made a perpetuall circulation or reuolution of our soules much like vnto the continuall motion of the heauens which neuer stande stil nor long yeeld one representatioÌ„ and figure They brought in also the woorshipping of many goddes and their seuerall sacrifices Oke honored wheron mistle did grow so doe our sorcerers euen to this day thinking some spirits to deale about the same for hidden tresure they honoured likewyse the Oke wheron the Mistle groweth and daily deuised infinitie other toyes for errour is neuer assured of hir owne dooinges wherof neyther Samothes nor Sarron Magus nor Druiyus did leaue them any prescription These things are partly touched by Cicero Strabo Plinie Sotion Laertius Theophrast Aristotle and partly also by Caesar and other authours of later time who for the most part do coÌ„fesse y t the chiefe schoole of the Druiydes was holden here in Britaine whether the Druiydes also themselues that dwelt amoÌ„g the Galles woulde often resorte to come by the more skill and sure vnderstanding of the misteries of that doctrine Estimation of the Druiyâ—… or Drâ—… priestâ—… Furthermore in Britaine and among the Galles and to saye the truth generally in all places where the Druiysh religion was frequented such was thestimatioÌ„ of the Priestes of this profession that there was little or nothing done without their skilfull aduise no not in ciuill causes pertayning to the regiment of the common wealth and countrey They had the charge also of all sacrifices publicke and priuate they interpreted Oracles preached of religion and were neuer without great numbers of yoong men that hearde theÌ„ with great diligence as they taught froÌ„ time to time Touching their persons also Immuâ—…ty of the clergy â—â—ter vndâ—… Idolaâ—… then vnder the gospell they were exempt from all temporal seruices impositioÌ„s tributes and exercise of the warres which immunitie caused the greater companies of Schollers to flocke vnto theÌ„ from all places learne their trades Of these likewise some remayned with them seuen eyght tenne or twelue yeares still learning the secretes of those vnwritten mysteries by heart which were to be had amongst them and commonly pronounced in verses And this policie as I take it they vsed onely to preserue their religion from contempt where into it might easye haue fallen if any bookes thereof had happened into the hands of the commoÌ„ sorte It helped also not a little in y e exercise of their memories where vnto bookes are vtter enemies insomuch as he that was skillfull in the Druiysh religion would not let readily to rehearse many hundredes of verses and not to fayle in one tytle in the whole processe of this his laborious repetition But as they dealt in this order for matters of their religioÌ„ so in ciuill affaires historical Treatises setting downe of lawes they vsed like order and letters almost with the Grecians wherby it is easy to be séene that they retayned this kinde of writing froÌ„ Druiyus the originall founder of their religion and that this yland hath not béene voyde of letters and learned men euen sith it was first inhabited After the death of Druiyus Bardus Bardus his sonne and fift king of the Celtes succéeded not onely ouer the sayde kingdome but also in his fathers vertues whereby if is very likely that the winding and wrapping vp of the sayde Religion after the afore remembred sorte into Verse was first deuysed by hym for he was an excellent Poet and no lesse indued with a singular skill in the practise and speculatioÌ„ of Musicke of which twoo many suppose him to be the very author and beginner although vniustly sith both Poetry Song was in vse before the floude Gene. 4. vers 21. as was also the Harpe and Pype which Iubal inuented and coulde neuer be performed without great skil in musicke But to procéede as the chiefe estimation of the Druiydes remained in the ende among the Britons only for their knowledge in religion so dye the same of the Bardos for their excelleÌ„t skill in musike and Heroicall kind of song which at the first contayned only the high misteries of their religion There was little difference also betwéene them and the Druiydes â—…he Barâ—… degeâ—…rate till they so farre degenerated from their first institutioÌ„ that they became to be minstrels at feastes droncken meetings and abhominable sacrifices of the Idols where they sang most commonly no diuinitie as before but the noble actes of valiaunt princes and fabulous narratioÌ„s of the adulteries of the gods Certes in my tyme this fonde vsage and therto the very name of the Bardes are not yet extinguished amoÌ„g the Britons of Wales where they call their Poetes Musiciâ—…ns Barthes as they doe also in Irelande There is moreouer an Islande appertinent to the region of Venedotia wherinto the Bardes of old time vsed to resorte as out of the waye into a solitarie place there to write and learne their songes by hearte and meditate vppon such matters as belonged to their practises And of these Lucane in his first booke writeth thus among other the like sayinges well towarde the latter ende also saying â—…cane â—… 1. Vos quoque qui fortes animas belloque peremptat Laudibus in longum vates dimittitis euum Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi Et vos barbaricos ritus moremque sinistrum Sacrorum Druiydae positis reque pistis ab armis Solis nosse Deos coeli numina vobis Aut solis nescire datum nemora alta remotis Incolitis lucis Vobis authoribus vmbrae Non tacit as erebi sedes ditisque profundi Pallida regna petunt regit idem spiritus artus Orbe alio Longae canitis si cognita vitae Mors media est certe populi quos despicit arctos Foelices errore suo quos ille timorum Maximus haud vrget leti metus inde ruendi In ferrum mens prona viris animaeque capaces Mortis ignuum est redituirae parcere vitae Thus we see as in a glasse the state of religion for a tyme after the first inhabitacion of this Islande but howe long it continued in such soundnesse as the originall authors left it in good sooth I caÌ„ not say yet this is most certaine that after a time when Albion arriued here the religion earst imbraced fell into great decaye for wheras Iaphet and Samothes with their childreÌ„ taught nothing else then such doctrine as they had learned of Noah so Cham the great grandfather of this our Albion and his disciples vtterly renouncing to followe their steps gaue their mindes wholly to seduce and leade their hearers hedlong vnto all error Wherby his posteritie not only corrupted this our Islande with most filthie trades and practises but also all mankinde generally where they became with vicious life and most vngodly behauiour For from Cham and his successours procéeded at the first all sorcery witchcraft what doctrine ChaÌ„ and his disciples taught and the execution of vnlawfull
the huge proportion of their stature sithens as before is sayd that age brought foorth far greater men than are now liuing as also for that they were the firste or at the least the furthest in remembrance of any that had inhabited this countrey For this word Gigines or rather Gegines from whence our word giant as some take it is deriued is a greek word and signifieth borne or bred of or in the earth for our foreelders specially the Gentiles being ignorant of the true beginning of mankind were perswaded that the first inhabitaunts of any couÌ„trey were bred out of the earth and therfore when they could go no higher reckening the discented of their predecessours Terraefilius vvhat is â—…s â—â—fyeth they wold name him Terraefilius the sonne of the earth and so the Giants which the Poets fain to haue sought to make batayle against heauen are called the sonnes of the earth and the first inhabitantes generally of euery countrey wer of the Grekes called Gigines or Gegines and of the Latines Aborigines Aborigines Indiganâ—… and Indiganae that is people borne of the earth from the beginning and coÌ„ming from no other countrey but bred within the same And these Giaunts and first inhabitauntes of thys Isle continued in their beastly kinde of lyfe vnto the arriuall of the Ladies whiche some of our chronicles ignorantly write to be the daughters of Dioclesian the king of Assiria wheras in dede they haue bene deceiued in taking the worde Danaus to bee short written for Dioclesianus The mystakâ—… of the 〈◊〉 Dioclesianus Danaus and by the same meanes haue dyuers wordes and names bene mistaken bothe in our Chronicles and in diuerse other aunciente written woorkes But this is a faulte that learned men shoulde not so muche trouble themselues about considering the same hath bin alreadie founde by sundry authors long sithence as Hugh the Italiane Iohn Harding and Iohn Rouse of Warwicke Hughe the Italyan Hardyng Iohn Rous out of Dauid Pencair and others speciallye by the healpe of Dauid Pencair a Britishe historicien who recite the Historie vnder the name of Danaus and his daughters and bycause we would not any man to thinke that the historie of these daughters of Danaus is onely of purpose deuised brought in place of Dioclesian to excuse the imperfection of our writers whereas there was eyther no such historie or at the least no such women that arriued in this Isle Nennius the authoritie of Nennius a Briton writer may be auouched who wrote aboue ix C yeares past and maketh mencion of the arriuall of suche ladies Belus Priscus To bee shorte the Historie is thus Belus the sonne of Epaphus or as some wryters haue of Neptune and Libyes Dictionarium poeticum whom Isis after the death of Apis maried hadde issue two sonnes the first Danaus called also Armeus and Egyptus called also Rameses and these two were kings among the Egyptians Danaus Aegyptus Danaus the elder of the two hauyng in his rule the vpper region of Egypt Higinus had by sundry wiues .50 daughters whiche his brother Aegyptus gaping for the dominion of the whole did instantly desire that his sons being also .50 in number might matche with those fifty ladies But Danaus hauing knowledge by some prophecie or oracle that a sonne in law of his shoulde be his death refused so to bestowe his daughters Herevpon grew warre betwixt the brethreÌ„ in the end wherof Danaus being the weaker was inforced to flee his countrey whervpon he prepared a nauie imbarqued himselfe his daughters and with them passed ouer into Greece where he found meanes to dispossesse Gelenor sonne to Stenelas king of Argos of his rightfull inheritance driuing him oute of his countreye and reigned in his place by the assistance of the Argiues themselues that had conceyued an hatred towardes Gelenor and a great likyng towardes Danaus who in very deede did so farre excell the kings that had reigned there before hym that the Greekes in remembraunce of hym were after called Danai But his brother Aegyptus taking greate disdayne for that hee and his sonnes were in suche sorte despised of Danaus sente his sons with a greate armie to make warre on theyr Vncle giuing them in charge not to returne tyll they had eyther slayne Danaus or obteyned his daughters in mariage The yong Gentlemen accordyng to theyr fathers commaundemente beeing arriued in Greece made such warre agaynste Danaus that in the ende he was constrayned to gyue vnto those his fifty nephues his .50 daughters to ioyn with them in mariage so acordingly maried they were but as the prouerb sayth In trust appeared treacherie for the first night of the mariage Danaus deliuered to eche of his daughters a sworde chargyng them that when their husbands after their banquets and pastimes were once brought into a souÌ„d slepe eche of them should slea hir husband menacing them with death vnlesse they fulfilled his commaundement They all therfore obey the will of their father Hypermnestra onely excepted with whom preuayled more the loue of kinred and wedlock than the feare of hir fathers displeasure for shee alone spared the lyfe of hir husbande Lynceus wakening him out of his sleepe and warning hym to departe and flee into Egypt to his father He therfore hauing all the wicked practise reuealed to hym by his wyfe followed hir aduise and so escaped But when Danaus perceiued howe all his daughters had accomplished his coÌ„maundemeÌ„t sauing onely Hypermnestra Pausanias he caused hir to be brought forth into iudgemeÌ„t for disobeying him in a matter wherin both the safetie losse of his life rested but she was acquit by the Argiues and discharged howbeit hir father kept hir in prison and seeking to fynde oute other husbandes for his other daughters that hadde obeyed his pleasure in sleaing their firste husbandes long it was ere he coulde fynde any to matche with them for the heynous offence committed in the slaughter of their late husbandes was yet too freshe in memorie and their bloud not wiped out of mynde But yet neuerthelesse to bring his purpose the better to passe he made proclamation that his daughters should demaunde no ioynters and euery suter shuld take his choyce without respect to the age of the ladie or abilitie of him that came to make his choyce but so as fyrste come beste serued according to their owne phantasies and likings But when this policie also fayled and would not serue his turne he deuised a game of running ordeining therwith that who soeuer got the best price should haue the first choyce among all the sisters and he that got the second shuld choose next to the fyrst and so foorth eche one after an other accordyng to the tryall of theyr swyftenesse of foote How muche this practise auayled I knowe not but certain it is diuers of them were bestowed either by this means or by some other for we finde that Autonomes was maried to Architeles Chrysantas
that they were constrayned to keepe them within the I le of Tenet where he oftentymes assayled them with such shippes as he then had When Ronowen the daughter of Hengist perceyued the great losse that the Saxons susteyned by the martiall prowes of Vortimer shee found meanes that within a while the sayd Vortimer was poysoned after he had ruled the Brytayns by the space of sixe or seuen yeres and odde Monethes as William Har. reporteth By the Brytish Hystorie it should seeme that Vortimer before his death handled the Saxons so hardly keeping them besieeged within the I le of Tenet till at length they were constrayned to sue for licence to depart home into Germanie in safetie and the better to bring this to passe they sent Vortigerne whome they had kept styll with them in all these battayles vnto his sonne Vortimer to be a meane for the obteining of their sute But whilest this treatie was in hande they got them into theyr shippes and leauing theyr wyues and children behinde them returned into Germanie Thus farre Gal. Mon. But howe vnlikely this is to be true I will not make any further discourse but onely referre euery man to that whiche in olde autentique Hystoriographers of the Englishe Nation is found recorded as in William Malmes Henrie Hunt Marianus and others Vnto whome in these matters concerning the doings betwixt the Saxons and Brytaynes we may vndoubtedly safely giue most credite William Malmes wryting of this Vortimer or Guortigerne VVil. Malâ—… and of the warres which he made agaynst the Saxons varyeth in a maner altogither from Geffrey of Monmouth as by his wordes here following ye may perceyue Guortimer the sonne of Vortimer sayth he thinking not good long to dissemble the matter for that he sawe himselfe and his Countreymen the Brytayns preuented by the craft of the Englishe Saxons setteth his full purpose to dryue them out of the Realme and kyndleth his father to the like attempt He being therefore the Authour and procurer seuen yeares after their first comming into thyâ—… land the league was broken and by the space of xx yeres they fought oftentymes togither in many light encounters but foure times they fought puissance agaynste puissaunce in open fielde in the first battayle they departed with like fortune Hengist had the victorie this battaile sayth Râ—…llâ—… 458 Hors and Categerne 〈◊〉 whilest the one part that is to meane the Saxons lost their Captain Hors that was brother to Hengist and the Brytaynes lost Categerne an other of Vortigernes sonnes In the other battails when the Englishmen went euer away with the vpper hand at length a peace was concluded Guortimer being taken out of this worlde by course of fatall death the which muche differing from the softe and milde nature of his father right nobly would haue gouerned the realme if God had suffred him to haue liued But these battailes which Vortimer gaue to the Saxons as before is mentioned should appeare by that which some wryters haue recorded to haue chauÌ„ced before the supposed time of Vortimers or Guortimers atteyning to the crowne about the sixt or seuenth yeare after the first comming of the Saxons into this realme with Hengist And hereunto William Harison giueth his consent also in his Chronologie referring the mutuall slaughter of Horsus and Catigerne to the sixth yeare of Martianus and .455 of Christ Thus hath Polidore Virgile of the first breaking of the warres betwixt the Saxons and Britayns which chaunced not as should appeare by that which he wryteth thereof till after the death of Vortigerne Howbeit he denieth not y e Hengist at his first comming got seates for him and hys people within the Country of Kent and there began to inhabite This ought not to bee forgotten that king Vortimer as Sigebertus hath written restored the christian religion after he had vanquished the Saxons â—â—gebertus in such places where the same was decayed by the enimies inuasion Vortigerne the seconde time â—â— hath â—…at West 471 THen was Vortigerne agayne restored to the Kingdome of Brytayne in the yeare of our Lorde 471. All the tyme of his sonnes raigne he had remayned in the partyes nowe called Wales where as some wryte in that meane tyme hee buylded a strong Castell called Generon or Guanereu in the West side of Wales neare to the ryuer of Guana vpon a Mountayne called Cloaricus which some referre to be buylded in his second returne into Wales as shall be shewed hereafter And it is so much the more likely for that an olde Chronicle which Fabian had fight of affyrmeth that Vortigerne was kept vnder the rule of certayne Gouernours to hym appoynted in the towne of Caerlegion Caerleon Arwicke and behaued himselfe in such commendable sort towardes his sonne in ayding him with his counsail and otherwise in the meane season whilest his sonne raigned that the Brytayns by reason therof began so to fauour him that after the death of Vortimer they made him againe king Shortly after that Vortigerne was restored to the rule of the Kingdome 4000. hath Math. West He might easily returne for except I be deceyued he was neuer driuen out after he had once got foot within this I le Hengist aduertised thereof returned into the lande with a mightye armie of Saxons whereof Vortigerne being aduertised assembled his Brytaines and with all speede made towardes him When Hengist had knowledge of the huge host of the Brytains that was comming against him he required to come to a coÌ„munication with Vortigerne which request was graunted so that it was concluded that on May day a certain nuÌ„ber of Britains as many of the Saxons should meete togither vpon the plaine of Salisburie Hengist hauing deuised a newe kind of treason when the daye of theyr appoynted meeting was come caused euery one of his allowed number secretely to put into his Hose a long knyfe where it was ordeined that no man should bring any weapon with him at all and that at the verie instant when this watchworde shoulde be vttered by him Nempt your sexes what if it were mesles Nempt your sexes then should euery of them plucke out his knife and slea the Brytayne that chaunced to be next to him except the same shoulde bee Vortigerne whom he willed to be apprehended but not slaine At the day assigned the king with his appointed number of Brytaynes nothing mistrusting lesse than any such maner of vnfaythfull dealing came to the place in order before prescribed without armour or weapon where hee founde readie Hengist with his Saxons the whiche receyued the king with amiable countenance in moste louing sort but after they were entred a little into communication Hengist meaning to accomplish hys deuysed purpose gaue the watchwoorde immediately wherevpon the Saxons drewe oute theyr knyues and sodainly fell on the Brytayns There 〈◊〉 the nobleâ—… Brytaine 〈◊〉 as Gal â–ª 〈◊〉 and slue them as sheepe being fallen within the daunger of woolues For the
of Aurelius Ambrosius and about the yeare of oure Lord .482 But other write 482 that it did begin about the .30 yeare after the firste comming of Hengist which should be two yeares sooner William Harrison differing from al other noteth it to begin in the fourth yeare after y e death of Hengist .4458 of the worlde .2 of the .317 Olympiad .1243 of Rome .492 of Christe and .43 after the comming of the Saxons his words are these Ella erecteth the Kingdome of the South Saxons in the 1â—… after his arriuall and raigned 32. yeares the chiefe Citie of his Kingdome also was Chichester after her had enioyed the fame his Kingdome awhile he ouerthrew y e Citie called Andredescester whiche as then was taken for one of the most famous in all the South side of England For my parte I thinke my dutie discharged if I shew the opinions of y e writers for if I should thereto adde mine owne I should but increase coniectures whereof already we haue superfluous store To proceede therfore as I fynde About the ninth yeare after the comming of Elle the Britaynes perceyuing that he with hys Saxons still enlarged the boundes of his Lordship by entring further into the lande assembled themselues togither vnder their Kings and Rulers and gaue battell to Elle and his sonnes at Mecredesbourne where they departed with doutfull victory the armies on both sides being sore diminished and so returned to their homes Elle after this battell sente into his countrey for more ayde But nowe touching Hengist which as yre haue hearde reigned as King in the prouince of Kente the writers of the Englishe Kings varie somewhat from the Brittishe histories bothe in reporte of the battels by him foughte againste the Britaynes and also for the manner of his deathe as thus After that Vortimerus was dead which departed this life as some write in the first yeare of the Emperour Leo surnamed the greate Policron and first of that name that gouerned the Empire who began to rule in the yeare of our Lorde .457 457 wee fynde that Hengist and his sonne Occa or Osta gathered their people togither that were before sparkled H. Hunt and hauing also receyued new ayde out of Germany VV. Mal. fought with y e Britaynes at a place called Crekenforde Creysourd wher were slayne of the Britaynes foure Dukes or Captaynes and foure thousand of other men Britaynes ouerthrowen and the residue were chased by Hengist out of Kent vnto London so that they neuer returned afterwards againe into KeÌ„t and so the Kingdome of Kent began vnder Hengist the twelfth yeare after the comming of the Saxons into Britayne and Hengist raigned in Kent after this as the same writers agree foure and twentie yeares Polychron It is remembred that those Germanes whiche lately were come ouer to the ayde of Hengist beeing chosen men mightie and strong of body with their axes and swords made great slaughter of the Britaynes in that battell at Crekenford or Creyforde whiche Britaynes were aranged in foure battayles vnder their aforesayd foure Dukes or Captaynes and were as before is mentioned slayne in the same battel H. Hunt About the sixth yere of the sayd Emperour Leo which was in the .17 yeare after the comming of the Saxons VVipers field Mat. VVest This battell was fought anno .473 as the same Mat. VVest noteth Wipet Hen. Hunt Hengist and his sonne Occa or Osca fought at Wyptishe fielde in Kent neere to a place called Tong with the Britaynes slewe of them twelue Dukes or Captaynes and on the parte of the Saxons was slayne besyde common Souldiers but onely one Captayne that highte Vipet of whome y e place after y t day tooke name This victory was nothing pleasaunte to the Saxons by reason of the great losse whiche they susteyned as well by the death of the sayd Vipet as of a greate number of others and so of a long time neyther did the Saxons enter into the confynes of the Britaynes nor the Britaynes presumed to come into Kent But whilest outward warres ceasse among the Britaynes they exercise ciuill battell falling togither by the eares among themselues one striuing against another Finally Hengist departed this life by course of nature Fortie yeares hath H. Hunt in the .39 yeare after his firste comming into Britayne hauing proceeded in his businesse no lesse with craft and guyle than with force and strength following therewith his natiue crueltie so that he rather did all things with rigoure than with gentlenesse By this it is euident that he was not driuen out of the lande after he had once got foote within it After him succeeded a sonne whiche hee left behinde him who beeing attentiue rather to defende than to enlarge his Kingdome neuer set foote out of his fathers boundes duryng the space of .24 yeares in the whiche hee raigned About three yeares after the decesse of Hengist a new supply of men of warre came out of Germany vnto the ayde of Elle King of Sussex Mat. VVest the which hauing his power so encreassed Hen. Hunt besieged the Citie of Andredescestre The Citie of Andredescestre which was very stroÌ„g well furnished with men all things necessary The Britaynes also assembling togither in companies greatly annoyed the Saxons as they lay there at siege laying ambushes to destroy suche as wente abrode and ceassing not to giue alarmes to the campe in the night season the Saxons could no sooner prepare themselues to giue the assault but the Britaynes were ready to assayle them on the backes till at length the Saxons deuiding themselues into two companies appoynted the one to giue the assault and the other to encounter with the army of the Britaynes without and so finally by that meanes preuayled tooke the Citie and destroyed manne woman and childe Neyther so contented they did also vtterly rase the sayde Citie so as it was neuer after that daye builded or reedified agayne The Kingdome of the Eastangles FVrthermore about y e yere of oure Lorde 495. Cerdic VVil. Mal. and in the eyght yeare after that Hengist was dead 495 one Cerdicus and his sonne Kenricus came out of Germany with fiue Shippes Fabian Policrus and landed at a place called Cerdiceore whiche as some thinke is nowe called Yermouth in Northfolke Hee was at the first receyued with battell by the Britaynes VVil. Mal. but beeing an olde skilfull warriour hee easily beate backe and repulsed the inconstante multitude of his enimies and caused them to flee by whyche good successe hee procured for the time to come both vndoubted assurance to himselfe and to the inhabitantes good and perfect quietnesse for they thinking good neuer after to prouoke him more by resistaÌ„ce submitted themselues to his pleasure but yet did not he then gyue himselfe to slouthful rest but rather extending his often atchieued victories on eache syde 〈…〉 foure and
yeares This Kenwalk was such a Prince Mat. 〈◊〉 dereg 〈◊〉 as in the beginning he was to be compared with the worst kind of rulers but in the middest and later ende of his raigne hee was to bee compared with y e best His godly zeale borne towards the aduancing of the Christian religion wel appeared in the building of the Church at Winchester where the Bishops Sea of al that prouince was theÌ„ placed His wife Sexburga ruled the Kyngdome of West Saxons after him a woman of stoutues ynough to haue atchieued actes of worthy remeÌ„brance but being preuented by deathe ere she had raigned one whole yeare she could not shewe any full proofe of hir noble courage I remember that Math. West maketh other report hereof declaring that the nobilitie remoued hir from the gouernement But I rather followe William Malmes in this matter TO proccede therefore after y t Sexburga was departed this life or deposed Escuinus if you wil nedes haue it so Escuinus or Elcuinus whose Grandfather called Cuthgislo y e brother of K. Kinigils succeded in gouernmeÌ„t of y e West Saxons VVil. Mal. reigning about y e space of two yeres and after his decesse one Centtuinus or Centwine tooke vppon him the rule and continued therein the space of nine yeares But Bede sayth that these two ruled at one time and deuided the kingdom betwixt them Elcuinus fought against Vulfhere Kyng of Mercia a greate number of men being slayne on both parties Hen. 〈◊〉 though Vulfhere yet had after a manner the vpper hand as some haue written In the same yere that the Sinode was holden at Herford Beda lib. â—… cap. sup 〈◊〉 that is to say in the yeare of our Lord 673. Ecgbert the King of Kent departed this life in Iuly King Locius and lefte the Kingdome to his brother Lothore which held the same eleuen yeares and seuen monethes VVil. Malm. Beda dereg lib. 1. Thunnir A vile maâ—…ther Some haue written that King Egbert by the suggestion of one Thunnir who had the chiefe rule of the kingdome vnder him suffered the sayde Thunnir to put vnto death Ethelbert or Ethelbright whiche were the sonnes of Ermenredus the brother of King Ercombert that was father vnto king Egbert for doubt leâ—…t they being towardly yong Gentlemen myghte in tyme growe so into fauor with the people that it shoulde bee easie for them to depriue both Egbert and his issue of the Kyngdome Also that they were priuily put to death and priuily buried at the firste but the place of their buriall immediately beeyng shewed after a miraculous manner theyr bodyes long after in the dayes of Kyng Egilrede the sonne of Kyng Edgar were taken vp and conueyed vnto Ramsey and there buried And although Egbert being giltie of the death of those his cousins did sore repent him for that he vnderstoode they dyed giltlesse yet hys brother Lothaire was thought to be punished for that offence as after shall be shewed Bishop Winfrid deposed Winfrid Bishop of the Mercies for cause of disobedience in some poynt was depriued by the Archbishop Theodore Sexvulfe ordeyned Bishop of the Mercies and one Sexvulfe that was the buylder and also the Abbot of the Monasterie of Meidhamstede otherwise called Peterborrough was ordeyned and consecrated in his place 675. as Math. West hath Bishop Erkenwalde About the same time Erkenwalde was ordeyned Bishop of the East Saxons and appoynted to hold his See in the Citie of London This Erkenwalde was reputed to bee a man of great holynesse and vertue Before he was made Bishoppe hee buylded two Abbeyes the one of Monkes at Chertsey in Sowtherie where hee himselfe was Abbot and the other of Nunnes at Berking within the prouince of the East Saxons Ethelburga where he placed his sister Ethelburga a woman also highly esteemed for hir deuout kinde of life Iohn Capgraue She was firste brought vp and instructed in the rules of hir profession by one Hildelitha a Nunne of the parties of beyond the Sea whome Erkenwald procured to come ouer for that purpose Waldhere Sebby king of East SaxoÌ„s Beda lib. 4. cap. 61. After Erkenwald one Waldhere was made Bishop of London in whose dayes Sebby king of the East Saxons after hee had raigned thirtie yeares beeing nowe vexed with a greeuous sicknesse professed himselfe a Monke whiche thyng he would haue done long before if his wife hadde not kept him backe Hee died shortly after within the Citie of London and was buried in the Church of Saint Paule King Sighere whyche in the beginning raigned with him VVil. Malâ—… and gouerned a parte of the East Saxons was departed thys life before so that in his latter time the foresayde Sebby had the gouernemente of the whole prouince of the East Saxons and left the same to his sonnes Sighard and Sewfred About the yeare of our Lorde .675 675 Vulfhere King of Mercia departed this life after hee hadde raigned as some haue .19 yeares VV. Mal. But other affirme that â—â— raigned .17 yeares Beda Peada or rather Weada but as other affirme hee raigned but .17 yeares Howbeit they which reckeÌ„ nineteene include the time that passed after the slaughter of Penda wherein Oswy and Peada held the aforesayde Kingdome King Ethelred The Bishoppe of Rochester Putta after that his Church was spoyled and defaced by the enimies wente vnto Sexvulfe the Bishop of Mercia and there obteyning of him a small â—â—re and a portion of ground remayned in that countrey not once labouring to restore his Church of Rochester to the former state but wente aboute in Mercia to teach song instruct suche as would learne musicke wheresoeuer hee was required or could get entertaynement Herevpon the Archbishop Theodore consecrated one William Bishop of Rochester in place of Putta and after when the sayd William constreyned by pouertie left that Church Theodore placed one Gebmound in his steede In the yeare of our Lord .678 in the moneth of August 678 A blasing Starre a blasing Starre appeared with a long bright beame like to a piller It was seene euery morning for the space of three monethes togither The same Ecgfrid king of Northumberland Mat. VVest Beda li. 4. cap. 12. Bishop Wilâ—…rid banished Hlagustald Hexam Eadhidus Lindesferne â—…oly ilande banished Bishop Wilfrid vppon displeasure taken with hym out of his See and then were two Bishops ordeyned in his place to gouerne the Church of the NorthuÌ„bers y e one named Bosa at Yorke the other called Eata at Hagustald or Lindesferne Also one Eadhidus was ordeined about the same time Bishop of Lindsey the which prouince king Egfride hadde of late conquered and taken from Vulfhere the late King of Mercia whome he ouercame in battel and droue him out of that couÌ„trey The said three Bishops were consecrated at Yorke by the Archbishop of Canterbury Theodorus the whiche within three yeares after ordeyned two Bishops more in that prouince of the
in secular causes they were nowe forbidden so to doe Many other things were for meane of reformation artycled both for spirituall causes and also concerning ciuill ordinaunces as dissenabling children to be heyres to the parentes whiche by them were not begotte in lawfull matrimonie but on coÌ„cubines Nunnes concubines whether they were Nunnes or secular women Also of paymeÌ„t of tithes performing of vowes auoyding of vndecent apparell and abolishing of all maner of Ethnish vsages and customes that sounded contrarie to the order of Christianitie Curtayling horses as curtayling Horses and eating of Horses flesh These things with many other expressed in .xx. principal articles as we haue sayd were first concluded to be receyued by the Church of the Northumbers in a Councell holden there subscribed by Alfwold king of the NorthuÌ„bers by Delberke Bishop of Hexham by Eaubalde Archbishop of Yorke Hygwalde Byshop of Lyndisferne Edelbert Bishop of Whiterne Aldulfe Byshoppe of Myeth Ethelwyne also an other Byshop by his deputies with a number of other of the Clergie and Lordes also of the temporaltie as Duke Alrike Duke Segwulfe Abbot Aldberiâ—…ke and Abbot Erhard After this confirmation had of the Northumbers there was also a counsell holden in Mercia at Cealtide in the which these persons subscribed Iambert or Lambert Archbishop of Canterburie Offa King of Mercia Hughbright Bishop of Lichfield Edeulfe Bishoppe of Faron with Vnwone Bishop of Ligor and nine other Bishops beside Abbots and three Dukes as Brorda Farwalde and Bercoald with Earle Othbalde But nowe to returne backe to speake of other doings as in other parties of this lande they fell out 764 Aboute the yeare of our Lorde .764 the Sea of Canterburie beeing voyde one Iambert or Lambert was elected Archbishop there and in the yeare .766 the Archbishop of Yorke Egbert departed this lyfe Simon Dun. hath .780 in whose place one Adelbert succeeded The same tyme one Aswalde or Alfewolde raigned ouer the Northumbers beeing admitted King after that Ethelbert was expulsed and when the same Alfwolde had raigned tenne or as other haue .xj. yeares he was trayterously He begin his raigne Anno 779 as hath Simon Dunel and raigned but ten yeares and without all guilt made away and murthered by his owne people The chiefe conspiratour was named Siga and his bodie was buried at Hexam The same Alfwolde was a iust Prince and worthilye gouerned the Northumbers to hys highe prayse and commendation He was murthered as before yee haue hearde the .xxiij. of September in the yeare of our Lorde .788 788 Mat. VVest Simon Dun. 792 In the yeare .792 Charles king of Fraunce sent into Brytaine a booke which had beene sent vnto him from Constantinople conteyning certaine articles agreed vpon in a Synode wherein were present aboue the number of three hundred Bishops quite contrarie and disagreeing from the true fayth namely in thys that Images ought to be worshipped which the Church of god vtterly abhorreth Agaynst this booke Albinus that famous Clearke wrote a treatise confirmed with places taken out of holy Scripture whiche treatise with the booke in name of all the Bishops and Princes of Brytayne he presented vnto the king of Fraunce In the yeare .800 on Christmasse euen chanced a marueylous tempest of winde Simon Dun. 800 which ouerthrew whole Cities and townes in diuers places and trees in greate number beside other harmes which it did as by death of Cattell c. In the yeare following a great part of the Citie of London was consumed by fire Brightrichus This Brightrike was procreate of the â—â—ue of Cerdicius the first king of West Saxons and xvj in number from him He was a man of nature quiet and temperate more desirous of peace than of warre and therefore he stoode in doubt of y e noble valiancie of one Egbert which after succeeded him in the kingdome The linage of Cerdicius was in that season so coÌ„fouÌ„ded and mingled that euerie one as he grew to greatest power stroue to be king and supreme gouernor But specially Egbertus was knowne to be one that coueted the place as hee that was of the blouâ—… royall and a man of greate power and lustiâ—… courage King Brightrike therefore to liue in more suretie banished him the lâ—…nde Egbert banished and appoynted him to goe into Fraunce Egbert vnderstanding for certaine that this his departure into a forraine Countrey shoulde turne to his aduauncement in time to come obeyed the kings pleasure About the thirde yeare of Brightrykes raigne there fell vpon mens garmentes as they walked abrode A straunge wonder Crosses of bloudie colour and bloud fell from heauen as drops of raigne Mat. VVest VVil. Malm. Hen. Hunt Danes Some tooke this wonder for a signification of the persecution that followed by the Danes for shortly after in the yeare ensuing there arryued three Danish shippes vpon the English coastes against whome the Lieutenant of the parties adioyning made forth to apprehend those that were come a lande howbeeit aduenturing himselfe ouer rashly amongest them he was slaine but afterwardes when the Danes perceyued that the people of the Countreyes aboute beganne to assemble and were comming agaynst them they fled to theyr shippes and left their pray and spoile behinde them for that time These were the fyrst Danes that arryued here in this lande beeing onely sente as was perceyued after to viewe the Countrey and coastes of the same to vnderstande howe with a greater power they myght bee able to inuade it as shortly after they did and warred so wyth the Englishe men that they got a greate partâ—… of the lande and helde it in theyr owne possession In the tenth yeare of King Brightrykes raigne there were seene in the ayre fyrie Dragons flying whiche betokened as was thought two grieuous plagues that followed Fyrst a greate dearth and famine and secondly the cruell warre of Danes Famine and warre signified which shortly followed as yee shall heare Finally after that Brightrike had raigned the space of .xvj. yeares he departed this life and was buried at Warham Some wryte that hee was poysoned by hys wife Ethelburga Ran. Cestren li. 5. cap. 25. Brightrike departed this life whom he maryed in the fourth yeare of his raigne Shee was daughter vnto Offa King of Mercia as before yee haue heard Shee is noted by wryters to haue beene a verye euill woman proude and high mynded as Lucifer Ethelburga hir conditions and wicked nature and therewyth disdaynfull Shee bare hir the more stately by reason of hir fathers greate fame and magnificence whome shee hated shee woulde accuse to hir husbande and so put them in daunger of theyr lyues And if she might not so wreake hir rancour shee woulde not sticke to poyson them And so it happened one daye as shee ment to haue poysoned a yong Gentleman agaynste whome shee hadde a quarell the King chaunced to taste of that Cuppe and dyed therof as before ye haue heard Hir
blinde prophesies runne of this place that there shall be a bloudie fielde fought there betwene y e Engelishe inhabitantes of Irelande and the Irish and so bloudy forsooth it shall be that a myll in a vale harde by it shall run foure twentie houres with the streame of bloude that shall powre downe from the hill The Irish doubtlesse repose a great affiaunce in this baldocktom dreame In the top of this height stande motes or roundels very formally fashioned where the strength of the English armie as they say shall be encamped The Earle of Sussex being Lorde Liuetenaunt of the Irelande was accustomed to wishe The Erle of Sussex that if any such prophesie were to be fulfilled it shoulde happen in his gouernement to the ende he might be generall of the fielde 〈…〉 〈…〉 cut in white wyth a great manye of blacke crosses vpon it c. quoniam c. dis An Archbishop within thrée monethes after his consecration or confirmation ought to demaunde his pall otherwyse he may be remooued neyther ought he to name himselfe Archbishop before the â—…eceyte c. quod sicut de elect penul De priuil exces priuil cap. Archie in glos neither may be before summon or call a councell make Chrisme dedicate churches giue orders consecrate Bishoppes He may not were his paâ—… without the church neither in other prouinces albeit in an other prouince he may be in his Pontificalibus so that Pontificalia differeth from the pall c. ex tuaruÌ„ c. adhoc de auct vsu pal Furthermore an Archbishop may not lend his pall to an other but it ought to be interred wyth him But to returne to Patricius hys tyme was but short for soone after as he was crossing the seas to Dublyne warde he was drowned with his copassengers y e same yeare that he was consecrated the nynth of October 1075. Donatus of some called Bungus succéeded Patricious likewyse consecrated by Lanfrancus Archbishoppe of Canterbury at the instaunce of Terdilnacus king of Irelande the bishoppes of Irelande the cleargie the Citizens of Dublyn he deceased in the yeare 1095. 1095. Samuel succéeded Donatus and dyed in the yeare 1122. Gregorius dyd not succéede immediately after Samuel for there he thirtie yeares betwéene them both This Gregorius was the first Metrapolitan of Dublyne and was consecrated Archbishop in the yeare 1152. 1152. and dyed in the yeare 1162. 1162. S. Laurentius Othothille This Prelate was first Abbot of S. Keuins in Glindelagh and after he was solemnely consecrated and installed in Christ church at Dublyne by Gelacius the Primas of Armach and not by Canterbury as the Bishoppes of Dublyne were before the pall giuen them He dyed in Normandie and was buryed in our Ladye churche of Angy in the yeare 1180. the fourtéene of Nouember Iohanne Commin an Englishman succéeded Laurence This famous Prelate being cleystered vp in the Abbeye of Ensham in Worcestershyre was highly renowned of all men as well for his déepe learning as for the integritie of his lyfe The cleargie of Dublyne being giuen to vnderstande of so woorthie a clarcke became huÌ„ble peticioners to the king his maiestie Henry the seconde that through his meanes such an vnualuable iewell shoulde be installed in Laurence hys dignitie The king bowing to their earnest suite agréed he shoulde be consecrated their Archbishop 1180. Which was an happy houre for that countrey For besides the great trauaile he endured in edifying his flocke in Christian religion he was fouâ—…then of S. Patricke hys churche in Dublyne as is before specifyed â–ª He deceased in the yere 1018. and was enâ—…bed in the choare of Christ church Henry Londres succeeded Câ—…n This man was nicknamed Scorchebull or Scorchevilleyn the ought his occasion Being setled in his sée he gaue coÌ„mandements to all her tenauntes to make their apparâ—…iuer before him at a day appointed and for that he was rawe as yet in his reuenues he tooke it to stande best with their ease and quietnesse and his coÌ„moditie that ache of them should shew their euidences whereby he might learne by what tenure they héelde of him His â—…ants mistrusting no slattish dealing but coÌ„struing all to be ment for the best deliuered their euidences to their Lande lorde who dyd scantly well peruse them when he flame them all in the fire The pore tenauntes eâ—…ing this subtyll prancke to be â—…erye vnsitting for a Bishoppe coulde not bridle their toâ—…ges but brake out an a sodayne Thou an flechebyshop Nay thou art a Scorche villayn Scorche villaine But it could not be grâ—…shed to what â—…de this fact of his tended for notwithstanding this the tenants enioyed their landes 〈…〉 he did it bycause they should be but 〈◊〉 at will and so to stande to his denotiâ—… This prelate doubtlesse was politicke well lettered and for his wysedome and learning he was elected L. Iustice of Irelande He was the founder of the castle of Dubline as is before mentioned He deâ—…sed in the yeare 1225. lyeth buryed in Christ church Math Pariâ—… in vitam Ioan. pag. 316. Wherby appeareth that Mathaeus Parisi ensin dyd ouershoote himselfe in writing one Hu or Hugo to be Archbishop of Dublyne in the yeare 1213. wheras Landres at that tyme was in the sée as seene his consecration to his death may be gathered being the space of thirtéene yeares Iohanne Stamforde succéeded Londres but not immediately and was consecrated in the yeare 1285. this man 1285. vpon the death of Stephaâ—… Fistborne Archbishoppe of Tune was made L. Iustice of Ireland in the yeare 1287. 1294. And soone after being in Englande he was sent from Edwarde the first as Ambassadour to the Frenche king and vpon his returne he deceased in England and soone after was buryed in S. Patricke his Churche at Dublyne Willielme Hothour is placed by some antiquaries to be Archbishoppe of Dublyne much about this time 1297. Ioan. Caiâ—… de antiquâ—… Cant. Acaâ—… deâ—… lib. â—… but whether the man haue béene installed in this Sée at all or no I am not able to affirme nor to denye but certayne it is that the date is mistaken for vpon Iohanne Stamforde his death Richard Fleringes was consecrated Archbishop of Dublyne Edmund Butler 1032. Hollywood 〈◊〉 Fingall betwéene whome the Lord Edmund Butler there arose a great controuersie in law touching the maner of Hollywood wyth the appurtenances Which manour the Lord Butler recouered by an arbitrement or composition taken betwéene them in the king his benche at Dublyne This prelate departed this lyfe in the yeare 1306. 1306. Richard de Haueringes was successour to Fleâ—…ges who after that he had continued néere the space of fiue yeares in the Sée was sore appalled by reason of an estraunge and woonderfull dreame For on a certayne night he imagined that he had séene an vglye monster standing on his breast â—…aueâ—…nges â—…eame who to his thincking was more weightie then
inferre accuse and declare what euidence he coulde agaynst the Lorde Iustice but none came Then passed a decree by the Counsaile commaunding all Bishops Abbots Priors the Maiors of Dublyn Corke Lymerike Waterford and Droghdagh the Shirifes Knightes and Seneshals of euerie shire to appeare at Dublin From amongst all these they appointed .vj. inquisitors which examining the bishops other persons aforesayd singularly one by one found that with an vniuersal cōsent they deposed for the Prior affyrming that to their iudgments he was a zealous and a faithfull childe of the Catholike Church In the meane time Arnold le Poer the prisoner deceased in the Castel and bycause he stoode vnpurged long hee lay vnburied In the yeare .1329 1329 The Earle of Louth slaine Iohn de Birmingham Erle of Louth and his brother Peter with many other of that surname and Richard Talbot of Malahide were slain on Whitson euen at Balibragan by men of the Countrey The Lorde Butler slaine Also the Lord Thomas Butler and diuerse other noble men were slaine by Mac Gogoghdan and other Irish mē neare to Molinger for the Irish aswell in Leynister as in Meth made insurrections in that season and so likewise did they in Moūster vnder the leading of Obren whom William Erle of Vlster and Iames Erle of Ormond vanquished So outragious were the Leynister Irish that in one Church they brunt foure score innocent soules asking no more but the life of their priest thē at Masse whō they notwithstāding sticked with their Iauelins spurned the host wasted al with fire neither forced they of y e Popes interdictiō nor any ecclesiasticall censures denoūced against thē matters of no smal cōsideratiō amōg thē namely in those days but maliciously perseuered in y e course of their furious rage till the citizens of Wexford somwhat tamed thē slue .400 of thē in one skirmish y e rest fleeing were all drenched in the water of Slane In the yeare .1330 1330 the Earle of Vlster with a great army made a iourney agaynst Obren The Prior of Kilmaynam Lord Iustice and the prior of Kilmaynā Lord iustice put Maurice Fitz Thomas Erle of Desmond in prison in the Marshalsee out of the which he freely escaped and the Lord Hugh Lacie returned into Ireland and obteyned the kings peace and fauour In the yeare .1331 1331 the Earle of Vlster passed ouer into Englande and great slaughter was made vpon the Irish in Okensly Also the castell of Arclo was taken by the Irish men and great slaughter made of the Englishe in the Cowlagh by Otothell and other Also the Lorde Anthonie Lucie was sent ouer Lorde Iustice into Irelande Anthony Lucy Lord Iustice and great slaughter was made of the Irish at Thurlis by the knightes of the Countrey and at Finnath in Meth there were manye of them slaine by the English but yet was the Castell of Fernis taken and burnt by the Irish On the feast day of the Assumption of our Ladie which falleth on the .xv. of August The Earle of Desmond apprehended Maurice Fitz Thomas Erle of Desmond was apprehended at Limerike by the Lorde Iustice and sent vnto the Castell of Dublyn Moreouer the Lord Iustice tooke sir William Birmingham at Clomell by a wile whilest hee was sicke in his bed and sent him togither with his sonne Walter Birmingham vnto the Castel of Dublyn the .xxx. of Aprill 1332 William Birmingham executed In the yeare .1332 the sayde sir William was hanged at Dublin but Walter was deliuered by reason he was within orders Campion Campion following suche notes as he hath seene writeth that the death of this William Birmingham chaunced in time of the gouernment of William Outlaw Prior of Kilmaynā being lieutenant vnto Iohn Lorde Darcie that was made Lorde Iustice as the sayd Campion hath noted in the yeare .1329 Although Marleburgh affyrmeth that hee came thither to beare that office in the yeare .1332 after the Lord Lucie was discharged as hereafter shall be recyted But whensoeuer or vnder whom soeuer Birmingham was executed hee was accounted an odde Knight and suche one as for his valiancie hys matche was not lyghtly to bee any where founde Also Henry de Mandeuile was taken and sent prisoner to be safely kept in Dublyn Likewise Walter Burgh with two of hys brethren were taken in Connagh by the Earle of Vlster and sent to the Castell of Norburgh This yeare the Lord Antonie Lucie was discharged of his rowmth by the king and so returned with his wife and children into Englande The Lorde Darcie iustice and the Lorde Iohn Darcie was sent ouer Lord Iustice in Lucies place and great slaughter was made vpon Bren Obren and Mac Carthi in Mounster by the English of that Countrey This Iohn Darcie as shoulde appeare by gyftes bestowed vpon him by the King was in singular fauour wyth him Amongest other things which hee had of the kings gyft we fynde that hee had the Manours of Louth and Baliogarie and other landes in Irelande which belonged to the Earle of Ew The Earle of Ew and for that the sayd Earle was a French man and tooke part wyth Philip de Valois the kings enimie they were seysed into the kings hande The Earle of Desmonde vpon sureties was set at libertie 1333 A Parliament and by the Parliament holden at Dublyn in this yeare .1333 was sent ouer into Englande vnto the King and William Earle of Vlster a yong Gentleman of twentie yeares of age in goyng towardes Knocfergus the .vij. of Iune The Earle of Vlster slaine was slaine neare to the fourdes in Vlster by his owne people but hys wyfe and daughter escaped into Englande and the daughter was after maryed vnto the Lorde Lionell the kings sonne She deceassed afterwards at Dublyn and left a daughter behind hir that was hir heyre maryed to Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Lorde of Trym This murther was procured by Robert Fitz Martine Mandeuile who was the first that presumed to giue to the Earle any wounde To reuenge the death of this Erle of Vlster slaine as ye haue heard beside Knocfergus the Lorde Iustice Darcie with a great power went into Vlster to pursue those that through Mandeuiles seditious tumultes had so trayterously murthered their Lord. At his setting forward Sir Thomas Burgh the saide Iustice Darcie appoynted sir Tho. Burgh Treasurer to gouerne as lieutenant to him in his absence When the Lorde Iustice had punished the trayters in Vlster The Lorde Iustice inuadeth Scotland hee passed ouer into Scotlande there to make warre agaynste the Scottes that were enimies at that present to the king of England and on the feast day of Saint Margaret greate slaughter was made of the Scots by the Irish men and so what by the king in one part and the Lorde Iustice of Irelande in another Scotland was in maner wholy conquered and Edwarde Ballioll was established king of Scotland The Lord
people in such feare immediately vpon his arriuall that all those that inhabited vpon the Sea coastes in the champaigne countreys came in yeelded themselues receyuing an oth to be true and faithfull vnto him Wee reade in an olde history of Flaunders written by one whose name is not knowen but Printed at Lions by Guillaume Rouille in the yeare .1562 that the said Lady wife to the Lorde William de Breuse presented vpon a time vnto the Queene of Englande a gift of four hundred Kine A present of white Kyne and one Bulle of colour all white the eares excepted which were redde Although thys tale may seeme incredible yet if we shall consider that y e said Breuse was a Lord marcher and had goodly possessioÌ„s in Wales and on the marches in which countreys the most parte of the peoples substance coÌ„sisteth in Cattell it may carrie with it the more likelyhoode of troth And surely the same author writeth of y e iourney made this yere into Ireland so sensibly and namely touchyng the manners of the Irish that he seemeth to haue had good informations sauing that he misseth in the names of men and places which is a fault in maner commoÌ„ to al foreigne writers Touching the death of the said Lady he saith that within a eleuen dayes after shee was committed to prison heere in England she was found dead sitting betwixte hir sons legges who likewise being dead sate directly vp agaynste a wall of the chamber wherein they were kept He himselfe escapeth with harde pittance as writers do report William the father escaped gote away into Fraunce Thus the more part of the Irish people being brought vnder he appointed Iohn Gray the Bishop of Norwiche The Bisâ—… Norwicâ—… Lord liâ—…nant of Iâ—… to bee his deputie there remouing out of that office Hugh Lacy whiche bare great rule in that quarter before Moreouer those that inhabited the wood couÌ„treys and the Mountayne places though they would not as then submit themselues he woulde not al that tyme further pursue bycause Winter was at hande whiche in that countrey approcheth timely in the yeare The Monkes of the Cisteaux order otherwise called white Monkes were constreyned to paye fortie thousande pounde of syluer at this time all their priuiledges to the contrary notwithstandyng Moreouer the Abbots of that order might not get licence to goe to theyr generall Chapter that yeare which yeerely was vsed to bee holden least theyr complaynte shoulde moue all the worlde agaynste the Kyng for hys harde handlyng of them 1211 An. reg 13. â—…ing Iohn â—…peth inâ—…o Wales with 〈◊〉 army In the Sommer following about the eyghte day of Iuly Kyng Iohn with a mighty army went into Wales and passing foorth into the inner partes of the countrey he came into Snowdon beating downe all that came in his way so that hee subdued all the Rulers and Princes withoute contradiction And to bee the better assured of their subiection in time followyng Mat. Paris White church thinke hee tooke of them pledges to the number of eyght and twentie and so returned vnto Album Monasterium on oure Lady daye the Assumption from whence hee first set foorthe into the Welshe confynes In the same yeare also the Pope sente two Legates into Englande Pandulfe and Durant the Popes Legates Polidor the one named Pandulph a Lawyer and the other Durant a Templer They comming vnto King Iohn exhorted him with many terrible words to leaue his stubborne disobedience to the Church and to reforme his misdoings The King for his part quietly heard them and bringing them to Northampton being not farre distant from the place where he met them vppon his returne foorth of Wales had much conference with them but at length when they perceyued that they coulde not haue their purpose neyther for restitution of the goodes belonging to Priests which hee had seafed vppon neyther of these that apperteyned to certayne other persons whyche the K. had gotten also into his hands by meanes of the controuersie betwixte hym and the Popes the Legates departed leauing him accursed and the land interdited as they found it at their comming Fabian Of the maner of this interdiction haue bin diuers opinions some haue saide that the lande was interdited throughly and the Churches and houses of Religion closed vp that no where was any deuine seruice vsed Mat. Paris but it was not so straite for there were diuers places occupied with deuine seruice all that time by certayne Priuiledges purchased either then or before Also children were Christned and men houseled and annoyled thorough all the land except such as were in the bill of excommunication by name expressed But to our purpose Kyng Iohn after that the Legates were returned toward Rome againe punished diuers of those persons whiche had refused to goe with him into Wales in like maner as he had done those that refused to goe with him into Scotland he tooke now of each of them for euery Knightes fee two markes of syluer as before is recited Reginald Erle of Bullongne About the same time also Reginald Erle of Bullongne being accursed in like maner as K. Iohn was for certayne oppressions done to pore men and namely to certayn Priestes he fled ouer into England bycause the FreÌ„ch K. had banished him out of Fraunce The like leage was made in the same firste yeare of Kyng Iohn betwixte him and Ferdinando Earle of Flaunders The chiefest cause of the Frenche Kings displeasure towards this Earle may seeme to proceede of the amitie and league whiche was concluded betwixt King Iohn and the said Earle in the first yeare of the said Kings raigne whereby they bound themselues either to other not to make any peace or to take any truce with the King of Fraunce without either others consent firste thereto had and that if after any agreemente taken betwixte them and the King of Fraunce hee shoulde chaunce to make warre against eyther of them then shoulde the other ayde and assist hym against whome suche war should be made to the vttermost of his power And this league was accorded to remayn for euer betwixt them and theyr heyres with sureties sworne on either parte as for the Kyng of Englande these whose names ensue William Marshall Earle of Pembroke Ranulfe Earle of Chester Roberte Earle of Leicester Baldwine Earle of Albemarle William Earle of Arundell Raulfe Erle of Augi Robert de Mellet Hugh de Gourney William de Kaeu Geffrey de Cella Roger Connestable of Chester Raufe Fitz Water William de Albeny Roberte de Ros Richarde de MoÌ„tfichet Roger de Thoney Saer de Quincy WilliaÌ„ de Montchenise Peter de Pratellis William de Poole alias de Stagno Adam de Port Roberte de Turnham William Mallet Eustace de Vescy Peter de Brus William de Presenny Hubert de Burgh William de Mansey and Peter Sauenye For the Earle these were sureties Anselme de Kaeu Guy LieschaÌ„s Raufe the
lust without respect of Sexe age consanguinitie or kinde as braunches from an odious abhominable roote or streames deriued from most filthye and stinking puddles Howbeit and notwithstanding all these his manifolde lewdnesses such was the folly of his Egiptians where he first reigned and taught that whilest he lyned they alone had him in great estimation whereas other Nations contemned and abhorred him for his wickednesse Chemesenua Chemmyn ChaÌ„ made a god calling hym Chemesenua that is the impudent infamous and wicked Cham and not onely builded a Citie vnto him which they called Chem Min but also after his deth reputed him for a god calling the highest of the seuen Planets after his name as they dyd the next beneath it after Osyris hys sonne whome they likewise honored vnder the name of Iupiter Certes it was a custome in Egypt of olde time TranslatioÌ„ of mortall men men into heaueÌ„ how it began generally in vse wheÌ„ any of their famous worthy Princes dyed to ascrybe some forme or other of the starres vnto his persoÌ„ to thend his name might neuer weare out of memory And this they called their translation in heauen so that he which had any starres or forme of starres dedicated vnto him was properlye sayde to haue place amonge the goddes A toye much lyke to the Catalogue of Romishe saintes although the one was written in the celestiall orbes the other in sheepe skinnes and verye brickle paper but yet so esteemed that euery Prince woulde oft hazard attempt the vttermost aduentures thereby to winne such fame in his life that after his death he myght by merit haue such place in heauen among the shining starres Thus wée sée how Idolatry and honoring of the starres was bredde and hatched at the first which in processe of tyme came also into Britaine as dyd the names of Saturne Iupiter c. as shall appeare hereafter And here sith I haue already somewhat digressed from my matter I will go a little furder shewe forth the originall vse of the worde Saturne Iupiter Hercules c. whereby your Honor shall sée yet more into the errours of the Gentiles and not onely that but one poynt also of the roote of all the confusion that is to be found among the auncient histories It was generallye vsed for a fewe yeres after the particion of the yearth Which were properly called Saturni Ioues Iunones and Hercules which was made by Noah in the 133. yere after floude that the beginners of such kingdomes as were then erected shoulde be called Saturni Hereby then it came to passe that Nimbrote was the Saturne of Babylon Cham of Aegypt and so forth other of other places Their eldest Sonnes also that succéeded them were called Ioues their nephewes or sonnes sonnes that reigned in y e thirde place Hercules by which meanes it followed that euery kingdome had a Saturne Iupiter Hercules of hir owne and not from anye other In lyke sort they had such another order among their daughters whom they marryed as yet commonlye vnto their brethren God himselfe permitting the same vnto them for a time as before the floude to the ende the earth might be thorowly replenished and the sooner furnished with inhabitantes in euery part therof Isis Io and Iuno all one The sister therefore wife of euery Saturne was called Rhea but of Iupiter Iuno Isis or Io. Beyonde these also there was no latter Harolde that woulde indeuour to deriue the petigrée of any Prince or Potentate but supposed his duety to be sufficiently perfourmed when he had brought it orderly vnto some Saturne or other whereat he might cease and shut vp all his traueile They had likewise this opinion grounded amongest them that Heauen an Earth were onelye parentes vnto Saturne and Rhea not knowing out of doubt what they themselues did meane sith these donominations Heauen Ogyges Caelum Ogyges Sol. Paterdeorum Tydea Vesta Terra Luna Aretia Deorum mater the Sunne Pater Deorum such like were onely ascribed vnto Noah as Terra the Yearth Vesta Aretia the Moone Mater deorum and other the lyke were vnto Tydea his wife so that hereby we sée how Saturne is reputed in euery Nation for theyr oldest god or first Prince Iupiter for the next and Hercules for the thirde therefore sith these names were dispersed in the beginning ouer all it is no marueyle that there is such confusion in auncient histories and the dooings of one of them so mixed with another that it is now impossible to distinguish them in sunder Thys haue I spoken to the ende that all men maye sée what gods the Paganes honored and thereby what religion the posterity of Cham did bring euer into Britaine For vntill their coÌ„ming it is not likely that any grosse Idolatry or supersticion did enter in among vs as deifying of mortall men honoring of the Starres and erectioÌ„ of huge Images beside sorcery witchcraft and such lyke whereof the Chemminites are worthilye called the Autors Neyther were these errors any thing amended by the coÌ„ming in of Brute Fâ—… whâ—… Brâ—… learâ—… religâ—… who no doubt added such deuises vnto y e same as he and his company had learned before in Grecia from whence also he brought Helenus the sonne of Priamus a man of excéeding age and made him his Priest and bishop thorowout the newe conquest that he had achieued in Britaine After Brute Idolatry and supersticioÌ„ still increased more more among vs insomuch that beside the Druiysh and Bardike ceremonies and those also that came in with Albion and Brute our countrymen eyther brought hither froÌ„ abroad or daily inuented at home new religion and rites whereby it came to passe that in the stead of the only immortal God of whome Samothes and his posteritie dyd preache in times past now they honoured the sayde Samothes himselfe vnder the name of Dis likewise Saturne Iupiter Mars Dis â—…mothâ—… made 〈◊〉 God Minerua Mercurie Apollo Diana and diuers other In lieu moreouer of shéepe and oxen they offred mankind also vnto some of them killing their offendours prysoners oft such straungers as came from farre vnto them by shutting vp great numbers of them togither in huge Images made of wicker or other matter and then setting all on fire togither they not onely consumed the miserable creatures to ashes but also reputed it to be the most acceptable sacrifice that coulde be made vnto their Idols Huge teÌ„ples in like sorte were builded vnto them so that in the time of Lucius when the light of saluatioÌ„ began strongly to shine in Britaine thorowe the preaching of the Gospell Ptol. lâ—… censis the christians discouered 25. Flamines or Idole churches beside thrée Arche Flamines whose Priests were then as our Archebishops are nowe in that they had superiour charge of all the rest who were reputed as inferiours and subiect to their iurisdiction in cases of religion and supersticious ceremonies Hitherto you haue
long before his death wherof eche of his childreÌ„ so sone as he was enterred toke seisure and possession Howbeit after two yeres it happened that Albanact was slayne wherevpon Locrinus and Camber raysed their powers reuenged his death and finally the sayde Loctinus made an entraunce vpoÌ„ Albania seyzed it into his owne handes as excheated wholly vnto himselfe without yéelding any part therof vnto his brother Camber who made no clayme nor title vnto any portion of the same Herby then sayth Adams it euidently appeareth that the entier seigniorie ouer Albania consisted in Locrinus according to which example lykeland among brethren euer since hath continued in preferring the eldest brother to the onely benefite of the collaterall assencion from the youngest asswell in Scotlande as in England vnto this daye Ebranke the lineall heire from the bodie of this Locrine that is to say the sonne of Mempris sonne of Madan sonne of the same Locrine buylded in Albania the castle of Maydens nowe called Edenbrough and the Castle of Alcluith or Alclude now called Dunbriton as the Scottish Hector Boethius confesseth wherby it most euidently appeareth that our Ebranke was then thereof seased This Ebranke reigned in the 〈…〉 ouer theÌ„ a long time after whose death Albania as annexed to the empire of the Britaine descended to the onely king of Britons vntill the discent to the two sisters sonnes Mâ—â—gan and Conedage lineall heires from the sayde Ebranke who brotherly vpoÌ„ the first example deuided y e realme MorgaÌ„ had Lhoegrâ—â— and Conedage haâ—… Albanâ—â— but shortly after Morgan the elder brother pondeâ—â—â—g in hys hed the loue to his brother with the loue to a kingdome excluded nature gaue place to ambition and therupoÌ„ denouncing warre death miserably ended hys life as the rewarde of his vntruth wherby Conedage obtayned the whole Empire of all Britaine in which state he remayned during his naturall lyfe From him the same lineally descended to the onelye king of Britons vntill after the reigne of Gorbodian who had issue two sons Ferres and Porres This Porres requyring lyke diuision of the lande affirming the forâ—…er particions to be rather of lawe then fauour was by the handes of his elder brother both of his lyfe and hoped kingdome bereued at once whereupon their vnnaturall mother vsing hir natural malice for the deth of hir one sonne without regard of the lossing of both miserably slew the other Cloten by all writers aswell Scottishe as other was the next inheritour to the whole Empire but lacking power the only meane in those dayes to obtayne right he was contented to deuide the same among thrée of his kinsmen so that Scater had Albania But after the death this Cloten his sonne Dunnallo Mulmutius made warâ—…e vpon these thrée Kinges and at last ouercame them and so recouered the whole dominion in token of which victorie he caused himselfe to be crowned with a crowne of gold the very first that was worne among the kinges of this nation This Dunuallo erected temples wherein the people shoulde assemble for Prayer to which temples he gaue benefite of Sanctuarie he made the 〈◊〉 for wager of battaile in cases of murder and â—â—lonte whereby a théefe that lyued and made his art of â—…ighting shoulde for his purgation fight wyth the true man which he had robbed but he beléeued that the Goddes for then they supposed many would by myracle assigne victorie to the innocent partie The priuileges of which first sawe benefite of the latter aswell in Scotlande as in Englande be midyed to this day few causes by late positiue lawes among vs excepted wherein the benefite of wager of battaâ—…le is expelled â—… by which obedience to hys lawes it doth manifestly appeare that thys Dunuallo was then seased of Albania nowe called Scotland This Dunuallo reigned in thys estate ouer them many yeares Beline Brenne the sonnes of this Dunuallo dyd after theyr fathers death fauourably deuide the land betwéene them so that Beline had Logres and Brenne had Albania but for that this Brenne a subiect without the consent of his elder brother and Lord aduentured to marry with the daughter of the king of Denmarke Beline seased Albania into his owne handes and thereuppon caused the notable wayes priuileged by Dunuallons Lawes to be newly wrought by mens handes which for the length was from the furder part of Cornewall vnto the the sea by North Cathnes in Scotland for religion in those daies he coÌ„stituted ministers called Archeflamines in their functions most like the aucthoritie of Bishoppes at this daye the one of which remained at Ebranke now called Yorke and whose power exteÌ„ded to y e vttermost bondes of Albany wherby lykewyse appeareth that it was then within his dominion After his death the whole Isle was enioyed by the onlye kings of Britaine vntill the tyme of Vigenius and Perydurus lineall heires from the sayde Belyne who fauourably made particion so that Vigenius had all the land from Humber south and Perydurus from thence North all Albania This Vigenius died and Perydurus suruiued and thereby obtayned the whole from whome the same quietly discended and was by his posteritie accordingly enioyed vnto the reigne of king Coell of that name the first In hys tyme an obscure nation by most writers supposed Scithians passed by seas from Irelande and arriued in that part of Britaine called Albania against whome this Coell assembled his power and being entred Albania to expell theÌ„ one Fergus in the night disguised entered the tent of this Coell and in his bed traiterously slew him This Fergus was therefore in reward of such vertue made there King whereupon they sat downe in that part with their wiues and children and called it Scotlande and themselues Scottes from the beginning of the worlde After the Scottishe accompt foure thousande and sixe hundred and seuentéene yeares which by iust computacion and confession of all their owne wryters is sixe hundred yeares lacking tenne after that Brutus had reigned ouer y e whole Island the same land being enioyed by him and his posteritie before their comming during two and fiftie discentes of the kinges of Britaine Certes this intrusion into a land so many hundred yeares before inhabited and by so many disceÌ„ts of kings quietly enioyed is the best tytle that all their owne writers alledge for them This Fergus hereupoÌ„ immediately did deuyde Albania also amoÌ„g his Capitaines and their people whereby it most euidently appeareth that there were no people of that nation inhabiting there before in proofe wherof the same particion shall followe The landes of Cathnes lying against Orknay 〈…〉 betwéene Dummesbey and the Water of Thane was giuen vnto one Cornath a capitaine and his people The landes betwéene the Water of Thane and Nes nowe called Rosse lying in bredth from Cromart to the mouth of the water of Lochte were giuen to Lutorke another Capitaine and his people The landes betwéene Spay and Nes from the Almaine seas to the Ireland
third péece vpon the North side of the Wâ—â—râ—…she néeâ—â— Falbrocke as Barkeshyre hath one percell also vpon the selfe side of the same water in the verye edge of Glocestershyre â–ª Lykewyse an other in Oxforde shyre not verye farre from Burford and the thirde ouer agaynst Lache lade which is parted from the mayne countye of Barkeshyre by a lyttle strake of Oxford shyre Who woulde thinke that twoo Fragmentes of Wilshyre were to be séene in Barkeshyre vpon the Loden and the ryuer that falleth into it whereof and the lyke sith there are verye manye I thinke good to gyue thys briefe admonition For although I haue not presentlye gone thorowe wyâ—â— them al yet these maye suffice to giue notice of thys thinge whereof most readers as I perswade my selfe are ignorant But to procéede with our purpose ouer eache of these shyres in time of necessity is a seuerall Léeâ—…tenant chosen vnder the Prince 〈…〉 who beyng a noble man of calling hath almost regall authoritie ouer the same for the tyme beyng in many cases which doth coÌ„cerne his office otherwyse it is gouerned by a Shirife 〈◊〉 who is resident dwelling somewhere within the same couÌ„ty whom they call a Vicount in respect of y e Erle or as they called him in time past the Alderman that beareth his name of the Countye although it be seldome séene in Englande that the Earle hath any great store of possessions or oughtes to doe in the County whereof he taketh hys name more then is allowed to him thorowe his personall resiauns if he happen to dwell and bée resident in the same In the election also of these Magestrates dyueâ—â—able Persons aswell for wealth as wisdome are named by the commons at a tyme and place appointed for theyr choyse whose names beyng delyuered to the Prince he foorthwyth pricketh some suche one of them as he pleaseth to assigne vnto that office to whome he coÌ„mitteth the charge of the county and who herevpon is Shirife of that shyre for one whole yeare or vntill another be chosen 〈…〉 The Shirife also hath his vnder Shirife that ruleth holdeth the shyre courtes law daies vnder hym vpon sufficient caution vnto the high Shirife for hys true execution of Iustice and yéelding of accoumpt when he shall be thervnto called There are likewyse vnder him certayne Bayliffes â—…ifes whose office is to serue returne such writtes processes as are directed vnto theÌ„ froÌ„ the high Shirife to make seazure of the goodes and cattelles and arrest the bodyes of such as doe offende presenting eyther their persons vnto him or at the leastwyse taking sufficient bonde or other assuraunce of them for theyr due apperance at an appointed tyme when y e Shirife by order of law ought to present them to the Iudges according to his charge â—…e â—…nstaâ—… In euerye hundred also are one or moe high constables according to the quaÌ„tity of the same who receyuing writtes and iniunctions from the high Shirife vnder his seale doe forthwith charge the pety constables of euery towne with in their limites â—…y conâ—…es with the execution of y e same In eche countye likewise are sundrye law dayes holden at their appointed seasons of which some retaine the olde Saxon name and are called Motelaghe 〈…〉 They haue also an other called the Shirifes turne which they holde twyse in their times in euery hundred and in these two latter such small matters as oft aryse amongst the inferior sorte of people are hard and determined They haue finally their quarter sessions wherein they are assisted by the Iustices and Gentlemen of the countrey and twise in the yeare Gaile deliuerye â—…e deâ—…y or 〈◊〉 assiâ—… at which time the Iudges ride about in theyr circuites into euerye seuerall countye where the nobilitye and Gentlemen wyth the Iustices there resiaunt associate them and mynister the lawes of the realme wyth great solemnity and Iustice Howbeit in doing of these things they retayne still the the olde order of the lande in vse before the conquest for they coÌ„mit the full examination of al causes there to be heard to y e coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of 12. sober graue â—…uests wise men chosen out of y e same countye which number they call an enquest and of these inquests there are more or lesse impaniled aâ—…euery assize as the nuÌ„ber of cases there to be handled doth craue and require albeit that some one inquest hath often diuers to coÌ„sider of when they haue to their vttermost poure consulted and debated of such thinges as they are charged with all they returne againe to the place of Iustice wyth theyr Verdicte in wryting according whereunto the Iudge doth pronounce his seÌ„tence be it for life or death or any other matter whatsoeuer is brought before him Beside these officers afore mencioned there are suÌ„dry other in euery countye as Crowners whose duety is to enquire of such as come to their death by violence to attache and present the plées of the Crowne Iustices of peax and quorum to make inquirye of treasure founde c. There are dyuers also of the best learned of the lawe beside sundry Gentlemen where the number of Lawyers doe not suffise and whose reuenues doe amount to aboue twenty pound by the yeare appointed by especiall commission from the prince to looke vnto the good gouernement of hir subiectes in the Counties where they dwell and of these the least skilfull in the lawe are of the peace the other both of the peace and quorum otherwise called of Oyer Determiner so that the first haue authoritie onely to heare the other to heare determine such matters as are brought vnto their presence These also doe dyrect theyr warrantes to the kéepers of the Gayles which in their limitations for the safe keping of such offenders as they shal iudge worthie to be kept vnder warde vntill the great assizes to th ende their causes may be further examined before the residue of the countye these officers were first deuised in the eightéene yeare of Edwarde the thyrde as I haue béene informed They méete also and togither with the Shyrifes doe hold their Sessions at foure times in the yeare Quarter sessions whereof they are called quarter Sessions and herin they inquyre of the common anoyaunces of the kings léege people sundrie other trespasses determining vppon them as iustice doth require There are also a thyrde kinde of Sessions holden by the high Constables and Baylifs afore mencioned called Petie Sessions Pety sessions wherein the weightes measures are perused by the Clarke of the market for the countey who sitteth with theÌ„ At these méetings also Victuallers in like sort seruants labourers roges and runnagates are often reformed for their excesses although the burning of vagabounds thorow their eares be referred to y e quarter sessioÌ„s or higher courts of Assise where they are adiudged also to death if they be takeÌ„ the third
He tooke vp moreâ—…uer sundrye curious pottes Iugges and cruses of stone woode most artificially wrought and carued that in such quantitye besides infinite store of fine housholde stuffe as if the whole furniture of the city had béene brought thither of purpose to be hidden in those vaultes In procéeding further he tooke vp diuers pots of golde syluer brasse glasse wherof some were fylled with the ashes and bones of the Gentyles not a fewe with the coynes of the olde Brytons and Romaine Emperours All which vessels the sayde Abbot brake into péeces and melting the mettalle he reserued it in lyke sorte for the garnyshing of hys church he founde lykewyse in a stone wall two olde bookes wherof one conteined the rytes of the gentiles about the sacrifices of their gods the other as they now say y e Martyrdome of S. Albane â—…S souÌ„â—â— lyke a 〈◊〉 both of theÌ„ written in old brittish letters which eyther bycause no man then lyuing could read them or for that they were not woorth the kéeping were both consumed to ashes sauing that a fewe notes were first taken out of this later concerning the death of their Albane Thus much haue I thought good to note of the former beautie of Verolamium whereof infinite other tokens haue béene found since that tyme and diuers within the memory of man of passing workmanship the lyke wherof hath no where else béene séene in anye ruynes wythin the compasse of the Isle eyther for cost or quantitye of stuffe Furthermore where as dyuers are not a frayde to saye that the Thames came sometimes by thys citie in déede it is nothing so but that the Verlume afterwarde called Vere and the Mure did or doth so whatsoeeuer Gildas talketh herof whose bookes may be corrupted in that behalfe there is yet euident proofe to be confirmed by experience But thus standeth the case As those aforesayd workemen digged in those ruines they happened oftentimes vpon Lempet shelles péeces of rusty ancres and Keles of great vesselles wherevpon some by by gathered that either the Thames or some arme of the Sea did beate vpon that towne not vnderstandyng that these thinges might aswell happen in great lakes and meres whereof there was one adioyning to the north side of the citie which lay theÌ„ vnwalled This mere at the first belonged to the king and thereby Offa in hys time did reape no small commoditie It continued also vntill the time of Alfâ—…ijc the seauenth Abbot of that house who bought it out ryght of the king then liuing by excessiue charges dreined it so narrowly that within a whyle he left it â—…e bycause there was alwaies contention betwéene the monkes the kings seruaunts which fished on that water In these dayes there remayneth no maner mencion of this poole but onelye in one streate which yet is called fishpoole streate whereof this may suffise for the resolution of such men as séeke rather to yeeld to an inconuenience then that their Gildas shoulde séeme to mistake thys ryuer Hauing thus digressed to giue some remeÌ„braunce of the olde estate of Verolamium it is now time to returne againe vnto my former purpose Certes I woulde gladlye set downe with the names and number of the cities all the townes villages in england and wales â–ª but as yet I cannot come by theÌ„ in such order as I woulde howbeit the tale of our cities is soone founde by the Byshoprijckes sith euery Sie hath such prerogatiue giuen vnto it as to beare the name of a citie As London Yorke Cauntorbury VVinchester Cairleil Durham Ely Norwiche Lincolne VVorcester Glocester Hereforde Salisbury Excester Bathe Lichefielde Bristow Rochester Chester Chichester Oxforde Peterborow Landaffe S. Dauids Bangor S. Asaph Whose particular plots models with their descriptioÌ„s shal insue if it may be brought to passe that y e cutters can make dispach of theÌ„ before this hystory be published Of townes and villages likewise thus much will I say that there were greater store in olde tyme then at this present thys I note out of dyuers recordes charters donations made in times past vnto sundry religious houses as Glessenburye Abbandon Ramsey Ely and such like that there were many townes and villages whereof at this present I fynde not so much as the ruines Lelande in sundrye places complayneth likewise of the decaie of paryshes in great cities and townes missing in some sixe or eyght or twelue churchs of all which he giueth particuler notice For albeit y t the SaxoÌ„s builded many townes villages and the Normans well mo yet since the first hundred yeares after the latter conquest they haue gone againe so fast againe to decaye that the auncyent number of them is very much abated Ranulphe the Monke of Chester telleth of a generall suruey made in the fourth of the reignâ—… of William Conquerour surnamed the Bastarde wherein it was founde that nowithstanding y e Danes had ouerthrowne a great many there were to the number of 52000. townes 45002. parish churches and 75000. Knightes fées whereof the clergy helde 28015. He addeth moreouer that there were dyuers other buylded since that tyme wythin the space of an hundred yeares after the comming of the Bastarde as it were in lieu or recompence of those that William Rufus pulled downe for the erection of his newe Forrest Howbeit if the assertions of such as wryte in our tyme concerning this matter eyther is or ought to be of any credite in this behalfe you shall not finde aboue 17000. townes and villages in the whole which is little more then a fourth part of the aforesayd number yf it be thorowly scanned But to leaue this lamentable discourse of so notable an inconuenieÌ„ce growing by incroching ioyning of house to house and lande to lande whereby the inhabitaunts of any country are deuoured and eateÌ„ vp It is so that our soyle being deuided into Champaigne ground woodlande the houses of the first lye vniformely buylded in euery towne togither with stréetes lanes whereas in the woodlande countries except here and there in great market townes they stande scattered abroad eache one dwelling in the midst of his owne occupying And as in euery one of the first there are comonly thrée hundred or foure hundred families or mansion houses and two thousande communicantes or peraduenture moe so in the other we finde not often aboue fourtie or fiftie housholdes two hundred communicantes whereof the greatest part neuerthelesse are very poore folkes oftentymes without all maner of occupying sith the grounde of the parishe is often gotten vp into a fewe mens handes yea sometimes into the tennure of two or three wherby the reast are compelled eyther to be hyred seruaunts vnto the other or else to begge their bread in misery from doore to doore A great number complayne of thincrease of pouertie but few men do sée the verye roote from whence it doeth procéede yet the Romaines founde it out when they florished and therefore
bowels are cut from their bodies and throwne into a fire prouided neare hand and within sight euen for the same purpose Sometimes if the trespasse be not the more hainous they are suffred to hang til they be quite dead and when so euer any of the Nobilitie are conuicted of high treason this maner of their death is coÌ„uerted into the losse of their heads onely notwithstanding that the sentence doe runne after the former order In triall of cases coÌ„cerning treason fellonie or any other gréeuous cryme the partie accused doth yelde yf he be a noble man to be tryed by his Péeres if a gentleman by gentlemen and an inferiour by God and by the countrie and being condemned of fellonie manslaughter c. he is eftsoones hanged by the necke til he be dead and then cut downe and buryed But yf he be conuicted of wilfull murder he is eyther hanged aliue in chaynes néere the place where the facte was commytted or else first strangeled with a rope and so continueth till his bones consume to nothing We haue vse neither of the whéele nor of y e barre as in other countries but when wilfull manslaughter is perpetrated beside hanging the Offendour hath his right hande commonly stricken of at the place where the acte was done after which he is led foorth to the place of execution there put to death according to the law Vnder the worde fellonie are manie grieuous crimes contained as breche of pryson An. 1. of Edward the second Disfigurers of y e Princes lege people An. 5. of Henry the fourth Hunting by nyght wyth painted faces and Visours An. 1. of Henry the seuenth Rape or stealing of women and maydens An. 3. of Henry the eight Conspiracy against the person of the Prince An. 3. of Henry the seauenth Embefilling of goodes committed by the maister to the seruaunt aboue the value of fourtie shillings An. 17. of Henry the eyght Carying of horses or mares into Scotland An. 23. of Henry the eyght Sodomy and Buggery An 25. of Henrye the eyght Stealing of Hawkes egges An. 31. of Henry the eyght CoÌ„suring sorcerie Witchcrafte and digging vp of Crosses An. 33. of Henry the eyght Prophecying vpoÌ„ armes cognisaunces names and badges An. 33. of Henry y e eyght Casting of slanderous billes An. 37. of Henry y e eyght Wilfull killing by poyson An. 1. of Edward y e sixt Departure of a soldier froÌ„ the field An. 2. of Edward y e sixt Diminution of câ—…yâ—… al offences within casâ—… premunire embeseling of recordes goodes taken froÌ„ dead men by their seruaunts stealing of whatsoeuer cattell robbing by the high way vpon the sea or of dwelling houses letting out of pondes cutting of purses stealing of Déere by night counterfectous 〈◊〉 coyne â–ª euidences charters and writings diuers other néedlesse to be remembred Periury is punished by the pillorie burning in the forehead w t the letter P. and losse of all y e mooueables Many trespasses also are punished by y e cutting of one or both eares from the heade of the offendour as the vtteraunce of sedicious words against the maiestrates fraymakers pettie robbers c. Roges are burned thorow the eares caryers of shéepe out of the land by the losse of their haÌ„ds such as kill by poyson are eyther skalded to death in lead or séething water Heretiks are burned quicke harlottes their mates by carting ducking and dooing of open pennaunce are often put to rebuke Such as kill theÌ„selues are buryed in the fielde with a stake driuen thorow their bodies Witches are hanged or sometymes burned but théeues are haÌ„ged euery where generally sauing in Halifax where they are beheaded after a straÌ„ge maner wherof I find this report There is hath ben of ancient tyme a law or rather a custome at Halifax that whosoeuer doth coÌ„mit any fellony and is taken with the same or confesse the facte vpon examination yf it by valued by fower counstables to amount to the somme of thirtéene pence halfe peny he is forthw t beheaded vpon the next market day which fall vsually vppon the tuesdayes thursdayes and saterdayes or else vpon the same day y t he is so conuicted yf market be then holdeÌ„ The engine wherw t the execution is done is a square blocke of wood of the length of foure foote and an halfe which doeth ryde vp and downe in a slot rabet or regall betwéene twoo péeces of timber that are framed and set vpright of fiue yards in height In the neather ende of the slyding blocke is an Axe keyed or fastened wyth Iron into the wood which being drawne vp to the top of the frame is there fastned with a woodden pinne the one ende set on a péece of woodde which goeth crosse ouer y e two rabets the other ende being let into the blocke holding the Axe with a notche made into the same after the maner of a Sampsons post vnto the middest of which pinne there is a long rope fastened that commeth downe among the people so that when the offendour hath made his confession and hath layde his neck ouer the neathermost blocke euery man there present doth eyther take hold of y e rope or putteth foorth his arme so néere to y e same as he can get in token that he is willing to sée true iustice executed and pulling out the pinne in this maner y e head blocke wherin the axe is fastened doth fall downe wyth such a violence that yf the necke of the transgressour were so bigge as that of a bull it should be cut in sunder at a strocke and roll from the bodie by an huge distaunce If it be so that the offendour be apprehended for an oxe or oxeÌ„ shéepe kine horse or any such cattell the selfe Beast or other of the same kinde haue the ende of the rope tyed somewhere vnto them so that they drawe out the pin whereby the offendour is executed And thus much of Halifax law which I set down onely to shew the custome of that country in this behalfe Roges and vagabondes are often stocked and whipped scoldes are ducked vpon cuckingstooles in the water Such fellons as stand mute and speake not at their arraynement are pressed to death by huge weightes and these commonly holde theyr peace thereby to saue their goodes vnto their wyues and children which yf they were condemned shoulde be confiscated to the prince Théeues that are saued by their bookes and cleargie are burned in the left hande vppon the brawne of the thombe with an hote IroÌ„ so that yf they be apprehended agayne that marke bewrayeth them to haue béene arrayned of fellonie before whereby they are sure at that time to haue no mercy I do not read that this custome of sauing by the booke is vsed any where else then in Englande neyther doe I finde after much diligent inquiry what Saxon Prince ordayned that lawe Howbeit this I generally gather therof that it was deuised at the first to traine the inhabiters
twentith yeare after his comming into this land he obteyned the title of the West partes thereof and gouerned there as King so that the Kingdome of West Saxons began vnder the sayde 〈…〉 icus in the .519 519 of Christ as 〈…〉 shall be shewed Thus may yee see that if Aurelius Ambrosius did succeede after Vortigerne and raigned in the tyme supposed by the Brittish histories 〈◊〉 before is alledged the lande euen in his dayes was full of trouble and the olde inhabitauntes the Britaynes sore vexed by the Saxons that 〈…〉 ed the same so that the Britaynes dayly were hampered and brought vndersubiection to the valiante Saxons or else driuen to remoue further off and to giue place to the victorers But nowe to proceede with the succession of the Brittishe Kings as in their Histories wee fynde them registred whiche I delyuer suche as I fynde but not suche as I do wishe being written with no suche couloure of credite as we may safely put foorthe the same for an vndoubted truth Vter Pendragon AFter that Aurelius Ambrosius was dead his brother Vter Pendragon whome Harrison calleth Math. West noteth Aurelius Vterius Ambrosianus was made King in the yeare of our Lorde 500 500. in the seuenth yeare of the Emperour Anastasius and in the sixteene yeare of Clodoueus King of the Frenchmen The cause why hee was surnamed Pendragon was for that Merlyne the greate Prophete likened him to a Dragons head that at the tyme of his natiuitie maruellously appeared in the firmamente at the corner of a blasing Starre as is reported But Harrison supposeth that hee was so called of his wisedome and serpeÌ„tine subtiltie or for that he gaue the Dragons head in his Banner About the same time Vter departed out of this life saith Polydore so that his accompte agreeth nothing with the coÌ„mon accompte of those authors whom FabiaÌ„ and other haue folowed For either must we presuppose that Vter reigned before the time apointed to him by the said authors either else that the siege of Badon hill was before he began to reigne as it should seeme in deede by that which Wil. Malmsbury writeth therof as hereafter shal be also shewed Finally according to the agreemente of the Englishe writers Vter Pendragon died of poyson when he had gouerned this land by the ful terme of .16 yeres The deceasse of Vter Pendragon Stonchenge chorea gigantn was after buried dy his brother Aurelius at StonheÌ„g otherwyse called Chorea GigantuÌ„ leauing his son Arthur to succede him Here must ye not that the scottish chronicles declare that in al the warres for the more parte wherein the Britons obteyned victorie against the Saxons the Scots ayded them in the same warres and so likewyse did the Picts but the same chronicles do not only varie from the Brytish writers in accompt of yeres but also in the order of things done as in the same Chronicles more playnly may appere and namely in the discourse of the incideÌ„ts which chanced during the reign of this Vter For wher as the British histories as ye haue heard attribute great praise vnto the same Vter for his victories atchieued against the Saxons and theyr king Occa whom he slew in battaile and obteined a greate victorie the Scottishe writers make other report affirming in deed that by the preseÌ„ce of bishop Germane hee obteyned victorie in one battaile against them but shortly after the Britons fought again with the Saxons were discomfited although Occa in following the chase ouer rashly chaunced to be slaine after whose deceasse the Saxons ordeyned his sonnâ—… named also Occa to succeede in his place who to make himselfe strong against all his enimies sent into Germanie for one Colgerne the whiche with a greate power of Tentshmen came ouer into this our Britayne and conquered by Oâ—…s appointment the countrey of Northumberland situate betwene Tyne Tweede as in the Scottish chronicles it may further appeare Also this is to be remembred that the victorie which was got against the Saxons by the Brytons at what time Germane bishop of Aurerre was presente Hector Boetius affirmeth by the authoritie of Veremond that wrote y e Scottishe chronicles to haue chanced the secoÌ„d time of his coÌ„ming ouer into this lande where Beda anoncheth it to be at his first bring here Againe the same Boetius writeth that y e same victory chaÌ„ced in the dayes of Vter Pendragon whiche can not be if it be true that Beda writeth touchyng the tyme of y e death of y e sayd German for where he departed this life before the yere of oure Lorde 459. as aboue is noted Vter Pendragon began not his reigne till the yere of our Lord .500 475. sayth â—â— arison or as the same Hector Boetius hath .503 so that bishop Germane was dead long before that Vter began to reign In deede some writers haue noted that the third bataile which Vortimer sought against the Saxons was the same wherin S. Germane was present and procured the victorie with the crie of Alleluya as before ye haue heard whiche seemeth to be more agreeable to a truthe and to stand also with that which holie Bede hath writen touching the time of the beeing heere of the sayd German than the opinion of other whiche affirme that it was in the tyme of the reigne of Vter The like is to bee founde in the residue of Hector Boetius his booke touching the tyme specially of the reignes of the Brytish kings that gouerned Brytaine aboute that season For as he affirmeth Aurelius Ambrosius beganne his reigne in the yeare of our Lorde .498 and ruled but seuen yeres and then suceeded Vter whiche reigned .xviij. yeres and departed this life in the yeare of our Lorde .521 BVt here is to be remeÌ„bred that whatsoeuer the British writers haue recorded touching the victories of this Vter had against y e Saxos and how that Osca the sonne of Hengist should be slaine in battayle by him and his power In those olde writers whiche haue registred the Acts of the Englishe saxon kyngs wee fynde no suche matter but wee fynde that after the deceasse of Hengist hys sonne Osca or Occa reygned in Kente .24 yeares Osca 34. hath Henry Hnnt. in corrupted copies defendyng hys kyngdome onely and not seekyng to enlarge it as before is touched After whose death his sonne Oth and Irâ—…rike sonne to the same Oth succeeded more resemblyng their father than their grandfather or greate grandfather To their reignes are assigned fiftie and three yeares by the Chronicles but whether they reigned ioyntely together or seuerally a parte eyther after other it is not certaynly perceyued King Nazaleod perceiuing that the wing which Certicus ledde was of more strength than the other whiche Kenrike gouerned he set fyrst vpon Certicus thinking that if he might distresse that part of the enimies armie he should easily ouercome the other Mat. VVest Hen. Hunt Stuff and VVightgar Math. VVest noteth the yere of
out of his kingdome by the brother nephew of Hengist of whome in the firste booke we haue made mention firste requiting his banishemente with greate detrimente and losse to those his enimies wherein he was partaker by iust deserte of his vncles worthy praise for that he stayed for a great many yeres the destruction of his countrey which was now running hedlong into vtter ruine and decay But Arthurs graue no wâ—…ere appeareth but the others tombe as I haue sayde was founde in the dayes of William the Conqueror king of England vpon the seaside and conteyned in length fourtene foote where he was as some say wounded by his enimies and cast vp by shipwrack But other write that he was slayne at a publike feaste or banket by his owne countreymen Thus hathe William Malmesburye But here you muste consider that the sayde Malmesburie departed this lyfe about the beginnyng of the reigne of kyng Henry the seconde certayne yeres before the boanes of Arthur were found as before ye haue hearde But now to speak somwhat of queene â—â—hera or Gâ—â—vee Io. Leland so â—…he iudge that 〈◊〉 â—…he name of hir excellent beautie by 〈…〉 or Gâ—…nâ—… in the Welch toâ—…ng 〈…〉 Quene Guryhere so that she was named 〈◊〉 or rather â—â—â—â—…lean euen as you 〈◊〉 say the faire or beautyfull Leonore or Helene She was brought vpon the house of Cador Earle of Cornewall 〈◊〉 Arthur maryed hiâ—… and as it appeareth by writers she was â—…aill reported 〈…〉 and breache of land to hiâ—… husbande in sorte as for the more paiâ—…e women of excellente beautie hardly escape the venimous blast of will to 〈◊〉 and the sharpe assaultes of the followeâ—… of â—…enus The Brâ—… historie affirmeth that should not onely 〈…〉 paâ—…yâ—…ng wyth â—…ordred 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 thâ—â— absence she consented to take him to husbande It is lykewyse founde recorded by an olde wâ—…yter that Arthure besieged on a tyme theÌ„ marishes neere to Glastenburye for displeasurâ—… that he bare vnto a certayne Lorde that hyghte Melâ—… whiche hadde rauished Gumnere and ledde hâ—â— into those Marshes and there dyddâ—… keepe hir Hir corps notwithstandyng as before is recited was enterred togyther wyth Arthurs so that it is thought she liued not long after his deceasse Arthur had two wynes as Giralouâ—… Cambrensis affirmeth of whiche the latter sayth hee was buryed wyth hyde and hiâ—… boanes founde with his mone Sepulchre so deuided yet that two partes of the Tombe towardes the heade were appoynted to receyue the bones of the man and the thyrde parte towardes the feete conteyned the womans boanes a parte by them selues Here is to bee remembred that Hector Boetius wryteth otherwyse of the death of Arthure than before in thys booke is mencioned and also that Guenâ—…ere beeyng taken prysonâ—… by the Pictes was conueyed into Scotlande where fynally shee dyed and was there buryed in Aâ—…gus as in the Scottishe Chronicle further appeareth And thys may be true if he hadde three sundrye wyues eche of them bearing the name of Guenhere as sir Iohn Price doth auouche that hee had Bycause of the contrarieâ—…ie in wryters touchyng the greate actes atchieued by this Arthur and also for that some difference there is amongest them aboute the tyme in whyche he should reigne many haue doubted of the truthe of the whole historie whyche of hym is written as before ye haue hearde The Britishe histories and also the Scottishe Chronicles doe agree that he lyued in the days of the Emperour Iustinian about the fifteenth yeare of whose reigne hee dyed whiche was in the yeare of our Lorde 542. 542. as Harrison also confirmeth Howbeit some write farther from all lykely 〈◊〉 that he was aboute the tyme of the Emperor â—…eno who began his reign about the yeare of our Lord. 47â—… The 〈◊〉 of the booke 〈◊〉 Aurea historia affirmeth Aurea historia Leland that in the 〈…〉 of Cerdicus king of Weast Saxons Arthur the warriour râ—…fe amongest the Brytâ—…ns Also Diâ—â—neuâ—… writeth that 〈◊〉 fyghtyng oftentymes with Arthur if he were ouercome in one 〈◊〉 he â—…ose 〈◊〉 an other 〈◊〉 more tâ—â—rce had 〈◊〉 to giue battayle that before At lengthe Arthure 〈…〉 VVestsexon after the â—…elfth yeare 〈…〉 〈◊〉 gaue vnto 〈…〉 his homâ—… 〈◊〉 and â—â—aplâ—◠〈◊〉 the shyres of 〈…〉 and Somerset the whiche 〈…〉 â—…erdiems named West 〈◊〉 This Ceâ—…icius or 〈◊〉 came into Britayne aboute the yeare of our Lorde 491. and 〈◊〉 yere after his 〈◊〉 hither that is to witte about the yeare of our Lorde â—… he beganne gaâ—â— his raigne 〈◊〉 the West Saxons and gouerâ—â—â— the 〈◊〉 kyng by the space of the yeares as before ye haue heard But to followe the course of oure Chronicles accordingly as we haue begunne we muste allowe of their accompte herein as in other places and so proceede Constantine After the death of Arthur his cousin CoÌ„stantine the son of CadoÌ„r duke or earle of Cornwall beganne his reigne ouer the Brytayns in yeare of our Lorde .542 whiche was aboute the .xv. yeare of the Emperour Iustinianus almost ended the .29 of Childebert K. of Fraunce 54â—… and the first yeare welnere complete of the reigne of Totiles kyng of the Gothes in Italy Arthur when he perceyued that he should dye Galfriâ—… Mat. VVâ—… ordeyned this Constantine to succeede him and so by the consent of the more parte of the Brytons he was crowned kyng but the sonnes of Mordred sore repined thereat as they that claymed the rule of the land by iuste title and clayme of inheritaunce to them from theyr father descended Ciuill warre Herevpon followed ciuill warre so that dyners batayles were stricken betwene them and in the ende the two brethren were constrayned to withdrawe for refuge the one to London and the other to Winchester but Constantine parsriving them firste came to Wynchester and by force entred the Citie and slewe the one brother that was fledde thyther within the churche of Saincte Amphibalus And after commyng to London entred that Citie also and findyng the other brother within a Churche there slewe hym in lyke maner as he had done the other And so hauing dispatched his aduersaries he thoughte to haue purchased to himselfe safetie but shortly after Aurelius Conanus his own kinsman one Aurelius Conanus arreared warre agaynst him who ioyning with him in battaile Constantine slayne slew him in the field after he had reigned foure yeares His body was conueyed to Stonehenge and there duryed besyde his auncestour Vter Pendragon Of this Constantine that seemeth to be ment whiche Gildas writeth in his booke entitled De excidio Brytannia Gildas where inueying agaynste the rulers of the Brytons in his tyme hee writeth thus Britayn hath kings but the same be tyrants Iudges it hath but they be wicked oftentymes pilling and harmyng the innocent people reuenging and defending but whome suche as bee giltie persons and robbers Hauing many wyues but yet breakyng wedlocke Oftentymes swearyng and yet forswearing
bâ—…riall in a vile place 〈◊〉 to the banke of a riuer called Lugge The kingdome of East Angles from thenceforth was brought so into decay that it remayned subiect one while vnto them of Mercia an other while vnto the west Saxons and somewhile vnto them of Kent till that Edmonde surnamed the Martyr obteyned the gouernment thereof as after shall appeare After that Selred king of East Saxons had gouerned the tearme of .xxxviij. yeares H. Hunt hee was slaine but in what maner wryters haue not expressed After him succeeded one Swithed or Swithred the .xj. and last in number that particularly gouerned those people He was finally expulsed by Egbert king of West Saxons the same yeare that the sayde Egbert ouercame the Kentish men as after shall be shewed and so the kings of that kingdom of the East Saxons ceassed and tooke ende About this time Friswide a virgine there was a Mayde in Oxforde named Friswide daughter to a certaine Duke or Noble man called Didanus wyth whom one Algarus a Prince in those parties fell in loue and woulde haue rauished hir but God the reuenger of sinnes was at hande as hir storie sayth For when Algar followed the mayd that fled before him she getting into the towne the gate was shutte agaynst him and his sight also was sodainly taken from him But the Mayde by hir prayers pacifyed Gods wrath towardes him so that his sight was to him againe restored But whether this bee a fable or a true tale hereof grewe the report that the kings of thys Realme long tymes after were afrayde to enter into the Citie of Oxforde So easily is the minde of man turned to superstition as sayth Polidore Kinewulfe This Kinewulfe proued a right worthee and valiant Prince and was descended of the â—â—ght line of Cerdicius The Brytayns vanquished Hee obteyned great victories agaynst the Brytaynes or Welchmen but at Bensington or Benton he lost a battaile againâ—â— Offa King of Mercia in the .xxiiij. yeare of hys raigne and from that time forwarde 〈◊〉 many displeasures at length through his owne folly hee came vnto a shamefull ende for where as he had raigned a long time neyther slouthfully nor presumptuously yet nowe as it were aduaunced with the glorie of things passed hee eyther thought that nothing coulde go against him or else doubted the suretie of their state whom he should leaue behind him and therefore he confined one Kineard the brother of Sigibert whose fame hee perceyued to encrease more than hee woulde haue wished This Kinearde dissembling the matter as hee that coulde giue place to tyme gotte him out of the Countrey and after by a secrete conspiracie assembled togyther a knotte of vngracious companie and returning priuily into the Countrey againe watched his tyme till he espied that the King wyth a small number of his seruauntes was come vnto the house of a Noble woman whome hee kept as Paramour at Merton whervpon the sayd Kineard vpon the sodain beset the house-round about The King perceyuing himselfe thus besieged of his enimies at the first caused the doores to be shutte supposing eyther by curteous wordes to appease his enimies or wyth his Princely authoritie to put them in feare But when he sawe that by neyther meane hee coulde doe good in a great chaufe he brake forth of the house vpon Kineard and went verie neare to haue killed him but beeing compassed aboute with multitude of enimies whylest hee stoode at defence thinkyng it a dishonour for hym to flie Kâ—…newuif slain by conspirators hee was beaten downe and slaine togyther with those fewe of his seruauntes which hee had there with hym who chose rather to die in seeking reuenge of their maisters death than by cowardice to yeeld themselues into the murtherers handes There escaped none excepte one Welchman or Brytayne an Hostage who was neuerthelesse sore wounded The bruyte of suche an heynous acte was streyght wayes blowen ouer all and brought with speede to the eares of the Noble men and Peeres of the Realme whiche were not farre off the place where this slaughter had beene committed Amongest other one Osrike for his age and wisedome accounted of most authoritie exhorted the residue that in no wyse they shoulde suffer the death of their soueraigne Lorde to passe vnpunished vnto theyr perpetuall shame and reproufe Wherevpon in all haste they ranne to the place where they knew to finde Kineard who at the fyrst beganne to pleade hys cause to make large promises to pretende cousynage and so forth but when he perceyued all that hee coulde say or doe might not preuaile hee encouraged his companie to shewe themselues valyaunt and to resyst theyr enimyes to the vttermoste of theyr powers Herevpon followed a doubtfull fight the one part stryuing to saue theyr lyues and the other to attaine honour and punish the slaughter of theyr soueraigne Lorde At length the victorie rested on the side where the right was so that the wicked murtherer after hee had fought a while at length was slaine togyther wâ—…th fourescore and eight of his Mates Sim. Dunel H. Hunt The Kings bodie was buried at Winchester and the murtherers at Repingdon Suche was the ende of King Kinewulfe after hee had raigned the tearme of .xxxi. yeares In the yeare of our Lorde .786 Bede 〈◊〉 Magd. 785. H. 〈◊〉 Legaâ—◠〈◊〉 the Pope or as Harison hath .787 Pope Adrian sent two Legaâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Englande Gregorie or as some Câ—…piâ—â— haue George Bishop of Ostia and Theophilactus bishop of Tuderto with letters commendatory vnto Offa king of Mercia and vnto Alfwolde king of Northumberlande and likewise to Ieanbright or Lambert Archbishop of Canterburie and to Eaubald Archbishop of Yorke These Legates were gladly receyued not only by the foresayde Kings Archbishops but also of all other the high estares aswel spiritual and temporal of the lande and namely of Kinewulfe king of the West Saxons which repayred vnto king Offa to take counsaile with him for reformation of suche articles as were conteyned in the Popes letters There were .xx. seuerall articles whiche they had to propone on the Popes behalfe Twentie aâ—…ticles which the Legates had to propone as touching the receyuing of the faith or articles established by the Nicene CouÌ„cel obeying of the other general Councels with instructions concerning baptisme and keeping of Synodes yearely for the examination of Priestes and Ministers and reforming of naughtie liuers Moreouer touching discretion to be vsed in the admitting of gouernors in Monasteries and Curates or priests to the ministerie in Churches and further for the behauior of priests in wearing their apparell namely that they should not presume to come to the aulter bare legged least their dishonestie might be discouered And that in no wisâ—… the Chalice or Paten were made of the borne of an Oxe bycause the same is bloudie of nature nor the host of a crust but of pure bread Also whereas Bishops vsed to sitte in Councels to iudge
this Aulafe is not that Aulafe whiche was sonne to King Sithricke but rather that the other was hee with whome Kyng Edmond made partition of the Realme but they agree that this seconde Aulafe was a Dane also and being conuerted to the faith as well through constrainte of the Kyngs puissance as through the Preaching of the Gospell was Baptised Kyng Edmonde beeyng Godfather both to him and to the foresayde Reignolde to Aulafe at the fontstone and to Reignolde at his confirmation at the Bishoppes handes But their wicked natures coulde not rest in quiet so that they brake bothe promise to GOD and to theyr prince 944 Simon Dun. and were therefore in the yeare nexte followyng dryuen bothe out of the countrey and punished by perpetuall exile And so K. Edmond adioyned Northumberlande without admitting any other immediate gouernor vnto his own estate Leolin Kyng of South-Wales ayded K Edmonde in this enterprise 946 Moreouer he wasted spoiled whole Cumberland bycause he could not reduce y e people of that countrey vnto due obeysance and coÌ„formable subiection The two sonnes of Dunmaile K. of that prouince hee apprehended and caused their eyes to be put out And herewith vppon consideration eyther of suche ayde as he had receiued of y e Scottes at that time or some other friendly respect he assigned the saide countrey of Cumberlande vnto Malcolme K. of Scottes to hold the same by fealtie of him and his successors The Scottishe Chronicles peruerting the tyme and order of the actes and doings of the Englishe kings whiche raigned about this season affirme that by couenauntes of peace concluded betwixte Malcolme King of Scotlande and Adelstane King of England it was agreed that Cumberlande shoulde remayne to the Scottes as in their Chronicles you may finde at full expressed And again that Indulfe who succeeded Malcolme in the Kingdome of Scotland ayded K. Edmonde against Aulafe whome y e same Chronicles name Aualassus but the time which they attribute vnto the raignes of their Kings will not allow the same to stand For by accompt of their writers King Malcolme began not his raigne till after the decesse of King Adelstane who departed thys life in the yere 9â—…0 And Malcolme succeded CoÌ„stantine the third in the yere .944 which was about the third yeare of Kyng Edmonds raigne and after Malcolme that raigned .xv. yeares succeeded Indulfe in the yeare .959 The like discordance preceedeth and foloweth in their writers as to the diligent Reader in conferring their Chronicles w t ours it manifestly appeareth We therefore to satisfie the desirous to vnderstande see the diuersitie of writers haue for the more part in their Chronicles left the same as we haue found it Polidor The lawes of K. Edmonde But now to the other doings of K. Edmond it is recorded that hee ordeyned diuerse good and wholesome lawes very profitable and necessary for the common wealth whiche lawes with dyuerse other of like antiquitie are forgot and blotted out by rust of time the consumer of thynges worthy of loÌ„g remembrance as sayth Polidore but sithence his time they haue bin recouered for the more part and by master William Lambert turned into Latyne were imprinted by Iohn Day in the yeare .1568 as before I haue sayde Fiue yeres and seuen monethes hath St. Dun. Finally this Prince K. Edmond after he had raigned sixe yeres and a halfe he came to his end by great misfortune for as some say it chanced that espying where one of his seruauntes was in daunger to bee slayne amongst his enimies that were about him with drawen swords as he stepped in to haue holpen his seruante he was slayne at a place called Pulcher Church Prideciâ—…e hath Si. Dâ—â— VVil. Mâ—â— Math. VVâ—â— 946 or as other haue Michelsbourgh Other say that keeping a great feast at the aforesayde place on the day of Saint Augustine the English Apostle which is the .26 of May and as that yeare came about it fell on the tewsday as hee was set at the table he espyed where a common robber was placed neere vnto him whome sometime he had banished the land and now being returned without licence he presumed to come into the kings presence wherwith the King was so moued with high disdaine that he suddaynely rose from the table and flew vpon the Theefe and catching him by the heare of the head threwe him vnder his feete wherewith the theefe hauing fast holde on the King broughte him downe vppon him also and with his knyfe stroke him into the belly in suche wise that the Kings bowels fell out of his chest and there presently dyed the theefe was hewen in peeces by the Kings seruauntes but yet he slewe and hurt diuers before they coulde dispatch him Thys chance was lamentable namely to the Englishe people whiche by the ouertimely deathe of theyr King in whome appeared many euident tokens of great excellencie lost the hope whiche they had conceiued of great wealth to encrease by his prudent and most princely gouernemente His body was buried at Glastenbury where Dunstan was then Abbot There be that write that the death of King Edmonde was signified aforehande to Dunstane who about the same time attendyng vppon the same Kyng Capgraâ—…e as hee remooued from one place to an other chanced to accompany hymselfe with a noble man one Duke Elstane A vayne tale and as they rode togither beholde suddaynely Dunstane sawe in the way before hym where the Kings Musitions rode the Deuill running and leaping amongst the same Musitions after a reioycing manner whome after hee had behelde a good while he said to the Duke is it possible that you may see that whiche I do see and the Duke aunswered he sawe nothing otherwise than hee ought to see Then saide Dunstane Crossing bringeth fight of the Deâ—…ies and crossing driueth them away blesse youre eyes with the signe of the crosse and trie whether you can see that I see And when hee hadde done as Dunstane appoynted hym hee sawe also the Fende in likenesse of a little short euill fauoured Ethyopian daunsing and leaping whereby they gathered that some euill happe was towardes some of the company But when they had crossed and blessed them the foule Spirit vanished out of their sight And after they had talked of this vision Dunstan as interpretor of dreames and made an end of their talke touching the same y e Duke required of Dunstane to interpret a dreame which he had of late in sleepe and that was this he thought that he sawe in vision the King with all his Nobles sit in hys dining chamber at meate and as they were therewith making merry togither the K. chanced to fall into a dead sleepe and all the Noble men and those of his counsell that were aboute him were changed into Roobuckes and Goates Dustan quickly declared that this dreame signified the Kings deathe and the chaunging of the Nobles into dumb and insensible beastes
out the Monkes placing secular Priests in their roomes as namely at Malmesbury where yet the house was not empayred but rather enriched in landes and ornamentes by the kings liberalitie and the industrious meanes of the same Priestes whyche toke vp the bones of Saint Alderlme and put the same in a shrine Rebellion raised againste K. Edred At length the inhabitantes of y e middle parte of England euen from Humber to Thames rebelled againste him Sim. Dun. and elected hys brother Edgar to haue the gouernemente ouer them wherewith King Edwine tooke such griefe for that he saw no meane at hand how to remedy the matter that shortly after when he had raigned somewhat more than four yeres Edred departeth this life he departed this life His body was buried at Winchester in the new Abbey there Edgar Osborne and Capgrauehold that she was not his wyfe but a Nunne VV. Mal. In this meane time Alfred the wife of Kyng Edgare as some saye or rather as other write his concubine dyed of whome he had begote a son named Edward The death of this woman occasioned the K. to committe an heynous offence For albeit the same time the fame weÌ„t that Horgerius Duke of Cornewal Orgar or rather Deuonshire had a daughter named Alfred a Damosell of excellent beautie whome Edgar minding to haue in marriage appointed one of his noble men called Earle Ethelwolde to goe with al speede into Cornewall or Deuonshire to see if the yong Ladyes beautie aunswered the report that wente of hir then hee to breake the matter to hir father in his behalfe Ethelwold being a yong iolly Gentleman tooke his iourney into Cornewall Erle Ethelwold suppâ—â—ted the king of his wyfe comming to y e Duke was well receiued had a sight of his daughter w t whose beautie he was straight rauished so farre in loue that not regarding the kings pleasure which had sent him thither he begaÌ„ to purchase the good will of both father daughter for himselfe and did so much that he obteyned the same indeede Heerevpon returning to the K. hee enformed him that the Damosell was not of such beautie and comely personage as mighte hee thought worthy to matche in marriage with hys Maiestie And shortly after perceyuing the kyngs mind by his wrongfull misreport to be turned nothing bent that way he began to sue to hym y t hee mighte with his fauour marry the same Damosell which the K. graunted as one that cared not for hir bicause of the credite whiche he gaue to Ethelwolds words And so by this means Ethelwold obteined Alfrid in marriage which was to his owne destruction as the case fell out For wheÌ„ the fame of hir passing beautie did spred ouer all y e Realme now that she was married came more abroade in sight of the people the K. chanced to heare therof and desirous to see hir deuised vnder colour of hunting to come vnto the house of Ethelwolde and so did Where he had no sooner set his eye vpon hir but he was so farre wrapped in y e chaine of burning concupiscence King Edgar seeketh the destruction of earle Ethelwold that to obteine his purpose he shortly after contriued Ethelwolds death married his wife Some say that the woman kindled the brand of purpose for where it was knowen that the K. would see hir Ethelwold willed hir in no wise to trimme vp hir selfe but rather to disfigure hir in foule garmeÌ„ts some euill fauored attire that hir natiue beautie should not appeare but shee perceiuing howe the matter went of spight set foorthe hir selfe to y e vttermost so that y e K. vpon the first sight of hir became so farre enamored of hir beautie that taking hir husbande foorthe with him on hunting into a forrest or wood called then Werlewood King Edgar a murtherer and after Horewood not shewing that hee meante hym any hurt till at length hee had gote him within y e thicke of the woode where hee suddaynely stroke him through with his darte and as his bastarde son came to y e place the K. asked hym how he liked y e maner of hunting wherevnto he answered very wel if it like your grace for y t that liketh you ought not to displease me w t which answer y e K. was so pacified y t he indeuored by pretendyng his fauor towards the sonne to alleuiate the tyrannicall murder of the father Then did the K. marry the Countesse Alfred of hir begat two sons Edmond which died yoÌ„g Etheldred or Egelthred Besides this cruell acte wrought by king Edgar for the satisfying of his fleshly lust hee also played another part greatly to the stayne of hys honour mooued also by wanton loue wyth a yong Damsel named Wilfrid for after y t she had to auoyde the daunger of him eyther professed hir selfe a Nunne or else for a colour as the most part of wryters agree got hir selfe into a Nunrie and clad hir in Nunnes weede he tooke hir forth of hir Cloyster and lay by hir sundrie tymes and begat on hir a daughter named Edith who comming to conuenient age was made a Nunne His licencious life and incontinencie A thirde example of his incontinencie is written by Authours and that is this It chaunced on a time that he lodged one night at Andauer and hauing a minde to a Lordes daughter there he commaunded that she should be brought to his bed but the mother of the Gentlewoman woulde not that hir daughter shoulde be defloured and therefore in the darke of the night brought one of hir mayd seruants and layde hir in the kings bed she being both fayre proper and pleasant In the morning when the day beganne to appeare shee made haste to arise and being asked of the king why she so hasted that I may goe to my dayes worke if it please your grace quoth she Herewith she being stayed by the king as it were against hir will shee fell downe on hir knees and requyred of him that she might be made free in guerdon of hir nights worke For sayth she it is not for your honour that the woman whiche hath tasted the pleasure of the kings bodie should any more suffer seruitude vnder the rule and appoyntment of a sharpe and rough mistres The King then being moued in his spirites laughed at the matter though not from the heart as he that tooke great indignation at the doings of the Duchesse and pitied the case of the poore wenche But yet in fine turning the matter to a bourd he pardoned all the parties and aduaunced the wenche to high honour farre aboue those that had rule of hir afore so that shee ruled them willed they nilled they for he vsed hir as his paramour till time y t he maryed the foresaid Alfrede For these youthfull partes and namely for the rauishing of Wilfrida which though she were no Nunne yet the offence seemed right haynous for that he shoulde
Captaynes but whether he were a Dane or an EnglishmaÌ„ it is not certaynely tolde stood vp in such a place as he mighte be hearde of both the Princes and boldly vttered hys wordes in forme followyng The saying of a Captayne We haue most woorthy Chieftaynes fought long ynoughe one againste another there hathe bene but too muche bloud shed betweene both the Nations and the valiancie of the Souldioures on both sides is sufficiently ynough tried â–ª eyther of your manhoods lykewise yet caÌ„ you beare neyther good nor euill fortune if the one of you win the battayle he pursueth him y t is ouercome and if hee chaunce to be vanquished hee resteth not till he haue recouered newe strengthe to fight eftsoones with him that is victor What shoulde you meane by this youre inuincible courage At what marke shooteth youre greedy desire to beare rule and youre excessiue thirst to atteyne honor if you fyghte for a Kyngdome deuide it betweene you two which sometime was sufficient for seauen Kyngs but if you couet to winne fame and glorious renowme and for the same are driuen to trie the hazarde whether yee shall commaund or obey deuise the way whereby ye maye withoute so greate slaughter and withoute suche pitifull bloudshed of both youre giltlesse peoples trie whether of you is most worthy to be preferred Thus made hee an ende and the two Princes allowed well of his last motion and so order was taken The two 〈◊〉 appoint 〈…〉 the matter by a combate Olney that they should fighte togither in a singular combate within a little Ilande enclosed with the Riuer of Seuerne called Oldney with condition that whether of them chaunced to be Victor should be King and the other to resigne hys title for euer into his hands King Edmunde with those wordes of his aduersarie was so pacified that immediately he caste awaye his swoorde They take vp the matter betvvixt themselues and comming to Cnute ioyneth hands with him Both the armies by their ensample did the lyke which looked for the same fortune to fall to their countreys whiche shoulde happen to their Princes by the successe of that one battayle After this there was an agreement deuised betwixt them so that a partition of the realm was made and that part that lieth foreanelâ—…st Fraunce was assigned to Edmunde and the other fell to Cnute VVil. Malm. Ther be that write how the offer was made by king Edmunde for the aduoyding of more bloudshed that the two Princes should try the matter thus togither in a singular combate But Cnute refused the combate bicause as he alledged the matche was not equall For although he was able to matche Edmund in boldnesse of stomacke yet was he far to weake to deale with a man of suche strength as Edmunde was knowne to bee But sith they did pretend title to the realme by due and good directe meanes he thoughte it moste conuenient that the kingdom should be deuided betwixt them This motion was allowed of bothe the Armies so that Kyng Edmunde was of force constrayned to bee contented therewith Encomiom Eâ—…e Thus oure common writers haue recorded of this agreement but if I should not be thought presumptuous in taking vppon mee to reproue or rather but to mystrust that whiche hath bin receyued for a true narration in this matter I would rather giue credite vnto that whiche the authoure of the booke intituled by some Encomium Emmae dothe reporte in this behalfe Whiche is that thorough perswasion of Edrike de Streona Kyng Edmunde immediatlye after the battayle fought at Ashdonne sente Ambassadors vnto Cnute to offer vnto hym peace wyth halfe the Realme of Englande that is to witte the northe partes wyth condition that King Edmunde myghte quyetly enioye the South parte and therevppon to haue pledges delyuered interchaungeably on eyther side Cnute hauing hearde the 〈◊〉 of thys message stayeded make aunswere tyll he had vnderstoode what hys counsell woulde aduyse hym to doe in thys behalfe and vppon good deliberation taken in the matter consideryng that he had loste no small number of people in the former battayle and that being farre out of his countrey he coulde not well haue anye newe supplye where the Englishemen although they hadde 〈◊〉 losse very manys at theâ—… menne of warre yet beeyng in theyr owne countrey it shoulde bee an easye matter for them to restore theyr decayed numbers it was thought expedient by the whose conâ—…enteÌ„ of all the Danishe Capâ—…tayns that the offer of kyng Edmunde shoulde bee accepted And herevpon Cnute calling the Ambassadâ—…s is afore hym agayne declared vnto them that hee was contented to conclude a peace vppon suche conditions as they haâ—â—e offered but yet with thys addition that their King whatsoeuer he shoulde bee shoulde pay Cnutes souldiours their wages with money to bee leuied of that parte of the Kingdome whiche the English king shoulde possesse For this sayth he I haue vndertaken to see them payde and otherwyse I wyll not graunte to any peace The league and agreement therfore beyng concluded in this sorte pledges are deliuered and receyued on both partes and the armies discharged But God sayth myne Authour being myndefull of his olde doctrine That euery kingdome diuided in it selfe â—…an not long stande shortely after â—…oke Edmunde oute of this lyfe and by suche meanes seemed to take puâ—…e of the Englishe kingdome least if bothe the kinges shoulde haue continued in life together they shoulde haue liued in daunger And incontinentely herevpon was Cnute chosen and receyued for absolute King of all the whole Realme of Englande Thus hath he 〈◊〉 that lyued in those dayes whose credite thereby is whiche 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the common reporte of writers touchyng the 〈◊〉 of Edmund of â—â—ryeth from this who 〈◊〉 affirme that 〈◊〉 Cnute and Edmund were made friends the â—â—prist of eâ—â—ie and falle compiracie 〈◊〉 to in the hearts of some traiterous persons that within aÌ„ while after king Edmund was 〈◊〉 at Oxforde K. Edmunde tâ—…aiterously slaine at Oxforde as be satle on a priâ—…e to â—…ot the necessaries of Nature The common report hath gone that Erâ—â— Edricke was the procurer of this 〈◊〉 acte and that as some write his sonne did it Fabian Simon Dun. But the same authour that wrote Encomium Emmae wryting of the death of Edmunde hath these words immediatly after hee hath firste declared in what sorte the two Princes were agreed and had made partition of the realme betwixt them But GOD sayeth he beyng myndefull of his olde doctrine That euery kingdome deuided in it self can not long stand shortly after tooke Edmunde out of this lyfe and by suche meanes seemed to take pitie vpon the Englishe kingdome least if bothe the kings shoulde haue continued in lyfe togither they should bothe haue liued in great daunger and the Realme in trouble Wyth this agreeth also Simon Dunelmensis who sayeth that Kyng Edmunde dyed of naturall sickenesse by course of kynde at London aboute
about the fourth yeare of the Emperor Henrye the thirde surnamed Niger in the .xij. yeare of Henry the firste of that name Kyng of Fraunce and about the third yeare of Maâ—…beth king of Scotland This Edwarde the third of that name before the conquest was of nature more meeke simple than apte to the gouernement of the realme and therfore did Erle Goodwyn not only seeke the destruction of his elder brother Alfred but also holpe in that he mighte to aduaunce this Edwarde to the crowne in hope to beare great rule in the realme vnder him whome hee knewe to be softe gentle and easy to be persuaded But whatsoeuer writers do report hereof sure it is that Edwarde was the elder brother and not Alvred so that if erle Goodwyn did shew his furtherance by his pretenced cloake of offring his frendship vnto Alvred to betraye him he did it by king Harolds coÌ„mandement and yet it may be that he ment to haue vsurped the crowne to him self if eche poynt had aunswered his expectation in the sequele of things as he hoped they would and therfore had not passed if bothe the brethren had bin in heauen But yet when the worlds framed contrary peraduenture to his purpose he didde his test so aduaunce Edward trusting to beare no small rule vnder him being knowne to be a man more appliable to be gouerned by other than to trust to his owne wit and so chiefly by the assistance of Erle Goodwyn whose authoritie as appeareth was not small within the Realme of Englande in those dayes Edwarde came to attayne the Crowne wherevnto the erle of Chester Leofryke also shewed all the furtherance that in him lay Some write which semeth also to be confirmed by the Danish chronicles that king Hardiknought in his lyfe tyme had receyued this Edwarde into his Courte Ran. Higd ex Mariano Albert. Cranes and reteyned him still in the same in moste honourable wyse But for that it maye appeare in the abstracte of the Danishe Chronicles what their writers hadde of this matter recorded we doe here passe ouer referring those that be desyrous to knowe the diuersitie of oure wryters and theyrs vnto the same Chronicles where they may fynd it more at large expressed Thys in no wyse is to be lefte vnremembred that immediatly after the death of Hardiknought it was not only decreed and agreed vppon by the greate Lords and nobles of the Realme Polidore Danes expelled that no Dane from thencefoorth shoulde reigne ouer them but also all menne of warre and souldiours of the Danes whiche lay within anye Citie or Castell in garrison within the realme of Englande were then expulsed and put out or rather slayne as the Danishe writers do rehearse Sim. Dunel Amongst other that were banished the ladie Goâ—…ild nece to king Swayn by his sister was one Gâ—â—ild nece to king Svvayne beeing as then a widowe and with hir two of hir sonnes whiche she had then lyuing Heming and Turkyll were also caused to auoyde There be that write that Alfred the brother of king Edwarde Polidore came not into the realme till after the death of Hardiknought and that he didde helpe to expulse the Danes and that doone was slaine by Erle Goodwin and other of his complices But how this may stande considering the circumstaÌ„ces of the tyme with suche things as are written by diuers authors hereof it may well be doubted But whether Earle Goodwyn was guiltie to the death of Alfred eyther at this time or before certayne it is that he so cleered him selfe of that cryme vnto King Edwarde the brother of Alfred that there was none so highly in fauoure with hym as Earle Goodwyn was K. Edvvarde marieth the daughter of erle Goodvvin insomuche that king Edwarde maryed the lady Eaditha the daughter of erle Goodwyn begotten of his wyfe Thira that was syster to King Hardiknought and not of his seconde wyfe as some haue written But so it was that King Edwarde neuer had to doe with hir in fleshly wyse Polidor But whether he absteined bicause he hadde haply vowed chastitie eyther of impotencie of nature or for a priuie hate that hee bare to hir kinne men doubted For it hath bene thoughte that he esteemed not Earle Goodwyn so greatly in his hearte K. Edvvarde absteyneth froÌ„ the companie of his vvise as he outwardely made shewe to doe but rather for feare of his puissaunce disseÌ„bled with him least he shoulde otherwise put hym selfe in danger both of losse of life kingdom Howsoeuer it was he vsed his counsel in ordering of things concerning the state of the coÌ„mon wealth and namely in the harde handelyng of his mother Quene Emme K. Edvvarde dealeth straytly vvith his mother Queene Emme agaynste whoÌ„ diuers accusatioÌ„s were brought alledged as first for y t she consented to marrie with king Cnute the publike enimie of the realme Againe that she did nothing ayde or succoure hir sonnes whyle they liued in exile and that worse was Queene Emme dispoiled of hir goodes contriued to haue made them away For which cause she was dispoyled of al hir goodes And bicause she was defamed to be naughte of hir bodie with Alwyne or Adwine bishop of Winchester She is accused of dissolute liuing both she and the saint bishop were admitted to prison within the citie of Winchester as some write but other affirme that she was straytly kepte in the Abbey of Warwell Ran. Higd. tyl by way of purging hirselfe after a maruellous manner in passyng barefooted ouer certaine hot shares or ploughyrons She purgeth hir selfe by the lavv â–ª Ordalium according to the laws 〈◊〉 she clered hir selfe as the world tooke it and was restored to hir first astate and dignitie VV. Malm. Hir excessiue couetousnesse without regarde had to the poore caused hir also to be euil reported 〈◊〉 And ageyne for that she euer shewed hir selfe to be more naturall to the issue whiche she had by bi r second husband Cnute than to hir children which she had by hir firste husbande kyng Egelred as it were declaryng howe she was affected toward the fathers by the loue 〈◊〉 to the children she loste a greate peece of good will at the handes of hir sonnes Alfred Edwarde So that nowe the said Edwarde enioying the realme was easily enduced to think euill of hir and therevppon vsed hir the more vncourteoussy But hir greate liberalitie employed on the churche of Winchester whiche she furnished with maruelous rich iewels and ornamentes wan hir great commendation in the worlde and excused hir partly in the sight of many of the infamie imputed to hir for the immoderate filling of hir coffers by all wayes and meanes shee coulde deuise And after that she had purged hir self as before is meÌ„cioned hir sonne king Edwarde had hir euer after in great honor and reuerence Ran. Higd. And wheras Robert Archbishop of Canterbury had ben sore against hir he
report of his malitious practises to bryng hymselfe and hys sonnes to the chiefe seate of gouernemente in the Kingdome or that of hatred such slaunders were reysed of him it may of some perhappes be doubted bycause that in the dayes of King Edwarde whiche was a soft and gentle Prince hee bare greate rule and authoritie and so mighte procure to himselfe euill report for euery thing that chanced amisse as oftentimes it commeth to passe in suche cases where those that haue greate doyngs in the gouernemente of the common wealthe are commonly euill spoken of and that now and theÌ„ without their gilt But truth it is that Goodwin beeing in authoritie both in the dayes of K. Edward and his predecessors did many thyngs as should appeare by Writers more by will than by law Hen. Hunt and so likewise did his sonnes vpo presumption of the great puissance that they and theyr father were of within the Realme Hee had to wife the sister of K. Cnute Editha of whome hee begate three sonnes as some write that is to saye Polidor Harrolde Biorne and Tostie also his daughter Editha the which he found meanes to bestowe in marriage vpon King Edward as before ye haue heard But other write VVil. Malm. that he had but one sonne by Cnutes sister the whiche in riding of a rough Horse was throwen into the Riuer of Thames and so drowned His mother also was striken with a thunderbolte and so perished worthely as is reported for hir naughty doyings She vsed to buy great numbers of yong persons and namely maides that were of any excellencie in beutie and personage y t which she sent ouer into Denmarke and there sold them to hir most aduantage After hir decesse as the same authours record Goodwin married another woman by whome he had issue sixe sonnes Suanus or Swayne Harrolde Tostie or Tosto Wilnote Gurth and Leofricke of them mention is and shall be further made as places conuenient shall serue thereto Shortly after in the yeare .1057 Aldred Bishop of Worceter was sente ouer vnto the Emperoure Henry the third to fetche Edwarde the sonne of Edmund Ironside into EnglaÌ„d whom King Edwarde was desirous to see meaning to ordeyne him heire apparante to the Crowne but he died the same yere after he was now returned into England Edward the outlaw departed this life This Edward was surnamed the outlawe his body was buryed at Westminster or as other say in y e Church of Saint Paule within London 1056 Leofricke Erle of Chester departed this life Ran. Higd. Mat. VVest The same yeare that is to witte in the seuenteenth or in the sixtenth yeare of King Edwards raigne as some write Leofricke the noble Earle of Chester or Mercia that was sonne to Duke Leofwine departed this life in his owne Towne of Bromeley the last day of August and was buried at Couentrie in the Abbey there which he had builded This Earle Leofricke was a man of greate honor wise and discret in all his doyngs His high wisedome and policie stoode the Realm in great steede whilest he liued He had a noble Lady to his wife named Gudwina at whose earnest sute he made the Citie of Couentrie free of all manner tolle Couentrie made free of tolle and custome except for Horses and to haue that tolle layde downe also his foresaide Wife rode naked through the middest of the Towne without other couerture saue only hir heare Moreouer partly â–ª moued by his owne deuotion and partly by the perswasion of that noble Lady his wife he builded or beneficially augmeÌ„ted and repared many Abbeyes and Churches as the saide Abbey or Priory at Couentrie the Abbeyes of Wenlocke Worceter Stone Eueshame and Leof beside Herford Also he buylded two Churches within the Citie of Chester Churches in Chester built the one called S. Iohns and the other Saint Werbrough The valew of y e iewels and ornaments which he bestowed on the Abbey Church of Couentrie was inestimable After Leofrickes death his sonne Algar was made Earle and entituled in all his landes and Seigniories In the yeare following to witte 1058. H. Hunt Algar Earle of Chester exiled the same Algar was accused again through malice of some enuious persons of treason so that he was exiled the land wherevppon he repared agayne vnto his old friend Griffin Prince of Northwales of whome hee was ioyfully receyued and shortly after by his ayde and also by the power of a nauie of Ships that by chaunce arriued in those parties at that selfe season vnlooked for out of Norway Sim. Dunel the said Algar recouered hys Earledome by force as some haue written King Edward about the twentith yere of his raine 1063 Sim. Dunel Math. VVest as then remayning at Glocester appoynted Earle Harrolde to inuade the Dominions of Griffin King of Wales Harrold taking with him a power of Horsemen made speed and came to Rutland and there brenned Griffins Palace and also his Shippes and then about midlent returned againe into England After this about the Rogation weeke Harrold eftsoones by the Kings commaundemente wente against the Welchmen and taking the Sea sayled by Bristowe round about the coast compassing in maner al Wales His brother Tostie that was Earle of Northumberland met him by appointment with an host of Horsemen and so ioyning togither Wales destroyed and harried by the Englishmâ—â— The Welchmen agree to pay their accustomed tribute they destroyed the countrey of Wales in suche sorte that the Welchmen were compelled to submit themselues to deliuer hostages and conditioned to pay the auntient tribute which before time they had payd And moreouer they renounced their Prince the forenamed Griffin so that he remayned as a banished person and finally about the fifth day of August they slewe him and sent his head to Earle Harrold 1064 VVil. Malm. Sim. Dunel Afterwards King Edward graunted y e rule of Wales vnto Blengent or Blethgent and Riuall Griffins two brethren whiche did homage vnto hym for the same and hadde serued vnder Harrold against their brother the foresaid Griffin There be that write that not onely Griffin but also another of his brethreÌ„ also called Rise was brought to his death by the manfull meanes and politike order of Earle Harrold VVil. Malm. and all the sauadge people of Wales reduced into the forme of good order vnder the subiection of King Edwarde Shortly after Harrold goeth ouer into Normandy Polidor Earle Harrolde chaunced to passe ouer into Normandy whether of happe or of purpose it is harde to define writers varry so much in report thereof Some write that he made earnest suite to King Edward to haue licence to goe ouer to see his brother Wilnote Edmerus and his nephewe Hacun which as yee haue heard were deliuered as pledges to Kyng Edwarde and sente into Normandy to remayne there with Duke William and at length with muche adoe gote leaue but yet he was told
the same time lately come into Englande with his mother and sisters oute of Hungarie where he was borne yet for that hee was but a child and not of sufficient age to beare rule they durst not as then commit the gouernment of the realme vnto him least as some haue thought his tendernesse of age might first breed a contempt of his person and therewith minister occasion to ciuil discord wherby a shipwrak of the estate might to the great annoy and present ouerthrow of such ensue as then liued in the same But what consideration so euer they had in this behalf they ought not to haue defranded the yong Gentleman of his lawfull right to the Crowne For as we haue heard and seene God whose prouidence mightie power is shewed by ouerthrowing of high and mightie things now and then by the weake and feeble hath gouerned states and kingdoms oftentimes in as good quiet and princely policie by a childe as by menne of rype age and greate discretion But to the purpose beside the doubt whiche rested among the Lordes howe to bestowe the Crowne the manifold and straunge wonders which were seene and heard in those days betokening as men thought some chaunge to bee at hande in the estate of the realme made the Lordes afrayde and namely bycause they stode in great doubt of William duke of Normandie who pretended a right to the crowne as lawful heyre appoynted by king Edward for that he was akinne to him in the secōd and third degree Dukes of Normandie For Richard the first of that name duke of Normandie begot Richard the seconde and Emme which Emme bare Edward by hir husband Ethelred Richarde the second also had issue Richard the thirde and Robert which Robert by a Concubine had issue William surnamed the bastard that was nowe Duke of Normandie and after the death of hys cosin king Edwarde made clayme as is sayde to the crowne of Englande Whilest the Lordes were thus studying and consulting what shoulde be best for them to doe in these doubtes Haralde the sonne of Goodwin Earle of Kent Harold proclaymed king of Englande proclaymed himselfe king of England The people being not much offended therewith bycause of the great cōfidence and opinion which they had lately conceyued of his valiancie Some write among which Edmerus is one Edmerus how king Edwarde ordeyned before his death that Harold shoulde succeed him as heyre to the crowne and that therevpon the Lordes immediately after the sayde Edwardes deceasse crowned Harolde for their king and so he was sacred by Aldred Archb. of Yorke according to the custome and maner of the former kings or as other affyrme Mat. VVest he set the crowne on his owne head without any the accustomed ceremonies in the yeare after the byrth of our sauiour .1066 or in the yere of Christ .1065 after the account of the Church of Englād as before is noted But how and whensoeuer he came to the seate royall of this Kingdome certaine it is that this Harolde in the beginning of his raigne considering with himselfe howe and in what sort hee had taken vppon him the rule of the kingdome rather by intrusion than by any lawfull right he studied by all meanes which way to winne the peoples fauour Harold seketh to winne the peoples hartes and omitted no occasion whereby hee might shewe any token of bounteous liberalitie gentlenesse courteous behauiour towardes them The grienous customs also and taxes which his predecessors had raysed Sim. Dunel he either abolished or diminished the ordinarie wages of his seruauntes and men of warre he encreased and further shewed hymselfe very well bent to all vertue and godlinesse whereby he purchased no small good will of such as were his subiectes This couenaunt he made as it is supposed in king Edwards dayes when by lycence of the same Edwarde or rather as Edmerus wryteth agaynst his will he went ouer into Normandie to visite his brethren which lay there as pledges K. Harolds answere howbeit at this present Haroldes annswere to the sayde Ambassadours was that hee would be readie to gratifie the Duke in all that he coulde demaunde so that he woulde not aske the realme which alredy he had in his full possession Edmerus And further he declared vnto thē as some write that as for the othe which hee had made in tymes past vnto Duke William the same was but a constrayned and no voluntarie oth which in law is nothing Mat. VVest since thereby hee tooke vppon him to graunt that whiche was not in his power to giue hee beeing but a subiect whilest King Edwarde was lyuing for if a promised vowe or othe which a Mayde maketh concerning the bestowing of hir bodie in hir fathers house without his consent is made voyde much more an othe by him made that was a subiecte and vnder the rule of a king without his soueraignes consent ought to be voyde and of no value He alledged moreouer that as for him to take an othe to deliuer the inheritaunce of anye Realme withoute the generall consent of the estates of the same coulde not bee other than a greate peece of presumption yea althoughe hee might haue iust tytle therevnto so it was an vnreasonable request of the Duke at this present to will him to renounce the Kingdome the gouernance whereof hee had alreadie taken vpon him with so great fauor and good lyking of all men Duke William hauing receyued this answer Duke Williā efsoones sendeth to king Harolde and nothing lyking thereof hee sendeth once againe to Harolde requyring him then at the least wise that hee woulde take his daughter to wife according to his former promise in refusal wherof he could make no sound allegation bycause it was a thing of his owne motion and in his absolute power both to graunt and to perfourme But Harolde beeing of a stoute courage wyth prowde countenaunce frowned vpon the Norman Ambassadors and declared to them that his minde was nothing bent as then to yeelde therevnto in any maner of wise And so with other talke tending to the like effect he sent them away without any other answere The daughter of Duke William which Harold should haue maried was named Adeliza as Gemeticensis hath Gemeticensi and with hir as the same authour writeth it was couenanted by Duke William that Harold should enioy halfe the Realme in name of hir dower VVil. Mal. Howbeit some write that this daughter of Duke William was departed this life before the cōming of these Ambassadors and that Harold therevppon thought himself discharged of the oth and couenants made to Duke William and therefore sent them away with an vntoward answere But howsoeuer it was after the departure of these Ambassadors Polidor king King Harold doubting what would ensue caused his shippes to be newly rigged his men of warre to be mustred speedily put in a readinesse to the ende that if any sodaine
prisoners as they had before taken of them that kept the sayde spoyle greatly now to aduance the victorie of their fellowes shewing more crueltie towardes the Englishe men than any of the rest now that they sawe once howe the victorie was inclined to the Pictish side In fine such slaughter was made that of the whole Englishe hoste whiche was there assembled there vneth escaped fiue hundred Athelstane himselfe at the first encounter was runne through the bodie with a Speare Athelstane is staine and so dyed gyuing name to the place of the battaile whiche continueth euen vnto this day Aylstone foord being called Athelstanes foorde The signe of the foresayde Crosse was not onely seene of the Pictes and Scottes beeyng there wyth them in ayde Saint Andrew the Scottish mens patron to both theyr greate comfortes and gladnesse but also of the Englishe men to their no lesse discouragement as they that vnderstoode Saint Andrewe to bee Patrone and Aduowryer of the Scottishe and Pictishe Nations For it did put suche a feare into theyr heartes that when they came to the poynte of ioyning theyr stomackes so sayled them that wyth small resystaunce they were easily vanquished as is sayde and put to flyght For this so manifest a myracle after the battaile was once ended and the victorie obteyned Hungus repayred with his people following him Saint Reule vnto the Church of that blessed man Saint Regulus nowe called Saint Andrewes where they made theyr offrings wyth humble deuotion vnto the Relykes of the Apostle rendring thankes vnto him for theyr victorie with deuoute prayer after the accustomed maner then They vowed there also at the same tyme as the fame goeth Why Scottish men vse S Andros crosse in warfare that from thenceforth as well they as theyr posteritie in tyme of warre shoulde weare a Crosse of Saint Andrews for theyr badge and cognisance Which ordenance continually after remayned with the Pictes and after their destruction exterminion with the Scots euen vnto our time The bodie of Athelstane was buried in the next Church vnto the place where the fielde was fought howbeit Athelstane his buriall some haue left in wryting that his head was cut off from the bodie and brought to Inchgaruie where beeing set vppon a stake it was shewed to the people in reproche of his iniurious enterprise Hungus the Pictishe king to shewe himselfe yet more mindefull of the due honoring of the holy Apostle Hungus repaireth S. Aâ—…os Church by whose ayde he acknowledged himselfe to haue got the victorie aforesayde not only augmented his Church with new buildings and necessarie reparations but encreased the number of priests in the same for the celebrating of diuine seruice he also gaue many riche and costly ornaments vnto the same as Chalices Cruets Basons such like Images of golde and siluer Moreouer he caused to be made the Images of christ and his .xij. Apostles of fine gold and siluer which hee bestowed there with a case also of beaten golde Tenthes to be giuen vnto the Cleargie therein to inclose the relykes of S. Andrew And besides this he ordeyned that the Spiritualtie should haue the tenthes of all increase of goods as of corne cattailes herbage and such like through his realme and further that spirituall personâ—… should not be 〈◊〉 to answere before any 〈…〉 But these beneficiall priuiledge the Pictishe clergie diâ—… not loÌ„g enioy Feredeth taketh from the Cleargie their priuiledges For Feredeth that was the 〈◊〉 which raigned amongst the Pictes after Hungus tooke from them all suche giftes as this Hungus had giuen them and further ordeyned to the derogation of their Priuiledges that they shoulde answere 〈◊〉 secular â—â—â—mes afore secular Magistrates â–ª And why not And that lyuing vppon theyr former reuenewes Priestes to be tryed afore secular iudges Souldiers and menne of warre shoulde enioye the other whiche Hungus had so freely bestowed vpon them The Nobles of the land mainteyned Feredeth in his doings reckening all that spirituall persons had to be but cast away which was the cause as some thought that theyr Kingdome take into suche ruine as shortly after followed There bee some Chronicles that wryte how these things whiche are mencioned of Hungus and Athelstane chaunced not altogyther aboute this season but Hector Boetius followeth â—…eremâ—…nd in moste of his accounte as the authour whome he taketh to be most certaine as well for the accounte of the tyme as in the course of the whole Hystorie And for that we meane not to presume wholy to derogate the same Boetius his credite wee haue not muche dissented from hym but rather followed him in most places leauing suche doubtes as may bee worthily put forth of that which he wryteth vnto the consideration of the diligent Reader sithe it is not our purpose to impugne but rather to report what wee finde written by other except nowe and then by the way to admonishe the reader of some vnlikelyhoodes as the same doth seeme to vs and other and happely not without iust occasion But nowe to our purpose Aswell Hungus King of Pictes as Achaius King of Scottes after the ouerthrowe and death of Athelstane lyued with theyr people in good quiet rest for the Englishe men attempted nothing agaynst the Scottes or Pictes afterwardes Achains departeth out of this life 819 during the time of their raignes At length Achaius after hee had raigned .xxxij. yeares departed thys lyfe in the yeare of our Lorde .819 whiche was about the sixt yeare of Hungus his dominion ouer the Pictes His bodie was buryed in Colmekill according to the maner of Kings amongest hys predecessours In the days of thys Achains beside Clement and others of whome before ye haue heard lyued Byshop Gerâ—…adius a notable Preacher in Murrey lande Also Bishoppe Glacian with Moâ—◠〈…〉 brethren all Doctorâ—… and â—…span knowledge in respect whereof they were had in great credite and estimation with the people Betwixt this Conual and Hungus â—…he Pictish king Loue and amitie there was wonderfull loue and amitie shewed 〈◊〉 of them 〈◊〉 by all wayes and meanes how to 〈…〉 allance betwixt their people wherevpon 〈◊〉 greate wealth and 〈…〉 kingdomes Finally Hungus wasted with a continual consumption deceased Hungus falleth in â—… consumption Conuall deceasseth also delyuering vp his kingdome into the handes of hys soâ—…e Dorstolorâ—â—â—s and that in the presence of King Conuall who likewyse lyued not long after hym for in the fifth yeare of his raigne hee lykewyse departed oute of thys Worlde 802. Io. Ma. by force of naturall sicknesse DOngall the sonne of king Saluathius was receyued to succeede by the common consent of the estates of all the Realme Dongall succeedeth after Conuall a man of singular wisdome and great knowledge A seuere punisher of malefactors But for that hee was somewhat seuere in punishing the mysorâ—â—ed behauiours of the Nobilitie and misgouerned youth of hys Realme
of Englande not wel contented nor pleased in his mind that the Scottes shoulde enioy a great portion of the north partes of England aunciently belonging to his crowne as parcell thereof he raysed a great army and before any denouncing of war by him made inuaded Northumberland The castell of Anwike won by the English men tooke the Castell of Anwike putting all suche to the sworde as were founde in the same King Malcolme to withstande such exploytes attempted by his enimie leuied a great hoste of his subiectes and comming with the same into Northumberlande besieged the sayde Castell of Anwike The castell of Anwike besieged by the Scottes And nowe when the keepers of the hold were at poynt to haue made surrender a certaine English knight conceiuing in his mind an hardie and daungerous enterprise mounted on a swift horse without armor or weapon sauing a speare in his hand vpon the poynt wherof he bare the keyes of the castel so issued forth at y e gates riding directly towardes the Scottish campe They that warded mystrusting no harme brought him with great noyse and claymor vnto the kings tent Who hearing the noyse came forth of his panilion to vnderstande what the matter ment The Englishman herewith touched his staffe as though it had beene to the ende that the king might receyue the keyes whiche he had brought And whilest all mens eyes were earnest in beholding the keyes An hardie enterprice the Englishe man ranne the king through the left eye and sodainly dashing his spurres to his horse escaped to the next wood out of all daunger The poynt of the speare entred so farre into the kings head that immediately falling downe amongst his men he yeelded vp the ghost K. Malcolme is slaine This was the ende of king Malcolme in the middest of his armie It is sayde that king William chaunged the name of this aduenturous knight The name of the Percees had no suche beginning for they came forth of Normandie at the conquest Earles of Northumberland and called him Pers E and for that he stroke king Malcolme so right in the eye and in recompence of his seruice gaue him certaine landes in Northumberlande of whom those Percees are discended whiche in our dayes haue enioyed the honourable tytle of Earles of Northumberlande The Scottes after the slaughter of their king brake vp theyr campe K. Malcolme buryed at Tynmouth and buried his bodie within the Abbay of Tynmouth in England But his sonne Alexander caused it to be afterwardes taken vp and buryed in Dunfermling before the Aulter of the Trinitie The same tyme was Scotlande wounded with an other missehappe Edward prince of Scotlande dyed For Edwarde the Prince of Scotlande eldest sonne to king Malcolme dyed of a burt which be receyued in a skirmish not farre from Anwike and was buryed in Dunfermeling the fyrst of the bloud royall that hadde hys bones layde in that place Queene Margaret being aduertised of the death both of hir husbande and sonne as then lying in Edenbourgh Castell hir disease encreased through griefe thereof so vehemently Queene Margaret died that within three dayes after she departed out of this life vnto an other more ioyfull and blessed King Malcolme was slaine in the yeare of of oure redemption 1092. 1097. H.B. The Ides of October H.B. on the .xiij. day of Nouember and in the .xxxvj. yeare of hys raigne Strange wonders In the same yeare manye vncouth things came to passe and were seene in Albion By the highe spring Tydes whiche chaunced in the Almaine Seas Aâ—… huge tyde many Townes Castels and Wooddes were drowned aswell in Scotland as in England After the ceassing of which tempest the lands that somtime were Earle Goodwines of whom ye haue hearde before lying not farre from the towne of Sandwich by violent force and drift of the Sea were made a sande bed and euer sithence haue beene called Goodwine sandes Goodwin sandes The people haue thought that this vengeance came to that peece of grounde being possessed by his posteritie for the wicked slaughter of Alured which he so trayterously contriued Moreouer sundrie Castelles and Townes in Murry lande were ouerthrowne by the sea Tydes Thunder Such dreadfull thunder happened also at the same time that men and beastes were slaine in the fields and houses ouerturned euen from their foundations Trees corne burnt In Lonthian Fife and Angus trees and corne were burned vp by fire kindled no man knew how nor from whence In the dayes of this Malcolme Cammore liued that famous hystoriographer Marianus a Scottish man borne Marianus but professed a Monke in the Monasterie of Fulda in Germany Also Veremond a Spanish priest Veremonde but dwelling in Scotland florished about the same time and wrote the Scottish historie whome Hector Boetius so much followeth The sonnes of king Malcolm Cammore Malcolme had by his wife Queene Margaret otherwise called for hir holinesse of life S. Margaret vj. sonnes Edward as is said was slain Etheldred which died in his tender age and was buried in Dunfermling and Edmond which renounced the world liued an holy life in England the other three were named Edgar Alexander and Dauid There be that write how Edmond was taken and put to death in prison by his vncle Donalde Bane Donald Bane when he inuaded the kingdome and vsurped the crowne after the deceasse of his brother king Malcolme and so then was Edgar next inheritour to the crowne Donalde Bane fled into the Iles. This Donald Bane who as before is mentioned fled into the Iles to eschue the tyrannical malice of Makbeth after he once heard that his brother king Malcolme was dead Donalde Bane returneth into Scotlande His couenant for the gift of the Iles to the king of Norway returned into Scotland by support of the K. of Norway vnto whom he couenanted to giue the dominion of all the Iles if by his meanes and furtheraunce hee might obteyne the crowne of Scotland Herevpon landing with an armie in the Realme he founde small resistance and so with little a doe receyued the crowne for many of the people abhorring the riotous maners and superfluous gurmandice brought in amongst them by the English men The respect that the people had to receyue Donald Bane for their king were willing inough to receiue this Donalde for their king trusting bycause hee had beene brought vp in the Iles with the olde customes and maners of their auncient Nation without tast of the English lykerous delicacies they shoulde by his seuere order in gouernment recouer againe the former temperancie of theyr olde progenitors As soone as Edgar Adeling brother to Queen Margaret was aduertised that Donalde Bane had thus vsurped the crowne of Scotland K. Malcolmes sonnes sent for into Englande by Edgar their vncle he sent secretly for his thre nephews Edgar Alexander and Dauid with two sisters which they had
had giuen his faith once aforehand for those landes vnto the Empresse Maulde which he minded not to breake for the threatening wordes of any new inuasours King Stephan moued with this answere sent a power of men to the bordures of Northumberland whiche as then was vnder the dominion of the Scottes to make a rode vpon the inhabitants of that countrey The Englishmen inuade Northumberland They that had the charge of this enterpryse entring into the landes of theyr enimies put all to the fire and swoorde that came in theyr way The Scottes kindled with that displeasure The Scottes make rodes into England roded into England and did the like displeasures and hurtes there For the yeare after the Earles of Marche Menteth The Earle of Gloucester Robert was against K. Stephā but there might be some other happely vnto whom K. Stephan had giuen that title A resignatiō and Angus entred into England with a great armie against whom came the Earle of Gloucester and giuing them batayle at Northallertoun lost the fielde and was taken prysoner himselfe with diuers other nobles of England King Stephan therefore constreyned to redeeme the captiues gaue not onely a great some of money for them but also made resignation of all such title clayme and interest as eyther he or any of his successours might make or pretend to the counties of Northumberland and Cumberland Howbeit his nobles were no sooner returned home but that repenting him of that resignatiō King Stephan repenteth he gathered his puysance againe and entring into Northumberland fought with the Scottes that came foorth to resist him and obtayning the victorie tooke a great parte of the countrey into his possession King Dauid to redresse these iniuries gathered a mightie army with deliberate minde either to expell the Englishmen out of all the boundes of his dominions or els to vse in the payne But shortly after Thurstane Archbishop of Yorke came vnto Roxbourgh called in those dayes Marken to treate for a peace Roxburgh in old time Marken A truce where a truce was concluded for three monethes with condition that the Englishmen should deliuer vp the dominion of Northumberland vnto the lord Henry king Dauid his sonnes But for so muche as this couenant was not performed on king Stephens side King Dauid inuadeth Northumberland king Dauid inuaded that part of the cuntrey which the Englishmen helde making greate slaughter of all them that he found there about to resist him King Stephan passeth vnto Roxbourgh King Stephen moued herewith leuied his people and came in puissant aray vnto Roxborough but for that he had secrete knowledge that some of the nobles in his armie soughte hys destruction King Stephan returneth hee was constrayned to returne without atchieuing of any worthie enterprise The yeare next ensuyng a peace was talked vpon the Archbishops of Cantorbury Yorke appointed commissioners in the treatie therof on the behalfe of king Stephen and the bishops of Glasgewe Aberden and Saint Androws on the partie of king Dauid But Maulde queene of Englande the daughter of Eustace Earle of Boloigne and neece to king Dauid by his sister Marie was the chiefest doer in this matter to bring them to agreement The one of the kings that is to say Stephen lay at Duresme with his nobles and the other that is to say Dauid lay at Newcastell during all the time of this treatie which at length sorted to the conclusion of a peace A peace on these conditions that the counties of Northumberland and Huntingdon shoulde remaine in the gouernement of Henry Prince of Scotland Couenants of agreement as heire to the same by right of his mother But Cumberlande shoulde be reputed as the inheritance and right of his father king Dauid And for these landes and seigniories the forenamed Prince Henry and his successours Princes of Scotlande should doe homage vnto kyng Stephen and his successours kings of England for the tyme being Homage Carleil was repaired by William Rufus K. of England about the yeare of our Lorde 1092. The peace thus ratified betwixt the two kinges and their subiectes kyng Stephen returned into Kent and king Dauid repaired into Cumberland where he fortified the towne of Carleile with new walles and dyches Thus passed the three first yeres of king Stephens reigne In the fourthe yeare came Maulde the Empresse into Englande to clayme the crown therof as in the Englishe historie more playnely may appeare But whylest Englande was sore tormented with warres by contrarye factions of the nobles for the quarelles of those two persones no small sorrow hapned to Scotland for the death of Hērie the prince of that land and onely sonne vnto king Dauid The death of Henry prince of Scotland who died at Kelso and was buried in the Abbey church there in the yeare of our redemption .1152 1152. His death was greatly bemoned aswel of his father the king as of all other the estates and degrees of the realme for such singular vertue and noble conditions as appeared in hym But yet for that he lefte issue behynd him iij. Prince Henry his issue sons and. iij. daughters as before is mencioned the Realme was not thoughte vnprouided of heires The king also being mortified from the world tooke the death of his sonne very paciently The lawe of nature considering that al men are subiect vnto death by the lawe of nature and are sure no longer to remaine here than their day appointed by the eterne determination of him that giueth and taketh away lyfe and breath when pleaseth him as by dayly experience is most manyfest Therfore that king Dauid wayed the losse of his sonne in suche balance it maye appeare by an Oration which hee made to his nobles at what tyme after his sonnes decease they came to comforte hym For he perceyuing them to be ryghte heauie and sorowfull for the losse whiche he and they had susteyned by the death of so towardly a prince that was to haue succeeded him if God had lent him lyfe thereto in the ende of a royall feast the whiche he made vnto those nobles that came thus to visite hym hee beganne in this wyse Howe great your fidelitie and care is whiche you beare towards me An oration although oftētimes heretofore I haue proued it yet this present day I haue receyued most ample fruite therof for now do I plainely see that you lament no lesse for the losse of my late deceassed sonne than if you had buried some one of your own sonnes are therefore come to your great trauaile paine to comfort me whom you esteeme to be sore afflicted for the ouer timely death of my sayde moste obedient sonne but to let passe for this time due yelding of thanks to you for the same till occasion and leysure may better serue thereto this nowe may suffice that I acknowledge myself to be so much beholden to you that what
where they came The spoyle wast destruction and slaughter which the Scottes practised with fire and sword was wonderful to heare and incredible almost to bee tolde they spared neyther yong nor olde Church nor Chappell Religious houses as wel as other were consumed to Ashes The Abbey of Durham spoyled The Abbay of Durham and all places thereabout as the Scottishe wryters affyrme were spoyled and miserably sacked although it was sayde King Dauid was admonished in a dreame that hee shoulde in anye wyse abstayne from violating the goodes and landes pertayning to Sainct Cutbert The Erle of Northumberland Lieutenant of the North vnder king Edward to resist these iniuries The Earle of Northumberland Lieutenant of the north raysed a great power of men and ioyning the same with such bands of old souldiers as king Edwarde had lately sent ouer out of Fraunce for that purpose A Heralde fyrst dispatched an Heralde at armes vnto king Dauid requyring him to stay from further inuading the Countrey and to returne into Scotlande till some reasonable order for a finall peace might be agreed vpon betwixt him and the king his master otherwyse he should be sure to haue battaile to the vtteraunce within three dayes after King Dauid contemning thys message requyred his folkes to make them readie to receyue theyr enimyes if they came to assayle them and on the next morrowe he deuided hys armie into three battayles The appoynting of the Scottish battayles in the fyrst was Robert Steward Prince of Scotlande and Patrike Dunbar Earle of Marche In the seconde were appoynted Iohn Earle of Murrey and William Earle of Dowglas In the thyrde was the King himselfe with all the residue of the Nobles In the morning early before the battayle The Earle of Dowglas chased the Earle of Dowglas departed frō the armie to deserie the English host and to vnderstande their force and order if it were possible but entring somewhat vnwarely within daunger of his enimies he was chased and that to such disaduantage that he lost fiftie or rather fiue hundred as some bookes haue of yong Gentlemen and such other light horsemen as he tooke forth with him escaping verie narowly himselfe also from beyng taken at the chase In the meane season the English host deuided likewyse into three battayles approached forwarde and came wythin syght of the Scottish armie Wherevppon Dauid Graham wyth a wing of fiue hundred well appoynted horsemen gaue a full charge on the skyrtes of the English Archers thinking to haue dystressed them Dauid Graham driuen backe but he was so sharpely receyued and beaten with arrowes that losing a great number of hys men he was constrayned to flee backe to the maine battaile and that not without great daunger of beeing taken in his flight by suche as followed him These two discomfitures notwithstanding the Scots rushed fiercely vpon their enimies and fought with great manhoode a long season but in the ende Robert Stewarde and the Earle of March perceyuing their people partly to shrinke backe caused the retreate to be sounded in hope to saue their men by withdrawing into some sicker place The cause of the ouerthrow but this fleeing barke of the Earle of Marche and Robert Stewarde brought the discomfiture vpon all the residue of the Scots for that battaile of English men that was first marched with thē came now with such violence vppon the maine battail where king Dauid sought that within a short while after the same was vtterly discomfited and put to flight The Scottes discomfited In this businesse king Dauid himselfe did in euery poynt play the part of a most valiant chieftaine encouraging hys people as well wyth woordes as notable examples to doe theyr deuoires King Dauid his valiancie Neyther woulde he flee after he sawe himselfe destitute of all conuenable ayde but stil continued in earnest fight desiring nothing so much as shoulde appeare as death for that he thought nothing more displeasaunt than lyfe after the slaughter of so manye of his Nobles and liege people At length hauing his weapons stricken oute of his handes one Iohn Coplande came vnto him and wylled him to yeelde but he with one of his fistes gaue this Coplande suche a blowe on the mouth King Dauid taken by Iohn Coplande that by force of the Gauntlet he strake out two of his teeth before hee did yeelde vnto him Which Coplande is mysnamed by Iohn Maior and not onely called Couptaunt but also reported by him to be a Gascoigne whereas it is euident by our Hystories that hee was named Coplande and a mere English men But to our purpose The Scottes that fought in the rerewarde had no better successe than the other for that battaile was also broken and put to flight with great slaughter as well of the nobles as other commons besides those that were taken There were slain in this dolorous conflict Nobles slane in this battail the Earle of Murrey the Earle of Stratherne the Conestable the Marshal the Chamberlaine and Chauncelor of Scotlande with a great number of other nobles and commons There were taken with the king fiue Earles Prisoners taken that is to witte Dowglas Fife Sutherlande Wigtoun and Menteith And besydes other great ryches lost in thys fielde the holye Crosse as they call it of holye Roode house was founde vpon king Dauid who bare it about him in trust that by vertue thereof he should be inuincible but he was spoyled both of that and al other his iewels which were found vpon him at the same time This battayle was stryken neare vnto Durham the .xvij. day of October in the yeare 1346. What Countreys and places the Englishe men got after thys victorie ye may read in the English Hystorie In the yeare following the Ballyoll wyth the Earle of Northumberlande made a rode into Louthian and Clyddesdale bringing a greate bootie of goodes and cattaile but of those Countreyes into Galloway The Ballyoll soiourneth i◅ Galloway in which Countrey the Ballyoll abode a long time after At length the Scots recouering thēselues with much paine after the slaughter of so many of their nobles and commons beside the discomfort for the taking of their king Rober Steward gouernor of Scotande chose and appointed Robert Stewarde as gouernor to haue the rule of the realme About the same time William Dowglas the son of Archimbalde Dowglas that was brother vnto good sir Iames Dowglas who as before is sayde was slaine in Spaine returned forth of France and by support of his friends chased the Englishe men out of Douglasdale Countreys recouered out of the Englishe mens hands Tiuydale Twydale Etrike Forest and Twedale Iohn Copland captain of Rokesbourgh to resist such enterprises gathered a number of men came forth against his enimies Iohn Copland chased but receyuing the ouerthrow he was chased into Rokesbourgh againe with losse of diuerse of his men In the yeare next following which was from the
great losse both in men and ships and in the meane time the Scottishe nauie passed by quietly without domage The arriual of the Lady Margaret of Scotland in France encountring not one shippe by the way that sought to impeache theyr passage There went Cxl. Ladies and Gentlewomen forth of Scotland to attende this Ladie Margaret into France amongest which number there were fiue of hir owne sisters In the meane time Henry Percie inuadeth Scotlande whilest such things were a doing Henry Percy of Northumberland inuaded Scotland with foure thousande men not being knowne whether he had commission so to do from the king of Englande or that he made that enterprise of himselfe William Dowglas Erle of Angus to resist this inuasion gathered a power of chosen men amongst whom were Adam Hepborne of Hales Alexander Ramsey of Dalehousy and Alexander Elphingston with other The Erle of Angus being thus associat The battayle of Pyperdene â—…ought betwixt Henrie Percie and the Earle of Angus The Scots get the victorie met the Percie at Pyperdene where a sore battaile was foughten betwixt them with great slaughter on both sides but at length the victorie fell to the Scottes though there were slaine togyther with Alexander Elphynston two hundred Gentlemen and commons of Scotlande and of the English part there dyed Henrie of Clyddesdale The number of English meÌ„ slaine Iohn Ogyll and Richarde Percie with .xv. C. other of Gentlemen and commons of the which Gentlemen .xl. were knightes There were taken also and brought home by the Scottes as prisoners Prisoners taken to the number of foure hundred The king doubting the matter raised hys siege and returned home to prouide the better for his owne suretie The king informed of a conspiracie made against him rayseth 〈◊〉 siege The Earle of Athol head of the coÌ„spiracy but that preuayled little for Walter Stewarde Earle of Athole and heade of the whole conspiracie pretending euer a right to the Crowne by reason that hee was procreate by king Robert the seconde on his first wife procured his nephew Robert Stewarde and his cousin Robert Graham to slea the King by one meane or other which finally they accomplished in this wise Robert Graham This Robert Graham for diuerse wicked acts before committed contrarie to the lawes and ordinances of the Realme was driuen to an outlawrie so that if he were taken he looked for nothing but present death and therefore hated the king most deadly and though by the Queenes diligence both his and other of the conspirators purposes were now disappointed hauing contriued to dispatch the king at y e siege of Roxbourgh yet forsomuch as their names were not knowne they hoped still to finde occasion to atchieue their detestable intention sith they were no more mistrusted than the others Robert Steward and Robert Graham murtherers of the king Herevpon the sayde Stewarde and Graham came one Euening to the blacke Friers of Perth where the king as then was lodged and by lycence of the Porters comming into the house entred vp into the Gallerie before the kings chaÌ„ber doore mynding to haue stayed there till one of the kings seruants that was priuie to their diuelish purpose should come by whose helpe they were promised to haue entrie into the Chamber But before the comming of this Iudaslike traytor an other of the kings seruants named Walter Strayton came forth of the chamber doore to haue fetched wine for the king Walter Strayton is slaine but being aduised of these two traytors standing there at the doore either of them hauing a long sworde gyrded to him he stept backe and cried treason but ere hee could get within the doore to haue made it fast they leapt vnto him and slue him there outright Whilest this was a doing Katherin Dowglas not without great noyse and rumbling a yong virgin named Katherin Dowglas that was after maried to Alexander Louel of Bolunny got to the doore shut it but bycause the barre was away that shoulde haue made it fast she thrust hir arme in the place where the barre shoulde haue passed she was but yong and hir bones not strong but rather tender as a grystle and therefore hir arme was soone crasht in sunder and the doore broken vp by force Herewyth entring the Chamber The murtherers enter the kings chamber and slea the king they slue such of the seruaunts as made defence and then the King himselfe with many cruell and deadly woundes The Queene is hurt The Queene was also hurt as she was about to saue hir husbande Patrike Dunbarre brother to George sometime Earle of March Patrike Dunbar wounded and left for dead in the kings defence was left for deade on the floore by reason of such woundes as he receyued in the kings defence doing most manfully his vttermoste deuoire to haue preserued him from the murtherers handes Thus was Iames the first murthered the .21 day of Februarie Iames the first murthered the .xliiij. yeare of his age the xiij of his raigne and from the Incarnation of Christ .1436 1436 His stature forme of body His bodie was buried in the house of the Charterares at Perth which he founded in hys lyfe time but had not as yet throughly finished it This Iames the first was of a meane stature with brode shoulders and smal in the wast all other his members so well proportioned thereto that nothing wanted to comlinesse of personage that might be giuen by nature How vpright a iusticier he was An vpright iusticier and vertuous in all his demeanours it maye appeare by that which before is wrytten of hys gouernment The Nobles and Peeres of the Realme right sorrowfull for his death assembled togyther and made suche earnest and diligent searche for the Traytours before mentioned The searche made for the traytors that at the length they were apprehended and brought to Edenbourgh where they were executed on thys maner The Earle of Athole whiche was not onely principall in practise of thys treason concerning the kings death but also in tymes past was chiefe of counsell with Robert Duke of Albanie in the making awaye of Dauid the Kings eldest brother and after the Kings returne foorth of Englande did moste earnestly solicite him to put Duke Mordo to death with all other of hys lynage trusting that when they were dispatched he shoulde finde meanes to rid the King also and his children out of the way and so at length attayne to the crowne without any obstacle The execution of the Earle of Athole This Earle I say was first stripped of all his clothes saue only his shyrt and then was an instrument of wood made like to the drawer of a well set fast in a Cart with a frame At the one ende of whiche Instrument was the Earle fastened and bounde and so caryed aboute the towne sometyme raysed on high that the people might see hym aloft in the ayre and
equity doth require whiche wee much lament and be sory for and vse nowe our force and puissance against him not for reuēgement of our priuate displeasure beyng so often deliuered as wee haue bene but for recouery of our right the preseruation of our subiectes from iniuries and the obseruation of suche leagues as haue passed betweene vs firmely trusting that almighty God vnder whome we raygne will assist and ayde our iust proceedings herein to the furtheraunce and aduancement of the right whiche wee doubte not shall euer preuayle against wrong falshood deceyte and dissimulation Hitherto it appeareth howe this present warre hath not proceeded of any demaūd of our right of superiority whiche the Kings of Scots haue alwayes knowledged by homage fealty to our progenitors euē from the beginning but this warre hath bene prouoked occasioned vpō present matter of displeasure present iniury present wrong ministred by the Nephewe to the Vncle most vnnaturally supported contrary to the desertes of our benefits most vnkindly if we had minded the possession of Scotland and by the motion of warre to attayne the same there was neuer King of this realme had more opportunitie in the minority of our Nephew ne in any other realme a Prince that hath more iust title more euident title more certaine title to any realme that he can clayme than we haue to Scotland not deuised by pretēce of mariage nor imagined by couenant nor contriued by inuention of argument but lineally descended from the beginnyng of that estate established by our progenitors and recognised successiuely of the Kings of Scotlād by deedes wordes actes and writings continually almost without interruption or at the least intermission till the raigne of our progenitor King Henry the sixte in whose time the Scots abused the ciuil warre of this realme to their licence and boldnesse in omitting of their duetie whiche for the proximity of bloud betweene vs we haue bene slacke to require of them beyng also of our selfe inclined to peace as we haue euer ben alwayes glad rather without preiudice to omitte to demaund our right if it might conserue peare than by demaunding thereof to be seene to mooue warre specially agaynst our neyghbour agaynst our Nephew against him whom we haue preserued from daunger and in such a time as it were expedient for al Christendome to be in vnitie and peace wherby to be more able to resist the common enimy the Turke But for what considerations we haue omitted to speake hitherto of the matter it is neuerthelesse true that the kings of Scottes haue alwayes knowledged the Kings of England superior Lordes of the realme of Scotlande and haue done homage fealty for the same This appeareth first by History written by suche as for confirmation of the truthe in memory haue truly noted and signified the same Secondly it appeereth by instruments of homage made by the Kings of Scottes and diuers notable personages of Scotlande at diuers sundry tymes sealed with their seales and remayning in our Treasory Thirdly it appeereth by Registers and Recordes iudicially autentiquely made yet preserued for confirmation of the same So as the mater of title being moste playne is furnished also with all manner of euidences for declaration thereof First as concernyng Histories which be called witnesses of times the light of truth and the lyfe of memory and finally the conuenient way and meane whereby the thinges of antiquity may be brought to mens knowledge they shewe as playnly this matter as could bee wyshed or requyred with suche a consent of wryters as coulde not so agree vpon an vntruth contayning a declaration of suche matter as hath moste euident probability and apparance For as it is probable and likely that for the better administration of Iustice amongst rude people twoo or moe of one estate might be rulers in one countrey vnited as this Isle is so it is probable and likely that in the beginnyng it was so ordered for auoyding dissention that there shoulde be one Superiour in right of whome the sayd estates should depend According wherevnto we reade how Brute of whome the Realme then called Brytayne tooke first that name beyng before that tyme inhabited with Gyaunts people without order or ciuility had three Sonnes Locrine Albanact and Camber and determining to haue the whole Isle within the Ocean sea to bee after gouerned by them three appoynted Albanact to rule that now is called Scotlande Camber the parties of Wales and Locrine that now is called England vnto whome as beyng the eldest Sonne the other twoo bretherne should do homage recognysing and knowledging him as their superior Nowe consider if Brutus conquered all this Iland as the History sayth he did and then in his owne tyme made this order of superiority as afore howe can there be a title deuised of a more plaine beginning a more iust beginning a more conuenient beginnyng for the order of this Iland at that time specially when the people were rude whiche cannot without continuall stryfe and variaunce contayne twoo or three rulers in all poyntes equall without any manner of superiority the inwarde conscience and remorse of whiche superiority shoulde in some parte dull and diminishe the peruerse courage of resistence and rebellion The first diuisiō of this I le wee finde written after this sorte without cause of suspition why they shoulde write amisse And according herevnto wee finde also in History set foorth by diuers how for transgression against this superiority our predecessours haue chastised the kings of Scottes and some deposed put other in their places we will here omitte to speake of the rudenesse of the antiquity in particularity whiche they cared not distinctly to committe to writing but some authors as Anthonius Sabellicus amongs other diligently ensearchyng what he might truly wryte of all Europe and the Ilandes adioyning ouer and besides that whiche he wryteth of the natures maners and condicions of the Scottes whiche who so liste to reade shall finde to haue bene the very same in times paste that wee finde them nowe at this present he calleth Scotland parte of England whiche is agreeable to the diuision aforesayde being in deede as in the lande continuall without separation of the Sea so also by homage and fealty vnited vnto the same as by particular declarations shall most manifestly appeere by the testimony of suche as haue lefte wryting for proofe and confirmation thereof In whiche matter passing the death of king Humber the actes of Dunwald King of this realme the diuision of Belyn and Brenne the victories of king Arthur we shall beginne at the yeare of our Lorde D.CCCC. whiche is a D. Cxlij yeares paste a time of sufficient auncienty from which we shal make speciall declaration euident proofe of the execution of our right and title of superiority euermore continued and preserued hitherto Edwarde the firste before the conquest Sonne to Alured King of England had vnder his dominion and obedience the king of Scots And
Louthian whilest he lay at Lieth offering themselues to be at the King of Englands commaundement and so were assured from receyuing hurte or domage by the English power The Duke of Somerset hauing remayned at Leith an right dayes and demaunding the Castell of Edenburgh The Englishe 〈◊〉 â—…eturâ—…â—…omeâ—… could not obteyne it departed from thence the eyghtenth of December homewardes the nexte way ouer the Mountaynes of Soutrey comming the thirde day before the Castell of Hume where they dyd so muche by countenancing to win that fortresse that within three or foure dayes after their coÌ„ming thither it was surrendred Hume Castell rendred to the Englishmen This Castell beeing wonne and a garnison left therein to keepe it they remoued to Rockesburgh where within the compasse of the ruinous walles of an olde Castell they builte a forte and after returning into England lefte a conuenient garnison to keepe it They gote also about the same time a stroÌ„g fortnesse called Fast Castell Fast Castell wonne by them standing neere to the Sea syde and placed a garnison within it And moreouer in this meane tyme Broughtie Crag wonne theyr Fleete by Sea wanne the Castell of Broughtie Crag and putte in like manner a garnison within it to keepe the same as in the Englishe Historie it may further appeare and in what sort also all the chiefest Lords and Gentlemen of the Mers and Tiuidale came in and submitted themselues to the Duke of Somerset vpon assurance had and giuen Furthermore whilest the Duke of Somersette with hys armie dyd thus inuade Scotland on the East parte it was ordeyned by the sayde Duke and other of the Counsell to the Kyng of Englande that Mathewe Earle of Lennox and Thomas Lorde Wharton then Warden of the West Marches of Englande should with a power inuade Scotlande on the West syde to the end that there should not any of the West bordures nor Countreys come to assist the Gouernour against the Duke of Somersettes armye but bee driuen to remayne at home to defend their owne Countrey Heerevppon there was an army leuied to the number of fiue thousande footemenne and eyghte hundred light Horsemen with whiche power the Earle of Lennox and the Lorde Wharton entring Scotlande the eyght of September encamped the firste night vpon the water of Eske marched the nexte daye through the nether parte of Annandale The Castell of Milke yeelded till they came to the Castell of Milke a fortresse of good strength y e walles being fourteene foote thicke Captain of this Castell was one Io. Steward brother to the Lard thereof who vppon the approch of the Earle of Lennox yeelded the house vnto him withoute any shewe of resistance wherevppon Fergusa Graham brother to Richie Grahame of Eske was appointed with a garnison of Souldiers to keepe that Castell to the vse of the yong King of Englande and was afterwards confirmed Captayne there with fiftie light Horsemen by appoyntmente of the Duke of Sommersette and the Counsell so that during the warres be remayned there to the great annoyance of the Scottes enimies to Englande and preseruation of the Countrey thereaboutes to the King of Englands vse The twentith of September the Earle of Lennox and the Lorde Wharton encamped neere to the Towne of Annande and the morrow after approching neerer to the same gaue sommonance vnto the Captaine thereof called Lion of the house of Glames who with an hundred Scottes kept the Churche and steeple of Annand beeyng peeces of themselues verye strong and mightily reenforsed with earth they within therefore refused to yeelde and valiantly defended themselues The greatest peeces of artillerie whych the Englishmen hadde there at that time were certayne double and single Falcons wherewyth they beate only the battlements till they myght with certayne engines approche harde to the walles The Church of Annand vndermined and vndermine the same so as the roofe of the Church was shaken downe and a greate number of them within the Church slayne and crusshed to death Suche as escaped fledde into the Steeple Two of the Englishmen that wroughte aboute the mynes were slayne but at length the Captayne moued by perswasion of the Erle of Lennox to whome hee claymed to bee of kynne The Steeple yeelded rendered the Steeple vnto hym with hymselfe and .96 Scottes Souldyers with condition to haue their lyues onely saued and the Captayne to remayne prisoner and to goe into England Immediately vpon theyr comming forth of the Steeple fyre was giuen to the traines of powder in the mynes and so both the Church and Steeple were blowen vp into the ayre The Church and Steeple of Annand blowen vp with powder and rased downe to the grounde Thys done they brente the Towne after they hadde sacked it and left not a stone standing vppon an other for that the same Towne hadde euer bin a right noysome neyghbour to Englande The Englishmen had conceyued suche spite towardes thys Towne that if they sawe but a peece of timber remayning vnbrente they would cutte the same in peeces with theyr bylles The Countrey heerewith was striken in such feare that the next daye all the Kilpatrickes and the Iordeynes the Lards of Kirkmichel The Scottes that came to assure them selues Apilgirtht Closbourne Howmendes Nuby and y e Irrewings the Belles the Rigges the Murrayes and all the clanes and surnames of the nether part of Annerdale came in and receyued an oth of obeysance as subiectes to the King of Englande deliuering pledges for their assured loyaltie The residue that woulde not come in and submitte themselues hadde theyr houses brent their goodes and cattell fetched away by the Englishe lyghte Horsemen that were sente abrode into the Countrey for that purpose These things thus executed the Earle of Lennox and the Lorde Wharton returned backe into Englande wyth theyr prisoners â—…ties and spoyles receyuing greate thankes and commendations by gentle letters of the fyue and twentith of September from the Duke of Somerset then lying at Rockesburgh aboute fortifying of that place The gouernour perceyuing thus that without the assistance of Fraunce hee should not be able to resist the Englishmen hauing now gote such foote hold within the Realme of Scotland The Gouernours suite the Queene Dowager anâ—… to the French Ambassador required the Queene Dowager and Monsieur Doysell Liger Ambassador for the Frenche Kyng to perswade with him by letters to send an army into Scotland to the aide of his frieÌ„ds there The Queene and Monsieur Doysell perceyuing a ready way prepared to bring that to passe which they most desired which was to haue the Queene of Scotlande ordred in all things by the Frenche Kyngs aduice they vndertooke to procure an army out of Fraunce according to the gouernours desire The Queene Dowager pâ—…miseth ayde out of Fraunce with condition if hee wyth the states of the Realme woulde agree that the Queene myghte bee sente into Fraunce and a contract made for hir
Ambition setteth one brother agaynst another 3. 5 Anninus 3. Antragh 78 Ardscollburnt 46 Articles agreed vpon in the counsel at Casshil 10 Arthur Mac Murrow ouercome by Iames erle of Ormond 71 Arthure king of Brytaine had the Irish in subiection and tooke tribute of them 5 Articles of agreement betweene Rotherick Monarke of Ireland and Dermote king of Lunster 23 Arundell Lord of the Stand his yerely reuenues in Henrie the fourth his dayes 68 Athessell burnt 57. Athione castell burnt 53 Aylmer Girald chiefe Iustice 99. his conference with king Henrie the eight of the disorder of Irelande 106 B. BAlimore burnt 49 Ballioll Edw. king of Scots doth homage 46 Balram Lord of Enford his yearely reuenues in Henrie the fourth his dayes 68 Banchor 12 Barnevale of Beerehauen his yearely reuenues in Henrie the fourth his dayes 68 Barnewell Lorde of Trinieston surrendereth the sword to sir William Skeffington 97 Barod Lord of the garde his yearely reuenues in Henrie the fourth his dayes 68 Barby Thomas Maior of Dublin 85 Barre Philip. 39 Barre Robert a valiant Gentleman 23 Bard de Nelan an Irish Richmour 93 Bartolenus 1. Barre Robert 23 Bath William of Dollardestowne his wordes 96 Battail of Ardineigh 57. Battail of Knoctone 75 Battaile agaynst the Giants 2 Bedlow Iohn 65. Bedlow of the Roche 80 Bonneuille Iohn 51. Beterley Walter 66 Bignort Alexander Archbishoppe of Dublin â–ª 56. erecteth an Vniuersitie 57 Birmingham Walter his notable act 65 Birmingham Iohn vanquisheth the Scottes 57 is made erle of Louth 57 is made L. iustice 58 Birmingham Peter 50 Birminghams famous captaines 57 Bisset Hugh 55 Bishops how they were elected 20. maryed Byshops 13 Bithi one of the first finders out of Ireland 1 Blanchfield a Citizen of Dublin slaine 7â—… Blake Iohn Maior of Dublin 75 Boice his wordes to the Erle of Kildare 7â—… Bothum William Archbishop of Dublin 47 Boureate castle 60. Bounaght 74 Brennus king of Brytaine called into Ireland 4 Brewse Philip. 31. Bren Obren 60 Brendan Abbot 12 Brereton William knight landeth with his souldiours 90. sommoneth the castell of Maynoth scaleth the walles and aduaunceth his standarâ—… on the highest turret 97. hee is left to defende Dublyn against the rebels 99. skirmisheth with the rebelles 100 Brytayne Iohn Erle of Richmonde Lord Warden of Scotlande 50 Britons when first they entred Ireland 4 Bride Saint hir life 11 Broughtâ—…n Thomas knight 75 Bruce Edwarde brother to the king of Scottes inuadeth Irelande and causeth himselfe to bee crowned king 52. his actes there 53.55 slaine at the battaile of Ardmagh 57 Bruce Robert king of Scottes landeth in Irelande â—…4 Bruce Robert 52 Burgh William 70 Burgh Thomas 60.65 Burghes and Birminghams 54 Burgh William 51.55 Burgh Rich. erle of Vlster besiegeth Athlone 46. is taken prisoner 47. inuadeth Scotland 48 Burkeyns 67 Burnell Iohn of Balgriffin 9â—… executed at Tyburne 99 Butler Iames eldest sonne to the Erle of Ossory his letter to the Lorde Fitz Gâ—…ralde 91. hee is wounded by the rebels 93 Butler Iames Earle of Ormonde marcheth to Dublin with a great power 77. is pursued by the Citizens into Saint Patrickes church 78 his description ibid. Butler Iames Lorde of Ormonde vanquisheth Omore and his horrible armie 71. his famous exploytes 7â—… Butlers fauourers of the house of Lancaster 4 Butler Piers Erle of Ossorie marieth Margaret sister to the erle of Kildare 79. slayeth Iames a bastard Butler ibid. is appoynted Lord deputie 80. accuseth the erle of Kildare 83 Butler Edmonde his exploytes 52.55 Butler Thomas 59 Butler Walter made Erle of Vlster 44.45 Butler Theobalde 44 Butler Iames knight Lord Treasorer â—…5 C. CAlfe Henrie 49 Caltropes straweâ—… by the Irish to annoy the Danes at their landing 17 Cannon Thomas 90 Carew .63 the Marques Caro his yearely reuenues 68 Cardinals sent to king Henrie the seconde â—â— Carausius 8 Caraticus king of Britaine 14 Cashels spoyled by the Scottes 55 Cotesbach Eustace Chamberlaine of ScotlaÌ„d 50 Catholicus Archbishop of Thomond 30 Catherlaghe 64 Cathgur Oconthir king of Connagh 45 Cantreb what it is and by whome inuâ—…aded 3 Canute slaine at the siege of Dublin 18 Caâ—…nton Dauid knight 4â—… Caucocke Thomas L. Chancellour of Irelande coÌ„secrated vi of Imaley kepeth a great feast 49 Celestine 9 Celsus bishop of Ardmagh 12 Cenanus first a man of warre then a bishop 12 Cesara nece to Noe first finder out of Ireland 1 Charter of Ireland confirmed by Parliament 67 Christian bishop of Lismore summoneth a prouinciall counsaile in Ireland 20 Christ church steeple in Dublin quite burnt 46 Citrius Prince of Dublin 46 Clare Thomas sine Obrenroth king of Tholethmond 45. dyeth 46 Clare Richard discomfiteth Richard earle of Vlster with a great armye 51. slayeth 600. of the Galagheghas ibid is slaine 56 Clergie denounceth cursing agaynst the breakers of their allegiance to the king of England 35 Clentars field 19. Cocherings 74 Cogan Miles a valiant knight captaine of Dublin repulseth the enimies from the siege thereof 26. his good seruice in the ciuill warres agaynst king Henrie the seconde 37. is ioyned in commission with William Fitz Aldelme lieutenant of Ireland ibid. trayterously slaine 39 Cogan Richard 39. Cokesey Hugh 70 Colton Iohn Archbishop of Ardmagh 66 Colmolm castel taken 72. Commissioners sent into Irelande to examine the controuersies betweene the Earles of Kildare and Ossorie 81 Commissioners sent into Irelande by king Henrie the second 35 Combat 71 Comyn Iordayne slayeth Maritagh Oconguir king of Offalie 48 Combat chalenged by certain French knights 42 Commissioners sent into Ireland â–ª to examin such as were suspected with the Lord Fitz Giralde his rebellion 104 Contention for preheminence of churches 40.51 Con Oneale beareth the sworde before the Lorde deputie 81 Conereth a sauage people of Ireland 12 Conthurus 23 Conway Iohn knight president of Vlster 11 Corbi what it signifieth 67 Corke the reuenues of the Baronies within the same 68. wasted by Reymond le Grace with the English armie 36 Cormacke Mack Dermote Mack Rori ioyneth with the Lorde Iustice and vanquisheth Odonill the Irish enimie 44 Councell at Grenocke 45 Councell of the cleargie holden at Cashill 30 Countesse of Vlster a cruell woman 61 Cowes belly 100 Cowly Robert Baylife of Dublin after maister of the Rolles in Ireland 90 Crauley Thomas Archbishop of Dublin a great benefactor his death and description 70 Cragfergus besieged by the Scottes and yelded to them 55 Cromuder primate of Ardmagh 85. his description 91. his good exhortation to the Lorde Fitz Girald at his reuolting 92 Crauly Thomas Archbishop of Dublin chosen Lord Iustice 69 Crathlinth king of Scottes 8 Croftes Hugh 56 Cumin Archbishoppe of Dublin 40. buildeth the kings castell there 44. he foundeth S. Patricks church 44 Curcy Iohn conquereth Vlster 38. his fiue battails ibid he rebelleth and is taken 42. his stout answere to king Iohn ibid. his act before king Iohn the French k. his death descriptioÌ„ 43 Curcy Lord of Kelbretton his reuenues 68 Cusacke
of them so that those that should afterwardes enioy them shoulde acknowledge themselues to holde them of him in yeelding an yerely rent to him and his successors for euer with certayne other prouisions whereby in cases of forfeyture the same landes shoulde returne to him and hys sayde successors agayne The like order he appoynted to bee vsed by other possessors of lands in letting them foorth to their Tenauntes Hee ordeyned also that y e Tearmes should be kept four times in the yere in suche places as he should nominate and that the Iudges should sit in their seuerall places to iudge and decide causes and matters in controuersie betwixte partie and partie in manner as is vsed vnto thys day Hee decreed moreouer that there shoulde bee Sherifes in euery shire and Iustices of the peace to keepe the countreys in good quiet and to see offendors punished Furthermore hee instituted the Court of the Excheker The Excheker and the officers belōging to the same as the Barons the Clearkes The Chancerie and such other also y e high Court of the Chancerie And after he had in this wise ordeyned his Magistrates and Ministers of the lawes hee lastly tooke order what ordināces he would haue obserued and therevpon abrogating in manner all the aunciente lawes vsed in times past and instituted by the former Kyngs for the good order and quietnesse of the people he made new New lawes nothing so equall or easie to bee kept the whiche neuerthelesse those that came after not withoute theyr greate harme were constreyned to obserue as though it had bin an high offence against God to abolishe those euill lawes which King William being a Prince nothing friēdly to the English nation had firste ordeyned and to bring in other more easie and tollerable ▪ neyther can I in this place omitte to giue a note of that whiche may seeme to such as do indifferently consider of things a greate absurditie videlicet that those lawes whiche touched all men and ought to bee knowen of all men were notwithstanding written in the Norman tong The lawes were written in the Normā tong which the Englishmen vnderstood not so that euen at the beginning you should haue great numbers partly by the iniquitie of the lawes and partly by ignorance in misconstruing the same to bee wrongfully condemned some to deathe and some in the forfeyture of their goodes other were so ent◅ngled in sutes and causes that by no meanes they knew how to get out but continually were tossed as a post to ◅ler in suche wise that in their mindes they cured the tyme that euer these vnequall lawes were made The manner for the trial of causes in controuersie was deuised in such sort as is yet vsed Matters to be tried by a iurie of .12 mē Twelue aunciēt men but most commonly vnlearned in the lawes beeing of the same Countie where the sute lay were appoynted by y e Iudges to goe togither into some close chamber where they should bee shut vp till vpon diligent examination of the matter they shoulde agree vpon the condemnation or acquiting of the prisoner if it were in criminall causes or vppon the deciding in whom the right remayned if it were vpō triall of things in controuersie and when they were once agreed these .12 men as it were the .12 Apostles y t in the nūber yet some respect of religion euen wise appere came in before the iudges declaring what they had agred vpon which done the iudges opened it to y e offēdors or sutors and withall they pronounced them according as the qualitie of y e cause did inforce and require Thus at the firste were the twelue men appoynted and the same order is still obserued in matters of controuersie vnto this day their iudgemente also or consent is called a verdict that is to saye a true saying but I woulde to God that name myghte rightly and with good cause be euer applyed therto that men mighte haue their causes iustly adiudged rather than preiudiced by the verdictes of suche freeholders as are accustomed to serue the Prince and their Countreys at assises and Sessions There may happily be as Polidor Vergill sayth that will mayneteyne how this manner of proceeding in the administration of iustice by the voyces of a Iurie was in vse before the Conqueroures dayes but they are not able so to prooue it by any auntient recordes of writers as he thynketh albeit by some of our histories they shoulde seeme to bee firste ordeyned by Ethelred or Egelred But this is most true that the Norman Kings themselues would confesse that the lawes deuised and made by the Conqueroure were not most equall in so muche that William Rufus and Henry the sonnes of the Conquerour would at all times whē they sought to purchase the peoples fauor promise to abolish the lawes ordeyned by theyr father and establishe other more equall and to restore those whiche were vsed by Kyng Edwardes dayes The lyke kynde of purchasing fauoure was vsed by King Stephen and other Kings that followed him But their meaning was so far to the contrary that their deedes declared theyr dissimulatiō so that many of those Norman lawes remayne in force euen vnto these dayes The cause as some thinke is for that they make more to the Princes behoofe than to the commoditie of the people But now to the matter King William after hee hadde made these ordinances to keepe the people in order hee set his minde to enriche his cofers and therevppō he first appoynted a tribute to be leuied of the cōmons then hee caused the Abbeyes to be searched Math. Paris Mat. VVest VVil. Malm. VVi. Thorne Abbeys searched Polidor Simon Dun. and all suche money as any of the Englishmen hadde layde vp in the same to bee kepte and likewise their charters of priuileges made to them by the Saxon Kyngs of the lande hee seased into hys handes and spared not so muche as the iewels and plate dedicate to sacred vses And all this did hee as some write by counsell of the Earle of Hertford The first for that hee had wrongfully holden that Bishopricke whilest the Archbishop Roberte was liuing Secondly for that hee kepte also the See of Winchester in his handes after his inuestiture vnto Canterbury whiche hee ought not to haue done The cause why Thomas was depriued if the writers dissemble not though to mee it seeme vnlikely was for that hee had holpen Duke William toward his iourney into England when hee came to conquer it for the which pleasure to him then shewed the Duke promised hym a Byshopricke if euer hee obteyned the victory of the Englishe the other for that he was a Priestes sonne Furthermore when the Pope vnderstoode the full ground of their contention for the primacie of the two Sees Canterbury and Yorke VVil. Malm. and had heard what could be alledged on both sydes he remitted the determination thereof to the Kyng and Byshops of England that by
Polidor Hen. Hunt Math. Paris of two miles in length whereby he got vnto them constreyned those his enimies in y e end to yeld themselues by force vnto his mercy Howbeit Marchar or as others haue Herewarde perceyuing before hand the imminent danger likely to take effect made shift to get out of y e Isle by bote so by speedy flight escaped into Scotland The Bishop of Durham being taken Simon Dun. was sent to the Abbey of Abingdō to be kept as a prisoner where he was sparingly fed that within a short space Some write that he was so stubborne harted that after he knew he should remayne in perpetuall prison he refused his meate and so pined himselfe to death he died for hunger In this mean time and whilest K. Williā was thus occupyed in ridding out the English rebelles Malcolme King of Scotlād had wasted the countreys of Theisedale and Cleueland the lands of S. Cutbert with sundry other places in the North partes wherevpon Gospatrick being lately recōciled to y e K. made Earle of Northumberland was sente agaynste hym who wasted and destroyed that parte of Cumberlande in like manner whiche the sayde Malcolme had by violence brought vnder hys subiection At the same time Malcolme was at Weremouth beholding the fire whiche hys people had kindled in the Church of Saint Peeter to burne vp the same and there hearing what Gospatricke had done he tooke such displeasure therewithall that he commaunded his men that they should spare none of the Englishe nation alyue but put them all to the sworde withoute pitie or compassion so oft as they came to hand The bloudy slaughter therefore whiche was made at thys tyme by the Scottes through that cruell commaundement of Malcolme was pitifull to consider for women children old men and yong wente all one way howbeit many of those that were strong and able to serue for drudges and slaues were reserued and carried into Scotlande as prisoners where they remayned many yeares after in so muche that there were fewe houses in that Realme but had one or more Englishe seruauntes and captiues whiche they gate at thys vnhappy voyage Thus we may behold a myserable face of the English nation at this presente for they do not onely consume one another but the Scottes on the one side and Kyng William on the other doe make greate hauocke and oppresse them altogyther But to returne agayne to the purpose in hand King William hearyng of all these things was not a little moued at the same but chiefly with Malcolme K. of Scottes for that his countrey was the onely place wherein all the Rebels of his Realme had theyr refuge Wherefore thinking to reuenge the losse of hys subiectes and bring that Realme also vnto hys subiection hee went thither with an huge army about the midle of August where he first inuaded the boundes of Galloway Polidor bycause he heard howe the English Rebels were lately fled thither but after he had wearied his Souldiers in vayne pursuite of thē who kept thēselues in y e Mountaines and Marres ground hee gaue ouer the enterprise drew towards Lothiā wher he vnderstood that K. Malcolme lay with all his power findyng him there encountred with sundry English fugitiues he determined by battayle to make an ende of his trouble eyther purchase his quietnesse or finish his worldly life at this momēt time thus each one prepared to y e field but as both y e Kings with their armies were ready to ioine Malcolme began to doubt somewhat of the fiercenesse of the battel Math. Paris bycause he saw the great puissance ready willes to fighte of the army of Englishmen and Normans which K. William had brought with him H. Hunt and therevppon sente an Harrold to Kyng William to treate of a peace which K. William was cōtent at the last though with muche ado to heare of and so an vnitie yet ensued betwixte the two Princes vpō these conditions that K. Malcolme should do homage vnto K. William for y e Realm of Scotland therevpon delyuer sufficient hostages and that on the other side K. William shoulde perpetually pardon all the Englishe outlawes whiche then rebelled against him The place where this peace was concluded was called Abirneth◅ After which K. William returned into England where he ere long tooke the Earledome of Northumberlande from Gospatricke Simon Dun. gaue it to Waltheof y e son of Siward bycause y t of right it seemed to discende vnto him frō his father but chiefly frō his mother Alfreda who was the daughter of Aldred sometime Earle of that countrey At the same time also y e K. caused a Castell to be built at Durham after he had sped his businesse in those parties he returned to Londō where he receiued aduertisement y t his subiects in Normādy toward the parties of Angiew had begun a Rebellion against him Heerevpon with al speede he leuied an army whereof the most part consisted of Englishmen whose seruice hee chose rather in a foraine countrey than in their owne and with this army being once put in a readines he sailed ouer into Normandy easily subdued his enimies by help of y e Englishmen whom frō thenceforth he began somewhat to fauoure better thinke of than hee had bin before accustomed to do Yong Edgar also came into very good credite with him for though he had twice brokē hys oth of allegiaunce and runne to the Scottes as a Rebell yet now of his owne motiō returning to y e K. asking pardon he was not only receyued An. Reg. 8. 1074 but also highly honored preferred in his courte The yere .1074 ther were three Monks of y e prouince of Mercia y t which in purpose to restore religiō after their maner within y e prouince of Northumberlande came vnto Yorke and required of Hugh Fitz Baldricke as then Sherife of y e shire to haue a guide to saulfe cōduite them vnto Mōkaster which afterwards hight New Castel and so is called vnto this day These three Moonkes whose names wer Aldwine Alfwin Remfred cōming vnto the foresayd place found no tokē or remnant of any religious persons whiche sometime had habitation there for al was defaced and gone wherevpō after they had remayned in that place a certaine time they remoued to Iarrowe wher finding y e ruines of olde decayed buildings churches perteining in times past to y e Monkes y t there inhabited they founde such assistance at the hands of y e Bishop of Durham Walkher that at length by the diligente trauell and sute of these three Monks there were three Monasteries newly founded and erected in the North partes as one at Durham and an other at Yorke and the third at Whitby For you must consider that by the inuasion of the Danes the Churches and Monasteries through out Northumberland were so vtterly destroyed and throwen downe that vnneth
Ague and so died shortly after King Henrie departeth this life the first day of December being as then aboute .lxvij. yeres of age and after he had raigned .xxxv. yeres foure moneths lacking foure dayes His bodie was conueyed into Englande and buryed at Reading within the Abbay Churche which he had founded endowed in his life time with great and large possessions Math. VVest Ran. Higd. Sim. Dunel It is written that his bodie to auoyde the stench which had infected many men was closed in a Bulles skinne and howe he that clensed the heade dyed of the sauour whiche issued out of the brayne The issue of king Henrie the first He had by his first wife a sonne named William that was drowned as ye haue heard in the sea also a daughter named Mawde whom with hir sonnes he appoynted to inherite his Crowne and other dominions He had also issude by one of his concubines a sonne named Richarde and a daughter named Mary which were also drowned with their brother William By an other concubine he had a sonne named Robert that was created Duke of Gloucester He was strong of bodie His stature fleshie and of an indifferent stature blacke of heare and in maner balde before with greate and large eyes of face comely well countenaunced and pleasant to thy beholders namely when hee was disposed to myrth He excelled in three vertues wisedome His vertues eloquence and valiancie which notwithstanding were somewhat blemished with the like number of vices that raigned in him as couetousnesse His vices crueltie and fleshly lust of bodie His couetousnesse appeared in that hee sore oppressed his subiects with tributes and impositions His crueltie was shewed chiefely in that he kept his brother Robert Courtehuse in perpetual prison and likewise in the hard vsing of his cosin Robert Earle of Mortaigne whome he not onely deteyned in prisō but also caused his eies to be put out which act was kept secrete till the kings death reuealed it And his lecherous lust was manifest by keeping of sundrie women His wisdome But in his other affayres he was circumspect and in defending his own very earnest and diligent such warres as might be auoyded with honourable peace he euer sought to appease But when such iniuries were offred as he thought not meete to suffer he was an impacient reuenger of the same ouercomming al perils with the force of vertue and manly courage His manly courage shewing himselfe eyther a most louing friend or else an extreeme enimie for his aduersaries hee would subdue to the vttermost and his friends he vsed to aduaunce aboue measure And herein he declared the propertie of a stoute Prince which is Parcere subiectis debellane superbos that is to bring vnder the proude enimies and to fauour those that submit themselues and seeke for mercy With the constant rigour of iustice he ruled the common◅ quietly and entertayned the Nobles honorably Theeues counterfeyters of money His zeale to iustice and other transgressours he caused to bee sought out with greate diligence and when they were found to be punished with great seuerity Neither did he neglect reformations of certaine naughtie abuses And as one Author hath written Sim. Dunel Theeues appoynted to be hanged he ordayned that theeues should suffer death by hanging Whē he heard that such peeces of mony as were cracked would not be receyued amongst the people although the same were good and fine siluer he caused all the coyne in the Realme to bee eyther broken or s◅it he was sober of diet vsing to eate rather to quench hunger than to pamper him selfe vp with many dayntie sortes of banketting dishes and neuer dranke but when thirst moued him he woulde sleepe soundly and snore oftentymes till he wakened therewith He pursued hys warres rather by policie than by the sworde His policie and ouercame his enimies so neare as he coulde without bloudshed and if that might not be yet with so small slaughter as was possible To conclude hee was not inferiour to any of the kings that reigned in those dayes His prayse for his Princely gouernment in wisedome and policie and so behaued himselfe that hee was honoured of the Nobles and beloued of the commons He buylded diuerse Abbayes both in Englande and in Normādie Reading Abbay buylded but Reading was the chiefest He also buylded the Manour of Woodstocke with the Parke there in whiche beside the greate store of Deare hee appoynted diuerse straunge beastes to be kept and nourished whiche were brought and sent vnto him from Countreyes farre distaunt from our partyes as Lions Leopardes Lynxes and Porkepines His estimation was suche amongest forrayne Princes that fewe woulde willingly offende him Morchav king of Irelande and his successours had him in suche reuerence Morchad king of Irelande that they durst doe nothing but that which he commaunded nor write any thing but that whiche might stande with his pleasure although at the first the same Morchad attempted somthing against the English men more than stoode with reason but afterwarde vpon restraint of the entercourse of Marchandice hee was glad to shewe himselfe more friendly The Earle of Orkney Moreouer the Earle of Orkney although he was the king of Norwayes subiecte yet hee did what hee coulde to procure king Henries friendship sending vnto him oftentymes presents of suche straunge beastes and other things in the which he knewe himselfe to haue great delyte and pleasure He had in singular fauour aboue all other of his Councell Roger Bishop of Salisburie Roger the Bishop of Salisburie a politike Prelate and one that knewe howe to order matters of great importance vnto whome hee committed the gouernment of the Realme most commonly whilest he remayned in Normandie In this Henrie ended the line of the Normans as touching the heyres male and then came in the Frenchmen by the tytle of the heyres generall after that the Normans had raigned about .lxix. yeares for so many are accounted from the comming of William Conquerour vnto the beginning of the raigne of king Stephen who succeeded next after this foresayde Henrie As well in this kings dayes as in the time of his brother William Rufus mē forgetting their owne sexe and state transformed themselues into the habite and fourme of women by suffring their heares to growe at length the which they curled and trimmed verie curiously The abuse of wearing long heares after the maner of Damosels and yong Gentlewomen and suche account they made of their long bushing perukes that those which woulde be taken for Courtiers stroue with women who shoulde haue the longest tresses and such as wanted sought to amende it with arte and by knitting wreathes aboute their heades of those their long and side lockes for a brauerie 1127 Mat. VVest Yet we read that king Henrie gaue cōmaundement to all his people to cut their heares about the .28 yere of his reigne Preachers in deed
vpon Saint Laurence day caused all the corne in the Countrey about and namely that which belonged to the sayd Abbay to be spoyled and brought into a Castell which he had in keeping not far froÌ„ thence Eustace king Stephens son and Simon Earle of Northamton depart this life both in one weeke But as he sat down to meat the same day vpoÌ„ receiuing the first morsel he fell mad as writers haue reported miserably ended his life The same week of a like disease Simon Erle of NorthaÌ„pton departed this world so two of the chiefest aduersaries which Duke Henrie had were rid out of the way Eustace was buried at Feuersam in Kent erle Simon at NorthaÌ„pton The Earlr of Chester deceasseth About the same time also that noble valiaÌ„t erle of Chester called Ranulf departed this life a maÌ„ of such stoutnesse of stomacke y t vneth might death make him to yeeld or shewe any token of feare He was poisoned as was thought by William Peuerell And whereas king Stephen was the cause of all the troubles in hauing vsurped an other mannes rightfull inheritaunce it pleased God to moue his hart now at leÌ„gth to couet peace which he had euer before abhorred The cause that moued him chiefly to chaunge his former purpose was for that his sonne Eustace by speedie death was taken out of this worlde as before yee haue heard which losse seemed great not onely to the father but also to al those Lords and other which had euer taken his parte bycause he was a yong man so well lyked of all men The Ladie Constance 〈◊〉 to Eustace 〈◊〉 home that he was iudged to be borne to all honour But his wife CoÌ„stance aboue measure tooke his death moste sorowfully and the more indeede for that shee had brought forth no issue by him wherevpon she was shortly after sente honourably home to hir father King Lewes with hir dower other rich and princely gyftes King Stephen therefore seeing him depriued of his onely sonne vnto whome hee mynded to leaue the kingdome which he so earnestly sought establish to him by warlyke trauaile and that againe the French kings ayde woulde not bee so readie as heretofore it had beene wherevpon he much stayed nowe that the bondes of affinitie were abolished he began then a length although not immediatly vpo his sonnes deceasse to withdraw his minde from fantasying the warre and enclyned it altogither to peace King Stephen began to encline his mind to peace which inclination being perceyued those Nobles that were glad to see the state of their Countrey quieted did theyr best to further it namely the Archbishop of Canterbury Theobald Mat. Par. trauailed ernestly to bring the princes to some agreement now talking with the king now sending to the duke vsing al meanes possible to make theÌ„ both at one Ger. Do. The Bishop of Winchester also that had caused all the trouble vpon consideration of the great calamities wherwith the land was most miserably afflicted began to wish an end thereof Whervpon the lordes spirituall temporall were called togither at Winchester about the latter end of NoueÌ„ber that they might also with their consentes confirme that which the king and duke should conclude vpon An assembly of Lordes at Winchester Thus was there a publike assemble made in the citie of Winchester whither also duke Henrie came and being ioyfully receyued of the king in the Bishops Palace they were made friendes the king admitting the duke for his sonne the duke the king for his father A peace concluded betwixt the king and the duke And so the agreemeÌ„t which through the careful suite of the Archbishop of CaÌ„terburie had beene with such diligence to good effect laboured was now confirmed The chief articles whereof were these That king Stephen during his naturall life should remaine king of England Some writers haue recorded that duke HeÌ„rie should presently by this agreement enâ—…oy hâ—…lfe the realm of Englande that HeÌ„rie the Empresses sonne shoulde enioy the dukedome of Normandie and further be proclamed heyre apparant to succeede in the kingdome and gouernment of Englande after the deceasse of Stephen Moreouer such noble men other which had taken either the one partie or the other during the time of the ciuill warres should be in no daunger for the same but enioy theyr lands possessions liuings according to their auncient rightes and titles There was also consideration had of a sonne whiche King Stephen had named William who though hee were very yong was yet appoynted to sweare fealtie vnto duke Henrie as lawfull heyre to the crowne The same William had the Citie of Norwich diuerse other landes assigned him for the maintenance of his estate that by the consent and agreement of duke HeÌ„rie his adopted brother Moreouer it was concluded that the king should resume take into his hands againe all those portions and parcels of inheritance belonging to the crowne as he had giuen away or were otherwise vsurped by any maner of person and that all those possessions which by any intrusion had beene violently taken froÌ„ the right owners fith the dayes of king Henrie shoulde bee again restored to them that were rightly possessed in the same by the dayes of the aforesayd king Moreouer it was agreed Mat. Par. Castels to be rased in number .1115 that all those Castels which contrarie to all reason and good order had beene made and builded by any maner of person in the dayes of King Stephen shoulde be ouerthrowne and cast downe whiche in number were founde to bee .xj. hundred and fiftene The king also vndertooke to refourme all such misorders as the warre had brought in as to restore fermers to their holdings to repayre the decayed buyldisss to store the pastures and leassues with cattell the hilles with sheepe to see that the Cleargie might enioy theyr due quietnesse and not to be oppressed with any vndue exactions to place Sherifes where they had beene accustomed to beare rule with instructions giuen to them to deale vprightly in causes so as offenders might not escape through brybes or any other respect of friendship but that euery man might receyue according to right and equitie that which was his due That Souldiers shoulde conuert theyr swords as Esay sayth into Culters and plough shares theyr Speares into Mattockes and so returne from the campe to the plough and suche as were wont to keepe watche in the night season might now sleepe and take theyr rest without any daunger That the husbande man might bee relieued of all vexation and that Marchant men and occupiers might enioy theyr trade of occupying to theyr aduauncement one kind and maner of siluer coyne to runne through the lande so as the war that had continued now for the space of .xvij. yeares might in this sort bee brought to ende and fully pacified These things being thus concluded at Winchester the king tooke
of the Englishe nobilitie were slayne Eustace Fitz Iohn and Robert de Curâ—…y and amongst other Eustace Fitz Iohn and Robert de Curey men of great honor and reputation and namely the sayde Eustace Those that escaped in returning backe not knowing how the King was got through y e straites without daunger declared to theyr fellowes that followed and were approching to the straightes that so farre as they knew the Kyng and all the residue were lost These newes so discomforted the companies Henry of Essex that Henry of Essex whiche bare the Kings standerd by right of inheritaÌ„ce threw downe the same staÌ„derd and fledde which dishonorable doing was afterward layd to his charge by one Roberte de Mountfort Math. VVest VVi. Paruus A combate betwixt Henry de Essex and Robert de Montford with whome by order taken of the King hee fought a combate in triall of the quarrell and was ouercome but yet the K. qualifying the rigor of the Iudgement by mercy pardoned him of life and appoynted hym to be shorne a Monke Mat. VVest and put into the Abbey of Reading taking his landes and possessions into his handes as forfeyted but this Combate was not tried till about the ninth yeare of thys Kyng Henries raigne The king hearing that his army was thus discomforted came to his men shewing himselfe to them with open visage greatly reioyced the whole multitude and then proceding foorth against the enimies his people were afterwardes more ware in looking to themselues and so at length when the King prepared to inuade the Welchmen both by water land The Welchmen submit themselues they sought to him for peace and wholly submitted theÌ„selues vnto his grace and mercy The Castell of Rutland and Basingwerke built Math. Paris About the same time King Henry builded the Castell of Rutland and also the Castell of Basingwerke and one house also of Templers In the moneth of September this yeare the Kyngs thirde sonne was borne at Oxeforde and named Richard An. Reg. 4. Thomas Becket Lorde Chauncellour 1158 Math. Paris Also the same yeare was Thomas Becket preferred to be the Kings Chauncellour The K. holding his Christmas at Worceter in great royaltie sate in the Church at seruice with his Crowne on his head as the Kings vsed in those dayes on solemne feastes but as soone as Masse was ended The King layeth hys Crowne on the Aulter hee tooke his Crowne besydes his head and set it downe vpoÌ„ the Aulter in signe of humblenesse so that hee neuer after passed for the wearing of a Crowne The same yeare also the King altered his Coyne Coine altred abrogating certaine peeces called Basels To conclude they would in no wise renounce theyr opinions The Vallâ—â—s conâ—â—â—ned so that they were condemned brenned in the forehead with an hote iron and in the colde season of winter stripped naked from the girdle steede vp and so whipped out of y e Town with proclamation made that no man shoulde be so hardie as to receyue them into anye house relieue them with meate They are forbidden meate and drinke They are sterueÌ„ to death drinke or by any other kynd of wayes or meanes and so they were staruen to deathe through colde and hunger and yet in suche their affliction they seemed to reioyce in that they suffered for Gods cause as they accompted of it The same yeare Mathew sonne to the Earle of Flaunders married the Lady Mary the Abbesse of Ramsey daughter to King Stephen Nic. Triuet and with hir had the Countie of Bolongne The first falling out betwixt the king and Thomas Becket Anno reg Mat. Par. Math. VVesâ—… 1161 and about this marriage chaunced the firste falling out betwixte the King and his Chauncellor Thomas Becket as some haue written but chiefly the saide Mathewe was much offended with the sayd Chancellor bycause he was so sore agaynst the sayd contract Kyng Henry shortly after the marriage consummate betwixt his sonne and the French Kings daughter got into hys handes the Castell of Gisors with two other Castels situate vppon the Riuer of Eata in the confynes of Normandy and Fraunce For it was accorded betwixt the two Kings that when the marriage should be consummate King Henry should haue those three Castels bycause they apperteyned to Normandy and in the meane time the same Castels were delyuered into the handes of Roberte de Poyron Tostes de Saint Omer and Roberte Hastings three Knightes templers Rob. Houed the whiche vpon the consummation hadde of the marriages as before is sayd and according to the trust committed to them surrendred the possession of the saide Castels into the handes of Kyng Henry But y e French King was not a little moued for that King Henry had seysed vpon them withoute his licence in so muche that hee reysed a power of menne and sente them into Normandie where they fought one cruell conflict aboue the rest with the Normans till the nyghte parted them in sunder Gaguinus The Frenche and Normans fight by meane whereof the Frenchemen withdrew to Chaumount and the Romains vnto Gysours The next daye as the Frenchmen came forth again purposing to haue wonne Gisors they were beaten back by y e Normans which came forth of y e towne to skyâ—…ish with them N. Triuet Thus was the warre begon agayne betwixt thiese two Princes and by the seâ—â—ingâ—…on of Theobalde Erle of Bloys the matter grewe to that point that the 〈◊〉 French powers comming forth with into the fielde and marching one against an other they were almost approched so neare together that battayle was presently looked for first in Veulgessyne and after in the territorie of Dune but yet in the end a means was made and concluded betwixt them so their armies brake vp Thre knightes Templers Rog. Houed The .iij. Templers also ranne in displeasure of the French king for the deliuerie of the castels before they knew his mynde so that he banished them the realm of France for euermoâ—â— but K. Henry receiued them and gaue them honorable entertaynement Some write that there were but two Castels Gisors and Meall whiche wer thus put into their haÌ„ds M. Paris by them dâ—â—â—uered as before is mentioned The death of Theobald Archebishop of Canterbury But to proceed â–ª About this time Theobald Archbish of Canterbury departed this lyfe after he had gouerned that sea the space of .22 yeares which Theobald at his going to Rome and receipt of the Pall of Pope Innocent the second was also created Legate of the sea Apostolike which office he exercised so diligently and so much to the auaile of the church there that the dignitie of Legateship remayned euerafter to the Archbishop of Canterbury by a special decree The povver Legantine annexed to Cant. VV. Paruus so that they were entitled Legati nati that is to say born Legates as myne author doth report This Theobald fauored
wherevpon Richard departed from the Court in greate displeasure Rog. Houâ—â— and comming into Poictow hee beganne to fortifie his Castels and Townes that hee might be in a redinesse to stand vppon his safegard if his father or breethren should come to pursue him King Henry the sonne followed him sette on by the Earles and Barons of Poictow whiche for the sharp and cruell gouernement of Earle Richard Geruas Doâ—… hated hym And on the other side for the amiable courtesie seemely personage and other noble qualities which they saw in the yong King moued theÌ„ to take part with him against Richard and shortly after commeth their brother Geffrey with a greate army in ayde of his brother the K. in somuch Rog. Hoâ—â—â— War betwiâ—â— the brethren that Erle Richard not knowing how to shift off the present daunger sent to his father for ayde who right sorie in his mynde to see such vnnaturall dealing amongst his sonnes gathered an armie and came forwarde He had a litle before trauailed to set them at one insomuch that where Earle Richarde helde a Castell named Clarevalx which after the fathers deceasse ought to remaine vnto King Henrye the sonne vpon hys complaynte thereof made the father did so much with the Earle that he surrendred it into his fathers handes The father â—…eeketh to appease the quaâ—…ell betwixt â—…is sonnes And immediately after all the three sonnes came to Anger 's and there sware to bee obedient vnto theyr fathers wyll and to serue him agaynst all men wherevpon he appoynted them a daye to meete at Mirabell where the Barons of Guyen shoulde also bee vnto whome King Henry the sonne had sworne to ayde them agaynst Earle Richarde Herewith was Earle Geffray sent vnto them to perswade them to peace and quietnesse and to come vnto Mirabell according to king Henrie the fathers appoyntment â—…arle Geffray â—…ealeth vnâ—â—ythfully but in steede of perswading them to peace contrarie to his othe so oftentymes receyued hee procured them to pursue the warre both agaynst his father and hys brother Earle Richarde King Henrie the sonne remayning with his father shewed outwardely that hee wished for peace but his meaning was all contrarie and so obteyned lycence of his father to goe vnto Lymoges that hee might labour to reduce both his brother Geffrey and the Barons of Guien vnto quietnesse But such dissembling was put in practise by king Henrie that when the father followed wyth an armie and came vnto Lymoges in steade of receyuing him with honour as it had bene theyr dueties to haue done they shotte at him and pierced through his vppermost armour so that both hee and hys Sonne Rycharde were constrayned to depart Yet afterwardes hee entered that Citie and comming forth of it agayne to talke wyth his Sonnes those within Lymoges eftsoones rebelled so that certaine of them wythin shotte the Horse whereon King Henrie the father rode into the heade and if it had so chaunced that the Horse in casting vppe hys heade had not receyued the blowe the arrowe had lyght in the Kings breast to the great daunger and perill of his person neyther dyd hys sonnes the King and his brother Geffrey goe about to see suche an heynous attempt punished but rather seemed to lyke well of it and to mainteyne those moste malicious enimyes of theyr soueraigne Lorde and father for they ioyned wyth them agaynste him althoughe King Henrie the sonne made countenaunce to bee wylling to reconcile his brother and the Barons of Guien to his father by way of some agreement The disloyall dissembling of the yong king but his double dealing was too manifest although in deede hee abused his fathers pacience for a while who was of nothing more desyrous than to wynne his sonnes by some courteous meanes and therefore dyuerse tymes offered to pardon all offences committed by hys enimies at the suyte of his Sonne the King who in deede offered hymselfe nowe and then as an intreatour but that was onely to wynne tyme that hys brother wyth suche Brabanders and other Souldiers as hee had with hym in ayde besyde the forces of the Barons of Guien might worke the more mischiefe agaynste theyr father and theyr brother Earle Richarde in wasting and destroying their Countreys that stoode stedfast on their syde In the meane time Richarde the Archebishoppe of Canterburie and dyuerse other Byshoppes and Abbottes both of Englande and Normandie assembled togyther at Caen and in the Abbey Churche of Saint Stephen pronounced the sentence of Excommunication agaynste all those that did hynder and impeache theyr purpose which was to haue peace and concorde concluded betwixte the King and hys Sonnes the same Sonnes onely not of the sayd sentence excepted Dyuerse shyftes were made by King Henrie the Sonne and his brother Earle Geffray also to get money for the payment of theyr Souldiours as spoyling of Shrynes and suche lyke But at length when things framed not to theyr purpose and that the harme whiche they coulde doe agaynste theyr Father was muche lesse than they wished if power had beene aunswerable to their willes King Henrie the sonne falleth sicke King Henrie the sonne through indignation and displeasure as some write fell into a grieuous sicknesse in a Vyllage called Mertell not farre from Lymoges where his father lay at siege At the fyrst he was taken with an extreeme Feuer and after followed a sore Flixe Then perceyuing himselfe in daunger of death and that the Phisitions had giuen hym ouer He sendeth to his father hee sent to his Father confessiing hys trespasse commytted agaynste hym and requyred hym of hys fatherly loue to come and to see hym once before hee dyed But for that the father thought not good to committe hymselfe into the handes of suche vngracious persones as were aboute hys sonne hee sente vnto hym hys Ring in token of his blessing and as it were a pledge to signifie that he had forgiuen him his vnnaturall doings agaynst him The sonne recceyuing it with great humilitie kissed it and so ended his lyfe in the presence of the Archbishoppe of Burdeaux and others on the daye of Saint Barnabie the Apostle His repentance before his death He dyed as some wryte very penitently and where as in his life time he had vowed to make a iourney into the holye lande agaynst Gods enimies and taken vpon him the Crosse for that intent he deliuered it vnto his familiar friend William Marshall to go thither with it in his steade Moreouer when he perceyued present death at hande he first confessed his sinnes secretely and after openly afore sundrie Bishops and men of religion and receyued absolution in most humble wise After this hee caused his fine clothes to bee taken from him and therewith an heare cloth to be put vpon him A straunge kinde of superstitious deuotion of this reportâ—… four author be true and after tying a corde aboute his necke he sayde vnto the Bishoppes and other that
thither though he was earnestly called vpon for the same Hys estimation was such amongst forraine Princes that Phillip King of Fraunce beeing newly entred into the gouernemente of that Realme after his fathers decesse committed himselfe and hys Kingdome to the disposition and order of Kyng Henry as if he had bin regent of his Realme and gouernour of his person There lyued in the dayes of this King Henry the seconde diuers honorable personages Captaynes of great fame for their approoued valiancie and experience in warlike enterprises as Roberte Earle of Leicester Hugh Biger Earle of Northfolke Reginald Earle of Cornewale Robert Ferers Earle of Derby Richard Lacy Roger Mowbray Raufe de Fulgiers Humfrey Bohun Connestable of England Ranulf Glandeuille William Vescy and Bernard de Balliol â—…le Also there flourished in his time heere in thys land men of singular learning in artes and sciences as Nicholas Breakespeare Serlo surnamed Grammaticus William Rheualensis Adam de Euesham Thomas of Munmouth Adelbertus Leuita Geruasius Cicestrensis Odo CaÌ„tianus Ealred Rhieuellensis Iohannes Sarisburiensis Clemens Lanthoniensis Walter Daniel Robert Knought alias Camtus Roberte Folioth William Ramsey Senatus Brauonus Robert the Scribe Odo Miremuth Hugh of Readyng Richard of Douer WilliaÌ„ of Peterburgh Cicerciensis Bartholmew Iscanus and Gilberte de Sempringham with other And heere to make an ende with this high and mighty Prince Henry the secoÌ„d I haue thought good to make you partaker of an Epitaph which wee fynde in Mathew Paris and others written of hym as followeth An Epitaph of King Henry the seconde REx Henricus eram mihi plurima regnaÌ„ subegi Multiplicique modo duxque comesque fui Cui satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae Climata terra modò sufficit octo pedum Qui legis haec pensa discrimina mortis indè Humanae specula conditionis habe Quod potes instanter operate bonum quia mundus Transit incautos mors inopina rapit An other TVmuli regis superscriptio breuis exornat Sufficit hic tumulus cui non sufficerat orbis Res breuis est ampla cui fuit ampla breuis The first is thus Englished OF late King Henry was my name I. H. whiche conquerde many a lande And diuers Dukedomes did possesse and Earledomes held in hande And yet while all the earth could scarce my greedy mind suffice Eight foote within the ground now serues wherein my carcas lyes Now thou that readest this note well my force with force of death And let that serue to shew the state of all that yeeldeth breath Do good then here foreslowe no time cast off all worldly cares For brittle world full soone doth fayle and death doth strike vnwares The other thus SMall Epitaph now serues to decke this tombe of stately King L. H. And he who whilome thought whole earth could scarce his minde content In little roome hath roome at large that serues now life is spente Richarde the firste An. reg 1. RIcharde the firste of that name and seconde sonne of Henry the second beganne hys raigne ouer England the sixth day of Iuly in the yeare of oure Lord. 1189 1189. in the seuen and thirtith yeare of the Emperour Frederick the first in the eleuenth yere of the raigne of the second Phillip K. of Fraunce VVil. Par. and Kyng William surnamed the Lion as yet liuing in the gouernement of Scotland Mat. Paris At leÌ„gth King Richard remembring himselfe of his mother Queene Eleanor which had beene separated from the bed of hir husband for the space of sixteene yeres and was as yet deteyned in prison in Englande wrote his letters vnto the Rulers of the Realme The King mother set at libertie commaunding them to set hir agayne at libertie and withall appoynted hir by his letters pateÌ„ts to take vpon hir the whole gouernement of the Kingdome in his absence The Queene being thus deliuered and hauing nowe the chiefe authoritie and rule in hir hands she rode in progresse about the Realme to see y e estate therof and as shee passed froÌ„ place to place she shewed gladsome countenance to the people wheresoeuer she became doing also what she could to pleasure theÌ„ that she might therby win their good willes to hir and to hir sonne but specially remembring by hir late experience and tast thereof what an irksome and most greeuous thing imprisonmente was she caused the iayles to be opened and forthwith set no small number of prisoners at libertie by the way as she passed through the couÌ„treys according to the verse of Virgill Non ignara mali miseris suceurrere disco Which may be thus englished By proofe earst had of others ill Their woe to ease I learne the skill In the meane time King Richard concluding a league with Phillippe King of Fraunce receyueth all those places againe which were taken froÌ„ his father by the same Phillip togither with his wife Adela whom vpon suspition that she had bin dishonested in hir person before without any sufficient proofe therof had he forsaketh sendeth hir home with hir dower and otherwise with greate and princely giftes most bountifully enriched hauing already concluded a marriage with the Lady Berengaria daughter to Garsias Kyng of Nauarre who was sente into Sicill vnto hir syster Ioane that hee mighte marry hir there as hee passed that way toward the holy lande Moreouer vnto William Marshall he gaue in marriage the daughter of Richard Erle of Chepstow togither with the Earledome which hir father possessed and to Gilbert Fitz Roger the son of Ramfrey he gaue the daughter of William de Loncaster After he was landed as before ye haue heard he hasted to Winchester where his mother Queene Eleanor with the most part of the English nobilite hadde layne a good space to attende his comming and there on the euen of the assumption of our Lady the King was by them receyued with great ioy and triumph VVi. Paruus Vpon this day of King Richards CoronatioÌ„ the Iewes y t dwelt in LondoÌ„ and in other parties of the Realm being there assembled had but sory hap as it chanced for they meaning to honor the same Coronation with their presence and to present to the K. some honorable gift The Iewes meant to preâ—…ent him with 〈◊〉 rich gifte whereby they might declare themselues glad for his aduauncement and procure his friendship toward them for the confirming of their priuiledges and liberties according to the grauntes and charters made to them by the former Kings King Richard of a zelous minde to Christes Religion Math. Paris abhorring their nation and doubting some sorcerie by them to be practised commaunded that they should not come within the Church when he should receyue the Crowne nor within the Palace whilest hee was at dinner But at dinner time among other that pressed in at the Palace gate diuers of the Iewes were about to thrust in till one of them was striken by
.xij. ss of money then currant This yeare about the feast of Pentecost An. Reâ—… Polidor Mat. Paâ—… King Iohn prepareâ—… 〈◊〉 armie to 〈◊〉 into Frâ—… the king by the aduice of his Counsell assembled at Northampton prepared a nauie of shippes mustred souldiers and shewed great tokens that hee woulde renue the warre and seeke to be reuenged of his enimie the French king The Nobles of the realme endeuoured themselues also to matche the diligence of the king in this preparation vpon an ernest desire to reuenge the iniuries lately done to the common wealth And when all things were readie and the shippes fraught with vittayles armour and al other provisions necessarie the King came to Porchester there to take the Sea purposing verily to passe ouer into Fraunce in hope of suche fayre promises as his friendes of Normandie and Poictou had made in sending oftentymes to him to procure him wyth speede to come to theyr succours But nowe euen as the king was readie to enter a Shipbourde Raufe Coâ—… The Archâ—…shop of Câ—…terburie 〈◊〉 the Earle of Pembrokeâ—… swade the 〈◊〉 to stay at home Hubert Archbyshop of Canterburie and William Marshall Earle of Pembrooke came to hym and with many greate reasons went aboute to perswade him to staye hys iourney And although he was very loath to follow theyr counsaile yet they put forth so manye doubtes and daungers that myght follow of his departing the Realme at that present to the hazarding of the whole state that in the ende sore to his griefe hee was ouercome by theyr importunate perswasions and so dismissing the moste part of his armie he appoynted his brother the Earle of Salisburie with a certaine number of knights and men of armes to passe ouer into Rochell whither was gone before hym the Lorde Geffrey the Kings base Sonne wyth many other Knightes also and men of armes The Lordes and other that were dismissed tooke it verie euill considering the great preparation that had bin made for that iourney But specially the Mariners were sore offended cursing the Archbishop and the sayde Earle of Pembrooke that were knowne to bee Authours of so naughtie counsayle as they tooke this to be At his comming backe as some write hee charged certaine of the Nobilitie wyth treason bycause they did not follow him wherevppon shortly after he punished them ryght grieuously and peraduenture not withoute some grounde of iust cause For likelye it is that some greater matter there was that forced him to breake vp his iourney than appeareth in our wryters although Raufe Cogheshall setteth downe some reasons alledged by the Archbishoppe Hubert and Earle Marshall to perswade him not to depart the Realme But peraduenture other causes there were also of farre more importaunce that constreyned hym so greatly agaynste hys mynde and full resolution both at the first and nowe at thys seconde tyme to returne Verily to vtter my coniecture it maye bee that vppon hys laste determination to goe ouer hee gaue newe commaundement to hys Lordes to followe hym and they peraduenture vsed not suche diligence in accomplishing hys pleasure therein as hee looked they shoulde haue done or it may be when the armie was once discharged the Souldiers made suche haste homewardes eche man towardes hys Countrey that it was no easie matter to bryng them backe againe in anye conuenient time But howsoeuer it was as it had beene vppon a chaunge of purpose hee came backe agayne as before yee haue hearde The .xiij. of Iuly Hubert Archbishoppe of Canterburie departed this life at Tenham The death of the archbishop of Canterbury Mat. Par. Polidore the king not beeing greatlye sorie for his death as some haue wrytten bycause hee gathered some suspition that hee bare too muche good will towardes the French king In verye deede as some wryte the Archebishop repented himselfe of nothing so muche as for that he hadde commended King Iohn vnto the Noble menne and Peeres of the Realme sith hee prooued an other manner manne than hee looked to haue founde hym Thys Archebishoppe hadde gouerned the See of Canterburie eleuen yeares right monethes and sixe dayes Moreouer after that the French king had won Loches Hubert de Burgh a valiant Captaine he went to Chiuon within the whiche Hubert de Burgh was Captaine a right valiant maÌ„ of war as was any wher to be fouÌ„d who hauing prepared all things necessarie for defence manfully repulsed y e Frenchmen which inforced theÌ„selues to win y e town with coÌ„tinuall assaults alarmes not suffring them within to rest neyther day nor night who yet for certaine dayes togyther by the valiant encouragement of theyr captain defended the towne with greate slaughter of the Frenchmen But neuerthelesse at length beginning to despayre by reason of their incessant trauaile certaine of theÌ„ that were somwhat faint hearted stale ouer the walles in the night ranne to the French men and for safegard of theyr liues instructed them of the whole estate of the towne The Frenche vnderstanding that they wythin were in no small feare of themselues with suche violence came vnto the walles and renued the assault vpon all sides Polidor Chinon taken by force of assault that streight wayes they entred by force A great number of Englishmen were taken and amongst other their Captain the foresayd Hubert de Burgh This chaunced on the vigâ—…ll of S. Iohn Baptist After this King Philip tooke diuerse other townes Castels in that Country of the which some hee razed and some he fortified and stuffed with garnisons of his souldiers This done hee passed ouer the Riuer of Loyr and wan a castell situate neare vnto a promontorie or heade of land called GrapelituÌ„ which was wont to bee a great succor to the Englishmen arriuing on that coast The occasion why he made warres thus to the Brytaines was as some write for that Guy Duke of Brytayne who had maried the Duches Constance and succeeded in the Duchie after hir sonne Arthure without regarde to reuenge the death of the same Arthure was ioyned in league with K. Iohn togither with Sauare de Manleon and Almerick de Lusignian Lords of great honor power and stoutnesse of stomacke â—…es Annales de â—…rance â—…olidor Finally he entred into Aniou and comming to the Citie of Angiers appoynted certain bands of his footmen and al his light horsemen to compasse the towne about whylest he with the residue of the footemen and all the men of armes did goe to assaulte the gates Which enterprise with fyre and sworde he so manfully executed that the Gates being in a moment broken open King Iohn â—…anne the city â—…f Angiers by â—…ault the Citie was entred and delyuered to the Souldiers for a pray The Citizens were some taken and some killed and the walles of the Citie beaten flatte to the grounde This done he went abrode into the Countrey and put all things that came in his way to the like destruction So that the people of the Countreyes
Henrye as before wee haue mencioned But nowe to the purpose of the Historye Ye haue hearde howe Lewes has spent long tyme in vayne about the bâ—…yng of the Castell of Douer for although 〈◊〉 constrayned them within ryght fore yet Huberte de Burghe and Girarde de Sotigam bare them selues so manfully and therewith so politikely that their aduersaries coulde not come to vnderstande their distresse and daunger within the Castell in so muche that dispairing to winne it in â—…y shorte tyme euen before the deathe of Kyng Iohn was knowne as some write â—…eâ—… 〈◊〉 contented to graunte a truce to them that kept this Castell tyll the feaste of Easter nexte enâ—…yng but as it appeareth by other thys truâ—… was not concluded till after the death of Kyng Iohn was signified to Lewes who greately reioycing thereat supposed nowe wythin a shorte tyme to bryng the whole Realme vnder hys subiection and therefore raysyng his siege from Douer in hope to compasse enterprises of greater consequence came backe vnto the Citie of London When they within the Castell of Douer saw the siege remoued they came foorthe and brente suche houses and buyldyngs as the Frenchemen hadde reysed before the same Castell and commyng abroade into the Countrey gotte togyther suche victuals and other necessarie prouision as myghte serue for the furnishing of theyr fortresse for a long season After that Lewes was retourned vnto London he remayned not long there but wyth a greate armye marched foorthe vnto Harteforde where he besieged the Castell whyche was in the keepyng of Walter de Godardule seruaunte of householde vnto Foulques de Brente Mat. Paris who defended the place from the feast of Saint Martine vnto the feaste of Saincte Nicholas Hartford Castell deliuered to Levves and then delyuered it by composition that he and his people myghte departe wyth all theyr goodes horse and armour From thence Lewes wente vnto Berkhamstede and besieged that Castell whyche was valiauntly defended by a Dutche Capitayne named Waleron who with hys people behaued hymselfe so manfully that a greate number of Frenchemen and other of them without were lefte deade in the ditches Mat. Paris Lewes hauyng furnished this castell with a sufficient garnison returned back towards London and comming to Sainte Albanes constrayned the Abbotte to giue vnto him foure score markes of syluer for a fyne to be respected of doing his homage vnto the feaste of the Purification of our Ladye nexte ensuyng Whiche poore Abbot was made to beleue that he ought to take thys dealing to be an acte of great courtesy the Earle of Winchester being an earnest meane for hym that he myght so easily escape Bernewell A Truce About the same tyme was a generall truce taken betwixte the kyng and Lewes and all their partakers till the .xx. daye after Christmasse for the obteyning of whiche truce as some write the Castell of Berkchamsteede was surrendred vnto the same Lewes as beefore yee haue hearde After Christmasse and whylest the truce yet dured 1217 Lewes and the Barons assembled at the Councell whiche they helde at Cambridge and the Lordes that tooke part with the kyng mette likewyse at Oxford and muche talke there was and great trauayle imployed to haue concluded some agreemente by composition beetwixte the parties but it would not bee nor yet any longer truce which was also sought for could be granted Wherevpon Lewes besieged the Castell of Hydingham the whiche togyther with the Castels of Norwich Colchester and Orford were surrendred vnto hym to haue a truce graunted vntill a moneth after Easter next ensuing And so by this meanes all the east parte of the realme came vnto the possession of Lewes For the Isle of Elye was wonne by his people a little before the laste truce whylest he hymselfe lay at siege of Berkhamstede excepted one fortresse belongyng to the same Isle into the whiche the Souldiors that serued ther vnder the king were withdrawn But yet although Lewes might seme thus partly to preuayle in hauing these castelles delyuered into his handes he beeing yet aduertised that dayly there reuolted diuers of the barons of Englande vnto king Henry which before had taken part with him he stood in great doubt and feare of the reste and therfore furnished all those Castels which he had woon with conuenable garnison and namely the Castell of Hertford and after wente to London Polidor there to vnderstande what further trust he myght put in the rest of the Englishe Lordes and Barons for as diuers had alreadie forsaken hym as it is sayde so the residue were doubtefull what were beste to doe For first they considered that the renouncing of their promysed fayth vnto Lewes The pâ—…tie iâ—… 〈◊〉 the bâ—…stoode whome they hadde sworne to maynteyn as king of England shuld be a great reproche vnto them and agayne they well sawe that to continue in their obedience towardes hym should bring the realme in greate daunger syth it woulde bee harde for any louyng agreemente to contynue betweene the Frenche and Englishemen their natures being so contrarye Thyrdly they stoode somwhat in feare of the Popes cursse pronounced by hys Legate bothe agaynst Lewes and all his partakers Albeeit on the other syde to reuolte vnto Kyng Henrye thoughe the loue whyche they did beare to theyr countrey and the greate towardnesse whyche they sawe in him greately moued them yet sith by reason of his young yeares hee was not able eyther to followe the warres himself or to take councell what was to be done in publike gouernement they iudged it a verie daungerous case For where as in warres nothyng can be more expedient than to haue one head by whose appointment all things maye bee gouerned so nothyng can be more hurtfull than to haue many rulers by whose authoritie things shall passe and be ordered Wherfore these considerations stayed and kepte one parte of the Englishe Lords still in obedience to Lewes namely for that diuers of the confederates thoughte that it stoode not with their honours so to forsake him tyll they myght haue some more honorable colour to reuolte from their promises or else that the matter should be taken vp by some indifferent agreement to be concluded out of hande betwixt them Herevpon they resorte in lyke maner vnto London and 〈◊〉 with Lewes take counsell what was to bee done with their businesse â—…ouching the whole start of thâ—… cause The messengers whiche Lewes had remaynyng in the Courte of Rome signifyed vnto hym aboute the same tyme that excepte he departed out of England the sentence of excommunication which Gualo or Walo the Legate had pronounced against him shoulde bee confirmed by y e Pope on MauÌ„die Thursday next ensâ—…yng Wherupon Lewes was the more inclined to graunt to the truce before mencioned that he might in the meane tyme go ouer into France to his father who had moste earnestly written and sent in commaundement to hym that in any wyse he should retourne home to talke with
cost the Archbishop right deerely in feasting and banquetting them and theyr traynes At one dinner it was reported be spent at the first course .lx. fat Oxen. At request of the king of Scottes the king of England receyued agayne into fauour Philip Lunell or rather Luvell as I take it one of his counsaile against whom he had conceiued displeasure in the yere last past for such bryberie as he was thought to be guiltie of for to shewe fauour to the Iewes The king of Scottes when he should depart tooke his leaue in most courteous maner and led with him his new maried wife Sir Robert Norice sir Stephen Bauzan on whom attended sir Robert Norice knight marshall of the kings house and sir StepheÌ„ Bausan and also the Ladie Maude the widow of the Lorde William Cantlow with other An exceeding great wind On the octaues of the Epiphany chanced an exceeding great wind which did much hurt in diuerse places of the realm The B. of Rochester returning froÌ„ the court of Rome The Bishop of Rochesters bul brought w t him a bul authorising him to receyue to his owne vse the .v. part of the reuenues of al y e beneficed men within his dioces The Gasâ—…coignes make warre against the English subiects In this meane while the erle of Leycester remaining in EnglaÌ„d the Gascoignes made sore war against such as he had left behind him withal gaue information to the K. that the Erle of Leycester was a traytor one y t had spoiled the kings subiects And furthermore by his vniust dealings had giueÌ„ to the Gascoignes cause of rebellioÌ„ The K. to boult out the truth of this matter sent first his chaplaine HeÌ„rie WinghaÌ„ afterwards sir Nic. de Moles de Valence as coÌ„missioners to enquire of y e erles doing who weÌ„t returned w tout finding any manifest crime in y e erles demenor The erle was much offended that his innocency shuld be thus suspected But at length being appoynted to returne into Gascoigne he obeyed and hauing a great summe of money he reteyned a power of men of warre aswell French men as other and meaning to bee reuenged of those that had giuen the information agaynst him The Earle of Leycester dauÌ„teth his enimies he strengthned himselfe with the ayde of the king of Nauarre and of the Earle of Bigorre and other so that hee oppressed his aduersaries on eche hande and so abated their pride that if they conueniently had might they would haue yelded themselues to some other prince and vtterly haue renounced the King of Englande for euer A straunge wonder of the newe Moone The .xiij. day of March the newe moone was seene where the prime chaunge by natural course should not haue beene tyll the .xvj. day following and for the space of .xv. dayes that then next ensued the Sunne the Moone and Starres appeared of a red colour And herewith the whole face of the earth seemed as it had beene shadowed with a thicke myst or smoke the winde notwithstanding remayning North and Northeast And herewith began a sore drought coÌ„tinuing a long time the which togither with morning frosts and Northerly windes destroyed the fruites and other growing things which were blasted in suche wise that although at the first it was a very forwarde yeare and great plentie towardes of corne and fruite yet by the meanes aforesayd the same was greatly hindered and specially in the Sommer season when the Sunnes heat increased and the drought still continued The residue of suche fruites as then remayned withered away so that vneth a tenth part was left and yet there was indifferent store For if the abundaunce which the blossomes promised had come forwarde the trees had not bene able to haue borne the same The grasse was so burned vp in pastures medowes A great drought that if a man tooke vp some of it in his hands and rubbed the same neuer so little it streight fell to poulder and so cattel were redie to sterue through lacke of meate and bycause of the exceeding hote nightes there was such abundance of fleas flies and gnattes that people were vexed and brought in case to be wearie of their liues And herewyth chaunced many diseases Many diseases raigned as sweates agues and other And in the Haruest tyme there fell a great death or murreyn amongst cattell A murreyn of cattaile and specially in Norffolke in the fennes and other parties of the South The infection was such that dogs and rauens feeding on the dead carraynes swelled streight wayes and dyed so that the people durst eate no biefe least the flesh happely might be infected Also this was noted not without great wonder that yong heyfers and bullockes followed the mylche kine and as it had beene calues sucked the same kine Also Apple trees and Peare trees now after the time of yeelding their ripe fruite began againe to blossome as if it had beene in Aprâ—… The cause of the death of cattell was thought 〈◊〉 come hereof The 〈◊〉 the catteâ—… After so great a drougth which haâ—… continued by all the space of the monethes of Aprill May Iune and Iuly when there folowed good plentie of raine the earth began to yeelde hiâ—… encrease most plentiously of all growing things though not so wholsome nor of such kindly substance as in due time and season shee is accustomed to bring forth and so the cattell which before was hungerstaruen fed now so greedily of thys newe grasse sprung vp in vndue season that they were sodenly puffed vp with fleshe and such vnnaturall humors as bredde infections amongest them whereof they dyed The Bishop of Lincolne would haue enforced all the beneficed men within his dioces to bee Priests but they purchased a licence from Rome The 〈…〉 to remaine at the Vniuersities for certain yeares without taking the order of Priesthoode vpon them The king meaning to go as he pretended into the holy land had graunt of the Pope to leuie a tenth of his subiects both spirituall and temporal The Câ—… coâ—… to coâ—… of the 〈◊〉 Leyâ—… The Earle of Leycester aduertised thereof followed him and comming to the Court found the Archbishop readie to aduouche the information which he had made agaynst the sayde Earle chiefely in that he had sought the destruction of those whome the Earle of Cornewall when hee was ruler there had graunted life and peace and whome sir Henrie Trubleuile and Waleran the Teutchman late Stewardes of Gascoigne vnder the king had cherished and mainteyned Many other things the Archbishoppe charged him with the which the Erle wittily refelled and disproued â—…e Erle disâ—…reth the â—…gations of accusers so as he was allowed in his iustification by those that stoode by as the Erle of Cornwall and others â—…e Bishop of â—…colnes auâ—…rine to inâ—…re Vicars Churches â—…opriate The Bishop of Lincolne got authoritie of the Pope to institute Vicarages in Churches impropriate to
thereto than follow his olde maners considering that it might be well perceyued that if he continued in the encouraging of the king to lewdnesse as in tymes past he had done he could not thinke but that the Lordes woulde bee readie to correct him as by proufe he had nowe tryed their meanings to be no lesse Herevpon to retaine amitie 1309 An. reg 3. Hen. Marle as was thought on both sydes Pierce by consent of the Lordes was restored home againe the king meeting him at Chester to his great comfort and reioysing for the time although the malice of the Lordes was such that such ioy lasted not long In the fourth yeare of king Edwarde was a Councell holden at London agaynst the Templers 1310 An. reg 4. The addition to Triuet the which Councell endured froÌ„ the beginning of May till Iune In this councell they confessed the fame but not the fact of the crymes layde to theyr charge except two or three ribalds that were amongst them but bycause they could not cleare themselues they were adiudged to perpetuall penance within certaine Monasteries The king this yeare fearing the enuie of the Lordes agaynst Pierce de Gaueston The Earle of Cornwal placed in Bambourgh castel placed him for his more safetie in Bambourgh Castell bearing the Prelates and Lordes in hande that hee had committed him there to prison for theyr pleasures This yeare also there were ordinances made for the state and gouernment of the Realme by the Prelates Earles and Barons which were confirmed with the sentence of excomunication agaynst all them that should goe about to breake the same The king neither allowed of them nor obserued them although he had confirmed them with his seale and sent them to all Cathedrall Churches and Counties to be registred in perpetuall memorie thereof Polidor The king in deede was lewdly ledde for after that the Earle of Cornewall was returned into Englande he shewed himselfe no chaungeling as writers do affirme but through support of the kings fauour bare himselfe so high in his doings which were without all good order that he seemed to disdaine all the Peeres and Barons of the realme Also after the olde sort he prouoked the king to all naughtie rule and riotous demeanor and hauing the custodie of the kings Iewels and treasure he tooke out of the Iewelhouse a table and a paire of trestels of golde which he deliuered vnto a marchant called Aymerie de Friscobalde Caxton commaunding him to conuey them ouer the Sea into Gascoigne Thys table was iudged of the common people to belong sometime vnto king Arthure and therefore men grudged the more that the same shoulde thus be sent oute of the Realme 1311 Rich. South An. reg 5. The king this yeare raysed a great power to goe into Scotlande And about the feast of the Assumption of our ladie hauing with him Piers de Gaueston Earle of Cornwall and the Earles of Gloucester and Warren Berwike fortified he came to Berwike which town he caused to be fortified with a stroÌ„g wall and a mightie deepe ditch and although the other Earles woulde not come to serue him in that voyage The king entred into Scotlande by reason of a newe variaunce risen amongest them yet hee marcheth forth into Scotland to seke his aduersary Robert le Bruce but Robert refusing the battaile kept him forth of the way so that the king was driuen to return to Berwike againe without meeting with his enimies And he was no sooner come backe but the sayde Robert and his people enter into Louthian sore molesting such as were yeelded to the king of England The king aduertised thereof followed them but coulde do no good and so returned The Erle of Cornewall lay at Rokesbourgh and the Earle of Gloucester at Norham to defend those parties After Candlemasse the King sent the Earle of Cornewall with two hundred men of armes to Saint Iohns towne beyond the Scottish sea who receyued to the kings peace all those that inhabited beyonde that Sea vp to the Mountains The king lay still at Berwike but the Earles of Gloucester and Warren after the beginning 〈◊〉 Lent rode into the forest of Selkyrke and receyued the Foresters and other the inhabitants thâ—… to the kings peace In this fifth yere of the kings raigne but somwhat before this present in the yeare .1310 Henry Lacie Earle of Lyncolne gouernor of England in the kings absence departed this life in which place the Earle of Gloucester was chosen gouernour and therefore hee returned nowe 〈◊〉 Englande This Earle of Lyncolne was vailed in the new worke at Pauls Lying on his death bed be requested as was reported Thomas erle of LaÌ„caster that had maried his daughter that in any wise he should stand with the other Lords in defence of the common wealth and to maintein his quarel against the Earle of Cornwall which request Erle Thomas faithfully accomplished for by the pursute of him and of the Earle of Warwike chiefly the sayd Earle of Cornwall was at length taken and beheaded as after shal appeare Some write that king Edward the first vpon his death bed charged y e Erles of Lincolne Warwike and Pembroke to foresee that the foresayde Pierce returned not again into England least by his euill example hee might enduce his sonne the Prince to lewdnesse as before hee had alreadye done Thomas Erle of LaÌ„caster came toward Berwike to do homage to the king for the Erledome of Lincolne fallen to him in right of his wife now after the deceasse of hir father the late Earle of Lincolne But he was councelled not to goe forth of the Realme to the king so that thervpon rose no small displeasure great doubt least there would haue followed ciuil warres about it Neuerthelesse at length the king was perswaded to come ouer the water vnto Hagerston foure myles distaunt from Berwike and there receyued homage of the Earle so they continued friends and for that tyme departed asunder in louyng maner The Lords perceyuing the mischief that dayly followed and encreased by that naughtie man as they tooke it the Erle of Cornwal Fabiaâ—… Hen. Mâ—… assembled at Lyncolne and there tooke counsaile togyther and concluded eftsoones to banish him out of the Realme and so therevpon shortly after about Christmasse as some write or rather as other haue within the quindene of Saint Michaell Ri. Saith The Earle 〈◊〉 Comâ—…wall â—…nished into Flaunders he was exyled into Flaunders sore agaynste the Kings wyll and pleasure who made suche account of him that as appeared hee coulde not bee quiet in mynde withoute hys companye and therefore about Candlemasse hee eftsoones reuoked hym home 12â—… But hee beryng nothing at al amended of those hys euill manners rather demeaned himself worse than before he had done namely towardes the Lordes agaynst whome vsing reprochfull speech hee called the Earle of Gloucester bastarde the Earle of Lyncolne lately deceassed bursten belly the
entred into the North parts of Vlnester with a great armie vpon the day of S. Augustine in May and afterwardes burnt Dundalke Hen. Marle Dundalk burnt and a great part of Vrgile The Irish men also burnt the Church of Athird Moreouer in the battaile of Comeran in Vlnester The battaile of Comeran Richard Erle of Vlnester fled and sir Richard Bourgh sir Iohn Mandeuile and sir Alane Fitz Waren were taken prisoners The Castell of Norbourgh was also taken and at Kenlis in Meth the Lorde Roger Mortimer was discomfited by the foresayde Edwarde Bruce and many of the sayde Sir Rogers men were slaine and taken Also in this .ix. yeare of king Edwards raigne before Christmasse a blasing starre or comet appeared in the north part of the Element by the space of a moneth togither A blasing star Dearth and death and after followed dearth and death as after shall appeare The decease of Guy Earle of Warwike Crokesden Guy Earle of Warwike a man of greate counsaile and skilfull prouidence departed thys life this yeare and was buryed at the Abbey of Bordisley About Mydsommer the Scottes entred eftsoones into Englande 1316 Rich. South doing much mischief with fire and sworde in like sort as they had vsed to do before time not sparing as some write so much as those houses wherein women lay in childbed At their comming to Richmont the Gentlemen of the Countrey that were got into the Castell to defende it compounded with the enimies for a great summe of money to spare the towne and countrey about it without doing further domage thereto at that iourney The Scottes hauing receiued the money â—…ned their march towarde the west partes anâ—â—neying .lx. miles came to Fourneys burninâ—… the Country there aboutes and tooke away 〈◊〉 them all the goodes and prisoners both men 〈◊〉 women which they might lay handes oâ—… 〈◊〉 returned reioysing most of such yron as the 〈◊〉 got in that iourney for they had great wâ—… Scotland of that kind of metall in those day 〈◊〉 The death by reason of the vnseasonable 〈◊〉 ther in the sommer and haruest last past Aâ—… 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 sâ—… creased for that which with much adoe wâ—…â—…ned after when it came to the proufe yeeldeâ—… 〈◊〉 thing to the value of that which in sheafe iâ—…â—…med to conteyne so that wheat and other gâ—… was at a sore price before now was it enhaâ—… to a farre higher rate the scarcitie therof beâ—… great that a quarter of wheate was solde foâ—… 〈◊〉 which was a great price if we shall consiâ—… it alley of money then currant Also by reason of the murraine that fel aâ—… catel beefes muttons wer vnreasonably 〈◊〉 About this season the Lord HeÌ„rie Beaâ—… a man of high valiancie and noble corage 〈◊〉 gotteÌ„ togither a power of men entred into â—…land and after hee had taken great booâ—… 〈◊〉 spoyles in the Countrey The lâ—… 〈…〉 1317 he being intrapped by Iames Dowglas lost the most part of his 〈◊〉 togither with the pray which they had gotten The displeasure of these mishaps was â—…sed with the naughtie and bold presumption of sir Gilbert Middleton knight Lewes 〈◊〉 meâ—… 〈◊〉 by Sir Gâ—… Middâ—… who being offended y e master Lewes Beamont was preferred vnto the Bishops sea of Durham and Henrie Stâ—… put from it that was first elected and after displaced by the kings sute made vnto the Pope Caxton 〈◊〉 the sayd Lewes Beaumont and his brother HeÌ„rie on WinglesdoÌ„ Moore nere vnto Darington leading the Bishop to Morpath and his brother the Lorde Beaumont vnto the Castell of Misford and so deteyned them as prisoners till they had redeemed their libertie with great summes of money And herewith the saide sir Gilbert being aduaunced in pride Sir Gilâ—… Middâ—… proclâ—… himself 〈◊〉 proclamed himselfe Duke of Northumberlande and ioyning in friendshippe with the Scottishe king Robert Bruce cruelly destroyed the Countie of Richmont With such trayterous partes William FeltoÌ„ and Thomas Heton being not a little stirred first wan by force the Castel of Mytford and after apprehended sir Gilbert Middleton with his companion Walter Selbie and sent them vp to London where shortly after they were drawne hanged and quartered Some write that the sayde sir Gilbert was put to death for robbing two Cardinals to wit Garceâ—… and Fâ—… Cardiâ—… and Lucas Gancellino the Popes Chancellour and Lucas de Flisco that were sent froÌ„ Pope Iohn the .xxij. to consecrate the foresayde Lewes Beâ—… Bishop of Durham 〈◊〉 VVals and to entreate a peace betwixt the Realmes of Englande and Scotlande and also to make an agreement betwixt the king and the Earle of Lancaster The which being mette with vppon Wigilsdon Mâ—â—ried Yorkeshire by the sayde Gylbert â—…an â—…n were robbed of such stuffe and treasure as they brought wyth them but yet escaped themselues and came to Durham â—…dor and from thence sente Messengers vnto Robert Bruce to perswade him to some agreement But whereas he woulde not condiscende to any reasonable conditions of peace at that time they determined to goe into Scotlande to talke with him themselues but before they came to the Borders King Robert who iudged it not to stande with hys profite to haue any peace in that season sent certayne of his people to forbid the Cardinalles the entrie of hys Realme 〈◊〉 curse proâ—…ced aâ—…st the â—…es The Cardinals being thus iniuriously handled pronounced the Scottes by theyr legantine power accursed and enterdyted theyr whole Realme And bycause they sawe nothing lesse than anye hope to doe good with king Robert touching any composition or agreement to bee had they returned againe to the Pope wythoute any conclusion of that for the which they were sent â—…ch Southw After that Edwarde Bruce hadde atchieued such enterprises in other partes of Irelande as in the last yeare ye haue heard he went vnto Fenath and â—…o Skeres in Leynister and there the Lorde chiefe Iustice Edmonde Butler rose agaynst hym with the Lorde Iohn Fitz Thomas that was after Earle of Kildare Sir Arnolde Power and diuerse other with a great armie But by reason of discorde that chaunced amongst them they scaled theyr armie and departed out of the fielde on the .xxvi. daye of Februarie Edwarde Bruce then burned the Castell of Leys after returned into Vlnester he besieged the Castell of Knockfergus and slue Thomas Mandeuile and his brother Iohn at a place called Down as they came thither out of England After this the foresayde Edwarde returned into Scotlande In this season vyttayles were so scant and deare â—…itifull â—…e and wheate and other grayne brought to so high a price that the poore people were constrayned through famine to eate the fleshe of horses 〈◊〉 VVals â—…bian dogges and other vile beasts which is wonderfull to belieue and yet for default there dyed a great multitude of people in diuerse places of the land Fourepence in breade of the courser sort would not
heerewith certaine writings indented were drawen and engrossed to the which interchangeably they set their seales After that the Earle of Careleill was returned home he called to Careleill all the chiefe persons of the countrey as well spirituall as temporall and there rather through feare than otherwise he constreyned them to receyue an othe that they shoulde ayde and assist him to their powers to see all the couenauntes abouesayde performed and kept After that these things were knowen to the King and Realm although some of the commâ—…altie liked wel inough of the matter bycause they hoped thereby to remayne in peace specially those of the North partes the King yet hys conâ—…ll and not without cause were sore offended for that he whom the King had so lately aduaunced shoulde confederate hymselfe with the Scottes to the priâ—…r of the King and hys Crowne concluding any couenauntes of peace without his consente wherevpon reputing hym for a ranke Traytor the K. 〈◊〉 vnto the 〈◊〉 Antony Lucy to apprehende the sayde Vâ—… some meanes if he might and for his paâ—… should not faile to be well rewarded 〈…〉 The Lord Lucy watching his tâ—…e 〈…〉 Earles men were gone some whither 〈◊〉 and but few left about him the morrow 〈◊〉 feast of S. Mathew the Apostle hee 〈◊〉 â—…stell of Careleil as it were to talke with the 〈◊〉 of some busines as his maner was at otherâ—… to doe He had with him sir Hugh Lowâ—… Richard DeÌ„ton sir Hugh Morâ—…by 〈◊〉 and four Esquires beside other priuily 〈◊〉 that leauing some at euery gate and dorâ—… 〈◊〉 entred hee came into the hall and there 〈◊〉 East â—…diting letters arrested him Hâ—… when certayne of the Earles seruauntes 〈◊〉 wife and cried treason treason the porter 〈◊〉 inner gate would haue shut it vppon theâ—… 〈◊〉 were thus entred but sir Richard Dâ—… 〈◊〉 that porter with his owne handes and thâ—… 〈◊〉 not one more slaine by them in y e appreheÌ„â—… of the Earle for all other his seruants yâ—… 〈◊〉 selues and the house vnto the saide Lorde â—…y withoute more resistance one of his sittâ—… yet that sawe these doings got away 〈◊〉 all speede ranne to the peele of Heyhead and â—…wed vnto the Earles brother Mighâ—… Huâ—… by what was chanced to the Earle 〈…〉 whâ—… 〈◊〉 the sayâ—… Mighell forthwith fledde into Scoâ—… and with him sir William Blount Knighâ—… 〈◊〉 Scottishman and diuers other that wiâ—… 〈◊〉 Earles priuie counsell The Lord Lucy 〈◊〉 wayes sent a messenger to y e King vnto 〈◊〉 aduertising him how he had taken the Earle 〈◊〉 therefore required to vnderstande fuâ—… of 〈◊〉 Kings pleasure The King forthwith 〈…〉 Lorde Geffrey Seroobe Iustice with a 〈◊〉 of armed men vnto Careleill the whiche 〈◊〉 thither on Saint Chaddes day and the 〈◊〉 after being the thirde of Marche hee set in â—…ment vpon the said Earle in y e Castell of Câ—…lâ—…ll and there as out of the Kings 〈◊〉 pronounced sentence againste him 〈…〉 flest that he should be disgraded of his 〈◊〉 by the taking away from him the sworde 〈◊〉 the King had gird him with and likewiâ—… Knighthood by cutting off his spurres stâ—… hys heeles and that after this hee shoulde bee 〈◊〉 from the Castell through the Citie vnto y e 〈◊〉 of execution where felons were accustomed of suffer and there to bee hanged The Eâ—… Caâ—… 〈◊〉 an after hâ—… 〈◊〉 his head to be sent vnto London there 〈◊〉 set aloft vppon one of the turreâ—…s of the Towne and his quartes to be deuided one to be set vp at Caâ—…all an other at New castell vpon Tyne the third at Bristow and the fourth at 〈◊〉 When he had heard this iudgement he 〈◊〉 you haue deuided my body at your pleasure and I committe my soule to God and being according to the iudgement drawen to the place where hee suffered â—…constancie 〈◊〉 death hee neuer shranke at the matter but boldly behaued himselfe declaring at the very houre of his deathe that his intention in concluding the agreement with the Scottes was good and proceeding not of any euill meaning but teÌ„ding onely to the wealthe and quietnesse of the Realme Neyther coulde such Friers as were permitted to come to him before his arreignemeÌ„t to heare his confessioÌ„ get any thing more of him but that his meaning was good and that whych he had concluded with the K. of Scots was not done vpon any euill purpose whereby any hurte mighte ensue eyther to the K. or to the Realme Thus haue wee thoughte good to shewe the cause of this Earles death as by some writers it hath bin registred â—…ian â—…ton although there bee that write that the ouerthrowe at Beighland chaunced thorough his fault by misleading a great part of the Kings host and ther therefore the King beeyng offended with him caused him to be put to death albeit as I thinke no suche matter was alledged against him at the time of his arreignement â—…dor About this season was y e fundation begun of S. Michaels colledge in Cambridge by one sir Henry Stanton knight ChaÌ„cellor of y e Escheker â—…eâ—…thwel â—…ssioâ—… meere to â—…e of peace About the feast of the Ascention there came as commissioners from the King of England vnto Newcastell Aymerie Earle of Pembroke and the Lord Chamberlain Hugh Spenser the yonger and other four personages of good accompte And from the King of Scottes there came y e B. of S. Andrewes Thomas Randolfe Earle of Murrey other four of good credite to treate of peace or at the leastwise of some long truce through y e good wil and plesure of God y e author of al peace and quietnesse they concluded vpon a truce â—…uce conâ—…ded to endure for thirtene yeres and so about y e feast of S. Barnabe the Apostle it was proclaymed in both Realmes but so yet that they might not traffike togither bycause of the excommunication wherewith the Scottes were as yet entangled although as some write about the same time the interdict wherein the Realme of Scotlande stoode bounde â—…idor â—…c Boetius was by Pope Iohn relessed About the same time The Lorde Mortimer breketh of out of the towes the L. Roger Mortiâ—…er of Wignor giuing his kepers a drink y e brought theÌ„ into a sound and heauie sleepe escaped out of the Tower of London where he was prisoner This escape of the L. Mortimer greatly troubled y e K. so y e immediately vpon the first newes he wrote to all the Sherifes of the Realm that if hee chanced to come within their roomthes they shuld cause hue crie to be reised so as hee mighte be staied and arrested but he made such shift that he gote ouer into France where he was receyued by a L. of Picardie named Mounsier Iohn de Fieules who had faire lands in England therfore the K. wrote to him reprouing him of vnthankfulnesse coÌ„sidering he had bin euer ready to pleasure him and to aduance his profites
was found giltie of treason There were dyuers in trouble about the same matter for the Erle vpon his open confession before sundrie lordes of the realme declared that not only by coÌ„maundement from the Pope but also by the setting on of dyuers nobles of this land whom he named he was persuaded to endeuor himself by all ways and meanes possible how to deliuer his brother king Edward the seconde out of prison and to restore him to the Crowne whome one Thomas Dunhed Tho. Duâ—… a Fryer a Frier of the order of Preachers in London assigned for certain to be aliue hauing as he himself â—…id called vp a spirite to vnderstande the truthe therof and so what by counsell of the sayd Frier and of three other Friers of the same order Tho. VVâ—… he hadde purposed to woorke some meane howe to delyuer hym and to restore hym agayne to the kingdome Among the letters that were found about him disclosing a greate part of his practise some there were whiche he had written and directed vnto his brother the sayd king Edwarde as by some writers it shoulde appeare His death in deede was the lesse lamented bycause of the presumptuous gouernement of hys seruantes and retinue Naughtye seruantes bryng â—…he maister into â—…noâ—…r whiche he kept about him for that they riding abrode woulde take vp thinges at their pleasure not paying nor agreeyng with the partie to whome suche things belonged The yong Queene Philippe was brought to bedde at Woodstocke the .xv. The blacke â—…ince borne day of Iune of hir firste sonne the whyche at the Fourstone was named Edwarde and in processe of tyme came to greate proofe of famous chieualrye as in this booke shall more playnely appeare He was commonly named when hee came to rype yeares Prynce Edwarde and also surnamed the blacke Prince The sixteenth day of Iuly chaunced a great Eclipse of the Sunne Croxden An Eclipse and for the space of two Moneths before and three monethes after there fell exceding greate rayne so that thorough the greate intemperancie of wether corne could not rypen by reason whereof in many places they beganne not haruest tyll Michaelmasse A late haruest and in some place they inned not their wheate tyll Alhallonfyde nor their pease tyl S. Andrews tyde On Christmasse euen aboute the breake of dy a meruaylous sore and terrible wynd came A mightye vvinde foorthe of the weste whyche ouerthrewe houses and buyldings ouertourned trees by the rootes and did muche hurte in diuers places This yeare shortely after Easter the Kyng wyth the Bishoppe of Winchester and the lord Willyam Montacute hauing not paste fifteene horses in their company passed the sea apparelled in 〈…〉 to marchantes he lefte his brother the Earle of Cornewall his deputie and gardian of the realme till his retourne Moreouer he caused it to bee proclaymed in London that he went ouer on pilgrimage and for 〈◊〉 other purpose He retourned before the 〈◊〉 ende of Aprill and then was there holden a Tourney at Dertforf The Queene with many Ladies beeing presente at the same fell besyde a stage but yet as good happe would they had no hurte by that fall to the reioycing of many that saw them in suche danger yet so luckily to escape without harme Also in a Parliament holden at Notingham aboute Saincte Lukes tyde Syr Roger Mortymer the Earle of Marche was apprehended the seuententh daye of October within the Castell of Notyngham where the Kyng with the two Queenes his mother and his wife and diuers other were as then lodged and thoughe the keyes of the Castell were dayly and nightly in the custodie of the sayd Earle of March and that his power was suche as it was doubted howe he myght be arrested Additions to Triuet for he hadde as some writers affirme at that presente in retinue nyne score knights besyde Esquires Gentlemen and yeomen yet at lengthe by the kings healpe the Lorde William Montacute the Lorde Humfreye de Bohun and his brother sir William the Lorde Raufe Stafforde the Lorde Robert Vfforde the Lorde William Clinton the Lorde Iohn Neuill of Hornbie and diuers other whiche had accused the sayd Earle of March for the murder of Kyng Edwarde the seconde founde meanes by intelligence had with sir William de Elande Counestable of the Castell of Notingham to take the sayd Earle of March wyth his sonne the Lorde Roger or Geffreye Mortimer and sir Simon Bereforde with other Sir Hugh Trumpington or Turrington as some Copies haue that was one of his chiefest frendes with certayne other were slayn as they were aboute to resist agaynst the Lorde Montacute and his companie in taking of the sayd erle The maner of his taking I passe ouer bicause of the diuersitie in report thereof by sundry writers From Notingham he was sent vp to London with his sonne the Lorde Roger or Geffrey de Mortimer sir Symon Bereforde and the other prysoners where they were committed to prison in the Tower Shortly after was a parliameÌ„t called at Westminster chiefly as was thought for reformation of things disordered through the misgouernance of the Earle of Marche But who soeuer was glad or sory for the trouble of the sayd Earle surely the Queene mother tooke it moste heauyly aboue all other as she that loued him more as the fame wente than stoode well with hir honour For as some write Mâ—… Fâ—… she was founde to be with chylde by him They kepte as it were house togither for the Earle to haue hys prouision the better Cheape layde hys penye with hirs so that hir takers serued him as well as they did hir bothe of victualles and cariages But nowe in this Parliamente holden at Westminster hee was attainted of highe treason expressed in fiue articles as in effecte followeth The Earle of Marâ—… aâ—…yned First he was charged that he hadde procured Edwarde of Carneruan the kings father to bee murthered in most haynous and tyrannous maner within the castel of Berkley Secondly that the Scottes at Stanhope Parke throughe his meanes escaped Thirdy that he receiued at the hands of the lord Iames Douglas at that time generall of the Scottes great summes of money to execute that treason and further to conclude the peace vppon suche dishonorable couenantes as was accorded with the Scottes at the parliament of Northampton Fourthely that hee had gotte into his handes a greate parte of the Kyngs treasure and wasted it Fyfthly that hee hadde impropried vnto hym dyuers wardes that belonged vnto the Kyng and had bin more priuie wyth Queene Isabell the Kynges mother than stood eyther with Gods law or the kynges pleasure Syr Symon Bereford executed Syr Symon de Bereford knyghte that had bene one of the kings Iustices was drawne also and hanged at London vpon S. Lucies day In this parliament holden at Westminster the Kyng tooke into his hande by aâ—…uâ—…ce of the estates there assembled all the possessions lands and reuenues that belonged
Iohn de Vienne and al the other captains and menne of name were stayed as prysoners and the common souldiers and other meane people of the Towne were licenced to depart and voyde theyr houses leauing all their armor and ryches behinde them The king would not haue any of the olde inhabitantes to remaine in the towne saue onely a Priest and two other auncient personages such as best knew the customes lawes and ordinaunces of the towne He appoynted to sende ouer thither amongest other English men there to inhabite .xxxvj. Burgesses of London Calais made a colonie of Englishmen and those of the wealthiest sort for he ment to people the towne only with Englishe men for the better and more sure defence thereof The King and the Queene were lodged in the Castell and continued there tyll the Queene was deliuered of a daughter named Margaret The Queene brought to â—…ed in the Caâ—…el of Calais Polidor The Cardinals of whom ye heard before being come as Legates from Pope Clement to moue communication of peace did so much in the matter that a truce was graunted betwixte the realme of England and Fraunce for the tearme of .xij. monethes or two yeares as Froissart hath But the English Chronicle Caxton â—…ames Mair 〈◊〉 and Iacobus Meir seeme to agree that this truce was taken but for nine monethes though afterwards the same was proroged Women harde 〈◊〉 agree To the which truce all parties agreed Brytayne excepted for the two women there would not be quieted but still pursued the warre the one agaynst the other After that this truce was accorded the king with the Queene hys wyfe returned into Englande and lefte for Captayne wythin Calais one Sir Amerie of Pauie an Italian Knight Sir Amerie de Pauie or as other Bookes haue he was but Captayne of the Castell or of some one of the Towers of that towne whiche seemeth more lyke to be true than that the king shoulde commyt the whole charge of the Towne vnto hys gouernment beeing a straunger borne and therefore Iacobus Meir is the more to be credited that writeth how sir Amerie of Pauie was left but in charge with the Castell onely and that the towne was committed to the keeping of the Lorde Iohn Beauchampe and Lewes his brother But fow that there was a peace thus concluded betwixt the two kings 1348 Thom. VVals it seemed to the Englishe people that the Sunne brake forth after a long clowdie season by reason both of the greate plentie of all things and remembraunce of the late glorious victories for there were fewe women that were housekeepers within this lande but they had some furniture of household that had beene brought to them out of Fraunce as part of the spoyle got in Caen Calais CareÌ„ten or some other good towne And beside householde stuffe the English Maydes and Matrones were bedecked and trymmed vppe in Frenche womens Iewels and apparell so that as the French women lamented for the losse of those things so our women reioysed of the gaine In this .xxij. yeare An. Reg. 22. Great raine from mydsommer vnto Christmasse for the more part it continually rained so that there was not one day and night drie togither by reason whereof great flouds ensued and the ground therwith was sore corrupted and many inconueniences ensued as great sicknesse and other insomuch that in the yeare following in Fraunce the people dyed wonderfully in dyuerse places In Italy also 1349 An. reg 43. A great mortalitie and in many other Countreys as well in the landes of the Infidels as in ChristeÌ„dom this grieuous mortalitie raigned to the great destruction of people About the ende of August the like death beganne in dyuerse places of Englande and especially in London continuing so for the space of a twelue month following And vpon that ensued great barrennesse as well of the sea as the lande Dearth neyther of them yeelding such plentie of things as before they had done Wherevpon vittaile and corne became scant and hard to come by Aboute the same time died Iohn Stretforde Archbishop of Canterburie after whome succeeded Iohn Vfforde and liued not in that dignitie past ten monethes and then followed Thomas Bredwardin who deceassed within one yere after his coÌ„secration so y t then SimoÌ„ Islep was coÌ„secrated Archb. by Pope Clem. y e .vj. being the .liij. archb y t had sit in that seat Within a while after W. Archb. of York died in whose place succeeded Iohn Torsby being the .xliiij. Archbishop that had gouerned that Church Moreouer in this .xxiij. yere of king Edwards raigne the great mortalitie in England still continuing A practice to betray Calice there was a practise in hand for the recouering againe of Calice to the French kings possession The Lorde Geffray of Charnye lying in the towne of S. Omers did practise with sir Amerie de Pauie to be receyued into the towne of Calice by the Castell secretly in the night season The Italian gaue eare to the Lord Geffrey hys sute and to make few wordes couenanted for the summe of .xx. M. crownes to betray the towne vnto him in such sort as he coulde best deuise Here writers varie Diuersitie in writers for Froissart sayth that king Edwarde had information thereof before that sir Amerie de Pauie vttered the thing himselfe but the French Chronicles and also other writers affirme that the Italian aduertised the king of all the drift and matter betwixt him and the Lorde Geffrey of Charny before he wente through with the bargaine â—…aâ—…n But whether by him or by other truth it is the king was made priuie to the matter at Hauering Bower in Essex where hee kept the feast of Christmasse and therevpon departing from thence Froissart he came to Douer and the day before the night of the appoyntment made for the deliuerie of the Castell of Calice hauing secretely made his prouision he tooke shipping and landed the same night at Calice 〈◊〉 kinâ—… seâ—…reâ—… 〈◊〉 passeth 〈◊〉 to Calice in so secrete maner that few of the towne vnderstoode of his arriuall hee brought with him out of England three hundred men of armes and six hundred archers whom hee â—…ayde in Chambers and towers within the castel so closely that â—…we or none perceyued it the maner he knewe by sir Amerie de Pauie his aduertisements accordingly as it was agreed betwixt them that the Lorde Geffrey of Charny was appoynted to come and enter the towne that nyght The L. Geffrey de Charnâ—…y for the king had commaunded sir Amerie to proceede in marchandising with the sayd Lord Charny and onely to make him prinie of the day and houre in the which the feate shoulde bee wrought 〈…〉 The Lorde Geffrey de Charny being couenanted that he shoulde bee receyued into Calice the first night of the newe yeare departed from Saint Omers where hee hadde assembled fiue hundred Speares the last day of December towarde
The â—…ie setteth fâ—… and is beaâ—… backe by â—…pest meaning to haue intercepted the Spanish fleetâ—… that was gone to Sluse in Flaunders but thorough rage of tempest and contrary windes they were driuen home although twice they attempted their fortune But sir Hugh Caluceley depâ—…tie of Calice slept not his businesse doing still what displeasures he could to the Frenchmenne Shortly after Christmas Explâ—… done by Sir Hugh Caâ—…uerley he spoyled y e towne of Estaples the same daye the faire was kepte there to the which a great number of Mecchâ—…s of Bulleigne were come to make their markâ—… but the sellers had quicke vtterance for that that might easily be carried away the Englishmenne layde hands on and caused the owners to reâ—…e the residue with great summes of money which they vndertooke to pay or else sir Hugh threatned to haue brent all that was left togither with the houses Ye haue hearde how at the first the Duke of Lancaster was one of the chiefe about the yong King in gouernement of his person and Realm who prudently considering that sith there must needes be an alteration in the state and doubting least if any thing chaunced otherwise than well The Duke of Lancaster miâ—…taking the â—…ders of the 〈◊〉 getteth himself home to the Castell of Kelingworth the fault and blame might bee chiefly imputed to hym and thankes howsoeuer things wente he looked for none he gaue therefore the slip obteyning licence of the Kyng to departe and so gote hym home vnto his Castell of Kelingworth permitting other to haue the whole sway for before his departure from the Courte there were with his consent ordeyned such as should be attending on the Kings person and haue the rule and ordering of matters perteyning to the state as William Courtney then Bishop of London though shortly after remoued to the Archbyshoppes Sea of Caunterbury Edmond Mortimer Earle of Marche and diuers other of whome the people had conceiued a good opinion but yet bycause the Byshoppe of Salisbury and the Lorde Laâ—…ner were admitted amongst the residue the comâ—…s murmured greatly agaynst them The Earle of Northumberland resigned hys office of Lorde Marshall in whose place succeeded Sir Iohn Arundell brother to the Earle of Arundell The Duke of Lancaster although retired froÌ„ the Court yet desirous to haue the money in his handes that was graunted the last Parliamente at length obteyned it vpon promise to defend the Realme from inuasion of all enimies for one yeares space hee therefore prouided a greate naâ—… to goe to the Sea hyring nine Shippes of Bayone to assist his enterprise herein the whych in making sayle hitherwardes encountred with the Spanish fleete and tooke fourteene vessels laden with wines and other merchandise but in the meane time one Mercer a ScottishmaÌ„ with certayne saile of Scottes Frenchmen and Spaniardes came to Scarburgh and there tooke certayne Shippes and led them away to the Sea as it were in reuenge of his fathers emprisonment â—…ed Iohn Mercer who before beeyng caâ—… by certayne Shippes of the Northparts and deliuered to the Earle of Northumberland was committed to prison within the Castell of Scaâ—…brough Thus were the Englishmen occupyed in thys firste yeare of Kyng Richarde with troubles of warre and not onely against the Frenchmenne but also againste the Scottes for euen in the beginning of the same yeare the Scottes brente Rockesbourgh Rockesburgh brent by the Scottes in reuenge whereof the newe Earle of Northumberlande entred Scotlande with tenne thousande men and fore spoyled the landes of the Earle of Marche for the space of three dayes togither bycause the sayde Earle of Marche was the chiefe author of the brenning of Rockesburgh and so for that time the Englishmen were well reuenged of those enimies But at an other time when the Northren men woulde needes make a roade into Scotlande entring by the West bordures they were encountred by the Scottes and putte to flight so that many of theÌ„ being slayne the Scottes tooke the more courage to inuade the bordures till at length Edmonde Mortimer Earle of Marche came at the daye of truce and tooke an abstinence of warre betwixte both nations for the time though the same continued not long Andue after Midsomer An. reg â—â— The Duke of Lancaâ—… 〈…〉 the Duke of 〈◊〉 â—…er with a strong power tooke the Sea and â—…ding in Britaine besieged the Towne of 〈◊〉 Malâ—… de Liste a fortresse of greate 〈◊〉 There weÌ„t ouer with him y e Erles of Buckingham Warwike Stafforde and dyueâ—…s 〈◊〉 the Englishe nobilitie the whiche made â—…pproches and fiercely assayles the Towne 〈…〉 was so valiantly defended that in the ende the Duke with his army raysed from theâ—… and returned without atchieuing his purpose About the same time there was a notable and haynous murther committed within Sâ—…e Peters Churche at Westminster by decâ—… of variance betweene the Lorde Laâ—… and Sir Raufe Ferrers on the one partie Hall and â—…keâ—…ley hâ—…e Câ—…on and two Esquiers the one called Roberte Hall and the other Iohn Shakell on the other partie aboute a prisoner whiche was taken at the bastell of Nazers in Spayne called the Erle of Deane who as some write Polidore was taken by one sir Fâ—…e de Hall at the sayde battell and bycause hee remayned in his handes at the deathe of the sayde Sir Franke hee bequeathed him vnto his sonne the sayde Roberte Hall Esquier But as othir write the sayde Earle was taken by the sayde Roberte Hall hymselfe Tho. VVâ—… and Iohn Shakell ioyntly and iudged to bee theyr lawfull prisoner by the sentence of the Prince of Wales and Sir Iohn Shandos that was master to the said Esquiers wherevpon afterwards the said Earle obteyned so muche fauour that by leauing hys sonne and heire in guage for his raunsome he returned into Spayne to prouide for money to discharge it but he was so slow in that matter after he was at libertie that he departed this lift before he made anye paymente and so his lands fell to his sonne that remayned in guage for the money with the two Esquiers wherevpon happened afterwardes that the Duke of Lancaster desirous to haue the yong Earle in his hands in hope through hys meanes the better to accomplishe his enterprice whiche hee meant to take in hande agaynste the kyng of Cast ille for the right of that Kingdome procured hys nephew Kyng Richard to require the sayde Earle of Deane at the hands of the sayd Esquiers but they refused to deliuer him keeping their prisoner foorthe of the way so that none wist where hee was become the Esquiers therefore were committed to the Tower out of the whiche they escaped vnto Westminster and there registred themselues for sanctuarie men The Duke of Lancaster was heerewith sore offended and their enimies the sayde Lorde Latimer and Sir Raufe Ferrers tooke counsell togither with Sir Allene Boxhull and others howe they myghte bee reuenged of thys despite This sir Alane Boxhull was
and as it hath bin reported he enformed the king whether truly or not I haue not to say that the duke franâ—…ly confessed euery thing wherwith he was charged Wherevpon the King sent vnto Thomas Mowbray Erle Marshall and of Notingham to make the Duke secretly away The Earle prolonged tyme for the executing of the kings coÌ„mandement though the K. wold haue had it done with all expedition whereby the King conceiued no small displeasure and â—…rare that it should cost the Earle his life if he quickly obeyed not his commaundement The Earle thus as it seemed in 〈…〉 called 〈◊〉 the Duke at midnight as if he should haue taken shippe to passe ouer into England and there in the lodging called the Priâ—… on Iune he raâ—…sed his seruantes to cast fâ—…ther â—…des vpon hym â–ª and so to smoother him for death or otherwyse tâ—… strangle him with towels as some write This was the ende of that noble man â—…e of nature hastye wyfull and giuen more to warre than to peace and in this greatly to bee discoÌ„mended that he was euer repining against the king in all things whatsoeuer he wished to haue forward He was thus made away not so soon as the brute ran of his death but as it shuld appeare by some authors he remained alyue till the parliament that next ensued and then about the same time that the Erle of Arundell suffred he was dispatched as before ye haue heard His bodie was afterwardes with all funerall pompe conueyd into England and buryed at his owne manour of Plashy within the church there In a sepulchre whiche he in his life tyme had caused to he made and there erected The same euening that the K. departed from London towardes Plashye to apprehende the Duke of Gloucester The Earle of â—…all appreed the Erle of Rutlande and the Erle of Kent were sent with a greate number of men of armes archers to arrest the Erle of Arundell whiche was done easily inough by reason that the sayde Earle was trayned wyth fayre wordes at the kings handes till hee was within his daunger where otherwyse he mighte haue bin hable to haue saued hymselfe and deliuered his frendes The Earle of Warwike was taken and coÌ„mitted to the Tower the same day that the King hadde willed hym to dinner and shewed him verie good countenaunce There were also apprehended and committed to the Tower the same tyme the Lorde Iohn Cobham and sir Iohn Cheyny knightes The Earle of Arundell was sente to the Isle of Wight there to remayne as prisoner till the next parliament in the whiche he determined so to prouide that they shoulde bee all condemned and put to death And for doubt of some commotion that might aryse amoÌ„gst the commons he caused it by open proclamation to be signified that these noble men were not apprehended for any offence committed long agone but for newe trespasses agaynst the kyng as in the next ParliameÌ„t it shuld be manifestly declared proued Shortly after he procured them to be indited at Notingham suborning suche as should appeale them in parliament The â—…es of â—…e appeâ—…nts to wit Edward erle of Rutlande Thomas Mowbray Erle Marshal Thomas Holland erle of Kent Iohn Holland Erle of â—…ngton 〈…〉 Boâ—… Erle of â—…set Iohn 〈◊〉 Earle of Salisbury Thomas Lorde Speâ—… and the Lorde William Sâ—…ropâ—… Lorde Câ—…berlaine In the meane tyme the King â—…earing what mighte he attempted against 〈◊〉 by those tâ—… fauoured these noblemen thâ—… 〈…〉 sent forâ—… power of Cheshire 〈◊〉 that mighte day and nighte keepe watch 〈◊〉 warde about his person A garde of Cheshire men about the king They were aboute .ij. thousand archers payde weekely as by the Annales of Britayne 〈◊〉 appeareth The King had â—…ttle trust in any of the nobilitie except in hâ—… brother the eldâ—… of Huntington and the Earleâ—… of Rutlandâ—… son to the duke of Yorke and in the Earle of Salusburye in these onely he reposeâ—… a confidence and not in any other except a certain knightes and gentlemen of his priuie chamber In the meane tyme whyles thinges were thus in broyâ—…e before the beginning of the parliament diuers other besyde them whom we haue spoâ—… of were apprehended and put in sundry prisons The Parliament was summoned to begin at Westminster the xvij of September The lordes appoynted to come in vvarlike manner to the parliament and writtes therevpon directed to euery of the Lordes to appeare and to bring with them a sufficient nuÌ„ber of armed men and archers in their best aray for it was not knowen how the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke would take the death of their brother nor howe other peares of the Realme would take the apprehension and imprisonment of their kynsemen the Earles of Arundell and Warwicke and of the other prisoners Surely the two Dukes when they heard that their brother was so sodainly made away Polidor they will not what to saye to the matter and beganne bothe to be sorowfull for his death and doubtefull of their owne states for sith they sawe howe the Kyng abused by the counsell of euill men absteyned not from suche an heynous acte they thought he would afterwardes attempte greater my sorders from tyme to tyme. Therefore they assembled in all haste greate numbers of theyr seruauntes frendes and tenauntes The Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke assemble their povvers to resiste the Kings dealings and commyng to London were receyued into the Citie For the Londoners were ryghte sorye for the death of the Duke of Gloucester who hadde euer sought their fauour in somuche that now they woulde haue bin contented to haue ioyned with the Dukes in seeking reuenge of so noble a mannes death procured and broughte to passe without lawe or reason as the common bruite then walked although peraduenture he was not as yet made awaye Heere the Dukes and other fell in counsell manie thinges were proponed some wold that they should by force reuenge the duke of Gloucesters death other thought it mere y t the Erles Marshall and Huntington and certaine others as chiefe authours of all the mischiefe shoulde be pursued and punished for their demerites hauing trayned vp the king in vice and euill customes euen from his youth But the dukes after their displeasure was somewhat assuaged determined to couer the stinges of their griefs for a tyme and if the king would amende his maners to forget also the iniuries past In the meane time the K. lay at Eltham Caxton Fabian Polidor and had got about him a greate power namely of those archers which he hadde sent for out of Cheshyre in whome he put a singular trust more than in any other There went messengers betwixt him and the Dukes whiche beeing men of honour did theyr endeuor to appease both parties The Kyng discharged himselfe of blame for the duke of Gloucesters death considering that he had gone about to breake the truce whiche he had taken with France and also stirred the people of
Cobham condemned But now to proceede In this Parliament holden at Shrewsburye the Lorde Reignolde Cobham beeing a verye aged manne simple and vpright in all his dealings was condemned for none other cause but for that in the xj yeare of the Kings raigne hee was apointed with other to be attendaunt about the king as one of his gouernors The actes and ordinaunces also deuised and established in the parliament holden in that .xj. yeare were likwise repealed Moreouer in this Parliament at Shrewesbury it was decreed that the Lorde Iohn Cobham shoulde be sente into the Isle of Gernesey there to remaine in exile hauyng a small portion assigned hym to liue vpon The king so wroughte that hee obteyned the whole power of bothe houses to be graunted vnto certaine persones as to Iohn duke of Lancaster Edmunde duke of Yorke Edmunde Duke of Aumerle The auctoritie of bothe houses in parliament grauÌ„ted to certaine persons Tho. duke of Surrey Iohn duke of Excester Iohn Marques Dorset Rog. erle of Marche Io. erle of Salisbury Henry erle of Northumberland Tho. erle of Gloucester Wil. erle of Wiltshire Iohn Hussey Henry Cheimeswick Robert Tey and Io. Goulofer knights Tho. VVals or to .vij. or .viij. of them These were appointed to heare determine certaine petitions and maters yet depending and not ended but by vertue of this graunt they proceeded to conclude vpon other thinges whiche generally touched the knowledge of the whole parliameÌ„t in derogation of the states thereof to the disaduantage of the kyng perillous example in time to come When the king had spente much money in time of this parliameÌ„t he demanded a disme a halfe of the clergie and a .xv. of the temporaltie Finally a generall pardon was graunted for all offences to all the kinges subiects â—…0 only excepted whose names he wold not by any meanes expresse but reserued them to his owne knowledge that when any of the nobilitie offended him he might at his pleasure name him to be one of the number excepted and so keepe them still within his daunger To the ende that the ordinaunces iudgementes and actes made pronounced and established in this Parliamente mighte be and abide in perpetuall strengthe and force the Kyng purchased the Popes 〈◊〉 which were conteined greuous censures â—…ses The king 〈…〉 againâ—… 〈…〉 pronounced agaynst al suche as did 〈◊〉 means go about to break violate the statuteâ—… the same parliamente ordeined These 〈◊〉 were openly published and red at Paules 〈◊〉 in London in other the most publike places of the realme Many other things were 〈◊〉 in this parliameÌ„t to the displeasure of no 〈◊〉 number of people namely Rightfull 〈…〉 for that diuers rightfull heires were disinherited of their lands and liuings by auctoritie of the same parliament with which wrongfull doings the people wâ—… muche offended so that the K. and those that were about him chiefe in counseâ—… come 〈◊〉 greate infamy and slaunder In deede the king after he had dispatched the duke of Gloucestâ—… and the other noble men was not a little 〈◊〉 for that he knewe them still ready to disappoâ—… him in all his purposes therefore being 〈◊〉 as it were carelesse did not behaue hymselfe 〈◊〉 some haue written in such discreete order Polidor at many wished but rather as in time of prosperitie it often happeneth he forgot hymselfe Kyng Richarde his euill gouernement and beganne to rule by will more than by reason threatning deathe to eche one that obeyed 〈◊〉 his inordinate desires by meanes wherof the lords of the realme began to feare their owne estates being in danger of his furious outrage whome they tooke for a manne destitute of sobrietie and wisedome and therefore coulde not like of him that so abused his auctoritie Herevpon there were sundry of the nobles that lamented these mischiefes and specially shewed their griefes vnto such by whose naughty couÌ„sell they vnderstoode the king to be missed and this they did to the ende that they being aboute him might either turne their copies and giue him better couÌ„sell or else he hauing knowledge what euill reporte went of him might amende his maners But all was in vaine for so it fell forthe that in this parliameÌ„t holdeÌ„ at Shrewsbury Henry Duke of Hereford The Duke of Hereforde appealeth the duke of Norfolk of oftetimes accused Tho. Mowbray duke of Norfolke of certaine wordes which he shuld vtter in talke had betwixt them as they roade togyther lately before betwixte London and Brainforde sounding highely to the kings dishonor Thom. VVaâ—… And for further proofe thereof he presented a supplication to the K. wherin he appealed the duke of Norfolke in field of battaile for a traitour false and disloiall to the K. and enimy vnto the realme This supplication was redde beefore bothe the Dukes in presence of the Kyng whiche done the Duke of Norfolke tooke vppon hym to aunswere it declaring that whatsoeuer the Duke of Hereforde hadde sayde agaynste hym other than well hee lyed falsely like an vntrue Knighte as he was And wheÌ„ the king asked of the duke of Hereforde what he saide to it he taking hys hoode off his heade said 〈◊〉 soueâ—… Lorde euen as the supplication whiche I tooke you importeth right so I say to â—…ruthe that Thomas Moubray duke of Norfolke is a traitoâ—… false and disloyall to your toâ—… Maiestie was crowne and to all the sâ—…s of your realme Then the Duke of Norfolke beeyng asked what he said to this he answered Right dâ—… Lord with your fauour that I make aunswere vnto your cousin here I say your reuerence saued that Henry of Lancaster duke of Hereforde like a false and disloyall traitour as he is dothe lye in that he hath or shall say of mee otherwise than well No more saide the Kyng wee haue hearde enough and herewyth commaunded the Duke of Surrey for that tourne Marshall of Englande to arrest in his name the twoo Dukes The Duke of â—…ry Marshal and the Duke of Aumarle câ—…able of Englande the Duke of Lancaster father to the Duke of Hereforde the Duke of Yorke the Duke of Aumarle Constable of Englande and the duke of Surrey Marshal of the realm vndertook as pledges body for body for the duke of Herford but the duke of Norfolke was not suffred to put in pledges and so vnder arrest was led vnto Windsor castel and there garded wyth keepers that were appointed to see hym safely kept Nowe after the dissoluing of the Parliament at Shrewsbury there was a day appointed about a sixe weekes after for the K. to come vnto Winsor to hear and to take some order betwixte the twoo dukes which had thus appealed eche other The order of the proceeding in this appeale There was a greate skaffold erected within the castell of Windsore for the king to sit with the Lordes and Prelates of his realme and so at the day apointed he with the saide lords prelats being come
honorably enterteined vvith the french king and him honorably interteined in so much that he had by fauor obteyned in mariage the only daughter of y e duke of Berry vncle to the frenche K. if King Richard had not bin a let in that matter who being thereof certified sent the earle of Salisbury with all speede into France Froissart both to surmise by vntrue suggestion hainous offences against him and also to require the frenche King that in no wise hee woulde suffer his cousin to bee matched in mariage with him that was so manifest an offendor On Neweyeares day this yeare 1399 the riuer that passeth betwixte Suelleston or Snelston and Harewood twoo villages not farre from Bedforde sodeinly ceassed hir course so as the chanell remained drie by the space of three miles that any man might enter into and passe the same drie foote at his plesure This deuision whiche the water made in that place the one part seeming as it were not to come nere to the other was iudged to signifie the reuolting of the subiectes of this land from their naturall Prince althoughe it may be that the water of that riuer sanke into the ground and by some secrete passage or chanell tooke course till it came to the place where it might rise again as in other places is likewise seene Ye haue heard before howe the Archebishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel was banished the Realme Fabian Roger Walden was made Archbishop of that see who was a greate fauourer of the citie of London the which was eftsoones about this season falne into the kings displeasure but by the diligente labour of this Archebishop and of Roberte Braybrooke then bishop of London vpon the humble supplication of the citizens the kings wrathe was pacified Blanke charters But yet to content the kings mind many blanke charters were deuised and brought into the citie which many of the substanciall welthie citizens were fayne to seale to their greate chardge as in the ende appeared And the like charters were sent abroad into al shires within the realme wherby greate grudge and murmuring arose among the people for when they were so sealed the kings officers wrote in the same what liked them as well for charging the parties with payment of money as otherwise The deathe of â—…e duke of Lancaster In this meane time the duke of Lancaster departed out of this life at the bishop of Elies place in Holborne and lieth buryed in the cathedrall churche of S. Paule in London on the North side of the highe Aulter by the Lady Blaunche his firste wife The death of this duke gaue occasion of encreasing more hatred in the people of this realm towarde the king for he seased into his handes all the goods that belonged to hym and also receyued all the rents and reuenues of his landes whiche ought to haue discended vnto the duke of Hereforde by lawfull inheritaunce in reuoking his letters patents which he had graunted to him before Thom VVal. by vertue wherof he might make his attorneis generall to sue liuery for hym of any maner of inheritaunces or possessions that myghte from thenceforthe fall vnto hym and that hys homage myghte bee respited wyth making reasonable fine wherby it was euident that the king ment his vtter vnâ—… 〈◊〉 Thys hards dealing was muche myâ—… of all the nobilitie and cried out against of the meaner sorte But namely the Duke of Yorke was therewyth sore amoued who before this time had borne things with so pacient a 〈◊〉 as he could though the same touched him 〈◊〉 neare as the death of his brother the Duke of Gloucester the banishment of hys nephâ—… the said duke of Hereford and other mo iniuries 〈◊〉 greate number which for the slippery youth of the king hee passed ouer for the tyme and did forget aswell as he might But now perceiuing that neither law 〈◊〉 nor equitie could take place where the kinges wilful wil was bent vpon any wrongfull purpose he considered that the glorie of the 〈◊〉 wealthe of his countrey must needes decay by reason o the king his lacke of witte and want of suche as would without flattery admonish hym of hys duty and therefore hee thought it the parte of a wise man to get hym in time to a resting place and to leaue the followyng of suche an vnaduised capitaine as wyth a leaders sworde would cut his owne throate Herevpon he wyth the duke of Aumarle his sonne went to his house at Langley The duke of York mistaketh the court and goeth 〈◊〉 reioicing that nothing had mishappened in the common wealthe throughe his deuise or consent The realme let to ferme by the Kyng The common brute â—…anne that the kyng had sette to ferme the realme of England vnto sir Wylliam Scrope Earle of Wiltshire and then treasourer of Englande to sir Iohn Bushy Syr Iohn Bagot and sir Henry Greene Knights Aboute the same time the Earle of Arundels sonne named Thomas whiche was kept in the duke of Exeters house escaped out of the realme by meanes of one Willyam Scot meecer and went to his vncle Thomas Arundell late Archbishop of Canterbury as then soiorning at Coleyn King Richarde beeing destitute of treasure to furnishe suche a Princely porte as he mainteined Tho. VVals borrowed greate summes of money of many of the greate Lordes and Peeres of hys realme both spiritual and temporall and likewise of other meane persones promysing them in good earnest by deliuering to them his letters patentes for assuraunce that hee woulde repay the money so borrowed at a day appointed which notwithstanding he neuer payd Moreoreouer Nevve â—…actionâ—… this yere he caused .xvij. shires of the realme by way of putting theÌ„ to their fines to pay no smal suÌ„mes of money for redeeming their offeÌ„ces that they had aided y e duke of Gloucester the erles of Arudel Warwik wheÌ„ theâ—… rose in armor against him The nobles gentlemeÌ„ and commons of those shires were enforced also to receiue a newe othe to assure the king of their fidelitie in time to come The 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 vvas 〈◊〉 plâ—…ce 〈◊〉 vvere to 〈◊〉 the King vvithall but the same displeâ—… many that vvas that conâ—…d to pay against their vvâ—…es and withall certaine prelates and other honorable persoâ—…ges were sent into the same shites to persuade men to this payment and to see thinges ordered at the pleasure of the Prince and surely the â—…nes whiche the nobles and other the meaner estates of those shires were constrayned to pay were not small but exceeding greate to the offence of many Moreouer the kings letters pâ—…coâ—…tes were sent into euery shire within this land by vertue whereof The people coÌ„â—… their othe 〈◊〉 alegeaâ—…nce by vvriting â—…ed an othe was demaunded of all the kings liege people for a further assuraunce of their due obedience and they were consterined to ratifie the same in writing vnder their handes and seales Moreouer they
of theyr pretensed treason got him with all speede vnto London 1400 Harding The conspirators to wit the Earles of Kent and Salisburie sir Raufe Lumley and others supposing that the king had not vnderstoode their malicious purpose the first Sunday of the newe yeare which fell in the octaues of the Innocents came in the twilight of the euening vnto Windsore with 400. armed men where vnderstanding that the King was withdrawne vpon warnyng had of their purposed intention they forthwith returned back and came fyrst vnto Sunnynges a Manor place not farre from Reading where the Queene wife to R. Richard then lay Here setting a good countenance of the matter The wordes of the earle of kent the Erle of Kent declared in presence of the Queenes seruaÌ„ts that the Lord Henrie of Lancaster was fled from his presence with his children and friendes and had shut vp himselfe and them in the Tower of London as one afrayed to come abroade for all the bragges made heretofore of his manhood and therefore sayth he my intention is my Lords to go vnto Richard that was is shal be our king who being alreadie escaped forth of prison lyeth nowe at Pomfret with an hundred thousande men and to cause his speech the better to be belieued he tooke away the kings cognisaunces from them that ware the same as the Collers from their neckes and the badges of Cressants froÌ„ the sleeues of the seruants of houshold and throwing them away sayde that such cognisances were no longer to be borne Thus hauing put the Quene in a vain hope of that which was nothing so they departed from thence vnto Wallingford and after to Abingdon entising the people by all meanes possible vnto rebellion all the waye as they went and sending their agentes abroade for the same purpose at length they came to Circiter in the darke of the night and tooke vppe their lodgings The inhabitants of that towne suspecting the matter and iudging as the truth was these rumors which the Lords spred abroade were but dreames they tooke therevpon counsell togither got them to armor and stopped al the entries and outgates of the Innes where these new guestes were lodged insomuch that wheÌ„ they about midnight secretly attempted to haue come forth and gone their wayes the townesmen with bow and arrowes were readie to stay them kepe them in The Lords perceyuing the daunger gotte them to their armor weapons and did their best by force to breake through and repulse the townesmen But after they had fought from midnight till three of the clocke in the afternoone of the next day and perceyued they could not preuaile The lordes yeld theÌ„selues they yeelded themselues to the townesmen besieching theÌ„ to haue their liues saued till they might come to the kings presence This request they had obteyned if a priest that was chaplain to one of theÌ„ A priest set fire in the houses of Citcitâ—… had not in the meane time set fire vpon certaine houses in the towne to the ende that whiles the townesmen shuld busie themselues to quench the fire the Lords might find means to escape but it came nothing to passe as hee imagined for the townesmen leauing all care to saue their houses from the rage of the fire were kindled more in furie towards the Lords and so to reuenge themselues of them they brought them forth of the Abbey where they hadde them in theyr handes and in the twie light of the euening stroke off their heades Iohn Holland Erle of Huntington The Lordes be headed as Tho. Wals writeth was not with the Lordes at the Castell of Windsore but stayed about London to beholde the end of this businesse and hearing how the matter went farre contrarie to that hee wished hee sought to flie by sea but not able to gette away by reason the winde being contrarie would not permit him he tooke his horse and hauing a knight with him called sir Iohn Shelley he roade into Essex Chron. S. 〈◊〉 attempting to haue fled from thence by Sea but still the winde was so agaynst him that he was continually driuen back when hee was about to make saile and so comming againe to lande he was taken one euening at Pitwell in Essex The erle of Huntingâ—… taken in a Mill that belonged to one of his trustie friendes as he sate there at supper togither with the sayde sir Iohn Shelley The Commons of the Countrey that toke him brought him first to Chelmesforde and after to Plashie where on the day of S. Maure that is y e xv of Ianuarie about Sunne setting he was beheaded in the verie place in whiche the Duke of Gloucester was arrested by king Richarde He is be headâ—… Hee confessed wyth lamentable repentaunce as wryters do record that many wayes forth he had offended god his prince bycause y t vnderstanding the purpose of the other Lordes hee had not reuealed the same Shortly after the Abbot of Westminster in whose house the conspiracie was begonne as is sayde goyng betweene his monasterie and mansion for thought fell into a suddayne paâ—…sey The Abbot of Westminster dieth sodeinly Thâ—… VVals and shortly after without speech ended thys life The Bishop of Careleill was impeached and condenmed of the same conspiracie but the King of his mercifull clemencie pardoned hym of that offence The bishop of Carleile dieth through feare 〈◊〉 rather thoâ—…gh grief of â—…ede to see â—…e wickedâ—…per as he 〈◊〉 it Hal. although hee dyed shortly after more through feare than force of sicknesse as some haue written Thus all the associates of this vnhappie conspiracie tasted the paynefull penaunce of theyr pleasant pastime Thus haue ye hearde what writers haue recorded of this matter with some difference betwixt them that write howe the King shoulde haue bin made away at a Iustes and other that testifie howe it shoulde haue beene at a maske or mummerie but whether they meante to haue dispatched him at a mumming or at a Iâ—…stes their purpose beeyng reuealed by the Earle of Rutlande they were broughte to confusion as before yee haue heard And immediately after King Henry to ridde himselfe of any such lyke daunger to be attempted against him thereafter caused King Richard to dye of a violent death that no man shoulde afterwarde fayne hymselfe to represent his person though some haue sayde he was not priuie to that wicked offence The sundrye reports of K. Richards deth The common fame is that he was euery day serued at the table with costly meate like a Kyng to the intente that no creature should suspecte anye thing done contrarie to the order taken in the Parliament and when the meate was set before him he was forbidden once to touche it yea hee was not permitted so muche as to smell to it and so he dyed of famine One writer Some write that hee pined himselfe to death wold receyue no foode after he knewe howe his
doctrine a long time Sir Lewes Clifford bewrayeth his fellowes did nowe as Tho. Wals writeth disclose al that he knew vnto y e Archchb. of Caunterburie to shewe himselfe as it were to haue erred rather of simplenesse and ignorance than of frowardnesse or stubborne malice The names of suche as taughte the articles and conclusions maynteyned by those whiche then they called Lollards or Heretikes the said sir Lewes Clifforde gaue in writing vnto the said Archb. Edmond Mortimer Earle of Marche prisoner with Owen Glendouer whether for irkesomnesse of cruell captiuitie or feare of death or for what other cause it is vncertaine The Earle of March marrieth the daughter of Owen Glendouer agreed to take parte with Owen againste the King of Englande and tooke to wife the daughter of the said Owen Straunge wonders happened as men reported at the natiuitie of this man for the same night hee was borne all his fathers horses in the stable were founde to stand in bloud vp to the belyes The morow after the feast of Saint Michaell a Parliament began at Westminster An. reg 4. A Parliament which continued the space of seauen wekes in the â—…ame was â—…tently and a halfe graunted by the Cleargie and a fiftenth by the comunaltie Moreouer the commons in this Parliament besought the King to haue the person of George Earle of Marche a Scottishman George Earle of March recommended to the King by Parliament 1403 recommended to his 〈◊〉 for that the same Earle shewed himselfe faithfull to the King and his Realme There was also a statute made that the Friers beggers should not receiue any into their order vnder the age of fourteene yeares In thâ—… fourth yere of King Henries raigne Ambassadors Ambassadors were sent ouer into Britaine to bring from thence the Duches of Britaine the Lady Iane de Nauarre the widdowe of Iohn de Montford late Duke of Britaine surnamed 〈◊〉 Conqueror with whome by procuâ—…tors the king had contracted matrimonie In the beginning of Februarie those that were frute returned with 〈◊〉 in faâ—…etie but not without 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 stormes of the winde and weather that tossed them sore too and fed before they could get to lande The Kyng meete hir at Winchester where the seuenth of Februarye the marriage was solemnized betwixte them The Earle of Cleremont in Gascoigne In the same very season Iohn Earle of Cleremont sonne to the Duke of Bourbon wanne in Gascoigne out of the Englishmens possession the Castels of Saint Peter Sainte Marie and the newe Castell and the Lord de la Bret wanne the Castell of Carlaâ—…fin whyche was no small losse to the English nation Henry Earle of Northumberland with hys brother Thomas Earle of Worcester and hys sonne the Lorde Henry Percy surnamed hotespurre which were to King Henry in the beginning of his raigne both faithfull friendes and earnest aydors began now to enuie his wealthe and felicitie and specially they were greeued bycause the King demaunded of the Earle and hys sonne such Scottishe prisoners as were taken at Homeldon and Neshit for of all the Captiues whiche were taken in the conflictes foughten in those two places there was deliuered to y e kings possession only Mordake Erle of Fife the Duke of Albanies sonne though the King did dyuers and sundry times require deliuerance of the residue and that with greate threatnings wherewith the Percies beeing sore offended for that they claymed them as their owne proper prisoners and their peculiar prayes by the counsell of the Lord Thomas Percie Earle of Worcester whose study was euer as some write to procure malice and set things in a broyle came to the King vnto Windesor vppon a purpose to proue him and there required of him The request of the Pâ—… that either by raunsome or otherwise he would cause to be deliuered out of prison EdmoÌ„d Mortimer Erle of Marche their Cousin Germaynt whome as they reported Owen Glendor kepte in fylthie prison shakeled with irons only for that he tooke his part and was to him faithfull and true The King began not a little to muse on this request and not withoute a cause for in deede it touched him somewhat neere for this Edmond was for to Roger Earle of Marche sonne to the Lady Phillip daughter of Lyonell Duke of Claâ—…net the third sonne of King Edward the thirde whiche Edmond at king Richards going into Irelande was proclaymed heire apparant to the Crowne and Realme whose Aunt called Eleanor the Lord Henrie Percie had married and therefore King Henry could not well heare that any man shoulde be earnest about the aduancement of that lignage The King when hee had studied on the matter made aunswere that the Earle of Marche was not taken prisoner for his cause nor in his seruice but willingly suffered himselfe to be taken bicause he would not withstand the attemptes of Owen Glendor and hys complices and therfore he would neither raunsome him nor relieue him The Percies with this aunswere and fraudulent excuse were not alitrie fumed in so much that Henrie Hotespurre said openly Behold The saying of the L. Percy the heire of the Realme is robbed of his righte and yet the robber with his owne will not redeâ—… him So in this furie the Percies departed nothing more minding than to depose King Henry from the high tipe of his regality and to pâ—…t in his feate their cousin EdmoÌ„d Erle of March whome they did not onely deliuer out of Captiuitie The conspiracie of the Percies with OweÌ„ Glendower An indenture tripartite but also to the high displeasure of Kyng Henry entred in league with the foresayde Owen Glendouer Heerewith they by their deputies in the house of the Archedeacon of Bangor deuided the Realme amongst them causing a tripartite Indenture to be made and sealed with their seales by the couenauntes wherof al England from Seuerne and Trent A deuision of that whiche they had not South Eastward was assigned to the Earle of Marche All Wales and the landes beyond Seuerne Westward were appoynted to Owen Glendor and all the remnaunt from Trent Northewarde to the Lorde Percy A vayne prophecie This was done as some haue sayd through a foolishe credite giuen to a vayne prophecie as though King Henry was the Moldewarp cursed of Gods owne mouth and they three were the Dragon the Lion and the Wolfe whyche should deuide this Realme betwene them Such is the deuiation sayth Hall and not diuination of those blinde and fantasticall dreames of the Welch prophesiers King Henry not knowing of this newe confederacie and nothing lesse minding than that which after happened gathered a great army to goe againe into Wales whereof the Earle of Northumberlande and his sonne were aduertised by the Earle of Worcester The Percies â—…ayse their poâ—…ers and with all diligence reysed all the power they coulde make and sent to the Scottes whiche before were taken prisoners at Homeldon for ayde of menne promising to the
scisme and withall putting the Pope in remembrance what mischief and destruction of people hadde chaunced by the same scisme so as if hee woulde well consider the miserable state of things he would surely followe the example of the true mother that contending before Salomō for hir child with the counterfeyt mother chose rather to giue place than to see hir childe cut in peeces These and the lyke matters to vtter what desire he had to haue an vnitie in the Church he declared frankly in his letters directed to the Pope so as it might appeare to the worlde how soberly and modestly hee sought to enduce the Pope to procure a peace and concorde in the Church but what his perswasions profited it appeareth in the hystorie of Italie Wicklife doc◅ maynteyned by the lear◅d This yeare certaine learned men in Oxforde and other places publikely in theyr Sermons mainteyned and set forth the opinions and conclusions of Wicklife This troubled the Bishops and other of the Clergie sore insomuch that in their Conuocation house the .xxvj. of Iune by a speciall mandate of the Lorde Chauncellor in presence of the procurators regents and other as Richard Courtney Richarde Talbot Nicholas Souche Walter Midforde and suche like in greate multitude sentence was pronounced by Iohn Welles doctor of the Canon law agaynst the bookes of Iohn Wicklife doctor of diuinitie intituled Sentence pronounced against Wiclif◅◅kes De Sermone in monte Triologorum de Simonia de perfectione statum de ordine Christiano de gradibus Cleri Ecclesia and to these was added the third treatise which he compiled of L◅gious of Sophistrie These bookes and the conclusions in the same conteyned the Chancellour of the Vniuersitie of Oxford by common consent and assent of the regents and not regentes of the same Vniuersitie reproued disanulled and condemned inhibiting on paine of the greate euesse and deprination of all degrees scholasticall that none from thenceforth shoulde affyrme ◅eache or preache by anye maner of meanes or wayes the same heritecall bookes as they tearmed them conteyning anye the lyke opinions as he taught and set forth in the same bookes This yeare aboute Mydsommer Fabian Iustes in Smith field wer royall Iustes holden at London in Smithfield betwixt the Seneshall of Heynault and certaine Herewyers chalengers and the Erle of Sommerset certaine Englishmen defendants The Welch Rebell Owen Glendouer made an ende of his wretched life Owen Glendouer endeth his life in great misery in this tenth yeare of K. Henries reigne being driuen now in his latter time as we find recorded to such miserie that in maner dispayring of all comfort hee fledde into desart places and solitarie Caues where beeyng destitute of all reliefe and succour dreading to shewe his face to any creature and finally lacking meate to sustayne nature for pure hunger and lacke of foode miserably pyned away and dyed This yeare Thomas Beaufort Erle of Surrey was made Chancellour An. reg 1◅ Officers made and Henry Scrope Lord Treasorer A Parliament began this yere in the quindene of S. Hillarie 1410 A Parliament in whiche the Commons of the lower house exhibited a byll to the King Lords of the vpper house conteyning in effect as followeth To the most excellent Lorde our King Tho. VVals Fabian A supplication to the king and to all the Nobles in this present Parliament assembled your faythfull commons do humbly signifie that our soueraigne Lorde the king myght haue of the temporall possessions landes and reuennes which are lewdly spent consumed and wasted by the Bishops Abbottes and Priors within this Realme so much in value as woulde suffice to finde and sustaine 150. Earles .1500 knightes 6200. esquiers and one hundred Hospitals more than now be The King as some write vpon aduised consideration hereof had mislyked of the motion Tho. VVals and therevpon cōmaunded that from thenceforth they should not presume to studie about any such matters An other thing the cōmons sued to haue graunted vnto them but could not obtein which was that Clerks conuicted should not frō thenceforth be deliuered to the Bishops prison Moreouer they demaunded to haue the statute either reuoked or qualified which had beene established by authoritie of Parliament in the second yeare of this kings raigne against such as were reputed to be Here◅kes or Lollards by force whereof it was prouided that wheresoeuer suche maner of persons shoulde be founde and knowne ◅o preach or teach their erronious doctrine they should be attached with the kings writ brought to the next gaole but the king seemed so highly to fauour the Cleargie King Henry a fauorer of the Clergy that the Commons were answered plainly they should not come by their purpose but rather that the sayde statute shoulde be made more rigorous and sharpe for the punishment of such persons Iohn Badby brent Tho. VVals During this Parliament one Iohn Badby a Taylor or as some write a Smith being cōuict of heresie was brought into Smithfield and there in a tonne or pipe burnt to death The prince being present at the executiō offreth hym pardon in pitiful maner the kings eldest sonne the Lord Henrie Prince of Wales beeing present offred him his pardon first before the fire was kindled if he woulde haue recanted his opinions and after when the fire was kindled hearing him make a roaring noyse very pitifully the Prince caused the fyre to be plucked backe and exhorted him being sore amaskered to remember himselfe and renounce his opinions promysing hym not onelye lyfe but also three pens a day so long as hee lyued to be payde out of the Kings Coffers but hee hauing recouered his spirites againe Notable constancy of Badby refused the Princes offer choosing eftsoones to taste the fyre and so to die than to forsake his opinions Wherevpon the Prince commaunded that hee shoulde bee put into the Tonne againe from thenceforth not to haue any fauour or pardon at all and so it was done and the fyre put to hym againe and hee consumed to ashes The King demaunded in thys Parliament that it myght be graunted to him The kings demaund in the parliament to haue euerye yeare in whiche he helde not Parliament a tenth of the Cleargie and a fiftenth of the Laitie but the estates woulde not agree therevnto by reason whereof the Parliament continued tyll almost the myddle of May. A long Parliament A xv granted At length they graunted to gyue hym a fyftenth not without greate murmuring and grudgyng of the Communaltie Erle of Surrie deceaseth Aboute this season dyed the Lorde Thomas Beauford Erle of Surrey The .xj. of Aprill or thereaboutes the towne of Saint Omers was burnt by casuall fire togither with the Abbey in whiche towne was suche straunge and maruellous prouision of Engines Preparation made to win Calais and all maner of furniture and preparation for the winning of Calais as the like had neuer bene seene
set forth fiftie horsemen as though there had beene no mo within the Castell The Erle perceyuing this sent forth sir Randolfe Standish to encounter them hauing with him an hundred horses The Frenchmen tought couragiously a while and sodainly came out all the remnant and slue sir Randolfe Standish and all his companie and boldly set on the Erle and his hande which manfully resisted the French men till at length the Hyre caused three Culuerings to be shotte off amongst the Englishmen whereof one strake the Earle on the ancle and so brake his legge that for payne he fell from his horse Then the French menne entered amongest the Englishenne tooke the Earle lying on the grounde wyth Sir Rycharde Wooduile and sixe score moe and there were slaine almoste two hundred The residue saued themselues as well as they might The Earle was caryed to Beauays where of his hurt he shortly dyed and was buried in the Frier Minors He was a man of syngular vertue constancy and grauitie whose death in so troublous a season did sore appall the heartes of the Englishe people Thus did mightie Mars oftentymes chaunge his variable countenaunce so that one tyme the English menne got by assault and yeelding dyuerse strong Townes Castelles and Pyles and at another season the Frenche people somtime by bargaine sometyme by assault obteyned the same againe or other in their steede Aboute the Moneth of Iune in this twelfth yeare Iohn Duke of Bourbon and Auuergne taken prisoner at the battayle of Agineourt .xviij. yeares past as before ye haue heard nowe paying his raunsome whiche was eightene thousande pounde sterling was taken with a moste sore and grieuous Feuer the which made an and of his lyfe in the Citie of London The Duke of Bourbon dyeth at LondoÌ„ the same daye that was appoynted for his departure towarde Fraunce whose corps was enterred in the gray Friers of the same Citie So thus maye euerye creature see howe man purposeth Continuatioâ—… Chro. of Flau. and God disposeth This yeare also about the latter end of May â–ª was an enteruiew appoynted to be had at Saint Omers betwixt the Dukes of Bedford Burgoigne for the qualifying of certaine displeasures and grudges betwixt them kindled and mainteyned by some flattering taletellers which feyning things of reproche touching highly theyr honors bredde suche grudges that all loue betwixte them ceassed all affynitye was forgotten and all olde familiaritie was drawned through disdayne in the bottomlesse caue of Obliuyon Suche a pestilent breathe hath flatterye and suche myschiefe ensueth of Princes lyght credence These two Dukes being come to the towne of S. Omers the duke of Bedford being Regent of France and sonne brother and vncle to kings thought that the Duke of Burgoigne shoulde haue come and visited him in hys lodging The Duke of Burgoigne on the other parte being Lorde and soueraigne of the Towne iudged it not meete to goe to hym where hee was lodged but was content by intreatie of friendes to meete him in a place indifferente betweene both theyr lodgings which offer was not accepted and so both parties departed discontent and neuer after sawe nor communed togither Thus by the prowde disdeyne and enuious discorde of these two highe stomacked Princes Bedforde not mynding to haue any Peere and Burgoigne not willing to abyde any superiour shortly after Englande loste and Burgoigne gayned not long as by the sequele maye appeare An. reg 13. The Bastarde of Orleans called the Earle of Dunoys the Lorde Rochforde Marshall of Fraunce with other in the beginning of thys thirtenth yeare tooke the Towne of Saint Denys by treason skyrmished with them of Paris and leauing behynde them a great garnison tooke the Towne of Howdone and Pont S. Maxence by composition And at the same tyme was the towne of Pont Meulan taken by the sodaine sealing of two fyshermen which entred vp at a coÌ„mon priuie standing in the wall Thus as yee maye perceyue the warre was continually pursued betwixte these two mightye Nations Englishe and Frenche within the Realme of Fraunce beeing as it were the lystes within the which they had appoynted to trye the game so that no Countrey in the worlde was thought more miserable than the same And though the poore people and Inhabitantes of the good Townes and Villages susteyned most losse in theyr substaunce The fruites of warre yet the menne of warre oftentymes payed deare for theyr chieuance being dayly slaine wounded and taken prisoners and that on both partes as the chaunce of warre accustomably falleth out At length when sacietie of slaughter aboundaunce of murders remembraunce of losse of goodes and expences had somewhat softened the stonie beaâ—…tes of these loftie stomacked people so that eyther parte was desirous of peace yet the one disdained openly to offer it and the other priuately to receyue it The crye and noyse of this detestable warre was blasted throughe Christendome but specially the bruyte thereof was greate at Basile where the generall Councell was as then holden the Emperour Albert and all the Princes of Christendome beeing present there eyther in persone or by theyr procuratours for the abholishing of the Scisme that then continued in the Churche of Rome for this indubitate Pope Wherefore the Emperour and the temporall Princes 1435 supposing the exhortation of spirituall Fathers shoulde muche profite to the quieting of the stryfe betwixt the Realmes of England and Fraunce desyred Eugenie then Pope to bee a mediatour betwixt them And one thing put them in good hope of some good conclusion bycause the Duke of Bourgoigne was wylling so that it were not of hys owne suyte to returne reconcile himselfe with the French King his mortall enimie and auncient aduersarie Herevpon by authoritie of this generall Councell two discrete persons A solempe treatie of peace 〈◊〉 Arras the Cardinals of the holy Crosse and Cypres came to the towne of Arras in Arthoys whither were sent from the King of Englande Henrie Beauforde Cardinal of Winchester Henrie Archbishop of Yorke William de la Poole Earle of Suffolke and Iohn Hollande Earle of Huntingdon with dyuerse other Knights and Esquiers And for the French king were there present Charles Duke of Bourbon Lewes Earle of Vandosme Arthure of Brytayne Conestable of Fraunce the Archbishop of Reimes and sir Philip Harecourt The duke of Burgoigne was there in proper person accompanied with the duke of Guelders and the Erles of Estampes Lygny S. Paule Vandemont Neures and Daniel sonne to the Prince of Orange with a great gard and a gallant companie Vpon the day of the first session the Cardinal of S. Crosse declared to the three parties the innumerable mischiefes that had followed to the whole state of the christen coÌ„mon welth by theyr continual dissention and dayly discord exhorting them for the honour of God and for the loue which they ought to beare towards the aduancement of his fayth and true religion to conforme themselues to reason and to
was made Gouernour there till the Kyng hadde restored the Citizens to theyr auncient liberties This commotion was begonne for certayne newe exactions whyche the Pryour claymed and tooke of the Citizens Indirect meanes sought to reforme vvrongs contrarye to theyr auncient freedome But thys was not the way to come to their right and therefore they were worthily corrected Whylest the warres ceassed by occasion of the truce An. reg 25. the myndes of men were not so quiet but that such as were bent to malicious reuenge soughte to compasse their prepensed purpose 〈◊〉 agaynst forreyn foes and enemies of their countrey but againste their owne countrey menne and those that hadde deserued verye well of the common wealthe and this specially for lacke of stoutnesse in the Kyng who by his authoritie myghte haue ruled bothe partes The descriâ—… of Kyng Henry the â—…e and ordered all differences betwixte them as might haue stande wyth Reason but where as hee was of suche pacience and integritie of lyfe as nothing seemed to hym woorthie to be regarded but that apperteyned vnto Heauenly matters and health of hys soule the sauyng whereof hee esteemed to bee the greatest wysedome and the losse therof the extremest folly that might be The Queene contrary wyse was a woman of a greate witte and no lesse courage Description of the Queene desyrous of honoure and furnyshed wyth the giftes of reason policye and wysedome but yet to shew hir selfe not altogether a man but in some one poynte a verie woman oftentymes when she was vehemente and fully bente on a matter she was sodeynly lyke a Weathercocke mutable and tournyng Thys woman disdaynyng that hir husband should be ruled rather than rule could not abyde that the Duke of Gloucester shoulde do all thinges concernyng the order of weyghtye affayres least it myghte bee sayde that she had neyther wytte nor stomacke whyche woulde permitte and suffer hir husbande beeyng of perfecte age lyke a young pupill to bee gouerned by the disposition of an other manne Althoughe thys toye entred fyrste into hir brayne thorough hir owne imagination yet was shee pricked forwarde to reforme the matter both by suche of hir husbandes counsell as of long tyme had borne malice to the Duke for his playnenesse vsed in declaryng theyr vntrouth as partely yee haue hearde and also by the aduertisement giuen to hir from Kyng Reygner hir father aduysyng hir that shee and hir husbande shoulde in anye wyse take vppon them the rule and gouernance of the Realme and not to bee kepte vnder as wardes and desolate Orphanes What needeth many wordes The Queene taketh vppon hir the gouernment and dischardgeth the Duke of Gloucester the Queene persuaded by these meanes firste of all excluded the Duke of Gloucester from all rule and gouernaunce not prohibiting suche as shee knewe to bee hys mortall foes to inuente and imagine causes and griefes agaynst hym and hys in so much that by hir procurement diuers noble men coÌ„spired against him of the which diuers writers affirme the Marques of Suffolk and the duke of Buck. to be the chief not vnprocured by y e Cardinall of Winchest the Archbishop of Yorke Dyuers Articles were layde agaynste hym in open counsel and in especially one that he had caused menne adiudged to dye to bee put to other execution than the lawe of the land assigned for surely the duke being very wel learned in the lawe ciuill detesting malefactors punishing offences gat greate malice and hatred of suche as feared condigne rewarde for their wicked dooings Althoughe the duke sufficiently aunswered to all things against him obiected yet bicause his death was determined his wisdome little helped nor his innocencie nothing auailed But to auoyde the daunger of some tumulte that might be reysed if a Prince so well beloued of the people shuld be openly executed they determined to worke their feats and bring him to destruction ere he shuld haue ani knowledge or warning thereof So for the furtherance of their purpose 1447 A parliament 〈◊〉 Edâ—…desbury a parliament was summoned to be kepte at Berry wheather resorted all the peeres of the realme and amongst them the duke of Glocester which on the second day of the session was by the lorde Beaumond then high conestable of England acompanied with the duke of Buckingham and others arrested apprehended and put in warde and all his seruauntes sequestred from him and .xxxij. of the chief of his retinew wer sent to diuers prisons to the greate admiratioÌ„ of the people The duke the night after he was thus committed to prison The Duke of Gloucester soâ—…ly â—…rtheâ—…ed beeing the .xxiiij. of February was founde deade in his bedde and his body shewed to the lordes and commons as though hee had dyed of a palsey or of an impostume but all indifferent persons as saithe Hall well knewe that hee dyed of some violent deathe some iudged him to be strangled some affirme that an hotte spit was put in at his fundement other write that he was smouldered betwene .ij. fetherbeds and some haue affirmed that hee dyed of verye griefe for that he might not come openly to his answere His deade corps was conueied to S. Albons and there buried After his death none of his seruaÌ„ts suffred although â—…ue of them to wit sir Roger ChaÌ„berlain knight Middleâ—…on Herbert Arteise esquiers and Richard NedhaÌ„ gentleman were arreigned condempned and drawen to Tiborne where they were hanged let downe quick striped to haue bin bowelled and quartered but the Marques of Suffolke coÌ„ming at that instant brought their pardons shewed the same openlye and so theyr lyues were saued Dukes of Glocester vnforâ—… Some thinke that the name and title of Gloucester hathe bene vnluckye to diuerse whiche for their honoures haue bene erected by creation of princes to that stile and dignitie as Hughe Spenser Thomas of Woodstocke son to Kyng Edwarde the thirde and this Duke Humfrey Whiche .iij. persons by miserable deathe â—…ished their dayes and after them king Richarde the thirde also Duke of Gloucester in ciuill war was slaine and brought to death so that this name of Gloucester is taken for an vnhappy stile as the prouerbe speaketh of Seians horse whose rider was euer vnhorsed and whose possessor was euer brought to misery But surely by the vnworthy deathe of this noble Duke and politike gouernor the publike wealthe of the Realme of Englande came to greate ruyne as by the sequele of this pamphlet may more at lardge appeare There is an olde said saw that a man intendyng to auoyde the smoke falleth into the fyre So heree the Queene mindyng to preserue hir husbande in honoure and hirselfe in auctority consented to the deathe of this noble man whose only deathe brought that to passe whyche shee hadde moste cause to haue feared whyche was the deposing of hyr husbande the decay of the house of Lancaster whyche of likelyhâ—… hadde not chaunced if this Duke hadde liued for then durste not the
forwarde they came vnto Worcester where as well to refreshe his people as to take further aduice what was best to be done VVhetham The Bishop of Salisbury sent to the Duke of Yorke and others be stayed for a time and at length it was determined that the king should first send vnto the aduersaries a messenger of good accouÌ„t as the Bi. of Salisbury Richard Beauchampe to offer vnto them a cleare and rece generall pardon of all trespasses offences and transgressions whatsoeuer if they woulde giue ouer theyr enterprice and become true and obedient subiects When the Bishop was come vnto them and hadde declared his message they first withdrewe themselues apart and fest togither in countesse and after they gaue aunswere by the mouth of the Earle of Warwike whiche consisted of three poymes Fyrst Their answeâ—… that as concerning the parâ—… they durst not trust vnto it considering they haâ—… dyuerse pardons before and the same confyrmed by Parliament and yet nothing anaylable to their assurance Secondly that notwithstanding suche pardons those that were about the king were presumptuous and vnruly that they cared not at in to breake the kings commaundements nor were any thing abashed to be noted for y e breach shewe Thirdly although by law of the lance and right of the statute euery Lorde by vertue of the knigs writ being called to the ParliameÌ„t ought safely to come safely there to remaine and safely to depart and returne home this notwithstaÌ„ding the sayd erle of Warwike himselfe at a certaine counsail holden at Westminster by vertue of the kings writ of priuie seale beeing there in person labouring to his knowledge to giue good aduice counsaile for the profit of the coÌ„mon wealth was yet in danger of death if the Lorde aboue had not the better prouided for his escape more than anye humaine power or force of the kings pardon for the whiche cause quoth he sith the kings pardon may be likned in these days to a buckler of glasse or to a staffe of reed in the which is no trust wee dare not commit our selues vnto the defence of any such pardons But if any other way might be deuised for their sureties wherevnto they might safely trust he sayde they were readie to come to his grace and to sue for his fauour The King receyuing suche aunswere in these words or other to the like effect was nothing coÌ„tented therewith and so commaunded his standartes eftsoones to aduaunce but yet before hee came neare to the place where they were encamped the sayde Lordes wrote to him a letter in theyr owne excuse protesting they meante no harme in the worlde agaynst hys person as by theyr demeanours and proceedings it might well appeare who had euer fled and withdrawing theÌ„selues from place to place from towne to towne from village to village and from Countie to Countie which might serue for an euident token that they sought for nothing but onely theyr owne safegardes and quietnesse of the Realme with so much fauour as in good and safe suretie they might come to his presence to declare certaine things which in their opinions might turne to the welth of the realm and further to make answere all things that had beâ—… obiected agaynst them and nowe sayde they we are here remayning in the vttermost partes and confines of the lande that is in the Marches towardes Wales not farre from Ludlow not vpoÌ„ any presumptuous meaning but â—…ther in all â—…uÌ„ble to wtinesse of mind bodie to abide his graces coÌ„ming which they be sought of God might be in some peaceable maner and fauourable in their behalfes The king hauing receyued this letter and coniecturing that venome lay hid vnder so sweet and soft speeche commaunded his armie againe to marche forth and comming within halfe a mile of the aduersaries campe pight downe his field and forthwith caused proclamation to bee made A proclamatioÌ„ that whosoeuer of his aduersaries would giue ouer his iewde begon enterprice and repayre to his presence to sue for mercie he would pardon him of all offences This Proclamation comming to the vnderstaÌ„ding of them in the duke of Yorks host caused a great number that were there with him agaynst the king to get away and come to the kings side Moreouer there rose among the residue greate murmuring so as they seemed very lyke to grow to a grieuous mutinie Amongst other of those that came to the kings campe Andrew Trollop was chiefe Andrew Trollop forsaketh the Lords who with y e other GalisiaÌ„s which had long serued the king and liued a long time by his wages perceyuing now that they should fight agaynst theyr soueraigne Lorde himselfe whose friend they esteemed before that time the Erle of Warwike euer to haue bene and in no wise hys enimie in the dead of the night before the daye of the battell tary secretly departed from the Dukes campe and submitted themselues to the king admonishing him of all things diuised for his losse and destruction For the Duke of Yorke perceyuing by his expert Captaynes VVhethaÌ„sted a way how to set vppon his enimies and easily to discomfit them thought to take the occasion and so on the nexte morning ment to haue assayled the king and hys people ere they could haue bene readie or ware of his determination but nowe by the going away thus of his captaynes and people no effect followed of that his ymagination The estimatioÌ„ of Andrew Trollop For being aduertised that Andrew Trollop was thus departed hee was now as much discomforted therby as before by the trust which he put in him he was encouraged and therewith perceyuing that all his counsayle and purpose was by the forenamed Andrew reuealed and disclosed thought it better for him and his to depart in suretie than to abide y e â—…ce of mutable fortune The Duke of Yorke his coÌ„plices flee whervpon he with his yonger sonne Edmond Erle of Rutland secretly fled into Wales and so passed into Ireland where hee was with all ioy and honour gladly receyued all the Irish offring to die and liue with him The Erle of Marche sonne and heire apparant to the said duke accompanied with the Earles of Salisburie and Warwicke and sir Iohn Wenlocke stale of waye the same might 〈◊〉 came into Deuonâ—… whâ—… by the 〈◊〉 of Iohn Dynham esquier 〈◊〉 after was highe Treasorer of Englandâ—… 〈◊〉 the days of king Henrie the seuenth they bought a ship whiche cast 〈◊〉 Markes at Exmoath and sayled into Geruesey and after came to Calais and were let leâ—… at the postâ—… and ioyfully welcomed 〈◊〉 friendes namely of sir William Neuil Lord Fouronbridge that was the Erle of Warwikes vncle and brother to the Erle of Salisburie who had the towne Castel in keeping But now to returne to the king when in the morning he was aduertised that the duke of York and his partakers wer fledâ—… gone he caused al his horsmen to folow them although in 〈◊〉
hee had created Earle of Pembroke requiring hym withoute delay to reyse hys power and encounter with the Northerne men The Earle of Pembroke commonly called the Lorde Herberte both ready to obey y e kings commaundemente accordyng to hys duetie and also desirous to reuenge the malice whyche he bare to the Earle of Warwike for that hee knewe howe hee hadde beene the onely let why he obteyned not the wardship of the Lord Bonneuilles daughter and heire for his eldest sonne accompanyed with hys brother Sir Richarde Herberte a valiaunt Knyghte and aboue syxe or seauen thousande Welchmenne well furnished marched forwarde to encounter with the NorthernemeÌ„ And to assist him w t archers was apointed Humfrey L. Stafford of Southwike The Lorde Stafforde named but not created Earle of Deuonshire by the King in hope that he would serue valiantly in that iourney he had with him eight hundred archers When these two Lordes wer met at Cottesholde they hearde how the Northerne men were going toward Northampton wherevppon the Lorde Stafforde and Sir Richarde Herberte with two thousande well horsed Welchmenne rode forth afore the maine armye to see the demeanor of the Northerne men and at length vnder a woods side they couertly espyed them passing forward and suddainely set on the rereward but the Northerne meÌ„ with such nimblenesse turned about The Welchmen discomfited that in a moment y e Welche menne were discomfited and many taken the remnaunte returned to the armye with small gayne The Northernemen well cooled with thys small victorie went no further Southward but tooke their way towards Warwike looking for aide of the Earle whiche was lately come from Calais with his sonne in lawe the Duke of Clarence and was raysing menne to aide hys friends and kinsfolke The King likewise assembled people to ayde the Earle of Pembroke but before eyther parte receyued succoure from his friende or partaker both the armies met by chance in a fayre playne neere to a Towne called Hedgecote Hedgecote Banbury field foure miles distante from Banburie where there are three hilles not in equall distance nor yet in equall quantitie but lying in manner although not fully triangle The Welchmen gote first the West hill hoping to haue recouered the East hill also which if they might haue obteyned the victorie had bin theirs as their foolish propheciers tolde them before These Northerne menne encamped on the South hill the Earle of Pembroke and the Lord Stafford of Southwike were lodged in Banburie the day before the fielde whiche was Saint Iames day and there the Erle of Pembroke put the Lorde Stafforde out of an Inne Discord what iâ—… breedeth wherein he delighted much to be for the loue of a Damosell that dwelled in the house and yet it was agreed betwixt them that which of them so euer obteyned first a lodging shoulde not be displaced The Lord Stafford in great despite departed with his whole bande of archers leauing the Earle of Pembroke almost desolate in y e towne who with all diligence returned to his host lying in the fielde vnpurueyd of Archers Sir Henry Neuill sonne to the Lord Latimer tooke with him certaine light horsemenne and shiâ—…shed with the Welchmen in the euening iust before their camp where doing ryghte valiantly but alittle too hardilie aduenturing himselfe was taken and yelded and yet cruelly slayne whiche vnmercifull acte the Welchmen sore rewed the next day ere night for the Northerne men sore displeased for the deathe of thys noble man in the nexte morning valiantly sit on the Welchmen and by force of archers câ—…sed them quickly to discend the hill into the valley where both the hostes fought The Earle of Pembroke did right valiantly The valiant manhoode of Sir Richard Herbert and so likewise did hys brother Sir Richarde Herbert in so muche that with his Polcare in hys hande hee twice by fyne force passed thorough the battell of his aduersaries and without anye hurte or mortall wounde returned But see the happe euen as the Welchmenne were at poynte to haue obteyned the victorie Iohn Clappam Esquier Iohn Clappam seruaunte to the Erle of Warwike mounted vp the syde of the East hill accompanyed onely with fyue hundred menne gathered of the rascals of the Towne of Northampton and other villages aboute hauyng borne before them the standert of y e Earle of Warwike with the white beare crying a Warwike a Warwike The Welchmenne thynking that the Earle of Warwike hadde come on them with all hys puissance suddaynely as menne amased fledde the Northren men them pursued The Welchmen slayne and flewe without mercie so that there dyed of the Welchmen that day aboue fiue thousande besyde them that fledde and were taken The Northamptonshire men with dyuers of the Northerne meÌ„ by theÌ„ procured in this furie made them a captaine called Robert Hilliard but they named him Robin of Reddesdale and sodainly came to Grafton Ioâ—…yn of â—…deâ—…dal The E. Riuers and his sonne beheaded where they tooke the Earle Riuers father to the Queene and hys sonne sir Iohn Wooduile whom they brought to Northamton and ther beheaded them both without iudgemente The King aduertised of these mischaunces wrote to y e Sherifs of Somersetshire Deuonshire that if they might by any meanes take the Lord Stafford of Southwike they should without delay put him to death Herevpon search was made for him The L. Scafford a Southwike â—…ded till at leÌ„gth he was found in a village within Brentmarch and after brought to Bridgewater was there beheaded After the battaile thus fought at Hedgecote commonly called Banburie fielde the Northren men resorted toward Warwike where the Earle had gathered a great multitude of people whiche Earle receyued the Northrenmen with greate gladnesse thanking sir Iohn Coniers and other theyr Capitaynes for theyr paynes taken in hys cause The king in this meane time had assembled his power and was comming toward the Erle who being aduertised thereof sent to the Duke of Clarence requiring him to come and ioyne with him The Duke being not farre off with all speede repared to the Earle and so they ioyned theyr powers togither and vpon secret knowledge had that y e king bycause they were entred into termes by waye of comunication to haue a peace tooke small heede to himselfe nothing doubting anye outward atteÌ„pt of his enimies the Erle of Warwike intending not to leese such oportunity of aduantage in the deade of the night with an elect companie of men of warre as secretely as was possible set on the kings fielde killing them that kept the watche and ere the king was ware for he thought of nothing lesse than of that which theÌ„ happened at a place called Wolney foure myles from Warwike â—…g Edward 〈◊〉 petioner he was taken prisoner brought to the Castell of Warwike And to the intent his friendes shoulde not knowe what was become of him the Earle caused him by secrete iourneys in the night to
no such myschaunce is towarde yet hath it beene of an olde ryte and custome obserued as a token oftentymes notably foregoyng some great misfortune Nowe this that followeth was no warning but an enuious skorne The same morning ere hee was vp came a knight vnto him as it were of courtesie to accompanie him to the Councell but of truth sent by the Protectour to hast him thitherwards with whom he was of secret confederacie in that purpose a meane man at that time and nowe of great authoritie This knight when it happed the Lord ChaÌ„berlayne by the way to stay his horse and commane a while wyth a Priest whome he mette in the Tower streete brake his tale and sayde merily to him what my Lord I pray you come on whereto talke you so long wyth that Priest you haue no neede of a Priest yet and therewyth hee laughed vpon him as though he would say ye shall haue soone But so little wyst the tother what he ment and so little mistrusted that he was neuer meryâ—…r nor neuer so â—…ll of good hope in his lyfe which selfe thing is 〈◊〉 a signe of chaunge But I shall rather set anye thing passe me than the vaine suretie of mannes minde so neare his death Vpon the verie Tower Wharfe so neare the place where his head was off soone after there met he with one Hastings a Pâ—…rseuaunt of his owne name And of theyr meeting in that place hee was put in remembraunce of another tyme in whiche it had happened them before to meete in like maner togither in the same place At which other time the Lorde chamberlaine had beene accused vnto King Edwarde by the Lorde Ryuers the Queenes brother in suche wise as hee was for the while but it lasted not long farre fallen into the kings indignation and stoode in great feare of himselfe And forasmuche as hee now met this Purseuaunt in the same place that ieopardie so well passed it gaue him great pleasure to talke with him thereof wyth whome he hadde before talked thereof in the same place while he was therein And therefore he sayd Ah Hastings art thou remembred when I met thee here once with an heauie heart Yea my Lorde quoth he that remember I well and thanked bee God they gat no good nor you no harme thereby Thou wouldest say so quoth hee if thou knewest as much as I knowe which few know else as yet and mo shall shortly That ment hee by the Lordes of the Queenes kyndred that were taken before and should that day be beheaded at Pomfret which he well wyst but nothing ware that the Axe hung ouer his owne heade In fayth man quoth he I was neuer so sorie nor neuer stoode in so greate dreade in my lyfe as I did when thou and I mette here And lo howe the worlde is turned nowe stand mine enimyes in the daunger as thou mayest happe to heare more hereafter and I neuer in my lyfe so mery nor neuer in so great suretie O good God the blindnesse of our mortal nature when he most feared he was in good suretie when hee reckened himselfe surest he lost his life and that within two houres after The discriptioÌ„ of the Lord Hastings Thus ended this honourable man a good Knight and a gentle of greate authoritie wyth his Prince of lyuing somewhat dissolute plaine and open to his enimie and secrete to hys friend easie to beguile as he that of good heart and courage forestudied no perilles a louyng man and passing well beloued verie faythfull and trustie ynough trusting too much Nowe flewe the fame of this Lordes death swiftly through the Citie and so foorth further about like a wynde in euerie mans eare But the Protector immediately after dinner entending to sette some colour vpon the matter sent in all the hast for many substantiall men out of the Citie into the Tower And at theyr comming himselfe with the Duke of Buckingham stoode harnessed in olde yll faring Bryganders suche as no man shoulde wene that they woulde vouchsafe to haue put vpon theyr backes except that some sodaine necessitie had constrayned theÌ„ And then the Protector shewed them that the Lorde Chamberlayne and other of his conspiracie had contriued to haue sodainly destroyed him and the Duke there the same day in the couÌ„cell And what they intended further was as yet not well knowne Of whiche their treason hee neuer had knowledge before tenne of the clocke the same forenoone whiche sodaine feare draâ—… them to put on for theyr defence such harnesse as came next to hande And so had God holpen theÌ„ that the mischiefe turned vpon them that would haue done it And this hee requyred them to report Euery man aunswered him fayre as though no man mistrusted the matter which of troth no man beleeued Yet for the further appeasing of-the peoples mynde hee sent immediately after dinner in all the haste one Heraulte of Armes The protecâ—… Proclaâ—… with a Proclamation to be made through the citie in the kings name conteyning that the Lord Hastings with diuers other of his traiterous purpose had before conspired the same day to haue slaine the Lorde Protectour and the Duke of Buckingham sitting in the Councell and after to haue taken vpon them to rule the king and the Realme at theyr pleasure and thereby to pill and spoyle whome they lyste vncontrolled And much matter there was in that proclamation deuised to the slaunder of the Lorde Chamberlain as that hee was an euill Counsailer to the kings father intising him to manye things highly redounding to the minishing of his honour and to the vniuersall hurt of his realme by his euil company sinister procuring vngracious ensample as well in many other things as in the vicious liuing and inordinate abusion of his bodie both with many other also specially with Shores wife which was one also of his most secret counsaile of this heynous treason with whome he lay nightly and namely the night last past next before his death so that it was the lesse maruaile if vngracious liuing brought him to an vnhappie ending which he was now put vnto by the most dread commaundement of the kings highnesse and of his honourable and faythfull counsayle both for his demerits being so openly taken in his falsly conceyued treason and also least the delaying of his extention myght haue encouraged other mischieuous persons partners of his conspiracie to gather and assemble themselues togither in making some greate commotion for his delyuerance whose hope now being by his well deserued death politikely repressed all the realme should by Gods grace rest in good quiet peace Now was this Proclamation made within two houres after that he was beheaded it was so curiously indited and so faire written in parâ—…hment in so wel a set hand therwith of it selfe so long a proces y t euery childe might well perceiue that it was prepared before For all the tyme betwene his death the
Richard Fitz Iames. This yeare also the Lorde Cazimire Marques of Brandenburg accompanyed with an Erle a Bishop and a great number of gentlemeÌ„ well apparailed came in ambassade froÌ„ the Emperor Maximilian were triumphantly receiued into LoÌ„don lodged at Crosbies place Theyr Message was for three causes one to comfort the King in hys tyme of heauinesse for the losse of hys wyfe The seconde for the renuing of amitie and the olde league The thirde which was not apparant was to moue the king to marrye the Emperours daughter the Ladie Margaret Duches dowager of Sauoy The two first tooke effect For the King vpon Passion Sunday road to Paules in great triumph the sayd Marques ryding on his left hand And there the Bi. made to the K. an excellent consolatorie oration concerning the death of the Queene And there also the king openly sware to keepe the new renouate league amitie during their two 〈◊〉 But the third request whether theire was on the mans side or the womaÌ„s neuer sâ—…ted to any coÌ„clusion The Ladie Margaret the kings daughter aâ—â—ied as ye haue heard to the king of Scots was appointed to be conueyed into Scotland by the Erle of Surrey and the Erle of NorthuÌ„berland as wardeÌ„ of the Marches was coÌ„maunded to deliuer hir at the confines of both the realmes And so herevpon after hir comming to Berwike she was coÌ„ueâ—…ed to Lamberton kirke in ScotlaÌ„d where the king of Scots with the flower of al the nobles and gentlemen of Scotland was readie to receyue hir to whom the Erle of Northumberland according to his commission deliuered hir The sayd Erle of Northumberland that day what for the ryches of his coat being goldsmithes work garnished with pearle and stone and what for the galiant apparell of his Henâ—…men braue trappers of his horse beside foure C. talmen well horsed and apparalled in his colours was aâ—…ed both of the Scots and English men more like a Prince than a subiect From Lamberton the foresayd Ladie was conueyed to Edenbourgh The mariagâ—… betwene the king of Scoâ—… and Lady margaret king Henry eldest daughter there the day after king Iames the fourth in the presence of all his nobilitie espoused hir feasted the English Lordes and shewed iustes and other pastimes very honorably after the fashion of that couÌ„trey And after all things were finished according to their coÌ„mission the erle of Surrey withal y e english lords ladies returned into their â—…ey In this yere the king kept his high Court of Parliament in the which An. reg â—… diuers acts estemed necessarye for the preseruation of the coÌ„mon wealth were established amongst other it was eâ—… that theeues murderers duely conuicted by the law to die and yet saued by theyr bookes shoulde be committed to the Bishops custodie After this a subsedie was granted both of the temporaltie and spiritualty so that ParliameÌ„t ended But the king now drawing into age and willing to fill his chests with abundance of treasure was not satisfied with this only subsedie but deuised an other meane how to enrich himselfe 1504 as thus He considered that the English man little regarded the keeping of penal lawes and preâ—…ial statutes deuised for the good preseruation of the common welth wherfore he caused inquisition to be made of those that had transgressed any of the same lawes so that there were but few noble meÌ„ marchants farmers husbandmen grosâ—…ts or occupiers that coulde clearely proue themselues faultlesse but had offended in some one or other of the same lawes At the first they that were found guiltie were easily fined But after there were appointed two masters surueyers of his forfeyts the one sir Ri. Empson the other EdmoÌ„d Dudley both lerned in the lawes of the realme who meanyng to satisfie their princes pleasure and to â—…e their commission executed to the vttermoste seâ—…ed litle to respect the perill that might 〈◊〉 â—…sâ—… Wherevpon they hering furnished with a sort of 〈◊〉 commonly called Proâ—…ters â—…ters or as they themselues will be named 〈…〉 troubled many â–ª a man whereby they waâ—… them great hatred and the King by suche rigâ—… 〈…〉 kings last the loue and 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 people before time had bene towardes him so that he for setting thâ—… worke 〈◊〉 they for â—…ng of it in suche extreeme wise â—…an into obloquâ—… the subiectes of this realme The king after he had gotten a greate â—…sse of money 1505 togyther hauing pitie of the people which oppressed with the sharp proceedings of his greedie officers cried dayly to God for veÌ„geance ment to haue depriued them of theyr offices as some write and that suche money as had beene violently â—…acted shoulde haue beene restored and deliuered againe if hee had not beene preuenby death And yet by his last will he commaunded that it should be duly and truly perfourmed but in the meane season manye mens Coffers were eâ—…tied An. reg 21. In this verie season and the yeare of our lord 1506. Elizabeth Queene of Castile dyed without issue male 1506 by reason whereof the inheritaunce of Castile bycause that kingdome is not partible descended to Ladie Iane his eldest daughter by king Ferdinando the which was maryed to Philippe Archeduke of Austriche Wherefore the yeare following about the sixth day of Ianuarie hauing a great nauie prepared he intituled nowe king of Castile sayled out of Flaunders with his wife towardes Spaine but by a mightie tempest of winde and soule 〈…〉 the whole nauy was dispersed and spâ—…nkled 〈…〉 in diuerse places on the coast of Englande the kings shippe with two other Vesselles were 〈◊〉 by tempe â—…on the weâ—… part of the Realme to the Port of Wâ—…mont in Dorâ—…yrâ—… The king 〈…〉 with the toâ—… of the 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 â—…o the minde of his Coâ—…â—…ame a bunde 〈◊〉 refresh himselfe Whoâ—… it was know at that straunge shippes 〈◊〉 arriued in that place Philip Archduke of Austrich landeth in the west partes of Englande 〈◊〉 coâ—… thither a great 〈◊〉 â—…ll of 〈…〉 of the countâ—… 〈…〉 to be enimies But 〈…〉 that the king of Spaâ—… was then 〈…〉 of weather sir Thomas â—…ard â—…ighâ—… 〈◊〉 of the company 〈…〉 with great â—…blenessâ—… vnto him and did what he could to haue him to his houseâ—… being not â—…re off and so to cause him to stay â—…ll such â—…mâ—… king Henrye â—…ight be â—…rytified of his arriuall to whom with 〈…〉 he sent diuerse posts to aduertise him of K. Philipâ—… landing In this meane while came people 〈◊〉 all â—…des vppon and 〈…〉 of the â—…singe Princes comming And â—…g other thâ—… caâ—… sir Iohn Caâ—… with a goodly and of 〈◊〉 Which sir Iohn and sir Thomas Trenth â—…treated the king of Castâ—… 〈◊〉 to depart vntil such time as he had spoâ—… with the king The king of Castile excused him by necessitie of his weightie enterpriâ—… 〈◊〉 when he perceyued that if he would proffer to go â—…bourde to 〈◊〉 shâ—… againe
desire of diuerse and of many sore despised and abhorred so that Proclamations were procured forth for the condemnation and prohibiting of his bookes as before you haue hearde Finally hee was apprehended at Andwarpe by meanes of one Philips an Englishman and then scholer at Louaine After hee had remayned in prison a long time and was almost forgotten the Lorde Cromwel wrote for his deliuerance but then in all haste bycause hee woulde not recant any part of hys doctrine hee was burned as before you haue heard On May day were solemne iustes kept at Greenwich An. reg â—… and sodainly from the iustes the king departed not hauing aboue six persons with him and in the Euening come to Westminster Of this sodaine departing many men mused but most chiefely the Queene who the next day was apprehended 〈◊〉 Anne â—…ued to Tower and brought from Grenewich to the Tower of London where shee was arraigned of high treason and condemned Also at the same tyme were apprehended the Lorde Rochford brother to the sayde Queene and Henrie Norrice Marke Smeton William Brereton and sir Francis Weston all beeing of the kings priuie Chamber These were likewise committed to the tower and after arraigned and condemned of high treason All the Gentlemen were beheaded on the skaffold at the Tower hill 〈◊〉 Anne beheaded but the Queene with in sworde was beheaded within the Tower And these were the wordes whiche shee spake at the houre of hir death the .xix. of May. 1536. Good christian people I am come hither to die for according to the law and by the lawe I am iudged to die and therefore I will speake nothing against it I am come hither to accuse no man nor to speake any thing of y t whereof I am accused condemned to die but I pray God saue the king and send him long to reigne ouer you for a gentler nor a more mercifull prince was there neuer and to me he was euer a good a gentle and a soueraigne Lorde And if any person will meddle of my cause I require them to iudge the best And thus I take my leaue of the worlde and of you all and I heartily desire you all to pray for me Oh Lorde haue mercie on me to God I coÌ„mende my soule Iesu receyue my soule diuerse tymes repeting those wordes till that hir heade was striken off with the sworde Bycause I might rather say much than sufficiently ynough in prayse of this noble Queene as well for hir singular witte and other excellent qualities of mynde as also for hir fauouring of learned men zeale of religion and liberalitie in distributing almes in reliefe of the poore I wyll referre the reader vnto that which master Foxe in his seconde volume of Actes and Monumentes doth write of hir where he speaketh of hir maryage Pag. 1198. and .1199 and also where hee maketh mention of hir death Pag. 1233. and .1234 of the impression .1570 Immediately after hir death in the weeke before Whitsuntide The king maryed Ladie Iane Seymer the King maryed the Ladie Iane Seymer daughter to sir Iohn Seymer knight whiche at Whitsuntide was openly shewed as Queene And on the Tuesday in Whitsunweeke hir brother sir Edwarde Seymer was created Vicont Beauchampe and sir Water Hungerforde Lorde Hungerford A Parliament The .viij. of Iune beganne the Parliament during the which the Lorde Thomas Howarde without the kings assent affled the Ladie Margaret Dowglas daughter to the Queene of Scottes and Nece to the King The Lord Th. Howard attainted of treason for which acte he was attainted of treason and an acte made for like offenders and so he dyed in the Tower and she remayned long there as prisoner In the time of this Parliament the Bishops and all the Cleargie of the Realme helde a solemne conuocation at Paules Church in London where after much disputation and debating of matters they published a booke of religion A booke published concerning religion by the king intituled Articles deuised by the kings highnesse c In this booke is speciallye mentioned but three Sacraments Also beside this booke certaine Iniunctions were giuen forth whereby a number of their holy dayes were abrogated and specially those that fell in haruest time Thomas Cromwel Secretarie to the king and maister of the Rolles was made Lorde keeper of the priuie Seale and the ninth of Iuly the Lorde Fitzwaren was created Earle of Bath and the morrow after the sayd Lorde priuie seale Thomas Cromwell was created Lorde Cromwell The .xviij. of Iuly he was made knight and Vicar generall vnder the King ouer the spiritualtie and sat dyuerse times in the conuocation amongest the Byshoppes as head ouer them The .xxij. of Iuly Henrie duke of Richmont and Somerset erle of Northampton base sonne to the King begot of the Ladie Tailebois departed this life at Saint Iames and was buryed at Thetford in Norffolke In September Thomas Cromwell Lorde priuie seale and Vicegerent sent abroade vnder the kings spirituall priuie Seale certayne Iniunctions commanding that the Parsons Eurates shoulde teach theyr Parishioners the Peter Noster the Aue and Creede with the ten Commaundements and Articles of the fayth in Englishe These Articles and Iniunctions being established by authoritie of Parliament and now to the people deliuered bred a greate mislyking in the heartes of the common people whiche had beene euer brought vp and trayned in contrary doctrine and herewith diuerse of the Cleargie as Monkes Priestes and other tooke occasion hereby to speake euill of the late proceedings of the King touching matters of Religion affyrming that if speedie remedie were not in tyme prouided the fayth would shortly be vtterly destroyed and all prayer and diuine seruice bee quite abolyshed and taken away Many sinister reportes slaunderous tales and feigned fables were blowne abroade and put into the peoples eares and diuerse of the Nobilitie did also what they could to styrre the commons to rebellion faythfully promising both ayde and succor agaynst the king The people thus prouoked to mischiefe and deceyued through ouer light credence incontinently as it were to mainteyne that Religion whiche hadde so manye yeares continued and beene esteemed they stiffely and stoutly conspired togither A trayterous conspiracie and in a part of Lincolnshyre they first assembled and shortly after ioyned into an armie being as it was supposed of men apt for the warres in number about twentie thousande Agaynst these rebels with all the hast that might be the king in proper person vppon intelligence thereof had marched towardes them being furnished with a warlike armie The Lincolnshire men in armes agaynst the king perfectly appoynted of all things that to suche a companie shoulde apperteyne The rebels hearing that his person was present with his power to come thus agaynst them began to feare what woulde follow of theyr doings and suche nobles and gentlemen as at the firste fauoured theyr cause fell from them and withdrew so that they beeing destitute
cleane rased Wherat the king taking great ioy presently called to certain of the Lordes of the counsel that were by and sayd How say you my Lords Chatillons garden the new forte is layd as flat as this floore One streight amongst them gaue iudgement That he â—…as had done it was worthy to lose his headâ—… The king streight replyed he had rather lost a dozen such he 〈◊〉 as his was thaâ—… so iudged 〈…〉 such seruants as had done it And herew t he coÌ„manded y t the L. Greys pardon shuld â—…ly be made y e which with a letter of great â—…kes and promise of rewarde was returned by the sayd sir Thomas Palmer to the sayd Lord Grey but the reward fayled the king not continuyng long after in lyfe the like happeÌ„ wherof had oftentymes happened vnto diuers of his worthie auncestors vpon their due desertes to haue bin considered of and therfore the cafe the lesse straunge This haue I set downe the more willyngly for that I haue receiued it from them which haue herd it reported not only by the L. Greys owne mouthe but also by the relation of Syr Thomas Palmer and others that were present The same not tendyng so muche to the Lord Greys owne prayse as to the betokening of the kings noble courage and the great secret trust which he worthyly reposed in the sayde Lord Grey Here is to be noted also least any man shuld mistake the matter as if the K. dealt indirectly herein that his Maiestie knowyng howe the Frenchmen in goyng about to buyld this fort did more than they might by the couenaÌ„ts of y e peace therfore was resolued at the first aduertisement thereof to haue it rased But yet for y t it might haply haue bin signified ouer vnto the freÌ„chmen before my L. Grey could haue accoÌ„plished the feate he therfore wisely wrote one thing in his letters whervnto many might be priuie sent secrete knowledge by words contrarie to the contents of the same letters so as if the messenger were trustye hys pleasure mighte not bee discouered to the hinderance or disappointing of the same but nowe to oure purpose The French king after this bycause as yet he woulde not seeme to breake the peace commaunded the trenches and newe fortifications made aboute thys fortresse called Chatillons Garden thus cast down to be filled by his own people and so it rested during the lyfe of king Henry but afterwardes it was begon againe and finished as after ye shall heare The Duke was atteynted by Parliament and the Atteynder after reuersed in the fyrste yeare of Queene Mary The euill hap as well of the father as of the sonne was greately lamented of many not onely for the good seruice which the Duke had done in his dayes in defence of this realme but also for that the Erle was a Gentleman well learned and knowne to haue an excellent witte if he had bin thankfull to God for the same and other suche good giftes as he had endued him with The king maketh his Testament The King now lying at the point of death made his last wil and testament wherin he not onely yelded himselfe to Almightie God but also tooke order that during the minoritie of his sonne Prince Edward his executors shuld be counsellors and ayders to him in all things as well concerning priuate as publike affairs They wer .xvj. in number whose names were as here foloweth His executors Thomas Cranmer Archebishop of Canterbury Thomas Wrioshlley Lord Chancellor Sir William Paulet knight of the order lord Saint Iohn great maister of y e houshold Sir Edward Seimer knight of the order erle of Herâ—…ford high ChaÌ„berlain of England Sir Iohn Russell knighte of the order Lorde Priuie seale Sir Iohn Dudley knighte of the order â—â—rout Lisle and baron of Manpas high Admirall of Englande Cutbert Tunstall bishop of Durham Sir Anthony Brown knight of the order and maister of the horsse Sir Edmund Montacute knight chiefe Iustice of the common place Sir Thomas Bromeley knighte one of the Iustices of the kings benche Sir Edward North knighte Chauncellour of the Augmentation Sir William Paget knight of the order Sir Anthonie Denny knight Sir William Herbert knight Sir Edwarde Wotton knighte Treasourer of Caleys The deceasse of king Henry the eyght Nicholas Wotton deane of Canterburye and Yorke So soone as the sayde noble King had finished his laste wyll and testamente as afore is sayde he shortly thervpon yelded vp his spirite to Almightie God departing this world the xxviij daye of Ianuarie in the thirtie and eyghte yeare of his reigne and in the yeare of our lord 1546. after the accompt of the churche of England but after the accompt whiche we follow here in this booke .1547 begynning our yeare the first of Ianuarie He reigned .xxxvij. yeares .ix. monethes and odde days His body according to his wil in that behalf was conueyd to Wyndsoxe with all funerall pompe and in the Colledge there enterred This noble Prince was ryght fortunate in all his dooings so that coÌ„monly what soeuer he attempted had good successe as well in matters of peace as of warres Of personage hee was tall and mightie in his latter dayes somewhat grosse or as we terme it bourly in wit memorie verie perfect of suche maiestie tempered with humanitie ' as best became so noble high an estate a great fauorer of learning as he that was not ignorant of good letters himselfe and for his greate magnificence and liberalitie his renoune was spread through the whole world Of learned men that lyued in the dayes of this moste famous prince we fynde many as first Iohn Colet deane of Paules and founder of the Schoole there he was borne in London of honest parentes William Lillie borne in the towne of Odiham in Hampshire was the first Schoolemaister of Paules Schoole after it was erected Tho. Linacer or rather Linaker borne in Derbyshire a learned Physitian and well seen in the toungs Iohn Skelton a pleasant Poet Richard Pace that succeded Iohn Colet in the roome of Deane of Poules Iohn Fisher Bishoppe of Rochester of whome yee haue herd before Tho. More born in London of whom likewise meÌ„tion is made in the life of this kyng Will. Horman born in Salisburie viceprouost of Eaton Colledge a lerned man as by his woorkes it appeareth Iohn Frith borne in London William Tyndall of whiche two persons ye haue hearde lykewyse in the historie of this King Roberte Wakefield excellently seene in the toungs Iohn Rastell a citizen and Stacioner of London Christofer Saint German an excellente Lawyer Roberte Barnes of whome also wee haue made mention beefore Syr Thomas Eliot knight Edward Lee Archebishop of Yorke Iohn Lerlande a diligente searcher of Antiquities Anne Askewe wrote certayne treatises concernyng hir examinations Sir Iohn Bourchier knyght Lorde Berners translated the Chronicles of sir Iohn Froissarte out of Frenche into Englishe William Chubb es Henry Standyshe a Frier Minor
of EnglaÌ„d and Irelande the Supremehead he beyng yet but nyne yeares and odde Monethes of age Hee was thus proclaymed the .xxviij. of Ianuarie 1547 in the yeare of the worlde .5513 and after the birth of our Lord .1547 accordyng to the accompt of them that beginne the yeare at Christmasse but after the accompte of the Churche of England in the yere .1546 about the xxix yere of the Emperor Charles the fift the .xxxiij. of Frauncis the firste of that name king of Fraunce and in the fifthe yeare of the reigne of Mary Queene of Scotland Shortely herevpon the Earle of Hertforde with other of the Lordes resorted to Hatfield where the yong King thou laye from whence they conducted him with a great and right honorable companie to the Tower of London During the tyme of hys aboade there for the good gouernement of the realme the honoure and suertie of his Maiesties person his Vncle Edward Earle of Hertforde was by order of the Counsell The Earle of Hereford chosen protector and the assente of hys Maiestie as one moste meetest to occupye that roomthe appoynted gouernoure of hys royall persone and protectour of his realmes dominions and subiectes and so proclaymed the fyrste of Februarye by an Heraulte at armes and sounde of Trumpette thorough the Citie of London in the vsuall places thereof as it was thoughte expediente The sixthe daye of Februarie the Earle of Hertforde Lord Protectour adorned king Edwarde with the order of knighthoode remayning then in the Tower and therewyth the Kyng standing vp called for Henry Hubblethorne Lorde Maior of the Citie of London who commyng before hys presence the Kyng tooke the sworde of the Lorde Protectour and dubbed the sayd Hubblethorne knight he being the fyrst that euer be made The .xvij. of Februarie the Lorde Protectour was created Duke of Somerset the erle of Essex was created Marques of Northampton The Lorde Lisle high Admirall of Englande was created Earle of Warwike and hygh Chamberlayne of Englande Sir Thomas Wriothesley Lorde Chauncellour was created Erle of Southampton â–ª Syr Thomas Seymer was aduaunced to the honoure of Lorde of Sudley and high Admirall of Englande whyche office the Earle of Warwike then resigned Syr Rychard Riche was made Lorde Riche Syr William Willoughby was created Lord Willoughby of Parrham Sir Edmund Sheffield was made lord Sheffield of Butterwike The same tyme greate preparation was made for the Kynges Coronation The Kyng rydeth through London to VVestminster and so the foure and twentieth of Februarie next ensewing his maiestie came from the Tower and so rode thoroughe London vnto Westminster with as greate royaltie as myght be the streetes beyng hoong and Pageantes in dyuers places erected to testifye the good willes of the Citizens reioycing that it had pleased God to deale so fauourably with the Englishe nation to graunt them suche a towardly yong Prince to their king and soueraigne thus to succede in place of his noble father The morrowe after being Shroue Sunday and .xxv. of February King Edvvard crovvned his coronation was solemnized in due forme and order wyth all the royaltie and honoure whyche therevnto appertayned Shortly after the Coronation to witte the sixte of Marche the Earle of Southampton Lorde Chauncellour of Englande for his too muche repugnancie as was reported in matters of counsell to the residue of the Counsellours about the Kyng The L. Chancellor discharged of his roomth was not onely depriued of hys office of Chancellour but also remoued from his place and authoritie in counsell and the custodie of the greate Seale was taken from him and deliuered vnto Sir William Paulet Lord Saint Iohn that was lord great maister of the kings housholde 〈…〉 Also shortly after his Coronation the kinges Maiestie by the aduice of hys Vncle the Lorde Protectoure and other of hys pryuie counsell myndyng fyrste of all to seeke Gods honour and glorie and thervpon intending a reformation did not only set foorth by certain Commissioners sundrye Iniunctions for the remouyng of Images out of all Churches to the suppressing and auoydyng of Idolatry and superstition within his realmes and dominions â—…lies but also caused certayne Homilies or Sermons to bee drawen by sundrye godly learned men that the same myght bee redde in Churches to the people whythe were afterwardes by certayne of these Commissioners sent forth as visitours accompanyed with certayn Preachers throughout the Realm for the better instruction of the people published and putte in vre At Easter nexte followyng he sette out also an order thorough all the Realme The comâ—…â—… in bothe sides that the Supper of the Lord should be ministred to the lay people in both kindes These thinges done the Lorde Protectour and the reste of the Counsell calling to mynde the euill dealyng and craflye dissimulation of the Scottes concerning the matter of marriage beetwixte the Kynges Maiestye and the Queene of Scotlande whyche marryage as ye haue hearde in the fyue and thirtith yeare of King Henry the eygthe was by authoritie of Parliamente in Scotlande fully concluded thought it not to stande wyth the Kings honour to be in suche manner by them deluded and withall considering howe greatly it shuld tourne to the quietnesse and safetie of bothe Realmes to haue these two Princes conioyned in Matrimonie they dydde deuise sundry wayes and meanes howe the same myghte bee brought to passe Grafton and the rather as some doe write for that Kyng Henry before his death hadde giuen them in speciall charge by all indeuours to procure that the sayde marriage myghte take place but the Lordes of Scotlande were so inueygled and corrupted by the French Kyng and abused by Cardinall Beton Archebishoppe of Saincte Andrews and other of theyr Clergie that they not onely shranke from that whyche they hadde promysed but also sought to destroye those that fauoured the kyng of Englandes parte wherevppon a great and puissaunt armye was now prepared to passe by lande into Scotland and lykewyse a Nauie to passe by sea to attende vppon the same Whereof the greate Galeye and foure and twentie tall shippes were thorougly furnyshed with menne and munitions for the warre besides many merchantes shippes and other smaller vesselles whiche serued for carrynge of victualles and other necessities But nowe to shewe what noble men and other were ordeyned officers and assigned to haue the conduction as well of the ariuye by lande as of the fleete by sea Ye shall vnderstande Chieftaynes in the armye the firste the Duke of Somersette Lorde Protectour tooke vpon hym to goe him selfe in persone as generall of the whole Armie and Capitayne also of the battayle or middle warde wherein were foure thousande footemenne The Marsiall Earle of Warwike appoynted Lorde Lieutenaunt of the same army ledde the foreward conteyning three thousande footemenne The Lord Dacres gouerned in the rereward wherin were other three thousande footmenne The Lorde Grey of Wilton was ordeyned hyghe Marshall of the sayde armye and
theyr baggage Erle of Worcester robbed on the sea and three or foure of theyr men slaine In Fraunce he and his trayne were honourablye receyued At the Christning hee gaue the childe to name Elizabeth They returned into England the seuē and twentith of Februarie In the Moneth of Februarie through sundrie heynous cōplaints brought to the Queenes Maiestie and hir Counsaile of Pirats that kept the narrow Seas doing many robberies The narrow seas scoured as also the robbing of the Earle of Worcester as is aforesayde hir highnesse by the aduise of hir honourable counsaile tooke order with the Lord Admirall of England that he should send to the seas shippes and men to scowre the narrow seas and to apprehende so many Pyrates shippes as might be mette with And for the better doing thereof it pleased hir Maiestie to sende one of hir owne shippes named the Swallowe to bee the Admirall vnder the charge of William Holstock of London Esquire controller of hir highnesse shippes who had with him the Gyllian the Barke Garet and the Barke of Yarmouth and three hundred .lx. able Mariners Gunners and souldiours in the sayde three ships and one bark which scoured the narrow sea from the North forelande as farre Westwarde as Falmouth in Cornwall and tooke .xx. shippes and barkes of sundrie Nations videlicet Englishe Frenche Pirates on the west seas and Flemings but all Pirates and in fashion of warre He apprehended in those shippes and barkes to the number of .ix. hundred men of all nations and sent them to warde to Sandwich Pirates executed Douer Wight and Portsmouth wherof three of them that robbed the Erle of Worcester were shortly after executed at Wight Also the sayde William Holstocke did rescue and take from the abouesayd Pirates shippes xv other marchant ships laden with marchandises that were theyr pryses being of sundrie Nations and set at libertie the said .xv. Marchant shippes and goods which done he returned to Portesmouth and there ended his voyage in March The fourth of March A man hanged in S. Georges fielde a man was hanged in chaynes in S. Georges fielde beyonde Southwarke of London for murthering the Gaylour of Horsham in the same field The .xvij. of March Erle of Kent deceased deceased Reynald Gray of Ruthen Erle of Kent at Hernesey and was buryed at Saint Giles withoute Creplegate Aboute the same tyme dyed Edmonde Lorde Chandos The .xxv. of Marche being Wednesday in Easter weke George Saunders murthered at Shooters hill and the feast of the Annunciation of our Ladie George Browne cruelly murthered two honest men neare to Shooters hill in Kent the one of them was a wealthie Marchant of London named George Saunders the other Iohn Beane of Woolwich whiche murther was commytted in manner as followeth On Tuesday in Easter Weeke the .xxiiij. of Marche the sayde George Browne receyuing secrete intelligence by letter from Mistresse Anne Drurie that Maister Saunders shoulde lodge the same night at the house of one Maister Barnes in Woolwich and from thence goe on foote to Saint Mary Cray The next morning he lay in waite for him by the way a little from Shooters hill and there slue both him and Iohn Bean seruant to maister Barnes but Iohn Bean hauing .x. or .xj. woundes and being left for dead by Gods prouidence did reuine againe and creeping awaye on all foure was founde by an olde man and his Maiden and conueyed to Woolwich where hee gaue euident markes of the Murtherer Immediately vpon the deed doing Browne sent Mystresse Drurie worde thereof by Roger Clement among them called trustie Roger hee himself repayred forthwith to y e court at Greenwich anon after him came thither the report of the murther also Then departed he thence vnto London and came to the house of Mystresse Drurie where though hee spake not personallye with hir after conference had with hir seruaunt trustie Roger she prouided him .xx. pounde that same day for the which she layde certaine plate of hir owne and of Mistresse Sanders to gage On the next morning being Thursday hauing intelligence that Browne was sought for they sent him sixe poundes more by the same Roger warning him to shift for himself by flight which thing he for slowed not to doe neuerthelesse the Lordes of the Queenes Maiesties Counsaile caused so speedie and narrow search to bee made for him that vpon the .xxviij. of the same Moneth he was apprehended in a mans house of his owne name at Rochester and beeing brought backe againe to the Court was examined by the Counsaile vnto whom he confessed the deed as you haue heard and that hee had oftentymes before pretended and sought to doe the same by the instigation of the said mystresse Drurie who had promised to make a maryage betweene him and mystresse Saunders whome hee seemed to loue excessiuely neuertheles he protested though vntruly that mystresse Sanders was not priuy nor consenting therevnto Vpon his confession he was arraigned at the kings Bench in Westminster Hall the .xviij. of Aprill where he acknowledged himselfe guiltie and was condemned as principall of the murther according to which sentence he was executed in Smithfielde on Monday the .xx. of Aprill at which time also vntruly as she hirselfe confessed afterward he laboured by all meanes to cleare mistresse Sanders of committing euill of hir bodie with him George Brow hanged in Smithfield and then flung himselfe besydes the ladder Hee was after hanged vp in Chaynes neare vnto the place where he had done the fact In the meane time mistresse Drurie and hir man being examined as well by their own confessions as by falling out of the matter and also by Brownes appeachment thought culpable were committed to warde And after mistresse Saunders being deliuered of childe and churched for at the tyme of hir husbandes death she looked presently to he down was vpon mistresse Druries mans confession and other great likelihoodes likewise committed to the Tower and on Wednesday the sixt of May arraigned with mistresse Drurie at the Guildhall The effect of whose inditement was that they by a Letter written had beene procurers of the sayde murther and knowing the murther done had by money and otherwyse relieued the murtherer whervnto they pleaded not giltie Anne Sanders Anne Drurie trustie Roger hanged Howbeit they were both condemned as accessaries to maister Sanders death and executed in Smithfield the .xiij. of May beeing Wednesday in the Whitsunweeke at which time they both confessed themselues guiltie of the fact Trustie Roger mystresse Druries man was arraigned on Fryday the .viij. of May and being there condemned as accessarie was executed with his mistresse at the time and place aforesayd Not long after Anthonye Browne hanged at Yorke Anthonie Browne brother to the forenamed George Browne was for notable felonies conueyd from Newgate to York and there hanged The .x. of Aprill seuen pyrates Pirate hanged at Wapping which among other had beene taken on the
feast of Easter 151.23 Bruydon Monasterie 191.105 Bristow Castle besieged 763.90 Breuse William and hys wyfe and children flye the realme for wordes the Lady Breuse spake of king Iohn 566.67 Brabanders famous in skill practise of warre 445.61 Brightwoulf King of Mercia chased by the Danes 206.113 Broc Philip Canon of Bedford arreigned of murder banished the land 402.47 Bridges Agnes doth penance for faining to be possessed by the diuell 1870.46 Broc Raynulfe accursed by Archbyshop Thomas Becket 409.79 Bray wonne 1528.10 Bristow Castle fortifyed by the byshop of Constans 318.55 Brenne Iohn King of Ierusalem commeth into England 622.74 Brian sonne to Robert Earle of Gloucester 379.37 Britaine Dukedome obtayned by Guy sonne to the viscount of Touars husband to Constance Arthures mother 555 84. Bristow castle builded 351.54 Brecknock battell fought by the Englishmen agaynst the Welchmen 324.36 Brereton captaine of the aduenturers slaine 1531.30 Breuse Lady and her sonne takē and sent to prison 570.15 Bridgnorth castle fortifyed against King Henry the first 339.59 Bryson Castle taken by y e Englishmen 524.23 Brimsbery bridge repayred 222.5 Brun hugh Earle of March 560.14 Barnes Doctor burnt 1580.4 Britaines ouerthrowne by the Saxons at Bedford 142.105 Briake in Britaine assaulted by Englishmen pag. 1154. col 1. lin 20. taken col 2. lin 2. Brennus marryeth the Prince of Norway Elsung or Elisings daughter 23.99 Brendholme Edmunde put to death 158.32 Broc Roger seruant to Archbishop Thomas Becket 406.29 Brun Hugh Earle of Marche dyeth 729.46 Brecknock in wales takē 222.18 Britaine holdes furnished with French souldiours 543.51 Brest deliuered to the Duke of Britaine 1090.2 b. Britaine the lesse through ciuil dissention of a fruitfull soyle becommeth a wylde desarte 410.19 Braybroke Henry taken prisoner 624.67 Bridgewater pag. 1321. col 1. lin 15. Brute Greeneshield dyeth and is buried at Yorke 18.60 Bromierd Philip. 1463.18 Brigantes reuolt from the Romanes to Venutius 58.95 Brute encountred by Giauntes in Britaine 15.74 Britaine at the first creatiō was part of the continent 1.28 Britaine Britonant 916.44 b. Duke of Britaine commeth into England 924.46 a. Britons brene the town of Plimouth pag. 1140. col 2. lin 28. woulde haue landed at Dartmouth pag. 1142. col 1. lin 1. their crueltie lin 29. Battell of Graueling 1780.40 Thomas of Brotherton borne 835.45 b. Brute searcheth this land from one end to another 15.68 Bridge of London begun to be made of stone 566.84 Duke of Britaine dyeth 916.7 a. Brightrick put to death 260.44 Nicholas Brembre executed 1071.37 b. Brent Marche pag. 1321. col 1. lin 14. Duke of Britaine aydeth Henry Duke of Lancaster 1105.12 Bristow Castle 371.21 Bromeley towne 277.14 Bricennamere 222.19 Britaine wasted by the Constable 993.33 b. Britaine of the Samothei called first Samothea 2.76 Breause William his craftie dealing with the Welchmen 439.103 Brandon Henry sonne to Charles Duke of Suffolke by the Frenche Queene Created Earle of Lincolne 1526.13 British Monkes and Priestes slaine by Edelfred 154.10 Brighthelme succeedeth Alfin in the Archbyshoprick of Cātorburie 233.82 Bridgnorth Castle surrendred to the King 396.13 Broughty crag wonne by y e Lord Clinton 1630.17 besieged in vaine by Monsieur de Chapell 1635. wonne by Monsieur de Chermes 1702. Bulleyne Thomas Knight sent Ambassadour into France 1506.26 Bulleyne Thomas treasurer of the kynges house created Viscont Rochefort 1536.19 Butler Piers created Earle of Ossory 1550.15 Bulleyne Anne daughter to the Earle of Wylshyre is created Marchionesse of Penbrok 1558.33 goeth w t the Kyng to Calice ead 44. is married to the kyng 1559.33 is crowned Queene 1560.50 is committed to the Tower 1565.5 is beheaded and her speache before 1565.18 Bussey Roger. 391.21 Bussey Iordaine 391.22 Burthred succeedeth Bertwolf in the kyngdome of Mercia and marrieth Ethelswida sister to Ethelwolfus 207.110 Burialles found of late vppon Ashdone in Essex 256.1 Burcher Peter his manifold madnesse desperate deedes and shamefull death 1869.44 Bulgarie in olde time called Mesia 103.31 Bunghey Castle made playne with the ground 445.22 Buly king of Powsey in Wales 122.58 Burthred constrained to forsake his countrey goeth to Rome and there dyeth 212.24 Bunghey castle 436.5 Bury Abbey spoyled by the Danes 249.75 Buren Count at the siege of Muttrel 1594.45 Burthred Kyng of Mercia expulsed out of his kingdome by the Danes 218.89 Buckinghamshyre wasted by the Danes 245.71 Burnyng feuers reignyng in England 314.26 Bunduica looke Voadicia Buckingham Castles builded 221.45 Burgenild daughter to Kyng Kenvulf of Mercia 205.40 Bullenberg assaulted by Chastillion and valiantly defended 1640.40 Buying and selling of men in England prohibited 341.34 Bulmer Wylliam knight 1448.46 Philip Duke of Burgoigne marrieth the Earle of Flanders daughter 976.45 b. Buckenburne Robert attainted 1425.45 Duches of Burbon taken prisoner 979.20 a Bucke Iohn attainted 1425.51 Burwham 1463.24 Boyham castle wonne 1529.35 The Burse built 1836.30 proclaimed by Herought Trumpetter the Royall Exchange 1857.44 Bulles agaynst breakers of statutes 1098.1 b Bullocke Martin hanged 1862.13 Robert Burnel bishop of Bathe 791.58 a. Burthred Kyng of Mercia marrieth kyng Ethelwolfus daughter 206.9 Burgh Hubert marryed to Margaret the king of Scotlands sister 619.73 Burdee pag. 1381. col 1. lin 14. Bulleyne Thomas Viscont Rochefort created Earle of Wylshyre 1553.10 Burton vpon Trent 583.64 Bulmer Iohn knight put to death 1570.10 Bulleyne besieged 1595.8 yeelded 1796.40 Bulles from the Pope agaynst Wicliffe 1008.20 b. Burgoigne spared for money 965.49 a. A Bull from Rome hanged on the byshop of Londons gate 1852.27 Burdiaur yeelded to the Frēch pag. 1285. col 2. lin 14. Burials of traytours and felous permitted 874.40 a. Bury Abbay spoyled 885.20 b. Bu◅yris slayne by Hercules in Egypt 5.106 Burgh Hubert created Earle of Kent 630.103 Simon Burleis lyfe and erecution 1072.16 a. Burgh Hubert appoynted warden of the Marches betwixt England and Wales 551.110 Brumpton Wylli of Burford attainted 1425.55 Bulmer Wylliam knyght discomfiteth the Lord Hume 1487.34 C. Castles in England commaunded to be rased 389.63 Castles suffred to stand contratrarie to couenaunt 392.59 Cartbridge Castle vppon Seuerne builded 216.75 Carausius slayeth Bassianus the King 78.58 Carausius a Britaine getteth together a great armie of Britaines to expell the Romanes out of Britaine 78.64 Cadwallo slayne and his huge armie vanquished 165.19 Cadwalloes Image set vp for a terrour 165.26 Cadwallo beginneth to ◅eygne ouer Britaine 165.81 Cadwallo vanquished by Edwine fleeth into Scotlande Ireland and Armorike Britaine 166.37 Cadwallo departeth this lyfe 167. Cadwalloes body enclosed in an Image of brasse and set ouer Ludgate in Londō 167.41 Caerlton now called Gloucester 51.53 Cangi now the inhabitants of Denbighshyre in Wales 54.7 Cangi or Denbighshyre men vanquished by the Romanes 54.16 Camulodunum peopled wyth bandes of olde souldiers 54.38 Camulodunum where it standeth 54.49 55.15 Cadwallan Prince of Wales traytrously slayne 453.25 Cadwalline looke Cadwallo Cadwallo King of Britaynes rebelleth against Edwyne 163.45 Crueltie of Cadwallo Penda in their victorie ouer the Northumbers 164.1 Cary castle 368.75
is restored to him agayne 575.81 Iohn king maketh him selfe vassal to the Pope 575.85 Iohn king sweareth togethers with 16. Earls and Barons to stand to the iudgement of the Church of Rome 575.116 Iohn king his Charter of submission to the Pope 576.12 Iohn king doth homage to the Pope 576.77 Iohn king sendeth preparation of warres of Shippes and men into Flaunders to aide the Earle of Flaunders agaynst the French king 578.8 Iohn king writeth to the Archbyshop of Canterburie and other byshops in banishment to reurne into England 581.11 they returne 581.26 Iohn king kneeleth downe at the Archbyshop of Canterburies feete and craueth forgeuenesse at his hands 581.32 Iohn king desireth to be assoyled 581.44 he is assoyled 581.57 Iohn king sayleth ouer seas into Poictou 581.76 he returneth backe agayne into England 581.96 Iohn king commaundeth that the Lawes of king Henrie the first his Grandfather should be obserued in England 582.5 Iohn king assembleth an armie to goe agaynst those Lordes that refused to goe with him to Poictou 582.18 but the Archbyshop of Canterburie threatning to excommunicate those that should assist him he leaueth of his enterprise 582 25. Iohn king repenteth of his promises made vppon his reconciliation to the Pope 582.39 Iohn king commended to the Pope to bee an humble Prince 583.39 Iohn king goeth into Fraunce with a great armie 584.20 Iohn kings daughter Iane affied to the Earle of March 584.62 Iohn king inuadeth Britaine 585.43 the Britayns ioyne battaile with him 585.53 and are put to flight 585.55 Iohn king supposeth nothing prospered wel with him since he subiected him selfe to the Church of Rome 586.13 Iohn king taketh truce with the French king 586.28 Iohn king returneth into England 586.31 Iohn king taketh on him the crosse to goe into the Holy land 587.83 Iohn king prepareth an armie and fortifieth diuers castles for his saftie against his Barons 588.5 Iohn king is moued by the Archbyshop of Canterburie to satisfie the requestes of the Barons 588.22 The king refuseth so to do 588.28 The Barons goe to armour agaynst him 588.30 he sendeth to them to knowe their myndes therein 588.70 Iohn king left desolate of friendes 589.50 Iohn king sendeth Ambassadours to the Barōs 589.26 Iohn king yeeldeth to the Barons subscribeth and sealeth to their Articles concerning the Liberties demaunded 590 12. Iohn king his impacient and made behauiour after his agreement with the Barons 591.3 Iohn king sendeth Ambassadours to the Pope 591.52 Iohn king sendeth ouer sea for Souldiers 591.64 Iohn king lyeth in the I le of Wight obscurely 591.74 he goeth from place to place vndecently 591.96 Iohn king sendeth Ambassadours agayne to the Pope to shewe that the Barons refuse to stand to his prescript 592.69 Iohn king goeth into the I le of Wight 592.72 Iohn king besiegeth the Castle of Rochester 593.1 it is yelded to the king 593.19 Iohn king deuideth his great armie into two parts 595.1 and with the one part he goeth himself Northward 593 Iohn king goeth into Scotland and taketh the Castle of Barwicke 595.61 Iohn the yongest sonne of Henry the second proclaymed king 542.1 Iohn king generally receyued as king 542.76 Iohn king keepeth his Easter at Beaufort in Aniou 543.64 Iohn king girded with the Sworde of the Duchie of Normandie by the handes of the Archbyshoppe of Rowen 543.68 Iohn king inuested Duke of Normandie 543.68 Iohn king taketh his othe in Normandy 543.72 Iohn king commeth ouer into England 544.7 Iohn king Landed at Horcham 544.8 Iohn king commeth to London to receiue the crowne 544.10 Iohn king brought to Westminster by the Nobilitie and Commons to receyue his Diademe 544.13 Iohn king crowned 544.76 Iohn king receyueth homage of the Lordes and Barons 545 1. Iohn king his answeare to the Scottish Ambassadors 545 72. Iohn king requireth the kyng of Scotland to meete with him at Nottingham 545.78 Iohn k. maketh preparation into Normandie 546.6 Iohn king passeth ouer into Normandie 546.17 Iohn king and the French king common personally togeather 546.70 Ioane sister to king Iohn dyed 447.7 Iohn king returneth into England 548.15 Iohn king leuith a subsidie 548.17 Iohn king goeth to Yorke 548.18 Iohn king sayleth into Normandie 548.21 Iohn king doth homage to the French king 548.47 Iohn king returneth into England 548.72 Iohn king leeseth the goodwil of his subiectes 548.100 Iohn king goeth into Normandie 548.103 Iohn king diuorced 548.105 Iohn king maried to a newe wife 548.109 Issue king Iohn had by his newe wife 548.111 Iohn king returneth into England and causeth his newe wife to be crowned 549 38. Iohn king conceyueth displeasure against white Monkes 549.43 Iohn king taketh the white Monkes into fauor 551.43 Iohn king holdeth his Christmas at Guildford 551.71 Iohn king keepeth his Easter at Cantorburie 551.86 Iohn king the Queene passe into Normandie 552.16 Iohn king goeth into Fraunce with the French king 552.28 Iohn king returneth out of Fraunce into Normandye 552.49 Iohn king commeth vppon his enemyes not looked for and sleaeth them 553.51 Iohn king writeth ouer into England vnto his barons of hys good successe agaynst his enemies 554.13 Iohn king returneth into Englande and is crowned again at Cantorburie and so passeth backe into Normandye 554.61 Iohn king cyted to appeare before the Frenche kyng to answeare to the death of Arthur Duke of Britayne 555 90. Iohn king gyueth himself ouer to banquetting and other delightes 556.40 Iohn king commeth into England 557.43 Iohn king accuseth his nobles of slothfulnes in ayding him and therefore putteth them to their fynes 557.57 Iohn king prepareth an armye to goe into Fraunce 560.64 Iohn king is perswaded not to goe to the warres 560.83 Iohn king chargeth some of the Nobilitie with treason 561.15 Iohn king goeth ouer to Rochel with an armie of men 562.65 Iohn king returneth into England 563.61 Iohn king repayreth the Citie of Angiers 564.10 Iohn king writeth to the Pope 564.81 Iohn king and the Realme accursed 566.17 Iohn king his dealings wyth the Prelacie after the Interdiction pronounced 566.31 Iohn king prepareth to besiege London wherin the Barons dyd lye who opened y e gates and would haue gyuen hym battayle but he retyred back 598.48 Iohn king prepareth a Nauie of shippes to encounter Lewes the French kings sonne by sea but by Tempest hys shippes are dispersed and drowned 598.60 Iohn king sendeth once againe to the Pope 598.69 Iohn king his souldiers for the most part forsake him 600.70 and goe to Lewes 600.72 Iohn king maketh hauocke in the possessions of his aduersaries 604.32 Iohn king of Fraunce raunsomed 967.3 a. set at libertie 967.40 b. Iohn Cornweale knight marieth the kings sister pa. 1132. col 1. lin 26. Iohn the French king dyeth in England 969.34 b. Iohn Olde Castle knight accused pa. 1166. col 1. lin 50. sent to the Towre col 2. lin 16. escaped thence lin 28. shyfted for himself pa. 1188. col 2. lin 52. taken pa. 1191 col 1. lin 9. executed lin 30.
second daughter to Leir 19.96 Maglanus Duke of Albania discomfited and slayne 20.55 Maudes Castle in Wales 537.74 Mary the daughter of Henry the second French Queene and Duches of Suffolke dyeth 1561.4 Maximilian the Emperour weareth a crosse of Saint George 1484.36 Maxentius Emperour hated for his tyrannie 90.93 Marentius sonne to Maximianus Herculeus the Emperour 91.6 Margaret countesse of Salisburie executed 1581.4 Mandeuyle William loseth his standerd 610.1 Mallorie Iohn 1462.11 Marshal Richard Earle of Penbroke sayleth into Ireland 645.30 is taken prisoner 645.37 dieth of a wound 645.48 Marshal Gilbert made Earle of Penbroke and Marshal of Henry the thyrds house 646 2. Manchester towne repayred 222.72 Magna Carta confirmed by Henry the third 626.50 Martan Nunrie founded 726 36. Maximianus and Dioclesianus renounce the rule of the Empire 89.34 Marshal William Earle of Penbroke dieth 617 16. Matthew Earle of Bullongne slayne 429.34 Magus expert in the course of the Starres 2.57 Makarel Doctor hanged 1570.36 Malmesbury Abbey founded 190.19 Monkes of Couentrie displaced and secular Canons set in their roumthes 494.89 Manlius Valeus and his Legion vanquished by the Britanes 51.50 Marcharus fleeth into Scotland 298.62 Marisch William executed 703.76 Marcus the Lieutenant slayne in a tumult 97.119 Matthew of Westminstr deceyued 141.49 Magistrates of the Citie of London deposed by Henry the third 621.34 Margret sister to Edward the fourth pag. 1317. col 2. lin 11. Maximinus vaÌ„quished at Tarsus and eaten with lice 91.67 Mamertinus cited 33.42 Mandeuile Iohn cited 227.24 Margaret countesse of Lisle deceaseth 730.68 Malmesburie builded 23.51 Mauus looke Aruiragus Mackbeth slayne 275.63 Maldon 221.2 Marcellinus cited 3.80 Mauus deliuered to king Iohn 547.30 Mary Queene of man 803.50 b. Martin de la Mare pag. 1328 col 1. lin 1. Masse abrogated and forbidden 1640.32 is restored 1722.56 is eftsons abrogated 1797.27 Mather Edmond executed for treason 1861.37 Margret sister to Edgar Edeling married to Malcolme the fourth king of Scottes 298.74 Marlebourgh Castle besieged and rendred to the Bishop of Durham 516.42 Maydes sent ouer into litle Britayne for wiues to the inhabitantes 95. Malta assigned to the knightes of the Rhodes 1554.58 Malchus consecrated Byshop of Waterfoord in Ireland 328.35 Earle of March dieth in France 967.12 b. Malmesburie Castle builded 371.71 Manduit Robert drowned 357.112 Margret daughter to king Edward the third borne 943.40 a. Marham Iustice 1123. col 2. lin 40. Mary daughter vnto Henry the right is dishinherited by the will of king Edward 1714.20 Her letter vnto the Councell after the discease of her brother 1716. their answere vnto it 1717.10 fleeth to the Castle of fremingham whither forces repaire vnto her from all partes 1717.50 is proclaimed Quene 1718.40 entering the towre releaseth dyuers prisoners 1720.35 restoreth to thir sees all the Bishoppes depriued in the reigne of King Edward and remoueth all Bishoppes made in those dayes 1721.10 Crowned 1722.40 â–ª publisheth a pardoÌ„ with many exceptions ead 50. assigneth Commissioners to take order with men excepted out of the pardon and other eadem 10. holdeth a Parliament eadem 28. sendeth for Cardinall Poole 1723.5 commaundeth a publique disputation to be holden eadem 41. is espoused vnto Philip prince of Hispaine 1724.4 her Oration in the Guildhal 1728.26 her stout courage 1731.40 pardoneth two hundred and twenty rebels 1734.53 holdeth a Parlament 1735.4 is maried to Philip prince of Hispaine 1756.55 the conditions of the mariage eadem 46. holdeth a Parlament 1759.34 setteth at libertye diuers prisoners in the towre 1763.17 sendeth ambassadours vnto Rome 1763.40 holdeth a parliament 1765 10. releaseth the first fruits and tenthes 1764.16 constantly supposed to be with child 1764.40 proclaymeth warre against y e french king and sendeth an armye into France 1767.40 taketh the losse of Calice at the hart 1782.40 dyeth eadeÌ„ 50. is honourably buryed 1785.22 Maximus king of Britain looke Maximianus Maude queene sueth to Maud Empresse to release Kyng Stephen and is repulsed 377.4 Maximianus Dioclesianus felowes in gouerment of the Empire 83.16 Marius sonne to Aruiragus begynneth to raigne ouer Britaine 66.108 Maximilian the Emperour dieth 2506.50 The Mary Rose drowned 1602.40 MauÌ„t citie burnt by king William 314.47 Maude wife to king Stephen departeth this lyfe 386.11 Mary queene of Hungary dieth 1786.11 Marcus Papyrius smiteth a Gual on the head is therefore slaine 26.49 Margaret sister to Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester maryed to Iohn Bohun 323.65 Maudes Castle repayred by Henry the third 638.63 Manrishe Geffrey Lord chiefe Iustice of Ireland 636.19 Mary the Scottish queene maryed vnto Fraunces Dolphin of Fraunce 1778.51 Mack William a Burgh created Earle of Clarickford 1590.11 Marentius the Emperor slain by Constantinus 91.70 Margaret Countesse of Richmond her wisedome in aduising her nephewe Henry the eight 1464.40 Malmesbury Abbey fleeced of possessions 195.28 Marton Colledge founded 794.53 a Marshal William Earle of Pembroke appoynted gouernor to Henry the third 609 5. Magus the second king of Celtica 2.84 Magi from whence deriued 2.104 Magus or Magi what it signifieth 2.108 Martias gouernmeÌ„t â—â—mmended 29.40 Malbanke Pierce Baron of Nantwich 323.45 Margaret Countesse of Salisbury daughter to Edward Duke of Clarence pa. 1350 col 2. lin 42. Marshal William sent into Normandy with men of armes 551.104 Mac Mur principal rebel of Ireland 1103.57 b. offreth to parlee with the king 1104.43 a Mauleon Sauery reuolteth to the French king 624.41 Mathew Paris cited 325.74 and. 329.18 Matthâ—…us Westmonasteriensis cited 22.61 and. 28.31 and. 29.78 Marshal William Earle of Pembroke vanquisheth his enemyes 614.20 Maud Empresse confesseth her selfe to haue bene naught of her body 392.15 Marcharus imprisoned againe by king William Rufus 317.36 Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Darby mother to Henry the seuenth pa. 1326 co 1. lin 15. Mackbeth vsurper of y e crowne of Scotland put to flight by Earle Siward 275.59 Masters of the Vniuersitie of Oxford summoned to be at the Parlament 745.60 Mattheus Westmonasteriensis cited 240.23 and. 240 35. and. 261.19 and. 284 82. Mary daughter to Henrye the eight borne 1498.51 Marc a Celtike word 4.102 Marianus Scotus cited 116 53. Magnus elected king of the Norwegians after the death of king Cnute 266.76 Margaret Countesse of MouÌ„tfourts valiaÌ„tnes 916.30 a Myls borne downe with yee 324.25 Melun besieged by the Englishe pag. 1209. col 2. li. 16. yeelded pa. 1210. col 2. li. 6 Memorancie of Fraunce aydeth Owen Glendour pag. 1149. col 2. lin 50. Meschines Randulfe Earle of Chester 323.18 Medwal Henry 1463.16 Mekins Richard a buye burnt 1581.22 Menlane yeelded to the Englishe pag. 1202. col 2. lin 37. Meaur deliuered to the french pag. 1263. col 1. lin 48. Merton Abbey founded by Gilbert a Norman 649.16 Messengers from the Frenche king 873.48 a. Mercia rebelleth against Oswy 176.46 Mercies recouer both theyr confines and libertie 176.51 Mercia annexed to kyng Edwardes dominions 221.105 Mercie riuer 222.6 Meidhamsted Abbey builded 181.11 Meidhamstede now called Peterborough 181.11 Meanuari a
the greatest part of Shropshyre which the Welch occupied not Lancaster Glocester Hereford alias Hurchforde Warwijc and Hertforde shyres the rest of whose territories were holden by such princes of other kingdomes thorow force 〈◊〉 bordered vpoÌ„ the same And thus much haue I thought good to leaue in memorye of the aforesaid kingdomes not omitting in y e meane time somewhat here to remember of the diuision of the Island also into Prouinces as the Romaines seuered it whiles they remayned in these parts Which being done I hope that I haue fullye discharged whatsoeuer is promised in the title of this Chapter The Romaines therefore hauing obteined the possession of this Island deuided the same at y e last into fiue Prouinces The first wherof was named BritaÌ„nia prima â—…itannia â—…ma conteined the east part of England as some doe gather froÌ„ y e Trent vnto y e Twede The second was called Valentia â—…lentia included the West side as they note it froÌ„ Lirpole vnto Cokermouth The thirde hight Britannia secunda â—…itannia â—…cunda and was that portion of the Ile which laye Southwardes betwéene the Trent and the Thames The fourth was surnamed Flauia Cesariensis â—…auia Ceâ—…iensis and contayned all the countrey which remayned betwéene Douer the Sauerne I meane by south of the Thames and wherevnto in lyke sort Cornewall and Wales were orderly assigned The fift and last part was then named Maxima Cesariensis â—…axima â—…esarienâ—… now Scotland The most barren of all the reast yet not vnsought out of the Romaines bicause of the great plentie of fishe and foule fine Alabastar and harde Marble that are ingendred and to be had in the same for furniture of housholde and curious buylding wherein they much delited Of the auncient Religion vsed in this Island from the comming of Samothes vnto the conuersion of the same vnto the faith of Christ Cap. 8. IT is not to be doubted but at the first and so long as the posteritie of Iaphet onelye reigned in this Islande that the true knowledge and forme of religion brought in by Samothes â—…amothes was exercised among the Britains And although peraduenture in processe of time either thorow curiositie or negligence y e onely corrupters of true pietie and godlynesse it might a little decay yet when it was at the woorst it farre excéeded the best of that which afterwarde came in with Albion and his Chemminites as maye be gathered by vewe of the supersticious rites which Cham and hys successours dyd plant in other countries yet to be found in Authors What other learning Magus the sonne of Samothes taught after his fathers death wheÌ„ he also came to the kingdome Magus beside thys which concerned the true honoring of God I can not easily saye but that it shoulde bée naturall Philosophie and Astrology wherby his disciples gathered a kinde of foreknowledge of thinges to come the verye vse of the worde Magus among the Persians doth yéeld no incerteine testimony In lyke maner Sarron it shoulde séeme that Sarron sonne vnto the sayde Magus diligentlye followed the steppes of hys father thereto opened Schooles of learning in sundrie places both among the Celtes and Britaines whereby such as were his Auditours grewe to be called Sarronides notwithstanding Samothei Semnothei that aswell the Sarronides as the Magi otherwise called Magusei Druiydes were generally called Samothei or Semmothei of Samothies stil among the Grecians as Aristotle in his de magia doth confesse and calling them Galles hée addeth thereunto that they first brought the knowledge of Letters and good learning vnto the Gréekes Druiyus the sonne of Sarron as a scholler of his fathers owne teaching séemed to be exquisite in all thinges Druiyus that pertayned vnto the deuine or humaine knowledge and therfore I may safely pronounce that he excelled not onely in the skill of Philosophie and the Quadriuialles but also in the true Theologie whereby the right seruice of God was kept preserued in puritie He wrote moreouer sundry precepts and rules of religious doctrine which among the Celtes were reserued very religiously and had in great estimation among such as sought vnto them Howe and in what order this Prince left the state of religioÌ„ Corrupters of religion I meane for those publike orders in administration of particular rites and ceremonies as yet I do not reade howbeit this is most certayne that after he dyed the purity of his doctrine began somewhat to decaye for such is the nature of man that it wil not suffer any good thing long to remaine as it is left but either by additioÌ„ or substraction of this or that to or from the same so to chop chaunge withal froÌ„ time to time that there is nothing of more difficulty for such as doe come after theÌ„ then to find out the puritie of the originall and restore the same againe vnto hir former perfection In the beginning this Druiyus did preach vnto his bearers Caesar that the soule of man is immortall that God is omnipotent mercyfull as a father in shewing fauor vnto the godly and iust as an vpright Iudge in punishing of the wicked That the secrets of mans hart are not vnknowen and only knowen to him and that as the worlde and all that is therein had their beginning by him at his owne will so shall all things likewise haue an end when he shal sée his time He taught them also howe to obserue the courses of y e heauens Strabo li. 4. Socton lib. success Cicero diuinat 1. and motions of the planetes to finde out the true quantities of the celestiall bodyes and thereto the compasse of the earth and hidden natures of thinges contayned in the same But alas this integritie continued not long among his successours for vnto the immortality of the soule they added that after death it went in to another bodye the seconde or succedent being alwayes eyther more noble or more vile than the former as the partie deserued by his merites whylest he liued here on earth Plinius lib. 16. cap. vltimo For said they of whoÌ„ Pythagoras also had and taught this errour if the soule appertayned at y e first to a king he in this estate did not leade his lyfe woorthie of this calling it should after his decease be shut vp in y e bodie of a slaue begger cocke Owle Dogge Ape Horse Asse Worme or Monster there to remaine as in a place of purgation punishmeÌ„t for a certaine periode of time Beside this it should peradueÌ„ture sustaine often translation from one bodie vnto another according to the quantitie and qualitie of his dooinges here on earth till it should finally be purified and restored againe to all other humaine bodie wherein if it behaued it selfe more orderly then at the first after the next death it shoulde be preferred eyther to the bodie of a king or other great estate And thus they