new Gentlemen as vnworthily doe rule and gouerne all to our dishonour and reproach The Earle of Warwicke finding the Duke of Clarence thus tractable The plot is strengthened by a mariage and inclining to his humour consulted with him oftentimes touching this businesse And to tie him vnto himselfe by a fast bond of friendship and of loue He offered to him in marriage one of his daughters who was named Isabel with halfe the inheritance of his wife Whereof the Duke in all kindly and friendly sort accepted And thereupon the plot was contriued thus The plot against King Edward The Earle himselfe with the Duke of Clarence would goe vnto Calice where the yong Lady who was there should bee married And in their absence as if it hapned without their knowledge or consent the Earles two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marques Montacute were appointed with their friends to raise a Rebellion in the Countie of Yorke And this proiect was put into Execution in this maner The Husbandmen of Yorke-shire by an ancient custome in the end of Haruest The cause of the Rebellion vsed yearely to giue a certaine quantie of Corne and Graine towards the maintenance and reliefe of diuers poore people who liued in the Hospitall of Saint Leonard within the Citie of Yorke Now the Earles friends scandalously and falsely reported in the Countrie thereabout That the said poore people were not relieued by the said Almes but that the Gouernour and Priests of the said Hospitall enriched and fatted themselues therewith So when the Proctors according to their wonted fashion came abroad to collect the peoples deuotion in that kind they were shrewdly beaten by the Rustickes and misused beyond measure Hereupon many Religious and well disposed people tooke part with the Proctors and with rough words and some blowes they requited the iniurie which was done vnto them From this beginning sprang forth a dangerous Insurrection So that within few dayes there were vp in Armes more then fifteene thousand men This was done by him in fauour of the King as it seemes afterwards Who with their ring-leaders came proudly before the Citie of Yorke and with vnciuile and rude tearmes they threatned the ruine and destruction of it But in the darkenesse of the night the Marques Montacute being accompanied with many lustie and braue men set vpon the Rebels slew many hundreds of them and strake off the Captaines head and strongly fortified that Citie When the King who was truely informed of this Rebellion was told this newes hee rested doubtfull whether his old friend the Marques had done this seruice to make an amends for his reuolt Sir Iohn Conyers captaine of the Rebels or else to colour his ill intendements thereby The Rebels who still increased perceiuing that they should loose their labour to linger about the Towne left the Citie and marched towards London being then conducted by Sir Iohn Conyors a worthie and a valiant Knight The King being hereof aduertised commanded the Lord William Herbert Earle of Pembroke and Humphrie Lord Stafford of Southweeke who was nominated in hope of future good seruice but not indeed created Earle of Deuonshire to leauie a strong power in Wales and with all expedition to fight with the Rebels And hee himselfe promised to assist them with a faire Armie The Lord Stafford ouerthrowne These Lords with eight or nine thousand men right well ordered and apointed marched towards these Rebels And as they drew neere to Northampton they vnderstood that they were not farre off Whereupon the Lord Stafford and Sir Richard Herbert a valiant Knight and brother to the Earle of Pembroke taking with them out of the whole Armie two thousand strong skilful Archers plotted a secret Ambush to take a view of the Northren Rebels as they passed by but as soone as they were gone beyond them these Archers rushed violently vpon their Rereward But the Rebels who were nimble and well ordered by their carefull Generall turned about stuck to their tacklings and with their greater numbers slew most of those Welchmen and the rest fled hastily to their owne Campe. An vnfortunate dissentiō And the next night by reason of an vnkind diuision which hapned betwixt the Lord Stafford and the Earle of Pembroke who at Banburie remoued him from a common Inne where hee vsed to lodge with an vnchaste Queane the Lord Stafford with his Archers departed from the Armie and left them to their fortunes among their foes This froward slinking away nothing at all dismaied the noble Earle though as he had iust cause he were much displeased thereat Banburie field but made him to resolue with the more alacritie and courage to set vpon the Rebels with whom hee fought the next day and with his Welshmen saw many tokens of victorie neere at hand But suddenly a Gentleman named Iohn Clapham and seruant to the Earle of Warwicke hauing his masters Banner with the white Beare trouped towards the battaile with fiue hundred men who were by him collected of the off-skumme of the rascall and basest sort of the inhabitants of the Towne of Northampton and of the villages thereabout All these presenting themselues afarre off and aduancing their Standard and crying A Warwicke A Warwicke A policie so incredibly daunted and confounded the Welshmen who supposed that the Earle of Warwicke was come thither with another Armie The Kings forces are ouerthrowen 5000. men slaine that they began to flie and were on the sudden ouerthrowen and more then fiue thousand of them were slaine And Sir Richard Harbert and eight others being taken prisoners were beheaded at Banburie by the Rebels This fortunate successe animated sundrie leaud and ill disposed people of Northamptonshire to enter into new broiles insomuch that they making a notorious Rascall named Robin of Riddisdale The Queenes father is beheaded by the Rebels their Captaine entred into the Manour of Grafton where they apprehended the Earle Ryuers whom they loued not and Sir Iohn his sonne caried them to Northampton and without questioning with them or any legall proceeding smote off their heads The Lord Stafford beheaded The King marcheth towards the Rebels The Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke doe some with the Rebels And the Lord Stafford being by the Kings directions taken at Brentmarsh in Somersetshire was caried to Bridgewater and was there executed because hee trecherously departed with his companies from the Earle of Pembroke as formerly we haue heard The King notwithstanding these troubles was so full of courage and heroicall magnanimitie that hee was not any thing at all dismaied with any crosse or ill newes but marched confidently with his Armie against the Northerne Rebels to whom the Earle of Warwicke had ioined himselfe with a great power and likewise the Duke of Clarence brought all his forces to the Earle so that now a fearfull expectation of vnchristian crueltie disquieted the vast and great body of the
he wanted oportunitie yet he resolued to push hard for the Crowne if Time and Fortune would present it to him This king for his inuincible valour and haughtie courage was esteemed to be almost matchlesse in the Christian world so that he was surnamed Cuer de Lyon Cuer de Lyon or the Lyons Heart And to say the truth he was such a one as vpon good aduice and counsell dared to attempt anie thing if it were honourable to be atchieued and possible to be done His fathers Treasure enriched him exceedingly with great store of Siluer and of Gold And such was his contempt of Riches A bountifull King and such was his Bountie to such as either deserued well or left in him anie impression of Noble worth that he bestowed on them great Gifts with such alacritie and cheerefulnesse that in short time he vnbowelled all his Bagges and Chests little foreseeing that future Businesses might require the expence of more than the great Plentie which was left vnto him and that when he wanted he should be enforced to make hard shift to relieue himselfe In the beginning of his Raigne The King resolueth to warre in the Holy Land vpon the Popes motion the Pope sollicited him with strong perswasions and manie promises of his Blessings to wage Warre in his owne person against the Turkes in the Holie Land and to attempt the winning of Ierusalem from the Infidels and vnbeleeuing Men who maliciously opposed themselues against the Incarnation Passion and Ascension of Christ Iesus Which journey he vndertooke because Frederick the Emperour Frederick Philip Leopold and Philip the second surnamed Augustus king of France Leopoldus then Archduke of Austria and manie other Christian Princes had engaged themselues both with Men Money and all other Prouisions to further those Attempts And thereupon he entred into Couenants with the king of France and the rest of that Vnion Their Couenants and Agreements That their generall meeting should be in Sicilia and that such Wealth and Bootie as GOD and good Fortune should make them Owners of should equally be shared and diuided among them and theirs These things being thus concluded although the kings profuse Expences and great Gifts exceeding measure had made him bare and needie yet would he not burthen his People with anie Taxe to supplie his wants The King in his wants would not taxe his people But raysing great summes of Money out of his owne Estate among other things he sold his Castles of Barwick and of Rokesbrough to the king of Scots for tenne thousand pounds and the Lordship and Earledome of Durham vnto Hugh then Bishop of that See for much money He leuieth money of his owne State He also enriched himselfe with Siluer and with Gold by the Sale of sundrie Honors Lordships Manors Offices Priuiledges Royalties and other things vnto such as parsimonie and sparing had made Owners and Possessors of great plentie and did protest His willingnesse to vndertake this voyage That for the performing of so great and honorable a Seruice he was not vnwilling to sell his Citie of London if anie were of abilitie to buy it rather than he would be chargeable vnto others And thus the king hauing furnished himselfe with all prouisions fit and necessarie for his journey and hauing leuied a strong Armie in which were manie Lords William Longchamp made Regent of England Knights and Gentlemen whose resolutions encreased his hopes of good successe he committed the principall Gouernment of his Kingdome vnto William Longchampe then Bishop of Ely who not long after was made the Popes Legate The King departeth And then he sayled with his whole Armie to the Isle of Cyprus which with braue courage after manie hot and dangerous Encounters hee wonne and sold the same to the Knights Templars for thirtie thousand Marks He winnes Cyprus and sells it for 30000 marks And from thence according to his former appointment he transported his Armie into Sicilia where he met with Philip the French king and vpon their first enter-view they pleased each other with manie passages of familiaritie and of loue But this faire Sunne-shine was quickly vayled and couered with a cloud of skorne and discontentment A iarre betweene the King and Philip King of France For when the French king was denyed to haue anie part or share with king Richard in his atchieuement of the Isle of Cyprus both because hee was absent when it was taken and also because it was affirmed by king Richard That their Couenant extended onely to such things as they should winne and gayne in the Holie Land he waxed angrie and vsed manie high and disdainefull tearmes and made publike shew of inward discontent King Richard neglected the French Kings anger All which king Richard did set at nought and told him to his face That doe what he dared he should not be a partner in that Bootie It stood not with king Philips honour to waxe cold so soone in this great Enterprize whereon the eyes of all the Christian World were fixed and dastardly to returne home But howsoeuer hee had disposed of himselfe and of such Forces as hee commanded yet king Richard was resolued to goe forth so that Necessitie enforcing them to some agreement they proceeded in their Iourney The Christian Princes doe preuaile In which they all and their Confederates performed manie honourable and wonderfull deedes of Armes terrifying and daily diminishing the Turkes Numbers and Forces with continuall slaughters and giuing them but little leysure or courage to resist And among manie other strong Townes Forts Castles and Garrisons of great strength and importance which they conquered they wonne after a long and a sharpe Siege by maine Batteries and resolute Assaults Acon wâ—on the stoutly defended Citie of Acon Vpon the walls whereof a forward knight aduanced the Banner and the Colours of Leopold the Archduke of Austria King Richard trampleth on Leopolds colours But king Richard skorning that too much Grace and Honour should be done vnto the Duke and his owne deserts be thereby blemished he hauing first of all entred into the Citie ranne vp vnto the Wall plucked downe that Banner and those colours and trampled them with his feete Wherat the French King was much displeased and gaue his tongue libertie to speake great things The French King is angrie But King Richard neglecting his frownes and laughing at his discontent affirmed that in so doing hee had onely righted himselfe of those Iniuries which were done to him And that if any were disposed to looke sower thereat hee was carelesse of his anger King Richards courage and in the field would be ready to maintaine his doings against any The French King swelling at the heart to see King Richard thus carelesse resolute and bold The forces of the Empire and of the French King and of Leopold do leaue K. Richard And seeming to distrust least by some secret
Seigniories of Callice Marguise Sandgate and Coloigne 4. And lastly That in regard thereof King EDWARD The Title to the Crowne of France is relinquished As well in the behalfe of himselfe as of his Successours Kings of England should vtterly renounce and leaue both the name and title to the Kingdome of France And for the performance of these Articles ANNO. 34 How the obseruation of this Peace was ratified The King and Prince returne into England Charles the Regent of France and the Prince of Wales in the presence of six Knights of either Nation receiued the holy Sacrament at the high Altar and then King Edward and his sonne returned into England and were with all complements of loue and kindnesse entertained and feasted at the Tower of London by the French King who was conueyed from thence to Callis The French King feasteth them The two princes sweare Hostages where according to agreement he remained foure moneths and then King Edward repaired to him and both of them at a high Masse solemnly swore to obserue performe and keepe the said Articles and the peace And King Iohn for the hostages of his Ransome deliuered to King Edward foure Dukes seauen Earles ten Barons many Knights and two of the worthiest Burgesses of euery great Citie in France and tooke a most friendly leaue of the King and of the Prince of Wales and departed towards Boleine King Iohn was a prisoner foure yeares he hauing remained a prisoner more then foure yeares And King Edward with his sonne returned into England bringing with them their honorable Hostages who were with all humanitie and kindnesse feasted and entertained by the King and by his Nobilitie and were permitted freely to vse all sports pastimes and exercises for pleasure and contentation as they pleased ANNO. 37 Three Kings doe visite King Edward King Iohn dieth in England The Blacke Prince liueth in Burdeaux ANNO. 40 The causes of King Edwards future losses in those Countries Peter King of Castile is deposed by Henry the Bastard King Charles the fifth taketh part with Henrie the Bastard The Blacke Prince being victorious resetleth Peter in his Kingdome About two yeares after king Edward was at one time visited for loue and kindnesse onely and for no businesse at all by three Kings that is to say by king Iohn of France Dauid the king of Scots and by the king of Cyprus and were with all munificent bountie and liberalitie feasted and honored by the King but king Iohn fell sick and dyed in the Sauoy and his body was conuayd vnto S. Dennis in France where with great pomp and princely ceremonies it was buried The next yeare following the noble Prince of â—ales and his wife being very gallantly attended and prouided went vnto Burdeaux where he liued and gouerned the kings Prouinces thereabout and elsewhere in France to the great contentment and good liking of the Nobles and commons of those Countries In the fortith yeare of king Edwards raigne an vnfortunate businesse was taken in hand by the valiant Prince of Wales which albeit it were performed with great resolution and was rewarded with deserued honor yet within few yeares by reason of a future accident it was the occasion that king Edward lost a great part of his territories in France and it was thus Peter the true and lawfull king of Castile was in the field ouerthrowne put to flight and dispossessed of his Crowne by Henry his Bastard Brother who was assisted by Charles the fifth the sonne of Iohn the deceased king of France This poore distressed king in his wants and miserie repaired to the Prince of Wales for ayd who for his restoring and vpon large and faithfull promises of liberall pay and great rewards conducted an armie into Castile And albeit that the Spanish and the French forces were in number four times more then the Princes were yet in a bloudie battaile the most of them were slaine and the rest were put to flight And king Peter was againe restored to his Crowne and setled in his kingdome by the Prince who returned againe to Burdeaux with great honor But not long after Henry the Bastard Henrie the Bastard taketh and slaieth Peter Peters two heires married to Iohn of Gant and Thomas of Woodstocke The want of pay was the Prince his ouerthrow This Taxe mard all being newly supplied with fresh forces warred with such great furie and violence vpon king Peter that he subdued him and to preuent all future claymes and troubles which he might make he caused him to be put to death But his two daughters and heires were after marryed vnto Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and to Thomas of Woodstock two of king Edwards sonnes By reason of king Peters death the Prince his souldiours being hopelesse to receiue their promised pay and large rewards and being oppressed with many wants daily petitioned the Prince to supply their need But he finding none other meanes to support their necessities nor being stored with money to relieue their pouertie imposed contrary to the customes of those Countries diuers Taxes vpon the inhabitants of Aquitaine which so highly did displease them that the Lords thereof complained of this sharp noueltie to the French king who flatly contrary to the Articles not long before concluded on for peace betwixt England and France arrogated to himselfe the Soueraignty ouer the Prince The French King breakes the League and his Dominions in France and sommoned him to appeare before him at Paris So that the peace and those agreed Articles were broken by the French king The Prince sommoned to appeare at Paris Warres proclaimed Almost all do reuolt from the Prince The mutabilitie of fortun An vnfortunate yeare and warres were againe proclaymed betweene England and France But before the Prince of Wales could enable his forces for a strong defence the inhabitants of those Countries for the most part reuolted from him and dayly yeelded their Townes Cities Forts and Castles into the hands of the French king So that king Edward who for the space of forty yeares together was most honorable and more fortunate then any other Christian Prince by gayning of incredible victories vpon the Scots and French Nation within the compasse of one yeare without blowes lost almost all his Commaund in those Prouinces which by the said agreement and articles of peace were allotted and by solemne oath assured vnto him King Charles of France forgetting what he had sworne ANNO. 43 The French Name and pleasing himselfe thus quietlie to be made the Lord of all those Countries which were assigned to king Edward conceiued strong hope not only to defeat him vtterly of all these Countries but also to vex him at home in his owne kingdome And for that purpose he furnished a strong Nauie with which he kept the Narrow Seas But king Edward to driue those forces back againe sent his sonne Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Iohn of Gant with an
defend themselues that poore Perkin began to hang downe his head and being troubled with melancholicke passions filled the aire with sighes and groanes and was perplexed at the heart being weary of his match The King commeth into the West Countrey with an Armie The King who had beene speedily informed how violently that Citie was enuironed and how couragiously the Rebels were resisted so carefully regarded it and the inhabitants thereof that with a faire Armie he himselfe in his owne person marched towards the Rebels with all speede But before hee could come neere vnto them Edward Courtney Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord William his sonne Sir Wymond Carew Sir Thomas Trenchard Sir William Courtney Sir Thomas Fulford Sir Iohn Halwell Sir Iohn Crocker Walter Courtney Peter Edgecombe and their lustie followers repaired to the said Citie of Exeter and intended to giue such good helpe and assistance to the inhabitants thereof that the Rebels leauing the siege marched into Somersetshire The siege of Exetâ—r is â—ed Perkin Wâ—â—beâ—â—â—â—â—egâ— Tawnton where they besieged the Towne of Tawnton But the King vnderstanding that they were remoued from the Citie and where they then were directed his course towards Tawnton he hauing with him in his Armie Edward the young Duke of Buckingham who was a Prince of haughtie courage and of a gallant resolution Giles Lord Dawbeney his chiefest Chamberlaine Robert Lord Brooke Lord Steward of his house Sir Alexander Baynam Sir Maurice Barkley Sir Robert Tame Sir Iohn Guise Sir Robert Poynts Sir Henry Vernon Sir Iohn Morâ—â—mer Sir Thomas Tremaile Sir Edward Sutton Sir Amias Paulet Sir Iohn Sapcots Sir Hugh Lutterel Sir Francis Cheyney and sundrie other Knights and Gentlemen of great place and valour Perkin and the Rebels site But when Perkin Warbecke and his fellow Captaines heard of the Kings approche they fled with threescore horse vnto Beauly neere to South-hampton where poore Perkin and most of those his companions entred into the Sanctuarie and registred their names there but the residue of them were taken prisoners by the Kings light horsemen and being brought into the Kings Armie for examples sake vnto others they were ordered and executed by the martiall law in sundrie places in the Westerne parts But the rude rabble which were left behinde perceiuing that their Ring-leaders had left them The common sort of Rebels are pardoned and were run away fell downe vpon their knees craued mercie promised faith and loyaltie in future times and not only receiued the Kings pardon but were reuiued by his expressing of much fauour and graâ—e towards them This victory being thus obtained without blowes the King King Henry commeth to the Citie of Exeter with his greatest Lords and the brauest Gallants in his trayne came to the City of Exceter and was lodged in it certaine daies where he commended and thanked the inhabitants for their faithfull and valiant seruice promised them the fulnesse of his fauour The King giues his Sword to the Citie of Exeter and for an addition of Honour to that City gaue vnto them his sword from his owne side and commaunded that in future times and in all publike places within that Citie it should bee borne before the Maior as formerly and for the like purpose his noble predecessor King Edward the fourth had done Then the King intending to make a finall end of these ciuill warres sent some of his chosen Captaines Perkin Warbecke is brought to the King with certaine bands of armed men to apprehend poore Perkin who compassed the Sanctuarie at Bewly round about so that he recounting with himselfe his sundrie mishaps and his hopelesse fortunes to be a King yeelded himselfe and was brought vnto the King who carried him as his prisoner vnto London where albeit hee was closely kept and narrowly watched by diuers of the Kings Guard yet hee escaped But being daily and hourely searched for Perkin escapeth and is taken againe hee voluntarily committed himselfe to the Abbot of Shene neere to the Kings Palace of Richmond intreating him to haue compassion on him and to procure for him the Kings pardon He is stocked He is committed to the Tower which hee did Then was hee brought to the Kings Court at Whitehall where all his base descent and ignoble pedegree being in a paper fully written and pinned vpon his backe hee was stocked one whole day so was he the next morning vpon a high scaffold in Cheape-side within the Citie of London from whence hee was committed a close prisoner to the Tower He practiseth to escape and to conuey away the young Earle of Warwicke Hee being in prison there corrupted by infinite promises of honourable aduancement the seruants of Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower to suffer him and Edward the young Farle of Warwicke who had been a prisoner from his infancie to escape But this plot being discouered Perkin Warbecke was shortly after by the due course of Law condemned for High Treason Perkin Warbecke beheaded and was executed at Tyburne within two daies after and the young Earle of Warwicke who consented to haue escaped likewise being altogether innocent of all crime and onely affecting libertie which men beasts birds and fishes doe naturally desire was indicted arraigned conuicted and adiudged guiltie of the like offence and was executed on a Scaffold at the Tower Hill The young Earle of Warwicke is beheaded His death much blemished the fame and reputation of King Henry who being mercifull and compassionate by nature and hauing extended it oftentimes vnto notorious malefactors now to worke his owne securitie and without any iust offence would not pardon him who all his life time had beene so secret a prisoner restrained from all companie and from the view of this vaine and transitorie world that he scarcely knew a Capon from a Goose nor euer attempted any thing which might offend the King sauing only to set himselfe at large 1500. As soone as these businesses were thus ended Arthur the noble Prince of Wales being of the age of fifteene yeares was by an honourable deputation betrothed to the Ladie Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine Prince Arthur marieth Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon shee being of the age of eighteene yeares and the next yeare after with triumphant ioy and princely entertainment he receiued her into England and was maried to her in Pauls Church within the Citie of London And not long after Iames the Fourth King of the Scots vsed the mediation of Richard Fox 1501. then Bishop of Durham but shortly after translated vnto Winchester that hee might haue to wife the Ladie Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry the Seuenth The Kings eldest daughter affied and after maried to Iames the fourth King of Scots And though the King for many important reasons might haue bestowed her vpon the greatest and most honorable Kings or Potentates in the Christian world yet for these
THE HISTORIE AND LIVES OF THE KINGS of England From WILLIAM the CONQVEROR vnto the end of the Raigne of King HENRIE the EIGHT By WILLIAM MARTYN Esquire Recorder of the Honorable Citie of EXETER Frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora LONDON Printed for IOHN BILL William Barret and Henrie Fetherstone 1615. TO THE GENTRIE OF ENGLAND WOrthie Gentlemen omitting all elaborated Eloquence which oftentimes is vsed as a varnish to couer vnprofitable labours As cunning Goldsmithes doe enrich their basest Siluer when they Gilt it with their purest Gold J purpose to render to you an accompt of two reasons which induced me to take this paine and to publish this worke 1. Jt is common among Phisitions That though profound Learning and frequent Experience haue furnished them with abundant skill in their Honourable profession yet they doe still striue to make their knowledge more perfect in the discouerie of the imperfections of other mens bodies then of their owne Jn like sort it is the common custome of our times that many hopefull Gentlemen whom Nature and Arts haue beautified with the rich treasures of their bountie do endeauour to be more exact and refined in knowing the Religion Lawes Gouernment Maners Strength and Sites of forraine Countries then of that Kingdome wherein themselues were borne But as that man is wise in vaine who is not wise vnto himselfe So it is a simple grace nay to speake plainly it is a foule disgrace to a Gentleman especially to such a one as hath or doth intend to spend much time abroad to know the fashions of forraine Nations to be ignorant in the State of his owne Countrie at home The Historie of which affordeth as much varietie and profitable instruction to captiuate the Readers delight in the perusall as the fairest Pictures doe contentment when with their artificiall beauties they doe allure mens eyes to looke and to gaze vpon them To this end therefore that hencefoorth such worthy Gentlemen as are purposed in long traueling to enlarge their experience by the view of foraine Countries may first be furnished with a conuenient knowledge of their owne J vndertooke this labour and doe present it vnto you with this my first reason which induced me thereunto 2. The second reason of my so doing springeth out of mine owne conceit which as J coniecture deceiues me not For in regard that the Histories of this Kingdome are frequently interrupted yea blemished by too too many interuening Occurrences and by a multitude of extrauagant Obseruations which doe much differ from the true Method and Nature of a well digested and composed Chronicle and thereby doe extend it into a needlesse and an vnprofitable length J am resolued that the Readers capacitie to obserue and to remember is much weakned thereby And that many yong Gentlemen who doe egerly striue to attaine to much knowledge in a short time doe rather bend their Studies and their courses to reade ouer the more narrowly contracted Histories of other Countries then the voluminous Discourses of their owne Wherefore to inlighten their knowledge much by reading this little J haue thrust forth into the World this short Historie of the Raignes Deeds and Actions of twentie of our English Kings which J will neither praise least J wrong it by mine owne commendation nor dispraise least you beleeuing mee on my word should thinke your time ill spent to read what I haue written J know that such as are worthily descended or who by learning are made worthy will not only winke at some imperfections because some knowledge is to be gained by the rest but will also take in good part the presentment of a small gift if it be deliuered with a friendly hand To such only and to none other which are you doe J dedicate these my labors Being confidently assured that they cannot want their expected reward which is nothing but your kinde acceptance and gracefull loue Fare you well from my house in Exeter the twentieth of Ianuarie 1615. Your louing Friend WILLIAM MARTYN TO MY MOST DEARE Father WILLIAM MARTYN Esquire THough my vnpractis'd Muse might well conceale Her selfe from th'eye-reach of a publique view Yet my devoted heart stir'd on with zeale And dutie which are owing both to you Feares not the spleene of Criticks but shall beare Their heauiest censures True loue orecomes feare I will not speake of your vnwearied paine In gathring and disposing 't is a treasure Well worth the Readers paines when he may gaine With little reading profit mixt with pleasure These ruder lines your labors little neede To winne the Readers liking Let him reade NICHOLAS MARTYN To my most loued and dearest Father WILLIAM MARTYN ESQVIRE I Could deere Sir haue spoke with farre more ease In copious Prose than in strict Verse your praise But that I knew your fame would farre out-goe All foote-lesse Prose my Verse not full so slow Hauing the helpe of feete serues thus farre forth Though not to Vsher yet t' attend your worth You neede not either to inlarge your fame The Booke it selfe doth Chronicle the same WILLIAM MARTYN To my most dearly loued Father WILLIAM MARTYN Esquire WHil'st others send you Lines trickt out with Art My Infant yeares shall onely send mine heart Looke for no greater gift from so small store He that giues all he has can giue no more EDWARD MARTYN TO MY DEARLY HONORD FATHER-IN-Law WILLIAM MARTYN Esquire A Publique good must quell your priuate feare The profit of a Writers industrie Should be imparted to a generall Eare For good is better'd by communitie Nor may detraction or the injurie Of some mens censures dash what he doth write If but what only pleaseth all mens sight No worke should come to light no worke should come to light What though you gather'd haue the seuerall flowr's Of other Bookes into this Historie Distill'd to Spirit by you they 're wholly yours So honie suckt from the varietie Of flowr's is yet the honie of the Bee And though in these dayes Miracles are fled Yet this shall of your Chronicle be read It brings back Time that 's past and giues life to the Dead Peter Beuys THE SVMMARIES OR ABBREVIATES OF THE RAIGNES OF THE twentie Kings mentioned more largely in this Discourse King WILLIAM the Conqueror AFTER the death of King Edward Harold contrarie to his promise oath refuseth to giue the possession of the Crowne and kingdome of England to William the seuenth Duke of the Normans Wherefore to preuent the effusion of much bloud the Duke challenged him to a single combate which hee refused whereupon the Duke landeth and being assisted by the Natiues of this Countrie he obtayneth the victorie * 1066. and claymed this Crowne by conquest Pag. 2. He is in danger as he trauelleth towards Douer and makes his peace 3. His policies to suppresse the English Nation and his cruelties towards them 3 4 5 6. He taxeth them beyond measure they rebell twice and are twice
vpon Wolles to bee paid two yeares before hand The leuying of which Taxe turned the prayers of the People into Curses The King borroweth Money because they were altogether vnwilling to pay the same Hee also by way of lone borrowed huge summes of money of his richest Subiects and the Citie of London disbursed for him twentie thousand markes New coine with the French arms quartred King Edwards Fleet and Armie The battell of Sluce The King also coined great store of siluer and of gold on which he quartered with his owne the Armes of France in the first place and instamped him thereon King of England and of France He also prepared a fleet of two hundred Saile of Ships and throughly appointed them to the proofe and then he leuied an Armie often thousand selected men of warre all which he embarqued and passing with them towards Sluce he fortunatly met with the French fleet which consisting of Frenchmen Piccards Genowayes and of other Nations amounted to the number of fortie thousand men The Kings victory at Sea among which were they who not only had robbed and rifled many English Marchants on the narrow Seas but also had burned South-hampton and the Countries thereabout as lately you haue heard The King being full of magnanimitie and valour resolute in his purposes and reckoning of the French as of his subiects and inferiours in Armes especially vpon the Seas and hopping by his good successe not onely to winne honor among the Princes and States of his confederacie and purposing if hee might to strike a terror in the French Nation concerning those warres set vpon their whole Nauie with such an incomparable courage and bold spirit that after a long a fierce and a bloudie fight very few or none of the French Ships escaped but were by him either taken or sunke into the Sea King Edward landeth at Sluce The King on his part hauing receiued but little losse his prisoners he sent into England but himselfe the next day landed at Sluce where he was triumphantly receiued by the Inhabitants and Countrey who with great ioy and infinit commendations congratulated his happie and victorious successe He rides to Gaunt And from thence he rode to Gaunt where his Queene lay And about the space of one moneth after hee being accompanied with seuen Earles eight Bishops eight and twentie Baronets two hundred Knights A huge Armie foure thousand men of Armes and nine thousand Archers of his owne Nation and with the Duke of Brabant who commanded twentie thousand of his followers and with Iaques Dartuell the famous Fleming Iaques Dartuell a famous Fleming who conducted threescore thousand men of those Prouinces and with the Duke of Guelders the Marquesse of Muse the Earles of Iullers Mouns Sauiens and of Henault the Lord Faulquemont and many thousand Almaines He strongly besieged the Citie Tournay which was with great resolution and valor manfully defended for the space of tenne weeks Tournay besieged in al which time the French King appeared not for their defence But by the importunat mediation of the aforenamed Iane de Valoys mother to the Queen of England to the Duchesse of Iullers and to the then Earle of Henalt A huge Armie was dissolued vpon the motion of a woman and sister to the French King a truce was concluded for one yeere which was afterwards renewed for one yeare more Thus was the siege broken vp and euery one returned to his owne home Now whilst the King had thus employed himselfe in the Low-countries and in the Empire and in France The Scots reuolt from their King and from king Edward The Scots disliking Edward Baylyol their King because hee would not in any sort oppose himselfe against the King of England who so highly had aduanced him and leauing to him onely the name but no honour due to a King rebelled against king Edward And gained into their possessions almost all things whatsoeuer which hee in his former Warres had wonne from them But king Edward scorning to bee checked by the lawlesse disobedience and insolencie of the Scots The King leadeth a huge Armie into Scotland leuied an Armie of sixe thousand horsemen and fortie thousand on foote with which he marched into Scotland And those Inhabitants hauing intelligence of these vnresistable preparations and and being apprehensiue of their owne weaknesse craued and obtained a Truce for foure Monethes vpon condition to surrender to king Edward A Truce whatsoeuer in his absence they had taken from him And also to submit themselues if within that time Dauid their deposed King returned not out of France for their defence But before the time of Truce was expired Dauid returned secretly and being safely landed in Scotland The Scots inuade England he raised an Armie of more then threescore thousand men with which hee entred into Northumberland spoyling robbing wasting burning and killing without compassion in all places whereon hee set his foote New-Castle is besieged vntill hee came to New-Castle vpon Tyen which hee girded about with a strong siege But in the depth of the night two hundred resolued gallants issued foorth A bold brauado And vpon the suddaine entred into the Earle of Murrayes Tent which they ransacked slewe many and caried the said Earle a way with them to the great amazement and terrour of the Scottish Campe. The day appearing was their true informer of all things which in the night had hapned The siege is raised And Dauid purposing a bloudy reuenge for this dishonour done vnto him caused the Castle to be continually assaulted But the Scots were manfully repulsed by the defendants whose vndaunted spirits had banished all feare In so much that Dauid being vnwilling to spend there too much time in vaine raised his siege and marched to the Citie of Durham Durham taken burnt which he tooke ransacked and burnt and slew all the men women and children which did inhabite and were found there From thence the Scottish Armie marched forth and passed by the strong Castle of Rowsbrough A valiant exploit by Sir William Mountagew which then belonged to the Earle of Salisburie who was a prisoner in France In this Castle was his faire and admirably beautifull Lady and it was kept by Sir William Mountagew his brother who for his wisedome and for his valour was a most renowned Knight When he had narrowly viewed the Scottish March hee expected their vtmost furie in their returne and therefore hee determined to giue him a present taste of his man-hood So that he issued forth with fortie Horsemen well appointed and fell vpon their Rereward and slew of them more then two hundred and tooke from them one hundred and twentie horses which were loaden with the richest of those booties which they had taken at Durham and safely returned and caried them into the Castle The Castle of Rosbrough is besieged Dauid disdaining thus to bee beaten by so
Armie landeth at Callice and marcheth to Burdeaux He beates the French King ANNO. 44 An other Armie sent into France The English doe preuaile with an armie into Callice who to the terror and spoyle of the Frenchmen marched from thence vntill he came to Burdeaux to the Prince his Brother without opposition or resistance wasting and hauoking in all places as he passed by sauing that he was once met with and encountred by king Charles who being soundly beaten was enforced to retire and to giue free passage to the Duke King Edward as much as in him lay though hee beganne to grow old yet he was very carefull of those affaires For as soone as his sonne Iohn of Gaunt was gone out of England hee sent another Armie vnto Saint Omers which was conducted by Sir Robert Knowles who marching through those adiacent Countries with fire and sword depopulated it yea almost vntill he came to the Citie of Paris And then hee marched into the Earledome of Angeou where hee wonne the strong Townes of Vaas and Ruylly and sundrie others thereabout But the French king being informed that there was great dissention in the English armie betwixt Sir Robert Knowles and the Lords Fitz-water and of Grauntson rushed vpon them sodainly with an armie and finding their mindes diuided and their forces by great disorder broken Dissention caused the Englishmens ouerthrow preuailed against them and slew about one thousand Englishmen Whereupon the said Townes which they had taken were againe yeelded into the French kings hands He also following the good hap of his fawning Fortune sent another armie into the Prouince of Guyan ANNO. 45 where the Prince was weakly assisted and his Townes and Castles daily reuolted from him King Edward being much perplexed with the common reports of his declining Fortune ANNO. 46 and being resolued to doe his best to preuent the worst assembled his high Court of Parliament at Westminster A ParliameÌ„t wherein to supply his wants and to giue better strength and furtherance to his French Warres the Temporaltie with much cheerefulnesse granted him a Subsidie of fifteene thousand pounds A Subsidie granted and the like summe hee requested of the Cleargie who were contented to giue him faire words but no monie Whereat he was so much displeased The Clergie will grant none The Clergie disgraced ANNO. 46 The Earle of Pembroke defeated and taken at Sea that wheras at that time the Bishops and the Cleargie men were chiefly honoured with all Places and Offices of Honour and of Profit and of Commaund disgracefully hee depriued them and dismissed them all and placed more thankfull Subjects of the Laitie in their roomes King Charles had now besieged the Towne of Rochell almost one whole yeare For whose reliefe and to remoue the siege king Edward sent the Earle of Pembroke with an armie to the Sea but hee was encountred fought with and put vnto the worst by Henrie the vsurper of Castile who in fauour of the French king and thankfully to requite his former loue when hee assisted him against king Peter kept the narrow Seas with a strong Fleet. In this fight the Earle himselfe and one hundred and threescore others were taken Prisoners manie men were slaine The French King winnes Rochell c. and the rest who escaped returned altogether discomforted into England And vpon the certaine report of this disaster The Towne of Rochell Angolesme Xants and Saint Iohns of Angley and diuers other Prouinces were giuen vp vnto the French king Sir Iohn de Mountford Duke of Brittaine perceiuing that good successe accompanied the French king in all his actions beganne to feare ANNO. 47 Iohn of Gant and the Duke of Britaine oppose themselues against the French King They waste the Countrey ANNO. 48 left in the height of his prosperitie he would attempt some quarrell against him Wherefore Hee fortified his Countries and then came into England and offred his assistance to K. Edward who forthwith leuied a strong armie and commited it to the gouernment of his sonne the Duke of Lancaster Who being accompanied with the Duke of Brittaine landed at Callice and with sword and fire wasted the whole Countrie vntill hee came to Burdeaux where the Duke of Lancaster found his brother the Prince of Wales exceeding sicke who made him Gouernour of all King Edwards Prouinces And hauing scene all such Noble men as hee could command Iohn of Gant is made Gouernour The sicke Prince commeth into England ANNO. 49 ANNO. 50 to take their solemne oathes for the performance of their duties and obedience to his brother the Duke he sailed into England After whose arriuall three parles for peace betwixt England and France were entertained vpon the motion and by the mediation of Pope Gregorie the eleuenth But not one of them was made fruitfull with any fortunate successe In the last yeare of King Edwards Raigne in a Parliament holden at Westminster the King required a Subsidie from the Cleargie and from the Temporaltie of his Kingdome towards the supporting of his warres The Lower house of the Parliâ—ment complaine vpon the K ngâ— euill Officers But the Lower house of that assembly complained grieuously against the Lord Latimer chiefe Chamberlaine to the King and of manie other of his Officers for that they not only misled the King in his old age but also vnthriftily spent and consumed the Treasure of his Kingdome Wherefore they refused to yeild vnto the kings demand except those euill Officers might bee displaced and better men setled in their roomes Which being by the king through the important perswasions of the Prince consented vnto he cheerefully obtained his demand And now approched the ends of these two famous .1376 and most worthie Princes the Father and the Sonne For the Prince of Wales died the eight day of Iune The Blacke Prince dieth in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand three hundred threescore and sixteene when hee had liued fortie yeares and lieth buried at Canterburie The King restoreth his euill Officers And no sooner was hee dead but king Edward verie vnaduisedly to his great dishonour and to the great discontentment of his people remoued from him such new Officers as in the late High Court of Parliament were established and placed neere about him and restored the Lord Latimer Richard is Created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester King Edward dieth and all the rest to their former Offices and places And finding himselfe exceeding weake by reason of his sharp and grieuous sicknesse he created his Nephew Richard Sonne to the Prince deceased Prince of Wales Earle of Chester and Duke of Cornwall and committed the Regencie of his kingdome to his son Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster died when he had raigned fiftie yeares and somewhat more THE HISTORIE OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND RICHARD the second being the Son and heire of the Blacke Prince ANNO. 1. 1377.
great Masse of siluer and of gold which for many yeares she had scraped scratched and hoorded vp together This Act so inwardly vexed and enraged the Queene She voweth deepe reuenge that in her heart she vowed to be reuenged vpon them both and knowing that Iohn the Duke of Burgoine was their capitall and greatest enemie especially to the Constable of France She procureth Iohn Duke of Burgoine to be Regent Protector and because the king her husband by much sicknesse was weakened both in his bodie and in his vnderstanding she procured him to be made and to be established the Protector of the Kings Person and the Regent of his whole kingdome Now when the said Duke had obtained this authoritie and power He intendeth reuengement on the Constable he forthwith resolued to reuenge his old displeasures vpon the said Constable and afterwards to bend his whole strength against king Henrie The Dolphin likewise and the Constable employed their chiefest care how they might enfeeble the new Regent and his adherents The Dolphin and the Constable arme their wits against the Regent and to oppose themselues against the English forces it was their smallest thought So blind is Enuie and so reuengefull is proud Ambition that the Countries good is nothing at all respected when men resolue to pursue their priuat hatred and contention And hereby all men might plainely see That these dissentions and these discords did more further the English Armie in their proceedings This Discord furthered King Henries proceedings than did their owne policie and their owne strength For the Normans being vtterly dismayed and hopelesse to be assisted because the Malice which bare sway among the French Nobilitie was too too great fled as men amazed and as not being the commanders of their owne wits from place to place from village to village and from towne to towne and in the meane time the English Armie commanded as it pleased King Henrie beholding their feare and seeking rather to winne their Castles Townes and Cities by Policie than by the Sword proclaymed in all places King Henries proclamation That such of them as would yeeld and sweare to become his subjects should not onely enjoy freely all their Lands Goods Liberties and Liues but should also bee protected and defended by his strength and be receiued into his Princely loue The greatest Townes in Normandie are yeelded to King Henrie This practise quickly procured the surrendring into his hands without blowes the strong Townes of Alanson Argenton Boyeux Camboy Conde Crewly Essay Faloys Thorygny and Vermoyle And vnto the kings brother the Duke of Clarence were quietly yeelded the Townes of Auellyers Barney Bethelvyn Chambroys Cowrton Crevener Fangermon Freshney Harcort Lysoeux and Ragles And into the hands of the kings other brother the Duke of Glocester were giuen vp and deliuered these Townes in the Countie of Constantine that is to say Auranclies Briquevile Cuventon Chiergurge Constance Hambery Hay du Pays Pontorson Pontdone S. Sauior S. Iames S. Clow Vire and Valoignes in all which the king and his brothers placed valiant English Captaines strong Garrisons to defend them King Henrie fortifieth all those Townes if the French should attempt to regaine them to his owne power Cane is repaired and fortified The Citie of Cane also was newly repaired fortified and inhabited by English souldiors and traders of all sorts Sir Gilbert Vmfreuyle being made Captaine of the Castle Sir Gilbert Talbot of the Towne and Sir Iohn Popham was made Bailife there 6 1417. Roan is walled round Whilest King Henrie and his companies were thus busied in Normandie hee was informed That the Citizens of Roan had compassed their Citie with a strong wall and had strengthened it with extraordinarie Fortifications Towers Bulwarkes and Ditches and that the whole Wealth and Treasure of a great part of the Countries round about it was brought thither The countries treasure is brought into Roan Whereupon he marched with his whole Armie towards that Citie and in his passage by strong assaults he tooke Pontlarch Louyers and Eureux and came before the strong Citie of Roan the last day of Iuly and compassed it round about vpon the Land parts with a strong siege Roan is besieged by land and by water And at Pontlarch he placed ouer the Riuer vpon Pyles a mightie Chayne of Iron and a Woodden Bridge which prohibited all succours by water to come vnto the Citie And the Earle of Warwike hauing the command of an hundred gallant shippes well manned victualled Cawdebeck giueth passage to the English fleet and prouided for the Warre entred into the Riuers mouth and came before the Towne of Cawdebeck and so fiercely pressed on it that by way of composition they suffered him quietly to passe towards Roan with faithfull promise to yeeld it into King Henries hands Conditions if hee fortuned to winne Roan but if hee did not then to giue the said Earle and his whole Fleet a safe and a peaceable returne And for the due performance thereof they sent him sufficient hostages Hostages whom he receiued louingly and carried them with him before Roan Thus was this Citie girded round about on euerie part so that no man could passe in or out At this Siege there repaired voluntarily to the King 1600 Irishmen repaire to the King and doe him great seruice the Lord of Kylmay of Ireland with sixteene hundred tall lustie swift and strong men of that Nation they all beeing cloathed in Coats of Mayle and armed with Darts whom the King entertained cheerefully and was extraordinarily furthered by their help and assistance in those his Expeditions Daily the King gaue terrible assaults vnto the Citie The Towne assaulted and defended which with admirable resolution and manlike valour was brauely defended by the Normans But when force and violence preuailed not the king to spare his men and because hee vnderstood 210000 souls in Roan That there were aboue two hundred and tenne thousand men women and children within the Towne determined if he might to gaine it by famine without blowes The King intends to win Roan by famine For which purpose he cast a deepe Ditch about the Land parts of the Citie The Kings fortifications and pitched it plentifully with sharpe stakes and guarded them with his Archers so that the inhabitants could not issue out eyther to offend him or to relieue themselues Thus this Siege continued from Lammas vntill the whole Christmas was ended during which time A great Famine the Famine so grieuously encreased that the Citizens dranke nothing but vineger and water and multitudes of them were enforced to prolong their liues by eating of Rattes Mice Cattes Dogges Horses and such like Great numbers also of the poorer sort vncharitably were thrust out of the Citie The poore are thrust forth and die because they spent their victuals and could not fight and because they were not
voluntarily and chearefully take the aforesaid oath then the said Possessions to bee frankely and freely restored vnto them 14. Item That after the death of King Charles the Duchie of Normandie and all others conquered by King Henry should be obedient and bow vnder the commaund of the Scepter and Crowne of France 15. Item That King Henrie should not burden the subiects of France with any Taxes or Jmpositions but in cases of great and vrgent necessitie and then onely the same to be assessed and leuied according to the custome and manner of France and not otherwise 16. Item That after the death of King Charles the two Kingdomes of France and of England should alwaies soueraignely be ruled and commanded by one Man and not by two Kings and that neither of those kingdomes should be subiect the one to the other but each of them should still retaine vse and enioy their particular Customes Liberties Priuiledges Preheminences Immunities and Lawes 17. Item That all care should bee taken and all prouision made that the subiects of each kingdome as brethren and friends should liue in mutuall loue amitie and peace and each of them to procure by their best meanes the welfare and prosperitie of the other 18. Item That neither the said French king nor king Henrie should conclude any Peace nor make any truce with the falsely entitled Dolphin except they both and the said Philip Duke of Burgoine did all three consent and agree in one so to doe 19. Item that none should be appointed to attend the Person of king Charles but Frenchmen and such as himselfe or his owne Councell should make choise of And that from time to time he should be resident and dwell at his pleasure in the most eminent places of his kingdome 20. And lastly that both the said kings vnder their Letters Patents and all their Nobilitie Clergie Gentrie Cities and Comminalties by Instruments in writing vnder their hands and seales should ratifie and confirme the said Articles and Agreements And that they all should solemnly sweare and vow to maintaine them in all points to the vttermost of their abilitie and power The Articles are proclaymed in England and in France These Articles and these Agreements being thus concluded were ordered accordingly and then with all conuenient expedition were proclaymed both in England and in France The two Kings and all their Nobles and other subjects of account were solemnely sworne to obserue and to maintaine them And then they both They are ratified by solemne Oaths being accompanied with Iames the young but valiant King of Scots the Duke of Burgoine the Prince of Orange one and twentie Earles fortie and fiue Barons and a multitude of Knights Gentlemen and braue souldiors of France of England and of Ireland wasted such Countries and besieged and tooke such strong and well defenced Townes and Castles within the Duchie of Burgoine The King warreth in Burgoine as sided and sorted with the Dolphin As first of all the Towne of Seyne after it had beene besieged fifteene dayes and the Castle there after it had held out six weekes then Molyn vpon the Riuer of Seyne which they tooke after they had enuironed it full seuen moneths and in it were apprehended the Lord Barbason The murderers of Iohn Duke of Burgoine are executed the chiefe Commaunder there and diuers others who were agents and actors in the murdering of Iohn the Proud Duke of Burgoine all which were by the French King sent from thence vnto Paris vnder the guardship of Thomas Duke of Clarence who was newly made chiefe Captaine of that Citie by King Charles The Duke of Clarence is made Captaine of Paris And within few dayes after the said offendors were legally tryed conuicted sentenced and put to death for the said Murder Then the two Kings with their two Queenes and their Nobilitie and Companies went vnto Paris King Henrie is proclaymed Regent and Heire apparant to the Crowne of France where King Henrie was proclaymed Regent and Heire Apparant to the Crowne of France and so was he not long after in London In Paris the two Kings kept their Christmas The French King being verie sickly and weake maintained small Hospitalitie But King Henrie with such heroicall Magnificence rich Plentie and liberall Entertainment so feasted the Nobles Gentrie and Citizens of both the said Kingdomes and was so open-handed to all sorts and degrees of people King Henrie winneth the loue of the Frenchmen that his State and Majestie was admired and his Princely courtesie fast bound vnto him the hearts of the Frenchmen to yeeld vnto him all manner of obedience and of seruice Whilest the two Kings thus remained in Paris The Dolphin and the other murderers are banished a great Assembly by their Authoritie was conuocated thither In which they both sate as Iudges and before them the Duchesse of Burgoine late Wife to her slaine Husband by her Aduocate appealed Charles the late Dolphin and seuen others as murderers of her Lord. But no defence was made for them And not long after a Court of Parliament was kept there In which a solemne Proces was awarded against the Dolphin and the rest of the Accused to appeare at the Marble Table in Paris at an appointed day But they all fayled to obserue that commaund And thereupon they were by the said Court banished the Realme and all the Territories of France and were also depriued of all Honors Names Titles Dignities Preheminences and Possessions whatsoeuer When the late Dolphin had intelligence thereof hee went into Languedock and comforted himselfe with his old friend the Earle of Arminack The Dolphin is aided by his old friend the Earle of Arminake sometimes Constable of France who not only assisted him in his great distresse with Money Munition and with Men but also in his owne person did him all reuerence and tooke his part against all such as professed themselues to bee his Enemies These things being thus accomplished the two Kings their Queenes and Nobles sorrowfully departed each from other And King Henrie King Henrie â—th the state of Frâ— with his Queene went vnto Roan where hee receiued Homage of all his Nobles in the Duchie of Normandie And among others of the Earle of Stafford to whome hee had giuen the Earledome of Perch The Duke of Clarence is made Lieutenant Generall of France and 〈◊〉 Normandie The King the Queene came into England The Queene 〈◊〉 crowned And of Arthur of Britaine vpon whom hee had bestowed the Countrey of Iurye Hee also made his brother Thomas Duke of Clarence Lieutenant Generall both of France and of Normandie and of that Duchie hee made the Earle of Salisburie Deputie to the said Duke And then hee with Queene Katherine his wife departed vnto Amiens and from thence to Callis and so came into England Where they were receiued and entertained with as much triumphant and true joy as could be by subiects expressed towards
their Prince And in Februarie following the Queene was crowned at Westminster 9 1420. The Duke of Clarence is betrayed by his friend and is slaine with great solemnitie and much honour The noble and the valiant Duke of Clarence being aduertised That the Duke of Alanson entitling himselfe the Lieutenant Generall of the Dolphin with diuers other Noblemen had leuied an Armie assembled the greatest part of his garrisons in Normandie and marched strongly into the Prouince of Angeou and pitched not farre off from the Citie of Angiers and spoyled and burnt the Countrey round about it To performe this Enterprise with honour and with safetie the Duke of Clarence had strengthened himselfe with sufficient Forces and Prouisions if they had beene well and wisely ordered But hauing in his Armie a false and a trayterous Lombard named Andrew Forgusa Andrew Forgusa whome hee too too much loued and trusted hee sent the said Lombard to discouer the preparations and the power with which hee was resolued to encounter Who brought him word That their number was but small their prouisions defectiue and their order orderlesse and that the Duke of Alanson was altogether vnable and too too weake to contend with him The Duke of Clarence firmely and strongly relying vpon the faith and the trust which hee reposed in this Traytor and being desirous with a small number to winne the honour of that day marched forward with his horsemen onely leauing behinde him his lustie and his strong Archers But when hee was entred within the secret ambushments which purposely were placed to distresse him and saw that his enemies were in number foure for one and were well prouided well armed and arranged in good order of battaile The battaile of Blangy and that no militarie discipline or art was wanting and that himselfe was villanously abused and betrayed by the Lombard whome hee trusted hee could not flye nor make any safe retreat but was enforced to aduenture his fortunes with too much inequalitie on his part So the fight began And though it was long maintained by the Englishmen with as much constancie and resolute valour as any men liuing could performe yet they being euerie minute oppressed with new supplyes and multitudes which still came rushing in vpon them tyring oppressing spoyling and hauocking of them wastfully on euerie side they were at length ouer-mastred and ouerthrowne The Englishmen slain and taken prisoners In this Battaile there were slaine on the French part more than twelue hundred of their choysest men and of the English there were slaine the braue Duke of Clarence the Earle of Tankeruyle Sir Gilbert Vmfreuyle Earle of Kent a prudent man and a worthie Commander the Lord Rosse and almost two thousand others And there were taken prisoners the Earles of Somerset Suffolke and Perch the Lord Fitz-water and manie others Sir Thomas Beauford surnamed the bastard of Clarence who had the direction of the Archers which were left behinde being informed but all too late that the Duke of Clarence was betrayed and that the numbers of the Frenchmen and their Power did farre exceede the Lombards report and that the English were distressed with incredible speede marched forth to succour them with his best helpes But the Frenchmen perceiuing his approach and contenting themselues with the honour of the day and with their prisoners as they had taken with posting haste and speede fled and ranne away as fast as they were able Cowardly Frenchmen leauing the new Forces of the Englishmen to performe sad Exequies for their slaine friends the bodies of whome they buried But the Duke of Clarence was carried into England and honourably interred at Canterburie by his father King Henrie the fourth The heauie newes of this vnexpected ouerthrow The Earle of Mortaigne succeedeth the Duke of Clarence and especially the death of the Duke of Clarence occasioned by the aforesaid Treacherie and Treason much grieued the King his brother Who purposing to reuenge himselfe if hee might vpon the Duke of Alanson and the late Dolphin and his adherents sent into Normandie the Earle of Mortaigne brother to the late taken Earle of Somerset and gaue to him the same Authoritie and Place which the Duke of Clarence formerly had He also assembled his High Court of Parliament In which hee substantially discouered in what sort the Estate of both his Kingdomes stood and how conuenient nay how necessarie and how needfull it was that the Dolphin and his adherents should speedily be pursued Hee likewise told them That hee wanted neyther Men Munition nor Courage but that Money was too scarce with him to vndertake that businesse Whereupon the Temporaltie with all chearefulnesse and alacritie gaue vnto him one Fifteene and the Clergie gaue him two And because much time would be spent before it could be leuied therefore the Kings vncle the Bishop of Winchester disbursed vnto him in readie coyne twentie thousand pounds which hee receiued againe out of the said Fifteenes The King hauing leuied a gallant Armie Iohn Duke of Bedford carrieth an army into France which consisted of foure thousand men at Armes and of foure and twentie thousand Archers sent and with all speede prosperously landed them at his owne Towne of Callis vnder the commaund of his worthie brother Iohn Duke of Bedford whome himselfe in his owne person followed The King followeth And vnderstanding that the Dolphin with seuen thousand men had besieged and much distressed the Citie of Chartieres which was valiantly defended by the Bastard of Thyan hee marched swiftly vnto Paris and from thence toward his Enemies and in his journey he was met by his heartie and true friend Philip Duke of Burgoine He meeteth his friend Philip Duke of Burgoine and Earle of Flanders who brought vnto him foure thousand men and diligently attended him in that Negotiation and Seruice The Dolphin raysed his siege The King was now informed That the Dolphin distrusting his owne strength had raysed his Siege and was retyred vnto Tours into Towrayne Wherefore to represse the rage and violence of Sir Iaques Harcourt who wasted the Countrey of Picardie hee sent the Duke of Burgoine thither And with other Forces hee caused the young and couragious Iames Iames the King of Scots winneth Direx the King of the Scots to lay siege vnto the Towne of Direx which he performed accordingly and dayly with such violence and valour so assaulted it for the space of sixe weekes that with mayne strength hee compelled it to be yeelded into his hands to King Henries vse The Dolphin flyeth from place to place And whilest this Siege did thus continue the King himselfe passed ouer the Riuer of Loyer intending to haue encountred with the Dolphin But hee distrusting his owne strength fled from Tours vnto Burgys in Berrye and there expected a change of his frowning fortunes The King perceiuing his flight from place to place to bee so quicke and hastie hee thought it not conuenient to
tyre out his Armie to pursue him Wherefore hee returned ouer the Riuer of Loyre and tooke eyther by force or by voluntarie yeelding manie Townes and Castles vnto his owne vse Pâ— Henry is borne About the same time Queene Katherine was deliuered of a Sonne at Windsour who was named Henrie Of whose birth as soone as the King had notice he said vnto the Lord Fitz-Hugh his Chamberlaine The Kings words I HENRIE borne at Monmouth shall remaine but a short time and gaine much but HENRIE borne at Windsour shall raigne long and lose all The King who for manie weekes together had besieged the well-defended Towne of Meux in Bry enforced it to bee yeelded into his hands and thereupon all the Townes and Fortresses in the Isle of France in Lanuoys in Bry and in Champaigne did the like The Dolphin entreth into the Duke of Burgoines countrey When the Dolphin vnderstood that the King with his Armie was departed farre away from him hee raysed another Armie and entred into the Duke of Burgoines Countries wasting and consuming it with Sword and with Fire and straitly besieged the Citie of Cosney Cosney is besieged which by composition was to be yeelded to him if it were not rescued within tenne daies Of this Agreement notice was sent by the Duke of Burgoine to the King with a request That he would send a power conuenient for the remoue of the said Siege The King goeth to relieue Cosney Whereupon the King in his owne person being accompanied with a gallant companie marched towards that Citie to set it free But as he trauelled on the way he fell so sicke that he was vnable to trauaile anie further The King falleth sick So the charge of that expedition was committed to his brother Iohn Duke of Bedford whose passage forth was noysed to the Dolphin to be with such an high courage and souldior-like resolution that the Dolphin fearing to grapple with him raysed his siege The Dolphin sayeth and most dishonourably retyred himselfe and his Armie into Berry And thus was that Citie rescued and deliuered by the English The King by reason of his encreasing sicknesse waxing more weake and feeble was carried vnto Boys in Vyncennes where within few dayes he was summoned by Death to depart into another world But before he died The Kings Speech before he died he called vnto him his two brothers Iohn Duke of Bedford and Humfrey Duke of Glocester the former hee made Lieutenant Generall of Normandie and Regent of the kingdome of France and the other he made Protector of England and of his sonnes owne person Hee embraced his approaching end comfortably in regard that though his time had been but short yet it was beautified with matchlesse fame and honour which longer continuance being the professed enemie of stabilitie might haue changed He exhorted them and his Nobles who then were present to maintaine true and heartie loue and friendship with his noble and faithfull friend Philip Duke of Burgoine and neuer to be at variance with him Hee persuaded them to nourish and to cherish an vnseparable vnitie and faithfull friendship among themselues to be faithfull and louing to his young infant sonne and their succeeding king Henrie and by all meanes to bee helpefull ayding and assisting to his most sad dolorous and mournefull Queene to preserue and to maintaine by Wisdome Policie and Armes those things which he by valour and GODS furtherance had honourably wonne and gotten Neuer to conclude any peace or amitie with the late Dolphin and Duke of Alanson vntill they were enforced to submit themselues to his sonnes grace and mercie Finally he thanked Almightie GOD who had made him Religious Vertuous Honest and Victorious The King died and died the last day of August in the yeare of our LORD GOD 1422. in the eight and thirtieth yeare of his Age when hee had raigned but nine yeares fiue moneths and foure and twentie dayes And his bodie being conueyed into England was buried among his noble Progenitors at Westminster with extraordinarie solemnitie and great pompe THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE SIXT KIng Henrie the fifth died when his sonne Henrie was but nine months old 1422. 1 A yong king but well gouerned Yet was hee so fortunate in his beginning that his Youth and Gouernment were worthily supported by his three vncles Humfrey Duke of Glocester who when the King was crowned was made Protector both of his Person and also of his Realme Iohn Duke of Bedford who was established Regent of France and Thomas Duke of Exeter who graced all his actions with much wisdome and great valour Needfull it was that the new Protector and the Regent should make the vtmost tryall of their sufficiencies to the World For whereas in the end of the Kings fathers dayes France is vnwilling to remain English the Nobilitie of France incorporated themselues to the English Nation and heartily enuied the Dolphin King Charles about this time died and the vnconstant Frenchmen began to play an Irish game For on a suddaine manie of those dissembling and fained friends renounced their duties and obedience to King Henrie and vtterly neglecting the performance of Oathes of Allegeance made vnto him they reuolted and not onely adhered to Charles their new King but by all sinister practises and meanes they endeuoured to extirpe the English Nation among them if they might The Regents Policies The Protector at home by the aduise and counsell of the Statists plotted manie Proiects for the retayning of the Kings inheritance in Normandie and in France and for that purpose he furnished the Regent with store of Souldiours Siluer and of Gold The Regent also leuied a strong Armie in Normandie among his choysest and chiefest friends whome by substantiall arguments and sound reasons hee persuaded to perseuere and to continue loyall to his Master and not to be wearied with anie labour or daunted with anie danger because a peacefull and a blessed conclusion should make them rich and fortunate and winne to them the loue and fauour of their young King as hee encreased in wisedome and in yeares And on the other side Charles the new King spared not anie paines but did the like insomuch that nothing but tyrannizing Warre and the vnchristian effusion of much bloud was thought vpon And to begin those Troubles the French King sent the Lord Grandeuyle Pont-Melance taken with a selected companie to Pont-Melance which standeth on the Riuer of Seyne which hee surprized and slew the most part of them whom he found there before anie notice of his approach gaue anie warning to the English garrison to defend it The Earle of Salisburie a famous man Thomas Montacute the Earle of Salisburie for his admired courage and expert managing of martiall actions was at that time more fitly to be compared to a choise Roman than to anie other who liued in his dayes To this Earle the Regent commended the regayning
of that Towne in the siege whereof hee spent three moneths Pont-Melance regained but at length it was yeelded into his hands and the Lord Grandeuyle by a solemne Oath promised his faithfull and perpetuall seruice to King Henrie but reuolted as soone as he was set at large Sens is taken From thence the said Earle marched into Champaigne besieged and tooke the Towne of Sens and deuoured the surprized souldiors with the Sword The Parisians craue protection The vnconstant Parisians more coueting to make an outward shew of their fidelitie to the English than to be true indeede sent diuers of their greatest and grauest Citizens into England to craue protection and defence against King Charles Who were receiued not onely with a chearefull welcome heartie thankes and bountifull entertainement but also were promised the fruition of much happinesse if they persisted loyall vnto King Henrie About that time the Regent meeting at Amiens with the Dukes of Burgoine and of Britaine 1423. 2 A League renewed The Regent marrieth renewed the League formerly concluded betweene them And to make it the more firme and sure hee married the Ladie Anne of Burgoine sister vnto the Duke The triumphant Shewes and Pastimes which were prepared to augment the honour of this Match The Parisians are vnfaithfull and conspire with the French king persuaded the Parisians in his absence that the Regent attended nothing but Iolitie and Mirth Which conceit of theirs made them trecherously to inuite their longed for King Charles to come vnto them and to receiue that Citie into his hands This newes brought comfort to his soule The trecherie discouered So that hee appointed the day when his desire should bee effected in that businesse But as it euer falleth out where many are of counsell nothing can be secret so some of those Conspirators acquainted the Regent with euerie particular of this Plot Who with his Armie posted vnto Paris with greater expedition than may well be credited and entred into the Citie gates before anie notice was giuen of his repaire thither For this Conspiracie manie of the chiefest confederates were executed publikely with sundrie kinds of death And from thenceforth he mastred the Parisians with English Garrisons The Regent curbeth the Parisians and replenished their Castle Towers Fortresses and Places of Defence and Strength with such English Souldiors as solaced themselues in being froward Commanders and imperious Rulers of the inhabitants of that Citie And likewise by strong Assaults and enforced Compositions hee wonne the two Castles of Pacy and Coursay Pacy and Coursay wonne by the English which were not farre from it both which hee strengthened in like manner Whilest these things were thus acted the Lord William Steward Constable of Scotland the Earle of Ventadore The siege of Crauant is raysed and manie others with a strong Armie besieged the strong Towne of Crauant within the Territories of Burgoigne But the Earle of Salisburie with an Armie of fifteene thousand men rushed fiercely vpon the besiegers and with the losse of one and twentie hundred of his companies and with the slaughter of eight thousand of his enemies hee raysed the Siege and gayned libertie to the Towne The Earle vpon his returne to Paris was substituted vice-Regent of the Countries of France Bry Champaigne and Sir Iohn Fastolfe an approued Knight in Arms was appointed to be Deputie in the Duchie of Normandie Which worthie Captaines performed such noble deedes of Chiualrie and obtayned such vnexpected victories as made them famous their Followers rich and their Countrey renowned in all Kingdomes In the meane time whilest the Protector prouidently endeuoring to preuent the encreasing strength of the Kings enemies in France and to secure the tranquilitie and peace of this Common-weale at home The King of Scots ransomed for a small ransome hee enlarged Iames the young and martiall King of Scots who for manie yeares had beene a prisoner And receiuing of him in the Kings behalfe his homage and his fealtie for Scotland He doth homage for Scotland hee gaue to him in marriage by the consent of all the English Nobilitie the Ladie Iane daughter to the deceased Earle of Somerset and cousin german to the King He is an excellent Prince but vnfaithfull and vnthankefull This gallant Prince by meanes of his excellent Learning and Education in feats of Armes vnder the last King Henrie was better enabled to rule a Kingdome than any of his progenitors did before him In so much that making the best vse of those heroicall vertues with which he was adorned he reduced that Realme into extraordinarie Ciuilitie made his souldiors expert in warlike discipline and his Nation more learned than euer they had been before his dayes Yet was he altogether vnfaithfull and vnthankfull to England his nearest and his dearest friend Prouision an Armie sent into France The Protector who was wise and industrious neuer suffered the Regent in France to complaine of any want For as in former times so now he sent vnto him an Armie of tenne thousand men with much Treasure The Regent and his assistants daily wonne Townes Cities Castles and Forts with prouident policie and true valour But the French King by grosse Flatterie cunning Deuises secret Treacherie Valour was encountred by trecherie and couert Dealings among others possessed himselfe of the strong Townes of Crotoy and some others which were suddainely regayned for true Manhood was encountred with Subtletie and approued Valour with Treacherie and Craft The Duke of Britaine and his brother doe reuolt The Duke of Britaine fearing least the Regent growing strong would at length be Lord of his Countrey basely and perfidiously reuolted to the French King And so did his brother Arthur Earle of Richmond who by King Henrie the fifth was created Earle of Yurye in Normandie Yury in Normandie besieged and made Gouernor of that Towne Whereupon the Regent besieged it and with many secret Mynes violent Batteries and fierce Assaults made it so subject to apparant dangers that the besieged concluded to yeeld it vp if at an appointed day they were not relieued by the French King The Regents resolution For the Regent being throughly resolued to purchase his peace with a short and with a sharpe warre determined to abide battel what force soeuer should be sent to relieue the miseries of that distressed Towne And to further his purpose in that behalfe hee freely permitted messengers to be sent vnto his enemies to informe them of the conclusion which he had made Within few dayes after the Duke of Alanson with sixteene thousand Frenchmen approched neare to the English Campe A cowardly French Armie who did put themselues into a readinesse to receiue him But according to the French fashion he made manie bragging shewes to performe much but on a suddain he cowardly quited the place Vernoyle besieged and wonne by a false report not giuing any one blow and pitched
charge and maintained their houses and families was taken from them And thereby they were also disabled to entertaine such and so many Iourney-men couenant seruants and apprentices as they had formerly done Neither could or would they giue to such as they had such large and liberall wages pensions and rewards as was expected by them for their paines and seruice These extremities occasioned multitudes of Apprentices and of Iourney men without the procurement or allowance of their Masters to runne with great violence and furie to the Stilliard in London where they brake vp and robbed many Ware-houses and shops and rifled whatsoeuer did come athwart their hands And besides all this they offred much violence in a strange manner to the Easterlings being the owners of those commodities and wares vntill the comming thither of the Lord Maior with a band of armed men both terrified them and also made them flie Of these malefactors some were taken and imprisoned in the Tower and due examination being taken of them and of their offence the principall Ring leaders among them being in number about fourescore were continued prisoners for many weekes But in the end they all were freed and receiued the Kings Pardon About the same time the before named Sir Robert Clifford vpon his repentant motion Sir Robert Clifford forsakâ—th Perkin Warbecke A notable policie and by the mediation of his friends at home procured leaue for his returne and pardon for his offence so that when notice was giuen of his landing the King appointed him to meet him at the Tower that there before him and his Nobilitie hee might discouer plainly and at large the whole practise deuice and purpose of the Ladie Margaret and of her base nephew Perkin Warbecke and of all other the Conspirators in that businesse And this place of meeting aboue all others the King in policie appointed because if any of his Lords or great ones were by the said Sir Robert Clifford accused as being guiltie of that offence they might without blowes or ciuill warres be apprehended and committed in the same place The Knight at his first appearance in the Kings presence humbly kneeled downe confessed his transgression expressed many true signes of heartie and vnfained repentance and receiued the Kings fauour Among the great men attending on the King Sir William Stanley is accused by Sir Robert Clifford he onely accused Sir William Stanley whereat the King much maruelled because he not only entirely loued him but also had by his bounteous liberalitie increased his possessions made him honourable and Lord Chamberlaine to his owne person This fault was so plainly and so particularly discouered before the King that the accused Gentleman not being able to excuse himselfe was forthwith committed to prison Sir William Stanley is beheaded and within few daies after being by the due course of Law condemned for examples sake vnto others he lost his head Yet for all this so desirous were many of nouelties others of spoiles some of reuenge and others of ciuill warres that they began to speake contumeliously despightfully and too too leaudly against the King But for this maladie he quickly prouided a double remedie First by making of himselfe strong with such Forces as he had leuied and secondly by taking of a strait account and by seuere punishing of some of those whose tongues as Rasours had deepely wounded his honour and his good name And by their ensamples hee reduced the rest to more conformitie and compelled them to obey He also sent an Armie into Ireland vnder the command of Sir Edward Poâ—nings to correct and punish with great seueritie such of the Irish Nation An armie is transported into Ireland as two yeares before had giuen and assistance to Perkin Warbecke But the offenders being for the most part wilde rude barbarous and sauage people delighting in war and being neuer better contented then when they were tumultuous and in horrid actions assembled themselues in great multitudes and according to their vse and fashion they ranne into the woods mountaines and bogges whom the Knight was the more vnable to pursue because the Nobilitie of that Iland who promised to send him much aid performed nothing which carelesnesse he imputed to Gerald Earle of Kyldare who as he was a man by his birth possessions and friends most powerfull among the Irish so was he chiefe Deputie of that Countrey to the King Him vpon the false and slanderous accusations of his malignant enemies the Knight apprehended as a Traitor and brought him into England But before the King his fidelitie and his innocencie freely deliuered him from further trouble and danger so that being graced thanked and rewarded for his true and honourable seruice he was not only enlarged but obtained the continuance of his Deputation as before Perkin Warbecke landeth some of his men in Kent In this meane time Perkin Warbecke being by the Ladie Margaret furnished with a Fleet of ships and being accompanied with Roagues Vacabonds Slaues Theeues Robbers Murderers Banke-rupts seditious Varlats and with the off-scumme of many Nations came vpon the Kentish Coast where they cast Anchors and landed some of those Vassals who endeuoured to informe themselues whether the people determined to follow poore Perkin Warbecke or no. The answer made by the multitude who began to rise in armes gaue good contentment for outwardly they firmely promised vntill death to support and to maintaine him and his quarrell against the King But when by faire words and soothing speeches they had trained those Rascals vp into the land His men are slaine and executed they fiercely set vpon them slew many and tooke one hundred and threescore prisoners whom they deliuered into the custodie of Sir Iohn Peachy high Sheriffe of that Prouince who railed them in ropes like vnto horses drawing carts and conueied them in that fashion to the Citie of London where they receiued their trials and were executed in sundrie places of this Realme And the counterfeited Duke of Yorke expecting better fortune at another time returned into Flanders to his pensiue and carefull Aunt He returneth into Flanders where because he supposed that delaies would proue dangerous and that much lingring would be vnprofitable for him he speedily collected such numbers of base and vnworthie Pesants as by necessitie were compelled to enter into his seruice which being done He landeth in Ireland he embarked them hoised his Anchors and sailed into Ireland purposing with those wilde and sauage men to augment his numbers and then to land in the Westerne parts of this Kingdome But when experience assured him that hee might haue men enow He commeth into Scotland but little armes hee then resolued not to make warre by the helpe of such as were naked wherefore he left them and came into Scotland and presented both himselfe and his cause to Iames the Fourth who at that time was very young and swaied the Scepter of that Kingdome The Scots although