but is reconciled to the French King. The War breaks out again between England and France The Black-Prince his Exploits in Gascogne The Lord John Lisle Knight of the GARTER slain Two Letters of Sr. John Wingfields relating the Prince's Exploits King Edward goes into France obtains a Truce and returns into England Barwick taken by the Scots Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Seventh Son Thomas of Woodstock Nantes taken and Recover'd A strange Malady of Aversion The Death of Peter Lord Mauley From p. 478. to p. 489. Chap. XIV King Edward recovers Barwick King Bailiol resigns his Right and Title to Scotland into King Edward's Hands King Edward wasts Scotland but losing a great part of his Navy is obliged to return He brings Bailiol into England with him A Parliament at Paris A Sedition at Arras supprest King John of France seises the King of Navarre confines him and executes several of his Friends The King of Navarre's Brother Philip obtains Assistance from England and being reinforced by the Duke of Lancaster makes hot War in Normandy King John goes against him but upon News of the Black-Prince's being in France turns back to oppose him The Duke of Lancaster having settled Affairs in Normandy goes into Bretagne to the Dutchess From p. 489. to p. 494. BOOK III. CHAP. I. KING John prepares to go against the Black-Prince The said Prince's Victorious Progress thrô Quercy Auvergne Berry and Touraine The French King follows him Two Cardinals haste after him in hopes to reconcile Matters Some French Troops cut off by the Prince King John having Order'd his Battails a Cardinal perswades him to desist a while till he had try'd to compose Matters But the French K. demands more than the Prince would grant A Quarrel between the Marshal of France and the Lord Chandos The Cardinal despairing of Peace leaves the Field Prince Edward encourages his Men. The Names of his Chief Leaders His speech to them His New Device against the Enemy The Lord James Audley and Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt begin the Fight The Famous Battle of POICTIERS wherein King John is made Prisoner The Prince of Wales his Bounty to the Lord Audley his Obliging Deportment to the French King. He returns to Bourdeaux King Edward's Moderation at the News of his Sons Success The Pope applauds the Prince of Wales for his Humanity to the Captive King. The several claims concerning the taking of the French King adjusted The Duke of Lancaster's proceedings in Normandy and Bretagne after the Battle of Poictiers The Troubles of France freshly fomented by a Seditious Parliament The Lord Godfry of Harcourt slain The Pope stirs up the Emperour to endeavour to compose Matters between the two Kings A Diet at Metz in Lorraine Seals changed in England From p. 495. to p. 525. Chap. II. The Black-Prince brings King John of France into England King Edward receives the Captive King with much Humanity Henry Duke of Lancaster holds a Siege before Rennes The Cardinals obtaine a Truce between the two Kings King David is redeem'd and returns to Scotland The Duke of Lancaster takes Rennes by Composition Sr. Robert Knolles beats the Marshal of France in Normandy The Lord of Granville takes the Castle of Eureux by a slight The Rise of Sr. John Hawkwood and Sr. Robert Knolles The Original of a sort of Free-booters call'd Companions in France The Insolence of the Parisiens and their Provost toward the Dauphin King Charles of Navarre gets at Liberty and grows Popular From p. 525. to p. 535. Chap. III. King Edward holds St. GEORGE'S day with great Solemnity A Friendly Treaty held between King Edward and King John but 't is dash'd The Jaquerie in France with their Cruelty and Extirpation Quarrels between the King of Navarre and the Dauphin and between the Dauphin and the Provost of Paris The King and Duke reconcil'd but the Provost continues Plotting The English Navarrois revenge the Death of their Countrymen on the Parisiens The Provost designing to betray Paris is discover'd and slain The King of Navarre breaks again with the Dauphin His several Garrisons the Dauphin's Difficulties The Confusion and Miseries of France The Constable besieges St. Valery The Captal of Busche comes to the King of Navarre's Assistance The several Garrisons of the Navarrois The Lord Canon Robsart discomfits a Party of them The happy Estate of England Two Kings keep Christmas with King Edward The Death of the Queen Mother of England of the Queen Consort of Scotland and of Orcanes the Great Turk A Quarrel between the Bishop of Ely and Blanche Lady Wake And another between the Four Orders of Predicants and the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford From p. 536. to p. 552. Chap. IV. A Method of Agreement pitch'd upon by the two Kings but rejected by the French Parliament Whereupon King Edward resolves for War. St. Valery yielded up to the French. Sr. Peter Audley fails in his Design upon Châlons The Earl of Roucy taken Prisoner a second time Melun besieged but the Dauphin and Navarre are reconciled The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt taken Prisoner by the French. A Judgment on a Sacrilegious Souldier The Navarrois decline suddenly Vpon Sr. Peter Audley's Death Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt is redeem'd by the Navarrois and made their Captain Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition He retires being overmatch'd Submits to the King and obtains his Pardon The Flemings revolt from King Edward King Edward with his Four Sons and others holds a Solemn Justs in the Name of the Mayor and Aldermen of London John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond Marries the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter King Edward chooses the Place of his Sepulture in Westminster Abbey From p. 552. to p. 564. Chap. V. King Edward sends the Duke of Lancaster to Calais and follows himself with an Army of an Hundred Thousand Men. The Names of his Chief Captains with the Order of his Army The King Marches from Calais toward Rheims in Champaigne An adventure between the Lord Galahaut de Ribemont and the Lord Van Boulant The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes the French Master of the Cross-bows Prisoner King Edward lays Siege to Rheims The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt sends relief to the English Army Several Places taken by Detachments from the Camp before Rheims The King of Navarre breaks with the Dauphin again The Lord of Gomegines taken Prisoner by the French. The Lord Bartholomew Burwash takes Cormicy and rases it From p. 565. to p. 574. Chap. VI. The Duke of Normandy's Methods to resist King Edward The French take Land at Winchelsea and having done much harm are beaten off Order taken to prevent the like for the future King Edward rising from before Rheims Marches thrô Champaigne Roger Mortimer Earl of March dies The Great Pomp and Order of the English Army King Edward is bought off from destroying Burgundy and turns toward Paris He sits down before Paris Two Treaties offer'd at in vain The King Challenges the Dauphin forth to Battle The Lord Manny
Villant p. 862. l. 12. c. 53. September he went from Dort in Holland with a great Fleet of Valiant Souldiers gather'd from Hainalt Flanders Brabant Holland Guelderland and Juliers to take Revenge of his Rebells of Friseland For he claimed to be Lord thereof and it was indeed his by Right if the Frisons had not been of Barbarous and Unreasonable Principles But here at last it was his ill Fortune to be met by the Frisons in a narrow passage near Staveren where being unknown he was presently slain before any of his Friends could come up to his Assistance He was a Prince of high Merit and a most Famous Souldier whereof for the short time he lived u Tâ—â—e's stcrehouse p. 721. he gave many good Testimonies in his Wars against the Saracens and Moors in the Kingdom of Granada and against the French in the behalf of his Brother in Law the King of England also in his Victories in Lithuania and Livonia and against the Russian Infidels where he loaded himself with Honour and his Men with spoil and booty Lastly in his Conquest of Vtrecht and his frequent Victories over the Frisons till this unhappy encounter wherein he lost his Life He died without Issue whereupon he was succeeded by his Eldest Sister Margaret the Empress whose Son William of Bavaria was Earl after her Decease Which William Married the Lady Mathilda Daughter to Henry Plantagenet now Earl but then Duke of Lancaster by whom yet he had no Issue There was slain at the same time with this Young Valorous Earl of Hainalt his Sisters Son William x Giov. Villani p. 862. c. Marquess of Juliers and Earl of Cambridge a Lord of great Power and Valour and while he lived a sure Friend both to him and King Edward His Uncle Sr. John of Hainalt Lord of Beaumont was y Frois c. 116. not in Friseland at the time of this woefull chance but soon after coming thither when he was told of the Death of his Nephew he rag'd like a Man distracted and would immediately have taken the Field against the Frisons But he was hinder'd by his servants and especially Sr. Robert Gluves who was his Armour-bearer and by a Dutifull Violence forced him into his Ship against his Will. So he return'd into Holland with a small Company and came to St. Geertruydenberg where he found the Young Lady his Niece late Wife to the said Earl named Joan the Duke of Brabant's Eldest Daughter who being informed of this heavy loss went and lived disconsolate in the Land of Binche about three Leagues Eastward of Mons z Vid. c. 10. §. 6. p. 114. which had been assign'd her for her Dowry The Government of Hainalt was menag'd by the Lord John till the Empress Margaret his Niece came thither to take Possession in her own Person VIII After this News was spread abroad in France King Philip whom it became to be vigilant about this own Advantage began to think how he might bring over the Lord John of Hainalt to his Side now the Earl was dead with whom since his Invasion of his Lands he could never have hopes of Reconciliation But the Lord John's Resentments he knew were not so deep wherefore he spake to Guy Earl of Blois who had married the Lord John's Daughter and had by her three Sons Lewis John and Guy besides the Lord Charles whom he had by a former Venter to use his Interest with him to bring him over to the French Side and he himself also by his Royal Letters assured unto him greater Revenues in France than he had in England which he promised to assign unto him in Lands where he should think best himself But to all these Arguments the Noble Lord was wholly Deaf for he consider'd that he had spent all the slower of his Youth in the King of Englands Service and ever found great Favour and Love from him wherefore now he had no mind to leave him When the Earl of Blois saw there was no sixing on him this way he resolved to try another and first to win the Lord of Saginelles his Chief Companion and Counsellour and so by his means to work further upon the Lord of Beaumont This Man being soon gain'd as one that had no such Obligation to England it was agreed between him and the Earl of Blâ—is to make the Lord John believe that King Edward would no longer pay him his usual Pension but had absolutely refus'd upon Demand to pay it to his Use as he had been wont This Device took for the Lord John without enquiring into the Bottom of it was so displeas'd at this supposed Unkindness that he forthwith renounced his Service and Good-will which hitherto he had born to King Edward The French King hearing hereof sent immediately sufficient Deputies to him and chose him of his Council and retained him in his Service for War at certain Wages assigning him moreover in France as much Land or more than he had in England But to require the Loss of these four Friends of King Edward's Earl William his Uncle John the Marquess of Juliers and Jacob van Arteveld about a Frois c. 114. this very time came over to his Side the Couragious and Politick Lord Godfry of Harcourt Lord of St. Saviour le Vicount and Brother to John Earl of Harcourt He had been once as Dear to King Philip of France as any Lord of his whole Realm but on b Fabian p 271. Occasion of a Quarrel between his Brother and Sr. Robert Bertram Marshal of France which was hugely fomented by Partakers on both Sides he so greatly displeased King Philip that if he could have got him into his Power 't was concluded he had found no better usage than the Lord Clysson had done before But he having timely Notice from his Friends withdrew into Brabant to the Duke his Cousin by whom when all his Lands were seised on by King Philip he was advised to go into England and proffer his Service to the King there He did so and was welcome to the King who received him with large Demonstrations of Good-will and made much use of him in his following Wars And this Displeasure of his cost the Realm of France dearly especially the Dukedom of Normandy for there the sad Effects thereof were seen an hundred years after IX In the Close of the foregoing Year it may be remembred c c. 22. §. 1â— p. 312. how we spake of the Deliverance of John Earl of Montford who claim'd the Dukedom of Bretagne from Prison And that by Vertue of the Truce King Philip was obliged in a manner to give him his Liberty but it was done with this Proviso that he d â—â—bian p. 270. should not go into Bretagne nor make the least offer to intermeddle with the Affairs of that Country Notwithstanding this Tye of his Promise Earl Montford took the first Opportunity to make his Escape into England as he did about
Archbishop of Rheimes the Nobility by the Duke of Athens and the Good Towns by the Mouth of Stephen Marcel Provost of the Merchants at Paris That they were according to their Duty ready to live and die with their King and to spend both their Bodies and Goods in his Service only they required sufficient time to deliberate and advise together which the King granted them And the mean while viz. on the seventh of December He created his Eldest Son the Lord Charles who was Dauphin of Vienna Duke of Normandy for which he receiv'd his Homage the next day Now the Estates having seriously considered upon the Kings Requests and the Necessity of his Affairs consented to find him for One Year at their own Costs and Charges 30000 Fighting Men with all their Warlike Furniture Provision and Apparel but because the Sum of Money which at first they reckon'd sufficient for that Exploit together with the Gabel of Salt were both by many question'd to fall short they appointed to meet again on the First day of March following to enquire into the Matter and to make up what should then appear deficient The Progress of which Affair We shall refer to its proper place lest We should be carried too far abroad when We are called upon to stay at home But being brought to the end of this Year We shall now think of concluding this Chapter when We have after our usual Method inserted two or three occurrences which are most properly ranged in such places where they may appear without disturbing the Order or Coherence of greater Matters IX On the sixth of January or after the Roman way of reckoning l Walsingh hist p. 163. Knighton p. 1608. n. 33. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 169. Sandf Geneal p. 227. on the VII of the Ides of the said Month in the beginning of this Year 1355 King Edward received from the Hands of Heaven a lively Young Prince for a New-years Gift this being his seventh and youngest Son was born at the Kings Palace at Woodstock about seven Miles from Oxford Whereupon he bore the sirname of Woodstock being at the Font named Thomas and became in time Earl of Buckingham and Duke of Gloucester and was a Prince of High Stomach and Resolution King Edward upon the Queens m Stow p. 255. a Purification of this her Seventh Son held in her Honour a Solemn Justs and Tourneament at Woodstock where were present the greater Part of the Nobility of England It is said n Mezeray ad hunc ann 2 Part. 3 Tom. p. 41. Frois c 154. f. 76. that on Shrove-Tuesday this Year at Night contrary to the Truce then in being two and fifty English Men took the Castle of Nantes in Bretagne by Scalado But the Lord Guy of Rochefort the Captain thereof who was at that time in the City was so well provided that he retook it again that same Night and cut them all to pieces without pity because they had so falsly violated the Truce This Summer o Knighton p. 2609. n. 40. ad n. 54. there raged a most strange and unaccountable Infirmity in England which was attributed rather to the Malignity of Evil Spirits than to any natural Cause For People of a sudden grew mad and went out of their Wits in most parts of the Realm whether they were in Towns or in Fields and so they ran about distracted to Woods and Groves to hide themselves as Wild Beasts avoiding the Company of Men And some ran out of the Fields to the Towns and out of Towns to the Fields void of all Care or Conduct and could hardly be laid hold on and some wounded themselves with knives and snapt and bit at those who endeavour'd to catch them And many were carried into Churches and there they lay bound till they might obtain ease from God by Prayer And in some Churches you might see ten or a dozen sometimes more sometimes less in this Condition so that it was a great Pity to behold their case But they soon recover'd by this means and the Malady was not lasting This Year p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 735. Peter Lord Mauley V. of that Name deceased upon the Festival of St. German in the Sixty sixth Year of his Age leaving behind him Peter his Son and Heir then Twenty four Years old called Peter VI. de Malolacu or Mauley who follow'd his Valiant Fathers steps thrô all the hazardous Paths of Glory CHAPTER the FOURTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward goes into Scotland and recovers Barwick AN. DOM. 1356. An. Regni Angliae XXX Franciae XVII King Edward Bailiol resigns his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland to King Edward of England II. King Edward ravages about in Scotland but losing a great part of his Navy is obliged to return III. He brings along with him the Bailiol into England IV. A Parliament at Paris with a Famous Tax therein ordained V. A Sedition at Arras prudently supprest VI. King John seises on the Person of the King of Navarre puts him in Prison and executes several of his Friends VII Prince Philip Brother to the King of Navarre obtains Assistance from England and being afterwards reinforced by the Duke of Lancaster makes hot War in Normandy VIII King John goes against him but upon News of Prince Edwards Invasion in another part goes back to oppose him IX The Duke of Lancaster having settled Affairs in Normandy goes into Bretagne to the Dutchess I. THE Parliament at Westminster of which we spake in the preceding Chapter being ended about the Feast of St. Andrew a Knighton p. 2611. n. 10. Holinsh p. 951. b. n. 34. King Edward immediately set forward for Scotland and rested not till he came to Newecstle where he solemnized the Nativity of our Saviour At which time He received Letters from his Valiant Son the Prince of Wales containing a full account of his late Exploits in Gascogne as we have declared On the b Holinsh p. 954. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. 14 of January King Edward having his Army encamped near the Town of Barwick and his Navy ready in the Haven to assail the Scots that were now therein enter'd into the Castle himself with some of his Guard that being still in the hands of his Subjects designing to let down the Bridge and fall in upon the Town that way while the Army from without attempted the Walls The Lord Manny also at the same time being busie in springing a Mine thereby to get entrance by Craft if Force should fail Upon this the Scots within being terrified with these dreadfull Preparations and seeing it impossible to hold out against such Forces and so various attacks began to capitulate desiring only to be secured of Life Limb and Liberty and they would forthwith yield up the Town Which Conditions the King accepted But the c Hector Boeth l. 15. fol. 325. n. 75. Buchan l. 9 p. 304. Scotch Writers say
Sedition and the next day made Twenty of them shorter by the Head laying the rest in Prison till the Kings Pleasure might be known in that Behalf Nor was this Town only reduced hereby but other growing Seditions were nipt in the Bud being aw'd with the severity of this opportune Execution VI. This mean while fell out what we also hinted before the surprize of the King of Navarre's Person by his Father-in-Law King John Which was occasioned and performed in this Manner Since the late Reconciliation between the two Kings King John was certainly informed how King Charles of Navarre had covertly dealt with his Enemies and had imagin'd and treated on divers things prejudicial to the Interest of Him and his Realm And he heard that the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt had spoken injurious and undutifull Words against his Person and had in the Parliament assembled for the Kings Supplies endeavour'd what in him lay to stop the Grant of that Subsidy Wherefore being now resolved to bear these Indignities no longer on Tuesday x Frois c. 156. being the fifth of April and about the middle of Lent he took horse early before day and rode from Vernevil in Harness with his Son Lewis Earl of Anjou Philip Duke of Orleans his Brother the Lord John of Artois Earl of Eu and the Lord Charles of Artois his Brother Cousin-Germans to the King together with the Earl of Tancarville the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan Marshal of France and Others to the number of 200 Spears With this Company King John came directly to the Castle of Rouën by the Postern and would not pass thrô the Town So coming suddainly into the Castle he there found at Dinner with his Son the Dauphin in the Great Hall Charles King of Navarre Lewis Earl of Harcourt with his two Brethren John and William and the Lord De la Preux Clere the Lord Friquant of Friquant the Lord of Tournebu the Lord Graville the Lord de Maubuè and two Esquires Oliver Doublet and John Vaubaton with Others All whom he caused to be apprehended together and clapt up severally into divers Chambers of the Castle And then having sat down and dined on what was not prepared for him he took Horse again after Dinner and rode forth into the Field of Pardon But surely at this time it could not be properly so called but rather by an Antiphrasis or contrary way of Speaking For immediatly hereupon were brought thither in two Carts the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt the Lord Graville the Lord Maubué and Oliver Doublet Esquire all whose Heads he caused then and there to be stricken off before him without any manner of Form or Process After which their Bodies were all brought to a Gallows and there hanged up in Chains and their Heads set upon the common Gibbet of Rouën However that same Day the King acquitted all the Rest from Prison except only the foresaid Charles King of Navarre the Lord Friquant and John Vaubaton Esquire all whom he sent to Paris and imprison'd them first in the Louvre and afterward in the Chastelet but especially over the King of Navarre he set several of his most assured Friends of his Privy Council to have a strict regard unto him and sometimes he threatned him with Death it self and had him hurried about to the strong Castle of Gaillard upon the Seyne to the Castle of Arleux in Cambresis and other Places of great Strength as a Person Unsacred and not of Kingly Character VII But this Violence of King John's was followed with Bloody Consequences for immediatly thereupon Prince Philip of Navarre Brother to the imprison'd King and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt Brother to the late Earl combined in a strong League together to revenge the Outrages done against their Brethren And first Prince Philip presently seised into his hands several Castles in Normandy belonging to the King his Brother And thô King John sent unto him to deliver them back again he was so far from complying with him therein that he presently took Shipping for England where he obtain'd a present Supply under the Leading y Dudg Ear. 2 Vol. p. 70. Stow p. 259. of the Lord Miles Stapleton Knight of the Garter with the promise of a speedy Reinforcement to be headed by the Duke of Lancaster For z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 787. before that time King Edward had constituted this Mighty Prince his Cousin Henry Plantagenet his Lieutenant and Captain-General in the Dukedom of Bretagne for the Defence of John of Montford the Duke thereof who was still under Age. And while the said Duke of Lancaster was thus preparing to assist the Duke of Bretagne and in his way thither his Kinsman of Navarre Prince Philip and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt aforesaid had brought a Frois c. 155. some Troops of English and Others the King of France's Enemies into the Isle of Constantine or Coutantine in Normandy which they fortified and held against the French King. When a little after Whitsuntide in the Month of June came over to their Aid the said Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Darby which one Person b Mezeray p. 43. Mezeray thrô Mistake accounts for two and joyn'd with Prince Philip and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt at c Knighton p. 2611. n. 60. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 788. Montebourg in the said Isle of Constantine with 4000 Fighting Men. These altogether rode to Carentan to Lisieux and Orbec and thence to the Castle of Ponteau de Mer belonging to the King of Navarre which had been besieged for more than two Months by the Lord d Frois c. 156. Robert de Houstetout Master of the Crossbows in France and a great Number of Frenchmen But when they heard of the Duke of Lancaster's approach they quitted the Siege in great haste leaving behind them all their Military Engines and Artillery with many other Necessaries which now the English took for their own Use When the Duke of Lancaster had victual'd the Place and reinforced it with all things necessary he marched thence to Breteville belonging also to the King of Navarre and at that time likewise besieged by the French and having here done as before as well by Raising the Siege as by supplying the Place finding that the City and Castle of Eureux which had lately been taken upon Composition by the French was not worth his present Consideration because at that time the City was burnt and the Cathedral robbed as well by the Navarrois who yielded them up as by the French who gleaned after them he neglected that Place for the present and marched on the right hand to Vernevil a strong City on the skirts of Normandy and took the Town by Storm the first Day he came before it and plunder'd and fired a great part thereof After which he assaulted the Castle thrice and took it the third Day having with him a special Engine of Battery wherewith he did Wonders in demolishing the
ready to sustain his Quarrel With these Words he left the King his Brother in an Huff and with four Persons only in his Company rode Post to St. Saviour le Vicount which was as we have shew'd an English Garrison under the Command of the Lord Thomas Holland a great Baron of England and n Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 7◠〈…〉 afterwards in Right of his Wite Earl of Kent and Lord Wake who received him very gladly and said how he had acquitted himself with commendable Loyalty and Honour towards the King of England However o Frois c. 198. by this Treaty of Peace the King of Navarre had the quiet Possession of certain Towns and Castles in Normandy and on the Borders thereof besiâ—es Mante and Meulan And now a Reconciliation was made between the Duke of Normandy and the young Earl of Harcourt chiefly at the Intercession of the Lord Lenis of Harcourt who was of the Duke's Council and of his Houshold So that the Duke gave in Marriage unto the said Earl the Daughter of the Duke of Bourbon who was Sister to his own Dutchess Upon this Peace the Siege before Melun brake up the Place becoming thereupon of the French Interest Thô the Realm of France gain'd little ease or respite by all this for the Truce between England and France being soon after expired those who before in the King of Navarre's Title had made War in Normandy Beauvais Picaray Champaigne or Brie now began to make War as hotly in the said Places in the Title of King Edward of England VI. Now the young Knight Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt had been for more than a Year signally Notorious for the Injuries he did to France in these times of Comâ—â—sion for p Frois c. 198. in Champaigne he had no less than 700 Fighting Men under him by whose Aâ—d he wan great Riches as in Plunder Ransoming and safe Conducts So that at last no fewer than Twelve good Fortresses were at his Command and as then he was in the Flower of his Age a lusty young amorous Batchelour And the Year q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 94 95. after this he Married the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Marquess of Jultere but now Countess Dowager of Kent in England altho upon the Death of John Pormagâ—â—s late Earl of Kent she had vow'd Chastity and was solemnly Veiled a Nun by Wâ—â—liam Edingdon Bishop of Winchester at Waverley in that Dioecese For this Noble young Nun upon report of Sr. Eustace's great Renown in Arms began withou thving seen him to set her Love about this time upon him and often sent him châ—â—e Geldings and Horses of Service with Love-Letters and other Favours wherewith Sr. Eustace was so elevated in his Courage that every day he grew more Notable So that all his Men thought themselves happy they gain'd such Riches under his Conduct But the Duke of Normandy who had heard of all his outragious Viclenâ—es upon the breaking up of the Siege of Melun desired the Lord Broquant of Fâ—â—â—strages a Lorraâ—ner who had 500 Companions at his Command to go into Gâ—ampaigne and help to expell this Sr. Eustace and his Englishmen that made War in those Parts on which account he undertook to pay him for himself and his Troops such a certain Sum of Florens Upon this Sr. Broquart having encreased his Forces with the Assistance of the Bishop of Troye the Earl of Vaudemont the Earl of Joâ—â—ville the Lord John of Chalons and others from Champaigne Lorraine and Burgunay to the Number of 3500 Men in all they began to set forward against the Enemy First they came to the strong Castle of Hans in Champaigne which had been held by English Navarreis a Year and an half but now it was taken at the Third Assault and fourscore Englishmen slain even every Man in the Castle there was none had any Mercy shewn him After this hot Service the Frenchmen went to Troye to refresh themselves and within two or three days they sent out a strong Detachment of 1200 Spears and 900 others under the Lord Brequart of Fenestrages who took the way directly toward Nogent on the River Seyne Early that Morning Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt having heard of the Frenchmens being about in the Country chose out of his Garrisons 400 Spears and 200 Archers and with those Troops marched forth of the Castle of Pongny to sind his Enemies He rode on a stately Gelding Armed at all Points except his Head-piece which an Esquire carried after him his War-Horse being led by his side He had hardly passed the Seyne at Mery when he heard tidings of the French as they also by this had heard of him But surely had he known the Number of those who came against him he would have desired the Assistance of his Neighbour Sr. Peter Audley and the Lord de la Bret who could well have spared him 400 Fighting Men if they had not come to his Aid in Person Upon the First certain knowledge oâ— his Enemies and of the way they took he gather'd his Men together without the Town of Nogent sur Seyne and took the height of a little Hill among the Vines and set his Archers ready before him When the French Men of Arms came up in sight of him they ranged themselves in Three Battails The first was led by the Bishop of Troye and the Lord Broquart of Fenestrages the Second by the Lord John of Châlons and another good Captain the Third by the Earl of Vaudemont and the Lord Joinville besides a Fourth Battail of 900 Foot which was not yet come up The mean while Sr. Eustace spake aloud to his Men Gentlemen let us Fight with a good Courage for if this day be ours we shall be Lords of all Champaigne which was once an Earldom And I hope this day by your Valiant Assistance to do such a piece of Service for the King of England whom I account the Rightâ—ull King of France that he will bestow this Earldom upon Me And you shall all be the better for my Advancement Then he called unto him certain Young Gentlemen as the Couragious Manny who being his Cousin and Nephew to the Lord Walter Manny was constantly Honoured with the Epithet Couragious John de Paris and Martin of Spain with some others whom then and there he Knighted And all his Men being placed on Foot in a strong Battail his Archers a little forward on the left hand he himself stood in the Front of his Men of Arms his Standard waving before him which was Ermin three Hameds Gules When r Frois c. 199. c. Sr. Broquart of Fenestrages who was both very expert and couragious saw that Sr. Eustace designed not to come down to him and that he had wisely placed his Archers to gall them on the right side where they had not their Shields he said aloud Let us first of all fall on whatever happens changing our Shields to the Spear Hand till we have past the Archers
England and to all his Heirs and Successors and shall convey unto them all the Men Honours Regalities Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognizances Oaths Rights Mere and Mixt Empire all manner of Jurisdictions High and Low Resorts Safeguards and Lordships and Superiorities which appertain'd or may in any wife appertain to the Kings of France and to the Crown or to any other Person because of the King and Crown of France at any time in Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles and Places aforenamed or in any of them and their appurtenances and appendages whatsoever or in the Persons thereof Vassals or Subjects whatsoever be they Princes Dukes Earls Vicounts Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of the Church without retaining or reserving any thing therein to themselves their Heirs and Successors or any of the Kings of France or any other whatsoever because of the King and Crown of France whereby they their Heirs and Successors or any King of France may challenge or demand any thing in time to come of the King of England his Heirs and Successors or of any of the Vassals and Subjects aforesaid in regard of the Countries and Places abovenamed so as all the above-named Persons their Heirs and Successors shall for ever be Liege-men and Subjects to the King of England and to his Heirs and Successors and that the King of England his Heirs and Successors shall have and hold all the Persons Cities Counties Lands Countries Isles Castles and Places above-named and all their Appurtenances and appendages And the Premises shall remain unto them fully freely and for ever in their Dominion Sovereignty Obeisance Allegiance and Subjection as the Kings of France at any time ever had or held them And that the said King of England his Heirs and Successors shall have and hold for ever all the Countries above-named with their appurtenances and appendages and other things aforesaid with all Franchise and perpetual Liberty as Sovereign and Liege-Lords and as Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without Recognizing any Sovereign or doing any Obedience Homage Resort or Subjection and without doing in any time to come any Service or Recognizance to the Kings or to the Crown of France for the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles Places and Persons above-named or for any of them Item It is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son shall Renounce expresly the said Resorts and Sovereignty and all the Right which they have and may have in all those things which by this present Treaty ought to belong to the King of England And likewise the King of England and his Eldest Son shall expresly Renounce all those things which by this present Treaty ought not to be deliver'd unto or abide with the King of England and especially the Name and Right of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demaine of the Dutchy of Normandy of the Dutchy of Touraine of the Earldoms of Anjou and Maine the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dutchy of Bretagne the Sovereignty and Homage of the Country and Earldom of Flanders and all other Demands which the King of England hath made or may make against the King of France for whatsoever cause it may be saving and excepting what by this present Treaty ought to remain and be rendred to the King of England and his Heirs And the two Kings shall convey resign and quit the One to the Other for ever all the Right that each of them hath or may have to those things which by this present Treaty ought to remain and to be rendred to each of them as for the time and place when and where the said Renunciations shall be made the two Kings shall confer and agree together at Calais Now We to uphold and accomplish the Articles Peace and Accord aforesaid do Renounce expresly all Resorts and Sovereignties and all Right which we have and may have in all the things aforesaid which We have rendred and deliver'd and resign'd to the said King of England our Brother and which from this time forth ought to remain and appertain unto him by the said Treaty and Peace In respect that He and the said Prince his Eldest Son have Renounced expresly all those things which by the said Treaty ought not to be rendred unto nor to remain with the said King of England our Brother for him and for his Heirs and all Demands which he maketh or may make against Vs And especially the Name and Right of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy of the Dutchy of Touraine of the Counties of Anjou and Maine the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dutchy of Bretagne the Sovereignty and Homage of the Earldom and Country of Flanders and all other Demands which the said King of England maketh or may make of Vs for any cause whatsoever saving and excepting what by this present Treaty ought to remain and to be rendred to the said King of England and his Heirs And unto him We convey yield and resign and He unto Vs and each to Other to the best of our Power all the Right which either of Vs might or may have in all those things which by the said Treaty and Peace ought to remain and be deliver'd to either of Vs Saving still and reserving to the Churches and to Men of the Church that which to them appertaineth and all that which hath been usurped and detained from their Hands by occasion of the Wars that this be rendred and delivered unto them And that the Towns and Forts and all the Inhabitants thereof shall be and remain in such Liberties and Franchises as they were before they came into our Hands and Dominion and that to be confirmed unto them by the said King of England if he shall be thereto required and that We do not the contrary in any of the Matters aforesaid And as to this point We submit our selves our Heirs and Successors to the Jurisdiction and Coërcion of the Church of Rome and We Will and consent that our Holy Father the Pope shall confirm all these things in giving Monition and General Commands for the accomplishment thereof against Vs our Heirs and Successors and against all our Subjects be they Commons Colleges Vniversities or single Persons whatsoever and in giving General Sentences of Excommunication Suspension or Interdiction to be incurred by Vs and by them who shall do the contrary And that the said Sentences may fall upon Vs or them as soon as We or They act or endeavour by seising any Town Castle City Fort or any thing doing ratifying or consenting in giving Counsel Comfort Favour or Aâ—d privily or openly against the said Peace Of which Sentences they shall not be absolved till they shall have made full satisfaction to all those who by that Act have sustained or suffer'd Damages And moreover to the Intent that this said Peace be more firmly kept and holden for
flang away in a Field and went to London to sell their ill-gotten Goods but afterwards being themselves rob'd of all their Gains and thereupon confessing their Sacrilege they received their reward at the Gallows Among other Instances of these licentious Robbers violence and contempt of the Law Peter King of Cyprus himself as he rode about here in England with a small Attendance in confidence of King Edwards protection was g Walsing hist p. 173. n. 30. set upon by a Gang of these Fellows and inhumanely strip'd and rob'd of all he had about him Which with other things might easily give occasion to Foreigners of concluding our Nation Uncourteous Barbarous and Inhospitable but that it is not the part of discreet Judges to attribute that unto an whole People in general which is only the Character of the most rascally and villanous sort of Theeves among that People However King Edward was extreamly incensed hereat and did what he could to bring the Authors to condign punishment and in order thereto granted unto the City of London more ample power to do Justice and to deliver up Prisoners within their Liberties to the Kings Justices as they used to do before thô without Licence XI About this time King David of Scotland h Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. came also into England to visit King Edward and to see if he might obtain a Relaxation of some part of his Ransom but we don't hear any thing of his Success therein However he stayed some time here as well in respect to King Edward as for the sake of the Kings of Cyprus and Denmark whom he had never seen before So that shortly after King John of France coming also into England there were present here at one time Four Stranger Kings as John King of France David King of Scotland Peter King of Cyprus and Waldemar King of Denmark This Year i Knighton p. 2627. n. 50. Walsingh hist p. 173. n. 30. Fabian p. 246. M.S. ver Angl. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabâ—c 232. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 143. c. it is remembred that there happen'd a grievous hard Frost attended with an unusual Cold which continued from the Seventh of September as some say thô others have December to the Fourteenth of the Kalends of April following which was Occasion of incredible Harm as well to the Land in General as to poor People in Particular CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France comes over into England II. King Edward gives him an honourable Reception III. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at one Time. IV. The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitam by whom he is received with great Honour V. King John sickens and dies in England VI. The King of Navarre on News thereof breaking out again the Duke of Normandy sends for Sr. Bertram of Clequin to oppose him A Story of Sr. Bertrams Original VII Sr. Bertram by Stratagem takes Mante and Meulan from the Navarrois VIII The King of Navarre makes the Captal of Busche his General who prepares to ride against Sr. Bertram of Clequin IX Sr. Bertram reinforced the Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville a Navarrois X. King John's Funeral Rites performed in England his Body buried in France a Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy XI The Particulars of the famous Battle of Cocherel between the Captal of Busche and Sr. Bertram of Clequin wherein the Captals Forces are overthrown and himself taken Prisoner XII Sr. Guy of Granville saves the Life of his Father the Lord Granville and redeems him by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. XIII Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims and makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy XIV Sr. Bertram buyes the Castle of Rolebois the Duke of Burgundy sent with an Army to reduce the rest The Army dividing into three Bodies acts separately under the Duke Sr. Bertram and the Lord de la Riviere XV. Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois a Party of his takes la Charité by Surprise XVI The Duke of Burgundy wins Marcheville and besieges Cameroles The Lord de la Riviere takes Aquigny by Composition Cameroles won and demolished AN. DOM. 1364. An. Regni Angliae XXXVIII Connay besieged XVII Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do their Pleasure The Earl of Monbelliard invading Burgundy King Charles remands the Duke thither who yet takes Connay first and then goes and chaces away the Earl of Monbelliard and wasts his Lands XVIII The Constable of France lays Siege to la Charité and is enforced by the Duke of Burgundy XIX The Place taken by Composition I. KING John of France who had all this while made vast Preparations for the Holy War which he had so solemnly undertaken a Frois c. 218. fol. 114. was now at the City of Amiens in Picardy with all the Lords of his Council before whom he seriously declared That he had a Mind to cross the Seas and pay a Visit to his Brother of England and the Queen his Sister for which cause he had assembled them to let them know his Resolution All his Council for the main were against this so rash Attempt as they thought it of their Kings and several of their Prelates and Barons told him plainly That it would not be either for his Honour or Advantage so easily to put himself into the power of a Reconciled Enemy Messteurs said King John let me believe my own Judgment I have found by Experience so much Faith and Honour in the King of England my Brother and in the Queen and their Children that I can never commend them too highly Wherefore as to that Point I am confident they will embrace me with all Sincerity and Friendship I desire also to confer Personally with King Edward about this Croisade which we have undertaken and besides I intend to excuse my Son the Duke of Anjou who like an indiscreet Young Man by his Unlicensed Return into France has entrenched upon my Honour To these Words none durst make a Rejoinder for they saw he was absolutely determin'd as to that Matter Then the King appointed his Son Charles the Dauphin to be again his Lieutenant and Regent of the Realm during his Absence and he promised the Lord Philip his youngest Son to make him at his Return Duke of Burgundy and Inheritor of that Dutchy And so Order being given to provide all things necessary for the Voyage at Boulogne he rode from Amiens to Hesdin where he solemnised the Festival of our Lords Nativity together with Earl Lewis of Flanders who came thither to meet him and tarried with him four Days On St. Innocents Day he left Hesdin and went to Boulogne where he took up his Lodgings in the Abbey expecting till the Wind might serve having in his Company the Earl of Eu the Earl of Dampmartin
Opportunity of King Johns Sickness he sent his Letters to the Lord John Greilly Captal of Buche his Cousin who was at that time with the Earl of Foix desiring him to come unto him in Normandy for that he design'd to make him Generalissimo of all his Forces Whereupon the Captal presently set forward toward Normandy and gather'd up as he went along several Knights and Esquires English Gascogners and others who were willing to partake with so Renowned a Captain in his Adventures But they were not over many This mean while on the VI q Labbei Chron. Techn ad hanc annam of the Ides alià s on the 8 Day of April King John of France departed this Life at the Savoy in London whereat King Edward and the Queen and their Children were exceeding sorry because of the great Love and Friendship that was between them ever since the Peace of Bretigny One says r Knighton p. 2627. n. 60. that upon his Death-bed having one time sent for King Edward he began very earnestly to beg his Pardon confessing unto him That from his first Coming into England he had Confederates in London and other Places who secretly collected the Finest Gold of the Kingdom and made it into Plates and put it up in Barrels hooped with Iron to send into France and how they had bought up to the Number of 1000 Bows and Arrows and a great Quantity of other Arms to the same Purpose All which he now confessed to the King and in whose Hands the said Things now were and also that he had illegally and unjustly withheld from him the Crown of France untill the Peace made at Bretigny For all which he now most heartily beg'd his Pardon And King Edward forgave him with much Tenderness but caused all the Gold and Arms asoresaid to be seised on and severely punished those English Men whom he found offending in the Premises among whom were Å¿ Walsingh Hyp. p. 128. n. 40. many Lombard Merchants who being discovered by some of their Fellows were clapt up in the Tower till they had compounded as the King pleased VI. Immediately upon King Johns Death t Frois 〈◊〉 219. f. 115 a. the Duke of Orleans his Brother and the Duke of Berry his Son who were still in England among the Hostages and wonderfully dejected at his Departure wrote Word thereof to the Duke of Normandy whereat he was extreamly troubled But knowing that there was now no Remedy and that Himself was the next Heir to the Crown of France and that the King of Navarre was preparing to give him a Baffle at his first setting forth he thought it high time to rouse and put on the Spirit of a King and endeavour to establish his Affairs on all hands At that time there flourished a gallant Captain in Bretagne a Valiant and Hardy Knight named Sr. Bertram de Clequin of whose Name and Original it wâ—ll not be amiss for us to enquire a little thô only for the great Renown he afterwards arrived to and the many Noble Deeds of Arms which he performed as we shall see in the Process of this History About the Year of our Lord 800 u Frois l. ult c. 90. f. 103. Charlemain being then King of France there reigned in Bougie in Barbary a King called Aquin in whose time the said Charlemain was taken up in his Spanish Wars which lasted him in all for about Nine Years For the Kingdom of Spain is a large and great Country whose Beginning was reckon'd heretofore at St. Jean Pied de Port and so it went along including the Realms of Biscay Navarre Aragon and Portugal of Conimbria and Lisbon of Sevile Toledo Corduba Castille and Leon up as far as the Streights of Gibralter where is the shortest Passage into Barbary In this Country was that Great French Monarch when the foresaid Aquin an African King whose Dominions lay directly over Spain undertook to divert him from pursuing his Victories among the Saracens and went into Bretagne and landed at the Port of Vannes with a Mighty Army his Wife and Children being also in his Company On the Sea side hard by Vannes he built a great and strong Tower called by him Glay which in the Phoenician Tongue signifies a Castle and there he made his chief Residence but daily he sent forth his Captains and conquer'd about in Bretagne at his pleasure Charlemain heard in Spain how King Aquin proceeded without Opposition however he would not return back to make Head against him but said Let him alone in Bretagne for a while we shall easily rid the Country of him when once we have throughly established the Christian Faith in these Parts Accordingly when he had finished his Affairs there he returned into Bretagne and there one Day gave Battle to King Aquin and overthrew him with a mighty Slaughter so that he fled to his Castle of Glay where he found a good Ship ready for him at the Foot of the Tower into which he enter'd with his Wife and Children and a few of his Servants and escaped away But in such a Hurry that he forgot a young Son of his scarce a Year old who then lay asleep in the Tower. This Child was found and brought to Charlemain who received him gladly and caused him to be baptized Rowland and Oliver two Heroick Princes of those Days being his Godfathers who named him Oliver and the King gave unto him all the Lands that his Father Aquin had conquer'd in those Parts The same in process of Time became a most Valiant Knight and was called Sr. Oliver de Glay Aquin because he was found in the Tower of Glay and was Son to King Aquin. This Original whether true or false was afterwards assigned to Sr. Bertram de Clequin when he came to the height of his Honour but at this time he was not greatly taken Notice of except among the Knights of Bretagne that were of his Retinue with all whom he was highly esteemed and well beloved still making War in the Behalf of the Lord Charles of Blois by whom he was recommended to the Duke of Normandy and he had a little before employed him in those Parts VII Now when the x Frois c. 219. f. 115. Duke of Normandy heard of his Fathers Death and of the Preparations of the King of Navarre against France he said to his Marshal the Lord Bouciquault I would have you forthwith ride with your Troops into Normandy where you shall find a Valiant Knight a True and Loyal Frenchman called Sr. Bertram of Clequin and look that you and he together make up a sufficient Power of Good Souldiers to resist the King of Navarre and to guard the Passages of the River Seyne And therewithall he gave him some secret Orders how to proceed Sr. Bouciquault promised to do his Devoir and soon after went with a competent Number of Knights and Esquires and took his way toward Normandy by St. Germain having declared to his Men tho
Expedition then Richard of Bourdeaux the Prince's only Son living should succeed according to Right unto the Crown of England For the Black-Prince u Churchill's Divi Britannier p. 245. whose Wisdom fell no way short of his Courage knowing how apt they are who stand nearest unto a Throne to step first into it was so carefull to prevent any Disorder of that kind which might be feared from the Ambition of his Brethren the Eldest of whom had already the Title of a King that he obliged his Father at this time to declare his Son Richard the next Heir to the Crown after the Decease of the King and of his son Edward Prince of Wales And now the Prince himself x Frois c. 305. c. shew'd in Full Parliament that if he should happen to die before the King his Father then his Son Richard as being next Heir was to succeed to the Crown of England after the Decease of the King his Grandfather And here besides the Equity of Law and Nature and the Unalterable Rule of Succession never but by Treason Usurpation and Violence transgressed in the Kingdom of England the Prelates Lords Knights and all the Commons of the Realm had such a Veneration for the Prince of Wales because of his many Heroick Vertues that with one Consent they all agreed to so Reasonable a Motion and took it upon themselves and their Posterity that they would always be true to the Right Line especially to the Lord Richard and this they desired to be enacted not without apparent Demonstrations of extraordinary joy And first the King himself then all his Sons and after that all the Lords of England Spiritual and Temporal sware to uphold and maintain the Right of the Young Prince Richard in case of the Prince his Fathers Decease And to this Ordinance the Prince of Wales caused them all to put their Hands and Seals before they went away The Commons only express'd their Concurrence by Holding up their Hands and Consenting all together Nor is this to be look'd upon as a Case not before clear enough or that it was possible for the Prince to doubt the Right of his Son but that it became the Wisdom and Tenderness of a Father by all lawfull Arts imaginable to corroborate the Title of a Presumptive Orphan against the open or secret Attacks of Ambition or Treason Accordingly to set an early Mark of Sovereignty upon the Young Prince Richard the King his Grandfather by Commission y Pat. An. 46. Ed. 3 pars 2. m. 25. Vid. Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 191. bearing Date at Sandwich the 30 Day of August in the 46 Year of his Reign constituted him his Custos Regni or Lieutenant during his Absence beyond the Sea. And having given Directions that Publick Prayers should be made in all Churches for his Good Success in this Voyage that same Day being a z Claus 46. Ed. 3. m. 12. Derso Lit. Dom. DC vid. Ashmole p. 667. Monday about Nine of the Clock he went on Board at Sandwich in a Ship called the Grace de Dieu with as Great a Fleet as ever any King before had carried forth of England There was with the King at this time the Prince of Wales who had as then recover'd to a tolerable degree of Strength also the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge his Brethren the Earls of Salisbury Warwick Arundel Suffolk and Stafford with the Lord Edward Spencer then newly return'd out of Lombardy whither he went with Prince Lionel Duke of Clarence four Years before There was also in this Expedition the Lord Henry Percy afterwards Earl of Northumberland the Lord John De la Ware Sr. William Nevile younger Brother to the Lord John Nevile Sr. Ralph Frescheville Baron of Cryche Ancestor to the Freschevilles now Barons of Stavely and several other Lords Knights and Esquires of England to the Number of 3000 Men of Arms and 10000 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen This Great Navy set Sail for Rochelle coasting Normandy and Bretagne but the Wind was adverse and would by no means serve them XX. The mean while the French King who had perfect knowledge of all these vast Preparations against him had made no small Assembly of Men of War from all Parts to resist so Considerable an Enemy And as it was said He himself now at last intended to have a Pull before Thoüars with the King of England all things seeming to be laid upon this last Stake On the other hand the Loyal Gascogners and others who held in those Parts for King Edward prepared now to joyn him with their utmost Forces And first the Lord Archimbald Greilly Uncle to the Captal of Busche at the instance of the Lord Thomas Felton Seneschal of Bourdeaux came to the General Rendezvous at Niort with 300 Spears among whom were the Lords of Duras of Courton of Mucidan of Rosan of Languran of Landuras and Sr. Petiton Coutras and Sr. William Ferenton an English Gentleman All these went from Bourdeaux to Niort the place of Rendezvous where they found Sr. Thomas Percy Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. John Creswell and many more to the Number of 1200 Spears and lastly Sr. Richard Ponchardon came and joyn'd them with 1200 Spears more So that all France was now alarm'd and swarm'd with Souldiers of one part or the other XXI All this while King Edward and his Sons with their great Army were on the Sea not being able by reason of Contrary Winds to take Land at Rochell or thereabouts as was design'd And that strange Fortune which before was always ready to wart that Prince over but very Difficult to convey him back was now quite otherwise disposed and became an eminent Hinderer of his Glorious Designs So that for this Success France was beholden to the most inconstant of Elements or rather to the Benign Providence of Him who governs both the Winds and the Seas King Edward having thus for a Months space struggled to no purpose against Wind and Fortune when he saw now the Feast of St. Michael come and that it was impossible for him to keep the Time appointed for the Rescue of Thoüars was obliged to break up this Expedition as he did with great Displeasure of Mind and gave leave to his Men to return home as they pleased But at his Return he had Wind at Will and immediately after the Wind was favourable for those Parts so that 200 Sail of English Merchants who traded for Wine arrived at Bourdeaux whither they were bound the very day after St. Michael King Edward for his part besides that he was thus strangely hindred from keeping his Day before Thoüars is said to have lost more than 900000 Marks or as one says Pounds in this Expedition XXII Now about a Week before Michaelmas the Barons of England and Gascogne that were beyond the Sea marched from Niort toward Thoüars in order to joyn the King of England but they were extreamly surprised when they saw the Day
said Order is here enquired into its Original as vulgarly given exploded and one more Antient and Mystical asserted The time of this First Round Table with the manner of its Solemnity William Montagu Earl of Salisbury dies his Praise Pedigree Issue King Edwards Buildings at Windsor his Institution of the Most Noble Order of the GARTER The Names of the XXVI Founders A short View of the said most Noble Order and how many Foreign Princes c. have been thereof King Edward hears how King Philip had put to death sundry Lords of Bretagne his Friends King Philip's Cruelty to the Messenger of these News King Edward's Raillery on his Tax upon Salt. King Edward sends a Defiance to Philip But is alarm'd from all Parts to look to himself The Pope makes Don Lewis of Spain Prince of the Fortunate Islands King Edward sends Forces into Gascogne Bretagne and the Frontiers of Scotland He makes his Remonstrance to the Pope who endeavours to pacifie him A Parliament at Westminster The Earl of Darby lands in Gascogne His Acts. His Return to Bourdeaux He takes King Philip's Lieutenant before Auberoche Queen Philippa deliver'd of a Daughter named Mary John Earl of Monford acquitted his Prison The Lord Oliver Ingham dies his Issue From p. 287. to p. 312. Chap. XXIII King Edward tells the Pope that unless King Philip gives him Satisfaction he will renounce the Truce The Earl of Northampton commissioned to defie the French King. King Edward's Manifesto touching the Dissolution of the Truce His New Commission to the Earl of Darby An account of his Actions in Gascogne this Year The Lord Walter Manny finds his Fathers Bones in Reole The Castle of Reole yielded The Earl of Darby's Victorious Progress and Return to Bourdeaux From p. 312. to p. 320. Chap. XXIV Henry Earl of Lancaster dies The motives and manner of Jacob van Arteveld's Fall. The Flemings appease King Edward The young Earl of Hainalt slain The Lord John of Beaumont brought over to the French side The Lord Godfry of Harcourt revolts to England John of Monford amidst his Victories in Bretagne dies The Earl of Northampton combats Charles of Blois and routs his Army The Scots discomfited by the English whereon ensues a Truce The Death of one Lord and two Bishops From p. 321. to p. 330. BOOK II. CHAP. I. KIng Philip sends the Duke of Normandy against the Earl of Darby aliàs the Earl of Lancaster Duke John sits down before Angoulesme the Earl of Lancaster new Garrisons Ville-Franche and reinforces Aiguillon The Seneschal of Beaucaire wins Ancenis Sr. John Norwich escapes the Duke of Normandy by a quaint device The Duke of Normandy comes before Aiguillon with the Particulars of that Siege The French King's Seneschal of Guienne beaten by the Earl of Lancaster which Earl holds the Duke of Normandy short From p. 331. to p. 337. Chap. II. King Edward resolves to succour his Friends in Aiguillon calls a Parliament settles the Realm sets Sail for Gascogne but lands in Normandy and Knights his Eldest Son Prince Edward c. King Philip strengthens Caën against him A Cruel Execution done at Paris upon a Frenchman for Asserting King Edward's Right to France King Edward marches thrô Normandy King Philip prepares to encounter him King Edward takes St. Lo and Caën Rejects the Cardinals Endeavours for Peace stays at Poissy to repair the Bridge and sends a Defiance to King Philip who goes to his Army King Edward gets over the Seyne receives and replies to an Answer of King Philips to his Challenge His Progress thrô France His Princely Carriage to two Fair Ladies that were taken at Poix The Inhabitants of Poix being found treacherous are put to the Sword. King Edward endeavours to get over the Somme A French Prisoner shews him the Passage at Blanchetteaque which yet he finds guarded but goes over and discomfits Godmar du Fay who kept the Passage King Philip rests at Abbeville King Edward encamps in the Fields of Cressy and prepares to receive him From p. 338. to p. 353. Chap. III. The Number and Order of King Edward's Forces the Names of his Chief Captains He creates 50 Knights King Philip goes out of Abbeville against him The Order of the French. King Philip advances his Oriflambe and King Edward his Burning Dragon The Battle of CRESSY The Earl of Warwick sends to the King for Succour with the King's Answer The Prince of Wales having overcome several Bodies of the French marches forward against their Main Force routs the Marquess of Moravia kills the Old King of Bohemia and wins his Banner of the Ostrich Feathers King Philip flies and leaves the Victory to the English The Number of the slain on both sides An Enquiry into the Antiquity of Guns King Philip retires to Broye thence to Amiens and so to Paris The Behaviour of the English after the Victory Two Bodies of the French defeated The Conquerour takes the Spoil of the Field and care for the burial of the Dead King Edward marches from Cressy and lies down before Calais From p. 354. to p. 365. Chap. IV. The Description of Calais The strength of King Edward's Navy He lays a formal Siege to the Place Plenty of Provision in his Camp. The Earl of Warwick takes Teroüenne The Flemings besiege St. Omers Seventeen Hundred poor People being thrust out of Calais are relieved by King Edward The Copies of two Letters containing the summe of this Expedition from the Winning of Caën to the Siege of Calais The Duke of Normandy makes another attempt upon Aiguillon but to his Loss King Philip commands his Son to rise from before Aiguillon and perswades the King of Scotland to invade England The Duke of Normandy leaves the Siege of Aiguillon the Lord Manny cuts him off at the Reer His Agreement with a Prisoner of Quality The Prisoner brings him a safe Conduct and is set free The Lord Manny riding towards Calais in Confidence of this Conduct is seised by King Philip's Order But the Duke of Normandy saves his Life The Earl of Lancaster upon the Duke of Normandy's Departure takes the Field and Conquers in Sainctogne Rochellois and Poictou An Instance of this Earls Liberality and Munificence He wins Poictiers leaves it Desolate and Returns to Bourdeaux An Army of Poictevins discomfited by the English Garrison of Lusignan From p. 365. to p. 375. Chap. V. King Philip by his Ambassadors perswades the King of Scots to break with England King David resolves on a War Raises an Army and begins to march His Cruelty to an English Knight in cold blood He encamps near Durham Queen Philippa makes her Musters at York and sends an Expostulation to King David The Order and Number of the Scotch Army Also of the English with the Names of their Chief Leaders Queen Philippa encourages her Men. She beats Douglas and Graham before the Battle Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland begins the Fight but is obliged to Retreat King David is taken Prisoner by
John Copland an Esquire of Northumberland The Third and last Battalia of the Scots discomfited The time and place of this Battle certainly Assign'd A Gross Mistake of Hector Boëtius the Scotch Historian How long the Fight lasted the Loss on both sides The Names of the Scotch Nobility slain and taken John Copland bears away the King of Scotland the Queen sends to him for the King She returns to York and King Bailiol and the English invade Scotland John Copland being sent for to Calais by King Edward is Knighted and Royally rewarded King David secur'd in the Tower of London The Earls of Menteith and Fife executed The Earl of Lancaster returns into England and the Queen goes over to the Siege at Calais The Pope endeavours for Peace in vain From p. 376. to p. 385. Chap. VI. A Parliament at Paris Another at Westminster The Pope writes to King Edward to perswade him to Peace King Edward's answer Odoricus Rainaldus refuted King Philip seeks to bring over the Flemings but misses his Aim The Earl of Flanders confin'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais The Earl of Flanders escapes into France Two Frenchmen put to Death for favouring King Edward's Right The Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel The frequent Attempts to relieve Calais frustrated The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. Sr. Robert of Namur enters King Edward's service before Calais An account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of DURHAM An account of the Affairs of Bretagne Sr. Charles of Blois taken Prisoner at the Battle of ROCHE D'ARIEN by Sr. Thomas Dagworth Roche d' Arien taken by the French and the English Garrison murder'd by the Commons of the Country The French Navy defeated Five hundred more poor People thrust out of Calais The Calisians send an Account of their Case to King Philip. The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philip's March returns to Calais The French Kings strength he desires leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings Besiege Aire but upon King Philip's approach rise King Philip comes to Sangate and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair The manner how Calais was yielded Calais settled by King Edward A Truce between the two Kings King Edward returns for England A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case From p. 385. to p. 415. Chap. VII The Glory and Prosperity of King Edward's Reign corrupts the Nation A Parliament Justs and Turneaments How Avignon came to belong to the See of Rome Philip of Valois and Edward of England could cure the Kings Evil. An Order concerning the Kings Purveyors The Truce between England and France prorogued for another Year King Edward solemnises the Translation of St. Thomas c. The Earl of Flanders does Homage to King Edward but afterwards rebelling is beaten King Edward being inform'd of a Design to betray Calais goes over privately and beats the Frenchmen He presents a Rich Chaplet to the Lord Eustace de Ribemont and sets him free Having settled Calais he returns for England The Death of the Queen of France and of the Dutchess of Normandy The two Royal Widowers Marry again From p. 416. to p. 428. Chap. VIII Treats of the Great Plague that happen'd in the Year 1348. From p. 428. to p. 442. Chap. IX King Edward Founds the Chappel of St. George at WINDSOR with the Copy of his Letters for that purpose The Pope furthers the Matter by two Bulls The Progress in Building Enlarging and Beautifying the Castle of WINDSOR The Institution of the most Noble Order of the GARTER Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester and Darby made Earl of Lincoln and sent into Gascogne The Lord Thomas Dagworth slain in Bretagne Earl Henry's Exploits in Gascogne He brings the French to Terms A Famous Combat between 30 English and 30 French. Of certain who arrived to Great Wealth and Splendour by the Wars Of Sr. Thomas Rokeby Deputy Lieutenant of Ireland and of Sr. Robert Savage and his Son Henry Savage who lived in Ulster A Grant of the Black-Prince's to the Lord Henry Eam of Flanders confirmed at this time by the King he being then newly chosen one of the First Knights of the GARTER From p. 442. to p. 448. Chap. X. Pope Clement reduces the Bonifacian Jubilee from the 100th to the 50th Year The Original of Jubilees King Edward forbids his Subjects to go to Rome on that occasion with his Answer to the Pope's Expostulation thereon The Sect of Whippers rises and is supprest King Edward's Victory over the Spaniards at Sea. King Philip of France dies King John succeeds A Duel fought before King Edward between a Knight of Cyprus and the Bastard of France King John puts the Bastard of France and the Earl of Eu and Guisnes to Death Some steps towards a Peace with Scotland in Order to King David's Redemption From p. 449. to p. 455. Chap. XI A Parliament wherein King Edward advances sundry of his Grandees to Honour The Lord John Beauchamp Captain of Calais being taken Prisoner is succeeded by Sr. Robert Herle Sr. Robert's Acts. A Truce with France Another with Spain The Lord Guy de Nesle taken Prisoner Twenty four Christians Martyr'd by the Governour of Damascus who is therefore put to Death by the Soldan of Babylon King John of France renews the Order of the STAR The Castle of Guisnes taken by the English King John seeks to recover it in vain Sr. Charles of Blois set at Liberty upon his Parole The Lord Guy de Nesse slain by Sr. Walter Bentley The Earl of Stafford Lieutenant of Gascogne beats the French. The Death of Sr. Thomas Wale Knight of the GARTER King Edward provides for the Defence of the Seas William Earl of Hainalt Marries Mathilda Daughter of the Duke of Lancaster The Duke of Lancaster gets Honour of the Duke of Brunswick King Edward prepares against the French. Pope Clement dies and the Earl of Kent Two Malefactors beheaded at London From p. 455. to p. 467. Chap. XII An Hard Winter Storms Drought and Dearth A Riot at Chester The Black Prince's Munificence King Edward Founds a College at Westminster A Treaty with Scotland A Treaty and Truce with France A Parliament The Names of the Lords summon'd thereto Another Parliament A Treaty at Avignon which begets a short Truce The Foundation of Trinity-Hall in Cambridge A Quarrel between the Town and Vniversity of Oxford Two Fryars burnt at Avignon And a Third recants at Paris From p. 468. to p. 477. Chap. XIII The King of Navarre Murders the Constable of France and Invites the Duke of Lancaster to his Assistance
whom he is Godfather From p. 662. to p. 669. Chap. XIII A Parliament at Westminster wherein notice is taken of the Pope's foremention'd Demand of the King Peter-Pence forbid to be paid The Quarrel between the Fryars Mendicants and the two Vniversities taken up by the King. The Lord of Coucy made Earl of Bedford A Treaty of Marriage between Prince Lionel and the Lady Violantis Daughter to Galeas Duke of Milain Archbishop Islip dies his Foundation of Canterbury College in Oxford now called Christ-Church Dr. Langham Bishop of Ely translated to Canterbury On the French King's Complaint of the Companions King Edward prepares an Army against them But on the French King's being jealous desists The French King and the Pope endeavour to draw off the Companions into Hungary but it will not do From p. 669. to p. 672. BOOK IV. CHAP. I. DON Pedro's Character The Pope excommunicates him and legitimates his Bastard Brother The Companions joyn Sr. Bertram of Clequin and march against Don Pedro who being forsaken of all flies from place to place and absconds in Galizia Don Henry the Bastard is made King of Spain Don Pedro implores the Protection of the Black-Prince and arrives at Bayonne Prince Edward receives him with much Humanity The Reasons Pro and Con why the Prince should or should not assist him The Prince has his Fathers leave to undertake his Quarrel The King of Navarre is won The Copy of a Famous Grant of Don Pedro to King Edward and to the Prince and the Kings of England and their Eldest Sons for Ever Prince Edward sends for his Captains who were then in the Bastards Service The Bastard's surprise at the News of the Prince's Design Sr. Bertram goes back into France to raise Friends Divers Opinions touching this undertaking of the Prince's The Bastard renews his Alliance with the King of Aragon c. The Prince's Zeal for this War. The Lord of Albret engages to bring a 1000 Spears The Companions being besieged in Montabuan beat the French. James King of Majorica comes to Bourdeaux to implore the Prince's Aid against the King of Aragon The Prince by Advice of his Council countermands 800 of the Lord Albret's 1000 Spears From p. 674. to p. 694. Chap. II. A second Son Born to the Black-Prince named Richard. The Prince begins his March is joyn'd by the Duke of Lancaster He passes the Pirenaean Mountains the Order of his Army the Names of his Chief Captains Don Henry sends his Expostulation and Defiance to him The Lord Thomas Felton takes Navaret Salvatierra yields to the Prince The Lord Thomas Felton beats up the Bastard's Quarters and sends Intelligence to the Prince Don Henry goes forward but halts at St. Miguel The Prince expects him at Victoria The Earl of Sancelloni beats up the Prince's Quarters and takes the Lord Thomas Felton and all his Company The Discourse thereupon had in the Spanish Camp. The Prince passes the Ebro and answers Don Henry's Letters Don Henry's Resolution The two Armies move forward The Order and Number of the Spaniards The Lord Chandos made a Banneret The Prince's Prayer before the Fight The Famous Battle of NAJARA in Spain where the Bastard receives a Mighty overthrow The City of Najara taken The time and place of the Battle The Number of the slain on both sides The Prince obliges Don Pedro to grant a General Pardon All Spain comes in and submits to Don Pedro and the Prince The Prince demands his Souldiers pay of the King who goes to Seville but sends none The Great Renown of the Black-Prince after this Victory The Black-Prince returns home without his Money The first Change of King Edward's Fortune The Danish Fleet beaten by the English The Death of Don Pedro King of Portugal sirnamed the Justiceer From p. 695. to p. 718. Chap. III. Prince Lionel is Married to the Lady Violantis He falls sick and dies A Parliament at Westminster The Archbishop of Canterbury made Cardinal A Sea-Woman taken in the Zuyder-zea Sr. Bertram by a Fineness obtains to be ransom'd The Companions wanting their Pay prove troublesome to the Principality But at the Prince's Command they go away and do much Mischief in France The Prince taxes his Subjects which occasions a Revolt From p. 718. to p. 725. Chap. IV. Don Henry the Bastard finding the Prince of Wales embroyl'd returns into Spain surprises the King Don Pedro beats him takes him and kills him with his own Hands The King of France being urged by the Discontented Gascogne Lords Summons the Prince of Wales to appear before him William of Wickham made Bishop of Winchester c. The Prince of Wales falls sick of an incurable Disease He sends the Lord Chandos against the Gascogne Lords The French King surprises Ponthieu and defies King Edward Who in Parliament resumes his Title to France and obtains a Mighty Aid for his Wars The Black-Prince makes the Captal of Busche Earl of Bigorre which Creation is confirm'd by the King his Father From p. 725. to p. 742. Chap. V. The War begins in the Principality Mutual Losses and Gains The two Kings set forth an Account of their several Causes their Rights argued The Pedigree of the Kings of France King Edward's Reasons for his Right and Title to France From p. 743. to p. 758. Chap. VI. The Duke of Burgundy Marries the Earl of Flanders his Daughter Mutual Losses and Gains The Earl of Pembroke's Danger The Death of Queen Philippa The Duke of Lancasters Expedition The Earl of Warwick dies The Duke of Lancaster a Widower The Death of the Earl of Suffolk and of the Bishop of Excester The French King raises a Tax From p. 759. to p. 782. Chap. VII The Death of the Lord John Chandos The War hot in Gascogne The Death of David Bruce King of Scotland The Genealogy of his Successor Robert STUART An Old Error concerning King Robert's Children confuted Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition into France The Black-Prince sacks Limoges and Sr. Bertram of Clequin made Constable of France Pope Urban dies Maximus Planudes flourishes From p. 783. to p. 812. Chap. VIII The Death of the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt The Danger and Escape of the Lord Raimond of Marvejols The Black-Prince his Eldest Son dies He returns into England sick The War in Gascogne A Parliament at Westminster King Edward beats the Flemings at Sea. James King of Majorica dies The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge Marry the Two Daughters of Don Pedro late King of Spain The Pope's endeavours for Peace The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl his Brother return with their Ladies into England From p. 812. to p. 826. Chap. IX The Death of the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny The War hot in Gascogne The Earl of Pembroke taken by the Spaniards Poictiers and Rochelle yielded to the French. Thoüars besieged King Edward sets sail to raise the Siege but the Wind will not serve so Thoüars is lost The Duke of Bretagne made
manner of his coming to the Crown of England III. He is excus'd from being Guilty of his Fathers Deposition his peace is proclaim'd and a General Pardon IV. Twelve Guardians appointed him Mortimer's Greatness and the Queens excessive Dowry V. The Present State of Scotland the King whereof Robert Bruce sends a Defiance to King Edward VI. King Edward's Expedition against the Scots VII The Particulars of the Murder of King Edward the Second VIII King Edward the Third's Return to London the first Year of his Reign concludes with the Death of sundry great Personages Princes and Prelates I. KING Edward the Third of that Name from the Conquest AN. DOM. 1312. was the first Son of King Edward the Second of England sirnamed Caernarvon by his Queen Isabella the Daughter of Philip the Fair King of France a Frois c. 3. fol. 2. accounted in her time one of the most Beautifull Ladies in the world He was born at the Castle of Windsor whence he had his sirname after the manner of that Age on the b Sandford p. 158. thirteenth day of November at c Ashmole p. 644. fourty Minutes past Five in the Morning being the d Claus 6. Ed. 2. m. 22. Dorso Lit. Dom. B.A. Monday next after the Feast of St Martin the Bishop and the very day e H. Knighton p. 2533. n. 10. after the day of St Brice Bishop and Disciple of St Martin in the sixth year of his Fathers Reign and the year of our Lord God MCCCXII Prince f Walsingh hist p. 77. Lewis eldest Son to the King of France and Brother to the Queen of England being then with many of the French Nobility at the English Court labour'd earnestly that this Princely Infant might be named after King Philip but against this motion the English Nobility prevail'd and so on the Thursday after he was Baptised by the Name of Edward after his Father and Grandfather the Ceremony being performed by the hands of g Victorellus p. 839. ad hunc annum Arnold h Claus 6. Ed. 2. Priest-Cardinal titulo Sanctae Priscae in the old Chappel then of St Edward in the said Castle of Windsor his Godfathers being i Ibid. Ashmole p. 644. Richard Bishop of Poictiers John Bishop of Bath and Wells William Bishop of Worcester Lewis Earl of Eureux the Queens Brother John Duke of Bretagne and Earl of Richmond Emery of Valence Earl of Pembroke and Hugh le Despencer alias Spencer a Great Man in those Days The News of his Birth was k Walsingh ibid. an occasion of great Rejoycing over all England and the only thing l Speed p. 556. able to cheer up the mind of his Royal Father from that excessive sorrow which the late Death of his Favourite Piers Gaveston had flung upon it and from that Day the King forgot by Degrees his former loss rejoycing in his present Happiness For m Pat. 6. Ed 2. so pleasing to his Father was the Birth of this Hopefull Prince that on the Sixteenth of December following he gave to John Launge Valet to the Queen and to Isabel his Wife and to the longer liver of them for bringing to him so desireable News twenty four pounds per annum to be paid out of the Farm of London Within n Pat. ibid. Par. 2. m. 5. Ashmole ibid. few days after this Prince's Birth the King his Father granted him the County of Chester except the Mannors of Mecklesfield and Shotwike to hold to him and his Heirs Kings of England for ever And likewise the County of Flint and Rothelan to hold as before except the Mannor of Overton the Lands of Mailor Seysnoke and the Castle and Mannor of Holt after which he was thus stiled by the King Edvardus Comes Cestriae filius noster Charissimus But leaving his Infancy we will now proceed to his Youth and the occurrences that attended his Ripening years when we shall first have given some small taste of his Character the fulness thereof being purposely remitted till the end of his Life and this our Work because then it may better be consider'd from the whole tenour of his History From his Birth he was carefully bred up in all things that seem'd necessary or proper for Princes to excell in so that thrô the Vigour of his Parts being rendred very apt to imbibe the best Principles he made a speedy and extraordinary improvement in all Noble Qualities For he was of a very o Pitsaus de Illustr Angl. script p. 517. pierceing Judgment Sweet-nature and Good Discretion and considering the many weighty affairs that employ'd his whole Life not only kind to the Muses but much befriended by them as appears by those Learned Writings of which Pitsaeus says he was the Author When he was capable of receiving more ingenuous Education a Man of Great Reading Erudition and Honour was provided from Oxford to be his Tutor who thô commonly called p Godwin Catal. Bishops p. 661. Richard Bury from the place of his Birth was indeed Son to one St Richard Aungervile Knight but was afterwards by this his Royal Pupil made Privy-seal and q Philipot's Catal Chancellers and Treasurers p. 32. Treasurer of England then Dean of Wells and lastly Lord Chancellour of England and Bishop of Durham II. In a Parliament holden at York in the Sixteenth of the King his Father He was by him created r Speed p. 564. Holinshead p. 869. Catal. Honor p. 315. by Tho. Milles. Prince of Wales as some say thô he is no where found to have used that Title The occasion perhaps being because he was not long after invested with a Greater King Edward his Father ſ Ashmole p. 644. being often summon'd to the Court of France to do homage for the Dukedom of Aquitain and still upon some account or other delaying till the French King had siezed thereon it was at length concluded that he should give unto this Prince his Son the said Dukedom for which he doing Homage should enjoy the Lands Whereupon preparation was made for his passing into France But before he went being then at Langedon Abbey near Dover the King his Father t Pat. 19. Ed. 2. p. 1. m. 25. Ashmole ibid. on the second of September in the nineteenth year of his Reign gave unto him his Heirs and Successours Kings of England jure haereditario in perpetuum the Counties of Ponthieu and Mutterel or Monstroile and on the tenth of the same Moneth he being then at Dover granted unto him the Dukedom of Aquitain and all the Lands he had or ought to have in the Kingdom of France Habendum as before Two u Claus 19. Ed. 2. m. 28. Dorse days after which our new Duke took shipping at Dover thence passed into France and performed his Homage to King Charles of France his Uncle In this his Journey it was thought fit that the Queen his Mother should bear him company in regard
said That the World was nigh at an End. In those days one a Sherburn en Manilius his Spher in Catal. Astron p. 35. Cichus Asculanus Dr. in Physick a Philosopher and publique Professor of Astronomy at Bologna in Italy being accused for a Necromancer was burnt alive at Florence in the Seaventieth year of his Age Whose Learning in Judicial Astrology meeting with an ignorant Age might pass for Conjuration as a little after Petrarch himself was looked on for a Wizard even by a Pope of Rome Thô b Odoric Rain Anno Chr. 1327 §. 46. Joh. Villani l. 10. c. 41. indeed it was laid among other things to his Charge that in a Treatise called de Sphaera which he set forth at Bologna he affirmed that Spirits were generated in the Superior Orbes which by Incantation could be compelled to wonderfull Operations and that the Stars had Influence upon the Wills of men and could enforce and determine them And which seems most horrible that our Saviour Christ being born under such a Position was thereby necessitated to live Meanly and to die Miserably But that Antichrist being to be born under a quite different Position should obtain immense Riches Power and Dominion But we are not here to inquire how true or untrue this Charge was wherefore we shall end this first Year and Chapter together CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS I. King Edward takes to Wife the Lady Philippa Youngest Daughter to William the Good Earl of Heinalt II. The shamefull Peace struck up with the Scots at Northampton at which time all the Evidences which Recorded the Subjection of that Nation to the Crown of England are deliver'd up again III. King Edward looses hereby in the Opinion of his Neighbours especially the French and Scots IV. The Insolence and Power of Mortimer whereby he provokes certain Peers to Arms A Parliament at Salisbury the Lords reconcil'd to the King Mortimer made Earl of March. V. The Pedigree of Henry Lord Beaumont VI. Mortimer entertains the King. I. A While a Frois c. 19. after the Scotch Expedition An. Regni II. King Edward by Advice of the Queen his Mother with the Consent of his Uncles the Earl of Lancaster the Lord of Wigmore and all the Barons of the Realm sent Dr b Ashmoles Garter p. 669. ex Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 15. Dat. 8. Octob. Roger Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield with two Knights Bannerets and two Men Learned in the Laws to the Lord John of Heinalt to request of him in way of Friendship that he would join with them to require of his Brother the Earl of Heinalt one of his Daughters in Marriage for the Young King of England their Master For the King and the Queen his Mother had such a kindness for that Family that at this time no Lady in the World could have stood in Competition with one of Sr John's Neices for King Edwards Affections That some such Motion had been formerly made I will not absolutely deny thô it should seem partly by this manner of requesting and partly by what follows that as yet no bargain or mutual affiance had been made as many suppose perhaps not mention'd since now they were fain to apply themselves to Sr John's Mediation AN. DOM. 1328. who seem'd hitherto ignorant of any such matter thô himself so lately had left England When the Ambassadors with an Honourable Equipage were come to Valenciennes the chief City of Heinalt the Earl William and his Lady Jane de Valois received them very gladly and entertain'd them during their stay with great Splendour and Magnificence 'T is reported that one day c John Harding c. 178. fol. 177. Stanza 2.3 4 c. 182. fol. 184. when the Earl brought forth all his Five Daughters to their View while the others being amazed with the Beauties and delicate Shape of them all stood in deep suspence not knowing which to prefer the piersing Eye of the Bishop observing with good heed the Lady Philippa to be the best built about the Hips and of a good Sanguine Complexion agreeing with the Kings he secretly advis'd his Colleagues that she was the Lady among them all that was most likely with her sweet Disposition to please the King their Master and also to bring forth a numerous and Hopefull Progeny This coming thus from a Bishop whose Order was not then allow'd to Marry gave occasion of much Diversion and Mirth to the Company But however the Judgement prevail'd and Madam Philippa who was the very d Sic in illius Epitaphio Gailielmi Hannonis sobeles postrema Philippa Hic reseo quondam Pulchra decore jacet Stows Survey London p. 505. youngest of the Ladies and hardly fourteen years of age was pitch'd upon to be their Queen This Story however unfit it may seem to some for the lightness of it to appear in this place I thought good to set down not only because it bears some Reason with it but because to those who consider the Event it may rather seem a Work of Providence the Bishop by Chance or by some Impulse or by his Skill in Nature happening on what prov'd really a Truth Upon this Conclusion the Earl who knew the Quality of the Ambassadors and their full Instructions in the Affair after many thanks acknowledging the great Honours done to his House by the King of England his Mother and his Council said He was ready to allow the Consummation of the Business provided his Holiness the Pope would consent to give them a Dispensation For indeed the Lady Philippa's Mother Jane de Valois was Daughter to Charles Earl of Valois which Charles was Uncle to Isabella King Edward's Mother The Ambassadors were well content with this Answer and immediately dispatch'd away the two Knights and the two Learned in the Law to Avignon where at that time and long after the Popes resided to obtain a Dispensation The Pope at that time was John XXII who having well consider'd the Equity of the Cause with the Consent of the whole College of the Cardinals granted their desire and after a Splendid Entertainment dismist them For these were fit Servants for a King They dispatch'd their Masters business with great Discretion and Expedition minding nothing but how to finish this great Affair thoroughly and speedily Upon this all the rest was concluded and agreed on between the Parties and while Preparations were making to Convey the young Lady into England according to the Dignity of the House whence she came and the weight of that Title she was going to receive the Marriage e Ashmole p. 669. was first solemnized by a sufficient Proxy sent to Valenciennes by the King of England Hereupon after some few enforced Delays of Feastings and Princely Entertainments among her Parents and Relations the Ambassadors with their new Queen her Uncle Sr. John other honourable Company in great satisfaction took the Sea at Whitsan near Calais and so came all
safe with a merry Gale to Dover In their Approach to London f Knighton p. 2552. the Mayor and Aldermen went forth in their Habits well attended to meet their New Queen and to do her honour 'T was about Christmass when she came to London and the whole City enlarged their Joys and Feastings in honour of so welcome a Guest From London they all went to York where the Court then was and there g Id. Ibid. Frois c. 19. Fabian p. 195. Lit. Dom. C.B. on the twenty fourth Day of January being a Sunday and the Eve of St. Pauls Conversion the Marriage was Solemnized at which Dr. h M.S. Vet. Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 216. William Melton Archbishop of York and Dr. John Hotham Bishop of Ely sang the Mass And afterward i Sandford Geneal hist p. 159. on the first Sunday in Lent following was the Young Queen crown'd at Westminster with much Pomp and Glory Upon these happy Nuptials there was great Joy over all England but especially at Court where there was nothing but Justs and Turnaments in the Day-time Maskings Revels and Interludes with Songs and Dances in the Evenings and continual Feasting with great Magnificence for three Weeks together Soon after the Queens Coronation all except a very few of her Attendants Relations and Countrymen departed with her Uncle the Lord John of Beaumont into their own Country highly satisfied with their Entertainment and well rewarded by the King of England Among those few necessary Servants that stay'd here with her there was one a very proper and well-shap'd young Gentleman of strong Limbs and exalted Courage named Sr. Walter Manny k Frois c. 19. Lord of the Town of Manny in the Diocess of Cambray who was then Carver to the Queen but after that became for his exceeding Valour Generosity and Eminence in all Vertue One of the most Renowned and Gallant Knights in the whole World as the Sequel of this History will abundantly declare Now l Ashmole p. 669 there had been before in this King's Father's Days several other Matches proposed for him thô none of them took but this last And first his Father had design'd him for the Lady Margaret Eldest Daughter to William the Good Earl of Heinalt and Sister to this Queen Philippa who was afterwards Married to Lewis the Emperour Another time for Sibylla a Kinswoman of the said Earls and thirdly for Iolant the Daughter of James King of Aragon fourthly for the Lady Eleanora Sister to Alphonso King of Spain and while this Match was in Treaty another Alphonso King of Portugal propos'd his Daughter to the Prince but neither this nor that came to any effect because all former measures were broken by that great and sudden Alteration of Affairs in England II. And thus was King Edward a Married Man at the age of Fifteen but not fully Lord of himself being kept from the true Knowledge of Affairs by the Queen Dowager and her Minion the Lord Mortimer who by his great Power with her so Lorded it over his Betters that he began to grow insupportable to the Kings Uncles and Henry Earl of Lancaster which ill-will of their's was encreased by this Occasion In m M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 216. Whitsunday Week being the latter end of May there was a Parliament held at Northampton in which first King Edward began to stir about his Title to France For Charles the Fair King of France and Brother to his Mother Isabella Queen Dowager of England being lately dead without Issue-Male notwithstanding that King Edward acknowledged their Salic Law whereby an Infant Daughter of the said Charles was excluded wherefore neither did He claim the Crown for his Mother yet he maintain'd this Point n Mezeray ad an 1328. That the Sons of the Daughters having no such Imbecillity of Sex were not at all uncapable and that so the Peers of France ought to prefer him who was a Male and Grandchild to King Philip the Fair before Philip of Valois another Pretender to that Crown who was but a Nephew These things o Antiq. Brit. p. 228. n. 50. being discussed in Parliament it was thereupon Ordained That Adam Orleton Bishop of Worcester and Roger Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield should go into France and there in the Name of King Edward their Master claim that Kingdom and as much as in them lay hinder the Coronation of the said Philip of Valois But of this matter we shall say no more till we are called to enter upon the Wars of France which King Edward in his Riper Years undertook upon this Occasion Now we must look upon him as influenced by others counsels and so neither Formidable abroad nor Powerfull at home and one notable Instance thereof appeared in this very Parliament at Northampton where not so much the Honour and Profit of the King and his Realm was respected as the enriching security and advancement of the Lord Mortimer Here the two Spencers Father and Son Edmund late Earl of Arundel who had been executed by the Queen Mothers Party without any legal Process made against them And Walter Stapleton late Bishop of Excester whom for firmly adhering to his Master King Edward the Second against Queen Isabell's Pretensions the Commons of London had in a seditious tumult illegally beheaded together with his brother p Godw. Catal. B shops p. 405. Sr. Richard Stapleton a valiant and loyal Knight who died in the same manner at the same time all these now thô dead * Martin Ed. 3. p. 104. M. S. Record p. 12. Sr Rob. Cottons Abridgm p. 8. were in this Parliament attainted of High Treason by the directions and influence of the Queen Mother and the Lord Mortimer Whether it proceeded of implacable Malice which recked not to pursue them even into their Graves or whether by this means they meant to cover their former unjustifiable Proceedings against those Persons by a subsequent countenancing of the Action in Parliament Such pittifull shifts are Men put to when once they deviate from the straight way of Justice and Vertue thô at last all disguises must fall off and Wickedness appear open in all its natural Turpitudes From the same Influence also at this time by very subtle dealing and precontrived Overtures which the Scots were underhand dealt withall to propose a base and dishonourable Peace was struck up with that Nation profitable indeed to Mortimer and the Old Queen who with Adam Orleton Bishop of Worcester were the chief contrivers of it but utterly inconsistent with the Honour of the Young King or Profit of his Realm and People The Reason that moved the Scots to part with so much Money as was given by them upon the Establishing this Peace was because they were beforehand assured that they should have a good Return made them in consideration thereof beside they were sure to loose much more by the War next Year if continued because their
Wherefore the Earl prayed heartily of his Holiness to grant him the favour that the foresaid Thomas Earl of Lancaster might be Translated Now 't is to be remembred that this Thomas who was Eldest Son to Edmund Crouch-back Second Son of King Henry the Third and Younger Brother of King Edward the First had been by King Edward the Second beheaded at Pontefract for Heading the Barons against the King But among the Common People he was look'd on as a Martyr for the Nations Liberties and meriting the name and honour of a Saint However the Pope answer'd Earl Edmund that he the said Thomas of Lancaster should not be Translated untill he should be better certified by the Clergy of England and had seen by their joynt Testimonies what thing God had done for the love of Thomas of Lancaster according to the Suggestion that the foresaid Edmund had made unto him And when Earl Edmund saw that in this request he should not succeed as to the Translation he then desired his Counsel in another matter relating to Edward of Caernarvon his Brother late King of England what he had best to do in order to his Deliverance from Captivity since it was a common Fame thrô England that he was alive whole and sound When the Pope heard him say that King Edward the Second was alive he commanded the Earl upon his Blessing to help with all the Power that he might to deliver him out of Prison and save his Body to the utmost of his Ability in order to which he assoyled him and all his Partakers ab omni poena culpa and promised to bear the charges of the whole Undertaking threatning him also with Excommunication if he did not make use of his best Endeavours to assert his Brothers Right and Liberty Soon after Earl Edmund return'd into England where he set himself about discovering as he thought the Truth more fully and then sent to Corfe Castle that Preaching-Frier of whom we spake One says x Leland Cell 1 Vol. p. 794. that he was also tempted by one of Mortimers Instruments who urging That King Edward the Second was alive and only wanted his Assistance to be deliver'd and restor'd to his former Dignity and the Earl thereupon promising his best Endeavours he was by the same Party accused of High-Treason Walsingham y Walsing hist p. 110. Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 93. produces an Imperfect confession of the Earl's which he made before Sr. Robert Howel Coroner of the King's Houshold and afterwards on the â—6 of March in the Fourth Year of this King's Reign own'd it for his Confession 1330. REGNI iv before the Lords assembled in Parliament at Winchester whereby we may perceive that he himself sought out to no Body but that others set on no doubt to ruine him came of their own accord to him as well to confirm in him the belief of the Old King 's being Alive as to pretend their Readiness and offering him their Service to deliver him But the whole Cheat will best appear from the Confession it self which amounts to thus much That the Pope had enjoyn'd him on penalty of being Excommunicate to use his utmost Endeavours to work the Delivery of his Brother late King of England promising himself to bear the whole charge of the Undertaking That a certain Predicant Fryer z R. Southwell's Addition to Adam Merimuth M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 213. named Thomas Dunhead in discourse with him at Kensington near London told him He had conjur'd up a Spirit which assured him that Edward his Brother late King of England was yet living That the Archbishop of York had sent him by his Chaplain Mr. Alleyn a trusty letter wherein he promised towards the delivery of his Brother five hundred Men or more William Iliffe also and William Warham Clerks and Thomas Bromfield Fryer promised him their Assistance in this Business Also that Sr. Ingelram Berenger had brought him word to London from William Lord Zouch that he was ready to lend him his help toward the Restauration of his Brother That Sr. Ingelram came to him again from the Lord John Peche proffering also his Service to the Work and saying that Henry Lord Beaumont and Sr. Thomas Rosselin who were sled the Kingdom for fear of Mortimer had at Paris in the Duke of Brabants Bed-chamber instigated them to this Attempt declaring they were ready to come into England to the furtherance of the same That Sr. Ingelram came unto him yet a third time at Arundel into his Bedchamber over the Chappel and assured him of the Bishop of Londons help That Sr. Robert Taunton brought him word from William Melton Archbishop of York that the said Archbishop had Men ready harness'd to compleat the design and that the said Sr. Robert with two Preaching Fryers Edmund and John Savage had a chief stroak in the Affair And that Sr. Fulk Fitz-Warine coming to him at Westminster told him 't would be the most honourable Action he could ever set about but to appear in the Attempt to which he had promised his best Assistance And lastly that the Letters which he had sent to Sr. Bogo of Bayonne and Sr. John Daverill were sealed with his Seal and that his Wife had wrote another Letter to the same effect and that all this was Truth so that he confesses he has offended and therefore he put himself upon the King's Mercy a M. S. Vet. Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 220. The truth of it is that by Mortimers cunning being induced to a belief that his Brother the late King was still living and in Corfe Castle he went himself to the said Castle and spake with the Constable thereof Sr. John Daverill and after many rich Presents desired secretly to know of him whether his Brother the late King was yet alive or dead and if he were alive that he might have a sight of him Now this Sr. John Daverill being Mortimers Creature answer'd that indeed his Brother was in health and under his Keeping but that he durst not shew him to any man living since he was forbid in behalf of the King that now was and also of the Queen Mother and of Mortimer to shew his Person to any One whatsoever except only unto them But the false Traitor lied unto him for the Old King was now in his Grave But Earl Edmund was so far deceiv'd by the Constables protestation that he deliver'd him a Letter desiring him to bear it unto his Brother which he promised to do but soon after carried it to Mortimer sealed with the Earls Seal It began thus To the Noble Knight Edward of Caernarvon Edmund of Woodstock worship and reverence with Brotherly Allegiance and Subjection Sr. Knight Worshipfull and Dear Brother if it please you I pray heartily that you be of good comfort for I shall so ordain for you that you shall soon come out of prison and be delivered of that Trouble which you are in And may
ever since the Battle of Sterling whatever English Archer he could lay his Hands on it was his manner to cut off his Right Hand and to pluck out his Right Eye that he might thereby be rendred Useless for the Bowe We read the like to have been done indeed by the Amazons to those Male Children which themselves brought forth before they put them away to their Fathers And surely such ungenerous Cruelty better became that fearfull and therefore less humane Sex than so Famous a Knight as this Douglas to whom it rather belonged to be fierce and cruel to those that resisted but Mercifull and Gracious to his Captives and such as he had Conquer'd At his Death however the poor Archers of the North of England rejoyced 〈◊〉 but the whole Realm of Scotland was dejected especially now she saw a Storm approaching which no humane Power was more likely to avert than this her Valiant Commander the Lord Thomas Randulph also surviving him but a little while III. But before we fall upon that Story it will not be amiss by way of Preparation to repeat the Original of the matter something whereof We remember to have spoken n p. 4. §. 5. in the first Chapter of this our History Namely how upon the Vacancy of the Crown of Scotland upon the Death of Alexander the Third the Lord John Bailiol an English Baron was by King Edward the First adjudged to have the best Right of all the Pretenders to that Realm as he that claimed from the Eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntingdon Younger Brother to William King of Scots and Great Uncle to Alexander aforesaid And how this John Bailiol made Fealty and Homage to King Edward the First of England for the said Crown of Scotland and how afterward he withdrew his Homage thrô Counsel of the French King the Abbot of Melros and others and in the Year of our Lord MCCXCIV sent unto the Pope that thrô false suggestion he had made his Oath unto King Edward both contrary to his Dignity and against his Will and therefore beg'd to be assoyled thereof which Request the Pope granted Thus o Fabian p. 140. M. S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 223. did John Bailiol begin to Rebell against the King of England who had set him up but King Edward soon after went against him and took the Town and Castle of Barwick with the slaughter of 26700 Scots so that Bailiol was obliged to yield himself up to the Conquerour by whom he was us'd with much humanity and at last deliver'd out of the Tower of London with all the Great Lords of Scotland that were taken at Barwick and upon his Oath and theirs had a safe Conduct to go into their own Country The other Scotch Lords forgot the Oath and Assurance they had made to King Edward but the Noble King John Bailiol had rather forsake a Crown than make it heavy unto him by perjury wherefore he took his Son Edward and his Family and went over the Sea to Quimper in Bretagne and lived there a private Life upon his own Lands And voluntarily forsook his Realm of Scotland Esteeming it less than his Faith and Honour Thô the Scots in Derision called him Sr. John Turnelabard because he was so shie of offending the King of England Thus John Bailiol kept in France till he died there and Sr. Edward his Son received his Heritage doing Homage to the King of France for his Lands of Quimper This Edward had in his Service an English Esquire born in Yorkshire named John Barnby whom he loved most intirely but one day John Barnby chanced upon a quarrel to kill a certain Frenchman whereupon he fled in all hast to the Castle for safety under the Protection of his Lord and Friend The Officers follow'd and demanded him to be deliver'd up as a Felon but Sr. Edward refus'd it for that time and at Midnight sent him secretly out of the Castle and he got safe over into England But the King of France was so displeas'd with this Action of Bailiol's that he siesed on all his Lands and flung him into Prison There he lay till the Lord Henry Beaumont came into France being drove out of England by the Power of Mortimer as we shew'd before Now this Lord Henry was Earl of Buquhain in Scotland in Right of his Wife but had been forced to relinquish the said Earldom when that shamefull Peace was made between England and Scotland at Northampton wherefore he thought no better way now of Recovering his Right than by the means of Sr. Edward Bailiol whom he look'd on as the true Heir to the Realm of Scotland and so desired to get him at Liberty if by any means he might prevail so far He was very Gracious with the King of France as being of his Blood and therefore beg'd of him That he would grant him of his Grace Sr. Edward Bailiols Body until the next Parliament that he might live on his own Rents in the mean time and then stand to the judgement of his Peers This Request the King Granted and upon Sr. Edward Bailiol's delivery from Prison the Lord Beaumont privily convey'd him into England and kept him closely at the Mannor of Sandall upon Ouse in Yorkshire with his Sister Isabell of Beaumont Lady Vesci Where privately he began to retain Soldiers on all hands in order to recover his own and the Bailiol's Right And Henry Lord Beaumont having first sounded the King this Year about the beginning of August the Lord Edward p Walsing â—ypod p. 112. n. 20 Hist p. 112. 113. Bailiol being attended by some 44 Knights of Almaine Captains of a few select Bands who follow'd him for hire or at a venture to partake of his Fortune came to London to our King Edward To whom he declared How his Father had been prefer'd as the Indubitate and Right Heir to the Crown of Scotland by Edward the First of England his Grandfather That for doing Just Homage therefore to the said King Edward he had been finally deserted by his own Subjects and afterwards supplanted by Robert Bruce That if it please the King He q Hector p. 312. n. 30. also would hold the Crown of Scotland of Him as Superior Lord of that Realm that therefore he humbly requested some Assistance from his hands whereby to recover his Ancient Right and Patrimony King Edward indeed was troubled not a little at the Dishonourable Peace struck up with the Scots in his Minority but it having been made in his Name he was resolved to keep it entirely for the promised term of four Years whereof hardly three were yet fully run out In his own Person therefore he absolutely r Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 507. a. Stâ—w p. 230. n. 50. refuses to assist the Bailiol as yet or so much as to let him lead any warlike Troops into Scotland thrô his Land both having a due respect to the foresaid Peace and for
the King either could not or would not of themselves be fully resolved but after the manner of that Age wished the King to Advise first with the Pope and also with the French King both which befriended King David of Scotland and concern'd themselves in his matters However King Edward was so far from either violating the Peace first or even when 't was done by the Scots from precipitating himself into a War that thô the French King did openly abett the Scots and the Pope did abett France as palpably yet he follow'd this Counsel For we find that about this time among others k Philipet's Catal Chanceli p. 36. he sent this same Bishop of Winchester into France concerning these Affairs Of whom this is observable that being then Lord Chancellour he did not as afterwards Cardinal Woolsey did in the Days of King Henry the VIII presumptuously carry the Great Seal with him beyond the Seas but left it in his Absence with those who both could and would be responsible for it during his abode in France And these things being thus done the l M. S. Sr. Rob. Cotton ibid. Commons had all leave to depart but the Lords were Commanded to attend the next day at which time the King dissolved the Parliament It is observable that on the first day of this Parliaments sitting Commandment was given to the Mayor of York in Presence of the King in full Parliament to see the King's Peace kept in the same City and the Suburbs thereof and to arrest them that did the contrary Also that Proclamation against Weapons and Plays should be made by the Steward and Martial before the Parliament-House and by the Mayor and Bayliffs in the City of York VI. Thus this Year ended the Peace not yet broke on the English part but all things being in so loose a Posture that nothing seem'd more certain than that a War would inevitably follow The Princess m Speeds Ed. 2. p. 564. §. 81. Eleanora King Edward's Younger Sister being about fourteen Years of Age was this Year given in Marriage to Reginald the Second Earl of Gueldre a great Lover of King Edward and the English Nation Her Portion was 15000 pounds Sterling no small Summe of Money in those Days for we find in Ancient Times that even the Marriages of the Daughters of France n Causin's Holy Câ—art l. 3. part 1 §. 39. n. 60. exceeded not 6000 Crowns ready Money thô in our Days a Merchant of London has made his Daughter worth Forty Sixty and a Hundred Thousand Pounds This Lady thô his second Wife brought to the said Earl two hopefull Sons Reginald and Edward both Dukes successively after their Father For when afterward King Edward was made Vicar of the Sacred Empire he Created this Earl Reginald Duke of Gueldre since which that Earldom became a Dukedom In her passage to Guelderland she was Honourably attended by many English Knights among whom was o Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 154. William Lord Zouch of Mortimer and Sr. Constantine Mortimer his Kinsman both Branches of that Great Family of the Mortimers late Lords of Wigmore Sr. Constantine four Years after became Steward of the Houshold to the foresaid Countess of Gueldre This p Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 214. Claus 6. Ed. 3. m. 31. Year the Lord Edmund Plantagenot Eldest Son of Edmund of Woodstock late Earl of Kent departed this Life being at his Death the King's Ward and so without Issue Whereupon his Brother John succeeded him in the said Earldom To repair which Diminution of the Royal Branches in England Queen q Knighton p. 2560. Speed p. 590. b. Stow p. 231. c. Philippa soon after Christmas was happily deliver'd at Woodstock near Oxford of her second Child a fair Daughter who was Christened by the Name of Isabella and many Years after by the King her Father given in Marriage to the Honourable and Valiant Lord Ingelram Coucy Earl of Guisnes and Soissons and in time Archduke of Austria CHAPTER the SIXTH AN. DOM. 1333. An. Regni VII The CONTENTS I. The Lord Robert Earl of Artois in Picardy being prosecuted by the French King flies into England to King Edward's Protection and becomes a Firebrand of the War against his Country II. King Edward Summons the King of Scotland to come and do Homage as also to render Barwick unto him with King David's Reply III. King Edward in Parliament resolves on a War with Scotland and sends his Defiance IV. Mutual Inroads as Praeludiums to the War with the Siege of Barwick V. King Edward's expedition in Scotland and return to the Siege before Barwick where he is met by the Lord Darcy VI. A Combat between a Scotch and English Knight with the Battle of Halidown VII The Names of the English Lords in that Battle with an account of the Loss on both sides Barwick taken and Garrison'd by King Edward VIII King Edward's Devotion after the Victory He leaves Edward Bailiol to prosecute the War in Scotland King David flies into France and makes a League Offensive and Defensive with King Philip. IX King Bailiol's Success in Scotland he calls a Parliament at St. Johnston to which the English Lords his Assistants come and do Homage for their Lands held in that Kingdom The Year concludes with the Death of the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Durham and the Lord Hugh Poynz I. THat it may appear that National Commotions and Destructive Wars do come by the Ordinance of God for the Correction of Pride Injustice or other Sins I shall here briefly touch at the seeds of the French War which being cast about this time lasted for so many years and brought forth so many strange and notable Events thô when first sow'd they seem'd so small and inconsiderable King Philip of Valois who now wore the Crown of France a Frois c. 25. obtain'd it at first chiefly by the Assistance Conduct and Authority of a Mighty Peer of that Kingdom named Robert Earl of Artois who was one of the most Noble Valiant and Politick Lords in France of High Lineage and Prince of the Blood. He had married King Philips's German Sister and was ever his Chief and Special Friend and Counsellour as well before in his private Condition as now in his Regal Eminence Insomuch that for the space of three or four Years nothing of any moment passed in all that Kingdom but at the Advise and Discretion of the Lord Robert of Artois This Lord Robert besides the Relation he bore to King Edward as having Married the Sister of King Philip who was Uncle to Queen Philippa was also by the b Sandford Geneal Hist p. 94. Mother's side descended from King Henry the Third of England King Edward's Great Grandfather by the Lady Blanch of Bretagne who was Daughter to Beatrice second Daughter to the said King Henry the Third He was the Son of Philip Earl of Artois Lord of Conches and Damfront and
was entituled Robert of Artois Earl of Beaumont le Roger Peer of France Lord of Conches Damfront and Mehun And as his Blood was Illustrious his Courage was undaunted and his Spirit unable to brook an Injury Now in process of time it happen'd c Gaguin Graston p. 229. c. that in a Plea of some High Concern for Lands between this Sr. Robert and his Aunt the Lady Mathilda Countess of Artois he had judgement awarded by the Court against him whether because of Letters that Sr. Robert was said to have counterfeited or for Respect to the Lady who was a Widdow or out of Envy to him who was the King's sole Favourite or thrô neglect and inadvertency or for any other cause Just or Unjust however the proceeding so much â—ncensed Sr. Robert that he could not forbear to utter in the hearing of many these High Words By me was Philip Crown'd and by me shall he be discrown'd again These rash Words had surely cost him his Head could Philip have taken him in his anger But he had wisely voided his Dominions and cast himself upon his Nephew John Earl of Namur The mean while King Philip had caused his Lady thô so near related to himself with her two Sons the Lords John and Charles to be apprehended and flung into close Prison d Graften p. 267. in the Castle of Gastenois whence he sware they should never return while they lived whatsoever he should be advised to the contrary Nor content with this he sends to the e Frois c. 2â— Bishop of Liege desiring him effectually that he would for his sake defie and make War against the said Earl of Namur unless he would deliver up Sr. Robert of Artois or expell him his Country All this the Bishop did accordingly he was so addicted to the Crown of France and thereupon the Earl was forced thô unwillingly to send Sr. Robert away Who went thence directly to his Cozen the Duke of Brabant by whom he was entertain'd with much friendship and generosity The enraged King upon knowledge hereof sends the Duke word that if he continued any longer to foster or entertain this his Enemy in any part of his Countrey he with all the Realm of France his Friends and Allies would thenceforth commence an everlasting Quarrel against him The Duke upon this Menace privately conveys this his Friend to a strong Fortress of his expecting the Issue of King Philip's Intentions But this angry Prince had so well studied his Revenge that by his Spies he was acquainted with this Finess of the Duke's Whereupon taking it very heinously to be thus impos'd on by his great Importunity seconded with round Sums of Money he engaged John of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia thô he was Cozen German to the Duke of Brabant the Bishop of Liege aforesaid the Archbishop of Colen the Earl of Gueldre the Marquis of Gulick or Juliers the Earl of Bar the Lords of Ros and Fanquemont or Valkenburgh as the Germains with several others all at one time to concurr in a common Defiance against the Duke of Brabant And accordingly all these having joyn'd the Earl of Ewe Constable of France who led a considerable Army himself defi'd the Duke of Brabant and entring his Country by the way of Esdan or Sedain on the Meuse came to Antwerp at that time the chief City of Brabant and twice over-ran the Country where they pleased with Fire and Sword. Hereupon William Earl of Heinalt out of kindness to the Duke his Kinsman sent his own Lady Joan de Valois who was King Philip's Sister together with his Brother John Lord Beaumont of Heinalt into France to entreat for Peace and to obtain a present respit from War for the Duke of Brabant At last thô not without much ado King Philip was wrought upon to vouchsafe him a Peace upon these Conditions That the Duke of Brabant should cast himself upon the favour of the Court of France and of the Kings Council of them to abide the Censure and also without fail by such a certain time absolutely to banish out of his Territories the said Robert Earl of Artois The Lord Robert being thus eagerly prosecuted from one Country to another and wholly driven to despair at last resolves to fling himself upon the more powerfull Protection of the King of England and from this time sets himself with full Bent against his own Country So dangerously impolitick is it for a Prince to declare himself irreconcilable to any Great Man before he has him in his Power For here he kindled such a Fire as the blood of more than an hundred thousand Frenchmen could not extinguish He came into England disguised like a Merchant his Stuff and Riches being all convey'd hither before about the time that King Edward held his Parliament at f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 645. York in order to his Affairs relating to Scotland The King knew him well for g Graften p. 207 Polydor. l. 19. p. 364. both he and his Mother had formerly received much kindness at his Hands when they were persecuted by the Spencers and beside as we have shewn he was of Kin to the King by the Mother wherefore readily apprehending of what great use such a Man might prove to his future Attempts he immediately made him of his Council and assign'd him the h Frois c. 26. Speed p. 570. §. 37. Profits of the Earldom of Richmond till he should provide some other Settlement for him But of him we shall speak more anon II. King Edward before the sitting of this Parliament had upon Occasion of the foremention'd Rumours from the North sent l Ashmole p. 645. ex Rot. Pat. 6. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 3.14 Dec. Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton and Sr. William Denham his Ambassadors to King David his Brother in Law demanding present Restitution of the Town of Barwick which his Grandfather Edward the First had held in peaceable Possession and also to summon him to come into England to render Homage unto him as Superior Lord for that his Kingdom of Scotland To which Message King David by advice of his Council return'd thus k Frois ibid. Lords it is no small wonder to Us and to all our Barons that the King your Master our Good Brother in Law should send us such a Message as here you bring us For it could never appear to us that the Realm of Scotland was of old bound or subject to England either to yield Homage or any other Service thereto Wherefore neither would the King our Father of famous Memory ever own any such thing for all the Wars that were made against him by your King's Father or Grandfather The steps of our Father we Our selves God willing intend to follow in all that is Just and Honorable even thô thereby we hazard both our Life and Kingdom As for Barwick it was l Vid. John Harding c. 172. and Speed p. 559. § 34. fairly won
Mind might be known had conceal'd him at the Lady Vesci his sister's House The Lord Richard Talbot was now also restored to the Lands which he claim'd in right of his Lady h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 326. Elisabeth another of the Cosins and Coheirs of the said Lord John Cumin of Badenagh Earl of Buquan as David Strabolgi Earl of Athol in Right of his Mother i Dudg 1 Vol. p. 96. Joan the other Cofin and Coheir whose Name Others reckon to be Katherine had Livery of his Lands at the same time Besides these King Bailiol gave to the Lord k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 274. Henry Percy of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland a Grant of the Inheritance of the Pele of Loughmaban as also of Anandale and Mossetdale with all the Knights Fees and Advowsons of Churches within those Valleys in as full and ample Manner as the Lord Thomas Randulph sometime Earl of Murray ever had them And moreover of divers Lands in that Realm which had belonged to other Men of the Brucean Party The like Grants were given to Ralph Lord Nevil of Raby John Lord Moubray and Sr. l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 184. Edward Bohun Brother to John Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England all Men of great Nobility and Valour These with some few more came to this Parliament held by King Bailiol as Peers of Scotland and as owing Homage for their respective lands held of him partly to settle their own Affairs and partly m Rot. Sâ—oc 7. Ed. 3. m. 2. as Commissioners from the King of England to see those Agreements ratified and confirmed that had been made between the two Kings And in this Parliament n Holinsh Eng. Chren p. 896. were revoked and made null and void all Acts Statutes and Ordinances which the late Kings of Scotland Robert or David had made and it was enacted That all such Lands and Possessions as either of the said Bruces had given granted or confirmed to any Person or Persons whatsoever should be now taken away and restored to the former and true Inheritor Thus was David seemingly unking'd and Bailiol to all appearance fixed in the Scottish Throne but we shall quickly see him at the bottom of the Wheel again and once more King David must be lifted up thô to his greater loss and trouble But now we must shut up this Active year with a few Memorandums of Mortality For Lewis Beaumont Bishop of Durham o Gedwins Cata. Bps p. 661. departing this life in September on the 19 of December following Dr. Richard Bury formerly the Kings Tutor was consecrated Bishop in his stead in the presence of the King and Queen of England and of King Bailiol of Scotland besides 2 Archbishops 5 Bishops 7 Earls and many other Noble Personages both Lords and Ladies So obligingly Gracious was this Mighty Monarch to the Man that taught him as indeed for his great Learning and Abilities he did well deserve Also on the 12 of October following p Gâ—dâ—ins Catal. Bps p. 132. Therne's Chron. p. 2066. Dr. Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury deceased at his Mannor of Magfield and was succeeded in that See by Dr. John Stratford Bishop of Winchester a Man of great Learning Judgment and Loyalty And on the 13 of the same Month Sr. Hugh Poynz q Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 2. a noble and valiant Knight and Baron of this Realm went the way of all Flesh leaving behind him Nicholas his Son and Heir from whom many worthy Branches are descended CHAPTER the SEVENTH The CONTENTS I. A Parliament held at York II. Edward Bailiol King of Scotland renders Homage to King Edward of England whereby the Scots begin first to be distasted again John Duke of Bretagne likewise renders Homage to the King of England for his Earldom of Richmond III. A Council at Nottingham which produces a Parliament at Westminster Wherein King Edward shews his Resolution to go with the French King to the Holy Land Vpon which he sends Ambassadors to the Pope and King Philip but that Design is broke IV. King Bailiol causes a disgust among his Friends whereat his Enemies take Advantage till being reconcil'd again he grows stronger However his Enemies get to a Head again and for a while prosper V. King Edward startled at the News prepares for another Expedition to Scotland in Person He arrives with his Army at Newcastle The Lord Edward Bohun Brother to the Earl of Hereford and Essex unfortunately drowned I. KING Edward of England in his March toward Scotland AN. DOM. 1334. An. Regni VIII which as we have observed he began in the November foregoing a Fabian p. 200. Grafton p. 229. stay'd to keep his Christmas at the City of York Thence he went and laid Siege to the Castle of Kilbridge which he presently took by fine force and thereupon having confer'd with King Bailiol and pretty well settled Affairs in those parts he return'd again after Candlemas b Holinshead p. 896. B. Dom. Lit. Pasc 27 Martii to York in order to hold his Parliament which he had summon'd to meet him there the next day before St. Peter in Cathedrâ being the 21 of February and a Monday the second Week in Lent. Here it was c M.S. Rec. Par l. p. 20. 21. §. 1. c. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 15 §. 1. c. Enacted that the Great Charter of the Forest and other Statutes should be observed and that what Clauses therein were obscure should be by good Advice more fully Explain'd It was also petition'd that in every County one Justice of the Peace Learned in the Law should be appointed as Chief over the Rest before whom all Offences should be sued to the Outlawry And that these were yearly to make an Account of their Doings before the King. To which the King replying he would be advised granted that they should yearly send up an Extract of their Proceedings into the Treasury and to Encourage them the more herein undertook to d Ibid. § 4 provide that each of them should have certain and limited Fees allow'd him To the Petition that no Pardon be granted to any Outlawed by any suggestive means but only by Parliament his Majesty answer'd that the Statutes made should be observed and whereas it was Requested That Sheriffs might continue but one Year according to the Statute of Lincoln and Woodstock he told them that the Statutes made should stand and that the Chancellour and others who were appointed to make Choice of Sheriffs should name Able Men who were to continue One Year or longer according to their Demeanour It was now Enacted that the Justices of the Kings Bench and the Common Bench Justices of Assise and of the Peace in every County should Determine of false Jurors and Maintainers Moreover the King by his Letters Patents charged all Archbishops and Bishops to cause Excommunication weekly in every Parish to be Denounced against all such Offenders
Upon Request of the Commons that all Men might have their Writs out of the Chancery for Fees of the Seal only without any Fine according to that of Magna Charta Nulli vendemus Justitiam the King granted that Writs which were of Course should be so and that for such as were of Grace he would Command his Chancellour to be therein Gracious It is Enacted that Bigamy shall be Tryed only in Court Christian It is Enacted that Justices of Assise after their Assise taken shall not depart before they have made Delivery of their Goal on pain of loosing their Fees. It is Enacted If any Delivery be taken before any other Justices than such as are appointed thereto contrary to the Statutes at Northampton that the same may be void It is Enacted that no Purveyance be made but for the King. The Commons Petition That Remedy may be had against Oppressions of the Clergy for Probates of Wills and Citations for Trifles The King will herein do his Best and chargeth the Bishops to do the Like That every Infant acknowledging any Statute or Recognisance may at his Full Age Averre his Nonage The King reply'd There was a better Law than by Averment That all Men may have Delivery of their Beasts which escape into any Hay or Forest without any Fine to the Forester who accounteth them Forfeits and that Coroners may Execute their Office there The Coroners shall Execute their Office there and Wardens of Forests shall be commanded to keep their Officers from Extorting That certain may be appointed to hear the Debates between the Town of Great Yarmouth and Little Yarmouth The Judgements therefore made between them shall stand That Remedy may be had for the true making of Woollen Cloaths according to the Assize The King will Provide for the Execution of the Statute That no money be Exported out of the Realm The King will Provide therefore That Pardons may be granted for the Debts due to King John and Henry the Third for which Process came daily out of the Exchequer The King will Provide an Answer the next Parliament That Remedy may be had against Sheriffs and their Officers for Gathering of Green Wax The Statute therefore made shall stand For e In Derso ejusd Ret that the Staple was ordain'd to endure at the Kings Pleasure It is now Enacted that the same Staple should be revoked and that all Merchants-Strangers may freely buy any Staple Wares paying the due Custom Sundry Justices in several Counties were appointed to enquire of the Felonies of Bennet of Normanton Lastly because Sr. Geoffry Scroop Lord Chief Justice was to be employ'd in the Kings Weighty Affairs it was Enacted that the Kings Bench should be continued in Warwickshire after Easter next Sr. Richard Willoughby being appointed to supply his Place for the time with the Assistance of Sr. William Shareshull one of the Justices of the Bench. II. This is the Summ of what I find transacted in this Parliament which being adjourn'd the King who was desirous to keep a watchfull Eye over Scotland passed on and held his Whitsuntide f Whitsâ—nday fell on the 15 of May. at Newcastle upon Tine Whither soon after Edward Bailiol King of Scotland Sirnamed the Conquerour came to him well and Honourably attended with the Nobility of either Nation and there g Walsingh hist p. 115. Holinshead p. 896. Ashmole p. 645. on the Day of Gervasius and Prothasius which is the 19 of June in the Church of the Preaching Fryers render'd his Homage and swore Fealty unto him for his Kingdom of Scotland and the Isles thereto belonging with the Ceremony of Kneeling while the Words of the Homage were pronounced after which he h Vid. Selden's Tit. Hâ—nâ—r p. 52. kissed the King of Englands Cheek all being performed in the Presence of several Archbishops Bishops Earls and many other Barons of both Nations Here King Bailiol acknowledged the King of England as Superior Lord of Scotland swearing to hold his Realm of him his Heirs and Lawfull Successours for ever Then and there also he gave and Granted to King Edward in Requital of his Expences and Labour in the Wars on his Behalf Five whole Counties next adjoyning to the Borders of England as Barwick Roxborough Peblis and Dumfres with the Towns of Hadington and Gedeworth and the Castles and Fortresses of Selkirk Etherick and Gedeworth So that all and each of these should from thenceforth be wholly separated from the Crown of Scotland and annexed to the Crown of England for ever And all this was confirmed by Oath Scepter Writings and Authentick Subscription Moreover King Bailiol by the Advice and Consent of his Scotch Nobles in Requital of King Edward's Cost and Labour for his Sake and to Nourish a continual Sence of his Gratitude Granted for him and his Heirs Kings of Scotland to King Edward and his Heirs Kings of England for ever That i Fabian p. 202. whensoever he the said King of England or any of his Heirs should have War either at Home or Abroad the Scots at their own proper Costs and Charges should assist him or them with 300 Horse and a 1000 Foot well Furnished for the War which said 1300 Men the Scots were to pay for one whole Year But if the King of England should not within the said Space end his War then he the said King of England should take them into his Pay as he doth his own Souldiers But this Homage of the Bailiols was so highly stomached by the hardy and couragious Scots that thô for the present they were necessitated to smother their Resentments and indeed could never be able to drive him wholly from his Kingdom as upon the same account was done to his Father he being constantly sustained by the English Yet what with their restless strugglings for Liberty and their frequent and obstinate Rebellions they so tired him out at the long run that seeing himself also old and childless he at last was fain to resign the whole Kingdom with all his Right and Title thereto unto his Superior Lord King Edward of England as hereafter will be shewn at large Yet at the same time k Knighton p. 2566. n. 50. David Strabolgi Earl of Athol Sr. Alexander Moubray and other Scotch Lords that held Lands Tenements and Fees in England did their Homage to King Edward for the same When also the Lord John l Mill's Catal. Honâ—r p. 606. Dreux Duke of Bretagne in France and Vicount Limouvicen Son to Arthur once Duke of Bretagne and Nephew to John the brother of Arthur late Duke thereof who died without Issue the 8 of February this Year performed m Walsing Hypod p. 113. n. 10 Adam Muâ—â—mouth his Homage to King Edward on the 24 of June at Newcastle for the Earldom of Richmond in England Which Earldom thô our common Historians say it was lately given to the Lord Robert of Artois as I have shewn before appears n Catal.
as some say in the latter end of * Fabian p. 203. Walsingh hist p. 117. n. 20. October at the Town of St. Johnston departed out of this Life the most hopefull young Prince John Plantagenet sirnamed of Eltham in Kent the Place of his Birth who was only Brother to King Edward being the second Son of Edward the Second by his Queen Isabella Daughter to Philip le Bel King of France He was m Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 109. advanced to the Title of Earl of Cornwall by his Brother King Edward the Third and was twice by him made Lieutenant of all England upon his Expeditions the one into France the other into Scotland during his Absence But in his Action of this Year he so heated himself that he fell into a Feavour upon his return to St. Johnston and now at last died in the very Flower of his Youth being but twenty Years of Age and a Batchelour His Body being embalmed and brought into England was with great Solemnity Interr'd n Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 110. in St. Edmunds Chappel in Westminster Abbey on the Southside of the Choire and the Northside of the High Altar on the Left hand of the Door of the said Chappel Where the King his Brother raised for him a o Keep 's Monument Westm p. 66. c. Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 155 ubi the Figure of it most Noble Monument of Grey Marble set about with 24 little Images of various-coloured Alabaster and white Marble under each whereof are the blank Escutcheons remaining whereon had been as many several Coats of Arms depicted which are now wholly worn away and decayed On this Tomb lies his full Image of Admirable wrought Alabaster in his Coat Armour his Visage bare and a deep Shield on his Left Arm whereon are engraven the Arms of England within a Bordure of France having two Angels on each side supporting his Head and a Lion Couchant at his Feet Carved and finely Pictured of the same Alabaster with a Canopy covering the whole with delicate wrought Spires and Masons Work every where intermixed and Adorned with little Images and Angels according to the Fashion of those times supported by eight Pillars of white Stone of the same Curious-wrought Work But there is no Epitaph or Inscription to inform us any further The Scotch p Hector l. 15. f. 320. n. 40. c. Writers tell the manner of his Death thus that having done many abominable Cruelties in that Kingdom and especially without any Regard to Holy Places after all he came to St. John's Town where say they the King his Brother then was in the Church at his Devotions near the Altar That upon sight of him the King who had heard of all his Barbarous and Profane Cruelties question'd him somewhat about those Matters But receiving from him an harsh and undutifull Answer was so far provoked that immediately drawing his sword he there slew him with his own Hands upon the Place adding this That an Altar ought not to be a Refuge for One who had by Fire and Sword violated both Churches and Altars Certainly this Sentence which Hector puts into King Edward's Mouth was no way unbecoming a Religious Prince even thô he had perform'd such a Fact upon such a Brother as they make this Lord John to have been But this very Author forgetting Decencies and Characters at another time makes the same King as great a Profaner of Holy Places himself and yet his Friend Buchanan likes not this Story of his so well as to set his Hand to it which he very seldom scruples to do but when the Lye is too apparent For indeed King Edward was not in Scotland at the time of Prince Johns Decease and the young Lord was neither so Barbarous nor Profane as Hector feigns and besides his Death was q Knighton p. 2568. n. 30. Holinsh Scot. p. 237. n. 50. Pat. 10. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 3. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 109. c. Natural as all our Histories and the Records themselves agree In the r Walsingh hist p. 117. n. 20. Month of December there died also at St. Johnston the Lord Hugh Frenes who in Title of his Wife the Relict of Sr. Ebulo le Strange was called Earl of Lincoln of a Bloody Flux occasion'd by an excessive cold and indeed many other English were destroy'd by the vehement cold in those Quarters that Winter This Earl Hugh was the ſ Catal. Honor. p. 947. Third and Last Husband of Alice Daughter and Heiress of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln but neither he nor any of her other Husbands had any Issue by her Queen Philippa of England t Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 177. Walsingh Hypod. p. 113. n. 40. this Year was deliver'd of her second Son at Hatfield who in Memory of her Father William Earl of Heinalt was Christened by that Name and sirnamed of Hatfield the Place of his Birth as was customary in those Days But this young Prince William of Hatfield lived but a short while and was buried in the Cathedral at York IX About this time as it were to usher in those grand Affairs which King Edward was now entring upon there u Ashmole p. 646. Fabian p. 203. 208. Walsingh Hypod. p. 114. Hist p. 131. n. 30. Gaguin l. 8. p. 134. Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 900. appeared a fearfull Comet which for a considerable time darted forth its Rays with long and terrible Streams toward the East and toward the South It was look'd upon as a Forerunner both of those Wars in the Holy Land wherein the King of Armenia lost all his Country to the Turks and also of the great Devastation that followed shortly after in the Noble Realm of France Althô if they might not be divers I had rather set the time of this Comets Appearance to the Year following For x Esq Sherburne in his Catalogue of Astromers at the end of his Manilius c. we find that in the Years 1337 and 1338. there were seen either two or one and the same Comet of such a remarkable Phaenomenon that together with that which happen'd in the Year 1330 they employed the Pen of that learned Astrologer of those Days Godfry de Meldis an Oxonian to write his Book called Judicium Stellae Comatae Also this Year in a Village called Leighton about six miles Westward from Huntingdon was calved a Calf with two Heads and Eight feet if y Walsingh hist p. 119. n. 20. 30. c. Walsingham may obtain credit as there is little doubt to be made of the probability of this Matter This Winter was very sharp in England there being a hard Frost from the 27 of November to the 9 of February but no Snow at all whence Wheat became dear but other Grain grew plenty In many Parts of England the Willow-trees brought forth Flowers in January like Roses for Bigness and Colour and Elder-trees bare fruit exactly
King Edward being fully in earnest sends Dr. John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Richard Bury Bishop of Durham Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln and the Earls of Salisbury Northampton Huntingdon and Suffolk with Sr. Geoffry Scroop Lord Chief Justice of England and John Lord Darcy Steward of the Kings Houshold his Commissioners to the French King not now to demand Restitution of a few Castles or Towns unjustly taken and detain'd but to declare King Edwards Rightfull Claim to the Crown of France it self as also by the by to propose some Conditions for a Treaty with c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 185. David Bruce the exil'd King of Scotland then in France But if the French King should prove untractable and averse to Reason then to proceed to the Court of Prince d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria and the Emperours Brother to engage him also on the Behalf of England against King Philip. These e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 531. Ambassadours being arrived at Bologne received there Advice that King Edwards Mind was alter'd as who justly conceived that their journey might be hazardous and expose them to the Fury of a passionate Prince who in his displeasure made no difference between Just and Unjust Sacred or Profane and had before threatned his Negotiators with Death if ever they came again when before his Coronation they were pleading the King of Englands Right to that Crown in the Chamber of France Wherefore leaving off their design of visiting Paris they bent their course for Heinalt where they renewed the League with f Dudg 1 Vol. p. 531. William the young Earl of Heinalt the Earl of Gueldre and the Marquis of Juliers And proceeding to Colen made a like Agreement with Rupert Duke of Bavaria he undertaking to serve King Edward against all Men Living the Emperour his Brother only excepted with an hundred and fifty Men of Arms the whole number amounting to a thousand Men in lieu whereof the English Commissioners engag'd before their Return for England to pay unto him at Dort 2700 Florens of Florence or their equivalent Value in Sterling and moreover upon the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing the summ of 15000 Florens of good Gold viz. for every Souldier 15 Florens for the two first Months Service Nay it appears by one of Pope Benedicts g Extant apud Odoric Raynald ad An. 1337. §. 12. Letters to King Philip bearing Date at Avignon VIII Id. Novemb. Anno Pontificatûs III how there were Treaties on foot at this time that Lewis the Emperour laying aside his Right to the Roman Empire and only retaining to himself the Kingdom of Almain the Secular Electors therefore giving him some good Equivalent the King of England on Consideration of no small Summs of Mony should be made King of the Romans and elected Emperour Or if this might not be done that however he should be irrevocably deputed for his Life Vicar of the Empire as to the Lower Part thereof that by reason of the Neighbourhood he might the more opportunely and powerfully infest the Kingdom of France King h Frois c. 30. Philip of Valois was not ignorant of all this Diligence of King Edward's both at home and abroad But it chiefly fretted him that he had made so great Progress among the Flemings whom he repented he had not more early by way of Prevention sought to fasten to himself But remembring how i Fabian p. 205. firm the Earl of Flanders was to his side he did not wholly despair of bringing them over especially knowing them to be a People inconstant mercenary and likely to turn any way for Advantage He therefore sends to Gaunt the Bishop of St. Denis with Others to propose on his behalf very advantageous Offers both to that and other the good Towns of Flanders of which one was that King Philip would release unto them all such Seignories and Lordships of theirs as either he or any of his Progenitors had taken or withheld from them But he came too late For now Jacob van Arteveld bore such sway that none durst contradict his Opinion and the k Frois c. 30. Earl himself had been already forced to withdraw his Wife and Children into France for their Security So that Gaunt and Bruges Ipre Courtray and Cassel with other Towns thereabout rejected utterly the Offers of the French King and adhered firmly to King Edward especially bearing an l Fabian p. 205. old Grudge to King Philip for the War he made against them in the beginning of his Reign whereof we made some mention in the Second Year of this our History VIII The mean while in the Isle of m Frois c. 30. Holinshead p. 901. Stâ—w p. 234. Walsing hist p. 132. n. 1. Cadsand lying between the Haven of Sluce and Flushing certain Knights and Esquires of Flanders who held with the Earl against the Towns made a strong Garrison by command of King Philip and their Lord Earl Lewis The chief Captains were Sr. Guy of Rijckenburgh Bastard-Brother to the Earl Sr. Duras Halvin Sr. John Rhodes Sr. Giles Son to the Lord Lestriefe Sr. Nicholas Chauncy and Others These Men kept the Passage in hopes to meet some English against whom already they made Covert War Whereof the English Lords in Heinalt having Notice knew they should receive no very kind Salute if they went home that way But while they were in Flanders they rode about at their pleasure for Jacob van Arteveld had assured them of all Respect and Honour But however because King n Ashmole p. 647. Edward understood that the Flemings and French not only kept this Garrison in Cadsand but also had set out several Men of War to Sea to wait for his Ambassadors in their Passage home he directed his Writ to John Lord Roos Admiral of the Fleet from the River of Thames Northward to fit up a Convoy of 40 Stout Ships well Mann'd and to be with them at Dort in Holland on the Monday after Midsummer-day to secure their Return They lay ready for them at Dort and so took ship at their leisure for England having effectually perform'd their Business In their passage o Walsingh hist p. 118. Dug 1 Vol. p. 531. Knighton p. 2570. n. 30. homeward they took two Flemish Men of War with an hundred and fifty Scots on board among whom was the Bishop of Glascow Sr. John Stuart and other Noblemens Sons of Scotland as Sr. David Hay Sr. Hugh Gifford Sr. John de la More Sr. William Bayly Sr. Alexander Frasier with two Clerks Thomas Ferguson and William Muffet and a Monk of Dunfermlin besides certain Noble Ladies These with 4000 Souldiers for their Guard were sent by the French King to aid the Brucean Scots with Arms Horse Gold and Silver to the value of 15000 l. all which was now taken by the English Admiral the Souldiers being most slain and the
the very Duty of our Apostolick Employment requires so much of Us but take Order to provide the best Remedy as to the Premises by proceeding against you which will be very troublesom and ungratefull to Us if it shall which God forbid be necessary as Justice so requiring both ought and may be done Given at Avignion under the Seal of the Fisher c. in the i i â—v apud Oderic v Year of our Pontificate on the Ides of November CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward summons the German Lords to meet him at Mechlin in Brabant II. Vpon their Meeting the King and They send their several Defiances to King Philip. III. The Lord Walter Manny begins the War and takes Thin l'Evesque which he garrisons for King Edward The Earl of Salisbury makes an Incursion into the Bishoprick of Liege IV. The King of France's Preparations V. The French Navy burn Southampton VI. King Edward lays Siege to Cambray VII But on News of King Philips Preparations rises and goes forth to meet him putting all to Fire and Sword as he goes VIII The two Kings face one another at Vironfosse in Cambresis A Day appointed for Battle with the Order and Number of both Armies IX The true Reasons why the French declined to fight and the sudden Departure of King Philip. X. King Edward returns to Antwerp where having sent for his Son the Prince to come to him he keeps his Christmas XI A Copy of the Pope's Letter to King Edward to move him to Peace XII King Edwards Answer thereto XIII Two notable Parliaments held at Westminster one by the Prince before his Departure out of England and the other by Commissioners empowered thereto by the King. I. BEfore the Return of this Answer from the Pope AN. DOM. 1339. An. Regni XIII King Edward immediately after the Date of his own Letters began his March to a Frois c. 35. Villenort in Brabant where he lodged his People partly in the Town and partly without in Tents and Pavilions along the River side Here he tarried from the 20th of July till the middle of August still expecting the Coming of the Lords of the Empire his Allies but especially of the Duke of Brabant on whom chiefly the rest did depend as to their resolution in this Matter But when his Patience was almost tired with fruitless expectation he was fain to send once more his special Summons to each of them commanding them to come and meet with him at Mechelen the Metropolis of Brabant on b 1 Septemb. St. Giles his Day following and then and there to shew him the Cause of those ill-boding Delays Now all this while that the King waited thus at Villenort for his Confederates he maintain'd idly at his own Costs and Charges 1600 Men of Arms all English and 10000 Archers of England besides all other necessary Provisions for his Court and beside the great Armies and Garrisons he had in other Places and upon the Seas and beside the vast Summs of Mony which he had dispos'd of to the Lords his Confederates The French King for his part was not unpurvey'd of necessaries for Resistance for beside his formidable Preparations in France Normandy and Aquitain he had set forth a Mighty Fleet of Ships consisting of French Normans Bretons Picards and Spaniards who had Orders as soon as ever the War should be once open and the Defiances made to land on some of the Sea-coasts of England where they could to their best advantage and to put all to Fire and Sword and Rapine So honourable in those days were Christian Princes as thô they manifestly prepared against each other not to begin open War till they had given mutual Warning thereof II. On the first of September or St. Giles his day according to King Edward's Summons these tardy Lords of Almain came all at last to Mechelen unto him where they immediately enter'd upon consideration of the present Affairs There was much Debate among them but in the end it was resolved that the King of England should set forward within fifteen days at farthest and to the intent their Cause should not appear unwarrantable they all agree'd to send their particular Defiances to the French King. First the King of England c Frois ibid. then the Duke of Guerles or Gueldre late Earl and William Earl of Juliers late Marquess but now advanced to higher Dignities by King Edward d Knighton p. 2574. n. 30. 40. then the Lord Robert of Artois the Lord John of Heinalt the Marquesses of Nuys and Blanckeberg the Lord of Faulquemont or Valkenberg as the Dutch call it Sr. Arnold of Baquehen the Archbishop of Colen Sr. Galeace his Brother and the rest of the Lords of the Empire All these had their particular and special Defiances written signed and sealed excepting of all the Confederates the Duke of Brabant only who said He would do the like by himself at his best Convenience Henry Lord Bishop of Lincoln was chosen to carry these Defiances into France being attended with the Herald Windsor who was Principal King at Arms of England in those days These presently carried them to Paris and there Windsor after the Defiances were deliver'd openly defi'd King Philip of Valois in the Name of the King of England his Master and then having Both performed their Business so discreetly that they could not justly incurr any reproach or blame thô inwardly King Philip boiled with Fury they demanded and obtained a safe Conduct and so return'd to the King their Master who tarried for them at Mechlin III. That very Week that the Lord Walter Manny understood for certain how the Defiances had been made he took to him fourty Spears e Frois c. 36. and rode thrô Brabant Night and Day till he came into Heinalt and entred the Wood of Blaton His Resolution and Design was not as yet known to any of his Followers but those few of his Friends only to whom he thought it necessary to Communicate his Purpose and to these he privately confessed how he had promised before some great Ladies in England to be the very first that after the War was Proclaim'd should enter the Confines of France and perform some notable Exploit of Arms That now therefore in pursuance of his Vow he resolves for Mortagne a Town and Fortress on the Confines of Heinalt two Leagues from Tournay towards Valenciennes which belonged then to King Philip and that therefore this he would endeavour to surprise So having passed thrô the Wood of Blaton he came early one Morning before Sunrise to Mortagne where by chance he found the small Door of the Great Gate of the Town standing open Hereupon alighting immediately from his Horse with all his Company having appointed certain to stand still and Guard the Gate against his Return he enter'd with all the rest and went thrô the High-Street with his Banner before him in good close Order till he came to
annum §. 9. extat apud Benedict Tom. 6. Epist secr 302. M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet sâ—â— incipiens Ut Sanctitati Domini nostri Summi Pontifiâ—is c. That it may be made evident to the Holiness of our Lord the Pope that our Lord the King of England doth justly by Hereditary Right claim the Kingdom of France the Information which follows was given in by the Ambassadors of the said King. The Matter whereupon the Lord Edward King of England saith He hath Right to the Crown of France is thus It is and hath been notoriously known that the Lord Charles the Younger Son of Philip King of France commonly called the Fair after the Death of the Lord Philip his Brother at which time the said Lord Charles immediately by Hereditary Right succeeded in the said Kingdom was true King of France and that unto him the said Kingdom of France was lawfully devolved by Right of Succession and that he the Lord Charles held and peaceably and quietly possessed the said Kingdom of France for the time that he Reigned as true King of France And that at last the same Lord Charles leaving no Brother then surviving deceased without any Heir Male begotten of his Body It is also certain de jure that in Hereditary Successions coming from one Intestate the next of Bloud to the Deceased being able at the time of the Decease to Succeed doth wholly exclude all the more remote of the Blood of the said deceased whether he was allied to the Deceased by the Person of a Male or Female And it is certain that at the time of the Death of the said Lord Charles King of France as aforesaid the foresaid Lord Edward King of England was his nearest Kinsman as who was Son of the Sister of the said Lord Charles namely of the Lady Isabella Queen of England being only removed from the same Lord Charles aforesaid in the Second Degree of Consanguinity But the Lord Philip of Valois who occupies the said Kingdom of France was Son of the Uncle of the said Lord Charles namely Son of the Lord Charles of Valois Brother to the foresaid Philip the Fair and so notoriously removed from the said King Charles in the Third Degree of Consanguinity And by Consequence in common Right the foresaid Lord Edward King of England Son of the Sister of the foresaid Lord King Charles deceased k The Original more full debait debet ought by Right of Succession to be preferr'd in the Succession of the said Kingdom to the foresaid Lord Philip of Valois who only is near to the said King. Charles in the Third Degree of Consanguinity l Hic in M.S. Dr. Stilling-sleet multa adduntur eâ— Pandect c. ad Jus Regis stabiliendâ—on allegata tum quâ—e sequuntar hic The Intention therefore of our Lord the King of England being founded on Common Right nothing remains but only to answer what may be objected And first it is objected on the part of the Lord Philip of Valois who bears himself as King of France against the King of England aforesaid that the same King of England did unto him as King of France make Homage for the Dukedom of Aquitain and for the Earldom of Pontive and did thereby recognise him the said Lord Philip to m The Original more full fore else be his Lord and King of France 2. It is also objected to the King of England that he made unto him Liege Homage and Oath and that of these things the foresaid Philip hath by him Letters sealed with the Seal of the foresaid King of England and moreover that these Letters were sealed in England 3. It is also objected to the foresaid King of England that he is not of the Blood of the House of France but by Means of a Woman namely of the Lady Isabell his Mother And that a Woman neither can nor ought an approved and lawfully prescribed Custom in the Realm hindring to be admitted to obtain the said Kingdom by Right of Succession and by Consequence by means of her her Son is not to succeed To answer these Objections the Information which follows was given in by the Ambassadors of the King aforesaid First that the Homage made ought not in effect to prejudicate the King of England because the same King of England at the time of making the said Homage was notoriously under Age nor had then compleated the 18th Year of his Age whereby he ought as other Minors when they are abused within the times provided by the Laws of Restitution to the full to be aided by a competent Judge if there had been a Competent Judge with the benefit of Restitution to the full But upon Defect of a Competent Judge the said King of England within the foresaid times of Restitution to the full used other Remedies of Law which ought to suffice him in this Part. Moreover the said King of England being under Age as aforesaid did before the making of his Homage by one of his Procurators especially constituted for that purpose protest openly and expresly that for any Homage whatsoever to be made to the Lord Philip of Valois then bearing himself as King of France by the said King of England for the Dukedom of Aquitain and the County of Pontive he did not nor would intend to renounce his Hereditary Right which he had to the Realm of France or any way from the said Right to derogate althô thereupon Letters should thereafter be signed with either of his Seals And he did protest that he made not any Homage to the said Lord Philip of his own Free Will but only he should do it for the just fear he had of Losing the said Dukedom and County and because he feared that unless he should do such Homage unto him he could not avoid other great Dangers and irreparable Losses And to the Truth of the Premises the King of England caused by his said Procurator an Oath to be taken upon his Soul by laying Hands on the Holy Gospel before many Witnesses called thereto As to the Objection concerning the Oath which the King of England in his Homage ought to have made or that he should have sworn so to have declared saving the Objectors Reverence it is not true because neither the Lord the King of England nor any of his Progenitors did ever swear in the Performance of any Homage as will evidently appear by the Inspection of the Registers containing the Forms of the said Homages nor is it contained in any Letters sealed with the King of England's Seal that such an Oath hath been made Nor can it be said that in the Homage made by the said Lord the King an Oath was tacitly implied hereby that the Letters were sealed with the King of England's Seal wherein it was contained that this Homage was Liege because the word Liege doth by its signification no way import the same And as to what is said that these Letters were sealed
in England and so without Fear it is answer'd that even so it was not without Fear when there was a fear of losing the whole Dukedom aforesaid by reason of an Army then ready to invade the King himself in the Dukedom and in England by the way of Scotland and that the said Letters were sealed while the said King was notoriously under Age as aforesaid not of the perfect Knowledge of the said King nor upon due Notice of his Right or Prejudice as neither by reason of the frailty of his Age could then be had Besides he the said King ought to be restored in full in this Case within the Times thereto limited if he had had a Competent Judge and because he had not a Competent Judge he used in due time other Remedies whereby there was taken better Provision as to his Right And the King of England would have our Lord the Pope to be more surely informed that the said King never did any thing on purpose to the Lord Philip bearing himself as King of France for which he ought to cease or desist from the Prosecution of his said Right or for which he thought or doth think his Conscience wronged in this part and that it was so He calls God to Witness As to the Objection wherein 't is said that the said Lord the King of England is not of the Blood of France but by means of a Woman who is not capable of the Right of the Hereditary Realm of France it is answerd that althô by the Custom of the Realm of France a Woman of the Royal Blood be excluded from the Hereditary Rights of the Realm of France yet hereby it doth not follow that her Son being a Male and able to Reign ought to be excluded from the Succession of his Forefathers devolved unto Lawfull Heirs because the King of England claims the Succession of his Uncle the Lord King Charles deceased according to the Prerogative of his Degree as next of Kin to the deceased King who ought not to be excluded from the Inheritance of his Uncle or his Grandfather by any Kindred more remote in Degree even althô the Mother of the said King by reason of her Sex should be excluded or put by And if it be said that some Nephews and Kindred of the Lords Lewis and Philip Brethren of the said Lord King Charles successively have been excluded from the Royal Succession upon that Account that they were only allied to the said Kings by the means of Females as also the King of England was allied to the said Lord King Charles by means of a Female only namely of his Mother it is answer'd that not upon that account were the said Nephews excluded but upon this that none of the said Nephews was in Being at the Time of the Death of the said King about whose Inheritance the Controversie was and this will evidently appear by matter of Fact underwritten For it is to be known that the Lord Philip the Fair King of France deceased leaving behind him three Brothers namely Lewis the Eldest Philip the Long the Second Born and Charles the Third and Youngest and one Daughter namely Isabell Queen of England Lewis the Elder Son succeeded his Father Philip the Fair immediately in the Kingdom of France and got one Daughter after which King Lewis died leaving the said Daughter which had no Issue during the Life of the said King Lewis and his Wife impregnate who after the Death of the said King brought forth a Male Child named John who after Nine Days wherein he was accounted King of France deceased And Philip the Long the Middle Brother of the said Three succeeded him immediately in the said Kingdom This King Philip begat three Daughters but no Male the Elder Daughter whereof was coupled in Matrimony to the Duke of Burgundy the Second to the Dauphin of Vienna the Third and Youngest to the Earl of Flanders Of the First Daughter married to the Duke of Burgundy was born a Male Child called as is said Robert during the Life of King Philip but that Robert died before King Philip his Grandfather and so was not in Being at the time of the Death of the said Lord Philip his Grandfather Of the Second Daughter married to the Dauphin there was no Issue at all during the Life of the said King Philip as neither of the Other who was married to the Earl of Flanders After the Death of the said King Philip his Third and Younger Brother namely the Lord Charles immediately succeeded who in the end leaving two Daughters unmarried deceased without Issue Male. From all which it is evident that the said Lord Charles was True and Lawfull King of France and by Consequence that the Lord the King of England who was Son of the Lady Isabella Queen of England Sister to the said Charles as aforesaid ought as his Nearest Kinsman to succeed him in the Kingdom These Instructions were given to Nicolas de Flisco and his Son Andrew who were to be follow'd by others with Letters from the King to his Holiness sealed with the Arms of England and France which New Seal was not yet made But while the foresaid Nicolas de Flisco remained at the Court of Avignon under the Pope's Protection certain wicked Persons thinking to curry Favour with the King of France about Midnight on Good Fryday Eve enter'd his House by Violence broke open his Chamber and hardly giving him time to put on one thin Garment hurried Him and his Son and one young Gentleman away and carried them down the Rhosne to a certain Tower where they kept them close till Saturday and then convey'd them into the Parts of France At which Injury his Holiness was so moved that he began to thunder out the most heavy Edicts against the Authors and Accomplices of that Crime and put France under Interdict as appears by an Expostulatory Letter of King Philips to the Pope Wherein calling God to Witness that this Violence was neither done by his Command nor Will or Knowledge and that when he heard the English Men thus taken were within his Kingdom he had given Order to make diligent Search for them and to return them to Avignon again he complains that those Processes were too sudden and too rigorous since he was wholly innocent of the matter and so to the blackning of his Honour and that for the future he would not be so hasty in acting against him without giving him Notice c. Dated at Moncell near Pont St. Maixence 21 of Maii. To which the Pope return'd That he could never think the Knowledge of that Fact did belong to him however it was so horrid that the Severity which he had used was necessary But that his Paternal Affection toward him was no way diminished thereby nay he would rather conspire with him in a mutual Agreement of Good-will and kind Offices Dated at Avignon iii Kal. Jun. Anno Pontif. vi Soon after at King Philips Command Nicolas
Hainalts Territories Whereupon the Earl sends him a Defiance V. After that the said Earl Marches in Hostile manner into the French Pale where being satisfied with Revenge for that time he passes over the Sea for England to enter a strict Alliance with King Edward VI. The mean while King Philip orders his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to Revenge this severely upon Hainalt and he himself having try'd in vain to draw off the Flemings from England to his side procures the Pope to Interdict Flanders and Commands his Garrisons that Border'd that way to make sharp War upon them which is done accordingly VII Jacob van Arteveld in Revenge resolves to go and lay Siege before Tournay and invites the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks Eldest Son to come to such a Place and joyn him They in their Passage thither are intercepted and taken Prisoners by the Men of Lille and are sent to the French King who is hardly perswaded by the King of Bohemia not to put them to Death in cold blood VIII The Duke of Normandy Invades Hainalt with the various Rencounters thereupon IX He returning to Cambray Mutual Inroads are made into France and Hainalt by the Garrisons of either Party X. The Duke when the season of War was come Marches again from Cambray and goes before the Castle of Thine l'Evesque The Earl of Hainalt coming home Marches with a great Army to raise the Siege I. NOW thô Philip the French King had upon good Reasons as we shew'd before declin'd to venture his whole Stock upon the chance of one Battle yet was he not wanting to shew himself both Active and Provident in offending his Enemy of England where he imagin'd any probability of Success He a Frois c. 46. fol. 26. therefore appointed the Lord Gaston Earl of Laille who was a right Valiant Leader and as then at Paris with the King to undertake an Expedition against the English in Gascoign and to act as his Lieutenant there making war against Bourdeaux and Boâ—â—delois and all the Fortresses that held still of King Edward At that time the worthy Baron b Walsingh hist p. 133. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 104. Odoric Rainald ad An. 1339. n. 15. Oliver Lord Ingham was Governour of Bourdeaux and the Parts thereabout who not much doubting any great matter from France in this juncture when the King of Englands Forces were in Flanders For King Edward upon his Departure into England had left in Flanders great Part of his Forces under the Command of the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord c Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48. Robert Hufford le Fitz eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk was notwithstanding suddenly surprized to behold a compleat Army of Frenchmen approaching the Walls of Bourdeaux to lay Siege thereto He was not ready enough prepared to make good the Place by pure Force nor had he sufficient Power at that time many of his Men being dispersed into Winter Quarters to man the Walls and make good all other Defences Only this was his Comfort that the Inhabitants were all entirely affected to the English Interest Wherefore putting all his own Men which were under 6000 into Arms in the most secret manner he commanded the Citizens to shew no Fear or Distrust but to follow their Occupations as in time of Peace Then immediately he set the City Gates wide open and rear'd upon the Walls both of Town and Castle the French Lillies The Enemy finding the Gates open enter'd peaceably but when they saw the Arms of France every where erected and also upon the Castle it self supposing the English Garrison fled and so secure now both they within and they without for the most part laid by their Arms but all went in without Order to rifle the Houses of the English and to seize the Castle But just then the Valiant and Politick Lord Ingham with his Men all well-arm'd and in good Order rush'd forth upon them flaying them down by Heaps and driving all before them At which instant the Citizens fell in upon them from all Parts with their Weapons in their hands so that it was impossible for them thô never so numerous to rally again and recover any Order Wherefore with great ease the Lord Ingham prevail'd and vanquish'd them utterly so that they were all either slain or taken almost to a Man the Earl of Laille hardly with a few escaping King Edward upon News hereof besides his Gracious Acceptance of Sr. Oliver's Service sent his Royal Letters of Thanks to his Subjects of Bourdeaux wherein he also promised them considerable Aid very speedily They began thus Edward c. You ought O most loving and loyal Subjects of Bourdeaux greatly to rejoyce for that by your Courage and Loyalty you have purchas'd unto your selves a Name that will be crown'd with immortal Honour And we nothing doubt but you will yet further endeavour to exalt your Glory more high by perseverance in those laudable Beginnings But as for this last piece of your Service to Us We shall take care to requite it with such Bounty that by example of your Rewards obtained from Us other of our loving Subjects may be rendred more prompt and willing to hazard in our Service both their Lives and Fortunes c. When the News of this Success was brought to King Edward it was also shew'd unto him that the Lord d Knighton p. 2575. n. 60. De la Brett and other Lords of Gascoign who had lately yielded to the French King had now for want of sufficient Protection from him return'd to the Obedience of the King of England and wasted the Lands of the French King as far as Tholouse About the same time the English e Stow p. 236. Mariners of the Cinque Ports to revenge in part those late Affronts done to England by the French Navy embarqued themselves in Pinnaces and small Boats well appointed and after the Feast of St. Hilary arrived at Boulogne upon the Sea-coast from whence is the shortest Cutt to Dover The weather was so misty cloudy and dark that they were scarce perceived when they were in the Haven So that by the Lower Town they burnt 19 Gallies 4 great Ships and 20 Small Boats with all their Tackling beside those Houses near the Shore among which one was the Block-House at that time full of Oars Sails Weapons all manner of Rigging and other Necessaries sufficient to furnish 19 Gallies and Men for them After all which they slew many of the Townsmen in a skirmish on the f Knighton p. 2573. n. 50. land set fire to the Lower Town hang'd twelve Captains of their Ships whom they had taken and so bad them farewell for that time II. The mean while King g Frois c. 44. c. 50. Astincle p. 651. Philip bestirr'd himself as One who was sensible how near all these matters concern'd his Honour and Estate Royal he mightily enforced and strengthned his Navy then
Personal harm saying further Sr. Henry if you can bring this about I shall love you the better for it whilest I live Presently he had his 500 Men allotted him with whom he rode forth before the Army and toward the Evening arrived before Hennebond When the Captain Sr. Oliver Penfort heard and saw and knew that his Brother was there supposing he came with that force to his Assistance he immediately open'd the Gates and received him with all his Men himself hasting forward joyfully to salute him in the street When Sr. Henry saw him he hasted forward to meet him and taking him suddenly by the Arm for the first Complement said Brother Oliver now You are my Prisoner How so cry'd his Brother amazed Did I put my Confidence in your Kindness expecting you were come to my Assistance in defence of this place and am I now deceived Brother reply'd Sr. Henry the matter is nothing so I am come hither to take Possession of this Town and Castle for my Lord the Earl of Montford who is now Duke of Bretagne and follows us just at our heels To him I have made fealty and Homage and the greater part of the Country obeys him as You also are like to do now But surely it were better for You to do it of choice than by compulsion and You will receive more thanks for your pains for the Duke is a Gracious Prince I 'll assure you Upon these and the like Words together with the Consideration of his present Condition Sr. Oliver presently consented and so the Earl without one stroke given or taken was admitted into Hennebond where he set a good Garrison Thence he marched with all his Army to Vannes another considerable City which after a small Treaty upon Fame of his Success open'd her Gates and received him for her Soveraign Lord. Here having in three days time Established all manner of Officers and given necessary Orders he went thence and laid Siege to a strong Castle called la Roche Bernard on the other side the Vilaine whereof Sr. Oliver Clisson Cosin German to the Lord Clisson was Captain The Siege here lasted ten days but the place was too strong to be won by force and neither threats nor promises could work upon the Governour Wherefore the Earl thought fit to rise thence for the present and go and attempt the Castle of Auray about 10 Leagues Westward from la Roche Bernard and very considerable for its strength and scituation it standing on an Arm of the Morbihan between Vannes and Blavet The Captain thereof at that time was the Lord Geoffry de Malestroit who had with him another Valiant Knight Named Sr. John de Triguier The Earl gave them two notable Attacks which they as worthily sustained so that when he saw he might lose more there than he could hope to win he thought to try them by fair means and so gave them a Truce for one Day at the Request and Advice of the Lord Henry du Leon who was always near him This short time Sr. Henry made so good use of that by his fair Words and Perswasions they were content to hold the Castle for the Earl John and to yield him their Homage as their True and Lawfull Lord. This done the Earl left them still Captains of the place and the Country about and then passed forth to another strong Castle called Gony en la Forest which they prepared to Assault The Captain thereof saw well what great forces the Earl had with him and how in a manner all the Country fainted before him so that by the perswasion of Sr. Henry du Leon with whom the Captain had kept good Company formerly in the Holy War in Prussia and Granada and other Foreign Parts he was at last contented to keep that place for the Earls behoof for the future to whom he then made his Homage After this the Earl went to Karhais whereof at that time a Bishop who was Uncle to Sr. Henry du Leon was Governour But he by means of his Nephew was brought off to own the Earl for his Lord till some other should come who could shew more Right to that Dutchy VI. Thus Earl m Frois c. 68. John conquer'd almost whereever he went and seriously took upon him the State and Title of Duke of Bretagne but by Advice of his Council he was perswaded to have recourse to some Powerfull Protector that upon occasion might uphold him against the French King who doubtless would take the Part of his Nephew Charles of Blois Having therefore bestow'd his Men about in Garrisons and provided sufficiently for the Defence of his Country he took shipping for England with some of his Chief Lords in his Company and arrived safe at a Port in Cornwall where upon Enquiry understanding that King Edward was at Windsor thither he went and was very welcome to the King Queen and Lords of England There he declared to the King and his Council How he had taken Possession of the Dutchy of Bretagne devolved unto him by Right of Succession upon the Death of his Elder Brother the late Duke But that he feared lest the Lord Charles of Blois by help of his Uncle the French King would at last force him from his Right Wherefore he said He was come thither to receive and to hold that Dukedom of the King of England as true King of France and his Soveraign Lord by Fealty and Homage for him and his Heirs for ever Desiring him to Defend him in his Quarrel against the French King or whosoever else should molest him about that Matter King Edward consider'd that his War with France should be much furthered by the Accession of so great a Prince and that there was no way more Commodious for him to pass into France than by Bretagne especially remembring that the Germans and Brabandens had done him small or no service but had made him spend much Money to little purpose and that now since the Emperour whose Letters he had just then received was also fallen off there would be little good done for him by any Lords of the Empire upon these Reasons He readily condescended to the Earl of Montford's Request and then and there received Homage of him as Duke of Bretagne Which done in Presence of all the Lords as well English as Bretons that were there he promised to Aid Defend and Sustain him as his Liegeman against either the French King or any other whatsoever This Homage and this Promise being interchangeably Sealed and deliver'd the King and Queen presented the Earl and his Company with such great Gifts and so Royally entertain'd them that they accounted King Edward to be a most Noble Prince and Worthy to Reign in much Prosperity After this the Earl took his leave of England and arrived in short space at an Haven in lower Bretagne whence he went to Nantes to his Lady who applauded his League with England as likely to be of most Advantage to his Affairs But
the Matter was kept very close and none but his Council knew certainly of it for he had not been above Eight or Ten Days abroad in all and the Nantois thought he had visited some other Parts of his Dominions that while VII When the Lord n Prois c. 69. Charles Castillion commonly called Sr. Charles of Blois who look'd upon himself as true Heir of Bretagne in Right of his Wife heard of all the Conquests that the Earl had made in that Country which he took for his own he addrest himself to his Uncle King Philip to complain of these Injuries The King deliberating what course to take in this Affair was in the end counselled to summon the Earl of Montford by sufficient Messengers to make his Personal Appearance at Paris by such a day there to answer to what should be objected against him in the Chamber of France Messengers were accordingly sent who found him at Nantes keeping of a Solemn Festival Here he treated them highly and then having well understood their Errand answer'd that he would punctually obey the Kings Commandment Soon after being prepared for his Journey he rode from Nantes toward Paris with a Princely Equipage of 400 Horse in his Company The next day after his Arrival he rode with this Great Attendance to the Palace Royal Where the King and the 12 Peers with other High Lords of France expected his coming with the Young Lord Charles of Blois in their Company The Earl was conducted to the Kings Chamber being highly regarded and civilly saluted in his Passage thither by all the Lords for the Fame of his great Exploits and the Grandeur of his Person When he 〈◊〉 before the King he enclin'd his Body something low and said Sir I am come hither in Obedience to your Command and Pleasure The King answer'd Earl Montford for that you have so done I give you thanks But I wonder how you durst take upon You the Dukedom of Bretagne whereunto you have no Right For there is another nearer than your Self whom you seek to disinherit And to maintain your unjust Quarrel by Violence you have been with mine Adversary the King of England to whom as I am enformed you have done Homage for the same The Duke who thought it impossible that the King should know this Conveyance of his reply'd not without some Confusion Sir I beseech your Majesty not to believe any such Matter for You are not rightly informed as to that Point But Sir as for the Right which You mention saving your Displeasure You do me wrong to question it For Sir I know of none living so near to my Brother deceased as my Self And if it can be made appear by Right Law and Judgment that there is any Person nearer than I am I am not He that should rebell against Reason or be asham'd to renounce what I had unjustly usurped Well Sir rejoyn'd the King you say well But I command you in whatever you hold of me not to stirr from this City of Paris these Fifteen days in which space the 12 Peers and Lords of my Realm shall consider impartially on the Matter And then you shall know where the Right lies And if you shall presume to do otherwise be assured we shall not be Friends The Earl having promis'd all should be at his Pleasure went from the Court home to his Lodgings to Dinner But having din'd he mus'd much with himself in his Chamber and thought he had done too rashly in coming thither where he should be oblig'd to stand to the Award of such as were byass'd another way At last being o Mezeray p. 18. disguised like a Merchant and only three in his Company he privately took horse in a clear Night and leaving the City got home into Bretagne before the King or any else knew what was become of him Being come to Nantes he shew'd unto his Countess what he had done and wherefore and then by her Advice he rode about to all the Towns and Fortresses which he had won and set over them Vallant and Loyal Captains with sufficient Numbers of Souldiers Horse and Foot and gave them large Wages before-hand VIII For some p Prois c. 70. time the Court of France thought he had been detain'd in his Lodgings by some Indisposition seeing his Servants constantly about the House and tending his Affairs as if present But they also getting off by degrees when his Departure was fully known it may be guessed how deeply King Philip resented this Affront But for all that he kept so much decorum as to tarry till the 15th Day came whereon the Peers were to give their final Judgment concerning the Dukedom of Bretagne At the time appointed the Case was adjudged clearly in behalf of Sr. Charles of Blois his Lady Jane who was Daughter and Heir to Guy Earl of Pentebria Brother German to the Duke last deceased and therefore was now declared to have more Right than John Earl of Monford q Catal. Honer p. 6â—4 who was Younger Brother to the said Ladies Father by a second Venter namely by Violanta sole Daughter and Heir of Almaric Earl of Narbon and Montford They alledged further that althô the Earl of Montford had had the Right yet now he had forfeited it on two Accounts First because he had received the Dutchy of another Lord than of the French King of whom only he ought to hold it and secondly because he had broken the Kings express Command and disobeyed his Arrest in going away Wherefore neither would they r Mezeray p. 18. admit of his Request which was to accept of his Procuration whereby he had left One as his Deputy to manage this Matter in his Behalf From which Judgment it being manifestly influenced by King Philips Authority that Prince was much Å¿ Giov. Villani l. 11. c. 142. censur'd of injustice by those who allow'd the Ancient Order and Custom of the Baronages of France and the Salique Law especially since it was contrary to that very Judgment by which He himself had been Declared and Crowned King of France Since if Charles of Blois had the Right to the Dukedom of Bretagne by his Wife Daughter to the last Dukes Brother German much more had King Edward of England the Right to the Crown of France by his Mother sole Daughter and Heiress after the Death of Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair her Brethren of Philip the Fair King of France But Prejudice is so strange a thing that it byasses the Minds of the Great and the Wise Men of the World by representing Falshood and Injustice under the specious Titles of Fair and Equitable unless there be present an Awe of Religion and a Sense of Honour and Conscience to suppress those selfish Considerations IX However as soon as this Judgment was thus given King Philip called unto him the Young Lord Charles of Blois and said to him Fair Nephew you have a fair and large
Loeheair with another Valiant Gentleman who had now left his Mistress the Countess for the Lord Charles of Blois and his name was Sr. Geoffry de Malestroit King Edward having invested the Place o Frois c. 94. gave them a very brave and vigorous Attack which endured half a day but yet little good was done thereby the City was in such good Case at this time The Countess of Montford hearing that King Edward was come into Bretagne and lay now before Vannes went from Hennebond accompanied with the Lord Walter Manny who lately was return'd unto her from the King and divers other Knights and Esquires to see his Majesty and his Lords and to discourse about her Matters of Necessity and Weight as well as to bid them welcome into her Country In which visit having spent four Days she then took her leave and returned back to Hennebond with all her Company excepting the Lord Walter Manny and two or three Lords more of England and Bretagne And all this while ever since a little after the first taking of Vannes by the Lord Robert of Artois the Earls of Salisbury Oxford Pembroke and Suffolk lay at Siege before Rennes Wherefore the Lord Charles of Blois when beside those great Forces that came from England before he understood also how King Edward was come now after them himself with another great Army sends word thereof unto his Uncle Philip King of France declaring that he must be inevitably ruin'd without a very speedy and very considerable supply Whereupon King Philip commanded his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to address himself effectually to Succour his Kinsman The mean while King Edward finding the strength of the City of Vannes and being informed that so great an Army as his could not be supply'd in that place by reason the Country round about was so greatly wasted and harassed that it was difficult to get any Forage for Man or Beast upon these accounts he resolved to divide his Army And first the Earl of Arundel the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Stafford the Lord of Triguier and Sr. Gerard of Rochefort with 600 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers were to carry on the Siege before Vannes and to ravage and feed on the Country all about He himself with the Residue of the Army resolv'd to go unto Rennes to see how the Siege went on there and so he did being highly welcomed by the Lords that lay before that place When King Edward had been before Rennes about five Days he heard how Sr. Charles of Blois made great Preparations to raise a sufficient Army at Nantes Wherefore leaving those whom he had found at Rennes except the Earl of Oxford to carry on the Siege there still he marched forth to Nantes with a Resolution to give Battle unto the Lord Charles or to hold him Besieged within the City He could not here furnish his Siege quite round because of the Extent of the place and of the River of Loire that ran besides it Wherefore he pitch'd his Tents on a little Mountain without the Town and set his Men in Battle Array thereby hoping so to provoke the Valorous young Lord Charles to come forth and accept of a decisive Battle But having stood thus from Morning till High Noon and found not the least offer of a Sally from the Town he sent his Van-Currours to skirmish at the Barriers and to set the Suburbs on fire which being done accordingly he withdrew his Men into their Entrenchments While thus King Edward lay before Nantes the Earl of p Knighton p. 2582. n. 50. Northampton Marshal of his Host rode forth every day ravaging and fetching in Prey out of the Country round about and taking of Castles Towns and Fortresses as Pont de Launay and others Wherefore now the Lord Charles of Blois repeated his Letters every Day to the French King laying open the great Necessity he stood in and requesting Succour with all speed The Duke of Normandy having before received Orders from the King his Father was at that time at the City of Angiers near the Borders of Bretagne where he made his Rendezvous and was now again call'd upon by his Father to make all Expedition possible King Edward this mean while had given many Assaults to the City of Nantes but was not able to gain any great Advantage nor could by any means oblige the Lord Charles of Blois to make a Sally Wherefore being displeased that he lay so long and lost so many Men to so little purpose he again divides his Army resolving him self to go before Dinant leaving still 600 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to maintain the Siege before Nantes and to ravage the Country round-about With these he left the Earl of Oxford the Lord Henry Piercy the Lord William Ros of Hamlake the Lord John Moubray the Lord John Delaware the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Lisle and Others to whom Froisard adds the Lord Henry Vicount Beaumont But the q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 52. a b. Elder Henry who bore this Title had been now Dead above two Years before and his Son and Heir John died also a little before this leaving behind him his Son Henry the Younger who was at that time but two Years of Age and whom we shew'd to have been born in Flanders So that this Mistake of that Ancient Historian is to be excus'd as well as this short Digression of ours which was made only to witness our Diligence and not in the least design to expose an Author from whom I have borrowed so much my self These Lords being left before Nantes King Edward himself r Frois c. 94. f. 48. c. 96. c. went and laid Siege to the strong Town of Dinant between Rennes and St. Malo upon the River of Rance having in his way thither taken the strong Towns of Å¿ Knighton p. 2582. n. 60. Ploermel and Malestroit So that now at one time he held Siege before three strong Cities as Vannes Rennes and Nantes besides one good Town called Dinant in Bretagne The Captain of Dinant at that time was Sr. Pierce Portbeufe a valiant and worthy Gentleman who for a while maintained the Place maugre all the fierce Attacks of the English so that he worthily gain'd the Reputation of a Noble Knight But after four Days King Edward having got together a competent number of Boats and Barges filled them with Archers and Others commanding them to row up to the Pales wherewith the Town was enclosed toward the Water only having on that side no other Walls or Fortifications This piece of Service the Archers performed so well that none of the Inhabitants durst look over the Pales at their Defence so that while the Archers shot thus certain Men of Armes in the Boats who were appointed for that purpose hewed down the Pales with their Axes and so enter'd on that part by Force The Inhabitants upon this fled to the Market-place with those of
devised by the Pope * Gaguin l. 8. p. 139. not as a Judge but only as a Friend to the common Peace of Christendom This Truce being sworn to by King Edward of England in his own Name and by the Duke of Normandy in the Name of the King of France his Father a Time was appointed in January following to treat more fully thereof at Malestroit in Bretagne where the Plenipotentiaries of either King were then to meet And so for that time both Armies brake up and King Edward having first made an Exchange between the Lord Ralph Stafford of England and the Lord Oliver Clisson of Bretagne went with his other Prisoner the Lord Henry du Leon to Hennebond where shortly after he took Shipping for England with the said Lord Henry and seven other Noble Bretons his Prisoners Upon his Return it is said that for five Weeks together he was tossed about with Tempests upon the Sea as we observ'd it to happen usually unto him so that he expected no less than inevitable Death Being at e Knighton p. 2583. n. 10. c. last cast upon the Coasts of Spain King Alphonso's Fleet that lay cruising about those Parts made up to him but beholding the Banner Royal of England they humbled themselves to Him and begg'd his Pardon For however Don Lewis of Spain of his own head assisted Charles of Blois there was Friendship between the two Crowns at that time The f Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 920. Dutchess of Bretagne with much ado got safe to Land in Devonshire Sr. Peter Vele and his Son Henry Vele and Sr. John Reyner were cast away together with their Ships and all therein the King himself after much difficulty landed at Weymouth and came safe to London to the Queen soon after where he set forth a Proclamation to give publick Notice of the g Ashmele p. 653. Truce late taken in Bretagne XVIII In the mean time the h Walsing hist p. 147. n. 40. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 920. Commissioners on both Sides met in the Priory of St. Mary Magdalene in Malestroit a Town of Bretagne where by the Mediation of the Cardinals aforesaid these Points following were fully ratifi'd agreed sign'd seal'd and sworn to viz. 1. Imprimis That certain Nobles of the Blood of both the Kings of England and of France with others having full Power and Instructions to ordain confirm and ratifie a Peace shall be sent to the Court of Rome there to treat about all and singular the Controversies and Dissentions then impending between the said Kings by the Mediation of our Lord the Pope and of the said Nobles of either Party And the Parties shall say and propose their Reasons before our Lord the Pope but not as to any final Determination of the Controversie or Pronouncing of Sentence but only in order to make a firmer Treaty and Peace 2. Item That the foresaid Nobles who shall be sent to the Court of Rome shall be in the said Court before the Feast of St. John Baptist next ensuing and that the foresaid Negotiations with the Divine Assistance concurring and the Popes earnest Diligence be fully dispatched and agreed on with the Assent of the said Nobles before the Nativity of our Lord that Term by no means being prolonged Saving that if our Lord the Pope be hindred or shall not be able to reform the Peace between the said Kings however the Truce lately taken and sworn before Vannes shall remain firm to the Term hereunder appointed and be kept inviolably by all And to the end the foresaid Negotiation shall take fuller Effect let the Truce be granted unto the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing and from the said Feast to the full End of Three Years next to come after between the foresaid Kings of England and of France and also the King of Scotland the Earl of Hainalt the Dukes of Brabant and of Gueldre the Marquess of Juliers the Lord John of Hainalt and the Nation of Flanders and all their Adherents in all their Lands from the time of the Date of this present Truce during all the Time abovesaid 3. Item that the King of Scotland the Earl of Hainalt and other Noblemen Allies of the said Kings shall send their Envoys to the said Court with full power of Assenting and Confirming according to the Treaty to be had before our Lord the Pope in what belongs unto them against the foresaid Feast of St. John Baptist saving that if any of the said Noblemen Allies of the said Kings shall neglect to send their Envoys as is Premised to the Court of Rome the said Negotiation shall by no means be deferred upon that account 4. Item The foresaid Truce shall be kept in Bretagn between the said Kings and their Adherents even thô both Parties claim a Right to that Dukedom But that during the Truce the City of Vannes shall be detained in the Hands of the Cardinals in the Name of our Lord the Pope and the Truce ended they may do what they please with the said City 5. Item The Cardinals shall diligently do their parts toward the Absolution of the Flemings by taking off the Interdiction which they had again incurred and shall curiously study and labour that a good and rational way be found out therefore The Earl of Flanders as Lord without an Umpire and as Umpire without a Superior during the Truce shall remain in Flanders yet so as that it be done with the Assent of the People of Flanders 6. Item If any in Gascoigne or elsewhere during the Truce do raise War against their Neighbours or Enemies of either Party the said Kings shall by no means either by themselves or others directly or indirectly interest themselves nor shall the Truce be broken for this But the said Kings shall diligently apply their endeavours without fraud that the Subjects of the one Party during the Truce shall not any way move War against the Subjects of the Other either in Gascoigne or Bretagne and that the Subjects of the One during the Truce shall not be permitted to make League or Friendship with the other Party and that during the Truce nothing be either given or promised for the raising or maintaining of War directly or indirectly But that this Truce be firmly kept of all as well by Land as by Sea And that in Gascoigne and in Flanders the Truce shall be Proclaimed within fifteen Days after the Date hereof and in England and Scotland within 40 Days after 7. Item That all Prisoners of either part who have been taken from between the Sunday before the Feast of St. Vincent last past unto this present Day shall be Released their Goods taken restored and themselves as Reason requires set free 8. Item That no Damages or Invasions during the Truce shall be made between the Parties in prejudice or despight of the Truce 9. Item That the said Kings and their Allies during the Truce shall remain in the same Possession
are to be seen in their Primitive Obscurity in the Learned Seldens Titles of Honour y Saxon M.S. apud Selden Titles of Honour p. 812. And St. George upon the Point of his Martyrdom in the Days of Dioclesian the Emperour prayed to the Lord and said Jesu Christ receive my Soul And I beseech thee that whosoever shall commemorate me on Earth all Fraud Peril Hunger and Sickness be far from his House and that whosoever shall in any danger ON THE SEA or elsewhere make use of my Name Thou wilt be mercifull unto him Then came a Voice from Heaven saying Come thou Blessed and whosoever shall in any Danger or Place call on my Name thrô Thee him will I hear The same Sense is thus expressed in the other z Apud Selden ibid. p. 813. MS. in Meeter His Hands he held up on High adown he set his knee Lord he said Jesu Christ this only thing might I see Grant me if it is thy Will that whoso in fair manere Holds well my Day in a April 23d St. George's Day Aperil for my Love on Earth here That there never fall in his House no Harm in all the Year Nor great Sickness nor Famine strong that thereof there be no fear And WHOSO IN PERIL OF SEA thrô me shall make his Boon Or in other Cases Perillous heal him thereof full soon Then heard he a Voice from Heaven that to him said I wis Come forth to me my Blessed Child thy Boon heared is Then his Head was off y-smitten c. Some small Account of this ancient Original I gave about ten or eleven Years since to that Learned Antiquary Esquire Ashmole in the Lodgings of my worthy Friend and Master Dr. Goad then at Merchant Taylors School in London who seem'd not a little pleas'd at the probable Authentick Occasion of this most Noble Order But I leave the Judgment of all to the Candid Reader being content with those Reasons that induced me to make these Conjectures as I readily allow others to follow what may seem more Rational to them V. And having thus at least endeavour'd to find out hidden Truth from among the gross Rubbish of Antiquity we shall now proceed When this Mighty Prince had formed in his Head this most Honourable Design and had begun to hold his Round Table at Windsor upon b Ashmole p. 186 b. c. New-years Day this Year 1344. He issued out his Royal Letters of Protection as we shew'd before for the safe Coming and Return of Foreign Knights their Servants and what belonged unto them who being desirous to try their Valour should come to those solemn Justs by him intended to be held at Windsor on the c Pat. 17. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 2. Monday next after the Feast of St. Hilary next ensuing which happen'd then to be on the * Dom. Lit. D.C. 19 Day of January And these Letters of safe Conduct continued in Force till the Octaves of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary being in the 18 Year of his Reign The Time appointed being come the King provided a Royal Supper to open the Solemnity and then first Ordained that this Festival should be annually held there at Whitsuntide The next Day and during all this splendid Convention from before Candlemas unto Lent the Lords of England and of other Lands exercised themselves in all kind of Knightly Feats of Arms as Justs and Tourneaments and Running at the Ring The Queen and her Ladies that they might with more Convenience behold this Spectacle were orderly seated upon a firm Balustrade or Scaffold with Rails before it running all round the Lists And certainly their extraordinary Beauties set so advantageously forth with excessive Finery and Riches of Apparel did prove a Sight as full of pleasant Encouragement to the Combatants as the fierce Bucklings of Men and Horses gallantly armed was a delightfull Terrour to the Feminine Beholders During these Martial sports William Montagu the Great Earl of Salisbury King of the Isle of Man and Marshal of England thrô his immoderate Courage and Labour for 3 or 4 Days together was at last so bruised and wearied with those boisterous Encounters that falling d Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 924. into a Feavour thereby he died within 8 Days after in the e Vid. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 640. ubi Anno 13. Ed. 2. aged 18. vid. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 647. Ashmole 690. 43d. Year of his Age on the 30 of January being then a Fryday to the infinite regret of the King and all the Court as well Strangers as English and was afterwards Honourably buried in the White-Fryers at London This Mans Father named William Lord Montagu f Mills Catal. Honor. p. 1041. Son of Simon Lord Montagu and being descended of Drû or Drogo who was branched from the Lines of the Ancient Kings of Man did Marry Aufric Daughter of Fergus and Widow of Olaus King of Man or as others report she was g Dugd 1 Vol. p. 633. Sister of Orry King of Man who was descended from Orry Son to the King of Denmark Which Lady discerning her Brother and all his Blood to be overcome and ruin'd by Alexander King of Scots fled into England with the Charter of that Isle and being there Honourably received of King Edward I was by him given in Marriage to William Lord Montagu aforesaid who in her Right by Aid of the said King Edward I recover'd the said Isle till at length he mortgag'd it for seven Years to Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham from whom it should seem to have been taken by the Scots Till this Earl William as we shew'd before reconquer'd it from the Scots and was by King Edward III made King of the said Isle as was also his Son after him till the 16 of Richard II when he sold the Crown thereof to William Lord Scroop as some say thô 't is certain that even h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 648. to his Death he retain'd the Title of Lord thereof as appears by his Will bearing Date at Christ-Church-Twynham 20 April Anno 1397 20 Richardi 2 where he calls himself Earl of Salisbury and Lord of the Isles of Man and Wight Within 6 Weeks after the Date whereof he departed this Life But now at the Death of his Father the first Earl he was found to be but 15 Years old and an half thô in time he became no less renowned than his Father and was One of those 25 whom King Edward chose together with himself Founders of the Order of the Garter But of his Heroick Father who died at this time i Hypod. p. 117. ad n. 1344. Walsingham takes his leave in these Words This Year says he departed this Life the Lord William Montagu Earl of Salisbury King of Man and Marshal of England of whose Valorous Acts worthily to write would be a Work of great Commendation And thus died this Valiant Worthy in the strength of his
always Prelate of the Order and then he proceeded to give the same Habit to the other 25 Knights Companions as in Order they follow 2. His Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales now but in the 14 then in the 19 Year of his Age. 3. His Noble and Valiant Cousin Henry at that time Earl of Lancaster and afterwards Duke of the same Title 4. Thomas Beauchamp the thrice Noble and Valiant Earl of Warwick 5. John q Here Mr. Ashmole is stagger'd because 〈◊〉 he finds it on Record that John de Greilty Son. of Peter was Captal of Buch from the 5 to the 29 of King Edward the III as indeed he was from the 5 to the 50. Yet notwithstanding upon the Original Plate of his Name set up in the Chappel at Wâ—ndsor it is engraven Piers Capitow de la Bâ—uch as if his Name also was Peter When as it is evident that these Plates were not set up at the Foundation but many Years after perhaps after King Edward's Death as may be made manifest to any strict enquirer And his Fâ—ther being of the Name of Peter might cause a mistake at least in the Engraver From whence afterward Authority grew also even to other writings Nay I shall hereafter prove that as great a Mistake as this was engraven upon Queen Philippa's Tomb thô done in King Edwards Life de Greilly Captal of Buch which is a great Lordship in Aquitain the Governour whereof is stiled Captal and the Country it self is called le Captalat de Buch or Busch the chief Town whereof called la Teste de Buch is about seven Leagues Westward of Bourdeaux This Gentleman was a Mighty Man of Valour and most firm of all others to the English side so that after many Renowned Exploits whereof this History will not be silent being at last taken Prisoner by the French he chose rather to die in Prison than to swear never more to bear Arms for England 6. The next Knight in Order was Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford 7. William Montagu the hopefull young Earl of Salisbury 8. Roger Lord Mortimer Grandson to Roger Earl of March who five Years after obtain'd a Revocation of the Judgement against his Grandfather and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honours and Possessions Being for his Valour and Worth highly meriting to be inserted into this most Noble Order 9. After him was invested the Couragious Knight John Lord Lisle 10. Then Bartholomew Lord Burghersh alias Burwash Junior at that time but twenty Years old but every way Worthy of this Honour 11. John Lord Beauchamp younger Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick a Noble Martialist of that Age. 12. John Lord Mohun of Dunstor a Constant Attendant of the Black-Prince in all his Wars 13. Hugh Lord Courtney Son to Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire 14. Thomas Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire who about the time of this his Creation or the 23d. of King Edward was Married to the Beauty of England Joan Sister to the Earl of Kent 15. John Lord Grey of Codonore in Derbyshire 16. Sr. Richard Fitz-Simon whose Services in War rais'd him to this Honourable Title 17. Sr. Miles Stapleton a Man of Great Nobility and Integrity and Expert in Martial Affairs 18. Sr. Thomas Wale a Knight of great Vertue and Worthiness but one who thô by his early Valour he merited so High a Rank yet by his too early Death which happen'd within three Years after the Institution left his Stall void the First of all these Founders 19. Sr. Hugh Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the County of Stafford Knight from whom in a direct Line is Sr. Walter Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the foresaid County Baronet now r Ashmole ità Ano. Domini 1672. living descended 20. Sr. Nele Loring a Knight of great Valour and Nobility and whom we have shewn to have been first Knighted for his signal Courage in the Naval Fight at Sluce 21. The Lord John Chandos a most Illustrious Hero of whose Generosity and Valour to write sufficiently would require a large Volume 22. The Lord James Audley a most Adventurous and Fortunate Commander and Cousin to Nicolas Audley Earl of Gloucester 23. Sr. Otho Holland Brother to the Lord Thomas Holland aforesaid 24. Sr. Henry Eam of Brabant commonly by Historians called Sr. Henry of Flanders a Valiant and Loyal Servant to King Edward 25. Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt a Valiant Knight of Heinalt now Naturaliz'd in England 26. Sr. Walter Pavely who was Famous for his Exploits in several Warlike Expeditions These were the Names and this the Order of the First Knights of the Garter whom the thrice Noble King Edward chose to be his Companions and Fellows in this Honourable Society All Men of most signal Valour and Conduct of High Birth and untainted Loyalty So Generous and Heroick that they might all seem Worthy to be Kings and their Perseverance in Vertue to the last as it partly declares the sharp Judgement the King used in their Election so it shews of what Power and Efficacy that Honourable Tye was and what Obligations to Vertuous Behaviour it laid upon them But methinks it may justly be Wonder'd how it came to pass that this Great Honour being confer'd on so few those other Worthy Barons who deserv'd it no less being laid aside should notwithstanding never shew the least disgust at the Matter For certainly the Noble and Heroick Lord Walter Manny the Valiant and Daring Lord Reginald Cobham Richard Fitz-Alan the Great Earl of Arundel Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Lawrence Hastings Earl of Pembroke William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Warlike Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Roger Delaware and many more for Birth Wisdom Loyalty Wealth Vertue or Valour were well Worthy of the Highest Honours But this Prudent Prince would not make his Institution cheap by communicating it to many nor have any of his Successors to this Day exceeded the Number of 26. The mean while 't is highly probable that the other Lords thought it more Noble to grow emulous who of them should be most Worthy to ascend the first vacant Place and we find by Degrees that most of them did as the Stalls fell void attain to that Dignity as the two Earls of Essex and Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Suffolk the Lord Walter Manny and Reginald Lord Cobham and others but the Rest either died or were decrepit and past Action almost before their turns came and so found no Room at all VII The Order being thus well-stockt at the beginning has since that obtain'd such an High Esteem thrô all the Christian World that divers Å¿ Ashmole p. 189. Emperours Kings and Sovereign Princes have reputed it among their greatest Honours to be chosen and admitted thereunto insomuch as some of them have with Impatience Courted the Honour of Election
And we find remaining upon this Registry of True Glory no less than Eight Emperours of Germany Five French Kings Five Kings of Denmark Three Kings of Spain Two Kings of Scotland before the Realms were happily United Five Kings of Portugal Two Kings of Sweedland One King of Poland One King of Bohemia One King of Aragon Two Kings of Castille Two Kings of Naples Two Arch-Dukes One Duke of Guelderland One Duke of Holland Two Dukes of Burgundy Two Dukes of Brunswicke One Duke of Milain Two Dukes of Vrbin One Duke of Ferrara One Duke of Savoy Two Dukes of Holstein One Duke of Saxony and One Duke of Wertemberg Seven Count Palatines of the Rhyne Four Princes of Orange One Marquess of Brandenberg all Strangers besides many other Worthies and Persons of the Highest Rank and Vertue both at home and abroad to the Number of well near 500 since the First Institution All whose Names together with the Escutcheons of their Arms are still remaining Engraven on Square Plates of Mettal affixed to their several Stalls in the most Beautifull Chappel of St. George and every Knights Banner is set up over his Head during his Natural Life So that We may justly conclude with our Learned Selden that it exceeds in Majesty Honour and Fanie all Chevalrous Orders in the World. VIII No less Designs than these busied the Active Mind of this Illustrious Monarch when he met with any Respit from War which now is hasting on apace For while by the Device of his Round Table He was thus laying a Foundation for this Royal and Heroick Institution King Philip of France who already had begun to countermine him with another Table of his Erecting at Paris and was extreamly offended with whatever King Edward went about began to be jealous of certain of his Lords and others who hitherto had served him faithfully as if they secretly for all that favour'd King Edwards cause Whether that was True or no whereof they were suspected is no where made appear but however King t Frois c 99. Mezerâ—y p. 21. Philip under pretence of a Solemn Tourneament which he then held at Paris in imitation of King Edwards at Windsor as we shew'd train'd thither the Lord Oliver Clisson with ten or twelve other Lords of Bretagne in company of the Lord Charles of Blois and there the most Loyal and Valiant Lord Clisson was suddenly by the jealous Kings Order apprehended and clapt up in Prison no Man being able to imagine for what reason unless that because King Edward had chose rather to release him by Exchange for the Lord Stafford he was therefore suspected to be a secret Friend to the English And notwithstanding that he had so gallantly recover'd Vannes from the English and at the same time had rid King Philip of the Lord Robert of Artois one of his most mortal Enemies nowwithout any Process or hearing he was adjudged to be drawn thrô the City to the Place of Execution where u Fabian p. 272. he lost his Head and after that his Body was hanged in Chains upon a Gibbet and his Head sent to Nantes in Bretagne where it was advanced upon a Pole over the Gates of the City To the great x Mezeray p. 21. Astonishment of all Men and the infinite Regret and Indignation of the Nobility whose Blood till now was not used to be shed but in Battle for that Cruel Princes quarrel This Lord Clisson left behind him a young Son named Oliver as his Father was him his Relations upon this Disaster took up presently and carry'd unto the Countess of Montford where he was bred up with her young Son John who was just about the same Age with him Soon after there died in the same manner and for as little matter Sr. John and Sr. Godfry de Malestroit the Father and Son two Valiant and Worthy Bretons also Sr. John de Montauban Sr. William Bruce Sr. John Cablet and Sr. John du Plessis Knights and John Malestroit Nephew to the foresaid Sr. John the Elder Esquire as also Robert Bruce John and David de Sennes Esquires Shortly after there were also Executed in Paris or as some say y Frois c. 99. starved to Death three Valiant Knights of Normandy Sr. William Bacon Sr. Richard Percy and Sr. Rouland de la Rochetessone all whose Heads were sent to Carentan a Chief City in Normandy which afterwards proved the utter Ruine of that Place as we shall shew Sr. Godfry of Harecourt himself who was Lord of St. Saviour le Vicount and Brother of the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt had been served in no better manner but that he wisely kept aloof nor would he by any means obey King Philips Summons but at last despairing of any tolerable security in those parts he came over into England to King Edward who received him gladly and made good use both of his Valour and Counsel in the following War whereof he became a second Firebrand as the Lord Robert of Artois had been before him And King Philip after his old manner to enflame the business the more proceeded against him with an High Hand and openly proscribed him as a Traytor and Enemy to the Crown of France but King Edward on the other hand being then again at Enmity with Philip called him Cousin allowed him an Honourable Maintenance and made him one of the Marshals of his Host But this happen'd after the Death of the Lord Clisson z Frois c. 114. almost a Year Thus King Philip when he should rather have endeavoured of Enemies to make Friends by his rash severity and want of Princely connivence and temporizing a little rendred even many of his own Subjects Enemies unto him IX Of the first part of this Tragedy King Edward had News immediately for while a Frois c. 101. at Windsor he was busied in preparing his Round-Table of which we have spoken Mr. Henry b Fabian p. 273. Malestroit a Deacon in Holy Orders Master of the Requests to King Philip and younger Brother to Sr. Godfry of Malestroit whom the said King had unjustly put to Death came over to England in deep displeasure and told the King complaining unto him most lamentably of the Death of his Father Brother and Cousin and how cruelly and without all Reason King Philip had Executed several other Lords Knights and Esquires and especially the noble Lord Clisson who had so faithfully and valiantly served against the English only because he had a jealousie that they were secretly King Edwards Friends Wherefore he exhorted him earnestly that since the French King had thereby broken the Truce he would renew the War against him and Revenge the Blood of those his Innocent Friends How King Edward resented this News We shall shew when we have first dispatch'd what concerns this Messengeâ— Mr. Henry Malestroit To him the King presently assigned a place of good Authority in the City of Vannes in Bretagne which was then held of England
be broken by this Blow he soon after dispos'd of his Men into Winter Quarters and return'd himself into England to provide more effectually against the next Campaigne The Earl of o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 193. ex Châ—â— Fr. Joh. Clinne M.S. in Bodlei Bibl. f. 99. Tom. 4. p. 70. Oxford also having first been in Bretagne took the Sea about the Feast of the Blessed Virgin and by Tempest was cast upon the Coasts of Connaught in Ireland Where he and his Company suffer'd much Misery from those Barbarous People there who pillaged them of all they had So that with much difficulty they escaped alive out of their hands and afterwards came safe into England XVI About this time was Queen Philippa of England brought to Bed of a Fair Daughter named Mary who was afterwards married to John Montford who in time obtain'd the firname of Valiant and having conquer'd his Enemies became Duke of Bretagne His Father John of Montford of whose Taking at Nantes we spake before was by vertue of the late Truce at Malestroit most p Mezeray ad huncan Fabian p. 270. c. certainly deliver'd out of Prison this Year on Condition that he should not depart from Court But this notwithstanding he made his Escape and put himself in the Head of his Troops in Bretagne having obtained succour from England as we shall shew hereafter But because in the September following he died his Release from Imprisonment was not taken notice of by some Authors This Year there died at Bourdeaux the valiant Lord q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 104. Oliver Ingham Seneschall of the said City in the Fifty Ninth Year of his Age without Issue Male Wherefore his younger Daughter Joan Wife to the Lord Roger le Strange of Knokyn and Mary his Grandaughter by Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and her Husband Sr. John Curson became his Heirs CHAPTER the TWENTY THIRD The CONTENTS I. King Edward demands of the Pope Satisfaction on the French Kings Part or declares that he will renounce the Truce II. The Earl of Northampton commission'd to defie the French King c. III. King Edward's Manifesto touching the Dissolution of the Truce IV. He sends Henry Earl of Darby into Aquitain V. A particular Account of his Actions there during the Campaign VI. The Lord Manny finds his Fathers Bones in the City of Reole VII The strong Castle of Reole yielded the Town being taken before VIII The Earl of Darby proceeds in Taking of Towns and Castles IX He wins Mirapont Tonneins Damasan and Augoulesme where he makes the Lord John Norwich Governour and so returns to Bourdeaux I. BEfore this Expedition of the Earl of Darby's into Gascogne we shew'd how the Pope endeavour'd to compose Matters with King Edward to whom we do not find that the King return'd any Answer till after the Earls Arrival at Bourdeaux when he made a solemn Complaint to him bearing Date the a 4 Aug. Rot. Franc. 18 Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmele p. 654. Fourth of August which he sent by John Hufford Dean of Lincoln Sr. Hugh Nevil and Nicolas de Flisco willing them to demand a Reformation and Security for the Observance of the said Truce untill the Expiration of the Term appointed and sworn by each of the Kings Deputies And in case that should not be done as it was not expected then they to surrender the Copy of the Truce into the Pope's Hands and to defie Philip of Valois as the Kings Enemy Yet notwithstanding these Amicable and Christian-like Desires of the King of England met with nothing but Flams and Dilatory Answers For on the 20 of October following Dr. William Bateman Bishop of Norwich John Hufford Dean of Lincoln and John Thoresby one of the Canons of Lincoln Sr. Hugh Nevil and Sr. Ralph Spigurnel Knights together with the foresaid Nicolas de Flisco were Commissionated to declare before the Pope in what Particulars the Truce had been broken and instantly to demand Reparations II. But after all this little Satisfaction being offer'd AN. DOM. 1345. An. Regni Angliae XIX Franciae VI. and none at all given to the King his Majesty seeing the Truce manifestly and openly violated and that the Pope and his Legates were too evidently Partial on the French Side gave Commission to William Bohun Earl of Northampton bearing Date the 24 b Asâ—mâ—le p. 654 ex Râ—t Franc. 19 Ed. 3. m. 4. p. 1. of April to defie Philip of Valois as a Violator of the Truce an unjust Usurper of his Inheritance of the Realm of France and his Capital Enemy Which Defiance being made he was order'd to go with John Earl of Montford into Bretagne as the King of England's Lieutenant General to defend that Dutchy against the Lord Charles of Blois being empowred to receive the Fealty and Homage of those People in the Kings Name which was due unto him as True King of France a like Power having c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 185. ex Râ—â— Fr. 16 Ed. 3. n. 25. three Years before been given him in the same Parts And shortly after the King set forth a Manifesto bearing Date the d Ashâ—cle p. 654 14 of June touching the Dissolution of the Truce wherein the Causes were declared at large being in Substance the same with those Letters which he had sent to the Pope and Four Cardinals bearing Date e Rot. Rem 19. Ed. 3. m 2. n. 4. 26 of May the Month preceding the Date of this Defiance a Copy whereof followeth agreeing with the other which is to be seen in the Original Latine both in Adam Murimouth's M.S. and also in Dr. Stillingfleets aforemention'd III. f Fâ—â— Acts and Mâ—n An. 1345. Adam Mâ—â—imoâ—th M.S. Dr. Covel M.S. Dr. Stillingâ—â—eet qu â—as cum Foxo 〈◊〉 â—â—itus faâ—es â—ut peritia videbâ— tur defideraâ—â— EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all and singular to whom these Presents shall come Greeting We doubt not but it is now publiquely known how that after the Decease of Charles of Famous Memory King of France and Brother to the most Serene Lady Isabella Queen of England our Mother the Crown of the said Kingdom being incommutably devolved unto Us as unto the next Heir Male of the said King then being alive the Lord Philip of Valois who is but Son to the Uncle of the said King and so related unto him in a more remote Degree of Consanguinity did in the time of our Minority by Force and contrary to God and Justice usurp the said Kingdom and still doth usurp and detain it Invading moreover and spoiling our Lands in our Dukedom of Aquitain and Confederating against Us with our Rebellious Enemies the Scots and otherwise to the utmost of his Power labouring and endeavouring to procure the Ruine and Subversion of Us and of Ours both by Land and Sea. And thô we to prevent the inestimable Dangers which it is probably feared may happen
Place they came to was Ville Franche in Agenois which together with the Castle was taken by Assault and here the Earl made an Esquire of his named Thomas Cook Captain whom thereupon he Knighted Thus the Earl of Darby without any Resistance overran the Country and conquer'd Towns and Castles and wan much Spoil and great Riches all which like a Noble Prince he distributed among his Men. IX From hence he rode to u Frois c. 113. Mirapont in his way toward Bourdeaux for all this while the Currours of his Army never went near St. Mary-Port which having held out three Days yielded on the Fourth and this Place he committed to the Care of a Valiant Esquire of his John Bristow Thence he sent out a Detachment which took in a little enclosed Town called Tonneins standing on the River Garonne and after that a strong Castle named Damasan a little lower on the other side the said River which was furnished with a convenient Garrison Then the Earl went up higher into Angoulemois and sat down with all his Forces before the great City of Angoulesme saying he would not stir thence till he had it at his Pleasure But the Citizens being terrify'd with his Successes made a Composition with him to send 24 of their Chief Burgesses their Hostages to Bourdeaux That he should give them Respit for a Moneth Within which time if the French King send a sufficient Captain to keep the Field against him then they to have their Hostages restored and to be acquitted of all Obligation But if no such Forces appear then they without any more adoe to submit to the Government of the King of England Upon this Composition the Earl rode to Blaye in Saintogne wherein were two Valiant and Hardy Captains Sr. Guischard alias Sr. Richard Dangle afterwards for the English and in time one of the Knights of the Honourable Order of the Garter and the other was Sr. William of Rochechouart of no less Courage and Loyalty These Knights answer'd the Earls Summons That they would yield to no Man living Wherefore he laid to them a strong and close Siege and in the mean time sent out a Detachment to Mortagne in Saintogne by the Sea-side whereof was Captain a Noble and Hardy Knight named the Lord of Bouciquault Who Defended the Place so well that the Earl's Men despair'd to take it Wherefore after some loss they wheel'd off to Mirembeau and after that as far as Aunay both which also they found too tough for them and so return'd to the Camp before Blaye Here no Day passed without some notable feat of Arms performed and now first did Sr. Richard Dangle begin to bear some kind inclination to the English Nation but here he held out gallantly So that by this time the Moneth being compleat the Earl of Darby remembring his Agreement with the City of Angoulesme sent thither his two Marshals to whom the Citizens sware Allegiance in behalf of the King of England their Master Whereupon their Hostages were restored the City indemnified and the Earl at their Requests sent unto them for their Captain Sr. John Norwich a Valiant and Politick Commander and a x Dugd. 2 Vâ—l. p. 90. Baron of England thô y Frois c. 118. fol. 57. Froisard took him to be but an Esquire And now Winter being far enter'd the Earl seeing the stout Resistance at Blaye and the small Importance of the Place resolv'd to spare his Men for better Service and to raise his Siege till a more commodious season So he dislodged and repassing the River Garonne went back to Bourdeaux where he distributed his Men into Winter Quarters Now if any shall object that it seems incredible that all this while the King of France should lie still let such forbear their Censure till the beginning of the next Year where they will find that he sent a great Man against him but one who thought not fit to act at that time till he was considerably Reinforced as we shall see in due place CHAPTER the TVVENTY FOURTH The CONTENTS I. Henry the Old Earl of Lancaster dies c. II. Jacob van Arteveld having plotted to exclude the Earl of Flanders and his Posterity and to set up in his stead King Edwards Eldest Son proposes the Matter to the Representatives of that Country in Presence of the King. III. They abominate the Motion secretly but get off for the present IV. King Edward allows Jacob van Arteveld a Guard and pardons Sr. John Maltravers senior V. Jacob van Arteveld murther'd at Gaunt by the Commons VI. King Edward being angry therefore with the Flemings is appeas'd by their Ambassadors VII The Earl of Hainalt slain in Friseland VIII His Vncle John Lord Beaumont fetch'd over by the French King from King Edward's Service In whose room the Lord Godfry of Harcourt revolts from France to England IX John Earl of Montford being at liberty and assisted by England prevailes in Bretagne but in the midst of his Victories dies X. The Earl of Northampton combats Charles of Blois hand to hand and routs his Army at Morlaix After which he wins Roche D'Arien and so returns for England XI An Army of 30000 Scots discomfited by the English whereon ensues a Truce XII The Death of one Lord and two Bishops I. DUring the last Campaign of which we spake in the preceding Chapter word was brought over into Guienne to the Earl of Darby a Knighton p. 2585. n. 30. how the Good Old Earl of Lancaster his Father was departed this Life and had left him with his Blessing and a Greater Title a Fair Inheritance He was Younger Brother and upon his Death without Issue next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster eldest Son to Prince Edmund Plantagenet sirnamed Crouchback who was Second Son to King Henry III. and Younger Brother to King Edward the First His Stile ran thus Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester Darby and Provence Lord of Monmouth and Steward of England His true Sirname was Plantagenet but his usual Torcol or de Torto Collo because his Neck stood something awry Which Title is thrô mistake by b Sandford Geneal Hist p. 112 p. 113. Patronage of John Wickliffe Whereas his Sons Sirname was Grismond and Wickliffe's Friend John of Gaunt He had married the Lady c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 783. Mill's Catal. Honor p. 323. Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110 c. Maud sole Daughter and Heiress of Sr. Patrick de Cadurcis or Chaworth a Baron of the Realm By whom he had this valiant Son Henry Earl of Darby upon his Death Earl and afterwards created Duke of Lancaster and six Daughters Blanch Lady Wake Isabell Prioress of Ambresbury Maud Countess of Vlster Joan Lady Moubray of Axholme Eleanor Countess of Arundel and Mary Lady Piercy He died at Leicester and was buried in the Monastery of Canons there King Edward with his Queen Consort and the Queen Mother and almost all the Bishops and Barons of the Realm being present
Burning and Spoiling whatever he met with except some few strong Towns and Castles that were fortified For he would not give any Assault to such being resolved to spare his Men and Artillery for a greater Enterprise Thus he went on like a Torrent overwhelming all before him on that side the Seyne even to the Isle of France and to u Mezeray ibid. Paris it self But as for Rouën he left that on his Left hand passing it by for the Lord Godfry's Sake for there was his Brother the Earl of Harcourt on the French Kings part and the Earl of Dreux in his Company with a Choice number of Brave Souldiers Thô others say that the King of France himself was there on the other side the Seyne coasting the King of England all along till he came to Poissy as appears by the Letters of the Kings Chaplain which we shall produce hereafter Wherefore the King of England turned thence to Pont de l'Arche on the Seyne which he took and destroy'd as also all the Country about Rouën the same he did to Vernon and sent a Detachment thence which took and burnt the Town of Gisors but would not dwell upon Attempting the Castle for the Reasons before alledged The mean while the King marched along by the Seyne to Mante and Meulan which he passed by as also the strong Castle of Rouleboise but all along the River Seyne he found the Bridges broken till at last he came to Poissy a Town about five Leagues from Paris where the Bridge indeed was broken down but the Joists and Arches lay in the River For when King x M.S. vet Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr â—u Titulus Acta Edvardi Filâ—â— Edvardi Tertii ad 12 Augusti c. Philip who most certainly coasted the English Army on the other side the River saw King Edwards Motion toward Paris which he chiefly dreaded and guessed that the Bridge of Poissy could not be made strong enough against the English because thô otherwise the Place was strong it was not Walled about he went thither and as my Author was afterwards informed with Tears in his Eyes perswaded the Lady Prioress who was his Sister and the rest of the Recluses being of the Order of St. Dominic to depart away for the present together with all the Inhabitants and at their going off to break down the Bridge So they brake the Bridge thô their Fear hindred them from doing it so effectually as else they might have done and fled all away to the City of Paris and the French King intended if the English came thither to destroy the Suburbs and all things were made ready there as if they expected a Siege the next Day But when King Edward was come to Poissy he gave order immediatly to his Carpenters to use all their Diligence in Repairing the Bridge strongly and there he tarried three Days expecting the Issue of their Labour He himself being lodged in a New Royal Palace of King Philip's adjoyning to the Priory and the Prince his Son in another Palace of the said Kings But the Priory it self is commended by the Ancient Author whom I follow for one of the most Delicate and Beautifull Structures that ever he saw And no doubt the Town was well beloved by the later Kings of France not only because it lay so near to Paris upon the River Seyne but also because it had now been rendred famous for giving Birth to St. Lewis Grandfather to King Philip the Fair. While King Edward thus stay'd at Poissy his Marshals made their Excursions to St. German en Laye to Mountjoy St. Cloud Petty Boulogne by Paris and Bourg la Reyne which were all taken sacked and fired The Flames y Fabian p. 221. were seen from St. Cloud and other Places to Paris which put the Citizens into such a Consternation as the French Chronicles confess that if King Philip had not at that time been there upon the Spot they had sent and yielded up their City to King Edward He for his part seeing he could not as yet pass the River of Seyne toward Paris after he had used the Palaces and Mansions of the French King's and drank off the Wines and disposed of what else he found there at his Pleasure set them on fire at his Departure and consumed the most of them either by Himself or his Marshals as at St. German Mont-joy and Poissy * M.S. id ibid. especially at Chastell du Roy an House of all most Dear to King Philip and which he himself had built and finished but about 2 Years before and the other Places above-named About z M.S. vet Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. cui Titulus Acta Edvardi Filii Edvardi Tertii 10 Augusti this Time the Lord Robert Ferrers of Chartley having by means of a small Boat conveyed over the Seyne his own Troops went and gave Assault to the Castle of Roche-Guyon The Place was thought to be impregnable insomuch that there was current a Prophecy or Proverb concerning it signifying its great Strength and that was Le Fleur du Liz perdera son nom Quand sera gaignee la Roche-Guyon In English The Lilly loses her Renown When Roche-Guyon Castle 's won But however after a brisk Assault in which Sr. Edward Attewood was slain the Castle was yielded to the Lord Ferrers who finding therein a great Number of Ladies dismist them civilly without the least Abuse and having taken an Oath of all the Knights and Esquires his Prisoners for the Payment of their Ransoms he let them go also and return'd again over the Seyne to the King. While King Edward remained at Poissy he a Mezeray ad hunc an p. 25. sent his Defiance again to Philip of Valois challenging him forth to Battle and offering to meet him in the Field under the very Walls of the Louvre Thô by some this was thought but a Trick to amuse King Philip that he might not pursue him for that being now laden with Spoil he seem'd not unwilling to return But since Truth is our Aim we must not conceal that all along King Edward's Actions agreed with his Defiance and that he always sought to meet King Philip till in the end he obtain'd a Battle and that if he intended to retire he might more safely have done it by going back the same way he came thrô a Country already conquer'd than by making of Bridges so near the Metropolis of France to go further where it seem'd morally impossible for him to escape a Battle Nor do we hear of any Navy that expected him any where on the other side the Seyne nor had he as yet any Place of Retreat in those Parts where to secure his Booty or his Person The Truth of it is that he had already design'd a Siege for Calais and therefore marched now that Way that either before he came thither he might try his Fortune with Philip or at least passing so far without Battle have a sufficient
Leagues as also they did to the Suburbs of Boulogne After this the King with the Prince his Son went and encamped by Wissan on the Sea-side about 3 Leagues from Calais And having tarried here one Day to refresh his Army on the d Du Chesne c. Thursday being the last of August others say the e Knighton p. 2588. 7 of September he came and lay down before the strong Town of Calais which had been of old a great Nuisance both to Him and his Kingdom CHAPTER the FOURTH The CONTENTS I. The Description Scituation and Strength of Calais Which King Edward blocks up by Sea and Land The strength of his Navy II. The Calisians not yielding upon his Summons he lays a formal Siege the Plenty of Provision continually in his Camp. III. The Earl of Warwick takes Terouenne the Flemings at the same time besiege St. Omers IV. The Captain of Calais thrusts out 1700 poor and impotent People whom King Edward in pity relieves V. The Copies of two Letters written by one of the King of England's Chaplains and containing the Summ of all this Expedition from the Winning of Caen to the Siege of Calais VI. Iohn Duke of Normandy makes another Attempt upon Aiguillon but to his Loss VII King Philip sends his peremptory Command to his Son to rise from before Aiguillon and also urges the King of Scotland to invade England on that Side so to divert King Edward from the Siege of Calais VIII The true Manner of the Duke of Normandy's Leaving the Siege of Aiguillon IX He is cut off at the Reer by the Lord Walter Manny who agrees with a Prisoner of Quality to let him go free so that he will procure him a safe Conduct to ride thrô France to Calais with 20 Men only X. The Prisoner brings him the Duke of Normandy's Conduct and is himself acquitted Sr. Walter Manny riding in Confidence thereof towards Calais is by King Philips Order secured But the Duke of Normandy changes his Fathers Bloody Intentions against him and saves his Life c. XI The Earl of Lancaster upon the Duke of Normandy's Departure takes the Field and wins Towns and Castles at his Pleasure in Xaintogne Rochellois and Poictou XII An Instance of the Princely Munificence of the Earl of Lancaster XIII He wins the City of Poictiers and leaving it desolate returns by St. Jean D'Angely to Bourdeaux XIV An Army of Poictevins utterly discomfited by the English Garrison of Lusignan I. THE City a Sâ—â—n p. 243. Frois c. 133. vid. Ferrarâ—um in titulo Caletam c. of Calais thô of no considerable Extent is a famous Market-Town Rich and strongly Fortified being scituate on the Marches of Artois five Leagues Northward of Boulogne and three Westward of Gravelines and but little more than fourteen from the nearest Coast of England or Dover Castle which it directly confronts And the Sea between is by the English called the Strait of Calais and by the French La Manche It is furnished with a strong Castle and a spacious Haven where a considerable Navy may take safe Harbour and is also enclosed about with a Double Wall and a Double Ditch besides that on the West-side from Risban to Cologne it is fenced with b Marish grounds which are only passable by Xeâ—land Bridge an Arm of the Sea in a Semicircular manner This Town and Castle are reported to have been first built by Julius Caesar the Famous Roman Emperour after he had brought all France to do Homage to his Eagles As he is also said to have built the Castle of Chepstow in Monmouthshire in Venodocia or South-Wales and that of Dover in Kent when he was about the Conquest of Brittain now called England Wherefore thô it was of incredible Strength as well for its advantagious Scituation as those wonderfull Accessions of Art which made it almost Impregnable by any human Power yet because it was a most convenient Landing-place for any out of England to set Footing in France and had also by its Piracies exercised on the English Seas done many great Displeasures to King Edward and his People he resolved to lay Siege unto the Place knowing that having already given such a Blow to France if he could not be able to reduce them by Force he might yet overcome them by Famine which enters thrô the strongest Fortifications All along as the King marched hither by Land his Fleet being return'd out of England took the same way by Sea under the Command of William Clinton Earl of Huntington and then Lord High c Weever's Fun. Mon. p. 259 Admiral of England together with the Lord John Mongomery Vice-Admiral which Two at the very Instant of King Edward's Investing the Town of Calais by Land came and block'd it up also by Sea with a Mighty Navy consisting in all of d Hacluit's Voyages 1 Vol. p. 119. c. 738 Ships wherein were no less than 14956 Mariners together wich Souldiers and Provisions of all sorts accordingly II. Now the e Frois ibid. King knew that the strength of the Place and the Courage of the Garrison were likely enough to give him some trouble but considering the Opportunities he had while he lay here of receiving Assistance either from England or Flanders he resolved to starve them if they would not otherwise accept his Mercy First therefore by his Herald he Summons the Captain to yield up unto him as Rightfull King of France that his Castle and Town of Calais otherwise that he would put them all to the Sword for their Obstinacy The Captain Answer'd He knew but One King of France who had sent him thither to keep the Place for his behoof and him only was he resolved to obey being ready either to live or die in his Service Thô upon Occasion he doubted not but to have sufficient Assistance from him Upon this peremptory Answer of the Captain King Edward began to entrench himself strongly about the City setting his own Tent directly against the Chief Gates at which he intended to enter then he placed Bastions between the Town and the River and set out Regular Streets and reared up decent Buildings of strong Timber between the Trenches which he cover'd with Thatch Reed Broom and Skins Thus he encompassed the whole Town of Calais from Ruban on the Northwest side to Courgaine on the Northeast all along by Sangate at Port and Fort de Nieulay commonly by the English call'd Newland-Bridge down by Hammes Cologne and Marke So that his Camp look'd like a spacious City and was usually by Strangers that came thither to Market called New-Calais For this Prince's Reputation for Justice was so Great that to his Markets which he held in his Camp twice every Week viz. on Tuesdays and Saturdays for Flesh Fish Bread Wine and Ale with Cloth and all other Necessaries there came not only his Friends and Allies from England Flanders and Aquitain but even many of King Philips Subjects and
Prince Lionel holds another in King Edwards Name at Westminster III. The Pope writes to the King of England to perswade him to Peace King Edward's Answer and Odoricus Rainaldus refuted IV. King Philip attempts to gain the Flemings but in vain The Earl of Flanders returning home is imprison'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England V. King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais VI. The Earl of Flanders by pretending a Compliance gets his liberty and escapes into France VII Two Frenchmen for favouring King Edwards Right put to Death at Paris VIII John Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel in Flanders IX The French make several Efforts to relieve Calais but fail The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. X. Sr. Robert of Namur tenders his Service to King Edward before Calais XI A short Account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of Durham XII An Account of the Affairs of Bretagne The Battle of Roche d' Arien where Sr. Charles of Blois is taken Prisoner by Sr. Thomas Dagworth XIII Roche d' Arien retaken by the French and the English Garrison put to the Sword by the Men of the Country XIV The French Navy intended to Victual Calais defeated The Calisians thrust 500 Poor out of the Town XV. And send a Letter of their Case to King Philip c. XVI The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philips Approach returns to the English Camp The French Kings Strength he desires Leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings besiege the Town of Aire but upon Philips Approach rise XVII King Philip comes to Sangate near Calais and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer XVIII Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair XIX The Manner how Carais was yielded XX. Calais settled by King Edward XXI A Truce betwen the two Kings King Edward returns for England XXII A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders XXIII Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case I. THE mean while King Philip of France AN. DOM. 1347. An. Regni Angliae XXI Franciae VIII having now about him his Son the Duke of Normandy with his Forces thô he had by this heard also of the great Loss that his Friend the King of Scots had suffer'd for his Sake was not able as yet to attempt any thing against his Enemy of England because of the Winter Season further than that he provided a Frois c. 140. Du Serres for the Cities of Picardy that lay nearest unto Danger and set Men of War in every Fortress in the Marches of Guisnes Artois Boulogne and about Calais But however being desirous to employ that Unactive time of the Year to the best Advantage that he might as well further the next Campagne as also seek the Advice of his Peers Lords and Commons of France he b Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 85. p. 893 calls a Parliament of the Estates to meet together at Paris on the Palm-Sunday following which fell that Year c Lit. Dom. G. Pasch Kâ—l Apr. on the 25 of March or the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and so became a double Holy-day Requiring all the Barons Prelates and Commons of his Realm to assist him in Leavying a mighty Army against the King of England who lay as then before Calais For he said how he had sworn not to make a Peace or so much as a Truce with his Enemies untill he had taken full Revenge for the Loss he had received at Cressy and of the high Indignities which the King of England had put upon the Crown of France as well by Invading his Realm in Hostile Manner as now by holding a Siege before Calais Which Oath tho it could not be punctually observed yet prov'd a strong Enforcement to assemble together all his Barons Prelates Chief Burgesses and Citizens to his Parliament Here several Ways were in this Great Council devised to raise Mony for the maintenance of his Wars and leavying of two Formidable Armies For King Philip had long since in his Secret Council resolved to carry on the War against England with an High hand this next Campagne Himself intending in Person to go at the Head of one Army against King Edward to raise the Siege of Calais and at the same time to send his Son the Duke of Normandy with another mighty Army into England to attempt the Conquest thereof And upon this latter Point there had been an Ordinance drawn up and contrived called the Ordinance of Normandy of which we shall speak when we come to the English Parliament held at Westminster in the beginning of this Year Now for the Procuring of a sufficient stock of Money for the Kings Service d Du Serres p. 12. it was in this Assembly agreed first of all to call the old Treasures and other Great Officers and Ministers of State to an exact Account for Abusing their Places and embezling or converting to their own Use the Taxes and other the Kings Monies they had been entrusted with and to leavy and raise of all such Offenders Fines and Mulcts proportionable to their Offences And for the future to refer the Government of the Treasury to the most eminent Persons of the Clergy and Nobility thereby to free the People from suspecting that their Contributions were any more like to be ill employed Of this Affair the Abbots of Marmoutier and Corbie are chosen Superintendants to whom Four Bishops and Four Temporal Lords were joyned Assistants Monsieur Peter of Essars Treasurer of France is flung into Prison and condemned in a vast Fine to the King and together with him many other great Officers being condemned whether justly or unjustly yield up that at once for a satisfaction which they had been so long in heaping together the Golden Spunge of Oppression being now squeez'd by the Iron Hand of the Law. Then the Banquers Lombards and other Usurers are call'd to a strict Account for all their unjust Exactions upon the poor Subjects of France The interest is proved to exceed the Principall wherefore the Principal is adjudged forfeit to the King and the Interest to be remitted if not paid or if paid to be refunded to the Debtor who had borrowed the Mony upon such Interest and all the Bonds and Obligations therefore to be cancell'd and made void And yet after e Fabian p. 274. this Wipe the Usurers themselves were not released out of Prison without large Fines to the King. But the chief Honour of this Assembly was that the whole Body tenderly sympathizing with the Head was unanimous to serve the King with their Lives and Fortunes in Defence of his Crown and Dignity Wherefore at that time they leavied vast Contributions among themselves according to
their Qualities Estates and Offices and ordained the like thrô the whole Kingdom They set also a general Tax upon the whole Clergy nor were they shie to make bold with what Sums had been gathered through France for the Holy War and with the Plate Shrines and other Riches and Profits of Abbeys and Monasteries Particularly the King having received a Subsidy which was required of the Monks of St. Dennis among certain other Jewels of that Place which he would needs have demanded a great Crucifix of Masse Gold standing over the High Altar of the Monastery But to this the Monks replied that it could not be taken away without great hazard of the Souls of those who should be concerned in that Action For Pope Eugenius the III more than 200 Years before had in the Days of Lewis the VII King of France solemnly accursed all those of any Degree whatsoever that should offer to lay violent hands upon that Crucifix sacrilegiously to take it away from its Place or to convert it to any Secular Use as f Fabian ibid. appeareth by a Plate engraven under the Pedestall of the Cross With which Answer King Philip was satisfied In this Parliament it was also Ordained that the King should send forth his general Summons throughout the whole Realm commanding all Persons who any way held of the Crown of France to be with the King at the City of Amiens by Whitsuntide next following g Kal. April Pasch Whitsunday falling on the 20 of May that Year there to attend at the Rendezvous with all their several Retinues in their best Array Nor did they forget to invite all the Friends and Allies of the House of France especially the Lord Charles of Luxemburgh Son to the late King of Bohemia and Elect Emperour or King of the Romans set up by the Pope and his Adherents against the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria who again lay under the Censures of the Church And lastly to enflame the Minds of the French Nation more eagerly to prosecute their Revenge against the English King Philip h Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 85. p. 894. caused to be brought from St. Dennis the sacred Banner of Oriflambe which of old was never taken down but in the Cause of Christ against Infidels or upon some great Distress or Necessity of the King and the Realm of France But now it was taken down to be used against King Edward and was committed to the Custody of a Burgundian Lord a Noble Gentleman and approved in Arms and having repeated his Commands to all Men to be ready to follow this Banner when he should require them for that time he dismist the Parliament II. Having seen in what manner King Philip bestirr'd himself to rear his Half-ruin'd Affairs let us now take notice how King Edward thô abroad influences Matters at home towards the Establishing what he had already done and was yet undertaking For both these Princes understood well that the time which was unfit for Action was the most proper for Counsel and that they could not better pass the Winter then in providing against the Casualties of the Summer Wherefore at King Edward's Command a Parliament was also called at Westminster by his second Son Prince Lionel then Lord Warden of England for the King his Father i M.S. Rec. Parl. 61. Sr. Rob. Cottens Abridgment p. 46. which Parliament began the third Day of the New-year on the Monday next after Christmas-day as if it was the best Auspice not only to end the Old-year but to begin the New by wholsome Advice and Counsel On which Day Command was given by Prince Lionel that Proclamation should be made against wearing of Armour and using of Games in and about Westminster during this Sessions Then also a time was appointed for all such as would exhibit any Petitions and Receivers also and Tryers were constituted to take and consider of the several Petitions referring to England Ireland Wales Scotland Gascogne and other Foreign Parts and Isles and thereupon Sr. Thomas Drayton being appointed Clerk of the Parliament because several of the Lords and Commons were not yet come they adjourn'd till next Day At which time the House being informed that Sr. Bartholomew Burwash Sr. John Darcy Lord Chamberlain Mr. John Thoresby and Mr. John Charleton were arrived as Messengers from the King then lying before Calais but could not be ready to make their appearance there till Wednesday next after the Morrow the Parliament was prorogued until that Day At which time Declaration was made in open Parliament that the Reasons of that their present meeting were because the King since his passing the Sea and his Attempts in France was now uncertain of his Condition that according to the Issue or Exigence of Affairs abroad Matters might be concerted at home for the safety of his Majesty and the Common Peace and Wealth of his Kingdom which latter was visibly damnified by the sufferance of false Money Then were produced the Kings Letters Patents Credential wherein among other Matters the foresaid Declaration was verbatim expressed the Letters bearing Date before Calais Which being read in open Parliament Sr. Bartholomew Burwash for and in the Name of himself and the rest of his Colleagues in presence of the Lord Warden of England and of the Three Estates declared the good Success of the King since his Arrival at la Hogue in Normandy as in surprising and taking of many Towns and Castles of War as well at Caën as elsewhere and also of the Great Victory obtain'd at Cressy where the whole Power of France was discomfited and how the King was now come before Calais from whence he intended not to depart till by the help of God he had won the same After which he intended to pursue the Enemy without return till the War should be fully ended This done he produced the Copy of an Order made by the King of France in reference to his Son the Duke of Normandy and others Nobles of that Country which was particularly recited being called the Ordinance of Normandy and was to this effect That the Duke of Normandy should pass as Chief with other Nobles of that Province into England with 40000 Men of Arms Knights Esquires and Persons of good Estate and 40000 Footmen Methods being there prescribed for keeping the Sea and an Order also added that the said Duke should remain in England with the said Forces for the space of ten Weeks And in case the Realm of England should in this Expedition be Conquer'd that then the Conquest should solely be to the Name Honour and Advantage of the said Duke and all whatsoever the King of England at that time had there should remain entirely to the said Duke and the Knights and Lords with him That all that which belonged to the Nobles and secular Persons of England should be bestowed on the Churches and Famous Towns of Normandy only of the Revenues of the Church of England the French King
in Hostile Manner is beaten by the Flemings and English IX King Edward inform'd of a Design to betray Calais pardons the Lombard Captain and gives him Instructions how to behave himself X. King Edward goes privately over Sea to Calais and discomfits the Frenchmen XI King Edward at Supper presents a Rich Chaplet of Pearls to the Lord Eustace de Ribemont a French Prisoner and in contemplation of his Valour acquits him his Ransome XII The Lombard Captain put to Death by the Frenchmen King Edward rewards his Friends and having settled Calais under a New Captain returns for England XIII The Death of the Queen of France and of the Dutchess of Normandy The French King and the Duke his Son marry again I. NOW doth King Edward the Third seem to stand in the full Zenith both of his Age and Glories He had but just past the 35 Year of his Life and yet was crown'd at Home in his Family with a Lovely Row of Hopefull Children and a Vertuous and Beautifull Consort in his Kingdoms with Peace and full Prosperity And abroad he was renowned above all the Kings of the Earth for his Notable Victories by Sea and by Land in Scotland France and Bretagne for set Battles or Taking of Towns for Kings slain Kings routed and Kings taken Captive Nor was his Moderation less admired and commended which he shew'd in Refusing the Title and Dignity of an Emperour This in my Opinion is the Brightest part of all his Reign thô yet another King remains to be Captive by his Arms and another King is destin'd to recover an Usurped Crown by the Aid of his Sword and Fortune For now a Walsingh Hypod 121. hist 159. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 943. Stow p. 245. by means of so honourable a Peace founded on so many remarkable Victories it seem'd as if the Golden Age was reduced to England and a New Sun began to shine in our Horizon So great Riches and Plenty the usual Attendants of Conquest being generally diffused over the face of the whole Land. For there was scarce a Lady or Gentlewoman of any Account which had not in her possession some precious Houshold-stuff as rich Gowns Beds Counterpains Hangings Linnen Silks Furs Cups of Gold and Silver Porcelain and Chrystal Bracelets Chains and Necklaces brought from Caen Calais or other Cities beyond Sea. And yet as the Roman Historians complain that they were overcome by the Luxury and Fashions of the Nations they had conquer'd So from this time the Native Candour and simplicity of the English Nation did visibly empair and Pride Superfluity and Vanity began to lift up their hatefull Heads till they provok'd the Author of the World to visit this Land also with his awakening Judgments Some whereof were not wanting even in the Days of this Great Monarch but did especially take rise in the Reign of his Successour from a Cruel and Unnatural civil War which was not wholly extinct till it had prey'd upon the Lives of Five Kings very many Princes Dukes and Earls and Hundreds of the Prime Nobility of England besides those many Thousands of the Common People who perished in the Quarrel even thrô the Reigns of Seven Kings till in a more mercifull Providence King Henry the VII happily united the two Roses and Peace and Humanity and Arts began again to revive and flourish among us II. But that the Blessings of Peace and Plenty might be preserved unto England as much as lay in King Edwards Power as well for the Support of his own Honour as for the Security of his People's Advantages and the Conservation of the good Laws of the Realm he begins this Year with a Parliament Which he b 14 Febr. Teste Rege apud Westminest M.S. Record p. 66. Sr. Rob. Gott n's Abridgâ—n p. 68. summons to meet him at Westminster on the Monday in Midlent From which time because several of the Peers were not then come the Parliament was continued from day to day untill Wednesday When Sr. William Thorp then Lord Chief Justice by the Kings Command declared in presence of the King and Lords for what Reasons the Parliament at that time was called As that the King had according to the Truce taken at Calais sent Commissioners to the Pope from whom he had long since expected some Satisfactory Answer but as yet had received none Also that sundry Articles of the Truce touching both the Kings and their Allies were not duely performed and further that the French were preparing a Puissant Army wherewith to invade the Realm From all which it appeared that the Truce was but very fickle and that it was neither safe nor prudent to rely upon it but rather betimes to be armed against the worst that might happen Besides he added that the Conservation of the Publique Peace at home was a main Point for their Consideration to employ it self about and that this must be done by wholsom Laws duely and impartially put in Execution Upon these Matters the Lords and Commons debated earnestly for several Days and at last answered the Kings Wants and prepared their own Petitions in manner following They c M.S. Record p. 68. Sr. Rob. Cottens Abidgment p. 69. first shew the great Charges laid upon the Commons as the Reasonable Aid being pardon'd in the 14 Edw. 3. Whereof every Fine was forty shillings whereas by Statute the same should be but twenty shillings also the setting forth of Men the taking up of Victuals without Ready Money and the Charge for keeping the Sea The very Subsidy of Wooll amounting to 60000 l. per annum and yet without Law the Lending of 20000 Sacks of Wooll and the Restraint of Exporting Wooll Notwithstanding they grant to the King Three Fifteens in three Years so as the Subsidy of Wooll might cease and on Condition that David Bruce William Douglas and other Chief Captains of Scotland be not deliver'd for Ransom or on their Faith Yet so that if the Wars do cease within three Years then their Grant might cease also this Condition being likewise understood that their following Petitions be granted and these their Conditions enrolled and exemplified Petitions of the Commons with their Answers Pet. That the Falseness of those who were appointed to gather the 20000 Sacks of Wooll lent to the King may be determin'd by some of the Parliament and that all Acquittances made to any such may be repealed Ans This Petition was answer'd in the last Parliament and therefore Command was given anew to execute the same Pet. That the King would command the Nobles in no wise to take any common Thief or Robber into their Protection And that in every Shire-Town two Knights and two Learned in the Law be appointed to determin all Offences and to enquire of False Money they to have some Fee to encourage them in their Duty and to prevent Receiving of Bribes But this also was said to have been answer'd in the last Parliament Pet. Whereupon the
Homage of England Wherefore they heartily desired the King of England and his Council to consider of it and to propose unto them such Conditions as they might accept and not demand of them things so inconsistent and impossible and which appeared unto them far worse than Death This Request being but reasonable was back'd with a Truce and thus Matters rested for a while in those Parts V. Now k Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 15. Stow p. 254. Pope Innocent the VI being newly settled in the Pontifical Chair when he saw Matters tending towards a Rupture between the two Realms of England and France interposed his Endeavours to make up the Breach and sent l Innoc. VI. Tom. 1. Epist Secret p. 22. Et an 1. Epist Curial l. 2. Epist 29 30 31. Guy Bishop of Porto and Cardinal of Bologna in his Name to promote the Treaty of a Final Peace in Order to which he empower'd him by his Papal Letters the Tenour whereof followeth INNOCENT the Servant of the Servants of God to his Venerable Brother Guy Bishop of Porto c. Among other things which by the Office of our Apostolick Service are incumbent on Us this We especially desire that between our Most Dear Sons in Christ the Illustrious Kings John of France and Edward of England the Fewel of Dissention being withdrawn Peace and Concord may be reformed Tranquillity may flourish the happiness of Quiet may abound and a Pacifick State may continue Considering therefore that You who as an earnest Well-Wisher to the Premises have at our Good Pleasure gone to the Parts of France and there Personally tarry do zealously interpose Your Diligence to the Reformation of the said Peace and Concord desiring also that if by his Grace who is the Author of Health and Peace Your Intention being as to the Premises conformable to ours may obtain a desired effect those things which shall be done may be firmly Ratified We grant unto your Brotherhood of whom in this and other things We have full Confidence in the Lord by the Apostolical Authority by Vertue of these Presents full and free Power of Confirming approving and Ratifying by the Authority aforesaid the Treaties and Conventions of the said Peace and Concord between the said Kings and also the Princes Lords Great Men Aiders and Followers of them and their Adherents nevertheless after that the said Treaties and Conventions shall by Gods assistance be finished and by the said Kings and others aforesaid freely received and approved of receiving from them and every of them Covenants Oaths and Submissions for the entire observation of the said Treaties and Conventions and of restraining the Contradictions by Ecclesiastical Censure without any Appeal notwithstanding if to them or any of them either together or severally it hath been granted by the Apostolick See that they should not be interdicted suspended or excommunicated by Apostolick Letters making full and express mention and Word by Word of such a Grant. Dated at Villeneufe of the Dioecese of Avignon III Id. Maii Ano. Pontif. 1 mo Besides this Cardinal Pope Innocent m M. S. in Bibl. Vatican sign N. p. 2040. apud Oder Rainald ibid. sent several other Prelates to both the Kings in Order to bring this Peace to its Perfection So that at n Stow ibid. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 229. last it was agreed That the King of England should resign acquit and renounce all the Right he had or claimed to the Crown of France transferring it entirely to the French King and his Heirs in Consideration whereof He the said King of England should receive and enjoy the whole Dukedom of Aquitain with the City of Calais and the whole Counties of Artois and of Guisnes for Himself and his Successors Kings of England without ever doing any Homage or making any acknowledgement for the same to the Kings of France or without holding them in any subordinate Manner otherwise than he held the Crown of England it self namely of God alone To these Conditions thus agreed on King Edward yielded his Consent and for a firm Conclusion of the Premises Ambassadors were sent as well from him as from the French King to the Court of Rome then at Avignon A Truce being taken the mean while to be kept in England France Gascogne and Bretagne till Easter next ensuing during which time it was hoped a full and final Peace would be established But we shall defer the Prosecution of that Matter to its proper Place and speak of what happen'd at home before the Truce was in any forwardness VI. On the 15 of July o M.S. Ret. Parl. p. 70. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 83. King Edward sent forth his Writs of Summons to his Lords to meet him in Parliament at Westminster on the * Lâ—t Dom. F. Monday after the Feast of St. Matthew or the 23d of September following these being the Names of those to whom the Writs were directed Edward Prince of Wales Henry Duke of Lancaster William Bohun Earl of Northampton Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire William Clinton Earl of Huntington Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick John Vere Earl of Oxford Gilbert Vmphraville Earl of Angos Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk William Montague Earl of Salisbury Ralph Stafford Earl of Stafford John Lord Mowbray Henry Lord Piercy Ralph Lord Neville Richard Lord Talbot Robert Lord Morley Walter Lord Manny William Lord Hunting field Thomas Lord Berkley Thomas Lord Lucy Peter Lord Morley the Fifth Reginald Lord Cobham Reginald Lord Grey John Lord Willoughby of Eresby Roger Lord Chandos John Lord Charleton William Lord Zouch of Harringworth John Lord Bardolph William Lord Deincourt John Lord Tibetot John Lord Fitz-Walter Walter Lord Fauconbridge William Lord Greystock William Lord Dacres Thomas Lord Musgrave Thomas Lord Bradestan John Lord Grey of Rotherfield John Lord Grey of Codonore John Lord Darcy of Knayth Roger Lord Mortimer of Wigmore Robert Lord Colvile Bartholomew Lord Burwash Senior Guy Lord Brian Nicolas Lord Seimour Geoffry Lord Say. Michael Lord Poynz John Lord Beauchamp of Somerset John Lord Beauchamp of Warwickshire William Lord Ferrers John Lord Lisle of Rugemont Nicolas Lord Cantilupe John Lord Furnival Nicolas Lord Burnel Edward Lord Montague Thomas Lord Vghtred Robert Lord Scales Henry Lord Scroop John Lord Cobham Thomas Lord Braose James Lord Audley Thomas Lord Holland Bartholomew Lord Burwash Junior Warden of the Cinque-Ports On the p Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgement p. 81. c. Monday aforesaid the Parliament being met Proclamation was made in Westminster-Hall that the Three-Estates warned thereto might take their ease from Wednesday until Friday then ensuing On which Friday Sr. William Shareshull the Lord Chief Justice shew'd that the Assembly was called for that the Staple should be removed from beyond the Seas and appointed within the Realm But for that we shall refer the Reader to the Statute of the
that when the Scots within the Town heard how King Edward himself was coming to its Relief they dismantled the Walls set fire on the Town and so fled away with all the Spoil they had gotten However King d Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 955. Edward being now repossessed of the Place leaves behind him sufficient Hands both for the Defence thereof and to repair what was wanting in the Fortifications and himself in e Knighton p. 2611. three Great Battails marches forth into Scotland resolving f Buchan l. 9. p. 304. now to bring that Realm to terms of Agreement or to reduce them so low that He should never after stand in doubt of their Rebellion While he was at Roxborough Edward Bailiol King of Scotland considering g M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c 230. how God Almighty wrought graciously and miraculously for King Edward and being also wearied with so long contending for little more than the Empty name of a King which of himself he was not able to maintain reflecting likewise that himself was now well gone in Years and had no Child to leave the Kingdom to upon these thoughts he concluded it wholly vain to labour any longer and therefore coming unto Roxborough by his Charter of Resignation he submitted the Crown of Scotland and all the Right Title and Interest that ever he had or might have thereto unto King Edward of England and his Heirs for ever only out of this Grant h Speed p. 581. he reserved to himself an annual Pension of 2050 pounds to be paid unto him during his Natural Life And he earnestly beg'd that he would now pursue his own quarrel to the utmost and i Buchan l 9. p. 304. not forget those manifold Injuries which the Scots had done unto them both This Solemn k Hâ—lâ—â—sh Engl. Chron. p. 955. Resignation King Bailiol confirmed by his Letters Patents made and given under his Hand and Seal and bearing Date 25 Januarii Ano. Domini 1356 which he deliver'd with his own hands to King Edward of England in sight of all the Lords both of England and Scotland there present Thô King Edward bearing a particular Love for his Third Son born but Second living Prince Lionel l Knighton p. 2611. n. 22. according to some accepted the Kingdom for him he to hold it by Homage now of Him and hereafter of his Elder Brother the BLACK-PRINCE and his Heirs For so says Knighton that King Bailiol resign'd all the Right which He claim'd to the Crown of Scotland to the Lord Lionel Son to the King of England Thô others say that King Edward not only received the Realm of Scotland to his own behoof but also soon after took upon him the Royalties thereof being at Scone in Presence of all the Prelates Lords and other great Men of both Nations m M. S. Vâ—t Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. Crowned King of Scotland But We dare not averr so much our selves because We never find him to use the Title or any other way to signifie such a Matter II. However while King Edward and the Bailiol tarried at Roxborough Earl Douglas and many n Knighton p. 2611. n. 27. ad n. 50. of the Chief Nobles of Scotland came to him and treated with him as if they design'd to submit to his Peace and a Day was appointed for a full and final Agreement In order to which the King allow'd them 8 days Respite But the mean while these perfidious People convey'd the best of their Moveables beyond the Scottish Sea and then William Douglas sent word to the King That he would never submit himself to his Peace while he lived King Edward being thus again deluded marched forth with his Army divided into three Great Battails burning and destroying the Country on each side round about him as he passed till he came to Haddington But the Scots had removed out of the way all sorts of Provision so that for 15 days together the English could get no Drink but fresh Water wherefore they were obliged to return But the Scots were always ready both on their flank and Reer to cut off whosoever went forth from the main Host to forage While King Edward tarried at Haddington waiting for his Navy wherein the Provisions for his Army were his Men of War were not idle but ravaged about in the Country at their Pleasure doing much mischief to the Enemy but little good to themselves For there was neither Spoil to be met with of any Worth nor Victuals in any Quantity and Drink as We said before none but Water All that was good for any thing being carried away or consumed by the Scots The mean while the Northern Navy under the Command of the Lord o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 26. Robert Morley their Admiral suffer'd great Damage at Sea for whether it was because they had spoil'd a Church of our Lady near Haddington called White-Kirk p Hector l. 15. fol. 326. n 6. Buchan l. 9. p. 304. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 955. as was said or for any other cause or by chance there arose such a Tempest and Vehement North-wind that many of their Vessels rushing together and beating rudely against the Banks and Sands were cast away with most of the Men and Provisions within them and the whole Fleet received much Damage being scatter'd so that hardly three Ships came into one Haven together For Displeasure whereof say the Scotch Writers King Edward fell to ravaging again and abundantly powred out his Anger upon Edinburgh Haddington and other Towns of Louthian Nor will I dissemble that he is here also said to have made terrible havock of Holy Places sparing it seems neither Church Abbey nor any other Religious House as if says Hector he was minded to make War against God and all his Saints But for this I must beg Hector's pardon if I do not so readily believe it partly because his Credit is not very great as We have frequently seen and partly because Buchanan says no such thing as also because that humour was contrary to King Edwards disposition who as Hector says thô falsly in one point slew his own Brother John of Eltham for the same sacrilegious humour and we have instanced more than once in this our History that he hath hanged several of his own Men for setting fire to Churches or Monasteries and lastly not to take Notice of Hector's superstitious humour I believe it not because of that notable Success which followed his Arms this Year in France and elsewhere as we shall shew presently However this is certain the King of England left at this time such Marks of his Resentments in those parts that because this Desolution happen'd about the Feast of the Purification of our Lady and so many Towns and Villages were fired by the English The Scots ever after q Hector ibid. sed ibi bruit malè pro brunt brunt pro burnt called it
his Company On the Third Day he rode to Canterbury where also he stayed for some time and here the French King and the Prince of Wales made their Offerings at the famous Shrine of St. Thomas Becket The mean while King Edward being informed of the Arrival of his Son with the French King in his Company d Speed p. 582. gave Command to Sr. Henry Picard then Lord Mayor of London to make ready the City Pageants and to prepare for the Reception of King John with all their Formalities in the most honourable Manner that might be And now Prince Edward rode from Canterbury to Rochester from thence the next day to Dartford and the day after to London whither he came on the 24 of May being the Wednesday before Whitsunday and was met in Southwark by more than a Thousand of the Chief Citizens on Horseback King John being clothed in Royal Apparel was mounted on a large White e Ita Meâ—erâ—y ad aâ—n 1378. where Charles King of France had an Enterview with Charles the Emperour He entertained him says he with all the magnificence imaginable paid him all manner of Respects but such as denote Sâ—veraignty c. And at his Entrance into Paris the King affected to be mounted on a white Hâ—rse and order'd a â—â—â—k one for the Emperour Courser in token of Soveraignty and to be the more Remarkable the Generous Prince of Wales riding by his side on a little black Hobby as one that industriously avoided all suspicion of a Triumph They took their way over London Bridge and rode directly for Westminster and in all the Streets as they passed the Citizens of London set to publick View all their Riches as Plate Tapestry and the like in honour of the French King but especially they f Knighton p. 2615. n. 19. boasted of their Warlike Furniture and exposed that Day in their Shops Windows and Belconies such an incredible Quancity of Bows and Arrows Shields Helmets Corslets Breast and Back-Pieces Coats of Mail Gauntlets Vambraces Swords Spears Battle-axes Harness for Horses and other Armour both Offensive and Defensive that the like had never been seen in Memory of Man before The g Walsingh hist p. 164. Hyâ— p. 124. Speed p. 182. Concourse of People that came from all parts to behold this rare Spectacle was so great that the Solemnity of the Cavalcade held from Three of the Clock in the Morning till High-noon about which time the Prince got to Westminster-Hall where he presented unto the King his Father then sitting in Great Majesty on a Royal Throne the Person of King John his Prisoner King Edward could not long retain the Severe Majesty of a Conquerour for when the French King had humbled himself with such a serious thô Manly Submission as became his present Fortune he was immediately touch'd with a due Consideration of the Instability of his own Affairs by the instance of so great a Prince whom now he beheld in so low a Condition and so rising hastily from his Throne he h Mezeray p. 49 ad 〈◊〉 ann Caressed him with as much Honour and Respect as if he had only come to give him a Visit And the Father and the Son did so exactly resemble each other as well in Generosity as Valour that King Edward being now fully acquainted with the Particulars of his Sons humble Deportment after the Battle of Poictiers declared that he was more sincerely satisfied therewith than at the Victory it self Nor did that Great King make use of this solemn Entrance of his Royal Captive as a Matter of his own Triumph but rather of a devout Procession For i Polyd. Virg. l. 19 p. 381. n. 42. by his Order that very Day the Clergy of London came forth with their Crosses and singing Anthems to meet the Prince and after that for two Days together publick Supplications and Prayers with Thanksgivings were celebrated thrô the Cities of London and Westminster That Day King Edward treated the French King his Son Philip and the rest of the Noble Captives at a Princely Rate and order'd for the King an Apartment of his own Court to lodge in for the Present till the Savoy should be prepared for him being at that time a most splendid and magnificent Structure belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster and so called k Pol. Virg. p. â—82 n. 3. Speed l. 539. from its first Founder Peter Earl of Savoy Father to Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury who was Uncle to Eleanor King Henry the Third his Queen To this Palace soon after he was convey'd and there Honourably attended King Edward himself his Queen and the Prince giving him frequent Visits and devising all the ways they might both to Honour and Comfort him But nothing is perfectly agreeable while Liberty is wanting and therefore thô King John could not expect either more Diversion or more Respectfull Behaviour in the Court of his Brother in Law the Emperour yet something hung upon his mind which was not possible for him to shake wholly off till he should find himself at his own dispose 'T is said l Pol. Virgil. l. 19. p. 382. that when the King of England and his Son having often observed such a cloud of sorrow to obscure much of that serenity which was expected from him at those Princely Diversions wherewith they entertain'd him asked him thereupon to lay aside all Melancholy Care and sorrowfull thoughts he made this Answer with a smile m Psalm 137. v. 5. Quomodo Cantabimus Canticum in Terrâ alienâ i. e. How shall we sing a Song in a strange Land Thus was King John and his Son and the Chief of the Captive Nobles of France entertain'd in England n Pol. Virg. ibid. of the other Prisoners some were presently released upon King John's security in their behalf and the rest were severally bestow'd in safe Custody II. While things went thus in England Henry Duke of Lancaster lay at the Siege before Rennes in Bretagne which he had begun on the o Mezeray ad hunc annam Third of December in the preceding Year and had made many Assaults but to little purpose as yet the Place was so well defended For within was a good Garrison set there by the Lord Charles of Blois under the Viscount of Rouën the Lord de Laval Sr. Charles du Digne and others There p Frois c. 175. sol 87. was also in Rennes at this time a Valiant young Batchelour a Knight of Bretagne called Sr. Bertram du Clequin who soon after became a most Renowned Captain and was at length sirnamed the Restorer of France During this Siege there passed a Challenge between this Sr. Bertram and a young Baron of England named Sr. Nicolas Dagworth a Valiant Son of that Valiant Lord Thomas Dagworth of whose Actions and Life and Death we have already spoken The manner of the Combat was to run Three Courses with a Spear to strike Three Blows
the Pomp and Magnificence of this Famous Entertainment set forth as well King Edwards Greatness as any other Grandeur of State whatsoever But King John who expected by an high Ransom to pay something toward these vast Profusions said merrily b M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. ibid. That he never saw nor knew such Royal Shews and Feastings without some after Reckoning for Gold and Silver And we find that about the same time he made use of one shift to raise Mony for it was now set forth by Proclamation c Dugd. Warw. p 647. â— â—â— Pat. 32. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 25. that all such the Kings Subjects as were possessed of Lands or Rents to the Value of 40 s. should appear before the King there to receive the Order of Knighthood if he should so think fit under Penalty of being fined according to the Law And among others it is recorded that Richard Bermingham of Bermingham in Warwickshire paid a Fine of 10 l. for his Pardon because he did not obey the Proclamation II. A little before this the d Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc annum § 3. ex Tom. 6. Epist secret p. 6. Pope being concerned at the intestine Troubles of France and finding that the Presence of the King was necessary to allay them sent the two Cardinals of Perigort and St. Vitalis with Letters to the Dauphin bearing Date at Avignon VIII Kal. Januarii An o Pontificatûs VI. Wherein he admonished him to use his utmost Endeavours speedily to redeem his Father to compose all Civil Discords and to attend to the Cardinals Advice in those Matters The mean while King Edward e Knighton p. 2618. n. 10. as soon as the Solemnity at Windsor was over removed his Court to London and there began to treat so seriously with King John that all Men believed a Perpetual Peace would now take place between them Yet it was long before Matters could be brought to any tolerable Issue For King Edward f Da Serres c. required Homage of King John for the Realm of France as holding it of Him whose Right it was and upon this Condition he proffer'd him his Liberty and a perpetual Friendship But King John who had not lost either his Courage or Honour by this Adversity made this resolute Answer That he intended whatever came of it to leave the Realm of France free and entire to his Children as he had received it from his Fathers That Affliction might well engage his Person but not the inviolable Rights of his Crown nor the Liberty of that Country where he had the honour to be Born and over which neither the Imprisonment nor Death of any single Person had such Influence especially as to him who should always reckon his Life well laid down for the Immortal Preservation of France This Generous Magnanimity of King John gave King Edward occasion not only to commiserate his Calamity but also more tenderly to respect and honour him as a Person worthy of a better Fortune So that at last especially because his Dearest Son the Prince of Wales had promised unto him both in his Tent the Night of the Battle and afterwards at Bourdeaux that Peace and Concord should take place as much as in him lay if by any means he might prevail with his Father the King being willing to do his Son Honour yielded to more easie Conditions of Peace at least such as seemed so to King John who declared he was ready to pay any Summ of Mony as should be demanded but to subject the Crown of France to any Other that he should never yield to for all the Terrours imaginable So it was agreed g Holinsh Eng. Chron. p. 963. Matt. Villani l. 8. c. 51. l. 9. c. 9. That the whole Countries of Gascogne and Guienne Poictou Touraine Saintogne Perigort Quercie Limosin Angoulmois Ponthieu Boulonois Guisnes and Calais should remain wholly and entirely to the King of England and his Heirs for ever without any Homage or Duty paying therefore And in lieu thereof King Edward to renounce for Him and his Heirs all his Right to the Title and Crown of France as also his Claim which by any manner of Means he might have to the Dukedom of Normandy the Earldoms of Anjou and Maine The King of France being moreover to pay unto the King of England for his Ransom h Ita Authentica Articulerum copia Church-hill's Divi Britan. p. 242. Fabian p. 240. c. Three Millions of Crowns of Gold which amounts to 500000 l. Sterling Whereof 600000 Crowns to be laid down presently 400000 the Year after and the Remainder the next two Years following And that Fourteen of the Chief Nobility of France should lie as Hostages in England till the whole Summ is paid which done King John to be set at Liberty and honourably conveyed into his own Country These Articles were sent over to Avignon to be confirmed and ratified by the Pope and also to the Dauphin to be by him communicated to the Three Estates the success whereof we shall shew in due Place And so the two Cardinals who had now been more than a Year in England took their leave and went home again having the Kings safe Conduct as far as to Calais This Agreement between the two Kings was established by Oaths interchangeably made and with their mutual Kissing each Other and the Fame thereof was spread all about but however on one side or other Sincerity was supposed to be wanting Those Writers i Vid. Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 3. that favour the French Interest lay the blame upon King Edward saying that when he beheld the Commotions in France he did his utmost to foment them that so he might subject the Realm unto himself and that he might fling the Odium of the Breach upon the French he k Matt. Villani l. 8. c. 101. contrived to hinder them from raising the Mony which was to be paid ready down and that he secretly assisted the King of Navarre with Men to enable him the more to embroil that Kingdom But all this we shall easily prove to be the Invention of Malice or Mistake For as to the stopping of the Mony 't is l Knighton p. 2618. n. 56. c. affirmed by good Authority That soon after the Departure of the Cardinals there came certain Persons from France with m Forte esset 6 cent Mill. ut suprd twelve hundred thousand Crowns in Part of Payment for their Kings Ransom But King Edward refused the Mony for that they had not brought the Hostages with them as it had been agreed They in their Defence answer'd that a great Part of France was ravaged by the English contrary to the Form and Nature of the Agreement that the People of France durst not go to their own Houses The King told them that such Englishmen who tarried in France after the Agreement made were Outlaws Felons Murderers Theeves
to this Point may refer themselves to the Authors quoted in the Margin of this latter part of the Chapter CHAPTER the FOURTH The CONTENTS I. AN. DOM. 1359. An. Regni Franciae XX. Angliae XXXIII A Method of Agreement pitch'd upon by the two Kings but rejected by the French Parliament whereupon King Edward resolves for War. II. St. Valery yielded up to the French. Prince Philip coming too late to its Rescue hardly gets off well III. Sr. Peter Audley attempts Chalons but gains little IV. The Earl of Roucy taken by the Navarrois a second time V. Melun besieged but the Quarrel is ended by the Reconciliation of the King of Navarre and the Regent VI. The Lord Eustace Dambreticourt taken Prisoner by the French. VII A strange Judgment upon a 〈◊〉 for Sacrilege VIII The Garrisons of the Navarrois decline suddenly IX Vpon the Death of Sr. Peter Audley Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt is redeemed by the English Navarrois and made their Captain X. Sr. Robert Knolles his Expedition he retires being overmatched Submits to the King and obtains his Pardon XI The Flemings revolt from King Edward XII A solemn Just held by King Edward his Four 〈◊〉 and Nineteen Great Lords in the name and stead of the Lord Mayor and Aldâ—râ—â—â— of London XIII John of Gaunt marries the Duke of Lancasters Daughter XIV King Edward chooses the place of his Sepulture in Westminster Abbey I. NOW on the Feast of St. John Baptist or the 24th of June the Truce between England and France which from the Battle of Poictiers had been continued till then with expectation that a full Peace should be established thereby was wholly a Frois c. 2â—1 f. 107. â— expired And thereupon all the Garrisons in France as well Navarrois as English began to make War in the Title of King Edward as before most of them had done in the Title of the King of Navarre who was now again outwardly reconciled to the Dauphin But least any way should be left untir'd for the prevention of those Miseries which are necessarily attendant upon War. Some Months before the Expiration of the said Truce King b 〈◊〉 f. ibid. Dâ— Chesne p. 681. D. 〈…〉 lyd 〈…〉 19 p. 3â—3 Edward with his Son the Black-Prince and King John with the Lord James of Bourbon held a friendly Treaty at London between themselves only Where at last a Peace was consented to and agreed on between both the Parties on these Conditions viz. 1. That Aquitain should remain entirely to King Edward and his Heirs for ever together with Gascogne Poictou Touraine Santogne Perigort Quercy Limosin Angoulesmois Calais Guisnes Boulonois and the Earldom of Ponthieu without any Resort or Homage or Tribute to be paid therefore even as Absolutely as he held his Kingdom of England 2. Item That King John should pay four Millions of Crowns of Gold for the Ransom of Himself and the other French Lords Prisoners that is to say three Millions for Himself and the Fourth for the Lords of France In Consideration of all which King Edward would give over and wholly remit all his Right in and to the Dutchy of Normandy Anjou and Maine and renounce and lay aside the Right which he had to that Crown and never after take upon him the Stile Quality or Title of King of France This Agreement was Signed and Sealed by both the Kings on the 24 of March and a Copy thereof sent into France to the Duke of Normandy by the Lord James of Bourbon and the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan which latter was still a Prisoner and lately before returned into England having obtained leave to visit France upon Parole These Lords crossing the Seas landed at Boulogne whence they rode to Paris where they found the Duke of Normandy and his Council together with the King of Navarre unto whom they produced King Johns Letters The Regent having perused them asked Counsel of the King of Navarre who remitted him to the Three Estates who being assembled it seem'd unto them that the Conditions of the Agreement were too grievous to be born whereupon with one Voice the King of Navarre and the Dauphin also concurring they returned this final Answer unto the two Lords That the Contents of the Letters which they had brought were so prejudicial to them and to their Country that they had much rather endure far greater misery than they had already done than ever suffer so considerable a loss and empairment of the Realm of France and that they could not either in Honour or Conscience desire the Liberty of their King himself when it could not be effected without Enslaving the Kingdom When this Answer was brought to King John into England he shook his Head for Anger and said Ah! Son Charles Son Charles You are lead by the King of Navarre who is too cunning for you and will deceive Fourty such as you are And therewithall turning to King Edward who was present he said Sir the fatal Obstinacy of my infatuated People is providing another Trophy for your Victorious Arms You must again shew them the Effects of War before they will understand the Advantages of Peace But thrice-unhappy I who cannot be at Liberty till I see my Subjects once more vanquished nor can oblige them to their Duty but by the Arms of my Conquerour King Edward was of himself sufficiently enraged at this Dealing of the French and sware that when the Truce was expired They should see War in the Bloodiest shape that he could dress it in Surely said he before next Winter be past over I shall invade the Realm of France with such a Power and shall tarry there so long that I will either end the War to my Satisfaction or make Peace to my Pleasure and Honour And then he sent Word to the Dauphin to look to Himself for when the Truce was out he would most certainly give him a Visit at Paris to see how able he was for a War which himself had thus pull'd upon his own Head. At which time he set about the greatest Preparations that ever he had made before in all his Life About which we shall now leave him for a while and resume somewhat of those Matters which we left unfinished in the preceding Year II. We then shew'd as we remember how the c Frois 〈◊〉 1â—â— f. 1â—4 Constable of France and the Earl of St. Paul with the Lords and Knights of Picardy Artois Ponthieu and Boulonois had sat down before St. Valery where they held a long and hard Siege and made many brisk Assaults employing at the same time Engines of Battery and other Instruments of War. Among other Chances that fell during this Siege it happen'd that the Lord of Baugency approaching the Castle one day in a Vessel to consider of its Strength that way was stricken with a Springal and slain Wherefore this Siege continued from the beginning of August 1358 untill March this Year the besiegers designing to reduce the Place by
the Bridge and the English Archers passed over on the Joists of the Bridge and shot so fiercely together that the Citizens began to despair of making good the Place much longer While the Skirmith lasted thus there came thither on the City side Sr. Otho de Granecy with four or fire Captains of Quality and 60 Men of Arms in his Company Immediately upon his coming being rightly informed of all things he march'd straight to the Bridge and display'd his Banner being very desirous to meet the Navarrois At l Frois c. 196. his coming the whole City was refreshed and followed his Banners gladly But when Sr. Peter Audley saw these Burgundians ready to assist the Citizens he retreated the same way he came and finding his Valets with the Horses in their expected Place he and his Men remounted without any Impediment and so return'd with small winnings to Beaufâ—râ— Castle Of their Retreat the Citizens of Châlons were heartily glad for they had been in a bodily Fear and thanked God and the Lord of Grancey also for the Good-will he had shewn them for which they made him an immediate Present of 500 Franks besides double Pay for a Month both for him and all his Men And then they desired Sr. John Sars who was there present and their Neighbour to come thither by such a time with so many Men to Counsel and Defend them To this their request he agreed for such and such Wages for himself and his Men and then he fell to Repair the Fortifications of the City where it needed the Charges whereof the Town paid IV. At the same time the Garrisons of Veilly and Roucy made among themselves a secret Rendezvous and went and took by Assault the Fortress of Sâ—ssone where they set a good Garrison consisting of several Nations Over all whom they made Chief Captain One Hanekin Francois a lewd barbarous Fellow of Colen on the River Rheyn He was a most bloody Putcher indeed not knowing any Mercy for those whom he overcame for he burnt and ravaged in the Country thereabouts putting to the Sword without any just quarrel or provocation Men Women and Children if they paid not such Ransoms as he asked Now it happen'd that the Earl of Roucy who mightily laid to heart the loss of his Town and Castle of Roucy which the Navarrois as we shew'd had taken from him the last Year apply'd himself so effectually to the French Knights and Esquires about him that at last he gat together an 100 Spears besides Fourty Men of Arms from the City of Laon and the Earl of Poreren the Lord Gerard of Corncy the Lord Montigny in Ostervandt and several other Persons of Quality in his Company These all riding toward Sâ—ssone found by the way certain Navarrois of the same Garrison who were burning of a Village and prepared to set upon them When Hanckin saw these new-Comers he commanded all his Men on Foot and placing the Archers in the Front began the Battle boldly At the first Brunt the Fourty Laonnois basely deserted their Friends and â—an away upon the Spur however the other Frenchmen stood still to their tackle and fought long and couragiously Yet Fortune was not for them for the Navarrois were far more Expert and at least equal to them in Number So that there the Earl of Rouer being sore wounded was again taken Prisoner this being the second time he was so served within the space of less than a Year and with him were taken the Lord Gerard of Coincy the Lord of Montigny in Hainalt and many others the rest except a very few that fled being slain in Battle V. Not long m Frois c. 197. after the yielding up of St. Valery in that manner as we have related the Duke of Normandy sent three Thousand Spears besides others to go and lay Siege to Melun on the Seyne which was then held by the Navarrois This Army was commanded in Chief by the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and with him were the Earl of St. Paul the Lord Ingleram de Coucy the Bishop of Troye the Lord Broquart of Fenestrages a Lorrainer Sr. Peter du Barre and Sr. Philip of Dormois and others who came and sat down before Melun There were then present in the Place three Queens two of them being Queen-Dowagers of France namely Jane formerly Consort to King Charles the Fair and Aunt to the King of Navarre and Blanch late-Consort of King Philip de Valois and Sister to the King of Navarre and the Third was the Queen of Navarre her self Sister to the Duke of Normandy The Navarrois themselves were not a little surpriz'd when they beheld the Place fâ—rmally Besieged by so considerable an Army But the Three Queens were extreamly affrighted at the Engines and Springalls which being brought thither from Paris play'd upon the Fortress continually Wherewith together with the frequent Assaults the Ladies were so terrified that they desired at any rate to be rid of that trouble whatever it should cost the King of Navarre their Kinsman and earnestly entreated the Captains who were the Lord James Pipe and Sr. Hugh Calverley English Natives to yield up the Place But they comforted the Ladies all they could and told them how they had no need to fear any thing for within a few days they should see the Siege happily Raised For said they the King of Navarre who is now at Vernon and Prince Philip his Brother have sent us word that they have gather'd a great Army about Mante and Meulan and will shortly bring them hither to raise the Siege and that rather than fail they would drain all their Garrisons for that purpose On the other side the Duke of Normandy who knew all this to be true entertain'd in his pay Souldiers from all Parts whom daily he sent to reinforce the Siege at Melan So that in all probability it must have come to a bloody Battle each Party sending their utmost strength that way But that the Cardinals of Perigort and St. Vitalis being assisted by other well-disposed Personages on either Part laboured now so effectually that at last they obtain'd a temporary Truce between the Parties in order to the carrying on of a Treaty at Vernon Thither on a day appointed came the Duke of Normandy and his Council and the King of Navarre with his Brother Philip and his Council In short there was now a Peace made between these two Princes the King swearing for the future to be true to the Crown of France and the Duke obliging himself to pardon 300 Knights althô yet some few were excepted from the Peace whom the Duke would not Pardon by any means But Prince Philip of Navarre would not concern himself about this Peace but rated the King his Brother smartly telling him how he was enchanted with these Flattering Overtures and proved very forgetfull of the King of England's Favours to whom he was by Oath and Covenant engaged and who had always shew'd himself
Knighton ibid. Du Chesne p. 682. Guil. Paradin Annal. de Bourgogne l. 2. p. 345. seven Weeks all which time he never offer'd to attack the Place For he knew well it would have been either wholly in vain or very expensive of his Subjects Blood. But by this time being wearied out with this tedious way especially because Forage was so difficult to be got that his Men began to lose their Horses and to want Victuals themselves he resolved now to rise from before the Place and marched forth in good Order the way that leadeth to Châlons in Champagne which passing by he proceeded toward Troyes and encamped about Mery sur Seyne all his Host covering the Face of the Country for above 8 Leagues together While the King lay here the Constable went with the Vantguard to attempt St. Florentin where Sr. Edward Renty was Captain but after a great Assault made in vain he gave it over About which time the King came up to him and departed thence to Tonnerre in Burgundy which City he took by Assault but the Castle he could not win For the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France and Sr. Baldwin Danequin Master of the Crossbows were there in Garrison with a great Number of chosen Men. But because the King found here 3000 Vessels of Wine he was pleased to tarry there five whole Days to refresh his Army in which time thô he gave many Assaults to the Castle he was yet never the nearer Thence passing over the River Armancon he refused the way on the Right Hand and went a little declining to the Left to Noyers which he took without any Assault for their Lord and Captain was still a Prisoner in England ever since the Battle of Poictiers Thence n Frois Holinsh Ashmole p. 660. c. he marched to Mont-Real and so to Avallon on the River Cousson where he tarried from Ashwednesday to Midlent because of the great Opportunity he found thereabout of receiving Supplies of Provision for his Army from a valiant English Esquire named John Argentine who bore for his Arms Azure an Escutcheon of Pretence Argent This Man had won the Town of Flavigny not far thence wherein he found sufficient Provision of all Sorts to serve the whole Army for a Month and accordingly he constantly supplied the King therewith Besides which his Marshals and Van-currours overran the Country wasting and ravaging all about and they also brought in much prey daily During the Kings stay here namely on the 26 of February o Lit. Dom. ED. Pascha 5 April being the Thursday in Quadragesima there departed this Life at the Town of Rouvray on the Coussin near Avallon in Burgundy the Noble and Valiant Young Lord Roger Mortimer Earl of March and Constable of the English Army leaving behind him one onely Son named Edmund then about nine Years of Age Upon whose Death we find p Rot. Franc. 34. Ed. 3. m. 45. vid. Ashmole's Garter p. 695. p. 692. that the King made the Lord John Beauchamp Brother to the Earl of Warwick Constable of the Army as also of Dover-Castle and of the Cinque-Ports the Letters Patents bearing Date apud Avallon in Burgundiâ Primo Martiâ— IV. Now the q Frois c. 210. f. 103. b. King and his Chief Lords had with them in this Expedition as we said before besides the usual Carriages Hand-Mills to grind their Corn Ovens to bake Bread Meat or Pasties Spits and Cauldrons to roast or boil and Forges to make Shoes for their Horses And over and above all this there were brought in Carts a sort of little Boats made artificially of Leather every one being able to hold Four Men to row on Ponds or in Rivers and to fish in them at their Pleasure Which Device proved both pleasant and very convenient to the Lords of England during the season of Lent. The King had also for his Diversion thirty Faulconers on Horseback with Hawks and sixty Couple of Hounds and as many Grey-hounds besides those Hawks and Hounds which his Sons and the Chief of the Nobility had wherewith they hunted and hawked by the River at their Pleasure And during all this Expedition from the time they left Calais till their coming to Chartres where the famous Treaty for Peace was set on foot the whole Army was divided into three Great Battalia's every Battalia subdivided into three Bodies each whereof lodged a-nights well-nigh a League from each other The Duke r Knighton p. 2623. n. 50. Matt. Villani l. 9. c. 85. p. 559. c. of Lancaster and the Earls of Northampton and Salisbury were in the first Great Battail the King Himself in the Second and the Black-Prince with his Three Brethren in the Last V. While King Edward lay thus at Avallon Å¿ Frois ibid. Paradin Annales de Bourgogne l. 2. p. 346. Mezer. Holinsh p. 965. Fabian p. 238. Speed Matt. Villani l. 9. c. 82. 84. p. 557. c. Philip the young Duke of Burgundy by Advice and at the Request of all the Country sent unto him in order to a Treaty Sr. Anselme de Saulieu Chancellour of Burgundy Sr. John de Vienne who had defended Calais so worthily against King Edward and Sr. Hugh de Vienne his Brother Sr. John Derie Sr. William de Thoraise and Sr. John de Mont-martin These Lords found King Edward in so good an Humour that they presently obtained this Composition That the King of England giving Security for Himself and all his Subjects not to ravage rob or commit any Hostilities within the Territories of Burgundy for the space of three Years then following in Lieu whereof the Duke should pay unto the King in ready Money the Summ of t De hac Summà variant Autheres Knighton Da Chesne Froi 200000 Motons Mat. Villani 100000 Motons Paradin 200000 Florens Walsingh M. S. vet Angan Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. 70000 Florens Paul. Aâ—â—yl 100000 numm 〈◊〉 â—elyd 〈…〉 non 〈…〉 sed 〈…〉 Speed. altiâ—ae meâ—â—â— sentiunt 200000 Florens of Gold which amounts to 35000 l. Sterling Besides which the Burgundians were to administer to the King and his People whatever Provision of Victuals or other things they wanted for their Money Some suppose n Matt. Villani l. 9 c. 82. 84. p. 557. 558. that the Burgundians having little Love at this time for the House of France and verily believing that King Edward would attain the Crown of that Realm entred a Secret Alliance with him on Condition that then the Duke of Burgundy should be the First Peer of France However when this Agreement between the King and the Duke was sealed and engrossed and mutual Security given the King of England decamped from before Avallon intending directly for Paris and so he passed the River of Yonne at Coulogne beside Vezelay and the Army spread along by the River almost to Clamecy at the Entry of Nivernois Which x Mezeray ad hinâ— ann
Countries Isles and Places above-named that they obey the King of England and his Heirs at their certain Commandment in such sort as they have obeyed the Kings and the Crown of France q This Clause added out of King Johns Recapitulation of the Articles And by the same their Letters shall acquit and discharge them in the best manner that may be of all Homages Fealties Oaths Obligations Subjections and Promises in any sort by any of them made to the King and Crown of France 8. Item It is agreed that the King of England shall have the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countreys Isles and Places above-named with all their Appurtenances and Appendages wheresoever they shall be to hold to him and to his Heirs and Successors Hereditably and for ever in Demain that which the Kings of France have had there in Demain and also in Fiefs Services Soveraignties or Resorts that which the Kings of France have had there in such manner Saving notwithstanding what was said above in the Article of Calais and Merk And if of the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles and Places above-named or any of the Soveraignties Rights Mere and Mixt Empire Jurisdictions and Profits whatsoever which any King of England did there hold or their Appurtenances and Appendages whatsoever any Alienations Donations Obligations or Charges have been made by any of the Kings of France which have been for the Time within Seventy Years past by whatsoever Form or Cause it be that all such Donations Obligations or Charges are now at this time and shall be henceforth made void repeal'd abolished and annihilated and all things so given alienated or charged shall really and de facto be restored and delivered to the said King of England or to his Special Deputies in the same entire Condition they were to the Kings of England before or since the said 70 Years without Fraud or Deceit so soon as may be and at the farthest by the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing within one Year To be held by the said King of England and all his Heirs and Successors for ever by Right of Inheritance in manner above-written Except what is said before in the Article of Ponthieu which shall remain in Force and saving and excepting all those things given and alienated to Churches which shall remain peaceably in all the Countries here above and under named Provided that the Rectors of the said Churches shall diligently pray for the said Kings as for their Founders wherewith their Consciences are charged 9. Item It is agreed that the King of England shall have and hold all the Cities Towns Castles and Countries above-named which anciently the Kings of England did not hold in the same state and manner as the King of France or his Children hold them at present 10. Item It is agreed that if within the Bounds of the said Countries which did anciently pertain to the Kings of England there shall be any Places which otherwise belonged not to the Kings of England but were possessed by the King of France at the day of the Battle of Poictiers which was the 19 Day of September in the Year One Thousand three Hundred Fifty and Six they shall be and remain to the King of England and his Heirs in manner as before 11. Item It is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for themselves and for their Heirs and all the Kings of France and their Successors for ever shall without deceit as soon as may be and at the furthest by the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing in one Year render and deliver unto the King of England and to all his Heirs and Successors and shall convey unto them all the Honours Regalities Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognisances Oaths Rights Mere and Mixt Empire all manner of Jurisdictions high and low Resorts Safeguards Dominions and Soveraignties which did pertain or do pertain or might any ways pertain to the Kings and Crown of France or to any other Person because of the King or Crown of France at any time in those Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles and Places above-named or in any of them and in their Appurtenances and Appendages whatsoever or in any of the Persons Vassals or Subjects whatsoever whether Princes Dukes Earls Vicounts Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of the Church Barons Nobles and others whatsoever without retaining in them or reserving any thing to Themselves their Heirs or Successors to the Crown of France or to any other Person whatsoever Whereby they their Heirs or Successors or any King of France may challenge or demand any thing in time to come of the King of England his Heirs and Successors or of any of the Vassals and Subjects aforesaid in regard of the Countries and Places above-named So as all the above-named Persons and their Heirs and Successors for ever shall be Liege-men and Subjects to the King of England and to his Heirs and Successors and that the King of England his Heirs and Successors shall Have and Hold all the Persons Cities Counties Lands Countries Isles Castles and Places above-named and all their Appurtenances and Appendages And the Premises shall remain unto them fully freely and for ever in their Dominion Soveraignty Obeisance Allegiance and Subjection as the Kings of France at any time ever had or held them And that the said King of England his Heirs and Successors shall have and hold for ever all the Countries above-named with their Appurtenances and Appendages and other Places specified before with all Franchise and perpetual Liberty as Sovereign and Liege-Lords as Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without recognising any Sovereign or doing any Obedience Homage Resort and Subjection and without doing in any time to come any Service or Recognisance to the Kings or to the Crown of France for the Cities Counties Castles Lands Countries Isles Places and Persons above-named or for any of them 12. Item it is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son shall Renounce expressly the said Resorts and Sovereignties and all the Right which they have and may have in all those things which by this present Treaty ought to belong to the King of England And likewise the King of England and his Eldest Son shall renounce expresly all those things which by this present Treaty ought not to be deliver'd to or abide with the King of England and especially the Name and Right of the Crown and Kingdom of France and the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dukedom of Normandy of the Dukedom of Tourain and of the Counties of Anjou and Maine the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dukedom of Bretagne the Sovereignty and Homage of the Country and Earldom of Flanders and all other Demands which the King of England hath made or could make against the King of France for whatsoever cause it may be saving and excepting what by this Present Treaty ought to remain or to be
both Us and our Heirs and Successors all that is in Demain in Demain and all that is in Fee in Fee by the Times and in the Manner hereafter specified that is to say the City Castle and County of Poictiers and all the Land and County of Poictou with the Fief of Thoüars and the Land of Belleville the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land and Country of Saintogne on both sides the River Charente with the Town and Fortress of Rochelle and their Appurtenances The City and Castle of Agen and the Country of Agenois the City and Castle of Poictiers and all the Country thereto belonging the City and Castle of Limoges and the Lands and Country of Limosin the City and Castle of Cahors and the Land and Country of Quercy the City Castle and Country of Tarbe the Land Country and Earldom of Bigorre the County Land and Country of Guare the City and Castle of Angoulesme and the County Land and Country of Angoulesmois the City and Castle of Rodes and the Land and Country of Rouvergue and if there be any Lords in the Dutchy of Guienne as the Earl of Foix the Earl of Armagnac the Earl of Lisle the Vicount of Carmaine the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Limoges or Others holding any Lands within the foresaid Bounds they shall do Homage and all other Services and Duties due and accustomed for their Lands and Places unto Us in like manner and form as they have done in time passed as We or any other Kings of England anciently have had And also Å¿ Å¿ Article 2. in the Town of Monstrevil upon the Sea we are to have as either We or other Kings of England in time past have had and in the Lands of Monstrevil our Brother of France promiseth to make a Declaration thereof unto Us as speedily as he can after his coming into France And also the County t t Article 3. of Ponthieu entirely save and excepted if any thing be alienated away by any of the Kings of England in time past whereby the said County and Appurtenances have been holden by other Persons than the French Kings neither our said Brother nor his Successors shall be obliged to render them unto Us. But if the said Alienations have been done by the French Kings for the time being without any Mean and our said Brother now have them in his Possession he shall leave them entirely to Us except that the French Kings have had them in Exchange for other Lands But if the Kings of England for the time being have alienated or conveyed any thing to any other Person than to the French Kings and they peradventure are now devolved into the hands of our said Brother then he shall not be obliged to restore them unto Us. He is also to render unto Us all such things as ought to pay any Homage to Us and to our Successors and if they owed not Homage unto Us and to our Successors then he shall put in a Tenant who shall do Us Service within a Year after he shall be departed from Calais Also u u Article 4. the Castle and Town of Calais the Castle Town and Lordship of Merks the Towns Castles and Lordships of Sangate Coulogne Ham Wale and Oye with the Lands Woods Marishes Rivers Rents Revenues Lordships Advousons of Churches and all other Appurtenances and Places lying within the Bounds and Limits following that is to say from Calais to the River before Graveling and also from the River that falleth into the great Lake of Guisnes as far as Fretun and thence along the Valley about Calculi-Hill enclosing that Hill and so to the Sea with Sangate and all its Appurtenances Also the x x Article 5. Castle Town and whole Earldom of Guisnes with all the Towns. Castles Forts Lands Places Homages Men Seignories Woods Forests and all Rights to them belonging as entirely as the Town of Calais of Merks and other Places before-named as well to obey Us as they have obeyed our said Brother or the Earl of Guisnes for the time being And that the Churches of the good People being within the Limitations of the said Earldom of Guisnes of Calais and Merk and of other Places abovesaid shall obey the King of England in like manner as they have obey'd either the King of France or the Earl of Guisnes All which things of Merk and Calais being contained in this present Article and the Article next preceding We to hold in Demain except the Heritage of the Churches which shall still remain entirely to the said Churches wheresoever they be and also except the Heritage of other People of Merk and Calais under the value of an 100 l. Land per annum of Money currant in that Country which Inheritances shall remain to them even to the Value abovesaid and under But the Habitations and Inheritances within the Town of Calais with their Appurtenances shall abide still to the Inhabitants And also in the Lands Towns and Earldom of Guisnes all their Demains shall still remain unto them except what hath been said before of the foresaid Limits and Bounds in the Article of Calais Also y y Article 6. all the Isles adjacent to the Lands Countries and Places before-named with all other Isles the which we held at the time of the said Treaty And it is agreed z z Article 7. that our said Brother and his Eldest Son should renounce all manner of Soveraignty Resort and Rights that he or either of them should have and that We shall hold them as his Neighbour without any Resort or Soveraignty to our said Brother or to the Realm of France and all the Right that our said Brother hath in the foresaid Things he yieldeth and conveyeth unto Us for ever And also it is agreed that We likewise and our said Son do expresly renounce all things that ought not to be granted unto Us by this Treaty and especially the Name Right and Title to the Crown of France and to the Realm and to the Homage and Soveraignty thereof as also to the Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy of the County of Touraine of the Counties of Anjou and of Maine and of the Sovereignty and Homage of the Dutchy of Bretagne except the Right of the Earl of Montford which he ought to have or might have in the Dutchy and Country of Bretagne the which we reserve and by express Words put clean out of this Treaty Saving that We and our said Brother when we come to Calais shall order that Matter by Advice of our Councils there as we hope so as to settle Peâ—ce and Concord between the said Earl of Montford and our Cousin the Lord Charles of Blois who challengeth and demandeth the Right to the Heritage of Bretagne And We renounce all other Demands that we do or may make whatsoever they be except such things aforesaid as ought to remain unto Us and to be deliver'd unto Us by Vertue
Damsels and Virgins Dehonestation of Married Women and Widows Burning of Towns Abbeys Mannors and Edifices Robberies and Oppressions a Disuse of the Roads and Ways Justice faileth the Christian Faith is waxen cold and Merchandise decayeth and so many other Mischiefs and horrible Deeds have ensued thereupon that the Numbers thereof cannot be said nor written Whereby those of our Realm and of other Realms in Christendom have sustained many Afflictions and Irreparable Losses Wherefore We considering and revolving the Evils aforesaid and how it is probable that Worser may follow in time to come and having great Pity and Compassion of our Good and Loyal People who so firmly and Loyally have bore themselves for so long a time in true Constancy and Obedience towards Vs by exposing their Bodies and their Goods to all Dangers without declining expences or charges whereof We ought to keep a perpetual Remembrance We have therefore several times yielded to a Treaty of Peace chiefly by means of the Honourable Fathers in God several Cardinals and Messengers of our Holy Father the Pope our Beloved and Faithfull the Abbot of Cluigny Father Simon de Langres Professor in Divinity Master of the Order of Fryars-Preachers and Hugh de Geneve Lord of Autun who were then with the said King of England in his Host and went and came so often between Charles our most Dear Eldest Son and between the said King of England our Brother and in sundry places held Treaties on the one Part and on the Other to Confer and Treat of a Peace between Vs who were then in England and the said King of England and the Realms of the One and of the Other And at last they assembled the Treaters and Procurators on the part of Vs and of our said Son for the Matters above written and the special Deputies Procurators and Treaters of our Nephew the Prince of Wales Eldest Son of the said King of England our Brother having Power and Authority from his said Father in that part at Bretigny near Chartres At which place it was conferred treated and accorded by the Treaters and Procurators of the One Part and of the Other concerning all the Discords Dissentions and Wars which We and the said King of England our Brother have had One against the Other The Which Treaty and Peace the Procurators of our Son for Vs and for Him and our said Nephew the Prince of Wales Eldest Son of the said King our Brother for his Father and himself sware on the Holy Gospels to hold and maintain And after that our said Son sware solemnly for Vs and for Himself and our said Nephew the Prince of Wales having Power thereto sware for his said Father our Brother and for Himself and We after these things thus done and unto Vs reported and declared considering that the said King of England our Brother had agreed and consented to the said Treaty and would hold keep and accomplish that and the Peace on his part the same Treaty and Peace being undertaken by advice and consent of sundry of our Blood and Lineage Prelates of Holy Church Dukes Earls as well Peers of France as others Clergy and Men of the Church Barons Knights and other Nobles Burgesses and other Wise Men of our Realm to appease the Wars and the Evils and Griefs aforesaid wherewith the People had been so hardly used rather than for our Deliverance to the Honour and Glory of the King of Kings and for Reverence of Holy Church of our Holy Father the Pope and of his said Messengers have consented and do consent unto and ratifie admit and approve thereof And whereas by the said Treaty and Peace We ought to deliver and resign and do give deliver and resign as is contained in our other Letters made therefore more fully unto our said Brother the King of England for ever for Him and his Heirs and Successors to hold perpetually and for ever all those things which follow in like manner as We and our said Son or any of our Ancestors Kings of France have held them in time past That is to say what is in Sovereignty to hold in Sovereignty and what in Demaine to hold in Demaine namely the City Castle and Earldom of Poctiers and all the Land and Country of Poictou also the Fief of Thoüars and the Land of Belleville the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land and Country of Sainctogne on this and on that side the Charente the Town and Castle of Rochelle and their appurtenances the City and Castle of Agen and the Land and Country of Agennois the City Castle and Earldom of Perigeux and the Land and Country of Perigort the City and Castle of Limoges and the Land and Country of Limosin the City and Castle of Cahors and all the Land and Country of Quercy the City Castle and Country of Tarbe the Land Country and Earldom of Bigorre the Earldom Land and Country of Gaure the City and Castle of Angoulesme and the Earldom Land and Country of Angoulesmois the City and Castle of Rodes and the Land and Country of Rouvergue and moreover that which the King of England or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Montrevil upon the Sea and its appurtenances Item the County of Ponthieu all entirely save and except according to the Tenor of the Article contained in the said Treaty which makes mention of the said County Item the Town and Castle of Calais the Town and Lordship of Merk the Towns Castles and Lordships of Sangate Coulogne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Woods Marishes Rivers Rents Lordships and other things contained in the said Article Item the Castle Town and Earldom of Guisnes all entirely with all the Lands Towns Castles Forts Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Fees and Rights according to the Tenour of the Article making mention thereof more fully in the said Treaty and the Isles adjacent to the Lands Countries and Places aforenamed together with all other Islands which the said King of England holdeth at present or held at the time of the said Treaty And whereas by the Form and Tenor of the said Treaty and Peace We and our said Brother the King of England owe and have promised by Faith and by Oath One to the Other and are bound We and our said Brother and our Eldest Sons aforesaid by obligation and promises by Faith and by Oath made on the One Part and on the Other certain Renunciations the One to the Other according to the Form and Tenor of two Articles contained among others in the said Treaty and Peace the Form whereof is this Item it is accorded that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for their Heirs and for all the Kings of France and their Successors as soon as may be and at the farthest by the Feast of St. Michael next coming in one Year without fraud or deceit shall render yield and deliver to the said King of
Pope and the Emperour And moreover they made a solemn Renuntiation to all Wars against each Other their Heirs and Successors Realms and Subjects to both which League and Renuntiation their Eldest and other Sons signed and divers of the Nobility on both Sides were sworn And then also a Proclamation issued forth from King Edward to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and to all other Captains of Towns Castles Forts c. held for the King in France for them to give Notice to all Places within their Command of this Peace and final Accord thus made between the two Kings After h Frois c. 213. all these Articles Letters and Commissions were made devised finished and deliver'd by the Advice and Consent of the Councils of England and France so that as to that Point both the Kings were well contented then they fell into a close Communication concerning the Lord Charles of Blois and the Lord John of Montford and their several Claims to the Dutchy of Bretagne for each pretended the whole and sole Right to that Heritage Some have been so bold in venting their Opinions as to say that King Edward and his Council were not over-warm in this Matter and surely in meer Policy he might well enough be supposed something cool For if now the Wars of Bretagne should be shut too there had been no Vent left for those many boistrous Troops which as yet lay in several Garrisons and upon their resigning those Fortresses must needs otherwise have filled England with Theeves and Robbers But certainly whoever impartially observes the honourable and sincere Practices of King Edward upon all Occasions and duly compares them with what relates to this Matter in the Articles and Letters foregoing will not so rashly attribute the ill Success of the Treaty of Bretagne to King Edwards Insincerity but rather to the Impracticableness of the Affair it self Since two such Valorous Young Princes had so fair a Pretence to so Noble a Dukedome that there could hardly remain any Prospect of deciding the Controversie without the Sword or the Death of one of the Parties But however it was when now upon Conference this New Treaty seem'd so hard to be brought to any good Issue Henry Duke of Lancaster who was a most valiant and expert Souldier but chiefly favour'd the Earl of Montford and wish'd his Advancement spake these words to the King of France in Presence of the King of England and the greater Part of both the Kings Councils Sir said he the Truce that was taken before Rennes between the Lord Charles of Blois and the Earl of Montford is not yet expired but is still to hold to the first Day of May next coming The King of England my Master here present by Advice of his Council and with Consent of my Lord the Prince his Son shall before that time send the Young Duke the Lord John of Montford with certain of his Council into France to your Majesty with full Power and Authority to confer and determine about the Right which the said Lord John ought to have as succeeding his Father in the Dutchy of Bretagne So then by You and your Council and by Ours together some agreeable Way may be taken between them for the better Security of which Affair I think it would be well to prolong the said Truce yet farther till the Feast of St. John Baptist next following According to this Device of the Dukes so it was done and concluded and the Truce relating to Bretagne prolonged to the Feast of St. John Baptist and then they fell to other Matters XX. And i Frois c. 213. f. 108. now that the Peace between England and France was fully confirmed King John was so elevated with the Assurance of Returning into his Country that he then first seem'd sincerely to rejoyce since his being taken Prisoner He shew'd unto King Edward such an hearty Good-Will that it appear'd plainly to have no mixture of Dissimulation and to his Nephew the Prince of Wales he declared all the endearing Signs of Royal Love and Affection that might be As also King Edward and his Son the Prince were exceeding Frank Generous and obligingly Open unto him These two Illustrious Monarchs who from this time till Death parted called themselves Brethren as a mutual remembrance of their Brotherly Amity gave now unto Four Knights of either Party such as chiefly in their stations had promoted this Peace 8000 Franks of Yearly Revenues for them and their Heirs for ever King John giving the said Summ to Four Knights of England and King Edward a like Revenue to Four Knights of France And at the same time because the Lands of St. Saviour le Vicount in Coutantine in Normandy were the King of Englands Right by a Deed of Gift and Sale from the Lord Godfry Harcourt deceased which Lands were not comprised in the Ordinance of the Treaty of Peace so that whoever held those Lands must do Homage therefore to the French King King Edward k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 503. now in respect of the many Laudable and Heroick Services of that Valiant and Renowned Knight the Lord John Chandos gave unto him and his Heirs for ever a Grant of the Baronies of St. Saviour le Vicount aforesaid of Daunvers and Dongeville as also of the Lands and Knights Fees of St. Mary de Montefarsellis and Romilly and of all other the Lands and Possessions of the said Godfry of Harcourt Which Princely Gift King John at the Request of King Edward confirmed now unto the said Lord John Chandos he doing Homage therefore unto him bating that Allegiance which he owed unto his Master the King of England And now when all the foresaid Agreements were as well made and devised and as firmly established as Human Wit could contrive so that it seem'd by reason of the sundry strict and solemn Engagements Counter-bonds and mutual Obligations between the two Kings and their Sons that the Peace would prove everlasting and when the Hostages were all come to Calais and the 400000 Crowns of Gold were paid down to the King of England and the remaining 200000 secured which was the First Payment then King Edward made a most Royal and Magnificent Supper for the French King within the Castle of Calais at which the Black-Prince and his Three Brethren Lionel John and Edmund with the Greatest Lords and Barons of England served the two Kings bare-headed After Supper the two Kings bad each other Good Night in the most Obliging Manner imaginable King Edward remaining still in the Castle and King John going to his Lodgings in the Town which had been prepared for him upon his being set at Liberty The next Morning l Fabian p. 243. being the 25 of October and a Sunday King John and all those who were to go with him took his leave of Calais and rode forth of the Town in the Forenoon King Edward himself conveying him a Mile onward of his Way and then the two Kings took
their Last Leave of each other with Kissings and Embracings King Edward return'd to Calais but John from that time left his Horse and would go by way of Pilgrimage on Foot to our Lady of Boulogne to pay his Vows for his Delivery the Prince of Wales and two of his Brethren Lionel and Edmund bearing him Company At Boulogne they were all received with great Joy by the Duke of Normandy who tarried there for them and after Dinner the French King and all the Great Princes and Lords of England and France there present went on Foot to the Church of our Lady where with great Devotion they made their Offerings and then returned to the Great Abby which was furnished to receive the French King and the Lords of England The next Day the King of France m Dr. Spencers M.S. Dr. Stillingfleets M.S. ubi C. piae Latt ita Dat. set forth sundry Commissions Proclamations Copies of the Peace and Renunciations all bearing Date at Boulogne 26 of October being of the same Nature with the Letters and Papers afore-mentioned and on that same Day the Prince of Wales and his Brethren with all their Company took leave of King John and return'd to Calais to the King their Father XXI As for King Edward now that he had so happily effected his Designs on the last of October he went on Board and set Sail for England with the Princes his Sons and the Hostages of France in his Company being Thirty of those Fourty mention'd in the XV Article only Lewis King Johns Son who then had but the Name of Earl was now lately by his Father made Duke of Anjou and Maine and John his Brother at that time Earl of Poictiers was now made Duke of Auvergne and Berry because the Earldom of Poictiers by Vertue of the Peace belonged to King Edward On the First of November early in the Morning the King of England landed safely at Dover and two Days after went to Canterbury where he made his Offerings at the Shrine of St. Thomas and return'd his Thanks to God for bringing his Wars to so happy a Conclusion He came not to London till the Ninth of November at what time he gave Command * Frois c. 113. ad fineâ—â— to all his Officers on certain Penalties that they should bear themselves kind and favourable to the Lords of France his Hostages and to the Burgesses of the Good Towns and all their Company and upon occasion to take their Part and defend them from all Affronts Injuries and Abuses whatsoever Which Command of the Kings was punctually observed so that the Frenchmen took their Preasure about the City and used Hunting and Hawking and rode into the Country to take the Air and went to Masks and Balls and visited the Ladies and Gentlewomen without any Controul they found the King so Courteous and Free unto them On the 27 of November the Pope directed his Letters Gratulatory to the King or France wherein he sets forth his own great Joy at the News of his happy Delivery advises him to cherish and observe the Peace with King Edward to respect the Clergy to follow Justice to defend the Poor to admit Sage and Prudent Persons to his Council to repress Pillagers and those who robbed both Church and State. The Copy of which Letter is to be seen n Odor Rainal ad hunc ann §. 4 in Odoricus Rainaldus bearing Date Aven V. Kal. Decemb Anno Pontificatús VIII XXII And now we have ended the most Remarkable Matters of this Great Year but we must not forget to shew how God Almighty usually tempers the Felicities of this Life with Losses and Afflictions as thô so happy and honourable a Peace was established with England several High and Noble Personages to her great Loss went now unto their latest Homes besides all those of the Nobility and Others who died by that strange Tempest before Chartres and besides the Lord Roger Earl of March whom we have already shewn to have departed this Life on the 26 of February at Rouvray in Burgundy On the o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 193. ex Escu 34 Ed. 3. n. 84. Leit Catal. Hen. p. 686. ubi tanen per errcrem dicâ—tur chiâ—sse ano. 1358. 24 of January there deceased in the English Army before Rheims the Noble and Valiant Lord John Vere Earl of Oxford Lord of Bolebec Lord and Baron of Samford and Lord High-Chamberlain of England in the 47 Year of his Age being succeeded in his Lands and Dignities by the Lord Thomas Vere his Eldest Son and Heir at that time 23 Years old So that 't is a Mistake in Walsingham and in Stow who for want of Judgment follows implicitly others Errors where Thomas Earl of Oxford is said to have died at this time whereas it should be John who was Father to Earl Thomas On the p Dugd. 1. Vol. p. 186. 16 of September there also died the High-born and Noble Lord William Bohun that Martial Earl of Northampton Lord High-Constable of England and Knight of the Garter who was younger Brother to Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex Knight also of the same Glorious Order and Son to Elisabeth the q Catal. Honor. p. 1071. Speed p. 552. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 183. Seventh Daughter of King Edward the First of England whose two Sisters by the same Daughter of King Edward were married the Eldest to James Butler the Fast Earl of Ormond of that Name from whom is descended the present Thrice-Noble Duke of Ormond and the Second Sister was married to Hugh Courtney First Earl of Devonshire Shortly r 15 Octobr. an 1361. vid. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 185. Catal. Honor. p. 1074. after his Brother Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex departed also this Life without Issue so that his Titles were added to Humfry Bohun Son and Heir of this William Earl of Northampton but he dying some thirteen Years after left only two Daughters so that the Male Line of this Noble Family became thereby extinct On the Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 231. Ashmole p. 695. Stow p. 264. Second of December there died that Valiant Warrier Sr. John Beauchamp Younger Son to the Earl of Warwick Constable of Dover Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and one of the Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter He was buried betwixt two Pillars on the South-side of the Middle Isle in the Body of St. Pauls Cathedral in London where he had a Noble Monument vulgarly by Mistake called Duke Humphry's Tomb the Sculp whereof is yet preserved t Dugd. Hist Paul. p. 52. in Sr. William Dugdale's History of St. Pauls In his Life-time u Stow's Survey Lond. p. 408. he had built the fair House in the Parish of St. Andrew near Baynards Castle where he usually resided But this being after his Decease sold to King Edward III was made use of for the Kings Great Wardrobe and the Parson of the Parish
the Eve of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin or as some say z Dugd. Warw. p. 165. ex Esc 35. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 122. on the Tuesday after the said Feast which that Year fell on the 30th of March. England had less wanted him now that the War was ended if he had not been as Eminent for Counsel in Peace as he was remarkable for Military performances He was only Son to Henry de Torto-Collo who was younger Brother and next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster who was Eldest Son to Edmund Sirnamed Crouchback Second Son to King Henry III of England and Brother to King Edward the First Grandfather to King Edward the Third This Illustrious Person in his life time did nothing degenerate from the Blood Royal of England of which he so largely partook as may be seen in those many foregoing Passages of this History which speak of his Warlike Actions His many Heroick Vertues obtain'd him the Glorious Sirname of Good he being generally called the Good Duke of Lancaster Wherefore his Death was universally Lamented especially by the Poor by the Clergy and by Scholars to whom he was a Constant Friend and Patron Nor was King Edward a Frois c. 216. less concerned for the loss of so Renowned a Kinsman and Captain as were also all the Barons of England Lords Knights and Esquires For he was in his Days an Ornament to the Nobility a Patron to the Church a Prop to Learning a Glory to the Souldiery and a shield unto his Prince He was b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 789. buried on the South-side of the High-Altar in the Collegiate Church of Leicester which c Knighton p. 2625. Speed's Maps in Leicester himself had founded and set over it one Dean Twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars and others all sufficiently provided with Revenues Besides he consummated the Hospital there which his Father had begun wherein were maintain'd an 100 Infirm and Poor people d Stow p. 265. 50 Men and 50 Women together with 10 lusty and able Women to serve the said Infirm Ones with Meat and Drink and other bodily Necessaries day and night Both which Hospital and College of Canons he sufficiently endowed for ever and indeed they were the Greatest Ornament of that City until the heavy Hand of King Henry VIII among other the like Foundations laid their Ruines at his own Feet At which time the College Lands d Stow p. 265. were valued at 595 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence per annum He left behind him two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Mathilda the Eldest then 22 Years of Age at that time Married to William of Bavaria Son to Lewis the Emperour and Duke of Zealand Holland Hainalt and Friseland the other Daughter named Blanch then 19 Years of Age and the Wife of John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond but upon the Death of her Eldest Sister which happen'd shortly after without Issue in her Right Duke of Lancaster Earl of Darby Lincoln and Leicester Steward of England and also Lord of Brigerac Beaufort and Nogent Who had by her Henry Sirnamed of Bolingbroke who afterwards traiterously deposing King Richard the Second became King of England by the Name of Henry IV. Soon after his Death the Lady f Knighton p. 2625. Mathilda his Eldest Daughter came into England to claim her Purparty of the Inheritance where she died presently being g Id. p. 2626. n. 31. as was thought poison'd that the Inheritance might not be divided among Foreigners but go entirely as thereupon it did to her Younger Sister who was Married in England Besides this Great Prince there h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 127. died this Year of the same Plague the Lord John Moubray a most Valiant and Noble Knight of England who was styled Lord of the Isle of Haxiholme and of the Honours of Gower and Brembre He died at York on the 4th of October leaving behind him John his Son and Heir a Valiant Young Gentleman then of full Age whom he had by his Wife the Lady Joan of Lancaster Sister to the Duke of Lancaster aforesaid But this Young Lord John Moubray brought more i Dudg ibid. p. 128. Honour and Possessions to his House and Name by taking unto him for Wife the Lady Elisabeth Daughter and Heir to John Lord Seagrave by Margaret his Wife Daughter and sole Heir to Thomas of Brotherton k Fifth Son but Second surviving Second Son to King Edward the First Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England From which Marriage l Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110. are Descended all the Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Nottingham of the Sirname of Moubray and Howard the Earls of Suffolk and Barkshire and particularly the Thrice Noble Henry Lord Mordant the present Earl of Peterborough m Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 279. p. 312. Son of John Earl of Peterborough by his Lady Elisabeth sole Daughter and Heir of William Howard Lord Effingham Eldest Son to Charles Earl of Nottingham Nor ought We to forget the Death of the Valiant Lord n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 653. Mills Catal. Honer p. 531. Edward Montague Brother to William the first Earl of Salisbury of that Name which happen'd in this Year he leaving behind him only one Daughter at that time XII Years of Age then Wife to the Lord William Hufford Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk Besides this o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 68. there died the Lord Reginald Cobham a Baron of great Renown in those days leaving behind him a Son of his own Name and Character Also William p Id. 1 Vol. p. 447. Lord Fitz-Warine of the House of the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine and Sr. Nicolas q Id. 2 Vol. p. 89. St. Maure alià s Seymor a considerable Baron of the Realm Besides whom there were now taken away six Bishops r Walsing hist p. 171. Gedw Catal. Bps Stow p. 265. as Michael Northborough alià s Northbrook Bishop of London who was succeeded by Simon Sudbury Reginald Brian Bishop of Worcester whose Chair was supply'd by John Barnet Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely a good Benefactor to Peter-House College in Cambridge whose loss was repaired by the Succession of Simon Langham also Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester into whose place came William Lenne alià s Lenlimere and John Synwell Bishop of Lincoln whose Successor was John Buckingham Lord Privy Seal but these two latter died in the beginning of the next Year There died also at this time that Famous Scholar Richard Fitz-Ralph Archbishop of Armagh Primate of Ireland and Chancellour of the University of Oxford of whom we Å¿ Huius hist l. 3. c. 3. §. 15. p. 552. have spoken more largely elsewhere Only it is here to be added that this Archbishop t Vid. Odâ—r Rainal ad ann 1358. § 6. Wad in Annal. Minor. Tem. 4. ad cund ann had such a Reputation for Holiness and Integrity of Life that he is said to
the Grand Prior of France the Lord Boucâ—quault Sr. Tristram de Magnilieu Sr. Peter and Sr. John Villers Sr. John de Auneville Sr. Nicolas de Bracquemont and divers other Lords Knights and Esquires Many of our Writers seem too indiscreetly to surmise as if one Occasion of King John's coming to England at this time was for Love of the Countess of Salisbury which Opinion the Noble Lord of b In hiâ— Play 〈◊〉 the black-Prince Orrery hath lately authorised with his excellent Pen. But it is to be consider'd that my Lord wrote a Poem for Delight and not an History for the Establishment of Truth wherefore he is not to be accused And yet Sr. Richard Baker and others of his Character are by no means to be pardoned who so lightly make such unwarrantable Roflections without weighing the Matter If they mean by the Countess of Salisbury the First Earl Montagu's Lady that was Madam Catharine Daughter of the Lord Grandison and she was dead c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 647. above 12 Years before this time If they refer to the Fair Lady of Kent so much talk'd of we have shewn how she was two Years since married to Prince Edward and it appears that she was now with him in Aquitain of which King John could not be ignorant And if they shall be forced to own the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Lord Mohun of Dunstor d Dugd. ibid. p. 648. who only was at this time Countess of Salisbury and Wife to the Second Earl Montagu let them bring the least shadow of Authority or shew that ever they themselves thought upon that Person before and I yield But otherwise I must profess that I cannot without Resentment see the Honour not only of a Noble Lady but also of two Kings John and Edward who are both said to have been in Love with her thus shamefully traduced by Men of either no Industry or no Honesty But to proceed King John of France when all things were ready for his Voyage and the Mariners told him the Wind stood fair for England e Frois c. 219. f. 114. went on Board and set sail from Boulogne with his Guard and other Attendants about the hour of Midnight and arrived safely at Dover about Ten the next Morning being the Day before the Vigil of the Epiphany or the Fourth of January f G F. Lit. Dom. which was a Thursday in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV II. King Edward was at that time with his Queen and the whole Court at Eltham in Kent about 8 Miles from London to which Place News was brought him of King Johns Arrival Hereupon he presently sent forth certain Honourable Knights of his Court to bid him Welcome and to conduct him forward on his way as the Lord Bartholomew Burwash Sr. Alan Boxhull Sr. Richard Pemburge and Others who rode Post to Dover where they found King John and in their Masters Name gave him Welcome saying How the King of England was extreamly satisfied with the obliging Honour of that Royal Visit King John replied he never doubted of a Welcome from his Dear Brother of England The next Day they all mounted their Horses and rode to Canterbury where having din'd King John would needs visit the Cathedral where he offer'd a Rich Jewel at the Shrine of St. Thomas and there they tarried the remainder of that Day On the Sunday Morning they set forth all together toward Eltham where the King of England was with a great Number of his Nobility ready to receive his Dear Brother of France On Sunday after Dinner King John came thither where he was highly caressed and embraced by the King and Queen of England and between that and Supper-time there was nothing but Princely Diversions of Dancing Singing and Carolling But especially the young Lord Ingelram of Coucy set himself forth to entertain the two Kings and danced so pleasantly and sang so sweetly that he extreamly satisfied the Whole Presence and wan the Commendations both of the French and English Nobility who were all delighted to behold and hear him for all that ever he did became him wonderfully At this time the Lady Isabella Eldest Daughter to King Edward began to cast her Affections upon that Gallant Lord and became so serious therein that shortly we shall find it a Match Soon after the Court removed from Eltham toward London but in the way the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with an Honourable Retinue met the two Kings on Black-Heath and so conducted them over the Bridge thrô the City with Sounding of Trumpets III. King John was conducted to the Savoy in great Honour where he was lodged with those Hostages that were of his Blood as the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Berry and the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Alenson the Lord Guy of Blois the Earl of St. Paul and divers Others He was well entertain'd among these his Relations with whom he constantly conversed at the same time making and receiving frequent Visits to and from King Edward of England King David of Scotland King Peter of Cyprus King Waldemar of Denmark Albert Duke of Bavaria Lionel Duke of Clarence John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge many Sumptuous and Princely Sports and Banquets passing among them And the City of London was at that time so flourishing that not only the Lord Mayor but most of the Aldermen in their Turns had the Generosity and Ability to invite and entertain all these Great Kings and Potentates singly and together as Occasion served Particularly Sr. Henry Picard g Stows Survey of London p. 87. 255. d b. a Merchant Vintner of Gascogne who some Years before had been Lord Mayor of London one Day made a Splendid Feast at his own House now called the Vintry over against St. Martins Church at which Entertainment were present the Kings of England Scotland France Denmark and Cyprus the Duke of Bavaria the Chief Hostages of France and King Edwards Sons excepting the Black-Prince then in Aquitain and many of the Chief Nobility of England And after Dinner he kept his Hall for all Comers that were willing to play at Dice and Hazard his Lady Margaret at the same time keeping her Chamber for the Entertainment of the Princesses and Ladies IV. King John went h Frois c. 219. f. 114. b. as often as he pleased privately by Water to visit King Edward at his Palace of Westminster and both the Kings when upon their Communication they were put in mind of the Lord James of Bourbon who was slain two Years before at the Battle of Brignais near Lyons greatly bewailed his Loss as who was a Person of a most agreeable Conversation in all Noble Company The French King had brought with him into England a i Knighton p. 2627. n. 20. Moiety of one Million of the Three he was engaged to pay for his Ransom and desired that some of the Hostages might be deliver'd but that King Edward
would not grant However King John tarried still in England disporting himself and taking his Pleasure in and about London and Westminster his chief Residence being at the Savoy at that time k Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. one of the Faitest Mansions in England belonging to the Duke of Lancaster And the late Duke Henry had bestowed no less than 52000 Marks thereon King David of Scotland came also to pay some part of his Ransome and hoped to prevail with King Edward to acquit him of the Remainder but he could not obtain that Point The King of Cyprus having purchased a Choice Band of English Gentlemen Volunteers and received many large Presents from King Edward l Frois c. 218. repassed the Seas with King Waldemar of Denmark in his Company and went to Boulogne and thence to Amiens where he found the Duke of Normandy and his Council by whom he was hugely caressed and related unto them his Success in England and how he had left King John in Health whereat they were all pleased Having been here a while he said That for all this he thought he had neither done nor seen any thing of Moment untill he should have seen the Prince of Wales adding that by the Grace of God he would go and visit him and the Lords of Poictou and of Aquitain The Regent approved of his Resolution but desired him at his Return to come thrô France and visit his Father whom by that time they expected from England King Peter promised to do thus much and so took his leave and rode toward Beauvais and passed the River of Seyne and so thrô Perche and Tourain over the Loire till he came to Poictiers where he was informed how the Black-Prince was at his City of Angoulesme The Prince was then busie in providing a Solemn Feast Justs and Tourneaments which he design'd to hold with Fourty Knights and as many Esquires for the Love of his Beautifull Princess who was just then brought to Bed of an Hopefull Son called Edward after his Fathers Name When Prince Edward heard how the King of Cyprus was coming to visit him he sent forth the Lord John Chandos with a great Number of Knights and Esquires of his Court to meet and conduct him forward which they did accordingly And so King Peter was honourably convey'd to Angoulesme where he was received by the Prince with all the Demonstrations of Joy and Respect imaginable He found himself also extream Welcome to all the Lords of England and of Poictou and Sainctogne such as were then at the Princes Court namely to Sr. John Chandos to Sr. Thomas Felton and his Brother Sr. William Felton Sr. Thomas Beauchamp Sr. Simon Burley Sr. Neal Loring Sr. Roger Delaware Sr. Richard Pountchardon Sr. Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Saintogne and many more besides the Lords of Aquitain as the Vicount of Thoüars the young Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay Sr. Guischard D'Angle and Others The King of Cyprus was highly feasted and caressed by the Prince and the Lords of his Court and when he had tarried there about a Month the Lord John Chandos rode with him thrô the Country to divert his Mind and shew him what was Curious and worth Observation He was Nobly entertain'd at Rochelle and other Places by the English Governors there and having visited the Country all about in the most Remarkable Places he returned again to Angoulesme at what time the Prince held the foresaid Solemnity in Honour of his Princess with great Pomp and Splendour and a Glorious Retinue of Men of Arms. The sight of these Mens valiant Justings made the King desire to have some of their Company along with him against the Infidels And so after the Solemnity of the Feast was over he accosted the Prince and the Lords of his Court shewing unto them distinctly the Principal Reason of his Coming thither namely How he had taken upon him the Red Cross which he wore and how the Pope had by his Authority confirmed it and what Honour and Privileges remain'd for those who should joyn with him in this Expedition and how the French King and the Lord Talayrand the Cardinal and divers other Great Lords and Princes had devoutly sworn to embarque in the same Enterprise Then the Prince and his Knights answer'd him kindly and said How truly it was an Expedition well worthy the Consideration of all Men of Honour and that by the Grace of God when once the Matter was enter'd upon and the Passage laid open he should not be alone but should find among them those that would be glad at any Rate together with Religion to advance their Honours With these Words the King of Cyprus was well pleased and so being laden with Gifts from the Prince and Princess he took his leave the Lord Chandos at the Princes Command waiting upon him to the Bounds of the Principality But the Lord m Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick the Lord Thomas n Iâ—â—reton Nâ—ttingh p. 116 ubi John male pro Thoâ—â—as Roos and divers o Walsing hist p. 174. other Stout Barons of England and Gascogne went quite thrô with design to aid him in the Wars in the Holy Land Being no less than 300 Select Horse Knights and Esquires besides Archers and others their Friends and Servants who at the request of the Pope hand Letters of Safe-conduct from the Governour of Dauphiné and le Viennois to pass without any molestation or interruption through those Parts Sr. James de Arteville being appointed with Ten Officers in his Company to guide and conduct them to the Limits of Piedmont V. The mean while King Peter having sent them before returned to Paris where he thought to have found the French King but he mist of his Expectation For that Prince was not returned out of England but lay dangerously sick at his Lodgings in the Savoy at London and every day grew worse and worse to the infinite Regret of King Edward and his Queen For all the Physicians agreed that his sickness was Mortal All this was not unknown to the Duke of Normandy who was at Paris being Regent in his Fathers Absence for the Lord Bouciquault was return'd from England to inform the Dauphin in what a Desperate Condition the King lay The King of Navarre also was fully acquainted with the News but was very little concerned at it for he hoped to make War more easily in France if King John should die and it is to be noted that this unquiet Prince p Mezeray p. 62 pretended a Right to the Dutchy of Burgundy which King John had already seised into his Hands but because the Inhabitants so earnestly desired a Duke of their own he designed to give it to his youngest Son Philip at his return out of England for he lov'd him the best of all his Children because he stuck so close to him at the Battle of Poictiers Being therefore desirous to take hold of the
them to be reasonable for the ease of his People That 3 s. 4 d. laid upon every Sack of Wooll at Calais and all other unreasonable Impositions may cease The King willeth that all unreasonable Impositions should cease It is agreed that One Staple be at l Melcomb Regis in 〈◊〉 Melcomb and another at Ipsewich and that all Merchants and others for their Ease may ship Woolls at Lewes where the Customers of Chichester shall take the Customs and the Customers of Yarmouth shall take in like manner at Lynn As for the Statutes made in this Parliament I shall refer those who desire to Inspect them to the Statute-Books in Print especially because those of this Year do more exactly agree with the Record Only for my self I must put in this Caution that whereas in the Record and Statute-Books this Parliament is rightly fixed to the 38 of Edward the Third considering that he began not to Reign till the 25 of January before which time the Parliament sat yet I have placed it here as well because I begin the Year constantly with January as because it was indeed the Thirty Ninth of this Kings Inchoate before the Parliament was adjourn'd For on the m Ita M.S. Feâ—â—rd Paâ—l â—â—d Sr. Rob. Câ—ttâ—â—'s Abrid pâ—â—ent Seventeenth legit Seventh of February after the King in Presence of the Lords and Commons had given his Royal Assent to all the Premises He gave his Thanks to the Three Estates and so gave them leave to depart VII Now is King Edward said to have finished all his Wars for he had full Peace with France and Scotland and all the Quarrels about the Dukedom of Bretagne were ended and Aquitaine gladly embraced the Government of his Son Prince Edward and his other Son the Duke of Clarence had brought Ireland to a very good Settlement Wherefore thô in the Midst of his Wars he always would find leisure to exercise Actions of Devotion Piety and Charity yet now he more seriously apply'd himself and in a manner wholly Dedicated his time to such Matters as in his Buildings at Windsor Castle Queenborough Castle and Town St. Stephen's Chappel at Westminster Aberconney in Wales Henley and East-Hamstead and his Royal Foundation of Kings-Hall in Cambridge which being afterwards augmented with the Addition of Two or Three other adjoyning Foundations was by King Henry VIII named Trinity-College and lastly by the Beautifull Accession of a Magnificent Building called the Library is rendred now the most August and Famous Structure that ever the Christian World hath seen Dedicated to the Studies of good Letters Which College is no less adorned with those Illustrious Lights of Learning that have continually shined there Nor have their Beams been confined to any Limits but have spread themselves like the Rays of the Sun over Earth and Heaven and enlightned the Church and State and the whole Universe 'T is now happily Govern'd by the Reverend Doctor John Montagu Brother to the Earl of Sandwich a Person no less conspicuous for his Eminent Parts and Vertues than for his Birth and Quality VIII This Flourishing Condition of our King Edward put the Pope it seems in mind of some Old Debts which he pretended to be due from England to the Apostolick See for the Kingdom of England and Lordship of Ireland which King John promised to hold of the Church as a Fee Farm for ever His n Extant apud Odor Rainald ad hunc an §. 13 Letters bear Date at Avignon Idibus Junii Ano. Pontif. III in which Letters it appears that the Sum demanded was but 1000 Marks sterling per annum and that the last payment was made by this King on the Seventh of July Ano. Dom. 1333 but had ever since by reason of the Wars been discontinued So that at this time there was due no less than 32000 Marks to the Apostolick Chamber Thô in good truth saving the Authority of these Letters I could never find o Vid. John Speed in the Reign of King John p. 500. §. 48. 49. that ever this Annual Pension was paid to Rome since the Days of King John. But in the next Year we shall see how King Edward now resented this Matter For the Pope had besides his foresaid Letters empower'd his Nuntio John Abbot of the Monastery St i Bavonis Gaudensis of the Order of St. Benedict in the Dioecese of Tournay by process to cite the King unto his Court to answer for his Default on Condition he should refuse to pay the Arrears But the effect of this daring Summons we shall see in the Parliament of the next Year IX At this time King Edward p Pat. 39. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 8. Ashmole p. 669. Sandford p. 178 Dugd. p. 761. Mills Catal. Hon. p. 440. Knighton p. 2628. n. 40. c. gave his Daughter the Lady Isabella in Marriage to the Young Lord Ingelram de Guisnes the Rites being performed with Great Pomp and Splendor at the Famous Castle of Windsor The said Lord was by Birth a Baron both of England and of France and his Titles were Lord and Baron of Coucy of Oisey and Mount-Mirabel of Doüilly of Beauraine and of Barques Earl of Soissons and of Nide and some Years after Arch-Duke of Austria Besides which the King at this time created him Earl of Albemarle to have and to hold the said Earldom for him and the Heirs Male of his and her Body for ever He also confirmed unto him the Mannor of Moreholme the Moieties of the Mannors of Wyersdale and Ashton with the Third Part of the Lordship of Whittington in the County of Lancaster to him and to the said Isabell and to the Heirs of their Bodies lawfully begotten I say he confirmed them unto him For the q Robert Glover Somerset Herald set forth by Tho. Mills Author of the Catalogue of Honour mistakes in saying they were now given him in the name of a Dowry since we find the said Places or the greatest part of them did belong unto his Grandfather r Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. William de Guisnes Lord Coucy What further Honours he obtain'd we shall see next Year wherefore at this time we shall only add this that the King gave him Å¿ Dugd. ibid. ex Pat. 39. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 8. leave to go over with his Lady into France declaring that whatever Children Male or Female they might have between them thô born beyond Sea they should enjoy and inherit all Lands descendible to them in this Realm as Freely as if they were born in England He bare for his Arms t Mill's Catal. Hon. p. 440. ubi haec Arma Periscelidi inveluta cernurtur the First and Fourth Barry of Viverry and Gules the Second and Third Gules A Fess Argent and in process of time he was elected into the Most Honourable Order of the Garter of which Grace he was well Worthy X. In these days King Edward caused the Lord
Earl by some English Title which all the Lords yielded to be very convenient Whereupon the King by his Letters Patents bearing e Dugd. 1 Vol. Baron p. 761. b. Date the same XI of May advanced him to the Title of Earl of Bedford and for the better support of himself and his Lady Isabell gave him a Grant of a 1000 Marks per annum to be paid him out of the Exchequer as also Thirty Marks more out of the Issues of the County of Bedford to be Yearly paid by the Sheriff of that Shire At that time f M.S. Ret. Par. c. ut suprà Sr. Thomas Ludlow Chief Baron of the Exchequer declared before the whole Parliament how William the Son and Heir of William Stephens who held diversly of the King in Capite as of the Crown had by Writ of Aetate probanda sued out Livery out of the Kings hands whereas the said William the Son for a long time should be within Age as by a prolix Schedule doth appear Whereupon the whole Parliament upon sight of the said William the Son judged him still to be within Age and therefore took Order that all his Hereditaments so sued out of the Kings hands should be forthwith reseised into the Kings hands till his full Age and that all Obligations Charters Statutes Recognisances and all other Writings made by the said William the Son should be null and void This done the King gave thanks to the Three Estates and licensed every One to depart and so this Session ended II. Galeacius or Galeas the Second Duke of Milain and Elder Brother to Duke Bernabo g Paul. Joviâ—s in Vitis Princip Mediolanens p. 151. being a Person of a truly Royal Spirit had already Married his Son John Galeas to the Lady Isabella Sister to the King of France and now for the more sure Establishing of his Affairs design'd to match his Beautifull Daughter Violantis with King Edward of England's Son Prince Lionel Duke of Clarence To that purpose he began to make some Overtures about this time insomuch that King Edward sent over to him an Embassy whereof the Lord h Dugd. 1 V. l. Baron p. 186. Humphry Bohun Earl of Northampton Hereford and Essex was the Principal Person to adjust Matters fully and equally on both sides The Effect of which Embassy we shall take notice of hereafter III. Dr. Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury i Godw. Catal. Bpsp. 142. riding to Magfield this Year his Horse chanced to fling him into a Miry Pool So being very wet however he continued his journey till he came to the said place Being there and having changed his Apparel he fell asleep but at his waking found himself in a Palsie and so within a few days died viz. on the 26 of April 1366. This Man k Vid. Anton. Wood Antiqu. Oxon. l. 2. p. 246. p. 338. founded a College in Oxford then called Canterbury College but since that it hath been mightily augmented and enlarged and bears the name of Christ-Church being at this time One of the most Magnificent Colleges in the whole World. This College the said Archbishop endow'd with good Possessions appropriating to the same the Parsonages of Pagham and Magfield but some Ages after the Famous and Munificent Cardinal Woolsey took it in as a part of his College and lastly that and this was accounted the Foundation of King Henry VIII so that now it is wonderfully encreased and is still acquiring New Magnificence and Beauty every day Archbishop Islip being thus dead the l Godâ— ibid. p. 143. Monks of Canterbury chose Dr. William Edington then Bishop of Winchester for Archbishop but he declin'd the Dignity saying as it is reported That Canterbury was the Higher Rack but Winchester the better Manger Whereupon Simon Langham then Bishop of Ely was translated to that See and John Barnet Bishop of Bath and Welles went to Ely and Bath and Welles was given to a Chaplain of the Black-Prince named Dr. John Harewell 'T is observable that Dr. Simon Langham m Philipet's Catal Chancell Treas p. 37. on the day of his Consecration demanded and had Homage of the Earl of Stafford of Sr. Thomas Ross Sr. John Tyrrell Sr. Robert Brockhill and Sr. Ralph Sr. Leger for their Lands which they held of the See of Canterbury But of this Great Prelate we shall speak more largely hereafter IV. In these n Frois c. 229. fol. 125. days there was still in France a Mighty Number of Warlike Companions who after the Wars of Bretagne were ended knew not what to do but however were so wickedly frugal that they had rather do Mischief than be idle The scene of all their Extravagances was the unhappy Realm of France which they called their Chamber for they durst not do any harm in Aquitaine the Land would not suffer them And to say the truth the greater part of their Captains were Gascogners or Englishmen Subjects of King Edward or the Prince his Son there were but a few Bretons and Runagate Frenchmen Wherefore many French Lords began to murmur against King Edward and the Prince and said among themselves how they did not acquit themselves fairly to the French King Since they did not do their utmost to destroy these kind of People who now began to be unsufferable For the Duke of Anjou had lately gone against them with an o Knighton p. 2628. n. 60. Dugd. 2 Vol. Baron p. 148. Army of 15000 Men all whom Sr. Nicolas Dagworth their General vanquished and put to slight and took many Prisoners among whom were the Duke of Orleans and the Duke of Anjou himself It is reported of this same Sr. Nicolas who was a Baron of England and Son to the Famous Sr. Thomas Dagworth of whom we have spoken heretofore in this History p Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. ex â—eland Collect. Vol. 1. p. 826. M.S. in Bibl. Bodleian that with Thirteen English Horse he fought sixty French near to Flavigny in Burgundy and by means of certain Chariots which he made use of for his Defence they being placed in a Circle whereinto he could enter at pleasure utterly vanquished them But that he Headed the Companions at this time against the Frenchmen proceeded from the great desire he had to Revenge the Blood of his Father who about 17 q Vid. Lib. 2. c. 9. §. 6. p. 445. Years before had been basely murder'd by the French in time of Truce However King Charles of France and his Nobles being terrified with this great Success of the Companions r Walsingh hist p. 175. n. 10 c. sent to King Edward of England desiring him to interpose his Authority against the Fury of these Men who were for the most part English or at least under his Dominion For it was so provided in the Articles of the Peace at Bretigny that if the Souldiers should refuse to acquiesce both the Kings should joyn together to compell them First
and reasonable for the Prince to take upon him the Protection of the King of Spain and thereupon Credential Letters were framed directed from the King of England and his Council to the Prince of Aquitaine and his Council and the Duke of Lancaster had leave to go over to visit and confer with the Prince his Brother whom he desired to serve in this Expedition So the Messengers returned with these Letters and the Duke in their Company and came to Bourdeaux where they found the Prince and Don Pedro to the former of whom they deliver'd their Letters from the King his Father Upon this a new day was forthwith assign'd for the Parliament to sit again at which time there assembled at Bourdeaux all the forenamed Lords of Aquitaine and Others that were Summon'd thereto And then the King of England's Letters were openly read in full Parliament The Purport was this That the King and his Council were well pleased that the Prince his Son should in the Name of God and St. George seriously undertake to restore King Don Pedro to his Throne and Heritage which his Bastard-Brother had wrongfully taken from him without either Law or Reason and as it appeareth traiterously deposed him That the King thought himself obliged to wish his Son to do thus much for his Cousin the King of Castille not only for the sake of Justice and Honour but also for the Common Interest and Right of Kings and especially because of certain Alliances Treaties and Confederations heretofore made between them which imported a mutual Assistance in case of Necessity if either Party were thereto required Wherefore he desired all his good Friends and Subjects in those Parts to be Aiding and Assisting to his Son the Prince in that Matter as well as if he himself were there and undertook the Expedition in his own Person When the Nobles and Captains of Aquitaine heard these Letters read dictinctly and perceived the pleasure of the King and of his Son the Prince their Lord then they all readily gave in their answer with one consent Sir We shall gladly obey the Command of our Sovereign Lord the King of England and of Your Royal Highness it being our Duty so to do and therefore We now declare that in this Expedition We shall readily serve both Your Highness and also King Don Pedro. But Sir We desire to know from whom We are to expect our Wages for it will be difficult to oblige Men of War to go abroad into a strange Country without such kind of Considerations Then the Prince turned his Face to Don Pedro and said My Lord O King You hear what our Subjects say Pray please to answer them Your self as to this point For it is your Concern so to do To this Don Pedro answer'd Most Dear Cousin as far as the Gold Silver and other Treasure which I have brought hither with me and I 'll assure You 't is not the Thirtieth Part of what I 've left behind as far as that will go I shall now immediately resign that entirely to your Dispose to be bestowed among our Friends your Subjects And for what shall remain if God Almighty send Us Success I shall make full amends in all things of this Be this Honourable Assembly my Witness Sir said the Prince You say well and as Circumstances stand We can expect no more of You. As for the Remainder therefore I my self will be indebted to these Gentlemen and pay them as occasion shall require all which my Lord O King I shall lend unto You expecting to be repaid upon our good Success in Castille Hereupon Don Pedro renew'd his Promise to be more than Just in all manner of liberal Retributions acknowledging with many fair expressions of Gratitude the extraordinary Favour Grace and Courtesie which the Prince had been pleased to shew unto him X. Now in this Council there were many Noble Personages of great Experience in Affairs of that Nature and who especially understood the difficulties usually attending an Expedition into Spain Such as the Lord John Chandos the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Pamiers and others who had been more than once in Spain to help the Good King Alphonso against the Moors These all concluded that it was absolutely necessary if they resolved to go into Spain to bring over the King of Navarre to their side For they could not pass but thrô his Country over the Pyrenean Mountains by the streights of Roncevaux Which Passage it was doubted whether they might obtain because Charles the Present King of Navarre and Don Henry the Bastard had lately made a strict Alliance together After much altercation upon this point also the Parliament was prorogued to another day when they were to meet in the City of Bayonne about six Leagues from the Confines of Navarre and the Prince was by his Ambassadors to request the King of Navarre's Presence at that Assembly So the Prince sent unto him the Lord John Chandos and the Lord Thomas Felton who behav'd themselves with such Discretion and gave him such Reasons that he faithfully engaged both by word of Mouth and also under his Hand and Seal not to fail on the appointed day of being present at the Parliament at Bayonne And with this News the two Knights returned to the Prince The day appointed being come there came to Bayonne King Don Pedro Edward Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales the Captal of Busche the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret and all the Barons of Gascogne Guienne Poictou Quercy Rovergue Sainctogne and Limosin and thither also came Charles the King of Navarre in Person to whom the Prince and King Don Pedro shew'd extraordinary respect the rather because they design'd to prepare him for their opinion This Parliament sat thus at Bayonne five days together For the Prince and his Friends had much adoe to perswade the King of Navarre he being a Person of that temper as to be stiff and almost inexorable when he saw any One stand in need of him But at last when he consider'd the great Power of the Prince and that He who now desired him if too much provoked might compell him on certain considerations he was content to renounce the League he had made with Henry the Bastard and sware and promised under his Hand and Seal Peace Love and firm Alliance and Confederation to King Don Pedro as likewise Don Pedro did unto Him by the Prince of Wales his menagement and contrivance The Latter as true King of Castille engaging by Covenant then Engrossed and Sealed to give and restore unto the King of Navarre and to his Heirs for ever all the Land of y An Oregne Groigne as it lies on both sides the River and also all the Lands of Salvatierra with the Town Castle and all the Appurtenances Also the Town of St. John Piè du Port and the Marches thereabout which Lands Towns Castles and Seigniories he had before violently
ejus pedibas iter conficiunt Pedage * * Latinè Leuda quâ—d lego Feuda Vid. Glessaria Somneri Skinneri c. Fee Custom Maletolt or any other Impositions or Exactions imposed or hereafter to be imposed in our Kingdoms so that the said Men of the said Kingdom Country and Dominion of England and of the Principality of Wales in going staying or returning thrô our Kingdoms by Sea or by Land shall not be obliged to pay any Custom Pedage Fee Maletolt or any other Imposition or Exaction unless the said Men should buy any thing for the sake of Merchandise or for Merchandising In which case whether they be bought for the sake of Merchandise or no by our Officers and Receivers of the said Pedages We will stand to the Oath of the said Men of which things so bought for the cause of Merchandise they shall not be compelled to pay nor shall any thing be exacted of them above what other Merchants use to pay And We swear on the Holy Gospels of God corporally by Us touched with our Hand and promise in the Word of a King to hold fulfill and inviolably to observe the foresaid Concessions Donations and Privileges and all and singular the things contained in these present Letters In testimony whereof and of singular the Premises and for their greater Confirmation We have in Presence of these undernamed subscribed with our own Hand and caused our Seal to be affixed thereto in pendant Willing and Granting and also requiring You Master John de London by Apostolick Authority Publick Notary that to the perpetual Memory of all and singular the Premises You with the Present Witnesses would subscribe and sign the present Letters with your usual Seal Dated at Libourne of the Dioecese of Bourdeaux on the Twenty third of September in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Six in Presence of our most Dear Cousin the Lord John Duke of Lancaster Son of the King of England and Brother of the said Prince and the Reverend Fathers in Christ the Lord Elias Archbishop of Bourdeaux the Lord Bernard Bishop of Sainctogne John Elect Bishop of Bath and Welles Chancellour of Aquitain John Chandos Constable and Thomas Felton Seneschal of Aquitaine Neal Loring Chamberlain of the said Prince Baldwin Freville Seneschal of Sainctogne and other Witnesses to the Premises f f i.e. I the King. YO EL REY And I John de London Clerk of the Dioecese of Winchester by Apostolick Authority Publick Notary on the Eleventh day of the Month of February in the Year of our Lord g g i.e. 1366 / 7. aforesaid in the Fifth Indiction and in the Fifth Year of our most Holy Father in Christ and our Lord the Lord Vrban the Fifth by Divine Providence the Pope within the Castle of the City of Bayonne in the Chappel of the said Castle was present together with the Witnesses undernamed when the said Lord King Pedro renewed and confirmed and by his Oath Established all and singular the Premises touching with his own Hands the Holy Gospels of God and when the said King subscribed himself with his own Hand and Required and enjoyn'd me to subscribe my self to the Present Letters and to set to my usual Seal The Witnesses who were present at these things together with me are the Lord Fryar h h Frater Martinus Lupi c. Martinez de Leyva master of the House of the Knighthood of Alcantara of the Order of Cisteaux Roger Lord de la Warre Gomez i i Magister dicti Domini Regis c. Tutor of the said Lord the King Paulo Gabriel Citizen of Sevil John Guttern Dean of the Church of Segovia and Master Robert Fregand Notary Chancellour of the Lord the foresaid Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales ✚ S PETRI DEI GRATIAE REGIS CASTELLE ET LEGIONIS ✚ S PETRI DEI GRATIAE REGIS CASTELLE ET LEGIONIS And at this time it was also agreed k Selden ibid. p. 270. that the Prince of Wales should have the Castle of Vermejo Lequitio Bilbao and Biscay as also the Castle of Vrdiales to hold to himself and his Heirs and Successors for ever and to dispose of them as he should please being wholly discharged of all Sovereignty and Resort and as free as the King had held it heretofore And accordingly We find the Prince to use besides his former Titles that of Lord of Biscaye and of the Castle of Ordiales as in an Instrument In Camer â Ducatûs Lancastriae Vid. Sandford Geneal hist p. 185. bearing date the 8 day of October in the Year 1370. Ano. 44. Ed. 3. Whereby he grants unto his Brother John Duke of Lancaster the Castle Town and Chastellanie of la Roche Sur Yon he styles himself Edward Eldest Son of the King of France and of England Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales Duke of Cornwall Earl of Chestre Lord of Biscaye and of the Castle of Ordiales And all these things were confirmed by King Don Pedro under the Great Seal of Castille both the Originals and Duplicates thereof remaining m In Thesaur Regis apud Westmonast in Bibl. Cotton ut ante with Us in England to this day which shew also that to the King's Seal his Oath was afterwards added being solemnly taken before the High-Altar in the Church of n Selden Burgos sed haec Vrbs in Hispaniâ tum fieri intelligatur pest Victoriam à Principe partam Potiùs verò Bourdeaux legendum duxi Bourdeaux XII When all these things were fully Ratified Established and Confirmed and all the great Men knew what they were to do the Prince of Aquitain sent his Heralds into Spain to certain Knights of England and Gascogne Subjects to him and his Father signifying unto them privately how it was his Pleasure that they should presently upon sight of his Letters take their leaves of King Henry the Bastard and come away with all speed to him for he said he had need of their Service and should speedily have an occasion to employ them When the Heralds had deliver'd their Letters to the Chief Captains in Castille and had secretly confer'd with them so that they perfectly understood the Prince's Design they embraced the first Opportunity of taking their leaves of King Henry in the most obliging manner they could devise without making the least Discovery of the Prince's Intention So that King Henry who indeed was of a Liberal Courteous and Honourable Disposition after many thanks for their good Service and many ample Gifts and Largesses dismiss'd them and gave them his Letters for their free Passage thrô his Country Whereupon Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. John Devereux Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. John Neville and all the other Lords Knights and Esquires of the Prince's Court with their Troops and Retinues having the Bastards Passport began their March out of Spain with all Expedition for fear of a Countermand if the Matter
as then they heard to be in the County of Bigorre and to have won the Town of Bagneres whereby he had done much Mischief in those Parts And the Lord Chandos told the Prince that Sr. Bertram was so belov'd by all manner of Men of War that it was not safe to let him go till Don Pedro had paid what he ow'd the Prince lest he should again embroil his Affairs as he had done before On all which accounts Sr. Bertram could not obtain to be deliver'd at this time whatsoever Ransom he offer'd and so he was obliged to be content with his Condition Now while the Prince of Wales lay at Valladolid which he did in all for about three Months even the best part of that Summer among many Hundreds others James the young King of Majorica fell dangerously ill and kept his Bed so that when the Prince was ready to depart he sent the Lord John Chandos and Sr. Hugh Calverley unto him to let him know that he was just then upon taking his leave of Spain and would be glad of his Company as one whose Interest he had promised to embrace Wherefore he should be loth to leave him behind The King of Majorica replied that he thanked the Prince most heartily but that as then he could not ride nor endure to be carried till it should please God to restore him to a better Degree of Health and Strength Then they demanded if he was willing that their Lord the Prince should leave with him any Troops to wait on him and to conduct him into Aquitain when he should be able to ride Nay surely said the King I shall never put the Noble Prince to any such unnecessary trouble for God alone knows whether ever I shall be able to ride or no. So the English Knights took their leave and returned and declared all this to the Prince who said Well then be it as it shall please God and him For Necessity calls us away from this unfortunate Country And then he took the first Opportunity to march with all his Army and went to the City called Agreda and thereabout he rested in the Vale of Soria between Aragon and Spain where he was fain to tarry a Month because he found certain Passages closed against him on the Borders of Aragon And it was reported thrô the Army that the King of Navarre who was newly released from his Imprisonment had agreed with the Bastard of Spain and the King of Aragon to hinder the Prince's Return thô there was no such Matter as it afterwards appeared However as then the Prince was the more enclin'd to believe this Report because the King of Navarre came not unto him thô he was at Liberty Whereupon he began to treat with the King of Aragon certain Commissioners on both sides meeting on the Marches for that Purpose Between whom it was at last concluded that the King of Aragon should open his Country and permit the Prince and his Army to pass thrô freely they paying courteously for what they should take up among his People After this Agreement was established the King of Navarre and Sr. Martin Carre came unto the Prince and then the King of Navarre seeing how Matters stood between the Prince and the King of Aragon shew'd all the Respect and Honour imaginable to the Prince and readily offer'd free Passage to him and his Dear Brother the Duke of Lancaster and all the Knights and Lords of England and of Gascogne but by no means would he permit the Companions to take their way thrô Navarre He said he had had enough of them already Then the Prince order'd the Companions to accept of his Agreement which he had made with the King of Aragon and to pass thrô his Country but as for Himself because he saw the Way thrô Navarre more commodious than the other he chose to go that Way and was convey'd with the rest of the Army quite thrô that Realm even beyond the Passages of Roncevaux From thence the Prince marched at his ease till he came to Baionne where he was received with great joy and tarried there four Days to refresh Himself and his Men. Then he proceeded toward Bourdeaux where he was received in Triumph being also met and welcom'd Home by his Beautifull Princess with her Eldest Son Edward who was then about Three Years of Age. Here the Prince disbanded his Army and sent the Lords and Captains of Gascogne and others to their several Homes having first declared his Obligations unto them and promised to pay them every Man punctually when he could raise Money enough even thô King Don Pedro should not keep Touch with Him For He said they should suffer no Loss however since they had served him so well and for his own Part Honour should be his Reward At the same time the Companions that went thrô Aragon came into the Principality where they had Quarters assigned them till they should be paid their Wages XXII King Henry the Bastard this mean while hearing of the Prince's Return thought it no time for him to expect any Advantage in those Parts wherefore immediately he removed with all his Men into Aragon and had his Recourse to the King of that Realm who loved him entirely and made him extream welcome There he tarried all that Winter and renewed his former Alliance with that King who promised to aid him in his War against the King his Brother and forthwith the Bretons that were with Don Henry as Sr. Arnold de Limousin Sr. Geoffry de Ricons Sr. Pontius Laquenet Sylvester Budes Eliot du Carhais Alan du St. Pol and the rest of the Bastards friends had order to go to the Frontiers of Spain and begin to make War on King Henry's behalf And thus have We ended this Great and last Expedition of the Prince of Wales I say his last For whether God Almighty was displeased with him for assisting so Wicked a Tyrant thô We shew'd before what good Grounds he went upon or whether the Sins of England being now also ripe began to call for Vengeance from this time We may be bold to period the Happiness of King Edward's Wonderfull Reign For We shall find that l Virgil. Aen. l. 2. v. 169. c. Exillo Fluere retrò sublà psa referri Spes Anglûm Fractae Vires Aversa Deûm Mens From thence the English Hopes did Ebb and fail Nor could their Fortune or their Arms prevail From this time the swelling Tide of Prosperity was found to Ebb apace the Prince of Wales begins to be sick of an Incurable Disease Prince Lionel is taken away in the Flower of his Age Queen Philippa soon after dies and King Edward who hitherto was both Glorious and Fortunate shall from this time be less Fortunate thô not one jot the less Glorious For We shall find that never any Prince contended more bravely with Froward Fortune nor ever was more Worthy to have succeeded still XXIII This Year m M.S. vet
his Hands durst ever presume to defie him who had obtain'd so many Victories against him and his Ancestors and he also believed that the late Peace had been so solemnly confirmed as to be inviolable with all those who had not quite abandon'd all sense both of Honour and Religion But especially he was perswaded by many of his Council that the Prince only spake these things of Prejudice as Young Bold and greedy of Arms and impatient of Peace and therefore had too freely taxed the French Kings Honour because he desired nothing more than War and an opportunity of entring into Action Upon these accounts King Edward gave but small Credit to his Sons Letters especially because King Charles all the while with design nourished Security in him by making frequent Remonstrances and Overtures how to continue for ever their present good Correspondence and to cut off all occasions of Complaints Jealousies and Misconstructions for the future For it was his Design to use these Cautious Methods till by his Verbal Negotiations his Enemies being rock'd asleep and his own Affairs grown ripe he might by Degrees get the rest of the Prisoners and Hostages at liberty and then of a sudden be ready to Bite as soon as he should threaten And first o Frois c. 244. John Duke of Berry one of the Principal Hostages made shift as we intimated before to depart as lightly as his Brother the Duke of Anjou had done before him For having the last Year obtained leave of King Edward to visit his Friends in France for one whole Year when once he saw the War open he look'd upon himself as excus'd notwithstanding his Oath from ever returning again An Opinion directly contrary to that of the Generous Roman Attilius Regulus who voluntarily return'd himself into his Captivity even when he knew Death and Torments were prepared for him and thô in a time of War because his Ransome was not paid Earl John of Harcourt also found means to get out of England about the same time King Edward granting him leave for certain Months at the instant Request of his Uncle the Lord Lewis of Harcourt who was then at liberty in Ponthieu and was a Friend to the Prince And this Earl Harcourt intended to keep Word with the King of England but upon his Return he fell sick and fortunately continued Ill till the War was begun so that He never rendred himself back again The Lord Guy of Blois who was then but a young Esquire and Brother to John Earl of Blois had a more Honourable free and easie way whereby he gat off For when he saw the French King for whom he was an Hostage not at all to mind his Deliverance he fell in Treaty with the Lord Ingleram de Concy Earl of Bedford who having Married the Lady Isabella King Edward's Daughter had upon that account an Annual Allowance out of England And this Treaty was so menag'd between King Edward and his said Son-in-Law on the One part and the Lord John of Blois and his Brother Guy on the Other part with the Consent also of the French King that the Earldom of Soissons was deliver'd up into the King of England's Hands for him to give the said Earldom to his Son-in-Law the Lord of Coucy in consideration of which Gift the Lord of Coucy should acquit King Edward of 4000 l. Annual Pension which hitherto he had allow'd him And when all these Covenants were made engrossed and interchangeably deliver'd the Young Lord Guy of Blois was wholly acquitted for ever And as for the Earl of Alenson he also obtain'd Licence of King Edward to return into France for a certain time But he made so many excuses that at last the War was begun and so he never return'd into England thô some are of Opinion that at last he paid 30000 Franks to be wholly acquitted Some two Years before Lewis Duke of Bourbon who was also one of the Hostages gain'd such Favour in the Eyes of King Edward that he obtain'd his good leave to go and see his Friends in France for a while Now it happen'd that during his stay at Paris with the French King William Edington Bishop of Winchester deceased whereupon King Edward designing to advance William of Wickham who was then his Chaplain as also his Principal Secretary and Keeper of the Privy Seal unto that Dignity wrote into France to this Duke of Bourbon desiring him for his sake to intercede with Pope Vrban to allow that this his Chaplain who had been already elected by the Prior and Convent might be admitted Bishop of Winchester promising withall unto the Duke to use him favourably as to the Business of his Ransome if he would stir effectually in this Matter The Duke of Bourbon was overjoyed at the sight of these Letters and shew'd them to the French King who advis'd him to apply himself immediately to the Pope about that Affair Accordingly he went to Avignon and obtain'd a Bull with a Grant of the Bishoprick of Winchester for the said Candidate with which he return'd into France and soon after into England where he first treated with the King and his Council about his own Deliverance before he would produce the Pope's Bull unto them In short for the sake of this Priest the Duke of Bourbon was wholly set free paying only 20000 Franks and William of Wickham was made Bishop of Winchester and soon after Lord Chancellor of England This Great p De eo Vid. in Vitá Gâ—lielmi Wickhâ—uni à Tho. Marten Edit Lond. 1597. Chandler de Vitâ ejusd Trussel's Continuat ad Daniel's hist in Henr. IV. p. 77. ad An. 1404. Anton Wood Antiqu Oxon. l. 2. p. 126. Weevers Fun. Mon. Godwin's Catal. Bish in Winchester c. Prelate new built the Body of Winchester Church Founded New-College in Oxford and that Glorious Seminary of Winchester-College He also built a Chappel at Tichfield and left many other Monuments of Piety behind him being by his own Vertue and the King's Favour not meanly advanced for besides his being Lord Chancellor and Bishop of Winchester he is said to have held in Commendum the Archdeacomy of Lincoln the Proyostship of Wells the Parsonage of Manyhant in Devonshire and no less than 12 Prebends Having sued the Executors of his Predecessor for Dilapidations he recover'd of them 1662 l. 10 s. besides a 1556 Head of Great Cattle 3876 Weathers 4717 Ewes 2521 Lambs and 127 Swine all which stock it seems belong'd to the Bishoprick of Winchester at that time But of his Family and Name of his Rise and Offices of his Eminence and Buildings and other Great Marks of his Munificence and Liberality I am forbid in this place to speak more largely by the Laws of History and therefore shall refer the Curious Reader to the several Authors above quoted and to our Common English Chronicles Where they will find in this Man a most Notable Instance of Providence and a strong
or other Instruments whereby Men may know the Encrease or Decrease of the Sea. In time of War the same may be to less harm and after taken away That the Acquittance of the Co-Executors refusing Administration may be void The Law shall be used as heretofore It is agreed that no Man be punished contrary to the Statute Such Commissions as were to enquire of Scotch Labourers within the Realm were repealed The Print touching the Pardon of Forest Matters Chap. 4. agreeth with the Record The Print touching the Staple to be removed from Calais because of the Wars and to be held in England Chap. 1. differs much in Form from the Record quod nota The next Day being the Twelfth of June the King gave his Thanks to the Lords and Commons for their great Pains and for the Aid they had given him And in some sort of Recompence promised to all such as should pass over Sea with him against the French that they should enjoy and possess all such Towns Castles Possessions Persons Names Arms and Honours as they should obtain win conquer or take of the French to them and their Heirs in Fee saving unto the King all Regalities and the Lands of the Church and that every Person should have Charters of his own Prowess and Conquest And further the King commanded that all the Bishops should not only muster their own Servants and Tenants but also all Parsons Vicars and other Religious Persons of the Clergy all who were to be in a readiness upon Occasion to resist the Common Enemy And then the Parliament brake up XI One thing here We must not omit namely a Matter concerning the Bounty of the Generous Black-Prince extended to the truly Loyal and Valiant Gentleman the Lord John Greilly that Famous Captal of Busche To whom he granted about this time the whole County of Bigorre in tail reserving yearly at Christmas a Faulcon and a Tercel Gentle to be paid at his Castle of Bourdeaux besides the known Services due out of that County whereof he gave him his Charter h Extant Gallico idiemate apud Selden's Titles of Honour Part. 2. c. 3. §. 13. p. 518. EDWARD Eldest Son of the King of England Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester Lord of Biscay and of the Castle of Ordiales to all who shall see or hear these Letters We give to know That for the good and agreeable Services which our Right Dear and Loyal Cousin John de Greilly Captal of Busche hath rendred unto Us heretofore and which He and his may render unto Us and Ours in time to come We have given and granted and by these Presents do give and grant to Him and his Heirs Male Lawfully begotten the County of Bigorre with the Cities Towns Castles Lands Seignories Homages Jurisdictions High Mean and Low Meer and Mixt Empire Rights Cens and Rents Revenues and other Profits Emoluments and Appurtenances of the said County He rendring unto Us and our Heirs every Year for ever at our Castle of Bourdeaux at the Feast of Christmas a Faulcon and a Tercellet Gentle and doing unto Us and our Heirs Liege Homage and Oath of Fealty Resorts and other Duties which ought to be done to Us for the said County In Witness of which We have caused to be put to these our Letters Patents our Great Seal Given at our City of Angoulesme the 27 day of June in the Year of Grace MCCCLXIX This Grant of the Prince's to that Noble Lord was in i Rot. Vasc 44. Ed. 3. m. 8. n. 4. April following confirmed by the King his Father under the Great Seal of England only reserving to the King and his Heirs Kings of England the Liege Homage of the said John and of his Heirs for the said County and also the Sovereignty and Resort of the said Earldom and all other Duties to Him as Superior Lord due therefrom And so Command was sent from the King to all States and Officers in that County to be obedient and answerable to the said John Greilly as to the Earl of the said Earldom of Bigorre in all things pertaining to the said Earldom CHAPTER the FIFTH The CONTENTS I. The Dukes of Anjou and Berry begin to War upon the Principality several English and French Captains alter their Copies II. The Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke are sent over by King Edward to the Prince's Assistance and Sr. Hugh Calverley returns out of Spain with 6000 Companions The Latter is sent by the Prince to make War upon the Discontented Gascogners and the two Former against the Lands of the Earl of Perigort where they lay Siege to Bourdeilles III. Sr. Simon Burley taken Prisoner by the French and his Men all routed slain or taken IV. The Lord John Chandos takes the strong Town of Terrieres Realville besieged by the French. V. The Dukes of Anjou and Berry make use of the Clergy to debauch the hearts of the English Subjects in France from their Duty King Charles makes solemn Processions and is very devout in order to raise up the Courages of his People The Bishop of London sets forth King Edward's Right to the People from his Pulpit Both the Kings seek foreign Alliances VI. The Two Kings set forth an Account of their several Causes to the World with certain Copies of both their Cases as they were then menaged by the best Lawyers of Italy France and England VII The Reasons whereby the French pretend to cut off from King Edward and his Posterity not only all Right to the Crown of France but also from his Right to Aquitaine which yet had belonged to England in Right of the Lady Eleanor Daughter and Heiress to William last Duke of Aquitaine and Wife to King Henry the Second of England VIII The Pedigree of the Kings of France from King Philip Son of St. Lewis to King Charles the Fair Brother of Queen Isabell Mother of King Edward the Third IX Reasons alledged by the King of England for his Right and Title to the Crown of France I. THE mean while a Frois c. 248. 249. as soon as ever the Dukes of Anjou and Berry knew for certain that the Defiance was made and the War between the two Crowns open they thought not to sleep any longer but made their Special Summons the One in Auvergne and the other about Tholouse with design to raise Forces and go and make War upon the Principality The Duke of Berry for his part had ready at his Command all the Barons of Auvergne of the Bishopricks of Lyon and of Mascon together with the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Villiers the Lord of Tournon Sr. Godfrey of Boulogne Sr. John of Armagnac Sr. John de Villemur the Lord of Montagu the Lord of Tarascon Sr. Hugh Dauphin the Lord of Rochefort and divers others with all whom he drew toward Berry and the Marches of Touraine where being mightily reinforced he began to make terrible War upon
Garrison resolv'd to die every Man rather than to yield up the Place thô the Townsmen would gladly have received the French if they durst Wherefore the Captains of France sent to Tholouse for Four great Engines which they made ready and reared up against the Walls casting therewith both Night and Day massie Stones and huge pieces of Timber against the Fortress besides which they set their Pioneers a Mining But the Englishmen with great Courage comforted each other and slighted all their Art and Fury thô at last for want of Succour We shall find them to be taken only by reason of the Mines But for the present We shall leave them V. While these French Captains d Frois c. 252. f. 152. were thus busie in Quercy the Duke of Berry was in Anvergne with a great Power of Men of War the chief Leaders whereof were the Lord John of Armagnac his Uncle the Lord John de Villemur the Lord Roger Beaufort the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord Villiers the Lord of Semur the Lord of Tarascon Sr. Hugh Dauphin and many more who ravaged about the Marches of Rovergue Quercy and Limosin where they did much Harm and at first found no great Opposition And besides this application of Force there were not wanting other Arts not then so frequent in the World but since those Days very common which made use of the help of the Church to blow up a Fire of Combustion in the State. For the subtle Dukes of Anjou and Berry prevailed with the Archbishop of Tholouse who was a Politick and Learned Prelate to go to the City of Cahors of which place his Brother was then Bishop and here together these two Brothers so elegantly preached and set forth the Right of King Charles against King Edward's Pretensions that the whole City turned French and sware unto the French King Faith and Homage from that time And with these Arts the Archbishop rode about thrô the Country and every where took care to set forth the Equity of his Masters Quarrel with such advantage of popular Arguments and the Reputation which he added thereto from Religion and Scripture Proofs that together with the Terror of the Duke of Berry's Arms and those of the Duke of Anjou who hover'd thereabout he obliged no less than sixty Towns Cities Castles and Fortresses to submit to the Obedience of the French King who had indeed the cheif place in their Hearts before And as this Archbishop went abroad abetting and maintaining the King his Masters Cause in and about the Marches and Limitations of Languedoc So also in Picardy divers other Prelates and Clergymen brought the Right of the Two Kings into their Pulpits where they discussed the Matter so plausibly that King Edward was ever concluded in the wrong And the Common People who in those Days readily swallowed more Course Morsels than these were fully satisfied with all that was said thô in my Opinion it is not only below the Dignity of Princes to make use of such abject Devices but also no way corresponding to the same of Learning and Religion to appeal so fawningly to the Vulgar whom as they please they may easily cheat with false Colours But in France Dr. William Dorman was especially remarkable for these Tongue Victories for he rode about from Town to Town and from City to City and spake with such power and force of Rhetorical Insinuations and handled his Points so cleverly that all who heard him believed in a manner every Word he said and the Controversie between the two Kings was so artificially represented by him that the French King had apparently the Advantage on his side Besides all this King Charles himself was so moved with Devotion e Frois ibid. Mezeray c. that he not only caused Fastings and Processions to be used throughout his Realm by the Clergy but Himself also and his Queen would often attend them going barefoot and in all Churches there were put up continual Prayers to God devoutly requiring and imploring of his Majesty to assist and maintain the Right of the Realm of France which had suffer'd so great Tribulation for so many Years Nor was King Edward less Pious or less honourably Politick For he also used the same Method thrô his Kingdom the rather that his Subjects might be the more ready to venture their Lives and Fortunes in a Cause which they first understood to be Just and Right There was at that time one Dr. Simon Tibuld alià s Sudbury Bishop of London a Man very well seen in the Canon Law and the Scriptures and of great Eloquence who made many Sermons in the most publick places of the City declaring and proving unto the People that the French King had renew'd the War not only against his Oath but also against all Right and Reason with manifest Injustice Fraud and Perjury all which together with King Edward's Title to France he demonstrated with great force of Argument and Rhetorick to the ample satisfaction of all his Auditors And I must confess that it might not seem unnecessary for both the Kings to provide that their Subjects should be generally informed of the particulars of their Quarrel that so they might more teadily and with a good Conscience assist their several Masters in this War at which both the Nations were sufficiently alarum'd already And King Edward himself who was as well furnish'd with Wisdom as Valour nothing doubted but that this War would prove as great and as momentous as ever any he had been engaged in because of the Advantage which the French King had gain'd by surprising him thus as chiefly because of the new Method of this his politick Enemy and also of the Mutability of his French Friends Wherefore he thought it fit for his behoof to stirr up all his Assistants and Allies that might any ways lie opportunely to divert the impending Mischief And so he sent into Brabant and Hainalt to learn whether they would own his Quarrel or no and especially he desired Duke Albert of Bavaria who at that time govern'd the Country of Hainalt instead of his Elder Brother Duke William who had been for some time before Distracted and continued so to the day of his Death to open his Country upon Occasion and to let him go and come into France or tarry there if need should be with an Army Duke Albert at the Request of the King of England his Uncle especially because Queen Philippa his Dear Aunt urged him also thereto readily granted to have his Country open for the use of King Edward being not â—â—tle perswaded to this Matter by Edward Duke of Gueldres who was Son to King Edward's Sister Eleanor and had lately married Duke Alberts Daughter and with him concurred the Duke of Juliers who was Cosen German to the said Albert of Bavaria These two Lords were strictly bound to King Edward the one being as we said before his Nephew and the other the Cosen German to King Edward's Children and to
or Encrease than by way of Confiscation especially of that which riseth upon the Crime of Treason as it is in this present Case It was also set forth at large by the Letters and Rescripts of King Edward how the King of France never renounced either the Reversion or Soveraignty of those Lands which were deliver'd to the King of England by the Treaty of Calais And it was said by way of Corollary that neither the Dutchy of Aquitain nor any other Lands whatsoever ought ever to be deliver'd to the English upon any Respect because among other Reasons the English never yet had althô it were but one Foot of Land in France whether it were by Marriage or otherwise but in the end they always raised Wars and Troubles against the King and State of France And further there were noted and set down many Expeditions made into Aquitain both before and since the time of Charles the Great occasion'd by Justice of the Kings of France for Condemning and Depriving many Dukes of Aquitain because of their Rebellions and other bad Behaviour declaring manifestly that the said Dutchy of Aquitain was sometime the Proper Right and Inheritance of the Kings of France and that did evidently appear in that Charles the Great made and ordained Lewis the Gentle his Eldest Son King of the said Country of Aquitain as King Dagobert long before made Hubert his Brother by the Fathers side only Many other things are there contained which pretend to answer all that the English could say or alledge But We shall now hear what the King of England could say in his own Behalf when We have first set down a short Genealogical Table of the Descent from St. Lewis to King Edward and Philip of Valois VIII THE PEDIGREE OF THE Kings of FRANCE From Philip the Son of St. Lewis untill Charles the Fair. King Philip the Son of St Lewis King Philip the Fair. King Lewis Hutin Jane Countess of Eureux King Philip the Long. Margaret Countess of Artois King Charles the Fair. Blanch Dutchess of Orleans Isabell Queen of England Edward the III. K. of England Charles of Valois Philip of Valois IX Reasons alledged by the KING of ENGLAND for his Right and Title to the Kingdom of FRANCE UPON Supposal as it is evident and notorious in Fact that Philip of Famous Memory sometime King of France the Father of Charles of Honourable Remembrance King of France last deceased and of the most Gracious Lady Isabell Queen of England our Mother 1 Reason Proximity in the Descending Line was our Grandfather by the Mothers Side Then was no Male surviving nearer than We to the same King Charles at the time of his Death of all those who were descended with him from our Grandfather Philip Uncle to our Adversary Now the Person of a Woman is not capable of that Kingdom by a Law therein anciently observed which Law by way of final Cause respecting the Favour of that Realm lest the State thereof should decline under the Weak Government of a Woman by Excluding the Person of a Woman doth not therefore exclude the Person of a Man descended of a Woman so excluded Lest Matters Odious should be extended which is Odious in Law from Person to Person from Sex to Sex from Cause to Cause from Hatred to Favour And lest the Feminine Gender which is contrary to all Rules of Law should comprise the Masculine 2 Reason Restraint of things odiouâ— 3 Reason the Femin Gender compriseth not the Mascaline 4 Reason Derivation of Right from the Grandfather by the Mother 5 Reason Absurdity in Law. 6 Reason The Descending preferred before the Collateral 7 Reason the cause or reason of the Law ceasing especially in a case of an Odious Nature For to this end the Law before mention'd excludeth the Weakness of Women from bearing Rule that more Profitable Provision might be made for the State and that the next Male no otherwise debarred might be Assumed into her Place especially to that Right which did not first spring from the Mother so excluded but is originally derived and propagated from the Grandfather to the Grandchild Otherwise by this odious Enlarging another Absurdity in Justice would ensue that the Nearer Collateral should be excluded and the more distant and remote brought in Seeing that by the Law of Nature and of Nations Brothers and Sisters and their Sons are preferred in mutual Succession before other Collaterals in another Line So that upon this Statute which is made in Favour of the Kingdom and in Hatred of a Woman being debarred from the Kingdom Occasion should arise both of Violation to Law and of Injury to such Males as are descended from a Woman Neither can We conceive that the Intent of the Law here mention'd is so unjust as that the Mother and the Son upon Dislike Reason should be condemned and punished alike Yea by the Contrary Judgment of the same Law whereby the Mother is expelled from Succession the Son entring into the same Degree of his Mother succeedeth in her Place like unto that Son who riseth into the Degree of his Father or Mother deceased 8 Reason the Son entreth into the Degree of his Mother to succeed his Grandfather 9 Reason One vexation not to be added to another that he may be received in equal Terms with his Uncles to the Succession of his Grandfather That so the Sorrowfull Mother being stripped of her Royal Inheritance by Rigour of this Statute should in Right receive some Solâ—ce by Substitution of her Son and not one Heaviness to be heaped upon another which the Upright Consideration of Law doth abhorr as we see even where a Charge of Calamity cometh not by the Law but by Misadventure as in that Law whereby the Custom is condemned which permitteth another Man to take the Goods of them that suffer shipâ—reck By which Reason that which is corrected in express Disposition of Law for avoiding an Encrease of Grief is more strongly prohibited in the secret Disposition Let it therefore more than fully suffice that by the Law of the Realm of France the Mother is cut from the Royal Stem not by any Default in her Self but by the Fact of Nature which framed her a Woman And that by Express Law she suffereth a certain Shipwrock in her own Disinheriting althô she be not by any secret Consequence of the same Law contrary to the Course of Justice wrecked again with her Disinherited Son 10 Reason One not to be burthen'd with anothers Hate And so against all Rules and Reasons of Law one should be burthen'd with anothers Hate Whereas the Right from which the Mother is excluded is in such sort given unto the Son that the Mother receiveth nothing by this Office and Charge of the Son. So likewise we shall find Punishment enlarged without Offence whereas it should be mollified and restrained 11 Reason Punishments to be restrained 12 Reason from an Instance of great Authority even where there
also unworthy to be related The Earl of Flanders b Frois c. 253. fol. 153. himself was not unwilling and had also enter'd Solemn Engagements by Covenant to promote and effect the Nuptials But the Lady Margaret her Grandmother a Frenchwoman both in Blood and Affection opposed her self against this Alliance with all her Power being rather minded to fortifie the House of France Wherefore she prest her Son with all the Vehemence imaginable even so far as to threaten c Mezeray ibid. to cut off those Breasts of hers wherewith she had given him suck because they had nourished up such an ungratefull and unnatural Son. These Words of hers touch'd him to the Quick so that he resolved in his Mind to bestow his Daughter elsewhere As he had opportunity enough to do for many great Princes Courted the Young Lady with assiduous application but especially he was call'd upon by the French King to bestow his Daughter upon his Brother Philip the Hardy Duke of Burgundy And this Politick King had secretly so tamper'd with Pope Urban that he could by no means be prevail'd with to allow a Dispensation for the King of England's Son to Marry her for they were within the Degrees forbidden The Earl of Flanders therefore d Frois ibid. being thus press'd upon by his Mother as well as by the French King and finding by the Pope's obstinacy that the Marriage would not presently take with England especially considering that it was high time for his Daughter to be Married because he had no more Children and also believing that the Young Duke of Burgundy would be no improper Match for his Daughter who before had been Married to that Title upon these and the like accounts he sent certain Messengers into England desiring the King to acquit him from his Obligations since a Dispensation for a Marriage with his Son could not be obtain'd by any means King Edward who was not apt to suspect any fraud in Princes and Men of Honour considering withall that the Young Lady was not to lose her time since he could not hope for any timely Dispensation freely releas'd him of all Covenants to that purpose of which he gave his Letters wherewith the said Messengers return'd to Bruges and shew'd their Lord the Earl how they had succeeded which pleas'd him wondrous well And soon after the Marriage was fully agreed on between Philip Duke of Burgundy and the Earl's Daughter these being the Conditions That the Earl of Flanders in consideration of this Match should have 50000 Franks that the Towns of Lisle and Doway should be deliver'd up unto him in gage for certain Sums of Money which the French King hereupon undertook to pay to the Earl of Flanders Who accordingly had present Possession thereof and placed his own Subjects therein This Composition being made and Ratified they proceeded to the Marriage which was held and consummated in the City of Gaunt with great Pomp and Solemnity many High Lords Barons and Knights being present especially the accomplish'd Young Lord Ingleram de Coucy Earl of Bedford who was sent thither by the French King to add Grace to their Dancing Justs and Triumphs But when King Edward of England saw that the Earl of Flanders was by means of his Daughter allied thus to the House of France he knew not what to think whether or no the Earl would take Part against him for the sake of the Duke of Burgundy his Son-in-Law and Presumptive Heir For he doubted much what kind of Covenants might have passed on that Occasion between the French King and the Earl to his Prejudice Wherefore he became now more severe with the Flemings and vexed them more than heretofore both by Land and by Sea as they were about their Merchandise And at this the French King was not at all displeased but rather laughed in his sleeve for he hoped that thereupon a War would ensue between the English and the Flemings But however the Wise Men of Flanders and the most Wealthy Burgesses of the Good Towns had no mind to break with England not only because of their loss of Trade consequent thereupon but because in a manner all the Commons of Flanders were absolutely enclin'd to King Edward's Side and generally believed his Title to the Crown of France to be much fairer than that of the French Kings II. The mean while King Edward who was as busie to procure himself Friends as the French King was on the other hand to ballance this Loss of the Earl of Flanders sent to his Cosen Charles King of Navarre whom he knew to be at no good Terms with the French King Because he claimed a Right of Inheritance to certain Lands which he held concerning which both their Councils had often treated But still the King of France denied that he ought to inherit them and so Matters rested at this time both the Kings being not yet come to Daggers drawing but exceeding Jealous of each other Particularly the King of Navarre who was then in Base Normandy began seriously to fortifie his Towns and Castles in Coutantine and the Earldom of Eureux and other Parts of Normandy which came unto Him by his Mother the Countess of Eureux or otherwise He himself making his chief Residence at Cherburgh with Men of War ready in that as well as all other his Garrisons Among others at this time in his Service there was that Eminent Warrier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt who as then govern'd Carentan a City beyond the Passage of St. Clement in the Limits of Coutantine which belonged to the King of Navarre's Inheritance This Sr. Eustace was one of the King of Navarre's Principal Councellors but a Subject and Liegeman to the King of England wherefore King Edward sent now to him to sift the King of Navarre throughly and he so far prevail'd with him that at last the King of Navarre with a private Company went on Board an English Vessel called the Lynne and set sail for England where he was heartily welcome to King Edward And here at last it was agreed that the King of Navarre immediatly upon his return to Cherburgh should admit English Troops into all his Garrisons and also send and defie the French King. After which he returned with a strong Convoy of English Knights and Archers into Normandy where he dispos'd of most of the Men in Garrisons but those few who returned home with the Ships had but ill Fortune For they met with certain Pirats Normans and others who being far stronger set upon them fiercely and within a while took and slew them every Man they would not receive one to Mercy Which was a great Trouble as well as Loss to King Edward but the matter was past all Recovery III. Soon after the King of Navarre was return'd safe to Cherbourgh Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt being sent for by the Prince of Wales took leave of him to go and serve the Prince according to his Duty thô the King was at
Duke of Burgundy came thither with his great Army and sat down over against the English between St. Omers and Tournehan in very good Order But he took up a large extent of ground for it was said how he had in his Army more than y Frois ibid. 4000 Knights whereby the Number of the rest may be conjectur'd And in this manner the two Armies lay facing each other without any offer to come to a decisive Battle For thô the Duke of Burgundy did so far outnumber the English that he was z Frois ibid. fol. 169. Seven to their One yet he durst not come to a pitch'd Battle because the King his Brother had commanded expresly to the contrary And no doubt that Circumspect Prince considering that in spite of such disadvantages the English had oftentimes conquer'd in the Days of his Predecessors particularly when they took his Father Prisoner in the Battle of Poictiers thought it best now like Fabius the Cunctator to oppose delay to their Fury which indeed as Matters then went prov'd the best Council As for the English thô being so inferior in Number they thought not good to attaque the Enemy in his Trenches a Fro. s ibid. yet they would not have refus'd him had he come forward for every day they ranged themselves in good Order of Battle to receive him all Men being appointed what to do in their several Offices and Stations However most of the time was entertain'd with Skirmishes between the two Armies now this fide gaining the better and now that as the chance of War is And Lewis Earl of Flanders who very much studied the Welfare of his Son-in-Law the Duke of Burgundy and now lay at a fair Palace of his which he had newly built near Gaunt hearing an account of the State of both Armies by Messengers going too and fro between the Duke and Him would always advise him by his Letters that he should not by any means break the Command of his Brother the French King to present the English with Battle XX. While b Frois c. 264. fol. 169. these two Armies of France and England lay thus idly confronting one another there fell many memorable adventures in Poictou of which we shall now say somewhat For it is not agreeable that any of the Exploits of that Gallant Hero Sr. John Chandos should be forgotten We remembred before how upon the Lord James Audley's not Death but only Retirement into England he was by the Prince of Wales made Grand Seneschal of Poictou and as he yielded in Conduct or Courage to no man living so now especially he desired to adorn his Province and to do some memorable Act upon the Frenchmen Wherefore he soon assembled a considerable Body of Men of Arms in the City of Poictiers saying he design'd to make an Inroad into Anjou and to come back again by Touraine and look upon the Frenchmen in the Marches and Frontiers there Notice of this his Design he sent forthwith to the Earl of Pembroke who lay then in Garrison at Mortagne a Fortress of Poictou lying on the River la Sevre and confining on the Borders of Anjou and had at least two Hundred Spears in his Company The Young Earl was huge glad of this News and very much desired to go along with the Lord Chandos but some Green Heads among his Followers diverted him by saying Sir You are but as yet in the Flower of your Youth Your Honour is yet to come whereof from those early Seeds of Vertue within You We may expect a plentifull harvest But if You put your self in Company of the Lord Chandos his Ripe and High-grown Reputation will choak yours in its very growth So that whatsoever Noble Exploit You shall now perform the Glory thereof will be only his because He is the Sovereign and most noted Captain in these parts Wherefore since You are so great a Lord and nothing Inferior to him either in Birth Alliance or Courage 't is fitter that what You do You build on your own Foundation And e'en let the Lord Chandos do what he pleases upon his own account c Frois ibid. since in comparison to You he is but a Knight Batchelour A Lecture of Ambition is easily received by most Men but especially by Young Persons who apparently hazard their Lives for Honour So that the Earls Eagerness to accompany the Lord Chandos was upon this occasion very much abated whereupon he made his Excuse for that time and declin'd to joyn Issue in the Enterprise Envy is surely the Stepmother of all Brave Undertakings and the Laudable Course of Vertue is never stopt but by the Rubs she flings in her way However the Just God has made her a Plague to her self and in the End all the Mischief she design'd falls redoubled upon her own Head. The Earl of Pembroke will find a time to repent this folly of his and we shall shortly see him to owe his Life to the Assistance of this General under whom He now despis'd to learn the Rudiments of War. Notwithstanding the Lord Chandos would not break his Purpose but made his Rendezvous at Poictiers and then began his March with 300 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and 1100 Archers in his Company The Chief Noblemen and Captains under him were the Lord Thomas Piercy the Lord Thomas Spencer Sr. Neal Loring Sr. Dangouses Sr. Thomas Banister Sr. John Trivet Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. William Montendre Sr. Moubron Linieres Sr. Richard Taunton and many more all who rode forth with their several Retinues and the Archers in good Array and passed thô Poictou into the parts of Anjou their Van-Currours who rode before them ravaging all the Country as they went. At this rate they proceeded and did what they pleas'd in the fruitfull Land of Anjou none offering to oppose them thô they tarried in those parts for 15 days especially in Loudunois After which they return'd again with much Booty taking the way between Anjou and Touraine along by the River Creuse whence they descended into the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart and put all to fire and sword leaving nothing untouch'd except perhaps what was secur'd in strong Fortresses So at last they passed the Vienne at St. Junien and shew'd themselves before the strong Town of Rochechoüart which they attempted but in vain For the Vicount had beforehand well fortify'd the Place and set therein two good Captains Sr. Tibault du Pont and Sr. Helion de Talay whereupon the Lord Chandos would spend no more time there Just then he had notice how the Lord Lewis of Sancerre Marshal of France was at la Haye en Touraine with a considerable Body of Men wherefore being desirous to go thither and yet thinking himself not strong enough he sent once more to the Earl of Pembroke kindly entreating him now that an Advantage was offer'd against the Enemy to come and joyn him with all his Power at Chastelleraut in order to march
to go and joyn the Duke of Berry with all his Retinue of Men of Arms Knights and Esquires Whereupon he took the first opportunity of leaving Paris and took the way toward Orleans to go into Berry to the Duke And yet all this while the Companions on the French side kept the Field holding Frontier War against the English in Rouvergue and Quercy and did much Mischief daily in the Country thereabout as on the other hand Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton were ready on the Marches of Poictou to take all Advantages they could think on IX Against all these Preparations of France we shall see by and by what Provision the Black-Prince made but over and above all that King Edward who saw his own Honour and Right concern'd in this War made against his Son was as vigilant on the other hand and resolved to set forth two considerable Armies also on his part First he order'd his Son John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster with 400 Men of Arms and 4000 Archers to go into the Principality of Aquitaine to his Brothers Assistance For he verily believed that the French King would turn the greatest stress of his Arms that way But yet by Advice of his Council he sent another Army into Picardy under the Command of Sr. Robert Knolles in this bearing testimony to the former Choice of the Prince his Son who had made that Great Captain one of his Generals And He for his part nothing puff'd up with the Approbation of two such Illustrious Personages went roundly and wisely about his business making haste to go as strong as he might for Calais thence to make an Impression into France in such a manner as to gain a Confirmation of the Esteem his Sovereign had for him by a pitch'd Battle with the French which he thought they would not refuse And that he might have the greater Authority the King gave him Commission to pardon Rebells and to treat with such as were willing to submit or to accept of Conditions or come to the Peace of the King as likewise the c Ashmole p. 675. ex Ret. Vasc 44. Ed. 3. m. 5. Duke of Lancaster on his part had another Commission to receive into Favour and wholly to pardon such of his Cities Castles Towns and Inhabitants as well in Aquitaine as other parts of France as should return to his Obedience and to do and exercise all Power given in his said Commission with the Consent of the Prince if Present and in his absence as the King's Lieutenant to do what the King himself could do if personally there And that Care might be taken in Civil Affairs the King reserving still to Himself the Sovereignty and Resort in those Territories sent a Blank d Dat. 10 Junii Ret. Vasc 44. Ed. 3 ibid. Commission for the Prince to insert the Names of such as he should think fit to appoint for Judges or Delegates to hear all Causes as well Criminal as Civil upon Appeals from the Prince's Court But of the Success of these Armies We shall speak hereafter About this time the Lady Isabella of Valois Mother to the Duke of Bourbon was deliver'd out of Prison in Exchange for Sr. Simon Burley by the menagement of Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt who as he had e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 95. obtain'd the good Fortune of Marrying the Young Widow of John late Earl of Kent became a perpetual servant to that Charming Sex which had so highly grac'd him So that by his obliging Deportment to this Lady of Bourbon he not only obtain'd her Good Word ever after but also thereby extreamly gratify'd the Duke her Son who in time found an opportunity to repay this his Kindness and moreover he gain'd no small Favour thereby from the French Queen her self who sent him a most Rich Present with her particular Thanks X. Now there f Frois ibid. had been for some time a Treaty on Foot between the French King and the King of Navarre who lay then at Cherbourg in Normandy For the King of France was advis'd by any means to make sure of that Inconstant and Troublesome Man and to bring him off from the King of England his Council telling him That it was no time to make War with the King of Navarre for he should find his Hands full enough with the business of England and that therefore on occasion he had better recede from a part of his Right to please that froward Prince than by leaving him in Discontent to set him upon Counsels highly Prejudicial to the whole Realm of France For if Navarre should once permit the English to enter his Fortresses of Cherbourg or Coutances which was much to be feared they might e'n do what they pleased in Normandy By these and the like Reasons the French King was perswaded to hold a good Correspondence with the King of Navarre even upon any Terms whatsoever So that going himself to Roüen he sent from thence unto him the Archbishop of that Place and the Bishop of Enreux the Earls of Alenson and Salebruce Dr. William Dorman and Dr. Robert de Lorraine who found him at Vernon a City of Normandy about Eight Leagues from Roüen on the other side the Seyne Here they were well feasted by the King of Navarre and on Security given obliged him to bear them Company back to Roüen where he was expected by his Good Brother the French King. And here in short Articles were drawn up the Peace made and all Former Alliances and Confederations with France renewed engrossed sworn to Signed and Sealed The King of Navarre at the same time renouncing all Obligations of Love and Friendship made at any time before between himself and the King of England and engaging upon his Return into Navarre to send and defie both the Prince of Aquitaine and his Father In sign of which new Agreement the King of Navarre went with full Confidence along with the French King from Roüen to Paris where again all former Obligations were renewed and mutual Faith and Friendship solemnly repeated not without many extraordinary Caresses Feasts and Entertainments After all which the King of Navarre took his leave of Paris having left his two Sons Charles and Peter with the King their Uncle as Pledges of his Faith and he himself not daring after this to go thrô the Principality rode to Mompellier whence he went into the Earldom of Foix and so came at last into his own Country where for a while We shall leave him XI It may be remembred how the Duke of Anjou for his part had undertaken to invade Guienne by the way of Agenois for he extreamly hated the Prince of Wales and the whole English Name and Nation He was now making his Rendezvous at Tholouse where he only tarried for Sr. Bertram of Clequin who came at last by the King of Spains leave and then Anjou began his March. At which very time the Duke of Lancaster went on board at
had been his prime Patron and had advanced him to a considerable Command in the Army But this Ungratefull Man did all he could to blow the Coals of Contention among the Chief Leaders and especially to instigate the Young Lords against Sr. Robert Knolles by telling them how it redounded to their Discredit to be subject to a Man of so mean an Extract as he was that now the Campaine was over the Date of his Authority was expired and if still he pretended to Command his Betters he was not to be endur'd That every One of them was far from being a Novice and able enough to do his own Business without the Direction of that old Freebooter Upon these and the like insinuations tending to Discord they divided into several Bodies and every Man drew to himself as many as favour'd his Opinion Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Alan Boxhull who only held firmly to the best Counsel were at that time not far from Mans but they design'd to go streight into Bretagne and Quarter there The Lord Thomas Grandison the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter Sr. Hugh Meinil Sr. John Menstreworth and the greater part of the other Lords were in other Places about the parts of Anjou and Touraine But when Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Alan Boxhull knew that the Constable of France and the Lord Oliver Clisson were come so near unto them they were very glad thereof and Sr. Robert said This is good News for Vs Let Vs now gather our Friends together and take our Advantage Surely Sr. Bertram of Clequin for Novelty of his Office is come hither to look upon Vs Althô We have ridden thrô all France without meeting any that dared so much before I pray God 't is not from our Dissention that they have taken Courage However I 'll send and invite hither to a participation of our Design the Valiant and Loyal Sr. Hugh Calverley who is now in Garrison at Saumur on the Loire as also to Sr. Robert Briquet Sr. Perdiccas of Albret Sr. Robert Cheney and the other Captains of the Companions our Friends that are here about Vs desiring them to come and joyn Us immediately I believe they will be glad of such an Opportunity to shew their Valour We will also send to our Dissenting Friends who have separated from Vs if so be We shall now be able to perswade them to embrace wholsome Council For says he if We may overthrow this New Constable and our inveterate Enemy the Lord Clisson it will redound exceedingly to our Honour and Advantage Now as we said before Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Alan Boxhull were always of one Mind and they agreed in this point accordingly and sent Messengers with Letters secretly to Sr. Hugh Calverley to Sr. Robert Cheney and the rest desiring them to come and joyn them by such a time at such a place to the end they might give the Frenchmen Battle They sent also to Sr. Thomas Grandison Sr. Walter Fitz-Walter and the rest of that Faction to the same effect who also prepared readily to come to them the latter party amounting to b Frâ—is ibid. 200 Spears But whether Sr. John Menstreworth did already begin to hold Correspondence with the French as shortly after he openly fell off to them or by what other means I know not this Assignation of Sr. Robert's was not so closely carried on but that Sr. Bertram of Clequin had particular notice thereof So that at the time appointed he went out of his Garrison with c Frois c. 400 Spears besides others in his Company and planted himself in a way where he knew the English must of necessity pass at le Pont Vallin in the County of Maine That very Night Sr. Thomas Grandison with his 200 Spears and about 6000 others left his Quarters and began to March toward the place appointed to joyn Sr. Robert Knolles But his journey was shortned by Sr Bertram of Clequin who meeting him early in the Morning at Pont Vallin gave him a sudden Charge with all the Vigour imaginable The Frenchmen were at least double the Number of the English and the surprise wherewith they made the Onset was no small Advantage on their side neither However the Battle was strong and well fought and lasted a good while For at the First Encounter the Englishmen alighted all on Foot and came boldly against their Enemies fighting with Spears Swords and Axes Valiantly But at last the Victory fell to the French and they obtain'd the Day almost all the English being slain or taken except the Pages and Boys and such who leap'd on their Masters Horses and so saved themselves But Sr. John Menstreworth however made shift to escape and soon after d Walsingh hist p. 180. n. 10. Hyted p. 131. n. 5â— he got back into England where he challenged Sr. Robert Knolles of Treason and accused him as the sole occasion of this Loss before the King and Council But the approved Worth of the Man was so well known that generally Sr. John was look'd on as a false Liar and Sr. Robert clearly acquitted in the Opinion of all Men. Thô this Disloyal Calumniator had so stoutly bespatter'd him that the King withdrew a Pension which before he had granted him and Sr. Robert durst not afterwards return into England till he had secur'd the King's Favour both by the Testimony of his Friends and a good round Sum of Money as We shall see presently In the foresaid Battle there were slain upon the Spot above e Du Chesne p. 707. 1200 English and almost all the rest were taken Prisoners as the chief Captain the Lord Thomas Grandison the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter Sr. Gilbert Gifford Sr. Geoffry Vrsewell Sr. Hugh Meinill Sr. Philip Courtney Sr. Hugh Spencer and many other Knights and Gentlemen all who were carried away Prisoners to the City of Mans. On the French side the famous old Warrier the Lord f Jacob Meyer l. 13. p. 190. Arnold D'Endreghan died of the Wounds he receiv'd in this Battle The News of this Loss was presently carried to Sr. Hugh Calverley at Saumur upon the Loire to Sr. Robert Cheyney and their Fellows who thereupon forbore to go to Sr. Robert Knolles as they had designed And Sr. Robert Knolles for his part together with Sr. Alan Boxhull and his Friends retired from the appointed Place of Rendezvous and wholly quitted the Design of going against the Constable Shortly after he went into Bretagne to his own Castle and Town of Derual and there he gave leave to all his Men of Arms and Archers to go where they pleased so that some of them returned into England others went to Sr. Alan Boxhull to the Town of St. Saviour the Vicount in Normandy which King Edward had committed to his Charge XXIV But Sr. Bertram of Clequin who had given the English this memorable Discomfiture at Pont Vallin finding he was not able to do any more that Year for it was now deep Winter
of Galizia A little after whose Departure on that very Day of St. John Baptist there came by Land to Rochell a great Number of Men of Arms English and Gascogners who as yet knew nothing of this Mischance of their Friends They had only heard that for certain the Spiniards lay before Rochell with design as it should seem to block it up and therefore they came thither now to preserve the Place The Chief Captains of these Men were the Noble Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche Sr. Beras du Launde Sr. Peter of Landuras the Soldiche of Estarrac Sr. Bertram de France and of Englishmen the Lord Thomas x Vid. de his Barenibus Dug Bar. ad ecrum nomina Percy the Lord Baldwin Frevile the Lord John Devereux Sr. Richard Ponchardon Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. William Fermin and others When these Lords and Knights with their Troops which were to the Number of six hundred Men of Arms were come to Rochell the Citizens made them extream Welcome as it should seem For as then they durst not shew the Malice of their Minds But when Sr. James of Surgeres had inform'd them of the Spaniards Victory by Sea in which Engagement he himself had been taken and ransomed these heavy Tidings all the Barons and Knights took mightily to Heart and thought themselves the most unfortunate Men Living that they had not come thither time enough to their Friends Assistance But they were beyond measure displeased that they had lost the Earl of Pembroke and Sr. Guischard Dangle However there they tarried certain Days to consider how they should now proceed and because the Seneschal of Rochell Sr. John Harpedon was taken by the Spaniards the Captal of Busche as being one of the Duke of Lancasters Chief Deputies in those Parts constituted Sr. John Devereux Seneschal of Rochellois of which We shall speak hereafter VI. Many French Writers talk of one Owen or Evan which they corruptly call Yvan making him to be Son to a Prince of Wales whom say they King Edward the Third put to Death and gave the Principality to his Son Edward the Black-Prince But those that are better acquainted with the Welch Story can tell that Lhewellin ap Griffith the last Prince of Wales of the Brittish Blood died without Issue being slain at Buelht in the Days of King Edward the First Grandfather to our Edward in the Year of our Lord MCCLXXXII which was full 90 Years before this time That indeed y Lloyd's Hist of Wales p. 374 one Madoc of the Kindred of the said Lhewellin rebelled afterwards but being taken was kept a perpetual Prisoner in the Tower or as some say submitted and was received into Favour on Condition he would bring in another Rebel named Morgan and put him into the King's Hands which he did That z Lloyd ibid. p. 382. ex Rot. Turr. Edward of Carnarvon afterwards King Edward the Second was by his Father stiled Prince of Wales and received the Homage of several Lords and other Free-Holders of Wales That his Son Edward of Windsor in time King of England by the Name of Edward the Third about the Sixteenth Year of his Fathers Reign was in a Parliament holden at York created Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitain thô as a Vid. huâ—us Hist l. 1. c. 1. § 2. p. 2 we shew'd before he is no where found to have used the former Title of the two But this is most certain that his Son the Black-Prince in the b Vid. huâ—us Hist l. 1. c. 3. § 5. p. 45. l. 1. c. 21. §. 9. p. 273. Seventeenth Year of his Fathers Reign was created Prince of Wales and that by this means Wales was ever after joyned to the Crown of England even to this Day From all which it appears that this Owen however otherwise commendable was but a Counterfeit as to this Point And yet it might be no ill Policy for the French Kings to entertain him as being a Declared Enemy to the English Having thus by a sincere Antidote taken away the Venom of this Upstart Prince's Pretensions I shall now proceed to shew what Use the French King made of him at this time in his Affairs It was reported that our King Edward the Third took one Edmund Prince of Wales who was never else heard of and beheaded him that his young Son this Owen forsooth being by some means or other brought over into France was nourished up by King Philip of Valois as a Child of Honour in his own Chamber That he bare Arms for King John at the Battle of Poictiers but that after the famous Peace at Bretigny he retired into Lombardy Whence upon the Renewing of the War between the two Realms he came back again and offer'd his service to King Charles against the English The King received him gladly and advanced him in his Court committing to his Charge certain Troops of Souldiers particularly this Summer he gave him 4000 Men and sent him to sea against England VII Prince Owen for so however We will take leave to call him went on â—oard having imbarked his Men at Harfleur in Normandy and so set Sail taking his Course to the left hand for the Isle of Garnsey the Governour whereof for the King of England was Edmund Ros a Valiant and Hardy Esquire When this Gentleman heard how the French had took land in the Isle and that Owen of Wales was their Leader he made his Summons immediately thrô the Country resolving to march forth against him and to give him Battle The whole Isle is not c Speeds Maps p. 94. above 36 Miles in Circuit But however what with his own Men and the Inhabitants he presently raised 800 Fighting Men and so came and presented Battle to Owen of Wales The Fight proved fierce and obstinate on both sides but at last the Englishmen who were far outnumbred by the Enemy were discomfited and fled leaving behind them 400 dead upon the Spot Ros himself with the rest made shift to retire into a strong Fortress about two leagues from the place of Battle called Cornet-Castle which he had exceedingly fortified and victuall'd before and there he resolv'd to expect what God would please to send him After this Victory Prince Owen rallied his Men together and went directly and laid siege to the Castle of Cornet whither he heard Edmund Ros the Captain was retreated But the Place was so strong and as we shewed before so well provided that it was not to be won without much time and labour wherefore Owen sat down before the Castle It was in the time of this Siege that the late unhappy Adventure fell to the Earl of Pembroke and the Lord Guischard Dangle and their Men in the Haven of Rochell as we have related At the News whereof the French King was extream glad and assumed the greater Courage to pursue the Wars in Poictou and elsewhere For now he thought when the Good Towns and Cities of those Parts did
Skirmishes at the Barriers A Remark on Mr. Stow. The King resolves for Bretagne intending to return to the Siege before Paris at a better season The Great Miseries of France whereby the Dauphin finds himself obliged to make certain Offers to King Edward for Peace The King being moved by a strange Tempest accepts the French Offers A Treaty ensues A Copy of the Famous Peace made at Bretigny The two Eldest Sons of England and France sworn to uphold the Peace King Edward returns for England and sends King John over to Calais The Pope quickens him to finish the Peace which he does The Copies of both the Kings Letters The Names of the Grandees sworn on both sides Other things relating to the Consummation of the Peace Endeavours to reconcile the two Pretenders to Bretagne The Mutual Friendship of the two Kings King John goes to Boulogne King Edward returns to England The Death of the Earl of Oxford of the Earl of Northampton also of the Earl of Hereford and Essex of the Earl of Kent of the Earl of Warwick's Brother and of the King of Cyprus From p. 575. to p. 607. Chap. VII The Methods of the two Kings to establish the Peace King John's Reception at Paris The unwillingness of the Frenchmen to admit of the English Government King Edward makes the Lord John Chandos his Lieutenant in Aquitaine The said Lord's Praise and Character The Disbanded Souldiers turn Robbers and overthrow the Lord James of Bourbon The Pope gets them to be drawn off into Italy A second Plague in England The Death of the Good Duke of Lancaster of the Lord John Moubray and others with six Bishops and the Archbishop of Armagh The Black-Prince Marries the Countess of Kent Prince Lionel made Lieutenant of Ireland with his behaviour there King Edward restores unto the Priors Aliens what he took from them in the Eleventh Year of his Reign From p. 608. to p. 619. Chap. VIII Ambassadors from the Kings of Armenia and Cyprus entertain'd by the King with Justs and Tourneaments King Edward Creates his Son the Black-Prince Prince of Aquitaine The Copy of his Charter The Prince prepares to go over with his Family An occasional Prophesie concerning King Edward's immediate Successor The Prince his Reception in Aquitaine He settles his Court at Bourdeaux A Parliament at Westminster The Jubilee of King Edward's Age. He Creates his Son Lionel Duke of Clarence John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge His Acts of Grace to all his Subjects He holds a Solemn Hunting The Lord Fauconberg dies Sr. John Copland Murther'd From p. 620. to p. 626. Chap. IX King John of France on the Death of the Duke of Burgundy without Issue takes Possession of that County and goes to visit the Pope at Avignon Pope Innocent VI dies Urban V succeeds The King of Cyprus comes to Avignon A Combat fought there A Croisade proclaimed The King of France being the Head thereof The King of Cyprus visits the Emperour The Emperours Opinion concerning the Holy War. The King of Cyprus goes to other Christian Princes The Duke of Anjou being one of the French Hostages makes an Escape The Kings of Cyprus and Denmark and the Duke of Bavaria come into England King Edward's answer to the King of Cyprus when he ask'd his Company to the Holy War. A Parliament at Westminster A Convocation which retrenches the Excessive Number of Holy Days The Death of the Dutchess of Clarence of Edward Bailiol once King of Scotland and of the Bishop of Bath and Wells A Man who after Execution at the Gallows recover'd is pardon'd by the King. The King of Cyprus rob'd King David of Scotland comes into England A long and hard Frost From p. 626. to p. 633. Chap. X. King John comes into England King Edward welcomes Him. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at once The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitaine King John sickens and dies in England The King of Navarre stirs again Sr. Bertram of Clequin sent for to oppose him A Story of his Original He takes Mante and Meulan by stratagem The King of Navarre sends the Captal of Busche against Him. Sr. Bertram reinforced The Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville King John's Funeral Rights performed in England His Body buried in France A Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy The Famous Battle of COCHEREL wherein the Captal of Busche is overthrown and taken Prisoner by Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Guy of Granville redeems his Father by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims He makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy Sr. Bertram of Clequin buys the Castle of Rolebois The Duke of Burgundy sent to reduce the rest The Army divided Acts separately Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois A Party of his surprises la Charité The Duke takes in several Places Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do as they please The Duke of Burgundy goes to oppose the Earl of Monbelliard La Charité besieged and taken From p. 634. to p. 650. Chap. XI The King of France helps Charles of Blois and the King of England John of Monford both who prepare for Battle The French Order their Men. The Lord John Chandos orders the English and gives a Reserve to Sr. Hugh Calverley The Lord of Beaumanoir obtains a short Truce in order to an Agreement The Lord Chandos breaks off the Treaty The Famous Battle of AURAY in Bretagne with the Death of Charles of Blois and the Number of the slain and Prisoners on both sides Earl Monford weeps over Charles his Body the Character and Praise of the said Charles Earl Monford gives a Truce to the Country and returns to the Siege of Auray which he soon takes A Treaty for a Match between the Daughter and Heiress of Lewis of Flanders and Edmund Earl of Cambridge is dash'd by the French King's subtlety The Christians obtain a Cadmaean Victory against the Turks From p. 651. to p. 661. Chap. XII John of Monford reduces all Bretagne With King Edward's leave he holds the Dukedom of the French King. Peace made between the French King and the King of Navarre The Captal of Busche set at Liberty Is tempted to renounce the English Interest in vain The Death of the Lord Lewis of Navarre A Parliament at Westminster King Edward's Buildings and Foundation of Kings-Hall in Cambridge now called Trinity-College The Pope demands King John's Fee-Farm Rent King Edward refers the Matter to his Parliament The Lady Isabella Daughter to the King given in Marriage to the Lord Ingleram de Coucy The King punishes sundry of his Judges for Male-Administration The King of Cyprus takes Alexandria in Egypt but leaves it again Dr. Thoroton twice corrected The Earl of Warwick returns into England with the King of Lithuaniâ—'s Son to
t Id. p. 633. Lord Montagu Robert u Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 26. Lord Morley John x Id. 1 Vol. p. 81. quem vid. ad singula haec nomina Lord Warren Earl of Surrey John Lord Ros younger Brother to William Lord Ros of Hamlake in Yorkshire with his other Brother Thomas Ros the Lord William Clinton afterwards Earl of Huntington the Lord Roger le Strange and Sr Ebulo le Strange his Kinsman the Lord Hugh Audeley junior and Sr James Audeley his younger Brother Thomas Lord Braose the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine the Lord John St Philibert the Lord Peter de Malolacu or Mauley the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Ralph Basset of Drayton the Lord Thomas Hastang the Lord Robert Pierpoint the Lord Thomas Furnival the Lord Robert Fitz-Walter Sr Walter Beauchamp of Alcester in Warwickshire with his Brother William Beauchamp Sr Nicolas Cantilupe and many other Barons of England Sr y Frois c. 17. John of Heinalt and all the Lords Strangers with their troops both in their March and when they took up their Lodgings were always placed immediately next the King 's own Guards as well to secure them from the Archers who still breathed after Revenge as for their greater Honour and to let the whole Army know thaâ— whoever sought their damage would at the same time highly trespass upon the King himself The first Night the Host reached sixteen mile onward of their way and there the King tarried two Days and three Nights partly to expect till the whole Army was come up but chiefly to examine by himself and his Officers whether any thing necessary for such an Expedition was wanting before they should be brought to a Pinch Early on the fourth day they began their March toward Durham which was distant in all from York about fourty eight or fifty Miles but from Topcliffe whereabout they had lodged little more than Thirty The second Night after they reach'd the City of Durham encamping thereabout till further notice of the Enemy of whom they had heard no News as yet The King had before this as we remembred to hinder their Progress in the Borders sent the Earl of Norfolk Marshal of England to Newcastle and the Lords Hufford and Mowbray to Carlile with considerable Forces They for their part slack'd nothing of their Duty for they were Persons of great Worth and Honour But the subtle Scot e're the King could reach Newcastle which was but about z Ferrar. in Orthea twelve or fourteen Miles beyond Durham had pass'd the River of Tiâ—â— so privately that they were neither perciev'd by the Garrisons of New-castle nor Carlile and so for a while they wasted and robb'd the Country wherever they came and yet could never be overtaken or found by those who sought to encounter them but only a Holinshead Hist Scotl. p. 225 once at Darlington where being met by a disorder'd number of the Country Militia who came to oppose them they soon overcame them putting many to the sword and the rest to flight Their King Robert himself was not there at that time thô he was the most Valiant and most Successfull Prince that had reign'd in Scotland of many years For being now oppressed with age and sickness he was forced to send in his stead two the most Famous and Expert of his Captains the Lord Thomas Randulph Earl of Murray and the Lord James Douglas the latter greatly in those days Renowned for Hardiness above all the Scotchmen as the former was for Wisdom and Conduct Their Forces were b Hector Bachan twenty or twenty five thousand Men all nimble and expedite for suddain Invasion or quick Retreat for they were all mounted c Frois c. 17 f. 8. the Better Sort on good strong Coursers and the Common Soldiers on little but approved Hackneys and Geldings They brought with them no Carts nor Wagons because of the inequality of the Mountainous Countries thrô which they should pass nor had they with them much purveyance of Bread or Wine for in those days the Scots were so abstemious and patient in time of War that for a good while they could endure with flesh half-boiled and drink out of the Rivers Nor yet had they any Pans or Cauldrons to dress their meat in for what Beasts they found as they always did good store in those Northern parts they would seeth them in their own skins stretch'd out bellying on stakes in the manner of Cauldrons And having thus sod their meat they would take a little Plate of Metal which they us'd to truss somewhere in or under their saddles and laying it on the fire take forth some Oatmeal which they carried in little bags behind them for that purpose and having kneaded and temper'd it with water spread that thereon This being thus baked they us'd for Bread to comfort and strengthen their stomachs a little when they eat flesh That such hard Farers should prove good Souldiers is no wonder and that sometimes they should be able to baffle a great Army more encombred than themselves may very lightly be granted And now had the English been several days in those Parts before they had any knowledge where their Enemies were thô they dayly saw the effects of their cruelty and met with many of the Borderers who fled before them to avoid it But at last they saw great smokes and fires about the Country which plainly enough declared where they were and what was their Employment Immediately hereupon d Frois c. 18. fol. 8. the Alarum is given and a March sounded every Man being commanded to dislodge and in the Order before appointed to follow the Marshals Battail There were three great Battalions on Foot and to each Battail two Wings of 500 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and 20000 others well-arm'd and provided the one half on little Hackneys and the other ranged on Foot who fought for Wages to be paid by those Towns Cities and Corporations that sent them to the Kings Service The Scotch Writers make the whole number of the English Forces to be more than an Hundred Thousand Men effective and Froisard himself besides those three Battails mention'd speaks of 24000 Archers if the figures are not mistaken and Grafton and Speed reckon up 30000 Archers in All Thô I believe if there were such a Number they were distributed proportionably among the foresaid Battalions according to the Usual Method of the Captains of those days and that there was no such great Battail of Archers distinct from all the rest And this Opinion agrees better with our Historians and Froisard's own Account of the Number in another place where he reckons the Whole but to something more than e Frois c. 16 fol 7. b. 60000 Men of War Thô f R. Burtons Engl. Mâ—narchs p. 104. others whose Authority I shall not here examin make them no more than 54000 Men which were thus disposed in the Main Battail with the King were two and
upon them if they did As for more circumstances of this Martial Sport they are neither fit to be minutely handled nor can I find them any where particularized But this is very likely that the Actions were performed with Gallantry enough and that the Undertakers on both sides were considerable Persons For some say p Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 893. the Young King himself with 12 more in his Company thô disguised were the Challengers ready to answer all Defendants that should come At least the King Queen and whole Court were Spectators with many thousands of the City But in the height of this Recreation there happen'd an accident which had like to have proved Tragical For the Stage q Stow's Survey of London p. 280. Hist p. 230. R. Baker p. 143. whereon the Queen and her Ladies were placed suddenly brake under them to the great affrightment of all the Company thô by the wonderfull Goodness of God it happen'd that no harm at all was done But the King was thereby so incensed at the Master-Workmen that it would have proved very difficult for them to have avoided a severe Punishment had not the Noble-minded Queen her self upon her knees requested their pardon Which besure the King would never have granted on any other consideration to those who had occasion'd the hazard of a Lady so dear unto him And indeed this vertuous Princess was of a most Generous and Compassionate Nature always desirous to do good but especially to the Afflicted and those who were brought into any undeserved Misfortune so that all along she Reign'd in the hearts of the People whose Welfare and Convenience she continually endeavour'd with all her Power III. About this time the Queen Mother who bore an Inveterate hatred against Edmund Plantagenet Earl of Kent one of the Kings Uncles chiefly for the Earl of Marche's sake to whose Unreasonable pride the Noble Princes Courage scorn'd to yield began earnestly to inform the Young King her Son against him as guilty of matters into which the subtle Mortimer had craftily insnared the Open-hearted Gentlman r Frois c. 23. fol. 13. a. Fox Acts Mon. p. 345. Some say that being the next Heir Apparent he was accused to have conspired the Death of the King his Nephew by poyson which might not perhaps sound so improbable but that at this time and for above six years after the Kings own Brother John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall was ſ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. alive thô Froisard and from him others by mistake say he was then newly dead besides this Earl of Kent had himself an Elder Brother then living which was Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshall of England and yet above all this there were two Ladies Joan Queen of Scotland and Princess Eleanor the Kings own Sisters surviving So that he could not by any means pretend to be the next Heir nor even his Enemies with any sense pretend it for him Moreover in the Records we find no mention of Poison nor that he was so much as accus'd of Designing to compass the King his Nephew's Death Unless that was obliquely insinuated as a consequence of his Delivering the Old King which it was lay'd to his charge that he endeavour'd 'T is certain the Poor Prince was first trepan'd into a Sham-plot and afterwards speciously by way of Friendship undermin'd so as to yield to make a confession of matters not seeming Treasonable which afterward his Enemies aggravated much higher upon the Assurance of a Pardon Instead whereof before he was brought to any legal Tryal or confronted by his Accusers a Warrant was suddenly sign'd for his Execution But lest it should be admired how any Man should now be accus'd of endeavouring to deliver the Old King who had been murder'd as appears almost two Years before I will exactly set down by what arts this Innocent Gentleman was train'd on to his utter Ruine Mortimer therefore and his Complotters with a design to make his Enemies obnoxious to him which he could no other way do they were Men of such known Loyalty and Integrity cunningly scatters it abroad that the Old King Edward the Second was still alive notwithstanding the late Rumour of his Death and Burial and that he now resided in the Castle of t Stow p. 229. ◠Corfe in Dorsetshire but was not to be seen in the day time by any means with much difficulty in the Night for fear he should hasten his own Death thereby Now to carry on this incredible Tale the better for those were cauteous and discreet Men whom Mortimer aim'd to catch there were several Knights appointed to make Shows and Masks and other Diversions upon the Battlements and Leads of the Castle which the Country People observing could not but imagin some great Prince or King to be there for whose pleasure and honour those Solemnities were so performed Hence the rumour of the Old King 's being still alive was spread far and near so that at last it came as was first design'd with some kind of Authority to the Earl of Kents Ears who desiring only as he thought to sift the Truth out entangled himself more strongly in an errour To the Castle of Corfe he privily sent one of his Confidents a Preaching Fryer with a charge to dive into the Matter He at last under much caution with a great deal of doe obtaining to be admitted into the Castle was even then out of pretended Fear kept close all the day in the Porters Lodge But at night being for more security as they held him in hand disguised in Lay-habit he was brought into the great Hall where he beheld one cloathed in Royal Habiliments to personate a King so that the Fryer himself either deceived by the glimmering of the Lamps or the Distance which he was forced to keep or the strength of prejudice working upon his Fancy did really take him for the Father of the Young King as he sat with seeming Majesty and Princely Attendants at a Royal Supper This Account the Fryer brought back to the Earl of Kent and whether himself also corrupted or really in mind perswaded did as really perswade the Unfortunate Prince that he had seen the King his Brother alive and well and at supper with his own Eyes Whereupon the Earl declared with an Oath that he would make use of all the Means and Interest he could to rescue the King his Brother from that unworthy Confinement u M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 220. Now when first this Rumour began to go abroad with some Authority Earl Edmund having some occasions at the Court of Rome held a Discourse with Pope John XXII at Avignion and said How Almighty God had many times for the love of Thomas of Lancaster done many fair Miracles upon severall both Men and Women who were through divers Maladies undone as to this World till thrô his Prayers they were restored unto their Health
Religious Persons nor Places but put all that came in their Reach to Fire and Sword. The mean while the Mariners of Newcastle with part of the Kings Fleet which Hector vainly makes to be so dreadfully shipwrack'd made shift to come in at the Mouth of the River Tay where they burnt a great part of the Town of Dundee which stands between Brechin and St Andrews And at the same time m Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 371. John Lord Darcy Justice of Ireland having well settled Affairs at home sailed with a Fleet of 56 Ships with the Chief of the Irish Nobles in his Company making a short cut to the Parts of Scotland next adjoyning to Ireland where having wasted the Isles of Aran and Bute he return'd with great Prey and Glory For which his Voluntary and Signal Services a while after King Edward granted unto him and the Heirs Male of his Body Lawfully begotten the Mannors of Rathwar and Kildalk in Ireland V. But however thô thus the poor Scots were Harassed on all sides yet were they resolved not to betray their Country either for want of Care or Courage but being in strength unequal to these Forces they were obliged to act more wisely and to lie chiefly upon the Catch nor altogether without Success For about this time n Knighton 2567. n 30. 500 Archers of England with other Footmen upon some occasion returning homeward in great Security as having seen no appearance of an Enemy in Scotland were suddenly set upon being intercepted by Andrew Earl of Murray Patrick Earl of Dunbar and Sr. William Douglas by whom they were all put to the sword In this season John the young Earl o Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 898. of Namur whom the Scotch Writers by mistake call the Earl of Gueldre with his Brother Sr. Robert of Namur came into England to serve King Edward for the Sake of Sr. Robert of Artois their Uncle and boldly undertook to enter Scotland only with a Choice Band of an Hundred Men of Arms and seven or eight Knights and Barons their Leaders which came over with them and a few English from Barwick for their Guides But before the Earl could recover Edenburgh he was so hotly assaulted by the Earl of Murray and Dunbar and the Lord William Douglas that althô the Strangers bare themselves Right Worthily yet being oppressed by Multitude they were compelled to give back thô honourably by little and little still maintaining the Fight and by sudden Chargings defending themselves till they reached Edenburgh and recovered the Hill whereon the Castle had stood thô now it lay in ruines Here they most manfully kept their Ground till the next day when despairing of any Succour and utterly destitute of either Meat or Drink they were content to yield themselves on certain Conditions The Scots not willing to drive these Men to despair whose Natural Valour they found scarce matchable and knowing that the weak Estate of their Country required them to be frugal of their Persons accepted their Conditions And here the Earl of Murray either of Generosity or Policy or for the sake of the Leader the Noble Earl of Namur whom he admired or hoped by obliging to gain to his Side quitted them all of their Ransom and gave them present liberty of returning into their own Country he himself for their further Security and desirous to gratifie the King of France whose near Kinsman the Earl of Namur was conducting them as far as the Borders But this Compliment was ill-timed for upon his Return p Walsingh hist p. 116. Holingshead p. 898 being unhappily encountred by an English Party belonging to the Garrison of Roxborough he was by them overthrown himself being taken Prisoner by Sr. William Priestwood and the Lord William Douglas escaped very narrowly but his Brother Sr. James Douglas was there slain upon the Spot with many more Among the q Holingshead Scotland p. 236. Bodies of those few Strangers that were slain in the passage to Edinburgh 't is reported that there was found the Body of a Woman of exact Beauty but more than ordinary Stature She had been observed in the beginning of the Battle to step forth before all her Companions where singly she overthrew a strong Esquire of Scotland named Richard Shaw and long and well she fought with the Scots till finally she not flinching and her Company not able to come up to her being encompassed by the Scots unknown as she was she was there slain 'T is thought because she was left in so desperate a condition that her own Party was ignorant of her Sex and it might be that for the love of Sr. Robert of Namur who was a Batchelour young beautifull and couragious or thrô some Heroical Disposition proceeding from high Birth or Conscience of unusual Strength or desire to emulate the ancient Viragoes called Amazons she thus adventur'd to take the Field But her indiscreet Obstinacy to the Death when Retreating was not inglorious shew'd her unwife and too much a Woman But of the Fight wherein the Earl of Murray was taken Others report a little otherwise saying r Knighton p. 2567. How these Scotch Lords now in their passage toward the Borders were no less than ten thousand strong as resolving upon some notable Exploit either thereby to requite their Losses at home or to oblige King Edward to leave Scotland for the Defence of his own People and especially for his Queens sake whom hearing to be as then in Bamburg an impregnable Castle of Northumberland they went thitherward to invest the Place But being on their way met by 5000 English 't is probable as appears by and by under the Conduct of Prince John of Eltham who was coming this way at that time either before parted from the King his Brother or not till now come to joyn him however after a sharp Conflict the Scots were wholly broken and routed leaving 5000 of their Companions on the ground with Sr. James Douglas only the Earl of Murray of their Captains being taken Prisoner but Earl Patrick and Sr. William Douglas escaped This Victory however cost the English 400 Men 't was fought so obstinately before the Day inclin'd to them It is certain Å¿ Aug. 1. Holinshead p. 899. that about Lammas-tide Prince John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall and the Kings Brother with the Forces of Yorkshire and Northumberland and the Lord Anthony Lucy of Cockermouth with the Men of Cumberland and Westmorland entring Scotland t Hector Bâ—eth l. 15. fol. 320. n. 40. ravag'd and destroy'd in Galloway Carrick Kyle and Cunningham and all the Western Parts which held against the Bailiol or had lately revolted from him The Lord William Douglas indeed with certain Troops of light Horse still coasted them from far waiting for some Advantage but by the Policy of their Princely General they ever kept good close Order so that at last without any considerable loss Prince John with his little Host passing by
at this time was found to amount to One Hundred and Ten besides those in Ireland Aquitain and Normandy King Edward now thought fitting because of his Wars intended against France to confiscate unto his own Use all the Goods of the said Priories with all the Lands Tenements Fees and Advowsons of the same Letting out their Houses to Farm as his Grandfather before him had done in the 23 Year of his Reign upon the like occasion And this was Customary not only before this but also afterwards r id Clem. Reyner in Append Par. 3. p. 146. when ever the Wars brake out between England and France for the Kings of England to seise all the Possessions of the Cluniacks and other Aliens into their Hands and to put them out to Farm to the Religieux themselves on consideration of an annual Pension But when the War ended there was full Restoration made of all again as particularly we shall find four and twenty Years hence or in the 35 of this King. VI. While King Edward was thus busied at home and his Ambassadors equally concern'd in his service abroad there Å¿ Junii 9. obiit Vt apparet ex illius Historiâ in l. dicto Time's Storeh p. 720. Alii 6 Junii ponunt died at his Palace in Valenciennes William the Third Earl of Heinalt Holland Zealand and Friseland Father to Philippa King Edward's beloved Queen who for his Great Mercy temper'd with Justice and other Princely Vertues was sirnamed the Good. One Example of his Exact Justice I shall shew whereby we may guess at his other Perfections The Deed was done not long before his Death upon a Bayliff of South-Holland t Vid. Time's Storeh p. 720. l. 7. c. 30. Engl. Atlas 4 Vol. p. 153. who had unjustly taken a goodly fair Cow from a poor Peasant which had been the sole support of himself his Wife and Children As there are some Kine in that Country which can give twenty u To enforce the truth of this Relation a little Conradus Gesner hath these Words The Oxen of the Belgian Provinces especially in Friesland and Holland are of very great stature For it hath been found by experience that one of them hath weigh'd Sixteen Hundred pounds Trey Weight And when the Earl of Hâ—ochstadt was at Machlin in Friesland there was presented unto him a Fair Large Ox which being killed weigh'd above Two Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Eight Pounds which I reckon to amount to 180 Stone and 8 Pounds Wherefore that succeeding Ages might not mistrust the Truth of so strange a Matter the said Earl caused the Picture of the said Ox to be set up in his Palace at his full Proportion with an Inscription signifying his Weight and the Day and Year when this Ox was deliver'd and killed Conrad Gesner Hist of Foursccted Beasts p. 70. Engl. folio Pottles of Milk and more in a Day The Earl lay then sick on his Death-Bed as it proved but it was his Custom never to Debar the meanest Suitors whether he was sick or well So that upon this poor Countrymans Complaint and Examination duly had the Bayliff was adjudg'd to give unto the Peasant an 100 Crowns of Gold for the great Wrong he had done him which was accordingly performed But then for his Affront to Publique Justice since he was an Officer and had thus abused the Authority entrusted to him the Earl sent for an Executioner and caused him to strike his Head off by his own Bed-side I shall only crave leave to add one more small digression of a matter happening in his Days which thô not pertinent to the History is yet well worthy Memory for its great Rarity In the Eleventh Year of this Earls Government which was the Tenth Year of the Reign of King Edward the Second of England and the Year of our Lord 1316 there happen'd even in England a great Scarcity of Corn as appears by x Walsing hist p. 83. our Historians but in this y Time's Store-house p. 720. Earls Country there was so terrible a Dearth and Famine that poor people fell down dead in the Streets for Hunger Many also were found Dead in the Highways and in Woods and Fields whither they went to seek for Herbs and Roots to stop the Importunities of craving Nature Little Children would die as they indeavour'd to suck at their starving Mothers Breasts and some Women could not refrain eating their Children In this time of Famine a certain Poor Woman of Leyden being extreamly opprest with Hunger came to a Sister of her own who was far better to pass begging of her for Godsake to lend her some Bread which she promised with Thanks to repay when it should please God to enable her The hard-hearted Sister deny'd her oftentimes notwithstanding the other was so importunate and withall told her that she was assured by her Countenance how she must needs have sufficient for her self if not to spare Hereupon the unmercifull Wretch lying both to God and her poor Sister said If I have any Bread to help my self withall I wish to God it may all instantly be turned into Stone It seems the heavy Displeasure of Almighty God laid hold on those rash Words of hers for going soon after to the Cupboard to relieve her self she found all her Loaves of Bread most plainly converted into solid stones so that she her self died for want of that which she had so wickedly deny'd her own Sister It is most credibly told us z Time's Stâ—â—ehouse ibid. that one or two of those Stone-Loaves are yet to be seen in St. Peters Church at Leyden in Memory of this most just and extraordinary Judgement However this Good Earl William King Edward's Father-in-Law having been all along a most Vertuous Prince Victorious in War Wise and Judicious Well-spoken and Learned a great Friend to Peace affable to all Men and universally Beloved after he had Governed his Provinces of Heinalt Holland Zealand and Friesland for the space of 32 Years died as before we said and with a Frois c. 29. great Pomp was buried at the Fryers in Valenciennes The Bishop of Cambray himself sang the Mass and besides the English Lords there were present many Dukes Earls and Barons of sundry Countries as well for the manifold Alliances he had abroad as for that his Fame was Singular and his Memory Dear to all Men. He was succeeded by William the Fourth his Son and Heir who had Married the Lady Joan Daughter to John Duke of Brabant giving her for her b Vid. l. 1. c. 24. §. 7. Joynture the Land of Binche upon the Haysne a fair and goodly Inheritance As for the Lady Johanna Countess Dowager of Heinalt the young Earls Mother and Sister to King Philip of France she resolved to spend the rest of her Days in a Nunnery at Fontaine on the River Scheld where being soon admitted she gave her self wholly to Devotion Almsdeeds and other Pious Offices VII And now
many Ships of the Gibellines of Genua and the Guelfs of Monaco which took much Booty from the English and infested the Aquitanian Ocean and also by his Royal Edict he had a Tom. 3. Epist secret 306. Odoric Rainald ad an 1337. §. 21. recalled the Rights of the Dutchy of Aquitain to the Court of France and had actually with an Army which he sent thither seized on several Castles besides that he had fired certain Places on the Sea-Coasts of England with his Navy which he sent into Scotland IX Now whereas the foresaid b Ashmâ—le p. 647. c. ex Rot. Alman 11. Ed. 3. m. 4. Ambassadors of the King of England had in making all those Alliances and Retainers upon the Kings Account obliged themselves to pay sundry great Summs of Mony the King taking all upon himself indemnified them their Heirs and Executors of all those Summs and other Things whereto they were so engaged But this great Affair of strengthening the King with Alliances was again set on foot and to that purpose c 3 Octob. Rot. Alman 11 Ed. 3. n. 10. another Commission was issued to the foresaid Bishop of Lincoln and Earl of Salisbury to whom was added Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk and John Lord Darcy Steward of the Kings Houshold with Power to any Three of them to treat thereupon with Lewis the Emperour Another d Ibid. n. 11. Commission of the same Date was made out to them and to Richard Winkele John Hufford Paul de Monteflorum John Montgomery and John Waweyn impowring them to treat with and to retain all Persons as well Nobles as Others for the Kings Service And yet as the King did by these Means endeavour to enable himself for the Recovery of the Crown of France so did he not neglect all Methods of Peace e 7 Octob. ib. n. 13. Particularly he constituted the foresaid Bishop of Lincoln the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk and John Lord Darcy his Agents to treat with the Magnificent Prince the Lord Philip the Illustrious King of France as he is stiled in the Commission or his Deputies touching his Right to the said Crown to wit whether it ought to remain to him or King Edward And by another Commission of the same Date they were empower'd to treat upon all Controversies and Demands whatsoever relating to the Dukedom of Aquitaine or other Parts beyond Sea and also of an Happy and Perpetual Peace But in case his just Demands should not find an agreeable Answer on the same Day he prepared f Ibid. m. 1. another Commission for John Duke of Brabant and Lorraine whereby he constituted him his Lieutenant Captain and Vicar General in the Kingdom of France Where it is worthy Note that the King in this Commission where he challenges the Crown of France as devolved to him by Right of Succession and consequently become his Lawfull Inheritance did assume the Title of that Kingdom and Stiled himself Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae And by another Commission bearing even Date made of these Officiary Dignities to the said Duke he put France in the First place thus Edvardus Dei Gratiâ Rex Franciae Angliae c. but soon after he voluntarily laid this Title of France aside nor did he solemnly assume it again till the Fourteenth Year of his Reign over England as we shall see in due place By several other Commissions of the same g Ibid. Date wherein also the Titles of England and France were in like manner transposed did the King appoint to the same Dignities William Marquess of Juliers William Earl of Heinalt his Brother in Law and William Bohun Earl of Northampton and by another then Dated and directed to the Archbishops Bishops Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons and all other Persons in the Kingdom of France having therein the Titles of France and England transposed as before they are commanded to receive the said Duke of Brabant as if it were the King in his own Person as also the said Marquess and Earls And further the said Marquess and Earls were by other Commissions severally constituted the Kings Special Ambassadors to make known his Title to all whom it should concern to challenge and prosecute his Right to require every Unjust Detainer to render unto the King whatsoever he so withheld from him to Displace and Punish such as they should think meet and lastly to Do and Execute all other Things which should be most necessary for the Recovery and Preservation of his Right Now it is to be remembred thô we also spake of this before that in the beginning of h Claus 11 Ed. 3. p. 2. m 29. in Dorso Knighton p. 2569. n. 10. this Year King Philip had sent Forces into Gascoign and thô not without considerable Loss to himself seised upon many of the Kings Castles and Fortresses notwithstanding that the Lord Oliver Ingham King Edwards Seneschall of Gascoign a noble wise and valiant Captain behav'd himself commendably against the French in all his Actions considering his small Forces Upon notice hereof King Edward gave i Rot. Vascon 11 Ed. 3. m. 40. Command to arrest twenty Ships in the Port of Southampton and thereabouts and to press Men to be ready at Portsmouth to set forward for Gascoign on Whitsun-Eve following to reinforce the Lord Oliver Ingham his Seneschall But it must not here be forgotten what is recorded of Sr. k Rot. Vasc 11 Ed. 3. m. 4. Raymund Cornely Lord of Abertha a Gascoigner that he made an Offer to the French King to fight with any Man living in Defence of King Edwards Right to those Countries for which he l 6 Jan. ibid. sent him great and particular Thanks Yet thô accordingly the King had raised a great Army to send into Gascoign he made withall several Fair Applications by his Ambassadours to the Court of France for Restitution of what had been seised on and Prevention of a War. His Offers were these 1. m Claus 11 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 28. Dorsâ— To Marry his Eldest Son the Duke of Cornwall to the King of France's Daughter without Dowry 2. The Marriage of his Sister the Countess of Gueldre to his Son with a great Summ of Money 3. The Marriage of his Brother i. e. his Uncle's Son n Hear the Learned Esquire Ashmole reads his Brother the Earl of Cornwall whereas 't is plain that the Earl of Cornwall died the Year preceding as we have shew'd and also upon the Death of the Earl of Cornwall that Earldom was converted afterwards into a Dukedom and conser'd upon Prince Edward Nor is it strange that I here am forced not only to read Kent for Cornwall but Brother for Fathers Brother's Son since we find in the Records that this very King calls Richard the Son of his Eldest Son Prince Edward his own Son as thus * Summonitio Parliamenti 51 Ed. 3. old Sr.
said Kingdom there are however to the Kings of France of Famous Memory who gradually Succeeded unto Philip King of France of Famous Memory Your Grandfather Daughters and their Children who as to the said Succession as is reported are nearer unto the Kings their Fathers than are You and our most Dear Daughter in Christ Isabella the Illustrious Queen of England Your Mother Daughter of the foresaid King Philip But the Custom aforesaid hath been of former time so inviolably observed and still is observed that it admits not a Succession to the said Kingdom by the Female Line But to think that by the way of force You may obtain the said Kingdom considering the Greatness and Power of the King and Kingdom of France Your Forces are by no means believed to suffice thereto And that holding and possessing nothing in the said Kingdom You make Your self to be called King of France and have assum'd the Arms thereof as is Premised it is certainly reckoned to proceed from Evil and Unrighteous Counsell But if those who perswaded You to such things endeavour to say for an Excuse that You are Lord in Flanders which is known to be in Fee of the King and Kingdom of France truly it is to be attended and considered and Your Royal Wisdom may diligently examin who and what Men and of what Condition they are who have brought You in there For in them hitherto hath the Vertue of Constancy and Loyalty never been Praise-worthy For they have often basely ejected out of Flanders it self Their Natural Lords to whom they were bound in the Debt of Loyalty violating the Covenant of Their Faith after the Pleasure of Their own Wills and if they have done this to them whom they were Naturally Obliged to Reverence what may be presumed of You ô Son and what kind of Title may thence be taken or formed We pray that Your Wisdom would discreetly consider Again consider even thô it did proceed of Good and Right Counsel that now You cause Your self to be named King of France during the Reign of Our most Dear Son in Christ Philip the Illustrious King of France who as King hath for many Years peaceably held and possessed the Kingdom of France and to whom as such for the Lands within the said Kingdom to You belonging by doing Fidelity and Liege Homage You have recognis'd him for King of France and Your Lord for the Lands aforesaid Those that hear asmuch are amaz'd d d Ascribentes in M.S. quod male legitur arbitrantes apud Oder Rainald ascribing it not to discretion but rather to Simplicity and Vanity Finally We judge it ought to be more strictly consider'd that such a Title wanting both Reality and Advantage which those are said to have perswaded You to who love you not but seek by Your Losses to make Their own Market believing to attain thereto more fully when they shall have procured You to be insnared and involved in more deep Intricacies and hazardous Necessities and Troubles is feared to be a Poysonous Root which will probably unless other Care be taken bring forth Fruits of Bitterness and Sorrow Moreover We account that You ought no less diligently to consider how many and how Great Kings Princes and Noblemen who have proceeded from the Stock of the House of France or have Affinity or Confederation therewith who opposed not themselves unto You about Your Affairs before by this Name and Title You would provoke against You and more directly incense if which God forbid You should insist thereon And the very Title might begin such a Matter which God avert whereby the Reformation of Peace between You and the said King of France might as to all humane judgement be render'd for ever impossible And also the Princes and other Subjects of the said Realm who as the vulgar report goes would expose themselves to the hazards of Death and the perpetual loss of Their Goods rather than endure the Premises would by the same Name and Title be render'd more prompt able Valiant and Couragious against You e e Ad desensâ—â—nâ—m M.S. recte Odoric aâ— defensionem â—â—lâ— for the Defence of the said King Philip and his Kingdom Nor ought You most Dear Son as We remember to have written unto You elsewhere to repose much Confidence in the Germans and Flemings for You shall find them Affable and Kind unto You as long as They can have leave to drain Your Substance but otherwise You may not confide in Their Assistance And if You peruse the Deeds of Your Progenitors how the same Germans and Flemings behaved themselves formerly towards them You will manifestly find how far You may trust unto Them. We therefore intreat Your Royal Highness and earnestly in the Lord exhort You that You would receive the Premises which We write of a Fatherly Good Will and Sincere Affection with a favourable Mind and taking them together with other Matters which as to this Point may occurr unto You into a just and considerate Discussion and Examination laying by the foresaid Title would incline Your Royal Mind to the way of Peace and Concord whereby You may be able both to attain and peaceably to keep those things which shall be Your Right a Mutual Agreement being made between You and the said King that as You are joyned with the Tye of Blood and Affinity so You may be allied in the perpetual Bond of Confederation and Love. Dated Aven III. Non. Martii Ano. Pontif. VI. Other Letters bearing the same Date were written to the King wherein the Pope chid him that being Admonished the last Year IV Id. Octob. under Penalty of Ecclesiastical Censures and other heavy Penalties to break with Lewis of Bavaria he had yet return'd no Answer to the Apostolick See and as it appears f Odâ—rit Râ—inald ad â—â—ndâ—â— A◠§. 8. â—â—â—em 6. Epist Secâ— 25â— those very Cardinals who were Nuntio's of the Apostolick See upon the Account of Peace wrote to the Pope that those Censures he had once threatned the King of England with might now be inflicted on him because he still kept the Lieutenantship of the Empire but Benedict wrote Back unto them to abstain from any such Proceedings against Edward till with the Cardinals he had more maturely weigh'd so important a business But before things went so far We shall find the Emperour himself to Repeal his former Commission given unto King Edward so that there was no further Occasion for that Papal Thunderbolt to strike England at that time CHAPTER the FIFTEENTH The CONTENTS I. The French King sends an Army into Gascoign which the Lord Oliver Ingham King Edwards Seneschal of Aquitain being too weak to match overthrows by a Stratagem II. King Philip reinforces his Navy and sends to waste the Lord John of Hainalts Lands III. Sr. Giles Manny Brother to the Lord Walter Manny slain by the Cambresins IV. The French King gives leave to the Bordering Garrisons to make an Incursion into the Earl of
at the East-end of his Cathedral toward the North At whose Feet there lies his Brother Sr. Robert who was a Great Souldier in his time and also a Son of Sr. Robert's Named Bartholomew There died also this Year two Famous Old Barons of England the a Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 639. One was Hugh Courtney Senior Earl of Devonshire of almost 90 Years of Age who left behind him his Son and Heir of the same Name then about Thirty three Years Old. The Other was the * Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 52. Lord Henry Vicount Beaumont Earl of Buquhan in Scotland He left behind him John his Son and Heir then Twenty two Years of Age and a young Daughter Named Elizabeth afterwards Married to Sr. Nicolas Audley Son and Heir to the Lord James Audley of Heley Besides these two there Died about the same Time at Gaunt in the Kings Service the Lord Chief Justice of England Sr. Geoffry Scroop He had been very Loyal to King Edward the Second as appeared by the joynt Testimonies of the Prelates Earls and Barons in b Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 22. Parliament whereupon he Obtain'd much Grace with King Edward the Third whom he also Served till his Death with Indefatigable Industry Admirable Discretion and Untainted Loyalty In Consideration whereof among other Princely Favours bestow'd on him we find that the King Advanced him to the Degree of a c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 658. Knight Banneret with a Gift of two Hundred Marks per annum for his better Support and that but this very Year he d Stow's Survey Lond. p. 249. gave unto him the Great House call'd the Erbar by the Church of St. Mary Bothaw near Dowgate-Street in London He lest behind him together with a Good Name and a Plentifull Estate Henry his Son and Heir at that Time Twenty five Years of Age who prov'd a Valiant and Noble Knight in his Days and John a Younger Son who many Years after Married Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Coheirs of David Strabolgi Son to David Earl of Athol slain in Scotland five Years before We shall conclude this Chapter with a short Relation of a most signal Victory obtain'd this Year on the 30 of October over the Saracens Moors and Africans in Spain In the foregoing Year e Câ—â—â—â—n Victorell de PP Reman p. 884. p. 887. Alphonso XI King of Castille and Leon being hardly put to it by the Barbarians begg'd aid of the Pope and all the Great Princes of Christendom From France and England went but few or none because of the Wars then hot between the two Realms But from other Parts many gallant Knights and Gentlemen went against those Enemies of God being especially encouraged thereto by the Pope's Bulls wherein he granted large Indulgences to those who undertook this Expedition Alphonso therefore being now reinforced with a small but well-compacted Army and joyned with his Neighbour Alphonso the Brave King of Portugall gave Battle to the Moors in the Plains of Tartessos vulgarly called Tariffa from a Town of that Name in the Boetic Province which enclines to the River called Rio Salado near the Herculean Sea. The Forces of Alphonso were 35000 Foot and 14000 Horse but the Army of Allibohacen King of Morocco with those of Granada under their Miramolin and three other Kings of the Moors consisted of 600000 Foot and 80000 Horse And yet thrô the Divine Assistance the Christians wan the Day f Jos Teixera de Orig. Reg. Port. and with the Loss of no more than g Joh. Mariana l. 16 c. 7. 20 Men slew in the Fight and in the Chace above h Vasaus Hist Hisp Genebr l. 4 Chronog vid. Odâ—ric Raynal ad hunc annum §. 40. usque ad §. 56. 200000 of the Infidels besides an incredible number of Prisoners taken Thô Others reckon no less than 450000 to have fallen that Day among whom were two of the Sons of Allibohacen In Memory of which Miraculous Victory the said 30 of October hath ever since been kept as an high Festival in Spain being dedicated to the Honour of the Holy Cross which was at this time so successfully advanced against the Enemies of Christendom King Alphonso after this Exploit having first and chiefly return'd his Thanks to Almighty God now also in token of his Gratitude to the Pope sends him for a Present to Avignon out of the Spoils he had taken an 100 gallant Horses of Barbary in rich Trappings with an 100 Saracen Slaves to lead them an 100 Morisco Cimitars and an 100 Shields of Tann'd Leather plated Also 24 Military Ensignes and the Horse and Standard of King Allibohacen which he used in this War together with many rich Vessels of Gold and Silver and Jewels of great Price besides his own Horse on which he fought and his own Royal Standard which he follow'd in that Battle i Ita Literae Pontis gratulatoriae ad Alphonsum neminant John Martin Don Leyva and Pedro Didaci de Corduba the Spanish Ambassadors who brought all these Presents were received with extraordinary Pomp by the Cardinals and other Prelates at their entrance into Avignon And the next day his Holiness k Victorell ib. himself celebrated Mass and after that made a notable Sermon wherein with great Eloquence he magnifi'd the Kings Victory and exhorted all present to praise God therefore and to pray for the Kings Health and Perseverance in Prosperity And to enable him the better to maintain his Wars against the Moors he then granted unto him the Thirds of the Tithes of all his Subjects which the Kings of Spain enjoy to this Day From this happy Success of the two Alphonso's Kings of Spain and Portugal against Jutzeph King of Granada and Allibohacen King of Morocco the Pope took an Occasion to exhort our King Edward of England to dispose himself towards a l Odoric Raynald ad ann 1340. §. 55. Peace with his Rival of France that they might both unite their Forces against the general Enemies of Christendom These Letters bear Date from Avignon the xv of the Kalends of January i. e. 18 of December in the Close of this Year being the VI of his Pontificate The Copy of which Letter is to be seen in the Ecclesiastical History of Odoricus Raynaldus at this Year 1340. King Alphonso presently after this Victory lays Siege to the great Town of Algezira belonging to the Moors and lying upon the Streights of Morocco on the Frontiers of Granada Which after a long Siege was enforced at last thrô Famine to yield to the Christians Thô still the Saracens held Footing in that Kingdom till having lost the City of Granada to Ferdinando and Isabella Kings of Spain they were at last finally expelled that Kingdom by Philip III. Because we may not disturb the intended Order of our Discourse which follows in the next Chapter we take leave in this place to tell the Reader that the Fruitfull Young Queen of
where at Candlemas he held a Royal Just and Turneament for the Honour of the young Noblemen of Gascoigne whom he trained up here in Feats of War And what Expert Scholars they proved under so great a Tutor We shall see hereafter in the Wars of France XIII On the a Walsingh hist p. 149. Sandford p. 357. Dagd 2 Vol. p. 154. fifth Day of June Queen Philippa of England was deliver'd of her Fifth Son at the Kings Mannor-house of Langley aforesaid near St. Albans this Young Prince being in August following Baptized by Michael Lord Abbot of St. Albans was called Edmund He was afterwards by his Father created Earl of Cambridge and by his Nephew King Richard the Second Duke of York from whom King Edward the IV was Lineally Descended King Edward as he always wish'd rather to have Sons than Daughters was mightily pleased at the Birth of this Boy and being now at Leisure from Wars resolv'd to express his Joy in a most Magnificent and Royal Manner at the time of his Baptism which was to be about the b Frois c. 89. Midst of August Against this time therefore he caused Proclamation to be made in France Scotland Hâ—â—nalt Brabant and Flanders that all Knights and Gentlemen who would please to come to his Feast to be at such a time held in the City of London should have safe Conduct for so many Days for coming staying and going I will not dissemble that all this by most Historians is said to have been done for Love of the Countess of Salisbury with whom they make King Edward to be at this time deeply in Love But this is a most Fabulous and Irrational Tradition as we shall shew in due place and utterly to be exploded of all Discreet Persons So that now the c Ferrand Spence's Countess of Salsbury p. 45. Romancers themselves are fain to confess that at least the Kings Pretence for this Feast was to Honour the Christening of his Son Edmund Not to say that it will appear the next Year how as yet the King had not received even that supposed wound of Love of which many Authors make such pleasant Tales However there were present at this Solemnity many Fair Ladies and Virgins of Prime Quality all Drest and set off in the Best Manner that could be expected from their Rank and Condition To this Tourneament of Foreigners came William the Young Earl of Hainalt Brother and the Lord John Beaumont of Hainalt Uncle to the Queen of England Henry Lord Eam of Brabant and many other Lords and Knights of several Countries But of the English Nobility the Greater Part was there particularly the Lord Henry de Tortocollo Earl of Lancaster Henry Plantagenet his Son Earl of Darby Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Brother William Earl of Northampton the Earls of Salisbury Warwick Arundel Glocester and Pembroke Suffolk and Oxford the Baron Stafford and Vicount John Beaumont which latter Froisard Reports to be slain in the Justs but indeed he d Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 52. died not till the next Year whereas the Tourneament is e Id. 1 Vol. p. 576. rightly placed here There was also here the Often-mention'd Lord Robert of Artois called the Earl of Richmond Among others Sr. Maurice Barkley Brother to the Lord Berkley together with his Valiant and Inseparable Friend and Companion Sr. Thomas Bradestan did so well behave themselves at this Tourneament that in consideration of their High Prowess they were f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 356. now by the King advanced to the Dignity of Bannerets And as thus the Lords and Knights exercis'd themselves in Martial Feats so on the other hand the Ladies diverted the whole Assembly with their Songs and Dances the Solemnity being continued for 15 Days together So delightfully did this Warlike King intermix the Pleasures and Pastimes of Love and Peace with the more Laborious Toyls of War thereby to Encourage his Subjects and to Relax himself from the Cares of Empire XIV About this time there happen'd some new Commotions in Scotland whereof I shall presently take Notice when I shall have made one small Digression which I hope the Learned will pardon upon the account of its own Worth thô it hath little or no Relation to Our Matters The Name of Francis Petrarch the Famous Poet Historian and Philosopher of his Days cannot I suppose be unknown to any one that hath but heard of Rome and Italy This Man flourished in this Age being this very Year but g Natus enim A. D. 1304. vid. Hier. Squarzafaehum in Vitâ Petrarche 37 Years old He had at Avignon and especially about fifteen Miles thence in a Pleasant Valley so improv'd himself in the studies of good Learning that his Name was now grown considerable Insomuch that in h Id. ibid one Day there were brought unto him Letters from two very distant Parts of the World the One sent from the Senate of Rome the Other from the Chancellor of the University of Paris each of them containing an Invitation that he would come to the Respective Places and accept from their Hands the Honourable Crown of Lawrel The Glory thô of it self Great seem'd yet in those Days much Greater because that Ancient and Laudable Custom had been for so many Ages discontinued saving i Selden's Tit. Hen. 2 Part. c. 1. p. 406. that in the German Empire here and there we meet with an Instance or two of Laureate Poets Petrarch did not at all decline so generous an offer for he that despises True Glory is no Friend to Vertue but however by Advice of his Noble Friends the two Colonna's he chose rather to acknowledge this Favour to Rome once the Imperial City of the World than to Paris the Metropolis of one single Kingdom But withall being resolved not to arrogate an Honour that should not first be Worthily and unquestionably adjudged unto Him in his way thither He waits upon Robert King of Jerusalem Sicily and Naples the Great Philosopher of those Days who understanding the Occasion of his Visit and who He was receiv'd him with Princely Humanity and at last appointed a Time to Discourse him at large This Discourse thus held between this Learned Prince and Prince of Learned Men in Poetry History and Philosophy was continued for Three whole Afternoons By which time King Robert having also read a good Part of his Heroick Poem called Africa was so fully convinced of Petrarchs Abilities that he offer'd there at Naples to confer the Lawrel on him with his own Hands and desired him also on promise of a Gracious Acceptance and Bountifull Reward to Dedicate that his Poem to no other than Himself This latter Motion Petrarch with many Thanks readily embraced and has we see perform'd it accordingly in these and other Verses of that Work O Thou Tu quoque Trinacrii Moderator maxime Regni Hesperiaeque Decus atque Aevi Gloria nostri Judice quo merui
Army with Provision By Chance he was met by the Lord Manny who neither well could nor much car'd to avoid him There happen'd between these two Lords a most fierce Rencounter and many were unhorsed hurt slain and taken on both sides For the p Frois c. 120. French were Five to One. While this Medley lasted News thereof was carried to Aiguillon Whereupon the English Lords prepared hastily to relieve their Fellows and first the Earl of Pembroke with his Men rode forth and being come to the Skirmish he there found his Noble Friend Sr. Walter Manny q Frois ibid. on Foot surrounded by his Enemies but doing wonderfull Deeds of Arms. To him the Earl presented a lusty fresh Horse and it was well in the mean time some Frenchmen drove the Cattle away toward their Camp For else they had lost both them and themselves too For the English that made this Sally set upon the French with so much Fury that they presently put them to the Rout and deliver'd all their Friends and took many of their Enemies Prisoners So that the Lord Charles of Monmorency himself had much ado to make an Escape And such Rencounters happen'd frequently almost r Frois ibid. every Day beside the Assaults made upon the Castle One day above the rest the whole Host was armed and the Duke of Normandy gave Order that the Men of Tholouse Carcassone and Beaucaire should make an Assault from Morning till Noon and those of Rodes Cahors and Agen from Noon till Night and he himself promised that whoever could win the Bridge of the Gate should have for his Reward an hundred French Å¿ Fr. Crown 6 s. 8 d. Crowns of Gold. And the better to render this Days work effectual he mann'd several Ships and Barges on the River some whereof ply'd by the Bridge and others passed the River to divert the Defendants At last certain of the Frenchmen came in a Boat under the Bridge where they cast up great Hooks of Iron to catch hold on the Draw-Bridge and having so done never left pulling till they had broke in sunder the Chains that held it and so laid down the Bridge by Force Then Others that were ready for that purpose leap'd thereon so hastily that one overthrew another they were all so greedy of the 100 Crowns The mean while the Defendants when they saw the Bridge as throng'd as ever it could be threw down plentifully among them vast Bars of iron massy pieces of Timber Pots of quick Lime with burning Pitch Tarr and scalding Oyl so that many were brained and scalded to Death grievously wounded and overthrown Dead and half-dead into the River and into the Ditch However the Bridge remained for that time in the Possession of the French but it signified little for they could not win the Gate for all that So at last when it was late the Retreat was sounded to the French and they being retired to the Camp the Defendants open'd their Gates and raised up the Bridge again and made it stronger than ever it was and bound it fast to great Rings in the Wall with thicker Chains of Iron The next Day there came to the Duke two Cunning Carpenters well skill'd in Mathematicks who said Sir if your Highness will allow us Timber and Workmen to follow our Directions we will make you Four strong Scaffolds as high or higher than the Walls of this Castle whereby your Men may come hand to hand with the Defendants The Duke commanded they should do so and empower'd them to press Carpenters about in the Country at his Pay and promised them liberal Rewards So at last after a long Time excessive Labour and vast Expence these four Scaffolds were ready being built on the Decks of four Great Ships and such as were appointed for that Work were disposed in them But having passed scarce half way in the River to give the Assault the Defendants who having observed all these Preparations had by this time provided a Remedy set up against them four tight Engines which they had newly made to resist the Scaffolds These four Engines cast such huge Flints and Stones with such a force and hit the Scaffolds so luckily that presently they were all so uncover'd and broken that they could yield no Defence to those that were within Wherefore they were all commanded back again but before they reach'd the Land one of the Scaffolds Ship and all sunk in the River and the greater Part of those within it were drown'd Which was a great Loss for none were there but good and valiant Knights and Gentlemen who only courted Honour by this Hazardous Enterprise When the Duke saw that whatever way he went was thus rendred unsuccessfull he let the other three Scaffolds lie still and repented much that ever he came thither For now he saw no likelihood of Winning the Castle and yet at his first coming thither he had t Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. swore a solemn Oath that he would never rise thence till he had the Place at his Devotion Then he sent the Constable of France and the Earl of Tancarville to Paris to the King his Father to let him know the State of the Siege before Aiguillon and it was the Kings Pleasure that the Duke should lie there still till he had won them by Famine since he could not by Assault But this latter Device signified as little as any of the former for this Garrison was so far from allowing themselves to be pent up within Walls that having heard of two u Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. Great Ships which were coming from Tholouse to the Army laden with Provision of Victuals and Armour they adventur'd forth both by Land and by Water those beating up the Enemies Quarters in their Camp and these fetching away the Ships which they brought into the Castle to their great Comfort and the infinite Loss and Vexation of the Duke of Normandy This Action happen'd on the 16 of June VIII During this famous Siege before Aiguillon x Giov. Villani l 12. c. 60. p. 870. Holinshead Engl. Chr. p. 928. the Seneschal of Guienne under the French King departed from the Duke of Normandy with a Detachment of 800 Horse and 4000 Foot designing to take in a Castle belonging to a Nephew of the Cardinal de la Motte which was about 12 Leagues distant from Aiguillon The Archdeacon of Vnfort who was Lord of the Castle and held for England understanding of the Frenchmens Approach to his Fortress went out privily and rode Post to la Reole where the Earl of Lancaster and Darby lay at that time with his little Army waiting for some Advantage against the Duke of Normandy Upon the Information and Request of this Man the Earl appointed a certain Number of Horsemen and Archers to ride along with him With whom the Archdeacon going back came on the 31 of July early in the Morning before his
Nat. annos 17. de la Ware Grandson to the Lord John de la Warc and many Others At which time he made John D'Arcy son to the Lord John D'Arcy Banneret allowing him 200 l. per annum out of the Exchequer for his better supporr in that Dignity whereof he gave him his Letters Patent as appears by their e Dat. 15 Julii Rot. Franc. 20 Ed. 3. m. 21. vid. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 372. Date three days after IV. Presently Fame f Frois c. 121. spread abroad how the English were landed in Normandy but especially the Towns of Coutantine sent word thereof to King Philip at Paris desiring a speedy Succour from him He for his part had heard before how King Edward was upon the Sea with a great Navy but he knew not which way he was resolved whether toward Normandy Bretagne of Gascogne and hitherto believed he design'd the latter with a purpose to raise the Siege before Aiguillon But now when he understood for certain that he was in Normandy he sent the Lord Robert Bertram his Constable together with the Earl of Eu and Guisnes and the Earl of Tancarville who were but newly come to him from his Son lying before Aiguillon and had not yet returned back again thither to the City of Caen commanding them expresly to keep that Place against King Edward They said they would do their Devoir and so went from Paris thitherward with a good Band of Men of Arms and still their Numbers encreased as they went along These great Lords with their Troops were gladly received by the Citizens and those of the Country thereabout who were all fled thither for more Surety of themselves and Goods Then all together they fell to fortifie the Place in the best manner they might for in those Days it was not walled about and to prepare all things necessary for Defence of the Town like Men of good Experience Now King g Gaguin l. 8. p. 140. Philip had designed to have carried the War home to King Edwards Doors and to have invaded England with a Mighty Army For which intent among others he had built a Ship of incredible Magnitude in the Haven of Harfleur in Normandy and expected every day a good Number of Ships of Burthen which he had sent for to the State of Genoua But that Assistance being too much delayed and King Edward the mean while thus coming into Normandy that Design was dash'd and the Terrour diverted into France V. About this time of King Edwards passing over the Sea there was h Gaguin l. 8. p. 140. Fabian p. 274. one Simon Pawlett a very Substantial Citizen of Compeigne in the Isle of France openly accused to have said before witnesses That in very Truth the Right of the Crown of France did more justly belong to King Edward of England than to Philip of Valois For which Words he was apprehended and on the First of July put to a most cruel Death at Paris in this Tragical Manner He was first hanged upon Tenter-hooks like an Ox in the Shambles and there he was gradually dismembred alive and so his Arms and then his Legs and lastly his Head being cut off from his Body the Trunk was hung in Chains on the Common Gallows at Paris called Monfaucon But these Cruel Executions amidst such manifold Taxes and the Difficulties usually attending War did but lay more horrour upon the Dejected Minds of the People of France So that althô they would by no means admit of an English Ruler yet they were but little satisfied with this of their Own. VI. King Edward the mean while upon his Landing set up his Tent on the Shoar till his Marshals had taken the Town of Hogue before which he Lodged that Night during which time the Ships were discharged of their Horses and other Baggage The next Morning i Stow p. 241. upon the Kings Departure the Souldiers set fire to that Town and then the King order'd his Battails after this manner The Earl of k Frois c. 122. Huntington he appointed his Admiral with an 100 Men of Arms and 400 Archers to ply by the Sea-Coasts following the Course of the Land Army with a small part of the Navy having sent the l Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 62. p. 872. Residue as he had before Resolved into England On his Right Hand he order'd the Earl of Warwick One of his Marshals with the Lord Thomas Holland and the Lord Reginald Cobham to lead one Battalia along by the Sea-side Northward on his Left Hand marched the other Marshal the Lord Godfry Harcourt with another Battalia and the King Himself and his Son the Prince held the Main Battail The whole Army amounting to 30000 Men Effective besides the Fleet And all the Three Battails were order'd every Night to joyn and to lodge in One Field Being thus Order'd they set forward together the Admiral taking all the Ships and other Vessels that he found at Sea and the King and his Marshals clear'd all by Land. That Night they lodged in m Stow p 241. Tho. de la More Sed ibi malè Marcells Wissel about three Leagues North of St. Vast where the King tarried five Days in which time all the Country was wasted and spoiled up to the very point of Land and the Town of n Imperitè alii Harfleur cum id oppidi sit trans Segnanam 30 Milliar Gal. distat ab his locis Quod miror nec Gallos Authores ipsos animadvertisse Barsleur taken the People yielding it up immediately for fear of Death Yet neither so could they save the Town from the Rapacity of the Souldiers For their Chief Burgesses and others being put on Board the Fleet for fear they should afterward Rebell the Conquerours sessed all the Gold Silver Jewels and Plate that ev'r they could lay their Hands on Insomuch that the meanest Footmen and Servants of the Army scorn'd to meddle with good furred Garments or any other Stuff but Silks Embroideries or Plate And this was done by the Earl of Warwicks Battalia who passing thence by Coqueville and Breteville which he took came to a Great and Rich City called Cherbourgh which he also wan and spoil'd and partly burnt but the Castle he could not presently take it was so well furnished and long they could not stay in those Parts Thence the Battail returned back on the Left Hand to o Du Chesne p. 664. Mezeray ad hunc annum Valognes which they took and spoil'd and set on Fire the same they did afterward to Monteburgh and all the Towns in those Parts from whence they wan much Spoil and great Riches At last they came to a Considerable Town named Carentan which was enclosed with a Trench and Rampier protected by a strong Castle and furnished with a good Garrison The Earl of Warwick from the Land and the Earl of Huntington from the Ships came and made a terrible Assault upon this Place So
14 day of September VI. And now for a while we shall leave King Edward at the Siege of Calais and look what became of the Siege of Aiguillon in Agenois the News whereof had lately incited the King of England to make this Expedition All this while r Prâ—is c. 134. the Duke of Normandy lay before the strong Castle of Aiguillon not now so much in hopes to win the Place for not only the English held out still with their usual Bravery but he also himself was held short by the Earl of Darby as because he had rashly made a solemn Vow never to depart thence till he had the Fortress at his Devotion Now a few Days before the Battle of Cressy was fought Duke John hearing that King Edward was marching through France resolved to give one more general Assault if by any means he might by Carrying the Place both save his Oath and also be at liberty to go and assist his Father It was then about the middle of August and the Frenchmen being irritated with their long stay here became more resolved to do their Utmost in order to end so tedious a Siege with Honour Nor were encouragements wanting from the Duke nor provocations from the Enemy But for all that althô in a manner the whole Army was engaged in a general Assault carried on with the utmost vigour for the space of an whole Day yet all was in vain and their Losses were doubled but their Advantages no whit better'd Among many others there fell that day the young Lord Philip of Burgundy Eldest Son to Eudo the IV. Duke of Burgundy who was Earl of Artois and Boulogne and Cousin-German to the Duke of Normandy This Gallant Gentleman was in the Flower of his Youth and but newly come thither But being desirous at this time to signalize himself when the Skirmish was begun he set Spurs to his Courser and came onward to the Assault But the mettlesome Horse taking the Curb between his Teeth ran away with his Master and chanced to stumble in a Ditch where they fell both Horse and Man The young Lord being so rudely handled that he died within a few days after leaving behind him Å¿ Favine le Parisien l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. one Infant Son and a Daughter VII Now King Philip was returned to Paris where he busied himself in Thoughts nothing unworthy the Grandeur of such a Monarch nor did all this Adversity abate his Courage or extort one Low thought from him He resolves to try all means to uphold his Sinking Honour and take a severe Vengeance of his Enemies for the Loss he had received First therefore he sends a peremptory Command to his Son John who lay still before Aiguillon with a very considerable Army immediately to rise up and all Excuses laid aside to come away to aid his Country nearer Home against the Enemy who had already drank deep draughts of her best Blood and now lay gnawing at her very Bowels At the same time he seriously bestirs himself to raise another Mighty Army wherewith he design'd to go and drive away King Edward from before Calais Which he intended to succour in Person very early the next Campagne And besides this in hopes to divert the War from his own Doors into England or at least to repay the Losses of France with the like in England he presently after the Battle of Cressy sent his special Messengers to his Old Friend and Ally David Bruce King of Scotland Not only desiring him earnestly to remember former Obligations and their late strict Alliance but encouraging him at such a time t Knightâ—n p. 2589. n 40. when all the strength of England was drain'd out in the parts of Gascogne Bretagne and before Calais to invade the Northern Borders of his and their Inveterate Enemys the English and to revenge the manifold Injuries they had Both received earnestly requesting him not so much to stand upon a slight Truce which King Edward had only made for his own Advantage as to value and respect those sacred Tyes of mutual Amity and Entercourses that have been not only for many Generations inviolably maintain'd between both their Ancestors but also in especial manner had been cultivated and confirmed between them two And besides all these Arguments he sent him a good round Summ of Mony and 15000 Crossbows of Genoua to his Assistance thô not as some say under the Command of Antonio Doria and Carolo Grimaldi for they were both slain in Cressy-Field as we have shewn from the Testimony of Giovanni Villani who was himself an Italian And truly it might be wondred that any of the Genouese should now care to serve King Philip any more after that great Affront at Cressy but that it is to be remembred how these People were in those Days Mercenaries to the Crown of France as of late the Swissers have been and so might well be now appeased with gracious Words especially attended with Gold which always bears a Great Sway not only among Souldiers of Fortune but also with the major Part of Mankind The Effects of this Message we shall shew by and by when we have first related how the Siege was broken up from before Aiguillon VIII And as for John Duke of Normandy when he had received his Fathers peremtory Command he became infinitely displeas'd as well at the unhappy News of King Edwards Victorious Progress as because he saw his own Honour so apparently touched in that he had received such Opposition before so inconsiderable a Fortress Indeed he had met with many Checks and Rebuffs during this Siege not only from the Besieged themselves who maintain'd the Place with invincible Courage as we have particularly shew'd but also from the most Noble Earl of Darby who held him so short with his flying Troops that scoured about the Country for that purpose having certain strong Garrisons for their Retreat that he could never get in Provisions fast enough to supply the wants of his Army and what he got was not many times without great Labour thô fetch'd in by Considerable Bodies Wherefore that he suffer'd some Difficulty is very easily granted but that he was thereby obliged secretly to forsake his Army and escape away by stealth I cannot by any means allow thô u Knighton p. 2589. n. 30. c. some of our Writers have too heedlesly ventur'd to say as much And that his Headless Army thereupon flying away after him in much Confusion they were between the People of the Country and the Earl of Darby almost all reduced to nothing I have all along professed to have a zeal for Truth and must not therefore here allow of those improbable Relations of some of our Countrymen For it is certain that Prince John was a Man of truly Royal Courage and Magnanimity and the Army he lead very formidable for the Fame of its Captains and Officers as well as its own Numbers And we are sure not only that the
Commons required that all Petitions in this present Parliament may be presently answer'd Ans After Easter they shall be so Pet. That all Woolls and other Merchandise may freely pass without any Loans or other Subsidies besides the due and usual Customs Ans The Passage shall be free saving to the King his Due Pet. That no Eires of the Forest or other Inquiries except those of the Peace be kept during the Wars Ans The King may use his Pleasure therein Pet. That none of the Nobles or other Captains of Scotland being the Kings Prisoners be deliver'd upon any account d This Line out and the two following misplaced in the Print of Sr. Rob. Câ—ttens Abridgment the M.S. right Ans The same was answer'd the last Parliament Pet. That all that Aid which is leavied beyond the Trent may be employed in the Scotch Wars Ans The King will allow more for that Purpose if need shall be Pet. That no Appeals be received of any Felonies done in any other Counties than where the Appeals were taken Ans The King is not advised to make such New Laws Pet. That Redress may be had for that the Men of Bruges in Flanders have forbid all Merchants-Strangers to buy any Staple-Ware here Ans The King will talk with the Flemish Ambassadour Pet. That all Enquiries of the Ninths may cease Ans The King will be advised Pet. That the Order made that all Merchants for every Sack of Wooll should bring in two Marks of Bullion may be repealed For that the Exportation of Bullion is forbidden in Flanders Ans The King will learn the Truth of the Ambassadour here It is agreed that the Customs at Easter next stay the receipt of 2 s. of every Sack of Wooll Pet. That remedy may be found that no Accomptant in the Exchequer do run in Issues before he be warned Ans The Process shall be first a Venire facias then a Distringas and after a Writ out of the Chancery to the Treasurer and Barons Pet. That the Common Law may stand as to the Bill of the Navy exhibited in the last Parliament Ans The King will be advised Pet. Then they resum'd with some Alteration the former Petition that no Eires of the Forest or other Enquiries except those of the Peace may be kept for the space of three Years Ans It seems good for the Ease of the Subject if great necessity doth not require otherwise Pet. That the Marshal letting to Bail or at large any Person committed to him for the Peace do answer the Dammages himself Ans The King will be advised Pet. That no Man be barred by Non-claim Ans A Law must not be made suddenly Pet. That the Jurors in every Inquest and Grand Assize may say the Verity of the Fact as in Assize of Novel Disseizin Ans The Law shall be kept as heretofore Pet. That the Purveyors for all Victuals do take by Indenture with two honest Men where they shall purvey Ans The Laws made heretofore in that Case shall suffice Pet. That none who come to the Parliament by Summons be appointed a Sessor or a Receiver of the Fifteens Triennial Ans The King will appoint such as he shall like Pet. That the Erroneous Judgments in the Exchequer be reversed in the King 's Bench. Ans This was answer'd the last Parliament Pet. e Pur lieu Afforest de his Vecab vid. Skinneri Etymeleg Ling. Angl. Then was read a long Complaint against Foresters for Afforesting of Mens Purlieus for undue Trial and for Extortion To which was added a Request that Magna Charta may be observed and that all Men may enjoy their Purlieus according to the Perambulation made in the time of King Edward the First Ans The King wills that Magna Charta be kept inviolable and those that will complain in the Right of their Purlieus may have writs out of Chancery Whereupon Surry and several other Counties by their Representatives shew'd that upon Sute they could not obtain such Writs To which the King answer'd that the Order made the last Parliament should be kept and General or Special Writs should be granted to all such as shall sue for them So as equal Right be distributed both to the King and his Subjects Pet. That the Petitions declared by them in the last Parliament to which the King and the Lords agreed may be kept without Alteration under any Colour or Pretence whatsoever Ans The King with the Assent of his Lords answered that Laws and Process heretofore used could not be alter'd without making New Statutes which at this time they could not tend to do but shortly would at more leisure The f 22 Ed. 3. n. in dorso Worsted Weavers of Norwich and the Merchants there pray that the Letters Patents which the King had granted to Robert Pooley One of his Valets of Essay and One of the Alnage of Worsted in Norwich and elsewhere in Norfolk during the Life of the said Robert might be revoked and that they might have the same To which Petition this Answer was given That it seemed good to the Kings Council that their Request should be granted for the Common Benefit But of this Parliament We shall say no more because it was broken up without any great Effect and g M.S. Record p. 71. §. 4. Sr Rob. Cotton p. 73. §. 4. discontinued for three Years together by reason of a general Mortality that soon after came into England of which we shall speak in its proper Place III. In the Easter-Holy-days King Edward h Stâ—â— p. 245. Hecter l. 15. fol. 325 Euchan l. 9. p. 303. Heliâ—shead Scot. Hist p. 242. held Publique Justs and Tourneaments at Westminster where the Lord William Douglas Earl of Douglas and Sr. William Douglas of Liddesdale who were both taken Prisoners at the Battle of Durham by their Knightly Deportment and Valour gain'd such Favour in the Opinion of the King that having given their Faith and Homage and also an Oath to live peaceably at home they had both leave to depart And Sr. William as well as the other might have liv'd a long and happy Life in his own Country but that his Hands having been stained with Civil Blood could not be washed clean but by his own For as the Scotch i Hecter Bachan ibid. Writers say he had formerly upon Envy caused the Worthy Sr. Alexander Ramsey to be miserably starved to Death And besides that having lately heard that Sr. David Barklay a Knight of Scotland had slain his Brother Sr. John Douglas who was Father to Sr. James Douglas of Dalkeith he was so furiously bent on Revenge that even during his Imprisonment in England because he could not do it himself by Letters he procured Sr. John St. Michael to Murther the said Sr. David Barklay which accordingly one Night was performed at Aberdeen But not long after he himself being then deliver'd out of Prison one day as he was hunting in Ethrick
and many others have observed But to return to Affairs at home After * Stow p. 245. Easter King Edward made an Order in Council that none of his Servants should presume to take up any Victuals of any Man against his Will nor then without paying ready Money on pain of Punishment proportionable to his Offence and being banish'd the Kings Court for ever To the Execution of which Decree Sr. Richard Talbot Lord High-Steward of the Kings Houshold was appointed to have an Eye VI. The Truce taken between the two Kings at Calais last Year drawing now toward an end upon z Ashmâ—le p. 656. ex Rot. Franc. 15. Maâ—i 22 Ed. 3 m. 13. the Pope's Letters to King Edward he was prevail'd with to depute Thomas Falstaff Arch-Deacon of Welles John Carleton Canon of Welles both Doctors of Law and Frier John de Reppes of the Order of Mount Carmel who had Commission to prorogue the Truce and to Treat of a Final Peace The Truce they accordingly prorogued for six Weeks to Commence on the 13 of September following and to be observed throughout all Picardy Normandy Artois Boulogne and Flanders But the King well perceiving the delay and backwardness of the French to close with him sincerely either for a Truce or Peace in a Claus 22. Ed. 3 p. 2. m. 8. in Derse October next drew down his Forces to Sandwich intending to pass the Seas Whereupon the French were quicken'd to a speedy agreement as to the Prorogation of the foregoing Truce b 18 Novemb. Râ—t Franc. 22. Ed. 3 an 10 from the 18 of November 1348 unto the 1 of September 1349 on News whereof the King return'd to London VII On the c Knighton p. 26â—0 Stow p. 248. Walsirgh hist p. 160 n. 20. Odor Rainald quanquaâ— hâ—c 2 post annis pen. t. 25 of October King Edward solemnized the Translation of St. Themas the Confessor once Bishop of Hereford to the great Expence and Charge of his Kinsman the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe This St. Thomas had been also of the sirname of Cantilupe being in his Life time a Gentleman of a very Noble and Ancient House as appears * Vid. Dagd 1 Vol. p. 731. by the Antiquity of their Baronage in our Records but as Bishop Godwin d Gedâ— Catal. Bps p. 457. says of a much more Noble and Excellent Mind For he was not only of a wonderfull Ingenuity and exquisite Judgement but even from a Child of great Diligence and Industry in his studies of Marvellous Exactness of Life and of incomparable Candour and Vertue His Father was William Lord Cantilupe e Mâ—tth Paris l. 17. p. 815. Dagd ibid. High-Steward to King Henry III of England a Man of great Power and Loyalty His Mother was the Lady Millicent Countess of Eureux in Normandy He first studied at Oxford and afterwards at Paris where having proceeded Master he return'd to Oxford and there apply'd himself to the Canon Law till he went out Doctor in that Faculty After this he entirely gave his Mind to the study of Divinity whereof he was to proceed Doctor in the Year 1273 Robert Kilwardby with whom he was very familiarly acquainted was then Provincial of the Friers-Preachers and Doctor of the Chair in Oxford when he was presented But before the time came that he should keep tho Act or rather the Act being by some Accident delayed till then the said Doctor Kilwardby was become Archbishop of Canterbury But this notwithstanding he vouchsafed this his old Friend the Honour to come down to Oxford to his Act on purpose and there gave him the Ceremonies of his Creation And it is observable that this Archbishop and Pâ—ofessor in his speech after the Disputation among many other great Praises which he bestowed on him affirmed that he the said Archbishop having of many Years been Confessor to the said Candidate Dr. Thomas Cantilupe had never perceived him guilty of any sin which he could judge to be Mortal Certainly either the Confessee did a little mince Matters or the Confessor was blinded with the prejudice of Friendship or some other Infirmity or the Relator did take a little too much liberty in Honour of the Man. Who notwithstanding was no doubt of great Merit every way as may appear by these manifold Honours which as so many loud Testimonials of his Vertue were heaped upon him both Living and Dead For first he was made Arch-Deacon of Stafford then Chancellour of the University of Oxford then Lord f Philipor's Catal Chancellors p. 24. Chancellour of England and afterwards Bishop of Hereford lastly a few Years after his Death Canonised a Saint For whereas in his Travels to or as some say from Rome he departed this Life at Civita Vecchia a Town of Tuscany in the Year of our Lord 1282 and was Honourably buried in the Church of St. Severus there from whence afterward his Bones were brought into England and solemnly interred in his own Church of Hereford near the East-Wall of the North-Cross-Isle where we see an High-Tomb of Marble Within a few Years after his Death there being no less than g Nâ—c Harpsfeld Hist Feel Angl. secul 13. c. 21. ex Floril ad an 1287. 163 Miracles said to be wrought by him his Fame was so great that we find h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 92. ex Rot. Rom. 12. Ed. 2. m. 9. King Edward the Second in the Twelfth Year of his Reign and the Year of our Lord 1318 sent an Embassy to Pope John XXII about his Canonization And two Years after namely in the Year of our Lord 1320 i Oder Rainald ad an 1320. à § 43. ad §. 47. being the 13 of King Edward the Second on the XV of the Calends of May he was by the said Pope John Canonized with great Solemnity at Avignon and the VI of the Nones of October was set apart for his Festival as appears by the said Pope's Bull bearing Date at Avignon XII Cal. Maii Pontificatús nostri Anno IV. But now King Edward designing to Honour the Memory of this Holy Man took up his Bones this Year being k Nic. Harpsfield Hist Fecl Angl. secul 13. c. 21. Sixty five Years since he died and had them Honourably reposed in a Rich and Glorious Shrine of great Value This small Digression I ow'd to the Memory of this Worthy Prelate as well that the Reader might understand what kind of Man he had been whose Translation King Edward did now so devoutly solemnize as also because I believed that such a Person to whom so many of several Nations and Interests never envied the Title of a glorified Saint would much less by any Man of Modesty be envied an Honourable Mention in History VIII While King Edward was thus with as much Devotion as Splendour keeping a Feast in Memory of this Great Prelate Henry the Noble Earl of Lancaster was by him l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 786. ex Claus
presenting him therewith said Sr. Eustace I give you this Chaplet for the best Doer in Arms at this last Battle of either Party whether French or English and I desire you to wear it this Year at Festivals for my sake I know well you are a Personable Gentleman Young and Amorous and well accepted of among the Ladies wherefore if you will wear it in all Publique Balls and declare unto them that the King of England gave you this as a Testimony of your Valour I will also now release you from Prison quitting you wholly of your Ransom and you shall depart to morrow if you please The Knight who by this time had been fully informed of all things was so abundantly satisfied that it had been his Fortune to fight hand to hand with so great a King and to receive such an Honourable Acknowledgement from him that he not only wore the said Chaplet accordingly while he lived but in Memory of so Gracious a Gift from so Mighty a Prince did f Ferne's Blazon of Gentry l. 1. p. 211. bear ever after in his Arms Three Chaplets garnished with Pearls XII Thus was this Treason of the French attempted in the time of Truce by another Treason of the Lombard Captain justly thrown upon their own Heads Thô the perfidious Knight escaped not long himself For g Mezercy ad an 1350. c. Stow p. 249. being the next Year taken by some Frenchmen about St. Omers he was first degraded of the Order of Knighthood by having his Spurs hew'd from his Heels then branded with a burning hot Iron for a Rogue and then his Tongue being cut out in token of his Perjury he was Hanged by the Neck and lastly Beheaded Quarter'd and Dismembred as a Traytor And surely however cunningly he had carried himself in this matter either there remain'd still so much Suspicion on him or however the Action appeared so detestable that King Edward never after had any Kindness for him or Confidence in his Loyalty For we find h Ashmele p. 657. ex Ret. Franc. 22. Ed. 3. m. 1. how on that very Day whereon the Rescue of Calais had been made namely on the First of January the King appointed the Noble Valiant and Loyal Baron Sr. John Beauchamp for Captain of Calais Nor was the King unmindfull of those his Gallant Subjects who had accompanied him in the Rescue of this important Place Among whom the Lord Walter Manny under whose Banner he had fought i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 149. ex Pat. 23. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 26. obtain'd of him a Pardon for all such Escapes as any Felons or Fugitives had made out of the Prison of the Marshalsey he being this Year Marshall thereof and the next k Dugd. ibid. ex Ret. Vasc 24 Ed. 3. m. 6. Year had a Grant of those Houses and Wharfs in the Town of Libourne within the Dutchy of Aquitain which Edmund Marcell a Pattaker with the Kings Enemies had formerly possessed as also a l Id. ibid. ex Rot. Vasc 24 Ed. 3. m. 3. Grant of the Mannor of Ospettlington in the County of Barwick which Thomas Byset a Scot in Arms against the King had formerly held And as for the Lord Guy Bryan who was Standard-Bearer to the King in this Action m Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 151. ex Pat. 23 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 3. he behav'd himself with such great Courage and Valour at that time that in Recompence thereof he obtained of the King a Grant of 200 Marks per annum out of the Exchequer during Life which was afterwards augmented n Id. ibid. ex Autegr penes Clera pell with 200 l. more per annum ut priùs besides several other Charters Grants and Emoluments at sundry times confer'd upon him and the great Honour of being made first a Banneret and afterwards upon a Vacancy Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter He o Ashmtle's Garter p. 709. Plate 57. bore for his Arms Or Three Piles Azure And thus the Noble King of England having happily atchieved his Enterprize and lest the Castle of Calais under the Command of the Lord Beauchamp aforesaid and the Town as it was before under the Lord John Mongomery returned Triumphant homeward with the Chief of the French Prisoners and arrived safe in England But the Lord Mongomery and his Lady presently after died at Calais of a Plague which by and by will furnish us with much matter of Discourse Not long before this p Fabian p. 278. Mezeray ad an 1349. Odor Rainal ad an 1350. n. 40. Charles Eldest Son of John Duke of Normandy King Philips Eldest Son took Possession of the Dauphinate of Vienna which the Old Dauphin Prince Humbert having lost the Lord James his onely Son and Heir in the Battle of Cressy had sold a good Penniworth to the French King He himself retiring from the World into a Convent of Jacobins where he took their Habit. From that Prince the Kings of France's Eldest Sons have been called Dauphins of Vienna as the Kings of England's Eldest Sons are stiled Princes of Wales XIII In the q Frois c. 152. Fabian p. 278. Mezerdy ad han◠annum Month of August of this last Year died the Mother of the said Dauphin commonly called the Good Dutchess of Normandy who was Daughter to John the Old King of Bohemia that was slain also in the Battle of Cressy And r Ex Vitâ Caroli Imperatoris per se scriptâ ab initio yet the same King of Bohemia's Son Charles the Emperour was married to the Lady Blanch Sister of King Philip of Valois Father to the said John Duke of Normandy And in December following died Jane Queen of France Daughter to Robert once Duke of Burgundy and Sister to Eudes then Duke of Burgundy so that the French King and his eldest Son John were both Widowers at one time But as for King Philip he had lately sent for a fresh Young Lady designing to give her unto his Son John but now being a Widower himself he thought good to serve his own Turn first and so on the Ninth of January took her for his Second Queen Her Name was Blanch Daughter to Philip late King of Navarre by his Queen who was Sister to the Earl of Foix but the Espousals were kept secretly at the Mannor of Robert Earl of Braye she being then scarce 18 Years of Age and the Bridegroom already a Grandfather but he enjoy'd her little more than a Year and an half as we shall see hereafter On the Ninth of February his Son John also married his Second Wife which was the Lady Joan Countess of Boulogne Relict of the young Lord Philip of Burgundy Son of Eudes Duke of Burgundr who died at the Siege of Aiguillon about three Years before as we have ſ L. 2. c. 4. §. 6. p. 369. shewn She was Daughter to William Earl of Boulogne by his Lady the Daughter of
his Blood should yield to try a Combat before a King his Enemy was mortally displeased at him and thô he had gain'd such Honour both in the Holy Wars and in the late Duel absolutely deny'd to admit him into his Presence But after a few days having with much adoe and earnest Intercession obtain'd admittance the said Lord Thomas as one that was desirous to shew himself a true Subject and so to recover his Brothers favour besides his declaring the necessity which the Christian Lords had put upon him to go into England began among his excuses highly to extoll the Generosity of King Edward and to shew how justly his Fame was spread throughout the whole World Nor did he forget to commend his Equity which he had shewn in his cause not at all accepting the Person of the Cypriote althô it was well known what a Friend he was to the King of Cyprus himself but Prefer'd and Honoured and Rewarded me said he thô I am a Frenchman and Brother and Servant to you my Lord the King of France These Words the Noble Earl of Ewe and of Guisnes and Constable of France then Present not knowing how distastfull they were to King John confirmed by his own experience and rose up and shew'd among other instances n Knighton p. 2607. n. 1. c. how far that Noble King had banish'd all envy and hatred from his Bâ—east insomuch that lately in a solemn Tourneament at Windsor he had not only admitted him being a Prisoner to that Honourable Exercise but gave him an allowance of all necessary accoutrements and at last rewarded him with a Rich Pâ—ize and new had sent him home upon his Parole in trust of a small Ransom and other as Negotiator for the Redemption of others than a Prisoner himself whereby said he I am put in a Capacity to serve your Majesty as I served your Father or blessed Memory These true Praises of King Edwards Princely Disposition enflam'd the envious heart of lâ—ing John with Madness so that immediately without any in thâ—â— consideration or process of Law he caused them both to be apprehended and sâ—ung in Prison and the third day after o Frois c. 159. Me. 〈◊〉 ad 〈◊〉 namely on the 19 of November to be beheâ—ded by night in the Presence of the Duke of Bourbon and seven or eight other Lords of Note before whom the Earl of Ewe is said to have confessed certain points of Treason whereof he stood guilty But however all the Treason that Envy it self could lay to the Bastards Charge was only that as he was bound by Oath to 〈◊〉 the Christian Princes in the Holy War he had accordingly committed his cause to the Arbitration of the King of England And as for the Earl of â—â—we whatever at that time was devis'd to blacken him he was notoriously a Person of such Gallantry and had already so eminently signaliz'd his Loyalty that to this day it could never be believed that he could be really guilty of any manner of Treason tho some rather by way of conjecture than proof pretend to colour the Matter that his require passing too and fro between England and France which he did in order to hasten the Redemption of his Fellow-Prisoners was with Designs in favour of the 〈◊〉 Others say p Stâ—w p. 251. that he was suspected of being over Familiar with the French Queen and that therefore King John after the fall of these two Great but Unfortunate Gentlemen famished his Queen to Death thô she was Daughter to John of Luxemburgh that Noble King of Bohemia who lost his Life at the Battle of Creâ—â— in the cause of France But this is a most false and irrational Story for King Jâ—hus first Wife q L. 2. c. 7. §. 13. p. 427. who indeed was Daughter to the said King of Bohemia died as we shew'd two Years before And his second Wife his Queen at this time who was Daughter to William Earl of Boulogne lived in his Favour and died not till many Years after However the Earl of Ewe's Lands and Honours r Frois c. 153. Mezeray ibid. Mâ—rtâ—â— p. 125. Knight n ibid. c. were parcell'd out to otheâ—s his Office of Constable of France in January following was by the King confer'd on the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain whom already he had made Earl of Argulesme his Earldom of Eu he gave to the Lord John of Artois Eldest Son to Sr. Robert of Artois of whose Revolt from France and Friendship to King Edward we have spoken in the first part of this our History Only the Earldom of Guisnes he left with the Lady Jane sole Daughter of the Defunct Earl of Ewe who was then Married to Walter Duke of Athens and after his Decease to Lewis Earl of Estampes of the house of Eureux from whom are derived the present Earls of Eu Princes of the Blood. VIII About this time the Scots not yet agreeing to redeem their King David who was still a Prisoner here nor admitting of any just offers of Composition but rather provoking the King of England farther by their Insolencies Cruelties and Depredations He for his part considering that the Truce with France would either be soon ended by violation or of its own course sent his Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 160. p. 275 p. 294. Commissioners viz. Dr. Thomas Hatfield Bishop of Durham the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Henry Piercy and the Lord Ralph Nevill to treat with the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland and other Nobles of that Realm then met at York about a firm and final Peace between the two Nations And this Treaty was held on with good hopes of Success even till the end of the next Year for we find that it was at last between them agreed t Rot. Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmole p. 657. that upon the coming into England of the young Lord John Eldest Son and Heir of Robert Stuart and several other young Noblemen Hostages for the said King he himself should be permitted to go into Scotland and upon his return back the Hostages should be deliver'd The Kings Letters of safe Conduct to the Hostages and of Power to certain Commissioners to receive them and to take King Davids Oath for his Return and the Command for his safe Custody at Newcastle till the Hostages were all come bear date the 5 of September an 25. Ed. 3. to continue in force till the Quindena of the Purification next following and on the 3 of November after they were renewed with a further term even to the Feast of St. Philip and James ensuing According to this agreement the Hostages being come and disposed into the Castles of York and Nottingham King Edward sent his Command u Râ—s Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. bearing date the 5 of October to Sr. John Copland High-Sheriff of Northumberland the same who first took the King of Scotland
Sr. William asked the Captain what News he had heard lately The Captain who had nothing to tell and therefore greatly desired to know something answer'd Alas I have no News in the World but desire if you have any to impart it to me Sir that I shall do most readily said Sr. William and then proceeded in this manner Sir it is now current all about France that the King of Denmark and the King of Iseland are allied together and have sworn to Sail forth and not return again into their own Countries till they have utterly destroyed all England and that in their Course thither meeting with the Prince of Wales upon the Sea as he was conveying the French King into England they fought him and wan the French King from him whom they are now sending home in great Honour to Paris For their Navy consists of more than an hundred thousand Fighting Men. And the Englishmen are in such fear of them that they know not what in the World to do for there goes an old Prophesie among them That England shall be destroyed by the Danes Then the Captain asked him how he heard these News Sir said the Lord William an honourable Friend of mine a Knight of Flanders wrote this to me for most certain and together with the Letter he sent me the loveliest Chessboard of Men that ever I beheld in all my Life That Device he put in by the by because he knew the Captain took great pleasure in playing at Chess and indeed this Project took for the Captain immediately snatching hold on the last Word said Sir I pray be so kind to let me see your Chess-Men I 'll send for them presently replied Sr. William on condition you 'll play a Game with me for some Wine And that being agreed on he bad his Servant who was privy to all his Design to run and fetch him his Chess-men and bring them unto him to the Wicket Accordingly his Man ran into the Town and the Captain and Sr. William enter'd in at the first Gate the Captain fastning the Wicket after him with a Bolt only for he would not lock it because of the return of the Chessboard Then Sr. William asked him familiarly to open the Second Gate saying he might do it safely enough seeing the First was fast Then the Captain open'd that Wicket also and let Sr. William enter with him to see the Castle in his Company The mean while his Servant had gone straight to the Chief of those Burgesses who had Men ready Armed in their Houses and they immediately signified the same to all the rest and so being all assembled and conveniently posted on one side near the Castle Gate he went up before and sounded a little Horn as he was before order'd to do by the Captain and Sr. William The Lord of Granville hearing the Horn said to the Captain let us go out to the Second Gate for my Man is coming and with that he himself passed forth at the First Wicket and stood still without watching his Opportunity The Captain thinking to follow him set out one Foot and stooping down put out his Head but just then had Sr. William taken in his hand the little Ax from under his Arm and therewith clave the Captains Head at one stroke before he could get his other foot over so that he fell immediately dead upon the Groundsel Then Sr. William ran hastily to the Outer Wicket and unbolted it at which time he saw his Friends marching up apace to his Assistance Now the Watchman of the Castle having heard the Horn was much surprized for the Captain however lately he had forgot his own Order had commanded that none should sound any Horn in the Town on pain of Death Wherefore looking down from the high Tower he saw Men in Harness hasting towards the Castle Gate whereupon he cried Treason At that as many of those in the Castle as were ready hasted to the innermost Gate where they were extreamly startled to behold their Captain Dead and Sr. William with his Ax in his Hand and all in shining Armour for he had flung away his Cloak now to defend the Entry At that instant those who were to second the Lord William being enter'd the First Gate were come up also to the other and so they easily drave back the Souldiers and took and slew whom they pleased and so became Masters of the Castle The Castle being thus won the City presently yielded and cast out their French Garrison at what time they sent for the Lord Philip of Navarre who being just then return'd out of England went thither upon their Invitation and made that his chief Garrison from whence on occasion to infest all Normandy Upon his Coming thither he was joyned with Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. James Pipe and other English Captains besides Gascogners who all together made a considerable Garrison which afterwards prov'd highly prejudicial to the Realm of France VII At this time there arose several Captains of England who gather'd Companies unto themselves wherewith they made War at their Pleasure and gain'd Prizes by Spoils and Ransoms and arrived to great Wealth and Dignity One of these was Sr. John Hawkwood c Weever's Funeral Monum p. 623. Cambden in Essex p. 324. c. an English Knight born at Sible Heveningham aliàs Heningham in Essex being the Son of Gilbert Hawkwood a Tanner He was bound an Apprentice to a Taylor in the City of London by whose good leave he went very Young to the French Wars in the Service of the King. For his admired Valour he was honoured with the Order of Knighthood and became in his Days a most Noble Captain All Italy remembers the Fame he purchased in the Wars there now fighting for the Duke of Milain Barnabo whose Daughter Donna he had in Marriage now for the Pope and the Church and another while for the State of Florence in whose Service he died 38 Years after this In Testimony of whose manifold good Offices to that State the Florentines have deposited his Bones in a sumptuous Monument in their Cathedral over which there is his Statue of Black Marble armed at all Points with Hawks flying thrô a Wood upon his Shield that being the Rebus of his Name Thô some of his Friends raised for him a Cenotaph also here in England at Sible Heningham aforesaid the Arches of which Tomb represented Hawks flying thrô a Wood. Froisard calls him Sr. John Hacton Jovius John de Aucut or de Acuto and d Matt. Villani calls him Gianni dell'Aguglio Sartore Inghilese l. 9. c. 37. Others otherwise but Hawkwood is the True Name Take this Tetrastick of Julius Feroldus in his Praise Hawkwood Anglorum Decus Decus addite Genti Italicae Italico praesidiúmque solo Vt tumult quondam Florentia sic simulachri Virtutem Jovius donat honore tuam O Hawkwood England's Glory sent to be The Bulwark and the Pride of Italy A Tomb just Florence to thy Worth
kept for Your use And I shall take Care of it and retain under hand Men of War who upon occasion shall defend You against your Enemies After this Agreement the Provost of the Merchants sent twice every Week to St. Dennis two Sumpters cram'd with Florens to the King of Navarre to whom the Money was very heartily welcome VI. All this while there had z Frois c. 186. fol. 100. been in Paris a great Number of Men of Arms and Archers as well of England as Navarre retained for wages by the Provost and Commons of the City to defend them against the Duke of Normandy While the War lasted these Men behav'd themselves with great Discretion being always upon their Guard and holding together as One Man. But the Peace being now made between the Parisians and the Duke they began to separate many of them going from Paris to the King of Navarre who notwithstanding the Peace retain'd them for his service But Sr. James Pipe in Confidence of his Friend the Provost tarried still at Paris with about 300 Men who went about sporting themselves merrily and spending their Money as if they had been at York or London One day among the rest while they were thus divided and scattered abroad whether any occasion of quarrel was given or whether Opportunity was the only occasion the Men of Paris rose against the English and slew Threescore of them and had slain them every Mothers Son had it not been for the Provost who to appease the Commons for the Present pretended to be as incensed against the English as they themselves and so immediately seised on 150 of them whom he flang into Prison swearing they should all die for it So that the Parisian were content and stirred no further But when 't was Night the Provost caused them to be all deliver'd out of Prison restor'd them their Arms and sent Sr. James Pipe and the remainder of his Men out of the Gates in safety When the Parisians the next morning understood of their Escape they were highly offended with the Provost who wisely dissembled the Matter till by degrees it was forgot However these Englishmen being thus hardly saved went to St. Dennis to the King of Navarre who took them also into his pay and here the other English and Navarrois hearing how perfidiously the Parisians had served their Fellows whom they themselves had hired to defend their Town they all sware a Bloody Revenge and forthwith sent their Defiance to the Parisians and began hot War against them and put to the sword all manner of People that adventur'd to come out of the City Whereupon the Parisians desired the Provost to arm a sufficient Number of Men and to send them forth against these English Robbers To this the Provost agreed saying that he himself would lead them forth against the Enemy and so having within a day or two got together 1200 Chosen Men he marched forth of the City in the Head of them But hearing that the Englishmen who grieved the City of Paris so much were now about St. Cloud he divided his Men into two parts as it were with a Design that so the Enemy should not escape them and appointed a place near the Seyne over against St. Cloud where both Divisions should meet together again So they took two several ways the greater Number marched all day taking a Compass about Mount Martre but all in vain for they could not find their Enemies The mean while the Provost who had the lesser Division by half marched forward a little for shew but presently wheel'd about and toward Noon return'd into the City a Da Serres c. at St. Martins Gate having done nothing at all The other Brigade not knowing the least of all this tarried in the place appointed between Mount Martre and the Windmills expecting the Provost till the day began to decline at which time they also thought best to return homeward So they went back without any good Order or Array for they little thought at that time to meet with any Danger Wherefore they went on heavily by heaps some bearing their Helmets in their Hands others at their backs some having their Swords in their Hands naâ—â—d and others in their Scabbards As they were thus carelesly marching from St. Cloud-ward the way that leads to Paris at the Gate of St. Honore they suddenly fell among 400 Englishmen who had laid an Ambush for them in a low way at b Du Serres c. Bois de Boulogne The English were all well appointed and in good Order and as soon as ever they perceived the Frenchmen within their Ambush they set upon them with all the Fury imaginable so that at the first brunt there fell above c Frois c. 186. c. 200 Frenchmen whereupon the rest betook themselves to their heels but were closely pursued and beaten down like Dogs without any pity so that there fell in the Chace above d Frois ibid. Mezeray c. 400 more for the pursuit was made even to the Barriers of the City And the next Morning the Friends of the slain coming forth to search their Dead for burial fell into another Ambush of the English so that Sixty more Parisians being now slain were left in the same Condition with those whom they design'd to bury VII Thus were the Parisians justly scourged for their Seditions Insolence and Disloyalty and which was worst knew not where to have Remedy for the King of Navarre was cold in lending them his usual Assistance partly because he had now made Peace with the Duke of Normandy and also because of the Violence they had done to their Protectors the English for which he was willing to let them smart a little And the Duke of Normandy winked at this their Misery because his Enemy the Provost was still their Governour So that they were in continual fear Day and Night not knowing whom to trust nor where to seek for help since they believed that the Provost himself had betrayed them in the last Action But when the e Frois c. 187. Provost and his Partakers were informed how the Commons in private murmur'd against them and cried shame of them they secretly consulted among themselves how to save the last Stake For they had no longer any Confidence in the People and could never expect to find any Mercy from the Duke of Normandy whom they had so highly offended Especially he himself having lately sent word in general to all the Commons of Paris that he would no longer be at Peace with them unless he might have deliver'd up into his hands Twelve Parisians whom he should name to do with them after his Pleasure In which number the Provost and his chief Friends were sure to be reckon'd Whereupon they all concluded That it was far better for them to betray than to be betrayed to kill than to be kill'd and to live under the Protection of Strangers than to die
be within One Year next after that the King of France shall depart from Calais the Lord John Earl of Monford shall have the Earldom of Monford with all the appurtenances he doing for the same Liege Homage to the King of France and all such Duties and Services which a good and Loyal Liege-Vassal ought to do to his Liege Lord because of the said Earldom And also his other Heritages shall be rendred unto him which are not of the Dutchy of Bretagne he doing Homage or other Duty therefore as it appertaineth And if he will challenge any thing in any of the Inheritances which are of the said Dutchy besides the Country of Bretagne good and speedy Reason shall be done him by the Court of France 22. Item Concerning the Question as to the Demaine of the Dutchy of Bretagne which is between the said John of Monford on the one Party and Charles of Blois on the other Party it is agreed that the two Kings having called before them or their Deputies the Principal Parties of Blois and Monford shall by themselves or Special Deputies as soon as may be inform themselves of the Right of both Parties and do their best to set them at an Agreement touching what is in Controversie between them And in case the said Kings by themselves or their Deputies shall not be able to bring them to an Agreement within One Year next after that the King of France shall be arrived at Calais then the Friends of the one Party and of the other shall diligently inform themselves of the Right of the Parties in manner abovesaid and shall endeavour to bring the said Parties to an Agreement to the best of their Power and as soon as may be And if they cannot bring them to an Agreement within half a Year next following they shall then report unto the said two Kings or to their Deputies all that which they shall have found about the Right of the Parties and touching the points of Discord which shall remain between them both And then the two Kings by themselves or their Special Deputies as soon as may be shall set the said Parties at an Agreement or shall declare their final sentence about the Right of the one Party and of the other and the same shall be put in Execution by the two Kings And in case they cannot do this within half a Year next following then the said Principal Parties of Blois and Montford shall do what they shall think best and the Friends of the one Part and of the other shall aid either Part as they please without any Impeachment from the said Kings and without any Damage Blame or Reproof by either of them at any time for the cause aforesaid And if it so happen that one of the said Parties will not sufficiently appear before the said Kings or their Deputies at the time which shall be appointed for them And also in case that the said Kings or their Deputies shall have ordained and declared that the said Parties should be at concord or shall declare their sentence for the Right of the one Party and either of the said Parties will not agree unto the same nor obey the said Declaration then both the said Kings shall be against him with all their Power and aid the other Party which is content to agree and to obey But the two Kings shall in no case neither in their own proper Persons nor by others make or enterprize War one against the other for the cause aforesaid And always the Sovereignty and Homage of the said Dukedom shall remain to the King of France 23. Item That all the Lands Countries Towns Castles and other Places yielded over to the said Kings shall be in such Liberties and Franchises as they are at this present And these Franchises shall be confirmed by the said Lords the Kings or by their Successors and by every of them so often as they shall be duly required thereto if they be not contrary to this present Agreement 24. Item that the said King of France so soon as he can and at the farthest within one Year next after that he shall depart from Calais shall without deceit render and cause to be rendred de facto to Monsieur Philip of Navarre and to all his Publique Adherents all the Towns Castles Forts Lordships Rights Rents Profits Jurisdictions and Places whatsoever which the said Monsieur Philip as well in his own Right as in the Right of his Wife or which the said Adherents do hold or ought to hold in the Realm of France Neither shall the said King do unto them at any time Reproach Dammage or Impeachment for any thing done heretofore but shall forgive them all Offences and Misprisions for the time past by occasion of the War. And of this they shall have his Letters good and sufficient so as the said Monsieur Philip and his said Adherents shall return to his Homage do unto him their Duties and be unto him Good and Loyal Vassals 25. Item It is agreed that the King of England for this time only may give unto whom it shall please him in Heâ—itage the Lands and Inheritance which sometimes appertained to Godfry of Harcourt to be held of the Duke of Normandy or of any other Lords of whom they should be holden of Right by the Homages and Services anciently accustomed 26. Item It is agreed that no Person or Country which have been of the Obedience of the One Party and by this Agreement shall come to the Obedience of the Other Party shall be Impeached for any thing done in time past 27. Item It is agreed that the Lands of the Banished and Adherents of the One Party and of the Other and also of the Churches of the One Kingdom and of the Other and all they who are disinherited or expelled from their Lands and Heritages or are charged with any Pension Taillage or Debt or otherwise grieved in any manner whatsoever because of this War shall be restored intirely to the same Rights and Possessions which they had before the War began And that all manner of Forfeitures Debts and Misprisions done by them or any of them in the mean time shall be wholly pardon'd and that these things shall be done as soon as may be effectually and at the farthest within one Year next after that the King of France shall be gone from Calais excepting what was said in the Article of Calais and Merks and other Places in the said Article named excepting also the Vicount of Fronsac and Monsieur John de Galard who are not comprised in this Article but their Goods and Heritages shall remain in the same State wherein they were before this present Treaty 28. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall effectually deliver unto the King of England as soon as may be and at the farthest before the Feast of St. Michael the Year next coming after his Departure from Calais all the Cities Towns Countries and other
Places abovenamed which by this present Treaty ought to be deliver'd unto the King of England 29. Item It is agreed that the Towns Forts and whole County of Ponthieu the Towns Forts and whole County of Montrevil the City and Castle of Saincte the Castles Towns and Forts and all that which the King holdeth in Demaine in the Country of Sainctogne on this side and beyond the Charente the Castle and City of Angoulesme and the Castles Forts and Towns which the King of France holdeth in Demaine in the Country of Angoulesmois with Letters and Mandates of releasing of Fees being deliver'd to the King of England or to other especially deputed for him then the King of England at his own proper Costs and Charges shall deliver all the Forts taken and possessed by himself his Subjects Adherents and Allies in the Countries of x Lisle de la France France Anjou Touraine Maine Berry Auvergne Burgundy Champaigne Picardy and Normandy and in all other Parts Lands and Places of the Realm of France except those of the Dutchy of Bretagne and the Countries and Lands which by this present Treaty ought to belong and remain to the King of England 30. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall cause to be deliver'd to the King of England his Heirs or Deputies all the Towns Castles Forts and other Lands Countries and Places abovenamed with their Appurtenances at the proper Costs and Charges of the said King of France And also that if he shall have any Rebels and such as will not obey to render yield up or restore to the King of England any Cities Towns Castles Countries Places or Forts which by this Present Treaty ought to appertain unto Him then the King of France shall be obliged to cause them to be deliver'd to the King of England at his own Charges And in like manner the King of England shall cause those Forts which by this present Treaty ought to appertain to the King of France to be deliver'd at his own Charges the said Kings and their Subjects with them shall be obliged mutually to aid one another in this respect if they shall be thereto required at the Wages of the Party so Requiring Which shall be a Floren of Florence per diem for a Knight half a Floren for an Esquire and for others proportionably And of the surplus of double Wages it is agreed that if the pay aforesaid shall be too little respect being had to the Price of Victuals in the Country it shall be done at the Appointment of Four Knights elected thereto that is to say of two on the One Party and two on the Other 31. Item It is agreed that all the Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of Holy Church shall in regard of their Temporalities be subject to that King of the two under whom they hold their Temporalities And if they have Temporalities under both the Kings they shall be subject to each of the two Kings for the Temporalities which they hold of either of them 32. Item It is agreed that good Alliance Friendship and Confederation shall be made between the two Kings of France and of England and their Realms in maintaining the Honour and Conscience of the One King and of the Other notwithstanding any Confederations which they have on this side or beyond the Sea with any Persons whether of Scotland or Flanders or of any other Country whatsoever 33. Item It is agreed that the King of France and the Regent his Eldest Son for themselves and for their Heirs Kings of France shall as much as may be done forsake and altogether depart from the Alliances which they have with the Scots and shall promise as much as may be that neither they nor their Heirs nor the Kings of France for the time being shall give or lend to the King of Scotland or to the Subjects thereof present or to come any aid favour or comfort against the said King of England or against his Heirs and Successors or against his Realm or Subjects in any sort And that they shall not make any Alliances with the said Scots against the said King of England and Realm of England in time to come And likewise the King of England and his Eldest Son so much as it can or may be done shall forsake and depart from all those Alliances which they have with the Flemmings and shall promise that neither they nor their Heirs nor the Kings of England for the time being shall give or lend to the Flemmings present or to come any aid favour or comfort against the King of France his Heirs or Successors or against his Kingdom or Subjects in any sort And that they shall not make any Alliances with the said Flemmings against the said King and Realm of France in time to come 34. Item It is agreed that the Collations and Provisions made by the One Party and by the other of Benefices falling void during the War shall hold good and remain in Force And that the Fruits Issues and Revenues received and levied of any Benefices and other Temporalities whatsoever in the said Realms of France and England by the One Party or by the Other during the said Wars shall be quitted on both sides 35. Item that the Kings aforesaid shall be obliged to cause to be confirmed all the Matters aforesaid by our Holy Father the Pope and they shall be Ratified by Oaths Sentences and Censures of the Court of Rome and by all other Tyes in the most binding manner that may be And there shall be obtained from the Court of Rome Dispensations Absolutions and Letters touching the Accomplishment and Perfection of this Present Treaty and they shall be deliver'd to the Parties at the farthest within three Weeks after the King shall be Arrived at Calais 36. Item That all the Subjects of the said Kings which will study at the studies and Universities of the Realms of France and of England shall enjoy the Privileges and Liberties of the said studies and Universities in like manner as they might have done before the Present Wars and as they do at present 37. Item To the end that the Matters aforesaid treated and discoursed may be more stable firm and valid there shall be done and given these Confirmations following that is to say Letters sealed with the Seals of the said Kings and of their Eldest Sons the best that can be made by the Councils of the said Kings And the said Kings and their Eldest Sons and their other Children and others of the Lineage of the said Kings and other Noblemen of their Realms to the number of Twenty on either Party shall swear that they will observe and endeavour to maintain as much as concerneth each of them without fraud or deceit the said Matters treated and agreed on and accomplish them without ever going to the Contrary and without empeaching the performance thereof And if there be any Persons 〈◊〉 the said Realms of France and of England
ever We Will and Consent that if any Pacts Confederations Alliances and Covenants howsoever they be called shall be any way Prejudicial to the said Peace at this Present or in time to come even suppose they be confirmed and deliver'd on certain Penalties or by Oath or ratified by Authority of our Holy Father the Pope or any other they shall notwithstanding be ipso facto cancelled and of none effect as contrary to the Common Good to the Advantage of the Publick Peace unprofitable to all CHRISTENDOM and displeasing unto God And all Oaths made in such Cases shall be released and disannulled by our said Holy Father the Pope that none be obliged to keep and hold such Oaths Alliances or Covenants to the intent that in time to come the like may not be done and if any endeavour the Contrary that it be immediately void and of no effect and rendred null and of no Vertue And as for our parts We shall punish all such as Violators of the Peace both in their Bodies and their Goods as the Case shall require and Reason willeth And if We procure or suffer to be done the Contrary which God forbid then We will that We be held and reputed False and Vntrue and We will incurr such blame and infamy as a King Sacred ought to incurr in such a Case And We swear on the Body of our Lord JESUS CHRIST to hold keep and accomplish the things aforesaid and not go contrary thereto neither by our selves nor by others in any manner of Case In Witness whereof We have caused these present Letters to be Sealed with our Seal Given c. in the Year of Grace 1360. And because that the said things and every of them may be held and accomplished from point to point and in form and manner aforesaid We bind Us and our Heirs and all the Goods of Us and of our Heirs to our said Brother of England and to his Heirs and We swear on the Holy Gospels by Us corporally touched that We will perform hold and accomplish in the foresaid Case all the said things by Us promised and accorded as is aforesaid And We will that in case our said Brother and our said Nephew shall have made the said Renunciations and sent and deliver'd them as is said and our said Letters shall not be deliver'd to our said Brother at the time and place in form and manner aforesaid then our present Letters and all that is comprised therein shall have as much Vigour Effect and Fruit as have had our other Letters by Us promised to be deliver'd as aforesaid Always saved and reserved by Us our Heirs and Successors that the said Letters above-incorporated be of none effect nor bring unto Us any manner of Prejudice or Damage untill the time that our said Brother and Nephew have made sent and deliver'd unto Us the foresaid Renuntiations according to the manner above devised and that these our Letters be not against Us our Heirs and Successors in any manner of Wise but in the case aforesaid In Witness whereof We have set our Seal to the Present Letters Dated at Calais the XXIV day of October in the Year of Grace MCCCLX XVII Besides these there were several other Letters devised and set forth bearing the same Date as b M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet Another Copy of King John's Renuntiation and a more Correct Form of the Peace bearing King Edward's Name which the King sware to a new and these Great Men following as it is worded in the form Our most Dear Eldest Son Prince of Wales and our Younger Sons Lionel Earl of Vlster and Edmund of Langley and our Cousins Monsieur Philip de Navarre and the Dukes of Lancaster and Bretagne the Earls of Stafford and Salisbury the Lord of Manny Guy de Brian Reginald de Cobham the Captal de Buche the Lord of Monferrant James Audley Roger de Beauchamp Ralph de Ferrers Captain of Calais Eustace Dambreticourt Frank van Hall John de Moubray Henry de Piercy Nicolas de Camborthe Lord of Cominges Richard Stafford William de Grandison Ralph Spigurnel Gaston de Greyly and William Burton Knights So likewise on the King of France's side were then sworn his Sons the Dukes of Anjou and Maine and of Berry and Auvergne the Duke of Touraine the Duke of Orleans his Brother and his Cousins the Duke of Bourbon and James de Bourbon John de Artois Peter of Alenson John of Estampes Guy de Blois the Earl of St. Paul the Earl of Auxerre the Earl of Harcourt the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Sancerre the Earl of Joigny the Earl of Salebruche the Earl of Breme the Lord of Coucy the Lord of Craon the Lord of Fiennes the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lord of Monmorency William de Craon the Lord of St. Venant Besides all which both the Kings undertook to make the rest of their Children and the greater part of their Nobility Prelates and others to take the same Oath in order to uphold the said Peace XVIII These Letters c Frois c. 212. fol. 107. called the Charter of Peace and Letters of Renuntiation as well of the One King as of the Other being all fairly drawn up engrossed and sealed were then read openly in the Council Chamber in Presence of both the Kings their Eldest Sons and their Councils and seemed to either Party to be right good and well-ordained And then again the two Kings and their Eldest Sons sware solemnly on the Holy Gospel by them Corporally touched and on the Body of our Lord to keep and perform and by no means to violate any of the Premises And yet further by advice and at the request of the French King and his Council and toward the latter end of their Conference the King of England was urged to give and send a General Commission to all those who as then under colour of the War held Towns Castles and Forts in the Realm of France whereby they should be commanded to avoid and depart And King Edward who at that time desired nothing but that Friendship Good-will and Peace might be nourished between him and his Brother of France as he had sworn and promised readily agreed to this Reasonable Request and thereupon forthwith Order'd his Council to draw up a Commission in the Best Manner that might be according to the very Mind and Intent of the French King and his Council whereupon the Chief of both the Kings Councils drew aside with their Scribes and Secretaries and between these by Consent of both Parties two Commissions were drawn up and engrossed the d M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet One at Large and particularizing the Places so to be deliver'd and the other more General but such as being sent to all and singular of his Captains in all parts of France was no less effectual the Tenour of which Letter followeth EDWARD * * Frois ibid. by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of
Aquitaine To all our Captains Keepers of Towns and Castles Subjects Adherents and Allies being in the Parts of France as well in Picardy Burgundy Anjou Berry Normandy Bretagne Auvergne Champaigne Maine Touraine as in all the bounds and limitations of the Demaine and Tenure of France Greeting A final Peace and accord having been made between Us and our Brother of France our Allies and Adherents comprising all the Debates and Discords that have been in time past or may be to which We have sworn on the Body of Jesus Christ and also our Eldest Son and our other Children and others of our Blood with divers Prelates Barons and Knights and the most Noble of the Realm of England and in like manner hath sworn our said Brother and our Nephew the Duke of Normandy and other our Nephews his Children and divers Prelates Barons and Knights of the Realm of France to keep the said Peace Yet lest it might so fortune or fall out hereafter that any Men of War of our Realm or of our Subjects should take upon them to do or attempt any thing contrary to the Peace in taking or with-holding Forts Towns Cities or Castles or in taking of Pillage Prisoners or Merchandise or any other thing against the Peace the which to Us would be right Displeasant and We neither may nor will suffer any such thing to pass under the shadow of Dissimulation in any manner of wise but will with all our Power in all the said things find a Remedy We therefore Will Require and Ordain by the Advice of our Council that None of our Subjects of whatsoever State or Condition they be presume to do or endeavour to do any thing contrary to the said Peace in taking any Pillage or in taking or withholding any Forts Prisoners or Goods whatsoever pertaining to the Realm of France or to our said Brother his Subjects Allies and Adherents or any other whatsoever they be And whosoever shall be thus Guilty of Doing against the said Peace and will not leave or cease so to do or will not restore again the Damages by them done within a Month after they shall be thereto required by our Officers Serjeants or Publick Persons that then by that Deed alone without any further Process or Condemnation they be all reputed for out-law'd as Men cast out of our Realm and Protection and also out of the Realm and Lands of our said Brother and all their Goods shall be forfeited to Us and to our Demaine and if they may be found within our Realm We Will and Command expresly that on them Punishment be forthwith taken as on Traytors and Rebels against Us according to what is accustomed to be done in the Crime of High-Treason without giving in that case any favour or remission sufferance or pardon And in like manner to be done to our Subjects of whatsoever Estate they be who in our Realm on this side the Sea or on the other take occupy or hold any Fort whatsoever against the Will of those to whom they should pertain or that burn or ransom Towns or Persons or commit any Robbery or take any Pillage in Violation of the Peace and in moving War within our Dominions or on our Subjects And We do hereby command and expresly enjoyn all our Seneschals Bailiffs Provosts Governors of Castles and other our Officers in avoiding of our high Displeasure and on pain of losing their Offices that they publish or cause to be published these Presents in certain notable Places within their Rules and Precincts and that this our Command once seen and heard no one be after that so hardy to remain longer in any Fort pertaining to the Realm of France and exempted from the Ordinance of the Treaty of the said Peace on pain of being proceeded against as an Enemy to Us and to our said Brother the French King and that they see all these Things be duly and punctually observed And We give all persons concerned to know that if they be negligent and fail thus to do beside the foresaid Penalty We shall cause them to make good all Dammages unto those who by their Default or Negligence shall be so grieved or endammaged And moreover We shall inflict such further Punishment on them as shall make them an Example to all Others In Witness whereof We have made these our Letters Patents Given at Calais the 24 Day of October in the Year of our Lord MCCCLX XIX Besides all this there were several other Letters of Alliance made even for the space of 15 Days together which was the time that these two Kings their Sons and Councils were at Calais all which time was chiefly spent in Conferring Devising and Settling new Ordinances not contrary to the old but such as should better explain and confirm them And for the greater Security all the Letters bare one Date All which were enrolled in the Chanceries of both the Kings but as it is tedious to refer them hither so also is it needless All these mutual Renuntiations Covenants and Agreements were drawn up sworn to and sealed at the same time but e Ashmole p. 663. ex Rot. de Tract Pacis Franc. 34. Ed. 3. n. 7. 8. not as yet Exchanged because as yet the King of France was not at Liberty and the Towns Castles and other Places could not as yet be deliver'd But it was now nevertheless agreed and promised that they should be surrendred to the Special Deputies on both Sides by Midsummer following if it might be and the Renuntiations sent at the Assumption of our Lady next ensuing to the Church of the Augustin Fryars at Bruges to be deliver'd to those deputed to receive them Or if they were not sent till Allhallontide after then they were to be deliver'd in the said Church on St. Andrews day following at which Time and Place both Kings engaged to send thither and cause to be deliver'd to the Deputies of both Parties their and their Eldest Sons Renuntiations But if they were not then deliver'd not any thing agreed on was to take Effect There was also another Instrument Dated at Calais at the same time whereby King Edward was obliged to deliver up to the French King before Candlemas come Twelve Months all those Castles and Towns which he now held being Places that by Vertue of the Treaty were not to remain with him the Particulars whereof from the Records are to be seen in my worthy Friend Esquire f P. 663. c. ex Râ—â—praed de Tract Pacis Franc. m. 5. Ashmole's Elaborate History of the Garter For the Surrender of all which the King of England made forth Commissions to several Persons bearing Date at Calais as aforesaid Now g Ashmole p. 664. ex Rot. Tr. Pacis Franc. 34 Ed. 3. n. 6. also the two Kings made a League for them their Heirs and Successors of perpetual Friendship and Alliance to become thenceforward Faithfull Friends and to assist each other against all Persons whatsoever except the
as to recover those Places again with interest It is said how the Duke of Normandy is going to Rheims to be Crowned but perhaps we shall a little disturb the Solemnity The King of Navarre for his part was so glad that he had the Captal with him who was one of the most Renowned and Hardy Captains in the World and as we have shewn before one of the Knights Founders of the most Honourable Order of the Garter that he declared how he would forthwith make an Inroad into the French Pale and thereupon he sent forth his Summons and sent for Souldiers into all Parts where he thought to get any for Love or Money Among others there was at that time an English Knight in Normandy named Sr. John Jones a right Valiant and Expert Man of War who was Captain of three hundred Chosen Men and had before that drawn his Sword in the King of Navarre's Quarrel Noâ— again therefore he is invited to the same Service which be readily embraces and comes accordingly IX When the Duke of Normandy for so we beg leave to call him for distinction sake till we shall see him Crown'd understood of these hot Preparations of the King of Navarre and that the Captal of Busche was to be his General he wrote to Sr. Bertram Clequin desiring him and his Bretons to keep Frontier War upon the King of Navarre on which account he engaged to supply him with sufficient Forces to dispute with his whole Power and he commanded the Lord Bouciquault at the same time to stay with his Troops and keep Mante and Meulan According to these Orders Sr. Bertram went with his Troops of Bretons to Vernon whither shortly after the Duke of Normandy sent unto him the Earl of Auxerre the Vicount Beaumont the Lord of Beaujeu and divers other Knights and Esquires with a competent Number of choice Souldiers Besides at that time several Lords and Knights of Gascogne Subjects to the Prince of Wales and Aquitain went into France to offer their Service to the Duke of Normandy as the Lord of Albret the Lord Edmund of Pamiers Sr. Arnold of Cervoles the Arch Priest Sr. Petition Courton or Coutras the Soldiche of Estarrac and others to whom the Duke gave many thanks and order'd them to go into Normandy and joyn Sr. Bertram but the Lord of Albret only sent his Men himself tarrying behind with the Duke At the same time there lay on the Frontiers of Bretagne towards Normandy a Breton Knight of the French Interest named Sr. Beaumont de la Val who was Captain of fourty Spears besides Others all of his own Country This Knight rode one day and came before Eureux where he did much harm to the Out-houses and alarum'd the whole City and Castle also the Captain of which latter was Sr. Guy of Granville Son to the Lord William Granville who had so subtilly taken the Castle of Eureux by stratagem some Years before as we have related When he heard the first Noise of the Fray he presently armed himself and commanded certain of his Men to do the like and so mounted his Horse and took the Field by which time Sr. Beaumont de la Val having accomplished what he had designed was now marching off again But Sr. Guy rode after him in the Head of his Men crying aloud Beaumont you shall not go off thus you must first speak with them of Eureux that they may know you better against another thime Sr. Beaumont hearing this faced about like a Couragious Gentleman and setting his Spear in his Rest came roughly against Sr. Guy who sat ready to receive him on the Point of his Spear The two Knights met fully and performed their Course so gallantly that both their Spears shiver'd to pieces yet neither of them fell or was so much as moved Now as they had passed this first Course and were returning again with their Swords drawn both their Companies joyn'd in Fight at which Meeting many on both sides were overthrown The Bretons fought as well as was possible but Sr. Guy's Men fought so too and besides he was back'd with continual Assistance from the Town so that they were every Man either slain or taken Sr. Beaumont de la Val was taken by the hands of Sr. Guy himself who led him as his Prisoner into the Castle of Eureux together with the rest who remained alive For this Adventure Sr. Guy was greatly commended and grew much in Favour with the King of Navarre and the Men of Eureux whom he had so notably revenged X. We shewed before how King Peter of Cyprus after his Departure from the Black-Prince returned to Paris to the Duke of Normandy whom he found there with his Brethren the Duke of Anjou and the Lord Philip afterwards Duke of Burgundy all in Mourning and expecting the Body of the King their Father out of England Now King Edward having a pious Regard to the late Love and Good-will between King John of France and Himself attended his Death with due Sorrow and having y John Harding c. 184. caused his Bowels to be buried in the Cathedral of St Pauls and z Ex vet Cod. de Epis Pricrib Dunelm Eccles Walsing hist p. 173. Ashmole p. 665. Speed. c. appointed for him solemn Obsequies in divers Places of the Land he conducted his Body to the Sea-side with a Royal Magnificence and at his own Charges sent it over the Seas into France to be by his Sons deliver'd to the Sepulchre of his Ancestors The mean while the King of Cyprus was extreamly cast down at the News of King Johns Death especially because thereby his intended Expedition against the Infidels was in a manner wholly quash'd and so he put himself into Mourning also But a Frois c. 220. fol. 116. when he heard of the Herse's Arrival he went from Paris with most Part of the Clergy of that City on Foot and a little beyond St. Dennis met with the Royal Body which was attended thither out of England by the Earl of Artois the Earl of Dampmartin the Grand Prior of France and Others all who had been lately joyn'd with the Duke of Normandy and his Brethren And so in the Church of St. Dennis he was interred with great Solemnity on the Seventh of May being a Tuesday the Archbishop of Sens saying the Mass 〈◊〉 his Funeral after which succeeded a Magnificent Supper and the next Day all the Princes Lords and Prelates return'd to Paris where a Parliament was held by the Duke of Normandy to advise about Settling the Kingdom Here it was concluded that on Trinity-Sunday following b Pascha 24 Maâ—â—â— â—â—t Dâ—â— GF being the 19 of May the Duke of Normandy who hitherto had used no greater Title should be solemnly Crowned in the Cathedral of Rheims to which Coronation the Duke invited his Uncle Wenceslaus Duke of Brabant and of Luxemburgh and Son to Charles the Emperour together with Lewis Earl of Flanders and other
Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green and Sr. William Skipworth another of his Justices to be arrested and imprison'd on the account of many notorious Enormities which he understood they had committed against Law and Justice Nor could they redeem themselves from Prison without refunding to the King many large Sums of Money which by Injustice they had got from others But for ever after they were secluded both their Places and his Favour XI We have frequently heretofore mention'd the great Diligence which Peter King of Cyprus us'd in travelling to most Courts in Europe in Order to raise a Power sufficient to stem the furious Tide of Pagan Insolence which threatned a Bloody Inundation to all Christendom Now therefore being pretty well furnish'd with Valiant Souldiers of several Nations after that by the Pope's means he had made a Peace with Genoa which had some resentments against him u Philippus è Mazeriis c. 15. c. in Vità Becti Petri Thomx â—pud Bâ—llâ—nd Tâ—n 2. XXIX Januar. he went from Venice to Rhodes where he was Magnificently received by the Master of the Hospital and whither he had sent before many Ships laden with Armed Men and about 500 good Horses for the War. He had some Months before wrote to his own Brother the Prince of Antioch his Lieutenant in the Kingdom of Cyprus that having left a sufficient strength at home he would by such a time send an Army of his Realm of Cyprus to meet him at Rhodes which was done For the King had been but a little while in that Island when an Army of Cyprus came thither namely sixty sail one with another laden with Men of Arms Arrows Crossbows and other Weapons in good quantity to which the Master of the Hospital added an hundred chosen Knights of his Order and commanded his Gallies to be fitted up And all the while St. Peter Thomas Patriarch of Constantinople the Pope's Legate who had an extraordinary Zeal for the Work encouraged the King and his Souldiers and blessed them and pray'd and preach'd and signed them with the Cross and heard Confessions and absolved and reconciled Sinners one while labouring in the Kings Council another while among the Mariners and poor People now among the Lords and Knights and the Master of Rhodes and now again with the Common Souldiers in great humility Now he visited the sick and presently he fell to pacifying of Rumors sometimes he conversed with the English sometimes with the Cypriotes Venetians French Spaniards and Germans but always he exhorted to Unity and Charity to Faith and Courage and to the War of God And every Christian Soul in this small Army was by this Holy Legate a few days before they left Rhodes admitted to the Sacrament of Gods Body and strengthned with Divine Power by feeding on their Redeemer whose Cross they were going to advance At the time of their Departure from Rhodes the King in secret Council proposed to invade the Soldan of Babylon who usurped the Holy City of Jerusalem and his Inheritance not in the Tail but in the Head and to Steer his Course towards Alexandria and so taking leave of the Grand Master he went on board his Galley with a Fleet consisting of more than an 100 Vessels of all sorts above 10000 good Souldiers and about 1400 Nobles and Men of Arms with their Horses besides Mariners Being come to the Haven of Alexandria after about an hours resistance made by the Saracens they gain'd Land and soon after put all their Enemies to flight and made them retire into the City in great Confusion and shut their Gates But their Hearts were so lost that upon the Christians approach to the Walls and setting fire to their Gates they fled away towards Grand Cairo or New-Babylon Wherefore the City of Alexandria was taken by the Christians on the Fourth of October 1365 about Nine of the Clock in the Morning and all the Pagans found therein put to the Sword. But many of these Christians being now satiated with spoil began forthwith to cool in their Devotion and so were for leaving the City now it was rifled nor could the King of Cyprus nor the Zealous Legate with all their Endeavours prevail with them to the Contrary wherefore upon News of the Soldan's Arrival with the Prince of Assyria and a Mighty Army who were coming to relieve the City on the Fourth or Fifth day after he had won it he was forced to leave it to his great Grief The occasion of which dishonourable Departure is by the Legate in his x Eâ—tant apud Odor Rainal ad hâ—nc an § 20 Letters attributed to the English and to their Leader and by y Petrarch l. 8. Senil Fp. 8. l. 13. â—p 2. Petrarch to the Transalpine Auxiliaries in General who he says being always better at Enterprising than at Compleating forsook the King in the midst of a most Glorious Work and because they follow'd him not for Devotion but for Gain when they had laden themselves with spoils went away and being rendred Masters of their Greedy desire made him fail of his Godly Design The Prosecution of this Matter may be seen at large in the foremention'd Philip è Mazeriis who was himself present in this Expedition and also in z Odor Rainal ad 〈◊〉 §. 18. ad §. 22. Vid. Pan 〈◊〉 1. V 3. Odoricus Rainaldus We shall only add that the Englishmen and Gascogners who had been at the taking of Alexandria upon a Walsing â—â—st p. 174. n 30. Speed p. 584. §. 129. their return into England and Aquitaine brought many rich pieces of Cloth of Gold Velvets and Precious Stones as witnesses of their Success in those parts XII It is said by some b Therton's Nottinghamshire p. 116. that John Lord Roos after this Expedition died at Paphos in the Island of Cyprus leaving no Issue behind him by his Wife the Lady Mary de Orrebe So that his Brother William succeeded in his Honours Thô to say the Truth this Lord John was not Born till this Year For Sr. William Dugdale shews c Dugd. 1 Vol. Baren p. 551. that his Death happen'd about 28 Years after this viz. in the Seventeenth of Richard the Second at which time he was but d For 18 years old Ano. 7. Rich. 2. id Dugd. ibid. p. 550. ex Esc 7. R. 2. n. 68. 28 Years of Age. Notwithstanding I grant that about this time as e Thoroton Nottingh p. 455. Thoroton says there died the Lord Thomas Furnival Sirnamed the Hasty leaving no Issue behind him whereupon he was succeeded by his Brother William Lord Furnival Who about 17 Years after died also leaving behind only One Daughter Joan. Her Sr. Thomas Nevile Brother to Ralph Earl of Westmorland and Treasurer of England taking to Wife became in her Right Lord Furnival But here again I am fain to correct Thorton's many mistakes by comparing him f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 727. with a more accurate and
commanded to the Tower of London there to remain as Prisoner untill he had paid Fine at the Kings Pleasure And thereupon Command was given to Sr. Alan Boxhull Constable of the Tower to keep him accordingly And so the Lords and Commons departed But after that the said Sr John being brought to Westminster before the Kings Council and there examin'd concerning the Business of the said William Latimer made Answer that as freely as the King had granted to him the Wardship aforesaid so freely did he surrender the same into the Kings Hands whereupon it was order'd in Council that the said Wardship should be reseised into the Kings Hands and deliver'd unto the said William Latimer according to the Grant made to the said Bishop of Sarum and that all Recognisances and Conveyances made by the said William to the said Sr. John should be void saving the Kings Right IV. Thus ended this Parliament but it is to be observed that Dr. Simon Langham p Godw. Catal. Bish p. 143. Philpots Catal. Chancel Treasurers c. Archbishop of Canterbury who had been both Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of England and performed the part of King Edwards Spokesman in this Parliament was on the 21 of September following by Pope Vrban V. made Cardinal titulo Sti. Sixti whereupo he resign'd his Archbishoprick of Canterbury and went to Avignon where not long after he was made Bishop Cardinal of Praeneste by Pope Gregory the Eleventh and held divers Livings in Commendum as the Archdeaconry and Treasurership of Welles and others There he lived in high Estimation for about Eight Years at which time he died of a Palsie wherewith he was suddenly taken as he sat at Dinner Of his Bounty Magnificent Buildings and other Deeds of Liberality Bishop Godwin makes mention but what we have further to say of him we shall defer till we come to relate his Death In his Seat of Canterbury he was succeeded by Dr. William Wittlesey a Man of great Parts and Learning for that Age. V. It is credibly reported q Treasury of Time or Times Store-house p. 721. that about this time during a great Storm and an extraordinary high Tide there was seen a Mermaid or Sea-woman swimming in the Zuyderzee between Campen and Edam Who being taken and brought to Edam after she was well cleansed from the Sea-moss which by her long Continuance in that Element had grown about her was not only exactly like another Woman but endured to be Apparell'd and would feed on Meats as others did thô indeed she sought all Means to escape and return again to her Watry Habitation but she was always prevented by those who had the Care of her and watch'd her very narrowly She learn'd to spin and exercise several other Feminine Duties being dayly seen by vast Numbers of People many of whom gave undoubted Testimony of the Truth of the Matter both describing her Features and attesting that she lived 15 Years after she was first taken and was lastly buried there in the Church-yard of Edam If the Reader wants Faith to credit such Matters I entreat him to consider that an Historian is not obliged to gain an Infallible Assurance of all that he says but however r Vid. in Peireskii Vitâ à Gassend conscriptâ c. that since so great and so wise Men have confirmed such things unto Us he who will not allow such authentick and probable Testimonies not only wants Faith but perhaps Modesty and Discretion also VI. But to return to the Affairs of our History Now it is to be remembred that ſ Frois c. 239. fol. a. when the Prince of Wales was come from Spain into Gascogne and his Brother the Duke of Lancaster was gone home into England many of the French and Spanish Nobility were by the English and Gascogners put to their Ransome But Sr. Bertram of Clequin remain'd still a Prison◠with the Prince and the Lord John Chandos being not admitted to pay any Ransome which prov'd a great Trouble to Henry the Bastard because he durst not attempt any New thing against Don Pedro till he should have this his most considerable Friend at Liberty But by chance there was offer'd an Occasion of obtaining that which Counsel and Money were not able to procure for one Day among the rest the Prince who us'd much Grace and Respect to all his Prisoners sent for Sr. Bertram of Clequin to discourse with him Sr. Bertram How doth your spirit Brook this Confinement Sr. I thank God very well I was never at better eas ein all my Life And it is reasonable for me to think so since I am in the Hands of the most Generous Prince living and made a Prisoner by the most Renowned Knight in the World. Who is that said the Prince Sir said he that is Sr. John Chandos That is right replied the Prince therefore you may comfort your self for being taken since it is no dishonour to be conquer'd by a Gallant Man but what comfort have you now for being detain'd a Prisoner when most of your Fellows are put to Ransom O Sir quoth Sr. Bertram as to that matter I have this Comfort namely that it is reported in France and Spain how you stand in such fear of me that you dare not let me go which must needs be a considerable Honour for so mean a Knight as I am The Prince understood well to what end these subtle Words of Sr. Bertram tended and he also remembred that his whole Council had agreed by no means to let him have his Liberty untill King Don Pedro had fully paid all those Sums of Money wherein he was bound lest Sr. Bertram should again embroil the Matters of Spain and put that King out of a capacity of Paying But however he could not endure to be thought to stand in Fear of any one Living and besides he thought to ask such a Ransom as Sr. Bertram should not easily be able to pay wherefore he answer'd him thus Then Sir it seems you imagin that We detain you here for doubt of your Prowess and Chevalry But I would not have you think so for I swear by St. George it is no such matter Do but pay Vs for your Ransom an 100000 Franks and you shall be deliver'd immediatly Sr. Bertram who whatever he pretended defired much in his mind to be at Liberty hearing now on what Conditions he might go took the Prince presently at his Word and said Sir be it so in the Name of God I 'll pay no less a Ransome and thank you for the honour of Rating me so high Then the Prince would willingly have retracted his Words for he saw himself caught now and that by his means Don Pedro might be either deposed again or put to Death before he had satisfied him and besides some of his Council came to him and told him that he had not done well so easily to put him to his Ransom and would fain have perswaded
of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Carmaine the Lords of Cande De la Barde and Pincornet all who made heavy Complaints to the King how the Prince of meer Pride and Presumption would tread them under his Feet and raise new and unheard of Taxes upon their Lands which they said they would never suffer considering their Resort was to the Chamber of France Wherefore they humbly desired that the Prince might be summon'd to make his Appearance in the Parliament Chamber before the Peers of France there to Answer concerning those Grievances and Innovations which he had began to exercise against them The French King was not unwilling to entertain these Gascogners who thus required Justice of him as of their Sovereign Lord lest otherwise they should seek for Redress in some other place and so he should for ever lose the Sovereignty over them And on this account he at last condescended to their Request thô half against his Will for he could not but see that an open War would ensue thereby which he was very loath to move first at least without some plausible Pretence Besides at that time he saw his Realm not a little molested with the Companions and other Enemies and also he consider'd that his Brother the Duke of Berry with many others were still Hostages in England Wherefore he thought to deal wisely and get first his Hostages home and be fully provided of all things and to try the Hearts of the People thoroughly before he could absolutely resolve to summon the Prince of Wales And accordingly there were such subtle devices used that before any open Breach was made most of the Hostages got out of King Edward's Power as we shall see hereafter Particularly Prince John g Frois c. 244. Duke of Berry having received a private hint of these Matters obtain'd of King Edward to return into France and there to recreate himself among his Friends and Relations for the space of One Year but he order'd his Affairs so cunningly by his frequent excuses and the like that he drove off the time till the War was open and then he thought himself freed from all obligations of Returning And the Lord Guy of Luxemburgh Earl of St. Pol made shift by much subtlety to get into France without taking his leave of King Edward This Man was an Implacable Enemy to the English Nation so that he could neither endure to hear nor speak a good Word of them and now he urged on King Charles as much as he could to take the Gascogne Lords into his Protection for he verily believed that if once the Prince of Wales should be summon'd a War would most certainly ensue And to this Opinion of the Earl of St. Pol agreed several of the Chief Prelates Earls Barons and Knights of France who added how the King of England had not truly kept the Peace to which he had sworn and sealed according to the Tenor of the Treaty made at Bretigny near Chartres and afterwards confirmed at Calais For they said it was manifest how the English had hated and molested the Realm of France more since the Peace was made than ever they had done before And Sir said they what We now averr You shall find to be true if it will please You to cause the Charters of the Peace to be inspected and read before You even such as the King of England and the Prince his Son are by Faith and Oath obliged to perform Hereupon King Charles to be the better enformed of all the Truth and that he might not suffer any Encroachment upon the Rights of his Realm caused all the Charters of the Peace to be brought into the Council-Chamber and heard them read over more than once the better to consider and weigh the Point and Articles therein comprised Among others there was found One Letter on which the King and Council stood most because it seem'd to speak more clearly and plainly of what they now look'd for the Tenor whereof ran thus viz. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine to all who shall see these present Letters Greeting Know that in the final and last Accord and Peace made between Us and our Right Dear Brother the French King are contained two Articles comprised in the form following The First Where it is said how the foresaid Kings are bound to cause to be confirmed all the said Articles comprised in the Peace by the Bishop of Rome they to be deliver'd from the Court of Rome confirmed by Sentence touching the full Perfection and Accomplishment of this present Treaty unto each of the said Parties at least within three Weeks after the French King shall be arrived at Calais and also how to the intent that these Articles and Treaties passed may be more firm and stable there shall be made certain Bonds and deliver'd as followeth that is to say Letters sealed with the Seals of both the Kings and their Eldest Sons such as should be devised by the Councils of both the Kings And also the said Kings and their Children and others of the Prime Nobility to the Number of Thirty on either Part should swear that they would strictly observe and cause to be observed to their Power all the said Articles accorded and agreed on and perform the same without fraud or deceit And also that both the Kings and all their Friends and Allies should do their utmost to bring all Rebels to Obedience according to the form and true Intent of the Peace And also that both the Kings should submit themselves and their Realms to the Correction of the Bishop of Rome to the end that he should oblige by Ecclesiastical Censures those who should otherwise refuse to comply with this Peace and Accord And further both the Kings and their Heirs by Oath and Promise should renounce all Graces and Absolutions of any thing herein agreed to by them And thô by Disobedience Rebellion or Force of any of the Subjects of the French King the said King should be hindred from performing all the said Articles yet neither shall the King of England nor his Heirs for all that make any War upon the Realm of France but both Kings shall joyn together to bring those Rebels to Obedience and to acquiesce in the said Peace and Concord And thô the Subjects of the King of England should refuse to yield up any Towns Castles or Fortresses which they held in the Realm of France and which by reason of the Peace ought to be deliver'd or what any other Cause should hinder that the King of England could not perform what he ought by reason of this Treaty to perform yet the King of France shall not make War therefore upon the Dominions of the King of England but both the Kings shall joyn together to reduce those Rebels to Obedience and by force to recover such Towns Castles and Fortresses and to
taken therein having a like Fate with St. Augustin whom he had translated for he also died as he had desired before he saw the Ruines of Hippo his dearest City CHAPTER the EIGHTH The CONTENTS I. AN. DOM. 1371. An. Regni Angliae XLV Franciae XXXII The Surprisal Redemption and Death of the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt II. The Danger and Escape of the Lord Raimond of Marvejols III. The Death of Edward Plantagenet Eldest Son to the Black-Prince The said Prince◠having appointed his Brother of Lancaster his Lieutenant in Aquitain returns with his Family for England IV. The Castle of Monpaon being betrayed to the French is recover'd by the Duke of Lancaster V. The Lord of Pons revolts from England and Poictou divided VI. The Castle of Moncoutour won by the English VII Sr. Bertram of Clequin prevails in other Parts VIII A Parliament at Westminster IX Pope Gregory endeavours a Peace between the Two Crowns X. The English obtain a Naval Victory over the Flemings XI The Flemings submit to a Peace XII James King of Majorica dies XIII The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge marry the two Daughters of Don Pedro King of Spain whereby Don Henry being alarum'd enters a Confederation with the French King. XIV The Pope endeavours to make Peace between England and France the Copy of his Letters to the Captal of Busche XV. The Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge return with their Ladies into England I. THIS Winter the Valiant and Generous Captain a Frois c. 286. Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt was in great danger of being utterly lost thrô his own too free Confidence in an old Acquaintance For he rode one Evening to pay a Visit to the Lord of Pierre Buffierre whom he look'd upon as his special Friend and Lover and also of the English Interest For as we b Vid l. 4. c. 7. § 2 p. 789. shew'd before the French King himself could not persuade him to renounce the Homage which he had made to the Prince of Wales In the Christmas Holydays Sr. Eustace rode to his Castle designing to make merry with him but his Entertainment was much otherwise than he expected For his unkind Host admitted Sr. Tibauld du Pont a Knight of Breton and an Enemy to England into his Castle whom he suffer'd to seize upon Sr. Eustace while he suspected no harm and to lead him away Prisoner And now he had certainly been put to a shamefull Death because he had been a Captain of the Companions and so great an Enemy to the Realm of France But then the Duke of Bourbon was pleas'd to remember the good Turns he had done him in releasing his Mother who was taken at Bellepeche and so to requite him interceeded effectually for his Life at this time and compounded for a Ransom of 12000 Franks 4000 whereof Sr. Eustace paid down leaving his Son Francis Dambreticourt in Hostage for the Remainder with the Duke of Bourbon who thereupon repledged him engaging his own Word for the Residue to Sr. Tibauld Sr. Eustace being thus acquitted went and lay at Carentan beyond the Marches of St. Clement in Base Normandy a Town which the King of Navarre had given him And there he shortly after died having been in his Days a most Valiant Knight and a sworn Servant to the Ladies II. About the same time there fell another Adventure which I presume worth the Relating because therein will appear the ill Consequences that attend Treason with the great Power of natural Sympathy and Commiseration and the agreeable Prospect of an unexpected Turn of Fortune We shew'd before how the Lord Lewis of Maleval and his Nephew the young Lord Raimund of Marvejols had without any Constraint or Provocation revolted from the Service of the King of England and began to make War against the Prince of Wales Now the Lord Raimund of Marvejols hearing at this time that all his own Country had followed his Example and were turned French took his leave of the Court at Paris intending to go home But by the way he was suddenly met by two or three Troops of Sr. Hugh Calverley's Men who were led by Sr. Geoffry Argentine Captain of a Castle in Poictou He fell so unluckily within their Power that he could not possibly avoid them so he was forthwith taken Prisoner and carried into Poictou unto the said English Knights Castle When it was known in England that the Lord Raimund of Marvejols was taken and in sure Custody King Edward wrote his Letters to Sr. Geoffry Argentine who had him in his Keeping commanding him with all speed to send over unto him his Enemy that false Traytor Sr. Raimund of Marvejols saying how he would take such Vengeance on him that all others should take Example by him and further he promised the Knight for his acceptable Service in taking him 6000 Franks Sr. Geoffry Argentine resolv'd by all means to obey the King his Masters Commands and said he would surely fulfill his Pleasure as soon as he could meet with an opportunity of Transporting him with Security and began presently to seek out for a Vessel and Company to have him convey'd into England Of all this Sr. Raimund had knowledge wherefore he was much more nearly concern'd than ever For before he hoped to get off by Ransom but now he saw there was no other Remedy but inevitable Death and that in all likelihood to be as full of Torment as Ignomy for he knew how Traytors were usually punish'd as well in England as elsewhere He was then in the Flower of his Age a Proper Young Handsom Valiant Gentleman of a fair Estate and Fortune in the World and perhaps not so fit to die as those who have not met with the Temptations which attend so high a Condition No wonder then if he was very much affected with these Apprehensions of Death He began to make the most dolefull Lamentations imaginable and always when his Keeper came near he heard him bewail his untimely End and complain of his Misfortunes so pathetically that it was impossible for Flesh and Blood not to sympathise therewith The Keeper who was an Englishman had the Curiosity to ask him the occasion of so great Sorrow and while he declared it in the softest Terms that could be devised wept along with him for pitty and afterwards gave him all the Consolation that might be telling him how King Edward was a very Mercifull Prince and thô terrible to those that resisted him yet always Gratious to those whom he had in his Power and much more he said with great Tenderness out of a Pious Consideration of his Prisoners dejected and forlorn Condition Sr. Raimund who knew his Life lay at stake saw little or no Comfort in all these Words but only observing how wonderfully concerned his Keeper was for him he began to repeat his Moans thereby to raise his Compassion and at last said unto him Ah! my dearest Friend Next unto God it is in
and won Cattle and Prisoners and fill'd the plain Country with Desolation The King of Aragon who very much doubted this War being alarum'd at this sudden Invasion sent Men of Arms in all haste to the Frontiers under the Conduct of the Vicount of Roqueberton and the Earl of Rodaiz while himself was busied in raising an Army to go against h Vid. Lit. Papales de hoc ad Regem Aragonium apud Odâ—r Rainal ad an 1363. §. 9. his Nephew the King of Majorica But He Poor Prince even while thus the War was fair on his side fell sick again in the Valley of Soria of which sickness he died within few days leaving the Injuries done unto his Father and himself unrevenged and all the hopes of his Crown and Life together It is likely that upon his Delivery from his Spanish Prison when he found how the Black-Prince in whose Fortunate Valour he had reposed a sure hope of Success was himself seised with an Incurable Malady he thereupon began by Degrees to entertain Melancholy thoughts till now at last his Grief and Sickness together put an end to his troublesome Life However his Uncle the Aragonese had Peace thereby and continued in that Condition several Years after As for the Companions who came with the King of Majorica to make War against him they return'd back into France where they thought to make their advantage either by owning the French or English Interest The rest of the Auxiliaries went as their Humor or Interest led them to other Parts XIII All this i Frois c. 295. fol. 178. Gallicè fol. 243. while John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was in the City of Bourdeaux on the Garonne where he kept a Court little inferior to that of the Prince his Brother having about him a Gallant Retinue of Barons Knights and Esquires of England and of Aquitaine And as yet Fortune had not taken her leave of King Edward as We may see by his late unexpected Victory over the Flemings Thô several Lords of Poictou Limosin and other Provinces revolted daily to the French King and immediately turn'd their Arms another way making frequent Skirmishes and Rencounters with the English But now Divine Providence began to weaken the English Interest and Power even by such a Means as all other Princes make use of to strengthen theirs viz. An Alliance by Marriage which thô Glorious in shew prov'd no more but an Airy Title and yet that brought forth in time many Expensive Wars and gave an Occasion of much Bloodshed and loss of Treasure principally in Spain and Portugal but by accident also it produced the loss of Rochelle and consequently of many more Places in France as we shall now see We spake k Vid. l. 4. c. 6. §. 31. p. 782. before of the Death of the Lady Blanch Dutchess of Lancaster upon which the Duke her Husband being left a Widower the Barons of Gascogne now with the said Duke at Bourdeaux began to consider how Don Pedro late King of Castille and Leon had left behind him two Daughters which he had by a Lawfull Bed. That these young Ladies were then at Aire a City of Gascogne having been left as Pledges with the Prince of Wales for certain Sums of Money due unto him from their Father And when these Ladies heard first of the Murder of the King their Father they were extreamly Disconsolate and in such Fear and trouble that it was a Thousand Pities such Innocent Virgins of Royal Blood should ever be brought to such Affliction by the Sins of their Father Especially all Men lamented the Condition of the Eldest who was now the True and Lawfull Heir to the Crown of Castille by Right of Succession devolved unto her immediately upon the Death of her Father King Don Pedro. All this Sr. Guischard D'Angle shew'd unto the Duke of Lancaster in the Presence of the Earl of Cambridge his Brother saying My Lord if it please your Royal Highness You are yet to be disposed of in Marriage once more and Sir We can tell You of a Match not unfitting your Birth whereby You shall obtain the Title of a King in her Right and your Children by her shall be Heirs to a Crown and she likewise hath a younger Sister which will make a good Wife for You my Lord of Cambridge They are both Ladies of Incomparable Perfections both of Mind and Body being the Daughters of Don Pedro late King of Castille and Leon. And surely it is no small point of Charity to succour and comfort distressed Damsels especially they being Daughters to a King in such a forlorn Condition as Fortune hath now reduced them to My Lord Duke We your Faithfull Servants would advise You to take unto Wife the Lady Constance who is the Eldest of these Princesses For We cannot tell where You can Match more Honourably or obtain Higher Dignity in so doing These Words and more to the like purpose made such an Impression on the Duke's heart who was now but One and Thirty Years of Age and in the Highest Vigour of Nature but especially when both their Beauties were enlarged upon he was so pleased that he resolv'd forthwith to send for the two Ladies Constance the Eldest whom he had pitch'd upon and Isabella the Youngest whom his Younger Brother the Earl of Cambridge design'd to espouse Four Lords with their Attendants went for them and they menaged their Business so well that the Ladies consented to go along with them to Bourdeaux when they should have got all things ready for their journey Upon News of the time the Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Cambridge rode forth to meet them and were both so extraordinarily pleased with their several Mistresses that they immediately Married them in the next Village to them called Rochefort not far from Bourdeaux The Marriage was solemnised with a Great and Royal Feast and after that the two Princely Bridegroomes brought their Ladies to Bourdeaux where again there was Feasting and Joy and a most Splendid Resolemnization of this Double Marriage being attended with a great Number of Lords and Ladies all who Caressed the Royal Brides and presented them with many Rich Jewels and other Gifts to shew their Respect chiefly to the Duke But whatever all this might be in other Circumstances it was only now in effect to denounce Mortal War against the King of Spain and his Heirs for ever and thô indeed that King was an Usurper yet he was at that time of Great Power so that it seem'd no ways convenient to put him to Despair in a juncture when the King of England had his Hands full of War elsewhere King Henry of Castille had early notice how the Duke of Lancaster had Married the Eldest of his Neices and the Earl of Cambridge the other Wherefore by Advice of his Grandees who were all strictly United to his Interest he resolved forthwith to engage with the French King in a close and perpetual League Offensive
Reverend Brethren Cardin is of the Holy Roman Church viz. Simon of the Title of St. Sixtus and John of the Title of the Four Crowned Saints Priests-Cardinals Nuntio's of the Apostolick See. Lest therefore ô most Beloved Son the Eastern Parts do now irreparably run to ruine and fall irrevocably into the Hands of cruel Barbarians We thought good to have our Recourse to your Piety earnestly entreating and desiring you in the Lord JESVS CHRIST and also perswading you in Order to the Remission of your sins that considering the Premises with such pious Meditation as is fitting you would induce the said King of England and our Beloved Sons John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge Sons of the said King to whom also We write to this very purpose to make a good and lasting Peace and Concord with the said King of France and to provide for some Succour as shall seem good to them in the said next Expedition when for such as shall be willing to pass the Seas a mighty Fleet will be equipped by the said Genoans So that such great Evils may soon be obviated and the said Peace being made which God grant who is the Author of Peace speedy Succour may be sent unto the said Eastern Parts For We request very many Princes and Nobles for speedy Succour by writing unto them effectually for that Purpose And what shall seem good to your Magnificence in the Premises forget not to write back unto Us as soon as may be Dat. apud Villam Novam Avenion Dioeces Kal. August An o Pontif. 1 mo Thus did his Holiness use his utmost Diligence to oppose the Success of the Infidels Arms by healing the Breaches of Christendom but the French King being now more confident upon the late League with Spain was less carefull to hearken to moderate Terms and so this Design fell and the War continued open as before XV. The q Frois c. 296. Duke of Lancaster and his Brother the Earl of Cambridge tarried at Bourdeaux with their New Ladies in great Jollity and Sporting till after Michaelmas about which time the Duke resolved to return into England not only because there was a Great Council to be held about Carrying on of the War but also that he might more particularly inform the King his Father of the Affairs of Aquitain But before his Departure he summoned all the Loyal Barons of Guienne to meet him at Bourdeaux Where he declared unto them How he design'd to go for England about certain Affairs relating to their Advantage and the Weal and Safety of all Aquitain and that by the next Summer at furthest he would be there again with them if so it should please the King his Father And all Men being highly satisfied with these Words he appointed the Noble and Valiant Lord John de Greilly Captal of Busche his Deputy Governour of all Guienne and with him he joyned as Assistants the Lord of Mucidan and the Lord of Lesparre In Poictou he set as Chief Governour the Lord Lewis of Harcourt and the Lord of Partenay and in Sainctogne the Lord Lewis of Argenton and the Lord William of Montendre and all his Seneschals and other Officers he left in statu quo priús Then there were nominated certain Representatives for the Good Towns of Gascogne Sainctogne and Poictou who were to go along with the Duke of Lancaster into England the better to inform King Edward of the State and Condition of Aquitain the Chief whereof were the Lord Guischard Dangle the Lord of Pinant and Sr. Emery of Tarse When they had all made themselves ready for the Voyage the Duke of Lancaster went on Ship-bord with his Lady the Dutchess and her Sister and his Brother the Earl and a great Company of Men of Arms and Archers so that the Fleet consisted of Threescore Good Vessels together with those that bore their Provision and Necessaries They had Wind at Will and so landed with safety at Southampton where having tarried two Days they went all to Windsor to the King. He was glad to see his two Sons the Duke and the Earl and his Daughters the two Spanish Princesses and also all the Lords and Knights Strangers But in especial manner he welcom'd Sr. Guischard Dangle for he was a most Valiant and Loyal Baron and one who had a Deep insight into Men and Matters CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. The Death of the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny II. Some Overtures for a Peace but both the Kings prepare for War. III. King Edward designs the Duke of Lancaster to invade France by Calais and Picardy and the Earl of Pembroke by Rochell and Poictou IV. The Earl of Pembroke being come before Rochelle has a sharp Engagement with the Spanish Fleet but on the second Day is beaten and taken Prisoner with many more V. Sr. James of Surgeres obtaining his liberty on easie Terms makes Relation of the Fight to the Rochellers The Spanish Fleet bear off with their Prisoners and set sail for Spain The Captal of Busche with a great Number of Men of Arms comes to Rochell all too late VI. An Account of one Owen or Evan a Pretended Prince of Wales He serves the French King against England VII He invades the Isle of Garnsey and overthrows the Governour thereof in Battle and lays siege to Cornet Castle but is call'd off by the French King and sent into Spain VIII King Edward's Concern for the loss of the Earl of Pembroke and his Designs for the Security of Poictou which are dash'd by new Affairs from Bretagne IX Owen of Wales being in Spain insults over the Captive Earl of Pembroke The English Prisoners presented to King Henry who uses them respectfully but commits them to safe Custody X. The Captal of Busche reinforces the Garrison of Rochelle and goes and clears the Country about Soubize of the Enemy XI The Constable of France takes Monmorillon Chauvigney Lusac and Moncontour Poictiers much strengthned by the Lord Thomas Percy and Sr. John Devereux XII AN. DOM. 1372. An. Regni Angliae XLVI Franciae XXXIII The Frenchmen laying siege to St. Severe the Captal of Busche the Lord Thomas Percy and Sr. John Devereux prepare to raise the siege XIII The Constable takes the Place before their coming and is invited to come and take Seisin of Poictiers which he does with all speed XIV The English and Gascogners hereupon separate the latter going to Thoüars the former to Niort which latter being shut against them is taken by Storm and Garrison'd for England XV. Owen of Wales brings a Fleet from Spain before Rochell Soubize being besieged by the French is rescued by the Captal of Busche but Owen of Wales coming suddenly upon him he himself is taken and so Soubize follows his Fate XVI The French take St. Jean D'Angely Angoulesme Taillebourg and Sainctes XVII Rochell Castle obtain'd by stratagem The Inhabitants submit to the French King on Composition XVIII Sr. Bertram
beyond his usual Custom for the space of five or six Years at which time there fell a new Occasion of Dissention and so the War began again as violently as ever But nothing of this will fall within the Compass of our History which is to end with the Life of King Edward IV. Now while the two Sieges were held by the Frenchmen before Becherel and St. Saviour le Vicount there being a strong Report how Owen of Wales was coming by Sea with 6000 Men of Arms designing to take Land in England and to burn and destroy about in the Country King Edward g Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 647. appointed the Noble Earl of Salisbury William Montagu to guard the English Seas he himself being at that time h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 648. retain'd by Indenture to serve the King with no less than 300 Men of Arms whereof 20 besides himself were Knights and 279 Esquires and 300 Archers Not to mention the several Retinues of the other Lords and Captains with him as Sr. John Montacute Brother to the Earl of Salisbury i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 649. Sr. William Nevil Sr. Philip Courtney Sr. William Lucy Sr. Brian Stapleton and others This Fleet k Dugd. ibid. p. 647. Frois ut ante consisting of Fourty Great Ships besides Barges and of 3000 Men of Arms besides Archers set forth from the Coasts of Cornwall and made directly for the Port of St. Malo in Bretagne Being arrived and finding in the Haven seven huge Spanish Carracks they burnt them all whereat all the whole Country was surprised verily believing that the English had had their Intelligence and Direction from the Duke himself Hereupon in all Towns Castles and Fortresses the Bretons held their Duke in great suspicion and had a stricter Eye to their own Defence than formerly V. Now the Duke's most secret Intentions had before this been fully discover'd to the French King by certain of his own Knights to whom he had let fall some Words in Favour of the King of England and his Title Whereupon he commanded his Constable to undertake an Expedition into Bretagne enjoyning and empowering him to take into his Hands all Towns Cities and Fortresses and to siese on the Bodies and Goods of all that should resist For the l Frois ibid. f. 188. k. sed Gallice f. 257. c. King and his Council had already agreed that the Duke had now forfeited all his Lands as having received his Enemies the English into his Towns and Castles and he also himself took Part with the King of England and had entred an Alliance with Him against the Crown of France of which he held his Dutchy of Bretagne by Faith and Homage So the Constable went from Paris to Angiers where he made his Rendezvous and there came to him thither the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Alenson the Earl of Perche the Earl of Porcien the Dauphin of Auvergne the Vicounts of Meaux and of Aunay Sr. Ralph de Coucy Sr. Robert de St. Pol Sr. Ralph de Ravenal Sr. Lewis of Sancerre Marshal of France and at great Number of the Barons and Knights of Vermandois Picardy and Artois besides those that came thither from the Marches of Anjou Poictou and Touraine On the other side the Earl of Salisbury who lay with his Fleet in the Port of St. Malo was well enformed of these mighty Preparations of the Constables and how in a manner all the Dutchy of Bretagne was ready to revolt from the Duke Whereupon he sailed thence till he came to Brest which was one of the strongest Places in the World but threatned as he heard to be besieged by the French Wherefore he reinforced the Place with Men and Victuals VI. A little before this the Duke of Bretagne was gone for England For when he heard how the Constable was coming with such a Power against him He durst not repose any Confidence in the strength of Vannes or of Dinant nor indeed in the strongest Fortress of Bretagne lest the Inhabitants should deliver him up to the French as they had done to his Father before him Wherefore he resolved for England as well to avoid the impending storm as to hasten Succours but first having constituted Sr. Robert Knolles his Deputy Governour of all Bretagne during his Absence he went to visit his Castle of Auray between Vannes and Hennebond which held firm to him still An English Knight named Sr. John Austen being Captain thereof under Him. With this Knight he left the Lady his Wife desiring Him to keep her well which he promised to do against all the World to his Power From Auray the Duke rode to Sr. Matthew du Fine-poterne which undutifully closed her Gates against him wherefore he passed on to le Conquet and there took shipping for England VII The mean while the Constable was come into Bretagne with a great Army to whose Banners there resorted all those Lords and Knights of Bretagne who had been at the Siege before Becherel leaving that affair to be carried on by the Lords of Normandy When the Constable was thus reinforced he went first to Rennes the Inhabitants whereof knowing how their Lord was adjudged by the Peers of France to have forfeited all his Lands and that these Forces were accordingly sent to take them in resolved by no means to stand out against the Constable but without any further Scruple received him peaceably acknowledging him for their Sovereign Lord in the Name of the French King whose Person he now represented Having thus taken Possession of Rennes He presently rode before Dinant which also submitted in like manner so did afterward the Great City of Vannes But Luzemont after a bold Resistance being taken by Force all within were put to the Sword. Thence the Constable went to Jugon which yielded unto him so did Gony en la Forest so did la Roche D'Arien and the Town of Guingand St. Matthew du Fine-Poterne and St. Malo in the Isle After this he took in Quimpercorentin alias Cornovaille then Quimperlay and other Fortresses thereabout all which yielded without a stroke except Quimperlay whereof John Rous an English Esquire was Captain who when the Town was taken was slain by the hands of Sr. Oliver Clisson who for all the Benefits he had formerly received from England did now so hate all Englishmen that he hardly took any to Mercy that once fell into his Hands It was the Constables Resolution first to reduce Bretagne Britonant because that part was always more inclinable to Duke John's Interest than Bretagne Gallicant and therefore he chiefly bestirr'd himself in these parts But now 't is time to see what became of Sr. Robert Knolles who had been made the Duke's Lieutenant of all that Country His Courage was so notable and his Conduct so good that there is no doubt to be made but he would have given the Constable Battle before this had he but had the Hearts of the People But alas His
was marching Wherefore he desir'd that for the present he might be let alone on Condition that neither He nor His should make any War unless some Violence was offer'd on the French part But that if the Heritors and Lords of Gascogne should be reduced by him then he also would yield up unto him and in all things do as they should do To this the Duke agreed receiving of the Abbot Hostages for his true performance which Pledges he sent to Perigueux and so drew toward the Town of Lourde in Bigorre to which he laid his Siege and then summon'd the Garrison to yield The Townsmen would willingly have agreed to the motion but the Knight that govern'd the Place said stoutly That since the Earl of Foix had deliver'd it to his Care he was resolv'd by no means to resign it up into the hands of any other Person living With which answer the Constable and the Duke of Anjou were so nettled that they commanded a general Assault to be made So that at last the Place was carried by force and the Captain and most of his Men slain with all the Inhabitants Men Women and Children and the Town rased and given up to the Plunder Nevertheless they left a Garrison in the Castle at their Departure Thence they Marched into the Lands belonging to Chastel Bon ravaging all about as far as Chastelneuf which they took and thence Marching toward Bearn they enter'd the Land of the Lord of Lescar whence they rode till they came before a good strong Town and Castle named Sailles which held of the County of Foix thô all the Lands and Arrierefiefs lay in Gascogne The Black-Prince before his Expedition into Spain had intended to call the Earl of Foix to an Account because he paid not his Duties unto him for this Place And now also the Duke of Anjou who had by this time reduced in a manner all Aquitain and look'd upon himself as Master thereof resolv'd by any means to have this Place also So he laid his Siege unto Sailles which was not at all easie to be won and beside there was within a Valiant and Expert Captain named Sr. William de Pons When the Earl of Foix heard how the Frenchmen conquer'd in his Lands and Arrierefiess which in reason he ought to hold either of the French King or of the King of England he sent for the Vicount of Chastel Bon for the Lords of Mont Marsan of Chastelneuve and Lescar with the Abbot of St. Sever who being all come to him he purchas'd a safe-Conduct and so went before Sailles to the Duke of Anjou with the foresaid Lords in his Company There at last he agreed with the Duke That both He and they with all their Lands should remain in perfect Peace till the midst of August or the Feast of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary At which time there should appear before the Town of Moissac on the Tarne in the Province of Quercy an Army of the French Kings or of the King of England's part And if the English Army could keep the Field then they would hold their Lands of the King of England and if the French Army could keep the Field that day either by Battle or Non-appearance of the Enemy then they would hold their Lands of the King of France for ever Which Covenant faithfully to perform both the Earl of Foix and the other Lords gave sufficient security and so the Duke of Anjou brake up his Siege and went back to Perigueux with his whole Army For he would not let a Man be disbanded IV. But however Pope Gregory XI did now so double his Diligence in plying the Christian Work of Peacemaking by his Legates that at last a Treaty began between the Duke of Lancaster and the Duke of Anjou assurances being given to the latter at Perigueux for the Former held himself as Chief being Regent as he said for the King of England his Father So at last a firm Truce was agreed on to be held faithfully and without Fraud between Them and all their Friends Vassals and Assistants untill the last day of August the Two Dukes engaging to be present in the Marches of Picardy about the beginning of September in Order to prolong the said Truce the Duke of Lancaster at Calais and the Duke of Anjou at St. Omers Which Truce being thus taken the said Duke of Lancaster with the Duke of Bretagne the Earls of Warwick Suffolk and Stafford the Lord Edward Spencer the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Chanon Robsart the Lord Willoughby and other Lords and Knights both of England and Gascogne went on board at Bourdeaux on the Eighth of July and set sail for England Upon f Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 115. Walsing hist p. 183. n. 40. which Return of the Duke of Lancaster the People of those Parts almost totally revolted nothing being left in Aquitaine but Bourdeaux and Bayonne In Bretagne also the Captains of Becherel as Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard who had now kept that Fortress a full Year against the French that besieged them when they heard how the Duke of Bretagne was gone back into England and that now they had no hopes of any timely Succour especially since their Victuals was almost spent upon Mature Advice resolved to treat with their Enemies and to come to some agreeable Composition The Lords of Bretagne and Normandy that lay there at Siege as the Lord of Hambie Stoneville Blanville and Granville were by this time very weary and would willingly enter into any kind of Treaty but they thought best to know the French Kings Mind first and when they found that he agreed to allow their Treaty they determin'd the Matter thus That if the Duke of Bretagne or some other from the King of England did not come personally between that time and the Feast of All-Saints then next coming strong enough to raise the Siege then they within were to yield up the Place their Lives and Goods saved Which was done accordingly None appearing at the time appointed in their behalf and Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard with their Men and Goods took the Sea and return'd for England V. When g Frois c. 312. the Middle of August drew near which was the time limited for the Decision of High Gascogne to be made before Moissac the Duke of Anjou drew thitherward with an huge Army and kept the Field before the Place six days together All which time no body appeared for King Edward For the English all thought that because of the Truce lately taken between the Dukes of Anjou and Lancaster which was to hold to the last of August the Design about Moissac was to be given over But the Duke of Anjou and his Council were it seems of another Mind and resolved to take all Advantages they could without troubling their Heads with unprofitable Scruples of Honour Faith and Justice So when the Duke of Anjou saw once the Feast
with the said Emperour the Year following V. Thus strongly did King Edward prepare before he would Commence a War against so Powerfull a Monarch all which thô it prov'd in a manner unprofitable and thô little or nothing of all his Glorious Actions was really performed but by his own Forces as we shall shew hereafter Yet his great Prudence appears sufficiently from these Instances of his Foresight and Conduct and that he was not Rash nor Presumptuous but Resolute with Deliberation Yet next to God he reposed his chief Confidence in the Valour of his own Subjects and now as well to Reward past Services as to give Encouragement to new Ones in a Parliament held at Westminster * Knighton p. 2568. n. 50. about the Feast * â— e 12 Martii of St. Gregory the Pope and Confessor he converted the Earldom of Cornwall void by the Death of the Lord John of Eltham his Brother into a Dukedom and confer'd it on his Eldest Son and Heir Prince Edward who was now but six Years of Age x Ashmole p. 671. investing him by the sword only together with the County Palatinate of Chester adding shortly after such Mannors and Priviledges to this Title y Dugd. Warw. p. 90. which were for the future to be inseperable and to descend perpetually to the Eldest Sons of the Kings of England his Successors but upon the Death or Non-existence of such Dukes to revert unto the Crown And z Ashmole ibid. this was the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England The Charter of this Creation bears date the 17 of March but other particulars of this Matter I have already spoken of when I was about the Birth of this young Prince On the day preceding the King created the Lord Henry a Vid. Dugd. Bar. ad horum singulerum nâ—nana c. Knighton p. 2568 n. 60. Adam Muriâ—â—uth Will. Shâ—psteed Sr Tâ—â— de la Mâ—re Plantagenet Son to the Earl of Lancaster Earl of Darby and the Lord William Montague at the same time he made Earl of Salisbury with a grant of the yearly Rent of 20 l. out of the Profits of that County also the Lord William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon with a grant of a 1000 Marks Land per annum for him and his Heirs-male for ever besides 20 l. Rent also issuing out of the Profits of that County for his better support in that Dignity At the same time the Lord Hugh Audley Cosin to the Lord James Audley was created Earl of Glocester the Lord Hugh Courtney an old tough Souldier of almost Fourscore was now created Earl of Devonshire thô he was made so by Writ two Years before as we have shewed Besides these the Lord Robert Hufford was made Earl of Suffolk and the Lord William Bohun Earl of Northampton to the Earl of Northampton shortly after the King gave a Grant of the Castle Mannor and Town of Stamford with the Lordship of Grantham in Lincolnshire which John Warren Earl of Surrey held for Life also of the Castle and Mannor of Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire and of the Castle and Mannor of Okeham in Rutland with the Sheriffalty of the said County to hold to himself and the Heirs-Male of his Body under certain conditions in the said Grant expressed The extent whereof may be f Esc 14. Ed. 3. n. 67. Linc. seen in the Record To the Earl of Suffolk the King gave over and above an annuity of twenty pounds sub nomine honore Comitis pro tertio Denario Comitatûs illius which anciently belonged to all Earls the Honour g Mill's Catal. Honor. p. 528. of Eay in Suffolk and the Mannor of Base-Court in the Parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate in London commonly called the Barbican * Stow's Survey of Lond. Hist p. 233. because of old it had been a Burgkenning or Watch-Tower for the City Many like Advantages together with their Honours the King at this time heap'd on the rest of these Noble and Valiant Earls at which time also the young Duke of Cornwall afterwards Prince of Wales made h 24. Adam Marim Stow p. 233. Holinsh p. 900. twenty new Knights to wit Sr. Edward Montague Brother to the Earl of Salisbury and Simon i Godw. Catal. Dpps. p. 268. Montague Bishop of Ely Sr. Thomas Somerton Sr. John Lisle Son to Robert Lord Lisle Sr. Richard Darcy Sr. Damorie Sr. John Poultney Sr. Peter de la Mere Sr. Roger Banant Sr. Roger Hilary Sr. Bolingbroke Sr. Buterell Sr. Simon Swanland Sr. William k Weevers Fun. Monum p. 269. Scott Sr. William Basset Sr. Robert Sodington Sr. William de la Zouch Sr. Cogshall Sr. Roger Sangraville Sr. John Strachie and Sr. Thomas de la More who wrote in French the Life and Death of Edward the Second and also of our Edward the Third both which are Extant in Latine thô the latter is not yet published What we said of the Woollen Manufacture in the Fourth Paragraph of the preceding Chapter some will have to have been done in this Parliament the matter is all one let the time be now or then for by these l Vid. Statute Book An. xi Ed. 3. p. 77. Laws which gave so great Encouragement to Foreign Clothworkers to come hither and also prohibited that none should buy any Cloth made beyond Sea the occupation of Cloth-Weevers soon came in quest more than ever before in this Nation Sr. John Charleton m Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 72. Senior Lord of Powys a Man highly Esteemed for his Fidelity Prudence and Valour was at this time constituted Justice of Ireland the Lord n Id. 1 Vol. p. 371 Darcy being then Steward of the Kings Houshold and otherwise employ'd in the Kings Affairs and accordingly in October following o Chron. Job Clinne i.e. 14 Octob. E Dom. Lit. on the Festival of St. Calixt the Pope and a Tuesday he arrived safely there with his Brother Thomas Bishop of Hereford Chancellor and Thomas Rice Treasurer of Ireland and two Hundred lusty Welchmen But whether for any just cause or no in the Year following the Bishop p Godw. Catal. Bpps. p. 458. Holinshead Ireland p. 71. his Brother complaining to the King by Letters of Sr. Johns Misgovernment was himself appointed in his Room and further made Guardian or Deputy of that Realm But the Affairs of Ireland I shall not prosecute because I haste to more Considerable and Weighty Matters referring the Reader to Holinshead and others who may satisfie them of those things And forasmuch as there were sundry q Ex Bundello Pricrat Alienigenarum Ano. 11. Ed. 3. fisco applicaterum Vid. Clem. Reyneri Apâ—stel Benedictinerum in Appen Par. 2. p. 71. Weever's Fun. Monum p. 328. Priories at that time in England belonging to Foreign Abbeys and thereupon called Aliens because they were Cells to some Monastery or other beyond the Seas the Number whereof