most that nation as being part of their bloud and bred amongst them Of whom it seemed notwithstanding the former order taken to the contrary he had many about his person whose neerenesse being strangers whatsoeuer they did could not auoide to be thought to doe ill offices against the Earle and the English in generall whereby what went not right in the line of mens desires was thought to be their cause And in stomackes full charged this occasion gaue more fire Eustace Eustace Earle of Bullogne maried Goda the Kings sister Earle of Bullogne who had married Goda the Kings sister hauing beene at the Court and returning into France his Harbenger in taking vp lodgings at Douer vpon his peremptory behauiour was by a Citizen slaine The Earle arriuing with all his traine pursues and slue the homicide with 18 other The City seeing this tooke armes and in the bickering the Earle lost 22. of his men whereupon backe he hasts to the King aggrauates the insolency of the Citizens so farre that the Earle Godwin is sent for and commanded with a power of men to make against the City of Douer to chastice the people The Earle considering it was vpon the information of one side aduised the King rather to send for the cheife of the City to vnderstand what they could say for themselues and accordingly to proceede which being taken for a coldnesse in the businesse and of fauour to his Countrymen gaue the King and his enemies occasion to suspect his affection Shortly after the Earle is summoned to an Assembly at Glocester where neither he nor any of his sonnes would appeare and suspecting some practise against him by his Earle Godains insurruction enemies raises forces pretending to suppresse the Welsh who were not found to offend whereupon the Assembly remoues to London summons him againe to make his apparance to dismisse his forces and to come onely attended with twelue persons He sends them word to dismisse his forces he was content or any thing else the King would command him so it were with the safety of his life and honour but to come disaccompanied was for neither Then was he commanded within fiue dayes to depart the Realme which he did and with Toustaine and Swayne his sonnes gets him into Flaunders where Toustone married the daughter of the Earle Baldouin the 5. Harald his eldest sonne departs into Ireland the King puts from him the Queene to be partaker of the disgrace and misery of her house who is described by the writers of those times to haue beene a Lady of rare parts excellently learned beautifull and as faire of minde as body The Earle Godwin in this desperate fortune whilst the French and his enemies possest the King fell to Piracy distuibed the coasts approached London by the Riuer and being so popular as no forces would oppose against him made The French forsake the Court and Kingdome of England at length his owne peace with power in such sort as the French fearing reuenge forsooke both the Court and Kingdome This as fore-pointing to a storme that was gathering on that coast began the first difference with the French nation which thus acquainted with the distraction of the Kingdome and factions of great men wrought on those aduantages and were instruments to draw on the fatall enterprize that followed The weaknesse of the King and the disproportionate greatnesse of the Earle Godwin being risen vp from so great a fall learning thereby to looke better to his seete and make his sides strong increased these discontentments and partialities in the State wherein many acts of iniustice by the sway of power and passion were committed which did much blacken that time of peace and made a good man not by doing but induring ill held to be a bad King And it is sayd that Emme the Queene mother had her part of much affliction in his raigne suffering both in her goods and same and now to purge her selfe of a scandall raised on her with Alwyn Bishop of Winchester she vnder-went the triall of Fire-Ordeall Queen Emmes affliction and tryall which was to passe blind-fold with bare feete ouer certaine plough-shares made red hote and layd an vneuen distance one before the other which she safely performed And the reason why both her sonne and the State so little respected this great Lady whose many yeares had made her and actor in diuerse fortunes was for that she neuer affected King Ethelred nor the children she had by him and for her marriage with Knute the great enemy and subduer of the Kingdome whom she euer much more loued liuing and commended dead It seemed these priuate grudges with mens particular ends held these times so busied that the publicke was neglected and an issue-lesse King gaue matter for ambition and power to build hopes and practises vpon though for his owne part he shewed to haue had a care for the succession in sending for his Nephew Edward intitled the Outlaw with his children out of Hungary But Edward shortly after his artiuall died and Edgar his sonne surnamed Atheling to say Prince Edgar whom he had by his wife Agatha daughter to the Emperour Henry the 2. who either by reason of his youth which yet was no barre to his right or being borne and bred a stranger little knowing or knowne to the Kingdom had his claime neglected vpon the death of this Pious King Edward founder of Westminster Church King Which was Anno 1065. when he had raigned 24. yeares His corps was interred in the Church of Westminster which he had newly founded Harald the second AND Harald sonne to the Earle Godwin the next day after was preferred Harald the second to the Crowne whether by any title he might pretend from the Danique Kings as discended from that nation and as some report sonne An. 1065. to Githa sister to Swaine or by meere election of the greater part of the Nobility we cannot say but it seemes the pressing necessity of the time that required a more man to vndergo the burthen of warre and that trouble the world was like to fall into by reason of the claimes now made both by the Dane and Norman cast it suddenly vpon him as the most eminent man of the Kingdome both by the experience of his owne deseruings and the strength also of his owne and the alliance of his wife Algith sister of Edwin and Morckar Earles of Yorkeshire and Chester Neither did he faile but in fortune to make good this election taking all the best courses both for the well-ordering of the State and all prouisions for defence that a politicke and actiue Prince could do But being to deale in a broken world where the affections of men were all disioynted or dasht with the terror of an approching mischiefe failing as vsually is seene in these publicke feares both in their diligence and courage to withstand it soone found more then enough to do And the first man which
The inheritance left him by his predecessors was sufficient to maintaine his estate at home and he desired not to thrust himselfe into other mens possessions abroad But his sonne Robert was of another mind and had a mighty estate both in England and Normandy Was a man of great direction in councell and euer vsed in all the weighty affaires of the State His The example of frugallitie in great men doth much good in a Kingdome frugallity both in apparell and diet was of such example being a man of eminent note as did much good to the Kingdome in those dayes But in the end he fell into disgrace the fate of Court and eminency opposed against the King and died berest of his estate Besides these this King was serued with a potent and martiall Nobility whom his spirit led to affect those great designes of his in France for the preseruation of his state in Normandy Whither in the 32. yeare of his raigne he makes his last voyage to dye there and in his passage thither happened an exceeding great Ecclips of the Sunne King Henries death which was taken to fore-signifie his death for that it followed shortly after in the thirty fiue yeare of his raigne He was of a gracefull personage quick-eyed browne haire a different complexion His personage from his brothers and of a close compacted temperament wherein dwelt a mind of a more solide constitution with better ordered affections He had in his youth some taste of learning but onely as if to set his stomake not to ouer-charge it therewith But this put many of his subiects into the fashion of the Booke and diuers learned men flourished in his time He had by Maude his wife the daughter of Malcolin the third King of Scotland none His issue other children but Maude and William of whom any certaine mention is made but he is said to haue had of children illigitimate seuen sonnes and as many daughters which shewes vs his incontinencie two of which sonnes of most especiall note Robert and Raynold were Earles the one of Glocester a great Champion and defender of his Sister Maude the Empresse the other Earle of Cornwall and Baron of Castle-combe His daughters were all married to Princes and Noble men of France and England from whom discended many worthy families as diuers writers report The end of the Life and Raigne of Henry the first The Life and Raigne of King Stephen THE Line Masculine of the Norman extinct and onely a daughter left 1135. Anno. Reg. 1. and she married to a French-man Stephen Earle of Bologne and Mortagne sonne of Stephen Earle of Blois and of Adela daughter to William the first was notwithstanding the former oath taken for Maud elected by the State and inuested in the Crowne of England within thirty daies after the death of Henry Vpon what reasons of Councell wee must gather out of the circumstances of the courses held in that time Some imagine The state refused Maude for not being then the custome of any other Kingdome Reasons why Maude was not crowned Christian whose Kings are annoynted to admit women to inherit the Crowne and therefore they might pretend to bee freed from their oath as being vnlawfull But Roger Bishop of Salisbury one of the principall men then in councell yeelded another reason for the discharge of this oath which was That seeing the late King had married his daughter out of the Realme and without the consent thereof they might lawfully refuse her And so was Stephen hauing no Title at all but as one of the bloud by meere election aduanced to the Crowne For if hee should claime any right in the Succession as being the sonne of Adela then must Theobald Earle of Blois his elder brother haue beene preferred before him and Henry Fitz Empresse if they refused the mother was neerer in bloud to the right Stem then either But they had other reasons that ruled that time Stephen was a man and of great possessions both in England and France had one Reasons why Stephen Earle of Bollogne was crowned King brother Earle of Blois a Prince of great estate another Bishop of Winchester the Popes Legat in England of power eminent was popular for his affability goodly personage and actiuenesse and therefore acceptable to the Nobility who at that time were altogether guided by the Clergy and they by the working of the Bishop of Winchester induced to make choyce of him hauing an opinion that by preferring one whose Title was least would make his obligation the more to them and so they might stand better secured of their liberties then vnder such a one as might presume of an hereditary succession And to be the more sure thereof before his admittance to the Crowne he takes a priuate oath before the Bishop of Canterbury To confirme the ancient liberties of the Church and had his brother to vndertake betwixt God and him for the performance thereof But being now in possession of the Kingdome and all the Treasure his Vncle had King Stephen possesses the Treasure of Hen. 2. in many yeares gathered which amounted to one hundred thousand pounds of exquisite siluer besides plate and iewels of inestimable value After the funerals performed at Reading hee assembles a Parliament at Oxford wherein hee restored to the Clergie all their His first Parliament at Oxford former liberties and freed the Layetie from their tributes exactions or whatsoeuer grieuances opprest them confirming the same by his Charter which faithfully to obserue hee tooke a publique oath before all the Assembly where likewise the Bishops swore fealty vnto him but with this condition So long as hee obserued the Tenour of this Charter And now as one that was to make good the hold he had gotten with power and his sword prepares for all assaults which hee was sure to haue come vpon him And first graunts licence to all that would to build Castles vpon their owne Lands thereby to fortifie the Realme and breake the force of any ouer-running inuasion that should maister the field Which in setled times might bee of good effect but in a season of distraction and part-takings very dangerous And being to subsist by friends hee makes all he could Creates new Lords giues to many great possessions and hauing a fullpurse spares for no cost to buy loue and fidelitie a purchase very vncertaine when there may bee other conueyances made of more strength to carry it Two waies hee was to looke for blowes from Scotland on one side and France on the other Scotland wanted no instigators Dauid their King mooued both by Nature and his oath to his Neece turnes head vpon him Stephen was presently there with the show of a strong Army and appeased him with the restitution of Cumberland and his sonne Henry Prince of Scotland with the Earledome of Huntingdon which with that of Northumberland as the Scortish writers say was to discend vnto him by the right
and by the vniuersall Councell of the Kingdome graunted his daughter to the King of Sicile to whom shee was shortly after sent and there honourably indowed with many Cities and Castles as may appeare by the Charter of that King But the great Match that was prouided for Earle Iohn became frustrate by the Vide Append. death of Alice daughter to the Earle of Mauriana and hee is married to the daughter of William Earle of Glocester by whom hee was to haue that Earldome This William was sonne to Robert brother to Maude the Empresse The same yeare also hee marries Elionor another of his daughters to Alphonso King of Castile and takes vp the controuersie betweene him and his Vncle Sanctio King of Nauarre about the detention of certaine bordering peeces of each others Kingdome both the Kings hauing referred the businesse to his arbitration Likewise the marriage which should haue beene betweene his sonne Richard 1178. Anno. Reg. 24. and Alice daughter to the French King committed heretofore to his custodie was againe treated on and vrged hard by the Popes Legat to bee consummated vpon paine of interdiction But yet it was put off for that time and both Kings notwithstanding concluded a perpetuall League and amitie to ayde each other against all men and to bee Enemies to each others Enemies Besides they both vowed an expedition to the Holy Land in person which they liued not to performe The King of France vpon a daungerous sicknesse of his sonne Philip vowes a visitation of the Sepulcher of Thomas the Martire of Canterbury and vpon licence and safe conduct of the King of England performes the same with great deuotion and Rich presents First offering vpon his Tombe a massie Cup of Gold and after gaue and confirmed by his Charter twenty eight Tunne and a halfe of wine for the Monkes annually to bee receiued at Possi at the charge of the King of France and beside freed them from all Tolle and Custome for whatsoeuer they should buy in his Kingdome After hauing stayed there three dayes hee returnes towardes France conducted 1179. Anno. Reg. 25. by the King of England to Douer The Sonne recouers health but the Father lost his in this iourney for comming to Saint Denise hee was taken with a Palsie and liued not long after The weaknesse of his Age and disease mooued him presently to haue his sonne Philippe beeing but fifteene yeares of Age to bee 1180. Anno. Reg. 26. Crowned King in his life time which was done at Reines Anno 1179. Henry Duke of Saxonie who had married Maude daughter to King Henry was expelled his Dutchie and banished by the Emperour Frederic the third for seuen yeares for detayning the reuenues which the Archbishop of Cologne had out of Saxonie and refusing to come vnto tryall at the Imperiall Chamber according to his faith and promise made to the Emperour so that hee was driuen to come for succour with his Wife and Children to his Father in Law into England where hee remained three yeares and vpon the comming of the Archbishoppe of Cologne to visit the Sepulcher of Thomas of Canterburie meanes was wrought to restore him to his Dutchie and a motion is made of marriage for Richard the Kings sonne with the daughter of the Emperour Frederic notwithstanding the contract made with Alice daughter to the King of France long before but this last intention was made frustrate by the death of the Emperours daughter King Henry sends his sonne Iohn to reside in Ireland to the end that the Maiestie of a Court and the number of attendants which the same would draw thither might both a we and ciuilise that Countrey but hee being accompaned with many gallants young as himselfe who scorning and deriding the Irish in regard of their rude habits and fashions wrought an ill effect For it turned out three of their greatest Kings Limmeric Conact and Corke into open act of rebellion Gens enim haec sicut natio quauis barbara quanquam honorem nesciant honorari tamen supra modum affectant saith Giraldus Cambrensis Now this faire time of peace which King Henry enioyed gaue him leasure to seeke out all meanes to supply his coffers wherein hee was very vigilant and hearing of the great summes which Roger Archbishoppe of Yorke had giuen by his Testament to godly vses sends Commissioners to finde out and to seize the same to his owne vses Alledging that the Archbishop had giuen Iudgement in his life time that it was against Law any Ecclesiasticall person should dispose any thing by will vnlesse before hee The King sends after monies giuen to pious vses by Testators of the Clergie were sicke and that himselfe had done contrary to his owne Decree The Commissioners hauing found out that Hugh Bishop of Durham had receiued of the Archbishop three hundred Markes of siluer to bee bestowed in those vses demaund the same for the King The Bishop replies that hauing receiued it from the hands of the Archbishoppe hee had according to his will distributed the same amongst the Leprous Blinde and Lame in repayring Churches Bridges and Hospitalls so that who would haue it must gather it vp againe of them Which answere so displeased the King as besides the seizing vpon the Castle of Dures'm hee wrought this Bishop much vexation His meanes certaine besides the reuenue of his Demesne and the benefit of the Forests were not then great in England which caused him oftentimes in The Vacancie of Lincoln held 18 yeares to the Kings vse his necessities to bee bould with the Church and to hold their benifices vacant as hee did the Bishopricke of Lincolne eighteene yeares Hee made a new Coyne in England which was round decryed the Olde and put all the Coyners to great ransome for corrupting the olde money And besides to saue his purse in regard the continuall charge of Horse and Armour was heauie vnto him hee caused euerie mans Lands and substance to bee rated for the furnishing thereof And first beganne the same in his Dominions beyond the Seas ordayning That whosoeuer had a hundredpounds Aniouin money in goods and chattles should finde a Horse and all Militarie furniture thereunto and whosoeuer had in chattle fortie thirtie or twentie pounds Aniouin money should finde a Corslet Head-peece Launce and Sword or Bow and Arrowes with a strict prohibitition that no man should sell or pawne this Armour but bee bound to Vide Append. leaue it when hee died to his next heire And this Order afterward hee established in England 1181. Anno. Reg. 17. by consent of the State The King of France and the Earle of Flaunders by his example did the like in their Countreys Great and manifold were the expences of this mightie King in respect of his entertainments pensions and rewards hauing so wide an Estate and so many euer in his worke both of his owne and others who must alwaies be seed And besides oftentimes hee is faine to
appertayning thereunto The King of France answeres that the Kingdome of England neuer was nor is or euer shal be the patrimonie of Saint Peter and that King Iohn was neuer lawfull King thereof and if hee were he had forfeited the same by the murther of Arthur forwhich he was condemned in his Court neither could he giue away the Kingdome without the consent of the Barons who are bound to defend the same And if the Pope would maintaine this error it would bee a pernicious example to all Kingdomes Herewith the Popes Agent departs vnsatisfied Louys hauing first dispatched Commission Quater Vigint Coggis to Rome to declare his right iustifie his vndertaking sets forth from Calice with 600 ships and 80 other vessell and Lands with his Army at Sandwich King Iohn attends him at Douer with purpose to incounter him at his landing but vpon notice Louys lands in Kent 21 of May. of his great powre and distrusting the faith of his mercinaries hauing committed the keeping of the Castle of Douer to Hubert de Burg forsakes the field and with it himselfe retyres first to Winchester after to Glocester and leaues all to the will of his enemy Louys who after he had obtayned the submission of all Kent except the Castle of Douer which he neuer could get he comes to London where he is ioyfully receiued of the Barons and vpon his Oath taken to restore their Lawes and recouer their rights hath homage and fealty done him as their Soueraigne Lord thither came likewise the Earles Warrein Arundle Salisbury William Mareschall the yonger with many other forsaking King Iohn and rendred themselues vnto him Guallo the Popes Agent notwithstanding the sword was out in all the way of his passage got to Glocester shewes King Iohn the Popes care of him and in solemne manner The little effect the Popes Exmunication wrought pronounces the sentence of Excommunication against Louys and all that tooke part with him which though it brought him some comfort for the time yet it tooke little or nothing from the enemy neither could it so confirme his mercinaries but that most of them left him and either returned home into their Countries with such spoyles as they had or betooke themselues to this new commer King Iohn was not yet so forsaken but that he had powre enough remayning to infest though not incounter his enemies and faith he found abroad amongst many of his Ministers that well defended their charge Douer Castle with a small company holds out against all the force that Louys could bring against it Windsor Castle garded but with 60 men could not be won with all the powre of the Barons some other peeces as Nottingham and Lincoln Castles made very resolute resistance But nothing is effected saue the ruine of the Country The most-yeelding and fertill parts of the Kingdome as about Glocester the marches of Wales Lincolnshire Cambridgshire Norfolke Suffolke Essex Kent and all about London are the Stages of this warre and here they act their mischiefes which continued all that Sommer And about the later end of October a burning feuer makes an end of this fiery King which tooke him vpon an extreme griefe conceiued for the losse of his carriages sunke in the Sands passing the Washes betweene Lin and Boston and was augmented by a surfeit of Peaches new Ale taken at the Abbay of Swineshead from whence in The death of King Iohn great weakenesse he is conuayed to Newarke where after he had receiued the Eucharist and taken order for the succession of his sonne Henry hee departs this life hauing raigned 18 yeares fiue monthes and foure daies The Abbot of Crockeston a man skilfull in physique and at that time the Kings Physition disbowelled his body who no doubt would haue giuen notice to the world had his Maister as it was in after ages vainely bruted beene poysoned by a Monke of Mat. Par. Swinshead Abbay but the Writers of those times report no such matter Howsoeuer his death takes not away the reproch of his life nor the infamy that followes him whereunto ill Princes are as subiect as their euill Subiects and cannot escape the brute ofa clamarous Pen. witnesse this Disticque Anglia sicut adhuc sordet foetore Iohannis Sordida foedatur foedante Iohanne Gehenna He had issue by his wife Isabel daughter to Aymer Earle of Angolesme two sonnes Henry and Richard also three daughters Ioane Eleanor and Isabel. Henry succeeded him in the Kingdome Richard was Earle of Cornewall and Crowned His issue King of the Romans and had issue Henry and Iohn that died without issue also Edmond Iohn speed Earle of Cornewall and others Ioane the eldest daughter married to Alexander the second King of Scots died without issue Elianor the second daughter married to Simon Earle of Leicester had issue Henry Symon Almaricke Guy Richard and Elianor Henry slaine without issue Simon Earle of Bigorre and Ancestor to a Famely of the Mountfords in France Almarick first a Priest after a Knight Guy Earle of Angleria in Italy and Progenitor of the Mountfords in Tuscaine and of the Earles of the Campo Bacchi in the Kingdome of Naples Richard remayning priuily in England and changing his name from Mountford to Wellesborne was Ancester of the Wellesbornes in England Elianor borne in England brought vp in France married into Wales to Prince Lewin ap Griffith Isabel their youngest daughter married to the Emperour Frederic the 2 had issue Henry appointed to be King of Sicile and Margaret wife of Albert Landgraue Thurine She died in child-bed after she had beene Empresse sixe yeares He had also two naturall sonnes Geffrey Fitz Roy that transported souldiers into France when Hubert forbad his father to goe thither Richard that married the daughter and Heire of Fulbert de Douer who built Childham Castle had issue by her of which some famelies of good esteeme are descended Likewise one naturall Daughter Ioane married to Lewin Prince of Wales The end of the Life and Raigne of King Iohn The Life and Raigne of Henry the third THE death of King Iohn though it much altered yet it ended not the miserable businesses of the Kingdome for Louys notwithstanding held 1216. Anno. Reg. 1. his hopes and his party though much shaken by the sodaine Coronation of Henry eldest sonne to King Iohn solemnized in a great Assemblie of State at Glocester the 28 of October and committed to the tutelage of the great Marshall William Earle of Pembrooke the maine Pillar of the father and now the preseruer of the Crowne to his sonne a man eminent both in courage Henry the 3 Crowned at Glocester and Councell who with Guallo the Popes Legat the Bishops of Winchester Bathe and Worcester worke all meanes to draw the Barons and as many of powre as they could to their new and naturall King from this excommunicate stranger and his adherents And bred great fluctuation in the mindes of most of
the operations of the minde as they make men neglect the ease of their bodies especially in times not dissolued with those softnings of Luxurie and Idlenesse which vnmannes them And we cannot but admire the vndauntable constancie of this Prince whom all the sad examples of others calamities crossing euen the beginning of this action could not deterre from proceeding therein For first the King of France who with two of his sonnes the King of Nauarre and a mighty Army being set out before and by the way besieging the Citie of Tunis in Affrica possest then by the Sarazines that infested Christendome perished miserably by the Pestilence that raged in his Army and with him one of his sonnes and many of his Nobles whereby all their enterprise was dasht and vtterly ouerthrowne Besides Charles King of Sicile brother to this King of France who likewise came to ayde him returning home lost the greatest part of his Nauie by tempest Moreouer many of this Princes owne people were desirous to leaue him and returne home Whereupon he is sayde to haue stricken his brest and sworne that if all his followers The resolution of Prince Edmond forsooke him he would yet enter Tolemais or Acon though but onely with his Horse-keeper Fowin By which speech they were againe incenced to proceed but yet his Cozin Henry sonne to the King of Romans obtaines leaue of him to depart and was set on shore in Italie where notwithstanding hee found what hee sought to auoyde Death and was slaine in the Church at Viterbo being at deuine seruice by his owne Cozin German Guy de Monfort sonne to Simon late Earle of Leicester in reuenge of his fathers death The newes of which vnnatural murther seemes to hasten the 1274. Anno. Reg. 57. end of Richard King of Romans who died shortly after and the next yeare following finished likewise Henry the 3 of England his act in the 65 of his age hauing reigned 56 years and 20 daies A time that hath held vs long taken vp more then a tenth part from the Norman Inuasion to this present and yeelded notes of great varietie with many examples of a crasie and diseased State bred both by the inequality of this Princes manners and the impatience of a stubborne Nobility He had by his wife Elionor sixe sonnes wherof only two suruiued him Edward and Edmond His issue and two daughters which liued to be married Margueret the eldest to Alexander King of Scots Beatrice the other to Iohn the first intituled Duke of Brittaine Heere endeth the Life and Raigne of Henry the third The Life and Raigne of Edward the first VPon the death of Henry the State assembles at the new Temple and 1272. Anno. Reg. 1. proclaimes his sonne Edward King though they knew not whether he were liuing sweares fealty vnto him causes a new Seale to be made and appointes fit ministers for the custody of his Treasure and his Peace whilst himselfe remaines in Palestine where by an Assasin making shew of deliuering letters he receiues three dangerous wounds with a poysoned knife whereof he was hardly recured After three yeares trauell from the time of his setting forth and many conflicts without any great effect disappointed of his aides and his ends he leaues Acon which he went to relieue well fortified and manned returnes homeward lands in Sicile is royally feasted by Charles the King thereof passes through Italy with all the honour could be shewed him both by the Pope and the Princes there Thence descends into Burgogne where at the foote of the Alpes hee is met by many of the Nobilitie of England and there challenged by the Earle of Chabloun a fierce man at Armes to a Turneament Wherein againe hee hazards his person to shew his valor which may seeme to be more then became his Estate and dignitie From thence he comes downe into France where hee is sumptuously entertayned and feasted by Phillip 3. surnamed the Hardy to whome hee doth homage for all the Territories he held of that Crowne Thence hee departs into Aquitayne where hee spent much time in setling his affaires His Coronation And after six yeeres from his first setting out hee returnes into England Receiues the Crowne without which hee had beeene a King almost three yeeres at the hands of Robert Archbishop of Canterburie in Septemb. 1275. And with him is Elionor his Reg. 3 An. 1274. Queene likewise Crowned at Westminster Alexander King of Scotts and Iohn Duke of Brittaine who both had married his Sisters beeing present at the Solemnitie The spirit and abilities of this Prince shewed in the beginning of his Actions vnder his Father after the great Defeit hee gaue the Barons at Euesham The prosecution of the disherited Mutiners of the Kingdome The exposition of his Person to all hazards and trauaile His single Combat with Adam Gordun the Outlaw neere Farnham His great aduenture and Attempts in the East And finally his long experience in the affaires of the World with his Maturitie of yeeres being about 35. before he came to the Crowne might well presage what an able Master hee would proue in the mannage thereof And how by these aduantages of Opinion and Reputation he was likely as he did to make a higher Improuement of the Royaltie hauingwonne or worne out the greatest of those who heretofore opposed the same In so much as hee seemes the first Conqueror after the Conqueror that got the Domination of this State in that emminent manner as by his gouernment appeares And euen at his first Parliament held shortly after his Coronation at Westminster he Quintam Decimam omnium bonorum Temporalium tam Clericorum quam Laicorum in audito more ad vnguem taxatam Rex iusserat confiscari Mat. West made triall of their patience and had the Fifteenth of all their goods Cleargie and Lay granted vnto him without any Noyse as we heare off The Cleargie hauing yeelded before a Tenth for two yeers to be paid to him his brother Edmond toward the charge of the Holy Warre But yet all this could not diuert the Designes hee had to abate the power Ecclesiasticall which by experience of former times hee found to be a part growne to strong for the Soueraignety whensoeuer they combined with the Lay Nobilitie and therefore now at first whilst hee was in the exaltation both of opinion and estimation with the World hee beganne to set vppon their priuiledges And in Anno Reg. 6. to extend saith the Monkish Historie the Royall Authoritie hee depriued many famous Monasteries throughout England of their Liberties and tooke His proceeding against the Clergie from the Abbot and Couent of Westminster the Returne of Writts granted them by the Charter of his Father King Henry 3. The next yeere after hee got to be inacted the Statute of Mortmaine to hinder the increase of their temporall possessions which made them so powerfull as beeing detrimentall to the Kingdome and the Militarie seruice
Court at Paris to these complaints Now had the Lords of Arminiaque D'Albert Peregort Cominges and many others Anno Reg. 43. 1369. made their protestations against the King of England for the Crowne of France which they say they were by nature to obey and not to a strange Soueraigne that it was absolutely against the Fundamentall Law of the Kingdome to disseuer them from the Crowne that the Contract was made in prison and therefore inciuile and not to be held by the right of Nations So that they were resolued to spend their liues and estates rather then bee vnder the gouernment of England By their example the Cities of the County of The Emperor Charles 4. makes a iourny into France to reconcile the two Kings Ponthieu rendered themselues to Guy Conte de Saint Poll and Guy de Chastillon The King of England complaines of this breach of accord to the Pope and the Emperour Charles 4. who made a iourney into France to reconcile the two Kings and determine the businesse Before whom our Ambassadours first declare how this Accord hauing beene more for the good of France then vs in regard we resigned thereby not The allegations of the English Ambassadours before the Emperour onely our Title to Normandie Touraine and Aniou the fairest and richest Countreys of France But also our Title to the Crowne to the end we might hold in Souraigntie the Duchy of Aquitayne the Country of Ponthieu with some other peeces which by Hereditary right appertained to the Crowne of England whereby the effusion of Christian blood was stayed France had peace and their King restored in faire manner after a faire imprisonment and vpon the most resonable Conditions could bee deuised Notwithstanding the French King who Vid. Appen himselfe with the whole Councell of France contracted the Accord and solemnly swore to obserue the same hath contrary to the Law of God and Nations after he had recouered his Hostages by fraud seazed both vpon the Duchy of Aquitayne and the Country of Ponthieu without denouncing Warre by his Heraldes c. The French Reply How we by the Accord were bound immediately to with draw our The Reply of the French Army out of France which they say wee did not during all the Reigne of their King Iohn That the Peace was thereby made more offensiue then the Warre they being constrained to purchase the departure of our Souldiers with greater charge then would haue maintained an Armie That the breach was on our side for that the Souldiers were ours That King Edward was bound to renounce his Title to the Crowne of France in open Assembly of the States of both Realmes which they say was not done And concerning the releasing of their King they say it cost France more gold then the redeeming of Saint Louys their King his brother the Peeres and the whole Armie taken by the Soldan an Infidell Thus both sides defend their cause being easie for Princes who will breake out of their Couenants to finde euasions The French King it seems though willing to get in what he could yet was very loath to renue a Warre and therefore with many Presents courts the King of England Who seeing himselfe thus deluded prepares to haue out his Sword And Anno Reg. 44. hauing borowed great Summes of the Clergie sends ouer Iohn Duke of Lancaster and Humphry Bohun Earle of Hereford with a mightie Armie to Calais to inuade France on this side whiles the Prince of Wales works to recouer the reuolted Townes on the other But little was effected The Duke shortly returnes And then Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke with fresh supplyes is sent ouer who dyes in the iourney Forces sent into France Sir Robert Knoles a man renowned in those times for valour and counsaile is made Leader of an Armie Consisting of many great Lords who disdayning to bee commanded by him whom they helde their inferiour ouer-threw themselues and the Action Thus all went backe and the French King growes both in State and Alliance Anno Reg. 45. Margueret sole daughter and Heire to Louys Earle of Flauders to whom King Edward sought to match his sonne Edmond is wonne to marrie Phillip Le Hardy Duke of Burgogne brother to the French King And this much vexes King Edward who A Subsidie granted by Parliament the maner of seyzing the same the better to furnish himselfe for reuenge calles a Parliament at Westminster wherein he resumes his claime to the Crowne of France and requires ayd of his Subjects and hath it The Clergie graunted him 50. thousand poundes to be payd the same yeere and the Laitie as much For the leuying whereof euery Parish in England was rated first to pay 23 shillings foure pence the great helping the lesse vpon supposition there had beene Parishes ynough to haue made vp that summe But by certificate vpon the Kings Writs sent out to examine what number of Parish Churches were in euery Shire they found it came short and then rated euery Parish at fiue pound sixteene shillings the greater to helpe the lesse and so of 8600. Parishes found to be in the 37. Shieres 50. thousand 181. pound 8. peence was raised But in regard of the great pouertie of Suffolk and Deuon Shire the 181. pound was abated and the King answered 50. thousand pounds for the Laytie Vpon this Supply the King grants that the great Charter and the Charter of The Duke of Lancaster sent into Aquitaine Forrests should bee obserued in all points which in most Parliaments of his is euer the first Act as may be seene in the printed Statutes And now Iohn Duke of Lancaster and Edmond Earle of Cambridge are sent with Forces into Aquitayne to ayde the Prince of Wales who after he had sacked the Citie of Limoges that was reuolted his health failing to performe any more leaues the prosecution of the Warre to his brother and with his wife and young sonne Richard borne at Burdeaux returnes The Prince of Wales returnes into England home into England and here resignes vnto his father the Duchy of Aquitayne The Duke of Lancaster after the departure of the Prince did little but being now a widdower his wife dying two yeares before in the third great Pestilence in which yeare also Phillippe wife to King Edward ended her life hee marries Constance eldest daughter to Peter King of Castile by whom hee had the empty title of King The Duke of Lancaster marries Constance daughter to the King of Castile and was after the death of his father-in-law stiled King of Castile and Leon. This Constance though shee were the daughter of a wicked father and infamous mother yet was so happy that the daughter shee had by this Duke of Lancaster named Katherine became after Queene of Castile and Leon being married to Henry 3. in possession before and in her right King of both those Realmes and left her posterity Kings of Spaine Edmond Earle of
Informers small transgressions made great penalties These were his courses for raysing moneys wherein he failed not of fit Ministers to execute his will among whom was chiefe Ranulph Bishop of Durham whom he had corrupted with other Bishops to counterpoise This Raunlph gaue a thousand pounds for his Bishopricke and was the Kings Chancellour Profusion euer in want the Clergie awe the Layety and countenance his proceedings All which meanes he exhausted either in his buildings which were the new Castle vpon Tine the Citty of Carleil Westminster-Hall and the walles of the Tower of London or else in his prodigall gifts to strangers Twice he appeased the King of France with money and his Profusion was such as put him euermore into extreme wants This one Act shewes both his violence and magnanimity As he was one day hunting a Messenger comes in all haste out of Normandy and tels him how the Citty of Mans was surprised by Hely Conte de la Flesche who by his Wife pretended right therunto and was aided by Fouques d' Angiers the antient enemy to the Dukes of Normandy and that the Castle which held out valiantly for him was without present succour to be rendered He sends backe the Messenger instantly wils him to make all the speed he could to signifie to his people in the Castle that he would be there within eight daies if Fortune hindred him not And sodainely he askes of his people about him which way Mans lay and a Norman being by shewed him Presently he turnes his Horse towards that Coast and in great haste rides on when some aduised him to stay for fit prouisons and people for his iourney hee said They who loue mee will follow me And comming to imbarke at Dartmouth the Maister told him the weather was rough and there was no passing without eminent danger Tush said he set forward I neuer yet heard of King that was drowned By breake of day he arriued at Harfleu sends for his Captaines and men of warre to attend him all at Mans whither hee came at the day appointed Conte de la Flesche hauing more right than power after many skirmishes was taken by a stratagem and brought prisoner to Rouen where more inraged then dismaide with his fortune he let fall these words that had hee not beene taken with a wile hee would haue left the King but little Land on that side the sea and were hee againe at libertie they should not so easily take him Which being reported the King sent for him Set him at libertie gaue him a faire Horse bad him goe his waie and doe his worst Which act ouercame the Conte more then his taking and a quiet end was made betweene them That he affected things of cost euen in the smallest matters is shewed in the report of his finding fault with his seruant which brought him a new paire of hose whereof he demanding the price was told how they cost threc shillings wherewith being angrie he asked his seruant if that were a fit price of a paire of hose for a King and willed him to goe presently and to buy those of a marke which being brought him though they were farre worse yet he liked them much better in regard they were said to haue cost more An example of the Weare of the time the humor of the Prince and the deceipt of the seruant The King returnes into England with great iollity as euer bringing home better fortune out of Normandy then from any his Northerne expeditions Feasts his Nobilitie with all Magnificence in his new Hall lately finished at Westminster wherewith he found much fault for being built too little saying It was fitter for a Chamber then a Hallfor a King of England and takes a plot for one farre more spacious to be added vnto it And in this gayetie of State when hee had got aboue all his businesses betakes him wholly to the pleasure of peace and being hunting with his Brother Henry in the New Forrest Walter Terell a Norman and his kinsman shooting at a Deere whether mistaking his marke or not is vncertaine strake him to the heart And so fell this fierce King in the 43 yere of his age when he had raigned nie 12 yeres A Prince who for the first two yeares of his raigne whilst held in by the graue counsell of Lanfrance and his owne feares bare himselfe most worthily and had beene absolute for State had hee not after sought to bee absolute in power which meeting with an exorbitant will makes both Prince and people miserable The end of the Life and Raigne of William the second The Life and Raigne of Henry the first HHNRY the yongest sonne of William the first being at hand and 1100 Anno. Reg. 1. borne in England which made much for him was elected and crowned within foure dayes after his Brothers death it being giuen out that Robert who should haue succeeded William was chosen King of Ierusalem and not like to giue ouer that Kingdome for this Wherefore to settle Henry in the possession of the Crowne all expedition possible was vsed least the report of Roberts returning from the Holy warres being now in Apulia comming home might be noysed abroad to stagger the State which seemed generally willing to accept of Henry The first actions of his gouernment tended all to bayte the people and sugar their subiection as his predecessor vpon the like interposition had done but with more moderation and aduisednesse this being a Prince better rectified in iudgement and of a Nature more alayed both by his sufferings hauing sighed with other men vnder the hand of oppression that taught him patience also by hauing somewhat of the Booke which got him opinion the Title of Beauclarke First to fasten the Clergy Hee furnishes with fit men all those Vacancies which his Brother had kept emptie recals Anselme home to his Bishopricke of Canterbury and restores them to all whatsoeuer priuiledges had beene infringed by his Predecessor And for the Layetie Hee not onely pleased them in their releeuements but in their passion by punishing the chiefe Ministers of their exactions which euermore eases the The ministers of exactions punished spleene of the people glad to discharge their Princes of the euills done them knowing how they cannot worke without hands and lay them on their Officers who haue the actiue power where themselues haue but the passiue and commonly turne as they are mooued Ralph Bishop of Durham chiefe Counsellor to the late King a man risen by subtlety Ralph Bishop of Durham committed to prison of his Tongue from infimous condition to the highest employments was committed to a streight and loathsome prison being famed to haue put his Maister into all these courses of exaction and irregularities and remaines amongst the examples of perpetuall ignominie All dissolute persons are expelled the Court the people cased of their impositions and restored to their lights in the night which after the Couerfeu Bell were
of all the great men in the West and from other parts comming in vnto him Stephen now resolued to put it to the tryall of a day brings thither all the power hee could make and far ouer-went his enemy in number but flouds and stormes in an vnseasonable Winter kept the Armies from incountring till the Bishops doubtfull of the successe and seeing how daungerous it was for them and the whole State to haue a young Prince get the maistry by his sword mediated a peace which was after concluded in a Parliament at Winchester vpon these conditions 1 That King Stephen during his naturall life should remaine King of England and Henrie inioy the Dukedome of Normandie as discended vnto him from his mother and bee proclaymed heire apparent to the Kingdome of England as the adopted sonne of King Stephen 2 That the partizans of either should receiue no damage but inioy their Estates according to their ancient Rights and Titles 3 That the King should resume into his hands all such parcels of inheritance belonging Resumptions to the Crowne as had beene aliened by him or vsurped in his time And that all those possessions which by intrusion had beene violently taken from the owners since the dayes of King Henry should bee vestored vnto them who were rightly possessed therein when the said King raigned 4 That all such Castles as had beene built by the permission of Stephen and in his time which were found to be 1117 should be demolished c. There is a Charter of this agreement in our Annals which hath other Articles of reseruation for the Estates of particular persons And first for William the second sonne Vide Append. of Stephen to enioy all the possessions his father held before hee was King of England and many other particulars of especiall note After this pacification and all businesse here setled Duke Henry returnes into Normandy and likewise there concludes a peace with the King of France and for that hee would be sure to haue it buyes it with twenty thousand markes And now King Stephen hauing attained that hee neuer had Peace which yet it seemes he enioyed not a yeare after vses all the best meanes he could to repaire the ruines of the State makes his progresses into most parts of the Kingdome to reforme the mischiefes that had growne vp vnder the sword and after his returne cals a Parliament An. 1154. at London to consult of the best meanes for the publicke good After the Parliament He raigned 18 yeares and 10 moneths he goes to meete the Earle of Flanders at Douer who desired conference with him and hauing dispatcht him fals presently sicke dies within few dayes after and was buried in the Abbey he founded at Feuersham with the vnfortunate Princes A man so continually in motion as we cannot take his dimension but onely in passing and that but on one side which was warre on the other we neuer saw but a glaunce of him which yet for the most part was such as shewed him to bee a very worthy Prince for the Gouernment He kept his word with the State concerning the relieuement of Tributes and neuer had Subsidy that we find But which is more remarkeable hauing his sword continually out and so many defections and rebellions against him He neuer put any great man to death Besides it is noted that notwithstanding all these miseries of warre There were more Abbeys built in his Raigne then in an hundreth yeares before which shewes though the times were bad they were not impious The end of the Life and Raigne of King Stephen The Life and Raigne of Henry the Second And first of the Line of Plantagenet THAT short time of peace before the death of Stephen had so allayed 1154. Anno. Reg. 1. the spirit of contention and prepared the Kingdome wearied and defaced with warre to that disposition of quietnesse as Henry Plantagenet though a French-man borne and at that time out of the Land long detained with contrary winds yet a Prince of so great possessions abroad as might make him feared to be too mighty a maister at home or doubtfull where hee would set his seate whither carry England thither or bring those great States to this was notwithstanding generally admitted without any opposition or capitulation other then the vsuall oath to the Crowne of England which he receiued at the hands of Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury the twentieth day of December Anno 1154 about the three and twentieth yeare of his age And though he where a Prince Yong Actiue Pawerfull and had all that might make him high and presuming yet the necessity of his owne affaires were so strong raines to hold him in from all exorbitant courses as made him wary to obserue at first all meanes to get and retaine the loue and good opinion of this Kingdome by a regular and easie Gouernment being sure to haue the King of France perpetually awake for all aduantages both in regard of daily quarrels commune to mighty neighbours as also for matching with her that came out of his bed and brought away those mighty Prouinces from that Crowne whereby he comes now to ouer-match him being thus inuested in this powerfull Kingdome of England Where after hauing made a choice of graue Councellors such as best vnderstood the state thereof he began at a Councell or Parliament held at Wallingford with an Act that both serued his owne turne and much eased the stomakes of his people which was the expulsion of Strangers wherewith Expulsion of Strangers the Land was much pestered by reason of the late warres that had drawne great numbers of them and especially of Flemings and Picards whom King Stephen especially trusted in his greatest actions after he grew doubtfull of the English fidelity and had made their Leader Williamd ' Ipres Earle of Kent who likewise was turned home and his estate seized into the Kings hands Then that he might subsist by his owne meanes without pressure of his subiects Resumption of Crowne Lands whose voluntary seruices and contributions would yeeld him more in measure then if exacted He lookes to the State and ordering of his reuenues reformes the Exchequer and reuokes all such Lands belonging to the Crowne as had any way bene alienated or vsurped And though some of the great Lords stood out for the holding what they had in possession as Hugh de Mortimer for his Castles of Clebury Wigmore and Bridgenorth and Roger Fits Miles Earle of Hereford for the City and Land of Glocester Yet the King tooke them by force as appertaining to the Crowne Besides he resumed the Castle of Skarborough which William Earle of Albemarle held and diuers other Lands and Castles in Yorkeshire possessed by priuate men Hugh Bigot resigned his Castles into the Kings hands And more he tooke from William Earle of Mortaine and Warren base sonne to King Stephen the Castle of Pemsey the City of Norwitch with other Townes and Castles
fell all from themselues and with the same emulation they had in libertie stroue for their seruitude who should be first to receiue a forraine maister From Waterford the King goes to Dublin where hee holds an Assembly of all these subiect Kings with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall of Ireland for the further ratification of their allegiance and the ordering and reformation of the State Which done hee causes the Bishops with the Clergie there to assemble at Cassell and appoints an especiall Chaplaine of his owne with the Archdeacon of Landaff to bee assistants and aduisors vnto them for reformation of Church-businesses which seemes to haue beene Henries reformation of Ireland as disordred as the people for though the Irish had beene long before Christians it was after a wilde and mixt fashion and therefore according to his promise made to the late Pope and to doe a worke pleasing to the present it was decreed That all Church-lands should be free from the exaction of secular men and that from thence foorth all Diuine things should bee ordered and vsed in euerie part of Ireland according to the manner of the Church of England being fit as saith the Cannon that as Ireland hath by Gods mercy obtained a Lord and King out of England so from thence they should receiue a better forme of life and manners then heretofore they vsed His Christmasse he keepes at Dublin where he royally feasts all his Kings great men of the Countrey the rest of his being there he imployes in fortifying and planting Garnisons where most need required he makes Hugh Lacy Iustice of all Ireland giues him the keeping of Dublin and besides confirmed vnto him and his heires by his Charter the Countrey of Meth to hold the same in Fee for the seruice of a hundreth Knights he bestowes on Robert Fits Bernard the keeping of the Townes of Waterford and Weisford which he tooke from Fits Stephen the first inuador with charge to build Castles in them and to humble the Earle Strongbow and leuell him with the rest of his subiects he takes from him all his dependants and makes them his So was it but his winters worke to get a Kingdome which though thus easily won it proued more difficult and costly in the keeping by reason the prosequution of a full establishment thereof was neither by him or his successors hauing other diuertments euer throughly accomplished On Easter monday he sets out for England where he makes no stay but takes the young King along in his company and passes ouer into Normandy to meete other two Legates Theodinus and Albertus who were sent from Pope Alexander but in milder fashion then the last to examine the murther of the late Arch-bishop Becket Foure moneths were spent in debating the matter and in the end the King by his Oath taken vpon the Reliques of Saints and the holy Euangelists before the two Legates in the presence of King Henry the sonne the Arch-bishop of Rouen and all the Bishops and Abbots of Normandy in the Citty of Auranches purged himselfe of either commanding or consenting to the murther Yet for that he doubted least they who committed His purgation for Beckets murther the same might be moued thereunto by seeing him disturbed and in passion he tooke the same Oath that in satisfaction thereof he would faithfully performe these Articles following First neuer to forsake Pope Alexander nor his Catholicke Successors so long as they vsed him as a Catholicke King Secondly That Appeales should freely be made to the Pope in causes Ecclesiasticall Prouided that if any were suspected to worke euill to him or his Kingdome they should then put in security before they departed Thirdly That he would from Christmas next for three yeares to come vndertake the Crosse and the sommer fol lowing in person go to Ierusalem vnlesse he were stayed by the Pope or his Successors or imploied against the Sarasins in Spaine Fourthly That in the meane time he should deliuer so much money into the Templars hands as by their opinion would entertaine two hundreth souldiers in the Holy warre for one yeare Fiftly call home all such as had endured banishment for the Arch-bishop Sixtly Restore his possessions Seuenthly and lastly abolish all such customes as in his time had beene introduced to the preiudice of the Church After himselfe had sworne he caused Both Kings sweare to these Articles King Henry his sonne to sweare to all these Articles except such as concerned his owne person And for a more Memory in the Roman Church he caused his Seale to be set vnto them with that of the two Cardinals So ended this tedious businesse that made more noyse in the world then any he had and bowed him more beeing his ill fortune to grapple with a man of that free resolution as made his sufferings his glory had his ambition beyond this world set vp his rest not to yeeld to a King was onely ingaged to his cause had opinion and beliefe to take his part Which so much preuailed as the King seeking to maister him aduanced him and now is he faine to kneele and pray to his Shrine whom he had disgraced in his person and hauing had him aboue his will whilest he liued hath him now ouer his Faith being dead And yet 48. yeares after this saith the French History it was disputed among the Doctors of Paris whether he were damned or saued And one Roger a Norman maintained he had iustly deserued death for rebelling against his Soueraigne the Minister of God To make the better way to the ending of this businesse and content the King of Henry the sonne is again crowned with Margaret his wife Fraunce Henry the sonne is againe Crowned and with him Margaret his wife with permission shortly after to goe visite Paris where this young King apt inough though not to know himselfe yet to know his State receiued those instructions as made his ambition quite turne off his obedience and conceiue How to be a King was to be a power aboue and vndeuideable And to further the birth of this apprehension fell out this occasion The Father euer awake to aduance his greatnesse takes a iourney in person into Auergnia and so to Monferrato and there purchases a match for the price of fiue thousand Markes for his yongest sonne Iohn with Alice the eldest daughter of Hubert Earle of Mauriena then as it seemes Lord of Piemont and Sauoy with condition to haue with her the inheritance of all those Countreys containing many great Signories Citties and Castles specified in Roger Houeden with all the circumstances and couenants very remarkeable Vide Append. of the contract So vnto greatnesse that easier increases then begins is added more meanes and euery way opens to this actiue and powrefull King aduantages of State 1173. Anno. Reg. 19. in so much as the King of France was euen surrownded with the powre dependances of this mightie King of Eng. whose fortunes most
committing rapin and sacrelidge to supply their necessities feed their followers And in the end the young King hauing much strugled in vaine through griefe and vexation of spirit which caused the distemprature of body fell into a burning His death feuer with a fluxe whereof within few dayes he died A Prince of excellent parts who was first cast away by his Fathers indulgence and after by his rigor not suffering him to be what himselfe had made him neither got he so much by his Coronation as to haue a name in the Catalogue of the Kings of England The sorrow of the Father although it be sayd to be great hindred not his reuenge vpon the Barons of Aquitaine whom he now most eagerly persecuted seazed on their Castles and rased to the ground that of Limoges Geffrey vpon his submission is receiued into grace and the yeare after died at Paris Earle Geffreys submission and death hauing in a conflict bene troden vnder horses feete and miserably crushed so that halfe the male issue wherein this King was vnfortunate he saw extinct before him and that by deaths as violent as were their disposition The other two who suruiued him were no lesse miserable in their ends Now the young King of France Phillip the second in whose fate it was to do more then euer his father could effect vpon the death of Henry the sonne requires the deliuery of the Countrey of Vexin which was giuen in dowre with his Sister Margaret but the King of England not apt to let go any thing of what he had in possession was 1184. Anno. Reg. 30. content to pay yearely to the Queene dowager 17050. pounds Aniouin And the more to hold faire with this young King whose spirit he saw grew great and actiue and with whom he was like to haue much to do did homage vnto him for all he held in Fraunce which he neuer did to the Father being the first discent of Maiestie he euer Henry the second doth homage to Phillip King of France made to any secular power And beside tooke his part against Phillip Earle of Flanders who opposed against him and was in those dayes a Prince of mighty power and had euer stood fast vnto King Lewes the father But now Phillip the sonne otherwise led or affectioned quarrels with him and demaunds the Countrey of Vermendois as appertaining to the Crowne of Fraunce and withall vpon allegation of consanguinity repudiates his wife Neece to this Earle of Flanders giuen vnto him by his Fathers choyce a little before his death The Earle followed by Odo Earle of Borgogne the Earles of Champague Hainalt Namur Saint Pol and others warres vpon the King of The Earle of Flanders compels the King of France to compound France and commits great spoyles within his territories so that hee was faine in the end to compound with him to his disaduantage After this the Kings of England and France meete betweene Gisors and Tri where the King of England sweares to deliuer Alise vnto Richard his sonne And the King of France her brother graunts her in dower the Countrey of Velxin which Margueret his other Sister had before But these tyes held them not long together for the yong King of France so wrought with Richard as hee drew him from his Fathers obedience and they liued together in 1185. Anno. Reg. 31. that amitie as on bed and boord is sayd to haue serued them both which so iniealosed the olde King as he called home his sonne and before his Bishops and Nobility caused him to sweare vpon the Euangelists to obserue fealty vnto him against all persons whatsoeuer which hauing done and ready to passe ouer into England hee is informed of the great preparation made by the King of France who gaue out that hee would spoyle and ransacke both Normandie and the rest of the Kings of Englands territories in France vnlesse he would presently deliuer vp his Sister Alice vnto Richard or render Gisors and the Countrey of Velxin into his hands Whereupon the King returnes backe and comes againe to a parle betweene Gisors and Try Where the Archbishop of Tyre sent from the East to call vp ayde for the Holy warre did with that powre of perswation so vrge his message as it let out all the humour of priuate rancor and contention The Kings of England and France accorded and prepare for the holy war betweene these two great Kings altred their whole Councells their pretentions their designes turned them wholly to vndertake in person this laborious action and resolue to leaue their Kingdomes their pleasures and all the things of glorie they had at home to prosecute the same through all the distempratures of climes and difficulties of passages whereunto that voyage was obnoxious so that now no other thing was thought or talked on but onely preparations and furnishments for this businesse And to distinguish their people and followers who all stroue which should bee most forward it was ordred that they who followed the King of England should weare a white Crosse France a red and Flaunders a greene And for a further ingagement in the businesse the King of England writes to the Patriarch of Antioch a most comfortable and pious letter in the end whereof he hath these words Amongst other Princes I and my Sonne reiecting the glory of this world and dispising all the pleasures thereof in proper person with all our strength will God willing visit you shortly Then to rayse money to defray this great enterprise it was ordained by the two Kings their Archbishops Bishops Earles and others in France that all whosoeuer as well Clerke as Lay sauing such as went the voyage should pay the tenth of all their reuenues of that yeare and the tenth of all their Moueables and Chattles as well in gold as filuer And many excellent orders were made for restraynt of licentiousnesse both in apparell and manners as was fitting for the vndertakers of so ciuile and deuout an action The King of England hauing layde this imposition vpon all his Dominions in France comes ouer calls a Councell of his Bishops Abbors Earles Barons both 1186. Anno. Reg. 33. of the Clergie and Layty at Gayntington and by their consents imposes the same taxation vpon his Subiects of England Sub Eleemosinae titulo vitium rapacitatis includens sayth Walsingham and presently sends foorth his Officers into euery Shire to collect the same according as it was done in France But of euery Citie in England he caused a choice to be made of the richest men as in London of two hundred in Yorke a hundred and so according to the proportion of the rest and caused all these at a certaine time and place to appeare before him of whom he tooke the tenth of all their Moueables by the estimation of credible men which knew their Estates such as refused hee imprisoned till they had payde it of which example and exaction we must
instantly out of his presence and court Yet afterward to vnderstand some more particulars of the madnes of this King of England he called for Robert the Clearke and had priuat conference with him apart about many particulars which hee himselfe reuealed to many in the hearing of Mathew the monke of Saint Albons who wrot and declared these things discribing the person of this Robert to be of a low stature blacke one arme shorter then another two fingers vnnaturally growing together of visage like a Iew c. which relation we are not vtterly to contemne proceeding from an Author of that grauity and credit and liuing so neere those times though to vs that are so farre off both in fashion and faith it may seeme improbable in some part yet if we consider whereto the desperat violence of this King who had made vtter wracke of conscience and all humane respect might carry him seeing himselfe in that Estate he was we may not thinke it voyd of likelihood to haue had this dealing with an heathen king who in that time was formidable to all Christendome and had on foot the mightiest army that euer the Moores had in Spaine which might either be to hold amity with him or intertayne him otherwise for his owne ends Though for the point of offring to forgoe the Christian fayth we may in charity forbeare to make it a part of ours Although this relator giues vs a note amongst other which hee supprest that poynted at the irreligion of this King who at the opening of a fat Stag iestingly said see how prosperously this beast hath liued and yet neuer heard Masse Which skoff in regard of the zeale then professed sauored of an impiety vnsitting the mouth of a religious A note of the Kings irreligion King and gaue scandall to the hearers who tooke it according to their apprehension apt to censure whatsocuer comes from the mouth of Princes which may warne them to be wary what they vtter in publique But this Embassage either neglected by Miramumalim or disappointed by the ouer throw of his great army with the death of his Sonne which shortly after followed King Iohn sets vpon another course assayles Pope Innocentius prone to be wrought by guifts to doe any thing with great summes of money and a reassurance of his tributary subiection which shortly after he confirmes by a new oath and a new Charter before the Popes Legat the Bishop of Tusculum sent ouer for the same purpose and King Iohn bribes the Pope and renewes his oath with full autority to compose the dissentions betweene the Kingdome and Priesthood Which at many Assemblies in diuers places was after debated and in the end order was taken for a plenary satisfaction to be made for the damages done to the Church For which the King vpon account already had payd twenty seauen thousand Markes and thirteene thousand more were vndertaken by Suerties to be answered by a certaine daie And herevpon is the interdiction released hauing continued sixe yeares three moneths and fourteene dayes to the inestimable losse of the Church and Churchmen The interdiction released whereof an innumerable multitude of all orders now repayre to the Legat for satisfaction of damages receiued by the Kings ministers during this interdiction To whom 1214. Anno. Reg. 16. the Legat answeres that it was not in his commission to deale for restititution to be made vnto them all but aduises them to complaine to the Pope and craue of him plenary iustice Wherevpon they depart much discontented holding the Legats proceeding for that he pleased not them inclining onely to please the King Who now is recommended to Rome for a most tractable obedient and indulgent Sonne of the Church and the Clergy heares of blame for their obstinacy vsed towards him The King hauing referred the ending of all this controuersie to the Legat and some other of his owne ministers being assured of the Popes fauour was now gone into Poictou to assayle according to his former designe the King of France on that side whilest his forces with those of the Emperour Otho by the way of Flanders inuaded him on the other And being with his Queene landed at Rochel many principall Barons of Poictou apter to promise then performe their faith came and swore fealty vnto him With whom he marches forward into the Country recouers many Castles and peeces of importance Whereof particularly by his owne letters from Parthenai he certifies his Iustices of the Eschecquer And withall shewes them how hee had Vide Append. graunted to the Sonne of the Earle of March his daughter Ioan in mariage though said he the King of France desired her for his Sonne but fraudulently c. After this he goes into Brittaine takes in the city of Nantes prepares to incounter with Louys the French Kings Sonne who was come downe with a mighty army to oppose his proceeding But the Poictouins distrusting his power or he them hauing discouered the forces of the Enemy refused to fight Wherevpon the King of England to his extreame griefe forsooke the field and made a dishonorable truce with the King The famous battaile of Bouines of France and this was the last of his transmarine attempts His forces in Flanders had far worse successe for the King of France with all the power he could possibly make incounters them at the bridge of Bouines and ouerthrew the Emperour Otho and the whole army of the confederates wherein are reported to haue beene an hundred and fifty thousand foote besides horse and in the battaile slaine a thousand fiue hundred Knights and taken prisoners Ferrand the Earle of Flaunders the Earles of Salisbury and Bologne And as report the Annales of Flanders the Earle of Sauoy the Dukes of Brabant and Lamburg and the Earle of Luxemburg the Emperour Otho 4. hardly escaped The death of the Emp. Otho and liued not long after Vpon these misfortunes and fearing the outrage of a necessitous and distempred King the Barons of England assemble themselues at S. Edmondsbury where they confer of the late produced Charter of Henry the first and swore vpon the high Altar that if King Iohn refused to confirme and restore vnto them those liberties the rights of the Kingdome they would make war vpon him vntill he had satisfied them therein and further agreed that after Christmas next they would petition him for the same and in the meane time prouide themselues of horse and furniture to be ready if the King should start from his Oath made at Winchester at the time of his absolution for the confirmation of these liberties and compell him to satisfie their demand After Christmas K. Iohn takes vpon him the crosse to secure himselfe from the Barons they repaire in a military manner to the King lying in the new Temple vrging their desire with great vehemency the king seeing their resolution and inclination to war made answere that for the matter they required hee would
Normans dealt the like with the Province of Nuestria in France who also after they had the dominion what the victorie would yeeld them in England were content to suffer the people here to haue their being intermatched with them and so grew in short space into their body But this was an absolute subversion and concurred with the vniversall mutation The absolute subversion of Brittaine concurred with the generall mutation of other States of the world which about that time happened in all these parts of the world whereof there was no one Countrey or Province but changed bounds inhabitants customes language and in a manner all their names For vpon the breaking vp of the Roman Empire first devided into two and then by faction disioynted in each part imploying the forces of many strange Nations to fortifie their sides were made so wide ruptures in the North and North-east bounds of that Empire as there burst out infinite streames of strange people that over-ranne and laid open the world againe to liberty other formes and limits of State wherevpon followed all these transmigrations and shiftings of people from one Country to another The French and Burgognons dispossest the Gaules and gaue the name of France and Burgogne to their Province The Gaules transplanted themselues on some coasts of Spaine where they could finde or make their habitation and of them had Gallicia and Portugall their name The Hunnes and Auari subdued Pannonia and thereto gaue the name of Hungarie The Longbeards a people of Germany bordering vpon Lumbardie so called of the Longberds the Saxons entred Italy got the greatest part thereof and left there their name to a principall Prouince remayning to this daie The Gothes and Vandales miserably afflicted the rest sackt Rome and after subdued peopled and possest Spaine So that it was not in the fate of Brittaine alone to bee vndone but to perish almost with the generall dissolution of other States which happened about the same age Wherefore we are now here to beginne with a new Bodie of people with a new State and gouernment of this Land which retained nothing of the former nor held other memory but that of the dissolution thereof where scarce a Citie Dwelling Riuer Hill or Mountaine but changed names Brittaine it selfe was now no more Brittaine but New Saxonie and shortly after either of the Angles the greatest people of the inuadors or of Hengist called Engist-Land or England The distance made by the rage of warre lay so wide betweene the conquering and conquered people that nothing either of Lawes Rites and Customes came to passe ouer vnto vs from the Brittaines nor had our Ancestors any thing from them but their Country which they first diuided into eight kingdomes all which continued to the last extermination of the Brittaines vnder Caretius their King with whom they were driuen ouer Seuerne 136. yeares after the first entertainment of Hengist And soone after the Saxons encroching vpon each others parts or States which neuer held certaine bounds and the stronger vsurping vpon their weaker neighbours reduced them to seauen kingdomes that of the Northanimbrains being made one of two and then to sixe the West Saxons taking in the kingdome of Sussex to their dominion And so it continued about 250 yeares At the first by the space of 150 yeares they were meerely gouerned by their owne Lawes without mixture of any other But after Augustine the Monke sent with fortie others by Pope Gregorie had conuerted AEthelbert King of Kent and some other they all shortly after receiued the Christian faith and had their Lawes and Rites ordered according to Ecclesiasticall constitutions Many of their Kings when their sterne asperitie grew molified by humility of the Religion beganne to raise presently so many and great monuments of their piety in all parts of the Land as if they striued who should exceed therein and had no other glorie Diuers of them renounced their temporall dignities for Spirituall solitude and became Monkes as Aetheldred and Kinred Kings of Merena-Land Offa King of the East Saxons Kadwalla and Ina Kings of the West Saxons Eadberte King of Northumbrians c. At length the kingdomes of Merc-naland and West Sax so farre ouer-grew the others in power as betweene them two it lay who should haue all For Ina a martiall wise and religious Prince gouerning the West Saxons first aduanced that Kingdome to a preheminencie and did much to haue subdued Merc-naland but yet Offa afterwards King thereof was in faire possibility to haue swallowed vp both the West Saxons all the rest of the Kingdoms For whilst he liued which was in the time of Carolus Magnus which whom he held league amity he was esteemed as the especiall King of the Land But the many wrongs he did and the murther committed in his house vpon Aethelbert K. of the East Angles comming to him vnder publique faith and a suitor to his daughter were iustly reuenged vpon his posteritie which after him declining in the end lost al. For Egbert discended from Inegild the brother of Ina attayning the kingdome of the West Saxons beganne the way to bring all the rest into subiection And being a Prince who from a priuate fortune wherein he liued below with and not aboue other men had learned sufferance and moderation and by the Estate of an exile experience grew to haue great aduantages ouer the time and others borne-fortunes and rose by these meanes Ina his great Vncle renouncing the world with his kingdome and dying without issue left the succssion imbroiled and out of the direct royall lyne as hee found it So that those foure Kings of the West Saxons who seuerally succeeded him Ethelard Sigibert Kinulph and Britric were rather Kings by election and their owne power then by right of discent And Britric knowing the weakenesse of his title and the much promising forwardnesse of Egbert with his propinquitie in bloud to the former Kings practized to haue him made away which hee perceiuing fled first to Offa King of Mercna-land where finding little security in regard Britric had to strength himselfe married the daughter of the King hee escaped into France and there remayned till the death of Britric and then returning obtaines that kingdome of the Westsaxons subdues Cornewall inhabited by the Brittaines and after sets vpon Bernulph newly inuested in the Kingdome of Mercna-land a State by the rupture of the Royall line likewise growne tottering For Egferth the sonne of Offa enioyed but foure monethes the inheritance of his fathers immanitie whereby that Kingdome discended collaterally to Kennulph who left it to Kenelme a childe after murthered by his sister Quinred Ceolulph brother to Kennulph succeeding after his first yeares raigne was expeld by Bernulph and Bernulph by Egbert who made that Kingdome tributarie Egbert obteyned the kingdome which by him was named England to the West Saxons as he did after that of the South and East Saxons with the Kingdome of Northumberland And by
this meanes in a manner attained to a soueraignty of the whole country But the Danes imbroiling his peace in the end of his raigne held him backe from enioying such a fulnesse of power as that wee may account him the absolute Monarch of the Kingdome nor yet any of his successors so long as the Danes Anno 802. continued vnsubiected For they hauing first made irruptions into the State in the raigne of the late King Britric his predecessor euer after held a part therof and afflicted the whole till they had attained the absolute soueraigntie to themselues The Danes were a people of Germanie next neighbours to the Saxons and of language and manners little different Possessing besides Cimbrica Chersonesus now called Denmarke The discription of the Danes all the Isles adiacent in the Baltique Sea and sometimes the kingdome of Norway A mightie rough and martiall Nation strong in shipping through their exercise of piracie and numerous in people for all suppliments Who perceiuing here the happie successe and plantation of the Saxons were drawne with desire and emulation likewise to put in for a part the coast lying open to inuasion and the many diuisions of the Land with the discord of Princes making them an easie way thereunto So that in a manner as soone as the Saxons had ended their trauailes with the Brittaines and drew to settling of a Monarchie the Danes as if ordained to reuenge their slanghters beganne to assault them with the like afflictions The long the many and horrible encounters betweene these two fierce Nations with the bloudshed and infinit spoiles committed in euery part of the Land are of so disordred and troublous memory that what with their asperous names together with the confusion of place times and persons intricately deliuered is yet a warre to the reader to ouer-looke them And therefore to fauour mine owne paines and his who shall get little profit thereby I passe them ouer After the death of Egbert Aethelwolph his sonne succeeded in the State with the title of King of the West Saxons onely and was a Prince more addicted to deuotion then action as may be seene by his donation of the tenth part of his Kingdome with exemption of all regall seruice for the seruice of God besides an annuitie of three hundred markes to be bestowed in pious vses at Rome whither he went twice in person whiâ—h his yongest sonne Alfred whom he especiall loued and whom Pope Leo the fourth annointed a King at eleuen yeares of age as if deuining of his future fortune Vpon his last iourney and whole yeares stay at Rome Aethelbald his eldest sonne combin'd with the Nobility of the West Saxons to keepe him out and depriue him vtterlie of his gouernment and wrought so as notwithstanding the great loue his people bare him he was brought to yeeld vp the Kingdome of the West Saxons to Aethelbald and retaine onely the Kingdome of the East Angles a State of farre lesse dignitie to himselfe After which raigning but two yeares Aethelbald succeeded in the whole and with great infamy marrying his fathers widow Iudith daughter to Charles le Chauue King of France enioyed it but two yeares and a halfe when Aethelred the second sonne of Aethelulph entred to the gouernment which hee held fiue yeares in continuall conflict with the Daues After whom ALFRED the mirrour of Princes made a King before he had a kingdom at An. 872. two and twenty years of his age in a yeare wherein eight seuerall battailes Alfred had been giuen to the Danes by the Saxons began his troublous raigne wherein he was perpetually in warre either against his enemies or else against vices First after a great danger to lose all he was forced to yeeld vp a part of the kingdome which was that of the East angles and Northumberland to Guthrum leader of the Danes whom vpon his baptization he made his confederate and owner of that by right which before he vsurped by violence And notwithstanding all the continuall and intricate toyle hee indured amidst the clattering and horror of armes he performed all noble actions of peace collecting first K. Alfred first made collection of the Saxon Lawes the Lawes of his predecessors and other the Kings of the Saxons as those of Offa King of Mercna-land and Aethelbert the first Christian English King of which by the graue aduise and consent of his States assembled hee makes choice of the fittest abrogates those of no vse and addes other according to the necessity of the time And for that the wildenesse of warre by the reason of these perpetuall conflicts with strangers had so let out the people of the Land to vnlawfull riots and rapine that no man could trauaile without conuoy he ordained the diuision of shires Hundreds The first deuision of the Land into Shires Hundreds and Tithings and Tithings that euery Englishman now the generall name for all the Saxons liuing legally might be of a certaine Hundred or Tithing out of which hee was not to remooue without security and out of which if hee were accused of any crime hee was likewise to produce sureties for his behauiour which if hee could not finde hee was to endure the punishment of the Law If any malefactor before or after hee had put in suerties escaped all the Tithing or Hundred were fined to the King by which meanes he secured trauailers and the peace of his Country The opinion he had of learning made him often complaine the want thereof imputing it amongst his greatest infortunes to haue been bred without it and to haue his kingdome so vtterly destitute of learned men as it was through the long continuance of this barbarous warre which made him send out for such as were any way famous for letters and hauing gotten them hee both highly preferred them and also as they doe who knowe not to much themselues held them in great veneration Rarenesse then setting a higher price on meaner parts then after Plenty did on more Publique Schooles first erected perfections Grimbald and Scotus hee drew out of France Asser who wrote his life out of Wales other from other parts hee was the first lettered Prince we had in England by whose meanes and incouragement publique Schooles had here either their reuiuing or beginning Those wants of his owne made him take a greater care for the education of his sonnes with whom were bred vnder most diligent masters almost all the children of the Nobility within his kingdome All his owne time he could cleare from other businesse he bestowed in study and did himselfe and caused others to translate many things in the vulgar tongue which he laboured it seemes much to adorne and especially affected the Saxon meeters Mat. Westm. whereby to glorifie that of a King he attained the title of Poet. The naturall day consisting of 24 houres hee cast into three parts whereof eight he spent in prayer study and writing eight in the
seruice of his body eight in the affaires of his State Which spaces hauing then no other engine for it hee measured by a great waxe light deuided into so many parts receiuing notice by the keeper thereof as the seuerall houres passed in the burning With as faire an order did he proportion his reuenues equalling his liberties to all The first suruay of the kingdome his other expences whereof to make the current run more certaine he tooke a precise notice of them and made a generall suruay of the kingdome and had all the particulars of his estate registred in a booke which he kept in his treasury at Winchester And within this circumference of order hee held him in that irregularity of fortune with a weake disposition of body and raigned 27 yeares leauing his sonne Edward a worthie successor to maintaine the line of Noblenesse thus begun by him EDWARD though hee were farre inferiour to him in learning went much beyond him in power for he had all the kingdom of Mercna-land An. 900. in possession whereof Alfred had but the homage some write held Edwardus Senior soueraigntie ouer the East Angles Northumbrians though we finde in the ioynt Lawes that he and Guthrum made together they held the same confederation fore-concluded by Alfred He also subdued the Brittaines in Wales fortified furnished with garrisons diuerse townes in England that lay fit to preuent the incursions of the Danes and was all his raigne of 23 yeares in continuall action and euer beforehand with fortune And surely his father he and many that succeded during this Danicque warre though they lost their ease wonne much glory renowne For this affliction held them so in as hauing little out-lets or leisure for ease luxury they were made the more pious iust carefull in their gouernment otherwise it had been impossible to haue held out against the Danes as they did being a people of that power vndauntable stomack as no fortune could deterr or make to giue ouer their hold And the imbecility of some vnactiue Prince at that time had beene enough to haue let them quite into the whole Which may be the cause that in the succession of some of these Kings were certaine ruptures made out of course in respect of their ablenesse As first after the death of this renowned King Edward Senior his sonne ATHELSTAN of full yeares and spirit was notwithstanding the bracke An. 924. in his birth preferred before his legitimate sonne Edmond vnder age Nor Athelstan a Bastard preferred before the lawfull sonne did Athelstan disappoint the kingdome in this worke but performed all noble parts of Religion Iustice and Magnanimitie after sixteen yeares raigne died without issue EDMOND his brother succeded him A Prince likely to haue equalled An. 940. the worth of his Predecessors had he not vntimely perished by the hand of a base Out-law in his owne house at a festiuall amidst his people that dearely Edmond loued and honoured him And though he left two sonnes yet was EDRED his brother preferred to the kingdome before them who making An. 946. no variation from the line of Vertue continued by his ancestors was Edred or Eldred held perpetually in work by the Danes during the whole time of his raigne which was of ten yeares EDWIN his nephew the eldest sonne of Edmond succeded him an irregular Edwin youth who interrupting the course of goodnes liued dissolutely died wishedly Otherwise had Edgar the other sonne of Edmond continued that rare succession of good Princes without the interposition of any ill which is not in the Fate of a kingdome EDGAR though he were but sixteen yeares of age yet capable of counsell An. 959. was by the graue aduise of his Bishops who in that time of zeale held especially Edgar the raines on the hearts and affections of men put directed in the way of goodnesse and became a most heroicall Prince Amongst other his excellent actions of gouernment hee prouided a mighty Nauy Edgar prouides shipping to secure his coasts from inuasion which now he found though late was the onely meane to keepe out those miseries from within that thus lamentably afflicted the land euer before negligent or not inured to Sea-affaires For when the Romans first subdued the same there was no shipping but a few small vessells made of wicker and couered with hides whereby they and after the Danes both mighty as those times gaue in shipping found that easie footing they had Yet Egbert is said to haue prouided a strong Nauy about the yeare 840. And Alfred thirty or forty yeares after did the A most vsefull progresse like But either now dis-used or consumed by the enemy Edgar re-edifies and sets forth a Fleet consisting as some write of 1600 saile others a farre greater number those hee deuides and places in foure parts of the Realme making his progresses yearly with part of his mighty Nauy round about the whole Isle whereof hee assumed the title of King And to reduce it all to one name Monarchie he was intitled King of all Albion as testifies his Charter granted to the Abby of Maldesmesbury in these words Ego Edgarus totius Albionis Basileus nec non Maritimorum seu insulanorum Regum circum habitantium c. For he hauing first of all other made peace with the Danes and granted them quiet cohabitation through all his dominions had the soueraigntie ouer them And Kenneth King of Scots did him homage whether for Cumberland and Westmerland giuen to that Crowae by King Emond his father or for his whole Kingdome I cannot say And fiue Kings of Wales did the like for their Country and came all to his Court at Cardiffe So that hee seemes the first and most absolute Monarch of this land that hitherto we finde The generall peace that held all his time honoured his name with the title of Pacificus and rendred his Kingdome neuer before acquainted with the glory of quietnesse very flourishing But as if the same had beene giuen to shew and not to vse like a short calme betwixt stormes it lasted but little beyond his raigne of sixteene yeares being too short to close the diffeuered ioynts of a commixed Hee raigned 16. yeares Kingdome which was onely to haue beene the worke of Time and that none of these late Princes who were best like to haue aduanced and confirmed the State of a Monarchie were ordained to haue But all as if things would another way Saint Edward were put off from their ends by their vntimely deaths as was this glorious young An. 975. Prince in the two and thirtith yeare of his age leauing his sonne Edward a child to vndergoe the miseries of nonage to bee made a sacrifice for ambition and a Saint by persecution through the hand of a step mother who to aduance her owne Ethelred brake in ouer the bounds of
Supplications nor any band of aliance were auaileable to saue them from slaughter Wherein to incense the more their king Gunild his sister a woman of masculine courage who had a little before receiued Christendome a mediator and pledge of the peace hauing first her husband and sonne slaine in her sight rather Cunild slaine with a threatning then appaled countenance met her death making imprecation for reuenge and foretelling her bloud would as it did cost England deere Soone was the notice of this enormious act giuen to Swaine and as soone armed with rage and power re-entred hee the kingdome hauing now a fayrer shew to doe fowly then euer wrong had made him a right who had none before and the people of the Land not so forward to maintayne their act as to commit it rather were content to giue him the possession of their country then that hee should win it the greatest Swain wins England part of the Kingdome submitting themselues vnto him onely the Citie of London which Ethelred held fortified made Noble resistance till hee left them and conueyed himselfe first into the Isle of Wight and after into Normandie whither he had sent Emma Etheldred flies into Normandie his Queene with their two sonnes Aelfrid and Edward before from the rage of this tempest But within two moneths he was recalled home by the people of England vpon the death of Swaine who at the point to haue beene crowned King and had generally Swaines death taken ostages and oathes of fealty died suddenly leauing his sonne Knute to succeed his fortunes and accomplish what he intended Ethelred returning was soone furnisht with an Army sets vpon Knute in Lindsey Etheldred returnes where he lay with his fathers shipping and Hostages and draue him to take the seas where with inraged making about to Sandwich hee miserably mangled and dismembred those hostages and so sent them home himselfe with the spoiles his father and he had gotten returned to his Country to make greater preparations for the prosecution of his purpose Ethelred in the meane time to increase the summe of reuengement with more wrath at a generall assembly at Oxford caused many of the Danique Nobility to be murthered Among which were Sigifrith and Morchar Earles of Northumberland whom the false Edric who had a hand on each side for mischiefe inuiting to his lodging vnder pretence of feasting barbarously caused to be slaine their followers after they had so long as they could desperately defended themselues and their maisters fled into a Church where they were with the same burnt Knute armed with Knute returnes the greatest of his owne and neighbours powers made his confederates landed againe within the yeare at Sandwich and without resistance had all the West parts rendred vnto him with pledges for their obedience and furnishment with horse and armor Here the false Edric leaues his Liege-lord and yeelds vp forty ships and his periur'd faith to Knute Ethelred languishing in minde and body Edmond his sonne surnamed Ironside Etheldreds death to oppose youth to youth was imployed against this rabious inuador A Prince worthy of a better time and had he found faith had made it so and deliuered his Country at that turne from the worst of miseries the conquest by strangers Knute Edmond Ironside BVT now vpon the death of Ethelred whose 37 yeares raigne shewes that infelicity shall haue time too much and happinesse too little Knute was by most of the Clergie and Nobility chosen king onely the Citie of London with some of the Nobility there about made election of Edmond Edmond Ironside sonne to Ethelred by his first wife Ethelgina and furnished him with that power as thereby with the couragious ardour of his youth which commonly is most in the first attempts hee had the better in three imminent battels within three moneths and had likewise obtained the fourth at Essendon likely to haue beene the last with the An. 1016. Danes but that the disloyall Edric late renouncing his new Lord seeing Edmonds part in possibilitie to preuaile againe betraied his trust and withdrew himselfe and the charge he had to the enemy This satal battell lost England here perished the best flower of honour it then had Here amongst the rest was slaine Vlkill an Earle of Essex of euer memorable worth who had long stood vp for the Kingdome and in the time of Swaine was the first that shewed there was hope and possibility to quaile the enemy had there beene an vnion in loyaltie From this bloudy worke Edmond escapes to Glocester to recollect new sorces nor was hee so forsaken with this fortune but that hee soone recouered another armie to re-assaile the enemie that might be idle vpon this victorie But Knute as prouident Edmonds single combate with Knute in the prosecution of his businesse as fortunate therein makes after Here when both Armies were at the point to incounter a motion of peace was propounded Some say the two Kings by single combat consented to decide their fortunes and the ouer-commer to take all and that in an Isle of the riuer Seuern their Armies on either shore spectators of the act they tried the maistery for the prize of a Kingdome Peace concluded After long and equall fight finding each others worth they cast away their weapons imbraced and concluded the peace But howsoeuer it seemes both sides tyred with the miserie of a consuming warre neuer like to be ended but by the vtter extirpation of the one and considering the danger of either and incertaintie of the future were easily perswaded to imbrace a present agreement which was made by parting England England deuided between them betwixt them two and confirm'd by Oath and Sacrament putting on each others Apparell and Armes as a ceremonie to expresse the attonement of their mindes as if they made transaction of their persons each to other Knute became Edmond and Edmond Knute A fatall exchange for so free and magnanimous a Prince as Edmond who indeed was now no more himselfe and being but halfe a King was in so few dayes after none as makes this peace shew fouler then warre for that armed him for life this exposed him naked to death which was shortly after treacherously giuen him The death of King Edmond Ironside at Oxford at Oxford some say by the sonne of Edric as if to shew he would bee the heire of his father also in Treason whereby both the hope and the other halfe of England were vtterly lost as determinable with his raigne which with all we haue else of his magnanimous actions tooke vp scarce the circuit of one whole yeare And yet had that been space enough for glorie whose measure is to be taken rather by the profundity then the length which seldome holds long and euen could he haue had that cleere And better for his renowne to haue died at the battaile of Essendon with England then discended to haue made
of a cloze and first of a new Gouernment Knute the most absolute monarck of this kingdome of any that was before him is such as shewes hee striued by all worthie waies to lay the ground-worke of a State which according to his frame was either to hold good to his posteritie or not And as likely was he to haue beene the roote of a succession spreading into many discents as was afterward the Norman hauing as plentifull an issue masculine as he besides he raigned neere as long farre better beloued of disposition more bountifull and of power larger to doe good But it was not in his fate his children miscaried in the succession and all this great worke fell in a manner with himselfe Harald HArald the eldest sonne of Knute some write by his fathers ordinance An. 1038. others by the election of the Danique Nobilitie in an assembly at Oxford was made King whereas Godwin Earle of Kent and the Nobility of England would haue chosen Hardiknute borne of Queene Emme or else Alfride the sonne of Ethelred who is sayd to haue come out of Normandy vpon the death of Knute to claime the Crowne But Harald being at hand carried it The first act of whose raigne was the banishment and suiprizing all the Treasure of his step-mother Queene Emme Then the putting out the eyes Haroids crueltie of Alfried her sonne his competitor and committing him to a loathsome prison where he died For which deed the Earle Godwyn beares a foule marke as betraying him Queene Emme repaires to Baldouin Earle of Flanders her kinsman where she remained during the raigne of Harald which was but of foure yeares and then with her sonne Hardiknute who came out of Denmarke as it seemes prepared for some thing else then to visit her at Bridges returned into England Hardiknute THis Hardiknute inuested in the Gouernment soone frustrated the hope An. 1041. and opinion fore-conceiued of him and first in like sort beganne with that degenerous act of reuenge wherein none are sayd so much to delight in as women causing the body of the late King to be vntomb'd the head cut off and throwne into Thames Then makes inquisition for such as were guiltie of the death of Alfride his brother by the mother whereof Earle Godwin and the Bishop of Worcester are accused The Bishop is disposest his Sea and the Earle with a rich and rare deuised present in forme of a ship of gold appeased that furie making protestation of his innocency before the whole Nobility with whom in respect his deepe roote had spread so many branches he stood firme and all the blame was layde to the violence and rankor of the late King Besides the offending these great men hee added a generall grieuance to the whole Kingdome by a prodigall largesse giuing to euery Mariner of his Nauy eight Markes and to euery Maister tenne which he imposed to bee paide by the State But after hauing called home Edward his other halfe-brother out of Normandy hee liued not long for farther violences Dying suddenly the second yeare of his raigne in the celebration of a marriage at Lambeth in his greatest iolity not without suspition of poyson And with him ended the Gouernment of the Danes in England hauing onely continued 26 yeares vnder these three last Kings and that without any cracke or noyse by The reason of the extinction of the Danes in England reason the nation had no predominant side that might sway the State in respect of the remission of their power home in the first yeare of Knute and no great admission of others after and that such as were here before were now so incorporated with the English as they made one body and most of them planted in the remote parts of the An. 1042. Kingdome that lay ouer against Denmarke where by that which with all the strugling no power or diligence of man could resist expired of it selfe leauing England to a King of her owne and Denmarke to ciuill discord about the succession Norwey likewise returning obedience to a sonne of Olaue recouered quietnesse and a home-borne King Edward the Confessor EDWARD the sonne of Ethelred is sent for into Normandy and by Edward the Confessor the whole State elected and Crowned King of England at Winchester by Edsine Arch-bishop of Canterbury Anno 1042. being about forty An. 1042. yeares of age Godwin Earle of Kent was a principall agent in his preserment but for his owne ends The Kingdome as hauing deerly paide for the admission of strangers ordained that he should not bring any Normanes with him The first Act he did was the remission of Danegilt imposed by his Father which amounted to forty thousand pounds yearely and had beene payde for forty yeares past He caused the Lawes to be collected out of those of the Mercians West Saxons Danes and Northumbrians and to be written in Latine He was a Prince most highly renowned for his piety and fit for no other then the calme time he had For hauing beene so long brought vp with the Nunnes at Iumieges in Normandy he scarce knew to be a man when he came into England And to shew how little he vnderstood himselfe they note how in a great anger he sayd to a base fellow that disturbed his game in hunting I would punnish thee were I able And asif he had vowed their continencie with whom he was bred he was so farre from knowing other women either through conscience or debility as his owne wife His continencie after his death protested her selfe free from any carnall act done by him and yet liued he for the most part with her in all formall shew of marriage The soft simplicity of this King gaue way to the greatnesse of the Earle Godwin Earle Godwins greatnesse and his children who for that he would seeme the especiall man in his preferment to the Crowne and by matching his daughter Edith to him swayed chiefly the wheele of that time and yet not without opposition For Syward Earle of Northumberland and The Earles Syward and Leofrike men of Noble actions Leofrike Earle of Hereford men of as great State and spirit seeing him most for himselfe became more for the King and had their turne in performing very noble actions Nor did their emulation but much conduce to the present benefit both of the King and State For the Earle Syward would not be behind hand in effecting as braue deeds in the North as Harold Earle of Westsex the sonne of the Earle Godwin performed against the Welsh in the West For thefirst depriued of life and Crowne Macbeth an vsurper and inuested Malcolin in the Kingdome of Scotland the other defeited Ris and Griffine two brothers Kings of Wales and subdued that Prouince to this Crowne Besides the Earle Godwin had to struggle with an Arch-bishop of Canterbury Robert a Norman preferred from a Monke first to London and after to that Sea by the King inwardly affecting
beganne to disturbe his new gouernment was his owne yonger brother Toustayne who in the time of the late King Edward hauing the Gouernment The Kings brother Toustayne banished of Northumberland was for his pride and immanities shewed in those parts banished the Kingdome and now by reason of his former conceiued hatred against his brother easily set on by the Duke of Normandy and Baldouin Earle of Flanders whose two daughters the Duke and he had married assailes first the Isle of Wight and after sets vpon the coast of Kent whence he was chased by the power of Harald and forced to withdraw into the North parts and there seeking to land was likewise repulsed by the Earles Morchar and Edwyn Then craues he aide of the Scots and after of Harald surnamed Harfager King of Norwey being then taking in the Orchades and exercising piracy in those parts whom he induced with all his forces to inuade England And landing at Tinmouth discomfeiting their first incounters they marched into the heart His death with the King of Norwey of the Kingdome without resistance Neere Stamford King Harald of England met them with a puissant Army and after long and eager fight ended the day with victory and the death of his brother Toustayne and the King of Norwey But from hence was he called with his wearied and broken forces to a more fatall businesse in the South For now William Duke of Normandy pretending a right to the Crowne of England by the testament of the late King Edward his Kinsman vpon the This Battell was fought in Sussex 7 miles from Hastings vpon Saterday the 14 of October 1066. aduantage of a busie time and the disfurnishment of those parts lauded at Pemsey not farre from Hastings in Sussex neere to which place was tried by the great Assize of Gods iudgement in battell the right of power betweene the English and Norman Nation A battell the most memorable of all other and how socuer miserably lost yet most nobly fought on the part of England and the many wounds of Harald there slaine with 60 thousand 9 hundred 74 of the English shew how much was wrought The King valor and death to haue saued their Countrey from the calamity of forraine seruitude And yet how so great a Kingdome as England then was could with one blow be subdued by so small a Prouince as Normandy in such sort as it could neuer after come to make any generall head against the Conquerour might seeme strange did not the circumstances fore-noted and other concurrent causes hereafter to be declared giue vs faire and probable reasons thereof Besides the indisposition of a diseased Williā Malmsbury time as it is described by such as liued neerest it may giue vs great euidence in this examination For they say the people of this Kingdome were by their being secure from their former enemie the Dane and their long peace which had held in a manner from the death of King Edmond Ironside almost fifty yeares growne neglectine of Armes and generally debaushed with luxurie and idlenesse the Cleargie licentious William Malmsburie and onely content with a tumultuarie learning The Nobility giuen to Gluttonie Venety and Oppression The common sort to Drunkennesse and all disorder And they say that in the last action of Harald at Stamford the brauest men perished and himselfe growing insolent vpon the victory retaining the spoyles without distribution to his souldiers not inured to be commanded by Martiall discipline made them discontent and vnruly and comming to this battell with many mercinary men and a discontented Army gaue great occasion to the lamentable losse thereof Besides the Normans had a peculiar fight with long bowes wherewith the English then altogether vnacquainted were especially ouerthrowne And yet their owne Writers report how the maine Battallion of the English consisting of Bils their chiefe and antient weapon held in a body so close lockt together as no force could dissolue them till the Normans faining to flye drew them to a disordered a route And so they excuse the fortune of the day The body of King Harald which at the sute of his mother who sent two Monkes of the Abbey of Waltham to intreate the same of the Conqueror was after much King Harold buried at Waltham search amongst the heapes of the dead found and interred in the same Abbey which himselfe had founded He was a King who shewes vs nothing but misery raigned least and lost most of any other He left foure sonnes Godwin Edmond Magnus and His Issue Wolfe the two eldest fled after this battell into Ireland and from thence made some attempts vpon the Westerne coasts of England but to little effect And here ended the line of the Saxon Kings about fiue hundreth yeares after the first comming in of Hingist and their plantation in this Kingdome And thus haue I in the streightest coutse wherein that vneuen Compasse of Antiquity could direct me got ouer the wide and intricat epassage of those times that lay beyond the worke I purpose more particularly to deliuer And now The Life and Raigne of William I. I Come to write of a time wherein the State of England receiued an alteration An. 1066. of Lawes Customes Fashion manner of lining Language-Writing with new formes of Fights Fortifications Buildings and generally an innouation in most things but Religion So that from this mutation which was the greatest it euer had we are to begin with a new accompt of an England more in dominion abroad more in State and ability at home and of more honour and name in the world then heretofore which by being thus vndone was made as if it were in the fate thereof to get more by loosing then otherwise For as first the Conquest of the Danes brought it to the intyrest Gouernment it euer possest at home and made it most redoubted of all the Kingdomes of the North so did this of the Norman by comming in vpon it make a way to let out Englands territories ouershootes the Ocean and stretch the mighty armes thereof ouer the Seas into the goodly Prouinces of the South For before these times the English Nation from their first establishment in this Land about the space of 500. yeares neuer made any sally out of the Isle vpon any other part of the world but busied at home in a deuided State held a broken Gouernment with the Danes and of no great regard it seemes with other Nations till Knute lead them forth into the Kingdome of Norwey where they first shewed effects of their valour and what they would be were they imployed But the Normans hauing more of the Sunne and ciuility by their commixtion with the English begat smoother fashions with quicker motions in them then before And being a Nation free from that dull disease of drinke wherewith their former Conquerours were naturally infected induced a more comely temperance with a neerer regard of reputation and honour For
in their pupillage besides the reproach of his birth which though his honour and vertue might get ouer yet lay it euer a barre in his way and hindred his standing cleere stood he neuer so high The Nobles of Normandie soone after his fathers death by much intreaty got him out of the French Kings hands thinking the hauing him amongst them would adde more to his Counsellors and such as were in office and the State of of a Court awe his State the better But soone they found the hauing his person without his power was but to put them out into more discord and faction For presently followed the murthering and poysoning of Gouernors displacing Officers intrusion supplantation surprizings and recouerings of his person by a Nobilitie stubborne haughtie and incompatible of each others precedencie or neerenesse But this was the least as being done all for his person Now followed more daungerous practises against him His right was quarrelled by competitors cleere in bloud and great in meanes Whereof the first though farthest off in discent was Roger de Tresny bringing a faire line from Roule and much proofe of his owne worth by hauing gotten great experience in the Sarazine warre in Spaine whereby vpon his returne entertayning and feasting the great and especiall men of worth hee was growen powerfull well followed and beloued of many in so much that at length measuring his owne heigth hee vrges What wrong it was that a Bastard and a Childe should bee preferred before him in the succession of the Dutchie his Auncestors had noblie gotten and what a shame the Normans a people of that worth would indure to bee so gouerned seeing they had others of the renowned race of Roule William and Richard Dukes of Normandie of a lawfull and direct line if they held him vnworthie to inherite the State And being impatient as is ambition that euer rides without raines of any long delay brings his claime to a strong battaile in the field which by the valiancie of Roger de Beaumount was vtterly defeited and himselfe with his two brethren slaine Whereby all feare that way was extinquished and the reputation of the Duke and his so much aduanced as the King of France notwithstanding his tutelarie charge tooke from him the Castle of Thuilliers and demolisht it pretending the insolencies committed there by the Garrisons vpon his subiects and makes shew as yet onely to keepe things euen But long it was not ere hee plainely bewrayed his minde aiding in person William Earle of Arques brother to Duke Robert and sonne to Richard the Second making his claime to the Dutchie brings a mightie army to succour Arques assieged by Conte Guiffard the Dukes Generall who by a stratagem so trayned the French into an ambush as hee ouerthrew their whole power and returnes the King to Paris with great losse and dishonor leauing Arques the first Arch of triumph to this Conquerour not yet ariued to seuenteene yeares of age and the discomfeited competitor to seeke his fortunes with Eustace Earle of Bologne finding vpon his returne little grace in Court where fortune euer alters credite and few regard men ouerthrowne This storme ouerpast another succeeds more dangerous there liued with Duke William a young Lord of like yeares named Guy sonne to Regnalt Earle of Borgogne and Alix daughter to Richard the second who comming to bee sensible of his interest was aduised by some stirring spirits to attempt for the Duchie which they said appertained to him in right and was wrongfully vsurped by the Bastard And to aduance his purpose there happens deadly hostility betweene two of the greatest Lords of Normandie Viconte Neele and the Earle of Bessin whose debate Duke William did not or could not pacifie This Guy lately made Earle of Bryorn and Vernon interposed himselfe to compose this discord and by the aduice of Grimoult de Plessis a principall mouer in this worke so wrought that either of these Lords turned the point of their malice vpon him who in their quarrell fauouring neither made both to hate him and easily conspire with Guy to murther him at vnawares which they had done had not a certaine Foole whom for being held a naturall they suspected not noting their preparations got away in the dead of the night to Valogne knocking and crying at the gate till hee was admitted to the Dukes presence whom he willed in hast to flie or he would bee murthered The Duke seeing the Foole in this affright thought dangers were not to be weighed by the A Conspiracie discouered strangely worth of the reporter but by their likelyhood and knowing his fortune was liable vnto all suddaine assasinations instantly takes horse and all alone postes to Fallaise his especiall place of strength on the way his horse being tyred about breake of daie he comes to a little village called Rye where by good fortune the gentleman of the place was standing at his doore readie to goe abrode of whom the Duke enquires the next way to Fallaise The Gentleman perceiuing who hee was though as then very vnwilling to be knowne humblie craues the cause of his so strange and vntimely riding alone The Duke seeing himselfe discouered tels the occasion the gentleman whose name was Robert de Rye furnishes him with a fresh horse and sends two of his sonnes to conduct him the neerest way to Fallaise No sooner was he gone out of sight but after post the conspirators enquiring of the same Gentleman whether hee saw the Duke who answered that hee was gone a little before such a way shewing them a diuers path and rode on with them offering his seruice to Conte Bessin where they made themselues so powerfull as the Duke withdrew him to Roan and from thence to the King of France to craue his aide putting him in minde of the faithfull seruice his father had done him how he was his homager vnder his tutelarie charge and had no other sanctuary of succour to flie vnto in this case of his mutinous and turbulent Nobilitie the effect whereof was of dangerous consequence to that Crowne And so farre vrged the importancie of reliefe as the King at length who seemes was yet content to haue him bee though not too strong and peraduenture rather him then his competitor Guy de Burgogne aided him in person with a puissant Army against these competitors whom they found in the vale of Dunes with as great power and resolution to bid them battaile as they to assaile them Here one Guilleson Vncle to Viconte Neel by the mother forced his horse into the battailion of the French and made at the King and strake him downe with his Launce which Conte Saint Paule perceiuing hastes to incounter him with that violence as both fell to the earth but Guilleson soone gets vp and though his horse was slaine vnder him by Chastillon hee escapes out of the presse and after fled into Apulia with others The King recouered and more inkindled with this affront spared not
of an intention was banished and their estates seized the Earldome of Mortaigne he gaue to Robert that of Eu to Odo after Bishop of Bayeux both his brethren by the mother These assaults from abroade these skornes conspiracies and vnder-workings at home he passed before he was full 32 yeares of age and thus his enemies made him that sought to vndoe him But now more to vnderset and strengthen his State against future practises hee conuokes an assemblie of his Prelates Barons and Gentlemen causing them to receiue their oath of Fealtie and raze their Castles which done he married Matilde the daughter of Baldouin the sift Earle of The Duke marries Matilde daughter of Balaouine the fift Earle of Flanders Flaunders but not without contrast and trouble for his Vncle Mauger Arch-bishop of Roan excommunicates him for matching within the forbidden degrees of kindred she being daughter to Elinor daughter to Richard the second and so his fathers sisters daughter To expiate for which offence vpon a dispensation from Pope Victor they were enioyned the building of certaine Hospitals for blind people and two Abbeyes the one for men the other for women which were erected at Caen. This match and the ouer-matching his enemies set him so high a marke of enuie in The reasons why the King of France warres with the Normans the eye of France which naturally loued not the Normans whom in reproach they vsually called Trewans as they easily incensed their King who of himselfe was forward enough to abate a power growne so out of proportion with the rest of the Princes of his Dominions to finde a quarrell which confiners easily doe to set vpon him and to make it looke the fairer pretends to correct the insolencies of the Normans committed on his territories and to releeue Count Martel opprest by the Duke besides alleadging It concerwed him in honour and iustice to haue that Prouince which held of his Crowne to bee gouerned by a Prince of lawfull bloud according to Christian order and Lawes Ecclesiasticall And therefore resolueth vtterly to exterminate the Duke and establish a legittimate Prince in the Dutchie For which effect two armies are gathered from all parts of his Kingdome the one sent along the riuer Sein the other into the Country of Bessin as meaning to incompasse him The Duke likewise deuides his forces into two parts sends his brother Odo Earle of Eu Walter Guifford Earle of Longueuill and others with the one to the Country of Caux himselfe with the other takes towards Eureux to make head to the King that was at Mante and withdrawes all cattle and prouisions out of the flat Country into Cities and Fortresses for their owne store and disfurnishment of the enemie The Kings army marching from Beanuois to Mortimer and finding there a fat Country full of all prouisions betooke them to make good cheere and rests there all that night thinking the Norman forces were yet with the Duke at Eureux which the army in Caux conducted by Odo vnderstanding marched all night and by breake of day gaue them so hot an alarme and so sodaine as put them all in rout leauing horse and armour The defeiture of the Armie of the King of France by the Normans and all to the assaylants who made such a distruction of them as of forty thousand not the fourth part escaped With this defeiture the King of France is againe returned home with great rage and griefe and the Duke with the redemption of the prisoners recouers his peace and the Castle of Thuilliers taken from him in his vnder-age Cont Martell though much dismayd with the Kings ouerthrow yet leaues not to make some attempts for the recouering his Townes but with no successe The Duke he saw was to well beloued followed for him to do any good without a stronger arme Wherfore the next spring he goes againe to importune the King of France to aide him against the Duke who he said Was now growne so insolent vpon this peace and the victorie he had stolne and not wonne that there was no liuing for his neighbours neere him Besides the Normans had the French in such derision and base esteeme as they made their act at Mortimer their onely sport and the subiect of their rimes as if a King of France vpon the losse of a few men was retired and durst not breake a dishonourable peace With which instigation and being stung with the touch of reproach hee raises another Army far mightier then before wherein were three Dukes and twelue Earles and notwithstanding the sollemne peace made and so lately sworne with the Duke hee enters Normandie in the haruest time ouer-runnes and spoiles all the Country along the Coast to Bessin from whence marching to Bayeux and Caen with purpose to paste the riuer Diue at Varneuille to destroy the Countries of Auge Liseux and Roumoys euen to Roan and finding the case-way long and the bridge narrow caused his vantguard to passe ouer first and to secure his Arierguard conducted by the Duke of Berry himselfe stayes behind in Caen till his people and their carriages were passed Duke William whom all this while stores his sortresses with men and victuall makes himselfe as strong in the Towne of Falaise as he could hath no army in the field but a running campe to be readie to take all aduantages le ts the fury of the storme spend it selfe and hauing aduertisement of this passage marched all night with 10 thousand men and in the morning early sets vpon the Arierguard with so sodaine a cry and fury as they who were before on the Case-way hearing this noise behinde thrust forward their fellowes hasting to get ouer the bridge with such a crowd and presse as they brake it many were drownd in the riuer They who were gotten ouer could not returne to aide the rest nor the King by reason of Marishes on both sides yeeld any succour to his people but stood a spectator of their slaughter and the taking of sixe of his Earles of whom one was the exiled Earle of Eu whom the King fauouring his great worth had made Conte De Soissons The griefe of this ouerthrow shortly after gaue the King of France his death and The Armie of the King of France ouerthrowne at Varneuille by the Normans the Duke of Normandy a ioyfull peace which hee nobly imployed in the ordering and adorning his State building endowing and decking Monasteries and Churches gathering reliques from all parts to furnish his Abbeyes at Caen where hee also erectted a Tombe for himselfe and his wife feasting and rewarding his Nobles and men of worth whereby hee so possest him of the hearts of all his people generally as they were entirely his for what he would During this calme of his life hee makes a iourney ouer into England as if to visite The Duke comes to visit his kinsman King Edward his kinsman who in regard of the preseruation and breeding hee had
in Normandy by Duke Richard the second Grandfather to them both gaue him most Royall entertainement And here he shewed himselfe and here no doubt hee found matter for his hopes to worke on In this enteruiew hee discouered England being to be presupposed he came not to gather cockle-shels on the shore Nor was it long after ere Harold whether of purpose to ratifie some paction closly contriued betwixt them or by casualty of weather driuen into France and so faine to make it seeme a Harald goeth ouer into Normandy iourney of purpose to the Duke is not certainely deliuered was gallantly entertained in Normandy presented with all shewes of Armes brought to Paris and there likewise feasted in that Court. And at his returne to Rouen something was concluded either His entertainment in likely-hood to deuide the Kingdome betweene them or that Harold being a coast-dweller and had the strongest hand in the State should let in the Duke and doe his best to helpe him to the Crowne vpon conditions of his owne greatnesse or whatsoeuer it was promises were made and confirmed by oathes vpon the Euangelists and all the sacred Reliques at Rouen in the presence of diuers great persons Besides for His promises to the Duke more assurance Harald was fyanced to Adeliza the Dukes daughter and his brother Wolnot left a pledge for the performance This intercourse made the trans-action of the fate of England and so much was done either by King Edward or Harald though neithers act if any such were was of power to preiudice the State or alter the course of a right succession as gaue the Duke a colour to claime the Crowne by a donation made by Testament which being against the Law and Custome of the Kingdome could be of no validity at all For the Crowne of England being held not as Patrimoniall but in a succession by remotion which is a succeeding to anothers place it was not in the power of King Edward to collate the same by any dispositiue and testamentary will the right discending to the next of bloud onely by the Custome and Law of the Kingdome For the Successour is not sayd properly to be the heire of the King but the Kingdome which makes him so and cannot bee put from it by any act of his Predecessour But this was onely his claime the right was of his owne making and no otherwise For as soone as hee had heard of the death of King Edward with the Election and Coronation of Harald for they came both together hee assembles the States of Normandy and acquaints them with the right he had to England Soliciting an extention of their vtmost meanes for The Dukes speech to the assembly of the States of Normandie his recouery thereof and auengement of the periured Vsurper Harald shewing them apparant probabilitie of successe by infallible intelligence hee had from the State his strong partie therein with the debility and distraction of the people What glorie wealth and greatnesse it would adde to their Nation the obtayning of such a Kingdome as was thus opportunely layd open for them if they apprehended the present occasion All which remonstrances notwithstanding could enduce but very few to like of this attempt and those such who had long followed him in the warres exhausted their estates and content to runne vpon any aduenture that might promise likelyhood of aduancement The rest were of diuers opinions some that it was sufficient to hold and defend their owne Country without hazarding themselues to conquer others and these were men of the best ability others were content to contribute but so sparingly as would little aduance the businesse and for the most part they were so tyred with the former warres and so desirous to embrace the blessing of peace as they were vnwilling to vndergoe a certaiue trouble for an vncertaine good And with these oppositions or faint offers the Dukes The subtil proceeding of the Duke with his Nobles purpose at first had so little way as did much perplex him At length seeing this protraction and difficulty in generall he deales with his neerest and most trusty friends in particular being such as he knew affected the glory of action and would aduenture their whole estates with him As William fitz Auber Conte de Bretteuile Gualier Guifford Earle of Logueuille Roger de Beaumont with others especially his owne brothers Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Robert Earle of Mortaigne these in full assembly hee wrought to make their offers which they did in so large a proportion and especially William fitz Auber who made the first offer to furnish forty ships with men and munition the Bishop of Bayeux forty the Bishop of Mans thirty and so others according or beyond their abilities as the rest of the assemblie doubting if the action succeeded without their helpe the Duke aryuing to that greatnesse would beare in minde what little minde they shewed to aduance his desires beganne to contribute more largely The Duke finding them yeelding though not in such sort as was requisite for such a worke dealt with the Bishops and great men a part so effectually as at length hee gote of them seuerally which of altogether hee could neuer haue compassed and causing each mans contribution to bee registred inkindled such an emulation amongst them as they who lately would doe nothing now striued who should doe most And not onely wan he the people of his owne Prouinces to vndertake this action The French likewise ayde the Duke but drew by his faire perswasions and large promises most of the greatest Princes and Nobles of France to aduenture their persons and much of their estates with him as Robert fitz Haruays Duke of Orleance the Earles of Brittaine Ponthien Bologne Poictou Mayne Neuers Hiesms Aumal Le Signior de Tours and euen his mortall enemy Martel Earle of Aniou became to bee as forward as any All which hee sure could neuer haue induced had not his vertues and greatnesse gained a wide opinion and reputation amongst them Although in these aduancements and turnes of Princes there is a concurrency of dispositions and a constitution of times prepared for it yet is it strange that so many mighty men of the French Nation would aduenture their liues and fortunes to adde England to Normandie to make it more then France and so great a Crowne to a Duke who was to great for them already But where mutations are destined the counsels of men must be corrupted and there will fall out all aduantages to serue that businesse The King of France who should haue strangled this disseigne in the birth was a The reason of the Dukes powre child and vnder the curature of Baldouin Earle of Flanders whose daughter the Duke had married and was sure to haue rather furtherance then any opposition that way Besides to amuze that Court and dazella young Prince he promised faithfully if hee conquered this Kingdome to hold it of that King as he
children of men of warre to inioy their Fiefs prouided that they followed Armes Constantine to reward his principall Captaines granted them a perpetuity in the Lands assigned them The estates which were but for life were made perpetuall in France vnder the last Kings of the race of Charlemaine Those Lords who had the great Fiefs of the King By what meanes he increased his Reuenues sub-deuided them to other persons of whom they were to haue seruice Mulctuary profits besides such as might arise by the breach of his Forest-lawes hee had few or none new vnlesse that of Murther which arose vpon this occasion In the beginning of his raigne the rankor of the English towards the new-come Normans was such as finding them single in woods or remote places they secretly murthered them and the deed doers for any the seuerest courses taken could neuer bee discouered whereupon it was ordained that the Hundred wherein a Norman was The law for Murther renued first made by King Knute vide Appon sound slaine and the murtherer not taken should bee condemned to pay to the King some 36 pounds some 28 pounds according to the quantity of the Hundred that the punishment being generally inflicted might particularly deter them hasten the discouery of the malefactor by whom so many must otherwise be interessed For his prouisionary reuenues he continued the former custome held by his predecessors which was in this manner The Kings Tenants who held their Lands of the Geruasius Tilb. Crowne paide no money at all but onely Victuals Wheate Beifes Muttons Hay Oates C And a iust note of the quality and quantity of euery mans ratement was taken throughout all the Shieres of the Kingdome and leauied euer certaine for the maintenance of the Kings house Other ordinarie in-come of ready moneys was there none but what was raised by mulcts and out of Cities and Castles where Agriculture was not vsed What the Church yeelded him was by extent of a power that neuer reached so farre before and the first hand hee layd vpon that side which weighed heanily was his seizing vpon the Plate Iewels and Treasure within all the Monasteries of King William seased vpon the Treasure commitied to Monasteries England pretending the rebels and their assistants conueyed their riches into these religious houses as into places priuiledged and free from seizure to defraud him thereof Besides this he made all Bishoprickes and Abbeys that held Barronies before that time free from all secular seruices contributary to his warres and his other occasions And this may be the cause why they who then onely held the Pen the Scepter that rules ouer the memory of Kings haue laide such an eternall imposition vpon his name of rigour oppression and euen barbarous immanity as they haue done When the nature necessary disposition of his affaires being as he was may aduocate for him in many things much excuse his courses But this name of Conquest which euer imports violence and misery is of so harsh a sound and so odious in nature as a people subdued cannot giue a Conquerour his due how euer worthy and especially to a stranger whom onely time must naturalize and incorporate by degrees into their liking and opinion And yet therein this King was greatly aduantaged by reason of his twenty yeares gouernment which had much impaired the memory of former customes in the yonger sort and well inured the elder to the present vsances and forme of State whereby the rule was made more easie to his sonnes who though they were farre inferiour to him in worth were somewhat better beloued then he and the rather for that their occasions made them somewhat to vnwrest the Soueraignty from that height whereunto he had strayned it How hee was vnderset with able ministers for the managing of these great affaires of his though time hath shut vs out from the knowledge of some of them it being in His Councellors the fortune of Kings to haue their ministers like riuers in the Ocean buried in their glory yet no doubt being of a strong constitution of iudgement hee could not but be strongly furnished in that kind for weake Kings haue euer weake sides and the most renowned Princes are alwaies best stored with able ministers The principall of highest imployment were Odon Bishop of Bayeux and Earle of Kent Lanfranc Archbishop of Canterbury and William Fitz Auber Earle of Hereford Odon supplied the place of Viceroy in the Kings absence and had the management of the Treasury A man of a wide and agile spirit let out into as spacious a conceipt of greatnesse as the heighth of his place could shew him And is rumor'd by the infinite accumulation of mony which his auarice length of office had made either to buy the Popedome or to purchase the people of England vpon the death of the King his brother who vnderstanding he had a purpose of going to Rome and seeing a mighty confluence of followers gathering vnto him made a close prison stay his iourney excusing it to the Church that he imprisoned The Bishop of Bayeux as an Earle of Kent committed to prison not a Bishop of Bayeux but an Earle of Kent an Officer accomptant vnto him Yet vpō his death-bed shortly following after many obsecrations that he would in respect of bloud nature be a kind mean for the future peace of his sons he released him But the Bishop failed his request therein and became the onely kindlefire to set Reserued for greater mischiefe them all into more furious combustion The motiue of his discontent the engine wherewithall Ambition euermore turnes about her intentions was the enuy he bare to Lanfranc whose councell in his greatest affaires the King especially vsed and to oppose and ouer-beare him he tooke all the contrary courses and part with Robert his Nephew whom after many fortunes hee attended to the holy warre and died in the siege of Antioche Lanfranc was a man of as vniuersall goodnesse as learning borne in Lumbardie and Lanfranc came happily a stranger in these strange times to doe good to England vpon whose obseruance though the King might in regard hee raised him lay some tye yet his affections could not but take part with his piety and place in so much as hee feared not to oppose against Odon the Kings brother seeking to gripe from the State of his Church And in all he could stood so betweene the kingdome and the Kings rigor as stayed many precipitious violencies that he whose power lay as wide as his wil might else haue fallen into For the Conqueror howsoeuer austere to others was to him alwaies milde and yeelding as if subdued with his grauity and vertue He reformed the irregularity and rudenesse of the Clergie introducing a more The Reformation of the Clergie by Lanfranc Southerne formalitie and respect according to his breeding and the Custome of his Country concurring herein likewise to be an actor of
King of France who gaue him a faire entertainement in his Court Where he remained not long but that a Knight of 1093. Anno. Reg. 6. Normandy named Hachard vndertaking to put him into a Fort maugre his brother Robert within the Duchy conueyed him disguised out of the Court and wrought so as the Castle of Dampfront was deliuered vnto him whereby shortly after he got all the Countrey of Passays about it and a good part of Constantine by the secret aide of King William Richard de Riuteres and Roger de Manneuile Duke Robert leuies forces and eagerly wrought to recouer Dampfront but finding how Henry was vnderset inueighes against the perfidie of his brother of England in so much as the flame of rankor burst out againe more then euer And ouer passes King William with a great Army but rather to terrifie then do any great matter as a Prince that did more contend then warre and would be great with the sword yet seldome desired to vse it if he could get to his ends by any other meanes seeking rather to buy his peace then winne it Many skirmishes interpassed with surprisements of Castles but in the end a treaty of peace was propounded wherein to make his conditions what he would King William seemes hard to be wrought and makes the more shew of force sending ouer into England for an Army of thirty thousand men which being brought to the shore ready to be shipped an offer was made to be proclaimed by his Lieftenant that giuing ten shillings a man whosoeuer would might depart home to his dwelling Whereby was raised so much as discharged his expence and serued to see the King of France vnder-hand for his forbearing aide to Duke Robert who seeing himselfe left by the French must needes make his peace as the other would haue it Now for his affaires at home the vncertaine warres with Wales and Scotland gaue him more businesse then honour Being driuen in the one to incounter with mountaines in stead of men to the great losse and disaduantage of his people and in the other with as many necessities Wales he sought to subdue Scotland so to restraine as it might not hurt him For the last after much broyle both Kings seeming more willing to haue peace then to seeke it are brought to an enteruiew Malcolin vpon publicke faith and safe-conduit came to Glocester where vpon the haughtinesse of King William looking to be satisfied in all his demaunds and the vnyeeldingnesse of King Malcolin standing vpon his regality within his owne though content to be ordered for the confines according to the iudgement of the Primate of both Kingdomes nothing 1084. Anno. Reg. 7. was effected but a greater disdaine and rankor in Malcolin seeing himselfe dispised and scarce looked on by the King of England So that vpon his returne armed with rage he raises an Army enters Northumberland which foure times before he had depopulated and now the fifth seeking vtterly to destroy it and to haue gone farther The King of Scots his son Edward slaine causes Queene Margaret to dy with griefe Roger Houeden was with his eldest sonne Edward slaine rather by the fraude then power of Robert Mowbray Earle of that County The griefe of whose deaths gaue Margaret that blessed Queene hers After whom the State elected Dufnald brother to Malcolin and chased out all the English which attended the Queene and were harbored or preferred by Malcolin King William to set the line right and to haue a King there which should be beholding to his power aides Edgar the second sonne to Malcolin who had serued him in his wars to obtaine the Crowne due vnto him in right of succession by whose meanes Dufnald was expeld and the State receiued Edgar but killed all the aide he brought with him out of England and capitulated that he should neuer more entertaine English or Norman in his seruice This businesse setled Wales strugling for liberty and reuenge gaue new occasion of 1085. Anno. Reg. 8. worke whither he went in person with purpose to depopulate the Countrey but they retiring into the Mountaines and the Isle of Anglesey auoided the present furie But afterward Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury and Hugh Earle of Chester surprising the Isle their chiefest retreit committed there barbarous examples of cruelty by exoecations and miserable dismembring the people which immanity was there suddenly auenged on the Earle of Shrewsbury with a double death first shot into the eye and then tumbling ouer-boord into the sea to the sport and scorne of his enemy the King of Norway who either by chance or of purpose comming vpon that coast from taking in the Orchades encountred with him and that force he had at sea These were the remote businesses when a conspiracy brake out within the body of the Kingdome complotted by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland William d'Ou and many others who are sayd to haue sought the destruction of the King and the aduancement of Stephen Earle of Albemare his Aunts sonne to the Crowne which gaue the King more trouble then danger for by the speedy and maine prosecution of the businesse wherein hee vsed the best strength of England it was soone ended with the confusion of the vndertakers But it wrought an ill effect in his nature by hardening the same to an extreme rigor for after the feare was past his wrath and cruelty were not but which is hideous in a Prince they grew to bee numbred amongst incurable diseases The Earle was committed to the Castle of Windsor William d' Ou at a Councell at Salisbury being ouercome in Duell the course of triall had his eyes put out and his priuie members cut off William de Alueric his Sewer a man of goodly personage and allyed vnto him was condemned to be hanged though both in his confession to Osmond the Bishop there and to all the people as hee passed to his execution hee left a cleere opinion of his innocency and the wrong hee had by the King But now whilst these fractures heere at home the vnrepairable breaches abroad were such as could giue the King no longer assurednesse of quiet then the attempters would and that all the Christian world was out either at discord amongst themselues or in faction by the schisme of the Church Pope Viban assembling a generall Councell at Cleirmont in Auergne to compose the affaires of Christendome exhorted all the Princes thereof to ioyne themselues in action for the recouery of the Holy Land out of the hands of infidels Which motion by the zealous negotiation of Peter the Hermit of Amiens tooke so generally meeting with the disposition of an actiue and religious world as turn'd all that flame which had else consumed each other at home vpon vnknowne Nations that vndid them abroad Such and so great grew the heate of this action made by the perswasion of the Iustice thereof with the state and glory it would bring on earth and the assurednesse of heauen
force and shortly after deceased The Emperour to make himselfe the stronger against his successors enters into aliance with the King of England takes to wife his daughter Maud being but fiue The Emperor Hen. 5. marries Maud. yeares of age After this Calixte sonne of the Conte de Burgogne comming to be Pope and being French vnto their great applause assembles a Counsell at Reimes were by Ecclesiasticall sentence Henry the fift is declared enemy of the Church and degraded of his Imperiall Dignity The King of England seeing this Counsell was held in France and composed chiefely of the Galicane Church desirous to ouer-maister Louys incenses his sonne in law the Emperour stung with this disgrace to set vpon him as the Popes chiefe piller on one side and he would assaile him on the other The Emperour easily wrought to such a businesse prepares all his best forces the King of England doth the like The King of France seeing this storme comming so impetuously vpon him wrought so with the Princes of Germany as they weighing the future mischiefe of a warre vndertaken in a heate with the importance of a kind Neighbour-hood aduise the Emperour not to enter thereinto till hee had signifyed to the King of France the Historie of France cause of his discontent Whereupon an Embassage is dispatched The King of Fraunce answers That hee grieued much to see the two greatest Pillars of the Church thus shaken with these dissentions whereby might bee feared the whole frame would bee ruined that hee was friend to them both and would gladly bee an inter-dealer for concord rather then to carry wood to a fire too fierce already which hee desired to extinguish for the good and quiet of Christendome This Embaslage wrought so as it disarmed the Emperour glad to haue Louys a mediator of the accord betweene the The King of France accords the Pope and Emperour Pope and him to the great displeasure of the King of England who expected greater matters to haue risen by this businesse The accord is concluded at Wormes to the Popes aduantage to whom the Emperor yeelds vp the right of inuestitures of Bishops and other Benefices But this was onely to appease not cure the malady The King of England disappointed thus of the Emperours assistance proceeds notwithstanding in his intentions against Louys And seeing he failed of outward forces he sets vp a party in his Kingdome to confront him aiding Theobald Conte de Champaigne King Henry aides Conte Theobald against the king of France with so great power as he stood to do him much displeasure besides he obtained a strong side in that Kingdome by his aliances for Stephen Earle of Blois had married his sister Adela to whom this Theobald was Brother and had wonne Foulke Earle of Aniou an important neighbour and euer an enemy to Normandy to be his by matching his sonne William to his daughter Louys on the other side failes not to practise all meanes to vnder-worke Henries estate The King of France combines with the Earle of Flanders against King Henry in Normandy and combines with William Earle of Flanders for the restoring of William the sonne of Robert Curtoys to whom the same appertained by right of inheritance and had the fairer shew of his actions by taking hold on the side of Iustice. Great and many were the conflicts betweene these two Princes with the expence of much bloud and charge But in the end being both tyred a peace was concluded 1116. Anno. Reg. 17. by the mediation of the Earle of Aniou And William sonne to King Henry did homage to Louys for the Duchy of Normandy And William the sonne of Robert Curtoys is left to himselfe and desists from his claime Vpon the faire cloze of all these troubles there followed presently an accident which seasoned it with that sowernesse of griefe as ouercame all the ioy of the successe William the young Prince the onely hope of all the Norman race at seuenteene yeares of Queene Maud liued not to see this disaster age returning into England in a ship by himselfe accompanied with Richard his base brother Mary Countesse of Perch their sister Richard Earle of Chester with his wife the Kings Neece and many other personages of honour and their attendants to the number of 140. besides 50. Marriners setting out from Barbfleete were all cast away at Sea onely a Butcher escaped The Prince had recouered a Cock-boat and in possibility to haue bene saued had not the compassion of his sisters cryes drawne him backe to the sinking ship to take her in and perish with his company Which sudden clap of Gods iudgement comming in a calme of glory when all these bustlings seemed past ouer might make a conscience shrinke with terror to see oppression and supplantation repayd with the extinction of that for which so much had bin wrought and the line Masculine of Normandy expired in the third inheritor as if to beginne the fate layde on all the future succession hither vnto wherein the third heire in a right discent seldome or neuer inioyed the Crowne of England but that either by vsurpation or extinction of the male bloud it receiued an alteration which may teach Princes to obserue the wayes of righteousnesse and let men alone with their rights and God with his prouidence After this heauy disaster this King is sayd neuer to haue bene seene to laugh though within fiue moneths after in hope to restore his issue he married Adalicia a beautifull yong Lady daughter to the Duke of Lovaine and of the house of Loraine but neuer had child by her nor long rest from his troubles abroad For this rent at home crackt all the chaine of his courses in France Normandy it selfe became wauering and many Robert de Mellents conspiracie adhered to William the Nephew his great confederates are most regayned to the King of France Foulke Earle of Aniou quarrels for his daughters dower Robert de Mellent his chiefe friend and Councellor a man of great imployment fell from him conspired 1123. Anno. Reg. 25. with Hugh Earle of Monfort and wrought him great trouble But such was his diligence and working spirit that he soone made whole all those ruptures againe The two Earles himselfe surprizes and Aniou death which beeing so important a neighbour as we may see by matching a Prince of England there the Maud the Empresse maried to Geffery Plantagenet King fastens vpon it with another aliance and discends to marry his daughter and now onely child which had beene wife to an Emperour and desired by the Princes of Lumbardy and Loraine to the now Earle Geffery Plantagenet the sonne of Foulke The King of Fraunce to fortifie his opposition entertaines William the Nephew 1126. Anno. Reg. 27. where now all the danger lay and aides him in person with great power to obtaine the Earledome of Flanders whereunto he had a faire Title by the defaillance of issue in
of Power that the Kingdome may not miscarie for want of a Ruler I haue called you all hither by the power of my Legation Yesterday the cause was mooued in secret to the greatest part of the Clergie to whom the right appertaines to elect and ordaine a Prince And therefore after hauing inuoked as it is meete the Diuine aide Wee elect for Queene of England the daughter of the peacefull glorious rich good and in our time the incomparable King and to her wee promise our faith and allegiance When all who were present either modestly gaue their voyce or by their silence contradicted it the Legat addes The Londoners who are in respect of the greatnesse of their City as among the optimacie of England we haue by our messengers summoned and I trust they will not stay beyond this day tomorrow we will expect them The Londoners came were brought into the Councell shewed How they were sent from the Communaltie of London not to bring contention but prayer that the King their Lord might be freed from captiuitie and the same did all the Barons receiued within their Liberties earnestly beseech of my Lord Legate and all the Clergie there present The Legat answeres them at large and loftily according to his speech the day before and added That the Londoners who were held in that degree in England ought not to take their parts who had forsaken their Lord in the warre by whose Councell the Church had beene dishonoured and who fauoured the Londoners but for their owne gaine Then stands there vp a Chaplaine to Queene Maude wife to Stephen and deliuers a letter to the Legat which he silently read and then said allowd that it was not lawfull in the assembly of so many reuerend and religious persons the same should be publikely read containing matter retrehensible The Chapline not to faile in his message boldly reades the Letter himselfe which was to this effect That the Queene earnestly intreates all the Clergie there assembled and namely the Bishop of Winchester the brother of her Lord to restore him vnto the Kingdome whom wicked men which were also his subiects held prisoner To this the Legat answeres as to the Londoners and shortly after the Councel brake vp wherein many of the Kings part were excommunicated namely William Martell an especiall man about the King who had much displeased the Legat. Hereupon a great part of England willingly accepted of Maude in whose businesses her brother Robert imployes all his diligence and best care reforming Iustice restoring the Lawes of England promising releeuements and whatsoeuer might be to winne the people the Legat seconding all his courses But now shee being at the point of obtayning the whole Kingdome all came sodainly dasht by her ouer-hautie and proud carriage and by the practise of the Londoners who adhering to the other side began openly to inueigh against her who had displeased them and they had plotted to surprize her in their Citie whereof she hauing notice secretly withdrawes herselfe accompained with her Vncle Dauid King of Scots who was come to visit her and her brother Robert vnto Oxford a place of more The Legat leaues the Empresse securitie The Leagat himselfe takes or makes an occasion to bee slacke in her cause vpon her denying him a sute for his Nephew Eustaee the sonne of Stephen about the inheritance of his Earledome of Mortaine in Normandie Besides the Queene regnant watchfull ouer all oportunities found meanes to parle with the Legar Sets vpon him with her teares intreatie promises and assurance for the Kings reformation in so much as shee Is intreated with teares by the Queene regnant recalled him to the affections of Nature brought him about againe to absolue such of the Kings part as he had lately excommunicated The Earle of Glocester seeing this sodaine and strange relaps of their affaires striues by all meanes to hold vp Opinion and re-quicken the Legats dispofition which to keepe sound was all He brings the Empresse to Winchester setles her and her guard in the Castle where she desires to speake with the Legat who first delayes then denies The Empresse besieged at Oxford the Earle of Glocester taken prisoner to come Whereupon they call their best friends about them Queene Maude and the Lords incompasse the Towne and cut off all victuall from the Empresse so that in the end the Earle of Glocester wrought meanes to haue her conueyd from thence to the Vies but himselfe was taken and in him most of her This sets the sides both euen againe into the Lists of ther triall the two prisoners are to redeeme each other The disproportion of the quality betweene them shewed yet there was an euennesse of power and the Earle would not consent to the Kings deliuery who onely in that was to haue the precedence but vpon most secure cautions The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Legate vndertooke to yeeld themselues prisoners for him if the King released him not according to his promise But that would not serue the turne till they both had written their Briefes to the Pope to intimate the course that was taken herein and deliuered the same vnto him vnder their hands and seales So that if the King should as he might not care to hold the Bishops in prison yet the Pope if hard measure were offred might releeue them Which shewes the aduantage of credit in the businesse lay on this side and the King was to haue his fetters though at liberty The Queene and Eustace her sonne the Prince vpon the inlargement of Stephen 1142. Anno. Reg. 7. remaine pledges in the Castle of Bristow till the Earle were released which was done vpon the Kings comming to Winchester Where the Earle in familiar conference was by all art possible solicited to forsake the partie of Maude with promise of all preferments of honour and estate but nothing could mooue him being fixt to his courses and rather would hee haue beene content to remaine a perpetuall prisoner then that Stephen should haue beene released had not his sister wrought him to this conclusion The Legat after this calls a Councell at London where the Popes letters written vnto him are openly read which argue him but mildly of some neglect of his brothers Vide Append. releasing and exhort him to vse all meanes Ecclesiasticall and Secular to set him at libertie The King himselfe came into the councell complaines How his subiects to whom King Stephens complaint hee had neuer denied Iustice had taken him and reproachfully afflicted him euen to death The Legate with great eloquence labours to excuse his owne courses alledging How hee receiued not the Empresse by his will but necessitie that presently vpon the Kings ouerthrow whilest the Lords were either fled or stood in suspence attending the euent shee and her people came thundring to the walles of Winchester and that what pact soeuer hee had made with her for the right of the Church shee
take it his passionate committing the cause of the Church with his soule to God and his Saints the place the time the manner and all aggrauates the hatred of the deed and makes compassion and opinion to be on his side The vnfortunate Gentlemen hauing effected this great seruice rifled the Arch-bishops house and after waighing the foulenesse of what they had committed and doubtfull whether the King though they had done him a great pleasure would seeme so to acknowledge it withdrew themselues into the North parts and from thence pursued The Murtherers miserable ende fled into seuerall Countreys where they all within foure yeares after as is reported died miserable Fugitiues Soone ranne the rumor of this deed with full mouth ouer all the Christian world euery pen that had passion was presently set on worke The King of France himselfe The King of Fraunce informes the Pope of Beckets murther informes the Pope of the whole manner with aggrauation of the souienesse thereof and incites him to vse the most exquesit punishment he could To vnsheath Peters sword to reuenge the death of the Martyr of Canterbury whose bloud cries out for all the Church and whose diuine glory was already reuealed in miracles Theobald Earle of Bloys a great and graue Prince elder brother to King Stephen The Earle of Bloys informes likewise sends likewise his information to the Pope and shewes him how he was at the peace-making betweene the King of England and this blessed Martyr and with what a cheerefull countenance with what willingnesse the King confirmed the agreement granting him power to vse his authority as it should please the Pope and him against those Bishops which had contrary to the right and dignity of the Church of Canterbury presumed to intrude the new King into the Royallthrone And this he would iustifie by his Oath or howsoeuer and in this peace saith he the man of God doubting nothing puts his necke vnder the sword this innocent lambe the morrow vpon Saint Innocents day suffered Martyrdome the iust bloud was shed where the shot of our saluation the bloud of Christ is offered And then how Court dogges the Kings familiars and domesticks were his ministers to execute this horrible act concluding with an exhortation likewise of reuenge But William Arch-bishop of Sens comes with a more maine outcry as if he would wake the Pope were he neuer so dead asleepe and tels him how he was appointed ouer The Arch-bishop of Sens writes to the Pope Nations and Kingdomes to bind their Kings in fetters and their Nobles with manacles of iron that all power both in Heauen and Earth was giuen to his Apostleship bids him looke how the Bore of the wood had rooted vp the Vineyard of the Lord of Saboath c. and all in that most powerfull phrase of holy writ And after hauing bitterly inueyed against the King vses these words It imports you O most milde keeper of the walles of Ierusalem to reuenge that which is past and prouide for the future What place shall be safe if the rage of tyranny shall imbrew the Sancta Sanctorum with bloud and teare in peeces the Vice-gerents of Christ the foster children of the Church without punishment Arme therefore all the Ecclesiasticall power you may c. Such and so great was the vprore of the Church raised vpon these motiues as notwithstanding The King declares his innocency by Embassage to the Pope the King of England then the greatest Prince of all the Christian world imployed the most especiall men could be chosen in all his Dominions for reputation learning and iudgement to declare his innocencie to the Pope to vowe and protest that he was so farre from willing such a deed to be done as he was from doing it himselfe and how grieuously hee Pope Cardinals denied audience refused conference tooke the matter when he heard thereof yet so deepe was the impression setled before hand and his name made so odious at Rome as not onely the Pope denied Audience to his Ambassadors but euery Cardinall and all other his Ministers refused to haue any conference with them Which with the hard passage they had in going thither by the many dangers and restraints they indured and now the contempt they found there did as they signified to the King much discourage them Yet for all this were there those braue Spirits among them as great Princes haue alwaies great Ministers that neuer gaue ouer working to cleere their maisters honour by Apologies remonstrances and all whatsoeuer wit could deuise and delt so as they kept off the great confounding blow of the highest Censure though it were euery day threatned and expected And hauing by grauely vrging the mischiefes might follow in the Church if a King of so great a State and stomacke should bee driuen to take desperate courses giuen some pawse and allay to the first heare they timed it out all that Spring and a great part of the next Sommer when although they could giue the King no great security yet they aduertise him of hope But the sending of two Cardinals a Latere Gratianus and Viuianus downe into Normandie did exceedingly vexe him For they were rough against him and would haue interdicted him and his Dominions but being forewarned of their comming and intention hee appeales to the presence of the Pope and so put off that trouble Returning out of Normandie into England hee giues strict commandement That no briefe carrier of what condition or order soeuer without giuing good security for his behauieur to the King and Kingdome bee suffred to passe the Seas Notwithstanding all the vexation the Church put this King into hee left nothing The Conquest of Ireland vndone that concerned the aduancement of his affaires but as if now the rather to shew his powre and greatnesse takes this time for an expedition into Ireland hauing commanded a Nauie of foure hundred shippes to bee ready at Milford-Hauen for the transportation of Men Victuals and Armour and sets soorth in the beginning of Nouember an vnseasonable time both for those Seas and the inuasion of a Countrey not well knowne But the businesse it seemes was well prepared for him hauing had an intention thereof euer since the second yeare of his raigne in which hee sent a solemne Ambassage to Pope Adrian the fourth to craue leaue for the subdument of that Countrey vnder pretence of reducing those rude people from their vicious fashions to the fayth and way of truth Which the Pope willingly graunted and returnes the Ambassadours with an autenticall concession thereof in writing to this effect First shewing how laudable a thing it was and how fitting the magnificence of so mighty a King to propagate his glorious name on Earth and heape vp reward of eternall felicity in Heauen by extending the bounds of the Church reducing rude and vnlettered people from their vicious manners to the veritte of the Christian faith and ciuilitie And
to the King of England and peace with a reconciliation is concluded betweene him and his sonnes But with more reseruation on his part then had beene by the former treatie offered as hauing now more of powre and the aduantage of fortune and yet yeelding so much as shewed the goodnesse of his Nature was not ouer swayed by his ambition all his proceeding in this warre witnessing that necessity did euer worke more then his will And at the signing of the Charter of this Peace when his sonne Henry would haue Vide Append. done him homage which is personall seruice he refused to take it because hee was a King but receiued it of Richard and Geffrey Yet after this Henry the sonne to free his father of all scruple became his Liege-man and swore Fealty vnto him against all men in the presence of the Archbishop of Rouen the Bishop of Bayeux the Earle Mandeuile and a great Nobilitie At the concluding this Peace the Earle of Flaunders yeelded vp to King Henrie the Father the Charter made vnto him by the Sonne for his remuneration and had another confirmed for the pension hee had yearely out of England before this warre which was one thousand Markes out of the Eschequer afterward granted vpon condition of Homage and for finding the King of England yearely fiue hundred souldiours for the space of fortie daies vpon summons giuen This businesse ended the Father and Sonne make their Progresses into all their Prouinces on that side to visit and reforme the disorders of Warre and to settle their affaires there Richard is sent into Aquitaine and Geffrey into Brittaine vpon the same businesse and there left with their Counsells to looke to their owne The two Kings Father and Sonne shortly after returne into England where reformation 1175. Anno. Reg. 21. in the Gouernment needed as much as in France and here had the Archbishoppe of Canterburie sommoned a Councell of the Clergie wherein were manie enormities of the Church reformed as may bee seene in the Canons of that Synod The King supplies all Vacancies and giues to Iohn de Oxenford that great Minister Vide Append. of his the Bishopricke of Norwich then takes hee into his hands all the Castles hee could seize on amongst other the Towre of Bristoll which was rendred by All Vacancies supplied by the King the Earle of Glocester and was neuer in his hands before Hee takes penalties both of Clerkes and Lay-men who had trespassed his Forests in time of Hostility for which hee is taxed of wrong Richard Lucy Iustice of England hauing warrant by the Kings precept to discharge them for the same But the profit which they yeelded him made him take the stricter regard therein For after the death of Alain de Neuile which had beene chiefe Iustice of all the Forrests of England hee deuides them into diuers parts appointing to euerie part foure Iustices whereof two to bee Clerkes and two Knights and two Seruants of his Houshold to bee Keepers of the Game ouer all other Forresters either of the Kings Knights or Barons whatsoeuer and gaue them power to implea according to the Assiese of the Forrest The King beeing at Yorke there came vnto them William King of Scots with almost all the Bishoppes Abbots and Nobilitie of Scotland and confirmed 1176. Anno. Reg. 22. the Peace and finall concorde which had formerly beene in the time of his imprisonment at Faleise in Normandie before all the greatest Estates of both Kingdomes the Tenour whereof is to bee seene in Roger Houeden After this a Councell is called at Windsor whither repaire certaine Bishoppes Vide Append. of Ireland and the Chauncelour of Rodoric King of Conaught for whom a finall concord is concluded vpon doing Homage Fealty and a tribute to bee paide which was of euerie tenne Beasts one sufficient Hide within his Kingdome and those Prouinces that held thereof Within a while after a Councell or Parliament is assembled at Nottingham and by aduice and consent thereof the King caused The Kingdome to bee deuided into sixe parts and constitutes for euerie part three Iustices itinerants causing them to The Kingdom deuided into sixe parts for Iustice. take an Oath vpon the Holie Euangelists faithfullie for themselues to obserue and cause inuiolablie to bee obserued of all his Subiectes of England the Assises made at Claringdone and renued at Northamton which Assises were chiefly for Murther Vide Append. Theft Roberie and their receiuers for deceipts and burning of Houses which facts if found by the Verdict of twelue men the accused were to passe the tryall of Water Ordeil Vide Append. whereby if not acquitted their punishment was losse of a legge or banishment that Age seeming to hold it a greater example of a Malefactor miserably liuing then of one dead for as yet they came not so farre as bloud in those cases And yet wee finde in the raigne of this King that one Gilbert Plumton Knight accused for a Rape before Ranulph de Glanuile chiefe Iustice of England desirous sayth Houeden by vniust sentence to condemne him was adiuged to bee hanged on a Gibbet whereunto when hee was brought and in the hands of the Executioner the people ranne out crying that an innocent and iust person ought not so to suffer Balduin Bishoppe of Worcester a religious man and fearing God hearing the clamor of the people and the iniury done to this miserable creature came foorth and forbad them from the part of the Omnipotent God and vnder paine of Excommunication that they should not put him to death that day being Holy and the Feast of Saint Mary Magdelene whereupon the excution was put off till the morrow That night meanes was wrought to the King who commanded a stay to bee made till other order were taken being informed that for the enuie which Glanuile bare to this Plumton hee was desirous to put him to death in regard hee had married the danghter of Roger Gulwast an inheritrix whom hee would haue had Reiner his Shriefe of Yorkeshire to haue had which act leaues a foule staine of Iniustice vpon the memory of this Chiefe Iustice Glanuile in the time of whose Office a tract of the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome of England was composed which now passes vnder his name The charge giuen for businesses in these Assises consisted but of very few points Vide Append. besides those felonies and was especially for taking Homage and Ligeancie of 1177. Anno. Reg. 13. all the Subiects of England demolishing of Castles the Rights of the King his Crowne and Eschequour The multitude of actions which followed in succeeding times grew out of new transgressions and the increase of Law and Litigation which was then but in the Cradle William King of Sicile sends and craues to haue Ioan the Kings daughter in marriage William King of Sicile matches with Ioan the Kings Daughter Rog. Houed Vide Append. Whereupon the King calls a Parliament
married the Lady Berenguela and caused her to bee Crowned Queene These mischiefes suffred these two famous Isles of Christendome in the passage of these mighty Princes against Pagans who peraduenture would haue as well vsed them for their goods and treasure as these did but Armies and powre know no inferior friends it was their Fate so to lie in the way of great attempters who though in the cause of Piety would not sticke to doe any iniustice From hence passes this famous king to the Holy Land with the spoyles and treasure of three noble rich Islands England Sicile and Cyprus besides what Normandy and Guien could furnish him with all and there consumes that huge collected masse euen as violently as it was gotten though to the exceeding great renowne of him the nation Heere for the better vnderstanding this businesse it is not amisse to deliuer in what sort stood the Estate of those affaires in Asia which so much troubled these mighty Princes and drew them from the vtmost bounds of Europe thus to aduenture themselues and consume their Estates It was now foure score and eight yeares since Godsrey of Bologne Prince of Lorraine with his company recouered the Citie of Ierusalem with the Countrey of Palestina and a great part of Siria out of the hands of the Sarazins obtayned the Kingdome thereof and was Crowned with a Crowne of Thornes in example of our Sauiour raigned The State of Palestina one yeare died and left to succeed him his brother Baldwin who gouerned eighteene yeares and left the Crowne to another of that name Balwin de Burgo who raigned thirteene yeares and left a daughter and his Kingdome in dissention Fulke Earle of Aniou marries this daughter and enioyes the Kingdome eleuen yeares and left two young sonnes Baldwin and Almerique Balwin raignes foure and twenty yeares and after him his brother Almerique twelue and leaues Baldwin his sonne to succeed him who being sickly and dispayring of yssue made Baldwin his Nephew sonne to the Marquesse of Monferrato and Sibilla his Sister his successor and commits the charge of him with the administration of the Kingdome to Raymond Earle of Tripoly whom Guy de Lusignan who had married Sibilla the Widdow of Monferrato put from that charge and vsurped the Gouerment and at length the Kingdome not without suspition of poysoning the young King Raymond making warre vpon him Lusignan drawes in Sultan Saladin of Egipt to his ayde who glad of that occasion to augment his owne State destroyed them both with their Kingdome and wonne the Citie of Ptolomeide Asoto Berytho Ascalon and after one months siege the Citie of Ierusalem foure score and eight yeares after it had beene conquered by Godfrey Now to recouer this confounded State come these two Great Kings from a farre and a different clyme with an Army composed of seuerall Nations and seuerall humours English French Italians and Germaines against a mightie Prince of an vnited powre within his owne ayre neera at home bred and made by the sword inured to victories acquainted with the fights and forces of the Christians and possessed almost of all the best peeces of that Countrey And heere they sit downe before the City of Acon defended by the powre of Saladin The Kings of England and France besiege Acon which had beene before besieged by the Christians the space of three yeares and had cost the liues of many worthy Princes and great personages whose names are deliuered by our Writers amongst whom I will remember these few of especiall note Conradus Duke of Suenia sonne of Frederic the Emperour which Frederic was also drowned comming thither with the Earles of Perch Puntif and olde Theobald Earle of Bloys that famous Stickler betweene the Kings of England and France Stephen Earle of Sancerre the Earle of Vandosme Bertoldus a Duke of Germany Reoger and Ioselin Earles of Apulia c. And lastly Phillip Earle of Flaunders and of our Nation Baldwin Archbishoppe of Canterbury Robert Earle of Leicester Ralph de Glanuile Chiefe Iustice of England Richard de Clare Walter de Kime c. And notwithstanding all the forces of these two kings they held out foure monthes after and then rendred themselues vpon composition At their entring into the Citie the Ensignes of Leopold Duke of Austrich beeing planted on the walles were with great scorne taken downe by the commandement of King Richard and those of the two Kings erected which bred great rancour and was afterward the occasion of much mischiefe to the king of England Besides during this siege diuers stings were ministred or taken of displeasure and malice betweene the two kings apt to bee set on fire by the least touches of conceipt The king of France full of disdaine for the reiection of his Sister and the marriage of the king of England with Berenguela besides competition of honour which their equality was subiect vnto made any iot of the least disproportion thereof a wounde without cure And daylie occasions in so great hearts fell out to worke the same The Article of equall deuiding their gaines in this voyage concluded between them is questioned The king of France claimes halfe the Isle of Cyprus the king of England halfe the Treasure and goods of the Earle of Flaunders whereon the King of France had seised and therein neither is satisfied Then are there two pretenders to the Crowne of Ierusalem Guy of Lusignan and Conrade Marquis of Monferrato Guy pleads the possession thereof which he had by his wife Sibilla the King of England takes part with Guy the King of France with Conrade And with these differences are they kept in imbroylements and continually distempered in so much as by their owne heats and the contagion The Kings of England and France dangerously sicke of the Country they fell into a most daungerous sicknesse that cost them both their haire being more then they got by the voyage But being recouered the King of France had no longer will to stay there where hee saw no more likelihood of honour or profit and at home hee knew was better good to be done with lesse danger and the rather by the death of the Earle of Flaunders whose state lay so neere as it tooke vp part of his whereof he had a purpose to abridge his successor and therefore craues leaue of the King of England for without leaue of each other it was couenanted neither of them should depart to returne home which King Richard was hardly wonne to grant in respect he knew the daunger it might worke him in his absence to let such an offended Lyon loose But in the end through the earnest sollicitation of the King of France and his assurance The King of France departs from the Holy warre confirmed by Oath not to doe anything offensiue to his Dominions in France during his absence he yeelds thereunto And so departs this great Prince leauing the Earle of Borgogne Lieutenant of his forces And King Richard betakes him
an euent For hauing taken vp by the way three Gallies to conduct him to Ragusa for three hundred Markes of Siluer disguised vnder the names of Pilgtimes hee was by his lauish expences discouered to bee the His discouery King of England which note once taken it was impossible for him to lay anie couering thereon that could euer hide him more though vpon warning thereof he presently left all his company and with one man onely takes horse and through all the daungers of a wilde desart and rocky Country trauayling day and night passes into Austrich where Fame that was a speedier post then himselfe was before him And comming to a Village nere to Viena and reposing himselfe in a poore hosterie was taken a sleepe by meanes of his companion going forth to prouide necessaries for him King Richard taken prisoner who as hee was changing money was knowne taken and brought before the Duke of Austrich and vpon examination confessed where his maister was of which prise the Duke was most ioyfull in respect of his reuenge for the disgrace hee did him at the entring of Acon and presently sends him to the Emperour Henry the sixt whom likewise he had offended for ayding Tancredi the base sonne of Roger in the vsurpation of the Crowne of Sicilia against Constantia the lawfull daughter of the same Roger whom this Emperour had married Newes hereof is presently sent by the Emperour to the King of France that he might likewise reioyce at this fortune and hee tells him That now the Enemy of his Empire and the disturber of the Kingdome of France was fast in holde and all the manner how The State of England is likewise soone certified of this heauie disaster and great meanes is made to redeeme their King out of captiuitie who is sayd to haue borne his fortune with that magnanimitie and so cleered himselfe of the scandalls layd on him for the death of Conrade the Emperours kinsman other his actions in the East in such sort as he won the affection of the Emperor so that he professed a great desire to restore him and reconcile him to the King of France But yet wee finde That King Richard deposed King Richard deposed himselfe of the kingdome of England himselfe of the Kingdome of England and deliuered the same to the Emperour as his supreame Lord and inuested him therein by the deliuering vp his hat whch the Emperour returned vnto him in the presence of the Nobility of Germany and England to hold this Kingdom from him for 50 thousand pounds sterling to be payed as an annuall tribute And yet notwithstanding all this the King of France combining with the Earle Iohn preuailed so much with the Emperour as hee held him his prisoner a whole yeare and sixe weekes through their offer of mighty summes they made vnto him For he and the Earle Iohn fully accounted that he should haue beene held a perpetuall prisoner and vpon that reckning the Earle Iohn did his homage to the King of France for the Dutchy Earle Iohn doth homage to the King of France for Normandy of Normandy and all the rest of those transmarine territories and for England as it is sayd and besides resignes vnto him Gisors with the Country of Vexin sweares to marry his sister Alice and to bee diuorsed from his other Wise the Daughter of the Earle of Glocester The King of France couenants to giue him with his sister that part of Flanders which hee had taken from that Eareldome and sweares to ayde him in the attayning both of England and whatsoeuer else the Lands of his brother Then goes the Earle Iohn ouer into England carrying many strangers with him and presently the Castles of Wallingford and Windsor are rendred vnto him then comes hee to London and requires of the Archbishop of Rouen and other the Commissioners the Kingdome of England and that fealty bee made vnto him affirming his brother was dead but they not giuing credit vnto him and denying his desire with rage and strong hand hee fortifies his Castles and in hostile manner inuades the Lands of his brother finding many partakers to ioyne with him The Queene mother the Iustices of England and all the faithfull seruants of the King guard and defend the ports against the inuasion of the French and Flemings who in great numbers seeke to ayde the Earle Iohn and also they labour the redemption of the King whose ransome the Emperour rates at 100 thousand Marks with the finding of fiftie Gallies ready furnished and two hundred souldiers to attend his seruice in the holy warres for one yeare In Normandie the Officers and Seruants of the King of England defend with no lesse faith and courage the right of their Maister against the King of France who withall his powre labours to subdue them and by his large offers to the Emperour prolongs his redemption and inhaunces his ransome This toyle and charge is the world put into through the misfortune and weakenesse of their hardy King who onely in respect of his valour being otherwise not worth so much and the Holy worke hee vndertooke whereby hee obliged the Clergie which then managed all got the opinion and loue of his subiects in such sort as they straine euen beyond their ability to recouer and preserue him and so wrought in the end that the Emperour compounds with King Richard in this manner that hee should send his Commissioners to London and receaue an hundred thousand Markes of pure siluer of Cologne The Emperors composition with King Richard waight to be sealed vp and safely conducted to the bounds of the Empire at the perile of the King of England and other fifty thousand Markes of siluer whereof twenty thousand for the Duke of Austrich and thirty thousand for the Emperour to be payd at seauen monethes after and pledges to be giuen three score to the Emperor and seauen to the Duke Besides the King of England sweares to send his Neece the sister of Arthur Earle of Brittaine to be married to the Duke of Austrich c. And the Emperour granted to the King of England by his Charter the Soueraignty of the Prouince Vienne and Viennoys Merseilles Narbona Arls Lyons and whatsoeuer hee had in Burgogne with the Homages of the King of Arragon the Earles of Dijon and Saint Giles In which countries were fiue Archbishop-ricks thirty three Bishopricks but the Emperour could neuer haue domination ouer them nor they receaue any Lord that hee presented them So that this great gift consisted but in title which yet pleased King Richard that hee might not seeme to part with all his substance for nothing And the same wind he sends to Hubert the new Archbishop of Canterbury lately made his Vicegerent in England to be blowne ouet all the Kingdome by a letter he wrote vnto him wherein he hath these words For that sure I am you much desire our deliuerance and greatly reioyce therein we will that you be
had none two Markes for a licence The Collection whereof the Archbishop of Canterbury commits to his brother Theobald Walter Besides another new seale the old being lost by the Vice-Chancelor at the taking of Cirpus brings in a new exaction But the proceeding in the pleas of the Crowne and extorting of penalties Anno Reg. 9. By Hugh Bardolph Roger Arundle and Geffrey Hatchet Iustices Itenerants for Lyncolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Yorkeshire Northumberland Cumberland and Lancaster was of a higher straine of exaction and more profound as hauing more of time and presumption vpon the peoples sufferance of whom when once trial was made that they would beare were sure to haue more layd on them then they were able to vnder goe And with these vexations saith Houeden all England from Sea to Sea was reduced to extreame pouerty and yet it ended not heare another torment is added to the confusion of the Subiects by the Iustices of the Forests Hugh Neuile chiefe Iustice Hugh Wac and Ernise de Neuile who not onely execute those hidious lawes introduced by the Norman but impose other of more tyranicall seuerity as the memory thereof being odious deserues to be vtterly forgotten hauing afterwards by the hard labour of our noble ancestors and the goodnes of more regular Princes beene assuaged and now out of vse Besides in the same yeare this King imposes 5 shil vpon euery Hide or Plough-land which contayned an hundred Acres for the leuying whereof a most strict course was taken Likewise he required by his Vicegerent the Archbishop of Canterbury that the people of England should finde three hundred Knights for one yeare to remaine in his seruice or so much money allowing for euery Knight three shillings per diem Against which Hugh Bishop of Lyncoln opposes and saies that he would neuer yeeld to the Kings will in this for the detriment it might be to the Church and example to posterity that should not complaine thereof and say our Fathers haue eaten sowre grapes and the childrens teeth are set on edge and turning to the Archbishop wished him that he would doe nothing whereof he might be a shamed This Archbishop so husbanded the Kings businesse that in Anno Reg. 7. he yeelded Vudecies centena millia Marc. Houed an accompt vnto him that hee had Ieuied of the Kingdome within the space of two yeares eleuen hundred thousand Markes of siluer which considering that time is a most remarkeable summe And now as the first act of this King was his violent violent proceeding in a businesse of Treasore with Stephen Thurstan Seneshall of Normandy so was it likewise the last and the cause of his distruction for Widomare Viscont of Limoges hauing found a great treasure of siluer and gold in the ground sends a good part thereof to the King which he refuses laying clayme to the whole Widomare denying the same the King layes fiege to his Castle where he imagined the treasure was hid they of the Castle being but weake offered to render the same their liues members and Armor saued which the King would not yeeld vnto but swore that hee would sack the Castle and hang them all Wherevpon desperatly they resolue to stand to their defence King Richard with Marchard generall of the Brabanzons going about the Castle to view what place was sitiest for an assault Bertramd Gurdun from the walls shot a barbed arrow that hit the King in the arme with such a deadly blow as he was presently sent to his lodging notwithstanding commands he his forces to prosecute the assault without intermission which they did and tooke the Castle putting to execution all the defendants except Bartram who by the Kings command was reserued But the arrow drawne out with great torture left the head behinde which being by a rude Chirurgion after much mangling the flesh hardly cut out brought the King to dispaire of life and to dispose of his Estate leauing to his brother Iohn three parts of his treasure and the fourth to his seruants Which done he willed Bertram Gurdun to be brought vnto him of whom he demanded what hurt he had done him that prouoked him to doe this mischiefe to whom Bertram replies thou hast killed my father and my two brothers with thine owne hand and now wouldest haue slaine mee take what reuenge thou wilt I willingly indure what soeuer torture thou canst in flict vpon mee iu respect I haue slaine thee who hast done such and so great mischiefe to the world The King notwithstanding this rough and desperate answere caused him to be let loose and not onely forgaue him his death but commanded 100 shillings The death of King Richard sterling to be giuen vnto him but Marchard after the King was dead caused him to be hanged and flayed This was the end of this Lyon-like King when he had raigned nine yeares and 9 monthes wherein hee exacted and consumed more of this Kingdome then all his predecessors 1599. Anno. Reg. 10. from the Norman had done before him and yet lesse deserued then any hauing neither liued here neither left behinde him monument of Pietie or of any other publique worke or euer shewed loue or care to this Common-wealth but onely to get what hee could from it Neuer had Prince more giuen with lesse a doe and lesse noyes then hee The reason whereof as I haue said was his vndertaking the Holy warre and the cause of Christ with his suffring therein that made the Clergie which then might doe all to deny him nothing and the people fed with the report of his miraculous valour horrible incounters in his voyage abroade and then some victories in France were brought to beare more thē euer otherwise they wold haue don Then had he such Ministers here to serue his turne as preferred his before the seruice of God and did more for him in his absence then euer peraduenture hee would or could haue done for himselfe by being here present For both to hold their places and his good opinion they deuise more shifts of rapine then had euer bin practised before in this Kingdom cared not so he were satisfied what burthen they layd on the Subiect which rent torne by continuall exactions was made the more miserable in that they came betrayed with the shew of Religion Law the maine supporters of humane societie ordayned to preserue the state of a people not to confound it But the insolent ouercharging the state in these times gaue occasion to the future to prouide for themselues Excesses euer procute alterations And the Successors of this King were but little beholding vnto him for out of his irregularitie their boundlessnes came to bee broght within some limits Yet what this King wold haue proued had his daies allowed him other then this rough part of warre we know not but by the operation of a poore Hermits speech made vnto him we are shewed that he was conuertible For being by him vehemently vrged to be
blessed Martyre and glorious Bishoppe Thomas lately shedde his bloud especially since your father and brother of cleere memory late Kings of England haue in the hands of the Legats of the Apostolique Sea abiureá that impious Custome Wee if you acquite your selfe will sufficiently take care for you and yours that no preiudice shall arise vnto you hereby Dated at Lateran the 10 yeare of our Pontificat Thus we see how these two mighty powers striue to make good each other prerogatiue and defend their interests with words But when the Pope vnderstood how the King of England had proceeded against the Church of Canterbury hee sends presently his Mandate to the Bishop of London Ely and Worcester to deale with the The Popes Mandat to the B B. King by way of exhortation to reforme himselfe and if they found him still contumacious they should interdict the whole Kingdome of England If that would not correct him then himselfe would lay a seuerer hand vpon him and withall charged the Bishops suffragans of the Church of Canterbury by vertue of their obedience to receiue for father the Archbishop Stephan and to obay him withall respect The Bishops as they were inioyned repaire to the King Shew the Popes Mandat and with teares besought him as hee had God before his eyes to call home the Archbishop and the Monkes of Canterbury to their Church and voutsafe to vse them with Honour and Charity thereby to auoyde the scandall of interdiction c. The King interrupting the Bishops speech breakes out into violent rage against the Pope and the Cardinall swearing by the teeth of God That if they or any other King Iohns answere to the B B. should dare to put his Kingdome vnder interdiction he would presently send all the Clergie of England to the Pope and confiscat their goods Besides if any of Rome were found within any part of his Land he would cause their eyes to bee put out their noses cut and so sent home that by these markes they might be knowne of other Nations Charging moreouer the Bishop plresently to auoyde his presence as they would auoyde their owne daunger Of this their ill satisfaction the Bishop certifies the Pope and shortly after the 1208. Anno. Reg. 11. whole Kingdome of England is interdicted all Ecclesiasticall Sacraments cease except Confession Extreame Vnction and Baptisme of Children the dead are carried out and put into the earth without Priest or prayer The Bishops of London Ely Worcester Bathe and Hereford secretly get out of the Kingdome To answere this violence with the like the King sends presently his Shriefes and other his ministers to command all Prelates and their seruants forth-with to depart out of the Kingdome deputes the Bishopricks Abbayes and Priories into the hands of Lay men confiscating all theis reuenues but the Prelates themselues get into Monasteties and would not out except expelled by force which the officers would not doe hauing no Commission for the same but they seize on all their goods to the Kings vse Here the Monasticall Writers of that time of whom onely we haue notice of these proceedings aggrauate the rigorous course taken in this businesse telling vs that religious men of what Order soeuer found trauayling were pulled from their horses robb'd and vily treated by the Kings seruants and none to doe them Iustice. And how the seruants of a Shriefe bringing bound vnto the King a theese who had robbed and killed a Priest to know what should be done with him the King said loose him and let him goe he hath killed our enemy But howsoeuer this were there were Excesses to many committed in a time so vntied as this was The King to preuent the defection of his subiects which hee dayly doubted would The King takes pledges of his Nobles for their fidelitie follow vpon this his breach with the Church sends with a militarie powre to all the Potent men of the Kingdome to require pledges for the assurance of their fidelitie wherein many of them satisfied the Kings will sending some their sonnes some their Nephewes other the nearest of their kinne William de Brause a Noble man beeing required to deliuer his pledge his wife preuenting her husbands answere tells the Commissioners that the King should haue none of her sonnes to keepe that was so ill a keeper of his owne brothers sonne Arthur For which sodaine and intemperat speech the Baron sharply reprehending his wife before the Kings seruants told them he was ready if he had offended to satisfie the King without any pledge according to the iudgement of his Court or that of his Peeres at any time or place wheresoeuer Vpon the report of this answere the King sends downe priuely to apprehend the His crueltie she wed to the wife and children of W. Brause Baron but he hauing notice or doubting what would follow fled with his Wife and Children into Ireland where afterward this afflicted Lady to recouer mercy of the King is said to haue sent Queene Isabel foure hundred kine and a Bull which yet could not mediate her pardon or pacifie his wrath But in the end she was there taken with her 2 sons the husband escaping into France and sent prisoner to the Castle of Windsor where she with her innocent children were famished to death so deerely payed she for the offence of her rash tongue The King displeased with the Londoners remoued his Eschequer to Northampton and The Eschequer remooued to Northampton with a great army marches towards Scotland to make warre vpon that King for receiuing his enemies and ayding them against him But by mediation an accord is made in this sort that the King of Scots should pay eleuen thousand markes of siluer and deliuer vp his two daughters pledges for securing the peace Returning backe hee caused all inclosures within his forests to be layde open a worke of great griefe to his subiects whom though in nothing hee sought to satisfie yet seeks he what he may to fasten them in their obedience whereof loue and not rigour is the surest bond and takes homage of all free Tenants yea euen of Children of twelue yeares of age throughout the Kingdome Two yeares to the great distraction of the State the interdiction held when the King Iohn excommunicated Pope seeing no yeelding in the King proceeds to the excommunication of his person that extreame course of abscicion which his Predicessor Alexander better aduised forbare to take vpon suggestion of a more hainous act committed by Henry the second vpon the person of Thomas Becket and by this violence thinking to quaile the heart of a most vnmaisterable King put him into more desperate rage with the Clergie who notwithstanding the Popes mandate durst not execute the same for many dayes after And first one Geffery Archdeacon of Norwich seruing in the Kings Exchequer conferring with the rest of his assistants about this Sentence affirmed it was not safe for men beneficed to
remaine in the obedience of an excommunicated King and so without The Archd. of Norw forsakes the kings seruice his torture death leaue retired himselfe home and was the first subiect of his maisters wrath Who presently sent Sir William Talbot with force to apprehend him and lay him fast in fetters in a most straight prison and afterward vpon the kings commandement he was put into a sheete of lead wherein with the waight and want of victualls he soone perished This excommunication of the King of England was accompained the same yeare with that of the Emperour Otho his Nephew and are noted to be straines of an vniust nature especially for being both done in cases of the Popes owne particular interrest seeking to extend The Emperor Otho excom a predomination beyond the bounds allowed vnto piety which was onely to deale with means soules and not their Estates For in the aduancement of this Emperour Otho the third the Pope had an especiall hand opposing for his owne ends the Election of Phillip Sonne to the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa And in the vancancy of the Empire had seised vpon certaine peeces in Italy appertayning therevnto which Otho seeking to reuoke procured vndeseruedly the Popes displeasure who sent vnto him diuers messages willing him to desist both from the prosecution of this recouery as also from that which Frederick King of Sicile who was vnder the tuition of the Apostolike Sea had seised vpon The Emperour is said to haue answered the Popes Nuncij in this manner If the Pope vniustly desires to vsurp what apertaines to the Empire let him absolue me from the Oath he caused me to take at my Coronation Which was that I should reuoke whatsoeuer rights were distracted from the same and I will desist But the Pope refusing the one and the Emperour not yeelding vnto the other the sentence of excommunication is pronounced against him And all the states as well of Germany as the rest of the Roman Empire are absolued of their fealty vnto him Thus were these two mighty Princes the greatest of all the Christian world leaft to the mercy of their subiects who though they were by this meanes all vntyed from obedience yet many were not so from their affections or other obligations that held them firme vnto their Souraignes For there are so many ligaments in a state that tye it together as it is a hard thing to dissolue them altogether vnlesse it is by an vniuersall concurrency of causes that produce a generall alteration thereof And it is seldome seene of what temper soeuer Kings are but they finde an eminent party in the greatest defections of their people As this King the first of England we finde put to this straight had yet many noble members of power besides the chiefe officers of the kingdome whom their places confirme that stuck vnto him Whose names are recorded in Mat. Par. and other writers And the better to hold his reputation and his people in action hauing now no imployment abrode hee seekes to secure all other members of the Crowne of England 1210. Anno. Reg. 12. which were vnder his dominion And hauing ransackt great treasure from the Iewes makes an expedition into Ireland vpon intelligence of some reuolt and disorder there And at his first ariuall all the great men which held the maritime Castles and the Champion countries came in and did homage and fealty vnto him at Wublin such as inhabited the remote partes and fastnesses of the Kingdome kept them selues away and refused King Iohn reformes Ireland to come Here to reduce the country into better order he ordaines the same to be gouerned by the lawes and customes of England causes English money to be coyned there and to be of equall valew with that of this Kingdome and currant alike in both With many other orders which had they beene with that care continued as they were aduisedly begun would as wise men deeme haue setled that Kingdome in an intire obedience and saued all that great toyle and expence which the neglect thereof cost this state in succeeding ages And now hauing deputed Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich Iusticiar there after onely three moneths stay hee returnes into England The Clergy pay to the K. 100000. ster where presuming now vpon his new gathered strength hee summons all the Prelates of the kingdome to appeare before him at London of whom saith Mat. Par. he extorted for their redemption the summe of an hundred thousand pounds sterling And the next yeare being the twelfe of his raigne with this treasure hee reduces Wales that had rebelled to his obedience and takes eight and twentie children of 1211. Anno. Reg. 13. the best famelies for pledges of their future subiection Returning thence exacts of euery Knight that attended not his Army in that expedition two marks and at Northampton is pleased to receiue the Popes Agents Pandolphus and Durandus sent to make peace betweene the Kingdome and Priesthood by whose exhortation and the consideration of the State of his Kingdome hee consented that the Archbishop and the Monkes of Canterbury with all the exiled Bishops should in peace returne to their owne But refusing to make satisfaction for their goods confiscated the Agents depart vnsatisfied to the greater preiudice of the King whom now the Pope finding to be yeelding in any thing falls to bee more imperious to constraine him to all whatsoeuer he desired And absolues all the Kings subiects of what condition soeuer from their obedience strictly forbidding them vnder paine of excommunication his Board 1212. Anno. Reg. 14. Councell and Conference Which notwithstanding preuayled not to diuert the subiect from the seruice of their King Who about this time takes occasion vpon the breaking out of certaine poore Mountainers of Wales that make pillage vpon the Borders to raise another Army to inuade the whole Countrey And being at Nottingham prepared for this action before he would sit downe to dinner caused those eight and twenty children the innocent pledges of the Welsh to be all hanged in his presence But before hee had dyned letters came that gaue him intelligence of a conspiracie intended for his owne distruction and that if he went forward in this warre he would be either slaine of his owne people or betrayed to the enemy Whereupon he returnes to London againe requires and hath pledges of those Nobles he suspected and here Eustace de Vescy and Robert Fitz Walter are accused of the conspiracie who fled the one into Scotland the other into France But now the Pope for the last and greatest sentence that euer yet was giuen against 1213. Anno. Reg. 15. any Soueraigne King of this Kingdome pronounces his absolute deposition from the Royall gouernment thereof and writes to the King of France that as hee looked to haue remission of his sinnes hee should take the charge vpon him and expell King Iohn out of the Kingdome of England and possesse the same for him
and his heires for euer To the same effect The Pope giues the Kingdome of England to the King of France sends he likewise his letters to the Princes and great men of other Nations That they should ayde the King of France in the deiection of this contumacious King of England in reuenge of the iniuries done to the Vniuersall Church granting like remission of their sinnes as if they vndertocke the Holy warre And with this Commission is the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other exiled Bishop of England with Pandolphus dispatched to the King of France for the execution thereof Which notwithstanding seemes rather done to terrefie King Iohn then any way to aduance the King of France whom the Pope desired not to make greater then he was howsoeuer to amuse the world hee made shew to ingage him in this businesse For he gaue a secret charge to Pandolphus a part that if vpon the preparation and forces gathered by the King of France for this deiection hee could worke the King of England to such conditions as hee should propound absolution and restorement should bee graunted vnto him The King of France vpon this act of the Pope and the sollicitation of his Ministers The King of France assembles his forces for England commaunds all the Princes and Nobilitie within his Dominions to assemble their forces with Horse Armor and all Munition to assist him in this businesse and bee readie vnder paine of exheredation at the Spring of the yeare preparing likewise a great Nauie for the transportation of these forces into England King Iohn vpon intelligence hereof sends to all the Ports of his Kingdome commandement to haue all shipping whatsoeuer possible to bee made readie with all expedition summoning likewise all Earles Barons Knights and who else could beare Armes of any condition to bee ready at Douer presently vpon Easter furnished with horse armour and all military prouision to King Iohns preparations for defence defend him themselues and the Kingdome of England against this intended Inuasion vnder paine of Culuertage and perpetuall seruitude Whereupon so great numbers resorted to Douer Feuersham Ipswich and to other places suspected as exceeded the meanes both of furnishment and prouision to intertaine them So that multitudes were sent home againe of vnnecessarie men and onely a choyce reserued of the abler sort which arose to the number of sixty thousand well appointed for battaile Besides so mighty a nauy was made ready as exceeded that of France And thus prepared King Iohn expects his enemies when secretly two Knights Templars sent by Pandolphus so wrought with him as notwithstanding all this great power of his he discends to accept of a treatie with him whereof Pandolphus is presently aduertised and withdrawes himselfe out of the French Kings army comes ouer and so terrifies King Iohn with the mighty forces bent against him and the eminent daunger wherein he stood as he yeelds to any conditions whatsoeuer propounded vnto him And not onely graunts restitution and satisfaction of what euer had beene taken from the Archbishop and the Monks of Canterbury the Bishops of London Ely Bath and Lincoln who were sled to the Archbishop But also laies downe his Crowne K. Iohn deliuers vp the kingdome of England with his Crowne to Pandolphus Scepter Mantle Sword and Rring the ensignes of his royalty at the feet of Pandolphus deliuering vp there with all the Kingdome of England to the Pope and submits himselfe to the iudgement and mercy of the Church Two daies some wright sixe it was before the Legat restored him his Crowne at the receiuing whereof he swore and his Earles vndertaking for him that hee and his successors should hold the Kingdome of England and Lordship of Ireland from the Sea of Vide Append. Rome at the annuall tribute of a thousand Markes of siluer And this with his homage and fealty he confirmed by his Charter at a house of the Templars neere Douer The The causes that moued K. Iohn to this act especiall waights that moued King Iohn to this extreame lowenes they of those times note to be First the consideration of his offences to God hauing liued fiue yeares excommunicated to the great deformity of his Kingdome Secondly the greatnesse of his enemy the King of France and his adherence Thirdly the doubtfull fayth of his Nobilities whom he had offended Fourthly for that the Assencion day was at hand after which one Peter an Hermit and Southsayer had prohesied he should be no more King of England Which though mistaken in the manner was fulfilled in a sort by this resignation and a new condition of Estate But the Southsayer with his Sonne suffered shortly after the penalty of death for his otherwise interpreted diuination Now notwithstanding this act and submission of King Iohn the interdiction of the Pandolplus forbids the French Kings proceedings Kingdome continues and his owne absolution deferred till restitution and full satisfaction were performed to the Clergy of which eight thousand markes of siluer was presently deliuered to Pandolphus who at the receiuing thereof tramples it vnder his feete as contemning that base matter in respect of the grace conferred vpon the transgressor and returnes with the same into France Where hee declares what had passed in England and forbids the King of France vpon paine of excommuication to proceed any farther in this enterprise seeing King Iohn had thus submitted himselfe to the Church The King of France now all in readinesse for this great inuasion inuasion and full with hope of victory receiuing this sodaine and vnexpected Message grew into great rage and was in regard of his honour and infinite charge hardly diuerted from this enterprise Yet in the end seeing his confederates and followers quailed with this menace of the Church extreamely discontent he giuesit ouer Notwithstanding for his owne reputation and desire of reuenge hauing all these great forces on foote his nauie ready in the mouth of Seine would vndertake something The French K. sets vpon Flan. to giue satisfaction both to the aduenturers and his owne people interressed in this action And for that Ferrand Earle of Flanders adhering to king Iohn refused to follow him in this expedition on him he falls as being next him enters into his port of Dam vowing that flanders should either be Erance or France Flanders Ferrand seeing this tempest come to light vpon him sends for ayd to king Iohn who glad hauing escaped at home the occasion of a defensiue War to enter into an offensiue abroad both to imploy this great collected Nauie of his and also put his people in action whose dismission without some satsfaction he knew would breed no safe humor dispatches fiue hundred sayle with seauen hundred knights into Flanders vnder the conduct of his base brother William Long-sword Earle of Salisbury Reginald Earle of Bologn whom he had lately intertayned with a pension being for some demerit driuen out of France And these
ariuing at the Port of Dam where they found the French Nauie vnorderly dispersed and without defence their forces going out to inuade the Country set vpon and vtterly defeited the same and afterward ioyning their powre with that of Ferrand draue the King of France home with great dishonour and exceeding losse King Iohn raised with this victorie and his peace with the Church sets vpon great designes taking oportunitie of this disaster of the King of France whom in reuenge of his iniurie and hope of recouering his transmarine Dominions he plots to assaile on all sides stirring vp his Nephew Otho to ayde the Earle of Flanders for an Inuasion on the East part whilst himselfe withall his powre should enter vpon the West For execution whereof first hee sends supplies of treasure to his Chieftaines in Flaunders then assembles a great Army at Portsmouth wherewith hee resolues to passe the Seas But his designe contrarie to his desire and haste came to be delayed by the withdrawing The Nobility refuse to ayde King Iohn of his Nobilitie who refused to ayde or attend him vntill hee were absolued and had confirmed vnto them their liberties wherewith much inraged seeing no other remedie he speedily sends for the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other Bishops which were yet in France promising them present restitution and satisfaction vnder the hands and seales of foure and twenty Earles and Barons vndertaking for the performance thereof according to the forme of his Charter graunted in this behalfe Pandolphus with the Bishop and the rest of the exiled Clergie forth-with come ouer and finde the King at Winchester where hee goeth forth to meere them and on his knees with teares receiues them beseeching them to haue compassion on him and the Kingdome of England Absolued he is with great penitence and compassion exprest with teares of all the beholders and sweares vpon the Euangelists to loue defend and maintaine Holy Church and the Ministers thereof against all their aduersaries to the vttermost of his powre That hee would reuoke the good Lawes of his Predecessors and especially those of King Edward abrogating such as were uniust Iudge all his subiects according to the iust iudgement of his Court That presently vpon Easter next following hee would make plenarie satisfaction of whatsoeuer had beene taken from the Church Which done he returnes to Portsmouth with intention to passe ouer into France 1214. Anno. Reg. 16. committing the gouernment of the Kingdome to Geffrey Fitz Peter and the Bishop of Winchester with charge that they should order all businesses together with the Councell of the Archbishop of Canterbury And here a numerous company of souldiers repayring to him complayned that by The Archbishop threatens to excommunicate the King their long attendance their mony was spent so that they could not follow him vnlesse they might be supplied out of his Eschequer which the king refusing to doe in a great rage with his priuate family takes ship and puts forth to the Isle of Iersey but seeing none of his Nobles or other to follow him was forced hauing lost the oportunity of the season to returne into England where he gathers an Army with intention to chastise the Lords who had thus forsaken him But the Archbishop of Canterbury followes him to Northampton Vrging that it was against his Oath taken at his absolution to proceed in that maner against any man without the iudgement of his Court. To whom the King in great passion replyed That hee would not deferre the businesse of the Kingdome for his pleasure seeing Lay iudgements appertained not vnto him and so in fury marches to Notingham The Archbishop followes him and plainely told him that vnlesse hee would desist from this businesse hee would excommunicate all such as should take armes against any before the releasing of the interdiction and would not leaue him vntill hee had obtayned a conuenient day for the Lords to come to his Court which shortly after they did and a Parliament is assembled in Pauls wherein the Archbishop of Canterbury produces a Charter of King Henry the first whereby hee graunted the ancient liberties of the Kingdome of England which had by his Predecessors beene opprest with vniust This Charter is recorded in Mat. Par. with restes of the Subscribers exactions according to the Lawes of king Edward with those emendations which his father by the Councell of his Barons did ratefie And this Charter being read before the Barons they much reioyced and swore in the presence of the Archbishop that Lagam regis Edwardi vobis reddo cum illis emcndationibus quibus pater mcus eam amendauit for these liberties they would if neede required spend their bloud And there withall concluding a confederation with the Archbishop the Parlament brake vp Shortly after dies Geffery Fitz Peter Iusticiar of England a man of a generous spirit learned in the lawes and skilfull in gouernment Who in that broken time onely held vncrased performing the part of an euen Consellour and officer betweene the King and Kingdome whom though the King most vsed he most feared and least loued as ill Princes doe their worthiest ministers whose grauity and iudgment may seeme to Vide Append. keepe them in awe And hearing of his death reioycing said now when he comes into hell let him salute the Archoishop Hubert whom assuredly he shall finde there And turning to those about him swore by the feet of God that now at length he was King and Lord of England hauing a freer power to vnty himselfe from those knots which his oath had made to this great man against his will and to break all the bands of the late concluded peace vnto which he repented to haue euer condiscended And to shew the desperate malice of this king who rather then not to haue an absolute domination ouer his people to doe what he listed would be any thing himselfe vnder any other that would but support him in his violences there is recorded an Ambassage the most base impious that euer yet was sent by any free and Christian Prince vnto Miramumalim the Moore intitled the great King of Affrica Morocco and Spaine wherein he offred to render vnto him his kingdom and to hold the same by tribute from him as his Souraigne Lord To forgoe the Christian faith which he held vayne and receiue that of Mahomet In which negotiation the Commissioners are named to be Thomas Hardington Raph Fitz Mat. Par. Nichols knights and Robert of London Clearke the manner of their accesse to this great King is related with the deliuery of their message and King Iohns Charter to that effect and how Miramumalim hauing heard at large their message and the discription both of the King and Kingdome with the nature and disposition of the people so much Miramumalim scornes the Message of K. Iohn disdayned the basenesse and impiety of the offerer as with skorne hee commanded his ministers to depart
so was it in this and therefore the lesse worthy of thankes The Legat was well payed for his paynes and notwithstanding the great distresse of the Kingdome carries away twelue thousand Markes with him to Rome But thus the long afflicted state began to haue some peace and yet with many distemp ratures at the first ere those virulent humors which the warre had bred were otherwise diuerted For many of the Nobles who had taken part with the King either vnsatisfied in their expectations or knowing not how to maintaine themselues and theirs but by rapine fall to mutinie surprizing of Castles and making spoyles in the Country as the Earle of Albemarle Robert de Veypont Foulke de Brent Brian de Liste Hugh de Bailioll with many other but at length they are likewise appeased And seeing the warre must nurse whom it had bred an Action is vndertaken for the Holy Land whither Ralph Earle of Chester Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester William de Albeny Earle of Arundle Robert Fitz Walter William de Harcort with many other are sent with great forces Besides to vnburthen the Kingdome all strangers vnlesse such as came with Merchandize are commanded to auoyde the Land and all meanes vsed for the regayning the ability it had lost And no sooner had this prouident Protector the Earle of Pembrooke setled the The death of the Protector Earle Marshall Kings affaires but he dies to the great regrate of the Kingdome leauing behinde him a most Noble memorie of his actiue worth and is to bee numbred amongst the examples of the best of men to shew how much the Wisdome and Valour of a potent Subiect may steed a distracted State in times of danger The Bishop of Winchester imparting the charge with many other great Councellors is made Protector of the young King who in An. Reg. 4. is againe Crowned and the next yeare after hath by Parliament graunted for Elcuage two Markes of Siluer of euery Knights fee for the affaires of the Kingdome and recouery of his transmarine The King againe crowned 1. Parliament Dominions which now is designed and Malleon de Sauerie the Poictouine with William Long sword Earle of Salsburie sent ouer into Guien to try the affections of that people whom they finde for the most part inclinable to the obedience of this Crowne The King of France is required to make restitution of what hee had vsurped but returnes answere that what hee had gotten both by forfeiture and Law of Armes hee would holde To retayne amitie with Scotland and peace at home Ioan the Kings Sister is giuen 1220. Anno. Reg. 5. in marriage to Alexander King of Scots and Margueret sister to the same King to Hubert de Burgh now made Iusticiar of England and the especiall man who guided the greatest affaires of the Kingdome Wales reuolting vnder their Prince Lewelin gaue occasion of great charge and trouble to this State in the beginning of this Kings raigne and long after till it was wholy subdued And a commotion in Ireland made by Hugh Lacy is appeased by William Earle of Pembrooke sonne to the late great Marshall 1221. Anno. Reg. 6. and some few yeares after hath the Kingdome a kinde of quietnesse sauing that Falcasius or Foulke de Brent with certaine Chatelaynes the dregs of war fortifying the Castle of Belford with some other peeces of strength and committing many outrages gaue occasion of businesse till they were gotten by hard assault But now the King being come to some yeares of vnderstanding was in a Parliament holden at London put in minde by the Archbishop of Canterbury in behalfe of the State of his Oath made and taken by others for him vpon the peace with Louys for confirmation of the liberties of the Kingdome for which the warre began with his father and being the mainebase wheron his owne good and that of his people must subsist without which the whole State would againe fall a sunder they would haue him to know it betime to auoyde those miserable inconueniences which the disvnion of 1222. Anno. Reg. 7. Rule and Obedience might bring vpon them all which though it were impiously there oppugned as Princes shall euer finde mouthes to expresse their pleasures in what course soeuer they take by some ministers of his amongst whom one William Brewer a Councellor is named who vrged it to haue beene an act of constraint and therefore 2. Parliament not to be performed was notwithstanding promised at that time by the King to bee ratifyed and twelue knights or other Legall men of euery shire by writs charged to examen what were the Lawes and Liberties which the Kingdome enioyed vnder his Grandfather and returne the same by a certaine day and so by that vsuall shift of Prolongation the businesse was put off for that time to the greater vexation of that following For during all his raigne of sixe and fifty yeares the Longest of any King of England this put him to the greatest imbroylement made him ill beloued of his paople euer crost in his intendements and farre a lesse King onely by striuing to be more then he was the iust reward of violations And euen this first pause vpon the lawfull requisition thereof turnd the bloud shew'd how sensible the state was in the least stoppage of that tender vaine For presently the Earles of Chester Albimarle with many other great men assemble at Lecester with intent to remoue from the K. Hugh de Burgh chiefe Iusticiar and other officers supposed to hinder this motion But the Archbishop of Canterbury by his spirituall power and the rest of the nobility more carefull to preserue the peace of the Kingdome stood to the King and would not suffer any proceeding in this kind so as the Lords effected nothing at that time but were constrained to come in and submit Resumptions themselues And here the king by parliament resumes such alienations as had bin made by his Ancesters of what had apertayned to the Crowne whereby he might haue the 1223. Anno. Reg. 8. more meanes of his owne without pressing his subiect but this serued not his turne The next yeare after another Parliament is held at Westminster wherein is required the fiftieth part of all moueables both of the Clergy and Layetie for the recouery of those parts in France withheld from this crowne by Louys now King contrary to his 3 Parliament oath and promise made here in England at his departure Which motion though it concerned the honour and dignity of this Kingdome being the inheritance of the King and the Estates of most of the Nobility and other the subiects who had lands and possessions in those parts which no doubt they desired to recouer with their vtmost means yet would they not yeeld to the graunt of this subsidy but vpon confirmation of their liberties which in the end they obtayned in the same words and forme as King Iohn had graunted them in the
his expences and debts in France he giues fiue thousand markes as if remayning The King calls his officers to accoumpt of the summe hee had promised And for the rest of the Poictouins their preferments and rewards were to be had by the displacing and spoyles of his Officers Receiuors and others whom now hee calles to accoumpt and castes for defrauding him in their offices of whom Ralph Breton treasorer of his Chamber is first who was committed to prison and grieuoulsy fined then Hubert de Burgh his chiese lusticiar a man who 1228. Anno. Reg. 13. had long ruled all vnder him in a place euer obnoxious to detraction and enuy is called to accoumpt for such treasure as passed his office which was then for all reliefes and subsidies whatsoeuer raysed on the subiect and notwithstanding he had the kings Charter for it during life yet is he thrust out of his office and besides accused of haynous crymes of treason No sooner was this great officer and inward councellor falne into the Kings displeasure but presently a whole volly of accusations which feare in time of fauour held in were discharged vpon him and euery act of his examined and vrged according to the passion of the complainers The city of London laies to his charge the execution of their citizen Constantine in the time of a ryot committed betweene their people and those of Westminster at a wrastling in Saint lames feilds Anno. Reg. 4. as done without warrant and law and craue Iustice for his bloud Hubert to auoyd this sodaine storme comming vpon him fled to the Church of Merton for Santuary whence by armed men sent to pursue him he is drawne out by force and committed to prison Of which violence done contrary to the priuiledge of that sacred place the Bishop of London in whose dioses it was complaines and so wrought that he is brought back againe to the same chappell But yet all that could not shelter him from the Kings wrath who giues strict commandement to the Shriefes of Hartford and Sussex to set a guard about the place that no sustenance be brought him Hunger inforces him to commit himselfe to the Kings mercy and away is he sent prisoner to the Vize his money left in the custody The King remoues his officers of the templars is brought forth and seazed into the Kings hands clayming that and much more as stolne out of his exchequer Stephen de Segraue is put into his office a worse minister for the common-wealth which seldome gaynes by such shiftings and who must shortly runne the same fortune Walter Bishop of Carliel is likewise thrust out of his office of Treasorer and William Rodon Knight of his place of Marshall of the kings house and all the chiefe Councellors Bishops Earles and Barons of the Kingdome are remoued as distrusted and onely strangers preferred to their roomes Peter Bishop of Winchester lately returned from the holy warres to be the author of most vnholy discord at home is charged to be the cause hereof and with him one Peter de Riuallis now the sepeciall minion about the King These straines of so strange and insufferably violences so exasperate the Nobility as many whereof Richard now Earle Marshall vpon the death of his brother William was chiefe do combine themselues for defence of the publique and boldly do shew the King his error and ill aduised course in preferring strangers about him to the disgrace and oppression The Lords combine for the publike defence against the K. of his naturall liege people contrary to their lawes and liberties and that vnlesse he would reforme this excesse whereby his crowne and Kingdome was in eminent daunger he and the rest of the nobility would withdraw themselues from his councell whervnto the Bishop of Winchester replies that it was lawfull for the King to callwhat strangers he listed about him for defence of his crowne and Kingdome thereby to compell his proud and rebellious subiects to their due obedience With which answere the Earle and the rest depart with more indignation vowing that in this cause which concerned them ail they would spend their liues Herevpon the King sodenly sends ouer for whole legions of Poictouins and withall sommons a Parliament at Oxford whether the Lords refused to come both in regard they found themselues dispised and holding it not safe by reason of those multitudes The Lords refuse to come to Parliament vpon summons of strangers Then was it decreed by the Kings Councell that they should be the second and third time sommoned to try whether they would come or not And here from the Pulpit whence the voyce of GOD and the people is vttered the King is boldly shewed the way to redresse this mischiefe of the Kingdome by one Robert Bacon a Fryer Predicant but more comically by Roger Bacon in pleasant discourse asking the king my Lord what is most nocent to Sea-men and what feared they most the King replies Seamen know that best themselues then my Lord I will tell you Petrae et Rupes alledging to Petrus de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester After this the Lords were summoned to a Parliament at Westminster whether likewise they refused to come vnles the King would remoue the Bishop of Winchester 1232. Anno. Reg. 17. and the Poictouines from the court otherwise by the Common-councell of the Kingdome they send him expresse word they would expell him and his euill councellors out of the land and deale for the creation of a new King Vpon this threatning pledges are required of the nobility to be deliuered by a certeine day for security of their alleagiance But no act passed in this Parliament though 6. Parliament though diuers Lords came thither as the Earle of Cornewall Chester Lincoln Ferrers and others in regard the Earle Marshall the Lord Gilbert Basset and other Nobles were not present Then are Writs sent out to all who held by knights seruice to repaire to the King at Glocester by a certaine day which the Earles Mareschall and his associates refusing the King without the iudgement of his court and their Peeres cause to be proclaimed outlawes seizes vpon all their lands which he giues to his Poictouines and directs out Writs to attach their bodies wheresoeuer in the kingdome The Bishop of Winchester to weaken the party of the Mareschall wonne the Eatles of Chester and Lincoln with a thousand markes and the King had so pleased his brother the Earle of Cornewall as hee likewise left them Wherevpon they withdraw them into Wales and confederat with Lewelin and other great men in that country whither also came Hubert de Burgh escaping out of the Vize Castle and ioynes with them taking their oath intermutually that no one without other should make their accord The King goes himselfe in person with an Army against these revolted Lords into Wales Where he had the worst of the busines and much dishonour returnes to Glocester The K. with an
army against the Lords imployes new forces of strangers but all without successe Wherevpon a Fryer of the Order of Minors is imployed to confer with the Earle Mareschall and to perswade him to come in and submit himselfe to the kings mercy whom he had heard to say that notwithstanding his great offences he would pardon and restore to his estate vpon submission and besides giues him so much of Herefordshire as should conueniently mayntaine him Besides the Fryer told him what he heard of other Councellors about the King concerning the wishing of his submission and in what forme they desired Vide Appond it should be imparted in priuat And then as of himselfe he vses all inducements possible to draw him therevnto shewing how it was his duty his profit and safty so to doe Wherewithall the Earle nothing moued told the Fryer what iniuries hee had receiued and that hee could not trust the King so long as hee had such Councellors about him who onely sought the distruction of him and his associats who euer had beene his loyall subiects And after many obiections made by the Fryer with vrging the Kings power his owne weaknes and the danger hee was in the Earle concludes that he feared no danger that he would neuer yeeld to the Kings Will that was guided by no reason that he should giue an ill Example to relinquish the iustice of his cause to obay that Will which wrought all iniustice whereby it might appeare they loued wordly possessions more then right and honor c. So nothing was done the war continues with much effusion of bloud all the borders of Wales vnto Shrowesbury are miserable wasted and made desolate At length meanes is vsed to draw the Earle Mareschall ouer into Ireland to defend his estate there which was likewise seized vpon by authority giuen vnder the Kings hand and Seale and all those great possessions discended vnto him from his Ancestor the Earle Strongbow the first conquerors of that country spoyled and taken from him And here seeking to recouer his liuelihood hee lost his life circumuented by treachery his death gaue occasion of griefe both to his friends and enemies The king disauowes the sending 1234. Anno. Reg. 19. of this commission into Ireland protesting hee neuer knew thereof and discharges himselfe vpon his councellor A poore shift of weake Princes After two yeares his affliction a Parliament is assembled at Westminster wherein the Bishops grauely admonish the King by his Fathers example and his owne experiene 7 Parliament of the mischiefe of dissention betweene him and his Kingdome occasioned through the ill councell of his ministers to be at vnion with his people to remoue from him strangers and others by whose instigation for their owne ends these disturbances are fostered and his naturall Subiects estranged from him to the great alienation of their affections which was of dangerous consequence Wherefore after recitall of the Greeuances of the State and the abuses of his Ministers which were such as all corrupted times produce they humbly besought him to gouerne his according to the example of other Kingdomes by the natiues of the same and their Lawes otherwise they would proceed by Ecclesiasticall censure both against his Councellors and himselfe The King seeing no way to subsist and get to his ends but by temporizing consents to call home these Lords out of Wales restores them to their places and possessions amoues those strangers from about him and calls his new Officers to accompt The Bishop of Winchesler Peter de Riuallis and Stephan Segraue thereupon take Sanctuarie but afterward vpon mediation they obtayned with great fines their Liberty dearely paying for their two yeares eminency and grace Things thus appeased the King giues his sister Isabel in marriage to the Emperour Frederic the second successor to Otho and grand-child to Frederic Barbarossa the Archbishop of Cologne and the Duke of Louaine were sent for her Shee is conducted Isabel the Kings Sister married to the Emperor by the King her brother to Sandwich with three thousand horse The marriage is solemnised at Wormes She was the third wife of this Emperour an alliance that yeelded neither strength or benefit though that were both their ends to either Prince The continuall broyle which this Emperour held with all the Popes of his time Innocent the third Honorius Innocent the fourth Gregorie the ninth was such and so great as all hee could doe was not enough for himselfe For not to let goe that hold of the Empire he had in Italie with his hereditarie Kingdomes of Naples and Sicil which the Popes wrought to draw to the Church he was put to be perpetually in conflict neuer free from vexations thrust from his owne courses enioyned to vndertake the Holy warres to waste him abroade weakened at home by excommunications and fines for absolutions for which at one time hee payde eleuen thousand markes of Gold And in the end the Popes so preuayled that in the Graue of this Frederic was buried the Imperiall Authority in Italy after hee had thus raigned foure and thirty yeares leauing his sonne Conrad successour rather of his miseries then his inheritance Hee had a sonne by Isabel named Henrie to whom hee bequeathed the Kingdome of Sicile and a hundred thousand ounces of Gold but hee liued not to enioy it To the marriage of this Sister the King qiues thirty thousand markes besides an Imperiall Crowne and other ornaments of great value towards which is raysed two 1236. Anno. Reg. 20. Markes vpon euery Hide Land And the next yeare after himselfe marries Elianor daughter to Raymond Earle of Prouince a match in regard of the distance of the place with the meanes and degree of Estate little aduantagious either to him or his Kingdom but the circumstance of alliance drew it on with some other promises which were not obserued So that hee is neither greater nor richer by these alliances but rather lessened in his meanes hauing no dowre with his wife full of poore kindred that must draw meanes from this Kingdome After the solemnization of this marriage which was extraordinarily sumptuous a Parliament is assembled at London which the King would haue held in the Towre whither the Lords refusing to come another place of more freedome is appoynted where after many things propounded for the good of the Kingdome order is taken that all Shriefes are remooued from their Offices vpon complaint of corruption and Shriefes remoued for corruption others of more integritie and abler meanes to auoyde briberie put in their roomes taking their Oathes to receiue no guifts but in victualls and those without excesse Here the King displaces his Steward and some other Councellors and offers to take from the Bishop of Chichester then Chancellor the great Seale but the Bishop refuses to deliuer it alledging how hee had it by the common Councell of the kingdome and without assent of the same would not resigne it and hauing carried himselfe
himselfe to enter into Dover Castle At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the middest calls out the Earle not by the name of King but Richard Earle of Cornewall who in reverent manner comming forth takes his Oath ministred in this manner Heare all men that I Kichard Earle of Cornewall do heere sweare vpon the Holy Evangelists The Oath of the King of Romanes that I shall bee faithfull and dilligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England hitherto by the Councell of wicked persons overmuch disorded bee an effectuall coadiutor to expell the rebels and disturbers of the same and this Oath will inviolably obserue vnder paine of loosing all the Land I haue in England so helpe mee God In this manner deale the Lords to binde this great Earle vnto them supposing his power to haue beene more then it was which at length they found to be nothing but an Ayrie Title for having consumed all that mighty substance abroad in two yeares which with great frugality had beene many in gathering he returnes in this manner home poore and forsaken by the Germans without any other meanes to trust vnto but onely what he had in England Notwithstanding vpon his returne the King takes heart and seekes all meanes to vindicate his power dispatching first messengers secretly to Rome to be absolued from 1259. Anno. Reg. 44. his inforced Oath then sends into Scotland to the King and the Queene his daughter for aydes to be ready vpon his occasions And to haue the more assurance of the King of France and be freed from forraine businesse he makes an absolute resignation of whatsoever right he had to the Duchy of Normandie and the Earledomes of Aniou King Henry resignes his right to Normandy c. Poictou Tourene and Maine in regard whereof the King of France giues him three hundred thousand pounds some say crownes of Aniouine money and grants him to enioy all Guien beyond the river Garoune all the Country of Xantonge to the river of 1261. An. Reg. 45. Charentè the Countries of Limosin and Quercy for him and his successors doing their Homage and Fealty to the Crowne of France as a Duke of Aquitayne and a Peere of that kingdome The Lords likewise on the other side seeke to strengthen their association and hold in each other to their Oathes and observation of their orders which was hard to do for consisting of manifold dispositions there was daily wauering sometimes Pikes among themselues in so much as the Earle of Leicester the chiefe man that kept the fire of that saction in told the Earle of Glocester finding him staggering that hee cared not to liue with such men whom he found so mutable and vncertaine for said he my Lord of Glocester The Lords combine against the K. as you are more eminent so are you more bound to what you haue vndertaken for the good of the kingdome And as he incensed others so had he those that animated him as Walter Bishop of Worcester and Kobert Bishop of Lincolne who inioyned him vpon remission W. Rishenger of his sinnes to prosecute the cause vnto death affirming how the peace of the Church of England could neuer be established but by the materiall sword But now many being the temptations many are drawne away from their side especially after the sentence giuen against them by the King of France made Arbitor of the quarrell who yet though hee condemned the prouisions of Oxford allowed the 1262. An. Reg. 46. confirmatiō of King Iohns Charter by which distinction he left the matter as he found it for those prouisions as the Lords pretended were grounded vpon that Charter Howsoeuer his sentence much aduantaged the King of England made many to dispence with their Oath and leaue their party Amongst whom was Henry Sonne to the Earle of Cornewall on whom the Prince had bestowed the Honour of Tyckhill who comming to the Earle of Leicester told him hee would not be against his Father the King nor his allyes but said he my Lord I will neuer beare Armes against you and 1263. Anno. Reg. 47. therefore I craue leaue to depart The Earle cheerfully replies my Lord Henry I am not sorry for your departure but for your inconstancie go returne with your armes I feare them not at all About the same time Roger de Clifford Roger de Leiborn Hamo I Strange and many other wonne with gifts depart from the Barons Shortly after Roger de Mortimer of the Kings part breakes into open act of hostility makes spoyle of the lands of the Earle of Leicester who had now combined himselfe with Llewellin Prince of Wales and had sent forces to inuade the lands of Mortimer in The beginning of the warres those parts And here the sword is first drawne in this quarrell about three yeares after the Parlement at Oxford The Prince takes part with Mortimer surprises the Castle of Brecknock with other places of strength which hee deliuers to his custodie The Earle of Leicester recouers the towne and Castle of Glocester constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption goes with an Army to Worcester possesses him of the Castle thence to Shrewsbury and so comes about to the Isle of Ely subdues the same and growes very powerfull The King doubting his approch to London being not yet ready for him workes so as a mediation of peace is made and agreed vpon these conditions That all the Castles 1264. Anno. Reg. 48. of the King should be deliuered the keeping of the Barons the Prouisions of Oxford should bee inuiolably obserued All strangers by a certaine time should auoide the Kingdome except such as by a generall consent should be held faithfull and profitable for the same Here was a little pause which seemes was but a breathing for a greater rage The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle victualled and therein placed strangers to defend it and himselfe marches to the towne of Bristow where in a contention between the Cittizens and his people being put to the worse hee seends for the Bishop of Worcester an especiall partaker of the Barons to protect conduct him back When he comes neare Windsor he gets into the Castle which the Earle of Leicester was going to besiege being about Kingston the Prince meets him to treat of peace which the Earle refuses and laies siege to the Castle which was rendred vnto him the strangers turned out sent home into France The King to get time conuokes another Parlement at London wherein hee wonne many Lords to take his part with them the Prince Richard Earle of Cornwall Henry 19 Parlement held at London his sonne William Valence with the rest of his brethren lately returned hee marches to Oxford whither diuerse Lords of Scotland repaire to him as Iohn Comin Iohn Baliol Lord of Galloway Robert Bruce and others with many Barons of the
North Clifford Percy Scottish Lords come to aide the King of England Basset c. From Oxford withall his forces he marches to Northampton where he took prisoners Simon Monfort the younger with 14. other principall men thence to Nottingham making spoyle of such possessions as appertained to the Barons in those parts The Earle of Leicester in the meane time drawes towards London to recouer and make good that part as of chiefest importance and seekes to secure Kent with the Ports Which hastes the King to stop his proceeding succour the Castle of Rochester besieged Successe and authority now growes strong on this side in so much as the Earles of Leicester and Glocester in behalfe of themselues and their party write to the King humbly protesting their loyalty and how they opposed onely against such as were enemies to him and the Kingdome and had belyed them The King returnes answere how themselues were the perturbers of him and his siate enemies to his person and sought his and the Kingdomes destruction and therefore defies them The Prince and the Earle of Cornewall send like wise The Barons mediate a peace their letters of defiance vnto them The Barons notwithstanding doubtfull of their strength or vnwilling to put it to the hazard of a Battaile mediate a peace send the Bishops of London and Worcester with an offer of 30 thousand Markes to the King for damages done in these warres So that the statutes of Oxford might bee obserued which yeeldingnes the other side supposing to argue their debility made them the more neglectiue and securer of their power which commonly brings the weaker side more watchfull of aduantages to haue the better The Earle seeing no other meanes but to put it to a day being a man skilfull in his worke takes his time to be earlier ready then was expected and supplies his want of hands with his wit placing on the side of a hill nere Lewys where this battaile was The battaile of Lewys fought certaine ensignes without men in such sort as they might seeme a farre of to be squadrons of succors to second those he brought to the incounter whom he caused all to weare white-crosses both for their owne notice and the signification of his cause which he would haue to be for Iustice. Here the fortune of the day was his the King the Prince the Earle of Cornewall and his sonne Henry the Earles of Arundell Hereford and all the Scottish Lords are his prisoners The Earle Warrein William de Valence Guy The K. Prince and others taken prisoners de Lusignian the Kings brethren with Hugh Bigod Earle Mareschall saue themselues by flight Fiue thousand are slaine in this defeit which yet was not all the blood and destruction this businesse cost All this yeare and halfe of the other is Simon Monfort in possession of his prisoners the King he carries about with him to countenance his actions till he had gotten in all 1265. An. Reg. 46. the strongest Castles of the Kingdome And now as it vsually falls out in considerations where all must be pleased or else the knot will dissolue debate arises betweene the Earles of Leicester Glocester about their diuidend according to their agreement Leicester as fortune makes men to forget themselues is taxed to doe more for his owne particular then the common good to take to himselfe the benifit and disposition of the Kings Monsort taxed of wrong Castles to vsurpe the redemption of prisoners at his pleasure to prolong the businesse and not to vse the meanes of a parlement to end it His Sonnes also presuming vpon his greatnesse The Earle of Glocester leaues him grow insolent which made Glocester to forsake that side betake him to the Prince who lately escaping out of the Castle of Hereford had gotten a power about him of such as attended the opportunity of a turning fortune and to reuenge the dishonour of one Battaile by another The reuolt of this Earle brought many hands to the Prince whereby many peeces of strength are regained both in England and Wales The Earle of Leicester to stop the proceeding of this mighty growing Prince being now with his Army about Worcester imbattailes in a plaine neere Euesham to encounter him and noting the manner of the approch of his Army said to those about him these men come brauely on they learnt it not of themselues but of me And seeing himselfe likely to be beset and ouer-laid with numbers aduised his friends Hugh Spencer Ralph Basser and others to shift for themselues which when he saw they refused to doe then said he let vs commit our soules to God for our bodies The Earle Monsort slaine are theirs and so vndertaking the mayne waight of the Battaile perished vnder it And with him are slaine his Sonne Henry eleuen other Barons with many thousands of common souldiers At the instant of his death there hapned so terrible a thunder lightning and darknesse as it gaue them as much horror as their hideous work And so ends Monfort this great Earle of Leicester too great for a subiect which had hee not beene he might haue beene numbred amongst the worthiest of his time Howsoeuer the people which honored and followed him in his life would vpon the fame of his miracles haue worshipped him for a Saint after his death but it would not be permitted by Kings And here this Battaile deliuers the Captiue King but yet with the losse of some of his owne as well as his subiects bloud by a wound casually receiued therein and rid him of his Iaylor Monfort whom he hated had long feared more then any man liuing as himselfe confessed vpon this accident passing one day shortly after the Parliament at Oxford vpon Thames there hapned a sodaine clap of thunder wherewith the King was much affrighted and willed presently to be set on shore at the next landing 1266. Anno. Reg. 50. which was at Duresme house where Monfort then lay who seeing the King ariuing hastes downe to meete him and perceiuing him to be troubled at the storme said that hee needed not now to feare the daunger was past No Monfort said the King I feare thee more then I doe all the Thunder and tempest of the World And now the King with the victorious Prince the redeemer of him and the Kingdome repaires to Winchester 18 Parliament held at Winchester where a Parliament is conuoked and all who adhered to Simon Monfort are disinherited and their estates conferred on others at the Kings pleasure The Londoners haue their liberties taken from them Simon and Guy de Monfort Sonnes of the Earle of Leicester with the disinherited Barons and others who escaped the Battaile of Euesham All who tooke part with Monfort disinherited take and defend the Isle of Ely The Castle of Killing worth defended by the seruants of the late Earle although it were in the heart of the Kingdome endured the Seige of
of the same In the Second Statute of Weminster he defalked the Iurisdiction of Ecclesiasticall Iudges Hee left not here but afterward growing more vpon them he required the Moietie of all their goods as well Temporall as Spirituall for one yeare which though it put them into extreame perplexitie and griefe they yet were faine to yeeld to his demaund And at the first propounding thereof one Sir Iohn Hauering Knight stands vp amongst them as they were assembled in the Refectorie of the Monkes at Westminster and said Reuerend Fathers if any heere will contradict Mat. West the Kings demaunde in this businesse let him stand out in the middest of the Assemblie that his person may bee knowne and seene as one guilty of the Kings peace At which speech they all sate mute So much were the times altered since the late reigne of the father wherein such a businesse could not haue so passed But now this Actiue King being come home and hauing composed his affaires abroad must needes bee working both to satisfie his owne desire in amplyfying his powre and intertayning his people in those times incompatible of rest and therefore some action must bee taken in hand Wales that lay neerest the daunger of a superiour Prince and had euer strugled for An occasion taken for subduing of Wales libertie and the rule of a Natiue Gouernor had alwaies beene the Receptacle and ayde of the Rebellious of England had euer combined with Scotland to disturbe the peace and gouernment thereof hauing neuer her borders without bloud and mischiefe was an apt subiect to bee wrought vpon in this time And occasions are easily taken where there is a purpose to quarrell especiallie with an Inferiour Leoline now Prince of that Prouince who had so long held in the fire of the late ciuile warres of England and deerely paide for it hauing refused vpon summons to come to the Kings Coronation and after to his first Parliament alledging hee well remembred how his father Griffin burst his necke out of the Tower of London for which he brooked not that place and therefore returned answere That in any other vpon Hostages giuen him or Comissioners sent to take his Fealtie hee would as it should please the King bee ready to render it This gaue occasion that King Edward the next yeare after goes with a powerfull Armie enters his Country with Fire and Sword Reg. 4. An. 1276. in so fierce manner as Leoline vnable to resist sues for Peace and obtaines it but vpon those conditions as made his Principallitie little different from the tenure of a subiect And besides hee was fined in fifty thousand pounds sterling and to pay 1000 pounds per annum for what hee held which was but for his owne life But yet the King to gratifie him in some thing that might be a tye to this Peace restored vnto him Elionor daughter to Simon Montfort late Earle of Leicester who with her brother Almericke had beene lately taken prisoners by certaine shippes of Bristoll as shee was passing out of France into Wales to bee made the miserable wife of this vnfortunate Prince Whose restraint and affliction might perhaps bee a motiue the rather to incline him to this lownesse of submission and accord which as it was made by force an vnsure contractor of Couenants so was it by disdaine as ill an obseruer soone broken And either the ill administration of Iustice vpon the Marches the perpetuall Fire-matches of bordring Princes or the euer-working passion of desire of Libertie in the Welsh threw open againe within three yeares this ill infensed closure And out is Leoline in armes surprises the Castles of Flint and Ruthland with the person of the Lord Clifford sent Iusticiar into those parts and commits all Reg. 6. Anno. 1278. acts of Hostilitie With him ioynes his brother Dauid on whom King Edward to make him his finding him of a more stirring spirit had bestowed after the last accord the honour of Knight-hood matched him to the daughter of the Earle of Derbie a ritch Widdow and giuen him in steed of his other lands the Castle of Denbigh with 1000 pounds per annum All which graces could not yet hold him backe from those powrefull inclynations os Nature The ayding his Country the partaking with his Brother and the attempting of Libertie King Edward aduertised of this Reuolt being at the Vize in Wiltshire prepares an Armie to represse it But before his setting foorth hee priuately goes to visit his Mother Queene Elionor liuing in the Nunnery at Amsbury with whom whilst he conferred there was brought into the Chamber one who faigned himselfe being blinde to haue receiued his sight at the Tombe of Henry 3. As soone as the King saw the man he formerly knew him to be a most notorious lying Villaine And wished his Mother in no case to beleeue him His Mother who much reioyced to heare of this Miracle for the glory of her husband grew sodainely into rage and willed the King to auoyd her Chamber The King obayes and going foorth meets with a Clergie man to whom he tells the storie of this Imposter and merrily said He knew the Iustice of his father to be such that he would rather pull out the eies being whole of such a wicked wretch then restore them to their sight The Archbishop of Canterbury to whom the Welsh had before sent a Roll of their grieuances and the causes that draue them to reuolt of himselfe goes and labours Reg. 11. Anno. 1283. to bring in Leoline and his brother to a resubmission and stay the ruine which hee fore-saw would light vpon the Nation But nothing could hee effect certaine pettie defeites Leoline had giuen to the English the instigation of his people the conceit of a Prophecie of Merlin that Ginne of Error how hee should bee shortly crowned with the Diademe of Brute so ouerweighed this poore Prince as hee had no eare for Peace The death of Leoline the last of the Welsh Princes and shortly after no head the same being cut off after hee was slaine in battaile by a common souldier and sent to King Edward Who as if his death were not sufficient without his reproach caused the same to bee crowned with Iuie and set vpon the Towre of London This was the end of Leoline the last of the Welsh Princes betrayed as they write by the men of Buelth Shortly after to finish this worke of bloud is Dauid his brother taken in Wales and iudged in England to an ignominious death First drawne at a horse taile about The execution of Dauid his brother at Shrewsburie the first in that kinde the City of Shrewsbury then beheaded the Trunck of his Bodie deuided his Heart and Bowells burnt his Head sent to accompany that of his brother on the Towre of London his foure quarters to foure Cities Bristoll Northampton Yorke and Winchester a manifold execution and the first shewed in that kinde to this Kingdome in
the person of the sonne of a Prince or any other Nobleman that we read of in our Historie But this example made of one of another grew after to bee vsuall to this Nation And euen this King vnder whom it began had the bloud of his owne and his brothers race miserably shed on many a scaffold And iust at the sealing of this Conquest Alphonsus his eldest sonne of the age of 12. yeares a Prince of great hope The death of the Prince Alphonsus is taken away by death And Edward lately borne at Carnaruan an Infant vncertaine how to prouo is heire to the Kingdome and the first of the English intituled Prince of Wales whose vnnaturall distruction wee shall likewise heare of in his time But thus came Wales all that small portion leaft vnto the Brittaines the auncient Wales vnited to England possessors of this Isle to bee vnited to the crowne of England Anno Reg. 11. And strange it is how it could so long subsist of it selfe as it did hauing little or no ayde of others little or no shipping the hereditarie defect of their Auncestors no Alliance no confederation no intelligence with any forraine Princes of powre out of this Isle and being by so potent a Kingdome as this so often inuaded so often reduced to extremitie so eagerly pursued almost by euery King and said to haue beene by many of them subdued when it was not must needs shew the worthinesse of the Nation and their noble courage to preserue their libertie And how it was now at last gotten and vpon what ground wee see But the effect proues better then the cause and hath made it good For in such Acquisitions as these the Sword is not to giue an Account to Iustice the publique benefit makes amends Those miserable Mischiefes that afflicted both Nations come hereby extinguished The Deuision and Pluralitie of States in this Isle hauing euer made it the Stage of bloud and confusion as if Nature that had ordained it but one Peece would haue it to bee gouerned but by one Prince and one Law as the most absolute glory and strength thereof which otherwise it could neuer enioy And now this prudent King no lesse prouident to preserue then subdue this Prouince established the gouernment therof according to the Lawes of England as may bee seene by the Statute of Ruthland Anno Reg. 12. This worke effected and settled King Edward passes ouer into France vpon notice of the death of Philiple Hardy to renue and confirme such conditions as his State Reg. 13. Anno. 1286. required in those parts with the new King Philip 4 intituled le Bel to whom he doth Homage for Acquitaine hauing before quitted his claime to Normandie for euer And afterwards accommodates the differences betweene the Kings of Sicile and Aragon in Spaine to both of whom hee was allied and redeemes Charles entituled Prince of Achaia the sonne of Charles King of Sicile prisoner in Aragon paying for his ransome thirtie thousand pounds After three yeares and a halfe being abroade hee returnes into England which must now supply his Coffers emptied in this Voyage And occasion is given by the generall Reg. 16. An. 1289. complaints made vnto him of the ill administration of Iustice in his absence to inflict penalties vpon the chiefe Ministers thereof whose manifest corruptions the hatred to the people of men of that profession apt to abuse their Science and Autoritie the Necessitie of reforming so grieuous a mischiefe in the Kingdome gaue easie way thereunto by the Parliament then assembled wherein vpon due examinations and proofe of their extortions they are fined to pay to the King these summes following First Sir Ralph Hengham Chiefe Iustice of the higher Bench seuen thousand Marks Sir Ralf Henghans a chiefe Commissioner for the gouernment of the Kingdome in the Kings absence Sir Iohn Loueton Iustice of the lower Bench three thousand Markes Sir William Bromton Iustice 6000 Markes Sir Solomon Rochester foure thousand Markes Sir Richard Boyland 4000 Markes Sir Thomas Sodington two thousand Markes Sir Walter Hopton 2000 Markes these foure last were Iustices Iâ—enerants Sir William Saham 3000 Markes Robert Lithbury Master of the Rolls 1000 Markes Roger Leicester 1000 Markes Henry Bray Escheater and Iudge for the Iewes 1000 Markes But Sir Adam Stratton Chiefe Baron of the Exchequer was fined in 34000 Markes And Officers fined for briberie extortion Thomas Wayland found the greatest delinquent and of the greatest substance hath all his goods and whole estate confiscated to the King Which were it but equall to that of Sir Adam Stratton these fines being to the Kings Coffers aboue one hundred thousand Markes which at the rate as money goes now amounts to aboue 300 thousand Markes A mighty treasure to bee gotten out of the hands of so few men Which how they could amasse in those daies when Litigation and Law had not spred it selfe into those infinite wreathings of contention as since it hath may seeme strange euen to our greater getting times But peraduenture now the number of Lawyers being growne bigger then the Law as all trades of profit come ouerpestred with multitude of Traders is the cause that like a huge Riuer dispersed into many little Rilles their substances are of a smaller proportion then those of former times and Offices now of Iudicature peraduenture more piously executed Of no lesse grieuance this King the next yeare after eased his people by the banishment of the Iewes for which the Kingdome willingly granted him a Fifteenth Hauing before in Anno Reg. 9. offred a fift part of their goods to haue them expelled The banishment of the Iewes but then the Iewes gaue more and so stayed till this time which brought him a greater benefit by confiscating all their Immouables with their Talleis and Obligations which amounted to an infinite valew But now hath he made his last commoditie of this miserable people which hauing beene neuer vnder other couer then the will of the Prince had continually serued the turne in all the necessarie occasions of his Predecessors but especially of his father and himselfe And in these reformations that are easefull and pleasing to the State in generall the Iustice of the Prince is more noted then any other motiue which may bee for his profit And howsoeuer some particular men suffer as some must euer suffer yet they are the fayrest and safest waies of getting in regard the hatred of the abuses not only discharges the Prince of all imputation of rigor but renders him more beloued respected of his people And this King hauing much to doe for money comming to an emptie Crowne was driuen to all shifts possible to get it and great supplies wee finde hee had alreadie drawne from his Subiects As in the first yeere of his Raigne Pope Gregorie procured him a Tenth of the Clergie for 2. yeeres besides a Fifteenth of them and the Temporalty In the third likewise another Fifteenth of
both In the Fift a Twentieth of their goods His many supplies means for Money towards the Welsh Warres In the seauenth the Old Money was called in and New coyned in regard it had beene much defaced by the Iewes for which 297. were at one time executed at London and this brought him in a great benefit In Anno Reg. 8. seeking to examine Mens Titles to their Lands by a Writt of Quo Warranto which opposed by the Earle Warreine who drew out his Sword vpon the Writt saying How by the same hee held his Land and thereby would make good his Tenure the King desists obtaines a Fifteenth of the Clergie In the Eleauenth he had a Thirtieth of the Temporaltie a Twentieth of the Clergie for the Welsh Warres In the Thirteenth Escuage forty shillings for euery Knights fee for the same purpose In the Fourteenth he had a Thousand Marks of certaine Marchants fined for false Weights In the Seauenteenth those fines fore-declared of the Iudges In the Eighteenth this Confiscation of Iewes a Fifteenth of the English After this Anno Reg Nineteenth pretending a Voyage to the Holy-Land the Clergie grants him an Eleauenth part of all their Moueables and shortly after the Pope procures him a Tenth for Six yeeres to bee collected in England Scotland and Ireland and laid vp in Monasteries vntill hee were entred into Mare Maggior But hee made the Collectors pay him the money gathered for Three yeeres without going so farre hauing occasion to vse it at home about the purchase of a new Kingdome For the crowne of Scotland vpon the death of King Alexander of the Daughter of Reg. 17. Anno. 1290. his daughter Margaret who was to inherit was now in controuersie Six Competitors pretend title thereunto all discending from Dauid earle of Huntingdon younger brother to William King of Scots and great Vncle to this late King Alexander This title King Edward takes vpon him to decide pretending a right of Superioritie from his Ancestors The occasion of his Warres with Scotland ouer that Kingdome The Scotts which swayed the Interregnum are constrayned for auoyding further inconueniences to make him Arbiter thereof and the Six Competitors bound to stand to his Award Two are especially found betweene whome the Right lay Iohn Baliol Lord of Galloway and Robert Bruce the one descending King Edward chosen by the Scots to arbitrate the right of the pretenders to that Crowne from an elder Daughter the other from a Sonne of a younger Daughter of Alan who had Married the Eldest Daughter of this Dauid Brother to King William The Controuersie held long Twelue of eyther Kingdome learned in the Laws are elected to debate the same at Berwick All the best Ciuilians in the Vniuersities of France are sollicited to giue their oppinions the differences and perplexednes whereof made the decission more difficult According to the Nature of Littigation that euer begetts rather Doubts then Resolutions and neuer knows well how to make Reg. 18. Anno 1291. an End King Edward the better to sway this businesse by his presence takes his Iourney Northward and whilst hee sought to compasse greater felicitie hee lost the better part of what hee had in this world his deere consort Elionor who had euer attended Queene Elionor dies Her Prayse him in all his Fortunes the Paragon of Queenes and the honor of Woman-hood who is said to haue sucked the Poyson out of the Wound giuen him by the Assasin in the East when no other meanes could preserue his Life dies by the way in Lincolnshire With whose Corps in extreame griefe hee returnes back to Westminster causing at all especiall places where it rested by the Way goodly engrauen Crosses with her Statue to bee erected As at Stamford Waltham West-Cheape Charing and others Gratefull Monuments of his Affection and her renowned Faithfulnes Her Funeralls performed back hee returnes to his Scottish businesse And now Six yeeres it was since the Death of King Alexander and much time hauing beene Scottish Hist. spent and nothing concluded in this controuersie King Edward that would be sure whosoeuer preuailed to haue the hand that should make him deales priuately with Bruce who had the weaker Title but the more friends and promises him if he would yeeld Fealtie and Homage to the Crowne of England he would inuest him in that of Scotland Bruce answeres Hee was not so desirous of Rule as thereby to infringe the Liberties of his Countrie Then with the like offer hee sets vpon Baliol who hauing better right but lesse loue of the people and more greedy of a Kingdome then honour Bal ol made King of Scotland yeelds thereunto is Crowned King at Scone hath Fealty done him of all the chiefe Nobility except Bruce comes to New-castle vpon Tyne where King Edward then lay and there with many of his Nobles sweares Fealtie and did Homage vnto him as his Soueraigne Lord. Which Act as hee thought done to secure him ouer-threw Reg. 21. Anno. 1294. him For being little beloued before hereby hee became lesse such as stood for Bruce and others of the Nobility more tender of the preseruation of their Countries libertie grew into Stomack against him as hauing not onely discontented them in this Act but shortly after in his Iustice in the case of the Earle of Fife one of the sixe Gouernours in the time of the Anarchie who had beene slaine by the Famelie of Aberneth And the brother of this Earle now prosecuted in Law before King Balioll in his high Court of Parliament where hauing no right done him King Baliol giuing Iudgement on the side of the Aberneths the wronged Gentleman appeales to the Court of the King of England King Baliol is thither summoned appeares sits with King Edward in his Parliament till his cause was to be tried and then is hee cited by an Officer to arise and stand at the place appointed for pleading He craues to answere by a Procurator it is denied then himselfe arises and discends to the ordinary place and defends his cause With which Indignity as hee tooke it hee returnes home with a brest full Baliol discontented returnes into Scotland charged with indignation Meditates reuenge renewes the ancient League with France Confirmes it with the marriage of his sonne Edward with a daughter of Charles brother to King Philip glad in regard of late offences taken against the Reg. 23. An. 1296. King of England to imbrace the same Which done Baliol defies King Edward renounces his Allegiance as vnlawfully done being not in his powre without the consent of the State to doe any such act Hereupon brake out that mortall dissention betweene the two Nations which during the raigne of the three last Scottish Kings had held faire correspōdence together that consumed more Christian bloud wrought more spoyle and distruction and continued longer then euer quarrell wee read of did betweene any two people of the World For hee
that began it could not end it That Rancor which the Sword had bred and the perpetually-working desire of Reuenge of wrongs that euer beget wrongs lasted almost three hundred yeares And all the Successors of this King euen to the last before this blessed Vnion haue had The occasion of the warres betweene England and Scotland their shares more or lesse in this miserable affliction both to their great exspence of treasure extreame hindrance in all other their designes Although the intention of this Great and Marshall King for reducing this whole Isle vnder one gouernment was Noble and according to the Nature of powre and greatnesse that euer seekes to extend it selfe as farre as it can yet as all such Actions hath much of iniquity so had this and we see it was not force or the Sword could effect it God had fore-decreed to make it his owne worke by a cleaner way and ordained it for an vnstained hand to set it together in peace that it might take the more sure and lasting hold which otherwise it could neuer haue done Violence may ioyne Territories but neuer affections together which onely must grow voluntarily and bee the worke of it selfe And yet no doubt it was in the designe of this King to haue obtained it in the fairest manner he could As first shewes his seeking to match his sonne Edward with Margaret daughter to the King of Norway grand-child and heire to the last King Alexander who dying an Infant soone after her grandfather disapointed his hopes that way and draue him to haue recourse to his Soueraignty which being opposed he was forced to take the way of Violence both to maintaine his owne honor and to effect what hee had begunne Whereof the miserable euents were such as now we may well spare their memorie and be content those bloudy Relations should bee razed out of all Record but that they serue to shew vs the wofull calamities of our seperation and the comfortable blessings wee inioy by this our happy Vnion Neither doth it now concerne vs to stand vpon any points of Honor whether of the Nations did the brauest Exploites in those times seeing who had the better was beaten neither did the ouercommer conquere when hee had done what he could That little which was gained cost so much more then it was worth as it had beene better not to haue beene had at all And if any side had the Honor it was the inuaded Nation which beeing the Weaker and Smaller seemes neuer to haue beene subdued though often ouercome Continuing notwithstanding all their miseries resolute to preserue their Liberties which neuer People of the World more Noblie defended against so Potent ritch a Kingdome as this by the which without an admirable hardinesse and Constancie it had beene impossible but they must haue beene brought to an vtter consternation For all what the Powre of this Kingdome could doe which then put all the strength to doe what it could was shewed in this Kings time Who now vpon this defection of King Baliol and his League made with France Counter-leagues with all the King Edward combines with other Princes Princes he could draw in eyther by gifts or Allyance to strengthen his partie abroad As first with Guy Earle of Flanders with whose Daughter hee seekes to match his Sonne Edward Then with Adolph de Nassaw the Emperor to whome he sends Fifteene thousand pounds Sterling to recouer certaine Lands of the Empire which Adolph claymed in France He had likewise married one of his daughters to the Duke of Barr who pretends Title to Champaign another to Iohn Duke of Brabant All which with many other confining Princes hee sets vpon the King of France who had for Certaine spoiles committed on the Coast of Normandy by the English and no redresse obtayned summoned King Edward as owing Homage to that Crowne to appeare and answere it in his Court which hee refusing to doe is by an Arrest condemned to forfeyt all his Territories in France And an Armie is presently sent forth to seize vppon An Army sent into France the same led by Charles de Valois and Arnold de Neele Constable of France Burdeaux with diuers other Peeces of importance are taken and fortified For the recouerie whereof the King of England sends ouer his Brother Edmond Earle of Lancaster Another into Scotland the Earles of Lincolne and Richmond with eight and twentie Bannerets Seauen hundred men at Armes and a Nauie of three hundred and Sixtie Sayle And notwithstanding all this mighty chargde and Forces imployed in those parts King Edward sets vppon King Baliol refusing vppon Summons to appeare at his Court at Newcastle standing vpon his owne Defence and enters Scotland with an Armie sufficient to Reg. 24. Anno. 1297. Conquer a farre mightier Kingdome consisting of Foure Thousand men at Armes on Horse and Thirtie Thousand Foote besides 500. Horse and one Thousand foote of the Bishop of Duresme intending here to make speedy worke that hee might afterward passe ouer Sea to ayde his Confederats and bee reuenged on the King of France Berwick is first wonne with the Death of Fifteene Thousand Scotts our writers report more but nothing is more vncertaine then the number of the slaine in Battaile and after that the Castles of Dunbarre Roxborough Edenborough Sterling and Saint Iohns Towne were wonne or yeelded vnto him King Baliol sues for peace Submits King Edwards victories in Scotland himselfe takes againe his Oath of Fealtie to King Edward as his Soueraigne Lord. Which done a Parliament for Scotland was held at Berwick wherein the Nobilitie did likewise Homage vnto him confirming the same by their Charter vnder their hands and Seales Onely William Dowglasse refuses content rather to endure the misery of a Prison then yeelde to the subiection of England King Baliol Notwithstanding his submission is sent Prisoner into England after his Foure yeeres dignitie I cannot say Raigne For it seemes hee had but little Powre and King Edward returnes from this expedition leauing Iohn Warrein Earle of Surrey and Sussex Warden of all Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasorer and Ormesley Cheife Iustice with Commission to take in his Name the Homages and Fealties of all such as held Lands of that Crowne And heere this Conquest might seeme to haue beene effected which yet was not Reg. 25. Anno. 1298. It must cost infinite more Blood Trauaile and Treasure and all to as little effect And now the French businesses that require speedy helpe are wholly intended For which King Edward calls a Parliament at Saint Edmonds Bury wherein the Citizens and Burgesses of good Townes graunted the eighth part of their goods and other of the people a twelfth part But the Clergie vpon a prohibition from Pope Boniface that no Tallage or Imposition layde by any lay Prince vpon whatsoeuer appertained to the Church should bee paide absolutely refuse to giue any thing Which Prohibition may seeme to haue beene procured by
Kingdome might seeme as if quite ouercome Most of the estates of the Earles and Barons of Scotland with their titles that had stood out were bestowed on the English Nobility to make them the more egar to maintaine A Parliament at St. Andrewes prosecute this Conquest And a Parliament is called at Saint Andrewes where all the great men of that Kingdome except onely Wallice againe sweare Fealtie to the King of England The Scottish writers here set a wide marke of Tyrannie vpon King Edward in this The Scotish writers inueigh against the tyranny of K. Ed. expedition as not content to carry away captiue all such as might seeme to haue any the least ability to stirre but also endeauours to extinguish if it were possible the very memory of the Nation abolishing all their ancient lawes traducing their Ecclesiasticall rights to the custome of England dispoiling them of their Histories their instruments of State their Antique Monuments left either by the Romanes or erected by themselues transporting all their Bookes and Bookemen into England Sending to London the Marble stone wherein as the Vulgar were perswaded the Fate of the Kingdome consisted and left them nothing that might either encite them to remember their former fortune or instruct generous spirits in the way of Vertue and worthinesse So that he bereaued them not onely of their strength but of their mindes supposing thereby to est ablish a perpetuali Domination ouer that Kingdome This iourney ended a Parliament is called at Westminster wherein the promised confirmation A Parliament at Weatminster of the Two Charters and the allowance of what disforrestation had heretofore beene made was earnestly vrged and in the end with much a doe granted with omission of the Clause Saluo Iure Coronae nostrae which the King laboured to haue inserted but the people would not indure the same the perambulation of the Forrests of England is committed to Thre Bishops Three Earles Three Barons In this little pause of Peace at home a Concord is by the mediation of Pope Boniface Reg. 28. Anno. 1301. concluded with the King of France whose sister Margeret the King of England takes to wife in the Sixty two yeare of his age somthing too late for so young a Match and the Daughter of the same King is likewise affianced to the Prince And thereupon restitution made of what had been vsurped by the French King in Gasconie Burdeaux returnes to the obedience of the King of England to the Merchants of which Citie he paid 150 Thousand poÌ„uds for his brother Edmonds expences in the late wars all is well on that side Besides the same Pope obtained permission for Iohn Baliol the captiue King of Scots to depart and liue in France vpon certaine lands he had there and vndertooke for his obseruation of the Peace and his confinement who shortly after dies hauing had little ioy of a Crowne or scarce leasure to know hee was a King The Decrying and calling in of certaine base Coine named Crocard and Pollard with the new stamping them againe yeelded something to the Kings Coffets which must be emptied in Scotland whither againe hauing beene scarce Eighteene moneths at home he makes his Third expedit but did little besides the regaining of Sterling Castle which held out Three moneths siege against all his power and Ingines reared with insinite charge and labour And in the end not wonne but yelded vp by the Defendant William Oliuer vpon promise which was not kept with him The rest of the Scots made no head but kept in the Mountaines and Fastnesses of their Country whereby the Kings Armie hauing more to doe with barrennesse then men suffered much affliction and many Horses were starued Now vpon this Peace with France the Scots being excluded and hauing none to relieue them send their lamentable complaints to Pope Boniface shewing him the afflicted state of their Countrie the vsurpation of the King of England vpon them and his most tyrannicall proceeding with them contrarie to all right and equity Protesting they neuer knew of any Soueraigntie he had ouer them but that they were a free kingdome of themselues and so at first hee dealt with them vpon the death of their last King Alexander both in the treaty of the mariage for his sonne Edward with Margaret the beire of Scotland and also after her death for the decision of the Title wherein he sought by their consents to be made Arbitror as hee was Howsoeuer afterward they were constrained to giue way to his will yet what they euer yeelded vnto was by reason they were otherwise vnable to resist c. Vpon this remonstrance of the Scots the Pope writes his powerfull letters to the King of England to forbeare any further proceeding against them Claiming withall the Soueraintgie of that Kingdome as belonging to the Church The King answeres the Popes Letters at large Alledging from all Antiquity how the direct and superiour Dominion of Scotland had euer appertained to this Crowne euen from Brute to his owne time And withall the whole Nobilitie write to the Pope auowing the same right And absolutely conclude that the King their Lord should in no sort vndergoe his Holinesse iudgement therein Neither send his Procurators as was required about that businesse whereby it might seeme that doubt were made of their Kings Title to the preiudice of the Crowne the Royall Dignity the Liberties Customes and Lawes of England which by their oath and dutie they were bound to obserue and would defend with their liues Neither would they permit nor could any such vn-usuall vn-lawfull and detrimentall proceeding Nor suffer their King if hee would to doe or any way to attempt the same And therefore besought his Holinesse to intermeddle no more in this matter These Letters subscribed with all their Vid. Apend names were dated at Lincolne where then was held the Parliament Anno Domini 1301. The Pope vpon this answere or rather hauing his hands full of other businesse stirs no more in this The King of France whom hee had excomunicated and giuen away his Kingdome to the Emperour Albert of Austrich shortly after so wrought as his Spiritualty was surprized at Anagne a City of Abruzzo whither he was retyred from the troubles of Rome and so violently treated by Sciarra Colonesse a Banditto of Rome and Nogâ—ret an Albigioye whom he had both persecuted as in extreame rage and anguish within few daies after he ends his turbulenr life And the King of England hauing been supplied with a Fifteenth vpon Confirmation Reg. 32. Anno. 1305. of the Charters againe at the Parliament at Lincolne hee makes his Fourth expedition into Scotland and as it were the Fourth Conquest thereof hauing had Foure times Homage and Fealtie sworne vnto him Which might seeme sufficient to confirme his Soueraingtie whereof now he rests secure and home returnes in triumphant manner Remoues his Eschequer from Yorke Feasts his Nobilitty at Lincolne with all
Magnificense From thence he comes to London and renders solemne thanks to God and Saint Edward for victory Which to make it seeme the more intire shortly after William Wallice that renowned Guardian of Scotland betrayed by his Companion is sent vp prisoner to London adiudged according to the Lawes of England to be drawne hangd and quarterd for his treasons committed against the King whom at his Araignement hee would not yet acknowledge to bee his King protesting neuer to haue sworne Fealty vnto him Thus suffered that worthy man for the defence of his owne in a strange Countrie and remains amongst the best examples of Fortitude Pietie in that kinde And now King Edward being as hee supposed at an end of all his businesse an vniuersall Lord at home strong in Alliance and Peace abroad beginnes to looke more seuerely to the gouernement of this Kingdome and to draw profit out of those disorders which the Licence of Warre and Trouble had bred therein And first amongst The case of Sir Nicholas Segraue other examples of his power which it seemes hee would haue equall to his will is the case of Sir Nicholas Segraue one of the greatest Knights then of the Kingdome who being accused of treason by Sir Iohn Crombwell offers to iustifie himselfe by Duell which the King refuses to grant in regard of the present Warre then in hand Whereupon Segraue without licence and contrary to the Kings prohibition leaues the Kings Campe and goes ouer Sea to fight with his enemy for which the King as against one that had not only contemned him but as much as in him lay exposed him to death and left him to his enemies would haue Iustice to proceed against him Three daies the Iudges consulted of the matter and in the end adiudged Segraue guilty of death and all his moueables and immouables forfeited to the King Notwithstanding in regard of the greatnesse of his blood they added Hee went not out of England in contempt of the King but only to bee reuenged of his accuser and therefore it was in the Kings power to shew mercy vnto him in this case The King hereto in great wrath replyed haue you been all this while consulting for this I know it is in my power to conferre grace and on whom I will to haue mercy but not the more for your sakes then for a dogge Who hath euer submitted himselfe to my grace and had repulse but let this your iudgement bee recorded and for euer held as a Law And so the Knight for example and terrour to others was committed to prison though Mat. West shortly after by the labour of many Noble men of the Kingdome Thirty of his Peers guirt with their swords standing out to be bound body for body and goods for goods to bring him forth whensoeuer hee should be called the King restored him to his estate Shortly after the King likewise sends out a new writ of inquisition called Trailbaston For Intruders on other mens lands who to oppresse the right owner would The inquisiti on of Trailbaston make ouer their lands to great men For Batterers hired to beate men For Breakers of the Peace For Rauishers Incendiaries Murthercrs Fighters False Assisors and other such Malefactors Which Inquisition was so strictly executed and such Fynes taken as it brought in exceeding much treasure to the King So did likewise another Commission the same time sent forth to examine the behauiour of Officers and Ministers of Iustice wherein many were found Delinquents and paide dearely for it Informers here as fruitfull agents for the Fiske and neuer more imployed then in shifting times were in great request Besides these meanes for treasnre aboue ground this King made some profit of certaine Siluer mynes in Deuonshire as is to be seene in Hollingshead but it seemes the charge amounting to more then the benifit they afterwards came discontinued The King likewise now beginnes to shew his resentiment of the stubborne behauiour of his Nobles towards him in times past and so terrefies Roger Bigod Earle-Marshall Reg. 33. An. 1306. as to recouer his fauour the E. made him the heire of his lands though hee had a brother liuing reseruing to himselfe a Thousand pounds pension per annum during his life Of others likewise hee got great summes for the same offence The Earle of Hereford escapes by death But the Archbishop of Canterbury whom hee accused to haue disturbed his Peace in his absence he sends ouer to Pope Clement the Fift who succeded Boniface that he might be crusht with a double power This Pope was Natiue of Burdeaux and so the more regardefull of the Kings desire and the King more confident of his fauour which to intertaine and encrease hee sends him a whole Furnish of all Vessels for his Chamber of cleane golde which great gift so wrought with the Pope as hee let loose this Lion vntied the King from the couenants made with his Subiects concerning their Charters confirmed vnto them by his three last Acts of Parlement and absolued him from his oath an Act of little Pietie in the Pope and of as little conscience in the King who as if hee should now haue no more need of his Subiects discouered with what sincerity hee granted what hee did But sodainely hereupon there fell out an occasion that brought him backe to his right Orbe againe made him see his error reforme it finding the loue of his people lawfully ordered to be that which gaue him al his power meanes he had to know how their subsistances were intermutuall The newes of a new King made crowned in Scotland was that which wrought the effect hereof Robert Bruce Earle of Carrick sonne to that Robert who was Competitor with Baliol escaping out of England becomes head to the confused body of that people which hauing beene so long without any to guide them any intire Councell scattered in power disunited in minde neuer at one together were cast into that miserable estate as they were For had they had a King as well as their enemies to haue led them held them together managed their affaires accordingly that which they did in this distraction shewes how much more they would haue done otherwise And therefore no sooner did Bruce appeare in his designe but he effected it had the Crowne and hands ready to help him at an instant and that before Rumour could get out to report any thing of it Although Iohn Comyn his Cosen german being a Titeler himselfe a man of great loue Alliance in Scotland wrote to haue bewrayed Brucos intention to the King of England in whose Court they both had liued and were his Pensioners But Bruce as great vndertakers are euer a wake and ready at all houres preuents him by speede Bruce murthers Iohn Cumyn in the Church and either to be auenged on him for his falshood or rid of him as a Competitor finding him at Dunfraies sets vpon and
murthers him in the Church Which Foundation laid on blood the Place the Person and the manner making it more odious much stained his beginning and effected not that security for which he did it but raised a mighty partie in Scotland against him King Edward though so late acquainted herewith as hee could not bee before hand with him yet would hee not bee long behind to ouertake him sends Amyer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke the Lords Clifford and Percy with a strong power to releeue his Wardens of King Ed. sends and prepates for Scotland Scotland who vpon this Revolt were all retyred to Berwicke whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow Wherein to be the more free and Nobly attended Proclamation is made that whosoever ought by their paternall succession or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service should repaire to Westminster at the Feast of Penticost to receiue the order of Knighthood and a Military ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe Three hundred yong Gentlemen all the sonnes of Earles Barons and Knights assemble at the appointed day receiue Purples Silks Sindons Scarffs wrought with gold or Silver according to every mans estate For which traine the Kings house being too little by reason a great part thereof was burnt vpon his comming out of Flanders roome is made and the Apple Trees cut downe at the New Temple for their Tents where they attire themselues and keep their Vigil The Prince whom the King then likewise Knighted and guirt with a Militarie Belt as an ornament of that honour and withall gaue him the Duchy of Acquitaine kept his Vigile with his traine at Westminster and the next day guirds these Three Hundred Knights with the Militarie The Prince giues the honor of Knighthood to 300 Gentlemen Belt in that manner as himselfe received it At which ceremonie the presse was so great as the Prince was faine to stand vpon the high Altar a place for a more divine honour to performe this Which being solemnized with all the State and Magnificence could be devised the King before them all makes his vow that aliue or dead he would revenge the death of Iohn Cumyn vpon Bruce and the periured Scots Adiuring his sonne and all the Nobles about him vpon their Fealty that if he dyed in this Iourney they should carry his corps with them about Scotland and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Vsurper and absolutely subdued the Country A desire more Martiall then Christian shewing a minde so bent to the world as he would not make an end when he had done with it but designes his travaile beyond his life The Prince and all his Nobles promise vpon their faith to imploy their vtmost Reg. 34. An. 1307. power to performe his Vow and so vpon grant of the Thirtieth peny of the Clergie and the Laity and the Twentieth of all Marchants hee sets forth with a potent Army presently vpon Whitsontide and makes his last expedition into Scotland Anno Reg. 34. The Earle of Pembrooke with that power sent before and the aide of the Scottish partie which was now greater by the partakers of the Family of Cumyn being many mighty egar to revenge his death had before the King arrived in Scotland defeited in a battell neere S. Iohns towne the whole Army of the new King and narrowly missed the taking of his person Who escaping in disguise recovered an obscure shelter and was reserved for more and greater battailes His brother Nigell Bruce and shortly after Thomas and Alexander a Priest were taken and executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke so that K. Edward at his comming had not so much to do as he expected But yet he passed ouer the Country to shew them his power and to terrifie his enemies causing strict in quisition to be made for all who had been aiding to the murther of Cumyn and the advancement of Bruce Many and great Personages are A great execution made of the Scots found out being impossible amongst a broken people for any to remaine vndiscovered and were all executed in cruell manner to the terrour of the rest The Age of the King of England his Cholar Wrath desire of revenge made him now inexorable to spare none of what degree soever they were The Earle of Athol though of the Royall bloud and allyed vnto him was sent to London and preferd to a higher Gallowes then any of the rest The wife of Robert Bruce taken by the Lord Rosse is sent prisoner to London and his daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey The Countesse of Boughan that was aiding at the Coronation of Bruce is put into a woodden Cage and hung out vpon the walles of Berwicke for people to gaze on c. Which rigorous proceeding rather exasperates the Enemy and addes to the party of Bruce then any way quailed it desperation beeing of a sharper edge then hope And though Bruce now appeared not but shifted priuily from place to place in a distressed manner attended onely with two noble Gentlemen who neuer forsooke him in his fortunes the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay yet still expectation loue and the well-wishing of his friends went with him and so long as hee was aliue they held him not lost this affliction did but harden him for future labours which his enemies who now neglected to looke after him as either holding him dead or so downe as neuer to rise againe found afterwards to their cost For this man from being thus laide on the ground within few yeares after gets vp to giue the greatest ouerthrowe to the greatest Armie that euer the English brought into the Field and to repay the measure of blood in as full manner as it was giuen All this Sommer the King spends in Scotland and winters in Carleil to bee ready A Parlement at Carliel the next Spring if any fire should breake out to quench it For resolued hee is not to depart till hee had set such an end to this worke as it should need no more And here hee holdes his last Parlement wherein the State mindefull of the Popes late action gott many Ordinances to passe for reformation of the abuses of his Ministers and his owne former exactions who being but poore sought to get where it was to bee had Wringing from the elect Archbishop of Yorke in one yeare Nine thousand fiue hundred Marks and besides Anthony Bishop of Duresme to be made Patriark of Ierasalem gaue him and his Cardinals mighty summes This Bishop Anthony is said to haue had in purchases and inheritances 5000 Marks per annum besides what belonged to his Myter which shewed the Pope the riches of this Kingdome The King and Pope deuide the benefite of the Cleargie and moued him to require the fruits of one yeares reuenue of euery Benefice that should fall voide in England Scotland Wales and Ireland and the like of Abbayes Priories and Monasteries which though
it were denied him yet something hee had the King and hee deuiding it betwixt them The Pope graunted the King the Tenth of all the Churches of England for two yeares and the King yeelded that the Pope should haue the First fruits of those Churches And the better to effect this businesse the Pope makes an errand and sends Petrus Hispanus Cardinall a Latere to call vpon the King for consummation of the Marriage betweene Prince Edward and Isabell daughter to the King of France And this Cardinall gott something but not so much as he expected Whilest they were thus busie at Carliel about the opening of the Spring opens K. Bruce teeouers new forces himselfe the hidden King Robert Bruce and with some forces hee had gotten together soddainely assailes the Earle of Pembrooke at vn-awares and gaue him a great defeit and within Three daies after chases the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Ayr where he besieged him till by the Kings forces hee was driuen againe to his former retire But this shewed that so long as hee was in what estate soeuer he was there would be no end of this warre Which caused King Edward to send out his strict commandement that whosoeuer ought him seruice should presently vpon the Midsommer after attend him at Carliel K. Ed. enters Scotland and dies there And withall hee sends the Prince to London about the businesse of his Marriage In Iuly although hee found himselfe not well hee enters Scotland with a fresh Army which hee led not farre for falling into a Dissenterie hee dies at Borough vpon the Reg. 35. An. 1340. sands as if to show on what foundation hee had built all his glory in this world hauing Raigned Thirtie foure yeares Seuen moneths Aged Sixty eight A Prince of a generous spirit wherein the fire held out euen to the very last borne bred for action and militarie affaires which hee mannaged with great iudgement euer wary and prouident for his owne businesse watchfull and eager to enlarge his power and was more for the greatnesse of England then the quiet thereof And this we may iustly say of him that neuer King before or since shed so much Christian blood within this Isle of Brittaine as this Christian warrior did in his time and was the cause of much more in that following He had issue by his first wife Queene Elionor Foure Sonnes whereof onely Edward His Issue suruiued him and Nine Daughters Elionor married to the Earle of Bar. Ioan to Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester Margaret to Iohn Duke of Brabant Mary liued a Nun in the Monastary of Amsberie Elizabeth married first to Iohn Earle of Holland after to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford the rest died yong He had by his Second wife Two Sonnes Thomas Surnamed Brotherton which was Mareschall Earle of Norfolke and Edmond Earle of Kent The end of Edward the First The Life and Raigne of Edward the second EDward of Carnaruan remoued more then one Degree from the Father in heigth of Spirit and nearer the Grandfather in flexibility and Reg. 1. Anno. 1307. easinesse of Nature which made him apt to be taken began his Raigne in Iuly 1307. in the Three and twentith yeare of his Age. A Prince which shewes vs what confusion and mischiefe attends Riot Disorder Neglect of the State and aduancing vnworthie or ill-disposed Minions to the preiudice of others the griefe of his people and the deminution of the Royall Maiestie And though his youth might somewhat excuse the first sicknesse of his priuate Fauours yet those often Relapses of his shewed it was an habituall indisposition in the whole state of his Minde not to be cured Neuer was Prince receiued with greater loue and opinion of all or euer any that sooner lost it For his very first actions discouered a head-strong wilfulnesse that was K. Ed. the first imprisoned his sonne and exiled Pierce Gaueston vncouncellable Whereof the intertaining againe his olde Companion Pierce Gaueston was one whom the Father had banished the Kingdome finding him to haue corrupted the youth of his Sonne and leade him to commit many ryots amongst which was the breaking of the Parke of the Bishop of Chester for which hee both Anno. Reg. 33 imprisoned his Sonne and exiled Gaueston Besides this prouident King as if fore-seeing the mischiefe might insue at his death charged his Sonne vpon his blessing neuer to recall or entertaine Pierce Gaueston againe about him and required the Lords who were present to see his Will obserued therein which notwithstanding hee Pirce Gaueston recalled and preferd by the King brake before his Fathers Funeralls were performed and not only intertaines but inuests Gaueston in the Earledom of Cornewale and the Lordship of Man being both of the Demaines of the Crowne and makes him his chiefe Chamberlaine Then to bee reuenged on the Bishop of Chester his Fathers Treasurer who had abbridged his expences and complained of him for his ryot hee caused him to be arrested committed to prison and seises vpon all his goods which he gaue to Gaueston makes a new Treasurer of his owne remoues most of his Fathers Officers and all without the aduice or consent of his Councell which gaue them their first discontent and bewrayed his disposition Before his Coronation a Parlement was held at Northampton wherein was ordained A Parlement at Northampton held before the Coronation that the Monies of his Father notwithstanding the people held them base should bee current and a Fifteenth of the Cleargie a Twentith of the Temporalty is there granted After the Funeralls performed at Westminster hee passes ouer to Bologne where his Nuptialls with Isabel Daughter to Philip le Bel are sumptuously The marriage of K. Ed. solemnized at Belogne solemnized at which were present the King of France the King of Nauare his Sonne the King of Almaine the King of Sicile and three Queenes besides the Bride with an extraordinary concourse of other Princes At which Feast Gaueston is sayde to haue exceeded them all in brauerie daintinesse of attire wherewith afterward he infected the Court of England A mischiefe the most contagious to breed a Consumption in a State that can be introduced For the imitation thereof presently distends it selfe ouer all and passes beyond the example and at length all meanes to maintaine it And had hee done no other hurt to the Kingdome then this it had been enough to haue made him as hee was odious therunto But besides hee afterward filled the Gaveston corrups the King Court with Buffons Parasites Minstrels Players and all kinde of dissolute persons to entertaine and dissolue the King with delights and pleasures Whereby he so possest him as hee regarded no other company no other exercise but continually day and night spent his time and treasure in all Wantonnesse Ryot and disorder neglecting the affaires of the State and the company and counsell of all the rest of the Nobles
who assembling together at the instant when he was to be Crowned with his Queen at Westminster Anno Reg. 2. require him that Gaueston might bee remoued from The Lords displeased with Gauest. out the Court and Kingdome otherwise they purposed to hinder his Coronation at that time Whereupon the King to auoide so great a disgrace promises on his faith to yeeld to what they desired in the next Parlement and so the Solemnitie with much festination and little reuerence is performed Wherein Gaueston for carrying Saint Edwards Crowne before the King aggrauates the hatred of the Cleargie and Nobility against him Shortly after his Coronation all the Knights Templats throughout England are at once arrested and committed to prison They were an order of Knights iustituted by Balduin the Fourth King of Ierusalem about 200 yearts past first appointed for The Knights Templers arrested committed to prison the defence of that Citie and the safe conuaying of all such as trauailed thither afterwards they were dispersed through all the Kingdoms of Christendom by the pious bounty of Princes others inriched with infinite possessions which made them to degenerate frō their first institution become execrably vitious So that all the Kings Their dissolution of Christendom at one instant combining together caused them to be apprehended within their Dominions and put out of their order and estates The King of France began hauing a purpose to make one of his Sonns King of Ierusalem possesse him of their reuenues Their accusation followes their apprehension and condemned they are rather by fame then proofe in the generall Councell at Vienna as apeares by the condemnatory Bull of Pope Clement the Third Wherein he hath this clause Quanquam de iure non possumus tamen ad plenitudinem potestatis dictum ordinem reprobamus Their estates are after giuen to the Hospitaliers These businesses passed ouer the Lords prosecute their purpose against Gaueston The Lords prosecure Gaueston whose insolencie and presumption vpon the Kings fauour made him so farre to forget himselfe as hee scorned the best of them all as much as they hated him Tearming Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage player Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke dogge of Ardern Which scoffes leauing behinde them the sting of reuenge especially where they touche drew such a partie vpon him as in the next Parlement the whole Assemblie humbly besought the Reg. 3. Anno. 1310. King to aduise and treat with his Nobles concerning the State of the Kingdome for the auoiding of eminent mischiefe likely to insue through neglect of the Gouernment and so farre vrges the matter as the King consents thereunto and not onely grants them libertie to draw into Articles what was requisite for the Kingdome but takes his oath to ratisie A Parlement The king takeshis oath to rate fie whatsoeuer Articles the Lords would conclude in Parlement whatsoeuer they should conclude Whereupon they elect certaine choyce men both of the Cleargie Nobility and Commons to compose those Articles Which done the Archbishop of Canterbury lately recalled from exile with the rest of his Suffragans solemnly pronounce the sentence of excommunication against al such who should contradict those Articles which are there publiquely read before the Barons and Commons of the Realme in the presence of the King Amongst which the obseruation and execution of Magna Charta is required with all other ordinances necessary for the Church and Kingdome And that as the late King had done all Strangers should bee banished the Court and Kingdome all ill Councellors remoued That the businesse of the State should be treated on by the Councell of the Cleargie and the Nobles That the King should not begin any war or goe any where out of the Kingdom without the common Councell of the same Which Articles though they seemed harsh to the King yet to auoide further trouble Gaueston banished into Ireland hee yeelds vnto them but especially to the banishment of his Minion as if that would excuse him for all the rest and away is hee sent into Ireland where hee liued a while not as a man exiled but as the Lieutenant of the Countrie The King not enduring to be without his company neuer ceased working till hee had recalled him backe againe which within a few moneths after hee did And to make him as hee thought to stand the faster on his feete hee marries him to his Neece the Daughter of Ioan de Acres Sister to Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester a man beloued and highly esteemed of all the Nobility for whose sake hee hoped Gaueston should finde the Gaueston recalled more fauour amongst them but all this could not shelter him Either his behauiour or their malice was such as they could not endure to haue him about the King who by making him so great lessened him and the more hee was enriched the worse was his estate The Subiects spectators of their Kings immoderate gifts held it to bee taken out of the bowels of the Common-wealth as it were of their substance that was so wasted For it is reported the King gaue him the Iewels of the Crowne which hee sould to Marchant strangers and conuayed much treasure out of the Kingdome whereby the King sustained great wants and the Queene is abridged of her allowance whereof she complaines to the King of France her Father These stingues put the Barons on to send plaine word to the King that vnlesse hee The Lords threaten the King put from him Pierce Gaueston and obserue the late Articles they would all with one consent rise in armes against him as a periured Prince The King whom they found was apt to be terrified yeelds againe vpon this message to the banishment of his Minion whose fortune beeing to haue a weake maister was driuen to these sodaine extreamities Gaueston again banished mities and disgracefull expulsions at their will who were his enuiers and who now obtaine this Clause that if hereafter hee were found againe within the Kingdome he should be condemned to death as an enemy of the State Ireland was now no more to protect him France most vnsafe for him wait being their laid to apprehend him in Flanders he luiks a while but in great danger and finding no where any securitie back againe hee aduentures vpon England and into the Kings bosome the sanctuary he thought would Gaueston returnes not be violated hee puts himselfe and there is hee receiued with as great ioy as euer man could bee And to be as farre out of the way and eye of enuy as might be the King carries him into the North parts where notwithstanding the Lords shortly after found him out For no sooner had they heard of his returne and receiuing into grace but they presently combine and take armes electing Thomas Earle of Lancaster The Lords take armes for their Leader
part Shortly after a Parlement is called at London wherein the King complaines of the great contempt was had of him by the Barons their rising in Armes their taking and murthering A Parlement Pierce Gaueston c. Whereunto with one accord they answer how they had not offended therein but rather mereted his lous and fauour hauing taken armes not for any contempt of his Royall person but to destroy the publique enemy of the Kingdome banished before by the consent of two Kings a man by whom his fame and honour was most highly disparaged his substance and that of the Kingdome wasted and a most dangerous dissention betweene him and his subiects raised Whereof otherwise with all their labour and trauaile they conld neuer haue had an end Besides they tell him plainely they would now no longer attend vaine promises nor be deluded with delaies as they had hitherto been concerning their required Articles Which stout resolution of theirs the Queene with the Prelates and the Earle of Glocester seeing they seeke by all perswasions to quallifie their heate and at length so farre preuailed with them as to appease the Kings wrath they brought them and their confederates in open Parlement to humble themselues to the King and to craue pardon for what they had done which they obtained and the King receiues The Lords are pardoned A Fifteenth granted them into grace as his loyall subiects grants them their Articles and particular pardons by his Charter for their indemnity concerning the death of Gaueston And for this the State vpon his great wants granted him a Fifteenth Guy de Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke is here appointed to bee one of the Kings Councell who Reg. 6. Anno. 1314. beeing a man much enuied by such as possest the King shortly after dies not without suspition of poyson Whilst the State of England stood thus diseased at home through the infirmity of a weake Head that of Scotland grew strong by the prouidence of a vigilant King who had not only ouercome the Scottish faction and recouered the most of his owne K. Bruce grows strong in Scotland Countrey but also made spoiles on this wasting all Northumberland in such sort as King Edward wakened with the out-cries of his people and the great dishonor of the K. Ed. goes with a mighty Army into Scotland kingdome is drawne to take armes for redresse thereof and enters Scotland with the greatest Armie that euer yet went thither consisting as the Scottish writers report of 100 Thousand men whereof were great numbers of Flemings Gascoines Welsh and Irish who in imagination had deuoured the Countrey before they came thither and thought not of Battailes but of deuiding the prey Besides the King had with him most of the Nobility and especiall men of England except Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Earles of Warwicke Warrein and Arundell who refused to goe for that the King protracted the execution of the foresaid Articles The Castle of Sterling is the peece that is to bee relieued which chiefly now held out defended by Philip Moubray a valiant Knight who seeing the daily successe of Bruce had manned and victualed the same for many moneths Neare to this place vpon the Riuer Bannocke is incountred this great Armie of England by Bruce with 30 Thousand Scots a small number say their writers in respect of their enemies but as men hardened with daily vse of warre and domesticall euills fierce and resolute carrying all their hopes in their hands of life estate and whatsoeuer was deare vnto them The aduantage of the ground was theirs hauing behinde vnaccessable Rocks to defend them before a Moorish vncertaine ground wherein they digged trenches The battail of Bannocks borough which they pitched full of sharpe stakes and couered them ouer with hurdles so that tht footmen might passe ouer safely without impediment but it so confounded the Horse as it gaue the Scots the day and the greatest ouerthrow to England that euer it receiued There perished in this Battaile called of Bannocks Bourough Gilbert The defeit of the English the last Clare Earle of Glocester a maine Arch of the State of England and Robert Lord Clifford the Noblest of our Barons with the Lord Tiptoft the Lord Mareschall the Lord Giles de Argenton the Lord Edmond de Maule 700 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of sort of common souldiers theirs say Fifty thousand ours Ten taken prisoners Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford Ralph de Morthelmere who married Ioan de Acres Countesse dowager of Glocester with many others the King and those who were preserued escaped by flight This defeit put Scotland both into Armes and Wealth so that they held their owne the better for a long time after and discouraged so much this kingdome for many yeares as it wrought not though it often attempted any great reuenge King Eddward vpon his comming backe to Yorke shewed a great desire to repaire this dishonour but nothing was done his people grew colde home they returne and sitte downe by their losse The poore Borderers haue the worst of it and become so deiected as 100 of them would flie from three Scots saith Walsingham To such a sodain faintnesse are the inferiours brought when the nobler parts of a State which should giue them spirit are ill affected This disaster as mischiefe neuer comes alone was attended with inundations which brought forth Dearth Dearth Famine Famine Pestilence all which exceeded any that euer before had been knowne A Parlement is called at London vpon A Parlement at London the beginning of this Dearth to abate the prices of victualls which sodainely grewto be excessiue And therefore it was ordained that an Oxe fatted with grasse Reg. 8. An. 1315. should be sould for sixteene shillngs fatted with corne for twentie shillings the best Cow for twelue shillings a fat Hogge of two yeares old three shillings foure pence a fatte Sheepe shorne fourteene pence with the fleece twenty pence a fatte Goose for two pence halfe penny a fatte Capon two pence a fat Hen a penny foure Pigeons Rates for victualls a penny whosoeuer sould aboue should forfeit their ware to the King Heere seemes then to haue been no Calues Lambes Goslings Chickins young Pigges to be sould those dainties were not yet in vse After these rates imposed all kinde of victualls grew more scarce then before and such a Murrein followed of all kinde of Cattell with a generall failing of all fruits of A Dearth which lasted 3. yeares the earth by the excessiue raines and vnseasonable weather as prouision could not be had for the Kings house nor meanes for other great men to maintaine their Tables such a iust punishment had Excesse and Ryot inflicted thereon in those daies in so Reg. 10. An. 1317. much as men put away their seruants in great numbers who hauing beene daintily bred and now not able to worke scorning to begge fell to Robberie and spoyle which addes more miserie
Hugh Spencer the father hanged at Bristol gallowes in his Coat armour cut vp before hee was dead headed and quartered This done shee passes to Hereford and the King beeing not to bee found Proclamation is made that if hee would returne and conforme himselfe to rule the State as hee ought to doe hee should come and receiue the gouernment thereof by the generall consent of his people But hee either not daring as destitute both of courage and counsell to trust to this offer or not well informed thereof keepes himselfe still concealed Whereupon as may seeme was intended aduantage is taken to dispose of the gouernment and the Prince who is now vnder their guard is made Guardian of the Kingdom hath Fealtie sworne vnto him and a new Chancelor and Treasurer are appointed Long it was not ere the King came to be discouered as a person too great for any couer and was by Henry Earle of Lancaster brother to the late Thomas William The King taken prisoner Lord Zouch and Ries ap Howell taken and conuayed to the Castle of Kenelworth The younger Spencer with Baldocke the Chancelor and Simon Reading apprehended with him are sent to the Queene to Hereford Spencer who was now Earle of Glocester is drawne and hangd on a gallowes Fifty foote high wherein hee was exalted aboue his father otherwise had the like execution and likewise in his Coat armor whereon was written Quid gloriaris in malitia psal 52. Simon Reading was hanged Ten foote lower then hee But Baldocke in regarde hee was a Priest had the fauour to bee pined to death in Newgate And here likewise a little before was the Earle of Arundell with two Barons Iohn Danyll and Thomas Micheldeuer executed as Traytors by the procurement of Roger Mortimer for adhering to the Kings part To accompanie these mischiefes of the Countrey the Commons of London made insurrection and force their Maior who held for the King to take their part let out all prisoners possesses them of the Tower put to death the Constable thereof Sir Iohn Weston murther the Bishop of Excester to whom they bare an especiall hatred for that being the Kings Treasurer hee caused the Iustices Itenerants to sit in London A Parlement at London where the Prince is elected King by whom they were grieuously fyned and thus all is let out to libertie and confusion After a moneths stay at Hereford the Queene with her sonne returning kept Christmas at Wallingford their Candlemas at London where the Parlement being Reg. 20. Anno. 1327. assembled agreed to depose the King as vnfit to gouerne obiecting many Articles against him and to elect his eldest sonne Edward which they did in the great Hall at Westminster with the vniuersall consent of the people there present and the Archbishop of Canterbury makes a Sermon vpon this text Vox populi vox Dei exhorting the people to inuoke the King of kings for him they had there chosen The Queene either out of the consideration of the difference of a husband and a sonne whom now shee was not like long to guide or through remorse of conscience looking backe vpon what shee had done takes this election grieuously to heart insomuch as her sonne to recomfort her swore hee would neuer accept of the Crowne without the consent of his father whereupon by a common decree three Bishops two Earles two Abbots foure Barons three Knights of euery Shire with a certaine number of Burgesses of euery Citie and Borough and especially of the Cinque-Ports are sent to the imprisoned King at Kenelworth to declare vnto him the election of his sonne and to require the renuntiation of his Crowne and royall dignity whereunto if hee would not consent the State was resolued to proceed as it thought good The King beeing first priuately made acquainted with the Message The King is brought to resigne his Crowne the most harsh to Nature that could bee imparted and by two whom hee especially hated for hauing especially offended them the Bishoppes of Hereford and Lincolne was brought forth before the assembly to whom as soone as his passion wherewith hee was ouercharged would giue him leaue hee confessed how he had beene misguided the common excuse of a poore spirit and done many things whereof now hee repented which if hee were to gouerne againe hee would become a new man and was most sorrowfull to haue so much offended the State as it should thus vtterly reiect him but yet gaue them thankes that they were so gracious vnto him as to elect his eldest sonne for King Hauing spoken to this purpose they proceed to the Ceremony of his resignation which chiefly consisted in the surrender of his Crowne for the forme whereof beeing the first that euer was seene in England they could followe no precedent but must make one and William Trussell a Iudge put it into the Stile of Lawe to render it the more authenticall and pronounced the same in this manner I William Trussell in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parlement The forme of his resignatiō Procurator resigne to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee sometime and from this time forwards now following I defie thee and priue thee of all royall power and I shall neuer be tendant on thee as King after this time This was the last act and the first example of a deposed King no lesse dishonorable to the State then to him He was a Prince more weake then euill and those exorbitances of his met with as great or greater in his people who as wee see delt ouer roughly and vnciuilly with him Hee is reported by some to haue been learned which perhaps might make him the softer to haue written verses when hee was in prison to haue founded Oriall Colledge and Saint Mary Hall in Oxford He had by his wife Isabell two sonnes Edward borne at Windsor who succeeded Misissue him and Iohn Surnamed of Eltham who was created Earle of Cornewall An. 1315. and died in the Flower of his youth in Scotland And also two daughters Ioan married to Dauid Prince of Scotland and Elionor to the Duke of Gelders The end of Edward the second The Life and Raigne of Edward the third VPpon the resignation of Edward the second Edward his sonne of the 1327. An. Reg. 1. age of fourteene yeares beganne his Raigne the twentith of Ianuary 1327 and sends forth Proclamations of his peace into all Shires in this form Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitaine to N. N. our Shirife of S. greeting Whereas the Lord Edward late King of England our father by the common councell and assent of the Prelates Earles Barons and other chiefe men with the whole Communaltie of this Realme did voluntarily amoue himselfe from the gouernement thereof willing granting that we as his eldest son and heire should assume the same c. which proclamation made
Edmond Earle of Kent brother to the late deposed King is accused and condemned vpon his confession for intending the restoring of his brother and conferring with divers great men concerning the same but without any matter of fact This miserable Earle stood on the Scaffold from one till fiue and no Executioner could bee found to dispatch him at length a silly wretch of the Marshalsey cut off his head These violences and vnpleasing courses in a new alteration could not long hold without effecting another which the next yeare produced A Parlement is held at Nottingham wherein all the power and glory of the Queen and Mortimer being scarce A Parlement at Nottingham of three yeares growth were overthrowne the Queene hath all her great Ioynture taken from her and put to her pension of 1000 pounds per annum Mortimer is accused to haue procured the late Kings death to be the authour of the Scots safe escaping from Articles against Mortimer Stanhope Parke corrupted with the gift of twenty thousand pounds to haue procured the late marriage peace with Scotl. so dishonourable to the King and Kingdom to haue consumed the Kings treasure besides all what was taken from the Spencers to haue beene too familiar with the Queen c. And for these haynous offences is condemned of high treason sent vp to London drawn and hanged at the common Gallowes at the Elms now called Tyburne He is hanged at Tyburne where his body remained two daies as an opprobrious spectacle for all beholders Such were the tragicall and bloudy returnes those ambitious supplanters of others got by exchange of the times which now may seeme made the world weary of such violences and more wary to runne into them And the King growing to yeares of more Ability to governe of himselfe wrought a greater respect of his service in those who were of power about him seeing him to be of a spirit likely to go through with his work and therefore they vse their best advice to put him into courses that might be most honourable for him and the Kingdome The staines which his youth had received by such as governed the same are now discovered and meanes devised how to take them of And withall occasions fall out to put him into Action And first a new King of France lately crowned vpon the death of Charles le Bel King Edward is summoned to do his homage to Phillip de Valois K. of France without issue Male requires his homage according to the custome for the Duchy of Guien and his other lands in France held of that Crowne whereunto though King Edward was supposed to haue the better right yet seeing Phillip de Valois was now in possession of the same and himselfe then yong his owne Kingdome factious turbulent and vnsettled he was not as yet otherwise then by Law which seldome gets a Crown able to debate his title and therefore is content to temporise and goe ouer in person to performe this ceremony which did much preiudice his after claime layde an imputation vppon the iustnesse of his cause hauing thereby acknowledged and made good the right of his Competitor The difference betweene them stood thus Philip le Bell father to Isabell Mother The Title of K. Ed. to the Crowne of France to King Edward had three sonnes Louys Philip and Charles which all were successiuely Kings of France and died without any issue male to inherite the kingdome and notwithstanding Louys the eldest sonne had a daughter whom Eudes Earle of Bologne her vncle by the mother laboured to haue crowned Queene yet for that it was adiudged contrary to the Salicque Lawe which debarred women from the succession Phillip the younger brother of Louys is ad admitted to the Crowne This Phillip likewise left foure daughters and yet doth Charles his brother succede him by the force of the same lawe which passed now as a case adiudged without any controuersie Charles dying leaues his wife young with childe difference arises about the Regencie of that kingdome betweene King Edward of England the Nephew and Phillip de Valois Cosen-german to the last King Charles This Phillip was the first Prince of the blood sonne to Charles de Valois brother to Phillip le Bell. And though King Edward was in degree nearer then hee yet was the Regencie adiudged to Phillip if the Queene brought forth a sonne as descending from a brother more capable of the Crowne then King Edward descending from a daughter that was vncapable as they alleadged The Queene at length deliuered of a daughter the processe is ended and Phillip receiued and crowned King of France by their Salicque Lawe maintained to be vnviolable Robert de Artois a Peere of great power was a speciall meanes of his pre ferment and the exclusion of King Edward who shortly after vppon Sommons giuen 1331. An. Reg. 5. as is aforesaid goes ouer and meetes King Phillip at Amiens where by the Councels of both Kings two especiall points are debated the one concerning the quallity of the Homage pretended liege by the Councell of King Phillip but denied by that of King Edward The second point for the lands in Guiene which the last King Charles had detayned as his whereof the Councell of King Edward demanded restitution as appertaining to that Duchy The Composition for this last point was easie in regard of the treatie of Peace made betweene the saide King Charles and Edward the second the last of May 1325. wherein their rights were saued by protestations reciprocall aduised and receiued in offer and acceptance of Homage made to the saide King Charles by this Edward before hee was King which protestations were agreed to be followed and repeated in this with Couenant that if King Edward would pursue his right in Parlement he should haue iustice done him accordingly for those things in controuersie Now for the first point concerning the quallity of his Homage it was accorded without specifying the same that it should be done and receiued according to the vsuall manner of former kings with sufficient time granted to King Edward to inquire of the said quallity and to make his declaration thereof And thereuppon Iean Tilet the sixt of Iune 1329. King Edward in a Crimson veluet gowne imbroydered with K. Ed. doth Homage to the French K. Leopards with his Crowne on his head his sword by his side and golden spurres on his heeles presents himselfe in the body of the Cathedrall Church at Amiens before King Phillip sitting in his chaire of estate in a veluet gowne of violet colour imbroydered with floures de lis of gold his Crowne on his head and his Scepter in his hand with all his Princes and Peeres about him The Viscount Melun Chamberlaine of France first commands King Edward to put off his Crowne his sword and his spurres and to kneele downe which hee did on a crimosine veluet cushion before King Phillip and then the Viscount putting both his
haue no conference with the King but in open Parlement which at that time said the King was not for especiall reasons conuenient to be called Then aggrauates hee the vndutifull contempt of the Archbishop and his hypocriticall dealing with him avowing that although by hereditary right and the diuine grace hee was aduanced to that sublimitie of regall power hee held it alwaies to haue beene a detestable thing to abuse the greatnesse thereof and how he affected nothing more in the world then to gouerne his subiects with mildnesse clemency and moderation of Iustice that hee might with peace enioy their loue And how notwithstanding the Archbishoppe had most iniuriously by his Letters published in diuerse parts torne his innocency and slandered the faithfull seruice of his Counsailors and Officers who executed his regall Iustice exclayming how the people were opprest the Cleargy confounded the kingdome agrieued with taxations and all kinde of exactions Which the King argues was to no other end but to raise sedition amongst his people and to withdrawe their loue and obedience from him Lastly to giue notice of the Archbishoppes corruption he declares how himselfe beeing vnder age had through his counsell made so many prodigall donations prohibited alienations and excessiue gifts as thereby hâ—s treasurie was vtterly exhausted and his reuenewes diminished and how the Archbishop corrupted with bribes remitted without reasonable cause great summes which were due vnto him applying to his proper vse or to persons ill-deseruing many commodities and reuenewes which should haue beene preserued for his necessary prouisions And therefore concluded vnlesse hee desisted from this his rebellious obstinacie hee intended in due time and place more openly to proceede against him inioying them to publish all and singular these his malignities and to cause others to doe the like for the manifestation of his owne pious and Princely intention in relieuing his owne and his subiects wrongs This Letter was sayd to haue been penned by Adam Bishoppe of Winchester and bare date the 12. of February An. Reg. 15. Thus the King and his Officers whose proceedings must not receiue a check are cleared and the imputation rests vpon the Archbishop who is charged with great accouÌ„ts pressed by such as lent the King mony to render the same But shortly after the King found much to doe in the Parlement held at London being earnestly petitioned by the whole Assembly of the three Estates that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forrests might be duly obserued and that whosoeuer of the Kings Officers infringed the same should lose their place that the high Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parlement The King stood stiffe vpon his owne election and prerogatiue but yet yeelded in regard to haue his present Vid. Stat. 15. Edward 3. turne serued as himselfe after confessed these Officers should receiue an oath in Parlement to doe iustice vnto all men in their offices and thereupon a Statute was made confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other grants of his to the subiects which notwithstaÌ„ding were for the most part presently after reuoked The truce agreed on before Turney for one yeare was by the Commissioners of both The Articles Vid. Appen Kings and two Cardinalls from the Pope concluded at Arras which yeelded some cessation of Armes but not of plotting more mischiefe Louys of Bauier intituled Emperour is wonne to the party of the French King becomes his sworne confederate The Emperor reuokes the Vicariate the reason why Vid. Append. and reuokes the Vicarshippe of the Empire formerly confirmed on the K. of England pretending the cause to be for concluding the late truce without him as appeares by his Letters to King Edward which are againe by him fully and discreetly answered But in steed of this remote and vnconstant confederate whose power lay without the limits of France Fortune brought in another more neere and of readier The controuersie for the Duchy of Brittaine meanes to offend within the bodie of that kingdome The inheritance of the Duchy of Brittaine is in controuersie betweene Charles de Blois Nephew to King Phillip and Iohn de Monfort vpon this title Arthur Duke of Brittaine had by Beatrix his first wife two sonnes Iohn and Guy by Yoland Countesse of Monfort his second wife Iohn de Monfort Iohn the eldest sonne of Arthur hauing no issue ordayned Iane his Neece daughter to his brother Guy who died before him to succeed him in the Duchy This Iane Charles de Blois marries on condition his issue by her should inherite the same wherein after consummation of the Marriage hee is inuested and had homage done vnto him during the life of Iohn their Vncle. But after his death Iohn de Monfort doth homage for the Duke of Brittaine to King Edward Monfort claymes the Duchy comes to Paris to do homage for the same to the French King Charles de Blois in the right of his wife opposes him the controuersie is referred to the Parlement Sentence passes on the side of Charles Monfort inraged repaires to the King of England doth his homage vnto him for the Duchy is receiued with great applause and his title howsoeuer held bad at home is heere made to bee good Returning back into Brittaine both with comfort meanes after some encouÌ„ters Monfort taken prisoner His wife prosecutes her husbands quarrell with his enemie hee is taken and committed prisoner to the Louure in Paris His wife the Countesse of Monfort sister to Louys Earle of Flanders a Lady who seemed to haue more of the man then her brother prosecutes her husbands quarrell puts on Armour leads and incourages her people surprises and defends many strong peeces of Brittaine but in the end like to be ouerlaide by the power of Charles de Blois she craues ayde of the King of England and hath it sent vnder the conduct of the Lord Walter de Manny which relieued her for the present but the future required more whereof King Edward was not sparing in regard of his owne designes for aydes are seldome sent to forrainers but for the Senders benefit The Lady her selfe comes ouer into England to treate both for supplyes and alliance tendring a match betweene her sonne and a daughter of King Edward The Earles Salisbury Pembrooke and Suffolke Forces sent ouer into Brittaine the Lords Stafford Spencer and Bourchier with Robert de Artois Earle of Richmond are sent with great forces backe with the Lady Many were the incounters surprises and recouerings of Fortes betweene the English and the French and in this action The death of Robert de Artois Robert de Artois receiued his last wound at the siege of Vannes but yet was brought to die in England it being not in his Fate that his countrie which by his meanes had suffered so much affliction should haue his bones though it had his blood which he lost with little honour
though with much valour leauing behinde him but the fame of a Rebell after hee had serued the English about six yeares King Edward shortly after these supplyes sent into Brittaine goes himselfe in person with more and lying before Vannes lately recouered by the French Iohn Duke of Normandy eldest sonne to the French King sent to ayde Charles de Bloys with an Army of forty thousand came to giue him battaile and being vpon the point of incounter a mediation of truce is made by two Cardinalls sent from Pope Clement the fixt and concluded for three yeares vpon many conditions with a reference to the Pope and the Court of Rome to heare and examine the differences betwixt the two kingdoms but not to determine them without the consent of both Kings This pause againe giues them more time to worke for greater woundes and nothing is left vnpractised that might aduance the same And though the people now seemed to put off their Armour they left not off armes but had diuerse bickrings both in Brittaine and Gascony for which either side accused other King Edward returning makes an expeditiō into Scotland against K. Dauid whom he chased into the Ilands And here the Isle of Man is conquered by William Montacut Earle of Salisbury whom king Edward caused to be stiled King thereof and returning backe solemne Turneaments are held at Dunstable where hee is attended with 230. Knights For now all the pastime and exercise in England were Iustes and Turneaments held in Smithfield Winsor and other places A society of Knights of the Round table in imitation of King Arthur is designed a magnificent Chamber of 200. foot round erected for the same at Winsor and to this society many strangers of other Coūtries are allured The French K. also practises the like martial association in France Reg. 17 An. 1343. And about this time began the order of the Garter instituted at Winsor vpon a solemne feast there celebrated which held for many dayes and serued that time as an The institutio of the Order of the Garter Embleme of a tye and combinement in honour of such as were admitted thereunto which was the end of the constitution thereof Howsoeuer the Garter of the Countesse of Salisbury taken vp by the King in dancing with her was saide to haue beene the occasion But it were some derogation to that noble institution to impute the originall thereof to an act of Leuitie seeing with what a graue and religious ceremony it is performed Although we see oftentimes accidents of little consequence giue beginnings to things of great estimation which time makes venerable But besides these exercises of Armes this great and prouident King during this truce takes especiall care for the Gouernment of the Kingdome and reformation of the abuses thereof which daily grow as diseases in full bodies and must of necessity haue sometimes their cure otherwise there will be no health in a State A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein vpon the grieuons complaint exhibited by the Earles The Nobility write to the Pope concerning his collation of Benifices in England Barons Knights and Burgesses against the collation of Benifices on strangers a letter was sent to Pope Clement 6. in humble manner beseeching him to consider how inconuenient and derogatory it was to the state of the Kingdome of England that such reseruations prouisions and collations of Benifices as had beene formerly vsed should in such sort be continued For that the Churches of England had in times past bene indowed by noble and worthy persons to the end the people might be instructed by such as were of their owne language and how by the vsurpation of some of his Predicessors strangers and sometimes enemies to the Realme were preferred to many of them whereby the money and profits were transported the Cures vnfurnished almes and Hospitality vnused the edifices ruinated the charity and deuotion of the people deminished and many other grieuous inormities contrary to the will of the Founders occasioned which they could not suffer any longer and therefore besought his Holinesse wholly to reuoke such reseruations prouisions and collations that meete and natiue persons might exercise those Cures and without delay to signifie his intention therein otherwise they meant to imploy their dilligence that remedy and redresse might be had according to reason The date of these Letters was in full Parliament at Westminister the 28. of May 1343 with which were like wise sent the Kings letters to the same effect by Sir Iohn Shordich a graue person and of great vnderstanding in the Law whose message made Sir Iohn Shordich sent with these Letters him so vnwelcome to that Court as hee departed without leaue or answer which though the Pope afterward sent yet the King proceeded to the prohibition of all such prouisions collations within his Realme on paine of imprisonment or death to whom soeuer should in time to come present or admit any such person or persons who by the Pope were so preferred to the preiudice of the Kings royall prerogatiue And to this effect were Writs directed to all Arch-bishops Bishops others to whom it appertained inhibiting them in no wise to attempt any thing preiudial to this ordinance Here is the Arch-bishop Stratford with much adoe vpon his submission reconciled The Arch-bishop of Canterbury reconciled to the Kings fauour And much debating there is in this Parliament concerning Wools and the asseasement of certaine prices vpon the same more or lesse according to the seuerall parts of the Realme and concerning customes to be imposed on them as at three Markes and a halfe vpon the transportation of euery sacke but it seemes nothing was done in this businesse Ptince Edward about the age of 13 is created Prince of Wales and Commissioners Prince Edward created Prince of Wales are appointed to be sent to the Pope to treate of Peace betweene the two Kings according to the Articles concluded in the truce which were Iohn Bishop of Excester Henry de Lancaster Earle of Derby Hughle Dispensier Lord of Glamorgan Cousins to the King Rauph Lord Stafford with others The next yeare after another Parliament or the same proroged is held at London Reg. 18. An. 1344. wherin after much altercation a tenth was granted by the Clergie and a fifteenth by the Laytie for one yeate and a certaine Coyne of gold called the Floren of base alloy which had beene for the warres in Fraunce is decryed and Nobles of finer coyned to A Parliament the great liking of the subiects And for their better commodity the exchange of moneys at London Canterbury and Yorke is ordained Shortly after generall Musters are taken throughout the Kingdom and Certificate made of all sufficient and able Bowmen Generall musters and appointing of Armor and of all others fit to beare Armes Besides a Commission is sent into euery countrey to inquire of mens abilities and all of fiue pounds to teu
or perish and plunges formost into the Riuer crying out They who loue mee will follow mee At which voyce all thrust in without dispute striuing who should be formost and lo presently the shoare gained by the English Gondomar astonished with this vnexpected and bolde aduenture astonishes his people by his fearefull countenance So that the English incountring the French all in disorder fell vpon them and put them to flight But the retraite was neere to Abbe-ville and Saint Requier The losse was not so great as the shame but serued as a presage for a greater mischiefe to France These disrouted men all affrighted flocke into Abbe-ville Where King Phillip The French K. resolues to incounter K. Ed. inraged with this dishonour resolues to reuenge it and presently to prouoke King Edward to the combate The aduise of his Councell was otherwise to suffer his troupes to repose some few dayes recouer their spirits King Edward to coole and spend his in the meane while But hardly had this King the patience to stay in Abbe-ville one day whiles the bridge to passe ouer his Army was repayring And His impatiēce and his hopes with this precipitation and fury into the field hee marches cleuated with an assured hope of a triumphant victory King Edward better tempered manages his worke with admirable discretion and vigilancy and had now in camped in a Village called Crecy and there entrenched and fortified himselfe not onley with the trees of the Forrest about it but with deepe rampiers and other defences besides causing also a Parke to bee paled vnder the woode side behinde his hoste wherein were placed all the Carts and Carriages His Army consisted of thirty thousand men but in order and courage double the number The vauntgard hee gaue to the Prince for guides the Earle of Warwicke The ordering of K. Ed. Army Godfray de Harecourt the Lords Stafford De la ware Bourcheir Clifford Cobham Holland Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Bartholomew Burwash Sir Robert Neuile with eight hundred men at Armes and two thousand Archers besides a thousand other most of them Welch men The second battaile was committed to the Earles Arundell and Northampton the Lords Rosse Willoughby Basset Saint Albin Multon and others wherein were eight hundred men at Armes and twelue hundred Archers The third battayle the King led himselfe hauing seuen hundred men at Armes and two thousand Archers These Battayles thus ordered mounted on a white Hobby hee rode from ranke to ranke to view them the one Marshall on his right hand the other on his left incouraging euery man that day to haue regarde to his right honour The French Kings Army was greater both in lustre and aduantage composed of aboue sixty thousand combatants well armed whereof the chiefe were Charles Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Iohn de Luxembourg King of Bohemia Charles de Bloys the Kings Nephew Ralph Duke of Lorrayne the Earle of Flanders Neuers Sancerre the Dolphin de Viennois of Barons Knights and Gentlemen aboue three thousand and on the Eue of the battayle Amè Earle of Sauoy arriued with a thousand men at armes more which made the French king swell with assurance of the maisterie so that hee longed to be at the incounter The Vauntgard hee commits to his brother The ordering of the French Kings Army at the battaile of Cressy Conte d' Alanson the Reere to the Earle of Sauoy the mayne battaile he leads himselfe his heate would scarce permit time for a little counsell what was fit to be done The olde King of Bohemia aduised that the Army should first take some repast and that the Infanterie consisting of Genouese which were about fifteene thousand crosse-bowes and sure men should make the first front and the Cauallarie to follow which was agreed on After their repast the Vauntgard set on the Conte d' Alanson contrarie to this order tooke it ill that the Genouese were in the first ranke in fury caused them to change place which changed the Seat of the Armie and wrought that discontent as it irritated them more against the leader then the enemy besides there fell at the instant a piercing shower of raine which dissolued their strings made their bowes vnusesull and at the breaking vp of the shower the Sunne shone full in the face of the French dazling their sight and on the backes of the English as if all made for them King Edward who had gotten to a winde-mill hill beholding as from a Sentinell with a setled spirit the countenance of the enemy and discouering both this accident King Edward discouers the disorders of the Frdnch. and the hurlement made by the change of place slacks not to take aduantage thereof and instantly sends to charge that part without giuing them time to reaccommodate themselues insomuch as the discouraged Genouese recoyle which the Conte d' Alanson perceiuing and comming on with the horse in great rage cries out On on let vs make way vpon the bellies of these Geuouese who doe but hinder vs and instantly prickes on with a full carrier through the midst of them attended with the Earles of Lorrayne Sauoy and the Dolphin de Viennois and neuer takes breath till he came vp to the English battayle where the Prince was which they found better setled their horses flanked with troupes of Archers whose strings hauing not felt the raine rained such a shower of steele vpon them as cooled their heate and all disordered them The French king seeing his brother thus indangered makes vp to disingage him whereupon the fight grew hot and doubtfull insomuch as the Commanders about the Prince send to King Edward to come vp with his power to ayd them the King demands the messenger whether his sonne were slaine or hurt the messenger answered no but hee was like to bee ouer layd Well then saide the King returne and tell them who sent you that so long as my sonne is aliue they send no more to me what euer happen for I will that the honour of this day be his And so being left to try for themselues they wrought it out with the sword and recouered the aduantage by reason the French king hauing his horse slaine vnder him and in danger to be troden to death had hee not beene recouered by the Lord Iohn Beaumont his new Pensioner was to the great discouragement of his people withdrawn out of the field Whereof notice being once taken by the English the day was soone after theirs and King Edward obtaines the victory in this great battaile of Cressy the greatest victory they euer had yet against the French and so bloody as there is not mention made of one prisoner taken in the battaile for they being once put to rout were all whom the sword could ouertake slaughtered out right Some few troupes that held together saued themselues by retyring to places neer adioyning The French king himselfe with a small company got to Bray in
of Guien who being no sooner remoued from thence but Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby became master of the field hauing an Army consisting of twelue hundred men at armes two thousand Archers and three thousand other foot English and Gascoines takes in most of the Townes of Yaintonge and Poictou in the end besieged and sacked Poytiers and so returnes to Burdeaux with more pillage then his people could well beare Thus the French suffer euery where Their King not being able to approach to grapple with the king of England sends to solicite him to appoint some place of battaile and hee would incounter him King Edward returnes answere If hee would make his owne way to come thither vnto him there hee should finde him for from thence hee would not part hauing there layne so long to his great labour and charge and being now so neere the point of gaining the place The two Cardinals sent from the Pope labour to mediate a peace and Commissioners on either side meete to treate but nothing could bee effected So that the French King was forced to breake vp his Armie and retire to Paris leauing Callais and the defendants vnrelieued to the mercy of the Besieger which when they vnderstood they sent to desire Parle had it granted and therein receiued this finall sentence that sixe of the chiefe Burgesses should be sent to the King bare-headed bare-footed in their shirts with halters about their necks the keyes of the Towne and Castle in their hands and submit themselues to the Kings will for the residue hee was content to take to mercy This sentence intimated to the miserable townsmen Conditions for the rendering of Callis they all in lamentable manner looking each on other who should bee chosen for this sacrifice one amongst the rest stands vp and boldly spake to this effect Fellow citizens for mine owne part I that haue so often exposed my life in this long fiege for my Countrie and haue beene euery day to die am now most willing to sacrifice the same for my last oblation thereunto and will cherefully carry my head to the victory of the King of England not desiring to suruiue the perdition of my miserable Countrie Which free and resolute speech so wrought with this amazed people as now they striue who should bee one of the six and cryed Let vs goe let vs goe vnto death it is the last daty wee ought to render to our natiue soyle Six are presently chosen and sent according to the sentence presenting themselues on their knees to the King and beseeching him to shew mercy vnto them The King commands them instantly to be carryed to their execution and would not although great supplication was made for them by his Counsel be diuerted in regard as he said of his oath till the Queene great with Childe fell The Queene obtaines pardon for the Burgesses of Calais on her knees before him and with teares obtained their pardon and had them giuen vnto her which done she caused them to be clothed gaue them their dinner and sixe nobles a man appointing them to be safely conuayed out of the Armie and set at libertie An Act worthy of so great a Queene and the greater by this her deed of mercie The King though in this he were sterne yet was he more sparing of blood than his Grand-father Edward 1. and had more of Compassion as shewed an Act in this Seige When victuals within the Towne began to faile and all vnusefull persons as King Edwards Clemencie olde men women and children put out of the gates hee forced them not backe againe which hee might haue done the sonner to consume their store but suffered them to passe thorow his Armie gaue them to eate and two pence a peece to euery one And thus was that strong Towne of Callais the thirde of August 1347. gotten The Conquest of the Towne of Calais after almost an yeeres siege with infinite cost and labour all the inhabitants are turned out and sent away to seeke newe dwellings a Colonie of the English planted therein and so it remained in the possession of the Crowne of England 210. yeeres after And now this tryumphant King hauing made truce for some few moneths and taken order for the safe-keeping of his hard gotten prize returnes with his Queene the Prince and his people into England to make Holy-day and inioy the benefite King Edward returnes into England of their booties brought home out of France which are said to be so great as euery house had some part and the wiues of England now flourish with the stuffe and ornaments of those of France who in the meane time lament their losses and heere is nothing but Feasts and Tryumphes throughout the Kingdome And to adde to this glorie the Princes Electors send to signifie that they had chosen King Edward King Edward refuseth the Election of King of the Romans King of the Romans which great dignitie notwithstanding he refused being it seemed out of his way or cumbersome to deale withall But before that yeare ended this great iollitie heere in England turned to the saddest mourning that could be possible The invisible Sword of Heauen makes such a The first great Pestilence rauage vpon Mankinde as had not been knowne before A contagious Pestilence ariseth in the East and South parts of the Worlde that dispreads it selfe ouer all Christendom And in England they write that it tooke away more then the halfe of men as if the Diuine prouidence seeing them thus violently bent to destroy and massacre one another would lessen their numbers for their fieldes and take to it selfe the vengeance of blood-shed in his terrible maner Churchyards could not heere suffice to burie the dead new grounds are purchased for that purpose It is noted there dyed in London betweene the first of Ianuary and the first of Iuly 57374. persons Other Cities and Townes suffered the like according to their portions All which calamitie notwithstanding could not deterre those egar Princes frō prosecuting their quarel nor yet so vnfurnish their fieldes but that they found still fresh hands for blood-shed as shewed their many conflicts shortly after But yet it gaue some pawse till the feruour of the contagion asswaged which was also attended with a miserable famine murraine of Cattle and sterrilitie of the earth caused through the indisposition of the Heauens and want of culture The first Action after this was the Kings going ouer to Caluis vpon an information Anno Reg. 23. of a practise to surprise the Towne contriued by the French which was thus Monsieur de Charmy Gouernour of Saint Omers had dealt with Americo de Pauia whom King Edward had left Captaine of the Castle of Callais offring him 20. thousand King Edward goes ouer to Calais Crownes to be receiued into the Castle Americo accepts the offer and appoints a night for the businesse In which night by aduertisement from Americo King
perticular Lords whose Homages were passed ouer to the King of England protested against it Alledging how that the King could not dispose of the Soureigntie of the Kingdome nor alien his Domaine and therefore they would not obey it The French King notwithstanding least King Edward should thinke this but a collusion betweene him and his subiects publishes his Commandement for the obseruation of the Accord and thereof certifies King Edward Besides he had vndertaken a iourney for the Holy warres and desired to settle all things in peace at home before his going And this might be the occasion of his comming and not his loue to the Conntesse of Salisburie as is reported But howsoeuer this King shewed a Strange disposition to returne to the Gaole where he had indured so much affliction and where shortly after his comming The death of King Iohn of France hee ended his life much lamented of the King of England who sole mnly attended his Corps to Douer whence it was conuayed to Saint Denys and entombed with his Ancestors An. 1364. Reg. 38. The debate for the Duchie of Britaigne is about this time determined by the death of Charles de Bloys slaine in a Battaile neere Vannes by Iohn de Monfort and the English Forces led by the Lord Latimer Sir Iohn Chandos and Sir Hugh Cauerley The businesse of Britayne accomdated for a time Iohn de Monfort marries Mary Daughter to King Edward and by his consent doth his homage for the Duchie to Charles now King of France compounding with the widdow of Charles de Bloys for a summe of money and some estate in land And heere we haue some time of rest which the Souldier whom the warre had bred could not well brooke The cast Companies in France though they had no Head yet had strong Bodies and did much mischiefe in many parts of that Kingdom till they were imployed in the Warres of Spaine which fell out shortly after A Company of them passed over into Italie vnder the conduct of Sir Iohn Haucut a great The Italians call him Iohannos de Acuto Warriour who found such entertainement with the Princes there where hee reuiued Militarie discipline that had layne long vnused among them and got such honour and estate by his valour as his fame remaines to this day and his Statue amongst their memorable Princes for action and vertue though hee went but a Taylorout of this Kingdome which in those dayes could haue furnished the whole world with Leaders and expert Militarie men And now heere haue we brought this mightie King to the Fortieth yeere of his Anno Reg. 40. Raigne which had it beene his last wee had left him the most glorious and tryumphant Prince in the world to whom Fortune neuer yet shewed her back neuer was retrograd But now these last ten yeeres present vs with a turning of the Beame a declination from that height of glory with certaine blemishes that age and frailtie brought vpon him This new King of France Charles the fift Intituled The wise recouered great aduantages vpon him hauing in the life time of his Father strugled so with affliction a better Mistresse of wisedome then prosperitie and learned so well to know a Crowne before he had it as now hee manages the same with great temperance and vigilancie and finding the preseruation of that State consisted more in counsell then force which had beene too aduenturously imployed by his Father and Grand-father he workes his fortune by lying still hauing excellent aydes and ministers to execute his designes and labour for him of whom for his warres Guesclin a Brittaine whom hee made Constable of France was of especiall note and first shewed the way how that State was to be recouered The Prince of Wales remayning in his Duchy of Aquitayne with a great Court which required great expences and many military attendants without worke is Anno Reg. 41. 1367. solicited by Peter King of Castile chased out of his kingdome by his bastard brother Henry to ayde him to recouer the same which the Prince vpon great promises of remuneration vndertakes by the consent of his father The cause was better then the person For this Peter sonne to Alphonso 11. King of Castile had cōmitted so tyrannicall outrages as were intollerable to his subiects oppressing and destroying The Prince of wales aides the King of Castile his Nobles to inrich himselfe putting away and after murthering his wife which was daughter to Peter Duke of Burbon sister to the now Queen of France by the instigation of his Concubine Maria de Padilla whom he afterwards married Whereupon the State adhering to his brother Henry who though he were a bastard by his birth was more Legittimate by his vertues then hee who was more a bastard by his vices crowned him King of Spaine at Bargos and forced Peter to fly the kingdome This Peter thus reiected the Prince of Wales with an Army of thirty thousand attended by his brother Iohn Duke of Lancaster and many Lords of England goes to re-inuest in his kingdome Henry is ayded by the French and those floting companies fore-remembred led by Guesclin Constable and Dandrehen Marshall of France hauing besides of Castilians Christians and Sarasins so many as his Army consisted of neere an hundred thousand men Vpon the borders of Castile it came to a Battayle the Prince of Wales hath the victory Henry is put to flight the French Leaders taken prisoners and Peter put into his Throne againe at Bargos The worke done reward for the same is required by the Prince which Peter could not or cared not to prouide but staruing him with delayes inforced him in the end to returne to Burdeaux without mony to pay his Army which was worse without health which he neuer after recouered This successe had this vnfortunate action vndertaken to right an vngratefull Tyrant who afterwarde notwithstanding was The Prince obtaines the victory in Spaine againe dispossessed taken and put to death by his brother Henry It is written that to strengthen himselfe hee combined with a Prince of the Sarazins married his daughter and renounced the Christian faith but it is commonly the reward of euill princes to be made worse then they are The Prince of Wales returning thus out of Spaine charged with more debts then before and destitute of meanes to content his people fals vpon another misfortune The il successe of that iourny as commonly men in these declinations seeking remedies increase maladies imposing a new taxation vpon the Gascoignes of Feuage or Chymney mony so discontented the people as they exclaime against the gouernment of the English and appeale to the King and Court of France for redresse The King of France at the instance of the great Lords and others who were turned ouer by the accord to hold of the Crowne of England sends a Gentleman to the Prince of Wales at Burdeaux with sommons to answere before him and his
compell them to deliuer Sir Peter de la Mare vniustly detained in Prison The Priest replyed That Sir Peter was a Traitour to the King and worthy to be hanged At which words they all cryed out This is Percie this is the Traytour of England his speach bewrayes him though his Apparell be disguised and presently they ran vpon him and wounded him to death The Bishop of London hearing of this Out-rage leaues his dinner hastes to the The Bishop of London appeases the tumult Sauoy admonishes them to be mindefull of the Holy time being Lent and for the loue of Christ to desist from such seditious acts assuring them all thing should be fairely ended for the good of the Citie Whereupon they were something pacified and forbare to assault the Dukes house whose person if they could haue found they had no doubt made an end of him and the Lord Marshall in this their surie at that time but missing him they yet hung vp his Armes reuersed in signe of Treason in all the principall streetes of the Citie The Princesse from Kenington sent Albert de Vere Louys Clifford and Simon Burleygh to the Citizens perswading them to make their peace with the Duke They returned this answere That for her Honour they would doe whatsoeuer shee commanded but yet inioyned the Kinghts to will the Duke to permit the Bishop of Winchester and Peter de la Mare to come to their Answere according to the custome of the Lawes of England The Citizens send to the King They sent likewise of the chiefe Citiznes to the sicke King to excuse them of this Tumult protesting themselues not to be priuy thereunto but sought all meanes to suppresse the same which they could not doe the whole Communaltie being in Commotion vpon an Information that their Liberties should be taken away from them by Parliament The King tolde them It neuer was in his thought to infringe their Liberties but he rather desired to enlarge them And therefore willed them not to feare but returne to appease the Citizens and keepe them in peace and order which they did and were well pleased with this answere But yet they could not stop the passage of Rimes and Libels those secret stings that wound vnseene but that they were dayly spread in the Citie to the defamation of the Duke and to make his name odious to the people For which he procured the Bishops to excommunicate the Authors of all such Rimes and Libels Notwithstanding this harsh proceeding of the Duke with the State and in a time so vnseasonable both for his owne Ends and the Publique businesse he vndertooke The Commons in Parliament desirous to ayd their King granted a Subsidie on this condition that being leauied it should be committed to certaine Earles and A Subsidie granted in this Parliament Barons to see it yssued according to the occasions of the Kingdom But this Subsidie was of a new nature neither in any of those kindes propounded Euery person man woman within the Kingdome aboue the Age of 14. yeeres were to pay 4. pence those who liued by Almes onely excepted The Clergie likewise grants 12. pence of euery Parson Beneficed and of all other Religious persons 4. pence of the head A mighty and vnknown Ayd such as neuer was granted to any King of England before and became a Precedent for the next Reigne wherein it caused the first and grearest popular Insurrection that euer was seene in this Kingdom So tender a thing is it to taxe the people by the Poule And now here-upon the Parliament ended but not the Dukes displeasure against the Citie The Maior and Aldermen are brought before the King to Shene and aduised to submit themselues to the Duke and craue pardon for their grieuous offences They protest as before they could not stay the rage of the multitude who committed those insolencies beseeching the King not to punish such as were innocent and ignorant of the fact promising the Duke they would indeauour by all meanes to bring in the malefactors and compell them to make satisfaction to the honor of the Duke and more sayde they wee cannot doe Whereupon they were dismissed the Court and shortly after from their places by the power of the Duke of Lancaster Sir Nicholas Brember was elected Mayor in steed of Adam Staple and other Aldermen appointed in their places who were put out The King was desirous to haue reconciled them to his Sonne but sicknesse hauing now vanquished him hee is forced to giue ouer the world as the same did him before his breath left him And first his Concubine packing away what shee could snatch euen to the rings of his fingers left him then his other attendants by her example seasing on what they could fasten shift away and all his Councellors and others forsooke him in his last agony when most hee needed them leauing his Chamber quite empty which a poore Priest in the house seeing by chance as he passed approaches to the Kings beds side and finding him yet breathing cals The death of King Edward and the maner thereof vpon him to remember his Sauiour and to aske mercy for his offences which none before about him would doe but euery one putting him still in hope of life though they knew death was vpon him a misery fatall to Princes and great persons whom flattery will neuer suffer to know themselues nor their owne state either in health or sicknesse made him neglectiue of those spirituall cogitations fit for a dying Christian But now stirred vp by the voyce of this Priest hee shewes all signes of contrition and his last breath expresses the name of Iesu. Thus dyed this mighty and victorious King at his Mannor of Sheene now Richmond the 21. day of Iune Anno Dom. 1377. in the 64. yeare of his Age hauing raigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes His Character wee finde best exprest in his actions yet thus briefly Hee was a Prince the soonest a man and the longest that held so of any wee reade He was of His Character Personage comely of an euen stature gracefull respectiuely affable and well expressing himselfe A Prince who loued 1. Iustice 2. Order 3. and his People the Supreme vertues of a Soueraigne 1. His loue of Iustice was seene by the many Statutes he made His Iustice. for the due Execution thereof the most Straight-binding Oath he ordayned to be ministred vnto his Iudges Iusticiars the punishment inflicted on them for corruption in their Offices causing some to be thrust out and others grieuously fined as Sir Henry Greene and Sir William Skipwith Anno Reg. 39. He bettered also that forme of publique Iustice which his Grand-father first began and which remaines to this day making also excellent lawes for the same 2. His regard to the obseruation of Order amongst his people witnesse so many Lawes as were made to restrayne them from His loue to his people Excesses in all kindes