thâ— for the space of more then thirty miles good proâ—fitable corne ground was turned into a chase 〈◊〉 wilde beastes Remingus Bishop of Dorchesteâ— remoued his sea to Lincolne where hee builded new Church There was a great water flood so that hils weâ—â— made soft and consumed and with their fall ouerâ—whelmed many villages King William builded Battell Abbey in Sâ—sex another at Selby in Yorkeshire the thâ—â— at Caen in Normandy in which hee was buriâ—ed He gaue great priuiledges to Saint Marthâ—â—le graund in London Pauls Church in London burnt In a prouince of Wales called Rose 〈◊〉 found the Sepulchre of Gawen vpon the Seâ—â—shore who was sisters sonne of Arthur the great King of Britaine being in length fourtéene so King William being at Roan in Normandâ— went with a great Army into France spoyliâ— all things as he passed Last of all hée burned 〈◊〉 Citty of Meaur with our Lady Church aâ— two Anchorits that was inclosed there The Kiâ—â— cheared his men to féede the fire and came hiâ— selfe so neare that with the heate of his harneâ— he got a disease Also the Kings horse leaping oâ—uer a ditch did burst the inner parts of the King with the paine whereof hee was sore afflictâ—â— and returned to Roan where shortly after 〈◊〉 ended his life the ninth day of September 〈◊〉 the yeare of our Lord 1087. When hee had raigâ—ned twenty yeares eight moneths and sixtéene dayes Hee was buried at Caen in Normandy and had issue by Matild his wife daughter to Baldwin Earle of Flanders Robert Curthose vnto whom hee gaue Normandy Richard that died young William Rufus to whom he gaue England and Henry to whom hee gaue his wiues inheritance and treasure Daughters Cicely Abbesse of Caen Constance wife to Stephen Earle of Bloys Margaret promised to Harold King of England and Elienor betrothed to Alfonso King of Galicia WILLIAM Rufus WIlliam Rufus the third sonne of William Conquerour beganne his raigne the ninth day of September in the yeare of our Lord 1087. He was variable inconstant couetous and cruell he burdened his people with vnreasonable taxes and what he thus got he prodigally spent in great banquetting and sumptuous apparrell Otho Bishop of Bayon and Earle of Kent with his brother Robert Earle of Mortaine and Hereford and almost all the Nobles of England raised warre against King William would haue had Robert his eldest brother to be King but William by faire wordes pacifying some of the principall conspirators besieged the residue in the Caâ—stell of Rochester And lastly ouercame them Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterbury deceaâ—sed hee renewed the great Church of Canterbury hee repaired the walles of that Citty buiâ—â—ded two Hospitals the one of Saint Iohn thâ— other at Harbaldowne He restored the Churcâ— of Rochester King William Making warre against his broâ—ther Robert Duke of Normandy at length agréâ—â—ment was made betwéene them that if one 〈◊〉 them died without issue the other should succeâ—â— in the inheritance Malcolme King of Scots did homage to King William A great tempest fell on Saint Lukes day specially in Winchcombe where a great part of the Stéeple was ouerthrowne And in London the winde ouerturned 606. houses and the roofeâ— Bow Church in Cheape wherwith some persons were slaine King William builded the new Castle vpon Tine Osmond Bishop of Sarisbury founded the Cathedrall Church of Sarisbury In England fell a wonderfull aboundance 〈◊〉 raine and after insued so great frost that Horses and Carts passed commonly ouer great Riuers which when it thawed the Ice brake downe many great bridges Malcolme the King of Scots coÌ„ming into England was sodainely slaine with his sonne and heire by Robert Mowbrey Earle of Northumberland Iohn Bishop of Welles by nointing the Kings hands transposed the Bishops sea to Bath King William builded againe the cittie of Carlile which was destroyed by the Danes 200. yeares before he also builded a castle there and out of the South parts of England sent men to inhabite there This yeare was a great famine and so great a mortality that the quick were scant able to bury the dead The Welshmen spoiled the citty of Glocester with a part of Shrewesbury and won the Isle of Anglesey The Bishopricke of Thetford was translated to Norwich King William with a great power entred Wales not being able to follow the Welchmen amongst the hils hee builded two Castles in the borders and returned Great preparation was made by the Christians to goe against the infidels at Ierusalem Peter the Hermite being their first leader and after Godfrey of Bullen Robert Duke of Normandy tooke his iourney towards Ierusalem and laide Normandy to gage to his brother King William for 6666. pound of siluer All the land that sometime belonged to Earle Goodwin by breaking in of the sea was couered with sandes and there is yet called Goodwin sands King William in Normandy gaue himselfe to warres so that with exactions and tributes he did not onely shaue but flea the people of England The Christians tooke the Cittie of Ierusalem placing there a King and a Patriarch THe fiftéenth of Iuly 1098. after thirty sixe dayes siege the Cittie of Ierusalem was yéelded vnto Godfrey of Bollen Duke of Lorane chiefe leader of the Christian Army against the Sarazens to recouer the Holy land hee was accompanied with thrée Kings and diuers other Christian Princes namely Robert Duke of Normandy eldest sonne vnto William the Conquerour hee had an hundred thousand Souldiers all of them marked with the signe of the Crosse This renowned and victorious Prince before hee entred into Armes morgaged his Dukedome vnto the Bishop of Liege for great summes of money wherewith hee furnished himselfe in this expedition he was chosen King of Ierusalem but would not bee crowned with a Crowne of gold because our Sauiour Christ was crowned with a crowne of thornes This Christian Conquest was performed about fiue hundreth yeares after the Persians had got possession of Ierusalem and the Holy land Peter the Hermite who had seene and felt the Turkish outrages tooke great paines in going to all Christian Princes to contract them vnto this seruice Pope Vrban the second in the Councell of Cleremount was also very forward in this businesse King Godfrey dyed of a feuer hauing raigned one yeare and was buried neare vnto the holy Sepulchre after him succéeded his brother Baldwine and raigned eighteene yeares hee made great wars vpon the enemies of our faith After the death of King Godfrey Ierusalem continued fourescore and eight yeares vnder Christian obedience and then became subiect vnto Turkish tyranny After King William was come out of Normandy he kept his Court at Westminster in the new Hall and hearing men say it was too bigge he answered This Hall is not bigge enough by one halfe King William being a hunting word was brought him that his people were besieged in Maine
he forthwith tooke shipping though hee were vehemently petâ—waded to the contrary for that there was at that time a great tempest to whom hee answered hee neuer heard that any King was drowned At this time hee got more honour then euer hee did in all his life for hee chased his enemies and returned with victory In the Summer blood sprang out of the earth at â—inchamsteed in Barkeshire King William on the morrowe after Lammas day-hunting in the new forrest Sir Walter Tirel shooting at a Deare vnawares hit the King in the breast that hee fell downe dead and neuer spake word his men and especially that Knight gat them away but some came backe againe laide his body vpon a Colyars cart which one silly lâ—â—ne beast did draw to the Citty of Winchester where he was buried He raigned twelue yeares 11. monethes lacking eight dayes Hee gaue vnto the Monkes called de Caritate in Southwarke the great new Church of Saint Sauiour of Barmondes eye and also Barmondes eye it selfe He also founded a good Hospitall in the city of Yorke called Saint Leonards for the sustentation of the poore Henry Bewclarke HEnry brother to William Rufus and the first of that name for his learning called Bewclarke borne at Salby beganne his raigne the 5. of August the yeare of our Lord 1100. He restored the state of the Cleargy asswaged the grieuous paiments reduced againe S. Edwards lawes reformed the olde vntrue measures made a measure by the length of his arme which was called Vlna Iordan Brise Baron founded the house of St Iohn of Ierusalem neare vnto London in Smithfield The same Iordan gaue 14. acres of ground lying in the field next adioyning to Clarkenwell to build thereon a house for Nunnes Robert Duke of Normandy the Kings eldest brother which was now returned from Ierusalem made warre for the crowne of England but by meditation peace was made on condition that Henry should pay 3000. markes yearely to Duke Robert and if the one died without issue the longer liuer should inherit Winchester and Glocester was burnt The Cathedrall Church of Norwich was founded by Robert Bishop of Norwich The priory and Hospitall of Saint Bartholomew in Smithfield was founded by a Minstrell named Reior Robert Duke of Normandy comming into England through the subtilty of King Henry his yonger brother released to him the tribute of 3000. markes of siluer Great malice was kindled betwéene the two brethren Robert and Henry whereupon deadly warre in sued There appeared about the Sunne foure circles and a blazing starre Endo sewer to King Henry founded the Monastery of S. Iohn in Colchester Robert Duke of Normandy came to his brother and friendly desired him to beare brotherly loue towards him But King Henry feeling his conscience accusing him for obtaining the kingdome by defrauding of his eldest brother and fearing men more then God first he reconciled the Nobles of the Realme with faire promises and then pursued his brother into Normandy where betweene them were many sore battailes fought but at the last the valiant man Robert was taken The first Canons entred into the Church of our Lady in Southwarke called Saint Mary Ouery founded by William Pountlarge Knight and William Dancis Normans King Henry returning into England brought with him his brother Robert and William of Morion and put them in perpetuall prison from whence shortly after Duke Robert deceiuing his kéepers sought to escape but he was taken and by his brothers commandement hée had his eyes put out and then kept straighter till his dying day The Church of the holy Trinitie without Algate in London was founded by Mathild the Quéene A great part of Flaunders was drowned by breaking in of the sea which caused many Flemings to come into EnglaÌ„d at length by the kings appointment they tooke vpon them the possession of Rosse a prouince in Wales Henry Emperour of Rome required to haue Maude the Kings daughter in marriage which was graunted and the King tooke thrée shillings of euery hide of land through England This King translated the Abbey of Ely into a Bishopricke King Henry made Robert his bastard sonne the first Earle of Glocester who after builded the Castles of Bristow and Cardife with the Priory of S. Iames in Bristow King Henry went into Normandy to make warre against the Earle of Angion and spoyled the whole countrey This yeare was a great mortalitie of men and murren of beasts The citty of Worcester was burnt The tenth of October the riuer of Medway by no smal number of miles did so faile of water that in the middest of the channell the smallest vessels and boats could not passe The selfe same day the Thames did suffer the like lacke of water for betwéene the Tower of London and the bridge not onely with horse but also a great number of men and children did wade ouer on foote Chichester was burnt many stormes and a blazing starre In March was excéeding lightning and in December thunder and haile and the Moone at both times séemed to be turned into blood Maude the Quéene of England dyed and was buried at Westminster shee builded an Hospitall neare vnto London without Holborn which now is the parrish Church of Saint Giles in the field The order of the Templars Knights began Many sore battailes were fought in France and Normandy betwéene Henry King of England and Lodowicke the French King King Henry hauing tamed the Frenchmen and pacified Normandy returned into England in which voyage William Duke of Normandy and Richard his sonne and Mary his daughter Richard Earle of Chester and his wife with many noble men and to the number of 160. persons were drowned Lybussa daughter of Cracus the second King of Bohemia for a certaine space raigned as Queene ouer them and albeit shee ministred iustice indifferently yet there grewe a great disdaine male-contentment amongst all sortes of people that men should bee gouerned and directed by women and thereupon was spread a generall voyce that foorthwith they would haue a King And to appease the peoples discontent or as some thinke for her owne pleasure shee married a Peasant called Primislaus who gouerned the Bohemians and was the first that builded walles and rampiers about the Citty of Prague in the yeare 995. After the death of the said Lybussa there presently start vp one of her handmaids called Valasque a lusty Lady of wondrous Amazonian boldnesse who very cunningly caused an assembly of all the chiefe Ladies and others of note vnto whom shee made an eloquent Oration and amongst other things shee spake as followeth My most noble and worthy Ladies wee haue lost our Quéene and Mistresse whose high spirit could neuer admit that either wée or our Sexe should in any sort be subiect vnto men if therefore for the euer fréeing of our selues
Angiou and Duke of Normandy deceased and left his sonne Henâ—â— his heire About this time died Gratianus hee composâ—â— the great Decretals Henry Duke of Normandy married Elionâ—â— whom Lewis King of France had diuorced from him and had by her a sonne named William Quéene Maude deceased and was buriedâ— Feuersham The King commanded the Nobles to méete aâ— Winchester where the Duke being receiueâ— with great ioy the King in sight of all men adopted him his sonne and confirmed to him the principalitie of England The Duke receiued him in place of a father granting to him all the dayes of his life to enioy the name and seate of the King Duke Henry came with the King to Oxford where the Earles and Barons by the Kings commandement sware fealty to Duke Henry sauing the Kings honour so long as he liued King Stephen died the 25. of October when he had raigned eighteene yeares ten moneths and odde daies He founded the Abbeies of Cogshall in Essex of Furnes in Lancastershire and Feuersham in Kent where his body was buried Henry the second HEnry the sonne of Ieffery Plantagenet and Maude the Empresse began his raigne ouer this Realme of England the 17. day of December and was crowned the the same day in the yeare of our Lord 1154. he was somewhat red of face short of body and therewith fat well learned noble in chiualry wise in counsell stedfast of promise and a wedlocke breaker William of Ipres and all the Flemings that had flocked into England fearing the indignation of the new king departed the land and the castles that had béene builded to pill the rich and spoile the poore were by the Kings Commandement throwne downe Quéene Elianor did beare a sonne called Henry after his father King Henry went into Normandy where with long siege he tooke diuers Castles King Henry with an Army went against the Welshmen where he felled their woods fortified the Castle of Rutland and reedified the Castle 〈◊〉 Basingwirke Quéene Elianor brought foorth a sonne named Ieffery A new coine was made in England King Henry tooke escuage of the Englishmen the sum whereof grewe to 124. thousand pounds of siluer Henry the Kings sonne not seuen yeares olde married Margarâ—t the French Kings daughter not two yeares old Thomas the Kings Chancellour was electâ— Archbishop of Canterbury There came into England thirty Germanes as well men as women who called themseluâ—â— Publicanes they denied Matrimony Baptism and the Lords Supper Being apprehended thâ— King caused they should bee marked with an hoâ—â— Iron in the forehead and whipped them anâ— that no man should succour them Thus being whipped and thrust out in the winter they diâ— for cold London bridge was new made of timber 〈◊〉 Peter a Priest of Colchurch Malcolme the Scottish King and Kefus Prince of Southwales did homage to King Henry and his sonne Henry A Councell was holden at Claringdon in presence of the King and the Archbishops Bishops Lords Barons c. wherein was by their oathes confirmed many ordinances Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury being sworne to the same shortly after sore repented and fled the Realme A great earthquake in Ely Norfolke and Suffolke so that it ouerthrew them that stood vpon their féete and caused the bels to ring Quéene Elianor brought foorth a sonne named Iohn The warre was receiued betwixt the King of England and the French King for the Citty of Tholouse Conan Earle of little Britaine died and left his heire a daughter named Constance which hee had by the King of Scots sister which Constance King Henry married to his sonne Geffery Robert de Boscue Earle of Leicester founded the Monasteries of Gerendon of Monkes of Leiceister of Canons regular and Eaton of Nunnes was founded by Amicia his wife King Henry caused his sonne Henry to be crowned as hee thought to the quietnesse of himselfe and his realme but it proued otherwise Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury the eightéenth day of December was slaine by William Tracie Reignold Fitzs Vrse Hugh Moruil and Richard Briton Knights Nicholas Breeâ—espeare an Englishman who was chosen Pope by the name of Adrian the 4. He graunted the Regiment of Ireland to the King of England whereupon King Henry tooke ship at Pembroke and sailed thither King Henry the son with his wife the French Kings daughter were both together crowned at Winchester King Henry the elder was assoiled of the death of Thomas the Archbishop vpon his oath made that he was not priuy to it King Henry married the eldest daughter of Heâ—bert Earle Morton vnto his sonne Iohn King Henry the elder returning into England in short time subdued his rebels The citie of Leicester by his commandement was burnt the wals and castle rased and the inhabitants dispersed into other cities The King of Scots was taken by King Henry led into Normandy where he compounded for his ransome Christs Church in Canterbury was burned King Henry the sonne with his brethren and others were reconciled to King Henry the Father The Kings of England both father and sonne went together to visite the tombe of Thomas late Archbishop of Canterbury The stone bridge ouer the Thames at London was began to be fouÌ„ded A Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury gaue 1000. Marks towards the same foundation There chanced some discord betwixt the Kings of England and France about the marriage of Richard Earle of Poitow with the French Kings daughter Richard Lucie the Kings Iusticiar layed the foundation of the conuentuall Church in a place which is called Lesnes in the Territorie of Rochester The Citie of Yorke was burned The Church of St. Andrew in Rochester was consumed with fire The Vsurers of England grieuously punished Geffery the Kings bastard sonne resigned the Bishopricke of Lincolne was made the Kings Chancellour Robert Harding a Burges of Bristow to whom king Henry gaue the Barony of Barkeley builded the Monasterie of Saint Augustines in Bristow They of Aquitane hated their Duke Richard for his crueltie and were minded to driue him out of his Earledome of Poitow and Dukedome of Aquitane and transpose those estates to his brother King Henry the younger but all men looking for victory to the young King hee fell miserably sicke and died and was buried at Roan King Henry sent many men of warre into Wales for the Welshmen emboldened by the Kings absence had slaine Many Englishmen The Abbey of Glastenbury burnt Heraclius Patriarch of Ierusalem came to king Henry desiring him of aide against the Turke but the King because of the cruelty of his sonnes was counselled not to leaue his dominion in hazard and to goe farre off This Patriarch dedicated the new Temple then builded in the west part of London This yeare 1186. The citty of Paris was paued whose stréetes vntill this
daughter married Lewis the fourth of that name King of France And about the yeare 962. the people of Denmarke were conuerted to the Christian faith by Popynus the Popes Chaplaine and shortly after that the said Otto made fierce wars vpon Denmarke and tooke their King Aleadus prisoner and caused him and all his children to bee baptized EDward surnamed Senior the sonne of Alfreed was annointed King hee builded Hertford another towne at Wittham in Essex hee builded a new Towne against the old Towne of Nottingham on the south side of the Riuer of Trent and made a bridge ouer the said Riuer betweene two townes Hee subdued the King of Scotland and Wales he also builded Thilwall and repaired Manchester hee was buried at Winchester when hee had raigned foure twenty yeares ADelstane after Edward his father was crowned at Kingstone hee brought this land into one Monarchy for hee expelled the Danes and quieted the Welshmen Hee caused them to pay to him yearly for a tribute twenty pound of gold 300. pound of siluer 2500. head of neate with hounds and hawkes to a certaine number Hee conquered Scotland Hee raigned 15. yeares and lyeth at Malmesbury Guy Earle of Warwicke side the Danish Giant in Hide meade nigh vnto Winchester EDmund brother to Adelstane tooke on him the gouernance of this realme who was slaine when he had raigned 5 yeares and was buried at Glastenbury About this time the Empire of Gréece was translated from Constantinople into Germany in the time of Otto the Emperour And at this time began the Princes Electors And the Citty Magdeburge in Germany was also founded read my larger booke ELdred succéeded Edmund his brother he tooke on him but a protectour but afterward hée was crowned at Kingstone he quieted and kept in due obeisance the Northumbers and Scots and exiled the Danes He raigned 9. yeares and was buried at Winchester EDwine succéeded his vncle Eldred he was crowned at Kingstone In the selfe same day of his coronation he rauished his owne kinswoman the wife of a noble man and afterward slew her husband Which act and for banishing Dunstan who rebuked him he became odible to his subiects and was depriued when hee had raigned 4. yeares EDgar brother to Edwine was crowned at Bathe Hée was excellent in iustice and sharpe in correction of vices that neuer before his dayes was vsed lesse Fellonie by Robbers or Extortion by false Officers Hee chastised the great negligence and vicious liuing of the Cleargy he prepared a great Nauy of ships which he disposed in thrée parts of this Realme and had Souldiers alwaies ready prest and ready against the incursions of forraine enemies King Edgar hauing restored and new founded eight and fourtie Monasteries which before had béene destroyed and confirmed the Monasterie of Worcester which Osnalde then Bishoppe of Worcester by the Kings consent had inlarged and made the Cathedrall Church of that shire Alwinus Alderman Earle of Eastangle founded the Abbey of Ramsey King Edgar raigned 16. yeares and was buried at Glastenbury EDward the sonne of Edgar was crowned at Kingstone by the counsell of his Stepmother Elfreed hee was traiterously murdered when he had raigned 3. yeares Buried at Shaftsbury At this time died S. Dunstan Etheldred the sonne of Edgar was crowned at Kingstone but because he came to the kingdome by killing his brother he could neuer get the good will of his people A great part of the city of London was burnt At this time saith Sigibert the Historian flourished Guydo Aretine he was the first that taught the Gamuth for prick-song King Etheldred erected the Bishopricke of Exeter he caused all the Danes in England to bee slaine In reuenge whereof Swaxe King of Denmarke inuaded England with fire sword Etheldred died when hee had raigned eight and thirty yeares and was buried in Paules Church in London EDmund the sonne of Etheldred succéeded in the kingdome who was surnamed Ieronside and whiles betwéene him and Canutus striuing for the Empire many bloody battailes were fought the Kings themselues attempted to fight hand to hand for the title of the kingdome in which combate after long and doubtfull fight they both being weariâ—d fell to a couenant to diuide the same Edmund not long after was slaine by the treason of one Ederick of Staton Edrick making vaunt thereof to Canutus Canutus answered saying and thou shall die as well thou art worthy straight wayes the traitor was tormented to death and cast into a ditch About this time ended the race of Charlemaigne and then began the line of Hugh Caper in France Canutus the Dane challenging all England to himselfe slew his brother Edmond he procured to haue giuen him in mariage Emma the Widdow of King Etheldred who at that time was with Edward and allured her sons to exile with Duke Richard in Normandie She did beare Canutus a sonne of his owne name by his affinitie and alliance the Danes became of the more strength and power His subdued the Scots whereby he was King of England Scotland Denmarke Norway Hee founded the Monastery of Saint Edmondes-Burie when hee had raigned twenty yeares hée deceased and was buried at Winchester HArold Harefoot vsing the force of the Danes that dwelt in England inuaded the Realme while his brother Hardicanutus gouerned in Denmarke And not being vnmindfull by whose aide hee came to the kingdome rewarded the Danes with great dignitie in this Realme he constrained his mother in law Emma to flye and prouide for her selfe hee tormented to death Alured the sonne of Emma which she had by King Etheldred who then was come out of Normandy to visit his mother He raigned 3. yeares died at Oxford and was buried at Westminster HArdicanutus sonne of Canutus and Emma as soone as hee had gotten his fathers kingdome fetched his mother out of exile And in reuenge of displeasure that was done to her and of the murder of his brother Alured hée commanded the carkas of Harold to bee digged out of the earth and to be thrown into the riuer of Thames where by a fisher it was taken vp brought to the Danes who buried it in a Churchyard which they had at London In the midst of his cups he departed this life the 3. yeare of his riagne and was buried at Winchester EDward the sonne of Etheldred was crowned at Westchester hee released the tribute of 4000. pounds called Dane-gelt which the English people from the beginning of the raigne of the Danes was compelled to pay their King euery yeare he tooke to wife Edgitha the daughter of Earle Goodwine hee sent for home into England his Nephew Edward the sonne of King Edmond his brother who brought with him Agatha his wife Edgar Margaret and Christian his children borne in Pannonia where hee liued but a while Thus Edward being disappointed both of his Nephew and his heire pronounced
Edgar the Outlawes sonne to be heire to the Kingdome but because this Edgar was within age by his testament hee made Herold the sonne of Goodwine Regent vntill the young Edgar should be of age to receiue the kingdome notwithstanding he immediatly after the death of Edward pronounced himselfe King which thing shortly after brought destruction both to himselfe and all England This Edward raigned 23. yeares 6. moneths and odde dayes he was buried at Westminster which hée had newly builded This yeare 1055. Henry the 4. Emperor of that name and 90. in number began his raigne and in the 43. yeare of his raigne the city of Lubeck was founded by a Pagan Read my larger booke HErold gaue to young Edgar the Earledome of Oxford but Harold the King of Norway assaulted England both by sea and land Whose attempt whiles Herold of England prepared to withstand William Duke of Normandy came into England with a well appointed Army alleaging that by right it was due to him by the gift of King Edward his kinsman and also by oath established betwixt Harald and him He landed at Pemsey the 28. of September Harald notwithstanding he was bare of men by reason of the battaile that hée had fought against the men of Norway yet hearing of Williams comming went straight wayes against him Both armies being brought into array the battel was fought wherein great slaughter of Englishmen was made And the Normanes got the victory on the 14. of October King Harold was shot through the braines with an arrow when he had raigned 9. Moneths and was buried at Waltham in Essex where hee had founded a faire Colledge THus endeth the raigne of the Saxons who had now continued sometimes in warres with the Britaines then with the Danes and now with the Normanes the space of sixe hundred yeares VERSES A thousand sixe and sixty yeare it was as we doe read When that a Comet did appeare and Englishmen lay dead Of Normandy Duke William then to England-ward did saile Who conquered Harald with his men and brought this land to bale WILLIAM CONQVEROVR WIlliam Duke of Normandy surnamed Conquerour bastard sonnâ— of Robert the 6. Duke of the Duâ—chy and cousin germaine to King Edward after the battell at Hâ—stings came to London when with great ioy he was receiued both of the Cleargy and people and crowned on Christmas day which day by the Historiographers of that time was accounted the first of the yeare following and so named 1067. But after the account of England now obserued the yeare beginneth not vntil the 25. of March This yeare through the great suite and labour of William the Bishop of London King VVlliam granted the Charter and liberties to the same VVilliam Bishop and Godfry of Portgrine and all the Burges of the same Citty of London 〈◊〉 as large forme as they enioyed the same in the time of Saint Edward before the Conquest 〈◊〉 reward whereof the Citizens haue fixed 〈◊〉 his graue being in the midst of the great Isle of Saint Paules Church in London this Epitaph following TO William a man famous in wisdome and holines of life who first with Saint Edward the King and Confessour being familiar of late preferred to be Bishop of London and not long after for his prudency and sincere fidelitie admitted to be of Councell with the most victorious Prince VVilliam King of England of that name the first who obtained of the same great and large priuiledges to this famous Citty the Senate and Citizens of London to him hauing wel deserued haue made this KIng William besieged Exeter which the Citizens and other English men held against him King William gaue to Robert Cummin the Earledome of Northumberland against whom the men of the country did arise slew him with nine hundred of his men and King William came afterward vpon them and slew them euery one AGâ—lricus Bishop of Durham being accused of treason was imprisoned at Westminster The Englishmen that were fled out of England hauing Edgar to be their captaine returned out of Scotland and suddenly set vpon the Garrisons that King William had set at Yorke put them to â—â—ight slewe them possessed the Citty and pronounced Edgar to bee King but not long after King William came with a great army and recouered the Cittie constraining Edgar to returne againe into Scotland Such a dearth was in England that men did eate horses cats dogs and mans flesh King William bereued all the Monasteries and Abbeyes of England of their gold and siluer spâ—ring neither Chalice nor Shrine The castle of Ledes in Kent was builded by Creueceur and the Castle of Oxford by Robert Oâ—â—ley two noble men that came into England with William the Conquerour In a Counsell holden at Windsore 〈◊〉 Prouince of the Church of Canterbury 〈◊〉 the Church of Yorke was examined and approued King William with a great power inuadâ— Scotland and forced Malcolme to do him homaâ— and fealty Gregory the seaueth Pope excommunicated all committers of Simony and remoued married Priestes from executing of diuiâ— Seruice whereof arose great troubles in Eâ—â—â—land King William caused a Castle to be builded a Durham and Earle Waltheothus of Northuâ—â—berland to be beheaded at Winchester hée saith into Britaine and besieged the Castle of Doleâ— but preuailed not Walter Bishop of Durham bought of King VVilliam the Earledome of Northumberland wherein he vsed such cruelty that the inhabitants slew him The earth was hard frozen from the kalendeâ— of Nouember to the middest of Aprill Vpon Palme Sunday about noone appeareâ— a blashiÌ„g Starre neare vnto the Sunne Malcolme King of Scots waffed Northumberland flew many and tooke a great prey This yeare King William builded the Tower of London Thurstone Abbot of Glassenbury in his Church caused thrée Monks to be slaine eightéene men to be wounded that their blood ran from the Altar â—awne the steps This yeare was a great winde on Chrstmas day a great earthquake and roaring out of the earth the 6. of Aprill Henry Earle Ferrers founded a Church within his Castle of Tutsbury Alwine Childe a Citizen of London founded the Monastery of Saint Sauiours at Bermondsey in Surrey King William caused enquiry to bee made how many Acres of land were sufficient for one plough by the yeare how many beastes to tilling of one hide how many Citties Castles Farmes Granges Townes Riuers Marshes and Woods what rent they were by yeare and how many Knights or Souldiers were in euery shire all which was put in writing and remained at Westminster King William tooke homage and oath of allegeance of all England tooke of euery hide of land sixe shillings and sailed into Normandy When the Normanes had accomplished their pleasure vpon the Englishmen so that there was no Noble man of that Nation left to beare any rule ouer them it was brought to passe
time lay as rudely as London stréetes which were not all paued in foure hundred yeares after and the north Church-yard of Paules otherwise called the Close and diuers other stréetes in London were not paued vntill the raigne of Quéene Elizabeth In the yeare 1246. the Citty of Luberke was quite consumed with fire whose misfortune made Paris London and other Citties to couer their houses with tile or slate especially if they stood close together and not to vse any thatch which vntill then was vsuall Maude the Empresse mother to King Henry the second deceased shee founded the Abbey of Bordesley Geffery Earle of Britaine the Kings son died and was buried at Paris he left issue two daughters which he had by Constance daughter of Conan Earle of Britaine who also at this time of his death was great with child and after brought a sonne named Arthur A great earthquake threwe downe many buildings among the which the Cathedrall Church at Lincolne was rent in pieces Chichester Cittie was burnt Neare vnto Orford in Suffolke certaine Fishers tooke in their nets a fish hauing the shape of a man which fish was kept by Barthelmew de Glanuile Custos of the Castell of Orford in the same Castell by the space of sixe moneths and more for a wonder he spake not a word all maner of meats he gladly did eate but most greedily raw fish At length he stole away to the sea The towne of Beuerly with the Church of St. Iohn there was burnt Phillip the French King required that his sister which had ben kept in England 22. yeares might be restored vnto Earle Richard as his wife and Earle Richard desired the same but King Henry denied this request and so they got them to armour The French King and Earle Richard pursued the King of England so hard that he was forced to yéeld all the requests as well of the French King as of his sonne Richard This was done at Gisors and so departing came to Zafe where he fell sicke and departed this life the sixth day of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord 1189. when hee had raigned 24. yeares 7. moneths lacking 11. dayes and was buried at Fonteuerald in the Monastery of Nunnes by him founded Richard Coeurdelyon RIchard the first for his valiantnesse surnamed Coeurdelion second sonne to Henry the second began his raigne and was crowned the third of September 1186. He was bigge of stature with a merry countenance he commanded that no Iewes nor women should be at his Coronation for feare of inchantments For breaking of which commandement many were slaine Elianor the old who at the commandement of her husband had béene long kept close prisoner was now set at libertie King Richard gaue ouer the castles of Berwick and Rokesburgh to the Scottish King for the sum of ten thousand pound he also sold to the Bishop of Durham his owne Prouince for a great péece of money and created him Earle of the same He also faigned to haue lost his signet then caused to be proclaimed that whosoeuer would safely enioy those things which before time they had inrolled should come to the new seale He gaue his brother Iohn the Prouinces of Nottingham Deuonshire and Cornewall In this time were many Robbers and Outlawes among whom Robert Hood and little Iohn remained in the woods despoiling and robbing the goods of the rich The saide Robert entertained an hundred tall men and good Archers with such spoiles as he got vpon whō foure hundred men were they neuer so strong durst not giue the onset Poore mens goods hée spared aboundantly relieuing them with that which hee got from Abbies and houses of rich Earles This yeare the Cittizens of London obtained to be gouerned by two Bayliffes or Shriues and a Maior Henry Cornhill Shriue Richard Reynery Shriue Henry Fitz Alwin Fitz Leostane Maior King Richard betooke the guiding of this land to William Longshanke Bishop of Ely Chancellour of England and transported ouer into Normandy The two Kings of England and of France met at Towers and from thence set forward on their iourney towards Ierusalem The Iewes of Norwich Saint Edmonsbury Lincolne Stamford and Linne were robbed And at Yorke to the number of fiue hundred beside women and children entred a tower of the castle which the people assailing the Iewes cut the throats of their wiues and children and cast them ouer the walles on the Christians heads the residue they locked vp and burnt both the house and themselues William Bishop of Ely builded the outer wall about the Tower of London and caused a déepe ditch to be made Iohn Herlion Shriue Roger Duke Shriue Henry Fitz Alwin Fitz Leostane Maior King Richard subdued the Isle of Cipres and then ioyned his power with Phillip y e French king in Asia conquered Acon where there grewe betwéene the two Kings a grieuous displeasure for which cause Phillip shortly departed thence and comming into France inuaded Normandy Iohn brother to king Richard tooke on him the kingdome of England King Richard restored to the Christians the citty of Ioppa The bones of king Arthur were found at Glastenbury William Hauerall Shirues Iohn Bucknot Shirues Henry Fitz Alwine fitz Leostane Maior William Bishop of Ely withstood the kings brother who said he wist not if his brother were aliue or not To whom the Bishop answered If King Richard be yet liuing it were vniust to take from him the crowne If he be dead Arthur the elder brothers sonne must enioy the same Nicholas Duke Shriue Peter Newlay Shriue Henry Fitz Alwine fitz Leostane Maior King Richard hauing knowledge that Phillip of France inuaded Normandy and that Iohn his brother had made himselfe King ouer England made peace with the Saladine for thrée yeares with a small company returning homeward he was taken by Leopold Duke of Austria who kept him in straight prison a yeare and fiue moneths Roger Duke Shriue Richard Fitz Alwine Shriue Henry Fitz Alwine fitz Leostane Maior The Kings friends intreating for his deliuerance his ransome was set at 100000. l. wherevpon cōmandement was directed from the Kings Iustices that all Bishops Prelates Earles Barons Abbots and Priors should bring in the 4. part of their reuenewes towards the Kings ransome and besides this the Cleargy brought in their golden and siluer Chalices and fléeced their Shriues all which was coined in mony Iohn the kings brother when he heard of the imprisonment of his brother made great war within the realme and tooke by strength the castles of Windsor Nottingham and others The king was deliuered landed at Sandwich on the 12. of March he was againe solemnly crowned After this hee called into his hands all such things as he had either giuen or sold by patents or otherwise by which meanes he got a great sum of mony and sailed into Normandy where shortly after peace was taken betwéene the two kings Also by
of Ianuary thrée of the Moone Edward Seymer Earle of Hertford was made Lieutenant of the North and sent thither with an army Germaine Gardiner and Larke Parson of Chealsey were executed at Tiburne for denying the Kings supremacy with them was executed one Singleton and shortly after Ashby The third of Aprill a Gunpowder house in east Smithfield was blowne vp and therein burned 5. men a boy and a woman Sir Iohn Dudley Vicount Lisle high Admirall of England arriued with his Fléet of 200. saile in the Frith of Scotland where he landed diuers of his men he landed the residue at Lieth and from thence marched in three great battailes whereof the said Lord Admirall led the vaward the Earâ—â— of Shrewsbury the rereward and Edward Seâ—mer Earle of Hertford Lieutenant generall of the battaile Hâ—ere they found the Scots to the number of 6000. horsemen besides many footmen râ—â—â—dy to haue stopped their passage but after certaine shotte on both sides they suddenly leauing their artillerie fledde towards Edenbrough then the Englishmen entred the town of Lieth where thâ— found such riches as they thought had not been in any towne of Scotland The next day our arâ—my went towards Edenbrough where they beat the Scots from their Ordinance and so entred the Canigate and there slew a great number of the Scots and set fire on the towne The Letany or Procession was by the King commanded to be vsed in English in euery Parish Church Proclamation was made for the inhaunsing of gold to 48. shillings and siluer to foure shillings the ounce Also the King caused to be coined base monies After Whitsontide the Duke of Norffolke and the Lord Priuie seale with a great armie tooke their voyage toward France and besieged Mutterell The Duke of Suffolke with many other Noble men passed the seas and encamped before Boloin on the east side The 13. of Iuly King Henry with a goodly company passed into France and incamped on the North side of Boloine after whose comming the towne was so sore battered with Gunshot that after a moneths siege the Captaine sent word to the King that they would yéeld the Towne vpon condition that all which were within might depart with bagge and baggage and the Bulloiners departed to the number of foure thousand foure hundred fifty and foure The 25. of September the K. with his Nobilitie entred into high Boloine after turned from thence landed at Douer the first of October Iohn Wilford Andrew Iudde Sir William Laxton Grocer This William Laxton founded a frée Schoole at Dundale in Northampton-shire he also builded there certaine almeshouses for seuen poore almes men This yeare was taken by the Kings ships of the English cost the number of 300. French ships and more so that the Gray Friars Church in London was laide full of wine the Austen Friars blacke Friars were laid full of herring other fish that were taken going into France The king demanded a beneuolence towards his Wars in France and Scotland The Lord Chancellour the Duke of Suffolke other of the kings Counsell sate at Baynards Castle where they first called before them the Maior and Aldermen c. And because Richard Read Alderman would not agrée to pay as they set him hée was commanded vpon paine of death forthwith to serue the K. in his warres of Scotland who departed from London the 23. of Ianuary Also sir William Roche Alderman for words of displeasure taken by the Kings Counsell was by them sent to the Fléete where he remained till passion Sunday A Priest did penance at Pauls Crosse there confessed that himselfe saying Masse prickeâ— his finger and be bled the Corporas and Altar cloth meaning to haue made the people belieue that the miraculous host had bled which hee had consecrated The 13. of February a Priest was set on the pillory in Cheape and burnt in both cheekes with the letters F. and A. a paper on his head wherein was written For false Accusing which iudgement was giuen by the Lord Chancellour in the Starre Chamber A notable example of Iustice In the beginning of March a rode was made into Scotland by the English men who went so far that a great Army of Scots be set them with thrée battailes where the English men for the most part were slaine and taken at Panyer hough among whom Sir Ralph Eure Lord Warden of the Cast Marches was slaine and Richard Reade Alâ—oman of London with others taken prisoners by the Scots Trinity Tearme was adiourned because of the Warres The French kings Nauy comming out of New â—â—uen and Deepe arriued in Sussex afore bright Hâ—â—sted where they set certaine of their Souldiers a land but the beacons were fired and the men came downe so thicke that the French men 〈◊〉 The 19. of Iuly by misfortune of shooting off a â—â—ne in one of the Hedgehogges a shippe before Westminster a firken of gunpowder fired slew â—â—en men and the eight was drowned The 20. of Iuly the king being at Portsmouth a goodly shippe called the Marie Rose with Sir George Carrow the Captaine and many other Gentlemen was drowned in the midst of the haâ—en The 21. of Iuly the French Gallies came afore â—orâ—hmouth hauen and landed certaine of their â—â—â—y in the Isle of Wight and there burned and incamped about two thousaÌ„d men but they went soone driuen away with losse of their Captaine and many souldiers Within few dayes after the whole fléete remoued from the Wight vnto a place in Sussex called New hauen and there landed many captaines and souldiers who by the valiantnesse of the gentlemen and yeomen were slaine and drowned and the rest hardly recouered their Ships and Gallies In August the Earle of Hertford was sent into Scotland with an Army of 12000. men when he destroied diuers townes The 9. of September sir Iohn Dudley Lord Admirall of England landed with sixe thousand men at Treyport in Normandy and there burnt the towne and Abbie and thirtie ships with a barâ—â— that lay in the hauen The 12. of September the Church of S. Gilen without Creplegate of London was burnt George Barne Ralph Alley Sir Martin Bowes Goldsmith A Subsidie of two shillings eight pence in the pound of goods and foure shillings of land All Colledges frée Chappels Chantries aâ— hospitals were committed to the Kings order The Stewes in Southwarke was put dowâ—â— The 27. of Aprill being Wednesday in Eaâ—â— wéeke W. Foxley Pot-maker for the mint in thâ— Tower of London fell a sléepe who could not bâ— wakned with pricking cramping or otherwisâ— till the first day of the next tearme which was 〈◊〉 14. daies 15. nights The cause of his thus slâ—â—ping could not be knowne though the same were diligently searched for by the Kings Physitians and other learned men yea the King himselfe examining the said
and our heires you now please to lend me your strong hand I héere promise and assure you that we will haue the supremacy and gouerntment This speach preuailed so farre that instantly the women tooke oath and ioyned their hearts and hands to effect their willes against men and in that fury flew all the men they met then they entred into Armes and for seauen yeares space maintained warres very stoutly and like valiant Amazones all which notwithstanding in the end they were suppressed by Prymâ—slaus partly by force partly by policy gifts and faire wordes Reade Naucler King Henry married Adelisia the Duke of Louans daughter The Citty of Glocester was burnt Henry Earle of Warwicke and Margaret his wife founded the Colledge of Saint Mary in the towne of warwicke Waleran Earle of Mellent was taken in Normandy by King Henry and hee with many others were imprisoned at Roan The King caused all the Coiners of England to haue their priuy members cut off and also their right hand because they had corrupted the Coine Henry the Emperour being dead Maude the Empresse returned into England Richard Bishop of London founded the Monastery of S. Oseth in Essex At this time men had such a pride in their haire that they contended with women in length of haire King Henry held a Councell at London wherein it was granted him correction of the Cleargie so the King tooke infinite sums of money of Priests and suffered them to doe what they would King Henry gaue his daughter the Empresit vnto Geffrey Plantagenet Earle of Angiou The Citty of Rochester was sore defaced with fire The King made a Bishopricke at Carlile Maude the Empresse did beare vnto Ieffery Plantagenet Earle of Angiou a sonne and named him Henry A great fire beginning at Gilbert Beckets house in west Cheape consumed a great part of London from thence to Algate Henry Bloys Bishop of Winchester builded the Hospitall of S. Crosse neare vnto Winchester Worcester was sore defaced with fire Maude the Empresse brought forth a sonne named Ieffery Robert Cortoise or Short-thigh King Henries brother died in the Castle of Cardife and was buried at Glocester King Henry remaining in Normandy deceased the first day of December Anno 1135. when he had raigned 35. yeares 4. moneths his bowels braines and dies were buried at Roan the rest of his body being powdred with salt and wrapped in Buls hides was buried at Reading an Abbey of his owne foundation Hee founded a Priory at Dunstable and builded the Castle of Windsort with a Colledge there KING STEPHEN STephen Earle of Beloine sonne of the Earle of Blois and Adala William Conquerours daughter Nephew to King Henry the first claimed the kingdome the second day of December Anno 1135. and was consecrated at Westminster on the 26. of December This was a noble man and hardy of passing comely of fauour personage he excelled in martiall policy gentlenes liberality towards all men although he had continuall warre yet he did neuer burden his commons with exactions Fire which began at London Stone consumed eastward to Algate and westward to S. Paules Church King Stephen besieged the castle of Exceter a long time which Balwine de Riuers held against him but at length when they within the Castle wanted necessary things to liue by they compounded King Stephen passed the sea to subdue Normandy where hee tooke many citties and strong Castles Rochester was burnt with all the citty The Archbishops sea in Yorke S. Martins without the walles the Hospitall with 39. Churches were burnt Saint Peters Church at Bath and all the citty was burnt The Nobles sent for Maude the Empresse promising her the possession of the Realme according to their oath made to her Dauid King of Scots purposing to recouer the Crowne of England for the Empresse inuaded Northumberland when by Thurstane Archbishop of Yorke the Scots had an ouerthrowe and were slaine aboue ten thoâ—â—sand Robert Earle of Glocester returned into England with his sister the Empresse and a great Aâ—my which arriued at Portsmouth Robert Earle of Glocester with a great power inuaded the towne of Nottingham and spoiled it the Townsmen were taken slaine or burnt in thâ— Churches whereunto they fled This yeare 1140. died Iohannes de temporibus he was Page to Charlemaigne King Stephen besieged Lincolne against Rainulph Earle of Chester but Rainulph Eare of Gâ—â—â—cester came with a great power and rescued the same chased the Kings Army and tooke him prisoner hée was had to Glocester and after to Bristow The Empresse reioycing at this heâ— good hap departed from Glocester and came to Cicester from thence to Winchester where the Crowne of the Realme was deliuered into her hands Earle Robert being pursued was taken a Sobbrige with Earle Warren and many other at length through meditation peace was concluded that the King should be deliuered to his kingdome and the Earle to his liberty Gaufride de Mandeuil Earle of Essex founded the Abbey of Walden and Sir William de Mountfitchet founded the Abbey of Stratford Langthorne King Stephen hearing the Empresse to lye at Oxford with a great power came and besieged her a two moneths space Earle Robert with Henry Sonne to the Empresse landed at Warham where hee besieged the Castle which was defended by Hubert de Lucie who at length yeelded the same In the meane time the Empresse séeing that shee was voyde of helpe cloathing her selfe and her companie all in white vpon a night went ouer the Thames a foote which was then hard frozen she went to Wallingford and the Castle of Oxford was yéelded to the King William of Ypre founded Boxley Abbey in Kent King Stephen tooke Ieffery Maundeuile Earle of Essex at Saint Albones which Ieffery could not be at libertie till he had deliuered the Tower of London with the Earles of Waldon and Plecy When the Earle was thus spoiled of his holds hee tooke the Church of Ramsey and fortified it King Stephen besieged Wallingford but could not preuaile The Earle of Chester was reconciled to the King and was at the siege with him but shortly after when he came to the Court the King being at Northampton hee was taken and kept prisoner till he had rendred the Castle of Lincolne and other fortresses Earle Robert deceased and was buried at Bristow The Empresse being wearied with the discord of the English nation went ouer into Normandy Quéene Matild builded the hospitall of S. Katherine by the Tower of London for poore brethreâ— and sisters Henry the Empresse sonne went to Dauid King of Scots of whom he was ioyfully receiued and made Knight England was full of trouble and warre set foorth to fire and rapine through the discord betwixt Stephen and certaine Earles that tooke part with Henry Ieffery Plantagenet Earle of