Oxford where his Sister had then fixed her Residence without success She by her Brothers Relation finding the Legat had no kindness for or inclination to her Cause marched to [5.] Ib. n 30 40 50. Cont. of Flor. ut sup She marcheth with an Army to Winchester Ego me parabo The principal Adherents to the Empress The Bishop of Winchester and Legat sends for the Londoners Winchester blocked up and fired Winchester with such an Army as she could get together and was without difficulty received into the Royal Castle there and sent for the Bishop to come to her without delay He thinking it not safe eluded the Messengers with an ambiguous Answer That he would prepare himself And immediately sent for all he knew favoured King Stephen Most of the Earls of England came to him who were young light Men such as the King advanced With the Empress were David King of Scots Robert Earl of Gloucester Milo then of Hereford and a few Barons Ranulph Earl of Chester came slowly towards her and to no purpose as it appeared in the Issue The Legat had likewise sent to the Londoners who came in great numbers and by their assistance the City was blocked up all Passages to it being so guarded that Victuals and Necessaries could not be brought into it without difficulty and danger While they were thus streightned without Fire was thrown from the Bishops Tower upon the Citizens Houses because they were more inclined to the Empress than to him This Fire took hold of a Nunnery within the City and burnt it down and of the Abby called Hide without the City and burnt that down William of Ipre burnt also the Nunnery of Warwell which was six Miles from Winchester The City being thus as it were besieged [6.] Malmsb. f. 108. a. n. 10 20 30. Earl Robert sends the Empress from Winchester He is taken Prisoner the Earl prepared for their departure and sent his Sister before with the greatest part of the Army and best Troops Marching in great order he followed some time after with a few but such as feared not many The Earls immediately follow him and while he thought it a dishonour to â—ly he was set upon by all of them and taken The rest the Noblemen especially with great speed kept on their Journey and escaped to the Castle of Devises So they left Winchester on the day of the Exaltation of Holy Cross Septemb. 14. having come thither some few days before the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin August 15. His firmness to his Sisters Cause The Earl was sent Prisoner to Rochester and attaqued both by large Promises Persuasion and Threats to leave his Sisters Cause but nothing * Malmsb. f. 109. a. b. The King and Earl exchanged upon equal Terms could prevail with him to desert her At last the King and he were Released and Exchanged upon even Terms and left to pursue their several Interests Several Propositions for both their Liberties had been made and discoursed of from the day the Earl was taken until All-Saints at which time the Exchange was agreed to on both sides After they were free the King came to Winchester and the Earl went to his Sister at Oxford the place of her constant Residence The Legat proceeds in his Design to ruine the Empress Anno Domini 1142 or 1143. and by his Legantine Power [7.] Ibid. f. 108. a. n. 30. The Legats Design to ruine the Empress calls a Council to meet eight days after St. Andrew at Westminster The Popes Letters to him are openly read in which he is blamed that he did not more strenuously endeavour to release his Brother and exhorted to use all Power both Ecclesiastical and Secular to do it The King [8.] Ibidem n. 40 50. King Stephen makes his Complaints in that Council The Legat gives his Reasons why he received the Empress came into the Council and complained that his Vassals or Feudataries to whom he had never denied Justice had imprisoned and reproachfully used him to his great Affliction The Legat by his Rhetoric endeavours to free his Invidious Actions from Censure pretending he received the Empress by Compulsion and Necessity not with Favour or good Will for presently after the Kings Army was routed when the Lords either fled or expected what would be the event of things she with her Assistants came to Winchester and what Bargain she made there or Promises to preserve the Rights of the Church she obstinately broke them all Besides he said That she and her Friends had contrived not only to deprive him of his Dignity but his Life but God in his Mercy had beyond her hope so ordered things He Deposeth the Empress as far as he can King Stephen's Title He Excommunicates all Favourers of the Empress that he escaped Destruction and his Brother was freed from his Bonds and therefore Commanded them on the behalf of God and the Pope that they should aid the King with their utmost Power who was Anointed by the Will of the People and Assent of the Apostolick See and to Excommunicate all Perturbers of the Peace that favoured the Dutchess of Anjou The Historian says he was not present in this Council and therefore [9.] Ibidem lin 37. could not say so exactly what was done in it as in the former but he thought the Legats words [1.] Ibid. b. lin 1. c. The Legats Speech in that Council not received by all though by silence allowed The Empress defended by a Laick were not grateful to all the Clergy yet none contradicted and all for fear or Reverence kept silent only one Lay-Messenger from the Empress forbad the Legat to act any thing in that Council contrary to her Honour by the Faith he had engaged to her That he had given his Faith to the Empress not to assist his Brother That she came into England by his invitation That she had taken the King and kept him Prisoner was by his Connivance This the Messenger said and much more with great Briskness but could not move the Legat to Anger or to make Answer From the time of this Council until [2.] Ibidem f. 109. b. n. 10 20 30. An. Do. 1143. The Empress holds a Council at Devises Lent both Parties were quiet but then the King began to move and the Empress likewise and came to the Devises and held a Council there in which it was Resolved she should send for her Husband the Duke of Anjou She is advised to send to the Duke of Anjou her Husband Messengers go for him to help her to recover the Inheritance of her and her Children which Resolution was forthwith spread among the People and Honourable Persons sent for him About Easter the King fell sick at Northampton and so continued until after Whitsunday The Messengers return from Anjou and deliver what they brought back to the Empress in a second Council holden at the Devises which was
Sea where William Talvace Earl of Sees and his Son John and his Grandchild John the Son of his eldest Son Guido Earl of Pontheu [6.] Chron. Norm f. 1000. C. The Earl of Sees delivers his Castles to King Henry delivered to him the Castles of Alencon and Roc-Mabine with what belonged to them and they lost them for the ill Practises of them and their Predecessors which King Henry abolished From thence he went into Britany with an Army and there [7.] Ibid. D. Joh. Bromton ut supra n. 40. King Henry Marries his Son Geofry to the Daughter of the Duke of Britany And reduceth the Country to his Obedience made a Match between his Son Geofry and Constance Daughter and Heir of Conan Duke of Britan lately dead though neither of them Marriagable where though he found opposition yet he soon reduced his Enemies and the Country to obedience he besieged the Castle of Fougeres in the Confines of Normandy and Britany took and rased it to the ground At Touars he received the Homage of almost all the Barons and from thence he went to Rennes which is the chief City and by that was seised or took possession of the whole Dukedom and because he had neither seen Dol nor Combourgh he visited them in the way to his Devotions at Mont-St Michael At Christmass King Henry was at [8.] Chron. Noâ—man f. 1101. A. King Henry marcheth into Avergn and asserts the Title of the Disinherited Earl Poictiers where his Son Henry came to him from England In Lent he had a Conference with the Earl of St. Giles at Grammont After Easter he marcheth with his Army into Avergn and wasted the Lands of Earl William who engaged upon his Faith to stand to Justice in the presence of the King in relation to his Nephew the young Earl of Avergn whom he had disinherited but he broke his Faith went over to the King of France and made Discord between them On Trinity [9.] Ibid B. An. Do 1166. A Treaty of Peace between the two Kings without effect They burn each others Towns and Villages Sunday the two Kings met in Veuxin where they Treated of Peace but the great Men of France exasperated their King against King Henry and so nothing was then done whereupon both sides fortified their Castles and brought together what Forces they could The King of France burnt several Villages between Mant and Pacey King Henry provoked by that Action though with great deference to King Lewis saith the Chronicle burnt the Strong and Rich Castle of Chaumont by Gisors which was the King of France his Magazine of Victuals and there also his Money was lodged to carry on the War with very many Villages about it At which the King of France was much moved and burnt Vadum Nigasiâ— that is Gany L'Isle and other Villages in Veuxin belonging to the Abby of St. Owen in Roven he burnt also the good Town of Andeli Sur Sein which belonged to St. Mary and the Arch-Bishop of Roven and wasted some other places appertaining to the Church of Holy Trinity of that City In August there was a [1.] Ibidem C. D. A Truce between the two Kings King Henry subdued Britany Maud the Empress dies Leaves great Treasure to Monasteries and the Poor Gives a great Sum toward the building a Stone Bridge at Roven Truce made and Sworn by both Kings until Easter From hence King Henry went into Britany and brought under his subjection all the Britans and those of St. Pol de Leon for Gaimar Son of Henry Viscount of that Town gave Pledges and submitted to the King being much affrighted when he saw his very strong Castle taken and burnt and other places either taken or rendred While he was thus busied in Britany a Messenger came to him with the News of his Mother Maud the Empresses death She died the Tenth of September at Roven and was buried at the Abby of Bec. Thesauros infinitos c. Her Son distributed her vast Treasure to Churches Monasteries Lepers and other Poor for the health of her Soul She built three Monasteries in Normandy and gave a great Sum of Money toward building the Stone Bridge at Roven which she had begun The greatest part of the [2.] Ibidem f. 1002. Anno Dom. 1167. The Poictovins and Anjovins Conspire against King Henry He burns and wastes their Country They apply themselves to the King of France Poictovins and Aquitans Conspired against King Henry and wasted the Country with Burning and Rapine he marcheth into their Country destroys their Towns and Villages takes their Castles and puts Garisons into them of his own Soldiers and leaves those Countries to the Care of his Queen and Patrick Earl of Salisbury while he goes to meet the King of France eight days after Easter between Mant and Pacey to Discourse and Expostulate with him about the Injuries he had received from him for the Poictovins had applied themselves to the King of France and put themselves under his Protection and given him Pledges for their Fidelity to him notwithstanding they were King Henry's proper Subjects There was great Debate between the two Kings about this Matter The Truce continued but the King of France would not deliver his Hostages though received against Justice and therefore the Truce was only prolonged until eight days after Midsummer Before the last [3.] Ibidem C. D. The Britans Confederate against the King of England Truce was made the King of England had Summoned Eudo Vicecomes or Viscount of Porhoet who by a false Title was called Earl he had received many kindnesses from the King yet refused to come to his Service and Assistance having Confederated with other Britans to wit Oliver Fitz-Oliver of Dinan and his Cousin Rowland King Henry was very angry with them and began first with Eudo who was the Chief he took his chief Castle He reduceth them by Fire and Sword and burnt and wasted all his Territories he took from him the County of Broguerec whereof the City of Vannes was the Head and took possession of that also After this he marched to Dinan and took that and all the Fortresses in the Country about it into his possession Then he went to the Lands of Rowland and plundered and burnt them Eight [4.] Ibid. D. An unsuccessful Treaty days after Midsummer the two Kings came together again at Ferte-Bernard a Castle in Main near the edge of Perch to Treat of Peace and as before departed without success for the Britrins and Poictovins when they gave Hostages to the King of France he Covenanted with them That he should make no Peace with the King of England without their Consent The two Kings fortifie their Borders Hereupon both sides fortifie their Borders and this sort of skirmishing or fighting continued until Advent King [5.] Ibidem A. B. The Earl of Pontheu denies the Earl of Bologn passage through his Country The Earl of Bologn
That her Husband desired Earl Robert should go over to him He desires the Earl of Gloucester to go to him and that it was in vain to send others All present press him to go he excuseth himself upon the peril of the Journey and the danger might happen to his Sister in his absence They urge him again he is willing upon Condition he might carry with him Hostages or * These Pledges were the Sons or next Kinsmen of the Noblemen and were left with Geofry of Anjou He goes with Pledges c. Pledges as well for the security of the Earl of Anjou as his Sister That they should stay with her at Oxford and with all their force defend her They all assented to him and gave Pledges to be carried into Normandy Robert [3.] Ibidem â— 40. The Duke of Anjou makes Objections against his going for England taking leave of his Sister with his Pledges and a Guard went to Warham in Dorsetshire of which Town and Castle he had made his eldest Son William Governor from thence he set sail presently after Midsummer and landed in an Haven near Caen from whence he sent to the Duke of Anjou to come to him he came and made many Objections against his going into England The chief was That his stay in Normandy was necessary that he might take in many Castles which yet held out against him This indeed was a very weighty Objection at that time for [4.] Ord. vit f. 923. A. B. C. D. Chron. Norm f. 981. A. B. Mat. Westm f. 243. n. 50. Several of the Great Men of Normandy and several Towns and Castles submit to the Earl of Anjou and the Empress hearing of the Victory his Wiâ—e had obtained against King Stephen at Lincoln he went into Normandy and sent to the Noblemen to deliver their Castles to him as of right they ought Rotroc Earl of Mortaign in the County of Perche Hugh Arch-Bishop of Roven John Bishop of Lisieux and many other Bishops Abbats Earls and Barons and Governors of Towns and Castles submitted to the Government and Dominion of Earl Jeffry and Maud the Empress He had been and was then busied in reducing such as would not yield [5.] Malmsb. f. 109. b. n. 50. He sends his eldest Son Henry with his Brother the Earl into England This Objection caused the Earl of Gloucester to stay longer than he intended for that he might not leave him without Excuse he staid and assisted him in the taking of ten Castles yet he had fresh Objections by which he put off his Voyage into England but granted his eldest Son Henry should go with him to animate and encourage those that defend the Cause and Title of the just Heir In the mean time while the Earl was absent the [6.] Ibidem f. 110. a. lin 3. n. 10 20 30.40 King Stephen takes Warham burns Oxford Besiegeth the Empress in the Castle The Noblemen her Favourers Rendezvous at Wallingford to deliver her King suddenly came to Warham and finding it without a Garison plundered it and presently the Castle was delivered to him From hence he marched toward Oxford and three days before Michaelmass came unexpectedly upon the City and burnt it and besieged the Empress who was in the Castle only with her Domestick Servants and prosecuted the Siege so resolutely that he declared he would not leave it for the hope of any Advantage or fear of any Loss before the Castle was taken and the Empress in his power The Noblemen who undertook to defend her were confounded that they had been absent beyond their time came with a great Force to Walingford with intention to sight the King if he would come forth into the open Field but as he was lodged in the Town it was concluded they could not attack him the Earl of Gloucester had so strongly fortified it and made it Inexpugnable but by Fire The Earl comes out of Normandy Takes Warham Who hearing of this Siege in Normandy hastned his return He brought over with him in fifty two Ships three hundred Men at Arms and somewhat more They came to Warham and presently made themselves Masters of the Haven and Town and besieged the Castle which was defended by choice Soldiers the King had placed in it but after it had been battered a while with the Earls Engines and the Men wearied and affrighted they desired a Truce which was the Custom of those times while they sent to the King to desire Aid which if they received not by the day appointed they would deliver the Castle This was granted with hopes it might draw the King from his Siege of the Empress but the King would not stir The Isle of Portland and Lulworth Castle delivered to him whereof the Defendents having notice the Earl had at the same time this Castle and the Island of Portland delivered to him and a third place called Lullewerden now Lulworth Castle in Dorsetshire From thence he marched toward [7.] Ibidem n. 40 50. Cyrencester in Gloucestershire and gave Order that all such as were Friends to the Empress should meet him there in the beginning of Advent that they might march on to Oxford fight the King and Relieve their Mistress the Empress The Empress escapes from Oxford But in their way they met a joyful Messenger that informed them she was escaped out of the Castle and safe at Walingford They went thither and by her Advice and common Consent by reason of the approaching Holidays which admonished them to quiet and to abstain from War they returned to their places of Abode The manner of her Escape The manner of her Escape the Historian would have added if he had certainly known it He says it was sufficiently evident that for fear of the Earls coming many of the Besiegers slipt away from Oxford those that staid kept very loose Guards and remiss Watches which being [8.] Ibidem b. lin 1. observed by them in the Castle she with only four Soldiers Men at Arms or Knights went out at the Postern Gate and passed the River and went on foot to Abington and from thence on Horseback to Walingford After her departure King Stephen received the Castle upon Terms the Defendents went whither they would without disturbance Most Authors and some of the best Credit Report That it was at that time a great Frost and Snow and that she Clad her self in White and by that means escaped undiscovered Thus far William of Malmsbury and no further who wrote the things which happened in England between Maud the Empress and King Stephen at the particular [9.] Ibidem f. 98. b. n. 30 40. Request of Robert Earl of Gloucester Who not long after being informed that the King intended to make a Garison of the [1.] Gervas Dorob Col. 358. n. 50 60. Hen. Hun. f. 225. a. n. 20. King Stephen forced from Wilton Nunnery at Wilton to prevent the Excursions of those in
Comitis Radulfi Ralph's Father was Walter de Mâ—dunta now Mant in or near Normandy who Married Goda King Edwards Sister and was a Norman or Frenchman This John Fitz-Harold had the Seat of his Barony at Ludley Castle in Gloucestershire from whence he was sometimes called John de Ludleagh John Fitz-Harold who had deserted the King and gone over to the Earl There he stayed two days Sis Soldiers Rapine and rendred Evil for Evil bringing many Men with their Goods and live Cattle to Worcester Not long after the King came from Oxford to Worcester with a great Army and saw what had been reported concerning the destruction of it From thence he went to Oxford again and from thence to Salisbury where he kept his Christmass After that Solemnity he came to [4.] Ibidem f. 674. An. Dom. 1140. Reding and there lay a while and Recruited his Army and marched toward the Isle of Ely the Bishop whereof he always suspected there he found some Resistance but the Bishop seeing he could not defend it against the force of the Army fled to Gloucester to the Earl The Isle of Ely taken by King Stephen The King placed a Garison in the Isle and returned to Worcester with the Earl thereof and a very great Army with which he went to reduce Hereford In the mean while he remained before that place * See all these Practises affirmed by William of Malmsbury f. 105. a. n. 10 20. The Earl of Worcesters further Revenge he burns Tewksbury and returns to Worcester with great Spoils the Earl mindful of the Injuries his Citizens had received with a great Multitude of Armed Men set upon Tewksbury and burnt the Magnificent House of Robert Earl of Gloucester and all things round about with the Houses of others and their Goods within a Mile of that City He spared only the Goods of the Church of Tewksbury being overcome with the importunity of the Abbat and Friers The Spoils taken were great as well of Men as of Goods and Beasts but after a while such as were led Captive were unbound and had liberty to go home The Earl the next day when he returned to Worcester protested to all Men That he neither in Normandy or England had burnt more Places and Houses at one time This was the way in Normandy and from thence brought hither This way of Burning and Rapine brought out of Normandy The manner how the Normans executed their private Revenges one upon another If any Earl or great Man found himself aggrieved by another injur'd or highly affronted they frequently got together all their Men at Arms or Knights that held of them their other Tenents and poor Dependents and as much Assistance from their Friends and Confederates as they could and burnt one anothers Castles or Houses destroyed their Lands and small Territories and carried away the Inhabitants Prisoners These were private Hostilities and Revenges between Man and Man but if there was a Title in the Case and siding one for one Pretender another for another they invaded one another after this manner with more assurance and confidence under the Notion of a Publick War and asserting the Right of that side they struck in withall and were almost constantly encouraged rather than checked by the Pretender The Norman Histories abound with these Stories See Ordericus Vitalis in the Lives of Rufus Henry the First and this King Stephen especially wherein these inhumane Ravages were as frequent and more barbarous than in England for many years until Geofry Duke of Anjou obtained Normandy which was the Inheritance of his Wife Maud the Empress as well as the Crown of England The Readers may wonder what they did with their Prisoners and Captives This Author The Continuer of Flor. of Worcester [7.] F. 672. will resolve them The Soldiers sold their Prisoners and put them to Ransom Militibus in stipendium dantur venduntur vicorum villarum Cultores atque habitatores cum rebus suis universis ac substantiis Such as Manured and Cultivated Towns and Villages and the Inhabitants thereof were given to the Soldiers as their Wages and were sold with their Goods and Substance In this Kings Reign there were in England [8.] Camden Britan. f. 199 200. so many Tyrants as there were Lords of Castles every one pretending to Coyn Money and to exercise the Rights of Majesty The King had with him very many Flemmings and Britains who were accustomed to live by Plundring that came to England in expectation of great Booty Presently after [9.] Malmsb. f. 105. b. n. 10 20. A Treaty of Peace propounded by the Legat. Whitsunday this year by the Mediation of the Legat there was a Treaty of Peace in a Plain near Bath The Commissioners for the Empress were Robert Earl of Gloucester and others for the King his Brother the Legat the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Theobald and the Queen The Empress was inclinable to Peace but the King by the Advise of those about him averse to it so as this Treaty soon ended without effect [1.] Ibidem It ended without success Toward the later end of September the Legat went over into France to Confer with the King and Theobald Earl of Blois King Stephens elder Brother about the Differences in England and how they might be Composed Proposals offered to them by the Legat the Empress accepts the King refuseth them He returned about the end of November and brought with him such Proposals for Peace as the Empress and Earl assented to but the King delayed his Answer from day to day and at last refused them In the [2.] Ord. Vit. f. 921. A. B. year 1141. according to [3.] F. 105. a. n. 30. An. Do. 1141 1142. Lincoln Castle surprized by the Earl of Chester Malmsbury 1142. Ranulph Earl of Chester who had Married the Daughter of Earl Robert and his Brother by the Mother William de Rolmara or Raumara surprized the Castle of Lincoln The Citizens who much favoured the King sent to let him know that both the Earls were very secure in the Castle and thought not of his coming that they might easily be taken and that they would assist him in taking of them The King besieged it The King makes haste and invests the Castle in Christmass-Holidays The Citizens hearing of his coming seized seventeen Men at Arms that were out of the Castle in the City and made them Prisoners The Earl of Chester makes his escape and sollicites Assistance from the Empress and Earl of Gloucester The Earl of Chester in the Night gets out of the Castle goes into his own Country to raise Friends there and Welsh He further applied himself to his Father in Law being very sollicitous for the safety of his Brother and both their Wives which he left in the Castle and to the Empress promising her all future fidelity and begged their Assistance The Earl of [4.] Ord. Vit. f.
commanded his Feet should be cut off if he was a Clerc then to lose his Eyes and Genitals if a Laic to be hanged if a Leper to be burnt And if any Bishop fearing such interdict would depart the Nation he should carry nothing with him but his Staffe He willed also that all Scholars should return into England or they should be deprived of their Benefices and such as staid should never return The Priests that would not chant or sing Masse he ordered to be Gelt and all such as were Rebels to him were to lose their Fees or livelyhoods He also sent his [4] Append. n. 47. The King Commands the Sheriffs to imprison all such as Appealed to the Pope c. and to seize the Rents and Possessions of the Arch-Bishop Writs to all the Sheriffs in England That they should imprison all such as Appealed to Rome until his Pleasure was Known That they should seize all the Rents and Possessions of the Arch-Bishop as Ralph de Brocke and his other Ministers should direct That they should take security for the good behaviour of the Fathers Mothers Sisters Brothers Nephews and Nieces of all such Clercs as were with the Arch-Bishop and also that their goods should be forth-coming until his pleasure was Known When he [5] Hoved. f. 286. b. N. 10. A. D. 1166. He Banished all his Relations returned out of Normandy into England in the year 1166. he Banished out of England and all his Dominions all Men and Women that he could find which were akin to the Arch-Bishop and spared not the Children sucking their Mothers Breasts and he had not been two years in the Abby of Pontigny in the confines of Champaign and Burgundy with Warin and his Monks to whom Pope Alexander had recommended him [6] Ib. N. 20. And forced him to leave the Monastery of Pontigny But King Henry sent to the Abbat That if he sheltered any longer the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury in his Monastery he would Banish all the Monks of his * They were Cistertians From whence he goes to the Abby of St. Columb Order out of England The Arch-Bishop being told of this Message of his own accord left the place lest for his sake so many Religious houses might perish And from thence he went to the King of France who received him very kindly and sent him to the Abby of St. Columb near the City of Sens. Pope Alexander writes to [7] Hoveden ut supra n. 30. c. The Pope writes to King Hen. in behalf of Thomas And tells hiâ— of the difference of the Secular and Ecclesiastic power and rights And advises him not to confound them King Henry in favor of the Cause of Thomas the Arch-Bishop and tells him that as the Seculars were Distinguished in Life and Habit from Clercs so their Courts were quite Different That therefore he had perverted them by an indecent order and usurped those things which belong to Christ by making new Laws according to his own Will to the oppression of the Church and poor of Christ and so Exhorts him to permit every one to have his own Right and to leave Ecclesiastical matters and especially such as were Criminal about breach of Faith or Oath de laesione fidei aut Juramenti The Causes also which concern the things and possessions of Churches to be discussed by Ecclesiastic persons because it neither was Expedient nor became him to confound the Secular and Ecclesiastic government Regnum Sacerdotium confundere non adeo Serenitatem tuam Deceret nec etiam expediret He also wrote to [8] Append. N. 48. Gilbert Bishop of London to perswade the King to be kind to the Church and Receive the Arch-Bishop into favour The Bishop of [9] Ibidem N. 49. He writes also to the Bishop of London to incline the Kings affection to Thomas and the Church The Kings sober and complying answer to his proposals London takes to his assistance Richard Bishop of Hereford they both urge the King according to their instructions given them by the Pope in this and other Epistles who they tell him received his Correptions very thankfully and with great temper of mind answered every thing very modestly First That he had no aversion to him nor ever thought of any such thing That while he shew him his Paternal grace and favour The King would Love him as his Father and honor and cherish the Roman Church as his Mother and humbly obey his holy Commands saving his own and the Dignity of his Kingdom That if at any time he had been Deficient in his Reverence toward him it was because when he had in his necessity with his whole heart mind and strength espoused his Cause yet afterwards he being in great straights his Holiness failed him and to every Petition gave him a Repulse He said he will hinder no man from visiting your Holiness nor as yet hath he done it In Appeals according to the ancient Constitution of his Kingdom he affirms that no Clerc ought for a Civil Cause ob Civilem Causam to go out of his Kingdom before he had by his Authority and precept tryed whether he could obtein his right or not if he cannot any one might and shall Appeal to you In which if he did any ways prejudice your right or honor he would amend it by advice of the Church of his own Kingdom He asserts he never Expelled the Arch-Bishop out of his Kingdom and as he went of his own accord so he may freely return again to his Church when he please On Condition he observe his Royal Dignities which he Swore to observe though now he calls them wicked and unjust and if any Church or Ecclesiastical person can shew himself grieved by him or any of his he is ready to make Satisfaction according to the Judgment of the whole Church These they say were the [1] Ibidem Kings Answers and beseech his sublimity to consider what Issue this Affair is like to have when as the King seems much to justifie himself in that he submits in all things to the Counsel and judgment of the Church of his Kingdom And the Arch-Bishop may Return upon the Condition before Expressed And do supplicate his * Excellentiae vestrae supplicandum aestimavimus Excellency to act Mildly and not to pronounce sentenâ—e of Interdict or Excommunication against him lest he should force the King and with him much people and innumerable Churches from his Obedience The Arch-Bishops Suffragans or the Bishops of his Province [2] Append. N. 50. The Bishops of the Province of Canturbury write to the Arch-Bishop in behalf of the King they excuse him and exhort Thomas to a compliance wrote to him They did hope that those things which by his unexpected Departure and by the newness of the thing it self had been put into Confusion might by his humility and prudence with Cooperating Grace have been reduced into their former peaceable Condition And it
to keep them to the Kings Vse [7] Ibid. f. 444. a. n. 40. A. D. 1198. The other by Geofrey Fitz-Peter to the assistance of William de Bruosa an English Baron whom Wenhunwin son of Cadwalan had Besieged in Maud Castle where above 3000 welch were in fight and slight Much Money was Raised by Seizures Fines and Compositions and the Sale of his Demeasnes His Issue By the Procurement of his [8] Ibid. fol. 392. a. n. 10. Mother Alienor he Married Berengaria Daughter of Sanctius King of Navarre in the Isle of Cyprus [9] Ibid. f. 394. a. n. 10. A. D. 1190. on the 12th of May and there was Consecrated and Crowned Queen of England by Iohn Bishop of Eureux with other Forreign Bishops his assistants but by her he had no Issue She was with him in the Holy Land and came as far as Sicily in her passage to England But afterwards we hear not of her until the third of King Iohn when he compounded with her for her Dower Philip he had a Base Son as Hoveden [1] f. 452. b. n. 30. affirms to whom he gave the Castle and Honor of Cuinat but of whom begotten or when and where born he saith not Philippus filius Richardi Regis Angliae Nothus cui praedictus Rex pater suus dederat Castellum Honorem de Cuinac c. Other Issue of his I find not or what became of this Philip. THE REIGN OF King John AFTER the Death of King Richard [1] Hoved. f. 450. b. n. 10. A. D. 1199. Iohn Earl of * The old Monks never call any one King of England or Duke of Normandy until Crowned or invested for it was their opinion he was not so and that he Received his Kingship c. from his Consecration Unction and Coronation and by that means from the Archbishop as an Instrument and the Church of Rome as the Original of it and all Secular Government Moreton the fourth and youngest Son of King Henry the Second came into Normandy and presently sent Hubert Archbishop of Canturbury and William Marshal Earl of Striguil into England who with Geofrey Fitz-Peter the Justiciary and other Barons were to Keep that Nation in Peace Out of Normandy he went to Chinon in Tourain where was the Treasure of his Brother in the Keeping of Robert de Turnham who delivered it to him with the Castles of Chinon and Saumur and other Castles At the same [2] Ibid. n. 20. The Nobility of Normandy adhere to Arthur Duke of Britany time his Nephew Thomas de Furnes Delivered the City and Castle of Anger 's to Arthur Duke of Britany for in a Convention of the Chief men of Anjou Tourain and Main They acknowledged it to be the right and Custom of their Countries for the Son of the Elder Brother to succeed in the Patrimony due to him and That Arthur ought to possess the Inheritance which his Father Geofrey should have had if he had out-lived his Uncle Richard and therefore owned and adhered to him as their Liege Lord and Delivered to him Anjou Tourain and Main [3] Ibidem Constance the Mother of Arthur brought him to Tours and Delivered him to Philip King of France he sent him to his Son Lewis to be Kept at Paris and seised his Citys Castles and Fortresses and placed in them Castellans and Governors of his own In Revenge [4] Ibidem John Earl of Moreton takes and demolishes Main Iohn Earl of Moreton came to Main took the City and Castle and Demolished the Walls of the City the Castle and all the Stone Houses and made many of the Citizens Prisoners for that they had received Arthur contrary to the Fidelity made to him From thence he went to Roven and on the 25th of April [5] Ibid. n. 30. He is girt with the Sword of Normandy was girt with the Sword of the Dukedom of Normandy by Walter Archbishop of that City And he Swore before the Clergy and Laity coram Clero populo upon the Reliques of Saints and the holy Gospels * This was the Oath of the Dukes of Normandy and if the Conqueror took any it was this and in Substance 't is he same with the Oath of all our Antient Kings That he would preserve from Injury holy Church and the Dignities thereof That he would exercise right Justice Destroy evil Laws and ordain good In the mean time Hubert Archbishop of Canturbury and William Marshal who had been sent into England [6] Ibidem n. 40 50. The Nobility and Free Tenents of England Swear Fealty to him Caused the men of the Kingdom or Government fecerunt homines Regni as well of Cities as Burghs and Earls Barons and free Tenents to swear fealty and peace to Iohn Duke of Normandy the Son of King Henry the Son of Maud the Empress against all men yet all the Bishops Earls and Barons that had Castles provided and furnished them with Men Victuals and Arms. And therefore the Archbishop William Marshal and Geofry Fitz-Peter Justiciary of England met at Northampton and called before them such as they most suspected who were David the King of Scots Brother Richard Earl of Clare Ranulf Earl of Chester William Earl of Tutesbury Walran Earl of Warwic Roger Constable of Chester and William de Mowbray and many other Earls and Barons and there assured them that Duke Iohn would restore to every one their right Upon that * See Exact History of Succession fol. Bargain or Condition sub hac igitur conventione the foresaid Earls and Barons swore Fealty to Iohn Duke of Normandy and faithful Service against all men William King of Scots sent his [7] Ibid. f. 451. a. lin 2. The King of Scots sent Envoys to demand his Patrimony of Duke John But are denyed passage into Normandy Envoys to Duke Iohn to demand his Patrimony That is Northumberland and Cumberland with their Appertinencies and promised then to swear fealty and faithful service to him against all men But the Arch-Bishop William Marshal and Geofrey Fitz-Peter would not suffer them to pass into Normandy and sent to him by his Brother David That he should wait patiently until he came into England The like Message Duke Iohn sent to him by his Son in Law Eustachius de Vesci That in all things he would satisfie his Requests when he came into England if in the mean time he kept the Peace On the 25th of May Duke Iohn [8] Ibid. â— 20. Duke John Landeth in England and is Crowned King Landed at Shoreham in Sussex the next Day went to London and on the 27th of May being Ascension Day was Consecrated and Crowned by Hubert Archbishop of Canturbury at Westminster For the particulars of his Coronation I refer the Reader to the Exact [9] f. 375. B. C. History of the Succession of the Crown The same day King Iohn [1] Hoved. f. 451. a. n. 40. The antient way of Creating Earls and
he had been chosen by the Popes procurement but the execution of these points was delayed until the Octaves of or Eight days after Midsummer after the Treaty King John sent his Mother Alienor to Alfonso King of Castile for his Daughter that was to be married to Lewis An Ayd of 3 â— every Plough-land Son of Philip King of France and in the mean time he passed into England and took of every Plough-land of all England Three shillings for an Ayd Et cepit de unaquaque Carucata totius Angliae tres solidos de auxilio In Lent he went to York expecting the King of Scots would meet him there but he came not and then he returned into Normandy In the mean time [6] Ibidem f. 456. a.n. 30. A. D. 1200. his Mother Alienor had brought her Grandchild and his Niece Blanch as far as Burdeaux The old Queen wearied with the length of the Journey took in at the Abby of Font-Ebrald to refresh her Self Articles of the Treaty between the two Kings executed and the young Lady passed on under the Conduct of the Arch-Bishop of that City into Normandy and was by him delivered to her Uncle King Iohn Eight days after Midsummer as it was appointed the two Kings met and Treated Convenerunt ad Colloquium in which Treaty the King of France delivered to King Iohn the City of Eureux with the Earldom and all the Castles Cities and Lands he had possessed himself of by War in Normandy and the other Dominions of the King of England and King Iohn presently became his Man or did him Homage [7] Ibid. n. 40.50 King John doth Homage to King Philip. Iohannes Rex Angliae statim devenit inde homo Philippi Regis Franciae and forthwith gave all these things to Lewis his Son in Marriage with his Niece who the next day were Married in Normandy by the Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux in the presence of many Bishops and Religious persons and many Earls and Barons of France which was then under the Sentence of Interdict for the Kings Repudâ—tion of Isemburg of Denmark The same day the [8] Ibid. b. l. 1 2 3 4. Duke Arthur doth Homage to King John two Kings were at a Colloquium or Parle at Vernon where Duke Arthur did Homage to his Vncle King Iohn by consent of the King of France for Britany and his other Countreys but was delivered by him to the King of France in custody And that this Peace might remain the more firm the particulars of it were put in writing and it was Agreed that if in any thing The conditions of the Treaty between the two Kings the King of France did violate it then the Barons of France which he assigned his Fide-jussors or Security for the preservation of it and their Men or Homagers were to be free from the Fealty they ought him and were obliged by Oath to go into the service of the King of England to assist him and in like manner the Barons of the King of England that were his Vndertakers and Security obliged themselves to desert him and help the King of France and were freed from their Fealty if he brake it The particulars of this Peace are now of small moment unless that they shew the manner of Estates and way of Living was then the same all France over in Normandy and in England and perhaps in most parts of Europe That part which the King of France executed and remained with the King of England is to be found in Hoveden f. 463. a. n. 10. And that part which the King of England executed and remained with the King of France is to be found in the Norman Writers put out by Dâ— Chesne A. D. 1619. f. 1055. B. This year there happened a famous Tryal about the Title of a Barony which Hoveden hath misplaced A Tryal about the Title of a Barony for it was before the King when he was in England before he returned into Normandy to Marry his Niece and perfect the Treaty which he had begun with the King of France Soon after Christmass as appears by the day and time when it was and for many circumstances and particulars in it may not be unworthy the relating VVilliam de Stutevill [9] Ibid. n. 20 30 40 50. gave King Iohn three thousand Marks of Silver to have a Judgment or determination concerning the Barony of VVilliam de Mowbray which he claimed against him him in the Kings Court. For that Robert Grundebeof the great Grand-father of that VVilliam Stutevill had that Barony from or by the Acquest of England de Adquisitione Angliae But that Robert Grundebeof leaving King Henry Son of VVilliam the Bastard who conquered or subdued England by the Sword Qui Angliam Bâ—llo sibi subjugavit and adhering to Robert Curthose Duke of Normandy claiming the Kingdom of England De Jure paterno by Right from his Father against Henry his younger Brother who was taken prisoner in the Battle between them at Tenerchebray in Normandy and kep in prison to the end of his Life as also was Robert de Grundeveof whose Barony King Henry gave to Nigell de Alvery the great Grandfather of VVilliam de Mowbray This Barony Robert de Stutevill Father of the said William de Stutevâ—ll claimed in the time of Henry the Second against Roger de Mowbray Father of the said William de Mowbray and they came to this agreement That Roger de Mowbray gave to Robert de Stutevill Kirkeby in Moresbevev with their Appertenances for Ten Knights Fees and for the Release of his claim but because this was not confirmed and strengthened in the Kings Court The foresaid William Stutevill renewed the controversy concerning that Barony in the Court of King Iohn And the matter had been long discussed at length by the Counsel of the Kingdom and Will of the King Consilii Regno The determination of the Controversy voluntate Regis Peace and final Concord was made between them in this manner That William de Stutevill renounced his Claim to the Barony and William de Mowbray gave to him for his Homage and renouncing his Right nine Knights Fees and twelve pounds Rent by the year and so releasing all Plaints or Actions on both sides Et sic remissis omnibus Querelis hinc inde they were made friends before King Iohn A. D. 1200. facti sunt amici coram Iohanne Rege Angliae in the Second year of his Reign at Louth in that Division of Lincolnshire called Lindsey on the first Sunday of Septuagesima That is Sunday forthnight before Shrovesundy Presently after the [1] Ibid. f. 457. l. 4. King John Divorced from his Wife Peace before-mentioned was made between the King of France and King Iohn he went with a great Army into Aquitan and found none that resisted him [2] Ibid. n. 10. The same year he was divorced from his Wife Hawis or Avis Daughter to William Earl of Glocester by
published in the Castle of Kenelworth on the 31 of October in the year of Grace 1266 and of the Reign of King Henry 51. This Award had not its desired Effect The Disinherited in the Isle of Ely would not submit for many of the Disinherited that had got into the Isle of Ely as was said before continued there and made Excursions and wasted and plundered the Countries round about and would not submit unto it Hereupon [1] Paris f. 1001. n. 40. Bishops that favoured Simon Montfort excommunicated by the Legat. the Legat called a Council at Northampton and Excommunicated all the Bishops and Clercs which favoured Simon Montfort and gave him Assistance against the King and by name John Bishop of Winchester Walter of Worcester Henry of London and Stephan Bishop of Chichester the Bishop of Worcester dyed Febr. 5 th next following and the other three went to Rome to Beg the Popes Favour At the same time also he Excommunicated all the Kings Adversaries whatsoever After that he sent [2] Ibid. â— 1003. n. 30 40 50 and f. 1004. lin 1. The Disinherited in the Isle of Ely admonished by the Legat. Their Answeâ— to him Messengers to the Disinherited in the Isle of Ely and admonâ—shed them to return to the Faith and Vnity of the holy Mother Church To this they answered They firmly held the same Faith they learned from the holy Bishops Saint Robert that is Grostest or Grouâ—head of Lincoln St. Edmund and St. Richard both Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and other Catholic men That they believed the Articles of Faith conteined in the Creed the Gospels also and Sacraments which the Vniversal Church held and believed they did Believe and in that Faith would live and die Secondly He admonished them to return to the Obedience of the Roman Court Romanae Curiae To this they Answer They did Obey the Roman Church as the Head of all Christianity but not the Lust Covetousness and Exactions of those that ought to Govern it Thirdly He admonished them to return to the Kings Peace according to the late Award To this they Answer First That the Legat was sent into England to make Peace but he rather kept up the War because he manifestly joyned with the Kings party and incouraged it and in so doing maintained the War Secondly they Answer The Award was void for that the Pope commanded the King and Legat that none should be Disinherited and they had such a Fine set upon them as it amounted to a Disinheriting Fourthly He admonished them to receive Absolution from the sentence of Excommunication pronounced against them according to the Form of the Church To this they Answer Their first Oath that was to maintain Oxford provisions was for the Advantage of the Kingdom and the whole Church and all the Prelates of the Kingdom thundered out the Sentence of Excommunication against all those that should act contrary thereto that they resolved to stand to that Oath and were ready to Die for it and Exhort the Legat to revoke his Sentence otherwise they would Appeal to the Apostolic See or to a General Council or the Supreme Judge Fifthly He admonished them not to commit any more Roberies nor damnifie any one To this they answered That when as they fought for the Benefit of the Kingdom and Church they ought to live upon the Goods of their Enemies which deteined their Lands From Answering they proceed to [*] Ibid. n. 10 20. They urge the Legat to admonish the King Their insolent Demands urge the Legat to admonish the King to remove Strangers from his Council and they themselves admonish the Legat that their Lands may be Restored without Composition that Oxford provisions might be observed that they might have Pledges or Hostages sent them into the Isle for Security that they might peaceably injoy it for five years until they saw how the King would keep his promises and then make the same Complaints that Montfort and the Barons made many years before and enumerated the common pretended Grievances of men of their temper and desire they might be Redressed A. D. 1267. 51 Hen. 3. Toward the Spring the King was in extreme want of Money and the Legat being in the Tower of London he wrote to him from Cambridge to receive all the [3] Pat. 51 Hen. 3. m. 24. Dorâ— The King forced to pawn his Jewels for money Jewels and other precious things he had there and in the Abby of Westminster and to pawn for as much as he could and caused those that had them in their Custody to deliver them to him and in the same Letter wrote to him that concerning the State and Liberties of the City of London he would do what was expedient in instanti Parliamento apud Sanctum Edmumdum in the Parlement forthwith to be holden at St. Edmunds Bury This Letter is Dated March the 8th Teste Rege apud Cantebrigiam Some or it may be all the Transactions of this Parlement the [4] f. 1002. n. 30 40 50. Continuer of Mat. Paris relates thus though somewhat preposterously which is a frequent fault in their Historians The King caused to be summoned the Earls Barons Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbats all that ought him Military Service A Parlement called at St. Edmund Bury to meet at St. Edmunds Bury with their Horse and Arms to go against those which against his Peace had seised the Isle of Ely All others obeyed the Kings Command but the Earl of Glocester who was in the Confines of Wales raising a great Army and did not come John Waren and William de Valentia were sent to admonish him to come ad illum Parliamentum to that Parlement but could not prevail They could only obtein his Letters Patents sealed with his Seal literas patentes sigillo suo signatas acceperunt in which he promised never to bear Arms against his Lord the King nor his Son Edward unless in his own Defence When those that were summoned to the Parlement met Abadunatis Qui ad Parliamentum citati fuerant except those in Rebellion The King and the Legat required their compliance with these Articles First That the Prelates and Rectors of Churches What demands were made by the King and Legat and the Answer to them should grant them sibi conciderent the Tenths of their Churches for three years next to come and for the year last past as they gave the [5] In September the 49 of Hen. 3. See in the year before Barons to keep the Coast against the Invasions of Strangers To this they answered That the War began by Evil Desires and did then continue and for that Reason it was necessary to lay aside these Evil Demands and Treat of the Peace of the Kingdom and make use of the Parlement to the Benefit of Church and Kingdom and not to Extort Money especially when the Nation was so much destroyed by War that if ever it must be a long time before it could