whereof began the vsage custom y t the kings of England made their eldest sons dukes of Normandye Warre was renued betwene kynge Henry of England Lewes of France Anno. 18. Lewes inuaded Normandye wyth muche crueltie toke the Citie of Lingnes in Cause Wherfore kyng Henry assemblyng a strong armye met wyth Lewys in playne field and fought with hym a cruell and deadly battayle in the ende wherof Lewes was ouercome cōstrayned to flee the field Baldwyne erle of Flanders was there slayne and Henry recouered the town of Lingnes Anno. 20. Wylliam Duke of Normandie and Riicharde the sonnes of kyng Henry of Englande and Mary his doughter Richard earle of Chester with his wyfe the kynges nece and other to the number of .160 persons passyng from Normandie into Englande by ouersyght of the shyp maister were drowned sauing one butcher which escaped the danger Anno. 24. In this yeare the abbey of Readyng was begun to be buylded by kyng Henry the fyrst he also buylded Cisseter Wyndilsore and Woodstocke wyth the parke Anno. 27. The gray fryers came nowe fyrst into Englande and had theyr fyrst house at Canturbery as saythe Ro. Fabyan Maude the daughter of Kyng Henry after the deathe of her husbande the Emperour came into Englande to her father Anno. 28. The order of sainct Iohns Hospitalles Templars and other lyke beganne fyrste at thys tyme. Anno. 32. In this yere began Foūtains abbey Geffrey Plantagenet erle of Angew maried Maude y e empresse doughter of king Henry of which .ii. descēded Hēry secōd which reigned after Stephen About this time was builded y e priory of Nortō in the prouince of Chester by one Williā the son of Nichole Also the abbey of Cōbremore in y e same prouince was buylded about the same tyme. Robert Curthois dyed in prison and was buried at Glocester Anno. 33. Henry king of Englande because he hadde none issue mal◠ordeyned that hys doughter Maude whiche had bene Empresse shoulde succede hym in the kyngdome Anno. 36. Kyng Henry of Englande beyng in Normandy with a fall of his horse toke his deathe and was buried at Reading when he had reigned .35 yeres .iiii. monthes and one day King Stephen Anno regni 1. STephen Erle of Boloyne the son of the erle of Bloys and Adela Wylliam Conquerors doughter aud nephewe to kynge Henry the fyrst tooke on hym the gouernaunce of this realme of England the seconde day of December in the yeare of our lorde 1135. and left the same in the yeare of our lord .1154 the .xxv. daye of October so that he reigned xviii yeres .x. monthes and .xxiiii. days This was a noble man and hardy of passinge comely fauor and personage in all princely vertues he excelled as in martiall policie gentylnes and liberalitie towarde all men and in especially in the begynnynge For although he had continuall warre yet did he neuer burden his cōmons with exactiōs Only he semed in this blame worthy that contrary to his othe made to Maude the doughter of Henry he was thoughte vniustlye to take on hym the Croune For which cause he was vexed with warres all the tyme of his reigne At this tyme was great trouble and slaughter in Englande for so muche as diuers of the nobles mainteined Maude the empresse agaynst Stephen whiche was in possession of the croune Kyng Stephen made warres against Dauid of Scotlande because he refused to do him his homage for Northumberlande and Huntyngdon whiche he helde by hys wyfe In thys warre the Scottyshe hystorie sayth the Earle of Glouceter was takē But at the length Stephen made peace and agreed with Dauid kyng of Scottes and receiued of hym homage after that he had wonne from hym certaine townes and castels and gaue to Henry the sonne of Dauid the erledome of Huntyngdon Anno. 2. A vayne rumour was spread in Englande of the death of Kyng Stephen which was cause of muche trouble and busynes in the realm For diuers of the lordes got them to their holdes whiche after might scantly with great laboure be quieted and pacified After whiche tyme Stephen passed ouer into Normādye against Geffrey erle of Angew the husband of Maude the empresse which was right heyre to the crowne◠and whē he had quieted that Prouince he made Eustace his sonne Duke of Normandy and ioyned frendshyp and league wyth Lewes kyng of France Anno. 4. Dauid kyng of Scottes repentyng him of the former agremēt made with kyng Stephen and purposyng to recouer the crowne of Englande for Maude his nece cousyn and daughter of kynge Henry in moste cruelle wyse inuaded Northumberland where by meane of Thruston bishop of Yorke the Scottes had an ouerthrow and slayne in greate numbre and Dauid was constrayned to geue his sonne Henry in hostage for suretie of peace In the meane season kyng Stephen was occupied in ciuil warre agayn Robert erle of Gloucester others which fauoured the partes of Maude whome the kyng subdued part of them were forted to forsake the realme Anno. 6. Maude the empresse came into thys lande out of Normandie by ayde of Robert erle of Glocester and Ranulph of Chester made strong warre vpon king Stephen In the end whereof the kyngs partie had the worse and hymselfe takē prisoner and sent to Bristow there to be kept in sure hold But the Kentishe men and Londoners fauourynge the kyng warred vpon the rebelles and in opē field toke Roberte rle of Gloceter◠But shortly after bothe the kyng the duke were deliuered out of prison by exchange And Stephen without delay assemblyng a strong armie in suche wyse pursued his enmies y t hee forced Maude with other of her frendes to forsake the realme This warre continued a longe time to the great domage of the realm About this tyme was foūded the abbey of Stratford Langthorn within .4 myles of London by a knyght called sir William de mount Fichet Anno. 10. About this time the Iewes crucified a chylde vpon Easter day at Norwiche in derision of Christe and his religion Anno. 11. Geffrey Plantagenet the husbande of Maude the Empresse who had long continued the warres against king Stephen of Englande wan from hym the duchy of Normandie and streight thervpon dyed and his sonne Henry succeded in the dukedome Anno. 12. Stephen kynge of Englande after long warre and muche trouble was agayne crowned kynge at Lincolne but Robert earle of Glocester made newe warre vpon hym in whiche he hadde the vpper hand of the kyng at Wilton so that the kyng was like to haue fallen into Roberts danger and escaped with muche paine Anno. 15. Thys yeare the ryuer of Thamis was so stronglye frosen that horse and cart passed ouer vpon the yee Anno. 17. Henry duke of Normādy in the quarell of his mother Maude with a greate puisance arriued in England and at the fyrst wonne the
Kyng Iohn saylyng into Normandy warred on the borders of France but of his victories is lyttle written Anno. 5. Bayliffes Walter Browne WilliaÌ„ ChaÌ„berlain This yeare by meanes of euyl weather in the yeare passed wheate was solde for .xv. s. a quarter whyche was thought an extreme price Kyng Iohn maried his bastard daughter to Lewlyn prynce of Wales and gaue with her the castell and lordeshyp of Elyngsmore beynge in the marches of Southwales In this yeare the byshoppe of Rome wâ—ate to king Iohn freÌ„dly and gentilly requiring him to admit Stephen Langton into the bishoprike of Canterbury who before was chosen by the monks the monkes by him expelled froÌ„ their owne abbay to restore them agayne to the same but the more his lordes aduised him so to do the more was he beÌ„t to the coÌ„trary In so much that the bishop of Romes messengers returned without obteynynge of their request Anno Reg. 6. Bailyffes Thomas Haueril Hamond Bronde The bishop of Rome denounced king Iohn with his whole realm accursed because he wold not admit StepheÌ„ Langton to the byshopricke of Canterbury but he little regarded his thretnynges and would not obey him At this tyme in Suffolke a fishe was takeÌ„ like to a man was kept liuing .vi. moneths vpon the land with raw flesh and fishe and after when they saw they coulde haue no speche thereof they cast it agayn into the sea Anno Reg. 7. Bailyffes Iohn Walgraue Richard de Winchestar King Philip of FraÌ„ce subdued y e countrey of NormaÌ„dy which sens y e time of Charles the symple that is to saye the the space of .300 yeares was not in the possession of the kynges of France Anno Re. 8. Bailiffes Iohn Holylande Edmonds Fitz Gerrard About this tyme the Iryshemen and shortly after the Welshemen rebelled for that as some aucthors affyrme he leuied on them suche greuous taskes to warre agaynst France so that the king was fayne to raise a great taxe throughout this realme of England to withstaÌ„d theyr force He requyred of the white monkes .6000 marke but they refused the payement of so greate a summe so that the Kynge toke great dyspleasure against them by reson wherof after his returne out of Ireland he vexed theym sore and exacted of them more then before he had desyred whereby he caused some abbottes to forsake their houses Anno Reg. 9. Bailyffes Roger Wynchester Edmond Hardell Kyng Iohn sayled into Normandye wher after certain skirmishes he made peace with Philip of FraÌ„ce for .ii. yeres The .ii. bayliffes aboue named were discharged and in theyr place roome ii other chosen for the rest of that yere Also this yeare was graunted to the Citizens of London by the Kynges letters patentes that they should yearely chose to them selues a Mayre and .ii. shiriffes on S. Mathewes or Mychelmas day whose names were as foloweth Anno Reg. 10. HeÌ„ry fitz Alwyne Maire Peter Duke S. Thom. Nelc S. Thys yere London bridge was begon to be builded of stone where as before it had ben builded of Timber and repaired by a colledge of Priests which then stode where the priorie of S. Mary auderis nowe standeth And for wante of other recordes I wyll declare the opinion of master Fowle who was the pryor of y e abouesayd S. Mary auderis concernynge the originall bothe of that bridge and also of Saint Mary auderis church Fyrst that beyng no bridge but a ferrie to cary and recarye wherby the Feryar gat great wealth lastly the Feryman and his wyfe deccasyng left the same to theyr daughter a mayden named Mary Audery who with the goodes left to her by her parentes and also the profites which came by the said Fery builded an house of sisters whiche is the vppermost ende of S. Mary Auderis churche aboue the quire where she lieth buried vnto the whiche house she gaue the ouersight profyt of the same ferry but afterward the same house of systers was coÌ„uerted vnto a colledge of priestes who builded the bridge of timber and from tyme to tyme kepte the same in reparations but consyderyng the great charges in repairyng y e same now lastly in the yere of our Lord .1209 by y e great ayde of the citisens of LondoÌ„ other they begon to build the same of stone and then the abouesayde colledge of priestes was conuerted vnto a priory of chanoÌ„s bearyng stil the name of the maiden whiche kepte the ferry and so called S. Mary Auderie Anno Reg. 11. Henry fitz Alwyne M. Peterle Iosue S WilliaÌ„ BlouÌ„d S The Englyshemen which were sent by kyng Iohn to ayde the erle of Flanders as sayth Thomas Couper chased the Frenchemen and in the hauen of Sluce compassed and toke theyr whole nauy of ships which was in nuÌ„ber .1020 sayle Anno. Reg. 12. HeÌ„ry fitz Alwine M Adam Whetley S. Stephen le grase S. This yere Pandolph a legate cam froÌ„ y e bishop of Rome monishing the king in sharp maner y t he shold restore maister StepheÌ„ LaÌ„gton to his see of CaÌ„terbury the monks vnto their abbay the king calliÌ„g to mynd y e dangers he was wrapped in both in his own realme also in Normandy made promise by othe to be obedieÌ„t to y e court of Rome as at large apereth in Ro. FabiaÌ„s cronicle At that tyme were granted the Peter pence Anno Reg. 13. Henry fitz Alwyn M. Iohn fitz Pet S Iohn Garlond S This yere StepheÌ„ LaÌ„gton archbishop of Canterbury w t the other exiles laÌ„ded in EnglaÌ„d y e king receuing theÌ„ ioyously was there assoiled of the said bishop after y t the king making restitutioÌ„ to y e bishop other according to y e third article of his othe the laÌ„d was released of y e interdictioÌ„ the king being bouÌ„den that as well he as his heyres should euer after be feuderys to the see of Rome payyng yerely tribute a thousand markes and to holde the Title of the Crowns by the byshop of Rome Anno. 14. HeÌ„ry fitz Alwayne Mair RaÌ„dolph EilaÌ„d S CoÌ„staÌ„tin Iosue S This yere fell greate discentiion betwene the kyng and his lordes partely for that he wolde not mainteyne the lawes of Kyng Edwarde partely for the displeasure he bare vnto them for that they ayded hym not agaynst the byshop of Rome and other causes not here spoken of Herevpon the kyng fell at suche dissention with his lordes that a greate numbre of people were raised on bothe parties The Erle of Chester with the other lordes toke the Citie of London and helde them there a certayne tyme. Caxton his chronicle wyth other saye that a great parte of this variance betwene kyng Iohn and his barons was for because the Kyng would haue exiled the Earle of Chester who oftentymes had aduised the King to leaue his cruelnes hys accustomed aduoâ—try which he exercised with his
Oreland S This yere the kyng cōmaunded that Peter pence should no more be gathered nor payde to Rome This yere Prynce Edwarde had hys fyrst sonne whose name was Edward but he dyed at seuen yeres of age Prynce Edward entred Spayne with a great puysaunce where he ouercame the Spanyardes and Frenche men and expelled Henry the bastarde and set Peter in his former estate as kig of Spain But not long after the prynces retorne home agayne Henry repaired his army and warred vpon his brother so fiersly that in the ende he vtterly vanquyshed hym and put him to death and thē without resistance possessed the kyngdome of Spayne Anno. 41. Iohn Louekyn M. Iohn Warde S Williā Dickmā S This yere was borne the second son of Prynce Edward named Rychard Anno. 42. Iames Andrew M. Rich. Torgold S. Williā Dickmā S. This yere appeared Stella cometa that is a blasing starre And this yere the erles of Armenak of brett of Perygort with other nobles of y e duchie of Guyan appealed the Prynce of Wales in the Frenche kynges court that he had broken the peace and wronged them as in exacting of them ouer great sommes of money c. But the Frenche king deferred it for certayne causes to long here to reherse Anno. 43. Symon Mordon M. Adā wymbinghā S. Robert Gyrdler S. This yere the kyng of Fraunce proceaded in iudgement vpon the appellation before made by y e erle of Armenak the lorde of Bret and erle of Perygort agaynst Prynce Edward Wherupon discorde variance began to take place betwene y e two kynges and those lords which before were sworne to kyng Edward dyd nowe yelde dyuers townes of the coūtrey of Poytiers vnto the Frēch kyng The Duke of Lācaster aryued at Caleis and entred Fraunce with a company of souldiours wher not farre from Arde the Duke of Burgoyne lodged within a mile of his army with a great power the space of .xviii. dayes and neuer profered battell But lastly went away by nyght and then the Duke passed further into Fraunce Anno. 44. Iohn Chichester M. Iohn Pyell S. Hugh hoiditch S. This yere dyed Quene Phylip wyfe to Edward the thyrd she buylded y e colledge in Oxēford called quenes colledge In this yere was the thyrd mortalitie or pestylence wherof dyed much people Anno. 45. Iohn Bernes M. Wil. Walworth S Robert Gayton S Iohn Barnes Mayor of Londō gaue a chest with three lockes and a. 1000. markee to be lent to yonge men vpon sufficient gage so that it passed not one 100. markes and for the occupying therof if he were learned to saye at his pleasure Deprofundis for the soule of Iohn Barnes if he were not learned to saye Pater noster But howe so euer the money was lent at this daie the chest standeth in the chamber of London without eyther money or pledges for the same This yere the countrey of Lymosyn with other became obeysaunt to the Frenche kyng and fell from the kynge of Englande by reason that Prynce Edward had lately assessed vpon the inhabytantes of the countrey a great and greuous taske by meanes whereof he lost the loue of the people Anno 46. Iohn Barnes M. Robert Hatfild S. Adam Staple S. The Erle of Penbroke as he passed the sea to reskewe the castell of Rochel was encoūtred with a fleete of Spanyardes whiche kyng Henry of Castell had sent to ayde the Frenche kyng Of these Spanyardes after cruellfyght the Erle was taken and syr Guystarde de Angle and other to the number of .160 persons and the more part of his men slayne and drowned Anno. 47. Iohn Pyel Maior Iohn Phylpot S. Nycolas Brēber S. Iohn Duke of Lancaster entred by Calays into Fraunce passed throughout the Realme by Uermendoys and Campayne nyghe to turdeaux in Aquitane without battayle not withstāding the great hurt and domage they dyd to the townes countreys as they passed Anno. 48. Adam of Bury M. Iohn Aubery S. Iohn Fisshye S. Dyuers entreatyes of peace were made betwene the kyng of Englande Fraunce by meane of the byshoppe of Rome but none was concluded Anno 49. William Walworth M. Rychard Lyōs S W. wodhous S The entreatie of peace continued but not concluded but for foure monethes at the moste in which tyme of entreatie the Frenche kyng wan many holdes townes of the Englyshemen as well in Guyan as in Brytayne and in other places Anno. 50. Iohn Warde M. Iohn hadley S. Wil. Newport S. Many wonderfull sycknesses fell among the people as well in Italy as in England whereof there vsed an exceadyng great number Anno. 51. Adam staple M. Iohn Northampton S Robert Launde S Prince Edward departed out of this lyfe who was in his tyme the flower of chyualry He was buried at Caunterbury and then kyng Edwarde created Richard sonne of prince Edward prince of Wales and because the kyng waxed feble and sickly he betoketh rule of the lande to syr Iohn of Gaunt duke of Lancaster who so continued duryng his fathers lyfe This yere kyng Edward the thyrde ended his lyfe at Rychemonde the .xxi. daye of Iune in the yere of our Lorde 1377. When he had reigned .50 yeres fyue monethes lackynge foure dayes and was buried at Westmynster he left behynde hym foure sonnes Lewes duke of Clarence Iohn of Gaunt duke of Lancaster Edmond of Langley duke of Yorke and Thomas of Wodstocke erle of Cambrydge Richarde the second Anno regni .1 RIchard the second sonne of Prince Edward of Wales was ordeyned kyng of Englande beyng as yet but eleuen yeres of age He began his reigne the .xi. daye of Iune in the yere of our lorde .1377 and left the same the .xxix. daie of September in the yere .1399 so he reigned .xxii. yeres .iii. monethes and eight daies In bountie and liberalitie he farre passed all hys progenitours but he was ouer muche geuen to reste quietnes and loued litle dedes of armes and martial prowesse for that he was yong he was moste ruled by yong counsayle and regarded nothyng the aduertysementes of the sage and wyse men of his Realme for the chiefe about hym were of no wysdome nor estimacion whiche thyng tourned this land to great trouble and him selfe in fine to extreame myserie Of hym Iohn Gower wryteth as Hardyng affyrmeth these verses in latyne folowyng Principio Regis oritur transgressio legis Quo fortuna cadit humus retrograda uadit Quomodo surrexit populus quem nō bene rexit Tēpus ad huc plangit super hoc quod Chronica tangit Stultorū uile cepit consiliū iuuenile Et sectam senium decreuit esse reiectam Tunc accusare quosdam presumpsit auare Vnde catallorum gazas spoliauit corum Whiche may be englyshed thus When this kyng fyrst began to reigne the lawes neglected were Wherfore good fortune him forsooke and thearth did quake for feare The people also whom
Nortō S This yere in Smithfield was helde a great Iustes betwene the Henowayes and Englyshemen in the whiche were many feates of armes done Anno. 11. Richard Marlowe Ironmonger M. Iohn Lawe S wil. Chichley S Iohn Badley taylour was brente in Smithfielde for the Sacrament of the Aulter This yeare the market house called the Stockes in London was begon to be buylded Anno. 12. Tho. Knolles Grocer M. Io. Penne S. Tho. Pike S. This yeare a squier of Wales named Rice ap Dee which had longe tyme rebelled agaynst the Kyng was broughte to London and there drawen hanged and quartered This yeare was the Guyld Halle of London begon to be newe buylt and of an olde and lyttell cotage made into a fayre goodly house as it now apereth Anno. 13. Robert Chicheley Grocer M. Iohn Rainewel S Williā Cotton S This yeare the .xii. daye of October the Thames flowed thrise in one day And this yere the kyng caused a new coyne of nobles to be made which were of lesse value then the old by iiii.d in a noble Anno. 14. Williā waldren Mercer M Rafe Leuēhind S. williā Seuenoke S. This yeare after the great and fortunate chaunces happened to Kyng Henry beyng deliuered of all ciuile diuision and discētion he mynded to make a voiage agaynst the infidels and especially for the recouery of Ierusalem and for that cause prepared a greate army and gathered muche treasure entendyng to set forward in the same sprynge When he had thus prepared all thynges necessary for his voyage he was taken wyth an Apoplerie of the whiche he languyshed tyll his appoynted hower Duryng which sycknes as auctors write he caused his Crowne to be set on the pyllowe at hys beds head and sodeynly his pang so sore troubled hym that he laye as all hys vital spirites had ben departed such as had cure of hys body thynkyng hym to be deade couered his face with a lynnen cloathe The prince hys sonne beyng therof aduertysed entered into the Chamber and toke away with hym the crowne and departed the father beyng sodaynly reuyued out of his traunce quickely perceyued y e lacke of his crown and hauyng knowledge that the prynce had possessed it caused hym to repayre to his presence requirynge of hym for what cause he had so misused hym selfe The Prynce aunswered syr to my iudgement you semed dead wherfore I as your next heyre tooke it as myne and not as yours wel sonne sayd the kyng what ryght I had to it and howe I enioyed it God knoweth well quod the Prynce if you dye kynge I wyll haue the garlande and trust to kepe it with the sworde as ye haue done well sayde the kyng I commyt all to God and remember you to doo well and with that turned hym selfe and shortly after departed in a chamber of the Abbottes of Westmynster called Hierusalem the xx daye of Marche in the yere of our lorde .1412 When he had reigned .13 yeres syxe monethes and nyne dayes and was buried at Cauntorbury King Henry the fifth Anno Regni .1 HEnry y e fifte began his reigne the .xx. daye of Marche in the yere of our lorde .1412 and deceased the last day of August in the yere .1422 so he reigned .ix. yeres fyue monethes and tenne dayes He was a Prynce of great noblenes prowes of stature and personage talle and sclender of nature gentle and lyberall in dedes of armes expert and cunnyng wherby he conquered manfully his enemies and broughte Fraunce to his subiection before the death of his father he applied and gaue hym selfe to all vice and insolencie of lyfe and drewe vnto hym riotous and wildely disposed persones but whan he was admitted to the rule of the land sodaynly he became a newe man and turned all that rage of wyldnes into sober and wyse behauior and vice into vertue and that he myght not be agayne corrupted he charged all his olde companions that vpon payne of their lyues none of them should come within tenne myles of the place that he was lodged in He caused Iohn Lidgate monke of Bery to translate certayne verses of the psaltar into english myter whiche he vsed in his deuyne seruice This yere about haruest tyme was syr Iohn Olde castell knight appeached for an hereticke and committed to pryson but he brake out of the tower and went to Walis where he lyued .iiii. yeres after Anno. 1. Wil. Crowmer Draper M. Ioh. Suttō S. Iohn Mycol S. Certayne adherentes of the forenamed syr Iohn Oldecastel intending the destruction of this lande and subuersiō of the same assembled them in Thickettes fielde nere vnto saynt Gyles in great number whereof the kyng beyng informed toke the fyeld afore them and foke of them so many that all the prysons in and about London were filled The chiefe of them whiche were .xxix. were condempned by the Clergie of heresie and attaynted of hyghe treason as mouers of warre agaynst their kyng by the temporall lawe in the Guyldhall adiudged for treason to be drawen hāged and for heresy to be cōsumed w t fire whiche was executed accordingly in Ianuary folowyng The chiefe of these rebelles was syr Robert Acton knyght Iohn Browne Esquser and Iohn Beuerley priest as testyfieth Edward Hal. Anno. 2. Thomas Fauconer Mercer M. Iohn Michell S. Tho. Allyn S. This yere the kyng made great prouision to sayle into Fraunce with an army whyle he was shipping of his people syr Rychard erle of Cambrydge syr Rychard Scrope treasorer of England and syr Thomas Graye knyght were arrested for treason and so strayghtly examyned that it was cōfessed that they were purposed to haue slayne the kyng by the corrupting of the Frenche men wherfore they were all three adiudged to die and were headed at Hampton Then kyng Henry tooke shypping with a great power and sayled into Normādie toke the town of Harflewe where he was compassed about with a great hoste of french mē to y e nūber of .40000 He hauyng but .13000 footemen and 2000. speares He slewe of his enemies 10000. and toke prisoners nye as many This was called the battayle of Agyncourt of the whiche ye may reade more at large in Fabian and Hall Anno. 3. Nycholas Walton Draper M. Wil. Cābridge S Allein Euerard S This yere the Emperour Sigismōd came into Englād to entreate a meanes of peace betwene the kynges of England and Fraūce but al was in vayne for in the ende no peace could be concluded and kyng Henry went agayne into Fraunce Anno. 4. Henry Barton Skinner M. Ro. Wodyngtō S Iohn Couentree S This yere in Fraunce kynge Henry obteyned many victories and gotte all the townes and holdes in Normandy sauyng Roban whiche he strongly besieged This yere on Easter day was a great fraye in saynt Dunstones churche in the East the begynners thereof was the lorde Straunge and
wyth a great army by whom after the day and place was appoynted to fyght sodeynly the nyght before the battayle shuld haue ben the water that was betwene them rose in suche wise that the two armies coulde not come together by occasyon whereof the capitaines of bothe parties had communication of peace and promise was made to the rebelles that such thyngs as they were greued with shold be redressed by the kynges authoritie wherwith they beyng contented by the prouidence of God departed withoute bloudshedyng Aske that was chiefe of this rebellion in Decēber came to London and was not onely pardoned but also receiued and rewarded with other gyftes of the kyng but he dyd not long enioye his prosperitie Aboute the same tyme a priest aboucher were hanged at wyndsor for speaking in the behalf of the Yorkshyre mē This yere in Decembre the Thames at London was all ouer frosen Wherfore the kyng with his beautifull spouse Quene Iane rode thorough London to Grenewyche The thirde daye of Februarye was Thomas Fitzgarret late Earle of Kyldare and fyue of his vncles drawen hanged and quartered at Tyborne for Treason Also in this moneth of February Nicolas Musgraue Thomas Gilby and other stered a newe rebellion and besieged the Citie of Carlile frome whense they were driuen and many of them taken and put to deathe In the same moneth of February syr Francis Bygot sir Robert Constable and other began an other conspyracie and for the same wer attainted and executed in the moneth of Iune The .xxix. day of March beyng Mandy thursday were .xii. men of Lincolne drawen from Newgate to Tyborn and there hanged and quartered .v. wer priestes and .vii. were laye men one was doctor Makerel a white chanō an other was y e vicar of Louth in Lincolneshyre The .15 day of May in the .29 yeare of Henry the .viii. the lorde Darcy and the lorde Hussey were had from the tower of London vnto Westminster there condemned of treason In Iune the Lorde Darcye the lorde Hussy sir Robert Cōstable sir Thomas Percye sir Francis Bigot sir Stephen Hamelton sir Iohn Bulmer his wife Williā Lomley Nicholas Tēpest the abbots of Ierney and Riuers Robert Aske were all put to death sir Roberte Constable was hāged on Beuerley gates Aske was hanged in chaynes on a tower at Yorke Syr Iohn Bulmers wife burned in Smithfield the lord Darcie beheaded at Tower hylle the lorde Hussey at Lincolne and the other suffered death at Tyborne This yere at the feast of saint George the lorde Cromwell was made knyght of the Garter In October on sainct Edwardes eue was borne at Hampton courte the noble Prince Edwarde and shortely after Quene Iane lefte her lyfe the .14 day of October Anno. 29. Sir Rich. Gresham Mercer M. Iohn Gresham S. Tho. Lewen S. The .viii. day of Nouember the corps of the Quene was caried to Windsore and buried with great solempnitie The Kyngs maiestie kept his Christmas at Grenewyche in his mournynge apparell and so was all the court tyl the morowe after Candelmas day The .xviii. daye of Ianuary a salter of London was set on the pyllory for packyng and sellyng of rotten herryng and vsing of false weyghtes The .xviii. day of February a seruant of my ladye Pargetours was drawen hanged and quartered for clyppynge of golde The .xxv. day of February syr Allyn a priest and a gentylman were drawen to Tyborn and there hanged and quartered for treason The .xxi. day of Marche Henry Harffam customer of Plymmouth was drawen frome Newgate to Tyborne and there hanged and quartered for treason And one Thomas Ewell lykewyse was hanged and quartered The .xxii. day of May in the .30 yeare of Henry the .viii. frier Forest was hanged and brent in Smithfield for deniyng the Kinges supremacie wyth hym was brente the Image of Daruell Gathern of Wales The .xxvii. daye of Maye was a greate fyre at saynt Margaret Pattens called Roode Lane where were many houses burned and .ix. persons were there burned to death in that fyre In Iuly was Edmonde Conyngslie attaynted of treason for counterfaityng of the kynges sygne manuell And in August was Edward Clyfforde for the same cause attaynted and bothe put to execution as traitours at Tyborne The first daye of September beynge the sonday after Bartilmew fayre was one Cratwell hangman of London and two persons more hanged at the wrestlyng place on the backeside of Clerkenwell besyde London for robbynge of a bouthe in Bartylmewe fayre at which execution was aboue .20000 people as it was iudged In September by the speciall motion of the lord Cromwel all y e notable images vnto the whyche were made anye speciall pilgremages and offerings wer vtterly taken awaye as the Images of Walsyngham Ipswyche Worcester the Lady of wilsedon with many other and lykewise all shrines In October and Nouember the abbeis wer suppressed al friers monkes chanons nonnes and other sectes of religion were roted out of this realme Anno. 30. Sir Wil. Forman Haberda M. Wil. Wilkinsō S Nicho. Gybson S This Nicholas Gibson sheryfe and Grocer of London afore named buylde a free schole at Ratclyffe nere vnto London appoyntyng to the same schole for the instructiō of .lx. poore mens chyldren in lernyng and vertuous educatiō a schole maister and an vsher with a stipende of tenne pounde by the yere to the maister and .vi. pound xiii.s iiii.d to y e Usher He also buylded certayn almesse houses adioynyng to the sayd schole for xiiii poore and aged persons suche as through impotencie and age are not able to susteyne the trauell and toyle of the worlde who quarterly doe receyue vi s viii.d a pece for euer And the sayd worshypfull and deuout gentleman duryng his lyfe dysdayned not in his own person many tymes to vysite them Addyng to their lyuyng in the tyme of his abode and house kepyng there reliefe of his owne borde wherby appeared the great zeale he bare to the reliefe of the poore and not only by wordes after the maner of many in these dayes but in workes he manifested the fruytes of charitie accordyng to suche example as many of his predecessors had lefte to the posteritie And lyke as of his owne free lyberalytie he hath begonne this commendable monument I meane the maintenāce of this poore house of christ so I praye that some of his successors or other of abilitie wil adde to y e same some further reliefe and increase of lyuynge wherby in these dere dayes wherein thinges be at great pryces not only learning the honor of all cōmon wealthes but also those nedy impotent persons may be better furnyshed of necessaries The .xvi. day of Nouember was the Black fryers in London suppressed and the next day the whyte fryers the next daye the Graye fryers and the Monkes of the Charterhouse and so all the other immediatly after The .xxii. daye
proclamacion made that the shilling which of late was called down to .ix. d. shoulde be currant for .vi. d. the groat ii d. y e half grote .i. d. a peny a eb The .xi. daye of October beyng sunday the Lorde Marques Dorset was created Duke of Suffolke the lorde erle of Warwycke was created Duke of Northumberlande and the erle of Wilshere was created Marques of Wynchester and syr William Herbert the maister of the horse was created erle of Penbroke dyuers mē made knightes The .xvi. daye of October beyng fryday the duke of Somerset was brought agayne to the towre of London and in the next mornyng the duchesse his wife was brought thither also and there wēt also with the Duke the lorde Graye of Wylton syr Rafe Uane and syr Thomas Palmer and dyuers other gentlemen of his famyliers Anno. 5. Rychard Dobbes Skynner M. Iohn Lambert S Iohn Cowper S The .xxx. daye of October beyng frydaye was proclaymed a newe coyne of money both syluer golde soueraynes of syne golde at .xxx. s. Angels of fyne golde at .x. s. and dyuers other pieces of golde of lesser value a piece of syluer of v. s. and a piece of two s vi d. the sterlyng shylling .xii. d. sondry other smaller pieces of money The .vi. daye of Nouember beynge fryday the old Quene of Scottes roade through Londō Cheape with a great company of Englyshmen wayting on her after she had layne foure dayes in the byshops place beside Paules church The firste daye of December beynge tuesday the Duke of Somerset was arraygned at Westmynster haull was there acquited of treason but condemned of felony by vertue of an act of parliament made against conuenticles and vnlawfull assemblies The .vii. daye of December beynge monday was a generall muster of the horsemen whiche were in the wages of the nobles of the Realme and for the whiche the kynges maiestie allowed yerely for euery man .20 pound the which muster was made vpon the caussey ouer against the kynges palayce at saynt Iames. the number of horse was extemed to be a thousande The .xxii. daye of Ianuary beyng friday Edward Duke of Somerset kyng Edwards vncle before mencioned was beheaded at the towre hil the people beyng there to beholde the execution were sodenly in a great feare fewe or none knowing the cause but this I sawe the Duke beyng on the scaffolde by .viii. of the clock in the mornyng enclosed with the garde the warders of the towre and other the people of a certaine hamlet whiche were warned to be there by .vii. of the clock to geue their attendance on the Lieftenant nowe came through the posterne and perceiuing the prysoner to be alredy on the scaffolde the formoste began to runne with their bils on their shoulders cried to their felowes to folowe fast after which sodennes of these men so weaponed thus running caused the people being next which best sawe thē to thinke that some power had come to haue deliuered the Duke from execution which caused them to crye awaye awaye wherupon the people ran one end way not knowynge whether and they which tarried to know some cause of this hurly burly had thought some pardon had be brought some sayde it thundered some sayd the ground shoke but the occasion was as I haue sayde This syxt yere of Edwarde the syxt on the .xx. daye of February the marchauntes of the Stylyarde at London were put from theyr pryuyledge of occupiyng whiche they of long tyme before had vsed The .xxvi. daye of February beynge Fryday Syr Raufe a Uane and six Miles Partryge were hanged vpon the gallowes at towre hyll and syr Mychell Stanhope with syr Thomas Arrūdell were beheaded vpon the scaffold which foure wer condēned as accessary in that whiche the Duke was condemned for This yere the sea brake in at Sandwiche in so much that it dyd ouerflowe all the Marshes there aboute it ouerflowed the marshes besyde Wolwich beyonde saynt Katherynes The last day of April through negligence of the gonne pouder makers a certain house with thre last of pouder was blowen vp burnt the sayd gonpouder makers beyng .xv. in number were all slayne at the towre hyll a litle from the Minoris beside London on the back side of newe abbey The .iii. daye of August was borne a marueilous straūge monster at a place called Myddeltō .xi. myles frō Oxēford a womā broght forth a child which had ii perfect bodies frō y e nauell vpward were so ioyned together at the nauell that when they were layde in lengthe the one head and body was eastwarde and the other west the legges for bothe the bodies grew out at y e myddes where the bodies ioyned and had but one issue for the excremēt of both the bodies they lyued .xviii. dayes and when they were opened it appeared they were women children The .viii. daye of August there were taken about Nuynborough three great fyshes called Dolphins or by some called Kygges and the weke folowyng at Blackwall were syxe more taken and brought to London and there solde the least of thē was greater then any horse The same moneth the commons of the citie of London chose thre sherifes eyther after other and euery one of thē refused the office and fyned for it as it was thought twoo hundred pounde a piece and then the commons chose one Iohn Mainarde who toke it vpon him whiche about .ix. or .x. yeres before had geuen out wares and Iewelles as it was thought to y e sūme of .2000 marks to be payde hym when he were sherife of London The same moneth of August began the great prouision for the poore in London towardes the whyche euery man was contributorie and gaue certayne money in hande and promysed to geue a certain wekely The first house which was begon was at the Graye friers in Newgate market which went forward with all spede The .vii. daye of October were two great fyshes taken at Grauesend which were called whirlepooles they were afterwarde drawen vp aboue the bridge The .xiiii. day of October the bishop of Durhā called Cuthbert Tunstall was broughte before the Commissioners at the place of sir Arthur Darcy knight vpon tower hyll where he was depriued from his sayd byshoprike Anno. 6. George Barnes haberdasher M. will Garret S Io. Mainarde S This sir George Barnes gaue y e wind myll which standeth toward the east in Finsbery field to the company of the haberdashers of London to that entente that the profites risyng therof should be distributed to the poore almose people of the same companie And also he gaue to the parson and churche wardeyns of saint Bartholomew the little certayne tenements for the which they be bound to distribute to the poore people of the same paryshe .xviii. d. in breade euery sonday for euer The .xxi. day of Nouēber beyng mondaye the children were taken
all her penurie is accompted a greater gifte then those huge sommes that great men layde out of their greate stoare so ought this my simple pamphlet be adiudged to procede though not from greater yet from as great good will as the best and learnedst writers beare to your honour For they of their abundant stoare haue laied oute somewhat But I of my meane knowledge haue presented these few first frutes to your honor knowing that your wisedome can in this small present right well see my good wyll My gifte is a short briefe or summarie of the chiefest chances and accidentes that haue happened in this Realme frome the tyme of Brutus to this our age VVhiche I haue done by the conference of many authors both old and new those Imeane that commonly are called Chroniclers out of whom I haue gathered many notable thinges moste worthy of remembrance whiche no man heretofore hath noted whiche worke also I was the bolder to dedicate to your honour because I know your lordships good inclination to al sortes of good knowledges and especially the great loue that you beare to the olde Recordes of dedes doone by famous and noble worthies whiche my boldnes like as I truste your honour wil not only pardon but also accept in good part so I besech al the readers hereof that folowyng your honourable exaÌ„ple they will iudge the best of this my trauaile whiche I toke in hand onely for the respect that I had to their profite VVherby they shall both shew the goodnes of their owne natures and also encourage me willingly to go forwarde in this my enterprise VVhich doubting not but that I shall the rather obtaine of them because of your lordeships fauourable acceptance hereof I wil now cesse any loÌ„ger to trouble your honor beseching almightie god long to preserue you to the coÌ„moditie of this our natiue countreie Your L. most humble Iohn Stovve To the Reader DIuers wryters of Hystories write dyuersly Some penne their hystories plentifully at large Some contrary wyse briefly and shortly doo but as it were touche by the way the remembraunce and accidents of those tymes of which they write Some do with a large compasse discouer as wel the affaires done in foreyn partes as those that hapned in that countrey of whiche especially they wryte And some content to let alone other matters put in memory only such thyngs as they theÌ„ selues haue had experieÌ„ce of in their own couÌ„treis Amongs whom good Reader I craue to haue place and desyre roome in the lower part of this table For I vse thee in this my booke as some symple feaster that beynge not able of his owne coste to feast his guestes sufficientely is fayne to bee frended of his neyghboures and to sette before them suche dishes as he hath gotten of others For I acknowledge that many of the hystories that thou shalte reade here abridged are taken partely out of Robert Fabian sometyme Alderman of London Edwarde Halle gentylman of Greyes Inne Iohn Hardynge a great trauailer bothe in foreyne countreis and also in all writynges of antiquitieâ— and other who reaped great abundance of knowlege and filled their bookes full therwith to the great profite and pleasure of all posteritie and to their own great fame and glory So that of their great plenty I might wel take somewhat to hyde my pouertieâ— Howbe it I haue not so doone it as if they should clayme theyr own I shuld forthwith be left naked For somwhat I haue noted which I my selfe partly by paynfull searche and partly by diligent experieÌ„ce haue found out Wher fore hoth the smalnesse of the volume which coÌ„preheÌ„deth gret matters in effect lso the noueltie of som matters vttred therin ought to cause y t it shold not be altogither vnwelcome to thee For though it be written homely yet it is not as I trust writeÌ„ vntruly And in hystories the chiefe thyng that is to be desyred is truthe Wherfore if thou fynde that in it I beseche thee wynke at small faultes or at the least let the consyderation of my well meanynge drowne them So shalt thou both encourage me to farther diligence and also vtter thyne owne frendlynesse in that thou doest rather further then condemne a weake wryter Of smoothe and flatterynge speache remember to take hede For Trouthe in playn wordes may be tolde of craft a lye hath nede ¶ The names of Authours in this Booke alledged Arnoldes Chronicles Iohn Rastall Beda de gestis AngloruÌ„ Iohn Maior Cornellus Tacitus Iohn Bale Domes day a booke Iohn Gower Edward Haulle Iohn Sleydane Gildas de uictoria Aure lii Ambrosii Merlyn chronicler Martyn Chronicler Gildas de gestis Arthuri Mathewe Paris Norham chronicler Gildas the wise Polydorus Virgilius Guido de Columna Robert a chronicler that wrate in the tyme of Henry the thirde Geffrey of Monmouth Geraldus Cambrensis Hector Boyce Rodolphus niger Houeden Raynolffe of Chester Iohn Hardynges Chronicle dedicated to Henry the .6 Robert Fabian S. Columbe Cronicus Colmanni Iohn Leylande Thomas Lanquet Iohn Lydgate Thomas Couper Iohn Frosarde William Caxton A briefe Description of Englande BEfore I entre to abridge the factes and gestes of the kynges and other persons within this Realme frome Brutus the fyrste Kyng of the same I purpose briefely to make a description of this noble Realme gathered out of Polydore Uirgil reported in his work of y e Englishe hystorie who saith That all Britain which by two names is called England and Scotland is an Iland in the Ocean sea sytuate ryghte ouer agaynst the Region of Gallia one parte of which Isle Englishmen do inhabite another parte Scottes the third parte Walshemen and the fourth part Cornish men All they eyther in language conditions or lawes doo differ amongs them selues Englande so called of Englishemen whiche dyd winne the same is the greatest part which is deuided into .xxxix counties which we call shyres Wherof ten that is to say Kent Suffer Surrey Southampton Barkshire Wyltshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Deuonshire and Cornwall do â—â—nâ—eine the fyrst part of that Iland which yaâ—â—s bounding toward the Southe standeth betweene the Thames and the Sea Frome thence to the ryuer of Trent whiche passeth thorough the myddes of EnglaÌ„d be .xvi. shyres wherof the first vi standyng Estward are Essex Middâ—eser Hertfordshire Suffolke Northfolke and Cambridgeshire the other ten which stande more in the myddle of the countrey are these Bedford Huntingdon Buckingham Oxford Northhampton Rutland Leicestre Notyngham Warwike and Lyncolne After these there be .vi. whiche border westeward vpon Wales as Glocestre Hereforde Worcester Salop Stafford and Chester Aboute the myddle of the Region lie Darbyshyre Yorkshyre Lancashyre Cumbreland On the left hande toward the west is Westmerlande Agaynste the same is the Byshopryke of Durham and Northumberland which bouÌ„deth vpon the northe in the marches of Scotland Those shyres be diuided in to .xvii. Bishop rickes which by a greke word be called Dioeceses Of which Dioeceses Canturburye
contrey dyd remayn By this meanes the Britaynes with theyr kyngedome loste their name But they whiche affirme that name to be deriued of their kyng or queene without doubte be deceiued The countrey soyle towardes the sea coaste and in other places in the valleys and playnes is most fertile which yeldeth bothe to man and beaste great plentie of fruite and grasse but in other places for the moste parte it is bareyne and lesse fruitfull because it lacketh tyllage for whiche cause husbandmen do lyue hardly eating Oten cakes and drinkyng milke myxte with water and sowre whay There be many townes and strong castels and .iiii. Bishoprikes if the byshoprike of Hereforde be couÌ„ted in England as y e late writers declare The fyrst byshoprike is Meneue so called of Meneua whiche at this day they call Sainct Dauids a Citie very auncient situated vpon the sea coast and bouÌ„deth westward toward Ireland An other is Landaeffe the thirde Bangor and the fourthe All Saint Asaph whiche be vnder Tharchbyshoppe of Canterburye The walshmen haue a language from thenglishmen which as they say that fetche their Petigree frome the Troianes do the partly sounde of the Troian antiquitie and partly of the Greeke But how soever it is the walshemen do not pronounce their speache so pleasantely and gentilly as thenglyshmen dooe because they speake more in the throte contrary wise thenglishemen rightly folowynge the Latines do expresse theyr voyce somewhat within the lyps which to the hearers semeth pleasant swete And thus much of wales the third part of Britaine Nowe foloweth the fourthe and laste parte of Britayne named Cornewall This part beginneth on that syde whiche standeth toward Spayn westward Toward theast it is of bredth .iiii. score and tenne myles extendyng a lyttle beyonde saynt Germains which is a very famous village situated on the right hand vpon the sea coast where the greatest breadth of that countrey is but .xx. myles for thys parcell of lande on the right hand is compassed with the coaste of the mayne sea and on the left hande with that arme of the sea whiche as before is declared parteth the lande and runneth vp to Chepstoll where the couÌ„trey is in fourme of a Horne For at the fyrst it is narowe and then growethe broader a little beyonde the said towne of saint Germaine Eastwarde it bordreth vpon England West south and Northe the mayne sea is rounde about it It is a very barreyn soyle yeldynge fruite more through trauaile of the tyllers and husband men theÌ„ through the goodnes of the grouÌ„d but there is great plentie of leade and tyn in the myning and dyggyng wherof doth specially consist the liuynge sustentation of thinhabitants In this only parte of Britayn euen to this daye continueth the nation of the Britaines whiche in the begynnynge brought out of Gallia occupied inhabited that Ilande yf credite maye be geuen to them whyche reporte the firste inhabitantes of Britaine to come out of the Cities of Armerica The argumeÌ„t profe wherof is because y e Cornishmen do speake y e langage which the Britains vse now in France whom the Britons do cal BritonaÌ„tes This thing to be more true an old ancient chronicle dothe declare wherin I found written not Cornubia but Cornugallia compounded of Cornu a horne the forme wherof that countrey hath and of Gallia out of which contrey thinhabitantes came fyrst the maner of which name is not to be mislyked Their tongue is farre dissonant from englishe but is muche like to the Walshe tongue because they haue many wordes coÌ„mune to both tonges yet thys difference there is betwene them when a walsheman speaketh the Cornyshe man rather vnderstandeth many woordes spoken by the Walshman then the hole tale he telleth whereby it is manyfest that those thre people dooe vnderstande one an other in like maner as the Southerne Scottes doo perceiue and vnderstand the Northern But it is a thyng very rare and meruailous that in one Iland there should be such varietie of speches Cornewall or Cornugall is in the Diocesse of Excetour whyche was ones woorthye to bee counted the fourth part of the Iland as well for the contrarietie of language as for the fyrst inhabitantes thereof as is beforesayde Afterwardes the Normans which constituted a kyngdom of all those thre partes reckned Cornewall to bee one of the counties or shires of the contrey Thus muche of the particular descryption of Britayne that the whole bodye of the realm by the membres may be the better knowen to some peraduenture that neuer heard the same before The forme of the Iland is triquetra or thre cornered hauyng three corners or three sydes Two wherof that is to say The corner toward theast and thother toward the weast bothe extending northwardes are the longest The third syde whiche is the south syde is farre shorter then thother for the Iland is greater of length then of bredth And as in the other two partes is conteyned the lengthe euen so in the laste the breadth In whyche place the breadthe begynneth and so continuyng from the South parte to the north it is but narowe The fyrste and ryght corner of whyche Ilande eastwarde is in Kente at Douer and Sandwyche From whence to Caleys or Boloygne in France is the dystance of .xxx. myles From this Angle which is agaynst Fraunce to the thyrde Angle whyche is in the Northe in Scotlande the mayne whereof boundeth vpon Germany but no land seene and there the Iland is lyke vnto a wedge euen at the very angle of the land in Scotland The length wherof is .vii. hundreth myles Agayne the lengthe from this Corner at Douer in Kent to the vttermost part of Cornewall beynge saynt Myghels mount whych is the west part or weste angle is supposed to bee .300 myles FroÌ„ this left Angle beyng the west part and thuttermoste parte of Cornewall whiche hath a prosâ—ect towards Spain in whyche part also standeth Irelande sytuated betwene Britayne and Spayn to the northe angle in the further parte of Scotlande in which part the Ilande doth end the leÌ„gth is .viii. hundred miles in whiche parte there be very good hauens and saufe harboroughes for shyppes and apt passage into Ireland beyng not past one day saylyng but the shorter passage is from Wales to Waterforde a towne in Ireland vppon the sea coast muche lyke to that passage betwene Douer and Calaice or som what more but y e shortest passage of all is out of Scotlande From this last Angle to Hampton whiche is a towne vpon the sea coast with a hauen so called toward the southe and therefore called South-hampton betwene the Angles of Kent and Cornewall they doo measure by a strayght lyne the whole lengthe of the Ilande and doo say that it conteyneth 800. myles as the breadth from Meneua or Saint Dauids to Yarmouth whiche is in the vttermost part of the Iland towardes the East doth conteyn .200 miles for the breadth of the Iland is in
nauy being newe rygged and increased he passed the seas agayne with a greater armye But whiles he went towardes his enemies on lande his shippes lying at anker were agayn by tempest almost lost for either they were dryuen on the sandes wher they stacke fast orels through beatyng one an other with force of the tempeste they were destroyed So that xi were lost the other with muche laboure were saued Upon lande also his horsemen at the fyrste encountre were vanquished and Labienus the Tribune slayne At the seconde conflict not without great daunger of his men he putte the Britayns to flyght and pursued thē to y e riuer of Thamis on the further side wherof Cassiucian with a great multitude of people was keping the banks but they not hable to resist the violence and force of the Romaynes hyd theim selues in woddes and with sodayn eruptions oftentymes inuaded them but in the meane tyme theyr strongest citie Troynouant submitted it selfe to Cesar delyueryng vnto hym hostages whyche exaumple also the other cities folowed whereby Cassiuelan after many losses was constreigned to geue pledges and to agree that Britayne shoulde become tributarie to the Romans Then Cesar lyke a conquerour with a great numbre of prisoners sayled into France and so to Rome where shortely after he was slayne with bodkyns Iohn Lydgate in his boke named the Serpent of diuision writethe that Iulius Cesar buylded in this lande diuers cafteis and cities for a perpetuall memorie to put his name in remembrance that is to say the castell of Douer of Canterbury Rochester and the Tower of London the castell and towne of Cesars bury takyng his name after Cesar the whiche is nowe called Salisbury He also edefied Cesars Chester that nowe is called Chichester and the castel of Excester c. Thus ended th◠warres whiche hee made in Britayn wherby he rather opened onely a waye for his successours to come to the same then that he delyuered to them the dominion therof Thys cōquest was made .2255 yeres after the uersall floud .1057 yeares after the arriuall of Brute .702 yeares after the buyldyng of Rome in the second yeare of the .181 Olympiade the .1116 yeare beefore the conqueste made by Wylliam of Normandye and .1615 years before this present yere of our Lord .1564 Theomancius the sonne of Lud and nephue to Cassiuelan succeded in the realme of Britayne and reigned quietly xxiii yeres and was buried at London Cymbalinus the sonne of Theomantius reigned kyng of Britain .xxxv. yeres and was buried at London The most blessed and pure virgin Mary mother of our sauiour Iesu Christ was born of the holy matrone Saincte Anne the yeare of the world .3948 the yeare before Christ .15 When Cesar Augustius the seconde Emperour by the wyll of God had stablished mooste sure peace thorough the world our redemer IESV CHRIST very God and man vppon whom peace wayted was borne in the .xlii. yeare of the reign of Augustus after the vniuersall Floud .2305 yeres From the birth of Abraham .2012 yeres After the departyng of the Israelites out of Egypt 1509. yeares after the buyldynge of the temple by Salomon .1029 yeres From the buildyng of Rome .752 yeares after the captiuitie of Babylon .614 yeres And in the laste yere of the .194 Olympiade But here is to be noted that the fyrst yere of our Lorde hath but vii dayes after some computation for he was borne the .xxv day of December the fyrst of Ianuary folowynge began the second yeare From this place folowing the yeres synce Christes byrth are placed in the margent at the begynnyng of euery kynges Reigne GUiderius the fyrst sonne of Cimbalyne began his reigne ouer the Britains in the .xvii yeare after the byrth of Christ our Sauiour This man was valiant hardy welthye and trusted muche in his strength And for that he thought the Romayns had their tribute wrongfully he of great courage denied to pay the same For which cause Claudius the .v. Emperoure came into Britayne wyth a greatte power to clayme agayne the payment therof and lastly slew the sayd Guiderius when he had reigned .xxviii. yeares ARuiragus the yongest sonne of Cymbalyne and brother of Guiderius was ordeyned Kynge of Britayne he reigned .xxvii. yeares He slue Hamon neere to a hauen of the sea and threw hym gobbet meale therein Wherfor it is now called Southāpton Claudius the Emperoure after dyuers happes of battaile tooke kyng Aruiragus to his grace And for so much as he perceiued hym to be a valiant prince in token of frendship as the english Chronicles testifie gaue to hym his daughter in mariage named Genissa Thys Claudius as saythe Fabyan buylded Gloucester and Aruiragus was there buryed Peter and Paule by the tyrannye of Nero wer crucified at Rome after the byrthe of our Sauioure Iesus Christe 68. yeares MArius the sonne of Aruiragus an excellente wyse man was ordeyned kyng of Britayn He reigned .liii. yeares In his tyme Lodrik kyng of the Pictes whiche were a people of Scythia accompanyed with the Scottes inuaded Britayne and spoyled the countrey with sworde and fyre against whom Marius with his knightes assembled in all haste gaue theim sharpe battaile Wherein Lodrike captayn of the Pictes was slayne wyth a great number of his souldiours to them whiche he remayned Marius gaue inhabitance in the further part of Scotland And for as muche as the Britaines disdayned to geue theyr daughters to them in mariage they acquainted them with the Iryshe men maryed theyr daughters and grewe in proces of tyme to a great people This Marius as saythe Fabyan buylded the towne of Chester and is buried at Carlyon COilus the sonne of Marius was ordeined kyng of the Britaynes He was brought vp euen from his yong age in Italy among the Romains and therfore fauoured theim greatly payd the tribute truly Som write that he builded the town of Colchester he reigned .liii. yeres was buried at Yorke LUcie the sonne of Coilus was ordeined kyng of Britayne who in all his actes and dedes folowed the steppes of his forfathers in such wise that he was of all men loued and dread This Lucie in the .viii. yere of his reigne that was about the yeare of our Lord .187 sente louyng letters to Eleutherius bishop of Rome desyryng hym to sende some deuout lerned men by whose instruction both he his people might be taught the sayth and religion of Christe wherof Elutherius beyng very glad sente into Britayne .ii. famous clerkes Faganus and Dunianus By whose diligence as Gildas wryteth Lucie and his people of Britayne were instructed and baptised in the faith of Christ 1294. yeres after the arriuall of Brute The yeare of Christe .189 Lucius kynge of Britayne when he had reigned xii yeres deceased and was buried at Glocester after whose death for so muche as of him remained no heire the britaines betwene
Conon Meridoke a Britayn was a stryfe and debate in whiche they both sped dyuersly but at at length they wer made frends Maximus reigned .viii. yeares Maximus kynge of Britayne made warre vpon the Galles and sayled into Armerica now called litle Britayn and subduyng the countreye gaue it to Conon Meridoke to hold for euer of the kynges of great Britayn Maximus was constrayned of the souldiours to take on hym the imperiall crowne therfore beyng in France passed further into the lands of the empire subdued a great part of France and all Germanie Gratian the Emperour of hym was put to flight at Paris and slayne at Lyons Whyles Maximus was occupied in the warres in Italye Melga kynge of Pictes and Guanius captayne of the Hunnes vexed the Britayns Wherof when Maximus had vnderstandynge he sente a captaine named Gratian to withstande their force Saint Ursula with the .11000 Uirgins whiche were sent into little Britayne to be maried to the foresayde Conon and his knyghtes wer slayn of the barbarous people beynge on the sea Forthwith the foresaid Gratian that was sent into Britayne of Maximus to defende the land from Barbariens toke on hym the kyngdom of Britayn and exercised all tyranny and exaction vppon the people for whiche cause hee was abhorred of all the Britaynes and by theym was slayne when he hadde reygned fower yeares Then was the Realme a good space wythoute heade or gouernoure In the whyche tyme they were nowe and then very muche vexed wyth the foresayde Barbarous people and other foreyne enemies Nere about the yeare of Christ .427 the Britaynes were inuaded agayne by the Pictes and Scots which not withstandynge the foresayde wall that was made by the Romanes spoyled the coūtrey very sore so that they were dryuen to seke for newe helpe of the Romanes who sent to them a company of souldiors which agayn chased the Picts and made a wall of stone of the thicknes of viii foot in height .xii. foote Which thing when they had done comfortyng the britones and admonishynge them hereafter to trust to their own māhod strēgth they returned agayn to Rome The Scottes and Pyctes yet once agayne entred the lande of Britayne spoylynge the countreye and chasyng the commons so cruelly that they were altogether comfortelesse and broughte to suche myserie that eche robbed and spoyled other and ouer this the groūde was vntylled whereof ensued greate scarcitie and hunger and after hunger deathe In thys necessitie they sente for ayde to Aetius the Romayne capitayne beynge then occupied in warres in a parte of Fraunce but they had no comfort at his hand And therfore wer forced to send ambassade to Aldroenus kynge of little Britayne to desyre ayde and comforte whiche they obteyned in condition that if they atchieued the victorie Constantine his brother shold be made king of britayn for to that day they had no gouernour Which thyng of the Ambassadours beyng graunted the sayd Constantine gathered a companye of souldiors and went forth with them And when he had manfully vanquished theyr enemies obteined the victorie accordynge to the promise made he was ordeyned their kynge and guyded this land .x. yeres Here endeth fynally the dominion tribute of the Romans ouer this lande whiche had contynued by the space of 483. yeares from the tyme that Brute began to rule this lande .1541 After the citie of Rome was builded .1585 yeres THen it folowed that when Constantine brother of Aldroenus had chased and ouercome the Pictes and Scots as is beforesaid he was crowned kynge of great Britayne and guyded the lande the space of .x. yeares in quietnes In the courte of Constantyne kynge of Britayn was a certayne Picte in so greate fauoure and authoritie with the kyng that he myght at all tymes come to his presence who watchynge hys tyme by secrete meanes trayterouslye slewe the kyng in his chamber Then Constantius hys eldest sonne whyche for his lofte spirite was made monke at saincte Swithens in Wynchester by the means of Uortiger duke of Cornwal was taken out of the cloister and made king vnder whose name the foresayd Uortiger ruled all the land and vsed great tyrannye Constantius kyng of Britayn was slayne of certayne Pictes or Scottes whom Uortiger had ordeined for a gard to the kynges bodye Whereof when Uortiger had knowledge he wept and made semblaunt of greate sorowe and heauynes and caused the sayd Scottes or Pictes to be put to deathe thoughe he in dede were the chief causer of their treason and murder So this Constantius reigned but .v. yeares And Aurelius and Uther the kynges younger brethren fled into little Britayn Uortiger was by force ordeined king of Britayne and gouerned the realme .xvi. yeares not without trouble For the nobles of Britayne suspected that Constantius was not murthered with out hys consent And therfore alienated their myndes from hym In Britayne was so great plentie of corne and fruite that the lyke had not ben seen many yeares before Whiche plentie was cause of idlenes gluttony lechery and other vices so that through their incontinent and riottous lyuyng ensued so great pestilence and mortalitie that the lyuynge scantely suffised to bury the dead The Pictes and Scotts also hauing knowledge of the death of their knightes whyche were slayne by Uortiger for murderyng of the kynge inuaded and in most cruell wise spoyled the land of Britayne Uortiger beyng sore abashed for so muche ashe knewe the myndes of hys people to be alienated from hym after some mens opinion sente for the Saxons named Angli whiche had no place to dwel in gaue to them inhabitāce in Kent By their helpe and manhoode in many batails he vanquished and droue back the Pictes and other enemies and therefore had them euer after in greate loue and fauour Hengist one of the captaines of the Saxons founde meanes that Uortiger kynge of Britayne maryed his daughter Rowan a mayden of wonderfulle beautie and pleasauntnesse but a myscreant and Pagane For her sake the kynge was deuorced frome his laufull wyfe by whome he hadde .iii. sonnes For whiche dede welnere all the Britones forsooke hym and the Saxons daily encreased bothe in fauoure multitude and auctoritie and from this tyme sought alwaye occasyon to extinguyshe vtterly the power of the britayns and subdue the lande to them selfe The Saxons couenanted with the Britons that they shold attend to their worldly busynes and the Saxons as their souldiors would defend the lande from the incursions of all enemies for which seruice the Britains should geue to them competent meate and wages And vnder thys pretence caused more Saxons to bee sent for entendyng at conueniente tyme by force to haue the lande in their subiection Sainct Germain came into Britayn to reduce them from the heresye of Pelagius to the fayth of Christe The britayns consyderyng the daily repaire of the Saxons into this realm
myddle Englande that rose agaynste hym was depriued when he had reigned .iiii. yeres he was buried in the cathedrall churche of Wynchester EDgar brother to Edwyne began his reigne in Englande He was a prince of worthy memorye for hys manyfold vertues greately renoumed so excellent in iustice and sharpe in correction of vices aswell in his maiestrates as other subiectes that neuer before his dayes was vsed the lesse felony by robbers or extorcion or briberye by fals officers He chastised also the great negligence couetousnes and vicious liuyng of the clergye he refourmed and brought them to a better order of stature he was but litle but of mynde valyant and hardy very expert in marciall policye he prepared a great nauy of shyppes which he disposed in .iii. partes of his realme and had souldioures alway prest and ready agaynste the incursions of foreyn and strange enemies be reigned xvi yeares He buylded Peters Bury Thorney Ramsey and many other was buried at Glastenbury Ludwallus prince of Wales payd to hym yerely in name of tribute .3000 wolues by meane wherof within .iiii. yeares in England and Wales myght scantly be founde one wolfe This Edgare in his floryshing youthe was some deale geuen to the luste of the flesshe whyche he afterwarde greuousely repented In his tyme as well the Danes as all other people in Englande vsed the vice of great drinking The kyng therfore rode through the realme and put downe many alehouses and would suffer but one in a village or town except it were a great borough and ordeined certayne cuppes with pynnes and nailes and made a lawe that who soeuer dranke past that marke at one draught shoulde forfayt a certayne payn wherof the accuser should haue the one half and the ruler of the Towne the other halfe It is written by Fabyan and others that Edgar bring at Chester entred the ryuer of Dee and syttynge in the bote he toke the rule of the helme and caused .viii. kynges to row hym vp down the riuer vnto S. Iohns church and from thens to his palaice in tokē y t he was lord king of so many prouinces EDward the sonne of Edgar by his fyrst wyfe began hys ceigne ouer this realme contrary to the mynd and pleasure of Elfride his stepmother and other of her alliance In all kyndes of honest vertue this man might well bee compared to his father and began hys Reygne wyth suche modestye and myldenesse that hee was woorthylye fauoured of all menne Excepte onely Elfryde whyche euer bare a grudge agaynste hym for so muche as she desyred to haue the gouernaunce of the Realme for her owne soonne Egelrede Edwarde whyle hee was huntyng in a forrest by chaunce loste hys companye and rode alone to refreshe hym at the Castell of Corffe where by the counsayle of hys stepmother Elphrede he was traiterously murthered as hee satte on his horse When hee had reigned .iii. yeares hee was buryed at Shaftesbury After his death God shewed for hym dyuers myracles Wherfore he is numbred among the sayntes and martirs Before the death of thys Edward appeared a blasynge starre of meruailous greatnes It is of some authors writen that the forsaid Elphrede afterwarde take great penaunce and that she buylded twoo Monasteryes of Nonnes Almesbury and Warwell in whyche Warwell she after liued a solitarie lyfe tyll she dyed EGelrede or Etheldrede the sonne of kyng Edgar and Alphrede was ordeyned kynge of Englande and crowned at Kingstoune He was goodly of shape and visage but wholly geuē to idlenes and abhorred all princely exercises a louer of ryotte lecherie and dronkennes and vsed extreme cruelty towardes his subiectes hauyng his eares open to all vniust complaintes In feates of armes of all men moste ignorant his crueltie made hym odious to his subiects and his cowardise encoraged straunge ennemies to inuade his kyngdome By meanes whereof thys lande was sore afflicted with warre famyne and pestilence In his tyme decayed the noble kyngdom of England and became tributarie to the Danes whereby the Danes when they had spent the sayd tribute fel streight again to robberye and arryued in sundry places of Englande as in the Isle of Thenet In Cornewall and Sussex and after many damages by them done and ryche gyftes receaued of the Kynge they retourned into theyr countreye for a tyme. But shortly they agayn entred this lande in so many places that the kynge Etheldrede was to seeke to whiche coast he should fyrst go to withstande hys enemies In conclusyon for aduoydyng of further daunger he was compelled to appeare them with great summes of money but when the money was spente they fell to newe robbyng and cessed not to spoyle the land and lastly besieged Lōdon And to augment the kyngs sorow Elphricus that then was admirall of England traiterously fledde to the Danes And after beyng reconciled fledde to them the seconde tyme While this cruel warre continued in England by meane of a byshop named Elphegus a peace was concluded at whiche tyme as Polidore wytnesseth the kynge made his lande tributarie to the Danes the payment wherof from the summe of ten thousand poundes in few yeres was raised to fifty thousand The bloudy flixe the burnyng feuer wyth dyuers other maladies vexed the people throughout all Englande Etheldred kyng of England toke to wyfe Emma the syster of Rycharde Duke of Normandie whyche for her beautie was called the Flower of Normandie Etheldrede beyng greatly inhanced in his mynd for this his mariage sent forth into al partes of his realme secrete and strayght cōmissions chargyng the rulers that vppon a certayne day and hower assygned the Danes whiche proudely vsed great crueltie in the land should be sodeinly slayn and so was if doone Which thyng was after cause of great misery For Swain kyng of Denmark hearyng of the murder of the Danes and beynge sore moued therwith landed with a strong armye in dyuers partes of thys realme and so cruelly without mercy and pity spoyled the countreye and slue the people that the englysh men wer brought to mooste extreeme and vnspeakable mysery But yet after certayne space a peace was intreated For whyche the Englyshemen payde thirtye thousande poundes Howbeit dyuers princes of the Danes styll continued wastynge the lande in dyuers places Swayn kyng of Denmarke repented of the former couenāts made with the englyshmen thinkyng to attayne to the whole dominiō of this land with a strong army entred fyrste Northumberland than myddle England and so wente foorthe tyll he came to London whyche he besieged and destroyed the countrey of Kent At this tyme Egelrede the kyng despairyng of all recouerie not ones proferynge to resyste his ennemies with his wyfe and children fledde to Richard duke of Normandy then possessed Swayn y e hole kingdom of this realm who spoiled the landes of s Edmunds But after his death succeded Canutus
into the Hospitall at the gray friers called Christes Hospitall to the number of fower hundred In the sommer past the other yeare king Edward wēt in progresse into the west countrey where he had so muche exercise of haukynge and huntynge as was thought by some at that tyme to be daungerous vnto his health Towarde wynter he returned to London from thense to Grenewitche where all the Christmas season was passed with muche pleasauntnes and myrthe vntill at lengthe in Ianuarie he felle sycke of a cough whyche ended in a consumption of the lyghtes The sunday before Candelmas which was the .xxix. daye of Ianuarie in the vii yere of Edward the .vi. came a commission to the Churche wardens of all paryshes in London that all their lynnen as albes chesebels and surplices whiche were not occupied reseruynge necessarie linnen for the churche should bee geuen vnto the Hospitall aboue named The .xx. day of May by the encouragemēt of one Sebastian Gabota .iii. great shyppes well furnished were set foorthe for the aduenture of the vnknowen voiage to Moscouia and other easte partes by the northe seas And about the same tyme .ii. other shyps were sent foorth to seke aduentures southwardes In May whiles kyng Edwarde laye daungerously sycke Lorde Gylford the duke of Northumberlandes fourth son maryed lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes daughter whose mother being then aliue was doughter to Mary king Henries sister whiche fyrste was maried to the frenche kynge and after to Charles duke of Suffolke In this tyme many were punyshed in Englande for talkynge rasshely that the Kyng shoulde be deade and dyuers also for sayenge that he was poysoned for that rumour was spred throughoute the Realme The .22 day of Iune a great thunder began about a .xi. of the clock and dured almoste the space of two houres and about .xii. of the clocke was a wonderfull terrible clap at which clappe the lyttell doore of saint Denyse church in London was driuen open and the locke thereof with a great parte of the lynyng of the same doore was torne awaye Kyng Edward beyng about the age of .xvi. yeres as is sayd before was long sick of a consumption of the lightes and the .vi. day of Iuly ended his life he was in this hys youthe a prince of suche towardnes in vertue learnynge and all goodly gyftes as Europe seldom tymes or neuer hath sene the like and therfore no meruaile considering the state of the realme if all true englyshe hartes dye muche lament soo vntymely death in so tender youthe and so toward a prince The .x. daye of Iuly beyng monday the deathe of Kyng Edwarde was publyshed The same daye in the after noone aboute fower of the clocke the Lady Iane doughter of the lady Frances the Duchesse of Suffolke whyche Lady Iane was maryed vnto the Lord Gyiford Dudley the fourthe sonne vnto the Duke of Northumberland was conueyed by water to the tower of London and betwene .vii. and .viii. of the clocke in the euening proclamation was made throughout the citie whereby was declared by sondry circumstāces that king Edwarde beyng deceased by his wylle had assigned the sayde lady Iane to bee quene and therevppon so proclaymed Quene of England Thys matter was very greuouslye taken of the commom people and a greate numbre of gentilmen for the loue they bare to Lady Mary and the ryghte of her title At thys tyme the state of this realme might wel seme moste myserable wherin the nobilitie and counsell on the one parte and the gentlemen and commons of the other appered to be fully bent to mayntayne two contrary titles For when it was heard that the lady Mary was fled to Framingham castell in Suffolk the people of the countrey almoste wholly resorted vnto her and in Oxenforde syr Iohn Williams in Buckinghamshire syr Edmunde Peckham and in dyuers other places many men of worshyp offryng them selues as guides to the common people gathered greate powers and with all spede made towarde Suffolke where ladye Mary was In thys meane tyme the .xiii. day of Iuly by appointment of the counsell the Duke of Northumberland the Erle of Huntingdon the lorde Grey of Wilton and dyuers other with a great numbre of men of armes went to fetche her by force and was on their way as farre as Bury but not long after the counsell partly moued with the right of her cause partly consideryng that the moste of the realme was wholly bent on her syde changed theyr myndes and assembled them selues at Baynardes castell and there commoned with the erle of Pembroke and immediatly came into Cheapeside with the kyng of heraldes where they proclaimed the lady Mary doughter to kyng Henry the .viii. and quene Katherine quene of Englande France and Irelande defendor of the faithe c. the xix day of Iuly kepyng as prisoners in the tower lady Iane lately proclaimed and Lorde Gylford her husband When this was heard in the dukes campe many of his souldiours forsoke hym and be returnynge to Cambridge proclaimed the Ladye Marye Quene and on the twenty day at nyght beyng apprehended of the garde he with other was brought to the Tower of London the fyue and twentye daye of Iuly Thus was the matter ended wythout bloudshedde whyche menne seared woulde haue brought the deathe of many thousandes Queene Mary Anno Regni 1. MArye the eldest daughter of king Henry the .viii. began her reigne ouer thys realme of England the vi day of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord .1553 deceased in the yere of our Lorde .1558 the .17 day of Nouember so she reigned .v. yeares .v. moneths .xi. days she was proclaimed Quene at London the .xix. day of Iuly and the .xx. day at the castel of Framingham and afterwarde beynge accompanied with a goodly bande of noble men gentylmen and commoners gathered out of all partes of the realme came to London and entred the tower the .iii. day of August In her fathers tyme and brothers tyme dyuers noble men byshops and other were caste into the tower somme for treason layde to their charge as the Duke of Norffolke and the Lord Courtney sonne to the Marques of Excester some for mainteinyng the Popes supremacie as D. Lonstall byshop of Durham and other whiche continued there prisoners at the Quenes commyng to the tower to all these and many other she graunted pardon and restored them to theyr former dignities Lykewise dyd she vnto doctour Gardener bishop of Winchester whom she dyd not only sette at libertie but also made hym hygh chauncellour of Englande For the greate fauour that she shewed to the lord Courtney whom she made Erle of Deuonshyre many men were in opinion that she purposed to haue maryed hym but in the end it proued otherwyse As all sortes of men almoste dyd reioyce that Quene Mary had recouered the crowne so many notwithstandyng muche feared alteration of religion by her For manyfest signification therof was geuen
Robert Curthois duke of Normandy layd his dukedome to pawne to his brother Wyllyam of Englande for tenne thousand poundes This .vi. yeare as saith Guido Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester sente to Normandye for Anceime to buylde an abbey at Chester whyche he after buylded and then was made archebyshop of Canterburye and after was exiled by William Ruffus Anno. 7. Malcolyne kynge of Scottes for displeasure taken with the vnkyndnesse of William Ruffus inuaded the marches of Englande and in Northumberlande was slayne with his eldest soonne Edward by Robert Monbray which was erle of that prouince This yere was so great a pestilence that many men laye vnburied Anno. 8. Englande and Normandy were greued with exactions and murreyn of meÌ„ so sharply that tillage of the earth was layde asyde for .x. yeare wherby ensued great hunger and scarsitie the yeres folowyng And many strange vncouthe syghtes were sene as hostes of menne syghtynge in the skie fyery flames and suche other Anno. 10. The .x. yere was sene a blasyng sterre of great brightnes Anno. 11. About this tyme Wyllyam Ruffus buylded Westmynster Hall who mysliking the same for that it was to smal was determined to make a bygger and that it should serue for a chaumber Althogh WilliaÌ„ Ruffus builded Westminster Hall yet was it sens that tyme fynished or repaired by Richard the seconde who gaue the .iii. lyons with the flower de luce quarterly and the white hart for his cognisaÌ„ce he was the first that gaue the white hart Anno. 12. The .xii. yere the ryuer of Thames rose so hye that it drowned many townes in England In England at a towne called Fynchauster in Barkeshire a well cast out blood as before it had done water and after by the space of .xv. days great flames of fyre were sene in the element Anno. 13. Wylliam Ruffus being at his disport of huntynge by glaunsyng of an arrow that Walter Tyrell a frenche knyghte dyd shoote was wouÌ„ded to death in the newe forest in Hampshire on a Lammas day and buried at Wynchester Iohn Hardyng writeth that William Rufus to enlarge the same forest ouerturned .iiii. abbeyes .xvii. paryshe churches and all the towne to theÌ„ beloÌ„gyng King Henry the first called Beauclerke Anno Reg .1 HEnry the brother of Wylliam Ruffus and the first of that name for his lernyng called Beauclerk began hys dominion ouer this realme of England the fyrst day of August in the yeare of our Lord .1100 and reigned xxxv yeres .iiii. monethes and one day This Henry was a noble prince stronge aud myghty of body of hyghe stature blacke heared and had greate eyes a comely visage and a plesant and amiable countenance He greatly abhorred excesse of meates and drynkes In thre thynges he was excellent in witte eloquence and good fortune in battayle And for these there reigned in him thre notable vices couetousnes cruelty and lust of the body but yet he was not soo geuen to these vices but that he farre exceded in vertue At the beginnyng of his reigne hee restored the state of the clergie aswaged the greuous paymentes reduced agayn saint Edwardes lawes and amended them Anno. 2. Ranulphe byshop of Durham procured Robert Curthoise duke of Normandie which was now returned from Ierusalem to warre vppon his brother Henry for the crowne of England who assembled a strong armie and landed at Portismouth But by mediation peace was made on this condition that Henry should paye three thousande markes yerely to duke Robert Anno. 3. In this thirde yere of kynge Henry as sayth Fabian the churche and hospitall of saint Bartholomew in Smithfield was begun to be founded by a minstrell of the kynges named Rayer And after finished by good and wel disposed citisens of the citie of London and especially by Rychard Whittington Thys place of Smythfield was at that daye a laystowe of all ordure to fylthe and the place where felons and other transgressours of the kynges lawes were put to execution Anno. 4. Robert Duke of Normandye commynge into Englande by the entreatie of kynge Henry and his wyfe released to hym the tribute of three thousande markes Anno. 5. But it was not long ere that by meanes of yl reports great malice was kyndeled betwene the two brethren And shortly thervpon deadly warre sprang In the end wherof Robert was taken and kept in perpetual prison in Cardiff by his brother who immediatly seysed the duchye of Normandy and held it in hys possession Syr Robert le FitzhaÌ„ builded Teukesbury and there was buried Anno. 6. Robert Earle of Shrewsburye and Wyllyam of Cornewalle rebelled agaynst kyng Henry and were taken and condempned to perpetuall imprysonment Kyng Henry ordeined strayte lawes agaynst theues and other that vsed vnlaufull takyng of mens goodes in whiche was conteyned the losse of lyfe of eyes of stones and other membres of the parties transgressors accordyng as qualitie of the fact required Anno. 7. In England appered a blasing sterre betwene the south and the west and agaynst that in the east appered a greate beame as it were stretchyng towarde the sterre and shortly after were seene two moones the one in the Easte and thother in the weste Anno. 8. A certayne byshop of Fluentyne about this tyme taught that Antichriste was come beyng moued with the wonderfull straunge syghtes whiche were sene in those dayes Anno. 9. Henry the Emperor desyred to wife Maude the eldeste doughter of kyngâ— Henry of England beyng then but .v. yeares of age nor able to be maried Anno. 10. In the .10 yeare of his reygne the kyng maried Robert his bastard sonne to Mabel doughter and heire of Robert Fitzham and made hym the fyrst earle of Gloucester who after buylded the strong castell of Brystow And the priorie of saint Iames in the nor the syde of the same citie where his body was buryed And his sonne Erle William began the abbay of Euishame Debate fel betwene the kyng of Englande and Lewes of France for the castell of Gysours and homage whiche the sayd Lewes required to be done for the duchy of Normandie Anno. 13. At Shrewsbury in Englande was a greate earthe quake and the ryuer of Trent was so dryed that the space of one daye men went ouer dryâ—hoed And this yere the kyng buylded the abbay of Hyde without the walles of winchester that of olde tyme was wythin the walles A blasyng sterre appered sonne after and thervpon folowed a harde winter deathe of men scarsitie of victuals and morayne of beastes Anno. 15. Kyng Henry of Englande subdued the Welshmen whiche oftentymes rebelled and made them sweare to hym fealtie and allegeaunce and to delyuer pledges for the more certayn confirmation and suretie therof He also gaue hys doughter in mariage to the Emperour with great dower and made William his sonne Duke of Normandye