tearmes excused his not comming by reason of his indisposition to trauell occasioned by the infirmitie of his weake bodie The King who could skilfully cast his water perceiued that he was not sicke in bodie but in minde towards him wherefore by letters and sharpe threatnings hee peremptorily commanded and required him to come But the Duke rather desiring to haue a publike enemie then a dissembling friend boldly returned him this answere that hee reputed him to bee a monster a tyrant a murderer his enemie and an vnlawfull King and therefore that he would not come vnto him Armies are raised And knowing that his life was neere ended except he could maintaine what hee had said by strength of armes in open field hee went hastily into Wales and raised a powerfull Armie and in Deuonshire and in Cornwall Sir Edward Courtney and Peter Courtney his brother being Bishop of Exeter did the like So did Sir Richard Guilford and some other Gentlemen in Kent And Thomas Grey Marquesse Dorset who forsaking the Sanctuarie rode into Yorkshire leuied there much people Wherefore King Richard to support his owne estate and to preserue his life and to vanquish his stout and bold enemies raised another Armie These preparations being thus made King Richard marched against the Duke because he accounted him to be the head of this conspiracie and did perswade himselfe that hee should bee quited of all feare if hee could vanquish him before he ioined his forces with his friends The Duke perceiuing the Kings intention resolued brauely to confront him and to dare him face to face for which purpose he determined to lead his whole armie thorow the Riuer of Seuerne at a low foord not far from the Citie of Glocester This floud hastned the Dukes death who consented to the murder of the two young Princes But in the night before he should passe ouer such an incredible abundance of raine fell and the showres so mainly poured downe for ten daies following that not only the Riuer was made vnpassable but also the whole Countrey thereabout was surrounded with an excessiue floud insomuch that grounds villages townes and people were drowned or carried away to the great hurt and preiudice of the inhabitants who greeuously bewailed and sorrowed for their losse This enforced lingring together with the Dukes wants of victuall money and of other necessaries so discomforted the wauering and vnconstant Welshmen that when he thought himselfe sure of their helpe they then ran away and left him alone and he himselfe by perillous and hard shifting was enforced to harbour himselfe neere vnto Shrewesburie in the house of one Humfrey Banaster who was his seruant and whom from a low degree hee had raised to a faire estate authoritie and worship And the rest of the Dukes friends in other Prouinces when they heard the certaintie of the Dukes ill speeding vpon a sudden dispersed all their companies and euery one of them carefully shifted for himselfe and many of them by meanes of their diligence and good fortune entred into the Sea and arriued safely in the Duchie of Britaine among whom were Sir Edward Courtney Peter Courtney his brother Bishop of Exeter Thomas Marquesse Dorset Iohn Lord Welles Sir Iohn Bourchier Sir Edmund Wooduile the old Queenes brother Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Giles Dawbney Sir Thomas Arundel Sir Iohn Cheney his two brethren Sir William Barkley Sir William Brandon Sir Richard Edgecombe and some others The King hauing dispersed this cloud The Duke is proscribed which threatned a terrible storme proscribed the Duke of Buckingham and proposed the gift of a thousand pounds to him that should be the meane to take him whereupon his faithlesse treacherous His seruant betraieth him and vnthankfull seruant Humfrey Banaster betraied him to Iohn Mitton Sheriffe of Shropshire who with a strong Guard of armed men conueied him to Shrewesburie to the King who being examined confessed all in hope of fauour He is beheaded but forthwith and without any legall proceedings or iudgement he lost his head In the meane time whilest these things were in doing Richmond saiâ—â—th for England the Earle of Richmond who neither beard of this misfortune nor of the arriuall of his worthie friends who flying out of England came into Britaine hauing in his companie almost fiue thousand men entred into the Sea and directed his course for this Realme But in the euening after his departure out of Britaine A storme taketh him and he returneth hee was so cruelly beaten with an hideous storme which so suddenly assailed him and his that some of his ships were driuen backe to the place from whence they came others into Normandie and only one of them besides that in which himselfe was remained at the Sea The next day as the Earle came before Pole he perceiued that all the Coasts and hilles adioining were thickly sprinkled with armed men who eagerly attended his arriuall by the commandement of King Richard and diuers practises were vsed to traine him in But because he feared the worst as hee had good cause taking the benefit of a faire winde he returned and landed safely within the Duchie of Normandie Hee is releeued by the French King from whence he sent to the new and young King of France Charles the Eighth desiring that by his free leaue and licence hee might safely passe thorow that Prouince into Britaine who not only granted his request but also pitying his wants and euill fortune releeued and furnished him with much money So he hauing collected his dispersed ships sent them into Britaine and himselfe by land went thither where to his exceeding comfort and great ioy hee met with his distressed friends all which were valiant men and great Commanders in the times of warre With these Captaines hee entred into new consultations and giuing to them his solemne oath to take to his wife the Ladie Elizabeth He taketh an oath eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth if his successe were fortunate they all became his subiects and honoured him as their King and all of them by the Duke of Britaines aide and succours endeuoured to make readie a new Fleet and such souldiers as they could get for his returne In the meane time King Richard by sundrie executions shortned the number of the Earles friends and procured him and his associates by an Act of Parliament to be attainted of High Treason He is attainted of treason and thereby hee enabled himselfe to seize vpon all their lands and moueables which hee could finde But his cruelties were so inhumane and barbarous that they were condemned in the opinions of all his people who sharply accused Sir Richard Ratcliffe Sir William Catesbie and the Viscount Louel his three minions and wicked counsellors as furtherers and abettors in those mischiefes so that among others one Collingborne was executed as a Traitor for making and dispersing of this short ryme Collingborne executed Richard gaue a Hogge for
great Masse of siluer and of gold which for many yeares she had scraped scratched and hoorded vp together This Act so inwardly vexed and enraged the Queene She voweth deepe reuenge that in her heart she vowed to be reuenged vpon them both and knowing that Iohn the Duke of Burgoine was their capitall and greatest enemie especially to the Constable of France She procureth Iohn Duke of Burgoine to be Regent Protector and because the king her husband by much sicknesse was weakened both in his bodie and in his vnderstanding she procured him to be made and to be established the Protector of the Kings Person and the Regent of his whole kingdome Now when the said Duke had obtained this authoritie and power He intendeth reuengement on the Constable he forthwith resolued to reuenge his old displeasures vpon the said Constable and afterwards to bend his whole strength against king Henrie The Dolphin likewise and the Constable employed their chiefest care how they might enfeeble the new Regent and his adherents The Dolphin and the Constable arme their wits against the Regent and to oppose themselues against the English forces it was their smallest thought So blind is Enuie and so reuengefull is proud Ambition that the Countries good is nothing at all respected when men resolue to pursue their priuat hatred and contention And hereby all men might plainely see That these dissentions and these discords did more further the English Armie in their proceedings This Discord furthered King Henries proceedings than did their owne policie and their owne strength For the Normans being vtterly dismayed and hopelesse to be assisted because the Malice which bare sway among the French Nobilitie was too too great fled as men amazed and as not being the commanders of their owne wits from place to place from village to village and from towne to towne and in the meane time the English Armie commanded as it pleased King Henrie beholding their feare and seeking rather to winne their Castles Townes and Cities by Policie than by the Sword proclaymed in all places King Henries proclamation That such of them as would yeeld and sweare to become his subjects should not onely enjoy freely all their Lands Goods Liberties and Liues but should also bee protected and defended by his strength and be receiued into his Princely loue The greatest Townes in Normandie are yeelded to King Henrie This practise quickly procured the surrendring into his hands without blowes the strong Townes of Alanson Argenton Boyeux Camboy Conde Crewly Essay Faloys Thorygny and Vermoyle And vnto the kings brother the Duke of Clarence were quietly yeelded the Townes of Auellyers Barney Bethelvyn Chambroys Cowrton Crevener Fangermon Freshney Harcort Lysoeux and Ragles And into the hands of the kings other brother the Duke of Glocester were giuen vp and deliuered these Townes in the Countie of Constantine that is to say Auranclies Briquevile Cuventon Chiergurge Constance Hambery Hay du Pays Pontorson Pontdone S. Sauior S. Iames S. Clow Vire and Valoignes in all which the king and his brothers placed valiant English Captaines strong Garrisons to defend them King Henrie fortifieth all those Townes if the French should attempt to regaine them to his owne power Cane is repaired and fortified The Citie of Cane also was newly repaired fortified and inhabited by English souldiors and traders of all sorts Sir Gilbert Vmfreuyle being made Captaine of the Castle Sir Gilbert Talbot of the Towne and Sir Iohn Popham was made Bailife there 6 1417. Roan is walled round Whilest King Henrie and his companies were thus busied in Normandie hee was informed That the Citizens of Roan had compassed their Citie with a strong wall and had strengthened it with extraordinarie Fortifications Towers Bulwarkes and Ditches and that the whole Wealth and Treasure of a great part of the Countries round about it was brought thither The countries treasure is brought into Roan Whereupon he marched with his whole Armie towards that Citie and in his passage by strong assaults he tooke Pontlarch Louyers and Eureux and came before the strong Citie of Roan the last day of Iuly and compassed it round about vpon the Land parts with a strong siege Roan is besieged by land and by water And at Pontlarch he placed ouer the Riuer vpon Pyles a mightie Chayne of Iron and a Woodden Bridge which prohibited all succours by water to come vnto the Citie And the Earle of Warwike hauing the command of an hundred gallant shippes well manned victualled Cawdebeck giueth passage to the English fleet and prouided for the Warre entred into the Riuers mouth and came before the Towne of Cawdebeck and so fiercely pressed on it that by way of composition they suffered him quietly to passe towards Roan with faithfull promise to yeeld it into King Henries hands Conditions if hee fortuned to winne Roan but if hee did not then to giue the said Earle and his whole Fleet a safe and a peaceable returne And for the due performance thereof they sent him sufficient hostages Hostages whom he receiued louingly and carried them with him before Roan Thus was this Citie girded round about on euerie part so that no man could passe in or out At this Siege there repaired voluntarily to the King 1600 Irishmen repaire to the King and doe him great seruice the Lord of Kylmay of Ireland with sixteene hundred tall lustie swift and strong men of that Nation they all beeing cloathed in Coats of Mayle and armed with Darts whom the King entertained cheerefully and was extraordinarily furthered by their help and assistance in those his Expeditions Daily the King gaue terrible assaults vnto the Citie The Towne assaulted and defended which with admirable resolution and manlike valour was brauely defended by the Normans But when force and violence preuailed not the king to spare his men and because hee vnderstood 210000 souls in Roan That there were aboue two hundred and tenne thousand men women and children within the Towne determined if he might to gaine it by famine without blowes The King intends to win Roan by famine For which purpose he cast a deepe Ditch about the Land parts of the Citie The Kings fortifications and pitched it plentifully with sharpe stakes and guarded them with his Archers so that the inhabitants could not issue out eyther to offend him or to relieue themselues Thus this Siege continued from Lammas vntill the whole Christmas was ended during which time A great Famine the Famine so grieuously encreased that the Citizens dranke nothing but vineger and water and multitudes of them were enforced to prolong their liues by eating of Rattes Mice Cattes Dogges Horses and such like Great numbers also of the poorer sort vncharitably were thrust out of the Citie The poore are thrust forth and die because they spent their victuals and could not fight and because they were not
their Prince And in Februarie following the Queene was crowned at Westminster 9 1420. The Duke of Clarence is betrayed by his friend and is slaine with great solemnitie and much honour The noble and the valiant Duke of Clarence being aduertised That the Duke of Alanson entitling himselfe the Lieutenant Generall of the Dolphin with diuers other Noblemen had leuied an Armie assembled the greatest part of his garrisons in Normandie and marched strongly into the Prouince of Angeou and pitched not farre off from the Citie of Angiers and spoyled and burnt the Countrey round about it To performe this Enterprise with honour and with safetie the Duke of Clarence had strengthened himselfe with sufficient Forces and Prouisions if they had beene well and wisely ordered But hauing in his Armie a false and a trayterous Lombard named Andrew Forgusa Andrew Forgusa whome hee too too much loued and trusted hee sent the said Lombard to discouer the preparations and the power with which hee was resolued to encounter Who brought him word That their number was but small their prouisions defectiue and their order orderlesse and that the Duke of Alanson was altogether vnable and too too weake to contend with him The Duke of Clarence firmely and strongly relying vpon the faith and the trust which hee reposed in this Traytor and being desirous with a small number to winne the honour of that day marched forward with his horsemen onely leauing behinde him his lustie and his strong Archers But when hee was entred within the secret ambushments which purposely were placed to distresse him and saw that his enemies were in number foure for one and were well prouided well armed and arranged in good order of battaile The battaile of Blangy and that no militarie discipline or art was wanting and that himselfe was villanously abused and betrayed by the Lombard whome hee trusted hee could not flye nor make any safe retreat but was enforced to aduenture his fortunes with too much inequalitie on his part So the fight began And though it was long maintained by the Englishmen with as much constancie and resolute valour as any men liuing could performe yet they being euerie minute oppressed with new supplyes and multitudes which still came rushing in vpon them tyring oppressing spoyling and hauocking of them wastfully on euerie side they were at length ouer-mastred and ouerthrowne The Englishmen slain and taken prisoners In this Battaile there were slaine on the French part more than twelue hundred of their choysest men and of the English there were slaine the braue Duke of Clarence the Earle of Tankeruyle Sir Gilbert Vmfreuyle Earle of Kent a prudent man and a worthie Commander the Lord Rosse and almost two thousand others And there were taken prisoners the Earles of Somerset Suffolke and Perch the Lord Fitz-water and manie others Sir Thomas Beauford surnamed the bastard of Clarence who had the direction of the Archers which were left behinde being informed but all too late that the Duke of Clarence was betrayed and that the numbers of the Frenchmen and their Power did farre exceede the Lombards report and that the English were distressed with incredible speede marched forth to succour them with his best helpes But the Frenchmen perceiuing his approach and contenting themselues with the honour of the day and with their prisoners as they had taken with posting haste and speede fled and ranne away as fast as they were able Cowardly Frenchmen leauing the new Forces of the Englishmen to performe sad Exequies for their slaine friends the bodies of whome they buried But the Duke of Clarence was carried into England and honourably interred at Canterburie by his father King Henrie the fourth The heauie newes of this vnexpected ouerthrow The Earle of Mortaigne succeedeth the Duke of Clarence and especially the death of the Duke of Clarence occasioned by the aforesaid Treacherie and Treason much grieued the King his brother Who purposing to reuenge himselfe if hee might vpon the Duke of Alanson and the late Dolphin and his adherents sent into Normandie the Earle of Mortaigne brother to the late taken Earle of Somerset and gaue to him the same Authoritie and Place which the Duke of Clarence formerly had He also assembled his High Court of Parliament In which hee substantially discouered in what sort the Estate of both his Kingdomes stood and how conuenient nay how necessarie and how needfull it was that the Dolphin and his adherents should speedily be pursued Hee likewise told them That hee wanted neyther Men Munition nor Courage but that Money was too scarce with him to vndertake that businesse Whereupon the Temporaltie with all chearefulnesse and alacritie gaue vnto him one Fifteene and the Clergie gaue him two And because much time would be spent before it could be leuied therefore the Kings vncle the Bishop of Winchester disbursed vnto him in readie coyne twentie thousand pounds which hee receiued againe out of the said Fifteenes The King hauing leuied a gallant Armie Iohn Duke of Bedford carrieth an army into France which consisted of foure thousand men at Armes and of foure and twentie thousand Archers sent and with all speede prosperously landed them at his owne Towne of Callis vnder the commaund of his worthie brother Iohn Duke of Bedford whome himselfe in his owne person followed The King followeth And vnderstanding that the Dolphin with seuen thousand men had besieged and much distressed the Citie of Chartieres which was valiantly defended by the Bastard of Thyan hee marched swiftly vnto Paris and from thence toward his Enemies and in his journey he was met by his heartie and true friend Philip Duke of Burgoine He meeteth his friend Philip Duke of Burgoine and Earle of Flanders who brought vnto him foure thousand men and diligently attended him in that Negotiation and Seruice The Dolphin raysed his siege The King was now informed That the Dolphin distrusting his owne strength had raysed his Siege and was retyred vnto Tours into Towrayne Wherefore to represse the rage and violence of Sir Iaques Harcourt who wasted the Countrey of Picardie hee sent the Duke of Burgoine thither And with other Forces hee caused the young and couragious Iames Iames the King of Scots winneth Direx the King of the Scots to lay siege vnto the Towne of Direx which he performed accordingly and dayly with such violence and valour so assaulted it for the space of sixe weekes that with mayne strength hee compelled it to be yeelded into his hands to King Henries vse The Dolphin flyeth from place to place And whilest this Siege did thus continue the King himselfe passed ouer the Riuer of Loyer intending to haue encountred with the Dolphin But hee distrusting his owne strength fled from Tours vnto Burgys in Berrye and there expected a change of his frowning fortunes The King perceiuing his flight from place to place to bee so quicke and hastie hee thought it not conuenient to
then would doe as he thought good but if they refused so to doe he then protested to visit the Towne and them with all the extremities which were incident to such a warre This quicke answere so little pleased the Townesmen that they returned purposing to resist and so they did But by strong batteries and fierce assaults their gates and their walles were beaten downe and entred so that many thousands of the Scots were slaine their riches were possessed by the English Armie and a great part of that Citie was consumed by fire Now whilest the Armie was thus busied there came vnto them from the King foure thousand English horsemen so that when the spoiles and booties were by the souldiers imbarked and by water sent into England the English Armie coasted thorow a great part of those Countries vnfought with burning killing and foraging in all places as they pleased so that they hauing taken ransacked and burnt a good part of the Citie of Edenborough Holy-rood house and the Kings Palace there and hauing rifled and defaced the Townes of Leyth Haddington Dumbarre Dyrlaw Broughton Dudiston Beuerton Markle Hatherwike Bowland Blackborne West-Crage Chester-fels Stone-house Trauent Trapren Belton Butterden Raunto Enderleigh Crawenden Shenston the Fycket East-barne Kyrklandhill Quickwood part of Muskelborough and many other Villages besides Abbies Monasteries and Religious Houses which particularly wee cannot name they returned powerfully with rich booties and with the only losse of fortie men into England Two Armies sent into France And thus did King Henry in some sharpe measure correct and punish the vnstable dealings of the Scots Which troubles when he had finished hee then forthwith made such plentifull preparations to inuade France that he sent vnto the French Kings Dominions two strong Armies of which the one was commanded by the Duke of Norfolke and by the gentle Lord Russel who was then newly made Lord Priuie Seale who therewithall besieged the strong Towne of Muttrell where they lost much time Muttrell besieged and abandoned and much labour and were enforced to leaue it in the end And the other of the said two Armies was commanded by the Duke of Suffolke with which the said former Armie inbodied it selfe and then they all encamped about the strong and warlike Citie of Bulleine Bulleine is besieged and after many sharpe conflicts and hot skirmishes they first tooke the Old man and shortly after base Bulleine To this siege King Henry himselfe being attended by many a worthie man repaired and after his comming thither The King commeth to Bulleine so long as the light gaue leaue for the space of one whole moneth together he caused the walles of the Towne and Castle so cruelly to be battered and the Towne it selfe to be so beaten and the breaches and the trenches to be so furiously assulted that the walles in many places lay almost leuell with the ground No house escaped vnhurted and the Inhabitants with continuall labour vexation Bulleine is yeelded and trauell were almost tired and worne out so that at length vpon composition that all the Souldiers and Inhabitants should safely depart with bagge and baggage the strong and stately Towne and Castle of Bulleine was deliuered into the Kings hands out of which issued vpon the said agreement threescore and seuen horsemen fifteene hundred threescore and three footmen eight hundred Gunners fourescore and seuen men who were hurt and nineteene hundred twentie and seuen men women and children they all being in number 4444. soules But many who by reason of their greeuous wounds could not depart were found and well cherished and releeued in the Towne Now whilest the King thus lay at the siege of Bulleine King Henry returneth the Emperour without the Kings knowledge or consent secretly concluded a peace with the French King whereat King Henry much greeued so that after hee had taken an exact order for the repairing and fortifying of that Towne and Castle bee dismissed his Armie and with great ioy honour and triumph he returned into England And because his daily warres which required continuall supplies had wasted and consumed his treasure Iohn Stow. 993. which for the preuenting of future mischiefes and in especiall such as were daily offred vnto him by the Scots he endeuoured to augment hee therefore demanded a Beneuolence of all his Subiects both Spirituall and Temporall For which purpose Sir Thomas Wryothesley A Beneuolence Lord Chancellor of England the Duke of Suffolke and others of his Maiesties Counsell of Estate sitting as Commissioners in Bainards Castle in London taxed the Citizens and Inhabitants according to their wisdomes and discretions And because one Alderman whose name was Richard Read refused to pay what they had ordered Alderman Read he was therefore by them required on a great paine personally to serue the King in his warres against the Scots which cheerefully be performed and was with many others taken prisoner and detained by his enemies vntill that for his ransome hee was enlarged and set free The Dolphins successe After the King was departed home the Dolphin taking the benefit to a darke night came with a great power so suddenly into Base Bulleine that he tooke it But such as fled and had saued their liues being aided by the souldiers of the vpper Towne and Castle came fiercely on the Dolphin and so manfully assailed him that to saue himselfe and his he in all the haste departed and left the Towne with his great losse The French are ouerthrowen Within few daies after Monsieur de Bees came on the other side of the water before the Towne with an Armie of fifteene thousand men and began to erect a Fortresse there But by the valiant Earle of Hartford the Viscount Lisle the Lord Gray and diuers others they were assailed fought with and shamefully put to flight and were compelled to leaue behinde them their Ordinance Tents and other good prouisions to their great ignominie and reproch The French King intending to worke wonders in England by way of a reuenge for that his strong Towne of Bulleine was lost sent to the Sea a mightie Fleet The French Kings Nauie doth nothing of two hundred tall ships and seuen and twentie strong Gallies all which were stuffed as it was reported with threescore thousand men All these came in good order and ancoured before the Isle of Wight and were oftentimes beaten with the great Ordinance which the Admirall of England liberally bestowed on them But as the English Fleet passed out of the Hauen of Portsmouth into the Sea a stately strong and a goodly ship named the Marie Rose The Marie Rose drowned belonging to the King in which was Captaine Sir George Carew Knight with more then foure hundred men besides was drowned almost in an instant by the grosse follie of the Gunners and of the Mariners the former of them hauing left their Ordinance vntrigged and the latter hauing left the vnder port holes open
the said thirteene Commissioners and manie others to bee guiltie of High Treason because they had compelled the king against his will and conscience to ratifie the said Commission by his oath and vnder his Great Seale And then they went to Couentrie where the said Iudges by an instrument in writing vnder their hands and seales declared and confirmed their opinions touching those matters to be agreeable and consonant to the Lawes of this Realme Now for a while must we leaue the king and his Nobilitie perplexed with manie euill conceits each of the other and studying vpon the future euents of those former conclusions and will informe the Reader that the time of Truce betwixt England and France was more then fully ended The French Lords and Gentlemen come to animate the Scots against England Their course entertainment They inuade England They make a troublesome iournie into Wales King Richard with an army of 68000. men entreth and spoileth Scotland and that the French king to beget more broyles at home sent his Admirall into Scotland with a thousand Lords knights and Gentlemen compleatly armed and furnished with armour and with weapons sufficient for one thousand more But such was their course and homely entertainment that vpon their first arriuall the Common people abandoned their companie making no manner of reckoning or accompt of them nor relieuing of their wants with any thing which was needfull but suffered them to be oppressed with as manie miseries as strangers being in a forraine and in a poore Countrie were able to endure vntill they ioyned with the Scottish armie which consisted of thirtie thousand men And with them they entred into England and did much harme But when they were informed that the king with eight thousand men at armes and threescore thousand Archers trauailed hard iournies to encounter with them they then forsooke their ordinarie march and passages and went ouer the high and craggie Mountaines into Wales where they committed manie vile and wicked outrages which turned little to their commoditie and gaine But in the meane time king Richard with fire and sword entred into Scotland where being vnresisted he rifled and burnt the Townes and Cities of Eden-burgh The French and Scots return into that wasted Countrie Saint Iohns Estreuelinge Dondée and manie others and returned home And the Scots and Frenchmen retyred themselues into Scotland where by reason of the late hauock and ruines of that kingdome the French Gallants were worne out with more necessities than before The great miserie of the Frenchmen For neither could or would the Townes or Countrey affoord them anie helpe and the apparant hazard of their liues by the violence of the poore distressed Scots did altogether terrifie them from foraging abroad How the Scots abused and wronged them And in the end to adde vnto them greater affliction than all the rest the Scots compelled their meanest Gentlemen without their horses and vnarmed and pennilesse to returne into France but kept as pledges or as pawnes the Admirall and such as were honourable and great vntill a full reckoning and an amends were made vnto them for all such losse and damages as by the English armie they had sustained affirming That the French king had engaged Scotland in those warres not for themselues but to serue his owne turne and in his seruice The King of France is enforced to redeeme his subiects The French king though angred at the heart to be thus abused yet finding none other meanes to enlarge the Admirall and such other great men as he had employed in those Warres sent to the Scots as much money as was demanded and thereupon the French Admirall Barons and Gentry were dismissed and returned home hauing small cause to bragge of their successe or of their entertainment in that journey The French King dreameth to conquer England But the French king intending to relieue himselfe and to wrecke his anger vpon England resolued to transport into this kingdome such an Armie as should make an absolute Conquest of this whole Land And to further his prouisions therein he imposed manie grieuous and intolerable Taxes on his people which were not leuied without much grudging and great trouble His whole Fleet consisted of more than twelue hundred saile of shippes 1200. shippes The number of his men was extraordinarie and exceeding great and such were his prouisions that among Christian Princes the like before was seldome seene or heard of The great Armie of the English King Richard who was verie valiant and cared not for his approach was readily prepared to giue him a welcome with tenne thousand gallant men at armes and with more than one hundred thousand fighting men besides such as furnished his braue Nauie on the sea and besides all such as for the defence of Callice were sent thither Homo ponit disponit autem Deus Experience teacheth vs That the greatest preparations for anie Expedition whatsoeuer are made in vaine if the thing to which they are intended and directed be not seconded by GODS fauor as by this example it shall appeare For when the French souldiors were departed from their owne dwellings The disorders of the French souldiors and trauelled disorderedly towards the place where their shippes lay they robbed and spoyled in all Prouinces and in all Countries through which they passed with greater furie and with more violence than commonly the English or anie other forraine enemie accustomed to doe The men and the enterprise are accursed by the oppressed people So that the inhabitants of all places subject to their crueltie and vnciuill outrage were not onely in the highest degree displeased and discontented but by solemne imprecations they cursed both them and the action likewise which they had in hand And when those loose companions came into the Low-Countries where the Fleet was The French Armie are in great miserie such were their wants of all things needfull to relieue them by reason of their excessiue numbers and by reason of the long absence of the Duke of Berrey the French kings vncle who hasted not thither nor liked well of that journey although it altogether depended vpon his furtherance and presence that first they sold their armor and their weapons then their horses They sell all and last of all their clothes to prouide them meat And when all those means failed them then they daily yea hourely The Armie is dissolued committed such violence and such outrages in those Countries without controlment that they became hatefull and odious to the inhabitants Parturiunt Montes nascitur ridiculus Mus. and at length the King their master being vtterly discouraged by his said vncle in this attempt dissolued his whole Armie And thus at one instant almost he lost both his honor and his hope his money and manie great things besides And the end of those his great designes affoords vs libertie to returne againe to our highly displeased and
sonne and heire vnto Iohn of Gaunt the yonger brother of the said Lionel was elected and crowned king And forthwith hee created his eldest sonne Henrie Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and summoned his High Court of Parliament in which an order was prescribed and set downe for the safe keeping and for the honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late king But his deposing imprisonment and all the former proceedings which were had against him Iohn Bishop of Carleyl condemneth the former proceedings against King Richard were in the same Assembly publikely condemned and reprooued by Iohn Bishop of Carlile as hatefull vnto God trayterous towardes the wronged king and infamous among good men For he auerred boldly That if he were not a good king yet more iniurie was done vnto him then ordinarily is done to Murderers and to Theeues because they are not as he was condemned before they had made their answere to the obiected crime before Iudges which were indifferent The Bishop of Carleyl is attached and pronounced their iudgement vpon good proofe But assoone as hee had ended his speech he was attached by the Earle Marshal and committed to strait Prison in the Abbey of Saint Albons And then among manie other things in the same Parlament done the Crowne of England was entailed to King Henrie The Crowne is Entayled and to his heires for euer Treason plotted to be acted at Oxford Assoone as this Parliament was ended such of the greatest Lords as made the fairest shew of publike applause and ioy for the High dignitie which King Henrie did possesse conspired by Treason to take away his life at a solemne Iusts to be holden in the Citie of Oxford whereunto the King was inuited and promised to bee present because hee conceiued that the same Triumph was so appointed for his honour and for his delight This Treacherie was cunningly plotted and contriued by the Conspirators who by Indentures vnder their handes and seales had bound themselues each vnto other both for secrecie and also for the resolute effecting and performing thereof all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oathes The confederates The Confederates in this Treason were the Kings Cousin German Edward Plantagenet Duke of Aumarle sonne and heire apparant to Edmund of Langley Duke of Yorke Thomas Holland Duke of Surrie and Iohn Holland his brother Duke of Exeter both which were halfe brothers to King Richard Iohn Montague Earle of Salisburie Hugh Spencer Earle of Glocester Sir Thomas Blunt and one Magdalen who was sometimes a Chamber-wayter to the deposed King and both in stature and in countenance and in his behauiour was not much vnlike him All these Conspirators the Duke of Aumarle onely excepted met at Oxford at the appointed time being strongly guarded and honourably attended The Treason was strangely discouered by lustie Archers and other valiant men But the absence of the said Duke was by his Associates wondred at for which their was good cause For as hee sate at Table with the Duke his Father one Labell of a part of the said Indentures appeared at his bosome by which the olde Duke drew forth the whole writing And hauing read the same hee caused his Horse to bee made readie because hee intended with all poasting speed to make this newes knowne vnto the King But his guiltie The Duke of Aumarle confesseth all to the King and perplexed Sonne perceiuing that his Father would reueale this secret and knowing that now the least delay might extraordinarily hasten his danger being brauely mounted with all celeritie he out-rode his Father and came to Windsor Castle to the King who was preparing for his said iournie and without anie tedious discourse or lingring ceremonies He is pardoned hee reuealed to his Maiestie the whole conspired Treason and freely obtained his owne pardon It now behoued the King to change his course and so hee did For presently he rode to the Tower of London The King raiseth an armie where he tooke a present and a perfit view of all such thinges as were behoofefull and necessarie to an Armie And then he leuied a strong power purposing to defend himselfe and to surprise those grand Traytours if he might But when the Conspirators were informed that all their Plot and Treason was reuealed Magdalen was King Richards counterfeit They caused the said Magdalen to bee attired in Royall Robes and to faine and affirme himselfe to bee King Richard And with him and all their Troupes which were verie warlike and strong they marched towardes London resoluing to oppose themselues in the field against the king But king Henrie knowing that those Lords both in bloud and for their power The King marcheth towards the Traytors were more then ordinarily great was not ignorant that his best meanes to represse and vanquish them consisted in the quickest expedition and dispatch which hee could make Wherefore with a bold and with a kingly courage hee marched speedily towardes them with twentie thousand wel-armed men The newes of the kings approach being voiced among the companies which were conducted by the conspiratours so perplexed The Traiterous Lords are left by their companions and so amazed them that verie cowardly they ranne away and left those Lords comfortlesse and destitute of all aide So that the most of them were apprehended and not long after were put to death in sundrie places of this kingdome The Lords flâ—e and are taken and executed and the rest being surcharged and ouer-burdned with feare and sorrow not long after dyed Thus was king Henrie happily deliuered from this danger And lest the like Treason for king Richards sake might at an other time bee attempted against his person he caused him to bee murdered in the Castle of Pomfret Charles the sixt resolueth to releue his Sonne in-law King Richard as in the end of the discourse describing his Raigne and Historie more particularly it doth appeare When the French King Charles the sixt Father-in-law to king Richard was truely informed what had beene done in England hee was much grieued at the vnsufferable wrongs which were done vnto him and did intend as a faithful friend in his extremities to relieue his lamentable Estate and to be pittied miseries And for that purpose hee sent his letters of defiance to king Henrie and brought an Armie Royal into Piccardie with which he resolued to make sharp Warre within this Realme He desisteth when he heareth of King Richards death A French Armie An English Armie But when hee certainly knew that the poore distressed and afflicted King was dead and that it was too late to doe him anie good hee dissolued his Armie and proceeded no further in that businesse Yet to reuenge those wrongs hee was verie hopefull to surprise manie Townes Cities and Castles in Aquitaine and in Guyan And to effect the same not long after hee leuied other Forces encreasing them to a great
oftentimes consulted of those affaires with the Earles of Warwike and of Salisburie and with other Commissioners appointed by the King Much was demanded nothing granted nor concluded and yet those eight daies were spent The eight daies are spent The Townesmen againe earnestly entreated That the Truce might be prolonged one day more One day more of Truce craued which was frankly yeelded to them The same day the Multitude and the baser sort of the people within the Citie being informed that nothing was agreed on with hideous shouts The commons doe mutinie in the Towne and fearefull cryes and exclamations accused their Magistrates Captaines and Commanders and threatned to cut their throats because as murderers of their countreymen and brethren they suffered them to starue like dogges thereby supporting the stoutnesse of their owne stomacks and their owne particular estates The Magistrates and the Captaines fearing the euill euent of this vnruly tumult entreated all the Citizens to repaire into the Market place Which when they did they then required of them what they would haue With one consent and with one voice they cryed out That they were resolued to saue their owne liues by yeelding of the Citie to King Henrie Vpon this motion a new Petition was sent vnto the King crauing the continuance of the Truce for foure daies more Which request was granted to them And in the fourth day being about the nineteenth day of Ianuarie all matters were so throughly concluded and agreed on That the strong and faire Citie of Roan Roan is yeelded to King Henries mercie the Inhabitants themselues and all their goods and riches were yeelded to the Kings mercie The rendring of this Citie and of all the aforesaid Townes and manie more did much perplex and coole the courage of the Normans and the Duke of Burgoine who with the discontentment of the Nobilitie ruled both the King and his Countries The Regent plotteth to make peace and to be reuenged on his enemies feared much least these disasters would be layed vnto his charge Wherefore to preuent ensuing dangers which as hee suspected did secretly threaten his Estate he resolued by his best meanes and endeauours first to reconcile the two kings if possibly he could and then to auenge himselfe vpon the Dolphin vpon the Constable and also vpon all such others as he supposed were most likely to do him the greatest harme Vpon the Dukes motion king Henrie with his Nobles and greatest Commanders Many parties but nothing concluded and one thousand braue and gallant souldiors and the French Queene because the king was weake and vnable the Ladie Katherine his daughter and the said Duke with some other Noblemen of France accompanied with the like number met oftentimes and consulted much But whatsoeuer king Henrie did demaund all was denied and all their trauailes sorted to no end Whereat king Henrie was much displeased King Henrie to angrie and taking leaue hee told the Duke That hee would haue the kings daughter the Ladie Katherine for his Wife with all such Seigniories Prouinces and Countries as hee required Or otherwise hee would ere long driue both his Master and him also out of that kingdome The Duke replyed The Dukes answere That those words were spoken with great ease but that he must take much labour and toyle to make them good Now when this practise fayled the Duke vpon faire tearmes reconciled himselfe to the Dolphin The Dolphin and the Regent outwardly reconciled And this their new amitie and friendship was by publike Notaries reduced into a formall Instrument in writing confirmed with both their Seales and was proclaymed with great solemnitie in manie Townes in France yet was it fained and vnfirme as shortly after it appeared But this outward Reconciliation contented not King Henrie because hee was right well assured That their discord and their brawlings would haue giuen an easie passage to his attempts in those Countries yet like an vndaunted Prince hee resolued to trie his further Fortunes with them all King Henrie createth Earles in France Longeuyle Tankeruyle Ewe And in hope of future seruice to be honorably performed he created Giscoyne de Foys Earle of Longeuyle Sir Iohn Gray Earle of Tankeruyle and Sir Iohn Bourchyer Earle of Ewe And then in close and in secret manner hee sent Captaine Bueff brother to the said Earle of Longeuyle with fifteene hundred approued men of Warre to the strong Towne of Ponthoyse Ponthoys taken who before the day appeared with skaling Ladders resoluedly entred into the Towne and possessed the Market place without blowes Which when the Lord Lisleadame the Captaine of the Towne perceiued he fled away with eight thousand of the inhabitants who were receiued into Paris And the next day King Henries brother the Duke of Clarence The Duke of Clarence lay before Paris two daies came vnto the same Towne with fiue hundred gallant and well prepared men of Warre and hauing fortified it and diuided the chiefest of the Spoyles thereof among the braue attempters of this Exploit he marched vnto Paris and lay before it two daies But being vnable with so small a number to assault or much to trouble it hee returned vnfought with vnto Ponthoyse The Parisians are afraid The winning of this Towne immoderately vexed and appalled the Parisians because now the French King had not in his possession anie strong Towne betwixt them and the English Armie All Normandie wonne by King Henry except Mount S. Michael The Duke of Clarence had also taken the strong Townes of Gysors and of Gallyard And within few dayes after all the Townes Cities Castles and Fortresses in Normandie excepting Mount S. Michael onely which neuer was besieged nor assaulted were either taken by force or were voluntarily surrendred to King Henrie who by GODS assistance and his true valour thus reduced the whole Dutchie of Normandie to his Crowne 7 1418. and did enjoy it as his Inheritance and Right The foresaid Iohn Iohn the proud Duke of Burgoine newly seeketh reconciliation with the Dolphin Duke of Burgoine surnamed the proud perceiuing that the Kingdome of France was too too weakely vnderpropped by reason that the friendship lately contracted betwixt himselfe and Charles the Dolphin was but superficiall and not heartie determined in a more submissiue manner to humble himselfe vnto him that thereby their loue taking the deeper root might bring forth riper fruits of Vnitie and of Peace But when they met the Dolphin whose malice was irreconcilable and whom mistrustfull jealousie did stil persuade that the Duke would not be faithfull procured him treacherously to be murdered The Duke is murdered as the said Duke himselfe vpon the like enterview for friendship sake had caused Lewis the Duke of Orleance to be slaine A iust punishment in the tenth yeare of the raigne of King Henrie the fourth This horrible Accident for a while tormented with insupportable griefe Philip Earle of Carolois
with his whole strength before the Towne of Vernoyle in the prouince of Perch where he falsely informed the inhabitants That at Yurye hee had fought with the Regent defeated his Armie slaine thousands Policie taken many prisoners freed that Towne and had compelled him by swift riding to prouide for the safetie of his owne life This false report soone made the Duke owner of that Towne Yury wonne and his Retreat made the Regent Lord of Yurye and as soone as sound prouisions were made to strengthen it the Regent with his whole Armie marched vnto Vernoyle where meeting with the French cowards and with diuers Scots who did assist them hee compelled them to engage their fortunes by a bloudie battaile in a pitched field The fight was cruelly maintained for the space of three houres But in the end the Englishmen The battaile of Vernoyle with the losse of one and twentie hundred of their common souldiors wonne the honour of that day and slew of their enemies fiue Earles two Vicounts one and twentie Barons and more than seuen thousand other men besides two thousand and seuen hundred Scots who were sent thither by their King But the Duke of Alanson himselfe with many Lords Knights and Gentlemen of Name The Frenchmen are ouerthrowne were taken prisoners And the Towne of Vernoyle without Assault or Batterie was surrendred into the Regents hands Vernoyle is regayned who hauing fortified it with a strong Garrison commanded by their worthie Captaine Sir Philip Hall marched to the Citie of Roan where hee was receiued with many triumphant Shewes And from thence he came to Paris where his kinde entertainment proclaymed his welcome and his honour This ouerthrow so weakened the French King that none other Prouinces or Territories but onely Burbon Aluerne Berry The English doe preuaile Poytou Towrayne part of Angeou and Languedoc could giue vnto his Royall Person anie warrant of safetie and assurance Yet least he should want the true honors belonging to a King in the Citie of Poytiers hee established his High Court of Parliament and his Chancerie The French King laboureth his owne establishment with the publike vse of his broad Scale and of all other things needfull and requisite for the due administration of his Lawes and the distribution of Iustice The Earle of Salisburie winneth many Townes The Regent taking the aduantage of his late victorie sent into the Countrey of Mayne an Armie of tenne thousand men which with great resolution were brauely conducted by the valorous and prudent Earle of Salisburie who quickly wonne the strong Citie of Mauns and the Townes of Saint Susan le Fort Saint Barnard and manie others And from thence he went into Angeou where with the Sword hee performed such and so manie wonders His name is feared that the verie Name of Salisburie became terrible in all France 1425. 4 The perfidious Earle of Richmond whome King Charles had newly made High Constable of France intending to make himselfe famous in the minoritie of his Gouernment raised an Armie of fortie thousand men which consisted of Britons French and Scots The Siege of Saint Iames. with which he besieged the strong Towne of Saint Iames in Beuyon which was defended only by six hundred Englishmen who hauing resolutely endured many sharpe assaults and hard bickerings A miraculous ouerthrow vpon a suddaine issued boldly out of the Towne and proclaymed their approach with an hideous shout of Saint George Salisburie Saint George Salisburie and fell vpon the multitude of their enemies like a storme This terrible crie and the inconsolable feare and terror which made them thinke that the Earle of Salisburie with his Armie had secretly conueyed himselfe into the Towne for their rescue so amazed and daunted the faint-hearted multitude that casting away their Armour abandoning all Order and entertaining nothing but Despaire they leapt headlong into the Riuer In which many of them were drowned more were slaine some were taken prisoners and the rest who ranne away left vnto this little handfull all their Tents foureteene Peeces of Ordnance fortie barrels of Powder three hundred Pypes of Wine two hundred Pypes of Bisket and of Flower and two hundred Peeces of Raisins and Figges fiue hundred Barrels of Herrings much Armour and manie other things A poore reuenge The New Constable intending to redeeme his honour with some better fortune recollected and furnished his Armie with which hee marched into the Countrey of Angeou where without resistance hee burnt a few of the smallest poorest and most vnworthie Villages of that Prouince This childish Seruice puft him vp with much pride and made him to imagine that he was now a warlike man though his owne Nation and all others did publikely mocke and scoffe at his grosse follie Whilest thus the Regent and his Captaines daily triumphed in France a dangerous and an vnkind jarre brake forth at home Variance betweene the Protector and his vncle the Bishop of Winchester betwixt the Protector and his vncle Henrie Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancelor of England which threatened the breach of the Peace and Tranquilitie of this Kingdome and Commonweale For the appeasing whereof the Regent hauing made the Earle of Warwike his Lieutenant Generall and hauing set his affaires and businesse in good order came into England Where in a Court of Parliament the differences betwixt them were discouered arbitrated and the quarrell ended to the great comfort and contentment of their friends In honour whereof It is appeased the King kept a solemne Feast in which the Regent dubbed the King a Knight The King is dubbed Knight The King also inuested manie of his Great subjects with the same Dignitie and created his cousin Richard sonne to Richard late Earle of Cambridge Duke of Yorke and restored Iohn Mowbray who was Earle Marshall to his fathers Duchie of Norfolke Creation of Lords And in this meane time the Earle of Warwike approued himselfe to be a worthie Commander ouer his great charge and conquered manie things in Mayne and prepared to fight a set battaile whereunto he was challenged by the French But their threatnings were but brags and their courage fell downe into their heeles For A French bragge a little before the appointed time they basely and cowardly ranne away When all things were thus quieted at home the noble Regent being accompanied with his vncle the Bishop of Winchester returned into France And vpon the request of his brother in law 1426. 5 The Duke of Alanson is ransomed the Duke of Burgoine hee set at libertie the Duke of Alanson for the ransome of two hundred thousand crownes The most part of which money he would haue giuen backe againe A worthie Duke if the said Duke would haue sworne his homage to King Henrie which he refused to doe and did affirme That the whole world should not alienate his faith from King Charles nor his dutie from his
league and friendship with the French King who had before murdered his Father Which falling off from the English aduantaged not him nor sounded to his honour 1434. 13 Saint Dennis trecherously betrayed About the same time the Towne of Saint Dennys neere vnto Paris was treasonably yeelded to the French King by the secret practise of the Bastard of Orleance who was surnamed the Earle of Dumoys But the Lord Talbot and some other Lords accompanied with fiue thousand men compassed it round about with a strong Siege Whereof when the Earle of Dumoys was informed to remoue the Siege he collected a strong power of chosen horsemen But ere he came thither the Towne by composition was surrendred Saint Dennis is recouered and the Walls and Towers thereof were beaten to the ground And though in this place the English gayned yet the inhabitants of Ponthoys which standeth on the Riuer betwixt Normandie and Paris did rebell Ponthois reuolteth and thrust the English Garrison out of the Towne which from that time forward animated the inhabitants of Paris to thinke on nothing more than how they might by Treason or by Violence reduce themselues to the subjection of the French King But behold a greater mishap than the losse of manie Townes and Cities did vnexpectedly weaken King Henries part For now the most renowned The Regent dieth wise politike and worthie Regent of France died and was with all Princely Ceremonies and Solemnities buried in a stately Monument which was erected for him in our Ladie Church He was buried in Roan within the Citie of Roan Whereat the mutable and vnconstant Nobilitie of the Duchie of Normandie who had receiued from him manie benefits and fauors much repined And within few yeares after they instantly requested the French King Lewis the eleuenth who was the sonne of King Charles the seuenth to plucke it downe His Sepulcher enuied and to cast the Regents carkasse into the open fields alledging That it was much dishonourable and a great disgrace for them to suffer such an enemie as hee was to them and to the Kings of France to be so richly interred within the Metropolitan Citie of that Prouince But King Lewis who worthily withstood their base attempt affirmed did publikely protest A Kingly Speech That a more sumptuous Sepulcher was too too bad to couer the dead corps of him who in his life time scorned vpon anie occasion whatsoeuer to step one foot backe for all the power and souldierie of France and who in all his proceedings and in all his Gouernment had approued himselfe to be so wise politike faithfull and hardie that all heroicall and generous spirits should rather endeuour to immortalize his Fame and with the Trumpet of Honor to proclaime his manlike acts than in the least measure labour to shadow or to eclipse them with Enuie or Disgrace And that there was no stronger an argument or proofe of basenesse and of cowardise than to insult ouer the dead bodie of him who whilest he liued was amiable and courteous in time of Peace 1435. 14 Richard Duke of Yorke made Regent but bold and terrible in Armes The death of this renowned Prince was the cause of infinite alterations and changes within the Kingdome of France and elsewhere For after his death Richard Duke of Yorke was made Regent against the liking and good will of Edmund Duke of Somerset cousin to the King who for himselfe inwardly affected that authoritie and place The treacherous Citie of Paris also and manie other Townes Paris reuolteth and is cruell to the English Castles and Forts rebelliously yeelded themselues and wholly became French And not onely so but villanously they murdred taunted and scoffed the English Nation whom in outward shew and with faire words they seemed not long before to honor and extraordinarily to respect The Normans also reuolted and tyrannized ouer the Englishmen whome with the Sword and by a thousand meanes The rebellious Normans are subdued they consumed vntill by the slaughter of fiue thousand of their companies they were subdued by the Lord Talbot the Lord Scales Sir Thomas Kyriel and by some others When Paris Saint Dennys Saint Germans in Ley and manie more Cities and Townes were lost the new Regent Priuate enuie hindered the publike good with eight thousand souldiors landed at Harflew and from thence came to the Citie of Roan where his Presidents for Iustice were much admired and commended But in the whole course of his Gouernment he effected nothing else to be wondered at by reason that the Duke of Somersets secret grudgings hindered those Expeditions which might haue made him famous and his Countrey fortunate and happie The reuolted Duke of Burgoine who not long before had falsified his Oath and Promise to King Henrie The Duke of Burgoine besiegeth Calice and to his Father pretending a rightfull Title vnto the Towne of Callice besieged it with an Armie which consisted of fortie thousand men This Towne was newly strengthened with manie hundreds of braue souldiors who by Henrie Earle of Mortayne and by the Lord of Cammoys from England were brought thither The Duke attempted to winne the Towne by three terrible assaults but he was a great loser by them all And the incredible strength of the place and of his enemies depriued him vtterly of all hope to winne it by any other meanes than onely by Famine and scarsitie of foode But that course he was not able to pursue because the English Nauie was Master of the Sea But yet to shut vp the Hauen and then for a while to attempt what might bee done hee prepared foure great Hulkes and filled them with square and massie stones semented and joyned close together with Iron and with Lead because they should as a Rock remayne together and not be beaten in sunder by the Sea But so vnskilfull were they who had the charge to sinke them that they missed the Channell So that when the water was at an ebbe the shippes lay drie and were by the Callicians torne all abroad and the Stones and Timber being taken in serued for the prouision and fortifications of the Towne The Dukes Bastyle taken by the English The Duke also built a strong Bastyle which he furnished with foure hundred fighting men Which though for a few dayes it prejudiced the besieged yet it did them no memorable harme For not long after it was erected certaine Troupes of horsemen issued out of the Towne who fought proudly with the Dukes Forces and in the mean time the Bastyle was assaulted and wonne by others who tooke all such prisoners as were not slaine therein burned the Fort and returned with verie little losse into the Towne The Duke of Burgoine flyeth in the night The Duke of Burgoine who seemed much to rejoyce because the Protector had promised to attempt the raysing of the Siege within few dayes made great preparations to withstand it But being surprized with a
new Gentlemen as vnworthily doe rule and gouerne all to our dishonour and reproach The Earle of Warwicke finding the Duke of Clarence thus tractable The plot is strengthened by a mariage and inclining to his humour consulted with him oftentimes touching this businesse And to tie him vnto himselfe by a fast bond of friendship and of loue He offered to him in marriage one of his daughters who was named Isabel with halfe the inheritance of his wife Whereof the Duke in all kindly and friendly sort accepted And thereupon the plot was contriued thus The plot against King Edward The Earle himselfe with the Duke of Clarence would goe vnto Calice where the yong Lady who was there should bee married And in their absence as if it hapned without their knowledge or consent the Earles two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marques Montacute were appointed with their friends to raise a Rebellion in the Countie of Yorke And this proiect was put into Execution in this maner The Husbandmen of Yorke-shire by an ancient custome in the end of Haruest The cause of the Rebellion vsed yearely to giue a certaine quantie of Corne and Graine towards the maintenance and reliefe of diuers poore people who liued in the Hospitall of Saint Leonard within the Citie of Yorke Now the Earles friends scandalously and falsely reported in the Countrie thereabout That the said poore people were not relieued by the said Almes but that the Gouernour and Priests of the said Hospitall enriched and fatted themselues therewith So when the Proctors according to their wonted fashion came abroad to collect the peoples deuotion in that kind they were shrewdly beaten by the Rustickes and misused beyond measure Hereupon many Religious and well disposed people tooke part with the Proctors and with rough words and some blowes they requited the iniurie which was done vnto them From this beginning sprang forth a dangerous Insurrection So that within few dayes there were vp in Armes more then fifteene thousand men This was done by him in fauour of the King as it seemes afterwards Who with their ring-leaders came proudly before the Citie of Yorke and with vnciuile and rude tearmes they threatned the ruine and destruction of it But in the darkenesse of the night the Marques Montacute being accompanied with many lustie and braue men set vpon the Rebels slew many hundreds of them and strake off the Captaines head and strongly fortified that Citie When the King who was truely informed of this Rebellion was told this newes hee rested doubtfull whether his old friend the Marques had done this seruice to make an amends for his reuolt Sir Iohn Conyers captaine of the Rebels or else to colour his ill intendements thereby The Rebels who still increased perceiuing that they should loose their labour to linger about the Towne left the Citie and marched towards London being then conducted by Sir Iohn Conyors a worthie and a valiant Knight The King being hereof aduertised commanded the Lord William Herbert Earle of Pembroke and Humphrie Lord Stafford of Southweeke who was nominated in hope of future good seruice but not indeed created Earle of Deuonshire to leauie a strong power in Wales and with all expedition to fight with the Rebels And hee himselfe promised to assist them with a faire Armie The Lord Stafford ouerthrowne These Lords with eight or nine thousand men right well ordered and apointed marched towards these Rebels And as they drew neere to Northampton they vnderstood that they were not farre off Whereupon the Lord Stafford and Sir Richard Herbert a valiant Knight and brother to the Earle of Pembroke taking with them out of the whole Armie two thousand strong skilful Archers plotted a secret Ambush to take a view of the Northren Rebels as they passed by but as soone as they were gone beyond them these Archers rushed violently vpon their Rereward But the Rebels who were nimble and well ordered by their carefull Generall turned about stuck to their tacklings and with their greater numbers slew most of those Welchmen and the rest fled hastily to their owne Campe. An vnfortunate dissentiō And the next night by reason of an vnkind diuision which hapned betwixt the Lord Stafford and the Earle of Pembroke who at Banburie remoued him from a common Inne where hee vsed to lodge with an vnchaste Queane the Lord Stafford with his Archers departed from the Armie and left them to their fortunes among their foes This froward slinking away nothing at all dismaied the noble Earle though as he had iust cause he were much displeased thereat Banburie field but made him to resolue with the more alacritie and courage to set vpon the Rebels with whom hee fought the next day and with his Welshmen saw many tokens of victorie neere at hand But suddenly a Gentleman named Iohn Clapham and seruant to the Earle of Warwicke hauing his masters Banner with the white Beare trouped towards the battaile with fiue hundred men who were by him collected of the off-skumme of the rascall and basest sort of the inhabitants of the Towne of Northampton and of the villages thereabout All these presenting themselues afarre off and aduancing their Standard and crying A Warwicke A Warwicke A policie so incredibly daunted and confounded the Welshmen who supposed that the Earle of Warwicke was come thither with another Armie The Kings forces are ouerthrowen 5000. men slaine that they began to flie and were on the sudden ouerthrowen and more then fiue thousand of them were slaine And Sir Richard Harbert and eight others being taken prisoners were beheaded at Banburie by the Rebels This fortunate successe animated sundrie leaud and ill disposed people of Northamptonshire to enter into new broiles insomuch that they making a notorious Rascall named Robin of Riddisdale The Queenes father is beheaded by the Rebels their Captaine entred into the Manour of Grafton where they apprehended the Earle Ryuers whom they loued not and Sir Iohn his sonne caried them to Northampton and without questioning with them or any legall proceeding smote off their heads The Lord Stafford beheaded The King marcheth towards the Rebels The Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke doe some with the Rebels And the Lord Stafford being by the Kings directions taken at Brentmarsh in Somersetshire was caried to Bridgewater and was there executed because hee trecherously departed with his companies from the Earle of Pembroke as formerly we haue heard The King notwithstanding these troubles was so full of courage and heroicall magnanimitie that hee was not any thing at all dismaied with any crosse or ill newes but marched confidently with his Armie against the Northerne Rebels to whom the Earle of Warwicke had ioined himselfe with a great power and likewise the Duke of Clarence brought all his forces to the Earle so that now a fearfull expectation of vnchristian crueltie disquieted the vast and great body of the
dismounted himselfe quickly from his horse and making an incredible slaughter of his enemies he pressed so farre into their battaile to be reuenged on his chiefest aduersaries that hauing no power nor meanes to returne againe he was slaine and the Marquesse Montacute who euer honoured King Edward and was his secret friend rushing into King Edwards Armie not to doe it any harme but to rescue and to releeue his brother met with the like fortune Thus both of them being dead their whole Armie ran away and King Edward was master of the Field And in the afternoone of the same day carrying with him King Henry as his prisoner hee returned triumphantly like a Conquerour into the Citie of London and in Pauls Church hee offred vp his Standard A thankesgiuing to God 10000. men slaine Sir Humfrey Bourchier and rendred thankes to Almightie God for his victorie thus happily obtained In this battaile there were slaine at the least ten thousand men but none other of any noted name sauing only on the Kings part Sir Humfrey Bourchier sonne to the Lord Barnes who was a right valiant and an approued man in Armes The King sorrowed much and was greeued exceedingly at the death of the Marquesse Montacute because hee had lost a faithfull and a deare friend Yet to assure the people that those two brothers were dead indeed The dead bodies of the two brethren laid open in Pauls Church Queene Margaret landeth too late Noble men doe repaire to her he caused them to be brought into London in one coffin and for the space of three daies to lie open faced in Pauls Church and then among their honourable Ancestors in the Priorie of Bissam they were both buried in one graue Queene Margaret not hearing of this newes but intending to bring some succours to the Earle landed at Waymouth where these tidings appalled her sences and depriued her of all future good hope or good hap Wherefore in the Abbey of Beawly in Hampshire shee with the Prince her sonne tooke Sanctuarie and thither repaired to her the Duke of Somerset Iaspar Earle of Pembroke Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Iohn Lord Wenloke and diuers others And when the Queene and they had thorowly debated what course was fittest to be taken They raise a new Armie they resolued once more to aduenture their fortunes in the Field for which purpose euery one of those Noblemen resorted into their own Countries where they prepared such men and furnitures for the war as they could get The Queene and the Duke of Somerset leuied an Armie about Bristow and Glocester and from thence they endeuoured to goe into Wales to ioine their forces with such companies as the Earle of Pembroke had raised there The King preuenteth them The King who was more strong then they purposed to preuent their meeting if he might and so closely followed them that though the Queene and most of her associates supposed it to bee best to flie disordered into Wales yet the Duke of Somerset would not consent thereunto The Duke of Somersets resolution to fight Tewkesburie field by reason whereof both those Armies met neere vnto Tewkesburie in Glocestershire and after a long fight which with a small companie the Duke of Somerset had maintained against the Duke of Glocesters battaile he not being seconded by the Lord Wenloke by whom their middle Ward was commanded retired towards the said Lord and with cursed words hee bitterly reuiled him for his base cowardlinesse and with his Pole-axe he suddenly strake out his braines But within one houre after King Edward ouerthrew them all The King getteth the victorie hauing slaine aboue three thousand of them among whom were the Earle of Deuonshire the Lord Iohn brother to the Duke of Somerset Sir Iohn Lewknor Sir Iohn Delues and many others Great Prisoners There were also taken prisoners the Queene the Duke the Prior of S. Iohns of Ierusalem Sir Geruase Câ—ifton Sir Thomas Tresham and twelue others of eminencie and of note all which Queene Margaret only excepted were beheaded the next day Execution Prince Edward cruelly murdered And the young Prince Edward who was taken prisoner by Sir Richard Crofts was presented to the King and because he answered him stoutly to some questions which he demanded of him hee was slightly stricken by the King and suddenly murdered by the Dukes of Clarence and of Glocester Queene Margaret is a prisoner and by Thomas Marquesse Dorset and the Lord Hastings And this was the last Ciuill Battaile which was fought in England in King Edwards daies When the King had thus obtained this victorie hee returned to London carrying with him Queene Margaret as his prisoner and was with triumphant ioy receiued into the Citie from whence he sent one Roger Vaughan a powerfull Gentleman into his Countrey of Wales requiring him by some secret traine or other to entrap the Earle of Pembroke and to behead him if he could Râ—gâ— Vaugâ—an is 〈◊〉 and bâ—â—â—aded But the Earle being informed of his comming and of his errand caused him suddenly to bee apprehended and put to death And then the said Earle with his nephew Henry the young Earle of Richmond who was but ten yeares old sailed into Britaine and were courteously receiued and louingly entertained by Francis the Duke of that Prouince Not long after Reyner the Titularie King of Naples Sicilie Queene Margaret is ransomed and of Ierusalem with the sale of the Kingdomes of Naples and of Sicilie for money ransomed Queene Margaret his daughter and vpon that Title and none other Charles the Eighth King of France conquered Naples as in the Historie of those warres it appeareth King Henry is found dead in the Tower The Duke of Glocester murdered him King Henry brought open faced into Pauls Church Now when no man by reason of King Edwards peace and prosperitie thought of any euill tidings suddenly it was noised thorowout the Citie of London that King Henry was found dead in his chamber within the Tower and so he was indeed being cruelly and wickedly murdered and stabbed with a dagger by Richard Duke of Glocester brother to King Edward as the report commonly went And his bodie was brought into Pauls Church where his face lay vncouered one whole day that thereby the people might bee assured that he was dead And thus was King Edward freed from his great enemies But his two brothers of Clarence and of Glocester being for their periuries murders and euill courses punished by Almightie God embrewed their hands in their owne bloud not long after When King Edward for two or three yeares had enioied an happie peace his brother in law Charles Duke of Burgoine heartily detesting the French King The Duke of Burgoine animateth K. Edward to worre for his title to France Reasons mouing the King so to doe and secretly intending to worke him some despight perswaded King Edward to renew his French warres for the recouering of his
said Earle should euer remaine with him as a prisoner the King was somewhat pacified and neuer after attempted to haue him in his owne power King Edward being now at ease and enioying a blessed peace both at home and abroad with all forraine Princes did many things which highly aduanced his honour The Duke of Burgoine is thrice in one yeare ouerthrowen and were very profitable to the Common-weale But the Duke of Burgoine who by nature was vnconstant hastie turbulent and wholly addicted to the warre was in this yeare ouerthrowen in three seuerall battailes which he fought against the Suâ—sses 1. In the first at Granson where hee lost his honour and his wealth 2. In the second at Morrat where hee lost his honour and his men 3. And in the third at Nancie where he lost his honour his riches his men and his owne life About this time the Duke of Clarence brother to King Edward was suspected accused and condemned of high Treason for that he with many others had secretly contriued the Kings death The Duke of Clarence imprisoned and murdered and thereupon hee was returned a prisoner to the Tower But within few daies after hee was wickedly drowned in a Butte of Malmesie not without the Kings notice as most men did suppose Hee left behinde him but two children Edward and Margaret which Edward was created Earle of Warwicke and was executed for High Treason in the raigne of King Henry the Seuenth And Margaret who being wife and Dowager to Richard de la Pole Earle of Salisburie was put to death for Treason in the raigne of King Henry the Eighth The King in the fiue last yeares of his raigne vtterly changed his former humours For whereas before that time he had beene bountifull and liberall The King changeth his forme of gouernment of the Common-weale Penall lawes He lost the loue of his Subiects loued magnificence and honourable hospitalitie he now began to be so wretched couetous and miserable that to get money and to augment his treasure hee extraordinarily vexed and troubled his subiects by inflicting vpon them the execution of penall lawes by meanes whereof hee as quickly extinguished and quenched their heartie loue and good affection towards him as water doth the fire In the twentieth yeare of his raigne hee much desired that the mariage which the French King had promised betwixt the Dolphin and his daughter 1480. 20 might be consummate for which purpose he sent an honourable Ambassage into France willing them to tell the French King that he had broken his promise and his oath for that hee had not sent for the said Ladie into France within one yeare after the concluding of the said former Articles Lewys the eleuenth But Lewys the French King returned friuolous excuses and promised very shortly to send for her when as indeed hee meant nothing lesse For such was his nature and such were his euill qualities that where he might procure any benefit or aduantage to himselfe he would pleasantly flatter plentifully reward and assuredly deceiue A mariage intended with Scotland About this time Iames the Third King of Scots seeming earnestly to desire that the Ladie Cicilia one of the Kings daughters might be giuen in mariage to Iames his eldest sonne sent his Ambassadours into England And King Edward supposing that hee had meant plainly and knowing that by such an alliance his owne estate would be the better secured did not only grant his request but forthwith to supplie his present wants hee disbursed to him great summes of money for part of his said daughters portion Money is conditionally disbursed but yet vpon this condition that the same should be repaied if afterwards king Edward disliked and would dissolue that match When all those things were concluded securitie giuen and the money paid the king of Scots very treacherously sent an Armie into the Northerne parts of this kingdome which burnt spoiled The Scots inuade the Northerne parts Glocester marcheth with an Armie against the Scots The Castle of Barwicke is besieged Glocester entreth Scotland and spoileth at his owne will Peace is granted on certaine conditions and slew in euery place as it passed by whereupon king Edward as well to represse his furie as also to correct his infidelitie and follie sent against him the Duke of Glocester with a strong Armie of one and twentie thousand men who first of all by force entred into the Towne of Barwicke and then besieged the Castle which was valiantly kept and defended by the Earle Bothwel The Duke not purposing to imploy his whole strength in that place left the Lord Stanley there with foure thousand men and with the residue of his forces hee entred into Scotland whither the Scottish king was for feare retired killing burning and spoiliâ—â—â—n all places at his pleasure and compelling the king to hide himâ—â—â—fe in the strong Castle of Maydens within the Citie of Edenburgh The Nobilitie of Scotland perceiuing the miserable estate of their wasted and poore Countrey sent vnto the Duke and craued peace which he granted vpon these foure conditions 1. First that full amends and restitution might be made and giuen to king Edwards subiects for all such dammage iniurie and wrongs as by their last incursions they had sustained 2. Secondly that the Scottish king would againe restore his owne brother the Duke of Albanie who was in the English Armie vnto his especiall fauour and to all his honours dignities offices and possessions in that kingdome 3. Thirdly that the Castle of Barwicke should be yeelded vp or not rescued from the siege wherewith it was then compassed 4. And lastly that repaiment might be made of all such sums of money as king Iames had receiued of king Edward vpon the motion for mariage with his daughter to the son and heire apparant of the king of Scots or that good securitie might be giuen by the Prouost and Citizens of Edenburgh for the said repaiment if before a prefixed day king Edward did giue them notice that there should not be any further prosecution concerning the said mariage The Nobilitie of Scotland knowing the state of that kingdome to be vnable to performe the first demand to pacifie the Duke of Glocester and to preuent the ruine and destruction of their natiue kingdome yeelded vnto the latter three And for the due obseruing of them they sent vnto him such an Instrument sealed and subscribed by the King and them as he had required And to the Duke of Albanie was sent a free pardon and restitution was made vnto him of all things accordingly as the Duke of Glocester had desired Whereupon the said two Dukes taking a friendly farewell each of other departed the one into Scotland and the other vnto Barwicke where the Earle of Athol being of nothing more assured then that by his King and Countrimen he should neuer be releeued by composition surrendred the Castle into the Dukes hand The Castle of
Armie And King Henrie to withstand him did the like But the English Armie landing in those Countries before the French King was in a readinesse and being boldly commanded and conducted by the Lord Percie Earle of Worcester vnto Sir Thomas Knowles the King of Englands Lieutenant there The French King giueth ouer his enterprise and they hauing taken the fealtie and the homage of the Lords of those Prouinces for their obedience and alleageance vnto King Henrie caused the French King to change his mind and dishonourably to disband all such companies as hee had leuied Yet for all this King Henrie still distrusting the weakenesse of his vsurped title and endeuouring to support it with a more sure foundation entreated the French King Charles the sixt to giue in marriage his daughter Isabel sometime King Richards wife vnto his eldest sonne Henrie Marriages with France are seldome fortunate Prince of Wales But her father obseruing that marriages betwixt England and France were but seldome fortunate denied the kings request whereupon she was conueied into France with Princely attendance and great honour And not long after shee was married to her Cousin Charles the eldest sonne of Lewes Duke of Orleance her Vncle. The aforesaid Treason conspired against the king by the aforesaid Lords and the late preparations of the French King first to haue inuaded the Kingdome of England and secondly to haue wrought wonders in Aquitaine and in Guyan and the frequent speeches which euerie where were vttered touching the manner of the Kings attaining to the Crowne animated the Welchmen and the Scots to shew themselues troublesome neighbours vnto the King Owen Glendor rebelleth For in Wales Owen Glendor a bold Squire with manie hundreds of his lawlesse and vnciuill companions entred into Armes and did much harme in the Marches which bordered neere vnto them Against whom Edmund Mortimer taken and sharply imprisoned the Lord Gray of Ruthen and Edmund Mortimer who was the true and rightfull Heire of the Crowne conducted their Forces and fought with him But they both were taken Prisoners and the said Edmond was by him kept close in a darke Dungeon which was both cold and vnhealthie where hee was ouerburdened with daily wants and much miserie All which were with the greater extremitie laid vpon him because king Henrie his Cousin should bee enforced the sooner to redeeme him with a great Ransome Wherein because the King was too too slacke and negligent hee was entreated and vrged by his Lords The King would not redeeme him but especially by the distressed Earles kinsmen the Percies But vnto them all he turned the deafe eare rather desiring his destruction then holding it safe for him to set him free The Scots also inuaded the Northerne parts of this Kingdome The Scots inuade but King Henrie with a puissant Armie entred into their Countrie and reuenged his wrongs euerie where with fire and sword at his owne pleasure The king curbeth them But because the Winter was extraordinarily wet and cold hee dissolued his Armie and with great honour victoriously he returned backe But as soone as hee was gone the angrie Scots being in number twentie thousand at the least entred with barbarous crueltie into England vpon the Northumbers The Scots againe doe inuade Henrie Hotspurre ouerthroweth them His great Prisoners but were gallantly encountred by Sir Henrie Hot-spurre the sonne and heire apparant of Henrie Percie Earle of that Prouince who with tenne thousand lustie and braue men gaue the Scots such a bloudie ouerthrow that he slew of them more then tenne thousand in the field and tooke aboue fiue hundred Prisoners among whome Mordake Earle of Fyffe Archibald Earle Douglasse Thomas Earle of Murrey and Robert Earle of Angus were the chiefe The next yeare following ANNO. 1. The Frenchmen spoyled by a storme at Sea the French King sent for Wales to assist Owen Glendor in his rebellious enterprises twelue hundered Lords Knights and Gentlemen of good accompt that they might be leaders and directors to those disordered Traytors But the winds not being answerable to their desires were so contrarie at the Sea and a storme so violently encreased that twelue of their greatest shippes with all their men and furniture were swallowed into the Sea and the rest with great difficultie returned into France This misfortune so animated the English Nation The English doe deride the French that they beganne euerie where to talke of and to iest at the French King because all his warlike expeditions had still beene vnfortunate and disastrous and though they threatned much Twelue thousand Frenchmen sent into Wales yet alwayes they vanished as a cloude The report whereof so whetted and exasperated his resolutions to doe some memorable seruice that forthwith hee sent vnto the said rebelling Welchmen an armie of twelue thousand men who safely landed and ioyned with ten thousand of that Nation The King marched into Wales This Armie occasioned King Henrie to prepare soundly for his safetie For hee was well assured that if anie neglect or want of skill or of courage should giue them the least aduantage whatsoeuer then his Crowne would be shaken and manie miseries would threaten his ouerthrow Wherefore hee in his owne person marched with a strong and with a compleat Armie into Wales But assoone as the Frenchmen had certaine notice of his comming they thought it was high time for them to aduise what course to take perchance not because they were distrustfull of their owne valour and resolution but because the inconstancie of that turbulent and fickle Nation when danger did appeare affrighted them fully with feares and with doubts least they would flie into the Woods and craggie Mountaines and forsake them when they should craue the best performance of their helpe The Frenchmen flie to their ships And so strongly did this doubtfull feare possesse them that suddenly like men amazed and heartlesse they ranne vnto their ships and not hauing performed anie manner of seruice whatsoeuer disgracefully and cowardly they returned into France The King is victorious without blowes Hereupon the Welch Rebelles desperatly shifting for themselues fled euerie man his owne way so that king Henrie found those Traiterous multitudes dispersed and quite vanished and would not be fought with Wherefore hee dissolued his great armie and returned in peace without blowes The King marrieth the Dutches of Britaine The King makes great friends abroad ANNO. 3. The King requireth the Percies to deliuer to him their Scotish Prisoners They refuse it The Percies resolue to set Edmond Mortimer at libertie and to restore him to the Crown Afterwards King Henrie tooke to wife Iane the widdow of Iohn the deceased Duke of Brittaine and gaue Blanch his eldest daughter in marriage vnto William Duke of Bauier the sonne and heire apparant of the Emperor Lewes of Bauier And some few yeares after hee matched Philip his yongest daughter with the King of Denmarke For his daily