betweene whom an accord was made in case the King of France and his Peeres with the Commons would approve thereof They being to that purpose by the Duke of Burgoyne solicited willingly gave their consent and appointed the Duke of Burgoyne to send his Embassadours sufficiently authorized to meete with King HENRYES Embassadours at Troyes in Campaygne and to that end the King of England was earnestly entreated so to doe who thereupon sent his Vncle the Duke of Exceter the Earle of Salisburie with others to the number of five hundred Horse to the Duke of Burgoyne who from thence came together with them to Troyes upon the eleventh of March were in that manner received as where affection and loving desire are the entertainers There it was quickly concluded that the King of England should speed himselfe to Troyes there to bee espoused to the faire Lady Katherine and to have assurance of the Crowne of France after the decease of the diseased Charles Whereupon with a guard of fifteene thousand choice souldiers accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester with the Earles of Warwicke Salisbury Huntington Longevile Tanckervile and Ewe the King of England came to Troyes upon the eighteenth day of May where hee was met by the Duke of Burgoine and divers of the French Nobility who attended him to the Pallace where the Queene with her Daughters the Dutches of Burgoine and the Lady Katherine gave him Princely entertainment where after some little pause whilst the intercourse of complement was passing betwixt the French and the English the King addressed himselfe to the Dutchesse of Burgoine demanding of her in befitting termes if shee thought her Sister Katherines affection was free and not in bondage to any to whom the Dutchesse with a gracefull smile made answer that shee durst pawne her soule her Sister till that houre shee first saw his highnesse was as free as any Virgin might bee but how shee stood affected now shee referred him to her owne answer opportunitie giving way as when mindes are willing it may bee easily apprehended the Lady Katherine was by the King interrogated how shee stood affected to marriage shee answered shee was to bee disposed of by the King otherwise if shee might have the libertie of her owne will shee would give him a more full answer and so making offer to depart King Henry with an amiable voice said Give but your consent and I will by Gods leave make all the rest agree or leave them landlesse or livelesse and thereof rest assured by this pledge of my faith and so tendered unto her a Ring of great price which she not without some blushing received and making a Courtly conge unto him left him and hee the company being come to his lodging hee gave order to his Commissioners to make speed in their consultations and not to give the least way to any procrastinations Whereupon that speed was used in their conferences that upon the twentieth day of May the Lady Katherine was affianced unto him in Saint Peters Church after this the two Kings with their Privie Councellours divers times met and all points of accord were reduced to a certaintie and concluded to which agreement the Kings and all present made faith for the performance and the Duke of Burgogny for his particular made oath as followeth I Philip Duke of Burgoignie for my selfe and my heires upon the holy Evangelists of God sweare to Henry King of England and Regent of France under King Charles that wee shall humbly and faithfully obey King Henry in all things which concerne the Crowne of France and the Common-wealth thereof and after the decease of our now Soveraigne Charles shall remaine faithfull leigemen to the said King Henry and his Successours for ever neither shall we admit or allow of any other Lord or supreme King of France but Henry of England and his heires neither shall wee counsell or consent to any thing that may bee prejudiciall to the said King Henry or his Successours or may bee damagefull to his life or limme but shall with all speed give notice thereof and endevour to prevent it The morrow after Trinitie Sunday being the third of Iune the Marriage with all befâ—…ting Ceremonies was solemnized and the King of England named and proclaymed heire and Regent of the Realme of France of this accord and the Articles subsequent the French King sent Copies all over France and King Henry the like to England in these words Henry by the grace of God King of England heire and Regent of France and Lord of Ireland to bee perpetually remembred of all Christians under our obeysance doe notifie and declare that whereas there hath bin divers Treaties betwixt our royall Father King Charles for peace and quiet to bee established betwixt the Realmes of France and England which have proved fruitlesse considering the many detriments thereby fallen not only to those Realmes but the disturbance of holy Church we have now concluded with our said royall Father for removing all distractions and accorded that our said royall Father and his ever to bee honoured Queene Isabell shall be entituled the Father and Mother of us and reverenced and respected in all things as such alliance shall require That the said King Charles shall during life hold and enjoy in peace and tranquillitie his royall Dignitie Crowne and Revenewes of all France And that all Writs Processe and Commissions and such like proceedings shall passe under his Name and Seale as King And that his Queene Isabell in case shee survive him shall keepe her estate and Title and all such rights and revenewes as were formerly enjoyed by Blaunch Queen Dowager to Philip Grandfather to King Charles That Queene Katherine should with all convenient speed bee sufficiently endowed in England with twenty thousand Markes per annum That during the life of Charles King Henry should not assume the Title of King of France and that the French King should write and entitle him our thrice noble Sonne Henry King of England and heire of France That after the death of Charles the Crowne of France would really and entirely remaine to King Henry and his heires for ever That in regard of the inabilitie of King Charles by himselfe to rule and manage the affaires of the kingdome King Henry should bee Regent and governe the â—…ame as to him should seeme expedient for the Kings honour and the commoditie of the Realme and Common-wealth That the estate of Parliament in France should retaine all accustomed priviledges power and authoritie That King Henry should to his power faithfully assist both Peeres and people to regaine all such things as did of right belong unto them and should protect all the preheminences priviledges and possessions of the Crowne of France That King Henry should support the Subjects of France against all forraine enemies and labour the suppression of all intestine debates and civill warres and endevour the increase of the prosperitie and peace of
France to peruent the groweth of so rancke a mischiefe sendeth the Dolphine with a puissaunt army who tooke the Earle with his youngest sonne and both his daughters and gained the Countries of Arminack Louergne Rouergue Moulessenoys with the Cities of Seuerac and Cadeack chasing the bastard of Arminack out of the Country by meanes whereof the marriage was then deferd and afterward disanuld The Christian Princes casting their contemplatiue lookes upon the misery of France for the present groning under the three arrowes of Gods vengeance Fire Sword Famine and the danger of England to be embroyled hereafter in the like wherof there were already discerned to many sumeptomes like themselues did by their severall Embassadors labour a peace betweene these two powerfull Kings and prevaile so farre That at a dyet at Tours in Touraine there appeared for the King of England William de-la-poole Earle of Suffolke Doctor Adam Milyes Keeper of the privy seale Sir Robert Rose and others for the King of France Charles Duke of Orleance Lewes Earle of Vendosme Perce de Bresse stuard of Poyton and Bartram Beavar Lord president of Presignry there came Embassadors likewise from the Emperor the Kings of Spaine Denmarke and Hungary to be mediators The assemblies was great and the expences greater every day then other each one striving to exceed the other in entertainment for the honor of their Masters many meetings were had many motions made but as one waue brings on another one quere encreased many doubs no full conclusion is made onely a truce for eighteene moneths is agreed vpon In the meane time the Earle of Suffolk stretching a point of his Commission beyond his direction withoutthe knowledge of his fellow Commissioners plotted a marriage with thekins woman of the French King the King of England in which businesse the Earle of Suffolke was so intentive and made such large vnnecessary proffers that he did not escape the aspertion of being bribed by the King of France to that businesse an enteruiew betwixt the two Kings of England and France is agreed upon without warant of King Heneryes part to be betweene Charters and Roane The Commissioners returne where nothing is forgotten by Suffolke that might illustrate the beauty and lovelinesse of the proposed Bride or the great vtilitie that might redound to both Kingdomes by the consummation of this marriage the King was easily induced to give credence to the relations but diuerse of the Kings Councels especially the Duke of Gloucestor opposed and give reasons against the proceeding first that her discent was not royall not her dignities but barely titular and all her fathers titles but disputable alleaging that Duke Rayner Father of Margarite the much commended Lady was but by himselfe stiled King of Scisill Naples and Ierusalem without any penny profit or foot of possession of any those places Next that his Pouerty was such that he could not subsist without continuall reliefe from his friends wherof his sonne in law must be euer a furtherer then the Duke obtruded the dishonor that would redound to the King if he should forsake the Duke of Arminacks daughter to whom he had in that ceremonious manner beene publirkly affiranced and the dangerous consequence of breach of faith and neglect of the friendship of so potent a neighbour and lastly the vnsufferable losse by the surendring and releasing his Title to the Dutchy of Anions so unadvisedly proffered by the capitulation of the Duke of Suffolke but all this while hee but laboured against prejudice for though it could not bee denyed but that his reasons were undeniable and better then could bee given to the contrary yet they must not have place of beliefe because Suffolkes affirmation and negotiation must not bee undervalued Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington is Created Duke of Exceter Humphry Earle of Stafford Duke of Buchkingham Henry Earle of Warwicke Duke of Warwicke and the Earle of Suffolke Marquesse of Suffolke The new Marquesse honourably accompanied fetcheth the Lady Margaret from FRANCE and shortly afterward she is Married at Southwicke in Hampshire and Crowned Queene of England at Westminster on the thirtieth day of May How advantagious this match was for the Crowne of England may bee gathered when shee brought not a penny portion the charge of comming being defrayd by the Marquesse who had towards the discharge thereof the full Fifteene granted to the King in the late Parliament and in exchange of her Person the Dutchie of Anion the City of Mauns with the whole Countie Mayne and so the best Props of the Dutchy of Normandy are surrendred into the hands of the French but affection is blind and what shall- be shall-bee youth rides in post to be married but in the end findes the Inne of repentance to bee lodged in The Duke of Arminiack in requitall of the King of Englands kind usage of his Daughter is a meanes to expell the English out of the whole Dutchy of Aquitan And it is to bee feared that God was displeased with the match for after the consummation thereof there was a quotidian consumption of the Kings Friends both in his owne Land and Forraine parts intestine warres are kindled at home and rebellion is rise in all parts abroad and which is most grievous of all after the slaughter of many thousands of his Christian subjects the confusion of his Vncles and their Posteritie almost the Deposition of himselfe the inhumane butchery of his Son the Queene must be sent home againe in as much misery and contempt as shee was now received with pompe and acclamations During the time of the truce as well to bee partakers of the jollitie of the Court at this time as to visit their familiars and friends the Regent and chiefe Commanders resort to England and there put the King and Councell in mind to provide a cloake ready though Sunne shone bright lest it should raine Whereupon a Parliament is assembled wherein is especiall provision made for the furnishing of all the Frontier townes but principally the places of Normandy To which end levies of men and money are made and all things usefully-necessary are prepared But a sparcke of fire is fallen amongst the flaxe which though little and unseene at first grew to an unquenchable flame for the Duke of Yorke being at first chosen Regent for five yeares and at the expiration thereof returning was received nec merito with great love and commendation After the death of the Earle of Warwicke who succeeded him in the Regency hee againe as a man well-deserving the place is sent over with the like Authority and instructions for other five yeares but Somerset which envied the Duke of Yorkes first advancement and still was full of peccant humours against his continuance of that place so undermined Yorke that by the meanes of the new Marquesse whose favour from the King and Queene now was beyond mediocrity and into whose more inward familiaritie Somerset was now
the Citizens of London a privie seale for the loane of five thousand markes for a yeere which were presently provided and at the time prefixed as orderly repayed which with the royall entertainment he gave them upon invitation at Windsor and the store of venson sent by him with them to make merry with their wives at home won the harts affectiōs of the Londoners both male female That from thence forth no pleasure was denied that they could procure him The Scots make an inrod into Northumberland against whom the Duke of Gloce. was sent with some power but they were retreated before his comming Iames King of Scotland shortly afterward sent Embassadors to treat of a marriage between his eldest son Iames Duke of Rothsay Cecily the kings second daughter This overture for a match was by King Edward his councell embraced and divers great sums of mony as part of her portion were delivered to the Scots but with this proviso that if the marriage did not take effect that the provost and Marchants of Edenborough should be bound to repay the same This Iames K. of Scotland was too much wedded to his own opinion couldnot endure any mans advise how good soever it were that he fancied not he would seldom aske counsel but never follow any by reason wherof such of his counsell as more respected the honour of the kingdom the publike good then what should be pleasing to his private conceits or peculiar fancy did divers times reape exilement and ill will for truth speaking and well meaning so that the way to win his favour could not be found out or followed but by flattery whereby few or none but thrasonicall parasites and camelion timepleasers would follow the court or continue their places therin hence came it that many ignoble affronts were offred to the King of England more disrespects done to his own nobility Insomuch that his brother the Duke of Albany was enforced to ◅and on the Country and to fly for refuge into England where he was by King Edward respectively entertained From him was the King of England truely informed of the weake disposition of King Iames wherewith King Edward was so much incensed that hee made speedy preparation of a competent army which being sufficiently accōmodated withall necessaries for the field under the conduct of Richard Duke of Glocester accompanied with the Duke of Albany they marched towards Scotland The Duke in the way tooke in Barwick and besieged the Castle which was resolutely defended by the Earle Bothwell The Duke perceiving no good to be done against the Castle but by famishing them having sufficiently taken course to secure the towne from sallies leaving the Lord Stanley behind to continue the siege he with the residue of the army marched toward Edenbrough where within the Castle of Maydens the King of Scotland had immurde himselfe The nobility of Scotland observing the miserable spoyle that the English army did the impossibility to prevent it by opposition endevored by humble submission to procure a peace at least a cessation from wars which with much importunitie they obtained at the hands of the general under these conditions 1 That ful satisfaction should be presently given to the English for all damages and wrongs done by the late incursions 2 That the D. of Albany whose friendship the general laboured to be made firme unto him should be fully restored to grace place whatsoever had bin taken or withheld from him by the king his brother and an abolition of all former discontents betwixt them 3 That the Castle of Barwick should immediately be surrendred into the generalls hands from thence no reduction either of that or the town attēpted 4 That all such sums of mony as had bin upon the proposition of the mariage as aforesayd delivered should be repayed or that befitting security should be given by the Provost Citizens of Edenborough for the orderly repayment therof at the Tower of London at some reasonable time before the day prefixed in case K. Edw. should signifie unto them that there should not be any further prosecution of the said proposition of marriage Al which except the first article were accordingly performed A Generall pardon and loving letters from the king are sent unto the Duke of Albany with an authentick instrument under the common seale of the Provost and Citizens of Edenborough for the performance of that part that belonged to them to the D. of Gloc. who upon the receipt therof the surrender of the Castle of Barwick with all ordnance and amunition therin of which and of the towne the Lord Stanley with a competent number of Souldiers to gard the same being made Captaine The generall with the rest of the army joyfully returned for England leaving nothing undon by the way to endeer himselfe to the good opinion of the Captaines the applause of the common Souldiers The faire proceedings in the Scotish expeditiō did not bring so much content to the K. of England but the dishonorable forgetful breach of oath of the French K. did much more molest and trouble him For he had received certaine intelligence from his Embassador leidger that the French K. not onely denied the paiment of the annual tribute of 5000. crowns agreed upon sworne to upon the ratification of the late conluded peace betwixt the kings kingdoms of England France But had also married the Dolphyn of France to the Lady Margaret daughter of Maximilian the son of the Emperor And therby notoriously infringed both the Article concluded for a match betweene him and the Lady Elizabeth K. Edwards daughter therby brokē his faith for the performāce thereof so solemnly plighted which much incensed the King of England so much the more by how much the care to provide a fitting match for his daughter when he deemed it to be past was now to begin to be taken hee resolves therefore to vindicate this unsufferable disgrace offred his daughter by punishment of the French kings periury herewith acquaints his Councell who unanimously conclude open wars to be proclaimed and provision to be prepared to prosecute the same to the uttermost in this businesse the Duke of Glocester was not slacke but daily though he knew it needlesse did inculcate to the King his brother how much it did import his honour to draw his sword and not to sheath it untill Lewis for expiation of his jniury had submitted his Crowne to the rightfull owner and given the King of England possession thereof And did make proffer both of purse and person to give him assistance therin to the uttermost preparation for the invasion of France is making in every place to which the King is very proclive But whilst he is intentive in the businesse hee is suddainly attached by the hand of death and without Glouc. hand though not without his wish upon the ninth of Aprill 1483. at Westminster departed this mortall life
Saint Albones and Waltham without presence of the Nobilitie or confluence of the Commons and without the expence of a dinner after the celebrating of the Funerall But Henrie the fift caused his body to bee taken up and removed to Westminster and there interred amongst the Ancestors with Queene Anne his first wife in expiation of his Fathers violent and unfaithfull dealing it was not amisse in regard of the Common-wealth that hee was dead yet they who were actors in his death had small reason to reckon it among their good deeds These accidents attend such Princes as being absolute in power will bee too resolute in will and dissolute in life Humphry the Sonne and heire of the Duke of Glocester in his returne out of Ireland where King Richard had left him prisoner dyed of the plague at Chester the newes whereof kild the Dutchesse his Mother about this time dyed Thomas Mowbray the exiled Duke of Norfolke who had outlived his honour hee married two wives both named Elizabeth the first the Daughter of the Lord Strange who dyed without issue the second Sister and coheire of Thomas Fitzâ—…llayne Earle of Arundel by whom hee had issue Thomas and Iohn Margaret and Isabell. In this yeare also deceased Iohn Duke of Britaine who had taken a Wife Mary Daughter to King Edward the third but by her hee had no issue Also this yeare dyed Edmond Duke of Yorke surnamed of Langley the first sonne of Edward the third his reputation hee kept unblemished and honour untainted hee was not carelesse of good fame nor greedy of greatnesse wary and circumspect in his behaviour not desirous of other mens wealth nor too parcimonious of his owne hee did not by obstinate opposing himselfe against the torrâ—… of the time rashly hazard his fame or fall but by moderation attained safely that degree of praise which others aspiring unto by desperate courses wonne an ambitious death without further profit Hee married two Wives the first was Isabell second Daughter and coheire of Peter King of Castile by whom hee had issue Edward Duke of Albemarle Richard Earle of Cambridge and Constance first married to Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester and afterwards to Thomas Holland Earle of Kent his second Wife was Ioane Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent and Sister and coheire of Edmond Earle of Kent but by her had no issue King Charles though Lucidus per intervalla yet sensible of dishonour moved with his Daughters disgrace made preparation to invade England and brought downe his Army into Piccardy but upon the certaine relation of King Richards death hee gave over the enterprise and sent over Embassadours into England to treate or rather intreate that his Daughter with her Dowry might bee restored to him againe King Henry gave them audience and answer that hee would speed Commissioners to Callice to commune and conclude with them both of this and other waighty affaires concerning both the Realmes whither hee sent Edward Duke of Yorke and Henry Earle of Northumberland The French King sent the Duke of Burbon and certaine others to Bulloigne These Commissioners often met sometimes at one place some-times at the other The Frenchmen instantly required their Kings Daughter to bee restored without the doing whereof they had no order to treat of any thing The Englishmen made a proffer to have a match betwixt Prince Henry and the Lady alleaging that there was no disparagement of birth nor disparitie of yeares betwixt them but thereto they would give no consent neither would they agree to the proposition of a perpetuall amitie But in the end it was concluded that Queene Isabell should bee redelivered to her Father but sauns Dowry because the marriage betwixt her and King Richard was never consummate by reason whereof she was not Dowable upon the Treatie of the marriage the surcease from Armes was agreed upon in King Richards dayes for thirtie yeares which was now mutually confirmed for the terme of these yeares unexpected Shortly after King Henry sent the Lady Isabella under the conduct of Thomas Lord Piercy Earle of Worcester in royall estate to Callice being accompanied with a brave troope of honourable Personages of both sexes shee carried with her all the Iewells and Plate which she brought into England with a great surplusage of rich gifts bestowed upon her by the King At Callice shee was received by Valerian Earle of Saint Paul Lieutenant in Picardy and by him conducted to her Father who afterwards gave her in marriage to Charles sonne to Lewis Duke of Orleans and so was rest or rather respite of warre in France procured But the fire and fury of the late sedition was hardly quenched when the Welchmen upon advantage of the doubtfull and unsettled estate of King Henry brake forth into a defection before the King could either lay the groundworke of his Authority or the people frame themselves to a new obedience and having beene taught that common causes must bee maintained by concord they sought by assemblies to establish an association and to set up their owne principalitie againe They Created for their Prince Owen Glendor a fellow of a turbulent spirit and factious disposition and apt to stirre up sedition and strife and though hee was of no great estate by birth he was stout in stomacke of an aspiring spirit and wit somewhat above the ordinary ranke of those untrained people bold crafty agile and as hee liâ—…t to bend his minde mischievous or industrious in equall degree in desires immoderate and rashly adventurous more desirous to doe then circumspect what to doe in his younger yeares hee was a student at the Innes of Court at London and being incensed by a verdict given against him for tithe of land betwixt him and the Lord Gray of Ruthin and by nature being a man not of the mildest disposition by this provocation hee was made savage and rough and determined either to repaire or revenge his losse by setting the whole State on fire Also his expences had beene too excessive for a great man to continue which brought him to barenesse too base for a meane man to endure and therefore hee was necessitated to doe or dare something more then ordinary And more danger hee thought there was in orderly dealing then in hazarding rashly and now opportunitie is presented for troublesome times are most fit for such attempts And some likelihood there was whilst the King and his Nobles were at variance that harme might bee easily wrought to them both upon these causes his desires were founded and upon these troubles his hopes But that his ambitious humour might beare some pretext of honest meaning hee pretended to his Countrymen the recovery of their freedome the desire whereof is so naturally pleasing That birds will rather live hardly abroad in the cold fields then bee daintily dieted in a warme cage and that now occasion was fitly offered or else never to bee expected to ridde them of their servilitie falsly entituled peace whilst the Kings
all which judgement was accordingly executed upon Sir Roger Acton and eight and twenty of the Rebells in Smithfield most of the Prisons in and about London were filled with these lob-lords The cause of this nickname came In this time the Parliament continuing the King as his Father was before was much importuned by some somewhat infected with Oldcastles opinion and therefore not well pleased with the greatnesse of the Clergie to suppresse the religious houses of this kingdome because as they affirmed they were made the nurses of idlenesse and cages of uncleane birds To divert this storme into another quarter it was advised that Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury should set on foot the Kings title to France which thus he sets forth Philip the fourth called Philip the faire eldest brother of Charles Earle of Valoys was the fourty sixt King of France hee married Ioane Queene of Navarre and by her had issue three sonnes Lewis surnamed Hutyn or Mutyneere Philip the Long and Charles the Faire and only Daughter Christned Isabel which was married to your Majesties Predecessor Edward the second who survived her three Brothers who successively one after the other had enjoyed the Crowne of France But after the death of Charles upon a pretended fundamentall Law of that kingdome Philip of Valoys sonne of Charles the younger Brother of Philip the Faire endevouring to exclude all females from Soveraigne inheritance layed hold of the Imperiall Diadem against whom in right of his Mother Edward the third opposed and quartering the armes which was semi de luces proclaimeth his Title to bee King of France and England and in Hostile manner entred France with Banners displayed where hee performed those honourable exployts that whilst any Records last can never bee forgotten there hee continued victorious during the time of Valoys and left his Sonne the blacke Prince to prosecute his Claime who to his eternall commendations so that hee tooke not only Iohn the French King prisoner but braved Charles the fift at his great Citie of Paris to his teeth and unanswered the wise King thinking it no good pollicie to meet a roring Lyon in the field And had not God on whose will depends all things stopt this ever to bee renowned Prince in his course by stopping of his breath the question had long since beene decided and England had totally brought France to subjection but hee being dead and his Father but a short time surviving left his grand-sonne an infant to finish what his Father and grand-father had so happily commenced and so gloriously had continued But unlesse the Lord build the house the workemen labour but in vaine so the Lord displeased with the disorder of those times gave France a time to breathe and gather strength and opportunitie to Charles the sixt to change the armes of France from the Semi de luces to three Flower-de-luces yet is the Title to France the same that it was before and though your royall Father otherwise imployed did not prosecute the claime yet hee did not disclaime the right but hath to you for whom I rest assured God hath reserved victory both left that and the meanes to obtaine it Then went hee on learnedly and pathetically refelled that unjust surmise of the Salick-law both by reason and example and first whereas in terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant was the text whereon they build their position hee proved that that was made in Germany in disdaine of the dishonest manners of the German women and had no relation to France for that Pharamond whom they affirme to bee maker of that Law deceased above three hundred and fifty yeares before the Frenchmen were placed beyond the river Sala the one dying at 426. and the other being seated there Anno 805. And for example hee cited Pepyn Hugh Capet and others who neither had right nor colour-like right to the Crowne of France but as heires generall as their owne storyes manifest hee fortified likewise his assertions with Scripture out of the booke of Numbers When a man dieth without a Sonne let his inheritance descend unto the Daughter to this hee added that if the King would bee pleased to advance his Banner in France to challenge his rightfull inheritance the warre being just the cause good and his clayme undeniable his Clergie would furnish him of their owne free gift with such a masse of mony as never subjects at one time presented King with the like This motion tooke on all sides and the offer of money wherewith to pay the souldiers so pleased the King that nothing was now thought of but the conquest of France Hee begins therefore to alter the bearing of his Semy-de-luces and quarters what the then French King bare and then sendeth the Duke of Exceter the Archbishop of Dublyn the Lord Gray the Lord high Admirall and the Bishop of Norwich with five hundred horse Embassadours to Charles the sixt to require in peaceable manner for the avoyding the effusion of Christian blood the surrender of the Crowne of France with the members thereof which if the King would yeeld unto then King Henry would bee pleased to take to Wife Katherine the Daughter of Charles and endow her with all the Dutchies belonging to the Crowne of France But if Charles refused so to doe that then Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him or lose his life The strangenesse of this message amazed the King and amazed his Councell They craved time to answer And the King of France promised to speed Embassadours with his answer unto the King of England The Dolphyn like one that cuts another man meat and his owne fingers having wit but wanting discretion deriding as it were the King of Englands youth as deeming him fitter for play then to attempt matters of such consequence sent him a tonne of Tennis balls which King Henry distasting promised with an oath before many moneths were past to tosse such iron Balls among them that the best armes in France should bee unable to hold a Racket to returne them And forthwith due provision being made and all things prepared hee drawes together his forces and in his absence to secure the Scots and Welch from attempting his prejudice hee appointeth an Army to attend the Marches and upon all alarums to bee ready hee ordaines his Mother-in-law Ioane Daughter of Charles King of Arragon Governour in his absence and whilst hee is dispatching Richard Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford with the Abbot of Westminster to the generall Councell appointed at Constance The Dolphyn sent as Embassadours the King of France being weake and sickly The Earle of Vandome with others who having audience the Archbishop of Burges made a long Oration in praise of peace and disswaded warre concluding with a tender of the Lady Katherine with a summe of money and some Townes of no great wealth or importance the King of England feasts them at his owne Table and
both town Castle to the King The souldiers of the garrison and many of the Burgers tooke an oath of fidelitie to the King of England and remained there still the Earle of Worcester was made Captaine thereof The well defenced Castle of Galiard strong both by scituation art after six moneths siege was surrendred to the Duke of Exceter and thereof the King made the Lord Rosse Captaine all the Country of Velquesseine submitted the King putting in men of valour and trust into the chiefe holds as into Gourney Sir Gilbert Vmfrevile the Earle of Worcester at Newtye the Castle of Dumall yeelded to the Earle of Warwicke was given him by the King so that now all Normandy Mount Saint Michael only excepted was reduced to the possession of the King of England which had beene detained wrongfully untill then from him ever since the yeare 1207. The Dolphin all this while notwithstanding the agreement sealed and settled as might bee thought being perswaded that the Duke of Burgoyne was a barre to his ambitious desires studied not so much to stop the overflowing current of the King of Englands victories as the effecting of his owne ends of revenge against the Duke a miserable thing when one mans rising is grounded on the desired overthrow of another To that end therefore covering his private malice with the long roabe of publike service hee made show of removall of all rank our betwixt the Duke and him and to that end appointed a meeting of all the Peeres at Mountstrew al fault you where the Duke was barbarously murthered whilst hee humbled himselfe in reverence to the Dolphin on his knee which act was by so much the lesse to bee pittied in the Duke by how much hee in the like kind upon the like enterview had caused Lewis the Duke of Orleance to bee murthered But this recrimination of Burgoyne for the murther of Orleance can bee no excusation of the Dolphins perfidious treachery Hereupon Philip Earle of Caraloys the heire of Burgoyne did forbeare for a time the company of his Wife the Dolphins sister but upon due consideration of her pliable and obsequious disposition and the religious admonition of his Mother-in-law and exhortation of his chiefest Councellours hee gave her ever after all requirable respect and observance and turned his justly incensed anger against the Dolphin but without show of choler or distemperature either in words or gestures howsoever his kindred and allyes thretned revenge But this distraction settled at home and danger threatned abroad drew a double feare of destruction upon the quieter minded Nobilitie who used the imployment of their uttermost endevours to procure a reconciliation betwixt the Queene and the Dolphin and a pacification of the King of England and by their mediation Embassadours are sent to Gysors where King Henry lay who gave them audience and honourable entertainment and was pleased to condescend that Commissioners might have communication but no cessation of warre No sooner were they returned but hee drew his forces to Maunt where hee divided them into three parts sending the Duke of Glocester with one part to Saint German in lay which was delivered unto him The Duke of Clarence with another was sent to Mountjoy which after some show of great resistance was given over unto him The third under the conduct of the Duke of Exceter went to Mewlancké which was strongly defenced and compassed in with the great river of Seine but by the invention of woodden towers reared upon boates bridges and floates the French-men were so terrified that for want of succour at the time agreed upon they surrendred the Towne and gave hostages and oath to remaine true subjects to the King of England and so were permitted to remaine there still The many rivolets cut out and running in the severall Forts and Castles as aforesaid might have much drayned the great river of the Kings Army had not daily supplies from all forraine parts drawne by the generall report of his honourable usage of souldiers of men and amunition and money out of his Dominions been broughtunto him but such was his providence and his officers obedience and care that nothing wanted that was needfull or necessary But now the new Duke of Burgoine a wise and politick Prince having debated with himselfe what course to take to revenge his Fathers murther and being assured that if he should oppose the Dolphin and the Dolphin him the King of France would lose by both and King Henry would carry away all he endevoured to propose an overture of Peace betweene the two Kings which hee was the more likely to obtaine by reason of his powerfulnesse amongst the Peeres and the assurance of the Lady Katherines readinesse who had more power over her Mothers affections then her owne to joyne with him in any thing that might conduce to her obtaining the effect of her wishes which was aswell the love of King Henry as the peace and quiet of her Father and country besides the advantage the Duke had of the Dolphin who was now observed to be more cunning and revengefull then wise and valiant and by the late murther made obnoxious to the disesteeme of his neerest friends Embassadours are againe sent from the King of France and the young Duke of Burgoyne who were returned with gratious countenance and some tokens of courtesie to the Duke but withall a kind of intimation that there was small hope of obtaining any thing at his hands concerning truce if not desired by the Lady Katherine whose innocencie as he said knew not how to abuse his credulitie as the others had done whilst these things are in agitation his armyes lay not idle The Earle of Salisbury tooke in Fresney The Earles Marshall Huntington with their powers entred into Mayn and approaching Mentz they were encountred by the power of the Dolphin whereof they slew five thousand and tooke two hundred Prisoners These tidings being brought to Roane whither the King was come to solemnize the Feast of Christs birth thanks-givings to God were publikely made and in the instant thereof arived other Embassadors from the King and Queen of France who having audience the tenour of their embassage delivered a Letter from the Lady Katherine to the King of England was secretly by the Bishop of Arras delivered the Contents whereof being considered the King openly said That hee would wipe away the disrepute cast-upon his actions as though hee should bee the cause of effusion of so much Christian blood as every day was likely to bee made if the warres should continue for his quarrell and would turne the same upon the King of France and his Adherents if either they made not Propositions such as with safetie of his honour might bee granted or did not condiscend to such Articles as hee would reasonably tender them hee therefore returned the Embassadours with good content and sent the Earle of Warwicke and the Bishop of Rochester to the Duke of Burgoyne
end of August following In which time the truce began to be forgotten for the French awaiting all occasions of advantage by secret plots and devises had cunningly possessed themselves of divers Castles places of strength justifying their actions and affirming that what was politickly obtained without blows was no infringement of the Truce And afterwards they perfidiously conveyed 200. men at armes into the Castle of Roan presuming to have surprized it but being discouered they were all taken and either executed as traytours or ransomed The Regent knowing these coles would quickly kindle speeds him to his charge and preparation on both sides is made for war wherein he found the Duke of Burgoine lesse forward then he had used to be whereby the Regent found his affection did slacke but would not seeme to take notice thereof The Lord Talbot having payed his ransome commeth to the Regent bringeth with him 700. tryed souldiers They take the field on both sides in warlike manner making shews of encounter but twice together being provoked by the Regent to fight the French slunke away in the darke as not daring to abide the hazard of a battell The Peasants of Normandy pretending to shake off the English yoke which never had beene made insupportable rudely armed themselves and in outragious manner drew towards Cane but having neither power to command nor honesty to obey they were by the Earle of Arundel and the Lord Willoughby encountred and easily overthrowne with the slaughter of 1000. of them the rest were all taken whereof the chiefe Leaders were executed as traytors and the baser sort upon submission and acknowledgement of their errours permitted to depart to their severall homes But the Earle and the Lord Willoughby being now in the field and having intelligence that le Hire had besieged the Castle of Gorbury drew thither with intent to have succoured it but finding themselves too weak they made account to have retired to Beavoys but being descried they were pursued by le Hire who having advantage charged the Earle perceiving no safetie but not to hope of help resolved to win or dye fought valiantly but the Earle is dangerously wounded by the shot of a Culvering which caused the Lord Willoughby to retyre and convey the wounded Earle to Beavoys where within three dayes hee dyed say the Historians but the Harrolds say he dyed and was buried at Lewis in Sussex he married Mawd the Daughter of Sir Robert Lovell and had issue Humphry that succeeded him and Avitie married to Iames Butler Earle of Ormon and Wiltshire After the death of Arundel the Lord Willoughby dispierced his forces to their former garrisons but stayed himselfe there The Duke of Burbon taken at the battell of Agincourt after eighteene yeares imprisonment paying 18000 pounds for his ransome the same day hee was enlarged dyed at London Charles his Son who had married the Sister of the Duke of Burgoyn succeeded his Father Betwixt the two brother-in-lawes an unnaturall jarre was raysed but by the mediation of Mary Dutchesse of Berry they are reconciled by whose labour and industry with the helpe of the Duke of Burbon a reconciliation is likewise wrought betweene the French King and Burgoyne The jealousie between the Regent and the Duke of Burgoyne now was publickly discerned Whereby those that cald to mind the great charge that Henry the Fift gave on his death-bed carefully to retaine that Dukes amity laboured an enterview betwixt them to remove all scruples on either part which was obtained and Saint Omers was the place agreed upon where both Dukes being arrived they both standing too punctually on points of Honour who should give prioritie of visitation the Duke of Bedford as the Sonne Brother and Vncle of a King and Regent of France pretended it dishonourable for him to begin and the other challenging the same as of right belonging to him to have the first place the same being within his own Dominions The wisest in some points are foolish they both departed more discontented then before the haughtinesse of the spirit of the one and the great stomacke of the other being unable to give way to their unruly passions And hereupon the Duke of Burgoyne made choice rather to enter league with him that had murthered his Father then to keepe his oath with the King of England or the bond of love so often plighted with the Regent his friend and Brother-in-law And upon the receipt of a blancke Charter under the French Kings Seale to insert what Conditions of peace hee would hee proved renegado and falsified his faith to England lost his reputation to the world and sold himselfe slave to perpetuall ignomy The Towne of Saint Dennis by the perfidiousnesse of Mathew Gougley was betrayed to the Bastard of Orleance but the Lord Talbot presently beguirt the same with a siege to raise which the bastard Orleance drew great forces together but before their approach the Towne was given up and beatento the ground The inhabitants of Pontoys neverthelesse rebell and thrust out the English garrison whose examples did set the Parisians mindes on worke to tread the same steps but the Regents vigilancie over them hindred their intentions But now began the bright light of Englands glory to be ecclipsed those glorious beames of victory which they formerly had obtained every day more and more to decline The triple twine being cleane untwisted for the thrice renowned wise and circumspect Iohn Regent of France Duke of Bedford Aniou and Alanson Earle of Mayne Harecourt Dreux Richmond and Carlile and Vicount Beamond the Atlas whose shoulders kept the realme of France from sliding from their allegiance sworne to King Henries Father and Sonne upon the fourteenth of September 1435. at Paris exchanged all his glory here for the fruition of a more sempiternall felicitie in another place he was buried at Roan in our Ladies Church Whereat the Nobilitie of Normandy much repined as seeming desirous to have had some place of their owne territories to have been honoured by giving sepulture to so nobly deserving a Patriot unto them Yet such was their levitie that within few yeares after in the Raigne of Lewis the Sonne of Charles they instantly desired to have the Monument erected over him to bee demolished alleaging it was dishonourable to have so arch an enemy to France interred in the Metropolitan Citie of that Province But Lewis answered God forbid I should give way to so dishonourable an act as to molest the quiet of his dead bones that living would if offended have molested all here and it savours of too much basenesse to insult upon a dead Lyon Hee had two wives the first was Anne Sister of the Duke of Burgoyne the second Iaqueline daughter of Peter Earle of Saint Paul but had issue by neither No sooner was his death divulged but infinite alterations followed aswell in England as France Edmond Duke of Somerset as much affecting Soveraigne command underhand laboured to
friendship is sworn and confirmed betwixt them by the marriage of the Duke of Burgoines Neece Mary of Cleurs to the Duke of Orleance which justifies the Proverbe The best meanes to vanquish an enemie is to doe him all the good you can The Regent divided his Forces into three parts hee sent the Lord Willoughby into Amyens the Lord Talbot to Deep and himselfe with the Duke of Somerset went into the Dutchie of Anion The Lord Willoughby made such speed that hee tooke many prisoners before they could get to any place of defence but presently the garrisons drawne together and make opposition but they are defeated and six hundred men of armes slaine such as escaped fell into the hands of the Earle of Saint Paul who was comming to the aide of the Lord Willoughby The Regent returneth with a great prey to Normandy whither Willoughby likewise commeth But the Duke of Somerset re-entreth the Marches of Britaine and tooke la Gearch by assault from thence hee marches to Ponsay The Marshall Loach intended to have surprized the Duke of Somerset in his Tents but the Duke to prevent that hazard meets him halfe way and chargeth so suddenly and soundly that the Marshall is rowted and threescore and two of his men are taken Prisoners then hee marched and tooke the Towne of Beamond and having manned all fitting places upon the Frontiers laden with rich spoyle he returneth The Lord Willoughby had entrenched himselfe round Deipe and built a Bastile upon Mount Pawlet which did much annoy the besieged But wanting amunition and supplies of men hee left his naturall Sonne to prosecute the siege himselfe posting to Roan The Dolphin with sixteene thousand men commeth to raise the siege and three dayes together plye the Bastile with assaults but could not carry it untill shot and powder fayling they were overpressed with multitude and young Talbot is taken prisoner with Sir Iohn Peyto and Sir Iohn Repley all which were shortly redeemed by exchange The rest of the souldiers seeing the Bastile wonne stood in armes all day but the enemy not over-willing to doe too much and they as willing to give way not being able to cope in the darke of night they retired to Roan The Earle of Saint Paul forsakes the English and is reconciled to France The English besieged Tartus for the raysing whereof the French King marcheth downe threescore thousand strong and relieveth the Towne and from thence marcheth to Saueryne which hee taketh in and therein Sir Iohn Rampston prisoner Then tooke hee in Arques the Captaine with all the souldiers by composition withdrawe to Burdeux The English cut off all convoyes of victuals from comming to the King for want whereof the King is driven to returne after whose departure the English reduce all that the King of France had taken and take his Lieutenant prisoner slaying or hanging all his souldiers The Lord Talbot this while taketh in Conquet and driveth the Bastard of Orleance from the siege of Galiordon The French in the Castle of Cornill detained many English prisoners Sir Francis the Aragonist apparelleth halfe a dozen lusty fellowes like Pesants carrying baskets with corne and victuals and sends them to the Castle hee with his company lye in ambush in a valley neere the Castle the six unsuspected are admitted and comming to the Captaines chamber seize upon him and give the signall to the ambush who came readily on entred the Castle put the souldiers to the sword and set the prisoners at liberty burnt downe the Castle and with the Captaine and the booty of the Castle returned to Roan Whilst thus the ball of warre was by the English honourably tost from one end to the other in the tennis court of France The divell and his ministers sowe the seeds of unnaturall sedition betweene the two brothers in England the one seeking by a legall course the reformation the other the ruine of a brother The Protector articles against the Cardinall for too ambitiously affecting preheminence to the derogation of the Kings prerogative and contempt of his lawes these Articles are delivered to the King and by the King to bee maturely examined by them to his Councell who being most of the Clergie and not daring to give occasion of offence to the Cardinall leave them unmedled withall whilst the Lady Elianor Cobham the Dukes Wife by the Cardinalls plot is accused of treason by sorcery and Witchcraft to have intended the overthrow of the King and advancement of her husband to the Crowne for this howsoever shee was acquitted of the treason shee is adjudged open Penance and perpetuall imprisonment in the Isle of Man Thomas Southwell Iohn Hun Priests Roger Bullingbrooke a supposed Necromancer and Margery Iourden stiled the Witch of Eley are arraigned for devising of a picture of Waxe to be made in proportion of the King which by their Sorcery they should make to consume and so accordingly should the Kings body for this they are condemned the Witch was burnt in Smithfield Bullingbrooke was hanged constantly affirming upon his death that there never was any such thing devised or thought of by them neither at any time was more desired of from him by the Dutchesse or any other from her but if hee could by his Art find out how long the King should live Iohn Hun had his pardon and Southwell died the night before hee should have beene executed The Duke of Glocester silently sees what speech could not amend undergoes all these affronts with patience attending equall distribution of Iustice as it had past on his forgetfull Wife so it might passe on his unnaturall brother the Archbishop But the Cardinall by his orall sanctitie and mentall impurity had so bewitched the King and those of the Church of his Councell that the good Duke hoped in vaine The Duke of Yorke hath a Sonne borne at Roane in Normandy and Christened there by the name of Edward The Countesse of Camings being dead the King of France and the Earle of Arminacke are Competitors for the inheritance The Earle takes ' possession but doubting and not without cause That the King of France would not be pleased to take a Rowland for an Oliver makes offer to the King of England of his Daughter in marriage and besides a large portion in money with her to deliver over full possession of all such Townes and Castles as were by him or his Ancestors detained in Aquitaine and had beene formerly by the Progenitors of the King of England conquered or by the King of France to any of them given And further to furnish the King with money sufficient to recover all or whatsoever was with-held from him there by any person whatsoever The Embassadors for this businesse were by the King of England graciously heard and honourably returned after whom were sent Sir Edward Hall Sir Robert Rose and others to conclude all things and by proxcie the young Lady is affiranced to King Henry The King of
two wives Anne daughter of Edmond Earle of Stafford by whom he had issue Henry that succeede in the Dukedome his second wife was Anne daughter to Iohn Mountacute Earle of Salisbury by her he had issue a daughter Anne married to the heire of Westermerland Iohn Nevill by whom she had no issue Then she was married to Thomas Nevill brother of Ralph the father of her first husband by whom she had issue Ralph the third house of Westmerland and her third husband was Iames Earle Dowglasse by whom she had no issue Before the time of truce was expired the divell cast a bone by meanes of an overforward Curre that set all on snarling For Sir Francis Suryens and Araganois thought worthy to be admitted into the honourable societie of the Garter taking advantage of the securitie the French Garrisons did sleepe in sodainely upon our Lady day eve in Lent at night surprised a Frontier Towne belonging to the Duke of Brittaine called Fougeirs ransaking it killing the inhabitants and caried away all the spoyle the Duke advertiseth the French King lying at Râ—…unes thereof who by his Embassadors complaine both to the King of England and the regent Somerset the fault is all layd upon the Aroganoys who did it without warrant or wit the King or Councell nether advising or approving what was done neverthelesse for restitution or satisfaction a meeting is appointed at Lanveirs where the Commissioners treat of the businesse But whilst they talke of this newes are brought to the regent That the French by a stratagem of a Carter that with a load of hay comming over the draw-bridge caused the axeltree to breake and whilst the porter was ready to helpe the Carter the Porters braines were beaten out and the Towne of Ardes surprised and the Lord Fauconbridge Captaine thereof taken prisoner restitution is demanded by the English they are answered with their owne language what was done was neither by the privitie or porcurement of the French King or any of his Councell so they hold fast on both sides their ill gotten bargaines and from thence forward the truce on both side is broken all things grow worse and worse The French King assembleth a mightie army and dividing it into three parts imployeth every one in a severall quarter who according to direction get possession of Louviers Gerbury and Vernuele all which by composition attended twenty dayes to be reskued but none came This warre is begun before the terme of truce expired the English gave the first occasion and are payed with their owne coyne whilst the new Regent which like the sonnes of Zebede presumed of more abilities then he had knowes not where to begin nor what to say or doe makes ready to recken the Townes lost but newes is brought of a conspiracie against him in the same Towne he goes about to suppresse that whilst the enemie is at another towne ready to carry it without speedy succor whereupon he giues Command to such troopes to march as he thinks fit but they in steed of putting his Command in execution expostulate the reason of such directions then calls he to Councell but there is more time spent in chiding and finding fault then in debating for the amending of what is out of square whereby his proceedings as it were make a parenthesis to a discourse betweene the good government of the Duke of Yorke and the bad event of the murthered Duke of Gloucester Thus perplexed the regent in a desperate case complaines of want of Councellors talkes much to no purpose does many things to as little proofe or profit so having tir'd himselfe to no end retires himselfe to his Chamber and there with more deliberation then discretion debates with himselfe what is best to be done The Cocks now begin to ctow upon their dunghill which but a while before were cowed by the English if staying or Cravend by themselves if they fell a running Constance Guisard Gahard Pontean sa meare S. Loe Festampo Newcastle Tongue Moleor Argenton Lisseux and some other peices in Normandy are reduced to the Crowne of France Maulisson in Guyen upon notice of their defections arme against their Garrison and set open the gates to the Earle of Foys who enters and taketh it This is seconded by the Citizens of Roan who vexed the regent and the Earle of Shrousbury more within then the French army abroad and enforced them to make composition to have liberty with bag and baggage to march to Cane and to procure by a certaine day divers adiacent strong peices to be surrendred unto the French and untill the same were delivered the Earle of Shrousbury and the Lord Butler the heire to the Earle of Ormond to remaine pledges who were sent to be safely kept in the Castle of Eureux Succors are sent for into England but an unexpected occasion diverted the passage of them for the necessitie of present meanes to suppresse an insurrection made by rebells in Ireland for the effecting whereof the Duke of Yorke is with an army sent thither where he so behaved himselfe that he not only suppressed the insurrection but purchased the good will and affection of the Irish nation firme to him and his for ever after The Frenchmen now throughly flesht assault Harflew but are by Sir Robert Curson for along time valiantly repelled but in the end fearing to be forced he makes composition to depart with body and goods Fougers and Sir Iames de Benron are likewise received by the Duke of Britaine A fresh supply of fifteene hundred men under the conduct of Sir Thomas Kiryell are sent over who did as much as with so small an handfull could be expected taking in some Townes but marching with the rest of the army towards Bauguenx at a place called Formigney he was encountred by the Earle of Cleremont and seven thousand French and Scots at first the French were driven to recoyle and lost two peeces of their ordnance but the Constable of France with foure hundred men at armes and eight hundred archers came to the reskew and being fresh so beat upon the tyred English that they with the losse of three thousand seven hundred threescore and thirteene besides divers prisoners gave proofe that it was not altogether unpossible but that the English might be overcome which hitherto in France for many yeares they never had been Sir Thomas Vere and Captaine Goughe escaped to Roven The French King with an army royall besiegeth Cane which is bravely defended till the Dutches importuneth her husband to take pitie of her and his children to give over the Towne her entreaties his childrens teares so far prevaile that he moves the surrender to Sir David Hall whowas there in right of his Master the Duke of Yorke owner of Cane who knowing that there was no great Correspondency betwixt the Duke of Somerset and his Colonel boldly told the Duke that he had the charge of that Citie delivered to
the point of beliefe for the most of the Councell suggested his innocencie first by his voluntary submission when he had power sufficient either to have kept the field or to have assured his retraite then by his request made not for himselfe but for the ease of the poore Commons next his carefull and honourable endevours both in France and Ireland where if he had had any such traiterous intent he had the pan by the stale and might have kept it But while the Councell are debating this at the very instant the Earle of Kendall and the Lord Lespar crave present admission to the Borde and audience as Embassadours from Burdeux for businesse of great import and speedy dispatch they being admitted declare to the Kings Councell how readily and really the inhabitants of Burdeux are to submit their obedience to the Crowne of England if they might but bee assured to bee defended by it they therefore offer upon the appearance of an Armie in Gascoygne if come before the plot bee discovered to yeeld all up unto them To second this commeth a constant urged report that Edward Earle of March Sonne and heire to the Duke of Yorke with a great power of March-men made a speedy march towards London These newes troubled the Queene those the Councell it is therefore resolved on That the Duke of YORKE lest private dissention should hinder publicke designes of such consequence as the reduction of GASCOIGNE should in the presence of the KING and his Nobilitie and all the Congregation at the high Altar at Pauls take his oath of submission and allegiance to the King of England which he accordingly did and so had liberty to depart to his Castle of Wigmore After his departure the Earle of Shrewsbury with about three thousand men was sent to Gascoyne who arriving in the I le of Madre passed forth with his power and tooke Fronsacke and other pieces But having received in the nightinstructions from Burdeux hee makes all speed thither and was entred therein before the French had notice of his comming so that many of them were slaine by the Lord Espar in their beds shortly after the destruction of Burdeux there arrived at Blay the Earle of Shrowsburies Sonne Sir Iohn Talbot with the Bastard of Somerset with divers others with two and twenty hundred men furnished and victualed by whose meanes Burdeux is well mand with English and provided for at full whilst the Earle was not idle but went from place to place to receive the offred submission of all places whither hee came and having taken Chattillon he strongly and sufficiently fortifieth and furnisheth the same The French King rayseth an Army and forthwith besiegeth by his Commanders Chattillon to the reskue wherof the Earle maketh all possible speed with eight hundred Horse appointing the Earle of Kendall and the Lord Lespar to follow with the foot In his way hee surprised a Tower the French had taken and put all within it to the sword and meeting five hundred French-men that had beene forraging hee slew a great number of them and chased the rest to the Campe upon whose approach the French understanding which way the enemy came they left the siege and retired to a place which they had formerly trenched and fortified whither the Earle followeth them and resolutely chargeth them so home that he got the entry of the Campe where being shot thorow the thigh with a Harquebush and his horse slaine under him his sonne desirous to relieve his Father lost his owne life and therein was accompanied with his Bastard brother Henry Talbot and Sir Edward Hall and thirty other Gentlemen of name the Lord Molynes with threescore others were taken prisoners the rest fled to Burdeux but in the way a thousand of them were slaine Thus on the last day of Iuly at Chattillon the thrice honourable Earle of Shrowsbury the first of that name gave the last testimony of his true service to his King after hee had employed the same to his never-dying Honour in the parts beyond the Seas by the space of foure and twenty yeares hee had married two wives The first was Matild daughter and sole heire of Thomas Nevill Lord Furnivall by whom he had issue Iohn that succeeded him in the Earledome Sir Christopher Talbot and Sir Humphry Talbot Knights His second wife was Margaret elder Daughter and Coheire of Richard Beuchamp Earle of Warwicke by whom hee had issue Iohn Talbot in right of his Wife Vicount Lisle slaine with his Father Sir Humphry Talbot slaine at Mount Sinay Elizabeth married to Iohn Mowbray Earle of Norfolke and Elianor Wife to Thomas Boteleer Lord of Sudley Castle And a naturall sonne slaine as afore with his Father his body was buried in a tombe at Roan in Normandy with this inscriptioa Here lyeth the right noble Knight Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrowsbury Weshford Waterford and Valence Lord Talbot of Goodritch and Orchenfield Lord Srange of Blackmere L. Verdon of Acton L. Cromwell of Wingfield L. Lovetoft of Worsop L. Furnivall of Sheffield L. Fauconbridge knight of the noble orders of St. George St. Michael and the golden Fleece great Marshall to K. Henry the sixt of his Realme of France The Earle of Kendall the Lords Mountferrat Rosayne and Dangladas entred into the Castle of Chattillon which they made good against the French by the space of ten dayes and then without hope of succour delivered it upon composition to have liberty to depart to Burdeux Now the tyde turned againe the Gascoynes levitie being as ready to open the gates to the French as they were but little before to the English by meanes whereof in short time the French recovered againe all Gascoyne except Burdeux which the French King in person layeth siege unto and at length hath it surrendered upon condition that both garrisons and inhabitants with all their substance might safely depart for England or Callice and that the Lords Lespar and Durant with thirty others whose names were expressed upon paine of death should never after be found in the territories of France the neglect of which oath within few yeares after caused Lespar to leave his head behind him there whilst the rest in safetie came to England this losse of Aquitane was palliated by the happy delivery of the Queene of a Sonne who was Christened The King and the Dukes beginning to bandy one against the other gave a beginning to that faction whose end was not procured without the deplorable losse of so many thousand Englishmen and now as a praeludium to that tragedy upon Saint Bartholmewes day an antient custome being that the Maior of London and the Sheriffs should be present in giving prizes to the best Wrastlers at the wrastling place neere More-fields The Prior of Saint Iohns being there to see the sport a servant of his not brooking the disgrace to bee foyled before his Master against the custome of the place would have wrastled againe and with foule
where advised thereto by his Councell hee sent great Warwickes Brother the Archbishop of Yorke to bee kept prisoner in the Castle of Guisnes and the Earle of Oxford who had submitted himselfe upon pardon of life only to the Castle of Hams and layed all the Ports for the stopping of the Earle of Penbrookes going out of England which hee neverthelesse afterwards did with the young Earle of Richmond King Edward much displeased with the escape of the Earle of Penbrooke but more of that of Richmond by how-much the one could but abet the other might lay claime sent his Letters over to the Duke of Britaine whither those two Earles had found meanes to convey themselves and were in Britanny by him kindly entertained intimating therein his earnest desire either to have them sent over to him or at least watchfully kept from attempting any thing which he had iust causte to suspect they would to his prejudice by their being at liberty with many promises of thankfull respect for this courtesie if granted and for an earnest thereof sent him a token worthy the receiving which so prevailed with the Duke that the two Earles were debard each others company and all their English attendants taken from them and Britons appointed in their places which somewhat satisfied the King of England but gave no content to the English Gentlemen in France A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein all acts formerly made by him are confirmed And those that King Henry after his redemption of the Crowne had abrogated were revived And an ordinance made for the confiscation of all their lands and goods that had taken part against him and were fled with a restauration of all such as for his part had beene attainted both to blood and patrimony Towards his charges in this Parliament a competent summe of mony is voluntarilie given and in respect thereof a generall pardon is granted The Duke of Burgoyne not willing that his courtesies formerly done to his brother in law should be thought upon and willing to ingulph him in the warres of France That he in the meane time might have the better opportunitie to worke some malicious stratagem against the French king sends over Embassadors with ample instructions to solicit the King of England to set on foot his title to the Crowne of France making great offers with protestations to ayd and assist him therein both with purse and person The Embassadors have audience and after much debating the poynt amongst the privy Councell it was thus amongst them concluded 1 That the Crowne of France was not ambitiously affected But the title thereof legally Challenged as the unquestionable right of the now King of England 2 That the French warres if orderly pursued alwayes enriched English Souldiers 3 That France being made the seat of the war it would keepe them from making invasion on England and hinder them from supporting any against the King of England 4 That the French King had in an unsufferable fashion given an affront to the King of England in ayding and abetting Queene Margaret and her trayterous complices against him and prohibiting any his true subiects to reside within his territories And in continually sending combustible stuffe to feed the fire of rebellion which had so disquieted the common-wealth of England 5 That the King of France infested the Duke of Burgonies Countries with warres who was a friend and Collegue with the King of England and one that was in league with him both offensive and defensive Therefore this proposition from the Duke of Burgoin to vndertake the warres against France was to be approved of as being both lawfull and behoofefull for the honour of the King and the good of the Kingdome But the meanes how to pursue the warre being once undertaken was an other cause considerable For treasure the sinewes of warre was wanting and to procure a supply by Parliamentary courses would take up too much time They were therefore driven to find out and set on foote a proiect till then unheard of which was to draw by way of benevolence from the subject a seeming voluntary howsoever often very unwillingly payed contribution Thereby to supply the want of mony for the pursuance of these warres To this end divers Commissioners are assigned with letters to the knights and Gentlemen and severall instructions are sent into every County who did therein so effectually Comply themselues to doe the King service that by their perwasions most men of abilitie did enlarge their contributions to this so faire an enterprise and readily departed with their mony And a Kings kys to a sparing and therefore a rich widdow amongst many others drawne in by Court holy water to make oblation brought in twenty pounds more then was demanded for that being but twenty she gave forty It is almost a matter of admiration in these dayes how in those dayes The King could out of this little Island be furnished with able men for his warres old men women and children with sufficient meate to put in their mouthes the Cleargy and Schollers with competent maintenance and the markets with necessary provision considering the infinite number of those in the late Civill broyles slaughtered the paucitie of Ploughmen and husbandmen the want of farmers and the indigency of Cattell wherewith to stocke their farmes infinite quantities of ground lying unmanurde or tilled and the pastures and downes without sheepe or Cattell The generall spoyle and wastment which the Souldiers wheresoever they came and that was almost every where in this kingdome made and the generall ceasing and neglect of commerce or trafficke the shipping not daring to stir abroad the danger being so great to be robbed and spoyled either by hombred pirates or forraine foes yet such was Gods great mercies that every one of these respectively were supplied and did subsist without any notable defect or extraordinary want Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and Earle of Huntington dishinherited by act of Parliament with Henry Duke of Somerset and Thomas Earle of Devonshire in the fourth yeere of King Edward the fourth was this yeare found dead stript naked betwixt Dover and Callice but how hee came by his death no inquiry could bring to light he married Anne daughter of Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth but had no issue by her she was after married to Sir Thomas Saytleoger and had issue by him a daughter to George Mannors Lord Rosse of Hâ—…mlack Provision for this French expedition of all things necessary being throughly made aad order taken for the quiet government of the kingdome in his absence and the stop of incursiones if any should by the Scots be made King Edward with an army of fifteene hundred men at armes and all of the nobility and Gentry gallantly mounted and wel attended with fifteene thousand archers on horsebacke eight thousand common souldiers whereof five thousand were sent to Brittaine and three thousand pioners to attend the ordnance and
garde the Carriage came downe to Dover whither the Duke of Burgoine had sent five hundred skutes or flat bottombd boates to transport the horse to Callice yet notwithstanding that helpe it was above two and twenty dayes before the Kings forces were all past over to Callice Before the Kings departure from Dover because hee would witnesse to the world his faire and legall proceeding hee sent an Harold named Gorter a Norman by birth with a letter of defiance in faire and fitting termes requiring the French King to yeeld unto him the Crowne of France his unquestionable inheritance by the French King unjustly detained from him which if he should dare to deny that then he was to expect from England but what the extremity of the sword and the Calamities of warre could bring upon him and his Country This letter the French king read and withdrawing himselfe caused the Harold to be brought to his presence to whom in private he gave this answer That the Duke of Burgoyn and the Constable by whose trayterous instigation and not of his owne inclination he knew the King of England intended to visite France would but delude him for they were dissemblers and impostors And therefore said it would conduce more to the honor and content of the King of England to continue in league with mee though an old adversary then to hazard the fortune of the warres upon the promised assistance of new-come deceivers such as those two will prove And so Commend me to the King thy Master and say what I have told thee and so with an honourable reward dismissed the Harold who returned to the King of England to Callice And there returned the French Kings answer This advise though from an enemie if followed had saved the King of England a great deale of mony For the Duke of Burgoyne notwithstanding his promise in the word of a Prince not to faile was not at the time and place appointed ready with his forces which should have beene by pact and promise two thousand Lanceers and foure thousand stradiots or light horse Whereupon the Lord Scales is by the King of England sent to the Duke to put him in minde of his promise and to hasten his comming with his promised forces But the journey was to little purpose onely it occasioned the Duke with a small Troope of horse to come unto the King of England formally to excuse himselfe for beeing so backward in that he having with his forces beene embroyled in the siege of Nants could not depart thence without infinite disgrace if neither Composition or submission were enforced which now notwithstanding because hee would not too much trespasse upon his brother in lawes patience to have longer expected hiscomming he was by the obstinacy of the besieged enforced to do But promised to supply all defects both with his presence and power and that speedily The Constable likewise by letters perswades the King of England to proceed in the action and not to doubt from the Duke and himselfe but to be sufficiently accommodated every way and seconded King Edward thus encouraged marcheth on But in his way found no performance of promises either on the Dukes or Constables part For the first did not at their comming to Peroone accommodate the souldiers with victuall or lodging in that manner as was requisite and expected And the other in steed of surrendring up of S. Quintayns according to the agreement made a sally out upon such as were sent from the King of England to receive the same playing upon them with their great ordnance Whereupon King Edward comparing the last dayes words with this dayes actions began to suspect the truth of the Kings description of the Duke Constables condition and from thence forward stood upon his own gard and gaveno further credence to any of their protestations which the Duke of Burgoyne resenting pretending earnest occasions for the hasting forward of his forces and promising speedy returne with them taketh his leave and departeth wherewith the English are displeased and King Edward not a little disquieted The French King having intelligence of the Dukes departure forcasting the worst suspecteth that the Duke was with an intent to returne gone to bring on his power well knowing that if they should unite their forces his Crowne was in great hazard to be pluckt from him Neverthelesse hee thought that winter being so neere they could not well keepe the field howsoever being his crafts Master and politicke enough to worke his own ends which hee seldome fayled in he resolved with himselfe to assay what might be done to mediate a peace with the English in Burgoins absence And yet so to retreate that if it tooke not effect he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture he therefore privately dispatcheth a messenger in show of an Herhought indeed hee was a fellow neither of Office or estimation and not knowne to any of the Kings houshould but to Villeers the Master of the horse who onely was acquainted with the plot and partie This Counterfeit pursevant at armes with a Coate made of a Trumpets banner rowle ad dressed himselfe to the King of England and upon admission to his presence insinuates the French Kings desire which was to have Commissioners on both parts consigned to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences betwixt the two Kings at least-wise to conclude the cessation from warres for some time and so well this messenger delivered his arrand That it was credited and his request granted and with a reward and a letter of safe conduct for such as should be imployd from the French King in this businesse is returned and an Herhaught likewise from King Edward is sent to King Lewis for the like letter of safe conduct to bee sent for those that from the English Campe should be imployed in this negotiation which is accordingly granted and at a village neere Amiens the Commissioners meete For King Edward appeare the Lord Howard Sir Anthony Chalenger and Doctor Morton after made Lord Chancellor of England For King Lewis came the Admirall of France the Lord S. Peirs and Heberg Bishop of Eureux After long conference the Articles of peace were concluded on to this effect 1 The French King was to pay presently to the King of England threescore and fifteene thousand Crownes And from thence forth annually pay fifty thousand Crownes during the life of King Edward 2 That within one yeere the French King should send for the Princesse Elizabeth the king of Englands daughter ioyne her in marriage to the Dolphine And for their maintenance for nine yeeres the French King agreed to allowe them fifty thousand crownes per annum and that time expired they should peaceably be invested in the possession of the Dutchy of Gayen for the better supportation of their estate 3 That the Lord Howard and Sir Iohn Cheney Master of the horse should remayne in hostage there untill
the army had altogether quitted France and were returned into England and a generall peace for nineyeers wherin Burgoine and Brittaine are included if they will accept thereof The way made the easier for the compassing this so profitable a conclusion by Lewis his offring to every Saint a Candle for he distributeth sixteene thousand crownes amongst King Edwards Councellors and favorites two thoutwo thousand Crownes to Hastings the Kings Chamberlaine and to the Lord Howard Sir Iohn Cheney Sir Arthur Chauenger or Sellinger and Mountgomery theresidue besides great store of Plate and jewels distributed amongst inferior officers of the Court. The motives that induced King Edward the sooner to condesend to this accord were 1 The vacillation and instabiltie of the Duke of Burgoyne and the Constable they never performing any the agreements really concluded on 2 The extremitie of winter approching the present want of fodder and the not having any strong place or fort to shelter the souldier in The impossiblitie of raising any more great forces for reliefe if necessitie should require to be seconded the late Civill warres having almost eaten out the most and best souldiers in England 4 The emptinesse of the Treasury and alwayes of supply being taken off The Duke of Glocester onely whose braines were busie at worke about great designes the easie compassing whereof hee deemed unpossible in case the warres with France were not pursued opposed this accord neverthelesse it proceeded and notice therof is presently sent to the Duke of Burgoyne who thereupon onely with fifteene hundred horse posts to the English Campe At his first arrivall he discovers his inward passion by his outward countenance But he came to late too prevent what was done King Edward perswades him to enter into the peace according to the reservation But Charles reprocheth K. Edward for entring into such a truce saying that K. Edwards predecessors had with their armies performed many brave notable exploites upon the French purchased thereby fame and reputation and that he had brought his souldiers but to show them the Country returne as they came adding therwithall That to make it appeare to the world that he was able without the helpe of the English to subsist of himself he disclaimed any benefit by that truce or any other reconciliation with the French untill three months after the English had remained in their owne Country But when King Edward not well pleased with this French bravado retorted unto him the base and forgetfull neglect both on the Constables part and his of not being their words Masters The Duke in a great snuffe returnes to Luxenburg from whence he came For the better confirmation of what was agreed upon and setling of amitie betwixt the two Kings an interview is desired but before the same is effectuated the French King sends unto the English armye an hundred Tun of Gasooyne wine to be drunke out amongst the private soulders and therewith free licence at pleasure for Commanders and Gentlemen of ranke and qualitie to recreate themselues in Amiens where they were freely and fairely entertained by the Burgers at the kings expresse commandement The commanders in chiefe at their returne were well rewarded with jewels and plate for their faire deportment and the orderly carriage of their Souldiers during the aboad there and not without good cause for hadnot their behaviour bin the better the number of those that were there had bin sufficient to have done much mischiefe or made themselves Masters of the town A place of interview of these two Kings is agreed on against the time appointed all things are orderly prepared readily fitted at the charge of the French king by the English Carpenters foure of the bed Chamber on both sides are appoynted to search the contrary end of the roome to prevent traps or instruments of trechery lest any thing might bee pottedor practised to the preujudice of their Masters They returne certifyingl mnia bene the Kings advanace themselves K. Edward being come in sight of the place maketh a stand as being told the omission of any circumstance in point of honour might reflect upon not wisely forecasting all passages of state and knowing to attend the first offer of the ceremony would much take of frō the dignity of his state which although King Lewis perhaps did apprehend yet hee would not stand to straining of curtesie and fearing to loose the faire opportunity to give two blowes with one stone free himselfe from their presence whose breath was to hot for his company weaken therby the arme of an overweening neighbour he gave the K. of England the advantage to come at his pleasure whilst first to the bar appointed for conference And there did attend King Edwards leasure he had in his company Iohn Duke of Bourbon with his brother the Cardinal and was attended with 800. men at armes King Edward comes with his brother the Duke of Clarence Glocester wanting moderation with patience to admit a Court complement in the sight of an army with a French man excused his not comming the Earle of Northumberland the Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellor and at his backe his whole army in battaile aray The kings lovingly embrace each other court cringes complements of courtesie reciprocally passe which finished they with their nobles then present all take their oathes upon the holy Evangelists in all things pro posse to observe the articles of accord concluded on as afore Then all were cōmanded to withdraw themselves whilst the two kings fall into private conference concerning the Dukes of Burgoyne and Britany Lewis leaves not a string untoucht that might make muficke for his profit And having felt the K. of Englands pulse not to beate over strongly on behalfe of his brother in law that on his part he desired but respit until he might receive answer of a message he would send to the D. that if he refused to accept of the benefit of the accord he would leave him to the French K. pleasure he leaves further speech of him earnestly importnes that Britayn might be left out of their articles which K. E. utterly denies affirming that he had found the D. an open hearted opehanded friend to his in his extremity therfore would not now leave him unregarded Lewis observing Ed. countenance in delivery of those words thought it no policie to strain that string any higher but with all curtesie takes his leave giving many kind words some tokens of favour to some noblemen all the officers so departeth yet after he was gone not throughly disgesting the K. of Englands defence of the D. of Britaine he makes a second motion unto him to the former purpose by letter from whom he received this resolute answer that if the French K. desired the friendship of England he should not molest the D. of Britayne for he was resolved in person to come at any time for his defence
all places provide such as had Castles or Piles of strength furnish them with men and amunition And others use their best meanes that money and men may bee got in readinesse against the Earles arrivall Bishop Morton who had gained opportunitie against the Duke of Buckinghams will to convey himselfe into the Lowe-Countryes is not slacke by Letters and private messages to conjure all such as hee knew either to hate or envy King Richard or to have loved King Edward to lay to their helping hands with all their might in this conjuration Now whether amongst so many through some false brothers treachery or out of his watchfull jelousie over Buckingham it is uncertaine But King Richard hath intelligence of the designe and politickly dissembleth it but secretly giveth order as it were but to take a muster to draw his forces together amongst whom hee suddenly comes and having appointed his carriages to follow him hee marcheth away without acquainting any of the Commanders with any particular place whither hee lead these forces In the meane time first by proffer of friendship by faire termes the King did solicite the Dukes presence at London where the King kept his standing house But receiving from him but delatory put offs The King then sent a peremptory message by the tye of his alleageance to come away which was returned with this resolute answer That hee would not if hee could avoid it have any conversation with an ungratefull per jured inhumane butcher of his owne flesh and blood so that now preparation to offend and defend by the sword is made on both parts The King holds on his march whereupon all the conjurators in every quarter are in overt commotion Thomas Marquesse Dorset preserved from slaughter by the only favour of Sir Thomas Lovell against the Kings will forsaketh Sanctuarie and in York-shire laboureth to raise forces The two Courtneys in Devon and Cornwall take the same course and they are seconded in Kent by Guilford and Rame so that civill combustion is in every quarter of the Realme King Richard notwithstanding severs not his forces but keepes on his march towards Buckingham who having notice thereof both readily and willingly setteth forward bending his course thorow the Forrest of Deane intending at Glocester to have passed Severne and so to have joyned forces with the two Courtneys and the Westerne Confederates but by the long continuance of wet weather the waters thereabouts were risen so high that Severne was broken out and had overflowne all the Countries so that it was a thing impossible for the Dukes forces to bee transported which the Welch-men drawne thither more for feare then love tooke advantage of saying it was a prodigious token of their ill successe in the enterprise and secretly by night slipt away from him whose example the residue followed so that the Duke upon this disbanding was left to shift by himselfe whereupon hee dismist all his followers and without or Page or Foot-man repayred to the house of one Humphry Bannister who dwelt neere Shrowsbury presuming there he might safely lodge in obscurity untill better fortune should smile the rather for that the many extraordinary favours formerly done to the said Bannister and his father before him might justly challenge willing entertainment during his secret stay there if not more The newes of this disaster added wings to the other conjurators to disperse their powers and flye some to Sanctuary others to unknowne places all of them making the best shift they could to escape but they sped best which conveyed themselves into Britanny Amongst whom the Marquesse Dorset John Lord Wells the Bishop of Exceter and his brother Sir John Bourchier Sir Edward Woodvile brother to Queene Elizabeth Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Giles Daubeney Sir Thomas Arundell Sir John Cheney and his two brethren Sir William Barckley Sir William Brandon and his Brother Thomas Sir Richard Egmond Hollowell and Poynings Captaines were chiefe King Richard having intelligence that the enemy was fled sent order presently to lay all the Ports with strict charge that none should goe on borde or come on shore without especiall warrant Hee likewise made publick Proclamation that if any one could bring tydings of the Duke of Buckingham who was now proclaimed Traitour and all his lands and goods seized into the Kings hands so that the Duke might bee apprehended if the person were a bondman hee should bee manumitted if a freeman hee should have a generall pardon and a thousand pound currant English coyne Whilst these things are thus in agitation King Richard hath information from Hutton his Leiger Embassadour in Britaine That the Duke thereof not only refused to keepe the Earle of Richmond in restraint of libertie Bu was seeming forward to give him his assistance to prosecute his intendmentt which was to worke some exploit in England Wherefore the King tooke especiall order for the present rigging and preparing his Navy to stop if possible the Earles landing in any Port of England In the interim whether feare to offend the law or greedy Covetousnesse to gaine the thousand pounds it is yet disputable but Bannister like an ungratefull servant perfidiously discovered his Master the Duke of Buckingham to Iohn Mitton then high Sheriffe of Shropshire who thereupon apprehended him in a little Grove neere Bannisters dwelling house and conveyed him to Shrowsbury where King Richard lay from whence upon All-Soules day hee was conveyed to Salisbury and then and there without arraignment or legall proceedings in the Market-place beheaded Whether Bannister received his proclaimed reward is uncertaine but that Gods judgements appeared afterwards against him and his is very remarkable for hee was afterwards hanged for man-slaughter his eldest daughter is debauncht by one of his Carters and his sonne and heire in a desperate lunacy became his owne butcher and was so found by the Coruors inquest This Henry Duke of Buckingham was Earle of Stafford Hereford Northampton Lord of Brecknocke Kimbolton and Tunbridge and high Constable of England Hee married Katherine Daughter of Richard Woodvile Earle Rivers by whom he had issue three Sons and two Daughters 1. Edward who by Henry the seventh was restored to blood and succeeded in his Fathers honours 2. Henry the said King Created Earle of Wilts 3. And Humphry that dyed young 1. Elizabeth married to Robert Radcliffe Lord Fitz-Waters 2. Anna married first to Sir Walter Harbert and afterwards George Lord Hastings Earle of Huntington Vpon the twelfth day of October the Earle of Richmond with fourtie ships and five thousand waged Britons tooke the Seas But that evening by the rage of an impetuous tempest the whole Navy was dispersed The ship wherein the Earle was with one only little Barke after they had endured the rage of the tempest eight and fourty houres was driven upon the coast of Cornwall where hee giveth expresse commandement that none should dare to take land untill the fleet were drawne together But after hee had huld up and downe the shore
by the space of a day and a night and never a Vessell appearing observing an hourely encrease of armed souldiers upon the Coasts by Poole being assured they were none of his partakers because no tokens before agreed upon at his approach to bee used were presented The wind blowing a fresh gale the Earle hoisteth sayle and returning toward France arrived in Normandy From whence he dispatcheth messengers to the French King Charles the eight by whom hee readily received a safe conduct together with a liberall quantitie of French Crowns to beare his charges on the way whereupon the Earle sent his shipping about whilst hee by easie journies came by land into Brittaine where hee received the newes of the Duke of Buckinghams death and the dispersing of the Confederates forces which somewhat troubled him at first But afterwards hee was much comforted at the sight of the Marquesse Dorset and those brave Commanders that were come with him And presently they enter into consultation what course was to bee taken in their beginning and progresse of the intended action amongst whom it was then generally concluded That King Richard as a Tyrant and a Traitour should be proscribed That Richmond should take upon him the Regall Dignitie then by Richard usurped That Richmond should publickly make a solemne protestation to take to Wife the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter of Edward the fourth That all the Nobles Gentlemen and others of the English Nation there present should doe homage and sweare allegiance to the Earle of Richmond as to their Soveraigne Lord And each to other enterchangeably give assurance upon the seale of their salvation alone and together with others to prosecute Richard and protect Richmond to the expence of the last drop of blood in their bodyes and the profusion of all their substances This thus concluded on upon Christmasse day before the high Altar in the great Church of Reimes the Earle of Richmond gave oath to marry the Lady Elizabeth immediatly after hee was quietly seated in the government of England And thereupon all the Lords and Knights there present the Bishop of Exceter showing them the way did doe him homage And in the same place each to other religiously did vow taking the Sacrament thereupon never to surcease prosecuting warre against Richard the Vsurper untill his deposition or destruction Relation hereof being made to the Duke of Britain he voluntarily made offer to furnish the Earle with all things necessary for the enterprise all things are accordingly providing in those parts whilst King Richard makes a diligent enquiry after all those that might bee suspected to bee favourers or furtherers of Richmonds association many of them are apprehended amongst whom Sir George Browne and Sir Roger Clifford with foure Gentlemen more are executed at London Sir Thomas Sentleger who had married Anne the Duke of Ezceters Widow the Kings owne sister and Thomas Rame Esquire were executed at Exceter And at an Assises held at Torrington for the Countie of Devon Thomas Marquesse Dorset and all such as were with the Earle of Richmond were indicted of high Treason and at the Parliament which presently followed all those so indicted were attainted and all their lands and good seized upon Thomas Lord Stanley is enforced to purge himselfe by oath and to sweare that hee then was altogether innocent of any trecherous practise against the King and unacquainted with any his Wives courses touching the succouring her Sonne yet neverthelesse hee is commanded to keepe her close and not to suffer any to have libertie to write to or confer with her A truce is concluded betwixt England and Scotland to continue for three yeares And for the better settling of amitie and concord betwixt the two kingdomes a Marriage is treated of betwixt the Duke of Rothsay the King of Scots eldest Sonne and the Lady Anne de la Poole King Richards Sisters Daughter formerly married to John de la Poole Duke of Suffolke John Earle of Lincolne the said Annes Brother King Richards Nephew is likewise the Daughters of Edward the fourth being excluded proclaimed heire of the Crowne of England Suspition seldome but slumbers never sleepes And a guiltie conscience is ever-more broad waking The jelousie of Richmonds Title and the horrour of King Richards conscience for the murther of his two innocent Nephewes so justly affright him that his sleepes are evermore interrupted with fearefull dreames insomuch that hee did often leape out of his bed in the darke and catching his sword which alwayes naked stucke by his side hee would goe distractedly about the Chamber every where seeking to find out the cause of his owne occasioned disquiet And in the day time hee alwayes would hold his hand upon his Ponyard as though hee would not bee behind-hand to requite the stroke of a sword with a stabbe his braines were still working and his cogitations hammering out strange stratagems for Massacres There must be no stone left unremoved whereupon Richmon might have footing Embassadours are sent to the Duke of Britaine with instructions upon any termes to procure or purchase his Person to bee delivered unto them But the Duke by extremitie of sicknesse was falne into that weaknesse that the Embassadours could have no audience Whereupon they addressed themselves to Peter Landoyes chiefe Treasurer to the Duke and his great Favourite They having found out the length of his foot by the experience of other mens successe that negotiated with him They so annointed him with oyle of Angels and large promises of the King of Englands ready willingnesse to make more ample satisfaction for any courtesie therein by him to be done That he resolutely undertaketh that the Kings pleasure shall bee in that point procured what injoyned this Treasurer that at Saint Mallowes not long before had countermined King Richards Enginers and preserved the Earle from the danger of the plotte That now hee should undertake to ingulph him in that quagmire from whence so lately hee had freed him cannot easily bee conjectured except that the eminencie of his place farre transcending his descent or desert had brought him into the generall hatred of those whom either hee by his inward power with the Duke had any wayes injured a course too common amongst those of like condition and qualitie or otherwise had not given that fulnesse of content that was expected And thrust him into the contempt of his betters by birth that scorned to have such a bubble to take place before them or into the envie of all such that would but could not obtaine like favour and preferment or into the hatred of the Commons who seldome or never thinke or speake well of Officers in like place that purchase their Masters favours by filling his coffers and emptying their purses And that hee could not devise a better meanes how to arme himselfe strongly against the machinations and excursions of such incertaine enemies but by the friendship and protection of so potent a Monarch as the King of
five thousand men William Harbert Earle of Penbrooke Sir Richard Herbert and eight Knights more are taken and beheaded at Banbury The Earle Rivers and Sir John his Sonne are beheaded at Northamton The Earle of Worcester John Tiptoft at London The Lord Willoughby at Doncaster The Lord Stafford at Bridgewater The Lord Wells and Sir Robert Dymocke were beheaded in the march but uncertaine where Neere Stamfort in Lincolnshire was a Batraile fought the first of October wherein were slaine ten thousand men but no men of note but Sir Robert Wells and Sir Thomas de land those that were put to flight for their more ease to escape cast away their coates whereupon it was called Losecoate field Vpon the fourteenth day of Aprill being Easter day upon a Plaine talled Gladmore Heath betweene Barnet and Saint Albones The Earles of Warwicke Oxford and the Marquesse Mountacute Commanders in chiefe on behalfe of Henry the sixt against Edward the fourth there was a terrible battell fought wherein were slaine ten thousand three hundred men amongst whom were the Earle of Warwicke the Marquesse Mountacute the Lord Cromwell the Lord Say the Lord Mountjoy Sir Henry Bourchier Sir William Terrill Vpon the fourth of May being Saterday Prince Edward with his Mother Queene Margaret to redeeme Henry the sixt gave battaile to King Edward wherein Queene Margaret was taken Prisoner and Prince Edward was slaine in cold blood There were slaine at this incounter John Somerset Marquesse Dorset Thomas Courtney Earle of Devon Thomas Lord Wenlake Sir Joâ—… Delves Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whittingham Sir John Lewkner and three thousand others Edmond Duke of Somerset John Lonstrother Lord Prior of Saint Johns Sir Thomas Tresham Sir Jervoys Clifton Sir Richard Vaux Sir William Harvye Sir Thomas Fielding Sir Robert Lewknor Sir Thomas Lirmoth Sir William Vrman Sir John Seymor Sir Thomas Roose Sir Thomas Fitzhony Sir Robet Flamden were taken and executed in Tewkesbury the one day and Sir Humphry Audley Sir William Crymby Sir William Cary. Sir William Newbourgh were likewise with Henry Tresham VValter Courtney Iohn Flory Lewis Miles Robert Iackson Jame's Gower Iames Delves heire of Sir Iohn Delves beheaded there the next day This was the last battell that was fought in the dayes of King Edward the fourth but not all the bloodshed about this quarrell For at London by the treason of Bastard Fauconbridge there were seven hundred and eighty of his partakers and three hundred and twelve Citizens Londoners slaine Vpon Redmore Downe neere Bosworth in Leicestershire on the twentie two of August was the twelfth set Battaile in this unkind quarrell fought wherein King Richard the Vsurper was slaine and with him on his part John Duke of Norfolke Walter Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Radcliffe and Sir Robert Brackenbury with foure thousand and eight And on Richmonds side Sir William Brandon and 180. with him After this Battell there was a conjunction of the so long severed Rose branches Neverthelesse the enemy to Englands quiet would not suffer the gate of concord to stand quite open but raised up Impostors and counterfeits to interrupt the same But since the cause of the dissention by the Vnion of the Red and White in Henry the seventh and the Lady Elizabeth their so happy enter-marriage was taken away what occasion of expence of blood did after fall out within the Realme ought under favour bee it delivered rather to bee imputed to the effect of treasonable machinations then to any just occasion of the Roses Title And therefore I purposely omit to intermix the number of those that were slaine since Bosworth field amongst those that are to bee reckoned up in the generall slaughter in the twelve Battells and the occasions of expence of blood intervening by skirmishes and accidentall meanes and content my selfe with the only recapitulation of the severall numbers of Kings Princes Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Vicounts Bishops Mitred Prelates Knights Esquires Gentlemen and private souldiers That during the rage of these civill warres which followed that breach of the due course of succession attempted by the intrusion of Henry the fourth fell under the alternate fortunes of the Victors sword untill that ever to bee blessed reuniting the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke whereby righteousnesse and Peace did kisse each other and Mercy and Truth which I pray God ever to continue established the Crowne of England in an hopefull and happy descending Line And as Henry the seventh conjoyned the Roses so hath King James of ever-blessed memory united the predivided kingdomes of England and Scotland espousing their Vnion to our Soveraine Lord King Charles to Gods glory the Churches good and his Subjects great comfort HENRY the Roses IAMES the Kingdomes knit And CHARLES of both partakes the benefit Oh! thou of Iesse flower of Iudah Lyon In his dominion plant the peace of Syon And never let hearts quiet follow those That shall the holding of this Knot oppose But let thy best of blessings wait on them That zealously shall guard his Diadem The totall of private souldiers that perished in the time of these civill warres and suffered the punishment of immature death for taking part on the one side or the other is Fourscore foure thousand nine hundred and ninetie eight persons besides Kings two Prince one Dukes tenne Marquesses two Earles one and twentie Lords twentie seven Vicounts two Lord Pryor one Iudge one Knights one hundred thirty nine Esquires foure hundred forty one The number of the Gentrie is every way so uncertainly reported that if I should endevour to set downe a generall of what is particularly related I should but give occasion of further question then I am willing should bee moved for a thing of so little moment and therefore willingly omit it And the rather for that they are for the most part included in the number of the private souldiers as aforesaid set downe to bee slaine to which but adde the number of six hundred thirty and eight the totall of all the persons of eminencie not therein accounted and then there appeareth in all to have beene slaine Fourescore five thousand six hundred twenty and eight Christians and most of them of this Nation not to bee repeated without griefe nor remembred without deprecation that the like may never happen more Pax una triumphis innumeris potior FINIS An. 1377. R. 1. Ann. 1378 R. 3. Anno. Dom. 1376. R. 2. An. 1380. R. 2. Anno 1381. R. 3. The Earle of Warwicke made sole Tutour to the King Scroop Lord Chancellor removed Ann. 1381 R. 3. Ann. D. 1382 R. 4. An. 1382. R. 4. In 〈◊〉 celebratione deprâ—…ersum Digito â—…abijs admoto c. Ann. 1382 R. 5. The Maior slayeth Wat Tyler Perditus pernitiosus praesbyter The Lord chiefe Iustice slaine by rebells The Bishop of Norwich suppresseth the rebells in Norfolke Cambridge spoyled by the rebells Ann D. 1382 R. 5. Anno. Dom. 1384. R. 6. An.
besieged 1422. A Parliament in the Kings absence called The birth of Henry the sixt The Dolphin besieged Cosney An. 1422. R. 9. King Henry dieth The Duke of Bedford made Generall of Normandy The Duke of Glocester Protector Ann. 1422 R. 1. The Dolphin proclaimed King Pont Melon surprized by the French An. 1422. R. 3. Reduced by the Earle of Salisbury The league renewed with Burgoine A conspiracy at Paris Preventtd and punished The French defeated Ann. 1422 R. 2. The King of Scots marieth the Duke of Somersets Daughter Crotoy lost and recovered The English are victorious at Vernoyle 1424. The reduction of Vernoyle An. 14. 24. R. 3. The French frighted with the name of Salisbury A jarre betwixt the brothers in England drawes the Regent into Ergland The young King knighted The Regent returnes to France Burgoyne by letter disswades Glocester from his new wife The name of Salisbury a bugbeare to the French 1426. Ponterson taken by the English Mounts retaken 1427. An. 1427. R. 6. The pollicy of the French The death of Salisbury the downfall of the English good fortune Both wind Sun against the English The French every where revolt The Regent defies the French King The Armies on both sides in array An. 1428. R. 7. 1429. Henry the sixt Crowned The constancy of the Lord Barbason Ann. 1429 Reg. 8. Charles attempts Paris But disappointed retreats The Regent desirous to cope with King Charles An. 1430. R. 9. The Earle of Britaine defeated 1430. The Pusil Ioane taken Proceeded against Burned King Henry in person goeth into France King Henry returnes for England after a Truce concluded The Regent having buried the sister of Burgoyne marrieth a second wife An. 1432. R. 11. The Peasants in Normandy rebell The Duke of Burbon receiveth liberty of body out of prison and losse of life all in one day At St. Omers the Dukes of Bedford and Burgoyne meet and depart without conference 1435. The death of the Regent Emulation betwixt the Vncle and Nephew thwart the businesse in France Ann. 1435 R. 12. Callice besieged by the Duke of Burgoyne The Duke of Burgoyne retreats from Callice An. 1437. R. 13. 1437. The death of three great Ladyes The King of Scots murthered Ann. 1439 R. 14. A Parliament at Westminster Roan attempted but with losse to the French An. 1437. R. 16. Ann. 1437 Reg. 15. The Lord Talbot harroweth Piccardy 1438. Famine in England Pestilence in Paris 1439. An. 1439. R. 18. Ponthoys taken by the English Ponthoys succoured The French King braved by the Regent but is patient Treaty for a peace Ann. 1441 Reg. 20. The Duke of Orleance released The Earle of Saint Paul forsaketh the English An. 1442. R. 20. The Castle of Cornhill surprized by a stratagem Vnnaturall dissention betwixt brothers An. 1442. R. 21. Ann. 1442 Reg. 21. King Henry betrothed to the Earle of Arminacks Daughter An. R. 22. A truce agreed upon The Earle of Suffolk transends his Commission An. 1444. R. 22. 23. King Henry marrieth Duke Rayners Daughter 1444. The Regent comes for England An. 1416. R. 24. Glocesiers destruction plotted 1448. The Cardinal of Winchester dies William Wanfleet consecrated Bishop of Winchester An. 1430. R. 26. The truce broken by the English Ardes surprised An. 1449. R. 27. The Duke of Yorke sent into Ireland The English overthrowne An overbold but true language An. 1450. R. 27. Suffolke traduced The Parliament adjourned from Black-fryers to Lecester and then to Westminster Suffolke committed to the Tower A Parliament summoned Mortymer incites the many to insurrection The grievances of the Commons tendred to the Parliament Captaine Mend-all his private petition The two Staffords defeated and slaine The forme of Iacke Cades Warrant The captaine of the rebells slaine The Bishop of Salisbury murthered An. 1452. R. 29. A Parliament The Duke of Yorkes policy to cloake his intention Yorke raiseth forces in Wales The King sends to the Duke of Yorke Yorks answer Yorke dismisseth his army Yorke takes the oath of allegiance Burdeux is reduced Shrowsbury with his fourth sonne and his naturall brother slain at Chattillon 1453. Ann. 1453 R. 30. The Queene delivered of a Sonne Norman the first Lord Maior that went by water to Westminster to take his oath The Queenes Attourney with others slaine in a fray The Duke of Yorke writeth to the King Ann. 1454 R. 33. First battell at St. Albones The Duke of Somerset slaine 1455. Ann. 1455 Reg. 33. The Duke of Yorke conveyeth the K. to London Yorke made Protector of the King The Merchant strangers rifled An invasion attempted by the French Sandwich plundered The Scots make an inroad The Sheriffs of London in trouble for the escape of the Lord Egrimond Ann. 1455 Reg. 33. The Duke of Yorke with the Earles of Salisbury and Warwick betake themselves to their severall strengths The General agreement amongst the Nobilitie by the mediation of the King An. 1449 Strange apparitions An. 1459. R. 34. Sonne against father 1459. Subjects against Soveraigns Father against Sonne A fray An. 1458. R. 34. Three great Carricks taken worth 10000. 2. Battailes fought The Lord Audley slaine The Duke of Yorke flyeth An. 1428. R. 38. A Parliament The Earle of Warwicke with 25000. men taketh the field 3. Battell at Northampton Warwicke possest of the Tower An. 1459. R. 39. The Duke of Yorke puts in claime The Duke of Yorke to be proclaimed heire to the Crowne and Protector 4. Battell at Wakefield Young Rutland butchered The Earle of Salisbury beheaded Ann. 1458 R. 34. 1461. Fift battell at Mortimers crosse Sixt battel second at Saint Albones The Lord Bonvile and Thomas Kiryell beheaded by the Queene contrary to the Kings promise 30. Knights made Prince Edward dubbed Knight The Families of Yorke and Lancaster distinguished by the red Rose and white The Archbishop of Canterbury animated the Duke of Yorke to take upon him the Crowne Ann. 1460 Reg. 1. The Dukes title to the Crowne double An. 1460. R. 2. Edward leaveth London Lord Fitzwalter slaine at Ferry-brig 1461. The Lord Clifford slaine Ann. 1461 Reg. 2. The Earle of Northumberland with 36776. English slaine at Caxton field Edward the 4. Crowned An. 1461. R. 24. An. 1462 R. 2. An. 1642. R. 2. Conquet and Ree taken and pillaged by the Earles of Essex and Kent Sir Ralph Piercy slaine The Earle of Somerset taken prisoner An. 1464 R. 3. King Henry brought prisoner to the Tower The Earle of Warwick sent into France An. 1466 R. 6. Of Thomas Lord Scales of Nucells An. 1466 R. 9. The Lord Stafford forsakes Pembrooke Sir Hen Nevil slaine Ann. 1469 R. 9. King Edward taken prisoner King Edward escapes An. 1470 R. 10. The Lord Wells and Sir Thomas Dymock beheaded Ann. 1470 R. 10. Loose Coatefield Warwick entertained by the French King Visited by Queene Margaret Ioyne inconfederacy against King Edward Prince Edward married to his daughter The Burgonian Fleet dispersed Doctor Goddards Sermon at Pauls crosse King Edward enforced to forsake the land King Edward in danger of Pirates King Edward craveth succour of the Duke of Burgoyne Queene Elizabeth taketh Sanctuary at Westminster Rebells of Kent suppressed by Warwicke King Henry set at libertie A Parliament The Crowne entayled upon Clarence The Queene delivered of a Sonne An. 1471. R. 11. King Edward is admitted into Yorke An. 1471. R. 11. Warwicke entrencheth at Coventry King Edward entreth London An. 1471. R. 10. Warwicke slaine An. 1472 R. 11. Marquesse Mountacute Queene Margaret taken prisoner Prince Edw. slaughtered King Henry murdered Ann. 1472 R. 12. An. 1473. R. 13. A Kings kys to a rich widdow procured 40. where but 20. was expected An. 1474. R. 14. The Duke of Exceter found dead Ann. 1474 R. 4. King Edward writes to the French King * 300. crowns in gold and 30. yards of red velvet The duke of Burgoyn excuseth his breach of promise The Constable repromiseth ayd An. 1474 R. 14. Burgoyne departeth promising speedy returne The policy of the French King King Edward sends an Herald of armes to Lewis * S. Leoger Burgoyne retornes displeased The French Kingliberally rewardeth the good carriage of the English The manner of the internew of the 2 Kings King Edward could not be drawne from ayding the Duke of Brittayne A. 1475. R. 15. King Edward attempteth by a colourable pretence to procure Richmands person to be delivered to him Delivered to the Embassadors Escapeth into Sanctuary An. 1477. R. 17. Clarence drowned An. 1480. R. 22. An. 1483. R. 23. An. 1483. An. 1483. R. 1. An. 1484. R. 1. An. 1484. R. 2. Humphry Duke of Buckirgham slain at St. Albones 1455. Humphry slain at Northampton 38. H. 6. 1460. An. 1484 An. 1484 R. 1. An. 1484. Reg. 2. Richmonds ex hertation Battaile 1. Anno 1455. Dukes 1. Earles 3. Lords 1. Knights 11. Esquires 18. 5641. Battaile 2. Anno 1459. Lord 1. Knights 7. 2411. Knight 1. Battaile 3. Anno 1459. Duke 1. Earle 1. Lord 1. Viscount 1. Knight 1. Lord 1. Battaile 4. Anno 1469. Duke 1. Earles 2. Knights 8. Battaile 5. Anno 1491. Knight 1. Battaile 6. Lord 1. Knights 3. Battaile 7. Anno 1491. Earles 4. Lords 9. Knights 22. 37046. Battaile 7. Anno 1463. Knight 1. 107. Anno 1464. Duke 1. Lords 3. Knights 20. 2024. Battaile 8. Anno 1469. 5009. Earles 3. Lords 3. Knights 11. Battaile 9. Anno 1470. Knights 〈◊〉 10000. Battaile 10. Anno 1471. Earle 1. Marquesse 1. Lords 3. Knights 2. 10000. Battaile 11. Anno praedict A Prince Dukes 2. A Marquesse A Lord Prior An Earle A Baron Knights 20. Esquires 37. 1092. Battaile 12. Anno 1485. King 100. Duke 1. Lord 1. Knights 3. * Knights eldest Sonnes * Of coat-armour and Ancestry
Garter and sate in their Stalles at the solemnitie of the Feast The Emperour after the departure of the Duke stayed to mediate a peace betweene England and France which the King being advertized of the hard escape of his men in Normandy would not listen unto Neverthelesse the Emperour very politickly awaited his time where to take his best hint to perswade an agreement which might fortunately have beene found had not newes come of the besieging of Harflue so all was dasht The new Constable with a great power suddenly clapt downe before the Towne when the Viceadmirall of France brought up the whole Navy with intent whilst the Constable should assaile it by land to have entred the Towne by the water side But the Duke of Exceter defended the Towne valiantly by whose valour and indefatigable diligence they were defeated of their expectation King Henry in person was preparing to Sea with all speed but being by the Emperour disswaded he sent his Brother the Duke of Bedford accompanied with the Earles of March Oxford Huntington Warwicke Arundel Salisbury Devonshire and divers Lords and Barons with two hundred sayles to the reskue of Harflue they made sayle for Rye and not without some crosses at Sea upon the feast day of the Assumption of our Lady came to the mouth of the river Seyne Vpon notice of the approach of the English Navy Narbon set forward and got the mouth of the Haven The Duke sent before his strongest Ships two French Ships advancing too forward were layd aboard and taken The fight was continued and resolutely maintained untill the English having sunke five hundred vessels one and other and taken three great Carricks of Genoa wonne the harbour and notwithstanding some opposition made by the Gallies which had the advantage with oares to runne out of the reach of the Artillery of the English they relieved Harflue Vpon notice hereof the Duke of Arminacke raysed his siege and departed to Paris leaving somewhat more then a little provision of amunition behind him which they of Harflue tooke and stowed up for them The Duke of Bedford having finished what hee came about returned to the King who with the Emperour gave him great but no more then deserved commendation Whilst these broyles were honourably managed abroad two too uxorious husbands the Lord Strange and Sir Iohn Trussell of Warmingham in Cheshire who had married the Daughter of Sir Iohn Strange most dishonourably fought in maintaining their wives folly forgetfully striving for place at a Sermon in Saint Dunstons Church in the East by occasion whereof there was much partaking on both sides whereby the Congregation was much disturbed a great tumult raysed some slaughter and more bloodshed done the delinquents were committed to the Counter the Church suspended and upon examination the Lord Strange was found guiltie and by the Archbishop of Canterbury adjudged to penance which was thus performed all the Lords servants in their Shirts from Saint Pauls Church where the sentence was given followed the Parson of Saint Dunstons after them the Lord bare-headed with a waxe Taper in his hand the Lady bare-footed the Archdeacon Reignold Renwood following last went to Saint Dunstons in the East where at the rehallowing thereof the Lady filled all the vessells with water and according to the sentence shee offered to the Altar an Ornament of the value of tenne pounds and the Lord a Pixe of silver of five pounds There was then belike in use no commutation of penance Surely I am perswaded that if they might have bought out their penance for money they would have trebled their offerings I could wish that such severitie of discipline might now bee practised against such delinquents wee should then have devotion with more humilitie and lesse striving for places in the Church The Emperour desisteth from further mediation of peace with France and entreth in a League defensive and offensive with King Henry wherein only the Pope is excepted which concluded upon the the nineteenth of October Anno 1416. hee returned towards Germany King Henry accompanied him to Callice whither the Duke of Burgondy came to confirme the League concluded onbefore by the Earle of Warwicke and other the Kings Embassadours and him concerning Flaunders and Arthoyes only from Midsommer 1416. untill Michaelmasse following where it was prolonged further till Michaelmasse 1419. which gave occasion of suspition to France that the Duke was no firme friend of theirs The Emperour takes his journey to Holland the Duke returnes to Graveling and King Henry to Dover where he landed on Saint Lukes Eeve upon his arrivall hee sent new Embassadours viz. the Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford the Abbot of Westminster and the Pryor of Worcester to the Councell of Constance whither the Emperour in person likewise went in this Councell it was decreed that England should have the title of the English nation and should-bee accounted one of the five principall Nations which often before had beene moved but never granted till then and herein were all Wickliffes positions condemned At this Councell the Antipope Iohn was prescribed and all his goods and Treasure amounting to the summe of 750000. were seized The Parliament by reason of the Emperours being in the Land prorogued began againe the nineteenth of October wherein towards the prosecution of warres in France was voluntarily granted unto the King from the Clergie two whole tenthes and from the Laitie a whole Fifteene In this Parliament during the Kings absence Iohn Duke of Bedford was made regent of the Realme having out of the Kings coffers allowance of one thousand pounds per annum and fourty pounds a year out of the fee farme of Exceter Whilst King Henry is preparing for invasion the French-men had waged divers Carricks and other great Ships of the Genoaes and Italians which jpyning with the French fleet lay at the mouth of the River of Seyne under the command of Iaques Bastard of Burbon to barre all succour from Harflew Iohn Earle of Huntington Son to the Duke of Exceter beheaded at Ciceter is sent to Sea to skowre the Coasts who encountring with the Bastard Burbon after a long fight took the said Bastard three of his great Carricks with all the money for the halfe yeares pay for the fleet and bowged three other Carricks and dispersing the rest cleered the mouth of Seyne and returned to the King at Southamton And upon the 23. of Iuly the King with the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester the Earles of Huntington Warwicke Devonshire Salisbury Suffolke and Somerset The Lords Rosse Willoughby Fitzhugh Clynton Scroope Matrevers Bourcher Ferrers of Groby and Ferrers of Chartley Fanhope Gray of Codnor Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile Sir Gilbert Talbot and a brave well-furnished Army from Portsmouth tooke shipping and upon the first of August landed in Normandy neere to the Castle of Foncke The Kings Army consisted of five and twentie thousand five hundred and eight and twenty fighting
slaine and buried at Saint Albones And that those their slaine should be reputed and taken in an equall degree of loyall subiects with those that survived of the adverse part That the Duke of Yorke should give to Elianor Dowager of Somerset and Henry Duke of Somerset her sonne an assignement of five thousand marks due to him from the King at his being in Ireland to be distributed amongst her Children That the Earle of Warwick should likewise assigne a thonsand Markes due to him from the King to be distributed amongst the children of the late Duke of Somerset That whereas Thomas Percy Lord Egremond Richard Percy sonnes of the Countesse of Northumberland were at a Sessions in Yorkeshire fined at divers great summes of mony to the Earle of Salisbury his wife and children And that the said Lord Egremond was for the payment thereof committed to the prison from whence he escaped for whose escape Verney and Steward Sheriffs of London were sued That the sayd Earle should acquite all those fines to the sayd Lord Egremond and his brother and release all actions to the said late Sheriffs That the said Lord Egremond should enter into recognizance of ten thousand pounds in the Chancery to keepe the peace against the Earle of Salisbury his Lady children servants and tenants That Generall releases on all parts should be made of all Appeales and personall actions whatsoever That the two Lords chiefe Iustices should heare and determine any debates and controversies that might casually arise for any thing formerly done amongst the tenants or servants of either partie without further proceedings That the recognizances to be entred into of all hands for the performance of this award should stand of force without pardoning or parcelling the summes This award order and agreement was ratified under the great seale of England the foure and twentieth day of March in the sixe and thirtith yeere of the Raigne of King Henry the sixt Vpon the publication whereof at the Feast of the Anuntiation of our Lady Saint Mary the Virgin a solemn procession was made in the Cathedrall of Powles At which the King was present in royall habit wearing his Crowne imperiall before him hand in hand went the Duke of Somerset and the Earle of Salisbury the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Warwicke and so one of one and another of the other part till they were all Marshalled behind the King came the Queene the Duke of Yorke leading her by the hand who in going made shew of favorable countenance towards him service ended they returne as afore to the Court in all outward apparance truly reconciled But the apparance of the blazing Starre the strange apparitions in the elements The more strange sight of a seeming monstrous Cock to come out of the Sea and in the presence of a multitude of people at Portland to make a hideous Crowing three times each time turning about clapping his wings and beckning towards the North the South and the West with many prodigious births did but presage the admirable occurrences of things this yeare following In which as if with a generall deluge of civil dissention the whole Christian world should be overthrowne beside the rent in the Church by the schisme of any Popes No Country being free rebellions factions subjects against their King the brother against the brother the sonne against the Father the wife against the husbands sonne For example desire of rule saith the Spanish Historian being an affection of a greater magnanimous nature did so farre possesse Prince Charles sonne of Henry the fourth King of Castile that he opposed his father against whom his mother in Law tooke armes in defence of King Henry her husband from which pernicious quarrell which proved successes to the same did spring the two factions of Beamont and Gramont which for many yeeres together infested Navare and Leon and was the cause of effusion of much Christian blood The Gauntoys rebell against the Duke of Burgoyne who being succored by the Hollanders rowtes their forces and makes a great slaughter amongst them and Charles the seventh sends the Earle of Dampmurtyn in a miserable imployment sayth the French Historian against the Dolphine who was in armes against his father whom they enforce to flye to the Duke of Burgoyne who about that time to make his bastard Bishop of Vtrich had committed much slaughter amongst the Brabanters and raised his sonne a stayer of slaughtered carcasses to mount into the Bishops Chaire More Popes then one bred disorder to the great scandall in religion and preiudice of Christians The Emperor not being able to cure the infirmitie of the mind by force hath recourse to the authoritie of the Church he intimateth to all the Kings and Potentates of Christendome his desire to have a generall Councell at Constance to which all consent and the Emperors of Constantinople and Trapisond with the Churches of Greece send their Embassadors In this Councell Iohn 23. is convented condemned deposed and imprisoned Gregory the 12. and Benedict the 13. are deprived and Otho Colom by the name of Martin the 15. is chosen Pope by the Councell somewhat before this time in England Iohn Wickliff and Iohn Husse in Bohemia had so perswaded that divers were ready to disclaime the Popes authoritie teaching them not only to leave the abuse of manners but the doctrine it selfe affirming that it was lawfull for subjects to reforme religion when Princes refuse to doe it but their dangerous opinions were condemned for heresies the Councell ended but the schisme continued and during these confusions in the Westerne Church the Christians in the Easterne parts are utterly ruinated the Emperor smothered to death in a presse of people and Constantinople made the seat of the Mahometan Emperor An affray unfortunately falleth out betwixt a servant of the Earle of Warwicke and a Courtier who in the encounter is dangerously wounded The Earles man flyeth The Kings servants seeing their fellow hurt and the offender escaped watch the Earles comming from the Councell table and assaile him many are hurt the Earle getteth a wherry and so escapeth to London The Queene incontinently commands him to be commited to the Tower but he seeing where it began to raine in at posts to Yorkeshire where he acquaints the Duke of Yorke and his father of all the occurences with the palpable discovery of the Queenes cankred disposition advising them to stand upon their guard and to provide to keepe out the approching storme And so speeds to Callice And being then Lord Admirall to prevent revocation of that office he speeds himselfe to sea with all the Kings ships that were in readinesse and skowreth the Seas meetes with five great Carricks three of Genoa and two of Spaine and after two dayes fight takes three of them with which he returned to Callice where he discharged their fraight and found it worth ten thousand pounds in staple Commodities besides the ships and prisoners
if the Duke of Britaine were disturbed wherupon K. Lewis rested satisfied though not contented whilst K. Edw. forslowed no time to acquaint the Duke of Britayne with all the passages some think that had not the desire of compassing the E. of Richmond and Pembrook now in the D. of Britaines countries bin a better motive then any respect unto the D. the French K. might have had better successe in his requests K. E. to give K. Lewis a tast of his respect towards him notwithstanding his deniall of the proposition for the Duke of Brittaine sends a messenger unto him to acquaint him with trechery of the Constable against him and to carry the more credit of the truth of what was intimated hee sent two letters written with the Constables owne hand which were sufficient testimonies to accuse and convince the Constable of those crymes wherewith afterwards King Edward charged him The mony to be payd by the Articles is borowed of the Parisians so willing they were to see the Englishmens backs accordingly payed over the hostages are delivered wherupon the army retiers to Callice frō thence are trāsported into England performance of the agreement to the content of both parts made the hostages are with great prōises rewards redelivered Some forbeare not to say that K. E. lost more honour in this voyage then hee had purchased in nine victories before gotten but they were such as measure kings actions by the crooked level of their own erroneous fancies But those of better understanding affirme that it had bin a great error in judgement for the K. to be longer absent frō his so late conquered kingdom but great wisdome policie in him to take hold upon such an occasion to come off so fairely with a match for his daughter which had it taken effect had sufficiently recompenced his charge trouble But private men must not dispute the actions of Princes And further to examine the reason of what in this kind at this time was done might give occasion of discourse but not instruction King Edward being returned into England not unmindful that a great storme might follow though but a smal cloud as yet appeared dispatched Embassador to the Duke of Brittain to perswade with him to have the young Earle of Richmond sent over unto him for that he desired to match him in mariage with the Lady Cecily his younger daughter this faire overture of marriage or rather the feeling mediation of Angels wherof some store were sent but more promised so prevailed with the D. That upon the receipt of the sum sent the E. of Richmond is delivered to the Embassadors who thence conducted him to S. Malos where whilst they staied for a wind by the cunning advise and plotting of the D. treasurer who as it may be by the sequel gathered not wel pleased not to have bin treated withal according to that court custome with a feeling respect a more then ordinary proportion or common gratuity being inseparably incident to his treasurers place more scorne to be so neglected then love to Richmond The young L. escapes into Sanctuary From whence nor promises nor prayers could procure him Neverthelesse upon Peter Londoys his promise he should be safely kept there The Embassadors without their marchandize or mony departed to the no little discontent of the K. who greived much that the lambe had escaped his woolvish intention But being taught the rule what he could not avoyd he made shew to receive willingly he for that time said little At Christmas following he created his eldest son Ed. Prince of Wales D. of Cornwale and E. of Chester his second son Duke of York giving the order of knighthood to the son heire of the E. of Lincolne many others He created foure and twenty knights of the Bath upon the creation of the Prince of Wales whereof Bryan chiefe Justice and Littleton a Iudge of the common Pleas were two Thus whilst K. Edw. in England lived in peace quiet the turbulent D. of Burgoyne never constant but alwayes in contention reaped the triple fruit therof this yeare at three several times The first at Ganson where he lost some honour but more wealth The second at Morat where he lost more honour and many men The last at Nancy where he not only lost men mony reputation but life also by the Switzers whom he had driven to a desparate resolution then not in hope to escape but to sell their lives when submissiō would not be accepted at the deerest rate they fought prevailed Now begins Rich. D. of York to set on foote his untill then close contrived divelish devises to compasse the attainment of the crown of England for the first seene of the ensewing tragedy to facilitate his passage he secretly begins to with draw the Kings affection from his brother George Duke of Clarence and to that purpose susurreth unto him that some of Clarence followers were sorcerers and Nigromancers and that they had given forth speeches that one one whos 's Christen name began with the letter G. should dishinherit his children and carry the crowne of England and to put some varnish upon this suggestion one of the Duke of Clarence his servants which came with him out of Ireland from Dublin where the Duke was borne is in his Masters absence he being then in the country by the procurement under hand of Glocester endighted arraigned condemned and executed at Tiborne for conjuration and all within the space of two dayes hereof the Duke of Clarence being thereto irritated by his brother Glocester grieuously complaines to King Edward who insteed of giving redresse suspecting now the truth of the Duke of Glocesters buzz tooke an occasion likewise by Glocesters advise howsoever he made a glozing shew to Clarence of being jealous of his honour and disliking of the kings disrespect as he termd it of his brothers abuse frame a colour to commit Clarence to the Tower where his loving Brother Richard not as it was feared without the Kings privitie tooke that order that hee should not for so hee faithfully promised him upon his first commitment lye long in prison before hee would procure his release That he was drowned in a but of Malmesey and then layd in his bed to perswade the people that he dyed of discontent This George Duke of Clarence was Earle of Warwicke and Salisbury Lord of Richmond and great Chamberlaine of England he married Isabell daughter and coheire of Richard Nevill the great Earle of Warwicke by whom hee had issue Edward afterwards Earle of Warwicke who dyed without issue and Margaret married to Sir Richard Pole knight who had issue Henry Lord Mountayne and Reginald Pole Cardinall The Pestilence about this time raged with that fury in most parts of this kingdome that the sword in fifteene yeeres before devoured not so many as that did in foure moneths The King upon some present occasion sent to
entertaines them royally and tooke order with the Archbishop of Canterbury to give them answer to this effect That if the King of France would not give his Daughter and with her the lands and Seignioryes demanded that he would not disband but with all extremities that follow warre prosecute his right and never give over till hee had recovered his Patrimonie the King avowing the Archbishops speeches promising by the word of a Prince to performe the same and to visit them sooner then they should have cause to bid him welcome and so hee dismissed them All things prepared and in readinesse for France as the King having shipt his men was ready to goe on shipboord himselfe a plot of treason is discovered plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge Henry Lord Scroope of Masham Lord Treasurer Sir Thomas Gray of Northumberland and plotted and procured by the French agents These hee caused to bee apprehended and upon examination they confessed the treason and the summe of money by them for that end received and were immediately executed This Richard of Connesburgh second Sonne of Edmond of Langley married Anne Sister and heire of Edmond Mortymer Earle of March and had issue Richard Earle of Cambridge Duke of Yorke and Isabel married to Henry Lord Burcher Earle of Essex Some gather and I must confesse it is very probable that the Earle of Cambridge was not so mercenary as to commit Treason for money but would have confessed the cause had it not beene for feare to bring the Earle of March in question That his Title was by him and others intended to have beene set on foot and strongly backt by Sir Iohn Oldcastle and others if not as afore prevented but hereby were the sparkes discerned that afterwards blazed so ragingly over the Lancastrian family The windblowing a faire gale King Henry weighs Anchor and with his whole fleet puts to Sea and on our Lady Eeve landeth at Caux where the River of Sayne runneth into the Sea without resistance being come on shore hee caused Proclamation to be made that none upon paine of death should take any thing out of any Church or Chappell or offer any violence to any that should bee found unarmed and that no quarrell should bee renewed whereby any affray may bee made Then layes hee siege to Harflew the Lords of Toutevile and Gaucourts being within the same The French King advertised of the arrivall of the English sent the Constable the Seneschal and Marshall of France with others to the Castle of Candebecke from thence as occasion should bee offered to relieve Harflue But the English ceased not daily to forrage whilst the Duke of Glocester to whom the ordering of the siege was committed ceased not to plye the battery and so kept them in the Towne waking with continuall assaults The Captaines of the Towne perceiving that they were not able long to hold out the walls being undermined and the Earles of Huntington and Kent possest of the brest and thereon had pitcht their Colours about midnight sent to crave parlie Whereupon the Duke of Exceter the Lord Fitzhugh and Sir Thomas Erpingham were sent with this instruction that if they would not instantly surrender the Towne without condition there should no time bee sâ—…ent in communication yet upon the Lords importunitie the King gave themâ—…ve dayes respite in which time if no reskue came they should surrender the Towne into the Kings hand and for their lives and goods to stand to the Kings mercy Hereupon the Lord Bacquevile was sent to the French King to acquaint him with the composition but no reliefe comming they surrendred within three dayes the souldiers were ransomed and the Towne sacked The Duke of Exceter was appointed Captaine thereof who left there for his Lieutenant Sir Iohn Falstaffe with fifteene hundred men The dead of Winter approaching the King caused all those souldiers that had not payed their ransomes to sweare to render themselves prisoners at Callice at the feast of Saint Martine following Whereupon two Forts which stood on the North side of Harflue which till then expecting aydé stood out rendred likewise and then having repayred the Bulwarcke and furnished it with all things necessary hee marched to Porthouse intending to passe the River there before the Bridges were broken The Dolphin had taken order to carry into places of safetie all kinde of provision which might bee usefull for the reliefe of the English But King Henry kept on his way enforcing the Townes as hee went to supply his wants and comming to the river of Soame hee found all the Bridges broken and the fourds stakt hee marched to Arams in that orderly manner that the enemy durst not offer to impeach passage untill hee came to the Bridge of Saint Maxenae where thirtie thousand French appearing hee pitcht his Campe expecting to bee fought with where the more to encourage his men hee gave the order of Knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby Reignold Graystocke Percy Tempest Christopher Morisbye Thomas Pickering William Hadvesten Iohn Hoshalton Henry Mortymer and divers others But not perceiving the French to have any great will to come on hee marched by the Towne of Amiens to another place of strength called Bowes and there stayed two dayes expecting battell and from thence marched to Corby where the Peasants in multitudes relying upon their numbers and the ayde of the garrisons of Corby gave the King a Camisadoe and having forestald the passage in a straight with certaine men of armes sent from the Dolphyn they charged the right wing of the English which was led by Sir Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier so hotly that they wonne away his Standard But the same was againe recovered by Iohn Bromley of Bromley who being a Commander in Staffords Regiment not only made the retiring troopes to stand but renewing the fight with his owne sword slew him that had the Lord Bourchiers Colours and taking them up displayd the same with sight whereof the English were so much encouraged that they fell in with that vehemence upon the French that they presently rowted and fled the Lord recompenced the valiant exploit of his kinsman and for the same gave to him an annuitie of fiftie pounds per annum assigning out of all his lands in Staffordshire as by the enrolment of that deed is extant the Seale is a Cheuron charged with a Mullet about the same engraven Signa Hugonis de Stafford militis The same night after the retreat sounded the King found a shallow fourd betwixt Corby and Peron never spied before at which the night following he passed safe making what march hee could without Alte towards Callice Notwithstanding the extremities which attend his Army marching through an enemies Country where no forrage could be found and small store of pillage yet did the King so strictly observe the due performance of his first Proclamation against Church-robbing that hearing one complaynd of to the Marshall for having stolne or as