of vertuous liuing of the posteritie to be embraced of wise handling of weighty affaires diligently to be marked and aptly to be applied what incouragement of nobilitie to noble feates what discouragement of vnnaturall subiects from wicked treasons pernitious rebellions and damnable doctrines to conclude what perswasion to honestie godlynesse and vertue of all sorts what dissuasions from the contrary is not plentifully in them to be found So that it is as hard a matter for the Readers of Chronicles in my fansie to passe without some colours of wisedome inuitements to vertue and loathing of naughtie factes as it is for a welfauoured man to walke vp and downe in the hot parching Sunne not to be therewith sunburned They therefore which with long studie earnest good will to their great costes and charges haue brought hidden Histories from duskie darkenesse to the sight of the world and haue bin diligent obseruers of common wealthes and noted for the posteritie the fleeting manners of the people and accidents of the times deserue at the least thankes for their paines and to be misreported of none seeing they haue laboured for Note that the backebiter slayeth three at once himself by his ovvne malice hym that crediteth hys false tales and him that he backebiteth all I write not this to complayne of some mens ingratitude towardes me although iustly I might but to shewe the commodities which ensue of the reading of Histories that seeing they are so great and so many all men would as they ought imploy their diligence in the honest fruitefull and delectable perusing of the same and so to accompt of the Authors as of men carefull for their Countrey and to confesse if neede require by whome they haue taken profite It is now seuentene yeres since I seing the confuse order of our late English Chronicles and the ignorant handling of auntient affaires leauing myne owne peculiar gaines consecrated my selfe to the search of our famous Antiquities What I haue done in them before time the former editions of my Summarie of Chronicles maye wel testifie but howe farre be it spoken without arrogancie I haue laboured for the truth more thā some other this last edition wil euidently declare wherein that I differ from the inordinate and vnskilful collections of other men it is no maruel seeing that I doe not fully agree with my selfe as some malitious persons haue fondely charged me but lette it be considered that there is nothing perfect at the first and that it is incident to mankinde to erre and slippe sometime but onelye the point of fantasticall fooles to perseuer and continue in their errors Wherfore seeing that the perusing of auncient Records and best approued Histories of all times not without great difficultie obteined doe not onely moue me but for their aucthoritie driue me to acknowledge both mine and other mens errors and in acknowledging to correct them I truste to obtaine thus muche at your handes that at the leaste you wil call to remembraunce a moste gentle and wise lawe of the politike Persians wherein it was enacted that a man accused to bee in their lawes a trespasser and founde guiltie of the crime should not straight waye bee condemned but after a diligent enquirie and searche of his whole life and conuersation no slaunder imputed vnto him as of importaunce if the number of his laudable factes didde counteruaile the contrarie he was full quit of the trespasse The same lawe do I wishe the readers of these my Chronicles to put in vre that if the errors be not so plentiful as Histories truely alleadged they wil beare with them for as I promised so haue I tried all matters worthie of immortalitie by the certaine Touchstone of best allowed Historiographers and yet notwithstanding some faults by misprinting haue escaped the correction whiche easily may be seene and amended by the diligent Reader ⧠A briefe Description of Englande Scotlande VVales and Cornvvall BRitaine or Brutanne which by two names is called England and Scotland is an Ilande in the Ocean Sea scituate right ouer against France one parte of which Isle Englishmen do inhabite another parte Scottes the thirde parte Walshmē and the fourth part Cornishmen All they eyther in language conditions or lawes do differ among themselues England so called of Englishmen whiche did winne the same is the greatest parte and is diuided into xl Counties xl Counties or Shires which we call Shires whereof ten that is to say Kent Sussex Surrey Southampton Barkeshire Wiltshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Deuonshire and Cornwal doe conteyne y e first part of that Iland which part bounding toward the South standeth betwéene the Thames and the Sea From thence to the riuer of Trent which passeth through the middest of England be xvj shyres wherof the first sixe stāding Eastward are Essex Middlesex Hartfordshire Suffolk Northfolke and Cambridgeshire the other ten whiche stande more in the middle of the Country are these Bedforde Huntingdon Buckingham Oxforde Northampton Rutland Leicester Notingham Warwike and Lincolne After these there be vj. which border westwarde vppon Wales as Gloucester Hereford Worcester Shropshire Stafford Chester and Monmouth About the middle of the Region lie Darbishire Yorkshire Lancashire and Cumberlande On the left hand toward the West is Westmerland Against the same is the Bishoppricke of Durham and Northumberlande whiche boundeth vpon the North in the Marches of Scotland These shyres be diuided into xxij Bishoprikes which by a Gréeke worke be called Dioceses Of whiche Dioceses Canterburie hath Kent Rochester hath part of Kent London hath Essex Middlesex and part of Hartford Chichester hath Sussex Winchester hath Hampshire Surrey and the Isle of Wight Salisburie hath Barkeshire and Wiltshire Exceter hath Deuonshire and Cornwal Bath and Welles hath Sommersetshire Worcester hathe Worcestershire and parte of Warwickshire Gloucester hath Gloucestershire Hereforde hath part of Shropshyre and Herefordshyre Couentrie and Lichfield hath Staffordshyre Darbishire part of Warwickshyre and part of Shropshyre Lincolne which is the gretest lying betwéene the Thames and Humbre hath Lincolne Leycester Huntington Bedforde Buckingham and the residue of Hartfordshire Ely hath Cantabridgeshire and the Isle of Ely Norwich hath Suffolke and Northfolke and part of Cantabridgeshyre Oxforde hath Oxfordeshire Peterborow hath Northamptonshire and Rutlande Bristowe hath Dorsetshire And this is the prouince of the Archbishop of Canterburie whych is the Primate of all England wyth Wales The Archbishop of Yorke hath Yorkeshire Notinghamshire and a piece of Lancashire The Bishop of Durhā hath the Bishoprike so commonly called and Northumberlande Chester hath Chesshire most part of Lancashire Richmonde part of Flintshire and part of Denbighshire Carlile conteyneth Cumberlande and Westmerlande and thys is the other Prouince of the Archbishoppe of Yorke whiche is another primate of England and was of long time also primate of al Scotland but these Dioceses take their names of the Cities where those Seas be placed the chiefe whereof is London where in the beginning was
they vse the ciuill lawe as almost other Countryes doe The English haue theyr own laws and edicts In certain other conditions they be not farre vnlike but their language is one their habite complexion like one corage in battel and in the Nobilitie one desire and pregnancie in hunting The countrey houses be narrow couered with straw réede wherein the people and beasts do lodge togither Theyr towns besides S. Iohns towne are vnwalled which is to be ascribed to their animositie hardinesse fixing all their succor helpe alway in the valiancie of their body The Scots are verye wise as their learning declareth For to whatsoeuer Art they do apply themselues they easily profite in the same But the ydle â—louthful and such chiefly as shun and auoyde labour liue in great pouertie yet wil not sticke to boast of their nobilitie and gentrie as though it were more séemely for the honest to lacke than comely by exercise of some honest Arte to get their liuing But the Scots generally be deuoute obseruers of Religion And thus muche of Scotlande Wales the third parte of Brytaine lyeth vppon the lefte VVales hande whiche like a Promontorie or foreland or an Isle as it were on euery side is compassed with the maine Sea except it be on y e Southeast part with the riuer of Sabrine commonly called Seuern which diuideth Wales from England although some late writers affyrme Hereford to be a bound betwéene Wales and England and say that Wales beginneth at Chepstow where the riuer Wey augmented with an This arme of the Sea as I â—udge is novve called Aust vvhere is a passage betvveene the village of Aust and Chepstoâ—â— other riuer called Lugge passing by Hereforde doth runne into the Sea whiche riuer ryseth in the middle of Wales out of that hil but vncertayne whether oute of that Spring that Sabrine doth for euen to that place there goeth a great arme of the Sea which passing through the land westward on the right hand leaueth Cornwal and on the left Wales whiche Topographie or description althoughe it be newe yet I thought good to follow Therefore Wales is extended from the town of Chepstow where it beginneth almost by a straight line a little aboue Shrowsburie euen to Westchester Northward Into that part so many of the Brytaines as remayned aliue after the slaughter and losse of their countrey at the length being driuen to their shiftes did repayre as auntient writings report where partly through refuge of the mountaines and partly of the wooddes and marishes they remained in safetie which part they enioy euen to this day That land afterwards the English men did cal Wales Giraldus Cambrensis and the Brytaines the inhabitants of the same Walshmen for amongs the Germaines Walshman signifieth a stranger an alien an outborne or strange man that is suche a one as hath a coÌ„trarie laÌ„guage from theirs for Wal in their tongue is called a stranger borne as an Italian or Frenchman which differ in spéech from the Germaine Man signifieth Homo which is a Man in Englishe Therefore Englishmen a people of Germanie after they had wonne Brytaine called the Brytaines whiche escaped after the destruction of theyr Country after their Country maner Walshmen bicause they had an other tongue or speach besides theirs and the laÌ„d which they inhabited Wales which name afterward both to the people and country did remaine By this meane the Brytaines with their kingdome loste their name But they which affirme that name to be deriued of their Kyng or Quéene without doubt be deceyued The countrey soyle towardes the Sea coast in other places in the valleys and playnes is moste fertile whiche yéeldeth bothe to man and beast great plenty of fruite and grasse but in other places for the most part it is barraine lesse fruitful bicause it lacketh tillage for whych cause husbandmen doe liue hardly eating Oten cakes drinking Milke mixt with water There bée many towns strong Castels foure Bishoprickes if the Foure Bishope in VVales Bishopricke of Hereford be counted in England as the late wryters declare The firste Bishopricke is Meneue so called of Meneua which at this day they call Saint Dauids a Citie very auntient scituated vppon the Sea coast and boundeth Westwarde towarde Irelande An other is Landaffe the thirde Bangor and the fourth Saint Asaph which be vnder y e Archbishop of Canterbury The WelshmeÌ„ haue a language froÌ„ the Englishmen which as they say y t fetch their pedigrée froÌ„ y e Troians doth partly sounde of the Troian antiquitie and partly of the Gréeke But hewsoeuer it is the Walshemen doe not pronounce their speache so pleasauntlye and gently as the Englishmen doe bicause they speake more in the throate and contrariwise the Englishmen rightly following the Latines do expresse their voice somewhat within the lips whiche to the hearers séemeth pleasaunt and swéete And thus much of Wales the thirde part of Brytaine Nowe followeth the fourth and last part of Brytaine named Cornwal This part beginneth on that side which standeth towarde Spaine Westward Toward the Easte it is of bredth foure score and ten miles extending a little beyond S. Germains which is a very famous village situate on y e right hand vppon the Sea coaste where the greatest bredth of that Countrey is but. xx miles for this parcel of land on the right hande is compassed with the coast of the maine Sea and on the left hand with that arme of the sea which as before is declared parteth the land and runneth vp to Chepstow wher the CouÌ„try is in forme of a horne For at y e first it is narrow and then groweth broder a little beyonde the sayd town of S. Germain Eastward it bordreth vpoÌ„ EnglaÌ„d West South North y e main sea is rouÌ„d about it it is a very barren soile yéelding fruite more through trauel of y e tillers husbaÌ„dmeÌ„ than through the goodnesse of the ground but there is greate plentie of Lead Tin in the mining digging wherof doth specially consist the liuing and sustentation of the inhabitaÌ„ts Their tong is far dissonant from English but it is much like to the Walsh tong bicause they haue many words coÌ„mon to both tongs yet this difference there is betwéen them when a Walsh man speaketh the Cornish maÌ„ rather vnderstandeth manie words spoken by the Walshman than the whole tale he telleth whereby it is manifest that those thrée people doe vnderstand one another in like maner as y e Southern Scots doe perceiue and vnderstand the Northern But it is a thing very rare and maruellous that in one Iland there should be such varietie of spéeches Cornwal is in the Diocesse of Exceter whiche was once worthy to be counted the fourthe parte of the Iland for the contrariety of the language Afterwards the NormaÌ„s which constituted a kingdome of al those thrée parts reckened Cornwal to be one of the Counties or
get the good wyll of the people who had conceyued an ill opinion of hym of thys arose ciuill warres within the Realme and often dissention and discordes as well of the Nobles as of the common sort Anno. 982. a great part of the Citie of London was brent Thomas Rudburn which Citie at this time had most building from Ludgate towarde Westminster and little or none where the harte of the Citie is nowe except in diuerse places was housing that stoode without order so that manye Cities as Canturburie Yorke and other in Englande passed London in building but after the Conquest it encreased and nowe passeth all other A disease not knowen in England in time past to witte Asser Flux of men c morraine of Cattaile Bishops Sea at Excester Feuers of men with the Flix and Morren of cattayle killed many Anno. 994. King Ethelred erected a Byshoppes sea at Excester The same yeare Anlafe Kyng of the Norwayes Sweyne King of Danes on the daye of the Natiuitie of our Lorde in xviij Galleys came vp to London whiche they attempted to breake into and to set on fire but they were repulsed not without their greate detriment and losse by the Citizens wherevppon they being driuen with furie leauing London set vpon Eastsex and Kent by the sea coastes brent Townes and wasted the fields without respect of sex or age killed al wasted with fire sword al what they may not carry away At length being pacified with a Tribute of 16000. pounds departed to theyr shyppes and Wintered at Southampton Anno. 995. a Comet apeared The Bishoprick of Lindâ—fer Bishops sea aâ— Durham or Holâ—e Iland was remoued to Durham In the yeare 1002. King Etheldred caused al the Danes in The Danes 〈…〉 thered Burton vpon Trent England to be slayne vpon the day of Saint Brice The same yeare Vlâ—ricus Spote founded a Monasterie at Burton vppon Trent In Anno. 100â— Swayn King of Denmark with agret army inuaded EngleÌ„d with fire and sword 1004 they fought a great battell at Theâ—forde against Vlfekettel Carle of East-Angle Asser The yere 1009. they fought another battel against Vlfekettel at Rengemore The yere 1011. they destroyed Canturburie for that y â— Archbishoppe Elfegus woulde not yéelde to them he was first imprisoned there after carried to Grenewiche and there stoned to deathe Christes Churche is spoyled and brent the Monkes with all other men are â—â—â—â—hed TiraÌ„ny of the Danes in Englande nine of euery ten being put to death the tenth suffered to liue in miserie the number of them that were left aliue was four Monkes and of lay people eight hundred so that y â— number slaine was 36. Monkes and. 8000. of the lay people In Anno. 1012. they toke tribute of 48000. poundes and Record eccle Caâ— Marianus Tloriacensis at the last after diuerse ouerthrowes giuen to the meÌ„ of this Iland they possessed the same and putte king Etheldred to flight constrayning him to liue in exile among the NormaÌ„s This Etheldred had two wiues Ethelgina an Englishe Ethelgina and Emma vviues to Etheldred Alured and Edvvard the sons of Etheldred woman and Emma a Norman of the first he had two childreÌ„ of which sauing of Edmonde who succéeded hym in the kingdome it were nothing to our purpose to speake Of the secoÌ„d that was Emma sister to Richard Duke of Normandie there were borne two sonnes to witte Edward and Alured And that I do here contrarie to that is commonly vsed set Edward before Alured as elder brother I am moued therevnto by no smal aucthoritie which I haue taken out of the historiographers W. Gemeticensis Encomium Emma of that age out of Gemeticensis a most diligeÌ„â— writer of Genealogies and one other author who in hys Commentarie written in praise of Emma the Quéene affirmeth that Edwarde was the elder brother whom I doe the better beléeue bycause it is not like that he séeing the things wyth his eyes shoulde mistake the matter especiallye writing to the Quéene who was mother to them both Swanus in the meane time subdued al Englande and the people for feare yelded vnto hym on euery side ouer whome most cruelly he tryumphed But not long after he departed this life at Geynesburge and left Canutus his sonne successour in the Kingdome Etheldrede hearing that Swanus was dead leauing in Normandie with Duke Richard his sisters sonne Emma his wife and the children that he hadde by hyr returned with al spéede into Englande with Edmunde his sonne by hys firste wife being then at maÌ„s state by the trustinesse of his own men and the ayde of the Normans moued warre against his enimie Canutus finding himselfe vnable to matche with him went into Denmarke minding to returne hither immediatly againe Etheldred being contrarie to his expectation thus restored to his kingdome shewed great crueltie vpon the Danes that remained in England sparing neither man nor woman yong nor old Therefore Canutus being very desirous to reuenge the same prepared a new armie and came into England against Etheldred with al spéede he could raging wide and side with fire and sword Etheldred in the meane season whether by sicknesse or for sorrow dyed when he had raigned â—o Taxtor Wil. Malme Alfredus Beuers lacensis eight and thirtie yeares and was buryed in the North I le of Paules Church in London aboue the high Aulter EDmond the sonne of Etheldred by his first wife succéeded 1016 Edmond Ironside W. Malme in the Kingdome who whether it were for the greate strength of his body or for that he alwayes vsed to go in armour was surnamed Ironside He had sixe battels against Canutus King of the Danes Leyland at Penham hard by Gillingham in Dorcetshire He put the Danes to flight after that at Shirestone He held euen hand with them in the field notwithstanding that the Englishmen at the first beganne to flée by the policie of Edricus Duke of Lincolne and of Merce who cryed Edrike a Traytor runne away wretches Edmond your King is slayne After this King Edmond came to London to deliuer the Citizens whome part of the enimies had beséeged as soone as he was gone from thence He had made a ditch also round about the Citie where Ditch about London the Riuer of Thamis doth not runne The Danes fléeing the King followed them and passing ouer Brentford he vanquished them with a notable victorie The rest of y e Danes which remayned with Cnute whiles London beseeged both by land and by vvater Edmond rested him and set his matters in order did againe beséege London both by water and by lande but the Citizens stoutely withstoode and repulsed them wherefore they shewed their anger vpon the Countrey of the Mercies spoyling Townes and Uillages with robbery burnings and murther and caryed their pray to the Shippes whiche they had gathered togither in the Riuer of Medway which runneth by Rochester from
10 Iohn Fleming 11 Oliuer Saint Iohn 12 WilliaÌ„ Easterling now for shortnes called Sâ—radling Thus was the Lordship of Glamorgan Morgannoke wonne out of the Welchmens hands whiche Lordship conteyned in length from Râ—mid bridge on the East side to Pallekinan in the West side 27. miles The breadth from the Hauen of Aberthaw on the South side to the confine of Breknokeshire about Morleys Castell is 22. miâ—â—â— In this Prouince are neath vpon a Riuer of the same name Pontfaine that is to say Stone bridge sometimes called Cowbridge Lantwid Wenny Dinwid Townes and Castels besides Caer Phili a most antient Castell fortresse which by reporte was erected by the Romanes and Caerdid the Humfrey Lâ—â—yd principall Towne of the Shire standing vpon the Riuer Tafe Englishmen tearme it Cardid or Gardife Also within the body of the said Lordship were eightene Castels and â—6 Knightes fées and a halfe that helde of the same Lordship by Knights seruice besides a great number of frée holders Also the saide Lordship being a Lordship Marcher or a Lordship Royall and holden of no other Lordship the Lordes thereof euer since the winning of the same owing their obedience only to the Crowne haue vsed therein Iura regalia with the triall of all actions as well reall as personall and pleas of Crowne with authoritie to pardon all offences Treason only excepted King William W 〈…〉 Northumberland where he repaired 1091 Nevv Castell Sarisburie Anno reg 5 such Castels as the Scottes had impayred and builded the newe Castell on Tine Osmond Bishop of Sarisburie founded the Cathedrall Church of old Sarisburie and on the morrow after the dedication thereof the Stéeple was fiered by lightning In England fell wonderfull abundance of rayne and after 1092 Great Frost Mathew Paris Wil. Malme ensued so great frost that horsses and cartes passed commonly ouer great Riuers which when it thawed the Yse brake downe many great bridges Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester sente into Normandy for Abbey of Chester Anselme by his counsell to builde an Abbey at Chester of Saint Werbridge King William lying sicke at Glocester for feare of death Mathew Paris promised to correct the wicked Lawes He gaue the Archbishoprike of Canturbury to Anselme Anselme Archbishop and to his Chancellour Robert Bloet the Bishoprike of Lincolne but when the King had recouered his health he was sorie that he had not sold the Bishoprike of Lincolne Malcolme King of Scottes comming into Englande was King of Scottes flayne met withall and sodeinly â—â—ayne with his sonne and heire also by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland Iohn Bishop of Welles by noynting the Kings handes Bishopricke at Bathe Levves in Suffex Anno reg 6. 1093 Carelile repayred and the Castell builded Famine â—â— Beuerla Thomas Rudburn transposed his Bishops seate to Bathe William Waren first Earle of Surrey and Gundred his wife founded the Abbey of Lewes in Sussex King William builded againe the Citie of Carelile which was destroyed by the Danes 200. yeares before He also builded a Castell there and out of the South parts of England sent men to inhabit This yeare was a great famine and after so great a mortalitie that the quicke were scant able to bury the dead King William made great warres in Normandy against his brother Robert through the whiche both England and Normandy were fore oppressed with exactions Exactions VVâ—lâ—chmen vvon Angleâ—ey The Welchmen spoyled the Citie of Glocester with a part of Shrewsburie and woonne the Isâ—e of Anglesey The Bishopricke of Thetford was translated to Norwich Bishopricke at Norvvich Anno reg 7. 1094 Northumberland spoyled by Herbert Losing Bishop there King William sent his brother Henry into Northumberland with a great power bycause Robert Mowbrey Earle of that Countrey refused to come to the Kings Court the Countrey was spoyled the Earle was taken and many were disherited Some had their eyes put out c. King William with a great power entred Wales but not King VVilliam inuaded vvales being able to followe the Welchmen among the hilles he builded two Castels in the borders and returned Great preparation was made by the Christians to goe Anno reg 8. 1095 〈…〉 to Hierusalem against the Infidels at Hierusalem Peter the Hermite being their first leader and after Godfrey of Lorraine called Godfrey of Bolleine Robert Duke of Normandy tooke his iourney towards Anno reg 9. 1096 Normandy pavvned An. reg 10. 1097 Nice and Antioch vvoon Hierusalem and layde Normandy to gage to his brother King William for 6666. poundes of siluer The Dukes Godfrey Beamonde and Robert beséeged the Citie of Niece with 6000. horsemen and 10000. footemen and tooke the same with the wife of Soliman and his sonnes They also tooke the Citie of Antioch King William with an armie of horsemen and footemen wente the seconde time into Wales meaning to kill all the male kinde there but he could vnneth kill or take any one of them All the lands in Kent that sometime belonged to Earle Hector Boetius Godvvin sands Godwine by breaking in of the Sea were couered with Sands and therefore is yet called Godwine Sands King William was in Normandy and gaue himselfe to Exactions An. reg 11. 1098 An. reg 12. 1099 Hierusalem vvonne warres there so that with exactions and tributes he did not only shaue but flea the people of England Hugh Earle of Shrewsburie was slayne in Anglesey by the Irishmen The Christians tooke the Citie of Hierusalem and placed there a King and a Patriarche After King Wilham was come out of Normandy he kept his Courte at Westminster in the new Hall which he had then caused to be builded the length whereof is 270. foote VVestminster Hall P. Patauiensis and the breadth 74. foote and hearing men say it was too bigge he answered this Hall is not bigge ynough by the one halfe and that it was but a Chamber in comparison Io. Euersden of that he was about to make A diligent searcher might Mathew Paris Io. Rouse yet find out the foundation of the Hall which he had purposed to builde stretching from the Thames side vnto the common strééte King William being a hunting in the new Forest word was brought him that his people were beséeged in Mayne he forthwith tooke shipping though he were vehemently perswaded to the contrary for that there was at that time a great tempest to whome he answered he neuer heard that any King was drowned At this time he gote more honor VVord of VVilliam Rufus Mathew Paris than euer he did in all his life for he chased his enemies and returned with victory In this Sommer bloud sprang out of the earth at Finchamstede Anno reg 13 in Barkeshire King William on the morrow after Lammas day hunting 1100 There standeâ—â— a Chappell King VVilliam slayne Wil. Malme Mathew Paris Radulphus Niger in the new Forrest of Hampshire in a
of the people and falling away from the King whiche hapned shortly after Roger Mortimere Earle of March and of Vlstar in Ireland Earle of March slaine in Irelād Cro. Pet. Coledge W. l. Wilum lying there in a Castel of his there came on him a great multitude of wilde Irishmen to assayle him and he issuing out fought manfully till he was by them hewen to péeces whose death the King determined to reuenge About Candlemas dyed Iohn of Gaunt D. of Lancaster at the Bishop of Elyes Inne in Holborne by London and was Duke of Lancaster deceased 1399 honourably buryed in S. Paules Church at London his sonne Henry Duke of Hereford being then beyond the seas About Whitsontide King Richard with a Nauie of 100. Ships sayled from Milford Hauen towards Ireland and arriued King Richarde sayled into Ireland at Waterford on the last day of Maynfrem whence he marched with his armie of thirtie thousande to Kilkenny fourescore miles within the Countrey and there remayned xiiij dayes tarying for Edward Duke of Aumarle On Midsommer euen he went from thence toward Mackmore who Anno reg 23 remayned amongst the woods with 3000 mē right hardy and such as séemed but little to feare the Englishmen At the entring of the woods the King commanded fires to be vsed so that many a house and many a village was brent there the King made the Duke of Herefords sonne Knight with ten other 2500. Pioners were appoynted to fell the woods and make wayes for y e Englishmen The Irishmē feared greatly the shot of the Englishmen but yet with their Dartes they assayled and slewe diuers as they caught them at aduantage The Unkle of Mackmore came in and yéelded himselfe The Vnkle of Mackmore submitted to King Richard to the King with a withie about his necke and many other naked and bare legged did the like all which the King pardoned After this the King sente to Mackmore promising him that if he would come in as his Unkle had done with the withie about his necke he should be pardoned but he vtterly refusing sayd he would fight to death in defending his right for he knew the Englishmen wanted victualles and more than they had brought with them could not be bought for Gold or Siluer There was already such scarcitie that there were some four some sixe that had but a small lofe of bread to liue by the day and some that eate not a grayne in fiue dayes togither The King therefore departed the 28. day of June toward Diuelin at what time Mackmore sent a beggar with notice to the King that hée would be his friend and aske him mercy or else if it pleased him to treate of peace to send some noble mē to him whervpon the Earle of Glocester was sent who led with him the reregard wherof he was captayne being two C. Lances a M. Archers betwixt two woods farre from the Sea they mette with the Irish Mackmore himselfe rode on a white Mackmore a good horseman Horsse without saddle or other furniture that cost him as was sayde foure hundred Kowes whiche Horsse he ranne downe the hill that the beholders reported they neuer had séene Hare nor Déere to haue runne so swiftly In hys righte hande he bare a Darte greate and long whiche he threwe excéeding well He was a mightie strong man of personage There the Earle and hée talked a good whyle aboute the murthering of the Earle of March and after of other thynges but agrée they coulde not and so departed The Earle aduertised the King what he had foūd which was nothing but that the enimie woulde crie mercie so as he might be sure to haue peace without other griefe otherwise he would so long as he liued defend himselfe wherefore the King in his wrath not knowing what lette might happen sware that he would neuer depart Irelande till he had him eyther aliue or dead The host dislodged for lacke of victualles they were a thirtie thousands at their comming ouer that lay then at Diuelin fiftéene dayes the King forthwith deuiding his armie into thrée partes sente them out to séeke Mackemore promising an hundreth Markes to him that could bring him in which offer was well hearkened vnto for it sounded well but he could not be caught and the same day Edwarde Earle of Rutlande Duke of Aumarle Connestable of Englande arriued with an hundreth Sayle of whose comming the King was verie glad though he indéede had taried long and mighte haue come muche sooner They remayned sixe wéekes at Diuelin and heard no newes out of Englande the passage was so dangerous the winde béeing contrary and tempestes so greate at length came a Shippe with heauie newes how the Duke of Hereforde and now by the deceasse of his father Duke of Lancaster was arriued in England at Rauenspore The Duke of Hereford returned into Englande beside Wadlington in Yorkeshire and had beheaded William Scrope Earle of Wilshire Treasourer of Englande Iohn Bushy Henry Greene and other and had caused Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury to preach againste King Richarde who also shewed a Bull procured from Rome promising remission of sinnes to all those whiche should ayde the sayde Henry in conquering of his enimies and after their death to be placed in Paradise which preaching moued manye to cleaue to the Duke Upon this newes the King being perswaded to make hast ouer the Duke of Aumarle sayde it was better to stay till hys Shippes mighte bée brought togither for there were but an hundreth readie to make Sayle wherevpon Iohn Mountacute Earle of Salisburie was sente with a power whilest the King going to Waterforde mighte gather hys Fléete who promised within sixe dayes to haue followed hym The Earle of Salesburie landed at Conwey where hée was soone aduertised howe the Duke had taken the more parte of Englande and that all the Lords were got to him with more than thréescore thousand men The Earle of Salesburie caused to sommon the Welchmen and them of Cheshire to come to him so that wéening the King had bin arriued at Conwey within foure dayes there were come togither fortie thousand men ready to goe against the Duke of Hereford where they stayd fourtéene dayes but when they saw the King came not they stealed away and left the Earle of Salisburie in manner alone so that vnneath he had a C. men with him The Duke of Hereford aduanced towards the Earle of Salisburie who withdrew him into Conwey The King through euill counsell King Richard returned out of Ireland and landed at Milford Hauen stayd after the Earles departure eyghtéene dayes and then arriued at Milford Hauen from whence about midnight following desguised like a Priest for feare to be knowne with thirtéene persons only who went to Conwey thinking the Earle of Salisburie had there helde the fielde There were with him the Dukes of Excester and Surrey and the Earle of Glocester that continued faithfull vnto the last
might say The South windes warme did blow with heate pestiferous Pestilence And Pestilence did beare great rule in Cities populous For at London in short while it consumed aboue thirtie thousand men and women and in the Countrey Townes great mortalitie fell among the husbandmen so that great households dyed cleane vp and the houses were emptied About the fiftéenth day of August deceassed Sir Roberte Knowles Knight at his Manour of Sconethorp in Norffolke Sir Robert Knovvles Iohn Leyland he was brought to London and there honourably buried in the white Friers Church which he had newly reedifyed and builded This Sir Robert Knowles had bin a most valiant Captayne in the warres of France during the raigne of Edward the third and Richard the second whose force the Realme of France both felt and feared so did the Dukedome of Briteine Register of Bermondsey and all the people from hence to Spayne Of him in his life were made Uerses in Latin which may be englished thus O Robert Knowles most woorthy of fame Verses by thy prowesse France was made tame Thy manhoode made the Frenchmen to yeeld by dint of sword in towne and field This Sir Robert Knowles founded in the Towne of Colledge and Hospitall at Pontfract Pontfract a Colledge to the honor of the holy Trinitie with an Hospital ioyned therevnto In the which Colledge was placed a Mayster and 6. or 7. Priestes and in the Hospitall 13. poore men and women He was once minded to haue made this Colledge at his Manour of Sconethorp but at the request of Constance his wife a woman of meane birth and somtime of a dissolute life afore hir mariage he turned his purpose and made it in the very place of Pontfraite wher she was borne enduing the same with 180. pound lande by yeare He also builded the faire new greate bridge at Rochester ouer the riuer of Medeway with a Chappel and a chauntrie at the East end therof In the which chappel was sometime a table hanging wherein was noted the benefactours to that Bridge as followeth Sir Roberte Knoles founder of the Trinitie Chappell at Rochester Bridge Constaunce wife to Knowles Sir Iohn Cobham Lord principall benefactour to the making of Rochester Bridge Margaret wife to Cobham Thomas Boucher Cardinall Iohn Morton Archbishop Henrie Chicheley Archbishop Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham Iohn Langedon Bishop of Rochester Thomas Arundale Archbishop Sir Iohn Cornewal Lord Fanhap Richard Whittington William Cromer Geffrey Boleyne Maior of London Iohn Darby Draper Alderman of London William Midleton Mercer of London William Martin Justice Sir Willlam Nottingham chiefe Barron of the Exchequer William Wangforde Iohn Buckingham Bishop of Lincolne Iohn Kempe Bishop of London Sir William Richal Sir Iohn at Pole All these had giuen money or landes towards the building and repayring of the sayde Bridge Iohn Warner a Merchaunt of Rochester made the newe coping of Rochester Bridge and William Warham Archbyshop of Canter burie made the yron pikes and bars aboute the same coaping This sommer Henrie Prince of Wales besieged the Castel of Abrustwich but not long after Owen Glendouerdew Anno reg 9. Sherifes Maior entred into it and placed new kéepers Henrie Pontfract Henrie Halton the. 28. of September Sir William Stondon Grocer the. 28. of October In Nouember a Parliamente being called at London a taxe of money was leuied of the whole Realme This yeare was a sore and sharpe Winter and suche aboundance of Snow which continued December Januarie Februarie and March so that almoste all small Byrdes dyed through hunger and colde Whiles the King helde a great Counsell at London with the nobles of the Realme Henrie Earle of Northumberlande and Thomas Lorde Bardolfe came againe into England who after long iournying when they came to the Towne of Thriske they caused to bée proclaymed that who so woulde haue libertie shoulde take vp armour and weapon and follow them whervpon much people resorted to them but sir Thomas Rockley Sherife of Yorkeshire with other Knightes of that Countrey went against them and at Bramham Moore nere to Hasewold fought with them a great battayle and slew the Earle whose head was streyght wayes cutte off The Lord Bardolph was sore wounded and taken aliue but dyed shortly after This battayle was fought on the xviij day of February The Erles head was put on a stake and caryed openly through the Citie 1408 of London and set on London Bridge The Bishop of Bangor was taken with the Lordes but pardoned of his lyfe bycause he was not founde in armour The King wente to Yorke and there condemned such as transgressed confiscated their goods pacified the Countrey hanged the Abbot of Hayle who had bin in armour and returned to the South partes againe Upon the seuenth of September there were suche flouds of rayne as the olde men of that age had neuer séene before Edmunde Hollande Earle of Kent whilest he besieged the Castell of Briake in Brytaine he was wounded with an arrowe of a crossebowe in the heade notwithstanding he toke the Castel and destroied it to the ground and not long after his braines rotted and he died Anno reg 10 Sherifes Maior Thomas Ducke William Norton the. 28. of September Sir Drew Barentine Goldsmith the. 28. of October Aboute the feaste of Al Saintes the Cardinall of Burges came into Englande being sente from the Colledge of Cardinalles to informe the King and Cleargie of the vnconstaunte dealing of Pope Gregorie as also he had informed the Frenche King and his Cleargie and realme to the end that those two Kings might sette to theyr helping handes to induce the sayde Gregorie to obserue the othe he hadde made and that by the magnificence of those two Kings cōcorde mighte be made in the Church vnto the whiche businesse the Frenche Kyng hadde gladlye graunted and sente messengers vnto Pope Gregorie who notwythstandyng 1409 was obstinate The Kyng of Englande when hée vnderstoode the Cardinalles message hée commaunded that curtesie and gentle entertaymente shoulde be gyuen hym and offered to beare hys charges so long as hée woulde abyde in Englande After the feaste of the Epyphanye the Archebyshoppe of Canterburie caused to assemble at London all the Cleargye of the Realme to chose personages méete to go to the general counsel holdē at Pisa where vnto were chosen Roberte Holam Bishop of Salisburie Henrie Chiseley bishop of Saint Dauids and Thomas Chillingdon Prior of Christes Churche in Canterburie and the Kyng had sente before Iohn Coluile Knighte and mayster Nicholas Rixton Clearkes wyth letters to be giuen to thē And in y e letter to the Pope it was writtē most holy father c. if y e prouidēce of y e Apostolike sea wold vouchsafe to consider how gret harme and danger is sprong vp through out the whole worlde vnder pretence of Scisme and chiefly the destruction of Christian people whiche aboue the nūber as men say of 200000. are perished by the raging
reg 7. the North partes of the Element séemed to be couered wyth flames offyre procéeding towards the middle of the firmament where after it had stayed nigh one houre it descended West and all the same night being the next after the chaÌ„ge of the Moone séemed as light as it had bin daye Sir Richard Mallery Mercer the 28. of October Maior The twentith of Nouember in the morning throughe negligence of a Maiden with a Candle the snuffe falling in an hundred pounde waighte of gunne poulder thrée houses in Bucklerslourie werefore shaken and the Maide dyed two dayes after The dâ—e and twentith of December begasâ—e a Froâ—e The Thaniâ—â—â—rosen ouer whyche â—â—◠〈…〉 so extreamly that on Neweyeres euen people weÌ„t ouer and along the Thamis on the Ice from London bridge to Westminister some played at foote ball as boldely there as if it had bin on the dry land diuers of the Court being then at Westminster shotte dailye at prickes sette vpon the Thamis â— And the people both men and women went on the Thamis in greater number than in anye stréete of the Citie of London On the thirde daye of January at night it beganne to thawe and on the fifth daye was no Ice to bée séene betwéene London bridge and Lambeth whyche caused greate â—loudes and highe waters that bare downe Bridges and houses and drowned manye people in Englande especially Ovves bridge borne dovvne in Yorkeshire Owes bridge was borne away wyth other The thyrde daye of February Henry Stuarte Lord Darloâ—â— Henry Stuarte marryed the Quene of Scots aboute the age of ninetéene yéeres eldest sonne of Mathew Earle of Leunex who wente into Scotlande at Whitsontide before hauing obtayned licence of the Quéenes Maiestie tooke his iorney towarde Scotland accompanied with â—iue of his fathers men where when he came was honorablye receyued and lodged in the Kings lodgings and in the Sommer following marryed Marie Quéene of Scotlande Aboute this time for the Quéenes Maiestie were chosen and sent commissioners to Bruges the Lorde Montacute Knight of the honorable order of the Garter Doctour Wotton one of his Maiesties honorable Counsell Doctor HaddoÌ„onâ—â—â— the Maisters of 〈…〉 to hir highnesse with other 1565 Maister Doctor Aubrey was for the Merchant Aduenturers of Englande They came to Bruges in Lent Anno. 1565. continued there till Michaelmasse followyng and then was the diet prolonged till March in 1566 and the Commissioners returned into Englande The two and twentith of Aprill the Ladye Margaret Lady Liunex sente to the Tovver Countesse of Liunex was commaunded to kéepe hir Chamber at the White hall where she remayned till the xxtj. of June then conueyed by sir Frauncis Knolles the Guard to the Tower of London by water On Midsomer day Donell Mac Cartie More was created Baron of Valencia and afterwarde the same daye Earle of Glankerre at White hall On S. Peters euen at night was the like standing watch VVatche at Midsoâ—uer in London as hadde béene on the same nighte twelue moneths The xvj of July about nine of the clocke at night began Tempest at Chelâ—â—forde a tempest of lightning and thunder wyth showres of haile whyche continued til thrée of the clocke the nexte morning so terrible that at Chelmsforde in Essex 500. acres of corne were destroyed the Glasse windowes on the East side of the Towne and of the Weast and South sides of the church were beaten downe wyth also the tiles of their houses beside dyuers Barnes Chimneys and the battlements of the Churche whiche were ouerthrowen The like harme was done in manye other places as at Leedes Cranebrooke Douer c. Christopher Prince and Margraue of Baden wyth Cicelie Margraue and Marques of Baden his wyfe sister to the King of Swethlande after a long and daungerous iorney wherein they had trauelled almoste xj moneths sayling from Stokeholme crossing the Seas ouer into Lifeland from whence by land they came aboute by Polland Pruscy Pomerland Meckeburge Friseland and so to Antâ—arpe in Brabant then to Callais at the laste in September 〈…〉 at Douer and the xj day of the same they came to London and were lodged at the Earle of Bedfordes place neare vnto Iuie bridge where wythin foure dayes after that is to â—aye the xv of September she trauelled in childe bed and was delyuered of a man childe whyche childe the laste of September was christned in the Quéenes Maiesties chappell of White hall at Westminster the Quéenes Maiestie in 〈…〉 owne person being Godmother the Archebyshoppe of Canterburie and the Duke of Norffolke Godfathers at the câ—riâ—â—â—ing the Quéene gaue the childe to name Edwardus Fortunatus for that God had so gratiously assisted hys mother in so long and daungerous a iourney and brought hir so safe to lande in that place whyche she moste desired and that in so shorte time before hir deliueraunce Iohn Riuers Iames Hawes the 28. of September Sherifes Maior Mariage of the Earle of VVarvvike Sir Richarde Champion â—rapeâ— the 28. of October The eleauenth of Nouember the right honourable Ambrose Earle of Warwike marryed Anne eldest daughter to the Earle of Bâ—dforde for the honor and celebration of whiche noble marriage a goodlye chalenge was made and obserued aâ— â—estminster at the Tâ—â—â— with ech one sixe courses at the Tourney twelue strokes with the Sword thrée pushes wyth the punchion staste and twelue blowes with the Sworde at Barâ—iars or twentie if any were so disposed At tenne of the clocke the same daye a valiant seruiâ—eable Robert Thomas slaine man called Roberte Thomas Maister Gunner of Englande destrous also to honour the feaâ—â— and marriage day in consideration the saide Earle of Warwike was Generall of the Ordinaunce wythin hir Maiesties Realmes and Dominions made thrée traines of great Chambers which terribly yéelded forth the nature of their voyce to the greate astonishment of diuers who at the fyring of the seconde was vnhappilye staine by a péece of one of the Chambers to the greate sorrowe and lameâ—â—ation of many The foure and twentith of December in the mornyng Anno reg 8. there rose a greate storme and tempest of winde by whose rage the Thames and Seas ouerwhelmed many persons and the greate Gates â—â— the Weaste ende of Paules Church in London betwéene the whyche standeth the Brazen Piller Paules Gate blovven open were throughe the force of the winde then in the weasterne parte of the worlde â—loâ—en open In January Mâ—nsâ—eur Raâ—buley â— Knight of the Order Order of Sainte Michaell in Fraunce was sent ouer into Englande by the French King Charles the ninth of that naâ—â—e wyth the Order who â—â— Windsore was stalled in the behalfe of the saide French King wyth the Knighthoode of the moste honorable order of the Garter and the four and twentith of January in the Chaâ—pell of hir Maiesties Pallaice of White â—all the saide Monsieur Rambuley inuested Thomas Duke of Norffolke and Robert Earle of
houses and brent the thatch in the stréetes and themselues fledde with most parte of theyr goodes but by the industrie of the Englishmen the timber was also burned with the thatch sauing one little house of stone of Dunlamrickes wherein my Lord lay that night The twentith daye the Armie marched forwardes to a house of the Lorde of Bucklugh whych they ouerthrew with powder and then marched Northwarde to the Riuer of Tiuet where they brente and spoyled suche Castels pyles and Townes as belonged to the Lorde of Fernihurst and Bucklogh their kinsmen and adherents and that night returned to Gedworth The one and twentith day part of the army went to the Riuer of Bowbent vnder the leading of the sayde Marshall where mayster George Heron Réeper of Tiuidale and Ridsdale with them of that Countrey mette with him and ioyning togither rode on burning and spoyling all on both sides of the Riuer and the other part marched to the Riuer of Trile where they wasted and brent all on both sides the Riuer and returned to Kilsey where the Lord Lieutenant lodged of purpose to beséege Hewme Castell in the nighte and the Lorde Gouernour with his company went to Warke to bring the ordinance from thence in the morning which was disappoynted by the negligence of such as were put in trust for those matters who suffered the cariage Horsses to returne to Barwike the daye before which should haue drawne the same she lacke whereof caused the Lorde Lieutenant wyth the whole armye to returne to Barwike the two and twentith of Aprill in all which time there was neuer any shewe by the Scottes made to resist or defende theyr Countrey The Lorde Scrope Warden of the West marches entred The Lorde Scrope entred Scotland Scotland the eyghtéenth of Aprill brente and spoyled those partes almost to Domfrees he had diuers conflictes gaue sondry ouerthrowes tooke many prisoners and returned safely During all these inuasions the marches of Englande in all places were so guarded by the Lorde Euers Sir George Bowes and other of the Bishopricke as the Scottes durst not once offer to enter into Englande so that not one house was burned nor one Cow taken out of Englande There were rased ouerthrowne and brent in thys iourney aboue fiftie strong Castels and pyles and aboue thrée hundred Townes and Uillages so that there be very few in the Countrey that eyther haue receyued our English Rebels or inuaded England that eyther haue Castell â—yle or house for themselues or theyr tenantes besides the losse of their goodes The xxvj the Lord Lieutenant accompanyed with the Lord Gouernour the Marshall and diuers lustie Gentlemen Captaynes and Souldyers to the number of three thousand set forward to Warke and so to Hewme Castell whiche Castell they beséeged till the same was yéelded the Lorde Gouernour the Marshall and dyuers other tooke possession for our soueraigne Ladye the Quéenes Maiestie and expelled the Scortes that were therein to the number of 168. persons in their apparell on their backes only without armour weapon bagge or baggage among whome there were two Englishmen one Hiliard the Earle of Northumberlands man and a vagrant person named William Godswher which both were carried to Barwike Rebels executed at Barvvike and there executed the xxtiij of May. The Lord Lieutenant placed in the Castâ—â—l Captayne Wood and Captayne Pikeman with two hundred Souldyers and so returned to Barwike the xxix of Aprill where he rested very euill at ease hauing in the trauaile taken ouermuch colde wherewith he was driuen into an extreame ague The fourth of May he sente mayster Drewry Marshall with the number of two thousand to take Faust Castell which at the first comming was deliuered to the Marshall who expelled the Scottes in number tenne and placed fourtéene of our Englishmen against all Scotland it is so strong a place and so returned to Barwike The eleuenth of May the Lord Lieutenant made four Knightes viz. Sir William Drewry Knightes made by the Earle of Sussex Sir Thomas Manners Sir George Care sir Robert Constable And the same day Sir William Drewry being Generall set forwarde toward Edenborough with diuers foote bands with shotte armed pâ—â—es and péeces of great Ordinance to ioyne with the Earles of Leunox Murton Glencarne and Marre and other of the Kings power of Scotland in pursuing of the English Rebels and such of the Scottes as supported them as the Duke Hamelton and other who were in armes at Lithcoe twelue miles from Edenborough to defend their cause The â—ort sayd new Knightes with their bands came to Edenborough the thirtéenth of May and there rested thrée nightes and departed from thence to Lithcoe where the Regent was slayne The xvij the footemen marched to Faukirke sixe myles from Sterling and Sir William Drewry with the horssemen marched to Sterling to sée the King whome they found so perfect in all things as age and nature could permitte The xviij they departed to the footebands and so togither marched to Glascoy where the Lorde Hamelton had beséeged a house of the Kings but hearing of their comming he fledde with dishonour and the losse of 29. of his men The xix the generall with other horssemen and some shotte passed to Dunbarton to view the straytes of the Castell there being kept by the Lord Fleming the Bishop of Saint Andrewes and other his adherents to the Quéene of Scottes vse Our generall sent his Trumpetor to require a parley with assurance safely to returne wherevnto the Lord Fleming subtilly consented and minding so to wind him into his danger conueyed certayne shot and armed men into a secret place so that our Generall comming alone to haue parlyed his Trumpetor not returned they shotte at him meaning to haue slayne him but he bestowed his Pistolettes as fréely at them as they at him and returned to his companye and so to Glasco from whence Sir George Care being maruellously offended with the subtill dealing of the Lord Fleming wrote a letter of challenge to combate with him body for body which the Lord Fleming by his letter of answere refused wherevpon Sir George Care wrote a sharp and pithie replie c. The one and twentith day our Generall accompanyed with the Gentlemen and horsemen went to Dunbritton agayne to parley with the Lorde Fleming vpon his promise that hée â—â—oulde méete him thrée miles from the sayde Castell but the place of parley béeing viewed was found to be subiect to the shotte of the Castell and therefore our Generall required another place which woulde not be graunted by the Lord Fleming The. xxij the Lord of Lenox the Lord Glencarne and the Lord Simple with their friends and tenaunts came to our Generall and mustered before Glasco to the number of four thousand horsemen and footemen The. xxiij oure Generall with the whole armye marched towarde the Castell of Hamelton and there had parley with the Captayne whose name was Arthur Hamelton but he would not deliuer the Castell wherevpon our