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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Lords oppose the Spencers suffering nothing to be obtained but by their meanes Which the State accounted a mischiefe most intollerable and grievous vnto them seeing all graces and dispatches were to passe out but at one dore whereby the Kings benignity and power is diminished the Kingdome dishonoured all corruptions introduced to the overthrow of Iustice and good order And vnder this pretence they take Armes wherein themselues proceed not in that And take Armes even way of right as they made shew but follow the fury of their wils being once out and astray they seize vpon and make spoile of the lands and goods of those persons they prosecuted and all such as had friendship and affinity with them killing their servants and disposing their Castles at their pleasure And comming armed thus to S. Albons they send to the King residing then at London the Bishops of London Salisbury Hereford and Chichester who were there assembled to consult for peace requiring him as he tendred the quiet of the Realme to rid his Court of those Traitors the Spencers condemned in many Articles of high Treason by the Communalty of the Land and withall to grant his Letters Patents of Pardon and Indemnity both to them and all such as took part with them and that for no offences past or present they should hereafter be punished The King returnes answer That Hugh Spencer the father was beyond the Seas imployed in his businesse The King excuses the Spencers and the sonne was guarding the Cinque-Portes according to his office and that it was against Law and Custome they should bee banished without being heard Moreover that Denies the Lords their demands their request was voide of Iustice and Reason for that the said Spencers were ever ready to answer to all complaints made against them according to the forme of Law and if the LL. could proue they had offended the Statutes of the Realme they were willing to submit themselues to the triall thereof And besides swore he would never violate the oath made at his Coronation by granting letters of Pardon to such notorious offenders who contemned his person disturbed the Kingdom and violated the Royall Maiestie Which answer so exasperated the Lords as presently they approach to London and lodged in the Suburbes till they obtained The Lords come armed to London leaue of the King to enter into the Citie Where they peremptorily vrge their demands which at length by mediation of the Queene and the chiefe Prelates the King The King yeelds unto them The Earle of Hereford publishes the Kings Edict in Westminister Hall is wrought to condiscend vnto and by his Edict published in Westminster Hall by the Earle of Hereford are the Spencers banished the Kingdom Hugh the father keeps beyond the Seas but the sonne secretly hides himselfe in England expecting the turne of a better season The Lords having thus obtained their desire with the Kings Letters of impunity depart home but yet not with such security as they gaue over the provision for their own defence Shortly after there fell out an vnexpected accident that suddainely wrought their confusion The Queene who had ever beene the nurse of peace and laboured to accord The occasion of the Queens displeasure with the Lords the King and his Barons making her progresse towards Canterbury was disposed to lodge in the Castle of Leeds appertaining to the Lord Badlesmere who had beene long the Kings Steward but lately tooke part with the Barons and sending her Mareschall to make ready for her and her traine they who kept the Castle told him plainely that neither the Queene or any else should enter there without letters from their Lord. The Queen her selfe goes to the Castle and receiues the like answer whereupon Shee is denied lodging in the Castle of Leeds she is driven to take such lodging other where as could be provided Of which indignity she complaines to the King who tooke it so to heart as presently with a power of armed men out of London he layes siege to the Castle takes it hangs the The King takes the Castle of Leeds Growes strong keeper Thomas Culpeper sends the wife and children of the Lord Badlesmere to the Tower and seises vpon all his goods and treasure And having this power about him and warmed with successe and the instigation of the Queene sodainely directs his course to Cicister where he kept his Christmas and there provides for an army against the Barons whereof many seeing the Kings power increasing left their associates and yeeld themselues to his mercy amongst whom were the two Rogers Mortimers men of great might and meanes the Lord Hugh Audeley the Lord Maurice Barkley and others who notwithstanding contrary to their expectation were sent to divers prisons The Earles of Laucaster and Hereford seeing this sodaine change withdrew themselues and their companies from about Glocester towards the North-parts The Lords withdraw into the North parts and are ouerthrowne The King followes them with his Army wherein were the Earles of Aihol and Angus and at Burton vpon Trent where they had made head discomfited their forces and put them all to flight Whereupon seeking to escape they retire further North and at Burrough Briggs are encountred by Sir Simon Ward Shriefe of Yorke and Sir Andrew Harckley Constable of Carleil who after the Earle of Hereford was slaine in striuing to passe the Bridge tooke the Earle of Lancaster with diuerse other Lords and brought them to Pomfret where the third day after the King sitting himselfe in iudgement with Edmond Earle of Kent his brother the Earle of Pembrooke the Earle Warren Hugh Spencer lately created Earle of Winchester and others Sentence of death is giuen against Thomas Earle of Lancaster by drawing hanging and beheading as a traytour The two first punishments are pardoned in regard he was of the The executiō of the E. of Lancaster with diuers other Losds in diuerse places royall blood and only beheaded hee was the same day without the towne of Pomfret before his owne Castle And by the like iudgement were condemned the Lord Roger Clifford the Lord Warrein Lisle the Lord William Tuchet Thomas Maudit Henry Bradburne William Fiztwilliams William Lord Cheyny Thomas Lord Mowbray Ioseline Lord Danyll all which were executed at Yorke Shortly after the Lord Henry Teyes is taken drawne hangd and quartered at London the Lord Aldenham at Windsor the Lords Badlesmere and Ashbiunham at Canterbury the Lord Gifford at Glocester principall men in principall places to spread the more terrour ouer the kingdome All their estates and inheritances are confiscated and many new men aduanced by the same And this is the first blood of Nobility that euer was shed in this manner in England since William the first which beeing such and so much as The first of any Earle or Baron of England that euer was executed upon Scaffold or otherwise since the time of William the first
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
which yet retaines their language in some kinde to this day And having spred one Arme to Spaine the other to Germany imbraced so great a part of the Empire as he draue Valentinian to seeke ayde of Theodosius Emperour of the East after the vanquishment and death of his brother Gratianus at Lyons And by this immoderate vent both of the Garrisons and the ablest people of the Land hee dis-furnisht and left it in that impotencie as it never recovered like power againe All those great forces hee tooke with him either were left in Gaule or perished with him at Aquileia where he was ouerthrowne by Valentinian And yet againe in the time of Honorius the Emperour the Colony of the Veteran souldiers fearing the invasion of the Vandales made another defection and cumultuarilie proclaimed Emperour one Marcus whom shortly after they slue then Gratianus who likewise within foure monthes being murthered they gaue the title to one Constantine not so much for his merite as the omination of his name This Constantine taking the same course that Maximus did whatsoever strength was left or lately in any sort recovered he emptyed it wholy and made himselfe of that power as he subdued many of the Westerne Provinces gaue his sonne Constans a Monke the title of Augustus and after many fortunes and incounters with the forces of Honorius became vanquished and executed at Arles Where also perished the whole power hee brought out of Brittain And so the State having all the best strength exhausted and none or small supplies from the Romans lay open to the rapine and spoyle of their Northerne enemies who taking the advantage of this dis-furnishment never left till they had reduced them to extreme miseries which forced them to implore the aide of Aetius Praefect of Gaule vnder Valentinian 3. and that in so lamentable manner their Embassadors in torne garments with sand on their heads to stirre compassion as Aetius was moved to send forces to succour them and caused a wall to be raised vpon the trench formerly made by Adrian from Sea to Sea of eight foote thicke and twelue high inter-set with Bulwarkes which the Roman souldiers and an infinite number of Brittains fitter for that worke then warre with great labour effected And so Aetius left them againe once more freed and defended from their enemies advising them from thence forth to invre and employ their own forces without any more expectation of succour from the Romans who overwrought with other businesse could not attend affaires that lay so farre off No sooner had the enemy intelligence of the departure of these succours but on they came not with standing this fortification battered down the wall overthrew the defenders and harrowed the Country worse then before Wherevpon againe this miserable people send to Aetius vsing these words To Aetius thrice Consull the sighes of the Brittains and after thus complaine The barbarous enemy beates vs to the Sea the Sea beates vs backe to the enemy beiweexe these two kinds of deaths we are either murdered or drowned But their implorations prevailed not for Aetius at that time had enough to do to keep his own head and Valentinian the Empire which now indured the last convulsions of a dying State having all the parts and Provinces thereof miserably rent and torne with the violences of strange nations So that this was also in the fate of Brittaine to be first made known to perish by and with the Roman State Which never suffering the people of this Land to haue any vse or knowledge of Armes within their own Countrey left them vpon their owne dissolution naked and exposed to all that would assaile them The end of the Romans government in Brittaine And so ended the Roman Government in Brittaine which from their first invasion by Iulius Caesar to this Valentinianus the third had continued the space of fiue hundred yeares In all which time we finde but these seven Brittish Kings nominated to haue raigned Theomantius Cunobelinus Guiderius Aruiragus Marius Choelus lastly Lucius who is crowned with immortall honour for planting Christian Religion within this Anno 443. Land All other from Lucius to Vortigern who succeeds this relinquishment were Roman governours This is briefly so much of especiall note as I can collect out of the Roman historie concerning the State and government of Brittain finding else-where little certaintie and from hence forth during their short possession of this Land farre lesse Whereof Gildas the Brittain complaines laying the cause on the barbarism of their enemies who Gildas de excidio Britaniae had destroyed all their monuments and memorials of times past And though himselfe wrote about forty yeares after the invasion of the Saxons and was next these times we come now to remember yet hath hee left in his enigmaticall passions so small light thereof as we discerne very little thereby Nor hath the Brittaines any honour by that antiquity of his which over-blacks them with such vgly desormities as we can see no part cleere accusing them to be neither strong in peace nor faithfull in war and vniversally casts those aspersions on their manners as if he laboured to inveigh not to informe And though no doubt there was as ever is in these periods of States a concurrencie of disorder and a generall loosenesse of disposition that met with the fulnesse of time yet were there no doubt some mixtures of worth and other notions of that age wherewith after-times would haue beene much pleased to haue had acquaintance But it seemes his zeale and passion in that respect wider then his charity tooke vp the whole roome of his vnderstanding to whom the reverence of antiquity and his title of Sapiens doth now giue Sanctuary and we must not presume to touch him Such was the State of Brittain left without Armes or order when Vortigern either Anno 450. by vsurpation or faction became King and is said to be the author of the first calling in or imploying being in the Saxons to make good his owne establishment and the Vortigern cals in the Saxons safty of his Kingdom against the Picts and Scots The Saxons at this time possest the third part of Germany holding all the Countrey betweene the Rivers Rhene and Elue bounded on the North by the Ballique Sea and the Ocean On the South by Silua Hircinia and deuided by the riuer Visargis into Ostphalia and Westphalia gouerned by an Optimacie of twelue Princes with an election A description of the State of the Saxons of a Soueraigne leader for the businesse of warre This beeing so spacious populous and neere a Country well furnisht with shipping which the Brittaines had not yeelded euer plentifull meanes to supply the vndertakers of this action which were first two brothers Hengist and Horsa withall necessarie prouisions vpon euery fit occasion After they had been here a while as stipendaries and finding the debility of Prince people their number soone increased And first
alteration though in the best kinde with this change of State And to giue entertainment to deuotion hee did all he could to furnish his Church with the most exquisite ornaments might be procured added a more State and conueniencie to the structure of religious houses and beganne the founding of Hospitals Hauing long struggled with indefatigable labour to hold things in an euen course during the whole raigne of this busie new state-building King and after his death seeing his successor in the Crowne established especially by his meanes to faile his expectation out of the experience of worldly causes deuining of future mischiefes by present courses grew much to lament with his friends the teadiousnesse of life which shortly after hee mildly left which such a sicknesse as neither hindred his speech nor memory a thing he would often desire of God William Fiz Auber as is deliuered was a principall councellor and instument in this action for England wherein hee furnished forty ships at his owne charge A man of great meanes yet of a heart greater and a hand larger then any meanes would well suffice His profuse liberalities to men of armes gaue often sharpe offence to the King who could not indure any such improuident expences Amongst the Lawes hee William Fitz Auber Earle of Hereford made Lawes in his Prouince made which shewes the power these Earles then had in their Prouinces he ordained That in the Countie of Hereford no man of or souldiour should bee fined for anie offence whatsoeuer aboue seuen shillings when in other Countries vpon the least occasion of disobeying their Lords will they were forced to pay 20. or 25. shil But his estate seeming to beare no proportion with his minde enough it was not to be an eminent Earle an especiall Councellor in all the affaires of England and Normandie a chiefe fauorite to so great a Monarch but that larger hopes drew him away designing to marrie Richeld Countesse dowager of Flanders and to haue the gouernment of that Countrie during the non-age of Arnulph her sonne of whom with the King of France he had the tutelarie charge committed by Baldouin the sixth Father to Arnulph whose estate Robert Le Frison his Vncle called by the people to the gouernment vpon the exactions inflicted on them by Richeld had vsurped And against him Fitz Auber opposing was with Arnulph surprized and slaine And this was in the fate of the Conqueror to see most of all these great men who had beene the especiall actors in all his fortunes spent and extinct before him As Beaumont Monfort Harcourte Hugh de Gourney Vicount Neele Hugh de Mortimer Conte de Vannes c. And now himselfe after his being brought sicke to Rouan and there disposing The death of William the first his estate ended also his act in the 74 yeare of his age and the one and twenty of his raigne Three dayes the Corpes of this great Monarch is sayd to haue layne neglected while his seruants attended to imbessill his moueables in the end his yongest sonne Henry had it conueyed to the Abbey of Cane where first at the entry into the Towne they His Corps lay vnburied 3. dayes who carried the Corpes left it alone and ran all to quench a house on fire Afterward brought to be intombed a Gentleman stands sorth and in sterne manner forbids the interment in that place claiming the ground to be his inheritance descended from his His interment hindered Ancestors and taken from him at the building of that Abbey appealing to Row their first founder for Iustice whereupon they were faine to compounded with him for an Annuall rent Such adoe had the body of him after death who had made so much in his life to be brought to the earth and of all he attained had not now a roome to containe him without being purchased at the hand of another men esteeming a liuing Dogge more then a dead Lyon He had a faire issue by Maude his wife foure sonnes and sixe daughters To Robert His issue his eldest he left the Duchy of Normandy to William the third sonne the Kingdome of England to Henry the yongest his treasure with an annuall pension to be payd him by his brothers Richard who was his second sonne and his darling a Prince of great hope was slaine by a Stagge hunting in the new Forrest and began the fatalnesse that followed in that place by the death of William the second there slaine with an arrow and of Richard the sonne of Robert Duke of Normandy who brake his necke His eldest daughter Cicilie became a Nunne Constance married to the Earle of Brittaine Adula to Stephen Earle of Biois who likewise rendred her selfe a Nunne in her age such was then their deuotion and so much were these solitary retires affected by the greatest Ladies of those times Gundred married to William de Warrein the first Earle of Surrey the other two Ela or Adeliza and Margaret died before marriage Now what he was in the circle of himselfe in his owne continent we find him of The description of William the first an euen stature comely personage of good presence riding sitting or standing till his corpulency increasing with age made him somewhat vnwildy of so strong a constitution as he was neuer sickly till a few moneths before his death His strength such as few men could draw his Bow and being about 50. of his age when he subdued this Kingdome it seemes by his continuall actions he felt not the weight of yeares vpon him till his last yeare What was the composition of his mind we see it the fairest drawne in his actions and how his abilities of Nature were answerable to his vndertakings of Fortune as pre-ordained for the great worke he effected And though he might haue some aduantage of the time wherein we often see men preuaile more by the imbecility of others then their owne worth yet let the season of that world be well examined and a iust measure taken of his actiue vertues they will appeare of an exceeding proportion Nor wanted he those incounters and concurrencies of sufficient â—â—â—le Princes to put him to the triall thereof Hauing on one side the French to grapple withall on the other the Dane farre mightier in people and shipping then himselfe strongly sided in this Kingdome as eager to recouer their former footing here as euer and as well or better prepared His deuotion and mercy For his deuotion and mercy the brightest starres in the Spheare of Maiesty they appeare aboue all his other vertues and the due obseruation of the first the Clergie that loued him not confesse the other was seene in the often pardoning and receiuing into grace those who rebelled against him as if he held submission satisfactory for the greatest offence and sought not to defeit men but their enterprises For we find but one Noble man executed in all his Raigne and that was the Earle Waltheof who But
to all the pious vndertakers that none were esteemed to containe any thing of worth which would stay behind Each giues hand to other to leade them along and example addes number The forwardnesse of so many great Princes passing away Peter the Hermit gets 300000 men to recouer the Holy Land their whole estates and leauing all what the deerenesse of their Country contained drew to this warre 300000 men all which though in armes passed from diuerse Countries and Ports with that quietnesse as they seemed rather Pilgrimes than Souldiers Godefrey of Bouillon Nephew and heire to the Duke of Lorraine a generous Prince bred in the warres of the Emperour Henry the fourth was the first that offered vp himselfe to this famous voyage and with him his two brothers Eustace and Baudouin by whose examples were drawne Hugh le Grand Count de Vermondois brother to Philip King of France Robert Duke of Normandy Robert le Frison Earle of Flanders Stephen Earle of Blois and Chartres Aimar Bishop of Puy William Bishop of Orange Raimond Earle of Tholouse Baudouin Earle of Hainaut Baudouin Earle of Rethel and Garnier Earle of Gretz Harpin Earle of Bourges Ysoard Earle of Die Ramband Earle of Orange Guillaum Conte de Forests Stephen Conte de Aumaul Hugh Earle of Saint Pol Rotron Earle of Perche and others These were for France Germany and the Countries adioyning Italie had Bohemond Duke of Apulia and England Beauchampe with others whose names are lost Spaine onely had none being afflicted at that time with the Sarazins Most of all these Princes and great personages to furnish themselues for this expedition 1097. Anno. Reg. 10. sold or ingaged their possessions Godefrey sold the Dutchie of Bologne to Aubert Bishop of Liege and Metz to the Citizens besides he sold the Castle of Sarteney and Monsa to Richard Bishop of Verdun and to the same Bishop Baudouin his brother sold the Earledome of Verdun Eustace likewise sold all his liuelihood to the Church Herpin Earle of Bourges his Earledome to Philip King of France and Robert morgaged his Dutchie of Normandie the Earledome of Maine and all hee had to his brother King William of England Whereby the Pope not onely weakened the Empire with whom the Church had to the great affliction of Christendome held a long and bloudie businesse about the inuestitures of Bishops tooke away and infeobled his partisans abated as if by Ostrocisme the power of any Prince that might oppose him but also aduanced the State Ecclesiasticall by purchasing these great tempo more honorable for the sellers then the buyers vnto a greater meanes then euer For by aduising the vndertakers seeing their action was for CHRIST and his Church rather to make ouer their estates to the Clergie of whom they might againe redeeme the same and bee sure to haue the fayrest dealing then vnto Lay men he effected this worke Whereby the third part of the best Fiefs in France came to bee possest by the Clergie and afterward vpon the same occasion many things more sold vnto them in England especially when Richard the first vndertooke the voyage who passed ouer diuers Mannors to Hugh Bishop of Durham and also for his mony created him Earle of Durham as appeares in his life This humor was kept vp and in motion almost 300 yeares notwithstanding all An Emperour of Germany 2 Kings of France with their wiues a King of England and a King of Norwey went all thither in person the discouragements by the difficulties in passing the disasters there through contagion arising from a disagreeing clime and the multitudes of indigent people cast oftentimes into miserable wants It consumed infinit Treasure and most of the brauest men of all our West world and especially France For Germanie and Italie those who were the Popes friends and would haue gone were stayed at home by dispensation to make good his partie against the Emperour who notwithstanding still strugled with him but in the end by this meanes the Pope preuailed Yet these were not all the effects this voyage wrought the Christians who went out to seeke an enemy in Asia brought one thence to the daunger of all Christendome and the losse of the fairest part thereof For this long keeping it in a warre that had many intermissions with firs of heates and coldnesses as made by a league consisting of seuerall Nations emulous and vnconcurrent in their courses taught such as were of an entire bodie their weakenesses and the way to conquer them This was the great effect this voyage wrought And by this meanes King William here was now ridde of an elder brother and a Competitor had the possession of Normandy during his raigne and more absolutenesse and irregularity in England Where now in making vp this great summe to pay Robert he vsed all the extreme meanes could be deuised as hee had done in all like businesses before Whereby he incurred the hatred of his people in generall and especially of the Clergie being the first King which shewed his successors an euill precedent of keeping their Liuings vacant and receiuing the profits of them himselfe as he did that of Canterbury foure yeares after the death of Lanfranc and had holden it longer but that being dangerously sicke at Glocester the sixth yeare of his raigne his Clergie in the weakenesse of his body tooke to worke vpon his minde so as hee vowed 1099. Anno. Reg. 12. vpon his recouerie to see all vacancies furnished which he did but with so great adoe as shewed that hauing escaped the daunger hee would willingly haue deceiued the Saint And Anselme an Italian borne though bred in Normandy is in the end preferred to that Sea But what with his owne stiffenesse and the Kings standing on his regalitie he neuer enioyed it quietly vnder him For betweene them two began the first contestation about the inuestitures of Bishops and other priuiledges of the Church which gaue much to doe to many of his successors Anselme not yeelding to the Kings will forsooke the Land whereupon his Bishopricke was re-assumed and the King held in his hands at one time besides that of Canterburie the Bishoprickes of Winchester Sarum and eleuen Abbayes whereof he tooke all the profits He vsually sold all spirituall preferments those would giue most and tooke fines of Priests for fornication he vexed Robert Bluet Bishop of Lincolne in suite till hee payd him 5000 pounds And now the Clergie vpon this taxe complaying their wants were answered That they had Shrines of Gold in their Churches and for so holy a worke as this warre against infidels they should not spare them Hee also tooke money of Iewes to cause such of them as were conuerted to renounce Christianity as making more benefit The Kings shew of religion by their vnbeleefe then their conuersion Wherein hee discouered the worst peece of his nature Irreligion Besides his great taxations layd on the Layetie he set informers vpon them and for The antiquity 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
intelligence with the Archbishop of Collen As Iohn of Oxford Richard Iuechester Richard de Lucie Iosslin Balliol Alan de Neuile and with these all such as had entred vpon the goods of the Church of Canterbury which hee called the patrimony of the Crusifex and the foode of the poore and these were Ralph de Brocke Hugh Saint Clare and Thomas Fitz Barnard Thus are both sides busied in this drie warre wherein though there were no sword yet it gaue vexation ynough And yet this was not all the worke that tooke vp the Kings time for during this dissention the Welsh againe reuolt and to supresse them he spent much labour with The King represses the Welch the losse of many great men and was himselfe in that daunger as had not Hubert Saint Clere receiued a wounde for him by an Arrow aymed directly at his person hee had there finished his part In this expedition hee is sayd to haue vsed extreame crueltie After this hee passes into Normandie to bee neere his businesse which now lay all on that side And first to entertaine the opinion of Pictie though hee were falne out with the Pope hee obtaines at an Assembly of his Bishops and Barons of Normandie 1166. Anno. Reg. 13. two pence in the pound of euery mans Lands and goods to beepayde that yeare 1166. and a penny of euery pound to be payde for foure yeares following which was leuied for the reliefe of the Christians in the Holy warre and sent vnto them Then hee raises forces and takes in certaine Castles in the Countrey of Maine and Marches of Brittaine from diuers Lords and Barons that had disobayed him And whilst he was busie abroade Mathew sonne to the Earle of Flanders who had married the Lady Marie Abbesse of Ramsey daughter to King Stephen had by her the Country of Bologne attempted something on the Coast of England either to try the affections of the people or to make spoyle and booty but without any effect at all the King being to mighty for any such weake vndertaker And to distend his powre yet wider falls out this occasion Conan Earle of Britaine dies and leaues one onely daughter which hee had by his wife Constance daughter to the King of Scots to succeed him in his State The King of England being then in armes vpon the Marches of Brittaine deales with the Guardians of the young Ladie to match her to his third sonne Geffry The nobility of that Country being then of a rough and haughty disposition giuen to fewds and perpetuall quarrelling one with another were wrought vpon and a side is wonne of such as could doe most in this businesse which is effected to the great contentation of the King of England This fell out to be in the 13 yeare of his raigne wherein as some write died his Mother Maud the Empresse a Lady of an high and actiue Spirit illustrious by her birth but more by her first match and most by her sonne whom she liued to see established in all these mighty States in the glory of Greatnesse Peace Fertile in issue hauing now The death of Maude the Empresse had 4 sonnes and 3 daughters linkes of loue and strength oftentimes in priuate families though seldome in Princes and shee left him in the best time of his daies before any great tempest ouertooke him Three yeares after this hee imployes most in France about the ordering and cleering the bounds of his Dominions from vsurpation or incrochments of neighbour Lords whom his greatnesse held all in awe and they must haue no more then hee would especially hee settles and reformes the State of Brittaine which was much out of order and in muteny about the late Match which being appeased hee keepes a solemne Christmas at Nants and Royally feasts the Nobilitie of the Countrey 1169. Anno. Reg. 16. Then returnes he into England where least Peace by reason of his long and often absence might afflict and corrupt his subiects he lookes to that Diuine and Almighty worke of Kings the administration of Iustice appoynting certaine commissioners as Syndicqs to examine the abuses and excesses committed by his Officers and grieuously Extortion and Bribety punished punishes the Shriefes of the Land for extortion and bribery His Easter he keepes at Windsor whither repaires vnto him William King of Scots who lately succeeded Malcom his brother and brings with him his younger brother Dauid both to congratulate the King of Englands returne and also continue his claime to those peeces in the North which hee pretended to bee vniustly detained from that Crowne The King entertaines him as hee had done his brother with faire words and tells him How it was not in his powre to doe any thing therein without the consent of the State in Parliament which if hee would attend there should bee that course taken as hee hoped might giue him satisfaction In expectation whereof this King came often into England and once attended the King in an expedition into France as his Predecesor had done But now all this while the wrath of the Church continues and the clowde hangs still ouer him dayly threatning the great thunder-bolt Although it seemes the Pope of himselfe was not verie forward to proceede to that extremity but would gladly haue quieted the Archbishoppe otherwise Who hee sayd had taken an ill time for this businesse the King being mighty and the Church in trouble and therefore writes The Pope writes to the Bishops of England he his letters to the Bishop of London and Hereford willing them to deale effectually with the King and to admonish him to desist from intruding vpon the liberties of the Church and to restore the Archbishop to his Sea and Dignity The Bishops wisely answere the Popes Letter in substance thus Wee haue sayd they done your Holinesse message and as much as was decent for the Maiestie The Bishops answere to the Popes Letter if a King instantly vrged him to satisfie your desire made by vs and if hee had erred from the way of truth and Iustice that hee would not delay to returne thereunto that hee would not inhibit such as were desirous to visit the Church of Rome hinder Appeales oppresso Churches and Churchmen or suffer others so to doe that hee would call home our Father the Archbishoppe c. and persist in the workes of Pietie that hee by whom Kings raigne might preserue vnto him his temporall Kingdome and giue him an eternall in Heauen and that vnlesse hee would yeelde to your Holy admonitions you who had hitherto indured could in patience forbeare no longer Besides we added this of our selues how it was to bee feared if hee amended not his errours his Kingdome would not long stand nor his prosper The King receiued your admonitions with manie thankes much Temperance and Modestie and answeres to euerie point First hee protested that in no sort hee auerted his minde from your Holinesse nor euer purposed so to
onely hold Pietie guilty otherwise those times had not yeelded it The King sends likewise Hugh Bishop of Duresme with other Commissioners to William King of Scots to collect the tenthes in his Countrey which he would not permit Prouision by king Henry in England but offered to giue the King of England fiue thousand Markes of siluer for those tenthes and the Castle which he claimed but the King of England refused the same Whilst these preparations were in hand and the mony collecting a quarrell arises betweene Richard Earle of Poictou and Raymond Earle of Tholouse vpon this occasion 1187. Anno. Reg. 33. The Earle of Tholouse by the perswasion of one Peter Suillar had taken certaine Merchants of Aquitaine and vsed them hardly The Earle of Poictou surprises this Peter imprisons him and would not suffer the Earle of Tholouse to redeeme him vpon any condition Whereupon the Earle imprisons two Gentlemen seruants of the King of Englands Robert and Raph Poer trauelling through his Countrey as Pilgrimes from S. Iames de Compostella which Earle Richard tooke so ill as he enters into the Earles countrey with an Army prepared for a better act wastes it with fire and sword besieges A meane quarell dashes and diuerts the great preparation for the holy warre and layes it vpon the selfe kingdomes and takes his Castles about Tholouse The King of France vpon the lamentable complaint of the Tholousians sends to the King of England to vnderstand whether his son Richard did these things by his will and Councell The King of England answers That he neither willed nor counselled him thereunto and that his sonne sent him word by the Archbishop of Dublin that he did nothing but by the consent of the King of France Who not satisfied with this answer enters presently into Bery with his Army seases vpon the Countrey takes in diuers Castles of the King of Englands who makes himselfe ready to recouer the same And thus that great intended enterprise vndertaken with such feruor became dasht and ouerthrowne at the very time they appointed to haue set forward All the meanes the Pope could vse by his Legates nor all the perswasions of other Princes might preuaile to reconsile these two inraged Kings though diuerse enteruiewes 1188. Anno. Reg. 34. were procured diuerse ouertures propounded yet none tooke effect they euer depart more incensed then they met in so much as at length the King of France in a rage cut downe the great Elme betweene Gisors and Try vnder which the Kings of France and Dukes of Normandy were euer vsed to parle and swore There should be The King of France cuts downe the most eminent Elme of Princely parley no more meetings in that place But yet after this they were brought to another parle elsewhere and therein the Popes Legate threatned to interdict the King of France vnlesse he made peace with the King of England The King of France told him that he feared not his sentence being grounded vpon no equity and that it appertained not to the Church of Rome by sentence or otherwise to chastice the Kingdome or King of France vndertaking to reuenge the demerits of the rebellious that dishonored his Crowne and flatly told the Cardinall That he smelled of the Sterlings of England This enteruiew wrought a worse effect then all the rest for here the King of England absolutely refuses to render Alice to his sonne Richard but offered to the King Earle Richard with the King of France com bine against his father king Henry 2. of France to giue her to his sonne Iohn with larger conditions then should be granted with the other which so much alienated the heart of his sonne Richard as he becomes wholly Liegeman to the King of France did homage vnto him for Aquitaine and they both ioyne their forces against the father And here now comes this mighty King of England the greatest of all the Christian world in his time or that the Kingdome euer saw to fall quite asunder forsaken both of his subiects and himselfe letting downe his heart to yeeld to any conditions whatsoeuer he who neuer saw feare but in the backe of his enemies leaues now the defence of Mans and flies away with seuen hundreth men hauing promised the Citty neuer to giue it ouer in regard his Father was there buried and himselfe borne and afterward comes to his last parle with the King of France betweene Turwin and Arras where at their first meeting no man suspecting the wrath a thunder-bolt with so terrible a cracke lighted iust betweene them as it parted their conference in a confused manner for that time Within a while after they came together againe when suddenly began as fearefull 1189. Anno. Reg. 35. a thunder as the former which so amased the King of England as he had falne off from his horse had he not beene supported by those about him And in this sort beganne the Proem of that Treaty wherein the King of England yeelds to all whatsoeuer conditions the King of France required did him homage againe for all his dominions on that side both kings hauing at the beginning of this warre renounced their mutuall obligation in that kind renders vp Alice for whom he had beene so much loden with scandall and turmoyle vpon condition she should be giuen in marriage to his sonne Richard at his returne from the holy warre and in the meane time to remaine in the custody of any one of fiue whom Richard would nominate grants that fealty be giuen vnto him of all his Dominions and pardons all his partakers Besides couenants to pay the King of France 20000 Markes of siluer for dammage done during these last warres And that if he should not performe these Articles his Barons should sweare to renounce him and betake them to the part of the King of France and Earle Richard And for more caution hee yeeldes to deliuer vp the Cities of Mans and Tureyn with diuerse Castles into their Hands c. And here was an end of this businesse and within three daies after of this kings life whose heart not made of that temper to bow burst with the weight of a declining fortune Some few howers before he died he saw a list of their names who conspired with the King of France and Earle Richard against him and finding therein his sonne Iohn His death to be the first fals into a grieuous passion both cursing his sonnes and the day wherein himselfe was borne and in that distemprature departs this world which so often himselfe had distempered hauing reigned 39. yeares 7. moneths and 5. dayes His sonne Richard approching the Corps as it was carrying to be interred adorned according to the manner of Kings with all royall ornaments open faced the bloud 1189. Anno. Reg. 35. gushed out of the nostrils of the dead a signe vsually noted of guiltinesse as if Nature yet after death retained some intelligence in the veines to giue
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
it was opened veines for more to follow and procured a most hidious reuenge which shortly after insued Thus is the beame of power turned and Regality now in the heuier scale weighes downe all And presently vpon this Maister-worke the King both to busie the mindes of his people and to Keepe their hands doing whilst the terrour thereof lasted marches from Yorke with a mighty hoast but small prouisions into Scotland Where the Scots conuaying themselues and all succours out of his way put that want vppon him as confounded his great Armie without blowes forcing him to returne with much dishonour And hauing passed farre within his owne Countrie they assayled him at vnawares and had like to haue taken his person as well as they did The Kings ill successe in Scotland his treasure with the Earle of Richmond with whom hauing miserably ransackt all the Countrie ouer euen to the walles of Yorke they returne loaden with mighty Reg. 16. Anno. 1323. spoyles safe into Scotland this was the successe of this vnfortunate King not borne for triumphes in his third Scottish expedition And now being at leasure in a calmer homour it seemes hee began to haue a sense of the Execution of the Earle of Lancaster which hee discouers vpon this occasion Some about him making earnest sute to grant a pardon to one of the Earles followers a man of meane estate and pressing him hard thereunto hee falles into a great passion exclayming against them as vniust and wicked Councellors which would vrge him so to saue the life of a most notorious varlet and would not speak one word for his neare kinsman the Earle of Lancaster who saide hee had hee liued might haue been vsefull to mee and the whole kingdome but this fellowe the longer hee liues the more mischiefe hee will commit and therefore by the soule of God hee shall die the death hee hath deserued Sir Andrew Harckley who was the man which tooke prisoner the Earle of Lancaster at Burrough Brigges being aduanced for his seruice to the Earledome of Carliel inioyed his honour but a while for the next yeare after either thrust out into discontent by the Spencers enuying his high The E. of Carleil degraded executed preferment or combyning with the Scots allured with the hope of a great Match as he was accused is degraded of all his honours drawne hangd and quartered at London for treason and remaines amongst the examples of sodaine downefalls from high places vnder an inconstant and ill gouerning Prince Occasion drew on a Parlement to consult amongst other important businesses Reg. 17. An. 1324. concerning the Sommons lately sent to King Edward from the new King of France Charles le Bel who succeded his brother Phillip le Long to come and doe his homage For Gascoine and it was by the common consent of all decreed that the King shoould not goe in person at that time but send some especiall men to excuse or deferre A Parlement his appearance Besides in this Parlement the King required a Subsedie both of the Cleargie and Laitie for the redemption of Iohn Brittaine Earle of Richmond lately taken prisoner The King is denied a Subsidie by the Scots But it was denied and alleadged that no contribution ought of right to be made but for the redemption of the King the Queene or Prince and so nothing was there gotren but more displeasure The Bishop of Hereford was arrested and accused of high The Bishop of Hereford accused of treason treason before the King and his Councell for ayding the Kings enemies in their late rebellion but hee refused to answere being a consecrated Bishop without leaue of the Archbishop of Canterbury whose Suffragan hee was and who hee saide was his direct Iudge next the Pope or without the consent of the rest of his fellow Bishops who then all arose and humbly craued the Kings clemencie in his behalfe but finding He refused to answere him implacable they tooke away their fellowe Bishop from the Barre and deliuered him to the custodie of the Archbishop of Canterbury till some other time the King should appoint for his answere to what hee was charged withall Shortly after hee was againe taken and conuented as before which the Cleargie vnderstanding The B. taken from the Bar. the Archbishops Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with ten other Bishops all which with their Crosses erected went to the place of iudgement and againe tooke him away with them charging all men vpon paine of excommunication to forbeare to lay violent hands on him with which audacious act the King was much displeased and presently commanded inquirie to bee made ex officio Iudicis concerning those obiections against the Bishop wherein he was found guilty though absent and had all his goods and possessions seised into the Kings hands This act lost him the Clergie and added power to the discontented partie which The B. being absent is condemned ex officio was now growne to bee all in generall except the Spencers and their followers who inriched with the spoyles of the Barons gouerned all at their pleasure selling the Kings fauours and shutting him vp from any others but where they pleased to shew The presumption of the Spencers him and in this violence which knowes no bounds they presume to abridge the Queene of her maintenance and lessened her houshold traine which was the rocke whereon they perished The proceeding of the King of France against the King of England for the omission of his homage was growne so farre as that all his territories there were adiudged to bee forfeited and many places of importance seised on by the French The Earle of Kent sent into Gascoine whereuppon Edmond Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent into Gasconie but to little effect the King of France was before hand his power ready and his people in those parts yeelding that way where they saw most force So that either the King of England must goe in person to appease this trouble or send his Queene to her brother to mediate an accord otherwise all was there in danger to be lost For the Kings going in person the Spencers held it vnsafe both for him and them if hee should leaue his kingdome at home in so great and generall discontent as then it was Wherefore the Queene with a small traine is sent ouer to accomodate the The Queen is sent to accomodate the businesse of France businesse which shee negotiates so well as all quarrells should bee ended vppon condition the of King England would giue to his sonne Edward the Duchy of Aquitaine with the Earledom of Ponthieu and send him ouer to doe homage for the same which after many consultations the King is wrought to yeeld vnto The Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of the King The Prince is sent to doe his Homage for the Duchy of Aquitaine of France where hee