put in trust craued vengeance from heauen and instantly intended to reuenge it himselfe then hauing notice the Earle was at Lichfield and his partie increased by daily repaire incontinently hee marshalled his followers and like a valiant Captaine and politike leader set forward his Battailes fiue and fiue in a rancke In the middest of his troopes he bestowed the Carriages belonging to his Army and himselfe mounted vpon a white Courser inuironed with his Guard followed by his footmen and the wings of Horsemen ranged on euery side with a frowning sterne countenance but yet in great Pompee ntred the towne of Leicester after the Sun was set being full of indignation and swelling in anger which somewhat he asswaged with threats of reuenge 49 Earle Richmund from Lichfield departed for Tamworth and in the way met Sir Thomas Bourchier and Sir Walter Hungerford going towards the King who vpon this vnlooked for occasion and knowing themselues in what suspition they stood secretly left the company of their Captaine Brakenbury the night following and wandring in waies vnknowne with much adoe gotte safely vnto the Earles Companies 50 In the like danger through darkenesse of night Henry himselfe chanced to come for albeit he was a man both valiant and forwad and by his owne wisdome could manage his weightiest affaires Yet now hauing notice that King Richard with a strong army was neere and that his father in law the Lord Stanley stood as a Neuter he was strucke deepe in his dumps and with twenty light Horse-men lingering behind so seriously musing what was to bee done as lastly he lost the sight of his Host and by the darkenesse of night missed his way neither durst he for the Kings Scout-watch demand direction to Tamworth but lay in a small village about three miles distant to his no little griefe and his whole Armies great amasement the one prognosticating it to be a presage of an ill beginning and the other doubting some detriment of their Lord but in the dawning of the next morning cōducted by good fortune he came to his Host excusing that his absence was to haue conference with his secret friends and then priuily departing to the Lord Stanley had conference with him and was put in good comfort 51 But contrariwise King Richard was wrapped and perplexed with feare not onely with the departure of Sir Iohn Sauage Sir Brian Sanford and Sir Simond Digby in whom he had reposed great trust but also in the dreadfull dreames which nightly he suffered wherein to his seeming terrible diuels so pulled and haled him as by nomeanes he could take any rest which fearefull imaginations strucke so deep an impression vnto his heart that the signes thereof appeared in his countenance howsoeuer hee sought to put them off in shew 52 But being determined to put himselfe to the triall of battell or else and that rather enforced by diuine Iustice to pull the reuenging hand of heauen against him in the morning he marched toward the enemy and vpon a faire plaine called Redmore neere vnto Bosworth about seuen miles west from Leicester he pitched downe his Tents and thence sent a Purseuant to the Lord Stanley commanding him to aduance ◅orward with his companie and to come to his presence which if hee refused to doe he sware by Christs passion his sonnes head should off before that he dined The Lord Stanley answered the Purseuant that if the King did so he had more sonnes aliue but to come to the King hee was not at that time determined This answere declared King Richard commanded the Lord Strange incontinent to be beheaded at the very season when the two Armies came in sight each of others but his counsellors tolde him that the time was now to fight and not to execute which might better bee done when the field was fought whereupon the Lord Strange was deliuered prisoner to the keepers of the Kings Tents and the Kings holy vow thus broke the Lord Strange escaped with life by this bad tyrants too good a death 53 But now the time and houre of Battel being come he drew out his Army vpon the plaine whose order for fight he thus placed the foreward he ordered of a maruellous length to strike the more terror in the Beholders hearts in whose forefront he placed his Archers as a Bulwarke to defend the rest the leading whereof was committed to Iohn Duke of Norfolke with whom was Thomas Earle of Surrey his sonne his owne Battaillion was furnished with his best approued men of warre hauing Horsmen for wings on both sides of his battel and being thus ordered for their further incouragement King Richard mounted in place to bee heard thus said to his Souldiers 54 My faithfull followers friends and selected Chiefetaines I confesse by your puissant valours I first aspired to the top of this royal estate in obtaining wearing this Diademe of Imperiall Maiesty and maugre the seditious attempts of all cankered aduersaries by your prudent politike counsels I haue so gouerned the Realm People and Subiects as I haue omitted nothing I hope appertaining to the office of a iust Prince nor you pretermitted any thing belonging to the parts duties of most prudent Counsellors And albeit that in the getting of the Garlād I was prouoked by sinister Counsell and seduced by a diabolical temptation to cōmit a most wicked detestable Act yet with salt teares and straite pennance I haue I trust expiated that hainous offence which abominable crime I desire you as clearely to forget as I daily remember to deplore and lament If you will now vouchsafe to call to minde in what case we al stand and in what doubtfull perill wee are intrapped I doubt not but that you will with me confesse that if euer amity preuailed betwixt the raised and the raisers betwixt the Prince and his Subiects this day requires as much in vs both For if wise men say true that there is not so much power in getting as there is pollicy in keeping the one meere fortunes chance the other wisdoms deepe insight then I with you and you with mee this day must needs take labour and paines to keepe that preheminence possession by force which by your prudent labour I haue obtained The diuel you know a continuall enemy to humane society a disturber of Concord and a sower of sedition hath entred into the heart of an vnknowne Welshman whose father I neuer knew nor him euer personally saw exciting him to aspire and couet our Realme and Crowne to the disheriting of vs and of our posterity you see further how a company of Traitors Theeues Out-lawes and runnagtes of our owne Nation besides a number of beggerly Britaines and faint hearted Frenchmen are ayder◅ and partakers of this his wicked enterprize ready at hand to oppresse and spoile vs our lands our wiues and children which eminent mischiefes if we then will withstand and resist wee must
Alexander in seeing Achilles tombe with an ambitious yet honorable emulation sighed and said Hast thou at my yeres atchieued the conquest of the whole world my selfe hitherto hauing done no memorable act Euer after which he disdained that his petty charge and made suite to the Senate to be dismissed holding that the cloude which ouershadowed his following and soone after flowing fortunes And forthwith returning to Rome obserued euery occasion that might make him gratious in the peoples eies hauing the aduantage of the time which then was swaied with most dislikes and entring into many factions yea and some of them not without suspition of conspiracy did notwithstanding so manage his proceedings that their constructions were euer made honorable and himselfe the man by all assents that did support the glory of their State vnto whom offices of high dignities were assigned which daily increased his credit and power And in the time of his Consulship tooke vpon him the gouernment of Gallia where he remained ten yeeres together and forbare no occasion for warre were it neuer so vniust or dangerous Insomuch that framing a Bridge of wood ouer the broad and swift riuer Rhene he entred the country of the Sweuians being the first Romane that assailed the Germans And thence with victory returning found his charge the Gaules in quiet both which fortunes were as spurres to his aspiring minde and set his thoughts to worke vpon other attempts 2 For now intending a voiage into Britaine he prepared thitherward as well to inlarge the extent of his ambition and glory as to satisfy himselfe with the sight and seate of the Iland as for a further knowledge of those people the inhabitants after whom he had most diligently inquired yet by no relation could find content But his pretence was reuenge against the Britains for that thence as himselfe speaketh the Gaules had receiued most of their supplies against him in all his warres or as some haue written for the desire of Pearles that therein plentifully grew whose beauty and weight he had oft obserued But because the summer was almost spent and that the voiage seemed dangerous through want of knowledge either for place of entrance or safety in harbour for our learned countriman Roger Bacon was doubtlesse in an error who thinketh that Caesar set vp perspectiue glasses on the coast of France and thence saw all the ports and creeks in England he thought good to send one Caius Volusenus a military Tribune in a galley before him giuing sufficient instructions for so great an enterprise in hand himselfe drawing towards those parts of Gallia that lay neerest coasted vnto Britaine thence expecting his successe 4 But now composing his affaires in Gallia and hauing ready an hundred ships wanting but two besides many Gallies also for transporting his army he loosed from the shoare hauing a good wind about the third watch of the night taking order for his horsemen to imbarke with all speed and follow after him himselfe early in the morning attained the sight of Britaine whose cliffes he found couered with armed men and place for entrance so naturally beset and strengthned with steepe hills and rocks that hee there cast anchor and called to counsell the Legats and Tribunes declaring vnto them the danger of the hauen that gaue such aduantage to their enemy whose darts from the higher ground might much impeach their arriuage and therefore determined their landing elsewhere 5 Their Counsell was no sooner dismissed but Caesar both tide and wind fitting him not foreslowing the occasion gaue signe of remoue and some eight miles distant came to a plaine and open shoare and made preparation to land his men Thither also the Britaines had remooued part of their forces and so valiantly withstood the enemies that Caesar himselfe though wholly addicted to honor himselfe and his Romans yet confesseth that his army was sore ouerlaid and terrified with that incounter and had they not been assisted from the Gallies with an vnusuall kind of Engines which did beat backe the Britaines vnexpert of that strange manner of assault from the shoare the Romans had not set foot on British soile neither durst they then aduenture it vntill the standard-bearer for the tenth legion desperately leapt foorth of the ship with his Eagle calling on the danted souldiers and asking whether they would dastardly forsake their ensigne and betray it through cowardize to the enemy which opprobry prouoked them to follow his example and so they got the shoare after an encounter fierce and terrible on both parts as Caesar acknowledgeth But the first of all euen before the Stander-bearer who put courage into the Romans and taught them how to deale was as testifieth Eutropius one Scaeua a Britaine who formerly had fled to Caesar and guiding foure other souldiers in a boat to a rock nere the shore where the tide leauing them his fellowes slunke backe in the boat but hee most boldly defended himselfe from the rocke against the Britains like a Beare at a stake among a multitude of mastiues till hauing all his armour broken in peeces and himselfe all wounded with darts he swamme to the fleet and begging pardon for his foole-heady forwardnesse Caesar both forgaue him and rewarded his valour with the honour of a Centurion and hee did Caesar afterwards noble seruice at Dyrrachium in the ciuill warres Caesar confessing that hee alone saued the fortification against Pompey at which time his target was shewed to Caesar hauing 230. holes pierced in it by the enemie whereof Iosephus Iscanus that ancient Poet of Excester writeth thus Hinc Scaeua satus pars non obscura tumultûs Ciuilis Magnum solus qui mole soluta Obsedit meliorque stetit pro Caesare murus The Britaine Scaeua in ciuill warres well knowne Besig'd the Great and rampiers ouerthrowen Was Caesars wall more strong then wall of stone The first attempt assaied that is warranted by any true Record for the conquest of this Iland which happened in the yeere of the worlds creation 3873. and before the birth of our Sauiour Christ 54. 6 This enterprise for landing thus atchieued Caesar charged so fiercely vpon the enemie that hee put them to flight but wanting his horsemen to follow the chase which as yet were not arriued he proceeded no further but encamped his host vpon a great plaine not farre from the Sea and not without likelihood thought to be Barham Downe for so neere lay it vpon the shoare that thence he beheld the dispersion and losse of his 18. ships comming vnder saile with his horsemen to his assistance through the violence of a storme and rage of Sea 7 In the meane time the Britaines that after flight had againe recouered head and in their assemblies aduisedly considered their imminent dangers concluded their submission for the safest remedie and to that end sent their second Embassadours vnto Caesar with
whom Comius before remembred was imploied whom they had retained in strait prison for Caesars cause but now made him a meane to worke their peace which was granted after some soft and gentle reproofes with hostages receiued for performance of Couenants and resort of their Nobles to Caesars campe to yeeld themselues and Cities to his will 8 These Britaines although rude in regard of the Romanes and vnmatchable to them in educated ciuilitie yet were so skilfull in the affaires of warre and so ready to discerne the least aduantage that they easily perceiued the weaknesse of Caesars power both in want of horsemen to equall their wagons wherein chiefly stood the strength and order of their fight as also of ships for seruice and safety as occasions should be offred whereby their mindes touching their promised submission began to wauer and the matter with better aduice to be pleaded in their assemblies for that not only these foresaid ships for Caesars supply were dispersed and hindred but euen his owne flect which lay then in harbour by the rage of winde and sea beeing then spring tide and the moone in the full was not onely filled with waues but also their tacklings sailes and anchours spoiled or lost the violent storme so dashing the bulkes one against another that their bruised bottomes were thereby made vnfit for burden 9 This losse was so great that it is accounted the first of the three aduerse fortunes which euer happened to Caesar in all his proceedings and it was so well obserued by the Britaines that immediately they intended a reuolt and in Counsell vrged this as the materiall point that breathed hope and life to their former liberties condemning themselues as impious if they should refuse to ioine consent with the heauens whose elements had thus farre fought for their freedome and full deliuerance assuring themselues if on this aduantage they might cut off these new guests that neuer any afterward would aduenture to enter Britanny in hostile manner And thereupon they began both to slacke the performance of couenants and daily to withdraw themselues from Caesars Campe which gaue him iust occasion to suspect whereat they aimed And to preuent their proceedings he as wisely wrought for first repairing his Nauie with the huls timber and tackling of the most bruised ships with the losse of twelue ships only the rest were made able to brooke the seas And prouiding against the aduantage of the enemie he sent foorth the seuenth Legion for forrage to supplie any occasion 10 This Legion taking the coast cleere and little surmising so sudden a reuolt fell to the sickle and sithe like haruest labourers and laid their weapons apart mistrusting no Enemie Now the Britaines as forward to put in practise what they had determined closely had laid themselues in ambush for thither they knew the enemie would come a peece of corne there standing whereas in all other parts haruest was past and so hauing these workmen in their danger suddenly fell vpon them slaying some and forcing the rest out of their array who not knowing the order of their fight cast themselues in a ring the best defensiue forme of embattelling and stood on their guard as they might but had they not happily beene rescued Caesar had lost one whole Legion at that time 11 For though this skirmish thus in acting was altogether vnknowne and vnexpected to the rest of the Romans yet by the rising of the dust appearing to the Coherts that warded before their Campe the same was mistrusted which caused Caesar in all haste to make thitherward with part of his host 12 The Britaine 's thus preuented seeing more supply to maintaine the battle stood still without further stroke and the Romanes as much amazed at this sudden attempt and order of their fight made a stand not venturing any further Which order in fight so often mentioned and so much admired in Caesars words we will declare the rather because some haue thence collected that the Britaine 's were the ofspring of the Troians who with other Easterne Nations only vsed this kinde of fight in Chariots 13 They vsed saith he to ride in wagons against the approch of the enemie and to circulate them about with a whirling compasse and ratling noise each waies casting their darts as they did driue and euer as they saw aduantage would winde themselues in amongst the horse and foot to breake the array which done they would for sake their wagons and onfoot most dangerously assaile the enemie In the meane while the Wagoners would with-draw themselues somewhat out of the battle and place their wagons in such order that if their masters were ouer-charged they might haue speedy accesse and opportunity of retrait by which meanes they were euer as quicke to mooue as were horsemen and as stedfast to stand the battle as were the foot whereby they did supply the duties of both at once and by daily exercise grew so expert in managing their horses that running them forcibly downe a steepe hill they would stop and turne them in the mid-way and they would run along the beame and stand firme vpon the yoke whence with like facility they would againe returne into their Chariots This order Caesar so well obserued as that notwithstanding his desire of reuenge yet wanting his horsemen as he pretended wherein consisted the chiefest resistance hee durst attempt no further on them but was content to keepe the field without profer of battle 14 The Britaine 's likewise hopelesse of further successe at that present departed without any impeachment intending to prosecute their cause with a greater and more generall supplie and thereupon sent messengers to their seuerail States with notice of their hopes against so small a power whose Campe by them if any way might bee vanquished the purchase of spoile besides their frced liberties would requite the paines 15 These States though maintaining ciuill factions amongst themselues yet seeing the intended danger of this generall enemie presently assembled a great power purposing yet once againe to trie the hazard and fortune of warre Caesar whose vigilancy did euer equall his valour prepared his armie wherein now only â—…0 horsemen were present and those brought to him by Comius the King The battle ioining continued not long but that the Britaine 's gaue backe and fled whom the Romanes pursued as farre as strength indured and returned with the slaughter of many burning the Country where they came 16 Thus the Britaines once againe vanquished foorthwith sent their third Embassage vnto Caesar desiring peace with promise of quiet subiection whom he with hard termes now reprooued and imposed a double number of hostages to be brought him into Gallia whither he made all possible preparation for that the Aequinoctium drew neere doubting his crazed ships would hardly brooke the winter stormes that vsually rage vpon these Seas And hauing gotten a faire wind imbarked all his forces
their accustomed fashion they clustered together on heaps and some of the boldest aduanced forward whilest Agricola likewise was incouraging his men who straightwaies ranne to their weapons and rushed on furiously toward the Enemie 10 The Britaines were marshelled in the higher ground fitly both to the shew and to terrifie the first Battalion standing on the plaine the rest on the ascent of the hill knit and rising as it were one ouer another the middle of the field was filled with clattering and running of Chariots and horsemen Agricocola seeing their number to exceede his drew his battaile in length and leauing his horse aduanced himselfe before the Ensignes on foote 11 In the first assault before the ioyning both sides encountred with discharge of their darts wherin the Britaines employing both art and valour with their great swords and little Targets auoided the volue of the Romans showring down withall great store of theirs vpon them wherewith they were both galled and sore wounded Agricola seeing his men thus stoutly resisted tooke another course for spying the aduantage he commanded three Batauian Coherts and two of the Tungrians to presse forward and bring the matter to handy strokes and dint of sword a thing which in respect of their long seruice they were very expert in but contrariwise to the Britaines very preiudiciall by reason of their little Bucklers and huge swords being blunt pointed and no waies fit for the close in fight This command aduantaged the Romans much for these with the pikes of their Bucklers when they came to deale blowes so mangled the faces of the Britaines that they were not able to stand before them and the rest gathering courage vpon emulation of these ascended the hill bearing downe all that was in their way so that many halfe dead and some wholly vntouched were ouer-passed and left for haste of winning the field In the meane while the Chariots mingled themselues with the battle of footmen and the troopes of horsemen began for to flie who albeit they had lately terrified others were now distressed themselues by the vneuennesse of the ground and thicke rankes of the enemy and were forced to fight standing still and by the maine weight of horses to beare downe one another The wandring Wagons also and masterlesse horses as chance or feare did guide them ouer-bare many times their friends and thwarted their way that met them 12 The other Britaines that kept the hill and had leisure to behold the manner of fight beganne to come downe by little and little and sought to compasse the backe of the enemie which intent Agricola soone preuented by sending foure wings of Horsmen retained purposely about him for sudden dispatches and chances of warre These so fiercely assailed them that a most sharpe and bloody battle ensued wherein the Britaine 's on each side were beaten downe and slaine notwithstanding many of them shewed both valour and reuenge euen to the end the rest disbanded turned their backes and fled towards the desert whose pursuit was followed vntill Night and fulnesse of blood made an end of the chase 13 Of the Romans side were slaine if wee must credit their owne friends onely three hundred and fortie persons and of them one of extraordinary note and account Aulus Articus Captaine of a Cohort who vpon a youthfull heat and fiercenesse of his horse was carried amidst his enemies Of the Britains fell ten thousand and their designes so defeated and broken that as desperate men they forsake their houses and in despight set fire on them themselues the hurt persons they carrie and draw with them and call them that are vnhurt hoping to be releeued by them One while they chuse out holes to lurke in for their liues safetie eftsoones in great haste forsake them as doubting therein their owne securitie Dispersed asunder they lament and attend death assembled together expostulate of their meanes and life one while conceiuing a glimmering of some small hope another while deiected with vtter despaire Sometimes at the sight of their dearest beloued mooued to pitie but much oftner stirred to rage for reuenge and many of them euen by way of compassion slew their dearest Wiues and Children to rid them from their future miseries 14 Agricola hauing made euery where a desolation and silence withdrew his Armie towards the Horrestians where taking hostages for their fidelitie sent the Admirall of his Nauy to saile about the North Cóasts of Britaine who with strength and store tooke the Seas their terrour gone already before himselfe with easie and gentle iournies disposed his foot and horsemen in their Wintring places and planted Garrisons vpon the Borders betweene Glota and Bodotria And his Nauie with prosperous winde and successe arriued at the Port Trutulensis 15 Thus after many conflicts about the space of one hundred thirty six yeeres from Iulius Caesars first entrance the vtmost limits of Britannie and the Iles of the Orcades lying on the North side of it were by the valour and industrie of Iulius Agricola first discouered and made knowen vnto the Romans and the South part of the I le in the fourth yeere of the raigne of Domitian being the yeere of our Sauiour eightie six reduced into a full Prouince the gouernment whereof was euer annexed and appropriate to the Roman Emperours themselues and not at the disposition of the Senate as other Prouinces were 16 This state of affaires in Britannie Agricola signified by letter without any amplifying termes to Domitian the Emperour who after his manner with a cheerefull countenance and greeued heart receiued the Newes being inwardly pricked with feare and disdaine that his late counterfet Triumph of Germanie wherein certaine slaues bought for money were attired and their haire dressed as Captiues of that Countrey was had in derision and iustly skorned abroad whereas now a true and imperiall victorie of so many thousand enemies subdued and slaine was currant and famous in euery mans mouth as being indeed a thing dangerous that a priuate mans name should be exalted aboue his Prince In vaine then had hee suppressed the studie of Oratorie and other worthy politicke Arts thereby to keepe downe other mens reputation if he should in Military glory be disseised by another And to be a good Commander of an Army was to be aboue priuate estate that being a Vertue peculiar for a Prince and therefore not lightly to be passed ouer With these and the like incentiues his minde was tormented yet thought he it best to dissemble his malice vntill the heat of his glory and loue of his souldiers were somewhat abated And foorthwith he commanded for Agricola Triumphall ornaments statue honours and what else vsually conferred in lieu of Triumph hee yet remaining in charge from whence with the like policie also hee was shortly displaced For Syria by the death of Atilius Rufus lay destitute of a Lieutenant and that
mercifully * Holinsh. p. 523. Iohn Stow names also Sir Nicholas Lâ—…gford and cals the two Gausels not Gausels but Gentels and brothers The great destruction of Cheshire Gentlemen * August 10. The Earle of Northumberland pardoned of his life VVilford a Sea-captaine takes a thousand tunnes of good commodities A. D. 1404. The Earle of Northumberland restored The Country-men about Dartmouth kill the French General and present the King with honourable prisoners Owen Glendwr and the Welshmen waste the Marches A new false king Richard Serlo a spreader of that imposâ—…ure deliuered to the King * Parliamâ—… 〈◊〉 Tho. Wels. * Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 Ypodig Neust. pag. 563. An. 1405. Mowbray Earle Maâ—…all and Scrope Archbishop of Yâ—…ke 〈◊〉 to redâ—… 〈◊〉 and lose their heads * Sueton. lib. 3. cap. 59. The King pursues the Earle of Northumberland The first time that a gunne is vsed in England * Tho. VValsing In Hen. 4. The French with seuenscore ships arriue in 〈◊〉 to aid Owen Glendowr A. D. 1406. An. Reg. 7 A. D. 1407. King ' Richard spred to be aliue Sir Robert Knolls dieth An. D. 1409. Platina * Ypod. Neust. p. 566. * Antiq. Britan. ecclesia * Walsing Ypodig p. 569. * 〈◊〉 S. Theo. Oxonia saith Tho. Gascoigne MS. An. D. 1410 An. D. 1411. * Paul Aâ—…yl in Carol. 6. The Duke of Burgundie sends for aid to the King The Kings wise and Christian answere to the Dukes request Aides sent by the King to the Duke of Burgundie An. D. 1412 The Duke of Orleance sends to the King for succour * The words of the Dukes letter The great offers of the Orleance faction to the King Their demands The King forsakes the Duke of Burgundy and aides the Duke of Orleance * Pol. Verg. lib. 21. Iob. Tilius Chr. The English burne and spoile in Normandy till the Duke of Orleance came * homines de 〈◊〉 A. D. 1413. A. reg 14. The King dieth hauing reigned thirteene yeeres and sixe moneths wanting fiue daies â—…ith VValsing â—…ll â—…olinsh Cambd. Brit. in Glocest. Monarch 52 Henry V. Sutton in vit Tit. 1. 6. * Ti. 〈◊〉 Fâ—… Edw. Hal. Henry borne at Monmouth in Wales * Râ—…cor of Toweâ—… 4 Hen. 5. Ioh. Rosse 〈◊〉 in lib. 〈◊〉 regiâ—… Prince Henries Educatin Holinsh. Richard Grafton Edward Hal. Thom. Walsing Rich. Grafton Eccles. 2. Ioh. Rosse Sir Tho. Eliot Gouernour Rich. Grafton Tho. Otterborne Deut. 17. 12. Exod. 21. 15. Tho. Otterborn Ex Record Ioh. Stow. Rich. Grafton An. D. 1413. Tiâ—… Lâ—… Tho. Walsing Râ—…b Fabian Polycâ—…ron Vpon Trinity Sunday Nich Vigâ—…r in bist 〈◊〉 Eglise Fox in Acts and Monuments * Oper a Ioh. Hâ—…ssi To. 〈◊〉 Thom. Walsing 〈◊〉 and Monuments Ouldcastle pronounced an heretike Tho. Wals. Antiq. Britan. Ex libro Wigorn. Archbishop Arundels death * See it in Foxes Martyrologie The offers of the Lord Cobham Rob. Fabian Touching Ouldcastles innocency from Treason see Foxes defence against Cope in Martyrologie Iohn Stow Iohn Fox in Acts and Monuments * then called Thicket fields * See Fox at large Ypodig Neust. Tho Wals. Bishops of Saint Dauids Henry Chicheley made Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Walsing A complaint against the Clergies excesse Edw. Hall The Archbishop Câ—…ichleys oration Io. Serres The Law Salique touched the Germans but not the French Their claiming by the same title Numb 27. An addition 1. Chro. 2. 34. Lewis 〈◊〉 Iudg. 18. Io. Serres Io. Serres Ex Record apud Westm. P. 〈◊〉 Fr. Rosâ—…en Enguerrant de Monstrel Nich. Uegâ—… Will Parradin in Annal. de Burgoin Caâ—…ton Chron. 〈◊〉 Ex Record VVest An. D. 1414. Ypod. Neust. Ex Record Iohn Harding Roger VVals Enguerrant de Monstrâ—…l Holinsâ—… Ex Pâ—…l 1. H. 5. Alain 〈◊〉 in Aâ—…ls of Brit. An ancient Manuscript Tiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stâ—… Holinsh. â—…o Stâ—… Annal. Liâ—… Original Harding 1500. Ioh. Stow. 1600. Holinsh. 1000. Grafton 140. Ould Manuscr 1500. Caxton 1500. Nichol. Giles Titus Liâ—…l 〈◊〉 de yllescâ—… Hist. Pâ—…tif Platina Nicol. 〈◊〉 in Theatrâ—…â—…sal de Prâ—… Sebastian Munster Francis Goodwin vpon the liues of the Bishop The French glorious in shew but the English conquerors Caxton Chron. The English discerned what was done in the French army P. Aemil. Alain Bâ—…chant â—…n les Annales de Bretagâ—…e The stratagem with stakes Guil. Parradyn Tho. Walsing The chiefe Leaders of each part of the English army The noble ablliaments of King Henry in the maine Battell Tiâ—… Liuiâ—… The admirable and glorious sight that both armies made 10. Serres King Henry seeketh to passe Callis Tho. Walsing Stowes Annal. Tho. Wal. Denis Saâ—…age in Cron. Flan. Enguerrant de Monâ—…reles The English proffer Battell Their Archers put the enemy to the greatest harme Ypodig Neust. Enguerrant The wings of the French battell discomfited Tho. Walsing The English Archers giuing back the French horsemen spill themselues vpon the sharpe pointed stakes Enguerrant de Monstrel Guil. Paradyn in les Annals de Burg. King Henry rescueth his brother the Duke of Glocester Alenzon encountring King Henrie putteth him in some danger Rich. Grafton The French maine battell put to flight Pyd Verg. Walsinghams description of the Frenches ouerthrow After some sharp execution the English shew mercy to the French Enguerrant de Monstrelet Ypod. Neust. Certaine French rob the Kings carriages They steale a Crowne and a sword and faine that King Henry is taken prisoner History of Normandy Pol. Verg. A new power of French appearing King Henrie causeth all his prisoners to bee slaine Enguerrant Tiâ—… Liâ—… 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 The Duke of Burgundy impriâ—…oneth the robbers of King Henries carriages but pardons their liues at Count Charolois request Ypodig Nest. King Henry acknowledgeth God the gâ—…uer of victory God deliuereth a nation into the hands of the destroier for their sinnes Enguer de Monstreles Nich. Gille Latiers volume de Cron. Franc. The small number of English slaine Tho. Walsing * Ex Manuscript The names of great persons either slaine or taken prisoners Enguerrant de Monstrelet Enguâ—… Iehan Tillet Bertrand de Argentre La. Mer Nichol. Giles Legend Fland. Chron. Fran. 3. vol. * Of Sâ—… The number of Dukes Earles c. slaine Denis Sâ—…g Bertrand de Argâ—…re in hist Bret. Iehan Tillet Alain Bouchart Annal. de Bret. Will. Parredin Annal. de Burgoin History of Normandy 5800. slaine French buried in one plat of ground Alain Bouchart Annal. de Bret. History of Normandy Stowes Annal. Grafton King Henry returneth into England He and his company in danger at Sâ—… Tho. Wal. The King is receiued oâ—… London with great state Caxton Chron. All sorts both Clergy and Laity shew their affection to the King and he to God Stowes Annal. The Duke of Yorke interred at Fotheringhay The Earle of Suffolke at Ewhelme Gonzales de yllesâ—… in la Hist. Pontif. May 7. The Emperour Sigismund commeth into England The sterne manner of entertaining the Emperour at his landing VVell liked of by the Emperor * Rich. Grafton * Paul Aemil. The King willinglie heareth the Emperour for
learned Knight and worthy storer of Antiquities Sir Robert Cotten of Cunington These Coynes are commonly imbossed outward and shield-like whereon the inscription or face is seen the reuerse hollow and therein their deuise set and by these formes are they known to be the Britaines no other nation stamping the like except some few among the Grecians 13 We come lastly to speake of the manner of their warfare which Caesar thus describeth First saith he they ride round about all parts of the battell casting off their darts and often times with the terrible noise of their horses and the ratling of their chariot wheeles they amaze the enemy and breake their array And when they haue wound themselues in among the troopes of horsemen they leape foorth of their waggons and fight on foot In the meane while the waggoners withdraw themselues somewhat out of the battell and set their waggons in such order that if they be ouercharged by the enemy they may haue speedy and easie recourse vnto them By meanes whereof they are both as ready to remoue as the horsemen and as stedfast to stand in the battell as the footmen and supply both duties in one And they are come to such perfectnesse by daily practice and exercise that euen in steepe and falling places they will stop their horses running a full gallop and guide and turne them in a short roome run vpon the vergies and stand stedfastly vpon the beames and quickly recouer themselues back againe into the waggons These would often giue ground to egge their enemies from their maine battell and then would leape out of their chariots and fight on foot And they kept also such an order in fighting on horseback that whether the enemies chased or were chased they were alwaies in danger For they neuer fought in great companies together but scatteringly a great way distant the one from the other and had stals lying in diuers places one to supply another hauing euer fresh and lusty men in the roomes of them that were weary Of this their manner of fight in chariots Strabo also declareth and Diodorus Siculus saith that the Britaine 's liued after the manner of the first age of the world vsing chariots in their fight as the report goes of the ancient Greeks at the Troian warres Pomponius Mela also describing these Britaines affirmeth that their fight was not only with horsemen and footmen but also with waggons and chariots harnessed and armed at the ends of the axle-trees with hookes and sithes after the manner of the Gaules but with apparance of greater courage as Tacitus saith as being not yet mollified by long peace Their strength in field consisteth most of footmen yet some countries there are saith he that war in waggons the greatest persons guiding the same and so much doth Iuuenal intimate who in shew of prophecie but indeed in flattery of the Emperor Domitian salutes him after this manner It boads thee Triumph great to captinate some King Or fierce Aruiragus from Chariots beame to ding Dio Nicaeus from Xiphilinus more particularly declareth their strength Their horses faith he are but little yet therewithall swift of pace their footmen also run very speedily but in their standing are the strongest their armor are shields and short speares in the nether end whereof is fastned a round bell of brasse like vnto a ball which at the first onset of incounter they shake with great courage supposing that such a ratling noise doth much amate the enemy And Herodian saith that their shields were narrow and speares short wearing swords hanging down their naked loines hauing neither knowledge nor vse either of corslet or helmet 14 Some haue thought that their women also were not exempted from the wars but certaine it is that many of that sex were renowned for their valour amongst them Which made Tacitus to say it was vsuall for the Britains to fight vnder the conduct of women which the Romans found to their smart nor to make any difference of sexes for gouernment A more noble patterne whereof neuer had any age then in our late glorious Virgin Queen the wonder of her sexe and of al future ages who as she was inferior to no Prince euer liuing for her admirable gouernment in vpholding of her kingdomes peace so was she a match to say no more to the proudest monarchs in her managing of her wars as when occasion was offered she was ready to make good in her owne roiall person in the field But besides the vse of armes the ancient British women had another imploiment in the field which I will only set downe in Tacitus his words speaking of Paulinus Suetonius his assailing of Anglescy The British Army saith he stood on the shore thicke of men and munition and women running vp and downc amongst them like furies carrying burning firebrands in rufull attire and with their haire hanging about their shoulders The Druides meane while went with their hands lift vp to heauen pouring out praiers and imprecations The strangenesse of which sight so amazed the Roman souldiers that they stood still like stocks whiles the other wounded them at their pleasure till Paulinus encouraged them and they excited one another not to be so danted by an army of women and wizards c. 15 In the relations of these things let no man thinke that the glory of these ancient and warlike nation of Britains is any waies disparaged or made inferior to them that would be more famous whose beginning haue been as meane and state as rude if not more For let vs consider the Romans so lauish in their owne worths and greatnesse who notwithstanding bring their name and originall from Romulus a bastard by birth nourished by a beast educated among a sort of rustick shepheards and grown to the ripenesse of his owne affections he became ring-leader of a damned crue that liued by robberies and without lawes besides the shedding of his naturall brothers blood as Titus Liuie their owne historian witnesseth and both himselfe and followers had in such contempt and derision by their neighbour nations that they both disdained and refused to giue them their daughters in mariage lest in time they also should become lawlesse vntill that by subtilty and force they had rauished their virgins and thereby made them vnworthy of other matches Yet when their after fortunes and successe had mounted them vpon the wings of glory and seated them on the necks of their subdued neighbors their Caesars would needs be more then mortall and their pedigrees must lineally be brought from the Gods 14 And to let passe many others the like may be said of the beginners of the Scythian and Turkish Empires two golden pillers raised vpon leaden bases howsoeuer now the power of their command circles three parts of the earth Nay what more is that pretious roiall and Gods only people
about midnight and so brought most of his fleet safe to the continent This enterprise so fortunately accomplished Caesar by his letters made knowen to the Senate who decreed and proclaimed to his honour a generall supplication or thanksgiuing to their Gods for the space of twentie daies together wherein all the Romans clothed in white garments and crowned with garlands went to all the Temples of their Gods and offred sacrifices for so glorious a victorie CESARS SECOND EXPEDITION INTO BRITAINE CHAPTER II. CAESAR expecting the performance of Couenants agreed vpon in the treaty of peace with the Britaines receiued hostages from two of their Cities onely and no more the rest drawing backe refused his subiection whereupon intending not to lose so rich a prey nor to suffer that Sunne to bee eclipsed whose glory thus farre in his Horizon had asâ—…nded hee appeased some troubles in Gallia and in the winter season began his preparation to that enterprise And hauing had experience of his former wants he furnished himselfe accordingly and the next spring following drew his forces towards Calis the shortest cut into Britaine There committing the charge of Gallia to T. Labienus his Lieutenant himselfe with fiue Legions of souldiers 2000. horsemen and 800. ships about going downe of the Sunne loosed from the shoare and with a soft Southerne gale were carried into the streame But about midnight the winde failing and their sailes becalmed the tide diuerted their course so that in the dawning he well perceiued his intended place for landing to be passed 2 Therefore falling againe with the change of tide and indeuours of their Oares about noone the same day hee recouered the shoare euen in the same place and that without any shew of resistance where he had found best landing the Summer before There in conuenient manner he encamped his host and by certaine Fugitiues got notice of the power and place of the enemie 3 And lest delay should afford them aduantage he committed the gouernment of his ships at anchor to Qu. Atrius and his campe on land to the guard of ten Cohorts besides the strength of three hundred horsemen and himselfe with the rest about the third watch of the night tooke their march towards the enemie proceeding with such celeritie that by the day dawning they were entred twelue miles higher into the Continent where seeking to passe a riuer which is supposed to be the water Stower the Britaines with their darts and chariots began in most terrible manner to assault the Romanes But being at length by them repulsed tooke into a wood strongly fortified both by nature and mans industrie For in the time of their owne dissensions they had formerly made this place one of their strongest fortresses and had cut down many trees which ouerthwart the waies of entrance they had bestowed 4 In this they secretly kept and where they saw aduantage would by companies sallie out vpon the enemie to their no little annoiance Whereupon Caesar commanded the seuenth Legion to raise a banke and to build a Testudo of boards couered with raw hides by which meanes the place without much adoe was won and the Britaine 's forced to forsake the woods Whose chase Caesar forbade both in regard the day was neere spent as also that the countrey was altogether vnknowen to the Romanes But the next day the pursuit being begun sudden newes was brought from Q. Atrius that most of his ships the night before by a violent tempest were cast on Land their bulks shaken their cables broken and anchours lost Caesars experience in like mishaps the Summer before made him so much more ready to preuent the worst And therefore recalling his forces in all haste returned to his Campe finding the relation too true in their wracke wherein forty of his ships were quite lost Wherefore he wrote to Labienus his Lieutenant in Gallia for supply of ships thence to bee sent in all haste Then gathering his shipwrights out of the legions with the ruines of the bruised bulkes he repaired the whole and now hauing twice felt the dangers of these seas caused his whole fleet a strange attempt to be drawn on land euen into the midst of the fortifications of his campe so to secure them from the like mishap and that one strength might defend both This Cassibelan present Gouernour of the Trinobants had attained to the possession of their chiefest Citie by the slaughter of Imanuence their former Ruler a man well respected and much lamented after death whose sonne Mandubrace a gentleman of great hope fearing the like danger by the new established authoritie of Cassibelan had made ouer into Gallia crauing Caesars assistance to set him in his right 6 Cassibelan if among these authenticke Authors the British Writers may bee heard was the brother of King * Lud and in the nonage of his nephewes gouerned the Trinobants whose bounds hee sought to enlarge vpon the bordering Countries of his neighbours and in his fortunes had so borne himselfe that he was much maligned and more feared But now all their dangers yoked alike in a common perill they laid aside priuate grudges and held him the only man to support the strength of their troubled and declining estate and by a common consent made him Generall of their warres The expectation of whose proceedings he long delaied not but with a fierce and hot encounter did assaile the Romans and so manfully discharged the parts of his place that in the sight of the whole Campe Quintus Laberius a militarie Tribune was slain in memorie wherof the place as yet though somewhat corruptly is called Iul-laber and Caesar himselfe professeth he learned many points of martiall policie by their braue and running kinde of encountring 7 But his next daies seruice prooued not so fortunate for the Romans hauing learned their owne defects by the former daies experience laid aside their weightie armour that with the more facilitie they might both assaile the enemies and with like nimblenesse auoid their furie they hauing now bestowed their powers dispersedly and scattered their troupes into companies wherby the Romans were still matched with fresh supplies A policie no doubt of no small consequence had not destiny determined the fatall subiection of the Britaines and Fortune now raised the Romans almost to the height of their Monarchie 8 For this failing the Britaines neuer after shewed themselues with any vnited resistance but hauing lost the day departed thinking it better to secure euerie priuate by his owne meanes then by a generall power to hazard all as hopelesse any more to vphold that which the heauens they saw would haue down And Cassibelan himselfe despairing of happy successe drew into his owne territories keeping with him not aboue 4. thousand wagons And fearing the Romans further approch fortified the riuer Thamisis then passable onely in one place with sharpned stakes bound about with lead and driuen so deepe into the
Land and onely diuided asunder by a narrow partition of ground the same was both garded and fortified with Castles and Garrisons so that the Romanes were absolute Lords of all the South-side and had cast the Enemie as it were into another Iland 7 In this state stood this Prouince of Britaine at the death of Titus whose short raign hath left no long matters of discourse and his Acts greater vnder other Emperours then when he was Emperour himselfe yet that little time wherein he gouerned was with Iustice Liberalitie and Loue of all A great Enemie he was to Promoters Pettifoggers and Extortours of penall lawes which Cancker-wormes of Common-wealths and Caterpillers to Courts of Iustice he caused to bee whipped and banished out of Rome Louing and familiar hee was to all his Subiects and so desirous to giue them satisfaction that his vsuall saying was No man ought to goe sad from the speech of a Prince Mercifull he was to the poore and so readie to do them good that one day being spent by him without any notable action in sorrow he said I haue quite lost a day He died the thirteenth of September the yeare from Christs Natiuitie eightie three when he had raigned two yeares and two moneths and in the two and fortieth yeare of his age beeing poisoned by Domitian his Brother and Successour FLAVIVS DOMITIAN CHAPTER XIV DOmitian attaining the Empire by the death of Titus wrought by himselfe as farre differed from him in vertuous conditions as he was linked neere him in consanguinitie of blood His youth not spent in Armes with his Father and Brother but inertiously consumed in lasciuiousnesse and penurie 2 At Rome hee was in the Vitellian troubles where with Sabinus his Vncle he had beene murdered had not the Sexton of the Capitoll hid him in his house and in the habit of a Minister vnknowen thence escaped which place afterwards when hee came to be Emperour he gorgeously built for a Temple to Iupiter his supposed Preseruer and consecrated himselfe in the lap of that heathenish Idoll Hee very speedily apprehended the hope of an Empire for no sooner was his Father made Emperour but that hee assumed the name of Caesar and in Rome caried himselfe with such prodigalitie and so liberally made promises of the Imperiall Offices that his father hearing thereof said he maruelled why his sonne sent not one to succeed him in his place But to dissemble and cloake his idle conceits he gaue himselfe to the study of Poesie although with little affection as the end prooued for which notwithstanding both Pliny and Martial doe highly commend him as it is the manner of men to admire the very shadow of a good quality in Princes and great ones and so doth Iuuenal and Suetonius praise his braue minde for his shewes in the Amphitheater wherein not only men but women also were brought and forced to fight for their liues with wilde beasts a cruell spectacle neuerthelesse and vnbeseeming to humanity 3 His first entrance into state and dignitie was neither greatly applauded nor gainsaid hee seeming to carrie an equall mixture and his vertues to hold leuell with his vice But Ambition now supported with Soueraignty did quickly set the scale onely for the worse side The affaires of the Empire hee altogether neglected and impatient of labour or affection to Armes daily retired into a priuate chamber or Gallery wherein hee vsually applied himselfe onely to catch Flies and with the point of a bodkin to pricke them thorow whereupon one being asked what company was with the Emperour replied Not so much as a flie In which princely exercise let vs a while leaue him and returne to his better emploied Lieutenant Agricola 4 Who now in the fifth yeere of his gouernment tooke the seas and with many prosperous conflicts subdued some adiacent places and people before that time vnknowen and furnished with forces those parts of Britaine which lay coasted against Ireland to which Countrey also hee had a minde and would often say that if the Romans were therin planted the Libertie of the Britaines would soone be banished quite out of sight and out of hope 5 Now in the sixth yeere of his Prefecture because a general rising of al the farther Nations beyond Bodotria was feared and passages were all beset with power of the Enemies he manned a Fleet to search the creekes and harboroughs of the ample Region beyond it and with his Armie marched further North. The Britaines heereat especially at sight of their ships much amazed and troubled knowing now that the secrets of their Seas were all discouered and no refuge left if they were ouercome armed themselues with great preparation and the Caledonians a most puissant and strong Nation in those parts the formost who as challengers braued the Romans so boldly and in such manner that some counselled the Generall to retire his forces on this side Bodotria and rather of his owne accord to depart then to bee repelled with shame 6 Agricola whose courage could not be clouded with any dastardly feare held on his intents and hearing by prisoners taken the manner of his Enemies proceedings ordereth his host accordingly diuiding his armie into three battles and so lay entrenched the weakest whereof containing the Ninth Legion the Britaines by Night assailed and hauing slaine the Watch brake into their Campe with a furious noise to whose rescue Agricola sent his Light horsemen and a Band of foot whose Ensignes and Armour glittering in the appearance of day so rebated the edge and further purposes of the Britaines that they gaue backe to the gates of the Trench where in the straits the conflict was sharpe and cruell till in the end they were forced to quit the field Vpon this battle so manfully fought and so famously won the Romans presuming that to their prowesse all things were now easie and open cried to lead into Caledonia and to finde out the limits of Britaine with a course of continued Conquests and those which erewhile were so wary and wise waxt forward and bold after the euent and grew to speake bigly such being the hard condition of Warres that if ought fall out well all challenge a part misfortunes are onely imputed to one Contrariwise the Britaines presupposing that not valour but skill in the Generall by vsing the occasion had carried it away abated no whit their wonted courage but armed their youth transported their Children and Wiues into places of safety and sought by Assemblies Religious rites to establish an Association of the Cities together And so for that yeere both parties did depart incensed to further preparations 7 In the beginning of the next Agricola sending his Nauie before which by vnexpected spoiling in seuerall places should induce a greater and more vncertain terrour followed himselfe with his Armie by Land hauing drawne to his partie some of the valiantest Britaine 's whom by long experience in
as oftē gotten by fortune as valor mature deliberatiō doth oftē produce the safest issues a prouidēt delay is held to be the greatest furtherer of martial proiects neither will any thing strike greater terror into the Normans then thou to be leuying enrolling a new Army whereby they may euer expect and feare succeeding Battails Againe said he thou best knowest what oath thine owne mouth hath made vnto William if lawfull and willingly then withdraw thy selfe from field lest for that thy sinne the whole Host perish for there can bee no power against God I am free from such guilt and therefore may the bolder fight and either defeate this dangerous enemy or more cheerefully dye in the defence of my countrey if thou wilt commit the fortune of Battaile into my Gouernance assure thy selfe I will perform to thee the part of a louing Brother and to my Countrimen of a valiant Captaine 33 This wise aduice notwithstanding destiny so driuing him he gaine-stood imputing it a part of dishonour and not befitting a Souldiour as he alwaies had beene to leaue the field Coward-like when greatest glory was to be wonne or in case of fortunate successe to be depriued of a part and therefore reprooued his brother for making this motion and with disdainefull speeches vnderualued and embased the worth of the Normans 34 Duke William now entred the field both the hosts standing ready for fight the Norman to spare the effusion of Christian bloud vpon a pious affection sent a Monke as a Mediator for peace with offers to Harold of these conditions either wholy to resigne the Kingdome vnto him and from thence forth to acknowledge the Duke for his Soueraigne or else in single combat to trie the quarrel with him in sight of the Armies or lastly to stand to the arbitrement of the Pope touching the possession and wearing of the English Crowne But Harold as one whom the heauens would depresse accepting neither domesticke counsell nor the Normans offers referred the deciding of the matter vnto the Tribunall of God and answered that it should bee tried the next day with more swordes then one 35 That next day was the 14. of October which vpon a credulous errour hee held euer to bee fortunate because it was the day of his Natiuity and with hopefull assurance desired greatly the approch of the same His souldiers likewise as men whose heads were to bee crowned with the Laurels of victory gaue themselues to licentious reuels and in riotous banquets with clamour and noises spent the night whereas contrariwise the Normans more wisely and seriously weighing the businesse in hand bestowed the time in prayers and vowes for the safety of their Armie and victorious successe neither had the morning sooner spread it selfe but their battell was ordered and prepared for fight 36 Harold also with the like forwardnes marshalled his battaile placing in the Vant-guard the Kentish men who by an ancient custome had the front of the battaile belonging to them with their heauy axes or halberts The Middlesex-men the Londoners were in that squadron whereof himselfe with his brother had the leading 37 His enemies Vanward was led by Roger of Mountgomery and William Fitz-Osberne the same consisting of Horsemen out of Anion Perch and little Brittaine Their Maine-Battaile consisted of Poictouins and Germans Geffrey Martell and a Germane Pensioner commanding them In the Rere-guard was the Duke himselfe with the whole manhood of Normans and the flower of his Nobility Gentry all which battalliōs were intermingled with companies of Archers 38 The Normans without any confused or disorderly shout sounded the battaile and aduanced forward discharging a fierce volley of arrowes like a tempestuous haile a kind of fight both strange and terrible vnto the English who supposed their enemy had beene already euen in the middest amongst them when presently a furious charge was giuen to the Va-ward of the English who resolutely had determined to couer the place with their bodies rather then to giue one foot of ground and bending all their forces kept themselues close together wherby they valiantly and with the slaughter of many put backe the enemy which was so farre from daunting the Normans that by it they were more whetted to re-enforce themselues vpon them when with an horrible noise the battailes of both sides gaue the stroke and now come foote to foot and man to man coped together in a most cruell fight The English standing thicke and close as if they had beene stucke one to another abode the brunt and charge of the Normans and with such welcomes that after many a bloudy wound receiued they were at point to recoile had not Duke William whose crown lay now at stake both brauely performed the part of a Leader and with his presence and authority restrained them The fight thus continuing the Normans horsemen brake into the troupes of the English and sore distressed the Souldiers on foot yet notwithstanding they still held out and kept their array vnbroken for Harold no lesse carefull to keepe then the other to gaine a diadem as a most valiant Captaine bare himself worthily euery where The Duke well perceiuing that with fine force and true valour no good end could bee got betooke himselfe to a stratageme and commaunded his men to sound the retreat but kept them still in such order of array that they gaue backe in as good discipline as they came on 39 The English supposing the Normans to haue fled and themselues the masters of the field began in eager pursuit carelesly to vntwist and display their rancks when on the sodaine the Normans hauing their wished opportunity and winding about charged the enemy a fresh who now being scatteringly disranked and out of all order were slaine down on all sides not able to recouer their battaile many thus borne downe and slaine none by flight sought to escape the field but rather to maintaine their honour in Armes cast themselues into a round choosing there to die in the cause of their Country then cowardly to forsake the Standard of their King and therefore with bold resolutions encouraging one an other they turne head and resist a long time but showers of arrowes like a stormy tempest falling thicke among them one most fatall and vnlucky for the English wounded Harold into the braines through the left eye so that falling from his horse to the ground was vnder his owne standard slaine 40 And yet Giraldus Cambrensis I know not by what inducement relates the issue of this Battaile somwhat otherwise affirming that Harold with losse of his Eye but not of his life from the field fled to the City of Westchester and there long after led a holie life and made a godly end as an Anchoret in the Cell of Saint Iames fast by the church of S. Io◅ With Harold died his Brethren Gyth and Leofwin with most of the English Nobility besides the slaughter of sixty seuen thousand
him to serue in the Flemish warres forsooke him and went to Paris 34 After his arriuall in England hee summoned a Parliament at Yorke giuing the Scots a day to appeare thereat which they not doing nor acknowledging that they ought to doe hee entred with a mightie Army into their Country his Nauy laden with victuals coasting along which by contrary winds being holden off for a time put the Scots the rather in hope of victory by reason of the scarsity of prouisions among the English but three dayes before the Scots appeared the shippes came and plentifully refresht the fainting souldiers Hereupon the king led forward his people and vpon the next morning a terrible showt being heard from the Scottish host the English ranne to armes but the kings horse affrighted with the sodaine tumultuous noise as hee was putting foote in stirrup threw him to the earth and striking with the hinder heeles brake two of his ribs who neuerthelesse vpon the same horse proceeded in person to the battell VVillam VVallace who had wonne to himselfe by many his hardy enterprises a singular opinion among the Peeres and people hauing set his Scots in array whose numbers far exceeded the English vsed euery where this short speech vnto them in stead of Orations I haue brought you to the King hop gifyee kun For their more security hee had fixed betweene them and the English certaine Pales or stakes bound together with ropes which the English Vauntguard brake downe and came to strokes The first which fled were the Scottish Horsemen leauing their Infanterie or battels of foote open to that great destruction which followed the victory resting clearely to the English 35 Our Scottish Author writes that by reason of emulation against VVallace the Scots burning in mutuall hatred made the enterprise easie to their enemies which as it may bee verie true so certainely there was scarse anie battell betweene the two Nations in which more Scottish bloud was spilt then in this for thereof Sebastian Munster seemes to meane saying that there were slaine threescore and ten thousand which though wee take not to bee the true number for some haue threescore thousand others not so many yet shewes it that the slaughter was vast as it could not otherwise bee the Scottish footmen valiantly fighting as it were to the last man Bloud worthy to haue beene shed on both sides against another kind of enemy then Christians the deformity of which effusions may iustly represent to vs the blessed estate of our now setled vnion This victory was obtained by the English vpon Saint Mary Magdalens day at a place called Fawkirke from which VVilliam Wallace opening his way with his Sword escaped The Welshmen deserued ill of the King at this iourney for that they foreslowed to charge vpon the Pallisado or fence of the Scots in hope the English being vanquished which by the inequality of their numbers they presumed would happen that themselues might ioyntlie with the Scots execute vpon King Edward the hatred which they bare him for the euils hee had brought vpon their nation After this victory the King tooke sundry places and returned into England by Carlile 36 The two yeeres truce formerly taken betweene the English and French was now by the interceding of Boniface Bishoppe of Rome turned to a setled peace who among other things brought it about that K. Edward should marry the French kings sister Margaret and Edward the kings sonne the same kings daughter though saith Walsingham hee aduanced not the good of his Realme by this match in any point To this affinity were added the greater strengthes of a domesticke quiet for the king whom wars had together made renowned aged graciously wisely yeelded to confirm such grants of laws and liberties as the Earles and Barons the pretended Conseruators of the Peoples interest did declare were by his promise to bee confirmed to them at his returne from Scotland and which hee accordingly did in a Parliament holden at London vpon prorogation in Quindena Paschae where for their fuller satisfaction hee left out this Clause in the end Saluo iure coronae nostrae sauing the right of our Crowne and what at this time was wanting he made vp afterward in a Parliament at Stamford 37 But that he might not seeme willing to deny the Pope any iust request or not to know the sweetnesse of an others freedome he deliuered to the hands of the Popes Nuntios Iohn the late King of Scotland vpon their assuming for King Edwards indemnity whom they conueied to his inheritance in France where vpon euery side vnfortunate he remained as vnder the note of a false seducer and of a periur'd person in king Edwards iudgement and with out anie part of his regall office ouer the Scottish nation who found that the peace which King Edward made in other places did but turne to their more grieuous affliction for albeit they had gotten Striuelyn by surrender of the English and began with an immortall desire of their ancient Liberty to assemble again vnder William Wallace yet the time was not come of their deliuerance for King Edward according as it was formerly appointed hauing accomplished his marriage with the French Kings sister at Canterbury made it his whole affaire to finish the annexation of Scotland to the Crowne of England 38 He therefore accompanied with his sonne and a dreadfull Army pursued the matter so close that whereas the Scots had gotten together againe in exceeding great numbers vnder their seuerall Captaines whose Enuie had caused Wallace to giue vp all such authority as the commonwealth of Scotland had formerly granted vnto him for preseruation of their freedomes and flying before King Edward whose fortune in warre had worthily made him terrible that day in Walsinghams iudgement had beene irrecouerably fatall to the Scottish name if the English had beene able to haue followed them in their Armour ouer their bogges and mountaines or that the Welsh had with their naturall nimblenesse supplied the same Sure it is that Edward held himselfe so fast in possession that hee neither would grant the Scottish Lords their Baliol to raigne ouer them which they requested saith Walsingham nor suffer them to redeeme such lands of theirs as hee had giuen to the English among them 39 Armes failing and the Scots hauing made their way in the Court of Rome procured inhibitory letters from the Pope which were brought by one Lumbardus into Scotland but the King swearing a terrible oath said that he would not desist Neuerthelesse the Scots after a few dayes requested the King to let them liue in peace till they had taken counsell of the Peeres and of the King of France threatning that otherwise the Pope would take the matter vpon him But the King with a disdainefull smile answered Haue you done homage to mee as to the chiefe Lord of the Kingdome of Scotland and now suppose that I
his Act against Andrew Barton and would abide the last drop of his bloud in the Vant-gard of the field 14 King Iames most readily accepted the offer and by his Herauld Hay sent the Earle word that if he were as then in Edenbrough yet would hee most gladly come to fulfill his desire and withall sent his letters for the iust occasions giuen him to inuade England as hee did The day approached and the Scots keeping the higher ground the Earle marched vpward along the riuer and by two Bridges passed ouer with his hoast making still forward as thogh he ment either to haue taken into Scotland or else to circumuent K. Iames his returne which hee perceiuing hasted downe the hill putting from him his horse raised his roiall Standard and as a most valiant Chiefetaine encouraged his Souldiers to the fight 15 The Scotish Ordinance discharged from aboue ouershot the English with very small dammage and the ground of no difficult ascent gaue them the easier accesse so that Sir Edmund Howard who lead a wing to the Vant-gard whereof his brother the Admirall was Captain got almost to the height against whom the Earles of Lennox and Argile with their Battels of Speares on foot so violently encountred that they beat down and brake the wing of the English wherein many were slaine and the horsemen disbanded and put to flight but presently recalled ioyned themselues againe to the great battell which by this time had attained to the toppe of the hill King Iames that saw this first brunt performed made full account that the day was his owne supposing verily the English had fled and therefore most valiantly he aduanced forward not staying for the reregard to second his battel and encountring the Earles Battalion a bloody fight was performed with the losse and life of many a man but strength neere spent and the Scotish somewhat disioyned through force of a great shore of arrowes falling among them Sir Edward Stanley hauing three bands reserued for the like purpose with a fresh onset inuaded the open sides of the enemy whose force was so violent that the Scots no longer were able to stand but tooke downe the hill vnto flight which the Earles of Lennox and Argile perceiuing did their best to stay them and fighting most valiantly themselues were slain in the same place 16 King Iames then perceiuing the wings of his Battell distressed and gone and that the enemy began to enclose him about with a stout resolution incouraged his men willing thē to regard the person of their King their own honor their valiant Ancestors and now their present imploiments that their blood might bee bought deare to the English and the Scotish valours recorded for euer in the volumes of fame for this their one daies work thereupon rushing among the thickest began a most eager bloody battel and piercing through with a strong hand went so far that he had almost ouerthrown the Earles Standard thus busied in doubtfull chance the Lord Howard and Sir Edward Stanley hauing discomfited the enemy in either wing returned in the face of the maine battell and the Lord Dacres with his Horse-men came vpon their backes so that the Stotish were forced to fight in a round compasse but being ouer-laid the Kings Standard was strucken downe and himselfe most valiantly fighting slaine in the middest of his enemies with whom died three Bishops whereof one was Alexander Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Kings base sonne two Abbots twelue Earles and seuenteene Lords Kent vnto Black-heath neere vnto Greenewich was there mette and receiued by the Duke of Norfolke many Knights but many more Prelates where in a Tent of Cloth of Gold he shifted himselfe into his Cardinall Roabes which was edged about with most rich Ermine and thence rode to London in more pompe and estate then Christ did to Ierusalem when Hosanna was sung 32 Eight Mules hee had laden with necessaries belonging but those made no shew in proud Wolseis eies therefore twelue more hee sent him to furnish his Pageants through the streets of London these either wanton or ashamed to bee wondred at plaied the skittish Iades indeed For in Cheape-side as this Triumph foorth passed these beasts by breaking their Collers and escaping their Leaders cast their Carriages and Coffers vpon the cold ground whose lids flying open laid most of their riches to the sight of the people For from some of them fell olde Breeches Bootes and broken shooes from others torne stockings tottered ragges olde Iron and horse shooes and for fainting by the way therein was bestowed and now cast abroad broken meate mary-bones rosted egges and crusts of bread ywiffe worth the keeping this Shipwrack made vpon the Shelues of Cheape-side no need it was to bid the muliters to bestirre them who like good thrifty marriners saued from spoile as much as they could and trussing vp their trinkets laded againe these wantons with the wealth of the Cardinal who good man was iogging on afore with his Crosses Pillars Gilt-axe and Mace vnto Pauls Church where hee was mette with many mitred Bishops and attended vpon to Bath place where we will leaue him and returne to the place where wee left 33 The vnity agreed vpon betwixt England and France a meeting was motioned for the two Kings and to that ende great preparation made aswell of the one as of the other But in the heate of this businesse King Henry had word that Charles his Queenes Nephew and new made Emperour would visit him in England which accordingly hee did accompanied with the Queene of Arragon and a most Royall Traine and was as Roiallie entertained by King Henry the cause of his comming was to hinder the peace concluded with France for although this Emperour were young and but newly established yet was hee wise and well foresawe the hurt that this amity with France would bring him and therefore came in person of purpose to disswade the Kings mind and to stay his entrance with the French if he could but finding Henry so forward in those proceeds he baited his hooks with golden gifts to the Cardinall and wanne him wholly to his deuotion 34 King Henry passing the Seas vnto Callis met with King Frances at a place appointed and for that purpose newly built betwixt the Townes of Guisnes and Arde where to describe the Iusts Banquets and Maskes were to fill vp with Hall Grafton and Holinshed whole sides of excessiue great Cost At Callis also the same time the Emperor with his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Sauoy landed whither King Henry and his Queene repaired to the no little grudge of the French King though he kept it to himselfe and consented vnto the ancient league tripertite betwixt these three Monarches which done the Kings returned into their owne Realmes 35 Displeasures shortly arising betwixt the Emperour and the French King King Henry assaied to