English Esquire of honourable Parentage called John Chandos who afterwards became a great Lord and a Noble Captain of whose rare Valour and wise Conduct this our History will produce many famous Instances This valiant Esquire cast himself first of any between the Barriers and the Gate where he was presently taken up by an Esquire of Vermandois called John of St. Dizier and so between these two there were performed many notable Feats of Arms that it was a gallant sight to behold them till new-comers on both sides parted them For John Chandos was so well follow'd by others both English and Hainalders that the Barriers were clearly won by force the Earl himself being now entred with his Marshals Sr. Gerard of Verchin and Sr. Henry Dantoigne and others who adventur'd their Bodies couragiously to crown their Names with Immortality At another Gate called the Gate Robert the mean while fought Sr. John of Hainault the Earls Uncle with the Lord of Faulquemont the Lord of Engien and the Lord Walter Manny and their Companies who maintained a fierce and honourable Assault But Cambray was not to be won easily the French King had so well furnished the Place with valiant Knights and Esquires who delighted in Arms and defended themselves and the City so bravely that the Assailants got nothing that day but dry Blows and at last returned to their Lodgings weary and well beaten For the Duke of Normandy's Presence and the hopes of a speedy Relief from the King his Father was an invincible Bulwark to them against Despair and the Bishop of Cambray preached well to the Souldiers chiefly for his own Sake For he was the first Occasion of betraying the City to King Philip in hate to the Emperour who was excommunicate by the Pope To this Siege came John the young Earl of Namur at the Earl of Heinalts desire to serve the King of England But he at his first coming declared That he would use his Utmost endeavours in the King of Englands Service while he should continue within the bounds of the Empire but as soon as ever he should enter the Realm of France he said he must take his leave of him and go to the Service of the French King who had retained him before Of the same Resolution was the Earl of Hainalt for he had privately commanded his Captains on pain of Death that none of them should presume to act any thing of Hostility within the French Pale VII While thus the King of England held Siege before Cambray with 40000 Men of Arms besides Archers and Footmen and hardly pressed the Besieged with continual Assaults King Philip made his General Rendezvous at Perone in Vermandois a Tract of Picardy 5 leagues from Cambray and news came daily to the Camp of his great Preparations to raise the Siege King Edward hereupon consulted with the Lord Robert of Artois in whom he reposed an entire Confidence demanding of him whether it were better to March forward toward Perone and bravely meet his Adversary in his own Realm or still to lie before Cambray till he should win it by Force He as he was a Person of rare Wisdom concurred with the Lords of England in this Opinion That since the City was strong and well furnished with Warriers Victuals and Ammunition so that it would require much time to constrain it and that they were not sure to win it at last since especially the Winter season drew on apace and they as yet had done nothing worthy the Fame of so gallant an Army but lay in a manner idle at much Charge and Expence Upon these Reasons they judg'd it best for his Majesty to leave an uncertain and unprofitable Siege and to set forward into the Realm of France where they might find more Forage and plenty of all things and in all likelihood presently obtain a Battle This Advice prevailing the Army was order'd to rise from before Cambray and to follow the Marshals Banners Then their Tents and Pavilions and all manner of Harness being truss'd up they departed thence in good order toward Mount St. Martin on the Borders of France The Marshals of the English Army were William Bohun Earl of Northampton and Hugh Audely Earl of Glocester with Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk the Lord High-Constable was Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick and thus they all passed the River of Skell on a Knighton p. 2574. St. Matthews day at their ease the whole Country of Cambresis being destroyed as they went along with Fire But when the Earl of Hainault had accompanied the King of England as far as the Empires Bounds reached that way and that he should pass the River and enter the Realm of France he then took leave of the King his Brother-in-Law saying He would ride no further with him at that time for King Philip his Uncle had sent for him and he would not incurr his Displeasure but intended now to serve him in France as he had done to King Edward in the Empire So he and the Earl of Namur with their Men rode back to Quesnoy in Hainalt at which place the Earl for the present dismist most of his Men commanding them to be ready when he should send for them for he said that shortly he design'd to go and help his Uncle King Philip But the Dukes of Brabant and Gueldre and the other German Lords with all their Troops went over the River with King Edward as did also the Lord John of Heinalt and his Brigade by the express Leave of the Earl his Nephew As soon as the Army was got over the great River of Skell into the Realm of France b Frois c. 39. among many others whom King Edward Knighted at that time one whereof was John Chandos aforesaid he called unto him a young lusty Esquire a Native of Brabant whose right Name was Henry Eam thô commonly called Henry of Flanders and there presently he Dubbed him Knight assigning him at the same time for his better maintenance 200 l. Sterling per annum to be raised of certain Lands in England This Gentleman was of great Nobility and Valour but above all of singular Loyalty to King Edward and of extraordinary strength of Body and of a promising Aspect whereby he purchased such esteem from this King who was a wonderfull Judge of mens Persons that he was afterwards by him chosen to be one of the First Founders of the most Noble Order of the Garter But in this our History he shall go by the Name of Sr. Henry of Flanders that being his more usual Title in Froisard his Name of Eam or Esme seldom occurring Which gave occasion to the learned Esquire Ashmole to say that he could meet with little or nothing relating to him whereas we shall find frequent mention of his Honourable Actions under the foresaid Title but indeed nothing under his true Name of Eam Thô 't is worth our Observation that as here Froisard says truly how he was now first made
Wherefore they took him out of Prison and suffer'd him to go an Hawking a Sport which he loved well on the other side the River Lys or Leye But still there were Persons appointed to watch him who were charged upon their Lives to look carefully to his Motions that he should not by any means steal away from them And besides his Keepers themselves were such as chiefly prefer'd the King of England's service so that he could not do the least occasions of Nature without their knowledge This new way of Imprisonment obliged the Earl to another Device he said at last as it were from his heart and of his own accord that he desired extreamly to Marry the Daughter of so Renowned a Prince as King Edward was but none of his Friends would endeavour to procure him that happy Promotion Of this immediately the Flemings sent word to the King and Queen then before Calais and appointed a Day whereon they should come with their Daughter the Lady Isabella to Bruges and they would at the same time bring thither their Lord the Young Earl and so the Nuptials should be solemnized between them in the Abbey The King and Queen x Frois ibid. Giov. Villant l. 12. c. 86. p. 894. who were well pleased with this Overture said how the Flemings had now done like true and honest Men and so prepared for the intended Meeting At the time appointed the most Discreet and Wealthy Burgesses of the Towns of Flanders came unto Bruges a Chief City of Flanders between Ostend and Sluys and brought with them the young Earl their Lord in great Pomp and State Here they found the King of England and his Queen who received them graciously The Young Earl enclin'd himself with great Demonstrations of Respect to the King and Queen and then King Edward took him by the Right Hand very courteously and lead him forward saying unto him As for the Death of the Earl your Father as God shall help me I am Innocent For I knew nothing of his being in the Field at the Battle of Cressy neither on the Day of Battle nor till the Evening of the next Day when the Heralds brought me an Account of the slain The Earl seem'd to believe this Protestation and to acquiesce in so just an excuse And thereupon other Communication succeeded and at last the Marriage was agreed and a Bond of Ensurance made certain Articles of perpetual Amity being on both sides sworn to and agreed on between Edward King of England and Lewis Earl of Flanders And then and there the Young Earl affianced the Lady Isabella King Edwards Daughter and promised on such a Day to Wed her So for that time they all brake up the Earl returning to Courtray and the King and Queen going back to the Camp before Calais where they made great Preparations against the Marriage for Jewels and costly Apparel and Presents to give away according to their Estate The mean y Frois ibid. while the Earl of Flanders pass'd away his time very pleasantly about the River Leye and seem'd so extreamly satisfied with the Person of the English Lady that the Flemings verily believing him to be in earnest took no such great heed to him as before But they did not understand the deep Dissimulation of their Lord for whatever appearance He made outwardly his Heart was wholly addicted to the French Interest and he resolved in his mind never to admit unto his Bed the Daughter of him who had sent his Father to his Grave A just Resolution had it been rightly grounded For indeed his Fathers Death ought not to have been imputed to King Edward but to his own Misfortune for taking part with King Edwards Enemies in that Battle where he was slain by chance of War and without any knowledge of the Kings as himself protested However the Earl having now obtain'd a little more liberty by reason of his fine conveyance for he made huge Preparations against the Marriage he never intended found at last an Opportunity to escape away which was done in this Manner In the Easter-week z Fibian p. 274. being that very Week that the Daughter of England was to be brought into Flanders and the Espousals to be solemnized he rode forth with an Hawk on his Fist by the River side after his Manner At last his Faulconer cast off a Faulcon at a Heron and the Earl presently cast off his Thus these two Faulcons were in chace of the Heron and the Earl followed as after his Faulcon But when he found himself to have got the start of all his Attendants with the Advantage of the Open Fields he then clap'd Spurs to his Horse and gallop'd right on till his Keepers had wholly lost him The Earl continued hard on the Spur till he came into Artois the next Province to Flanders and there he was safe Thence he rode at his Leisure into France and came to King Philip to whom he shew'd the Reasons and Manner of his Escape the King commended him and said he had done Worthily and Wisely But the Englishmen said He had falfifi'd his Oath and with the loss of his Honour and Interest betrayed and deceived them But for all this King Edward did not break with the Flemings For he saw plainly that they were extreamly offended with this Rash Action of their Lords and that they knew as little of this Cheat as himself And indeed they made their Excuse so well that either the King did really believe it or however thought best to admit of it for that time VII We must not omit a Gaguin l. 8. p. 142. Fabian p. 274. c. one memorable Matter which happen'd about this time concerning an Advocate of the Spiritual Court named Dr. Gawin de Bellomont an Inhabitant of Laon in Picardy Who intended as it was laid to his Charge to have betrayed the City of Laon to the English Which City of Laon being seated on a Mountain not far from Vermand stands very commodiously to make War upon all its Neighbours round about Now there was at that time a poor Man named Colin Tomelin who formerly had lived in good Fashion but some while before being fled from Laon for Debt had gone to Metz on the Borders of Lorrain where he made shift to live a miserable Life To this Man Dr. Gawin de Bellomont aforesaid resorted frequently and as it were in pity of his Condition relieved him considerably till at last when he thought he had him fast enough he began something to break his Mind unto him But only then told him in General that if he would be ruled by him he would not only restore him to his former Ease and Sufficiency but raise him to an Eminent Degree of Wealth and Prosperity Colin readily embraced the Offer and sware unto him Secrecy and Fidelity Whereupon Gawin shew'd him a Letter sealed up and gave it him to carry to the King of England lying as then before Calais
galled and terrified that they were easily opened to the Men of Arms. The Lord James Audely being still followed by his Four Esquires fought all Day among the thickest Ranks of his Enemies not without receiving many Wounds both in the Body and Visage as long as his Strength and Breath would hold but when toward the end of the Battle his Esquires perceived that for loss of Blood he began to faint they carried him by main force out of the Field and laid him under an Hedge hard by where they unarmed him and refreshed him binding up his Wounds as well as they could King John of France for his part is allowed on all Hands to have performed the Office both of a Good Captain and of a Valiant Knight insomuch that it is said how if the Fourth Part of his Men had followed his Example in all Probability the Victory had been his There was f Frois c. 164. He on foot defending himself and offending his Enemies with a weighty Ax of Steel in his Hands which he used with much Praise It is said g Paul. Aemyl p. 287. that Prince Philip his youngest Son also fought at this time so well by his Fathers side and in his Defence like another young Scipio that thô he was taken at last Prisoner yet for his forward Courage in War he obtain'd the Sirname of HARDY Thô surely he must needs be now but of tender Age being the Youngest of four Sons of a Father who was but then h Ano 1364. Ano Aetat 52. ergo hoc an 44. Mezeray p. 66. in the Forty fourth Year of his Age and Prince Charles his Eldest Brother was then but i Natus Anno 1336. Twenty But it might be that his Resolution gave such hopes even now as to obtain the Title of HARDY from that Complementing Age which called Philip of Valois the FORTVNATE and this King John the GOOD and his Son Charles whom no Truce nor Oaths could bind the WISE Yet I have seen another Account much more probable indeed thô not so generally attested how this Prince came by the Sirname of HARDY 'T is said k James Meyer apud Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 976. that while he was Prisoner in England together with his Father King John being at King Edwards Table with him at Dinner this young Prince Philip among Others of the Nobility of either Nation was appointed to wait And that when a certain young Nobleman of England who attended also served King Edward first and then King John this Philip up with his Fist and gave him a Wherret on the Ear saying What dare you serve the King of England first when the King of France sits at the Table The Nobleman offended therewith drew his Dagger offering to strike the young Prince but King Edward loudly forbad him and commending the Courage of the Royal Youth said to him in French Vous estes Phillippe le HARDI i. e. thou art Philip the HARDY from which that became his Sirname But to return whence we have digressed All this while the Prince of Wales and the Lords about raged like Lions and the Archers so well bestowed their Shot that the Frenchmen were at last broken here also and a miserable Slaughter ensued all the best Men being either taken or slain thô not a few chose to save themselves by Flight among the slain were reckon'd l Frois c. 162. Knighton p. 2614. n. 20. Mezeray c. Peter Duke of Bourbon the Duke of Athens Constable of France the Vicount of Châlons the Marshal Clermont the Vicount of Beause the Lord Geoffry Charny who bore the Royal Standard this Day the Lord Eustace Ribemont whom King Edward had so generously treated at Calais some Years before the Lord Guischard de Beaujeu the Lord m Du Serres p. 22. Fabian Speed. Reginald de Carrian the Lord William Nesle the Lord de la Torre Sr. Guyventon of Chambley or Chably the Lord of Castle Gaillon the Lord of Argenton and Others of the Highest Quality to the Number of n Mezeray ibid. Fifty besides the two Earls of Germany and Others whom we have shewn to be slain before But yet this Battail was not wholly discomfited it was so numerous and the King and some Lords about him fought so couragiously thô several of their Men fled away Among the various Rencounters Chaces and Pursuits made that Day in the Field o Frois c. 163. it happen'd that Sr. Edward Renty a Valiant Knight of Artois who yet had left the Fight when he saw Things desperate was pursued as he fled a private way all alone by a certain Knight of England whose Name we cannot recover The Englishman as he gave the Chace still cried out after him Return again Sir Knight it is a shame to fly away so from a single Man. At last the Frenchman turned indeed seeing it was so that no Body else pursued him and the Englishman thought to have stricken him in the Target with his Spear but he failed For Sr. Edward swerved aside from the stroke on purpose and as he passed on in full Career lent him such a full Blow on the Helmet with his Sword that he was astonished and fell from his Horse in a Swoon Sr. Edward presently hereupon alighting came to him with his Sword drawn before he was fully recovered and said Yield your self Sir and promise to be my Prisoner whether you be rescued or no or you are but a Dead Man. When the English Knight being come to himself saw Death before him and heard these Words he accepted the Conditions and yielded to go along with him and sware himself Prisoner and was afterwards released on payment of his Ransom That same Day another French Gentleman of Picardy an Esquire named John de Helenes having forsaken the Field met with his Page who deliver'd him his Horse whereon he rode away all alone Now there was in the Fight on the English Side the Lord Thomas Barkley Son of Sr. Maurice Barkley who died before Calais for this Story cannot belong to the old Lord Thomas nor to his Son Maurice as we have intimated before tho Sr. William p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 358. Dugdale thrô inadvertency makes him both young and old and to have won many Prisoners wherewith he built Beverstone Castle and to be a Prisoner himself at the same time this Lord Barkley I say q Frois c. 163. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 358. being at that time a young lusty Knight who had first reared his Banner that Day pursued the said John de Helenes all alone till having followed him the space of a League the French Esquire turned back upon him laying his Sword in his Rest instead of a Spear and so came running toward the Lord Barkley who the mean while stood ready with his Arm raised to have smote him but the Esquire seeing the stroke coming turned from it and as he passed reached him such a Blow
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
that the Marshal should play the Master there as he had begun even althô he said Nay At last after much crowding they all got thrô and came into our Ladies Chappel where the Duke and other Barons sat themselves down with the Archbishop and other Bishops John Wickliff standing before them according to the usual Manner ready to answer what should be objected unto him The Lord Marshal first brake silence desiring Mr. Wickliff to sit down and alledging that he had many things to answer to and therefore had need of some Repose But the Bishop of London said He should not sit down there for neither was it according to Law nor Reason that He who was cited there to appear to answer before his Ordinary should sit down during the time of his Answer but rather stand These Words created others and they brought forth more the Bishop standing upon the Privilege of his Place and Function and the Marshal on his own and the Duke's Authority so that many bitter words and Menaces passed on both sides to the great Offence and Scandal of the People But then the Duke began to take the Marshals part and warmly chode the Bishop who was not a whit behind hand with him so that the r Erubuit Dux quod non petuit praevalere litigio hist Men. D. Albani ibid. Duke was asham'd to find himself worsted by the Bishop and threatned that he would shortly bring down the Pride not only of him but of all the Prelacy of England and to the Bishop he said Sir You are too bold and all in Confidence * He was a Younger Son to Hugh Courtney second Earl of Devonsâ—ire of that Name and of the Lady Margaret Daughter to Humphry Behun Earl of Hereford and Essex Eighth of that Name by his Wife Elizabeth Daughter of King Edward the First His Parents were both now living thô the Earl his Father died on the 2d of May this Year of your Parents who yet will not be able to help you they shall have enough to do to help themselves To whom the Bishop reply'd That he ought to be bold in declaring the Truth but that his Confidence was not in his Parents nor in any Mortal Man but in the living God alone in whom he trusted Then the Duke softly whisper'd to one that sat next him how he had rather drag the Bishop out of the Church by the Hair of his Head than take this at his Hands However this was not utter'd so softly but that some of the Londoners overheard him who being enraged thereupon cry'd out that they would never see their Bishop so abused but rather lose their Lives then that any one should draw him out of his Church by the Hair. Upon this Contention that Council was dissolved before Nine of the Clock and the Duke with the Lord Percy return'd to the Parliament then sitting at Westminster Wickliff being easily dismiss'd thô not without a Prohibition neither to preach nor write any more in defence of those Articles which were objected to him VII 'T is said that that same day before Dinner there was put up in Parliament by the Lord Thomas of Woodstock the Kings youngest Son and the Lord Henry Percy Marshal of England a certain Bill as in the Kings Name importing that the City of London should no more be govern'd by a Mayor but by a Captain as in times past And that the Marshal of England should have the sole ordering of Arrests within the said City as elsewhere with many other Articles tending to the Diminution of the Liberties of London Which Bill being read there stood up a Worthy Patriot Alderman John Philpot one of the Burgesses of that City who spake so notably against the said Bill and pleaded so strongly in behalf of the Charters and Privileges of that Famous Metropolis that immediately the Bill was flung out of the House and the Name of Alderman Philpot much set by I can find no Warrant for this indeed in the Records of the said Parliament which we have faithfully exhibited before and therefore dare not absolutely lean to the belief thereof But whether it was really so or only cunningly nois'd abroad by some seditious Arts to stir up the People however we find that the next day the Londoners assembled in Council to consider of the Matter and also how far the Power of the Marshal extended not forgetting to take notice of the Affronts put upon their Bishop the Day before While thus the Chief Citizens were entertain'd with sober Debates and perhaps only prepar'd some Petition or Remonstrance to shew unto the Parliament in the behalf of their City the Commons understanding that One of their Body was then in Prison in the Marshals House which stood within their Liberties being secretly animated by some considerable Beautefeus whom for several Reasons I cannot with others believe to have been the Lord Guy Bryan and the Lord Walter Fitz-Walter went immediately in great Fury to the House of the Lord Percy where breaking up the Gates they took out the Prisoner by force and burnt the Stocks wherein he had been set in the midst of the City Then they sought for the Lord Percy for whom all Corners and Privy-Chambers were searched and the Beds and Hangings torn in pieces with their Bills and Javelins But He it seems was at that time happily out of the way being together with the Duke of Lancaster invited to Dinner by one John of Ipres at his house Å¿ Stow's Survey of London p. 260. called Ipres-Inne in Knight-Riders Street of which the Londoners knew nothing but thought they were at the Dukes House called the Savoy and so posted thither in great fury But one of the Dukes Knights observing this madness of the People went in great haste to the Place where his Lord the Duke was and when for all his Knocking he could not be admitted he said aloud to the Porter whose name was Haveland Hark you Haveland If you love my Lord the Duke and your Life open the Gate At these Words he was let in and in great fear told the Duke that there were infinite Numbers of Armed Men searching for him so that if he had not a Care that day would be his last At this the Duke leap'd so hastily from his Oysters that he hurt both his Legs against the Form Wine was offer'd but he could not drink for haste and so fled at a Back gate with the Lord Henry Percy and taking a Barge at the Thames never left Rowing till they came to an house near the Mannor of Kennington where at that time the Princess-Mother of Wales lay with her young Son Richard before whom he made his Complaint against the outragious Insolence of the Citizens And the Princess promised him to take such Order in this Matter as should be to his Content The mean t Fox Acts Mon. p. 394. while the Commons of London had beset the Dukes House called the Savoy where
Southerland As for the former King John Baliol he liv'd at this time a retired life in France having only two Sons the Lord Edward and Henry who as yet had no Issue and therefore their Father had on certain considerations resigned and quitted and given over to King Robert his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland so that Robert was now quit of all fear on that part and otherwise very strong in the affections of his People who were then a great and flourishing Nation And this was the state of Scotland when King Edward the Third of England came to the Crown wherefore encouraged with their former success and despising King Edwards Youth r Rich. Sâ—uthwell on the very night of that day whereon King Edward was Crowned the Scots had intended to take the Castle of Norham Å¿ Grafton p. 173. between the Marches of England and Scotland by surprize and so well they managed their design that about t Holinshead Hist Sect. p. 225 sixteen of them had already mounted the Walls but the Captain Sr Robert Manners being warned of the Matter before-hand by one of his Garrison who was a Scotchman had so well provided to receive them that of those who had mounted he took five or six and put the rest to the sword their Companions below upon this disappointment retiring This seem'd a good Omen of King Edward's future Victories over the Scots by occasion of the Lord Edward Baliol who was himself a Scotchman Presently after King Robert Bruce supposing it now a very fit season to take some advantage against his old Enemies the English during this their Kings Minority sends about u Frois c. 15. Grafton p. 218. Easter a short and brisk Defiance to King Edward and all his Realm telling them that he would shortly with his Power invade the Realm of England with Fire and Sword and there do as he had done before in his Fathers Reign at the Battle of Bannocksborn near Striveling or Sterling where the English received that mighty Overthrow we spake of by reason of those x Sr Tho. de la More Ed. 2. p. 2. Holingshead hist Scotl. p. 217. Hector and Buchan Pits into which the Scots had intrapt them unawares I must not omit that the Scotch Writers attribute the occasion of this Defiance to some fraud or other wherewith the English had lately endeavour'd to ensnare them by foul Collusion of their Ambassadours but neither can it be imagin'd what necessity the King of England should have either by fraud or force to attempt to injure the King of Scots with whom he stood on no ill Terms before his own Affairs were in any posture of Settlement nor do any of their own Historians assign what this fraud or injury was nor indeed was ever the English Nation noted so much for fineness or subtlety as for down-right Honesty and blunt valour Nor is the consideration of King Robert's Age and sickness sufficient to conclude that of necessity there must be some great Cause given that could provoke so decrepit a Man to begin a War toward the End of his Life since thô his Person was weak his Mind was strong and vigorous and Scotland was never in better case than at that time and the Generals he intended to employ were Barons of great Fidelity Conduct and Resolution and he might reasonably hope to have at least as much advantage over this Young King as he had over his Father in his Full Age when attended with a most flourishing Army Nor is any great Captain thô never so satiate with Lawrels so unambitious after all but that in his weakest condition he would lay hold on any occasion of so probable success against a professed Enemy 'T is sweet to an old Warrior to end his days among Triumphs and Victories This is certain King Edward the Third neither did nor could send any Ambassadors to him before his Coronation yet even then we shew'd before that the Scots began to break the Peace by attempting to surprize a Castle thô no less than y Hâ—linshead hist Scot. p. 224. Ashmole p. 645. ex Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 2. Dâ—rs Nine years were to come of the last Thirteen years Truce struck up between this Kings Father and King Robert of Scotland four years before And besidâ—â— we find that there had been since the Coronation of this Young King an Agreement for a further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on the Sunday next before Ascension Day then ensuing But as I said before King Robert imagining to make an easie prey of the young Monarch neither much valued the old Truce not yet ended nor the new Agreement not yet perfected but resolves upon War. Hereupon soon after he invades the North Borders with an z Hector p. 307 b. n. 60. Army of Twenty five thousand Men a Bachan p. 273 all Horse that they might do mischief more speedily and retire with more expedition if by any necessity they should be so obliged VI. The mean while King Edward conceives an high indignation at this unprovoked Defiance and to secure himself for the future from the like Contempt immediately with all his Power addresses himself to defend his Reputation And first he b Frois c. 17. sends his Uncle Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England with a choice number of Soldiers to Newcastle upon Tine who there made his Musters as he was appointed on the c Ashmole p. 645. Monday next before the Ascension in like manner the Lord Robert Hufford and the Lord John Moubray were commanded away to the Reinforcement of the Lord Anthony Lucy of Cockermouth then d Dugd. Baron 1 Vol. 565. a. Governour of the Castle and Town of Carlile At the same time the King issued out his General summons to his own People and moreover by kind letters invited his noble Friend John Lord of Beaumont in Heinalt and brother to William Earl of Heinalt by whose aid chiefly the Queen had deposed her Husband and who was but newly return'd home again to come over to his assistance about the time of the Ascension Sr John Lord Beaumont hereupon came over to the King to the City of York the place appointed for the general Rendezvous thô Newcastle also was pitch'd upon for the assembly of other Forces a week before within three days of Whitsuntide accompanied with more than fourty Lords and Knights of Heinalt Flanders and Bohemia with other Knights from Cambray and Artois to the number of Five hundred Men of Arms all well Arm'd and gallantly Mounted Soon after Whitsuntide follow'd for the sake of this John of Heinalt the Lord William Son to the Duke of Juliers or Gulick and Sr Henry Thyrry afterwards Earl of Lewis and with them another goodly Company all expecting to purchase much honour under this hopefull Young King and no less profit as well from his Royal bounty as from the
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
Discord between the Father of our Lord the King and the Queen his Consort making her believe that if she went to him he would kill her with a Ponyard or other weapon or murder her some other way And by reason of that and other his Conveyances he did so much that the Queen never went to her Lord to afford him her Bed to the great dishonour of the King and the whole Realm and perhaps for time to come for its Dammage which God forbid 10. Item That the said Roger had taken and caused to be taken for himself and others of his Council the Kings Treasure without reason to be disposed of at his pleasure to the utter Impoverishment of the King so that he was left unable to pay for his Provision or maintain his Royal Estate 11. Item That the said Roger had taken to himself and his Allies the 30000 Marks which were paid by the Scots according to the form of the Peace so that nought thereof came to the Kings use or profit 12. These Articles with three more relating to the Publishing the Kings Secrets his Murdering and Fining several Peers of the Land and his Usurping the Kings Authority with some things in respect of the Kings Honour not to be drawn up in Writing which I suppose related to his Familiarity with the Queen Mother were the summ of what was said against him and consisted of Treasons Felonies and high Misdemeanours Whereupon the King o M. S. Rec. Parl. p. 10. Knighton p. 2558. n. 40. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm of the Records set out by Mr. Pryn p. 6. c. chargeth the Earls Barons and others Peers of the Realm to pronounce just Judgment upon him the said Roger Mortimer Who all thereupon consulting together agreed that all and singular the Articles against the said Roger above attested were true and notorious and known to all the People of the Land and especially that Article touching the Death of the King at Berkley-Castle Wherefore it was by them adjudged that the said Roger as a Traytor and an Enemy of the King and Kingdom should be Drawn and Hanged And this Sentence he received without being p Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 147. called to any kind of Answer as he himself had before order'd in the case of the Spencers and of the Lord Edmund late Earl of Kent the King's Uncle A just Judgment upon him though in it self illegal For it is not the usage of the Law of England to condemn without Hearing or due summons to Judgment And doubtless the sins of Sodom were more notorious to God in Heaven than those of any person can be to mortall Men in Parliament But yet we read in the Sacred Books how that most just Judge both would and did go down to hear and proceed in a Judicial way Wherefore also q Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. twenty four Years after his Attaindure was reversed and Roger his Grandson restored to all his Titles and Honours the Judgment being reckon'd void and erroneous because not done according to the Laws of England However now according to the Sentence the Earl Marshal being so commanded with the assistance of the Mayor and Sheriffs of London saw him executed upon the common Gallows now called Tyburn on the r Knighton p. 2559. l. 3. 29 of November being the Vigil of St. Andrew and a Thursday or rather Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. as it was found by inquisition twenty four Years after on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Catherine the Virgin which was the 26 of November and the very first day of this Parliaments Sitting and was t Menast Angl. 2 Vol. p. 224. buried the third Day after which indeed was the 29 of November having hung two days and two nights by the King 's special Commandment After which by the Kings Favour his Body was granted to the Friers-Minors or Gray-Friers in London who buried him in their Church now called Christ-Church whence u Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. many Years after he was translated to Wigmore So that Du x Du Chesne Histoire d' Angleterre p. 637. Chesne appears to be mistaken who affirms that he was hang'd drawn and quarter'd his Quarters set up upon the Gates of Four chief Cities of England and his Head upon London-Bridge He died seized y Dugd. 1 Vol. 147. of the Mannors of Stratfield-Mortimer and Wogfield as parcel of the Mannor of Wigmore also of the Mannor of Newbury and the Moiety of that Town all in Berkshire Likewise of the Mannors of Clifton upon Temede and Odingley in Worcestershire of the Mannors of Noke Mawrdyn and Wynfreton with the Advowson of the Church of Wynfreton in Herefordshire of the Castle and Mannor of Nerberth and the Third part of the Town of St. Clier with the Advowson of the Church the Third part of the Commots of Amgeyd and Pentyryock and the Third part of the Town of Haverford in Herefordshire of the Castles and Dominions of Blenleveny and Bulkedinas in the Marches of Wales besides z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 641. the Castle Town and Mannor of Denbeigh and the Cantreds of Roes Rewinoc and Keirmer with the Commot of Dinmal and the Appurtenances in Northwales as also the Castle and Mannor of Mongomery with the Mannor and Hundred of Chirbury in Shropshire All which his great Possessions were seized into the Kings Hands as a Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. appears by his Precepts bearing date the 23d of October which were directed to several Persons for the Seizing of his Castles Mannors and Lands in Wales he being then only under Arrest for several High Misdemeanors tending to the Dammage of the King and Kingdom as the words therein do import and within 3 Days following Commission was granted to John Kingston and Others to take an Inventory of all his Treasure and Jewels in Wales and the Marches but not to carry away any thing out of the Wardrobe of Joan his Wife then at Ludlow or any thing that belonged to any of her Children or Servants By this Lady Joan who was b Mills Catal. Honor. p. 575. Daughter and sole Heir of Peter Jenevill Knight this great but unhappy Man had Issue c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 147. four Sons and seven Daughters his First Son was Sr. Edmund who was never Earl of March his Fathers Attaindure not being reversed in his time the Second was Sr. Roger the Third Sr. Geoffry Earl of Jubien and Lord of Cowith which three were all Knighted at the Coronation of this King Edward and the Fourth was John Mortimer unhappily slain in a Tournament at Shrewsbury His Daughters were Catherine wife to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Joan married to James Lord Audely the Son of Nicholas Lord Audely Baron of Heleigh Agnes to Laurence Hastings afterwards Earl of Pembroke Margaret to Thomas Son and Heir of Maurice Lord Barkley or as d Catal. Nobility by R. B. Dugd. Bar. 1
was outed and this other put in his place twelve Barons 800 Knights 2000 Men of Arms and above 13300 Foot But on the English side there fell no more than two Knights Sr. John Gourdon and Sr. Reginald Beche and of Esquires thirty three but not one Archer nor Footman So that the extraordinariness of the Victory occasion'd Lit. Dom. P. that it was justly attributed to Divine Power and from this time the Lord Bailiol began to bear the Sirname of Conquerour This Battle was struck on the 14 of August being the x Knighton p. 2561. n. 30. Wednesday after the Feast of St. Laurence The next day in pursuance of so notable a Victory they march up to St. Johnston upon the River Tay which thô very Defensible was thrô the Consternation of the Inhabitants taken without Assault and here they found good store of Warlike Ammunition and Provision of Victuals Wherefore they thought best to Fortifie the Town for their own Use and to entrench it round with deeper and larger Ditches as not doubting shortly of an occasion to be put to defend themselves against Greater Forces which indeed came to pass accordingly For immediately after Earl Patrick of Dunbar and Archimbald Douglas came and invested the Town with an Army of 40000 Men before which time they had sent Orders to Sr. John Crab the Admiral that he should set forth with as many Vessels of War and as Great strength as he conveniently could of the sudden and therewith fall upon the English Fleet which lay in the Water of y Knighton p 2561. n. 5â— Tay but ill-defended as they imagin'd This Counsel was put in execution but missed of its desired Effect For Sr. John Crab came with Ten stout Ships of Flanders suddenly upon the English as they lay in the Harbour Sr. Henry Beaumont's Barge felt his Fury first for this he took and put all to the Sword he found there which were yet but a few and they not ready because of the suddenness of the surprise But however before they fell they made such Resistance that the rest of the English had time to Arm and Unite strongly together Which being done thô nothing equal to the Scots in number they behaved themselves so well that by plain Valour they extorted another unexpected Victory from their overweening Enemies slaying and wounding the greater Part of them and burning sinking or taking all their Vessels Their Admiral Crab himself very narrowly escaped away flying by Land and himself bearing the first News of his own Loss This Success happen'd to the English on St. Bartholomews being a Saturday on Knowledge whereof Earl Patrick and Douglas raised their Siege in Despair Because nothing was to be done effectually unless they could cut off the English from the use of the Water which by this Defeat could not now be performed After this the English deliver the Town well Fortified and Provided with a sufficient Garrison to the Custody of the Lord Duncane Macduff Earl of Fife who upon the Victory at Kingcorn had revolted from King David to the Lord Bailiol the Conquerour But shortly after he betray'd the Town again to the Bruceans requiting one Treason with another IV. The Reputation of these frequent and incredible Victories was so great that many Nobles and Gentlemen z Walsingh Hypod p. 112. n. 30 of England of their own accord flock'd thither to the service of the Lord Bailiol even at their own expence either in hopes of Prey or out of pure Courage to get Honour in the Wars or of Love to the Family of the Bailiols which had always been supported by the English Or perhaps by King Edward's allowance for the Exercise of his Gentry in the Wars Not a few also of the Scots themselves revolted to the Conquerour So that soon after on the a Walsing hist p. 114. n. 1. 5 of the Calends of October which is the 27 of September the Lord Edward Bailiol was by the English Crowned King of Scotland at Scone many also of the Prime Nobility of that Realm consenting to and assisting at the same Such weak Resistence can even so Potent a Kingdom make when those who should joyn in the Common Defence of their Country either by Disloyalty to their Prince or Faction among themselves prepare a way for a Common Enemies Success Especially when the supream Governour himself either by reason of Childhood or Unskilfulness can have no absolute Disposal of the Laws in his own Hands to any purpose Besides at this time the Scots had few or no sufficient Leaders the Lord James Douglas being as we shew'd before kill'd in Spain and the Lord Thomas Randulph who had been Protector of the King's Person and the ablest either Counsellor or Soldier in Scotland was now newly dead b Hector Bâ—ct l. 15. fol. 310. lin 70. Buchan l. 9. p. 281. Boetius and from him Buchanan would here fain make us believe that he was poison'd by a Monk at the Order and Contrivance of King Edward of England Who upon the news thereof brought to him by the said Monk invaded Scotland say they with a great Army When finding Randulph still alive thô but then dissembling health as he that had received the Poison for Anger he burnt the Poisoner and for Fear broke up his Army Thus these Egregious Historians and indeed they set off the tale wonderfull prettily but with what Truth or Honesty appears not only in that they bring no Author for what they say themselves being more than 200 years after that Age nor in that they are both very frequently found either thrô Malice or Ignorance in shrewd and palpable Errors but in that it appears from the most Authentick Records extant that King Edward the Third invaded not Scotland in Person till two years after the Death of this Lord Randulph which by their own c Buchan p. 282. ubi moritur 3º Calend. August i.e. 30 Jultit Cum Balicli Invasio centigit circa principium Augusti ut supra dictum Confession preceded even this Invasion of the Bailiol And moreover the whole Course of King Edward's Life and Reign will appear full of Acts of Generosity Honour and Magnanimity But having laid down these First Seeds of the Scotch War we shall now take a short leave of these Affairs till time calls us to consider what Fruits in their Order they brought forth and by whose Hand the chief Harvest of Honour was gather'd V. In England this mean while certain d Walsingh hist p. 113. n. 40. bold Fellows of the Realm in meer contempt of the King's Youth or by the secret instigation of some great Malecontents began to assemble themselves in considerable Bodies together And thus they kept in Woods and Forests robbing and abusing all that came near them after their own pleasure and as it is usual when Impunity accompanies Villany in a short time these Bands grew so numerous and formidable that they became a Terror and
till the Truce was fully expired and then on the same 12 day of July to enter Scotland in Hostile Manner with his Forces the Chief Captains whereof under him were John Lord Warren Earl of Surrey in England and of Stratherne in Scotland Richard Fitz-Alan the Stout Earl of Arundel Henry Lord f Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 51. Beaumont Earl of Buquhan who it seems had made no Oath to the Contrary as the Scotch Writers affirm but was redeem'd from his Imprisonment by a good round Summe of Money as we shew'd before the Lord Ralph Nevil and the Lord Henry Percy were here also together with the Lords Nicolas Cantilupe and Ralph Stafford all Barons of great Valour and Conduct who thô Subjects of England being for the most part ally'd to King Bailiol with their several Retinues and a choice Band of lusty Welchmen enter'd Scotland on the One part at the same time that King Edward enter'd on the Other as it had been before appointed Two such Mighty Torrents of War were not likely to be much resisted by the almost-exhausted Powers of the Bruceans So that in a manner they ravag'd the Country at their Pleasure wasting and burning all before them On the 12 g Knighton p. 2566. c. of July being a Wednesday King Edward of England began his March from the City of Carlile passing over the Solway Frith and so entring into Scotland in good Order of Battle On the Tuesday following being the 18 of July the Lord William Montague with certain other Barons of England rode forth coasting on the left hand towards the Parts of Caerlaverock in Nidisdale to fetch in Prey for the Army and the next day they return'd all safe with some Hundred Head of Cattle On * Julii 20. Thursday the King passed the Ford of Anand which giveth Name to Anandale and then he rear'd his Banners Royal and made many Knights but to the Lord William Montague he granted his Crest with the Eagle and a gallant Courser with Caparisons adorn'd with the Arms of Montague which are Argent three Fuzils in Fess Gules Moreover he gave him the Reversion of the Mannor of Wodeton and Mersewode-vale with the Advowsons of the Churches as also of the Mannor of Pole with the Advowson of the Church after the Death of Robert Fitz-Paine and Ela his Wife without Issue paying to the King his Heirs and Successors upon Christmas-day wheresoever he or they should happen to be a sword of 3 shillings and four pence for all Services Encouraged with this Bounty of his Prince the Lord Montague pierced yet farther into Scotland making great Havock and Spoil and continually bringing in huge Quantities of Victuals and Prey to the Army On that same day a certain Knight of Heinalt Named Sr. Enend came before King Edward with a Present from his Father in Law William Earl of Heinalt which was a very Gorgeous and Princely Helmet Richly beset with Precious Stones and adorn'd with the Coronet and other things in the same manner as the Earl himself was us'd to wear it on Festivals and when he appeared in the Greatest Splendor The King was extreamly pleased with this Present and immediately Rewarded the Messenger with an Hundred Pounds sterling 'T is likely he wore it long after for the Sake of the Donor For I have seen several ancient Pictures that Represent him in such an Helmet On the * Julii 23. Sunday after St. Mary Magdalene King Bailiol on the other hand took a strong Castle of the Earl of Athols called Cambremouth which would hardly have been master'd so soon but that in time of the Assault whether by chance or from without there happen'd such a fire in the Castle as compell'd them to yield presently together with all their Ammunition and Provision lay'd up for a long time or else they had all perished by Fire or been put to the sword Here they found the Lord David Marshal with his Lady also the Relict of the Lord Archimbald Douglas and the Wife of Sr. Philip Moubray beside meaner Prisoners Yet all this while neither of the Kings found any Considerable Opposition For long h Frois c. 26. f. 16. now had the Scots been us'd to these Harassings and therefore the better avoided them at this time by retiring with the best of their Substance into their Fortresses among the Marishes and thick Forests This manner they were first taught by their King Robert Bruce who in the Days of King Edward the First being so hardly hunted and pursued that neither Town City nor Castle could or durst entertain him betook himself to these Forests with good Success And still when the said King Edward was return'd for England he would forth again and appear on his Countries Behalf with sword in Hand straight Rally his broken and scatter'd Forces and presently recover either by Strength or Policy all that he had lost as far as to Barwick Upon News whereof King Edward would return with his Power and win all again Thus King Robert wan and lost the Kingdom of Scotland by turns for four or five times together when being at last Chaced into i Martin p. 87. Fabian p. 148 Graften p. 192. Norwey his Mighty Adversary King Edward the First died in a good old Age at Burgh upon the Sands near Caerlile But while he lay on his Death bed he sent for Prince Edward his Son and gave him Counsel to be Mercifull and Just and Constant in all his Words and Deeds to love his Brethren but to avoid Flatterers and especially Piers Gaveston After this he made him k Frois c. 26. f. 16. b. swear upon his Blessing that when he should see the Breath out of his Body he should take his Corps and boyl it in a Cauldron till the Flesh should all come off Then to bury the Flesh but to keep the Bones in a Coffin and to bear them along with him whensoever the Scots should Rebell for whether by Imagination or Superstition or secret Revelation he promised certain Victory against the Scots as often as his Bones were carried into the Field against them We read indeed in profane Story many such Instances and particularly that the Turks had some such Opinion of Scanderbeg's Bones but however King Edward the Second either out of Filial tenderness or pure disobedience buried his whole Body at Westminster where it remains Honourably Entombed to this day yet surely he never prosper'd against the Scots besides that he came to an unhappy end as we shew'd in the beginning of this History whether for want of his Fathers Bones or his Blessing for generally the Blessing of God goes along with a Parents just Benediction But this by the by While after their old Manner the Scots thus again at this time to avoid King Edward's Fury retired into their Fastnesses the l Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 898. Welchmen who were with King Bailiol being Highly incensed for want of Opposition spared neither
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
way or other He therefore would expect them all there again on the Third of August following at the farthest because the time of Action began to wear away To this Appointment having all agreed they took leave of the King who tarried still at Antwerp being lodged in the Abbey some of his Lords tarrying with him to bear him Company while others rode about the Country at great expence to negotiate the Kings Affairs and to gain the favour of the People as also to divert themselves and satisfie their Curiosity As for the Duke of Brabant he went to the City of Louvaine about seven Leagues East of Antwerp from whence he sent frequent Messages to the French King Requesting that he would not entertain any Suspicion of him nor give Credit to any idle Rumors For he assured him that he would by no means make any Alliance or Agreement to his Disadvantage Thô as he said the King of England being his Cosin-German he could not in Honour refuse him the Civility of his Country Thus the Duke of Brabant endeavouring to keep in with both Kings was really a Friend to neither but we shall see how he behaves himself now to King Edward The Third of August came and all the other Lords return'd to Antwerp except the Duke whereat the rest taking occasion said that as for their parts they and their Men were ready provided the Duke of Brabant would be as ready on his Part for he was nearer than they that being his Country That therefore when they should understand that he was fully provided they would not be one jot behind him With this tergiversation of theirs King Edward was inwardly very much displeased r Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. for he found no sincerity nor Honour in any one of them except the Earl of Gueldre and he privately told the Bishop of Lincoln and his Council that he had not been well advised hitherto However he immediately sent this their Answer to Louvain to the Duke of Brabant urging the Matter home to him and requiring him as his Friend Kinsman and Ally and as a Christian and a Man of Honour to deal sincerely and heartily with him for hitherto he said he very well perceived that he was but cold in the Matter and that he justly feared unless he grew more warm and shew'd more concern for the Cause he should loose the Assistance of all the other Lords of Almaine The Duke being thorougly awaken'd with this Alarm began to consider more seriously on the Matter that King Philip had been severe and cruel to him King Edward his Friend and able to be his Protector that he was ty'd to him not only on the account of Allyance but in Honour having passed his Word and contracted to be on his side only he fear'd that if the Rest of the German Lords should fall off he might be left a Prey to Philips anger Wherefore he at last declared to King Edward ſ Frois ibid. that now he was fully determin'd to be as ready as any One in his service only he desired once more to speak with the foresaid Lords altogether So that they were sent for again the time of their meeting fix'd about the middle of August the Place to be t Engl. Atlas 4 Vol. p. 234. Halle a strong Town of Hainalt on the very Borders of Brabant distant from Brussels but four English Miles thrô which the River Senne sends a small current and this Place was judged the fittest because the young Earl of Hainalt and his Uncle Lord John of Beaumont might be there In short the Result of this Parliament at Halle was this the Lords having again consider'd on the Premises found themselves so bent on King Edward's Service that they thought they never should desert him unless compell'd by the Emperour to whom only they ow'd Allegiance Wherefore in the Name of himself and all the Rest the Duke of Brabant spake thus to King Edward Sir we of our selves cannot find any just Cause all things consider'd to defie the French King without the Consent of the Emperour our Soveraign Lord or that he would Command Us so to do in his Name For long since in a Covenant mutually Sworn and Sign'd between France and Germany there is an Article that no King of France should take or hold any thing belonging of Right to the Empire Notwithstanding which Obligation this King Philip hath taken the Castle of Creveceur in Cambresis and the Castle of Alves in Bailleul u Mezeray Palencour and also the City of Cambray it self So that the Emperour has good Reason on his side to break with the king of France And Sir if you can obtain his Consent it will be more for our Honour otherwise the World will say that without the Imperial Authority the Lords of Almaine Commenced an unjust War having no Provocation thereto III. This Request appear'd but reasonable to the King wherefore he appointed the Marquess of Juliers with certain English Knights and Men Learned in the Laws together with some of the Earl of Gueldre's Council to go to the Emperour about the Premises Only the Duke of Brabant would by no means send any body in his Name because he would not be known to stir in the business till things should be ripe He stood in such fear of the King of France ever since that Quarrel about the Lord Robert of Artois of which we spake in the 7th Year of King Edward But yet however he freely Resign'd his stately Castle of Louvain to the King of England to lie in and to use as his own during his Royal Pleasure The Marquess and his Company found the Emperour at Flourebeche where they did their Message to him so well that together with the Perswasions of the Lady Margaret the Empress who was Sister to Queen Philippa of England he was willing to grant King Edward's Request for which end he desired an Enterview with him and immediately created the Earl of Reginald Duke of Gueldre and the Marquess William Earl of Juliers thô x Speeds Chron. p. 564. §. 81. some say this was done afterward by King Edward their Kinsman when he was Vicar of the Sacred Empire King Edward the mean while kept his Court with great Splendor at Louvain being lodged himself in the Castle for his better security since the City was Commanded thereby From hence he sent a considerable Part of his Forces into England as having little occasion for them yet to defend the Frontiers against the Scots At the same time he kindly invited his Beloved Queen to come over to him if she so pleased for he sent her word he was determin'd not to leave those Parts for the space of a Year at least The Queen shortly after went over to the King her Husband being then Great with Child of which being a Male she was happily deliver'd at y Walsingh Hypod p. 114 Hist p. 132. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. Leland Coll.
1 Vol. p. 802. Antwerp while the King held a Noble Turneament there on the Vigil of St. Andrew or the 29 of November 1338. The Infant was Baptised with the Name of Lionell and sirnamed from the Place of his Birth Lionell of Antwerp who became in time Earl of Vlster Duke of Clarence and a Person of Extraordinary Features of Body and which is a more aimable Beauty Valour and other Princely Endowments But as the Queens Fecundity did on one hand make the Royal Family to flourish so on the other Fatal Necessity was busied in lopping off a Princely Branch from that Regal Stem For this very z Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 64. Year the Kings Uncle Thomas Plantagenet sirnamed of Brotherton from a place of that Name in Yorkshire where he was Born being Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England departed this Life and was a Weevers fun Mon. p. 726. buried in the Choire of the Famous Abbey at St. Edmunds-Bury in Suffolk where there was a goodly Monument erected to his Memory but it is now wholly buried in the same Ruines into which the Fatal Dissolution cast both that and many other Religious Houses He left Issue by the Lady b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 65. Alice his first Wife Daughter of Sr. Roger Hales of Harwich two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Margaret and the Lady Alice the former first Married to the Lord John Seagrave and after to the Famous Sr. Walter Manny the latter to Sr. Edward Montague Brother to the Earl of Salisbury He is c Mill's Catal. Hâ—nor p. 510. said to have had also a Wife named Anne before the Lady Alice by whom he had a Son Edward who died without Issue and also another after her by whom he had a second Son named John who became a Monk in the Abbey of Ely. Upon his Death however the Earldom of Norfolk and Office of Marshal for want of Issue Male fell into the Kings hands by Escheat But the Lord William Montague Earl of Salisbury in consideration of his many Eminent Services both in War and Peace abroad and at home obtained presently after a d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. ex Pat. fact apud Antwerp 12. Ed. 3. p. 3. m 7. Grant bearing Date at Antwerp the 15 of September of the Office of Marshal of England During this the Kings Stay in Brabant the Lady e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 52. Eleanora Plantagenet Fifth Daughter to Henry de Torto Collo the old Earl of Lancaster and Sister to Henry Earl of Darby brought forth to her Husband John Lord Beaumont of England Son to Henry Vicount Beaumont Earl of Buquhan a Son called Henry Whereupon two Years after Sr. John the Father obtain'd the Kings Special Letters Patents declaring That notwithstanding the said Henry the Son was begotten and born in Foreign Parts yet since it was occasion'd by Sr. John's and his Lady's Attendance on the King and Queen he should be reputed a Lawfull Heir to inherit his Father's Lands as well as thô he had been born in England Now that it may appear how King Philip was much more in the Pope's Books than our Edward it is observable that when he heard of King Edwards Arrival at Antwerp as one that saw a Dreadfull Tempest of War hanging over France he wrote a f Extat apud Odoric Rainald ad hunc annum §. 55. Letter to King Philip bearing Date at Avignon V. Id. August Anno Pontificatûs IV. Wherein piously indeed he stirs him up to implore the Divine Assistance and to the end he might obtain the Favour of God to put away all things that might offend his Majesty and first to pacifie his own Conscience lest he should nourish a War within himself to desist from Oppressing the Clergy and the Poor lastly he advised him to admit of honest Conditions of Peace and upon Occasion to offer the like For whereas in that War much Christian Blood was like to be shed he would then appear clean of the Sin of all that should be shed both before God and Man but that he should not put his Confidence in the Power of his Forces but in the Divine Assistance As for his Part that he together with the Whole Church would power forth his Prayers unto God for him IV. King g Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. vid. Rebdâ—rfii Annales de hâ—c anno Edward the mean while according to the Emperors Request went forth Royally attended to give him a Meeting he being then in High Germany about 7 Diets beyond Colen But when he heard of the King of England his Brother-in-Law's Approach toward that City he also set forward with Imperial Pomp till he came to h Alii dicunt lâ—cum fuisse Confluentias alâ—i Francofurtum Cologne where he was met by King Edward The Enterview was very Glorious and Magnificent the Emperor greatly Honouring the King of England thô some i Walsingh hist p. 132. say at the first Meeting he took it ill that King Edward refus'd to submit himself to the Kiss of his Feet as it should seem Kings were wont to do to Emperours but our Edward gallantly k Selden's Titles of Hon. part 1. c. 3 p. 29. answer'd That He Himself was a King Sacred and Anointed and had Life and Limbs in his Power being accountable to none but God as Supream and Independent of all Others being also Lord of Sea and Land and Wearing no less than an Imperial Crown Wherefore he ought not to abase himself to any Mortal Potentate whatsoever This Answer was accepted And presently l Knighton p. 2571. n. 60. two Royal Thrones were erected in the open Market-place One for the Emperour the Other for the King the Emperour took his Place first and King Edward sate down by him In which Honourable Enterview there were for Assistants four Great Dukes three Archbishops and six Bishops thirty seven Earls and of Barons Banerets Knights and Esquires according to the Estimation of the Heralds Seventeen Thousand The Emperour held in his Right Hand the Imperial Scepter and in his Left the Golden Mound or Globe which denotes the Government of the World a Knight of Almain holding over his Head a Naked Sword. And then and there the Emperour publiquely declared the Disloyalty Falshood and Villany which the King of France had used towards him whereupon he defi'd him and pronounced that both He and his Adherents had forfeited the Protection and Favour they might expect from the Empire and had justly incurred whatever Displeasure might be done unto him thereby And then He m Ashmole p. 649. Frois l. 1. c. 34. f. 19. made ordain'd and constituted King Edward his Deputy and Vicar General of the Sacred German Empire granting unto him full and absolute Power over All on this side as far as Cologne Of all which he gave him his Imperial Charter in sight of all that were present The next day these two Illustrious Persons with the Great
whereof You still want and I believe will not find them here in haste The King extreamly disdaining these Proud Words immediately Answer'd That he would however ride forth into France with Banner displayed and that there he would demand a View of those Invincible Frenchmen and that He would either win that Realm against whosoever should oppose him or honestly leave his Body in the field The next day He x Froisa 38. departed in this Resolution from Mechlin and went on to Brussels another Chief City of Brabant his people passing on by the Town Thither at last came now the long expected Aid of Almaines to the Number of 20000 strong with their Leaders but only the Duke of Brabant appeared not as yet Wherefore once more King Edward sent and demanded of him Whether he intended to let him have his Company to the Siege of Cambray or no The Duke answer'd that as soon as he knew for certain that Cambray was actually Besieged he would upon his Honour come thither with 1200 Spears all good Men of War. Satisfied with this King Edward marched on five Leagues Farther till he came to Nivelle a Town near the Borders of Hainault where he lay one Night and the next day went to Mons a chief Town in Hainault and of great strength and there he found the young Earl of Hainault his Brother-in-Law who received him gladly The King was attended by the Lord Robert of Artois who was of his Privy Council and always about him with about 16 or 20 more of the most Noble Barons of England who still waited on the King both for the Honour of his Person and to be ready to advise with him about any sudden Emergency Together with whom was Doctor Henry Burwash Brother to the Lord Bartholomew Burwash Senior and Lord Bishop of Lincoln who purchased much Praise of all Men for the great Wisdom Conduct and Courage he at all times shew'd but especially in these Grand Affairs of the King his Master The Army lay without the Town in the Fields and Villages thereabout where they found plenty of Provision of all sorts for their Money thô as some paid truly others made bold to do otherwise It being next to Impossible absolutely to restrain a whole Army from all kind of Licence When the King had tarried thus at Mons the space of two Days he went thence accompanied with the young Earl to Valenciennes which was seven Leagues further standing on the Skell And here he met with the Lord John of Hainault the Earls Uncle the Lord Faginelles the Lord Verchin the Lord of Havreth and others who were about the Earl their Master The King to shew his Generous Confidence in the Earl went into the Town only attended with twelve more of his Nobles the King and the Earl his Brother-in-Law y Engl. Atl. 4 Vol. p. 233. going hand in hand thrô the Court of the great Hall of his Palace which is called La Salle du Comte But as they were going up the Stairs of the Hall the Bishop of Lincoln Proclaimed aloud these Words O Yes William Bishop of Cambray I Henry Bishop of Lincoln as Procurator to the Mighty Lord Edward King of England Vicar of the Sacred Empire of Rome do here Warn and Admonish You the said William that You open the Gates of the City of Cambray to Our said Lord the King of England Which if You refuse to do You shall forfeit Your Lands and We will enter by force To this Proclamation no Answer was given for the Bishop of Cambray was not there Present but in the City of Cambray it self looking to the Defence thereof Then the Bishop of Lincoln Proclaim'd again O Yes You Lord William Earl of Hainault We here Warn and Admonish You in the Name of the Emperour that You come and serve the King of England his Vicar before the City of Cambray with such a Number of Souldiers as You ought to do The Earl answer'd With all my Heart I am ready to serve him according to my Duty Upon these Words they enter'd into the Hall after which the Earl Led the King into his Chamber where they supp'd together The next day the King departed to Haspre upon the Salle where he tarried two days viewing his Men as they passed onward before him and thence he went to Cambray which immediately he began to invest round and daily his Forces encreased For thither came the young Earl of Hainault and John Lord of Beaumont his Uncle in Great array These had their Quarters Assign'd them near the King there were there also the Duke of Gueldre and his Men the Earl of Juliers the Earl of Mons the Earl of Savenier the Marquess of Nuys the Lord of Faulquemont Sr. Arnold of Baquehen with other Lords of the Empire Allies of England And now at last the sixth day after the Siege was laid came thither the Cautious Duke of Brabant with 900 Spears in his Company and he took up his Station on the side towards Ostervandt on the River Skell over which he flung a Bridge to maintain Communication between the Hosts for their mutual security As soon as he was come he also sent his Defiance to the French King who was then at Compiegne in Valois whereat his Resident Sr. Lewis of Travemund who had always confidently affirmed that his Lord meant nothing less was so ashamed and confounded that he would never after that return into Brabant but died in France of sorrow and vexation During this Siege there were many Skirmishes and Rencounters for the Town was well replenished with good Men of War the Bishop z Mezeray 2. part 3 tom p. 15. having lately received into the Walls John Duke of Normandy King Philips Son with 500 Men of Arms besides the ordinary Garrison and the Forces sent thither before upon the Defiances of King Edward and his Allies And many times there went forth from the Army strong Detachments to fetch in Provision or to seek for Adventures abroad among whom the Lord John of Hainault and the Lord of Faulquemont with their Men rode constantly together as Companions in Arms and burnt and wasted greatly the Country of Cambresis One day among others the two foresaid Lords with 500 Spears and a 1000 other Souldiers in their Company went and presented themselves before the Castle of Oisy in Cambresis which belonged at that time to the Lord of Coucy and made there a very vigorous Assault But the Besieged defended themselves so well that they received little or no Disadvantage so that the Lords were fain to return again without obtaining their purpose But the Assaults that were given to the City of Cambray it self were surely both many and very fierce thô not much more successfull Once especially the young Earl of Hainault with some Troops of English mixt with his own Men on a Saturday gave a terrible Assault at the Gate of Cambray that looks towards St. Quintins there was a young lusty
England whom we shall shortly bring home with the King her Husband was soon m Walsingh hist p. 135. after in the Tower of London deliver'd of a Fair Daughter named Blanch who to temper King Edwards Felicities unfortunately died before she was weaned and lies buried at Westminster CHAPTER the EIGHTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward in great Displeasure comes privately over into England where he displaces and imprisons several of his Chief Ministers of State. II. His Quarrel with the Archbishop with the full State of the whole Case in Epitome III. The Archbishop's Letter to the King. IV. The Archbishop's Letter to the Lord Chancellour V. His Remonstrance to the King and his Council VI. His Letter to the Bishop of London VII His Articles of Excommunication which he publishes over all his Province VIII A Copy of the King's Letters to the Bishop of London in Defence of his Proceedings against the Archbishop IX The Archbishops Answer to the King wherein he defends himself against all his Objections X. The King's Reply to the Archbishop's Defence which he sends to all the Suffragans of that Province with absolute Command to obey the Archbishop in nothing contrary to his Pleasure wherein we shall find a notable Instance even in those Times of the King's Supremacy and Jealousie of his Rights and Royal Prerogatives XI The Particulars of a Parliament at Westminster wherein at the last the Archbishop upon his Submission is fully pardon'd and received into Favour I. WE said before that upon the Truce taken before Tournay King Edward went to Gaunt and how thence he returned into England But now we are to take up that Thread again and so to proceed in a further Discourse of his Affairs While a Holingshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. b. he lay at Gaunt Lewis Earl of Flanders being now by vertue of the Truce restored to his Country came thither to visit him And for several Days he made great Cheer to him and his Queen caressing and entertaining them with magnificent Feasts and Banquets But King Edward took small Delight in such matters now his Mind ran upon the Mony which he dayly expected from England to pay off his Debts contracted beyond Sea which having long look'd for in vain pretending b Stow p. 237. that he would ride abroad for his Pleasure he went suddenly into Zealand where he took Ship privately with only his Queen and Eight more Persons of Quality in his Company designing for England But upon the Sea he met with a Storm which for three days together tossed him too and fro with great fury to the utter hazard of his Person It is said c Grafton p. 247. Fabian p. 216. that the Tempest was rais'd by certain Necromancers of France who purpos'd thereby to destroy him or at least to cool his Courage from passing the Seas any more Whatever was the Occasion this is certain that as if King Edward had been only destin'd for the Kingdom of France which he so greatly desired it seem'd fatal for him always in his Passage thither to have calm Seas and Wind at will but in his Return all things contrary so that often he endur'd many great Losses and Shipwrecks And this was his Fate while his Fortune stood fair but when he began to decline he found the Wind so contrary to him that by no means he could once set his Foot more in France However now at last this storm being happily abated on the third Night being d 30 Novem. St. Andrews he arrived safe at shoar and landed at the Tower of London about the Cock-crow The Lords that came with him and the Queen were the Earl of Northampton the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Darcy the Lord Guy Beauchamp Eldest Son to the Earl of Warwick with the Lord John Beauchamp his Uncle and two Chaplains which were also his Secretaries Dr. William Killesby and Dr. William Weston with their Servants only Upon the King's entring the Tower he found there no Guard ready but only his Children and three Servants waiting on them Wherefore in great e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 127. Anger he sent for the Lord Nicolas de la Beche Constable of the Tower and committed him to Prison in the said place As also he served at the same time Andrew Aubry Lord Mayor of London the Lord Thomas Wake Sr. John St. Paul Keeper of the great Seal Sr. John Stonore Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Michael Wath Henry Stratford and Robert Chickwell Clerks of the Chancery and Philip Thorp Clerk of the Exchequer All whom he sent for and imprison'd as he had done also to the Archbishop of Canterbury if he could have got him After this in several Parts of the Kingdom he caused to be taken and clapt up in divers Prisons Sr. John Poltney Alderman of London Sr. William de la Pole Baron of his Exchequer Sr. William Shareshull one of the Justices of the Kings Bench Sr. Richard Willoughby Deputy Lord Chief Justice Sr. John Shardelow and Sr. Thomas Ferrers Thô within a while after the Lord Wake was deliver'd with Honour having no Fault fix'd upon him The City of London during the Imprisonment of their Mayor was at the Kings Command govern'd by a Bayliff as will appear hereafter As for Dr. f Philipot's Catal Chancell Treas p. 34. Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester who was then Lord Chancellour of England and Robert Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield then Lord Treasurer he immediately discharged them of their Offices threatning to send them into Flanders there to lie as Pledges for Money which he owed or if they refus'd to go to lay them in prison in the Tower. But upon the Bishop of Chichester's Remonstrance to him g Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. that he would then be in danger to incure the Penalty of Pope Clements Canon De non incarcerandis Episcopis he relented and let them go free thô deprived of their Offices Sr. Robert h Philipot's ibid. p. 34. 38. Bourchier succeeding in the Place of Lord Chancellour and Sr. Richard Saddington in that of Treasurer and Dr. Killesby in the Place of Privy Seal Sr. John St. Paul the late Keeper being also discharged All the Sheriffs also of Shires and other Publique Officers were at this time removed and new ones put in their Places And certain Justices were appointed to enquire into the Faults of Collectors and other Officers concerned in the Gathering the Taxes so that few or none escaped unpunished so strictly these New Justices proceeded in their Commissions As for the i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 146. b. Lord John Molins a Great and Noble Baron of the Realm the incensed Prince in the heat of his Displeasure flang his Body into Prison and seised all his Lands into his own Hands which thereupon were committed to the custody of Sr. John Eldred his Offence having been judged
Ancient Liberties or free Customs of our Church of Canterbury or diminish them in any thing or knowingly contravene the Privileges granted thereto or do ought against them and also those who wickedly and injuriously presume to disturb the Peace and Tranquillity of the King or Kingdom of England or shall give Counsel Aid or Favour thereto by the Authority and in the Name of God the Father Almighty and of his Son Jesus Christ of his most blessed Mother the Virgin Mary of blessed Thomas the glorious Martyr and of all the Saints Item That whereas in the great Charter of Henry once King of England it was Granted and Ordained that no Freeman of the Realm of England should be taken or imprisoned or disseised of his Free-hold or his Liberties or his Free Customs or be Outlaw'd or Banished or any other way molested and that upon a Freeman the Law should not pass unless by the lawfull Judgment of his Peers or by the Law of England and that the King would deny or sell or delay right and justice to no Man And that the City of London should have all her Ancient Liberties and Free Customs And several other Liberties and free Customs are prudently in the said Charter granted to the Realm of England to the Praise and Honour of God the Peace of the Catholick Church and the Quiet of the Realm And by the Archbishop and Bishops of the said Kingdom those have been excommunicated anathematized and sequestred from the Pale of Holy Mother Church who after the Grant of the said Charter and the Liberties and free Customs therein and in the Charter of the Forest contained and granted to the Church of England by any art or devise should violate infringe diminish or alter privily or openly by Deed Word or Counsel in rashly going against them or any of them in any Article Many notwithstanding not ignorant of the Premises do now rashly attempt to go against the said Charters the Liberties and free Customes in the said Charters contained and mightily endeavour to infringe them Now we being desirous to overthrow their detestable designs and to dissipate their vailed and pretended Ignorance by reducing the Premises into the notice of all Men do in general admonish all and singular who have done against the Premises in any manner of way or contrary to the said Charters or either of them have made Statutes or have kept them when made have introduced Customs or have kept them when introduced also the Writers of Statutes and Counsellours and Executors and those who shall presume to judge according to them That duly they amend themselves and by the appointment of their Ordinaries make full satisfaction for their Offences within 15 Days to be reckon'd from the time of this our Admonition Whom upon their Non-obedience from that time we denounce publiquely and solemnly to have incurred the said Sentence of Greater Excommunication confirmed of sure knowledge by Pope Innocent the IV. Item That all and singular who from the Houses Manors Granges or other Places to Archbishops Bishops or other Ecclesiasticall Persons belonging shall presume to take away seise consume or touch any thing against the Will of the Owners or those who are deputed the Keepers of the said thing or cause the said thing to be taken seised consumed or touched and approve the taking away the seising consuming or touching of the said thing done by their Abettors or in their Name are Violators of the said Liberties and Privileges Ecclesiastick and we publiquely and solemnly in these Writings denounce them ipso facto to incurr the Sentence of Greater Excommunication which in the Council of Oxford was made against the Violators of the Liberties of the Church Item Because the Iniquity of the times renders the Clergy odious to the Laiety insomuch that the Latter do seise on the Former and detain them against their Wills or not permit them to go freely whither they please we publiquely and solemnly denounce all and singular as well Clergymen as Laymen within our Province of Canterbury who knowing them to be Clergymen and publiquely and notoriously to be held and reputed for Clergymen and also to bear themselves as so having not confessed any crime nor being convicted or indicted do in custody or prison put and detain them against their Wills rashly in a Case not permitted by Law or the Custom of the Realm of England to the Scandal and manifest Injury of the Clergy to be involved in the Sentence of Greater Excommunication in this part made by the Canon Item Whereas all and singular who in our Province of Canterbury do maliciously from the false instigations of Hate lay a Crime to the charge of any Person or Persons who among good and grave Men were not before defamed of the said Crime whereby on occasion of the Charge they may any ways be grieved are and have been envolved in the Sentence of Greater Excommunication justly made by Holy Fathers in the Council of Oxford against Defamers of this kind and those who knowingly offend against Archbishops or their Spiritual Fathers Ambassadors of Christ Pillars of the Church do commit a sin so much the greater as is the Eminence of the Person offended We by the Authority wherewith we are invested do publiquely denounce all and singular who in our Province of Canterbury have falsly wickedly and malitiously already presumed or hereafter shall presume to lay to the Charge of an Archbishop or Bishop or any other the Crime of Treason or any other Crime contrary to the Constitution aforesaid to be involved in the said Sentence of Greater Excommunication in the said Council discreetly made and to be sequestred from the Pale of Holy Mother Church c. Besides all this the Archbishop sent the Letters afore-mention'd to all his Brethren and Suffragans that they also in their several Diocesses and Precincts should publiquely promulge the Sentences above-written Whereupon the King hearing of these Letters of the Archbishop and considering them together with others which as r Walsingh hist p. 142. n. 4. was thought some Courtiers had forged in his Name to render him more obnoxious that he might more plainly detect the Archbishops Falshood and establish the Reputation of his own Justice wrote this Letter to the Bishop of London and sent a Copy thereof to the Prior and Chapter of Canterbury VIII Å¿ Antiq. Brit. p. 224. Walsing hist p. 142. Fox Acts and Mâ—num p. 349. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to the Reverend Father in God Ralph Bishop of London Greeting It is manifest by old approved Histories but more clearly appears by what is dayly practised that many Men abusing the Favour of Princes and the Honour conferr'd upon them and waxing insolent thereby do sometimes by malitious and sly Insinuations endeavour to deprave the laudable Undertakings of Kings And that what we say may be rendred more manifest to all our Liege People We suppose
the Garrison but not with much Discretion For thereupon those few who enter'd by the Pales marched up to the Chief Gate and set it open for the King to enter Thus all was lost in a Trice the Besieged put to the Sword except their Captain Sr. Pierce Portbeufe who was taken to Mercy the Town utterly sack'd and plunder'd of all its Riches for it was very considerable in Merchandise Soon after which the King return'd to the Siege before Vannes leaving the Town of Dinant waste and Desolate XV. Now the mean t Frois c. 95. while that King Edward was thus busied about Dinant and other Parts of Bretagne his Captains whom he had left before Vannes gave many gallant Assaults to that City and especially at the Barriers and the chief Gate One Day in particular there was a very warm Attack made and many proper Feats of Arms done on both Sides So that at last the Besieged boldly set open their Gates and came to the Barriers because they saw there the Banners of the Earl of Warwick and of Arundel of the Lord Stafford and the Lord Manny whereupon they hop'd for some Advantage seeing the chief Lords of the Host adventur'd themselves rashly as they thought being so far from the Camp. Wherefore the Lord Clisson and Sr. Henry du Leon came forth couragiously to the Barriers and there began a very notable Skirmish with the Enemies In the end the English hoping to allure them to come forth of their Barriers or really unwilling to stand longer at such Disadvantage retired back in much seeming Confusion Then the fond Desire of Glory blinded the Eyes of the two valiant Lords of Bretagne for having appointed six other Knights to keep the Gates they open'd the Barriers and sallied forth upon the Lords of England who retired back on purpose now and then making a faint Offer of Resisting But when they had train'd them far enough they all together made a stop faced about and gave so vigerous a Shock to their Pursuers that seeing themselves deceived they now began to take their turn of Retiring but immediately they were charged home and many of them hurt slain and taken Which when the Besieged observed fearing to loose all they closed the Barriers in so unlucky a time that the Lord Clisson and the Lord Henry du Leon were shut out and so both taken Prisoners u Knighton p. 2581. n. 30. 40. together with Alard du Leon Brother to the Lord Henry and 5 other Persons of Quality and 30 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires On the other x Frois c. 95. side the Lord Ralph Stafford had pursued so far that he at the same time was shut in among his Enemies between the Gate and the Barriers and so was taken Prisoner with several of his Company some few being slain Upon this the Bretons retired into the City and the English to their Camp But there were no more Sallies after that It would be but superfluous to busie our Pen about what was done before Rennes or Nantes since as we shall shew by and by those Sieges were both raised before they came to any Effect by the Kings own Command upon his expecting a General Battle with the Duke of Normandy But we shall take occasion to mention one thing y Frois c. 96. concerning Don Lewis of Spain Sr. Charles of Germaulx and Sr. Otho de Rue the three Admirals of Charles of Blois who were at this time upon the Sea with 8 Galeons 13 good Barks and 30 other Ships of Genoua and Spain and kept the Coasts between England and Bretagne doing much harm to those who brought Provision to the Army before Vannes Once among the rest they adventur'd on the Kings Navy lying at Anchor in a little Port beside Vannes at which time they slew many of those who kept the Ships and had done much more Mischief if a good Detachment from the Besiegers had not been sent thither in all haste to their Assistance However by that time they came to the Port Don Lewis had taken four Ships laden with Provision and had sunk three other Vessels with all that was therein Upon which loss King Edward was advised to send Part of his Navy to Brest and the other Part to Hennebond which was done and the Sieges still continued before the Cities of Vannes Nantes and Rennes XVI And now 't is time to look out and see what Succour the Duke of Normandy hath raised for his Cousin Charles of Blois z Frois c. 97. He well enough knew what the King of England had done in Bretagne what Towns he had taken and what he had besieged and made all the haste he could to stop his Proceedings So now at last all things being ready he began his March from the City of Angiers and took the High-way to Nantes being conducted by the two Marshals of France the Lord Charles Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant His Army consisted of more than 3000 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and above 30000 others the chief Captains whereof were Charles of Valois Earl of Alenson the Duke of Normandy his Uncle Guy Castilion Earl of Blois Father to the Lord Charles of Blois his Cousin the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Boulogne the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord of Craon the Lord of Coucy the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Fresnes the Lord of Roye and many other Lords Knights and Esquires of Normandy Auvergne Berry Limosin Poictou Xantogne and Anjou First of all Tidings came to the Earl of Oxford and the rest of the English Captains who lay before Nantes that the Duke of Normandy was coming directly upon them with 40000 Men of War Whereupon they presently dispatch'd away Word to the King their Master who lay then before Vannes King Edward having studied a little upon the Matter presently told his Lords that he thought it would be best to raise two of his Sieges this before Vannes and the other before Rennes and so go and joyn his other Forces lying before Nantes and then to meet the Frenchmen But his Council were of another Opinion and made it appear in this manner Sir your Majesty is now in a good sure place nor only so but near to your Navy the greater Part whereof lies at Hennebond Wherefore it seems better that You command those who lie before Nantes to quit the Siege and come hither to You and those who lie at the Siege of Rennes may tarry still there for they are not so far off but they can come hither at any time upon your Command But surely the Commodity of the Place wherein you are now encamped ought not easily to be quitted This Counsel taking the Siege was raised from before Nantes and the English Lords came back to the King before Vannes Within a day or two of their Departure the Duke of Normandy a Frois c. 98. fol. 49.
came with all his Host to Nantes where he was extreamly welcom to the Lord Charles of Blois and Himself with his Lords and chief Captains lodged in the City but their Men were quartered about in the Country for both the City and Suburbs were unable to hold them and besides the Suburbs had been lately burnt by the English While the Duke of Normandy lay thus at Nantes The Earl of Salisbury and the other Lords of England who were still before Rennes made one Day above the rest a fierce and terrible Assault upon the City which endured with all possible Animosity for all that Day and yet thô they had also dives Engines and Instruments to batter and shake the Walls they gain'd no Advantage but lost many Men in the Assault Those that so well defended this Place were besides the Bishop of Rennes the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Pontrieux Sr. John de Malestroit Sr. Owen Charnells and a young Breton named Bertram de Clequin who afterwards became the most considerable Captain of his Days and was in time Constable of France of whose notable Exploits this Work will not be silent Nor let any Man wonder that these Cities of Vannes Rennes and Nantes should hold out so stifly now against the Forces of King Edward when as we shall find them all to have changed their Lord more than once within the space of two Years For when Bretagne only fought against Bretagne the People were divided some enclining to one side and some to the other and easily altering their Minds again But now they look'd upon the English as a common Enemy and beside the Lord Charles was better provided at this time than formerly However the Earl of Salisbury continued his Siege before Rennes for all this and daily wasted and ravaged the Country round about Now when the Duke of Normandy who had well consider'd of the Business he had in hand was certainly informed how Rennes was in little or no danger but that Vannes was in much hazard of being lost it was so mightily prest by the King of England thither he resolv'd first to bend his Course and either by Battle or otherwise to raise the Siege The two Marshals of the Host the Lord Charles of Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant led the Van the Duke himself was in the Main Body and the Lord Geoffry Charny with the Earl of Guisnes brought up the Reer In this Order they came before Vannes and lay over against the King of England in a fair Meadow between the Rivers of Claye and Vilaine and made a great and deep Ditch round about their Host but the Marshals and Van-currours of each Army met often and skirmished together XVII King Edward upon the news of their Approach had sent for the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke to break up their Siege from before Rennes and come strait to the Camp to him which they did for he expected to have Battle with the Frenchmen at this time without fail His Forces both English and Bretons made up but about b Frois c. 98. 2500 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers and about 6000 Others on Foot beside those who were left to keep the Navy and Others in Garrisons and with the Countess at Hennebond But these few were all select Men under good Leaders strongly entrench'd in their Camp So that the French could not without Disadvantage to themselves oblige them to a Battle thô they on the other hand were four times their Number at least together with the Reinforcement of the Lord Charles of Blois from Nantes and all well appointed for the War. Thus these two Armies lay fronting one another for several Days without any Action further than some light Skirmishes For the French as was shew'd could not force the English to a Battle nor durst they attempt them in their Camp and King Edward thought it not Wisdom to leave his Defences and attack the Enemy at such odds to so great a Disadvantage as he knew the Aggressor must needs submit himself unto especially since he must then leave so strong a City at his back to second the Enemy Nor yet did he give any more Assaults to the Place because of keeping his Men fresh and entire against the time a Battle should be offer'd which then he resolv'd to accept Wherefore different Considerations deterring both Armies from Engaging the Winter began to incommode them not a little when it pleased God to incline the Heart of Pope Clement the VI. to labour earnestly for a Peace between them He had now sent thither two Cardinals c Rot. Parl. 17. Ed. 3. n. 8. vid. Claus de ced an p. 1.25 Dersc Victorell p. 892. Oderâ—c Rainald ad hunc 〈◊〉 §. 24. Peter of Palestrina or Praeneste and Annibald of Tusculum who rode daily between both Parties But as yet neither of them would accept of any equal Conditions For the French thought to keep the King there in manner of a Siege till he should even be forced to come forth and give them Battle to his great Disadvantage and the King expected that at last they must adventure to force him considering he was inferiour in Number and more conveniently encamp'd for the Weather than they Yet to say Truth both Armies endur'd their Inconveniences the French found much vexation with Wet and Cold for it rain'd upon them Night and Day whereby many of their Horses died and at last they were obliged to dislodge and remove into the plain Fields their Tents were so full of Water in the Meadow And the English thô they were more dry and warm durst not go a Foraging but in very considerable Bodies for fear of the French who infested the Country and Don Lewis of Spain so narrowly watched the Sea-coasts with his Fleet that little Provision could be brought to the Kings Army but with great Danger These difficulties prepared the Minds of both Princes and rendred them more susceptible of the Cardinals Offers Wherefore they were at last both brought to allow of a Peace for Bretagne and because the Cardinals urged that Point also to appoint a Time for a Treaty of a final Accommodation between England and France But only here the King protested that he would never allow the Pope any Power to determin of his Quarrel but added That unless a Treaty might be had both honourable to Himself and profitable for his Allies he would never consent to have the same brought before the Pope nor then neither but only as before d M. S. p. 48. §. 8 Sr. Rcb. Cotten p. 37. §. 8. Ashmele p. 653. an indifferent Friend and no Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel However at last these Holy Men labour'd so effectually that they obtain'd a Truce between England and France and their Allies to hold for three Years during which time the whole Controversie then depending should be weigh'd and impartially consider'd and some equal Method of Peace
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
Earl of Oxford's Tent thô they found him putting on his Arms attacked him so sharply that they took him Prisoner with three more Knights his Servants And by that seeing it high time to retire they drew back and with great speed made homeward but they were so hotly pursued that had not their Gates been kept open for them they had all been either slain or taken However being with much ado got all safe in at the Bars they alighted and defended the Pass and came to Handy-stroaks with the English so that they had no dammage for all that daring Enterprise The English not being able therefore to do any good here return'd to their Camp before Peligrue where they tarried six days continually assaulting the Castle thô to little purpose All this while the Earl of Darby who desired at any rate to redeem the Earl of Oxford and the three Knights with him offer'd by his Messengers to the Earl of Perigord to make an Exchange of Prisoners with him So that at last the English Earl and the three Knights were deliver'd for the Vicount of Bouquentine the Vicount of Chastillon the Lord of Lescun and the Lord of Chasteauneufe who had all been taken in the Suburbs of Bergerac as we shewed before with this Condition moreover for the Earl of Oxford countervail'd all these Disadvantages that the Lands of Perigort being on their Side obliged to make no War upon the English for three Years only the Lords and Knights of those Parts might take which Side they pleased the English during that Space should make no War nor Desolation in that Country By this Agreement the Earl of Darby was obliged presently to rise from before Peligrue for that was belonging to the Earldom of Perigord and so he marched on to Auberoche a very beautifull and strong Castle not above 5 French Leagues from Perigeux but yet belonging to the Archbishop of Tholouse Here the English began to measure out their Ground to mark out their Lodgings and to set up their Tents as if they intended to hold a long Siege there and having invested the Town sent Word by their Heralds That it behoved them to think of Yielding in time for if they should be taken by Force they were all but Dead men without Mercy This peremptory Message and this dreadfull Appearance so terrified them within especially since they knew the Earl of Laille durst not keep the Field and they could hope for no Succour but from him that forthwith they submitted and swore Fidelity to the King of England The Earl of Darby took Possession of the Place and after a Day or two having left the Lord Frank van Hall Sr. Alan Finefroid and Sr. John Lendal with a convenient Garrison to maintain the Town he drew back designing for Bourdeaux within 9 French Leagues whereof he met with a good Town called Libourne which he thought so ill a Neighbour that he declar'd He would not stirr thence till he had it in his Power The Inhabitants hearing his Resolution took Advice so that all things consider'd they concluded to yield and make their Homage and swear themselves Subjects to the Crown of England Here the Earl tarried three Days and having left a Garrison in the Place under the Command of the Earl of Pembroke the Lord Stafford Sr. Stephen Tombey and Sr. Alexander Hussey he himself with the Earl of Oxford the Lord Walter Manny and the rest rode straight to Bourdeaux XV. He was d Frois c. 106. fol. 52. received with great Triumph and met on his way in solemn Procession by the Clergy and People of that City where they offer'd Themselves their Lives and Fortunes to his Dispose And thô Winter was far off for it was but about the End of July yet because he judged it vain to take more strong Holds unless he should Man them well against the French and that his Forces were already so diminished that he could not spare any more of his Men into Garrisons without making himself too weak to keep the Field on these Considerations he concluded to stirr no more abroad that Year but to stand by and look to what he had already won being always in a readiness to assert what the Enemy should once offer to recover At Bourdeaux therefore he tarried and feasted and took his pleasure with the Chief Burgesses and Ladies of the City thô all the while he had a vigilant Eye over what he had won and kept Spies abroad thrô all the Country his Design being shortly to pass over into England to augment his Forces which as we said were much diminished by Furnishing so many Garrisons that he might pursue the War more vigorously at the opening of the next Campaigne Now the Earl of Laille who was yet at Reole when he had understood that the Earl of Darby lay still at Bourdeaux without any Appearance of taking the Field again that Year wrote immediately to the Earl of Perigord the Viscount of Carmain the Earls of Cominges and Bouquentine and the rest of the Lords of Gascogne who held of France that they should all secretly assemble their Forces and meet him by such a day before Auberoche For he resolved to attempt that Place His Command was obey'd for he was Viceroy for King Philip in those Parts of Gascogne and Auberoche was formally besieged The Lords and Knights of England were not in the least aware of any such Matter till they saw themselves actually Invested and the Siege laid round so that none could pass out or in without being in danger of the Enemy The Frenchmen brought with them Four great Engines from Tholouse with which they cast mighty Stones against the Castle Day and Night resolving to make no other Assault but thus to beat down the Walls and Towers about their ears or to make them yield absolutely to their Discretion By which means they had within six Days batter'd down the Roofs of their Lodgings at such a Rate that the Besieged durst not repose themselves but in low Vaults or Cellars under ground The Earl of Darby had knowledge that Auberoche was besieged but he knew not that his Friends were so ill handled by this severe way of Battery For as for Assaults he doubted not but they were well able to hold out a considerable time against greater Forces than the Enemy now had However as became a wise and carefull General he had his Spies abroad continually by whom he received due Information of Matters as they fell When Sr. Frank van Hall Sr. Alan Finefroyd and Sr. John Lendal who were the Captains of Auberoche saw in what a Condition they were and that unless the Earl of Darby should come to their Rescue they must yield at Discretion or be beaten to pieces with Engines or all rush out desperately against more than ten times their Number they demanded among their Servants and Valets if any one of them would for a good Reward undertake to convey a Letter to the
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
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
order'd his Lodgings to be set up without the Town for in War time he would never endure to lodge in any Town for fear of Fire having already sent a strong Detachment before him who presently took the Town and plunder'd it sending their Burgesses Prisoners to the Ships From hence the King having burnt Torigny Cormolin Fontenay and Chesne marched directly toward the great City of Caen. in Normandy about eleven French Miles Eastward of St. Lo which likewise abounded with Mercers Ware and other Merchandise and was inhabited with Rich Burgesses Noble Ladies and Fair Virgins and adorned with goodly Churches and other Buildings among which there were two stately Abbeys the one of the Trinity and the other of St. Stephen which latter was built by William Duke of Normandy who was in time King of England sirnamed the Conquerour and lay then buried before the a Sandford Geneal hist p. 6. High Altar in the said Church of St. Stephen under a most stately Mausoleum erected there for him by his Son King William sinamed Rufus On the one side of this City b Frois c. 123. Du Chesne p. 664. Gaguin p. 140. Fabian p. 221. stood the Castle being the very fairest of all Normandy wherein was Captain Sr. Robert Wergny with 300 Genouese Arbalistes besides Men of Arms And in the Town there was William Bertrand Bishop of Bayeux Ralph Earl of Eu and of Guisnes and Constable of France and John Melun Earl of Tancarville and High Chamberlain with a sufficient Number of Men of War. King Edward c M.S. vet Lat. c. being desirous to save the Effusion of Christian Blood sent unto them first Geoffry de Maldon Fryer of the Order of the Hermits of St. Austen and Professor of Divinity with his Letters wherein he exhorted them to deliver up unto him the Town and Castle and he promised to receive them into his Grace and Protection and to let them enjoy their Properties securely But him the Bishop of Baieux caused to be clapt in Irons and detained in the Dungeon of the Castle tearing the Kings Letters in pieces and urging the Captains to stand boldly to their Defence For that day the King of England took up his Lodging early in the Afternoon by a little Port-Town called Estrehan near the River Orne whither his Admiral came to him with his Navy The Constable and the other French Lords in Caen kept good Watch that Night and the next Morning betimes were all in Arms together with the Inhabitants ready to serve their Country with the hazard of their Lives The Constable's Resolution at first was only to stand on the Defensive Part and therefore he gave Order that none should sally forth by any means but stand in their allotted Stations upon the Walls Gates Bridge and Rivers As for the Suburbs he gave over all care of them because they were not tenable For he thought it sufficient if he might make good the City it self because it was only enclosed with the River But when the Burgesses and chief Inhabitants heard of this Order they said that for their Part they would march out against the King of England for they were both able and willing to give him Battle for all his Puissance The Constable seeing their Alacrity said Be it so then in the Name of God and St. Dennis You shall not want my Company Then they set open their Gates and marched out all in good Order making Countenance as if they were resolved to Conquer or to sell their Lives Dearly That Morning being the 20 of d Fabian p 220 July King * Frois c. 123. Edward rose early and having heard Mass before Sun-rise set his Men in order to go against the City of Caen And so took horse with the Prince his Son and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt one of his Marshals whose Word the King much rely'd on and approached the Town in three well-order'd Battalia's But when the e Frois ibid. Du Chesne Mezeray p. 25. Burgesses of the City who had hitherto stood ready to receive him in the Field saw the Dreadfull Appearance of Standards and Banners waving in the Wind and the Tall Archers shooting fiercely from their long Bows presently their Hearts began to fail them and having scarce endured the first Brunt of the Battle for all that the Constable could say or do they ignobly abandon'd both Him and their Honour and fled precipitantly toward the Town the English eagerly following them at the Heels Here it was that the Archers finding some faint Resistance at the Bridge King Edward lest they should suffer by the French Men of Arms sent the Earl of Warwick to succour them who by his wonderous Valour thô he found the Archers out of all Danger and fighting with some Advantage on their Side so signaliz'd himself that together with Seven Men of Arms more if he did not as f Walsingh Hypod p. 148. Walsingham reports slay an Hundred Normans yet he won the Bridge and enter'd the Town pell-mell with the Enemy When the Constable and the Earl of Tancarville saw how things went cursing the Cowardise of the Townsmen and their own Credulity they took a little Tower at the Bridge Foot which they enter'd with certain Knights in their Company The Bishop g Fabian p. 221. of Bayeux with some other Captains Knights and Esquires of France such as knew the ready way to the Castle hasted all thither where they were received by the Captain Sr. Robert Wergny for the Place was large enough All this while the English were chasing and slaying such as they found for as yet they gave no Quarter And it happen'd so ill for the Town that the River which at other times could bear Ships of Burthen was now so low that Men might without Danger pass and repass it both on Horseback and on Foot. Wherefore the City was presently full of Enemies and the French were on all hands beaten down without Mercy so that what within the Town and in the Chace there fell above h Giov. Villan l. 12. p. 872. 5000 of the Enemy The Constable and the Earl of Tancarville beholding this Slaughter and considering that they were not able to make good the Place wherein they were wherefore they were like to be slain as they saw their Men were without Mercy began to think of saving their Lives by yielding So looking down along the Street at last they espied an English Lord Sr. Thomas Holland who with his Brother Sr. Robert and Others were of the Retinue of Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Froisard says he had but one Eye which because he also reports of William Montagu late Earl of Salisbury of the Lord John Chandos and other English Knights I am apt to think that he was one of those 500 young Gentlemen who in the Beginning of these French Wars clapt Patches on their Left Eyes with a solemn Vow never to take them off till they had
Knights and Esquires of France together with the Inhabitants Here the English alighted from their Horses and made a brisk attack upon the Place But the Defence was so vigorous that after a long contest which lasted a whole Morning the Assailants were fain to leave off and go to seek better Fortune elsewhere In the way they took Fontaine-Sur Somme which they pillaged and set on Fire but there was no Passage there thence they went to another Town called Longe in Ponthieu where a Bridge was laid over the River but it was so well Defended that after a brisk Assay they were fain to quit all hopes of winning it So they passed on to Picquigny where again they found the Town Bridge and Castle so surely fortfied that it was next to impossible to force them King Philip had taken such Care to secure all the Passages with design by keeping the King of England as it were locked up between two Rivers either so to famish him or to give him Battle at his great Disadvantage So that when the two Marshals had thus made Tryal all along by the River and found no likelyhood of getting over they return'd to King Edward their Master shewing him their ill Success and how every where the Enemy had prevented them That same Night the French King came to Amiens with more than an Hundred Thousand Men to be nearer the English whose Motions now he resolved to observe more narrowly Amiens is the Chief City of Picardy lying upon the Somme and distant about 10 Leagues from Abbeville but little more than six from Airaynes where now the King of England lay He for his part knowing the King of France so near him behind and the River before him which he could not pass remain'd very thoughtfull most part of that Night but resolved now to seek a Passage himself with all his Forces So the next Morning having heard Mass before Sun-rise he presently after began to decamp from about Airaynes his two Marshals scouring along before him As thus he rode thrô the Country of Vimeux toward Abbeville a good and large City of Ponthieu upon the Somme he found in his way a pretty considerable Town called Fountaines les Secques whither many of the Country People were fled with their Goods in hopes of that little Defence that was there But these hopes proved pernicious for the Town was presently taken and spoil'd and the Inhabitants put to the Sword. King Edward continued his March to Oysemont which he also took and lodged there for that Night in a great Hospital near the Town The mean time King Philip had left Amiens and as in pursuit of the English came about Noon to Airaynes from whence King Edward was gone that Morning Here he found great store of Provision left there by the English upon their hasty departure as meat ready spitted Bread and Pasties in the Ovens Tunns and Casks full of Wine and Tables ready spread All these things as they were then Arguments to Philip that Edward fled so have they been to several especially to the French Historians of the same But whoever impartially considers the Policy and Courage of King Edward and that he not only now had the leisure to take Towns in his Flight but also both before and after shew'd his firm Resolution to abide his Enemies and that Tables are not usually spread so early in the Morning as when he left that Place will easily imagine that all these things were purposely and designedly left there by that Prince to nourish security in his Adversaries as We shall find it did to their Destruction XIII However there King Philip was obliged to stay that Night for the Reer of his Army and some of his Lords which were not yet come up King Edward the mean while being at Oysemont had sent out his Marshals who overran the Country even to the Gates of Abbeville and as far as St. Valery where they had a brisk Skirmish at the Gates Upon their return at Night King Edward held a Council of War wherein 't was agreed to call certain of the French Prisoners before them which being done the King himself in a very Affable and Courteous Manner demanded if there was any Man among them that knew of any Passage beneath Abbeville whereby he and his Men might get over the Somme And he added that if any one could rightly and truly inform him as to this point he would grant him his Liberty and twenty other Frenchmen for his sake Now there was among the Prisoners there present a young lusty Yeoman called Gobin y Gaguin Du Chesne c. Agace who boldly stepping forth before the King said Sir I promise You on peril of my Neck to guide You to such a Ford where Your Majesty and all your Men shall pass the Somme without Danger There are certain places at this Passage so broad that 12 Men may go over in Front with ease and hardly knee-deep in the Water for thô at the return of the Floud the River swells so intolerably that the biggest Ships may ride there yet during the Ebbe which happens twice in 12 Hours the Water is so low that either Horse or Foot may pass over with security enough And the bottom of this Passage is so hard and firm with Chalk White-stones and Pebbles whence it is called Blanchetteaque or White-Water that all your Carriages also may go safely over And if it please Your Majesty to set forward very early We may be there by Sun-rise for it is but about 4 Leagues of The King said if this proved true he would set Gobin and all his Company at Liberty and give him over and above an Hundred Nobles for his Pains And thereupon having committed the Fellow to the Marshals Custody he sent Command thrô the Host that every Man should be ready to March at the sound of the Trumpet About two days before z Frois c. 127 King Philip who understood the Country well and doubtted that some one or other either for hope or fear would inform King Edward of that Passage for the more Security ordered Sr. Gondemar du Fay a valiant Baron of Normandy to go from Amiens on the other side the Somme and defend Blanchetteaque with a 1000 Men of Arms and 6000 Foot together with the Genouese Crossbows so this Lord went on by St. Requier in Ponthieu from whence he passed to Crotoy to be there ready at hand and he had such Help from Arras Montrevil Abbeville and St. Requier that he now compleated a Gaguin p. 141. Frois Mezerar p. 26. Martin p. 118 c. 12000 Men. But King Edward after he had heard of this Place by the Prisoner took but little Rest that Night For at Midnight he arose commanded the Trumpets to be sounded and all things to be ready for a March. About Break of day he left Oysemont and rode after the Guidance of Gobin Agace so that by Sun-rise they came to
of Archimbald Douglas who fell in the Battle of Halliden Earl of Douglas and committed to his Charge the Leading of one Brigade III. The first e Holinshead Scotl. p. 240. c. â—t ante Fortress they came to near the Borders was Lidel round which they lay encamped for three Days but on the Fourth after a Vigorous Attack carried it by fine force where they put most of those they found to the Sword But the Captain Sr. Walter Selby before he would deliver his Sword compounded with a Scotch Knight to have his Life and the Lives of his Children saved which was thereupon assured him But when King f Stow p. 243. Holinshead ibid. c. David heard of the Captains being taken he gave order that his Head should be cut off Then the Scotch Knight who had taken him began to intreat in his behalf at least that he might be admitted into the Kings Presence this with much adoe being granted the English Knight upon his knees requested that his Life might be saved for a Ransom But notwithstanding he was again adjudged to die Nor only so but the Cruel Prince commanded two of his Children to be strangled in sight of their Father and having thereby afflicted his Mind almost to Madness with rage and grief he presently caused his Head to be stricken off not allowing him so much time as to make a Confession thô like a good Christian he instantly desired that Ghostly comfort Surely that hatred is Diabolical and Implacable nor only unworthy of a Christian but even exceeding the Barbarity of Infidels which extends beyond this Life and endeavours not only to destroy the Body but also to plunge the Soul into Eternal Ruine After this Merciless Execution the Scotch Army marched to Lenercost where they spoil'd the Abbey of all its Ornaments and whatever was valuable therein and so passing the River Irthing they went by Naworth Castle and leaving Cumberland enter'd on the other side the Picts-Wall into Northumberland wasting all along with fire and sword till they came to the Priory of Hexham which was also pillaged and sacked but the Town was saved from fire by the Kings Command for he was advised to spare four Towns from fire in his Passage to York whither he thought to go without Resistance namely this of Hexham Cerbridge Durham and Darlington to the end they might serve him as so many storehouses to lay in what quantities of Victuals and Provender he should find about in the Country therewith to sustain his Army upon Necessity if he should either stay long in England or be reduced to any extremity At Hexham he lay three Days and thence Marched to Ebchester beyond the River Derwen being one of the first Towns on that side within the Bishoprick of Durham As thus he marched wasting and spoiling the Country on every side toward the City of Durham he destroyed many of the Farms belonging to the Abbey of that City and had utterly ruin'd them all had g Knighten p. 2590. n. 40. Stow p. 243. not some of the Monks who were taken thereabouts and were kept as Prisoners to be Ransomed made an agreement for themselves and the rest of their Fraternity to pay the next Day ready down a 1000 pounds Sterling on Condition they would forbear spoiling the Residue of their Mannors or their Tenents But of all others they h Knighton ibid. n. 10. took one penny for every Head and one penny for every Foot which being done they were left free but otherwise put to the sword And thus they intended to do to every Soul they should meet with even to the River Trent but that they found a stop long before At last King David came and encamped by the Wood of Beare-Park within three Leagues of Durham not far from Nevils-Cross He took up his Lodgings in the Mannor there and daily sent forth strong Detachments to fetch in Booty and to burn and destroy Houses and Villages The Spoil Desolation and Slaughter which Rapine Fire and Sword spread along before the Enemy was both Barbarous and terrible for they spared neither Young nor Old neither Church Chappel nor Monastery but in their blind fury made one General Heap of both Sacred and Profane Not so much as the Goods and Lands belonging to the Patrimony of St. Cuthbert were exempted from Rapine and Plunder as the Scotch Writers themselves confess thô not only the Monks of the Abbey dedicated to that Saint had compounded for their exemption but also as Hector says King David was strictly admonished in a Dream by no means to presume to touch any thing belonging unto his Church IV. Now the Noble Queen of England Philippa being at that time in the North-parts about York when she heard of the first Motions of the Scots was not forgetfull of the King her Husbands Honour and of the Good of his Kingdom But putting on a Spirit worthy of Her that was Confort to King Edward and Mother to the Black-Prince sent out her Summons to all the Lords and Prelates of those Parts and others left by the King for the Defence of the Borders to repair with all speed unto her The Summons were sent forth in the Name of the King of England by the Queen and the Archbishop of York and soon after there came the Lords and Captains of England with their Retinues to York to the Queen where she made her General Musters Then the Queen and the Archbishop sent away an Herald at Arms to King David requiring him to desist from further invading the Country and to return into Scotland till some Reasonable Order for a final Peace might be agreed betwixt him and the King his Master Otherwise he should be sure to have Battle to the Uttermost within three Days after i Hector Beeth l. 15. fol. 324. But that if he refused all terms of Agreement he should remember that there was in Heaven a Just God of Power sufficient to Revenge the Injuries done unto England and especially to his Servants the Priests and other Holy Persons whom he had slain with the Sword neither sparing Church nor Church-Lands nor weak Women nor Innocent Children But all this signified little or nothing to that Prince who was not only stirr'd up by his Youth and an Emulation of his Fathers Glory but also provoked to Revenge as well by the former dealings of his English Enemies as by the manifold Benefits received of his Friend of France Wherefore he sends back a Mortal Defiance and the next Day set his Men in Order to receive their Enemies if they should come forward The first Battalia he committed to the Care of the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland as being Eldest Son of King Davids Eldest Sister Margaret Bruce with whom was the Lord Patrick Dumbar Earl of March The Second was commanded by John Randulph Earl of Murray and William Earl of Douglas And the Third he Lead himself having with him the French Auxiliaries
And immediately the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland joyn'd furiously with the English Van the other two Battails disposing themselves the same way This fight was well maintain'd and with much Bravery on both Sides And the English Archers and the Crossbows of Genoua brought up the first Course of this Martial Banquet but the English had much the better share for their Shot endured longer and did more Execution But Prince Robert resolving not to stand aloof at such Disadvantage pressed hard forward to come to handy Strokes so that the Archers were obliged to yield him Way as their manner was in Extremity by opening to the Right and Left Thô even at that instant they gall'd him on each Flank However now he joyn'd with the Lord Percy 's Battail and maintain'd the Fight with much Courage and Honour the Scots manfully laying about them with sharp and heavy Axes with which they gave mighty Strokes cleaving Helmets and Shields so that for a while the English were very hard put to it Which when King Bailiol saw as one that consider'd no such Danger being in other places the chief Power of the Scots lay here and not doubting but if the English were rendred absolute at the beginning so good an Omen would add Courage to them and Terrour to the Enemy he resolved presently to fall on here and accordingly comes up with 4000 Horse on a good round Trot in very dreadfull Order This new and unforeseen Enemy so amazed the Hearts of that Battalia of Scots who already had found themselves well enough match'd that all their Martial Ardour began to languish immediately and the English were exceedingly exalted in their Courages Which when Prince Robert and the Earl of March perceived and that already their Men began to give back in some Disorder hoping to bring them off by an early Care and so to prevent that Loss which else they saw inevitable they gave Order to Retreat and drew off not only pretty well but considering the Circumstances wisely Nor let any Man here reckon me Partial as if because our Present Soveraign King James the Second is derived from the Loyns of that Lord Robert Stuart I should appear diligent in putting a fair Gloss upon this his Flight which some Authors have condemned and for which King David afterwards for a while disinherited and excluded him in his Passion from the Right of Succession For I appeal to all that have duely consider'd the History of Robert Stuart as well before as after this Day not only in these Papers which yet are sincere but in any either Scotch or other Writer whether he was not generally reputed for a Person both of good Conduct and Courage unquestionable Insomuch that during King Davids Absence in France he had in a manner freed all Scotland from the English Yoke and when in time he came by Right of Succession to wear that Crown himself he certainly maintained his Honour and his Kingdom not only against King Edward himself but even to the very end of his Life But to return whatever King David whose Heat and Rashness could not let him see so clearly thought of this Matter either then or afterwards either his Military Skill or at least the Genius whose Care it was to preserve the Founder of the Illustrious Family of the Stuarts perswaded him to this timely Retreat Which Example had King David with the rest of his Army follow'd either their Loss had been nothing at all or very inconsiderable The English being not able to compell them to any thing against their Minds much less to pursue them too close without breaking their Order and perhaps exposing themselves to some notable Disadvantage VIII However King David disdained to follow those whom now he look'd on if not as Cowards yet as Traytors and Desertors For he was jealous that his Nephew Robert retreated thus with design to leave him expos'd to be cut off that so the Crown might fall to Him. Wherefore now he fought with the more Resolution being fully determin'd either to repair this Fault or not to survive it But at that instant his Adversary King Bailiol having clear'd his hands of the Van of the Enemy whom he thought not fit as yet to pursue comes in with his fresh Troops and falls upon King Davids Battail in the Flank the English Van pressing hard upon him in the Front which together with the late Disaster so discouraged the Scots that they were no longer able to endure unshaken but began by degrees to give back At what time the y Knighton p. 2590. n. 30 40. Monks of Durham being in the Steeple of their Church and upon the Leads and Battlements beholding the Scots upon the point of Loosing all and some actually flying and fled lifted up their Voices altogether and fill'd the Air with the Noise thereof crying aloud and praising God and singing for Joy even with weeping Tears Te Deum laudamus Which Voice the English hearing as if it had been just at their backs took thence a more confident Faith in God and resisted the Enemy more vigorously and trod them down more valiantly For whatever some say affirming that Durham was now destroy'd also it is certain that as we said before the Monks of that City had compounded with the Scots for themselves their Mannors and Tenants thereabouts on Consideration of a 1000 l. Sterling to be by them paid the next Day without any further Delay Which yet being deliver'd by this Victory they did not pay And it was King Davids Design to leave these Parts in pretty good Case till his Return for he z Knighton ib. thought to visit the Monastery of Beverly and other Religious Places in Yorkshire that abounded with Riches and even to attempt the City of York it self For he imagin'd there would be none able to resist him but that all the Strength of England was now before Calais When therefore King Davids Battail also was broken and the Scots began to fly the English fell more furiously on those that still kept the Field resolving not to hazard so glorious a Victory by an inconsiderate and rash Pursuit Wherefore many Scots were gather'd up by Prince Robert and Earl Patrick who hover'd a far off in so considerable a Body that the English durst not too freely follow the Chace especially the Victory not being yet clearly their own And yet neither could they by any means prevail with their Men to make another Attempt against the Enemy because their Friends came flying that way continually and so added to their former Discouragements As for King David he failed nothing either in the Duty of a Good Captain or of a Valiant Souldier but more than once rallied his disorder'd Men and encouraged them both by his Words and his Example So that those who were most near unto him were even asham'd to forsake so Valiant a Prince and therefore long they held together close in a Ring like a Tower of Steel
together with an handsome Gratuity and a promise of much more upon his Return to him unto Reims with an Answer When this Indigent fellow had received the Letter he revolved many things in his mind considering of what consequence such a Matter might prove at last and he said to himself Well! Colinet thou may'st be poor but thou shalt never be a Traytor Wherefore now contrary to his Oath and Promise to Gawin but agreeable to the Duty he ow'd to his King and Country he took his way toward Paris and presented the Letter to the French King in which was set down the whole Manner Tune and Means how and when the City of Laon should be betray'd When the King understood the whole Series of this Black-Treason he instructed Colin how to behave himself in returning with an Answer and to fit his return according to the time as if he had been at Calais with the King of England and so at a convenient day to go to Reims according to Gawin's appointment During which Interval King Philip wrote secretly to the Provost of Reims that as soon as Colin Tomelin was come to Dr. Gawin with his Answer the said Gawin should be attached and had unto Prison all which was accordingly executed When Process was made against him forasmuch as he was in Holy Orders the Provost of Reims sent him to the City of Laon where he was put in the Bishops Prison But when the Commons of Laon heard how there was a Man Prisoner there who would have betrayed their City they rose in great uproar and would have broken up the Prison with intent to tear him in pieces But the Bishop who is an Earl and one of the Twelve Peers of France and of the Supream Judges so pacified them by his Officers that for that time they went back again to their several Houses The next day to quiet the People he was brought forth to his Judgement and there because he was a Clergyman only condemned to perpetual Prison But for his greater Infamy and shame he was further Order'd to be set up on high in a Tumbrel or Dung-Cart bare-headed to be seen of all Men and so with vile Instruments of wretched Musick as Bagpipes and the like to be carried thrô the High-street of the City unto the Bishops Prison aforesaid there to remain close Prisoner during his Life But he was not carried far in this Manner when the Common people fell upon him with great moutings pelting him with dirt and stones so rudely that before he had finished half his Progress he was stoned to Death after which his Body was buried in a filthy Moor hard by the City With him also his Only Son being in some measure guilty of his Fathers crime was condemned to perpetual Imprisonment But being excused the shamefull Riding was not expos'd so to the Fury of the Rabble wherefore he had his Life but lost his Liberty for ever Shortly afterward b Faban p. 275. there was also executed at Paris a Burgess of the said City who as was laid to his charge had undertaken to betray that great Metropolis of the Kingdom to King Edward For which Fact he was first dismembred of his Legs and Arms and afterwards hanged up by the Neck on the great Gallows of Paris called Monfaucon But in relation to these two supposed Treasons for my part I cannot see how onely one or two Persons can be supposed capable of Betraying such Considerable Places as Laon and Paris near which the King of England had no Garrisons and as for Himself he was then too far off being at Calais Nor could he be able with all his Forces to take and hold Possession of two such Cities especially of Paris even thô he had left the Siege of Calais Wherefore I rather think the whole Matter amounted to no more than this that some certain Persons who either shew'd small satisfaction in King Philips Government or were less carefull of their Carriage and Speech in such a Juncture or lay obnoxious to the Malice or Spight of any prosligate Wretches wanted not Evidences to swear home against them and lay Matters to their Charge which thô never so improbable were then accounted no less than Treason by a Prince so mortally jealous as King Philip was VIII Now the French King having found all his peacefull Overtures with the Flemings ineffectual especially now that they had proceeded so far as to quarrel with their young Lord the Earl of Flanders for the Sake of King Edward his Adversary as well to revenge his own and the Earls injuries as hoping by some notable Success against them to enduce them to some Reasonable Terms resolves c Serâ—es p. 12. in Phil. Val. is Speed p. 580. Fâ—x p. 506. c. to send his Son John Duke of Normandy with a Considerable Army against them But Duke John it seems was born under no better Stars than his Father for having besieged Cassel a Town between St. Omers and Ipres he was at last in a Sally set upon couragiously by the Flemings being joyned with a good Body of English from Calais and compelled to raise his Siege without Honour but not without considerable Loss For the Conflict enduring from Morning till high Noon the French were utterly vanquished and enforced to break up having left behind them many Hundreds of their Men as well slain as Prisoners whereas on the other Side rather by a Miraculous Protection of Heaven than any Chance of War not one is reported to have been grievously wounded among the Flemings and their English Auxiliaries To this Town above all the Towns of Flanders King Philip ow'd an ill-will because d Fabian p. 264. Jacob Meyer Ann. Flandr l. 12. p. 153. in the beginning of his Reign when he laid siege unto them in Person the Inhabitants had in derision of Him and his Title caused a Red Cock to be painted on a White Cloth under which in great Letters they wrote this following Rhyme and hung iâ— over the Walls Quand ce Coq icy chantera Le Roy Trouvé ca entrera Which signifies When this Cock shall crow clear The Found King shall enter here At which Lines the French King was horribly vexed especially because they Nick-named him the Found King as if having no manner of Title the Frenchmen had as it were upon diligent search found him out to hold Pretensions against King Edward After this Repulse at Cassel Duke John collecting his shatter'd Forces made yet another Attempt upon Lilers a Town of Flanders by the River Navez between Arien and Bethune But here also he received another Repulse so as he could hardly come off with the rest of his Troops to his Father who stormed and fretted exceedingly at these fresh Disgraces IX All this while was the Siege of Calais carried on with great Application but the Defendants held out with equal Obstinacy For thô King Edward's chief trust was to reduce them by Famine yet
Moneys Goods and Houses and he said He would share in the Fortunes of his two Cousins and the same did his Brother Peter to whom two others presently joyn'd themselves with great Alacrity and so the whole Number of Six was compleat When therefore these Worthy Burgesses had put themselves in that suppliant Condition which King Edward had Commanded bare-headed and bare-legg'd in their Shirts and Halters about their Necks they offer'd themselves unto the Captain who went along with them to the Gate where the whole Town took their last leave of them with great Lamentation The Gate being opened the Captain went forth with these Six Burgesses and being between the Gate and the Barriers spake to Sr. Walter Manny saying Sir I John de Vienna as Captain of Calais deliver here unto You by Consent of all the Inhabitants of the Town these Six Burgesses and I swear unto You faithfully that they are and were this day the most Honourable and Wealthy Burgesses of all the Town of Calais Wherefore most Generous Sir I desire You to Intercede with the King to have Mercy on them that they may not be put to Death Sir reply'd the Lord Manny what the King will do I cannot tell but I shall do for them to the best of my Power Then the Barriers being open'd the Six Burgesses went with the Lord Manny toward the King and the Captain as Froisard says return'd back again into the Town But here I must crave leave to differ a little from that great Historian for I cannot see why the Captain should go back again into the City now that he had sent away by these Burgesses both the Keys of the Town and Castle to the King of England Nor what greater security he could have than the Kings Word to which We see he trusted the Lives of those Six Men. I shall therefore in this point choose to sollow another Author of unquestionable Credit who was then present with King Edward at the Siege and says x Sr Tho. de la Mâ—re apud Stow p. 244. that the Captain also came out of the Town together with these miserable Worthies y Par. din ibid. p. 335. riding on a little old Nag for he was lame having received a Wound in the Thigh from the Lord Thomas Holland upon a Sally as We shew'd before The Captain therefore having presented the Six Burgesses up unto the Kings Will He then offer'd him a Warlike Sword as unto the Chiefest Prince of Arms among all Christian Kings and as unto One that had taken that Fortress from the Mightiest King in Christendom by Noble Chivalry Then he deliver'd unto him the Keys of the Town and Castle as being now solely at his Dispose and lastly requesting Pity and Pardon for himself and the rest of the Souldiers and Inhabitants of Calais he deliver'd unto him the Sword of Peace wherewith he should Administer Right Judgement Pardon and forbear the Humble and Lowly and Punish the Obstinate and Proud-hearted The King having received these things turned himself then to the Six Burgesses who had been kneeling all the while and now held up their hands and said O most Gracious Prince behold here Six Poor Wretches who were lately considerable Merchants and the most Substantial Citizens of Calais and now together with the Keys both of Town and Castle do all entirely submit our Bodies to Your Will and Pleasure thereby to save the Lives of the rest of the People of Calais who poor Souls have already suffer'd incredible Miseries Only We beseech Your Royal Majesty of your great Clemency to have Compassion upon Us. At this Ruefull Spectacle all the Lords Earls and Barons of England then present wept for Pity Only the King look'd furiously upon them with Eyes flaming for Anger and Resentment as He that was irreconcileably incensed against the Calisians because of the great Damages and Displeasures they had frequently done to him and his People on the Sea before and also for their extream Obstinacy in holding out now thus long against him Wherefore he Commanded that their Heads should be stricken off immediately Then all the Lords and the Young Prince of Wales began to Intercede with the King for Mercy but he would hearken to no Man as to that Point However Sr. Waiter Manny being mindfull of his Promise to the Captain kneeled down before him now and said Ah! Gracious Prince for Gods sake refrain your Anger and consider with Your Self more calmly You have hitherto kept the Name of Sovereign and untainted Honour and Generosity do not therefore I beseech You my Lord commit any thing now that may blemish Your Renown or give cause to Your Enemies to speak dishonourably of Your Person For every Man will say it is great Cruelty to put to Death such Honest Men who of their own accord put themselves thus into Your Power by a Voluntary Resignation of their Lives to preserve the Rest of their Company These Words grated upon the Kings Ears but as yet He was inexorable and as if not venturing to hear any more for fear of being perswaded wrung himself away from the Lord Manny and called aloud for the Executioner saying the Men of Calais have been occasion of the Death of many of my Good Subjects wherefore now these Fellows shall die also thô too small a Sacrifice to the Ghosts of so many At this all the Lords held their Peace and the Prince himself durst not speak any further But then the Queen z Freis ibid. Dâ— Cheâ—ne Mezeray c. her self who sat ruefully looking on all this while could hold no longer but rose hastily from her Seat thô she was very big with Child and kneeled down before the King and with many Tears flowing from her Fair Eyes said unto him Oh! my Gracious Lord and Husband since I have passed the Sea in great Danger to visit You I have not yet made any Request unto You But now I humbly and heartily require You in Honour of the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for the Love of Me that You would be Mercifull to these Poor Men. The King look'd relentingly upon her and raising her from the ground said Ah! Madam I would You had been some where else at this time For You have so tenderly conjur'd me by the Honour I ought to bear to my Redeemer and by the Love I must always have for You that I am not able to deny Your Request Wherefore now Lady I resign them to Your Hands to do with them as You shall think best Then the Queen caused them to be brought into a private Apartment in her Tent where the Halters were taken from their Necks and they were handsomely clad in New Cloaths Which being done the Queen order'd them their Dinner and six Nobles a piece and so caused them to be safely convey'd to the Castle of Guisnes and wholly set at Liberty XX. Thus was the a Freis c. 147. strong City of Calais yielded
Rumour that there were many Poisoners and especially the Jews who infected the Waters and Fountains From whence the foresaid Pestilence began Wherefore in many Places Thousands of Jews and some Christians also thô innocent and blameless were burnt slain and cruelly handled Whereas indeed it was the Hand of God which wrought all this for the sins of the World. To resist which unreasonable Fury of the Christians against the Jews Pope Clement twice wrote his Encyclical Letters to all Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of the Church to stop this Fury of the People But all his Endeavours could not prevent the unjust Prosecution of this miserable Nation For every where except in the Province of Venaissin and about Avignon the Jews were sought out on all hands to be put to Death for Poisoners And particularly this Year in Germany where the Plague then reigned this false Rumour made them so odious that as r Rebder fius in Annal. Rebdorf witnesses 12000 of them were put to Death in the City of Mentz And ſ Alb. Argent in Chron. Albert of Strasburgh writes that from this rage of the People against them they were reduced to such Despair and Madness that locking themselves up they consumed themselves and all that they had with Fire But in England early this Year the Plague began to abate and about the end of August was wholly extinct at London and in most other Parts of the Land and immediately a more pleasant Face of things began to smile and cheer up the late dejected Minds of the People And thus we shall end this Tragical Chapter CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward founds the Chappel of St. GEORGE in Windsor Castle with the Copy of his Letters Patents for that purpose II. The Pope furthers the Matter by two Bulls III. The Kings Progress in the Building Enlarging and Beautifying the Castle of WINDSOR IV. The Institution of the most Noble Order of the GARTER attended with Divine Service Royal Feastings and Solemn Justs and Tourneaments V. Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester and Darby made also Earl of Lincoln and sent into Gascogne VI. The Lord Thomas Dagworth stain in Bretagne VII Earl Henry's Exploits in Gascogne He reduces the French to Terms VIII A famous Combat between Thirty English and Thirty French-Bretons IX Of Certain who arrived to great Wealth and Splendour by the Wars X. Of Sr. Thomas Rokeby Deputy-Lieutenant of Ireland and of Sr. Robert Savage and his Son Henry who lived in Ulster XI A Grant of the Black-Prince to the Lord Henry Eam of Flanders confirmed at this time by the King. I. NOW this being the Year that King Edward the Third founded and established in his Royal Castle of Windsor the Ever-Noble and Honourable Order of the Knights of the Garter of which we spake more fully in the 18 Year of his Reign it will not be amiss to resume so much of that Matter in this Place as we left unremembred in that And first for the Dignity and Worth of the Subject we shall present the Curious Reader with the Copy of his a Pat. an 22. Ed. 3. par 2. m. 6. extant apud Ashmole de Ordine Garterii in Appendice N. 1. Letters Patents for Founding of St. George's Chappel in Windsor-Castle faithfully translated from the Original Latine which we shall find to bear Date the sixth of August in the Year foregoing before the Plague began in London EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to All who shall see these Present Letters Greeting It becomes the Majesty of a King to delight always in Acts of Piety that when he shall stand before the Tribunal of the Most-High-King with whom there is no acceptance of Persons but every One shall receive according to what he hath done in the Body whether it be good or whether it be Evil he may be able to stand among the Good on the Right Hand and not be condemned with the Reprobates as a slothfull and unprofitable servant We truly with grief of Heart carefully remembring the various Labours of our Life and our own small deserts as also rightly considering the Divine Favours shewed unto us and the Graces and Honours wherewith above others the Most High hath prevented us do greatly repent of those goods which being granted us by God we have above measure so often vainly expended And there remains nothing else for us to do but only that unto Christ and his Mother the Glorious Virgin who hath never failed to defend us but has hitherto by her blessed Prayers protected us when we were set in many Dangers we wholly convert our mind and give unto him thanks for his Favours and ask pardon for our Offences And because it is a good way of Merchandise whereby with an happy bartering transitory things are exchanged for Eternal We have caused a certain Chappel of convenient Beauty for eight Secular Canons scituate within our Castle of Windsor wherein we were washed with the Water of Holy Baptism magnificently begun to the Honour of St. Edward the Confessor by our Progenitors to which Canons for their sustentation they allowed a certain Sum of Money at their pleasure and gave it them for Alms out of their Exchequer to be finished at our Royal Charge to the Honour of God Almighty and of his Mother the Glorious Virgin Mary and of the Saints George the Martyr and Edward the Confessor And earnestly desiring and effectually endeavouring that the said Canons being there to serve the Lord may be augmented as well with an encrease of Revenues as in the number of other Canons Ministers and Servants and that in the said Chappel the Glory of the Divine Name may be exalted with greater Worship unto the foresaid Eight Canons we think fit to superadd One Custos presiding over them and fifteen other Canons more and twenty four Poor Knights impotent of themselves or inclining to Poverty to be perpetually maintain'd of the goods of the said Chappel and other Ministers of the said Chappel perpetually serving Christ under the Command of the said Custos or Warden and there Cause to be received as well the Canons and Knights as other Ministers of the said Chappel as is premised And this We firmly decree inviolably ordain and by our Royal Authority as much as in us lies establish for ever Willing that the said Canons and Ministers perform Divine Offices for us and our Progenitors and Successors in part of Satisfaction for those things whereof in the last judgement we are to give an Account they being to celebrate for ever according to the form of our Ordination thence more fully to be made Unto whom the Rights of Patronage and the Advousons of the Churches of b b Vulgò Rasbury Wyrardesbury in the Dioecese of Lincoln Southtanton of Exon and Vttoxater of Coventry and Lichfield which we have lately purchased for that Cause for Us and our Heirs We have given and granted
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
they found no Enemy to oppose them and first let us speak of the Prince of Wales and of his Actions in this Expedition EDWARD the Black-Prince n Frois c. 155. being thus happily arrived in Gascogne as we shew'd before declared o Holinsh p. 951. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 230. to the Chief Captains and Lords of the Country the Reasons of his coming thither and fell immediately to advise with them how to proceed for the best Advantage in his Affairs After which having well refreshed his Souldiers and sufficiently augmented his small Forces on the * Lit. Dom. D. Fifth of October being a Monday he marched out of Bourdeaux in this Order In the Vanguard was the Earl of Warwick his Constable the Lord Reginald Cobham his Marshal the Lord Roger Clifford Son in Law to the Earl of Warwick the young Lord John Beauchamp of Somersetshire the Lord Richard Stafford Brother to the Earl of Stafford and Sr. John Wingfield an intimate Friend of his of the Lord Cobhams Retinue and seven stout Barons of Gascogne with 3000 Armed Men In the Main-Battail marched the Valiant Young Prince himself being now in the 25th Year of his Age with a double Ensign with him were the Earl of Oxford the Lord Bartholomew Burghersh or Burwash whose Father was then newly dead the Lord John Lisle the Lord John Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Roger de la Warre the Lord Maurice Berkley the Lord John Bourchier the Lord John Rose the Elder of Bourdeaux the Lord John Greilly Captal de la Buche the Lord of Chaumont and the Lord of Monferrand the Four latter being of Gascogne and in this Battail were 7000 Men of Arms. The Reer which contained 4000 Men of Arms was led by the Earls of Suffolk and Salisbury with whom was the Lord of Nemours who conducted the Carriages The whole Army consisted of better than 60000 Men one with another and being furnished with such a General and such Valiant and Expert Leaders might well be counted very formidable Wherefore the Earl of Armagnac who was Lieutenant to the French King in Languedoc Gaston Phoebus Earl of Foix James of Bourbon who was Lord of Ponthieu and Constable of France and the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France thô they had among them far p Frois c. 155. Mezeray p. 42. greater Numbers than the Prince and were more Powerfull in the Field if their Courage would have permitted a Tryal durst not either for Fear or as Mezeray softens it for jealousie of one another so much as once offer to stop his Victorious Progress Wherefore in little more than two Months time the Prince overran all the Country at his pleasure as far as Beziers and Narbonne burning the very suburbs of Narbonne or rather as will appear by and by the city it self and taking and destroying very many strong Towns and Castles all which are particularly and truly enumerated by Sr. Thomas de la More thô the Names of the Places are there most corruptly written for which reason as well as for the dryness and prolixity thereof we forbear to add the particulars here In this q Stow p. 255 c. Expedition on occasion of a Fire that happen'd one Night in a Town where he lodged he took a Resolution which he kept while he lived never to lie a Night in any Town in an Enemies Country in time of War. Being come to the strong City of Carcassone the Citizens offer'd him 25000 souses of Gold on Condition he would spare their Town from Fire but the Prince answer'd That he came not thither for Gold but to take Cities and Towns with their Inhabitants to succour and cherish his Friends and to offend his Enemies In this Expedition at several times the Prince Knighted all these Gentlemen Jenkin Barefort Giles Stratton Rowland Davis Ralph Basset the Sons of the Lord of Albret Theodorick Dale Porter of the Prince's Chamber and many others In lieu of all whom he lost only one but him a most Valiant and Noble Knight of the Order of the Garter named the Lord John Lisle who on the r Ashmole's Garter p. 673. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 739. 14 of October received a Mortal wound with a stone from a Wall of which he died the next day to the infinite regret of the Prince and all who knew his Worth and Gallantry leaving behind him his Son and Heir Robert then 22 Years of Age. IV. But because a more particular account of this Expedition cannot better be expected than from the Mouthes of those who were actually concern'd therein besides the former Reference to Sr. Thomas de la More I shall take leave to subjoyn the Words of Sr. John Wingfield a Valiant Knight whose ſ Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 952. ex Rob. Avesbury c. Ashmole p. 672. two Letters on this subject are most Worthy to be inserted that thereby the Reader may as by a Touchstone try the Truth of Authors who write of the same Matter A Copy of Sr. JOHN WINGFIELD's Letter to a certain Noble Lord then in England My Lord as touching News in these parts may it please you to understand that all the Earls Barons Bannerets Knights and Esquires were in Health at the writing hereof and my Lord the Prince hath not lost either Knight or Esquire in this Expedition except the Lord John Lisle who was slain after a strange manner with a Quarrel the third day after we were entred into our Enemies Country He died the 15 of October And please you to understand that my Lord hath rode thrô the Country of Armagnac and hath taken many enclosed Towns and burnt and destroy'd them except such as He fortified for himself After this He marched into the Vicountie of Rovergue where He took a good Town called Plaisance the Chief Place in that Country which He burnt and destroy'd with the Country round about the same This done He went into the Country of Estarrac wherein He took many Towns and wasted and ravaged all the Country Then He entred the County of Cominges and took many Towns there which He caused to be destroy'd and burnt together with all the Country round about He also took the Town of St. Bertrand the Chief in that Country being as large in compass as the City of Norwich in England After that He entred the County of t t L'Isle en Dodon Lille and took the greater part of the closed Towns therein causing several of them to be burnt and destroy'd as he passed Then going into the Lordship of Tholouse We passed the River of Garonne and another a League above Tholouse which is very great For our Enemies had burnt all the Bridges as well on the one side of Tholouse as the other except those within Tholonse for the River runneth thrô the Town And within this Town at the same time were the Constable of France the Marshal Clermont and the Earl of
on the Vambrace of his Sword Arm that the Lord Thomas his Weapon not being chained fell out of his Hand to the ground Whereupon he alighted suddainly from his Horse at the place where his Sword lay but as he stooped to take it up the French Esquire pricked at him from his horse with his Rapier and thrust him thrô both the Thighs in which he was not armed so that he fell down not being able to help himself Then John alighting first seised the Englishman's Sword which lay still on the ground and therewith came to him demanding whether he would yield or no Sr. Thomas said Who are you that I may know whether 't is fit to yield and what is your Name Sir said he I am called John de Helenes and am an Esquire of Picardy but who are you Truly replied the Knight my Name is Thomas and I am Lord of Barkley a fair Castle on the River of Severn in Gloucestershire upon the Marches of Wales Well Sir said the Esquire then you shall be my Prisoner and I shall take care to heal you of your Hurts and bring you to my House in safeguard I am content said the Knight for you have won me by the Law of Arms and so he sware to be his Prisoner Rescue or no Rescue Then the Esquire drew forth his Sword out of the Knights Thighs and the Wounds being open he carefully wrapped and bound them up and set him on his Horse again and so brought him fair and softly to Chastelleraut about four Leagues farther where he tarried above a Fortnight for his sake till the Cure was pretty forward And then he hired him a Litter and so brought him at his ease to his own House in Picardy Here he tarried more than a Year till he was perfectly whole and upon his Departure he engaged to pay for his Ransom six thousand Nobles for the payment of which Summ r Ex Aâ—tographo apud Castrum de Berkley vid. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 358. Henry Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Frank van Hall became his Sureties and so this Esquire was made a Knight by the Profit he had of the Lord Berkley Surely the Rencounters of Love and War as Froisard observes are very variable But especially this Battle of Poictiers was so full of sundry strange and memorable Circumstances that it is as difficult to recite them as no doubt it would be pleasant to read them But we shall pursue the end of the Matter since we cannot attain to many more Particulars at this Distance but what we have already drawn from Writers of that Age and other Good Authorities All this while the Battle endured thô apparently now enclining to the English for notwithstanding all those Great Men fell in Defence of the King their Master as became Valiant Souldiers and Loyal Men yet still the French King had a Knot of gallant Souls about him who disputed the Point so well as if they alone intended to attone for the Baseness of those who by turning their Backs had lost the Day But now the English and Gascogne Lords by their importunate Valour had beat down the Standard-Royal of France and slain the Bearer thereof as we said before and while many of the Enemies discouraged hereat fled away toward Poictiers they push'd on the Victory so home that now they won the last Stake also In the first Breaking of the Press near the King were taken the Lord James of Bourbon Earl of Ponthieu the Lord John of Artois Earl of Ewe and Charles of Artois his Brother Earl of Tancarville these were taken under the Banner of the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter there were taken also the Captain of Poictiers and the Seneschal of St. Omers the Lord of Bodenay the Lord of Ventador the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Mons and the Lord Arnold Cervoles commonly called the Arch-priest most grievously wounded and many other Knights and Esquires At which time a great part of this Battail fled away but were closely pursued by a Party of Gascoigners and English even unto the Gates of Poictiers Here many were slain and beaten down Horse and Man for those who defended the City when they beheld the Enemy so near closed their Gates upon their Friends for fear of being lost themselves Wherefore in the street before the Gate was horrible Murther so that the Frenchmen being now neither able to fly nor to resist Å¿ Frios c. 164. yielded themselves as far as they might discern an English Man whereby several Archers had four five or six Prisoners apiece The Lord of Pons a great Baron of Poictou was there beaten down in the street and slain with many other Lords Knights and Esquires The mean while the Kings Battail was grievously handled and there were taken about the Kings Person the Earl of Rochechoüart the Vicount of Narbon the Lord of Xaintogne the Lord of Montendre the Lord John Santerre who had the repute of one of the best Knights in France but he was so very much hurt that he never had his Health after There fell among the Dead the Lord Guischard D'Angle who was afterwards recover'd and leaving the French Side became a Valiant Servant to King Edward and at the Coronation of his Successor was made Earl of Huntington and in King Edwards Time Knight of the Garter But this Day he fought with singular Valour even to the hazard of his Life by the French Kings side But the Lord Geoffry Charny before he dy'd had an whole Tempest of War thundring upon him till he fell beneath it for all the Force of the English press'd upon him because he bare the Kings Standard-Royal and besides he had in the Field a Banner of his own which was Gules Three Eschutcheons Argent But now the French Kings Battail was quite open'd whereby the Frenchmen were so mingled among their Enemies that sometimes one Gentleman of France had four or five Men upon him at once There the Lord of Pompador was taken Prisoner by the Lord Bartholomew Burwash and the Earl of Dammartin was slain by the Lord Reginald Cobham and among 'um the Valiant Lord Geoffry Charny was there wounded to Death with whom the Standard of France also fell to the ground Then every Man press'd hard to take the King and such as knew him cry'd out Sir yield your self or You are but Dead There was then among the English a Knight of Artois retain'd for Wages in the King of England's service called Sr. Dennis of Morbeque who had served King Edward about five Years because in his Youth he was fain to fly the Realm of France for a Murder that he had committed at St. Omers It happen'd so well for this Man that he was near the King when he was e'n ready to be taken wherefore he stept forth into the Preass and by the strength of his Body and Arms made way up to the French King
Foundation of an Honourable Name which should be venerable to late Posterity XIII And thus did Edward the BLACK-PRINCE now doubly dyed Black by the Terrour of his Arms continue his March without b Frois c. 169. the least Opposition thrô Porctou and Saintogne till he came to Blaye where he passed over the River Garonne and so came in Safety and Honour to his Chief City of Bourdeaux It can hardly be imagin'd with what extravagant Joy and Triumph and Honourable Feastings and splendid Pageants this Victorious Prince was received into that City both by the Clergy and Laity all Sorts of People extolling his Praise and rejoycing in his Presence From hence the c Polyd. Virgil. p. 384. Prince wrote Letters into England to the King his Father giving him a full but modest Account of his Success and promising God willing the next Spring to bring over his Royal Prisoner into England For by that Time he would have his Navy well equipped and furnished with Men of War. King Edward was wonderfully pleased with this extraordinary Success of his Sons but when the News of the Victory was divulged among the People Men were almost beside themselves for Joy the Conduits ran with Wine Bonfires were continually flaming Songs and Musick Plays Feasts and Wakes were in all Places Thus the Vulgar But the King d Vid. Odor Rainalâ—ad hunc an §. 7. Matt. Villant l. 7. c. 21. P. Virgil. l. 19. p. 381. Frois ibid. Himself like a Wise and Religious Prince who knew the Instability of Fortune even before he felt it Himself by the Example of the French Kings so suddain and unexpected Fall not only return'd his own Thanks to God Almighty for so signal a Victory e Matt Villani l. 7. c. 21. but summon'd his Lords together to whom he seriously declared that this Victory was not obtain'd by any Vertue or Power of his Son or Subjects but by the Grace of God alone wherefore he enjoyned them all neither by Feasting nor otherwise to express any loose Joy or Vain-glory. And at the same time he further enjoyned Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury and John Thoresby Archbishop of York that for Eight Days together they should thrô their several Provinces use Publique Processions and Prayers for the Souls of those who fell in the Battle and also return solemn Thanksgivings to God for so signal a Mercy vouchsafed unto the English Nation by which instance of Moderation he gain'd no less Glory to Himself than his Son had done by his Victory XIV Presently after the Battle of Poictiers the Cardinal of Perigort applied himself again to the Victorious Prince in order to settle some kind of Agreement between the Two Realms At first it is said Å¿ Froisae 169. fol. 85â— that the Prince would not vouchsafe to speak with him or so much as to see his Face because of the Chastelain of Emposta and others of his Retinue who were found to stand against him in the Battle of Poictiers For he could not believe as yet but that the Cardinal sent them thither However when the Cardinal saw the Prince's Strangeness and understood the true Cause thereof he made use of the Mediation of the Lord of Chaumont the Lord of Monferrant and the Captal of Busche who were his Cousins protesting unto them in Verbo Sacerdotis that he was not consenting to that Action of his Men. And these Lords spake so much in the Cardinals Behalf and gave the Prince so many Reasons that at last he was content to hear what the Cardinal could say for himself And he having once gain'd that Point excused himself so discreetly that the Prince and his Council had no further Suspicion of him Whereupon he recover'd the Princes good Opinion and redeemed his Men at reasonable Ransoms For the Chastelain himself was set but at a Thousand g Frank 2â— Franks which makes an 100 l. Sterling which Summ he afterward paid From this time the Prince received the Holy Father with so much Sweetness and Humanity that he could not but highly commend him therefore in his Letters to the Pope wherein also he set forth the Princes Moderation which he shew'd toward the King of France Insomuch that his Holiness sent his Letters to the Prince wherein he exhorted him yet farther to shew Clemency to the Conquered and amidst his Triumphant Fortune to accommodate his Mind to Peace and to return Thanks to God Almighty As appears more largely from the Letters themselves the Tenour h Odo Raiâ—al all hanc ann §. 8. 9. ex Tâ—n 4. Epist Secret. p. 2â—1 c. whereof followeth INNOCENT the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to Edward Prince of Wales Eldest Son of our most Dear Son in Christ the Illustrious King of England Greeting and Apostolical Benediction Althô O Son You may as we probably believe after the manner of the World glory in the Felicity of your Successes yet we hold undoubtedly that as one Devout toward God and derived of Parents devout also toward him You do with reverence refer the Glory of your Triumphs and the Honour of your Victories to God your Creator from whom is all Victory and all Triumph We hold that in them you consider the Effusion of human Blood We hold that you regard the Peril of Souls and that therefore you do so much the more humble your Self in the sight of your God by how much as a wise and prudent Person you may plainly perceive that for those you ought to return him Thanks for these to beg Pardon of him For althô the same God who bestows his Gifts as he pleases hath made you Glorious with the Titles of Victories and the Pomp of Triumphs yet he doth detest the Slaughter of his People nor would have the Rancor or Hate the Right or Wrong of Rulers to be compensated with the Destruction of faithfull and innocent Subjects Which we in serious Meditation weighing with out selves nothing doubt nay perhaps we are certain that You by how much you have received more prosperous things of the Hand of the Lord are so much the more prompt to Peace so much the more favourably enclin'd to Concord Especially since it is usual for Powerfull Men who follow Goodness that Prosperity doth rather stir them up dayly to Mercy that Success doth rather induce them perpetually to Gentleness For Goodness is never taken notice of in any One but onely when it is in his Power to be Cruel the Sweetness of Clemency is rarely known unless when it might deal severely Power therefore gives occasion to Clemency and a Cause also to Goodness This Occasion therefore and this Cause We require of You since you are able to express it and for a Peace to be by the Help of God reformed between our most Dear Son in Christ John the Illustrious King of France whom the Event of War hath brought into your Prison and your Self we confidently approach your Highness
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
and other great Lords in other Villages about the City which the King now design'd to block up Within the Place at that time was the Lord John de Craon Archbishop of Rheims the Earl of Porcien and Sr. Hugh Porcien his Brother the Lord de la Bonne the Lord of Carency the Lord of Annore the Lord of Lore and divers other Captains Knights and Esquires of those Parts King Edward intended after his manner to offer them the choice of his Favour before he gave them a tast of his Fury and many times y Matt. Villant l. 9. c. 67. p. 549 he proffer'd them by his Heralds to exalt and magnifie their City above all others in France if they would give their Consent that he should there receive the Crown of France promising to use them all most graciously But when he saw that he was not heard believing that they did thus because they were ashamed to surrender without having received any Loss he began to threaten them with a long Siege and the Desolation of their Land if they refused to do what he demanded But neither fair Overtures nor foul did avail any thing For by Common Assent this was their Answer That they had their Lawfull King to whom they intended whilst they had Breath in their Bodies to be loyal true and faithfull and if he used Force against them they design'd to defend themselves by Force Nor were these Mens Deeds disagreeable to their Words for they maintain'd their Loyalty so well that the Place suffer'd no great Dammage during the whole Siege which lasted from the Feast of St. Andrew till the beginning of Lent. For besides that the City was very Defensible and well provided of all things the King would not suffer any Assault to be made because he would preserve his Army entire for a greater purpose And truly the Lords of England wanted a little Rest at that time for they began their Siege in the Heart of Winter and there were high Winds and much Rain about St. Andrews and they wanted Litter for their Horses for the Country had layen in a manner waste for well nigh two or three Years before so that little Forage was to be got abroad under 10 or 12 Leagues off whereby there fell many dangerous Rencounters wherein the English sometime wan and sometimes also lost VI. During this Siege several strong Detachments were sent abroad from the Army especially into the Country of Rhetelois in Champagne to Warcq to Mazieres to Donchery and to Mouson some whereof would absent from the Camp three or four Days together ravaging and plundering the Country and then return again to the Camp before Rheims At that same time Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt being newly redeem'd from Prison had begun to manifest by his Hostilities in France that he was at liberty He had lately won z Vid. l. 3. c. 4. §. 9. p. 561. by Surprize the Town of Attigny on the River Aisne in Retelois where he found plenty of Provision of all sorts but especially of good Wines whereof he sent the greater part to the King of England and his Son the Prince then lying at the Siege of Rheims who received it very kindly at his Hands Among the divers Adventures which fell during this Siege it happen'd that the Duke of Lancaster the Earls of Richmond and March the Lord John Chandos the Lord James Audley the Lord Bartholomew Burwash the Lord of Mucidan and Sr. Richard Pountchardon rode forth about the Fields of Châlons in Champaigne where 't is believed that a Ano. Dom. 453. Attila King of the Hunns was overthrown with the Loss of an Hundred and Eighty Thousand Men by the joynt Forces of Merovee King of France Theodoric or Therry King of the Gothes and Aetius the General of the Roman Empire Thô Jornandes makes this Battle to have been fought near unto Tholouse and not to Chálons However in these Fields the foresaid English Lords ranged till they b Frois c. 208. Knighton p. 2621. True use of Armory p. 54. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 788 c. came to Cernoy en Dormois a fair and strong Castle which upon view they resolved to attempt For it was a place of considerable moment In this Castle there were two Valiant Knights Captains the Chief whereof was Sr. John Caples who bare for his Arms Or a Cross Ancree Sable The English assaulted the Castle vigorously till the Lord Mucidan being among the foremost was slain with a stone from the Walls to the infinite regret of the English Lords and especially of his own Men the Gascogners who loved him entirely for his winning Carriage and resolute Conduct So that upon his Death all the Lords sware that they would not stir a foot thence till they had taken the Place and revenged the blood of so worthy a Gentleman And then the Assault was renew'd with all the Fury imaginable The Gascogners especially being enraged at their Loss plunged into the Ditches like Madmen without any care of themselves and approached the Walls and mounted up with their Targets over their heads while the Archers of England sent their Arrows so thick together that the Enemy durst hardly appear upon the Walls at their Defences and whoever did but presume to peep over was in evident Danger of their shot By this means thô not without the loss of many Men the Castle was at last taken by force and the two Captains only with some few Esquires received to Mercy all the rest were put to the Sword as Sacrifices to the Ghost of the Lord of Mucidan Thence they c Knightâ—n p. 2621. n. 20. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 7â—8 marched about two Leagues farther to Autry en Dormois lying on the River Aisne which was accounted stronger than Cernoy but before they came thither the Inhabitants fled Thence they went back to St. Menehou in Champaigne a fortified Town also whence upon their approach the Inhabitants fled likewise whereupon they all returned to the Camp before Rheims and related to the King what they had won and whom they had lost VII Near this d Frof c. 208. time the inconstant and turbulent King of Navarre fell off again from the Dauphin without any known cause or provocation and leaving Paris of a sudden retired to Mante on the River Seyne whence he sent his Defiance to the Duke and his Brethren who wonder'd upon what Pretence or Title he thus renew'd his Hostilities Under pretence however of his Quarrel an Esquire of Brussels named Walter Ostraste surprized the strong Castle of Rolebois on the Seyne about a League from Mante where he kept a Garrison which did afterwards very much incommode the Parisians and the Vicinage While the Siege c Frois ibid. before Rheims lasted the Lord of Gomegines an Hainalder who went to England with a Message to the Queen from King Edward when he sent the Lords Strangers back to Calais repassed the Sea now again and rode into Hainalt
they had such an Enemy in their very Bowels Why surely the Parliament being alarum'd with this Publick Danger began to be at Friends among themselves all the Lords and good Captains of France rose up vigorously in their Country's Defence and the Duke of Normandy with the Lords of his Council and other his Friends and Allies gather'd together a vast Number of Men of Arms to the Metropolis of that Kingdom and set sufficient Garrisons as we have partly intimated before in most of the other Cities and Fortresses where they suspected King Edward had an Eye But being warn'd by the late ill Success of his Father and the great Losses of his Grandfather the Duke resolved no more to give the King of England Battle but rather to hold him short by removing all manner of Provision into strong Places and in the mean while to stand only on the Defensive Part well knowing that Hunger and Delay would soon cool the Fury of the most Valiant Souldiers and that the mightiest Treasures of the Richest Kings would easily be exhausted by such a tedious War. The a Knighton p. 2622. n. 40. mean while as well to divert the War from his own Doors as to repay those Injuries he felt he had gather'd together into the Ports of Normandy a mighty Navy which had Orders to sail into England and exercise there all manner of Hostility Some of these Souldiers to the Number of 240 Lances were met about Honfleur by Sr. Thomas Fowkes an English Captain who with 27 Lances only and about an 100 Archers set upon them overthrew them and took of them Prisoners no less than 120 Men of Arms among whom were the Lord Lewis Harcourt Lieutenant of Normandy for the Regent the Lord John Bigott Marshal the Lord Baldwin de la Huse with two of his Brethren the Lord of Bracquemont and his Brother the Bailiff of le Caulx and another Baron his Kinsman But this was too small a Wound to be felt by the Navy of France who notwithstanding consisted of no less than b Matt. Villani l. 9. c. 83. p. 558. 120 Sail and c Knighton ib. 20000 Armed Men under the Conduct of the Earl of St. Paul who made for England and coasting about the d Fabian p. 234. Borders of Kent and Sussex landed at Rye and Hastings where they spoiled the Towns slew the People and did much harm to the poor Fishers But especially on St. Matthias his Day they suddenly took Land at Winchelsea e Walsing Hist p. 166. n. 30. Dom. Lit. E D. where they slew all they met with sparing neither Age Sex nor Order but only such Matrons or Virgins whose Youth and Beauty made them desirable were cruelly reserved for a Life far worse than Death Among many abominable and execrable Deeds done at this time by this Piratical Sort of Villains one most horrid and diabolically impious is related namely that upon their first Landing hearing that most of the Inhabitants were at Church it being time of Mass they ran immediately thither where without any Regard to the Place having committed many Murders and robbed the Altar and the Vestry at last they found there a very comely young Gentlewoman of exact Shape and Beauty who came thither with her Neighbours to hear Mass Her these unchristian Villains abused there in the very Church making use of her Body so long one after another till the unhappy Woman died under their hands An Abomination like f Judges c. 19. 20. c. that of the wicked Gibbeathites whose intemperate and barbarous Lust had well nigh occasion'd the total Extirpation of one of the Tribes of Israel But while these ungodly Wretches were thus busied in Spoiling Robbing Murdering and worse Matters the Townsmen who had fled had raised the Country g Knighton p. 2622. n. 60. in such Multitudes that the Frenchmen durst not stand them Yet before they could reach their Ships they fell so foul upon one another thrô the precipitant haste they made to the Water that what with those who were killed and those who were drownned they lost above 400 Men. Besides while the greater part of the Fleet was thus busied in the Plunder some of our Mariners came upon the rest and contended with them so well that they wan of them 13 Vessels laden with Wine and other Provision and carried them away Thô now at last the French also having set fire to the Town of Winchelsea which yet was presently quenched carried away great Spoils and many Prisoners among whom h Knighton p. 2623. n. 1. were Nine very Beautifull Women whom they so filthily abused that 't is shamefull to relate or think it II. All England i Knighton ib. n. 10. Walsin hist p. 166. was so alarum'd at this Action of the French especially because it was reported how they had a wonderfull strong Navy at Sea ready to do the like at other Places besides the perpetual infesting our Merchants that a Decree came forth from Prince Thomas of Woodstock King Edwards Son and Lieutenant in England by Advice of his Council that all Laymen whatsoever between the Age of sixteen and sixty should be arrayed for the Wars and of these the lustiest and the best Armed and the tall Archers should be sent to the Cinque Ports to the Kings Admirals for defence of the Kingdom The Archbishops also and Bishops thrô their respective Dioceses granted great Indulgences to all those who went to Sea against their Enemies particularly that every of them might choose his Confessor at his pleasure The Bishops also themselves the Abbots and Priors Rectors Vicars Chaplains and all Men of the Church were ready on the Land to defend the Country against the Common Enemy some as Men of Arms and others as Archers by injunction of the Church And all Persons Beneficed who could not serve in their own Persons were bound to maintain one in their stead able for the War all to be ready whenever the French should land and Necessity require them to march against the Enemy At which time the City k Walsing hist p. 167. n. 20. M. S. vet Angl. in Biblieth C.C.C. Cantabr c. 230. of London rigged forth a Navy of 80 Sail consisting of 14000 Men of Arms and Archers to revenge upon the Coasts of France the Mischief done at Winchelsea Thô l Knighton p. 2623. n. 30. Others say how this Fleet was commanded by the Kings Admiral and consisted of an 160 Sail which passing from London up the Thames scoured the Sea to Boulogne and after that to Harfleur in Normandy where they made great Spoil even over all the Region called le Pais de Caulx which is a Part of Normandy lying between the Rivers Seyne and Bresle and terminated by the Brittish Ocean on the one side and by the Bishoprick of Rouën on the other III. Now had King Edward lain before Rheims above m Frois f. 103. c. 209. §. 3.
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
rendred to the King of England and his Heirs And the two Kings shall convey resign and leave the one to the other for ever all the Right that each of them hath or may have in all those things which by this Present Treaty ought to remain or to be rendred to each of them And the two Kings shall confer and appoint together at Calais concerning the Time and Place where and when the said Renuntiations shall be made 13. Item To the end that this Present Treaty may be the more briefly accomplished it is agreed that the King of England shall cause the King of France to be convey'd to Calais within three Weeks after the Nativity of St. John Baptist next coming all just Impediment ceasing at the expence of the King of England excepting the Charges of the Houshold of the King of France 14. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall pay to the King of England Three Millions of Crowns of Gold two whereof countervail a Noble of the Money of England and there shall be paid to the said King of England or his Deputies six Hundred Thousand Crowns at Calais within Four Months to be counted after the King of France shall arrive at Calais And within a Year thence next following shall be paid Four Hundred Thousand Crowns such as aforesaid at the City of London in England and from thence every Year next following there shall always be paid Four Hundred Thousand Crowns more such as aforesaid in the said City till the whole Three Millions shall be fully paid 15. Item It is agreed that at the Payment of the said six Hundred Thousand Crowns at Calais and on the Delivery of the Hostages here under-named to the King of England within Four Months accounting after that the King of France shall come to Calais as is said with the Town Castle and Fortresses of Rochelle and the Castles Fortresses and Towns of the Earldom of Guisnes and all their appurtenances and Dependencies the Person of the said King shall be wholly acquitted from Prison and come into his own Power without any Impeachment but he shall not arm himself nor his People against the King of England till the time that he shall have accomplished what he is obliged unto by this present Treaty And the Hostages as well Prisoners taken at the Battle of Poictiers as others who remain for the King of France are as followeth That is to say Monsieur Lewis Earl of Anjou Monsieur John Earl of Poictiers Sons to the King of France the Duke of Orleans Brother to the said King the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Blois and Lewis his Brother the Earl of Alenson and Monsieur Peter of Alenson his Brother the Earl of St. Paul the Earl of Harcourt the Earl of Porcien the Earl of Valentinois the Earl of Brayne the Earl of Vaudemont the Earl of Forest the Vicount of Beaumont the Lord of Coucy the Lord of Garencieres the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lord of Hangest the Lord of Monmorency Monsieur William de Craon Monsieur Lewis of Harcourt and Monsieur John de Ligny And as for the Names of the Prisoners taken at the Battle of Poictiers they are these Philip of France the Earl of Eu the Earl of Longeville the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of r Ità Corrigo Ligny apud Du Chesne authoritate M. SS Anglici Doctoris Spencer quod legit Oigny Latini Doctoris Stillingfleet quod legit expressè Joigny Praeter quodillius nomen inter Captivos apparet uti probâsse meminimus Joigny the Earl of Sancerre the Earl of Dammartin the Earl of Ventadour the Earl of Salebruche the Earl of Auxerre the Earl of Vendosme the Lord of Craon the Lord of Derual the Marshal D'Endreghan and the Lord of Aubigny 16. Item It is agreed that the said Sixteen Prisoners who are to remain Hostages for the King of France as is said shall by this means be discharged of their Imprisonment without paying any Ransom for the time past in case they have not already agreed on some certain Ransom by Covenant made before the Third day of May last past And if any of them be out of England and shall not render himself as an Hostage at Calais within the First Month after the said three Weeks following the Feast of St. John all just Impediment ceasing he shall not at all be discharged his Prison but shall be Constrained by the King of France to return into England as Prisoner or to pay the Penalty promised by him ſ Du Chesne incurred by his Default in not returning if he did not return 17. Item It is agreed that in lieu of the said Hostages which shall not come to Calais or which shall die or depart out of the Power of the King of England without leave the King of France is obliged to send others of a like Estate with them as near as may be within three Months next after that the Bailiff of Amiens or the Mayor of St. Omers shall be certify'd hereof by Letters of the said King of England 18. And the t Du Chesne hunc articulum pracedenti adjungit Nos sequimur M. SS suprâ citata King of France at his Departure from Calais may take in his Company Ten of the Hostages such as the two Kings shall agree upon And it shall suffice that of the foresaid Number of u This shews that in the XV Article where in all the Copies French English and Latine 't is read Charles of Blois or his Brother and the Earl of Alenson or Monsiceur Peter of Alensen his Brother in both places it should be and for or as I have corrected it or else the Number of the Hostages amounts but to 38 and not to 40 as it is here expresly said Fourty there shall remain the full Number of Thirty 19 Item It is agreed that the King of France within Three Months after he shall be gone from Calais shall send unto Calais for Hostages Four Persons of the Town of Paris and Two Persons of every other of the Towns whose Names follow that is to say of St. Omers Arras Amiens Beauvais Lille Douay Tournay Rheims Châlons Troyes Chartres Tholouse Lyon Orleans Compiegne Rouën Caën Tours and Bourges and that they shall be the most sufficient of the said Towns for the accomplishment of this present Treaty 20. Item It is agreed that the King of France shall be brought from England to Calais and shall stay at Calais Four Months after his coming but he shall not pay any thing the First Month because of his Keeping But for every other Month following that he shall stay at Calais thrô default of himself or of his Subjects he shall pay for his Keeping six Thousand Ryals such as are current at this present in France before his Departure from Calais and so proportionably for the time he shall stay there 21. Item It is agreed that as soon as may
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
of this Treaty And that We transfer and convey away all the Right which We might have in any of these Things that ought not to be delivered to Us by Vertue of this Treaty Concerning all which Things after divers Alterations about the same especially because the said Renuntiation Conveyance Quitting and Leaving of all the said Things should be accomplished as soon as our said Brother hath deliver'd unto Us or to our Deputies the City and Castle of Poictiers with all the Land and County of Poictou and the Fee of Thoüars the City and Castle of Agen and all the Land and Country of Agâ—nois the City and Castle of Perigeux and all the Land and Country of Perigord the City and Castle of Caâ—â—rs and all the Land of Quercy the City and Castle of Rodes and all the Land and Country of Rouvergue the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land thereunto belonging the City and Castle of Limoges and whatever We or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Monstrevil with the Appurtenances also the County of Ponthieu whole and entirely save and except according to the Tenor of the Article contained in the said Treaty where it maketh mention of the said County also the Castle and Town of Calais and the Castle Town and Lordship of Sangate Coulogne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Rivers Marishes Woods Rents Lordships and other things contained in the Article thereof making mention Also the Castle Town and whole County of Guisnes with all the Lands Castles Towns Forts Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Forests and other Rights according to the Tenor of the Article thereof making mention more plainly in the said Treaty with the Isles that we hold already that is to say at the time of the said Treaty and Peace I say concerning all these Things We and our Brother the French King have promised by Faith and Oath each to other the same Treaty and Peace to hold keep and accomplish and not to do any thing contrary thereto and both We and our said Brother and our Eldest Sons are mutually bound by Obligation and Promise by Faith and Oath the one Part to the Other except certain mutual Renuntiations according to the Tenor and Form of the said Articles and Peace as followeth * * Article 8. c. Item it is agreed that the King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for their Heirs for ever 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 England his Heirs and Successors and convey unto them all the Honours Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognisances Rights Fealties and Imperial Jurisdictions High or Low Resorts Safeguards Advousons Patronages of Churches Lordships and Sovereignties that appertain or may appertain in any manner of wise to the Kings and to the Crown of France or to any other Person because of the King or of the Crown of France wheresoever it be in Cities Towns Castles Lands Isles Countries and Places before-named or in any of them or their Appurtenances and Appendages whatsoever whether Dukes Earls Vicounts Archbishops or other Prelates of Holy Church Barons Nobles and others nothing thereof being to the Kings or Successors of the Crown of France reserved so that neither They nor any of their Heirs or Successors nor any French Kings nor Others by reason of the King or Crown of France make any Challenge or Demand in time to come of the King of England his Heirs or Successors or any of his Men or Subjects aforesaid because of the said Countries or Places So that all Persons aforesaid their Heirs and Successors and all other Persons Cities Counties Lands Countries Isles Castles and Places aforesaid and all their Appurtenances and Appendages shall hold of the King of England perpetually peaceably and freely the said King of England to have over them Dominion Sovereignty Obeisance Allegiance and Jurisdiction as the Predecessors of the French King have had in time past and that the Kings of England their Heirs and Successors shall have and hold peaceably all the foresaid Countries in their full Franchises and Liberties for ever as Lords and Liege Sovereigns and as Neighbours to the King and Realm of France without Acknowledging of any Sovereignty Obeisance Homage Resort or Subjection and without doing in time to come any manner of Service or Recognisance to the King or to the Crown of France for the Cities Counties Castles Countries Lands Isles Places and Persons before-named or for any of them Also it is accorded that the French King and his Eldest Son shall expresly Renounce the said Resorts and Sovereignty and all the Right that they have or may have in all these Things such as by this present Treaty ought to appertain to the King of England and in like manner the King of England and his Eldest Son Renounceth all things such as by this present Treaty ought not to be deliver'd unto him and Renounceth all other Demands of the Realm of France and especially the Name Right Claim and Arms of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy and of the Dutchy of Touraine and of the Counties of Anjou and Maine and of the Sovereignty and Homage of the Earldom and County of Flanders and all other Demands which the King of England made at the time of the said Claim or might make in time to come to the said Realm of France by any manner of Cause whatsoever except all that by this Treaty ought to be deliver'd to the King of England and his Heirs And they to transfer convey and mutually quit each King to the Other for ever all the Right which they ought otherwise to have in these things which by this present Treaty are to be deliver'd to each of them at the Time and Place when and where the said Renunciations shall be exchanged And because that our said Brother of France and his Eldest Son to hold and perform the Articles of the said Peace have expresly Renounced the Resorts and Sovereignties comprised in the said Articles and all the Right which they ought to have or might have in all the said things which our said Brother hath deliver'd and left unto Us and all other things which from henceforth shall abide and pertain to Us by Vertue of the said Treaty and Peace We also in like manner expresly renounce all such Things as by the said Treaty are not to be deliver'd unto Us or to our Heirs And likewise all Demands that we have made or might make of our said Brother of France and particularly the Name and Right of the Crown and Realm of France the Homage Sovereignty and Demain of the Dutchy of Normandy and of the Dutchy of Touraine and of the Counties of Anjou and Maine and the Homage and
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
of November he went thence to Monstrevil and thence Four Leagues farther to Hesdin and so to the Good City of Amiens where he tarried almost till Christmas On St. Thomas his Day being a Monday he rode thence to Paris where he was Honourably received of the Clergy with solemn Processions and the Universal Joy of all the People who convey'd him with great Demonstrations of Loyal Affection to his Palace Here He and his Son Philip and the rest of the Cavalcade alighted a most Royal and Magnificent Dinner being prepared for them But it is not my business to declare with what Welcome the French King was received by all manner of People at his return into his Realm For he was indeed a Better Prince than One would guess by his Ill-Fortune and had now been a Prisoner no less than Four Years One Month and six Days viz. from the 19 of September 1356 on which day the Battle of Poictiers was fought to the 25 of October 1360 when he was fully acquitted and went from Calais to Boulogne Wherefore his presence was much desired of all his Subjects and they welcom'd him where e'r he came with shouts and Viveleroys and presents of Gold and Silver and other Fair and Rich Gifts And the Prelates and Barons of all his Realm came to Paris to Visit and Congratulate him and they entertain'd him with Shews and Feasts and other Diversions to comfort his Mind according to their Duty And the King was hugely pleas'd with these things it being agreeable to have a Right Taste of Recreation after so much and so bitter Affliction III. Soon after this King Edward sent over the Sea such Persons as were Commission'd by Him to take Possession in his Name of those Lands Countries Earldoms Bayliwicks Cities Towns Castles and Forts that were to be deliver'd unto him by Vertue of the Peace and Treaty But this Matter was not over-hastily perform'd for divers Lords in Languedoc would not at first obey the French Kings Orders to yield themselves to hold of the King of England althô King John frankly quitted them of all the Faith Homage and other Tyes wherewith they had been bound unto Him It seem'd so hard to them to forget their Natural Lord and yield to obey Strangers Of this Humor especially were the Lords of the far Marches as the Earl of la Marche the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Chasbeau Darry the Vicount of Carmain the Lord of Pincornet and divers others all who were extreamly surprized that the French King should offer to acquit them of the Resort and Homage which they ow'd to him and enjoyn them to pay it to the King of England And some of them began to argue and said that the King ought not so to acquit them for they affirmed how there were in Gascogne Charters and Privileges above 500 Years old granted unto them by Charlemagne King of France which signified that their Resort and Allegiance should not be put to any other Court but his only And therefore at first they scrupled the Kings Commands but King John who was resolved to hold and perform the Articles of the Peace with all sincerity sent his Dear Cousin the Lord James of Bourbon unto them all severally who by good Words and found Reasons shewing them both the necessity of Affairs and that it was the Kings absolute Pleasure and Resolution perswaded the most part of the said Lords as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord De la Bret the Earl of Foix and many others thô much against their Wills to become Liege-men to the King of England The same Difficulty was found in the parts on the Sea-side as in Poictou Rochellois and Sainctogne Unto them this Composition of their King seem'd very grievous when they saw that thereby they were in a manner cut off from their Natural Country and that they must submit to the Government of strangers But especially the strong City of Rochelle would not of a long while admit of the English Yoke but excus'd themselves unto the King and beg'd earnestly of him still to continue their Protector and they wrote to him in the most endearing manner possible desiring him in their Letters and by their Representatives that for Gods sake he would please never to acquit them of the Faith that they ow'd unto him nor put them out of his Demaine into the hands of Strangers saying how they had rather be Taxed yearly even to the half of their substance than to be subject to the English which was a thing wholly insupportable to all true Frenchmen King John by these their frequent and humble Remonstrances saw well their Faith and Loyalty to him and was very compassionate of their case but he was a Prince of that Honour that he had rather lose half his Kingdom than break his Word and it was his ordinary saying That if Faith and Truth were banished from the rest of Mankind nevertheless they ought to be found in the Mouth of Kings Besides he was called upon by King Edward's Deputies for by this backwardness of the French Nation when it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the First of the times appointed for compleating these Matters King Edward f Ashmole p. 663. ex Rot. Franc. 35. Ed. 3. n. 3. on the 15 of November following constituted Sr. Thomas Vuedale Knight and Thomas Duncent Licentiate in the Laws his Agents whom he sent to Bruges with Power to make request to the King of France for the effectual Accomplishment of all things concluded on at Calais and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid agreements on the Reception whereof they were enabled to give Acquittance in the King their Masters Name These things quickned King John in his endeavours to reduce his People to acquiesce in his Determinations wherefore he wrote to those of Rochelle Desiring them to shew their Loyalty which they so much professed in denying themselves for his sake that otherwise the Peace would be broken upon their account which would be a great Imputation to his Honour and no less Prejudice to the whole Realm of France Hereupon when the Rochellers saw no other Remedy and that whether they would or no since their King would not admit of their excuses they should be compelled to undergo this hatefull Yoke then at last after much adoe they yielded full fore against their Wills the Honest Men of the Town saying to one another Well we shall then from henceforth obey the English but our hearts are tyed for ever to the French Interest And here it may be a matter of our Wonder how it came to pass that King Edward should ever expect otherwise from Frenchmen born but that they would bear a foreign Rider with a Mind always ready to fling him off upon the first occasion as afterwards it proved indeed Surely in this case I cannot tell what to say since that Prince's
they saw themselves so considerable they began to ordain among them Captains and Leaders whom they promised to obey in all things For even wicked Societies cannot hold together without Order And the Chief of their Captains were these Sr. Seguin de Batefoil a Knight of Gascogne who had no less than 2000 Fighting Men Taillebert of Talleboton Guyot du Pyn the little Mechin Battailler the Wicked Hanekin Francois the Burgrave de Lesparre Nandon de Bergerac the Burgrave de Boure the Burgrave of Bretuel Nucharg Aberdenny a Scot Bourdonnel a German Bernard de la Salle an Hainalder Lortingo de la Salle his Kinsman Robert Briquet Edmund of Ortigo Sr. Garses du Chastel Gironet de la Baulx Carnelle and Others Who being thus gather'd together about Midlent resolved to go to Avignon to give the Pope and Cardinals a Visit more for the love of Prey than Devotion for whatever Treasure the Church might then have in Heaven they laid up some Treasures also on Earth as well as Men of the World. Wherefore these Late-Comers went thitherward thrô the Land of Masconnois intending for the Earldom of Foretz or Forestes that plentifull Country and towards Lyon on the River Rhosne VI. When King John heard of all this and how these Robbers daily encreased and ravaged his Realm he was infinitely displeased for his Council told him that without a speedy remedy these Evil Companions might encrease so strangely as to be able to do more Mischief than ever was done by the Englishmen themselves in time of War Wherefore they advised him to send against them a well form'd Army without any more delay Then the King wrote his Special Letters to his Cousin the Lord James of Bourbon k Mezeray Earl of la Marche who was at that time in the Town of Mompellier in Languedoc having newly put the Lord John Chandos in Possession of divers Lands Cities Towns Castles Forts and other Places thereabout belonging to the King of England by Vertue of the Peace as we said before The King in his Letters desired his Cousin of Bourbon to be his Chief General to muster Souldiers to a sufficient Number till he should find himself able to keep the Field and then go forth and fight against these Companions and root them out The Lord of Bourbon immediately on receipt of these Letters went Post to the City of Agen in Agennois whence he issued out his Letters and sent Messengers into all Parts desiring and commanding in the Kings Name all Knights and Esquires to come to him ready appointed for the War which was done accordingly For this Lord James of Bourbon was generally beloved over all France so that every one obey'd him readily and drew to the Place of General Rendezvous towards Lyon on the River Rhosne from Auvergne and Limosin from Provence and Savoy and from the Dauphiné de Vienne and moreover many Valiant Knights and Esquires were sent from Burgundy by the Young Duke who was not yet dead With all these Forces the Lord James of Bourbon marched forth from Lyon and the Parts of Masconnois and Beaujolois and entred the Earldom of Forestes where his Sister was Lady in Right of her Children for the Earl of Forestes her Husband was then newly dead Wherefore she govern'd the Country by the Hands of Sr. Reginald of Forestes her Husbands Brother who received the Lord James of Bourbon and his Company with great joy and feasted him to his Power as did also his two Nephews who presented their Service to their Uncle the Earl of la Marche to ride with him in Defence of their Country against the Companions who were by this time about Charolle and Tornus drawing thitherward For when they understood how the Frenchmen were gathering together to suppress them their Captains presently went to Council to advise how to maintain themselves At this time they found their Number to be no less than 16000 Fighting Men wherefore they said among themselves Let us then go boldly against these Frenchmen who are so desirous to find us out and let us fight them at some Advantage if we can or else without for we are enough If Fortune favour us at this time we shall be rich for ever as well by the Prisoners we shall take as by the Booty of the Field and also we shall gain such Reputation to our Arms that none hereafter will dare to withstand us and if we lose we have no more to care for Being thus agreed they dislodged and went up the Mountains designing to pass into the Land of Forestes and to come to the River of Loire but in their way they found a Good Town called Charlieu in the Bailywick of Mascon where they made a fierce Assault which lasted an whole Day yet the Place was so well desended by the Gentlemen of the Country that they could win nothing there Then they marched forward sending abroad several Detachments to scour the Country of Beaujolois where having done considerable Dammage they entred the Bishoprick of Lyon. In their March they would be sure to take some small Hold or other every Day where they lodged usually for the Night following making sad Havock of all things whereever they came One day particularly they took a Castle called Brignais about three Leagues from Lyon with the Lord thereof and his Lady in the Place and there they lodged and refreshed themselves and here they were certainly informed how the Lords of France were drawn into the Fields and stood ready to receive them The Lord James l Frois c. 215. fol. 110. of Bourbon was now again return'd to Lyon when he understood that the Companions drew near him apace having won the Castle of Brignais and many other Holds and brought the Country into great Desolation At this News he was extreamly displeased because he was Guardian to his Nephews the Earl of Forestes Sons and had the Care of their Lands Wherefore he drew into the Field and muster'd his Men and found them to be an Army sufficient to cope with the Enemy but first he sent out his Currours to view the Face of the Enemy and to consider well their Number and their Order and where he should surely find them In the mean time these subtle Companions had taken a Mountain at Brignais near Lyon where they so order'd themselves that they could not be perfectly view'd and so the best Armed Troops were conceal'd behind and the Residue who were worse armed and a far smaller Number stood ready ranged along in Order of Battle on the Hill side These Men only were seen by the Lord of Bourbons Currours whom they permitted leisurely to view them thereby to feed them with an Errour that might prove their Bane Being come back to the Earl of la Marche these Men told him what they had discover'd saying to him and the Lords about him Sirs we have seen yonder Company your Enemies and have viewed them well to our Power and all things
172. in the beginning of February went on Board his Fleet whereof the Earl of Warwick was Admiral and took the Sea with a strong and Princely Retinue and arrived on the Fourth day at Rochelle where he was received with great Demonstrations of Joy and tarried among them four Days The mean l Frois c. 217. while the Lord John Chandos who for more than a Year had Governed all Aquitaine as the King of England's Lieutenant heard how the King his Master had now given all those parts by the Name of a Principality to his Son the Prince of Wales and how he was come to Rochelle in Order to enter upon his Government Whereupon He presently made ready Horses and Chariots and set forth from Niort with a goodly company of Men of Arms Knights and Esquires toward the City of Rochelle to pay his respects to the Prince and to bid him Welcome to his Government The Prince and Princess received my Lord Chandos exceeding Graciously and there passed many mutual Embraces between the Lords and Knights of England But on the Fifth Day from the Prince's Arrival the Prince and the Lord Chandos with all their Retinues which were very considerable rode from Rochelle to the City of Poictiers in great Pomp and Glory the double Face of Peace and War of the Ladies and Men of Arms making a Delightfull Mixture of Mars and Venus of the Court and of the Campaigne At Poictiers he was met with infinite Respect and Joy by all the Lords Barons and Knights of Poictou and Sainctogne and here where his last Triumph was gain'd upon the French King he first received the Fealties and Homages of those French Gentlemen whom he had subjected thereby From Poictiers he went to Bourdeaux where he kept his Court in as Splendid a Manner as if he had been King of France his Beloved Princess being with him all the while Unto Bourdeaux there came to see him all the Earls Vicounts Barons and Knights of Gascogne such as were subject to the Crown of England Whom he entertain'd most Graciously behaving himself in the eyes of them all so Honourably that they were extreamly satisfied with his Noble and Generous Dportment and promised themselves much prosperity under his Government Hither also came to visit him and to pay him their Homage the Earls of Foix and of Armagnac Lords of great Power and near of Blood but at this time there was an High Disgust between them They had as we m Vid. l. 3. c. 6. § 8. p. 581. shew'd before for a long while made Bloody War against each other on the account of a particular Quarrel of their own which the King of France * Meâ—erâ—y p. 63. durst not undertake to compose for fear of displeasing the King of England whose Vassals they were for the Lands then in contest between them But however now Prince n Frois c. 217. Edward took up the Matter and made a final Peace and Agreement between them For besides the obliging Words he gave them and the close Arguments he us'd to perswade them the many mutual heavy Losses which they had already suffer'd made them much more inclinable to admit of an Accommodation This done the Prince made the Lord John Chandos his Constable of all Aquitaint and the Lord Guischard D'Angle his Marshal the latter being by Birth a Frenchman of Angoumois but by the Tenor of the Peace a subject of England as ever after he continued to his great Honour And into other great Offices the Prince set such Knights of his House as he most favour'd and filled all Constableships and Bailywicks with English Knights and Gascogners such as he was most assured of or were best recommended unto him by their own Vertue or the testimony of Vertuous Men. And here a while We will leave him Governing in Peace till War shall call him forth again to reap another Glorious Victory IV. The mean while King Edward held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster where o Walsing hist p. 173. Speed 584. all the Peers were expresly commanded to be present and not one permitted to appear by Proxy This Session lasted from the 13 of October to the 13 of November in which one Months time he made more good Laws and bestow'd more Acts of Grace upon his People than some other Kings have done in all their Life time The Causes of this Assembly were p M.S. Ret. Parl. 36. â—d 3. n. 2. p. 88. Sr. Rob. Certen's Abrâ—dgement p. 92. c. declared by the Lord Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green to be for redress of Matters relating to the Church for observation of the Peace to settle Affairs with Scotland and to enhance the Price of Wooll All which were well order'd as may be seen in the Records and Printed Statutes of this Year And whereas some say q â—tow p. 255. that the King at this time contrary to his Oath set up a Staple of Wooll at Calais it should have been consider'd that when a Prince at the Request of his Parliament promises to do or not to do a thing if at another time the Reason of things being then alter'd this very Parliament requires the Contrary the King ought not to be charged with breach of promise in complying with them Because the very occasion of his Promise seems at first to have been the Good of his People which same thing is also afterwards the occasion of his not observing it And We find r M.S. id Sâ— Rob. Cotton ibid. in the Records that when the Lords were commanded to speak what they thought of the Repair of Merchants to Calais they all agreed how it seem'd to them a Matter very profitable to the Realm To which point the Commons thô at first they demurr'd till they might have conference with the Merchants at last yielded also themselves Wherefore the King shortly after Å¿ Knighton p. 2626. n. 40 c. sent over XXVI of the most considerable Merchants of the Realm to hold the Staple there for three Years and to keep and defend the Town every Merchant having six Men of Arms and four Archers at the Kings Charges and besides the Mayor of the Town he also appointed another to be over the Staple the King being to receive for Maletot Twenty shillings and the foresaid Merchants Wardens of the Town 40 pence of every Sack of Wooll It was t Wâ—lsingh â—â—st p. 173. n. 10. 〈◊〉 in this Parliament Enacted that neither Gold nor Silver should be used in Apparel Knives Girdles Chains Rings or other Bodily Ornament by any Man who could not expend Ten pounds by the Year And that none who could not expend an 100 l. per annum should presume to wear Silks Furs or other pretious Garments But I shall pass over the other Statutes made in this Parliament because they are every where to be had in Print but only those Acts of Grace which King Edward did unto his People are
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
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
he would take Advice in the matter and return them his answer on such a day Till which time the Three Deputies went and lay at Rennes Then streight the Earl sent William Lord Latimer into England to certifie the King of the French Kings Proposals and to crave his opinion and direction in the Matter King Edward being rightly informed of the whole Affair said How he would advise the Earl of Monford to accept of a Peace on Condition he might ever after remain Duke of Bretagne and also thought good that he should shew himself inclinable to yield some Honourable Allowance to the Lady who called her self Dutchess Widow of the Lord Charles of Blois and that he should assign her some handsom Pension or yearly Revenue to be payable out of some certain place where it should best please her And he granted also that he might do to the King of France for that Dutchy as other Dukes his Predecessors have done heretofore This answer the Lord Latimer brought back again to the Earl who having read the King his Father-in-Law's Letters and understood his pleasure as to the Premises by advice of his whole Council sent presently for the French Commissioners to come before him at which time he gave them a very agreeable Answer But it was said to them expresly that the Earl of Monford would by no means lay down his Claim to the Dutchy of Bretagne but that he would remain Duke thereof and so be called while he lived Notwithstanding whereas the French King would have him peaceably to open his Cities Towns and Castles and to yield Faith and Homage unto Him and to do all other Rights and Services which the Dukes of Bretagne have done in times past all this the Earl is well content to do nay he shall gladly acknowledge the French King for his Natural Lord and render unto him his Homage and Service in presence of the Peers of France And further he makes Offer to give Friendly Aid Help and Comfort to his Cousin Relict of the Lord Charles deceased and moreover to use his Interest to deliver his Cousins her Sons out of Prison in England This Answer extreamly satisfied the French Lords and they took a certain day whereon these Matters were to be fully Ratified and Concluded at Guerande and with that the City of Quimpercorentin and all Bretagne was to be entirely his Accordingly the French Deputies sent away to the Duke of Anjou who was then at Angiers having from the King of France full Commission and Authority to conclude this Treaty or to lay it aside at his pleasure When the Duke of Anjou saw the Conditions he had a long Deliberation for thô he found the Earls Proposals extreamly reasonable considering the juncture of Affairs yet he remembred he had promis'd other things to the Dutchess his Mother-in-Law which notwithstanding he now saw to be exceeding difficult for him to perform But at last he was wholly overrul'd to accept and Ratifie the Treaty and the two Knights that were sent to him returned back to Rennes with his Answer engrossed and sealed Then the Messengers of the French King and the Deputies of Earl Monford went and met d Mezeray c. at Guerande where soon after the Peace was fully made and compleated on both Hands and Quimpercorentin was forthwith yielded up and all other Places that had hither to held out against the Earl of Monford and He remain'd thenceforth True Duke of Bretagne on this Condition that if he should leave no Children of his Body lawfully begotten then the Dukedom should return to the Children of the Lord Charles of Blois and also that the Lady Jane late Wife to the said Lord Charles deceased should be Countess of Pentebria or Pontheure which Lands were of the Yearly Value of 20000 Franks And also that Duke John should come into France whenever it should please the King to send for him and render unto him his Homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne For the surer Confirmation of all which there were sundry Charters and Instruments interchangeably Engrossed and Sealed on both Parts Thus did John Earl of Monford at length obtain the Dukedom he had so long contended for and henceforth remain'd Duke thereof without any contradiction till other Wars broke out again as We shall shew in due place When this Concord and Agreement was made between King Charles of France and the Duke of Bretagne the said King who was very Politick and desired greatly to win to his side as many brave Souldiers as he could restored unto the Gallant Young Lord Oliver Glisson what his Grandfather King Philip had taken from him when he so cruelly and unjustly put his Father to Death as we have e Vid. Lib. 1. c. 22. §. 8. p. 299 shew'd in the XVIII Year of King Edward's Reign After which time this brave Lord Clisson did by his Vertuous behaviour so win upon King Charles by degrees that at last nothing of moment could be done in France without him and he might e'n do whatever he pleased Which liberty however he used to no Mans hurt but only he utterly forgot his old Friends the English and ever after prov'd a true Frenchman And thus at last was the Fertile Country of Bretagne allowed a most pleasing Respit after those long and Cruel Wars which had almost emptied her Veins of the best Blood in France All the Natives were extream glad at this happy Change and received their New Lord with an universal Respect and unfeigned Joy he taking Faith and Homage of all the Cities Towns and Castles and of all the Prelates Barons Knights and Gentlemen of the whole Country Shortly after his Dear Lady Mary of England Fourth Daughter of King Edward was honourably convey'd over the Seas into Bretagne and there again the Marriage Rites were solemnly renewed with Feastings and Publick Rejoycing in the City of Nantes and in process of Time f Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 179. he had Issue by this Lady John Duke of Bretagne called the Sage Father of Peter and Francis both Dukes of Bretagne who died without issue Richard Earl of Estampes and Arthur Duke of Bretagne also the Third of that Name And thus We shall leave this Valiant Duke in the full Enjoyment of his Good Fortune till the Wars between France and England being renewed shall give us an Occasion to bring him upon the Stage again IV. Nor was there only a full Peace established thus in Bretagne but about the same time also Queen Jane Aunt to the King of Navarre and Queen Blanch his Sister endeavoured so earnestly that there was at last a Peace struck up between the French King and the King of Navarre chiefly by the prudent and dextrous Menagement of that renowned Lord the Captal of Busche who shew'd himself so diligent in Composing of Differences between these two Princes that in Consideration thereof King Charles wholly discharged him of all Obligations which lay upon him as to
his Council made High Constable of all the Realm of Castille IV. All this while was r Frois c. 231. poor Don Pedro in the strong Castle of Corunna on the Sea and with him his Wife his three Daughters and the Loyal Don Hernando del Castro and his Retinue only But when he heard how his Bastard-Brother had made himself King and that all the Land freely own'd him for their Lord he began to be in fear of his Life For he knew that if Don Henry once heard where he was he would besiege him so close by Land and by Sea that it would be impossible for him to escape Wherefore one Night he took his Wife and his Daughters and Don Hernando and his Lady ſ Pavine le Parisien's Theatre l'Honneur l. 6. c. 7. p. 148. Joan of Castille natural Daughter of King Alphonso XI and all the Gold and Silver that he had with him and set Sail designing for some other place But the Wind was so contrary to him that he could by no means get off from that Coast and so he was fain to re-enter the Castle of Corunna Then in a great Agony he demanded of Don Hernando his only Counsellor what Course now he had best take to preserve himself and those poor Reliques of his Family complaining bitterly how adverse Fortune was against him After some study the Knight spake thus May it please Your Majesty before You leave this place of Safeguard it would be well to send to your Cousin the Heroick Prince of Wales and of Aquitaine to know whether he will be willing to entertain You or no and to request him in meer pity to consider a little Your sad and necessitous Condition For surely besides that he is noted for a Person of extraordinary Courtesie he will think himself something obliged to take notice of You upon the account of those strict Alliances made between Your Father and His. And althô indeed the Lady died before Consummation yet he cannot but remember that his Sister the Lady Joan t Vid. Lib. 2. c. 8. §. 9. p. 438. was given in Marriage to You about 17 Years ago And certainly the Prince of Wales is so Noble so Courteous and withall of such exalted Courage that when he shall be fully informed of your Affliction he will take some Compassion on You. And if but once He undertakes to set You again in Your Throne there is no Man in all the World can do it better He is so Valiant and Successfull in War and so feared respected and beloved by all Men especially the Souldiery And Sir for the present You are here in a good strong Fortress able either to conceal You or defend You till You may hear News from Aquitaine This Counsel Don Pedro readily embraced and fell immediately to write Letters which he did all with his own hand so pathetical and full of pity as none but one in his Condition or as bad could easily endite These Letters Don Hernando gave to a Knight and two Esquires of his with Instructions concerning the whole Affair and so they went on board and sailed happily till they came to Bayonne a City of Gascogne on the River Adour belonging to the King of England Here they asked tidings of the Prince and were informed that he was then at Bourdeaux Wherefore they took Horse and rode thither and chose out an Inn to lodge in and changed their Apparel and so went to the Abbey of St. Andrew where the Prince kept his Court. There they gave out that they were Spaniards and came from Castille on a Message from King Don Pedro. When the Prince heard thus much he said he would see them and learn their business So they were introduced before him and kneeled and saluted him according to the Custom of their Country and humbly recommended the King their Master unto him and so deliver'd the Letters into his Hands The Prince presently raised the Messengers from the ground and received their Letters and then stepping aside a little read them over leisurely wherein he found how pathetically King Don Pedro wrote unto him declaring his great Misfortune Danger and Poverty and how his Bastard-Brother by the Alliances he had made with the Pope the French King and the King of Aragon with the Assistance of the Companions had violently expelled him from his Inheritance of the Realm of Castille Wherefore he humbly and heartily desired the Prince for Gods sake and out of his great Generosity to help him in this his deplorable Condition and to provide him some Counsel and Remedy whereby he would atchieve Grace of God and Honour of all the World. For said he it is a thing not to be allow'd in Christendom that a Pope or a King should disinherit a true and lawfull Heir and by force of Tyranny invest a Bastard with the Right The Prince whose Wisdom was no way short of his Courage having read thus much closed the Letters again in his Hands and spake thus to the Messengers Gentlemen You are heartily Welcome to Us from our Cousin the King of Castille Tarry here a while with Us and before You go You shall have our answer With that the Prince's Attendants who knew well their Business conducted the Spanish Knight and the two Esquires to an appartment ready for them and the Prince tarried still in his Chamber seriously musing on these fresh Tidings Presently he sent for the Lord John Chandos and the Lord Thomas Felton two of the Chief of his Council for the First was High-Constable of Aquitaine and the latter Seneschal thereof At their entrance into the Presence the Prince said smiling My Lords You shall hear fresh News out of Spain The King Don Pedro our Cousin makes Grievous Complaint of the Bastard Henry who hath taken from him his Inheritance and hath thrust him out of his Kingdom as no doubt You have heard reported by sundry that came from those Parts And now he instantly requireth Us to lend him our Aid and Assistance as it appeareth here by his letters And with that the Prince read over the Letters to them word for word two several times and these two Lords heard all very distinctly Having done with the Letters he proceeded Sr. John and Sr. Thomas You two are the Chief of my Council and those on whose Fidelity and Wisdom I more especially rely Wherefore now I demand Your Advice what You think is best for me to do in this Case Shall I after the manner of the World neglect a Man in Adversity Or shall I as Vertue requires lend an helping Hand unto him Here is Quiet attended with Silence or Infamy and there is Labour Crown'd with Honour and Immortality As they stood silent looking upon one another the Prince continued My Lords tell me Your minds freely and plainly what is fit to be done in this Matter Then they both agreed that it would be convenient for his Highness to send some Ships of War to King Don
your Father as being a part of the Remainder of King John's Ransome And Sir at this time collect by your Interest among your Friends all the Money you can possibly for you will find need enough without Taxing or Assessing your Subjects for while you keep their Hearts you cannot be poor This and several other prudent Directions were readily followed by the Prince who soon after caused Two parts in Three of all his Plate to be melted down and coined into Money to be bestowed liberally among his Men of War and he sent also into England to the King his Father for the foresaid 100000 Franks King Edward who well knew what an important matter his Son was going about and how Expensive his Design must needs be granted him the said Summ at the first word and presently directed his Letters to the French King willing him to pay the Money to the Princes Use And accordingly the 100000 Franks were paid upon sight of King Edwards Letters and so brought to the Prince who distributed all among his Souldiers One day as Prince Edward was in his Chamber in the City of Angoulesme together with certain Lords and Knights of England Poictou and Gascogne after many pleasant Discourses and Raileries and other Diversions they fell again to touch upon the Expedition then in hand and this was in that while that the Lord Chandos was gone to treat with the Earl of Foix and the Companions of which we spake but now At last the Prince turned his head toward the Lord of Albret and said My Lord of Albret with what number of Men of Arms can you furnish Vs in this Expedition Why Sir replied he if I desire my Friends I shall easily find you a Thousand Spears and yet leave enough at home to defend my Land. Well said the Prince that 's nobly spoken and so turning himself towards the Lord Thomas Felton and other Knights of England he continued in English By my Faith a Man ought to set a Value upon that Land where there are such Barons as can serve their Lord with a 1000 Spears apiece and so turning again to the Lord of Albret he said in Gascogne Sir I retain them all to do me service in this Expeditiou Sir said Albret in the Name of God I am well content and shall not fail It was necessary not to have omitted this seeming small Matter because even hence there afterward arose an occasion of great Mischief as we shall see anon XVII It may not here seem amiss to say something about those Companions who were either Friends to the Prince of Wales or retained for his Service These Men met with many Difficulties before they came into the Principality and at last were fain to part into three Companies The greatest of the Three went coasting Foix and Bearn the Second from Catalunna thrô Navarre and so toward Armagnac all with the Consent and by the Favour of the King of Navarre the Earl of Albret the Earl of Foix and the Earl of Armagnac In the third Company which consisted chiefly of Gascogners were about 3000 who for convenience of Forage were fain to divide themselves in lesser Numbers 300 or 400 in a Body and so having with much adoe passed thrô Aragon into Languedoc they continued their March toward the Bishoprick of Thoulouse till at last a part of them came to Montauban At that time the Seneschal of Tholouse was a French Knight named Sr. Guy Dazay who hearing that the Companions were making that way that they rode divided into small Companies and that in all they were not above 3000 and yet were very weary with Travel but ill armed indifferently horsed and worse ordered then he said how he would never suffer any such Fellows to come into the Parts of Tholouse nor into the Realm of France but rather God willing he would meet them by the way and fight them So he sent word of his Resolution to the Lord Amorry Earl of Narbonne to the Seneschals of Carcassone and of Beaucair and to all Knights Esquires and Officers thereabouts requiring their Aid to defend the Frontiers against these Villanous Companions Those to whom he sent made haste to shew their Compliance by coming as soon as might be to Tholouse so that in all they made up 500 Spears Knights and Esquires besides 4000 Others all who took the Field about Montauban which was seven Leagues from Tholouse and when they were all met under the Conduct of the Earl of Narbonne they encamped near the said City of Montauban which at that time was under the Prince of Aquitain and he had set there a Valiant English Captain named Sr. John Combes The French Lords presently upon their coming sent their Van-Currors to ride before Montauban hoping so to entice out the Companions a Party whereof he knew to be then within the Fortress but they had particular notice of the Numbers of the French and so this Plot was in vain Sr John Combes for his part wonder'd greatly when he saw the Frenchmen come thus with an Army into the Princes Lands and so demanded by an Herald if he might be permitted to speak freely with the Frenchmen who allowing thereof he asked them who sent them thither and for what reason they took upon them to invade the Lands of the Prince who was a good Friend and Neighbour to them and to the Realm of France Sir said they we have no Commission to return you any Answer But to satisfie you of our Reasons if you will either go or send to our chief Leaders they no doubt will know what to say to your Demand Well Gentlemen said the Captain then I desire you to procure me a safe Conduct whereby I may have assurance of going unto them and returning again without Impeachment or else let them send me word plainly by what Title they will make War against me for if I knew the Certainty I would send word thereof to my Lord the Prince who I question not will quickly apply a due Remedy The Marshals of the French Host promised to do thus much for the English Captain and so they returned and told all his Words to their General who presently granted a safe Conduct for Sr. John Combes and Six Eight or Ten to come along with him and sent it to Montauban Having got the Safe Conduct Sr. John left the City with Five more in his Company and went to the French Camp where he found the French Lords who expected him and had well consider'd what to say unto him After Salutation past on both sides Sr. John demanded of them for what Cause they had sent their Van-Currours up to his Fortress and came with such an Army before Montauban which they knew belonged to Prince Edward They told him how they intended not to invade any Person or to begin a War but that they were resolved to pursue their Enemies to destruction whereever they heard they should be Sirs said the Knight who are these
e Frois c. 239. fol. 143. Fabian p. 250. M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 233. departed out of England with a Princely Equipage and set sail for France being received at Boulogne by several Persons of the Highest Quality and by them conducted to Paris At some distance from the City he was met by the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy and the Lord Ingleram of Coucy Earl of Bedford his Brother-in-Law who convey'd him to the Louvre to the Presence of the King of France his Lodgings being provided in the Kings own Palace The first day he din'd and supp'd with the King at his own Table the next day he dined with the Queen at another of the Kings Houses near St. Paul and having danced after dinner with the Ladies and passed his time in such Amorous Gallantries and Recreations as young Princes usually divert themselves with in presence of that agreeable Sex he was again by the two foresaid Dukes of Berry and Burgundy conducted back to the Louvre where he supped with the King that Night also On the day following the two Dukes entertain'd him in like Manner at One of their Houses named Artois in Paris and the Day after he dined and supp'd again with the Queen and on the next Day being a Thursday he took his leave of the King and Queen who gave unto him and to the Chief of the English Lords in his Company sundry Gifts to the Value of 20000 Florens And so he was convey'd as far as Sens in Champaigne by the Earl of Tancarville and other Noblemen and from thence to the utmost Bounds of France by Knights and Gentlemen of that Kingdom to whom at parting he gave several Rich Gifts with many thanks Having thus passed thrô France he came into Savoy where he was very kindly received at the City of Chambery by the Generous Earl of Savoy whose Sister the Lady Blanch was Wife to Galeas Duke of Milain and Mother to the Lady Violantis Prince Lionel's Espoused Lady Having tarried there three Days which were all spent in Magnificent Entertainments Balls and Dancing with the Ladies and Gentlewomen he took his leave and began to set forward the Earl himself bearing him Company to Milain Where he saw his Niece Daughter to Duke Galeas given in Marriage unto Prince Lionel in the Famous Cathedral of Milain on the 29 Day of May f Lit. Dom. B.A. Pasch 9. April being a Monday and the next day after the Festival of the Holy Trinity in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXVIII Duke Galeas in Honour of this his Son-in-Law g Paul. Jovins in Galeatio 2 do p. 152. ex co Stow p. 267. Sandford p. 220. is said to have spent such abundance of Treasure as seem'd to surpass the Magnificence of the most Wealthy Monarchs For not to mention all the Sumptuous Feasts Balls Justs and Tourneaments and other stately and divertive Spectacles set forth on this occasion nor to summ up the great and large Gifts which were given to the Lord Edward Spencer and more than 200 other English Gentlemen who came out of England to wait on the Prince the Marriage Feast alone was so extraordinary that We may by that Conjecture the Largeness of Duke Galeas his Soul the full satisfaction he had in this Match and the Abundance of his Coffers For in that One Feast where Francis Petrarch the Laureate Poet of Italy was present being for Honour of his Learning seated among the Guests of the Highest Quality there were above 30 Courses of service upon the Table and between every Course as many Presents of unusual Magnificence intermixed all which John Galeas the Duke's Son and Prince of the Chosen Youth that waited that day presented unto Prince Lionel as they were brought up to the Table In one Course were presented Seventy Good Horses richly Adorned and Caparizon'd with Silk and Embroider'd Furniture and in the other Courses came up Vessels of Silver Ger-Falcons Hounds Armour for Horses Costly Coats of Mail shining Breastplates of Massy Steel Corslets Helmets and Burganets adorned with High and Rich Crests and Plumes Surcoats embroider'd with costly Jewels Knights Girdles and lastly Pictures of Gold beset with Gems and Purple and Cloth of Gold for Mens Apparel in Great Abundance And such vast Provision was there at this Feast that the Meats which were brought from the Table would have plentifully sufficed 10000 Men. II. But while the Accomplished Young Prince lived with his New Lady after the Manner of his own Country in continual Sports and Revellings besides the more boistrous Exercise of Tourneaments as forgetting or not regarding his Change of Air and what Diet was most proper for the Italian Clime within Five Months after his Marriage he fell into a grievous Sickness in the City of Alba Pompeia now called Longeville in Italy in the Marquisate of Monferrato in Piedmont in the House of his Father in Law the Duke of Milain Whereupon perceiving his Disease to be Mortal by h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 167. Sandford p. 221. his Testament bearing Date there upon the Third of October 1368 he bequeathed his Body to be buried in England in the Convent Church of the Augustine-Fryars at Clare in Suffolk before the High-Altar and gave thereto a Black-suit with all the Appurtenances as also his Black Cloth Embroider'd To his Lady Violantis He bequeathed his Vestment with Gold Coronets and all that belonged thereto Item to Sr. John Bromwick Knight his Courser called Ger-Falcon to Dr. John Capell his Chaplain a Girdle of solid Gold therewith to make a Chalice in Memory of his Soul to Thomas Waleis the Circle of Gold wherewith his Brother the Black-Prince was created Prince and to Edmund More the Circle wherewith he himself had been created Duke that we may pass over the many other Great Legacies which he gave to the Lord Edward Spencer Thomas Newborne Esquire and others then attending him in Italy And so being at that time i Vid. Ashmole's Garter c. One of the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter he finally departed this Life k Sandford Dugd. ex Escaet 43. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 23 c. on the Vigil of St. Luke the Evangelist being a Tuesday and the 17 day of October the same Year not without suspicion of being * Knighton p. 2629 n. 50. poisoned by some subtle Italian trick to prevent that Glory which perhaps some Envy'd that he should attain He left behind him only One Daughter his Heir by Elizabeth his First Wife called Philippa then but l Sandford p. 222. 13 Years of Age and soon after given in Marriage to Edmund Mortimer the Third Earl of March of that Great Family from whom by the Mothers side came Edward the IV. Thô for the present he was deposited in the Chief Church of Pavia a City of Milain yet soon after according to his Testament his Body was brought over into England by Thomas Newborne
understanding that the King was then holding his Parliament at Westminster he obtained to be admitted into the Painted-Chamber where then the King sat with the Chief Lords of his Council Before whom having declared that he was an Esquire sent from the French King with Letters to the King of England he kneeled down to the King and deliver'd him the Letters The Valet being then dismist the King who was very desirous to hear News from France especially to know the Purport of these Letters caused them immediately to be open'd and read All that were present wondred extreamly when they heard the Defiance and saw the Seal and other sufficient Marks of its Authority But King Edward was mightily astonished that a Prince who was no a Mezeray p. 80. Man of his Hands should ever dare to defie Him and admired whence this strange Confidence should arise little thinking what crafty Measures had been taken while he was lull'd asleep by their subtle Overtures However for the present he gave order to tell the Valet how he had perform'd his Duty very punctually and might now e'n go about his Business for he should have no hindrance at all But both the King and his Council took it in great Indignation that so mean a Fellow should be sent with this Defiance and they all agreed That it was neither Reason nor Decorum that a War between two such Princes as the King of England and the French King should be published by a contemptible Valet It was more fitting to have been done by the hands of some Eminent Prelate or some Valiant Man either a Baron or a Knight at least And indeed this Indignity put upon so Great a Monarch was not well resented by many that were Friends to France but the French Ambassadors b Dinothi Advers p. 278. excused it to the Pope and to the Emperour that therefore their King chose to make his Defiance unto the King of England by Letters because he was but a Vassal unto France for the Lands of Aquitain and Poictou However King Edward who own'd no such Matter as knowing himself Absolute Lord of those Countries by the Tenor of the Peace took this Affront in great Despite But now it was past and no Remedy could be had Wherefore the Lords advised the King to send forthwith a Considerable Army into Ponthieu to keep the Frontiers there and especially to take Care of the good City of Abbeville which they knew to be in great Danger of loosing This Motion the King approved of and presently appointed the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Ralph Nevil the Lord William Windsor and one Lord more to go thither with 300 Men of Arms and a 1000 Archers in their Company But as these Lords made themselves ready with all the Expedition imaginable and were even now at Dover ready to cross the Seas there came other News into England For the French King had play'd his Cards too sure to be baffled now so that as soon as by all likelihood it might be conjectur'd that King Edward had received the Defiance Guy Earl of St. Paul and Sr. Hugh de Chastillon Master of the Crossbows of France drew toward the Parts of Ponthieu having secretly sent Command to all the Lords Knights and Esquires of Artois Hainalt Cambresis Picardy and Vermandois such as were their Friends to come to them immediately Wherefore being of a suddain reinforced with above sixscore Spears they came to Abbeville early in the Morning as they had determin'd before by private Agreement with the chief Burgesses and finding the Gates ready open for them went in directly without the least Opposition not doing any harm or violence in the World. But Sr. Hugh de Chastillon one of the chief Leaders marched straight forward without any noise and surprised Sr. Nicolas Louvain the Seneschal of Ponthieu and together with him the Treasurer of Ponthieu a Valiant Gentleman thô of the Clergy Thus the Frenchmen took many a Rich Prisoner with ease and the Englishmen lost all that ever they had in the City of Abbeville That same Day another Party of Frenchmen ran up to St. Valery and Crotoy and enter'd both Places and took them together with another Town on the Sea side called Noyelle sur Mer. A little after the Earl of St. Paul with another Party went to Pont de Remy on the Soame whither certain English had withdrawn themselves The Earl assaulted them briskly and was well received by the Defendants so that a fierce and notable Skirmish arose at which time the Earl Knighted his Eldest Son Valeran who shewed that Day by his Exploits how worthy he was of that Honour In short the English being both too inconsiderable in Number and also surprised were put to the Worse being all either routed slain or taken together with the Town and Fortress And thus in a manner all the Country and Earldom of Ponthieu was of a sudden cleared of the English so that they were now no more Formidable in those Parts Now there were still in England sundry of the French Hostages as the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne the Earl of Porcien the Lord of Roye the Lord of Mauliverer and divers Others besides most of those of the Good Towns of France who were all much troubled when they heard of the Defiance but now when News was brought how all Ponthieu was revolted overrun and conquer'd they were in a wofull Taking not knowing what King Edward would do with them in such a Case And surely when He heard the News from Ponthieu he was horribly incensed that the Country had so treacherously revolted from him and had many an Hard Thought against the French Hostages who remained still with him at London But yet he consider'd with Himself how it would be but fruitless Cruelty and a sign of Irrational Revenge to wreak his Displeasure upon them Wherefore he only resolved to keep them shorter of their Liberty and not permit them to take their pleasure as formerly and so he sent the Burgesses of the Cities and Towns of France into divers strong Fortresses about in several parts of England Nevertheless the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne he released for a Ransom of 30000 Franks and the Earl of Porcien for 10000. But the Lord of Roye could not be admitted to any Ransom For he was not at all beloved either by the King or any of his Court wherefore he was still detain'd a Prisoner in great fear and sorrow till by good Fortune he also happen'd to be delivered as we shall shew hereafter X. When the King of England c Frois c. 248. saw that he was not only Defied by the French King but had also actually lost the greater Part of Ponthieu for the safety whereof it had cost him more than an 100000 Franks besides the Revenues which the Country yielded to his Exchequer in repairing of Towns and Castles He saw plainly that it was high time to have an Eye on all Parts for he
together toward la Haye en Touraine Chandos the Herald went on this Message and found the Young Earl at Mortaigne who had indeed already made his Musters but with intent to undertake as he was before advised an Expedition by himself so to win the more Honour Wherefore again he excus'd himself to the Herald saying how as then he could not by any means wait upon the Lord Chandos because he had engag'd himself another way The Herald return'd with this Answer to Chastelleraut where he found his Lord Sr. John Chandos and related to him the Earls excuse from point to point Sr. John was exceedingly displeased in his Mind when he heard what News his Herald had brought him For he concluded that it was an effect of ill Consequence to the Affairs of the Prince his Master and that it proceeded from Envy or Presumption both which are Enemies to the Publique Good in Matters relating to the Concern of a Common-Weal So he only said Well then in Gods Name be it so If a Man of Honour can be byass'd from his Countries Good by private Designs And therewithall he dismist the Greater part of his Troops and went with the rest to the City of Poictiers The Effects of this trespass upon Discipline We shall see immediately XXI Now d Frois c. 265. fol. 159. when the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke heard how the Lord Chandos had discharged the Major part of his Forces and was returned to the City of Poictiers then he thought it high time for him to go abroad in quest of Honour and so he marched forth of Mortagne with 300 Spears English and Poictevins and some other Knights of England Poictou and Sainctogne who had lately been with the Lord Chandos With these Troops he passed thrô Poictou taking the same way which the Lord Chandos had done before and burnt and ravaged about in the Country of Anjou taking for Prize all that was left and so he also tarried a while in the Land of Loudunois and from thence he went into the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart where he did many severe Acts of Hostility Now the French Captains who lay in Garrison on the Marches of Touraine Anjou and Poictou were well informed both of the Lord Chandos his Expedition and also of this of the Earl of Pembroke and moreover they understood how the Earl who was but a very Young Man not exceeding one and twenty Years of Age had thrô meer Presumption and Folly disdain'd to go forth in the Company of the Lord John Chandos Wherefore they endeavour'd to snap him if they might and determin'd whatever should happen to encounter with him for at best they reckon'd him much more easie to deal with than the Lord Chandos Accordingly having privately made their Musters consisting of a certain Quota from every Garrison they went secretly one Night from La Roche Pozay in Touraine just on the limits of Poictou under the Command of Lewis of Sancerre Marshal of France with whom were Sr. Robert of Sancerre his Brother Sr. John de Vienne Sr. John Bull Sr. William Bourde Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton to the Number of 700 Fighting Men. The Earl of Pembroke had by this time ended his Expedition and was returning home again having already entred Poictou after he had ravaged without Controll in the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart He had in his Company the Lord Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Sainctogne Sr. Neale Loring Sr. Thomas Spencer Sr. Thomas Piercy Sr. Dangouses Sr. John Harpedon Sr. James of Surgieres Sr. John Cousins Sr. Thomas of St. Alban Sr. Robert Twiford Sr. John Montagu Sr. Simon Ausagne Sr. John Touchet and many more Gentlemen of England and Poictou The Earl and his Men rode homeward without any suspicion having not had the least Intelligence of any Men of War stirring abroad at that time and in this Security with great Prey and Booty they enter'd the Bounds of Poictou On a e Frois c. 265. Du Chesne p. 702. day the Earl and his Men rode into a certain Village called Puirenon about High-Noon where they intended to Dine and began to mark out their Quarters and their Valets set up their Horses and others were busie in providing their Dinner when suddenly the Frenchmen who knew well enough what to do came galloping into the Town with their Spears in their Rests and crying out Our Lady of Sancerre for the Marshal of France And therewith they beat down the Englishmen on all hands in the streets and in the Houses wherefore there arose a great noise whereat the Earl of Pembroke and his Men were all amazed for they were suddenly taken When the Earl Sr. Baldwin Frevile and Sr. Thomas Piercy with the other Knights heard how the French were come and assailed their Men they drew forth of their Lodgings blew their Trumpets and unfolded their Banners hoping to bring their Troops together into Order But it was too late the French had intercepted many and slain more and disturbed all the rest so that at the first brunt there were taken and slain more than sixscore Wherefore the Earl's last shift was to withdraw as soon as he might with those Men he had left which were not above 200 beside all the Chief Officers into a place belonging to the Temple enclosed with High Stone Walls Hither they convey'd themselves and their Horses as many as they could recover and immediately prepared to defend the place with all their Power and barr'd up the Gates and gather'd together huge Stones and so set themselves in the best posture they might devise The mean while all those who were found in the Town were either taken or slain and most part of their Horses and Armour and all the Earl of Pembroke's Jewels Riches and Baggage were won Word was brought to the Frenchmen that the Earl himself and the residue of his Men were got together in a kind of a Church-yard at which News they were well pleas'd for they knew the place was not impregnable Some of them said in jest Let Us give them a little time to choose out their own Graves and after Dinner we 'll come and see how they fit them But the Chief Captains said Let Us go to 'um presently they are all our own they can no ways escape our Hands Now they shall pay dearly for all the Damages they have done Us in Touraine and Anjou And so they came in good Array to the Place and began to Assault it with great Vigour every where round about being all Men that wanted neither Skill nor Courage The Earl of Pembroke and his Men did their utmost to defend themselves so that no Men living could do better The Frenchmen had certain scaling Ladders by Chance with them upon which some of them adventur'd to mount the Wall with their Shields over their Heads for fear of shot and casting of stones But when they were up they were so hotly received
behind him but the Eldest was of his own Name and the Heir as well of his Vertues as Titles XXXI When now the Duke of Lancaster had been a few Days at Calais he gave leave to Sr. Robert of Namur Sr. Henry of Flanders Sr. Valeran van Bormio and all the Germans and other Strangers to go home having first promised them by the Grace of God to return the next Year more strong than he was as then and by them desiring the Duke of Gueldre and the Duke of Juliers to joyn him also at that time and to March with him into France And soon after he himself return'd for England thinking it unseasonable to attempt any thing more till next Summer G. Lit. Dom. For it was now the 19 of November and a Monday when he went on Board for England and thus ended this Expedition and all Warlike Attempts for this Year The Duke of Lancaster upon his Return into England found himself a Widdower for the Lady a Vid. Sandsord p. 244. c. Catal. Hen. p. 327 Walsing Hypod p. 131. Blanch his Wife was newly Deceased having left behind her One Son Henry sirnamed of Bolingbroke afterwards King of England by the Name of Henry IV and two Daughters Philippa and Elisabeth The said Lady Blanch was buried in the Famous Cathedral of St. Paul's Church in London There died also this Year b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48. on the 4 of November being the Sunday after All-Saints the Good Old Warrier Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk leaving behind him William his Second Son and Heir for Robert le Fitz his Eldest was Dead at that time 30 Years of Age. Dr. John Grandesson Bishop of Excester Departed this Life on the 15 of July after he had held that Seat almost 42 Years and was succeeded by Dr. Thomas Brentingham of both whom the Curious Reader may inform himself by Bishop Godwin's Catalogue XXXII King Charles of France c Mezeray ad hunc ann on the 7 of December held an Assembly of the Estates where there was granted unto the King an Imposition of one Sol per Liver upon Salt of Four Livers upon every Chimney in the City and of 30 Sols in the Country As likewise upon the Sale of Wine in the Country the 13th in Gross and the 14th upon Retail and upon entry at Paris 15 Sols for every Pipe of French Wine and 24 per Pipe for Burgundy Wine To which the Cities joyfully consented as knowing these Levies would be well menaged and cease again with the War. CHAPTER the SEVENTH AN. DOM. 1370. An. Regni Angliae XLIV Franciae XXXI The CONTENTS I. The unfortunate Death of the Lord John Chandos II. His Legacy to the Prince of Wales the Lord Thomas Percy succeeds him The Frenchmen taken at Lussac redeem'd Some French Lords stand Neuters some firm to England and some Change. III. King Edwards Letters of Indemnity to the Gascogne Lords IV. Chastelleraut taken by the French V. The Duke of Bourbon besieges the Companions in Bellepeche the Earls of Cambridge and Pembroke go to their Succour VI. The English Earls desire to have Battle of the Duke of Bourbon who refusing the Companions leave the Castle and carry away the Dukes Mother Prisoner before his Face VII King Edward sends for Sr. Robert Knolles and makes him his General and strengthens Himself by Allies VIII The French King prepares for the next Campaine and invites Sr. Bertram of Clequin to his Service The Dukes of Anjou and Berry resolve to invade the Principality IX King Edwards Preparations against France The Lady Isabella of Valois deliver'd out of Prison X. A League between France and Navarre XI The Duke of Anjou invades the Principality on one side and the Duke of Berry on the other XII The Prince prepares to oppose them XIII La Linde being on the point of being betray'd to the French is suddenly rescued by the English XIV The Death of David Bruce King of Scotland He is succeeded by his Nephew Robert Stuart the Genealogy of that Glorious Family and an old Error of the Scotch Historians concerning King Roberts Children exploded XV. The Copy of an Authentick Scotch Record with other strong Arguments for that purpose XVI King Robert enters a Truce with England Sr. Robert Knolles sent over with an Army to Calais with his Exploits He dares the French King before the Walls of Paris The Dukes of Anjou and Berry not daring to meet the Black-Prince break up their Armies Limoges betray'd to the Duke of Berry XVIII The Black-Prince goes and lays Siege to Limoges XIX Sr. Robert Knolles rises from before Paris XX. Limoges taken and sack'd by the Black-Prince XXI A Grant of the Prince's to his Brother the Duke of Lancaster with his Stile and Seal described XXII Vpon the Vacancy of the Constableship of France King Charles creates Sr. Bertram of Clequin his Constable XXIII Sr. Bertram goes against Sr. Robert Knolles and cuts off a Party of his Army XXIV Sr. Robert Knolles clears his Innocence and Sr. John Menstreworth proclaim'd Traytor XXV Pope Urban X dying is succeeded by Gregory XI Maximus Planudes the Collector of the Greek Epigrams called Anthologia flourishes I. TOward the Declining of the last Year there was given an Occasion of a very unhappy Accident which befell England this Year whereof thô unwilling We shall now discourse The Town a Frois c. 268. 270. D◠Chesne p. 704. of St. Salvin on the River Gartempe in Poicton about seven leagues from the City of Poictiers was before this an English Garrison and all the Inhabitants and the Monks belonging to the Abbey there had sworn Allegiance to the King of England But there was in this Abby a certain Monk who so extreamly hated his Superior the Abbot that thrô very Rancour of heart and out of pure spight to him he at last found an opportunity to betray the Abbot and all his Covent and Abbey and Town also into the Hands of Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton who took Possession of the Place in the French King's Name and repaired and fortified it and put a good Garrison therein Of this loss of St. Salvin when the Lord John Chandos heard he was vext beyond measure because he was Seneschal of Poictou and that Place among others pertained to his Province And he thought with himself that if he liv'd a little longer he would endeavour to recover it at any Rate and make those pay dearly for their Boldness who had presum'd to take it without his leave He thought b Frois c. 27◠c. on nothing in the World but how to recover this Place either by Force or Surprise he cared not much whether but to have it he was resolv'd or to lose Himself in the Attempt For this purpose he laid several Nights here an Ambush and there an Ambush and now one Stratagem was devised and then another but all his Care and Policy
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
within Ten Leagues on these Considerations they made signs for a Parley intending to treat with the Constable while yet they might do it on tolerable Terms Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin had received notice before this that he should hear of the English Succours that very Night Whereupon he more readily enclin'd to this Treaty and agreed to receive them to Mercy and so took the Castle and let the Garrison go with their Lives and Armour only This done he forthwith drew out all his Army into the open Field and set them in Battle Array ready to fight if need should be saying to his Men Messieures Consider well your business For our Enemies are coming towards Vs apace and I think yet before Night We shall have Battle Stand therefore all to your Guard and be ready to play the Men for the Honour of France Thus was Sr. Bertram dispos'd But the English made no great Haste to the Battle when they knew that St. Severe was lost beyond Recovery Besides other Matters came upon them which filled both their Hands and Heads with business enough For it is to be understood that the Frenchmen in Poictiers had all along many unsteady Minds among them who only sought an opportunity to revolt from the English So that now in the absence of Sr. Thomas Percy their Seneschal there arose an high Dissention in the City For three Parts of the Town were for letting in the French but Sr. John Reinolds the Mayor and Part of the Communalty resolved to remain true to the English Yet the Chief of the Richest Burgesses and of the Clergy whereof there was a great Number would by all means have the Constable sent for to come and take Possession of the City for they promised to open the Gates unto him Of which News the Constable was glad and communicated the matter to the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon Then it was agreed that the Constable should go from the Army with 300 Spears the best mounted in all the Host and so he went and rode the remainder of that Day and the Night following taking little rest more than 30 Leagues by another way than that which he knew the English kept The next Morning he came to Poictiers where he found the Gates open and his Friends ready to receive him Yet if he had tarried but an Hour longer or so he had come too late For Sr. John Reinolds the Mayor of Poictiers and those of his Party sent in all haste to the Captal and Sr. Thomas Percy who sent them immediatly an 100 Spears and as many Archers on Horseback and these were then come within a league of the City when Sr. Bertram enter'd XIV Upon News of the Loss of this Considerable Garrison of Poictiers all the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne Poictou and England were mightily cast down especially those who were then assembled together in Poictou to the number of 800 Spears and 400 Archers on Horseback For two Hundred of their former Number were now gone to save the Place thô as we shew'd they came too late Then they called a Council of War to advise how to proceed among so many Dangers and Uncertainties For they saw well they were in the midst of their Enemies and yet knew not whom to trust to as their Friends But the Loyal Barons and Knights of Poictou when they saw the English Captains so suspitious and jealous as they might well be in those Circumstances to raise up their Minds and assure them the more said Certainly Gentlemen our Friends and Companions in Arms We are very sorry to see how ill Matters go in these Parts and that it is not in our power to help it But surely Gentlemen You may be Confident of this that while We can hold our Swords in our Hands and there is but one Castle or Fortress left in Poictou for us to retire to we shall never desert you but remain True and Faithfull to our Natural Lord the King of England and to You. The English Captains that were there reply'd Gentlemen next unto God Almighty our chief Confidence is in You And thô it be to die in the Quarrel You shall find us True Companions Thus there was a long Debate held in the Field but at last it was concluded that the Poictevins should march separately one way and the Englishmen another And so the former viz. the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Thoüars the Lord of Roussillon the Lord Lewis of Harcourt Sr. Emery of Rochechoüart Sr. John Dangle Sr. Percival of Cologne Captain of Thoüars Sr. Reginald de Theüars Sr. William de Campenac Sr. James of Surgeres Sr. Hugh Monberon all these with their Retinues went to the strong City of Thoüars But the English Lords and Captains as the Lord Thomas Percy Sr. Richard of Ponchardon Sr. Thomas Fowkes Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Geoffry Argentine Sr. Walter Hewett Sr. John Vbrues Sr. Dangouses John Creswell David Holcroft and others took the way to Niort where they thought to have found a ready Entrance But when they came thither they found the Gates shut against them and the Bridge drawn up and upon Demand the Townsmen answerd That they must not expect any Admittance there This Affront the English could not endure but upon Advice resolved to assault the Place and to make the Inhabitants an Example to all others Now thô the Men of Niort had Inconstancy enough to imitate the Defection of others yet they had not so much Wit as to consider that they were not able to defend themselves against this Power of the English For as yet they had no sufficient Captain among them to direct them in case of Necessity nor any that understood perfectly the Art of War. Wherefore after a short Defence wherein they shew'd more Animosity than Skill the Place was carried by Force the Inhabitants for the most part put to the Sword and the Town spoil'd and rob'd by the English Though if they could but have held out till Night in all likelihood they had escaped For the Constable of France had sent thither Sr. Tibauld du Pont with 200 Chosen Men to reinforce them but this Succour as well as that which the English sent to save Poictiers came too late And so at Niort the English made a strong Garrison intending to lie still till they heard more News XV. While the English i Frois c. 304. thus lay at Niort and durst not divide themselves for doubt of their Inconstant Friends and for fear of their prevailing Enemies Owen the Titular Prince of Wales had succeeded so well with Don Henry King of Spain that he came now before Rochell with a strong Fleet of Fourty tall Ships Thirteen Barges and Eight Galeons full of good Souldiers under the Command of Don Rodrigo di Roses Admiral of Spain and therewith so block'd up the Haven that none could pass out or in without much Danger The Rochellers seeing themselves in no good Condition and indeed being
his Study to Physick as being an Art most Worthy of a Gentleman and a Candid Nature whereby he should be enabled to do good to the afflicted Bodies of his Fellow-Creatures But above all his Inclination prompted him to Travel especially into Asia and Africa two vast Portions of the World which together with Europe made up the whole Terrestrial Habitation for in those days the New-found World of America was not known Being therefore well provided with Necessaries and having taken Care for Bills that would pass among Merchants of most Nations he set forward resolving with Vlysses to discover the Government and Manners of many Nations Thus having with much labour carefully survey'd the Greater and the Lesser Scythia Armenia Tartaria both the Countries of Libya Arabia Syria Persia Media Mesopotamia Illyria India Graecia Egypt and other Kingdoms and not only informed his Mind with many Curious and notable Observations but also with the Knowledge of several Languages lest all this inestimable Treasure should perish together with his Life he wrote exactly in the Latine French and English Tongues his Itinerary of Thirty Three Years a Book of the Wonders of the World and a Description of the several Countries he had seen And at his Return into England as he seriously noted the Abuses of the times the Pious Gentleman would say In these our days We may say more truly than ever That Vertue is neglected the Church is trampled on the Clergy is led away with Errour the Devil reigneth Simony beareth sway Greatness is abus'd by Flattery Diligence Learning and Vertue are despised Vice and Impudence are exalted c. At last he departed this Life at Liege a City in the Bishoprick of Liege in Germany and lies buried in St. William's Convent without the Gate of the said City with this m Crtelius in Itiner Pitsaus p. 511. 512. Latine Inscription Here lies the Noble Gentleman Sr. John Mandevil otherwise sirnamed Knight of the Beard Lord of Kempten born in England a Professor of Physick very Devout in Prayer a most Bountifull Bestower of his Goods to the Poor who after he had travelled almost over the whole known World ended his Life at Liege in the Year of our Lord 1372 the 17 of November Besides which Inscription there was engraven on the Stone the Image of an Armed Man with a Forked Beard a Lion at his Feet and at his Head an Hand blessing with these Words in French Vos Ki passeis for mi Pour l'Amour Deix Proiez por mi. All you that pass by Pray for me of Charity The shield of his Arms thô void of late days is said to have been cover'd with a Plate whereon his Arms were depicted being Azure with a Bordure indented Or a Lion Rampant Argent with a Crescent Gules on his Breast Formerly there were to be seen the Knives Spurs and the Horse-Furniture which he us'd in his Travels thrô the World. It seems he was a Person of much more Credit with the Germans and French who have many Years perus'd his Writings in their own Languages than here in England among his Countrymen 'T is said of him n Engl. Atl◠3 Vol. p. 302. that after he had seen most of the Cities in the World he prefer'd Liege to whatever he had before met with and resolv'd as he did to spend the Residue of his Life in that Place But surely thô vulgarly the Books that go under his Name are reckon'd full of Incredible Stories either We must look on them as greatly falsified and differing from the Original or if once convinced of their Authority ought to be carefull in censuring rashly For this Man had the Reputation of being as Eminent for Piety and Integrity as for Knowledge CHAPTER the TENTH AN. DOM. 1373. An. Regni Anbliae XLVII Franciae XXXIV The CONTENTS I. The Constable of France lays Siege to Sivray An Army of English comes to raise it but are beaten II. Hereupon the Constable takes Sivray and after that Niort and Lusignan But Chastellacher obtains a Respite at the Request of the Lady thereof after that taking in Mortimer and Didonne he returns to Paris and is highly caressed by the King. III. Becherel in Bretagne and St. Saviour le Vicount in Normandy besieged by the French. IV. King Edward sets forth a Fleet which burns a part of the Spanish Fleet. V. King Charles confiscates the Dutchy of Bretagne because the Duke adher'd to England and sends the Constable to take Seisin thereof VI. The Duke of Bretagne thró distrust of his People retires for England leaving Sr. Robert Knolles behind as his Lieutenant VII The Constables Conquests in Bretagne Sr. Robert Knolles puts himself into Brest VIII The Constable comes before Brest and the Lord Clisson lays Siege to la Roche sur You in Poictou a Detachment at the same time being sent to take in Derual which was the Inheritance of Sr. Robert Knolles IX La Roche sur You yielded Derual compounds and gives Hostages Nantes recieves the Constable on certain Conditions X. Sr. Robert Knolles compounds for Brest that it shall be rescued in 40 Days or yielded XI The Earl of Salisbury being reinforced resolves to succour Brest by the Day appointed and to give the Constable battle but the Constable deceives him XII Sr. Robert Knolles goes to Derual XIII The Duke of Lancasters Expedition and March thrô France XIV Sr. Robert Knolles refusing to hold the Agreement made by his Men about yielding up Derual the Duke of Anjou strikes off the Heads of the English Hostages in revenge whereof Sr. Robert Knolles strikes off the Heads of 4 French Prisoners in sight of the Duke XV. Pope Gregory XI having obtain'd a Treaty to be held at Bruges writes unto the Commissioners of both Kings to prepare them and sends two Legates to compose Matters between the Duke of Lancaster and the French King. XVI The Difficulties of the English Army the Duke arrives at Bourdeaux XVII A Parliament at Westminster XVIII A Prodigious Malady call'd St. John's Dance XIX The Death of sundry Great Personages I. NO a Frois c. 306. f. 186. b. sed Gallice f. 255. sooner was the unactive season of Winter past but Sr. Bertram of Clequin Constable of France began to take the Field marching from the City of Poictiers with 14000 fighting Men whose Chief Captains besides the Constable were Sr. Alan de Beaumont Sr. John de Beaumanoir Sr. Arnold of Limosin Sr. Geoffry of Ricon Sr. John du Lanconet Sr. Geoffry of Carnuel and others With this Army the Constable went and laid Siege to b Sireth Frois Tizeth Du Chesne c. Sivray enclosing his Camp with Pales and a Ditch to avoid being troubled by Excursions in the Night During this Siege Sr. Robert Mico and Sr. Robert Scot who were Captains of the Place and had defended themselves with great Valour against the Attacks of the Frenchmen sent secret Word of their Condition to Sr. John Vbrues and to
Francis Petrarch the Laureat Poet of Italy of whom We have spoken b Lib. 1. c. 19. §. 14. p. 247. in the former Part of this History in the seventieth Year of his Age wherefore Squarzafichus the Writer of his Life is to be corrected who acknowledges him to have been of that Age and that he was born in the Year 1304 but yet that he died Anno 1364 which is a palpable Mistake Upon the Thursday next after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr there departed this Life that Valiant Baron Sr. John Charleton Lord of Powis leaving John his Son and Heir at that time 14 Years of Age and another Son named Edward aged about Four Years behind On the c Vid. Thorn's Chron. apud 10. Angl. Script p. 2148. p. 2150. Walsing hist p. 183. Hypod. p. 133. Godâ— Catal. p. 146. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 236. 5th of July D. William Wittlesey Archbishop of Canterbury departed this Life presently after whose Death the Monks of Canterbury elected for their Archbishop one Adam Easton d Ità Scriptâ—res nostri sed bis térve evolventi Victorellum nullus mihi cecurrit Cardinalis horum temperum Adam nominatus a Cardinal who was an Englishman born but thoroughly Italianated as having lead his whole Life in a manner at the Court of Rome Wherefore King Edward was so offended at this Choice of the Monks that he determin'd to banish them out of the Realm and to confiscate their Goods But then Pope Gregory thô he favour'd this his Cardinal yet to shield the poor Monks from the Danger of this Tempest was content to annull their Election and to bestow the Archbishoprick by way of Provision on Dr. Simon Sudbury then Bishop of London whom he knew the King liked well enough This Man was the Son of Nigellus Tibalds a Gentleman of Suffolk but being born in the Parish of St. George in Sudbury a Town of the said County he took his sirname thence after the manner of many Clergymen in those days He was a Man of Excellent Parts great Knowledge Judgement Wisdom and Eloquence and among many Works of Charity he e Speed's Maps in Kent c. 3. §. 8. built the West-Gate of the City of Canterbury and all the Wall from that Gate unto North-Gate commonly called by the Name of the Long-Wall an Act of no less Advantage to the City than of Expence and Charge to the Builder About seven Years after he yet ended unhappily being barbarously Murder'd together with Sr. Robert Hales Treasurer of England by the Rebels who were headed by Wat Tyler and Jack Straw in the Days of King Richard the Second neither his Age nor Dignity nor Eloquence nor Piety being able to mollifie the Minds of those Wretches who had already cast away the Bonds of their Allegiance X. About this time a certain Lady named Madam Alice Perrers being a Person of extraordinary Beauty f Stow's Survey of London p. 421. was therefore made Lady of the Sun and rode from the Tower of London thrô Cheap-side accompanied with many Lords Knights and Ladies every Lady leading a Lord or a Knight by his Horses Bridle till they came into West-Smithfield where presently began a Solemn Justs which held for seven Days together But because hereafter we shall have occasion to speak further of this Madam Alice Perrers especially since by our Vulgar Historians she hath constantly been misrepresented I shall here once for all make a more particular Enquiry who and what She was That She was not King Edward's Concubine as most of our Writers one taking it from another too boldly affirm may appear not only from the utter Improbability of the Matter it self which we shall shew but also from the Reputation of her Person which was so great that after this She was g Dudg Warwickshire p. 434. taken in Marriage by a considerable Baron of this Realm the Lord William Windsor h Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 509. who in the Fourty Third of this King was Constituted his Lieutenant of Ireland but afterwards became much more notable Now I say 't is neither probable that King Edward who never else is said to have gone astray even in the Flower of his Age especially while his beloved Queen lived which was within five Years of this time except only that Story of his being enamour'd on the Fair Countess of Salisbury which We have utterly exploded should now in the very impotence of his Age burn in Flames to which he had so seldom indulged And it is as improbable that so Noble a Baron as Sr. William Windsor should afterwards take in Marriage so notoriously infamous a Woman had she been thought at that time such a lewd and impudent Strumpet as many would make her But the i Rot. Par. 1 Ric. 2. n. 41. c. Vid. M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridg. p. 158. n. 41. Records themselves are nothing so severe upon the Reputation of this Lady as appears from these Words Dame Alice Perrers was introduced before the Lords and by Sr. Richard Scroop Knight Steward of the Kings Houshold charged for pursuing of Matters contrary to order taken two Years before namely that no Woman should for any Advantage present any Cause in the Kings Court on pain of losing all they had and being banished the Realm for ever That particularly she had procured Sr. Nicolas Dagworth to be called from Ireland whither he had been sent and at the same time procured from the King Restitution of Lands and Goods to Richard Lyon Merchant of London whereas the same Lands having been forfeited by him had been given to the Kings own Sons To all which the said Dame Alice reply'd that she had not pursued any such thing for any Advantage of her own Whereupon divers Officers Counsellours and Servants to King Edward the Third being examin'd prov'd that she made such pursuit and that in their conceits for her own private Gain And so the Lords gave judgement against the said Lady that according to the Order aforesaid she should be banished and forfeit all her Goods and Lands whatsoever But as Sr. Robert Cotton goes on to say truth of the Devil is counted Commendable and therefore surely says he the Record against the said Lady being very long proves no such heinous Matter against her only it shews how she was in such Credit with King Edward the Third that she sat at his Beds head when others were fain to stand at the Chamber Door and that she moved those things unto him which they of the Privy-Chamber durst not And further says he those two Points for which she was condemned seemed very honest Only her Misfortune was that she was Friendly to many but all were not so to her The Record is strange and worthy of perusal Thus much by the by for clearing of injur'd Innocence and stopping the Mouth of Popular Calumny thô this Matter of Record happen'd
37 of Ed. 3. tit 18. shall be executed And for exacting Money of them at the Bridges aforesaid or elsewhere against their Franchises they shall make their Suit in the Chancery and have their Writs grounded on their Liberties to stay such takings The Commons of the County of Kent complain against the Officers of the Castle of Dover for arresting them by their Catchpoles to answer before them whereunto they are g M.S. Sr. Rob. Cotton hâ—c vocula not intercidit not bound The Officers shall have no Jurisdiction out of the Fee of the Honour and Castle of Dover nor shall make any Process by Capias out of the Liberties of the Cinque-Ports Certain of the Sea-Coasts complain to the King that whereas they by the King 's Appointment with their Ships transported Sr. Thomas Felton Steward of Gascogne and Sr. William Elman Governour of Bayonne unto Bourdeaux and from thence went to the Baye where certain Spanish Gallies notwithstanding the Truce taken between the King the Spaniards and Frenchmen boarded and took them viz. on the tenth of August last past before herein therefore they pray Remedy The King hath done and will do his best for Redress and Restitution The Inhabitants of the Town of Southhampton pray the King to take the Town into his own Hands for that they are not able to pay the Fee-Farm by reason of the great Charge about the Fortification of the same and that he would send thither Men of War for the Defence of the same The King will be advised The Mayor and Commonalty of Winchester pray the King to confirm and grant to them their Liberties in such wise as was last granted to London and that towards the Murage of the same he would give them some Aid of Custom or otherwise The Answer to this is not to be read The Commons of divers Cities and Towns require the payment of certain Moneys lent the King in the time of Thomas Brantingham Bishop of Excester and Treasurer of England They shall be paid as soon as may be The Lords of the Realm and their Tenants pray the King of Remedy against the Riots of divers Cities and Towns for that they enter upon their several Grounds therein claiming Common considering the Wasts thereunto adjoyning may suffice therefore and namely that such of the Townsmen as have not Lands lying with any of the said Lords may have no Common in any of their Lands This Matter is before the Council The Inhabitants of Bath complain that whereas they had a Fair there at the Feast of St. Calixtus the Town of Bristow being but ten Miles from them have raised a Fair at Bristow the same Day and forbidden all their Townsmen of Bristow upon certain Penalties to bring any Wares to the said Fair of Bath for this they pray Remedy It is before the Great Council The Commons of Essex and Suffolk pray that certain Clothes there or elsewhere called Cogware and Kersies made in the said Counties be not within the compass of the Statute of Clothes made in the 47 Ed. 3. h In M.S. c. 41. sed eâ— Statutis câ—rrâ—ge c. 1. The King willeth that they have such Words that the Straight-Ware called Cogware and Kersies made in the said Counties shall not be intended to be comprised in the said Statute nor under the penalty therein The Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London pray that they may enjoy all their Liberties and that no Stranger do keep House or be a Broker or sell Merchandise by Retail The King hath granted thereto conditionally that the same City be well governed saving to the Merchants of the Hans their Liberties The Citizens and Burgesses of divers places there mention'd complain for and in the Name of their respective Cities and Towns that divers of the King's Tenants having i Vide de hâc vece Cowell Spelman Skinner c. Burgage within them do suffer them to fall to decay whereby they are the less able to pay their Fee-farms for which they pray Remedy The Citizens of * M.S. Chester Chichester pray Remedy for that they are impleaded out of the same City for their Freeholds and for that they are driven to appear at Assizes and Sessions contrary to the general Words of their Liberties Let them shew their Charters in the Chancery and they shall have Right They require also Confirmation of their Charters according to that purport Let them also shew their Charters and they shall have Right The Commonalty of Surrey and Sussex pray Remedy that whereas the King out of his Fee-farms paid for the said Counties hath granted to Richard Earl of Arundel the two k M.S. Towns c. in Sr. Rob. Cotton Turns of Sheriffs in the Rapes of Chichester and Arundel worth by the Year 30 l. and certain Rent called Sheringdeld to the Yearly value of 14 l. 19 s. 1 d. yielding therefore yearly 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. The Sheriff may upon his Accompt be discharged thereof Let it be shewed to the King and if it please him that the Earl enjoy the same the Sheriff shall be discharged according to the Quantity if not the Sheriff shall be at his Answer The Burgesses of Southwark pray a Confirmation of their Charter lately burn'd by Casualty Let them make their pursuit in the Chancery and they shall have Right The Mayor and Commons of New-Castle upon Tine complain that whereas the Prior of Tinemouth Parcel of St. John of Jerusalem in England by cautelous and suborned means brought his Writ of Freehold in Fernham and put in View and Plaint the greater Parcel in Value of the same Town holden in Farm of the Crown time out of Mind and recovered Whereupon Order was taken that the same Justice of Assize should not in that Assize have a procedendo but that the Chancellor should grant a Commission for the Examining of the Truth untill which time the Matter should stay they therefore require that the Assize be no further proceeded in untill the Commission return Remedy is provided in this Parliament as appeareth by another Bill thereunto indorsed The Commons of the Marches m an Estriveling of Estritheng require that Commission may be made to the Lord Percy the Prior of Bridlington Sr. Robert Boynton Sr. Robert Constable Sr. John Snaresby and John Almaric that they may appoint able Persons for the Defence of the same and namely an Arrival between a Place called Earl-Dikes and the Town of Whitby It pleaseth the King. The Commons of the Counties of Essex and Hertford pray that the Sheriff upon his Account be allowed an 100 l. yearly of that which he cannot receive Let them search the Exchequer or Treasury or elsewhere for the Causes of the Distress of those Farms for two years now ensuing and in the mean time the Sheriff shall have pardon of an Hundred Marks The Commons of the City of Rochester pray that the n Ità Sr. Rob. Cotton sed in
a certain Priest began to question them about the Reason of this their unusual rage and concourse He was answer'd by some of them that they sought for the Duke and the Lord Marshal to get them to deliver Sr. Peter de la Mare whom they wrongfully detained in Prison To this the Priest answer'd again more boldly than wisely That Sr. Peter said he is a false Traytor to the King and worthy to have been hanged long since At these words the Rabble cry'd out upon him with a terrible shout saying that he was a Traytor and so falling upon him wounded him to Death VIII Nor in all likelihood had the Tumult thus ceased had not the Bishop of London leaving his Dinner at the first News of this Disturbance come to them at the Savoy and putting them in mind of the solemn season of Lent with much ado perswaded them to go home and be quiet However as they were returning to the City seeing they could do no harm to the Dukes person who was now out of their Reach they began to wreak their Anger on all that they could find belonging unto him and taking his Arms in the most shamefull manner they hung them up Reversed in divers parts of the City as if he had been a Traytor Nay when One of the Dukes Gentlemen came riding thrô the City with a Plate of the Dukes Arms about his Neck these Men not enduring such a sight flang him from his Horse tore away his Cognisance from him and had certainly served him as they had served the Priest but that the Mayor came opportunely to his Rescue and sent him home safe to the Duke his Master So hatefull at that time was the Duke of Lancaster to the Londoners IX When the Princess understood how ill-affected the Londoners stood unto the Duke she sent unto them Three of her Knights Sr. Aubrey de Vere Sr. Simon Burley and Sr. Lewis Clifford to entreat them to be reconciled unto the Duke They for their parts answer'd how for the Honour of the Princess they would obey and with all Reverence be ready to do whatever she should please to require But however this they said and charged the Messengers to tell the Duke as much by word of Mouth that they were resolved that the Bishop of Winchester and Sr. Peter de la Mare should be brought to their Answer and judged by their Peers So that either they might be acquitted If they were Guiltless or if culpable receive their due according to the Laws of the Realm At the same time the Mayor and Common-Council of London sent certain u Daniel's hist p. 359 c. of their Chief Citizens to the Old King to make their Excuse concerning this Tumult protesting that they themselves were no way privy thereto but upon the first Knowledge sought by all means to suppress the same Which they could not do because the whole Commonalty was in a Commotion upon an Information that their Liberties should be taken from them by Parliament The King told them that it never enter'd into his heart to infringe their Liberties it was rather his Desire to enlarge them And therefore he willed them to banish all needless fear occasion'd by too easie Credulity and to return and endeavour to keep the City in Quiet which they did being well satisfied with this Answer We shall not here dwell on the minuter parts of this Story nor shew what Indignation and Grief the Duke conceived hereat nor what means and suit the Londoners were fain to make to the King his Father for their Liberties nor what Rhymes and Ballads were made upon the Duke in London nor how the Bishops at the Duke's instance were obliged to excommunicate all his Defamers nor how at last he was revenged of these contumelious injuries having caused the Mayor and Aldermen to appear before the King where they were sharply rebuked for their Misdemeanor by the Grave Oration of Sr. Robert Ashton the Kings Chamberlain in presence of the King Archbishops Bishops the Kings Children and the Chief Nobility of the Realm nor how they were then and there enjoyned at the Publique Charges of the City to make a Great Taper of Wax which with the Dukes Arms set upon it should be brought in solemn Procession to the Church of St. Paul there to burn continually before the Image of our Lady Nor how at last in the beginning of the next Kings Reign the Duke and the Londoners were fully reconciled together with the Kiss of Peace and the said Reconciliation published in the Churches of St. Paul and Westminster to the great joy of the whole City Nor shall I speak any farther of John Wicklisse x Odor Rainal ad hunc an §. 4. Walsingh hist p. 201 c. how the Pope wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to convene him once more and how the Princess of Wales deliver'd him nor how lastly he was fain to retire into Bohemia where he spread his Doctrine For these Matters do neither in their own Nature nor Time agree with our present Design X. All these things I pass over as Matters either foreign or of small Moment so likewise I leave in silence the y Vid. M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 238. Riot made between the Earl of Warwicks Men and the Abbot and Monks of Evesham as also z Fox Acts Men. p. 394. the hurlyburly made at Laneham in Suffolk against Henry Spencer the Warlike Bishop of Norwich and other trivial Matters And haste now to an end of King Edward's Life and our Labour About this time Sr. John Menstreworth that false Knight of whose abominable Treason We a Vid. Hujus hist l. 4. c. 7. §. 23. 24. p. 809 c. spake in the Fourty Fourth Year of this King was suddenly b M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 239. Walsingh hist p. 189. Fabian p. 262. Holinsh p. 998. surprised by certain Englishmen in Pampelone a City of Navarre and being presently sent over into England was now tryed before the Mayor and other the Kings Justices in the Guild-hall at London where these things were proved home upon him namely That being entrusted by his Sovereign Lord the King and having received considerable Sums of Money to pay the Kings Souldiers therewith he had falsly and like a Traytor kept the Money to his own use also that he had maliciously occasion'd a Dissention and Discord in the Kings Army and thereby gave the Enemy advantage against them Whereof being accused unto the King and fearing the Punishment due unto him therefore like a false and forsworn Traytor he fled into France unto the Kings Enemies and there was sworn unto the French King and conspired against his Natural Lord and Master undertaking to direct the Spanish Navy and bring them into England to the Confusion and Destruction of his Native Country Of all which he was fully convicted and
up to King Edward of England after it had endured a Siege of Eleven Moneths within three days viz. from the b Knighten p. 2595. n. 2â— seventh of September 1346 to the 4 of August MCCCXLVII which was a Saturday and the Day that King Edward received the Keys Then the King spake to the Lord Walter Manny and the two Marshals of his Host the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Stafford afterwards Earl of Stafford saying Here Sirs take you the Keys of the Town and Castle and go and take Possession thereof in my Name and lay all the Knights and Esquires that be there in Prison but as for the Common Souldiers that came thither only for hire turn them all out of the Town as also after they are well refreshed all the Inhabitants Men Women and Children For I intend to Repeople the Town only with Englishmen So these three Lords with an 100 Men of Arms went and took Possession of Calais and secured in Prison the Bodies of Sr. John of Vienna the chief Captain Sr. John Surry Sr. Barton de Belborn and other Officers of the Garrison after which they commanded all the Souldiers to bring together their Harness into the Town-Hall where they laid it all together on an heap for they were not permitted to bear any Armour away Now the King of his wonted Goodness had already c Knighton p. 2595 〈◊〉 10. sent store of Victuals into the Town to refresh the poor Commons therewith But they were so hungry and afflicted and wasted with Famine that either thrô too much Greediness they surfeited or thrô too much Weakness were unable to digest so that by the next day at night there died of them more than 300 Persons As for the rest the King commanded them d Stow p. 244. ex Tho. de la Mere c. to be safely conveyed to the Castle of Guisnes within the French Pale when they had been refreshed with the Kings Alms and were grown strong enough to endure Travail But the most part of them thought themselves not secure e Frois c. 147. till they were got to St. Omers Thus all manner of People were turned out of the Town f Frois ibid. except one Priest and two other ancient Men who understood the Customs Laws and Ordinances of the Place and how to point out and assign the Lands that lay about the Town and the several Inheritances as they had been divided before And when all things were duely prepared for the Kings Reception he mounted his Great Horse and rode into Calais with a Triumphant noise of Trumpets Clarions and Tabours He took up his Lodgings in the Castle where he lay more than a Month all the while Fortifying and setling Affairs both there and in the Town untill g Frois ibid. his Queen was deliver'd of a Fair Daughter called Margaret of Calais who was afterwards married to the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke who was Son of Laurence Hastings now living but she died before the said John her Husband without Issue both he and she being at that time but very young Speeds h Speed p. 580. §. 105. Mistake is here to be corrected who makes Queen Philippa to be big with Child of this Infant at the Battle of Durham and Walsingham i Walsing bist p. 15â— n. 3. also who fixes the time too forward by several Days making the Child to be born on the III of the Kalends of August when as the Town of Calais wherein she was born was not won till the iv of August Nor is Mr. k Sandford's Geneal Hâ—st c. p. 179. Sandford to be omitted who makes the Place of her Birth to be Windsor without any Authority but Conjecture While the King of England tarried thus at Calais he gave many fair Houses in that Town to the Lord Walter Manny to the Earl of Warwick to the Lord Ralph Stafford and the Lord Bartholomew Burwash who l Dugd. 2 Vâ—l. p. 35. also obtain'd of the King in consideration of his Services a Grant of the Marriage of one of the Sisters and Heirs of Edward St. John Son and Heir of Hugh St. John deceased and his Son Sr. Bartholomew the Younger among other things obtain'd in recompence of his Services in the Wars a Grant of the Lands of John Louvaine deceased till his Heir Nicolas Louvaine then the Kings Ward should be of full Age. And besides we find that the King gave to all his great Lords vast Allowances for their several Retinues during this Siege as particularly to the Earl of Warwick for three m Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. Bannerets 61 Knights 106 Esquires and 154 Archers on Horseback the Summ of 1366 l. 11 s. and 8 d. And yet Others had far greater Retinues as Henry Earl of Darby n Knighton p. 2596. n. 10. who had 30 Bannerets 800 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers and kept such Hospitality in the Camp that he expended dayly an 100 l. and 8 or 9 Marks So that after the Truce it appeared by Computation that he had spent above 17000 l. Sterling out of his own Purse beside the Wages allow'd him by the King. All which Services were graciously consider'd by the King his Master who bestowed now on him and other Lords a competent Portion of Houses they never built and of Lands they never purchased that so they might be obliged to People and defend the Town Besides all which he design'd upon his return into England to send out of London 36 Substantial Citizens with their Wives and Families to dwell in Calais as he afterwards did but the greater part of the Inhabitants came out of Kent And thus from that time Calais became a perfect Colony of Englishmen Now on the Day o 9 Aâ—gâ—lli before St. Laurence while Order was taking to preserve the Town of Calais in the English Hands there p Knighton p. 2595. n. 60. happened in the English Camp before the Town a sad and grievous Mischance of sudden Fire which devoured the Tents and Pavilions without Remedy they being for the most part made of strong Timber But this was remarkable that as the fire came near the Kings Tent as if not willing or not daring to do any harm there it flew over among other Tents consuming and destroying Victuals Wine Gold and Silver things of pleasure and necessity Bows and Arrows and other Warlike Ammunition So that the King was fain to send into England for a fresh Supply Besides there came thither about the same time an Army of q Knighton ibid. n. 10. c. 60000 Flemings to assist King Edward supposing that the King of France was still there and that a Battle would ensue between the two Kings He for his part tho now he had no need of them having already taken the Town yet by the great Gifts he bestow'd among the Captains and other Officers and the liberal Donations he gave to the Souldiers
Motto wrought upon his Surcoat and Shield Hay hay the White Swan By Gods Soul I am thy Man. The same Liberty which was granted to the n Stow ibid. King of Scots was also allowed to Ralph Earl of Eu and Guisnes and Constable of France with the Earl of Tancarville the Lord Charles of o Valois apud Stow male Blois and many other both French and Scotch Captives to whom the Courteous King not only permitted the use of Arms upon this and other the like occasions but impartially awarded them the Prizes they deserved Particularly the Earl of Eu bare himself at this time with so much Honour that King Edward adjudged unto him that days Prize and soon after gave him p Knighten p. 2606. n. 64. leave upon Paroll to return into France in order to gather up 20000 Scutes for his own Ransom and to negotiate about the Redemption of others his Country-men that were then also Prisoners here But this Favour of King Edwards thus graciously bestowed on this Worthy Personage proved accidentally an occasion of such a Mortal Jealousie to the French King that thereby he found or made a Pretence to bereave him of his Life as in the next Year we shall shew more plainly The mean while the Fame of these frequent and notable Tourneaments held by so Warlike a Prince invited hither many Gallant Knights from Foreign Parts but especially the Young Noblemen of Gascoign came hither as to the Chiefest School of War to practise themselves in Feats of Arms And during the Summer-season both these and others the Prisoners of both Nations were allow'd to q Stow p. 246. follow the Court and pass their time with the King and his Nobles in hunting in Claringdon-Park near Salisbury in Wiltshire and in several other the Kings Forests both in those parts and elsewhere V. On the r Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 112. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 786. b. ex Claus 23. Ed. 3. par 2. m. 5. ex Chart. 23. Ed. 3. n. 4. 20 of August King Edward being desirous to do further Honour to his Heroick Cousin Henry Plantagenet who already bore the Title of Earl of Lancaster Darby and Leicester and Steward of England added further the Title and Dignity of Earl of Lincoln granting him therewith the Annual Fee of 20 pounds to be paid by the Sheriff of that County in lieu of the Tertium denarium as Thomas his Uncle late Earl of Lincoln had before him And hereupon ſ Ret. Vasc 23. Ed. 3. m. 3. he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain General in the parts of Poictou with Power to Treat of Peace and Amity as also for a strict observation of the Truce already taken with the French And upon his journey thither he obtain'd t Pat. 23. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 6. Licence to grant a 1000 l. per annum Lands and Rents unto certain Persons to dispose of according to his own direction for the term of 12 Years then to come VI. Now it is to be premised that the occasion of this Valiant Earls Expedition into Gascoign at this time was because by the Treachery of some wicked Men the Truce was highly violated there And u Stow p. 247. ◠John Duke of Normandy King Philips Eldest Son had made a great disturbance in that Dutchy challenging and taking of Places that belonged not unto him nor were King Edwards Captains there present able to impeach him And in Bretagne likewise about this time that Noble and Valiant Baron Sr. Thomas Dagworth who about 2 Years before had taken the Lord Charles of Blois before Roche D'Arien was basely and barbarously murder'd in time of Truce Froisard x Frois c. 153. says he was fairly fought withall by Sr. Ralph de Cahors who had sixscore Men of Arms in his Company before his Castle of Auray where together with him were slain an hundred Men of Arms English and Bretons Fabian y Fabian p. 228. says indeed the same French Knight slew him but that it was by chance-medley However the greater part of our z Knighton p. 2602. n. 42. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. Stow p. 246 ex Sr Tho. de la More c Historians agree 't was done by fraud and not plain Valour and one relates the Matter thus that the Sons of Sabater with a few others having first laid a strong Ambush in the Wood adjoyning passed openly that way as designing to forage thereabouts Of these Prollers Sr. Thomas Dagworth who was the King of Englands Lieutenant in those parts and at that time lay in the Castle of Auray having notice with only 16 Armed Men in his Company pursued these Robbers who fled purposely toward their Ambush and enter'd the Wood after them where being surpris'd by the Ambush thô he slew no less than 300 of them yet at last having received five Wounds upon his Face and Body and lost all his Men who died faithfully by his side he himself was finally thrust thrô the Body with a Spear and ended his Life as formerly he had maintain'd it Valiantly and with Honour Froisard and from him Du Chesne and from them as it happens many of our old Writers call him Dangorne and Dagorne but this proceeding from the obscurity of old M. SS or the variation of the name thrô foreign Languages must be corrected and read Dagworth as is well known besides other undeniable Authorities from the Records themselves Wherefore neither is it material to observe the difference among Authors concerning the time of his Death some fixing it a Year more forward others two Years backward Since the a Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 148. ex Ret. Fra c. 23. Ed. 3. m. 5. Records are the surest Guide which in this place also I have followed However thus this Valiant Worthy fell thrô the Treason of the French and Bretons that held of their part for it was a notorious violation of the Truce leaving behind him by his Lady Eleanor Nicolas his Son and Heir then very young who in time came to be a notable Imitator of his Fathers Vertues and Revenger of his Death VII Such Provocations as these being given by the French both in Bretagne and in Gascogne King Edward easily provided for the former having already sufficient Captains in those Parts But as for the latter he constituted as we said before Henry Earl of Lancaster and Derby his Lieutenant and Captain General and b Stow p. 247. about the Feast of All-Saints sent him well provided into Gascogne Where presently he began to take the Field with an Army c Dugd. 1 Vol. 786. Hen. Knighton p. 2601. n. 60. p. 2602. of 30000 Men and marched forth to seek his Enemies for above ten Days in which time he took more than fourty Towns and Castles and with Fire and Sword made great Spoil for above 40 French Miles Southward At last he came to Tholouse a great and strong City on the
River Garonne and by his Heralds demanded of them in the Name of his Master the King of England to yield or to come forth and give him Battle To which the Captains within returned Answer that if he would tarry five Days they would then come out and fight him Hereupon he granted them a Truce for Four days but on the Fifth when he saw they would not fight according to their Promise he set fire on the Suburbs and so returned having spoiled the Country all about to the great terrour of the Inhabitants There accompanied the Earl of Lancaster in this his Expedition d Stow p. 247 Ralph Lord Stafford the Lord Bartholomew Burwash and Sr. Bartholomew his Son the Eldest Sons of the Lords Nevill and Piercy Sr. e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 70. Miles Stapleton Knight of the Garter and Thomas Lord Furnival Which latter f Stow p. 249. 250. within a while after too rashly engaging with his Enemies was by them taken Prisoner Soon after King Edward himself prepared to make a Voyage into France but the Earl of Lancaster returning the mean while out of Gascogne signified unto him that according to the Extent of his Commission he had agreed unto a further Truce wherefore that Design was no further pursued at that time VIII Now during these Wars in Bretagne and Gascogne there were many single Combats and sometimes Battles at utterance between certain Numbers of French and English as sometimes 10 20 or 30 on each Side All which were fought with extream Animosity and Obstinacy as wherein the Honour of their several Countries was so nearly concerned One particularly at one time was occasion'd in this Manner Twenty g Knighton p. 2607. n. 20. French Knights challenged Twenty Others either of England or Gascogne to fight them in a certain place assigned them in the Marches between Gascogne and France which Challenge being accepted each Party gave Security to the other not to forsake the Field upon any Account so long as one was left ready and willing to engage him in Combat Accordingly the time being come they all performed their Parts so valiantly and stood to it so long that of the French but Three were left alive and of the other Part only the Noble Lord of Pamiers being slain almost all the rest were grievously wounded Another Combat in like manner was agreed to be fought between h Mezeray p. 39. ad ann 1351. Sr. Walter Raleigh Hist of the World p. 954. Thirty English and Thirty Bretons Sr. Richard Bembre being Captain of the former and the Lord of Beaumanoir of the latter In which Number there was a Valiant Young English Gentleman named Sr. Hugh Calverlee Of whose Martial Acts we shall speak hereafter Froisard names i Frois c. 149. one young Esquire Croquart who being at this time chosen on the English Part wan the Prize above all of either side However Mezeray says the Advantage remain'd here with the Bretons and the chief Honour of that Side with the Captain the Lord of Beaumanoir and it is added in the Margin that afterwards Sr. Bertram of Clequin fighting hand to hand with the said Sr. Richard Brembre in close Field vanquished and slew him IX By reason of these hot Wars many poor and mean Fellows arrived to great Riches as Fortune favour'd that side they served So that in time several such kind of Persons set up for themselves and grew Captains of Robbers and retain'd Assistants whereby they wan Towns and Castles took Prisoners and by their Ransoms and otherwise got incredible Pillage and Booty some of their Captains being worth above 40000 Crowns of Gold. These Men would often by their Spies seek out where there was any considerable Town or Village within a Days journey or so from them and being informed as to that point they would assemble Thirty or Fourty of them together and take by ways travelling night and day and so unknown enter into the Place designed before it was Light and straight set fire to some House or Barn Whereupon the poor Inhabitants thinking some Men of War near would fly away with all speed imaginable the mean while these Robbers would break up their Houses and Coffers and having thence taken what they pleased march off as they came Among others there was one of these graceless Captains in Languedoc named Bacon who having by his Spies privaly found out the manner of the strong Castle of Colbourne in Limosin rode by Night with 30 Chosen Men in his Company and presently surprized the Castle and the Lord thereof who was called by the Castles Name the Lord Colbourne whom he imprison'd and held there in his own Castle under restraint so long till at last he made him pay 24000 Crowns for his Ransom And yet for all that he kept the Castle still and thence made war upon the Country Till at last the French King was fain to buy him off and to purchase his Service and the Castle For the latter whereof he gave him 20000 Crowns more and made him Usher of Arms about his own Person And thus was thô Bacon of a Robber made a Gentleman and Servant to a King and he went always well Horsed and Armed as if he had been an Earl during his life Nor was the Dutchy of Bretagne free from this Sort of People who now in time of Truce made War where they listed and wan and surprized Towns and Castles and lived on Plunder holding of no Man For what they got they kept themselves or sold back to the Country at their own Rates The most considerable among those who reign'd thus in Bretagne was one Captain Croquart a valiant and expert Man of Arms who had formerly been a Page and waited on the Lord Barkley in Holland but when he began to be a Man his Master gave him leave to follow the Wars in Bretagne There he fell into service with an English Man of Arms and behav'd himself so well that when afterwards his Master was slain in a Skirmish his Fellow-Souldiers chose him for their Captain and Master Whereupon teaching his Men this sweet way of Free-booty he arrived to such Wealth that he was accounted worth above 40000 Crowns besides his Horses and Warlike Furniture and he had always at least twenty or thirty good Barbed Horses menaged for the War And himself bare the Reputation of being one of the most expert Men of Arms in all that Country for he had been chosen in the Combat whereof we spake to be one of the Thirty on the English Side and there he wan the Prize beyond all of either Party The French King attempted to bring him also over to his Side offering him if he would turn against the English to make him a Knight and marry him to a great Fortune and likewise to allow him out of his Exchequer 2000 l. of yearly Revenues during his Life But either he loved the English or at least this licentious way of Robbing
Belleville the City and Castle of Sainctes and all the Land and Country of Sainctogne on this side and on that side the Charente l This Clause omitted in Du Chesne's Copy sed ea Johannis Regis Franciae Recapitulatione alâ—is addo res â—â—sa prebat la Rochelle Angis traditam with the Town and Castle of Rochelle and their Appurtenances The City and Castle of Agen and the Land and Country of Agenois The City and Castle and the whole 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 the Land and Country of m i.e. Quercy Cahorsin 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 Angoulesmâ—is The City and Castle of Rodes and the Land and Country of Rovergue And if there are any Lords as the Earl of Foix the Earl of Armagnac the Earl of L'Isle the n Hunc addo eâdem ratâ—one quâ clrâ—sulam super◠〈◊〉 Vicount of Carmaine the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Limoges and Others who hold any Lands or Places within the Bounds of the said Places they shall make Homage to the King of England and all other Services and Duties due because of their Lands or Places in like manner as they have done in time passed 2. Item That the King of England shall have all that which the King of England or any of the Kings of England anciently held in the Town of Monstrevil on the Sea. 3. Item the King of England shall have the Earldom of Ponthieu all entirely saving and excepting that if any things of the said County and its Appurtenances have been alienated by the Kings of England which have been to other Persons than to the King of France then the King of France shall not be obliged to render them to the King of England And if the said Alienations have been made to the Kings of France which have been for the time without any o i.e. Middle Person Mean and the King of France holds them at present in his Hand he shall leave them to the King of England entirely excepting that if the Kings of France have had them in Exchange for other Lands the King of England shall deliver to the King of France that which he had by Exchange or quit those things so alienated But if the Kings of England which have been for the time have alienated or conveyed any things to other Persons than to the King of France he shall not be obliged to restore them Also if the things abovesaid owe Homages the King shall give them to another who shall do Homage to the King of England and if the things do not owe Homage the King of France shall put in a Tenant who shall do him Service within a Year following after he shall be gone from Calais 4. Item That the King of England shall have the Castle and Town of Calais The Castle Town and Lordship of Merk the Castles Towns and Lordships of Sangate Cologne Hames Wale and Oye with the Lands Woods Marishes Rivers Rents Lordships Advousons of Churches and all other Appurtenances and Places lying between the Limits and Bounds following That is to say to the Border of the River before Graveling and so by the same River round about Langle and by the River which runs beyond the Poil and by the same River which falls into the great Lake of Guisnes as far as Fretun and thence by the Vally about p i.e. Chalkhill Calculi Hill enclosing that Hill and so to the Sea with Sangate and all its Appurtenances 5. Item That the King of England shall have the Castle Town and the whole Earldom of Guisnes entirely with all the Lands Towns Castles Fortresses Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Forests and Rights thereof as entirely as the Earl of Guisnes last deceased had them in his Time and that the Churches and 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 obey'd the King of France or the Earl of Guisnes for the time being All which things of Merk and Calais being contained in this present Article and the Article next preceding the King of England shall hold in Demaine except the Heritage of the Churches which shall remain to the said Churches entirely wheresoever they be and so except the Heritages of other People of the Country of Merk and Calais seated without the said Town of Calais unto the value of an Hundred Pounds per annum of currant Money of that Country and under Which Inheritances shall remain to them even to the Value abovesaid and under But the Habitations and Inheritances being within the said Town of Calais with their Appurtenances shall remain to the King of England in Demain to order them after his Pleasure And also to the Inhabitants in the Countie Town and Land of Guisnes shall remain all their Demains entirely and fully and shall return to them again forthwith save what is said of the Frontiers Metes and Bounds in the last preceding Article 6. Item It is accorded that the said King of England and his Heirs shall have and hold all the Isles adjacent to the Lands Countries and Places above-named together with all other Islands which the King of England holdeth at this present 7. Item It is accorded that the said King of France and his Eldest Son the Regent for them and for all their Heirs and Successors as soon as may be and at the furthest 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 England and to all his Heirs and Successors and shall convey unto them all the Honours Obediences Homages Allegiances Vassalages Fiefs Services Recognisances Rights mere and mixt Empire and all manner of Jurisdictions High and Low Resorts Safeguards Advousons Patronages of Churches and all manner of Dominions and Superiorities and all the Right which they have or may have had which did appertain doth appertain or might appertain by any Cause Title or Colour of Right to them to the Kings and to the Crown of France by occasion of the Cities Counties Castles Towns Lands Countries Isles and Places before-named and of all their Appurtenances and Dependances wheresoever they shall be and of every of them without retaining or holding back any thing to them to their Heirs or Successors or to the Kings or to the Crown of France And also the said King and his Eldest Son shall command by their Letters Patents all Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of Holy Church and also all Earls Vicounts Barons Nobles Citizens and Others whatsoever of the Cities Counties Lands
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
the occasion yet for the Eminence of the Person I shall not pass by the Murder of Sr. John Copland the same who at the Battle of Durham took the King of Scotland Prisoner as we have shewn already This Valiant and Worthy Gentleman upon what Quarrel doth not appear was this Year k Knighton p. 2626. n. 30. murder'd by the Lord John Clifford of Ewyas who thereupon was forced to fly the Land and could by no means obtain his Pardon till about 15 Years after or the last of King l Dagd 1 Vol. p. 341. Edward when upon the Testimony of divers English Peers in Parliament of his singular Valour and of his special Services in the Wars in France the King at last upon the instant Request of the said Peers and Commons of England then assembled in Parliament gave him his Charter of Pardon CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France on the Death of the Duke of Burgundy without Issue takes Possession of the Country and goes to visit the Pope at Avignon Pope Innocent VI dying Urban V succeeds II. The King of Cyprus comes to Avignon to get and against the Saracens A Combat fought there A Croisade proclaimed whereof the King of France is made the General III. The King of Cyprus visits the Emperour the Emperours Opinion concerning the Holy War The King of Cyprus goes to other Christian Princes IV. King Edward allowing the French Hostages some Liberty the Duke of Anjou makes his Escape V. The Kings of Cyprus and Denmark and the Duke of Bavaria come into England King Edwards Answer to the King of Cyprus upon his demanding Assistance for the Holy War. VI. A Parliament at Westminster VII A Convocation wherein the excessive Number of Holydays are retrenched VIII The Death of the Dutchess of Clarence of Edward Bailiol once King of Scotland and of the Bishop of Bath and Wells IX A Man who after execution at the Gallows recover'd is pardon'd by the King. X. The King of Cyprus and the Shrine of St. Hugh of Lincoln robbed XI King David of Scotland comes into England upon a Visit A long and hard Frost I. AN. DOM. 1363. An. Regni Angliae XXXVII IN the preceding Year King John of France undertook a Journey to Avignon to visit the Pope and Cardinals but he chose to ride through the Dukedom of Burgundy because that Provence was newly fallen unto him by the Death of Philip the young Duke Grandson of Duke Eudes the VI and Son of that Philip who was slain at the Siege of Aiguillon and of the Lady Jane of Boulogne who afterwards was married to King John and died the Year before this her Son. In a Favine le Parisiens Theater t' Honour l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. his Person was extinct the First Branch of the Dukes of Burgundy being of the House of France which had produced no less than twelve Dukes and had lasted the space of 330 Years For this young Prince died b Paradin Annal Burgund l. 2. p. 348. about Easter 1362 without Issue himself being but Fifteen and his Lady Margaret of Flanders not above Eleven When therefore King John c Frois c. 216. fol. 112. was ready for his Journey and had appointed his Son Charles Regent and Governour during his Absence he began his Progress from Paris about the latter end of July 1362 having with him in his Company his Cousin the Lord John of Artois Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Bouciquault Marshal of France and many other Grandees Having by small Journeys and great Expence rode thrô Burgundy he came in the beginning of September to Villeneufe without Avignon where Lodgings were provided for Him and his Attendants He was entertained with great Magnificence of Feasting by the Pope and the whole College of Cardinals and many interchangeable Visits were made between the King and Them But in the heighth of all d Labbei Chronl Techn ad ann 1362. Pope Innocent the VI having sat Nine Years Eight Months and Twenty Days departed this Life at Avignon on the Twelfth of September Whereupon there arose much Difference among the Cardinals about Choosing of a new Pope for each of them aspired to the Dignity himself especially the Cardinal of Boulogne and the Cardinal of Perigort who were by far the Greatest and had most powerfull Friends Wherefore after much Altercation the rest of the Cardinals agreed to put the Decision of the Matter to these Two who finding thereby that neither of them could obtain the Papacy themselves agreed together that neither any of the rest should have it but rather that they would pitch upon some other Indifferent Person There was at that time in the Parts of Lombardy one e Vid. Odor Rainal ad ann 1362. §. 6. Ciacon cum Victor p. 925. c. who was employ'd thither by Pope Innocent about Affairs with the Lords of Milain named William Grisant by some named Grimoardi Abbot of St. Victor of Marseille a Devout and Holy Man of unblameable Life and eminent Learning who was called Anglicus whereupon f Walsing hist p. 172. many have believed him an English Man thô I rather believe he might obtain that name because he was a Gascogner and so by Birth subject to the King of England This Man the Two Ambitious Cardinals chose rather out of Envy to their Fellows than thrô any Love to Him or his Vertue He g Labbei Chron. Techn ad ann 1362. Lit. Domin B. was elected on the 28 or as Some say on the last of October and Crowned on the Sixth of November following being a Sunday at which time he took the Name of Vrban V. It is said of him h Walsingh hist p. 172. that having long waited at the Court of Avignon in fruitless expectation of Preferment he complained to a Friend of his saying I believe verily if all the Churches of the World should fall there would none fall upon my Head. Whereupon this Friend of his coming to visit him after his Coronation said all smiling You lately complain'd most Holy Father that if all the Churches in the World should fall yet none you thought would fall upon your Head. Behold now how God hath disposed things for all the Churches in the World are now fallen upon your Head together Soon i Frois c. 216. fol. 112. after this Mans Creation King John heard News that Peter of Lusignan King of Cyprus intended shortly to come to Avignon to give his Holiness a Visit and that in order thereto he had already passed the Sea whereupon he resolved to tarry still at Avignon till his Coming being very desirous to see him because of the great Renown he had heard of him both for his Valour and Piety and particularly of the great Honour he had won in the War against the Saracens and that among other his Successes he had lately taken from them Sattalia the chief City of Pamphylia and
put all the Infidels to the Sword. This Peters Ancestor Guy of Lusignan King of Jerusalem k Speed p. 477. §. 40. in Ricardo Primo purchased the Island and Kingdom of Cyprus of our Richard the First King of England sirnamed Coeur du Lyon by Exchange for his Kingdom of Jerusalem ever since which it remain'd in the hands of the said Guy and his Descendants II. King Peter came to Avignon l Frois c. 217. about Candlemas in the beginning of this Year of whose Coming the whole Court was glad and most of the Cardinals together with the French King went forth to meet him and conducted him with much Honour to the Popes Palace where they were highly caressed and after a splendid entertainment the two Kings returned to their Lodgings prepared for them in Villeneufe Thus they tarried during all the season of Lent and made frequent Visits to the Pope and discoursed him of many serious Matters concerning which they came thither While the Kings were at Avignon there happen'd a Controversie in Arms which by the Court Martial was adjudged to be tried by Combat between two Noble and Experienced Knights namely Sr. Edmund de Pamiers and Sr. Fulk de Orillac the King of France being to sit as Judge of the Field Both the Knights behaved themselves with that Activity Skill and Resolution that is was no easie matter to say who was the Better So that when after a long and gallant Fight neither had any apparent Advantage of the other and both their Spears and Swords being broken they were proceeding to Pole-Axes King John presently flang down his Wardour and caused the Combat to cease after which He reconciled them together Now the King of Cyprus spake more than once to the Pope his Cardinals and the French King That it would be both an exceeding Honour and Advantage for all Christendom if some Powerfull Christian King would undertake to lead the Way over the Sea and rear his Banners against the Enemies of the Christian Faith who for want of such Opposition overran all Asia and hung now like a dreadfull Storm over Europe These Words the French King consider'd well and resolved with Himself if he might live Three Years longer to be One among the Foremost in this Holy Expedition not only out of a pious Consideration backed with the Words of the Pope and the King of Cyprus but also for two other Respects the one because his Father King Philip had made a Vow so to do to the m Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc an §. 14 Breach whereof he constantly attributed all the Miseries which had befell France since that time and the other that by so doing he should not only drain his own Country of those Evil Companions who harassed his People without any just Title or Pretence but also thereby prove an Instrument of saving their Souls by making them draw their Swords in the more righteous Cause of Christ These were his Reasons and this his Resolution which he kept secret to himself till Good-Fryday at which time Pope Vrban himself preached in his Chappel at Avignon in the Presence of both the Kings of Cyprus and of Frâ—nce and also of Waldemar King of Denmark who was newly come thither for the same purpose Sermon ended the French King in great Devotion stept forth and professed himself a Champion of Christ and took upon him the Croisade which he solemnly sware personally to set about and to begin the Voyage within two Years from that Time it n Pascha 2 Apr. Lit. Dom. A. being then the last of March. He also requested the Pope to yield his Consent and Furtherance thereto and by his Bulls to authorise this his pious Undertaking The Pope not only most readily agreed to this Request but also granted him his Pontifical Diploma Dat. Aven Pridie Kal. April Anno Pontif. I. Wherein he constitutes him Governour and Captain General of all the Christian Armies and produces these three Causes of that Expedition First the Indignity of the Matter that Christians should suffer those places which our Saviour had honoured with his Footsteps and the Mysteries of our Redemption to be defiled and trodden down of the Mahometans also the seasonable Occasion of Recovering Syria now that the strength of the Saracens was exhausted with a Pestilence and lastly the great Necessity of repressing the growing Tyranny of the Turks when 't was to be feared that all Christendom would be a prey unto them unless their Fury should meet with a timely Check Talayrand the Cardinal of Perigort was the Popes Legate in this Holy Expedition and then Methods were taken how to support the Design with Tithes and other pecuniary Collections the Prelates were commanded to publish this Croisade from their Pulpits and to distinguish those who took it upon them with the Sign of the Cross And then Excommunication and an Anathema was set forth against them who should offer to disswade the French King from his pious Design of recovering Syria On which account circular Letters were sent and solemn Prayers were appointed to engage the Divine Assistance The Pope also sent his Letters to the Emperour Charles to King Edward of England to Lewis of Hungary and to other Kings and Princes that they would now employ all their power and Conduct toward the reducing of Asia unto Christ and because King John could not conveniently set forth till about two Years after by reason that his Realm was so unsettled and he could not in less time finish his Musters and other vast Preparations thereupon wherefore he tied himself to a certain Day which was to be the Kalends of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand three Hundred Sixty and five The King of Cyprus resolved in the mean time to go about and visit all the great Courts in Europe and as he should succeed to go over before the King of France to whom the Pope o â—dâ—r Rain ad hâ—nc ann §. 19. promised considerable Assistance And thus a mighty Resolution was taken up and the Cross of Jerusalem was worn by John King of France Waldemar King of Denmark and Peter King of Cyprus p Freis c. 217. also by Talayrand commonly called the Cardinal of Perigort thô he was Earl of Perigort and Bishop Cardinal of Alba the same was done by the Earl of Artois and the Earl of Eu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and the Grand Prior of France and many other Lords and Knights then and there present The King of Cyprus was extreamly overjoy'd at the great Zeal he found in all these Christian Worthies and thought his Journey well bestow'd in so great a purchase towards the Advancement of Religion But yet not content with this he design'd to proceed and visit Charles the Emperour and all the Princes and Chief Lords of the Empire he intended likewise to see the King of England the Prince of Wales