remaine Keeping estate whereby mens harts I won Largely I spent most like a Princes son In plentious fare bountifull and much King Edwards loue and lowance to me such His royall loue to me was passing rare Numbers thought I did deserue no lesse Courteous I aduisd and would not spare But liberall be fraught with temperatenesse Faire points of honor would I not disgresse Amongst braue Lords faire Ladies I esteemd Of great estates in gentle fauor deemd Foorth of the charter was except the land Saint Saluiour sir Godfrey Harecourts late Who Pollux like at Constantine did stand To his defence when slaine was euerie mate With weldie axe his stroke so heauie sate Not prowdest enemie durst sad blowes abide Till at the length two horsemen at him ride Inragd beare downe a knight most cheualrous Which stradling set his legs to stand more suer On surest leg and there dispiteous They beare him downe who fights whilst he may duer Liue still his praise and glory fresh in vre For wisdome and prooude skill in martiall facts No liuing knight one iote exceeds his acts With plainest difference of Earle Harcourts race In glorious red two golden bars did beare Daring gainst foe toth vtterance shew his face Which tride he was well woorthie armes to weare Amongst his foes that durst them noblie reare The home made knight that neuer ward in field Small title hath vnto a noble sheild In his past life his land he did behest To my good king and he to me it gaue Toth valiant Iohn of Fraunce he made request For his consent that I the same might haue He gently seald to what the king doth craue I it enioid well woorth in yeerely rent Of hundred franks fifteene which free I spent Most bountifully amongst soldiers bould To gallant men my purse was neuer closd Which caused that as often as I would I had companions valiants lads disposd To warlike feats that strongest holds haue posd Sweet behauiour ioind to liberall hand Reasons I was with manly soldiers mand Braue Duke of Lancaster mars his Henrie dide Whilst I at Nyort kept so high estate Faire cosen Germaine to the king allide Good gentle Duke lamented was thy fate Mongst valiant knights thou nobly ledst of late When as thou didst with Darbie title raine As after when the Dukedome thou didst gaine In battelous Arms before the king of Fraunce Like Pallas knight thou entredst roiall list Gainst Brownswick Duke full bent to prooue the chaunce Of doubtfull combat the king cause why it mist Staid the euent great eithers losse he wist This Brownswick Duke tride strong champion bold Bare faire in red two lions passant gold True golden fame blacke death cannot defile Glistering honor buds from dustie graue Ech noble Lord that beareth glorious stile Spend must his life eternall praise to haue As thou high Duke didst honor euer saue Most mightie God let England neuer want Such noble Lords true honor seeke to plant In England cause the prince kept princely port Most like himselfe the counsell thoughten best Int ' Acquitaine that he should make resort Partly for that the Gascoins do request His presence and reuenewes largely rest His noblenes right noble to vphold And Gascoin Lords desier that he would Repasse the seas he answereth their desiers Once landed carefull I to meet him well Accompaned with knights and youthfull squiers On coursers mounted decked euerie sell And receiuing him at warlike Rochell We thence attended vnto Poycters towne As reason wild and dutie had vs bowne Of Acquitaine I Cunstable was ordaind High honors giuen and feastings to me made Continually his fauor more I gaind Through enterprises of account I wade Noble exploits I end by skilfull trade Which plaisd him so as he loude me euer Bicause in honor still I do perseuer Peter of Lusignon King of Cypresse I le Made means to all the Kings of Christendome From iarring discord to abstaine a while Helpe to repulse the miscreants late come Their borders neere and much of neighbors wone Had been in Italie France and Almaine In Flaunders England came to Acquitaine Not when swift fame had pierced hautie skies Admetus praise which made Apollo bowe Downe from estate to view with leeuing eies His bountifulnes which seen made him alowe So well of it and further did avowe Fame sparing was yet suer my Prince exceeds The praises of Admetus lib'rall deeds For when he hard of this strange kings ariue He sent me foorth with knights accompaned In gentlenes could with right courteous striue At kings first entrance he saw well placed Fortie knights so many squiers faced All for the honor of Lady Princes Faire was the iusts ech prooued blamles More signe of loue more shew of princelie power Rare welcoms giuen fine curtesies withall Of curtesie sweete prince a pearles flower Nor wandring king did neuer see nor shall More store of knights in earthly regents hall The prince me will to take him to my guide Him plesaunce shew in his dominions wide A vermile crosse the Cyprian king still wore For holy voyage he had vndertake Against the Turke his soueraign to adore In glorious Arms a partie prince to make He wild and found to no good seruice slake Our loued prince departed well content Great intercourse of loues betwixt them blent Thus hauing been most kindly intertaind By me and stout sir Thomas Phelton much Sir Neal Loring sir Simon Basset daind Him well to treat sir Baldwine Frâ—uile such His kindnes shewd as spite could not but gruch To see the like he safely went his way The principalitie through I him conuay King Iohn of Fraunce into England past Braue king faire queen gay nobles for to see Through true firme loue which doth eternall last Wher 's fained loue small iars remembred be No vertues more in phear of high degree Than were resiant in this soueraine Whose woorthie praises euer may remaine Bloodie parcas what meanest thou to sheare His vitall twine so woorthie longer life Canst thou pale malice such priuly vertues beare Than bluntest coulter duller be thy knife Amongst best things thou mischiefe euer rife But mightie God oft takes away the best For our bad sins or for to ease his blest Whilst this good king in England made his stay Him sicknes tooke with sharpe incresment sore And strong oppresment at Sauoy where he lay Death doth approch then flesh can breath no more His losse king Edward greatly doth deplore From England Parris to stately tombe conueid And Charls his sonne the Regall scepter sweid Oh vading flower why flatterest thou thy selfe In pompeous seat of mightie maiestie Fraile honors titles or foule wasting pelfe Forgetting great eternall dignitie Scorneth mightiest earthly Imperie What low inferior fears of you amisse That high superior threts againe ywis Sir Iohn Montfort in th'aprill of his youth Gay Arms gan weld and with successe begon In Britton to sir Charls of Bloys his ruth This faire new knight was that braue Countesse sonne Of whom
I spake Bloys hearing what was don By him and how he sieged strong Alroy And with sharpe war the countrie doth destroy Told king Charls who aiding cosen Bloys Sent sir Bertram Glesquine who doth intreat Knights such he knew of whom he had good choyse Him to assist in ventrous warlike feat Sir Bertrams praises now were waxen great King Charls him had in reuerence and account In praisfull vertues cause he doth surmount Yoong Earle Mountfort of their assemblie hard Seald letters into Acquitaine doth send To some good knights telling how he fard Especially he writ to me his frend Willing my presence helpfull to defend His heritage I soone agreed to go If my good prince would say it should be so I licence craue for this departaunce If that thereby I might not breake the peace The prince said no breach and releasaunce Gaue vnto me and others who not cease Him to beseech my numbers to increase Through Xanton Poyictow I passe vnto Alroy Friendly welcomd with no little ioy Of Earle Iohn and many a valiant knight Accouting all themselues in safetie now So long as me amongst them haue they might My counsaile their opinions so allow And t was not long ear some plaine told hus how Sir Charls Bloys accompaned doth aduaunce In best appoint that hath been seene in Fraunce And faste approcht which newes when so I knew I placed me where comming I behold A seemely band as eie did euer vewe And goodly dight as hart desier cold Oftlie returning vnto freends I told That I had seene of noblenes the flower For discipline in ordring of a power One cannot cast a gloue from off his hand But it on Launce will or on basnet light So properly in order plast they stand Their leader is a Lord of great insight They haue vs taught our battails soone to dight My friends then said sir you our Chieftaine are Please you command and all we will prepare Though yoong Earle were soueraine in the place To Martiall buisnesses yet I tend By princely letters from King Edwards grace To me he wild the Earldome to defend Heedy for this my time here well to spend Three battails then I ordred with good hast And in the first sir Robert Canole plast Lord of Duriuall hardie Britton borne Sir Oliuer Clisson the next doth guide Whom Lion white in red crownd doth adorne The third fresh Earle with whom my selfe abide Him well t' aduise for doute what might betide Reregard of fiue hundred men I made To sir Hugh Caueley these few words I said Sir knight this companie I appoint to you Withdraw your selfe and chuse some peece of ground From thence not buge vnlesse you plainly vewe Vs to disrout then hasting in that stound Vs reunited to place retier you round Lately left there tending like do stay More better seruice can no man do this day When stout sir Hue all hard my speeches passe Right shamefast waxt and thus in haste replide Such charge to take he neuer minded was With feruent words flatlie the same denide Halfe angrie asking what weaknes I espide In bodie his with foremost not to fight Willing the gifter to some other wight Aduisedly to him I answered Your valour sir I passing tried know Your high desiers I throughly measured Strong ablenes to fight in foremost row Bicause right sage and wise your selfe I know This charge I giue wishing you that place In which you shall acquier thankefull grace With honor and applause amongst the best And furthermore I faithfull promise giue To you sir knight to grant the first request You shall demaund if that Iohn Chandos liue My rightfull treating herein do not depriue This noble soldier too kt still in dispite He might not in the front of battaile fight Whose setled minde to see well neare I weepe Him to that passe it commen was I told He or my selfe the reregard must keepe Which better was allow his iudgement should Confusd he staid yet take the charge he would For which salt teares distill from manly eies Departs to ground that fittest he espies A Baron rich in Britton there did dwell Lord Beumanoyr a prisoner safely sworne Vs English too which thought he might do well Spending his time fell strife might out be worne To passe between of both sides was he borne By his spent trauell so much he brought to pas As one whole day and night of truce there was Gay Phoebus lodgd faire Luna prest in place Our English soldiers most requested me Largely telling the poorenes of their case With much expence that I should not agree To peace determined to win or die By battaile to whom I easely giue consent As one thereto by inclination bent Chast Cynthia gon Aurora blushed Lord Beumanoyr betime was stirring From his campe toward vs his footings sped In hope to speed I soon departing We salued at our first incountring He wild I would indeuor to accord These parties for the goodnes of our Lord. Contrarie to his iust desiering I answered good sir of Beumanoyr I counsell that you haste retiering From whence you came our companies deuoyr Is you t' inclose and slaie as destroier Of their desiers they so hate talke of peace Therefore herein your best is for to ceace And furthermore tell to sir Charls of Bloys Earle Iohn this day will Duke of Britton be Or slaine abide shunning other choise When this rich Baron hard these words of me Said Chandos Chandos as good will as yee Or your yoong Lord my Lord hath to the fray Calme peace yet offereth if you said not nay We both depart and both to friends returne I scarcely ariud Earle Mountfort asked What newes for he in longing thoughts doth burne I told him now that he was hardly tasked But fairest truth I fouliest masked Lord Beumanoyr hath sent you word by me This day your foe will Duke of Britton be Or else this day he will not breath at all Which message told he colour seemd to change Willed t' aduance and streight to battell fall T' inflame his courage I from truth did range Somwhat to make the matter seeme more strange I said aduise whether you will fight or leaue Yes by Saint George our banner forward heaue Lord Beumanoyr his answer likewise framd Saying he had the prowdest langage hard Of me that euer erst foorth to Bloys he namd What were my words but more he plain declard How that all right I said clean him debard From truest title to great dukedome quite He doth reply God knowes whose is the right The Ermine banners of the dukedome right Were placed ech gainst other orderly To see braue Lords vnder their pennons dight All beat with Arms bedecked properly So feateously both battels beautify As to the gaser well it might appeere That all the Vallewer in the world was heere As raging tides about some Ilsland meet In stredned channell forced by a prime With like incounter both our battels greet Like bustling rage was shewed at
t'high mountaine land Horse nor man scarce on their feete might stand Our armie closd in three we do deuide That one might passe whilst other two abide On munday armd like youthfull Troyilus And fresh as he in all his iolitie As stirring weldie and as cheualrous As Chaucer makes him in felicitie Past Iohn of Gaunt and with him passed I Twelue hundred pensils vnder me remaine Wrought with my armes that glisteren on the plaine On twesday past our Hector princelie Spanish Peter and Charls king of Nauare Lewis Harcourt in barons dignitie Sir Thomas Phelton well drest for war His brother William of selfe had little care King of Malorques on wensday ouer came Accompaned with Lords of peereles fame Erle Arminak Dalbreth bold Gascoynes all Pomiers Gomigines and stout Mucident And of Buiff couragious capitall Lord Clisson and sir Robert Canol went Barnerdle Sall that was to scaling bent Of Rounceuauls we haue forsake the streights Which flieng Fame to bastard Henrie beits And more how we strong Sauatar had won Placed at the entrie into Spaine When storming king all hard what we had don He sommons forst and doth such numbers gaine Entring in armes into the open plaine Which newes foreriders to the prince haue tould Who saith the bastard valiant is and bould The cherefull trumpet soundeth to addres Fresh knights furbishen armors hastelie And many squiers to stirre vp hardines The noble prince doth knight immediatelie Some made the duke and some were made by me But th'ennimie battaile doth denie before Braue Frenchmen come in number fortie score Right warlike band which bold sir Bertram led And wise sir Arnole Cleped Dandrehen With heedie toiling wairie iourney sped At Spannish campe ariuing with their men It hapt vnto king Henries brethren when They new were come to ride our hoste to vew With the attempt some haples ouerthrew Strike fierce into the Canton where I set The watch I stirring they recoile with speed Returning they with both the Pheltons met Which foorth were rid to do some valiant deed With hundreds two well Armed for their need Sir Richard Cauton sir Hugh Hastings With other knights of faire proceedings These Spaniards six thousand were no lesse And when our English once they had espide Which little mountaine t' aue had in distresse With shooting ioy amaine they toard them ride Where many a skilfull feat of war was tride But in the end they were all take but one And he too rash doth lose himselfe alone For when he saw proud Spaniards placed In leueld plaine his sharp gleiue he taketh His hard resisting sheild he soone imbraced Towards the thickest speedie hast he maketh One stroke he dead then bright sword he shaketh So vigorously in his threatning hand And stroke and foynd and lasht whilst he might stand Armed he was in red most glorious Two Ermin Lions passant crowned gold With Scottish treasure diffrence spatious His brother and his friends the fight behold And saw his ending too aduenterous bold Raging furor fair knighthood doth confound Sir William Phelton brought dead to ground Spaniards of faire aduenture ioyious The leaders were king Henries bretheren Their iourney to their brother prosperous They glad declare shew prisoners taken Great thanks he gaue and residue threaten Soft stepped foorth a soldier bold and wise Praying the king heerin to take aduise Sir saue your grace your speech I not gain say But yonder 's armed manie a prooued knight As euer rangde in battelous affray Hardie in Arms and matchles in strong might If with stout prince you do assemble fight You l find no fliers what so ere betide Twixt life and death toth vntraunce thei le abide In reuerent sort vnto your grace I speake Abstain from war let fierce enimies be Contagious aire will make their strongest weake Your countrie left behind them shall you see They pincht with want it so will chaunce that we May fight with them who present are the flower Of cheualrie of wisdom and of power Marshall replide the king I so desier The princes power with good power to meet He shall not by my fathers soule retier Till him I do in ioined battell greet Seuen thousand I haue armed head and feet Of genetors full twentie thousand more And threescore thousand which haue truly swore Me not to faile therefore sir Arnole I A basht to be may seeme to haue no cause Stout willing numbers vowd haue with me to die Yet full six daies vpon these things they pause We forward come compeld by hungers lawse The swift riuer near to the groyne we passe Where as we find a better soile for grasse At entrance first when we approched Spaine King Henrie seald letter sent our Prince Requesting knowledge and the title plaine Why so with power he sought him to conuince The Herauld was retained euer since He came till now wherein seuen weeks spent Now backe by him his answer thus he sent That his true cosen he was come to aide In rightfull cause as iustice doth desier Therefore quoth he Earle Cristmer hauing waid Your great wrong thus to the Crowne t'aspier Am come in armes but yet I faire requier You both t' accord right king to haue the crowne Your selfe rich lands but if at this you frowne Then you chiefe cause of slaughter spoile and blood Which I God knowes am passing loth to shee l I wish you would well ponder of the good We offer and not trust th' uncertaine speed Of fickle chaunce so careles in hit heed Here rest your frends if that you say not nay Dated from Groyne in March the thirtith day This Herauld gon his letters red with all Sir Bertram said now shortly shall we haue A doo therefore O noble King let call Ech officer his charge to order braue The hawtie prince doth nought but battaile craue Replide the king I little do him dreed Good hope is of a furtherance to the speed Int ' three their fights the first sir Bertram lad Aduentrous French and strangers where with him Th'erls of Dancell and sanxes second had Greatly renowmed cause they late did win The third stout King martiall passing trim A hundred thousand the one and other were Right noblie seene before vp deckt appere As busie king pricketh from ranke to ranke Neerer Naueret we a little drew Where they behold vs raised on a banke From vnder which we all the vallies vew Couerd with helms whose banners some I knew Gainst me ear this reasd had they been and borne Taken and beat and all too peeces torne Sir Bertram Glesquine thimperiall egle bare In siluer gulie baston ouer all Sixe white spur rowels Dandrahen doth reare In field of red a checkered fes doth stall Of th'on and th' other colour then I call My banner for vproled I hit bring Vnto my Prince in presence Spanish king Beloued Lord behould my banner hear Vouchsafe the pains it to vnfould for me Graunting licence this day it vp to rear Thanks good Father yours
ashamed of their differences but laide them foorth largely to the view neither do I esteeme it a shame wherby any man should couet to hide the same to be descended as a yoonger brother sithence that euerie brother hauing the like parents is as well descended as the eldest and therefore as good a Gentleman though not so rich as he And the more is his honor if without the helpe which by reason of his patrimonie the elder hath he can aduance himselfe into place of office or dignitie whereby he may raise an other florishing familie of the same surname And therefore you my masters that be yoonger brothers neuer hide your differences by putting foorth a little cressant or a peeping mollet but vse some faire large deuise sithence in truth your estimation is by your rising to be had in as good a regard as if you were the elder And now being in speech of yoonger brothers and their differences I haue obserued two kinds of them which the antiquitie vsed besides the aforesaid one was that such as were aduanced by Kings Princes or other great Lords did manie times beare some part of the deuise of him who aduanced them by way of addition vnto the marke of their owne familie which serued verie aptlie to distinguish them from their elder house The other was that diuers did adde vnto the marke of their owne house some part of the deuise of that familie from which their mothers descended and both these two kinds of differings are in my minde greatly to be commended not onely for that they may be made large and apparent and for that cause serue very properly to the vse for which Badges are ordained but also that the one makes manifest a gratefull minde in him that is aduanced to his prince or lord of whom he receiued benefit and by reason thereof linketh them togither in a kinde of amitie which seldome or neuer is worne out and by that meanes a great strengthening it is vnto both houses The other not onely serueth to vnite the families which haue matched togither in the foresaid loue and amitie and thereby worketh the like effect but besides it sheweth the certainty of the dessending of the said yoonger brother out of both the said houses and also giueth knowledge of the time thereof whereby if any title of inheritance be at any time cast vpon the yoonger brother either descending from ancestor of the fathers side or mothers it giues him a testimonie of his title and witnesseth vnto the world the truth of his descent by the continuall bearing of that deuise so that this kind may many times worke profit to the bearer and auoid many troubles and sutes and therefore into one of these kind of differings could I wish our yoonger brothers which from hencefoorth shal be aduanced to inuest them selues as being both honorable faire certaine and profitable But now it may be obiected that the order in vse sheweth plainly ynough the diuersitie of brothers as the cressant a second the mollet the third that by this means the matters are made certaine to this I answere that first the time is not by this means signified neither can it be known which of the Cressant bearers was the vncle or nephew And further it is a very vsuall matter for euery new Riser at this day if he can find that there is any of the like Surname that beareth marke presently to vsurpe the same with a Cressant or some such difference so that for my owne part I do seldome credit such kinde of differinges nor their bearers vnles it be by some other testimony or proofe made manifest which cannot be counterfetted so well in the other deuise except the riser should be throughly acquainted with the descent of him whose line he seeketh to intrude himselfe into and besides it may be the sooner espied by them of the true line forbidden nor the other dare for feare thereof so soone venter the committing of a falsitie But what a confusion is it when you shall see the second of a second brother and sometimes an other second from him to cluster one Cressant vpon an other many times three or foure one on horsebacke vpon an other where as by the aforesaid bearing of the difference from the Prince Lord or mothers family a man may better distinguish the brothers and set downe for a second a third and fourth c. And after from those againe in a fairer larger and more apparent manner And the more apt am I to speake against these ordinary differences as they are called knowing them to be but new inuentions and any of them as ordinaries in fashion as now they are neuer vsed before the time of King Henrie the sixt before which time men were much more warie and discreet in bearing of their marks and in foreseeing that no intruders should enter into their families nor that any should lay away or remoue their differings without speciall warrant or license of them that thereby might be preiudiced for a Labell being much in vse for the heire apparent to wear as his difference during his fathers life was seldome remooued to the second brother but when the inheritance went vnto the daughters of the elder brother and then the second was permitted to beare the same for his difference as being the heire male of his familie and as one that remained in expectancie yet might not the second brother vse to intrude himselfe into the absolute signes of his house the inheritance being in his neeces or kinswomen as appeared in the case betweene Gray of Ruthine and Hastings which was this Iohn Lord Hastings married to his first wife Izabell one of the sisters and heires of Almerie de vallence Earle of Penbrooke by whom he had issue Iohn Hastings after Earle of Penbrooke Elizabeth married to Roger Lord Gray of Ruthin and some other children which needs not to be spoken of for that as I take it al the lines of them failed before the extinguishing of the line of the said Iohn Earle of penbrooke after such issue being had the said Izabell Vallence died and the said Iohn Lord Hastings tooke to a second wife Izabell the daughter of Hugh Spenser by whom he had issue Hugh Hastings and Thomas and then died and left as heire Iohn his son by his first wife who was Earle of Penbrooke as I haue said erected by reason of his mothers inheritance which Iohn Earle of Penbrooke married and had issue an other Earle of Penbrooke who also married and had issue a third Earle of Penbrooke but in the end all the line of the said Iohn Hastings first Earle of Penbrooke of that familie fayling there arose a question betwixt the heires of Roger Gray and Elizabeth his wife being sister of the whole blood and the heires of Hugh Hastings brother of the halfe blood to the said Iohn Earle of Penbrooke for the inheritance of the Hastings But Gray recouering the same by the law
sacerdoti vt tollat Thuribula quae iacent in incendio ignem huc illucque dispergat c. produc atque ea in laminas affigat altari c. vt cernant ea pro signo monimento filij Israel Also in the booke of Iosua I finde these words Et ait Iosue ad eos ite ante arcam Domini Dei vestri ad Iordanis medium portate inde singuli singulos lapides in humeris vestris iuxta numerum filiorum Israel vt sit signum inter vos quando interrogauerint vos filij vestri cras dicentes quid sibi volunt isti lapides Respondebitis defecerunt aquae Iordanis ante arcam foederis Domini cum transiret eum idcirco positi sunt lapides isti in monimentum filiorum Israel vsque in aeternum And for the disposing of heritages it is written thus Homo cum mortuus fuerit absque filio ad filiam eius transibit haereditas si filiam non habuerit habebit successores fratres suos quod si fratres non fuerint dabitis haereditatem fratribus patris eius sin autem nec patruos habuerit dabitur haereditas his qui ei proximi sunt Eritque hoc filijs Israel sanctum lege perpetua sicut praecepit Dominus Moysi And for the collection of Genealogies thus saith God to Moyses and Eleasar Numerate omnem summam filiorum Israel à viginti annis suprà per domos cognationes suas cunctos qui possunt ad bella procedere c. Ruben primogenitus Israel huius filius Henoch à quo familia Henochitarum Phallu à quo familia Phalluitarum Hesron à quo familia Hesronitarum And for a further proofe of the recording of Genealogies it is to be considered how diligently the same hath beene obserued through the whole course of the Scriptures as the descents from Adam to Noe and from Noe to Abraham c. do sufficiently testifie And more that with the spirit of truth the Genealogie of Christ our Sauiour and redeemer as concerning his humanitie is also by the writing of his holie Euangelistes most plainelie and sincerely remembred and set downe All these things being therefore by the Scriptures of God and decider of all controuersies prooued and declared Your Lordships may see that the bearing of Armes raising and aduauncing of Standerds Banners and Ensignes vsing of obsequies erecting of moniments enroling and regestrings of pedegrees and descentes haue ioyned to the auncient customes and Lawes both of this Land and all other nations the authoritie of Gods word being very well accompanied with discretion reason and iudgement for God hauing by his sacred institution ordeined Kingdomes Prouinces and Seignories and that ouer them Kings Princes and Magistrates shall commaund rule and gouerne his people to the ende chiefely that his heauenly kingdome may be replenished with the blessed soules of his seruants for the instructing whereof he hath also ordeined his holy Church and the Bishops pastors and ministers of the same which Bishops and other spirituall officers cannot so well enforme his Christan people without the aid of the said Kings and temporall Lords neither can they gouerne their particular Countries either from the inuasion of outward tyrants or inward rebels but through the vse of their sword of iustice which sword cannot be exercised against vnruly persons being of strength wanting men skilful in Martiall Discipline who cannot manage those affaires but by meane of the aforesaid Armes and ensignes in maner as before I haue more largly expressed And in like sort as Princes great Lords Iudges Magistrates and Gouernors do vse to weare sacred Robes of gold purple scarlet and other ornaments and apparell not to take pride in or for any vaine ostentation or show but onely that they may be distinguished from the inferior people to the end that a reuerent regard may be had of them in respect of the high office which vnder God here on earth they beare And as these things no man of any reason will gainsay so I see not but as wel may their iust vertues and good gouernment be remembred with funerals obsequies and moniments after their decease whereby such as succeed in gouernment may also be had in more high estimation and a faire example is thereby giuen them to imitate the regiment of their predecessors Likewise doth the registring of descents carrie with it reason ioined to authoritie and custome for as by Gods lawe there is commanded a priuiledge of enheritance to the first begotten of Israell and so for want of sonnes to the females and from them to others answerable to the proximitie of their blood and kindred which with our lawes of this land and of most nations do concur and agree it doth well stande with peacefull gouernment for the auoiding of contentions which may rise for want of records to testifie the truth of mens titles to their enheritances that Genealogies and Pedegrees should be enrolled and kept in remembrance I haue my good Lords stood the longer vpon this point for that of late traueling through some countries of this Land and hauing a desire to see the moniments of antiquitie which haue remained in such places as I passed by for which cause as otherwise I many times resorted to Churches and other houses to satisfie my affection I found that many moniments both of burials and in glasse were so broken and defaced that vneth may be had any knowledge what the fragments remaining did signifie and enquiring of the inhabitance how it came to passe that those things were so blemished they made report that certaine persons delighting as may seeme in noueltie for they can abide no marke of antiquitie had defaced the same These men that take vpon them to be reformers whose desires are great through the singularitie pride they haue in their owne wits and vnderstandings weening themselues to be very wise where indeed they are verie simple and onely looke but into the abuses of things and do not see into the grounds depth of the reasons and causes for which good ordinances were made go about to finde faults where many times none are but if peraduenture they hap to finde an ordinance well made misused then streight neuer seeke they to reforme the abuse but by their wils downe goeth ordinance and all such is their insolencie rashnes and want of iudgement It were well done therefore my good Lords and I could wish that your Honors hauing somtimes accesse to hir Maiestie and oftentimes conference with my Lords of hir priuie Councell should enforme hir Highnes and their Honors of the said abuses committed and to be thereby a meane that these simple fellowes taking vpon them to be reformers might be reformed themselues and both kept from destroieng of good ordinances and be punished for their offences in that behalfe committed In the meane time yet shall I desire that Honorable personages will looke better to the moniments of their
rage of wars alaie For where but late the trembling mother cride Dreading hir babe in safetie doth she plaie None carefull now their treasures close to hide None watcheth now for doubt what may betide Britton but now with bluddie wars did rage And now faire concord doth all furie swage Now doth weare the great Castilian Crowne Dan Peter whose extremest rage was such As on him all his chiefest nobles frowne And vulgar commons at his doing gruch Some said his deeds whole Christendome did tuch The Pope the French and Arragon agree Him to depose and Henrie plast to be And for that cause the foresaid states do pay Sir Bertram Glesquins ransome vnto me For hundred thousand franks I said not nay From his gagd fiaunce cleere I set him free These states request me into their iorney As one to rule and speciall roume to beare I flat refusd my liking was not there Yet certaine of my princes knights did go When these troups assembled were in Spaine They thirtie thousand soldiers were and mo When ech considered the euill raine Of Peter and the nobles he had slaine They him depose and Henrie do adorne As king although Alphonsus bastard borne Thus he possest bestoweth right largelie And soldiers bountifull him account To Siuile citie first in haste doth flie Forsaken king thence to high sea doth mount Accompaned with Dan Casters in count Faithfull knight to Galitia ward amaine Making saile there of one castle faine Called Coulone on craggie cliffe strong plast Distressed selfe welth children and treasure There doubting staid sent trustie knight in haste T'acquitain with letters shewing the seasure Of bastard Henries wrongfull displeasure Vnto my Prince who thought too hard euent Was falne on him and too sharpe punishment Spitefull Fortune great enimie to those Of high degree what pastime canst thou take Through turning times thy selfe so to dispose Of mightie king meane fugitiue to make But peeuish selfe thou all men wilt forsake To highest things peasd leuell dost thou ame At sharpest fals thou makest sporting game A king but late vnto whose onely becke Whole Castile bowd liues like a prisner pend Dares not appeere for feare of too great checke And stateliest troupes of nobles with attend Remayns one knight like sad AEneas frend Large countries late obeid his bending will And now possest but barren basest hill The Prince cald me these letters in his hand And braue sir Thomas Phelton speedilie In most princely fauor we highly stand Sir Knights quoth he strange news is come to me Which vnto you shall soone imparted be Which don he wild as was his vsage Our opinions to so great voyage Then presently a parlement was cald To which repaird the noble Gascoine knights Arminack Gomigines Dalbreth stald In highest rooms from hence four woorthie Wights T'england sent as reason wils of rights King Edward he our iourney doth allow Fresh Iohn of Gaunt to go with vs doth vow Without delay into Nauar were wild Sir Thomas Phelton and my selfe to fleet We so exploit with iourney labring hild As with the king at Pampelune we meet From loued prince him do we nobly greet He promisd be at Bayon by a day With courteous leaue we home returne our way Our prince dan Peter both do meet him there With parle much at last he condescends Hard passages to ope that straightest were For which dan Peter promisd for amends The Groine and countrie shoring that extends To Sauater and more a hundred thousand franks Thus he an aid toth prince and all his ranks The prince two heraulds doth dispatch with speed To Castile ward giuing his knights to kno The purposd war and what he had decreed His pleasure knowne they came king Henrie fro But why they part they little to him sho Then Caueley Dabscote and bold Huet was Gay sir Iohn Deuereux all thence do passe Companions some hard not so soone this newes Safe to returne much toiling they endure King Henrie closely vp all passage mewes In dangerous state remaine the most vnsure The prince doubted his enimies might allure Them to their wils which well twelue hundred were Of pyked men in welding shield or spere At th' entrie of Foix inclosd they stay And may not pas th'erle doth flat forbid Them t' enter in his countrie any way Most noble prince of message send me did Toth Earle of Foix and shew him he would rid Him of these men and that what harme they should His countrie do that he remend it would The Erle accords to their safe passage I chaffer so as them I wholie hier Mongst whom in wars full many a trustie gage All which one word would worke to my desier To busie prince I hastelie retier These waged soldiers do themselues deuide By companies toard Acquitaine they ride Toward Tholouse some their rediest iourney take At Mountabon the riuer seeke to passe Sir Guy Dazay and Earle of Narbone make Quick sommons and of soldiers gether a masse Sir Iohn Comes Mountabons captaine was The French toth towne sent courrors riding T' see if companions would be stirring Sir Iohn demaunds why thus in armors drest They came t' inuade the principalitie They chaffing said our enimies with you rest Whom we will rouse for their iniquitie Sir Iohn sir Iohn you know not curtesie If thus you harbour the pillers of the land Here be their foes will wake them out of hand Lords he replide heer be some men of war Into Montaubon lately entered That with my Lord the prince retained ar And him must serue as is indented Better vndoon than soon repented Aduise you well ere forward you proceed My princes frowns you haue good cause to dreed But when our men tride and aduenterous Threatning enimies plast before them see To hazard battell hard and dangerous They ment ordaining ech thing feateouslie Though pressing enimies far more numbers be Sir Iohn Comes his soldiers all armed Then to assist great need required Sir Perducas Dalbreth sir Robert Cheney Passe all before requesting safe they might Go by in peace the Frenchmen fierce denie Then suddenly terrible was the fight Back to the towne our men were beaten right Nandon of Begerant and Burg of Bertvell Had rid all night and came in time so well Vnto their aid as foes were take or slaine Rich prisoners were woon and fienced Vpon their faiths which lost our men there gaine For with their othes the Pope dispenced Wherof our captains to me complained And wild redresse in this they thoughten wrong To me of Arms the iudgement did belong To cipher plainly how braue Lords did cum gaily beseen with valiant numbers How Lord Dalbreth was countermand his sum Of thousand spears wherat he woonders Or else what lets peect buisnes sunders Or all winter t'shew the princes charge Where things past count asking recitall large With buisnes much we pearse into Nauare With toiling more some streights we got beand Which asperous foule and stiepâ—e doubtles are Mantled with snow was all
take in Fraunce where nothing loud Nor honored and thus dispiteous Spake he by reason none it could be prooud That I two Lords might serue thus Iulie moud A squier I resent vnto the king Surrendring castle and ech other thing Making abodement with the loued Prince Whose wisdome seeing me bashed in such sort And how his words so much did me conuince He all forgot turnd all to pleasant sport Endewd me rich for to maintaine my port Doubtles I loude his fauor so entier Than Croesus coine I did it more desier Let him that stands heed well he do not slide For he that in a Princes fauor dwels Must wary watch lest blame to him betide And carefull be when meaner sences swels It to surpresse when seuer it rebels And not to yeeld to ought that may displease His soueraines mind and breed his owne disease Heed and temperance are the things whereby Men must them rule that liue in Princes grace Far out stretched recheth his persaunt eie Vewing ech person time and secret place Much beond his rule and dreded mace Therefore disseuerd from thy soueraines sight Doe as his eie vpon thy act were pight I with my Prince and in my Countrie staid Till that Don Peter was come out of Spaine Bastard Henrie of crueltie he vpbraid In crueltie deposing him of raine The Prince resolud to place him there againe Sending for me and many a Gascoine Lord That vnto him our legence due afford Him I attend and highly was esteemd Amongst the noblest held I euer place For highly was my knightly seruice deemd As well for Mars as prudent Pallas grace With Lord Clisson sprong of Brittish race This Spanish iourney did I companie hould An expert knight in ventring arms right bould And when the prince this king restored had To former height inuest in Royall state Full like him selfe he dealt with vs but bad His peruersnes too long were to relate His breach of promise wrought the great debate That hapt between the Gascoins and my Lord The prince fell cause of war and much discord Though many Gascoin Lords my kinsmen near The English left and French themselues out shoe Yet I gainst them did still my banner rear In fronting war my time I did bestoe With Chandos to Mountaboune armd I goe That soon I trust we made our foes to feele Our Axes sharpned were with caruing steele Now when the French the English had defide And noise of strifes were bruted openly Sport was to see the captains them diuide As their affections led them stirringly Without requests to yeeld them willingly Those that were French did English streight become Contrariwise there changed other some Lord Chanoyne Robersart he English turnd Whose hautie seruice welcomed our king Sir Perducas Dalbreth toth French returnd Who gulie shield about his neck did fling Wrapt with dented bordure siluer shining Do what one can affection will be free Spite of desert or highest dignitie Bold sir Hue Caueley now in Arragon This thundring newes of wars had plainly hard With all his soldiers he arriud anon At Angolesme a partie for to ward The prince him had in reuerent regard And presently him noble chiftaine made Of thousands two and sent him to inuade The lands of Lord Dalbreth and Arminacke The greatest two of all our Gascoyne Lords Where many a tower and towne he fiercely bracke And fier and bloud vnto his foes affords Thus all we captains growing of accords Seeke to defend and to offend our foes Which likewise so themselues towards vs dispose When Canole Chandos and sir Thomas Phelton Who did in red two ermine lions beare Passant crowned gold my selfe for one Go to the prince who held vs all full deare Such companions as behinde vs weare We promised new fortresse if they gaine And then besiegd we rescue will amaine Which of our friends did three encourage so As they Belperch do win and there they kept About this time did fortune ouerthro Lord Chandos for whose losse great numbers wept The Duke of Burbon little space he slept For that our captains held his mother fast Within Belperch where they perforce were plast Duke Burbon hauing purueied iollie store Of warlike knights strong siege did bout them lay With battering engins he constraind them sore His power still increasing day by day To sir Iohn Deuereux they sent without delay Which Seneschall of Limson was and he Toth former promise was a partie This gentle knight toth prince in haste he came And did their case with such effect declare In shewing that to vs it would be blame If that we should not succour them that bare Themselues so well good words he did not spare For their behoofe and so it was agreed The captains should be rescude with some speed Th erle of Cambrige faire brother to the prince Th erle of Penbroke prest for deeds of arms Sir Iohn Montague who Batfoyles did conuince Sir Thomas Phelton dreadles of his harms Sir Robert Canole that oft the Frenchmen charms My selfe we met a noble knightly crew As of so many eie did euer vew At Lymoges the erls their musters tooke Fifteene hundred launce our selues we found Three thousand others bent on their foes to looke And ioyne with them though numbers do abound This hard the French trencht in a peece of ground With strong inclosure like a castle wall That from the fight their ventring foes should stall But when we were in opposition plast Against the French a herauld soone was sent Toth Duke who closed lay more halfe agast The herauld told him through bould hardiment We there were riude with vigerous entent With him to fight the Duke this answere drest That fight he would not so at our request And looke how he was dard at Turnehen So was he now our herauld morrow morne To him rewent who safe himselfe doth pen He said sir Duke euen she that hath you borne Before your face shall led be to your scorne Way with my Lords lesse her you rescue will We tooke her thence cold Duke he sate him still Shirle trumpets sound fresh courage to inflame We all are raungd in battelous aray Launte Wiske and Sale these ventrous three I name That from the castle issued at noone day And Burbons mother brought with them away Two noble knightly soldiers did receaue Led her thence and askt the Duke no leaue When Thaniou Duke his armie mightie made And Glesquines power to his he had vnite They forward came the Princes land tinuade Tooke Aguillon by th' thretning siege they pight Which made me woonder when I knew it right The selfe captaine did once so well it hould That hundred thousand men ne take it could On Dordon riuer a towne is planted faire Cald Lind a league from Bergareth no more Which Phelton and my selfe did well repaire With vittails and artilleries fencing store Well puruied now with that it had before Sir Touius Batfoyle captaine there doth rest And promise voud
which pertaind to him of right King Charls well nie excepting him had all The Brittons harts now so it did befall His castle siegd gaue hostage for a staie To yeeld it vp not rescude by a daie Sir Hue Brooe that this strong fortresse heild That marchet made who bare in banner red On siluer cheuron three roses of the feild Sir Robert here ariued in that sted Before the rendring day expired A herauld French Constable sent to kno Hostage whether they would redeeme or no. Sir Robert flatly held not any one In absence his his castle so should mart Thanswerd messenger backe is lightly gone Tould his Lords they make him soone depart And shew sir Robert if he so do start His hostages ech one should hedded be Herauld he said saie to thy Lords from me Three knights one squier in prison here I haue If they a hundred thousand frankes would giue And mine do die no one of these thest saue The French of life the hostages depriue Which seene sir Robert a scaffold made beliue His prisners brought in duke of Aniou sight Their harmles heds he caused off to smite The siege brake vp this execution done The castle with sir Robert doth remaine True hostage true prisners death haue won Such chaffring brought good harts their deadly paine But noble captains such rigor should refraine Lest when their frends they need in such like cace They make refusall doubting the disgrace Iustice oft from ancient custome growes Affection seldom lookes with single eie Strict iustice like iniurious dealing showes Hard law to make the innocent creature die And yet good right appeered for to be God loues not right which doth to rigor tend Neither of both their crueltie can defend I likewise heard how noble Iohn of Gaunt Ariud at Callis with puissant power Puissantly the Frenchmen doth he daunt Fearfull makes both towne and many a tower Numbers my old acquaintance in that stower As Chanoyne Robersart sir Hue Caueley Sir William Bewchamp sir Henrie Percie Sir Walter Huet sir Steuen Gousenton With many more which some did to me name Sir Lewis Clifford sir Richard Pontchardon To heare of whom to sorrow brought some game I hopt and wisht the French that they might tame But in their cheuachey a venture did befall That was at Parris talkt with ioy of all Fowrscore horse of sir Hue Caueleys band Were ridden foorth aduentures for to trie The Lord of Busiers doth it vnderstand The Lord of Chin sir Iohn Buell these three With sixscore launce against them ridden be Lord Chin was slaine through his great hardines Which to his friends was cause of heauines Thus when they were assembled in such sort Right felonous and cruell was the fray And many a deed was don of good report Chin his banner disueloped that day Which seen the English orgulous words did say Gainst Lord Cowcie which English houerd still Who was in Austrige warring at his will This Chin did raise Lord Cowcies faire deuice Which was six bars of varrey and of red This was the same or difference small so nice and slender that mongst them this error bred Which now were either taken slaine or fled All men of yoonger house that banners bear Should haue their difference glistring large and fair I likewise heard the flower of all our pride The valiant Prince of Wales departed life No earthly thing so good may alwaies bide Nor honor such preuailing ouer strife Where glories most mischaunce is euer rife Great things great fals and far abroad are blown Low things low fals their fallings are not known His falling known was fall of all my ioy His death depriuer of my comfort chiefe His losse the loder of my sad annoy His want the wanting of my freed reliefe Ah filching death thou felonous bloodie thiefe Bereauer of my sole deliueraunce Dispoiler of my worldly pleasaunce For could it be that any marshallist Such one as loud to cloth himselfe in Arms But honorable presence thine he mist And many waies thy losse did worke his harms And froward mischiefs backward on him swarms Farwell fairst flower of Plantagenets line Adiew all comfort to this life of mine Full many treaties had the English now Made with the French which came to small effect Some of my friends oftimes did tell me how In these their parleys they had of me respect Yet did no good which made me to suspect That neuer I my weldie Arms should don For griefe wherof I pine away with mone The yoong Earle Saint Pole and three other knights In exchange they offerd for me alon Which Lord Comigines tane had in faire fights by th subtill traine of sir Iohn Harleston By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon Was saud or else he had full dearly paid Bicause from England he was late mistraid The matter thus after we came from Spaine And that the quarrels fresh gan to renew All things to strife and battaile woxt againe The French at first the countie of Ponthew Regaine this Lord of Chatelon named Hue Vnwares he doth sir Nicholas Loudine rest His prisner and by slight he him surprest When as the valiant duke of Lancaster At Callis riud new come from Turnehen Intending the Frenchmen proud to master He fast prepard to make a rode agen With store of squiers knights and noblemen Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure In burning spoiling and gaining treasure If oppression to minde valiant Be offered by wisdoms warie guid It so couerneth through much discontent As if euer happie chaunce betide It shoes the fier close couered it doth hide And breaketh foorth into reuenging flame If euer good occasion mooue the same Deepe rooted malice doth not lightly die When as the duke passed by Abuile To Louaines mind repard the iniurie That Chatelon had done to him erewhile Sir Nicholas laid a bushment by a wile Neere to the towne for all the streights he knew Whole three yeers space he vsed them to vewe Sir Hue Chattelon at that instant bode Within the towne as gardant of the same Near vnto it he knew the English rode Then of the crossebowes he bare the maisters name Them to aduise he thought was for his fame Only ten and armed saue his head He came where as the tending bushment stead When valiant Louaine saw his shield of guels Three varey pales on chiffe of loued gold A martlet blacke himselfe he scarcely ruels For ioy the man quoth he I most desier would In all the world I comming do behould The ransome deere to him this yeer I paid Shall rendred be if that he may be staid And foorth he breaks the Frenchmen in that sted Do maruell much from whence doth noise proceed One cried Chatelon yeeld or thou art ded To whom said he to Louaine now with speed Replied sir Nicholas ioying at his deed Being knightly armd in red fresh to behold A siluer fes tween many billets gold And to the host in iolitie retiers Prowd of his prisner afterward