found his Adversary of France wanted no Cunning nor Industry whereby to oppose him And he heard particularly how the Scots also had engaged against him in a new Alliance with the French King and design'd to give him a Diversion at the Back-door Whereat he was grievously displeased for he doubted the Scots more than the Frenchmen not only because they were a more implacable and obstinate People and kept their former Losses in mind but also because they were his near Neighbours and could do him an Injury more easily and escape Revenge more securely Wherefore first he sent a considerable Number of Men of Arms Archers and Others to the Frontiers of Scotland as to Newcastle to Caerlile to Barwick to Roxborough and other Places Besides which he rigged forth a good Fleet which was to ply about Southhampton Jernsey and the Isle of Wight For he heard how the French King was setting forth a great Navy to Sea which was to come and invade England or as others said Ireland wherefore thither also he was obliged to send no small Reinforcement under the Command of the Lord William Windsor d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 509. ex Pat. 43. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 27. who being at the same time constituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland had in consideration thereof for his better Support in the Kings Service a Grant of a 1000 Marks per annum to be paid him out of the Kings Exchequer untill such a time as the King should settle upon him Lands and Rents of that Value for Him and his Heirs for ever and immediatly thereupon he had a Grant of the Mannor and Castle of Dungarvan as also the Castle called the Black-Castle to Him and the Heirs of his Body With him went in this Irish Expedition e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 4. ex Pat. 43. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 32 the Lord Thomas Fauconberg and other Persons of Rank and Conduct for King Edward not knowing on which side the storm would fall was obliged to take Care on all Sides Though indeed he himself was not without some anxious Thoughts by reason of the unexpectedness of this Alarum But having thus for the present provided for all as well as he could he calls together his High Court of Parliament f M.S. Rot. Par. p. 103. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridg. p. 108. which according to the Summons met at Westminster in the Octaves of the Holy Trinity At which time William of Wickham Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England declared in the Painted Chamber in Presence of the King Lords and Commons the Reasons of their present Assembly saying How the King had always in his greatest Affairs used their Advice and Counsel and especially in making the last Peace with the French which was yet made on Condition that by such a Day the French King should surrender up unto him certain Countries beyond the Seas that within such a time he should pay unto the King certain Sums of Money and that he should never pretend for the future to any Jurisdiction or Soveraignty over Gascogne or the Parts thereabouts in Consideration whereof the King of England should from thenceforth lay by the Stile of France which he had accordingly done That whereas he for his Part had not slacked his Duty the French King had done the quite Contrary for neither had he made a full and due Payment of the said Monies and also he had summon'd the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret and Others who were of the Kings Allegiance to answer to certain Appeals at Paris nay further he had summon'd the Prince of Aquitain himself who was also of the Kings Allegiance to appear among the Rest Besides all which he had sent certain Troops into Ponthieu where he had surprised several of the Kings Garrisons and Forts Whereupon the Prince of Wales and of Aquitain by Advice of his Council had sent to the King his Father wishing him to Resume the Title and Stile of France And therefore the Chancellor desired the Lords and Commons to take Counsel in the Matter and to advise the King to the best of their Power about the Premises Then there were appointed Receivers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland and also for Gascogne and other Foreign Places and Isles and after that Triers of the said Petitions for all the said Places On the Wednesday after the Bishops Lords and Commons answered the King with one Consent That considering the Premises He might with a Good Conscience take up again the Stile and Name of King of France and use his Arms as before Accordingly the King at that instant took upon him the Name Stile and Dignity of France and on the Eleventh Day of June being a Monday and St. Barnabas Day his Seal of England being safely laid up another Seal engraven with the Stile and Arms of France was taken and used and several Patents Charters and Writs therewith sealed and the same Day all the Kings other Seals were Changed one g Ashmole p. 665. being circumscribed with the Word Franciae in the first Place and the other with Angliae as at the Beginning From which Time even to this Day the Kings of England his Successors continue their Arms Quarter'd with France in token of that Right to which King Edward so justly now renew'd his Claim After this upon a full Account given of the Kings great Necessities the Lords and Commons granted unto him for Three Years following of Denizens for every Sack of Wooll Fourty Three Shillings Four Pence of every Twenty Dozen of Fells Fourty Three Shillings Four Pence and of every Last of Skins Four Pounds But of Aliens for every Sack of Wooll Fifty Three Shillings Four Pence of every Twelvescore Fells as much and of every Last of Skins Five Pounds Six Shillings Eight Pence over and above the Old Customs Then it was Enacted That all the Kings Forts and Fortresses should be surveyed repaired and edified And it was caution'd by another Statute that no Religious Aliens should be left in a Capacity to discover the Secrets of the Realm and now again were all the Lands of Religious Aliens seized into the Kings Hands and lett to Farm to the Sovereigns of the same That Remedy may be had against the excessive Selling of Armour and the unreasonable Demands of Horse-Coursers The King will appoint the Officers of every Town to provide therefore That the Time of Prescription may be from the Coronation of King Edward the First The Old Law shall stand That Sylva Caedua may especially be declared The Statute shall be observed That Sheriffs be no further charged than they shall receive The Party grieved upon Complaint shall have Remedy That the Indicted upon any Trespass or Felony may upon Issue joyned have a Nisi Prius against the King. So the same concerneth Treason the Chancellor or Keeper of the Privy Seal shall therein do Right That such as dwell upon the Sea-Coasts may set up Poles
then in France about renewing a Truce toward a full Establishment of Peace And indeed King Philip who knew that the Lord Robert of Artois his Mortal Enemy was harboured and protected in England did not at all question but that he would do his utmost to embroil the Affairs of France nor was he ignorant what just pretences King Edward might make to his Crown beside the ancient and inveterate Antipathy that seem'd almost Natural between the two Kingdoms He gave therefore to King David the Castle of Galliard upon the Seyne to reside in during his Necessitous condition and assign'd him a truly Royal Allowance for nothing could be got from Scotland considerable enough to maintain a Port becoming the Majesty of a King. Nor was it long e're Philip sent into Scotland to those Lords who held against the English honourable Messengers with many large Promises of great Assistance both in Men and Money provided they would engage never to strike up a Peace with the King of England but by the consent and allowance of him and David their King. This Message so encouraged the Brucean Lords that they readily accepted the Motion and sware to keep the Covenant which they sent back to the French King with their Seals thereto annexed The Contents whereof were but the same with those which their King Achaius of old had made with Charlemaine King of France and which were usually from King to King renewed between the two Crowns till at last in our Fathers Days Scotland was happily united to the Crown of England Which Covenant since the Articles are but short and few it will not I hope be amiss here once for all to record y Favin's Theatre of Hon. 2 Vol. p. 79. l. 5 c. 3 1. That a firm and perpetual Alliance and Confederacy should be maintained between the Scots and French. 2. That when the English made War upon either the Scots or French they should both give mutual Succour reciprocally one to the other 3. That if it happen'd the English should war in France the Scots should then give them Succour with Men of War to be waged and maintained at the Expences of the French They also engaging to do the like for them if it happen'd the English should make War in Scotland 4. That neither Scots nor French should for the future aid or assist the English with Men Money Victuals or Advice without the consent of the Kings of both Nations under penalty of being declared guilty of High Treason 5. That the French should make no Peace or Truce with the English except the King of Scots may be comprised named and allowed therein 6. And lastly That the Covenants and Conditions above-named should be confirmed from King to King and at each Change or Succession of them that their Pragmatical Sanctions should be sealed and confirmed reciprocally on both Sides This is the summ of that ancient League with France which was now renewed again And accordingly King Philip soon after z Frois c. 33. sent into Scotland to the assistance of the Bruceans Men of War under the Command of the Lord Arnold D'Andreghan who after became Marshal of France and a Famous Warrier and the Lord Garenciers with many other Captains Knights and Esquires Besides which he a Fabian p. 200 mann'd out ten Men of War to the Reinforcement of the Scots but these meeting with a Terrible storm at Sea were driven into Flanders and so beaten that after much loss of their Stuff and Provision they were fain to return home inglorious and without effect King Edward the mean while having so happily obtained the Victory aforesaid and settled his Affairs at Barwick and thereabouts adding Piety to his Valour b Walâing hist p. 114. n. 40. goes according to the Superstition of those Times with a few Attendants to visit several Places in England which were most fam'd for Sanctity and there offer'd his Thanks to God Almighty the Blessed Virgin Mother St. Cuthbert at Durham St. Edward at Westminster St. Erkenwold at St. Pauls in London St. Thomas at Canterbury and St. George at Windsor for at that beloved Seat of his he finish'd his Pilgrimage After which in * Fabian p. 200. November he again marched toward Scotland as we shall shew in the beginning of the next Chapter and kept his * Grafton p. 229 Christmas at York being still c Frois c. 26. fol. 16. attended with the Lord Robert of Artois who never ceased day nor night to set forth before him the Great Right which he had to the Crown of France and the King took pleasure to hear him But as yet matters were not fully ripe IX And now was Scotland for a while quite out of breath her Nobility being so mightily consum'd by the continual Wars and their own too great Courage and none remaining who was any way able to encounter or impeach King Bailiol who from this time had the sirname of Conquerour attributed to him So that now with his d Hector f. 316. 40. Buchan l. 9. p. 290. Army aforesaid wherein was the Lord Richard Talbot and many young Knights and Esquires of England he took in almost all Scotland diligently viewing every Place and prudently settling his Affairs for the most part furnishing his Garrisons with English as not yet daring since the late Treacherous surprize to repose much confidence in the revolted Scots whatever Submission they now pretended Only a few Castles continued true to King David in this Alteration which as they could not then be easily taken for their strength so for their Number were they very inconsiderable If any thing may be said to be so in a War when no less than a Kingdom lies at stake Hereupon King Bailiol finding himself pretty well established in his Throne e Walsing hist p. 115. M.S. vet Angl. c. summons a Parliament to meet him at Perth alias St. Johnston to which those English Lords that claim'd Possessions in Scotland came and there did their Homage to him for the said respective Lands held under him reserving still the Allegiance they ow'd to their natural Lord and Soveraign the King of England Among these was Henry Lord Beaumont Earl of Buquhan who had to wife the Lady f John Cumin Earl of Buquhan died without Issue but Alexander Cumin his brother left three Daughters his Coheirs of which this Alice the Eldest Mills Catal. Hener p. 957. Alice one of the Sisters or rather as others say Cosins and Heirs of the Lord John Cumin Earl of Buquhan and Constable of Scotland of the Lands of whose Inheritance doing Homage therefore he had g Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 50. b. Livery and Seisin in the Sixth of Edward the Second thô afterwards he was dispossessed as other English Lords were till this time This Great Lord they say did first advise King Bailiol to implore the King of England's Aid toward the recovery of his Right and till the King's
l. out of his Custom of the Town of Barwick upon Tweed till 500 l. lands were firmly settled upon him for him and his Heirs for ever And there it appears that the King gave him further for his good Service at the Battle of Durham with one hundred Men of Arms one hundred Pounds per annum out of the Custom of the Kings Port of Newcastle upon Tine till he should settle upon him so much in Land for him and his Heirs for ever After so truly a Royal Bounty King Edward enquired of him concerning what he knew as to the Particulars of that Battle and afterwards he was fain to repeat this News to a great many Lords and Gentlemen of the Army But on the third Day he went on Board and return'd for England and with him there went a q Knighton p. 2591. n. 20. Command from the King to all and singular High-Sheriffs and Others that no Scotch Prisoner should be deliver'd for any Ransom whatsoever but that they should be all kept in safe Custody and the King himself would satisfie all those who took them for the Redemption of all and every of their Prisoners And this Command of the Kings was generally published throughout all England to be observed on forfeiture of Life and Limb. XIV Sr. John Copland for so now we shall call him being come into England r Speed. p. 580. went to York where the Queen was and there made his Excuse before the Queen and the Lords of the Council in so dutifull and rational a manner that they were all very well satisfied with his Conduct in that Affair and immediately took Order how and with what Forces and at what time the King of Scots should be conveyed to the Tower of London After this Sr. John Copland went home to his own Castle of Ogle and assembled his Kindred and Friends who together with those of the North-parts and Others made up 20000 fighting Men With whom Sr. John Copland the Lord Ralph Nevil and the Lord Henry Piercy convey'd him to the Limits of Yorkshire Å¿ Ashmole p. 656. ex Ret. Sect. 20. Ed. 3. m. 2. Decemb. 20 mo where on the 20 of December he was deliver'd according to the Kings Command to Sr. Thomas Rokeby High-Sheriff of Yorkshire who received him from the Lord Ralph Nevill by Indenture And this Sr. Thomas Rokeby with all the Forces aforesaid conducted the King of Scots up to London where the said King being mounted on an huge Black Courser was at the Kings Command signifi'd in his Letters received by the Mayor Aldermen and Citizens of London with great Pomp and Solemnity every Company in their Proper Liveries attending the Cavalcade from Street to Street vast Multitudes of People following him and infinite Numbers from Belconies and the Tops of Houses beholding this Triumphant Spectacle And being thus brought to the Tower of London he was lastly deliver'd up from the Hands of Sr. Thomas Rokeby aforesaid by t Ashmole p. 656. ex Claus 20. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 1. Derso Indenture dated the second of January to the Lord John Darcy senior Constable of the Tower of London there to be kept in safe Custody King David himself was thus secured in a safe but respectfull manner and the rest of the Scotch Prisoners bestow'd in other Places of Safety But in February following u Knighton p. 2592. n. 30. Holinsh Scotl. p. 241. Stow p. 245. John Earl of Menteith forasmuch as he had done Homage and sworn Allegiance to King Edward of England and had now contrary to his Oath and Duty broken his Faith and taken up Arms in behalf of David Bruce against the King of England and the Bailiol was by the said King of Englands Command indited of High-Treason and thereupon arraign'd condemn'd hang'd drawn and quarter'd as also the Earl of Fife was at the same time condemn'd to the same punishment XV. This Winter the Noble and Valiant x Knighton p. 2592. n. 20. Earl of Lancaster and Darby together with the Earl of Pembroke and some of their Chief Knights and Captains things being first settled in Gascogne return'd for England In which Voyage on the 8 of December they were taken in a Storm and in great Danger according to the King their Masters Fate who usually was thus handled at his return for England But God deliver'd them also this time and they arrived safe whither they were bound After the Battle of Durham y Frois c. 139. fol. 68. b. Queen Philippa made good Provision for the Defence of the Cities of York and Durham for the Castles of Roxborough and Newcastle upon Tine and other Frontier Towns on the Marches of Scotland and having set the Lord Henry Piercy and the Lord Ralph Nevill as Governours over that side of the Country she went from York to London Where having taken order for the safe Custody of the King of the Scots and the rest of the Prisoners she then went with an Honourable Company of Ladies of the Highest Quality whose Husbands Fathers Brethren and other Friends lay then before Calais and with a good Convoy among whom was the Bishop of Durham and many other great Personages took the Sea and had so good a Wind that She arrived safe in the Camp that same day being three days before the Feast of St. Andrew The King received her with extream delight and satisfaction and made a great and splendid Feast for all the Lords and Ladies that were with him especially for those that came with the Queen For the Sea being his own he had all things that might serve either for Use or Pleasure in great Abundance But the City of Calais began to be very much straitned for want of Victuals XVI And yet all this while many Overtures were made by his Holiness toward the Concerting of Matters insomuch that by the instant Mediation of the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont five z 22 Octob. Rot. Norm 20. Ed. 3. m. 18. Ashmole p. 656. days after the Battle of Durham a Commission was made out to William Marquess of Juliers William Bohun Earl of Northampton Constable Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Marshall the Lord Bartholomew Burwash the Lord Richard Talbot Steward of the Kings House Dr. Thomas Bradwardin Chancellor of London John Thoresby Canon of Lincoln and Andrew Hufford Canon of York either to all Eight or to any Seven Six Five Four or Three of them to treat and conclude with the said Cardinals of and upon all Quarrels and Controversies depending between the King and the Lord Philip of Valois and their several Allies But we shall say no more of this Meeting because it took no Effect the Concessions of France being no way answerable to King Edwards Demands So that this Year passed away without closing that Breach which threatned to prove an Inlet to many great Calamities the Year following CHAPTER the SIXTH The CONTENTS I. King Philip holds a Parliament at Paris II.
but is reconciled to the French King. The War breaks out again between England and France The Black-Prince his Exploits in Gascogne The Lord John Lisle Knight of the GARTER slain Two Letters of Sr. John Wingfields relating the Prince's Exploits King Edward goes into France obtains a Truce and returns into England Barwick taken by the Scots Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Seventh Son Thomas of Woodstock Nantes taken and Recover'd A strange Malady of Aversion The Death of Peter Lord Mauley From p. 478. to p. 489. Chap. XIV King Edward recovers Barwick King Bailiol resigns his Right and Title to Scotland into King Edward's Hands King Edward wasts Scotland but losing a great part of his Navy is obliged to return He brings Bailiol into England with him A Parliament at Paris A Sedition at Arras supprest King John of France seises the King of Navarre confines him and executes several of his Friends The King of Navarre's Brother Philip obtains Assistance from England and being reinforced by the Duke of Lancaster makes hot War in Normandy King John goes against him but upon News of the Black-Prince's being in France turns back to oppose him The Duke of Lancaster having settled Affairs in Normandy goes into Bretagne to the Dutchess From p. 489. to p. 494. BOOK III. CHAP. I. KING John prepares to go against the Black-Prince The said Prince's Victorious Progress thrô Quercy Auvergne Berry and Touraine The French King follows him Two Cardinals haste after him in hopes to reconcile Matters Some French Troops cut off by the Prince King John having Order'd his Battails a Cardinal perswades him to desist a while till he had try'd to compose Matters But the French K. demands more than the Prince would grant A Quarrel between the Marshal of France and the Lord Chandos The Cardinal despairing of Peace leaves the Field Prince Edward encourages his Men. The Names of his Chief Leaders His speech to them His New Device against the Enemy The Lord James Audley and Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt begin the Fight The Famous Battle of POICTIERS wherein King John is made Prisoner The Prince of Wales his Bounty to the Lord Audley his Obliging Deportment to the French King. He returns to Bourdeaux King Edward's Moderation at the News of his Sons Success The Pope applauds the Prince of Wales for his Humanity to the Captive King. The several claims concerning the taking of the French King adjusted The Duke of Lancaster's proceedings in Normandy and Bretagne after the Battle of Poictiers The Troubles of France freshly fomented by a Seditious Parliament The Lord Godfry of Harcourt slain The Pope stirs up the Emperour to endeavour to compose Matters between the two Kings A Diet at Metz in Lorraine Seals changed in England From p. 495. to p. 525. Chap. II. The Black-Prince brings King John of France into England King Edward receives the Captive King with much Humanity Henry Duke of Lancaster holds a Siege before Rennes The Cardinals obtaine a Truce between the two Kings King David is redeem'd and returns to Scotland The Duke of Lancaster takes Rennes by Composition Sr. Robert Knolles beats the Marshal of France in Normandy The Lord of Granville takes the Castle of Eureux by a slight The Rise of Sr. John Hawkwood and Sr. Robert Knolles The Original of a sort of Free-booters call'd Companions in France The Insolence of the Parisiens and their Provost toward the Dauphin King Charles of Navarre gets at Liberty and grows Popular From p. 525. to p. 535. Chap. III. King Edward holds St. GEORGE'S day with great Solemnity A Friendly Treaty held between King Edward and King John but 't is dash'd The Jaquerie in France with their Cruelty and Extirpation Quarrels between the King of Navarre and the Dauphin and between the Dauphin and the Provost of Paris The King and Duke reconcil'd but the Provost continues Plotting The English Navarrois revenge the Death of their Countrymen on the Parisiens The Provost designing to betray Paris is discover'd and slain The King of Navarre breaks again with the Dauphin His several Garrisons the Dauphin's Difficulties The Confusion and Miseries of France The Constable besieges St. Valery The Captal of Busche comes to the King of Navarre's Assistance The several Garrisons of the Navarrois The Lord Canon Robsart discomfits a Party of them The happy Estate of England Two Kings keep Christmas with King Edward The Death of the Queen Mother of England of the Queen Consort of Scotland and of Orcanes the Great Turk A Quarrel between the Bishop of Ely and Blanche Lady Wake And another between the Four Orders of Predicants and the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford From p. 536. to p. 552. Chap. IV. A Method of Agreement pitch'd upon by the two Kings but rejected by the French Parliament Whereupon King Edward resolves for War. St. Valery yielded up to the French. Sr. Peter Audley fails in his Design upon Châlons The Earl of Roucy taken Prisoner a second time Melun besieged but the Dauphin and Navarre are reconciled The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt taken Prisoner by the French. A Judgment on a Sacrilegious Souldier The Navarrois decline suddenly Vpon Sr. Peter Audley's Death Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt is redeem'd by the Navarrois and made their Captain Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition He retires being overmatch'd Submits to the King and obtains his Pardon The Flemings revolt from King Edward King Edward with his Four Sons and others holds a Solemn Justs in the Name of the Mayor and Aldermen of London John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond Marries the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter King Edward chooses the Place of his Sepulture in Westminster Abbey From p. 552. to p. 564. Chap. V. King Edward sends the Duke of Lancaster to Calais and follows himself with an Army of an Hundred Thousand Men. The Names of his Chief Captains with the Order of his Army The King Marches from Calais toward Rheims in Champaigne An adventure between the Lord Galahaut de Ribemont and the Lord Van Boulant The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes the French Master of the Cross-bows Prisoner King Edward lays Siege to Rheims The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt sends relief to the English Army Several Places taken by Detachments from the Camp before Rheims The King of Navarre breaks with the Dauphin again The Lord of Gomegines taken Prisoner by the French. The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes Cormicy and rases it From p. 565. to p. 574. Chap. VI. The Duke of Normandy's Methods to resist King Edward The French take Land at Winchelsea and having done much harm are beaten off Order taken to prevent the like for the future King Edward rising from before Rheims Marches thrô Champaigne Roger Mortimer Earl of March dies The Great Pomp and Order of the English Army King Edward is bought off from destroying Burgundy and turns toward Paris He sits down before Paris Two Treaties offer'd at in vain The King Challenges the Dauphin forth to Battle The Lord Manny
Southerland As for the former King John Baliol he liv'd at this time a retired life in France having only two Sons the Lord Edward and Henry who as yet had no Issue and therefore their Father had on certain considerations resigned and quitted and given over to King Robert his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland so that Robert was now quit of all fear on that part and otherwise very strong in the affections of his People who were then a great and flourishing Nation And this was the state of Scotland when King Edward the Third of England came to the Crown wherefore encouraged with their former success and despising King Edwards Youth r Rich. Sâuthwell on the very night of that day whereon King Edward was Crowned the Scots had intended to take the Castle of Norham Å¿ Grafton p. 173. between the Marches of England and Scotland by surprize and so well they managed their design that about t Holinshead Hist Sect. p. 225 sixteen of them had already mounted the Walls but the Captain Sr Robert Manners being warned of the Matter before-hand by one of his Garrison who was a Scotchman had so well provided to receive them that of those who had mounted he took five or six and put the rest to the sword their Companions below upon this disappointment retiring This seem'd a good Omen of King Edward's future Victories over the Scots by occasion of the Lord Edward Baliol who was himself a Scotchman Presently after King Robert Bruce supposing it now a very fit season to take some advantage against his old Enemies the English during this their Kings Minority sends about u Frois c. 15. Grafton p. 218. Easter a short and brisk Defiance to King Edward and all his Realm telling them that he would shortly with his Power invade the Realm of England with Fire and Sword and there do as he had done before in his Fathers Reign at the Battle of Bannocksborn near Striveling or Sterling where the English received that mighty Overthrow we spake of by reason of those x Sr Tho. de la More Ed. 2. p. 2. Holingshead hist Scotl. p. 217. Hector and Buchan Pits into which the Scots had intrapt them unawares I must not omit that the Scotch Writers attribute the occasion of this Defiance to some fraud or other wherewith the English had lately endeavour'd to ensnare them by foul Collusion of their Ambassadours but neither can it be imagin'd what necessity the King of England should have either by fraud or force to attempt to injure the King of Scots with whom he stood on no ill Terms before his own Affairs were in any posture of Settlement nor do any of their own Historians assign what this fraud or injury was nor indeed was ever the English Nation noted so much for fineness or subtlety as for down-right Honesty and blunt valour Nor is the consideration of King Robert's Age and sickness sufficient to conclude that of necessity there must be some great Cause given that could provoke so decrepit a Man to begin a War toward the End of his Life since thô his Person was weak his Mind was strong and vigorous and Scotland was never in better case than at that time and the Generals he intended to employ were Barons of great Fidelity Conduct and Resolution and he might reasonably hope to have at least as much advantage over this Young King as he had over his Father in his Full Age when attended with a most flourishing Army Nor is any great Captain thô never so satiate with Lawrels so unambitious after all but that in his weakest condition he would lay hold on any occasion of so probable success against a professed Enemy 'T is sweet to an old Warrior to end his days among Triumphs and Victories This is certain King Edward the Third neither did nor could send any Ambassadors to him before his Coronation yet even then we shew'd before that the Scots began to break the Peace by attempting to surprize a Castle thô no less than y Hâlinshead hist Scot. p. 224. Ashmole p. 645. ex Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 2. Dârs Nine years were to come of the last Thirteen years Truce struck up between this Kings Father and King Robert of Scotland four years before And besidââ we find that there had been since the Coronation of this Young King an Agreement for a further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on the Sunday next before Ascension Day then ensuing But as I said before King Robert imagining to make an easie prey of the young Monarch neither much valued the old Truce not yet ended nor the new Agreement not yet perfected but resolves upon War. Hereupon soon after he invades the North Borders with an z Hector p. 307 b. n. 60. Army of Twenty five thousand Men a Bachan p. 273 all Horse that they might do mischief more speedily and retire with more expedition if by any necessity they should be so obliged VI. The mean while King Edward conceives an high indignation at this unprovoked Defiance and to secure himself for the future from the like Contempt immediately with all his Power addresses himself to defend his Reputation And first he b Frois c. 17. sends his Uncle Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England with a choice number of Soldiers to Newcastle upon Tine who there made his Musters as he was appointed on the c Ashmole p. 645. Monday next before the Ascension in like manner the Lord Robert Hufford and the Lord John Moubray were commanded away to the Reinforcement of the Lord Anthony Lucy of Cockermouth then d Dugd. Baron 1 Vol. 565. a. Governour of the Castle and Town of Carlile At the same time the King issued out his General summons to his own People and moreover by kind letters invited his noble Friend John Lord of Beaumont in Heinalt and brother to William Earl of Heinalt by whose aid chiefly the Queen had deposed her Husband and who was but newly return'd home again to come over to his assistance about the time of the Ascension Sr John Lord Beaumont hereupon came over to the King to the City of York the place appointed for the general Rendezvous thô Newcastle also was pitch'd upon for the assembly of other Forces a week before within three days of Whitsuntide accompanied with more than fourty Lords and Knights of Heinalt Flanders and Bohemia with other Knights from Cambray and Artois to the number of Five hundred Men of Arms all well Arm'd and gallantly Mounted Soon after Whitsuntide follow'd for the sake of this John of Heinalt the Lord William Son to the Duke of Juliers or Gulick and Sr Henry Thyrry afterwards Earl of Lewis and with them another goodly Company all expecting to purchase much honour under this hopefull Young King and no less profit as well from his Royal bounty as from the
said That the World was nigh at an End. In those days one a Sherburn en Manilius his Spher in Catal. Astron p. 35. Cichus Asculanus Dr. in Physick a Philosopher and publique Professor of Astronomy at Bologna in Italy being accused for a Necromancer was burnt alive at Florence in the Seaventieth year of his Age Whose Learning in Judicial Astrology meeting with an ignorant Age might pass for Conjuration as a little after Petrarch himself was looked on for a Wizard even by a Pope of Rome Thô b Odoric Rain Anno Chr. 1327 §. 46. Joh. Villani l. 10. c. 41. indeed it was laid among other things to his Charge that in a Treatise called de Sphaera which he set forth at Bologna he affirmed that Spirits were generated in the Superior Orbes which by Incantation could be compelled to wonderfull Operations and that the Stars had Influence upon the Wills of men and could enforce and determine them And which seems most horrible that our Saviour Christ being born under such a Position was thereby necessitated to live Meanly and to die Miserably But that Antichrist being to be born under a quite different Position should obtain immense Riches Power and Dominion But we are not here to inquire how true or untrue this Charge was wherefore we shall end this first Year and Chapter together CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS I. King Edward takes to Wife the Lady Philippa Youngest Daughter to William the Good Earl of Heinalt II. The shamefull Peace struck up with the Scots at Northampton at which time all the Evidences which Recorded the Subjection of that Nation to the Crown of England are deliver'd up again III. King Edward looses hereby in the Opinion of his Neighbours especially the French and Scots IV. The Insolence and Power of Mortimer whereby he provokes certain Peers to Arms A Parliament at Salisbury the Lords reconcil'd to the King Mortimer made Earl of March. V. The Pedigree of Henry Lord Beaumont VI. Mortimer entertains the King. I. A While a Frois c. 19. after the Scotch Expedition An. Regni II. King Edward by Advice of the Queen his Mother with the Consent of his Uncles the Earl of Lancaster the Lord of Wigmore and all the Barons of the Realm sent Dr b Ashmoles Garter p. 669. ex Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 15. Dat. 8. Octob. Roger Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield with two Knights Bannerets and two Men Learned in the Laws to the Lord John of Heinalt to request of him in way of Friendship that he would join with them to require of his Brother the Earl of Heinalt one of his Daughters in Marriage for the Young King of England their Master For the King and the Queen his Mother had such a kindness for that Family that at this time no Lady in the World could have stood in Competition with one of Sr John's Neices for King Edwards Affections That some such Motion had been formerly made I will not absolutely deny thô it should seem partly by this manner of requesting and partly by what follows that as yet no bargain or mutual affiance had been made as many suppose perhaps not mention'd since now they were fain to apply themselves to Sr John's Mediation AN. DOM. 1328. who seem'd hitherto ignorant of any such matter thô himself so lately had left England When the Ambassadors with an Honourable Equipage were come to Valenciennes the chief City of Heinalt the Earl William and his Lady Jane de Valois received them very gladly and entertain'd them during their stay with great Splendour and Magnificence 'T is reported that one day c John Harding c. 178. fol. 177. Stanza 2.3 4 c. 182. fol. 184. when the Earl brought forth all his Five Daughters to their View while the others being amazed with the Beauties and delicate Shape of them all stood in deep suspence not knowing which to prefer the piersing Eye of the Bishop observing with good heed the Lady Philippa to be the best built about the Hips and of a good Sanguine Complexion agreeing with the Kings he secretly advis'd his Colleagues that she was the Lady among them all that was most likely with her sweet Disposition to please the King their Master and also to bring forth a numerous and Hopefull Progeny This coming thus from a Bishop whose Order was not then allow'd to Marry gave occasion of much Diversion and Mirth to the Company But however the Judgement prevail'd and Madam Philippa who was the very d Sic in illius Epitaphio Gailielmi Hannonis sobeles postrema Philippa Hic reseo quondam Pulchra decore jacet Stows Survey London p. 505. youngest of the Ladies and hardly fourteen years of age was pitch'd upon to be their Queen This Story however unfit it may seem to some for the lightness of it to appear in this place I thought good to set down not only because it bears some Reason with it but because to those who consider the Event it may rather seem a Work of Providence the Bishop by Chance or by some Impulse or by his Skill in Nature happening on what prov'd really a Truth Upon this Conclusion the Earl who knew the Quality of the Ambassadors and their full Instructions in the Affair after many thanks acknowledging the great Honours done to his House by the King of England his Mother and his Council said He was ready to allow the Consummation of the Business provided his Holiness the Pope would consent to give them a Dispensation For indeed the Lady Philippa's Mother Jane de Valois was Daughter to Charles Earl of Valois which Charles was Uncle to Isabella King Edward's Mother The Ambassadors were well content with this Answer and immediately dispatch'd away the two Knights and the two Learned in the Law to Avignon where at that time and long after the Popes resided to obtain a Dispensation The Pope at that time was John XXII who having well consider'd the Equity of the Cause with the Consent of the whole College of the Cardinals granted their desire and after a Splendid Entertainment dismist them For these were fit Servants for a King They dispatch'd their Masters business with great Discretion and Expedition minding nothing but how to finish this great Affair thoroughly and speedily Upon this all the rest was concluded and agreed on between the Parties and while Preparations were making to Convey the young Lady into England according to the Dignity of the House whence she came and the weight of that Title she was going to receive the Marriage e Ashmole p. 669. was first solemnized by a sufficient Proxy sent to Valenciennes by the King of England Hereupon after some few enforced Delays of Feastings and Princely Entertainments among her Parents and Relations the Ambassadors with their new Queen her Uncle Sr. John other honourable Company in great satisfaction took the Sea at Whitsan near Calais and so came all
safe with a merry Gale to Dover In their Approach to London f Knighton p. 2552. the Mayor and Aldermen went forth in their Habits well attended to meet their New Queen and to do her honour 'T was about Christmass when she came to London and the whole City enlarged their Joys and Feastings in honour of so welcome a Guest From London they all went to York where the Court then was and there g Id. Ibid. Frois c. 19. Fabian p. 195. Lit. Dom. C.B. on the twenty fourth Day of January being a Sunday and the Eve of St. Pauls Conversion the Marriage was Solemnized at which Dr. h M.S. Vet. Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 216. William Melton Archbishop of York and Dr. John Hotham Bishop of Ely sang the Mass And afterward i Sandford Geneal hist p. 159. on the first Sunday in Lent following was the Young Queen crown'd at Westminster with much Pomp and Glory Upon these happy Nuptials there was great Joy over all England but especially at Court where there was nothing but Justs and Turnaments in the Day-time Maskings Revels and Interludes with Songs and Dances in the Evenings and continual Feasting with great Magnificence for three Weeks together Soon after the Queens Coronation all except a very few of her Attendants Relations and Countrymen departed with her Uncle the Lord John of Beaumont into their own Country highly satisfied with their Entertainment and well rewarded by the King of England Among those few necessary Servants that stay'd here with her there was one a very proper and well-shap'd young Gentleman of strong Limbs and exalted Courage named Sr. Walter Manny k Frois c. 19. Lord of the Town of Manny in the Diocess of Cambray who was then Carver to the Queen but after that became for his exceeding Valour Generosity and Eminence in all Vertue One of the most Renowned and Gallant Knights in the whole World as the Sequel of this History will abundantly declare Now l Ashmole p. 669 there had been before in this King's Father's Days several other Matches proposed for him thô none of them took but this last And first his Father had design'd him for the Lady Margaret Eldest Daughter to William the Good Earl of Heinalt and Sister to this Queen Philippa who was afterwards Married to Lewis the Emperour Another time for Sibylla a Kinswoman of the said Earls and thirdly for Iolant the Daughter of James King of Aragon fourthly for the Lady Eleanora Sister to Alphonso King of Spain and while this Match was in Treaty another Alphonso King of Portugal propos'd his Daughter to the Prince but neither this nor that came to any effect because all former measures were broken by that great and sudden Alteration of Affairs in England II. And thus was King Edward a Married Man at the age of Fifteen but not fully Lord of himself being kept from the true Knowledge of Affairs by the Queen Dowager and her Minion the Lord Mortimer who by his great Power with her so Lorded it over his Betters that he began to grow insupportable to the Kings Uncles and Henry Earl of Lancaster which ill-will of their's was encreased by this Occasion In m M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 216. Whitsunday Week being the latter end of May there was a Parliament held at Northampton in which first King Edward began to stir about his Title to France For Charles the Fair King of France and Brother to his Mother Isabella Queen Dowager of England being lately dead without Issue-Male notwithstanding that King Edward acknowledged their Salic Law whereby an Infant Daughter of the said Charles was excluded wherefore neither did He claim the Crown for his Mother yet he maintain'd this Point n Mezeray ad an 1328. That the Sons of the Daughters having no such Imbecillity of Sex were not at all uncapable and that so the Peers of France ought to prefer him who was a Male and Grandchild to King Philip the Fair before Philip of Valois another Pretender to that Crown who was but a Nephew These things o Antiq. Brit. p. 228. n. 50. being discussed in Parliament it was thereupon Ordained That Adam Orleton Bishop of Worcester and Roger Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield should go into France and there in the Name of King Edward their Master claim that Kingdom and as much as in them lay hinder the Coronation of the said Philip of Valois But of this matter we shall say no more till we are called to enter upon the Wars of France which King Edward in his Riper Years undertook upon this Occasion Now we must look upon him as influenced by others counsels and so neither Formidable abroad nor Powerfull at home and one notable Instance thereof appeared in this very Parliament at Northampton where not so much the Honour and Profit of the King and his Realm was respected as the enriching security and advancement of the Lord Mortimer Here the two Spencers Father and Son Edmund late Earl of Arundel who had been executed by the Queen Mothers Party without any legal Process made against them And Walter Stapleton late Bishop of Excester whom for firmly adhering to his Master King Edward the Second against Queen Isabell's Pretensions the Commons of London had in a seditious tumult illegally beheaded together with his brother p Godw. Catal. B shops p. 405. Sr. Richard Stapleton a valiant and loyal Knight who died in the same manner at the same time all these now thô dead * Martin Ed. 3. p. 104. M. S. Record p. 12. Sr Rob. Cottons Abridgm p. 8. were in this Parliament attainted of High Treason by the directions and influence of the Queen Mother and the Lord Mortimer Whether it proceeded of implacable Malice which recked not to pursue them even into their Graves or whether by this means they meant to cover their former unjustifiable Proceedings against those Persons by a subsequent countenancing of the Action in Parliament Such pittifull shifts are Men put to when once they deviate from the straight way of Justice and Vertue thô at last all disguises must fall off and Wickedness appear open in all its natural Turpitudes From the same Influence also at this time by very subtle dealing and precontrived Overtures which the Scots were underhand dealt withall to propose a base and dishonourable Peace was struck up with that Nation profitable indeed to Mortimer and the Old Queen who with Adam Orleton Bishop of Worcester were the chief contrivers of it but utterly inconsistent with the Honour of the Young King or Profit of his Realm and People The Reason that moved the Scots to part with so much Money as was given by them upon the Establishing this Peace was because they were beforehand assured that they should have a good Return made them in consideration thereof beside they were sure to loose much more by the War next Year if continued because their
Age as a Man zealous for his Masters Honour of whom the Chief Care had been committed to him by Parliament he began to Assemble his Friends and Retinue unto whom he spake of the King's Honour which was now expos'd to obloquy and it seems the matter was so manifest that the King 's two Uncles and many others of the Highest Quality and the Chief Citizens of London swore unto him to stand by him in Opposition to Mortimer And this was the substance of their Design n M. S. id ibid. 1. That the King should hold his Houshold and his Meny according to the Dignity of a King having all his Royalties entire to himself and that the Queen Mother should deliver up into the King's hands all manner of Lordships Rents Towns and Castles that pertained to the Crown of England and that she should live on the Third part of the Rents of England as other Queens before her had done and on nothing else 2. Also that Sr. Roger Mortimer should live upon his own Lands for which yet he had already disinherited many so that the Commons might not be destroyed thrô his wrongfull encroachments 3. Also to make inquisition how and by whom the King was betrayed and falsly deceived at Stanhop and thrô whose Counsel the Scots were suffer'd to escape by Night out of the King's hands 4. Also how and by whose Counsel the Ordinance that was made at the King's Coronation was put down viz. that the King for the good of the Realm and safety of his Person and Honour should be Governed and Ruled by Twelve the Greatest and Wisest Peers of the Realm without whom nothing should be Granted nor done which Order being neglected many Harms Grievances and Scandals have happen'd unto the King and to his Realm And that is to understand Forasmuch as Edward sometime King of England was ordained by consent of the Community in full Parliament to remain under the Custody and Governance of Henry Earl of Lancaster his Cozen for safety of his Person he was taken out of the Castle of Kenelworth where he was in Custody and thrô Counsel of the Queen Mother and Mortimer without consent of any Parliament they took and lead him where none of his Kindred might come to the speech or sight of him And after traitrously took and murd'red him for whose Death a foul Slander arose thrô all Christendom 5. Also all the Treasure that Edward of Carnarvon had left any where either in England or Wales was wasted and carried away without the Will or Knowledge of King Edward his Son to the great Detriment of him and his People 6. Also thrô whose Counsel it was that the King gave up the Kingdom of Scotland for the which Realm the King's Ancestors had full sore travailed and so did many a Noble Man for their Rights But now all was deliver'd up unto David the Son of Robert Bruce who had no Right unto that Realm as all the World knows 7. Also by whom the Charters and Remembrances that the King had of his Right to Scotland were taken out of the Treasury and given to the Scots the King's Enemies to the Disherison of him and of his Successours and to the great Loss of his Liege People and the Reproof of all English men for evermore 8. And lastly wherefore the Lady Joan of the Tower the King's Sister was disparag'd and Married unto David the Son of Robert Bruce that was a Traytour and Enemy unto England and through whose Counsel she was given into our Enemies hands out of England While the Earl of Lancaster the Earl of Norfolk and the Earl of Kent with their Council were contriving how to pursue this matter the Parliament sat at Salisbury to which they refus'd to come because of Mortimer's formidable Retinue and put themselves in a Posture of Defence against the Queen Mother and Mortimer being enforced with 600 men of Arms from London But certainly 't is good for Great Men at Court when they see a Favourite solely to possess their King not therefore to be carried away with unjust and causless Envy if they can perceive the Person to be notwithstanding blameless or usefull to the King's Affairs For Envy is a fierce unbridled and devouring Evil always ungenerous and void of Equity and withall often thrô Precipitancy more hurtfull to its Owner then its Object But if the Favourite appears really Haughty beyond Sufferance and dangerous to the Publique a Man truly Loyal and Brave ought by any means to consult the Interest of his Master Yet this he must not think to perform well by flying out first for that makes his own Cause seem the worst but rather by wisely concealing his Resentments till a fit Occasion offers it self For otherwise we do but rashly declare we are Enemies to One who is better provided than We our selves and will be sure to make use of his present Advantage to our Ruine The truth of this Aphorism appears from the sequel of this Story for by this publique Breach which the Earls of Kent and Lancaster with their Associates seem'd first to make Mortimer held the better appearance and so lightly perswaded the young King that these Men sought no less then his Life and Kingdom Whereupon he obliged him to ride out against them in Person about o An non Bradford legend quod est in Wilteniâ 24. Mill. à Sarisberiâ Bedsord immane quantum distat 24 miles in one Night towards p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 145. ex Leland Collect. 1 Vol. p. 685. Bedford where they were assembled in Arms thô only resolv'd to stand on the Defensive part But by Mediation of Dr. Simon Mepham q John Tinemouth p. 229. Archbishop of Canterbury and others upon their submission Mortimer also cunningly pretending to befriend them therein a formal Peace was huddled up and all taken to Mercy thô not without severe Fines imposed on them all which for the most part were converted to the profit of Mortimer And particularly the Earl r M. S. Vel. Ang. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 216. of Lancaster was then Fined at no less then 11000 pounds thô that summe was never paid We shall see notwithstanding shortly by what subtle contrivances this aspiring Great One could find Occasion to destroy the Noble Earl of Kent and perhaps he would have done as much to the Earl of Lancaster had he not despis'd his Age which by that time rendred him almost decrepit On the contrary he himself at this very Parliament attain'd to greater Honour for here the King 's own Brother John of Eltham being made Earl of Cornwall and Sr. James ſ Dugd. Warn p. 445. a. Butler of Ireland Earl of Ormond this Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore against the liking of many Great Men was at the same time Created Earl of March in the Marches of Wales Thus did this notable Politician overreach all his Enemies the King's Uncles and the Bishops being indeed taken
Wherefore the Earl prayed heartily of his Holiness to grant him the favour that the foresaid Thomas Earl of Lancaster might be Translated Now 't is to be remembred that this Thomas who was Eldest Son to Edmund Crouch-back Second Son of King Henry the Third and Younger Brother of King Edward the First had been by King Edward the Second beheaded at Pontefract for Heading the Barons against the King But among the Common People he was look'd on as a Martyr for the Nations Liberties and meriting the name and honour of a Saint However the Pope answer'd Earl Edmund that he the said Thomas of Lancaster should not be Translated untill he should be better certified by the Clergy of England and had seen by their joynt Testimonies what thing God had done for the love of Thomas of Lancaster according to the Suggestion that the foresaid Edmund had made unto him And when Earl Edmund saw that in this request he should not succeed as to the Translation he then desired his Counsel in another matter relating to Edward of Caernarvon his Brother late King of England what he had best to do in order to his Deliverance from Captivity since it was a common Fame thrô England that he was alive whole and sound When the Pope heard him say that King Edward the Second was alive he commanded the Earl upon his Blessing to help with all the Power that he might to deliver him out of Prison and save his Body to the utmost of his Ability in order to which he assoyled him and all his Partakers ab omni poena culpa and promised to bear the charges of the whole Undertaking threatning him also with Excommunication if he did not make use of his best Endeavours to assert his Brothers Right and Liberty Soon after Earl Edmund return'd into England where he set himself about discovering as he thought the Truth more fully and then sent to Corfe Castle that Preaching-Frier of whom we spake One says x Leland Cell 1 Vol. p. 794. that he was also tempted by one of Mortimers Instruments who urging That King Edward the Second was alive and only wanted his Assistance to be deliver'd and restor'd to his former Dignity and the Earl thereupon promising his best Endeavours he was by the same Party accused of High-Treason Walsingham y Walsing hist p. 110. Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 93. produces an Imperfect confession of the Earl's which he made before Sr. Robert Howel Coroner of the King's Houshold and afterwards on the â6 of March in the Fourth Year of this King's Reign own'd it for his Confession 1330. REGNI iv before the Lords assembled in Parliament at Winchester whereby we may perceive that he himself sought out to no Body but that others set on no doubt to ruine him came of their own accord to him as well to confirm in him the belief of the Old King 's being Alive as to pretend their Readiness and offering him their Service to deliver him But the whole Cheat will best appear from the Confession it self which amounts to thus much That the Pope had enjoyn'd him on penalty of being Excommunicate to use his utmost Endeavours to work the Delivery of his Brother late King of England promising himself to bear the whole charge of the Undertaking That a certain Predicant Fryer z R. Southwell's Addition to Adam Merimuth M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 213. named Thomas Dunhead in discourse with him at Kensington near London told him He had conjur'd up a Spirit which assured him that Edward his Brother late King of England was yet living That the Archbishop of York had sent him by his Chaplain Mr. Alleyn a trusty letter wherein he promised towards the delivery of his Brother five hundred Men or more William Iliffe also and William Warham Clerks and Thomas Bromfield Fryer promised him their Assistance in this Business Also that Sr. Ingelram Berenger had brought him word to London from William Lord Zouch that he was ready to lend him his help toward the Restauration of his Brother That Sr. Ingelram came to him again from the Lord John Peche proffering also his Service to the Work and saying that Henry Lord Beaumont and Sr. Thomas Rosselin who were sled the Kingdom for fear of Mortimer had at Paris in the Duke of Brabants Bed-chamber instigated them to this Attempt declaring they were ready to come into England to the furtherance of the same That Sr. Ingelram came unto him yet a third time at Arundel into his Bedchamber over the Chappel and assured him of the Bishop of Londons help That Sr. Robert Taunton brought him word from William Melton Archbishop of York that the said Archbishop had Men ready harness'd to compleat the design and that the said Sr. Robert with two Preaching Fryers Edmund and John Savage had a chief stroak in the Affair And that Sr. Fulk Fitz-Warine coming to him at Westminster told him 't would be the most honourable Action he could ever set about but to appear in the Attempt to which he had promised his best Assistance And lastly that the Letters which he had sent to Sr. Bogo of Bayonne and Sr. John Daverill were sealed with his Seal and that his Wife had wrote another Letter to the same effect and that all this was Truth so that he confesses he has offended and therefore he put himself upon the King's Mercy a M. S. Vet. Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 220. The truth of it is that by Mortimers cunning being induced to a belief that his Brother the late King was still living and in Corfe Castle he went himself to the said Castle and spake with the Constable thereof Sr. John Daverill and after many rich Presents desired secretly to know of him whether his Brother the late King was yet alive or dead and if he were alive that he might have a sight of him Now this Sr. John Daverill being Mortimers Creature answer'd that indeed his Brother was in health and under his Keeping but that he durst not shew him to any man living since he was forbid in behalf of the King that now was and also of the Queen Mother and of Mortimer to shew his Person to any One whatsoever except only unto them But the false Traitor lied unto him for the Old King was now in his Grave But Earl Edmund was so far deceiv'd by the Constables protestation that he deliver'd him a Letter desiring him to bear it unto his Brother which he promised to do but soon after carried it to Mortimer sealed with the Earls Seal It began thus To the Noble Knight Edward of Caernarvon Edmund of Woodstock worship and reverence with Brotherly Allegiance and Subjection Sr. Knight Worshipfull and Dear Brother if it please you I pray heartily that you be of good comfort for I shall so ordain for you that you shall soon come out of prison and be delivered of that Trouble which you are in And may
time to appear and all publique Affairs happily succeeded henceforward both to the King and his People Doctor Walter k Holinst Eng. Chron. p. 1002. Burleigh or Burley who had been bred up in Merton College in the famous University of Oxford was at this time of such Fame for learning and piety that he was taken into Queen Philippa's Service at her first coming into England and became her Almoner still encreasing in great Estimation at Court Insomuch that when this Young Prince Edward was able to learn his Book this Doctor was appointed to be his Tutor whereupon Simon Burley who was son to Sr. John Burley a near Kinsman of the Doctors was admitted among other young Gentlemen to be School-fellow with this Hopefull Prince By which occasion he wan so much upon the Princes Favour that afterwards by his means he was advanced to great Honour being in time made Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and also had the Government and Education of the Prince's Son Richard of Bourdeaux comitted to his Trust As for the Young Prince Edward the King his Father by l Ashmole p. 670. Sand-Geneal Hist p. 181. ex Cart. 7. Ed. 3. m. 4. ex Pat. 7. Ed. 3. p. 1. m 13. his Charters dated the Eighteenth of May in the Seventh Year of his Reign when he was but in the Third Year of his Age granted unto him by the Title of Edward his most Dear and Eldest Son the County of Chester the Castles of Chester Beston Rothelan and Flint and all his Lands there as also the Cantred and Land of Englefield with their Appurtenances to him and his Heirs Kings of England together with all Knights-Fees Advowsons Liberties Royalties and all other things belonging to the said County Castles Lands and Cantreds as well in England as in Wales and the Marches thereof as fully and under the same Conditions as himself had received them before he was King from which time he had the Title of Earl of Chester added to his Style But intending to enable him yet better to maintain this his Dignity the next day the King gave him all the Corn as well in Granges as growing on the Ground as also all the Arms Victuals Cattle Goods and Chattels in all the said Castles Lands and other Places to him before granted together with all Debts Arrearages of Accounts and other Services due to himself But in the m Cart. 11. Ed 3. n. 55. Eleventh Year of his Reign and the Seventh of this Princes Age upon the Death of John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall the King created him Duke of Cornwall as appears by his Charter of Creation bearing Date the 17 of March the same Year investing him by the Sword only which was the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England At the same time the King setled upon him divers Mannors and Franchises expresly set down in the said Charter for the better support of his Ducal State and Honour all which thô some lay in other Counties were thereby made part of the Dutchy of Cornwall And further by Letters Patents dated the same day he granted unto him the Stanneries in Cornwall together with the Coinage of Tynn and all the Issues and Profits thence arising as also the Profits and Perquisits of the Courts of the Stanneries except only a 1000 Marks granted to William Montagu then Earl of Salisbury and his Heirs out of the Issues thereof till Lands were provided for the said Earl of that yearly Value And afterwards granted that all the Castles Honours Mannors Lands and Tenements belonging to the Dukedom or Earldom of Cornwall which were held in Dower or for term of Life or Years whose Reversions belonged to the King should remain to this Prince as Duke still as they fell and to the Eldest Sons of him and his Heirs as Dukes of the foresaid Dukedom After this in the Parliament held in the Seventeenth of this King his Father he n 12 Maii Car. 17. Ed. 3. m. 24. n. 27. Created him Prince of Wales and invested him with a Coronet a Gold Ring and a Silver Rod And the better to support his State as Prince of Wales he gave him several Lands which are all particularly enumerated in a Writt directed to William Emeldon to deliver them unto this Prince or his Attourney He also gave him all Debts and Arrears of Foreign Rents due to himself for what cause soever in North-Wales and South-Wales to the time of his being created Prince of Wales as also all Victuals Arms Horses and other Cattel Goods and Chattels in all the Castles and Lands which he held by the Kings Grant. After all which this Noble Prince was made Knight of the Garter at the First Institution of that Famous Order and lastly Prince of Aquitain in France and for his Courage and Conduct his Policy and Courtesie became in time the most Renowned Captain in the World being for his Dreadfull Deeds in War as most agree sirnamed by the French le Neoir or the Black-Prince VI. In these Days the Young King of England finding himself a Father began indeed to play the Man and thô he was then but 18 Years of Age takes a resolution to govern his Realm no more by Others but Himself in Person hearing and learning the Truth in weighty Affairs and distributing Justice and Mercy to such who should lay the best claim to either But while Mortimer held his present Station 't was not possible the King should be Master of his own Purposes Now therefore to him we hasten who seems already to have been too long free from that Vengeance which always pursues ambitious and bloody Traitors Of his Treachery and Cruelty we had no small Instances before But by a certain fatal Ordinance that wicked Men must of themselves advance and further their own Ruine his insupportable Arrogance and too opiniative Security thence proceeding was the chief Occasions of his suddain Downfall In the Quindenes of St. Michael the King holding a Parliament at Nottingham Mortimer appear'd in such splendour and so well attended that he became both the Envy and Terror of all the Kings Friends no man durst name him by any other Title than his new-acquired but much-envy'd one the Earl of March And his Interest and possessions bound those to him whom his Power could not move For in these days he bore such sway that he obtain'd whatever he had a mind to as appears by these following Grants from the Young King who by his o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. Cart. 4. Ed. 3. n. 64. Charter dated this Year besides all he had got before granted unto him the Castle and Mannor of Hanley with the Chaces of Malverne and Cors in the Counties of Worcester and Glocester also the Town of Wiche in Worcestershire with the Castle of Clifford and Mannor of Glasebury part of the Possessions of Hugh Spencer the younger not yet free from
Discord between the Father of our Lord the King and the Queen his Consort making her believe that if she went to him he would kill her with a Ponyard or other weapon or murder her some other way And by reason of that and other his Conveyances he did so much that the Queen never went to her Lord to afford him her Bed to the great dishonour of the King and the whole Realm and perhaps for time to come for its Dammage which God forbid 10. Item That the said Roger had taken and caused to be taken for himself and others of his Council the Kings Treasure without reason to be disposed of at his pleasure to the utter Impoverishment of the King so that he was left unable to pay for his Provision or maintain his Royal Estate 11. Item That the said Roger had taken to himself and his Allies the 30000 Marks which were paid by the Scots according to the form of the Peace so that nought thereof came to the Kings use or profit 12. These Articles with three more relating to the Publishing the Kings Secrets his Murdering and Fining several Peers of the Land and his Usurping the Kings Authority with some things in respect of the Kings Honour not to be drawn up in Writing which I suppose related to his Familiarity with the Queen Mother were the summ of what was said against him and consisted of Treasons Felonies and high Misdemeanours Whereupon the King o M. S. Rec. Parl. p. 10. Knighton p. 2558. n. 40. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm of the Records set out by Mr. Pryn p. 6. c. chargeth the Earls Barons and others Peers of the Realm to pronounce just Judgment upon him the said Roger Mortimer Who all thereupon consulting together agreed that all and singular the Articles against the said Roger above attested were true and notorious and known to all the People of the Land and especially that Article touching the Death of the King at Berkley-Castle Wherefore it was by them adjudged that the said Roger as a Traytor and an Enemy of the King and Kingdom should be Drawn and Hanged And this Sentence he received without being p Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 147. called to any kind of Answer as he himself had before order'd in the case of the Spencers and of the Lord Edmund late Earl of Kent the King's Uncle A just Judgment upon him though in it self illegal For it is not the usage of the Law of England to condemn without Hearing or due summons to Judgment And doubtless the sins of Sodom were more notorious to God in Heaven than those of any person can be to mortall Men in Parliament But yet we read in the Sacred Books how that most just Judge both would and did go down to hear and proceed in a Judicial way Wherefore also q Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. twenty four Years after his Attaindure was reversed and Roger his Grandson restored to all his Titles and Honours the Judgment being reckon'd void and erroneous because not done according to the Laws of England However now according to the Sentence the Earl Marshal being so commanded with the assistance of the Mayor and Sheriffs of London saw him executed upon the common Gallows now called Tyburn on the r Knighton p. 2559. l. 3. 29 of November being the Vigil of St. Andrew and a Thursday or rather Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. as it was found by inquisition twenty four Years after on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Catherine the Virgin which was the 26 of November and the very first day of this Parliaments Sitting and was t Menast Angl. 2 Vol. p. 224. buried the third Day after which indeed was the 29 of November having hung two days and two nights by the King 's special Commandment After which by the Kings Favour his Body was granted to the Friers-Minors or Gray-Friers in London who buried him in their Church now called Christ-Church whence u Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. many Years after he was translated to Wigmore So that Du x Du Chesne Histoire d' Angleterre p. 637. Chesne appears to be mistaken who affirms that he was hang'd drawn and quarter'd his Quarters set up upon the Gates of Four chief Cities of England and his Head upon London-Bridge He died seized y Dugd. 1 Vol. 147. of the Mannors of Stratfield-Mortimer and Wogfield as parcel of the Mannor of Wigmore also of the Mannor of Newbury and the Moiety of that Town all in Berkshire Likewise of the Mannors of Clifton upon Temede and Odingley in Worcestershire of the Mannors of Noke Mawrdyn and Wynfreton with the Advowson of the Church of Wynfreton in Herefordshire of the Castle and Mannor of Nerberth and the Third part of the Town of St. Clier with the Advowson of the Church the Third part of the Commots of Amgeyd and Pentyryock and the Third part of the Town of Haverford in Herefordshire of the Castles and Dominions of Blenleveny and Bulkedinas in the Marches of Wales besides z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 641. the Castle Town and Mannor of Denbeigh and the Cantreds of Roes Rewinoc and Keirmer with the Commot of Dinmal and the Appurtenances in Northwales as also the Castle and Mannor of Mongomery with the Mannor and Hundred of Chirbury in Shropshire All which his great Possessions were seized into the Kings Hands as a Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. appears by his Precepts bearing date the 23d of October which were directed to several Persons for the Seizing of his Castles Mannors and Lands in Wales he being then only under Arrest for several High Misdemeanors tending to the Dammage of the King and Kingdom as the words therein do import and within 3 Days following Commission was granted to John Kingston and Others to take an Inventory of all his Treasure and Jewels in Wales and the Marches but not to carry away any thing out of the Wardrobe of Joan his Wife then at Ludlow or any thing that belonged to any of her Children or Servants By this Lady Joan who was b Mills Catal. Honor. p. 575. Daughter and sole Heir of Peter Jenevill Knight this great but unhappy Man had Issue c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. four Sons and seven Daughters his First Son was Sr. Edmund who was never Earl of March his Fathers Attaindure not being reversed in his time the Second was Sr. Roger the Third Sr. Geoffry Earl of Jubien and Lord of Cowith which three were all Knighted at the Coronation of this King Edward and the Fourth was John Mortimer unhappily slain in a Tournament at Shrewsbury His Daughters were Catherine wife to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Joan married to James Lord Audely the Son of Nicholas Lord Audely Baron of Heleigh Agnes to Laurence Hastings afterwards Earl of Pembroke Margaret to Thomas Son and Heir of Maurice Lord Barkley or as d Catal. Nobility by R. B. Dugd. Bar. 1
Grievance to the whole Kingdom Among other of their Licentious Practises the Lord Chief Justice e Knighton p. 2559. n. 60. Sr. Richard Willoughby going after Christmas towards Grantham was taken by one Richard Fulvile and by force carried into a Wood hard by where being siesed by certain of these Lawless Fellows he was compell'd to lay down immediately Ninety Marks as a Ransom for his Life and also to swear never to discover them Upon News of these and the like Insolencies the Young King resolving now to be Master of his Crown sends forth his Justices of Trailebaston two and two with Power to enquire after all Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs Escheators and others who had abused or neglected their Offices by Extortion Bribery Fear or Favour and after all such as had failed in the due Execution of the Laws whereby these Licentious People began first to take such Boldness upon them The form of the Writ thô of moment I forbear to transcribe because 't is already Extant in f Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 840. Holinsheads Chronicles and elsewhere But least the Law should fail of Power to maintain it self the Young King takes to him some choice Troops of Armed Men with many Light-Horsemen well mounted and marches forth in Person to discover these Enemies to Government Some Parties of these Audacious Villains were met with by him nor did they much decline the matter Success had made them so Impudent But Majesty and Vertue are more Valiant than Vice and Rebellion so that they are all soon Worsted by the Brave Young King and become an Example to others some of them being slain in Skirmish many Hang'd and Quarter'd a few Beheaded others imprison'd and put to great Fines and in short such Order taken with all that the whole Kingdom was kept in Peace and quiet at Home all his Reign after VI. On the Thirtieth g M.S. p. 14. Sr Rob. Cotton Statute Bock c. of September or the Morrow after St. Michael being a Monday the King held his High-court of Parliament at Westminster to consult about the Affairs of Guienne and other his Lands beyond the Seas as also concerning a Peace to be had with France and to conferr about the Matters of Ireland These were by John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and then Lord Chancellour of England offer'd as the reasons inducing the King to call that Parliament The Affairs of Guienne were not in so ill a posture the h Knighton p. 2563. Earl of Vlster being now there and Sr. John Darcy Justice of Ireland having been sent thither the Year foregoing i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 371. especially because of the late Composure between England and France the French being also at this time about a Treaty with England Yet because then a Peace is most likely to be made on good Conditions when he that treats is in a posture of Defence it was thought fit to provide something for the Defence of those Parts however And therefore Sr. John k Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 151. a. St. Philibert a Baron of great prudence and valour was now by the King appointed to be Major of the City of Bourdeaux having an assignation of an 100 l. allow'd him for the Expences of his journey thither thô this Worthy Gentleman deceased about two Years after Sr. Oliver Ingham a mighty Baron and One of the Twelve appointed for a Guide and Counsellour to this King at his Coronation had now his l Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 104. Patent which had been granted him seven Years before for the Seneschalsie of Aquitain renewed and not long after he was sent over with pretty considerable Forces Of whose valourous Exploits this Book will not be silent At the same time the Lord m Dugd. 2 Vol. p 34. Ashmole p. 693. Bartholomew Burwash senior was constituted Seneschall of Ponthieu in Picardy which King Edward held in right of his Mother with whom that Earldom was given upon her Marriage with the King his Father As for Ireland it was resolved that the King in Person should go thither that to prepare his way a certain power of Armed Men should go before him under able Commanders and that those especially who held any Lands there should make speedy repair thither for Defence of that Kingdom as also that all learned Men in the Law who should be appointed as Justices or otherwise to serve in Ireland should by no means be excus'd on any pretence whatsoever And further 't was order'd that search should be made into his Majesties Records to see what Methods had been formerly taken for the civilizing and governing that Country As to the Affairs n M. S. p. 14. §. 3. Sr Rob. Cotton's Abridgement p. 9 §. 3. with France the King by his Chancellour demanded whether he had best treat with that Crown by way of Amity or Marriage The Commons humbly conceived that Marriage would be the best way whereupon certain were appointed to consult about this Treaty and a o Ashmole p. 675 Commission was given to Sr. John Darcy and Sr William Trussel to treat and agree with King Philip or his Deputies upon the Premises Now for the better understanding of this Matter it appears from the Records as we shall more fully shew hereafter that near this time King Philip being taken up with thoughts about the Holy War that he might be sure of King Edward of whose pretences to that Crown he was jealous had offer'd to enter into a strict Alliance with him by p Ashmole p. 675 Sandferd p. 184. a Marriage between a Daughter of his and the young Prince Edward of England And lest that might not suffice had importun'd him to be his Fellow in Arms and in Person to accompany him into Palestine or as q Odoric Rainald Add. tâad Annal. Barerâi 1331. â 29 c. Others say into Spain to fight against the Moors of Granada But because nothing was done in this Matter yet only it was refer'd to the foresaid Commissioners to advise about it we shall remitt the further prosecution hereof to the next Year to which it more properly belongs Yet this we must not pass over that now upon Occasion of the King 's being invited into France the former Resolution that he should personally go into Ireland took not effect this Year and as for the next other Business put it off and the Scotch Affairs the Year following wholly null'd it so that the King went not thither at all as it had been here resolved only an Armed Power was sent thither the Year after this In this Parliament St. Hugolin the Granchild of the Lord Hugh Spencer the Elder who with his Son Sr. Hugh had in the late Revolution been illegally executed by Queen Isabell having first by his great Valour r Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 880. in holding his Castle against the said Queen compounded for his life and since that Obtaining his Majesties Gracious Pardon was now
wholly acquitted thereupon As indeed by this time both his Father and Grandfather too might have been had not the too speedy violence of their Enemies taken them both out of the way Yet 't is observable by this Sr. Hugh the younger whose Manuprizors were Sr. Ebulo le Strange and eleven other Knights as also by Thomas Lord Barkley who had as many Manuprisors thô he was acquitted the last year that it was a custome to say no more in those days when any one had been tryed as an Offender against the King thô he were thereof acquitted or had his Pardon yet ſ M. S. p. 15. 16. Sr Rob. Cotton p. 10. notwithstanding he was to provide Twelve of his Peers to be Sureties for his Forth-coming during the Kings pleasure The Discontinuance of which custom has been too usefull to Traytors in our days It was also here moved by the whole Parliament either in compassion of Innocence or because all their Rancour was satisfied in the execution of Mortimer that the King's Majesty would be graciously pleased to extend some Favour to Sr. Edmund Eldest Son to the late Earl of March. At which bold request the King being offended as imagining they petition'd for his full Restoration to his Fathers Lands and Honours asked them with some Emotion What they would have since the King his Father had been murder'd by the procurement of the said Earl The Parliaments Answer was they only spake in the Young Man's behalf for some certain Lands Intail'd to which the King replied That he himself would do what to him should seem best at his Pleasure Which severity went so near to the heart of the young Lord that before the end of the Year t Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. he died in the Flower of his Age leaving behind him Roger his Son and Heir then but three Years of age which Roger three and twenty Years after was fully restor'd to all the Lands and Honours of his Grandfather It is u M.S. p. 14. §. 5. Sr Rob. Cotton p. 10. §. 5. c. agreed that all Feats of Arms shall be defended as well by the Justices as Others untill the King and his Council do otherwise appoint It is agreed that Queen Isabell the King's Mother shall have yearly four thousand Pounds in Rents or Lands All the Estates in full Parliament do agree that none of them shall retain sustain or avow any Felon or other common Breaker of the Law. It is enacted that no Purveyance be made but for the King Queen and their Children and that by good Warrant and ready Payment The King shall appoint certain Persons to determine the Office of Thomas de Ferrers and Other his Brethren of the Parsonage of Marleston in the County of Leicester Commandment is given to the Abbot of Crowland and Thomas Lord Wake of Lidel between whom there had been debate to keep the Kings Peace The like command was given to Sr. William de la Zouch of Ashby and Sr. John Grey of Rotherfield Stephen Gravesend Bishop of London was taken into the Kings Privy Council and took his Place at the Board accordingly At the request of the whole Estate the King now at last dischargeth the Lord Thomas Barkley of his Mainprisors day being given to him to appear at the next Parliament Whereas Sr. Henry Percy for the Yearly Fee of 500 Marks stood bound to serve the King with a certain number of Men as well in Peace as in War The King in release of the said Fee granteth to the said x In my M.S. and Sr. Rob. Cotton too he is here called an Earl thô the First Percy Earl of Northumberland was not till the Coronation of King Richard the Second An. 1377. vid. Mills Catal. He p. 718. Sr. Henry in Fee the Castle of Workworth in Northumberland and the Mannor of Rochbury In this Parliament Sr. Robert y Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 154. Benhale who was then or soon after a Baron of the Realm and a most noble and couragious Knight in his time as we shall have Occasion to see hereafter with William Clopton and John Clopton all young spritely Gentlemen having been convicted before the Justices of Assize in Norfolk and Suffolk of certain Ryots and other youthfull Extravagancies were brought to appear in full Parliament with several Knights and Esquires their Sureties where each of them was fin'd and further bound with other Sureties for his good Behaviour For at this time Justice being provok'd by the Insolence of those who took too great liberty during the Kings Minority was every where severely administred as in the next years Parliament we shall see more particularly Sundry Merchants of Brabant having been arrested by English Merchants for Wools taken up to the use of the Duke of Brabant upon the said Duke's request the King commands all the said English Merchants to appear before the Council and abide further Order therein About this time King Edward z Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. confer'd on the young Sr. Walter Manny Carver to his Queen the Honour of Knighthood here in England by Bathing and other sacred Ceremonies with allowance of Robes for that Solemnity out of the Kings Wardrobe as for a Baneret And in the Sequel of this History we shall see how worthily he behav'd himself in this Honour VII There a Mill's Catal. Hener p. 683. departed this life on the 19 of April this Year the Lord Robert Vere called the Good Earl of Oxford Lord of Bolebec Samford and High-Chamberlain of England So Valiant that King Edward the First often employ'd him in his greatest Affairs with equal success so Temperate that he had the common Repute of a Saint He was solemnly interred at the Priory of Colne and because he left no Issue of his Body was succeeded in his Honours by his Nephew Sr. John Vere son of his Brother Alphonso who was now about Nineteen years of Age The Arms of this Honourable Family are Quatterly Gules and Or in the First a Mullet Argent which have belonged to the Earls of Oxford of that House and Name from the Year of our Lord 1140 even down to our days In these days John of Luxemburgh Son and Heir to Henry of Luxemburgh once Emperour of Germany the most valiant King of Bohemia * Lanquets Chread hunc annum invading Italy brought under his subjection Brescia Bergamo Lucca Parma Reggio and Modena of whose noble Exploits and Death we shall have Occasion to speak hereafter But the Occasion of his Wars in Italy may be seen in the Writers of that Nation and no where more particularly than in Odoricus Rainaldus his Continuation of Baronius his Annals of the Church at the Year of our Lord 1330 and after CHAPTER the FIFTH The CONTENTS I. A Parliament at Westminster II. The true Grounds of the Scotch War enquired into III. A Recapitulation of the Scotch Affairs from the first Invasion of Bailiol to this time IV.
was entituled Robert of Artois Earl of Beaumont le Roger Peer of France Lord of Conches Damfront and Mehun And as his Blood was Illustrious his Courage was undaunted and his Spirit unable to brook an Injury Now in process of time it happen'd c Gaguin Graston p. 229. c. that in a Plea of some High Concern for Lands between this Sr. Robert and his Aunt the Lady Mathilda Countess of Artois he had judgement awarded by the Court against him whether because of Letters that Sr. Robert was said to have counterfeited or for Respect to the Lady who was a Widdow or out of Envy to him who was the King's sole Favourite or thrô neglect and inadvertency or for any other cause Just or Unjust however the proceeding so much âncensed Sr. Robert that he could not forbear to utter in the hearing of many these High Words By me was Philip Crown'd and by me shall he be discrown'd again These rash Words had surely cost him his Head could Philip have taken him in his anger But he had wisely voided his Dominions and cast himself upon his Nephew John Earl of Namur The mean while King Philip had caused his Lady thô so near related to himself with her two Sons the Lords John and Charles to be apprehended and flung into close Prison d Graften p. 267. in the Castle of Gastenois whence he sware they should never return while they lived whatsoever he should be advised to the contrary Nor content with this he sends to the e Frois c. 2â Bishop of Liege desiring him effectually that he would for his sake defie and make War against the said Earl of Namur unless he would deliver up Sr. Robert of Artois or expell him his Country All this the Bishop did accordingly he was so addicted to the Crown of France and thereupon the Earl was forced thô unwillingly to send Sr. Robert away Who went thence directly to his Cozen the Duke of Brabant by whom he was entertain'd with much friendship and generosity The enraged King upon knowledge hereof sends the Duke word that if he continued any longer to foster or entertain this his Enemy in any part of his Countrey he with all the Realm of France his Friends and Allies would thenceforth commence an everlasting Quarrel against him The Duke upon this Menace privately conveys this his Friend to a strong Fortress of his expecting the Issue of King Philip's Intentions But this angry Prince had so well studied his Revenge that by his Spies he was acquainted with this Finess of the Duke's Whereupon taking it very heinously to be thus impos'd on by his great Importunity seconded with round Sums of Money he engaged John of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia thô he was Cozen German to the Duke of Brabant the Bishop of Liege aforesaid the Archbishop of Colen the Earl of Gueldre the Marquis of Gulick or Juliers the Earl of Bar the Lords of Ros and Fanquemont or Valkenburgh as the Germains with several others all at one time to concurr in a common Defiance against the Duke of Brabant And accordingly all these having joyn'd the Earl of Ewe Constable of France who led a considerable Army himself defi'd the Duke of Brabant and entring his Country by the way of Esdan or Sedain on the Meuse came to Antwerp at that time the chief City of Brabant and twice over-ran the Country where they pleased with Fire and Sword. Hereupon William Earl of Heinalt out of kindness to the Duke his Kinsman sent his own Lady Joan de Valois who was King Philip's Sister together with his Brother John Lord Beaumont of Heinalt into France to entreat for Peace and to obtain a present respit from War for the Duke of Brabant At last thô not without much ado King Philip was wrought upon to vouchsafe him a Peace upon these Conditions That the Duke of Brabant should cast himself upon the favour of the Court of France and of the Kings Council of them to abide the Censure and also without fail by such a certain time absolutely to banish out of his Territories the said Robert Earl of Artois The Lord Robert being thus eagerly prosecuted from one Country to another and wholly driven to despair at last resolves to fling himself upon the more powerfull Protection of the King of England and from this time sets himself with full Bent against his own Country So dangerously impolitick is it for a Prince to declare himself irreconcilable to any Great Man before he has him in his Power For here he kindled such a Fire as the blood of more than an hundred thousand Frenchmen could not extinguish He came into England disguised like a Merchant his Stuff and Riches being all convey'd hither before about the time that King Edward held his Parliament at f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 645. York in order to his Affairs relating to Scotland The King knew him well for g Graften p. 207 Polydor. l. 19. p. 364. both he and his Mother had formerly received much kindness at his Hands when they were persecuted by the Spencers and beside as we have shewn he was of Kin to the King by the Mother wherefore readily apprehending of what great use such a Man might prove to his future Attempts he immediately made him of his Council and assign'd him the h Frois c. 26. Speed p. 570. §. 37. Profits of the Earldom of Richmond till he should provide some other Settlement for him But of him we shall speak more anon II. King Edward before the sitting of this Parliament had upon Occasion of the foremention'd Rumours from the North sent l Ashmole p. 645. ex Rot. Pat. 6. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 3.14 Dec. Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton and Sr. William Denham his Ambassadors to King David his Brother in Law demanding present Restitution of the Town of Barwick which his Grandfather Edward the First had held in peaceable Possession and also to summon him to come into England to render Homage unto him as Superior Lord for that his Kingdom of Scotland To which Message King David by advice of his Council return'd thus k Frois ibid. Lords it is no small wonder to Us and to all our Barons that the King your Master our Good Brother in Law should send us such a Message as here you bring us For it could never appear to us that the Realm of Scotland was of old bound or subject to England either to yield Homage or any other Service thereto Wherefore neither would the King our Father of famous Memory ever own any such thing for all the Wars that were made against him by your King's Father or Grandfather The steps of our Father we Our selves God willing intend to follow in all that is Just and Honorable even thô thereby we hazard both our Life and Kingdom As for Barwick it was l Vid. John Harding c. 172. and Speed p. 559. § 34. fairly won
Mind might be known had conceal'd him at the Lady Vesci his sister's House The Lord Richard Talbot was now also restored to the Lands which he claim'd in right of his Lady h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 326. Elisabeth another of the Cosins and Coheirs of the said Lord John Cumin of Badenagh Earl of Buquan as David Strabolgi Earl of Athol in Right of his Mother i Dudg 1 Vol. p. 96. Joan the other Cofin and Coheir whose Name Others reckon to be Katherine had Livery of his Lands at the same time Besides these King Bailiol gave to the Lord k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 274. Henry Percy of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland a Grant of the Inheritance of the Pele of Loughmaban as also of Anandale and Mossetdale with all the Knights Fees and Advowsons of Churches within those Valleys in as full and ample Manner as the Lord Thomas Randulph sometime Earl of Murray ever had them And moreover of divers Lands in that Realm which had belonged to other Men of the Brucean Party The like Grants were given to Ralph Lord Nevil of Raby John Lord Moubray and Sr. l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 184. Edward Bohun Brother to John Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England all Men of great Nobility and Valour These with some few more came to this Parliament held by King Bailiol as Peers of Scotland and as owing Homage for their respective lands held of him partly to settle their own Affairs and partly m Rot. Sâoc 7. Ed. 3. m. 2. as Commissioners from the King of England to see those Agreements ratified and confirmed that had been made between the two Kings And in this Parliament n Holinsh Eng. Chren p. 896. were revoked and made null and void all Acts Statutes and Ordinances which the late Kings of Scotland Robert or David had made and it was enacted That all such Lands and Possessions as either of the said Bruces had given granted or confirmed to any Person or Persons whatsoever should be now taken away and restored to the former and true Inheritor Thus was David seemingly unking'd and Bailiol to all appearance fixed in the Scottish Throne but we shall quickly see him at the bottom of the Wheel again and once more King David must be lifted up thô to his greater loss and trouble But now we must shut up this Active year with a few Memorandums of Mortality For Lewis Beaumont Bishop of Durham o Gedwins Cata. Bps p. 661. departing this life in September on the 19 of December following Dr. Richard Bury formerly the Kings Tutor was consecrated Bishop in his stead in the presence of the King and Queen of England and of King Bailiol of Scotland besides 2 Archbishops 5 Bishops 7 Earls and many other Noble Personages both Lords and Ladies So obligingly Gracious was this Mighty Monarch to the Man that taught him as indeed for his great Learning and Abilities he did well deserve Also on the 12 of October following p Gâdâins Catal. Bps p. 132. Therne's Chron. p. 2066. Dr. Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury deceased at his Mannor of Magfield and was succeeded in that See by Dr. John Stratford Bishop of Winchester a Man of great Learning Judgment and Loyalty And on the 13 of the same Month Sr. Hugh Poynz q Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 2. a noble and valiant Knight and Baron of this Realm went the way of all Flesh leaving behind him Nicholas his Son and Heir from whom many worthy Branches are descended CHAPTER the SEVENTH The CONTENTS I. A Parliament held at York II. Edward Bailiol King of Scotland renders Homage to King Edward of England whereby the Scots begin first to be distasted again John Duke of Bretagne likewise renders Homage to the King of England for his Earldom of Richmond III. A Council at Nottingham which produces a Parliament at Westminster Wherein King Edward shews his Resolution to go with the French King to the Holy Land Vpon which he sends Ambassadors to the Pope and King Philip but that Design is broke IV. King Bailiol causes a disgust among his Friends whereat his Enemies take Advantage till being reconcil'd again he grows stronger However his Enemies get to a Head again and for a while prosper V. King Edward startled at the News prepares for another Expedition to Scotland in Person He arrives with his Army at Newcastle The Lord Edward Bohun Brother to the Earl of Hereford and Essex unfortunately drowned I. KING Edward of England in his March toward Scotland AN. DOM. 1334. An. Regni VIII which as we have observed he began in the November foregoing a Fabian p. 200. Grafton p. 229. stay'd to keep his Christmas at the City of York Thence he went and laid Siege to the Castle of Kilbridge which he presently took by fine force and thereupon having confer'd with King Bailiol and pretty well settled Affairs in those parts he return'd again after Candlemas b Holinshead p. 896. B. Dom. Lit. Pasc 27 Martii to York in order to hold his Parliament which he had summon'd to meet him there the next day before St. Peter in Cathedrâ being the 21 of February and a Monday the second Week in Lent. Here it was c M.S. Rec. Par l. p. 20. 21. §. 1. c. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 15 §. 1. c. Enacted that the Great Charter of the Forest and other Statutes should be observed and that what Clauses therein were obscure should be by good Advice more fully Explain'd It was also petition'd that in every County one Justice of the Peace Learned in the Law should be appointed as Chief over the Rest before whom all Offences should be sued to the Outlawry And that these were yearly to make an Account of their Doings before the King. To which the King replying he would be advised granted that they should yearly send up an Extract of their Proceedings into the Treasury and to Encourage them the more herein undertook to d Ibid. § 4 provide that each of them should have certain and limited Fees allow'd him To the Petition that no Pardon be granted to any Outlawed by any suggestive means but only by Parliament his Majesty answer'd that the Statutes made should be observed and whereas it was Requested That Sheriffs might continue but one Year according to the Statute of Lincoln and Woodstock he told them that the Statutes made should stand and that the Chancellour and others who were appointed to make Choice of Sheriffs should name Able Men who were to continue One Year or longer according to their Demeanour It was now Enacted that the Justices of the Kings Bench and the Common Bench Justices of Assise and of the Peace in every County should Determine of false Jurors and Maintainers Moreover the King by his Letters Patents charged all Archbishops and Bishops to cause Excommunication weekly in every Parish to be Denounced against all such Offenders
ready to accompany the French King to the Holy Land in order to fight against the Common Enemies of Christendom In the discussing and debating of these Articles the King of France was so zealously bent on the Holy War and such diligence was used by his Council not one at that time daring on the suddain to contradict that in the end a full Conclusion of the Peace on the Terms proposed was agreed on and Matters proceeded so far that Proclamation was order'd to be made thereof the next day in Paris and the Towns thereabouts But whether by the Fickleness and Inconstancy of King Philip or the Advice of some Scotch Pensioner in his Council or a sense of Generosity and a Commiseration of King David's exil'd Condition or by some secret Impulse of Heaven for the sins of Christendom and the punishment of France scarce were the English Ambassadors return'd to their Lodgings but they were remanded back again to Court where presently new Scruples were started which chiefly concern'd the third Article For thô as to the second Demand King Philip stood stifly against it at first unless all the Charges his Father Charles had been at in those Gascoigne Wars were repaid him by the King of England yet that when 't was made appear that the War it self was unjust he easily remitted But now as to the third Article King Philip answer'd peremptorily That he could not either in Honour or Equity desert his Friends the Scots in this their Oppression they being his Confederates and just Men Nor ought he to esteem King Edward worthy of his Friendship while he continued War against them That himself was as all Kings ought to be a Friend to Justice from which he should never swerve either for Affinity or Advantage or any other Consideration whatsoever but that he would to his Power vex and molest all the Disturbers of the Peace of Scotland For said he there will never be perfect Peace and Quietness in Christendom till the King of France shall stand as Umpire between the Realms of Scotland and England And therefore he briefly told the Ambassadors that having better consider'd of it he was resolv'd to conclude nothing as to Peace with England unless King David also might be comprehended in the same League so as that he might be restored to his Kingdom and the Bailiol wholly excluded Surely how gallant soever this Speech might seem 't was neither modest enough prudent nor seasonable For had he temporised so far as thereby to have obtain'd King Edward's Company in this Holy War the Bailiol might easily have been ruin'd by King David's Interest alone And it was more likely that then by fair means modest Reasonings King Edward might have been wrought upon by a personal Conference than by this rash and imperious way of Prescribing For from these peremptory Words the Breach became so wide that without bloody Wars Peace was not likely to be obtained Not to say that if King Philip did really intend this Holy Expedition he was not very wise to talk so high in such a juncture and if he did not intend it he was scarce sincere enough in his pious Resolutions However the English Ambassadors replied their Commission extended not so far as to reach to King David or to make any Concession to his Advantage so the whole matter was broke off and the Breach made wider than before Now the most exact Account of the first Original of these Unkindnesses between the two Kings of England and France which is by no Historian over exactly handled is to be found only in the publique Records of the Peace ten years before this made between King Edwards Father and Charles the Fair of France a Copy whereof was then sent to Pope John XXII and afterwards from the Library of Avignon brought into the Vatican and being seen and diligently weighed by my y Odoricus Raynaldus Continuat ad Baremum tom xv Ad an Christi 1327. §. 44. Author because from the Breach thereof the Wars which exercis'd England and France for so many Ages seem'd to take their first Occasion yield us these Observations In the Year 1325. which was the 19 of King Edward the II. of England by the diligence of Qu. Isabella with her Brother K. Charles of France together with the assistance of William Archbishop of Vienna and Hugh Bishop of Orange Nuntio's from the Apostolick Seat a Peace was made between the two Realms on this Condition z L. 9. c. 314. says Villani that what had been won by Charles of Valois in Aquitain should remain wholly to the French but in the publique a Extant in Arch. Vatican ex Avenion delat sign n. 10. in Chart. Pergam Records signed with the Seal of the King of France that Condition is not expressed but very cunningly cover'd with obscure and deceitfull Circumlocutions which when the Inventers of these politick Fetches contrived then they scattered the Seeds of a most inveterate Enmity between the two Realms to the infinite Dammage of France When the French wrested the Articles to their own purpose and the English exclaim'd that they were falsly and treacherously deceived for it was added that as to those Lands the French King should determin according to Law the King of England demanding his Right And so the Quarrel was not ended But now this Condition in that Treaty is evident that the French King should set over Aquitaine to administer justice a Person of integrity and one not suspected by the King of England and so the Armies on both sides should be disbanded and the King of England on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin should meet the French King at Beauvais and do Homage to the Crown of France for Aquitain which was then to be restored entirely unto him the foresaid Lieutenant being called back And this Agreement at the instance of Queen Isabell and the Pope was by consent of the Ambassadors of both Parties unanimously established in the Year aforesaid as appears by the Letters of both the Kings But now when afterwards King Edward II had conferr'd on his Son the Dukedom of Aquitain and a while after by Civil Tumults miscarried and Edward the III succeeded in the Throne the former Wars began to bleed fresh again our Young Edward being obliged to seek that Right by Arms which by Law he could not obtain but lest the Laws of Nature and the Peace of Christendom should be violated these Discords at the instance of the Pope who sent William Archbishop of Vienna and John Grandesson Bishop of Exceter for that purpose were composed on this Condition That as soon as might be what had been taken by the English in Aquitain contrary to the Form of the foresaid Agreement should be restored and on the other side that what had been taken by the French should be rendred to King Edward the said King Edward being to pay 50000 l. Sterling towards the reparation of Dammages and those Gascoigners who
Lenox Menteith and Stratherne came laden with Spoil and Prey to St. Johnston where he found the King of England his Brother lately return'd thither from his victorious March beyond the Scottish Mountains This Town had been lately destroy'd by the Scots who despair'd to maintain it for their own behoof But now King Edward order'd it to be rebuilt fortifi'd and encompassed with a strong Wall Ditch and Rampire VI. The King of u Knighton p. 2567. France all this while did what he could by Policy to hinder King Edwards Proceedings and withdraw him home again before he might perfect any Conquest in Scotland To that end again he sends his Ambassadors to him and procures Others to be sent from the Pope x Vid. Odoric Rainald ad An. 1335. §. 36 with Letters bearing date apud Pontemsorgiae Avenionensis Dioecesis 2 Kal. Aug. Anno Pontif. 1. to endeavour a Peace between King David and him and to request his Company once more in the Holy War But King Edward observing his pragmaticall Curiosity in Affairs no way relating to him and also his unsincere way of Address sent him short Word That he was able of himself blessed be God without any help from him to wage war with the Infidels when he should see fit unless He and his Adherents by their Malice and underhand Dealings should stand in his way And that he neither could nor would undertake any Foreign Expedition while his Enemies the Scots continued so rebellious against him who were also by him abetted and encouraged in their Rebellion Thô both as a Christian Prince and a Kinsman he ought rather to compose War and Strife among two Christian Nations and even to assist him with all his Might in his just Wars than to nourish up his Capital Enemies unjustly against him VII Thus King Edward put him off at that time and proceeded with such success in his Affairs in Scotland that about the Feast of the y Augusti 15. Assumption of our Lady most of the Scotch Nobility being wholly tired out and fearing yet much more z Walsingh hist p. 116. Adam Murimouth came in and submitted themselves to King Edward of England at St. Johnston where both the Kings then were among whom thô the Lord Strabolgi came not in person for fear of the Kings sudden Displeasure yet by his Advocates and Letters he so humbly sued for Peace and Pardon and so well acquitted himself of all Treason that he with the rest was accepted on these Conditions a Ces sont les Choses le Pointz accordez c. Murimouth c. Stow p. 232. Knighton p. 2566. n. 30. c. These are the Points and Articles agreed on betwixt the Council of the Kings of England and Scotland on the one Party and the Lord Alexander Moubray the Lord Geoffry Moubray the Lord Geoffry Roos Dr. William Bullock Clerk and the Lord Eustace de Lorrain having full power from David Strabolgi Earl of Athol and Robert Stuart of Scotland on the other Party to treat on accord and confirm all Points enterparled and to be enterparled betwixt the said Kings and the said Earl and Robert Stuart as appeareth by the Letters Patents of either Party 1. Imprimis it is accorded That the Earl of Athol and all the Great Men and Others of the Commonalty of Scotland which were willing to come in to the King of Englands Peace shall have Life and Limb Lands and Tenements Fees and Offices which they ought by right or by inheritance to have in Scotland those except which by common Assent should be excepted In such manner that all Offences and Misdemeanours which they had committed in the Realm of England from the beginning of the World to the Date of these Presents shall be pardon'd without Imprisonment or any other Molestation 2. Item That the Earl of Athol and the Lord Alexander Moubray shall still hold those Lands Tenements and Fees in England which they held at their departure from Newcastle upon Tine when they paid Homage to the King of England 3. Item That the Franchises of the Kirk of Scotland shall be maintained after the ancient Usage And that the Laws of Scotland in Burroughs Towns and Sheriff-wicks within the Lands of the King of Scotland be used after the Old Way as they were used in the time of King Alexander And that the Offices of Scotland be administred by Men of the same Nation yet so as that the King of Scotland of his Prerogative Royal may at any time according to his pleasure advance to places of Office Men of any Nation whatsoever 4. Item That all those who being in the same case with the Earl of Athol have Lands and Tenements within the Lands of the King of England shall still hold those Lands and Tenements Possessions Fees and Offices as they had them at their departure from Newcastle upon Tine when they paid Homage to the King of England those except who by common Assent shall be excepted and if they be impleaded for their Lands and Tenements aforesaid they may have their Defence and Recoveries in any Court according to Law. 5. Item As touching the Demand which the Earl of Athol claimeth that the King of England would release him his Lands in England which he hath in gage for 800 Marks the King neither ought nor will do that but as for his Mannor of b Stow Byphingdone quod corrigo autoritate Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 96. ubi legitor Bulinden in Com. Buck. Bulindon which the said Earl laid to pledge for c Stow 250 l. sed Knighten CC li. ubi li pro l. à Stow acceptim per errorem cum stat li. pro libris two hundred Pounds it is accorded That if the said Earl of Athol come within one Year and make true payment of the said Money that the King shall cause the said Mannor to be restored unto him 6. Item That as touching the Castle and Lands of Chilham the said Earl shall be in the same point that he was before at his departure from Newcastle upon Tine when he paid Homage to the King of England and shall have his Recovery by Law and the King promiseth in good Faith to take Order that he shall have the Law of his Kingdom without favour on either Party 7. Item That as touching the Lands which the said Earl claimeth in Norfolk whereof he hath Charters the King promiseth that having seen first his Charters by Advice of his Council he will do him reason And if in any case any man surmise Treason upon the said Earl he may defend himself with his Body according to the Laws and Usage of Scotland and upon the Marches And that all those in his case have the like Grant. 8. Item that as to the Pardon which William Ramsey Knight demandeth for the Trespass by him done to William Lord Montagu in beating down his Castle of Haghterdorne the same William shall be ready to make satisfaction in
such manner as shall be by the Kings of England and Scotland devised 9. Item That the Lord Eustace de Lorrain shall have his Lands and Tenements which he ought to have within the Realm of Scotland and if any man hath trespassed against him he shall have his Recovery by Law. Dat. at St. Johnston in Scotland the 18 of August Anno Dom. 1335. Now whereas it was before remembred that these Commissioners were empowred not only from the Earl of Athol but also from the Lord Robert Stuart himself it is not so much to be admired that so great a Man as Prince Robert who was now sole Governour of Scotland for King David his Kinsman should yield so far as to admit of an Agreement so much to his Masters Detriment with the King of England I say it is not so greatly to be admired if we but consider the extream Necessity that drove him to it in that juncture he himself being very sick at Dumbriton and his late Partner in the Government the Lord John Randall Earl of Murâây being at the same time prisoner at London and likely to continue in that Condition because he had both before and now also refus'd to accept of King Edwards Peace Thô indeed no great sincerity was on the Scots Party but the wonderfull Streights they were in required a little Dissimulation and outward Compliance till a better Opportunity Nay 't is said by a very e Knighton p. 2568. n. 10. ancient and authentick Historian that the greatest part of the Scotch Nobility among whom the foresaid Lords no doubt are included being wearied out by these continual Harassings and Desolations came in voluntarily and submitted themselves entirely to the King of England on these Conditions That they should obey the Bailiol as their King during his Life the mean while King David with his Queen to live privately but honourably at London and upon the Death of King Bailiol who as yet had no Children to succeed That they would oblige King David to come to the Parliament which was to be at London the next Michaelmas and to stand to the King of Englands Awardment and Arbitration In the mean while they yielded their Homage to him as to their Superior Lord. VIII But the King of France having knowledge hereof out of Envy to King Edward's Glory or because he found it more conducible to his own Affairs to have the Interests of Scotland and England still divided dealt so assiduously with the Scots by promising himself to stand by them that all this came to Nothing nor did King David appear at all in that Parliament as they had engaged he should do The mean time King Edward thô he had great hopes that the Scots would at last stand to this their own Agreement however thought it not becoming the Wisdom of a King to repose himself too much on the Faith of others especially considering the Mutability of that People and their strong Inclinations to France Wherefore he resolves so to strengthen himself that if they should be False they should not be over Dangerous and so having already f Holinshead Scotl. p 236. Ashmole p. 646. fortified St. Johnston he now goes to Striveling where on the plat of ground on which the late Castle had stood he built a strong Fortress called the Pile thence he proceeded to Bothwill where he added much strength and a Garrison to that Castle appointing Thomas Lord Barkley to victual it from Edinburgh who was so good a Convoy to what he brought thither that he discomfited one night the Lord William Douglas who lay in Ambush for him with little or no loss to himself but with such an entire Victory that Douglas himself with only three more could hardly escape and that by the Benefit of the Night too Edinburgh also about this time is rebuilt and committed to the g Buchan p. 297 Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 143. Custody of Sr. John Striveling afterwards a Baron of this Realm And having thus provided for the Peace of Scotland the King returns in Health and Honour into England leaving a good part of his Forces behind him with King Bailiol and other his Captains for the better Security of his Affairs that way A little before which the Famous Warrier the Lord h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 327. Richard Talbot was Redeemed from his Imprisonment for 2000 Marks by the Favour of Prince Robert Stuart who highly Respected Worth thô in an Enemy IX But the Lord i Walsing Hyped p. 113. Holinshead Scot. p. 236. Buchan l. 9. p. 295 Hector Boeth l. 15. p. 319. David Strabolgi Earl of Athol having now fully obtain'd a Pardon from King Edward as we shew'd before that he might again purchase his good Opinion resolves to be in Action for him with the foremost Having therefore provided himself with competent Forces Horse Foot and other Necessaries he presently lays Siege to the Castle of Kildrummy on the River Done that held still for the Bruceans The mean while certain of the Brucean Lords as Patrick Earl of Dunbar the Lord Andrew Murray William Douglas and others prepar'd to go against him as well to punish his Revolt and Perjury as to Relieve the Besieged Of this the Earl having timely notice seemingly Raises the Siege but indeed Marches directly forth in good Order of Battle to meet the Enemy Both Armies joyned in the fields of Kilblaine where began a very fierce Encounter for generally in Civil Dissentions when mens Minds are mutually exasperated the Animosity wherewith they contend is greater than that of different Nations As the fallings out of old Friends are usually more fierce than those of Strangers But at length the Earl of Athol who was Superior in number and no way Inferior in Skill or Courage to his Enemies had carried away a Compleat Victory had not Sr. John Crab the Captain of Kildrummy Castle instructed either by secret Notice or his own Conjecture issued out of his Castle with 300 fresh Men who coming suddenly on the Backs of the Atholians in the very Instant of their Victory and falling on with great Fury Noise and Clamour so terrified them and added such Courage to the almost Conquer'd Bruceans that the Victory now presently enclin'd the other way Upon this Earl David disdaining to fly or to be taken alive to suffer a Publique Execution or perhaps not dispairing by a Vigorous Opposition to wrest back the Victory again with a Select Troop of his Best Friends makes a Desperate Impression upon the Enemy Where Fighting a while Valiantly he was notwithstanding finally slain by the Hands of Sr Alexander Gurdon There fell with him of the Nobles k Buchan p. 295 Sr. Robert Brady and Sr. Walter Cumin whose Brother Sr. Thomas being taken alive was the next day condemned to lose his Head Some few escaped into the Castle of Camoron with the Captain thereof Robert Menneth who yet were compelled to yield the next day for want
so well that they can best of all Men living advise You what Friends to have recourse to and by what means you may oblige them to your Side VI. The King was so well satisfied with this Answer that forthwith e Frois ibid. Walsingh hist p. 118. Ashmole p. 646. he sends over to his Father-in-Law that right Politick Prelate Henry Burwash Lord Bishop of Lincoln with two Banerets the Lord William Montagu and the Lord William Clinton and many other Nobles besides two other Doctors learned in the Laws All who with a fair Wind arrived at Dunkirk and thence riding thrô Flanders came to Valenciennes the chief City of Heinalt where they found the Old Earl lying on his Bed sick of the Gout and the Lord John his Brother with him They were highly entertained and respected by the Earl and his Brother for the sake of him that sent them whereupon having distinctly shew'd the cause of their coming with King Edwards Pretensions to the Crown of France and all his Reasons and Scruples on either Hand they were thus answer'd by the Earl. So God bless me as I should heartily rejoyce if King Edward's Designs might take a full and happy Effect For I rather desire the Prosperity of him who hath married my Daughter than of him who thô I have married his Sister yet never did any thing of Good for me or mine Nay he was the occasion of hindering the young Duke of Brabant from marrying one of my Daughters as he desired to do Wherefore I shall be so far from failing to aid my Dear and Well-beloved Son the King your Master that I shall always be ready to the best of my Power to further his Undertakings both by Prudent Advice and Warlike Assistance Nor do I at all doubt but that my Brother Sr. John will do the same who has not been slothfull in his Service to the King your Master before this But alas our Country of Heinalt is too too inconsiderable in respect of the flourishing Realm of France And if we of our selves should once provoke the French Arms upon us England you know is too far off to afford us any timely Assistance Upon this the Bishop of Lincoln answered thus unto the Earl. Sir We most heartily in our Royal Masters Name return you our Thanks for the great Affection you are pleased to bear unto his Affairs and humbly desire you to give our Lord the King of England your Advice whose Friendship he had best have recourse to for their Assistance in this weighty Concern especially of such who are your Neighbours and border upon the Realm of France That thereby we may not only be render'd more Powerfull to prosecute this our Master's quarrel but your Country also may be more strongly Protected against any Violence which otherwise it might suffer for our sakes Surely Gentlemen repli'd the Earl I cannot for the present think of any more Puissant in War nor more surely my Friends nor more likely to be His than the Noble Duke of Brabant his Cosin-German the Earl of Gueldre who hath Married his Sister the Bishop of Liege the Archbishop of Colen the Marquis of Juliers Sr. Arnold of Baquehen Sr. Valeran his Brother and the Lord of Faulquemont For these Lords as they are well addicted to your Masters Interest so are they the only Men that at the shortest warning can Raise the greatest Numbers of good Souldiers of any I know They are all good Captains and well enclin'd to War especially against France which is near at hand if your Master can prevail with them to begin once being all together able to serve him with 10000 Men of Arms if they may have wages accordingly And then if he please to come this way 't is but passing the Water of Oyse and he is in King Philip's Dominions VII This was the Effect of this first Essay which when King Edward heard he was well satisfied and resolved to push on the business with all Speed and Vigour possible As for those English Ambassadors who were then in France they were now remanded home because King Edward understood f Walsing Hypod p. 114. n. 1. that while they were treating of a Peace King Philip had sent a well-rigg'd Fleet to the Assistance of the Scots against him Now the Admiral of this Navy for the French was g Ashmole p. 677. David Bruce the exil'd King of Scotland who did much mischief to the English Merchants about the Isle of Wight and besides had already enter'd the Isles of Garnsey and Jarsey and put divers of the Inhabitants to the Sword. Wherefore King Edward immediately h 11 Decemb. Rot. Scot. 10. Ed. 3. m. 3. gave Commission to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Henry Plantagenet Son to Henry Earl of Lancaster and others himself being then at Bothwell in Scotland so busied in the Affairs of that Realm that he could not be at the meeting appointed to treat with certain Prelates and others whom he had commanded to meet at London on Wednesday after New-years day following upon Matters relating to the Defence and safety of the Kingdom repulsion of the Enemies and other things concerning the State of the King and his Realm as also seriously and fully to acquaint them with the Kings Intensions to Ordain and do all things referring thereunto and to His Honour as if he were there Personally present Nor indeed was the King of Englands Design i Frois c. 28. wholly unknown to King Philip of France for whether by meer Suspicion or more certain Information the matter began by little and little to take wind so much that presently the Mighty Zeal for the Holy War grew cold in France of a sudden and King Philip countermanded all his Officers from making any farther Preparations till he might see whither King Edward's Designes would tend But before I proceed with those matters I shall rid my hands of some things which falling about this time are fittest here to be inserted Only I must not omit that k Od. ric Rainald ad An. 1336. § 46. Pope Benedict seeing how matters began to go between the two Kings sent by the hands of his Nuntio Philip de Camberlake his Letters bearing date the x Kal. Decemb. to both the Kings endeavouring to perswade them to an Accommodation but especially he sought to pacifie King Edward's enflamed mind and exhorted him to put away from him the Lord Robert of Artois who continually stirr'd him up to the War besides which he wrote to Queen Philippa and the Archbishop of Canterbury that they would use their endeavours to bring the King to Terms But all was too late King Edward was too far exasperated by the Insolence of his Adversary And thus the War began to break out between England and France than which hardly ever any was either of more long continuance or of more Fatal Consequence to Christendom VIII On the l Adam Marimouth 14 of September or
many Ships of the Gibellines of Genua and the Guelfs of Monaco which took much Booty from the English and infested the Aquitanian Ocean and also by his Royal Edict he had a Tom. 3. Epist secret 306. Odoric Rainald ad an 1337. §. 21. recalled the Rights of the Dutchy of Aquitain to the Court of France and had actually with an Army which he sent thither seized on several Castles besides that he had fired certain Places on the Sea-Coasts of England with his Navy which he sent into Scotland IX Now whereas the foresaid b Ashmâle p. 647. c. ex Rot. Alman 11. Ed. 3. m. 4. Ambassadors of the King of England had in making all those Alliances and Retainers upon the Kings Account obliged themselves to pay sundry great Summs of Mony the King taking all upon himself indemnified them their Heirs and Executors of all those Summs and other Things whereto they were so engaged But this great Affair of strengthening the King with Alliances was again set on foot and to that purpose c 3 Octob. Rot. Alman 11 Ed. 3. n. 10. another Commission was issued to the foresaid Bishop of Lincoln and Earl of Salisbury to whom was added Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk and John Lord Darcy Steward of the Kings Houshold with Power to any Three of them to treat thereupon with Lewis the Emperour Another d Ibid. n. 11. Commission of the same Date was made out to them and to Richard Winkele John Hufford Paul de Monteflorum John Montgomery and John Waweyn impowring them to treat with and to retain all Persons as well Nobles as Others for the Kings Service And yet as the King did by these Means endeavour to enable himself for the Recovery of the Crown of France so did he not neglect all Methods of Peace e 7 Octob. ib. n. 13. Particularly he constituted the foresaid Bishop of Lincoln the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk and John Lord Darcy his Agents to treat with the Magnificent Prince the Lord Philip the Illustrious King of France as he is stiled in the Commission or his Deputies touching his Right to the said Crown to wit whether it ought to remain to him or King Edward And by another Commission of the same Date they were empower'd to treat upon all Controversies and Demands whatsoever relating to the Dukedom of Aquitaine or other Parts beyond Sea and also of an Happy and Perpetual Peace But in case his just Demands should not find an agreeable Answer on the same Day he prepared f Ibid. m. 1. another Commission for John Duke of Brabant and Lorraine whereby he constituted him his Lieutenant Captain and Vicar General in the Kingdom of France Where it is worthy Note that the King in this Commission where he challenges the Crown of France as devolved to him by Right of Succession and consequently become his Lawfull Inheritance did assume the Title of that Kingdom and Stiled himself Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae And by another Commission bearing even Date made of these Officiary Dignities to the said Duke he put France in the First place thus Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Franciae Angliae c. but soon after he voluntarily laid this Title of France aside nor did he solemnly assume it again till the Fourteenth Year of his Reign over England as we shall see in due place By several other Commissions of the same g Ibid. Date wherein also the Titles of England and France were in like manner transposed did the King appoint to the same Dignities William Marquess of Juliers William Earl of Heinalt his Brother in Law and William Bohun Earl of Northampton and by another then Dated and directed to the Archbishops Bishops Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons and all other Persons in the Kingdom of France having therein the Titles of France and England transposed as before they are commanded to receive the said Duke of Brabant as if it were the King in his own Person as also the said Marquess and Earls And further the said Marquess and Earls were by other Commissions severally constituted the Kings Special Ambassadors to make known his Title to all whom it should concern to challenge and prosecute his Right to require every Unjust Detainer to render unto the King whatsoever he so withheld from him to Displace and Punish such as they should think meet and lastly to Do and Execute all other Things which should be most necessary for the Recovery and Preservation of his Right Now it is to be remembred thô we also spake of this before that in the beginning of h Claus 11 Ed. 3. p. 2. m 29. in Dorso Knighton p. 2569. n. 10. this Year King Philip had sent Forces into Gascoign and thô not without considerable Loss to himself seised upon many of the Kings Castles and Fortresses notwithstanding that the Lord Oliver Ingham King Edwards Seneschall of Gascoign a noble wise and valiant Captain behav'd himself commendably against the French in all his Actions considering his small Forces Upon notice hereof King Edward gave i Rot. Vascon 11 Ed. 3. m. 40. Command to arrest twenty Ships in the Port of Southampton and thereabouts and to press Men to be ready at Portsmouth to set forward for Gascoign on Whitsun-Eve following to reinforce the Lord Oliver Ingham his Seneschall But it must not here be forgotten what is recorded of Sr. k Rot. Vasc 11 Ed. 3. m. 4. Raymund Cornely Lord of Abertha a Gascoigner that he made an Offer to the French King to fight with any Man living in Defence of King Edwards Right to those Countries for which he l 6 Jan. ibid. sent him great and particular Thanks Yet thô accordingly the King had raised a great Army to send into Gascoign he made withall several Fair Applications by his Ambassadours to the Court of France for Restitution of what had been seised on and Prevention of a War. His Offers were these 1. m Claus 11 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 28. Dorsâ To Marry his Eldest Son the Duke of Cornwall to the King of France's Daughter without Dowry 2. The Marriage of his Sister the Countess of Gueldre to his Son with a great Summ of Money 3. The Marriage of his Brother i. e. his Uncle's Son n Hear the Learned Esquire Ashmole reads his Brother the Earl of Cornwall whereas 't is plain that the Earl of Cornwall died the Year preceding as we have shew'd and also upon the Death of the Earl of Cornwall that Earldom was converted afterwards into a Dukedom and conser'd upon Prince Edward Nor is it strange that I here am forced not only to read Kent for Cornwall but Brother for Fathers Brother's Son since we find in the Records that this very King calls Richard the Son of his Eldest Son Prince Edward his own Son as thus * Summonitio Parliamenti 51 Ed. 3. old Sr.
1 Vol. p. 802. Antwerp while the King held a Noble Turneament there on the Vigil of St. Andrew or the 29 of November 1338. The Infant was Baptised with the Name of Lionell and sirnamed from the Place of his Birth Lionell of Antwerp who became in time Earl of Vlster Duke of Clarence and a Person of Extraordinary Features of Body and which is a more aimable Beauty Valour and other Princely Endowments But as the Queens Fecundity did on one hand make the Royal Family to flourish so on the other Fatal Necessity was busied in lopping off a Princely Branch from that Regal Stem For this very z Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 64. Year the Kings Uncle Thomas Plantagenet sirnamed of Brotherton from a place of that Name in Yorkshire where he was Born being Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England departed this Life and was a Weevers fun Mon. p. 726. buried in the Choire of the Famous Abbey at St. Edmunds-Bury in Suffolk where there was a goodly Monument erected to his Memory but it is now wholly buried in the same Ruines into which the Fatal Dissolution cast both that and many other Religious Houses He left Issue by the Lady b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 65. Alice his first Wife Daughter of Sr. Roger Hales of Harwich two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Margaret and the Lady Alice the former first Married to the Lord John Seagrave and after to the Famous Sr. Walter Manny the latter to Sr. Edward Montague Brother to the Earl of Salisbury He is c Mill's Catal. Hânor p. 510. said to have had also a Wife named Anne before the Lady Alice by whom he had a Son Edward who died without Issue and also another after her by whom he had a second Son named John who became a Monk in the Abbey of Ely. Upon his Death however the Earldom of Norfolk and Office of Marshal for want of Issue Male fell into the Kings hands by Escheat But the Lord William Montague Earl of Salisbury in consideration of his many Eminent Services both in War and Peace abroad and at home obtained presently after a d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. ex Pat. fact apud Antwerp 12. Ed. 3. p. 3. m 7. Grant bearing Date at Antwerp the 15 of September of the Office of Marshal of England During this the Kings Stay in Brabant the Lady e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 52. Eleanora Plantagenet Fifth Daughter to Henry de Torto Collo the old Earl of Lancaster and Sister to Henry Earl of Darby brought forth to her Husband John Lord Beaumont of England Son to Henry Vicount Beaumont Earl of Buquhan a Son called Henry Whereupon two Years after Sr. John the Father obtain'd the Kings Special Letters Patents declaring That notwithstanding the said Henry the Son was begotten and born in Foreign Parts yet since it was occasion'd by Sr. John's and his Lady's Attendance on the King and Queen he should be reputed a Lawfull Heir to inherit his Father's Lands as well as thô he had been born in England Now that it may appear how King Philip was much more in the Pope's Books than our Edward it is observable that when he heard of King Edwards Arrival at Antwerp as one that saw a Dreadfull Tempest of War hanging over France he wrote a f Extat apud Odoric Rainald ad hunc annum §. 55. Letter to King Philip bearing Date at Avignon V. Id. August Anno Pontificatûs IV. Wherein piously indeed he stirs him up to implore the Divine Assistance and to the end he might obtain the Favour of God to put away all things that might offend his Majesty and first to pacifie his own Conscience lest he should nourish a War within himself to desist from Oppressing the Clergy and the Poor lastly he advised him to admit of honest Conditions of Peace and upon Occasion to offer the like For whereas in that War much Christian Blood was like to be shed he would then appear clean of the Sin of all that should be shed both before God and Man but that he should not put his Confidence in the Power of his Forces but in the Divine Assistance As for his Part that he together with the Whole Church would power forth his Prayers unto God for him IV. King g Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. vid. Rebdârfii Annales de hâc anno Edward the mean while according to the Emperors Request went forth Royally attended to give him a Meeting he being then in High Germany about 7 Diets beyond Colen But when he heard of the King of England his Brother-in-Law's Approach toward that City he also set forward with Imperial Pomp till he came to h Alii dicunt lâcum fuisse Confluentias alâi Francofurtum Cologne where he was met by King Edward The Enterview was very Glorious and Magnificent the Emperor greatly Honouring the King of England thô some i Walsingh hist p. 132. say at the first Meeting he took it ill that King Edward refus'd to submit himself to the Kiss of his Feet as it should seem Kings were wont to do to Emperours but our Edward gallantly k Selden's Titles of Hon. part 1. c. 3 p. 29. answer'd That He Himself was a King Sacred and Anointed and had Life and Limbs in his Power being accountable to none but God as Supream and Independent of all Others being also Lord of Sea and Land and Wearing no less than an Imperial Crown Wherefore he ought not to abase himself to any Mortal Potentate whatsoever This Answer was accepted And presently l Knighton p. 2571. n. 60. two Royal Thrones were erected in the open Market-place One for the Emperour the Other for the King the Emperour took his Place first and King Edward sate down by him In which Honourable Enterview there were for Assistants four Great Dukes three Archbishops and six Bishops thirty seven Earls and of Barons Banerets Knights and Esquires according to the Estimation of the Heralds Seventeen Thousand The Emperour held in his Right Hand the Imperial Scepter and in his Left the Golden Mound or Globe which denotes the Government of the World a Knight of Almain holding over his Head a Naked Sword. And then and there the Emperour publiquely declared the Disloyalty Falshood and Villany which the King of France had used towards him whereupon he defi'd him and pronounced that both He and his Adherents had forfeited the Protection and Favour they might expect from the Empire and had justly incurred whatever Displeasure might be done unto him thereby And then He m Ashmole p. 649. Frois l. 1. c. 34. f. 19. made ordain'd and constituted King Edward his Deputy and Vicar General of the Sacred German Empire granting unto him full and absolute Power over All on this side as far as Cologne Of all which he gave him his Imperial Charter in sight of all that were present The next day these two Illustrious Persons with the Great
the very Duty of our Apostolick Employment requires so much of Us but take Order to provide the best Remedy as to the Premises by proceeding against you which will be very troublesom and ungratefull to Us if it shall which God forbid be necessary as Justice so requiring both ought and may be done Given at Avignion under the Seal of the Fisher c. in the i i âv apud Oderic v Year of our Pontificate on the Ides of November CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward summons the German Lords to meet him at Mechlin in Brabant II. Vpon their Meeting the King and They send their several Defiances to King Philip. III. The Lord Walter Manny begins the War and takes Thin l'Evesque which he garrisons for King Edward The Earl of Salisbury makes an Incursion into the Bishoprick of Liege IV. The King of France's Preparations V. The French Navy burn Southampton VI. King Edward lays Siege to Cambray VII But on News of King Philips Preparations rises and goes forth to meet him putting all to Fire and Sword as he goes VIII The two Kings face one another at Vironfosse in Cambresis A Day appointed for Battle with the Order and Number of both Armies IX The true Reasons why the French declined to fight and the sudden Departure of King Philip. X. King Edward returns to Antwerp where having sent for his Son the Prince to come to him he keeps his Christmas XI A Copy of the Pope's Letter to King Edward to move him to Peace XII King Edwards Answer thereto XIII Two notable Parliaments held at Westminster one by the Prince before his Departure out of England and the other by Commissioners empowered thereto by the King. I. BEfore the Return of this Answer from the Pope AN. DOM. 1339. An. Regni XIII King Edward immediately after the Date of his own Letters began his March to a Frois c. 35. Villenort in Brabant where he lodged his People partly in the Town and partly without in Tents and Pavilions along the River side Here he tarried from the 20th of July till the middle of August still expecting the Coming of the Lords of the Empire his Allies but especially of the Duke of Brabant on whom chiefly the rest did depend as to their resolution in this Matter But when his Patience was almost tired with fruitless expectation he was fain to send once more his special Summons to each of them commanding them to come and meet with him at Mechelen the Metropolis of Brabant on b 1 Septemb. St. Giles his Day following and then and there to shew him the Cause of those ill-boding Delays Now all this while that the King waited thus at Villenort for his Confederates he maintain'd idly at his own Costs and Charges 1600 Men of Arms all English and 10000 Archers of England besides all other necessary Provisions for his Court and beside the great Armies and Garrisons he had in other Places and upon the Seas and beside the vast Summs of Mony which he had dispos'd of to the Lords his Confederates The French King for his part was not unpurvey'd of necessaries for Resistance for beside his formidable Preparations in France Normandy and Aquitain he had set forth a Mighty Fleet of Ships consisting of French Normans Bretons Picards and Spaniards who had Orders as soon as ever the War should be once open and the Defiances made to land on some of the Sea-coasts of England where they could to their best advantage and to put all to Fire and Sword and Rapine So honourable in those days were Christian Princes as thô they manifestly prepared against each other not to begin open War till they had given mutual Warning thereof II. On the first of September or St. Giles his day according to King Edward's Summons these tardy Lords of Almain came all at last to Mechelen unto him where they immediately enter'd upon consideration of the present Affairs There was much Debate among them but in the end it was resolved that the King of England should set forward within fifteen days at farthest and to the intent their Cause should not appear unwarrantable they all agree'd to send their particular Defiances to the French King. First the King of England c Frois ibid. then the Duke of Guerles or Gueldre late Earl and William Earl of Juliers late Marquess but now advanced to higher Dignities by King Edward d Knighton p. 2574. n. 30. 40. then the Lord Robert of Artois the Lord John of Heinalt the Marquesses of Nuys and Blanckeberg the Lord of Faulquemont or Valkenberg as the Dutch call it Sr. Arnold of Baquehen the Archbishop of Colen Sr. Galeace his Brother and the rest of the Lords of the Empire All these had their particular and special Defiances written signed and sealed excepting of all the Confederates the Duke of Brabant only who said He would do the like by himself at his best Convenience Henry Lord Bishop of Lincoln was chosen to carry these Defiances into France being attended with the Herald Windsor who was Principal King at Arms of England in those days These presently carried them to Paris and there Windsor after the Defiances were deliver'd openly defi'd King Philip of Valois in the Name of the King of England his Master and then having Both performed their Business so discreetly that they could not justly incurr any reproach or blame thô inwardly King Philip boiled with Fury they demanded and obtained a safe Conduct and so return'd to the King their Master who tarried for them at Mechlin III. That very Week that the Lord Walter Manny understood for certain how the Defiances had been made he took to him fourty Spears e Frois c. 36. and rode thrô Brabant Night and Day till he came into Heinalt and entred the Wood of Blaton His Resolution and Design was not as yet known to any of his Followers but those few of his Friends only to whom he thought it necessary to Communicate his Purpose and to these he privately confessed how he had promised before some great Ladies in England to be the very first that after the War was Proclaim'd should enter the Confines of France and perform some notable Exploit of Arms That now therefore in pursuance of his Vow he resolves for Mortagne a Town and Fortress on the Confines of Heinalt two Leagues from Tournay towards Valenciennes which belonged then to King Philip and that therefore this he would endeavour to surprise So having passed thrô the Wood of Blaton he came early one Morning before Sunrise to Mortagne where by chance he found the small Door of the Great Gate of the Town standing open Hereupon alighting immediately from his Horse with all his Company having appointed certain to stand still and Guard the Gate against his Return he enter'd with all the rest and went thrô the High-Street with his Banner before him in good close Order till he came to
Defence of the North even as they had already done And then several were appointed to follow this device and to prepare the Commissions for Array into divers Countries It is agree'd that the Inhabitants of Holderness in Yorkshire should be Arrayed and grant Aid for the Defence of those Marches as well as others of the County of York altho they be appointed by Commission to keep the same It is agree'd that the Commissions of Sr. William Wallingford and all other Commissioners for Purveyance for the King be utterly void And that all Officers of the Ports by the Kings Writ do refrain the exporting of k Alii legunt Coyne Corn. That the Earl of Richmond the Lord Clifford the Lord Roos of * M.S. Wake male Werke the Lord Moubray and Sr. William Daubeny should be commanded by Writ to repair towards their Lands for the Defence of the North Marches or if unable or otherwise occupy'd in the Kings Service then to send their Quota's thither to the Lords who were Captains there That the Writs of Summons for the next Parliament should charge every Sheriff to return for his County two Knights girded with Swords That every Archbishop and Bishop do before the next Session of Parliament take a Certificate of all Benefices being in the Hands of Aliens of the Value of each of them and of Residence or Non-Residence thereon That two Writs be issued out the One to call a Convocation of the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury and the other of York against Hilary Term following It is also determin'd that the Parliament should be Summon'd against the Octaves of St. Hilary then ensuing Of which we shall now take leave to discharge our selves that our following Discourse may find no Interruption When the time of the next Sessions of Parliament approached l Rot. Parl. M. S. ibid. p. 25. Sr Rob. Cotton p. 19. because the Duke of Cornwall Warden of England was busied about the Kings Weighty Affairs being as I shew'd with his Father beyond Sea there were appointed to preside in Parliament John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellour and William de la Zouch Archbishop of York m Philipet's Catal p. 33. Lord Treasurer with the Dean of York and Sr. John Willoughby Deputy Lord Chief Justice Sr. John Stonore Justice of the Kings Bench and Sr. John St. Paul any Four Three or Two of these by the Kings Letters Patents were appointed to begin continue and end the Parliament for and in the Name of the King and the Lord Warden of England and there to do all things which the said Guardian should do until his or the King his Fathers coming The Commission began Edvardus D. Gr. c. and ended Teste Edvardo Duce Cornubiae Com. Cestr Filio nostro Charissimo Gardiano de Angl. These n Jan. 20. Commissioners aforesaid caused sundry of the Lords and Commons to assemble in the Presence Chamber AN. DOM. 1340. An. Regni XIV because several of both Houses were not yet come they continued the Parliament from day to day till the * Dom. Lit. B. A. Monday next after the Octaves aforesaid during which time Merchants Owners of Ships and Mariners did attend That o Jan. 24. same day the Causes of the Parliament were declared to be the same as before namely for Granting the King an Aid for keeping of the Sea and for Defence of the North Marches whereunto the Commons require Respit until Saturday the 19 of February And then they unanimously offer'd to the King for Aid 30000 Sacks of Wooll on certain Conditions expressed in a pair of Indentures But for the better Expedition after some Debate they yielded to give the King presently 2500 Sacks of Wooll so as if the King liked the Conditions aforesaid the same should go in part of Payment if not they were freely offer'd unto him The Lords promised to send unto the King to know his Pleasure and in the mean time they also for their Parts grant that such of them or of their Peers as hold by a Barony should give to the King the Tenth of their Grain Wooll and Lambs and of all their own Demesnes As for the Merchants their Day was put off till p i.e. 6 Martii nam Pascha hoc ano. 16. April Monday in the First Week of Lent but the Mariners of the Cinque Ports promised to make ready their Ships before q i.e. 26 Martii Midlent viz. 21 Ships of their own and 9 of the Thames and to bear half the Charges themselves the other half the Privy Council promised to bear of their own good Will to their King and Country but not of Duty or that it should stand for a Precedent The Mariners of the West promise to set forth 90 Sail and 10 Ships of the Burthen of one Hundred Tunn or more and to bear the whole Charges if they could Two Sufficient Scholars were appointed to compute the Charges the One for the West and the Other for the Cinque Ports It was here order'd that all Ships of Portsmouth and from thence toward the West of the Burthen of one Hundred Tunn or upward should ride at Dartmouth the Admiral to be Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel and that the Ships of the Cinque Ports and the Thames being of that Burthen should ride at Winchelsea the Admiral to be William Clinton Earl of Huntington The whole Fleet to be ready before the end of Lent. Command was given to the Admirals to stay all other Ships which might pass the Seas and to warn them to go into safe Harbours And to Furnish this Fleet with Souldiers beside those whose Duty was to attend and also those who were prest general Proclamation was order'd to be made that all Persons who had received of the King Charters of Pardon should now repair to the Sea-coasts for the Kings Service on pain of forfeiting the same The Lord Richard Talbot that Noble Warrier some of whose Valiant Acts we have mention'd in the Scotch War having in Parliament undertaken for the security of the Town of Southampton is now appointed Captain of the Town and allow'd for that Service 20 Men of Arms and an 100 Archers extraordinary at the Kings Wages and more upon occasion All which Souldiers to have one Months Pay beforehand and Sr. Richard one 100 Pounds by way of Gratuity Being also appointed to see the said Town forthwith fortified according to Covenants in a pair of Indentures and to levy the Charges of the Neighbours bordering thereabouts and if that shall not suffice of the Inhabitants The Bishop of Winchester who at that time was Adam Orleton the Traytor the Prior of St. Swithens and the Abbot of Hyde were order'd to keep at their Mannors near Southampton with all their Powers to be ready to assist the said Sr. Richard at his Call Also that two Pinaces the one at r Itâ cerrigo pro Welbroâk in M. S. Sr. R. Cotton Milbrook
Realm Our Purpose is not to proceed rashly or by Our own Will but by the Discreet Advice and Counsel of the Peers Prelates Nobles and other Our Faithfull Subjects of the kingdom so far forth as shall make for the Honour of God the Defence and Advancement of the Church which in all fullness of Devotion We Reverence and to the Advantage both Publique and Private of all the Subjects thereof with full Execution of Justice by the Grace of God to be Administred unto all and Singular Persons We being earnestly carefull for the Honour Profit and Tranquility of You all For as the Lord knoweth nothing will be more acceptable to Us than that by Our carefull Solicitude Peace may be engendred in General among all Christians but especially betwixt Us so that by Our Concord the force and Strength of all Christian Princes may be united together for the Recovery of the Holy Land which Our Saviour and Redeemer hath dedicated with his own Precious Blood whereunto We will endeavour Our Selves thrô the Grace of the Holy Ghost And forasmuch as We have offer'd to the foresaid Lord Philip divers Friendly and Reasonable Conditions of Peace whereunto he would neither condescend nor agree to any Conformity nay rather he moveth against Us unjust War to the Utter Subversion of Our State We are of Necessity compelled to the uttermost of Our Power for Our own Security and the Recovery of Our Right to Defend Our Selves by force of Arms Not seeking any slaughter of Good and Humble Subjects but desiring their safeguard and Profit For the which Cause all and singular such Our Subjects of the Kingdom of France as shall submit themselves unto Us as unto the True King of France between this and the Feast of Easter next ensuing professing unto Us their Fealty and doing unto Us as unto the King of France of Duty it appertaineth so as Our beloved Subjects of Flanders have done already or shall be ready to offer themselves so to do All such We willingly Admit and Receive to Our Peace and Grace under Our Protection to be defended them to maintain as is convenient from all molestation and trouble whatsoever in Person or Goods hereafter to be inflicted by Us or by Our Officers upon whatsoever occasion of Rebellion afore-passed And forasmuch as the Premises cannot easily be intimated to all and singular Persons We have provided the same to be fixed upon Church Doors and in other publick Places whereby the Manifest Notice thereof may come to all Men to the Comfort of You that are to Us Loyal and to the Information of those who thrô the Sinister dealing of Our Enemies are otherwise informed of Us. Given at Gaunt the 8 day of February in the Year of Our Reign over France the First and over England the Fourteenth IV. Presently after King Edward had thus assumed the Arms and Style of France and had caused his Great Seal to be Changed leaving the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Robert Hufford le Fitz Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk in Flanders with his Queen and Children he took the Sea for England and Landed safe at x Claus 14. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 42. derso Orwell in Suffolk on the 21 of February at Nine of the Clock in the Morning on which very day that his New Seal might be made more Publique he caused y 21 Febr. ibid. m. 33. in derso Impressions thereof and of his Privy Seal which was also alter'd to be made and sent to all the Sheriffs in England to be Published in the several Counties in regard he intended at the meeting of the Parliament on the z 29 Martii Wednesday next after Midlent-Sunday to acquaint them with the Cause wherefore he had added to his Style the Title of King of France And on the First of March following he deliver'd his New Broad Seal to Sr. John de St. Paul in the Cage-Chamber at Westminster the Old Great Seal being then deliver'd up to him by the said Sr. John which he gave to William de Kildesby to be laid up in his Wardrobe But it is to be a Vid. hujus sigilli Imaginem Sandford p. 124 remembred that upon this Change there were two Seals made alike in all things but only One was circumscribed Edvardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae And the other was Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Franciae Angliae Dominus Hiberniae the Style being varied in Respect of the Place as Our King is now in Scotland called Rex Scotiae Angliae but in England Anglia is put first But of King Edward and his Affairs in Parliament We shall not yet speak till We have given some account of other Matters of no small Consequence in other parts which fell after the two Armies had broke up at Vironfoss without engaging V. Only here We shall remember that the King of England upon this variation of his Seal to set forth the Equity of his Cause sent his Letters to the Pope wherein using the Style of King of France and the Lillies quarter'd he largely sets forth how the Realm of France was devolved unto him by Hereditary Right and that Philip of Valois had by Violence and Injustice usurped it M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet p. 1. apud Odoric Rainald ad An. 1340. § 4. ex Tom. 6. Epist Secret. 255. in Vatican to whom the Pope sent an Answer the Tenour whereof followeth Benedict the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to his most Dear Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolical Benediction When lately the Letters of Your Royal Excellency were presented to Our Apostleship and the Contents thereof more fully understood as soon as ever a New Title therein described and the Impression of a Seal engraven with the Arms of France and England did at first view appear they Administred unto Us great Matter of Astonishment and Admiration For by how much We Embrace You with the Preheminence of a more Ample Charity by so much the more grievously are We afflicted inwardly while We perceive You to be led by Perverse and Deceitfull Counsels and to be induced to such things as are neither Expedient nor Decent Nor doth our inward Affection permit Us to be silent or dissemble but that We should set before the Eyes of Your Mind these things that You may be able more Discreetly and Profitably to take Care to Your self as to the Premises For it is affirmed for certain and undoubted that whereas the Custom hitherto kept inviolably doth not admit the Succession to the Realm of France by the Female Line the Succession is said not to be due unto You who as You know are descended of the Stock of the House of France by the Female Line And if no such Custom did forbid the c c Successâne M. S. Successionem Odoric Successive Proceeding of the Female Line to the Crown of the
and his Banner before him to let the Enemy know who he was At last he perceived on the other side a Knight of Normandy whom he knew by his Arms and so called unto him naming him by his Name Sr. Maubousson I pray let me speak with you a little Then the Knight drew near to the Bank side and said Sir what is it you would have with me Sr. John repli'd Only that you will be so kind as to go to the French King and his Council and tell them how the Earl of Hainault has sent me hither to ask a Truce only while he may lay a Bridge over this River and that then he will go over and give you Battle without fail Of this if you will please to bring an Answer I 'll tarry here till your Return The Lord Maubousson having made signs of yielding to his Request immediately set spurs to his Horse and rode directly toward the Kings Tent with whom at that time were the Duke of Normandy and many other Lords and Peers of France Before all whom having declared his Message he received a short Answer being commanded to tell him that sent him thither That as the Duke of Normandy had held the Earl of Hainault all this while so he resolv'd to do untill it should please him to do otherwise And so to put him to Charges till he should be forced to sell all his Lands which yet should be either few or none and what should be left worth but little For he would make hot War upon him on all sides And says King Philip when We see Occasion we 'll come over the River and invade Hainault with an Army Royal till we have utterly consumed all his Country This Answer was brought by Sr. Maubousson to the Lord of Beaumont who thanking him for his pains return'd to the Earl whom he found playing at Chess with the Earl of Namur But when the Earl saw his Uncle he rose up hastily and went aside and heard distinctly what the King of France had answer'd him at which thô outwardly he took little notice he was extreamly displeased in his Mind saying only this Well well but I hope things will not fall out as he imagins While thus the Castle of Thine was batter'd on one side by the French and could not be effectually relieved by the Hainalders without a Battle which it seems the French declin'd as we have shewn the o Fabiââ p. 269 Three Captains of the Castle by secâet advice from the Earl of Hainalt having provided a good Ship and other Barks into which they put all their Men and Provision first set the Castle all of a light fire and then immediatly departed to the Army of their Friends by whom they were received with much joy The French perceiving by the Fire how the matter went ran in all hast and climb'd the Court Walls to quench the Fire which at last with much labour they did but the Castle was much endammaged thereby But before these things happen'd King Edward had won a great Victory at Sea and was arrived at Gaunt in Flanders of all which we shall now take leave to discourse only first we think it requisit to shew what Preparations he had made in England all this while in order to those great Affairs which then he was about to undertake CHAPTER the SIXTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward holds a Parliament at Westminster with the Particulars thereof at large II. Being warned of the Strength of the French Navy he provides accordingly upon his Setting forth for Flanders III. He takes the Sea and engages the French Fleet before the Haven of Scluce with the particulars of his Victory IV. Nele Loring an English Esquire Knighted for his Valour King Edward goes to Gaunt from whence he sends to his Clergy with the Copy of his Letters V. The Manner how King Philip heard first of this Loss the Vse of Arrows prefer'd to our modern way of Guns VI. The two Armies of Hainalt and France break up from before Thine l'Evesque VII King Robert of Sicily procures the Pope to write to King Edward to move him to accept of Peace VIII A Copy of the Popes Credence IX A Copy of King Edwards Answer shewing how he had all along sought Peace to no purpose And yet on certain Conditions was ready to admit of a Treaty I. ON the a M.S. Rââ Parl. p. 29. c. Sr. R.b. Cotton p. 22. Holinshead Eng. Chron. p. 907. Wednesday next after Midlent-Sunday King Edward of England held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster wherein he demanded of the Commons towards his Charges in order to the Recovery of his Right in France the b Knighton p. 2576. aâ 30. ad n. 60. Ninth Part of all their Moveable Goods the Customs of Wooll for Two Years to be paid aforehand and the Ninth Sheaf of Corn with the Ninth of all other Grain the Ninth of Wooll and the Ninth Lamb to be levied in two Years which Grant was reduced into the Form of a Statute beginning b vid. Statute Book 1 Vol. p. 78 c. To the Honour of God c. Saving that those Articles thereof which were but Temporary were in a Schedule thereunto annexed exemplified under the Great Seal and began thus Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae c. c Statute Book 1 Vol. p. 82. c. 1. Know ye that whereas the Prelates Earls Barons and Commons of our Realm of England in our Present Parliament holden at Westminster the Wednesday next after the Sunday of Midlent the 14 Year of our Reign of England and the First of France have granted to Us of their good Gree and Good-will in aid of the speed of our great Business which We have to do as well on this side the Sea as beyond the Ninth Sheaf the Ninth Fleece and the Ninth Lamb to be taken by Two Years next coming after the making of the same and the Citizens and Burgesses of Burroughs the very Ninth part of all their Goods and the Foreign Merchants and Others which live not of gain nor of store of Sheep the Nineteenth of their Goods lawfully to their value We willing to provide to the Indemnity of the said Prelates Earls Barons and other of the Commonalty and also of the Citizens Burgesses and Merchants aforesaid do will and grant for Us and our Heirs to the same Prelates Earls Barons and Commons Citizens Burgesses and Merchants that the same Grant which is so chargeable shall not another time be brought for an Example nor turn to their Prejudice in time to come Nor that they be from thenceforth charged nor grieved to make any Aid or to sustain Charge if it be not by the Common Assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Great Men and Commons of our said Realm of England and that in the Parliament And that all the Profits rising of the said Aid and of Wards and Marriages Customs and Escheats
and other Profits rising of the said Realm of England shall be set and dispended upon the Maintenance of the Safeguard of our said Realm of England and of our Wars of Scotland France and Gascoign and in no place elswhere during the said Wars Besides which extraordinary Grant of the Lords and Commons the Clergy also at the Motion of the Archbishop freely gave unto the King a Tenth Here also because the King in his Style was called King of France and had alter'd his Arms whereby his Subjects might think themselves in danger of becoming a Province to France that being the greater Kingdom the Kings Letters Patents of Indemnity were granted beginning d Vid. Statute Book 1 Vol. p. 82 Edvardus c. Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all those who these Letters shall hear or see Greeting Know ye that whereas some People do think that by reason that the Realm of France is devolved unto Us as Right Heir of the same and forasmuch as We be King of France our Realm of England should be in Subjection to the King and Realm of France in time to come We having regard to the Estate of our Realm of England and namely that it never was nor ought to be in Subjection nor in the Obeisance of the Kings of France which for the time have been nor of the Realm of France And willing to provide for the Safety and Defence of the said Realm of England and of our Liege People of the same do will and grant and establish for Us and for our Heirs and Successors by Assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commons of our Realm of England in this our present Parliament summon'd at Westminster the Wednesday next after the Sunday in Midlent the xiv Year of our said Reign of our Realm of England and the First of France that by the cause or colour of this that We be King of France and that the said Realm to Us pertaineth as afore is said or that We cause Our Selves to be named King of France in our Stile or that We have changed our Seals or our Arms nor for Commands which We have made or hereafter shall make as King of France neither our said Realm of England or the People of the same of what Estate or Condition they be shall not in any time to come be put in Subjection or in Obeisance of Us nor of our Heirs nor Successors as Kings of France as aforesaid nor be subject nor obedient but shall be free and quit of all manner of Subjection and Obeisance aforesaid as they were wont to be in the time of our Progenitors Kings of England for ever In Witness whereof c. Certain Bishops and Lords require of his Majesty to be saved harmless for those great Summs of Money wherewith they stood bound on the Kings Behalf to the Duke of Brabant in case the Duke of Cornwall should not Marry with the Daughter of the said Duke which Request was granted and all with the Letters Patents aforesaid was enrolled in the Chancery The Petitions also of the Clergy by Assent were made into a Statute beginning Edvardus c. and enrolled as above After this certain fit Persons there named were appointed for several Affairs some to hold Debate of matters concerning Flanders some to speak with the Merchants touching Exchange to Brussels and to confer with the Merchants of England some to dilate with Priors Aliens of which we shall speak more hereafter others to advise touching the Defence of the North Marches others to treat about the Affairs of Gascoign and others how best to preserve the Islands and the Sea-coasts As to the Keeping of the Peace and performing of Covenants between the Duke of Brabant and Others on the Kings Behalf that was all to be debated in the Kings own Presence Concerning the raising of Money that was refer'd to the Commons But because the Taxes last granted were not duly answer'd to the King by those who had been entrusted with the Care thereof Certain Persons were now appointed to take the Accounts of Sr. William de la Pole Sr. John Charnells and Paul de Monteflore and Others who had received Money Wooll and other Goods to the Kings Use Whereupon Sr. William de la Pole and the Rest had Day given them to shew their Accompts each of them finding their sufficient Sureties The Earl of Derby and the Lord Wake were Sureties for Sr. William the same Earl of Darby and the Lord John Montgomery for Sr. John Charnells John Lord Dacres and Reginald Lord Cobham Sr. John Shareshull and Sr. John Stradling stood for Paul de Monteflore Sr. John Sturmy and Sr. John Charnells were bound for William Welchborne and the Earl of Huntington engaged for Pierce Dyme and other Merchants of Barton Thereupon the Parliament was Protogued till Wednesday in Easter Week then ensuing At which time certain were appointed to sit on Petitions had before the King When also the Bishops at the Kings Request promised never to dissent from the Kings Promise made for the Customs of Wooll but by Common Assent of Parliament A Motion to remember to Repeal a Commission made to Sr. Robert Waterford of the e Appâser M.S. Opposer in the Exchequer Also to remember to respit the Prior of St. Dennis near Southampton and of Southwick from paying of the Tenths and Fifteenths And to direct a Commission to Sr. Robert Popham to be Sheriff of Southampton during the Kings Pleasure It is Enacted that the King may with the Assent of his Allies make any reasonable Peace In this Parliament in f M.S. Sr. R. Cotton ibid. Dagd 2 Vol. p 113. consideration of the many Good Services done by the Marquess of Juliers the King made him Earl of Cambridge and gave him in Fee a 1000 l. per annum till he could provide for him so much of Hereditaments Whence it appears that the Learned Antiquary g Cambden Brit. Mr. Cambden was mistaken who says that King Edward the Third for the Love he bore to Queen Philippa his Consort created the Lord John of Hainault her Uncle Earl of Cambridge And that upon his Revolt to the French he devested him thereof and conferr'd it upon William Marquess of Juliers Sisters Son to that Queen Whereas the said Lord John was not now nor of some Years after Revolted to the French as We shall shew in due place so that he could not yet forfeit with Edward nor is there any thing at all in Our publique Records that may give the least Countenance to this Assertion of that Famous Man as the Diligent Sr. William Dugdale acknowledges Whereas it is most Evident that at this time the Marquess of Juliers was created Earl of Cambridge as We have shewn But We have not made this Observation upon so Great and Venerable a Person out of Envy or Ostentation rather thrô love of Truth alone and to infer
victory after a sharp and terrible Conflict In which Battle a mighty Number of our Enemies were destroyed and almost all their whole Navy taken with some Loss also on our Part but nothing like in Comparison to theirs By reason whereof We doubt not but that the Passage by Sea shall hereafter prove more quiet and safe both to Us and our Subjects And also many other Commodities shall ensue thereupon as we have good cause to hope Wherefore We devoutly considering the Divine Favours so gratiously bestowed upon Us do render our most humble Thanks and Praise to Christ our Lord and Saviour Beseeching him that as he hath been and always is most ready to prevent our Necessities in his own good time so he will please to continue his helping Hand ever towards Us and so direct Us here temporally that We may reign and rejoice with him eternally in Heaven Moreover We require your Charitable Assistance that you also Rising up together with Us unto the Praise of God alone who hath so favourably begun to work with us for our Good do instantly in your Publique Prayers and Divine Service as well as in your Private Devotions recommend Us to the Lord since We are here labouring in these foreign Countries and not only studying to recover our Right in France but also highly to exalt the whole Catholick Church of Christ and to rule our People in Righteousness And that You also call upon all your Clergy and People each one thrô his distinct Diocess to do the same altogether invocating the Name of our Saviour on our Behalf that of his Clemency he would please to give unto Us his Humble Servant his Grace and a docible Heart that We may so judge and govern here upon Earth in Equity doing what he hath commanded that at length We may happily attain to that which he hath promised thrô our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ c. An. 1340. V. This Letter was enclosed in another of the Kings directed to his Son the Prince who received them at Waltham And then at last and not before was the Fame of this Victory perfectly credited by the most Scrupulous But thrô France the sad News of this their Loss flew more nimbly thô as yet none durst undertake to be the hatefull messenger of such an unwelcom Relation to King Philip. Till at last his Lords prompted a pleasant Fellow the Kings Jester to do it who is said to have revealed the whole Matter after this manner r Walsingh hist p. 134. n. 30. Fox Acts and Mon. p. 347. Sr. Rich. Baker c. Running carelesly one time into King Philips Presence he began to insult with much vehemence and upbraid the English of flat Cowardise calling them Dastards and cowardly Poltrons with many other Opprobrious Words to that effect Which he repeated with great Bravery till the King asked him the reason why he so extreamly undervalued the Englishmen Why said the Fool because the Cowardlike Faint-hearted Rogues had not the Courage to leap into the Sea so gallantly as our Normans and Gentlemen of France did Certainly We are told by most Writers that in this Fight the English Arrows fell so thick among the French and did so sting torment and fright them that many Men rather than endure them leapt desperately into the Sea To which the Words of this Jester no doubt alluded And without all question the Guns which are used now adays are neither so terrible in Battle nor do such Execution nor work such Confusion as Arrows can do For Bullets being not seen only hurt where they hit but Arrows enrage the Horse and break the Array and terrifie all that behold them in the Bodies of their Neighbours Not to say that every Archer can shoot Thrice to a Gunners once and that whole Squadrons of Bows may let fly at one time when only one or two Files of Musqueteers can discharge at once Also that whereas Guns are useless when your Pikes joyn because they only do execution point blank the Arrows which will kill at Random may do good service even behind your Men of Arms And it is notorious that at the famous Battle of Lepanto the Turkish Bows did more mischief than the Christian Artillery Besides it is not the least observable that whereas the Weakest may use Guns as well as the Strongest in those Days your lusty and tall Yeomen were chosen for the Bow whose ſ Fabian p. 392. Hose being fastned with one Point and their Jackets long and easie to shoot in they had their Limbs at full liberty so that they might easily draw Bows of great strength and shoot Arrows of a Yard long beside the Head. But to proceed VI. About the same time that King Edward sent the foremention'd Letters into England he also directed others from t Frois c. 50. f. 30. Gaunt to the Earl of Hainalt and those who were besieged within the Castle of Thine certifying them of his Arrival and Success When the Earl heard this News and that the French had received such a Blow at Sea because he could not force the Duke of Normandy to a Battle having at last brought off the Besieged in that manner as we related he decamped and giving his Souldiers leave to depart return'd with all the Lords in his Company to Valenciennes where he feasted them all most magnificently There Jacob van Arteveld once or twice declared openly in the Market-place in the Presence of the Earl of Hainalt the Duke of Brabant and all the Lords and Others who were content to hear him What undoubted Right the King of England had to the Crown of France and of what great Puissance the Three Countries of Flanders Hainalt and Brabant were like to be now that they were surely joyn'd in one indissolvible Bond of Allyance whereof King Edward was the Knot Strength and Stay. And more he spake to this purpose with so much Eloquence and Discretion that all who heard him highly applauded his smooth Language and weighty Reasons Saying that he was both a very good Orator and a most sound and expert Politician and therefore most meet and worthy to Govern all Flanders After this the Lords of the Empire departed severally from Valenciennes having first of all agreed to meet again within eight Days at Gaunt to visit the King of England which they did accordingly He for his part received them gladly and feasted them honourably as also did the Queen in her Apartment And here 't was agreed between King Edward and the Lords of Germany that a General Council should be held at Villenort about their present Affairs for which a certain Day was appointed and Notice given to all the Allies to meet accordingly Now the King of England as he had formerly made a Promise to the Flemings had brought over with him certain Bishops and very many Priests and Deacons u Mezeray 2 part 3 tom 16 pag. who being less scrupulous than the Priests of Flanders
the War and were now quite tired out with the length of the Siege So that the very next Morning with the light ye might have seen Tents taken down Carts and Waggons lading and People removing with all speed imaginable The Brabanders therefore went away first as being more eagerly bent upon home the King of England thô much against his Will departed also but he was so earnestly parswaded to the Truce both by his real and false Friends and also by the necessity of his Affairs that he could not but comply And the King of France had so much of the bad Air and hot Weather already that he was glad to make hast away from that unfortunate Place Thus was the strong City of Tournay wonderfully preserved from utter Ruine without Battle given only by the power of a Ladies Tongue and by the Providence of the Divine Goodness which even yet seem'd desirous to give further Warning to King Philip and as it were to offer him one more Opportunity for Deliberation Before it would resign his Kingdom up to those Destructions for which already it was marked out Yet notwithstanding f Frois ibid. the City had been so reduc'd that their whole Provision of Victuals could not as was said have held out above three or four Days longer So in France it was reckon'd that King Philip had the chief Honour of this Expedition because he had as he design'd saved Tournay from ruine and obliged her Enemies to forsake the Siege and to depart the Country On the other Hand the Lords of England said how they had the Honour only because they had tarried so long in the Realm of France without Battle having for more than nine Weeks besieged one of the best Towns thereof wasting and destroying about in the Country all the while at their pleasure and that the French King had not once offer'd to relieve the Place at the time prefix'd in his Letters but had in the end without giving Battle as he ought to have done first himself sought and after agreed to a Truce with them who had done him all this Displeasure King Edward g Frois ibid. went from Tournay directly for Gaunt where he found his Vertuous and Beautifull Queen in good Health with whom about two Months after he went privately for England as we shall shew in due place all his Men being Order'd to follow except those Lords who were to be at the Parliament at Arras King Philip for his Part dismist the Main of his Army and himself went first to Lille whither the Burgesses of Tournay came to wait upon him He received them very Graciously and shewed them much favour upon the account of their Hazard for his Sake restoring unto them at this time all their former Privileges and adding to them several New ones to their great Satisfaction for a while before he had upon some Displeasure taken away their Charter and set over them the Lord Godmar du Fay and other Captains successively to be their Governours But now for their late approved Loyalty and Valour they had their old Form of Government restored and leave to choose a new Provost and Jurats according to their Ancient Customs All which being done and ratified the King went from Lille to Paris XIII While King Edward tarried yet at Gaunt he h Odoric Raynald An. 1340. §. 33. ad §. 37. wrote unto the Pope a Letter wherein thanking him for his diligence in Labouring after a Peace between the two Realms which he himself also mightily desired that thereby he might be at liberty to prosecure the Holy War against the common Enemies of Christendom and declaring how at the importunate Instances of some he had accordingly condescended to a Truce even then when he had almost reduced Tournay to the last Extremity he shews that upon sight of his Holinesses Letters he had prolonged the Term of the Truce that thereby he might give his Holiness suller Information of his own Intentions and also of the Equity of his Cause requiring thereupon his Advice which he should be ready to embrace Also that he had sent his Envoys to the Apostolick See to return Thanks to his Holiness for his Diligence in obtaining the Liberty of Nicolas de Flisco desiring God Almighty to preserve his Holiness in the Government of his Holy Church many and happy Days Datum apud Gandavum 19 no Novembris Anno Regni nostri Franciae Primo Regni verò nostri Angliae Quartodecimo At which time also he sent unto his Holiness the following Justification of Himself and his Cause i Extat apud Benedict Tom. 2. Ep secr 114. in Bib. Vatican Odoric Raynald ibid. These are the things in effect which are reported unto You Most Holy Father our Lord by Us William of Norwich Dean of Lincoln John Hufford Archdeacon of Ely and John Thoresby Canon of Southwell on the Behalf of our Lord the Illustrious King of England Most Holy Father and Lord that your Holiness may be more fully informed of the sincere and just intention of our said Lord the King which is ever prone and ready to accept of a Reasonable Peace something in Fact is to be opened The Lord Philip who now bears himself as King of France from the time that he first occupied the Realm of France verily believing nor without Reason that our said Lord the King directed the Eyes of his mind toward the Kingdom of France or at least would afterwards look that Way was pleased what in the Parts of Scotland by really Adhering to the Scots and what in the Dutchy of Guienne by there Usurping many Places so continually and strongly to divert him that he should have no leisure to intend to the Recovery of his Rights in France And because he being under Age and having no skill in the matter of his Right nor Experience as to what he was to do especially because of the foresaid Snates as is premised prepared for him had not untill of late any way open of duly prosecuting his Rights as to his said Kingdom of France Our said Lord the King desiring Peace and Quiet offer'd unto the said Lord Philip the Methods here under-named only for the Recovery of the Dutchy aforesaid and that he would absolutely refrain from Assisting the Scots Viz. First the Marriage of his Eldest Son for a Daughter of the Lord Philip to be Coupled with him in Matrimony without any Dowry Secondly the Marriage of his own Sister now Lady of Gueldre for a Son of the said Lord Philip with a great and excessive Dowry Thirdly the Marriage of his own Brother the Earl of Cornwall for some one Kinswoman of his Fourthly to redeem the Seisure of his Lands he offer'd unto him a Summ of Mony to be adjusted at the Discretion of the said Lord Philip Fifthly because the said Lord Philip pretended that he would cross the Seas to the Aid of the Holy Land our said Lord the King out of the great Zeal
England whom we shall shortly bring home with the King her Husband was soon m Walsingh hist p. 135. after in the Tower of London deliver'd of a Fair Daughter named Blanch who to temper King Edwards Felicities unfortunately died before she was weaned and lies buried at Westminster CHAPTER the EIGHTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward in great Displeasure comes privately over into England where he displaces and imprisons several of his Chief Ministers of State. II. His Quarrel with the Archbishop with the full State of the whole Case in Epitome III. The Archbishop's Letter to the King. IV. The Archbishop's Letter to the Lord Chancellour V. His Remonstrance to the King and his Council VI. His Letter to the Bishop of London VII His Articles of Excommunication which he publishes over all his Province VIII A Copy of the King's Letters to the Bishop of London in Defence of his Proceedings against the Archbishop IX The Archbishops Answer to the King wherein he defends himself against all his Objections X. The King's Reply to the Archbishop's Defence which he sends to all the Suffragans of that Province with absolute Command to obey the Archbishop in nothing contrary to his Pleasure wherein we shall find a notable Instance even in those Times of the King's Supremacy and Jealousie of his Rights and Royal Prerogatives XI The Particulars of a Parliament at Westminster wherein at the last the Archbishop upon his Submission is fully pardon'd and received into Favour I. WE said before that upon the Truce taken before Tournay King Edward went to Gaunt and how thence he returned into England But now we are to take up that Thread again and so to proceed in a further Discourse of his Affairs While a Holingshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. b. he lay at Gaunt Lewis Earl of Flanders being now by vertue of the Truce restored to his Country came thither to visit him And for several Days he made great Cheer to him and his Queen caressing and entertaining them with magnificent Feasts and Banquets But King Edward took small Delight in such matters now his Mind ran upon the Mony which he dayly expected from England to pay off his Debts contracted beyond Sea which having long look'd for in vain pretending b Stow p. 237. that he would ride abroad for his Pleasure he went suddenly into Zealand where he took Ship privately with only his Queen and Eight more Persons of Quality in his Company designing for England But upon the Sea he met with a Storm which for three days together tossed him too and fro with great fury to the utter hazard of his Person It is said c Grafton p. 247. Fabian p. 216. that the Tempest was rais'd by certain Necromancers of France who purpos'd thereby to destroy him or at least to cool his Courage from passing the Seas any more Whatever was the Occasion this is certain that as if King Edward had been only destin'd for the Kingdom of France which he so greatly desired it seem'd fatal for him always in his Passage thither to have calm Seas and Wind at will but in his Return all things contrary so that often he endur'd many great Losses and Shipwrecks And this was his Fate while his Fortune stood fair but when he began to decline he found the Wind so contrary to him that by no means he could once set his Foot more in France However now at last this storm being happily abated on the third Night being d 30 Novem. St. Andrews he arrived safe at shoar and landed at the Tower of London about the Cock-crow The Lords that came with him and the Queen were the Earl of Northampton the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Darcy the Lord Guy Beauchamp Eldest Son to the Earl of Warwick with the Lord John Beauchamp his Uncle and two Chaplains which were also his Secretaries Dr. William Killesby and Dr. William Weston with their Servants only Upon the King's entring the Tower he found there no Guard ready but only his Children and three Servants waiting on them Wherefore in great e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 127. Anger he sent for the Lord Nicolas de la Beche Constable of the Tower and committed him to Prison in the said place As also he served at the same time Andrew Aubry Lord Mayor of London the Lord Thomas Wake Sr. John St. Paul Keeper of the great Seal Sr. John Stonore Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Michael Wath Henry Stratford and Robert Chickwell Clerks of the Chancery and Philip Thorp Clerk of the Exchequer All whom he sent for and imprison'd as he had done also to the Archbishop of Canterbury if he could have got him After this in several Parts of the Kingdom he caused to be taken and clapt up in divers Prisons Sr. John Poltney Alderman of London Sr. William de la Pole Baron of his Exchequer Sr. William Shareshull one of the Justices of the Kings Bench Sr. Richard Willoughby Deputy Lord Chief Justice Sr. John Shardelow and Sr. Thomas Ferrers Thô within a while after the Lord Wake was deliver'd with Honour having no Fault fix'd upon him The City of London during the Imprisonment of their Mayor was at the Kings Command govern'd by a Bayliff as will appear hereafter As for Dr. f Philipot's Catal Chancell Treas p. 34. Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester who was then Lord Chancellour of England and Robert Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield then Lord Treasurer he immediately discharged them of their Offices threatning to send them into Flanders there to lie as Pledges for Money which he owed or if they refus'd to go to lay them in prison in the Tower. But upon the Bishop of Chichester's Remonstrance to him g Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. that he would then be in danger to incure the Penalty of Pope Clements Canon De non incarcerandis Episcopis he relented and let them go free thô deprived of their Offices Sr. Robert h Philipot's ibid. p. 34. 38. Bourchier succeeding in the Place of Lord Chancellour and Sr. Richard Saddington in that of Treasurer and Dr. Killesby in the Place of Privy Seal Sr. John St. Paul the late Keeper being also discharged All the Sheriffs also of Shires and other Publique Officers were at this time removed and new ones put in their Places And certain Justices were appointed to enquire into the Faults of Collectors and other Officers concerned in the Gathering the Taxes so that few or none escaped unpunished so strictly these New Justices proceeded in their Commissions As for the i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 146. b. Lord John Molins a Great and Noble Baron of the Realm the incensed Prince in the heat of his Displeasure flang his Body into Prison and seised all his Lands into his own Hands which thereupon were committed to the custody of Sr. John Eldred his Offence having been judged
receive the Discourses and Letters of Kings respectfully and graciously yet Our Excusatory Letters containing as in due place and time We intend fully to prove true and just Matter he intitles Detestable Scandalous Libells putting a false blot upon Our Name Because if any One that hath the Custody of a Common Weal is ready to prove those Crimes that are committed to writing if truth corroborate his Assertions he is vindicated from the Scandal of Libelling and is thereby accounted Praise-Worthy He also not observing the manner of his Predecessors who used to Honour and Love their Princes and cause y y 1 Tim. c. 2. v. 1. Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks to be made by themselves and others for them and to teach them in the Spirit of Meekness begins the Web of Faction and perverse Contention against Us and Our Servants in the Spirit of Pride z z Psalm 128. v. 3. making long his Iniquity and seeking which is the Comfort of Wretches more Companions in his punishment And which is worse by his Lying Words he wickedly endeavours to precipitate into a Disrespect and Contempt of Us his Suffragans and other Our Devout and Loyal Subjects And althô with God not the Heighth of a Mans Degree but the Passing of a Good Life gains approbation this Man Glorying in the Loftiness of his Condition requires unto himself as unto the Ambassador of Christ that Reverence which being due from Him unto Us He doth not pay Nay when both He and other Prelates of the Realm who receive the Temporals of their Churches from Us by their Oath of Allegiance do owe unto Us Faith Honour and Reverence He only is not asham'd to render unto Us instead of Faith Treachery in lieu of Honour Reproach and for Reverence Contempt Wherefore althô We are ready and always have been to respect as is meet Our Spiritual Fathers yet as for their Offences which We see to abound to the Hazard of Us and of Our Kingdom We ought not to pass them over slightly But the said Archbishop complains that certain Crimes were in Our said Excusatory Letters objected against him thô absent unheard and without Defence and that he was condemn'd of Capital Matters as if We as He foolishly pretends had to the utmost proceeded criminally against him which is not true When We only supply'd the place of an Excuse being compell'd of Necessity lest We should seem to neglect Our own Reputation But let this Cavilling Reprover see if this complaint may not justly be retorted upon his own Head who falsely and maliciously in positive Words describes Us his King and Our Counsellors thô absent unhear'd and without Defence as Oppressors and Transgressors of the Laws altogether When as He is justly blamed who incurrs the Fault which he himself Reproves and a a Rom. c. 2. v. 1. wherein he judgeth another he condemneth himself while he himself is found reproveable in the same thing Moreover althô he studied to serve not Our Interest but his own Covetousness yet he upbraids and boasts that he hath labour'd so Mightily in the Kings Affairs to use his own Words that thereby he feared how he had manifoldly incurred the heavy displeasure both of God and Man And this he might justly fear since he may be reckon'd among that sort of Men who according to the Prophetical taunt b b Jer. c. 9. v. 5. have taught their tongues to speak lies and weary themselves to commit Iniquity But as to certain other false and specious Words contained in the Letters of the said Archbishop thô We might confute them with Reasons more clear than the Light yet lest We should protract Discourse We thought fit for the present not to answer them because it is not decent to strive with a contentious Man nor agree with him in perverseness But We command You. firmly in the Faith and Love wherein You are bound unto Us enjoyning You that notwithstanding any Mandate of the said Archbishop to which in derogation of the Royal Honour against Your Oath of Allegiance made unto Us You ought not to obey You forthwith proceed to the Publication of those things which in Our foresaid Excusatory Letters are contained according to their Order And because We are and ought to be extreamly jealous concerning the maintenance of Our Rights and Prerogatives Royal which the Worthily remembred Supremacy of Our Progenitors Kings of England hath Gloriously defended and because the said Archbishop to stir up the Clergy and People against Us and to hinder the Carrying on of Our War which by his Counsel principally We undertook hath caused and commanded by others to be done and Published certain Denunciations and Publications of Sentences of Excommunication and Monitions Injurious and prejudicial to Our Crown and Dignity Royal since thereby he endeavours in sundry Articles to take away from Us the Jurisdiction notoriously to Us belonging and whereof We being a King Anointed are known to be capable and which both We and Our Progenitors the Popes Prelates and Clergy of Our Kingdom both knowing and allowing have peaceably enjoy'd time out of Mind to the Hurt of Our Majesty Royal and the manifest derogation of Our Rights and Kingly Prerogatives We therefore strictly and upon your Peril forbid You that neither by your selves nor by others you make nor as much as in you lies by others suffer to be made any such undue Publications Denuntiations or Monitions Prejudicial and Derogatory to Our Rights and Prerogatives Royal or any thing else whereby Our Liege Subjects may be stirred up against Us or the Carrying on of Our War may be any way hindred to the Subversion of Us and of Our Liege People which God forbid at the Command of the Archbishop or any other whatsoever And if any thing in this kind hath by You been attempted that forthwith You Repeal it Witness Our Self at the Tower of London the 31 of March in the Year of Our Reign of England the 15 and of France 2. This truly Royal Command of the Kings being obey'd by all the Bishops of the Province of Canterbury the King resolved to maintain the Rights of his Crown and Summons a Parliament to which also the Archbishop is called c Antiqu. Brit. p. 235. n. 55. the Kings Royal Protection being Granted him that he might safely come thither XI On the d Pascha 8 April Lit. Dom. G. Ninth of April being Easter e M. S. Rot. Parl. p. 40. c. Exact Abridgement by Sr Rob. Cotton p. 31. Monday King Edward held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster the Causes whereof were declared to be how the King might be speedily supply'd with the Grants yielded unto him last Year upon his passing in Person against his Enemy Philip of Valois who had taken away part of the Dutchy of Guienne much part of which Grant was kept from the King by Evil Officers Also secondly how more plenty of Money might be raised and
a due State Counsel and a Treatise thereupon had with the Earls Barons and other Wise Men of our said Realm And for because We never consented to the making of the said Statute but as then it behoved Us We dissembled in the Premises by Protestations of Revocation of the said Statute if indeed it should proceed to eschew the Dangers which by denying of the same We feared to come forasmuch as the said Parliament otherwise had been without any Expedition in Discord dissolved and so our earnest business had likely been which God prohibit in Ruine And the said pretenced Statute We promised then to be Sealed It seemed to the said Earls Barons and other Wise Men that sithence the said Statute did not of our Free Will proceed the same should be void and ought not to have the Name nor strength of a Statute And therefore by their Counsel and Assent We have Decreed the said Statute to be void and the same inasmuch as it proceeded of Deed We have brought to be annulled Willing nevertheless that the Articles contained in the said pretenced Statute which by other of Our Statutes or of Our Progenitors Kings of England have been approved shall according to the form of the said Statute in every point as convenient is be observed And the same We do only to the Conservation and Redintegration of the Rights of Our Crown as We be bound and not that We should in any Wise aggrieve or oppress Our Subjects whom We desire to rule by Lenity and Gentleness And therefore We do command You that all these things You do to be openly proclaimed in such places within your Bayliwick where You shall see expedient Witness my self at Westminster the First day of October the XV Year of Our Reign This is the Famous Revocation which thô put among the Printed Statutes was meerly the Result of the Kings Prerogative Royal and yet in those days Esteemed of sufficient Force and as so afterwards confirmed by Act of Parliament as We shall see two Years hence CHAPTER the NINETEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Philip of France wins the Emperour to his side II. The Emperours Letters of Revocation to King Edward III. King Edwards answer thereto IV. The sudden Death of the Duke of Bretagne without Issue With the several Pretences of the Earl of Montford and Charles of Blois to that Dukedom V. Earl Montford seises his Fathers Treasure calls a. Parliament and goes forth with an Army to conquer his Inheritance VI. He goes into England does Homage to King Edward as true King of France for that Dukedom and implores his Protection VII On Charles of Blois his Complaint to King Philip Earl Montford is Summon'd to appear in the Chamber of France He comes to Paris but being in doubt gets secretly away again VIII The Dukedom adjudged to the Lord Charles of Blois IX King Philip promises unto him his Assistance and confiscates the Earldom of Montford which King Edward requites by giving the Earldom of Richmond unto the said Earl. X. Charles of Blois descends into Bretagne besieges Nantes and takes the Earl of Montford who is sent Prisoner to Paris XI The Countess of Montford prepares to renew the War. XII King Edward keeps his Christmas at Melros Abbey and the Earl of Darby at Roxborough whither certain Scotch Knights come to exercise Feats of Arms. XIII Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Fifth Son called Edmund of Langley His Christening solemnized with a Feast and Turneament Which is falsly said to have been for love of the Countess of Salisbury XIV A small Digression concerning Francis Petrarch the Italian Poet. XV. The Lord Douglas besieges Striveling and takes it King Edward goes against Scotland with a Royal Army The Scotch Lords offer Conditions to obtain a Truce which are accepted XVI King David of Scotland returns home again raises an Army and enters England lays Siege to Newcastle but leaves it again XVII The Captain of Newcastle rides post with the News to King Edward who prepares for Resistance XVIII King David takes and destroys the City of Durham XIX He lays Siege to the Castle of Werke the Story of King Edwards Amours with the Countess of Salisbury exploded XX. The Captain of the Castle passes thrô the Scotch Host in the Night to hasten King Edward to his Relief On Knowledge whereof the King of Scotland Retires XXI King Edward comes before the Castle of Werke and the next Day follows the Scots XXII A Truce taken between the two Kings with the several Reasons inducing them thereto The Earls of Murray and Salisbury acquitted their Ransoms I. ALL this while thô the Truce between France and England had more than Two Years to continue King Philip knowing that Truces are but Opportunities for Wise Enemies to improve to their Advantage like a Politick and Wary Prince thought good to take this time to recruit himself and to provide more strongly against a War which the Competition for a Crown seem'd to Entayl to future Ages And first after King Edward's own Method he desired to Establish himself with the Accession of some Powerfull Friends The Flemings he could by no means expect to prevail with while Jacob van Arteveld bore any Authority among them and the Earl of Hainalt was too much incensed to be wrought upon and the Duke of Brabant and other Lords of the Empire were still hamper'd in the Triple League made at Villenort Nor indeed did it seem feasable to gain any great footing in the Empire till the Emperour himself might be brought over The Emperours Friendship therefore seem'd as more considerable so upon many Accounts more attainable Lewis the Emperour had now to Wife the Lady Margaret Eldest Daughter to Jane of Valois King Philips Sister Besides he knew him extream desirous to be Reconciled to the Church if he might obtain Absolution from the Pope on no Dishonourable Conditions and King Philip had at that time the Popes Keys under his Girdle the Court of Rome being at Avignon in France The Emperour therefore he now secretly and effectually plyes by the Popes Letters and his own Ambassadors offering him both Temporal and Spiritual Advantages great Gifts and Pensions together with a Frank and easie Absolution from his long-continued Excommunication These things took with him so well that he presently sent unto King Edward these his Letters of Revocation II. a Walsingh hist p. 146. n. 30. Fox Acts and Monum p. 351. Stow p. 238. Odâric Rainald ad hunc annâm §. 12. c. Lewis by the Grace of God Emperour of the Romans always Augustus to Edward King of England his Beloved Brother Greeting and unfeigned Love. Althô innumerable and arduous Affairs do lie upon our shoulders and We are variously and perpetually encumbred about them yet notwithstanding when the Discord arisen between You and Philip King of France our Beloved Cosin which unless it be appeased may for the future bring forth both to You and to your
People heavy Losses both of many Mens Lives and Fortunes doth represent it self unto our Eyes it more especially torments our Mind and moves Us to apply all our Diligence Care and Labour to take it up Wherefore We give You to understand that the foresaid Philip at our Request hath given unto Us by his Letters Authority and Power to moderate between You and Him about this Discord stirred up between You in order to the obtaining of a Peace Which Peace duly considering the whole State of You and your Allies we believe to be very expedient for You and your Kingdom And therefore perswade your Friendly Charity and earnestly exhort You to give also Your Consent thereto So that We may thereby bring You and Him to an Agreement and establish between You a firm Peace whereunto with a ready Mind We will apply Our selves and take pains in vigorously prosecuting the same Wherein if You will consent to our Advice and as We hope acquiesce therein may it please You by your Letters to give unto Us. the foresaid Power of Treating about an Agreement and of Ordaining a Truce for a Year or two more Neither let it move You that between Us and Philip King of France a Friendship is made and contracted For since You took a Truce and certain Limits wherein to treat of an Agreement between You and the said King of France without our Knowledge Will and Assent We also by the Advice of our Princes who know the Tyes Bonds and Covenants betwixt Us to whom also it seem'd that saving our Honour We might do the same have contracted an Agreement and Friendship with the said King of France and therefore for the Causes aforenoted do revoke and call back the Lieutenantship assigned unto You by our Letters Nevertheless giving you for certain to understand that We shall in our Treaties make such Brotherly Provision for You that if You will acquiesce in our Counsels your Cause by means of our Counsel shall be brought to a good Issue About which Matters further to inform your Charity of our Intention We have sent unto your Brotherhood a Religious Person Frier b Herwart Everhard Reader of the Order of Friers Hermits of St. Augustine and Chaplain in Ordinary of our Court Whom about the Premises We desire to be speedily dispatched unto Us again Dated at Frankford the 14 Day of June in the 27 Year of our Reign and the 14 of our Empire III. King Edward made no more of all this knowing the unconstancy of that Prince but only return'd him this respectfull and rational Answer To the most Renowned Prince the Lord Lewis by the Grace of God Roman Emperour always Augustus Edward by the same Grace King of France and England and Lord of Ireland Greeting and perpetual Happiness We have reverently received the Letters of your Highness containing among other things that upon your Request Philip of Valois hath by his Letters given unto You Power to treat of an Agreement between Us and Him and that if it would please Us to give unto You Power therefore You would willingly endeavour Your utmost toward the bringing about the said Agreement And that the Friendship between You and Philip should not move Us For since without your Knowledge and Assent we took a Truce and Limits wherein to treat of Peace between Us and the said Philip You also have contracted the said Friendship with him by the Advice of your Princes to whom it seem'd that saving your Honour You might do so much and have also revoked the Lieutenantship by You granted unto Us. Certainly the Zeal which You have to make the said Agreement We very much commend c Here a Clause added by Fox which I find not in Walsingham's Original And truly it would be very agreeable and acceptable to Us if at the Instance of so great an Umpire a desirable Peace may be obtained But forasmuch as We know our Right and Title to the Realm of France to be clear enough We purpose not by our Letters of Commission to any one to leave it under doubtfull Arbitrement But when We seriously consider and revolve how your Highness upon mature Deliberation beholding our manifest Right and the obstinate Pertinacy and Violence of the said Philip did of your Grace make a League with Us against the said Philip admitting Us out of the Exuberance of your Love as a particular Child of Adoption to speak by your leave We cannot sufficiently admire That your Invincible Highness being constituted of God for the d 1 Pet. 2.14 Praise of them that do well and for the Punishment of Evil-doers hath made a League against Us with the said Philip our injurious and notorious Enemy And as to that which You say that without your Knowledge and Assent We took a Truce with the said Philip in Order to a Treaty about a Peace the Circumstances of the Fact being rationally weighed it ought not to move You For while We besieged the City of Tournay it was requisit we should follow their Counsels who then gave us their Aid and Society and the near Approach of Winter and the Distance of place would not permitt Us to advise with your Highness about the Premises Nay if you remember your Grant unto Us was otherwise namely that if a fit Opportunity was offer'd We might without your Advice or Knowledge hold a Treaty of Peace but so as that without your Consent We should by no means make a final Peace with the said Philip which We never purposed to do till we should have had thereupon your Counsel and Assent But it was Our desire in all things to bear Our selves as we ought toward You according to our Abilities hoping that the Fulness of your Brotherly Kindness would more lovingly have supported Us for a time It is also thought by some that the Revocation of the said Lieutenantship was prematurely made Whereas according to your Promise herein given unto Us by your Imperial Letters it ought not to have been made untill we had obtained the Kingdom of France or the greater Part thereof We desire your Excellence duly to weigh the Premises and to do farther what shall seem most requisit Because by the Grace of God We intend after our Abilities to gratifie both You and Yours according to the measure of your Benevolence bestowed upon Us. The Almighty grant unto your Highness as much Felicity as your Heart can wish Dated at London the 18 of July in the 2d Year of our Reign of France and of England the 15. IV. Now for a while we might expect to have liberty wholly to divert to Actions of Peace the Truce being prolonged with France for two Years more and that with Scotland not yet expiring till the Feast of St. John Baptist next ensuing But King Edwards Destiny which mark'd him out for Action or rather the evil Genius of France was even now working to break the Truce and to set open the Gates of War again
Personal harm saying further Sr. Henry if you can bring this about I shall love you the better for it whilest I live Presently he had his 500 Men allotted him with whom he rode forth before the Army and toward the Evening arrived before Hennebond When the Captain Sr. Oliver Penfort heard and saw and knew that his Brother was there supposing he came with that force to his Assistance he immediately open'd the Gates and received him with all his Men himself hasting forward joyfully to salute him in the street When Sr. Henry saw him he hasted forward to meet him and taking him suddenly by the Arm for the first Complement said Brother Oliver now You are my Prisoner How so cry'd his Brother amazed Did I put my Confidence in your Kindness expecting you were come to my Assistance in defence of this place and am I now deceived Brother reply'd Sr. Henry the matter is nothing so I am come hither to take Possession of this Town and Castle for my Lord the Earl of Montford who is now Duke of Bretagne and follows us just at our heels To him I have made fealty and Homage and the greater part of the Country obeys him as You also are like to do now But surely it were better for You to do it of choice than by compulsion and You will receive more thanks for your pains for the Duke is a Gracious Prince I 'll assure you Upon these and the like Words together with the Consideration of his present Condition Sr. Oliver presently consented and so the Earl without one stroke given or taken was admitted into Hennebond where he set a good Garrison Thence he marched with all his Army to Vannes another considerable City which after a small Treaty upon Fame of his Success open'd her Gates and received him for her Soveraign Lord. Here having in three days time Established all manner of Officers and given necessary Orders he went thence and laid Siege to a strong Castle called la Roche Bernard on the other side the Vilaine whereof Sr. Oliver Clisson Cosin German to the Lord Clisson was Captain The Siege here lasted ten days but the place was too strong to be won by force and neither threats nor promises could work upon the Governour Wherefore the Earl thought fit to rise thence for the present and go and attempt the Castle of Auray about 10 Leagues Westward from la Roche Bernard and very considerable for its strength and scituation it standing on an Arm of the Morbihan between Vannes and Blavet The Captain thereof at that time was the Lord Geoffry de Malestroit who had with him another Valiant Knight Named Sr. John de Triguier The Earl gave them two notable Attacks which they as worthily sustained so that when he saw he might lose more there than he could hope to win he thought to try them by fair means and so gave them a Truce for one Day at the Request and Advice of the Lord Henry du Leon who was always near him This short time Sr. Henry made so good use of that by his fair Words and Perswasions they were content to hold the Castle for the Earl John and to yield him their Homage as their True and Lawfull Lord. This done the Earl left them still Captains of the place and the Country about and then passed forth to another strong Castle called Gony en la Forest which they prepared to Assault The Captain thereof saw well what great forces the Earl had with him and how in a manner all the Country fainted before him so that by the perswasion of Sr. Henry du Leon with whom the Captain had kept good Company formerly in the Holy War in Prussia and Granada and other Foreign Parts he was at last contented to keep that place for the Earls behoof for the future to whom he then made his Homage After this the Earl went to Karhais whereof at that time a Bishop who was Uncle to Sr. Henry du Leon was Governour But he by means of his Nephew was brought off to own the Earl for his Lord till some other should come who could shew more Right to that Dutchy VI. Thus Earl m Frois c. 68. John conquer'd almost whereever he went and seriously took upon him the State and Title of Duke of Bretagne but by Advice of his Council he was perswaded to have recourse to some Powerfull Protector that upon occasion might uphold him against the French King who doubtless would take the Part of his Nephew Charles of Blois Having therefore bestow'd his Men about in Garrisons and provided sufficiently for the Defence of his Country he took shipping for England with some of his Chief Lords in his Company and arrived safe at a Port in Cornwall where upon Enquiry understanding that King Edward was at Windsor thither he went and was very welcome to the King Queen and Lords of England There he declared to the King and his Council How he had taken Possession of the Dutchy of Bretagne devolved unto him by Right of Succession upon the Death of his Elder Brother the late Duke But that he feared lest the Lord Charles of Blois by help of his Uncle the French King would at last force him from his Right Wherefore he said He was come thither to receive and to hold that Dukedom of the King of England as true King of France and his Soveraign Lord by Fealty and Homage for him and his Heirs for ever Desiring him to Defend him in his Quarrel against the French King or whosoever else should molest him about that Matter King Edward consider'd that his War with France should be much furthered by the Accession of so great a Prince and that there was no way more Commodious for him to pass into France than by Bretagne especially remembring that the Germans and Brabandens had done him small or no service but had made him spend much Money to little purpose and that now since the Emperour whose Letters he had just then received was also fallen off there would be little good done for him by any Lords of the Empire upon these Reasons He readily condescended to the Earl of Montford's Request and then and there received Homage of him as Duke of Bretagne Which done in Presence of all the Lords as well English as Bretons that were there he promised to Aid Defend and Sustain him as his Liegeman against either the French King or any other whatsoever This Homage and this Promise being interchangeably Sealed and deliver'd the King and Queen presented the Earl and his Company with such great Gifts and so Royally entertain'd them that they accounted King Edward to be a most Noble Prince and Worthy to Reign in much Prosperity After this the Earl took his leave of England and arrived in short space at an Haven in lower Bretagne whence he went to Nantes to his Lady who applauded his League with England as likely to be of most Advantage to his Affairs But
made shift to escape to the Camp where they related the whole Matter At this such as were most ready rose up to Rescue the Prey which they overtook near the Barriers of the Town And here began a fierce skirmish the Nantois being hard put to it by reason of the Numbers that flow'd in upon them from the Camp but however some of them took the Horses out of the Wagons upon the first approach of the Enemy and drove them in at the Gate that the Frenchmen might not easily drive back the Provision Hereupon Fresh Men came out of the City to relieve their Companions so the Fray multiplied and many were slain and hurt on both sides for Recruits continually came both from the Camp and City Wherefore the Lord Henry du Leon the Earl of Monford's Chief Captain perceiving that by continuing the Fight in this Manner he might by Degrees engage the whole City with the whole Army without any Advantage of his Walls and other Works thought best to sound a Retreat now before it grew worse But then the pursuit was so close upon their heels that more than 200 of the Burgesses were taken and slain Wherefore the Earl Monford when the business was over blamed Sr. Henry du Leon very severely for Retreating so soon At which unseasonable Reproof Sr. Henry who had hitherto been his Main Support was infinitely disgusted and for the future came not to any Council of War as his Manner was Which made many to wonder what his Design should be Soon * Frois c. 72. after this Mischance 't is said that some of the Chief Burgesses considering how their substance went daily to wreck both without and within the City and that already several of their Friends and Children were Prisoners if no worse and that themselves were in no less Danger privately agreed together to hold a Treaty with the Lords of France This Plot was carried on so closely by the connivance at least of Sr. Henry du Leon that it was concluded all the Prisoners should be deliver'd they in Lieu thereof engaging to set open their Gates that the French Lords might enter and take the Earl of Monford's Person in the Castle without doing any harm to the City the Inhabitants or their Goods Some lay all this Contrivance and the Menagement thereof to Sr. Henry du Leon's Charge who had been One of the Earls Privy-Counsellors his Friend and Chief Captain till that unhappy Accident whereby the Earl was provok'd to take him up so roundly However according to this Device so one Morning early it was effected The French Lords found easie entrance went straight to the Castle brake open the Gates and there took the Unhappy Earl Prisoner and led him clear out of the City into their Field without doing any further harm in the World This happen'd about the Feast of All-Saints in the Year of our Lord MCCCXLI After this the Lords of France and Sr. Charles of Blois enter'd the City again with great Triumph and there all the Burgesses and others did Fealty and Homage to the Lord Charles of Blois as to their Right Sovereign and True Duke of Bretagne For three Days they all continued here in great Jollity and Feasting because of this their unexpected Success After which the Lord Charles was advised to tarry thereabout till the next Summer and to set Captains in the places he had won But most of the other Lords return'd to Paris with the Earl of Monford their Prisoner XI Now Margaret the Countess of Monford who had the Courage of a man and the heart of a Lion was in the City of Rennes at what time her Lord was taken and althô she had a due sense of this great Misfortune yet she bore a good Countenance Recomforted her Friends and Souldiers and shewing them her little Son John said Gentlemen be not overmuch dismay'd at this mischance of my Lord the Earl whom We have unhappily lost He was but a Mortal Man and so all our hope ought not to rest on him But behold this my little Son who by the Grace of God shall be his Restorer and your Benefactor I have Riches enough so that you shall want for Nothing and I doubt not but to purchase such a Captain to be your Leader who shall be Wise Valiant and Noble When she had thus animated her Men in Rennes then she went about to all the Fortresses and good Towns that held of her side and still she carried along with her the little Lord John her Son and fortify'd all her Garrisons and spake to them as she had done to those at Rennes and paid largely and gave great Gifts where she thought it Convenient After all things were settled she went to the strong Town of Hennebond where she and her Son tarried all that Winter and frequently she sent to visit her Garrisons and paid all Men well and truly their Wages The mean while her Lord was a close Prisoner in the Louvre in Paris without hopes of Escape or Redemption Thô it will appear that about 3 years after upon certain Conditions which he kept not he got his Liberty but he died so soon after that it is hardly worth taking notice of and that I take to be the Reason why many Historians say nothing of it but rather think he died in Prison Thus much thô great part thereof seems a Digression was necessary to be said in order to clear what follows next Year of the Wars of Bretagne wherein England was concern'd I shall now take leave to speak something of the Scotch Affairs relating to the end of this and the beginning of the following Year Which after a small Digression we shall pursue more closely XII The last Year We show'd briefly how the Scots succeeded during King Edwards absence he lying at that time before Tournay So that having at last taken Edenburgh by Stratagem they had left nothing of Scotland in the English Hands but Striveling Barwick and Roxborough Now at King Edwards Return into England nothing was yet done against them because they were comprehended in the first Years Truce with France y Knighton p. 2580. But the King went about St. Andrews toward Scotland and kept his Christmas at Melros-Abbey Henry the Noble Earl of Darby keeping the same Festival at Roxborough hard by To Roxborough came the Lord William Douglas with Three Scotch Knights to Just with the Earl of Darby and his Knights which Martial Sport being honourably maintain'd on both sides the Scots departed for that time but shortly after the said Earl of Darby being then at Barwick twelve Knights of Scotland came thither also for the same purpose who were presently Match'd by as many English Of the Scotch Knights two by chance were slain and one Sr. John Twyford of the English Earls Retinue all the Rest came off with safety and Honour on each side King Edward presently after Christmas Return'd to Langley in Hertfordshire z Stow p. 238.
Person till they themselves required a Peace in the most submissive manner yet his Lords perswaded him rather at this time to send unto them in order to Treat for a Truce between the two Realms for two or three Years For they said how it was great Wisdom in a Prince that hath War in several places at One time to make a Truce with One to pacifie the Other by mild Words and on the Third to employ his Power By these and the like Perswasions he was content to send d Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 143. a. Frois ibid. Richard Bury Lord Bishop of Durham Ralph Lord Nevill of Raby the Lord John Striveling and others to Treat about the Premises But King David either because He thought this Offer was extorted by some great Necessity or for that he was really so obliged to King Philip return'd answer that he neither could nor would strike up a Peace with England without the Consent of the King of France That this was one of the Articles in the last Truce and must be for ever that nothing of Agreement could be lasting between England and Scotland without the Allowance of the King of France King Edward was so nettled at so brisk a Reply from a Prince whom he had drove out of his Kingdom that in great Indignation he vow'd openly That now therefore he would for a while intend to no other business but the War with Scotland only till he had reduced that Kingdom to such Destruction as should be remembred while the World endur'd And immediately he gave out his Commands for all his Men of War to meet him at Barwick by Easter except such only who were appointed for the Wars in Bretagne II Nor did this Heroick Prince trust alone in the Arm of Flesh but truly considering that God Almighty was the sole Disposer of the Success of all Mans endeavours he now issues forth his pious Commands to all the Clergy of England that with one Voice they would incessantly storm Heaven and by their importunate Prayers extort a Blessing upon his Arms. Behold a Copy of his Letters EDWARD e e Walsingh hist p. 147. n. 10. Speed p. 574. §. 68. by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to the Reverend his Archbishops and Bishops c. Greeting in the Lord. The King of Heaven is Terrible in his Judgements and in Wisdom inscrutable Who justly correcteth the Sons whom He loveth and often shews unto his People that offend hard things by humbling Sinners for their Iniquities that so returning unto him they may seek his Holy Name with fear We therefore duly considering with what hazards of War and Adversities both We and the People under Us either for our sins or for theirs or rather both for ours and theirs have been of a long while and still are exceedingly molested and very much damnifi'd and exhausted thereby of our Treasure and further weighing the Dangerous inconveniences that still in all likelihood hang over the heads of Us and of our People unless Divine Providence shall more graciously respect Us from on High In the midst of such Difficulties and Troubles while We behold our own Weakness in all our Actions We have our recourse to the Divine Omnipotence trusting that the Just Judge the True God will kindly respect the Truth and Justice of our Cause and will humble our Adversary And so in confidence of his Heavenly Compassion attempting an Arduous Affair We have ordained our Passage towards the parts of France with a strong and well-armed Power and another Army We have order'd to be conducted toward the parts of Scotland that so by the Grace of God We may prevent the Dangers threatned unto Us and prepare unto our Liege Subjects after those Storms of Trouble they have suffer'd the Halcyon-days of Peace and Quiet Seeing therefore You are constituted of God on the behalf of Men to offer up Gifts and Sacrifices for sin attend We pray You to the foresaid Dangers not of Us only but of our People pouring forth to the most High Prayers for our happy Success supplying the place of Moses that by the lifting up of your Hands We and Our Armies may prevail against the Enemy And that by the Multitude of Intercessors an Augmentation of Grace may be afforded Us do You cause thrô all our Cities and Towns in your respective Dioceses Prayers and Processions to be made and other parts of Pious Attonement to be meekly performed that the God of Mercies would vouchsafe to extend the Hand of his Benediction over Us and our Armies and so direct our Actions according to his Good Pleasure that they may redound to his Praise to our own Comfort and to the Quiet and Advantage of Our Liege-Subjects Dated c. In the Year of Our Reign of England the f f Apud Walsingh dat Angl. 16. Fran 3. hoc est sub fine praecedentis anni 17 and of France the 4. III. And having thus begun with Heaven King Edward as he had appointed with his Men of War kept his g Frois c. 90. fol. 46. Easter at Barwick and for three Weeks held a great Court there for all the Chief Lords and Knights of the Land were then about him But the Divine Goodness was yet willing to defer the further punishment of Scotland For in the mean time there were found certain Pious Men who labour'd so earnestly on both sides that at last a Truce was agreed on to endure for two Years to which also the French King for the sake of the Common good of that harassed Kingdom consented Thus were these two Tempests of War for that time scattered without breaking upon one another saving that during the time of the Treaty some few skirmishes passed between the two Armies and we find h Dudg 1 Vol. p. 294. that in one of them which happen'd at Barwick the Lord Ralph Nevill of Raby was taken Prisoner and carried to Dunbar whence soon after he was redeemed Only we must not omit that before King Edwards Arrival at Barwick the Scots willing to be beforehand with him had laid Siege to the strong i Walsing hist p. 150. Castle of Loughmaban which King Edward had committed to the Custody of William Bohun Earl of Northampton but he upon his late going into Bretagne had left it to the Defence and Care of Sr. Walter Selby a Valiant Knight The King hearing of this Siege sent thither presently the Earl of Darby the Earls of k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 751. Gloucester and Northampton who both return'd out of Bretagne with the Countess and the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Robert Hufford Junior Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk with a considerable Body to relieve the Castle But the Valour of the aforesaid Sr. Walter Selby with the Assistance of John Kirkeby Bishop of Carlile and Thomas Son and Heir to the Lord Anthony Lucy had raised the Siege and beat away the
Among other instances they also shewed how the Pope had secretly granted unto two New Cardinals sundry Livings within the Realm of England and particularly to the Cardinal of Perigort above ten Thousand Marks Yearly Collections Whereupon they humbly require the King and his Lords to find a Remedy for these Intolerable Encroachments for that they neither could nor would any longer bear those heavy Oppressions or else they desired that his Majesty and the Lords would help them forceably to expel the Papal Power out of this Realm The King in Consideration of the Premises willeth that the Lords and Commons among themselves consult of the most Decent and fitting way promising his consent to any reasonable Remedy Hereupon the King Lords and Commons presently sent for an Act made at Carlile in the y So in M.S. Rot. Parl. Sr Rob. Cotton But Fox says the 34. and yet pâts it to the Year of our Lord 1307. which was the 35. and last of Ed. 1. I rather believe it should be 35. Ed. 1. 25 Year of Edward the First upon the like Complaint Which utterly forbad to bring or attempt to bring any thing into this Realm which should tend to the Diminution of the Kings Prerogative or the Prejudice of his Lords and Commons And so at this time the Famous Act of Provision was made prohibiting the bringing in of any Bull or the like Trinkets from the Court of Rome or the using allowing or enjoying of any such Bull Process or any other Instrument obtained from thence as there at large doth appear This Act however z Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 921. as One observes could not be agreed to by the Bishops and the rest of the Clergy but they rather seem'd resolv'd to protest against it till the King peremptorily commanded them to surcease such Presumption However the Lords Temporal only and the Commons by themselves wrote a Letter to his Holiness the Purport whereof followeth a Adam Murimouth Fox Acts Mon. p. 352. Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 921. from the Original French. To the most Holy Father in God the Lord Clement by Divine Providence of the Holy Roman and Catholick Church the Chief Bishop his Humble and Devout Children the Princes Dukes Earls Barons Knights Citizens Burgesses and all the Commonalty of the Realm of England assembled in Parliament at Westminster on the 28 Day of April last past Devout Kissings of his Holy Feet MOST HOLY FATHER the Pious Discretion Prudence and Equity which seem and ought indeed to be in You who are so Holy and so High a Prelate Head of the Holy Church by whom the Catholick Church and People of God should as by the Sun-beams be enlightned do give us good Hope that the just Petitions hereunder by us declared to the honour of Jesus Christ of his Holy Church and of your Holiness also shall be of You gratiously consider'd and that all Errours and Injustice shall be quite removed instead whereof fruitfull Amendment and necessary Remedies thrô the Grace of the Holy Spirit which You in so eminent a Degree have received may be by You gratiously ordained and applied Wherefore most Holy Father after great Deliberation We all with one Assent come unto your Holiness shewing and declaring that the most Noble Kings of England Progenitors to his Majesty that now is as also our Ancestors and our Selves too according to the Grace of the Holy Ghost to them and to us given every one of his own Devotion have established founded and endowed within the Realm of England Cathedrals and other Churches Colleges Abbeys Priories and divers other Religious Houses And to the Prelates and Governours of the same have given and granted Lands Possessions Patrimonies Franchises Advowsons and Patronages of Dignities Revenues Offices Churches with many and divers other Advantages and Emoluments Whereby the Service of God and the Faith of Christ might be honoured and had in Reverence Hospitals and Alms-houses with all other Edifices Churches and Colleges might be honestly kept and maintain'd and Devout Prayers in the same Places made for the Souls of the Founders and the Poor also of the several Parishes conveniently aided and nourished Of all which such only were to have the Cure who were able to take Confessions and were otherwise meet in their own Mother Tongue of England effectually to teach and inform their Flock And forasmuch most Holy Father as You cannot well attain the knowledge of divers such Errours and Abuses as are crept in among us nor yet be able to understand the Conditions and Customes of Places being your self so far distant unless your Holiness be of others duly informed and instructed We therefore having full and perfect Notice and Intelligence of all the Errours and Abuses of the said Places within the said Realm have thought fit to signifie the same unto your Holiness namely That divers Reservations Provisions and Collations by your Apostolick Predecessors of the Church of Rome and by You also in Your time most Holy Father have been granted and now more largely than heretofore unto divers Persons as well Strangers and of other Nations as unto some who are our professed Enemies and who have little or no Vnderstanding at all of our Language and of the Conditions and Customs of those of whom they have the Government and Cure Whereby a great number of Souls are in peril many of the Parishioners in Danger the Service of God neglected the Alms and Devotion of all Men diminished the Hospitals brought to Decay the Churches with their Appurtenances ruin'd and dilapidated Charity waxeth cold the good and honest Natives of our own Country unadvanced the Charge and Cure of Souls unregarded the pious Zeal of the People restrained many Poor Scholars of our own unpreferred and the Treasure of the Realm exported against the Mind and Intention of the Founders All which Errours Abuses and Slanders most Holy Father We neither can not ought any longer to suffer or endure Wherefore we most humbly require Your Holiness that the Slanders Abuses and Errours which we have declared unto You may of your great Prudence be throughly consider'd and that it may please You that such Reservations Provisions and Collations may be utterly repealed that the same from henceforth be no more used among us and that such Order and Remedy be forthwith taken therein that the said Benefices Edifices Offices and Rights with their Appurtenances may by our Countrymen to the Honour of God be supplied occupied and governed And that it may further please Your Holiness by your Letters to signifie unto us without Delay or further protracting of Time what your Pleasure is touching this our lawfull Request and Demand that we may diligently do our Devoir herein for the Remedy Correction and Amendment of those Enormities above specified In witness whereof unto these Letters Patents We have set to our Hands and Seals Given in full Parliament at Westminster the 18 Day of May Anno Domini 1343.
or harm to your Imperial Honour Safety and Dignity That so you may render the Lord always propitious unto You and the foresaid See still more ready to serve your Occasions We desire You would again write unto Us most Beloved Son what your Royal Wisdom shall think fit to ordain in these Matters Dated at Villeneuve in the Dioecese of Avignion the v. of the Kalends of September in the second Year of our Pontificate XII This Letter to the King of England was accompanied by another of the same Date directed to his Council which being no where extant but in e Adam Murimouth ad An. Ed. 3.17 Adam Murimouth whose Authentick and Ancient MS. was kindly communicated unto me by the Learned and Reverend Linguist and Philologist Dr. John Covel Dean of York I also thought fit to set it down faithfully translated from the Original CLEMENT the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to his Beloved Sons the Counsellours of his most Dear Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolick Benediction A Displeasing and most ungratefull Rumour hath in these Days reported unto Us how that when our Dear Sons Ademare of the Title of St. Anastasia and Gerard of the Title of Sabina Priests Cardinals did send their Proctors to the Parts of the Kingdom of England in order to pursue the Grants lately by Us granted unto them as unto other new Cardinals in divers parts of the World of Ecclesiastical Benefices being in the Parts of the said Kingdom of England the said Proctors thô both Learned and also Ecclesiastical Persons were not only hindred in the Pursuance of the said Affairs but also by the procurance of some who have been fed with the Crums of the said Roman Church and by her have been exalted to Honours and Preferments as it is probably supposed whereby as well they as others who procured or perpetrated the same have to their great Danger rendred themselves liable to Excommunication and other Punishments and Sentences promulged against such Persons by the Canons have been ignominiously taken and then expelled the said Kingdom certain other Proctors of the foresaid Cardinal Ademare being afterwards taken and detained Prisoners But since We cannot by any means believe that the Premises which if Truth agrees with the Relation would redound to the Offence of the Divine Majesty the Discredit of the Roman Church and the exceeding Reproach of the said Cardinals could proceed from the Knowledge of our most Dear Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England considering his Devotion which he beareth to God and the Holy Roman Church his Mother as neither can We by any means imagine that He to whom We write also about this Matter would endure such things as are contrary to his Honour Safety and Dignity We therefore entreat Your Wisdom and in the Lord more earnestly exhort You That You whose Office is to direct the Actions and Affairs of the said King by the way of Honesty Righteousness and Justice the Contrary whereof if it should happen which God forbid would be imputed to You do ârudently speedily and discreetly take Care that whatsoever Matters in this part have undecently and unjustly proceeded be revoked and amended Knowing that in divers other parts of Christendom as well near as remote wherein We have made the like Grants to other New Cardinals We have not heard of any notable impediment given unto them or unto their Proctors which therefore they have sent to those parts long since Given at Villeneuve in the Diocese of Avignon f f i. e. 28 Aug. V. Kal. Septemb. in the second Year of our Pontificate XIII To these Letters of the Pope the King immediately return'd this Famous Epistle in behalf of the Liberties of the Church of England g Adam Marimouth Antio Brit. p. 238. Walsingh hist p. 150. 2 M.S. ex Vatican apud Odoric Raynald ad hunc annum §. 90. To the most Holy Father in God the Lord Clement by Divine Providence of the Holy Roman Catholick Church the Chief Bishop EDWARD by the Grace of God King of France and of England and Lord of Ireland Devout Kissings of his Holy Feet When We seriously consider the Goodness of the Apostolick See which is wont to be most solicitous concerning the Encrease of Devotion in Christs Flock and the Welfare of their Souls not seeking that which is its own but rather those things which are Christs We have a very probable hope that Your Wisdom being now worthily placed in the Watch-tower of the Apostolick Eminence will graciously take Care to reform those things which detract from the Honour of the Church and the Devotion of the People and threaten inevitable Danger to the Souls and Goods of Mankind We nothing doubt but that it is now publiquely known how from the very first rise of Christianity in our Kingdom of England our Progenitors the Kings of England and the Lords and other Subjects of the said Realm have for the augmentation of Divine Worship built Churches enriched them with ample Possessions and endowed them with large Privileges placing fit Ministers therein who have nor without Success Preached the Catholick Faith to the People in their Mother Tongues By whose Care and Diligence the Vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth hath wonderfully prospered both in Culture and Fruit. But now which is to be lamented the slips of this very Vine are degenerated into a Wild-vine and the Boar out of the Wood doth waste it and the h h Ita Hebraâice singularis fera Latinè i.e. Quadriennis aper ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Graeâè sanglier Gallicè singular English vid. Wase on Gratius p. 69. Wild-Beast of the Field doth devour it While by the Impositions and Provisions of the Apostolick See which now grow more insupportable than ever its own proper Goods against the Pious intent and appointment of the Donors are held in the Hands of the Unworthy and especially of Foreigners and its Dignities and Chief Benefices are confer'd upon Strangers who for the most part are Persons at least suspected unto Us and who neither reside on the said Benefices nor know the Face nor understand the voice of the Flock committed unto them but wholly neglecting the Cure of Souls like Hirelings only seek their own Profit and Temporal Advantage And so the Worship of Christ is empaired the Cure of Souls neglected Hospitality withdrawn the Rights of the Churches lost the Houses of the Clergy dilapidated the Devotion of the People extinguished the Clergy of the said Kingdom who are Men of great Learning and Honest Conversation and are both able and willing effectually to perform the Work of Ministers and would also be very fit for our and the Publique Service forsake their Studies because the Hope of a Reasonable Preferment is thus taken away Which things We know can be no ways acceptable to the Divine Pleasure but will most certainly prove a Mighty Prejudice and unspeakable
it and to conclude this matter nothing as to a final Peace could be agreed but only the Triennial Truce to endure as before without violation II At this Treaty it is said that the Pope thinking to terrifie King Edward spake to some of his Agents to this purpose i Fox Acts and Mon. p. 502. ex Chron. Alban Walsing hist p. 154. That Lewis of Bavaria who had before Excommunicate having now entirely submitted himself unto the Arbitration of the Apostolick See had therefore merited at his Hands the Benefit of Absolution And that now he had justly and graciously restored unto him the Empire which before he had unjustly usurped Which when King Edward heard being as full of Courage as Indignation he said aloud If the Emperour also shall agree and combine with Philip of Valois I am ready to fight with them both in Defence of my Right That the Pope might say thus much in terrorem or as a piece of Bravery I will not deny and that Lewis of Bavaria made more then one Offer of Submitting himself to the Popes Discretion is k Vid. Odoric Rain ad an 1344. §. 10. c. ubi illius Literx ad Papam Card. most apparent But it is not so evident by what I can find in Rainaldus his Collections that he was ever wholly Restored and Absolved thô not a few Authors averr so much However at this time it appears that the Pope having received by the Hands of Dr. Andrew Hufford another Letter from King Edward concerning the matter of Provisions return'd him his Answer thereto l Odoric Rain ad bunc annum §. 55. usque ad 60. wherein among other things he shews That the Ordinance of Parliament which was made in Opposition to Reservations and the like was too rash and contrary to the Holy Constitutions and that the Dignity of the Primacy of the Roman Church was not to be question'd and that by endeavouring to respect and honour and advance it he would engage the Grace of God unto himself But that otherwise he for his part should find himself obliged no longer to dissemble those Affronts done to Holy Church but to apply a Remedy according to his Duty Dat. Avin v. Id. Jul. Anno Pontif. 3. And on the m Odoric Rain ibid. Kalends of October following he sent Nicholas Archbishop of Ravenna and Peter Bishop of Astorga his Nuntio's into England with Power to call a Synod of the English Prelates in order to remove all Innovations against the Apostolick See And by repeated Letters he exhorted King Edward to revoke what he had done against the Liberties of the Church He also excited the two Queens Isabella the Kings Mother and Philippa his Consort Henry Earl of Darby and the Chief Peers of the Realm to move the King to restore Matters to their Pristine State. John Archbishop of Canterbury was suspected by the Pope to have been the Occasion of all this Controversie who when he attempted to wash away this Opinion with many plausible Excuses was required by the Pope to clear himself by his Actions and to induce the King to rescind what had been done And William de la Zouch Archbishop of York Richard Bury Bishop of Durham and several other Prelates were urged to use their utmost endeavour in this Affair But whether upon this I cannot tell however the Pope from henceforward gat ground in what he aim'd at thô not without a Check now and then from the King. III. Althô I am sensible that this Great English Monarch did not institute the Famous Order of the Garter till Five years after this Time or the 23 Year of his Reign yet because now he began the Order of the Round Table at Windsor which gave occasion to that of the Garter I shall in this place once for all take leave to say something concerning so solemn and Royal a Subject The Castle of Windsor n Ashoncle p. 127. Scituate at the East point of the County of Berkshire being Anciently called Windleshore from the Windings of the shore thereabouts is by some o Frois l. 1. c. 100 reported to have been built by the Famous King Arthur of Britain thô surely the present Name is of p Wyndleshora Saxon Original It is q Ashâale p. 127. Speed Maps Barkshire §. 8. certain that King William the Conquerour being greatly enamoured of the pleasant scituation of the Place which appeared exceeding Commodious because it lay so near the Thames the Wood so fit for Game and the Country yielding other Opportunities both proper and convenient for the Pleasure and Exercise of Kings and therefore a place very fit for his Reception made an Exchange with Edwin then Abbot of Westminster and his Monks for King r Mânâst Angl. Tom. 1. p. 61. Edward the Confessor had made a Donation of Windleshore and all its appurtenances to the Monastery of St. Peters at Westminster of certain Lands in Essex and elsewhere in lieu thereof And so Windsor revolved to the Crown again where ever since it hath remained The Conquerour being thus Lawfully possest of Windsor forthwith built a Fair Castle upon the Hill containing half a Hide or Carucate of Land being parcell of the Mannor of Clure After him King Henry the First reedified the said Castle beautifying it with many goodly Buildings and as it were to experience the Pleasure thereof in the Å¿ Hen. Huntingd. l. 7. p. 379 n. 40. France f. 1601. Eight Year of his Reign having overcome his Enemies kept his Easter there with great Triumph and Glory as also two * Id. ibid. n. 50. Years after he summon'd thither all his Nobility where he held his Whitsuntide with Princely State and Magnificence This t Cambden in Atrelââ Castle from an high Hill which riseth with an easie and gentle Assent yields a most delightfull prospect round about for from the Front it overlooks a fruitfull Vale which lying out far and wide is adorned with Corn-fields flourishes with delightfull Meadows is flanked on each side with pleasant Groves and water'd with the Calm and Wealthy Streams of the Royal River of Thames Which hasting with a nimble but smooth speed from Oxford runs along on the Edge of Barkshire as if resolving to visit this Capitol of our English Kings Behind the Castle several Hills shoot up which being neither too rough nor over high are so bedecked with frequent Woods as if Nature had even dedicated them to the game of Hunting Within this place was our King Edward born whence he was commonly called Edward of Windsor as his Father was of Caernarvon whereby the Affection he bore thereto became so great that he seem'd to prefer it by much to all his Royal Palaces and Mansions For this Year first he began to hold a Round-Table therein of which by and by and after that he Instituted the Honourable Order of the Garter here and even until the Fourty Eighth of his Reign
always Prelate of the Order and then he proceeded to give the same Habit to the other 25 Knights Companions as in Order they follow 2. His Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales now but in the 14 then in the 19 Year of his Age. 3. His Noble and Valiant Cousin Henry at that time Earl of Lancaster and afterwards Duke of the same Title 4. Thomas Beauchamp the thrice Noble and Valiant Earl of Warwick 5. John q Here Mr. Ashmole is stagger'd because ãâã he finds it on Record that John de Greilty Son. of Peter was Captal of Buch from the 5 to the 29 of King Edward the III as indeed he was from the 5 to the 50. Yet notwithstanding upon the Original Plate of his Name set up in the Chappel at Wândsor it is engraven Piers Capitow de la Bâuch as if his Name also was Peter When as it is evident that these Plates were not set up at the Foundation but many Years after perhaps after King Edward's Death as may be made manifest to any strict enquirer And his Fâther being of the Name of Peter might cause a mistake at least in the Engraver From whence afterward Authority grew also even to other writings Nay I shall hereafter prove that as great a Mistake as this was engraven upon Queen Philippa's Tomb thô done in King Edwards Life de Greilly Captal of Buch which is a great Lordship in Aquitain the Governour whereof is stiled Captal and the Country it self is called le Captalat de Buch or Busch the chief Town whereof called la Teste de Buch is about seven Leagues Westward of Bourdeaux This Gentleman was a Mighty Man of Valour and most firm of all others to the English side so that after many Renowned Exploits whereof this History will not be silent being at last taken Prisoner by the French he chose rather to die in Prison than to swear never more to bear Arms for England 6. The next Knight in Order was Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford 7. William Montagu the hopefull young Earl of Salisbury 8. Roger Lord Mortimer Grandson to Roger Earl of March who five Years after obtain'd a Revocation of the Judgement against his Grandfather and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honours and Possessions Being for his Valour and Worth highly meriting to be inserted into this most Noble Order 9. After him was invested the Couragious Knight John Lord Lisle 10. Then Bartholomew Lord Burghersh alias Burwash Junior at that time but twenty Years old but every way Worthy of this Honour 11. John Lord Beauchamp younger Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick a Noble Martialist of that Age. 12. John Lord Mohun of Dunstor a Constant Attendant of the Black-Prince in all his Wars 13. Hugh Lord Courtney Son to Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire 14. Thomas Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire who about the time of this his Creation or the 23d. of King Edward was Married to the Beauty of England Joan Sister to the Earl of Kent 15. John Lord Grey of Codonore in Derbyshire 16. Sr. Richard Fitz-Simon whose Services in War rais'd him to this Honourable Title 17. Sr. Miles Stapleton a Man of Great Nobility and Integrity and Expert in Martial Affairs 18. Sr. Thomas Wale a Knight of great Vertue and Worthiness but one who thô by his early Valour he merited so High a Rank yet by his too early Death which happen'd within three Years after the Institution left his Stall void the First of all these Founders 19. Sr. Hugh Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the County of Stafford Knight from whom in a direct Line is Sr. Walter Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the foresaid County Baronet now r Ashmole ità Ano. Domini 1672. living descended 20. Sr. Nele Loring a Knight of great Valour and Nobility and whom we have shewn to have been first Knighted for his signal Courage in the Naval Fight at Sluce 21. The Lord John Chandos a most Illustrious Hero of whose Generosity and Valour to write sufficiently would require a large Volume 22. The Lord James Audley a most Adventurous and Fortunate Commander and Cousin to Nicolas Audley Earl of Gloucester 23. Sr. Otho Holland Brother to the Lord Thomas Holland aforesaid 24. Sr. Henry Eam of Brabant commonly by Historians called Sr. Henry of Flanders a Valiant and Loyal Servant to King Edward 25. Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt a Valiant Knight of Heinalt now Naturaliz'd in England 26. Sr. Walter Pavely who was Famous for his Exploits in several Warlike Expeditions These were the Names and this the Order of the First Knights of the Garter whom the thrice Noble King Edward chose to be his Companions and Fellows in this Honourable Society All Men of most signal Valour and Conduct of High Birth and untainted Loyalty So Generous and Heroick that they might all seem Worthy to be Kings and their Perseverance in Vertue to the last as it partly declares the sharp Judgement the King used in their Election so it shews of what Power and Efficacy that Honourable Tye was and what Obligations to Vertuous Behaviour it laid upon them But methinks it may justly be Wonder'd how it came to pass that this Great Honour being confer'd on so few those other Worthy Barons who deserv'd it no less being laid aside should notwithstanding never shew the least disgust at the Matter For certainly the Noble and Heroick Lord Walter Manny the Valiant and Daring Lord Reginald Cobham Richard Fitz-Alan the Great Earl of Arundel Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Lawrence Hastings Earl of Pembroke William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Warlike Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Roger Delaware and many more for Birth Wisdom Loyalty Wealth Vertue or Valour were well Worthy of the Highest Honours But this Prudent Prince would not make his Institution cheap by communicating it to many nor have any of his Successors to this Day exceeded the Number of 26. The mean while 't is highly probable that the other Lords thought it more Noble to grow emulous who of them should be most Worthy to ascend the first vacant Place and we find by Degrees that most of them did as the Stalls fell void attain to that Dignity as the two Earls of Essex and Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Suffolk the Lord Walter Manny and Reginald Lord Cobham and others but the Rest either died or were decrepit and past Action almost before their turns came and so found no Room at all VII The Order being thus well-stockt at the beginning has since that obtain'd such an High Esteem thrô all the Christian World that divers Å¿ Ashmole p. 189. Emperours Kings and Sovereign Princes have reputed it among their greatest Honours to be chosen and admitted thereunto insomuch as some of them have with Impatience Courted the Honour of Election
went in a Body to speak with their Captain as it were by way of asking Advice to learn what his Resolution might be He answer'd them in a few words bravely Gentlemen look to your Defences in your several Stations as I shall in mine I tell you we are able to keep this Town half a Year if there be occasion Hereupon they went away very well content as to outward appearance but at Night when he little thought of it they seised him suddenly and clap'd him in Prison vowing never to let him out unless he would consent to yield and make their Peace with the Earl of Darby Whereupon he swearing to do his endeavour they let him out and so he went to the Town Barrs and made a sign to speak with some body whereat the Lord Manny coming up to him he said Sr. Walter Manny You need not think it strange that at your first coming We shut our Gates against You for We have all sworn Allegiance to the Frenââ King Thô I see well there is no sufficient Captain in his behalf that comes forth to stop You in your Career So that I doubt You are like to proceed further But Sir as for my self and those of this Garrison I desire of You that We may be permitted to remain as We are upon this Composition that neither of Us offer or do any the least hurt to other for the space of one Moneth that if within that time the French King or the Duke of Normandy come in Person into this Country so strong as to fight with You then We to be quit of our Covenant but if neither the One nor the Other appear on our behalf then We all to put our selves entirely under the Obedience of the King of England Sr. Walter Manny went straight to the Earl of Darby to know his Pleasure in this Matter the Earl because he would not linger there was content on Condition that those within should make no new Repairs or Fortifications during the term and also that if any of his Men wanted Victuals or ought else they might have it of them for Money This was all agreed and 12 of their Richest Burgesses sent as Hostages to Bordeaux they also refreshed the English with Victuals but would not let a Man enter Matters thus settled here the Earl proceeded wasting and spoiling all the Country which was Pleasant and Fruitfull and so at last came and sat down before the strong Castle of Aiguillon Where he had scarce appeared but the Captain of the Castle came and yielded all up unto him only conditioning for Life and Goods All the Country thereabouts was amazed at this easie Bargain for it was reputed One of the strongest Castles in all the World and it stood most Advantagiously scituated between the Lot and the Garonne two great Rivers able to bear Ships of Burthen The Earl of Darby newly Repair'd what was out of Order in the Castle and left within it the Lord John Moubray with an 120 lusty Souldiers to defend it But the Captain who had thus basely yielded so Noble a Fortress without one stroke giving or taking failed not of the Reward his Cowardise deserved For being come to Tholouse about 20 common French Miles from Aiguillon they apprehended him condemned him of Treason and hung him up immediately The Earl of Darby the mean while went and lay before Segart which having taken by Assault and put all within to the Sword he marched thence to the Town of Reole standing on the Garonne This was p Pros c. 109. a great and strong Place wherefore the Earl of Darby invested it quite Round and made Bastions near the High-ways and other Avenues to hinder Provision from coming into the Town and almost every Day he alarum'd them with his Attacks But still the Besieged held out so that while the Earl lay here the Moneth being now expired wherein they of Monsegur had Covenanted unless they were Defended by a Royal Army to yield themselves and embrace the Service of the King of England he sent thither requiring them according to Composition to make Performance They all readily agreed and that Hardy Loyal Captain Sr. Hugh Batefoile himself not thinking Him fit to Reign over France who in all that while either durst not or would not or could not Protect his Subjects own'd Edward of England for his Sovereign and he and all his Men enter'd into his Service on certain Wages Now the Earl of Darby had layn before Reole more than 9 Weeks in which time he had made two vast Belfroys or Bastilles of Massy timber with three Stages or Floors each of the Belfroys running on four huge Wheels bound about with thick Hoops of Iron and the sides and other parts that any way respected the Town were cover'd with Raw Hides thick laid to defend the Engines from fire and shot In every one of these Stages were placed an 100 Archers and between the two Bastilles there were two Hundred Men with Pick-Axes and Mattocks From these six Stages six Hundred Archers shot so fiercely all together that no Man could appear at his Defence without a sufficient Punishment So that the Belfroys being brought upon Wheels by the strength of Men over a part of the Ditch which was purposely made plain and level by the Faggots Earth and Stones cast upon them the 200 Pioneers ply'd their Work so well under the Protection of these Engines that they made a considerable Breach thrô the Walls of the Town Hereupon the Burgesses came to one of the Gates and desired parly The Earl of Darby sent thither the Lord Walter Manny and the Lord Ralph Stafford to hear their Proposals which were that they would accept the King of England for their Lord so they might suffer no harm either in their Bodies or Goods Sr. Agoust de les Baux a Native of Provence who was Chief Commander within when he saw they were resolv'd to yield up the Town retired into the Castle with all his Men and while the Townsmen were busie about the Treaty he convey'd into the Castle great quantities of Wine and other Provisions and then closing the Gates said he was not minded to yield as yet This mean while the two English Lords aforesaid went back and told the Earl of Darby that the Town would yield upon security of Life and Goods Then the Earl sent to know if the Castle would do the like but word was brought they intended the Contrary After a little musing said the Earl Well go take them of the Town to Mercy for by the Town We shall win the Castle Then the said Lords took the Town to Mercy on Condition they should all go forth into the Field and present the Keys of the Town to the Earl of Darby saying Sir from this time forward We acknowledge our selves Subjects and will ever be obedient to the King of England This they did and sware further that they would never give any Assistance to those within the
e Knighton p. 25â5 Easter there to require Aid from King Edward to recover his Right And accordingly we find that this Summer about the Feast of St. John Baptist King Edward sent over with him a considerable Power under the Command of William Bohun Earl of Northampton With whom f Stow p. 239. were John Vere Earl of Oxford Hugh Lord Spencer Richard Lord Talbot and Dr. William Killesby each of them retaining many Men of Arms and Archers With these Forces Earl Montford g Mezeray p. 23. wan and sack'd Dinant and laid Siege to Quimperlay but being suddenly taken with a Calenture or burning Feaver he died about the end of September at Quimpercorentin leaving the Management of his Pretensions to the Conduct of his Virago-Lady and his young Son John who many years after having slain Charles of Blois in Battle obtained together with the Dukedom the honourable Sirname of Valiant One h Gaguin l. 8. p. 140. reports that this Earl died distracted many Devils appearing at his Departure and that at the time of his Death such a multitude of Ravens settled upon the House wherein he lay that 't was thought the whole Kingdom of France could not have yielded such a Number As for his being distracted I shall not stand to question that since in a Burning Feaver many a Good Man may suffer a Delirium and God forbid that we should always judge hardly thereupon But for this horrid Apparition it seems to me not so credible nor could I ever find any great Evil of this Earl except that now he broke his Word with King Philip who yet was his Enemy and extorted it unreasonably and violently from him Nor if I had known him to have been a Notorious Sinner durst I ever give the more faith to this Story I reverence the Judgments of God and think it not fit for Sinners as we are to pry too sawcily into his Counsels concerning our Brethren perhaps no worse than our selves But this I well know that either Superstitious or Prejudiced Persons may enhance common Accidents into Prodigies or invent what they please against those for whom they have no Charity After his Death however the greater Part of Bretagne was for some time in the hands of Charles of Blois for now l Fabian p. 219. most of the English Souldiers return'd into Gascogne to serve the Earl of Darby Except Sr. Thomas Dagworth and those who before were sent to the Assistance of the Countess of Montford But however the English brake not up their Army thus till Winter for the Earl of Northampton hearing that the Lord Charles of Blois presuming on the Death of John of Montford was come to Morlaix with a great Power intending to overrun the Country went forward with all his Forces to meet him In the Champaign Ground near k Lel. Collect. 1 Vol. p. 805. Stow p. 239 c. Morlaix the two Armies of the Lord Charles of Blois and William Bohun Earl of Northampton joyned Battle together with Equal Courage and Bravery And at this time it is said that the two Generals both the French Lord and the English Earl met together by consent in single Combat where they fought so long at Handy-stroaks in the Field that it would have pos'd an equal Judge to have determin'd who had the better For three times that day being both wearied they withdrew to take Breath and as often both return'd to renew the Combat which was fought with Spear and Shield Sword and Target after the manner of that Age. Only at last the most Noble and Valiant Lord Charles seeing his Men begin to fly was obliged also to set Spurs to his Horse and forsake the Field leaving the Victory to the English who yet paid dearly for it having lost almost as many in the Fight as the Enemy But when the Chace began then the Lord Charles his Men were beaten down on every side and the Success of this Day grew more important in that thereby the Earl of Northampton had no more Enemy to obstruct his Progress at that time wherefore presently l Leland ibid. Dudg 1 Vol. p. 185. Fabian p. 220. p. 276 he went and lay before a strong Fortress of Bretagne called la Roche D'Arien about ten French Miles Northward of Morlaix which he took by Assault thô after his Departure it was retaken by the other Party till the Lord Thomas Dagworth took it again from them as two years hence we shall shew When the Earl of Northampton and the other Lords of England with him had thus settled Affairs for the present in Bretagne and had disposed of what Places they had won to the Custody of good Captains with sufficient Garrisons Winter being now well enter'd they all came over into England to the King And the Truce which the Deceased Earl had broken was again punctually observed XI This Year the Scots by the Instigation of the French King enter'd England by Westmorland and passing over the River Vlles burnt Penreth and m Carletonum pro Carleolum apud Walsingh hist p. 156. Nam Carleolum non folum erat satis validum sed etiam ab hec latere nimis distans Quod qui Walsingh secuti sunt parùm prespiciebant Neque ulla de Carleolo combusto per hos dies apud antiques mentio c. Carleton and many other little Towns and Villages thereabouts But John Kirkeby Bishop of Caerlile with the Lord Thomas Lucy of Cockermouth and Sr. Robert Ogle having collected a small Body of Choice Men went about their Host surrounding them in the Night and so terrified them with perpetual Alarms and Noises of Trumpets Clarions and Horns that the Scots could neither take Rest for Fear nor send out their Foragers to seek Provision And now the Lords Piercy and Nevil on the other Part and the Men of Lancashire on a Third had appointed together with the Bishop and those of Caerlile to fall upon the Scots all together who would then be in a manner quite enclosed by the English When Sr. Alexander Straghan being compelled of Necessity to go on Foraging for the Army and going forth for that purpose with some of the most Select Troops of all the Scottish Host was luckily encountred by the Bishop of n Walsingh hist p. 156. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 262. Stow p. 241. Carlile the Lord Lucy and Sr. Robert Ogle which latter happening upon Sr. Alexander himself fiercely spurred up his Horse against him and ran him quite thrô the Body with his Spear himself also at the same time receiving thrô his Shield a Wound on the Left side but not Mortal In this Rencounter the Martial Bishop also being Cast from his Horse was in danger of being made a Prisoner but having Valiantly recover'd his Saddle he brought such Courage to his Men that most of the Scots of that Brigade were either slain or taken Whereupon the Rest being also informed of the two other
Courage enough and many of the Common Souldiers of whom all the Ways between Abbeville and Cressy were full when they perceived the Enemy was near them drew their Swords and cry'd down with 'um down with 'um let us slay them every Mothers Son. There was no Man present could imagine or guess at the Reason of all this Disorder that happen'd among the French but only for that they were such a great Number and despis'd the small Power of their Enemies This account Sr. John Froisard n Frois c. 129. fol. 66. learn'd not only from several English Gentlemen who were present and saw all this but also from certain Knights belonging to the Lord John of Hainalt who was all that Day near the Person of King Philip and proved the Occasion of saving him from being either flain or taken III. When the o Frois c. 130. English who lay still on the ground in three Battalia's saw the Approach of the Frenchmen they sprang up lightly from the Earth upon their Feet and order'd themselves fair and leisurely In the first Battail which was govern'd by the Young Prince of Wales his Chief Assistants being the Earl of Warwick and the Lord John Chandos the Archers stood in Manner of an p Holinshead p. 933. Herse about 200 in Front and but 40 in Depth which is undoubtedly the best q Vid. Clement Edmunds notes on Caes Comment l. 7. c. 15. way of embattelling Archers especially when the Enemy is very numerous as at this time For by the Breadth of the Front the extension of the Enemies Front is matched and by reason of the Thinness in Flank the Arrows do more certain Execution being more likely to reach home In the bottom of this Fatal Herse stood the Prince of Wales on Foot among his Men of Arms in a close square Battail On whose left Wing were the Earls of Arundel and Northampton with a strong Brigade of above 7000 Choice Men of Arms Bill-men and Archers And on their Left Hand ran a Ditch new cast up toward the Town and the River to prevent being surrounded Which being like an Half-Moon with One Horn reach'd the Park behind the Princes square Battail and with the Other touch'd the Left-side of their Front their Right-side being cover'd with the Princes Brigade And afar off on the Right-side of the Park where the Carriages were stood the Kings firm Battail of 12000 Men near an Hill whereon there was a Wind-mill as a Forlorn if need should be Old John r Walsing hist p. 157. of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia who in his Days had been a Great Souldier and having in his Wars in Italy formerly lost one Eye was now by reason of his great Age reputed little better than Blind having heard from the Lord Moyne this account of the good Order of the English Army reply'd as a Man of much Experience Then I see the English are resolv'd to win all or die IV. 'T is ſ Sr. Tho. de la More apud Stow p. 242. reported that King Philip as fully secure of the Victory and resolving to make an end of the War at One Blow had by erecting his Banner of Oriflambe which was the Great and Holy Standard of France signified thereby that all the English should be put to the Sword on pain of Death and none taken to Mercy except the Persons of King Edward and of his Son the Prince of Wales only And that on the other Hand King Edward understanding of this cruel Determination of his Adversary caused also his Burning-Dragon to be raised up which signified as little Mercy to be shew'd to the Frenchmen And this presents us with a sufficient Reason for King Edwards standing still all the time of the Battle for on this account he may well be supposed to alter his First Resolution of fighting himself as seeing then that without a Powerfull Reserve if Fortune should be adverse all would be utterly lost And therefore now sending his Eldest Son as his Dearest and most valuable Pledge into the Field with Good and Expert Captains about him he himself tarried on the Hill which he fortified either thence to relieve his Men if they should be worsted or to pursue the Victory if they succeeded And this Opinion seems highly probable if We consider that this Banner being by the Frenchmen held sacred as having come down from Heaven was originally only used in Wars made against the Infidels however afterward it was used against Christians also till at last it was wholly lost in a Battle against the Flemings and likewise that according to the Rigour signified by the Burning-Dragon of England not one Frenchman was taken Prisoner at this time thô so many Thousands were slain which Calamity had happen'd in like Manner to the English if the loss had fell on their side This Standard is t Gaguin said to have been of Red Silk Adorned and beaten with very broad and fair Lillies of Gold and bordered about with Gold and Vermilion Thô Villani u Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 86. p. 894. doth not mention this Ensign to be taken down or used in these Wars till the next Year when King Philip resolved severely to Revenge his Losses and Dishonour upon the King of England However We rather encline to believe that at this time King Philip brought with him from St. Dennis this Hallowed Banner into the Field as well upon the foremention'd accounts as because without this Supposition 't is hard to give a Reason why King Edward should leave his Eldest Son to deal with so numerous an Enemy and that so many being slain on the French Part We yet hear not of so much as One taken Prisoner Except that this might be the Occasion which is also Reported that King Edward seeing how far the Enemy exceeded him in Number and fearing his Forces would be too much distracted if they were allowed to take Prisoners gave a x Frois c. 130. fol. 65. a. severe Charge that Morning that no Man should be taken to Ransom till the Victory was Compleat V. King Philip had divided his Army into y Stow p. 242. Frois c. 130. Nine Squadrons which made also three Great Battails thô the French Lords coming up one after another there was much changing and confusion among them The Van was first committed to the King of Bohemia and Charles Earl of Alencon King Philips Brother the One's Sagacity and Experience being prudently joyn'd with the Others Youth and fiery heat to temper it With them was the Marquess of Moravia Charles of Luxemburgh Son to the King of Bohemia and afterwards Emperour of Germany Peter of Clermont Duke of Bourbon Lewis Earl of Flanders Ralph Duke of Lorrain James the only Son of Prince Humbert Dauphin of Viennois Henry firnamed the Liberal Earl of Vaudemont Guy Earl of Blois and others to the Number of z Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 66. p. 876. 3000 Men of Arms
were Barons John Lord of Beaumont in Hainalt the Lord Charles Monmorency the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Aubigny and the Lord of Monfort l'Amaury besides the Archbishop of Rheimes the Bishop of Amiens and the Chancellor of France's Son all under the Standard of the Young Prince James Son of Humbert Dauphin of Vienna who was himself slain in the Battle The French Nation so well at that time allowed of this Flight of King Philips that as the Roman Senate approved of Terentius Varro who escaping from the Battle of Cannae did not yet despair of the Common-Wealth as his Collegue Aemylius had done by way of Commendation it hath been called to this Day m Walsingh Hyiâd Neusâr p. 119. Beau elim Masc Fâm Bel tunc Masc ut Philip le Bel. Nânc le Beau la Belle. la Beau Retracte Thus slightly now attended this Unhappy Prince rode out of the Field till he came to the Castle of Broye on the Authie about two Leagues Northward from the Place of Battle The Castle was now shut up for it was by this time dark wherefore he called out for the Captain in haste who coming to the Walls demanded who it was that expected to be let in there at Dark Night The King reply'd Open your Gates quickly For I am the Fortune of France Perhaps secretly thereby taxing those Flatterers who had firnamed him le Bien-Fortunè or the Fortunate King which Title he holds to this Day thô as Mezeray observes at this time he was the Vnfortunate The Captain understanding by his Voice that it was the King made haste and open'd the Gate and let down the Bridge where he was Dutifully received but not without many sad Cries and condoling Lamentations of his sorrowfull Subjects who like poor frighted Children came flocking about the Distressed Father of their Country The Unhappy Prince could not long endure so pittifull a Spectacle and perhaps neither did he think himself secure so near the Enemy Wherefore having drank and taken some refreshment he departed thence about Midnight and by the help of his Guides which knew the Country came to Amiens the next Morning where having tarried a few Days he went to Paris But during his stay at Amiens instead of looking up to the Hand of God and Humbling himself under his Judgements the Passionate n Frois c. 134. King began to rail against several of his Captains but especially he was so Highly incensed at the Lord Gondemar du Fay that if he could have got him in his Fury it had cost him his Head for he said and believed that he did not do his Devoir truly in Defending the Passage at Blanchetteaque where the English went over the Somme Nor did the King only say thus but many of his Council also were of the Mind that he ought to die saying that he was a Traytor and the Chief Occasion of that Great Loss at Cressy But then John Lord of Beaumont began wisely to excuse him and to qualifie the Kings unjust Displeasure by putting in these few words only How could it lye in Gondemar's Power to Resist the whole Puissance of the King of England when a Royal Army it self and all the Flower of the Realm of France could not prevail against him This apt saying pacified the Kings Displeasure and soon after he return'd to Paris to consider of his Weighty Affairs in so sad a juncture XIII All that Saturday being the Day of Battle the English never broke their Ranks for taking of any Prisoners whatsoever but knowing how Numerous the Enemy was and that there were two or three Fresh Armies near those Parts they never offer'd to follow the Chace but stood ready upon their Defence And if o Knighton p. 2588. One says True they had need to do so for the French rallied upon them several times that Night thô they were still repulsed with Loss Certainly this Day King Edward shewed himself a most Accomplish'd Captain and all the Night too the greater Part of the Army especially all the Fresh Men who had not fought kept the Field standing to their Arms But I can no ways believe that the Frenchmen after so absolute a Discomfiture the Flight of their King and the Death of so many of their Prime Leaders could have the Courage to assault their Enemies Especially in the Night when all things are doubtfull even to a Conquerour Yet indeed the Earl of St. Paul had drawn off several entire Troops and had done more if in his last Attempt he had not been slain and more than Half the French Army escaped away thô in small scatter'd Parties that singly were no way formidable and some whereof by the errour of the Night fell among the English where they found no better Usage than they would have done in Battle Now p Frois c. 131. Edward the Young Prince of Wales whom from this time the French began to call Le Neoir or the q In the Records of 2 Riâ 2. n. 12. he is called the ãâ¦ã vid. M.S. Rât Parl. ad ân praedict p. 171. Sr Rob. Câtton p. 168. Black-Prince when he heard no more of his Enemies for it was now so dark he could make no further Discovery began to repute the Victory his own and that all the French Host was totally discomfited Then he gave order for huge Fires to be made and Links Torches and Flambeaus to be lighted up all about At which time the King his Father being come down from the little Hill where he had stood with his Helmet on his Head which never came off till now all the time of the Battle drew near in the Head of all his Men and ran up to the Young Prince and embraced him in his Arms and kissed him and said My Fair Son God Almighty give you Grace to persevere as you have begun Now are you my Good Son and have acquitted your self right Nobly You are well worthy of a large Kingdom The Prince reply'd only by humbly enclining himself to the Earth honouring the King his Father That Night r Frois c. 131. the whole Army return'd their publique Thanks to God for their good Success and made no manner of Boasting for it was the express Command of the King that none should insult or make any Brags in Songs or otherwise but all humbly to give Thanks to God Almighty And Å¿ Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 66. p. 878. so the High Mass of the Holy Spirit was solemnly sung and the Victory acknowledged to the Author thereof Moreover the next Day for the sake of the Dead the Pious King * Id. ibid. caused the Place of Battle to be Consecrated for the decent Sepulture both of his Enemies and Friends and that the Wounded being removed from among the Dead should be dressed to the meaner sort of whom he afterward gave Money and sent them away That Morning being a Sunday t Frois ibid. there was such a
besides the Prisoners who were David Bruce King of Scotland the Earl of Fife the Earl of Menteith the Earl of Southerland the Earl of Wigton the Earl of Carrick the Earl Douglas with a Brother of his the Lord James Douglas the Lord Robert Vescy the Bishop of Aberdeen and the Bishop of St. Andrews the Lord William Kinaston the Lord William Ramscy the Lord Malcolm Flemin the Lord David Banant the Lord John St. Clare the Lord William Moubray besides those of less Mark. In the Field many Spoils of great Value were taken together with the Holy-Cross of Halyrood House which was found upon the King who bare it about him in confidence of its Vertue and that thereby he should be secur'd from all Danger But he was now spoil'd both of that and other his Jewels which were found about him Now also was all the Booty recover'd which the Scots had taken in this Expedition and all the Provision which they had left for their own use at Hexham or elsewhere and the Chace of them was held as far as m Stow p. 243. Pruddo-Castle and Cerbridge for about 14 or 16 Miles together XII John Copland the Esquire of Northumberland immediately after he had taken his Royal Prey rode out of the Field with him and having Eight of his Friends and Servants in his Company all well mounted and armed never left riding till he had gotten above twenty Miles from the Place of Battle unto the strong Castle of Ogle in Northumberland on the River Blithe whereof He was Captain and then he said He would not deliver the King of Scots to any Man or Woman living but only at the Command of the King of England his Sovereign And so with great Care he apply'd himself to heal the Kings Wounds and sent for his Friends and Allies and others whom he could procure for Money or Friendship to help to defend the Castle because he well knew he must give an exact Account of this his Royal Prisoner The Queen of England tarried in the Field till toward the Evening with her Guard about her at which time most of the English Captains were returned from the Chace unto her But when she heard that an Esquire named John Copland had taken the King of Scots Prisoner and carried him away no Man could tell whither She dispatched a Pursuivant after him with Command to bring forth his Prisoner the King of Scots unto her gently admonishing him that he had not done well in carrying Him away without leave All the Remainder of that Day and the Night following the English Army kept the Field as well for their greater Honour as for the security of their Friends many whereof were still in the Chace But the Queen had Lodgings provided for her in the City of Durham After which she rode back with her Guard to York leaving Edward n Hector Buch. Aiscue's Hist Scotl. Holinsh c. Bailiol and the other English Lords of the North to prosecute the War with Scotland who forthwith entring that Land with fire and sword took the strong Castle of Hermitage for Roxborough was English before and without any Resistance subdued the Countries of Anandale and Galloway the Marches Tividale and Ethrick Forest extending their Arms to Cockburne-Peke and Sowtray-Hedge And thus for that time Scotland was subdued XIII The mean while Esquire John Copland o Frois c. 139. having received and perused the Queens Letters returned this bold Answer That as for the King of Scots he should be safely kept and he would be answerable for his forth coming upon occasion But that He was resolved to deliver him at the Command of no Man or Woman living but only at the Pleasure of his Sovereign Lord and Master the King of England This Answer did not well satisfie the Queen wherefore she sent to the King her Husband who lay before Calais Letters of Complaint desiring to know what he would have done in this case when one of his Subjects refus'd to Obey her Commands And fully enforming him of the Affairs of the Realm particularly of this last Success near Durham King Edward having received these Letters from his beloved Queen sent immediately for John Copland to come over the Sea to him to Calais which Command the Esquire most readily obey'd and having put his Royal Prisoner in safe Custody under the Hands of the Lord Ralph Nevill and other his Friends and Allies he rode thrô England till he came to the Lands end at Dover Where he went on Board a good Vessel arrived safe at the Camp before Calais and so was brought to the Presence of the King. As soon as the King saw him he took him graciously by the hand and said Ha! now welcome my Loyal Esquire that by your Hardiness have taken mine Adversary the King of Scots Sir said the Esquire kneeling if God of his Grace have suffer'd me to take the King of Scots by true Conquest of Arms I think no Man ought to look with an Evil Eye upon me For God of his Goodness may as well send such Fortune to a poor Esquire as to a Great Baron And Sir I humbly intreat Your Majesty not to be displeased with me thô I did not deliver the King of Scots at the Queens Command For Sir I held Service of Your Majesty as mine Oath is also made only to You and not of the Queen but only in Good Manners Besides I did not think fit to commit so great a Prisoner to any small Company least had he been lost by a Rescue I my self had incurr'd the forfeiture of my Head to Your Majesty and thô the Queen sent Messengers indeed yet there came no Forces sufficient to have secur'd his carrying up to London if I had deliver'd him upon Command The King took him up graciously from the ground saying John the good Service that You have done Us and your known Loyalty and Valour are of so high Merit that they must countervail your trespass So that We admit well of your Excuse and shame light on them that bear You any Envy or Evil Will. But now it is our Pleasure that within these three days You return home and upon the next demand deliver up your Prisoner to the Queen my Wife And to encourage You to pursue Honour as well as to requite this last piece of Service I hereby assign You near to your House where You shall think best 500 pounds Sterling of yearly Rent for You and your Heirs for ever Which till it shall be fully settled shall from this day forward be paid You yearly out of my Exchequer and here I make You Esquire for my Body By this we must understand him to be made Knight Banneret as Mr. p Stow ex Re cordo p. 243. Speed p. 580. Stow proves out of the Record who also shews from thence how this Annual Donation was paid viz. 400 l. out of the Kings Custom of the City of London and an 100
stand Resp The King will be advised It is Enacted that no Person bring into the Realm to any Bishop or other any Bull or other Letters from the Court of Rome or from any Alien unless he first shew the same to the Lord Chancellour or to the Warden of the Cinque Ports on loss of all that he hath It is Enacted that all Religious Persons for Lands purchased since the 20 of Edward the Third and paying no Demesne therefore amongst the Clergy shall pay Fifteens After this Mr. John Charleton one of the Messengers aforesaid produced Letters from the Bishop of Durham from the Earls of Northampton Arundel Warwick Oxford and Suffolk and from Sr. Hugh Spencer Lord of Glamorgan directed to the whole Parliament purporting that whereas the King at his Arrival at la Hogue St. Vast in Normandy had Knighted his Eldest Son the Prince of Wales whereby he ought to have an Aid of the Realm viz. Fourty shillings of every Knights Fee they would now consider thereof Whereupon the Parliament agreed thereto immediately and took Order for the speedy levying the same It is Order'd in full Parliament at the Request of the Commons that the Benefices of all Aliens should be seised into the Kings Hands and he to take the Profit of the same and that in Order thereto all Bishops should before the next Convocation certifie into the Chancery the Names of all Aliens their Benefices and the Value thereof An Act that no Alien do send any Letters forth of the Realm that shall not be first perused by the Lord Chancellour or the Warden of the Cinque-Ports on pain of losing all he hath This was the Substance of this Parliament But those who were set as Counsellors over Prince Lionel were not at all forgetfull of their Duty both as to the Defence of the Realm and to the supply of the King their Master with Men and Money Especially the Valiant and Noble Henry Earl of Lancaster and Darby being now in England was very diligent in Mustering Men of War against the next Campaigne part whereof he intended to bestow about in Garrisons that fronted Scotland and with the Rest he intended to pass the Seas in Person as the Kings occasions or Commands should require For when he had finished the last Years Expedition so Gloriously as We have related the King sent unto him a Ashmole p. 681. enjoyning him to leave Gascogne and repairing into England attend to the aforesaid Affairs the Effect whereof We shall shew hereafter Only We shall not here omit that in the beginning of this Year the King had also sent back his Eldest Son the Black-Prince into England no doubt about the same business that things of that Moment might be sooner expedited For We find by the b Vid. Ashmole p. 707. hujus Hist l. 2. c. 9. §. 11. Date of One of his Letters that he was on the 18 day of January at Westminster But the Time of Action being not yet come we shall take leave to speak of such Matters as happen'd the mean while not only to carry on the continual Thread of History but also to satisfie the Curious in Matters which indeed were no whit of less moment than the more noisie Atchievements of War. III. Now thô King Philip of France was very busie as we have shewn in making Preparations to raise the Siege of Calais by Force yet was he not wanting nevertheless in his Artificial Attempts to save the Effusion of Blood and if possible to prevent the hazard of another Blow by milder Counsels He secretly therefore ply'd the Pope to use his Endeavours with King Edward if by any means he might persuade him to entertain a Treaty Wherefore c Odor Rainal ad hunc annââ §. 23. Pope Clement VI. commanded his Cardinal-Legats Annibald and Stephen to spare no pains but if they could not procure a Peace that they would at least take care to make a Truce between the two Kings And he himself by his Letters exhorted them Both Philip that by the Calamities of France he would be moved to embrace Peace and Edward that he would not only consider the innumerable Mischiefs whereof he was look'd on to be the Author in that War but that he would cast his Eyes towards the East where he might obtain immortal Triumphs over the Enemies of God and a Crown of Temporal and Eternal Glory but that the Barbarians grew insolent at these Wars of Christendome and entertain'd hopes of trampling the Cross quite under feet d d Odor Rainal ibid. ex Tâm 5. Epist secret ep 896. Fox Acts and Men. p. 505. sed nos verbatimcae Origin CLEMENT the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to his well-beloved Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolicall Benediction If you would diligently consider most Dear Son as a Catholick Prince ought to do the slaughters of innumerable Persons redeem'd with the pretious Blood of Christ the loss of Goods and the hazard of Souls more bitterly to be bewailed which the Dissentions and Wars stirred up between You and our well-beloved Son Philip the Illustrious King of France have brought forth and yet dayly do bring forth without any intermission together with the Groans of poor Pupils Orphans Widows and other miserable Persons who being plunder'd and robbed and almost famished do cry unto the Lord with Tears running down their Cheeks Besides the Destructions of Churches and Monasteries and Holy Places the Sacrilegious Taking-away of Vessels and other Ornaments dedicated to Gods Service also the Seisings Incarcerations Oppressions and Spoilings of Religious and Ecclesiasticks and other Persons and other innumerable detestable and execrable Evils manifestly offending the Eyes of the Divine Majesty if you revolve all these things in your Royal Breast and add further to your Consideration in this Part that by the Premises the Catholick Faith especially in the Eastern Parts is oppressed and the Faithfull there abiding by reason of the said Dissentions and Wars being deprived of the Assistance of the Catholicks of the Western parts are thereby afflicted by the Infidels who behold Christendom so embroiled with deadly Persecutions more cruelly than ever althô in these Days there is in the said Eastern Parts a better opportunity of Propagating the said Faith than hath been for many Ages past We believe verily we believe that you will soften your Heart and lest such and so great Evils might further proceed and so much good as might be done by propagating the foresaid Faith in these our Days might be hindred that You will apply and turn your gentle Mind to make Peace and Agreement with the foresaid King. For most Beloved Son if God hath given You prosperous Success and Fortune your Mind ought rather to be humbled than to be puffed up and to appear more inclinable to the said Peace that so You may take care to direct the Endeavours of your Soul to please God who loveth Peace
together with an handsome Gratuity and a promise of much more upon his Return to him unto Reims with an Answer When this Indigent fellow had received the Letter he revolved many things in his mind considering of what consequence such a Matter might prove at last and he said to himself Well! Colinet thou may'st be poor but thou shalt never be a Traytor Wherefore now contrary to his Oath and Promise to Gawin but agreeable to the Duty he ow'd to his King and Country he took his way toward Paris and presented the Letter to the French King in which was set down the whole Manner Tune and Means how and when the City of Laon should be betray'd When the King understood the whole Series of this Black-Treason he instructed Colin how to behave himself in returning with an Answer and to fit his return according to the time as if he had been at Calais with the King of England and so at a convenient day to go to Reims according to Gawin's appointment During which Interval King Philip wrote secretly to the Provost of Reims that as soon as Colin Tomelin was come to Dr. Gawin with his Answer the said Gawin should be attached and had unto Prison all which was accordingly executed When Process was made against him forasmuch as he was in Holy Orders the Provost of Reims sent him to the City of Laon where he was put in the Bishops Prison But when the Commons of Laon heard how there was a Man Prisoner there who would have betrayed their City they rose in great uproar and would have broken up the Prison with intent to tear him in pieces But the Bishop who is an Earl and one of the Twelve Peers of France and of the Supream Judges so pacified them by his Officers that for that time they went back again to their several Houses The next day to quiet the People he was brought forth to his Judgement and there because he was a Clergyman only condemned to perpetual Prison But for his greater Infamy and shame he was further Order'd to be set up on high in a Tumbrel or Dung-Cart bare-headed to be seen of all Men and so with vile Instruments of wretched Musick as Bagpipes and the like to be carried thrô the High-street of the City unto the Bishops Prison aforesaid there to remain close Prisoner during his Life But he was not carried far in this Manner when the Common people fell upon him with great moutings pelting him with dirt and stones so rudely that before he had finished half his Progress he was stoned to Death after which his Body was buried in a filthy Moor hard by the City With him also his Only Son being in some measure guilty of his Fathers crime was condemned to perpetual Imprisonment But being excused the shamefull Riding was not expos'd so to the Fury of the Rabble wherefore he had his Life but lost his Liberty for ever Shortly afterward b Faban p. 275. there was also executed at Paris a Burgess of the said City who as was laid to his charge had undertaken to betray that great Metropolis of the Kingdom to King Edward For which Fact he was first dismembred of his Legs and Arms and afterwards hanged up by the Neck on the great Gallows of Paris called Monfaucon But in relation to these two supposed Treasons for my part I cannot see how onely one or two Persons can be supposed capable of Betraying such Considerable Places as Laon and Paris near which the King of England had no Garrisons and as for Himself he was then too far off being at Calais Nor could he be able with all his Forces to take and hold Possession of two such Cities especially of Paris even thô he had left the Siege of Calais Wherefore I rather think the whole Matter amounted to no more than this that some certain Persons who either shew'd small satisfaction in King Philips Government or were less carefull of their Carriage and Speech in such a Juncture or lay obnoxious to the Malice or Spight of any prosligate Wretches wanted not Evidences to swear home against them and lay Matters to their Charge which thô never so improbable were then accounted no less than Treason by a Prince so mortally jealous as King Philip was VIII Now the French King having found all his peacefull Overtures with the Flemings ineffectual especially now that they had proceeded so far as to quarrel with their young Lord the Earl of Flanders for the Sake of King Edward his Adversary as well to revenge his own and the Earls injuries as hoping by some notable Success against them to enduce them to some Reasonable Terms resolves c Serâes p. 12. in Phil. Val. is Speed p. 580. Fâx p. 506. c. to send his Son John Duke of Normandy with a Considerable Army against them But Duke John it seems was born under no better Stars than his Father for having besieged Cassel a Town between St. Omers and Ipres he was at last in a Sally set upon couragiously by the Flemings being joyned with a good Body of English from Calais and compelled to raise his Siege without Honour but not without considerable Loss For the Conflict enduring from Morning till high Noon the French were utterly vanquished and enforced to break up having left behind them many Hundreds of their Men as well slain as Prisoners whereas on the other Side rather by a Miraculous Protection of Heaven than any Chance of War not one is reported to have been grievously wounded among the Flemings and their English Auxiliaries To this Town above all the Towns of Flanders King Philip ow'd an ill-will because d Fabian p. 264. Jacob Meyer Ann. Flandr l. 12. p. 153. in the beginning of his Reign when he laid siege unto them in Person the Inhabitants had in derision of Him and his Title caused a Red Cock to be painted on a White Cloth under which in great Letters they wrote this following Rhyme and hung iâ over the Walls Quand ce Coq icy chantera Le Roy Trouvé ca entrera Which signifies When this Cock shall crow clear The Found King shall enter here At which Lines the French King was horribly vexed especially because they Nick-named him the Found King as if having no manner of Title the Frenchmen had as it were upon diligent search found him out to hold Pretensions against King Edward After this Repulse at Cassel Duke John collecting his shatter'd Forces made yet another Attempt upon Lilers a Town of Flanders by the River Navez between Arien and Bethune But here also he received another Repulse so as he could hardly come off with the rest of his Troops to his Father who stormed and fretted exceedingly at these fresh Disgraces IX All this while was the Siege of Calais carried on with great Application but the Defendants held out with equal Obstinacy For thô King Edward's chief trust was to reduce them by Famine yet
and for the most part taken or slain but Sr. John Hartwell made shift to escape with a small Number along by the River-side and so returned to the General Sr. Thomas Dagworth to whom he declared their ill Adventure Whereupon the whole Army thought for that time to leave off all hopes of further succeeding and to return back again to the Countess at Hennebond But then Sr. Thomas Dagworth spake to all the Captains and those were about him saying Nay Gentlemen let not such a strong Body of Men as We are think of going back again till We have recover'd the Reputation We have so lately lost Rather let Us now leap all on our Horses like Men of Courage and for them that have none let them follow on a Foot in Gods Name For now is the best time in the World to look upon our Enemies when their late Success has lull'd them asleep in the Arms of security I 'll warrant You We shall easily discomfit them and You shall soon see an happy turn of Affairs As he spake thus and his Men yet doubted whether to obey him or no there came up to them a Knight of good Conduct and Valour called Garnier who was Lord of Cadudal with an 100 Men of Arms sent to joyn Sr. Thomas Dagworth from the Countess of Montfort This fresh recruit wholly confirmed the wavering Courages of the English and so Sr. Thomas having order'd his Troops put himself in the Head of the Men of Arms and the Archers on Horseback and the Foot followed him with a good Courage So that about Sun-rise they dashed into the Lord Charles of Blois his Host where they found all was buried in sleep and security For they were proud of their Success and weary with obtaining it and verily thought there was no more Enemy remaining after their last Nights Victory Wherefore the Englishmen and Bretons with an horrible outcry invaded them like sheep in a fold and beat down Tents and Pavilions and slew people on all hands At which time the Captain of the Town making also a vigorous Sally with all his strength the whole Army of Charles of Blois which consisted of 30000 Men was entirely defeated and broken The Lord Charles himself taken Prisoner together with his two l Du Chesne p. 667. vid. Knighton Faliân H. linstead Villari c. ut ante Sons John and Guy the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Beaumanoire the Lord of Lodeac Sr. Guy de la Valle and 36 Knights more Among the slain were found the Vicount of Rouen the Lord De la Valle whose Son Guy was taken alive the Lord of Chasteau Briant the Lord of Derual and his Son the Lord of Rouge the Lord of Quintin with Sr. William his Son the Lord of Malestroit the Lord Ralph de Montfort and others to the Number of 500 Men of Arms besides Footmen After this entire Defeat Sr. Thomas Dagworth set the Prisoners in safe Custody especially the Lord Charles of Blois who being wounded was committed to the Care of skillfull Chirurgeons and then all Sr. Charles his Engines of battery and other Spoils sound in the Field were brought into the Town and Castle of Roche D'Arien But as for the Villagers and Men of the Country thereabout because contrary to their Oath and Duty they had favour'd the Earl of Blois in this Siege Sr. Thomas punished their Towns and the Chief Men thereof with severe Fines and held them much shorter than ever before and having executed several of the most Guilty kept many of the Rest in a kind of slavery to be Labourers and Drudges for his Men of War. Then he set himself to repair the Breaches in the Walls and elsewhere and having sufficiently reinforced the Garrison with Men Ammunition and other Provision departed with his Prisoners for Hennebond Where he tarried till the Lord Charles was recover'd of his Wounds and then convey'd him and his Sons and the rest of the Prisoners into England and there they were all bestow'd about in places of sure Custody in the Tower and elsewhere about London This great Victory was thus obtain'd before the Fortress of Rochedarien on the Wednesday m Ita Aenales Britannix apud Du Chesne p. 667. Knighton p. 2593. n. 44. Lit. Dom. G. Labâe's Chren Techad hunc an before the Feast of St. John Baptist being the 12 of the Calends of July or the 20 Day of June Ano. Dom. MCCCXLVII I have ventur'd to differ something in the Relation of the Fact from Froisard in that Matter where he makes Sr. Thomas Dagworth to be grievously Wounded in the first Onset and Garnier Lord of Cadudal to be the Author of that Counsel of falling upon the French a second Time not only because our n Ret. Franc. 21. âd 3. p. 2. m. 2. p. 1. m. 11. Records attribute the Conduct of this Affair to Sr. Thomas Dagworth but also his own Letter is extant in Robert Avesbury wherein he shews forth the Matter as We have related it And in consideration thereof the King o Claus de ced Ano. in Derso created him before the End of this Year a Baron of the Realm As also two p M. S. in Bibl. Bodl. K. 84. p. 117. b. others of his Valiant Associates Sr. Alan Zouch and Sr. John Lisâe besides whom he made 50 Knights And upon the first News of this Happy Success the same King according to his Pious Custom caused Publique Thanks to be given to God Almighty both in the Camp before Calais and also throughout England XIII And truly this was a very Important Success especially considering the taking of Charles of Blois and his two Sons althô his Lady q Du Chesne p. 667. D. Fabian p. 276 c. continued the War as resolutely as ever For she requested King Philip so earnestly to enable her to Revenge this Loss that soon after when Sr. Thomas Dagworth was now in England he sent thither the Lord of Craon with a strong Army to whom also great Multitudes of the Bretons resorted And thus altogether they came before Rochedarien and Assaulted the Town for two days continually but the English Defended themselves vigorously and threw forth upon their Enemies hot boyling Oyls Fire Coals hot Ashes and other Offensive Matter wherewith they did much mischief to the Besiegers The Third Day the English being opprest offer'd to yield the Place on Condition they might have security to depart with Life and Goods But this the French and Bretons would not now condescend to So the Assault began anew and the Lord Craon to encourage his Men had hung up fifty Scutes of Gold in a Purse upon a Spears point and Proclaim'd aloud that he that first enter'd the Town should have the said Purse of Gold for his pains When the Genouëse Souldiers heard the Promise of their Captain some of them went under the protection of their Fellows Shot with long and sharp Pick-axes and Mattocks and so stoutly
declared how kindly he took this their Readiness to serve him And so having from their abundance supplied himself with such warlike Necessaries as the Fire had deprived him of he sent them home again on this Condition that when he sent for them they should come ready Armed to his Service This mean while Edward the Young Prince of Wales rode forth with a strong Detachment from Calais r Knighton p. 2595. n. 20. c. about 30 Leagues into the Realm of France even to the River Somme where having fired and ravaged the Country round about he returned safe to Calais with much Prey and Booty But the Earl of Warwick had not such good Success for as he rode from the Camp toward St. Omers he lost to the Number of an 180 Men of Arms and Archers who indiscreetly straggled too far from the Main Body And besides these Losses for the most part of August there was such a Drought by reason of the Hot Weather that for want of fresh Water great Numbers of the English died in the Camp before Calais All this while was the King of England providing and settling his Affairs in Calais and first he caused all the Wealth and Riches of the Town to be brought together into one Place and then sealed up the Door and set a Guard upon the House Then he Å¿ Frois c. 147. commanded the New Town and Bastion which he had made without the Town during the Siege to be pulled down as also the strong Castle which he had built at the Mouth of the Haven and all the Timber and Stones thereof to be brought into the Town Over which he ordained as t Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 142. ex Rot. Franc. 21. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 6. Stow p. 245. Captain the Lord John Montgomery an English Baron of great Valour but he made Captain of the Castle a certain Lombard whom he had bred up in his Court named Emeric of Pavia Of whom we shall speak more hereafter He also assigned certain Officers to keep in their turns constant Watch at the Gate Walls and Barriers and fully mended what was amiss about the Fortifications and left for an Extraordinary u Knighton p. 2596. n. 10. Guard 300 Men of Arms and 700 Archers As for Sr. John de Vienna the late Captain of Calais for the French King he was together with twelve other chief Officers sent Prisoner to London and clapt up there in the Tower Till about half a Year after that King Philip redeem'd them all by paying their Ransoms Surely now it was a great Corrosive to the Burgesses and Citizens of Calais Men Women and Children to leave behind them their Houses Goods Possessions and Apparel and to bear away nothing with them but enough to cover their Nakedness and after all to have x Frois ibid. no satisfaction from King Philip for whose Sake they had lost all Thô y Du Chesne p. 668. Paul. Amyl l. 9. p. 283 Others report more handsomly that on the Eighth of September following King Philip made an Ordinance That the Calisians in their Turns should succeed into all agreeable Offices and Places of Profit as fast as they should fall No Others whatsoever to be preferred before their Turns were served To the execution of which Decree Peter Hangest Counsellour and Clark of the Parliament and Monsieur John Cordier Master of the Chamber of Accounts were appointed and had a strict Charge laid upon them to see thereto XXI While King Edward was thus busied at Calais there z Frois ibid. came into France Guy of Montfort commonly called Guy of Boulogne whereof a Victârell in Vât Pent ff p. 894. he was Bishop and now Priest-Cardinal Titulo Sancti Caecilii who was just then sent as Legate from the Pope to joyn with the other two Cardinals now in France in Order to make a Reconciliation between the two Kings This Man labour'd earnestly with his Cousin the French King at Amiens and thence proceeded to Calais to move King Edward And at last he laboured so successfully in the Matter that he presently obtained a Truce to be agreed on from the 5 of September to the 13 which being prolonged to the 28 of the said Month being a Fryday it b Du Chesne p. 668. was then fully Ratified and Accorded on both Sides to endure between both the Kings their Subjects Allies Confederates Aiders and Abettors untill the 8 of July following upon these Articles viz. 1. That the Scots among Others should be comprised on King Philips Part and that the Truce should be proclaimed on the Marches both of England and Scotland Provided always that whether the Scots should refuse to accept or hold the said Truce or no it should nevertheless continue firm and inviolable between the two Kings and Others their Allies 2. That the Earl of Flanders should be obliged to keep it entirely and during the Term thereof should not make any War or do any Grievance to the Flemings 3. That the Cardinals should cause to cease the Denuntiations which the Bishops and Priests of Cambray Tournay Terouënne and Arras had made against the Flemings 4. That this Truce shall be observed in Gascogne and Bretagne and all other Places where either of the two Kings or their Allies had any Dominion or Possessions c. The rest of the Articles were in a manner the c Du Chesne p. 669. same with those mention'd in the two former Truces of 1340 and 1342. This Truce being afterwards at several times pieced up from time to time d Ashmole p. 671. was spun on by divers Prorogations untill the Year 1355 or the 29th of this King in which Year we shall find both the Kings providing to renew the War. But neither did the Scots much value this Truce till they were beaten into Weariness nor many Captains in Gascogne both French and English but especially in Bretagne the War became soon as hot as ever For the two Ladies the Countess Dowager of Montfort and Sr. Charles of Blois his Lady would by no means admit of any Agreement but held out still the one in her Sons Name the other in her Husbands with extreme Animosity As for King Edward he would not repose any absolute Confidence in the Truce but that he might the more certainly secure this his Conquest he e Stow p. 245. built a strong Castle at Risban betwixt the Town of Calais and the Havens Mouth to keep off the Enemy from Entring the Haven to endammage the Town that way And having thus prosperously settled his Affairs he took the Sea with his beloved Queen and the Prince his Son and set Sail for England But according to his usual Fate he was now again roughly handled by a dreadfull Tempest wherein he lost many of his People which made him f Walsing Hist p. 158. M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 226. expostulate thus St. Mary my Blessed Lady
hedges and ditches in such Numbers that it was no less loss than wonder to behold For there died in and about one Pasture more than five Thousand Sheep Wherefore it might be supposed that they also died in this manner thrô some kind of Plague that was as strange and unaccountable among them as the former had been to Mankind For it is i Knighton p. ibid. lin 40. said that neither Bird nor Beast of Prey would touch their Carcasses And this is another Instance that the late Pestilence did yet further differ from those of other Times Since usually Beasts by reason of their prone Looks downward on the Earth and their quicker Scent therewithall are first infected but here it happened quite contrary However there shortly ensued hereby such a Scarcity of Cattle that all Provision of Flesh became excessive Dear as well as other Beasts for use and labour Whereas in the plague time partly thrô their great abundance and partly also because thrô the present Apprehensions of Death Men were then less intent upon Gain a good Horse worth 40 s. before might be bought for a Mark a large fat Ox for four shillings a Cow for one shilling an Heifer for six Pence a fat Mutton for four Pence a Sheep for two Pence a Lamb for two Pence and a Pork for five Pence one Stone of Wooll for nine pence and other things went at the same Rate in England But now the state of Affairs was alter'd and besides the prodigious Decay of Cattle aforesaid there succeeded also a great Death of Corn in many Parts of the World not so much thrô any defect or Parsimony of Nature for the Fields were sufficiently cloathed with Grain in many Parts especially here in England as partly thrô an inordinate desire of Gain in some and also partly from the want of Men in most Places to gather it in Particularly this Year about Harvest-time a Reaper was not to be had for Money under eight Pence a Day nor a Mower under twelve Pence besides Victuals which in those Days was excessive Wages Mony bearing then almost a Decuple value to what it doth now So that the King was fain k Knighton p. 2600 l. n. 37. to issue out his Commands thrô all the Counties of England that Reapers and other Labourers should neither demand nor take any more than formerly was used in the 20 Year of his Reign or other five or six Years before on Penalties limited in the said Statute which bare Date l Vid. Statute Beck 23. Ed. 3. p. 90. licet maiè ibi 23. Ed. 3. pro 25. ut videre est M.S. Record Parl. p. 71 Sr. Rob. Cotton's Alridgm p. 3. §. 6. 14 of June Anno Regni Angliae XXIII Franciae verò X c. But this Sort of Men being lightly puffed up with Thoughts far beyond what was agreeable to their Condition when they saw the absolute necessity Men stood in of using their Assistance set at nought the Kings Commands and became peremptory in this either not to work at all or to have what they should demand for their hire But this King who knew as well how to reduce a refractory and disobedient Subject as to conquer a Foreign Enemy undertook to tame their insolence such a way as both wholly cured their madness and prevented that ruine which was like to ensue thereby and also at the same time enriched his own Coffers in order to the carrying on of his great and chargeable Affairs For having understood that many Abbeys and Colleges and such Persons or Societies and Corporations who held great Possessions rather than loose their Corn and other Fruits had contrary to the Statute aforesaid given unto their Labourers larger stipends than were there appointed He first of all levied considerable Amerciaments upon the Abbots Priors Barons Knights and Others of all Degrees of some 5 l. of others 4 l. 3 l. 2 l. 1 l. and of every Carucat Hide or Plough-Land over all England 1 l. and yet in general one Fifteen besides Then he caused many Hundreds of the said Labourers especially the Master-workmen to be apprehended so that many who had offended in that kind having intimation of the matter were fain to retire into Woods and Forests where they skulked about living hardly for a while but those that were taken were severely fined and after the discipline of a temporary Imprisonment being first sworn to take for the future their Day Wages according to the old usage only were dismissed Other m Knighton ib. lin 61. Artificers also in Towns and Burroughs were served in the same manner For by reason of the scarcity of Men these People began to demand most unreasonable Rates for all their Work and Services till now at length this other Plague of their insolence was removed by the healing hand of King Edwards Justice As may be seen at large in the n 25 Ed. 3. v. d. Statute-ââok p. 91. 92. Statute where all the Prizes are appointed for all such Labourers and Artificers according to the Rate of Money in those Days to which I refer the Curious Reader However vast quantities of Corn were already lost for want of Hands to gather it in but a timely Remedy being so seasonably applied a greater Famine was prevented in this Nation Thô in many other Parts it raged most immeasurably For soon after the Pestilence a Famine beginning in Barbary and Morocco the Christians of sundry Nations in hopes of inordinate Gain from these Infidels carried thither such huge Quantities of Corn as thereby they occasion'd a greater Famine in Spain o Giov. Villani ad ann 1346. c. 72. p. 883. Stow p. 247. a. b. vid. Frois c. 153. Lanquet ad ann 1351. de Fame in Gallia Italy France and other Parts of Europe So that at the most there was but three Ounces per diem allowed for every Man. And soon after there happen'd in most Parts of the World great and strange Inundations with Presters and frequent and unusual Storms and Tempests which were succeeded by monstrous and terrible Sights and Flames of Fire in the Air gastly and dismal Spectres and Apparitions and then extream Droughts and want of Waters All which in their several Capacities in divers Places and at several Times did no small harm to all living Creatures in the Air Sea and Land and to all Sorts of Vegetables as also to many goodly Structures and Edifices And p M. S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C.c. 228. ad finem this was generally observed of all those who were born next and immediately after this wonderfull Plague that when the time came for the growth of their Teeth they had two Cheek-Teeth in their heads less than they had afore XIII And yet q Gesta Clement Vl. apud â sq Alb. Argent in Chron. vid. Oder Rainald ad ann 1348. n. 33. to all these Evils there was added one more for there arose a certain
Archbishop of Rheimes the Nobility by the Duke of Athens and the Good Towns by the Mouth of Stephen Marcel Provost of the Merchants at Paris That they were according to their Duty ready to live and die with their King and to spend both their Bodies and Goods in his Service only they required sufficient time to deliberate and advise together which the King granted them And the mean while viz. on the seventh of December He created his Eldest Son the Lord Charles who was Dauphin of Vienna Duke of Normandy for which he receiv'd his Homage the next day Now the Estates having seriously considered upon the Kings Requests and the Necessity of his Affairs consented to find him for One Year at their own Costs and Charges 30000 Fighting Men with all their Warlike Furniture Provision and Apparel but because the Sum of Money which at first they reckon'd sufficient for that Exploit together with the Gabel of Salt were both by many question'd to fall short they appointed to meet again on the First day of March following to enquire into the Matter and to make up what should then appear deficient The Progress of which Affair We shall refer to its proper place lest We should be carried too far abroad when We are called upon to stay at home But being brought to the end of this Year We shall now think of concluding this Chapter when We have after our usual Method inserted two or three occurrences which are most properly ranged in such places where they may appear without disturbing the Order or Coherence of greater Matters IX On the sixth of January or after the Roman way of reckoning l Walsingh hist p. 163. Knighton p. 1608. n. 33. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 169. Sandf Geneal p. 227. on the VII of the Ides of the said Month in the beginning of this Year 1355 King Edward received from the Hands of Heaven a lively Young Prince for a New-years Gift this being his seventh and youngest Son was born at the Kings Palace at Woodstock about seven Miles from Oxford Whereupon he bore the sirname of Woodstock being at the Font named Thomas and became in time Earl of Buckingham and Duke of Gloucester and was a Prince of High Stomach and Resolution King Edward upon the Queens m Stow p. 255. a Purification of this her Seventh Son held in her Honour a Solemn Justs and Tourneament at Woodstock where were present the greater Part of the Nobility of England It is said n Mezeray ad hunc ann 2 Part. 3 Tom. p. 41. Frois c 154. f. 76. that on Shrove-Tuesday this Year at Night contrary to the Truce then in being two and fifty English Men took the Castle of Nantes in Bretagne by Scalado But the Lord Guy of Rochefort the Captain thereof who was at that time in the City was so well provided that he retook it again that same Night and cut them all to pieces without pity because they had so falsly violated the Truce This Summer o Knighton p. 2609. n. 40. ad n. 54. there raged a most strange and unaccountable Infirmity in England which was attributed rather to the Malignity of Evil Spirits than to any natural Cause For People of a sudden grew mad and went out of their Wits in most parts of the Realm whether they were in Towns or in Fields and so they ran about distracted to Woods and Groves to hide themselves as Wild Beasts avoiding the Company of Men And some ran out of the Fields to the Towns and out of Towns to the Fields void of all Care or Conduct and could hardly be laid hold on and some wounded themselves with knives and snapt and bit at those who endeavour'd to catch them And many were carried into Churches and there they lay bound till they might obtain ease from God by Prayer And in some Churches you might see ten or a dozen sometimes more sometimes less in this Condition so that it was a great Pity to behold their case But they soon recover'd by this means and the Malady was not lasting This Year p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 735. Peter Lord Mauley V. of that Name deceased upon the Festival of St. German in the Sixty sixth Year of his Age leaving behind him Peter his Son and Heir then Twenty four Years old called Peter VI. de Malolacu or Mauley who follow'd his Valiant Fathers steps thrô all the hazardous Paths of Glory CHAPTER the FOURTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward goes into Scotland and recovers Barwick AN. DOM. 1356. An. Regni Angliae XXX Franciae XVII King Edward Bailiol resigns his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland to King Edward of England II. King Edward ravages about in Scotland but losing a great part of his Navy is obliged to return III. He brings along with him the Bailiol into England IV. A Parliament at Paris with a Famous Tax therein ordained V. A Sedition at Arras prudently supprest VI. King John seises on the Person of the King of Navarre puts him in Prison and executes several of his Friends VII Prince Philip Brother to the King of Navarre obtains Assistance from England and being afterwards reinforced by the Duke of Lancaster makes hot War in Normandy VIII King John goes against him but upon News of Prince Edwards Invasion in another part goes back to oppose him IX The Duke of Lancaster having settled Affairs in Normandy goes into Bretagne to the Dutchess I. THE Parliament at Westminster of which we spake in the preceding Chapter being ended about the Feast of St. Andrew a Knighton p. 2611. n. 10. Holinsh p. 951. b. n. 34. King Edward immediately set forward for Scotland and rested not till he came to Newecstle where he solemnized the Nativity of our Saviour At which time He received Letters from his Valiant Son the Prince of Wales containing a full account of his late Exploits in Gascogne as we have declared On the b Holinsh p. 954. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. 14 of January King Edward having his Army encamped near the Town of Barwick and his Navy ready in the Haven to assail the Scots that were now therein enter'd into the Castle himself with some of his Guard that being still in the hands of his Subjects designing to let down the Bridge and fall in upon the Town that way while the Army from without attempted the Walls The Lord Manny also at the same time being busie in springing a Mine thereby to get entrance by Craft if Force should fail Upon this the Scots within being terrified with these dreadfull Preparations and seeing it impossible to hold out against such Forces and so various attacks began to capitulate desiring only to be secured of Life Limb and Liberty and they would forthwith yield up the Town Which Conditions the King accepted But the c Hector Boeth l. 15. fol. 325. n. 75. Buchan l. 9 p. 304. Scotch Writers say
desiring You as affectionately as we can and more earnestly beseeching You by the Bowels of the Mercies of God that rendring a return of Gratitude to the Lord your God for those things which he hath given unto You You would accommodate your Soul prepare your Heart and dispose your Mind to Peace and Concord For You know that the Great King of Peace by whom You live and reign doth command You to love Peace and refuses to dwell in the Hearts of the Unmercifull And lest we should more prolixly enlarge our Epistle we add unto our Prayers that those things which our Reverend Brother Talayrand Bishop of Alby and our Beloved Son Nicolas titulo Sancti Vitalis Priest-Cardinal Nuntio's of the Apostolick See or either of them in their own Persons or in Others shall relate unto You as to this Point or declare unto You by Letters You would undoubtedly believe and by a pious Prosecution fulfill them with the desired Fruits of your Actions Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontificatús nostri IV. By other Letters also of the same Date the Pope highly applauded the Young Prince for that he had honourably received the Cardinal Talayrand and had in the midst of Prosperity overcome that insolence of Mind which usually attends Conquerours and gave him his Thanks for having entertain'd the French King with such singular Courtesie Our Reverend Brother says he Talayrand Bishop of Alby Nuntio of the Apostolick See wrote unto us by his Letters that You confirming and enhancing the Nobility which you derive from your Stock by your Generosity of Soul and the exercise of Vertues have entertain'd him with such Honours and such Favours as became a Son to exhibit to his Father in Christ And that which is greater than all these preparing your Mind equally for all Events and not being puffed up with any Prosperity of Successes but always more humble in the sight of the Lord your God attributing all unto him from whom you have received all You do graciously allow unto our Dear Son in Christ John the Illustrious King of France whom the Event of War hath brought into your Prison that Honour which belongs to so great a Prince Vpon which account returning unto your Highness our deserved Praises and hoping undoubtedly that the Omnipotent God who hath respect unto the Lowly but knoweth the Proud afar off will bestow on You more abundantly and freely the Grace of his Benediction c. Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontif. IV. XV. All this while i Frois c. 169. fcl 75. did Edward the Black-Prince continue at Bourdeaux having with his ready Mony bought up of the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne all those French Prisoners whom he design'd to carry along with the King into England For as for those whom the English Lords had taken he intended not to buy them till they were brought safe home The French King he lodged honourably in a magnificent Apartment in the Abby of St. Andrew and Himself kept Court in the other Apartment of the same Abby like unto it Now there were many Questions Contrasts and Challenges among several Knights and Esquires of Gascogne concerning the Taking of the French King divers of them affirming how they were the Men that took him But Sr. Dennis Morbeque by Right of Arms and true Tokens which he shew'd as the Kings own Gauntlet challenged him for his rightfull Prisoner Yet for all that this Mans Cause seem'd so evident insomuch that the Pretensions of all Others were silenced thereby an Esquire of Gascogne called Bernard de Troutes averred how he had more Reason to lay Claim to that Honourable Action Between these two there was much Fending and Proving in Presence of the Prince and other Lords that sat with him to hear the Cause But when once it came to a Challenge between them then the Prince commanded them both peremptorily to surcease and to forbear any further proceeding till they came into England on pain of his Displeasure for he said no manner of Decision or Determination should be made but by the King his Father However because the French King himself enclin'd more to Sr. Dennis of Morbeque than to any other and wish'd as he said privately that he alone might have the Honour which he had so well deserved the Generous Prince considering that being a banished Man he had little more than his Wages and what he purchased in War caused secretly to be deliver'd into his Hands 2000 Nobles to maintain his Estate handsomly withall against the time he should appear in the Court of England And to end this Matter once for all when the next Year King Edward and his Council had determin'd the Cause in his behalf the Prince k Paul. Aeonylius p. 288. gave him 5000 Crowns of Gold more as a Reward for that Service For as we shew'd before all Prisoners who are valued above 10000 Crowns belong not unto him that took him but to the Prince Thus the Prince of Wales tarried at Bourdeaux providing and ordaining his Affairs as he thought best till it was Lent during which time the Souldiers of England and Gascogne spent in Mirth and Revell especially in the Christmas Holy-days all the Gold and Silver which they had won with the hazard of their Lives For Souldiers and Seamen thô they court Money at the Highest rate of any others take their leave of it as pleasantly and as unconcernedly as any Men whatsoever Those Knights l Frois c. 169. Gentlemen and others who had been present in the Battle of Poictiers upon their return into England were welcomed treated and caressed highly by all Men where-ever they came and in all respects Prefer'd to others of their Rank and Condition So Honourable is it to be Brave upon a good and just account But on the contrary m Frois c. 170. all the Lords Knights and Esquires of France who had fled from the Battle were so hated reviled and pointed at whereever they came that they durst hardly venture to appear in any great Town or publick place of Resort Now about the time n Frois c. 170. that this Battle of Poictiers was fought Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was in the County of Eureux in Normandy and toward the Marches of Coutances together with Prince Philip of Navarre and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt in his Company These Great Captains endeavour'd all they could to joyn the Prince of Wales before that Battle but they could not by any means Because all the Passages on the River of Loire were so surely guarded However hearing shortly after of the Prince's Success they were wonderfully pleased and Prince Philip of Navarre soon after went for England to speak with the King about the further Progress of his Affairs and the Duke of Lancaster as we shew'd before diverted into Bretagne to the Countess of Monford where shortly after he went and laid Siege to Rennes having constituted the Lord Godfry of
found by the German Princes Of which Matter thus Rebdorf In the Month of November the said Emperour being invited by the Lords and Burgesses of France after the foresaid Battle of Poictiers came to the City of Metz where he demanded of the Inhabitants the Rights of the Empire and the Keys of the City And thither came from Pope Innocent the Cardinal of Perigort and the King of France's Son the Emperours Nephew who fled out of the said Battle with many Men of Arms and a great Number of Nobles both of Germany and France were there with him and tarried with him during the Festival of our Lords Nativity But of the Peace there made between Wenceslaus Duke of Brabant and Lewis Earl of Flanders and of the Laws promulged at this time by the Emperour we shall not say any thing those Matters being foreign to our Purpose The Curious Reader may refer himself for that to the m Rebdorf in Aânal ad hunc annum Albert. Argentin in Chron. Lib. Priv. Rom. Eccl. Tom. 1. p. 401. Fat. etiam in Arce St. Angel. inter Collect. Platin. Tâm 3. p. 103 128. 156. apud Goldast in Collect Constit Imperial Tom. 1. in Carolo IV. vid. Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 12. 13. Authors quoted in the Margin On the * Fabian p. 285. Tenth of December certain Coins of less value than usual which the Duke of Normandy by Advice of his Council upon the account of his Necessities had caused to be made were proclaimed thrô Paris to be Currant Money whereat the Commons yet were further incensed So that two Days after Stephen Marcell Provost of the Merchants went to the Louvre there to speak with Prince Lewis Earl of Anjou whom the Duke of Normandy had left his Deputy-Regent upon his going to Metz to visit the Emperour his Uncle as we have seen Here the said Provost and the Rest with him desired the young Earl to stop the Course of those new Monies for otherwise the People would think themselves obliged to stop it themselves At last after a day or two's Delay and a long Contest the young Earl was fain to yield thus much to the Provost and the rest of those humble Petitioners as to stop the Money till the Dukes further Pleasure might be known for which Purpose Messengers were immediately posted away to learn the Dukes Resolution as to that Point And he thô for a while he stood firm to his first Resolution was in the end compelled to stop the Proceedings and to comply with the outragious importunities of the Rabble XIX And thus we shall end this Remarkable Year when we have subjoyned two short Observations which to Philologers may perhaps seem not useless It hath been an old Report that as Scipio Africanus that Noble Roman Commander was observed first to have brought Barbers into Rome so our Black-Prince is said n Stow p. 263. this time in Complaisance to the French Nation to have begun and authorised a Fashion which hath continued ever since of shaving the Beard and letting the Hair of the Head grow contrary to the Primitive use of the English Nation Thô I must acknowledge this Relation agrees not well with the ancient Pictures of Men of that Age And the learned Antiquary Esquire Ashmole some Years since described unto me a Medal which he supposed to have belonged to one of the Princes Great Horses whereon he was figured Praying in Armour save that his Helmet was off and having a considerable Grown Beard Nor is it altogether unworthy our Observation o Dugd. Warw. p. 672. ex Joh. Rous Hist M.S. de Reg. in Bibl. âotton p. 253. that after this Taking of King John of France the Lords and Gentlemen of England began generally to leave off that ancient Usage of bearing their Effigies on Horseback in their Seals and set their own Arms only in the Reverse of their Seals on little Shields CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS AN. DOM. 1357. An. Regni Angliae XXXI Franciae XVIII I. Prince Edward brings King John of France and the rest of his Prisoners taken at the Battle of Poictiers into England their Passage thrô London King Edward receives the Captive King with great Honour II. Henry Duke of Lancaster continues the Siege before Rennes the Cardinals obtain a Truce between the two Kings III. King David released of his Imprisonment returns into Scotland and settles Affairs IV. At King Edwards Command the Duke of Lancaster raises his Siege from before Rennes having just before taken the Town on Conditions V. Sr. Robert Knolles beats the Marshal of France in Normandy VI. The Lord of Granville takes the Castle of Eureux from the French by Stratagem VII The Rise of Sr. John Hawkwood and Sr. Robert Knolles VIII The Original of a sort of Free-Booters called the Companions in France IX The Insolence of the Parisians and their Provost towards the Dauphin X. King Charles of Navarre being got out of Prison foments the Disorders and grows Popular I. MOST part a Frois c. 173. f. 86. Mat. Vill. l. 7. c. 58. 66. Knighton p. 2615. n. 13. Walsingh Hyp. p. 124. Hist p. 164. Speed p. 582. Polyd. Virgil. l. 19. p. 381. c. of the preceding Winter the Victorious Edward Prince of Wales busied himself in Equipping a Navy to convey his Royal Prey and the rest of the French Prisoners safely into England During his intended Absence in the Parts of Aquitain he left behind him certain Valiant and Loyal Captains to defend the Country until his Return namely the Lord de la Bret alià s Albret the Lord of Mucidan the Lord de L'Esparre the Lord of Pamiers and the Lord of Rozan with certain Troops both English and Gascoigners And so on the b Lit. Dom. A. Pascha 9. April Pestum D. Georgii 23 April 24 of April being a Monday and the day after St. George in the Third Week after Easter he set Sail for England with certain Lords of Gascogne and most of his English Captains about him The French King was in a good Ship by himself lest he should conceive any Offence or Molestation but he was well guarded with no less than 200 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers who sailed close by him for the Prince had been informed how the Three Estates by whom France at that time was governed had laid ready in the Ports of Normandy and Crotoy two Great Navies to receive him upon his approach toward England and if they might to take away the King of France and rescue him But no such Matter appeared afterward thô the Prince was detain'd at Sea Eleven days On the Twelfth Day from his first Setting out viz. on the c Knighton in vigilia St. Joh. ante Pert. Lat. quod idem est Walsing id c. 5th of May he landed at Sandwich in Kent and not as some say at Plymouth in Devonshire where he tarried two Days to refresh
of Westminster visiting the Ancient Monuments of his Predecessors he q M. S. Vet. Angl. ân Bill C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. chose a Place for his own Sepulture and Burial in the Chappel of St. Edward hard by the Shrine of that Royal Saint and Confessor Commanding his Son the Prince and his other Children upon his Blessing when it should please God to call him out of this transitory Life to a better to lay his Body there and no where else And thô the Prince his Son died before him yet we find the rest of his Sons were not forgetfull of this his Fatherly Injunction for there he lies buried to this Day as we shall shew more particularly when we come to treat of his Death which happen'd 18 Years after CHAPTER the FIFTH The CONTENTS I. The Foreign Succours being come to Calais King Edward sends thither the Duke of Lancaster who leads them forth thereby to ease the Town II. King Edward follows the Duke with an Army of an 100000 Men. III. The Names of his Chief Leaders with the Numbers and Order of the Army the King marches from Calais toward Rheims in Champaigne IV. An Adventure between the Lord Galahaut de Ribemont French and the Lord Reginald van Boulant English V. The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes the French Master of the Crossbows King Edward lays Siege to Rheims VI. The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt sends Relief to the English Army Cernoy en Dormois and other Places taken by Detachments from the Camp before Rheims VII The King of Navarre breaks with the Dauphin again The Lord of Gomegines taken Prisoner by the French. VIII The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes Cormicy and rases it I. ALL this while the whole Realm of England and the Dominion of Ireland were hot in Preparations for War and King Edwards Friends wherever they were resolved at this time to embark with him in this bold Enterprise especially such Lords and Knights of the Empire as had served him before These Men a Frois c. 205. fol. 99. made great Provision of Horse and Arms and other Necessaries according to their Degrees and Qualities and when they were ready they all came together by the way of Flanders to Calais and there waited till the King should come from England But he did not come thither so soon as was expected because he had so many weighty Matters to settle before he could leave his Kingdom During therefore this time of their Stay many more Strangers flocking thither there was hardly room in Calais for Lodging or Stabling for the Horses and besides Bread and Wine Hay Oats and other Provision was very scarce so that they could hardly be got for Gold or Silver wherefore there b Knighton p. 2621. n. 10. were some insolencies committed by the Strangers as is usual in such cases But still the general Comfort was King Edward would presently come thither and the News ran always that he would be there the next Week And yet if he had been there all things would have been much dearer and Lodgings harder to be got onely indeed then 't was expected that the King would draw off presently into the Field Thus the Lords of Almain Bohemia Brabant Flanders and Hainalt tarried there at their great Charges from the beginning of August till October so that many of them were fain to sell the best part of their Jewels and some had spent almost all they had Whereupon some Quarrels arose between them and their Hosts and some Mischief was done and more had been if the King finding now that his Affairs would not be ripe till after the time he had appointed which was the 8 of September had not sent over the Great Henry Duke of Lancaster with 400 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to lead these Strangers forth lest they should eat up the Town of Calais For he had heard c Frois ibid. that many more were come than either he expected or desired hoping belike to enrich themselves by the Spoils of France The Strangers received the Duke upon his Arrival with great Joy and asked him News about the King and when he would follow and complain'd a little how they had been disappointed The Duke excused unto them the Kings Delay by telling them that it was not possible so soon to furnish so great an Army as the King design'd to bring over with all manner of Necessaries for so long a time as he intended to stay in those Parts And says he surely Gentlemen to lie here idly till then is neither honourable nor profitable I am therefore resolved to ride forth into France and do something the mean while Only I desire of you so much Money as will pay off your several reckonings here at your Quarters and I 'll furnish you with Provision of Victuals to carry on your Sumpters These Gentlemen were asham'd to deny the Duke what it seems they had deny'd their Landlords and so they all satisfied their Hosts punctually and new shod their Horses and trussed up their Baggage and rode forth with the Duke and went to St. Omers being in all 2000 Men of Arms besides Archers and other Footmen St. Omers they passed by without Medling and so they went to Bethune which they left likewise and rode forward about 6 French Leagues further till they came to Mount St. Eloy a large and rich Abbey within two Leagues of Arras Here they tarried four Days to refresh themselves and their horses for they found Provision enough in the Abby and then they marched about ten Leagues further and passed the River d Leland Collect. Vol. 1. p. 824. Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 788. Frois ibid. Knighton p. 2621. n. 40. c. Somme and began to assault Bray sur Somme a considerable Town in Picardy where the Duke caused his Men to wade up to the shoulders that they might get to the Walls and so a fierce Attack was made in which Sr. Thomas Murrers an English Banneret was unfortunately slain with a shot from the Walls and several others wounded For the Inhabitants made a good Defence by the Assistance of the Earl of St. Paul and the Lord of Rayneval and other Gentlemen who a little before came into the Town at a back-Gate with 200 Spears The Duke of Lancaster therefore failing here went along by the River Somme in great want both of Bread and Wine till he came to Ceresy a Town on the same River between Bray and Corbie where he found good Plenty of both and having supplied himself therewith he repassed the River in the same place for the Bridge was not broken and went to Chipilly where he tarried to refresh his Men the remainder of that Day and all Night it being then the Feast of All-Saints On that very Day he had notice that King Edward was arrived with all his Forces at Calais and commanded him on sight of his Letters to draw thitherward to meet him II. Now e Frois c. 206.
Damsels and Virgins Dehonestation of Married Women and Widows Burning of Towns Abbeys Mannors and Edifices Robberies and Oppressions a Disuse of the Roads and Ways Justice faileth the Christian Faith is waxen cold and Merchandise decayeth and so many other Mischiefs and horrible Deeds have ensued thereupon that the Numbers thereof cannot be said nor written Whereby those of our Realm and of other Realms in Christendom have sustained many Afflictions and Irreparable Losses Wherefore We considering and revolving the Evils aforesaid and how it is probable that Worser may follow in time to come and having great Pity and Compassion of our Good and Loyal People who so firmly and Loyally have bore themselves for so long a time in true Constancy and Obedience towards Vs by exposing their Bodies and their Goods to all Dangers without declining expences or charges whereof We ought to keep a perpetual Remembrance We have therefore several times yielded to a Treaty of Peace chiefly by means of the Honourable Fathers in God several Cardinals and Messengers of our Holy Father the Pope our Beloved and Faithfull the Abbot of Cluigny Father Simon de Langres Professor in Divinity Master of the Order of Fryars-Preachers and Hugh de Geneve Lord of Autun who were then with the said King of England in his Host and went and came so often between Charles our most Dear Eldest Son and between the said King of England our Brother and in sundry places held Treaties on the one Part and on the Other to Confer and Treat of a Peace between Vs who were then in England and the said King of England and the Realms of the One and of the Other And at last they assembled the Treaters and Procurators on the part of Vs and of our said Son for the Matters above written and the special Deputies Procurators and Treaters of our Nephew the Prince of Wales Eldest Son of the said King of England our Brother having Power and Authority from his said Father in that part at Bretigny near Chartres At which place it was conferred treated and accorded by the Treaters and Procurators of the One Part and of the Other concerning all the Discords Dissentions and Wars which We and the said King of England our Brother have had One against the Other The Which Treaty and Peace the Procurators of our Son for Vs and for Him and our said Nephew the Prince of Wales Eldest Son of the said King our Brother for his Father and himself sware on the Holy Gospels to hold and maintain And after that our said Son sware solemnly for Vs and for Himself and our said Nephew the Prince of Wales having Power thereto sware for his said Father our Brother and for Himself and We after these things thus done and unto Vs reported and declared considering that the said King of England our Brother had agreed and consented to the said Treaty and would hold keep and accomplish that and the Peace on his part the same Treaty and Peace being undertaken by advice and consent of sundry of our Blood and Lineage Prelates of Holy Church Dukes Earls as well Peers of France as others Clergy and Men of the Church Barons Knights and other Nobles Burgesses and other Wise Men of our Realm to appease the Wars and the Evils and Griefs aforesaid wherewith the People had been so hardly used rather than for our Deliverance to the Honour and Glory of the King of Kings and for Reverence of Holy Church of our Holy Father the Pope and of his said Messengers have consented and do consent unto and ratifie admit and approve thereof And whereas by the said Treaty and Peace We ought to deliver and resign and do give deliver and resign as is contained in our other Letters made therefore more fully unto our said Brother the King of England for ever for Him and his Heirs and Successors to hold perpetually and for ever all those things which follow in like manner as We and our said Son or any of our Ancestors Kings of France have held them in time past That is to say what is in Sovereignty to hold in Sovereignty and what in Demaine to hold in Demaine namely the City Castle and Earldom of Poctiers and all the Land and Country of Poictou also the Fief of Thoüars and the Land of Belleville the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land and Country of Sainctogne on this and on that side the Charente the Town and Castle of Rochelle and their appurtenances the City and Castle of Agen and the Land and Country of Agennois the City Castle and Earldom of Perigeux and the Land and Country of Perigort the City and Castle of Limoges and the Land and Country of Limosin the City and Castle of Cahors and all the Land and Country of Quercy the City Castle and Country of Tarbe the Land Country and Earldom of Bigorre the Earldom Land and Country of Gaure the City and Castle of Angoulesme and the Earldom Land and Country of Angoulesmois the City and Castle of Rodes and the Land and Country of Rouvergue and moreover that which the King of England or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Montrevil upon the Sea and its appurtenances Item the County of Ponthieu all entirely save and except according to the Tenor of the Article contained in the said Treaty which makes mention of the said County Item the Town and Castle of Calais the Town and Lordship of Merk the Towns Castles and Lordships of Sangate Coulogne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Woods Marishes Rivers Rents Lordships and other things contained in the said Article Item the Castle Town and Earldom of Guisnes all entirely with all the Lands Towns Castles Forts Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Fees and Rights according to the Tenour of the Article making mention thereof more fully in the said Treaty and the Isles adjacent to the Lands Countries and Places aforenamed together with all other Islands which the said King of England holdeth at present or held at the time of the said Treaty And whereas by the Form and Tenor of the said Treaty and Peace We and our said Brother the King of England owe and have promised by Faith and by Oath One to the Other and are bound We and our said Brother and our Eldest Sons aforesaid by obligation and promises by Faith and by Oath made on the One Part and on the Other certain Renunciations the One to the Other according to the Form and Tenor of two Articles contained among others in the said Treaty and Peace the Form whereof is this Item it is accorded that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for their Heirs and for all the Kings of France and their Successors as soon as may be and at the farthest by the Feast of St. Michael next coming in one Year without fraud or deceit shall render yield and deliver to the said King of
at Westminster the Sixth of February in the Thirty Fifth Year of our Reign The like Letters of Restitution were granted to all the rest of the Houses of Aliens thrô England All which Priories Aliens were many Years after g Weevers Fun. Monum p. 339. utterly suppressed and dissolved by another Martial King Henry the Fifth and their Lands given by him and his Son Henry VI to Colleges of Learned Men in Cambridge and Oxford and to other Monasteries CHAPTER the EIGHTH The CONTENTS I. An Embassy from the Kings of Armenia and Cyprus whom King Edward entertains with Justs and Tourneaments II. King Edward creates his Eldest Son Prince of Aquitain with the Copy of his Charter III. The Prince prepares to go over with his Family An occasional Prophecy concerning the next Successor to the Crown after King Edward The Prince's Reception in Aquitain he creates Officers and settles his Court at Bourdeaux IV. A Parliament at Westminster the Jubilee of King Edwards Age He creates his Sons Prince Lionel Duke of Clarence John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge and bestows many large Favours upon his People V. The King holds a solemn Hunting with great Royalty The Lord Faulconberg dies Sr. John Copland murthered I. AN. DOM. 1362. An. Regni Angliae XXXVI IN the beginning of this Year there came into England an Honourable Embassie of Gallant Knights of Armenia and of Cyprus sent from the two Kings of those Countries who were now engaged hotly in a War with the Saracens to request the King of England for his Aid either in Men or Money or in both towards the carrying on of those Holy Wars or at least-wise to prepare the Kings Mind against the time that the King of Cyprus should come hither for that purpose which he did not long after The King received them graciously and they were in a fair way to succeed with him according to their desire and he for his Part as well to entertain these Gentlemen Strangers as to divert the Princes and Lords of France now in Hostage with him began a Walsing Hist p. 172. Stews Survey of London p. 421. on the First of May to solemnize a Royal Justs and Tourneament in Smithfield which was held with great Honour for Five Days together the King himself the Queen and their Children being present with the most Part of the Nobility of England and those Noble Guests of France Spain Cyprus and Armenia II. A while after King Edward advised with his Council about the better Establishing of his Affairs and it was resolved b Frois c. 216. that since the Prince of Wales was now upward of Thirty and a Married Man the King his Father should give unto him the whole Dutchy of Aquitain to hold by Homage of the Crown of England Especially because the Lords and Knights of those Parts althó the Lord Chandos was not only blameless but dear among them did perpetually importune the King to send his Son the Prince unto them It is easily remembred that in the late Treaty of Peace among other things it was agreed and sworn to both by the French King and his Eldest Son afterwards called Charles V that all the Dutchy of Aquitain should from that time forward for ever remain to King Edward of England and his Heirs and Successors in such manner as that they should not owe or pay any Homage or Resort unto the King or Crown of France therefore but to be held by Them with all Freedom and Liberty perpetual as Sovereign Lords Allies and Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without acknowledging any kind of Superiority or making any Obedience Homage or Subjection and without yielding in time to come any Service or Recognisance to the King or Crown of France for either the Whole or any Part of those Lands whether Cities Earldoms Castles Countries Lands Isles Places or Persons named in the Articles of the said Treaty Now therefore King Edward having a full and peaceable Possession of the said Dutchy of Aquitaine according to the Tenor of the said Agreement c M. S. âet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 232. Historici omnes resigns and gives unto his Son the Black-Prince by his Royal Charter all the Land of Guienne and Gascogne by the Name of a Principality for his Life in which Charter he created him Prince of Aquitain and Gascogne and also granted unto him those other Castles Towns and Counties of Poictou Saintogne Angoulesmois Agenois Limosin Quercy Rovergue and all other Places on the Borders of Gascogne which by Vertue of the Peace were to fall to King Edward reserving to himself Power of Erecting Guienne into a Kingdom and retaining also to himself the Resort and Sovereignty both over the Principality and the Rest that went with it And this Charter was Dated the 19 of July 1362 being the 36 of Edward the Third But besides this Charter of Donation and Creation there was another bearing Date the same Day of Explanation whereby the King more particularly declared the Sense of his Reservation of the Resort and Sovereignty and besides of an Ounce of Gold Yearly payable unto him by the Prince at his Palace of Westminster on Easter-Day The Charter of Creation is incorporated in that of Explanation the Margin of the d Ret. Vascen 36 Ed. 3. m. 18. n. 17. Roll being Pro Edvardo Principe Aquitaniae Walliae i. e. For Edward Prince of Aquitain and of Wales The Charter of Explanation is French and that of Creation Latine in the Originals which the Reader may find in e Seldens Titl Honor. Part. 2. ch 3. p. 487. c. Mr. Selden I shall here take leave to render the whole in English The King to all those who shall see or hear these Letters Greeting Whereas this present Day We have given to our Right Dear Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales the Name Renown and Title of the Principality of Aquitain transferring unto his Person for his Life only all the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Towns Forts Isles Provinces and Places which We have and ought to have by Vertue of the Peace last made between Vs and our Right Dear Brother the King of France in the Country of Aquitain and also those which We have and hold or ought to have and hold in all Gascogne together with the Homages Allegiances Honours Obeisances Vassalages Fees Arreer-fees Services Recognisances Rights Meer and Mixt Empire and Jurisdictions High Mean and Low Safeguards Advousons and Patrenages of Churches Metropolitan and Cathedral Abbies Priories Monasteries Hospitals both Secular and Regular and of other Benifices of the Church appertaining unto Vs by Cause or on Occasion of the Premises the Duties Cens Rents Confiscations Emoluments Profits Reversions and all manner of Rights and all other Appurtenances and Appendages as entirely and perfectly as We hold them or as any of our Progenitors have held them in any time past to hold under Vs
he would take Advice in the matter and return them his answer on such a day Till which time the Three Deputies went and lay at Rennes Then streight the Earl sent William Lord Latimer into England to certifie the King of the French Kings Proposals and to crave his opinion and direction in the Matter King Edward being rightly informed of the whole Affair said How he would advise the Earl of Monford to accept of a Peace on Condition he might ever after remain Duke of Bretagne and also thought good that he should shew himself inclinable to yield some Honourable Allowance to the Lady who called her self Dutchess Widow of the Lord Charles of Blois and that he should assign her some handsom Pension or yearly Revenue to be payable out of some certain place where it should best please her And he granted also that he might do to the King of France for that Dutchy as other Dukes his Predecessors have done heretofore This answer the Lord Latimer brought back again to the Earl who having read the King his Father-in-Law's Letters and understood his pleasure as to the Premises by advice of his whole Council sent presently for the French Commissioners to come before him at which time he gave them a very agreeable Answer But it was said to them expresly that the Earl of Monford would by no means lay down his Claim to the Dutchy of Bretagne but that he would remain Duke thereof and so be called while he lived Notwithstanding whereas the French King would have him peaceably to open his Cities Towns and Castles and to yield Faith and Homage unto Him and to do all other Rights and Services which the Dukes of Bretagne have done in times past all this the Earl is well content to do nay he shall gladly acknowledge the French King for his Natural Lord and render unto him his Homage and Service in presence of the Peers of France And further he makes Offer to give Friendly Aid Help and Comfort to his Cousin Relict of the Lord Charles deceased and moreover to use his Interest to deliver his Cousins her Sons out of Prison in England This Answer extreamly satisfied the French Lords and they took a certain day whereon these Matters were to be fully Ratified and Concluded at Guerande and with that the City of Quimpercorentin and all Bretagne was to be entirely his Accordingly the French Deputies sent away to the Duke of Anjou who was then at Angiers having from the King of France full Commission and Authority to conclude this Treaty or to lay it aside at his pleasure When the Duke of Anjou saw the Conditions he had a long Deliberation for thô he found the Earls Proposals extreamly reasonable considering the juncture of Affairs yet he remembred he had promis'd other things to the Dutchess his Mother-in-Law which notwithstanding he now saw to be exceeding difficult for him to perform But at last he was wholly overrul'd to accept and Ratifie the Treaty and the two Knights that were sent to him returned back to Rennes with his Answer engrossed and sealed Then the Messengers of the French King and the Deputies of Earl Monford went and met d Mezeray c. at Guerande where soon after the Peace was fully made and compleated on both Hands and Quimpercorentin was forthwith yielded up and all other Places that had hither to held out against the Earl of Monford and He remain'd thenceforth True Duke of Bretagne on this Condition that if he should leave no Children of his Body lawfully begotten then the Dukedom should return to the Children of the Lord Charles of Blois and also that the Lady Jane late Wife to the said Lord Charles deceased should be Countess of Pentebria or Pontheure which Lands were of the Yearly Value of 20000 Franks And also that Duke John should come into France whenever it should please the King to send for him and render unto him his Homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne For the surer Confirmation of all which there were sundry Charters and Instruments interchangeably Engrossed and Sealed on both Parts Thus did John Earl of Monford at length obtain the Dukedom he had so long contended for and henceforth remain'd Duke thereof without any contradiction till other Wars broke out again as We shall shew in due place When this Concord and Agreement was made between King Charles of France and the Duke of Bretagne the said King who was very Politick and desired greatly to win to his side as many brave Souldiers as he could restored unto the Gallant Young Lord Oliver Glisson what his Grandfather King Philip had taken from him when he so cruelly and unjustly put his Father to Death as we have e Vid. Lib. 1. c. 22. §. 8. p. 299 shew'd in the XVIII Year of King Edward's Reign After which time this brave Lord Clisson did by his Vertuous behaviour so win upon King Charles by degrees that at last nothing of moment could be done in France without him and he might e'n do whatever he pleased Which liberty however he used to no Mans hurt but only he utterly forgot his old Friends the English and ever after prov'd a true Frenchman And thus at last was the Fertile Country of Bretagne allowed a most pleasing Respit after those long and Cruel Wars which had almost emptied her Veins of the best Blood in France All the Natives were extream glad at this happy Change and received their New Lord with an universal Respect and unfeigned Joy he taking Faith and Homage of all the Cities Towns and Castles and of all the Prelates Barons Knights and Gentlemen of the whole Country Shortly after his Dear Lady Mary of England Fourth Daughter of King Edward was honourably convey'd over the Seas into Bretagne and there again the Marriage Rites were solemnly renewed with Feastings and Publick Rejoycing in the City of Nantes and in process of Time f Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 179. he had Issue by this Lady John Duke of Bretagne called the Sage Father of Peter and Francis both Dukes of Bretagne who died without issue Richard Earl of Estampes and Arthur Duke of Bretagne also the Third of that Name And thus We shall leave this Valiant Duke in the full Enjoyment of his Good Fortune till the Wars between France and England being renewed shall give us an Occasion to bring him upon the Stage again IV. Nor was there only a full Peace established thus in Bretagne but about the same time also Queen Jane Aunt to the King of Navarre and Queen Blanch his Sister endeavoured so earnestly that there was at last a Peace struck up between the French King and the King of Navarre chiefly by the prudent and dextrous Menagement of that renowned Lord the Captal of Busche who shew'd himself so diligent in Composing of Differences between these two Princes that in Consideration thereof King Charles wholly discharged him of all Obligations which lay upon him as to
e Frois c. 239. fol. 143. Fabian p. 250. M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 233. departed out of England with a Princely Equipage and set sail for France being received at Boulogne by several Persons of the Highest Quality and by them conducted to Paris At some distance from the City he was met by the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy and the Lord Ingleram of Coucy Earl of Bedford his Brother-in-Law who convey'd him to the Louvre to the Presence of the King of France his Lodgings being provided in the Kings own Palace The first day he din'd and supp'd with the King at his own Table the next day he dined with the Queen at another of the Kings Houses near St. Paul and having danced after dinner with the Ladies and passed his time in such Amorous Gallantries and Recreations as young Princes usually divert themselves with in presence of that agreeable Sex he was again by the two foresaid Dukes of Berry and Burgundy conducted back to the Louvre where he supped with the King that Night also On the day following the two Dukes entertain'd him in like Manner at One of their Houses named Artois in Paris and the Day after he dined and supp'd again with the Queen and on the next Day being a Thursday he took his leave of the King and Queen who gave unto him and to the Chief of the English Lords in his Company sundry Gifts to the Value of 20000 Florens And so he was convey'd as far as Sens in Champaigne by the Earl of Tancarville and other Noblemen and from thence to the utmost Bounds of France by Knights and Gentlemen of that Kingdom to whom at parting he gave several Rich Gifts with many thanks Having thus passed thrô France he came into Savoy where he was very kindly received at the City of Chambery by the Generous Earl of Savoy whose Sister the Lady Blanch was Wife to Galeas Duke of Milain and Mother to the Lady Violantis Prince Lionel's Espoused Lady Having tarried there three Days which were all spent in Magnificent Entertainments Balls and Dancing with the Ladies and Gentlewomen he took his leave and began to set forward the Earl himself bearing him Company to Milain Where he saw his Niece Daughter to Duke Galeas given in Marriage unto Prince Lionel in the Famous Cathedral of Milain on the 29 Day of May f Lit. Dom. B.A. Pasch 9. April being a Monday and the next day after the Festival of the Holy Trinity in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXVIII Duke Galeas in Honour of this his Son-in-Law g Paul. Jovins in Galeatio 2 do p. 152. ex co Stow p. 267. Sandford p. 220. is said to have spent such abundance of Treasure as seem'd to surpass the Magnificence of the most Wealthy Monarchs For not to mention all the Sumptuous Feasts Balls Justs and Tourneaments and other stately and divertive Spectacles set forth on this occasion nor to summ up the great and large Gifts which were given to the Lord Edward Spencer and more than 200 other English Gentlemen who came out of England to wait on the Prince the Marriage Feast alone was so extraordinary that We may by that Conjecture the Largeness of Duke Galeas his Soul the full satisfaction he had in this Match and the Abundance of his Coffers For in that One Feast where Francis Petrarch the Laureate Poet of Italy was present being for Honour of his Learning seated among the Guests of the Highest Quality there were above 30 Courses of service upon the Table and between every Course as many Presents of unusual Magnificence intermixed all which John Galeas the Duke's Son and Prince of the Chosen Youth that waited that day presented unto Prince Lionel as they were brought up to the Table In one Course were presented Seventy Good Horses richly Adorned and Caparizon'd with Silk and Embroider'd Furniture and in the other Courses came up Vessels of Silver Ger-Falcons Hounds Armour for Horses Costly Coats of Mail shining Breastplates of Massy Steel Corslets Helmets and Burganets adorned with High and Rich Crests and Plumes Surcoats embroider'd with costly Jewels Knights Girdles and lastly Pictures of Gold beset with Gems and Purple and Cloth of Gold for Mens Apparel in Great Abundance And such vast Provision was there at this Feast that the Meats which were brought from the Table would have plentifully sufficed 10000 Men. II. But while the Accomplished Young Prince lived with his New Lady after the Manner of his own Country in continual Sports and Revellings besides the more boistrous Exercise of Tourneaments as forgetting or not regarding his Change of Air and what Diet was most proper for the Italian Clime within Five Months after his Marriage he fell into a grievous Sickness in the City of Alba Pompeia now called Longeville in Italy in the Marquisate of Monferrato in Piedmont in the House of his Father in Law the Duke of Milain Whereupon perceiving his Disease to be Mortal by h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. Sandford p. 221. his Testament bearing Date there upon the Third of October 1368 he bequeathed his Body to be buried in England in the Convent Church of the Augustine-Fryars at Clare in Suffolk before the High-Altar and gave thereto a Black-suit with all the Appurtenances as also his Black Cloth Embroider'd To his Lady Violantis He bequeathed his Vestment with Gold Coronets and all that belonged thereto Item to Sr. John Bromwick Knight his Courser called Ger-Falcon to Dr. John Capell his Chaplain a Girdle of solid Gold therewith to make a Chalice in Memory of his Soul to Thomas Waleis the Circle of Gold wherewith his Brother the Black-Prince was created Prince and to Edmund More the Circle wherewith he himself had been created Duke that we may pass over the many other Great Legacies which he gave to the Lord Edward Spencer Thomas Newborne Esquire and others then attending him in Italy And so being at that time i Vid. Ashmole's Garter c. One of the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter he finally departed this Life k Sandford Dugd. ex Escaet 43. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 23 c. on the Vigil of St. Luke the Evangelist being a Tuesday and the 17 day of October the same Year not without suspicion of being * Knighton p. 2629 n. 50. poisoned by some subtle Italian trick to prevent that Glory which perhaps some Envy'd that he should attain He left behind him only One Daughter his Heir by Elizabeth his First Wife called Philippa then but l Sandford p. 222. 13 Years of Age and soon after given in Marriage to Edmund Mortimer the Third Earl of March of that Great Family from whom by the Mothers side came Edward the IV. Thô for the present he was deposited in the Chief Church of Pavia a City of Milain yet soon after according to his Testament his Body was brought over into England by Thomas Newborne
the said Duke of Hainalt and yet by many other Ties were they obliged to the English Interest and each of them was by Covenant retain'd to serve King Edward with a 1000 Spears apiece at their own Charges And therefore they not only advised the King now to bring over Duke Albert but they also Themselves joyn'd their Perswasions so that what by their Means and the English Gold he was at first won to declare himself for England But when the Lord of Cominges who was then in the Court of France heard thereof he hasted into Hainalt where he menaged Matters so cunningly with the Lord John Verchin Seneschal of Hainalt by whose Advice all the Dukes Matters were chiefly order'd and who in his Heart lov'd the Interest of France beyond that of England that by the Concurrence of the Earl of Blois and the Lord John of Blois his Brother together with the Lord of Ligny and the Lord of Brabanson who were all well belov'd with the Duke and Dutchess of Hainalt King Edward's Design was wholly quash'd and the labour of his Ambassadors overthrown Thô even they could obtain no more of the Duke than this that both He and his Country would stand Neuter in the Affair and the same Answer was also return'd by the Lady Jane Dutchess of Brabant For at that time her Husband was absent being in France where he contracted secretly a League with that King. VI. And surely King Charles of France who was a notable Politician had secretly prepared himself many Friends both in Hainalt and Brabant almost two years before and had brought over to his Interest the greater part of the Chief Counsellors and Friends of all the Great Lords of both Dukedoms And now to put the better Gloss upon his renewing the War and to make his Cause more plausible in the Eyes of the World he copied out divers Extracts of the Letters relating to the Peace made at Bretigny and ratified at Calais and therein he set forth the Substance of what he according to his Obligation had done and of what the King of England and his Children had not done thô by Oath and Honour bound thereto All along producing such Articles and Points as made for Himself and against King Edward but cunningly concealing smothering or colouring what made to a contrary purpose So that his Cause seem'd only just and the English bare all the Blame And also he privately caused certain Learned in the Laws to be Feed to set forth their Opinions at large concerning the Right of the French King against the King of England both as to the Matter of the Crown and also to the Superiority and Resort of Aquitain and there are yet f M.S. Reverendi Dr. Joh. Spencer S.T.P. C.C.C. apud Cantab Magistri Decani Ecclesiae Cathed Eliensis Extant two Discourses on that Point written by two Famous Doctors of those Days belonging to the University of Bononia in Italy whose Names were John de Lyana and Richard de Salicete Many of which Papers and others of the like Nature together with his own Letters the French King procured to be published in the Courts of all the Princes and Great Lords his Neighbours the better to prepare them to allow of his Quarrel So that King Edward to save his Credit was obliged also to use his Pen against this New sort of Enemy and to justifie and defend his Claim and to prove the Breach of the Peace to lie wholly at the French Kings Doors which he performed notably by his Letters sent into Germany and other Places where he valued his Reputation or thought to have any Friends From which Humour of both the Kings g Paul. Aemyl p. 294. c. Paulus Aemylius rather ambitious to shew his Rhetorick than Historical Fidelity has invented two notable Declamations which he ingeniously enough fancies to have been said before Charles the Emperour and his Son Wenceslaus the one by an English Orator in Behalf of his Masters Cause and the other by a Frenchman who holds the contrary opinion Whereas if that Author had consulted Decorum he would have remembred that King Edward often protested to acknowledge no Mortal whether Pope or Emperour as Judge of his Controversie and that he had but little Reason to expect to find the Emperour any thing favourable to him since he slew his Father at the Battle of Cressy and could not be ignorant how mightily he was addicted as well as more nearly allied to King Charles and the House of France Wherefore we who religiously endeavour to avoid these Gaudy Vanities thô we have Matter enough of Authentick Arguments to fill up a Speech or two yet preferring the venerable simplicity of Truth to all the Fucoes of Vain-Glory shall here set down the Arguments on both Hands as they were then really stated by the Best Lawyers of both Kingdoms in which doing ãâã where our Authorities cannot be seen our Faith be called in question We declare not only that our selves are wholly ignorant in this as well as many other Sorts of Learning but that the Ancient Copies are to be seen in Latine in a M.S. of the Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet Dean of St. Pauls and in English in another M.S. of the Reverend Dr. Spencer Dean of Ely and Master of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge which English Copy appears to have been with much Care translated from the other by some Person of Quality for the Use of that Most Noble Prince of Wales Henry Eldest Son to King James the First And to omit the several Preambles touching Succession of Women and Succession by Representation as also touching Distance of Degrees and Collateral Succession I shall the readiest way come to the Matter but first thô in some measure we have more than once stated the Case before it is necessary for Evidence sake here again to set down the Matter of Fact as it happen'd in the Realm of France Videlicet That King Philip Son of St Lewis King of France had two Sons lawfully begotten Philip the Fair and Charles of Valois And that the said Philip being Eldest after the Death of his Father obtain'd the Kingdom and that Charles deceased leaving behind him Philip of Valois his Son lawfully begotten That afterwards Philip the Fair begat Three Lawfull Sons Lewis Philip and Charles and also One Daughter named Isabel who was married to the King of England and brought forth Edward the Third whilst the foresaid Philip Grandfather to the said Edward remain'd alive That at last Lewis and Philip Brothers to Isabell being Dead without Issue Male King h This to be favourably taken for Philip died first and then his Three Sons in order succeeded Arguments for the French Kings Right Philip their Father also died That after him reigned the foresaid Charles his only Son surviving who likewise died without Issue Now according to the State of the Fact the Question doth rise in Law to be this The Lady Isabell next
there was no English Army in those Parts able to fight Sr. Bertram or to raise the Siege they called a Council of War and concluded to treat with the Constable which they did so discreetly that they were permitted to go away with all their Goods and what they pleased to carry and were also conveyed safely into Limosin where they incurred no Blame of their Friends for what they had done Thus Sr. Bertram prosper'd in this Expedition and wan many Towns and Castles from the English before he return'd into France VIII But now 't is time to look at home and see how King Edward behaves himself in this juncture He for his part m M. S. Rot. Parl. p. 107. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm p. 111. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 234. in the first Week of Lent being the Beginning of March held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster at the opening whereof William of Wickham Bishop of Winchester and then Lord Chancellor of England declared in the Painted-Chamber before the King Lords and Commons how since the last Sessions his Majesty had defrayed a Mighty Mass of Money and had sent over considerable Armies for the Conquest and Recovery of his Own And that he had lately received perfect information of the Great Power which the French King had prepared therewith to drive him from his Inheritance beyond the Seas as also of his Vast Navy whereby he meant to Subject unto him the whole Realm of England of all which the King demanded their Counsel and Advice Then there were appointed Receivers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland Guienne and other foreign Places and Isles and Tryers also for the said Petitions At this time * Stow p. 268. M.S. vet Ang. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 234. the Clergy granted unto the King an Aid towards his Wars in France of Fifty Thousand Pounds to be paid that Year towards which Sum Chantry Priests were taxed according to their Annual Receits and also small Benefices which had not been taxed before And the Laity also Lords and Commons granted unto the King for the Use aforesaid the like Sum of Fifty Thousand Pounds to be levied of every Parish within the Realm at the rate of 22 s. 4d. the greater Parishes helping out the less supposing according to the Common Opinion that there had been as many Parishes in England as would have sufficed to answer the said Sum. Wherefore Writs were directed into all the Shires in England that the King might be certified of all the Churches in every Shire and of their Number Upon which it was found that the said Sum of Fifty Thousand Pounds might not be raised in that Manner as had been proposed The mean while among other things because all the High Offices of the Realm had been engrossed in a manner by Men of the Church n M.S. Rot. Par. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm ibid. M.S. vet Angl. in Bâbi C.C.C. Cantab. c. 234. to the Disherison of the Crown the Lords and Commons petition'd that for the future Secular Men only might be Principal Officers of the King's Court and Houshold the Chief of which Places were there named particularly as that of the Chancellor Treasurer Privy Seal and the like and none of the Clergy they being enough taken up by their Spiritual Affairs if they minded them according to their Duty Saving unto the King his Prerogative freely to choose or remove Officers provided they may be of the Laity only To which Petition althô the King's Answer was then That he would do by Advice of his Council yet we find that in this very o Philipots Catal Chancellorâ p. 43. Month of March William of Wickham Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England did deliver up the Great Seal unto the King at Westminster who immediately deliver'd it to Sr. Robert Thorpe One of the Justices of the Law. At the same time p Philipâts Catal Treasurers p. 39. Godwin Catal. Bish 40â Thomas Brentingham alias Brantington Bishop of Excester was also removed from being Lord Treasurer in whose Place Sr Richard Scroop of Boulton a Baron of the Realm succeeded on the 27 of March. And then it passed into a Law that for the future the Chancellor Treasurer and Clerk of the Privy Seal should not be Spiritual Men but that Secular Persons only should have those Employments After which thô sometimes indeed the Clergy did attain the said Dignities yet it was much more seldom and in process of time very rare or never This done q M.S. Rot. Par. p. 107. §. 8. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgm p. 111. Sr. Robert Thorpe the New-Lord Chancellor declared that for as much as Easter drew near all the Petitions of the Commons could not be answer'd at that time But that after the said Feast the King would take Care to answer them And so the King thanked the Lords and Commons for their Travel and Aid and gave them leave to depart The next Sessions was held at r Ita M.S. Rât Parl. rectè sed Winchest apud Sr. Rob. Cotton Westminster in the Octaves of the Holy Trinity then next after at which time the Lord Chancellor declared unto the Lords and Commons there assembled how their late Grant of 22 s. and 4d out of every Parish would not amount to 50000 l. because by the Return into the Chancery it appear'd that there were not so many Parishes in the Realm Whereupon the Lords and Commons for the perfecting the foresaid Sum granted unto the King of every Parish-Church assessed within the Realm Five Pounds Å¿ Ita M.S. rectè ut videtur sed Sr. Rob. Cotton legit 10â Sixteen Shillings comprising therein the foresaid Sum of Twenty Two Shillings and Four Pence except the County of Chester and all such Lands of the Church as had been amortized before the Twentieth of King Edward the First The Form of the Commission for this Subsidy was read before the King and the Collectors and Commissioners were appointed by the Knights of the several Counties and there were set down the t Vid. Stow p. 268. c. ubi tamân errer in numer is nân facile emend ânduâ Names of every Shire with the Number of the Parish-Churches therein and the Sum to which the Gross of the Payment of all the Parishes amounted Which was in all 50181 l. 8 s. Whereof the Odd 181 l. 8 s. was deducted because thrô great Poverty the Parishes in Suffolk paid but Five Pounds Twelve Shillings and Seven Pence apiece and those in Devonshire but Five Pounds Twelve Shillings and Ten Pence Farthing And so the King was answer'd his full Summ of 50000 l. But Cheshire a County Palatinate I know not for what Reason came not to this Parliament and so was not reckon'd among the other Counties nor in the Tax Thô in the City of Chester there were Ten Parish Churches and in the Shire Eighty Seven more besides Chappels In this
Reverend Brethren Cardin is of the Holy Roman Church viz. Simon of the Title of St. Sixtus and John of the Title of the Four Crowned Saints Priests-Cardinals Nuntio's of the Apostolick See. Lest therefore ô most Beloved Son the Eastern Parts do now irreparably run to ruine and fall irrevocably into the Hands of cruel Barbarians We thought good to have our Recourse to your Piety earnestly entreating and desiring you in the Lord JESVS CHRIST and also perswading you in Order to the Remission of your sins that considering the Premises with such pious Meditation as is fitting you would induce the said King of England and our Beloved Sons John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge Sons of the said King to whom also We write to this very purpose to make a good and lasting Peace and Concord with the said King of France and to provide for some Succour as shall seem good to them in the said next Expedition when for such as shall be willing to pass the Seas a mighty Fleet will be equipped by the said Genoans So that such great Evils may soon be obviated and the said Peace being made which God grant who is the Author of Peace speedy Succour may be sent unto the said Eastern Parts For We request very many Princes and Nobles for speedy Succour by writing unto them effectually for that Purpose And what shall seem good to your Magnificence in the Premises forget not to write back unto Us as soon as may be Dat. apud Villam Novam Avenion Dioeces Kal. August An o Pontif. 1 mo Thus did his Holiness use his utmost Diligence to oppose the Success of the Infidels Arms by healing the Breaches of Christendom but the French King being now more confident upon the late League with Spain was less carefull to hearken to moderate Terms and so this Design fell and the War continued open as before XV. The q Frois c. 296. Duke of Lancaster and his Brother the Earl of Cambridge tarried at Bourdeaux with their New Ladies in great Jollity and Sporting till after Michaelmas about which time the Duke resolved to return into England not only because there was a Great Council to be held about Carrying on of the War but also that he might more particularly inform the King his Father of the Affairs of Aquitain But before his Departure he summoned all the Loyal Barons of Guienne to meet him at Bourdeaux Where he declared unto them How he design'd to go for England about certain Affairs relating to their Advantage and the Weal and Safety of all Aquitain and that by the next Summer at furthest he would be there again with them if so it should please the King his Father And all Men being highly satisfied with these Words he appointed the Noble and Valiant Lord John de Greilly Captal of Busche his Deputy Governour of all Guienne and with him he joyned as Assistants the Lord of Mucidan and the Lord of Lesparre In Poictou he set as Chief Governour the Lord Lewis of Harcourt and the Lord of Partenay and in Sainctogne the Lord Lewis of Argenton and the Lord William of Montendre and all his Seneschals and other Officers he left in statu quo priús Then there were nominated certain Representatives for the Good Towns of Gascogne Sainctogne and Poictou who were to go along with the Duke of Lancaster into England the better to inform King Edward of the State and Condition of Aquitain the Chief whereof were the Lord Guischard Dangle the Lord of Pinant and Sr. Emery of Tarse When they had all made themselves ready for the Voyage the Duke of Lancaster went on Ship-bord with his Lady the Dutchess and her Sister and his Brother the Earl and a great Company of Men of Arms and Archers so that the Fleet consisted of Threescore Good Vessels together with those that bore their Provision and Necessaries They had Wind at Will and so landed with safety at Southampton where having tarried two Days they went all to Windsor to the King. He was glad to see his two Sons the Duke and the Earl and his Daughters the two Spanish Princesses and also all the Lords and Knights Strangers But in especial manner he welcom'd Sr. Guischard Dangle for he was a most Valiant and Loyal Baron and one who had a Deep insight into Men and Matters CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. The Death of the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny II. Some Overtures for a Peace but both the Kings prepare for War. III. King Edward designs the Duke of Lancaster to invade France by Calais and Picardy and the Earl of Pembroke by Rochell and Poictou IV. The Earl of Pembroke being come before Rochelle has a sharp Engagement with the Spanish Fleet but on the second Day is beaten and taken Prisoner with many more V. Sr. James of Surgeres obtaining his liberty on easie Terms makes Relation of the Fight to the Rochellers The Spanish Fleet bear off with their Prisoners and set sail for Spain The Captal of Busche with a great Number of Men of Arms comes to Rochell all too late VI. An Account of one Owen or Evan a Pretended Prince of Wales He serves the French King against England VII He invades the Isle of Garnsey and overthrows the Governour thereof in Battle and lays siege to Cornet Castle but is call'd off by the French King and sent into Spain VIII King Edward's Concern for the loss of the Earl of Pembroke and his Designs for the Security of Poictou which are dash'd by new Affairs from Bretagne IX Owen of Wales being in Spain insults over the Captive Earl of Pembroke The English Prisoners presented to King Henry who uses them respectfully but commits them to safe Custody X. The Captal of Busche reinforces the Garrison of Rochelle and goes and clears the Country about Soubize of the Enemy XI The Constable of France takes Monmorillon Chauvigney Lusac and Moncontour Poictiers much strengthned by the Lord Thomas Percy and Sr. John Devereux XII AN. DOM. 1372. An. Regni Angliae XLVI Franciae XXXIII The Frenchmen laying siege to St. Severe the Captal of Busche the Lord Thomas Percy and Sr. John Devereux prepare to raise the siege XIII The Constable takes the Place before their coming and is invited to come and take Seisin of Poictiers which he does with all speed XIV The English and Gascogners hereupon separate the latter going to Thoüars the former to Niort which latter being shut against them is taken by Storm and Garrison'd for England XV. Owen of Wales brings a Fleet from Spain before Rochell Soubize being besieged by the French is rescued by the Captal of Busche but Owen of Wales coming suddenly upon him he himself is taken and so Soubize follows his Fate XVI The French take St. Jean D'Angely Angoulesme Taillebourg and Sainctes XVII Rochell Castle obtain'd by stratagem The Inhabitants submit to the French King on Composition XVIII Sr. Bertram
the Lords Clisson Tournemine Beaumanoir and Rochefort Sr. William of Bourdes Sr. Oliver Manny Sr. Reinald of Limosin Geoffry Ricon John de Lansonet Alan de St. Pol Carswell and other Captains all who with their several Retinues went before St. John D'Angely which they prepared to assault But the Inhabitants seeing how fast the whole Country fell away and despairing of any timely Succour now their Chief Governour the Captal was taken Prisoner yielded themselves and voluntarily engag'd for the French Interest After this they presented themselves before Angoulesme which submitted in the same manner and this Example was followed by Taillebourg a Town of Sainctogne from whence they went and lay before Sanctes the Chief City of that Province where they were two Days without any Success Because their Captain Sr. William Ferenton resolved as he said not so lightly to yield up so considerable a Place but rather to stand stoutly to his Defence But there was within the Bishop of that See who was a perfect Frenchman and made such Harangues to the Citizens that they siezed the Captain and threatned to kill him unless he would agree to deliver the Town So thrô fear he was obliged to consent but on this Condition that He and his Men might go away freely without any Harm or Impeachment And thus was Sainctes also given to the French and Sr. William Ferenton with his Men had safe Conduct to go to Bourdeaux XVII Now the Spanish Fleet of which we spake lay still at Anchor before the City of Rochell with Owen of Wales and many Bretons and French among them And all the while the Rochellers held under-hand Treaty with them for they durst not openly declare their Minds while the Castle remain'd in English Hands Wherefore also they had hitherto dissembled till by little and little the main Strength of the English Garrison had left them while they went to prevent the Loss of other Places As particularly the Lord John Devereux had lately gone to reinforce the City of Poictiers with fifty Spears having left the Castle of Rochell in the Custody of Philip Mansel an English Esquire who had with him in Garrison about an hundred Men of Arms more Now at this time there was a Burgess Mayor of the City a subtle Man and a secret Enemy to the English named John Chaudron who having one day in a close Caball assembled the Chief of his Faction said unto them My Friends We see dayly how our Neighbours turn to the French side and because We delay to do the same I sear We shall be shortly so strictly beleaguer'd as well by Land as now by Water that We shall not tell which way to stir nor dare to put our Heads out of the Town Wherefore in my Opinion 't would be good to take heed betimes and to consider how We may Reduce this Castle into our Power which hath been so great a Curb unto Vs heretofore Surely at this time it is but meanly provided with Men and honest Philip Mansel the Captain has no great Wit to boast of I intend therefore to tell him how I have received a Command from the King of England to cause all the Inhabitants of the City that bear Arms to appear in the Field and be exercised at the time and place as I shall tell him That I may take their Musters and view their Number and the Goodness of their Horses and Armour as also of those within the Castle and so send word thereof unto the King. And hereupon I shall Command him in the King's Name to come forth of the Castle and to make his Musters together with Vs which I believe he will not scruple to do as I shall handle him And if so We will be provided of an Ambush of 200 Men of Arms lying among the Old Walls without the Castle which Ambush stepping in between him and the Bridge shall cut off his Return The mean while others shall be ready to compleat the Design and so We shall take them at our pleasure and be Masters both of them and also of the Castle This project was agreed on and kept secret till one day the Mayor who was Author of the Invention invited Philip Mansell to come and dine with him and several Burgesses also most whereof were then of the English part but they knew nothing of the Plot. There was a great and Splendid Dinner indeed and many things relating to the King of England's Affairs were at that time discussed and the Mayor acted his part very well But after Dinner he produced a Letter with King Edward's Broad Seal appendant to it the better to perswade Philip Mansell to believe him whom he knew to be ignorant of Letters And Philip for his part saw and knew the Seal very well but he could not read a Word whatever he pretended by looking on In short the Mayor took the Letter and read it unto him as he pleased otherwise than it was written the unlearned Captain looking over him all the while as if he read along with him thereby to conceal his Ignorance which yet the Cunning Mayor knew well enough Then he said to Esquire Mansell Captain by the Tenor of this writing You see and hear how our Sovereign Lord the King hath Commanded Me and also You by Me to make our joynt Musters Wherefore in the King's Name I now require You to come forth to morrow Morning and take a View of your Men as I likewise according to my Duty shall do The Captain who suspected no harm in the least said he would be ready to do his Duty and so took his leave and return'd to the Castle That same Night before Day the Mayor took 200 Men of Arms and laid them in an Ambush near the Castle among the Ruines of old Walls that were without and at such an Hour he caused the Watch-Bell to be sounded and all the Inhabitants to be Armed On the other hand Philip Mansell having Armed Eighty Chosen Men marched forth of the Castle in good Order at the Head of them toward the Field where the Rendezvous was to be But when he was once pass'd the old Walls the Ambush rush'd forth and placed themselves between him and the Bridge and then he saw he was betray'd However he fac'd about Couragiously upon them hoping by force to recover an entrance into the Castle again But then came the Mayor upon his Reer with the Commons of the City to the Number of 2000 Fighting Men So that the English being thus unequally match'd and assailed from before and behind were compelled to yield only for safeguard of their Lives They could obtain nothing further But for all that the Castle was not yet won For Esquire Mansell had left behind 20 Valiant Men still in the Place besides their servants Valets and Officers of the Castle who seeing their Captain thus intercepted had by this time drawn up the Bridge again and shut the Gates Whereupon the Mayor being exceedingly enflam'd
Expedition then Richard of Bourdeaux the Prince's only Son living should succeed according to Right unto the Crown of England For the Black-Prince u Churchill's Divi Britannier p. 245. whose Wisdom fell no way short of his Courage knowing how apt they are who stand nearest unto a Throne to step first into it was so carefull to prevent any Disorder of that kind which might be feared from the Ambition of his Brethren the Eldest of whom had already the Title of a King that he obliged his Father at this time to declare his Son Richard the next Heir to the Crown after the Decease of the King and of his son Edward Prince of Wales And now the Prince himself x Frois c. 305. c. shew'd in Full Parliament that if he should happen to die before the King his Father then his Son Richard as being next Heir was to succeed to the Crown of England after the Decease of the King his Grandfather And here besides the Equity of Law and Nature and the Unalterable Rule of Succession never but by Treason Usurpation and Violence transgressed in the Kingdom of England the Prelates Lords Knights and all the Commons of the Realm had such a Veneration for the Prince of Wales because of his many Heroick Vertues that with one Consent they all agreed to so Reasonable a Motion and took it upon themselves and their Posterity that they would always be true to the Right Line especially to the Lord Richard and this they desired to be enacted not without apparent Demonstrations of extraordinary joy And first the King himself then all his Sons and after that all the Lords of England Spiritual and Temporal sware to uphold and maintain the Right of the Young Prince Richard in case of the Prince his Fathers Decease And to this Ordinance the Prince of Wales caused them all to put their Hands and Seals before they went away The Commons only express'd their Concurrence by Holding up their Hands and Consenting all together Nor is this to be look'd upon as a Case not before clear enough or that it was possible for the Prince to doubt the Right of his Son but that it became the Wisdom and Tenderness of a Father by all lawfull Arts imaginable to corroborate the Title of a Presumptive Orphan against the open or secret Attacks of Ambition or Treason Accordingly to set an early Mark of Sovereignty upon the Young Prince Richard the King his Grandfather by Commission y Pat. An. 46. Ed. 3 pars 2. m. 25. Vid. Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 191. bearing Date at Sandwich the 30 Day of August in the 46 Year of his Reign constituted him his Custos Regni or Lieutenant during his Absence beyond the Sea. And having given Directions that Publick Prayers should be made in all Churches for his Good Success in this Voyage that same Day being a z Claus 46. Ed. 3. m. 12. Derso Lit. Dom. DC vid. Ashmole p. 667. Monday about Nine of the Clock he went on Board at Sandwich in a Ship called the Grace de Dieu with as Great a Fleet as ever any King before had carried forth of England There was with the King at this time the Prince of Wales who had as then recover'd to a tolerable degree of Strength also the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge his Brethren the Earls of Salisbury Warwick Arundel Suffolk and Stafford with the Lord Edward Spencer then newly return'd out of Lombardy whither he went with Prince Lionel Duke of Clarence four Years before There was also in this Expedition the Lord Henry Percy afterwards Earl of Northumberland the Lord John De la Ware Sr. William Nevile younger Brother to the Lord John Nevile Sr. Ralph Frescheville Baron of Cryche Ancestor to the Freschevilles now Barons of Stavely and several other Lords Knights and Esquires of England to the Number of 3000 Men of Arms and 10000 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen This Great Navy set Sail for Rochelle coasting Normandy and Bretagne but the Wind was adverse and would by no means serve them XX. The mean while the French King who had perfect knowledge of all these vast Preparations against him had made no small Assembly of Men of War from all Parts to resist so Considerable an Enemy And as it was said He himself now at last intended to have a Pull before Thoüars with the King of England all things seeming to be laid upon this last Stake On the other hand the Loyal Gascogners and others who held in those Parts for King Edward prepared now to joyn him with their utmost Forces And first the Lord Archimbald Greilly Uncle to the Captal of Busche at the instance of the Lord Thomas Felton Seneschal of Bourdeaux came to the General Rendezvous at Niort with 300 Spears among whom were the Lords of Duras of Courton of Mucidan of Rosan of Languran of Landuras and Sr. Petiton Coutras and Sr. William Ferenton an English Gentleman All these went from Bourdeaux to Niort the place of Rendezvous where they found Sr. Thomas Percy Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. John Creswell and many more to the Number of 1200 Spears and lastly Sr. Richard Ponchardon came and joyn'd them with 1200 Spears more So that all France was now alarm'd and swarm'd with Souldiers of one part or the other XXI All this while King Edward and his Sons with their great Army were on the Sea not being able by reason of Contrary Winds to take Land at Rochell or thereabouts as was design'd And that strange Fortune which before was always ready to wart that Prince over but very Difficult to convey him back was now quite otherwise disposed and became an eminent Hinderer of his Glorious Designs So that for this Success France was beholden to the most inconstant of Elements or rather to the Benign Providence of Him who governs both the Winds and the Seas King Edward having thus for a Months space struggled to no purpose against Wind and Fortune when he saw now the Feast of St. Michael come and that it was impossible for him to keep the Time appointed for the Rescue of Thoüars was obliged to break up this Expedition as he did with great Displeasure of Mind and gave leave to his Men to return home as they pleased But at his Return he had Wind at Will and immediately after the Wind was favourable for those Parts so that 200 Sail of English Merchants who traded for Wine arrived at Bourdeaux whither they were bound the very day after St. Michael King Edward for his part besides that he was thus strangely hindred from keeping his Day before Thoüars is said to have lost more than 900000 Marks or as one says Pounds in this Expedition XXII Now about a Week before Michaelmas the Barons of England and Gascogne that were beyond the Sea marched from Niort toward Thoüars in order to joyn the King of England but they were extreamly surprised when they saw the Day
beyond his usual Custom for the space of five or six Years at which time there fell a new Occasion of Dissention and so the War began again as violently as ever But nothing of this will fall within the Compass of our History which is to end with the Life of King Edward IV. Now while the two Sieges were held by the Frenchmen before Becherel and St. Saviour le Vicount there being a strong Report how Owen of Wales was coming by Sea with 6000 Men of Arms designing to take Land in England and to burn and destroy about in the Country King Edward g Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 647. appointed the Noble Earl of Salisbury William Montagu to guard the English Seas he himself being at that time h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 648. retain'd by Indenture to serve the King with no less than 300 Men of Arms whereof 20 besides himself were Knights and 279 Esquires and 300 Archers Not to mention the several Retinues of the other Lords and Captains with him as Sr. John Montacute Brother to the Earl of Salisbury i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 649. Sr. William Nevil Sr. Philip Courtney Sr. William Lucy Sr. Brian Stapleton and others This Fleet k Dugd. ibid. p. 647. Frois ut ante consisting of Fourty Great Ships besides Barges and of 3000 Men of Arms besides Archers set forth from the Coasts of Cornwall and made directly for the Port of St. Malo in Bretagne Being arrived and finding in the Haven seven huge Spanish Carracks they burnt them all whereat all the whole Country was surprised verily believing that the English had had their Intelligence and Direction from the Duke himself Hereupon in all Towns Castles and Fortresses the Bretons held their Duke in great suspicion and had a stricter Eye to their own Defence than formerly V. Now the Duke's most secret Intentions had before this been fully discover'd to the French King by certain of his own Knights to whom he had let fall some Words in Favour of the King of England and his Title Whereupon he commanded his Constable to undertake an Expedition into Bretagne enjoyning and empowering him to take into his Hands all Towns Cities and Fortresses and to siese on the Bodies and Goods of all that should resist For the l Frois ibid. f. 188. k. sed Gallice f. 257. c. King and his Council had already agreed that the Duke had now forfeited all his Lands as having received his Enemies the English into his Towns and Castles and he also himself took Part with the King of England and had entred an Alliance with Him against the Crown of France of which he held his Dutchy of Bretagne by Faith and Homage So the Constable went from Paris to Angiers where he made his Rendezvous and there came to him thither the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Alenson the Earl of Perche the Earl of Porcien the Dauphin of Auvergne the Vicounts of Meaux and of Aunay Sr. Ralph de Coucy Sr. Robert de St. Pol Sr. Ralph de Ravenal Sr. Lewis of Sancerre Marshal of France and at great Number of the Barons and Knights of Vermandois Picardy and Artois besides those that came thither from the Marches of Anjou Poictou and Touraine On the other side the Earl of Salisbury who lay with his Fleet in the Port of St. Malo was well enformed of these mighty Preparations of the Constables and how in a manner all the Dutchy of Bretagne was ready to revolt from the Duke Whereupon he sailed thence till he came to Brest which was one of the strongest Places in the World but threatned as he heard to be besieged by the French Wherefore he reinforced the Place with Men and Victuals VI. A little before this the Duke of Bretagne was gone for England For when he heard how the Constable was coming with such a Power against him He durst not repose any Confidence in the strength of Vannes or of Dinant nor indeed in the strongest Fortress of Bretagne lest the Inhabitants should deliver him up to the French as they had done to his Father before him Wherefore he resolved for England as well to avoid the impending storm as to hasten Succours but first having constituted Sr. Robert Knolles his Deputy Governour of all Bretagne during his Absence he went to visit his Castle of Auray between Vannes and Hennebond which held firm to him still An English Knight named Sr. John Austen being Captain thereof under Him. With this Knight he left the Lady his Wife desiring Him to keep her well which he promised to do against all the World to his Power From Auray the Duke rode to Sr. Matthew du Fine-poterne which undutifully closed her Gates against him wherefore he passed on to le Conquet and there took shipping for England VII The mean while the Constable was come into Bretagne with a great Army to whose Banners there resorted all those Lords and Knights of Bretagne who had been at the Siege before Becherel leaving that affair to be carried on by the Lords of Normandy When the Constable was thus reinforced he went first to Rennes the Inhabitants whereof knowing how their Lord was adjudged by the Peers of France to have forfeited all his Lands and that these Forces were accordingly sent to take them in resolved by no means to stand out against the Constable but without any further Scruple received him peaceably acknowledging him for their Sovereign Lord in the Name of the French King whose Person he now represented Having thus taken Possession of Rennes He presently rode before Dinant which also submitted in like manner so did afterward the Great City of Vannes But Luzemont after a bold Resistance being taken by Force all within were put to the Sword. Thence the Constable went to Jugon which yielded unto him so did Gony en la Forest so did la Roche D'Arien and the Town of Guingand St. Matthew du Fine-Poterne and St. Malo in the Isle After this he took in Quimpercorentin alias Cornovaille then Quimperlay and other Fortresses thereabout all which yielded without a stroke except Quimperlay whereof John Rous an English Esquire was Captain who when the Town was taken was slain by the hands of Sr. Oliver Clisson who for all the Benefits he had formerly received from England did now so hate all Englishmen that he hardly took any to Mercy that once fell into his Hands It was the Constables Resolution first to reduce Bretagne Britonant because that part was always more inclinable to Duke John's Interest than Bretagne Gallicant and therefore he chiefly bestirr'd himself in these parts But now 't is time to see what became of Sr. Robert Knolles who had been made the Duke's Lieutenant of all that Country His Courage was so notable and his Conduct so good that there is no doubt to be made but he would have given the Constable Battle before this had he but had the Hearts of the People But alas His
at this present in the Hands of Italians and other Strangers what they be and of what Value and how every of the said Benefices are named and how much every of them is worth by the Year not as by way of Tax or Extent but according to the true and full Value of the same As also to know the Names of all and singular such Strangers as are now Incumbents or occupy the same and of every of them Likewise the Names of all those whether English or Strangers of what State or Condition soever they be who have the Occupation or Disposal of any such Benefices with the Fruits and Profits of the same on the Behalf or by Authority of any of the foresaid Strangers by way of Farm Title or Procuration or by any other way or means whatsoever and how long they have occupied or disposed of the same and withall if any of the said Strangers be now resident upon any of the said Benefices We command you as heretofore We have done to send Us a true Certificate of all and singular the Premises into our High Court of Chancery under your Seal distinctly and openly before the b b Whitsunday fell this Year on the 21 of May. Lit. Dom. A. Pascha 2 April Feast of the Ascension of our Lord next coming without further delay returning also this our Writ at the same time Witness our Self at Westminster the 16 Day of April in the 48 Year of our Reign of England and of France 35. By Vertue of this Writ Certificate was accordingly sent up to the King into his Chancery out of every Dioecese in England of all such Spiritual Livings as were then in the Occupation either of Priors Aliens or of other Strangers whereof the Number is said to have been so great that it would take up several sheets of Paper to set them all down Wherefore it seem'd high time for the King to seek a Remedy in that Case either by Treaty with the Pope or otherwise considering what a vast proportion of the Revenues of his Realm was by this means convey'd away being either employ'd to the Relief of his Enemies or however of such who were neither his Subjects nor Friends An Instance whereof may be seen in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments at the last Year of the Reign of King Edward III. II. Shortly after the Return of the said Certificates the King sent Mr. John Wickliffe who was afterwards an Eminent Reformer in England and at that time Divinity Professor in the Famous University of Oxford together with certain others his Ambassadors beyond the Seas with full Commission to treat with the Pope's Legates concerning the foresaid Matters and other Affairs then depending between his Holiness and the King. The Tenor of their Commission runs thus viz. Rex * Fox Acts Men. p. 554. al. Edit p. 390. Vniversis ad quorum notitiam praesentes literae pervenerint c. The King unto All to whose knowledge these Present Letters shall come Greeting Know Ye that We reposing assured Confidence in the Integrity and Abilities of the Reverend Father John Bishop of Bangor and other our loving and Loyal Subjects as Master John Wickliffe Reader of the Divinity Lecture Master John Guttern Dean of Segovia and Master Simon Multon Dr. of the Law Sr. William Burton Knight Master John Belknap and Master John Honington have directed them as our Ambassadors and special Commissioners to the Parts beyond the Seas giving unto our said Ambassadors and Commissioners or to any Six or Five of them among whom I will that the said Bishop shall be One full Power and Authority with special Command to treat and consult mildly and charitably with the Legates and Ambassadors of our Lord the Pope touching certain Affairs about which We before have sent the said Bishop William Vghtred Monk of Durham and Master John Shepey to the Apostolick See and to make full Relation of all things done and transacted in the said Assembly That all those things which may tend to the Honour of Holy Church and the Advancement of our Crown and this our Realm may by the Assistance of God and the Wisdom of the Apostolick See be brought to good effect and accomplished Witness our self at London the 26 day of July in the 48 Year of our Reign These Commissioners were met at Bruges about the beginning of August by the Pope's Nuntio's Bernard aliàs Benedict Bishop of Pampelone and Ladulph or Rodulph Bishop of Senigaglia and Giles Sancho Provost of the Church of Valenza Who were likewise commission'd from the Pope to treat c Odor Rainald ad hunc annum §. 21. quem vide sis Concerning the Liberties of the Church of England and of the Prelates and other Ecclesiastical Persons of the said Realm of England But this Treaty held off and on for about two Years after when at last it was concluded d Walsingh hist p. 184. n. 10. Churchill's Divi Britannici p. 36. that for the future the Pope should desist from making use of Reservations of Benefices and that the King should no more confer Benefices by his Writ Quare Impedit But as to the Elections aforesaid concerning which Ambassadors had been sent to the Court of Rome the Year before there was nothing mention'd in this Treaty The Reason whereof was ascribed to the Politick Dealing of some who knew they could more easily attain to the Episcopal Dignities which they aim'd at by the Court of Rome then by due and regular Elections that is rather by Money Favour and Interest than by any true Worth or Merit of their own III. But now 't is time to see what Deeds of War were performed this Year or rather what Advantage France gain'd and what Losses England suffer'd for things were grown to that pass at this time Soon e Frois c. 311. fol. 192. after Easter the Duke of Anjou being at Perigueux raised a great Army consisting of 15000 Footmen besides a considerable Number of Genoüese and Crossbows and the most part of all the Barons and Knights of Bretagne Poictou Anjou and Touraine with whom also the Constable of France was joyned and several Lords of Gascogne as the Lord John of Armagnac the Lords of Albret and of Perigort the Earls of Cominges and of Narbonne the Vicounts of Carmaine and of Villemur and of Talart the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne the Vicount of Mende the Lord de la Barde Sr Robert of Charde and the greater part of the Lords of Auvergne and Limosin With this Great Army the Duke of Anjou marched towards High Gascogne and came before Mont de Marsan which having took he proceeded to St. Sever whereof an Abbot was Lord who thô the Town was strong yet doubting to lose it by force fell to treat with the Duke of Anjou telling him that his Town and Fortress was but a small Matter in respect of other Towns and Castles in High Gascogne whither he suppos'd his Highness
but the known Piety and Moderation which King Edward used thrô all his Life and that he could not easily be at this time unmindfull of Death may appear in that many Years before thrô a Pious consideration of Human Frailty he close the Place of his Sepulture as a Lib. 3. c. 4 §. 14. p. 564. Ano. Regni 1359. we have shewn and likewise settled the Point of Succession afterwards and had also so lately seen his Gallant Son go the same way before him not to mention the many Instances of his Piety of which we shall speak by and by And as for that solitary manner of his Death it is every whit as improbable for the Court of the Next Heir being then hard by at Kennington and the Three Sons of the King being thereabouts all the while if Piety and Duty could not have kept his Servants about Him yet a Care of their own Interest must have caution'd them at this time not to shew too much neglect of the Grandfather of the Young Prince and of the Duke of Lancaster's Father Not to say any thing of the Earl of Salisbury the Duke of Bretagne and Sr. Guischard Dangle who as we shew'd were just come unto him a little before his Departure And besides He was so far from being totally neglected that every Moment of his Sickness was particularly observed by his Sons and Others So that on that very Day whereon he died before his Soul had left the Body the Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of London being certainly informed that his Case was now desperate sent certain of their Chief Citizens to Kennington where Prince Richard and his Mother resided to declare unto the said Prince their Loyal Affections to his Sacred Person and how ready upon his Grandfather's Death they should all be to accept of Him for their Lawfull King and Governour And yet had it been true that our Edward was thus left at his last Gasp by all his Waiters and Domesticks surely it would be very Hard Uncharitable and Unchristianlike to argue any thing against his Person therefore or to conclude his Death any whit the more miserable since then he could not be sensible of what happen'd and also it is very usual and ever will be for the Court to fall away from the Setting Sun and to turn toward the East XVII However thus died King Edward the Third of whom when his Enemy King Charles of France heard of his Death he gave this Testimony b Frâis c. 314. f. 196. Gallicè verò fol. 267. That He had Reigned most Nobly and Valiantly and well deserved to be added to the Number of the Antient Worthies And soon after he assembled all the Nobles and Prelates of his Realm with whom he Solemnly performed his Obsequies in the Holy Chappel of his Palace at Paris But in England there was great Sorrow made for his Death and immediately all the Ports were stopped lest the News thereof should reach France before the Affairs of the Kingdom might be settled A little before the Coronation of King Richard the Second the Body of King Edward was removed from Sheen and with a great Pomp of Sorrow his Three Sons John of Gaunt Edmund of Langley and Thomas of Woodstock and his Son-in-Law John the Valiant Duke of Bretagne and all the Barons and Prelates of England following the Herse was brought along thrô the City of London with Open Visage to Westminster where it was c Sandford p. 175. vid. Keep 's Mon. Westmonast solemnly interred on the South-side of the Royal Chappel in the Abbey of St. Peter near to the Body of his Beloved Queen Philippa as on her Death-Bed she had requested Where betwixt two Pillars parallel with the Tomb of King Edward the Confessor He hath his Monument of Grey Marble upon the Superficies whereof lies his Full Portraiture of Copper Gilt and upon the Verge of the Tomb these Old Verses are ingraven beginning on the North-side at the Foot being Latine Rhyme after the Manner of that Age. Hic Decus Anglorum Flos Regum Preteritorum Forma Futurorum Rex Clemens Pax Populorum Tertius Edvardus Regni complens Iubileum Invictus Pardus Bellis pollens Machabeum Prospere dum vixit Regnum Pietate revixit Armipotens Rexit Iam Câlo Coelice Rex sât Tertius Edvardus Famâ super aethera Notus PVGNA PRO PATRIA MCCCLXXVII On both Sides of this Tomb are the Figures of all his Sons and Daughters in Solid Brass viz. On the South-side in several Niches are Edward Prince of Wales Joan of the Tower Entitled Queen of Spain Lionel Duke of Clarence Edmund of Langley Mary Dutchess of Bretagne and William of Hatfield under which their several Escutcheons of Arms Enamelled are placed And also under them the Arms of Saint George and of King Edward the Third interchangeably on Four large Shields of Brass Enamelled On the North-side were the Statues and still there remain the Arms of Isabell Lady Coucy William of Windsor John Duke of Lancaster Blanch of the Tower Margaret Countess of Pembroke and Thomas of Woodstock near unto which Sepulchre they will still shew you the Sword which it is said this King used in his Wars in France being only Cross-barr'd Seven Foot long and weighing Eighteen Pounds I will not dissemble d Cod. M. S. Misâell R. Glover Somerset fol. 135. that there is somewhere attributed unto him one Natural Son besides his Twelve Legitimate Children named Nicolas Litlington who was Abbot of Westminster and lies buried in the said Abbey before the Altar of St. Blase But there are several Arguments which with me weigh down the Credit of this single Testimony as his Age he being made Abbot immediately after Simon Langham sixteen Years before this whereas usually Old Age is required for such and he survived King Edward but e He died 1386. Keep 's Men. West p. 52. Nine Years He bare for his Arms f Vid. Keep 's Mon. Westmonast p. 13. Quarterly Argent and Gules in the Second and Third a Fret Or on a Bend Azure Three Flowers de Luces of the Third His Character may best be gather'd from his History but however we shall again represent him in little according to those lively Colours wherewith the joynt Concurrence of the best g Walsing hist p. 189. Heur Knighton p. 2630. Foae Acts Mon. p. 394. Daniel's Hist p. 260. Ric. Dinothi Advers p. 92. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 144. Stow p. 269. Holinsh p. 999. Weever's Fun. Mon p. 466. c. Authors have represented him He was a Prince the soonest a Man and the longest that held so of any we meet with His Stature not exceeding the usual Bigness of Men but of the Middle sort h Vid. Hakewill's Apology for Providence p. 212. that is just six Foot or two Yards High his Limbs neat and well-made his Body strong his shape Exact his Visage something Long but exceeding Comely Gracefull and Angelical
Lord Mauley Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick John Earl of Warren and Surrey the Lord Walter Manny Ralph Lord Nevil of Raby Henry Lord Percy John Lord Gray of Codonor the Lords Alexander Hilton Ralph Camois Thomas Furnival Gilbert Aton Adam Wells John Moels alias Mules beside the Lords John Willoughby and John Fauconberg both who fought Valiantly under the Banner of the Lord Ebulo le Strange There were also these Lords John Moubray Bartholomew Burwash senior Robert Lord Clifford William Lord Clinton Hugh Lord Audley junior afterwards Earl of Gloucester Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton Sr. John Roos and Thomas Brethren to William Lord Roos Sr. Hugh Courtney son and Heir apparent of the Lord Hugh Courtney the Elder and Sr. Robert Pierpoint g Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 458. whose services that day were so Considerable that they obtain'd him an High Place in the Kings Favour And from him the present Thrice-Noble Earl of Kingston is Descended It is h Walsing hist p. 114. n. 40. Knighton p. 2559. n. 10 20. generally agreed that the Scotch Army did by far exceed the English in number and the Courage of that Nation was never justly called in question yet thus by their own want of Experience or disadvantage of Ground or Divine Judgment they were slain taken and routed by a far less number of English who yet in the whole Action lost but one Knight one Esquire and twelve or thirteen Footmen fifteen being the most that are said to fall on our side So great and signal a Victory could not but enforce the yielding up of the Town and Castle which were before so much distressed and could now expect no other timely Succour Accordingly i Id. ibid. n. 29. that very day or rather as k Walsingh p. 114. Fabian p. 199. Holinsh p. 896. M.S. ibid. c. some say the next both were deliver'd up to King Edward who gave the Townsmen l Knighton p. 2â64 n. 60. a Truce for 40 days in which space of time they might sell or otherwise dispose of their Goods such as had a mind to depart but as for those who were willing to become his Liege Men he gave them free leave to remain in their dwellings still and enjoy their own they giving unto him their Oath of Fealty Of these were Earl Patrick of Dunbar late Captain of the Castle and Sr. Alexander m Hector l. 15. p. 316. l. 32. Bachan p. 289. Seton himself Captain of the Town who certainly would never have sworn Loyalty to him had he so cruelly executed his Sons as the same Scotch Writers too rashly report Sr. n Knighton p. 2564. Alexander Ramsey also and Sr. Robert Miners with Other the Chief of the Town to save their Houses and Lands there took the Oath of Allegiance King Edward entred into Barwick with great Solemnity where having tarried twelve days he appointed King o Frois c. 26. Grafton p. 228. Bailiol to rule all the rest of Scotland and left with him the Lord Richard Talbot and many other valiant Leaders with a sufficient Army to keep that Realm that is all beyond the Scottish Sea but he himself claim'd Barwick both by Inheritance from his Ancestors and his own Conquest And there therefore in his own Name he immediately places the Lord Henry Percy as Governor of his Castle of Barwick with his Lieutenant Sr. Thomas Grey and the Lord Patrick Earl of Dunbar was joyn'd in Commission with them as Wardens jointly of all on this side the Scotch Sea which he had received to his Peace Only Earl p Hector l. 15. fol. 316. lin 37. Patrick had this Penance imposed on him by King Edward That since upon the first Arrival of the English he had thrô despair to keep it caused his Castle of Dunbar to be dismantled and rased to the ground he should now at his own charge rebuild it and admit an English Garrison therein The Lord John q Thoroton Nottingh Antiq. p. 164. Darcy having obtain'd much honour in this War return'd now with all his Forces to his Province of Ireland where all along he exercis'd much wisdom and integrity in that his Government and upon his return presently deliver'd Walter Bermingham Primate of Armagh out of the Castle of Dublin of which matters to enlarge would be foreign to our purpose VIII But the Pious King Edward of England in r Ashmâle Garter p. 645. Memory of this great Victory which happen'd as we have shew'd on the Eve of St. Margaret the Virgin that Festival being in the Roman Calendar on the Å¿ Malè ergo Ashmole 13. ibid. 20 of July repaired the Church and Convent of the Nuns near the place where the Battle was sought it having upon that Occasion been burnt and destroy'd and caused an Altar to be therein erected and dedicated to that Virgin-Martyr He further granted to those Nuns and their Successors for ever 20 l. per annum out of the Issues of the Town and County of Barwick untill Lands to that value might be settled upon them to the end That annually on the Eve and Day of St. Margaret for ever they should commemorate the Goodness of God for his so prosperous Success in that Battle As for the Bailiol about the Feast of St. t Knighton p. 2565. n. 1. c. Laurence which is the tenth of August even before the King of England had left those parts he put himself in the Head of an Army of about 26000 men all English or such Scots as had yielded to serve him and to prosecute this Victory marched forth into the very Heart of Scotland taking Towns and Castles at his pleasure for none resisted him And there he took up his Winter Quarters all the Country being subjected unto him as we shall shew more fully anon About this time it was as the best Authors agree that King u Fabian p. 199. Frois 33. David Bruce being thus in a manner deprived of his Kingdom was both advised by his Friends and forced by Necessity to forsake his Native Country for a while and fly to the protection of his old Confederate of France All this was happily effected by the Loyal assistance of Malcome Flemein of Cumirnald the Captain of the impregnable Castle of Dunbriton under whose Conduct departing secretly with his Queen and a small Company he set sail for France and arrived safely at Bouloigne whence riding to Paris he was heartily welcom'd of King Philip who received him with extraordinary Courtesie offering him freely to command any of his Houses or Castles to reside in and to take up whatsoever he should want either for Use or Pleasure provided he would engage never to make any final Agreement with King Edward of England without his Consent first had and obtained thô at the same time the Lord x Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 34. Bartholomew Burwash the Elder and other Commissioners late sent from England were
thô not without some intermission by Reason of his many Wars continued to augment and adorn it with most Magnificent Buildings and Fortifications making it also the perpetual Seat of the foresaid most Noble Order So that even in his Days it became a very Famous and Illustrious Structure But since that in Memory of so Renowned a Conquerour and in respect to the Commodious Scituation of the Place as also for the greater Honour of the foresaid most Glorious Order succeeding Kings as Edward IV Henry VII and Henry VIII the Queens Mary and Elizabeth King James I and King Charles I have enlarged its Buildings Beautified its Prospect supply'd it with Water deriv'd from Blackmore Park into a Fountain of Curious Workmanship and made it more fresh and gay with constant Repairs pleasant Terrases and other Ornaments After all whom the late King Charles II out of a particular Respect to this Illustrious Place and in Imitation of all these his Royal Progenitors laid out vast Sums of Money upon its Repair and furnished it with a Curious and Gallant Magazine of Arms so well order'd and kept that it both Entices and Rewards the Curiosity of every Traveller that comes that way And thô the Seat be chiefly design'd for pleasure yet is it nevertheless beside the strength it receives from the foremention'd Arsenal fortify'd with deep Grafts and high Towers which command all its Avenues It is Scituate some twenty Miles from London upon the Banks of the Thames that furnishes it with Waters which embellish its Gardens with Fruitfull Currents Its circumference and extent is now so considerable that it may seem to vie with some Cities In short the Air is pure and serene the Architecture regular and well contrived all its Apartments Royally furnished its Gardens and Walks full of Diversion its Parks of Game and all things Worthy the Presence of the most Fortunate of Mankind The Scituation of this Place with its most Royal Fabrick thô Poetically is truly described by Sr. John Denham's ingenious * In Cooper's Hill. Muse after this Manner Windsor the next where Mars and Venus dwells Beauty with Strength above the Valley swells Into mine Eyes and doth it self Present With such an easie and unforc'd Ascent That no stupendious Precipice denies Access no Horror turns away our Eyes But such a Rise as doth at once invite A Pleasure and a Reverence from our sight Thy Mighty Master's Emblem In whose Face Sat Meekness heightned with Majestick Grace Such seems thy Gentle Height made only Proud To be the Basis of that Pompous load Than which a Nobler weight no Mountain bears But Atlas only that supports the Spheres In this Place King Edward at this time u Walsing Hypod p. 117. began to Erect a certain House called the Round-Table the Semidiameter of whose Floor viz. from the Center to the Circumference contained one 100 Foot so that the Diameter being 200 the whole Circumference comes to 600 Foot and about three quarters more For the Circumference exceeds the Diameter in like proportion as 22 bears to seven Towards the finishing of this Noble Work the King allowed an 100 l. Sterling to be expended Weekly thô afterwards by reason of his Wars he retrenched that allowance to 20 l. per Week But here it will not be amiss to speak something of the Original Use and Meaning of these Round-Tables And surely thô Arthur the Famous King of Britain is generally held to have been the Author of this Invention yet as we observed before in the Second Year of this History We find by Athenaeus that it was Customary for the Knights of Gaul to sit at Round-Tables to avoid Contention about Priority This Custom was renewed by King Arthur who from among x Ashmole p. 95. all those both Brittish and Foreign Worthies who came to his Court as to a Seminary of Military Discipline to give Evidence of their Skill in the Exercise of Arms selected certain of the most Noble and Expert Knights to the Number of 25 besides himself thô some say but 24 whom he united under him into a Fellowship or Order who sitting in their Chapters at a Round-Table were called Knights of the Round-Table The Place where the Founder first Instituted this Order was as y Frois l. 1. c. 100. Froisard witnesses Windsor thô not then called by that Name but by a Brittish Title Kaerguent And yet other Places were upon occasion allowed for the Assembly of the Society as z Vid. Selden's notes on Poly-Olbion Song IV. Winchester in Hantshire Cambelot in Somersetshire and Caer-leon in Monmouthshire To one of these every Whitsuntide these Knights made their repair where they held their Chapters and gave a due Relation of all their Actions and Adventures still attributing the Praise of all to God and the Virgin Mary We find these Round-Tables to have been renewed long after him a Ashmole f. 96. by King Stephen and Richard the First called for his couragious Soul Coeur du Leon or Lyon-Heart and We have also intimated before how in the Days of Edward the First the Lord Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore but not Earl of March as both Sr. William Dugdale and Esquire Ashmole inadvertently call him held the Celebration of a Round-Table with Tilting and Tourneaments which consisted of an 100 Knights and as many Fair Ladies of the Highest Quality And now King Edward the Third in like Manner designing b Vt Arturi memoriam resricaret Vincent Lupani de Magistratib Francorâm l. 1. to recover the Memory of King Arthur and to restore the Honour of the Round-Table that he might inflame the Minds of his own Lords with Military Glory and invite also to his side the bravest Sons of Valour from Foreign Parts resolved to hold a Solemn Justs at Windsor and caused this his Resolution to be c Frois c. 100. Proclaimed not only in his own Dominions but also in Scotland France Burgundy Hainalt Flanders Brabant and the Empire offering by his Heralds to all Knights and Esquires that would come to the said Feast his Royal Conduct for fifteen Days before and for as many after the Solemnity Which was to begin at Windsor on St. George's Day or the 23 of April as Froisard says then next ensuing But We shall prove hereafter that the appointed time was the 19 of January 1344 the full Institution of the Order of which that Saint was made the Patron not being till five Years after And in the Proclamation it was signified that King Edward himself would be there with the Chiefest of his Nobility Knights and Esquires and the Queen also to be accompanied with 300 of the Fairest Ladies and Virgins in their Richest Attire all of Noble and Honourable Families According to this Proclamation there came at the time appointed many Worthy and Valiant Knights from all the Parts aforesaid except France only For there King Philip gave a strict command to the Contrary and in hopes to
render this High Design of his Adversary of England less effectual He d Walsing Hypod p. 117. Daniels hist p. 223 Steed c. also at the same time set up a Round-Table at Paris to which many Knights came from Bohemia Luxemburgh Germany and Italy And at the same time also he gave e Fox Acts Monum ad an 1344. ex Walsingh Hypod. p. 117. ad hunc an free leave to any of his Subjects to fell down Timber for making of Ships and encreasing his Navy Whereby no little Dammage was afterwards done to the Sea-Coasts of England But however as for the Round-Table he Erected it proved of no great Advantage to him for King Edward here gain'd the Point of him most notoriously by adding to his Round-Table a peculiar Device of the Blew-Garter With which he Honoured his Order For thô the whole Design was not as now consummated more time being Requisite to settle so substantial a Society together with all its Laws Ordinances and other Circumstances yet because at least the Design was now formed and this Years meeting did certainly give Occasion for the Foundation of that most Noble Order which in the f Ità expressè Statuta ipsius Fundatoris Ad honorem Omnipotentis Dei Sanctae Mariae Virginis gloriosae 7amp Sancti Georgii Martyris Dominus noster supremus Edvardus post Conquestum Tertius Rex Angliae anno Regni sui 23 tio Ordinavit Stabilivit Fundavit quandam Sccietatem sive Ordinem Militarem infra Castrum suum de Windesore in bunc modum c. Idem affirmatur in Copiâ Hattoniana in Statutis per Henricum V. refermatis ut in Statutis per Henricum VIII Latinis apud Ashmole in Appendice Anglicis in M. S. penes me Vid. Ashmole's Garter p. 187. 23 l. of this King received its full Establishment I shall to clear my self once for all of this Subject take leave in this place to discourse of the Institution and Original of the Knights of the Garter IV. It has been a Common and current Opinion that Joan Plantagenet called by some Countess of Salisbury by chance letting fall her Garter in a Dance the Amorous King snatching it up for the sake of the Beautifull Owner contrived thus to make it Honourable to all Ages but this we have already shew'd to want Authority when We overthrew the very occasion of it by proving that King Edward was not in love with this Lady to which We now add that even Froisard who makes him to have been in love with her yet when he comes to the Order of the Blew-Garter takes no Notice that it was ever intended as an Honour or remembrance of this or any other Ladies Garter Polydor Virgil a Man of indifferent Reputation being the First that ever mention'd such a thing brings it yet but as founded upon Fama Vulgi Publique Rumor only Besides of all those that hold this Opinion there are different judgements as to the Name and Person of the Lady some calling her Joan some Alice some Katherine others making her Countess of Salisbury and others again saying 't was Queen Philippa her self who once departing from the Kings presence to her own Apartment he soon after following happen'd to espy a Blew-Garter on the ground which his Attendants slightly passing by the King who knew the Owner commanded it to be taken up and given to him at the Receipt whereof he said You make but small account of this Garter but within a little while the very best of You shall be glad to Reverence the like And that the Motto of the Garter HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE was the Queens Answer when the King asked what she thought Men would conjecture of her upon dropping her Garter in such a Manner This Mr Ashmole g Ashmole Garter p. 180. quotes thrô lapse of Memory as from Du Chesne who yet h Da Chesne Histoire Generale D'Angleterre D'Escosse D'Ireland p. 670. in the place alledged has no such matter but only speaks of the Countess of Salisbury whose Garter he says when the Lords seeing the King take up smiled he said in French as aforesaid which signifies Let him be ashamed that thinks any Evil. Now thô all must acknowledge our King Edward to have been the first Founder of this Order of the Garter yet some have sought higher for the Original even up to the time of King Richard the First who began his Reign Anno Domini MCLXXXIX This valiant Prince say they i Black-Book Preface p. 13. after he had Conquer'd the Isle and Kingdom of Cyprus and lay now before Acon or Ptolemais a famous City of Phoenicia on the Borders of Palestine held then by the Sarazens being much wearied with the Tediousness of the Siege at last thrô some secret Impulse at the intercession and mediation of St. George as he imagin'd was inspired with fresh Courage and bethought himself of this Device to tie about the Left Legs of a select Number of Knights a Leathern Thong or Garter for no better were then at hand whereby being put in mind of the Glory that should accrue to them in vanquishing their Enemies together with an Assurance of proportionable Rewards if they succeeded they might be roused up to behave themselves gallantly and with more vigour in those Christian Wars Which Fact of his was done in Imitation of the Ancient Romans among whom were various Crowns invented for the honour and encouragement of those who had or should do well in the Service of their Country Some of the Names of which Knights as many as I have met with for Antiquity sake I shall here remember Sr. k Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 470. Michael Carrington King Richard's Standard-Bearer from whom Sr. Francis Smith Lord Carrington is descended Sr. John l Weevers Fun. Mon. 318. 319. St. John Sr. Frederick m Id. p. 818. Tilney who received the Order of Knighthood at Acon or Ptolemais aforesaid Sr. William Waterville Sr. Rob. Sackville Sr. Richard n Dudg 1 Vol. p. 627. 662. Camville who leaving his Fellow Sr. Robert Turneham in the Government of Cyprus without the Kings Leave waited upon him at the Siege of Acon but died there These and some other valiant Knights being thus encouraged were soon after by their Emulous Valour chief Instruments of Winning that Great City from the Pagans Whereupon King Richard after his Return home from the Wars and his Imprisonment in Germany determin'd with himself to institute and settle this most Noble Order of St. George and the Garter by the Patronage of which Saint and the Emblem of which Badge the English Nation had atchieved such Honour As for King Arthur thô the Original of the Round Table in this Nation is by many attributed unto him yet none as I can find do carry up the least Notion of the Garter so far Wherefore the Summ of all that hath hitherto been deliver'd upon this Subject
Forest was in like manner suddenly slain by his own Cousin and Godson William Douglas the Son of Archimbald Douglas in Revenge of the Death of Sr. Alexander Ramsey While thus Scotland and especially the Family of the Douglasses was miserably divided in it self England and the Court of King Edward flourished with Honour Peace and Unity and the Lords of England laudably contended to outvie one another in Martial Worth and Bravery At Canterbury and Eltham in Kent at London Westminster Winchester Lincoln Windsor and other Places were held several Great and Magnificent Justs and Tourneaments Henry k Stow p. 245. Earl of Lancaster held a little after Easter a solemn Hastilude at Lincoln where were present with Isabel de Beaumont his Countess many Great Ladies and also certain Ambassadors from Spain who then came to Negotiate a Marriage l Stew ibid. Ashrnole p. 669. c. between the young Infant of Castille and Leon named Don Pedro Eldest Son and Heir Apparent to Alphonso XI King of Spain and the Lady Jane of the Tower one of the Daughters of King Edward who was then in the 13 Year of her Age. But this Poor Lady being espoused by Proxy and conveyed into that Country deceased presently of a great Mortality that then reign'd of which we shall speak hereafter At the Tourneament at m Dagd 2 Vol. p. 48. Canterbury among others Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk and Sr. John Beauchamp Brother to the Earl of Warwick had their Harness and other Accoutrements allowed them from the King the latter n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 231. being furnish'd out of the Kings Wardrobe with a Surcoat of fine Indian Silk embroider'd with the Arms of Sr. Stephen Cosington Knight Of whom thô he was not of Noble Blood we must needs Remark that he was a Gentleman of High Merit as will not only appear from the sequel of this our History but also may be rationally collected from this that his Arms were beaten on all the Eight Harnesses given by the King at this time and worn o Ashnââle p. 185. by Eight Renowned Combatants being the Challengers as the Prince of Wales the Earls of Lancaster and Suffolk Sr. John Grey Sr. John Beauchamp Sr. Robert Mauley Sr. John Chandos and Sr. Roger Beauchamp And at the Tourneament at Eltham we find among others that the Valiant and Noble Earl of p Dudg 1 Vol. p. 786. Lancaster and Hugh q Ashânâle p. 696. Courtney Earl of Devonshire besides their Harness and other Accoutrements both for themselves and Horses had each of them an hood of fine White Cloth embroider'd with Dancing Men in Blew Habits and button'd before with large Pearls which were allowed them out of the Kings Wardrobe We must here against our usual Method insert a matter or two not of any great affinity to our Affairs even before we come to the end of this Year because there will not then appear any such convenient Room the beginning of the next Year being continuedly joyn'd to the end of this IV. On the 9 of June this Year Joan Queen of Naples and Countess of Provence in France sold all the County of Venaisin together with the City of Avignon to Pope Clement VI for the Sum of 80000 Florens of Gold of Florence Which said Places thô r Mezerdy ad hunc ann in Mârgineâ some say the Money was never paid belong to the See of Rome to this day How Charles II King of Naples had first a Right to Venaisin from King Philip the Fair who gave it unto him Ano 1290 upon the Marriage of Charles de Valois his Brother with Margaret the Daughter of that King this is all well known But the First occasion of this sale I do not speak of Queen Joan's Necessities of which the Pope made his Advantage not being so vulgarly understood we shall briefly from the Authority of a very Å¿ Peireskias apud Petrum Gassendum in Vitá illiuâ p. 143. c. Judicious and Learned Gentleman declare it in this place In the Year 1209 Raymund the Third Earl of Tholouse being a Fautor of the Albâgenses who were accounted Hereticks and as was thought chiefly concern'd in the Murther of the Pope's Legate was now a second time Excommunicated by Pope Innocent III from which time he began to be despoiled of his Territories till little or nothing was left entire So that 19 Years after it was thus agreed at Paris that to Alphonso the Son of Raymund should fall only the City it self of Tholouse with a few appurtenanees that the other Places beyond the Rhosne should belong to the King of France but whatever was by him or his Ancestors possessed on this side the said River should be the Pope's Patrimony But because the Men of these Parts did unwillingly submit to the latter Part of this Agreement being thereby upon occasion obliged to have their Appeals to Rome and therefore clave to Alphonso and his Heirs about fourscore Years after Pope Boniface VIII wholly acquitted them of all such Appeals and after him Pope Clement V to win their Hearts the more removed his Seat to Avignon in the First Year of his Pontificate or the t Victerell p. 833. celiat cum Labbe Chren Tech. ad hunc an Year of our Lord 1305. So that now after all when upon the Death of Benedict XII u Hâââcârige sive Peiresâiam sive Gasendum qââa ab cirum alterutro Clemens VI pest Johannem âdaââtur cùm illum exceperit Benedicius bâne Clemens ut ex emmlus Pentif Histeriis censtat who succeeded John XXII Clement the VI became Pope Queen Joan flying unto Avignon from Lewis King of Hungary who came to Revenge the Death of his Brother Andrew her Husband whom she had murdred made now unto the said Clement a Deed of sale of all those Rights which the Earls of Provence had from the very time of the Partition made between Raymund Berengarius Earl of Provence and Alphonso Earl of Tholouse Ano. Dom. 1125 and let this suffice for that Matter V. A certain x Guido Tract 2. Dect 2. c. 3. in Chirurgiâ Magnà Vid. Guliel Tookeri DD. Charâsina sinations p. 83. Author that flourished in these days and as himself witnesses lived at Avignon in the Service of the said Pope Clement VI doth more than intimate that the French King Philip of Valois had the Gift of healing the Disease called the Kings Evil with the Touch of his Hand only Thô if so we may well presume that our King Edward had the same Vertue not only as having more Right to the Crown of France but as descended of King Edward the Confessors Blood who was eminently signal in this Miraculous Grace and from y Polyder Virg. Hist l. 8. p. 143. n. 10. Vid. Tooker's Charisma sanitatis p. 83 84 85. whom as it were by Right of Inheritance the following Kings of England have derived the same Power as Polydore Virgil
and many others have observed But to return to Affairs at home After * Stow p. 245. Easter King Edward made an Order in Council that none of his Servants should presume to take up any Victuals of any Man against his Will nor then without paying ready Money on pain of Punishment proportionable to his Offence and being banish'd the Kings Court for ever To the Execution of which Decree Sr. Richard Talbot Lord High-Steward of the Kings Houshold was appointed to have an Eye VI. The Truce taken between the two Kings at Calais last Year drawing now toward an end upon z Ashmâle p. 656. ex Rot. Franc. 15. Maâi 22 Ed. 3 m. 13. the Pope's Letters to King Edward he was prevail'd with to depute Thomas Falstaff Arch-Deacon of Welles John Carleton Canon of Welles both Doctors of Law and Frier John de Reppes of the Order of Mount Carmel who had Commission to prorogue the Truce and to Treat of a Final Peace The Truce they accordingly prorogued for six Weeks to Commence on the 13 of September following and to be observed throughout all Picardy Normandy Artois Boulogne and Flanders But the King well perceiving the delay and backwardness of the French to close with him sincerely either for a Truce or Peace in a Claus 22. Ed. 3 p. 2. m. 8. in Derse October next drew down his Forces to Sandwich intending to pass the Seas Whereupon the French were quicken'd to a speedy agreement as to the Prorogation of the foregoing Truce b 18 Novemb. Rât Franc. 22. Ed. 3 an 10 from the 18 of November 1348 unto the 1 of September 1349 on News whereof the King return'd to London VII On the c Knighton p. 26â0 Stow p. 248. Walsirgh hist p. 160 n. 20. Odor Rainald quanquaâ hâc 2 post annis pen. t. 25 of October King Edward solemnized the Translation of St. Themas the Confessor once Bishop of Hereford to the great Expence and Charge of his Kinsman the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe This St. Thomas had been also of the sirname of Cantilupe being in his Life time a Gentleman of a very Noble and Ancient House as appears * Vid. Dagd 1 Vol. p. 731. by the Antiquity of their Baronage in our Records but as Bishop Godwin d Gedâ Catal. Bps p. 457. says of a much more Noble and Excellent Mind For he was not only of a wonderfull Ingenuity and exquisite Judgement but even from a Child of great Diligence and Industry in his studies of Marvellous Exactness of Life and of incomparable Candour and Vertue His Father was William Lord Cantilupe e Mâtth Paris l. 17. p. 815. Dagd ibid. High-Steward to King Henry III of England a Man of great Power and Loyalty His Mother was the Lady Millicent Countess of Eureux in Normandy He first studied at Oxford and afterwards at Paris where having proceeded Master he return'd to Oxford and there apply'd himself to the Canon Law till he went out Doctor in that Faculty After this he entirely gave his Mind to the study of Divinity whereof he was to proceed Doctor in the Year 1273 Robert Kilwardby with whom he was very familiarly acquainted was then Provincial of the Friers-Preachers and Doctor of the Chair in Oxford when he was presented But before the time came that he should keep tho Act or rather the Act being by some Accident delayed till then the said Doctor Kilwardby was become Archbishop of Canterbury But this notwithstanding he vouchsafed this his old Friend the Honour to come down to Oxford to his Act on purpose and there gave him the Ceremonies of his Creation And it is observable that this Archbishop and Pâofessor in his speech after the Disputation among many other great Praises which he bestowed on him affirmed that he the said Archbishop having of many Years been Confessor to the said Candidate Dr. Thomas Cantilupe had never perceived him guilty of any sin which he could judge to be Mortal Certainly either the Confessee did a little mince Matters or the Confessor was blinded with the prejudice of Friendship or some other Infirmity or the Relator did take a little too much liberty in Honour of the Man. Who notwithstanding was no doubt of great Merit every way as may appear by these manifold Honours which as so many loud Testimonials of his Vertue were heaped upon him both Living and Dead For first he was made Arch-Deacon of Stafford then Chancellour of the University of Oxford then Lord f Philipor's Catal Chancellors p. 24. Chancellour of England and afterwards Bishop of Hereford lastly a few Years after his Death Canonised a Saint For whereas in his Travels to or as some say from Rome he departed this Life at Civita Vecchia a Town of Tuscany in the Year of our Lord 1282 and was Honourably buried in the Church of St. Severus there from whence afterward his Bones were brought into England and solemnly interred in his own Church of Hereford near the East-Wall of the North-Cross-Isle where we see an High-Tomb of Marble Within a few Years after his Death there being no less than g Nâc Harpsfeld Hist Feel Angl. secul 13. c. 21. ex Floril ad an 1287. 163 Miracles said to be wrought by him his Fame was so great that we find h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 92. ex Rot. Rom. 12. Ed. 2. m. 9. King Edward the Second in the Twelfth Year of his Reign and the Year of our Lord 1318 sent an Embassy to Pope John XXII about his Canonization And two Years after namely in the Year of our Lord 1320 i Oder Rainald ad an 1320. à § 43. ad §. 47. being the 13 of King Edward the Second on the XV of the Calends of May he was by the said Pope John Canonized with great Solemnity at Avignon and the VI of the Nones of October was set apart for his Festival as appears by the said Pope's Bull bearing Date at Avignon XII Cal. Maii Pontificatús nostri Anno IV. But now King Edward designing to Honour the Memory of this Holy Man took up his Bones this Year being k Nic. Harpsfield Hist Fecl Angl. secul 13. c. 21. Sixty five Years since he died and had them Honourably reposed in a Rich and Glorious Shrine of great Value This small Digression I ow'd to the Memory of this Worthy Prelate as well that the Reader might understand what kind of Man he had been whose Translation King Edward did now so devoutly solemnize as also because I believed that such a Person to whom so many of several Nations and Interests never envied the Title of a glorified Saint would much less by any Man of Modesty be envied an Honourable Mention in History VIII While King Edward was thus with as much Devotion as Splendour keeping a Feast in Memory of this Great Prelate Henry the Noble Earl of Lancaster was by him l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 786. ex Claus