England whom we shall shortly bring home with the King her Husband was soon m Walsingh hist p. 135. after in the Tower of London deliver'd of a Fair Daughter named Blanch who to temper King Edwards Felicities unfortunately died before she was weaned and lies buried at Westminster CHAPTER the EIGHTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward in great Displeasure comes privately over into England where he displaces and imprisons several of his Chief Ministers of State. II. His Quarrel with the Archbishop with the full State of the whole Case in Epitome III. The Archbishop's Letter to the King. IV. The Archbishop's Letter to the Lord Chancellour V. His Remonstrance to the King and his Council VI. His Letter to the Bishop of London VII His Articles of Excommunication which he publishes over all his Province VIII A Copy of the King's Letters to the Bishop of London in Defence of his Proceedings against the Archbishop IX The Archbishops Answer to the King wherein he defends himself against all his Objections X. The King's Reply to the Archbishop's Defence which he sends to all the Suffragans of that Province with absolute Command to obey the Archbishop in nothing contrary to his Pleasure wherein we shall find a notable Instance even in those Times of the King's Supremacy and Jealousie of his Rights and Royal Prerogatives XI The Particulars of a Parliament at Westminster wherein at the last the Archbishop upon his Submission is fully pardon'd and received into Favour I. WE said before that upon the Truce taken before Tournay King Edward went to Gaunt and how thence he returned into England But now we are to take up that Thread again and so to proceed in a further Discourse of his Affairs While a Holingshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. b. he lay at Gaunt Lewis Earl of Flanders being now by vertue of the Truce restored to his Country came thither to visit him And for several Days he made great Cheer to him and his Queen caressing and entertaining them with magnificent Feasts and Banquets But King Edward took small Delight in such matters now his Mind ran upon the Mony which he dayly expected from England to pay off his Debts contracted beyond Sea which having long look'd for in vain pretending b Stow p. 237. that he would ride abroad for his Pleasure he went suddenly into Zealand where he took Ship privately with only his Queen and Eight more Persons of Quality in his Company designing for England But upon the Sea he met with a Storm which for three days together tossed him too and fro with great fury to the utter hazard of his Person It is said c Grafton p. 247. Fabian p. 216. that the Tempest was rais'd by certain Necromancers of France who purpos'd thereby to destroy him or at least to cool his Courage from passing the Seas any more Whatever was the Occasion this is certain that as if King Edward had been only destin'd for the Kingdom of France which he so greatly desired it seem'd fatal for him always in his Passage thither to have calm Seas and Wind at will but in his Return all things contrary so that often he endur'd many great Losses and Shipwrecks And this was his Fate while his Fortune stood fair but when he began to decline he found the Wind so contrary to him that by no means he could once set his Foot more in France However now at last this storm being happily abated on the third Night being d 30 Novem. St. Andrews he arrived safe at shoar and landed at the Tower of London about the Cock-crow The Lords that came with him and the Queen were the Earl of Northampton the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Darcy the Lord Guy Beauchamp Eldest Son to the Earl of Warwick with the Lord John Beauchamp his Uncle and two Chaplains which were also his Secretaries Dr. William Killesby and Dr. William Weston with their Servants only Upon the King's entring the Tower he found there no Guard ready but only his Children and three Servants waiting on them Wherefore in great e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 127. Anger he sent for the Lord Nicolas de la Beche Constable of the Tower and committed him to Prison in the said place As also he served at the same time Andrew Aubry Lord Mayor of London the Lord Thomas Wake Sr. John St. Paul Keeper of the great Seal Sr. John Stonore Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Michael Wath Henry Stratford and Robert Chickwell Clerks of the Chancery and Philip Thorp Clerk of the Exchequer All whom he sent for and imprison'd as he had done also to the Archbishop of Canterbury if he could have got him After this in several Parts of the Kingdom he caused to be taken and clapt up in divers Prisons Sr. John Poltney Alderman of London Sr. William de la Pole Baron of his Exchequer Sr. William Shareshull one of the Justices of the Kings Bench Sr. Richard Willoughby Deputy Lord Chief Justice Sr. John Shardelow and Sr. Thomas Ferrers Thô within a while after the Lord Wake was deliver'd with Honour having no Fault fix'd upon him The City of London during the Imprisonment of their Mayor was at the Kings Command govern'd by a Bayliff as will appear hereafter As for Dr. f Philipot's Catal Chancell Treas p. 34. Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester who was then Lord Chancellour of England and Robert Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield then Lord Treasurer he immediately discharged them of their Offices threatning to send them into Flanders there to lie as Pledges for Money which he owed or if they refus'd to go to lay them in prison in the Tower. But upon the Bishop of Chichester's Remonstrance to him g Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. that he would then be in danger to incure the Penalty of Pope Clements Canon De non incarcerandis Episcopis he relented and let them go free thô deprived of their Offices Sr. Robert h Philipot's ibid. p. 34. 38. Bourchier succeeding in the Place of Lord Chancellour and Sr. Richard Saddington in that of Treasurer and Dr. Killesby in the Place of Privy Seal Sr. John St. Paul the late Keeper being also discharged All the Sheriffs also of Shires and other Publique Officers were at this time removed and new ones put in their Places And certain Justices were appointed to enquire into the Faults of Collectors and other Officers concerned in the Gathering the Taxes so that few or none escaped unpunished so strictly these New Justices proceeded in their Commissions As for the i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 146. b. Lord John Molins a Great and Noble Baron of the Realm the incensed Prince in the heat of his Displeasure flang his Body into Prison and seised all his Lands into his own Hands which thereupon were committed to the custody of Sr. John Eldred his Offence having been judged
within Ten Leagues on these Considerations they made signs for a Parley intending to treat with the Constable while yet they might do it on tolerable Terms Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin had received notice before this that he should hear of the English Succours that very Night Whereupon he more readily enclin'd to this Treaty and agreed to receive them to Mercy and so took the Castle and let the Garrison go with their Lives and Armour only This done he forthwith drew out all his Army into the open Field and set them in Battle Array ready to fight if need should be saying to his Men Messieures Consider well your business For our Enemies are coming towards Vs apace and I think yet before Night We shall have Battle Stand therefore all to your Guard and be ready to play the Men for the Honour of France Thus was Sr. Bertram dispos'd But the English made no great Haste to the Battle when they knew that St. Severe was lost beyond Recovery Besides other Matters came upon them which filled both their Hands and Heads with business enough For it is to be understood that the Frenchmen in Poictiers had all along many unsteady Minds among them who only sought an opportunity to revolt from the English So that now in the absence of Sr. Thomas Percy their Seneschal there arose an high Dissention in the City For three Parts of the Town were for letting in the French but Sr. John Reinolds the Mayor and Part of the Communalty resolved to remain true to the English Yet the Chief of the Richest Burgesses and of the Clergy whereof there was a great Number would by all means have the Constable sent for to come and take Possession of the City for they promised to open the Gates unto him Of which News the Constable was glad and communicated the matter to the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon Then it was agreed that the Constable should go from the Army with 300 Spears the best mounted in all the Host and so he went and rode the remainder of that Day and the Night following taking little rest more than 30 Leagues by another way than that which he knew the English kept The next Morning he came to Poictiers where he found the Gates open and his Friends ready to receive him Yet if he had tarried but an Hour longer or so he had come too late For Sr. John Reinolds the Mayor of Poictiers and those of his Party sent in all haste to the Captal and Sr. Thomas Percy who sent them immediatly an 100 Spears and as many Archers on Horseback and these were then come within a league of the City when Sr. Bertram enter'd XIV Upon News of the Loss of this Considerable Garrison of Poictiers all the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne Poictou and England were mightily cast down especially those who were then assembled together in Poictou to the number of 800 Spears and 400 Archers on Horseback For two Hundred of their former Number were now gone to save the Place thô as we shew'd they came too late Then they called a Council of War to advise how to proceed among so many Dangers and Uncertainties For they saw well they were in the midst of their Enemies and yet knew not whom to trust to as their Friends But the Loyal Barons and Knights of Poictou when they saw the English Captains so suspitious and jealous as they might well be in those Circumstances to raise up their Minds and assure them the more said Certainly Gentlemen our Friends and Companions in Arms We are very sorry to see how ill Matters go in these Parts and that it is not in our power to help it But surely Gentlemen You may be Confident of this that while We can hold our Swords in our Hands and there is but one Castle or Fortress left in Poictou for us to retire to we shall never desert you but remain True and Faithfull to our Natural Lord the King of England and to You. The English Captains that were there reply'd Gentlemen next unto God Almighty our chief Confidence is in You And thô it be to die in the Quarrel You shall find us True Companions Thus there was a long Debate held in the Field but at last it was concluded that the Poictevins should march separately one way and the Englishmen another And so the former viz. the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Thoüars the Lord of Roussillon the Lord Lewis of Harcourt Sr. Emery of Rochechoüart Sr. John Dangle Sr. Percival of Cologne Captain of Thoüars Sr. Reginald de Theüars Sr. William de Campenac Sr. James of Surgeres Sr. Hugh Monberon all these with their Retinues went to the strong City of Thoüars But the English Lords and Captains as the Lord Thomas Percy Sr. Richard of Ponchardon Sr. Thomas Fowkes Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. John Vbrues Sr. Dangouses John Creswell David Holcroft and others took the way to Niort where they thought to have found a ready Entrance But when they came thither they found the Gates shut against them and the Bridge drawn up and upon Demand the Townsmen answerd That they must not expect any Admittance there This Affront the English could not endure but upon Advice resolved to assault the Place and to make the Inhabitants an Example to all others Now thô the Men of Niort had Inconstancy enough to imitate the Defection of others yet they had not so much Wit as to consider that they were not able to defend themselves against this Power of the English For as yet they had no sufficient Captain among them to direct them in case of Necessity nor any that understood perfectly the Art of War. Wherefore after a short Defence wherein they shew'd more Animosity than Skill the Place was carried by Force the Inhabitants for the most part put to the Sword and the Town spoil'd and rob'd by the English Though if they could but have held out till Night in all likelihood they had escaped For the Constable of France had sent thither Sr. Tibauld du Pont with 200 Chosen Men to reinforce them but this Succour as well as that which the English sent to save Poictiers came too late And so at Niort the English made a strong Garrison intending to lie still till they heard more News XV. While the English i Frois c. 304. thus lay at Niort and durst not divide themselves for doubt of their Inconstant Friends and for fear of their prevailing Enemies Owen the Titular Prince of Wales had succeeded so well with Don Henry King of Spain that he came now before Rochell with a strong Fleet of Fourty tall Ships Thirteen Barges and Eight Galeons full of good Souldiers under the Command of Don Rodrigo di Roses Admiral of Spain and therewith so block'd up the Haven that none could pass out or in without much Danger The Rochellers seeing themselves in no good Condition and indeed being
King after his Departure So that the Knights and Lords of Poictou were engag'd in a kind of Civil War the Weaker being alway made a Prey to the Stronger and Castles and Fortresses being so intermingled one with another here an English and there a French Garrison that there was nothing but mutual Losses and Reprisals every Day all things were in Confusion neither Law Right nor Reason being of any moment in those Parts VI. Now the Loyal Barons and Knights of Poicton who still adher'd to England consider'd that the Castle of Moncontour i Frois ibid. molested them more than any other Garrison wherefore they agreed to go thither and lay Siege thereto So the Lord Thomas Percy who was Seneschal of Poictou made his Summons for that Purpose within the City of Poictiers where upon the Muster he found his Forces to amount to 500 Spears and 2000 Footmen well armed besides Archers The Chief Captains whereof next Sr. Thomas himself were the Lord Baldwin Frevile Sr. Dangouses Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. Percival Collins Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Richard Pontchardon English Men and these Knights of Poictou Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Lewis Harcourt the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton the Lord of Crupenac Sr. Hugh de Vinoye Sr. James of Surgieres Sr. Moubron of Linieres and others all who marched forth of Poictiers in good Order under the Conduct of the Lord Thomas Percy and came and sat down before Moncontour This Castle and Town of Moncontour stands on the Marches of Poictou and Anjou being little more than six Leagues from Saumur in Anjou and about as many from Poictiers but hardly four from Thoüars The Castle was exceeding strong and fair and had a good Garrison commanded as we said before by Sr. Peter de Guerfille and Sr. Jordan de Coulonges But the English had brought with them from Poictiers several Great Engines of Battery and had others also sent to the Camp from Thoüars all which they reared up against the Fortress and plaid therewith Night and Day Besides this there were Skirmishes held at the Barriers constantly and especially by the Companions who were then in the English Army being commanded by Sr. Walter Hewett John Cresswell and David Holcraft For they were continually upon Duty being all Valiant Men and desirous by any means to carry the Place because Sr. Thomas Percy had promised to bestow it on those who should win it The Garrison wanted neither Courage nor Provision nor any other thing necessary but Repose and Quiet for they had no rest allow'd them Night nor Day but were constantly alarum'd in several Places without any intermission Especially on the Tenth Day of the Siege the Assault was General and more vigorous than ordinary so that at last the Place was carried by fine Force and every Man within put to the Sword except the two Captains and about five or six Men of Arms who were taken to Mercy Upon this Success the Lord Thomas Percy by Advice and with Consent of all the Barons and Knights present granted the Castle to the Custody of Sr. Walter Hewett John Cresswell and David Holcraft who undertook with their Troops amounting to 500 able Men Companions to make good the Place and to hold Frontier War with those of Anjou and Touraine And this English Garrison subsisted thus a great while to the no small Detriment of the Frenchmen their Neighbours but the Lord Percy having succeeded here discharged his Troops for the present and sent them to their several Quarters VII Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin Constable of France having after his Victory over the English at Pont Vallin designed to Winter at Paris was informed how the English had again taken the Field in Poictou and Guienne Wherefore he resolved after Candlemas in the beginning of the Year to raise an Army and to ride forth against the Enemies of France who ranged about at their pleasure especially from their Garrisons in Poictou Limosin Quercy Auvergne and Rouvergue For in most of these Parts the English had behav'd themselves with much Honour and had sustain'd their Interest with Commendable Bravery ever since the War began Particularly the Lord John Devereux was just then return'd into Limosin whereof he was Seneschal having lately pass'd in Hostile Manner thrô Auvergne and Givaudan till he came into Vivarais where he took the Castle with the City and base Town and all But Sr. Bertram thought not to leave such Matters uncontroverted So having the King's leave he left Paris with a considerable Number of Men of Arms among whom were these Captains of Name the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon the Earl of Alenson and his Brother the Earl of Perche the Earl of St. Paul the Dauphin of Auvergne the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Porcien the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Montagre Sr. Hugh Dauphin the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Talascon and many more Barons Knights and Esquires of the Marches of France All these went into Vivarais and sat down before the City of Vzes where having layn fifteen days to no purpose the Place being Valiantly Defended by the English they raised their Siege and marched thence toward the Parts of Rouvergue the Constable thinking fit to go and make Experiment of his Enemies there also But at his rising from before Vzes several of the Chief Lords with him took their leaves of him for a while and struck off to Avignon to pay a Visit to Pope Gregory and to the Duke of Anjou who was then with him having k Frois ibid. lately been very instrumental in advancing him to that See. But having received his Holinesses Blessing and confer'd a little with the Duke of Anjou they return'd from Avignon and follow'd the Constable toward Rouvergue where they joyn'd him and proceeded with him in winning Towns and Castles from the English Among others they came before the strong Town of Milland and laid Siege thereto the Captain therein for the English being Sr. Thomas Wake who had kept the Place about a Year and an half together with another Fortress not far off called la Roche Vauclere But now on certain Reasons the said Sr. Thomas was fain to deliver up Millaud upon Composition to depart with Bag and Baggage and flying Colours whose Example was soon after followed by many other Fortresses on the Frontiers Sr. Bertram stay'd a while hereabouts to refresh his Men and so went back again toward the City of Vzes resolving to renew his Siege and that he might do it the more effectually he sent for Great Engines from Riom and Clermont and reared them up against the Walls and made ready all other Instruments of War in order to make one grand and general Assault When the English within saw the Constable's Design l Frois c. 291. being informed that such a Man as Sr. Thomas Wake himself had yielded up Millaud and quitted all Rouvergue and considering also that
Earl of Richmond The Black-Prince growing worse and worse resigns Aquitaine to his father The Death of the Earl of Stafford Sr. William Molineux and Sr. John Mandeville the Famous Traveller From p. 827. to p. 848. Chap. X. The Constable of France beats the English before Sivray and Conquers about in Poictou The War hot in Bretagne The Duke of Lancaster's Expedition and March thrô France A Treaty at Bruges A Parliament at Westminster A Prodigious Malady The Death of several Great Men. From p. 849. to p. 864. Chap. XI King Edward enquires into the Livings then in the hands of Aliens A Treaty at Bruges The Earl of Pembroke is redeem'd and dies The Death of Francis Petrarch the Italian Poet and others An account of Madam Alice Perrers said to have been King Edward's Concubine From p. 865. to p. 873. Chap. XII St. Saviour le Vicount yields to the French by Composition Edmund Earl of Cambridge and the Duke of Bretagne Conquer about in that Dukedom But are hindred by an unseasonable Truce from prosecuting their Advantage The Lord Edward Spencer dies A Treaty between King Edward and the King of Scotland Esquire Katrington being challenged of Treason for yielding St. Saviour le Vicount loses the day Some English Vessels taken by the Spaniards The Death of two Earls Two Acts of Charity From p. 873. to p. 877. Chap. XIII The Lord of Coucy's Expedition into Austria A Treaty at Bruges which begets a Truce and that another King Edward offers largely for the Redemption of the Captal of Busche but cannot obtain it The JUBILEE of King Edward's Reign A Parliament at Westminster The Black-Prince dies His Will Character Burial and Epitaph The Captal of Busche takes it to heart and dies The Black-Prince's Praise and Children The said Parliament continued A Censure thereof Who the First Speaker of the House of Commons The Death of an English Cardinal and of the Lord John Peche Pope Gregory returns the Papal Chair to Rome From p. 878. to p. 895. Chap. XIV King Edward Creates his Grandson Richard of Bourdeaux Prince of Wales The Londoners entertain the Young Prince John of Gaunt associated to the King in the Government A Parliament at Westminster with a Copy of the King 's Writ An exact Account of John Wickliff and his Doctrine The Duke of Lancaster for his sake falls out with the Bishop of London The Londoners in a Sedition affront the Duke The Bishop hardly restrains the People The Princess-Mother of Wales puts the City in Mind of their Duty They make their excuse to the King. They and the Duke reconciled Sr. John Menstreworth executed for Treason The Lord of Coucy falls off to the French. King Edward Creates Prince Richard Knight of the GARTER The War open Sr. Hugh Calverley Captain of Calais Outwick batter'd with Cannon yields to the French. Sr. Hugh Calverley's Acts. The English Commissioners returning for England find the King on his Death-Bed He dies A Story of the Manner of his Death refuted The French King commends him His Burial Epitaph Tomb and Character From p. 895. to the End. Errata sunt sic Emendanda PAG. 22. lin 5. read fast-asleep p. 54. l. 44. r. Nobles p. 58. l. 2. r. Turne-tabard p. 76. l. 2. r. tell for call p. 89. for Innocent r. John. p. 177. dele Parag. VIII IX in the Centents p. 270. l. 17. r. neck'd p. 276. l. 35. r. Chancellor of the Church of York p. 286. l. 37. r. strange p. 295. l. penult r. Father was named p. 302. l. 2. dele and. p. 303. l. 32. dele and. p. 354. l. 31. r. 16 years c. p. 356. l. 27. r. 20 in depth c. p. 373. l. 22. for Paragraph r. Chapter p. 402. l. 22. r. Vicount of Rohan sic semper p. 439. l. 46. r. Simon de Burchester p. 466. l. 14. r. no Charms about them took horse and so began c. p. 470. l. 13. r. Peter Lord Mauley the Fifth p. 484. l. 49. r. On the second of November being All-Souls day the King began c. p. 485. l. 12. r. for he could not have been c. ibid. l. 34. r. after his setting forth according to the Records which affirm how he marched forth of Calais on All-Souls day p. 502. l. 34. r. Blew-Silk p. 531. l. 22. r. July p. 707. l. 18. r. keep it p. 721. l. 21. r. William p. 748. l. ult r. and bearing p. 750. l. 45. r. Inno. p. 751. l. penult be accounted the Off-spring p. 761. l. 45. r. having done a pious c. p. 806. l. 49. r. best word c. p. 814. l. 57. r. the Prince and Princess c. SAPIENTIA FORTUNAM EDWARDVS III DEI GRATIA REX ANGLIAE ET FRANCIAE ET DOMINUS HIBERNIA HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE EDWARD III. King of England France and Lord of Ireland He slew Two Kings in One Day routed a Third had Two Kings his Prisoners at one time Upon the Death of Lewâ— of Baitaria He had the offer of the Empire thó he declin'd it He took Calais from the French Instituted the Famous Order of the GARTER haveing Reigned in great Glory for space of 50 Yeares 4. Moneths 28. Dayes He Dyed at his Mannor of Shene in Surrey in LXV year of his 〈◊〉o. Dui MCCCLXXVII lyes Buried at Westminster ICH DIEN QUI SANâ—â—â—â—â— NOBIS HANC PATRIAM PEPERERE SUO POTENTISSIMUS EDWARDUS PRINCEPS WALLAE ET AQUI TANIAE DUX CORNUBIAE COMES CESTRIAE ET CANTIL Honoratiss Viro 〈◊〉 RICHARDO CHANDLER Armig. nuper de Cell Emanuel Aâ—M Amico plurimum Colendo Hanc Invic â—iss Hervis EDWARDI Principis Walliae cogno mento Nigro Imagine Observantiae â—â—mti Iudinis ergo D.D.D. Josua Barnes HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE HOUMONT The most Renowned Prince EDWARD sirnamed the Black-Prince Eldest Son to King EDWARD the Third Prince of WALES of AQVITAIN Duke of CORNWALL Earle of CHESTER of KENT He was in his life time the Flower of the Chivalry of the whole World. He wan the Battle of CRESSY wherein he overthrew King Philip of Valor slew the King of Bohemia also the Famous Batlle of POICTIERS wherein w th an Army of 8000. Men He overthrew the whole Power of FRANCE takeing the King IOHN de Valois Prisoner who was 4 years after Ransom'd at 3 Millions of Crowns of Gold Lastly he triumph'd in the Glorious Battle of NAJARA in Spaine where he overthrew the Bastard Henry Setled Don Pedro in his Throne He died in the 46 yeare of his Age An o Dom MCCCLXXVI lyes Buried at Canterbuâ—â— THE HISTORY OF King Edward IIId. BOOK THE FIRST CHAPTER the FIRST The CONTENTS I. The Circumstances of the Birth of King Edward the Third with his Education and Character II. He is made Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitain beside the Titles of Earl of Chester Ponthieu and Monstroile He goes into France with the
Southerland As for the former King John Baliol he liv'd at this time a retired life in France having only two Sons the Lord Edward and Henry who as yet had no Issue and therefore their Father had on certain considerations resigned and quitted and given over to King Robert his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland so that Robert was now quit of all fear on that part and otherwise very strong in the affections of his People who were then a great and flourishing Nation And this was the state of Scotland when King Edward the Third of England came to the Crown wherefore encouraged with their former success and despising King Edwards Youth r Rich. Sâ—uthwell on the very night of that day whereon King Edward was Crowned the Scots had intended to take the Castle of Norham Å¿ Grafton p. 173. between the Marches of England and Scotland by surprize and so well they managed their design that about t Holinshead Hist Sect. p. 225 sixteen of them had already mounted the Walls but the Captain Sr Robert Manners being warned of the Matter before-hand by one of his Garrison who was a Scotchman had so well provided to receive them that of those who had mounted he took five or six and put the rest to the sword their Companions below upon this disappointment retiring This seem'd a good Omen of King Edward's future Victories over the Scots by occasion of the Lord Edward Baliol who was himself a Scotchman Presently after King Robert Bruce supposing it now a very fit season to take some advantage against his old Enemies the English during this their Kings Minority sends about u Frois c. 15. Grafton p. 218. Easter a short and brisk Defiance to King Edward and all his Realm telling them that he would shortly with his Power invade the Realm of England with Fire and Sword and there do as he had done before in his Fathers Reign at the Battle of Bannocksborn near Striveling or Sterling where the English received that mighty Overthrow we spake of by reason of those x Sr Tho. de la More Ed. 2. p. 2. Holingshead hist Scotl. p. 217. Hector and Buchan Pits into which the Scots had intrapt them unawares I must not omit that the Scotch Writers attribute the occasion of this Defiance to some fraud or other wherewith the English had lately endeavour'd to ensnare them by foul Collusion of their Ambassadours but neither can it be imagin'd what necessity the King of England should have either by fraud or force to attempt to injure the King of Scots with whom he stood on no ill Terms before his own Affairs were in any posture of Settlement nor do any of their own Historians assign what this fraud or injury was nor indeed was ever the English Nation noted so much for fineness or subtlety as for down-right Honesty and blunt valour Nor is the consideration of King Robert's Age and sickness sufficient to conclude that of necessity there must be some great Cause given that could provoke so decrepit a Man to begin a War toward the End of his Life since thô his Person was weak his Mind was strong and vigorous and Scotland was never in better case than at that time and the Generals he intended to employ were Barons of great Fidelity Conduct and Resolution and he might reasonably hope to have at least as much advantage over this Young King as he had over his Father in his Full Age when attended with a most flourishing Army Nor is any great Captain thô never so satiate with Lawrels so unambitious after all but that in his weakest condition he would lay hold on any occasion of so probable success against a professed Enemy 'T is sweet to an old Warrior to end his days among Triumphs and Victories This is certain King Edward the Third neither did nor could send any Ambassadors to him before his Coronation yet even then we shew'd before that the Scots began to break the Peace by attempting to surprize a Castle thô no less than y Hâ—linshead hist Scot. p. 224. Ashmole p. 645. ex Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 2. Dâ—rs Nine years were to come of the last Thirteen years Truce struck up between this Kings Father and King Robert of Scotland four years before And besidâ—â— we find that there had been since the Coronation of this Young King an Agreement for a further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on the Sunday next before Ascension Day then ensuing But as I said before King Robert imagining to make an easie prey of the young Monarch neither much valued the old Truce not yet ended nor the new Agreement not yet perfected but resolves upon War. Hereupon soon after he invades the North Borders with an z Hector p. 307 b. n. 60. Army of Twenty five thousand Men a Bachan p. 273 all Horse that they might do mischief more speedily and retire with more expedition if by any necessity they should be so obliged VI. The mean while King Edward conceives an high indignation at this unprovoked Defiance and to secure himself for the future from the like Contempt immediately with all his Power addresses himself to defend his Reputation And first he b Frois c. 17. sends his Uncle Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England with a choice number of Soldiers to Newcastle upon Tine who there made his Musters as he was appointed on the c Ashmole p. 645. Monday next before the Ascension in like manner the Lord Robert Hufford and the Lord John Moubray were commanded away to the Reinforcement of the Lord Anthony Lucy of Cockermouth then d Dugd. Baron 1 Vol. 565. a. Governour of the Castle and Town of Carlile At the same time the King issued out his General summons to his own People and moreover by kind letters invited his noble Friend John Lord of Beaumont in Heinalt and brother to William Earl of Heinalt by whose aid chiefly the Queen had deposed her Husband and who was but newly return'd home again to come over to his assistance about the time of the Ascension Sr John Lord Beaumont hereupon came over to the King to the City of York the place appointed for the general Rendezvous thô Newcastle also was pitch'd upon for the assembly of other Forces a week before within three days of Whitsuntide accompanied with more than fourty Lords and Knights of Heinalt Flanders and Bohemia with other Knights from Cambray and Artois to the number of Five hundred Men of Arms all well Arm'd and gallantly Mounted Soon after Whitsuntide follow'd for the sake of this John of Heinalt the Lord William Son to the Duke of Juliers or Gulick and Sr Henry Thyrry afterwards Earl of Lewis and with them another goodly Company all expecting to purchase much honour under this hopefull Young King and no less profit as well from his Royal bounty as from the
Spoil of the Field which they accounted their own The whole number of the Strangers was about e H. Knighton p. 2551. two Thousand Men of Arms besides the great Numbers of English that came in as Voluntiers above the appointed Musters such hopes had they conceived of their Prince's Conduct and Fortune The King f Frois c. 16. Grafton p. 219. assigned the Strangers convenient lodgings in the Suburbs of York but to Sr John himself and his Servants he allotted an Abby of White Monks in the said City He himself and the Queen his Mother being lodged in the stately Building called the Fryers where each of them kept house apart This g Frois ibid. S John of Heinalt was one of the most Gallant Knights in the World and he had first undertaken to defend the Queen and her Son against the Persecutions of the two Spencers even when her own Brother the King of France had deserted her quarrel so that he was very dear to the young King and his Mother and they resolv'd to entertain him in most Royal Manner Wherefore the King held all along a Great Court to do these Strangers Honour and there was every where much Plenty of Provision Good and Cheap for the City and Country were Rich and flourish'd with abundance For full six weeks did the King lie there with more than 60000 men yet all that while the price of Provision was nothing enhanced but every thing was sold as reasonable as before the Army came thither There was plenty of Rhenish Gascoign and Anjovan Wines with Pullen and other Provision at very ordinary Rates and Hay Oats and other necessaries for Horses were daily brought to the Strangers lodgings so that they were all extreamly satisfied with their entertainment But yet even this their Prosperity had like to have proved more fatal unto them then a Rout in Battel might have done For h Knighton p. 2551. presuming much hereby on the King's favour they carried themselves too Magisterially toward his Subjects whence arose such Contention as brought forth many sad effects and was not at last stinted without much bloodshed on both sides On Trinity i Frois c. 16. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. Cantabr c. 213. Sunday the King for the sake of these Lords Strangers held a Solemn and Magnificent Feast at the Fryers aforesaid himself being attended with 500 of his Knights to which he then added 15 more and the Queen his Mother having more than threescore Fair Ladies of the greatest Nobility and Beauty in England about her Person to pleasure the young Lord of Beaumont and his Company There was that day a most Splendid Entertainment and a truly Royal shew of whatsoever was choice and excellent And now the Ladies themselves with many Noble Virgins were meditating the various Measures their skilfull Feet were to make the pleasant Aires their sweet Voices should warble and those soft Divisions their tender Fingers should strike on the yielding strings when suddenly as soon as ever the Feast was ended a strange and hideous noise confounded the Minds of the whole Court. For the Servants and Pages of these Foreign Auxiliaries had by their k Knighton p. 2551. insolence so exasperated the minds of some English Archers who lodged among them in the Suburbs that immediately a great Fray began among them which continually rose higher new abettors successively flowing in on each side till near 3000 of the Archers being gather'd together many of the poor Heinalders were slain and the rest betaking themselves to flight were fain to enter their lodgings and there to fortifie them in the best manner they could against the Fury of their enemies Most part of the Knights their Commanders were then at Court but on the first noise of the Fray they hasted to their lodgings to defend themselves and their People Some part of the City of York in the Hurlyburly was fired many of the Heinalders slain and more hurt nor less on the English side than l Stow p. 228. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. ibid. 80 Archers most of them Lincolnshire men fell that day who were all buried in St Clement's Churchyard in Fosegate But at last by the Authority of the King with the earnest endeavours of the Queen Mother who loved the Heinalders dearly and by the ready assistance of the Great Men who charitably took the Strangers parts the Archers thirst of blood was slaked and the quarrel ceased for that time But that Night the Strangers who had suffer'd most not so m Knighton p. 2551. much thinking of sleep as revenge being now headed by Commanders rose privately and joyning all together set suddenly upon the Archers of Lincolnshire and Northampton for the Men of each County were Marshall'd and lodged together by themselves where they slew about 300 of them Nor in the Morning had they paid cheaply for that desperate action for more than n Frois c. 16. fol. 7 8. 6000 Archers had combined together to burn or kill them every man in their lodgings or without by Night or by Day when ever they should obtain an Opportunity But that the King to secure the Strangers from their Fury had set strong Guards about them displacing the Archers from their former Quarters they themselves hardly ever daring to sleep without good Watch their Horses ready saddled and their Arms always near at hand or upon their Backs so well they knew it behoved them to look to themselves after such a Provocation of the Common Soldiers of England Now had King o Frois c. 16 17. Edward lain at York with all this Great Army in and about the City for the space of three Weeks and when in about three Weeks more after this sedition no final agreement could be made between the King's Council and the Scotch Ambassadors p Caxton who came thither after Trinity Sunday to treat of a Peace the Marshals of the Host by the King's Command Proclaimed thrô all the Army that by the next Week every Man should be ready to March against the Enemy and that such to whom the Care was left should provide Carts and Wagons for Carriages and Tents and Pavilions to lie in the field with all other matters necessary for the King's journey toward Scotland All things therefore being by the said time provided accordingly the King and all his Barons began their March from the City of York in good Order and gallantly armed with Trumpets sounding and Banners waving in the wind In this Expedition besides those at Newcastle and Carlile already sent thither to defend the Frontiers we have made shift to recover the Names of these Worthies q Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 93. Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent the King's Uncle John r Id. 1 Vol. p. 184. Bohune Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England Roger ſ Id. ibid. p. 145. Mortimer Lord of Wigmore William
said That the World was nigh at an End. In those days one a Sherburn en Manilius his Spher in Catal. Astron p. 35. Cichus Asculanus Dr. in Physick a Philosopher and publique Professor of Astronomy at Bologna in Italy being accused for a Necromancer was burnt alive at Florence in the Seaventieth year of his Age Whose Learning in Judicial Astrology meeting with an ignorant Age might pass for Conjuration as a little after Petrarch himself was looked on for a Wizard even by a Pope of Rome Thô b Odoric Rain Anno Chr. 1327 §. 46. Joh. Villani l. 10. c. 41. indeed it was laid among other things to his Charge that in a Treatise called de Sphaera which he set forth at Bologna he affirmed that Spirits were generated in the Superior Orbes which by Incantation could be compelled to wonderfull Operations and that the Stars had Influence upon the Wills of men and could enforce and determine them And which seems most horrible that our Saviour Christ being born under such a Position was thereby necessitated to live Meanly and to die Miserably But that Antichrist being to be born under a quite different Position should obtain immense Riches Power and Dominion But we are not here to inquire how true or untrue this Charge was wherefore we shall end this first Year and Chapter together CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS I. King Edward takes to Wife the Lady Philippa Youngest Daughter to William the Good Earl of Heinalt II. The shamefull Peace struck up with the Scots at Northampton at which time all the Evidences which Recorded the Subjection of that Nation to the Crown of England are deliver'd up again III. King Edward looses hereby in the Opinion of his Neighbours especially the French and Scots IV. The Insolence and Power of Mortimer whereby he provokes certain Peers to Arms A Parliament at Salisbury the Lords reconcil'd to the King Mortimer made Earl of March. V. The Pedigree of Henry Lord Beaumont VI. Mortimer entertains the King. I. A While a Frois c. 19. after the Scotch Expedition An. Regni II. King Edward by Advice of the Queen his Mother with the Consent of his Uncles the Earl of Lancaster the Lord of Wigmore and all the Barons of the Realm sent Dr b Ashmoles Garter p. 669. ex Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 15. Dat. 8. Octob. Roger Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield with two Knights Bannerets and two Men Learned in the Laws to the Lord John of Heinalt to request of him in way of Friendship that he would join with them to require of his Brother the Earl of Heinalt one of his Daughters in Marriage for the Young King of England their Master For the King and the Queen his Mother had such a kindness for that Family that at this time no Lady in the World could have stood in Competition with one of Sr John's Neices for King Edwards Affections That some such Motion had been formerly made I will not absolutely deny thô it should seem partly by this manner of requesting and partly by what follows that as yet no bargain or mutual affiance had been made as many suppose perhaps not mention'd since now they were fain to apply themselves to Sr John's Mediation AN. DOM. 1328. who seem'd hitherto ignorant of any such matter thô himself so lately had left England When the Ambassadors with an Honourable Equipage were come to Valenciennes the chief City of Heinalt the Earl William and his Lady Jane de Valois received them very gladly and entertain'd them during their stay with great Splendour and Magnificence 'T is reported that one day c John Harding c. 178. fol. 177. Stanza 2.3 4 c. 182. fol. 184. when the Earl brought forth all his Five Daughters to their View while the others being amazed with the Beauties and delicate Shape of them all stood in deep suspence not knowing which to prefer the piersing Eye of the Bishop observing with good heed the Lady Philippa to be the best built about the Hips and of a good Sanguine Complexion agreeing with the Kings he secretly advis'd his Colleagues that she was the Lady among them all that was most likely with her sweet Disposition to please the King their Master and also to bring forth a numerous and Hopefull Progeny This coming thus from a Bishop whose Order was not then allow'd to Marry gave occasion of much Diversion and Mirth to the Company But however the Judgement prevail'd and Madam Philippa who was the very d Sic in illius Epitaphio Gailielmi Hannonis sobeles postrema Philippa Hic reseo quondam Pulchra decore jacet Stows Survey London p. 505. youngest of the Ladies and hardly fourteen years of age was pitch'd upon to be their Queen This Story however unfit it may seem to some for the lightness of it to appear in this place I thought good to set down not only because it bears some Reason with it but because to those who consider the Event it may rather seem a Work of Providence the Bishop by Chance or by some Impulse or by his Skill in Nature happening on what prov'd really a Truth Upon this Conclusion the Earl who knew the Quality of the Ambassadors and their full Instructions in the Affair after many thanks acknowledging the great Honours done to his House by the King of England his Mother and his Council said He was ready to allow the Consummation of the Business provided his Holiness the Pope would consent to give them a Dispensation For indeed the Lady Philippa's Mother Jane de Valois was Daughter to Charles Earl of Valois which Charles was Uncle to Isabella King Edward's Mother The Ambassadors were well content with this Answer and immediately dispatch'd away the two Knights and the two Learned in the Law to Avignon where at that time and long after the Popes resided to obtain a Dispensation The Pope at that time was John XXII who having well consider'd the Equity of the Cause with the Consent of the whole College of the Cardinals granted their desire and after a Splendid Entertainment dismist them For these were fit Servants for a King They dispatch'd their Masters business with great Discretion and Expedition minding nothing but how to finish this great Affair thoroughly and speedily Upon this all the rest was concluded and agreed on between the Parties and while Preparations were making to Convey the young Lady into England according to the Dignity of the House whence she came and the weight of that Title she was going to receive the Marriage e Ashmole p. 669. was first solemnized by a sufficient Proxy sent to Valenciennes by the King of England Hereupon after some few enforced Delays of Feastings and Princely Entertainments among her Parents and Relations the Ambassadors with their new Queen her Uncle Sr. John other honourable Company in great satisfaction took the Sea at Whitsan near Calais and so came all
Grievance to the whole Kingdom Among other of their Licentious Practises the Lord Chief Justice e Knighton p. 2559. n. 60. Sr. Richard Willoughby going after Christmas towards Grantham was taken by one Richard Fulvile and by force carried into a Wood hard by where being siesed by certain of these Lawless Fellows he was compell'd to lay down immediately Ninety Marks as a Ransom for his Life and also to swear never to discover them Upon News of these and the like Insolencies the Young King resolving now to be Master of his Crown sends forth his Justices of Trailebaston two and two with Power to enquire after all Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs Escheators and others who had abused or neglected their Offices by Extortion Bribery Fear or Favour and after all such as had failed in the due Execution of the Laws whereby these Licentious People began first to take such Boldness upon them The form of the Writ thô of moment I forbear to transcribe because 't is already Extant in f Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 840. Holinsheads Chronicles and elsewhere But least the Law should fail of Power to maintain it self the Young King takes to him some choice Troops of Armed Men with many Light-Horsemen well mounted and marches forth in Person to discover these Enemies to Government Some Parties of these Audacious Villains were met with by him nor did they much decline the matter Success had made them so Impudent But Majesty and Vertue are more Valiant than Vice and Rebellion so that they are all soon Worsted by the Brave Young King and become an Example to others some of them being slain in Skirmish many Hang'd and Quarter'd a few Beheaded others imprison'd and put to great Fines and in short such Order taken with all that the whole Kingdom was kept in Peace and quiet at Home all his Reign after VI. On the Thirtieth g M.S. p. 14. Sr Rob. Cotton Statute Bock c. of September or the Morrow after St. Michael being a Monday the King held his High-court of Parliament at Westminster to consult about the Affairs of Guienne and other his Lands beyond the Seas as also concerning a Peace to be had with France and to conferr about the Matters of Ireland These were by John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and then Lord Chancellour of England offer'd as the reasons inducing the King to call that Parliament The Affairs of Guienne were not in so ill a posture the h Knighton p. 2563. Earl of Vlster being now there and Sr. John Darcy Justice of Ireland having been sent thither the Year foregoing i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 371. especially because of the late Composure between England and France the French being also at this time about a Treaty with England Yet because then a Peace is most likely to be made on good Conditions when he that treats is in a posture of Defence it was thought fit to provide something for the Defence of those Parts however And therefore Sr. John k Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 151. a. St. Philibert a Baron of great prudence and valour was now by the King appointed to be Major of the City of Bourdeaux having an assignation of an 100 l. allow'd him for the Expences of his journey thither thô this Worthy Gentleman deceased about two Years after Sr. Oliver Ingham a mighty Baron and One of the Twelve appointed for a Guide and Counsellour to this King at his Coronation had now his l Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 104. Patent which had been granted him seven Years before for the Seneschalsie of Aquitain renewed and not long after he was sent over with pretty considerable Forces Of whose valourous Exploits this Book will not be silent At the same time the Lord m Dugd. 2 Vol. p 34. Ashmole p. 693. Bartholomew Burwash senior was constituted Seneschall of Ponthieu in Picardy which King Edward held in right of his Mother with whom that Earldom was given upon her Marriage with the King his Father As for Ireland it was resolved that the King in Person should go thither that to prepare his way a certain power of Armed Men should go before him under able Commanders and that those especially who held any Lands there should make speedy repair thither for Defence of that Kingdom as also that all learned Men in the Law who should be appointed as Justices or otherwise to serve in Ireland should by no means be excus'd on any pretence whatsoever And further 't was order'd that search should be made into his Majesties Records to see what Methods had been formerly taken for the civilizing and governing that Country As to the Affairs n M. S. p. 14. §. 3. Sr Rob. Cotton's Abridgement p. 9 §. 3. with France the King by his Chancellour demanded whether he had best treat with that Crown by way of Amity or Marriage The Commons humbly conceived that Marriage would be the best way whereupon certain were appointed to consult about this Treaty and a o Ashmole p. 675 Commission was given to Sr. John Darcy and Sr William Trussel to treat and agree with King Philip or his Deputies upon the Premises Now for the better understanding of this Matter it appears from the Records as we shall more fully shew hereafter that near this time King Philip being taken up with thoughts about the Holy War that he might be sure of King Edward of whose pretences to that Crown he was jealous had offer'd to enter into a strict Alliance with him by p Ashmole p. 675 Sandferd p. 184. a Marriage between a Daughter of his and the young Prince Edward of England And lest that might not suffice had importun'd him to be his Fellow in Arms and in Person to accompany him into Palestine or as q Odoric Rainald Add. tâ—ad Annal. Barerâ—i 1331. â— 29 c. Others say into Spain to fight against the Moors of Granada But because nothing was done in this Matter yet only it was refer'd to the foresaid Commissioners to advise about it we shall remitt the further prosecution hereof to the next Year to which it more properly belongs Yet this we must not pass over that now upon Occasion of the King 's being invited into France the former Resolution that he should personally go into Ireland took not effect this Year and as for the next other Business put it off and the Scotch Affairs the Year following wholly null'd it so that the King went not thither at all as it had been here resolved only an Armed Power was sent thither the Year after this In this Parliament St. Hugolin the Granchild of the Lord Hugh Spencer the Elder who with his Son Sr. Hugh had in the late Revolution been illegally executed by Queen Isabell having first by his great Valour r Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 880. in holding his Castle against the said Queen compounded for his life and since that Obtaining his Majesties Gracious Pardon was now
was compell'd to yield himself at Louquhabre on this side the High Mountains of Ardmanoth At which time to save his Life he was fain to take an Oath to be thenceforth true to King David and his Adherents But thus the Report came to England that he had voluntarily quitted sides and turn'd to the Rebels as the Bruceans were then called whereat King Edward was so Highly incensed at this his Treason as he thought it that immediately he g Ret. Fin. 8. Ed. 3. m. 2. Dugd. 1. Vol. p. 96. gave Command to the Sheriff of Kent to seise all his Lands and he himself made great Preparation as well to chastise his open Enemies as his treacherous Friends Towards which chargeable Enterprise he had in the foresaid Parliament a h Walsingh hist p. 116. n. 20. Grant of one Tenth from the Clergy of all Cities and Burroughs a Tenth and the Fifteenth of their Temporals And now presently after to wit about the i Walsingh hist ibid. n. 5. Middle of November King Edward came in the Head of a Gallant Army to Newcastle to the Assistance of King Bailiol with which Forces in the Winter time he entred Scotland by Galloway and there without any considerable Opposition he passed as Conquerour farther than ever his Victorious Grandfather Edward the First had penetrated even beyond Caithnes and the Mountains where the High-landers and Wild Scots inhabit where the Extremities of Scotland are wash'd by the Deucaledon Sea above two hundred Miles from Barwick But for the Particulars of this War as they rather belong to the beginning of the next year so thither I shall refer them that they may make the better impression on the Readers memory being methodically ranged together But we must be just to the Ashes of a Noble Young Lord who unhappily was taken away about the close of this Year It was k Knighten p. 2565. n. 33. Stow p. 232. Walsingh hist p. 116. n. 38. Sr. Edward Bohun a Right Valiant and Worthy Gentleman being Brother to John Earl of Essex and the Kings Cosin who as he was driving a great Booty of Cattle over the Solway Fryth in the Marches of Scotland was lost in this manner For causing his Guide to ride softly before him thrô the water he presently saw that what with the slipperiness of the stone whereon they were and the strength of the Current thrô which they passed his servant together with his Horse was overwhelmed in the Water When Sr. Edward out of meer Compassion indeavouring to recover the Man chanced in like manner to loose his right Ground and so being opprest with the weight of his Armour perished unfortunately in the Channel l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 184. leaving no Issue behind him CHAPTER the EIGHTH The CONTENTS I. King Philip of France takes upon him the Croisade And invites the King of England to joyn with him II. King Edward sends his Ambassadors with Overtures to Philip who rashly rejects them with an exact Inquiry into the first Seeds of the French War. III. The Lord Hugh Courtney created Earl of Devonshire A Parliament at York IV. The Names of the Chief Captains which attended King Edward in the Scotch Expedition together with the Expedition it self The weakness of Scotland and the occasion of their Non-opposition at this time V. Some few Efforts of the Scots against their Invaders with the taking of the Earl of Namur on the one side and of the Earl of Murray on the other And Prince John Earl of Cornwall 's Success VI. King Philip sends again to King Edward with King Edward 's Answer VII The Scotch Nobility submit to King Edward with the Articles of their Submission VIII King Philip makes this their Agreement frustrate King Edward 's care to prevent a Revolt IX David Strabolgi Earl of Athol upon his Pardon appearing an Enemy to the Scots is by them slain with the manner of his Death X. Two Prodigies with the Death of two Great Barons of England I. WHile things passed thus in England and Scotland AN. DOM. 1335. An. Regni IX the French a Frois c. 27. fol. 16. c. King was very hot in his long-design'd Preparations for the Holy War Of his Progress wherein with his Motives to it and the occasion of its Interruption we shall in this place take leave to speak a little more fully once for all In the Beginning of this Year King Philip of France together with John King of Bohemia Son to Henry of Luxemburgh late Emperour of Germany the King of Navarre and many Great Princes Dukes and Barons in his Company made a Royal Progress to Avignion the Chief City of Venaissin in Provence where at that time the Seat of the Roman Bishops was to visit Pope Benedict the XII partly out of Devotion and to b Fabian p. 267. pay his Vows for the late Recovery of his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy from a dangerous Sickness and partly to procure his Assistance toward the Holy War as well as out of Curiosity and to Congratulate his Election to that Supream Eminence of Spiritual Dignity For he had been but newly Elected and Consecrated Pope in the Place of John the XXII who departed this Life on the Fourth of December the Year foregoing Of whom one Word by the by This Pope John had all along been an Implacable Enemy to Lewis of Bavaria the Emperour whom he Excommunicated and not only sought to Domineer over him but the Greek Church and Empire too But as the Emperour of Germany stood up stiffly against his Pretences and once set up an Antipope Nicolas to ballance him so from Greece he received such a Laconic Reply which well shew'd how little they valued his Authority and that was this c Rob. Barnes Joh. Baleus de Rom. Pontif. l. 6. p. 375. Cluverii Epit. Hist p. 570. ex Graecis c. Thine uncontroulable Power we firmly believe Thine Excessive Arrogance we cannot endure thy boundless Avarice we are unable to satisfie The Devil be with Thee for God is with Us. And certainly he was so bent upon amassing up Money that he is said to have left behind him at his Death d Dinothi Advers hist p. 377 Ciaccn Victorell in Vitt. Pontificum 1 Vol. p. 872. Addit ad Abbat vrsperg f. 376. Mezeray ad an 1334. 1250000 Pieces of Gold or as Ciaconius hath it 24 Millions of Gold whereof 17 were coyned the other 7 Or and rude Ingots thô others make the whole to amount to 25 Millions in all the manner how he Collected it being confessed by the foresaid Author of the Lives and Actions of the Popes and Cardinals An incredible Summ and far beyond what any of his Predecessors could shew So true was the Proverb vulgarly Current in those Days e Caria Romana non pascit O. em sine lanâ vid. Cluver Epit. Hist p. 569. He that the Roman Flock doth keep Without the Wooll
Clergy a Tenth of all Burroughs and of English Merchants for every Sack of Wooll 40 s. but of Merchants Strangers 60 s. Besides t Walsing ibid. n. 20. this the Clergy of their own accord granted unto the King all the Mony that had been collected and laid up in the Cathedral Churches throughout England toward the Holy War. About this time also it was ordained u Walsingh hist p. 117. n. 40. Stow p. 233. Holinshead p. 900. Fabian p. 214 That no Wooll of English Growth should be exported the Land and that all Cloath-workers should be received from whatever Foreign Parts and fit Places should be assigned them with many Liberties and Privileges and that they should have certain Allowance from the King till they might be fix'd in a way of living by their Trade It was also ordain'd that none should use Cloth wove beyond sea or to be imported hereafter except the King the Queen and their Children only Also that none should wear Foreign Skins Silks or Furrs unless he had of yearly Revenues an hundred Pounds By these and the like good Laws thô for the present they took not their full effect King x Judge Hales his Origin of Mankind p. 161 Edward reduced the Woollen Manufacture after it had been lost for many years in this Nation from whose Time it hath flourished unto our Days to the general advantage of the whole Kingdom Also this or the following Year the King sent his Commission to John Lord y Dudg 2 Vol. p. 146. Molins empowring him to seise on all the Merchants of Lombardy with their Goods Jewels of Gold and Silver and other Chattels then in the City of London and to deliver them for the Kings Use to the Constable of the Tower. No doubt among all these and many other ways of Raising Mony the Inquisition after Corrupt Officers called Trailebaston was now renewed for the Advantage of the Kings Coffers For that Wise Prince well knew that neither Friendship nor Honour was to be expected abroad without Money the Nerves of War. Wherefore also he is said to have seised into his Hands z Knighton p. 2571. Rich Vestments and Vessels of Silver and other Ornaments out of Abbeys before he went Personally beyond the Seas By all which means he is said to have amassed together such an Excessive Heap of Treasure that by his Plenty of Coyn the Land was almost quite drain'd insomuch that Victuals and other Commodities became exceeding cheap a Fabian p. 203. Knighton p. 2569. n. 20. Lanquet f. 237. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 143. a quarter of wheat being sold at London for two shillings and a fat Ox for six and eight pence a fat Sheep for eight pence a fat Goose for two pence a Pig for a Penny and six Pigeons for a Penny. Having by these and the like Methods pretty well stock'd himself with Money the Sinews of War and conscious both of his own Courage and that of his People he yet notwithstanding like a Wise Prince seeks out at the same time for Foreign Assistance and yet in the midst of all these hot Preparations for War he as piously endeavours by Offers of Peace to prevent the Effusion of Christian Blood. Once again therefore c Walsingh Hypod p. 114. n. 1. he sends his Ambassadors to treat of an Accommodation between the two Kings and to see if by any means King Philip might be brought to Reason both in Restoring what he had unjustly seized on in Aquitain and in Forbearing any farther to intermeddle with the Matters in difference between him and Scotland And thô this he did after many humble and advantagious Concessions offer'd by him in vain rather now to satisfie the World of his own equitable Proceedings than that he had any hope of settling a firm and friendly Correspondence between himself and his Cosin Philip Because he well knew that the French King being so mightily addicted to the Scotch Interest was by no means likely to comply with his just Demands he counselled yet farther how he might by Force compell him if by fair means he should not be able to enduce him to reason V. Now the Lord d Frois c. 28. fol. 17. Robert of Artois was still as we said before of his Council and in great esteem with him He was continually urging him to a War with France and made it his only business to take all occasions of perswading him to a Breach with Philip of Valois who had unjustly usurped his lawfull Right and withheld it from him against all Law both Humane and Divine King Edward was inwardly well pleased with the words of this great Personage and more than once conferr'd with his Privy Council about the matter For as he was of a noble and daring Spirit always ready to undertake the highest Enterprizes so withall he was agreeably circumspect and ever carefull by Wisdom to mark out his Designs beforehand As yet he saw but small likelihood that of himself he should ever attain to the Conquest of so entire and flourishing a Kingdom as France was And as he consider'd it was much both against his Honour and Interest wholly to neglect so great a Concern as his Right to the Crown of France so also he thought it better not to lay any Claim thereto than not to pursue that Claim with Force of Arms to the utmost of his Power Often therefore he demanded Advice of the Ablest Counsellors Lawyers and Divines in his Kingdom who thô they all agreed that he had a clear Right to the Crown of France were notwithstanding something backward to determin any thing in a matter of that Consequence as doubting if the Event happen'd otherwise than well to have all the blame laid at their Doors But at last the Kings Council being much pressed by him agreed upon this Answer Sir the Matter about which Your Majesty requires our Advice is so weighty and of such vast moment that we dare not presume by any means to speak directly to the Point nor absolutely to determine your Royal Mind either one way or the other For to put you upon a War may be of dangerous Consequence to You and your People and yet wholly to disswade you from it is to betray your Right and Honour both which we are bound by our Allegiance to maintain with the hazard of our Lives and Fortunes This one thing therefore we have at this time to say That it would not be amiss for your Majesty to send some Discreet Personages sufficiently instructed in your Royal Pleasure to the Earl of Heinalt whose Daughter is your Queen and to John Lord Beaumont his Brother who hath always yielded your Majesty both valiant and loyal Service That of them your Majesty would by your said Ambassadors require their Advice and Assistance in way of Love For they are not only well able to render your Majesty good Service on this Occasion but also they understand the whole Matter
the chief Tower But here he found the Gate and the Wicket fast closed against him When the Watchman of the Tower heard the noise of Men of Arms he straight sounded a Trahee Trahee signifying Treason thereby At which the whole Castle took the Alarm and presently came to their Defence But the Lord Manny was not prepared with Engines sufficient for an Assault only he hoped to have broke down the Gate before the Alarm might be given which now failing of he Retreated and set fire however to the Street adjoyning to the Castle and so burning about 60 Houses put the whole Town in a fright but would not suffer his Men to scatter abroad for Murder Spoil or Plunder Because the Garrison was entire Thence therefore taking Horse again he rode back directly toward Conde where they passed the River of Haysne as he is falling into the f Scaldis Lat. Skell Thence he took the road to Valenciennes and coasting on the Right hand came to Avesnes whence by the Abbey he proceeded to Bouchain which stands on the Banks of the Skell between Cambray and Valenciennes Here he passed the River over the Bridge the Captain either not daring or caring to Impeach their passage After this he came before a strong Castle upon the Sambre called Thin l'Evesque because it belonged to the Bishop of Cambray not standing above g Knighton p. 2573. n. 60. three Leagues from Cambresis This Place they took by surprise with the Captain and his Lady therein And here the Lord Walter Manny placed a good Garrison whereof he made his Brother Sr. Giles Manny the Captain who afterwards proved but an ill Neighbour to the City of Cambray This done Sr. Walter return'd into Brabant unto King Edward his Master whom he found still at Mechlin and there he shew'd what he had done for which the King gave him Thanks and approved of his Service At the same time the Earl of Salisbury made an Inroad into the Bishop of Liege his Country with a Thousand fighting Men h Knighton ibid. where having wasted all before him for several Miles together he return'd safe again laden with Spoil and Glory IV. l Frois c. 37. Nor was the King of France an idle Spectator of all these Preparations and Hostilities For he must needs be well aware aforehand of a Storm which he himself in a manner Raised and was sufficiently as to all humane Probability provided against it His Navies Magazines and Treasures were well furnished his Garrisons and good Towns well stock'd with Men of War and Provisions and his Allies stood all ready as in a Race to run the same Course together with him But as soon as ever he had received the Defiances from King Edward and his Confederates he immediately addresses himself to put Life and Vigour into all his former Preparations He straight began on all hands to retain Men of Arms and others in his Service and first he sent the Lord Galeas de la Bausine a Valiant Knight of Savoy to be Captain of the City of Cambray and with him two more Couragious Gentlemen the Lord of Roy and Sr. Theobald of Marnel with above two Hundred Spears both French and Savoyans At the same time he sent sufficient Forces to seise into his Hands the County of Ponthieu in Picardy which belonged to King Edward in k Sandford Geneal hist p. 130. l. 2. c. 1. Right of his Grandmother Eleanor sister to Alphonso King of Castille and Leon Daughter of Ferdinand III and only Child by his second Wife Joan Daughter and Heir of John Earl of Ponthieu and Provence He directed also his Letters to the young Earl of Hainault his Nephew to the Duke of Lorrain the Earl of Bar and the Bishops of Mentz and Liege desiring either their friendly Assistance in these his Wars or at least that they would remain Neuters and forbear all Hostility against him and his Realm The Earl of Hainalt wrote him a very courteous Answer That for his part He would be always ready to Assist his Uncle the King of France against any Person whatsoever But forasmuch as the King of England made his War as Vicar of the Sacred Roman Empire he said he could not in Reason Civility or Duty deny him entrance into his Country nor refuse to shew him Respect and gratifie him in his Lawfull Demands because he held part of his Lands of the Emperour Most of the other Lords answer'd to King Philip that they would never commit or undertake any thing which should be to his displeasure Besides l Da Chesne l. 15. p 646. he had John Earl of Luxemburgh and King of Bohemia whose Daughter the Lady Bona was Married to King Philip's Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy engag'd firmly on his side and by his means Henry Count Palatine of the Rhine undertook to serve him with 300 Men of Arms for 56000 Florins of Florence In like manner he engaged Albert Bishop of Metz then a Free City now under France Otho Duke of Austria Theodore Marquess of Monferrat Amè Earl of Geneva Geoffry Earl of Linanges Valeran Earl of Deux-Ponts Henry Earl of Vaudemont John Earl of Sarburg Prince Humbert Son and Heir to James Humbert the Old Dauphin of Vienna besides the Duke of Lorrain aforemention'd and many other Lords and Captains of Almain Spain la Franche Comtè Dauphinè Savoy and other Countries besides the Scots who were able to give Powerfull Diversions and besides the Towns of Fuenterabia or Fontarabie St. Sebastian St. Ander and Laredor in Biscay V. The mean m Frois c. 37. Knighton p. 2573. n. 20. c. while Sr. Hugh Quiriel Sr. Peter Bahuchet and Sr. Nicolas Barbenoire so called of his Black-Beard being joynt Admirals of King Philip's Navy and having full Commission to Intercept our Merchants and to burn kill and slay in England without Pity were scouring the Seas in several Squadrons as they saw occasion for Advantage Among other Particulars One Detachment from this great Fleet consisting n Fabian p. 206. Helmstead p. 904. of Thirteen Sail Great and Small met with 2 Great Ships of England full of Riches and Money received for Woolls in Flanders and well Mann'd also being accompanied with two lesser Barks and one Caravel only The two Ships were Named the Christopher and the Edward Now when each side knew their Opposites to be Enemies they both with equal Ardour addressed themselves to the Fight Neither side spared their shot from Engines from their long Bowes and Arbalists for Guns that are actuated with Sulphur and Fire were not as then known in Europe So there began a most Cruel Fight thô not on equal Terms the French almost thrice exceeding them in Number of Vessels but more than four times in Number of Hands they being all fitted up ready for War ours being but Merchants thô well Convoy'd Wherefore the three small English Vessels being unfit for Fight and Laden more with Merchandise
who lay on the other side of the River with a goodly Army saw how these Lords his Enemies were thus lodged between Sars and Ausne he sent Word to the King his Father letting him know how great the Earl of Hainalts Forces were and how they still encreased daily King Philip being then at Perone sent presently 1200 Spears to the Reinforcement of his Son and he himself soon after went to the Army but Incognito and like a private Souldier for he was under an Obligation made by Oath to the Emperour never to come against any Lords of the Empire or those that held thereof without the Imputation of flat Perjury Which by this pittifull Salvo he thought now to avoid Wherefore the Duke of Normandy his Son was still look'd upon and named the Chief General of the whole Army thô all the while he did nothing but by the Advice and at the Command of the King his Father When those who were besieged in Thine saw the Earl of Hainalt come to their Aid with such a Mighty Power they were well refreshed as well with the Conscience of having held out so gallantly as with sure Hopes of an easie Deliverance But all their Friends were not come yet for on the fourth Day after the Earls Arrival there came to him a fresh Accession of considerable Forces from Valenciennes under the Conduct of Sr. John de Bossu Provost of the City Upon this Reinforcement the Earl of Hainalt began to skirmish with the Frenchmen couragiously But neither were they wanting to do their Devoir so that with Arrows Quarrels and Engines many were slain and hurt on both sides but the Armies could not as yet joyn Battle because the River Sambre ran between them l Fabian p. 269. Only the Skirmishers fought daily together by means of four Bridges that lay over the River which yet were well kept on both sides that neither could pass over to the other without apparent Disadvantage While thus the two Armies lay by the River Sambre the French toward France and the Hainalders towards their own-Country the Foragers on both sides rode forth daily to fetch in Provision for the Army but they never encountred one another because the River parted them Only a strong Detachment of the French went forth and burnt in the Country of Ostervandt where it had not been wasted before as part of the Town m Fabian ibid. of Quesnoy and other Villages thereabout which the Hainalders requited by burning in like manner in the Country of Cambresis While n Frois c. 49. fol. 29. both Armies stood thus confronting each other there came to the Earl of Hainalts Aid at the Perswasion and under the Conduct of Jacob van Arteveld 60000 Flemings well-arm'd and in good Array Wherefore now that the Earl found himself above an 100000 strong he sent by his Heralds to the Duke of Normandy demanding Battle of him for he said it could not but prove a shame to that Party of the two who should now decline the fight when both Armies were so equally great and alike provided The Duke said he would ask Counsel of his Lords but they were so long in Debate that the Heralds were fain to come back for that time without any Answer at all The third Day after therefore the Earl having all this while received no Return to his Message sent again to the Duke to know his final Resolution The Duke repli'd That he was not sufficiently convinced that it was necessary to give his Enemies Battle at their pleasure but at his own rather That the Earl was too hot and hasty but might perhaps be cooled some time or other The Earl hearing this took it but for meer Tergiversation and Delay and so declared to his Chief Lords and Captains the Summ of his two Messages with the Answer and that he was resolv'd to fling a Bridge over and go and give them Battle in spight of their Teeth demanding their Opinions thereupon At this they all began to look on each other every Man being unwilling to speak First but by and by the Duke of Brabant spake thus for all To make a Bridge and so to go over and fight the French whatever I should think in other Circumstances is not my Opinion at this time For I am most certainly assured that the King of England will very shortly come over the Sea and lay his Siege before Tournay and you know we have all sworn to aid and succour him to the utmost of our Power If we should now fight the French and have so ill success as to lose the Field King Edward would miss of his Purpose and be wholly disappointed of the help he expecteth of us And if we should obtain the Victory he will have but small reason to thank us since we shall seem to have prefer'd the Gratification of our own Revenge to the care of his Welfare So that my Opinion is that by no means while it is in our choice not to be compell'd we engage our selves with the whole Power of France without the Presence of him who is chiefly concern'd in this War. But when we shall lie before Tournay with King Edward on our side and the French King in Person against us I think it will be next to impossible that we should then miss of a Battle Wherefore for this time my Advice is that we break up and depart when we have secur'd the Lives of this Garrison here since our Lying in this place is so excessive chargeable and expensive For I am certain within these ten Days at farthest we shall hear that the King of England is come The Major Part of the Lords present approved of this Counsel as most reasonable all things considerd and especially the Brabanders Citizens of Brussels and Louvain when they heard of this Advice of their Lord applauded it extreamly as being desirous to return home as soon as might be But the Earl of Hainalt prevail'd with much ado with the Leaders to tarry a little longer In which time since he had never before seen himself in the Head of so considerable an Army as he was very Couragious he thought to force the Lords his Allies to an Engagement before their Departure as Themistocles did the Grecian Confederates at Salamis Wherefore privately he brake his Mind to the Lord John of Hainalt saying Dear Uncle I desire you would please to ride down by the River side and to call over the River to speak with some Body of the French Army And then desire him to shew unto the French King and his Son from me that if they will give me three Days Respit and Truce I will make a Bridge over the Water and so go over and give him Battle Or else let him do the like and we will by no means hinder the Workmen from making the Bridge The Lord of Beaumont according to his Nephews Desire rode presently down along the River side with Thirteen Knights in his Company
should be forthwith raised the One consisting of the Men of Gaunt and Bruges and other Flemmings a Fabian p. 212. with a certain Number of English Archers b Du Chesne p. 651. making up in all 55000 Men which being commanded by the Lord Robert of Artois was to lay Siege to St. Omers And the other consisting of King Edward's own Forces with the rest of his Allies was to sit down before Tournay in like manner The Lord Robert of Artois was soon ready for his Task and went accordingly thô not so soon but that King Philip before his Arrival had sent thither the Duke of Burgundy named c Favine l. 4. c. 3. p. 6. Eudes the IV with many other Lords Captains and Men of Arms to the Reinforcement of the Earl of Armagnac Who Arrived there accordingly d Gaguin l. 8. p. 137. with two and fourty Ships furnished with Souldiers and Provision of all Sorts As for King Edward it was resolved that he should set forward with his Forces by e 22 Julii Magdalene-tide then next ensuing and lay Siege to the City of Tournay And that thither all the Lords of the League should repair to him with their several Forces except the Lord Robert of Artois aforesaid Sr. Henry Eam of Flanders and the rest who were to lie before St. Omers All these things being thus fully Established the Council brake up and every one address'd himself to the performance of this Agreement Now King f Frois c. 53. fol. 30. b. 31. a. Du Chesne Philip of France had presently secret Information of the greater part of the Resolutions of this Council Whereupon besides his foremention'd Provision for St. Omers he sent to Tournay the Chief of all his Men of War as Ralph Earl of Ewe and his Son the Young Earl of Guisnes Gaston Phoebus Earl of Foix and his Brethren Emery Earl of Narbon Sr. Emery of Poictiers Sr. Geoffry Charny a Valiant Young Lord of whose Exploits this History will not be silent with these he sent the two Marshals Sr. Robert Bertrand and Sr. Matthew de la Trie Sr. Gerard de Montfaucon the Lord of Caieux Seneschal of Poictieu the Lord of Chastelan and Sr. John Landas and many other Valiant Knights and Esquires to the Number of g Fabian p. 212. 4000 Men of Arms and h Gievana Villan l. 11. c. 111. p. 769. 10000 Footmen the City it self affording no less than 15000 Fighting Men effective Now therefore when this Great Recruit was come to Tournay the Captain thereof the Lord Godmar du Fay was wonderfully satisfied and so joyning all together they immediately took all Care possible to supply and furnish the Place with Provision of Salt Wine Flesh Fish Wheat Oats Attillery and what else might seem Necessary for the Maintenance of a Town Besieged II. Nor was King Edward himself unwilling that his Intentions should be known in France But according to the Law formerly Established with his Allies in Flanders besides his Defiance made last Year he sends i Walsingh hist p. 135. Edit Franes p. 149. n. 21. before he goes to the Siege of Tournay his Charter of Defiance to King Philip the Tenour whereof from the k Adam Murimouth Original French runs thus l l Id. Adam Mâ—rimouth Walsingh lote citato Fabian p. 212 Fâ—x Acts Monum p. 348. Sandford p. 161. Du Chesne p. 651. Mezeray p. 16. c. Edward by the Grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland to the Right Noble and Puissant Lord Philip Earl of Valois Sr. Philip of Valois We have long and often peaceably demanded of You by Our Embassadors in the most Reasonable manner we could devise that You would restore unto Us Our Lawfull Right and Inheritance of the Crown of France which all this while You have with great Injustice and Violence detained from Us And whereas We well perceive that You intend to persevere in the same injurious Usurpation without returning any Satisfactory Answer to Our just Demands We give You to understand that We are entred into the Land of Flanders as Sovereign Lord thereof and are now passing thrô the Country And We further signifie unto You that by the help of Our Saviour m m Haec verba videntur alludere ad illud DIEU Eâ— MON DROIT i.e. God and my Right which words are still under the Arms of the Kings of England c. Jesus Christ and Our Righteous Cause with the Forces of the said Country Our Subjects and Allies We purpose to recover the Right which We have to that Inheritance which You by Your injurious Violence detain from Us. And therefore are We now approaching toward You to make a quick decision of this Our Rightfull Challenge if You also will do the like And forasmuch as so great an Army as We bring with Us on Our part supposing You also on Your Part to do the like cannot remain long in the Field without great Destruction both of the People and Country which thing every Good Christian ought to avoid especially Princes and others who have the Government of the same We are desirous by as short dispatch as may be to meet and therefore to prevent the Mortality of Christians since the Quarrel apparently belongs to You and Me let the Controversie between Us be fairly decided by Our own Persons Body to Body to which thing We offer Our Selves for the Reasons aforesaid that the Great Nobility and Valour of each other may be seen of all Men. But if in case You shall not vouchsafe this way then let Us end the Dispute by the Battle of one Hundred of the most sufficient Persons of Your Party and as many of Mine which each of Us shall bring into the Field But if You will not admit either of the One or of the Other way then that You will Assign unto Us a certain Day before the City of Tournay which Day to be within Ten days next after the Date of this Our Letter wherein to Combat both of Us Power against Power We offering unto Your Choice these above specifi'd Conditions as We would have all the World to know not of any Malice Presumption or Pride in Our Selves but for the Causes aforesaid and to the intent that the Will of Our Saviour Jesus Christ being declared between Us two Peace and Unity might grow more and more among Christians the Power of Gods Enemies may be abated and the Bounds of Christendom be enlarged and enfranchised Wherefore consider hereupon with Your Self which of Our foresaid Offers You will accept and by the Bearer of these Our Letters send unto Us quick and speedy Answer Given under Our Great Seal at Chyn upon the Skell near Tournay the n n Sandford p. 161. Fox 27 Julii Fab. 15 Julii Alii diem non assâ—gnâ—nt 17 Day of Julii A. D. 1340. This Letter was some Days after thus
The Occasion was given first in Bretagne For e Frois c. 63. fol. 35. after the Truce had been confirmed and sealed before the City of Tournay and every Man was gone his way the Lord John Dreux then Duke of Bretagne who had been there on the French Kings side in as gallant an Equipage as any other Prince whatsoever upon his Return homewards fell suddenly sick of a mortal Disease and died in little Bretagne and was buried at f Catal. Honor. p. 606. Ploermell in the Diocess of Nantes He had been thrice married first to Isabell Daughter of Charles Earl of Valois and Alanson and Sister to King Philip of Valois secondly to Blanch Daughter of the King of Castille and lastly to Margaret Daughter of Edward Earl of Savoy but yet died without any Issue From whence a lasting War was entailed upon his Country which occasionally also involved the Realms of France and England This same Duke g Frois ibid. Catal. Honor. had two younger Brethren the one by the Fathers side onely of a second Venter named John Earl of Montfort who was then living the other named Guy Earl of Pentebria his Brother both by Father and Mother side was dead indeed but had left one Daughter behind him named Jane which her Uncle the late Duke had before his Death married to the young Lord Charles Castillion Eldest Son to Guy Earl of Blois by another Sister of King Philip of France Upon which Marriage the said King promised after the Decease of her Uncle Duke John to uphold and maintain the said Charles her Husband in the Dukedom of Bretagne For the late Duke always suspected vehemently that his Half-brother Monford would struggle for the Inheritance after his Death against the Daughter of his own Brother Guy to whom he reckon'd it more justly belonged That she might therefore find an able Friend upon Occasion to abett her Quarrel he thus wisely to his thinking match'd her with a Son of King Philips Sister And accordingly King Philip however partial he was in King Edwards Cause who claim'd the Crown of France by a Title derived from a Woman yet without any Scruple undertook to defend the Title of his Nephew Charles to this Dukedom as we shall shew at large anon V. However John Earl of Monford had this Advantage that he h Frois ibid. first heard of the Duke his Brothers Death and thereupon resolving not to dally in a matter of such Consequence he rode immediately to Nantes the chief City in Bretagne where upon his fair Address to the Burgesses and those of the Country thereabouts he was forthwith received as their Chief Lord and had Homage and Fealty done unto him Then the Earl and his Lady Margaret Daughter to i Mezeray p. 19. Robert late Earl of Flanders and Sister to Lewis of Cressy the present Earl of Flanders a Lady of a most Masculine Spirit determin'd by Advice of their Council to call a Court of Parliament and keep a Solemn Feast on such a Day at Nantes against which time the Earl of Montford sent forth his Summons to all the Nobles and Representatives of the good Towns of Bretagne to be there to render their Homage and Fealty unto Him as unto their Soveraign Lord. But in the mean while before the time of the Feast came the Earl of Montford went from Nantes with a competent Number of Men of Arms unto Limoges the Chief Town of Limousin whereof the Dukes of Bretagne were Vicounts where he was informed that the vast Treasures which his Father Arthur had amassed together were securely kept Being come thither he enter'd the City in great Pomp and Splendour and was honourably received of all the Clergy Burgesses and Commons who then and there made Homage and swore Fealty unto him Here he handled the Matter so discreetly that he had all that inestimable Treasure deliver'd up to him which of a long time before his Father had gather'd and strongly secur'd with this Injunction left to his Son that he should not meddle therewith till he should be brought to some Extremity So having obtained this hitherto untouch'd Prize he brought it away with him to Nantes to the Countess his Wife as the most able Nerves of the War which he expected By this time was the Day of the Solemn Feast come but no Breton of any great Name or Quality was found to be concern'd at Monfords Summons onely one valiant and wealthy Lord named Sr. Henry du Leon came thither to yield him his Obersance However the Feast was continued for three Days with much Real Pomp but Feigned Cheer because it look'd so ill that his Cause was so universally discountenanced by the Nobility and Gentry After the Feast it was resolved that all the New-found Treasure should be set apart for Wages for Men of War both Horse and Foot which the Earl design'd to retain on all Hands as well to constrain the Rebellious as to maintain the Dutchy against his Adversary Being therefore as soon as might be well furnished with Men of War and Chosen Captains from divers Countries he resolved to March forth and either by Love or Force make himself Lord of all Bretagn The first Place he design'd to attempt was the strong Castle of Brest standing upon an Arm of the Sea the Captain whereof was the Lord Garnier Clisson a Noble Knight and one of the Greatest Barons of Bretagne Earl Monford all along in his Passage thither prest the Men of the Country to his Service none daring to refuse so that by that time he came thither his Forces were mightily encreased Brest and Nantes being distant almost the whole length of Bretagne one from another Being come to the Castle he sent the Lord Henry du Leon to summon the Captain to yield up the Place and to obey the Earl as his Lord and Duke of Bretagn The Captains Answer was short That he was not inclin'd to do any such Matter till he should be commanded so to do by the Right Heir of that Dukedom So the next day an Assault was given But within the Castle were 300 Men of Arms besides Others and all things were well disposed for Defence Wherefore the Captain full of Courage came to the Barriers with 40 good Men of Arms and made a very brave Resistance But so many of the Assailants came thither that at last the Barriers were won by fine Force the Defendants being obliged to retire toward the Castle in some Confusion having lost several of their Company But the Captain did so much that he secur'd the Retreat to the rest as far as the first Gate When those who kept the Ward thereof fearing from what they saw more mischief in an ill time let down their Portcullis and shut their Captain out with most of his Company who fought with him in the Reer with much Resolution and Bravery Thus they all remain'd without expos'd to eminent Danger for the Captain would never yield
Calamity both to Us and Our Subjects unless We take more sound and speedy Care in this Matter For the Right of Patronage which We and Our Subjects have in these Benefices is thereby infringed Our Court in which only Cases concerning the Right of Patronage to the said Benefices ought to be discussed is deluded and so the Rights of our very Crown are both shamefully and to our great Detriment invaded the Treasure of our Kingdom exported to Foreigners not to say to our Enemies perhaps with this subtle Intent that thus the Priesthood of the Kingdom being depressed and its Wealth exhausted the Realm it self may be rendred more weak against the Storms of Adversity All which Incommodities together with others which follow from the Premises were lately made manifest unto Us in our Parliament by the Community of the said Realm together with their Unanimous and Earnest Petition subjoyned that We would speedily prevent the foresaid Mischiefs which seem utterly insupportable to our said Community We therefore by this their Representation plainly beholding the Depression of the Church of England and the Disherison of our Crown with all the foresaid Evils which if longer dissembled would probably very much encrease do now refer them unto You who are the Successour of the Prince of the Apostles who received Command from Christ to Feed and not to Sheer the Lords Sheep and to confirm and not depress his Brethren heartily requesting that duly weighing and considering the Premises how of Right Magistrates are to be created from among the People and that according to the saying of the Prophet They shall make Vinedressers of the People from the same place Which We read to have been the Practise of the blessed Apostles when they set over the Converted Heathen Persons who had knowledge of their tongues And also remembring that Exuberance of Devotion wherewith our Royal Family and the Clergy and People of our said Kingdom have hitherto continued in the Obedience of the said See wherefore Your Paternal Affection ought not to heap Burthens and Grievances upon them but rather as a Father who lays up for his Children to alleviate the Weight of the said Impositions and Provisions and Burthens which thus arise from the Apostolick See Permitting further that Patrons may not lose their Right of Patronage and that the Cathedral and other Churches of the said Kingdom may have their free Elections and the Effects thereof Which Churches our said Progenitors have long since upon each of their Vacations freely of their Royal Prerogative confer'd on fit Persons and afterward at the Request and instance of the said See have under certain Forms and Conditions granted that the Elections should be made in the said Churches by the Chapters of the same which Grant was also on due deliberation confirmed by the Apostolick See. But yet now against the Form of the Concession and Confirmation of the said Churches the said See by these her Reservations and Provisions doth take away the said Elections from the said Chapters and from Us also our Right and Prerogative which according to the Form of the said Concession belong unto Us in this part wherefore by the Law of our said Kingdom since the Conditions of our Grant are not observed the Concession it self is revolved unto Us again and the whole state of the Matter reverts to its Original Upon the Premises therefore We pray that your Goodness would vouchsafe to the Honour of God and the salvation of Souls and also to take away the foresaid Scandals and Prejudices to provide a speedy and wholsome Remedy that We and our Subjects who desire as We ought to Revere your most Holy Person and the Holy Roman Church these Intolerable Evils being once removed may rest in the sweetness of your Fatherly Love and that our Devotion may flourish again being refreshed by the Clemency of your Pious Moderation extended unto Us The most High preserve You in the Government of his Church many and happy Days Given at Westminster the 26 of September in the 4 Year of Our Reign of France and of Engalnd the 17. This Letter is said to have been of such force i Walsing Brit. Antiq. in titulo hujus Epistolx that neither the Pope nor his Cardinals could tell reasonably how to answer it for that time wherefore they were obliged to comply therewith King Edward notwithstanding what Odoricus Rainaldus says by Advice of his Parliament k Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 922. proceeded to prohibit these Collations and Provisions in his Realm on pain of Imprisonment and Death it self Wherefore the Pope seeing him proceed with so High an hand thought fit somewhat to dissemble the Matter for fear of exasperating too far till at last by degrees his Compliance gain'd what by severity could not be expected However now We find that King Edward in the beginning of the next Year set forth his Royal Prohibition against the Popes Provisors bearing date 20 of January in the Year of his Reign of England the 18 and of France the 5. But this being extant in Adam Murimouth's Ancient M. S. We shall refer the Curious thither having already as We fear dwelt too long on this Matter And thus as my Author says had the King persevered accordingly he had utterly taken away all manner of Provisions but in such a noise of War as followed he thought it safer now and then to yield somewhat to so * Lat. tam irritâ—b lem patron powerfull a Father than to stand at open Defiance with him And now to the Wars of Bretagne wherein We shall find the King Personally Engaged about this time XIV King Edward according to the Vow he had made to take a severe Revenge for the Death of his Dear Friend the Lord Robert of Artois was within little more then a Moneth after his Death with a great Army ready to take the Sea at Sandwich On the l Ashmole p. 653. Fourth of October He went on board in a Ship called the George and landed at a Port not far from Vannes at the very place where the Lord Robert of Artois had landed after his Fight at Sea with Don Lewis The Kings Preparations m Frois c. 93. were so great that he was three Days in landing all his Warlike Provision and so on the Fourth Day he marched straight to Vannes which he intended to Besiege having before sent to view it the Lord Walter Manny who came to wait on him from the Countess then at Hennebond the Lord John Striveling and the Lord William Fitz-Warine le Frere who upon their return encouraged him to attempt the Place But they knew not how the City was now in an Extraordinary manner provided with all things necessary and many good Souldiers were there under the Command of the former Captains the Lord Oliver Clisson and the Lord Henry du Leon n Knighton p. 2582. n. 40. to whom were added the Lord of Lomine and the Lord of
Loeheair with another Valiant Gentleman who had now left his Mistress the Countess for the Lord Charles of Blois and his name was Sr. Geoffry de Malestroit King Edward having invested the Place o Frois c. 94. gave them a very brave and vigorous Attack which endured half a day but yet little good was done thereby the City was in such good Case at this time The Countess of Montford hearing that King Edward was come into Bretagne and lay now before Vannes went from Hennebond accompanied with the Lord Walter Manny who lately was return'd unto her from the King and divers other Knights and Esquires to see his Majesty and his Lords and to discourse about her Matters of Necessity and Weight as well as to bid them welcome into her Country In which visit having spent four Days she then took her leave and returned back to Hennebond with all her Company excepting the Lord Walter Manny and two or three Lords more of England and Bretagne And all this while ever since a little after the first taking of Vannes by the Lord Robert of Artois the Earls of Salisbury Oxford Pembroke and Suffolk lay at Siege before Rennes Wherefore the Lord Charles of Blois when beside those great Forces that came from England before he understood also how King Edward was come now after them himself with another great Army sends word thereof unto his Uncle Philip King of France declaring that he must be inevitably ruin'd without a very speedy and very considerable supply Whereupon King Philip commanded his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to address himself effectually to Succour his Kinsman The mean while King Edward finding the strength of the City of Vannes and being informed that so great an Army as his could not be supply'd in that place by reason the Country round about was so greatly wasted and harassed that it was difficult to get any Forage for Man or Beast upon these accounts he resolved to divide his Army And first the Earl of Arundel the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Stafford the Lord of Triguier and Sr. Gerard of Rochefort with 600 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers were to carry on the Siege before Vannes and to ravage and feed on the Country all about He himself with the Residue of the Army resolv'd to go unto Rennes to see how the Siege went on there and so he did being highly welcomed by the Lords that lay before that place When King Edward had been before Rennes about five Days he heard how Sr. Charles of Blois made great Preparations to raise a sufficient Army at Nantes Wherefore leaving those whom he had found at Rennes except the Earl of Oxford to carry on the Siege there still he marched forth to Nantes with a Resolution to give Battle unto the Lord Charles or to hold him Besieged within the City He could not here furnish his Siege quite round because of the Extent of the place and of the River of Loire that ran besides it Wherefore he pitch'd his Tents on a little Mountain without the Town and set his Men in Battle Array thereby hoping so to provoke the Valorous young Lord Charles to come forth and accept of a decisive Battle But having stood thus from Morning till High Noon and found not the least offer of a Sally from the Town he sent his Van-Currours to skirmish at the Barriers and to set the Suburbs on fire which being done accordingly he withdrew his Men into their Entrenchments While thus King Edward lay before Nantes the Earl of p Knighton p. 2582. n. 50. Northampton Marshal of his Host rode forth every day ravaging and fetching in Prey out of the Country round about and taking of Castles Towns and Fortresses as Pont de Launay and others Wherefore now the Lord Charles of Blois repeated his Letters every Day to the French King laying open the great Necessity he stood in and requesting Succour with all speed The Duke of Normandy having before received Orders from the King his Father was at that time at the City of Angiers near the Borders of Bretagne where he made his Rendezvous and was now again call'd upon by his Father to make all Expedition possible King Edward this mean while had given many Assaults to the City of Nantes but was not able to gain any great Advantage nor could by any means oblige the Lord Charles of Blois to make a Sally Wherefore being displeased that he lay so long and lost so many Men to so little purpose he again divides his Army resolving him self to go before Dinant leaving still 600 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to maintain the Siege before Nantes and to ravage the Country round-about With these he left the Earl of Oxford the Lord Henry Piercy the Lord William Ros of Hamlake the Lord John Moubray the Lord John Delaware the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Lisle and Others to whom Froisard adds the Lord Henry Vicount Beaumont But the q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 52. a b. Elder Henry who bore this Title had been now Dead above two Years before and his Son and Heir John died also a little before this leaving behind him his Son Henry the Younger who was at that time but two Years of Age and whom we shew'd to have been born in Flanders So that this Mistake of that Ancient Historian is to be excus'd as well as this short Digression of ours which was made only to witness our Diligence and not in the least design to expose an Author from whom I have borrowed so much my self These Lords being left before Nantes King Edward himself r Frois c. 94. f. 48. c. 96. c. went and laid Siege to the strong Town of Dinant between Rennes and St. Malo upon the River of Rance having in his way thither taken the strong Towns of Å¿ Knighton p. 2582. n. 60. Ploermel and Malestroit So that now at one time he held Siege before three strong Cities as Vannes Rennes and Nantes besides one good Town called Dinant in Bretagne The Captain of Dinant at that time was Sr. Pierce Portbeufe a valiant and worthy Gentleman who for a while maintained the Place maugre all the fierce Attacks of the English so that he worthily gain'd the Reputation of a Noble Knight But after four Days King Edward having got together a competent number of Boats and Barges filled them with Archers and Others commanding them to row up to the Pales wherewith the Town was enclosed toward the Water only having on that side no other Walls or Fortifications This piece of Service the Archers performed so well that none of the Inhabitants durst look over the Pales at their Defence so that while the Archers shot thus certain Men of Armes in the Boats who were appointed for that purpose hewed down the Pales with their Axes and so enter'd on that part by Force The Inhabitants upon this fled to the Market-place with those of
came with all his Host to Nantes where he was extreamly welcom to the Lord Charles of Blois and Himself with his Lords and chief Captains lodged in the City but their Men were quartered about in the Country for both the City and Suburbs were unable to hold them and besides the Suburbs had been lately burnt by the English While the Duke of Normandy lay thus at Nantes The Earl of Salisbury and the other Lords of England who were still before Rennes made one Day above the rest a fierce and terrible Assault upon the City which endured with all possible Animosity for all that Day and yet thô they had also dives Engines and Instruments to batter and shake the Walls they gain'd no Advantage but lost many Men in the Assault Those that so well defended this Place were besides the Bishop of Rennes the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Pontrieux Sr. John de Malestroit Sr. Owen Charnells and a young Breton named Bertram de Clequin who afterwards became the most considerable Captain of his Days and was in time Constable of France of whose notable Exploits this Work will not be silent Nor let any Man wonder that these Cities of Vannes Rennes and Nantes should hold out so stifly now against the Forces of King Edward when as we shall find them all to have changed their Lord more than once within the space of two Years For when Bretagne only fought against Bretagne the People were divided some enclining to one side and some to the other and easily altering their Minds again But now they look'd upon the English as a common Enemy and beside the Lord Charles was better provided at this time than formerly However the Earl of Salisbury continued his Siege before Rennes for all this and daily wasted and ravaged the Country round about Now when the Duke of Normandy who had well consider'd of the Business he had in hand was certainly informed how Rennes was in little or no danger but that Vannes was in much hazard of being lost it was so mightily prest by the King of England thither he resolv'd first to bend his Course and either by Battle or otherwise to raise the Siege The two Marshals of the Host the Lord Charles of Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant led the Van the Duke himself was in the Main Body and the Lord Geoffry Charny with the Earl of Guisnes brought up the Reer In this Order they came before Vannes and lay over against the King of England in a fair Meadow between the Rivers of Claye and Vilaine and made a great and deep Ditch round about their Host but the Marshals and Van-currours of each Army met often and skirmished together XVII King Edward upon the news of their Approach had sent for the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke to break up their Siege from before Rennes and come strait to the Camp to him which they did for he expected to have Battle with the Frenchmen at this time without fail His Forces both English and Bretons made up but about b Frois c. 98. 2500 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers and about 6000 Others on Foot beside those who were left to keep the Navy and Others in Garrisons and with the Countess at Hennebond But these few were all select Men under good Leaders strongly entrench'd in their Camp So that the French could not without Disadvantage to themselves oblige them to a Battle thô they on the other hand were four times their Number at least together with the Reinforcement of the Lord Charles of Blois from Nantes and all well appointed for the War. Thus these two Armies lay fronting one another for several Days without any Action further than some light Skirmishes For the French as was shew'd could not force the English to a Battle nor durst they attempt them in their Camp and King Edward thought it not Wisdom to leave his Defences and attack the Enemy at such odds to so great a Disadvantage as he knew the Aggressor must needs submit himself unto especially since he must then leave so strong a City at his back to second the Enemy Nor yet did he give any more Assaults to the Place because of keeping his Men fresh and entire against the time a Battle should be offer'd which then he resolv'd to accept Wherefore different Considerations deterring both Armies from Engaging the Winter began to incommode them not a little when it pleased God to incline the Heart of Pope Clement the VI. to labour earnestly for a Peace between them He had now sent thither two Cardinals c Rot. Parl. 17. Ed. 3. n. 8. vid. Claus de ced an p. 1.25 Dersc Victorell p. 892. Oderâ—c Rainald ad hunc 〈◊〉 §. 24. Peter of Palestrina or Praeneste and Annibald of Tusculum who rode daily between both Parties But as yet neither of them would accept of any equal Conditions For the French thought to keep the King there in manner of a Siege till he should even be forced to come forth and give them Battle to his great Disadvantage and the King expected that at last they must adventure to force him considering he was inferiour in Number and more conveniently encamp'd for the Weather than they Yet to say Truth both Armies endur'd their Inconveniences the French found much vexation with Wet and Cold for it rain'd upon them Night and Day whereby many of their Horses died and at last they were obliged to dislodge and remove into the plain Fields their Tents were so full of Water in the Meadow And the English thô they were more dry and warm durst not go a Foraging but in very considerable Bodies for fear of the French who infested the Country and Don Lewis of Spain so narrowly watched the Sea-coasts with his Fleet that little Provision could be brought to the Kings Army but with great Danger These difficulties prepared the Minds of both Princes and rendred them more susceptible of the Cardinals Offers Wherefore they were at last both brought to allow of a Peace for Bretagne and because the Cardinals urged that Point also to appoint a Time for a Treaty of a final Accommodation between England and France But only here the King protested that he would never allow the Pope any Power to determin of his Quarrel but added That unless a Treaty might be had both honourable to Himself and profitable for his Allies he would never consent to have the same brought before the Pope nor then neither but only as before d M. S. p. 48. §. 8 Sr. Rcb. Cotten p. 37. §. 8. Ashmele p. 653. an indifferent Friend and no Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel However at last these Holy Men labour'd so effectually that they obtain'd a Truce between England and France and their Allies to hold for three Years during which time the whole Controversie then depending should be weigh'd and impartially consider'd and some equal Method of Peace
but shortly after when the Truce was broken was deliver'd up to the French by the two Cardinals who were Guaranties of the Truce There this poor Gentleman being found was sent away Prisoner to Paris where he was soon after put in a Tumbrell or Dung-Cart to which he was fastned with Chains of Iron and so convey'd bare-headed with great noise and outcries of the People from the Castle down thrô the High-street of Paris till he came to the Bishops Palace where they deliver'd him up to the Bishop and he by vertue of a Commission purchas'd by King Philip from the Pope then and there degraded and deprived of all Degrees and holy Orders the said Master Henry and so deliver'd him back again to the Secular Power Then he was judged to stand in the Pillory at such an hour for three Days together in the most Publique place of the City but he was so cruelly pelted with rotten eggs apples and other filth and ordure of the City that on the third Day he was found dead and afterwards had no better burial than a Dog. King Philip not content with these severities to cool the affections of his Grandees at the same time beside those notable Subsidies which his Subjects of France had freely granted him to the maintenance of his Wars c Mezeray ad an 1344. Fabian p. 271. levied strange and unheard of Taxes and which was worse settled a Gabelle upon Salt for which cause our Edward by way of Raillery called him the Author of the Salique Law. This Impost which makes the Sun and Water to be sold was the Invention of the Jews Mortal Enemies to the Christian Name as the word Gabelle denotes which comes from the d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 terminavit Hebrew X. But to return when King Edward had received the News which Mr. Henry Malestroit brought him how the Lord Clisson and others had lost their Lives for his Sake he took deep e Frois c. 101. Mezeray ad hunc aunum Indignation at this Inveterate Malice of the French King's and was once in mind to have served the Lord Henry du Leon who was now his Prisoner in the same manner But his Cousin the Generous Earl of Darby shew'd to him and his Council such Reasons as alter'd his furious Intention and something calm'd his Passion Sir said he thô King Philip being stung with mortal Jealousie hath rashly done so base an Action as unjustly to put to Death such valiant and worthy Knights Yet for Gods sake let not the bright Splendour of your Name be sullied with any such black and shamefull Deed. And to say the Truth your Prisoner Sr. Henry as he was no way accessary to his Masters Fault so methinks ought not to find any harder Usage for the same but rather to be put to a reasonable Ransom as a Man of Honour taken in the Wars Hereupon the King who always was inclinable to hear Reason became something more pacified and sent for the Lord Henry du Leon to come before him at which time he spake thus unto him shaking his Head for anger Ah! Sr. Henry Sr. Henry Mine Adversary Philip de Valois hath shew'd in a most cruel manner his extream Tyranny unjustly to put to death such Worthy Knights Wherewith I am infinitely displeased althô I never held any Correspondence with any of them because I question not but he did it in despight of Us. And therefore if I would contend with him in Malice I could now serve you in like manner for you have done to Me and mine more displeasure in Bretagne than any other But this I will pass by and let Philip do his worst to our Power we shall preserve our Reputation and not care to imitate him in his ignoble and unprincely Actions Wherefore for my Cousin of Darby's sake who hath entreated me in your Behalf I am content to deliver you for a small Ransom on Condition you will do as I shall require you The Knight answer'd making a low Reverence Sir I shall readily do what you shall please to command me Then the King proceeded I know well you are one of the most substantial Knights in Bretagne and if I would be strict with you that you are well able to pay me thirty or fourty thousand f A Scute is 6 s. 8 d. Sterling Scutes But if you will engage upon your Honour to go to mine Adversary Philip de Valois and to shew him from me that since he hath so cruelly and unjustly put to Death such valiant Knights in Spight of Me I say and will prove that he hath broken the Truce taken between Me and Him wherefore also I renounce it utterly on my Part and from this Day forward mortally defie him This Message if you will truly perform your Ransom shall be but 10000 Scutes which you shall truly pay and send to Bruges within 15 days after you have crost the Seas And moreover you shall say to all Knights and Esquires of those Parts that for all this they forbear not to come to our Feast at Windsor for they shall be welcome to Us and enjoy the benefit of our safe Conduct as We have declared Sir replied the Knight to the best of my Power I shall perform your Commands and God reward your Majesty for the Great Clemency You are pleas'd to shew unto me And I heartily thank my Noble Lord of Darby for his Good word in my Behalf So Sr. Henry du Leon took his leave of the King and within a few days went on Board at Southhampton with intent to go to Harfleur in Normandy and so to Paris to deliver King Edwards Defiance But a storm took him in such a manner that being forced among other things to sling all his horses overboard he was beside so tossed and harassed that he never after recovered his Health thô at last he gain'd land at Crotoy in Picardy at the mouth of the River Somme From thence both he and all his Company were fain to foot it to Abbeville about five French miles journey where they gat Horses But Sr. Henry was so sick that he was fain to be carried in a Litter to Paris where he did his Message to King Philip very punctually but as he was returning homeward into Bretagne he died by the way at the City of Angiers just upon the Borders of his own Country A very noble and valiant but unfortunate Gentleman who never had any rest or comfort after he had betray'd his Master John of Montford in the City of Nantes as we have related XI In this very season before the Solemnity at Windsor was over King g Frois c. 102. Edward heard News from Gascoigne by the Lord De le Sparre the Lord of Chaumont and the Lord of Mucidan who were sent into England by the Lord De la Brett aliàs de Albreth the Lord of Pamiers the Lord of Montferant the Lord of Duras the Lord of Craon and
and to the Realm and that the Main Profits may be employed upon the Defence of the Realm To all which Petitions Answer was made in form following It is agreed by the King Earls Barons Justices and other Wise Men of the Realm that the Petitions aforesâ—â—d be made in sufficient form of Law. According to the Petitions aforesaid certain Processes made against Sr. William de la Pole and Reginald at Conduit out of the Exchequer are revoked as Erroneous And that they shall be charged anew to accompt for Moneys received for the Kings Wooll notwithstanding any Letter of Acquittance to them made The which Accord was sent to the King to know his Pleasure therein The Petitions of the Clerks of the Chancery that whereas the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper for the time being ought to have the Cognisance of all Pleas of Trespasses done by the said Clerks or other Servants where the Chancery shall remain Yet notwithstanding the Sheriffs of London had attached one Gilbert de Chrishull a Clerk of the said Chancery in London at the Suit of one Killingbury a Draper upon a Bill of Trespass Which Gilbert brought a Supersedeas of Priviledge to the said Sheriffs which they would not allow but drew him to find sureties The Clerks pray Remedy therefore and maintenance of their Liberties The Parliament doth confirm their Liberties and reciting the Contempt for neglecting the Process conclude that Writs be sent to the Mayor of London to attach the Sheriffs and others who were Parties and Maintainers of the Quarrel by their Bodies to appear before the King in Chancery at a certain day to answer as well to the Contempt of the Process as to the Breach of the Liberty and Damage of the Party At the Petition of the Commons of Nottingham it is enacted that as well the Goal of Nottingham which the King hath granted to Sr. John Brocas during his Life as all other Goals in the like Case should be annexed to the Sheriffwick of every County according to an Act made Ano. 14. Ed. 3. That no man within Cities or Towns or elsewhere do carry Maces of silver but only the Kings Serjeants but that they carry Maces of Copper only and of no other Mettal It was answer'd the same should be so excepting that the Serjeants of the City of London may carry their Maces of silver within the Liberties of London before the Mayor in the presence of the King. It is to be observed that of the Oaths of Justices and of the Clerks of the Chancery expressed in the u A. â— 1â— Ed. 3 p. â—8 Printed Statutes there is no mention made in the Record And this is the Sum of this Sessions of Parliament the rest being to be had in the Statute Books of this Year XIV And now the x Frois c. 102. Earls of Darby and Arundel with the Earls of Pembroke and Oxford the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Walter Manny Sr. Frank van Hall an Almain Lord of great Valour and Fidelity to the English Sr. Henry Eam of Brabant St. Richard Fitz-Simon Sr. Hugh Hastings Sr. Stephen Tombey Sr. Richard Haydon Sr. John Norwich Sr. Richard Radcliff Sr. Robert Oxenden and others to the Number of 500 Knights and Esquires and 2000 Archers were ready to pass the Seas The King upon taking leave of his Cousin the Earl of Darby said unto him Take with you Gold and Silver enough and bestow it freely among those that do well for in so doing You will win their hearts which is beyond all Worldly Treasure The Earl took shipping at Southampton and on the 6 of June Landed at Bayonne a good and strong City of Gascogne that held of King Edward There he tarried seven Days and on the Eighth marched to Bourdeaux having largely encreased his Forces At this City he was received with Solemn Procession and here also he tarried a while being lodged in the Stately Abbey of St. Andrew At this time there was a Valiant French Lord called Gaston Earl of Laille Deputy for the French King in Guienne who excepting the loss he suffer'd at Bourdeaux by the Lord Oliver Ingham of which we * C. 15. §. 1. p. 163. spake had hitherto kept footing in that Country very well having taken divers Towns and Castles from the English He was endued with Absolute Power as the Kings Lieutenant that he might be render'd more able to reduce and defend those parts Wherefore understanding now of the Earl of Darby's arrival at Bourdeaux he sent for the Earls of Cominges and of Perigord the Vicount of Carmain the Earl of Valentinois the Lord of Mirande and the Lord of Duras for the Viscount of Villemur for the Lord De la Bard the Lord of Picornet the Viscount of Chastillon the Lord of y Ita Du Chesne Chasteauneufe the Lord of Lescun the Abbot of St. Salvin and all other Lords thereabout that held for France of whom the Earl of Laille demanded what they thought as to the coming of the Earl of Darby They answer'd how they thought themselves strong enough to defend the Passage at Bergerac This answer satisfied the Earl and thereupon he sent for Men from all Parts to reinforce his Troops and so went and kept the suburbs of Bergerac which were strong and of large extent and enclosed with the River of Dordogne The z Frois c. 103. fol. 50. b. Earl of Darby had been now at Bourdeaux about 15 Days when hearing what Provision was made to resist him at Bergerac he resolved first of all to march thitherward The Marshals of the Host were Sr. Walter Manny and Sr. Frank van Hall who rode the first Morning three Leagues to a Castle of their own called Monlieu where they tarried the Remainder of that Day and all that night The next Morning early the Marshals Forerunners rode up to the very Barriers of Bergerac and having there well view'd the Demeanor of the French return'd and told the Lord Manny that they found nothing formidable in what they had seen That Morning the English dined betimes because they design'd the residue of the Day for Action and as they sat at dinner Sr. Walter Manny applying himself to the Earl of Darby said mertily My Lord if We were good Men of Arms We should drink this evening with the French Lords in the Suburbs or City of Bergerac The Earl reply'd it shall not be my fault if we fail I 'll assure you When the Captains heard that they said to one another Let us haste to Arms for we are now for Bergerac and accordingly every Man was Armed and on Horseback and the Captains ranged them in Order of Battle without any other command given When the Earl of Darby saw the great Ardour and Alacrity of his Souldiers he took great Pleasure thereat and said aloud Let us then ride on to our Enemies in the Name of God and St. George Thus they rode forth with their Banners displayed in the heat
displeas'd that he seised his Temporalities for a while And We find him the Year following a Ano. 1334. obliged to make use of all his Cunning and Sophistry b Vid. Apologiam Adae Orleton c. apud Hister Angl. Scriptâ—r Antig. p. 2763. Edit London Ano. 1652. to Answer an Appellation that then came out against him thô not in the King's Name and proved him Guilty of Felony c. Consisting of these Articles 1. That he Commanded and caused most Sacrilegiously Violent Hands to be laid on the King's Chancellour Robert Baldock Bishop of Norwich c. Item that in the City of Oxford in the Moneth of November he falsly and maliciously Preached and Taught and more than once Asserted that the Lord Edward of Famous Memory was a Tyrant c. Item that by his false and subtil Insinuations and Assertions he struck such a fear into the Lady the Queen Mother then at Wallingford that she durst not go to her Husband the foresaid King by occasion whereof the use of Matrimony both as to the Procreation of Children and as to the Faith and Sacrament thereof was render'd ineffectual All which with more he Answer'd for that time very plausibly suppressing the most Dangerous Articles and eluding and evading the Rest and at last concludes his appellant guilty of Perjury in offering to swear to the Truth of what he falsly laid to his Charge By these Means and by the Aid of the Clergy who c Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 874. ad â—n 1324. once before took him with their Pastoral Crosiers in their Hands from the King's Tribunal when he was to be try'd for Treason he escaped Punishment in this World except that for d Walsing hist p. 155. n. 50. Godw. Gatal Bps p. 233. many Years before his Death he was stricken stark blind thô We can hardly think that without an unfeigned and thorough Repentance of which this his Apology gives Us little hope he could avoid those Torments which are prepared in the other World for Murderers and Traytors Nay e Sr. Winston Churchill's Drvi Britan. p. 239. some say that Horrour of Mind at his Death gave him as great Torture as if the burning-Iron which sear'd his Conscience had been thrust into his Bowels Which expression is no doubt allusive to the manner whereby King Edward the Seconds Death was effected thrô his Means and Contrivance However here now we fix him as an Example to deter Men of such Principles from the Consideration of the Evil Memory they are like to leave behind them He was succeeded by Dr. William Edingdon who was very Dear to King Edward and the Knights of the Garter being created in his time became the first Prelate of that most Noble Order The End of the First Book THE HISTORY OF King Edward IIId. AN. DOM. 1346. An. Regni Angliae XX. Franciae vii BOOK THE SECOND CHAPTER the FIRST The CONTENTS I. King Philip sends his Son John Duke of Normandy with a mighty Army against the Earl of Darby now since his Father's Death called Earl of Lancaster II. Duke John having retaken Miramont and Ville-Franche in Agenois goes and sits down before Angoulesme III. The Earl of Lancaster hearing the Enemy had left Ville-Franche void sends thither a new Garrison as also a Reinforcement to the strong Castle of Aiguillon IV. The Seneschal of Beaucaire with a Detachment from the French Host wins Ancenis and returns with a great Booty to the Camp. V. Sr. John Norwich the English Captain of Angoulesme by a neat Device escapes away thrô the French Army in the Day-time with Bag and Baggage and goes to Aiguillon After whose Departure the Duke takes the City to Mercy as also the Fortress of Damasan by Force and Tonneins by Composition VI. The Duke of Normandy takes Port St. Mary by Force and goes before the strong Castle of Aiguillon VII The Particulars of the Famous Siege of Aiguillon counted the most Notable of that Age. VIII The French Kings Seneschal of Guienne beaten and taken Prisoner by a Detachment from the Earl of Lancaster Which Earl hovering near the Duke cuts him short I. ALL this while we may wonder that between two such Potent Monarchs as Philip of France and Edward of England althô no less than a Kingdom was the Prize there seem'd rather a certain-Tendency and Disposition to War than any deadly and irreconcileable Rupture But this we should attribute to the Goodness of God who is always slow when he intends to strike home and partly also as well to the pious Assistance of the Pope King Robert of Sicily the Lady Jane of Valois and other Peace makers as in a manner to the Humanity of these Princes themselves and also to the weight of the Affair which required much Advice and vast Preparations But now at last all things being sufficiently ripened we shall presently see the Bloody Flag of War hung out in good earnest and the two Kings hastily opening the Way to their own several Destinies King a Frois c. 118. Philip of France was quickly alarum'd at those notable Conquests which the Earl of Darby whom henceforward we shall call the Earl of Lancaster had made in Gascogne the preceding Year and resolv'd with all Expedition to provide a wholsom Remedy against so devouring a Gangrene While therefore himself was busie in raising a Mighty Power for the Defence of his Kingdom he dispatched away his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy with considerable Forces to stop the English Earls Career But when he began to approach he heard such Reports of the strength of the English the Terror of their Conquests belike encreasing their Numbers that for that time b Gaguin l. p. 140. Fabian p. 220. itâ Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. Messer Giovanni di Francia no venne al sâ—ccerso ne tenne campo ma si ternò addietro he return'd back to his Father again without once looking the Fail of Lancaster in the Face And this was towards the Declining of the preceding Year King Philip was extreamly incensed at this Action of his Sons Wherefore to avoid his Fathers Displeasure he immediatly resolves to address himself with all his vigour to the War and rather to venture any thing than to hazard the loss of his Fathers Love and his own Reputation King c Frois c. 118. Philip also desiring to Reinforce him in the best manner sent forth his General Summons That all Nobles and Others on that side the Loire of such and such Qualifications and able for the War should laying aside all Excuse repair to Orleans and Bourges and the Parts thereabout by such a Day Whereupon there came to the King being at Paris Eudes Duke of Burgundy and his only Son Philip Earl of Artois and Boulogne with a 1000 Lances There came also the Duke of Bourbon and his Brother the Earl of Ponthieu Ralph Earl of Eu and Guisnes and Constable of France the
out 60 of their best Horses rode about the Town by the directions of the Spie conceal'd in by-ways till at last he came into the Fair Meadows where the Cattle were Immediatly they began to drive all the Herd before them by another way than that they came which yet carried them directly to the Valley where their Companions were ready for the first Opportunity The English who kept Watch on the Walls and in the Castle saw all this and presently gave the Alarm Whereupon the Garrison began to rise and arm and some were fain to be awaked out of their Beds for it was early in the Morning and then they drew together and took Horse Sallying out after their Enemies who were not yet got very far because of the Cattle's slow Pace but yet by that they were overtaken they were almost at the Valley The English were so eager to recover their Prey that they all followed in the Chace leaving none but a few Servants and common Souldiers in the Town When they were near they spurred on upon the French crying out Sirs you must not think to steal Cattle and be free Then the French faced about upon them and the Ambush came on with great Shouts and in terrible Array So that the English were presently surrounded overcome and slain every Man except the Captain Sr. Stephen Lacy and three or four more of his Officers This done the Frenchmen hasted to the Town which they easily won by Assault for there were too few Hands to defend it First the Duke of Bourbon's Men entred and having slain all they found and set new Captains of their own there with a sufficient Garrison they went back with their Prey and Prisoners and return'd the next day to the Army before Angoulesme Here they were all gladly received and though there had been greater Lords in that Exploit than the Seneschal of Beancaire yet he got the highest Praise because all was done at his Motion and under his Conduct V. Thus the greater part of January they h Frois c. 119. fol. â—â— held Siege before Angoulesme and overran all those parts thrô Santogne and Poictou and to the Confines of Bretagne with their several Detachments and brought daily to the Army many Prisoners and much Prey But in all these Adventures the two Brethren of Bourbon to their great Honour would ever be present among the Foremost When Sr. John Norwich saw how the Duke was resolv'd not to stir till he had the Town at his Pleasure and that already his Victuals began to fail and that the Earl of Lancaster was not able to give the Enemy Battle or to raise the Siege but chiefly because he knew the Men of the Town were more enclin'd to France than England so that he was sure they would have open'd their Gates to the Duke before now if he had not Commanded the Castle Upon these and the like Considerations he thought it high time to contrive how to bring himself and his Men off with most Honour and least Disadvantage Hereupon as he was a Man of a good reach without letting any One know what he intended on the first of February being the Eve of the Purification of the Virgin Mary he went all alone upon the Walls of the City where he made a sign with his Hat towards the Army Some of those who saw him wave his Hat came to him demanding what he meant thereby He said he had a great mind to speak with the Duke of Normandy or at least with one of his Marshals The Duke being acquainted with this News went straight to the Walls with certain of the Chief Lords in his Company When the English Captain saw the Duke near he pull'd off his Hat and saluted him to whom the Duke having return'd the like said Sr. John and how is it with you now Will you at last deliver up this City to Me or no Sir reply'd he as yet I have not fully resolv'd upon that point But my Lord Duke for the present I would desire of You that for the Honour of the Virgin Mary whose Day is now approaching You would grant us a short Truce only to endure for to Morrow so that for that time neither You any way to molest Us nor we You but both sides to remain in full and perfect Peace and Amity all that Day Said the Duke Sr. John as to that I am well content and upon my Word You may rest assured and having said so he rode back to his Tent and the Captain went into the Town Now early the next Morning which was i 2 Febr. Candlemas Day the Lord John Norwich Arm'd himself and all his Men and having trussed up their Bag and Baggage and being every Man furnished with a good Horse from the Town the Chief Gate being set open they began in peaceable Manner to take their March thrô the French Host At first sight of them the Frenchmen ran to their Arms but the English Captain rode up before his Men and spake to them saying Sirs beware that You offer no Violence to Us as neither shall We to You for We have a Truce granted Us for this Day by your General the Duke himself If You know it not go and enquire of him For by Vertue of this Truce We may ride whither We please Upon this the Duke being consulted answer'd Let them go whither they will for thô they have overreach'd me I will by no means break my Promise This was that Noble Dukes Character to be always firm to his Word whatever Loss he might incurr thereby and this Temper he kept to his dying Day so that being King he is said to be the k Mezeray p. 67. ad an 1364. Author of this Golden Sentence That if Faith and Truth were Banished from all Mankind yet they ought to be found in the Mouth of Kings and Princes And 't was the knowledge of this Veracity of the Duke's that made the English Captain venture upon this Device without any further security Wherefore now with all his Men and his Goods he passed freely thrô the heart of the French Army without any Damage or Impeachment and went straight to the strong Castle of Aiguillon where the English Lords received him gladly and having heard the Manner of his Escape said he had handsomly and honestly outwitted his Enemies The next Day the Citizens of Angoulesme took Counsel and resolved to yield up the Town to the Duke of Normandy wherefore immediately they dispatch'd unto him certain Deputies who at last by their submission prevail'd so far that the Duke took them to Mercy and pardon'd them all their Miscarriages and so entred and took Possession of the Town and Castle in his Fathers Name and having left Sr. Anthony Villiers Captain of the Place with a sufficient Garrison he departed thence and went backward and laid Siege to the Castle of Damasan which after having endured his Assaults for 15 Days together was at last
Mans nor for none other Cause and in case any Letters come to You contrary to the Law that Ye do nothing by such Letters but certifie the King thereof and go forth to do the Law notwithstanding the same Letters And that Ye shall do and procure the Profit of the King and of his Crown with all things where Ye may reasonably do the same And in case Ye be from henceforth found in Default in any of the points aforesaid Ye shall be at the Kings Will of Body Lands and Goods thereof to be done as shall please him As God You help and all his Saints A like form mutatis mutandic was set for the Clerks of the Chancery for which we refer the Reader to the Statute-Book Where also he will find an excellent Statute made 7 Maii Anâ— Reg. Angl. 20. Fr. 7. which is to be refer'd hither Now also the King hearing e Holinshead Eng. Chr. p. 929. Complaints made against the Purveyors of Victuals for his Houshold who under Colour of their Commissions abused the same in taking up whatever they pleased among the Commons at the rate only set in their Commission he caused strict Inquisition to be made of these Misdemeanours and those who were found Offenders in the Premises of which there were many all condemned some to the Gallows and other to Great-Fines whereby the Groans of the Commons ceased and other of the Kings Officers were made more Wary and Discreet Having thus provided for the settlement of Justice during his Absence he f Frois c. 121. left his Queen to the Care of his Cousin John Plantagenet the Young Earl of Kent his Second Son Prince Lionel of Antwerp he g Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 167. ex Rot. c. constituted his Lieutenant of the Realm appointing the Archbishop of Canterbury and others of his Council to assist him And to Watch the Motions of Scotland b Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 929. he left the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Ralph Nevil of Raby together with the Archbishop of York the Bishop of Durham the Bishop of Lincoln and the Chief Lords of the North But he gave an especial Charge to Sr. Geoffry Witchingham Lord Mayor of London and to John Croyden and William Clopton Sheriffs to take diligent Care of the Peaceable and Quiet Government of the City and particularly he i 20 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 18. 26. commanded them to look after the Spreaders of False News in and about the City and to apprehend all such Persons and lay them up in the Prison of Newgate II. And having thus providently settled Affairs at home k 6 Maii Claus 20. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 11. dersc vid. Rot. Franc. 20. Ed. 34. 2. m. 2. and sent to the Prior of the Order of Fryers Preachers in London to offer up Prayers that God would please to Protect and Defend him and give his Forces Victory over his Enemies he repaired to his Army which was now ready to go on board And there he spake aloud to all his Captains and Officers which was also communicated to the whole Army l Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 62. p. 872 That he had more Right to the Realm of France upon the account of Queen Isabella his Mother Daughter of Philip the Fair than Philip of Valois had who was Son of the Lord Charles Second Brother which was of the said Philip the Fair who now usurped the said Realm thô he was not in the direct Line but collateral He therefore earnestly desired them to play the Men forasmuch as it was his Resolution to send back his Navy again as soon as ever he was Arrived in the Realm of France Wherefore it behoved them to be Valiant and either to Win the Land with their Swords or resolve to die every Man for they would have no place to flye But that if any one was in doubt or fear to pass the Seas with him he might ev'n stay in England with his good leave To this they all answer'd as it were with one Voice That they would follow him as their Good and Dear Lord with a good Will even to the Death Then the King seeing his Men well disposed to the War deliver'd his Letters close Sealed to the Admirals of his Fleet least it should happen that by force of Wind they should be separated from the Rest in which letters was contained where he would have them Land and commanded them unless they were divided by Storm not to open them till they came to Land. And so he went on board in the Name of God and St. George at m Frois c. 221. Southampton in the close of June with a Fleet of n Mezeray ad hanc an p. 24. ubi 200. Knighton verò 1100 magnas naves 500 mineres ponit p. 1585. n. 40. Stow p. 241. has a 1000 ships of Barthen and Pinaces Speed p. 577. about a 1000 Sail. Gaguin 1100. Grov Villani 6â—0 c. 200 Sail thô Authors vary much in the Number wherein were 4000 Men of Arms 10000 Archers and Footmen of Wales 12000 and 6000 Irishmen The King had with him in his Company the Young Prince of Wales at that time about sixteen Years of Age There was also Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel John Vere Earl of Oxford William Clinton Earl of Huntington Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk and of Barons the Young Lord Roger Mortimer the Lord Gerard o Dudg 1 Vol. p. 738. Lisle and his Kinsman the Lord John Lisle the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lords John and Roger Beauchamps the Lord John Moubray the Lord William Ros of Hamlake the Lord Thomas Lucy of Cockermouth the Lord William Felton the Lord Thomas Bradestan the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcoate John Lord Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Peter Mauley V. of the Name * Hâ—c nemina â—u sequuntur ad numerum 22. er M. S. Vetust Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. cui titâ—â—us Acta Edvardi Fihi Edvardi Tertii Thomas Lord Vghtred John Lord Fitz-Walter William Lord Kerdeston the Lord Roger Say the Lord Almaric de St. Amand the Lord Robert Bourchier the Lord John le Strange the Lord Edward Montagu the Lord Richard Talbot the Lord John Mohun of Dunster William Lord Boteler of Wemme Robert Lord Ferrers John Lord Seymor John Lord Grey William Lord Botreaux the Lord Hugh Spencer the Lord John Striveling Michael Lord Poynings Robert Lord Morley Thomas Lord Ashley John Lord Sutton the Lord Nicholas Cantilupe and Others and of Knights Batchelours the Lord John Chandos the Lord Peter Audeley and the Lord James Audeley the Lord Bartholomew Burwash junior the Lord Thomas Holland the Lord Fulk Fitz Warine Sr. Richard Pembroke and several others There were but a few Strangers at this time with King Edward because his Friends of Germany had fell off together
what should be the Meaning of this That always in my Passage for France the Winds and Seas befriend me but in my Return for England I meet with nothing but adverse Storms and destructive Tempests But however at last thô not without great difficulty and the loss of many Vessels Men and Horses he arrived safely at Land on the 14 of October and soon after went to London where he was received in Great Triumph of the Mayor and Citizens and by them honourably attended to his Palace at Westminster Among those Lords and Gentlemen that having served King Edward at the memorable Siege of Calais returned now home with him I must not forget the Noble Fitz-Thomas Earl of Kildare in Ireland who g Holinshead Chron. Ireland p. 71 7â— being highly touched with a Sense of King Edwards Favours both to himself and to his Brother the Earl of Desmond went over the Sea in the Spring this Year gallantly attended with divers Lords Knights and Choice Horsemen and offer'd his Service to the King before Calais After the Winning whereof he now returned into his own Country in great Pomp and Honour XXII About the end of this Year the Lord Charles of Blois who called himself Duke of Bretagne was h Knighton p. 2596. n. 50. Frois c. 147. ad finem brought Prisoner to London by Sr. Thomas Dagworth his Conquerour and at King Edwards Command sent to the Tower where David King of Scotland was at the same time But shortly after at the Request of the Queen to whom the said Lord Charles was Cousin German he found so much favour as to be received upon his Word and Honour and had Leave to go any whither about London at his pleasure on Condition he should by no means so much as once lie out of London more than one Night at a time unless it should be where the King or Queen should then keep their Court. And sometime after he was set at Liberty i Frois pars ult c. 62. fol. 82. on Condition to pay unto the King of England 200000 Nobles for his Ransom For the true Payment whereof he left his Sons his Pledges There was also now Prisoner in London the Lord Ralph Earl of k Frois l. 1. c. 147. Eu and Guisnes Constable of France a most pleasant and noble Knight Whose Behaviour was so acceptable that he always brought his Welcom along with him wherever he went and was extreamly gracious with the King and Queen and all the Lords and Ladies of the Court of England In these l Knighton p. 2596. n. 60. Days the Nobles of the Land in all places were mightily addicted to Justs and Tourneaments and such was the Nobleness of King Edward that he permitted the French Prisoners at these Solemnities the Use and Exercise of Arms wherein they behaved themselves with much Honour But particularly the foresaid Earl of Eu and Guisnes gat great Commendation both from King Edward and his Son the Prince of Wales by whom he was held in high Respect for his Worth and Valour Nay we find that King David of Scotland thô he was confin'd as Prisoner in the Tower had such Favour from King Edward that he was also permitted at his Pleasure not only to behold but to exercise these Knightly Sports For m Ashâ—â—le p. 185. ex Rotul Liberat. Draper Offic. mâ—gn Garderch an 21. 22. Ed. 3. m. 11. penes Rememorar Regis against an Hastilude kept at Windsor he had an Harness for his Horse made of Blue Velvet at King Edwards Charge whereon was embroider'd a Pale of Red Velvet and beneath a White Rose after the Custom of that Age whereby one Knight was distinguished from another as well by the Harness of his Horse as by his own Shield and Surcoat About this time the Scotch Nobility sent to King Edward offering to Redeem their King from Captivity to whom he return'd Answer n Knighton p. 2597. n. 16. that forasmuch as they in Defiance of the Truce had made War upon him in his Absence unjustly he expected they should first give him satisfaction for all those Injuries and Damages they had done to him and his Realm in that War And this done they might proceed to the business of the Ransom Thô this Answer was but highly Reasonable it was so distastfull to the Scots that upon the Receit thereof they rose suddenly and in considerable Bodies enter'd the Marches of England where they ravaged the Country fired Villages slew poor People without Mercy and took many sleeping in their Beds whom they carried away Prisoners and set unreasonable Ransomes upon them Because of this the English Lords of the Marches Proclaim'd solemn Turneaments to be held at Barwick thereby to entice the Scots again within the English pale Who coming accordingly in their wonted Bravery were cut short in the way by a good Body of English Borderers who discomfited them and put many to the Sword. And presently after in Prosecution of this Revenge the Northern Lords went into Scotland and spoil'd and ravaged the whole Province of Carrick XXIII We have often made mention of the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria how he was Excommunicated by Pope John XXII and thô he made many Overtures in order to be reconcil'd we do not find that ever he was re-admitted into the Bosom of the Church But on the contrary it o Aâ—â—a Bâ—châ—lceti Isageg Chron. ad an 1346. c. appears that on Holy-Thursday the last Year Pope Clement Cursed him and pronounced him an Heretick and Schismatick and exhorted the Princes Electors to choose another Emperour Wherefore on the second of July Charles the Marquess of Moravia and Son to John King of Bohemia was elected at Rens in the Dioecese of Trier thô the Major part were not for him and all the Cities held for Lewis of Bavaria But now the said Lewis as he return'd p Abr. Buchelcerisageg Chron. ad hunc ann Iabbe Chron. Tech. â—d hunc an from hunting being taken with an Apoplexy fell off his Horse and soon after departed this Life on the 11 of October and was buried at Munchen a City of Bavaria By the irreconcileable Malice of his Enemies he had two Emperours Elected in Opposition to him Frederick of Austria in the beginning of his Reign and Charles Marquess of Moravia in the Latter end but for all this he Ruled the Empire in spight of the Pope's Curses and Combinations against him the space of 32 Years Upon his Death Pope Clement VI. in hate as some say to King Edward of England laboured q Knighton p. 2596. n. 30. all he could to have Charles King of Bohemia acknowledg'd Emperour hoping that thereby he would be enabled the better to Revenge the Death of his Father slain in the Battle of Cressy upon the English Nation Wherefore he sent Charles de la Cerda of Spain with his Papal Bull to the Archbishop of Colen with an Injunction to consecrate him Roman
Emperour which he did at Bon a City of Lower Germany about 4 Leagues from Colen in the beginning of February following But this being done against the Consent of the Major Part of Electors besides that he had been refused by the whole City of Aix la Capelle which us'd to be the Chief in the Election and Coronation of Emperours the other Electors agreed rather to pitch upon King r Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 105. p. 910. Luitprand c. 44. Sleidan de Cuat Monarc l. 3. p. 218. Pezelu ac Lampadit Meilificium Hist part 3. p. 360. 362. Edward of England to be Emperour as one who had not only been already Vicar General of the Sacred Empire but was also at that time justly Å¿ Knighton p. 2596. n. 40. reputed to be the most Prudent Valiant and Worthy Souldier throughout all Christendom Wherefore t Ashâ—â—cle p. 6â—6 Henry Archbishop of Mentz and Arch-Chancellour of the Empire Rudolph and Rupert Counts Palatine of the Rhine and Dukes of Bavaria Lewis Marquess of Bradenburgh and Lusatia and the Dukes of Upper and Lower Saxony being assembled at Colen sent u Ston p. 245. a b. Knighton p. 2596. n. 60. two Earls and two Doctors to signifie unto him how they had with one voice Elected him unto the Dignity of the Empire When Queen Philippa heard of this x Knighton p. 2597. n. 1 c. she took on most heavily as well in Contemplation of the many Vexations and Troubles which her Brother-in-Law the late Emperour had met with from the Popes Malice all his Reign as fearing that this was but a contrivance of the King her Husbands Enemies thereby to engage him in New Difficulties that so he might be rendred unable to recover his Right in France Whereupon the King y Knighton p. 2597. Dudg 1 Vol. p. 186. sent the Earl of Northampton into Almain to enquire more particularly about the Premises while the young Marquess of Juliers with the rest of the Embassadors staid at London anxiously expecting the Kings Resolution But upon the said Earls return because then it appeared z Knighton p. 2597. n 4. that in accepting of the Empire the King was like to be hindred from prosecuting his Right in France and should be forced to lay aside that War and take up a fresh Quarrel against the King of Bohemia's Son whom the Pope had caused to be made Emperour Besides a Pe. elii Lumpadu Mellific Hist parâ— 3. p. 363. he doubted what inextricable Difficulties he might undergo if Italy should prove Refractory to him He also feared not a little the Avarice of the Pope which he should never be able to satisfie but b Co. per's Hist especially because it was manifest that at that time whether by Right or by Wrong the Emperours were indeed subject to the Pope of Rome which King Edward was resolved never to be for all these Reasons the King of England entertain'd the Germans with due Honour but answer'd that he would not take so great a Burthen upon his shoulders till he had got the Crown of France which was due unto him in peaceable Possession And accordingly the next spring c Ashmole's Garter p. 656. ex Claus 22. Ed. 3. m. 22. Dorsc 10 Maii. he sent unto the Princes Electors Sr. Hugh Nevile and Ivo de Glynton Canon of St. Paul's London with a full Declaration of his Intention which contained a formal refusal of that Imperial Dignity But not without many great thanks for the Honour they had design'd him and withall d Sleidâ—n de Mâ—ntrchirs l. 3. p. 218. he promised to do unto the Sacred Empire all the good Offices that he might Upon this refusal of King Edward's the Electors proceeded but not so unanimously to another Election for some e Lâ—â—tprand c. 44. Lampadius Meaâ—fc Hist pars 3. p. 362. chose Frederick Marquess of Misnia and others Gunter Earl of Negromont but the one being brib'd off and the other dispatch'd by Poison Charles of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia the Pope's Creature prevail'd and was Emperour by the name of Charles IV. On the f I â—â—ici Chron. Tech. ad hunc an 8 of February this Year John Cantacuzenus Tutor to John Palaeologus Emperour of Greece seised on the City of Constantinople and on the 13 of May following was crowned Emperour in the Palace together with his Lady at which time he created his Son Matthew Despote of the Empire and on the 21 of the same Moneth gave his Daughter Helena Cantacuzena in Marriage to his Pupil and Fellow-Emperour who was then about 15 Years of Age. On the g Pitsrus de Illusir Angl. s ripter p. 45â— â—ampad n Meilific Hist p. 355. 10 of April there died William Oceam an English Monk of the Order of St. Benedict and a most Famous both Philosopher and Divine who among many other Learned Works maintain'd by writing that the Emperour was above the Pope on occasion of the Popes Pretences at that time against Lewis of Bavaria Wherefore being also Excommunicated he had his recourse to the said Lewis and said O Emperour Do You defend me with your Sword And I 'll defend you with the Word Another Learned Countryman of ours h Pitsius ibid. p. 456. deceased also about this time namely Walter Hemingford a Regular Canon of the Order of St. Austen in the Monastery of Gisborne in Yorkshire who in a tolerable good style with great Care and equal Fidelity wrote an History of the Acts of the Kings of England and a Chronicle of our King Edward the Third as far as Nature gave him leave I shall only here add one short Case of Law which for its use may seem not unworthy of Memory That a Prohibition i 21 Ed. 3. Râ—t 46. being this Year sent to Dr. William Bateman Bishop of Norwich he presum'd to Excommunicate the Party that brought the Writ Whereupon an Action of the Case was brought upon the said Bishop and the whole Matter set forth so that a Bill being found against him it was adjudged that his Temporalities should be seised till he had fully absolved the Party and satisfied the King for the Contempt CHAPTER the SEVENTH AN. DOM. 1348. An. Regni Angliae XXII Franciae IX The CONTENTS I. The Glory and Prosperity of King Edward and his People hurtfull to the Nation II. King Edward holds a Parliament at Westminster III. And Justs and Tourneaments in divers Places IV. How Avignon in Provence came first to belong to the Church of Rome V. King Philip of Valois and King Edward of England could cure the Kings Evil An Order concerning the Kings Purveyors VI. The Truce between England and France prorogued for another Year VII King Edward solemnizes the Translation of St. Thomas Bishop of Hereford with some Account of his Life c. VIII The Earl of Flanders doth Homage to King Edward but afterward entring Flanders
in case it were not given there should be injury done unto him I wrote likewise that God should do him injury and approved it This I now revoke as false Heretical and Blasphemous CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH AN. DOM. 1355. An. Regni Angliae XXIX Franciae XVI The CONTENTS I. The King of Navarre murders the Constable of France and invites the Duke of Lancaster to his Assistance The Duke sets forth in order thereto but hearing how the Kings of France and Navarre were agreed returns home again II. The manner how that Reconcilement was made III. The War breaks out again between England and France Prince Edward goes over into Gascogne with his Exploits there The Lord John Lisle slain IV. Two Letters of Sr. John Wingfield's setting forth the Particulars of the Prince's Expedition V. King Edward goes into France obtains a Truce and returns into England VI. Barwick taken by the Scots VII A Parliament at Westminster VIII A Parliament at Paris IX The Birth of Prince Thomas of Woodstock The City of Nantes in Bretagne taken and recover'd A strange Malady of Aversion from Company The Death of Peter Lord Mauley the Fifth of that Name I. WHen we spake of the Combat that was to have been perform'd between the Dukes of Lancaster and Brunswick we mention'd among other things how extraordinary kind his young Kinsman Charles King of Navarre was then unto him Now the Occasion of this Prince's Coming to Paris at that time was to marry the Lady Jane one of the Daughters of King John de Valois But surely whatever Alliance or Affinity he had or might seek to have with France he became an Occasion of many great Calamities to that Kingdom For a Mezeray ad avn 1353. as he was the most winning and obliging in his Address of any Man living being adorn'd with Vigour Beauty Eloquence Courage Affability and Liberality beyond all Men so he made the worst use of these natural Excellencies and rendred them pernicious by his Ambitious Temper and the secret Delight he had in all kind of Mischief From the time of his Marriage he never ceased to pursue his Pretensions to the Countries of Brie and Champagne but especially to that of Angoulesme But Charles de la Cerda of Spain Constable of France to whom the King had given the latter disswaded him from proffering any Equivalent by way of satisfaction in that Point Whereupon the Navarrois retires discontented into his Earldom of Eureux in Normandy and b Gaguin Frois c. 154. Meâ—eray Paul. Aemyl p. 184. Du Chesne p. 673. there understanding that the Constable was then in his Castle in the Town de L'Aigle he enterprised a design as bold as execrable For on the Sixth of January taking unto him certain armed Knights he caused them to scale the Castle early about break of Day and there by them the Constable was murder'd in his Bed. This done he avowed the Fact by justifying himself in his Letters to King John and his Council and in the mean time thô being the Kings Son-in-Law he endeavour'd to reconcile himself to his Favour yet either to secure himself against the worst or by making himself formidable to extort a Pardon he was very busie in making Musters in fortifying his Castles and inviting several Neighbour Princes to a League against France And althô a Treaty of Reconcilement had been begun and to all seeming appearance established by that time between the French King and him as we shall shew by and by yet when he heard how the Duke of Lancaster was as we shew'd in the preceding Year at the Court of Avignon c Frois c. 154. fol. 76. a. he also made shift to get thither where secretly he d M.S. Ret Par. p. 85. n. 6. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 90 confer'd with his Cousin the Duke of Lancaster at which time he complain'd to the said Duke of several Dammages done unto him by the French King and gave him his Oath that he would most willingly enter into League with the King of England and for Assurance of the same would endeavour when the Truce was once ended to joyn him at Jersey with all the Power he should be able to raise And in the beginning of this Year he e Stâ—â— p. 255. sent among Others his Uncle Giles of Champagne to the Duke of Lancaster with Letters heartily beseeching him to come into Normandy with all speed to his Aid and Defence and to receive his Oath of Fidelity to serve King Edward against all Men. The Duke accordingly with the Kings leave f 〈◊〉 p. â—â—9 gather'd a great Navy together which was rigged and made ready at Rutherhive alià s Radriffe being furnished with Provision of Victuals for one Quarter of a Year and the whole Fleet consisting of fourty Sail had all their chief Streamers beaten with the Arms of the said Duke of Lancaster who was appointed with a great Power of chosen Men of Arms and Archers Lord Admiral of the Navy But few or none of his Men knew whither he was bound The Tenth of July he sailed to Greenwich between which and Sandwich he was held till the 15 of August the Wind for the most part all that while continuing at West and South-west which was contrary to this intended Course At length with much Difficulty he came to Winchelsea and thence to the Isle of Wight And it was generally concluded that he design'd for Normandy to support the King of Navarre in his Quarrel against the French King But hearing now certain News of that Kings Reconciliation with France he returned home again to the King his Master II. Now to set forth the Inconstancy of this Navarrois Prince we shall here remember what we promised a little before the manner of his first Reconcilement which was this When King John saw by his Levying of Men and otherwise that Despair of Pardon might drive him to desperate Courses prejudicial to Him and his Realm especially in this doubtfull Juncture he thought to dissemble the Matter and by Flattery to bring him within his Power But g Frois c. 154. f. 75. c. Mezeray p. 40. ad an 1354. this jealous Prince could by no means be allured to come to Paris till he had made most secure and advantageous Conditions for himself As that King John should render him Lands equivalent to Brie and Champagne and an Independency of his Earldom of Eureux from all Others but the King only also he demanded a full and absolute Pardon for all those who had an hand in the Constable's Murther and besides all this a good round Summ of Mony and several other Lands and Advantages and moreover the Lord Lewis Duke of Anjou the Kings Second Son in Hostage for his Security All which King John was fain to grant him being thereto perswaded as well by the Navarrois his Friends as by the Necessity of his own Affairs Whereupon in March following he came to Paris and appeared
they found no Enemy to oppose them and first let us speak of the Prince of Wales and of his Actions in this Expedition EDWARD the Black-Prince n Frois c. 155. being thus happily arrived in Gascogne as we shew'd before declared o Holinsh p. 951. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 230. to the Chief Captains and Lords of the Country the Reasons of his coming thither and fell immediately to advise with them how to proceed for the best Advantage in his Affairs After which having well refreshed his Souldiers and sufficiently augmented his small Forces on the * Lit. Dom. D. Fifth of October being a Monday he marched out of Bourdeaux in this Order In the Vanguard was the Earl of Warwick his Constable the Lord Reginald Cobham his Marshal the Lord Roger Clifford Son in Law to the Earl of Warwick the young Lord John Beauchamp of Somersetshire the Lord Richard Stafford Brother to the Earl of Stafford and Sr. John Wingfield an intimate Friend of his of the Lord Cobhams Retinue and seven stout Barons of Gascogne with 3000 Armed Men In the Main-Battail marched the Valiant Young Prince himself being now in the 25th Year of his Age with a double Ensign with him were the Earl of Oxford the Lord Bartholomew Burghersh or Burwash whose Father was then newly dead the Lord John Lisle the Lord John Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Roger de la Warre the Lord Maurice Berkley the Lord John Bourchier the Lord John Rose the Elder of Bourdeaux the Lord John Greilly Captal de la Buche the Lord of Chaumont and the Lord of Monferrand the Four latter being of Gascogne and in this Battail were 7000 Men of Arms. The Reer which contained 4000 Men of Arms was led by the Earls of Suffolk and Salisbury with whom was the Lord of Nemours who conducted the Carriages The whole Army consisted of better than 60000 Men one with another and being furnished with such a General and such Valiant and Expert Leaders might well be counted very formidable Wherefore the Earl of Armagnac who was Lieutenant to the French King in Languedoc Gaston Phoebus Earl of Foix James of Bourbon who was Lord of Ponthieu and Constable of France and the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France thô they had among them far p Frois c. 155. Mezeray p. 42. greater Numbers than the Prince and were more Powerfull in the Field if their Courage would have permitted a Tryal durst not either for Fear or as Mezeray softens it for jealousie of one another so much as once offer to stop his Victorious Progress Wherefore in little more than two Months time the Prince overran all the Country at his pleasure as far as Beziers and Narbonne burning the very suburbs of Narbonne or rather as will appear by and by the city it self and taking and destroying very many strong Towns and Castles all which are particularly and truly enumerated by Sr. Thomas de la More thô the Names of the Places are there most corruptly written for which reason as well as for the dryness and prolixity thereof we forbear to add the particulars here In this q Stow p. 255 c. Expedition on occasion of a Fire that happen'd one Night in a Town where he lodged he took a Resolution which he kept while he lived never to lie a Night in any Town in an Enemies Country in time of War. Being come to the strong City of Carcassone the Citizens offer'd him 25000 souses of Gold on Condition he would spare their Town from Fire but the Prince answer'd That he came not thither for Gold but to take Cities and Towns with their Inhabitants to succour and cherish his Friends and to offend his Enemies In this Expedition at several times the Prince Knighted all these Gentlemen Jenkin Barefort Giles Stratton Rowland Davis Ralph Basset the Sons of the Lord of Albret Theodorick Dale Porter of the Prince's Chamber and many others In lieu of all whom he lost only one but him a most Valiant and Noble Knight of the Order of the Garter named the Lord John Lisle who on the r Ashmole's Garter p. 673. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 739. 14 of October received a Mortal wound with a stone from a Wall of which he died the next day to the infinite regret of the Prince and all who knew his Worth and Gallantry leaving behind him his Son and Heir Robert then 22 Years of Age. IV. But because a more particular account of this Expedition cannot better be expected than from the Mouthes of those who were actually concern'd therein besides the former Reference to Sr. Thomas de la More I shall take leave to subjoyn the Words of Sr. John Wingfield a Valiant Knight whose ſ Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 952. ex Rob. Avesbury c. Ashmole p. 672. two Letters on this subject are most Worthy to be inserted that thereby the Reader may as by a Touchstone try the Truth of Authors who write of the same Matter A Copy of Sr. JOHN WINGFIELD's Letter to a certain Noble Lord then in England My Lord as touching News in these parts may it please you to understand that all the Earls Barons Bannerets Knights and Esquires were in Health at the writing hereof and my Lord the Prince hath not lost either Knight or Esquire in this Expedition except the Lord John Lisle who was slain after a strange manner with a Quarrel the third day after we were entred into our Enemies Country He died the 15 of October And please you to understand that my Lord hath rode thrô the Country of Armagnac and hath taken many enclosed Towns and burnt and destroy'd them except such as He fortified for himself After this He marched into the Vicountie of Rovergue where He took a good Town called Plaisance the Chief Place in that Country which He burnt and destroy'd with the Country round about the same This done He went into the Country of Estarrac wherein He took many Towns and wasted and ravaged all the Country Then He entred the County of Cominges and took many Towns there which He caused to be destroy'd and burnt together with all the Country round about He also took the Town of St. Bertrand the Chief in that Country being as large in compass as the City of Norwich in England After that He entred the County of t t L'Isle en Dodon Lille and took the greater part of the closed Towns therein causing several of them to be burnt and destroy'd as he passed Then going into the Lordship of Tholouse We passed the River of Garonne and another a League above Tholouse which is very great For our Enemies had burnt all the Bridges as well on the one side of Tholouse as the other except those within Tholonse for the River runneth thrô the Town And within this Town at the same time were the Constable of France the Marshal Clermont and the Earl of
Craon Briciusgauth pro Bouciquaut prâ—pter 〈◊〉 M. SS Codicum leg tur Three Lords aforesaid namely the Lord of Craon the Lord of Bouciquaut and the Hermit of Chaumont besides the Captain of the Garrison who was there before and 240 Men of Arms the common Souldiers being let go and in this whole Expedition before the Battle of Poictiers there are p M.S. vet-An giiâ—in Biblieth C.C.C. Cantabr c. 23â— reckon'd to have been taken in all more than 6000 Men of Arms about in the Country as the Prince journey'd all whom he sent away Prisoners to Bourdeaux to be ransomed After the Taking of Romorantin the Prince marched on as before thrô the Parts of Touraine and Anjou on this side the Loire destroying the Country all before him till he came to the Place which was ordain'd to be remarkable to all Posterity for a Victory of his III. The French King q Fro s c. 159. f. 79. c. having already compleated his Musters at Chartres began his March about this time and went thence to Blois upon the Loire in quest of the Prince Where having tarried two Days he passed the River with all his Host a great Part whereof went over at the Bridge of Orleans Mehun Tours and Saumur or where else they might for all the other Bridges but those of the Good Towns were broken down by the French to hinder the Prince's Passage From Blois King John marched to Amboise and the day following to Loches where he heard how the Prince of Wales was on the Borders of Touraine and designed to return by Poictou to Bourdeaux For he had perpetual Information sent him in dayly by several expert Knights of France who continually coasted the English to observe their Countenance and Behaviour Hereupon King John marched from Loches to la Haye en Touraine resolving to give the Prince of Wales Battle with an Army consisting of 20000 Men of Arms Lords Knights and Esquires all muster'd and past for Men of Arms among whom were twenty six Dukes and Earls and more than 120 Banners with the Kings Four Sons who were all but Young as Charles Duke of Normandy and Dauphin of Vienna Lewis Duke of Anjou John Duke of Berry and Philip who shortly after purchased the Sirname of Hardy and became in time Duke of Burgundy At that instant Pope Innocent VI sent the Lord Talayrand Cardinal of Perigort and Nicolas Cardinal r Haec nomina tituli ecrum v. Victerell 1 Vol. p. 911. ad p. 923 Odâ—r Rainal Titulo Sancti Vitalis into France to treat of Peace between the French King and all his Enemies First between him and the King of Navarre for whose Delivery they had often before laboured hard with King John when he lay before Bretevil but all in vain and then to use their utmost Endeavours to compose Matters between England and France When these Cardinals came to Tours they heard how the French King was in eager Pursuit of the English wherefore they both made haste to the City of Poictiers for that way they understood both the Armies were bound The mean while the King hearing that the Prince made haste to get home and doubting lest he should escape his hands departed with all his Host from la Haye en Touraine and rode to Chauvigny on the River of Vienne where he tarried that Thursday with his Men in and about the Town between the two Rivers of Creuse and Vienne The next Day he passed the Vienne at the Bridge thinking to find the English before him on the other side but he was mistaken for they were encamped by a little Village higher on the Right hand of Poictiers But for all that King John pursued after with great heat and confidence and with him there passed the Bridge more than 60 Thousand Horse besides those that passed over higher at Chastelleraut who also took their way directly to Poictiers On the other hand Prince Edward had no certain knowledge where his Enemies were thô he concluded they were not far off because his Men could find no more Forage Whereby he began to be in great Want and then the English Souldiers repented much that they had made such Havock and Destruction as they had done before in Berry Anjou and Touraine and yet had laid up but small Provision for themselves against â—n evil Day IV. All that Friday being the day that the King passed the Vienne at Chauvigny Å¿ Frois ibid. censer cum Knighten p. 2614. n. 50. there tarried still behind in the Town three Great Lords of France the Lord Ralph de Coucy the Earl of Joigny and the Lord of Chauvigny Marshal of Burgundy with part of their Troops to the number of 240 Men of Arms. These early on the Saturday morning also passed the Bridge after the King who was then about three Leagues before and they took their way among Bushes by the side of a Wood which leadeth to Poictiers That same Morning Prince Edward had dislodged from about a little Village hard by called Bonmatour at which time he sent before him certain Currours to try if they could meet with any Adventure and to get Intelligence whereabout the French Army was These were in number sixty Men of Arms all excellently well mounted under the Leading of Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt a young Gentleman Son to the Lord Sanchio Dambreticourt who was Knight of the Garter with whom was joyned the Lord John de St. Guislain another Native of Hainalt and soon after their setting forth they met by chance with the Three French Lords aforesaid as they rode along by the side of the said Wood. The Frenchmen presently knew them for their Enemies wherefore they strait clap'd on their Helmets display'd their Banners and came a good round Trot toward the Englishmen But they seeing their Design and withall how far they exceeded them in Number determin'd to fly and suffer the French to pursue as knowing the Prince with his Horse was not far behind So they turned their Horses and took down by a Corner of the Wood with the Frenchmen at their Heels upon the Spurr crying out their Martial Cries with great Clamour But as they pursued thus eagarly unawares they came where the Prince was with his Battail expecting some News from those whom he had sent forth for that Purpose The Lord Ralph de Coucy rode so forward that he was suddenly under the Princes Banner where after a couragious Resistance he was taken Prisoner together with the Earl of Joigny and the Lord of Chauvigny and an t M.S. vel Ang. in Bibl. C. C C. Cantab. c. 230. Hundred Men of Arms as many more being slain only about Fourty escaped away by reason of the Covert of the Wood. This was the first lucky praeludium to that Famous Victory which was already destin'd for the English From these Prisoners Prince Edward fully understood the Condition of his Enemies and how they followed him so near that he could not
handsomly avoid Battle if he would wherefore having reassembled all his Men and set them in close Order he gave Command that none should presume to go before the Marshals Banners And thus he rode without any further adventure the remaining part of that Saturday till he came into the Fields of Beauvoir and Maupertuis within two little Leagues of Poictiers where finding a convenient place he resolved to encamp there that Night and the mean while sent forth the Lord John Greilly Captal de Busch the Lord Edmund of Pamiers the Lord Bartholomew Burwash and Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt with 200 Men of Arms well-mounted to observe the Countenance of the Enemy These Knights rode so far that they view'd the Kings great Battail and saw all the Country cover'd with Men of Arms But yet their Courage was so great that they could not forbear their hands but set on the tail of their Army and overthrew many to the Earth and took divers Prisoners till the whole Host began to move that way For when tidings hereof were brought to King John just as he was entring into the City of Potctiers he immediately faced about commanding all Men to do the same and so he returned into the Field again where it was very late before he could take up his Lodgings The English Detachment return'd safe and Victorious again to the Prince and related to him what they had seen and done and found saying withall That the French Army was exceeding Numerous Well then said the Prince in the Name of God let us consider how we may fight with them at our best Advantage for against Number Policy is requisite And so that Night he chose for his Camp a strong Place among Hedges Vines and Bushes And a good Watch was set as was needfull the Frenchmen on their part doing the like And thus both Armies tested for that Night V. Now u Frois c. 160. fol. 79. b. on the Sunday Morning the French King who was wonderfull desirous to have Battle heard Mass in his Pavilion took the Communion in both kinds for x Ex Literis Clement VI. PPa dâ—t Avin XI Kal. Jalii An o Pontif. III. Extant apud Oder Rainald ad annâ—m 1344 §. 62. that Privilege had been granted him long since and received Absolution together with his Four Sons After which there came to him his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans the Lord Peter Duke of Bourbon the Lord Walter de Brenne Duke of Athens and Constable of France Charles Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Salebruse the Earl of Dampmartin the Earl of Ventador and divers others as well Barons of France as others who held of that Crown as the Lord John Clermont and the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan Marshals of France the Lord of St. Venant the Lord John of Landas the Lord Eustace Ribemont who had so signalized himself by combatting hand to hand with King Edward at Calais the Lord of Fiennes the Lord Geoffry Charny the Lord of Chastillon the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Nesle Sr. Robert Duras and divers others with all whom the King then held a Council of War in his Royal Pavilion In the end it was universally agreed that all the Army should be drawn out in Battle Array into the Field and every Lord Display his Banner and so set forward against the Enemy in the Name of God and St. Dennis So the Trumpets sounded and every Man mounted his Horse and rode forth into the Field where they saw the Kings Banner standing aloft and waving in the Wind. There you might have beheld a most Beautifull Sight of Fair Harness of shining steel Feathered Crests of glittering Helmets and the Rich Embroidery of silken Surcoats of Arms together with Golden Standards Banners and Penons Gloriously moving in the Air. For there was all the Flower of the Nobility and Gentry of France none daring at that time to stay at home without Invincible Necessity or for the Defence of the Realm unless he would hazard his Reputation for ever This Great Army by Advice of the Constable and Marshals was ranged into Three Battalia's the least whereof contained y Frois Du Chèsne legunt Serâ—e i. e. 16000 sed ut puto figuris decepti Codicum Fâ—â—scripteres cirnalias id Frois dicâ—t tetam armaterâ—m numerum ultra 20000 non ascendâ—sse Alâ—ter ad 48000 Arâ—â—atorum â—â—llia prâ—ter pedites 〈◊〉 entur 〈◊〉 absurdâ—on 6000 Men of Arms all being Muster'd and past for such besides the Foot The First was led by Monsieur Philip Duke of Orleans King John's Brother thô he was 24 Years younger than the King being born the same Year with Charles the Dauphin who was now but 20 Years of Age. With this young Prince there were 36 Banners and twice as many Penons The Second Battail was under the Duke of Normandy Charles the Dauphin and with him were his two Brethren Lewis Duke of Anjou and John Duke of Berry The King himself brought up the Third having with him his Youngest Son the Lord Philip Duke of Touraine and afterwards of Burgundy with a great Number of his Prime Nobility and others this Third Battail consisted of 40000 Chosen Men whereof 8000 were Men of Arms z Vid. Odor Râ—nil ad hunc â—n §. 7. c. all the whole Host was extraordinary well equipped and every way duly provided And while the Marshals and other Officers were Ordering them the King called unto him the Lord Eustace Ribemont the Lord John of Landas and the Lord Richard de Beaujeu and said unto them Messieurs ride you on before and mark the Countenance of the Englishmen and consider exactly how many they may amount to and by what means we may best deal with them whether on Horseback or on Foot. Now while these Three Lords rode forth King John being Mounted on a large White Courser to be seen of all came up to the Head of his Troops and said aloud with a Couragious and High Voice a Frois c. 160. and True use of Armory in Vita Demini Joh. Chandos p. 47. Messieurs When You are at Paris at Chartres at Orleans or Rouën then You threaten these Englishmen terribly and wish nothing more than to be in Arms against them Now shall your Desire be granted I 'll lead You where You shall be sure to find ' um Let me therefore now see the effects of that Ill-will You bear them and how well You can Revenge all the Displeasures and Damages which they have done unto You For without doubt We shall not part without Blows Such as were within hearing answer'd briskly Sir in Gods Name be it so We desire nothing else but would gladly see our Enemies Within a while after the Three Lords of France return'd to the King who presently demanded what News Whereupon the Lord Eustace Ribemont for himself and his Fellows answer'd thus Sir We have view'd the Englishmen and by our Estimation they are not above 2000 Men of
this Matter I refer my self to all the World. At this a m Du Serres Mezeray c. sign being given John Lord of Conflent and the Lord Robert Clermont Marshals of France with Dr. Simon de Bucy a Counsellour of State Three of the Dauphin's most trusty servants are immediately slain before his face and so near unto him that the Blood gush'd out upon his Cloaths Ha! says the poor Prince what Insolence is this Dare you attempt against the Blood of France No no my Lord says the Provost fear you nothing 't is not against your Person we pretend but only those disloyal servants of yours who have now received their Reward for giving You such ill Advice And therewith he took the Dauphin's Hat and clapt it on his own Head at the same time putting his own upon the Dauphin's so making him a Stale for that Popular Rebellion by giving him the City Livery The Dauphin's Hat was of a Brown-black embroider'd with Gold which this audacious Fellow wore all that day in token of his New Dictatorship Wherefore he forced the abused Prince to pardon them for the Death of his Three Counsellours X. But we shall refer the tedious narration of these Insolencies to the French Historians to whom it more properly belongs since 't is enough for us to set forth only so much of the Affairs of that Nation as either may better explain our Domestick transactions or are more strictly interwoven with them And such a Matter was the n Frois c. 180. Mezeray ad hunc annum c. Release of Charles King of Navarre from his Prison at Arleux in Picardy which happen'd immediately after that affront put upon the Dauphin the Castle being entred by Scalado and the King deliver'd thence not without the knowledge as was thought of the Lord of Picquigny to whose Care King John had committed the Custody of that Prince Being thus freed he was carried in Triumph to the City of Amiens where having tarried till he had made his Peace with the Dauphin he went with great Pomp to Paris where he was welcom'd with Feastings and Splendid Entertainments by the Duke of Normandy himself at the Advice of the Provost whom as then he would not or durst not displease Here having been a few days he made before the Dauphin and the Nobles of France a Florid Oration in Latine for he was well learned and of a wonderfull voluble tongue which was much advantaged by his Shape Youth and Presence wherein he complain'd of the hard and unworthy usage which he had suffer'd from his nearest and dearest Relations who of all Men ought especially to have upheld him And that there was no Man living who could with any shadow of Reason doubt but that he would live and die in Defence of the Realm and Crown of France as he was more particularly bound to do being both by Father and Mother extracted of the Right Line of France Insomuch that if he had a design which yet he had not of Challenging that Crown unto himself he could evidently prove that he had more Right thereto than the present Pretenders This Poison was so neatly cover'd with the Flowers of his Eloquence Majesty Youth and Beauty especially all Men being prepared to pity him upon the account of his late Imprisonment that it was immediately swallowed down by most of his Hearers and by them transmitted to the Vulgar With whom also he us'd such Popular Arts by caressing them promising to ease them of Taxes to stand by them and the like that he was presently in far more Power and esteem at Paris and with most of the Chief Cities of France than the Dauphin was himself Wherefore he began to send for his Friends to come and be about him but as for his Brother Philip neither at his Invitations nor the Provosts would he ever venture himself among the Parisiens for he would always say how in the Favour of the Common-people there was never any certainty But if Fawning and Hosanna's went before there followed in the Reer nothing but Crucifiges Ruine Shame and Dishonour CHAPTER the THIRD AN. DOM. 1358. An. Regni Angliae XXXII Franciae XIX The CONTENTS I. King Edward solemnises the Festival of St. George at Windsor in a most extraordinary manner II. A Treaty set on foot between King Edward and King John in order to the Redemption of the latter but 't is dash'd III. The Rise of the Jaquery in France with an Account of their horrid Cruelties and final Extirpation IV. Discord between the King of Navarre and the Dauphin and between the Dauphin and the Provost of Paris V. The King and Duke reconcil'd but the Provost continues plotting VI. The English Navarrois revenge the Death of their Countrymen on the Parisiens VII The Provost designing to betray Paris to the English is discover'd and slain VIII The King of Navarre displeased at his Death breaks with the Dauphin again His several Garrisons the Dauphins Difficulties IX The great Confusion and Miseries of France X. The Constable besieges St. Valery the Captal of Busche comes to the King of Navarre's Assistance XI The several Garrisons of the Navarrois XII The Lord Canon Robsert discomfits a Party of them XIII The happy Estate of England two Kings keep Christmass with King Edward XIV The Death of the Queen Mother of England and of the Queen Consort of Scotland and of Orcanes the Great Turk XV. A Quarrel between the Bishop of Ely and Blanch Lady Wake and another between the four Orders of the Preaching-Fryers and the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford IN the a Knighton p. 2617. n. 60. p. 2618. n. 10 M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 963. beginning of this Year King Edward issued forth his Royal Proclamation throughout all England that all Knights Strangers from any Part of the World who had a mind to come to the Feast of St. George to be solemnly held by him on the 23d of April at Windsor should have his Letters of safe Conduct to pass and repass the Realm at their Pleasure for the space of three Weeks without the least Impediment or Danger there to partake every one according to his Degree and Merit of those Honours and Prizes which attended the Princely Exercise of Justs and Tournaments And this high Feast the King held in the greatest Splendour imaginable beyond all that he had ever done before for the Honour chiefly of the French King and others of the Nobility of France To this solemn Justs came the Duke of Brabant Sr. Frank van Hall Sr. Henry Eam of Flanders and many Great Lords and Knights of Almain Gascogne Scotland and other Countries The Queen of Scotland also and many other Great Ladies as well of England as of other Nations came to Windsor to this Feast in their gayest and richest Apparel And thô it is not our Purpose to dwell long on Descriptions surely
the same time almost in an instant to fortifie so vast and spacious a City as Paris And whatever the occasion was most certainly never any Provost did an act of more Advantage to that Place for had it not been for these Defences the City had not only been shortly after taken by King Edward but upon several other occasions easily overrun and spoiled Now when the x Frois c. 185. Duke of Normandy had compleated his Musters and gather'd together to his Assistance sundry Persons of Honour not only of the Realm of France but also out of the Empire and elsewhere for pay so that he had more than 3000 Men of Arms besides others He presently went and laid Siege to Paris toward the Gate of St. Anthony along by the River of Seyne himself being lodged at St. Maur des Fossez and his Men thereabout who every day went and skirmished even to the Walls of Paris But still the Provost's Workmen proceeded for the Souldiers within the City defended them upon all occasions Sometimes the Duke lay at St. Maur and sometimes at Charenton so that nothing could come to Paris on that side either by Land or Water For he had caused both the Rivers of Seyne and Marne to be well kept and had burnt all the Villages about Paris which were not enclosed the better to curb the Insolence of that Rebellious City And surely he had served Paris it self in the same manner if it had not been pretty well fortify'd However none durst go in or out for fear of his Men who rode on both sides the Seyne at their Pleasure there was none to Resist them Yet there were in the City several Loyal and well-disposed Persons as John Maillart and his Brother Simon and many of their Relations and Friends who were very much troubled at the Duke of Normandy's Displeasure with the City and would very willingly have submitted unto him and have beg'd his Pardon But the Provost had so inveigled the Vulgar by his Popular pretences that no Man durst contradict him unless he had a Mind to be torn in pieces The Provost for his part still kept in with the King of Navarre following his Directions in all things and all the while he had Men at Work both Day and Night by turns for Defence of the City and moreover retain'd Souldiers on all hands as well Navarrois as English Men of Arms and Archers and other of the Companions For no other Englishmen durst make War in France because hitherto there was a Truce between the two Nations When the King of Navarre saw this Difference between the Duke and the City he began to call to Mind the Words of his Brother Philip That there was no Trust to be reposed in the Vulgar and therefore doubting the Worst if Matters should proceed he very fairly took his leave of them thô not without many kind Promises and drew off to St. Dennis Where he began to retain Souldiers in great Numbers but the City of Paris paid their Wages The Duke of Normandy had now lain at Charenton six Weeks and the King of Navarre almost as long at St. Dennis and between them both all the Vicinage was in a manner destroy'd and eaten up V. But in this sad juncture it pleased God to raise up certain Eminent and Worthy Personages to labour effectually to compose Matters first between the King and the Duke and then also between the two Realms And here we must not forget the great Diligence of the Pope y Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 2. 3. ex Tom. 6. Epist Secret. p. 6. 7. who by his Letters both to the Dauphin and the King of Navarre earnestly exhorted them to a final Concord so profitable to the Realm and so comfortable to all Good Men. Besides the Archbishop of Sens then newly Ransom'd out of England the Bishop of Auxerre and the Bishop of Beauvais the Lord Charles of Monmorency the Lord Moreau de Fiennes and the Lord of St. Venant joyned together to do their utmost in this pious way of Pacification These six went so often between the Parties interceding qualifying arguing and conjuring and bare themselves with such discretion That now the King of Navarre of his own meer good Will without the least Constraint went to Charenton to the Duke of Normandy and excused himself of what he was suspected especially of the Death of the Lords of Clermont and Conflens and of Doctor Simon Bucy and of the Affront which the Provost had done unto him in the Palace at Paris Swearing that it was all without his Consent and knowledge and promising the Duke to embarque with him and joyn issue in all his Affairs both good and evil and to make the Parisians give him satisfaction for what they had done Hereupon there was Peace made between the King and the Duke the latter whereof said He was willing to pardon the Parisians on Condition that he might have the Provost and 12 other Burgesses such as he should name to punish after their Demerits After this Agreement the King of Navarre returned to St. Dennis and the Duke went to Meaux in Brie which had suffer'd so much lately on occasion of the Jaquerie Both the King and the Duke disbanded the greater part of their Troops now and several of the Burgesses in Paris especially such as had been concern'd in promoting the Treaty had invited the Duke to come to Paris promising to render him all the Dutifull Respect imaginable But the Duke reply'd How he would surely keep the Peace which he had made and sworn to without any breach or flaw on his part But as for setting his Foot within Paris that he was resolved never to do till he had satisfaction for the Affronts put upon him When the Duke of Normandy had thus broke up his Siege the Provost of the Merchants and the Chief of his Partakers went frequently to St. Dennis to visit the King of Navarre and they told him How for his sake the◠had incurred the Duke's Displeasure for that they had deliver'd him out of Prison and brought him in such Honour to Paris Wherefore they desired him for Gods sake to have some respect to their safety and not to repose too much Confidence either in the Duke or his Council nor leave them as a sacrifice to attone for all the Publique Miscarriages The King who was very subtle resolving now however things went to make the best Market for himself reply'd Certainly Friends you shall suffer no harm but I will bear a part therein But to be armed against the worst Events I would advise You since at this time You have the sole Government of Paris in Your Hands to furnish Your selves with Gold and Silver so that if You should be thrust out of your Places You may have a Friend left at a Pinch And what You can thus heap together for its better security send it hither to me as privately as may be to be
by the Hands of their own Country-men Being thus resolved they secretly made an Agreement with the Englishmen those that made War against Paris for the King of Navarre knew nothing of this Plot that on such a Night the Provost with his Friends should be at the Gates of St. Anthony and St. Honore at the Hour of Midnight ready to let in the English and Navarrois who were to be near at hand well appointed to overrun rob and utterly destroy the City except only such Houses as should have certain Marks agreed on between them but in all other Houses where such Tokens were not to be seen to plunder and destroy Men Women and Children To this height of Wickedness was the Provost by Degrees carried proving at last a Diabolicall Incendiary instead of a good zealous Patriot as at first he was because his indiscreet Zeal for the People made him at the beginning too bold with his Prince whose Patience when he had abused beyond all hopes of Pardon not daring to trust the Rabble for whose sake he had offended he now resolves for the saving of his own Neck to destroy all even the Innocent with the Offenders had not God blasted his unnatural Design For that same Night on which all this was to have been done John Maillart and his Brother Simon with Pepin des Essards and several other Honest and Loyal Burgesses of Paris having as some think by means Divine or at least Humane received an Intimation that on that Night the City was mark'd out to be destroyed armed themselves secretly and informed their Friends of the Danger that more might be in readiness upon Occasion and so with a compleat Guard being themselves upon the Watch they went the Rounds In their Progress a little before Midnight they came to St. Anthonies Gate where they found the Provost of the Merchants with a small Company having the Keys of the Gates in his hands Then said John Maillart to the Provost Stephen what do you here at this time of Night The Provost answer'd how he was there to look to the safety of the City By God quoth Maillart you shall not come off thus for it is plain by the Keys there in your hands that you are not here at this time of Night for any Good. Said the Provost John you lie falsly in your Throat Nay quoth John 't is thou Stephen that liest like a false Traytor and therewithall offer'd a blow at him and commanded his Guard to slay the Traytors At this the Provost turn'd about and would have fled but John Maillart althô he was his Godfather knockt him down to the ground with an Ax and never left till he had slain him There died with him six more of his Friends among whom were f Da Serres c. Simon Palmier and Philip Guyphart the rest being all seised and clapt in Prison By this the People began to rise at the Alarm and come into the Streets but John Maillart and his Company hasted to the other Gate of St. Honore where they found the rest of the Provost's Friends whom they accused of Treason and having dispatched such as would not be taken lead the rest away to Prison After which they proceeded to take the Accomplices such as had been confessed privy to the Design by those whom they found at the Gates And these they took in their Beds and at their Houses with small ado and sent them away to Prison This is the best Account of several that I have met with For Du Serres as may be seen is a Man that usually models the Circumstances of his Narrations more agreeably to his own Wit or Fancy than to Truth But whoever is minded to compare his Relation with ours may consult it both as he reports it and as Froisard and g Fabian p. 302. Fabian from the French Chronicles do more particularly declare the whole Transaction We are unwillingly by these Foreign Matters detained from the History of England Thô not only what we have already said but something more also is necessary to be spoken for the better clearing of what is to follow VIII To be short therefore h Frois c. 187. 188. f. 101. Fabian Mezeray c. upon this Mans Death the Parisians made their Peace with the Duke of Normandy who thereupon came to Paris with the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan and many other of the Nobility in his Company and was lodged in the Palace of the Louvre But yet not even here did the Domestick Troubles of France cease For King Charles of Navarre being highly displeased at the Death of his Friend the Provost by advice of his Brother Philip sent presently a new Defiance to the Duke of Normandy and his whole House to the Parisians and to the whole Body of the Realm of France And now he began to retain Souldiers on all hands as well English under their Captains Sr. James Pipe and Sr. Robert Knolles as Germans Brabanders Hainalders Luxemburgers and Others all who were called Navarrois because they fought in Navarre's Quarrel The Mony which the Provost had so frequently and so largely sent him stood him now in good stead and he was no way sparing of it to his Souldiers so that all Men were glad to serve him The King himself held his principal Garrison at Melun on the River Seyne and the Lord Philip his Brother had Garrisons at Mante and Meulan on the same River and every day their Forces encreased because their Pay was so large and certain And presently they reduced the strong Town of Creil standing on the Oyse into their Power Being therefore Lords of the Rivers Seyne Marne and Oyse they soon won the strong Castle of le Herelle which lies between Compeigne and Amiens after which they took Mauconsel and St. Valery But we must beg the Readers Patience if we are something more particular in this matter not only because many English Captains were concerned herein thô they acted now in the King of Navarre's Name only and not by any Commission from King Edward nor so much as his Consent but also because the Actions themselves are well worthy of Memory for their variety and importance And also the Sequel of our Story will be more clearly understood thereby Now therefore the Captain of Creil was the Lord Fondregas of Navarre who so aw'd the Parts about him that none could pass from Paris to Compeign or to Noyon to Soissons Laon or other Places without his safe Conduct so that while he held that Garrison he gat more than an 100000 Franks by granting of Pass-ports only The Captain of le Herelle was the Lord John Picquigny by Birth a Picard but by interest a Navarrois and a Rebel to his Lord the French King who had entrusted the King of Navarre to his Keeping but he not only let him have his Liberty but embraced his Cause ever after His Garrison very much straightned those of Mondidier Perone and Amiens and all
the Bridge and the English Archers passed over on the Joists of the Bridge and shot so fiercely together that the Citizens began to despair of making good the Place much longer While the Skirmith lasted thus there came thither on the City side Sr. Otho de Granecy with four or fire Captains of Quality and 60 Men of Arms in his Company Immediately upon his coming being rightly informed of all things he march'd straight to the Bridge and display'd his Banner being very desirous to meet the Navarrois At l Frois c. 196. his coming the whole City was refreshed and followed his Banners gladly But when Sr. Peter Audley saw these Burgundians ready to assist the Citizens he retreated the same way he came and finding his Valets with the Horses in their expected Place he and his Men remounted without any Impediment and so return'd with small winnings to Beaufâ—râ— Castle Of their Retreat the Citizens of Châlons were heartily glad for they had been in a bodily Fear and thanked God and the Lord of Grancey also for the Good-will he had shewn them for which they made him an immediate Present of 500 Franks besides double Pay for a Month both for him and all his Men And then they desired Sr. John Sars who was there present and their Neighbour to come thither by such a time with so many Men to Counsel and Defend them To this their request he agreed for such and such Wages for himself and his Men and then he fell to Repair the Fortifications of the City where it needed the Charges whereof the Town paid IV. At the same time the Garrisons of Veilly and Roucy made among themselves a secret Rendezvous and went and took by Assault the Fortress of Sâ—ssone where they set a good Garrison consisting of several Nations Over all whom they made Chief Captain One Hanekin Francois a lewd barbarous Fellow of Colen on the River Rheyn He was a most bloody Putcher indeed not knowing any Mercy for those whom he overcame for he burnt and ravaged in the Country thereabouts putting to the Sword without any just quarrel or provocation Men Women and Children if they paid not such Ransoms as he asked Now it happen'd that the Earl of Roucy who mightily laid to heart the loss of his Town and Castle of Roucy which the Navarrois as we shew'd had taken from him the last Year apply'd himself so effectually to the French Knights and Esquires about him that at last he gat together an 100 Spears besides Fourty Men of Arms from the City of Laon and the Earl of Poreren the Lord Gerard of Corncy the Lord Montigny in Ostervandt and several other Persons of Quality in his Company These all riding toward Sâ—ssone found by the way certain Navarrois of the same Garrison who were burning of a Village and prepared to set upon them When Hanckin saw these new-Comers he commanded all his Men on Foot and placing the Archers in the Front began the Battle boldly At the first Brunt the Fourty Laonnois basely deserted their Friends and â—an away upon the Spur however the other Frenchmen stood still to their tackle and fought long and couragiously Yet Fortune was not for them for the Navarrois were far more Expert and at least equal to them in Number So that there the Earl of Rouer being sore wounded was again taken Prisoner this being the second time he was so served within the space of less than a Year and with him were taken the Lord Gerard of Coincy the Lord of Montigny in Hainalt and many others the rest except a very few that fled being slain in Battle V. Not long m Frois c. 197. after the yielding up of St. Valery in that manner as we have related the Duke of Normandy sent three Thousand Spears besides others to go and lay Siege to Melun on the Seyne which was then held by the Navarrois This Army was commanded in Chief by the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and with him were the Earl of St. Paul the Lord Ingleram de Coucy the Bishop of Troye the Lord Broquart of Fenestrages a Lorrainer Sr. Peter du Barre and Sr. Philip of Dormois and others who came and sat down before Melun There were then present in the Place three Queens two of them being Queen-Dowagers of France namely Jane formerly Consort to King Charles the Fair and Aunt to the King of Navarre and Blanch late-Consort of King Philip de Valois and Sister to the King of Navarre and the Third was the Queen of Navarre her self Sister to the Duke of Normandy The Navarrois themselves were not a little surpriz'd when they beheld the Place fâ—rmally Besieged by so considerable an Army But the Three Queens were extreamly affrighted at the Engines and Springalls which being brought thither from Paris play'd upon the Fortress continually Wherewith together with the frequent Assaults the Ladies were so terrified that they desired at any rate to be rid of that trouble whatever it should cost the King of Navarre their Kinsman and earnestly entreated the Captains who were the Lord James Pipe and Sr. Hugh Calverley English Natives to yield up the Place But they comforted the Ladies all they could and told them how they had no need to fear any thing for within a few days they should see the Siege happily Raised For said they the King of Navarre who is now at Vernon and Prince Philip his Brother have sent us word that they have gather'd a great Army about Mante and Meulan and will shortly bring them hither to raise the Siege and that rather than fail they would drain all their Garrisons for that purpose On the other side the Duke of Normandy who knew all this to be true entertain'd in his pay Souldiers from all Parts whom daily he sent to reinforce the Siege at Melan So that in all probability it must have come to a bloody Battle each Party sending their utmost strength that way But that the Cardinals of Perigort and St. Vitalis being assisted by other well-disposed Personages on either Part laboured now so effectually that at last they obtain'd a temporary Truce between the Parties in order to the carrying on of a Treaty at Vernon Thither on a day appointed came the Duke of Normandy and his Council and the King of Navarre with his Brother Philip and his Council In short there was now a Peace made between these two Princes the King swearing for the future to be true to the Crown of France and the Duke obliging himself to pardon 300 Knights althô yet some few were excepted from the Peace whom the Duke would not Pardon by any means But Prince Philip of Navarre would not concern himself about this Peace but rated the King his Brother smartly telling him how he was enchanted with these Flattering Overtures and proved very forgetfull of the King of England's Favours to whom he was by Oath and Covenant engaged and who had always shew'd himself
And in this manner his Battail consisting of 400 Men of Arms marched up towards the English They pretty well escaped the Archers by that sudden Device but Sr. Eustace received them so sharply that at the first Brunt he slew of them more than Threescore and had well-nigh totally discomfited the whole Body when of a sudden the second fresh Battail of equal Number with the former came on with great Resolution and at the same time the third Battail came on a Wing at their Lest hand both a Defence and Comfort to the other two The French were almost Four to One viz. 1200 Spears against 400 and 900 Foot against 200 but however the English played their Part gallantly and Sr. Eustace presently with his own hands slew four of the most Hardy among his Enemies When Sr. Broquart beheld this his Prowess he strack at his Vizor over other Mens heads till he beat out three of his Teeth but Sr. Eustace left not off fighting for the pain he then began to make his Enemies feel more severe effects of his Anger And still the English were so united in a close Phalanx that the French could as yet make no Impression upon them and the Archers of England shot so thick on the Enemies left Flank that they earst not approach to break them Then the French Men of Arms began to wheel about to the Left and as they went the English Battail faced them without once breaking their Order For all the File-leaders and Bringers-up were the Choicest Men in Front Flank and Reer But at that instant the 900 French Infantry came into the Field well covered with broad Targets who marching directly against the Archers wholly brake their Array for their Shot gave them but little trouble they were so well protected with the mutual Defence of their Shields When thus the Archers were broken the second Battail of the French Men of Arms rode in among them and took or slew most of them but a very few escaped After which they went against the English Valets and won all the Horses except those which the Valets carried away upon the Spur. The mean while the two remaining Battails of Men of Arms entertained the English on one side and the Fourth Battail of Footmen after they had beaten the Archers on the other side so that at last all their Array was broken and Sr. Eustace his Standard beaten down and torn in pieces and most of his Men taken or slain The Lord Eustace himself fell into the hands of a worthy Gentleman called Sr. Henry de Quingey a Burgundian who had much ado to save his Life for the Commons of Troye would fain have had him sacrificed because of the terrible Havock he had made among them in the Country of Champaigne With him were taken alive Sr. John of Paris and Sr. Martin of Spain with many other Knights and Esquires and those that escaped gat into the Fortress of Nogent but they were not many the greater Part not being able to quit the Field in any time because their Horses were all taken The Couragious Manny was left for dead among others in the Field but a while after the Battle when the Enemy was marched off thô grievously wounded and almost exhausted for want of Blood he chanced to open his Eyes and then being something reviv'd with the fresh Air he lifted up his Head a little but saw nothing about him except Dead Men lying on the Ground By and by he enforced himself so far as to rise as well as he could half way and so sat down a while and look'd about and found he was not far from the Castle of Nogent which was an English Garrison Hereupon he never left creeping by little and little till at last with much difficulty and much danger of Relapsing he came to the Foot of the Tower Where making signs to them that look'd down that he was a Friend he was received into the Fortress and had his Wounds presently dressed and carried himself so regularly and temperately that within a few Weeks he was perfectly healed This Battle was thus fought ſ Frois ibid. in the Year of our Lord MCCCLIX on the Vigil of St. John Baptist or the twenty third of June VII After this Discomfiture of the Englishmen near Nogent sur Seyne the French Lords and Men of Arms return'd to the City of Troye with all their Booty but they durst not bring thither any of their Prisoners for fear of the Common People who sought to kill them wherefore they sent them to be kept in other French Garrisons But when Sr. Eustace Dambreticourts Men whom he had left in the Garrison of Pougny heard of this their Loss they presently trussed up Bag and Baggage and marched off into better Quatters for they were not enough to maintain the Place The same did those who held other Fortresses which depended on the Lord Eustance For they greatly doubted the Bishop of Troye and the Lord of Fenestrages But Sr. Peter Audley thô he had lost a good Neighbour of Sr. Eustace held his Garrison still at Beaufort Sr. John Segar at Nogent and the Lord de la Brett at Gye upon the Seyne About that time some of Sr. Peter Audley's Men rode forth and took a Neighbouring Town called Rosnay t Frois c. 200. while the Curate was at Mass an English Esquire is said to have gone into the Church and to have taken the Chalice wherein the Priest should have consecrated from the Altar Which Wine he poured out on the ground and being therefore with much Christian Gravity blamed by the Priest he strack him over the Face with his Gauntlet that the Blood gush'd out upon the Altar and so went his way with the Chalice and Patine along with him It is affirmed and I dare not omit so memorable an Instance of God's Judgments tho it displease never so many that this same Esquire being presently after mounted in the Field his Horse began suddenly to turn about and flounce and curvet so fiercely that none durst come near him till at last he and his sacrilegious Master fell both together Dead on the ground and soon after they crumbled away to Powder Whereupon all the other Souldiers that were eye-witnesses of this dreadfull Judgment were so terrified that they vow'd never more to violate any Church or Holy Place while they lived VIII In these days as if it pleased Almighty God to afford some short Breathing to the afflicted Realm of France before King Edward came over to add to her Afflictions the greater part of these licentious Plunderers of a sudden fell to decay and declin'd so fast that it was miraculous And first u Frois c. 200. in the strong Castle of le Herelle within four Leagues from Amiens the Lord John of Picquigny who had been so perfidious to his Lord and Master the French King was now in God's just Judgment repaid by his own Servant his Chamberlain by whom as
was said he was strangled in the Night together with Lucas de Bequesy one of his chief Counsellors whereupon the terrour of that Garrison was much diminished Those that were in Mauconsell thâ—â— meer want of Provision were enforced to sell their Fortress to the People of Noyon for 12000 x Câ—tgrave dicit hâ—c Numisinâ— nâ—n fâ—ction ante an Dâ—m 1371. sed 〈…〉 Frâ—is alus Moutons of Gold and licence to march off with their Arms Bag and Baggage The Noyonnois were glad to be rid of them at any Rate and upon their Departure rased the Castle to the ground lest it should again fall into the hands of any such ill Neighbours But of the Garrison some went to Creil others to Clermont to Veilly Pierpont Roucy or Sissonne as they thought best But Sr. John Segar had not so good Fortune in selling his Fortress of Nogent to the Bishop of Troye Thô the Bishop gave him a Bond for the Payment of such a Summ of Florens and his safe Conduct to come and receive it Sr. John trusting to the Conduct went to the City of Troye and alighted at the Bishops Palace who desired him to stay three or four days promising his Money by that time and to this Sr. John agreed in Confidence of the Bishops Protection But when it was known among the Rabble that the Captain of the Garrison of Nogent who had done them so much Mischief was come now to receive more of their Money for selling what he had before stole from them they said among themselves What means our Bishop to trifle and mock us thus since he entertains in his House the most notorious Robber and Plunderer in all France and would have us supply him with our Money Nay rather now we have him here let us make him pay dearly for what he has already forced from us To this Resolution all the Common People agreed for Interest and Revenge together are too great Incentives to be resisted by any but those whose Reason is well grounded and to whom Justice and Natural Honour are not indifferent Presently some flew to the Gates of the Town that he should not escape them and others to the Number of about 6000 went armed to the Bishops Palace to kill him When the Bishop heard the Reason of this Uproar he said Certainly Friends Sr. John is come hither under my safe Conduct and you all know the Terms of the Treaty and Bargain made between us for 't was not done without your Consent Why will ye now retract what you have engaged and desire to prove both Cruel and Perfidious as you must needs be if you do any harm unto this Man. Thus the Bishop began to argue but Reason is seldom heard by an enraged Multitude wherefore let him say what he would they rushed by him into the Hall by force and thence into several Apartments and sought so narrowly that at last they found him and immediately cut him all to pieces And thus ended Sr. John Segar a Man to be commended for his Valour had he taken care to have employ'd it on just and lawfull Occasions only But Vertues ill used prove Vices and therefore thô he was an Englishman we allow him no Rank among the truly Honourable About the y Frois c. 201. fol. 108. midst of August the Archbishop of Rheims with the Help of the Parisians and others of the Vicinage Knights and Esquires from Rhetel Laon and other Places went and laid Siege to the Castle of Roucy which having held out five Weeks was then by the Besieged yielded up on Condition they might have their Lives and Goods saved and Liberty to go whither they would Of all which they had Letters Patents sealed by the Archbishop and the Earls of Porcien and of Brayne But for all that when they were without the Castle the Common People fell upon them and maugre all the Lords and Captains could do slew most of them They had much ado to save the Captain Hanekin Francois who perhaps deserved that favour least of any if we consider the Barbarous Cruelties wherewith he had been delighted But however the Earl of Roucy now at last in this manner recover'd his Castle IX After z Frois c. 202. c. the Taking of Roucy Sr. Peter Audley fell sick and died in his Bed within the Castle of Beaufort for whom all the Garrisons of the Companions in those Parts were extreamly sorry At last the Englishmen and Almains thereabouts since now they made War in the King of England's Name thought no Man fitter to be their Captain than the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt who was then perfectly healed of his Wounds but was still a Prisoner Then they send an Herald called Faulcon to the Earl of Vaudemont and to Sr. Henry de Quingey who had taken him in the Battle of Nogent to treat about his Redemption His Ransom was set at 22000 Franks and yet the English Garrisons in Champaigne made a Purse and paid it down for him gladly not doubting but by his Conduct to win ten times as much in a short time So Sr. Eustace was set at Liberty and had restored unto him again his War-Horse and his Gelding that were taken with him at the Battle of Nogent and which he valued next his own Liberty because they were sent him from that Fair Nun the young Lady Elizabeth Countess Dowager of Kent in England When the English had Sr. Eustace among them they made him their Chief Captain and all Men of War drew to him for the Renown which he had purchased in the Field And he soon after to give them an Hansell of his Valour about the time that King Edward of England besieged Rheims fell into the Country of Rhetelois where none of the Companions had been before and surprized the good Town of Attigny standing on the River Aisne where he found an hundred Pipes of good Wine of Champaigne most whereof he sent as a Present to the King his Master as we shall shew hereafter And here he made his chief Garrison from whence he overran all the Country about Rheims and spoiled Espernay Damery and the good Town of Vertus where they found great Riches and made another Garrison The Garrison of Vertus overran all the Country about the River Marne up as far as la Fert Millon and that of Attigny ran dayly to Mezieres on the Meuse to Donchery and other good Towns thereabout Now the Lord Broquart of Fenestrages who had won the Battle of Nogent against Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and by that and other Successes prov'd not a little instrumental in ridding Champaigne of those Garrisons of the Companions was but ill requited by the Duke of Normandy for all his Services there being still due unto him 30000 Franks Frequently by his Messengers he called upon the Duke for this Money but could never get any agreeable Answer for they always return'd without the Money or Bills of Receipt either Hereupon the Lord Broquart being
those of the good Towns and Cities who took his part either for Conscience or hopes of Preferment or of their own good Wills not to mention the King of Navarre who at this time also made War in the Marches of Normandy And over and above all this the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt Å¿ Vid l. 3 c. 3. § 9. p. 561. who still held Garrison at the Fortress of Attigny on the River Aisne made great havock in those parts and found no opposition All his imagination night and day was only to lay stratagems how to surprize Towns and Castles and to win Prisoners and rich booty and to purchase a Name that might sound Famous in the Ears of his Lady the Countess Dowager of Kent One Night among others he rode to a strong Town and Castle in Laonnois near Montegu which was called Pierrepont and because it was very strong and scituated also in a Marish ground on the River of Serre all the Country thereabout had brought thither the very best of their goods for security Hither came Sr. Eustace with part of his Garrison in the Night and not scrupling to pass the Dangerous Marishes by such Guides as he had but going in great silence his Men assisting one another quite thorough them he came unperceived to the Walls and finding the Watch asleep mounted slew them enter'd the Town and wan it without any Resistance Here they found more Rich Booty than ever before they had met with at one time all which they took away with them and so having burnt the Town thô they could not hurt the Castle the next morning they return'd home again laden with Spoil and Booty About this time also the t Knighton p. 2624. n. 10. Earl of Armagnac then of the French side gave Battle to Gaston Phaebus Earl of Foix who was reputed a Friend to King Edward in the parts of Gascogne in which Battle the said Earl of Armagnac was overthrown with the loss of 15000 Men by the said Earl of Foix who himself suffer'd very little or no Damage But I will not dissemble that however so great a Loss of Frenchmen might be accounted some gain to the English yet the Earl of Foix was not at this time on the English part as will manifestly appear to those who shall consider that within a page or two following in the very first Article of the Peace the Earl of Foix together with the Earl of Armagnac and others is reckon'd among the Friends of the French Crown There was u Vid. Mezeray p. 63. 64. ad an 1362. indeed a Quarrel of some continuance and of very ill Consequence between these two Great Lords transmitted unto them by Inheritance concerning the Purparties of the Estate of Gaston de Bearn but that related nothing to the Quarrel of England or France and besides was again renew'd even when both the Parties were Friends to England till as we shall see in due place it was fully made up by the BLACK-PRINCE when he came to Bourdeaux to his Government of the Principality of Aquitain Thus was the Famous Realm of France with Civil Dissentions and Foreign Enemies streightned on all hands so that without a very particular Providence it had been impossible for King Edward to have failed in an absolute Conquest of that Crown x Matt. Villani l 9. c. 82. p. 558. Thô Matthew Villani attributes his failing therein rather to the Animosity Hate and Disdain which the Frenchmen bare against the English Nation insomuch that they could not endure to hear of them but had them ever in despite as a Vile and Base People Perhaps this might have been his judgement but I think not that it was ever a Popular Opinion in France or however that it was ill-grounded and senseless will appear to those who know how y Antiqui Fraci ut Saacnes à Getis sive Gothis oriundi Qui in Cimeriâ vocabantur Cimerit in Sarmatia 〈◊〉 in Thraâ—â—cta Tâ—â—aces sic Canbâ—i Germani Saeenes Ceitae Franci qui Galli pro locorum varictate Vid. R. Sheringham de Anglerum Gentis origine p. 164. c. both the Ancient Franks and the English Saxons had one and the same Original In these days z Frois c. 211. Paul. Aemâ—l p. 299. Ashmoâ—e p. 660. Pâ—a Acts Mon. p. 359. c. there lived a certain Fryar Minor a Man well seen both in Sacred and Profane Letters whose Name was John de Rochetailladée in Latine Joannes de Rupe-scissá He had preached of a long time in the City of Avignon with a Life answerable to his Doctrine But of late Pope Innocent VI. had clap'd him up close Prisoner in the Castle of Baignols in the Territory of Nismes between Avignon and Mompeliier The occasion of his Imprisonment was because he seemed a little too bold with the Clergy taxing them of many enormous Sins and denouncing sundry heavy Judgements shortly to fall upon them especially on the Prelacy for their great Pride and Sensuality Particularly he secretly touched the outragious Ambition of the Church of Rome with this pretty Apologue or Moral making use of an old Fable to a new purpose a Paul. Aemyl ibid. c. Once on a time all the Birds under Heaven made their Assembly in a certain place where when all the Rest appear'd in good plight decently deck'd with Plumes and Wings both for Vse and Ornament there was one only of shape indeed Majestick and Divine but all callow and wholly destitute of Feathers So that she could neither fly abroad nor consequently sustain her self with Nourishment Then the whole Assembly being moved with respect and pity agreed from their own Bodies to supply this Bird with Feathers that she might provide for her self and fly about as well as others But in process of time when this Bird beheld her self so finely adorned and perceived the Vniversal Respect she had among the Winged Nation she grew so proud and Insolent that in the end she provoked the Birds in a General Council to demand every one his own Feathers back again And so she was left to her former Poverty Shame and Nakedness This Fryar also in his various Discourses and Sermons foretold many things that he said should come to pass within the Realm of France and among the Grandees of Christendom in general for their grievous Oppressions of the Poor And particularly he doubted not by Letters to rebuke the sins of the French Court b Paul. Aemyl p. 299. C. and before the Battle of Poictiers to threaten King John himself with the approach of some heavy Calamity And c Frois c. 211. fol. 104. oftentimes he spake confidently of many wonderfull things averring that he would prove all his words by the Authority of the Apocalipse and other Canonical Books of the Prophets and Inspired Men the true Understanding whereof was open'd unto him by the Holy Ghost Upon which account he said he spake not as a Prophet
of November he went thence to Monstrevil and thence Four Leagues farther to Hesdin and so to the Good City of Amiens where he tarried almost till Christmas On St. Thomas his Day being a Monday he rode thence to Paris where he was Honourably received of the Clergy with solemn Processions and the Universal Joy of all the People who convey'd him with great Demonstrations of Loyal Affection to his Palace Here He and his Son Philip and the rest of the Cavalcade alighted a most Royal and Magnificent Dinner being prepared for them But it is not my business to declare with what Welcome the French King was received by all manner of People at his return into his Realm For he was indeed a Better Prince than One would guess by his Ill-Fortune and had now been a Prisoner no less than Four Years One Month and six Days viz. from the 19 of September 1356 on which day the Battle of Poictiers was fought to the 25 of October 1360 when he was fully acquitted and went from Calais to Boulogne Wherefore his presence was much desired of all his Subjects and they welcom'd him where e'r he came with shouts and Viveleroys and presents of Gold and Silver and other Fair and Rich Gifts And the Prelates and Barons of all his Realm came to Paris to Visit and Congratulate him and they entertain'd him with Shews and Feasts and other Diversions to comfort his Mind according to their Duty And the King was hugely pleas'd with these things it being agreeable to have a Right Taste of Recreation after so much and so bitter Affliction III. Soon after this King Edward sent over the Sea such Persons as were Commission'd by Him to take Possession in his Name of those Lands Countries Earldoms Bayliwicks Cities Towns Castles and Forts that were to be deliver'd unto him by Vertue of the Peace and Treaty But this Matter was not over-hastily perform'd for divers Lords in Languedoc would not at first obey the French Kings Orders to yield themselves to hold of the King of England althô King John frankly quitted them of all the Faith Homage and other Tyes wherewith they had been bound unto Him It seem'd so hard to them to forget their Natural Lord and yield to obey Strangers Of this Humor especially were the Lords of the far Marches as the Earl of la Marche the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Chasbeau Darry the Vicount of Carmain the Lord of Pincornet and divers others all who were extreamly surprized that the French King should offer to acquit them of the Resort and Homage which they ow'd to him and enjoyn them to pay it to the King of England And some of them began to argue and said that the King ought not so to acquit them for they affirmed how there were in Gascogne Charters and Privileges above 500 Years old granted unto them by Charlemagne King of France which signified that their Resort and Allegiance should not be put to any other Court but his only And therefore at first they scrupled the Kings Commands but King John who was resolved to hold and perform the Articles of the Peace with all sincerity sent his Dear Cousin the Lord James of Bourbon unto them all severally who by good Words and found Reasons shewing them both the necessity of Affairs and that it was the Kings absolute Pleasure and Resolution perswaded the most part of the said Lords as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord De la Bret the Earl of Foix and many others thô much against their Wills to become Liege-men to the King of England The same Difficulty was found in the parts on the Sea-side as in Poictou Rochellois and Sainctogne Unto them this Composition of their King seem'd very grievous when they saw that thereby they were in a manner cut off from their Natural Country and that they must submit to the Government of strangers But especially the strong City of Rochelle would not of a long while admit of the English Yoke but excus'd themselves unto the King and beg'd earnestly of him still to continue their Protector and they wrote to him in the most endearing manner possible desiring him in their Letters and by their Representatives that for Gods sake he would please never to acquit them of the Faith that they ow'd unto him nor put them out of his Demaine into the hands of Strangers saying how they had rather be Taxed yearly even to the half of their substance than to be subject to the English which was a thing wholly insupportable to all true Frenchmen King John by these their frequent and humble Remonstrances saw well their Faith and Loyalty to him and was very compassionate of their case but he was a Prince of that Honour that he had rather lose half his Kingdom than break his Word and it was his ordinary saying That if Faith and Truth were banished from the rest of Mankind nevertheless they ought to be found in the Mouth of Kings Besides he was called upon by King Edward's Deputies for by this backwardness of the French Nation when it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the First of the times appointed for compleating these Matters King Edward f Ashmole p. 663. ex Rot. Franc. 35. Ed. 3. n. 3. on the 15 of November following constituted Sr. Thomas Vuedale Knight and Thomas Duncent Licentiate in the Laws his Agents whom he sent to Bruges with Power to make request to the King of France for the effectual Accomplishment of all things concluded on at Calais and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid agreements on the Reception whereof they were enabled to give Acquittance in the King their Masters Name These things quickned King John in his endeavours to reduce his People to acquiesce in his Determinations wherefore he wrote to those of Rochelle Desiring them to shew their Loyalty which they so much professed in denying themselves for his sake that otherwise the Peace would be broken upon their account which would be a great Imputation to his Honour and no less Prejudice to the whole Realm of France Hereupon when the Rochellers saw no other Remedy and that whether they would or no since their King would not admit of their excuses they should be compelled to undergo this hatefull Yoke then at last after much adoe they yielded full fore against their Wills the Honest Men of the Town saying to one another Well we shall then from henceforth obey the English but our hearts are tyed for ever to the French Interest And here it may be a matter of our Wonder how it came to pass that King Edward should ever expect otherwise from Frenchmen born but that they would bear a foreign Rider with a Mind always ready to fling him off upon the first occasion as afterwards it proved indeed Surely in this case I cannot tell what to say since that Prince's
they saw themselves so considerable they began to ordain among them Captains and Leaders whom they promised to obey in all things For even wicked Societies cannot hold together without Order And the Chief of their Captains were these Sr. Seguin de Batefoil a Knight of Gascogne who had no less than 2000 Fighting Men Taillebert of Talleboton Guyot du Pyn the little Mechin Battailler the Wicked Hanekin Francois the Burgrave de Lesparre Nandon de Bergerac the Burgrave de Boure the Burgrave of Bretuel Nucharg Aberdenny a Scot Bourdonnel a German Bernard de la Salle an Hainalder Lortingo de la Salle his Kinsman Robert Briquet Edmund of Ortigo Sr. Garses du Chastel Gironet de la Baulx Carnelle and Others Who being thus gather'd together about Midlent resolved to go to Avignon to give the Pope and Cardinals a Visit more for the love of Prey than Devotion for whatever Treasure the Church might then have in Heaven they laid up some Treasures also on Earth as well as Men of the World. Wherefore these Late-Comers went thitherward thrô the Land of Masconnois intending for the Earldom of Foretz or Forestes that plentifull Country and towards Lyon on the River Rhosne VI. When King John heard of all this and how these Robbers daily encreased and ravaged his Realm he was infinitely displeased for his Council told him that without a speedy remedy these Evil Companions might encrease so strangely as to be able to do more Mischief than ever was done by the Englishmen themselves in time of War Wherefore they advised him to send against them a well form'd Army without any more delay Then the King wrote his Special Letters to his Cousin the Lord James of Bourbon k Mezeray Earl of la Marche who was at that time in the Town of Mompellier in Languedoc having newly put the Lord John Chandos in Possession of divers Lands Cities Towns Castles Forts and other Places thereabout belonging to the King of England by Vertue of the Peace as we said before The King in his Letters desired his Cousin of Bourbon to be his Chief General to muster Souldiers to a sufficient Number till he should find himself able to keep the Field and then go forth and fight against these Companions and root them out The Lord of Bourbon immediately on receipt of these Letters went Post to the City of Agen in Agennois whence he issued out his Letters and sent Messengers into all Parts desiring and commanding in the Kings Name all Knights and Esquires to come to him ready appointed for the War which was done accordingly For this Lord James of Bourbon was generally beloved over all France so that every one obey'd him readily and drew to the Place of General Rendezvous towards Lyon on the River Rhosne from Auvergne and Limosin from Provence and Savoy and from the Dauphiné de Vienne and moreover many Valiant Knights and Esquires were sent from Burgundy by the Young Duke who was not yet dead With all these Forces the Lord James of Bourbon marched forth from Lyon and the Parts of Masconnois and Beaujolois and entred the Earldom of Forestes where his Sister was Lady in Right of her Children for the Earl of Forestes her Husband was then newly dead Wherefore she govern'd the Country by the Hands of Sr. Reginald of Forestes her Husbands Brother who received the Lord James of Bourbon and his Company with great joy and feasted him to his Power as did also his two Nephews who presented their Service to their Uncle the Earl of la Marche to ride with him in Defence of their Country against the Companions who were by this time about Charolle and Tornus drawing thitherward For when they understood how the Frenchmen were gathering together to suppress them their Captains presently went to Council to advise how to maintain themselves At this time they found their Number to be no less than 16000 Fighting Men wherefore they said among themselves Let us then go boldly against these Frenchmen who are so desirous to find us out and let us fight them at some Advantage if we can or else without for we are enough If Fortune favour us at this time we shall be rich for ever as well by the Prisoners we shall take as by the Booty of the Field and also we shall gain such Reputation to our Arms that none hereafter will dare to withstand us and if we lose we have no more to care for Being thus agreed they dislodged and went up the Mountains designing to pass into the Land of Forestes and to come to the River of Loire but in their way they found a Good Town called Charlieu in the Bailywick of Mascon where they made a fierce Assault which lasted an whole Day yet the Place was so well desended by the Gentlemen of the Country that they could win nothing there Then they marched forward sending abroad several Detachments to scour the Country of Beaujolois where having done considerable Dammage they entred the Bishoprick of Lyon. In their March they would be sure to take some small Hold or other every Day where they lodged usually for the Night following making sad Havock of all things whereever they came One day particularly they took a Castle called Brignais about three Leagues from Lyon with the Lord thereof and his Lady in the Place and there they lodged and refreshed themselves and here they were certainly informed how the Lords of France were drawn into the Fields and stood ready to receive them The Lord James l Frois c. 215. fol. 110. of Bourbon was now again return'd to Lyon when he understood that the Companions drew near him apace having won the Castle of Brignais and many other Holds and brought the Country into great Desolation At this News he was extreamly displeased because he was Guardian to his Nephews the Earl of Forestes Sons and had the Care of their Lands Wherefore he drew into the Field and muster'd his Men and found them to be an Army sufficient to cope with the Enemy but first he sent out his Currours to view the Face of the Enemy and to consider well their Number and their Order and where he should surely find them In the mean time these subtle Companions had taken a Mountain at Brignais near Lyon where they so order'd themselves that they could not be perfectly view'd and so the best Armed Troops were conceal'd behind and the Residue who were worse armed and a far smaller Number stood ready ranged along in Order of Battle on the Hill side These Men only were seen by the Lord of Bourbons Currours whom they permitted leisurely to view them thereby to feed them with an Errour that might prove their Bane Being come back to the Earl of la Marche these Men told him what they had discover'd saying to him and the Lords about him Sirs we have seen yonder Company your Enemies and have viewed them well to our Power and all things
and all other Potentates of Christendom to stir them up singly at least to a Contribution in Men or Money toward so pious and general an Undertaking And the Pope gave him many Absolutions and Pardons and full Authority to publish them the better to encline all Devout persons to joyn with him in so Holy and Meritorious a Cause as it was in those Days accounted And surely the King of Cyprus wherever he went easily engaged the Love of all Men for besides the Reputation which he had got in Arms and that himself had long been a Souldier in the same Quarrel he gave such good Reasons and spake so elegantly and perswaded so pathetically that all Men of War had far rather hear him than a Sermon of the Pope's to that purpose And so on this point they rested Having therefore thus forwarded his Business here he took his leave saying how he would go and visit the Emperour and the Lords of the Empire and promised to return thither again by Brabant Flanders and Hainalt and so he was dismist by the Pope and the French King who both acquitted themselves towards him very honourably the latter presenting him with many rich Gifts and Jewels and the former with Pardons Absolutions and Indulgences for Him and all his Men which as the Superstition of the Times went were no less Valuable After the King of Cyprus his Departure whom the King of Denmark accompanied King John also took his leave of the Pope and went to Mompellier to visit Languedoc for he had not been in those Parts of many Years before III. The mean while the King of Cyprus rode so long by his Journeys till he came to Prague the chief City of Bohemia where the Emperour then was of whom he was graciously received as also of all the Lords of the Empire there present It is said q Panâ—taleâ—n de Ord. Johannitarum Rebus Geslis l. 4. p. 102. that the Emperour told the King of Cyprus That he applauded his Words and approved of the Popes pious Endeavours as also of the French Kings Resolution and of the King of Denmarks and that for his own part he neither wanted Wealth nor Will to set about the Holy War if he thought it would really be so much for the Benefit of Christendom to shed the Blood of many good Men for the Affairs of Syria that it was impossible to recover those Countries without much Destruction of Christian People of which Slaughter to make no account was the part rather of an Hangman than of a Prince That moreover a Country so surrounded with Enemies if it should be won could not by any be long retain'd in Obedience wherefore to him it seem'd not the part of a Christian to seek the purchase of so little false Glory with the hazard of so many Lives But however lest any should imagin that he declin'd these Matters upon the account of Frugality he offer'd the King of Cyprus as much Money as might probably suffice for that War which he presently caused to be paid unto him The Emperours Liberality was imitated by the Dukes of Bavaria Austria and Saxony his Brethren the Marquess of Moravia and the Duke of Luxemburgh and others of all whom he received considerable Sums of Gold Three Weeks he tarried at Prague labouring all the while to bring over Proselytes to his intended Expedition against the Infidels and wherever he went while he was within the Bounds of the Empire his Charges were born by the Emperour After this he rode into the Dukedom of Juliers and thence into Brabant where he was received with much Honour by the Duke and Dutchess and highly entertain'd in their chief City of Brussels with Feastings Justs Tourneaments and other Princely Diversions and at his Departure he was largely presented with Jewels and other rich Gifts and after all he went into the Earldom of Flanders to visit Earl Lewis who treated him with great Magnificence at Bruges and in all things gave him full Satisfaction Here he staid therefore the remaining part of the Summer still minding the main Business for which he had left his own Country and earnestly exhorting the Earl and other Lords and Gentlemen to embarque in the same Bottom with him where Christ and his Holy Vicar were sure to be the Pilots and Earthly Honour and Immortal Glory lay ready for them at the end of their Voyage And all the Lords that heard him approved of his Words and declared themselves willing to follow him IV. The mean while King Edward had dealt very Graciously with all the French Hostages but especially r Frois c. 218. unto Four of the Chief of them he shew'd Great Favour namely unto the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Anjou the Duke of Berry and the Duke of Bourbon For he permitted these Four Princes to reside at Calais for such a time and during their stay there each of them to have four days liberty to ride abroad into the French Pale on the Marches of Calais provided that at the end of four days they return'd to Calais by Sun-setting And this Grace the King allow'd with a Good Design that so having some opportunity to be near their Friends they might the sooner gather up the Money still remaining due for King John's Ransom and thereby release themselves and their fellow Hostages These Four Lords being thus at Calais sent frequent Messengers to the French King and to the Duke of Normandy desiring them to make quick dispatch in working their Delivery as they had promised and sworn unto them when they went Hostages into England For if they were neglected any longer they were resolved to look to look to themselves because as they said they were not properly Prisoners but only sureties for another And that if the Principal would not concern himself to perform the Covenants for which they were Pledges it would be high time to shift as well as they could for themselves Thus eager were the Young Princes to be at liberty but King John and the Duke of Normandy and their Council were so deeply taken up in Matters of a more pressing Nature what in preparing for the Croisade and what for other Wars which the Inconstant King of Navarre began again to renew in France having already sent into Lombardy for certain Troops of the Companions to come to his Assistance that they had no leisure as then to take the Remonstrance of these Dukes into consideration or to send them any satisfactory Answer Whereupon the Duke of Anjou being young and angry and neither well considering his Fathers Honour nor his own took the opportunity one of the Four Days allow'd him to ride clear off whereat King John was infinitely displeased V. By this time the King of Cyprus having dispatch'd his Affairs with the Earl of Flanders came at last to Calais where he found the remaining three French Dukes of Orleans Berry and Bourbon the Duke of Anjou being as we shew'd newly escaped away These
flang away in a Field and went to London to sell their ill-gotten Goods but afterwards being themselves rob'd of all their Gains and thereupon confessing their Sacrilege they received their reward at the Gallows Among other Instances of these licentious Robbers violence and contempt of the Law Peter King of Cyprus himself as he rode about here in England with a small Attendance in confidence of King Edwards protection was g Walsing hist p. 173. n. 30. set upon by a Gang of these Fellows and inhumanely strip'd and rob'd of all he had about him Which with other things might easily give occasion to Foreigners of concluding our Nation Uncourteous Barbarous and Inhospitable but that it is not the part of discreet Judges to attribute that unto an whole People in general which is only the Character of the most rascally and villanous sort of Theeves among that People However King Edward was extreamly incensed hereat and did what he could to bring the Authors to condign punishment and in order thereto granted unto the City of London more ample power to do Justice and to deliver up Prisoners within their Liberties to the Kings Justices as they used to do before thô without Licence XI About this time King David of Scotland h Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. came also into England to visit King Edward and to see if he might obtain a Relaxation of some part of his Ransom but we don't hear any thing of his Success therein However he stayed some time here as well in respect to King Edward as for the sake of the Kings of Cyprus and Denmark whom he had never seen before So that shortly after King John of France coming also into England there were present here at one time Four Stranger Kings as John King of France David King of Scotland Peter King of Cyprus and Waldemar King of Denmark This Year i Knighton p. 2627. n. 50. Walsingh hist p. 173. n. 30. Fabian p. 246. M.S. ver Angl. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabâ—c 232. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 143. c. it is remembred that there happen'd a grievous hard Frost attended with an unusual Cold which continued from the Seventh of September as some say thô others have December to the Fourteenth of the Kalends of April following which was Occasion of incredible Harm as well to the Land in General as to poor People in Particular CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France comes over into England II. King Edward gives him an honourable Reception III. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at one Time. IV. The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitam by whom he is received with great Honour V. King John sickens and dies in England VI. The King of Navarre on News thereof breaking out again the Duke of Normandy sends for Sr. Bertram of Clequin to oppose him A Story of Sr. Bertrams Original VII Sr. Bertram by Stratagem takes Mante and Meulan from the Navarrois VIII The King of Navarre makes the Captal of Busche his General who prepares to ride against Sr. Bertram of Clequin IX Sr. Bertram reinforced the Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville a Navarrois X. King John's Funeral Rites performed in England his Body buried in France a Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy XI The Particulars of the famous Battle of Cocherel between the Captal of Busche and Sr. Bertram of Clequin wherein the Captals Forces are overthrown and himself taken Prisoner XII Sr. Guy of Granville saves the Life of his Father the Lord Granville and redeems him by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. XIII Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims and makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy XIV Sr. Bertram buyes the Castle of Rolebois the Duke of Burgundy sent with an Army to reduce the rest The Army dividing into three Bodies acts separately under the Duke Sr. Bertram and the Lord de la Riviere XV. Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois a Party of his takes la Charité by Surprise XVI The Duke of Burgundy wins Marcheville and besieges Cameroles The Lord de la Riviere takes Aquigny by Composition Cameroles won and demolished AN. DOM. 1364. An. Regni Angliae XXXVIII Connay besieged XVII Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do their Pleasure The Earl of Monbelliard invading Burgundy King Charles remands the Duke thither who yet takes Connay first and then goes and chaces away the Earl of Monbelliard and wasts his Lands XVIII The Constable of France lays Siege to la Charité and is enforced by the Duke of Burgundy XIX The Place taken by Composition I. KING John of France who had all this while made vast Preparations for the Holy War which he had so solemnly undertaken a Frois c. 218. fol. 114. was now at the City of Amiens in Picardy with all the Lords of his Council before whom he seriously declared That he had a Mind to cross the Seas and pay a Visit to his Brother of England and the Queen his Sister for which cause he had assembled them to let them know his Resolution All his Council for the main were against this so rash Attempt as they thought it of their Kings and several of their Prelates and Barons told him plainly That it would not be either for his Honour or Advantage so easily to put himself into the power of a Reconciled Enemy Messteurs said King John let me believe my own Judgment I have found by Experience so much Faith and Honour in the King of England my Brother and in the Queen and their Children that I can never commend them too highly Wherefore as to that Point I am confident they will embrace me with all Sincerity and Friendship I desire also to confer Personally with King Edward about this Croisade which we have undertaken and besides I intend to excuse my Son the Duke of Anjou who like an indiscreet Young Man by his Unlicensed Return into France has entrenched upon my Honour To these Words none durst make a Rejoinder for they saw he was absolutely determin'd as to that Matter Then the King appointed his Son Charles the Dauphin to be again his Lieutenant and Regent of the Realm during his Absence and he promised the Lord Philip his youngest Son to make him at his Return Duke of Burgundy and Inheritor of that Dutchy And so Order being given to provide all things necessary for the Voyage at Boulogne he rode from Amiens to Hesdin where he solemnised the Festival of our Lords Nativity together with Earl Lewis of Flanders who came thither to meet him and tarried with him four Days On St. Innocents Day he left Hesdin and went to Boulogne where he took up his Lodgings in the Abbey expecting till the Wind might serve having in his Company the Earl of Eu the Earl of Dampmartin
the Grand Prior of France the Lord Boucâ—quault Sr. Tristram de Magnilieu Sr. Peter and Sr. John Villers Sr. John de Auneville Sr. Nicolas de Bracquemont and divers other Lords Knights and Esquires Many of our Writers seem too indiscreetly to surmise as if one Occasion of King John's coming to England at this time was for Love of the Countess of Salisbury which Opinion the Noble Lord of b In hiâ— Play 〈◊〉 the black-Prince Orrery hath lately authorised with his excellent Pen. But it is to be consider'd that my Lord wrote a Poem for Delight and not an History for the Establishment of Truth wherefore he is not to be accused And yet Sr. Richard Baker and others of his Character are by no means to be pardoned who so lightly make such unwarrantable Roflections without weighing the Matter If they mean by the Countess of Salisbury the First Earl Montagu's Lady that was Madam Catharine Daughter of the Lord Grandison and she was dead c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 647. above 12 Years before this time If they refer to the Fair Lady of Kent so much talk'd of we have shewn how she was two Years since married to Prince Edward and it appears that she was now with him in Aquitain of which King John could not be ignorant And if they shall be forced to own the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Lord Mohun of Dunstor d Dugd. ibid. p. 648. who only was at this time Countess of Salisbury and Wife to the Second Earl Montagu let them bring the least shadow of Authority or shew that ever they themselves thought upon that Person before and I yield But otherwise I must profess that I cannot without Resentment see the Honour not only of a Noble Lady but also of two Kings John and Edward who are both said to have been in Love with her thus shamefully traduced by Men of either no Industry or no Honesty But to proceed King John of France when all things were ready for his Voyage and the Mariners told him the Wind stood fair for England e Frois c. 219. f. 114. went on Board and set sail from Boulogne with his Guard and other Attendants about the hour of Midnight and arrived safely at Dover about Ten the next Morning being the Day before the Vigil of the Epiphany or the Fourth of January f G F. Lit. Dom. which was a Thursday in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV II. King Edward was at that time with his Queen and the whole Court at Eltham in Kent about 8 Miles from London to which Place News was brought him of King Johns Arrival Hereupon he presently sent forth certain Honourable Knights of his Court to bid him Welcome and to conduct him forward on his way as the Lord Bartholomew Burwash Sr. Alan Boxhull Sr. Richard Pemburge and Others who rode Post to Dover where they found King John and in their Masters Name gave him Welcome saying How the King of England was extreamly satisfied with the obliging Honour of that Royal Visit King John replied he never doubted of a Welcome from his Dear Brother of England The next Day they all mounted their Horses and rode to Canterbury where having din'd King John would needs visit the Cathedral where he offer'd a Rich Jewel at the Shrine of St. Thomas and there they tarried the remainder of that Day On the Sunday Morning they set forth all together toward Eltham where the King of England was with a great Number of his Nobility ready to receive his Dear Brother of France On Sunday after Dinner King John came thither where he was highly caressed and embraced by the King and Queen of England and between that and Supper-time there was nothing but Princely Diversions of Dancing Singing and Carolling But especially the young Lord Ingelram of Coucy set himself forth to entertain the two Kings and danced so pleasantly and sang so sweetly that he extreamly satisfied the Whole Presence and wan the Commendations both of the French and English Nobility who were all delighted to behold and hear him for all that ever he did became him wonderfully At this time the Lady Isabella Eldest Daughter to King Edward began to cast her Affections upon that Gallant Lord and became so serious therein that shortly we shall find it a Match Soon after the Court removed from Eltham toward London but in the way the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with an Honourable Retinue met the two Kings on Black-Heath and so conducted them over the Bridge thrô the City with Sounding of Trumpets III. King John was conducted to the Savoy in great Honour where he was lodged with those Hostages that were of his Blood as the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Berry and the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Alenson the Lord Guy of Blois the Earl of St. Paul and divers Others He was well entertain'd among these his Relations with whom he constantly conversed at the same time making and receiving frequent Visits to and from King Edward of England King David of Scotland King Peter of Cyprus King Waldemar of Denmark Albert Duke of Bavaria Lionel Duke of Clarence John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge many Sumptuous and Princely Sports and Banquets passing among them And the City of London was at that time so flourishing that not only the Lord Mayor but most of the Aldermen in their Turns had the Generosity and Ability to invite and entertain all these Great Kings and Potentates singly and together as Occasion served Particularly Sr. Henry Picard g Stows Survey of London p. 87. 255. d b. a Merchant Vintner of Gascogne who some Years before had been Lord Mayor of London one Day made a Splendid Feast at his own House now called the Vintry over against St. Martins Church at which Entertainment were present the Kings of England Scotland France Denmark and Cyprus the Duke of Bavaria the Chief Hostages of France and King Edwards Sons excepting the Black-Prince then in Aquitain and many of the Chief Nobility of England And after Dinner he kept his Hall for all Comers that were willing to play at Dice and Hazard his Lady Margaret at the same time keeping her Chamber for the Entertainment of the Princesses and Ladies IV. King John went h Frois c. 219. f. 114. b. as often as he pleased privately by Water to visit King Edward at his Palace of Westminster and both the Kings when upon their Communication they were put in mind of the Lord James of Bourbon who was slain two Years before at the Battle of Brignais near Lyons greatly bewailed his Loss as who was a Person of a most agreeable Conversation in all Noble Company The French King had brought with him into England a i Knighton p. 2627. n. 20. Moiety of one Million of the Three he was engaged to pay for his Ransom and desired that some of the Hostages might be deliver'd but that King Edward
Paris to the King his Brother At that time it was that the Archpriest found himself obliged to make use of all his Friends to excuse him to the King who was much offended at him because he was not present in the Battle of Cocherel but now being admitted into the Presence he made it appear that he was bound by Oath not to be armed in Person against his Friend the Captal who himself at the request and instance of the Lord of Albret had been a little before released of his Imprisonment only upon his Parole and being by this time sufficiently convinced that he had unjustly suspected the Archpriest's Faith was now very serviceable in helping to make his excuse to the King and to those Lords of the Council that held him in suspicion Besides all which the Archpriest himself not to mention the many great Services he had formerly rendred to the Crown of France had lately near Dijon in Burgundy overthrown 300 Companions robbers of the Country whose Captains were Guyot du Pyn Taillebert of Talleboton and John de Chafour About this time the said King Charles of France caused the Lord Peter of Samville who had been taken in the Battle of Cocherel to lose his Head in the City of Rouën and had served the Lord William of Granville in the same manner had not his Son Sr. Guy of Granville threatned the Lord Beaumont de la Val then his Prisoner with the like severity Whereupon that Lords Kindred and Friends made such earnest suit to the King that he was content to deliver the Lord Granville in Exchange for the Lord de la Val as we said before XIV Soon after the foresaid Battle of Cocherel Sr. Bertram of Clequin bought the strong Castle of Rolebois for the Sum of 3000 Franks which he paid to Sr. Vantaire Austard the Captain thereof whereupon he return'd quietly into Brabant from whence he came Yet there were other Troops of Companions that held still together in Fortresses in Normandy le Caulx Perche Beausse and other places which prov'd very incommodious to the Realm of France some of them making War in the Name of the King of Navarre others on their own account only to get spoil and to rob without Law or Reason Wherefore King Charles q Frois c. 223. Guil. Paradin Annal. de Bâ—urgâ—gne l. 3 p. 252 sent his Brother the Duke of Burgundy against these Pillagers commanding him to root them out of the Land in order whereto the said Duke made his Rendezvous in the City of Chartres Soon after he took the Field his Forces consisting of 5000 Men of Arms besides Footmen and others among whom were Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Bouciquault Marshal of France the Earl of Auxerre the Lord of Beaujeu Sr. Lewis of Châlons Sr. Edmund of Pamiers Sr. Lewis of Ravenal the Lord of Beague of Vilaine Sr. Nicolas du Line New-made Master of the Crossbows Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. Ingelram of Hesdin and many other Eminent Captains When they found themselves so strong they thought to divide into Three Bodies One whereof consisting of a 1000 Men of Arms Sr. Bertram of Clequin led into Coutantine even to the Marches of Cherburgh to keep the Frontiers there that the Navarrois should not pass to endamage the Country of Normandy and with Sr. Bertram were the Earl of Auxerre and the Earl of Joigny the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan and many Knights and Esquires both of Bretagne and Normandy The Second Body was committed to the Lord de la Riviere with whom were many good Knights and Esquires of France and Picardy as Sr. Hugh de Chastillon the Lord of Samny Sr. Matthew of Roye the Lord of St. Eloy the Lord of Crespy the Lord of Campy Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. Ingelram of Hesdin Sr. Monsange and others to the Number of 2000 Men of Arms and these were sent into the Earldom of Eureux but the Duke himself with the remaining 2000 Men of Arms and a vast Number of others went and laid Siege to Marcheville in Chartraine a strong Castle held by the Navarrois against which he carried many Engines from Chartres which perpetually play'd upon the Castle with huge stones to the infinite trouble of those within XV. While these Three Armies were thus in Beausse and in Normandy making War against the Navarrois the King of Navarre was not asleep as to his own Defence The Lord Philip of Eureux his Brother was dead indeed a little before this but he had another younger Brother called Lewis of Navarre of no less towardliness for the War nor less addicted to his Interest This Lord Lewis had likewise defy'd King Charles of France because the War which the King his Brother undertook did also concern a good part of his Inheritance After the Battle of Cocherel he made his Musters on all hands and wan certain notable Captains of the Companions to enter his pay so that by this he was at least 1200 Spears strong The Chief Captains of which Troops were Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Robert Cheiny Knights of England and Sr. Robert Briquet of Larsuel but as yet Sr. Robert Knolles had not joyn'd him However his Forces encreased daily his Head Quarters being between the Rivers of Loire and Allier so that he overran a great part of the Country of Bourbonnois as about Moulins St. Pierre le Moutier and St. Pourcain One day 300 of his Men having Sr. Bernard de la Salle and Ortingo for their Captains went and passed the Loire hard by les Marches and rode till they came to la Charité on the River Loire a Town large and well-enclosed which they immediately enter'd by Scalado but stood still together in one place till the Morning for doubt of some Ambush laid to entrap them by the Townsmen whom they heard to be in a perpetual hurry The mean while the Townsmen giving up the Place for lost only took care to convey all their best Moveables into Boats which were ready in good Number on the Loire and so before Morning got off with them their Wives and Children and went to Nivers which was not above six Leagues from thence When it was day the Navarrois English and Gascogners that had thus scaled the Town marched thrô the Streets where they found all the Houses void However they determin'd to keep a Garrison there and make it more defensible because it stood so opportunely to command the Country on both sides the Loire Wherefore presently they sent word to Prince Lewis of Navarre who was then in the Marches of Auvergne for a Reinforcement and he furnish'd them with 300 Spears who were led by Sr. Robert Briquet and passing thrô the Country without the least Opposition went over the stone Bridge and entred la Charité And now being all together they thought themselves strong enough to make good the Place and so began to fortifie apace and to ravage about to let the Country know who they were XVI All this
and reasonable for the Prince to take upon him the Protection of the King of Spain and thereupon Credential Letters were framed directed from the King of England and his Council to the Prince of Aquitaine and his Council and the Duke of Lancaster had leave to go over to visit and confer with the Prince his Brother whom he desired to serve in this Expedition So the Messengers returned with these Letters and the Duke in their Company and came to Bourdeaux where they found the Prince and Don Pedro to the former of whom they deliver'd their Letters from the King his Father Upon this a new day was forthwith assign'd for the Parliament to sit again at which time there assembled at Bourdeaux all the forenamed Lords of Aquitaine and Others that were Summon'd thereto And then the King of England's Letters were openly read in full Parliament The Purport was this That the King and his Council were well pleased that the Prince his Son should in the Name of God and St. George seriously undertake to restore King Don Pedro to his Throne and Heritage which his Bastard-Brother had wrongfully taken from him without either Law or Reason and as it appeareth traiterously deposed him That the King thought himself obliged to wish his Son to do thus much for his Cousin the King of Castille not only for the sake of Justice and Honour but also for the Common Interest and Right of Kings and especially because of certain Alliances Treaties and Confederations heretofore made between them which imported a mutual Assistance in case of Necessity if either Party were thereto required Wherefore he desired all his good Friends and Subjects in those Parts to be Aiding and Assisting to his Son the Prince in that Matter as well as if he himself were there and undertook the Expedition in his own Person When the Nobles and Captains of Aquitaine heard these Letters read dictinctly and perceived the pleasure of the King and of his Son the Prince their Lord then they all readily gave in their answer with one consent Sir We shall gladly obey the Command of our Sovereign Lord the King of England and of Your Royal Highness it being our Duty so to do and therefore We now declare that in this Expedition We shall readily serve both Your Highness and also King Don Pedro. But Sir We desire to know from whom We are to expect our Wages for it will be difficult to oblige Men of War to go abroad into a strange Country without such kind of Considerations Then the Prince turned his Face to Don Pedro and said My Lord O King You hear what our Subjects say Pray please to answer them Your self as to this point For it is your Concern so to do To this Don Pedro answer'd Most Dear Cousin as far as the Gold Silver and other Treasure which I have brought hither with me and I 'll assure You 't is not the Thirtieth Part of what I 've left behind as far as that will go I shall now immediately resign that entirely to your Dispose to be bestowed among our Friends your Subjects And for what shall remain if God Almighty send Us Success I shall make full amends in all things of this Be this Honourable Assembly my Witness Sir said the Prince You say well and as Circumstances stand We can expect no more of You. As for the Remainder therefore I my self will be indebted to these Gentlemen and pay them as occasion shall require all which my Lord O King I shall lend unto You expecting to be repaid upon our good Success in Castille Hereupon Don Pedro renew'd his Promise to be more than Just in all manner of liberal Retributions acknowledging with many fair expressions of Gratitude the extraordinary Favour Grace and Courtesie which the Prince had been pleased to shew unto him X. Now in this Council there were many Noble Personages of great Experience in Affairs of that Nature and who especially understood the difficulties usually attending an Expedition into Spain Such as the Lord John Chandos the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Pamiers and others who had been more than once in Spain to help the Good King Alphonso against the Moors These all concluded that it was absolutely necessary if they resolved to go into Spain to bring over the King of Navarre to their side For they could not pass but thrô his Country over the Pyrenean Mountains by the streights of Roncevaux Which Passage it was doubted whether they might obtain because Charles the Present King of Navarre and Don Henry the Bastard had lately made a strict Alliance together After much altercation upon this point also the Parliament was prorogued to another day when they were to meet in the City of Bayonne about six Leagues from the Confines of Navarre and the Prince was by his Ambassadors to request the King of Navarre's Presence at that Assembly So the Prince sent unto him the Lord John Chandos and the Lord Thomas Felton who behav'd themselves with such Discretion and gave him such Reasons that he faithfully engaged both by word of Mouth and also under his Hand and Seal not to fail on the appointed day of being present at the Parliament at Bayonne And with this News the two Knights returned to the Prince The day appointed being come there came to Bayonne King Don Pedro Edward Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales the Captal of Busche the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret and all the Barons of Gascogne Guienne Poictou Quercy Rovergue Sainctogne and Limosin and thither also came Charles the King of Navarre in Person to whom the Prince and King Don Pedro shew'd extraordinary respect the rather because they design'd to prepare him for their opinion This Parliament sat thus at Bayonne five days together For the Prince and his Friends had much adoe to perswade the King of Navarre he being a Person of that temper as to be stiff and almost inexorable when he saw any One stand in need of him But at last when he consider'd the great Power of the Prince and that He who now desired him if too much provoked might compell him on certain considerations he was content to renounce the League he had made with Henry the Bastard and sware and promised under his Hand and Seal Peace Love and firm Alliance and Confederation to King Don Pedro as likewise Don Pedro did unto Him by the Prince of Wales his menagement and contrivance The Latter as true King of Castille engaging by Covenant then Engrossed and Sealed to give and restore unto the King of Navarre and to his Heirs for ever all the Land of y An Oregne Groigne as it lies on both sides the River and also all the Lands of Salvatierra with the Town Castle and all the Appurtenances Also the Town of St. John Piè du Port and the Marches thereabout which Lands Towns Castles and Seigniories he had before violently
Pedro's Cruelty returned him Letters with full assurance that thô he should lose half his Realm therefore he would make no Agreement with the Prince which should be to his Prejudice but that he would never come to any manner of accord with Don Pedro And further he promised to keep his Country open for all Men of War that would come to his Assistance but to close all the Passages against those who came to trouble or molest him All which promises he kept very punctually For when he knew that Don Pedro was abetted by the Prince and that the Companions were marching toward Bourdeaux to joyn them he presently stopped all the Passages of his Kingdom and kept them strictly and set Men of War on the Mountains to defend the Passages and Streights of Catalunna so that none could pass without exposing themselves to imminent Danger But for all this the Companions found another way thô they suffer'd many Hazards and Difficulties before they could get rid of those traps set for them in Aragon Yet at last they came to the Marches of the Earldom of Foix where they found that Countrey also closed against them For the Earl would not by any means permit such a sort of Pillagers to pass thrô his Land. XV. The mean while Prince Edward employ'd all his thoughts Night and Day how he might to his Honour perform this Expedition and now he was concerned how these Companions who had already proffer'd him their Service might be safely brought into Aquitaine for he heard how the Passages of Aragon were closed up and that now they were upon the Marches of the Earldom of Foix in much trouble and more danger Wherefore he began to doubt lest the Bastard Henry and the King of Aragon together should by thus streightly dealing with these Companions who were in all to the Number of 12000 Men prevail so as either thrô fear of Danger or Hope of advantage to oblige them to act on the other side which he resolv'd if possible to prevent because they were all Expert and Valiant Men. Then he determin'd to send the Lord John Chandos to retain them for his Service and also to treat with the Earl of Foix desiring him in the Prince's Name to do no harm to them on which account he promis'd him that whatever Damage they should do in his Country he would make him double Amends therefore This Business Sr. John Chandos undertook to do for his Lord and so he first rode to the City of Dax in Gascogne whence he continued his journeys till he came to Foix and here he so well menaged the Earl that he consented to all that he requested of him Then the Lord Chandos rode onward till he came to Belcayne where he found the Companions and fully agreed with their Captains and retain'd them to serve the Prince in his Spanish Expedition for such and such Considerations which the Lord Chandos engaged by Oath should be performed This done he return'd to the Earl of Foix again and desired him that these People being now retained in the Prince's Service might find no lett or hindrance from him but that he would freely permit them to pass by one of the sides of his Country The Earl of Foix who had a great Respect for the Prince besides that he held his Lands of him to do him a pleasure consented on condition they should do no harm by Spoil or otherwise to him his Lands or People Sr. John engaged they should forbear all Violence and Rapine and then he sent an Esquire and an Herald to the Companions with the Articles of the Treaty made by him on their behalf with the Earl of Foix after which he return'd to the Prince and gave him an account of his Success wherewith the Prince was well satisfied For he was very earnestly bent on this Expedition XVI The Black-Prince was now in the Flower of lusty Manhood being in the Thirty sixth Year of his Age of full Strength of Body and in perfect Health of undaunted Courage and Resolution all well temper'd with Experience and Discretion and he was never weary nor cloy'd with War from the first time he bore Arms but was always greedy of hazardous Enterprises and honourable Dangers But to say the Truth as for this Expedition into Spain wherein he intended to advance and resettle King Pedro in his Throne from which he had been deposed by Violence he was moved thereto from Principles of Honour and Equity and out of a compassionate Regard to Don Pedro's miserable Change of Fortune For however he might perhaps seem to deserve as bad or worse measure yet he rightly concluded that no Subjects much less a Bastard-Brother had either Law or Reason to call their Sovereign Lord to an account much less to punish him in such a manner He often spake to his Lords and Knights especially to the Lord John Chandos and the Lord Thomas Felton concerning this his intended Journey and particularly once he demanded of them what they thought of the matter And those two Lords answer'd him how indeed they thought nothing but well for the Cause was just and his Counsels proportionable to the end but they continued Sir without doubt this is a greater Enterprise beyond Compare than it was to thrust King Pedro out of his Kingdom For he was generally hated and when he thought to have made his Part good all Men forsook him But now at this present the Bastard King is actually possest of all that Realm and is confirmed the more strongly in the said Possession by being Master of the Hearts and Affections of all the Nobles Prelates and the whole Body of the Kingdom For they have unanimously received him for their King and his Children after him having for ever excluded Don Pedro and his Heirs and they have promised to uphold him in that Estate to the utmost extent of their Lives and Fortunes Wherefore Sir it concerns You to take along with you a Royal Army for besides the Alliances which the Bastard hath made or may make You shall find the whole Power of Spain and Aragon against you These things said the Prince we have fully consider'd but what think you as to the Nerves of this War which ought not to be the last Consideration Sir replied the Lord Chandos I would advise your Royal Highness to break the best part of your Plate and Treasure of which you have great Abundance and convert it all to Money to bestow largely among the Companions and other your Souldiers because 't is only for your Sake that they are willing to go but as for Don Pedro they would not stirr a foot either for the Love they bear to his Person or the Faith they have in his Promises Besides all which You would do well Sir to send into England to the King your Father desiring him to furnish you towards this expensive Enterprise with an 100000 Franks which Summ the French King is obliged shortly to pay to
your Father as being a part of the Remainder of King John's Ransome And Sir at this time collect by your Interest among your Friends all the Money you can possibly for you will find need enough without Taxing or Assessing your Subjects for while you keep their Hearts you cannot be poor This and several other prudent Directions were readily followed by the Prince who soon after caused Two parts in Three of all his Plate to be melted down and coined into Money to be bestowed liberally among his Men of War and he sent also into England to the King his Father for the foresaid 100000 Franks King Edward who well knew what an important matter his Son was going about and how Expensive his Design must needs be granted him the said Summ at the first word and presently directed his Letters to the French King willing him to pay the Money to the Princes Use And accordingly the 100000 Franks were paid upon sight of King Edwards Letters and so brought to the Prince who distributed all among his Souldiers One day as Prince Edward was in his Chamber in the City of Angoulesme together with certain Lords and Knights of England Poictou and Gascogne after many pleasant Discourses and Raileries and other Diversions they fell again to touch upon the Expedition then in hand and this was in that while that the Lord Chandos was gone to treat with the Earl of Foix and the Companions of which we spake but now At last the Prince turned his head toward the Lord of Albret and said My Lord of Albret with what number of Men of Arms can you furnish Vs in this Expedition Why Sir replied he if I desire my Friends I shall easily find you a Thousand Spears and yet leave enough at home to defend my Land. Well said the Prince that 's nobly spoken and so turning himself towards the Lord Thomas Felton and other Knights of England he continued in English By my Faith a Man ought to set a Value upon that Land where there are such Barons as can serve their Lord with a 1000 Spears apiece and so turning again to the Lord of Albret he said in Gascogne Sir I retain them all to do me service in this Expeditiou Sir said Albret in the Name of God I am well content and shall not fail It was necessary not to have omitted this seeming small Matter because even hence there afterward arose an occasion of great Mischief as we shall see anon XVII It may not here seem amiss to say something about those Companions who were either Friends to the Prince of Wales or retained for his Service These Men met with many Difficulties before they came into the Principality and at last were fain to part into three Companies The greatest of the Three went coasting Foix and Bearn the Second from Catalunna thrô Navarre and so toward Armagnac all with the Consent and by the Favour of the King of Navarre the Earl of Albret the Earl of Foix and the Earl of Armagnac In the third Company which consisted chiefly of Gascogners were about 3000 who for convenience of Forage were fain to divide themselves in lesser Numbers 300 or 400 in a Body and so having with much adoe passed thrô Aragon into Languedoc they continued their March toward the Bishoprick of Thoulouse till at last a part of them came to Montauban At that time the Seneschal of Tholouse was a French Knight named Sr. Guy Dazay who hearing that the Companions were making that way that they rode divided into small Companies and that in all they were not above 3000 and yet were very weary with Travel but ill armed indifferently horsed and worse ordered then he said how he would never suffer any such Fellows to come into the Parts of Tholouse nor into the Realm of France but rather God willing he would meet them by the way and fight them So he sent word of his Resolution to the Lord Amorry Earl of Narbonne to the Seneschals of Carcassone and of Beaucair and to all Knights Esquires and Officers thereabouts requiring their Aid to defend the Frontiers against these Villanous Companions Those to whom he sent made haste to shew their Compliance by coming as soon as might be to Tholouse so that in all they made up 500 Spears Knights and Esquires besides 4000 Others all who took the Field about Montauban which was seven Leagues from Tholouse and when they were all met under the Conduct of the Earl of Narbonne they encamped near the said City of Montauban which at that time was under the Prince of Aquitain and he had set there a Valiant English Captain named Sr. John Combes The French Lords presently upon their coming sent their Van-Currors to ride before Montauban hoping so to entice out the Companions a Party whereof he knew to be then within the Fortress but they had particular notice of the Numbers of the French and so this Plot was in vain Sr John Combes for his part wonder'd greatly when he saw the Frenchmen come thus with an Army into the Princes Lands and so demanded by an Herald if he might be permitted to speak freely with the Frenchmen who allowing thereof he asked them who sent them thither and for what reason they took upon them to invade the Lands of the Prince who was a good Friend and Neighbour to them and to the Realm of France Sir said they we have no Commission to return you any Answer But to satisfie you of our Reasons if you will either go or send to our chief Leaders they no doubt will know what to say to your Demand Well Gentlemen said the Captain then I desire you to procure me a safe Conduct whereby I may have assurance of going unto them and returning again without Impeachment or else let them send me word plainly by what Title they will make War against me for if I knew the Certainty I would send word thereof to my Lord the Prince who I question not will quickly apply a due Remedy The Marshals of the French Host promised to do thus much for the English Captain and so they returned and told all his Words to their General who presently granted a safe Conduct for Sr. John Combes and Six Eight or Ten to come along with him and sent it to Montauban Having got the Safe Conduct Sr. John left the City with Five more in his Company and went to the French Camp where he found the French Lords who expected him and had well consider'd what to say unto him After Salutation past on both sides Sr. John demanded of them for what Cause they had sent their Van-Currours up to his Fortress and came with such an Army before Montauban which they knew belonged to Prince Edward They told him how they intended not to invade any Person or to begin a War but that they were resolved to pursue their Enemies to destruction whereever they heard they should be Sirs said the Knight who are these
whom you call your Enemies and where are they In the Name of God said the Earl of Narbonne they are those Villanous Companions Robbers and Destroyers of the Country such as have ravaged about and wasted the Fair Realm of France without Law or Reason and they are now with you in Montauban And as for your part Sr. John if you were Courteous to your Friends and Neighbours you would not interest your self for such a sort of Rascals who spoil poor People without a Cause For such things oftentimes cause great and lasting Quarrels between many High Lords and Princes Therefore I pray thrust them out of your Fortress or else we cannot look upon you as a True Friend to the King of France or to his People My Lords answer'd the English Captain it is true there are some New-comers Men of War now in my Garrison but they were order'd to come thither by my Lord the Prince and are at this time by him retained for his Service Wherefore I shall not be so hasty to thrust them out of my Garrison And suppose heretofore these very Men have done you any displeasure yet I see not with what Justice you can come upon them now For they are Men of War and must live only as formerly they lived on the Realm of France now they are to be maintained by the Prince Then the Earl of Narbonne and Sr. Guy Dazay said hastily Yes yes we know they are Men of War and such as cannot live any where without Pillage and Robbery and such as have heretofore most barbarously ravaged our Country All which they shall dearly pay for if we can once meet with them in the Field for they have now lately since they have been retained by the Prince plunder'd rob'd burnt and done many bad Actions in the Marches of Tholouse whereof the grievous Complaints are come to our Ears So that if we should now wink at them we should be no better than false Traitors to the King our Sovereign Lord who hath placed us in these Parts to keep and defend this his Country from such Prollers as these are And pray tell them from Us that since we know where to find them we expect shortly to see them for if ever they stir out of your Garrison we will meet with them and then we shall oblige them to make us some amends or it shall cost us a little more This was all the Answer the Captain of Montauban could obtain wherefore he went back again to his Fortress extreamly displeased in his Mind and resolving for all their Threats not to alter his resolution of defending these Men as long as they would tarry with him And at his return he told unto them all the Words of their Enemies the Frenchmen When the Companions heard this News they began somewhat to doubt their Safety for being so few as they were they could not make Head against these Frenchmen however they were always ready and kept good Watch continually Now it chanced that five days after Sr. Perdiccas of Albret being to pass the way of Montauban with another considerable Body of the Companions for that was the best way to enter into the Principality sent word thereof to the Captain of the Town with whom he was well acquainted But when Sr. Robert Cheney and the Companions under him who were thus besieged by the Frenchmen heard these seasonable Tidings they were very glad and sent word privately to Sr. Perdiccas and his Men how the Frenchmen besieged them and had threatned them grievously and they also informed him who were their Captains and what Number they were When Perdiccas had received this particular account of his Enemies and Friends Condition he was not at all abashed but gather'd all his Men together and came and entred Montauban in the Night and was received with much joy by his Fellows and Sr. John Combes Then they all together took Counsel how to behave themselves and so 't was agreed that the next morning all the Companions only for the Captain of the City would by no means break the Peace should march out of the Town armed and go up to the Frenchmen and desire their leave to pass quietly but if they were denied then to put their Lives in their hands and endeavour to force their way This Resolution they put in practice for the next Morning they armed themselves sounded their Trumpets mounted their Horses and so began to march forth of Montauban The Frenchmen fell to Ranging themselves in the Field when first they heard the sounding of the Trumpets and the great noise made about Montauban so that these Companions had no way to pass forward but thrô the midst of them Therefore Sr. Perdiccas of Albret and Sr. Robert Cheney rode on before their Men and having obtained an Assurance went and spake with the Chief of their Leaders desiring That they would permit them being the Prince's Souldiers to pass by quietly as Friends But the French Lords answer'd How they desired not to hold any friendly Commerce or Communication with such Men as were Enemies to all Mankind protesting that they should never pass that way but with the Points of their Spears or Swords At this the two Captains retired unto their Men and the Frenchmen presently began their Cries and the Lords said aloud Advance Banners toward yonder Robbers and Pillagers who plunder all the World and live on the Sweat and Blood of other Men without all Law or Reason When the Companions saw that now it behoved them either to fight valiantly or to die with shame they alighted boldly from their Horses and ranged themselves on Foot before the Town of Montauban ready to receive their Enemies who also being ranged on Foot came now upon them Then the Archers began their Play and after that they all closed together and a strong and cruel Battle began and many a Feat of Arms was there performed and many a Knight laid along on the earth and the Fight was well maintain'd on both sides but the Frenchmen were at least Two to One. So that within a while they drove the Companions back into the Barriers which were held open for their Refuge by the Captains special Command And surely the Companions had been in no very good Case had it not been for the Captain of the Town for when he saw the Frenchmen presume to follow the Companions into his Town then he commanded all that could bear Arms to come forth and every Man to his Power to assist the Companions who were retained in the Service of their Lord the Prince Then the Townsmen and those of the Garrison armed and put themselves in Array and began to enter the Battle while the Women went into their Houses and ran up to the Battlements and Windows from whence they flang down upon the Frenchmen stones and pots of quick Lime so thick that they had enough to do to defend themselves with their Targets from Braining and some were slain
the Number of 10000 Horse and they passed the straights on the Monday with much adoe because the Ways were as yet unbeaten On the Tuesday Morning early the Prince of Wales began his March after them with King Don Pedro and Charles King of Navarre in his Company which latter was then newly come to the Prince the better to Countenance the Matter by so frank an Assurance of his Faith and he had also design'd to invite him to his City of Pampelona In this Battail was the Lord Thomas Felton Grand Seneschal of Aquitain with the Lord William Felton his Brother the Lord Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Sainctogne together with the Seneschal of Rochelle the Seneschal of Limousin the Seneschal of Agenois and the Seneschal of Bigorre the Lord Lewis of Harcourt the Vicount of Chastellerault the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton and all the Poictevins the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt Sr. Nele Loring the Prince's High-Chamberlain Sr. Richard Pontchardon Sr. Thomas Banister Sr. Dangouses Sr. Lewis and Sr. Edmund of Marville and the Lord of Pierre Buffierre in all to the Number of 4000 Men of Arms and this Battail also consisted of 10000 Horse but they had a very ill Passage by reason of the High Winds and of the Snow which fell that day to their great trouble and vexation However thorough they got and moved forward and pitch'd their Tents in the Country about Pampelona But the King of Navarre led the Prince and King Don Pedro into his City of Pampelona where he entertain'd them at a Royal Supper On the Wednesday there passed James King of Majorica the Earl of Armagnac and his Nephew the Lord Bernard de la Brett Earl of Albret the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Lord Oliver Clisson the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Carmaine the Lord of Comminges the Lord of Mucidan the Lord De l'Esparre the Lord of Coudon the Lord of Rozan Sr. Petiton of Coutras Sr. Emery de Carse the Lord de la Bard Sr. Bertram of Cande the Lord of Pincornet Sr. Thomas Winstanley Sr. Perdiccas de la Brett the Burgrave of Bretuel Nandon of Bergerac Bernard de la Salle Lortingo de la Salle Edmund Ortigo and the rest of the Companions to the Number of 10000 Horse and these had a pretty easie Passage in Comparison to those who went the Day before And when thus the whole Army had passed the Pirenean Mountains they spread abroad in the Country about Pampelona with the King of Navarre's leave and good liking to refresh themselves and their Horses Here they lay three days because they found the Land plentifull in Flesh Fish Bread Wine and other Provision both for their Beasts and Themselves But the Companions paid not always the full Price of things nor could they refrain from Robbing and Filching what they could get So that about Pampelona and in the way thither they greatly damnify'd those of the Country whereat the King of Navarre was very much displeased But it was too late then to think of Rectifying matters thô it often repented him that he had so freely open'd his Country to the Prince and his Men. For he plainly found that the Damage which he suffer'd thereby overway'd the Advantages granted to him by Don Pedro. But it was now no time to complain for he saw then he was not Master of his own Land. Complaints were daily brought in to him of the abuses and insolencies of the Companions at which he took a deep Resentment thô he forcedly repressed it for the present However he caused some of his Council such as were acquainted with the Captains of these Companions and had sometimes been with them in France Normandy or other places to desire them to abstain from robbing and abusing his Subjects after that manner and they promised to forbear for the future IV. The mean while King Henry the Bastard was fully enformed of the Prince's Passage for he had his Messengers and Spies going to and fro every where Wherefore he addressed himself to raise a mighty Force of Men of Arms and other Souldiers thereby to resist the Prince and Don Pedro his Brother And every day he expected the return of Sr. Bertram of Clequin with a considerable reinforcement out of Bretagne and France He had already sent forth his Special Summons thrô all his Realm commanding all Men on peril of Life Lands and Goods to come to him every One according to his Estate either on Foot or on Horseback to help to defend his Country Don Henry was well-beloved in General and the Castillians had ventur'd hard and taken much pains to bring him to the Possession of the Crown So that being all involved in his Guilt their Hands were strengthen'd to sustain his Quarrel Wherefore they obey'd him more readily and flock'd daily unto his Banners to St. Domingo de la Calzada a City of Castilla Vieja or old Castille to the Number of 60000 Horse and Foot all ready to live and die with him Wherefore when King Henry saw himself thus strong and heard how the Prince with his Army was now in the Realm of Navarre having passed the streights of Roncevaux and saw thereby that of necessity he must now fight the Prince being encouraged with the Numbers and Alacrity of his Men he seem'd to desire nothing more than to shew by his Valour how Worthy he was of that Condition to which he had been so lately Advanced He said aloud to his Lords about him Ha! Sirs this Prince of Wales is a Valiant Knight and because he shall know that this Realm is now mine and that I am ready and willing to fight with him for the Right which I have thereto I will let him know some part of my intent Then he caused his Secretary to write his Letters the Tenor whereof followeth viz. m Don Henrique por la-Gracia de Dios Rey de Castilla y Leon de Galizia de Câ—rdova de Murcia de Jaën del Algarve del Algezira de Gibraltar e Sennor de Viscaya e Mâ—lina c. HENRY by the Grace of God King of Castille and Leon of Galizia of Murcia of Jaën of Algarbe of Algezira of Gibralter and Lord of Biscay and of Molina to the Right-Puissant and Thrice-Honourable Lord EDWARD Prince of Wales and of Aquitain Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester Greeting It is given Us to understand that You and your Men have passed the Pirenean Mountains and are marching hitherward and that You have entred Covenant and Alliance with our Enemy and also thereupon Design to make War against Us. At all this We greatly wonder since to our knowledge We never trespassed against You nor ever had the least Intent so to do Wherefore then are You come thus against Us with so great an Army to take from Us that small Inheritance which God hath given Us You have We confess the Grace to be Fortunate in Arms above any Prince now living and We think You magnifie
e Frois c. 239. fol. 143. Fabian p. 250. M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 233. departed out of England with a Princely Equipage and set sail for France being received at Boulogne by several Persons of the Highest Quality and by them conducted to Paris At some distance from the City he was met by the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy and the Lord Ingleram of Coucy Earl of Bedford his Brother-in-Law who convey'd him to the Louvre to the Presence of the King of France his Lodgings being provided in the Kings own Palace The first day he din'd and supp'd with the King at his own Table the next day he dined with the Queen at another of the Kings Houses near St. Paul and having danced after dinner with the Ladies and passed his time in such Amorous Gallantries and Recreations as young Princes usually divert themselves with in presence of that agreeable Sex he was again by the two foresaid Dukes of Berry and Burgundy conducted back to the Louvre where he supped with the King that Night also On the day following the two Dukes entertain'd him in like Manner at One of their Houses named Artois in Paris and the Day after he dined and supp'd again with the Queen and on the next Day being a Thursday he took his leave of the King and Queen who gave unto him and to the Chief of the English Lords in his Company sundry Gifts to the Value of 20000 Florens And so he was convey'd as far as Sens in Champaigne by the Earl of Tancarville and other Noblemen and from thence to the utmost Bounds of France by Knights and Gentlemen of that Kingdom to whom at parting he gave several Rich Gifts with many thanks Having thus passed thrô France he came into Savoy where he was very kindly received at the City of Chambery by the Generous Earl of Savoy whose Sister the Lady Blanch was Wife to Galeas Duke of Milain and Mother to the Lady Violantis Prince Lionel's Espoused Lady Having tarried there three Days which were all spent in Magnificent Entertainments Balls and Dancing with the Ladies and Gentlewomen he took his leave and began to set forward the Earl himself bearing him Company to Milain Where he saw his Niece Daughter to Duke Galeas given in Marriage unto Prince Lionel in the Famous Cathedral of Milain on the 29 Day of May f Lit. Dom. B.A. Pasch 9. April being a Monday and the next day after the Festival of the Holy Trinity in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXVIII Duke Galeas in Honour of this his Son-in-Law g Paul. Jovins in Galeatio 2 do p. 152. ex co Stow p. 267. Sandford p. 220. is said to have spent such abundance of Treasure as seem'd to surpass the Magnificence of the most Wealthy Monarchs For not to mention all the Sumptuous Feasts Balls Justs and Tourneaments and other stately and divertive Spectacles set forth on this occasion nor to summ up the great and large Gifts which were given to the Lord Edward Spencer and more than 200 other English Gentlemen who came out of England to wait on the Prince the Marriage Feast alone was so extraordinary that We may by that Conjecture the Largeness of Duke Galeas his Soul the full satisfaction he had in this Match and the Abundance of his Coffers For in that One Feast where Francis Petrarch the Laureate Poet of Italy was present being for Honour of his Learning seated among the Guests of the Highest Quality there were above 30 Courses of service upon the Table and between every Course as many Presents of unusual Magnificence intermixed all which John Galeas the Duke's Son and Prince of the Chosen Youth that waited that day presented unto Prince Lionel as they were brought up to the Table In one Course were presented Seventy Good Horses richly Adorned and Caparizon'd with Silk and Embroider'd Furniture and in the other Courses came up Vessels of Silver Ger-Falcons Hounds Armour for Horses Costly Coats of Mail shining Breastplates of Massy Steel Corslets Helmets and Burganets adorned with High and Rich Crests and Plumes Surcoats embroider'd with costly Jewels Knights Girdles and lastly Pictures of Gold beset with Gems and Purple and Cloth of Gold for Mens Apparel in Great Abundance And such vast Provision was there at this Feast that the Meats which were brought from the Table would have plentifully sufficed 10000 Men. II. But while the Accomplished Young Prince lived with his New Lady after the Manner of his own Country in continual Sports and Revellings besides the more boistrous Exercise of Tourneaments as forgetting or not regarding his Change of Air and what Diet was most proper for the Italian Clime within Five Months after his Marriage he fell into a grievous Sickness in the City of Alba Pompeia now called Longeville in Italy in the Marquisate of Monferrato in Piedmont in the House of his Father in Law the Duke of Milain Whereupon perceiving his Disease to be Mortal by h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. Sandford p. 221. his Testament bearing Date there upon the Third of October 1368 he bequeathed his Body to be buried in England in the Convent Church of the Augustine-Fryars at Clare in Suffolk before the High-Altar and gave thereto a Black-suit with all the Appurtenances as also his Black Cloth Embroider'd To his Lady Violantis He bequeathed his Vestment with Gold Coronets and all that belonged thereto Item to Sr. John Bromwick Knight his Courser called Ger-Falcon to Dr. John Capell his Chaplain a Girdle of solid Gold therewith to make a Chalice in Memory of his Soul to Thomas Waleis the Circle of Gold wherewith his Brother the Black-Prince was created Prince and to Edmund More the Circle wherewith he himself had been created Duke that we may pass over the many other Great Legacies which he gave to the Lord Edward Spencer Thomas Newborne Esquire and others then attending him in Italy And so being at that time i Vid. Ashmole's Garter c. One of the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter he finally departed this Life k Sandford Dugd. ex Escaet 43. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 23 c. on the Vigil of St. Luke the Evangelist being a Tuesday and the 17 day of October the same Year not without suspicion of being * Knighton p. 2629 n. 50. poisoned by some subtle Italian trick to prevent that Glory which perhaps some Envy'd that he should attain He left behind him only One Daughter his Heir by Elizabeth his First Wife called Philippa then but l Sandford p. 222. 13 Years of Age and soon after given in Marriage to Edmund Mortimer the Third Earl of March of that Great Family from whom by the Mothers side came Edward the IV. Thô for the present he was deposited in the Chief Church of Pavia a City of Milain yet soon after according to his Testament his Body was brought over into England by Thomas Newborne
Incentive to Industry by beholding in him an Example to what Height of Eminence Preferment and Dignity Laborious Vertue can ascend thô little advantaged by Birth or external Splendour And also what an Excellent way those Men take as well of Instructing Posterity as of preserving and embalming their own Names to future Generations who by Charitably disposing of the Goods of Fortune toward the Advancement of Piety Learning and Good Manners treasure up unto themselves a Rich Reward both of Worldly Fame and of Eternal Glory But to return to our Purpose VI. While q Frois c. 245. thus Matters began apace to ripen towards a War the Prince of Wales who was fully resolv'd to come Personally to Paris in the Head of a Great Army the next Summer sent word to all the English Captains and Gascogners whom he knew his Friends to be ready by such a time to come to his Service and also to those Captains of the Companions who came out of Spain and were now about the River Loire he sent word that they should not leave those Parts because he expected very shortly to find Work for them of which News they were all very glad But so it was that this Great Soul which us'd so well to inform these Warlike Bodies began now to bend beneath his own Weight and bore about him a Mortal War of his own a certain Fatal Distemper which some r Du Chesne 〈◊〉 Walsingh sed nil tale apud Wals say was brought upon him by Charms and Incantations others that he contracted it first in Spain either by reason of the Infection of that Air or from some lingring Poison which 't is thought that Perfidious and Ungratefull Tyrant Don Pedro gave him for a Requital of that Crown to which he had restored him I know there are some who have not stuck to say that this Poison was given him by his Brother John of Gaunt so to make way for himself to come to the Crown But surely at that time when the Prince was last with John of Gaunt Prince Lionel an Elder Brother to John was alive and besides that the Prince had two Sons now living the said Lionel had a Daughter also all who were before him as to the Succession I cannot nor dare so readily admit Popular slanders against the Persons of such Noble Princes But however it was Prince Edward was by this time so reduced that he could hardly endure to ride on Horseback whereat his Men were extreamly cast down and his Enemies took the greater Courage For the French King was fully informed of his Distemper however it came and the Physicians and the Chirurgeons of France began already to pronounce boldly that the Prince was sick of an Incurable Dropsie VII Now when Sr. John Chapponeau and the Doctor were taken and arrested by the Seneschal of Agenois and Sr. William Molineaux and clap'd up in Prison as we shew'd before the Gascogne Lords upon whose account they suffer'd as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Cominges the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Carmain the Lord Bertram of Cande the Lord de la Barde and the Lord of Pincornet being now in their own Country and hearing of this Arrest of the Messengers took it in horrible Disdain for in their Name and for their cause were they sent Wherefore they all concluded to revenge it as soon as they might and to begin the War for they said so great an Affront was not to be suffer'd Within a while they understood how Sr. Thomas Wake the Seneschal of Rouvergue was to ride to Rodez the Chief City of that Province to strengthen his Fortress there and for that purpose on such a Day to come with 60 Spears from Agenois Upon this Information at the time appointed they laid an Ambush of 300 Spears to make sure of Sr. Thomas and his Company But of all this the Seneschal knew nothing so that at the expected time he came riding on with 60 Spears and 200 Archers till a little beyond Molieres he fell into the Ambush which suddenly brake out upon him and presently discomfited his Men most whereof were slain or taken but ſ Du Chesne p. 700. Du Chesne speaks too largely when he says that he and all his Men were cut in pieces For many of his People after the Civil Custom of those days were taken to Ransome and he t Frois c. 246. himself by the Goodness of his Horse escaped away alive and got to the Castle of Montauban and so the Gascogne Lords return'd home again for that time with their Prisoners The Prince of Wales was then at Angoulesme whither the News presently slew that his Seneschal of Rouvergue was discomfited by the Earl of Perigort and others who had occasion'd him so disgracefully to be summon'd into the Court of France He was highly displeased at the Report and sware that it should be dearly Revenged on those who had done him this signal Affront and on their Lands and People Then he wrote presently to the most Valiant Lord John Chandos who at that time resided in Coutantine at St. Saviour le Vicount commanding him immediately upon sight of his Letters to come unto him Sr. John Chandos who was always ready to obey where it was his Duty made all the Expedition imaginable and came to Angoulesme to the Prince who was very glad of his Arrival Soon after the Prince sent him with certain Troops of Men of Arms and Archers to reinforce the Garrison of Montauban and thence to make War upon the Gascogners and Frenchmen who dayly encreased and overran his Lands At his coming Sr. Thomas Wake left Montauban and went as before he had intended to Rodez and Victuall'd and New-fortified the City and Castle as also he did to the strong City and Castle of Millaud on the Tarne in the Marches of Mompellier in Languedoc and in all places where he saw most need he set good store of Archers and Men of Arms. The mean while the Lord John Chandos lay at Montauban to keep the Marches and Frontiers there against the French and with him were several other Great Lords and Captains such as the Prince had sent thither along with him namely the most Noble and Warlike Lord John de Greilly Captal of Busche the two Brethren of Pamiers Sr. John and Sr. Henry the Soldiche de L'Estarrac the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pons Lewis Earl of Harcourt the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton Sr. Richard of Pontchardon All which Lords and Knights made frequent Inroads into the Lands of the Earl of Armagnac and of the Lord of Albret who by Aid of other Lords of their Gang made shift to keep the Frontiers against them So that sometimes this side had the Advantage and sometimes the other as evermore the adventures of War are various VIII But all this while the subtle Duke of Anjou lay still at Tholouse and made not the least offer to
and the Chief of his Council were of Scipro's Opinion to carry away the War from their own Doors into their Enemies Country King Edward and his Son John Duke of Lancaster and all his Council were fully informed of this Design of the French Kings to come and fight with them in their own Land whereat they were all extream glad and 't was fully determin'd that they should have Battle as soon as ever they came And King Edward in order to receive them had well furnish'd all the Ports and Havens of the Sea respecting Ponthieu and Normandy to welcome them at their Landing And he had in readiness an Army of an 100000 Chosen Men which he himself design'd to lead against the French which though it was now disposed about in several Places could at a Days warning be brought together XIV And besides all this he sent over his Son John Duke of Lancaster to Calais to keep the French in play on that Side there being appointed to go with him Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex William Montague Earl of Salisbury the Lord Walter Manny Thomas Lord Roos the Lord Henry Percy Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton the Lord Michael de la Pole the Lord John Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Roger de la Warre Sr. Thomas Grandison Sr. Alan Boxhull Sr. Richard Sterry and divers others to the Number of 500 Men of Arms and 500 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen These Lords and Captains when all things were ready went on board at Dover and crossing the Seas arrived safely at the strong Town of Calais where they landed and took up their Lodging within the Town A little before King Edward had sent his Special Letters to the Lord Robert of Namur who p Vidd 2. c. 6. §. 10 p. §. 399. entred into his Service and Pay at the Siege of Calais and had ever since continued Faithfull to the Interest of England desiring him to come now and serve him in his Wars with a certain Number of Men of Arms. Sr. Robert then answer'd that he would be ready in whatever it should please his Majesty to command as soon as he should understand that either the King Himself or any of his Sons should either arrive at Calais or appear in the Field to War against France And accordingly now that he heard of the Duke of Lancasters Arrival at Calais he made his Summons among his Friends and Dependants and others whose Service he expected and shortly after came and joyned the Duke with 300 Men of Arms as we shall see by and by XV. It may be remembred q Frois c. 262. f. 158. how after that the Herald Chandos had declared the Prince's Pleasure to the Lord Chandos and the other Lords of England and Gascogne they all returned to Angoulesme to the Prince and that a little before their Coming the Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke were returned thither also after they had won the Fortress of Bourdeilles The Prince highly caressed and feasted them but this was not the Design he had called them back for He remembred that in the lower Poicton toward the Parts of Anjou beyond Lusson and Marevil there was a fair and strong Castle belonging at that time to the Duke of Anjou called la Roche sur You and so he sent these Lords and Captains forth to take in that They were all ready immediately and being rendezvous'd in the Field amounted to more than 3000 Spears among whom were the Principal Lords and Knights of England and Poictou as the Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke the Lord John Chandos the Lord James Audley Seneschal of Poictou the Lord Thomas Percy Seneschal of Rochelle the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Lord John Montagu the Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay the Lord Lewis of Harcourt Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Maubrion of Linieres the Lord of Taniboton the Lord of Pinant and divers Others all who rode forth and came suddenly and sat down before the Castle of Roche sur Yon which was not only naturally very strong but also well provided at that time with all things necessary for a long Defence as Valiant Men Victuals and Artillery The Captain of the Place was one Sr. John Blondeau set there by the Duke of Anjou who allowed him a sufficient Number of Men of War at his own Costs and Charges The English Forces planted themselves in very good Order round about the Castle and caused to be brought from the City of Thoüars and Poictiers several great Engines of Battery and other Guns and Springals wherewith they began to play against the Castle And as for Provision their Camp was abundantly supplied from Poictou and the Marches adjoyning When S◠John Blondeau saw how closely he was besieged by an Army of expert Men of War and that there was no Succour like to come to him from any Part he began to be afraid For he knew the Lords of England intended not to rise till either by Force or otherwise they should be Masters of the Place And besides there were in the Retinue of the Earl of Cambridge and of the Lord John Chandos several Knights of the Captains Acquaintance who had been heretofore in some Exploits with him some of these by Order of Council went to the Barriers and upon mutual Security obtained to speak with him At which time they handled him so cunningly for he was not Subtle thô Valiant and True enough that he agreed to render up the Castle if he should not be relieved within the space of one Month he to have 6000 Franks paid him in consideration of the Provisions and Amunition within the Castle the Besiegers not to offer them any Violence during the said Term. After this Treaty the Captain sent to the Duke of Anjou to inform him of the Matter and to require his speedy Aid also he sent to the French King and the Duke of Berry and to all others from whom he expected any Succour that either so he might save the Castle or at least be able to excuse himself if he should perchance incur any Blame afterward But for all this warning that he gave and that the Castle was fair and strong and well worth contending for it standing very conveniently if in the Frenchmens hands for the Defence of the Marches of Anjou and Tourain yet there was not the least appearance of any Succour so that at last the Month being elapsed the English Lords put the Captain in mind of his Promise for the performance whereof he had also delivered sufficient Hostages Then the Captain told his Men that since the French King and the Duke of Anjou would thus willingly lose their Fortress it could not be expected that they should keep it alone any longer And so by the Consent of the Garrison he yielded up the Place to the Earl of Cambridge who presently took Possession for the Prince his Brother and very gladly paid to the Captain the
6000 Franks for such Provision and Goods as were left in the Castle So Sr. John Blondeau marched away with his Men to Angiers where as soon as he came thither he was arrested by the Governor of the City and clapt up close Prisoner in the Castle And 't is said that soon after he was one Night sow'd up in a Sack and flung into the River by the strict Command of the Duke of Anjou because he took Gold and Silver for his Castle which said he was able of it self to have held out an whole Year if need had been XVI However when the English Lords had thus received the strong Castle of Roche sur Yon toward the Limits of Anjou they set there a good Garrison and repaired what was out of Order and then went back to Angoulesme to the Prince and some took their leave of him for a while and retired to their own Houses Among others 't is said r Frois c. 260. c. that the most Valiant Lord James Audley Seneschal of Poictou going into fresh Quarters at Fontenay le Comte fell there sick and shortly after died to the great Regret of the Prince and Princess and all the Loyal Barons of Poictou And that his Obsequies were performed in the City of Poictiers the Prince Himself being present But this was a Mistake of Froisard's which yet he might easily fall into because indeed his Son Sr. ſ Ashmole p. 706. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 750. ex Lab in Offic. Principal Cantuar vecat Countney f. 121. b. James Audley died in Gascogne at this time upon which the Lord James Audley the Father with the Prince's leave retired into England where he lived many Years after and departed this Life not till the 73 Year of his Age namely on the first Day of April Anno Dom. 1386. which was the Ninth of Richard the Second having a little before made his Will at Heligh Castle wherein he appointed his Body to buried in the Choir of his Abbey at Hilton before the High Altar in case he should die in the Marches but if in Devonshire o◠Somersetshire then in the Choir of the Fryers-Preachers at Excester before the High Altar However Poictou being thus by his Absence thô not by his Death deprived of her Grand Seneschal at the Request of all the Barons and Knights of that Country the no less Valiant Lord John Chandos at that time Constable of Aquitaine t Frois c. 262. f. 169. b. was now by the Black-Prince made Seneschal of Poictou and so he went forthwith and resided in the City of Poictiers and made many journeys against the Frenchmen and held them so short that they durst not ride near those parts but in great Bodies together XVII About this time the Vicount of Rochechoüart whom the Prince had for some Weeks held in Prison at the Request of his Friends in Poictou and others of the Prince's Council was set at liberty again and restored to all his Lands But whether he was all along false at bottom or whether the Prince's suspecting of him had exasperated him to that which else he had not thought on so it was that immediately upon his Delivery he went secretly to Paris to the French King and became his Liegeman and so returned into his own Country without the least notice taken that he had been at Paris But now having set all things in Order and placed Sr. Tibald du Pont a Valiant Breton in his Fortress he presently sent and defy'd the Prince of Wales and began to make War upon him XVIII This while John Duke of Lancaster the Prince's Brother having u Frois c. 263 c. well refreshed himself and his Men at Calais thought not to lie idle there any longer but rather to ride abroad and seek for some adventures in France So one day he left Calais with 300 Spears and as many Archers in his Company and passed by the Castle of Guisnes and rode beyond Ardres till he came to the Abbey of Liques where he found much prey and brought it away to Calais Another day he took the way towards Boulogne and destroy'd all the Plain Country thô at the same time Guy Earl of St. Paul and his Son the Lord Valeran lay within 8 Leagues of Boulogne in the City of Terouenne with a competent Number of Men of War But he stirred not althô he heard the English were abroad for he thought himself unable to deal with them at that time The News soon flew to the French King who was then at Rouën taking Care of the Armada which he was in all haste fitting forth to send against England as We said before how the Duke of Lancaster was come to Calais with a Mighty Power and how he made incursions daily into the French Pale At this sudden Alarum all his former Measures were broken and thô it had been Decreed by him and his Council that the Duke of Burgundy should as that very Week set sail for England now after some debate upon the Matter it was concluded how that Expedition should be laid aside for the Present and all the Men of War design'd for the Fleet should be led by the Duke of Burgundy toward Calais to resist the Duke of Lancaster who was then on that side the Sea. Wherefore soon after the Duke of Burgundy marched thence with all his Army taking his way toward the River Somme which he passed at Abbeville and so by several journeys he went to Montrevil and there and about Hesdin and St. Paul he staid for those that were behind XIX The Duke of Lancaster when he heard how the Duke of Burgundy was coming towards him was exceeding glad and began to march out of Calais with all his own Forces with design to meet him and encamped on the Mountain of Tournehan between Ardres and St. Omers Where he had been not passing a day but thither came x Frois ibid. to him the Noble and Valiant Knight Sr. Robert of Namur to joyn him with 300 Spears The Duke of Lancaster was very glad to see him and said unto him among other things My Dear Uncle You are heartily Welcome and Sir rejoyce with us for I hear for certain that the Duke of Burgundy comes on apace to fight us so that We shall not miss of Deeds of Arms. Sr. Robert reply'd Be it so Sir in the Name of God We would gladly look him in the Face Thus the English Army lay encamped on the Mountain and about the Vale of Tournehan having entrenched themselves strongly and fortify'd their Camp with Hedges and Ditches so that their Post was very advantageous and their Currours overran the County of Guisnes and the Sovereignty of Ardres for forage and what else they could get but they found little for all the plain Country had been destroy'd before and all things profitable convey'd into Places of strength Wherefore daily there came unto them Victuals and other Provision from Calais Soon after the
together toward la Haye en Touraine Chandos the Herald went on this Message and found the Young Earl at Mortaigne who had indeed already made his Musters but with intent to undertake as he was before advised an Expedition by himself so to win the more Honour Wherefore again he excus'd himself to the Herald saying how as then he could not by any means wait upon the Lord Chandos because he had engag'd himself another way The Herald return'd with this Answer to Chastelleraut where he found his Lord Sr. John Chandos and related to him the Earls excuse from point to point Sr. John was exceedingly displeased in his Mind when he heard what News his Herald had brought him For he concluded that it was an effect of ill Consequence to the Affairs of the Prince his Master and that it proceeded from Envy or Presumption both which are Enemies to the Publique Good in Matters relating to the Concern of a Common-Weal So he only said Well then in Gods Name be it so If a Man of Honour can be byass'd from his Countries Good by private Designs And therewithall he dismist the Greater part of his Troops and went with the rest to the City of Poictiers The Effects of this trespass upon Discipline We shall see immediately XXI Now d Frois c. 265. fol. 159. when the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke heard how the Lord Chandos had discharged the Major part of his Forces and was returned to the City of Poictiers then he thought it high time for him to go abroad in quest of Honour and so he marched forth of Mortagne with 300 Spears English and Poictevins and some other Knights of England Poictou and Sainctogne who had lately been with the Lord Chandos With these Troops he passed thrô Poictou taking the same way which the Lord Chandos had done before and burnt and ravaged about in the Country of Anjou taking for Prize all that was left and so he also tarried a while in the Land of Loudunois and from thence he went into the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart where he did many severe Acts of Hostility Now the French Captains who lay in Garrison on the Marches of Touraine Anjou and Poictou were well informed both of the Lord Chandos his Expedition and also of this of the Earl of Pembroke and moreover they understood how the Earl who was but a very Young Man not exceeding one and twenty Years of Age had thrô meer Presumption and Folly disdain'd to go forth in the Company of the Lord John Chandos Wherefore they endeavour'd to snap him if they might and determin'd whatever should happen to encounter with him for at best they reckon'd him much more easie to deal with than the Lord Chandos Accordingly having privately made their Musters consisting of a certain Quota from every Garrison they went secretly one Night from La Roche Pozay in Touraine just on the limits of Poictou under the Command of Lewis of Sancerre Marshal of France with whom were Sr. Robert of Sancerre his Brother Sr. John de Vienne Sr. John Bull Sr. William Bourde Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton to the Number of 700 Fighting Men. The Earl of Pembroke had by this time ended his Expedition and was returning home again having already entred Poictou after he had ravaged without Controll in the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart He had in his Company the Lord Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Sainctogne Sr. Neale Loring Sr. Thomas Spencer Sr. Thomas Piercy Sr. Dangouses Sr. John Harpedon Sr. James of Surgieres Sr. John Cousins Sr. Thomas of St. Alban Sr. Robert Twiford Sr. John Montagu Sr. Simon Ausagne Sr. John Touchet and many more Gentlemen of England and Poictou The Earl and his Men rode homeward without any suspicion having not had the least Intelligence of any Men of War stirring abroad at that time and in this Security with great Prey and Booty they enter'd the Bounds of Poictou On a e Frois c. 265. Du Chesne p. 702. day the Earl and his Men rode into a certain Village called Puirenon about High-Noon where they intended to Dine and began to mark out their Quarters and their Valets set up their Horses and others were busie in providing their Dinner when suddenly the Frenchmen who knew well enough what to do came galloping into the Town with their Spears in their Rests and crying out Our Lady of Sancerre for the Marshal of France And therewith they beat down the Englishmen on all hands in the streets and in the Houses wherefore there arose a great noise whereat the Earl of Pembroke and his Men were all amazed for they were suddenly taken When the Earl Sr. Baldwin Frevile and Sr. Thomas Piercy with the other Knights heard how the French were come and assailed their Men they drew forth of their Lodgings blew their Trumpets and unfolded their Banners hoping to bring their Troops together into Order But it was too late the French had intercepted many and slain more and disturbed all the rest so that at the first brunt there were taken and slain more than sixscore Wherefore the Earl's last shift was to withdraw as soon as he might with those Men he had left which were not above 200 beside all the Chief Officers into a place belonging to the Temple enclosed with High Stone Walls Hither they convey'd themselves and their Horses as many as they could recover and immediately prepared to defend the place with all their Power and barr'd up the Gates and gather'd together huge Stones and so set themselves in the best posture they might devise The mean while all those who were found in the Town were either taken or slain and most part of their Horses and Armour and all the Earl of Pembroke's Jewels Riches and Baggage were won Word was brought to the Frenchmen that the Earl himself and the residue of his Men were got together in a kind of a Church-yard at which News they were well pleas'd for they knew the place was not impregnable Some of them said in jest Let Us give them a little time to choose out their own Graves and after Dinner we 'll come and see how they fit them But the Chief Captains said Let Us go to 'um presently they are all our own they can no ways escape our Hands Now they shall pay dearly for all the Damages they have done Us in Touraine and Anjou And so they came in good Array to the Place and began to Assault it with great Vigour every where round about being all Men that wanted neither Skill nor Courage The Earl of Pembroke and his Men did their utmost to defend themselves so that no Men living could do better The Frenchmen had certain scaling Ladders by Chance with them upon which some of them adventur'd to mount the Wall with their Shields over their Heads for fear of shot and casting of stones But when they were up they were so hotly received
signified nothing Sr. Lewis of St. Julian who kept it had ever such a strict eye over it that he frustrated all his Designs intended against it For he knew that the Loss of that Place vext the Lord Chandos at the Heart and he defired by keeping it carefully to vex him if possible yet more It happen'd at last that Sr. John Chandos sent secretly his Summons to several Barons Knights and Esquires of England and Poicton to come as closely as they might to the City of Poictiers unto him as on the last Day of December or the Night before the First of January enjoyning them by no means to fail but to come ready provided at the time appointed with all the secresie imaginable for he designed to ride out some whither None of those to whom he sent fail'd him in the least for besides the Service they ow'd unto him as Seneschal they all lov'd him entirely and so came in secret manner to the City of Poictiers that they were there all ready at the limited time The Chief of these Lords were Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Lewis of Harcourt the Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton Sr. Moubron de Linieres Sr. Baldwin Frevile Sr. Thomas Percy Sr. Richard Pontchardon and others who made up in all 300 Spears With these the Lord Chandos began when it was dark to march from Poictiers whither no Man living knew except certain of his Council who had provided scaling Ladders Being come to St. Salvin about Midnight they alighted gave their Horses to their Valets and so entred the Dike which was then hard frozen But at that instant they heard the Watch-Horn blow the Occasion whereof was that Carlonet the Breton being come from his Garrison at la Roche Pozay with 40 Spears in his Company called just then at St. Salvin to speak with the Captain Sr. Lewis of St. Julian with Design to get him to ride out along with him into Poictou to seek some Adventure And therefore he now raised the Watchman which made him sound the Horn. But the Englishmen who were on the other side of the Fortress ready to scale the Walls hearing the Watch blow and a great Noise in the Place presently concluded they were discover'd For not knowing the true Reason they believed the Horn blew upon their Account Thus by a small Mistake the Lord Chandos lost the fittest Opportunity in the World of accomplishing his Design and shortly after Himself too as we shall see by and by Hereupon the English drew back again out of the Dike saying Let us go hence for this Night for our Design is discover'd and therewithall they remounted their Horses and returned altogether to Chauvigny on the River Vienne about three leagues from St. Salvin Here the Poictevins demanded of the Lord John Chandos whether he had any further Service to command them or no He answer'd Gentlemen since the Design I came about is dash'd You may e'n go home again in the Name of God when you please But as for the Remainder of this Day here I think to tarry in this Town Upon this there left him what with Knights of Poictou and of England about 200 Men of Arms but the Lord Chandos went into an House and called for a Good fire having Sr. Thomas Percy in his Company When Sr. Thomas saw my Lords Humour he said unto him Sir are you resolv'd to tarry here all this Day Yes truly said he why do you ask Because Sir said he my desire is if you think not to stir abroad your Self that you would give me leave and I will ride some way or other with my Company to see if I can find any Adventure Go your way Sir in the Name of God said the Lord Chandos here I intend to tarry So Sr. Thomas went away with 30 Spears more in his Company and refusing to pass the Bridge at Chauvigny took the great Road that lead to Lussac in order to leave a larger scope for Adventures But the Lord John Chandos tarried still behind full of Displeasure that he had fail'd of his Design and all the while he stood in a Kitchen with his Hands behind him warming himself at the Fire his Servants jesting and rallying upon one another in his Presence thereby to bring him out of that fit of Melancholy Presently some of his Servants who had made ready a Pallat for him to lie upon came unto him asking if he would please to lie down a little He demanded of them if it was Day yet At which instant there came in One who told him he had brought News What is that said Sr. John let us know Sir said he for certain the Frenchmen are now abroad How know you that Sir I came from St. Salvin with them Which way are they ridden Sir they took the way down toward Lussac What Frenchmen are they can you tell me Sir their Captains are Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton Well said Sr. John I care not I am not minded to stir this Morning they may perhaps be encountred althô I am not there Hitherto he seem'd to contend with and to have the upper hand too of his Destiny which was now hasting on apace and laid all these Temptations in his way to draw him out against the Fatal Hour Thus for a while he tarried still in the Kitchen deeply musing with himself at last his Evil Genius prevailing when he thought he had well advised he pitched upon the most pernicious Resolution and said Gentlemen whatever I told you before I now think it best to ride abroad For I must return to Poictiers and anon it will be day The Knights about him said that was true and then he commanded them all to make ready for he was now resolved to ride abroad So they mounted their Horses and left Chauvigny coasting the River so to return to Poictiers by the Bridge of Lussac At that same time the Frenchmen were not past a league before them in the same way designing to pass the River of Vienne at the same Bridge and so to march further into Poictou The Lord Chandos knew he was in the Track of the Frenchmen for the French Horses neighed because of the English Horses which went before them with Sr. Thomas Percy And in the open Fields so early in a Morning by help of the Wind the Noise of Horses may well be heard a League It was presently fair Day light for in the beginning of January the Mornings soon break wherefore the Frenchmen who knew nothing of the Lord Chandos his being in their Reer when they were now within less than a league of the Bridge espied Sr. Thomas Percy and his Men on the other side the Bridge and he also perceived how they came after him apace With that he rode back again as fast as he could to get the advantage of the Bridge because he saw the Frenchmen outnumbred him When Sr. Lewis of
and elsewhere to fight against the Pagans in which employment he spent several Years At the same time that the foresaid Lord of Pamiers was apprehended there were several others taken up on Suspicion of being concerned in the same Matter as Sr. John du Plessac S. Peter of Landuras and Sr. Bertram de la France who lay in Prison at Bourdeaux in great Danger thô at last by endeavours of their Friends and because nothing could be clearly made out against them they were deliver'd There ran about also a Report as if Sr. Galiard de Vignier was not free from this Treason which made People wonder much because the said Knight was then in Lombardy with the Lord of Coucy in the Service of the Church Wherefore the Pope himself afterwards excused him and so he had his Lands and Possessions continued unto him And thus jealousies and heart-burnings arose between the Prince and his Subjects and there were not wanting Evil Men to enflame Matters further Thô still there remain'd a few Genuine Sons of Honour who could not by any Arts be prevail'd upon to relinquish their old Friends the English Particularly the Lord John p Frois c. 271. de Bourbon who held part of his Lands of the Prince and had rendred him Homage therefore came upon some occasion to Paris about this time where the subtle King ply'd him with all the Arguments imaginable to make him renounce his Fealty to the Prince but this generous young Earl of Marche absolutely rejected the motion telling him that if there was no Religion a Gentleman ought to keep his Faith and Promise Of a like steady temper was another great Baron of Limosin namely the Lord of Pierre Buffierre who being then also at Paris was urged by the King to fall off from the Prince but he would by no means agree thereto But there were two other considerable Barons of Limosin who knew not how to imitate the Fidelity and Honour of those Men for they with a little tampering quitted the Prince and embraced the French King's interest their Names were Lewis Lord of Maleval and the Lord Raymund of Marvejols his Nephew who soon after began to make Bloody War upon the English from their Garrisons Whereat the King of England and his Council were extreamly displeased especially because now many Barons began to fall off only out of Wantonness and Desire of Change without the least provocation given either by his Son the Prince or Him Whereupon King Edward was advised to write Covert Letters sealed with his Seal to be convey'd by two or three of his Knights into Poictou and Aquitaine and there to be made publick in the Cities Castles and Good Towns thereabouts The mean while the Prince of Wales deliver'd out of the Prison in Agen Sr. John Champoneau the Knight who brought him the Letters of Summons from King Charles in exchange for a Knight of his called Sr. Thomas Banister who q Ashmole's Garter Plate 55. bare in a Field Argent a Cross Pateé Sable and had been taken a little before in a Skirmish in Perigort But the Doctor that came with him remained still in Prison at Agen till Sr. John his fellow-sufferer had upon his return into France collected his Ransom But since We spake of King Edward's Letters we shall here set down the Copy of them wherein we shall see that He prudently forbears the Title of France lest he might seem while he went about to compose Matters to give occasion of widening the Breach and also thereby to lessen King Charles his jealousie who already had too fast hold of those Gascogne Lords and be sure would never let them go while he despair'd of an accommodation himself The Tenor of his Letters ran thus viz. r Extat in Originali Frois Gall. fol. 226. Du Chesne p. 704. Anglicè Frois c. 272. III. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and of Aquitain to all those who shall see or hear these present Letters Know you that considering and regarding the Business of the Bounds Marches and Limitations of our Seignory of Aquitain stretching from end to end We have been enformed of certain Troubles Grievances and Molestations done or supposed to be done by our Right Dear Son the Prince of Wales in the said Countries Wherefore being obliged and desirous to withstand and remedy all things relating to evil Surmises Hates or Contentions between Us and our Loyal Friends and Subjects We do by these Presents announce and pronounce certifie and ratifie that of our meer Good Will and by great Deliberation of our Council of that purpose called We will and command that our Right Dear Son the Prince of Wales forbear and remit all manner of Actions done or to be done and do restore again to all such as have been grieved or molested by Him or by any of his Subjects or Officers in Aquitain all their Costs Expences and Dammages leavied or to be leavied in the name of the said Exactions Aids or Fouages And if any of our true Subjects and Friends as well Prelates as other Men of Holy Church Universities Colleges Bishops Earls Vicounts Barons Knights Commonalties and Inhabitants of Cities and Good Towns be turned to keep and uphold by evil Information and rash Advice the Opinion of our Adversary the French King We pardon them that their Trespass on Condition that these Letters once seen they return to Us or within a Month after And We desire all our Loyal and True Friends to continue still in the state they now are that as concerning their Faith and Homage they incurr no Reproach the which thing would greatly displease Us and we should see it very unwillingly And if against our Dear Son the Prince or against any of his Men they make any lawfull Complaint that in any thing they are grieved and oppressed or have been in time past We shall cause them to have amends so as of reason it may suffice to the intent to nourish Peace Love Concord and Unity between Us and those of the Marches and Limitations aforesaid And to the end that all Men should be satisfied of the Truth of the Premises We will that every Man take and have a Copy of these Presents the which We have solemnly sworn to keep and maintain upon the Body of our Lord JESVS CHRIST there being present our Right Dear Son John Duke of Lancaster William Earl of Salisbury the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Hereford Walter of Manny the Lord Percy the Lord Neville the Lord Bourchier the Lord Stafford Richard of Pemburge Roger Beauchamp Guy Brian the Lord Mohun the Lord de la Warre Allan Boxhull and Richard Sterry Knights Given at our Palace of Westminster in the Fourty Fourth Year of our Reign the fifth Day of November These Letters were sent from the King of England into the Principality and Dutchy of Aquitain and notified and published all about And Copies thereof were secretly convey'd to
Prince of Wales so much values and had so greatly fortify'd This Resolution was put in practice and the Duke at the request of the Bishop having left in Garrison Sr. John Villemur Sr. Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort Esquire with an 100 Men of Arms and others went himself into Berry the Duke of Bourbon into Bourbonnois and the other Lords of the farther Marches into their several Countries Only Sr. Bertram of Clequin remain'd still in the parts of Limosin with two Hundred Spears to keep the Castles of the Lord of Maleval who had newly revolted to the French. XVIII News came presently to the Prince of Wales that his City of Limoges had revolted from him and that the Bishop of the said Place who had been Godfather to his Eldest Son Edward and in whom he had reposed much Confidence was chiefly concern'd in the Treason The Prince was horribly incensed at this Falshood of the Bishop and never after so entirely respected Men of the Clergy as he had done all his Life before However first f Walsing hist p. 180 n. 30 40. he sent his Heralds unto the Inhabitants of Limoges commanding them to yield unto him and to return to their Duty acknowledging their fault before it should be too late But they finding themselves encompassed with strong Walls and Fortifications abundantly supply'd with Victuals and back'd with a strong Garrison valued not the Prince's Summons Whose Obstinacy when the Prince understood he sent once more unto them denouncing this Judgement against them That if they did not presently submit unto him and turn out the French Garrison and deliver unto him the Traytors he would surely come against them in Person rase their City to the Ground and put to the Sword their Men Women and Children even all whom he should find therein But for all this the Ignorant Vulgar being deceived by their Captains High Words and their own vain Confidence did not only refuse to take this Message into Consideration but affronted his Messengers and fortify'd their City yet more strongly against him Then at last the incensed Prince g Frois c. 280 c. sware by the Soul of his Father which was the most Solemn Oath he ever us'd that he would recover that City again and take Vengeance on those Insolent Rebels and make all the Traytors pay dearly for their Falshood So he went from Cognac hastily with 1200 Spears Knights and Esquires in his Company One Thousand Archers on Horseback and a Thousand Archers on Foot with his Brethren the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke the Lord Thomas Piercy the Lord Thomas Ros of Hamlake the Lord William Beauchamp the Lord Michael de la Pole the Lord Baldwin Frevile the Lord John Devereux the Lord Hugh Meinill Sr. Simon Burley Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Stephen Cossington Sr. Richard Pontchardon Sr. Dangouses Sr. Percival Collins all Englishmen besides these Great Captains Gascogners Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Lewis of Harcourt the Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton the Lord of Monferrand the Lord of Chaumont the Lord of Landuras Sr. Emery of Chartres the Lord of Pamiers the Lord of Mucidan the Lord de l'Esparre the Soldiche de l'Estarrac the Lord of Garonne all Poictevins and Gascogners together with Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt of Hainalt and the Captains of the Companions as Sr. Perdiccas of Albret Nandon of Bergerac the Bourg de l'Esparre the Bourg of Bartuel Batiller Espiot Bernard Wisk and Bernard de la Salle When the Black-Prince began to March with this Army of Expert Men all the Country trembled before him but He himself was so sore in his Limbs that he could not endure to ride on Horseback but was carried in an open Chariot taking the direct way to Limoges Being come before the Place he began to invest it round and sware he would never rise thence till he had it at his Mercy The Bishop and the Chief Burgesses who had yielded the Town to the French began now to Repent of their Treason but 't was too late for they were no longer Masters of the Town the French Garrison held them under Sr. John Villemur Sr. Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort who were Captains of the City and Men of Exalted Courage and Skill in Arms did all they could to hearten their Men and the Inhabitants who most of all dreaded the Anger of the Incensed Prince Sirs said they be not at all daunted We are strong enough to hold out against the Prince and all his Power 'T was He himself that fortify'd this City So that by Assault He can never hurt Vs We are so well defended and also sufficiently furnish'd with Artillery to offend the Assailants And then We have Provision enough to hold out all the next Winter by which time He will find it but cold Lodging in the Field The Prince and his Marshals who knew well the strength of the City and were fully informed what Souldiers were within concluded that it would be to little purpose to Storm the Place and so they Resolv'd on another way namely to undermine the Walls Accordingly the Prince set his Pioneers of whom he had the best in the World with him on work about which they fell briskly The Captains within perceived or at least guessed that they were undermin'd and so they began to make Ditches and to countermine hoping to disappoint the Prince that way But here we shall leave the Prince at his Siege for a while and return to Sr. Robert Knolles whom we left on his journey to Paris XIX Now this mean while Sr. Robert Knolles had pass'd with his Army thrô Artois Picardy Vermandois the Archbishoprick of Laon the Archbishoprick of Rheims and Champaigne whence he turned back into Brie and so came before the Great City of Paris to try if thus he might engage the Frenchmen to a Battle And here he lay a Day and two Nights the French King himself being at that time within the City who might easily see from his Palace of St. Paul the Huge Fires and Smoaks which the English made about in Gastenois There was then with the King in Paris a considerable Army consisting besides the Common Souldiers of Knights Esquires and other Valiant Gentlemen of France under the Command of these Captains of Name Sr. Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and the Earl of St. Paul newly come thither the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Salebruce the Vicount of Meaux Sr. Ralph de Coucy the Seneschal of Hainalt Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. John de Vienne the Lord Oliver Clisson the Lord de la Riviere the Lord de Chasteau St. Julian the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Crespy the Lord of Chauny Sr. Angerant Dourdan and others but not one Man offer'd to come out against the English for the King would by no means permit any such thing And indeed
all the Props that were under the Wall and so by the time appointed the full Effect was wrought as was expected and there fell down a great Pain of Wall of near 30 Foot in length into the Ditch and so fill'd it up Immediately the English Footmen who stood ready ranged in the Field over against the Place gave a Shout and streight enter'd the Breach and ran directly to the Gates and beat them down with Axes and the Barriers also for there was no sufficient Resistance made the thing was done so unexpectedly Then the Prince of Wales high-mounted in his Chariot rode in at the Gates with his Guard of Partizans and Archers on Foot. With him went the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Cambridge the Earl of Pembroke Sr. Guischard Dangle and the other Lords with their Retinues of Men of Arms after whom follow'd a Party of the Infantry chosen out of every Troop ready to plunder the City and to slay Men Women and Children for so they were commanded by the Angry Prince Three Troops of Men of Arms and Archers stood at the Gates and as many at the Breach and a third Part of the Army remain'd in the Camp So that it was impossible for any Soul to escape out of the City Surely at such a time War is drest up in his most Dreadfull Habiliments and that Heart must be very strongly bair'd against all access of Pitty which would not relent at the sight when Men Women and Children with Hands and Eyes lifted up flang themselves upon their Knees before the Enraged Prince to entreat for Mercy But he was so immeasurably inflam'd with Anger at the false Treachery of the Frenchmen and at their insolent Obstinacy when he summon'd them to return to their Duty that now he would take no Notice of any of those wretched Objects So that his Footmen with their Halberts and Poleaxes dash'd out the Brains of all they met with and all manner of People were put to Death without any Distinction whether armed or naked opponent or suppliant even those that had never done any Treason or other sin of their own Nay there was so little regard to those poor Innocent Souls who could have no share in the Guilt that they had yet a greater share in the Punishment than those Persons of Higher Degree who had been chiefly concerned in the Offence But if ever Justice is blind much more is she so when she commits her Sword into the hands of War and Fury 'T was a Dismal slaughter and able to draw tears of Blood from the Hardest Heart if ever the least Pulse of Religion or Humanity had beat therein For that Day in the City of Limoges before the Prince put a stop to the slaughter there were slain and beheaded besides the Souldiers and Men of War more than k Mezeray 2 Part. 3 Tâ—m p. 87. 4000 Men Women and Children most of whom may well be supposed to have had no share in the Offence against the Prince but they suffer'd for the sins of others As thus the Prince entred the City there was dispatch'd a Troop of English to the Bishops Palace where they found the Bishop himself who had been the Occasion of all this Mischief Him they immediately carried before the Prince who beheld him with extremity of Anger and Disdain and for all his Pleading for Mercy the best that the Prince gave him was how he should lose his Head And so for the present he was hurried away out of his sight Now as for the Captains of the Garrison who were within the City as Sr. John Villemur Sr. Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort Son to the Earl of Beaufort which Three were the Chief Captains of the City when they beheld the Desolation and Misery that so fast approached them they said to one another We are but all dead Men That is certain the Enemy gives no Quarter Wherefore let us resolve to sell our Lives dearly as it becomes Good Knights to do that so our Names may not die with us And therewithall Sr. John Villemur said to Roger Beaufort who was then but an Esquire Roger it is fit that you should now receive the Honour of Knighthood by my hands Sir quoth Roger I have not yet done any thing worthy of that Honour however I thank you for your favourable Opinion But if we survive this Day I shall hope to have deserved it Thus calm were these Worthies at the very instant of Death but no more was said nor indeed had they leisure to speak any more Wherefore they drew together in a convenient place with their Backs against an old Wall and there began to display their Banners being in all to the Number of Fourscore Chosen Men of Arms upon whom immediately came the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Cambridge and the Earl of Pembroke with their Men who all alighted from their Horses and encountred with these Resolute Frenchmen the Duke of Lancaster was pleased personally to engage with Sr. John Villemur who was a strong and hardy Gentleman the Earl of Cambridge in like manner undertook to deal with Sr. Hugh de la Roche and the Earl of Pembroke fought hand to hand with Roger Beaufort who thô but an Esquire was not easily overmatch'd by a most Valiant Young Prince These three Frenchmen did many gallant Feats of Arms while they fought long and well in single Combat with the Three English Princes their Men at the same time being hotly engaged one with another And the Black-Prince as he was riding by in his Chariot stopt to behold them and much applauded in his Mind their Skill and Courage And he was such a Lover of Martial Gallantry that this agreeable sight began to soften his Obdurate Heart so that for the sakes of these Three Frenchmen he commanded that no more slaughter should be made in the City and that the French Captains should not suffer beyond the Law of Arms. Then the French Captains paid their Reverence to the Prince of Wales and beholding their Swords said with one consent to their Antagonists Lords we are yours you have conquer'd us Do unto us according to the Law of Arms. Sirs said the Duke of Lancaster we expect no less and so receive you as our Prisoners Thus the three French Captains by their own exalted Courage sav'd their Lives but their Men were all slain they could not hold out against such Numbers of English especially their Captains being personally engag'd in that manner After this triple Combat by the Prince's Command an end was put to the Slaughter so that no more died that Day except perchance any one resisted the l Walsingh hist p. 180. n 40. rest were all taken to Mercy But the City was absolutely given up to the Plunder and rob'd and burnt and level'd with the Ground And now we had best to see what became of the Bishop of Limoges the chief Occasion of all this Mischief whom therefore the
and won Cattle and Prisoners and fill'd the plain Country with Desolation The King of Aragon who very much doubted this War being alarum'd at this sudden Invasion sent Men of Arms in all haste to the Frontiers under the Conduct of the Vicount of Roqueberton and the Earl of Rodaiz while himself was busied in raising an Army to go against h Vid. Lit. Papales de hoc ad Regem Aragonium apud Odâ—r Rainal ad an 1363. §. 9. his Nephew the King of Majorica But He Poor Prince even while thus the War was fair on his side fell sick again in the Valley of Soria of which sickness he died within few days leaving the Injuries done unto his Father and himself unrevenged and all the hopes of his Crown and Life together It is likely that upon his Delivery from his Spanish Prison when he found how the Black-Prince in whose Fortunate Valour he had reposed a sure hope of Success was himself seised with an Incurable Malady he thereupon began by Degrees to entertain Melancholy thoughts till now at last his Grief and Sickness together put an end to his troublesome Life However his Uncle the Aragonese had Peace thereby and continued in that Condition several Years after As for the Companions who came with the King of Majorica to make War against him they return'd back into France where they thought to make their advantage either by owning the French or English Interest The rest of the Auxiliaries went as their Humor or Interest led them to other Parts XIII All this i Frois c. 295. fol. 178. Gallicè fol. 243. while John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was in the City of Bourdeaux on the Garonne where he kept a Court little inferior to that of the Prince his Brother having about him a Gallant Retinue of Barons Knights and Esquires of England and of Aquitaine And as yet Fortune had not taken her leave of King Edward as We may see by his late unexpected Victory over the Flemings Thô several Lords of Poictou Limosin and other Provinces revolted daily to the French King and immediately turn'd their Arms another way making frequent Skirmishes and Rencounters with the English But now Divine Providence began to weaken the English Interest and Power even by such a Means as all other Princes make use of to strengthen theirs viz. An Alliance by Marriage which thô Glorious in shew prov'd no more but an Airy Title and yet that brought forth in time many Expensive Wars and gave an Occasion of much Bloodshed and loss of Treasure principally in Spain and Portugal but by accident also it produced the loss of Rochelle and consequently of many more Places in France as we shall now see We spake k Vid. l. 4. c. 6. §. 31. p. 782. before of the Death of the Lady Blanch Dutchess of Lancaster upon which the Duke her Husband being left a Widower the Barons of Gascogne now with the said Duke at Bourdeaux began to consider how Don Pedro late King of Castille and Leon had left behind him two Daughters which he had by a Lawfull Bed. That these young Ladies were then at Aire a City of Gascogne having been left as Pledges with the Prince of Wales for certain Sums of Money due unto him from their Father And when these Ladies heard first of the Murder of the King their Father they were extreamly Disconsolate and in such Fear and trouble that it was a Thousand Pities such Innocent Virgins of Royal Blood should ever be brought to such Affliction by the Sins of their Father Especially all Men lamented the Condition of the Eldest who was now the True and Lawfull Heir to the Crown of Castille by Right of Succession devolved unto her immediately upon the Death of her Father King Don Pedro. All this Sr. Guischard D'Angle shew'd unto the Duke of Lancaster in the Presence of the Earl of Cambridge his Brother saying My Lord if it please your Royal Highness You are yet to be disposed of in Marriage once more and Sir We can tell You of a Match not unfitting your Birth whereby You shall obtain the Title of a King in her Right and your Children by her shall be Heirs to a Crown and she likewise hath a younger Sister which will make a good Wife for You my Lord of Cambridge They are both Ladies of Incomparable Perfections both of Mind and Body being the Daughters of Don Pedro late King of Castille and Leon. And surely it is no small point of Charity to succour and comfort distressed Damsels especially they being Daughters to a King in such a forlorn Condition as Fortune hath now reduced them to My Lord Duke We your Faithfull Servants would advise You to take unto Wife the Lady Constance who is the Eldest of these Princesses For We cannot tell where You can Match more Honourably or obtain Higher Dignity in so doing These Words and more to the like purpose made such an Impression on the Duke's heart who was now but One and Thirty Years of Age and in the Highest Vigour of Nature but especially when both their Beauties were enlarged upon he was so pleased that he resolv'd forthwith to send for the two Ladies Constance the Eldest whom he had pitch'd upon and Isabella the Youngest whom his Younger Brother the Earl of Cambridge design'd to espouse Four Lords with their Attendants went for them and they menaged their Business so well that the Ladies consented to go along with them to Bourdeaux when they should have got all things ready for their journey Upon News of the time the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge rode forth to meet them and were both so extraordinarily pleased with their several Mistresses that they immediately Married them in the next Village to them called Rochefort not far from Bourdeaux The Marriage was solemnised with a Great and Royal Feast and after that the two Princely Bridegroomes brought their Ladies to Bourdeaux where again there was Feasting and Joy and a most Splendid Resolemnization of this Double Marriage being attended with a great Number of Lords and Ladies all who Caressed the Royal Brides and presented them with many Rich Jewels and other Gifts to shew their Respect chiefly to the Duke But whatever all this might be in other Circumstances it was only now in effect to denounce Mortal War against the King of Spain and his Heirs for ever and thô indeed that King was an Usurper yet he was at that time of Great Power so that it seem'd no ways convenient to put him to Despair in a juncture when the King of England had his Hands full of War elsewhere King Henry of Castille had early notice how the Duke of Lancaster had Married the Eldest of his Neices and the Earl of Cambridge the other Wherefore by Advice of his Grandees who were all strictly United to his Interest he resolved forthwith to engage with the French King in a close and perpetual League Offensive
however of what might be resolv'd not to leave so Considerable an Entrance unguarded and therefore having obtain'd from his New-Confederate of Spain a strong Navy of Fourty Great Ships and Thirteen Barks well trim'd and furnish'd with Men and Artillery he order'd them to ply about Rochelle either so to trap the Earl of Pembroke whom he heard to design for that Port or at least to encourage those Rochellers who enclin'd to a Defection and to frighten the others of the English side into a Revolt The Admirals of this Fleet were Four Valiant Gentlemen of Spain viz. Sennor Don Ambrosio di Baleguer Don Cabesso di Vaccadent Don Hernando Du Leon and Don Rodrigo de Roses all who had layn at Anchor about Rochelle and the Isle of Re many days expecting the return of the Poictevins with the Earl of Pembroke for they were certainly informed how they intended that way to come into Poictou On the 22d day of June the Earl of Pembroke came up to the Port and should have taken Land happily enough with all his Company But there he found this Fleet of Spaniards ready to impeach his Landing He saw now it was too late to avoid them wherefore he comforted his Men and began to arm the Archers being placed to the best Advantage But surely the Match was nothing equal neither in Numbers of Men nor bulk or strength of Ships to say nothing of the Artillery of the Spaniards among which p Mezeray ad hunc ann p. 89. Angl. p. 391. One places Canons and other Fire-Arms And indeed Froisard himself witnesses the same For he tells us how the Spanish Fleet being well-provided with a vast Number of Men of Arms Brigands Cross-bows and Canons great Barrs of Iron and heavy plumets of Lead to fling down first fetch'd a course and tack'd about to get the Wind of the English and so came upon them with full Sails in manner of an Half-Moon making a High and horrible noise which rebounding from the shoar ascended the Skies The Earl of Pembroke having Knighted several Young Esquires for their better Encouragement received them warmly without the least sign of Fear and that day in person performed most worthily doing many notable Exploits with his own Hands and exhorting his Men by telling them these were the same Spaniards over whom they had triumphed at Najara Indeed all the Lords both of England and Poictou shew'd that day extraordinary Manhood in Offending and Defending while the Spaniards from their High-built Carracks thundred down among them huge Barrs massy Stones and heavy Plumets of Lead wherewith they extreamly frustrated the Valour of the English Knights who were not permitted to cope with an equal Enemy but lay thus obnoxious to every Disadvantage However they and their Friends the Poictevins were all greedy of Honour and so became well Content to Court her in the greatest Difficulties And many of their Enemies who saw and felt them acknowledged afterwards q Frois c. 298. c. that they doubted no Attempt whatsoever but to Advance their Names readily accepted the most hazardous offer and that never any Men did fight more Valiantly thô they were but a few in respect of the Spaniards and had also both fewer and smaller Vessels So that it was wonderfull how they could subsist so long had not those Generous thoughts within them supply'd them with fresh Courage and that Courage rendred them for a while Invincible Insomuch r Frois ibid. that it was thought the Spaniards would have got but very little or no Advantage over them had they been in Ships no Higher nor Stronger than theirs For they held themselves so close together and fought with such Resolution and Animosity that none were able to abide their stroaks but those who were exceeding well arm'd and shielded from their Fury But the rowling down of Stones Lead and Barrs of Iron afflicted them and endammaged their Vessels and hurt and wounded many good Knights and Esquires The Citizens of Rochelle saw all this Engagement but they made not the least Motion to come and help the Earl of Pembroke and his Men who fought so obstinately with their Enemies at such mighty Disadvantage They were indeed at that time under the subjection of England but in their Hearts they wished small Success to any of that Nation And thus much the Spaniards knew before by the private Intelligence they had or else they durst not have engaged in the very Mouth of the Channel of Rochelle which was a Place so Considerable Thus the Rochellers left the English to their Fortune not affording them any Succour thô however they maintained themselves with Excessive Bravery till Night coming on the two Fleets with One Consent separated from each other and cast Anchor The English having lost this first day two Good Barges laden with Provision together with all the Men within them That same Night Sr. John Harpedon who was then Seneschal of Rochelle for King Edward spake to John Chaudron the Mayor and to the Chief Burgesses of the City desiring them to take Arms like good Loyal Friends and to muster such a Number of the Commons of the City and so to go on Board to the Assistance of the Noble Earl of Pembroke and the rest of their Friends who came thither only to Succour them and had endured so much all that day in Valiantly resisting their Enemies But these false-hearted Men who had no mind to the Matter but had kept secret Correspondence with the Enemy began to excuse themselves saying how it was as much as they could do to maintain the Town against the Spaniards and how they were no Men for Sea-fights nor should be able to do any Service upon the Water But if the Battle was to have been on the Land he should see how gladly they would go into the Field to serve their Lord the King of England And more than this the Seneschal could not perswade them to and to offer to force them was not seasonable in that juncture And yet besides the Constant Garrison there were at that time in the City the Lord Taniboton Sr. James of Surgeres and Sr. Maubron of Liniers who also earnestly desired the Mayor and Burgesses to send assistance to the English in this their extremity But when they saw they could not prevail they three together with Sr. John Harpedon having left a sufficient Garrison in the Castle went and arm'd themselves and all the rest of their Men such as could be spared and would partake with them which yet was but an Inconsiderable Number and so went on Board in Four Barks and at the break of Day when the Floud came set forth and joyn'd the Earl of Pembroke who thanked them heartily for their Good-Will These Knights told the Earl and Sr. Guischard Dangle how the Rochellers had resused to come to his Assistance Well then said the Earl We must Couragiously expect what Chance it shall please God to allot Vs And I
doubt not but one day We shall find a time to make these Rochellers repent their unkind Dealing On Å¿ Frois c. 299. that same Morning when the Floud was now pretty High the Spaniards weighed Anchor making a great noise with Trumpets and Clarions and set themselves in good order as they had been the Day before verily believing that the English were by this time quite tired out and much impaired in their Numbers Being all ready they began to take Advantage of the Wind and so to come upon the English who were nothing equal to them in any thing but Courage However they and their Friends the Poictevins who saw well what their Enemies did prepared to receive them and drew all boldly together setting their Archers before them and with that the Spaniards came upon them with full Sail and the Battle began to wax hot on all Hands Certainly never did Men endure more Difficulty in a Naval Fight than the English did that Day for thô the most part of them were grievously wounded and bruised with the fall of Barrs of Iron and the slinging of Leaden Bullets and the t Vid. Skinner's Eâ—ymol Lang. Angl. in vâ—ce Gunstones shooting of Stones yet for all that they fought while they were able to stir and by a Generous Importunity courted Victory who first now began wholly to turn her back from King Edward till Three of the Clock in the Afternoon But the Fickle Goddess was coy unto them notwithstanding For now the Spaniards finding the English mightily wasted and that they themselves had far more and stronger Vessels better furnish'd with Men and Artillery began to cast their Grappling-Irons and so fastned themselves to the English that they could not get asunder To the Earl of Pembroke's Ship there were no less than Four Spaniards fastned at one time in all which there were many Chosen Men of Arms under the Command of Don Cabesso di Vaccadent and Don Hernando Du Leon two of the Admirals With the Earl of Pembroke at that time was the Lord Guischard Dangle and Two and Twenty other Valiant Knights besides Esquires and Archers who fought as Gallantly as was possible and held out a long while notwithstanding the Spaniards had such Advantage of them many ways But there Sr. Emery of Tarse a Valiant Knight of Gascogne was slain by the Earl's side and with him a Gallant English Gentleman Sr. John Lawton who was Knight for the Earl's Body so that at last the Earl's Ship was Boarded and then was done many a Noble Exploit but there was no more room for Valour the Spaniards rush'd in like a floud on all sides So that there the Earl himself was taken Prisoner and all his Men either suffer'd the same Fate or a Worse Sr. Guischard Dangle Sr. Robert Beaufort Sr. John Curson and Sr. John Grimston were taken alive But the Lord John Tuchet Sr. Simon Whitaker Sr. John of Mortagne Sr. Emery of Tarse and Sr. John Lawton were slain Yet still the Lord Thomas Grandison and the Poictevins as the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton Sr. James of Surgeres Sr. Maubron of Linieres and others fought on in other Ships But finally they were all overmaster'd by Number so that none escaped being either taken or slain And when the Lords and Knights were all conquer'd they desired the Spaniards to forbear shedding the Blood of their servants For they said how they would pay a Ransom for the Lives of them all It was impossible for any Men to be have themselves better in those Circumstances the English and Poictevins were in at that time than they did And the stoutest Heart alive must yield to Necessity But surely the Lord Guischard Dangle thô he u His Arm. Or Bilette a Lâ—on Rampant Blue Vid. Tho. Mili's Catal. Honour p. 918. Asomole's Garter-Plates Plate 4â— Sr. Will. Dagd Baron 2 Vol. p. 173. was a most Valiant and Noble Knight and after this deservedly made Earl of Huntington did not advise King Edward well when he told him that now a small Convoy would suffice because they had Friends enough beyond the Seas And it must be attributed to some secret Ordinance of Providence that so Wise a Prince was now perswaded to commit so Fatal an Oversight For a Victorious King who is no longer so without Reputation ought never to commit any considerable Adventure meerly to the Will of Fortune especially in so doubtfull a juncture as this was since One Great Miscarriage undoes all his former Deeds as now it happen'd Whereas had this Fleet been but well fitted out they had infallibly Conquer'd and thereby all France had been saved and King Edward had dy'd as Victorious as he liv'd But it pleas'd God to order it otherwise Among other Losses that Ship wherein lay all the Treasure wherewith Sr. Guischard Dangle should have paid the Souldiers their Wages was unhappily sunk and drown'd and all within lost to the value in Money of 20000 l. Sterling besides other things But this was nothing comparable to the Loss England received in the Death and Taking of so many Valiant and Noble Gentlemen And yet the ill Consequences of this Day were far greater than the Loss it self and it was evident that King Edward now received the greatest Blow that ever he had felt before For by this Discomfiture he lost in a manner all that ever he had got in France except Bayonne Bourdeaux and Calais as will appear in the Sequel of this History V. All that Day which was the Three and Twentieth of June and the Eve of St. John the Baptist and the Night of that Day and the next Day till Noon the Spaniards lay still at Anchor before Rochelle triumphing and making much joy at their hardly-obtained Victory And it happen'd well for Sr. James of Surgeres a Knight of Poictou that they staid so long there For he spake such fair Words to his Spanish Master and in subtlety so obligingly humbled himself that he was immediately acquitted only for paying 300 Franks or Thirty Pounds Sterling And so on St. Johns Day having his full Liberty he came and din'd in the City of Rochell and there made a particular Relation of all the Engagement and who were kill'd and who were taken Prisoners at which heavy Tale the Burgesses that were present seem'd to be very much concerned but indeed they were glad of it For naturally they never cared for the English Nation Now on the Feast of St. John about Noon when the Tide was up the Spaniards weighed Anchor and hoised their Sails and so left that Coast with a merry Noise of Trumpets and Clarions their Masts and Foredecks being adorn'd with Long Streamers and rich Penons and Standards beaten with the Arms of Castille and Leon which made a glorious Shew as they waved about in the Wind. Thus the Spaniards left the Haven of Rochell with the Earl of Pembroke and the rest of the Prisoners in their Company and set Sail for the Coasts
the Lords Clisson Tournemine Beaumanoir and Rochefort Sr. William of Bourdes Sr. Oliver Manny Sr. Reinald of Limosin Geoffry Ricon John de Lansonet Alan de St. Pol Carswell and other Captains all who with their several Retinues went before St. John D'Angely which they prepared to assault But the Inhabitants seeing how fast the whole Country fell away and despairing of any timely Succour now their Chief Governour the Captal was taken Prisoner yielded themselves and voluntarily engag'd for the French Interest After this they presented themselves before Angoulesme which submitted in the same manner and this Example was followed by Taillebourg a Town of Sainctogne from whence they went and lay before Sanctes the Chief City of that Province where they were two Days without any Success Because their Captain Sr. William Ferenton resolved as he said not so lightly to yield up so considerable a Place but rather to stand stoutly to his Defence But there was within the Bishop of that See who was a perfect Frenchman and made such Harangues to the Citizens that they siezed the Captain and threatned to kill him unless he would agree to deliver the Town So thrô fear he was obliged to consent but on this Condition that He and his Men might go away freely without any Harm or Impeachment And thus was Sainctes also given to the French and Sr. William Ferenton with his Men had safe Conduct to go to Bourdeaux XVII Now the Spanish Fleet of which we spake lay still at Anchor before the City of Rochell with Owen of Wales and many Bretons and French among them And all the while the Rochellers held under-hand Treaty with them for they durst not openly declare their Minds while the Castle remain'd in English Hands Wherefore also they had hitherto dissembled till by little and little the main Strength of the English Garrison had left them while they went to prevent the Loss of other Places As particularly the Lord John Devereux had lately gone to reinforce the City of Poictiers with fifty Spears having left the Castle of Rochell in the Custody of Philip Mansel an English Esquire who had with him in Garrison about an hundred Men of Arms more Now at this time there was a Burgess Mayor of the City a subtle Man and a secret Enemy to the English named John Chaudron who having one day in a close Caball assembled the Chief of his Faction said unto them My Friends We see dayly how our Neighbours turn to the French side and because We delay to do the same I sear We shall be shortly so strictly beleaguer'd as well by Land as now by Water that We shall not tell which way to stir nor dare to put our Heads out of the Town Wherefore in my Opinion 't would be good to take heed betimes and to consider how We may Reduce this Castle into our Power which hath been so great a Curb unto Vs heretofore Surely at this time it is but meanly provided with Men and honest Philip Mansel the Captain has no great Wit to boast of I intend therefore to tell him how I have received a Command from the King of England to cause all the Inhabitants of the City that bear Arms to appear in the Field and be exercised at the time and place as I shall tell him That I may take their Musters and view their Number and the Goodness of their Horses and Armour as also of those within the Castle and so send word thereof unto the King. And hereupon I shall Command him in the King's Name to come forth of the Castle and to make his Musters together with Vs which I believe he will not scruple to do as I shall handle him And if so We will be provided of an Ambush of 200 Men of Arms lying among the Old Walls without the Castle which Ambush stepping in between him and the Bridge shall cut off his Return The mean while others shall be ready to compleat the Design and so We shall take them at our pleasure and be Masters both of them and also of the Castle This project was agreed on and kept secret till one day the Mayor who was Author of the Invention invited Philip Mansell to come and dine with him and several Burgesses also most whereof were then of the English part but they knew nothing of the Plot. There was a great and Splendid Dinner indeed and many things relating to the King of England's Affairs were at that time discussed and the Mayor acted his part very well But after Dinner he produced a Letter with King Edward's Broad Seal appendant to it the better to perswade Philip Mansell to believe him whom he knew to be ignorant of Letters And Philip for his part saw and knew the Seal very well but he could not read a Word whatever he pretended by looking on In short the Mayor took the Letter and read it unto him as he pleased otherwise than it was written the unlearned Captain looking over him all the while as if he read along with him thereby to conceal his Ignorance which yet the Cunning Mayor knew well enough Then he said to Esquire Mansell Captain by the Tenor of this writing You see and hear how our Sovereign Lord the King hath Commanded Me and also You by Me to make our joynt Musters Wherefore in the King's Name I now require You to come forth to morrow Morning and take a View of your Men as I likewise according to my Duty shall do The Captain who suspected no harm in the least said he would be ready to do his Duty and so took his leave and return'd to the Castle That same Night before Day the Mayor took 200 Men of Arms and laid them in an Ambush near the Castle among the Ruines of old Walls that were without and at such an Hour he caused the Watch-Bell to be sounded and all the Inhabitants to be Armed On the other hand Philip Mansell having Armed Eighty Chosen Men marched forth of the Castle in good Order at the Head of them toward the Field where the Rendezvous was to be But when he was once pass'd the old Walls the Ambush rush'd forth and placed themselves between him and the Bridge and then he saw he was betray'd However he fac'd about Couragiously upon them hoping by force to recover an entrance into the Castle again But then came the Mayor upon his Reer with the Commons of the City to the Number of 2000 Fighting Men So that the English being thus unequally match'd and assailed from before and behind were compelled to yield only for safeguard of their Lives They could obtain nothing further But for all that the Castle was not yet won For Esquire Mansell had left behind 20 Valiant Men still in the Place besides their servants Valets and Officers of the Castle who seeing their Captain thus intercepted had by this time drawn up the Bridge again and shut the Gates Whereupon the Mayor being exceedingly enflam'd
Garrison of Derual saw themselves beleaguer'd by so great an Army they doubted very much that they should not be able to make good the Place but that at last they should miscarry and so be slain every Man. Wherefore by a Treaty they obtain'd a Respit for two Months on this Condition that unless they should be Rescued by that time either by the Duke of Bretagne or some other able to keep the Field against them and to raise the Siege they would yield up the Castle to the Duke of Anjou or to the Constable And if Men of Arms should be sent from the Duke of Bretagne who could only coast the Frenchmen but not be able to give them Battle then the Besieged should take no notice of them nor seek any Assistance from them This Treaty being shew'd to the Duke of Anjou he agreed unto it on Condition that those within the Castle should not during the said term take into their Fortress any more Aid or Succour For the true keeping of all which Covenants Sr. Hugh Bright deliver'd up unto the French as Hostages Two Knights and an Esquire and gave his Oath also to be true and punctual So the Constable brake up from before Derual and rode to Nantes where he found the Gates shut against him because he came with so great an Army wherefore also they sent out unto him to enquire what he intended or design'd to do The Constable answer'd how he was sent by the French King their Sovereign Lord to take Possession in his Name of the Dukedom of Bretagne which Sr. John of Monford who calls himself Duke said he hath forfeited by his Disloyalty The Burgesses desired time to consider of these things in Council that they might know what answer to make him This being granted they return'd to the City and after a long Debate held in the Common-Hall they came forth again to the Constable and said Sir it seems very strange unto Vs and those that sent Vs that You are thus come to seise the Inheritance of our Lord the Duke for the French King who yet himself commanded Vs to receive him as our Duke and Lord So that to Him We have sworn Fealty and Homage and he also hath sworn to govern Vs as his Subjects Thus We have accepted of each other and since We know nothing to the contrary but that hitherto he hath been a Gracious and good Lord unto Vs We see not how either in Honour or Conscience We can offer to withdraw our Faith from him But if You say You come as Procurator General from the French King We will allow You to enter our City on this Condition that if upon the Return of our Lord the Duke he will own the French interest then all the Prelates Barons Gentlemen and all the Good Towns of Bretagne shall own and acknowledge him for their Lord as before and yet be wholly acquitted by You of all Damage or any obligation either now or at any other time And that the mean while You will forbear to take up any Rents or Revenues belonging to the Duke of Bretagne and let them lie still in our Hands to be reserved for our Lord till We hear other News than You bring Vs All this the Constable sware to fulfill without fraud as being the French Kings Procurator in that Case and so was admitted into the City of Nantes which in those days was the Metropolis of all Bretagne both He and the Chief Lords and Captains as many as he would X. When Sr. Robert Knolles the Duke's Lieutenant who was now in Brest understood how his Cousin Sr. Hugh Bright had made a Composition with the Duke of Anjou and the Constable and saw that he could not by any other means leave Brest to go and save his Castle of Derual he resolved rather than to lose so important a Place to enter himself into certain Covenants with those who besieged him Upon the first offer they return'd him answer how they could do nothing without the Constable so they sent to know his Pleasure They found him before Nantes with a great Army of French and Bretons spread along by the Famous River of Loire In short the Constable gave them a Commission and this Treaty took such effect that the Garrison of Brest was to have Respit for Fourty Days so that if by that time they were not relieved by an Army able to fight the Constable then they should forthwith yield up their Fortress And the Garrison was to remain all that while as now they were without revictualling or taking in any New supply of Men or Ammunition or any sort of Provision beyond what they had already With this Agreement Sr. Robert Knolles his Negotiators return'd back unto him whereupon he sent sufficient Hostages both Knights and Esquires to the Constable thereby to secure him that there should be no default on his part The Constable put the Hostages in Custody and gave Licence to those Troops that lay before Brest to break up and he sent them with the One half of his Forces towards Paris the French King having lately remanded them home that now he might reinforce his Garrisons in Picardy For it seems the Duke of Lancaster o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 115. being made the King his Fathers Lieutenant of Aquitaine and General of all his Forces on that side the Sea was then newly arrived at Calais with an Army of more than p Mezeray c. 30000 of whose Success we shall speak by and by XI Now the Earl q Frois c. 309. of Salisbury who was at Sea having all this while cruised up and down by the Frontiers of Bretagne and Normandy received at the same time a strong Reinforcement from England of a 1000 Men of Arms and 2000 lusty Archers Wherefore when he heard of the Composition of the Garrison of Brest he said that by the Grace of God he would go and fight the Constable of France and relieve the Fortress and so he directed his Course to Brest where he took land and ranged his Men in Battle Array and stood for several Days in that Manner before the Place and at Night he returned to his Ships But every Day he drew out thus into the Field ready to fight if the Frenchmen should come thither The Constable who had now sent a good part of his Men into Picardy and with others maintained a siege before Becherel in Normandy as one who little thought that the Earl of Salisbury could so quickly come thither strong enough to give him Battle thought to depart however from Nantes with such Forces as he had when the time drew near that the Business of Brest was to be decided But now when he understood that the Earl of Salisbury was there ready to give him Battle he made an Halt and resolved to practise another way which indeed was more agreeable to the cauteous Counsels of the French King than to the Fame of the Constable who
was called the RESTORER OF FRANCE unless perhaps he had Command from the King so to do which is not unlikely However the Earl of Salisbury having taken a convenient Plat of Ground before Brest when he saw that the French and Bretons moved not forward sent an Herald to the Constable who being brought before him said Sir my Lord the Earl of Salisbury and the other Lords of England send you Word by me who am an Herald of Arms how they understand that some while since you laid siege to the Castle of Brest and how certain Treaties and Compositions were made between you and those of the Garrison importing that if they were not relieved by such a Day which is now at hand then they should deliver up the Town and Castle into your Hands Wherefore Sir may it please you to know that they are now come before Brest to keep their Day and to defend the Place And for your part they expect you should repair to meet them which if you shall do they promise you Battle without fail But if you refuse thus much then they require you to send them again such Hostages as you have upon this Account The Constable answer'd subtlely Herald whereas you tell us how the English are come to give us Battle you bring us good News and are therefore Welcome You shall tell your Masters also that we are more desirous to fight with them than they can be with us but yet they are not in that Place where the Treaty was confirmed and authorised Therefore let them know that if they will come hither without fail we will present them with Battle This the Politick Constable spake because he knew it impossible for them to go as far as Nantes where the Treaty was made on Foot since it was more than 40 leagues off from Brest With this Answer the Herald return'd to the Earl of Salisbury who thereupon sent him back again with another Message which he thus deliver'd Sir I am come again to you from my Lords and Masters to whom I have related your first Answer from Point to Point But Sir they say how they are Men of the Sea and being lately come thence have no Horses with them and that they are not accustomed to travel far on Foot. But this they say that if you will send them your Horses they will come to what Place you will appoint and give Battle to keep touch with you No more haste than good Speed reply'd the Constable we are not in the humour to do our Enemies such a Kindness as to send them our Horses it would surely be a small piece of Wisdom so to do And yet if we had such a Purpose we should demand good and sufficient Hostages which should be responsible for our Horses again Sir said the Herald I have no Orders to say any thing as to that Matter But this Sir they commanded me to tell you that if you will not yield thus much you cannot lawfully detain the Hostages which are in your Hands Wherefore Sir in sending them back you will do honourably as you ought to do The Constable said he was not advis'd to do any such thing and so the Herald return'd to the Earl of Salisbury before Brest When he heard that the French would neither give him Battle nor restore the Hostages he was extreamly displeased but however there he tarried till the Day was expired and he found that the Constable did but dodge with him The next Day following the limited time he entred Brest and revictuall'd the Town and reinforced the Garison greatly after which he return'd to his Ships to keep the Marches and Frontiers on the Sea-coasts as he had been commanded by King Edward to do On the other side when the Constable saw that the English came not forward to fight him which indeed he never thought they could do he said the Hostages were all his Prisoners because the Appointment was not truly kept for the Earl of Salisbury had newly reinforced and victuall'd the Garrison and so he sent the Hostages to Prison Which Procedure of the Constable's was certainly more full of French Fineness than of any True Honour or Heroick Courage When the Earl of Salisbury was gone and Brest fully secured Sr. Robert Knolles rode away from Brest with certain Good Men of Arms and went straight to his own Fortress of Derual News thereof came presently to the Constable and the Duke of Anjou who were then at Nantes whereupon they supposed as indeed it happen'd For soon after Sr. Robert sent them word that he would keep no such Agreement as his Men had made in his Absence without his Leave seeing they had no sufficient Authority so to do When the Duke of Anjou heard this he resolved to go Personally and besiege Derual but the Prosecution of this we shall refer to another more proper Place and speak now of the Duke of Lancaster XIII This Valiant Prince r Frois c. 310. f. 190. with the Duke of Bretagne in his Company and an Army of above 30000 Men whereof there were 3000 Men of Arms and 10000 Archers landed safely at Calais about the beginning of July the same Expedition being design'd the Year before but that it was put off for that time by reason of the Business of Thoüars In this Army besides the two Dukes of Lancaster and Bretagne there were the Earls of Warwick Stafford and Suffolk the Lord Edward Spencer one of the Greatest Barons of the Realm at that time Constable of all the Host the Lord Robert Willoughby the Lord Michael de la Pole the Lord Ralph Basset of Drayton the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Thomas Holland the Canon Robsart the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Lewis Clifford the Lord William Beauchamp the Lord John Falvesle the Lord John Burwash the Lord John Mohun Sr. Richard Ponchardon Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Stephen Cossington Sr. John Bourchier Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. John Harpedon Sr. Robert Twyford Sr. Matthew Redmayne Sr. Geoffry Say Sr. Thomas Spencer Sr. Thomas Fowkes Sr. Hugh Brudnel Sr. Nicolas Gascogne Sr. Geoffry Werkesly Sr. Thomas Emerton Sr. John Chandler Sr. Philip Cambray Sr. Lionel Dautrey and many Others whose Names at this Distance are not easily recoverable The French King who knew beforehand of all this mighty Preparation against him had provided sufficiently for the Defence of his Cities Towns Castles and Fortresses in Artois Picardy and Vermandois having well stock'd them with Souldiers as Frenchmen Bretons Burgundians Picards Normans and divers that belonged to the Empire The Duke of Lancaster having staid a while at Calais to refresh his Men and to fit the Carriages whereof there was in Abundance began on the 20 of July to march from Calais in three Great Bodies as well order'd as possibly could be devised First went the Battails of the Marshals who were the Earls of Warwick and Suffolk Then came the two Dukes of Lancaster and Bretagne and with them a
37 of Ed. 3. tit 18. shall be executed And for exacting Money of them at the Bridges aforesaid or elsewhere against their Franchises they shall make their Suit in the Chancery and have their Writs grounded on their Liberties to stay such takings The Commons of the County of Kent complain against the Officers of the Castle of Dover for arresting them by their Catchpoles to answer before them whereunto they are g M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton hâ—c vocula not intercidit not bound The Officers shall have no Jurisdiction out of the Fee of the Honour and Castle of Dover nor shall make any Process by Capias out of the Liberties of the Cinque-Ports Certain of the Sea-Coasts complain to the King that whereas they by the King 's Appointment with their Ships transported Sr. Thomas Felton Steward of Gascogne and Sr. William Elman Governour of Bayonne unto Bourdeaux and from thence went to the Baye where certain Spanish Gallies notwithstanding the Truce taken between the King the Spaniards and Frenchmen boarded and took them viz. on the tenth of August last past before herein therefore they pray Remedy The King hath done and will do his best for Redress and Restitution The Inhabitants of the Town of Southhampton pray the King to take the Town into his own Hands for that they are not able to pay the Fee-Farm by reason of the great Charge about the Fortification of the same and that he would send thither Men of War for the Defence of the same The King will be advised The Mayor and Commonalty of Winchester pray the King to confirm and grant to them their Liberties in such wise as was last granted to London and that towards the Murage of the same he would give them some Aid of Custom or otherwise The Answer to this is not to be read The Commons of divers Cities and Towns require the payment of certain Moneys lent the King in the time of Thomas Brantingham Bishop of Excester and Treasurer of England They shall be paid as soon as may be The Lords of the Realm and their Tenants pray the King of Remedy against the Riots of divers Cities and Towns for that they enter upon their several Grounds therein claiming Common considering the Wasts thereunto adjoyning may suffice therefore and namely that such of the Townsmen as have not Lands lying with any of the said Lords may have no Common in any of their Lands This Matter is before the Council The Inhabitants of Bath complain that whereas they had a Fair there at the Feast of St. Calixtus the Town of Bristow being but ten Miles from them have raised a Fair at Bristow the same Day and forbidden all their Townsmen of Bristow upon certain Penalties to bring any Wares to the said Fair of Bath for this they pray Remedy It is before the Great Council The Commons of Essex and Suffolk pray that certain Clothes there or elsewhere called Cogware and Kersies made in the said Counties be not within the compass of the Statute of Clothes made in the 47 Ed. 3. h In M.S. c. 41. sed eâ— Statutis câ—rrâ—ge c. 1. The King willeth that they have such Words that the Straight-Ware called Cogware and Kersies made in the said Counties shall not be intended to be comprised in the said Statute nor under the penalty therein The Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London pray that they may enjoy all their Liberties and that no Stranger do keep House or be a Broker or sell Merchandise by Retail The King hath granted thereto conditionally that the same City be well governed saving to the Merchants of the Hans their Liberties The Citizens and Burgesses of divers places there mention'd complain for and in the Name of their respective Cities and Towns that divers of the King's Tenants having i Vide de hâc vece Cowell Spelman Skinner c. Burgage within them do suffer them to fall to decay whereby they are the less able to pay their Fee-farms for which they pray Remedy The Citizens of * M.S. Chester Chichester pray Remedy for that they are impleaded out of the same City for their Freeholds and for that they are driven to appear at Assizes and Sessions contrary to the general Words of their Liberties Let them shew their Charters in the Chancery and they shall have Right They require also Confirmation of their Charters according to that purport Let them also shew their Charters and they shall have Right The Commonalty of Surrey and Sussex pray Remedy that whereas the King out of his Fee-farms paid for the said Counties hath granted to Richard Earl of Arundel the two k M.S. Towns c. in Sr. Rob. Cotton Turns of Sheriffs in the Rapes of Chichester and Arundel worth by the Year 30 l. and certain Rent called Sheringdeld to the Yearly value of 14 l. 19 s. 1 d. yielding therefore yearly 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. The Sheriff may upon his Accompt be discharged thereof Let it be shewed to the King and if it please him that the Earl enjoy the same the Sheriff shall be discharged according to the Quantity if not the Sheriff shall be at his Answer The Burgesses of Southwark pray a Confirmation of their Charter lately burn'd by Casualty Let them make their pursuit in the Chancery and they shall have Right The Mayor and Commons of New-Castle upon Tine complain that whereas the Prior of Tinemouth Parcel of St. John of Jerusalem in England by cautelous and suborned means brought his Writ of Freehold in Fernham and put in View and Plaint the greater Parcel in Value of the same Town holden in Farm of the Crown time out of Mind and recovered Whereupon Order was taken that the same Justice of Assize should not in that Assize have a procedendo but that the Chancellor should grant a Commission for the Examining of the Truth untill which time the Matter should stay they therefore require that the Assize be no further proceeded in untill the Commission return Remedy is provided in this Parliament as appeareth by another Bill thereunto indorsed The Commons of the Marches m an Estriveling of Estritheng require that Commission may be made to the Lord Percy the Prior of Bridlington Sr. Robert Boynton Sr. Robert Constable Sr. John Snaresby and John Almaric that they may appoint able Persons for the Defence of the same and namely an Arrival between a Place called Earl-Dikes and the Town of Whitby It pleaseth the King. The Commons of the Counties of Essex and Hertford pray that the Sheriff upon his Account be allowed an 100 l. yearly of that which he cannot receive Let them search the Exchequer or Treasury or elsewhere for the Causes of the Distress of those Farms for two years now ensuing and in the mean time the Sheriff shall have pardon of an Hundred Marks The Commons of the City of Rochester pray that the n Ità Sr. Rob. Cotton sed in
that the Marshal should play the Master there as he had begun even althô he said Nay At last after much crowding they all got thrô and came into our Ladies Chappel where the Duke and other Barons sat themselves down with the Archbishop and other Bishops John Wickliff standing before them according to the usual Manner ready to answer what should be objected unto him The Lord Marshal first brake silence desiring Mr. Wickliff to sit down and alledging that he had many things to answer to and therefore had need of some Repose But the Bishop of London said He should not sit down there for neither was it according to Law nor Reason that He who was cited there to appear to answer before his Ordinary should sit down during the time of his Answer but rather stand These Words created others and they brought forth more the Bishop standing upon the Privilege of his Place and Function and the Marshal on his own and the Duke's Authority so that many bitter words and Menaces passed on both sides to the great Offence and Scandal of the People But then the Duke began to take the Marshals part and warmly chode the Bishop who was not a whit behind hand with him so that the r Erubuit Dux quod non petuit praevalere litigio hist Men. D. Albani ibid. Duke was asham'd to find himself worsted by the Bishop and threatned that he would shortly bring down the Pride not only of him but of all the Prelacy of England and to the Bishop he said Sir You are too bold and all in Confidence * He was a Younger Son to Hugh Courtney second Earl of Devonsâ—ire of that Name and of the Lady Margaret Daughter to Humphry Behun Earl of Hereford and Essex Eighth of that Name by his Wife Elizabeth Daughter of King Edward the First His Parents were both now living thô the Earl his Father died on the 2d of May this Year of your Parents who yet will not be able to help you they shall have enough to do to help themselves To whom the Bishop reply'd That he ought to be bold in declaring the Truth but that his Confidence was not in his Parents nor in any Mortal Man but in the living God alone in whom he trusted Then the Duke softly whisper'd to one that sat next him how he had rather drag the Bishop out of the Church by the Hair of his Head than take this at his Hands However this was not utter'd so softly but that some of the Londoners overheard him who being enraged thereupon cry'd out that they would never see their Bishop so abused but rather lose their Lives then that any one should draw him out of his Church by the Hair. Upon this Contention that Council was dissolved before Nine of the Clock and the Duke with the Lord Percy return'd to the Parliament then sitting at Westminster Wickliff being easily dismiss'd thô not without a Prohibition neither to preach nor write any more in defence of those Articles which were objected to him VII 'T is said that that same day before Dinner there was put up in Parliament by the Lord Thomas of Woodstock the Kings youngest Son and the Lord Henry Percy Marshal of England a certain Bill as in the Kings Name importing that the City of London should no more be govern'd by a Mayor but by a Captain as in times past And that the Marshal of England should have the sole ordering of Arrests within the said City as elsewhere with many other Articles tending to the Diminution of the Liberties of London Which Bill being read there stood up a Worthy Patriot Alderman John Philpot one of the Burgesses of that City who spake so notably against the said Bill and pleaded so strongly in behalf of the Charters and Privileges of that Famous Metropolis that immediately the Bill was flung out of the House and the Name of Alderman Philpot much set by I can find no Warrant for this indeed in the Records of the said Parliament which we have faithfully exhibited before and therefore dare not absolutely lean to the belief thereof But whether it was really so or only cunningly nois'd abroad by some seditious Arts to stir up the People however we find that the next day the Londoners assembled in Council to consider of the Matter and also how far the Power of the Marshal extended not forgetting to take notice of the Affronts put upon their Bishop the Day before While thus the Chief Citizens were entertain'd with sober Debates and perhaps only prepar'd some Petition or Remonstrance to shew unto the Parliament in the behalf of their City the Commons understanding that One of their Body was then in Prison in the Marshals House which stood within their Liberties being secretly animated by some considerable Beautefeus whom for several Reasons I cannot with others believe to have been the Lord Guy Bryan and the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter went immediately in great Fury to the House of the Lord Percy where breaking up the Gates they took out the Prisoner by force and burnt the Stocks wherein he had been set in the midst of the City Then they sought for the Lord Percy for whom all Corners and Privy-Chambers were searched and the Beds and Hangings torn in pieces with their Bills and Javelins But He it seems was at that time happily out of the way being together with the Duke of Lancaster invited to Dinner by one John of Ipres at his house Å¿ Stow's Survey of London p. 260. called Ipres-Inne in Knight-Riders Street of which the Londoners knew nothing but thought they were at the Dukes House called the Savoy and so posted thither in great fury But one of the Dukes Knights observing this madness of the People went in great haste to the Place where his Lord the Duke was and when for all his Knocking he could not be admitted he said aloud to the Porter whose name was Haveland Hark you Haveland If you love my Lord the Duke and your Life open the Gate At these Words he was let in and in great fear told the Duke that there were infinite Numbers of Armed Men searching for him so that if he had not a Care that day would be his last At this the Duke leap'd so hastily from his Oysters that he hurt both his Legs against the Form Wine was offer'd but he could not drink for haste and so fled at a Back gate with the Lord Henry Percy and taking a Barge at the Thames never left Rowing till they came to an house near the Mannor of Kennington where at that time the Princess-Mother of Wales lay with her young Son Richard before whom he made his Complaint against the outragious Insolence of the Citizens And the Princess promised him to take such Order in this Matter as should be to his Content The mean t Fox Acts Mon. p. 394. while the Commons of London had beset the Dukes House called the Savoy where
but the known Piety and Moderation which King Edward used thrô all his Life and that he could not easily be at this time unmindfull of Death may appear in that many Years before thrô a Pious consideration of Human Frailty he close the Place of his Sepulture as a Lib. 3. c. 4 §. 14. p. 564. Ano. Regni 1359. we have shewn and likewise settled the Point of Succession afterwards and had also so lately seen his Gallant Son go the same way before him not to mention the many Instances of his Piety of which we shall speak by and by And as for that solitary manner of his Death it is every whit as improbable for the Court of the Next Heir being then hard by at Kennington and the Three Sons of the King being thereabouts all the while if Piety and Duty could not have kept his Servants about Him yet a Care of their own Interest must have caution'd them at this time not to shew too much neglect of the Grandfather of the Young Prince and of the Duke of Lancaster's Father Not to say any thing of the Earl of Salisbury the Duke of Bretagne and Sr. Guischard Dangle who as we shew'd were just come unto him a little before his Departure And besides He was so far from being totally neglected that every Moment of his Sickness was particularly observed by his Sons and Others So that on that very Day whereon he died before his Soul had left the Body the Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of London being certainly informed that his Case was now desperate sent certain of their Chief Citizens to Kennington where Prince Richard and his Mother resided to declare unto the said Prince their Loyal Affections to his Sacred Person and how ready upon his Grandfather's Death they should all be to accept of Him for their Lawfull King and Governour And yet had it been true that our Edward was thus left at his last Gasp by all his Waiters and Domesticks surely it would be very Hard Uncharitable and Unchristianlike to argue any thing against his Person therefore or to conclude his Death any whit the more miserable since then he could not be sensible of what happen'd and also it is very usual and ever will be for the Court to fall away from the Setting Sun and to turn toward the East XVII However thus died King Edward the Third of whom when his Enemy King Charles of France heard of his Death he gave this Testimony b Frâ—is c. 314. f. 196. Gallicè verò fol. 267. That He had Reigned most Nobly and Valiantly and well deserved to be added to the Number of the Antient Worthies And soon after he assembled all the Nobles and Prelates of his Realm with whom he Solemnly performed his Obsequies in the Holy Chappel of his Palace at Paris But in England there was great Sorrow made for his Death and immediately all the Ports were stopped lest the News thereof should reach France before the Affairs of the Kingdom might be settled A little before the Coronation of King Richard the Second the Body of King Edward was removed from Sheen and with a great Pomp of Sorrow his Three Sons John of Gaunt Edmund of Langley and Thomas of Woodstock and his Son-in-Law John the Valiant Duke of Bretagne and all the Barons and Prelates of England following the Herse was brought along thrô the City of London with Open Visage to Westminster where it was c Sandford p. 175. vid. Keep 's Mon. Westmonast solemnly interred on the South-side of the Royal Chappel in the Abbey of St. Peter near to the Body of his Beloved Queen Philippa as on her Death-Bed she had requested Where betwixt two Pillars parallel with the Tomb of King Edward the Confessor He hath his Monument of Grey Marble upon the Superficies whereof lies his Full Portraiture of Copper Gilt and upon the Verge of the Tomb these Old Verses are ingraven beginning on the North-side at the Foot being Latine Rhyme after the Manner of that Age. Hic Decus Anglorum Flos Regum Preteritorum Forma Futurorum Rex Clemens Pax Populorum Tertius Edvardus Regni complens Iubileum Invictus Pardus Bellis pollens Machabeum Prospere dum vixit Regnum Pietate revixit Armipotens Rexit Iam Câ—lo Coelice Rex sâ—t Tertius Edvardus Famâ super aethera Notus PVGNA PRO PATRIA MCCCLXXVII On both Sides of this Tomb are the Figures of all his Sons and Daughters in Solid Brass viz. On the South-side in several Niches are Edward Prince of Wales Joan of the Tower Entitled Queen of Spain Lionel Duke of Clarence Edmund of Langley Mary Dutchess of Bretagne and William of Hatfield under which their several Escutcheons of Arms Enamelled are placed And also under them the Arms of Saint George and of King Edward the Third interchangeably on Four large Shields of Brass Enamelled On the North-side were the Statues and still there remain the Arms of Isabell Lady Coucy William of Windsor John Duke of Lancaster Blanch of the Tower Margaret Countess of Pembroke and Thomas of Woodstock near unto which Sepulchre they will still shew you the Sword which it is said this King used in his Wars in France being only Cross-barr'd Seven Foot long and weighing Eighteen Pounds I will not dissemble d Cod. M. S. Misâ—ell R. Glover Somerset fol. 135. that there is somewhere attributed unto him one Natural Son besides his Twelve Legitimate Children named Nicolas Litlington who was Abbot of Westminster and lies buried in the said Abbey before the Altar of St. Blase But there are several Arguments which with me weigh down the Credit of this single Testimony as his Age he being made Abbot immediately after Simon Langham sixteen Years before this whereas usually Old Age is required for such and he survived King Edward but e He died 1386. Keep 's Men. West p. 52. Nine Years He bare for his Arms f Vid. Keep 's Mon. Westmonast p. 13. Quarterly Argent and Gules in the Second and Third a Fret Or on a Bend Azure Three Flowers de Luces of the Third His Character may best be gather'd from his History but however we shall again represent him in little according to those lively Colours wherewith the joynt Concurrence of the best g Walsing hist p. 189. Heur Knighton p. 2630. Foae Acts Mon. p. 394. Daniel's Hist p. 260. Ric. Dinothi Advers p. 92. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 144. Stow p. 269. Holinsh p. 999. Weever's Fun. Mon p. 466. c. Authors have represented him He was a Prince the soonest a Man and the longest that held so of any we meet with His Stature not exceeding the usual Bigness of Men but of the Middle sort h Vid. Hakewill's Apology for Providence p. 212. that is just six Foot or two Yards High his Limbs neat and well-made his Body strong his shape Exact his Visage something Long but exceeding Comely Gracefull and Angelical