in their hands that haue bene destroyers of his sayd estate and of the sayde common Weale 3 Item how his Lawes be partially and vnrightfully guided and that by them that should most loue and tender his said Lawes the said oppression and extortion is most fauored and supported and generally that al righteousnesse and Justice is exiled out of the sayde land and that no man dreadeth to offend against the said Lawes 4 Item that it will please his saide good Grace to liue vpon his owne liuelode wherevpon his noble Progenitors haue in dayes heretofore lyued as honorably and as worthily as any Christian Princes and not to suffer the destroyers of the sayde land and of his true subiectes to lyue thervpon and therfore to lacke the sustenances that should be belonging to his sayd estate and finde his sayd houshold vpon his poore commons without payment which neyther accordeth with Gods nor mans lawe 5 Item how oft the said commons haue bene greatly maruellously charged with taxes tallages to their great empouerishing whereof little good hath eyther growne to the king or to the said land and of the most substance thereof the King hath left to his part not half so much and other Lordes and persons enimies to the sayd common Weale haue to their owne vse suffering all the old possessions that the King had in Fraunce Normandy Aniow Maine Gascoyn Gwiene won gotten by his father of most noble memory other his noble progenitors to be shamefully lost or sold 6 Item how they can not cease therwith but now begin a new charge of imposition and tallages vpon the said people which neuer afore was séen that is to say euery towne ship to finde men for y e Kings Gard taking ensample therof of our enimies aduersaries of Fraunce which imposition and tallage if it be continued to heire heires and successors will be the heauiest charge and worst ensample that euer grewe in Englande and the foresayde subiectes and the sayde heires successors in such bondage as their auncetors were neuer charged with 7. Item where the King hath now no more liuelode out of his Realme of Englande but onely the Lande of Ireland and the towne of Calleis and that no King Christened hath such a Lande and a Towne without his Realme diuers Lordes haue caused his highnesse to write letters vnder his Priuie Seale vnto his Irishe enemies which neuer King of Englande did here to fore whereby they may haue comfort to enter into the conquest of the sayde Lande which letters the same Irishe enemies sent vnto me the sayde Duke of Yorke and maruelled greatly that any such letters shoulde be to them sent speaking therein great shame and villanie of the sayd Realme 8 Item in like wise the King by excitation and labour of the same Lordes wrote other letters to his enemies and aduersaries in other lands that in no wise they should shew any fauour or good will to the towne of Calleis whereby they had comforte ynough to procéede to the wynning thereof Considered also that it is ordayned by the labour of the sayd Lords that no where victuall nor other thing of refreshing or defence should come out of Englande to the succour or reliefe of the sayde towne to the intent that they woulde haue it lost as it may openly appeare 9 Item it is déemed ought greatly to be déemed that after that the same Lordes would put the same rule of England if they might haue their purpose and intent into the handes and gouernaunce of the sayd enemies 10 Item howe continually sithe the piteous shamefull and sorrowfull murther to all Englande of that Noble worthie and Christian Prince Humfrey Duke of Glocester the Kings true vncle at Burie it hath bene laboured studyed and conspired to haue destroyed and murthered the sayde Duke of Yorke and the yssue that it pleased God to sende me of the Royall bloud and also of vs the saide Earles of Warwike Salisburie for none other cause but for the true hart that God knoweth we euer haue born and beare to the profite of the Kings estate to the Common Weale of the same Realme and defence thereof 11. Item howe the Earles of Shrewsburie and Wilshire and the Lord Beaumount our mortall and extréeme enemyes nowe and of long tyme past hauing the guiding aboute the most Noble person of our sayde Soueraigne Lorde whose highnesse they haue restrayned and kepte from the libertie and fréedome that belongeth to his sayde estate and the supporters and fauourers of all the premysses woulde not suffer the Kings sayde good grace to receyue and accepte vs as he would haue done if he might haue had his owne will into his sayde presence dreading the charge that woulde haue bene layde vppon them of the miserie destruction and wretchednesse of the sayde Realme whereof they becauses and not the King which is himselfe as noble as vertuous as rightuous and blessed of disposition as any Prince earthly 12. Item the Earles of Wilshire and Shrewsburie and the Lorde Beaumount not satysfyed nor content with the Kings possessions and his goods stirred and excited his sayd highnesse to holde his Parliament at Couentrie where an Acte is made by their prouocation and labour agaynst vs the sayde Duke of Yorke my sonnes Marche and Rutlande and the Earles of Warwike and Salisburie and the Sonnes of the sayde Earle of Salisburie and many other Knightes and Esquiers of diuers matters falsely and vntruely imagined as they will answere afore almighty God in the day of Dome the which the sayde Earles of Salisburie and Wilshire and the Lorde Beaumount prouoked to be made to the intent of our destruction and of our yssue and that they myght haue our lyuelode and goods as they haue openly robbed and dispoyled all our places and our tenementes and manye other true men and nowe procéede to hangyng and drawing of men by tyrannie and will therein shewe the largenesse of their violence and malice as vengeably as they can if no remedie be prouided at the Kings highnesse whose blessednesse is neither assenting nor knowing thereof We therefore séeyng all the sayde mischiefes hearing also that the Frenche King maketh in his lande great assembly of his people which is greatly to bée dreade for many causes purpose yet agayne with Gods grace to offer vs to come agayne to the sayde presence of our sayde Soueraygne Lorde to open and declare there vnto hym the mischiefes aboue declared and in the name of the land to sue in as reuerent and lowely wise as wée can to his sayde good Grace to haue pittie and compassion vppon his sayde true subiectes and not to suffer the same mischiefes to raygne vppon them Requiring you in Gods behalfe and praying you in our owne therein to assist vs doyng alway the duetie of liege men in our persons to our sayd Soueraigne Lord to his estate prerogatiue and preheminence and to the suertie of his most Noble person
busynesse betwéene the two mothers so the Ladye Margaret Countesse of Richemond brought to a good hope of the preferment of hir sonne made Reynold Bray chiefe solicitor of this conspiraoie geuyng hym in charge secretely to inuegle suche persons of Nobilitie to ioyne wyth hir and take hir parte as he knewe to be faythfull This Reynold Bray within fewe dayes broughte to his lure sir Gyles Daubeney sir Iohn Chânie Richard Guilford and Thomas Rame Esquiers others In the meane season the Countesse of Richemond seat Christopher Vrfwike into Britaine to the Erle of Richmond to declare to him all agréementes betwéene hir the Quéene agréed but she rementbring that the Duke of Buckingham was one of the first inuentors of this enterprise sent Hugh Conway Esquier into Britaine with a great sum of money to hir sonne giuyng him in charge to declare to the Earle the great loue that y e most part of the nobilitie of the Realme bare toward him wylling him not to neglect so good an occasion offered but with all spéede to fettle his minde how to returne into Englande giuing him Counsell to take land in Wales When y e Earle had receyued this ioyfull message he brake to the Duke of Britayne all his secretes aduertising hym that he was entered into a sure and stedfast hope to obtayne the Crowne of England desiring hym of helpe towarde the atchieuing of his enterprise which the Duke promised and after performed Whervpon the Earle sent into England Hugh Conway and Thomas Ram to declare his comming shortly into England In the meane season the chiefe of the conspiracie in England beganne many enterprises which beyng neuer so priuely handled yet knowledge thereof came to Kyng Richard and because he knewe the Duke of Buckingham to bée the chiefe heade and ayde of this commination he thought it most necessarie to plucke hym from that parte where vppon he adressed his louing letters to the Duke to exhorte the Duke to come to the Courte but the Duke required the Kyng to pardon hym excusing himselfe that he was not well King Richard not content wyth this excuse directed to the Duke other letters wyth checkyng wordes commaunding hym wythout delaye to repayre to hys presence The Duke made to the messenger a determinate aunswere that he woulde not come to his mortall enemye and immediatelye prepared warre agaynste hym and by this meanes Thomas Marques Dorset came out of Sancturie gathered a great bande of men in Yorke shire syr Edwarde Courtney and Peter his brother Byshoppe of Excester raysed an other armie in Deuonshire and Cornewall In Kent âir Richard Calfortle and other gentlemen rayses a comparrie But King Richarde in the meane tyme had gotten together a great strength with whom he remoued from London towarde Salisburie to the entent he myght set on the Dukes army the King was starce two dayes tourney from Salisburie when the Duke of Buckingham accompanyed with a great powre of wilde Welchmen which in the ende forsooke him The Duke with his powre marched through the forest of Dene intending to haue passed the ryuer of Seuerne at Glocester and there to haue ioyned in armie with the Courtneys other Westerne men which if he had done no doubte but King Richard had béene in great ieoperdie But before he could attayne to Seuerne syde by force of continuall raine the riuer rose so high that it ouerflowed all the countrey adioyning which rage of water lasted x. dayes by which inundacie the passages were so closed that neyther y e Duke could come ouer Seuerne to his complices nor they to hym dâwing which time the Welchmen lyngering ydle and wythout money or victuall sodainly scaled and departed The Duke thus left almost alone was of necessitie compelled to flie and conueyed himselfe into the house of Humfrey Banister his seruaht beside Shrewesburie whom he had tenderly brought vp which wheÌ it was knowne to his adherents euery man shifted for himselfe and fled And some of them sayled into Britaine among the which were Peter Courtney Byshop of Excester and sir Edward Courtney his brother Thomas Marques Dorset Iohn Lord Welles sir Iohn Bourchier sir Edmond Woodvile brother to Quéene Elizabeth sir Robert Willoughbie sir Gyles Daubney sir Thomas Arundale sir Iohn Cheynie and his two brothren sir William Barkerley sir William BrandoÌ and Thomas his brother sir Richard Edgecombe and Iohn Halwell Edwarde Pownyngs c Proclamation was made and a thousande pound promised to who so coulde bring out the Duke of Buckingham where vpon Humfrey Banister bewrayed his guest and Humfrey Banister betrayeth his maister maister to Iohn Mitton then Sherife of Shropshire whiche with a stronge powre apprehended the Duke in a little groue adioyning to the manors of Humfrey Banister and in great haste conueyed him to the Citie of Salisburie where King Richard than kept his housholde This Banister after Banister that be trayed his maister miserably plagued let the like traitors looke for the like or vvorse to them and theirs vvithout speedie repentance he had betrayed his maister his sonne and heire waxed mad and dyed in a Bores stye his eldest daughter was sodainely striken with a foule leperie his seconde sonne maruellously deformed of his lymmes and made lame his yonger sonne in a small puddle was drowned and he himselfe being of extreme age arraygned and found guiltie of a murther and by his clergie saued And as for his thousande pounde King Richarde gaue him not one farthing saying that he which woulde be vntrue to so good a maister would be false to all other The Duke after he had confessed all the whole conspiracie Duke of Buckingham beheaded vpon the second of Nouember without araignement or iudgement was at Salisburie beheaded Whilest these things were thus handled in England Henrie Earle of Richmond prepared an armie of fiue thousand Britons and fortie wel furnished shippes When al thyngs were prepared and the day of setting forward was appoynted which was the. xij of October the whole armie hoysed vp sayles and tooke the sea but toward night the wind turned and so huge a tempest arose that the ships were dispersed a sunder some driuen into Normandie some againe into Britaine In the morning after when the tempest was asswaged the Earle approched to the South parte of England at the mouth of the Hauen of Pole in Dorcet where he might sée all the bankes full of men of warre appoynted to defend his arriuall wherfore he gaue charge that no man shoulde lande vntil such tyme as the whole Nauie were assembled but after that he perceyued none of his ships to appeare he hoysed vp Ankers and away where he arriued safe in Normandie and returned by lande into Britaine where he was soone aduertised that the Duke of Buckingham had loste hys head and that the Marques Dorcet and a great number of Noble men of England had a little before enquired for hym there In the meane season King Richarde apprehended in
all before theÌ whervpon Embassadors be sent again to Rome beséeching theÌ they would not suffer their miserable countrey to be vtterly destroyed Againe there is sent another legion which coÌming vpon a suddaine made a great slaughter of y â enimies chased theÌ ouer into their own country Then y e Romanes told the Britaines y t it was not their ease to take any more such trauellous iourneys for their defence and therefore bade theÌ to practise their armoure themselues and learne to withstand their enimies They builded vp a Wall of hard stone from Sea to Sea right betwéene the two Cities whiche there were made to kéepe out the Enimie in the selfesame place where Seuerus before had cast his Trench with publike and priuate charges the Brytaines also putting too their helping handes they then builded it eyght foote broade and twelue foote high right as it were by a line from East to Weast as it doth to this day appeare which being perfected they giue the people straight warning to looke well to themselues they teach them to handle their weapen and instruct them in warlike feates Also by the Sea side Southward where their Shippes lay at harbor least their Enimies should land there aboutes they made vp Bulwarkes along one somewhat distant from another and this done bid them farewel Gildas Sapiens as minded no more to returne At this time almost all the treasure of Brytaine was hidde vnder ground or transported ouer into France As soone as they were gone the Scottes and Pictes hauing intelligence that they had made promise they woulde come no more they taking heart of grace returne agayne to their businesse and first all that was without the wall they tooke for their owne After that they giue assault vnto the wall where the Britaynes were with Graples pulled downe and otherwise so assaulted that they leauing both the Cities and the wall also were dispersed and put to flight the enimies following killed and slayed more cruelly than euer they did before wherevpon being driuen out of their owne houses and possessions they fall a robbing and spoyling one the other of them so farre foorth that all the whole Countrey was brought to that exigent that they had none other sustenance but that they gote by hunting and killing of wilde Beastes THeodosius the yonger sonne of Arcadius succéeded his 408 Uncle Honorius and appoynted Valentinianus his Cousin Emperour in the Weast partes At this time Timotheus héere in Brytaine vnder a pretence Sigebertus of Religion and great continencie drew many into a dangerous Heresie Chrisanthus the sonne of Byshop Martian a Consull of Socrates Lib. 7. Italy was made Uiceroy and Lord Deputie of Britayne he was afterward made Bishop of Constantinople Now the poore remnant of the Brytaines directed letters to Aetius whereof this was the beginning To Aetius thrice 446 Consull the mourning of the Brytaines In the processe of which Epistle they thus set foorth their pitifull estate The barbarous enimie driueth vs vpon the Sea the Sea agayne vpon the enimie betweene these twayne riseth two manner of deathes eyther we are killed or drowned And yet for all their suite they could obtayne no ayde of hym as he whiche had then both his hands full of businesse and battayle at home with Bleda and Attila Kings of the Hunnes The Pelagian Heresies being brought in by Agricola Pelagian Heresie the sonne of Seuerianus a Pelagian Bishop about this time did fore corrupt the faith of the Brytaines but the Brytaines béeing neither willing to receyue their lewde Doctrine as blasphenrous againste the grace of God neyther able to refute their wilie and wicked persuasions they deuised this wholsome counsell to séeke for ayde of the Bishops of France against these their spirituall enimies And they calling a common counsell consulted among themselues whome of them all it were best to send to help their neighbours fayth By the assent of them all there was chosen two woorthie Prelates Germanus Altisiodorensis and Lupus Bishop of the Citie Germanus and Lupus Trecassa whiche shoulde passe ouer into Britaine to confirme them in the Faith whiche with readie obedience accepting the commandement of the Sinode tooke shipping thitherward and had prosperous windes which set them ashore in place where they themselues desired Thither a great multitude of people being assembled receyued the Priestes of God and the word of God was preached by them not onely in their Churches but also in the open stréetes and in the Countrey in such sort that in all places both the sound and faithfull were confirmed and they that before swarued out of the right faith were amended The Authoures and head professors of this heretical error lay lurcking all this while and much spited to sée the people dayly to fall from them After long aduisement vsed they take vpon them to trie the matter by open disputation which being agréed vpon they come foorth richly appoynted gorgeously apparelled accompanyed with a number of flattering fauourers The people were present both to sée and iudge the matter The parties were farre vnlike of condition on the one side was the faith on the other mans presumption on the one side méekenesse on the other pride on the one side Pelagius on the other Christ First of all Germanus and Lupus gaue their aduersaries leaue to speake which vaynely occupyed both the tyme and eares of the people with naked words but after the reuerend Bishops poured out their words coÌfirmed with scriptures out of the Gospels and Apostles Thus the vanitie of Heretikes was conuicted and falsehoode confuted so that at Pelagians Heresie confuted euery obiection they were forced to confesse their errour not being able to aunswere them but after their departure the Heresie began againe to reuiue Wherefore Germanus returned into Britaine with Seuerus banished the Heretiques with banishment and restored the faith The end of the Romaynes gouernement in Brytaine Brytaines and Saxons THe Brytaines continued in doubtfull Warre with the Scottes and Pictes sometime bearing away the victorie sometime leauing it to the enimie But considering the ambitious minds of men and fearing least some should vsurpe the Kingdome at home while they were deteyned with warres abroade thought good to appoynte ouer them some King and so with one consent they elected Vortiger VOrtiger raigned in Brytaines in whose time hunger more 447 Beade preuayling against the Brytaines droue many of them to yéeld themselues vnto the hands of their enimies Other there were which could neuer be brought therevnto but from the hils and brakes where they lurked many tymes inuaded their enimies as trusting so much the more in the help of God how muche the lesse hope they had of ayde of men and by such meanes first of all both resisted and ouerthrew them which many yeares togither had liued by the spoyle of the Countrey whereby for the time they drewe homeward with shame ynough contending not long after to
returne The Pictes then and long time after kept them selues quiet at home saue onely they would now and then make inuasions into the land and driue away booties of Cattell After that they drew to a quietnesse there ensued such plentie of graine as neuer was séene the like before as farre as any man could remember whereof the people grew to loose and wanton liuing whereof all manner of lewdenesse followed specially crueltie hate of truth and loue of lying in so much that if any were gentler and more giuen to truth than other the other would worke him all the hurt Riot and euill life the destruction of the Brytaines and spite they could this did not only the seculars but also the Cleargie and the heads thereof giuing themselues ouer to drunkennesse pride contention enuie and such other casting from them the yoke of Christ In the meane season a bitter plague befell among them for their corrupt liuing consuming in short time such a multitude of people that the quicke were not sufficient to burie the dead and yet for all that the remnant remayned so hardned in sinne that neyther their friendes death nor feare of their own could cure the morrein of their soules which dayly perished through their sinfull liuing whereby a greate stroke of Gods vengeance ensued vpon the whole sinnefull Nation for being now infested againe with their old neighbours the Scottes and Pictes they deuised with themselues what was best to do and where they might séeke reskue to withstand and repell the feare of the Northren nation and they agréed all with their King Vortiger to demand ayd of y e Saxons beyond the Seas which thing doubtlesse sayth Bede was done by Gods owne appoyntmente that the people mighte be thereby plagued as by the ende it manifestly appeared The people of the English or Saxons being sent for of the Saxons sent for into Brytaine sayd King into Brytaine landed héere in thrée long Shippes and by the Kings commandement are appoynted to abide in the East part of the Land And the Isle of Thanet was giuen to them they to defend the Countrey like friendes but Wil. Malmesberie in déede as it proued afterwarde minding to destroy the Countrey as enimies Wherefore encountring with y e Northerne enimie the Saxons had the better whereof they sending word home into their Countrey as also of the fruitefulnesse of the Land the Saxons sente ouer a greater Nauie and number of men better appoynted for the Wars which being now ioyned with the former band drew to a stronger Armie than all the power of the Brytaines was able to ouercome These by the Brytaines were allowed a place to dwell among them with that condition that they should warre for them against their enimies for wages of the Brytaines These Saxons English and Iuits that came from beyonde the Seas Beade were thrée of the strongest nations in Germany That is the Saxons English and the Vites or Iuites Of the Iuites came the people of Kent and the I le of Wight and they in the prouince of Weast Saxons are called of Iuites right ouer against the I le of Wight Of the Saxons that is of that Region now called old Saxons descended the East Saxons the South Saxons and the Weast Saxons Of the English descended the Easte English the Mercies and the Northumbers The chiefe Captaines of the Saxons are sayd to haue bin two bréethren Hingest and Horsus this Hingest prepared a great banquet appoynting Wil. Malmesberie his Daughter Rowan as some write to attend at the table to the ende she might delight the Kings eye as he sate which thing was not done in vayne for as the King was alwayes desirous to behold the beautie of Women so was he straight wayes taken with the beautie and elegant behauiour of this mayden and without farther delay desired to haue hir to his Wife and woulde compell hir Father to consente therevnto who in his heart was willing ynough withall but for a subtiltie sayd nay alleaging that so base a mariage was not méete for the King and holding himselfe as agréeued and not willing All Kent was giuen him for a reward to consent therevnto in which countrey all equitie and iustice was decayed vnder gouernement of one called Gnorongus who notwithstanding was subiect vnto Vortiger as all the rest of the Princes of the Iland were For the loue that Vortiger bare to Rowayne the Saxon he was deuorced from his lawfull Wife by whome he had thrée sonnes for which déede welnéere all the Britans forsooke him Vodine Archbishop of London a man of singular deuotion Archbishop of London reproueth the King and good life by the aduise of Vortimer wente to Vortiger and sayd to him that he had not done as a Christian Prince in departing from his lawfull wife and taking another woman whose Father was an enimie to the Christian fayth and also wente aboute to conquere the Crowne of Britaine Then sayde Vortiger I was not wise when I brought the Saxons to help me against mine enimies but I was more vnwise when I was taken with the mordinate lust of the daughter of Hengist I knowe that mine Empire will bée terrible except I repent me with spéede and turne to God Hengist hearing Vortiger make this lamentation blamed him for that he beléeued the perswasions of a profane man of fayned life as he tearmed him and forthwith slewe the good Archbishop Vodine and many other Priestes and Archbishop of London slayne Religious persons All the Churches in Kent were polluted with bloud the Nunnes with other religious persons were by force put from their houses and goodes and constrayned to polution of their bodies The Britaines considering the dayly repaire of the Saxons into this Realme shewed to their King the ieoperdy that might thereof ensue and aduertised him of the danger but all was in vaine for Vortiger by reason of his wife bore such fauoure to the Saxons that he woulde in no wise heare the counsell of his subiects wherefore they with one minde depriued him of his royall dignitio when he had raigned sixe yeares ordeined to be their king Vortimere his eldest son VOrtimere pursued the Saxons and by his martiall knighthoode 454 fought against them foure battailes besides diuers skirmishes vntill at length he was poysoned by the meanes of Rowaâhe his stepmother after he had raigned vj. yeares The first battel HeÌgest Horse fought with Wirtigerre or Marianus Scotus I loriacen Wigornieu Vortimer as others haue was in a place called Aeglestrop notwithstanding that Horse was slayne in this battell yet Hengest caried away y e victorie The second battell Hengest Eske fought with y e Britaines in a place called Crecanford Of the Britaines many perished by the sword the rest of theÌ abandoned Kent altogither and with great feare fled vnto London The third battell Hengest Eske fought with the Britans néere vnto a place called Weppedes fleete
that is to say y e Fleete of Wepped where they slew xij Dukes or Captaynes of the Britaines with many other where as on the part of y â Saxons there was one only man slaine whose name was Wepped The fourth battell was fought by Hengest Eske against the Britaines who obtaining the victory gote an innumerable spoile in whiche battell the Britaines fledde from the Angles VOrtiger obteined againe the Kingdome and shortly after 460 Hengest which was chased into the I le of Thanet entred the land with a number of Saxons but when he hearde of the great assembly the Britaines had made against him he treated W. Malme for peace which in fine was coÌcluded Shortly after Hengest by a guile which before he had deuised bid his son in law iij. C. of his Nobles vnto a feast or banquet where when he The Barons of the Britaine 's slaine at a banquet had ouerlaid his guests with ouermuch Wine he fel to quarelling with taunting talke pinched euery one of theÌ and straight fel to fighting wherthrough the Britaines were slaine euery one The King was taken prisoner and forced to giue The King taken prisoner for his ransome Kent Sussex Suffolke Northfolke This murther of the Britans was on y t plaine of Salesbury Then Hengest began his dominion ouer Kent Vortiger fled into Wales Hengest King of Kent builded there a Castel of which building loÌg let of y e same and of his Prophet Merlin Geffrey Monmouth and others speake many things Great coÌpanies of y e SaxoÌs dayly flocked Beade into this Iland grew so strong y â the people of y â Countrey which sent for theÌ stoode in great feare of their puissance for those Saxons had taken league with the Picts began to turne their force vpoÌ the Britaines and to be short the fire once kindled A miserable state of the Britaynes in y t lands of the Paganes there tooke iust reuenge of y â wickednes of the people raging first vpoÌ the Cities Countrey next adioyning after from the East sea to the Weast ouerwhelming all the whole Iland without resistance both publike priuate houses were ouerthrowne to y e grouÌd the Priests were slaine standing at the altare the Bishops with their flocke were murthered without respect of their dignity nor there was any that woulde bury the slaine some of the miserable leauings being takeÌ in the hilles were there killed other being sterued with hunger were faine to créepe out of their caues buy their victuall at their enimies haÌds with sale of their libertie for euer if yet they were not killed out of hand other fled ouer the Seas with an heauie hearte other tarying stil in their couÌtrey in feare of death lacke of foode liued ful miserably in y e Mountaines woods Cliffes Aurelius Ambrose and Vther bréethren of Constantine y t was before slaine in France landed with a Nauie of Ships at Totnes made war vpon Vortigerne and buried him in his Castell in Wales when he had secondly raigned vj. yeares AVrelius-Ambrose was ordeined king of Britaine in whose time the Britaines by little little began to take strength 466 Beade Wil. Malme and courage vnto theÌ comming out of their caues in whiche they lucked before and with one consent calling for heaueÌly help that they might not for euer be vtterly destroyed they had then for their Captaine a Romane called Ambrosius Aurelius a gentle natured man which only of all the bloud of the Romanes remayned then aliue his parents being slayne whiche bare the name of King of the Countrey This man being their Captayne they assembled themselues togither and prouoking the victors to the fighte through Gods assistance atchieued the victorie and from that day forward now the men of the Countrey now the enimie had the victorie vntill the yeare that Bathe was beséeged where they gaue their enimies a greate ouerthrowe which was about the xliiij yeare of their comming into the land but of this we shall speake more héereafter This Ambrosius caused the Churches to be repaired Brute Booke whiche had bin spoyled by the Saxons He caused the greate Stonehenge besides Salesburie Gadeasins Tilberiensis stones to be sette on the playne of Salesburie whiche is called Stonehinge in remembrance of the Britaines that were slaine and buryed there in the time of Vortiger at the banquet and communication of Hengist with the Saxons A Saxon named Cella with his thrée sonnes and a company Kingdome of the South Saxons Agarâa Scot. Brute Booke of Saxons landed in the South part of Britaine A Saxon named Porth landed with his two sonnes Byda and Meagla at an Hauen in South-hamptonshire after whome the Hauen is named Portesmouth The third Kingdome of the East Saxons began in Britain Kingdome of the East Angles vnder Duke Vffa Aurelius Ambrosius being poysoned dyed when he had raigned 32. yeares and was buryed at Stonehinge called Chorea Gigantum VTher Pendragon so called for that he caused alwayes a 498 Gafrid Arbor Succes Dragon to be borne before him in his battels was crowned King of Britaine he vanquished Otta and Oza at Windgate by Coquet Riuer He was enamored vppon Igren the Dukes Wife of Cornewall and to obtayne his vnlawfull lust made warre vpoÌ hir husband Goilen and slew him in battell at Duvilioc On hir he begat Arthure He raigned eyghtéene yeare and was buryed at Stonhinge ARthure the sonne of Vther borne in Cornewall at the age 516 of fiftéene yeares was crowned King of Britaine as some say at Caerleon other at Winchester one old namelesse pamflet saith at Cilicester by Dubritius Archbishop of Legions Neneâiuâ This Citie of Cilicester in British is called Caier segent and was scituate néere Reading It was so called for that Constantius the sonne of Constantine the great dyed Sea Crâ there his Sepulture might once haue bin séene there besides the Citie as the Letters engranen on it in stone did declare He tooke to Wife Guinouer Cousin to Cador Duke of Cornewall and Daughter to the King of Biscay Of this King there be many fabulous reportes but certayne Wil. Malmesbery he was a Prince as Malmesberie saith more worthy to haue aduancement by true Histories than false Fables being the only proppe and vpholder of this his Countrey In the beginning of his raigne Lotho and Conradus his Aurea Histor allies enuying his prosperitie made Warre against him but he valiantlye vanquished them with their Pictes and Scottes at his pleasure and appoynted them a Gouernoure Sea Crâ Neniââ named Anguisell He fought twelue fieldes against the Saxons and alwayes bare away the victorie of whiche the last was fought at Bath where by his owne prowesse and manhoode he vanquished nine hundred Afterward he raysed the Malmesberie séege which the Saxons had planted about Lincolne and slewe them in great numbers Thus hauing abated the
Bishop of Dunmock Falix Bishoppe of Donwich now called Donwich an auntiente Citie sometime of great fame gouerned by a Maior and thrée Baylifes nowe soare decayed and wasted by the Sea he satte Byshop xvij yeares and was buryed at Ramsey Sigebert renounced the world and became a Monck and left his Kingdome to his kinseman Egricke with whom hée being assaulted of Penda King of the Mercies ioyned himselfe in battayle and was slaine ANna the sonne of Guido succéeded Egrieks and was lykewise slaine by the furie of Penda Etheldred daughter to Anna founded the Churche of Saincte Peter in the Isle of Ely Minster founded Ely Anno. 674. Athelhere brother to Anna succéeded and bothe he and Penda were slaine by Oswinus Kyng of the Northumbers and that deseruedly bycause he hadde ayded Penda against his owne brother and his kinsman Adelwaldus hys brother succéeded hym with like fortune and left the Kingdom to Aldulfus Elohwoldus and Hisberna sonnes of the same Athelhore Etheredus succéeded him EThelbertus his sonne whome Offa Kyng of Mercies deceitfully 790 slewe he was buryed at Hereforde Uery few men of might did raigne after him in East-Angle by reason of the violence done by the Mercians vntill S. Edmond EDmonde raigned xv yeares in whose time Hinguar and 870 Hubba began Danes entring the Prouince of the Northumbers raged ouer all the same and made great spoiles Hinguar hauyng gotten a great pray left Hubba and wyth Asserius his nauy sayled into East-Angle arriued at a certaine Citie thereof vnawares to the Citizens sette it on fire and slue Albo Florica censis both man woman and childe This wicked Hinguar tooke Edmonde King of that Prouince in a Uillage then called Heglisdune neare to a Wood bearing the same name where this holy Edmond being constant in the Christian Faith was first by the Pagans beaten wyth battes then scourged King Bdmund cruelly martyred by the Danes with whips he still calling on the name of Iesus hys aduersaries in a rage shotte him ful of Shaftes and then smote off his heade after whiche time the Angles ceased to raigne in the East-Angle but the same was possessed by Danes til a fiftie yeares after that Edward the sonne of Etheldred did expulse the Danes and ioyned that Prouince and also the East-Saxons to hys Kingdome of the Weast-Saxons East-Saxons ESsex the fourth kingdome contayned Essex Midlesex and Hartfordshire being bouÌded on the East with the Germaine Ocean on the South with the riuer Thamis on the Weast with Colme and on the North with Stowre which at this day parteth Suffolke from Essex it contayneth the diocesse of LoÌdon ERchenwine the eighte from Woden from whome all the Saxons deriued their genealogies first erected this Countrey 527 to a Kingdome which neuerthelesse he held as Feodarieto the kings of Kent who were as yet the very soueraines of the whole country froÌ Thamis to Humber And as we haue specified Vortiger yéelded season to HeÌgest for his deliuery âeade when y â Péeres of the Brytains were slain on Salisburie playn and he taken prisoner SLedda the sonne of Erchenwine succéeded his father in the 587 gouernement and to establishe the state more sure married Ricula the daughter of Ermenrich King of Kent and enioyed hys gouernemente so quietly that he ministred small matter to Historiographers SEbert the sonne of Sledda by Ricula ruled this kingdome 602 after his father The seconde yeare of hys raigne by the perswasion of Ethelbert hys vncle and preaching of Miletus first Byshoppe of London he embraced Christianitie and was baptised by Miletus and immediately to shewe himselfe a Christian builte a Churche to the honour of Saint Peter on the West side of London in a place whiche bycause it was ouergrowen with Thornes and enuironed wyth Waters the Saxons at that time called it Thorney and VVestminster built nowe of the Monasterie and West scituation is called Westminster In this place long before was a Temple of Apollo as Sulcardus writeth whyche being ouerthrowne wyth an Earthquake Eucius builte a Churche for the Christians âulcardââ Sebert when he had raigned thirtéene yeres dyed and was entombed in the Church which he builte with his wife Acthelgod whose bodies many yeares after in the the time T. Walsingham of Richarde the seconde were translated from the olde Churche to the newe at Westminster and there enterred SErred Sewarde and Sigbert sonnes of Sebarte ioyntly as it séemeth then ruled Eastsex men wickedly giuen irreligious 616 and deadely enemies to the Christian profession who presumed contemptuouslye to the Table of the Lords Supper beyng not Baptised and bycause Miletus woulde not permitte them to be partakers of the Christian Sacramente they expelled hym from his Sea at London but shortly after Serred encountring with the West Saxons was slaine with both his brethren by king Kinegls SIgebert surnamed the little sonne of Sewarde succéeded in this kingdome and lefte the same to Sigebert his kinsman SIgebert sonne to Sigebalde brother to Sebert then ruled in Eastsex he by the perswasion of Oswy King of Northumbers âeade abandoned all superstition and became a Christian and toke an holye manne Ced wyth hym who did mightily beate down errours wan many by preaching the Christian religion in his Dominions wherevpon Ced was by Finan consecrated Bishoppe of the East Saxons and then procéeded with more authoritie in hys functioÌ ordering Priests and Deacons in all places of Essex but especially at Ithancester and Tilberie Thys Cittie of Ithancester stoode on the bancke of the riuer Pante that runneth by Maldune in the hundered of Dansey but now that Citie is drowned in Pante so y t nothing remaineth but the ruines of the Citie in the sayde riuer Tilbery standeth on the Thamis side Ralph Cogshal In y â good procéedings of King SIGEBERT he was slain by a kinsman of his owne vpon none other occasion but for that he vsed too muche clemencie towardes his enimies as the murtherers themselues confessed Swidhelin sonne of Sexbald succéeded then in this regimeÌt who was baptized by Ced in Rendlesham in East-Englande Sigher then ruled with Sebba whyche Sebba became a Monke and is buried at Saint Paules in London Sigehard then raigned Erkenwald Bishop of Eastangle founded the Monasteries of Chartesey in Surrey and Barking in Essex Anno. 677. Seofride nexte successiuely of whome I finde nothyng recorded Offa the sonne of Sigher then ruled this Prouince he enlarged with building and enriched with landes the Church Rich Cicesââ of Westminster and then forsaking hys wife landes kinne and Countrey he went to Rome with Kenrede King of Mercia and there in a Monkes coule ended this life leauing Selred to rule his Countrey SElred whom other call Colred peaceably after Offa raigned 718 Ri. Grincastri 748 in Essex thirty yeares and at length was slaine SVthred after Selred was slayne raigned in Eastsex but Egbert King of the Weast-Saxons
committing adulterie with a lay man and cast out of the Monasterie she ended hir life in pouertie miserie Houeden as of many that haue séene hir we heard sayth mine Author Asserius Asser EGbrichus obtayned the gouernement of the Weast Saxons 802 He tamed the Welchmen vanquished Bertulphus King of the Mercians at Hellendune and subdued to his obeysance W. Malme the Kentish Saxons East Saxons and Northumbers He caused the brasen Image of Cadwaline King of the Britaines to bée Scal. Croni throwen downe and this Lande no more to be called Britaine but Anglia or England He was Crowned at Winchester Britaine first named England In the 33. yeare of his raigne the Danes ariued at Lindisferne Danes arriued heere Sca. Cro. and foughte with the Englishmen at Carham where two Bishops two Earles and a greate number of the English people were slayne Two yeares after y â Danes ariued in West Wales where Egbright ouercame them at Hengistendon He raigned ouer the most part of England the space of seauen and thirtie yeares and seauen monethes and was buryed at Winchester ADelnulfus the sonne of Egbrichus beganne his raigne ouer 8â9 Wil. Malme the more parte of Englande He tooke to wife Iudith daughter to the King of France and had by hir four sonnes which were Kings after him In his time there came a great armie of the Pagan Danes Alredus Riusall with 350. Ships into the mouth of Thamis and so to London and spoyled it and put to flight Beorthulfe King of Mercia Danes spoyle London with all his power which came to bid them battel and then the Danes went with their armie into Southerie then Adhelnulfus with his sonne Adhelbald and a great army came against the foresayd Danes and at a place called Aolea they fought a cruell battell wherein the most parte of the Danes were slayne The same yeare Adhelstane the sonne of Adhelfus and Sca. Cro. Calchere y â Earle slew a great armie of the Paganes at Sandwich in Kent and tooke nine of their Shippes Adhelnulfus sent his sonne Alfride to Rome with a great number of noble men and other at which time Pope Leo confirmed the said Alfride and tooke him to his sonne by adoption and also consecrated him King This Adhelnulfus did make the tenth part of his kingdome Tenth giuen to the Church by King Adelnulfus frée from tribute and seruice to the King and gaue it to them that did serue Christ in the Churche and the same yeare he wente to Rome where he repaired the Englishe English Schoole at Rome repayred Schole which was first founded by Offa King of the Mercies In the meane season his sonne Adhelbald rebelling vsurped the Kingdome so that when Adhelnulfus returned he was forced to deuide the Kingdome and to take the worse part He raigned eightéene yeares and was buryed at Winchester sayth Asser Asser ADhelbald raigned after his Father against God the 857 worthinesse of Christianitie yea and coÌtrarie to the custome of all Paganes he presumed to hys Fathers marriage bedde and with greate infamie married Iudith the French Kings daughter He raigned after his father Flori Wigor two yeares and was buryed at Shirborne AThelbrict brother to Athelbald tooke vnder his dominion 860 Kent Southery and Sussex In this time the greate Armie of the Paganes inuaded Danes inuade and spoyle VVinchester and spoyled the Citie of Winchester who when they returned with a great pray towards their Ships Osrike Earle of Hampton and his folke and Adhelnulfus the Earle with Barkeshire men met them and farre from any Towne they ioyned battell where the Paganes were slayne in euery corner and the Christians kept the field The Normans and Danes made a firme league with the Kentishmen who promised them money to kéepe the league but notwithstanding the Paganes brake priuilie out of their Danes make a league and breake it Castels by night and spoyled all the East parts of Kent Athelbrict raigned fiue yeares and was buryed at Shirborne ETheldred brother to Adhelbrict receyued the Kingdome 866 of the Weast Saxons In the firste yeare of his raigne a great Nauie of Paganes came into England and remayned all the winter in the Kingdome of East England Anno 871 the Paganes came to Reading in Barkeshire where they cast a great ditch and wall betwixt the two Riuers Thames and Kynetan on the right side of the said towne Adhelnulfus Earle of Barkeshire and his armie mette with the Paganes in a place called Englefield where the Paganes had the worst and many of them slaine and the rest put to flight Etheldred King of the Weast Saxons and Aelfrede his brother came to Reading where was foughten a fierce and cruell battell but at the last the Christians fled and the Paganes had the victorie The Christians within four dayes fought a battell with the Paganes in Assendune but the Paganes deuided themselues Battayle at Assendune into two battels for then they had two Kings which when the Christians sawe they likewise deuided their armie into two companyes It was determined that King Ethelred with his battell shoulde goe againste the two Pagan kings with their battell and that his brother Aelfrede with his armye shoulde set on all the Pagan Dukes and theyr armye Battayle at Assendoune All things thus ordered when the king farried long in hys prayer and the Pagans being readilye prepared came to Chipenhane where the battel was pitched Aelfred séeing he muste either retire or sette on his enemies Sca. Cron. before his brother did come he straight ways set vpon them though the place of battel was vnequall for the Pagans had gotten the higher grounde and the Christians brought their battel from the valley There was in that place one onely thorne trée very short about which trée the battels met and ioyned wher when they had a long time fought Hubba one of the kings fiue Earles and many thousandes moe of the Pagans being slaine the other were chased A great heape of stones was layd copped vp where Hubba was buried and the place called Hubbeslow Hubbeslovv This being done King Etheldred and his brother Aelfrede Sca. Cro. shortly after gathered their power againe to fight wyth the Pagans at Basing where after a long and sore battayle the Pagans had the victorie After this battayle came another armye of Pagans from Pagans vanquished beyonde seas and ioyned with the first When King Etheldred had raigned fiue yeares he was slaine of the Pagans at Whitingham and buried in the Monasterie of Winburne with thys Epitaph In hoc loco quiescit corpus sancti Etheldredi regis WestsaxonuÌ Sca. Cro. Marians Scotus martyris qui anno Domini 872. 23. die Aprilis per manus Dacorum Paganârum occubuit His armes a crosse Florie Anno. 870. Saint Ebbe Abbesse of Coldingham sixe myles Flores HistoriaruÌ Chastitie before beautie preferred a rare example
get the good wyll of the people who had conceyued an ill opinion of hym of thys arose ciuill warres within the Realme and often dissention and discordes as well of the Nobles as of the common sort Anno. 982. a great part of the Citie of London was brent Thomas Rudburn which Citie at this time had most building from Ludgate towarde Westminster and little or none where the harte of the Citie is nowe except in diuerse places was housing that stoode without order so that manye Cities as Canturburie Yorke and other in Englande passed London in building but after the Conquest it encreased and nowe passeth all other A disease not knowen in England in time past to witte Asser Flux of men c morraine of Cattaile Bishops Sea at Excester Feuers of men with the Flix and Morren of cattayle killed many Anno. 994. King Ethelred erected a Byshoppes sea at Excester The same yeare Anlafe Kyng of the Norwayes Sweyne King of Danes on the daye of the Natiuitie of our Lorde in xviij Galleys came vp to London whiche they attempted to breake into and to set on fire but they were repulsed not without their greate detriment and losse by the Citizens wherevppon they being driuen with furie leauing London set vpon Eastsex and Kent by the sea coastes brent Townes and wasted the fields without respect of sex or age killed al wasted with fire sword al what they may not carry away At length being pacified with a Tribute of 16000. pounds departed to theyr shyppes and Wintered at Southampton Anno. 995. a Comet apeared The Bishoprick of Lindâfer Bishops sea aâ Durham or Holâe Iland was remoued to Durham In the yeare 1002. King Etheldred caused al the Danes in The Danes ãâ¦ã thered Burton vpon Trent England to be slayne vpon the day of Saint Brice The same yeare Vlâricus Spote founded a Monasterie at Burton vppon Trent In Anno. 100â Swayn King of Denmark with agret army inuaded EngleÌd with fire and sword 1004 they fought a great battell at Theâforde against Vlfekettel Carle of East-Angle Asser The yere 1009. they fought another battel against Vlfekettel at Rengemore The yere 1011. they destroyed Canturburie for that y â Archbishoppe Elfegus woulde not yéelde to them he was first imprisoned there after carried to Grenewiche and there stoned to deathe Christes Churche is spoyled and brent the Monkes with all other men are ââââhed TiraÌny of the Danes in Englande nine of euery ten being put to death the tenth suffered to liue in miserie the number of them that were left aliue was four Monkes and of lay people eight hundred so that y â number slaine was 36. Monkes and. 8000. of the lay people In Anno. 1012. they toke tribute of 48000. poundes and Record eccle Caâ Marianus Tloriacensis at the last after diuerse ouerthrowes giuen to the meÌ of this Iland they possessed the same and putte king Etheldred to flight constrayning him to liue in exile among the NormaÌs This Etheldred had two wiues Ethelgina an Englishe Ethelgina and Emma vviues to Etheldred Alured and Edvvard the sons of Etheldred woman and Emma a Norman of the first he had two childreÌ of which sauing of Edmonde who succéeded hym in the kingdome it were nothing to our purpose to speake Of the secoÌd that was Emma sister to Richard Duke of Normandie there were borne two sonnes to witte Edward and Alured And that I do here contrarie to that is commonly vsed set Edward before Alured as elder brother I am moued therevnto by no smal aucthoritie which I haue taken out of the historiographers W. Gemeticensis Encomium Emma of that age out of Gemeticensis a most diligeÌâ writer of Genealogies and one other author who in hys Commentarie written in praise of Emma the Quéene affirmeth that Edwarde was the elder brother whom I doe the better beléeue bycause it is not like that he séeing the things wyth his eyes shoulde mistake the matter especiallye writing to the Quéene who was mother to them both Swanus in the meane time subdued al Englande and the people for feare yelded vnto hym on euery side ouer whome most cruelly he tryumphed But not long after he departed this life at Geynesburge and left Canutus his sonne successour in the Kingdome Etheldrede hearing that Swanus was dead leauing in Normandie with Duke Richard his sisters sonne Emma his wife and the children that he hadde by hyr returned with al spéede into Englande with Edmunde his sonne by hys firste wife being then at maÌs state by the trustinesse of his own men and the ayde of the Normans moued warre against his enimie Canutus finding himselfe vnable to matche with him went into Denmarke minding to returne hither immediatly againe Etheldred being contrarie to his expectation thus restored to his kingdome shewed great crueltie vpon the Danes that remained in England sparing neither man nor woman yong nor old Therefore Canutus being very desirous to reuenge the same prepared a new armie and came into England against Etheldred with al spéede he could raging wide and side with fire and sword Etheldred in the meane season whether by sicknesse or for sorrow dyed when he had raigned âo Taxtor Wil. Malme Alfredus Beuers lacensis eight and thirtie yeares and was buryed in the North I le of Paules Church in London aboue the high Aulter EDmond the sonne of Etheldred by his first wife succéeded 1016 Edmond Ironside W. Malme in the Kingdome who whether it were for the greate strength of his body or for that he alwayes vsed to go in armour was surnamed Ironside He had sixe battels against Canutus King of the Danes Leyland at Penham hard by Gillingham in Dorcetshire He put the Danes to flight after that at Shirestone He held euen hand with them in the field notwithstanding that the Englishmen at the first beganne to flée by the policie of Edricus Duke of Lincolne and of Merce who cryed Edrike a Traytor runne away wretches Edmond your King is slayne After this King Edmond came to London to deliuer the Citizens whome part of the enimies had beséeged as soone as he was gone from thence He had made a ditch also round about the Citie where Ditch about London the Riuer of Thamis doth not runne The Danes fléeing the King followed them and passing ouer Brentford he vanquished them with a notable victorie The rest of y e Danes which remayned with Cnute whiles London beseeged both by land and by vvater Edmond rested him and set his matters in order did againe beséege London both by water and by lande but the Citizens stoutely withstoode and repulsed them wherefore they shewed their anger vpon the Countrey of the Mercies spoyling Townes and Uillages with robbery burnings and murther and caryed their pray to the Shippes whiche they had gathered togither in the Riuer of Medway which runneth by Rochester from
reg 2. 1068 Ypodigma Mathild wife to King William came forth of Normandie and on Whitsonday was consecrated Quéene by Aldred Archebyshop of Yorke After this Marleswin Gospatricke and other noble menne of Northumberlande to auoyde king Williams roughe and boysterous dealings taking with them Edgar Etheling and his mother Agatha with his two sisters Margaret and Christian wente by sea into Scotlande where they were receiued and well entertayned of Malcoline king of Scottes who tooke Margaret the sister of Edgar to wife Iohn Rouse King William with his armye wente to Notingham and Castel at Notingham Yorke and Lincolne builded there builded a Castel he went to Yorke and made there two Castels and put in them garisons he coÌmaunded also Castels to be made at Lincolne and other places This yere Henrie the kings sonne was borne in EnglaÌd T. Rudborne Earle of Northumberlande slaine for his eldest sons Robert and William Rufus were borne in Normandie before he Conquered England King William gaue to Robert Commin the Earledome Liber Dunelme Anno. reg 3. of Northumberland who entred by force into Duresme but for his outrages there done he and 900. of his men were slaine by the men of that Countrey in the Bishoppes palace that Sea Cro. had himselfe receyued him honourablye and king William came Afterward vpon them and slewe them euery one Agelricus bishop of Durham being accused of treason was 1069 imprisoned at Westminster And his brother Egelwine being made Bishop there was soone banished The Englishmen that were fledde out of Englande hauyng Edgar to be their Captaine returned out of Scotlande and sodainely set vpon the garisons that King William had sette at Yorke put them to flighte slewe them possessed the Citie and pronounced Edgar to be King but not long after King William came with a great armye and recouered thr Citie constrayning Edgar to retourne into Scollande Edgar seeing he coulde not make his partye good with king William adioyned vnto hym Canutus king of the Danes promising hym halfe of the kingdome Thus they entred Englande and came to Yorke The Normaines that were left to defende the Citie sette Yorke brent their suburbes on fire that their enimies shoulde haue no commoditie of it but the winde droue the fire on high and set all the Cittie on fire so that the garisons were forced to flée into their enimies hands In the âkirmish were slaine 3000 Normans wherevppon all the North parte of England fell from William to Edgar When William had word of the slaughter of his men hée with great trauel came to Yorke where he fought with hys enimies and put them to flighte Canutus with a few Danes got to their shippes but Edgar and the Englishmen which escaped retourned into Scotland King William spoyled all the Countrey beyonde Humber Such a dearth was in England that men did eate horsses Anno reg 4. Mans flesh good meate Ioh Taxtor 1070 Monasteries rifled cattes dogges and mans flesh King William bereaued all the Monasteries and Abbayes in Englande of theyr golde and siluer sparing neyther chalice nor shrine appropriating the sayd Monasteries and Abbayes to himselfe he also brought vnder Knightes seruice all those Bishoprickes and Abbayes that held Baronies which had bin frée from all secular bondage appointing them howe many souldiours they should finde him and his successours in time of warre In a counsel at Winchester Stigand was deposed as an Ypodigma Stigand deposed Apostata Archebishop who for money got his Bishopricke and Lanfranke was chosen Archbishop of Canturburie Anno. reg 5. 1071 Edwine Earle of Mercia Marcherus Earle of NorthuÌberlande and Swardus an Earle with Egelwine Bishop of Durham and many other of the cleargie and laitie kéeping the Noble men fled wooddes for that they were not able to abyde the Kings displeasure at the last came into the I le of Elie Herewarde being their Captaine who sore afflicted that Countrey but king William besieging the I le they all sauing Herewarde submitted them to his plesure who committed some to perpetual prison some he put to death and some he ransomed but Hereward by strong hande broughte his men out of the I le and escaped The Castell of Ledes in Kent was builded by Creueken Anno. reg 6. Ex libro Norâ Castel of Leder and of Oxforde builded Iohn Rouse 1072 Mathew Paris Yorke subiect to Canturburie Anno reg 7. 1073 Anno reg 8. and the Castel of Oxforde by Robert de Olly two noble men that came into England with William Conquerour In a Counsel holden at Windsore the primacie of y â church of Canturburie ouer the Churche of Yorke being examined it was founde by good aucthoritie of olde writings that the Church of Yorke ought to be subiect to the Church of Canturburie and faithfully to obey the same King William with a great power inuaded Scotland and forced Malcoline to do him homage and fealtie King William with a greate power of Englishmen wente into Normandâe which rebelled and subdued it spoyling the Cities townes vineyardes corne c. Gregory the seauenth Pope excommunicated all committers 1074 Maried priestes remoued Ypodigma Mathew Paris of Simony and remoued maried Priestes from executing of deuine seruice whereof rose greate troubles in England Ranulph Erle of y e East-English by y â counsel of the Erles Woltheopus Roger trauelled to expel K. WilliaÌ out of his kingdome The coÌspiracie was concluded at a mariage in y â Conspiracie Citie of Norwich forthwith they sente to the King of Denmarke desiring his ayde and hauing confederated with the Walchmen euerye one where they came robbed the Kyngs townes King William came sodainly out of Normandie and toke the Earles committing them to prison but the Walchmen he caused to haue theyr eyes put out and some to be hanged Kanut the sonne of Swayne and Hacon the Earle came Anno reg 9. out of Denmarke with 200 saile but when they heard y â theyr fautors were ouercome they tourned into Flaunders King William caused a castell to be builded at Dirham 1075 Ypodigma commaunded Waltheothus Earle of Northampton and of Huntindon son to Siward duke of Northumberland to be beheaded at Winchester who was buried at Crowland The king sayled into Brytaine and besieged the Castel of Dolens but preuayled not Walter Bishoppe of Durham bought of king William the Bisshop murdered Anno. reg 10 Earledome of Northumberlande wherin he vsed such cruelty that at the length the inhabitants slewe him and an hundred of his men by the riuer of Tine where the Bishop helde his courtes The Earth was harde frozen from the Calendes of Nouember 1076 T. Castleforde Iohn Leyland Anno. reg 11 till the middest of Aprill King William gaue the castel with the town of Pontfrait with land lying there about to Hilbert Lacy a Norman The castel town laÌds about Pontfraite longed before y â CoÌquest to
10 Iohn Fleming 11 Oliuer Saint Iohn 12 WilliaÌ Easterling now for shortnes called Sâradling Thus was the Lordship of Glamorgan Morgannoke wonne out of the Welchmens hands whiche Lordship conteyned in length from Râmid bridge on the East side to Pallekinan in the West side 27. miles The breadth from the Hauen of Aberthaw on the South side to the confine of Breknokeshire about Morleys Castell is 22. miâââ In this Prouince are neath vpon a Riuer of the same name Pontfaine that is to say Stone bridge sometimes called Cowbridge Lantwid Wenny Dinwid Townes and Castels besides Caer Phili a most antient Castell fortresse which by reporte was erected by the Romanes and Caerdid the Humfrey Lââyd principall Towne of the Shire standing vpon the Riuer Tafe Englishmen tearme it Cardid or Gardife Also within the body of the said Lordship were eightene Castels and â6 Knightes fées and a halfe that helde of the same Lordship by Knights seruice besides a great number of frée holders Also the saide Lordship being a Lordship Marcher or a Lordship Royall and holden of no other Lordship the Lordes thereof euer since the winning of the same owing their obedience only to the Crowne haue vsed therein Iura regalia with the triall of all actions as well reall as personall and pleas of Crowne with authoritie to pardon all offences Treason only excepted King William W ãâ¦ã Northumberland where he repaired 1091 Nevv Castell Sarisburie Anno reg 5 such Castels as the Scottes had impayred and builded the newe Castell on Tine Osmond Bishop of Sarisburie founded the Cathedrall Church of old Sarisburie and on the morrow after the dedication thereof the Stéeple was fiered by lightning In England fell wonderfull abundance of rayne and after 1092 Great Frost Mathew Paris Wil. Malme ensued so great frost that horsses and cartes passed commonly ouer great Riuers which when it thawed the Yse brake downe many great bridges Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester sente into Normandy for Abbey of Chester Anselme by his counsell to builde an Abbey at Chester of Saint Werbridge King William lying sicke at Glocester for feare of death Mathew Paris promised to correct the wicked Lawes He gaue the Archbishoprike of Canturbury to Anselme Anselme Archbishop and to his Chancellour Robert Bloet the Bishoprike of Lincolne but when the King had recouered his health he was sorie that he had not sold the Bishoprike of Lincolne Malcolme King of Scottes comming into Englande was King of Scottes flayne met withall and sodeinly ââayne with his sonne and heire also by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland Iohn Bishop of Welles by noynting the Kings handes Bishopricke at Bathe Levves in Suffex Anno reg 6. 1093 Carelile repayred and the Castell builded Famine ââ Beuerla Thomas Rudburn transposed his Bishops seate to Bathe William Waren first Earle of Surrey and Gundred his wife founded the Abbey of Lewes in Sussex King William builded againe the Citie of Carelile which was destroyed by the Danes 200. yeares before He also builded a Castell there and out of the South parts of England sent men to inhabit This yeare was a great famine and after so great a mortalitie that the quicke were scant able to bury the dead King William made great warres in Normandy against his brother Robert through the whiche both England and Normandy were fore oppressed with exactions Exactions VVâlâchmen vvon Angleâey The Welchmen spoyled the Citie of Glocester with a part of Shrewsburie and woonne the Isâe of Anglesey The Bishopricke of Thetford was translated to Norwich Bishopricke at Norvvich Anno reg 7. 1094 Northumberland spoyled by Herbert Losing Bishop there King William sent his brother Henry into Northumberland with a great power bycause Robert Mowbrey Earle of that Countrey refused to come to the Kings Court the Countrey was spoyled the Earle was taken and many were disherited Some had their eyes put out c. King William with a great power entred Wales but not King VVilliam inuaded vvales being able to followe the Welchmen among the hilles he builded two Castels in the borders and returned Great preparation was made by the Christians to goe Anno reg 8. 1095 ãâ¦ã to Hierusalem against the Infidels at Hierusalem Peter the Hermite being their first leader and after Godfrey of Lorraine called Godfrey of Bolleine Robert Duke of Normandy tooke his iourney towards Anno reg 9. 1096 Normandy pavvned An. reg 10. 1097 Nice and Antioch vvoon Hierusalem and layde Normandy to gage to his brother King William for 6666. poundes of siluer The Dukes Godfrey Beamonde and Robert beséeged the Citie of Niece with 6000. horsemen and 10000. footemen and tooke the same with the wife of Soliman and his sonnes They also tooke the Citie of Antioch King William with an armie of horsemen and footemen wente the seconde time into Wales meaning to kill all the male kinde there but he could vnneth kill or take any one of them All the lands in Kent that sometime belonged to Earle Hector Boetius Godvvin sands Godwine by breaking in of the Sea were couered with Sands and therefore is yet called Godwine Sands King William was in Normandy and gaue himselfe to Exactions An. reg 11. 1098 An. reg 12. 1099 Hierusalem vvonne warres there so that with exactions and tributes he did not only shaue but flea the people of England Hugh Earle of Shrewsburie was slayne in Anglesey by the Irishmen The Christians tooke the Citie of Hierusalem and placed there a King and a Patriarche After King Wilham was come out of Normandy he kept his Courte at Westminster in the new Hall which he had then caused to be builded the length whereof is 270. foote VVestminster Hall P. Patauiensis and the breadth 74. foote and hearing men say it was too bigge he answered this Hall is not bigge ynough by the one halfe and that it was but a Chamber in comparison Io. Euersden of that he was about to make A diligent searcher might Mathew Paris Io. Rouse yet find out the foundation of the Hall which he had purposed to builde stretching from the Thames side vnto the common strééte King William being a hunting in the new Forest word was brought him that his people were beséeged in Mayne he forthwith tooke shipping though he were vehemently perswaded to the contrary for that there was at that time a great tempest to whome he answered he neuer heard that any King was drowned At this time he gote more honor VVord of VVilliam Rufus Mathew Paris than euer he did in all his life for he chased his enemies and returned with victory In this Sommer bloud sprang out of the earth at Finchamstede Anno reg 13 in Barkeshire King William on the morrow after Lammas day hunting 1100 There standeââ a Chappell King VVilliam slayne Wil. Malme Mathew Paris Radulphus Niger in the new Forrest of Hampshire in a
wéete Radulphus fitz Algede Winiard le Douershe c. gaue the foresayde Lands called Knighten Gild to the same Church but Othowerus Accolinillus Otto and Gefferey Earle of Estsex Constables of the Tower of London by succession with-helde by force a portion of the same lande that is to say East Smithfield néere to the Tower to make a Uineyard and would not depart from it by any meanes till the seconde yeare of King Stephen when the same was adiudged and restored to the Church of the holy Trinitie King Henry hauing greate warres with Lewes King 1116 Anno. reg 17 Cro. Peter of France the Realme of England was sore oppressed with exactions The Towne of Peterborow with the stately Churche there was burned downe to the ground In March was excéeding lightning and in December 1117 Anno. reg 18. Tempest and Earthquake thunder and hayle and the Moone at both times séemed to be turned into bloud This yeare in Lumbardy was an Earthquake continued fortie dayes whiche ouerthrewe many houses and that Floriacen whiche was maruellous to be séene a Towne was moued from his seate and set a good way off Mathild the Quéene wife to King Henry of Englande 1118 Anno reg 19. Mathew Paris deceassed at Westminster and was there buryed in the Reuostrie She founded the Priorie of Christes Church within the East gate of London called Aldgate and an Hospitall of Mathilds Hospitall Saint Giles in the fielde without the Weast part of the same Citie The order of the Templers began Knightes of the Temple Many sore battayles were fought in France and Normandy betwéene the King of England and of France 1119 Anno reg 20 1120 Anno reg 21. The Kings children drovvned W. Malme Mathew Paris King Henry hauing tamed the Frenchmen and pacifyed Normandy returned into Engalnde in whiche voyage William Duke of Normandy and Richard his sonnes and Marye his daughter Richard Earle of Chester and his wife with many noble men and to the number of one hundred and sixtie persons were miserably drowned the Sea being calme King Henry marryed Adelizia the Duke of Louans 1121 Anno reg 22. daughter at London from thence the King with a great armie wente towarde Wales but the Welchmen met him humbly and agréed with him at his pleasure The Citie of Glocester with the principall Monasterie was brent againe as before and Lincolne was burned 1122 Anno reg 23 Glocester brent Lib. Glocest Mathew Paris 1123 Anno reg 24. VVarvvike vvith the Colledge King Henry sayled into Normandy where he remayned long trauelling to quiet that Countrey Henry Earle of Warwike and Margaret his wife founded the Colledge of Saint Mary in y â towne of Warwike And Roger de Belemound his sonne Earle of Warwike and Aeline his wife translated the same Colledge into the Castell of Warwike in Anno 1123. At that time were nine parishes in Warwike Saint Sepulcre Saint Hellens of these twayne were made one Priorie of Saint Sepulchre Alhalowes Saint Michaell Saint Iohn Saint Peter Saint LawreÌce Saint Iames these fiue last Liber Warwicââ Io. Rouse were ioyned to Saint Maryes in Anno 1367. Saint Nicholas Waleran Earle of Mellent is takeÌ in Normandy by King 1124 Anno reg 25 1125 Anno reg 26 Mathew Paris Taxtor Coyners punished Henry and he with many other are imprisoned at Roane Iohn Thremensis Cardinall came into England who inueying sore against Priestes Concubines was himselfe detected of whoredome The King caused all the Coyners of England to haue their priuie members cut off and also their right hand bycause they had corrupted the Coyne Henry the fourth Emperour being dead as it was said 1126 Anno reg 27. The Empresse returned into England Giraldus Cambr. and Mawde the Empresse returning into England dwelte with the Quéene in hir Chamber bycause she was suspect of hir husbands death but some affirmed him to be long after in England lyuing as an Hermite and in the end to be buryed at Chester King Henry held his Courte with great magnificence Floriacen in his Castell of Winsore and there assembled all the nobilitie of his Realme where when the Archbishop of Yorke woulde haue Crowned the King equally with the Archshop of Canturbury by the iudgement of all menne he Archbishop of Yorke vvith his Crosse cast out of the Kings Chappell was repulsed the bearer of his Crosse togither with the Crosse was throwne out of the Kings Chappell for it was affirmed that no Metropolitane out of his owne Prouince might haue any Crosse borne before him The feast being ended the King with all the States of the Realme togither came to London and there at the Kings commandement William the Archbishop and the Legate of the Romish Churche and all other Bishops of the English Nation with the Nobilitie tooke an othe to defend against all men the Kingdome to his daughter if she suruiued hir father except that before his deceasse he begate some sonne to succéede him The King also granted to the Churche of Canturburie and to William and his successors the custodie and Constableship of the Castell of Rochester for euer The Archbishop of Canturbury assembled a counsell of Bishops 1127 Anno reg 28. Abbots and other Prelates at Westminster where they determined many causes concerning Ecclesiastical businesse and the King with his counsell confirmed them King Henry went with a warlike army into Fraunce bycause 1128 Anno reg 29 Lodowike the French King defeÌded the Erle of Flaunders the Kings Nephew and enimy At this time men had such a pride in their haire that they Men vveare haire like vvomen W. Malme 1129 Anno reg 30 Mathew Paris contended with women in length of haire King Henry helde a Counsell at London wherein it was graunted him to haue the correction of the Cleargie whiche came to an euill purpose for the King tooke infinite summes of mony of Priests and suffred them to do what they would Robert Deolley Knight great Conestable of England was the first founder of Osney King Henry gaue his daughter the Empresse to Geffrey 1130 Anno reg 31 1131 Anno reg 32 Rochester brent Richard Diuiensis 1132 Anno reg 33 Carleil a Byshopricke Geruasius Gualter Couen London brent Geruasius Doro. Thomas Wikes Plantagenet Earle of Angiou In the Moneth of May the King beyng present the Citie of Rochester was sore defaced wyth fire The King made a Bishopricke at Carleil Mawde the Empresse did beare to Geffrey Plantagenet Earle of Angiou a sonne and named him Henry which when the King knewe hée called hys nobles togyther and ordayned that his daughter and the heires of hir body should succéede him in hys Kingdome In Whitsonwéeke a great fire beginning at Gilbert Beckets house in Weast Cheape consumed a greate parte of London from thence to Algate with the Priorie of Channons of the holy Trinitie and many houses of Office thereto
belonging An Earthquake in England Earthquake Henry Bloys Bishop of Winchester builded the Hospitall Liber canonitrinitatis of Saint Crosse neare vnto Winchester The same hadde béene a Hospitall in the Saxons time but after spoyled by the Danes There was greate darkenesse in England and the Sunne 1133 Anno reg 34. VVorcester brent became like the Moone in the thyrd quarter Worcester as it had oft before chaunced was sore defaced with fire Mawde the Empresse brought forth a sonne named Geffrey for which cause King Henrie went ouer into Normandie Robert Shorthose King Henries brother died in the Castel 1134 Anno reg 35 Robert Shortâose died 1135 Anno reg 36 Death of King Henrie Mathew Paris of Cardife and was buried at Glocester King Henrie remayning in Normandie vpoÌ a day did eat Lampraies wherof he toke a surfeite and deceased the firste day of December Anno. 1135. when he had raigned 35. yeres 4. monthes his bowels braynes and eyes were buried at Roan the rest of his bodie was pondered with salt and wrapped in Bulles hydes bycause of the stincke which poysoned them that stood about him The Phisition which being hyred with a great reward to cleaue his heade to take out y e brain with the stinck therof died so that he enioyed not the reward that was couenaunted Thus among a gret many that king Henrie slew this Phisition was the last King Henrie was buried at Reding which he had foundeâ He also founded the Priorie of Dunstable he conuerted a rich Colledge of Prebends in the Towne of Cirencester into an Abbay of Chanons regular he also builded â Leyland there an Hospitall of Saint Iohn and newe builded the Castel of Windsor with a Colledge there ⸪ ¶ King Stephen STephen Earle of Morton Anno reg 1 W. Malme Floriacencis Gernasius Do. Ypodigma and of Boloigne sonne to the Earle of Bloys Adela William Conquerours daughter and nephew to king Henrie the firste claymed the kyngdome the seconde daye of December Anno. 1135. He comming into Englande was repulsed by them of Douer shutte out by them of Canturburie but receiued of y e Londoners and Péeres of the land admitted king and crowned at Westminster on Saint Stephens daye by William Archbishop of Canturburie This was a noble man and hardy of passing comely fauour and personage he excelled in martiall pollicie gentlenesse and liberalitie toward all men especially in the beginning and although he had continuall warre yet did he neuer burden his commons with exactions But vniustly and contrarye to his othe made to Mawde the Empresse daughter Fire at London to King Henrie he toke on him the crowne of England Fire which began in the house of one Ailward neare LoÌdon Liber trinitatis London Thomas Wikes 1136 Excester besieged Ger. Dorobor stone consumed Eastward to Algate and Westwarde to Saint Erkenwalds shrine in Poules Church King Steuen assembling a great armye of Englishmen and Flemmings entred into Deuonshire and besieged the Castell of Excester a long time whiche Baldwine de Riuers helde against him but at length when they within the Castel wanted necessarie things to liue by they compounded Baldwine with hys wife and children are disherited and expulsed the lande A battayle was fought at Goher betwixte Normans and Walshmen where a hundred and. xvj persons on bothe sides Battaile against the vvalchmen were slaine whose bodies laye in the fieldes and were horribly torne and deuoured of Wolues After this was made greate eruptions by the Walchmen who destroyed Churches Townes Castels corne cattayle slewe men women and children riche and poore or solde theÌ in forraine countries In October a sore battayle was fought at Cardigan in the which such slaughter of men was made that the men except which were led awaye captiue there were of women taken and ledde away that there remayned to the tenth a thousaÌd their husbands with their small children partelye drowned partly brent partly slaine so that the bridge being broken ouer the riuer of Tinde there was a bridge made of mens bodies Anno reg 2. and horsses drowned In March King Steuen passed the Sea to subdue NormaÌdie 1137 Ypodigma Rochester Richard Diuiensis where he toke many Cities and strong Castels The thirde of June Sainte Andrewe in Rochester was brent with all the Citie and the Bishoppes and Monkes houses The fourth of June Saint Peters the Archbishops sea in Saint Peters in Yorke Yorke Saint Maries without the wals and an Hospital whiche the Archbishoppe Thrustoâ had builded with 39. other Churches also the Trinitie Church in the suburbes of the same Citie within a small time after were brent Also Saint Peters Church at Bathe and all the Citie the The Citie of Bath brent Liber Roff. Geruasius Dorâ Floriacensis Anno. reg 3. 27. of June was brent And the same moneth the citie of Leogere was consumed with fire England began to fall into great troubles whych caused King Steuen to returne out of Normandy before he had finished his businesse there Kyng Stephen besieged Bedford and wonne it then he weÌt 1138 Bedford besieged Floriacencis Geruasius with a strong power into Northumberlande where he stayed not long but went to Glocester where the Citizens receyued him with greate reioycing Miles the Kings Conestable broughte him into the Kings Pallace there where all the Citizens were to him sworne From thence he wente to Hereford bicause that he heard the Castel was holdeÌ against him and on Whitsonday he sate crowned in the Churche of Hereford When they that kept the Castell sawe the Kyngs power to encrease they yéelded themselues The King tooke also the Castell of Webheleyge whych Geffrey Talbot hadde helde agaynste hym The same day that the Kyng departed Hereford brent out of Hereforde all beyond the Ryuer of Wye was brente by the saide Geffrey The King returned to Oxforde where he tooke Roger the Bishop of Sarum with the Byshop of Lincolne and his sonne Roger the Bishop of Eely escaping went to the Castell of Vies and kept it against the King but at lengthe it was deliuered The same time Robert Earle of Gloucester renounced his allegeaunce to King Stephen fortified Bristow and other Castells Also Miles the Kings Conestable reuolted Wherfore Bristovv besieged the Kyng besieged the Castell of Bristow but at length being wearyed he tourned to other of the Earles Castels and séeing hys enimyes still encreasing he called out of Flaunders Anno reg 4. Ypodigma men of warre wyth Wylliam de Ypers their leader whose counsell he chiefly followed The same yeare Roger Byshop of Salisbury a great builder Geruasius Doâo of Castelles and Houses departed this life There was founde in hys Coffers fortie thousande Markes of siluer besides much golde and dyuers Jewels that came to the kings hande so that he hadde gathered treasure but wist not for whom The Nobles sent for Mawd the Empresse promising hir
Warwel c. the bookes and ornaments of the Nuns were taken and borne away and men slaine euen before the Altar These things thus done the Bishops wroth was somewhat appeased but his couetousnesse encreased so that being prompted therto by the Prior of the newe Monasterie in Winchester lately brent he toke of the crosse that was burnt 500. pouÌd of siluer 30. marke in gold thrée crowns with as many âeats of fine Arabicke gold fret with precious stones all this he layde vp in his own treasurie King Stephen and Earle Robert being straightly kepte at length through mediation of friends a peace was concluded that they shold be deliuered the king to his kingdome and the Earle to his libertie William Mandeuile fortifyed the Tower of London and Iohn Beuââ Robert Bishoppe of London was taken at Fulham by Geffrey Mandeuel The King and Earle being set at libertie did not onely renew but multiply their malice the King repayred his power 1241 and expences the Earle went ouer the Sea to Geffrey Earle of Aniowe whom he found occupyed in wars againste certaine of his subiectes of Aniowe so that he could not come into England with him whervpoÌ he taking Henry eldest son to Geffrey Earle of Aniowe and Mawde the Empresse with certaine chosen men of armes retourned into Englande King Stephen hearing that Earle Robert was gone out The Empresse besieged of the realme and the Empresse to lye at Oxforde with a gret power came and besieged hir a two monthes space Earle Robert with Henrie son to the Empresse and other his complices VVarham Castell besieged landed at Warham where he besieged the castel which was defended by Hubert de Lucy who at length yéelded the The Empresse flyeth Geruasiue same In the meane time the Empresse séeing that she was voide of all helpe with a womannish subtilitie deceiued the kings scout watch clothing hir self and hir company fiue in number all in white vpon a night wente ouer the Thamis a foote which was then hard frozen and white with snow that night she went to Walingforde and the Castell of Oxford was yéelded to the king After the winning of Warham castel Robert went to visit his sister the Empresse who was not a little ioyful to sée him and hir yong son Henrie whiche Henrie remayned at Bristowe for the space of foure yeares and there Anno reg 8. was brought vp in learning King Stephen after the robbing of many churches brenning 1143 and robbing of townes and villages by the handes of y e Flemming souldiers he and his brother Henrie Bishop of Winchester builded a castel of the Nunry at Wilton to represse the incursions of them of Salisburie Earle Robert the first of July fel sodainely vpon them in Wilton and set the town on VVilton brent King Stephen fledde Anno reg 9. Boxley fire The king with the Bishop fled with shame the Earles meÌ toke the kings people sackt his plate and other things Miles Earle of Herforde dyed and his eldest sonne Roger succéeded him William of Ypre founded Boxley Abbay in Kent King Stephen toke Geffrey Mandeuile Earle of Essex at 1144 Geruasiue Dârâ S. Albons which Geffrey could not be set at libertie til he had deliuered the Tower of London with the Castels of Walden Plecy When the Erle was thus spoyled of his holdes he toke the Church of Ramsey and fortified it as he besieged the Castel of Burwel he was smitten in the heade with a Darte wherof he died Robert Marmon was also slaine at Couentrit and Ernulfus Erle Mandeuiles son that helde Ramsey church as a fortresse after his fathers deathe was taken and bannished Anno reg 10 1145 VVallingford besieged Anno reg 11 King Stephen besieged Wallingford but could not preuaile The Earle of Chester was reconciled to the King and was at this siege with him but shortly after when he came to the Court the king lying at Northampton he was taken and kepte prisoner tyll he hadde rendered the Castel of Lincolne and other fortresses whervpon he was the kings enimy euer after Geffrey Earle of Aniowe sent foure noble men with furniture 1146 of warriours to Erle Robert requesting him to send ouer his sonne Henrie and if néede required he would sende him backe againe with all spéede The Earle agréeing to his request brought the yong Henrie to Warham where he tooke shipping towards his father of whom he was ioyfully receiued there he abode two yeares and foure monthes in the meane time Earle Robert deceased and was buried at Bristowe Anno reg 12 1147 King Stephen entred Lincolne and there ware his crown after whose departure from thence the Erle of Chester came to recouer y â towne but could not bring his purpose to passe Anno reg 13 The Empresse vvent into Normandie the Citizens shewed such defence The Empresse being weried with the discorde of the English nation went ouer into Normandie chosing rather to sit vnder the defence of hir husband in peace than to suffer so manye displeasures in Englande The Quéene laye at Saint Austines in Canturburie bicause 1148 Anno reg 14 S. Katherins W. Dunthome Liber trinitatiâ London she was desirous to sée the Abbay of Feâursham finished which she and hir husband had begonne to builde she also builded the Hospital of S. Katherine by the tower of London for poore brethren and sisters In the moneth of Maye Henrie the Empresse sonne 1149 with a greate companye of chosen menne of armes and other came into Englande and takyng wyth hym Ranulph Earle of Chester Roger Earle of Hereford and diuerse other he went to Dauid king of Scottes of whom he was ioy fully receiued and made knight When king Stephen heard that Dauid Kyng of Scottes with his strength and Henne sonne to the Empresse with his Western Lords were togither at Carlile he came to Yorke with a greate army for feare they should attempt any thing against that Citie and so lay there the moneth of August at length the one partye as wel as the other departed but Eustacius the Kings sonne béeing made knighte exercised manye cruelties in the landes of the Earles that tooke parte wyth Henrie the Empresse sonne Henrie the Empresse son sailed into Normandie Al EnglaÌd Anno reg 15 1150 Anno reg 16 Ex charta regia 1151 Ypodigma Geruasiuâ was ful of trouble and noyse of warre set forth to fire and rapyne through discorde betwixt king Stephen and certaine Earles that toke part with Henrie the son of the Empresse Robert Earle of Ferrers founded the Abbay of Meriual Geffrey Plantagenet Earle of Aniow and Duke of Normandie deceased and left his sonne Henrie his heire King Stephen besieged the Castell of Worcester which he VVorcester besieged Anno reg 17 coulde not winne the last yeare and when he sawe now also that he coulde not obtaine his purpose he builded two Castels before the same stuffing
them with garrisons and weÌt from thence but by Counsel of Roberte Earle of Leicester the kings Castels were ouerthrowen the Castel besieged deliuered from daunger A diuorcement was made betwéen Lewes king of France 1152 Mathew Paris Geruasius Doro. and Elianor hys Quéene bycause they were a kinne in the fourth degrée moreouer she was defamed of adulterie with an infidel c. Henrie Duke of Normandie maried Elianor whoÌ Lewes king of Fraunce had deuorced from him and had by hir a son named William Kyng Stephen called a Parliamente at London declaryng to Theobalde Archebyshoppe of Canturburie and the other Byshoppes howe he woulde vtterly disherite Henrie duke of Normandie and confirme his owne sonne Eustace to be his successour by crowning him king but the Pope had sent a commaundement to the Archbishoppe prohibiting him to crowne king Stephens sonne bycause his father had vsurped the kingdome contrarie to his othe Whiche thing as was thought was brought to passe by the subtile policie of Thomas Becket a Chaplaine borne in London King Stephen and his sonne being not a little offended therewith caused the Bishops with their Primate to be closed vp in an house threatning with terrors to extort of them that which with prayers or price they could not obtain The Archbishop stiffely standing in his purpose some of the Bishops through fear went from him at length the Archbishop by a maruellous hap escaping got ouer the Thamis and so to Douer and thence transporting ouer the seas escaped the threates of the King and his sonne and depriued his son of his coueted honour Quéene Mawde deceased and was buried at Feuersham Anno reg 18 Norvvich increased Chronicle of Brom holma The people of Norwich obtained of the king to haue Coroners baylifes for before y t time they had no other Officer but a sergeant for the king that kept Courts and after this that is to say in the 37. yeare of Hemie the third they had licence to inclose that towne with ditches got of sundry hundreds c. Henrie Duke of Normandie furnished with an army came 1153 into Englande and at his first comming wan the Castell and towne of Malmesburie from thenceforth Roberte the noble Earle of Leicester began to take the Dukes part and to furnish him with things necessarie a thirtie Castels or moe through his counsel with them that kept them submitted themselues to the Duke at length it was decréed y â the King should talke with the Duke touching peace to be had and so they met in a place wher y â Thamis was most narrow the one standing on the one side the other on the other After long talke they returned the Duke to his men the king to his and so laying down weapon euery man departed in peace Eustace the kings sonne was angry with hys father for agréeing to this peace and therefore in a rage departed from Policraticon Iohn Sarisburien Iohn Taxtor Mathew Paris the Court towards Cambridge to destroy that Country CoÌming to S. Edmunds Burie he was there honorablye receyued and feasted but when he coulde not haue such money as hée demanded to bestow among his men of war he went away in a rage spoyling the corne in the fields belonging to y e Abbay and caryed it into his castels thereby but as he sat him down to dinner he fel madde vpoÌ receiuing the first morsel and miserably died and was buried at Feuersham The Duke besieged Stamfort Castel and wanne it and Stamforde Notingham and Ipsvvich besieged then he went to Notingham and wan that The King in the meane time besieged Ipswich and wan it At length thorough the great labour of the Archbishop of Canturburie and the other Bishops the king commanded the nobles to méet Ex charta regia Anno reg 19 King Stephen adopted Henry Ypodigma 1154 at Winchester where the duke being receiued with gret ioy the King in sighte of all men adopted him his son and confirmed to him the principalitie of all Englande The duke receiued him in place of a father graunting to him al the dayes of his life to enioy the name and seate of the kings preheminence Duke Henrie in the Octaues of the Ephiphanye came togither with the king to Oxforde where the Erles and Barons by the kings commaundement sweare fealtie to Duke Henrie sauing the kings honor so long as he liued This assurance being made they departed asunder but shortly after they met againe at Dunstable there to entreate of the state and peace of the kingdome Shortlye after Duke Henrie with king Stephen and certaine Lords of England came to Canturburie and from thence to Douer where they had communication with Theodrike Erle of Flaunders the Countesse the Dukes aunte When the King and the Duke had dismissed the Earle of Flaunders and were turning towards Canturburie the slaughter of the Duke was prepared by a conspiracie of the Flemmings which enuied both y â duke peace but behold sodainly y â kings yoÌger son WilliaÌ priuie with the conspirators on BarhaÌ down fel of his horsse breaking his leg he gathered all y â company about him in sorrow The duke in the mean time vnderstanding the appointed treason got him to Canturburie and so escaped hys enimies hands from thence by Rochester and London he came to the sea and passed ouer into Normandie William Archbishop of Yorke going to Yorke in the feaste of Pentercost was poysoned at Masse and dyed within fewe dayes after In October the king met the Earle of Flaunders again at Douer and talked with him After the Earle was dismissed the king was taken with a sodaine paine of the Iliake passion K. Stephen died Gerâa Doro. Ralph Cogshal and with an olde disease or running of the Emerodes and there in y â house of the Monkes dyed the xxv of October when he had raigned xviij yeres x. monthes and odde days He fouÌded the Abbays of Cogshal in Essex of Furnes in Lancashire of Hurguilers and Feuersham in Kent where hys body was buried He founded an house for Nunnes at Carewe ¶ King Henrie the seconde HEnrie the seconde son of Geffrey Plantagenet and Mawde the Empresse began his raigne ouer this realme Anno reg 1. of England the xxv day of October in the yere of our Lord 1154. he was Crowned at Westminster the. xvij daye of December by Theobalde Archbishop of Canturburie he was somewhat red of face short of body and therwith fatte of speach reasonable wel learned noble in chiualry and fortunate in battayle wise in counsel one that loued peace lyberall to straungers but hard to his familiars vnstedfast of promise giuen to pleasure and a wedlocke breaker by his manhoode and policie the crowne of England was much augmented with the annexing of Scotland Ireland the Iles of Orcades Boytaine Peyters Guyen and other prouinces of Fraunce Thomas Becket Archdeacon of Canturbury was made the Kings Chancellour He held
his Christmas at Bermonsey where hauing conference Geruasius Doro. with his Nobles for the state of the Kingdome he 1155 promised to banish all Strangers Wherevpon William of Ipres and all the Flemings that had flocked into England fearing the indignation of the newe King departed the land And the Castels that had bin builded to pill the riche and spoyle the poore were by the Kings commandemente and counsell of his Chancellor throwne downe In March Quéene Elianor did beare a sonne at London called Henry after his father King Henry was sonne to Mawde the Empresse whose Line of the Saxons restored Gerua Doro. Radulphus de decâte mother was Mawde Quéene of England wife to King Henry the first and daughter to Margaret Quéene of Scottes who was daughter of Edward which he begat of Agatha the sister of Henry the Emperoure Edwarde was the sonne of King Edmond named Ironside whose father was King Etheldred whose father was the peaceable King named Edgar the sonne of Edmond the son of Edward the seigniour the sonne of Alured c. A counsell was holden at Wallingford where the Nobles Anno reg 2. Ger. Dorobor were sworne to the King and his issue King Henry went ouer into Normandy where with long 1156 Anno reg 3. séege he tooke diuers Castels of Mirable Chinon and other and obteyned the homage and pledges of all Aquitaine and Gascoyne William the Kings eldest sonne died and was buryed at Reding King Henry returned into England and then with an armie 1157 King Henry vvent against the VVelchmen Reedifyed Castels Henry of Essex went against the Welchmen where he felled their wods fortified the Castell of Rutland and recouered many strong holdes He reedifyed the Castell of Basingwirke c. but he lost many of his men for Henry of Essex that bare the Kings Standerd as he was assayled amongst his enimies let fall the Standerd to the ground which encouraged the Welchmen and put the Englishmen in feare supposing that the King Iocelyn of âracland had bin slayne The King notwithstanding got of a certayne King of Anno reg 4. Wales and other Barons homage and hostages and so rereturned Quéene Elianor brought forth a sonne named Richard at Oxford in the Kings Pallace there William Earle of Glocester was taken by the Welchmen Giraldus Cambre in the Castell of Cardife On Christmas day King Henry ware his Crowne at 1158 Winchester where after celebration of diuine seruice he set his Crowne vpon the Altar and neuer ware it after King Henry went into France and at Paris was ioyfully receyued of King Lewes who required to haue his daughter Margaret to be maryed to his sonne Henry which suite he obteyned and King Henry obteyned that as Seneshall to the French King he might enter into Britaine and call afore him suche as made warre one against another to appease them whereby he brought the Citie of Naunts to his dominion An Earthquake happened in many places Earthquake through England and the Riuer of Thamis was dryed vp that at London men might walke ouer the same dryshod Quéene Elianor brought forth a sonne named Geffrey Anno reg 5. Ypodigma A new Coyne was made in England King Henry tooke esâuage of the Englishmen the summe 1159 Geruasius whereof grew to 12400. pounds of siluer Of other Countreys subiect to him he gathered also an infinite exaction then passed towards Tholouse with an huge army and beséeged that Citie from Midsomer til Hallontide There were with him Malcoline King of Scottes and a certaine King of Wales and all the Earles and Barons of England Normandy Aquitaine Angeow Gascoyne but Lewes the French King so defended that Citie that the Kings purpose was frustrate and the séege raysed King Henry returned from Tholouse and Henry y â King Anno reg 6. 1160 of Englands sonne not seauen yeares olde maried Margaret the French Kings daughter that was not yet thrée yeares Gerua Dorâ Anno reg 7. 1161 Anno reg 8. Thomas Wikes ââ Beuââla old Mathew Earle of Bolonia married Mary Abbesse of Rumsey daughter to King Stephen Theobald Archbishop of Canturbury deceassed and the Churche of Canturbury was voyde one yeare one moneth and fourtéene dayes King Henry caused all his subiects to sweare fidelitie to 1162 Mathew Paris his sonne Henry concerning his inheritance Thomas the Kings Chancellour tooke his othe first sauing his fidelitie to King Henry the father so long as he liued This Thomas was elected Archbishop of Canturbury and when he was consecrated he forthwith refused to deale any more with matters of the Court renouncing the Chauncellorship c. There came into England xxx Germaynes as well men as women who called themselues Publicanes their head and Wilbel Nouobur Ralphe Cogshall ruler named Gerardus was somewhat learned the residue very rude They denyed Matrimony and the Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper with other Articles They being apprehended the King caused a Counsell to be called at Oxford where the sayd Gerard answered for all his fellowes who being pressed with Scriptures aunswered concerning their faith as they had bin taught and woulde not dispute thereof After they coulde by no meanes be brought from their errors the Bishops gaue sentence against them and the King commanded that they should be marked with an whote Iron in the forehead and whipped and that no man should succour them with houserome or otherwise they tooke their punishment gladly their Captayne Publicans vvhipped going before them singing Blessed are ye when men do hate you they were marked in the forehead and theyr Captayne both in the forehead and the chinne Thus being Anno reg 9. whipped and thrust out in the winter they dyed with cold no man reléeuing them Robert de Mountfort accused his néere kinsman Henry 1163 Iocâlin of Bracland of Essex of high treason before the Nobilitie affirming that he in an expedition into Wales in a narrow and hard passage at Colleshele most fraudulently threwe away the Kings Standard and with a lowde voyce pronounced him to be dead and turned backe those that came to y â Kings succour Indéede the foresayde Henry of Essex was perswaded that King Henry was slayne whiche vndoubtedly had come to passe if Roger Earle of Clare had not with quicke spéede come to with his retinue and raysed agayne the Kings Standarde to the encouraging of the whole army Henry withstoode the foresayd Robert and denyed all his accusations whereby in processe of time the matter came to be tryed by Combate They met at Reding to fight in an Iâe Combate at Reading néere to the Abbey Thither also came much people to sée what ende the matter woulde come to And it chanced that when Robert had manfully powred out many and heauie strokes Henry turning reason into rage tooke vpon him the part of a challenger and not a defender who whilest he
manfully stroke was more stoutely striken agayne and endeuoring to conquer was conquered himselfe he being ouercome fell downe for dead and when he was thought to Henry of Essex ouercome haue bin slayne at the instance of suche of the nobilitie as were of kinne to him it was granted vnto the Monks there Flores HistoriaruÌ that his body should be buryed but afterward he reuiued and hauing recouered his health became a Monke in that place London Bridge was new made of timber by Peter of Colechurch Anno reg 10 London bridge made of Timber 1164 Geruasius Do. a Priest Chapleyne Malcoline the Scottish King and Resus Prince of Southwales and other did homage to King Henry and his sonne Henry at Westminster A Counsayle was holden at Claringdon in presence of the King and the Archbishops Bishops Lordes Barons c. wherein was recognised and by their othes confirmed many ordinances too long héere to recite Thomas Archbishop of Canturburie being sworne to the same shortly after sore repented and ââed the Realme went to the Court of Rome The six and twentith day of January was a great Earthquake Anno reg 11 1165 An Earthquake Mathew Pariâ Gerua Doro. Anno reg 12. in Eely Norffolke and Suffolke so that it ouerthrewe them that stoode vpon their féete and made the Belles to ring in the Stéeples The King seased into his handes all the Archbishops goodes and rents and banished all his kindred The King led an innumerable army against the Welchmen Radul Cogshal of Flemings Scottes Pictes Aniowans and other but with so great a multitude he could not ouercome them The Welchmen tooke the Castell of Cardigan In a certayne asséege at Bridgenorth againste Hugh de Mortimere when the King was shotte at by one of the enimies a valiant man Hubert de Saint Clere Constable of Colchester did thrust himselfe betwixte the King and the danger of the stroke and so receyued death for him whose only daughter the King taking into his custodie he gaue hir in mariage to William de Languale with hir fathers inheritance who begate on hir a sonne bearing the name and surname of his Grandfather Quéene Elianor brought forth a sonne named Iohn The King passed ouer into Normandy and there holding 1166 a counsell appoynted a collection to be made through all his Countreys two pence of the pound of mouable goodes A Taxe for the first yeare and one penny the pound for foure yeares after Robert sonne to William Earle of Glocester deceassed Anno reg 13 1167 The warre was renued betwixt the King of Englande and the French King for the Citie of Tholose and Mathewe Earle of Bulloigne brother to Philip Earle of Flanders manned sixe hundred Shippes to haue come into Englande but by such preparation as Richard Lucy gouernour of England made he was stopped well ynough Mawde King Henries daughter was maryed to Henry Anno reg 14 1168 Iohn Taxtor Gerua Doro. Ypodigma Duke of Saxon. Conan Earle of little Britaine dyed and left for his heire a daughter named Constance which he had by the King of Scottes sister which Constance King Henry marryed to his sonne Geffrey Robert de Boscue Earle of Leycester dyed He foundeâ Anno reg 15 1169 Sca. Cron. Gerendon Leycester and Eaton Sca. Cro. the Monasteries of Gerendon of Monkes of Leycester called Saint Mary de Prate of Channons regular and Eaton of Nunnes was founded by Amicia his wife daughter of Ralph Montforde King Henry caused the Castell of Warwike to be builded Deruntius the sonne of Morcardus called Mack Murgh Giraldus Cambr. King of Leynster being expelled out of his kingdome came into Guyen to King Henry hnmbly requiring ãâ¦ã ââr his restitution who vnderstanding fully the cause ââereof gaue frée licence to all Englishmen that woulde to ââââe the sayde Deruntius wherevpon he returning into Englande couenanted with Richard Earle of Chepstow to gââe him his daughter in marriage and with hir the succession of his Kingdome so that he would help him in the recouery of it and shortly after he promised to Robert Fitâ Stephen and Mawrice Fitz Gerald large reuenues in Ireland for the like helpe King Henry helde his Court at Naunts where the Bishops Anno reg 15. 1170 and Barons of Britayne being present sware their fidelitie to the King and to his sonne Geffrey and then the King sayled into England but many of his company were Giral Cambr. drowned by the way Robert Fitz Stephen first of all Englishmen after the Conquest Englismnen transported into Ireland entred Ireland the first day of May with 390. men and there tooke Wexford in the behalfe of Deruntius King Henry caused his sonne Henry borne at London Henry the kings sonne Crovvned to be Crowned by the handes of Roger Archbishop of Yorke as he thought to the great quietnesse of himselfe and hys Realme but it proued farre otherwise Thomas Archbishop of Canturbury by the mediation of Pope Alexander and Lewes the King of France was restored to his Sea of Caunturbury In September Richard Earle of Chepstow surnamed Gualteruâ Couen Strongbow sayled into Ireland with a thousand two hundred men of warre and by force tooke Waterford and Dubâââ and marryed Eue Deruntius daughter Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canturbury the xxviij of Anno reg 17 1171 December was slayne by William Tracy Baron of Braynes Reignolde Fitz Vrse Hugh Moruilt and Richarde Briton Knightes There was séene at S. Osythes in Estsex a Dragon of a Chro. Colchester maruellous bignesse whyche by mouing burned houses Ex Record King Henry returned from beyond the Seas and landed at Portesmouth in the moneth of August Nicholas Break espeare an Englishman borne at Langley in the County of Hartford sonne to Robert a yonger brother Pope Adrian an Englishman of the house of Breakespeares whiche Roberte after the death of his wife professed himselfe a Monke of Saint Albons leauing his sonne to prouide for his owne preferment this yong man passed into France was shorne a Monke and after chosen Abbot went to Rome was consecrated Bishop of Alba made Cardinall sente Legate to the Norwayes where he reduced that nation from Paganisme to Christianitie and after returned to Rome When Anastasius was dead he was chosen Pope by y â name of Adrian the 4. During his Popedome he granted the regimente of Ireland King Henry Lord of Ireland Gesta Abbat Sancââ Albani RegiâtruÌ mân Sancti Albani Iohn Bale Cimphriuâ Anno reg 18. Giralduâ Cambr. Radul Cogshal Geruasius Dâââ to the King of England wherevpon King Henry hauing caused Richard Earle of Chepstow to giue into his handes all the land which he had conquered in that Realme toke Shippe at Penbroke and sayled thither where the King of Conach Deruntius King of Corke Morice King of Methe the King of Vriell Duvenald King of Ossery Duvenald King of Limerike Machachelin Ophelon Machaleny Othneâhely
sailed ouer into England was crowned at Westminster on y â Ascention daye And at Midsomer Ralphe Cogshall he returned again into Normandie with a great army which al the Sommer season contending against y â French proued the worthynesse of y e enimies to be sufficient ynough Consuetud de LoÌ for Phillip king of Fraunce in the quarrell of Arthur the son of Geffrey Iohns eldest Brother duke of Brytaine made war vppon King Iohn in Normandie and toke from him diuerse Castels and townes King Iohn granted the Shirifewike of London and Midlesex Sherife vvike of London let to ferme to the Citizens thereof for 300 pound yerely to be paid for that of auntient time it had bene so accustomed to be fermed as king Henrie the first before he had graunted to the same Citizens for 300. pounde yearely Also he gaue them full aucthoritie to chose and depriue their Sherifes at theyr pleasure Sherifes Arnolde Fitz Arnolde Richard Fitz Barthelmew Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne King Iohn made a lawe that no tunne of Wine of Poiters 1200 Price of vvines Gual Couen should be solde dearer than twentie shillings of Anioye foure and twentie shillings and of French wine fiue twentie shillings vnlesse the same French wine were so good that some woulde giue for it sixe and twentie shillings eyghte pence but not aboue A sexter of wine of Poiters no dearer than twelue pence nor white wine aboue sixe pence King Iohn hauing made peace beyonde the sea he required Annoreg 2 Taske aide of his Realme of xxx M. markes wherefore an edict was made that euery plow land should pay thrée shillings which troubled the lande very sore considering the escuage that went afore for euery Knights fée two markes whiche before neuer payde aboue twentie shilling The king being deuorced from his wife Isabel the Earle King Iohn deuorsed Mathew Paris Ypodigma Radul Cogshal of Glocesters daughter he passed ouer the sea paide thirtie M. markes to the French King vanquished his enimies and returned into Englande with Isabel his wife daughter to the Earle of Angolesme and crowned hir Quéene at Westminster on the eight of October Sherifes Roger Dorset Iames Bartelmew Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne King Iohn went to Lincolne where he met with William King of Scottes did homage King of Scottes Rotland Lorde of Galloway and many other noble men who did to him homage on the one and tweÌtith day of Nouember A noble man of Aquitaine named Hugh Brune rebelling 1201 Hugh Brune rebelled against King Iohn inuaded diuers parts of the prouince bicause the King had maried the daughter of the Earle of Angolesme whom the sayd Brune had affied and had in his custodie wherefore the passed ouer and restrained the rebels from their attemptes The 25. of June there arose a cruell Tempest of thunder Ypodigma Annoreg 3. Tempestes lightning and hayle with a vehemente raine that destroyed corne cattell menne and houses by brenning them c. The 10. of July another Tempest much like to the former hapned so that the Medowes could not be mowed and the hay that was downe was carried away by the outragious course of waters that ouerflowed the grounde greate numbers of fishes through the corruption of the waters dyed many bridges borne downe corne and hay caried away many men drowned so that al men thought a new deluge had bene come Sherifes Walter Fitz Alis. Simon de Adermanbury Maior Henrie Fitz Alwyne King Iohn sharplye warred vppon the Earle of March 1202 Radulphuâ Cog. Hugh Brune and the Earle of Eue hys brother who béeing not able to resist they complayned to Phillip king of France as to their soueraigne and chiefe Lorde who sent ofttimes to King Iohn mouing him to cease from vexing them but that woulde not serue wherefore he was sommoned by the Annoreg 4. Nobles of Fraunce as Duke or Earle of Aquitaine and Anioy to come vnto the Courte of the Frenche King and to stande to the iudgement of hys Péeres all which Kyng Iohn denyed K Iohn soÌmoned to the French Kings Court wherevpon the same Courte adiudged hym to be depriued of all his landes which he or his predecessours helde of the king of Fraunce c. King Phillip forth with assembled an armye and inuaded the Castel of Buteuant in Normandie which King Richard had buylded he rased it to the ground He tooke the land of Hugh Gorney and all the Castels there about He tooke the Castell of Albomarle with the County of Eue and all the land to Arches none resisting him Also Arthure Earle of Britayne being made Knight by the French King whose Arthure Earle of Britayne taken yonger daughter he had fianced he being but sixtéene yeres olde wente to Hugh Brune and Geffrey of Lucingnam and with 250. Knightes beséeged the Castell of Mirable in which Quéene Eleanor his Aunte was enclosed but King Iohn came with a power and deliuered his mother from daunger He tooke there his Nephew Arthure William de Brawsa Geffrey de Lucingham Hugh Brune Andrew Caueny Saluaricus de Mauleon and diuers others Great thunder and lightning with hayle as bigge as Hennes egges c. Sherifes Normand Brundell Iohn de Ely Maior Henry Fitz Alwyne The waters encreased and did much hurt in Englande 1023 Mathew Paris Annoreg 5. Earle of Britaine murthered Radul Cogshal Arthure Earle of Britaine from Falaise was broughte to Roane and put in the Tower vnder the custody of Robert de Veypont where shortly after he was dispatched of his life some say by the hands of his Uncle Iohn The King of France inuaded the Castels of Normandy tooke Lisle Dandely with the Castell and the Vale de Ruell in the whiche were Robert Fitz Water Sayer de Quincy and many other He toke the strong Castell vpon Seyne builded by King Richard which had bin valiantly kept by the Connestable of Chester Sherifes Walter Browne William Chamberlayne Maior Henry Fitz Alwyne King Iohn doubting treason in his owne men in December retourned into Englande where he gathered greate aydes of money Elianor daughter to the Earle of Poyters that had bin 1204 Ralph Cogshal Anno reg 6. wife to Lewes King of France and after to King Henry the seconde of Englande departed this life and was buryed in Westminster King Iohn sente Embassadoures to treate a peace with the King of France but he bycause the worlde wente with him woulde not agrée in any wise except Arthure mighte be deliuered to him aliue or if he were dead he woulde haue his Sister in mariage with all the lands on that side the Seas Shortly after he tooke Falaise Caen and so forth all the Countrey to Barflot Charburgh and Dunfront Roane Vernoll and Arches and so proude Normandy Angiow Briteyne Mayne Poitow and Thoraigne were within a short time deliuered to King Phillip King Iohn marryed Iane hys Bastarde Daughter to Lewlin Prince of Wales and gaue with hir
next morning by meanes of the Bishop of Worcester and Reignald Abbot of Glocester a truce was taken betwixt the Barons in the town and the Kings sonne in the Castell but shortly after the Barons fled and the Burgesses submitting themselues were some of them hanged the residue cast in prison grieuously raunsomed and the towne destroyed from whence the Kings sonne departed spoyling and wasting the Country contrarie to his othe made to the Barons till he came to Oxforde where he lodged in the house of the Frier PreÌchers and ioyned his power with the King his Father who was lately come thyther to make his offering to Saint Friswide not fearing the superstitious opinion y t if any King entred y e town the Uirgin there would be auenged on him The Kyng hauing now with him his brother Richard king of Almaine his sonne Edward William de Valence his brother on the mothers sideÌ and Iohn Cumyn of Scotland with a multitude of Scottishmen Iohn de Bailliol Lord of Galoway Robert le Bruse lord of Anandale Roger de Clifford Phillip de MarmioÌ Iohn de Vallibus Roger de Laborne Henrie Percy Phillip Basset Roger de Mortimer with an army went and besieged Northampton Nothamton besieged and the fourth of Aprill breaking the Wall toke y e towne and in it fiftéene Knightes bearing Banners Simon Mountfort the yonger William de Ferrers Peter de Mountfort Baldwine Wake Adam de Newmarche Roger Bartrandi Simon Fitz Simon Berengario de Wateruile Hughe Cubion Thomas Maunsell Roger Bonteuileyne Nicholas Wake Robert de Newenton Phillip de Derby Grimbald de Paunsevent of whom Simon the yonger was sent to Winchester the residue to other places to be safely kepte Other Knightes of meaner degrée were taken to the number of xl and not a fewe Esquires from thence the king wente towardes Notingham wasting with fire and sworde the maner places of the Barons and there he gathered his Lordes and great men Earle Simon went to London and from thence to Rochester Rochester besieged whiche Iohn Earle Warren defended the bridge and first gate wherof when he had wonne being informed that the king was comming towards London he lefte the siege went backe to méete hym but the king turning his waye from London toke the Castel of Kenington Kingston which was Castel at Kingstone taken the Erle of Glocesters then going to Rochester chased away some that remayned at the siege but slewe many moe from thence he went to Tonbridge the Castel whereof he toke and the Counties of Glocester within it leauing a garrison there Castel of Tonbridge taken he went to Winchester where he receiued theÌ of the v. Portes to his peace passing further to Lewes was receiued into y e Priory his son into the Castel wher whiles he remained the Barons writ to him letters as ye may read in Mathew Paris Nicholas Triuet but they taking no effect y e Barons in armes approched towards Lewes inuading y e kings people Battel at Levves y â wer gone forth for forrage wherof the king being warned he goeth forth to méete theÌ with his army deuided into thrée sorts The first was led by Edward the kings son hauing with him William de Valence Erle of Penbroke Iohn de Waren Earle of Surrey and Sussex The seconde was guided by Richard K. of Almain w t his son Henrie The third the K. himself had in gouerning The Barons army was deuided into four wardes The first led Henrie de Mountfort w t the Erle of Hereford The seconde led Gilbert de Clare wyth Iohn Fitz Iohn WilliaÌ de MouÌtchance The third in which the Londoners were Nicholas Segraue The fourth Erle SimoÌ himself led with Thomas de Pelueston Edwarde the Kings sonne with hys battayle brake on his enimies that he made them to giue backe of whom many were drowned The Londoners were put to flyghte whom whilest the kings sonne pursued for the space of foure miles he made great slaughter but being separate froÌ the rest of the army he weakened his part sore In the meane time manye of the Kings battayle were slaine and the King of Almaine taken in a Windmil by Syr The King of Almaine taken Iohn de Beuis so was Robert le Bruis and Iohn Commyne which had brought the Scottes King Henrie also hauing hys horsse slaine vnder him yéelded to the Earle of Gloucester King Henrie taken who sent him prisoner to the Priory Edward returning is receyued with sharpe battayle and the Earle Waren William de Valence Grey de Lesmute the Kings halfe brethren Hugh Bigod with meÌ of armes to the nuÌber of 400. Haberions gotte then the Castel of Pemsey and when many were slayne on eyther side the Lorde Edwarde ryding aboute the towne sound his father in the Priorie In the meane time an assault being giuen to the Castle which was valiauntly defended the Barons withdrew theÌ wherevpon the Lord Edward being greatly incouraged and hauing gathered his people about him woulde haue made a new battayle so that the Barons sued for peace whiche by y e meanes of the Friers Preachers and Minors was brought to passe that on the Friday following the Lords Edwarde Henrie for theyr Fathers of England and Almayne kings deliuered themselues to Earle Simon vpon hope of quietnesse Edvvard the Kings son taken and peace that might be concluded On the Saterdaye the king licenced them that were aboute him to depart to theyr houses writ vnto theÌ that were in Tonbridge Castel that they shoulde not molest the Barons as they returned homewardes but they notwithstanding being in armes when they heard that the Londoners which were fled from the battaile were receiued into Croydon they hasted ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã the kings sonne was deliuered There was slain in the battayle at Lewes which was fought on the xij of May aboute Robert of Glocest VVestchepe in London brent 4500. men About that time a gret part of Westcheape in London was brent by treason Erle Simon led the K. his son Edward about with him W. Pakenton Chro. Glaston till he had gotte all the strong Castels of the lande into hys hands and then put Richard King of Almaine in y e tower of London and Edwarde the Kings sonne in Douer Castle In the mean time Roger Mortimer Iames Audeley Roger Leyborne Roger Clifforde Haymo Lestrange Hugh de Turberuile with many other rose against SimoÌ who to restrayne theyr boldnesse associating to him the Prince of Wales entred the Castell of Hereforde and caused Edward the Kings sonne to be brought thyther from Douer after thys he wanne the Castell of Hey whiche belonged to the Earle of Hereforde and toke the Castel of Ludlow and after wastyng y e Castel of Ludlovv taken landes of Roger Mortimer goeth towardes Mountgomerie there taking pledges of peace of y e sayd nobles he turneth to the south parts to méete theÌ power which was sayd to come
Farrendon Nicholas Wiâichester the 28. of Sep. Gregory Rokesley the 28. of October From Christmas till the purification of our Lady there was such great Frost and Snow as the olde men could not remember the like wherethrough fiue arches of London Bridge and all Rochester Bridge was borne downe and caryed away with many Bridges more Men passed ouer the Thamis betwéene Westminster and Lambeth and likewise ouer the Riuer of Medway betwéene Stroude and Rochester drishod Fishes in ponds and birds in woods died for want of foode Pirats of Zeland and Holland about Yarmouth and Donwich 1282 Io. Euersden Yermouth and Donvvich spoyled Sherifes Maior Anno reg 11 Corne sold by vveight did spoyle and robbe whosoeuer they met slew many men and caryed away not a few Shippes with all y e goodes in them William Mazelyuer Richard Chigwell the 28. of Sept. Henry de Waleis the 28. of October This yeare the Bakers of London were first drawne vppon Herdles by Henry Waleis Maior and Corne was then first sold by weight This Henry Waleis Maior of London caused to be erected The Toune in Cornehill Radul Baldoke a certayne house in one of the highest places of London which house was called the Tonne vpon Cornehill to be a prison for night walkers and other suspitious persons He also by the Kings licence caused to be builded an house called the Stockes on the North side of Saint Mary Wolchurch in The Stockes market Customes of Lon. London to be a market for flesh and fish in the midst of the Citie and certayne houses néere vnto Powles Church the profites therof to be receyued by the Maysters of the Bridge of London towards the maintenance of the same Bridge The King entred Wales with an army appoynting his Wil. Rishenger Wil. Packington footemen to occupy the enimies in fight whiles his horsemen in a wing set on the rere battayle himselfe with a power kept his place where he pight his golden Dragon vnto the which as to a Castell the wounded and wéerie might repaire but Dauid fléeing the King with his power followed and as he passed by a wood there issued out of the same a foure thousand Welchmen whiche inuading the Kings armie made great slaughter but at length the King marching through by strong hande entred the Castell of Oxe and tooke Anglesey where he lost William de Awdley Roger Clifford the yonger and twelue other of his chiefest Captaynes Iohn Peckham Archbishop of Canturburie sendeth commandement 1283 to the Bishop of London to destroy all the Sinagogues of the Iewes within his dioces After the Archbishop The Ievves Sinagogues destroyed writeth to him to tolerate them to build one Church in some open place in the Citie of London where the King should appoint so they bestow no great cost nor vse their fond ceremonies Ralph Blound Anketin de Beteuile the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Anno reg 12 Tho. Walsing 1284 Wil. Rishang Nic. Bromfild Henry de Waleis the 28. of October Leolin Prince of Wales came downe from the Mountayne of Snowdon to Mountgomerie and was at length taken at Bwelth Castell where vsing reprochfull words againste the Englishmen Roger le Strange ranne vpon him with the Sword wherewith he was girt and cut off his head leauing his dead body on the grounde Sir Roger Mortimer caused the head of Lewlin to be set vpon the Tower of London crowned with Yuy King Edward founded the Abbey of Vale Royall in Cheshire Histo Auria Io. Rouse He also remoued the Abbey of Aberconwey to another place and there builded a strong Castell against the Welchmen He gaue diuers Castels of the Welchmen to Englishe Chr. of Dun. Wil. Pakenham Lords and after tooke Dauid Lewlins brother with his wife his two sonnes and seauen daughters at Saint Moris which Dauid was drawne hanged and quartered at Shrewsburie Iordane Godchepe Martin Box the 28. of September Henry Waleis the 28. of October Sherifes Maior Anno reg 13 Edward Prince of Wales borne at Carnaruan in Wales Laurence Ducket Goldsmith and Citizen of London gréeuously wounded one Ralph Crepin in Weast Cheape and then fled into Bow Church after that certaine euill disposed persons friendes to the sayde Ralph entred the Cron. of Dunsta Ducket hanged in bovv Church 1285 Church in the night time and slew the sayd Laurence lying in the Stéeple and then hanged him vp placing him so by the window as if he had hanged himselfe vpon the which déede enquirie being made it was presented that he had hanged himselfe for the which being drawne by the féete he was buryed in a ditch without the Citie but shortly after by relation of a boy who lay with the said Laurence at the time of his death and had hid him there for feare the truth of the matter was knowne for the which Alice a woman that was chiefe causer of the sayde mischiefe and xvj men Murtherers hanged Io. Euersden with hir were then put in prison and afterwardes more who all were drawne and hanged saue the woman who was burnt these were of the poorer sort but the rich of that malicious company escaped for money The Churche was Bovv Church interdicted interdicted by the Archbishop and the dore with the window was stopped vp with thornes then the said Laurence was taken vp and buryed in the Church-yard The great Conduit in Cheape was begon to be builded Stephen Cornehill Robert Rokesley the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Anno reg 14 Liberties of London seased Gregory Rokesley till the feast of Peter and Paule and that day was the Citie seised into the Kings handes and Ralph Sandwich appoynted Custos vntill Candlemas and then was chosen Iohn Briton vntill Saint Margarets day A Justes was proclaymed at Boston in the faire time 1286 whereof one part came in the habite of Monckes the other in the suite of ChanoÌs who had couenaÌted after the Justes Faire at Boston spoyled Histo Aurea Tho. Walsing to spoyle y e Faire For the atchieuing of their purpose they fired the Towne in thrée places It is said that streames of Gold Siluer and other mettall molten ranne into y e sea The Captayne of this confederacie was Robert Chamberlaine Esquier who was hanged but would neuer confesse his fellowes Wheate was solde for xvj pence xij pence y e Quarter Walter Blunt Iohn Wade the 28. of September Sherifes Custos Anno reg 15 Yermouth Donvvich and Ipsvvich perished Iohn Euersden Ralph Sandwich On Newyeares day at night as wel through y e vehemeÌcie of the wind as violence of y e Sea many Churches were ouerthrowne and destroyed not only at Yarmouth Donwich and Ipswich but also in diuers other places of Englande and other Regions adioyning to the Sea especially in that part 1287 of England which is called Meris land Al the whole prouince was for the most part turned into a standing poole so that intollerable
multitude of men were ouerflowed and destroyed with the water By reason of wrongs done by Paine Tiptot Rice ap Merideth rebelled in Wales and did much hurt against whome came Edmond the Kings brother and at the séege of Durselan Castel in vndermining of walles with the ruines were slaine William Mountchensey Gerard de Insula Banerers Mounsire Humfrey Hastings Bacheler and diuers other Thomas Croshe Walter Hauteyne the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Custos Anno reg 16 W. Packington Ralph Sandwich King Edward sayled to Burdeaux and from thence rode into France where he was honourably receyued of Phillip le Beaw King of France He banished all the Iewes out of Gascoigne and other his lands in France The Sommer was so excéeding hote that many men dyed through the extremitie thereof and yet wheate was Hot former and cheape Corne. 1288 solde at London for thrée Shillings four pence the Quarter and suche cheapenes of Beanes and Peace as the like had not bin heard of William Hereford Thomas Stanes the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Custos Anno reg 17 1289 Ralph Sandwich Great hayle âeâ in England and after ensued great raine that the yeare following wheate was raysed from thrée pence the bushell to sixtéene pence and so encreased yearely till it was lastly sold for twentie Shillings y e Quarter The Citie of Carelile the Abbey with all the houses belonging to the Friers Minors was consumed with fire William Betayne Iohn of Canterbury the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Custos Anno reg 18 Ralph Sandwich Which Ralph before Candelmas was deposed from the Constableshippe of the Tower of London and in his place was putte Ralph de Barneuers Knighte who was agayne remoued on the Custos of London Constables of the Tovver Monday after Candlemas daye from the custodie of the Citie and in his place was Sir Iohn de Briton Rice ap Merideth was by the Earle of Cornewall in the 1290 Kings absence taken drawne hanged quartered at Yorke William de Breosa called the senior deceased at Findââ and was buryed in the Monasterie of Sele Falke of S. Edmond Salomon le Sotell the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Custos Anno reg 19 Sir Iohn Briton King Edward returning out of Gascoine where he had remayned thrée yeares two monethes and eleuen dayes was honourably receyued of the Londoners King Edward held a Parliament at Westminster where in the transgressions of diuers Justices was tryed out and Iustices punished Adam Meri Cro. Dun. Radul Baldoke Scala Croni Iohn Rouse punished accordingly some lost their goodes and then were banished some as well of the bench as of the assises were sent to the Tower which with great summes of money obteyned libertie Sir Thomas Weyland had all his goodes both moueable and vnmoueable confiscate and was banished Sir Ralph Hengham chiefe Justice of the higher bench offered 7000. markes Sir Iohn Loueter Justice of the lower bench 3000. markes Sir William Bromtone 1291 Justice 6000. markes Of their Clearkes for their redemption Of Robert Littelburie 1000. markes Of Roger Leycester 1000. markes Of Sir Salomon Rusx chiefe Justice of Assises 4000. markes Of Sir Richard Boylond 4000. markes Of Sir Thomas Sodentone 2000. markes Sir William Hopton 2000. markes Of Robert Preston 1000. markes Sir WilliaÌ Saham Justice 3000. markes Of a certayne Clearke of the Courtes called Adam de Stratton 32000. markes of olde money and newe beside iewelles without number and pretious vessels of siluer which were found in his house and a Kings Crowne which men sayde was King Iohns Moreouer the King constreyned the Justices to sweare that from thenceforth they shoulde take no pention fée or gifte of any man except only a breakefast or such like present He banished all the Iewes out of England giuing theÌ to beare their charges till they were out of his Realme the number of Iewes then expulsed were xv M. lx persons The Scottes by their Charter deliuered to King Edward Records the Kingdome of Scotland with the Castels rightes and customes the fourth day of June that vpon due discussing the matter it might be knowne who was lawfull heire therevnto Thomas Romaine William de Lier the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Custos Anno reg 20 1292 Iohn de Briton Who was about Saint Margarets day remoued from the custodie of London and Sir Ralph de Bernouers was remoued from the Constableship of the Tower and in their places put againe Ralph Sandwich Custos of the Citie and Connestable of the Tower Roger Bacon was buried on the eleuenth of June in the grey Friers Church in Oxford The wooll Staple was ordeyned to be kept at Sandwich Ralph Blunt Hamo Box the 28. of September Sherifes Custos Anno reg 21 Iohn Bayââoll did homage for Scotland Recordes Ralph Sandwich The eightenth of Nouember King Edward sate in his tribunall seate at Berwike and hauing heard the assertions of the competitoââ of the Crowne of Scotland he adiudged Iohn Bailliol to be true heire of Scotland and therefore to enioy the same whole Kingdome with the appurtenances and assigned him to do him homage which was performed at Worham the twentith of Nouember and also on Saint Stephens day following at Newcastell Quéene Elianor dyed at Herdeby a Towne néere to Lincolne 1293 Queene deceassed Walte Hennig Radul Baldoke Charing Crosse Ghro Dun. hir bowels were buryed at Lincolne hir body was brought to Westminster and there buryed the King made at euery place where she stayed a costly Crosse with the Quéenes image vpon it Charing Crosse the Crosse in Weast Cheape of London Dunstable Saint Albons Waltam Crosse and others Great discord arose betwixt the Mariners of France and The Sinque Ports against the French them of Portesmouth and Yermouth wherethrough the Englishmen susteyned great losse but they complayning to the King obteyned licence to reuenge their owne wrongs and without ayde eyther of Wales Scotland or Ireland wente to the Sea with sixe hundred Shippes and set vpon their enimies and tooke two hundreth and fiftéene French Ships and droue them to the I le of Gernesey and after presented them to the King The ninth of July a great part of the Towne of Cambridge Cambridge brent Iohn Euersden with the Church of our Lady was consumed with fire The goodes as well Temporall as spirituall of all religious people in England were taxed to pay the tenth part to the King The Minories a Nunnerie without Aldgate of London The Minories Ex Carta Radul Baldoke was founded by Edmond Earle of Leycester brother to king Edward The same yeare the same Edmond and his wife and all the Englishmen were banished out of the French kings dominion Henry Bole Elias Russell the 28. of September Sherifes Custos Anno reg 22. First Alderman in London Ralph Sandwich Nicholas Farrengdon was the first Alderman Thrée men had their right haÌds cut off in Weast Cheape for rescuing a Prisoner rested by an Officer
the King being wroth fortifyed Windsore Castell and beganne to build Towers and other strange things The Abbot of Saint Denis in France béeing sent Legate from the Pope to demaund the legacie that King Edwards father gaue to the holy land did earnestly request King Edward to remoue from him Peter Gauaston with whose conuersation all the world was as it were infected Then the King appoynted a Parliamente at North-hampton determining from thence to passe into Scotland the Barons came to this Parliament well furnished but the King sente them worde he woulde not come there yet at the last he came to Stony Stratford whither were sente to him by the Barons the Earles of Warwike and Clare who requested him to come for his owne profite and the commoditie of the Realme at length he went in the habite of a Squire and the Barons met him without armour and in the ende louingly embraced and were made friends and the voyage to Scotland was reiourned til another time After Michaelmas the Parliament was holden at London vnto the whiche Parliamente came Lewes the French Kings brother with the Bishop of Poytow from the Kyng of Fraunce to entrenie vnitie betwixt the King and his Lordes and there were diuers get ordinaunces made And once agayne though sore agaynst the Kings mind he caused Pierce to obiure with condition added by the Barons that if he were founde agayne in any lande subiecte to the Kings dominion he shoulde be taken as a common enimy and condempned This beyng doneâ he passed into Flanders and from thence to other Countries séeking reste which he coulde not finde Iames of Saint Edmond Roger Palmer the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior 1310 Anno reg 4. Thomas Romaine the 28. of October Pierce of Gaueston conceyuing a trust in the friendshippe of the King and the Earle of Gloucester whose sister he had marryed taking with him many straungers returned into Englande And a little before Christmas he came to the Kyngs presence who foâ ioy of his comming forgettyng all othes and promises receyued hym as a heauenly gift The King kept his Christmas at Windsore where Walter Langton Bishop of Chester and the Bishop of Saint Andrews in Scotland were released out of prison The seconde daye of September at night an horrible tempest of thunder happened so that Hedges and Trées loste their gréenenesse and the Church of Middleton in Dorcetsnire wyth the Stéeple Belles Ornamentes and all other monuments of that place were consumed wyth the lightning the Monkes being at Mattins Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne and Conestable of Chester W. Shep. dyed at London and was buryed in the newe worke of Paules Simon de Coâpe Peter Blackney the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 10. Rouse Richard Râââam Mercer the 28. of October Blâckeney deceassed in whose place succeeded Iohn ââ Combridge A Prouinciall Counsell was holden at London agaynste Templers condempned Thomas Dele the Templers in England vppon Heresie and other articles where of they were accused who denyed the facte sauing one or two of them â notwithstanding all did confesse that they coulde not purge themselues and therefore were condempned to perpetuall penuance in seuerall Monasteries where they be haued themselues very well At Paris in Frauuoe liiij of the Templers were brent by 1311 iudgement of the French King Thomas who had maryed the daughter of Henry late Earle of Lancaster hel de in hys handes the Earledomes of Lancaster Lincolne Salisbury Leyoester Ferraâs the Libertie of Pickering and the Honoure of Cokermore besides greate landes in Wales and in the Earledome of Arthoys in France King Edwarde wyth Peter Gauaston hys companion went to Yorke where the King was lodged in the Palace of the Archebyshoppe and Peter in the Castle they caused the Citie to be fortified and the walles to be repayred and sent to Robert Bayliol of Scotlande for ayde againste his Lordes but Robert made answeare he woulde not forth of Scotland neyther woulde he disquiet any man the lyke aunsweare was made by the Welchmen The Earles assembled at Bedford Gilber Earle of Glocester being one of them they came to London and ordayned the Seas to be kept leaste straungers shoulde enter to ayde the Kyng After Easter the brother of Pierce of Gauaston was taken with greate treasure whiche he hadde conueyed oute of the Kyngs Treasurie his shippe beyng tossed wyth tempeste on the Sea was driuen where it was taken and the treasure was brought to London in Carles About this time King Edward for his recreation tooke the Sea leauing Peter of Gauaston at Yorke where vpon the Barous brought their power entred the citie of Yorke but Peter fled to Scarborough then the Barons besieged Scarborough where they took him and committed him to y e custody of Aymerde Valence Erle of Penbroke who brought him to the Manor of Dedington which is betwixt Oxford Warwike â there left him to be kept sâfer but y e next day in y â morning Guy Earle of Warwike with a company of armed men took him from thence and brought him to Warwike Castell after deliberation taken the Earles of Lancaster of Warwike and Iohn Treklow Pierce of Gauaston beheaded Anno reg 5. of Hereford caused in their presence in a place called Gauesice or Blacke Lowe the xix of June his head to be stricken off his body by the Frier Preachers was conuayed to Oxford and there kept more than two yeares till the King caused the same to be translated to his manor of Langley and there in the Friers Church which he had builded to be buryed Simon Merwood Richard Wilford the 28. of Septemb Sherifes Maior 1312 Tho. de la More The Roades vvonne by the Christians Sir Iohn Gisors Peperer the 28. of October Quéene Isabell was deliuered of hir first sonne named Edward at Windsore the xiij day of Nouember The Knightes of the order of Saint Iohn Baptist called Saint Iohn of Hierusdlem put the Turkes out of the Isle of Roades and after that wan vpon the sayde Turkes dayly for a long time after This Religion was greatly preferred by the fall of the Templers whose possession was giuen to them by a Counsell holden at Vienna Anno reg 6. Robert de Bruce gote againe almost all Scotland the Castels with munitions the English Garrisons being cast out he tooke agayne into his power This yeare therefore Tho. de la More Hugh Spencer the yonger by consent of the Prelates and certayne nobles Hugh SpeÌcer the sonne was appoynted the Kings Chamberlayne in place of Peter of Gaueston whome they the rather preferred bycause they knew the King hated him neuerthelesse not long after by his great diligence he brought himselfe into the Kings fauour The Father of this Hugh béeing olde was yet liuing a Knight of great vertue in counsell wiâe in armes valiant whose confusion and shamefull end he wanne vnto himselfe by naturall loue though disordinate towardes hys sonne who was
in body very comely in spirite proude and in action most wicked whose couetousnesse and ambition by the disheriting of widdowes and strangers wrought the death of the Nobles the fall of the King with the vtter destruction of himselfe and his father Iohn Lambin Richard Wilford the 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1313 Tho. de la More Sir Iohn Gisors Peperer the 28. of October King Edwarde gathering a greate power marched towards Scotland to breake the séege of Striueling Castell and lodged himselfe and his people there about in the fielde on the euen of Saint Iohn Baptist neuer afore that time was Battayle at Striuelin séene the like preparation pride and cost in the time of war as affirmeth Robert Paston a Carmelite Frier being present Robert Paston and taken of the Scottes which he sorowfully bewayled in his Heroycall Uerse whiles he was prisoner The firste night sayeth he yée might haue séene the Englishmen bathing themselues in Wyne and casting their gorges there was crying showting wassaling and drinking with other rioting farre aboue measure On the other side yée might haue séene the Scottes quiet still and close fasting she euen of Saint Iohn Baptist labouring in loue of the libertie of their Countrey On the morow the Scottes hauing gotten the most conuenient place in the fielde for victorie made ditches in the grounde thrée foote déepe and she like in breadth from the right wing of the army vnto the least couering y â same with weake twigges or Herdles and agayne ouer with Turffe and Grasse whiche was not of strength to beare horsemen The armie of the Scottes béeing deuided into certayne troupes stoode not farre off from this dike whiche was betwixt them and the Englishmen On the other side the Armie of the Englishmen comming out of the weast the sunne rising casting his beames on their golden Targets bright helmets and other armoure gaue such a reflection as was both wonderfull and terrible to beholde In the first warde were the light horsemen and heauie coursers In the second were the archers and other footemen who were appoynted for the chase of the aduersaries In the thirde was the King with his Bishops and other religious amongst whome was Hugh Spencer The Horsemen of the first front making vpon their enimies foundered with their foreféete into the ditch and laye therâ tumbling abiding the cruelty of the Scottes who comming vpon them slewe soâe and tooke a greate many richemen for raunsome There was slayne Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester whome the Scottes woulde gladly haue kept for raunsome if they hadde knowne him but hée hadde forgotten to putte on hys coate of Armes wyth hym was flaine Sir Edmond Manly Syr Roberte Clifford Sir Paine Tâptofte Syr Wyllyam Marshall Syr Giles Dargenton and many other Knights and Esquiers There was taken Humfrey de Bohun Erle of Hereford Iohn Segraue Iohn Claueringham William Latimer Syr Roger Northbroke bearer of the Kings Shielde or Seale but Syr Rauf Mounthermer that had married Ioane of Acres Countesse of Glocester the Kings sister beyng taken Anno reg 7. founde suche fauour that his raunsome was pardoned and hée returning into Englande broughte backe wyth hym the Kings Shield or Seales but Syr Edmond Manly the kings Steward drowned himselfe in Banockesborne Almoste thrée hundreth men of armes were slaine in that place our archers killing manye of them who séeyng the Scottes cruelly bent vppon our horsemenne falne in the ditche shotte their arrowes wyth a highe compasse that they mighte fall betwixte the armoure of theyr ennimyes whyche was all in vayne â and when they shâtte right forth they sleââ fewe of the Scottes â by reason of their armed âeastes but many of the Englishemen by reason of theyr naked ãâã The King with the Bishoppes and Hughe Spencer bée tooke themselues to flight â in whiche daunger of fléeyng the King ââwed to God that hée woulde buylde vnto the âoorââ Earmelite âriers an house in the whyche hée woulde place ãâã and twentie brethren to be Students ââ Diuinitie whyche hée afterwardes performed in Oxforde Ralphe Baldâââ Byshoppe of London deceassed who in Cro. ãâã Wil. Pastââ hys lyfe tyme gaue two thousande Markes to the building of the newe worke of the Chappell on the Southe side of Nevve vvorke of Paules Churche in London the Churche of Saint Paule in London and lefte muche by hys testament to the same worke In digging the foundation of this worke were founde more than a hundreth heades of Oxen and Kine whyche thing confirmed great lye the opinion of those whych haue reported that of olde tyme it hadde béene called The Temple of Iupiter and that there was the Sacrifice of Beastes Robert Gurdeine Hugh Garron the 28. of ãâã ãâã Sherifes Maior 1314 Victuall prised Nicholas Farendon Goldsmith the 28. of October ãâã The King caused hys Writs to bée published for prices of virtualles that no Oxe ââalled ãâã be solde ãâã more than foure and twentie shillings ãâã ãâã Anno reg 8. Oxe for more than sixtéene shillings âââ ãâã stallâd Cowe at twelue shillings another Cowe at tenne shillings aâ faââe Mutton corne fedde or whose ãâã wel growne âââwentie pence another fatte Mutton shorne at fourtéene pence a fatte Hogge of two yeares olde at thrée shillings foure pence a fatte Goose at two pence halfepeny in the Citie at thrée pence a fatte Capon at twoo pence in the Citie two pence halfepenyâââ fatte Henne at one peny and in the Citie thrée halfpenceâ twoo ãâã a penny in the Citie thrée halfepence foure Pigeons for one peny in the Cittie thrée Pigeous for a penny â soure and ãâã egges a peny in the City twentie egges a peny ãâã Stephen Abingdon Hamond Chigwell the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Tho. Walsing Sir Iohn Gisors Peperer the â8 of October Notwythstanding the Statutes of the laste Parliament the Kings Writs âââ things were sold dearer than before ââ flesh could be had Capons and Géese would not be founde Egges were hard to come by Shéepe dyed of the Victuall deare 1315 Chro. S. Albâââ rotte Swine were out of the way a Quarter of Wheate Beanes and Pease were solde for twentie Shillings a Quarter of Malte for a Marke a Quarter of Salt for ãâã and thirtie Shillings c. Iohn Poydras a Tanners sonne of Excester in diuers A Tanners sonne claymed to be King places of England named himselfe the sonne of Edward the first and sayd that by a false nursse he was stolne out of his cradle and Edward that now was King put in his place but shortly after he was conuict of his vntruth and confessed that he did it by the motion of a familiar spirit which he had in his house in likenesse of a Catte whome he had serued thrée yeares for the which seruice he was hanged at North âhampion The King in a Parliament at Lincolne gaue the rodde and ãâã of Marshall vnto Thomas of Brotherton Earle of Norffolke his
Philippe de Labeche Iohn de Becke Henry de Laybourne these tenne and thrée score and twoo Knightes more were bestowed in dyuers prisons The Justiciers of Trailebaston in Essex sate vppon all Cron. of Dunsta Iustices of Trailebaston complayntes excepte Assises touchyng pleas of féed landes and others in the Kyngs Benche to bée pleaded who dydde abstaine theyr handes from all kindes of giftes And they dydde not onely refuse the giftes but also woulde not be called to the feastes and bankets of any man The thirde Wéeke after Easter a Parliament was Tho. de la Mâââ gathered at Yorke where Hughe Spencer the father was made Earle of Winchester vnto whome the Kyng gaue the Castell and Honour of Dunnington whiche was parcell of the Earledome of Lincolne Aboute the feast of Saint Iames the King wyth a great T. de la More Hen. Elanforde armye entred Scotland but the Scottes hauing destroyed all aâore were retyred beyond the Scottishe Sea So that the King beyng oppressed bâââmine retourned into Englande Addictions to Nich. Triuet Anno reg 15 whome the Scottes foll ãâ¦ã and in a place of the Forrest of Blackamore they âet ãâ¦ã ng so that he hardly escaped There were taken the Earle of Richemond and the Lorde of Silicico the Frenche Kings Embassador and many other where vppon the Scottes spoyling al the Couââââ and brenning euen to Yorke they brent Ripon slew many Priests of the Colledge there but in Beuerley they hurte not a man for the Burgesses and Cannons dydde redéeme the same wyth foure hundreth poundes of sterling money And so the Scottes by reason of Winter made retourne being laden with spoyles Thys yeare the Kyng made Syr Andrewe Herkley Earle of Carlile and gaue hym landes in the Marches of Scotlande Richard Constantine Richard Hackeney the. 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Hamond Chickwell Peperer the 28. of October Aboute the feaste of the Purification of our Lady Andrewe de Herkeley late made Earle of Carlile vnder colour of peace fayned that he woulde marry Robert Bruis his sister Wherevppon the King reputing him a Traitor caused him to be taken by hys trusty friende Syr Anthony de Lucy and after he was disgraded of the Earledome by the taking away froÌ him the sword cutting off his spurs 1322 then hanged quartred at Carlile also the third of March his head was sent to London and his four quarters to foure seueral parts of this land The. xxx of May Aymer de Valence Earle of Penbroke Hugh Spencer the yonger Robert Baldocke Archdeacon of Midlesex sir William Herle Knight William de Aizewine Cannon of Yorke Galfride de Scrope were for King Edwarde of England sent to Newcastel vpon Tiâe where they met with William Bishop of Saint Andrewes Thomas Raââdâ ââ Earle of Mourt Iohn de Meteâh Robert de Lowther the Father Knights and maister Walter de Tromant Clearke for the King of Scottes there to talke of a final peace but when that wold not be they âet to a truce which they agreed vpoÌ for xiij yeres which was proclaimed about the xj of June dated at Anno reg 16 Thorpe néere vnto Yorke Thys yere Phillip King of Fraunce dyed and his brother Charles succéeded him About the beginning of Auguste king Edwarde being at Pikering there came Ambassadors from the new French king the Lorde Benuille and sir Andrew de Florentia to cite the King to come to doe homage for ââyon Aquitaine and other lands which he helde of him and though Hugh Spencer the sonne Lorde Chamberlayne and Roberte Baldocke Lorde Chauncellour had procured the sayde Ambassadours not to declare theyr message to the King yet when they shoulde depart they did it admoniâhing him to come And the sayd syr Andrew de Florence being a Notarie made a publike instrument of the sayde Citation and admonition Iohn Grantham Richard of Ely the. 28 of Septem Sherifes Maior Tho. de la More Hamond Chickwel Peperer the. 28. of October The Frenche King made a processe againste the King of Englande And Charles de Valoys vncle to king Charles of Fraunce a most deadly enimy to Englishmen did seaâe on the Dukedome of Angue and the Countie of Portowe vnto the vse of his nephew the King At the length going forward to the towne of Ryall he founde it wel defended by Edmond of Woodstocke Earle of Kent betwixte whome a finall truce being taken to continue vntill suche time as it coulde be determined betwéene both the Kings as concerning peace and the towne being yelded vp both the armies departed home The next Lent in a Parliament holden at London Adam Tarleton Bishoppe of Hereforde was accused of treason but Henrie Blanford 1323 by the Archbishops of CaÌterburie Yorke and Dubline and their suffragan Bishoppes he was taken from the Barre and had away notwithstanding inquisition being made by lawefull men of that Country they founde y â he had ayded the Mortimers with horsse and armour against the King wherevppon all hys Temporalities were seased into the kings hands In this Parliament the king graunted at petition of y â Prelate that all the bodies of the noble men that were hanged on gallowes shoulde be taken downe and buried in ecclesiasticall Anno reg 17 sepulture The King also asked a subsidie of the cleargie and people for the redéeming of Iohn Britaigne Earle of Richmonde Adam Tarleton Bishop of Hereford being depriued of all hys temporall goods did hate the Spencers deadlye so dyd Henrie Burwashe of Lincolne and their friendes who withhelde Tho. de la More their handes only for reuerence of the King On Lammas daye Roger Mortimer of Wigmore by Henrie Blanford giuing to his kéepers a sléepe drinke escaped out of the Tower breaking through the wal and comming into y â Kitchin neare adioyning to the Kings lodgings and getting out of the toppe thereof came to a Warde of the Tower and so with cordes knitte ladder-wise prepared afore hande by a friende of hys got to another Warde and so with greate feare got to the Thamis and with his helper and two moe of his counsell passed the riuer and auoyding the high wayes came to the sea and there finding a shippe passed ouer into Fraunce Adam of Salisburie Iohn of Oxforde the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior 1324 Tho. de la More Anno reg 18 Nicholas Farendon Goldsmith the. 28. of October The Kyng sente Ambassadours to the French Kyng the Byshoppes of Winchester and of Norwiche with Iohn of Brytaine Earle of Richmonde to take order for the Dukedome of Brytaine who after long debatings toke a certayne forme of peace with the King King Edwarde sente the Quéene hys wife vnto hyr brother The QueenseÌtâ into Fraunce the French Kyng to establishe the peace who went ouer with a small company By hyr mediation a peace was fullye finished to witte that the Kyng of Englande should giue to his eldest sonne Edwarde the Dukedome of
Aquitaine and the Earledome of Poâtââe and that the French Kyng shoulde receyue homage of hym wherevpon Edwarde the Kings sonne wente ouer wyth a competent housholde aboute the feaste of Saint Mathewe and did homage vnder certaine protestations to his vncle the Frenche King Bennet of Fulham Iohn Cowson the. 28. of September Sherifes Maior 1325 Hamon Chickwel Peperer the. 28. of October Whiles the Quéene wyth hyr sonne remayned in Fraunce longer than the Kings pleasure was and would not come agayne wythout Roger Mortimer and other Nobles that were fledde out of Englande and especially for the hatred shée bare to the two Hughe Spencers the Kyng in displeasure banished them bothe and all other that toke theyr partes wherevppon manye fledde ouer the Seas to the Quéene amongst the whych was one a subtill Knyght Sir Robert Walkefare who slaying the Conestable of Corfe Castel brake from them where he had long line prisoner Sir Oliuer Ingham Knight whom the yong Duke Edwarde Oliuer Ingham hadde made kéeper of Aquitaine gathered a great armye and inuaded the prouince of Aniowe whiche the Frenche King contrarie to couenauntes dydde wythholde Anno reg 19 and broughte it wholby into the dominion of England Moreouer the kings Nauie tooke a hundred ships of the Normans and brought them into England for which cause gret hatred grew betwixt the two kings and their Realmes The Q. perceyuing that y â nobles of France were corrupted with gifts sent out of EnglaÌd so that she could trust none of them secretly conueyed hir selfe and hir sonne to the Erle of Heynalde desiring ayde of him who receyued and intreated hyr very honourably so long as she remayned there Gilbert Mordon Iohn Cottoâ the. 28 of September Sherifes Maior 1326 Richard Betaine Goldsmith the. 28. of October Isabel the Quéene made a mariage betwixt hir eldest son Edward and Phillip the Earles daughter of Heynalde and and then with hir sonne Edwarde Edmunde of Woodstocke Erle of Kent the kings brother Roger Mortimer and many other noble men that were fledde out of Englande and Iohn brother to the Earle of Heynalde being Captaine with stipedarie knightes out of Almaine and Henalde she toke the seas with all hir power whiche were to the number of MM. DCC LUII menne well armed and arriued at Vrewel or Orwel hauen besides Harwich in Essex about Michaelmasse whether immediately the Earle Marshal the Earle of Leicester the Bishops of Lincolne Hereforde Diuelyn Ely came and being ioyned to the Quéene made a great army Anno reg 20. Queene Isabel returned the other Bishops specially of Canturburie ayded hyr with mony When she had refreshed hir armye at Saint Edmondesburie she went forwardes pursuing hir enimies whose goods she applyed to hir owne vse The King requested ayde of the Citizens of London who made him aunsweare they woulde The King requested ayde with due obedience honour the King and Quéene and theyr sonne who was lawfull heyre to the Realme and that they woulde shut theyr gates against all forraine traytors of the Realme but they would not go out of their Citie to fighte except they might according to theyr liberties return home againe the same day before Sunne sette which when the K. hearde he fortified the Tower of London and lefte there hys Proclamation by the king yonger sonne Iohn of Eltham he caused also to be proclaimed that euery âââ should resist them that were arriued and to inuade them to the vttermost of theyr powers the Quéene with hir some Edward and the Erle of Kent his brother only excepted and wholoeuer coulde bring the heade of Roger Mortimer shoulde haue a thousande pounde On the other sâââ it was proclaymed in the Quéenes behalfe that al men Proclimation by the Queene should haue good peace except the disturbers of the Realm to wit the Spencers y â father and the son Robert Baldocke byshop of Norwich the kings Chancellour and theyr fautours whosoeuer did bring to the Quéen the head of Hugh Spencer shoulde haue a M. pound The Citizens of London without respect of any beheaded such as they took to be the Quéenes enimies among the whiche they beheaded one of their owne Citizens named Iohn Marshal bicause he was familiar with Hugh Spencer the yonger They toke also Maister Walter Stapleton Bishoppe of Excester and on the. xv day of Bishop of Excester beheaded October beheaded him the eight and tweÌtith of March next following he was buried at Excester with great solemnitie and two of his seruauntes a squire and a yeoman named William Atwall and Iohn of Padington at the standerd in Cheape bycause as the saying was he had gathered a greate army to withstand the Quéene they did also wrest the keyes of the Tower of London out of the Conestables handes and deliuered al the prisoners Richard Rothing Roger Chaunteclere the. 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Saint Iames. Richard Britaine Goldsmith the 28. of October Thys Richarde Rothing Sherife builded the Parishe Church of Saint Iames at Garlike Hithe in London The Quéen besieged Bristow which was soone reÌdered to The Queen besieged Bristovv hir and the morrow after hir coÌmyng Hugh Spencer the elder was drawen hanged in his armour then beheaded Spencer the elder executed Wil. Pakington his body hanged vppe againe and after foure dayes cutte al to péeces and cast to the dogges to be eaten but his heade was sent to Winchester The King Hugh Spencer the yonger and Robert Baldocke determyned to flée into the I le of Lunday whiche is in the mouth of the riuer Seuerne twoo miles in length euery waye verye fruitefull pleasaunte and harde to conquer but beyng in greate daunger on the Sea the space of a The King taken Tho. de la More Alexan. Nethaâ wéeke at laste arriued in Wales where they were taken the sixtéenth daye of Nouember in the Monasterye of Neth The Kyng was committed to Henrie Earle of Lancaster his kinsman who broughte hym to Kellingworthe Castell The K. sent to Killingvvorth Hugh Spencer Robert Baldocke and Symon Readyn were broughte to the Quéene at Hereforde the Earle of Arundell Iohn Daniel and Thomas Muchelden by procurement of Roger Mortimer were beheaded before theyr comming Hugh Spencer was condemned without aunswere at Hereforde where he was drawen and hanged vppon a Spencer the yoÌger executed Gallowes thirtye foote hygh and then headed and quartered on the foure and twentith of Nouember Simon Reading was drawen and hanged on the same Gallowes but ten foote lower Robert Baldocke dyed in Newgate with manye torments These things beyng done the Quéene wyth hyr sonne Edwarde Roger Mortimer and other went to Wallingforde Castell a little before Christmasse and before the twelfth daye they came to London where they were ioyfully receyued On the morrowe after the sayde feaste they helde a Parliamente where by common decrée they elected Edwarde hys eldeste sonne and then sente in the name of
leÌgth one Robert Venââe Knight a Nonffolke man requesting licence of the King being armed with his sword drawne marcheth toward the Champion méeting by the way a certayne blacke mastife Dogge Turnebull a callenger ouercome in combate which wayted on the Champion whome with his sworde he suddaynely strake and cut him off at his loynes at the sight whereof the mayster of the Dogge slayne was much abashed and in his battayle more warie and fearefull whose left hande and head also afterwarde this worthye Knight cut off After this Combate both the armies met but they fighting scarce halfe an houre certayne of the Scottes béeing slayne they closed their armie which was in thrée all into one battayle but at length fléeing the King followed them taking and chacing them into lakes and pittes for the space of fiue miles There were slayne of them eyght Earles 1300. Horsemen and of common Souldioures 35000. at a place by Berwike called Bothull néere vnto Halidon In the meane season the Scottes had beséeged the Castell of Kambrugh in which at that time the Quéene was but when they heard of the victorie aforesaid they lefte the séege and fledde The Townesmen of Berwike yéelded to the King Edvvarde vvan Barvvike King of England both the Castell and the Towne who placing garrisons there he sent Edward Baylioll and other nobles to kéepe the Realme of Scotland Earle Patritius in the next Parliament holden at Yorke made fealtie and did homage vnto the King by oth who receyued of the King for yéelding vp of Berwike vnto him many honors and preferments notwithstanding this Earle returned againe to Rebellion who holding Dunbar against the King was beséeged by William Mountacute Earle of Salisburie This yeare William Elsing Mercer of London obteyning Rising Spittle 1. Leyland the Kings licence made a new Hospitall of an olde house of Nunnes by Creeplegate within the wall of London âiber trinitate and placing Chanons Regular there he became their first Priour endowing the same with Lands for the reléefe of the poore and impotent Nicholas Pike Iohn Husband the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Iohn Preston Draper the 28. of October Adam Tarleton first Bishop of Hereford then of Worcester Anno reg 7. is now translated to Winchester Edward Bayholl King of Scottes held a Parliamente at 1333 Gallowey to the which came the noble men of Englande and made clayme for their landes and possessions whiche they had in Scotland and so returned peaceably into their Countrey King Edward kept his Christmas at Wallingford The Quéene was deliuered of a daughter named Isabell at Wodstoke The King sommoned a Parliamente to be holden at Yorke the same to begin on Monday the seconde wéeke of Lent to the which Parliament the King of Scottes called Conquerour although he were warned to be there yet he came not but sent messengers to excuse him to wéete Henry de Bellemount and William Montacute Earles certaine other Barons and Knightes who signified that the King of Scottes Conquerour coulde not be there withoute great danger for that certaine Scottes lay in the Ilands ready to do him domage At the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist the said King of Scottes King of Scottes did homage Conquerour did his homage to King Edward of England at Newcastell vpon Tine and not long after that King Edward tooke homage of the Duke of Briteine for the Earledome of Richmont In a Parliament at London it was tolde the King that the Scottes had taken Richard Talbot sixe other knightes and had slayne many footemen wherefore the King tooke a fiftéenth of the Laytie and a tenth of the Cleargie to the intente the malice of the Scottes mought bée brideled Iohn Hamond William Hausard the 28 of September Sherifes Maior Sir Iohn Poultney Draper the 28 of October King Edwarde wente toward the Marches of Scotland and wintered in those coastes but vnderstanding that the Earle Dassels was trayterously turned to the Scots Henry Bellemount beséeged by the Scottes he entred Scotland and reysed the séege and then kept his Christmas at Roxborow Anno reg 8. Presently after the feast of the Epiphany the French King sente messengers to King Edward to wéete the Bishop of Aur enges and certayne Lordes to treate a peace for the Scottes who wayted for an answere in Englande till Midlent and then at Nottingham a truce was granted vnto them vntill the feast of Saint Iohn next comming that in the meane time a Parliament might be holden of matters 1334 concerning peace and the state of both the Kingdomes in which Parliament holden at Yorke it was decréed that the King shoulde passe with his armie through Scotlande beyond the Scottish Seas the which thing was quickly performed and done but the Scottes desirous to fight a fielde they fayned that they woulde haue peace to obteyne the which many came aboute the feast of Saint Michaell and chiefely the Earle of Dascels wherevpon it came to passe that afterward the Earle of Morefe being taken prisoner at Edenborough was sente to be kept prisoner in England and Richard Talbot was ransomed for two thousand fiue hundred Markes but the Earle of Dascels willing to shew that he was truly reuolted to the King of England rode againste the Scottes at the séege of a certayne Castell and falling into the hands of his enimies bycause he woulde not yéeld he was slayne with thirtéene of his men After the feast of Saint Michaell the King continuing still in the Marches of Scotlande was dayly entreated by messengers from the French King concerning some peace to be made About the feast of Saint Martine Edwarde Bohune a noble man was drowned in the marches of Scotland for as he was driuing a bootie of Cattell ouer a Riuer he felte himselfe in danger causing his guide to ride before hym through the water where through the smoothnesse of the stone whereon the water ranne his guide not being able to take sure footing fell downe with his mayster being armed and before any help could come they were drowned in the bottome of the Channell Iohn Archbishop of Canterburie went ouer the Sea to Phillip de Valoys King of France requesting of him the continuance of peace and amitie betwixt the two Kingdomes to be mainteyned Secondly that all Townes and Castels taken before time by his father should be restored to the King of England Thirdly that the sayde French King should sweare neuer to giue ayde to the Scottes agaynst the King of Englande vnder which conditions the two Kings of both Realmes shoulde prepare to trauell towardes the holy lande and to fight agaynst the enimies of Christ But the French King accompted the King of Englande not worthie of his friendship so long as he continued warres against the Scottes his friendes whome he sayde were iust men Unto the seconde petition he woulde not otherwise consente therevnto than if all charges were repayde agayne which his father Charles de
and Fraunce whiche matter notwithstanding doth not much displease vs for y â he is descended from the weaker side of our kin and therfore as being a Batcheller we woulde be content to graunt him licence to beare part of our armes of Fraunce but wheras in his seales and letters patents he nameth hymself as well King of Englande as of Fraunce and doth set the firste quarter of his armes with Leopardes before the quarter of Liles it doth grieue vs very muche making apparaunt to the beholders that the little Islande of Englande is to be preferred before the great kingdome of France Unto whom sir Iohn of Shordich knighte made aunswere that it was the custome of men in those dayes to set the title and armes of theyr progenitors before the armes and title of the righte descending of their mother and thus of dutie and reason Anno reg 14 sayde he doth my Lord the King of Englande preferre hys armes King Edwarde being thus busied the Mariners of the Cinque Ports embarked themselues in Pinaces and smal beates wel appointed who after the feast of S. Hillarie arriued at Bononie vpoÌ the sea coast the weather being so cloudie and darke that they could scarsely be perceyued to be in the hauen they brent in the lower towne nintéene galleys and four great shippes and twentie small boates with all theyr tackling and all suche houses as were scituate nyghe to the sea cost amongst which was one great house full of dares sayles weapons and other necessaries sufficiente to furnish ninetéene galleys and men for theÌ at y e length in a skirmish betwixt the townes men and the Englishmen many of the land men were slaine About the beginning of Februarie king Edwarde returned into Englande came vnto Gaunt where the Quéene lay Iohn of Gaunt Parliament aâ VVestminster 1340 in childbed of hir fourth sonne named Iohn he helde a Parliament at Westminster wherein the Temporalty granted hym euery ninth fléece of Wool euery ninth lambe and euery ninth sheafe of all sorts of corne and the cleargie gaue him a newe tenth Immediatety after Easter the Earles of Salisburie and Suffolke being accompanyed but with a fewe men gaue an assault to the Towne of Lile in Flaunders which Town was confederate with the French King but they chasing the FreÌch men too far within the gates the Percolices being let fal they were beset with a multitude of men of armes and being taken they were conueyed into Fraunce fettered and shackeled with yron although they had ââorne to be true prisoners they were drawen in a Cart through the middest of euery Citie Towne Uillage and Hamlet with greate shoutes and cryes rayling on them and at length béeing brought to the presence of the French King he woulde haue most shamefully slaine them had he not bin otherwise perswaded by the counsel of the King of Boemia King Edward kept his Whitsontide at Ipswich for that he intended from thence to take his passage into Flaunders but being certified that the French king had sent a great Nauie of Spanish ships and also the whole fléete of Fraunce to stoppe his passage he caused his ships of the Cinque Ports and other to be assembled so that he had in his fléete great and small 260. shippes Wherefore on the Thursdaye before the matiuity of Saint Iohn Baptist hauing a prosperous winde he began to sayle and the nexte daye in the euen of the sayde feaste they escried the French Fléete lying in Swine Hauen Wherefore the King caused all his Fléete to come to Ancker The next day being the feast of S. Iohn Baptist âarly in the morning the French Fléet deuided themselues into thrée parts and remoued themselues as it were a myle approching towards the kings Fléete Whiche when the king perceyued about nine of the clocke hauing the winde and sunne on his backe set forwarde and met his enimies as he woulde haue wished wherewithall the whole fléete gaue a terrible shoute and a showre of arrowes out of long woodden bowes so powred downe on the French men that thousandes were slaine in that méeting at length they closed and came to hand blowes with Pikes Powle axâs swordes and some threw stones from the toppes of shippes wherewith many were brained The greatnesse and heigth of the Spanish shippes caused many English men to strike many a stroke in vaine but to be short the French shippes being ouercome and al the men spente of the firste parte the Englishmen entred and tooke them The French shippes were chayned togyther in suche sort that they coulde not be separated one from another so that a fewe Englishmen kepte that part of the Fléete wherfore they set vpon the second ward and with greate difficultie gaue the charge whiche being done was sooner ouercome than the firste for that the French men leauing their ships many of them leapt ouer borde The Englishmen hauing thus ouercome the first and seconde parte of the Fléete and now hauing night drawyng on partly for want of light and partly for that they were wearie they determined to take some rest till the next morning wherefore that night xxx shippes of the thirde crewe fled awaye and a greate shippe called the Iames of Deepe thinking to haue carried away a certaine ship of Sandwiche belonging to the Prior of Canterburie was stayde for the Saylers so stoutely defended themselues by the helpe of the Earle of Huntingdon that they saued themselues and theyr ship from the Frenchmen The fight continued al the night and in the morning the Normans being ouercome and takeÌ there wer found in the shippe aboue 400 men slaine Moreouer the king vnderstanding that xxx ships were fledde hée sent fortie ships well appointed to followe them ouer the which he made Iohn Crabe gouernour but what good spéede he had is not knowen In the firste companye of shippes that were taken they founde these conquered shippes the Denise the George the Christopher and the blacke Cocke all whiche ships were taken by Erenchmen at Sluce and carried into Normandie The number of shippes of warre that were taken was about 200. and. 30. barges the number of enimies slaine and drowned were aboue fiue and twentie thousande and of Englishmen about foure thousand among whom were foure Knightes sir Thomas Mortimer the Kings cousin sir Thomas Latimer his son sir William Butteler of Seortkorne and sir Thomas Poynings About the same time the Scots came with a great power into Englande burning and spoyling all the Marches by fire and sworde and when they were returning wyth a great bootie of Cattayle they were neuer withstoode by the Nobilitie of the Marches but the common people wold not suffer them so to passe set vpon them toke theyr bootie from them and slewe manye of them and toke more than 80. Scots of good reputation whome they kept from raunsome for the whiche fact the Noble menne of the Marches were highly displeased About Lammas certaine French Pirats gaue an assault
Scotlande where most victoriouslye he conquered it and the same Ile being called the I le of Man the kyng gaue it to the Conquerour franckelye and fréely to be possest and caused hym King of Man to be called and crowned king of that I le Then King Edward returning towards the south parts kept solemn torneymentes at Dunstable beyng accompanyed wyth 230. Knightes The same yeare was a Parliamente at Westminster wherein the Archbishoppe of Canterburie was reconcyled to the King before whom the Archbishoppe sware that althoughe the Kyng by hys counsell and consente hadde done homage to the French King for the Dukedome of Aquitaine and the Earledome of Poytowe yet he neuer consented therto as to be anye hurte or preiudice to the Kyng or that by hys counsel he myghte incurre fauoure or séeke to please the French King but for that presente tyme he thoughte it beste to be done both for the obtayning of peace and also for the profit of the Kyng and Realme After this Parliament the king commaunded Florences of golde to be made at the Tower of London that is to saye the peny of the value of sixe shillings eight pence the halfe penye of the value of thrée shillings foure pence a farthing worthe twentye Florences of golde Sherifes Maior Anno reg 17 pence Iohn Louekyn Richard Rifling bury the. 28. of Septem Simon Fraunces Mercer the. 28. of October In a Parliament at Westminster in the moneth of May the religious men that were possessours of Lands graunted to the king towards the maintenaunce of his warre al their iewels and plate as wel siluer as gold horsses carts wagons whervpon the kings treasure was notably enriched The same yeare auctoritie was giuen to the kings escheters 1343 to enquire and certifye the Counsell of al such persons which helde of the King any landes in Capite or by any A general suruey of the vvhole realme of England other fée to the value of one hundred shillings and that the names of all suche shoulde be enrolled and giuen vp for recorde Also certaine other were put in aucthoritie to signifie howe many sufficient and able bow-men were in euerye shire also what other sufficient men were able to beare armour for the defence of theyr Country and to sée them practised with suche kinde of weapon wherein they had beste skill and being thus assembled in all parts of the Realme speciallye suche as were of lawfull age commaundemente was giuen out that they shoulde be readye at the Kyngs commaundemente to fyghte agaynste theyr enimies King Edwarde and his nobles perceyuing the derogation Ro. de Auesbury Gual Homingford that was done to the realme by such reseruations prouisions and collations of benefices as the Pope practised here in England wrote to him requiring him that sith the Churches of Englande had bene founded and endued by noble and worthy men to the ende the people might be instructed by people of their owne language and that he beyng so farre off coulde not vnderstande the defaultes yet hys predecessours and he more than had bene vsed by diuerse reseruations prouisions and collations made to diuerse persons some straungers yea and some enimies to the Realme whereby the money and profits were carried forth theyr cures not prouided for according to the founders mindes they therefore vpon due considerations therof signifyed to him that they coulde not suffer such enormities any longer and therefore besought him to reuoke such reseruations prouisions and collations wholy to auoyde suche slaunders mischieues and harmes as mighte ensue and that the cures might be committed to persons méet for the exercises of the same beséeching him further wythout delay to signify his intention sith they ment to bestow their diligence to remedie the matter and sée that redresse might be had Giuen in ful Parliament at Westminster the xviij of May in the yeare 1343. Iohn Steward Iohn Aylesham the. 28. of September Sherifes Maior Iohn Hamonde the. 28. of October Many being called to ayde the King against the Scots but not being ready they contributed their money wherewith the king might hyre souldiours in place of them that remayned at home King Edward caused to be called togither a great many Anno reg 18 Tho. Walsing 1344 Round Table at VVindsore of Artificers to the Castell of Windsore and began to builde an house whiche was called the Rounde Table the floure wherof from the Center or midde point into the compasse was an hundred foote and the whole Diameter 200. foote the Circunference thereof is 600. foote and thrée quarters The same time Phillip de Valoys king of Fraunce buylded Round Table in Fraunce Scala Croni a Rounde Table in his Countrey to the ende he mighte allure the menne of Warre of Germanie and Italie and so to kéepe them from the Kyng of Englandes Rounde Table Kyng Edwarde in succour of Iohn Mountfort Duke of Thâ de la More Brytaine and of his wife and children who then remayned in the kings custodie sent the Earles of Northampton and of Oxforde Hugh Spencer and Richard Talbot Knightes and maister William Kilesby Clearke euerye one of them hauing vnder them many meÌ of armes and archers into Britaine who entred there-into in despight of al theyr enimies whych resisted them making many conflictes They toke as well walled Townes as other with diuerse Fortresses and Castelles both by assaulte and surrender by whiche meanes they had the whole Countrey vnder theyr subiection conquering till they came to the Towne of Morleis where Charles de Bloys mette them wyth a greate armye Therfore in the Champion grounde nygh vnto Morleys the Battayle as Morleys two armyes made greate and moste stoute battayle wherin the worthinesse of both sortes dyd full well appeare for they fought so stout on both sides that in the first conflict it chaunced as the like had not bene séene for the chiefe Captaines Charles de Bloys to whom the Frenche king hadde giuen the Dukedome of that Countrey and William de Bohune Earle of Northamton who for the defence of y e right of Iohn de Mountfort naturall heire and Duke of that lande the king of Englande had made a generall ouer the army of the English men who foughte so long wyth hande strokes in the fielde that daye that no manne but a lyar coulde giue more prayse to the one than to the other Thrée tymes that daye they beyng wearied on both sides wythdrewe themselues to take breathe and then fell to it again with Speare and shielde and sworde and Targe but in y e ende the right worthy and stoute Charles de Bloys his men fléeing away was also forced to flée himselfe wherevppon after many slaine on both sides the victorie fell to the Englishmen Geffrey Wichingham Thomas Legge the. 28. of Sep. Sherifes Maior Iohn Hamond the. 28. of October King Edwarde sente ouer Henrie Earle of Darbie son to the Earle of Lancaster his cousin
in Normandy beseeged by Edvvard the third of Cane making their entrance by a Bridge whiche was strongly defended There was slayne an hundreth thrée and fortie Knightes among the whiche was the Earles of Ewe and Camberlin de Tankeruill with dyuers other Captaynes whyche were sente into England and the Lady Abatesse of Cane and of them of the Citie were slayne aboue one thousande thrée hundred At this Citie the armie remayned sixe dayes and the spoyle thereof they solde to those Marriners whiche followed the coast as the King went Then they wente to the Monasterie in the Towne of Toward a very strong thyng and well defended Afterwarde they came vnto Argons by nighte burning still as they wente till they came to the Citie of Licens where they founde the Cardinalles of Clarimount and of Naples and one Archbishop who offered the King a treatie of peace and there the King continued thrée dayes refusing to treate of peace Then they wente to Lestentnoland and to the Towne of Briue and lodged at New Burge and after at Selelefe vpon Sayne and there the Welchmen ââamme through the water of Segan and béeing resisted by the inhabitantes they slewe many of them Then they passed nigh to the Towne and Castell of Pount Darch béeing strong places and not sautable Thys nighte he lodged at Lury vpon Segan nigh vnto the good Towne of Louars whiche they did burne After they passed by the Towne and Castell of Gaylon whiche they tooke and brente and lodged at Lingeuie whiche is nigh the good Towne and Castell of Vernon whiche they touched not and there they first entred into France and the same night they brente the Castell of Roche Blanche whiche standeth on the other side of Segan and lodged at Fremble vpon Segan After that they passed by the Towne de Maunt lodging that night at Oporne On the nexte day they passed to Frigmas and the nexte daye to the good Towne of Poecie where béeyng a Bridge to passe ouer the Riuer of Segan the Frenche had spoyled it but the Kyng caused it to bée reedifyed and the nexte daye they came vnto Amias where were thrée greate Armies appoynted to kéepe the King from passing that way but hée making a greate conflicte with them slewe thrée hundreth of them at the firste charge put the residue to flighte and spoyled their Tentes burning thrée hundreth and two Cartes and Wagons ladeÌ with Crossebowes Quarels Armor victuals the King staying there two dayes they went to Gresile nigh vnto Pountoys then to Antell the next day they passed by the Citie of Wenneys which they touched not and so by Trâsolours at the water of Some where they lodged The next day they wan the Towne of Poys and brent the Castell From thence they went to Aregnus then to Achen where they lodged The next day they came to Noell vpon the Sea side the Frenchmen of Dabuile and the Countrey came to the fâârdes side to hinder their passage with whome the King had a sore conflict but the enimies were put to the worsse and more than two thousand slayne and the Towne of Croytoy taken and brent and aboue thrée hundred Germanes slayne The next day they followed the King on the Riuer of Some and on the banckes side where the King with his host were lodged came trauelling Phillip de Valoys the French king Tho. de la More with the Kings of Boheme and Malegre leading an army of men innumerable deuided into eight great battels King Edward sent to the French King offering him frée passage ouer the Foorde if he would come and choose a place apt to fight a field in but this Phillip would not fight but went to another place of passage On the morrow King Edward remoued to Cresifield where y e armie of the French King met him The King therefore set his sonne the Prince of Wales to gouerne the vaward The middle warde the Earle of Battayle of Crecy Northampton The third he tooke to guide himselfe The army of the Frenchmen were deuided into nine troupes The vaward was committed to the King of Boheme The French King commaunded his banner called Oliflam The French Banner of oyly flame signifyed no mercy more âhan fire in oyle to be set vp after which time it was not lawfull vnder payne of death to take any man to saue his life This banner that it might differ from his standard had in it Lillies of gold very broade On the other side King Edward commanded his Banner to be erected of the Dragon which signified fiercenesse and crueltie to be turned against the Lillies These armies being thus appoynted stoode in the fielde from one of the clocke vntill the euening Aboute the Sunne setting after the armies had iusted they beganne by sound of Trumpettes to giue signe of battayle but they themselues felt the force of the English Archers and as for their Quarels they fell short a great way Moreouer their footemen being placed among their owne horsemen were by them when they were gaulled with the English shotte of arrowes ouerrunne and troden vpon that a great outcrie was made as it were to the Starres and the whole forme of the array was broken and they fighting with the English armed men are beaten downe with Poleaxes In this so terrible a bickering the Prince of Wales being then but sixtéene yeares olde shewed his wonderfull towardnesse laying on very hotely with Speare and Shield This battell dured thrée partes of the night in the which time the Frenchmen gaue fiue great assaultes againste oure men but at the length they being conquered ranne away On the morrow there came four armies of fresh Souldioures to the French side and making semblant as though their part had suffered no harme they come against the Englishmen and gaue them a fresh battayle On the other side the Englishmen withstoode them very stoutely and after a sharp conflict they forced their foes to flie and in chacing of them togither with them that were slayne in the conflict they slew thrée thousand men in the sayd two dayes There were slayne in the battayle of Crecy the Kings of Boheme and of Maiorica the Archbishop of Zanxinus the Bishop of Noyone the Dukes of Lorayne and Burbon the Earles of Alanson Harecourt Awmarle Sauoy Nois Mountbilliard Niuars and of Flanders with the graund Priour of the Hospitall of France and foure thousand men of armes beside common souldioures without number The third day after King Edward passed by the Abbey of Mounteney and the next day they came to the Towne of Mountney and from thence to the Nunrie of Saint Ioce and after they passed ouer a Foorde and came to Newcastell where they stayde two dayes and from thence they came to Caleis which presently they entrenched to beséege being King Edvvarde beseeged Caleis the fourth day of September Iohn Croydon William Clopton the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Geffrey Witchingham the 28 of October The French King in
this meane time sent a number of Genoways and other hired Souldiours vnto Dauid King of Scottes earnestly requesting him that he would inuade England with all his force wherefore about the seauenth of October he with a mightie power entred England passing along by Berwike which was strongly defended by the Englishmen and so ranging ouer the Forrest of Alnewike they wonne a certayne Mannour place called Luden belonging to the Lord Walter Wake who yéelded himselfe on condition Sir VValter VVake and his sonnes cruelly slayne by the Scottes to be ransomed where Selby a Knight béeing desirous by law of armes to saue his life he was taken which when it was knowne to Dauid he commanded him to be slayne but Selby intreated for him that he mought bée brought aliue to the presence of Dauid who hauing obteyned his request he falleth downe before Dauid requesting his life for raunsome but he was agayne adiudged to dye The malice of the Tirant was suche that he commaunded two of the children of the poore Knight to bée strangled in sight of their father and afterwarde himselfe béeing almost madde for sorrow was beheaded From thence the Scottes passed forwarde wasting along the Countrey wherein were many Farmes belonging to the Monasterie of Durham and comming within two miles of Durham they tooke certayne of the Monkes which they kept prisoners for their raunsome making couenant with the residue for a certayne summe of money and corne to redéeme theyr Mannoures from spoyling The Englishmen of the Marches fléeing before the face of the enimie William de la Zouch Archbishop of Yorke Uizegerent to the King in the Marches calling togither the Bishop of Carelile the Earle of Anguise the Lord Mowbrey the Lord Percy the Lord Neuell and other of the North with all their ayde togither with the Archers of Lancashire went towards the armie of the Scottes and on the euen of Saint Luke mette them at a place called Bewre Parke âéere Neuels Crosse The Scottish Nation not accustomed to flée withstoode them stoutly and hauing Headpéeces on their heads and Targets on their armes preasing sore vpon the Englishmen they abode the brunt of the Archers but the men of armes which were in the forefronts gaue their enimies many deadly woundes The Marshall of the Scottes Earle Patrike who had the charge of the rereward when he perceyued his men to be beaten downe he fledde away with other that were priuie to his cowardlinesse he being fled the residue of the Scottes continuing faithfully with theyr King stoode about him like a round Tower kéeping hym in the middle who so continued till there was scarse fortie of them left aliue of the which not one of them coulde escape away At length Dauid their King béeing taken prisoner by Iohn Copland the residue aboute him béeing taken or slayne the Englishmen pursued the chace after them whiche were fledde slaying and taking them as farre as Prudihow and Corbridge In this great battayle were taken King of Scottes taken Dauid de Bruse King of Scottes the Earle of Mentife the Earle of Fife the Lorde Maleolin Fleming the Earle Wixton William Dowglas William de Lemingstone Walter de Halliburton Iohn Dowglas Dauid de Anade Iohn de Saint Clere William Mowbray Dauid Fitz Robert William de Ramsey Adam Moygne Iohn Stewarde Roger de Kirkpatrike Iohn Hume Wil. Morrey knights Iames Sudelflour Iames Loren Henry Delker Baronets There were slaine in this battell the Earle of Morife the Earle of Straterne also Alex. Stragy Iohn de Haliburton Hen de Ramsey Naso de Ramâey AdaÌ Nilkenson Thomas Boid Iohn Stiward Allen Stiward Dauid Delahay Edward Kethe Iohn Crawford Iohn de Kindesey Philip de MaldreÌ Hen. Ramsey Alex. Morey Hum. de Boys Gil. Inchmarten Robert Maltallent and his brother Humfrey Kirkepatrike Iohn Strange and Patrike Hearing Knightes There were many slayne in the chase but there were no more coate armours found in the mayne battayle than we haue reckned This battayle was fought on the seuentéenth of October The prisoners were conuayde to London about Christmas Dauid le Bruce except which might not trauell by reason of two deadly woundes in his head with arrowes but the seconde of January he was brought vp and conuayed from Westminster to y â Tower of London in sight of all the people and there lodged in the blacke nouke of the sayd Tower néere to the Connestables gard there to be kept While these things were done in England the King was Anno reg 21 Tho. de la More busied at the séege of Calleys which Towne is scituated in the marches of Artoys being closed aboute with a double wall and a double ditche hard on the shore of the Englishe Calleis described Sea right ouer against the Castell of Douer And there is longing to the same Towne an Hauen wherein Shippes may lie very safe withoute danger This Towne was sometime with the Castell thereof very strongly built by the force and valiantnesse of the Romanes for after that Iulius Caleys builded by the Romanes Caesar had broughte all France vnder his subiection hée built Calleys in Artoys and the Castell of Chipstowe in Venedocia or Southwales and the Castel of Douer in Kent what time Castels of Chepstovv in vvales and Douer in Kent built by the Romanes he had conquered Britayne King Edward cast a ditch aboute his Camp and layde his Nauie of Shippes against Caleis Hauen to the intente that the Frenchmen should make no inuasions vpon his Souldioures neyther they within receyue any victualles by water The Norman Pirats at sundry times tooke fiftéene of his Shippes whereof some of them they caried away for their owne occupying the other they brent and Sir Thomas Haclut with Sir William Borton Knights as they were sailing into England were taken prisoners on the Sea King Edward hauing fortified the séege lay without giuing 1347 any assault knowing that it was not possible to fight with his enimies without great losse of men considering the deapth of the ditches and heigth of the walles neyther woulde he erect any engins againste the Towne for there wanted firme grounde where vpon to place them Besides that if he should beate downe the walles yet were the ditches so déepe and full of salt water let in on euery side that they were able to withstande all the world with little strength and defence On that side of the Towne on which the Bolloners were wont to victuall Caleis that is along on the Sea side and especially when the Shippes could not be suffered to passe by Sea but alongst the shore with small boates the Earle of Northampton made a Rampire wherewith he kept away A Rampire builded at Caleis and beate backe such boates and afterwarde when the Admirall of France had purposed to come with his Shippes of warre to fight against our English Shippes that lay at the séege thinking that in the meane time whilest they were a fighting the small Boates should passe
to Caleis with victualles the sayd Earle of Northampton méeting with him valiantly put him to flight This séege during in such sort from the feast of the Natiuitie of our Lady and all the whole winter with a great part of the sommer and still waxing stronger and stronger on Monday next before the feast of Saint Iames the Frenche King came to the Castell of Gysnes with his eldest son Iohn The French King came to reise the seege of Caleis and the Kings sonne of Boheme and a great power to haue remoued the séege from Caleis Also the Emperour promising by oth that he would remoue the séege eyther by warre or peace or at the least he would victuall them that were beséeged came with his armie towards the English Camp and lodged scarse a mile from thence requesting by messengers a treatie of peace He sent the Duke of Detenes and the Earles of Bulone and Darminake who parleing with the Duke of Lancaster and the Earles of Northampton and Huntington touching a truce could not obteyne their consente whervpon after they had exercised a little warlike iusting they returned to their Tentes The second day following the French King offered the King of England a day of battell The French King profered battayle which the King on certayne conditions accepted very gladlye In the meane season they which were beséeged made knowne their state to the French King by signes and tokens for at his first comming they within the Towne set vp his auntient on the chiefest Tower of the Castell and also they set out Banners of the Dukes and Earles of France and a little after the shutting in of the euening they made a great light on the toppe of one of the highest Towers which was towards the armie of the Frenchmen and therewithall they made a greate shoute and noyse wyth Trumpets and Drommes the second night they made the like but somewhat lesse the third night a very small fire giuing forth therewith a sorrowfull voyce signifying thereby that their strength touching the kéeping of the Towne was quite spent and done and the same night they tooke in all their flagges and antients except their Standart At the last the day of battayle drew on against which tyme there came out of England and Dutchland toward the helpe of King Edwarde seauentéene thousande fighting men wherevpon the French King betimes in the morning of the The French King fleeth second day of August making fire in his Tentes he fledde whose tayle the Duke of Lancaster and Earle of Northampton Wil. Norwell cutting off they slewe and tooke many of them When they of Caleis perceyued thys they tooke their Standart downe and with greate sorrow cast it from the Tower downe into the ditch and on the Saterday following Iohn Caleis is yeelded de Vienna their Captayne a man very skilfull in warlike affayres opening the gates of the Towne came out to the The order hovv Caleis vvas yeelded King of England sitting on a little nagge for that he being lame on his féete could not well goe with an halter about his necke with the other burgesses and souldiours following on foote bare headed and bare footed hauing halters about their neckes The Captayne comming thus before the King offered him a warlike sword as vnto the chiefest Prince of armes amongst all Christian Kings and as one that had taken that Towne from the mightiest Christian King by noble cheualrie Then he deliuered to him the keyes of the Towne Thirdly he requesting of him pitie asked pardon and deliuered him the sword of peace wherewith he should giue right iudgement spare and forbeare the humble and lowly and chasten the proude harted The King receyuing that which was offered him sente the Captayne with fiftéene Knightes and as many burgesses into England enriching them with large giftes The common sort of people and such as he found in the towne being somewhat refreshed with the Kings almes he commanded to be safe conducted to the Castell of Guisnes Guisnes After the taking of the Towne of Caleis the Souldiours at the Kings commandemente tooke the Mannour of Markes Hoy. Markes and of Hoy and with great difficultie they built in them Fortes setting in order where walles wanted Hoggesheads filled with stones against the enimies whilest the walles were a building within Immediately after the taking of Caleis there began in those partes a generall Bloudy Flix pestilence of the Flix coÌming froÌ the East partes into many other partes of the world wherevpoÌ it came to passe that a great multitude of people died This pestilence gaue occasion y â certayne Cardinals were sent on y e behalfe of the French King to craue a truce from that time vnto the feast of Saint Barnabe next following which was agréed vpon on the 28. of September Adam Brapsen Richard Bas the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Thomas Leggy Skinner the 28. of October The truce being takeÌ as afore is said K. Edward built a Castell at Risebanke builded Castel at Risbanke betwixt y e towne of Caleis and the HaueÌs mouth to the intent to kéepe off all y e enimies force of ships froÌ the said towne and he made Captaine of the towne Sir Iohn Mongomery and thence conueying the Quéene his eldest sonne with a great company of noble men he tooke hys iourney towardes Englande by water and béeyng on the Sea he was beaten with suche a Tempest that hée King Edvvard returned from Caleis into England not vvithout great danger of drovvning lost many of his Shippes and hardly escaped himselfe notwithstanding he came on land the fourtéenth of October and came to London This peace being made it séemed through England as a new Sommer had followed bycause of the plentie of all Commodities of peace things for there was no woman of any name but she had some of the prises of Cane and Caleis or of other Cities beyonde Anno reg 22 the Seas whereof the matrones being proude did bragge in French matrones apparell At the feast of Easter Iames Dowglas who was taken at Durham in the warres and brought to London wyth the 1348 King of Scottes was licenced to departe home agayne swearing to the King peace and fealtie who afterwarde liuing peaceably in the marches and being requested by William Dowglas to ride a hunting with him was by him comming behind his backe most trayterously slayne After Easter the King held a Counsell wherein it was decréed that none of his seruantes should take vp any victualles of any man against his will nor but that he payde for it ready money vpon payne to be punished and banished the Courte Richarde Talbot high Stewarde of the Kings house being appoynted to fée execution of that Proclamation The Earle of Ments was racked areigned and conuicted for that contrary to his faith and homage sworne to the King of Englande he did againe beare armes agaynste him and for that
almoste in sunder yet in suche sort that ââmeâ horssemen mighte ryde ouer it and for the purpose he hadde a greate stone whiche was layde vppe in a hole made in forme of an Arche beyng in the foreparte of the Towâe hangyng ouer the Bridge in whyche hée appoynted a Faythfull Souldiour should bée in the tyme to throwe downe the sayde stone vppon the Bridge that wyth the fall thereof the Bridge beyng halfe cutte in two should be broken in sunder and so that hole where the stone was layde shoulde bée wrought in suche sorte that hée wythin shoulde perceiue throughe the hole howe manye dyd enter in ââââââ were made priuie to this practise neyther did many knowe of the kings presence or of the prince of Wales who when they had wroughte thys feate secretely conueyed themselues into the Towne The daye before the tyme of delyuerie of thys Towne Geffrey Cherney âââââ fifteene of his faithfullest menne wyth the gââaâââ parte of the golde whiche was to be payde who shoulde also ââyâ the faythe of Emericus and the order of the Castell who searching euery where in euery Tower and corner whiche they could finde open coulde perceyue nothing contrarie to theyr lykyng wherevpon on the next day in the morning they set vp the French kings standerde in the highest Towre of the Castell and the auntientes also of Geffrey and of other Lordes vpon other Towers and places Then the people of the Town who kept common watch and warde not knowing of this secrete deuice were gretly terrifyed therwith in so muche that they taking weapon in hande beganne to giue a charge against the Castell by and by the French men who hadde entred the day before toke Thomas Kingstone then fléeing awaye quite ignoraunt of that whiche was deuised and forceably they set him in the stockes Then certaine of them being sent out to the French men their companions and maisters who laye without in ambushes shewed them the auntients and standerd set vp and all to be well euen as they woulde haue it hastning them forwarde to come to the defence of the Castell againste the townes men wherfore they rysing from their lorking places aduaunced themselues in pride and bragging and came by heapes in at the gates of the Castell The townes men perceyuing this had muche adoe to forebeare their handes from them had not their chiefe leaders withdrawen them from it least some daunger should haue happened to them that laye hid by and by those that laye hid closed vnder the Arches of the Walles prepared themselues to breake out vpon their enimies In like sorte also he that with the great stone man shut vp in the hole after that he sée so many entred in âââéeming that his fellowes were sufficient to ouerthrowe theâ with that great stone put to his custodie hée brake the drawe bridge by the whiche the enemies had entred in but being once in coulde not goe that waye out againe when the stone was thus downe and had discharged the thing for the which it was layde vp the French men deceiued by that pollicy they wer enclosed safe ynough At the noyse of this stone and the bridge that brake these armed men of whom before I spake breaking downe their counterfaite wall behinde the which all the deceyte was hyd they presently set themselues in order to inuade the French men bidden to a bitter breakfast The conflict was sharp for a good season but at the length the enimies being ouercome yéelded themselues to the plesure of the conquerours They which were without and had not entred as soone as they perceyued theyr companions to be deceyued fled after whome the king with scarce sixtéene men of armes and as many Archers followed a pace the runnawayes not knowing what company woulde followe them many in thys chase were wearied and many moe slaine and in a small time the king ouercame daungerous and great labours but at length when it was vnderstoode by them that fledde howe fewe there were that chased them fourescore armed men turned them against the king I dare not ascribe thys Tho. de la More boldnesse of the king in chasing of his enimies to hys wisedome but only to the sâoutnesse of his minde the whiche is wel knowen through Gods grace to be brought to good effect by his meanes though the daunger were neuer so gret for when he perceyued that the French men had turned theÌselues to withstande him he caste away the scaberde of hys sword and comforting his men about him setting them in good order exhorted them to play the men lustily The Archers being placed in the Marche against the sides of the enimies stoode on dry Hilles which were compassed aboute with quag-myers and foggie places that neyther horssemen nor footemen might approch them but they should rather be drowned in mud than come néere to hurt them these also did the king comfort saying to them doe well you Archers play the men lustily and knowe that I am Edwarde of Windsor Then the presence of the king and necessitie of the matter styrred vp theyr hartes to doe well the Archers vncouering theyr heades stripping vp theyr sléeues bente themselues to bestow theyr arrowes in such sort that they might not be loste and as the French men drewe towardes theÌ they saluted theÌ after with their arrowes The armed men of both partes stoode in order to fighte vppon a long and narrowe causewaye the bredth whereof was not able to receiue scarce twentie men of armes in a fronte hauing on both sides thereof the Marishe in the whiche the Archers were placed who gauled and wounded theyr enimies on the sides fléeing as thicke as hayle The kyng and his men before wyth the Archers on the side slewe and tooke a greate manye and manye of them stoode stoutlye to it till at the length by the comming of the Prince of Wales the Frenche were putte to flighte after a long chase in pursuing the enimies they returning backe againe to Caleis numbred those which were fledde as well as those whiche were taken and they founde that for the taking of the Castell as the prisoners reported there came a thousand men of armes and sixe hundred armed men but they which serued were aboue thrée thousand among theÌ which were taken was Geffrey Charney and his sonne Edwarde 1â50 de Renty Robert Danquile Otto de Gulo the Baron of Martingham Baldyne Saylly Henrie de Prees Garinus Baylofe Peter Renel Peter Dargemole Eustace de Riplemount and manye other Lordes Knightes and Baronets who were chased and ranne away with theyr auntientes as the Lorde de Mountmarice also Laundas who maried the Lady Saint Paule Countesse of Penbroke in England also y e Lord Fenas the Lorde Planckes and another Eustace de Replemount There were slaine in the skirmish the Lord Henrie de Boys the Lord Archibalde many others whose names the Conquerors were not able to certifie Thus by pollicie and deuised treason the aucthours
touching these matters aforesayd and for other considerations also caused a newe coyne of golde to be made in Gascoigne being busied himselfe aboute the repayring of such things as were decayed and throwen downe And in this season there sprang vp a foolish fantasie in the French mens heades that the King of Englande was come into Normandie the cause of which rumour rose vppe for that the Duke of Lancaster after that he had fortifyed the strong places belonging to the King of Nauar whiche were in the I le of Constance and other places did direct his iourney towardes Brytaine whereof he was newly made chiefe Captaine Another cause was this Phillippe brother to 1356 the King of Nauar came into England and earnestly craued ayde of the King against the Frenche King who kept hys brother in prison that he mighte by force of armes restoare all such lands vnto him as were wrongfully withholden from him wherevpon hée offeryng to doe homage and fealtie he hadde of the Kings appoyntmente Miles Stapleton a manne of great integritie and in martiall affayres very skilful him I say the king appointed to be his faithful felow These men with two thousande men well appoynted trauelling throughe Normandie toke townes and Fortresses burning diuerse of them passing along tyll they came to a Castell nine leagues distaunte from the Citie of Paris neyther did they aâlake theyr trauayle vntil they hadde forced theyr enymies to enter into a yearelye truce By this meanes a great report and no lesse fear filled the heartes of all French men whiche report at length came to the eares of the Prince lying at Regla wherefore he gathering all the power he had with him in hys Dukedome to the intent to méete hys Father whiche he muste doe by trauelling through Fraunce he came at length to Brugetat where he was certifyed that the Earle of Armenia woulde after his departure haue spoyled the Countrey and for that intent had prouided a greate bande of men wherefore hée sent backe to the gouernour of Gascoigne vnto Barnarde de Libret and other From thence the prince went into France through the coastes of Barny and Lymon stil encouraging his men against their enimies sending before him Iohn Chandos Iames Dawdeley and other complices to trye out the state of their enimies countrey least perhappes some crafty ambushment might sodainely assaulte our men afore they were ware He himself remouing his campe euery day and now being entred into Pictauia his espies broughte worde that the French king had gathered a greate armye beyng now in Aurelian who also knewe of the Princes comming for he sente out espies to discouer our armye amongst whoÌ Griffin Micco of Chambly petie Captaine of two hundered men méeting with other espies came to his coaste for oure espies toke thirtie of theÌ and slew the residue so that there was not one of them lefte to carrye worde what was become of theyr fellowes Our espies procéeded towardes Romerentine where méeting with the Lord Crone and Lord Brisgande they sette vppon them and slew them their chief Captaines being forced to flée to a castle and hauing taken their lodging in a town the prince commanded that on the morning a great assault should be giuen to theÌ of y e Castell The day folowing our men being al armed passed through the ditches came vnto y e wals of the Castel some applied to scale y e wall with ladders some burne the gates and entring slew a gret many of the chief men but y e Lords before named fled vnto the principal tower of y e castel but y e prince determined not to depart til they that were besieged were eyther taken or yéelded at length the Castell being vndermyned the men besieged with all humilitie yéelded vp the Castell After this the spies declared that the Frenche King was come downe to Turon to prouide armies to go against the Prince of the which tydings the Prince being gladde he pighte his tentes againste the Frenche King but could not passe the riuer of Leger by reason of greate floudes and the Frenche King hadde broken all the bridges to the intent there shoulde be no passage betwixte the Prince and the Duke of Lancaster whose armyes might wel euerye nyght perceyue eache others fiers in the Campes but the Prince folowing alongst the riuer of Legers Eastwarde he pyghte hys tentes neare vnto Turon where loking for the Frenche Kyng foure dayes hoping to fighte with him for that hée was distaunte but one league off he vnderstoode that the Frenche King was retyred backe to Blamia ten leagues off passing ouer by a Bridge the Riuer of Legers at a place vsed betwixt two strong Townes and so towarde Poyters This retyring of the Frenche king certifyed the Prince returned backe intending to haue mette him in his waye whych he coulde not doe yet crossing ouer all as he imagined the nerer way he sette vpon the tayle of his enymies and cut froÌ them the Earles of Inyni and Winters and also the Marshall of Burgonie these being takeÌ died as was thought through the great toyle they had taken night drawing on our men gaue themselues to reste in a wood intending the next day to take theyr iourney towarde Poiters and by the waye they were certifyed that the Frenche King with greate prouision prepared himselfe to battayle and drew nigh to our tents The Batayle of Poyters the Prince therefore committed the vawarde of the armye to the Earles of Warwick and Oxford the middle ward was guided by the Prince and the rerewarde was led by the Earles of Salisburie and Suffolke In all the whole armye of the Prince there was not aboue foure thousande menne of armes one thousande armed souldiours and two thousand Archers The pompous nobilitie of the French men drewe nygh greatly disdayning the small company of the Englishe men for they had in number eight thousande fighting souldiours they had also seuen auntients At this matter a gret many of our men murmured bycause of late a great part of our army was sent to defende Gascoigne There was among the French men a certaine Scotte called William Douglas a man of great force and practise in the Warres this manne did the French king make Knight and bycause he knewe he woulde be a deadly enimie to the English men he gladlye hearkned to his aduices This William was Captain ouer two hundred Scottes these men vnderstoode wel that it was the custome of the Englishe men in those dayes to fighte on foote in which point they followed the Scottes and the Scots also prouoked the French king and other French men to fight in like maner The French king obeying his foolish counsel gladly agréed vnto his sayings wherevpon he sente lighte horssemen into the Cittie that they shoulde suffer no man to make any chase but only 500. horssemen well appointed to come out againste the Archers in the beginning of the conflict and to runne them ouer and to treade them vnder
emptied their quiuers in vain being armed only with swords and Targets are fayn to encounter with them that were laden with armour Then bestirreth hymselfe the worthye Prince of Wales cutting and hewing the French men with a sharp sword In the mean time Captain de la Buch marcheth a compasse about vnder the hangyng of the Hil which he with the Prince a little before forsoke and priuily compassing about the fielde at the length commeth close vnder the place where the Frenche Campe laye from thence he ascended to the toppe of the Hill that waye whiche the French men had beaten with theyr trauayle and so sodainely breaking forth vnloked for and shewing by the ensigne of Saint George that he was our friend the Prince with great courage giueth a freshe charge on the French armye being desirous to breake their ranckes before the captaine aforesayde shoulde set on the side of the battayle The Prince lustilye encountring with his enimies goeth into the middle of the throng and where he séeth most companye there hée layeth aboute hym on euerye side In the meane time on the other side his friends which serued with Captaine de la Buche were at the backes of the enimies beating down and killing without pittie and the Archers also placed for the purpose shot so thick wounding the backes and sides of the French men in suche sorte that the forme of the battayle was quite spoyled neyther could they put themselues in order or array any more This was the courage of the Prince who at the lenghth thrusteth thorough the throngs of them that guarded the Frenche Kyng then shoulde you sée an auntient beginne to nod and stumble the bearers of them to fall downe the bloud of flaues and Princes ran mingled togither into the waters whiche were nigh In like sort the Bore of Cornwal rageth who séeketh to haue none other way to the French Kings standard thaÌ by bloud only but when they came there they met w t a âoÌpany of stout men to withstand them the English meÌ fight the Frenche men also lay on but at length Fortune making hast to turne hir whéele the Prince preaceth forewarde on his enimies and like a fierce Lion beating down the proud he came to yéelding vp of the French Kyng The French men being scattered abroade in the fieldes of Poycers perceyuing that the standard with the flouerdeluce was beaten down fledde with all spéede towards the Towne which was not farre off the Englishe menne perceyuing them to be fléeing though themselues were eyther sore wounded or wearied followed them in chase euen to the gates of Poyters wher in a great skirmishe and verie daungerous they slewe a great number of French men At the last our meÌ being called back by retreate with y e sound of trumpet assembling togither there were diuerse Pauilians and tentes set vp in the fieldes and the whole company being throughlye comforted wyth this victorie gaue theyr whole endeauour to prouide for them that were wounded for the quiet rest of them that wer wearied for safe kéeping of them that wer taken prisoners and for the refreshing of them that were almoste famished vntill they had ful vnderstanding who and how many were wanting among them which were founde halfe dead was founde the Lord Iames Dawdeley by reason of his broade bucklet and being caried in the armes of his souldiours was brought to the Princes lodging and the Prince hymselfe rise from his supper and came to him and caused him to be stripped and layd in a soft bedde and being somewhat better come to his remembraunce the Prince comforted him swearing vnto him that he had the Frenche King yéelded vnto him whiche newes when the languishing Noble man hearde he streight wayes reuiued The Prince returning to the French King willed him not to deny that to bée an vnworthy déede of his that rose from his supper to comfort him that was almost deade who spared not hys owne bloude to purchase victorie After that they hauing had some talke concerning the warres whiche Iames Dawdeley made the Frenche king sayde that amongst all other stoute Champions which valiauntly that day behaued themselues he did gretly wonder at the noble déeds of that knight and he spake not muche more in all his supper but what he spake to the Prince who comforted his noble praye Such like wordes it is sayde that the French king spake Although it be our chaunce to fall into an euerlasting sorrowe yet for all that we thoughte it good to refrayne from the same by a kinde of measure for though we be vnder subiection by law and righte of war vnder our noble cousin yet are we not as rascals or faint harted runne-awayes or taken lying hidde close in a corner but after the maner of the fielde by the end and successe of warre where we were as readie to dye as liue for iustice sake And in the same fielde were many richmen taken whose liues were reserued for raunsome the fainte harted and lewde chased away but the worthyest and stoutest were spoyled of theyr liues This battayle of Poyters was fought on the ninetéenth day of September The nexte day after the battayle al the prisoners were numbred to wit the French king also Phillip his sonne the Archbishop of Senon the Erle of Pontue the Erle of Longuile the Earle of Ewe the Erle of Tankeruile the Earle Daunter the Earle of Vendadour the Earle of Slauncer the Earle of Wademount the Earle of Vandome the Erle of Iuyny the Erle Don Martin the Earle of Selabruse the Earle of Sasso Vicount Nerbon the Lord Daubeny Marshal Dawdenam the Lord Guincâarde de Angle Seneshal de Seintong the Lord Mores Mawnimet the Lord Leonard de Guilhoy the Seneshal of Poyters the Lord great Maister the chiefe maister of the Hospitall of Spaigne the Lorde of Saint Tigre the Lorde Damboyd Seneshal of Annar the Lorde Tower the Lord Dars the Lorde Durual the Lorde of the Towne of Ernell the Lorde Maugeler the Lorde Planke the Vicount de Belimount and the Lorde of Suly there were also the bodyes founde of many that were slayne as the Duke of Burbon the Duke Dasines the Conestable of Fraunce Marshal de Garimount the Lorde Geffrey de Charney the Lorde Pounce y â Bishop of Chaloner the Lord of Laundas y t Lord RipemouÌt the Lord Chaneny the Lorde Ioâe the Lord Nele the Lord Aunger the Lord de Mount Iohn the Lord Dargenton the Lorde Groose the Lorde Ruas the Lord Rochechicheward the Lord de Vilem The Prince bought all the prisoners Captiues of them that kept them and carryed them wyth him to Burdeaux there to remain in safe custodie during his abode there Richard Notingham Thomas Dossel the. 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior ââ 1â57 Anno reg 21 Henrie Picarde Vintener the. 28. of October Edward Prince of Wales returning into Englande wyth Iohn the French King Phillip his son and many other prysoners arriued at Plymouth on the
Cornewall and in the meane space the Kings seruants spoyled his goodes Iohn More Richard Northbery and other were likewise there conuict and condemned to perpetuall prison and their goodes confiscate to the King for certaine congregations by them made against the Fishmongers in the Citie of London Nicholas Exton Iohn French the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October About the feast of Saint Martine a Parliament was holden at London in the whiche nothing was done worth the memorie but that which still was in hand and exacting of money of the Cleargie and common people to mainteine the men of warre And besides this there was a Combate fought in listes betwixte an Esquire of Englande and one of A Combate fought Nauarre that had accused the English Esquire whose name was Iohn Welch of Treason to the King and Realme but the effect was that when he was Captayne of Cherbrugh he forced the wife of this Nauaroys as the sayde Nauaroys being afterward ouercome and being readie to suffer death did âpenly confesse for the which cause by the Kings iudgemeÌt he was drawne and hanged although the Quéene and many other did make earnest intercessioÌ to haue his life saued The Parliament was not yet ended when newe â came Bervvike lost and vvoâââ againe out of the North of the taking of Berwike Castell by the Scottes the custodie whereof the Earle of Northumberland Sir Henry Percy did possesse by right of his predecessors The Scottes by mediation of money got entrance into that Castel by one that was put in trust with kéeping of it The Duke of Lancaster that loued not the Earle was glad of this happe when he knew it It came to passe therefore by the Dukes procurement that the Earle was condemned by iudgement of the Lords there present the which execution was within a short while after releassed The Earle of Northumberland through the Kings fauour restored to his life and possessions without any long delayeâ prepareth al furniture of warre to beséege and winne the sayd Castell of theÌ that were within it and after he had gathered a mighty armie he sodeinly beséeged it and after he had layne about it a certaine time it was compounded betwixt them without and them within that they within should forsake the Castell and haue their liues and moueable goodes and for surrendring the Castell they should haue of the Earle two thousand markes of English money and by this meanes did the Earle recouer the Castell foorth of the Scottishmens hands Through certaine yong men brought vp with the King Tho. Walâ there arose great dissention betwixt him and the Duke of Lancastâr who departed from the Court and wente to his Castell of Pomfret whiche he had fortified but by meanes of the Kings mother this discorde was appeased for a time The third of May was an Earthquake 1â85 The King entred Scotlande King Richard with a great armie entred Scotlande but the enimies would not shew themselues wherfore he brent the Countrey and returned The eightéenth of July there was an Earthquake Sir Iohn de Vienne that serued the French King was sent into Scotland with a great multitude of Shippes and men of warre that ioining with the Scottes they might inâeât all England and that whilst they mightâ draw the power of this Realme that way forth the Frenche King with his Nauie and army might the more at liberty enter other partes of the Realme few or none being left at home to prohibit them their entrie The arriuall of the sayd Iohn being knowne in England the King with all the Nobilitie prepared themselues to make a iourney thither The King maketh a iourney into Scotland there came flocking vnto the King such a number of Knightes Esquires and Archers as the like had not bin heard of in those dayes in so much as the number of Horsses amouÌted to thrée hundred thousand as they were iudged The King reioyced héereat as well he might but the reioycing was shortly darkened at Yorke by fiercenesse of Sir Iohn Holland the Kings brother that slew the Lord Ralph Stafford Ralph Stafforde âayne sonne to the Earle of Stafford in the way as he went to the Quéene whose seruant of houshold he was and greatly in faâeur with hir and he was no lesse beloued of the King as he that had bin brought vp with him and bin his play-fellow from his tender age where the King taking greate indiguation determined to pursue the sayd Sir Iohn Holland he caused therefore his goodes to be coÌfiscate But Sir Iohn Holland fledde to Beuerley there to enioy the libertie of the Church The Lady Iane the Kings mother sente to intreate him for hir other sonne and his brother but when the messengers were returned to Wallingforde and that the mother could perceyue no hope of grace to be gotten in that behalfe of the King she tooke it heauââie and fell sicke and Queene Iane the Kings mother dyed within foure or ââue dayes departed this life hir body being seared and closed in Leade was kept at Wallingford till the Kings returne forth of Scotland then to be buried at Stanford in the Church of the Friers Minors In the moneth of August the King of England with a mightie power entred Scotland to whose force the Scottes and Frenchmen perceyuing themselues not able to matche they séeke to get them into the wooddes places where they might be out of the way The English army then the which there hath not bin séene a fairer stronger or greater rideth through the Countrey that was destitute of inhabitantes ââyd of Cattell wanting victualles for the land was left desolate as our men confessed that they saw not so much as a bird Owles only excepted They found gréene Corne on the grounde very faire and plentifull whiche they eyther eate vp with their Horsses or treade downe with theyr féete but the enimies fléeing battayle our men did nothing to be accompted of but brent the Abbey of Melroys and the Meltoys and Edenborough brent Towne of Edenborough with such houses as they found by the way When our armie was come to Edenborough and that victualles fayled them many of them beganne to ware sicke and some to die for hunger wherevpon the King returned with his armie into England While King Richarde was in Scotland the Scottes and Frenchmen entred into Englande brenning Townes taking spoyles and leading away many prisoners returned home into their Countrey Iohn Organ Iohn Churchman the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Brembar Grocer the 28. of October The Souldiers of Caleis went secretly forth into France and got a bootie of four thousand Shéepe and thrée hundred head of great beastes which they draw to their holdes About the feast of Saint Martine there was a Parliament at London in which the Laytie granted to the King a fiftéenth and a halfe with coÌdition that the Cleargie should giue a tenth
sureties for the prosecuting of their appeale Richarde Earle of Arundell was arreigned in a redde Gowne and a Scarlet whood and forthwith the Duke of Lancaster sayde to the Lorde Neuell take from hym hys girdle and whoode and so it was done and héerewith the Articles of appeale béeing to the sayde Earle declared with a valiaunt and a bolde mynde hée denyed that hée was a Traytor and required the benefite of the pardon protesting that he would not goe from the fauour of the King and his grace The Duke of Lancaster sayde to hym thou Traytor that pardon is reuoked The Earle answered truely thou lyest I was neuer Traytor Also the Duke of Lancaster sayde why diddest thou purchase thy pardon the Earle answered to escape the tongues of myne enimies of whome thou arte one and verily as farre forth as toucheth Treason thou hast more néede of pardon than I. The King sayde make answere vnto thyne appeale The Earle answered I sée well that these persons haue accused me of Treason shewing the appealementes but truely they all lye I was neuer Traytor but I aske alwayes the benefyte of my pardon the whyche youre Grace granted to me within these sixe yeares now last past being of full age and of your francke good will and proper motion Then sayd the King I did so grant it that it should not be against me then sayde the Duke of Lancaster then the graunt auayleth not The Erle answered truly of that pardon I know lesse than thy selfe that was then on the further side the Seas Then said Sir Iohn Bushy that pardon is reuoked by the King the Lordes and vs his faithfull people the Earle answered where be those faithful people I know thée well and thy company how ye are gathered togither not to deale faithfully for the faithful people of the Realme are not héere and therefore the people do lamente for me and well I know that thou hast bin euer false And then Bushy and his fellowes cried out Behold soueraigne Lord and King how this Traytor goeth about to reyse sedition betwixt vs and those people that are at home The Earle answered ye lye I am no Traytor Then rose the Earle of Darby and sayde didst not thou say thus to me at Huntington where we were first assembled togither to rise that it was the best afore all things to take the King The Earle sayd to the Earle of Darby thou lyest on thy head I neuer thought of my soueraigne Lorde the King but that that was good and for his honor Then sayd the King didst not thou say to me in time of thy Parliament in the Bath behinde the White Hall that Sir Simon de Burley was worthie of death for many causes and I answered that I knew no cause of death in him and yet thou and thy fellowes didst trayterouslie put him to death and then the Duke of Lancaster pronounced iudgement against him in this manner Richard I Iohn Steward of England iudge thée to be a Traytor and I condemne thée to be drawne and hanged to be beheaded and quartered and thy lands tailed and not tailed from thée and from thine heires of thy body descending to be confilcate then the King for reuerence of his bloud commanded him only to be beheaded and then was he ledde to the Tower hill and there beheaded and was buried at the Augustine Friers in London Also the same day the King appoynted the Lord Cobham accused by the commons to be arraigned Also vpon the Saterday Sir Thomas de Mortimer was sommoned vpon payne to be banished as a Traytor within sixe moneths to come to be tried in iudgement and then saide the King peraduenture the Earle of March can not take him and therefore I will so long stay for his certificate out of Ireland Also a declaration was made that all benefices or gifts granted or alienated by those that were already condemned or after were to be condemned in this Parliament and other whatsoeuer graunted sith the tenth yeare of this Kings raigne should be reuoked Also on Monday following the certificate giuen in of the Earle of Notingham then Captayne of Caleis in whose custodie the Duke of Glocester was that the same Duke might not be brought to be tried in iudgement bycause he was dead in his custodie at Caleis at the petition yet of the saide appellents the same sentence was pronounced against him which had bin pronounced earst against the Earle of Arundell Also the Archbishop of Canterbury first his temporalities being confiscated was banished the Realme On the Tuesday Rikell on of the Kings Justices borne in Ireland read certayne confessions drawne in writing vpon the said treasons put forth affirming that the same were the confessions of the said Duke by him put forth or discouered and written with his owne hand Also the Earledome of Chester was aduanced to the honor of a Duchie by annexing thereto the Lands of the sayd Earle of Arundell confiscate Also the same day the Earle of Salisburie made request to haue a Scire facias graunted to him against the Earle of March for the Lordship of Denbigh in Wales and the King answered therevpon that he would take deliberation Also on the Wednesday it was ordeyned that the Lands of the sayde Earle of Arundell annexed to the Duchie of Chester should enioy the liberties of the same Duchie excepted that to the Welchmen of those partes their olde Lawes and customes should still remayne and be continued Also it was ordeyned that such as gaue eyther counsell ayde or fauour to the children of them that were condemned or that shoulde be condemned in this Parliamente should be punished as Traytors On Friday the King appoynted a prefixed day to the Archbishop of Canterbury to wéete the third of the sixt wéeke to depart the Realme Also it was ordeyned that all the Lords Spiritual and Temporall should sweare inuiolably to obserue whatsoeeuer in this Parliament were enacted and that the censures of the Church should be pronounced by the Prelates against all those that should go against the same Also the Earle of Warwike was arreigned and his whood being taken off and the appeale read as he had bin some miserable old woman confessed all things conteyned in the appeale wéeping wayling and howling to be done trayterously by him and submitting himselfe to the Kings grace in all things sorowing that euer he had bin associate vnto the appellants Then the King demanded of him by whome he was allured to ioyne with them and he answered by Thomas Duke of Glocester and the Abbot of Saint Albons and a Monke recluse in Westminster and euer besought the King of grace and mercie and the King granted him life to be led in perpetuall prison out of the Realme his goodes moueable and vnmoueable to be confiscate as the Earle of Arundels had bin and the King commanded that he should be had to the Tower of London and after to be conuayde âuer to the Castell within the Isle
of the people and falling away from the King whiche hapned shortly after Roger Mortimere Earle of March and of Vlstar in Ireland Earle of March slaine in IrelaÌd Cro. Pet. Coledge W. l. Wilum lying there in a Castel of his there came on him a great multitude of wilde Irishmen to assayle him and he issuing out fought manfully till he was by them hewen to péeces whose death the King determined to reuenge About Candlemas dyed Iohn of Gaunt D. of Lancaster at the Bishop of Elyes Inne in Holborne by London and was Duke of Lancaster deceased 1399 honourably buryed in S. Paules Church at London his sonne Henry Duke of Hereford being then beyond the seas About Whitsontide King Richard with a Nauie of 100. Ships sayled from Milford Hauen towards Ireland and arriued King Richarde sayled into Ireland at Waterford on the last day of Maynfrem whence he marched with his armie of thirtie thousande to Kilkenny fourescore miles within the Countrey and there remayned xiiij dayes tarying for Edward Duke of Aumarle On Midsommer euen he went from thence toward Mackmore who Anno reg 23 remayned amongst the woods with 3000 meÌ right hardy and such as séemed but little to feare the Englishmen At the entring of the woods the King commanded fires to be vsed so that many a house and many a village was brent there the King made the Duke of Herefords sonne Knight with ten other 2500. Pioners were appoynted to fell the woods and make wayes for y e Englishmen The IrishmeÌ feared greatly the shot of the Englishmen but yet with their Dartes they assayled and slewe diuers as they caught them at aduantage The Unkle of Mackmore came in and yéelded himselfe The Vnkle of Mackmore submitted to King Richard to the King with a withie about his necke and many other naked and bare legged did the like all which the King pardoned After this the King sente to Mackmore promising him that if he would come in as his Unkle had done with the withie about his necke he should be pardoned but he vtterly refusing sayd he would fight to death in defending his right for he knew the Englishmen wanted victualles and more than they had brought with them could not be bought for Gold or Siluer There was already such scarcitie that there were some four some sixe that had but a small lofe of bread to liue by the day and some that eate not a grayne in fiue dayes togither The King therefore departed the 28. day of June toward Diuelin at what time Mackmore sent a beggar with notice to the King that hée would be his friend and aske him mercy or else if it pleased him to treate of peace to send some noble meÌ to him whervpon the Earle of Glocester was sent who led with him the reregard wherof he was captayne being two C. Lances a M. Archers betwixt two woods farre from the Sea they mette with the Irish Mackmore himselfe rode on a white Mackmore a good horseman Horsse without saddle or other furniture that cost him as was sayde foure hundred Kowes whiche Horsse he ranne downe the hill that the beholders reported they neuer had séene Hare nor Déere to haue runne so swiftly In hys righte hande he bare a Darte greate and long whiche he threwe excéeding well He was a mightie strong man of personage There the Earle and hée talked a good whyle aboute the murthering of the Earle of March and after of other thynges but agrée they coulde not and so departed The Earle aduertised the King what he had fouÌd which was nothing but that the enimie woulde crie mercie so as he might be sure to haue peace without other griefe otherwise he would so long as he liued defend himselfe wherefore the King in his wrath not knowing what lette might happen sware that he would neuer depart Irelande till he had him eyther aliue or dead The host dislodged for lacke of victualles they were a thirtie thousands at their comming ouer that lay then at Diuelin fiftéene dayes the King forthwith deuiding his armie into thrée partes sente them out to séeke Mackemore promising an hundreth Markes to him that could bring him in which offer was well hearkened vnto for it sounded well but he could not be caught and the same day Edwarde Earle of Rutlande Duke of Aumarle Connestable of Englande arriued with an hundreth Sayle of whose comming the King was verie glad though he indéede had taried long and mighte haue come muche sooner They remayned sixe wéekes at Diuelin and heard no newes out of Englande the passage was so dangerous the winde béeing contrary and tempestes so greate at length came a Shippe with heauie newes how the Duke of Hereforde and now by the deceasse of his father Duke of Lancaster was arriued in England at Rauenspore The Duke of Hereford returned into Englande beside Wadlington in Yorkeshire and had beheaded William Scrope Earle of Wilshire Treasourer of Englande Iohn Bushy Henry Greene and other and had caused Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury to preach againste King Richarde who also shewed a Bull procured from Rome promising remission of sinnes to all those whiche should ayde the sayde Henry in conquering of his enimies and after their death to be placed in Paradise which preaching moued manye to cleaue to the Duke Upon this newes the King being perswaded to make hast ouer the Duke of Aumarle sayde it was better to stay till hys Shippes mighte bée brought togither for there were but an hundreth readie to make Sayle wherevpon Iohn Mountacute Earle of Salisburie was sente with a power whilest the King going to Waterforde mighte gather hys Fléete who promised within sixe dayes to haue followed hym The Earle of Salesburie landed at Conwey where hée was soone aduertised howe the Duke had taken the more parte of Englande and that all the Lords were got to him with more than thréescore thousand men The Earle of Salesburie caused to sommon the Welchmen and them of Cheshire to come to him so that wéening the King had bin arriued at Conwey within foure dayes there were come togither fortie thousand men ready to goe against the Duke of Hereford where they stayd fourtéene dayes but when they saw the King came not they stealed away and left the Earle of Salisburie in manner alone so that vnneath he had a C. men with him The Duke of Hereford aduanced towards the Earle of Salisburie who withdrew him into Conwey The King through euill counsell King Richard returned out of Ireland and landed at Milford Hauen stayd after the Earles departure eyghtéene dayes and then arriued at Milford Hauen from whence about midnight following desguised like a Priest for feare to be knowne with thirtéene persons only who went to Conwey thinking the Earle of Salisburie had there helde the fielde There were with him the Dukes of Excester and Surrey and the Earle of Glocester that continued faithfull vnto the last
any of them had of y â said names Castels Dominions possessions and liberties shold be surrendered vp into y e Chancerie there to be canceled and that they stand in state whiche they had in name and possession before the saide daye âf the sayde arrest The King to shew to all men in all Countries about by what right and title he had taken vpon him the crowne and realme sent Ambassadours to Rome Iohn Treneuant Byshop of Hereforde Iohn Cheyne Knighte and Iohn Cheyne Esquire Into Fraunce he sent Walter Tricklowe Byshop of Durham Thomas Percy Erle of Worcester and William Heron Into Spaine Iohn Trenor Bishop of Saint Dauids and fir William Pât Knight Into Almaine the Bishoppe of Bangor with other The Scots in time of the Parliament taking occasion by the absence of the Northren Lordes and bycause the same tyme the North parts were sore oppressed by a great Peâââlence entred as enimies into those parts and toke the Costell of Warke and kept the same a certain time but at leÌgth spoyled and ââterly ruinated it and many other mischients they did in the Country Thomas Manbery duke of Norffolk which was exiled dyed at Venide in his returne from Ierusalem Also the Duches of Glocester dyed and hir sonne heirâ Humfrey dyed of the pestitence when hée was sent for forth of Irelande The King helde his feast of Christmasse in his Castel of Windsor where Iohn Holland late Duke of Excester Erie of Huntington Thomas Holand late Duke of Surrey Earle of Kente Edwarde late Duke of Aumerle and Earle of Rutlande sonne to the Duke of Yorke Iohn Mountacute Eriâ iâ Sabsburie Thomas Spencer sir Ralph Lumley sir Thomas Blunt sir Benedict Cely Knights with other that fauoures King Richarde conspired against King Henrie and appointed priuily to murder him vnder the colour of Justing and other pastimes pretended And the time approching of theyr purpose they sent messengers to London with letters to the Duke of Aumerle that he shoulde not fayle to come at y e day appointed with his company to helpe to do the feate whervnto he was sworne but his minde being altered hée bare the letters streighte to his Father the Duke of Yorke who caused a number of his men forthwith to carrye his son to the King where he shewing his letters the King woulde not beléeue them but the same morning came the Maior of London to the Court and informed him of the matter whervpon the King made no tariance but got him forth toward London in companye of the Maior and other But before the King coulde gette London on his backe his enimies were come to Windesore and entred the Castell with an armed band of 400. meÌ on the fourth of Januarie at night where vnderstanding that the King was escaped theyr hands being sore amazed they withdrewe from Windesore vnto Sunning a certaine manour neare to Reading where the Quéene wife to King Richarde then lay where they persuaded hyr houshold that King Richarde was escaped out of Romfrete âastel and they would go to him from thence they went to Walling forde and after to Abingdon mouing the people to take armes vppon them and to goe méete their King Richarde After this they came to Farindon in the vale of White Horsse in Barkeshire and the same daye to Circester on the xij day late in the eneniâg and there harbored with a greate number of men of arâes and many Archers ther they bruted that K. Richard was escaped forth of prison and that hée was there with them and to make their words toÌ haue the more credite they had got a Chaplaine of King Richardes called Madeleine so like to hym in all proportion and fauor that one could vnneth be descerned from the other many times sayth mine aucthour I haue séene him in Ireland ride with the King his Master so faire a Priest and goodly a person he had not lightly séene They put him in armoure with a Crowne on his Helmet so as all men mighte take him for King Richard On the morrow being Wednesday the people of that towne misliking of their procéedings fought against them and at length toke the chiefest of them and ledde them to the Abbay there and put them in a fayre chamber vnder safe custody And on the Thursday the said Lordes fearing the people imagined howe to escape out of theyr handes and caused some of their seruauntes to sette fire on certaine houses in the Towne thinking that therevppon the people woulde departe from them and séeke to staunche the fire but it chaunced contrarie for the people turned into a maruellous rage against them ranne vppon them with great violence and drew them into the market place and there they beheaded the Duke of Excester the Duke of Surrey and the Earle of Salisburie the thirde day after the Epiphanieâ their seruauntes that were with them were by and by taken and as prisoners bound and brought to Oxforde and on Monday following were beheaded in the Castell there to the number of .xxvj. persons Also sir Thomas Blount Knight was beheaded with them The wéeke nexte following was beheaded Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester at Bristow and about the same time was beheaded Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington brother to King Richard on the mothers side at Plashy in Essex not long after was sir Barnarde Bâocas beheaded at London and a Prieste named Iohn Maudelen that was like King Richarde and another Priest called William Feribe The Bishoppe of Carlile was impeached and condemned of conspiracie but was pardoned The sixth day of Februarie King Henrie caused y e blank Charters made to king Richard to be brent at the standert in Cheape of London King Richard was imprisoned in Pomfrait Castel where xv dayes and nightes they vexed him with continuall hunger thirste and colde and finally bereft his life with suche a kinde of death as neuer before that time was knowen in EnglaÌd He dyed the xiiij day of Februarie whose body was brought to the tower of London and so through the Cittie to Paules Church bare faced where he stoode thrée dayes for all beholders and had seruice where king Henrie was present From thence he was carryed to Langley and there buried in the church of y e Friers Preachers UpoÌ his death the famous and excellente Poet Iohn Gower wrote certaine verses which may be englished thus O Mirrour for the world meete which shouldst in Golde be bette By which all wise men by foresight their prudent wittes may whette Lo God doth hate such rulers as here vitiously do liue And none ought rule that by their life doe ill example giue And this King Richarde witnesseth wel his ende this plaine doth shew For God allotted him such ende and sent him so great woe As such a life deservde as by the Cronicles thou mayst know The King with a great armye went into Scotlande spoyled 1400 the Country and returned to Yorke wher two Knights the one a Frenchman
Countrey but when it came to martial affayres their owne Archers turned theyr handes againste them whome they shoulde haue defended There were flayne aboue eleauen hundred of our men Sir Edmunde Mortimer was taken and the Welchwomen when y e battayle was done vsing the deade carcasses to shamefullye to bée spoken woulde not suffer them to be buryed without great raunsome The Kyng went wyth a greate power into Wales to pursue OweÌ Glendouerdew where he profited nothing but loste muche for the Welchmen conuayed themselues into vnknowen places wherefore the King constrayned by necessitie returned into Englande after he had spoyled brent the Countrey The same time the Scottes cruelly entred into England for they supposed all the Lords beyond Humber to be occupyed in the parties of Wales but the Erles of Northumberlande Henrie Percie and his sonne Henrie with the Earle of Dunbarre that a good whyle agone hauing forsaken the Scottes had sworne to be true to the King of England with a number of armed men plentie of archers sodainly came to resiste the Scottes as they woulde haue retourned home after they hadde spoyled and brente the Countrey but nowe vppon a sodayne theyr waye was forelayde so that they muste néedes abyde and take a place to fighte vppon they chose therefore a mountaine neare to the Towne of Wollor called Halydowe Hill in the whiche they place themselues wyth theyr armed men and Archers which when our men beheld leauing the way in which they stoode against the Scottes they clynie the hill that stoode ouer against the Scottes and without delaye of time our Archers placed in the valley set their arrowes against the Scottes battayle that they might by some means force them to come downe on the other side the Scottishe Archers let flye at our men who yet after they felt the grieuous waighte and as it had bin a shower or tempest of the arrowes shotte by the Englishmen they fledde The Earle Dowglas perceyuing his men so to flée for he was their generall leader tooke hys Speare and manfullye wyth a multitude came down the Hyll trusting doubtlesse in his armour and y e armour of hys complices that hadde bin thrée yeares in makyng and forced himselfe to runne vpon the Archers whiche when the Archers sawe they stepped backe and shotte so fiercely that they pierced the armed mens bodies stroke throughe theyr Helmets ryued their Speares and rente theyr armoure wyth lyghte adoe Earle Dowglas hymselfe was wounded in fiue places the residue of the Scottes that were not come beside the Hyll turnyng backe from the arrowes that flewe fledde awaye but theyr flyghte nothing auayled them whilest the Archers followed them but that they were compelled to yéelde themselues Earle Dowglas also was taken and manye drowned in the Riuer of Tweede whylest they knewe not the Fourdes to the number of fiue hundered as was sayde In thys battayle no Lorde no Knighte nor Squire gaue anye stroke to the enimyes but onely God gaue the victorie to the Englishe Archers the Lordes and armed menne béeyng onelye lookers on That daye the flower of the Scottishe Chiâalrye was taken to witte the Earle Dowglas Murdake the eldest sonne of the Duke of Albanie that was heyre apparente to the Realme of Scotlande The Earles of Murrey Angus and Orkeney the Lordes of Mountgomorie Erskin and Gram with manye other Knyghtes to the number of fourescore besides Esquires Yeomen whose number was not knowne There were slayne of Barons the Lord Gordon the Lord Iohn of Swinton that was false to both the Realmes c. This battayle was fought on the fourtéenth of September Richard Marlow Robert Chicheley the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Maior Anno reg 4. Sir Iohn Walcot Draper the 28. of October Edmond Mortimere which before was taken by Owen Glendouer dewe now professed to take Owens part against King Henry and did contract mariage with the daughter of the sayd Owen In a Parliament at London which beganne the morrow after Michaelmas day and lasted seauen wéekes there was granted to the King a tenth and a halfe of the Cleargie a tenth of the borough townes and a fiftéenth of the commoÌs through the Realme The messengers that had bin sent for Ioane late wife to Iohn of Mountfort Duke of Briteyne returned with hir into England and landed at Falmouth in Cornewall The King met with hir at Winchester the seauenth of February where they were married in the Churche of Saint Swithen The sixe and twentith of February she was Crowned at Westminster In the Sommer following by the Townes of Bedforde 1403 and of Broklesward Monsters were séene oft-times mornings and euenings to come out of the woods vnder diuers coulours in the likenesse and similitude of meÌ of warre which met one with another and séemed to fight cruell battayles which although they that were a farre off might sée yet they that were néere hande could not sée nor finde whiche thing deceyued many that coueted to approch come néere Henry Percy the yonger did sodeinly shew himselfe to be the Kings enimie vnto whome ioyned Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester Unkle to the sayde Henry and to make their conspiracie excusable they did write vnto the Shires Battayle at Shrevvsburie about that they pretended nothing against the alleageance nor fidelitie which they ought to the King neyther to gather to any other ende an armie but only for the sauing of their persons and for the better gouernement of the common wealth bycause the payments and taskes graunted to the King for the safe custodie of the Realme were put to such vâes as they ought not to be and were vnprofitably consumed and wasted Moreouer they complayned that bycause of the euill slanders which their enimies had made of them they durst not personally appeare in the Kings presence vntill the Prelates Barons had intreated for them that they might be permitted to purge themselues before the King and bée lawfully iudged by their péeres so that many that saw these letters did praise their diligence extoll their fidelitie towards the common wealth But the King being disquieted with these doings that he might appease the communaltie he wrote to them that he maruelled much that séeing the Earle of Northumberland Henry his son had receiued the most part of the paymeÌts summes granted to him by the Cleargy coÌmunaltie for y â defence of the Marches of Scotland what occasion they had to make such manifest slanders c. but the yong Henry Percy puting his coÌfidence in the ayd of Owen Glendouerdew and Edmond Mortimer Earle of March with the Welchmen and men of Cheshire published that King Richard was aliue and was with them whom if any maÌ would sée they should without delay come in armour to y â Castell of Leycester which declaration made diuers variable motioÌs in the hearts of many caused theÌ to wauer King Henry considering all things wisely gathered togither as many as he could and came
sodeinly into the parties where the Rebels kept their rage and when Henry saw vpon a sodein the Kings banner and was euen ready to haue scaled y â towne of Shrewsburie he streightways Shrevvsburie beseeged desisted froÌ the assault of the towne and said to his men we must now néedés turne our weapons vpon them that come against vs ye sée the Kings StaÌdert neither caÌ we though we would séeke any startinghole stand to it manfully therfore for this day shall eyther bring vs all to promotion and honor if we ouercome or else if we be ouercome it shall deliuer vs froÌ the Kings malice for it is a more comely thing to die in battell for the coÌmon wealth than after battell to die by the sentence of condemnation by the enimie with that 14000. of the best meÌ that wer with Henry made vow promise to stand by him so long as breath would serue they tooke the field that was commodious for them and the King his men lay in the field right against theÌ The bowmen of Henry Percy began the battell whose arrowes fell not vpon the ground but vpoÌ the bodies of the Kings souldiers and the Kings archers shot as fiercely against their enimies so that on both sides many were slaine and many thousands fledde thinking the King had bin slaine but the Earle of Dunbar withdrew the King from the place that he stoode in which was a good turne for him for the foresayde Henry Percy Earle Dowglas the Scot than whome was neuer man more stoute raged so that the Kings Standert Tho. Walâ was ouerthrowne and those about it slaine among whome was slaine Humfrey Earle of Stafford Sir Walter Blunt the Kings Standertbearer Sir Nicholas Langford Sir Iohn Clifton and the two bréethren Genetels with many other Knightes Gentlemen and of the coÌmons on both sides about 5000. slaine Henry the Prince was wouÌded in y â face Titus ãâ¦ã with an arrow In the meane season Hen. Percy whilest he went before his meÌ in the battel preasing vpoÌ his enimies was sodeinly slaine which being knowne the Kings enimies fled but the Earle Dowglas was takeÌ and also Tho. Percy Earle of Worcester with Sir Richard Vernon and the Baron of Kinderton and many other were taken This battell was fought on Mary Magdalen eueÌ néere vnto Shrewsburie in a place called Old field alias Bull field On the Monday following were coÌdeÌned beheaded at Shrewsburie y â Earle of Worcester the BaroÌ of Kindarton and Sir Ri. Vernon The body of Hen. Percy was deliuered to the L. of Furniuale to be buried but the King caused the same body to be taken by and to be reposed betwéene two Milstones in the Towne of Shrewsburie there to be kept with armed men and afterward to be headed and quartered commanding his head and quarters to be caried vnto diuers Cities of the Kingdome The Earle of Northumberland with a strong power was comming towards his as men thought or at the least towards the King but the Earle of Westmerland and Robert Waterton had gathered a great armie and had entred to méete him sodeinly but he taking none of them both to be his friends returned vnto the Castell of Werworth When all things were set in a stay at Shrewsburie the King went towards Yorke where when he was setled hée sent to the Earle of Northumberland commanding him to dismisse his company and to come to him and the Earle at the Kings commandement came to him on the morrow after Saint Lawrence daye but the King receyued him not friendly but as one that sued for pardon and pardoning him of his life committed him to safe custodie The Britons Amorikes the Lord of Cassels being their leader Plimmouth spoyled by the Britons Anno reg 5. inuaded the Towne of Plimmouth spoyled and brent it and went their way frée but immediately the Westerne Nauie vnder the conduct of William Wilford Esquire in the coast of Briton tooke fortie Shippes laden with Iron Oyle Sope and Wine of Rochell to the number of a thousand Tonne and in returning backe agayne he brent forty Shippes and at Penarch the sayd William arriued with his men and burned Townes and Lordships the space of sixe leagues and set the Towne of Saint Mathew on fire and their Milles about the said Towne Thomas Falconer Thomas Poole the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Frenchmen inuade the Isle of VVight Sir William Askham Fishmonger the 28. of October A little before Christmas the Frenchmen came into the Isle of Wight boasting that they would kéepe their Christmas there and when a thousand of the Frenchmen were entred into the Iland and driuing flockes of Cattell towarde the Sea sodeinly there came vpon them a company of the Iland men that forced them to leaue their pray behinde them and to get them gone with shame ynough to theyr Shippes with no small losse of their men In a Parliament holden at London after the Octaues of the Epiphany the Earle of Northumberland was restored to his former estate and dignitie And in this Parliamente was graunted vnto the King an vnaccustomed taske very heauie and paynefull for the inhabitants the manner of which taske the grannters thereof would haue to be kept secret for euermore and vnder that condition only it was graunted that it should not be any example to them that should come after and that there should remayne no record thereof but the same forthwith to be brent The Frenchmen about that time came before the I le of 1404 Frenchmen come to the I le of VVight Wight with a great Nauie and sente certayne of their men to demaund in the name of King Richard and of Quéene Isabell a tribute or subsedie of the inhabitants who answered that King Richard was dead and the Quéene sometime his wife was sent home to hir parents withoute condition of any tribute but if the Frenchmens minde were to fight they willed them to come vp and no man should let them for the space of sixe houres to refresh themselues but when that time were exspired they should haue battayle giuen to them which when the Frenchmen heard they went away and did nothing The Lord of Cassels in Briteine arriued at Blacke poole two Dertmouth inuaded by the French mile out of Dertmouth with a great Nauie where of the rusticall people whome he euer despised he was slayne There were takeÌ that day thrée Lords twenty Knightes of name and the vplandish people presenting their captiues to the King returned with their pursses full of gold In the moneth of Aprill the Cleargie granted vnto the king a tenth All the sommer following Owen Glendouerdewe Ovven Glendouerdevve and his Welchmen robbe burne and destroy the Countreys adioyning vnto them he tooke many captiues and slew many Englishmen he layde flatte certayne Castels that he had taken and some he kept for hys owne defence The Flemings and Briteines tooke certayne
of dyuerse warres that haue risen in sundry partes of the world and euen now of late to the number of thirtie thousande which by reason of the dissention had vpon the Bishoprick of Leons betwixte two which do striue and contende the one in the aucthoritie of the true Pope and the other by the aucthoritie of the Antipope were in slaughter fielde a lamentable thing to be spoken slaine and distroyed Truely the Apostolike sea woulde be in greate heauinesse of heart and woulde rather forsake the honor of the Apostolicall sea thaÌ then to sée from henceforth such wicked slaughter to be committed and woulde take example of the true mother who before King Salomon rather chose to giue place than that the childe shoulde be cutte in péeces c. thus muche of the Epistle sente by the Kyng of Englande to the foresayde Gregorie This yeare was a great play at the skinners Wel nere vnto Clearkenwel besids LondoÌ which lasted viij days was of matter from the creation of the world there were to bethe same the most part of the nobles and gentles in EnglaÌd and forthwith after beganne a royall iusting in Smithfielde betwéene the Earle of Somerset and the Seneshall of Henalt sir Iohn Cornewall sir Richard of Arundale and the sonne of sir Iohn Cheyne against other Frenchmen Anno reg 11 Sherifes Maior Iohn Lawe William Chicheley the. 28. of September Sir Richard Marlow Ironmonger the. 28. of October Thomas Beuforte Erle of Surrey was made Chanceller and Henrie Scrope was made Treasurer In a Parliament holden at London in the Lent season 1410 the Knights and Burgesses presented to the King a Bill in this forme To the most excellent Lord the King and al the Nobles in this present Parliament assembled your faithfull Commons humbly do shewe that our soueraigne Lord the king may haue the Temporall possessions and landes whych by Th. Wals the Bishoppes Abbots and Priors are proudely spent and wasted in this Realme which woulde suffise to finde 150. Earles 1500. Knightes 6200. Esquiers and 100. Hospytals more than now be c. but when they went about to declare out of what places those great summes were to be leuied wherby the forsayde states should be endued they waÌted in theyr accompte wherefore the King commanded theÌ that from thenceforth they shoulde not presume to moue any such matter Upon the euen of Saint Iohn Baptist the kings sonne being in Eastcheap at supper after midnight betwixt two and thrée of the clocke a great debate hapned betwéene his men and men of the Courte lasting an houre til the Maior and Sherifes with other Citizens ceased the same for the which afterward the sayde Maior Sherifes and Aldermen were sent for to appeare before the Kyng to aunsweare at whych the King with his sonnes and diuerse other Lordes were highly moued againste the Citie where through William Gascoigne chiefe Justice enquired of the Maior and Aldermen for the Citizens whether they woulde put them in y e Kings grace wherevnto they aunswered they had not offeÌded the Kyng nor his sonnes but according to law stanched the debates then the King seeing it woulde be none otherwyse forgaue altogither and they departed King Henrie founded a Colledge at Battelfielde in Shropshire where he ouercame Anno. reg 12 Battelfield founded Sherifes Maior 1411 Guilde Hal in LondoÌ builded sir Henrie Percie and other Iohn Penne Thomas Pike the. 28. of September Sir Thomas Knowles Grocer the. 28. October About Easter the Guilde Hall in London was begun to bée made newe by the forsayde Maior and Aldermen The Custos or Gardian with the brethreÌ of the Grocers in LondoÌ purchased their Hall in Cunihope Lane for 320. markes and theÌâaide the foundation therof on the tenth of May. Iohn Prendergest Knight and William Long kept the seas from Pirates and Rouers so that the passage by Sea was quiet but by the ill willers they were accused of theft robberie themselues whervpon the Knight toke Sanctuarie at Westminster where he could not haue an house or cotage to hide his heade for that the same was forbidden by the King so that he was forced to lye in a Tente whiche he set vp in the Church Porch and to haue men to watch him in the nighte season for feare of his enimie but his fellowe William remayned on the sea vntill the Admirall had prepared shippes readie and went in person to fetch him whiche he coulde not doe till he promised him by his fidelitie that he shoulde haue no harme which promise notwithstaÌding William was imprisoned in the tower of London The Earle of Arundale the Earle of Kime sir Robert Vmfreuile sir Iohn Oldecastle Lord of Cobham sir Iohn Gray and other warlike power and a greate number of Archers were sent into France to the ayde of the Duke of Burgoine against the Duke of Orleaunce which at Saint Elo beside Paris incouÌtred with the enimyes vpon whom they had a noble victorie wherfore they were bountifully rewarded by the Duke of Burgoine and then returned into Englande A Squire of Wales named Rice ap Dee which had long time rebelled against the King was brought to London and there drawen hanged and quartered Anno reg 13 Iohn Raynwel William Cotton the. 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Robert Chicheley Grocer the. 28. of October After the feast of All Saintes a Parliamente was begun at London The King caused a newe kinde of Nobles to be made 1412 whiche were of lesse value than the olde by foure pence in the noble King Henrie fouÌded the Colledge of Fodringhey in Northamptonshire Henrie the fifth gaue it lande of Priories of Monkes aliantes by him supressed A Goldsmith and his man of Fleete in London were bothe murdered by night in the Duke of Yorkes place without Temple barre and were cast into the riuer of Thamis About the fiftéenth of August the King by determination of the Counsel appoynting to send help to the Duke of Orleaunce sent his second sonne Thomas Duke of Clarence Edwarde Duke of Yorke and Thomas Earle of Dorset and many valiant men wyth a strong power to helpe to the Duke of Orleaunce against the Duke of Burgonie or euer al y â other were returned whiche a while agoe went ouer with y e erle of Arundale to ayde the Duke of Burgonie so that many men maruelled of the sodaine chaunge that in so small a tyme the Englishmen dyd ayde and assiste the two contrarie parts notwythstandyng the foresayde Nobles wente forewardes and arriued in Normandie where when the Duke of Orleaunce did not méete them at the tyme appointed they brent hys townes and spoyled his Countrey and tooke manye holdes At length thoughe late the Dukes of Clarence and of Orleance mette and talked togither And the matter was so entreated of betwéene them that our menne shoulde desyste from raungyng throughe the Countrey and refrayne from robberie which when our men hadde graunted they departed into
the number of thréescore and foure The tenth of September Iohn Claydon Skinner and A Skinner a Baker brent Richard Gurmonfrench Baker in Lombardstreeâe of London were brent in Smithsield Iohn Michelâ Thomas Allin the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Mooregate first made in the vvall of LoÌdon Thomas Fawconar Mercer the 28. of October This Thomas Fawconar Maior caused to breake the wall of London néere to the ende of Colmanstreete and made there a Gate vpon the moore side where was none before He also caused the ditches of the Citie to be cleansed and a commââ priuie that was on the moore without the wall to be taken downe and another to be made within the Citie vpon Walbrooke into the which brooke he caused the water of citie to be turned by grates of iron in diuers places Our Embassadors the Bishops of Durham Norwich returning now the second time out of France declared to the King that the Frenchmen did but vse fraude and deceiptes wherefore the King being stirred vp vnto anger determined to aâatâ their ââârninâââ and to teach them to vnderstaÌd their fully in ââaking of a ââéeping Dogge and forth with the King commanded all the Preââtes and Nobles of the Realme to come to London there to intreate of waightâ affaires coÌcerning y â Realme at y â which time the Archbishop of Canterbury held a great counsayle in y â which were chosen ãâã of the Cleargie of England to go to the generall Counsell that should be holden at Constance a Citie of Germââ and so there were sent the Bishops of Salisburie Bath and Hereford and with them the Abbot of Westminster and the Prior of Worcester and many other wise men in coââââââ of the Earle of Warwike whose presence did theÌ much honour This yeare the order of Church seruice throughout Anno reg 3. 1415 Order of Church seruice in England altered England was changed from the vse of Saint Paule to the vse of Salisburie which was to the great disliking of many men in those dayes When King Henry perceyâed that the Frenchmen had with deceite entreated him with fayned promises and faire words he gathered his âaây togither apointed his bowmeÌâ men of armes prepared his engins all things necessary âor y â warres coÌmanding all y â should go w e him to be ready against the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist and to mâeâe him at Hampton The eyghtenth day of âââe King Henry with many Lords and others rode from London toward South-hampton the Maior ãâã and Craftes of the Câtle ãâ¦ã ing him on his ââây to âhe âowne of Kingston vpon Thamis whileââ the King ãâã ââ ãâã ãâã where he abode for his reliââââ and âââffe âânging to the warres On the last ââ July was discouered a great conspiracie Conspiracy disclosed Tho. Wals Regist Maior against him by three ãâ¦ã is ãâã of all the rest he pat greatest trust and confidââââ ãâ¦ã of them was Henry Scrope Lord Treasours the second Richard âaââe of Cambridge brother âo Edward Duke of Yorke and Sir Thomas Grey a Knight of the North these had made Edmond Earle of Maââh ãâã ãâã vpon a Booke not to dââââose their counsell and then ââlââ him that they thought to ãâã the King and to ãâã the sayd EdââoÌââ King the which ââ he refused to take vpon him they would ââey him where vppon the Earle prayse them to giue him one houâes spaâe to take ââuiseâent what was best to doe whiche being granted the Earle went secretly and âolâ the Kingâ therâââ who caused them forthwith âo be apprehended and brought before him where they confessed the âââason for the which on the sixth of August they were arâââgned in y â Kings presence and the same day all three beheaded The Earle was buried head and all buâ the other heaââ were âeâââ the one to Yorke the other to Newcastell vpon Tine and there seâ vp On the eleuenth of August the King tooke shipping and entred the Sea with a thousand Sayle Enguerant sayth King Henry sayled into Normandy Tho. Wââs Titus Liuius Enguerant 1600. Sayles and the third night after arriued at Kedecaâx in Normandy whiche is betwixte Hereflete and âimflete of whose comming all the Cities and States of thâââ partes being aduertised were striken with great feare The King the Dukes of Clarence and of Glocester his bréethren the Duke of Yorke his Unkle the Earles Barons Knightes Gentlemen and Souldiours ãâã ãâã anââââ â there and tooke land without any resistance and the King forthwith falling to the ground vpon his knées deuoutely prayde to God that to his honor he would giue him iustice of his enimies He had at his landing in his host sixe thousande Speares and xxiiij thousand footemen besides Gunners and other enginars artificers and labourers of whome the King had great abundance The King gaue to diuers Gentlemen the order of Titus Liuius Knighthoode and assigned the bearing of his Standarts and Banners to such meÌ as he knew to be of great strength and prowesse All thing being set in good order and array the King with all his host ascended to the toppe of an high hill there nigh and there he rested the next day On the sixtéenth day of August the Duke of Clarence leader of the foreward in good ordinance entred his iourney towarde a Towne called Herefleete distant from Kedecamp scarcely thrée leagues where he lodged his host in a field before the towne The King at his comming lodged himselfe nigh to the first warde not farre from the Towne The Earle of Suffolke Michaell at Poole Chiefetayne of the rereward lodged on the other side before the Towne Other noble men that had the conduct of the two wings lodged them one on the right haÌd the other on the left Forthwith were sent to the Towne men of armes in great number to sée the scituation thereof who shortly returned with a great pray of Cattell and enformed the King of all his demaundes Hereflete is the key of the sée of all Normandy and is scituate Enguerant Description of Herefleete vpon the Sea side by the Riuer of Seene betwixte two hilles and through the middle thereof runneth a Riuer whiche not farre from the same Towne entreth into the Seane and from thence both those Riuers in one descende into the Sea where as a great and goodly Hauen is belonging to the same Towne which Hauen is garnished with the defence of two faire and strong Towers and in the same Hauen a right great Nauie of Shippes may ride in safetie and if the inhabitants of this Towne enclose and képe within the Towne the course of the foresayd Riuer by their sluces as they may right well do then the Riuer riseth without the Towne so high that it forecloseth all entries to the walles so that no man may approch the towne on that part This Towne is also defended with high and thicke walles and towers and is also enuironed with broade
and déepe ditches To this Towne also belongeth only two Gates for entries the one called Calturances the other Mostrouillier In this Towne besides the inhabitants thereof for the defence of the same were foure hundred men of armes deputed in Garrison amongst whome were these Lords Lord Discouteuile chiefe Captayne of the Towne Lord Blanuile Lord Haqueuile Lord Harmanuile Lord Eancourt Lord Gaillard Bos and diuers other Lords and men expert in warre The King commanding the Duke of Clarence to asséege the Towne he endeuoured Titus Liuius to conuey his people ouer the Riuer in the passage whereof he had a great skirmish with the inhabitants of the Towne but at the last his aduersaries being put to flight recoyled within the walles The Duke conuayde ouer the Riuer all his ward and company and bycause the Riuer deuided the Kings Camp from the Dukes they ordeyned a ready and sure passage ouer the same Riuer betwixt both the Campes to the kéeping whereof certayne Gentlemen were appoynted so that theyr enimies myghte not endomage them neyther by Water nor Lande In this meane time befell a great misaduenture to the Enguerant Frenchmen that were beséeged for the Gonnepouder and shotte that was sent vnto them by the French King was encountred vpon the Sea by the Englishmen and taken to their great displeasure and domage The King gaue the charge of the fielde to his brother Titus Liuius Humfrey Duke of Glocester On the same side the Riuer that the King lay was y e Duke of Yorke high Connestable of England lodged with his band When euery man was placed y e Towne was so streightly asséeged that all entries and issues of the Towne were stopped so y â they of y e towne were in dispaire to haue any succour from the Realme of France Many engins were reysed by the English which in short time should haue bin the destruction of the walles if they of the Towne had not the sooner stopped the Riuer of the same towne within wherby the water gathered reised without the towne betwixt the King and the D. of Clarence to the semblance of a little Sea which caused the Englishmen to withdraw their Gonnes and other engins whereby at that time the walles were saued Then the King caused to Enguerant be made vnder the water thrée great Mines vnto the walles of the towne which in like maner had bin the cause of their ruine if the inhabitants had not countermined them and letted their purpose The inhabitants of the Town perceyuing Titus Liuius themselues thus streightly asséeged as well by Land as by Sea conuayde all their Shippes within their HaueÌ and bound them togither with cheynes and in the two towers that were made for the defence of the Hauen they put certaine Garrisons and armed men who oftentimes attempted to inuade the Kings Nauie but at all times they were by his Shippes beaten and constreyned to recule still within their Hauen at the last the Captaynes and inhabitants considering that by such skirmishes as well vpon the Land as vpon the Sea they gained nothing tooke this appointment with the King that if they were not rescued by the Frenchmen within certayne dayes limited they shoulde then delyuer into hys handes the Towne with thirtie persons of the greatest and most noble within the Towne suche as the King woulde desire to bée ordered at the Kings pleasure and all the residue as well menne of Warre as the inhabitantes of the same Towne without armoure and leauing behynde them theyr goodes shoulde fréely goe where they woulde for the suretie of whyche appoyntemente to bée kepte they deliuered vnto the King twelue of their greatest personages for pledges The Captaynes and inhabitants of the Towne séeing their day of appoyntment to approch and themselues vtterly desperate of any succours of their people ordeyned to perfourme their couenant at their day prefixed whiche was the xxij of September on which day came Sir Lionell Braquemont gouernour of the Towne vnto the King and knéeling before him sayd Most victorious Prince beholde héere the keyes of this Towne which after our promis I yéeld vnto you with the Towne my selfe and my companie Then were brought to the King the Lord Coteuile the Lord Gangcourt and other to the number of thirtie and all the residue as well souldioures as inhabitants were suffered vnarmed to depart The King constitute Captayne of the Towne Sir Thomas Beawford Earle of Dorset hys Unkle to whome he also committed two thousand souldiers chosen men of his host Then considering that winter drew on as also the losse of their men by reason of the Flix then reigning amongst them by which infirmitie died Michaell at Poole Earle of Suffolke the Bishop of Norwich the Enguerat Lord Beawmont and others and of the commons to the number of two thousand and aboue King Henry created the sonne of Michaell at Poole Earle of Suffolke who liued not long after After King Henry had remayned at Harefleete fiftéene dayes after y e deliuerie of the Towne and of the Towers he departed from thence towards Caleis whereof when his Titus Liuius enimies were aduertised and also by what way he intended to passe all the people of the Countrey Cities and Townes were maruellouslie oppressed with feare wherefore they hasted them to defensible places and other that were apt to warre tooke them to their horsses and assembled them togither in great number with no small companie of footemen and in all that they might they oppressed the Englishmen The Kings host kept an easie pace without making any hast and when they approched the Towne of Ewe their enimies assayled them in the fieldes with great force and noyse where on both parties it was foughten sore and vigorously Enguerant but the Frenchmen reculed to the Towne where they were in good suretie From thence the King departed and came to a passage of the Riuer of Some which the Frenchmen call Blankhestoke or Blanch tache This passage at Titus Liuius the comming vnto it was fixed with sharp stakes by their enimies so that they could not passe there but were constreyned to go farther séeking their passage vntill they came directly to haue the Citie of Amiens and the Castell of Gorby on their left side where they of the sayde Citie began with them a new fight but they were soone forced by the English to returne to their Citie agayne The xix of October the King passed the Riuer of Some at the passage of Vienna and Bethew-court and wente then to lodge him at Mouche-legach froÌ whence he aduanced him towardes the Riuer of Miramont In the meane time the French King and the Duke of Guyen his sonne then Dolphin purposing to resist the Englishmen came to Roane from whence they sent thrée Heraults to the King of England to giue vnderstanding that he should not escape without battayle vnto whome the sayde King answered All things be done at the pleasure
of God I will kéepe the right way towardes Caleis if our aduersaries do attempt to disturbe vs in oure iourney we thinke they shall not do it without their owne great danger and perill From thence King Henry remoued Enguerant to a Uillage called Forceuile aduancing his host towardes the Riuer of Miramont and the next day they passed by the Cheue and the King lodged that night at Bonyers lestaillon The next day the King remoued vnto Bangy The Titus Liuius next day late in the night the King came to a Uillage named Agencourt Enguerant sayeth Masencelles where they lodged not distant from the French host the space of two hundred and fiftie spaces The Frenchmen fixed their Banners Enguerant and Standerts with the Banner Royall whereof the Connestable had the conduct in the field by them deuised and chosen which was in the Countie of S. Paule in y â grouÌd of Agencourt by whiche the day following the Englishmen The Battell of Agencourt Titus Liuius should passe to go to Caleis The xxv day of October the King of England in the morning very earely set forth his host in array He commanded that his Horsses and other carriages shoulde be left in the Uillage where he had lodged The order of his field was thus The middle battell whereof the King was conductor was set in the midst of the field directly against the middle battell of his aduersaries On the right side was the first battell and therewith the right wing and on the left side the last battell and the left wing And these battayles ioyning nigh togither by the prouidence of God proued vnto this King a defensible place for his host for the Uillage wherein he was lodged before defended his host from all inuasions on the backe and the field wherein he was was defended on both sides with two small Riuers This noble King was armed with sure and right beautifull armour On his head a bright Helmet wherevpon was set a Crowne of Golde repleate with pearle and pretious stones maruellous rich In his Shield he bare the armes both of England and France And thus armed he was mounted vpon a goodly great Horsse and after hym were ledde certayne noble Horsses with their bridles and trappers of Goldsmithes worke and vpon them also were beaten the Armes of England and of France Thus this victorious King prepared to battell encouraged his people to the field that approached at hand The night before this cruell battell by the aduise and counsell as it is said of the Duke of Yorke the King had giuen commandemeÌt through his host that euery maÌ should puruey him a stake sharp at both ends which the Englishmen fixed in the ground before them in the field to defend them from the oppression of Horssemen The Frenchmen had such confidence in the great multitude of their people and in their great Horsses that many of their great Princes and Lordes leauing behinde them their Souldiers Standerts and other Ensignes came towards the Englishmen in right great hast as if they had bin assured of victory The battayles of the Englishmen were as large as the Enguerant field wherein they fought would suffer which was greatly to their aduantage for by that meanes their enimies were letted to come vpon them at the sides and backes of their host The Frenchmen had ordeyned their battels with two sharpe fronts like vnto two hornes which alwayes backward was broader and broader and these sharp battels set vpon the Englishmens middle ward intending to haue runne thorough the whole fielde but the Frenchmen were slayne and wounded by the English Archers and by the helpe of the stakes which the Englishmen had fixed before them in the grounde whereby the Horssemen were constreyned to returne or else to runne vpon the stakes where many of them were ouerthrowne and wounded and many both Horsses and men slayne The battell and fight encreased maruellously by the space of thrée houres in all whych time no man was taken prisoner but innumerable were slaine vpon whose dead bodyes they that followed were ouerthrowne and slayne Thus after a long and cruell battell there approched no man to battell but to death of whome after that an innumerable company were slayne and that the victorie remayned to the Englishmen they spared to sley and take prisoners of the Frenchmen In this mortall battell the noble King of England fought with his enimies as a famished Lion for his pray receyuing on his Helmet and other armour many and greate strokes at the last the victorie obteyned and the greate host of the Frenchmen slayne taken wounded and vanquished forthwith another host of Frenchmen no lesse than the firste supposing the Englishmen now to be wéeried prepared themselues to begin agayne a newe battayle The King of England séeing this second assemble of his aduersaries Titus Liuius sente his Heraults vnto them commaunding them eyther forthwith to come to battayle or else immediately to depart and if they delayed to departe or if they came to battell both those of theirs which were already taken prisoners and also all those that after should be taken without redemption should be put to death which message when the Frenchmen had heard fearing the strength of the Englishmen and also the death of themselues of the prisoners taken with heauinesse they departed forthwith Then the King of England being assured of the victory gaue the greatest laude and prayse to God that might be In this battayle were slayne on the French parte the Dukes of Alaunson Barry and Braban and the Lord of Helly Enguerant the Lord Labret chiefe Connestable of France the Archbishop of Saunce eyght Earles an hundred and mo Barons fiftéene hundred Knightes and aboue tenne thousand of all estates whereof scarcely fiftéene hundred were Souldiers or labourers the rest were of cote armour At this battayle were taken prisoners of the Frenchmen Titus Liuius the Dukes of Orleaunce and of Burbon Arthure brother to the Duke of Briteine the Earles of Vandisme of Ewe and Enguerant Richmount and Sir Boumeycault Marshall of France and Titus Liuius many other to the number of fiftéene hundred Knightes and Esquiers And of the English partie were slayne the Duke of Yorke the Earle of Suffolke and to the number of an C. persons in the vantgard and of all estates on y e English Enguerant partie were not found dead aboue vj. C. in the field When night approched the K. of England returned with his host into that Uillage wherein they harbored the night before where he found his Horsses other baggages cariages y e he left there before the field stolne caried away by the Frenchmen On the day next ensuing the King with his people entred his iourney towarde Caleis Titus Liuius William Cambridge Allin Euerard the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Maior Sir Nicholas Wotton Draper the 28 of October The morrow after
fiftéene dayes they were not deliuered from thys séege they should deliuer to the King the Towne and Castell and when the day was come they perfourmed promise and this was the first Bridge ouer the Riuer of Seene that the King subdued to his power After the King had thus obteyned that Bridge ouer the Riuer of Seene and that there was none other Riuer or floud mighte lette his iourney with all the hast he might he entred hys iourney towardes Roane The Citizens hearing the approche of their enimies and fearing least they shoulde bée lodged in the Suburbes whiche were muche larger than the Citie was within the walles and was also muche replenished with Monasteries Churches and Towers burned the same and made all euen with the grounde To this Citie on the thirtith day of Julye thys victorious King approched agaynste whome came the Citizens with theyr Garrisons and men of warre where the more parte of all that day they continued in battell and fought sore on both partes but the Frenche were forced to séeke their succour within the walles of the Citie whome in theyr recoyle the King pursued still before the Citie where hée ordered his séege in this maner First the King with a noble company of yong hardy men lodged himselfe before the gate of Saint Hillarie The Duke of Clarence with his power was lodged before the gate of Caulx The Duke of Excester after he was câme to the king was lodged with his people before the gate of y e Castel called Beanuice Erle Marshal was lodged before y e gate called Markeuile The Earle of Warwicke after he was come from the Castle of Donfrounte was lodged vpon the Hil where the strong Monasterie of Saint Katherie was The Erles of Salisburie and Huntingdon were lodging ther vpon the other side of the Riuer of Seene vpon whom their enimies made many assaults and bycause the Riuer of Seene diuided the English hoaste in two partes the King caused to be made a strong bridge of Tymber ouer the same Riuer that when néede shoulde require they might haue frée passage on foote and horsse and bycause their enimies shoulde not approch vnto it w t their ships or Galleys the K. caused to be made a great cheyne to be drawen ouer the Riuer betwixt the citie and the Bridge At that tyme the King of Portingale coââ to the King of England sent a nauie of shippes wel manneâ into the Kings ayde whom the King commaunded to lye betwixte the Citie and the sea to enclose the Citie from all succours by Water The towne of Caudbeke fearing the daunger of the time couenaunted with the King of England that when the Citie of Roane were taken and deliuered into the Kings obeysaunte they in like manner woulde yéelde them to him without any assaulte and vnder the same appointed according with the King xiiij other defensible Townes and Castels that were nigh borderers vnto Roane After many cruell battayles and assaultes the Citizens fearing at leÌgth to be famished dayly put out of the Citie gret number of poore people and other but the hunger encreasing they were forced to eate their horsses dogges cattes rattes and mise and these and other like things were consumed eaten Then the plague of famine entred the Citie so that the people for defaulte of reliefe dyed that the liuing might scarcely burie the deade whereby that noble Citie was brought into so muche miserie that it is not lesse maruayle than pitiful to heare In this mean time during this siege of Roane The duke of Excester besieged the Citie of Eneroys also about the xx of August king Henrie had thrée maruellous victories in Normandie The first was that one hundered Englishmen take iij. great Lords at a place called Kilbuife and put to flight thrée hundred and fourescoure persons besides The second was foure hundered of his enimies entred within the suburbes of the Towne of Ebroicens and eleauen Englishmen chased them away and toke foure of them and slew twelue tooke 40. of their horsses The thirde was the enimies would indéede haue taken the town which was called Leuers but the Captaine of the same with an hundered of our men wente out against a thousand of them and ouercame them toke 180. gentlemen of the enimies Aboute thys tyme also Captaine de la Bouche toke the Towne of Pontoys by Paris The Parson of Wrotham in Norffolke whiche haunted New market Heath and there robbed and spoyled many was with his Concubine brought to Newgate of London where he dyed in prison Iohn Brian Ralphe Barton the. 28. of Sep. Iohn Parnesse Sherifes the. 28. of October This Iohn Brian Sherife as he came one a time from Wapping in the Woose thinking to haue eased himselfe beyond Saint Katherines Mill fell into the Thamis and was dragged vp againe by his men and the Miller but dyed therof within a seauen-night in whose place was chosen Iohn Parnesse William Seuenoke Grocer the. 28. of October Maior This William Seuenoke when he was a newe borne babe was founde at a Town called Seuenoke in Kent where by charitable people he was christened by the name of William and for that hys father or mother could not be known they gaue him to surname Seuenoke being by theÌ broughte vp till he was able to serue they then bounde him prentise with a Citizen of London where after his good seruice God indued him with such wisedome and wealthe that he came to be Maior of that Citie who being not vnthankefull to God and the common wealth among other his charitable workes founded in the Towne of Seuenoke where he hadde bin nourished a Frée schole and thirtéene almes houses When the Citizens of Roane perceyued themselues maruellously afflicted by famine as is before shewed and also to be in dispaire of succour from the Frenchmen nowe after halfe a yeares siege and more vpon certaine conditions they deliuered to the king of England their Citie castle Tower Abbayes Churches houses Citizens Captaynes Garisons and generallye all things that were within the Citie whatsoeuer they wer The xix day of Januarie there had dyed within this Citie as was sayde for defalt of victuals during this siege mo than xxx thousand people This Anno reg 7. 1419 noble King the rather to relieue this oppressed Citie ordayned the same to be the chiefe Chamber of all Normandie and ordayned hys exchequer hys Treasurie and hys coynage to be kepte in the same he also âdified a strong tower behinde the Castle Whilest the King ordered his businesse at Roane he sente diuerse Lordes with strong puissaunce of people to receyue the Castelles of Townes borderyng vppon Roane amongst whom the Duke of Clarence in short tyme redused to the King the mightie Castell of Galiarde the Towne of Vernon the Towne of Naunte the Castall of Bandmounte and manye other strong places and holdes The Earle of Salisburie wyth the Garrison to hym assigned tooke the Town of Hounslowe the
and Katherin and of the Duke of Burgoigne departed from Troys and toke his iourney to Paris and from Paris not many dayes after they all went to laye siege to the Citie of Sens whiche was to them contrarie but before the whole hoste were setled in their places the Captaine Citizens and Garisons submitted their bodyes and Citie with all that they had to the King Then they hasted to Monstrean which Towne they toke by force On the xv of July they went to the Citie of Melune and inuironed the same with a strong siege for there were the Kings of Englande of France and Scotlande the Duke of Burgoigne Tho. Wals Bauier Clarence Bedforde and Excester the Earles of March Warwicke Huntington and Somerset c. This siege coÌtinued xiiij wéekes and odde dayes from the feast of Mary Magdalen to the feaste of All Saintes not without in a maner euery day a conflict and sore skirmishe but at length for wante of victualles the besieged yéelded themselues to the Kyngs of Englande and Fraunce from whence the forsayde Kyngs with a greate parte of theyr armye wente to Paris Iohn Butler Iohn Wels the. 28. of September Sherifes Maior William Cambridge Grocer the. 28. of October King Henrie kept hys Christmasse in the Citie of Paris in the Castle of Saint Anthony And after he had holden a Parliamente there he went to Roane and therewith hys Titus Liuius Normans and Englishmen helde a Parliament And theÌ when he had established sure guarde for this Realme of Fraunce Dutchie of Normandie he passed throughe Picardie to Caleis and so to Douer where with his Quéene he landed on Candlemasse day The fourtéenth of Februarie Quéene Katherin was Crowned at Westminster vnto whom the King assigned to hir dowrie 10000. markes also he consented to the deliuerie of the King of Scots who had bin long prisoner in Englande with condition that before his departure out of Englande he shall take to wiâe the Duke of Somersets sister niece to the Cardinal of Winchester Anno reg 9. 1421 The. xxij of March the duke of Clarence with many other Lords were slaine beyond the Water of Leire in Fraunce many Lords were taken prisoners of the which the Earle of Huntington and the Earle of Somerset were principal In a ParliameÌt at Westminster it was ordayned that no man should profer gold in payment but if it helde waight wherfore was ordayned Balances and weightes The king suppressed the French houses of religious Monkes and Friers and such like in Englande bycause they thought ill of the Conquest ouer Fraunce theyr lands were giuen by him and Henrie the sixth to Monasteries and Colledges of learned men In this Parliament was demaunded subsidie The Bishop of Winchester lent the king â0000 pounde to straine y â matter The King hauing disposed all thing in order coÌcerning the realme of England and the wars in Scotland leauing in Englande his Quéene with a greate power to the number after Enguerant of thirtye thousande returned into Fraunce where after he hadde visited the King and Quéene of Fraunce at Paris he tooke the Castell of Dâwex by assault And when he heard that his enimies prepared themselues to battaile he approched the floude of Loyre aboute whyche Titus Liuius floud it was said his enimies were but against him came no man Wherfore the Kyng ledde his hoste to laye siege to the City of Sens commonlye called the Kings new Town whiche Towne for lacke of victualles yéelded themselues and the Town to the King Iohn Mortimer brake foorthe of the Tower of London and beyng afterwards taken hée was drawen and hanged Richarde Gosselin William Weston the 28. of Septemb. Sherifes Maior Sir Robert Chicheley Grocer the 28. of October This Syr Robert Chicheley when he deceased in Anno 1439. willed in his Testament that vppon his mind day a competent dinner should be ordained for 2400. pore men housholders of the Citie and twenty pounde in mony to be distributed amongest them whyche was to euery man two pence He also with his brother William Chicheley Alderman of London gaue liberally to the Almes houses founded by his brother Henrie Chicheley Archebyshop of Canterbury at Higham Ferrers in Nothamptonshire in whych Towne they were borne In the Moneth of October when King Henry had deliuered Tiâus Liuius the Citie of Paris from all annoyaunces he with his hâste went to besâege the Citie of Meaulx in Brye to whych City nigh adioyning is a place called y â Market of Meaulx betwixt which two places floweth the riuer of Marne whiche also enuironeth bothe the same places Thys Citie was besieged all the Winter wherein were so manye and so greate stormes and flouds of raine that the kings host was often annoyed with huÌger colde The sixth of December Lady Katherine Quéen of Englande broughte forth hir firste begotten sonne in the Castell of Windsore and his name was gyuen him Henry for there receyued hym at the Fonte Iohn Duke of Bedford hys vncle Lord Warden of England and Henrie the Kings vncle B. of Winchester and Iaquelyn dutches of Holland that remained then in England Henry Archbishop of Canterburie doing the office of Baptisme In the moneth of Februarie the Knights that were in Garison and the principall of y â Citie of Mealx perceyuing that the Sommer comming shoulde cause the siege to be more light and lesse painefull to the Englishmen and difficil vnto themselues departed the Citie and wente into that Anno reg 10 1422 place that is called the Market of Mealx as to the more defensible holde after whose departing the coÌmon people hauing none ability to resist the Kings power yéelded themselues and the Citie to the King After this in the moneth of May when the King had sore beaten the forsayd Market of Meaulx he constrayned the Frenchmen that were besieged to condescende vnto certaine couenauntes and to deliuer the place vnto him and shortly after were deliuered to the King the towne of Orepy in Valois the Castle of Pier Pountmeralaw OffemouÌt and many others After the rendering of these Townes and Castles the King returned to Paris In the moneth of Aprill Katherin Quéene of Englande shipped at Hampton and sayled ouer into Fraunce with a strong power vnder the conducte of Iohn Duke of Bedforde y â kings brother Humfrey Duke of Glocester being appointed Warden of England in the Duke of Bedfordes place wheÌ the comming of Quéene Katherin was knowne to Kyng Henry hir husband and to Charles king of France both these Kings and with them the Quéene of Fraunce accompanyed with many great Lordes and estates as well of Englande as of Fraunce went to méete hir at Boys de Viscenne wher she was ioyfully receyued of them as if she had bin an Angell sente from God The. xxx day of May the two Kings of Englande and Fraunce with theyr Quéenes departed from Bois de Viscenne and went to Paris the king of
man might iudge which way the victorie would encline but at length the men of King Charles began to breake and then the Englishmen began to thrust in among them and did so much that they discomââted their enimies There were slayne the Earle Dowglas Duke of Turon Iames Dowglas Earle of Wighton Iohn Earle of Boughan with the Uicount Nerbon and many other to the number of tenne thousand sayth Fabian foure Robert Fabian thousande sayeth mine Author a Frenchman who sayeth that the Duke of Bedford bare himselfe most valiantly fighting with an axe so fiercely as he had the prayse of all other The Earles of Salisburie and Suffolke gouerned themselues also right valiantly The Lord of Torsy and other Lords of Normandy which before had taken part with the Englishmen this day turned to the French hoping that the Englishmen shoulde haue lost the battell True it is that the Frenchmen would neuer suffer their King Charles to be present in person at any battayle but when they thought to pitch a fielde they sent him into some strong Towne By the losse of this battayle fought on the seauentéenth of August before Vernole in Anno reg 3. Perche King Charles was put to great hinderance so that he was not able in puissance to giue the Englishmen any battayle hauing ynough to defende and kéepe his Townes and fortresses against them The Duke of Bedford returned into Normandy where he punished many that fledde from him the day of the battayle Then went he to Paris where he found the Duke of Burgoigne who receyued him and the Dutches of Bedforde The Duke of Burgoigne enamored vvith the Countesse of Salisburie vvhere of came great displeasure and losse to England by the breach of amity betvvixt the English and the Burgonions his wife the sayde Duke of Burgoignes Sister right ioyfully and made to them great feast at whiche feast also were the Earles of Salisburie and Suffolke the olde Quéene of France mother to King Charles and many other greate estates of diuers nations amongst the whiche the Duches of Bedford was holden for the most gallantest Lady of all other and with hir the Countesse of Salisburie a very faire Lady The Duke of Bedford that had neuer iusted before iusted there The Duke of Burgoigne was a very goodly amiable maÌ of personage doing excellently well whatsoeuer he tooke in hand and especially in dansing and iusting he excéeded all other of his Countrey At this feast he became desirous of the Countesse of Salisburie and some messages passed betwixt them which came to the Earle of Salisburies eare whereof he was nothing contented with the Duke and therfore sought to do him displeasure afterward This feast being ended the Duke of Burgoigne went into his Countrey of Burgoigne and there tooke to wife the Duches of Neuers which had bin wife to his Unkle the Duke of Neuers and had by hir two Children She was halfe sister to the Duke of Burbon but she liued not long with him The D. of Burgoigne also gaue his sister the yongest named Agnes The second cause of breach of amitle betvvixt England and Burgoigne in marriage vnto Charles de Barbon Earle of Cleremont for the which the Duke of Bedford and other Englishmâ were wroth for that he made suche alliance with the enimies without their accord This yeare the Frenchmen repaired the Castell of Mouns in Champaigne which had bin a little before destroyd by the Englishmen and now it was well stuffed with victuals and men which began to make sore war to the Countrey but shortly after the Earle of Salisburie beséeged theÌ and with him Messire Iohn de Luxenburg who did so much that the Castell was yéelded to him The D. of Bedford with his wife the Duches lay for the most parte in Paris leading there a pleasant life with the Lady whom he greatly loued and was lodged in y e house of the Tournels âéere to the Castel Saint Anthony where he made faire buildings and his men still made sore warres againste the French towards the Riuer of Loyre and other places vpon base Normandy and toward the Duchie of Alanson This yeare in Englande Edmond Mortimere Earle of March with many other Lords a great retinue were sent Earle of March sent into IrelaÌd into Ireland where the sayd Earle of March ended his life Simon Seman Bythewater the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Iohn Michaell Stockfish monger the 28. of October This yeare 1424. the warres began in Henault by reason of Iaqueline Duches of Henault daughter to Duke William Iaqueline Duches of Henault of Henault Unkle to Phillip Duke of Burgoigne and also daughter to Duke Iohn of Burgoignes sister wife to the âârenamed William and so double Cousin german to Philââp Duke Phillip now liuing This Iaqueline was married ââ Iohn Duke of Brabant hir Cousin german Cousin gerâân also to Duke Philip of Burgoigne and before that she ââs married to the Earle of Pontioue son to King Charles le ââân aime eldest Brother to King Charles now liuing âât notwithstanding that she was thus married to the Duke of Brabant yet was she conuayed by Sir Robersart Knight and brought into England to the Duke of Glocester and there married to the sayd Duke of Glocester and so she Iaqueline married to the D. of Glocester had two husbandes aliue at once Brabant and Glocester â thing thought vnreasonable both against God the world and the Church for she had bin four or fiue yeares in companie with the Duke of Brabant but there had fallen some variance betwixt them and so she was come from him into Henault About the last of Aprill began a Parliament at Westminster wherein was graunted a Subsedie of twelue in the Robert Fabian Parliament at London First Subsedie payde pound of all manner Merchandize comming in or passing out of this Realme thrée Shillings of a Tunne of Wine for the tearme of thrée yeares to be holden And furthermore it was enacted that all Merchant strangers should be set to an English host within fiftéene dayes of their comming to their port sale and to make no sale of any Merchandize ere All Strangers to be lodged vvithin English hostes they were so lodged then within fortie dayes following to make sale of all they brought and if any remayned vnsold at the sayd fortie dayes end that then all such Merchandize vnsold to be forfeyted Also that all Strangers that caried any woolles out of this land should pay xliij shillings four pence for a sacke custome where the English Merchants and Denisons payde but fiue nobles c. After the marriage had bin solemnized betwéene the Duke of Glocester and Iaqueline Duches of Holland as is aforesayde The Duke of Glocester goeth into Holland within a moneth after the Duke of Glocester assembled an armie of twelue hundred fighting men at the least all Englishmen and taking the Duches with him in coÌpanie
and his Cardinalles 14â5 after long laboure coulde make no peace betwixte King Henry of England and France and Charles also named King of Fraunce they at length made a peace betwixte the said Charles and Philip Duke of Burgoigne whereby the said Duke of Burgoigne became vtter enimy to the King of England and soone after the said Duke beganne his order of the Lillie and the Golden fléece and ordayned certaine Knightes of that order and made thervnto many Statuts wherof some of them were like vnto the Statutes of the Garter On the fourtéenth daye of September at Roan in Normandy dyed the noble Prince Iohn Duke of Bedforde and Regent of Fraunce and was after with great solemnitie ââryed within the Churche of Noâir Dame of the same âitie Anno reg 14 Sherifes Maior Thomas Catworth Robert Clopton the. 28. of Septemb. Henry Frowike Mercer the 28. of October King Charles of Fraunce recouered the Citie of Paris and at Newyeares tide wanne the Towne of Harflewe and 1436 Sainct Denis and manye other Townes and holdes expellyng and murdering the Englishe people in greate number The nintéenth daye of Julye the Duke of Burgoigne wyth a great multitude of Burgonians and Flemmings appeared Caleis besieged before Caleis and there pight his pauilions and tentes at which season was Lieutenaunt of Caleis Sir Iohn Ratclife Knight and of the Castell was Lieutenant the Baron of Dudley this siege endured about thrée wéekes in whiche season many knightlye actes were done exercised on both partes On the second day of August the Duke of Glocester protectour Robert Fubâââ of Englande with 500. sayles as some write landed at Caleis and entended vppon the thirde day following to haue issued out of the Towne and to haue gyuen battel to the Flemmings but as testifyeth our Englishe writers so soone as the Duke of Burgoigne was ware of the great power of the Lorde Protector he toke with him of his ordinaunce that he might lightly carrye and the other that were cumberous he left behind When the Duke with his host was thus fledde the Lorde Protectour with his people followed hym into the Countrey by the space of eleauen dayes in whiche season he brente the two Townes of Popering and Bell and returned to Caleis and so into England This yeare was the Castel or Towne of Rokesborough in Scotlande besieged by the Kyng of Scottes but when hée Anno. reg ââ hearde that Syr Ralph Graye Knyghte was commyng thyther with a competente number to remoue the siege anone he departed leauyng some parte of hys Ordinaunce behynde hym to hys greate shame and dishonour Thomas Norstede William Gregory the. 28. of Sep. Sherifes Maior Iohn Michel Fishmonger the. 28. of October The second of Januarie Quéene Katherin late wife to Henrie the fifth and mother to King Henrie the sixth dyed at Bermondsey and was buried at Westminster but being takeÌ Part of London bridge fel. vp againe in the raigne of Henrie the seauenth when he layde the foundation of his new Chappel there she was neuer buried since but lyeth still aboue ground in a Coffin of bordes behinde the East end of the Friers The. xiiij of Januarie at noone of the day the gate on LoÌdon bridge wyth the Tower vpon it nexte to Southwarke fell down and two of the furdest Arches of the same bridge and no man perished Ralph Lord Cromwel erected the Colledge of Taâeshall 1437 Taâeshall Colledge in Lincolneshire King Henrie put downe the Maior of Norwich sente the Aldermen some to Linne some to Canterburie toke their fraÌchises into his hande and appointed Iohn Wels Alderman sometime Maior of London to be Warden of Norwich who so continued eight moneths as I haue red on his Monument in Saint Antholines Churche in London whiche Monument is nowe amongest manye other by lewde persons defaced The ninth of July Quéene Iane wife to King Henrie the fourth dyed at Hauering a Boure and was buried at Canterburie All the Lyons in the Tower of London dyed Anno reg 18 Sherifes Maior William Hales William Chapman the. 28. of Septemb. William Eastfielde Mercer the. 28. of October This William Eastfield Maior of his own costes caused to be builded the Water Conduite in Fleetestreete of London On Easter daye Iohn Gardener was taken conuaying 1438 Gardeneâbrent the Sacrament from his mouth with a soule cloth after he had receyued the same at the Priests hande in Saint Marie at the Axe Churche of London for the whiche he was brent in Smithfielde the xiiij of May. Owen Tewther âouly hurting hys kéeper brake out of Newgate but was againe taken afterwarde thys Owen had priuilye as it was sayde maryed Quéene Katherin late wife to Henrie the fifth and had foure children by hir whiche was not knowen tyll she was dead and buried On the Uigil of Mary Magdalen the town of Nantwich in the Countie of Chester was pitifully consumed with fire A great dearth of corne for wheate was in some places Dearth of corne Anno reg 17 Sherifes Maior solde for two shillings sixe pence the Bushell Hugh Diker Nicholas Yoo the. 28. of September Stephen Browne Grocer the. 28. of October The fiue and twentith of Nouember a great winde dyd Great vvânâes muche harme in manye places In London it bare muche leade of the Gray Friers Churche and almost blewe downe the one side of the stréete called the Olde Change so that the same was faine to be vnderset with Timber On New yeres day a stacke of woodde fell downe at Baynardes Castell and killed thrée men manye moe were sore hurte By fall of a Staire at Bedforde where the shire daye was kepte eightéene persons were slayne and manye moe hurte Richard Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke dyed at Roane in NormaÌdie the last of May and the fourth of October next folowing his corpse was honourably conueyed as well by water as by land from Roane vnto Warwicke and there worshipfully buried in the Colledge of our Lady Church founded by his noble auncestours Wheate was sold at London for thrée shillings y e bushel Malt at thirtéen shillings y â quarter Otes at eight pence the bushel which caused men to eate beans pease and barley more than in a hundred yeares before Anno reg 18 StruÌpets vvare Raye hoodes Manye Stumpets were sette on the Pyllerye and banyshed the Cytye excepte they ware theyr Raye hoodes Phillip Malpas Robert Marshal the 28. of September Sherifes ââior Robert Large Mercer the. 28. of October In a Parliament at Reading it was ordayned that all Marchaunt straungers shoulde goe to host with Englishmen and to make sale of theyr Merchaundises and buy again what they woulde wythin the space of sixe monethes geuing theyr hoste for euerye twentye shillings worth two pence except the Esterlings And that euery housholder that Order for straungers was alien should pay to the King xuj. pence the yeare and euery seruant
Captayneshyp but the Earle for as muche as he was made by Parliament he woulde not obey the Priuie Seale but continued forth in the sayd office The Noble Science of Printing was about this tyme 1459 Printing first inuented founde in Germanie at Magunce by one Iohn Cuthembergus a Knight One Conradus an Almaine brought it into Rome William Caxton of London Mercer brought it into England aboute the yeare a. 1471. And fyrst practised the same in the Abbay of Saint Peter at Westminster after which tyme it was likewyse practised in the Abbayes of Saint Augustine at Caunterburie Saint Albons and other Monasteries of England In a lyttle Towne in Bedfordshire there fell a bloudie It raigned bloud rayne whereof the red drops appeared in shéetes the which a woman had hanged out for to dry In this tyme the Realme of Englande was out of good order as it had bene of long tyme for the King béeyng symple and pitifull was ledde by couetous Counsell The King grewe in debte dayly but payment was not made All the possessions and Lordshippes that pertayned to the Crowne the King had giuen some to Lordes and some to others such as would begge them so that himselfe had almost nothing lefte to lyue on but such impositions as were put to the common people as Taxes Tallages Quinzimes all which was spent in vayne for he helde no houshold nor maintayned no warres for which misgouernaunce the heartes of the people were turned from them that had the Land in gouernaunce The Quéene with such as were of hir affinitie ruled the Realme as hir lyked gathering riches innumerable The Officers of the Realme especially the Earle of Wilshire Treasurer of England for to enriche himselfe pilled the poore people disherited rightfull heyres and did many wrongs The Quéene was defamed and sclaundered that the young Prince was not hir sonne but a Bastard gotten in adulterie wherefore she dreading that he shoulde not succéede his father in the Crowne of Englande allyed vnto hir all the Knightes and Esquiers of Chestershire for to haue theyr fauour she helde open housholde among them and made hir sonne the Prince to giue a liuerie of Swannes to all the Gentilmen of the Countrey and to many other through the land trusting through their strength to make hir sonne King making priuie meanes to some of the Lordes of England for to stirre the King that he should resigne the Crowne to her sonne but she could not bring their purpose about The. xxj day of September Richard Earle of Salisburie hauing An. reg 38. gathered a well appoynted armie for dread of his enemies especially of the Quéene tooke his way towarde Ludlowe where at that time the Duke of Yorke lay to the intent that they both together would haue rydden to the King to Colshull in Staffordshire to haue excused them of certaine articles layd against them by malice of their enemies as they sayd Wherevpon those that were about the King and also the Quéene who laye at Eglishall moued him to assemble a great powre whereof Iames Twichet Lorde Awdley was made chiefe and had the leading of them into the fielde called Bloreheath néere vnto Mucklestone by the which the sayde Bloreheath fielde Duke and the Earle must néedes passe there both hostes mette and fought a mortall battaile wherin the Lord Audley was slaine with Hugh Venables of Kinderton Thomas Dutton of Dutton Richard Mollynes William Trowtbek Iohn Legh del Bothes Iohn Donne of Vtkinton and Iohn Edgerton of Edgerton Knightes Richard Donne of Croton Iohn Duttes Esquiers and many other of Chestershire that had receyued the Princes liuerie of Swannes and there were takeÌ prisoners the Earle of Salisburies ij sonnes Thomas and Iohn and sir Thomas Harington which were sent to Chester but soone after deliuered After this discomfiture the Earle of Salisburie passed forth to Duke Richard to Ludlowe and thether came to them for Calleis the Earle of Warwike which all thrée writ a letter vnto King Henry whereof the tenure is this MOst Christian King right high and mighty Prince our most dread Soueraigne Lord after as humble recommeÌdations to your high excellencie as will suffice Our true intent to the prosperitie augmentation of your high estate and to the commoÌ Weale of this Realme hath beâââ shewed vnto your highnesse in such writing as wée make thereof And ouer that an Indenture signed by our hands in the Churche Cathedrall of Worcester comprehending y â proofe of the truth duetie that God knoweth we beare to your saide estate and to the preheminence and prerogatiue thereof we sent vnto your good Grace by the Prior of the sayde Churche and diuers other Doctors and among other by M. William Lynwood Doctor of Diuinitie which ministred vnto vs seuerally the blessed Sacrament of the body of Jesus wherevppon we and euery of vs deposed for our sayde trueth and duetie accordyng to the tenor of the sayde Indenture And sith that time we haue certified at large in writing and by mouth by Garter King of Armes not onely to your said highnesse but also to the good worthie Lordes beyng about your most Noble presence the largenesse of our sayde trueth and duetie and our intent and disposition to serche all the motions that might serue conueniently to the affirmation thereof and to our perfect suerties from suche inconuenient and vnreuerent ieopardies as wée haue béene put in diuers tymes here before Whereof we haue cause to make and ought to make suche exclamation and complaint not without reason as is not vnknowen to all the sayde worthie Lordes and to all his land and wil offer vs to your high presence to the same intent if we myght so doe without sayd suertie which onely causeth vs to kéepe suche fellowshippe as we doe in our léefull manner And hereto we haue forborne and auoyded all thinges that might serue to the effusion of Christian bloud of the dreade that we haue of God and of your Royall Maiestie and haue also eschued to approche your sayde most Noble presence for the humble obeysaunce and reuerence wherein we haue and during our lyfe will haue the same And yet neuerthelesse we heare that we be proclaimed and defamed in our name vnrightfully vnlawfully and sauing your high reuerence vntruely and otherwise as God knoweth than we haue giuen cause knowing certainely that the blessed and noble intent of your said good grace and the righteousnesse thereof is to take repute and accept your true and lawfull subiectes and that it accordeth neyther with your sayd intent nor with your wyll or pleasure that we shoulde be otherwise taken or reputed And ouer that our Lordshippes and tenantes bene of high violence robbed and spoyled agaynst your peace and lawes and all ryghteousnesse Wée therefore as we suffice beséeche your sayde good Grace to take repute and receyne therevnto our sayde trueth and intent which to God is knowne as wée shewe it by the sayde tenor
wherevnto we haue euer bene and will be as true as any of his subiectes aliue wherof we call God our Lady S. Marie and all the Saintes in heauen vnto witnesse and record In the meane time the Earle of Wilshire treasurer of England The Earle of VVilshire and other spoyled Nevvbery the Lorde Scales and the Lorde Hungerforde went to Newberie whiche longed to the Duke of Yorke and there made inquisition of all them that in any wise had fauoured the sayde Duke whereof some were founde guiltie and were drawen hanged and quartered and all the inhabitauntes of the Towne were spoyled of their goods From thence the Earle of Wilshire went to Southampton where vnder The Earle of VVilshire stale ouer the Seas colour to take the Earle of Warwicke he armed fiue gret Caraks of Iene with souldioures taking victuals of the Kings price without payment and put a great part of hys treasure into the sayde Caraks and after sayled about in the sea and at laste stale into Dutchlande sending backe againe hys souldiours into Englande Then were the Kings Priuie seales for money priuie seales directed to all Bishops Abbots Priours and other states to lende the Kyng money therewith to wage souldiours to kéepe the Sea coasts but the commons of KeÌt dreading the like vengeance to be taken vpon them as was done vpon them of Newberie sent priuily messangers to Caleis The men of Kent sent to Galeis for the Earles to the foresayde Earles beséeching them in all haste possible to come to theyr succour whervpon the said Erles sent ouer into Kent the lord Fawconbridge to know if their déedes woulde accorde with theyr wordes and anone the people of Kent and other shires adioyning resorted to the sayde Lorde Fawconbridge in greate number When the Earles knewe the wylling heartes of those people they prepared to come into thys lande againste whose comming a long Ballet was fixed vpoÌ the gates of Canterburie made in fauour of the Duke of Yorke and the sayde Earles beginning thus In the daye of fast and spirituall affliction The celestiall influence of bodies transitorie c The Erles of March Warwick and Salisburie arriued at Sandwich where met wyth them Thomas Bourcher Archebyshop of Canterburie The Earle entred into London who with hys crosse borne before him and a greate number of other people accompanyed them to London into the whiche Citie they entred on the seconde of Julye wyth them came the Popes legate to treate of peace if néed wer Thân was a conuocation of the Clergie holden in S. Paules Church where the sayde Earles being present the Earle of Warwicke recited the cause of their comming into the lande with the misgouernements thereof and then made open othe vpon the crosse of Canterburie that they had euer borne true faith and alegiaunce to King Henry Then the Earles of March and Warwicke with the Lords Fauconbridge Clinton Borser Priour of Saint Iohns Audley Burgavennie Say and Scrope the Archbyshop the Popes legate the Bishops of Excester Ely Salisburie and Rochester addressed theÌ forth to the King at Northampton leauing the Earle of Salisbury to be gouernour of the Citie in their absence The Lorde Scales and Hungerforde that before the comming of the Earles were in the Citie of London and would haue had the gouernance thereof went to the Towre of London and with them the Lordes Vessy Louel Delaware Kendale a Gascoigne Knightes sir Edmond Hampden Thomas Brune Sherife of Kent Iohn Bruyn of Kent Geruayes Clyfton treasurer of the King house Thomas Tyrel the Dutchesse of Excestex many other Then was the Tower of London besieged both by water and lande that no victualles might come to them And they that were within the Towre cast wilde fire into the Citie and shotte manye small Gunnes whereby they brent and slew meÌ women and children in the stréets also they of the Citie layde greate Gunnes on the furtherside of the Thamis against the Tower and brake the Wals in diuerse places The King lying in the Friers at NorthaÌpton ordayned a strong and myghtie fielde in the Meddowes beside the Nunrie hauing the riuer at his backe The Earles with their power comming to Northampton sent certaine Byshops to the King beséeching him to admit y â Erle of Warwicke to come to his presence to declare their innocencie which request being denyed by the Duke of Buckingham the Earles sent an Heralde of Armes desiring to haue hostages for his safe comming and going but he might not be heard The thirde time the Erle of Warwicke sent worde to the King that at two houres after noone he would speake with him or dye in y â field The Bishop of Hereford a white Frier the kings Confessour incouraged the kings parte to fight wherfore after the battayle he was committed to the Castelf of Warwicke where he was long prisoner The teÌth of July at two of y â clocke after nooâre y â Earles of March Warwicke let cry through the field y â no man should lay hand vpon the King âe on y â coÌmon people but on the Lordes Knights Espuiers then both hosts incountred foughte halfe an houre the Lord Grey that was the Kings vaward breake the fielde and came to the Earles partie and was a great helpe to them in obtayning the victorie many on the kings side were flayn many y â fled were drowned in y e riuer y â Duke of Buckingham the Erle of Shrowesburie y e Lorde Beaumont the Lord Egremont were slain by y â Kings âeÌt w t many Knights Esquires y e kings ordinaunce of Guns might not be shot there was so gret rayne that day When the field was done the Earles had the victorie they came to the King he being in his tent said in this wise Most noble prince displease you not though it haue pleased God of his grace to grant vs the victorie of our mortal enemies y â which by their venemous malice haue vntxuely stirred moued your highnesse to exile vs out of your land woulde haue vs put to finall shame and confusion we come not to y â intent for to vnquiet ne grieue your sayde highnesse but for to please your noble person desiring tenderly the high welfare prosperitie therof of al your realme and to be your true liegemen while our liues shall endure The King of these words was greatlye recomforted anone was led to Northampton with procession where he rested thrée dayes came to London the sixtéenth of July and was lodged in the Byshops Pallaice The nintéenth of Julye they that were in the Tower of London for lacke of victualles yéelded and came forth of the which afterward some were drawn and headed The Lorde Scales late in an euening entred a Wherry with thrée persons and rowing towarde Westminster there to haue taken Sanctuarie was descried by a woman and anone the Wherry men fel on him killed him
reg 22 1482 tooke him with certaine of his brethren the Aldermen and commons of the Citie of London into the Forest of Waltham where was ordeyned for them a pleasaunt lodge of gréene vowghes in the which lodge they dyned with great chéere and the King would not go to dynner tyll he sawe them serued After dynner they went a hunting with the Kyng and slew many deare as well red as fallowe whereof the King gaue vnto the Maior and his company good plentie sent K. E. banqueted the Maior aldermen of Lon. vnto the Ladie Maires hir sisters the Aldermens wiues ij Hartes vj. Buckes and a tunne of wyne to make them merrie with which was eaten in the Drapers hall The Scots began to stirre against whom the King sent the Duke of Glocester and many other which returned againe without any notable battaile William White Iohn Mathewe the 28. of Sept. Sherifes Maior Creplegate builded Edmond Shaw Goldsmith the 28. of October This Edmond Shaw new builded Creplegate of London from the foundation which gate in old time had bene a prison whereunto such citizens and other as were arrested for debt or like trespasses were committed as they be nowe to the Counters as may appeare by a writ of King Edwarde the second in these wordes Rex vic' London salutem ex graui querela capri ex detenti in Recordes prisona nostra de Creplegate pro. x li quas coram Radulfo Sandwico tune custode Ciuitatis nostre London I. de Blackewell cuius recognum debitorum c. King Edward held his Christmas at Eltham and kept his estate all the whole feast in his great Chamber and the Quéene in hir ChaÌber where were dayly more than 2000 persons The same yéere on Candlemas day he with his Quéene went on procession from Saint Stephens Chappell into Westminster hall accompanied with the Earle of Angwyse y e Lord Grey and sir Iames Liddall Ambassadors from Scotland and at his procéeding out of his Chamber he made sir Iohn Anno reg 23 1483 Wood vnder Treasurer of England and sir William Catesby one of the Justices of the common place Knights After King Edwarde had bene long time in quiet in his Realme and had receiued yéerely 50000. Crownes payde him in the Towre of London and was growne so ritche that richer he could not be sayth myne Author hauing a maruellous great desire to accomplish y e mariage of his daughter with Charles Dolphin of Fraunce according to the Articles of truce taken as is afore shewed was now by the Lord Heyward returned out of France certified that the Dolphin had alreadye ioyned himselfe in mariage with the Ladye Margaret of Austriche daughter to MaximiliaÌ sonne to Frederike the Emperour Which newes so highly offended King Edward now séeing how he had bene abused with the vniust and dubble dealing of the Frenche King that he forth with tooke counsell how to be reuenged and preparing his power to make warres in Fraunce through melancholy as was thought fel sicke and ended his life at Westminster the ix day of Aprill Anno Domini 1483. when he had raigned 22. yeares one moneth and odde dayes He was honorably buried at Windsor he lefte issue Edwarde the Prince and Richard Duke of Yorke and fine Daughters Elizabeth that after was Quéene Cicely Anne Katherine and Briget ⸪ ¶ King Edwarde the fifth Whose Historie vvas vvritten by sir Thomas Moore KIng Edvvarde of that name the fourth after that he had lyued fiftie and thrée 1483 yéeres seuen monethes and sixe dayes and thereof raygned twoo twentie yéeres one Moneth eyght dayes dyed at Westminster y e ninth day of Aprill the yeare of our redemption a thousand foure hundreth foure score thrée leauing much fayre issue that is to witte Edward the Prince of thirten yeares of age Richard Duke of Yorke two yéere yonger Elizabeth whose fortune and grace was after to be Quéene wyfe vnto King Henrie the seuenth and mother vnto the eight Cicelie not so for tunate as fayre Briget which representing the vertue of hyr whose name she bare professed and obserued a Religious life in Dertforde an house of close Nunnes Anne that was after honourably married vnto Thomas then Lord Heyward and after Earle of Surrey And Katherine which long time tossed in eyther fortune sometime in wealth ofte in aduersitie at the last if this be the last for yet shée liueth is by the benignitie of hir Nephewe King Henrie the eyght in very prosperous estate and worthie hir birth and vertue This noble Prince deceassed at his Palaice of Westminster The loue of the people and with great funerall honour and heauinesse of his people from thence conueyed was entered at Windsor A King of such gouernaunce and behauiour in time of peace for in warre eche part must néedes be others enimie that there was neuer any Prince of this lande attayning the Crowne by battaile so hartely beloued with the substaunce of the people nor he himselfe so specially in any part of his life as at the time of his death Which fauour and affection yet after his decesse by the crueltie mischiefe and trouble of the tempestuous world that followed highly toward him more increased At such time as he dyed the displeasure of those that bare him grudge for King Henries sake the sixt whom he deposed was well asswaged and in effect quenched in that that many of them were deade in more than twentie yeares of his raigne a great parte of a long life And many of them in the meane season growne into his fauour of which he was neuer straunge He was a goodly Description of Edvvard the fourth personage Princely to beholde of harte couragious pollitique in counsell in aduersitie nothing abashed in prosperitie rather ioyfull than proude in peace iust and mercifull in warre sharpe and fierce in the fielde bolde and hardie and nathelesse no further than wisedome would aduenturous whose warres who so well consider he shall no lesse commende his wisedome where he voyded than his manhoode where he vanquished He was of visage louely of body mightie strong and cleane made Howbeit in his latter dayes with ouer liberall dyet somewhat corpulent and boorely and nathelesse not comely he was of youth greatly giuen to fâeshely wantonnesse from which health of body in great prosperitie and fortune without a speciall grace hardly refraineth This faulte not greatly gréeued the people for neyther could any one mans pleasure stretch and extend to the displeasure of very many and was without violence and ouer that in his latter dayes lessed and well left In which time of his latter dayes this Realme was in quiet and prosperous estate no feare of outward enimies no warre in hand nor none toward but such as no man looked for the people toward the Prince not in a constrained feare but in a willing and louing obedience among themselues the coÌmons in good peace The Lordes whom he
knewe at variaunce himselfe in his death bed appeased he had lefte all gathering of money which is the onely thing that withdraweth the hartes of Englishmen from the Prince nor any thing intended he to take in hande by which he shoulde be driuen thereto for his tribute out of Fraunce he had before obtayned Tribute and the yéere foregoing his death he had obtained Barwike And albeit that all the time of his raigne he was with his people so benigne courteous and so familiar that no part of his vertues was more estéemed yet the condition in the ende of his dayes in which many Princes by a long continued soueraintie decline into a proude porte froÌ debonair behauiour of their beginning maruellouslye in him grew increased so farre forth that in Sommer the last y â euer he sawe his highnesse being at Windsor in hunting sent for the Maior and Aldermen of London to him for none other errand but to haue them hunt be merie with him where he made them not so stately but so friendly and so familiar theare and sent venison froÌ thence so fréely into the Citie that no one thing in many dayes before gat him either âo heartes or more heartie fauour amongest the common people whiche oftentimes more estéeme and take for greater kindnesse a little courtesie than a great benefite So deceassed as I haue sayd this noble King in that time in which his lyfe was most desired Whose loue of his people and their entire affection towarde him had béene to his noble children hauing in themselues also as many giftes of nature as many Princely vertues as much goodly towardnesse as their age could receiue a maruellous fortresse and sure armour if diuision dissention of their friends had not vnarmed them left them destitute the execrable desire of soueraintie prouoked him to their destruction which if either kind or kindnesse had holden place must néedes haue bene their chiefe defence For Richard the duke of Glocester by nature their vncle by office their Protector to their father beholdeÌ to themselues by othe allegiaunce bounden all bandes broken that binden man man togither without any respect of God or the world vnnaturally contriued to bereue them not only their dignitie but also their lyues But for as much as this Dukes demeanor ministreth in effect all the whole matter whereof this booke shal intreate it is therfore conuenient somewhat to shew you ere we farther goe what manner of man this was that could finde in his heart so much mischiefe to conceiue Richard Duke of Yorke a noble man a mightie began not by warre but by law so chalenge the Crowne putting Richard Duke of Yorke hys claime into the Parliament where his cause was eyther for right or fauour so farre forth auaunced that Kyng Henry his bloud albeit he had a goodly Prince vtterly reiected the Crowne was by aucthoritie of Parliamente entailed vnto the Duke of Yorke and his issue male in remainder immediatly after the death of King Henrie But y e duke not enduring so long to tarrie but intending vnder pretext of dissention and debate arising in the Realme to preuent his time and to take vpon him the rule in King Henrie his life was with many nobles of the Realme at Wakefielde slaine leauing thrée sonnes Edward George and Richard All thrée as they were great states of birthe so were they great and stately of stomack gréedie ambitious of aucthoritie and impatient of partners Edwarde reuenging his Edvvarde fathers death depriued King Henrie attained y e Crowne George Duke of Clarence was a goodly noble Prince and at George Duke Clarence al points fortunate if either his owne ambition had not set him against his brother or the enuie of his enimies his brother against hym For were it by the Quéene and Lords of hir bloud which highly maligned the Kings kinred as women commonly not of malice but of nature hate them whoÌ their husbandes loue or were it a proude appetite of the Duke hymselfe intending to be King at the least wise heinous treasoÌ was there laid to his charge and finally were he faultie were he faultlesse attaynted was he by Parliament and iudged to the death and therevpon hastily drowned in a butte of Malmesey whose death King Edward albeit he commaunded it when he wyst it was done piteously bewayled and sorowfully repented Richarde the thirde sonne of whom wée nowe intreate The discription of Richard the third was in wit and courage egall with either of them in body prowes farre vnder them both little of stature yll featured of limmes crooke backed his left shoulder much hygher than his right hard fauoured of visage such as is in states called warlye in other men otherwise he was malicious wrathfull enuious from afore his byrth euer froward It is for truth reported that the Dutches his mother had so much a doe in hir trauaile y t she coulde not be deliuered of him vncut that he came into the world with the féete forward as meÌ be borne outward as y e fame runneth also not vntoothed whether meÌ of hatred report aboue y e truth or else y â nature chauÌged hir course in his beginning which in the course of his life many things vnnaturally committed None euil captaine was he in y e warre as to which his dispotioÌ was more méetely thaÌ for peace Sundry victories had he somtimes ouerthrows but neuer in default as for his own person either of hardines or politike order frée was he called of dispence somewhat aboue his power liberall w t large giftes he gat him vnstedfast friendship for which he was faine to pill spoile in other places get him stedfast hatred He was close secrete a déepe dissimuler lowly of countenaunce arrogant of heart outwardlye coumpinable where he inwardlye hated not letting to kisse whom hée thought to kill dispiteous cruell not for euill wil alway but ofter for ambition either for the fuertie or increase of his estate Friend foe was much what indifferent where his aduauntage grewe he spared no mans death whose life wythstoode his purpose He slewe with his owne handes King Henry the sixt being prisoner in the Tower as men The death of King Henrie the sixte constantly said that without commaundement or knowledge of the King which would vndoubtedly if he had intended that thing haue appointed that butcherly office to some other than his owne borne brother Some wise men also wéen that his drift couertly conueyed lacked not in helping forth his brother of Clarence to his death which he resisted openly howbeit somewhat as men déemed more faintly than he that were hartily mynded to his wealth And they y â thus déeme thinke that he long time in K. Edwardes lyfe forethought to be King in case that the King his brother whose life he looked that euill diet should shorten should happen
a pestilent Serpent is ambitioÌ Ambition desire of vaine glory soueraintie which amoÌg states where he once entreth créepeth forth so farre til w t deuision variaunce he turneth all to mischiefe first longing to be next the best afterward egall with the best at last chiefe aboue y â best Of which immoderate appetite of worship thereby of debate dissentioÌ what losse what sorowe what trouble hath w t in these few yéeres grown in this Realme I pray God aswel forget as we wel remeÌber Which things if I could aswel haue foreséen as I haue w t my more paine theÌ pleasure proued by godes blessed Lady y â was euer his othe I would neuer haue won y â courtesie of mens knées w t y â losse of so many heads But sithen things passed cannot be gainecalled much ought we the more beware by what occasion we haue taken so great hurt afore that we eft soones fall not in that occasion againe Now be those griefs passed and all is God be thanked quiet likely right well to prosper in wealthfull peare vnder your cousins my children if God send them life and you loue Of which two things the lesse losse were they by whom though God did his pleasure yet should the Realme alway finde Kings and peraduenture as good Kings But if you among your selues in a childes raigne fall at debate many a good man shall perish and haply he to and ye to ere this land finde peace againe Wherfore in these last wordes that euer I looke to speake with you I exhorte you and require you all for the loue that you haue euer borne to mée for the loue that I haue euer borne vnto you for the loue that our Lord beareth to vs all from this time forward all griefes forgotten eche of you loue other Which I verely trust you will if ye any thing earthly regarde eyther God or your King affinitie or kinred this Realme your owne countrey or your owne suertie And therewithall the King no longer induring to sit vp laid him downe on his ryghte side his face toward them and none was there present that could refraine from wéeping But the Lordes recomforting him with as good wordes as they could and answering for the time as they thought to stand with his pleasure there in his presence as by theyr wordes appeared eche forgaue other and ioyned their handes together when as it after appeared by their déedes their hartes were farre a sunder As soone as the King was departed the noble Prince his sonne drew toward London which at the time of his deceasse kept his housholde at Ludlowe in Wales which countrey béeing farre off from the lawe and recourse to Justice was begon to be farre out of good will and waxen wylde robbers and reuers walking at libertie vncorrected And for this encheason the Prince was in the life of his father sent thither to y â eude y â the auâthoritie of his presence shoulde refraine euill disposed persons fro the boldenesse of their former outrages To the gouernaunce and orderyng of this yoÌg prince at his sending thither was there appointed sir Anthonie Woodâile Lorde Riuers and brother vnto Lord Riuers the Quéene a right honorable man as valiant of hande as politike in Counsell Adioyned were there vnto him other of the same partie and in effect euery one as he was nearest of kinne vnto the Quéene so was planted nexte aboute the Prince That drifte by the Quéene not vnwisely deuised wherby hir bloude might of youth be rooted in the Princes fauor the Duke of Glocester tourned vnto theyr destruction and vpon that grounde sette the foundation of all his vnhappye building For whom soeuer he perceyued eyther at variaunce with them or bearing himselfe their fauour he brake vnto them some by mouth some by writing and secret messengers that it was neyther reason nor in any wise to bée suffered that the yong King theyr Maister and kinsman shoulde be in the handes and custodie of his mothers kinred sequestered in maner from theyr companye and attendaunce of whiche euerye one ought him as faithful seruice as they and many of them farre more honorable parte of kinne than hys mothers side Whose bloud quoth he sauing the Kings pleasure was full vnméetelye to be matched with hys whiche nowe to be as who saye remoued froÌ the King and the lesse noble to be left about him is quoth he neyther honorable to his maiestie nor vnto vs and also to hys grace no suretie to haue the mightiest of his friends from him and vnto vs no little ieopardie to suffer oure well proued euill willers to growe in ouer great auctority wyth the Prince in youth namely which is light of beliefe and soone perswaded Yée remember I trowe King Edward himselfe albeit he was a manne of age and discretion yet was hée in manye things ruled by the bende more than stoode eyther wyth hys honour or our profitte or with the commoditie of any man else excepte onely the immoderate aduancemente of themselues Which whether they sort thirâted after their owne weale or our wo it were harde I wene to gesse And if some folkes friendship had not holden better place with the King than any respect of kinred they might peraduenture easilye haue betrapped and brought to confusion some of vs ere this Why not as easilye as they haue done some other alreadye as néere of his royall bloude as wée But our Lorde hath wrought his will and thankes be to his grace that peril is past Howbeit as great is growing if we suffer this yoÌg king in our enemies haÌd which without his witting might abuse the name of hys commaundement to any of our vndoing which thing God and good prouision forbidde Of whiche good prouision none of vs hath any thing the lesse néede for the late made attonement in which y â Kings pleasure hadde more place than the parties willes Nor none of vs I beléeue is so vnwise ouersoone to truste a newe friend made of an old foe or to thinke that an hourely kindenes sodainly contracte in one houre continued yet skant a fortnight should be déeper settled in their stomacke than a long accustomed malice manye yeares rooted With these wordes and writings and suche other the Duke of Glocester soone set a fire them that were of themselues eathe to kindle and in especial twayne Edwarde Duke of Buâkingham and Wiliam Lord Hastings and Chamberlain both men of honour and of great power The tone by long succession from his auncestrie the tother by his office and the Kings fauour These two not beryng eache to other so muche lone as hatred both vnto the Quéenes parte in this point accorded togither wyth the Duke of Glocester that they would vtterly amoue from the Kings company all hys mothers friendes vnder the name of theyr enimies Uppon this concluded the Duke of Gloucester vnderstanding that the Lordes whyche at that time were about
and gouern the King at their pleasure And for the coulourable proofe therof such of the Dukes seruauntes as rode with the cartes of their stuffe that were taken among which stuffe no maruel thoughe some were harneys which at the breaking vppe of the housholde must néedes eyther be brought awaye or cast away they shewed vnto the people all the wayes as they went loe héere be the âârels of harneys that these Traytours hadde priuilye conueyed in theyr carriage to destroy the noble LORDES withal This deuise albeit that it made the matter to wise men more vnlikely well perceyuing that the intendours of such a purpose would rather haue hadde theyr harneys on their backes than to haue bound them vppe in barrels yet much part of the commoÌ people were therwith very wel satisfied and sayd it were almoyse to hang them When the King approched néere to the Citie Edmonde Shaa Goldsmith then Maior with William White Iohn Matthew Sherifes and al the other Aldermen in Scarlet with fiue hundered Horsse of the Citizens in violet receyued him reuerently at Harnesey and ryding from thence accompanyed The Kings coÌming to LondoÌ him into the Citie whiche he entred the fourth daye of Maye the first and laste yeare of his raigne But the Duke of Gloucester bare hym in open sight so reuerently to the Prince with all semblaunce of lowlinesse that from the great obloquie in which he was so late before he was sodainly fallen in so gret trust y e at the counsel next asseÌbled he was made the only maÌ chose and thought most méete to be Protector of y e King and hys Realme so that The protectour made were it destenie or were it follie the Lambe was betaken to the Woolfe to kéepe At whych Counsayle also the Archbyshop of Yorke Chauncelor of Englande whyche hadde delyuered vppe the greate Seale to the Quéene was thereof greately reprooued and the Seale taken from hym and delyuered to Doctor Russell Byshoppe of Lincolne a wise The Bishop of Lincolne made Lord Chauncellour man and a good and of muche experience and one of the beste learned menne vndoubtedly that Englande had in hys time Dyuers Lordes and Knightes were appointed vnto dyuers roumes The Lorde Chamberlaine and some other kepte still theyr offices that they had before Nowe all were it so that that the Protector so sore thirsted for the finishing of that he had begunne that thought euery daye a yeare till it were atchéeued yet durste hée no further attempte as long as he had but halfe hys pray in his hande well witting that if he deposed the one brother all the Realme woulde fall to the other if hée either remaynèd in Sanctuarie or shoulde happily be shortelye conueyed to hys fathers libertie Wherfore incontinent at the nexte méeting of the Lordes at the Counsaile he proposed vnto them that it was a hainous déede of the Quéen The protectours oration and procéeding of greate malice towarde the Kyngs Counsailours that she shoulde kéepe in Sanctuarie the Kings brother from hym whose speciall pleasure and comforte were to haue his brother with hym And that by hir done to none other intente but to bring all the Lordes in obloquie and murmure of the people As thoughe they were not to be trusted with the Kings brother that by the assente of the Nobles of the lande were appointed as the Kings nearest friendes to the tuition of hys owne royall person The prosperitie whereof standeth quoth he not all in kéeping from enimies or ill vyande but partly also in recreation and moderate pleasure whiche he cannot in hys tenuer youth take in the companye of auncient persons but in the familiar conuersation of those that be neither far vnder nor farre aboue his age and naythelesse of estate conuenient to accompanye hys noble Maiestie wherefore with whome rather than wyth hys owne brother And if anye man thinke this consideration whyche I thinke no manne thinketh that loueth the King let him consider that sometyme wythout small things greater cannot stande And verilye it redoundeth greatlye to the dishonour both of the Kings hyghnesse and of all vs that bene aboute his grace to haue it runne in euerye mans mouth not in this realme only but also in other lands as euil words walke far y e the kings brother shold be fain to kepe SaÌctuary For euery maÌ wil wéene y e no maÌ wil so do for nought And such euil opinioÌ once fastned in mens hearts hard it is to wraste out may grow to more grief thaÌ any maÌ can here deuine Wherfore me thinketh it were not worst to send vnto y â Q. for the redresse of this matter some honorable trustie man suche as both tendereth the Kyngs weale and the honoure of hys counsayle and is also in fauour and credence wyth hyr For all which considerations none séemeth me more méetely than our reuerende Father héere present my Lord Cardinall who maye in this matter doe most good of any man if it please him to take the payne which I doubt not of hys goodnesse he will not refuse for the Kings sake and ours and wealth of the yong Duke himself the kings most honorable brother and after my soueraigne Lord himselfe my most déere nephew considered that thereby shal be ceassed the slaunderous rumor and obloquie nowe going and the hurtes auâyded that thereof mighte ensue and muche reste and quiet growe to all the Realme And if she be percase so obstinate and so precisely set vpon hir own wil that neyther his wise and faithful aduertisement can not moue hir nor anye mannes reason contente hir then shall we by mine aduise by the Kings authoritie fetche him out of that prison and bring hym to hys noble presence in whose continuall companye he shall be so well chéerished and so honorablye intreated that al the world shal to our honor and hir reproche perceyue that it was onely malice frowardenesse or follie that caused hir to kéepe him there this is my minde in this matter for this time except any of your Lordshippes any thing perceiue to the contrarie for neuer shall I by Gods grace so wedde my selfe to mine owne wil but that I shal be readie to change it vpon your better aduises When the Protectoure hadde sayde all the Counsayle affirmed that the motion was good and reasonable and to the King and the Duke his brother honorable and a thing that should cease greate murmure in the Realme if the mother mighte be by good meanes enduced to deliuer him Which thing the Archbishop of Yorke whom they all agréed also to be thereto most conuenient tooke vpon him to moue hir and therin to doe his vttermost deuoire Howbeit if she coulde be in no wise intreated with hyr good will to deliuer him then thought he and such other as were of the Spiritualtie present that it were not in any wise to be attempted to take him out against hir wil. For it would be
so He shall heare him aske it and he will Howbeit this is a gaâ matter suppose he coulde not aske it suppose he woulde not aske it suppose he woulde aske to goe out if I say he shall not if I aske the priuiledge but for my selfe I say he that against my will taketh him out breaketh y e Sanctuarie Serueth this libertie for my person only or for my goods to Ye may not hence take my horse from me may you take my child fro me He is also my ward for as my learned counsell sheweth mée sithe he hath nothing by discent holden by knightes seruice the law maketh his mother his gardaine Then may no man I suppose take my warde from me out of Sanctuarie without the breache of Sanctuarie And if my priuiledge coulde not serue him nor he aske it for himselfe yet sith the law committeth to me the custodie of him I may require it for him except the law giue a childe a gardaine onely for his goods and landes discharging him of the ââe safekéeping of hys bodie for which onely both landes and goods serue ¶ And if examples be sufficient to obtaine priuiledge for This that is here betvveene this marke ¶ and this marke * vvas not vvritten by him in englith but is translated out of this Historie vvhich he vvrot in Latten my child I néede not far to séeke For in this place in which now be which is now in questioÌ whether my childe may take benefit of it mine other sonne now king was borne kept in his cradle preserued to a more prosperous fortune which I pray God long to continue And as all you know this is not the first time that I haue taken Sanctuarie For when my Lorde my husbande was banished and thrust out of hys Kingdome I fled hither being great with childe and here I bare the Prince And when my Lorde my husband returned safe agayne and had the victorie then went I hence to welcome him home and from hence I brought my babe the Prince vnto his father when he first tooke him in his armes And I pray God that my sonnes palace may be as great sauegarde vnto him nowe raigning as this place was somtime to y e kings enimie In which place I inteÌd to kéepe his brother sith c. * Wherfore here intend I to kéepe him since mans law serueth y e gardaine to kéepe the infant The law of nature will y e mother kéepe hir child Gods law priuiledgeth y â Sanctuarie the Sanctuarie my son sith I I feare to put him in y e Protectors hands y t hath his brother alreadie were if both fayled inheritor to y e Crowne The cause of my feare hath no man to doe to examine And yet feare I no farther than y e lawe feareth which as learned meÌ tell me forbyddeth euery maÌ the custodie of them by whose death he may inherite lesse land than a kingdome I can no more but whosoeuer he be y e breaketh this holy Sactuarie I pray God shortly send him néede of Sanctuarie when he may not come to it For taken out of Sanctuarie woulde I not my mortall enimie were The Lord Cardinall perceyuing that the Quéene wared euer the longer the further off and also that she began to kindle and chafe and speake more byting words against the Protector and such as he neither beléeued was also loath to heare he said to hir for a finall conclusion that he woulde no longer dispute the matter but if she were content to deliuer the Duke to him and to the other Lordes present he durst lay his owne body and soule both in pledge not onely for his suertie but also for his estate And if she woulde giue them a resolute answere to the contrarie he woulde forthwith depart there with all and shift who so would with this businesse afterwardes for he neuer intended more to moue hir in that matter in which she thought that he and al other also saue hirself lacked either wit or truth Wit if they were so dull that they could nothing perceiue what the Protector intended truth if they should procure hir sonne to be delyuered into his handes in whom they shoulde perceyue toward the childe any euill intended The Quéene with these wordes stoode a good while in a greate studie And forasmuch as hir séemed the Cardinall ready to departe than some of the remnant and the Protector himselfe readie at hand so that she verily thought shée coulde not kéepe him there but that he shoulde incontinent be taken thence and to conuey him else-where neither had she time to serue hir nor place determined nor persons appointed all things vnreadie this message came on hir sâ sodainely nothing lesse looking for than to haue him fetcht out of Sanctuarie which she thoughte to be nowe beset iâ such places about y â he could not be conueyed out vntaken and partly as she thoughte it might fortune hir feare to be false so wel she wiste it was eyther néedelesse or bootlesseâ wherfore if she should néedes goe froÌ him she déemed it best to deliuer him And ouer that of the Cardinals faith she nothing doubted nor of some other Lordes neither whom she there sawe Which as she feared least they might be deceiued so was she wel assured they would not be corrupted theÌ thought she it should yet make them y e more warely to looke to him the more circumspectly to sée to his suertie if she w e hir owne hands betooke him to theÌ of trust And at y e last she tooke y e yong Duke by the hand said vnto the Lords My Lords quoth she al my Lords I neither am so vnwise to mistrust your wittes nor so suspicious to mistrust your truthes Of which thing I purpose to make you such a proofe as if either of both lacked in you mighte turne both me to great sorow the Realme to much harme you to great reproch For loe here is quoth she this GentlemaÌ whom I dout not but I could here kéepe safe if I would whatsoeuer any maÌ say I doubt not also but there be some abrode so deadly enimies vnto my bloud y â if they wist where any of it lay in their own body they would let it out We haue also experience y e the desire of a kingdom knoweth no kinred The brother hath bene y e brothers bane may y â nephewes be sure of their vncle Eche of these childreÌ is the others defence while they be a sunder eche of their liues lieth in the others body Kéepe one safe both be sure nothing for theÌ both more perillous thaÌ to be both in one place For what wise Marchant adueÌtureth all his goods in one ship Al this notwithstaÌding here I deliuer him his brother in him to kéepe into your hands of whoÌ I shal ask theÌ both afore god the world Faithful ye be y e wote I
when his mother had sayde made hir aunswere The Kings aâsvvere to his mother part in earnest part in play merily as he that wyste himselfe out of hyr rule And albeit he woulde gladlye that she should take it wel yet was at a point in his own minde toke she it well or otherwise Howbeit somewhat to satisfie hir he sayde that albeit mariage beyng a Spiritual thing oughte rather to be made for the respect of God where hys grace enclyneth the parties to loue togtiher as he trusted it was in hys than for the regarde of any Temporall aduaÌtage yet naythelesse him séemed that this mariage euen worldly considered was not vnprofitable For he reckened the amitie of no earthly Nation so necessarie for him as the frieÌdship of his own which he thought likly to beare him so muche the more heartie fauour in that he disdayned not to marie with one of his owne lande And yet if outward aliaunce were thought so requisite he would finde the meanes to enter therevnto much better by other of his kinne where all the parties coulde be contented than to marye himselfe whom he should happily neuer loue and for the possibilitie of more possessions lease the fruite and pleasure of this that he had alredy For smal pleasure taketh a man in all that euer he hath beside if he be wiued against his appetite And I doubt not quoth he but there be as yée saye other y t be in euery point comparable with hir And therfore I let not theÌ that like them to wedde them No more is it reason that it mislike any man y â I marry where it liketh me And I am sure y t my cousin of Warwicke neither loueth me so little to grudge at y â I loue nor is so vnreasonable to looke y t I shold in choyse of a wife rather be ruled by his eie than by mine own as though I were a ward y â wer bouÌd to mary by y e appointment of a Gardaine I would not bea K. with y â coÌditioÌ to forbear mine own libertie in choise of mine own mariage As for possibilitie of more inheritaÌce by new affinitie in strange lands is oft the occasion of more trouble thaÌ profite And we haue alreadie title by that meanes to so much as sufficeth to get and kéepe well in one mans dayes That she is a Widow and hath already children by Gods blessed Ladie I am a Bacheler haue some to and so eache of vs hath a proofe that nether of vs is like to be barraine And therefore Madame I pray you be contente I trust in God she shal bring forth a yong Prince that shall please you And as for the Bigamie let the Bishop hardly lay it in my way when I come to take orders For I vnderstaÌd it is forbiddeÌ a Priest but I neuer wist it yet y t it was forbiddeÌ a prince The Dutches with these words nothing appeased and séeing the King so sette thereon that she coulde not pul him back so highly she disdayned it that vnder pretext of hir dutie to Godwarde she deuised to disturbe this mariage and rather to helpe y â he should marie one Dame Elizabeth Lucy whom the King hadde also not long before gotten with childe Wherfore the Kings mother openly obiected against his mariage as it were in discharge of hir conscience that the King was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy and hir husbande Elizabeth Lucy before God By reason of which wordes such obstacle was made in the matter that eyther the Bishops durst not or the K. would not procéed to the solemnizatioÌ of this wedding til these same wer clearly purged the troth wel and openly testifyed Whervpon dame Eliz. Lucy was sente for And albeit that she was by the Kings mother and many other put in good comforte to affirme that she was ensured vnto the King yet when she was solemnly sworn to say the troth she confessed that they were neuer ensured Howbeit she sayde his grace spake so louing words vnto hir that she verily hoped he woulde haue maried hir And y t if it had not bene for such kinde wordes she would neuer haue shewed such kindnes to him to let him so kindly get hir with child This examination solemnly taken when it was clearly The kings mariage perceyued that there was none impedimente the King with gret feast and honorable solemnitie maried dame Elizabeth Gray and hir crowned Quéene that was his enimies wife many time had prayed ful heartilye for his losse in which God loued hir better than to graunte hir hir bone But when the Earle of Warwicke vnderstoode of this mariage he toke it so highly that his Ambassade was deluded that for very anger and disdaine he at his returning assembled a great puissaunce against the King came so fast vpoÌ him or he coulde be able to resist that he was fayne to voyd the realme and flée into Hollande for succour where he remayned The king fled for the space of two yeres leauing his new wife in The prince borne Westminster in Sanctuarie where she was deliuered of Ed. the Prince of whom we before haue spokeÌ In which mean time the Erle of Warwicke tooke out of prison and set vppe K. Henrie the sixth set vp again King Henrie the sixth which was before by King Edward deposed that much what by y e power of the Erle of Warwick which was a wise man and a couragious warrior Of the Erle of VVarvvicke of such strength what for his lands his alliance fauoure with all people that he made Kings and put down kings almost at his pleasure not impossible to haue atteyned it himselfe if he had not reckened it a greater thing to make a King than to be a King But nothing lasteth alway for in conclusion King Edwarde returned and with muche lesse number than he had at Barnet on the Easterday fielde sâue The Erle of VVarvvicke âlaine the Earle of Warwicke with many other great estats of that partie and so stablie attayned the Crowne againe that he peaceably enioyed it vntil his dying day and in such plight left it that it coulde not be loste but by the discorde of hys very friendes or falsehoode of his fayned friends I haue rehearsed this businesse aboute this mariage somewhat the more at length bycause it might thereby the better appeare vpon howe slipper a grounde the Protector builded his colour by whiche he pretended King Edwardes children to be Bastardes But that inuention simple as it was it liked them to whom it sufficed to haue somewhat to saye whyle they were sure to be compelled to no larger proofe than theÌselues liste to make Now then as I began to shew you it was by the Protector Doctor Shaaâ Sermon and his counsaile concluded that this Doctour Shaa should in a sermon at Paules crosse signifye to the people y â neither king Edwarde himselfe nor
any necessary or honorable charge So y t there was dayly pilled froÌ good meÌ and honest great substance of gods to be lashed out among vnthrifts so farre forth that fiftenes sufficed not nor any vsuall manner of knowne taxes but vnder an easye name of beneuolence and good will the Commissioners so much of euery man tooke as no man coulde with his good will haue giuen As though that name of beneuolence had signified that euery man shoulde pay not what himselfe of his owne good will lyst to graunt but what the King of his good will lyst to take Which neuer asked little but euery thing was hauÌsed aboue the measure amerciaments turned into fines fines into raunsoms small trespasses in misprision misprision into treason Whereof I thinke no man looketh that we shoulde remember you of examples by name as though Burdet were forgotten that was for a word spoken in hast cruelly beheaded by the misconstruing of the lawes of this Realme for the Princes pleasure wyth no lesse honour to Markam then chiefe Justice that left his office rather than he woulde assent to that iudgement than to the dishonestie of those that eyther for feare or flatterie gaue that iudgemeÌt What Cooke your owne worshipful neighbour Alderman and Maior of this noble Citie who is of you eyther so negligent that he knoweth not or so forgetful that he remembreth not or so hard hearted that he pitieth not that worshipfull mans losse what speake we of losse his vtter spoyle and vnderserued destruction onely for that it happened those to fauour him whom the Prince fauored not We néede not I suppose to rehearse of these any mo by name sith there be I doubt not many here present that eyther in themselues or in their nigh friendes haue knowne as well their goods as their persons greatly endaungered eyther by feyned quarels or small matters agréeued wyth heynous names And also there was no crime so great of which there could lacke a pretext For sith the King preuenting the time of his inheritaunce attayned the Crowne by battayle it sufficed in a riche man for a pretext of treason to haue bene of kindred or aliaunce neare familiaritie or longer acquaintaunce with any of those that were at anye tyme the Kings enimies which was at one time and other more than halfe the Realme Thus were neither your goods in suertie and yet they brought your bodyes in ieoperdie beside the common aduenture of open warre which albeit Open vvarre that it is euer the will and occasion of much mischiefe yet is it neuer so mischieuous as where any people fall at distaunce among themselues nor in none earthly nation so deadly and so pestilent as when it hapneth among vs and among vs neuer so long continued dissention nor so many battayles in that season nor so cruell and so deadly foughteÌ as was in that Kings dayes that deade is God forgiue it his soule In whose time and by whose occasion what about the getting of the garland kéeping it leasing and winning againe it hath cost more English bloud than hath twice the winning of Fraunce In which inwarde warre among Ciuill vvarre our selues hath bene so great effusion of the auncient noble bloud of this Realme that scarcely the halfe remayneth to the great enféebling of this noble land beside many a good towne ransacked and spoyled by them that hath bene going to the fielde or comming from thence And peace long after not much surer than warre So that no time was there in which riche men for their money and great men for their landes or some other for some feare or some displeasure were not out of perill For whom trusted he that mistrusted his owne brother whoÌ spared he that kylled hys owne brother or who coulde perfitly loue him if his owne brother could not What manner of folke he most fauored we shall for his honour spare to speake of howbeit this wote you well all that who so was best bare alway least rule more sute was in his dayes vnto Shores wife a vile and an abhominable strumpet than to all the Lordes in Englande except vnto those that made hir their protector which simple woman was well named and honest tyll the King for hys wanton lust and sinful affection bereft hir from hir husband a right honest substantiall yong man among you And in that point which in good fayth I am sorie to speake of sauing that it is in vaine to kéepe in counsell that thing that all men knowe the Kings gréedie appetite was insatiable and euery where ouer all the Realme intollerable For no woman was there any where yong or olde âiche or poore whom he set his eye vpon in whom he any thing liked eyther person or fauour spéeche pace or countenaunce but without any feare of God or respect of his honor murmure or grudge of the worlde he would importunely pursue his appetite haue hir to the great destruction of many a good woman and great dolor to their husbande and their other friendes which being honest people of themselues so much regarde the cleannesse of their house the chastitie of theyr wiues and their children that them were leauer to lease al that they haue beside than to haue such a villanie done theÌ And all were it that wyth this and other importable dealyngs the Realme was in euery part annoyed yet specially ye here the Citizens of this noble Citie as well for that amongest you is most plentie of all such things as minister matter to suche iniuryes as for that you were nearest at hand sith that neare here about was commonly his most abyding And yet be ye the people whom he had as singular cause wel and kindly to entreat as any part of his Realme not onely for that the Prince by this noble Citie as hys especiall Chamber and the speciall well renowmed Citie of London the Kings especiall Chamber hys Realme much honourable fame receiueth among all other nations but also for that ye not without your great coste and sundrie perils and ieoperdies in all his warres hare euen your speciall âauour to his parte whyche youâ kinde myndes borne to the house of Yorke sithe hée hathe nothyng worthyly acquited there is of that house that now by Gods grace better shall which thing to shewe you is the whole summe and effecte of this our present errande It shall not I wote well néede that I rehearse you againe that ye haue alreadie hearde of hym that can better tell it and of whom I am sure ye wyll better beléeue it And reason is that it so bée I am not so proude to looke therfore that yée shoulde recken my wordes of as greate aucthoritie as the Preachers of the worde of God namely a man so cunning and so wyse that no man better woteth what he shoulde saye and thereto so good and vertuous that hée woulde not saye the thing which he wyst he should not saye in the Pulpet namely
that Historie of Perkin in any compendious processe by it selfe But in the meane time for this present matter I shal rehearse you the dolorous ende of those babes not after euerye waye that I haue hearde but by suche men and by suche meanes as me thinketh it were harde but it shoulde be true King Richard after his Coronation taking his waye to Glocester to visite in his newe honour the Towne of which he bare the name of his olde deuised as he rode to fulfil the thing which he before had intended And for as much as hys minde gaue him that his nephewes liuing meÌ would not recken that he coulde haue right to the Realme he thought therfore without delay to ridde them as though the killing of his kinsmen coulde amende his cause and make him a kindely King Whervpon he sent one Iohn Greene whom he speciallye trusted vnto Syr Robert Brakenburie Conestable Iohn Greene. Robert BrakeÌburie Conestable of the Tovver of the tower with a letter and credence also that the same sir Robert shoulde in any wise put the two children to death This Iohn Greene did his errand vnto Brakenburie knéeling before our Lady in the Tower who playnely answered that he would neuer put them to death to die therefore with whiche aunsweare Iohn Greene returning recoumpted the same to King Richard at Warwicke yet in hys waye Wherewith he tooke suche displeasure and thought that the same night he sayde vnto a secréet page of his Ah whom shall a man trust those that I haue brought vpmy self those that I had wened would most surely serue me euen those fayle me and at my commaundement will do nothing for me Sir quoth his page there lyeth one on your pallet without that I dare well say to do your grace pleasure the thing were right harde that he would refuse meaning this by sir Iames Tirell which was a man of right goodly Sir Iames Tirel personage and for natures giftes worthy to haue serued a much better Prince if he had wel serued God by grace obtained as much troth and good wil as he had strength and witte The man had an high hart and sore longed vpward Authoritie loueth no partners not rising yet so fast as he had hoped being hindered kept vnder by the meanes of Sir Richarde Ratclife and sir Wil. Cates by which longing for no mo partiners of the Princes fauour and namely not for him whose pride they wist wold beare no péere kéepte him by secrete driftes out of all secret trust which thing this Page wel had marked and known wherfore this occasion offered of very speciall friendship he tooke his time to put him forward by such wise to doe him good that al the enimies he had except the Diuel could neuer haue done him so much hurt For vpoÌ this pages words King Richard arose For this coÌmunication had he sitting at the draught a conuenient Carpet for such a counsel and came out into a Pallet Chamber on which he found in bed sir Iames sir Thomas Tirels of person like and brethen of bloud but nothing of kin in conditions Then sayde the K. merily to them what sirs be yée in bed so soone and calling vp sir Iames brake to him secretly his minde in this mischeâous matter In whiche he founde him nothing straunge Wherfore on the morow he sente him to Brakenburie wyth a letter by which was commaunded to deliuer sir Iames all the Keyes of the Tower for one night to the ende he might there accomplish the Kings pleasure in such things as hée had giuen him commaundement After which letter deliuered and the keyes receiued sir Iames appointed the nighte next ensuing to destroy them deuising before and preparing the meanes The prince as soone as y e protector left y e name and toke himselfe as king had it shewed vnto him that hée shold not raign but his vncle shold haue y e crown At which word y e Prince sore abashed beganne to sigh said Alas I would my vncle woulde let me haue my life yet though I léese my Kingdome Then he that told him the tale vsed hym wyth good wordes and putte hym in the beste comfort he coulde But forthwith was the Prince and his brother both shut vp and all other remoued from them onely one called Blacke Will or William Slaughter except set to serue them and sée them sure After whiche time the prince neuer tyed hys pointes nor aught roughte of himselfe but with that yong babe his brother lingred with thought and heauinesse til this trayterous death deliuered them of that wretchednesse For Sir Iames Tyrell deuised y â they should be murthered in their beds To the execution whereof hée appointed Myles Forrest one of the foure that kept them a fellow fleshed in murther before time To him he ioyned one Iohn Dighton his owne horssekéeper a bigge brode square strong knaue Then al the other being remoued from them this Miles The yong king and his brother murthered Forrest and Iohn Dighton about midnight the selie childreÌ lying in their beddes came into the Chamber and sodainly lapped them vp among the clothes so to bewrapped theÌ and intangled them kéeping downe by force the featherbed and pillowes hard vnto their mouths that within a while smothered and stifled theyr breath fayling they gaue vp to God their innocente soules into the ioyes of Heauen leaning to the tormentors their bodyes deade in the bed Whiche after that the wretches perceyued first by the strugling with the paynes of deathe and after long lying still to bée throughly deade they layde their bodies naked out vppon the bed and fetched Sir Iames to sée them which vppon the sight of them caused those murtherers to burie them at the staire foote méetly déepe in the ground vnder a great heape of stones Then rode Syr Iames in greate haste to King Richarde and shewed him all the manner of the murther who gaue him great thankes as some say there made him knight But he allowed not as I haue heard the burying in so vile a corner saying that he woulde haue them buryed in a better place bycause they were a Kings sonnes Loe the honorable courage of a King Whervpon they say that a Priest of S. Roberte Brakenburie tooke vppe the bodyes again and secretly enteried them in such place as by the occasion of his death which only knew it coulde neuer since come to light Uerye troth is it and well knowen that at such time as Sir Iames Tyrel was in the Tower for Treason committed against the most famous Prince King Henrie the seauenth both Dighton and he were examined and confessed the murther in maner aboue writteÌ but whether the bodyes were remoued they coulde nothing tell And thus as I haue learned of them that muche knewe and litle cause had to lye were these two noble princes these innocente tender children borne of most royal bloud brought vp in great wealth likely
long to liue raigne and rule in the Realme by trayterous tirannie taken depriued of their estate shortly shut vp in prison and priuely slain and murthered their bodies cast God wot where by the cruel ambition of theyr vnnatural vncle and his dispiteous tormentors Whiche things on euery part wel pondered God neuer gaue this world a more notable exaÌple neither in what vnsuretie standeth this worldlye weaÌle or what mischiefe worketh the proude enterpryse of an high heart or finallye what wretched ende ensueth such dispiteous crueltie For first to beginne with the Ministers Miles Forrest at Saint Martins peacemealâ rotted away Dighton indéede yef walketh on aliue in good possibilitie to be hanged erâ he dye But Sir Iames Tyrell dyed at the Tower Hil beheaded for treason King Richarde himself as yée shal hereafter heare âlaine in the fielde hacked and hewed of his enimies hands caried on Horsseback dead his heare in despight torne and tagged like a cur dog And the mischiefe that hee tooke was within lesse than thrée yeres of the mischief that he did And yet al the mean time spent in much paine and trouble outward much feare anguishe and sorrow within For I haue hearde by credible report of suche as were secrete with hys Chamberlaine that after this abhominable déede done he neuer had quiet in his minde He neuer thought hymselfe sure Where he went abroade hys eyen whirled about hys bodie painely fenâed hys hande euer vpon his dagâer hys countenaunce and maner like one alwayes readie to strikâ againe he toke ill rest a nyghtes lay long waking and musing soâe wearied with care and watche rather slumbred than slept troubled with fearefull dreames sodainely sometime stert vppe lept out of his bedde and ranne about the Chamber so was his restlesse hearte continually tossed and tumbled with the tedious impression and stormie remembraunce of hys abhominable déede Thomas Norland William Martin the 28. of Septem Sherifes Maior Robert Bylisdon Hâberdasher the 28 of October Nowe had he outwarde no long time in rest For herevpon soone after began the conspiracie or rather good confederation betwéene the Duke of Buckingham and manye other Gentlemen against him The occasion where vppon the King and the Duke fell out is oâ diuerse folke diuerse wise pretended Thys Duke as I haue for certaine ben enformed as soone as the Duke of Glocester vppon the death of King Edwarde came to Yorke and there had solemne funeral seruice for King Edward sent thyther in the most secret wise he coulde one Persall his trustie seruant who came to Iohn Warde a Chamberer of like secrete truste with the Duke of Glocester desiring that in the most close and couert manner he might be admitted to the presence and spéech of hys maister And the Duke of Glocester aduertised of hys desire caused him in the dead of the night after al other folk auoyded to be brought vnto him in his secrete Chamber wheââ Persall after his maisters recoÌmendation shewed hym that he had secretly sent to shew him in his new world he would take such partas he woulde and wayâe vpon hym wyth â thousande good fellowes iâ néede were The messenger sente backe with thankes and some seârâate instruction of the Protectors minde yet mette hym agayne with farther froÌ the D. his Master within few dayes after at NotinghaÌ whither the Protector from Yorke with many GentlemeÌ of the Northe Countrey to the number of sixe hundred horses was come on his waye to London warde and after secreat méeting and communication had âeftsoone departed WheÌce vpon at Northampton the Duke met with the Protector himself w t thrée hundred Horses and from thence stil coÌtinued with him partner of all his deuises till y â after hys Coronation they departed as it séemed very greate friends at Gloucester From wheÌce assoone as the Duke came home he so lightlye turned from hym and so highlye conspired againste him that a man would maruell whereof the change grewe And surely the occasion of their variance is of dyuers men diuersly reported Some haâe said I heard say y t the Duke a little before the Coronation among other thinges required of the Protector the Duke of Hertfordâ lands to the which he pretended himselfe iuste inheritor And forasmuch as the title whiche he claymed by inheritance was somewhat interlaced with the title to the Crowne by the line of King Henry before depriued the Protector conceyued suche indignation that he reiected the Dukes requeste with many spitefull and minatorie wordes which so wounded his hart with hatred and mistruste that he neuer after toulde endure to looke a right on King Richard but euer feared his owne life so far forth that when the Protector rode throughe London towarde his Coronation hée fayned himselfe sicke bycause he woulde not ride with him And the other takyng it in euill parte sente him worde to rise and come ride or he woulde make him be carryed Wherevpon he rode on with euill will and that notwithstanding on the morrow rose from the feast fayning hymselfe sicke Kyng Richard said it was done in hatred and despite of him And they saide that euer after continually âch of them liued in such hatred distrust of other that y e Duke vâtily loked to haue bin murthered at Glocester From which nathelesse he in faire manner departed But surely some right secrete at that daye deny this and many right wise men thinke it vnlikely the déepe dissembling nature of those both men coÌsidered and what néede in that gréene worlde the Protector had of the Duke and in what perill the Duke stoode if he fel once in suspition of the Tyrant that eyther the Protectour woulde giue the Duke occasion of displeasure or the Duke the Protectour occasion of mistruste And verylye men thinke that if King Richard had anye such opinion conceyued he would neuer haue suffered him to escape his hands Uery troth it is the Duke was an high minded man and euill could beare the glorie of an other so that I haue heard of some that say they sawe it that the Duke at such time as the Crowne was first set vpon the Protectors head hys eye coulde not abyde the sight thereof but wryed his heade another waye But men saye that he was of troth not wel at ease and that both to King Richarde well knowen and not ill taken nor any demaunde of the Dukes vncurteously reiected but he both with greate giftes and high behestes in most louing and trustie manner departed at Glocester But soone after his comming home to Brecknocke hauing ther in custodie by the commaundement of King Richarde Doctor Morton Byshoppe of Ely who as yée before hearde was taken in the Counsel at the tower waxed with him familiar whose wisedome abused his pride to his owne deliueraunce and the Dukes destruction The Bishop was a man of gret natural witte very wel learned and honorable in behauiour lacking no wise wayes to winne fauour He had bin
diuers partes of this Realme certaine Gentlemen of y e Earle of Richmondes faction amongst whom sir George Browne sir Roger Clifford and iiij other were put to death at London y â iij. of December Sir Thomas Sentlegar which had marryed the Duches of Excester the Kings owne sister and T. Rame with diuers other were executed at Excester The. xxx of December was a great fire at Leaden hall in Fire at Leaden hall in London London where through was brent much housing and all the stocks for gunnes other like prouision belonging to y e citie After this King Richard called a Parliament in y â which 1484 he attainted the Earle of Richemond and all other persons which were âled out of the Realme for feare or any other cause as enemyes to him and to their natural countrie and all their landes and goods was confiscate to the Kings vse and yet notwithstanding he laid on the people a great taxe In this troublesome season nothing was more maruelled Anno. reg 2. at than that the Lorde Stanley had not bene taken considering the working of the Lady Margaret his wyfe mother to the Earle of Richemond but for as muche as the enterpryse of a woman was of hym reputed of no regarde or estimation and that the Lorde Stanley hir husband had purged hym selfe to be innocent of all attemptes by hir committed it was giuen him in charge to kéepe hir in some secrete place at home without hauing any seruaunt or company so that from thence forth shée shoulde neuer send letter to hir sonne or to any of his friendes by the which the Kyng myghte bée molested which commaundement was a whyle put in execution This yéere King Richard began the high towre at Westminster which remaineth yet vnfinished Also he caused the K. Henry the sixt remoued to VVindsoâ body of King Henry the sixte to be remoued from Chertesey Abbey in Surrey and to be buried at Windsor where he nowe resteth on the. xij of August Richard Chester Thomas Britaine the 28. of September Sherifes Ralph Austry the 6. of Februarie Tho. Hill Grocer the 28. of October W. Stocker draper the Maiors 24. of Sep. in anno 1485. Iohn ward grocer the 29. of Sep. William Collingborne made a Ryme of iij. of King Colingborne executed Richards CouÌsellers the Lord Louell sir Richard Ratclife and sir William Catesby which was The Ratte the Catte and Louell our dogge Rule all England vnder the hogge For the which he was drawne froÌ Westmin to the Towre of London and there on y â hyll hanged headed quartered King Richard considering y â aâities concluded betwéene Princes are the cause that their Realmes are fortified with a double power that is to say with their owne strength the ayde of their friendes practised a league with the King of Scots which not long before had made diuers incursions roades into the Realme of Englande and therefore sued to haue a truce or peace concluded Wherfore Commissioners were appointed which met at Notingham there in the end concluded for iij. yéeres on certaine articles xv in number Truce vvith Scotland for three yeeres This peace thus concluded King Richard nowe doubtyng his owne people was continually vexed with feare of the returne of the Earle of Richmond and his complices Wherfore nothing was for his purpose more then once agayne with price prayer to attempt the duke of Britaine in whose territorie y â Erle then abode to deliuer him into his hands wherfore incontinent he sent certaine Ambassadors to the Duke of Britaine which tooke vpon them that King Richard shoulde yéerely pay and aunswere the Duke of Britaine of al the reuenewes rentes and profites of the landes possessions as well belonging to the Earle of Richmond as to any other noble or gentlemaÌ which then were in the Erles companie if he after that time would kéepe them in continuall prison and restrayne them from libertie The orators furnished with these other instructions ariued in Britaine but could not speake w t the duke by reason y â he being weakned by a long and dayly infirmitie began to waxe ydle of his remembraunce for whiche cause Peter Landoyse his chiefe Treasurer ruled all things at his pleasure vnto whom the English Ambassadors moued to him their message offering to him the same rewardes and lands that they should haue offered the Duke This Peter faythfully promised to accomplishe King Richardes request so that he kept promise wyth him but fortune was so fauourable to the publike Weale of England that this deadly compact tooke none effect for Iohn Morton Byshop of Elie soiourning then in Flaunders was of al this craftie deuise certified wherfore he sent Christopher Vrswike to declare to the Earle of Richemond all the deceyt giuing him charge in all hast possible with his company to retire out of Britaine into Fraunce When these newes came to the Earle he incontinent sent to Charles the French king requiring that he and his myght safely passe into Fraunce which desire was graunted and the Earle with the rest dispatched as priuily as mought be into Fraunce no man susspecting their departure After this the Erle tooke his iourney to Charles the Frenche King to whoÌ after great thanks giuen he disclosed the occasion of his accesse to his person After that he required of him helpe and succour to the intent he myghte returne to the Nobilitie of his Realme of whoÌ he was generally called to take vpoÌ him the Crowne King Charles promysed him ayde and bad hym be of good comforte for he assured him that he woulde gladly shewe to 1485 him his bountifull liberalitie Whiles the Earle of Richemond thus attended on the Frenche Court Iohn Vere Earle of Oxforde so perswaded Iames Blonte Captaine of Hames Castle and sir Iohn Forteskewe Porter of the Towne of Calleis that he him selfe was not only set at libertie but they also leauing their fruitfull offices condescended to goe with him into Fraunce to the Earle of Richemond In the meane season King Richard was credibly aduertised what promises and othes the Earle and his confederates had made and sworne and how by the Erles meanes all the English men were passed out of Britaine into Fraunce Wherefore being in manner desperate imagining howe to infringe the Earles purpose by an other meane so that by the mariage of Lady Elizabeth his niece he should pretend no clayme to the Crowne there came to his minde a thing not onely detestable but much more cruell to be put in execution for he cléerelye determined to reconcile to his fauour his brother wife Quéene Elizabeth and so by that meanes the Earle of Richemond of the affinitie of his Nice shoulde bée vtterly defrauded and if no ingenious remedie coulde bée otherwyse inuented if it shoulde happen Quéene Anne hys wyfe to departe out of this worlde then he himselfe woulde rather take to wyfe hys cosin and Nice
next morning he entred the towne and was lyke a Prince receiued A day or two before the Lorde Stanley hauing in his band almost fiue thousand men lodged in the same towne but hearing y e the Earle of Richemond was marching thetherward gaue to hym place dislodging him and his and repaired to a towne called Adrestone there abiding the comming of y e Earle and this he did to auoyde all suspition being afraide least if he should be séene openly to be a fawtor or ayder to the Earle his sonne in law before the day of batiayle that King Richard which yet did not vtterly put in him mistrust woulde put to some cruel death his sonne heire apparaÌt George Lord Strange whom King Richard had in hostage King Richard at this season kéeping his house in the Castle of Notingham was informed that the Earle of Richmond with such banished men as were fled out of England to him were arryued in Wales and that all things necessarie to his enterprise were vnpurueyed and very weake nothing méete to withstande the power of suche as the King hadde appointed to resist him yet notwithstandyng he sent to Iohn Duke of Norfolke Henrie Earle of Northumberlande Thomas Earle of Surrey and to other of hys trustie friendes willyng them to muster and viewe all theyr seruauntes and tenaunts and to electe the moste couragious and actiue persons of the whole number and with them to repaire to his presence with al spéede Also he wrote to Robert Brakenburie Lieutenaunt of y e Tower commaundyng him with his power to come to his armie to bring with him his fellows in armes T. Bouchier and sir Walter Hungerford and diuers other Knights Esquiers in whom he had cast no small suspition While he was thus ordring his affayres tidings came that the Earle of Richmond was passed Seuerne and come to Shrewsburie with out any detriment or encombraunce At which message he was sore mooued and cryed out on them that contrarie to their othe had deceyued him and in all haste sent out to viewe what way his enemyes kepte and passed it was declared to the king that the Earle was encamped at y e towne of Litchfield Wherof wheÌ he had perfect knowledge he hauing coÌtinuall repayre of his subiects to him he incoÌtinently made his battayles to set forwarde toward y e way where his enimies as was to him reported intended to passe and kéeping his array he with great pomp entred y â towne of Leycester after the Sunne set The Earle of Richmond reysed his Campe from Lichfield to Tomworth and in the midde way passing there saluted him Sir Walter Hungerford and Sir Thomas Bourchier Knightes and diuers others which submitted themselues to his pleasure Diuers other noble personages likewise resorted to him withall their power There hapned in this progression to the Earle of Richmond a strange chance for he was not a little afrayd bycause he could not be assured of his father in law Thomas Lord Stanley whiche as yet enclyned to neyther partie wherfore the Earle accompanyed with twenty light horsemen lingring in his iourney behind his host in the meane while the whole armie came before the Towne of Tomworth and when he for darkenesse coulde not perceyue the steppes of them that passed on before and had wandred hyther and thither séeking after his companye he abode in a little Uillage about thrée miles from his armie where he tarried all night The next morning in the dawning he returned and by good fortune came to his Armie excusing himselfe not to haue gone out of his way by ignorance but of purpose this excuse made he priuily departed agayne to the downe of Aderstone where the Lorde Stanley and Sir William his brother with their bands were abiding then the Earle came to his father in law in a little Close where he saluted him and Sir William his brother and after consulted how to giue battayle to King Richard if he would abide whome they knew not to be farre off with an huge armie In the euening of the same day Sir Iohn Sauage Sir Brian Sanâord Sir Simon Digby and many other leauing King Richarde turned and came to the Earle of Richmond with an elect companye of men In the meane season King Richard marched to a place méete for two battayles to encounter Battayle at Bosvvorth by a Uillage called Bosworth not farre from Leycester and there he pitched his field refreshed his Armie and tooke his rest The next day after King Richard being furnished with men and all abiliments of warre bringing all his men out of their Camp into y e playne ordered his forewarde in a maruellous length in which he appoynted both horsemen and footemen and in the forefront he placed the Archers Ouer this battayle was Captayne Iohn Duke of Norffolke with whome was Thomas Earle of Surrey hys sonne After this long vauntgard followed King Richarde with a strong company of approued men of warre hauyng horsemen for wings on both sides of his battayle After that the Earle of Richmond was returned from the communication wyth hys friendes hée wyth all diligence pitched hys Fielde iust by the Campe of hys Enimies and there he lodged that nighte In the morning betime he caused hys men to put on theyr armour and apparrell themselues to fight and gyue battayle and sente to the Lorde Stanley requiring hym wyth hys men to approche néere to hys armye and to helpe to set the Souldyers in array he answered the Earle shoulde sette hys owne men in good order whyle hée woulde come to hym in tyme conueniente The Earle made hys fore-warde somewhat single and slender according to the small number of hys people In the front hée placed the Archers of whome hée made Captayne Iohn Earle of Oxforde To the right wing of the Battayle he appoynted Sir Gilbert Talbot to be the leader To the lefte wing he assigned Sir Iohn Sauedge and hée wyth the ayde of the Lord Stanley accompanyed wyth the Earle of Pembrooke hauyng a good companye of horssemen and a small number of footemenne for all hys whole number excéeded not fyue thousande menne besyde the power of the Stanleys whereof thrée thousand were in the fielde vnder Sir William Stanley The Kyngs number was double so much or more When both these Armyes were thus ordred and all men ready to set forwarde King Richard called hys Chiefetaynes togyther perswadyng them to be valiaunt c. But his people were to him vnfaythfull in his ende as he was to hys Nephewes vntrue and vnnaturall in his begynnyng When the Earle of Richmond knewe that the King was so néere embattayled he rode aboute hys armie giuyng comfortable wordes to all men after the whiche he made to them a pithie Oration perswadyng them to haue the victorie for that they were to fyght in a iust quarrell he had scantlye finished hys saying but the one armye espyed the other betwéene bothe armyes there was a great marrishe which the Earle
lefte on hys ryght hande and so doyng he hadde the Sunne at hys backe and in the face of hys enemyes When the King sawe the Earles companye was passed the marrishe he commaunded wyth all haste to set vpon them the terrible shotte on both sides passed the armyes ioyned and came to hande strokes at whiche incounter the Lorde Stanley ioyned with the Earle The Earle of Oxforde in the meane season fearing least while his company was fighting they should be compassed of the enemies gaue commaundement that no man should go aboue x. foote froÌ the Standard which commaundement once knowne they kniâ themselues together ceased a litle froÌ fighting the enemies sodainely abashed at the matter mistrusting some fraude began also to pause The Earle of Oxford bringing all his band together on the one part set on his enemies freshly againe the aduersaryes perceyuing that placed their men slender and thinne before and thicke and broade behynde begynnyng agayne the battayle Whyle the two fore wardes thus mortally foughte Kyng Richarde was admonished that the Earle of Richmond accompanyed wyth a small number of men of armes was not farre of and as he approched to hym he perfectly knewe hys personage and béeyng inflamed with yre he put hys spurres to hys horse and rode out of the side of the range of his battayle leauyng the vauntgardes fighting and wyth âearein wrest ranne towarde him The Earle perceyued well the King furiouâlye comming towarde him and bycause the whole hope of his wealth and purpose was to bée determined by battayle âe gladlye prâfereâââ encounter with him body to body and man to man King Richarde set on so sharply at the first brunt that he ouerthrew the Earles standard and slew sir William Brandon his staÌderdbearer and matched hand to hande with sir Iohn Cheny a man of great force and strength which would haue reââsâed him and the saide Iohn was by him man fully ouerthrowne and so he making open passage by dint of sworde as he went forwarde the Earle of Richmonde withstoode hys violence and kept him at the swords point longer than his companions thought which being almost in dispaire of victorie were sodainelye recomforted by sir William Stanley whiche came to succour with 3000. tall men at which very instaunt King Richards men were driuen backe and fled and he himselfe manfully fighting in the middle of his enimies was flaine In the meane season the Earle of Oxforde with the ayde of the Lorde Stanley after no long fight discoÌâited the fore ward of King Richarde wherof a greate number were slaine in the chase but the greatest number y t came to the fielde neuer gaue stroke In this battaile died fewe aboue the number of a M. persons and of the Nobilitie were flaine Iohn Duke of Norffolke Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley sir Richarde Ratclife and Robert Brakenburie liuetenaÌt of the Tower and not many Gentlemen moe sir William Catesby learned in the lawes of the Realme and one of the thiefe Counsellours to the late King with diuerse other were two dayes after beheaded at Leicester Amongst them that ranne awaye were Syr Frauncis Vicount Louel and Humfry Stafforde with Thomas Stafford his brother which toke Sanctuarie in Saint Iohns at Glocester On the Erle of Richmonds part wer slayn scarce 100. persons amongst whoÌ the principal was sir William Brandon his standardbearer This battel was fought at Bosworth in Lecestershire the 22. of August in the yeare of our Lord. 1485. the whole conflict ââudured little aboue two hours When the Earle had thus obtained the victorie he rendered thankes to God and after in his souldiours for their âââlitie then the people cryed King Henry King Henry When the Lord Stanley saââ the good will of the people he tooke the Crowne of Kyng Richarde whiche was founde amongest the spoile in the fielde and sette it on the Earles head as thoughe hée had béene elected Kyng by the voyce of the people After this the whole campe remoued to the Towne of Leicester where he rested two dayes In the meane season the dead corps of King Richarde was as shamefully carryed to the towne of Leicester as he gorgeouslye the daye before with pompe departed out of the same towne for his bodyâ was naked to the skinne not so muche as one clowte aboute hym and was trussed behinde a Pursiuant of armes like a hogge or calfe the head and armes hanging on the one side of the horsse and the legs on the other side and all sprinckled with myre and bloud was brought to the Gray Friers Church within the town and there homely buried when he had raigned two yeres two moneths and one daye ¶ Henrie Erle of Richmonde HEnry the seauenth borne in Anno reg 1. Penbrooke Castell began his raigne the xxij of Auguste in the yeare of oure Lorde God 1485. He was a Prince of maruellous wisedom policie iustice temperaunce and grauitie and notwithstandyng manye and greate occasions of trouble and warre he kept his realme in right good order for the which he was greately reuerenced of forraine Princes On the forenamed xxij of August was a greate fyre Parson of Saint Mildreds brenâ in Bred-streete of London in the whiche fire was brente the Parson of Saint Mildreds and one other man in the Parsonage there King Henry before his departure from Leicester sente sir Robert Willoughbey knight to the Manour of Sherenton in Yorke for Edwarde Plantagenet Earle of Warwike sonne and heire to George Duke of Clarence then being of the age of fifteene yeares and sente him vppe to the Tower of London where he was put vnder sure custody In the meane season the Kyng remoued towards London and when he had approched the Citie on the 27. of August the Maior magistrates and companies all clothed in violet met him at Shoredich and with great pompe conueyed him through the Citie to Saint Paules Church where hée offered his thrée standards one of Saint George the seconde a red Dragon the thirde a dun Coweâafter his prayers saide and Te Deum sung he departed to the Bishoppes Pallaice where he soiourned a season The Sweating beganne the one and twentith of September and continued till the ende of October of y e which sicknesse a wonderfull number dyed and in London besids other dyed Thomas Maior in whose place was chosen William Stocker who likewise deceased about seauen dayes after in which space departed other foure Aldermen Thomas Ilam Richard Ramson Thomas Norland and Iohn Stocker and then was chosen Maior Iohn Warde who continued til the feast of Simon and Iude. Iohn Tate Iohn Swan the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Sir Hugh Brice Goldsmith the 28. of October On the euen of Sainte Simon and Iude king Henrie came from Kenington his house vnto Lambeth and there dyned w t Thomas Bourcher Archbishoppe of Canterburie Cardinal of Saint Ciria in Thermis And after dinner with a goodlye company of the estates of this Realme both spirituall
at Graues ende within little more than thrée houres where hée tarryed no longer than his post Horsses were prouiding and then trauayled so spéedily that hée came to Douer the nexte morning whereas the passengers were readye vnder Sayle to Caleis into the which passenger without tarrying he entred and sayled foorth wyth them that long before noone hée arriued at Calleis and hauing post Horsses departed from thence with such spéede that he was that night with the Emperour disclosed the whole summe of his Embassage to y â Emperor of whom he required spéedie expedition the which was granted him by the Emperour so that the next day he was cléerely dispatched with all the Kings requestes fully accomplished at which time he made no longer delay but tooke post Horsses that night and rode towarde Caleis conducted thyther with such persons as the Emperour had appoynted and at the opening of the Gates of Caleis he came thither where the passengers were as readie to returne into England as they were before at his iourney forward in so muche that he arriued at Douer by tenne of the clocke before noone and hauing post Horsses came to the Court at Richmond the same night where he taking some rest vntill the morning repayred to the King at his first comming from his bed-chamber to this closet whome when the King sawe hée checked him for that he was not on his iourney Sir quoth he if it may please youre Highnesse I haue already bin with the Emperour and dispatched your affayres I trust to your Graces contentation and with that presented the King his Letters of credence from the Emperoure The King being in a great confuse and wonder of his spéedy returne and procéedings dissembled all his wonder and demanded of him whether he encountred not his Pursiuant the which he sent vnto him supposing him not to be out of London with Letters concerning a very necessary matter neglected in their consultatioÌ yes forsooth quoth the Chaplayne I met with him yesterday by the way and hauing no vnderstanding by your Graces letters of your pleasure haue not withstanding bin so bold vpon mine owne discretion perceyuing that matter to be very necessary in that behalfe to dispatch the same and forasmuch as I haue excéeded your Graces commission I most humbly require your Graces pardon the King reioycing not a little sayd we do not only pardon you thereof but also giue you our Princely thankes both for the procéeding therein and also for your good and spéedie exployte commanding him for that time to take his rest and repaire agayne after Dinner for the further relation of his Ambassade The Embassador when he saw tyme repaired before the King and Counsayle where he declared the effect of all his affaires so exactly with such grauitie and eloquence that all the Counsell that heard him commended him estéeming his expedition to be almost beyond the capacitie of man The King gaue him at that time the Deanerie of Lincolne From theÌce Thomas VVolsey Deane of Lincolne forward he grew more and more into estimation and authoritie and after was promoted by the King to be hys Almoner After the death of King Henry the seauenth and Thomas VVolsey the Kings Almoner in the flourishing youth of King Henry the eyght thys Almoner handled himselfe so politiquely that he soone found the meanes to be made one of the Kings Counsaile Thomas VVolsey of the priuie Counsayle vvith King Henry the eyght and to grow in fauour with the King to whome the King gaue an house at Bridewell in Fleete streete sometyme Sir Richard Empsons where he kept house for his familie and so dayly attended vpon the King and in his especiall fauour who had great sute made vnto him His sentences and wittie perswasions in the Counsell Chamber were alwayes so pithie that the Counsayle as occasion moued them continually assigned him to be the expositor to the King in all their procéedings in whome the King receyued such a leaning fantasie for that he was most earnest and readyest of all the Counsayle to aduance the Kings will and pleasure the King therefore estéemed him so highly that all the other Counsaylors were put from the great fauour that they before were in in so much that the King committed all his will vnto his disposition which the Almoner perceyuing tooke vpon him therefore to discharge the King of the weightie and troublesome businesse perâwading the King that he should not néede to spare any time of his pleasure for any businesse that should happen in the Counsell and whereas the other Counsaylours would diuers times perswade the King to haue sometime recourse into the Counsell Chamber there to heare what was done the Almoner would perswade him to the contrarie which delighted him much and thus the Almoner ruled all them that were before him such did hys policie and witte bring to passe Who was now in hygh fauoure but Maister Almoner and who ruled all vnder the King but Maister Almouer thus he perseuered in fauour vntill at last in came presents giftes and rewards so plentifully that he lacked nothing that might eyther please his fantasie or enrich his coffers And thus procéeding in fortunes blisfulnesse it chanced the warres betwéene the Realmes of Englande and France to be open in so much as the King béeing fully perswaded in hys most royall person to inuade hys foraigne enimies with a puissant Armye wherefore it was necessarye that thys royall enterprise shoulde bée spéedily prouided and furnished in euery degrée of things apt and conueniente for the same the expedition whereof the King thought no mans witte so méete for policie and paynefull trauayle as was hys Almoner to whome therefore he committed hys whole trust therein and hée tooke vpon hym the whole charge of all the businesse and brought all things to good passe in a decent order as all manner of victualles prouisions and other necessaryes conueniente for so noble a voyage and Armie All things béeyng by hym perfected the King aduanced to hys royall enterprise passed the Seas and marched forwarde in good order of battayle vntill hée came to the strong Towne of Turwyne to the whyche hée layde hys séege and assayled it very strongly continually with such vehemente assaultes that within short space it was yéelded vnto hys Maiestie vnto the which place the Emperour Maximilian repaired vnto the King with a greate Armie like a mightie Prince taking of the King his Graces wages which is a rare thing and but seldome séene an Emperour to fighte vnder a Kings Banner Thus after the King had obteyned this puissant Fort and taken the possession thereof and sette all thynges there in due order for the defence and preseruation thereof to hys vse he departed thence and marched towarde the Citie of Turney and there layde hys séege in like manner to the which he gaue so fierce and sharpe assault that they were constreyned of fine force to render the Towne vnto his victorious
should be sente to the Emperour about the matter with whome he was that the King and the Emperour should ioyne in those warres against the French King and that the Duke of Burbon should The Duke of Burbon Champion for the K. of England against the King of France be our Kings Champion and Generall in the fielde who had a great number of good Souldiours ouer and besides the Emperours armie which was not small and that the King should pay vnto the Duke monethly wages both for himselfe and his retinue in so much as Sir Iohn Russell Sir Iohn Russel lay continually beyond the Seas in a secret place both to receyue money of the King and to pay the same monethly to the Duke so that the Duke began the warres with the French King in his owne territorie and Dukedome which the King had confisked in his owne hands being not perfectly knowne vnto the Dukes enimies that he had any ayde out of England and thus he wrought the French King much displeasure in so much as the French King was constreyned 1525 to prepare a puissant Armie and in his owne person to resist the Dukes power and with force the King droue him to take Pauy a strong Towne in Italy with hys host for their securitie whereas the King encamped hym wonderously strong intending to enclose the Duke that he should not issue forth yet notwithstanding the Duke did many times issue forth and skirmished with the King Now let vs returne agayne to the Cardinall Wolsey who séemed to be sodeinly altered and to be more French Anno reg 17 than Emperiall howsoeuer it came so to passe but the French King lying in his Camp sent secretly into Englande a priuie person a very wittie man to treate a peace betwixt the French King and our King this person was named Iohn Iokin who was kept as secretly as might be for he was no Frenchman borne but an Italian a man of no great estimation in France and for his subtile witte elected to entreate of such Embassade as the French King had giuen him in commission This Iokin was secretly conuayde vnto Richmond and there remayned vntill the Cardinall resorted Iohn Iokin messenger from the French King thither vnto him where after Easter tearme ended he kept the feast of Whitsontide very solemnely in which season the Cardinall caused diuers times this Iokin to dine with him Thus continued this Iokin in England long after vntill at the last as it should he brought to passe the matter that he had in commission After this there was sente out immediatly a restreynt to Sir Iohn Russell into those partes where he made his abiding beyond the Seas that he shoulde reteyne that monethes wages still in hys âands vntill the Kings pleasure were to him knowne which should haue bin payde to the Duke of Burbon béeâng then wyth hys retinue encamped within the Towne ââââââ for want whereof at his day the Duke and hys âân were sore dismayde when they saw there was not âââey brought as it was wont to be and béeing in so danâârous a case and where victualles beganne to be sâant ând very déere they imagined many wayes what shoulde ââ the lette some sayde thys and some sayde that so that they mistrusted nothing lesse than the very cause thereof in so much as at the last what for wante of victualles and other necessaries the Souldyoures and Captaynes beganne to grudge and mutter and at last for lacke of victuals were like all to perish The Souldyours being in this extremitie came before their Captaine y â Duke of Burbon and sayd Sir we must bée of very force and necessitie constreyned to yéelde vs vp to our enimies and better it were for vs so to do than to sterue lyke Dogges When the Duke saw their extremitie he sayde vnto them with wéeping eyes Sirs quoth he yée are both valiant men and of noble heartes who haue serued me héere right worthelie and for your necessitie whereof I am perticipant I doe not a little lament but I shall desire you as you are noble in heart and courage so to take patience for a day or twayne and if succour come not then from the King of England as I doubt nothing that he will deceyue vs I will well agrée that we shall all put oure selues and our liues vnto the mercy of our Lorde wherewith they were all agréeable and tarrying the comming of the Kings money vntill the tearme of two dayes were past the Duke séeing no remedie called his noble Captaynes and Souldyoures before hym and wéeping sayde Yée noble men and Captaynes I sée no remedie in thys necessitie but eyther wée must yéeld vs vnto our enimies or else ââmishe and to yéelde the Towne and our selues I know not the mercie of our enimies as for my parte I passâ not for their cruelties for I knowe very well that â shall suffer death most cruelly if I come in their handââ it is not for my selfe therefore that I doe lamente ãâ¦ã it is for youre sakes it is for youre liues and safegarâ of youre persons for so that yée might escape the dangââ of oure enimies handes I woulde most gladly ãâ¦ã death therefore good companyons and most noble Souldyoures I shall require you all to consider the daungerous miserie and calamitie that wée stande in to sell o ãâ¦ã liues most dearely rather than to be murthered lykâ Beastes if yée wyll bée agréeable wée wyll take vpon vs thys nighte to gyue oure Enimes an assaulte and by that meanes wée maye eyther escape or else gyue them an ouerthrowe and thus it were better to die in the Fielde lyke men than lyue prisoners in captiuitle and miserie to the whiche they all agréed then quoth the Duke yée perceyue that our enimies Campe is strong and that there is no waye to enter vppon them but one and that is so planted wyth Ordinance and strength of men that it is not possible to atteyne to oure Enimies that wayes to fighte wyth them in Campe. And also nowe of late you perceyue they haue hadde but small doubt of vs in so muche that they haue kepte but verye slender watche therefore my deuice shall bée thus There shall issue out of the Towne aboute the dead of the nighte from vs a number of you that bée of the most delyuerest to assaulte theyr Campe and they shall gyue the assaulte righte secretly euen directly agaynste the place of the entrie whyche is very strong and inuincible youre fierce and valiant assaulte shall be to them of the Campe so doubtfull that they will turne their strength of the entrie that lyeth ouer agaynst your assaulte to beate you from youre purpose then will I issue out of the posterne and come to the place of theyr strength newly turned and there or they be ware will I enter and fight with them in theyr Camp and winne their Ordinance whiche they haue newly burned and beate them wyth theyr owne
may sée that it was but wind nowe I am well eased I thanke God so rose froÌ the Table went to hys prayers that done there came on him suche a loosenesse that it caused him ââ go to his stoole not long after y e erle of Shrewsburie came into y â Gallery to him with whom y e Cardinall met then sitting down vpon a bench y e erle asked him how he did he most lameÌtably answered him thanked him for his gentle entertainment Sir quoth the erle if ye remember ye haue often wished to come before the king to make your answer I haue writteÌ to y e King in y â behalf making him priuie of your lamentation that ye inwardly haue receiued for hys displeasure who accepteth al your doings therin as friends be accustoin'd to do in such cases wherfore I wold aduise you to plucke vp your hart and be not agast of your enimies I doubt not but this your iorney to his highnesse shal be much to your aduancement The king hath sent for you that worshipful knight Maister Kingston with him 24. of your old seruaÌts now of y e Guard to the inteÌt ye may safely come to his Maiestie sir quoth the Cardinal I trow Master Kingston is CoÌstable of the Tower âea what of that quoth y â erle I assure you he is elected by y e king for one of your friends Wel quoth the Cardinal as God wil so be it I am subiect to fortune being a true man ready to accept such chances as shal folow there an end I pray you where is Master Kingston quoth the earle I wil send for hym I pray you so do âââth the Cardinal at whose message he came as soone as the Cardinal espyed him he made hast to encounter him at his coÌming he knéeled to him saluted him in the kings behalf whoÌ y e Cardinal barehaded offered to take vp said I pray you stande vp knéele not to me I am but a wretch repleat with miserie not estéeming my selfe but as a vile abâecte vtterly cast away without desert as God knoweth ãâã said Master Kingston with humble reuerence Sir y â King hath him commonded vnto you I thanke his highnes quotâ the Cardinall I trust he be in health yea quoth Maister Kingston he commanded me to saye to you that you shoulde assure your selfe that he beareth you as muche good wil as euer he did willeth you to be of good chéere And where report hath bin made y â ye should coÌmit against hym certain heinous crimes which he thinketh to be vntrue yet he can doe no lesse than to sende for you to your triall to take your iorney to him at your owne pleasure coÌmanding me to be attendant vpon you Therfore sir I pray you when it shall be your own pleasure to take your iorney I shall be ready to giâe atteÌdaÌce Maister Kingston quoth he I thaÌke you for your newes sir if I were as lustie as I haue béen but of late I would ride with you in post but I am diseased with a flixe that maketh me very weake but I shal wyth al spéede make me ready to ryde with you to morrow When night came the Cardinall waxed very sicke with the laske the whyche caused him continually to go to the stoole al that night insomuch that he had that night 50 stooles therefore in consideration of his infirmitie they caused him to tarry al that day and the next day he tooke his iorney with Maister Kingston and them of the Guard til he came to an house of the Earle of Shrewsburies called Hardwike hall where he lay al night very euill at ease The nexte day he rode to Notingham ââd there lodged that night more sicke and the nexte daye he rode to Leicester Abbey and by the waye waxed so sicke that he was almoste fallen from his Mule so that it was night before he came to the Abbey of Leicester where at his comming in at the Gates the Abbot with al his couânt met him with diuers Torches light whome they honourablye receyued and welcommed To whome the Cardinall sayde Father Abbot I am come hyther to laye my bones among you riding so still vntil he came to the sâayres of the Chamber where he alighted from hys Mule and Maister Kingston led him vppe the stayres and as soone as he was in his Chamber he went to bedde This was on the Satterday at nighte and then encreased sicker and sicker vntil Monday that all men thought he woulde haue dyed So on Tuisday Saint Andrewes euen Maister Kingston came to hym and bade him good morrowe for it was about âiâe of the clocke and asked him howe he didde Sir quoth he I tarry but the pleasure of God to render vppe my poore soule into his handes not so ââr quoth Maister Kingstone wyth the grace of God yée shall liue and doe verye well if yée will be of good chéere nay in good sooth Maister Kingstone my disease is suche that I can not liue for I haue hadde some experience in Phisicke Thus it is I haue a fluxe with a continuall Feuer the nature whereof is that if there be no alteration of the same wythin eyghte dayes either muste ensue excorrition of the entraâles or âraâsie or else present death and the beste of them is death and as I suppose thys is the eyghte daye and if yée sée no alteration in me there is no remedy saue though I may liue a daye or twaine after but death muste ensue Syr quoth Maister Kingstone you bée in suche pensiuenesse doubting that thing that in good faith ye néede not Well wel Maister Kingstone quoth the Cardinall I sée the matter howe it is framed but if I hadde serued God as diligently as I haue done the King he woulde not haue gyuen me ouer in my grey haires but this is the iuste rewarde that I muste receiue for the diligent paines and study that I haue hadde to doe him seruice not regarding my seruice to God but onelye to satisfie his pleasure I pray you haue me moste humbly commended vnto his Royall Maiestye and beséeche him in my behalfe to call to hys Prince ââe remembraunce all matters procéeding betwéene hym and me from the beginning of the worlde and the progresse of the same c Maister Kingstone farewell I can no more saye but I wishe all things to haue good successe my tyme draweth on fast and euen with that he beganne to drawe his speach at length and his tongue to faile his eyes béeyng sette whose sighte fayled hym then dydde they putte hym in remembraunce of Chryste hys Passion âââsed âhe Yeomen of y â âââard âo stand by to sée him dye and to ãâã of his worââ at his departure and incontinent the clocke stroke eyght and then he gaue vp the Ghost and departed this present life whych caused some to call to remembrance howe he saide the daye before
from beyond the Seas concerning matters of Religion but the matter came to small effect The seauenth of Aprill was a peace proclaymed betwixt England and France And the like betwéene hir Maiestie and the King and Quéene of Scotland The xix of Aprill was kepte the Serieants feast in the ââner Temple and nine Serieants were there made Maiââer Reignald Chamley Recorder of London being one of y â ix A Subsidie of ij sÌ viij d. the pound of moueable goods was Subsidy granted granted and the Parliament dissolued the vij of May. The seconde of July the Citizens of London had a muster The Citizens of London mustered at Greenevvich afore the Quéenes Maiestie at Greenewich in the Parke of fourtéene hundred men whereof eyght hundred were Pikemen all in fine Corselets foure hundred Haquebuts in shirtes of mayle with morians and two hundred Halberters in almanriuets which were furnished and set forth by the companyes of the Citie of London they had to euery hundred two wiffelers richly apparelled and twelue wardens of the best companyes riding in coates of blacke Ueluet to conduct them with drommes and fifes and sixe Ensignes all in Jerkins of white Bridges Satten cutte and lined with blacke Sarsenet with cappes hosen and skarfes according the Captayne 's Robert Constable and Mayster Saunders brought them in battayle ray afore the Quéene euen as they should haue fought which made a goodly shewe before hir Maiestie the Emperoures and French Kings Embassadours béeing present In the moneth of July the olde Bishops of England then liuing were called and examined by certayne of y e Quéenes Bishops depriued Maiesties Counsayle where the Bishops of Yorke Ely and London with other to the number of thirtéene or fourtéene for refusing to take the oth touching the Quéenes supremacie and other Articles were depriued from their Bishoprickes And likewise were diuers Deanes Archdeacons Parsons and Uicars depriued from their Benefices and some committed to prison in the Tower Fléete Marshalsea and Kings bench Commissioners were likewise appoynted for the establishing Commissioners of Religion through the whole Realme For London were appoynted Sir Richard Sackuile Knight Doctouâ Horne a Diuine Doctour Huicke a Ciuilian and Mayster Saluage who called before them diuers persons of euery parish and sware them to enquire and present vpon certayne iniunctions Iniunctions Also the houses of Religion erected by Quéene Mary Houses suppressed as the Monkes of Westminster Nunnes and bréethreâ of Sion and Sheene the blacke Friers in Smithfielde and the Friers of Greenewich were all suppressed On the euen of Saint Barthelmew the daye and the Church ymages burned merrow after c. were burned in Paules Church yarde Cheape and diuers other places of the Citie of London all the Roodes and other Images of Churches in some places the Coapes Uestments Alter clothes Bookes Banners Sepulchers and Roode loftes were burned The fifth of September about midnight fell a greate tempest at London in the ende whereof a great lightning with a terrible clappe of thunder strake the Spire béeing stone of the Stéeple of Alhallowes Churche in Bredstreete Churches in London striken and broken by tempest about a tenne foote beneath the toppe out of the which fell a stone that slew a Dogge and ouerthrew a man playing with the same Dogge and the Spire of the Stéeple was so perished that not long after the same was taken downe with lesse charges to the Parish than the repayring woulde haue cost And at the same instant by the same tempest one of the South dores of Saint Dionise Churche in Fenchurch streete with the dore of the Reuestrie of the same Churche were both stricken thorough and broken The eyght and ninth of September a solemne Obsequie Obsequy for the French King was kepte in Paules Churche at London for Henry the French King departed who dyed of a wound giuen by the County Mountgomerie at a triumph iusting in the Citie of Paris whereof he dyed about the tenth daye of July About the last of September Iohn Duke of Finland seconde Embassadour from Svvethen sonne to Gustabus Kyng of Swethen was sente by hys father to treate a marriage for hys eldest brother Ericus with the Quéenes Maiestie of Englande he arriued at Harwich in Essex and was there honourably receyued enterteyned by y e Earle of Oxford which said Earle the Lord Robert Dudley with a goodly baude of Gentlemen and yeomen conueyed him to London where he was receyued of diuers Knightes and Gentlemen of the Court on the fifth of October and was with his trayne of about the number of fiftie persons well horssed conuayed to the Bishop of Winchesters place in Southwarke where he was lodged during his abode héere and remoued from thence two dayes before Easter homeward and sped on his message as may appeare by that which foloweth takeÌ out of Iohannes Lewenclaij comment de bellis Moscorum Ericus King of Sweden sonne of Gustabus late King of the sayde Kingdome hauing committed to prison his brother Iohn Duke of Finlande whome a little before he had employed into England on an Embassage to the Quéenes Maiestie whome he sued to for marriage and had his sute reiected agayne the second time solicited hir Maiestie in the same suite notwithstanding to his great dishonor and as it fell out his iust disgrace he attempted the same matter with the yongest daughter of Phillip Lantgraue Vanhessen at whose hand hauing the seconde tyme bin reiected of hir Maiestie héere the matter béeyng knowne there he also not onely receyued a denyall but the Lady was by hir Father bestowed vppon Adolfe Duke Van Holst Unckle Iohannes Lewenalaij of Frederike Kyng of Denmarke then enemie of the sayde Erice Thus farre Iohannes Lewenclaij Thomas Lodge Roger Martin the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Anno reg 2. Sir William Hewet Clothworker the 28. of October About this time many men of warre were conueyed out of France into Scotlande and there placed in Townes and Fortresses as in the Towne of Leeth Dunbarre Inskith and other whereby it was to bée suspected that they would sodeynely inuade thys Realme wherevpon the Quéenes Maiestie sente the Duke of Norffolke towards Duke of Norffolke sent into Scotland Scotland as Generall with an army who remayned at Berwike In the moneth of Aprill the Lord Grey Wilton entred 1560 Scotland with an army of tenne thousand and beséeged the towne of Lâth where betwéene the French and the English Lord Grey beseeged Lieth were often skirmishes and many slayne on both sides for few were taken prisoners In May a noble man of France by licence of the Quéenes Maiestie passed through England into Scotland to talke with the Quéene Dowager and the Frenchmen for the appeasing of this matter who at his returne agayne into England obteyned of the Quéenes Maiestie to send Sir William Ciuill Knight hir Maiesties principall Secretary with Mayster Doctour Wootton to treate with the