and Knights and the most Noble of the Realm of England and in like manner hath sworn our said Brother and our Nephew the Duke of Normandy and other our Nephews his Children and divers Prelates Barons and Knights of the Realm of France to keep the said Peace Yet lest it might so fortune or fall out hereafter that any Men of War of our Realm or of our Subjects should take upon them to do or attempt any thing contrary to the Peace in taking or with-holding Forts Towns Cities or Castles or in taking of Pillage Prisoners or Merchandise or any other thing against the Peace the which to Us would be right Displeasant and We neither may nor will suffer any such thing to pass under the shadow of Dissimulation in any manner of wise but will with all our Power in all the said things find a Remedy We therefore Will Require and Ordain by the Advice of our Council that None of our Subjects of whatsoever State or Condition they be presume to do or endeavour to do any thing contrary to the said Peace in taking any Pillage or in taking or withholding any Forts Prisoners or Goods whatsoever pertaining to the Realm of France or to our said Brother his Subjects Allies and Adherents or any other whatsoever they be And whosoever shall be thus Guilty of Doing against the said Peace and will not leave or cease so to do or will not restore again the Damages by them done within a Month after they shall be thereto required by our Officers Serjeants or Publick Persons that then by that Deed alone without any further Process or Condemnation they be all reputed for out-law'd as Men cast out of our Realm and Protection and also out of the Realm and Lands of our said Brother and all their Goods shall be forfeited to Us and to our Demaine and if they may be found within our Realm We Will and Command expresly that on them Punishment be forthwith taken as on Traytors and Rebels against Us according to what is accustomed to be done in the Crime of High-Treason without giving in that case any favour or remission sufferance or pardon And in like manner to be done to our Subjects of whatsoever Estate they be who in our Realm on this side the Sea or on the other take occupy or hold any Fort whatsoever against the Will of those to whom they should pertain or that burn or ransom Towns or Persons or commit any Robbery or take any Pillage in Violation of the Peace and in moving War within our Dominions or on our Subjects And We do hereby command and expresly enjoyn all our Seneschals Bailiffs Provosts Governors of Castles and other our Officers in avoiding of our high Displeasure and on pain of losing their Offices that they publish or cause to be published these Presents in certain notable Places within their Rules and Precincts and that this our Command once seen and heard no one be after that so hardy to remain longer in any Fort pertaining to the Realm of France and exempted from the Ordinance of the Treaty of the said Peace on pain of being proceeded against as an Enemy to Us and to our said Brother the French King and that they see all these Things be duly and punctually observed And We give all persons concerned to know that if they be negligent and fail thus to do beside the foresaid Penalty We shall cause them to make good all Dammages unto those who by their Default or Negligence shall be so grieved or endammaged And moreover We shall inflict such further Punishment on them as shall make them an Example to all Others In Witness whereof We have made these our Letters Patents Given at Calais the 24 Day of October in the Year of our Lord MCCCLX XIX Besides all this there were several other Letters of Alliance made even for the space of 15 Days together which was the time that these two Kings their Sons and Councils were at Calais all which time was chiefly spent in Conferring Devising and Settling new Ordinances not contrary to the old but such as should better explain and confirm them And for the greater Security all the Letters bare one Date All which were enrolled in the Chanceries of both the Kings but as it is tedious to refer them hither so also is it needless All these mutual Renuntiations Covenants and Agreements were drawn up sworn to and sealed at the same time but e Ashmole p. 663. ex Rot. de Tract Pacis Franc. 34. Ed. 3. n. 7. 8. not as yet Exchanged because as yet the King of France was not at Liberty and the Towns Castles and other Places could not as yet be deliver'd But it was now nevertheless agreed and promised that they should be surrendred to the Special Deputies on both Sides by Midsummer following if it might be and the Renuntiations sent at the Assumption of our Lady next ensuing to the Church of the Augustin Fryars at Bruges to be deliver'd to those deputed to receive them Or if they were not sent till Allhallontide after then they were to be deliver'd in the said Church on St. Andrews day following at which Time and Place both Kings engaged to send thither and cause to be deliver'd to the Deputies of both Parties their and their Eldest Sons Renuntiations But if they were not then deliver'd not any thing agreed on was to take Effect There was also another Instrument Dated at Calais at the same time whereby King Edward was obliged to deliver up to the French King before Candlemas come Twelve Months all those Castles and Towns which he now held being Places that by Vertue of the Treaty were not to remain with him the Particulars whereof from the Records are to be seen in my worthy Friend Esquire f P. 663. c. ex Râ—â—praed de Tract Pacis Franc. m. 5. Ashmole's Elaborate History of the Garter For the Surrender of all which the King of England made forth Commissions to several Persons bearing Date at Calais as aforesaid Now g Ashmole p. 664. ex Rot. Tr. Pacis Franc. 34 Ed. 3. n. 6. also the two Kings made a League for them their Heirs and Successors of perpetual Friendship and Alliance to become thenceforward Faithfull Friends and to assist each other against all Persons whatsoever except the
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
flang away in a Field and went to London to sell their ill-gotten Goods but afterwards being themselves rob'd of all their Gains and thereupon confessing their Sacrilege they received their reward at the Gallows Among other Instances of these licentious Robbers violence and contempt of the Law Peter King of Cyprus himself as he rode about here in England with a small Attendance in confidence of King Edwards protection was g Walsing hist p. 173. n. 30. set upon by a Gang of these Fellows and inhumanely strip'd and rob'd of all he had about him Which with other things might easily give occasion to Foreigners of concluding our Nation Uncourteous Barbarous and Inhospitable but that it is not the part of discreet Judges to attribute that unto an whole People in general which is only the Character of the most rascally and villanous sort of Theeves among that People However King Edward was extreamly incensed hereat and did what he could to bring the Authors to condign punishment and in order thereto granted unto the City of London more ample power to do Justice and to deliver up Prisoners within their Liberties to the Kings Justices as they used to do before thô without Licence XI About this time King David of Scotland h Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. came also into England to visit King Edward and to see if he might obtain a Relaxation of some part of his Ransom but we don't hear any thing of his Success therein However he stayed some time here as well in respect to King Edward as for the sake of the Kings of Cyprus and Denmark whom he had never seen before So that shortly after King John of France coming also into England there were present here at one time Four Stranger Kings as John King of France David King of Scotland Peter King of Cyprus and Waldemar King of Denmark This Year i Knighton p. 2627. n. 50. Walsingh hist p. 173. n. 30. Fabian p. 246. M.S. ver Angl. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabâ—c 232. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 143. c. it is remembred that there happen'd a grievous hard Frost attended with an unusual Cold which continued from the Seventh of September as some say thô others have December to the Fourteenth of the Kalends of April following which was Occasion of incredible Harm as well to the Land in General as to poor People in Particular CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France comes over into England II. King Edward gives him an honourable Reception III. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at one Time. IV. The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitam by whom he is received with great Honour V. King John sickens and dies in England VI. The King of Navarre on News thereof breaking out again the Duke of Normandy sends for Sr. Bertram of Clequin to oppose him A Story of Sr. Bertrams Original VII Sr. Bertram by Stratagem takes Mante and Meulan from the Navarrois VIII The King of Navarre makes the Captal of Busche his General who prepares to ride against Sr. Bertram of Clequin IX Sr. Bertram reinforced the Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville a Navarrois X. King John's Funeral Rites performed in England his Body buried in France a Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy XI The Particulars of the famous Battle of Cocherel between the Captal of Busche and Sr. Bertram of Clequin wherein the Captals Forces are overthrown and himself taken Prisoner XII Sr. Guy of Granville saves the Life of his Father the Lord Granville and redeems him by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. XIII Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims and makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy XIV Sr. Bertram buyes the Castle of Rolebois the Duke of Burgundy sent with an Army to reduce the rest The Army dividing into three Bodies acts separately under the Duke Sr. Bertram and the Lord de la Riviere XV. Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois a Party of his takes la Charité by Surprise XVI The Duke of Burgundy wins Marcheville and besieges Cameroles The Lord de la Riviere takes Aquigny by Composition Cameroles won and demolished AN. DOM. 1364. An. Regni Angliae XXXVIII Connay besieged XVII Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do their Pleasure The Earl of Monbelliard invading Burgundy King Charles remands the Duke thither who yet takes Connay first and then goes and chaces away the Earl of Monbelliard and wasts his Lands XVIII The Constable of France lays Siege to la Charité and is enforced by the Duke of Burgundy XIX The Place taken by Composition I. KING John of France who had all this while made vast Preparations for the Holy War which he had so solemnly undertaken a Frois c. 218. fol. 114. was now at the City of Amiens in Picardy with all the Lords of his Council before whom he seriously declared That he had a Mind to cross the Seas and pay a Visit to his Brother of England and the Queen his Sister for which cause he had assembled them to let them know his Resolution All his Council for the main were against this so rash Attempt as they thought it of their Kings and several of their Prelates and Barons told him plainly That it would not be either for his Honour or Advantage so easily to put himself into the power of a Reconciled Enemy Messteurs said King John let me believe my own Judgment I have found by Experience so much Faith and Honour in the King of England my Brother and in the Queen and their Children that I can never commend them too highly Wherefore as to that Point I am confident they will embrace me with all Sincerity and Friendship I desire also to confer Personally with King Edward about this Croisade which we have undertaken and besides I intend to excuse my Son the Duke of Anjou who like an indiscreet Young Man by his Unlicensed Return into France has entrenched upon my Honour To these Words none durst make a Rejoinder for they saw he was absolutely determin'd as to that Matter Then the King appointed his Son Charles the Dauphin to be again his Lieutenant and Regent of the Realm during his Absence and he promised the Lord Philip his youngest Son to make him at his Return Duke of Burgundy and Inheritor of that Dutchy And so Order being given to provide all things necessary for the Voyage at Boulogne he rode from Amiens to Hesdin where he solemnised the Festival of our Lords Nativity together with Earl Lewis of Flanders who came thither to meet him and tarried with him four Days On St. Innocents Day he left Hesdin and went to Boulogne where he took up his Lodgings in the Abbey expecting till the Wind might serve having in his Company the Earl of Eu the Earl of Dampmartin
Swords Daggers and Axes Helmets Habergeons Shields and all manner of Weapons and Armour For they expected to use them very shortly But the Chief Captains especially drew together in Council being thereto called by the Lord John Chandos to whose Conduct all the rest submitted themselves not only on the account of his Quality but also of his known Wisdom and Experience in the Wars besides which he had a secret Commission from the King of England to be the Chief Captain in this action With him was the Lord John Nereford an English Baron William Lord Latimer the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Richard Burley Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Richard Taunton the Lord Oliver Clisson and the Valiant Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt all who were of the Opinion that the Earl of Monford should rise from the Siege and take the Field early next Morning and so expect his Adversary and if he came forward give him Battle This being resolved on in Council all the Captains of the Army were acquainted therewith who told it to their respective Officers by whom the whole Army was informed that the next Morning they were to be all ready to take the Field to fight the Enemy Before six the next Morning being a Saturday and the Eve of St. Michael the Englishmen and Bretons left their Trenches and marched forth in Battle-Array the Lord John Chandos leading them to a convenient plat of ground behind the Castle of Auray And soon there came toward the same place the Lord Charles of Blois who had left Vannes the Evening before with all his Army which was disposed in the best manner imaginable For 't is said they rode in such good Close Order that if any thing had been cast among them it must have rested on their Spears points so that the f Frois c. 225. fol. 121. Englishmen were extreamly delighted to behold them The Frenchmen being come in sight of their Enemies made an halt as they were in Battle-Array before them choosing their Field among the Bushes and the Marshals gave Command that no man should stir forward without Order Wherefore both Armies stood still confronting each other being ready ranged for Fight which they all eagerly desired IV. The Lord Charles of Blois with the advice of Sr. Bertram of Clequin who was an experienc'd Captain and well belov'd by the Barons of Bretagne made Three Battails and a Rereguard The first was led by Sr. Bertram himself who had with him more than a 1000 Choice Men of Arms Knights and Esquires of Bretagne The Second was headed by the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny and the Lord of Prye with the French Auxiliaries consisting of 1500 Spears and upwards The Third was brought up by the Lord Charles of Blois himself with whom were the Chief Barons of Bretagne that held of his side as the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Leon the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit and divers others as aforenamed In the Rereguard or Fourth Battail stood John the Bastard of Blois a most Valiant Young Gentleman with Eight or Ten stout Barons of Normandy and many other Knights and Esquires and in every g Frois c. 225. fol. 121. b. Battail there were at least a 1000 Men of Arms besides others And the Lord Charles of Blois rode about to every Battail earnestly desiring them all to do their utmost that day and for their better assurance he took it on his Soul and on his part in Paradise that they were to Fight in a Righteous Quarrel and moreover he promised to reward every Man liberally according to his Performances V. Now on the other part the Lord Chandos who because of his Abilities in the War was the Principal Captain thô the Earl of Monford was head of the Cause began wisely to consider how he might with a lesser Number overthrow a greater in plain Field where no advantage of ground might be had Especially his concern was now encreased because the King of England his Master had given him such a Charge to look most carefully to the Business of his Son in Law for the Earl of Monford had h Speed p. 590. Sandford's Geneal hist p. 179. Ashmole's Garter p. 669. Married the Lady Mary his Daughter Wherefore like a Loyal Gentleman he fully determin'd with his utmost diligence to advance the Affairs of the Earl of Monford and to stick close to him that day He had perfectly noted the exact order and discipline of the Frenchmen upon their approach and hugely applauded to himself the great Conduct and Discretion that appeared among them and therewithall said aloud to his Friends the Lords and Captains about him Gentlemen it is high time for Us to order our Battails For our Enemies are giving Us an example Those who heard him answer'd Sir You are in the Right But this is your Province You are our Chief Master and best Counsellour therefore order Us at Your pleasure for no Soul here shall contradict You since we know the King has committed this Charge to You and surely You have the most experience in these Affairs of any among Us. Thereupon the Lord Chandos began also to form Three Battails and a Rereguard The First he committed to the Care of Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and Sr. Richard Burley with whom was the Lord John Nereford the Second was led by the Lord Oliver Clisson who i True Use of Armory in Chandes his Life p. 62. bare Gules a Lion Rampant Argent Crown'd Or with him were the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and Sr. Matthew Gournay whose Arms were k Id. p. 67. Or Three Pales Azure The Third was govern'd by the Earl of Monford who himself was governed by the Lord Chandos and here was William Lord Latimer and in each of these Battails were 500 Men of Arms and 400 Archers But when Sr. John came to the ordering the Rereguard he called unto him Sr. Hugh Calverley and said Sr. Hugh You must be Governour of the Rereguard with 500 Men of Arms in your Company But you are to stand on a Wing and by no means to quit your Station for any thing that may happen unless you see an absolute necessity As when any of our Battails are disorder'd or broke by the force of our Enemies if you think there is Danger then come you on with your Battail and entertain the Enemy till our Men are rallied again And when you have done thus much draw off and keep your former Post till such another occasion calls to a like assistance For surely this will be the best piece of Service You can do Us this day When Sr. Hugh Calverley had fully heard the Lord Chandos his Words he was asham'd and displeasâ—d in his Mâ—nd and said My Lord pray commend this Rereguard to some other Man besides me For I have no desire to meddle with it And Sir I admire in my heart what You have
Inhumane and Unprincely Actions was Sirnamed The Cruel He had indeed b Rederic Sant Par. iv c. xiv §. 40 c. Vid. Marian. de Reb. Hispand 17. c. 7. many notable good Qualities and Perfections both of Body and Mind for he was Tall of Stature and of a strong and well-compacted Body of a Gracefull and Majestick Countenance and of a sharp and sound Wit He was Sweet and Persuasive of Language Affable and Judicious Able and Expert in Arms a severe Enemy to the Proud and Obstinate and especially to Thieves and Robbers on the High-way In short he had such Courage and other Endowments of Mind as set forth and adorn the Owner but cannot make him Happy without the Addition of Vertue For as to his Religion He either had none or seem'd to take no no ice of it but lived in continued Adulteries and rejected all Admonitions of his Clergy and united himself as was reported to the Moors and the Kings of Belmarine Tremisen and Granada He was always an inveterate Enemy to Pedro King of Aragon and had lately taken from him a part of his Kingdom intending at last to deprive him of the whole as indeed he had a desire to oppress all his Christian Neighbours Nay when c Oder Râ—inal ad an 1362. § 18. Ruffus Maurus King of Granada came to him under safe Conduct for Protection to his City of Sevil partly to obtain his Treasures which were reported to amount to 800000 pieces of Gold and also to gratifie his natural thirst of Blood he caused him to be carried into the Field on an Ass together with One and Fourty Moors his Servants and there he transfixed him thrô the Body with his own Lance and caused the rest of the Moors to be trod to Death by his Horsemen Moreover he had divorced and as some say caused to be dispatched his own Queen the Lady Blanche Daughter to d Philippus dicitur apud Odor Rainal ad an 1353. §. 16. Peter Duke of Bourbon and German Sister to the French Queen and to the Countess of Savoy whose Death was much bewailed by all that knew her especially those of her Family which was then one of the most Illustrious in the World. The occasion why he was so Cruel to a Lady of her Worth Youth and Beauty for she was but e Maria. de Reb. Hispan l. 17. c. 4 five and twenty when she died and once He himself lov'd her entirely is f Id. l. 16. c. 18. Innocent PP VI. Vitae Auther apud Bosq Vid. Oder Rainâ—l ad an 1353. § 16. attributed to the Enchantments of a certain Jew who at the Instigation of Don Pedro's Concubine Maria de Padilla by Magick so charmed a Rich embroidered Girdle which his Queen Blanche had given him that when he had it on it appeared both to himself and all others nothing else but a great and terrible Serpent From that time He could never endure his Queen who soon after either died for grief or as it is said was poisoned by him And thus being again at his own Dispose he took the said Maria de Padilla to Wife and made her his Queen Now this Don Pedro King of Castille and Leon had Three Bastard Brethren whom his Father Alphonso had gotten on the body of the Lady Leonora Gusman called the Ricco Drue the Eldest was named Henry Earl of Trastamare a Man who supply'd the Defect of his Birth by Vertue and an Honourable Inclination the Second was Tellius alià s Don Tello afterwards Earl of Sancelloni and the Third Sancho When these Three Brethren saw the many Murthers of the Prime Nobility perpetrated by the King their Brother and that he daily grew worse and how he had put to Death Three or Four of their Brethren gotten by King Alphonso on another Lady they began to doubt their own Lives and resolving to get out of his Reach fled for Protection to Pedro King of Aragon whom our Don Pedro so pursued with Bloody Wars that finding no further security there they were e'n fain to fly to the French King. Hereupon Don Pedro confiscated all their Estates and proscribed them as Traytors which prov'd an Occasion of his Ruine For now that all hope of Pardon was taken away they began to consider how by depriving him of his Life they might secure their own To which Resolution they were the more enflam'd because they heard he had lately put to Death the Lady Leonora Gusman their Mother having first caused to be burnt in her Presence a Jacobin of the Order of St. Domingo della Calcade g Favine le Parisien Theatre l'Henneur l. 6. c. 9 c. who had foretold that he himself should be slain by the hands of Henry of Castille Conde of Trastamare his Bastard Brother in Revenge of his other Brethren whom he had murdered About this time also the Prelates of Castille sent grievous Complaints to Avignon to the Pope importing that their King intended to overthrow Holy Church and had already taken away many Church Lands and Revenues and held several of the Clergy in Prison and oppressed the whole Land by Tyranny against all which they beg'd of his Holiness some Remedy And moreover having lately violated the Truce taken between him and the King of Aragon he refus'd to hearken to the Admonitions of the Pope who by his Letter bearing h Odor Rainal ad hunc ann §. 30 c. Dat. Aven Non. Februar Ano. Pontif IV. and sent unto him by William de Lynne alià s Lulimere Bishop of Chichester exhorted him earnestly to be at peace with the said King. Upon all these accounts Pope Urban being netled to the quick sent Messengers forthwith into Spain to the King citing him to appear by his Proxies in his Court there to answer what should be alledged against him and to excuse and purge himself of those horrible Matters laid to his Charge But Don Pedro in stead of bending a little for a while being full of Pride and Security not only flatly refus'd to obey this citation but also abus'd the Popes Messengers whereby he greatly incurred the Indignation of the Church and especially of the Chief Bishop thereof the Pope And in this manner he persever'd till at last i Frois c. 229. fol. 126. in the open Consistory at Avignon in the Chamber of Excommunication he was solemnly ejected from the Bosom of the Church and pronounced to be but as an Infidel And then after these Censures it was advised that he should be deposed by the Arms of the Companions who were at that time in France Hereupon the King of Aragon who was an Apparent Enemy to Don Pedro and Henry the Bastard who had little cause to be his Friend were sent for to come and confer with the Pope at Avignon Now this Henry the Bastard was a most Valiant and Couragious young Gentleman and had been many Years in France pursuing the Wars on the French Kings part with
ejus pedibas iter conficiunt Pedage * * Latinè Leuda quâ—d lego Feuda Vid. Glessaria Somneri Skinneri c. Fee Custom Maletolt or any other Impositions or Exactions imposed or hereafter to be imposed in our Kingdoms so that the said Men of the said Kingdom Country and Dominion of England and of the Principality of Wales in going staying or returning thrô our Kingdoms by Sea or by Land shall not be obliged to pay any Custom Pedage Fee Maletolt or any other Imposition or Exaction unless the said Men should buy any thing for the sake of Merchandise or for Merchandising In which case whether they be bought for the sake of Merchandise or no by our Officers and Receivers of the said Pedages We will stand to the Oath of the said Men of which things so bought for the cause of Merchandise they shall not be compelled to pay nor shall any thing be exacted of them above what other Merchants use to pay And We swear on the Holy Gospels of God corporally by Us touched with our Hand and promise in the Word of a King to hold fulfill and inviolably to observe the foresaid Concessions Donations and Privileges and all and singular the things contained in these present Letters In testimony whereof and of singular the Premises and for their greater Confirmation We have in Presence of these undernamed subscribed with our own Hand and caused our Seal to be affixed thereto in pendant Willing and Granting and also requiring You Master John de London by Apostolick Authority Publick Notary that to the perpetual Memory of all and singular the Premises You with the Present Witnesses would subscribe and sign the present Letters with your usual Seal Dated at Libourne of the Dioecese of Bourdeaux on the Twenty third of September in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Six in Presence of our most Dear Cousin the Lord John Duke of Lancaster Son of the King of England and Brother of the said Prince and the Reverend Fathers in Christ the Lord Elias Archbishop of Bourdeaux the Lord Bernard Bishop of Sainctogne John Elect Bishop of Bath and Welles Chancellour of Aquitain John Chandos Constable and Thomas Felton Seneschal of Aquitaine Neal Loring Chamberlain of the said Prince Baldwin Freville Seneschal of Sainctogne and other Witnesses to the Premises f f i.e. I the King. YO EL REY And I John de London Clerk of the Dioecese of Winchester by Apostolick Authority Publick Notary on the Eleventh day of the Month of February in the Year of our Lord g g i.e. 1366 / 7. aforesaid in the Fifth Indiction and in the Fifth Year of our most Holy Father in Christ and our Lord the Lord Vrban the Fifth by Divine Providence the Pope within the Castle of the City of Bayonne in the Chappel of the said Castle was present together with the Witnesses undernamed when the said Lord King Pedro renewed and confirmed and by his Oath Established all and singular the Premises touching with his own Hands the Holy Gospels of God and when the said King subscribed himself with his own Hand and Required and enjoyn'd me to subscribe my self to the Present Letters and to set to my usual Seal The Witnesses who were present at these things together with me are the Lord Fryar h h Frater Martinus Lupi c. Martinez de Leyva master of the House of the Knighthood of Alcantara of the Order of Cisteaux Roger Lord de la Warre Gomez i i Magister dicti Domini Regis c. Tutor of the said Lord the King Paulo Gabriel Citizen of Sevil John Guttern Dean of the Church of Segovia and Master Robert Fregand Notary Chancellour of the Lord the foresaid Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales ✚ S PETRI DEI GRATIAE REGIS CASTELLE ET LEGIONIS ✚ S PETRI DEI GRATIAE REGIS CASTELLE ET LEGIONIS And at this time it was also agreed k Selden ibid. p. 270. that the Prince of Wales should have the Castle of Vermejo Lequitio Bilbao and Biscay as also the Castle of Vrdiales to hold to himself and his Heirs and Successors for ever and to dispose of them as he should please being wholly discharged of all Sovereignty and Resort and as free as the King had held it heretofore And accordingly We find the Prince to use besides his former Titles that of Lord of Biscaye and of the Castle of Ordiales as in an Instrument In Camer â Ducatûs Lancastriae Vid. Sandford Geneal hist p. 185. bearing date the 8 day of October in the Year 1370. Ano. 44. Ed. 3. Whereby he grants unto his Brother John Duke of Lancaster the Castle Town and Chastellanie of la Roche Sur Yon he styles himself Edward Eldest Son of the King of France and of England Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales Duke of Cornwall Earl of Chestre Lord of Biscaye and of the Castle of Ordiales And all these things were confirmed by King Don Pedro under the Great Seal of Castille both the Originals and Duplicates thereof remaining m In Thesaur Regis apud Westmonast in Bibl. Cotton ut ante with Us in England to this day which shew also that to the King's Seal his Oath was afterwards added being solemnly taken before the High-Altar in the Church of n Selden Burgos sed haec Vrbs in Hispaniâ tum fieri intelligatur pest Victoriam à Principe partam Potiùs verò Bourdeaux legendum duxi Bourdeaux XII When all these things were fully Ratified Established and Confirmed and all the great Men knew what they were to do the Prince of Aquitain sent his Heralds into Spain to certain Knights of England and Gascogne Subjects to him and his Father signifying unto them privately how it was his Pleasure that they should presently upon sight of his Letters take their leaves of King Henry the Bastard and come away with all speed to him for he said he had need of their Service and should speedily have an occasion to employ them When the Heralds had deliver'd their Letters to the Chief Captains in Castille and had secretly confer'd with them so that they perfectly understood the Prince's Design they embraced the first Opportunity of taking their leaves of King Henry in the most obliging manner they could devise without making the least Discovery of the Prince's Intention So that King Henry who indeed was of a Liberal Courteous and Honourable Disposition after many thanks for their good Service and many ample Gifts and Largesses dismiss'd them and gave them his Letters for their free Passage thrô his Country Whereupon Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. John Devereux Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. John Neville and all the other Lords Knights and Esquires of the Prince's Court with their Troops and Retinues having the Bastards Passport began their March out of Spain with all Expedition for fear of a Countermand if the Matter
should take Air. When this was known to the Captains of the Companions who were spread abroad in the Country and understood nothing of the Prince's Letters they gather'd together as speedily as they might intending to march after them into France For they thought by the other Captains departure that the War was again open between the two Crowns The Chief Leaders of these Companions were Sr. Robert Briquet Sr. John Charnells Sr. Robert Cheney Sr. Ralph Camois Sr. Perdiccas of Albret Nandon of Bergerac Lanny the Little Mechlin the Bourg de l'Esparre Batiller Espiot Edmund Ortingo Captain Humphry Perot of Savoy the Bourg of Bartuel Sr. Garses du Chastel and others who all rode after the English Captains without any stop or impediment from King Henry for as yet he knew not that the Prince of Wales had designed to bring back his Brother Don Pedro into Castille For if he had known it he would not so easily have given them leave to depart since it was in his Power either by fair or soul means to have stopped them now the greater part of the Army was gone away before But as soon as he was thoroughly acquainted with the Prince of Wales his Resolution at first he took no great notice of it but only complain'd to Sr. Bertram of Clequin who tarried still with him Sr. Bertram says he pray do but observe the Pragmatical Humour of this boistrous Prince of Wales I never wrong'd him either in Word or Deed in all my Life and yet I am inform'd that he intends to make War upon Us and bring back again that Jew who calls himself King of Spain into this our Realm by force of Arms But perhaps he may repent his Bargain for if I beat him I 'll make him pay dearly for it Now Sr. Bertram let Us hear what is your opinion as to these Matters Then Sr. Bertram answer'd May it please Your Majesty this Prince of Wales whom You speak of is so Valiant a Knight that if once he sets about an Enterprise he will prosecute it with all the Courage and Vigour imaginable thereby to obtain his end if it be possible Therefore Sir this is that which I have to say You should cause all the Passages and Straights of your Kingdom to be well kept and defended on all sides so that none may pass or repass without your Licence And Sir by Princely Clemency Affability and Bounty preserve your self in the esteem of your People lest any of them should flinch from you in your necessity For nothing is more unstable or less to be rely'd on than the fickle Favour of the Common People I am sure as for France You may command many Gallant Knights from thence and I doubt not of finding many Friends and Favourers of your Cause both there and in Bretagne and Sir I shall go thither my self for that purpose and will bring You as many as I can Only remember to preserve your self in the Esteem of your People and to keep Unity and Peace at home By my Faith said King Henry You say well and while You are providing Us Friends abroad I 'll take Care at home to menage the Residue according to your Counsel Soon after this Sr. Bertram went for France taking his way thrô Aragon where the King received him very kindly and having tarried at Saragoza fifteen days he took his leave and went to Mompellier in Languedoc where he found the Duke of Anjou who also made him very welcome for he loved him entirely And having tarried some time there he went the next way for Paris where he was likewise very welcom to the King. XIII Now when the News was spread abroad thrô Spain Aragon France and other parts of the World that the Prince of Wales had engag'd himself to restore Don Pedro to his Kingdom many men wonder'd at it extreamly and divers and different Opinions were given thereupon Some said how the Prince was so enflamed with the Love of Arms that he cared not for whom he undertook a War whether for a Man of Vertue or no nor whether his Cause were good or bad so there was but Fighting in the case Others said it proceeded from great Presumption occasion'd from his former Successes and that it was rather an effect of Vanity than Judgment But the Frenchmen commonly talk'd that it was meer Envy for that the Prince was in a manner angry and repin'd at the Honour which Sr. Bertram of Clequin had obtain'd in Conquering the Realm of Castille in the Name of King Henry who was by him made King of that Country But surely thô o Mezeray p. 76. ad hunc annum Mezeray himself is of this Mind who ever discreetly and impartially weighs the Matter will easily confess that Sr. Bertram of Clequin was no adequate Object for that Great Prince's Envy especially at this time when his Condition was so vastly beneath and his Renown no way to be compared to that of our English Prince nor could any just Estimator of things much magnifie that Action of Sr. Bertram's who being assisted by the Pope the King of France and the King of Aragon had made shift to put them to flight who had no Power to resist to put him out of his Throne whom none of his Subjects would uphold in it and to Conquer where there was no opposition in the World. Sr. Bertram's high Worth and Valour I readily acknowledge which yet afterwards became far more notable than it was at this time But I must needs tax the Vanity of those Frenchmen who make the Prince of Wales a Man whose Honour the Greatest Monarchs of the Earth might Envy to be jealous of the Glory of so mean a Person as Sr. Bertram at that time was and one who both before and after this was made a Prisoner by his Arms. But those who had least prejudice said as well Frenchmen as others that it was a Generous Pity and a Princely Love to Equity and Justice that moved Prince Edward to abett the quarrel of an Exiled King and to restore him again to his Inheritance for it was neither Lawfull nor Reasonable for a Bastard to wear a Crown and usurp the Name of a King from the Right Heir XIV Such different thoughts in several places were entertain'd by the Knights and Gentlemen who were curious to enquire after Martial Affairs But King Henry for his part being quicken'd by Sr. Bertram of Clequin made all the Interest he could to frustrate the endeavours and designs of his Enemies And first he wrote very earnestly to Pedro King of Aragon his Confederate and Ally and sent his Letters by Discreet and Honourable Persons desiring him that he would by no means agree or make any Composition with the Prince of Aquitain nor with any of his Allies for he promised on his part to remain his good Neighbour and faithfull Friend Upon which Message the King of Aragon who dearly loved Don Henry and had oftentimes experienced King
Pedro's Cruelty returned him Letters with full assurance that thô he should lose half his Realm therefore he would make no Agreement with the Prince which should be to his Prejudice but that he would never come to any manner of accord with Don Pedro And further he promised to keep his Country open for all Men of War that would come to his Assistance but to close all the Passages against those who came to trouble or molest him All which promises he kept very punctually For when he knew that Don Pedro was abetted by the Prince and that the Companions were marching toward Bourdeaux to joyn them he presently stopped all the Passages of his Kingdom and kept them strictly and set Men of War on the Mountains to defend the Passages and Streights of Catalunna so that none could pass without exposing themselves to imminent Danger But for all this the Companions found another way thô they suffer'd many Hazards and Difficulties before they could get rid of those traps set for them in Aragon Yet at last they came to the Marches of the Earldom of Foix where they found that Countrey also closed against them For the Earl would not by any means permit such a sort of Pillagers to pass thrô his Land. XV. The mean while Prince Edward employ'd all his thoughts Night and Day how he might to his Honour perform this Expedition and now he was concerned how these Companions who had already proffer'd him their Service might be safely brought into Aquitaine for he heard how the Passages of Aragon were closed up and that now they were upon the Marches of the Earldom of Foix in much trouble and more danger Wherefore he began to doubt lest the Bastard Henry and the King of Aragon together should by thus streightly dealing with these Companions who were in all to the Number of 12000 Men prevail so as either thrô fear of Danger or Hope of advantage to oblige them to act on the other side which he resolv'd if possible to prevent because they were all Expert and Valiant Men. Then he determin'd to send the Lord John Chandos to retain them for his Service and also to treat with the Earl of Foix desiring him in the Prince's Name to do no harm to them on which account he promis'd him that whatever Damage they should do in his Country he would make him double Amends therefore This Business Sr. John Chandos undertook to do for his Lord and so he first rode to the City of Dax in Gascogne whence he continued his journeys till he came to Foix and here he so well menaged the Earl that he consented to all that he requested of him Then the Lord Chandos rode onward till he came to Belcayne where he found the Companions and fully agreed with their Captains and retain'd them to serve the Prince in his Spanish Expedition for such and such Considerations which the Lord Chandos engaged by Oath should be performed This done he return'd to the Earl of Foix again and desired him that these People being now retained in the Prince's Service might find no lett or hindrance from him but that he would freely permit them to pass by one of the sides of his Country The Earl of Foix who had a great Respect for the Prince besides that he held his Lands of him to do him a pleasure consented on condition they should do no harm by Spoil or otherwise to him his Lands or People Sr. John engaged they should forbear all Violence and Rapine and then he sent an Esquire and an Herald to the Companions with the Articles of the Treaty made by him on their behalf with the Earl of Foix after which he return'd to the Prince and gave him an account of his Success wherewith the Prince was well satisfied For he was very earnestly bent on this Expedition XVI The Black-Prince was now in the Flower of lusty Manhood being in the Thirty sixth Year of his Age of full Strength of Body and in perfect Health of undaunted Courage and Resolution all well temper'd with Experience and Discretion and he was never weary nor cloy'd with War from the first time he bore Arms but was always greedy of hazardous Enterprises and honourable Dangers But to say the Truth as for this Expedition into Spain wherein he intended to advance and resettle King Pedro in his Throne from which he had been deposed by Violence he was moved thereto from Principles of Honour and Equity and out of a compassionate Regard to Don Pedro's miserable Change of Fortune For however he might perhaps seem to deserve as bad or worse measure yet he rightly concluded that no Subjects much less a Bastard-Brother had either Law or Reason to call their Sovereign Lord to an account much less to punish him in such a manner He often spake to his Lords and Knights especially to the Lord John Chandos and the Lord Thomas Felton concerning this his intended Journey and particularly once he demanded of them what they thought of the matter And those two Lords answer'd him how indeed they thought nothing but well for the Cause was just and his Counsels proportionable to the end but they continued Sir without doubt this is a greater Enterprise beyond Compare than it was to thrust King Pedro out of his Kingdom For he was generally hated and when he thought to have made his Part good all Men forsook him But now at this present the Bastard King is actually possest of all that Realm and is confirmed the more strongly in the said Possession by being Master of the Hearts and Affections of all the Nobles Prelates and the whole Body of the Kingdom For they have unanimously received him for their King and his Children after him having for ever excluded Don Pedro and his Heirs and they have promised to uphold him in that Estate to the utmost extent of their Lives and Fortunes Wherefore Sir it concerns You to take along with you a Royal Army for besides the Alliances which the Bastard hath made or may make You shall find the whole Power of Spain and Aragon against you These things said the Prince we have fully consider'd but what think you as to the Nerves of this War which ought not to be the last Consideration Sir replied the Lord Chandos I would advise your Royal Highness to break the best part of your Plate and Treasure of which you have great Abundance and convert it all to Money to bestow largely among the Companions and other your Souldiers because 't is only for your Sake that they are willing to go but as for Don Pedro they would not stirr a foot either for the Love they bear to his Person or the Faith they have in his Promises Besides all which You would do well Sir to send into England to the King your Father desiring him to furnish you towards this expensive Enterprise with an 100000 Franks which Summ the French King is obliged shortly to pay to
whom you call your Enemies and where are they In the Name of God said the Earl of Narbonne they are those Villanous Companions Robbers and Destroyers of the Country such as have ravaged about and wasted the Fair Realm of France without Law or Reason and they are now with you in Montauban And as for your part Sr. John if you were Courteous to your Friends and Neighbours you would not interest your self for such a sort of Rascals who spoil poor People without a Cause For such things oftentimes cause great and lasting Quarrels between many High Lords and Princes Therefore I pray thrust them out of your Fortress or else we cannot look upon you as a True Friend to the King of France or to his People My Lords answer'd the English Captain it is true there are some New-comers Men of War now in my Garrison but they were order'd to come thither by my Lord the Prince and are at this time by him retained for his Service Wherefore I shall not be so hasty to thrust them out of my Garrison And suppose heretofore these very Men have done you any displeasure yet I see not with what Justice you can come upon them now For they are Men of War and must live only as formerly they lived on the Realm of France now they are to be maintained by the Prince Then the Earl of Narbonne and Sr. Guy Dazay said hastily Yes yes we know they are Men of War and such as cannot live any where without Pillage and Robbery and such as have heretofore most barbarously ravaged our Country All which they shall dearly pay for if we can once meet with them in the Field for they have now lately since they have been retained by the Prince plunder'd rob'd burnt and done many bad Actions in the Marches of Tholouse whereof the grievous Complaints are come to our Ears So that if we should now wink at them we should be no better than false Traitors to the King our Sovereign Lord who hath placed us in these Parts to keep and defend this his Country from such Prollers as these are And pray tell them from Us that since we know where to find them we expect shortly to see them for if ever they stir out of your Garrison we will meet with them and then we shall oblige them to make us some amends or it shall cost us a little more This was all the Answer the Captain of Montauban could obtain wherefore he went back again to his Fortress extreamly displeased in his Mind and resolving for all their Threats not to alter his resolution of defending these Men as long as they would tarry with him And at his return he told unto them all the Words of their Enemies the Frenchmen When the Companions heard this News they began somewhat to doubt their Safety for being so few as they were they could not make Head against these Frenchmen however they were always ready and kept good Watch continually Now it chanced that five days after Sr. Perdiccas of Albret being to pass the way of Montauban with another considerable Body of the Companions for that was the best way to enter into the Principality sent word thereof to the Captain of the Town with whom he was well acquainted But when Sr. Robert Cheney and the Companions under him who were thus besieged by the Frenchmen heard these seasonable Tidings they were very glad and sent word privately to Sr. Perdiccas and his Men how the Frenchmen besieged them and had threatned them grievously and they also informed him who were their Captains and what Number they were When Perdiccas had received this particular account of his Enemies and Friends Condition he was not at all abashed but gather'd all his Men together and came and entred Montauban in the Night and was received with much joy by his Fellows and Sr. John Combes Then they all together took Counsel how to behave themselves and so 't was agreed that the next morning all the Companions only for the Captain of the City would by no means break the Peace should march out of the Town armed and go up to the Frenchmen and desire their leave to pass quietly but if they were denied then to put their Lives in their hands and endeavour to force their way This Resolution they put in practice for the next Morning they armed themselves sounded their Trumpets mounted their Horses and so began to march forth of Montauban The Frenchmen fell to Ranging themselves in the Field when first they heard the sounding of the Trumpets and the great noise made about Montauban so that these Companions had no way to pass forward but thrô the midst of them Therefore Sr. Perdiccas of Albret and Sr. Robert Cheney rode on before their Men and having obtained an Assurance went and spake with the Chief of their Leaders desiring That they would permit them being the Prince's Souldiers to pass by quietly as Friends But the French Lords answer'd How they desired not to hold any friendly Commerce or Communication with such Men as were Enemies to all Mankind protesting that they should never pass that way but with the Points of their Spears or Swords At this the two Captains retired unto their Men and the Frenchmen presently began their Cries and the Lords said aloud Advance Banners toward yonder Robbers and Pillagers who plunder all the World and live on the Sweat and Blood of other Men without all Law or Reason When the Companions saw that now it behoved them either to fight valiantly or to die with shame they alighted boldly from their Horses and ranged themselves on Foot before the Town of Montauban ready to receive their Enemies who also being ranged on Foot came now upon them Then the Archers began their Play and after that they all closed together and a strong and cruel Battle began and many a Feat of Arms was there performed and many a Knight laid along on the earth and the Fight was well maintain'd on both sides but the Frenchmen were at least Two to One. So that within a while they drove the Companions back into the Barriers which were held open for their Refuge by the Captains special Command And surely the Companions had been in no very good Case had it not been for the Captain of the Town for when he saw the Frenchmen presume to follow the Companions into his Town then he commanded all that could bear Arms to come forth and every Man to his Power to assist the Companions who were retained in the Service of their Lord the Prince Then the Townsmen and those of the Garrison armed and put themselves in Array and began to enter the Battle while the Women went into their Houses and ran up to the Battlements and Windows from whence they flang down upon the Frenchmen stones and pots of quick Lime so thick that they had enough to do to defend themselves with their Targets from Braining and some were slain
Chosen Men of Arms and 400 Archers at the News of whose Coming the Prince was very glad While things were thus preparing in the Principality there came unto the Prince to Bourdeaux James the Younger King of Majorica as he was called but at that time he had not one foot of his Kingdom in his own Possession For his Uncle Pedro King of Aragon who had before murther'd his Father as was said in Prison at Barcelona had hitherto by force excluded him from his Inheritance So that he had nothing in the World to live on saving that the Lady Joan Queen of Jerusalem Sicily and Naples had in consideration of his Youth Shape and Nobility p Vid. Odor Rainal ad an 1362. §. 10. c. taken him for her Third Husband about Four Years before this Wherefore he now applies himself to Prince Edward that by means of his Powerfull Arms he might be able to Revenge the Death and Injuries of his Father and to recover his Right as well in the Kingdom of Majorica as also in the Earldoms of Roussillon and Cerdanna The Prince made him very Welcom and gave him good hopes and comfort against the Present Difficulty of his Affairs and told him when he had heard his whole business Sir ô King being already embarqued in another Affair of like Consequence as yet I cannot possibly attend to your Cause but I promise you faithfully that after my safe Return out of Spain I shall forthwith take Care to restore you unto your full Right either by Treaty or by Force This Free and Generous Promise settled the Young Kings mind for the Present and so he tarried still with the Prince in Bourdeaux expecting when he would begin to march as others did for he intended to accompany him in this Expedition And the Prince considering his Quality allow'd him all that was necessary because he was a stranger and in Distress But daily there were brought to the Prince's Ears great Complaints of the Companions how they were exceeding troublesome to Men and Women of those Parts where they quarter'd wherefore they desired the Prince to begin his March as soon as he could which was his own Desire too But he was advis'd to stay and see Christmas over first that so he might have Winter at his Back and he agreed the rather to this reasonable motion because the Princess his Wife was big with Child again and very near her time and she was mightily concerned lest he should leave her before her Delivery Wherefore fearing that either she or the child might come to any harm he was content to stay till that Danger was over and she was extreamly pleas'd when she heard him promise so to do XX. All this while there was great Provision of Wine and Victuals and other Necessaries made over all the Country because they were to enter into a Kingdom where what for the season of the Year the Nature of the Soil and the Care of their Enemies they were likely to find but small purveyance Among other things while thus they tarried at Bourdeaux and all the Country was full of Souldiers the Prince of Wales by advice of his Council countermanded 800 of the Lord of Albret's 1000 Spears which before he had thought to have retained by his Letters sealed with his Seal the Tenor whereof followeth EDWARD by the Grace of God Prince of Aquitaine and Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester to his Right Trusty and Right-well-beloved Bernard Lord of Albret Greeting My Lord of Albret whereas of our meer Will and Pleasure We have taken upon Vs this Expedition in which We shortly intend to proceed considering the vast business charge and encombrance which We now have as well by reason of strangers who have offer'd themselves to our service as of the great Numbers of the Companions who are so numerous that we must not leave them behind Vs for fear of the Mischief which they may create among our Subjects That yet We may take sufficient Care of our Land in this our intended absence for as all may not stay behind so neither are all the Men of War to go lest the Country be left without Defence Vpon these Considerations after good Advice had it is ordained by Vs and our Council that for this time You only serve Vs with 200 Spears and You may discharge your self of the Residue and let them do as it shall please them And so God Almighty have you in his keeping Dated at Bourdeaux the 8th of December Ano. Dom. 1366. These Letters being sealed with the Prince's Great Seal were sent to the Lord of Albret who at that time was very busie in his Country about the Preparations for the Campaigne for it was now constantly affirmed that the Prince would begin his March very suddenly But when he saw the Prince's Letters he read them over twice the better to understand their meaning and then he was both amaz'd and displeas'd at what he found in them What saith he to himself how comes this to pass that my Lord the Prince makes a scorn and derision of me after this manner For now he would have me disband 800 Spears Knights and Esquires all whom by his own Command I have already retain'd and so diverted from other ways as well of Profit as of Honour Being in this heat he presently called for his Secretary and caused him to write an Answer to the Prince in these Words Most Illustrious and Dear Lord I am mightily surprised at the Letters You were pleased to send me and Sir I am in a great streight how I ought or may answer You in that point For it proves much to the prejudice and damage of me and all my Friends whom by your own Ordinance and Command I have already enter'd into service whereby I have hindred them of many fair Advantages which they might have reaped in other places For some of them were determin'd to have gone over Sea into Prussia to Constantinople to Jerusalem as most Knights and Esquires do in times of Peace at home to advance their Honour abroad Sir they are all very much surprised and displeased at me thus to be left out at this time and I also extreamly admire for what fault of mine I have deserved this severe Vsage Right Dear Sir May it please You to know that I cannot be sure of 200 unless I may be permitted to bring them all because I fear none will be willing to go when thus unhappily divided from their Friends I am the meanest and worst of them all and yet if any are left behind I doubt none will go God Almighty preserve your Royal Highness Dated c. When the Prince received this answer he look'd upon it as insolent and presumptuous and so did many English Lords and Knights of his Council whereupon the Prince shook his head and said in English Ah! this Lord of Albret is too great a Master in my Dominions when he will thus dare to
the Archers bestow'd their Arrows liberally upon the Spaniard till their Quivers were exhausted All that was possible to be done they performed but long they could not now endure their Archers being rendred useless and the Men of Arms being pressed upon on all Hands so that at last their Ranks being broken they were all taken and conquer'd by Force of Arms not one escaping either Death or Imprisonment except a few Pages and Valets that saved themselves by the Goodness of their Masters Horses and at Night came to the Prince who stood all that Day on the Hill ready to fight for He thought the Bastard was marching towards Him. VIII About the same time also the Earl of Sancelloni return'd home joyfully to the Camp and came to his Brother Don Henry to whom he made a Present of such Prisoners as he had taken and gave a Relation to him to Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Arnold D'Endreghan and other Lords of France and of Spain how they had overthrown part of Sr. Hugh Calverley's Retinue and chaced him into the Duke of Lancaster's Battail where they had done considerable Harm before the Host was moved that in their return they met with these Knights whom there He presented unto him and how they happen'd on the Adventure and how they performed the Action King Henry who heard these Words with wonderfull Delight reply'd Fair Brother You have succeeded very well for which We hope sometime to consider You And I doubt not but all the Army of the English will pass the same way Sir said the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan saving Your Majesties favour thô I wish your Words may take full effect yet there may be some reason to doubt it For thus much Sir I must be bold to say when You meet with the Prince of Aquitain in Battle You shall there find Men of War furnished with all things requisite to perfect and accomplish'd Souldiers This Prince leads along with him the Flower of the Chevalry of all th◠World whom You shall find to be right Hardy and Couragious fighting Men and who will sooner cover the ground with their Bodies than flinch one foot Wherefore Sir 't is necessary to be well advis'd and to take heed in this Matter But Sir if You will follow my Counsel You may discomfit them without striking a stroak for if You will keep the Passages of the Ebro and the other streights of your Country so that no Provision may come at them You will famish them and compell them to return toward their own Country which they must do without any good Order or Array and so You may discomfit them at your ease and pleasure The King answer'd Marshal Marshall by the soul of my Dear Father I desire so much to see the Prince and to try his strength and mine together that I will never stir hence without Battle if he 'll have the Courage to come and give it me and if not I 'll go and present him with Battle in what place soever I shall find him For I thank God We have Men enough First We have * Hec apparet ex duchus Froisardi locis simul collatis c. 236. 10000 Men of Arms well armed and mounted on barbed Horses so that they need not fear any shot of the Archers then We have 20000 others mounted on Genets and armed Capapé besides 10000 Crossbows and above 60000 other Common Souldiers arm'd with Pikes Halberds Slings and other Weapons And all these have sworn not to fail me thô they die for it Wherefore Sr. Arnold I see no cause to be afraid but rather to repose a well-grounded Confidence in the Power of God and our Men. And as they were thus talking certain Knights brought Wine and sweet Meats to the King of which he took and gave to the Lords about him and that done they retired to their several Quarters And the English and Gascogners who had been taken that day after they had sworn themselves true Prisoners were secured separately IX Now the Prince of Wales had stood all that day on the Mountain expecting to no purpose the approach of Don Henry at Night being informed of his loss and how his Men were taken and slain he was extreamly displeas'd but the Matter was then past remedy so for that Night the Army withdrew to their Lodgings but the next Morning the Prince took Counsel and determin'd to rise from thence as he did and went and encamped a pretty way off before Victoria and there again he stood a while in Battle Array for he was enformed that King Henry was not far off but since he had got to Najara he came not a step forward Now the Prince and his Men were in no small scarcity of Victuals and Provision both for themselves and their Horses For they were but in an indifferent and hard Country so that in the Host a Loaf of Bread was sold for a Floren and yet happy was he that could get it and besides the season was foul and troublesome by reason of Wind Rain and Snow And in this Condition was the English Army for six days but Don Henry lay in a Fruitfull Country about St. Miguel on the other side the Ebro Wherefore when the Prince saw that the Spaniards came not forward to fight him and that his Men began to be in Distress he determin'd to pass the Ebro and go and fight the Bastard or chace him out of the Realm Whereupon he dislodged and took the way to Navaret passing thrô the Country of Alava till he came to a Town called Viana standing near the River Ebro on the very confines of Navarre There the Prince and the Duke of Lancaster and all the other Lords refreshed themselves and the Army for two days and then they passed the River Ebro which on that side divides the Realms of Navarre and old Castille at the Bridge of Logronno by the English called Groing among the Gardens of Olives And here they found a better Country than before thô still Victuals was scarce and dear When King Henry heard how the Prince had passed the River at Groing then he dislodged from St. Miguel where he had layn more than a week and went and encamped before Najara Prince Edward hearing that King Henry drew near him was very glad and said aloud By St. George this Bastard seems to be a Valiant Knight and since he desires so much to find us I trust we shall meet together shortly Then he sent for his Brother the Duke of Lancaster and others of his Council by whose Advice he now at last wrote an answer to King Henry of the Letters which he had sent many days before the Tenor whereof followeth viz. EDWARD by the Grace of God Prince of Wales and of Aquitain Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester to the Right-Honourable and Renowned Lord Henry Earl of Trastamara who at this present calls himself King of Castille Whereas You have sent unto Vs your Letters by your Herald wherein
of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Carmaine the Lords of Cande De la Barde and Pincornet all who made heavy Complaints to the King how the Prince of meer Pride and Presumption would tread them under his Feet and raise new and unheard of Taxes upon their Lands which they said they would never suffer considering their Resort was to the Chamber of France Wherefore they humbly desired that the Prince might be summon'd to make his Appearance in the Parliament Chamber before the Peers of France there to Answer concerning those Grievances and Innovations which he had began to exercise against them The French King was not unwilling to entertain these Gascogners who thus required Justice of him as of their Sovereign Lord lest otherwise they should seek for Redress in some other place and so he should for ever lose the Sovereignty over them And on this account he at last condescended to their Request thô half against his Will for he could not but see that an open War would ensue thereby which he was very loath to move first at least without some plausible Pretence Besides at that time he saw his Realm not a little molested with the Companions and other Enemies and also he consider'd that his Brother the Duke of Berry with many others were still Hostages in England Wherefore he thought to deal wisely and get first his Hostages home and be fully provided of all things and to try the Hearts of the People thoroughly before he could absolutely resolve to summon the Prince of Wales And accordingly there were such subtle devices used that before any open Breach was made most of the Hostages got out of King Edward's Power as we shall see hereafter Particularly Prince John g Frois c. 244. Duke of Berry having received a private hint of these Matters obtain'd of King Edward to return into France and there to recreate himself among his Friends and Relations for the space of One Year but he order'd his Affairs so cunningly by his frequent excuses and the like that he drove off the time till the War was open and then he thought himself freed from all obligations of Returning And the Lord Guy of Luxemburgh Earl of St. Pol made shift by much subtlety to get into France without taking his leave of King Edward This Man was an Implacable Enemy to the English Nation so that he could neither endure to hear nor speak a good Word of them and now he urged on King Charles as much as he could to take the Gascogne Lords into his Protection for he verily believed that if once the Prince of Wales should be summon'd a War would most certainly ensue And to this Opinion of the Earl of St. Pol agreed several of the Chief Prelates Earls Barons and Knights of France who added how the King of England had not truly kept the Peace to which he had sworn and sealed according to the Tenor of the Treaty made at Bretigny near Chartres and afterwards confirmed at Calais For they said it was manifest how the English had hated and molested the Realm of France more since the Peace was made than ever they had done before And Sir said they what We now averr You shall find to be true if it will please You to cause the Charters of the Peace to be inspected and read before You even such as the King of England and the Prince his Son are by Faith and Oath obliged to perform Hereupon King Charles to be the better enformed of all the Truth and that he might not suffer any Encroachment upon the Rights of his Realm caused all the Charters of the Peace to be brought into the Council-Chamber and heard them read over more than once the better to consider and weigh the Point and Articles therein comprised Among others there was found One Letter on which the King and Council stood most because it seem'd to speak more clearly and plainly of what they now look'd for the Tenor whereof ran thus viz. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine to all who shall see these present Letters Greeting Know that in the final and last Accord and Peace made between Us and our Right Dear Brother the French King are contained two Articles comprised in the form following The First Where it is said how the foresaid Kings are bound to cause to be confirmed all the said Articles comprised in the Peace by the Bishop of Rome they to be deliver'd from the Court of Rome confirmed by Sentence touching the full Perfection and Accomplishment of this present Treaty unto each of the said Parties at least within three Weeks after the French King shall be arrived at Calais and also how to the intent that these Articles and Treaties passed may be more firm and stable there shall be made certain Bonds and deliver'd as followeth that is to say Letters sealed with the Seals of both the Kings and their Eldest Sons such as should be devised by the Councils of both the Kings And also the said Kings and their Children and others of the Prime Nobility to the Number of Thirty on either Part should swear that they would strictly observe and cause to be observed to their Power all the said Articles accorded and agreed on and perform the same without fraud or deceit And also that both the Kings and all their Friends and Allies should do their utmost to bring all Rebels to Obedience according to the form and true Intent of the Peace And also that both the Kings should submit themselves and their Realms to the Correction of the Bishop of Rome to the end that he should oblige by Ecclesiastical Censures those who should otherwise refuse to comply with this Peace and Accord And further both the Kings and their Heirs by Oath and Promise should renounce all Graces and Absolutions of any thing herein agreed to by them And thô by Disobedience Rebellion or Force of any of the Subjects of the French King the said King should be hindred from performing all the said Articles yet neither shall the King of England nor his Heirs for all that make any War upon the Realm of France but both Kings shall joyn together to bring those Rebels to Obedience and to acquiesce in the said Peace and Concord And thô the Subjects of the King of England should refuse to yield up any Towns Castles or Fortresses which they held in the Realm of France and which by reason of the Peace ought to be deliver'd or what any other Cause should hinder that the King of England could not perform what he ought by reason of this Treaty to perform yet the King of France shall not make War therefore upon the Dominions of the King of England but both the Kings shall joyn together to reduce those Rebels to Obedience and by force to recover such Towns Castles and Fortresses and to
stirr for any News that he heard for so the King his Brother had strictly charged him by no means to make any War against the Prince till he should receive express Order so to do And all the while this Politick King was getting together good Captains and Souldiers in the most secret manner that it was possible and particularly he wan to his side certain of the Companions whom he sent into the Marches of Berry and Auvergne permitting them to live there upon the Country something loosely that they might not be suspected for Friends but withall he commanded them to make no War upon the Prince till they had his express Word for it For he took all the Care in the world not to create the least Suspition that he intended a War till all his Designs against the Earldom of Ponthieu should be ripe Nor without cause For if the King of England could but have guessed that the French King would have broke the Peace he could have very easily prevented the Losses which he received afterwards in Ponthieu and especially he would have made such good Provision for the City of Abbeville and all the other Garrisons in that Country that he should still have kept the Soveraignty thereof maugre all the Power of France And yet at that time the Seneschal of that County for King Edward was a Valiant English Gentleman named Sr. Nicolas Louvain who was in great Favour with the King his Master as he well deserved For he was so True Loyal and Couragious that he would rather have been drawn in pieces by wild Horses than consent to any thing that might reflect upon his Faith and Honour Yet not only he but King Edward and all others were deceived at this time by the overreaching Devices of the French King who the more to amuse King Edward had a little before sent over the Earl of Salebruche and Sr. William Dorman to adjust Matters fully with him and his Council and these Men the better to conceal the Malice they intended complained of Wrongs done as they said unto them for they declar'd unto the King and his Council how on their Part the Peace was but slightly kept at the best not only by reason of the War which the Companions who were generally Subjects of England had kept in France for about six whole Years but also upon divers other Accounts whereat the King their Master had no small cause to be disgusted These Embassadors King Edward detain'd in England for about two Months during which time thô he expected to settle a right Understanding between the two Realms they only made many frivolous Complaints to delay time which almost tired the Kings Patience but they were not much concerned at that because they knew they did but follow the Commission they had from their Master However they u Walsing hist p. 177. 178. made unto the King a Present of certain Vessels of Choice Wines and other Gifts from the French King as a Token of his Brotherly Love and Good will. The mean while King Charles having understood for certain that the Inhabitants of Abbeville were willing to own his Interest and that the Wars were already open in Gascogne and all his Friends stood ready to strike as soon as ever they had the Word for it resolved now to put things to the issue Yet however either being secure of the Advantage he had by taking this Start of King Edward or desirous as far as he might to avoid all Reproach lest Posterity might cry shame of him if he should invade any of the King of England's Lands or the Prince's without Defiance he resolv'd by Advice of his Council to send and defie the King of England and all his Adherents and so he did by his Letters Sealed which to his great reproach he gave to a mean Valet to carry And yet before this even while King Edward was giving his Audience of Leave to the French Ambassadors he heard a Rumour that the French King had sent Men of War into Ponthieu and that he had notoriously broken the Peace by certain overt Acts of Hostility whereupon in great Indignation he bad the Ambassadors get them Home with their Deceitfull Presents to their Deceitfull Master and commanded them to tell him how he detested from his Heart and Soul the dishonourable and unprincely Falseness which he had shewn For which he doubted not by the Grace of God but to make him repent before long Away went the Ambassadors with all speed and at Dover they met with the Valet who was come with the Defiance from France the Substance whereof he secretly told them as he was enjoyned to do that they might make hast Home But for all that they x Walsing hist p. 178. n. 10. were met with upon the Sea by some Men of War belonging to Calais who knowing the War was already begun on that side by the Frenchmen set upon them and took away their Wines and other Presents which King Edward had refused to accept and brought them to Calais the Earl of Salebruche and Sr. William Dorman escaping away to Boulogne IX A little before this the y Frois c. 246. fol. 149. Prince of Wales had sent Sr. Guischard Dangle to Rome whither Pope Vrban z Vid. Oder Rainald ad hunc aun 1367. §. 2. c. was then gone for some while to confer with his Holiness about certain Matters relating to Aquitain and having found the Pope very complying in all his Concerns about this time he returned homeward when being upon the way he heard for certain how the Gascogners and Frenchmen made War upon the Prince and had already invaded the Principality He was extreamly surprised at the News and began to doubt how he should get home without being entrapped by his Enemies however first he went to the Valiant and Noble Earl of Savoy whom he found in the City of Pignerol in Piedmont making War against the Marquess of Saluzzo The Earl entertain'd Him and all his Company very honourably and gave the Chief of them many rich Gifts especially to Sr. Guischard Dangle whom he respected more particularly for the sake of his Abilities in War of which he had heard ample Commendations Having here taken his leave as he drew near to France he heard more and more of the Difference between the Prince of Wales and the French King So that he saw it impossible for him to return openly into Guienne he was so generally known Wherefore he gave the Charge of his Company to his Son-in-Law Sr. John of Issoire and he himself being disguised like a poor Priest in evil Habit and on an old Hackney took another way and so at last with much adoe came safe to Angoulesme to the Prince who received him with much joy But 't is now time to return to this French Valet who after the departure of the Earl of Salebruche and Dr. William Dorman out of England rode strait for London Where
or other Instruments whereby Men may know the Encrease or Decrease of the Sea. In time of War the same may be to less harm and after taken away That the Acquittance of the Co-Executors refusing Administration may be void The Law shall be used as heretofore It is agreed that no Man be punished contrary to the Statute Such Commissions as were to enquire of Scotch Labourers within the Realm were repealed The Print touching the Pardon of Forest Matters Chap. 4. agreeth with the Record The Print touching the Staple to be removed from Calais because of the Wars and to be held in England Chap. 1. differs much in Form from the Record quod nota The next Day being the Twelfth of June the King gave his Thanks to the Lords and Commons for their great Pains and for the Aid they had given him And in some sort of Recompence promised to all such as should pass over Sea with him against the French that they should enjoy and possess all such Towns Castles Possessions Persons Names Arms and Honours as they should obtain win conquer or take of the French to them and their Heirs in Fee saving unto the King all Regalities and the Lands of the Church and that every Person should have Charters of his own Prowess and Conquest And further the King commanded that all the Bishops should not only muster their own Servants and Tenants but also all Parsons Vicars and other Religious Persons of the Clergy all who were to be in a readiness upon Occasion to resist the Common Enemy And then the Parliament brake up XI One thing here We must not omit namely a Matter concerning the Bounty of the Generous Black-Prince extended to the truly Loyal and Valiant Gentleman the Lord John Greilly that Famous Captal of Busche To whom he granted about this time the whole County of Bigorre in tail reserving yearly at Christmas a Faulcon and a Tercel Gentle to be paid at his Castle of Bourdeaux besides the known Services due out of that County whereof he gave him his Charter h Extant Gallico idiemate apud Selden's Titles of Honour Part. 2. c. 3. §. 13. p. 518. EDWARD Eldest Son of the King of England Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester Lord of Biscay and of the Castle of Ordiales to all who shall see or hear these Letters We give to know That for the good and agreeable Services which our Right Dear and Loyal Cousin John de Greilly Captal of Busche hath rendred unto Us heretofore and which He and his may render unto Us and Ours in time to come We have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to Him and his Heirs Male Lawfully begotten the County of Bigorre with the Cities Towns Castles Lands Seignories Homages Jurisdictions High Mean and Low Meer and Mixt Empire Rights Cens and Rents Revenues and other Profits Emoluments and Appurtenances of the said County He rendring unto Us and our Heirs every Year for ever at our Castle of Bourdeaux at the Feast of Christmas a Faulcon and a Tercellet Gentle and doing unto Us and our Heirs Liege Homage and Oath of Fealty Resorts and other Duties which ought to be done to Us for the said County In Witness of which We have caused to be put to these our Letters Patents our Great Seal Given at our City of Angoulesme the 27 day of June in the Year of Grace MCCCLXIX This Grant of the Prince's to that Noble Lord was in i Rot. Vasc 44. Ed. 3. m. 8. n. 4. April following confirmed by the King his Father under the Great Seal of England only reserving to the King and his Heirs Kings of England the Liege Homage of the said John and of his Heirs for the said County and also the Sovereignty and Resort of the said Earldom and all other Duties to Him as Superior Lord due therefrom And so Command was sent from the King to all States and Officers in that County to be obedient and answerable to the said John Greilly as to the Earl of the said Earldom of Bigorre in all things pertaining to the said Earldom CHAPTER the FIFTH The CONTENTS I. The Dukes of Anjou and Berry begin to War upon the Principality several English and French Captains alter their Copies II. The Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke are sent over by King Edward to the Prince's Assistance and Sr. Hugh Calverley returns out of Spain with 6000 Companions The Latter is sent by the Prince to make War upon the Discontented Gascogners and the two Former against the Lands of the Earl of Perigort where they lay Siege to Bourdeilles III. Sr. Simon Burley taken Prisoner by the French and his Men all routed slain or taken IV. The Lord John Chandos takes the strong Town of Terrieres Realville besieged by the French. V. The Dukes of Anjou and Berry make use of the Clergy to debauch the hearts of the English Subjects in France from their Duty King Charles makes solemn Processions and is very devout in order to raise up the Courages of his People The Bishop of London sets forth King Edward's Right to the People from his Pulpit Both the Kings seek foreign Alliances VI. The Two Kings set forth an Account of their several Causes to the World with certain Copies of both their Cases as they were then menaged by the best Lawyers of Italy France and England VII The Reasons whereby the French pretend to cut off from King Edward and his Posterity not only all Right to the Crown of France but also from his Right to Aquitaine which yet had belonged to England in Right of the Lady Eleanor Daughter and Heiress to William last Duke of Aquitaine and Wife to King Henry the Second of England VIII The Pedigree of the Kings of France from King Philip Son of St. Lewis to King Charles the Fair Brother of Queen Isabell Mother of King Edward the Third IX Reasons alledged by the King of England for his Right and Title to the Crown of France I. THE mean while a Frois c. 248. 249. as soon as ever the Dukes of Anjou and Berry knew for certain that the Defiance was made and the War between the two Crowns open they thought not to sleep any longer but made their Special Summons the One in Auvergne and the other about Tholouse with design to raise Forces and go and make War upon the Principality The Duke of Berry for his part had ready at his Command all the Barons of Auvergne of the Bishopricks of Lyon and of Mascon together with the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Villiers the Lord of Tournon Sr. Godfrey of Boulogne Sr. John of Armagnac Sr. John de Villemur the Lord of Montagu the Lord of Tarascon Sr. Hugh Dauphin the Lord of Rochefort and divers others with all whom he drew toward Berry and the Marches of Touraine where being mightily reinforced he began to make terrible War upon
Garrison resolv'd to die every Man rather than to yield up the Place thô the Townsmen would gladly have received the French if they durst Wherefore the Captains of France sent to Tholouse for Four great Engines which they made ready and reared up against the Walls casting therewith both Night and Day massie Stones and huge pieces of Timber against the Fortress besides which they set their Pioneers a Mining But the Englishmen with great Courage comforted each other and slighted all their Art and Fury thô at last for want of Succour We shall find them to be taken only by reason of the Mines But for the present We shall leave them V. While these French Captains d Frois c. 252. f. 152. were thus busie in Quercy the Duke of Berry was in Anvergne with a great Power of Men of War the chief Leaders whereof were the Lord John of Armagnac his Uncle the Lord John de Villemur the Lord Roger Beaufort the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord Villiers the Lord of Semur the Lord of Tarascon Sr. Hugh Dauphin and many more who ravaged about the Marches of Rovergue Quercy and Limosin where they did much Harm and at first found no great Opposition And besides this application of Force there were not wanting other Arts not then so frequent in the World but since those Days very common which made use of the help of the Church to blow up a Fire of Combustion in the State. For the subtle Dukes of Anjou and Berry prevailed with the Archbishop of Tholouse who was a Politick and Learned Prelate to go to the City of Cahors of which place his Brother was then Bishop and here together these two Brothers so elegantly preached and set forth the Right of King Charles against King Edward's Pretensions that the whole City turned French and sware unto the French King Faith and Homage from that time And with these Arts the Archbishop rode about thrô the Country and every where took care to set forth the Equity of his Masters Quarrel with such advantage of popular Arguments and the Reputation which he added thereto from Religion and Scripture Proofs that together with the Terror of the Duke of Berry's Arms and those of the Duke of Anjou who hover'd thereabout he obliged no less than sixty Towns Cities Castles and Fortresses to submit to the Obedience of the French King who had indeed the cheif place in their Hearts before And as this Archbishop went abroad abetting and maintaining the King his Masters Cause in and about the Marches and Limitations of Languedoc So also in Picardy divers other Prelates and Clergymen brought the Right of the Two Kings into their Pulpits where they discussed the Matter so plausibly that King Edward was ever concluded in the wrong And the Common People who in those Days readily swallowed more Course Morsels than these were fully satisfied with all that was said thô in my Opinion it is not only below the Dignity of Princes to make use of such abject Devices but also no way corresponding to the same of Learning and Religion to appeal so fawningly to the Vulgar whom as they please they may easily cheat with false Colours But in France Dr. William Dorman was especially remarkable for these Tongue Victories for he rode about from Town to Town and from City to City and spake with such power and force of Rhetorical Insinuations and handled his Points so cleverly that all who heard him believed in a manner every Word he said and the Controversie between the two Kings was so artificially represented by him that the French King had apparently the Advantage on his side Besides all this King Charles himself was so moved with Devotion e Frois ibid. Mezeray c. that he not only caused Fastings and Processions to be used throughout his Realm by the Clergy but Himself also and his Queen would often attend them going barefoot and in all Churches there were put up continual Prayers to God devoutly requiring and imploring of his Majesty to assist and maintain the Right of the Realm of France which had suffer'd so great Tribulation for so many Years Nor was King Edward less Pious or less honourably Politick For he also used the same Method thrô his Kingdom the rather that his Subjects might be the more ready to venture their Lives and Fortunes in a Cause which they first understood to be Just and Right There was at that time one Dr. Simon Tibuld alià s Sudbury Bishop of London a Man very well seen in the Canon Law and the Scriptures and of great Eloquence who made many Sermons in the most publick places of the City declaring and proving unto the People that the French King had renew'd the War not only against his Oath but also against all Right and Reason with manifest Injustice Fraud and Perjury all which together with King Edward's Title to France he demonstrated with great force of Argument and Rhetorick to the ample satisfaction of all his Auditors And I must confess that it might not seem unnecessary for both the Kings to provide that their Subjects should be generally informed of the particulars of their Quarrel that so they might more teadily and with a good Conscience assist their several Masters in this War at which both the Nations were sufficiently alarum'd already And King Edward himself who was as well furnish'd with Wisdom as Valour nothing doubted but that this War would prove as great and as momentous as ever any he had been engaged in because of the Advantage which the French King had gain'd by surprising him thus as chiefly because of the new Method of this his politick Enemy and also of the Mutability of his French Friends Wherefore he thought it fit for his behoof to stirr up all his Assistants and Allies that might any ways lie opportunely to divert the impending Mischief And so he sent into Brabant and Hainalt to learn whether they would own his Quarrel or no and especially he desired Duke Albert of Bavaria who at that time govern'd the Country of Hainalt instead of his Elder Brother Duke William who had been for some time before Distracted and continued so to the day of his Death to open his Country upon Occasion and to let him go and come into France or tarry there if need should be with an Army Duke Albert at the Request of the King of England his Uncle especially because Queen Philippa his Dear Aunt urged him also thereto readily granted to have his Country open for the use of King Edward being not â—â—tle perswaded to this Matter by Edward Duke of Gueldres who was Son to King Edward's Sister Eleanor and had lately married Duke Alberts Daughter and with him concurred the Duke of Juliers who was Cosen German to the said Albert of Bavaria These two Lords were strictly bound to King Edward the one being as we said before his Nephew and the other the Cosen German to King Edward's Children and to
the said Duke of Hainalt and yet by many other Ties were they obliged to the English Interest and each of them was by Covenant retain'd to serve King Edward with a 1000 Spears apiece at their own Charges And therefore they not only advised the King now to bring over Duke Albert but they also Themselves joyn'd their Perswasions so that what by their Means and the English Gold he was at first won to declare himself for England But when the Lord of Cominges who was then in the Court of France heard thereof he hasted into Hainalt where he menaged Matters so cunningly with the Lord John Verchin Seneschal of Hainalt by whose Advice all the Dukes Matters were chiefly order'd and who in his Heart lov'd the Interest of France beyond that of England that by the Concurrence of the Earl of Blois and the Lord John of Blois his Brother together with the Lord of Ligny and the Lord of Brabanson who were all well belov'd with the Duke and Dutchess of Hainalt King Edward's Design was wholly quash'd and the labour of his Ambassadors overthrown Thô even they could obtain no more of the Duke than this that both He and his Country would stand Neuter in the Affair and the same Answer was also return'd by the Lady Jane Dutchess of Brabant For at that time her Husband was absent being in France where he contracted secretly a League with that King. VI. And surely King Charles of France who was a notable Politician had secretly prepared himself many Friends both in Hainalt and Brabant almost two years before and had brought over to his Interest the greater part of the Chief Counsellors and Friends of all the Great Lords of both Dukedoms And now to put the better Gloss upon his renewing the War and to make his Cause more plausible in the Eyes of the World he copied out divers Extracts of the Letters relating to the Peace made at Bretigny and ratified at Calais and therein he set forth the Substance of what he according to his Obligation had done and of what the King of England and his Children had not done thô by Oath and Honour bound thereto All along producing such Articles and Points as made for Himself and against King Edward but cunningly concealing smothering or colouring what made to a contrary purpose So that his Cause seem'd only just and the English bare all the Blame And also he privately caused certain Learned in the Laws to be Feed to set forth their Opinions at large concerning the Right of the French King against the King of England both as to the Matter of the Crown and also to the Superiority and Resort of Aquitain and there are yet f M.S. Reverendi Dr. Joh. Spencer S.T.P. C.C.C. apud Cantab Magistri Decani Ecclesiae Cathed Eliensis Extant two Discourses on that Point written by two Famous Doctors of those Days belonging to the University of Bononia in Italy whose Names were John de Lyana and Richard de Salicete Many of which Papers and others of the like Nature together with his own Letters the French King procured to be published in the Courts of all the Princes and Great Lords his Neighbours the better to prepare them to allow of his Quarrel So that King Edward to save his Credit was obliged also to use his Pen against this New sort of Enemy and to justifie and defend his Claim and to prove the Breach of the Peace to lie wholly at the French Kings Doors which he performed notably by his Letters sent into Germany and other Places where he valued his Reputation or thought to have any Friends From which Humour of both the Kings g Paul. Aemyl p. 294. c. Paulus Aemylius rather ambitious to shew his Rhetorick than Historical Fidelity has invented two notable Declamations which he ingeniously enough fancies to have been said before Charles the Emperour and his Son Wenceslaus the one by an English Orator in Behalf of his Masters Cause and the other by a Frenchman who holds the contrary opinion Whereas if that Author had consulted Decorum he would have remembred that King Edward often protested to acknowledge no Mortal whether Pope or Emperour as Judge of his Controversie and that he had but little Reason to expect to find the Emperour any thing favourable to him since he slew his Father at the Battle of Cressy and could not be ignorant how mightily he was addicted as well as more nearly allied to King Charles and the House of France Wherefore we who religiously endeavour to avoid these Gaudy Vanities thô we have Matter enough of Authentick Arguments to fill up a Speech or two yet preferring the venerable simplicity of Truth to all the Fucoes of Vain-Glory shall here set down the Arguments on both Hands as they were then really stated by the Best Lawyers of both Kingdoms in which doing 〈◊〉 where our Authorities cannot be seen our Faith be called in question We declare not only that our selves are wholly ignorant in this as well as many other Sorts of Learning but that the Ancient Copies are to be seen in Latine in a M.S. of the Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet Dean of St. Pauls and in English in another M.S. of the Reverend Dr. Spencer Dean of Ely and Master of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge which English Copy appears to have been with much Care translated from the other by some Person of Quality for the Use of that Most Noble Prince of Wales Henry Eldest Son to King James the First And to omit the several Preambles touching Succession of Women and Succession by Representation as also touching Distance of Degrees and Collateral Succession I shall the readiest way come to the Matter but first thô in some measure we have more than once stated the Case before it is necessary for Evidence sake here again to set down the Matter of Fact as it happen'd in the Realm of France Videlicet That King Philip Son of St Lewis King of France had two Sons lawfully begotten Philip the Fair and Charles of Valois And that the said Philip being Eldest after the Death of his Father obtain'd the Kingdom and that Charles deceased leaving behind him Philip of Valois his Son lawfully begotten That afterwards Philip the Fair begat Three Lawfull Sons Lewis Philip and Charles and also One Daughter named Isabel who was married to the King of England and brought forth Edward the Third whilst the foresaid Philip Grandfather to the said Edward remain'd alive That at last Lewis and Philip Brothers to Isabell being Dead without Issue Male King h This to be favourably taken for Philip died first and then his Three Sons in order succeeded Arguments for the French Kings Right Philip their Father also died That after him reigned the foresaid Charles his only Son surviving who likewise died without Issue Now according to the State of the Fact the Question doth rise in Law to be this The Lady Isabell next
exclude a Man from impugning an Act by reason of his Minority in years Of whom some moved perhaps by too free favour to prevent and provide against the Grievances of Minors do then only admit of this Authenticall when full Puberty to wit the Age of XVIII Years is accomplished That the Written Rigour to the cruel undoing of Minors may so proceed that it shall rather fall than rise But here it was not sworn in that manner or by such a Person the Minor being within the Compass and Course of that time Yea the Truth is That no Oath was made at all Thus were the several Causes of the two Kings set forth and maintain'd by Law and Argument but 't is seldom heard that ever a Crown was won by pleading the sword being too Powerfull for the Law and Prejudice more prevalent than Justice or Reason Wherefore now we hasten to the second Argument which was to be discussed in the Field but as yet the two Main Disputants were not matched together However a Frois c. 252. f. 153. first of all the Duke of Guelders and the Duke of Juliers who were perfectly English in Heart as well as in Blood took it in extream Indignation that the French King had sent a Defiance to so Mighty a Prince as King Edward by the Hands of a mean Valet horribly in their minds blaming both him and his Council for putting so unworthy an Affront on so Honourable a Monarch For said they the War between two such Potent Kings ought surely to have been published and denounced by Persons of the best Rank and Quality as Prelates either Bishops or Abbots or some Noble Baron or Valiant Knight at least and not by a simple Valet as the French King had most insolently and presumptuously done Wherefore they vow'd forthwith to send and defie the French King resolving shortly after to invade France with Fire and Sword and there to leave such Marks of their Resentment as should be legible for more than 20 Years following Althô this their Resolution was disappointed by the Celerity of the French King For hereupon the Earl of St. Paul being order'd to joyn with the Duke of Brabant went against these two Dukes of Juliers and Guelders Toward the Declining of this Year b Mezeray p. 83. the two Parties met together in a place called Baeswilder between the Rhine and the Meuse where after a Bloody Fight on the one side the Duke of Juliers was slain and on the other the Duke of Brabant taken Prisoner but soon after by the Emperours means he was deliver'd and so this Matter was ended CHAPTER the SIXTH The CONTENTS I. The Duke of Burgundy Marries the Earl of Flanders his Daughter II. King Edward renews Friendship with the King of Navarre III. Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt sent by the Prince of Wales to Montauban IV. The French lay Siege to Ardres but rise in Despair V. Realville taken by the French The English make fierce War in the Lands of the Rebel Lords of Gascogne VI. Sr. Thomas Wake maintains his Post La Roche de Pozay taken by the French the Lord of Chauvigney falls off to the French and the Lord of Rochechoüart imprison'd upon suspicion VII The Lord James Audley makes havock in the Lord of Chauvigney's Lands VIII Sr. Robert Knolles sent forth by the Prince upon an Expedition brings over Sr. Perdiccas of Albret and 300 Companions to his side and lays Siege to Durmel where he is joyn'd by the Lord Chandos and others from Montauban by whom Moissac was taken in their way IX The English rise from before Durmel and sit down before Domme but get nothing there however they take Gavaches Foines Roquemadour and Villefranche X. The Earl of Cambridge takes Bourdeilles after a long Siege by stratagem XI The Lord Chandos returns to the Prince having settled Affairs XII The English Companions take Bellepeche and therein the Duke of Bourbon's Mother XIII King Charles preparing to invade England King Edward sets himself in a posture to receive him XIV And sends over the Duke of Lancaster with an Army to Calais XV. The English take the Castle of La Roche Sur Yon. XVI The Lord James Audley Seneschal of Aquitaine returning into England is succeeded by the Lord John Chandos XVII The Vicount of Rochechoüart being released from Prison revolts from the Prince and defies him XVIII John Duke of Lancaster makes great havock in Ponthieu at which News King Charles leaves off his Design of invading England and sends the Duke of Burgundy against him with a Mighty Army XIX The Duke of Lancaster goes forth to meet him and encamps at Tournehan The two Armies confront one another for many days XX. The Lord Chandos intending an Expedition desires the Earl of Pembroke's Company but is deny'd however he goes forth and does what he pleases in Anjou Touraine and the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart and on Prospect of a great Advantage over the French sends again to the Earl of Pembroke to come and joyn him but is again deny'd Whereupon the Lord Chandos desisted for that time XXI The Earl of Pembroke deals severely in Anjou and Touraine and the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart but being surpris'd by the French at Puirenon loses many Men and is besieged in a Church-yard whence he sends to the Lord Chandos for Succour and being hotly assaulted the next day sends again XXII The Lord Chandos hardly at last resolves to help him but upon News of his approach the Frenchmen retire XXIII The Death of Philippa Queen of England her Tomb Epitaph and Praise XXIV The Lord Robert of Namur's Quarters beaten up by the French but he beats them back XXV A story of the Earl of Warwick exploded XXVI The Frenchmen break up and march off in the Night whereupon the Duke of Lancaster returns to Calais to refresh his Men. XXVII The Earl of Pembroke makes another Expedition into Anjou and takes Pont de Cè St. Maure and other places XXVIII The Duke of Lancaster's March thrô Picardy into Normandy with Design to burn the French Fleet. But the Earl of St. Paul being got into Harfleur with 200 Spears saves the Town and prevents their Design XXIX Sr. Nicolas Lovaine takes the Lord Hugh de Chastillon Master of the Crossbows of France XXX The Duke of Lancaster returns to Calais The Earl of Warwick dies XXXI The Duke of Lancaster returns into England and finds himself a Widdower The Death of the Earl of Suffolk and of the Bishop of Excester XXXII The French King raises a Tax I. WE spake before how King Edward labour'd earnestly about Five Years ago to make up a Match between the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders who was Dowager to the last Young Duke of Burgundy a Mezeray p. 78. and the most Wealthy Heiress in all Christendom and a Son of his named Edmund Earl of Cambridge all the particular Negotiations of which intended Match are both too long and
Parliament it was u M.S. Rot. Par. 45. Ed. 3. n. 7 11 13. p. 107. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 111 c. agreed that a Staple should be held at Melcomb Regis in Dorsetshire after which the Petitions of the Commons not before answered were now read and answer'd before the King the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons which done the King licensed the Estates to depart and the Parliament ended Petitions of the Commons with their Answers That Magna Charta and the Charter of the Forest may be observed in all Points and also that every Petition now exhibited may be by some of the Lords considered It pleaseth the King. For that the Realm hath been of long time governed by Men of the Church to the Disherison of the Crown the Lords and Commons required that Lay-men only may be Principal Officers of the Kings Courts and Houshold and that none of the Clergy be saving as before unto the King his Free Election c. The King will therein do by Advice of his Council That all Lands holden of the King in Chief may be let for Life without Licence The King will do his Pleasure That there be no Fines for any Writs of Chancery The Chancellor shall consider the state of the Person That no Purveyance be made for the King but for ready Money and that the King be served by common Measure The Statute made shall be observed That no Eyre or Trailcbaston be used during the Wars It pleaseth the King. That in the Extracts of Green Wax mention may be made at whose Suits such Amerciaments were lost in what Term in what Plea and between what Parties Let the same be provided at the next Parliament That Sheriffs be no further charged than they shall receive The Party grieved upon Complaint shall have Remedy That the Birth of any Man may be try'd as well of the Country where the Birth is alledged as where the Writ is brought The Law used herein shall stand That no Mayor Bailiff or any Sergeants be Victualler x i.e. Hosteller Diverserii Deminus Hostler or Taverner during their Offices on pain of 20 l. There is in this Case a certain Law. That the Easterlings may give Security to treat the English Merchants in their Country in such manner as they are here The same hath and shall be done as need shall require That all Merchants may pass over Wooll freely The King will be advised That such Statutes as restrain English Merchants from fetching Wines at Gascogne may be utterly repealed The Statutes heretofore made shall stand That all Corporations may enjoy their Liberties any Statute to the contrary notwithstanding Such as be grieved upon Complaint shall be answer'd The Commons affirm the Decay of the Navy to arise from three Causes First because several Mens Ships are stay'd for the King long before they serve whereby the Owners are compelled at their own Charges to find their Mariners to their undoing Secondly because Merchants the Nourishers of the Navy are often restrained their Shipping that Mariners are forced to seek out for other Trades to get a Livelihood Thirdly because Masters of the Kings Ships do take up Masters of other Ships as good as themselves so that most of these Ships lie still and the Mariners are enforced to seek out for a new Livelihood For all which they pray that Remedy may be had The King will provide a Remedy That all such Merchants as plead the Kings Pardon for Goods not Customed may have the same allowed The Grieved upon Complaint shall be heard That every Man may freely make Fortresses Towns and Walls y Vid. Skinner in vice Kernells à Cornelle c. Karnelled and Embattled The King will be advised That such as sue forth Assises be not obliged to pay for the Justices Patent The same shall be as formerly That the Commissioners for the Kings Affairs may be allow'd their Charges of the Profit of their Sessions The King will provide therefore That in Villengage alledged in the Plaintiff as regarding a Mannor the Issue may be where the Mannor is laid The King will be advised That no Man be put from his Possession by an Inquest of Office before the Escheator or other Justice by Commission untill the Right be try'd by Scire Facias The Statute made heretofore shall stand That no Sheriff or Escheator do remain above one Year The Statute made shall be kept That the Boys or Valets of France being here shall be used as Servants or Bondmen Let them stay till the next Parliament That the Statutes whereby Justices are not to defer doing Justice for the Great or Privy Seal or other Commandment and that no Man be put to answer but by due Order of Law may be kept Such as are grieved shall be heard That none of the House of Commons be appointed for Collecting the Subsidy The King will be advised That such as remain on the Sea-Coasts by the Kings Command may have Protections with the Clause Volumus c. The same is to the apparent Loss of the Commons That such as counterfeit any Mans Seal to any Deed may remain in perpetual Prison The Statute made therefore shall stand That all Scotch Money may be brought into the Kings Exchequer by a Day And that the Statutes of the Priests by Assent of the Clergy may be observed The Answer to both these Petitions cannot now be read from the Records IX During this z M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 23 p. Walsingh hâ—st c. Od. Rainal ad hunc an §. 1. Session there came from Pope Gregory two Legates the One having been Chancellor to the King of England and the Other to the King of France namely Simon Langham titulo S ti Sixti and John titulo Sanctorum Quatuor Coronatorum Priests Cardinals of the Apostolick See who were sent from his Holiness with Letters bearing Date VII Idûs Martii Anno Pontific I. to treat effectually with King Edward about the settling of Peace between the two Crowns of France and England But althô in this case the Pope shew'd how willing he was to follow the pious Footsteps of his Predecessor yet he also found no better effect than the other had And so the Breach continued as wide as before X. This Year King Edward a Frois c. 292. f. 177. Walsing hist p. 181. Ashmole p. 666. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 235. Jacob. Meyer Annal. Flandr ad hunc ann l. 13. p. 190. sent the Lord Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton to treat and confer with John Duke of Bretagne his Son in Law about some important Matters But because the War was open and the Seas infested with the Fleets of France and Spain there went in this Voyage many Noble and Valiant Knights of the Kings Houshold The Chief of these was Prince Thomas of Woodstock King Edwards Youngest Son then about sixteen Years of Age who shortly
Falvesle the Lord John Willoughby the Lord John Burwash the Lord John Mohun and the Canon Robsart all who were notoriously in this Expedition And indeed our g M. S. vet Ang. in Bâ—ll C.C.C. Cantab. c. 236. old M. S. so often quoted makes this Expedition into Flanders and that which We have treated of to be the same in these Words Soon after the Duke of Lancaster with a great Host went into Flanders and passed by Paris thorough Burgundy and thorough all France till he came to Bourdeaux without any manner of withstanding of the Frenchmen c. XVII But now it is time to look a little at Home where Matters concerning the Government were concerted and from whence indeed all Publick Actions had their first springs and Motion King Edward had h M.S. Rot. Par. p. 112. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgment p. 115. 116. Lit. Dom. B. summon'd his High Court of Parliament to meet Him this Year at Westminster on the next Day after St. Edmund the King that is on the 20 of November which fell then on a Sunday To which Parliament as Dr. William de Lynne alià s Lulimere Bishop of Worcester i Godw. Catal. Bish p. 444. was taking Horse to ride he was suddenly seized with an Apoplexy whereof he died soon after viz. on the 18 of November two days before the Parliament was to sit On the Sunday k M.S. Rot. Par. Sr. Rob. Cotton ibid. Morning Proclamation was made in Westminster Hall that all those who had been summon'd to the Parliament might for the present depart but so as to be ready the next Morning in the Painted Chamber to hear the Causes why the King had call'd them together Accordingly the next Day Sr. John Knivet Lord Chancellor of England before the King Prince Lords and Commons declared How because the Peace was broken by the French the King to resist his Adversaries and to obtain his own Right had sent over several considerable Armies and now lastly his Son the King of Castille and l Aragon in M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton malé Leon and Duke of Lancaster who had atchieved many great Exploits to the Overthrow of his Enemies and had acquitted himself right Nobly How further his Majesty had set forth a Royal Navy of Ships towards all which thô the Subject had for his Part given a liberal Supply yet the Prince was at infinite more Charges than that amounted to He put them also in Mind that such Nobles and others who hazarded their Lives for the Defence of the whole Realm ought speedily to be reinforced with new Supplies and Assistance and the rather because the Enemy never made himself more strong by Sea and by Land than at that time Wherefore the King willed them throughly to weigh those Matters considering that because the Winter Season began to wear away their Resolves ought therefore to be the more speedy as to the next Campain Upon this they were all licensed to adjourn till the next Day Then certain of the House of Commons coming unto the House of Lords requested that certain of the Lords whose Names are in the Records of this Parliament would vouchsafe to confer with the Commons To which the said Lords condescending went presently into the Chamberlain's Chamber there to treat with the House of Commons On the Thursday in the Week before the Feast of St. Andrew being the 24 of November the Lords and Commons after Consultation had agreed upon a Grant to the King for aid of his Wars as is contained at large in a Schedule Indented thô without any Seals thereunto annexed the Effect whereof followeth viz. The Lords and Commons grant unto the Kings Majesty two Fifteens to be paid in two Years of every Twenty Shillings of Merchandise coming into the Realm or going out Sixpence for two Years except of Wooll-Skins and Wooll-Fells also the Subsidie of Wooll for two Years on Condition that if the Wars do cease within two Years then the latter Payment of all their Grants to cease And they humbly pray that these Grants may be employ'd upon the Wars and they pray that every Ship may have their Commissions without any thing paying also they pray further that none of the House of Commons may be appointed to be a Collector of any of these Grants This Schedule being deliver'd to the King was read before him after which the Commons requested an Answer of their Petitions which was promised the chief whereof were these That the Great Charter and Charters of the Forest be kept It pleaseth the King. That the City of London and all other Cities and Towns may enjoy their Liberties any Statute notwithstanding Let any shew the breaches in particular and they shall be answer'd That the Staple be kept in Calais and no Patent or Grant be made to the contrary The King will appoint the Staple as to him and his Council shall seem best Certain Counties there named do pray that for their more easie Carriage of Woolls a Staple may be at Lynne The King granteth thereto so that still the Staple at Yarmouth shall continue That as for the Tythe of Wood above Twenty Years Growth it may be Enacted that no Tythe shall be due and that in all such Cases a Prohibition may be granted Such Prohibition shall be granted as hath heretofore been used That Remedy may be had against the Chirographer because he will not engross any Fine within the Terme untill the Foot of the Fine be fretted unless he may have Three Shillings and Four Pence or n Ita M.S. sed 40 s. Sr. Rob. Cotton Four Shillings more than his due Fee of n Ita M.S. sed 40 s. Sr. Rob. Cotton Four Shillings Let the Aggrieved come to the Common-Pleas and he shall have Right That the Statute of Labourers may be executed four times in the Year and that the Justices may be removed for not doing their Duty The King granteth thereto That Villenage may be only tried where it is laid and no where else The King meaneth not to alter the Law as to this point That Masters of Ships shall be paid their Wages for them and their Mariners from the Day of their being appointed to serve the King. The taking up of Ships shall not be but upon Necessity and the Payment shall be reasonable as heretofore The said Masters of Ships request that they may have Allowance for the Tackling of their Ships worn out in the King's Service Such Allowance hath not been made heretofore The Commons request Remedy against the Provisions of the Pope whereby he reaps the First-Fruits of Ecclesiastical Dignities the Treasure of the Realm being thereby convey'd away which they cannot bear The King hath already Honourable Ambassadors at the Court of Rome touching these Grievances before whose Return he cannot well answer as to that point And it is to be understood n Walsing hist p. 183. n. 20. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab.
Francis Petrarch the Laureat Poet of Italy of whom We have spoken b Lib. 1. c. 19. §. 14. p. 247. in the former Part of this History in the seventieth Year of his Age wherefore Squarzafichus the Writer of his Life is to be corrected who acknowledges him to have been of that Age and that he was born in the Year 1304 but yet that he died Anno 1364 which is a palpable Mistake Upon the Thursday next after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr there departed this Life that Valiant Baron Sr. John Charleton Lord of Powis leaving John his Son and Heir at that time 14 Years of Age and another Son named Edward aged about Four Years behind On the c Vid. Thorn's Chron. apud 10. Angl. Script p. 2148. p. 2150. Walsing hist p. 183. Hypod. p. 133. Godâ— Catal. p. 146. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 236. 5th of July D. William Wittlesey Archbishop of Canterbury departed this Life presently after whose Death the Monks of Canterbury elected for their Archbishop one Adam Easton d Ità Scriptâ—res nostri sed bis térve evolventi Victorellum nullus mihi cecurrit Cardinalis horum temperum Adam nominatus a Cardinal who was an Englishman born but thoroughly Italianated as having lead his whole Life in a manner at the Court of Rome Wherefore King Edward was so offended at this Choice of the Monks that he determin'd to banish them out of the Realm and to confiscate their Goods But then Pope Gregory thô he favour'd this his Cardinal yet to shield the poor Monks from the Danger of this Tempest was content to annull their Election and to bestow the Archbishoprick by way of Provision on Dr. Simon Sudbury then Bishop of London whom he knew the King liked well enough This Man was the Son of Nigellus Tibalds a Gentleman of Suffolk but being born in the Parish of St. George in Sudbury a Town of the said County he took his sirname thence after the manner of many Clergymen in those days He was a Man of Excellent Parts great Knowledge Judgement Wisdom and Eloquence and among many Works of Charity he e Speed's Maps in Kent c. 3. §. 8. built the West-Gate of the City of Canterbury and all the Wall from that Gate unto North-Gate commonly called by the Name of the Long-Wall an Act of no less Advantage to the City than of Expence and Charge to the Builder About seven Years after he yet ended unhappily being barbarously Murder'd together with Sr. Robert Hales Treasurer of England by the Rebels who were headed by Wat Tyler and Jack Straw in the Days of King Richard the Second neither his Age nor Dignity nor Eloquence nor Piety being able to mollifie the Minds of those Wretches who had already cast away the Bonds of their Allegiance X. About this time a certain Lady named Madam Alice Perrers being a Person of extraordinary Beauty f Stow's Survey of London p. 421. was therefore made Lady of the Sun and rode from the Tower of London thrô Cheap-side accompanied with many Lords Knights and Ladies every Lady leading a Lord or a Knight by his Horses Bridle till they came into West-Smithfield where presently began a Solemn Justs which held for seven Days together But because hereafter we shall have occasion to speak further of this Madam Alice Perrers especially since by our Vulgar Historians she hath constantly been misrepresented I shall here once for all make a more particular Enquiry who and what She was That She was not King Edward's Concubine as most of our Writers one taking it from another too boldly affirm may appear not only from the utter Improbability of the Matter it self which we shall shew but also from the Reputation of her Person which was so great that after this She was g Dudg Warwickshire p. 434. taken in Marriage by a considerable Baron of this Realm the Lord William Windsor h Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 509. who in the Fourty Third of this King was Constituted his Lieutenant of Ireland but afterwards became much more notable Now I say 't is neither probable that King Edward who never else is said to have gone astray even in the Flower of his Age especially while his beloved Queen lived which was within five Years of this time except only that Story of his being enamour'd on the Fair Countess of Salisbury which We have utterly exploded should now in the very impotence of his Age burn in Flames to which he had so seldom indulged And it is as improbable that so Noble a Baron as Sr. William Windsor should afterwards take in Marriage so notoriously infamous a Woman had she been thought at that time such a lewd and impudent Strumpet as many would make her But the i Rot. Par. 1 Ric. 2. n. 41. c. Vid. M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridg. p. 158. n. 41. Records themselves are nothing so severe upon the Reputation of this Lady as appears from these Words Dame Alice Perrers was introduced before the Lords and by Sr. Richard Scroop Knight Steward of the Kings Houshold charged for pursuing of Matters contrary to order taken two Years before namely that no Woman should for any Advantage present any Cause in the Kings Court on pain of losing all they had and being banished the Realm for ever That particularly she had procured Sr. Nicolas Dagworth to be called from Ireland whither he had been sent and at the same time procured from the King Restitution of Lands and Goods to Richard Lyon Merchant of London whereas the same Lands having been forfeited by him had been given to the Kings own Sons To all which the said Dame Alice reply'd that she had not pursued any such thing for any Advantage of her own Whereupon divers Officers Counsellours and Servants to King Edward the Third being examin'd prov'd that she made such pursuit and that in their conceits for her own private Gain And so the Lords gave judgement against the said Lady that according to the Order aforesaid she should be banished and forfeit all her Goods and Lands whatsoever But as Sr. Robert Cotton goes on to say truth of the Devil is counted Commendable and therefore surely says he the Record against the said Lady being very long proves no such heinous Matter against her only it shews how she was in such Credit with King Edward the Third that she sat at his Beds head when others were fain to stand at the Chamber Door and that she moved those things unto him which they of the Privy-Chamber durst not And further says he those two Points for which she was condemned seemed very honest Only her Misfortune was that she was Friendly to many but all were not so to her The Record is strange and worthy of perusal Thus much by the by for clearing of injur'd Innocence and stopping the Mouth of Popular Calumny thô this Matter of Record happen'd
Duke of Anjou tarried still at St. Omers From King Edward there came John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster John Dreux commonly called Monford Duke of Bretagne William Montagu Earl of Salisbury and William Courtney Bishop of London Sr. Robert of Namur was also with the Duke of Lancaster and waited on him to do him Honour while he staid in Flanders and the two Legates the Archbishop of Rouën and the Bishop of Carpentras went between the two Parties and took much Pains shewing many weighty Reasons to induce both Sides to Moderation but all to no purpose the Lords were so far asunder in their Resolutions For the French King demanded back again 1400000 Franks which had been paid for the Redemption of King John and also to have Calais rased and beaten down to the Ground To neither of which would the King of England by any means consent Then the f Fabian p. 258. c. French Deputies required Licence of the Legates that they might ride to Paris to declare more particularly unto the King the Offers made on the English Part after which they promised to return with an Account of his Pleasure as to the Premises Upon this Demand it was at last resolved that certain sufficient Persons for that purpose appointed should go and shew unto King Charles How the English Negotiators besides that they absolutely refused to refund the Money or to rase Calais as aforesaid stood stifly for the Absolute Sovereignty which they said belonged to the King their Master and that the King of England and his Heirs Kings of England should for ever enjoy all the Lands comprised in the former Peace made between Him and King John without any Homage or Resort or any other Duty paying or owing therefore Upon this King Charles summon'd his Peers and Nobles about him and there came many Lawyers and Doctors of Divinity unto him to Paris to hold a Debate and Argument on this Matter And here at last it was peremptorily determin'd that the King might not part with his Right of Sovereignty without great Peril of his Soul because he was so manifoldly engaged to maintain the Rights of his Kingdom This Report being brought to Bruges the Treaty immediately fell to pieces without any further Effect but only that by the earnest Intercession of the Legates the Truce however was prolonged to the g Rot. Franc. 50. Ed. 3. m. 16 21. Last of June then next ensuing and afterwards was lengthen'd out farther to the First of April of the Year MCCCLXXVII to give notice whereof to the English Subjects h 7 Aug. Claus 50. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 3. Dorso vid. Rot. Vasc de cod an m. 8. Rot. Franc. m. 10. a Proclamation was set forth So these Lords on both sides tarried at Bruges the Remainder of the foregoing h 7 Aug. Claus 50. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 3. Dorso vid. Rot. Vasc de cod an m. 8. Rot. Franc. m. 10. Winter and most part of the Lent following keeping great State especially the Dukes of Lancaster and Burgundy But in the Spring they all return'd to their several Countries except the Duke of Bretagne who tarried still in Flanders with the Earl Lewis his Cosen k Jacob. Meyer Annal. Flandr l. 13. p. 193. who made him extream welcome for the space of a Year i Fabian p. 258. But we must not forget to make mention of the great Good-will which King Edward and his Children still manifested to the Person of the Noble Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche who being taken as we have related before Soubise was all this while kept a Prisoner in the Tower of the Temple at Paris Him they l Frois c. 315. earnestly labour'd to get at Liberty and made frequent Overtures to that purpose but especially now by their Ambassadors and Negotiators at Bruges they offer'd in Exchange for him Valeran the young Earl of St. Pol and Three or Four other Knights besides m Frois c. 332. fol. 210. b. Gold and Silver in Abundance But the French King and his Council would by no means consent to deliver him n Frois c. 315. fol. 196. b. Jacob Meyer Annal. Flandr l. 13. p. 194. unless he would swear Never more to bear Arms against the Crown of France To which Proposal the Loyal Gascogner stoutly reply'd That thô he was sure otherwise to die in Prison yet he would never make any such Oath But of this Valiant Prince's Death we shall speak hereafter III. This Year being the Fiftieth of King Edward's Reign over England he kept o Daniel's History p. 256. a Second Jubilee in consideration thereof and gave Pardons Immunities and Graces and shew'd many Notable Acts of Bounty and Goodness to his People as in the First Jubilee which was the Fiftieth Year of his Age. A singular Blessing which very few Monarchs have ever arrived to either before or since that time Soon after viz. on the 28 of April p M.S. Ret. Par. 50. Ed. 3. p. 116. n. 1 c. Item Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgment p. 120. c. being the Monday after the Feast of St. George FE Lit. Dom. the King of England held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster On which Day there was a considerable Appearance both of Lords and Commons before the King in his own Chamber Royal. But because divers of the Lords and some few of the Commons were not come Proclamation was made in the Great Hall at Westminster that all such who had received Summons to Parliament should be there the next Morning by Eight of the Clock At which Day Sr. John Knevet Knight Lord Chancellour of England §. 2. declared before the King Lords and Commons the Causes of the present Parliament to be Three viz. To enquire how the King should best provide for the Government of the Realm Secondly for the Defence of the same as well beyond the Seas as on this side both by Sea and by Land and lastly how he might prosecute his Quarrel against his Enemies and make good the same the Chancellour adding That as the King had always in all his Attempts follow'd their Good Counsel so now he meant to do no less Wherefore in the King's Name he wish'd them to go together the Lords by themselves and the Commons by themselves and speedily to consult and return an Answer So when there were appointed Receivers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland as also for Gascogne and other Places and Isles beyond the Seas Tryers of the said Petitions after the Custom being subjoyned §. 3 4 5 6 7. the * §. 8. Commons were willed to depart to their accustomed Place being the Chapter-House of the Abbot of Westminster whither they went accordingly And then certain of the Lords and Nobles who are particularly named in the Records were order'd for the quicker Dispatch of Affairs to go and consult with the Commons In consideration of the necessary
the Prince sitting in the Kings own Place in absence of the King who was still but weak the King sent thither his Letters-Patents being a Commission to the said Prince to begin the Parliament Which Letters being openly read Dr. h Philipot's Catal Chancel p. 44. Godw. Catal Bps p. 512. Adam Houghton Bishop of St. Davids and then Chancellour of England at Command of the said Prince then and there President adjourn'd the Parliament till the next day at Nine of the Clock in the Morning because divers of the Lords and Commons were not yet come The next day the Prince Bishops Lords and Commons met all in the Place aforesaid where the said Lord Chancellour began his Oration with that of St. i 2 Cor. c. 11. v. 19. Paul Libenter suffertis Insipientes c. Ye suffer Fools gladly seeing that Ye your selves are Wise Which he apply'd That they being Wise desired to hear Him who was the Contrary He proceeded with Scripture and said That as a Messenger who bringeth joyfull News is Welcome so he ought to be now since he brought them joyfull News of the Kings Happy Recovery from a Dangerous Sickness Whence he took occasion to argue that God loved the King and the Realm the King because k Hebr. c. 12. v. 6. Quos diligit castigat whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and further from that of the Psalmist k Hebr. c. 12. v. 6. Vxor tua sicut Vitis abundans in Lateribus c. Thy Wife shall be as a Fruitfull Vine by the Walls of thine House thy Children like Olive Plants round about thy Table and thereupon he shew'd that for Children no Christian Prince living was so happy which happiness he aggravated from the Words following Vt videas silios filiorum Thou shalt see thy Childrens Children which the King now saw And that God loved the Realm he proved from the Recovery of so Renowned a Prince the said Recovery happening in the Fiftieth Year of his Reign the Year of Jubilee the Year of Joy for his said Recovery Of Joy because he would thereby impart unto his Subjects Blessings as well Spiritual as Temporal all Bodily Comforts Then from a similitude that althô the Head be sound if some particular Member of the Body be diseased the same infected Part can receive no Vertue Benefit or Salve from the Head He inferreth that the King being the sound Head and willing to shew Grace and Favour to his Subjects they ought to qualifie themselves aright by approving their Loyalty sound and uncorrupted And therefore he perswadeth such as would be partakers thereof to conform themselves thereafter by having Love and Charity without which he proveth by St. Paul that nothing doth avail Thereupon he converts his Discourse to the Lords amplifying the Matter and shewing what reason they had to think the King loved them Dearly since among many other Gracious tokens of his Good will he had upon their Requests since the last Parliament advanced the Lord Richard there present to be Prince of Wales Then he shew'd what cause they had to embrace the said Prince by Offering unto him as the l M.S. Princes of Cullen c. Wise Men did to Christ all Honour by presenting Gold in token of Riches and Renown and Myrrhe in token of his Honourable Scepter Since even the Pagans were used to throw abroad Money at the approach of their Princes He insisted that the said Prince should without all Rancour be embraced in their Hands and Hearts even as Simeon embraced Christ because their Eyes had now seen that which their Hearts had much longed for and likewise he shew'd how they ought to obey him as the Vicar and Legate of God that they might see the true Peace of Israel viz. here in England the m Vox Angeli ad Mâ—nachum Regni statum deplorantem ob extinctâ—m Regiam Presapiam Regnum Anglorum est Regnum Dei Deus providebit pro suo Regno Inheritance of God Whereof after many Victories there is no small hope After which he shew'd the cause of this present Parliament to be For that the French King under Colour of the Truce granted by the King at the Mediation of the Pope yet enduring had allied himself to the Spaniards and Scots the Kings Enemies and had prepared great Quantity of Arms and Puissant Armies thereby conspiring to blot out the English Tongue and Name from under Heaven In which case the King was willing to have their Faithfull Counsel wherefore the Chancellour willed them to go together and to give a speedy Answer This grave Harangue was seconded by Sr. Robert Ashton Knight n Philipet's Catal Treas p. 40. Constable of Dover-Castle and Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports being at this time the Kings Chamberlain and Lord High-Treasurer of England He continued how He had a particular Charge to move them from the King for the Profit of the Realm which Words says o M.S. Rot. Par. p. 145. n. 13. my Transcriber lay not perchance in the Bishops Mouth because they touched the Pope Yet at the same time he protested that the King was ready to do all that ought to be done for his Holiness But because divers Usurpations were by him made upon the King his Crown and Realm as by particular Bill in this Parliament should be declared the King requireth them to seek redress Then were appointed Receivers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland as also for Gascogne and other Places beyond the Seas and for the Isles and after that Tryers for those several Petitions This done the Commons were willed to repair to the Chapter-House of the Abbey of Westminster to treat of these Matters and how Money might best be levied for the Kings Service and certain Lords there named were appointed from time to time to confer with the Commons for their better Direction and Information The Lords and Commons grant to the King towards his charges Four pence of every Poll Man or Woman passing the Age of p Ità Sr. Rob. Câ—tten Fabian Daniel's hist Vnde M.S. hic corrigend ubi One and Twenty 14 Years only Beggers excepted And besides this the q Daniel's hist p. 260. Fabian p. 261. Clergy grant unto the King toward the Aid of his Wars 12 d. of every Parson Beneficed and of all other Religious Persons 4 d. by the Poll the Four Orders of Fryars Mendicants only excepted But here it is to be remembred that the King because of his pressing occasions not being able to stay till the foresaid Taxes were levied borrow'd in sundry Places several Sums of Money particularly he sent to the City of London for 4000 l. which r Fabian ibid. Loane because the Mayor Adam Staple was backward in raising he was on the 22d of March discharged his Office by the Kings special Command and Sr. Richard Whittington Mercer of whose Rise by means of his Cat there are such pleasant Stories placed in
shall be heard That if any Religious Person taketh the Profits of any Lands whereby it may be thought to be within the Compass of the Statute de Religiosis that then the King or Chief Lord may enter upon the same The King intendeth not to change the Laws That the Statutes now made be not Repealed but by Assent of Parliament and that the Statute of Purveyors may be executed The Statutes cannot be Repealed otherwise and as for Purveyors the Law made shall stand That the Knights Fees for coming to the Parliament may be levied of the whole County as well within Liberties as without except Cities and Towns and the bound Tenants of such as come by Writ to Parliament Let it be as it hath been used That no Ordinance be made at the Petition of the Clergy without Assent of Parliament and that no Man be bound by any of their Constitutions made for their Advantage Let this be more particularly declared That such as have u Vid. Gulielm Somneri Glosâ—ar in Visus-Franci-Plegii view of Frank-pledge may have the Correction of Taverners It is no Article thereof That none of the Commons be appointed Collector of this Subsidy The King granteth it That the Protection of such as lie about Calais or in Picardy only to delay such as sue them may be Repealed and no such from henceforth granted Let the Kings Council be informed of such Covin and it shall be redressed That certain Engines used to the Destruction of Fish and called Wonderecheone in the manner of a Drag being used in Havens and Creeks may be forbidden Commission to certain to enquire and to certifie shall be made whereupon Order shall be taken therein They pray Remedy against such Debtors as to defraud their Creditors make Feoffments by Covin and thereupon fly into Sanctuary Vpon the finding of such Feoffments to be so made the Creditors shall have Execution of such Lands as thô no such Feoffments were made That the King would pardon all Piracies and Felonies done upon the Sea except such as be Impeached of the Death of Sr. Henry de la Haye or of such as be Impeached at the suit of the Party The King will shew Pardon where him liketh That divers having in their Charters That no Seneschal Marshal or Clerk of the Mercate do intermeddle with their Liberties are thereby little the Better for that those Officers do intermeddle because these Words are wanting Tam in praesentiâ nostrâ quà m alibi That therefore it be commanded that none of those Officers do intermeddle The King would have them to be allowed according to Law and Reason as it hath been heretofore used That no Customs of Woollen Cloaths granted in 44 Ed. 3. be paid unless the same be Fulled The King hath commanded that no Woollen Cloths be carried out of the Realm before they be Fulled and that no Customs be paid before such Fulling That such Loanes as were lent in the time of Thomas Brentingham Bishop of Excester and Treasurer of England may be now paid It shall be so soon as may be That no Tythe be paid for Sea-coals It shall be as it hath been That no Fines be taken for any Writs according to that of the Great Charter Nulli Vendemus Justitiam Let it be according to the Discretion of the Chancellour as it hath been That no Knight Esquire or other be appointed for Sheriffs Escheators Coroners Collectors or such like after his Age of 60 Years The King will do herein as him shall please That all Charters heretofore granted may be allow'd and confirmed They shall be allow'd as duly heretofore hath been That every Professed Person of what Sex soever being professed of any Religion and continuing the said Habit to the Age of Fifteen Years may upon Tryal of the same in any of the Kings Courts be in Law utterly debarred of any Inheritance thô he hath a Dispensation from Rome Which Dispensations are the chief Grievance The King and the Lords will provide therefore That some Provision be made that Herring may be better cheap being now grown to an Excessive price Indifferent and able Men by Commission shall see the x Ità M.S. sed Price Sr. Rob. Cotton Place and enquire of the Causes and certifie the same whereupon Order shall be taken The Commons of Devon require that upon return of the Commission touching the Customs of the Stannery there being now done withall in the Chancery the rest of the Liberties of the Stannery may be declared according to the Promise of the last Parliament and that the same be made in Letters-Patents Richard Prince of Wales prayeth that the Declaration made in the last Parliament as touching the Stanneries in Devon and Cornwall may be revoked considering that the same was made neither the Prince nor any of his Council nor any other the Officers being called or made privy thereto Such as stood for the County of Devon pray that they may answer to such as alledge that the said County should seek to hinder the Profit of the said Prince The Circumstances shall be examin'd by the Council of the King and of the Prince and thereupon Order shall be taken The Counties of Leicester and Northampton Huntington and Bedford complain of the Erection of three Mills upon the high Stream of the y Ouse River of St. Ives so that neither Ships nor Boats can pass and whereby they surround all the Grounds about the Towns of Bugden Brampton Godmanchester Herford and Huntington Let the Statute in such case provided be executed The County of Warwick desire that the Goal-house in Warwick being very ruinous may be repaired with the profits of the County aforesaid by the hands of the Sheriffs Let them sue to the Treasurer and others of the Council to have Redress That none such as pass over Woolls or have Ships on the Sea be appointed Customers or Weighers of Woolls The King will appoint such Customers as shall please him The Heirs and Tenants of the Land of the Chief Taxers of the Fifteen do pray that they may be taxed by the Barons of the Exchequer according to the old Rate upon the View thereof without bringing any Writ therefore The Taxation being once reasonably made should seem to continue Divers Counties adjoyning upon the River of Severne desire Remedy for the Course of the said River between Worcester and Bristow which is so straightned that the Grounds thereabouts are thereby surrounded that Ships and Boats cannot pass and many are drowned in their Beds Let certain Lords be appointed to hear and determine this matter That if it shall happen any Man or Boy to be drown'd with a fall out of a Ship or Boat or any other Vessel the said Vessel shall not therefore be a Deodand Being upon the Sea it shall be adjudged no Deodand and being upon a Fresh River the King will shew favour That every Man may be admitted to prove his Age and to sue Livery by the
Countries Isles and Places above-named that they obey the King of England and his Heirs at their certain Commandment in such sort as they have obeyed the Kings and the Crown of France q This Clause added out of King Johns Recapitulation of the Articles And by the same their Letters shall acquit and discharge them in the best manner that may be of all Homages Fealties Oaths Obligations Subjections and Promises in any sort by any of them made to the King and Crown of France 8. Item It is agreed that the King of England shall have the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countreys Isles and Places above-named with all their Appurtenances and Appendages wheresoever they shall be to hold to him and to his Heirs and Successors Hereditably and for ever in Demain that which the Kings of France have had there in Demain and also in Fiefs Services Soveraignties or Resorts that which the Kings of France have had there in such manner Saving notwithstanding what was said above in the Article of Calais and Merk And if of the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles and Places above-named or any of the Soveraignties Rights Mere and Mixt Empire Jurisdictions and Profits whatsoever which any King of England did there hold or their Appurtenances and Appendages whatsoever any Alienations Donations Obligations or Charges have been made by any of the Kings of France which have been for the Time within Seventy Years past by whatsoever Form or Cause it be that all such Donations Obligations or Charges are now at this time and shall be henceforth made void repeal'd abolished and annihilated and all things so given alienated or charged shall really and de facto be restored and delivered to the said King of England or to his Special Deputies in the same entire Condition they were to the Kings of England before or since the said 70 Years without Fraud or Deceit so soon as may be and at the farthest by the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing within one Year To be held by the said King of England and all his Heirs and Successors for ever by Right of Inheritance in manner above-written Except what is said before in the Article of Ponthieu which shall remain in Force and saving and excepting all those things given and alienated to Churches which shall remain peaceably in all the Countries here above and under named Provided that the Rectors of the said Churches shall diligently pray for the said Kings as for their Founders wherewith their Consciences are charged 9. Item It is agreed that the King of England shall have and hold all the Cities Towns Castles and Countries above-named which anciently the Kings of England did not hold in the same state and manner as the King of France or his Children hold them at present 10. Item It is agreed that if within the Bounds of the said Countries which did anciently pertain to the Kings of England there shall be any Places which otherwise belonged not to the Kings of England but were possessed by the King of France at the day of the Battle of Poictiers which was the 19 Day of September in the Year One Thousand three Hundred Fifty and Six they shall be and remain to the King of England and his Heirs in manner as before 11. Item It is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for themselves and for their Heirs and all the Kings of France and their Successors for ever shall without deceit as soon as may be and at the furthest by the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing in one Year render and deliver unto the King of England and to all his Heirs and Successors and shall convey unto them all the Honours Regalities Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognisances Oaths Rights Mere and Mixt Empire all manner of Jurisdictions high and low Resorts Safeguards Dominions and Soveraignties which did pertain or do pertain or might any ways pertain to the Kings and Crown of France or to any other Person because of the King or Crown of France at any time in those Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles and Places above-named or in any of them and in their Appurtenances and Appendages whatsoever or in any of the Persons Vassals or Subjects whatsoever whether Princes Dukes Earls Vicounts Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of the Church Barons Nobles and others whatsoever without retaining in them or reserving any thing to Themselves their Heirs or Successors to the Crown of France or to any other Person whatsoever Whereby they their Heirs or Successors or any King of France may challenge or demand any thing in time to come of the King of England his Heirs and Successors or of any of the Vassals and Subjects aforesaid in regard of the Countries and Places above-named So as all the above-named Persons and their Heirs and Successors for ever shall be Liege-men and Subjects to the King of England and to his Heirs and Successors and that the King of England his Heirs and Successors shall Have and Hold all the Persons Cities Counties Lands Countries Isles Castles and Places above-named and all their Appurtenances and Appendages And the Premises shall remain unto them fully freely and for ever in their Dominion Soveraignty Obeisance Allegiance and Subjection as the Kings of France at any time ever had or held them And that the said King of England his Heirs and Successors shall have and hold for ever all the Countries above-named with their Appurtenances and Appendages and other Places specified before with all Franchise and perpetual Liberty as Sovereign and Liege-Lords as Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without recognising any Sovereign or doing any Obedience Homage Resort and Subjection and without doing in any time to come any Service or Recognisance to the Kings or to the Crown of France for the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles Places and Persons above-named or for any of them 12. Item it is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son shall Renounce expressly the said Resorts and Sovereignties and all the Right which they have and may have in all those things which by this present Treaty ought to belong to the King of England And likewise the King of England and his Eldest Son shall renounce expresly all those things which by this present Treaty ought not to be deliver'd to or abide with the King of England and especially the Name and Right of the Crown and Kingdom of France and the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dukedom of Normandy of the Dukedom of Tourain and of the Counties of Anjou and Maine the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dukedom of Bretagne the Sovereignty and Homage of the Country and Earldom of Flanders and all other Demands which the King of England hath made or could make against the King of France for whatsoever cause it may be saving and excepting what by this Present Treaty ought to remain or to be
rendred to the King of England and his Heirs And the two Kings shall convey resign and leave the one to the other for ever all the Right that each of them hath or may have in all those things which by this Present Treaty ought to remain or to be rendred to each of them And the two Kings shall confer and appoint together at Calais concerning the Time and Place where and when the said Renuntiations shall be made 13. Item To the end that this Present Treaty may be the more briefly accomplished it is agreed that the King of England shall cause the King of France to be convey'd to Calais within three Weeks after the Nativity of St. John Baptist next coming all just Impediment ceasing at the expence of the King of England excepting the Charges of the Houshold of the King of France 14. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall pay to the King of England Three Millions of Crowns of Gold two whereof countervail a Noble of the Money of England and there shall be paid to the said King of England or his Deputies six Hundred Thousand Crowns at Calais within Four Months to be counted after the King of France shall arrive at Calais And within a Year thence next following shall be paid Four Hundred Thousand Crowns such as aforesaid at the City of London in England and from thence every Year next following there shall always be paid Four Hundred Thousand Crowns more such as aforesaid in the said City till the whole Three Millions shall be fully paid 15. Item It is agreed that at the Payment of the said six Hundred Thousand Crowns at Calais and on the Delivery of the Hostages here under-named to the King of England within Four Months accounting after that the King of France shall come to Calais as is said with the Town Castle and Fortresses of Rochelle and the Castles Fortresses and Towns of the Earldom of Guisnes and all their appurtenances and Dependencies the Person of the said King shall be wholly acquitted from Prison and come into his own Power without any Impeachment but he shall not arm himself nor his People against the King of England till the time that he shall have accomplished what he is obliged unto by this present Treaty And the Hostages as well Prisoners taken at the Battle of Poictiers as others who remain for the King of France are as followeth That is to say Monsieur Lewis Earl of Anjou Monsieur John Earl of Poictiers Sons to the King of France the Duke of Orleans Brother to the said King the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Blois and Lewis his Brother the Earl of Alenson and Monsieur Peter of Alenson his Brother the Earl of St. Paul the Earl of Harcourt the Earl of Porcien the Earl of Valentinois the Earl of Brayne the Earl of Vaudemont the Earl of Forest the Vicount of Beaumont the Lord of Coucy the Lord of Garencieres the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lord of Hangest the Lord of Monmorency Monsieur William de Craon Monsieur Lewis of Harcourt and Monsieur John de Ligny And as for the Names of the Prisoners taken at the Battle of Poictiers they are these Philip of France the Earl of Eu the Earl of Longeville the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of r Ità Corrigo Ligny apud Du Chesne authoritate M. SS Anglici Doctoris Spencer quod legit Oigny Latini Doctoris Stillingfleet quod legit expressè Joigny Praeter quodillius nomen inter Captivos apparet uti probâsse meminimus Joigny the Earl of Sancerre the Earl of Dammartin the Earl of Ventadour the Earl of Salebruche the Earl of Auxerre the Earl of Vendosme the Lord of Craon the Lord of Derual the Marshal D'Endreghan and the Lord of Aubigny 16. Item It is agreed that the said Sixteen Prisoners who are to remain Hostages for the King of France as is said shall by this means be discharged of their Imprisonment without paying any Ransom for the time past in case they have not already agreed on some certain Ransom by Covenant made before the Third day of May last past And if any of them be out of England and shall not render himself as an Hostage at Calais within the First Month after the said three Weeks following the Feast of St. John all just Impediment ceasing he shall not at all be discharged his Prison but shall be Constrained by the King of France to return into England as Prisoner or to pay the Penalty promised by him ſ Du Chesne incurred by his Default in not returning if he did not return 17. Item It is agreed that in lieu of the said Hostages which shall not come to Calais or which shall die or depart out of the Power of the King of England without leave the King of France is obliged to send others of a like Estate with them as near as may be within three Months next after that the Bailiff of Amiens or the Mayor of St. Omers shall be certify'd hereof by Letters of the said King of England 18. And the t Du Chesne hunc articulum pracedenti adjungit Nos sequimur M. SS suprâ citata King of France at his Departure from Calais may take in his Company Ten of the Hostages such as the two Kings shall agree upon And it shall suffice that of the foresaid Number of u This shews that in the XV Article where in all the Copies French English and Latine 't is read Charles of Blois or his Brother and the Earl of Alenson or Monsiceur Peter of Alensen his Brother in both places it should be and for or as I have corrected it or else the Number of the Hostages amounts but to 38 and not to 40 as it is here expresly said Fourty there shall remain the full Number of Thirty 19 Item It is agreed that the King of France within Three Months after he shall be gone from Calais shall send unto Calais for Hostages Four Persons of the Town of Paris and Two Persons of every other of the Towns whose Names follow that is to say of St. Omers Arras Amiens Beauvais Lille Douay Tournay Rheims Châlons Troyes Chartres Tholouse Lyon Orleans Compiegne Rouën Caën Tours and Bourges and that they shall be the most sufficient of the said Towns for the accomplishment of this present Treaty 20. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall be brought from England to Calais and shall stay at Calais Four Months after his coming but he shall not pay any thing the First Month because of his Keeping But for every other Month following that he shall stay at Calais thrô default of himself or of his Subjects he shall pay for his Keeping six Thousand Ryals such as are current at this present in France before his Departure from Calais and so proportionably for the time he shall stay there 21. Item It is agreed that as soon as may