of Power that the Kingdome may not miscarie for want of a Ruler I haue called you all hither by the power of my Legation Yesterday the cause was mooued in secret to the greatest part of the Clergie to whom the right appertaines to elect and ordaine a Prince And therefore after hauing inuoked as it is meete the Diuine aide Wee elect for Queene of England the daughter of the peacefull glorious rich good and in our time the incomparable King and to her wee promise our faith and allegiance When all who were present either modestly gaue their voyce or by their silence contradicted it the Legat addes The Londoners who are in respect of the greatnesse of their City as among the optimacie of England we haue by our messengers summoned and I trust they will not stay beyond this day tomorrow we will expect them The Londoners came were brought into the Councell shewed How they were sent from the Communaltie of London not to bring contention but prayer that the King their Lord might be freed from captiuitie and the same did all the Barons receiued within their Liberties earnestly beseech of my Lord Legate and all the Clergie there present The Legat answeres them at large and loftily according to his speech the day before and added That the Londoners who were held in that degree in England ought not to take their parts who had forsaken their Lord in the warre by whose Councell the Church had beene dishonoured and who fauoured the Londoners but for their owne gaine Then stands there vp a Chaplaine to Queene Maude wife to Stephen and deliuers a letter to the Legat which he silently read and then said allowd that it was not lawfull in the assembly of so many reuerend and religious persons the same should be publikely read containing matter retrehensible The Chapline not to faile in his message boldly reades the Letter himselfe which was to this effect That the Queene earnestly intreates all the Clergie there assembled and namely the Bishop of Winchester the brother of her Lord to restore him vnto the Kingdome whom wicked men which were also his subiects held prisoner To this the Legat answeres as to the Londoners and shortly after the Councel brake vp wherein many of the Kings part were excommunicated namely William Martell an especiall man about the King who had much displeased the Legat. Hereupon a great part of England willingly accepted of Maude in whose businesses her brother Robert imployes all his diligence and best care reforming Iustice restoring the Lawes of England promising releeuements and whatsoeuer might be to winne the people the Legat seconding all his courses But now shee being at the point of obtayning the whole Kingdome all came sodainly dasht by her ouer-hautie and proud carriage and by the practise of the Londoners who adhering to the other side began openly to inueigh against her who had displeased them and they had plotted to surprize her in their Citie whereof she hauing notice secretly withdrawes herselfe accompained with her Vncle Dauid King of Scots who was come to visit her and her brother Robert vnto Oxford a place of more The Legat leaues the Empresse securitie The Leagat himselfe takes or makes an occasion to bee slacke in her cause vpon her denying him a sute for his Nephew Eustaee the sonne of Stephen about the inheritance of his Earledome of Mortaine in Normandie Besides the Queene regnant watchfull ouer all oportunities found meanes to parle with the Legar Sets vpon him with her teares intreatie promises and assurance for the Kings reformation in so much as shee Is intreated with teares by the Queene regnant recalled him to the affections of Nature brought him about againe to absolue such of the Kings part as he had lately excommunicated The Earle of Glocester seeing this sodaine and strange relaps of their affaires striues by all meanes to hold vp Opinion and re-quicken the Legats dispofition which to keepe sound was all He brings the Empresse to Winchester setles her and her guard in the Castle where she desires to speake with the Legat who first delayes then denies The Empresse besieged at Oxford the Earle of Glocester taken prisoner to come Whereupon they call their best friends about them Queene Maude and the Lords incompasse the Towne and cut off all victuall from the Empresse so that in the end the Earle of Glocester wrought meanes to haue her conueyd from thence to the Vies but himselfe was taken and in him most of her This sets the sides both euen againe into the Lists of ther triall the two prisoners are to redeeme each other The disproportion of the quality betweene them shewed yet there was an euennesse of power and the Earle would not consent to the Kings deliuery who onely in that was to haue the precedence but vpon most secure cautions The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Legate vndertooke to yeeld themselues prisoners for him if the King released him not according to his promise But that would not serue the turne till they both had written their Briefes to the Pope to intimate the course that was taken herein and deliuered the same vnto him vnder their hands and seales So that if the King should as he might not care to hold the Bishops in prison yet the Pope if hard measure were offred might releeue them Which shewes the aduantage of credit in the businesse lay on this side and the King was to haue his fetters though at liberty The Queene and Eustace her sonne the Prince vpon the inlargement of Stephen 1142. Anno. Reg. 7. remaine pledges in the Castle of Bristow till the Earle were released which was done vpon the Kings comming to Winchester Where the Earle in familiar conference was by all art possible solicited to forsake the partie of Maude with promise of all preferments of honour and estate but nothing could mooue him being fixt to his courses and rather would hee haue beene content to remaine a perpetuall prisoner then that Stephen should haue beene released had not his sister wrought him to this conclusion The Legat after this calls a Councell at London where the Popes letters written vnto him are openly read which argue him but mildly of some neglect of his brothers Vide Append. releasing and exhort him to vse all meanes Ecclesiasticall and Secular to set him at libertie The King himselfe came into the councell complaines How his subiects to whom King Stephens complaint hee had neuer denied Iustice had taken him and reproachfully afflicted him euen to death The Legate with great eloquence labours to excuse his owne courses alledging How hee receiued not the Empresse by his will but necessitie that presently vpon the Kings ouerthrow whilest the Lords were either fled or stood in suspence attending the euent shee and her people came thundring to the walles of Winchester and that what pact soeuer hee had made with her for the right of the Church shee
deuise to doe The King with all the great Nobility of England all the Bishops and chiefe Prelates 1253. Anno. Reg. 37. in their reuerent Ornaments with burning candles in their hands assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunications against the infringers of the same And at the lighting of those Candles the King hauing receiued one in his hand giues it to a Prelate that stood by saying it becomes not me being no Priest to hold this candle my heart shal be a greater testimony and withall layd his hand spread on his brest the whole time the sentence was read which was thus pronounced Autoritate dei omnipotratis c. which done he caused the Charter of K. Iohn his Father granted by his free consent to be Vide Append. likewise openly red In the end hauing throwne away their candles which lay smoaking on the ground they cryed out So let them who incurre this Sentence be extinct and stincke in hell And the King with a loud voyce said As God me helpe I will as I am a Man a Christian a Knight a King crowned and anoynted inuiolably obserue all these things And therewithall the Bells rung out and all the people shouted with ioy Neuer were lawes amongst men except those holy commandements from the mount established with more maiesty of Ceremony to make them reuerend and respected then were these they wanted but thunder and lightning from heauen which if prayers could haue procured they would likewise haue had to make the sentence gastly and hydeous to the infringers thereof The greatest security that could begiuen was an oath the onely chaine on earth besides loue to tye the conscience of man and humaine society together which should it not hold vs all the frame of gouernment and order must needs fall quite a sunder Now the busines of Gascoigne that required present care is in hand which the The K. resumes Gasoigny from his brother Richard giues it to his sonne Prince Edward better to know we must returne to the head whence it sprung 27. yeares past the King by the councell of his Lords freely granted to his brother Richard all that Prouince who is there receiued as their Lord with their oathes of Fealty made vnto him and so continues vntill the King hauing issue of his owne by motion of the Queene reuokes his guift confers it vpon his eldest sonne Edward Richard though he were depriued of the possession would not yeeld to forgoe his right and at the Kings last being in Gascoigny many of them stand doubtfull whom to attend the King in great displeasure commanded his brother to resigne his Charter and renounce his right which hee refusing to doe the King commands those of Burdeax to take and imprison him but they in regard of his high bloud the homage they had made him and the kings mutability who might resent his owne commandement would not aduenture there on Then he assayles them with mony which effected more then his commandement the Earle is indaunger to be surprised escapes out of Bnrdeaux and comes ouer into England The King assembles the nobility of Gasconie at Burdeaux invaighs against his brother a man hee saide was couetous and a great oppressor a large promiser but a spare payer and that hee would prouide them of a better gouernour with all promises them thirty thousand Markes as a price of their obedience and so nullifies the Charter of his former donation with their homage and takes their oath of Fealty to himselfe Which yet they would not make vnto him till hee had inwrapt himselfe Simon Monford Earle of Leicester sent into Gascony both by his Charter and Oath for this promised summe wherevnto they so held him as thereby afterward they lost his loue And to be reuenged on them he sends Simon Monford Earle of Leceister a rough and Martiall man to Maister their pride makes him a Charter for 6. yeares to come and furnishes him with 10000. markes the better to effect his command Monfort by his sterne gouernment so discontents the Gascoins as after three yeares suffring they send the Archbishop of Burdeaux with other great men to complaine of his hard dealing and accuse him of haynous crimes their greeuences are heard before the King and his councell Monfort is sent for ouer to answere for himselfe the Earle of Cornwall for his receiued wrong in those parts and the Lords of England for their loue to him take Monforts part and that so egarly as the King comes about to fauour and countenance the Gascons against Monfort not for his loue to them but to awe and abate the other Wherevpon Montfort enters into vndutifull contestation with the King vpraydes him with his expencefull seruice wherein he saies he had vtterly consumed his Estate and how the King had broken his word with him and requires him either to make it good according to his Charter or render him his expences The King in great rage told him no promise was to be Monforts contestation with the K. obserued with an vnworthy traytor Wherewith Monfort ryses vp protesting that he lyed in that word and were he not protected by his royall dignity hee would make him repent it The King commands his seruants to lay hold on him which the Lords would not permit Monfort therevpon grew more audacious saying who will beleiue you are a Christian were you euer confessed if you were it was without repentance and satissaction The King told him he neuer repented him of any thing so much as to haue permitted him to enter into this Kingdome and to haue honored and it stated him as he had done The Gascoignes after this are priuatly sent for by the king who giues them all comfort and incourages them against Monfort whom yet he would againe send ouer to his charge but with clipt winges whereby both himselfe and they might the better be reuenged on him and withall confirmes the state of Gascoigne to his sonne Edward whom he promised them shortly to send ouer wherwith they are much pleased and after they had done their homage to the Prince depart The effect of this confused and ill-packt Monfort returned to his charge businesse was such as all indirect courses produce Monfort returnes in flames to plague the Gascoignes and they in like manner him but he by his great alliance in France drawes together such a power as beyond expectation hee ouer matches the Gascoigne whose Estates he exposes to spoyle and therewithall intertaines his great collected army They againe send ouer their complaints and vnlesse they were speedely relieued they of force must put their country into some other hand that would protect them And in this state stood Gascoigne now at the time of this last Parliament whither the King vpon this late supply granted omitting his Easterne enterprise goes with The K. goes ouer into Gasc with 300. great ships 300. Sayle of great ships and lands at Burdeux in August
the Printers ouersight I must craue a pardon of course it is a Fate common to Bookes and Booke-men and wee cannot auoide it For besides our owne faylings wee must heere take vp many things vpon other mens credits which often comes imperfect to our hands as the summes of Monies numbers of Souldiers Shippes the slaine in Battayle Computation of Tymes differences of Names and Tytles c. wherein our Authors agree not And it were to bee wished that wee had more assured notes of these particulars then wee haue especially for summes of Monies in regard it serues much for instruction wherein I doubt many of our Collectors haue beene but ill Acountants reckoning Markes for Pounds and Pounds for Markes The Computation of Tymes is not of so great moment figures are easily mistaken the 10. of Iuly and the 6. of August with a yeare ouer or vnder makes not a man the wiser in the businesse then done which is only that hee desires But these things being but of the By the vnderstanding Reader will not much care to set at them and therefore I referre him to the Mayne of more important consideration THE COLLECTION OF THE HISTORIE OF ENGLAND CONTAINING BRIEFLY THE ESPECIALL AFFAIRES OF THE GOVERNMENT COMPIled by SAMVEL DANYEL one of the Groomes of the Queens Maiesties most Hononrable priuie Chamber VNdertaking to collect the principall affaires of this Kingdome I had a desire to haue deduced the same from the beginning of the first Brittish Kings as they are registred in their Catalogue but finding no authentical warrant how they came there I did put off that desire with these considerations that a lesser part of time and better knowne which was from William the first Surnamed the Bastard was more then enough for my abilitie and how it was but our curiositie to search further backe into times past then we might well discerne and whereof we could neither haue proofe nor profit how the beginnings of all people and states were as vncertaine as the heads of great Riuers and could not adde to our vertue and peraduenture little to our reputation to know them Considering how commonly they rise from the springs of pouertie pyracie robberie and violence howsoeuer fabulous writers to glorifie their nations striue to abuse the credulitie of after ages with heroycall or miraculous beginnings For states as men are euer best seene when they are vp and as they are not as they were Besides it seemes God in his prouidence to check our presumtuous inquisitions wraps vp all things in vncertaintie barres vs out from long antiquity and bounds our searches within the compasse of a few ages as if the same were sufficient both for example and instruction to the gouernment of men For had wee the particular occurrents of all ages and all nations it might more stuffe but not better our vnderstanding We shall finde still the same correspondencies to hold in the actions of men Vertues and Vices the same though rising and falling according to the worth or weakenesse of Gouernors the causes of the ruines and mutations of states to be alike and the trayne of affaires carried by precedent in a course of Succession vnder like colours But yet for that the chaine of this collection hath a link of dependancie with those former times we shall shew the passage of things the better if wee take but a superficiall view of that wide and vncertainly-related state of this Land since the candle of letters gaue vs some little light thereof Which was since the Romans made it a tributary Prouince to their Empire For before as it lay secluded out of the way so it seemed out of the knowledge of the world For Iulius Caesar beeing but on the other side in Gaule could not attaine to any particular information of the state of Brittaine by any meanes he could vse but by certaine Merchants of whom he got together as many as he could who told him somthing of the coast-townes but of the state and condition of the in-dwellers they could say nothing either so incurious were they of further knowledge then what concerned their trade or the people here so warie to keep their state reserued and vnknowne to strangers And yet Caesar gaue out that they sub-ayded the Gaules against him and made it the occasion of his quarrell and inuasion of the Land whereof hee only subdued the South parts and rather shewed it then won it to the Roman Empire But now what was the state and forme of gouernment among the Brittaines before Of the forme of Gouernment among the Brittains this subiection the first certaine notice wee haue is also by the same Caesar who tells vs how they were deuided into many seuerall states nominates foure Princes of Kent by the title of Kings how Casseuellaunus by the common councell was elected in this their publique danger to haue the principall administration of the state Caes. Comment lib. 5. with the businesse of warre and afterward how the cities sent their hostages vnto him Whereby wee perceiue it was no Monarchie as it is reported to haue beene but like to the Gaules with whome it was then one in religion and much a like in Complures sunt apud eos dominationes Strabo lib. 4. fashion and language deuided into a multitude of petty regiments without any intire rule or combination As now wee see all the west world lately discouered to be and generally all other Countries are in their first and naturall free nakednesse before they come to be taken in either by some predominant power from abroad or grow to head within themselues of strength and vnderstanding to ouer-maister and dispose of all about them introducing such formes of rule as ambition or their other necessities shall beget And such was then the state of Brittaine Gaule Spaine Germany and all the west parts of Europe before the Romans ouer-growing first the people of Italy in like manner deuided did by strength and cunning vnlocke those liberties of theirs And such as were then termed Kings were but as their Generalls in warre without any other great iurisdiction within those small limits they held So that to tell vs of the state of a Monarchie in this Land before that time as if alone vnlike or more in State then all other nations is to giue intertainement to those narrow conceits as apprehend not the progresses in the affaires of mankinde and only the inuention of such as take all their reason from the example Idea of the present Customes they see in vse For had there beene an absolute Monarch in these parts which might haue affronted the Romans with the power of a well-vnited state it had been impossible for them hauing oftentimes much to doe euen with some poore Prince of a small territorie to haue circumuented or confounded with all their stratagems and iniustice the peace and liberty of the world in such sort as they did And though the Brittaines were then simple
obstinately brake all besides hee was certainely informed that shoe and hers had plotted both against his dignitie and life But God in his mercy contrarie to her desire had turned the businesse so as hee escaped the daunger and his brother was deliuered out of bands And therefore hee from the part of God and the Pope willed them with all their vtmost power to aide the King annointed by the consent of the People and the Sea Apostolique and to Excommunicate all the disturbers of the peace that fauoured the Countesse of Aniou There was in the Councell a Lay Agent for the Empresse who openly charged the Legat That in respect of the faith he had giuen the Empresse to passe no act there preiudiciall to her Honour hauing sworne vnto her neuer to aide his brother with aboue twentie souldiers that her comming into England was vpon his often Letters vnto her and his cause it was that the King was taken and held prisoner This and much more sayd the Agent with great austerity of words wherewith the Legat seemed not to bee mooued at all nor would stoope to reply Both parts thus set at libertie were left to worke for themselues holding the State broken betweene them and no meanes made to interpose any barre to keepe them asunder Their borders lay euery where and then the ingagements of their Partakers who looke all to be sauers or to recouer their stakes when they were lost which makes them neuer giue ouer entertaine the contention But the best was they were rather troubles then warres and cost more labour then bloud Euery one fought with Bucklers and seldome came to the sharpe in the field which would soone haue ended the businesse Some few moneths after these inlargements stood both sides at some rest but not idle casting how to compasse their ends The Empresse at the Vies with her Councell resolues to send ouer her brother into Normandy to solicit her husband the Earle of The Earle of Glocester gets to Normandie Aniou to come to aide her with forces from thence Her brother the better to secure her in his absence setles her in the Castle of Oxford well furnished for all assaults and takes with him the sonnes of the especiall men about her as pledges to hold them to their fidelity Stephen seekes to stop the Earles passage but could not and then layes siege to the Castle of Oxford which held him all the time the Earle was abroad Geffrey Earle of Aniou desirous rather to haue Normandie whereof in this meane time he had attained the most part and in possibility of the rest then to aduenture for England which lay in danger refused to come in person but sends some small aide and his eldest sonne Henry being then but eleuen yeares of age that he might looke vpon England be shewed to the people to try if that would mooue them to a consideration of his right which proned of more effect then an Army The Earle of Glocester safely returning makes towards Oxford to releeue the Empresse The Earles retuine with the Empresses eldest sonne Henry who had secretly conueyed her selfe disguised out at a posterne gate onely with foure persons got ouer the Thames passed a foot to Abington and from thence conuayd to Wallingford where her brother and sonne met her to her more comfort after hard distresses Stephen seeing his enemy thus supplied and like to grow labours to winne friends 1143. Anno. Reg. 8. but money failes which made diuers of his Lords and especially his mercinaries wherof he had many out of Flanders to fall to the rifling of Abbayes which was of dangerous consequence And for Armies there was no meanes onely about Castles with small powers lay all the businesse of these times and they being so many were to small effect but onely to hold them doing which was for many yeares The Earle of Glocester the chiefe pillar of the Empresse within two yeares after his The Earle of Glocester dies last comming out of Normandie died and shortly after Miles Earle of Hereford an especiall man of hers which had vtterly quasht her but that in stead of a brother shee had a sonne grew vp to bee of more estimation with the Nobility and shortly after of ablenesse to vndergoe the trauailes of warre His first expedition at sixteene yeares of age was Northward to combine him with Dauid King of Scots his great Vncle to whom his mother had giuen the Country of Northumberland After him followes Stephen with an Army to Yorke least hee should surprize that Citie and to inter cept him in his returne but according to his vsuall manner and French-like after the first heate of his vndertakings which were quicke and braue hee quailes nothing was effected and both returne without incountring Now to aduance the State and meanes of Henry fortune as if in loue with young Princes presents this occasion Louys the seuenth King of France going in person to the Holy warres and taking with him his wife Elenor the onely daughter and heire of William Duke of Guien grew into such an odious conceipt of her vpon the notice of her lasciuious behauiour in those parts as the first worke hee doth vpon his comming backe hee repudiates and turnes her home with all her great dowrie rather content to loose the mightie estate she brought him then to marry her person With this great Lady matches Henry before he was twenty yeares of age being now Duke of An. 1151. Normandie his father deceased who had recouered it for him and had by her the possession of all those large and rich Countries apertayning to the Dutchy of Guien besides the Earldome of Poictou Whereupon Louys inraged to see him inlarged by this great accession of State who was so neere and like to be so dangerous and eminent a neighbour combines with Stephen and aydes Eustace his sonne whom hee married to his Sister Constance with maine power for the recouery of Normandie wherein hee was first possest But this young Prince furnished now with all this powerfull meanes leaues the management of the affaires of England to his friends defends Normandie wrought so as the King of France did him little hurt and Eustace his competitor returned home into England where shortly after hee died about 18 yeares of his age borne neuer to see out of the calamities of warre and was buried at Feuersham with his mother who deceased a little before and had no other ioy nor glorie of a Crowne but what we see Stephen whilst Duke Henrie was in Normandie recouers what hee could and at length besieges Wallinford which seemes in these times to haue beene a peece of great importance and impregnable and reduced the Defendants to that extremitie as they sent to Duke Henrie for succour who presently thereupon in the middest of Winter ariues in England with 3000 foot and 140 horse Where first to draw the King from Wallingford he layes siege to Malmesbury and had most
the cause of Thomas of Canterbury against the Tyrant of England King Henry sends likewise with all speed Roger Archbishop of Yorke the Bishop of Winchester London Chichester and Excester Guido Rufus Richard Iuechester and Iohn of Oxford Clerkes William Earle of Arundell Hugh de Gundeuile Bernard de Saint Walleric and Henry Fitz Gerrard to informe the Pope of the whole cause and preuent the Archbishoppes complaint The multitude and greatnesse of the Commissioners shewed the importance of the Ambassage and the Kings earnest desire to haue his cause preuaile They finde the Pope at the Citie of Sens to whom they shewed how peruers and disobedient the Archbishoppe had behaued himselfe to his Soueraigne Lord the King of England how hee alone refused to obay his Lawes and Customes which hee had sworne to doe and that by his peeuish waywardnesse the Church and Kingdome were like to bee disturbed which otherwise would agree in the reformation thereof as was fit and necessary and therefore they besought him as hee tendred the peace of the Church of England and the loue of the King their Soueraigne not to giue credit or grace to a man of so turbulent and dangerous a spirit This Information notwithstanding earnestly vrged they found mooued not any disposition in the Pope to fauour the Kings cause so that in the end They besought him to send two Legats ouer into England to examine the particulars of this businesse and how it had beene carried and in the meane time to admit no other information of the cause but referre it to their relation The Pope refuses to send any Legat the commissioners depart without any satisfaction And with in foure dayes after comes the Archbishop and prostrates himselfe at the Popes seete deliuers him a coppie of those Lawes which the King called his Grandfathers Lawes which being openly read in the presence of all the Cardinals Clergie and many other people the Pope condemned them for euer and accursed those who obeyed or any way fauoured them Those Lawes among the Statutes of Clarendon which the Archbishop so much oppugned and most offended the Clergie were as by his owne letter to the Bishop of London appeares these especially That there should bee no appeale to the Apostolike Sea without the Kings leaue That no Archbishoppe or Bishoppe should goe out of the Realme but by the Kings permission That no Bishoppe excommunicate any who held of the King in Capite or interdict any officiall of his without the Kings leaue c. That Clergie men should bee drawne to secular iudgements That Lay men as the King and other should handle causes of the Church Tythes and such like And these were daungerous incrochments vpon their liberties But now the King seeing his Ambassage to take no effect and withall in a manner 1166. Anno. Reg. 12. contemned presently makes his heauie displeasure and the scorne hee tooke knowe by his seuere Edicts both against the Pope and the Archbishoppe that they might see what edge his secular powre had in this case ordayning That if anie were found carrying Letter or Mandat from the Pope or Archbishoppe contayning any The Kings Edicts against the Pope and his agents interdiction of Christianity in England should bee taken and without delay executed as a Traytor both to the King and Kingdome That whatsoeuer Bishop Priest Monke or Conuerser in anie Order Clerke or Layman should haue and retaine any such letters should forfeit all their possessions goods and chattells to the King and bee presently banished the Realme with their kinne That no Clergie men Monke or other should bee permitted to passe ouer Sea or returne out of Normandie into England without letters from the Iustices here or from the King being there vpon paine to bee taken as a Malefactor and put in hold That none should appeale to the Pope That all Clerkes which had any reuenue in England should returne into the Realme within three monethes vpon paine of forfeiting their estates to the King That Peter Pence should bee collected and sequestred till the Kings pleasure were farther knowne Besides this hee banishes all that were found to bee any way of kinne to the Archbishop without exception of condition sex or yeres And withall takes occasion vpon the Scisme which was then in the Church to renounce Pope Alexander and incline to the Emperors faction which stood thus After the death of Adrian the fourth Rouland a Geneuese and a great enemy of the The Election of two Popes Empire is by two and twenty Cardinalls elected Pope by the name of Alexander the third to which election foure Cardinals opposed and made choyce of Octauian a Citizen of Rome that would be called Victor the first The Emperor Frederic Barbarossa summons these two Popes to a Concel at Pauia to vnderstand determin their right Alexander makes the old answere that the Pope could not be iudged by any man liuing refuses to appeare before the Emperour and withdrawes into Anagnia Victor consents to appeare there or wheresoeuer the Emperour would appoint so that he was the man for that side But all the other Princes of Christendom except those of the Emperours faction acknowledge Alexander for Pope as elected by most voyces And especially by the King of France who called him thither and at Cocy vpon Loyr he and the King of England receiued him with all honour and reuerence in so much as they are sayd to haue attended vpon his Stirrop the one on the right hand the other on the left after this he calls a Councell at Tours whether the Kings of England Spaine and Hungarie send their Ambassadors and there are the constitutions of the Councell of Pauia and the Emperours confirmation of Victor nullified so that Alexander hauing his party dayly increasing in Italy was shortly after receiued into Rome Notwithstanding all this the King of England finding him so auers in this businesse Falls off from him renounces his Authority turnes to the Emperours faction seekes to strength himselfe with the Princes of Germanie consents to match his daughter Maude to the Duke of Saxony at the motion of Reginald Archbishop of Collen sent ouer by the Emperour for that purpose and intertaines a motion for another daughter to bee matched with the Emperours sonne But now by reason this contrary faction to Pope Alexander grew to bee but feeble all this working did the King no good but exasperates the Pope and sets him on the more to support the cause of the Archbishop who sollicites the Clergie of Pope Alexanders letter to the Clergie of England England threatnes intreats adiures them not to forsake their hold nor giue way to the inuador of their liberties which sought to confound the Priesthood and the Kingdome and if they opposed not mainely at the first but suffered the least breach to bee made vpon them they were vndone Then excommunicates hee all the especiall Ministers of the King that adhered to the Teutonicque faction or held
doe but so long as you shewed him fatherly Grace hee would loue you as a Father reuerence and cherish the Church as his Mother And humbly obay your sacred Decrees sauing his owne Dignity and that of his Kingdome and if of late hee hath not respected you with any reuerence the cause was that hauing with all his affection and all his powre stood to you in your necessitie hee was not answered worthily to his deserts vpon his recourse to you by his Ambassadours but in euery petition had the repulse And for hindring any which are willing to visit your Holinesse hee answeres hee will not nor hath hitherto done But for Appeales by the ancient custome of the Kingdome Hee chalenges that honour and cumber to himselfe that no Clergie man for any ciuill cause shall goe out of the Land till hee hath tried whether hee may obtaine his right by his Royall Authority and Iustice at home which if hee cannot hee may without any hinderance when hee will make his Appeale Wherein if any way hee doth preiudice Your Honour hee offers by the helpe of God to correct it as it shall bee ordred by the Councell of the whole Church of his Kingdome And for the Emperour though hee knew him a Scismatique hee neuer vnderstood hee was excommunicate But if hee bee by vs informed thereof or hath entred vnlawfull league with him or any other hee promises likewise to redresse the same by the sayd Ecclesiasticall Councell of his Kingdome And for our Father the Lord of Canterbury hee sayth that hee neuer expelled him out of his Kingdome but as hee went out of his owne accord so that at his pleasure it was free for him to returne to his Church in peace prouided that his Maiestie might bee satisfied concerning those complaints of his and haue him to obserue his Royall Dignity And if it can bee proued that any Church or Churchman hath beene opprest by the King or any of his hee is ready to make full satisfaction as shall bee thought fit by the whole Councell of the Church of his Kingdome This say they wee haue receiued in answere from our Lord the King and wish wee could haue had it fully according to your desire but these things wee thought good to notifie to your Highnesse that your Discretion may perceiue what is like to bee the conclusion of this businesse The King stands vpon the iustification of his owne cause ready to obey the Councell and iudgement of the Church of England Whereupon wee thought good to beseech your Highnesse that you would moderate for a time that zeale which by the fire of the deuine Spirit is worthily inkindled to reuenge any iniury done to the Church of God and forbeare to pronounce any sentence of interdiction or that last iudgement of abscision whereby inumerable Churches may bee miserably subuerted and both the King and an infinite number of people with him irreuocably which God forbid auerted from your obedience Then they tell him That better it were to haue a member bad then cut off abscision brought desperation a skilfull Chirurgion might recouer an infected part and how it were filter to imploy meanes to heale the wound then by cutting off a most noble part of the Church of God to bring more disturbance to the same that hath to much alreadie Though the King were stiffe they ought not dispare of the grace of God that a Kings stomacke was then to bee wonne when hee had wonne and might not blush to yeelde when hee had ouercome Patience and Meekenesse must pacifie him c. And inconclusion wee speake foolishly say they but yet withall Charitie if it come to passe that the Lord of Canterbury loose both his goods and liue besides in perpetuall exile and England which God forbid fall away from your obedience were it not better to forbeare for a time then with such zeale of seuerity to foster vp a party what if persecution cannot seperate many of vs from you yet will not there want knees to bow to Baall and receiue the Pall of Canterbury at the hands of an Idoll without choyce of religion or Iustice neither will there want suppliers of our Chayres that will obey him with all deuotion and already many deuoure these hopes wishing that scandalls may come and streight waies bee made crooked Thus much out of their letters which are the best peeces of History in the world and shew vs more of the inside of affaires then any relations else And by this wee truely see what barres kept these two mighty powers back from their wills and yet how lowde they threaten and both a feard of each other But the King of England stood safe ynough and was like to haue his businesses runne in a strong and intire course when by casting to make things safer then fast he layes open a way both to disioynt his owne power and imbroyle his people with diuision which was by the association of his sonne Henry in the gouernment an act without example in this Kingdome and strange that a Parliament an assembly of the State Prince Henry crowned King conuoked for the same businesse would in so wise times consent to communicate the Crowne and make the Common-wealth a Monster with two heads But it seemes the 1170. Anno. Reg. 16. strong desire of the King was such for the loue he bare his sonne as he would not bee denied in this motion nor hold it a sufficient Security to haue twice before caused all the Kingdome to take an Oath of Fealty vnto him to haue designed vnlesse he were Crowned King as he was with all vsuall solemnities the 14 day of Iune 1170. by Roger Archbishop of Yorke and had homage done vnto him that day by the King of Scots Dauid his brother and all the Nobility of England But now with what reseruations this was done wee are not particularly informed whether there was an equall participation of rule or onely but of Title and that the Father notwithstanding this Act was to haue the especiall manage of the Gouernment and the Sonne though a King yet a Sonne with a limited powre Howsoeuer this young King shewed shortly after That a Crowne was no State to bee made ouer in trust and layd much griefe and repentance vpon his Fathers forwardnesse What mooued the King with this precipitation to be before hand with his Graue may be deemed the iealosie he had apprehended by his Mothers example who for all the Oath of Fealtie sooften taken for her succession was yet put by it through the working of the Clergie and now considering in what termes hee stood with them and that although he had wonne some few Bishops vnto him was sure they loued him not and what they might worke with the people if himselfe should faile made him ouer doe his worke The King of France vnderstanding that his daughter was not Crowned with her husband which by reason of her tender age was deferred tooke it
committing rapin and sacrelidge to supply their necessities feed their followers And in the end the young King hauing much strugled in vaine through griefe and vexation of spirit which caused the distemprature of body fell into a burning His death feuer with a fluxe whereof within few dayes he died A Prince of excellent parts who was first cast away by his Fathers indulgence and after by his rigor not suffering him to be what himselfe had made him neither got he so much by his Coronation as to haue a name in the Catalogue of the Kings of England The sorrow of the Father although it be sayd to be great hindred not his reuenge vpon the Barons of Aquitaine whom he now most eagerly persecuted seazed on their Castles and rased to the ground that of Limoges Geffrey vpon his submission is receiued into grace and the yeare after died at Paris Earle Geffreys submission and death hauing in a conflict bene troden vnder horses feete and miserably crushed so that halfe the male issue wherein this King was vnfortunate he saw extinct before him and that by deaths as violent as were their disposition The other two who suruiued him were no lesse miserable in their ends Now the young King of France Phillip the second in whose fate it was to do more then euer his father could effect vpon the death of Henry the sonne requires the deliuery of the Countrey of Vexin which was giuen in dowre with his Sister Margaret but the King of England not apt to let go any thing of what he had in possession was 1184. Anno. Reg. 30. content to pay yearely to the Queene dowager 17050. pounds Aniouin And the more to hold faire with this young King whose spirit he saw grew great and actiue and with whom he was like to haue much to do did homage vnto him for all he held in Fraunce which he neuer did to the Father being the first discent of Maiestie he euer Henry the second doth homage to Phillip King of France made to any secular power And beside tooke his part against Phillip Earle of Flanders who opposed against him and was in those dayes a Prince of mighty power and had euer stood fast vnto King Lewes the father But now Phillip the sonne otherwise led or affectioned quarrels with him and demaunds the Countrey of Vermendois as appertaining to the Crowne of Fraunce and withall vpon allegation of consanguinity repudiates his wife Neece to this Earle of Flanders giuen vnto him by his Fathers choyce a little before his death The Earle followed by Odo Earle of Borgogne the Earles of Champague Hainalt Namur Saint Pol and others warres vpon the King of The Earle of Flanders compels the King of France to compound France and commits great spoyles within his territories so that hee was faine in the end to compound with him to his disaduantage After this the Kings of England and France meete betweene Gisors and Tri where the King of England sweares to deliuer Alise vnto Richard his sonne And the King of France her brother graunts her in dower the Countrey of Velxin which Margueret his other Sister had before But these tyes held them not long together for the yong King of France so wrought with Richard as hee drew him from his Fathers obedience and they liued together in 1185. Anno. Reg. 31. that amitie as on bed and boord is sayd to haue serued them both which so iniealosed the olde King as he called home his sonne and before his Bishops and Nobility caused him to sweare vpon the Euangelists to obserue fealty vnto him against all persons whatsoeuer which hauing done and ready to passe ouer into England hee is informed of the great preparation made by the King of France who gaue out that hee would spoyle and ransacke both Normandie and the rest of the Kings of Englands territories in France vnlesse he would presently deliuer vp his Sister Alice vnto Richard or render Gisors and the Countrey of Velxin into his hands Whereupon the King returnes backe and comes againe to a parle betweene Gisors and Try Where the Archbishop of Tyre sent from the East to call vp ayde for the Holy warre did with that powre of perswation so vrge his message as it let out all the humour of priuate rancor and contention The Kings of England and France accorded and prepare for the holy war betweene these two great Kings altred their whole Councells their pretentions their designes turned them wholly to vndertake in person this laborious action and resolue to leaue their Kingdomes their pleasures and all the things of glorie they had at home to prosecute the same through all the distempratures of climes and difficulties of passages whereunto that voyage was obnoxious so that now no other thing was thought or talked on but onely preparations and furnishments for this businesse And to distinguish their people and followers who all stroue which should bee most forward it was ordred that they who followed the King of England should weare a white Crosse France a red and Flaunders a greene And for a further ingagement in the businesse the King of England writes to the Patriarch of Antioch a most comfortable and pious letter in the end whereof he hath these words Amongst other Princes I and my Sonne reiecting the glory of this world and dispising all the pleasures thereof in proper person with all our strength will God willing visit you shortly Then to rayse money to defray this great enterprise it was ordained by the two Kings their Archbishops Bishops Earles and others in France that all whosoeuer as well Clerke as Lay sauing such as went the voyage should pay the tenth of all their reuenues of that yeare and the tenth of all their Moueables and Chattles as well in gold as filuer And many excellent orders were made for restraynt of licentiousnesse both in apparell and manners as was fitting for the vndertakers of so ciuile and deuout an action The King of England hauing layde this imposition vpon all his Dominions in France comes ouer calls a Councell of his Bishops Abbors Earles Barons both 1186. Anno. Reg. 33. of the Clergie and Layty at Gayntington and by their consents imposes the same taxation vpon his Subiects of England Sub Eleemosinae titulo vitium rapacitatis includens sayth Walsingham and presently sends foorth his Officers into euery Shire to collect the same according as it was done in France But of euery Citie in England he caused a choice to be made of the richest men as in London of two hundred in Yorke a hundred and so according to the proportion of the rest and caused all these at a certaine time and place to appeare before him of whom he tooke the tenth of all their Moueables by the estimation of credible men which knew their Estates such as refused hee imprisoned till they had payde it of which example and exaction we must
onely hold Pietie guilty otherwise those times had not yeelded it The King sends likewise Hugh Bishop of Duresme with other Commissioners to William King of Scots to collect the tenthes in his Countrey which he would not permit Prouision by king Henry in England but offered to giue the King of England fiue thousand Markes of siluer for those tenthes and the Castle which he claimed but the King of England refused the same Whilst these preparations were in hand and the mony collecting a quarrell arises betweene Richard Earle of Poictou and Raymond Earle of Tholouse vpon this occasion 1187. Anno. Reg. 33. The Earle of Tholouse by the perswasion of one Peter Suillar had taken certaine Merchants of Aquitaine and vsed them hardly The Earle of Poictou surprises this Peter imprisons him and would not suffer the Earle of Tholouse to redeeme him vpon any condition Whereupon the Earle imprisons two Gentlemen seruants of the King of Englands Robert and Raph Poer trauelling through his Countrey as Pilgrimes from S. Iames de Compostella which Earle Richard tooke so ill as he enters into the Earles countrey with an Army prepared for a better act wastes it with fire and sword besieges A meane quarell dashes and diuerts the great preparation for the holy warre and layes it vpon the selfe kingdomes and takes his Castles about Tholouse The King of France vpon the lamentable complaint of the Tholousians sends to the King of England to vnderstand whether his son Richard did these things by his will and Councell The King of England answers That he neither willed nor counselled him thereunto and that his sonne sent him word by the Archbishop of Dublin that he did nothing but by the consent of the King of France Who not satisfied with this answer enters presently into Bery with his Army seases vpon the Countrey takes in diuers Castles of the King of Englands who makes himselfe ready to recouer the same And thus that great intended enterprise vndertaken with such feruor became dasht and ouerthrowne at the very time they appointed to haue set forward All the meanes the Pope could vse by his Legates nor all the perswasions of other Princes might preuaile to reconsile these two inraged Kings though diuerse enteruiewes 1188. Anno. Reg. 34. were procured diuerse ouertures propounded yet none tooke effect they euer depart more incensed then they met in so much as at length the King of France in a rage cut downe the great Elme betweene Gisors and Try vnder which the Kings of France and Dukes of Normandy were euer vsed to parle and swore There should be The King of France cuts downe the most eminent Elme of Princely parley no more meetings in that place But yet after this they were brought to another parle elsewhere and therein the Popes Legate threatned to interdict the King of France vnlesse he made peace with the King of England The King of France told him that he feared not his sentence being grounded vpon no equity and that it appertained not to the Church of Rome by sentence or otherwise to chastice the Kingdome or King of France vndertaking to reuenge the demerits of the rebellious that dishonored his Crowne and flatly told the Cardinall That he smelled of the Sterlings of England This enteruiew wrought a worse effect then all the rest for here the King of England absolutely refuses to render Alice to his sonne Richard but offered to the King Earle Richard with the King of France com bine against his father king Henry 2. of France to giue her to his sonne Iohn with larger conditions then should be granted with the other which so much alienated the heart of his sonne Richard as he becomes wholly Liegeman to the King of France did homage vnto him for Aquitaine and they both ioyne their forces against the father And here now comes this mighty King of England the greatest of all the Christian world in his time or that the Kingdome euer saw to fall quite asunder forsaken both of his subiects and himselfe letting downe his heart to yeeld to any conditions whatsoeuer he who neuer saw feare but in the backe of his enemies leaues now the defence of Mans and flies away with seuen hundreth men hauing promised the Citty neuer to giue it ouer in regard his Father was there buried and himselfe borne and afterward comes to his last parle with the King of France betweene Turwin and Arras where at their first meeting no man suspecting the wrath a thunder-bolt with so terrible a cracke lighted iust betweene them as it parted their conference in a confused manner for that time Within a while after they came together againe when suddenly began as fearefull 1189. Anno. Reg. 35. a thunder as the former which so amased the King of England as he had falne off from his horse had he not beene supported by those about him And in this sort beganne the Proem of that Treaty wherein the King of England yeelds to all whatsoeuer conditions the King of France required did him homage againe for all his dominions on that side both kings hauing at the beginning of this warre renounced their mutuall obligation in that kind renders vp Alice for whom he had beene so much loden with scandall and turmoyle vpon condition she should be giuen in marriage to his sonne Richard at his returne from the holy warre and in the meane time to remaine in the custody of any one of fiue whom Richard would nominate grants that fealty be giuen vnto him of all his Dominions and pardons all his partakers Besides couenants to pay the King of France 20000 Markes of siluer for dammage done during these last warres And that if he should not performe these Articles his Barons should sweare to renounce him and betake them to the part of the King of France and Earle Richard And for more caution hee yeeldes to deliuer vp the Cities of Mans and Tureyn with diuerse Castles into their Hands c. And here was an end of this businesse and within three daies after of this kings life whose heart not made of that temper to bow burst with the weight of a declining fortune Some few howers before he died he saw a list of their names who conspired with the King of France and Earle Richard against him and finding therein his sonne Iohn His death to be the first fals into a grieuous passion both cursing his sonnes and the day wherein himselfe was borne and in that distemprature departs this world which so often himselfe had distempered hauing reigned 39. yeares 7. moneths and 5. dayes His sonne Richard approching the Corps as it was carrying to be interred adorned according to the manner of Kings with all royall ornaments open faced the bloud 1189. Anno. Reg. 35. gushed out of the nostrils of the dead a signe vsually noted of guiltinesse as if Nature yet after death retained some intelligence in the veines to giue
notice of wrong and checke the malice of an vnnaturall offender at which sight Richard surprised with horror is sayd to haue burst out into extreame lamentations He had issue by his wife Elianor foure sonnes Henry Richard Geffrey and Iohn besides two other William the eldest and Phillip the youngest but His Issue one died young Also three daughters Maude married to Henry Duke of Saxony Elianor the wife of Alfonso the eighth of that name king of Castile Ioan giuen Vide 10. Speed in marriage vnto William king of Sicile He had also two naturall sonnes by Rosamund daughter of Walter Lord Clifford William surnamed Longespee in English Long Sword and Geffrey Arch-bishop of Yorke who after fiue yeares banishment in his brother King Iohns time died Anno 1213. The first sonne William surnamed Longespee Earle of Salisbury in right of Ela his wife daughter and heire of William Earle of that County sonne of Earle Patricke had issue William Earle of Salisbury Stephen Earle of Vlster Ela Countisse of Warwick Idae Lady Beuchampe of Bedford and Isabell Lady Vescy His Sonne Earle William the second had Earle William the third Father of Margaret wife of Henry Lacie Earle of Lincolne It is said King Henry had also a third naturall Sonne called Morgan by the wife of one Rodulph Bloeth or Blewet a Knight hee liued to be Prouost of Beuerley and to be elected to the Bishopricke of Duresme and comming to Rome for a dispensation because his basiardy made him otherwise vncapeable the Pope willed him to professe him selfe Blewets lawfull sonne and not the Kings Naturall promising to consecrate him on that condition but he vsing the aduise of one William Lane his Clerke told the Pope that for no worldly promotion he would renounce his Father or deny himselfe to be of blood Royall The ende of the Life and Raigne of Henry the second The Life and raigne of Richard the first RICHARD surnamed Coeure de Lion borne at Oxford succeeding his Father He began his raigne the 6â— of Iuly aged 35. first seizes vpon his Treasure in France being in the hands of Stephan Thurnham Seneschall of Normandy whom he imprisons with fetters and manacles to extort the vttermost thereof And then repayres to Roan where by Walter the Archbishop hee is guirt with the sword 1189. Anno. Reg. 1. of the Dutchy of Normandie takes fealty both of the Clergie and Lay and then goes to Parle and compose his bufinesse with the King of France which hee did by money and obtayned restitution of all such peeces as had beene gotten from his Father in the time of the late warres Besides for his better strength hee giues in marriage Maude his Neece daughter of the Duke of Saxonie to Geffrey sonne to the Earle of Perch During this stay and setling of his affaires in France Queene Elianor his Mother freed from her imprisonment which shee had endured twelue yeares hath power to dispose of the businesse of England which especially shee imployed in preparing the The slaughter of the lewes at the Coronation affections of the people by pardons and releeuement of oppressions and then meetes her sonne at Winchester Where besides his Fathers treasure which was 900000 pounds in gold and siluer besides plate Iewels and pretious stones there fell vnto him by the death of Geffrey Ridle Bishop of Ely dying intestate 3060 Markes of Siluer and 205 of Gold which came well to defray the charge of his Coronation celebrated the third day of September 1189 at Westminster and imbrued with the miserable slaughter of the Iewes inhabiting in and about the Citie of London who comming to offer their presents as an afflicted people in a strange Country to a new King in hope to get his fauour were set vpon by the multitude and many lost both their liues and substance The example of London wrought the like mischiefe vpon the Iewes in the Townes of Norwich Saint Edmondsbury Lincoln Stamford and Linne All this great Treasure left to this King was not thought sufficient for this intended action of the Holy warre which was still on foote but that all other waies were deuised to raise more money and the King sells much Land of the Crowne both to the Clergie and others Godfrey de Lucy Bishoppe of Winchester bought two Mannors Weregraue and Menes The Abbot of Saint Edmondsbury the Mannor of Mildhall for one thousand Markes of siluer The Bishop of Duresme the Mannor of Sadborough with the dignity pallitinate of his whole Prouince which occasioned the King iestingly to say what a cunning workeman he was that could make of an olde Bishoppe a new Earle Besides hee grants to William King of Scots the Castles of Berwike and Roxborough for 10000 Markes and releaseth him of those couenants made and confirmed by his Charter vnto King Henry the second as extorted from him being then his prisoner reseruing vnto himselfe onely such rights as had beene and were to bee performed by his brother Malcolin to his Ancestors the kings of England Moreouer pretending to haue lost his Signet made a new and proclamation that whosoeuer would safely enioy what vnder the former Signet was graunted should come to haue it confirmed by the new whereby hee raised great summes of money to the griefe of his subiects Then procures he a power from the Pope that whosoeuer himselfe pleased to dismisse from the iourney and leaue at home should bee free from taking the Crosse and this likewise got him great Treasure which was leuied with much expedition by reason the king of France in Nouember after the Coronation sent the Earle of Perch with other Commissioners to signifie to king Richard how in a generall Assembly at Paris he had solemnly sworne vpon the Euangelists to bee ready at Tours with all the Princes and people of his kingdome who had vndertaken the Crosse presently vpon Easter next following thence to set forward for the Holy Land And for the assurance and testimony thereof hee sends the Charter of this Deede vnto the king of England requiring him and his Nobilitie vnder their hands to assure him in like sort to be ready at the same time and place which was in like maner concluded at a generall Councell held at London And in December hauing onely stayed but foure monthes in England after his Coronation this King departs into Normandie Vide Append. The Kings departure out of England toward the Holy warre keepes his Christmas at Rouen and presently after hath a parle with the King of France at Reimes where by Oath and writing vnder their hands and seales with the faith giuen by all their Nobility on both sides is confirmed a most strict Peace and Vnion betwixt both Kings for the preseruation of each other and their Estates with the orders concluded for their iourney Which done the King of England sends for Queene Elionor his mother his brother Iohn the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Winchester Duresme
irreprehensible in his Office is much fauoured by the people Peter de Riuallis and Stephan Segraus are againe receiued into grace an argument of the kings leuitie and irresolution moued it seemes with any Engine to doe and vndoe and all out of time and order wherein he euer looses ground And now faine would he haue reuoked by the Popes Authority some grants of his made heretofore as being don beyond his powre without the cōsent of the Church which harsh intention addes more to the already conceiued displeasure of the people Anno Reg. 21. another Parliament or the same adiourned is held at London where in regard of the great expence for his Sisters marriage and his owne hee requires the 9 Parliament thirtith part of all moueables as well of the Clergie as Layetie Whereunto great 1237. Anno. Reg. 21. opposition is made and recitall of the many Leuies had beene exacted of the Kingdome now of the twentith now of the thirtith and fortith parts and that it was a thing vnworthy and iniurious to permit a King who was so lightly seduceble and neuer did good to the Kingdome either in expelling or repressing enemy or amplyfing the bounds thereof but rather lessening and subiugating the same to Strangers that he should extort by so many pretences so great summes from his naturall people as from slaues of the basest condition to their detriment and benefit of Aliens Which when the King heard desirous to stop this generall murmur promised by Oath that he would neuer more iniurie the Nobles of the Kingdome so that they would benignly releeue him at that present with this supply in regard he had exhausted his treasure in the mariage of his Sister and his owne whereunto they plainely answere that the same was done without their Councell neither ought they to be partakers of the punishment who were free from the fault After 4 daies consultation the King promising to vse only the Councell of his naturall Subiects disauowing and protesting against the reuocation lately propounded and freely granting the inuiolable obseruation of the Liberties vnder paine of excommunication hath yeelded vnto him the thirtith part of all moueables reseruing yet to euery man his ready coyne horse and armour to be imployed for the Common-wealth For the collection of this subsidy it was ordayned that 4 Knights of euery Foure knights of euery shire ordained to take charge of the subsidy Shire and one Clerke of the Kings should vpon their Oath receiue and deliuer the same either vnto some Abbay or Castle to be reserued there that if the King fayle in performance of his Grants it might be restored to the Country whence it was collected with this condition often annexed that the King should leaue the Councell of Aliens and onely vse that of his naturall Subiects Wherein to make shew of his part he sodainly causes the Earles Warren and Ferrers with Iohn Fitz Geffrey to be sworne his Councellors And so the Parliament ended but not the businesse for which it was called the King not giuing that satisfaction to his subiects as he had promised concerning Strangers and besides that order concluded in Parliament was not obserued in the leauying and disposing of the susidie but stricter courses taken in the valewing of mens Estates then was held conuenient Moreouer William Valentine Vncle to the young Queene is growne the onely inward man with the King and possesses him so as nothing is done without his Councell the Earle of Prouince the father a poore Prince is inuited to come ouer to participat of this Treasure which seemes was disposed before The comming of Simon Monford into into England it came in Simon de Monford a French man borne banished out of France by Queene Blanch is intertayned in England and preferred secretly in marriage to Elianor the Kings Sister widow of William Earle of Pembroke Great Mareschall and made Earle of Leicester by right of his mother Amice daughter to Blanchman Earle of Leicester Which courses with other so incense the Nobility and generally all the Subiects as put them out into a new commotion and Richard the Kings brother whose youth and ambition apt to be wrought vpon is made the head thereof who being as yet Heire apparant of the Kingdome the Queen being yong and child-lesse the preseruation of the good thereof is argued to concerne him and hee is the man imployed The Greeuances of the Kingdome to the King to impart the publike greeuances and to reprehend first the profusion of his Treasure gotten by exaction from the subiect and cast away vpon Strangers who onely guide him then the infinite summes hee had raised in his time How there was no Archbishopricke or Bishopricke except Yorke Lincolne Bathe but he had made benefit by their Vacancies besides what fell by Abbayes Earldomes Baronies Wardships and other Escheates and yet his treasure which should be the strength of the State was nothing increased Moreouer how hee as if both dispising his and the Councell of his naturall Subiects was so obsequious to the will of the Romans and especially of the Legat whom he had inconsiderately called in as hee seemed to adore his footsteps and would doe nothing either in publique or priuate 1238. Anno. Reg. 22. but by his consent so that he seemed absolutely the Popes Feudarie which wounded the hearts of his people The King vpon this harsh remonstrance of his brother and the feare of a present commotion after he had sounded the affections of the Londoners whom he found resolued to take part against him hee againe by the aduice of the Legat who had earnestly delt with the Earle of Cornwall to reconcile himselfe to his brother but without effect calls a Parliament at London Whither the Lords came armed 10 Parliament both for their owne saftie and to constraine the King if he refused to the obseruation of the premices and reformation of his courses Here after many debatements the King taking his Oath to referre the businesse to the order of certaine graue men of the Kingdome Articles are drawne sealed and publikely set vp to the view of all with the seales of the Legat and diuers great men But before it came to effect Simon Monford working his peace with the Earle of Cornwall and the Earle of Lincolne likewise with whom he and the State were displeased the Earle growes cold in the businesse The Lords perceiuing the staffe of their strength to faile them failed themselues so that nothing is effected and the miseries of the Kingdome continue as they did Shortly after the King takes displeasure against Gilbert Earle of Pembrooke the third sonne of William the great Mareschall and caused his gates to bee shut against 1239. Anno. Reg. 23. him at Winchester whereupon the Earle retyres into the North. And to shew how inconstant this King was in his fauours Simon Norman intituled Maister of the Kings Seale and not onely so but said
breake the truce made with the King of France who was now too strong for them to doe any good c. Notwithstanding many of the greatest Peeres drawne by faire promises and their owne hopes for recouerie of their Estates so preuaile as the action is resolued on and an Ayde demaunded for the same The very motion for money was so distastefull as presently all the Kings supplies made from the beginning of his raigne are particulerly againe opprobriously rehersed as the 13. 15. 16 and 40 part of all mens moueables besides Carucage Hydage Escuage Escheates Amercements and such like A repetitiō of the Kings supplies formerly made which could not but fill his Coffers Then the Popes continuall exactions with the infinite charge for those who vndertooke the Holy warre are likewise repeated Besides they declare how the 30 leuied about foure yeares past in regard it was to bee layde vp in certaine Castles and not to bee issued but by the allowance of foure of the Peeres was as they held it yet vnspent the King to their knowledge hauing had no necessarie occasion to imploy the same for the vse of the Common-wealth for which it was graunted and therefore resolutely they denyed to yeeld him any more Whereupon the King comes himselfe to the Parliament and in most submissiue manner craues their ayde at this time vrging the Popes letter which hee had procured to sollicite and perswade them thereunto But all preuailed not their vow made to each other not to disseuer their voyces or to be drawne to a disvnion held them fast together In so much as the King is driuen to get what hee could of particular men either by guift or loane and vses such meanes as notwithstanding The King carries ouer 30 Barrells of siluer into France he carries ouer with him thirty Barrells of sterling coyne and taking with him his Queene leaues the gouernment of the Kingdome to the Archbishop of Yorke hauing first for his better quiet at home contracted a match betweene his daughter Margueret yet an infant and Alexander eldest sonne to Alexander 3 King of Scots to whom he commits the gouernment of the Marches This second expedition into France had no better successe then the first For therein The Kings second expedition into France he likewise consumed his treasure vpon strangers discontented the English Nobility was deceiued in his trust by the Poictouines who failed him with his money and after more then a whole yeares stay the Lords of England leauing him was driuen to make a dishonorable truce with the King of France And after hauing beene releeued with much prouision out of England and another imposition of Escuage hee returnes puts the Iewes to another redemption exacts of the Londoners is visited by his An imposition of Escuage with another redemption of the Iewes wiues mother the Countesse of Prouince who bringing with her Zanchia her daughter is to adde to his other expencesses sumptuously feasted a marriage solemnized betweene the young Lady and Richard Earle of Cornewall whose wife was late dead and he returned from the Holy warres The olde Countesse at her returne is presented with many rich guifts hauing besides The Countesse of Prouince mother to the Queen comes ouer into England to the great charge of the Kingdome receiued an annuall pension of 4000 Markes out of England for fiue yeares passed in consideration of a pact made that King Henry should after her discease haue the Earledome of Prouince But shortly after her returne home she disappoints him of that hope and bestowes the same with her youngest daughter Beautrix on Charles the French Kings brother who was after King of Naples and Sicile So that she liued to see all her foure daughters Queenes Richard Earle of Cornwall comming afterward to be elected King of the Romans Meanes now vpon these profusions to haue fresh supplie of Treasure was 1244. Anno. Reg. 28. onely by way of Parliament which is againe in Anno Reg. 28. assembled at Westminster and therein the Kings wants and the present occasions vrged for the necessarie defence of the Kingdome hauing now to doe with Wales and Scotland whose Princes lately reuolting ioyne together to annoy the same but nothing could bee effected 12 Parliament without the assurance of reformation and the due execution of the Lawes notwithstanding the King comes againe himselfe in person as before and pleades his owne necessities Here they desire to haue ordayned that foure of the most graue and discreet Peeres should be chosen as Conseruators of the Kingdome and sworne of the Kings Councell both to see Iustice obserued and the Treasure issued and these should euer attend about the King or at least 3 or 2 of them Besides that the Lord Chiefe Iusticiar and the Lord Chancellor should bee chosen by the generall voyces of the States assembled or else bee one of the number of those foure Besides they propound that there might bee two Iustices of the Benches two Barons of the Eschequer and one Iustice for the Iewes and those likewise to bee chosen by Parliament That as their function was publike so should also be their Election But whilst these things were in debating the enemy of mankind and disturber of Peace the Deuill saith Mat. Paris hindred the proceeding by the comming of Martin a new Legat sent from the Pope with a larger powre then euer any before to exact vpon the State which hee supposed now to haue beene so wrought and ready as the Kings turne being seru'd his likewise should bee presently supplied But making too much haste before the first had passage hee frustrates his owne desire and receiues a most peremptory repulse of the whole Kingdome in so much as his Agent was disgracefully returned home with this displeasing message That the Kingdome was poore had great warres the Church in debt not able to yeeld any more Besides this course was of daungerous consequence to this State which alone seemed exposed to the Popes will and therefore seeing a generall Councell was shortly to bee held at Lyons if the Church would bee relieued it were fit the same should bee done by a generall consent in that Councell Besides at this time the Emperour Frederic by his Letters which were openly read Vide Append. The Empetor Fredericks letters to the King in this Assembly first intreates as before he had oftentimes done that the Pope might haue no supplies out of England which he sayd were only required to ruine him whom contrarie to all Pietie and Iustice hee had oppressed by seizing vpon his Cities and Castles appertayning to the Empire And for many yeares notwithstanding his often submission and desire of Peace proceeded in all foule and Hostile manner against him both by the sword and vniust excommunications And seeing hee could obtaine no due hearing hee had referred his cause to bee arbitrated by the Kings of France and England and the Baronage of both Kingdomes And therefore
is reported able to dispend 100 Markes a day for tenne yeares besides his reuenues in England The French and especially the King of Spaine are much displeased with this aduancement complayning to the Pope and the King of England of the supplantation of the Earle of Cornewal Spaine pretending to haue beene first elected but being it seemes a Philosopher and studious in the Mathematikes which he first reuiude in Europe he was drawing Lines when he should haue drawne out his purse and so came preuented of his hopes About the time of the departure of Earle Richard in the iollity of the Kingdome 1257. Anno. Reg. 41. vpon this new promotion to set forward another the King calls a Parliament wherin bringing forth his sonne Edmond clad in an Apulian habit he vses these words Behold my good Subiects here my sonne Edmond whom God of his grace hath called to the dignitie of regall excellencie how fitting and worthy is he the fauour of you all and how inhumane and 15. Parliament tyranous were he who in so important a necessity would deny him Councell and ayde And then shewes them how by the aduice and benignity of the Pope the Church of England he had for attayning the Kingdom of Sicile bound himselfe vnder Couenant of loosing his Kingdom of England in the sum of 140 thousand Markes Moreouer how he had obtayned the Tenth of the Clergy for 3 yeares to come of all their benefices to be estimated according to the new rate without deduction of expences vnlesse very necessarie besides their first fruits likewise for 3 yeares Which declaration how pleasing it 52 thousand Markes vpon conditions promised by the Clergie was to the Clergie may be iudged by their former grudgings Notwithstanding after they had made their pittifull excuses in regard of their pouerty they promised vpon the vsuall condition of Magna Charta c. so often sworne bought and redeemed to giue him 52 thousand Markes but this satisfied him not The next yeare after is another Parliament at London wherin vpon the Kings pressing 1258. Anno. Reg. 42. them again for means to pay his debts to the Pope the Lords tell him plainly they will not yeeld to pay him any thing And if vnaduisedly he without their consents and councell bought the Kingdome of Sicile and had been deceiued he should impute it to his owne imbecillity been instructed by the example of his prouidēt brother who when the same Kingdom was offred vnto him by Albert the Popes Agent absolutely refused it in regard it lay so farre off So many Nations betweene the cauills of the Popes the infidelitie of the people and the powre of the pretender c. Then repeate they their owne greeuances the breach of his promises contemning both the keyes of the Church and the Charter he had solemnly sworne to obserue the insolence of his brethren and other Strangers against whom by his order no Writ was to passe out of the Chancerie for any cause what soeuer How their pride was intolleable especially that of William de Valence who most reproachfully had giuen the lie to the Earle of Leicester for which he could not be righted vpon his complaint How they abounded all in riches and himselfe was so poore as hee could not represse the small forces of the Welsh that wasted his Country but going the last yeare against them and effecting nothing returned with dishonour The King hearing this as he was apt vpon rebukes soundly vrged to be sensible and his owne necessities constrayning him thereunto humbles himselfe and tells them how he had often by ill councell beene seduced and promises by his oath which he takes on the tombe of Saint Edward to reforme all these errors But the Lords not knowing how to hold their euer-changing Proteus saith Paris in regard the businesse was difficult get the Parliament to be adiourned till Saint Barnabas day and then to assemble at Oxford In the meane time the Earles Glocester Leicester Hereford the Earle Mareschall Bigod Spencer and other great men confederate and prouide by strength to effect their desires Whilst the King put to his shifts to obtaine money gets the Abbot of Westminster vpon promise of high preferment to put his Seale and that of his Couent to a deed obligatorie as a surety sor three hundred Markes that by his example hee might draw on others to doe the like Sending his trustie Counsaylors and Clerke Simon Passeleue abroade with his Letters and this Deede vnto other Monasteries But Passeleue notwithstanding all the dilligence and skill hee could vse by threates or otherwise telling them how all they had came from the benignitie of Kings and how their Soueraigne was Lord of all they had they flatly refuse to yeelde to any such Deede Saying they acknowledged the King to bee Lord of all they had but so as to defend not to distroy the same And thus he comes likewise disappoynted in this proiect The Prince who likewise must participate in the wants of his father was driuien Prince Edward morgages Stamford and other townes to William de Valence to morgage the Towne of Stamford Braham and many other things to William de Valence who out of his store supplied him with money which after turned to the good of neither for it layde a recentement on the necessity of the one which made him breake through his bands and Enuie on the other whose superfluitie made him odious But now comes assembled the Parliament at Oxford and in a hot season the worst time for consultation and here burst out that great impostume of discontent so long in gathering The trayne which the Lords brought with them was pretended to bee for some exploit against the Welsh vpon the end of the Parliament and their securing the ports to preuent forrainers but the taking order for keeping of the Gates of London and their Oathes and Hands giuen to each other shewed that they were prepared to make the day theirs Here they beginne with the expostulation of the former Liberties and require the obseruation thereof according vnto the Oathes The Barons expostulate for their former Liberties and Orders formerly made The Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor and Treasorer to be ordayned by publike choice The 24 Conseruators of the Kingdome to bee confirmed 12 by the Election of the Lords and 12 by the King with whatsoeuer else made for their owne imagined security The King seeing their strength and in what manner they required these things sweares againe solemnly to the confirmation of them and causes the Prince to take the same Oath But the Lords left not here the Kings brethren the Poictouines and other Strangers must be presently removed and the Kingdome cleered of them and this they would haue all the Peeres of the Land sworne to see done Heere they found some opposition in the Prince the Earle Warrein and Henry eldest sonne to Richard now King of Romanes the last refusing to take his
himselfe to enter into Dover Castle At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the middest calls out the Earle not by the name of King but Richard Earle of Cornewall who in reverent manner comming forth takes his Oath ministred in this manner Heare all men that I Kichard Earle of Cornewall do heere sweare vpon the Holy Evangelists The Oath of the King of Romanes that I shall bee faithfull and dilligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England hitherto by the Councell of wicked persons overmuch disorded bee an effectuall coadiutor to expell the rebels and disturbers of the same and this Oath will inviolably obserue vnder paine of loosing all the Land I haue in England so helpe mee God In this manner deale the Lords to binde this great Earle vnto them supposing his power to haue beene more then it was which at length they found to be nothing but an Ayrie Title for having consumed all that mighty substance abroad in two yeares which with great frugality had beene many in gathering he returnes in this manner home poore and forsaken by the Germans without any other meanes to trust vnto but onely what he had in England Notwithstanding vpon his returne the King takes heart and seekes all meanes to vindicate his power dispatching first messengers secretly to Rome to be absolued from 1259. Anno. Reg. 44. his inforced Oath then sends into Scotland to the King and the Queene his daughter for aydes to be ready vpon his occasions And to haue the more assurance of the King of France and be freed from forraine businesse he makes an absolute resignation of whatsoever right he had to the Duchy of Normandie and the Earledomes of Aniou King Henry resignes his right to Normandy c. Poictou Tourene and Maine in regard whereof the King of France giues him three hundred thousand pounds some say crownes of Aniouine money and grants him to enioy all Guien beyond the river Garoune all the Country of Xantonge to the river of 1261. An. Reg. 45. Charentè the Countries of Limosin and Quercy for him and his successors doing their Homage and Fealty to the Crowne of France as a Duke of Aquitayne and a Peere of that kingdome The Lords likewise on the other side seeke to strengthen their association and hold in each other to their Oathes and observation of their orders which was hard to do for consisting of manifold dispositions there was daily wauering sometimes Pikes among themselues in so much as the Earle of Leicester the chiefe man that kept the fire of that saction in told the Earle of Glocester finding him staggering that hee cared not to liue with such men whom he found so mutable and vncertaine for said he my Lord of Glocester The Lords combine against the K. as you are more eminent so are you more bound to what you haue vndertaken for the good of the kingdome And as he incensed others so had he those that animated him as Walter Bishop of Worcester and Kobert Bishop of Lincolne who inioyned him vpon remission W. Rishenger of his sinnes to prosecute the cause vnto death affirming how the peace of the Church of England could neuer be established but by the materiall sword But now many being the temptations many are drawne away from their side especially after the sentence giuen against them by the King of France made Arbitor of the quarrell who yet though hee condemned the prouisions of Oxford allowed the 1262. An. Reg. 46. confirmatiō of King Iohns Charter by which distinction he left the matter as he found it for those prouisions as the Lords pretended were grounded vpon that Charter Howsoeuer his sentence much aduantaged the King of England made many to dispence with their Oath and leaue their party Amongst whom was Henry Sonne to the Earle of Cornewall on whom the Prince had bestowed the Honour of Tyckhill who comming to the Earle of Leicester told him hee would not be against his Father the King nor his allyes but said he my Lord I will neuer beare Armes against you and 1263. Anno. Reg. 47. therefore I craue leaue to depart The Earle cheerfully replies my Lord Henry I am not sorry for your departure but for your inconstancie go returne with your armes I feare them not at all About the same time Roger de Clifford Roger de Leiborn Hamo I Strange and many other wonne with gifts depart from the Barons Shortly after Roger de Mortimer of the Kings part breakes into open act of hostility makes spoyle of the lands of the Earle of Leicester who had now combined himselfe with Llewellin Prince of Wales and had sent forces to inuade the lands of Mortimer in The beginning of the warres those parts And here the sword is first drawne in this quarrell about three yeares after the Parlement at Oxford The Prince takes part with Mortimer surprises the Castle of Brecknock with other places of strength which hee deliuers to his custodie The Earle of Leicester recouers the towne and Castle of Glocester constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption goes with an Army to Worcester possesses him of the Castle thence to Shrewsbury and so comes about to the Isle of Ely subdues the same and growes very powerfull The King doubting his approch to London being not yet ready for him workes so as a mediation of peace is made and agreed vpon these conditions That all the Castles 1264. Anno. Reg. 48. of the King should be deliuered the keeping of the Barons the Prouisions of Oxford should bee inuiolably obserued All strangers by a certaine time should auoide the Kingdome except such as by a generall consent should be held faithfull and profitable for the same Here was a little pause which seemes was but a breathing for a greater rage The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle victualled and therein placed strangers to defend it and himselfe marches to the towne of Bristow where in a contention between the Cittizens and his people being put to the worse hee seends for the Bishop of Worcester an especiall partaker of the Barons to protect conduct him back When he comes neare Windsor he gets into the Castle which the Earle of Leicester was going to besiege being about Kingston the Prince meets him to treat of peace which the Earle refuses and laies siege to the Castle which was rendred vnto him the strangers turned out sent home into France The King to get time conuokes another Parlement at London wherein hee wonne many Lords to take his part with them the Prince Richard Earle of Cornwall Henry 19 Parlement held at London his sonne William Valence with the rest of his brethren lately returned hee marches to Oxford whither diuerse Lords of Scotland repaire to him as Iohn Comin Iohn Baliol Lord of Galloway Robert Bruce and others with many Barons of the
part Shortly after a Parlement is called at London wherein the King complaines of the great contempt was had of him by the Barons their rising in Armes their taking and murthering A Parlement Pierce Gaueston c. Whereunto with one accord they answer how they had not offended therein but rather mereted his lous and fauour hauing taken armes not for any contempt of his Royall person but to destroy the publique enemy of the Kingdome banished before by the consent of two Kings a man by whom his fame and honour was most highly disparaged his substance and that of the Kingdome wasted and a most dangerous dissention betweene him and his subiects raised Whereof otherwise with all their labour and trauaile they conld neuer haue had an end Besides they tell him plainely they would now no longer attend vaine promises nor be deluded with delaies as they had hitherto been concerning their required Articles Which stout resolution of theirs the Queene with the Prelates and the Earle of Glocester seeing they seeke by all perswasions to quallifie their heate and at length so farre preuailed with them as to appease the Kings wrath they brought them and their confederates in open Parlement to humble themselues to the King and to craue pardon for what they had done which they obtained and the King receiues The Lords are pardoned A Fifteenth granted them into grace as his loyall subiects grants them their Articles and particular pardons by his Charter for their indemnity concerning the death of Gaueston And for this the State vpon his great wants granted him a Fifteenth Guy de Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke is here appointed to bee one of the Kings Councell who Reg. 6. Anno. 1314. beeing a man much enuied by such as possest the King shortly after dies not without suspition of poyson Whilst the State of England stood thus diseased at home through the infirmity of a weake Head that of Scotland grew strong by the prouidence of a vigilant King who had not only ouercome the Scottish faction and recouered the most of his owne K. Bruce grows strong in Scotland Countrey but also made spoiles on this wasting all Northumberland in such sort as King Edward wakened with the out-cries of his people and the great dishonor of the K. Ed. goes with a mighty Army into Scotland kingdome is drawne to take armes for redresse thereof and enters Scotland with the greatest Armie that euer yet went thither consisting as the Scottish writers report of 100 Thousand men whereof were great numbers of Flemings Gascoines Welsh and Irish who in imagination had deuoured the Countrey before they came thither and thought not of Battailes but of deuiding the prey Besides the King had with him most of the Nobility and especiall men of England except Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Earles of Warwicke Warrein and Arundell who refused to goe for that the King protracted the execution of the foresaid Articles The Castle of Sterling is the peece that is to bee relieued which chiefly now held out defended by Philip Moubray a valiant Knight who seeing the daily successe of Bruce had manned and victualed the same for many moneths Neare to this place vpon the Riuer Bannocke is incountred this great Armie of England by Bruce with 30 Thousand Scots a small number say their writers in respect of their enemies but as men hardened with daily vse of warre and domesticall euills fierce and resolute carrying all their hopes in their hands of life estate and whatsoeuer was deare vnto them The aduantage of the ground was theirs hauing behinde vnaccessable Rocks to defend them before a Moorish vncertaine ground wherein they digged trenches The battail of Bannocks borough which they pitched full of sharpe stakes and couered them ouer with hurdles so that tht footmen might passe ouer safely without impediment but it so confounded the Horse as it gaue the Scots the day and the greatest ouerthrow to England that euer it receiued There perished in this Battaile called of Bannocks Bourough Gilbert The defeit of the English the last Clare Earle of Glocester a maine Arch of the State of England and Robert Lord Clifford the Noblest of our Barons with the Lord Tiptoft the Lord Mareschall the Lord Giles de Argenton the Lord Edmond de Maule 700 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of sort of common souldiers theirs say Fifty thousand ours Ten taken prisoners Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford Ralph de Morthelmere who married Ioan de Acres Countesse dowager of Glocester with many others the King and those who were preserued escaped by flight This defeit put Scotland both into Armes and Wealth so that they held their owne the better for a long time after and discouraged so much this kingdome for many yeares as it wrought not though it often attempted any great reuenge King Eddward vpon his comming backe to Yorke shewed a great desire to repaire this dishonour but nothing was done his people grew colde home they returne and sitte downe by their losse The poore Borderers haue the worst of it and become so deiected as 100 of them would flie from three Scots saith Walsingham To such a sodain faintnesse are the inferiours brought when the nobler parts of a State which should giue them spirit are ill affected This disaster as mischiefe neuer comes alone was attended with inundations which brought forth Dearth Dearth Famine Famine Pestilence all which exceeded any that euer before had been knowne A Parlement is called at London vpon A Parlement at London the beginning of this Dearth to abate the prices of victualls which sodainely grewto be excessiue And therefore it was ordained that an Oxe fatted with grasse Reg. 8. An. 1315. should be sould for sixteene shillngs fatted with corne for twentie shillings the best Cow for twelue shillings a fat Hogge of two yeares old three shillings foure pence a fatte Sheepe shorne fourteene pence with the fleece twenty pence a fatte Goose for two pence halfe penny a fatte Capon two pence a fat Hen a penny foure Pigeons Rates for victualls a penny whosoeuer sould aboue should forfeit their ware to the King Heere seemes then to haue been no Calues Lambes Goslings Chickins young Pigges to be sould those dainties were not yet in vse After these rates imposed all kinde of victualls grew more scarce then before and such a Murrein followed of all kinde of Cattell with a generall failing of all fruits of A Dearth which lasted 3. yeares the earth by the excessiue raines and vnseasonable weather as prouision could not be had for the Kings house nor meanes for other great men to maintaine their Tables such a iust punishment had Excesse and Ryot inflicted thereon in those daies in so Reg. 10. An. 1317. much as men put away their seruants in great numbers who hauing beene daintily bred and now not able to worke scorning to begge fell to Robberie and spoyle which addes more miserie
Earle of Warwick in France to haue a hand in the execution of the Accorde King Iohn is honourably conducted to Calais attending the promised Summe the first gage of his libertie Anno Reg. 35. 1361. The Citie of Paris yeelds one thousand Royals by whose Example other Cities contribute according to their proportions And thus is King Iohn deliuered after hauing remained Prisoner in England neere about fiue yeeres And both Kings depart in kinde manner with all demonstrations of brotherly Loue. King Edward returning with his Crownes calles a Parliament wherein the forme of the Accord was read and allowed of all the Estates and an Oath taken by the Nobles to obserue the same for their partes Heere the King restorees to the Priors Aliens their Houses Lands Tenements which he had taken from them Anno Reg. 12. for the maintenance of his French Warres which now being ended he grants by his Letters Pattents in as free manner as before they helde them A rare Example of a iust King being seldome seene that Princes let go any thing whereon they haue once fastned Now againe was the ioy and glorie that England receiued by their gettings seasoned The second great Pestilence with the sowrenesse of another mortalitie called The second Pestilence whereof dyed many Noble men the chiefe was Henry Duke of Lancaster of the Royall blood a Prince of great note for wisedome and valour who had beene an especiall Actor in all these Warres and a principall Pillar of the Crowne of England whose Daughter and Heyre was a little before marryed to Iohn of Gaunt by dispensation being neere of consanguinitie whereby hee is made Duke of Lancaster And shortly after by the like Dispensation the Prince of Wales marryes the Countesse Anno Reg. 36. of Kent Daughter to Edmond brother to Edward the second And so both are prouided of Matches within the Kingdome The King giues to the Prince of Wales the Duchy of Aquitaine reseruing to himselfe Homage and Fealtie and shortly after sends him ouer with his wife and Court to liue there His sonne Lionell Earle Vlster is sent into Ireland with a regiment of 1500 men to guard his Eatledome against the Irish and was created Duke of Clarence in the next Parliament held at Westminster in Nouember which continued vntill the feast of Saint Brice King Edwards Birth-day and the Fiftith yeare of his age Wherein for a Iubilie hee shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his people freely pardoning many offences releasing prisoners reuoking Exiles c. And vpon petition of the Commons causes Pleas which before were in French to be made in English that the subiect might vnderstand the Lawe by which hee holdes what hee hath and is to know what hee doth A blessed act and worthy so great a King who if hee could thereby haue rendered the same also perspicuous it had beene a work of eternall honour but such is the Fate of Law that in what language soeuer it speakes it neuer speakes plaine but is wrapt vp in such difficulties and mysteries as all professions of profit are as it giues more affliction to the people then it doth remedy Here was also an act passed for Purueiors as there had beene many before in his time that nothing should bee taken vp but for ready money vpon strict punishment For retribution of which relieuements the Parliament granted sixe and twenty shillings eight pence for tranportation Vid. Stat. of euery sacke of woole for three yeares Thus all were pleased sauing the remouing of the Saple from the Townes of England to Calais was some grieuance to those whom it concerned Yet the Kings desire to inrich that Towne being of his owne acquisition and now a member of the Crowne of England might herein be well borne withall And sure this King the most renowmed for Valour and Goodnesse that euer raigned in this kingdome not onely laboured to aduance the State by enlarging the Dominions thereof but to make his people as well good as great by reforming their vices whereunto fortunate and opulent States are euermore subiect as may be noted in the next Parliament held at Westminster Anno Reg. 37. wherein for the publique Good certaine Sumptuary lawes the most necessarie to preuent Ryot that dissoluing sicknesse the feuer Hectique of a State were ordayned both for Apparell Diet appointing euery degree of men from the Shepheard to the Prince the Stuffe Habits they should weare prohibiting the adornements of gold and Siluer Silkes and rich Furres to all except eminent persons Vid. Stat. Whereby forraine superfluities were shut out home-made Cōmodities only vsed The Labourer and Husbandman is appointed but one meale a day and what meates he should eate c. whereby Gluttony Drunkennesse those hideous euils which haue since vtterly disfashioned infeebled the English Nation were auoided So carefull was this frugall King for preseruing the estates of his subiects from Excesse And as prouident was hee for the ordering of his owne committing his treasure to the safest Chest that Religion could keepe lockt For by a certificat Anno Cleargy men Officers to the King Reg. 39. sent to Pope Vrbane concerning Plut alities and the estates of Church-men in England there were found more of the Spirtualty which bare office about this King then any other of Christendome beside As first Simon Langham Archbishop of Canterbury was Chancelor of England William Wickham Archdeacon of Lincolne Keeper of the Priuy Seale Dauid Weller Parson of Somersham Maister of the Rolles Ten beneficed Priests Ciuilians Maisters of Chancery William Mulse Deane of Saint Martins le Grand Chiefe Chamberlayne of the Exchecquer Receiuer and Keeper of the Kings treasure and Iewels William Askby Archdeacon of Northampton Chancelor of the Exchecquar William Dighton Pribendary of Saint Martins Clarke of the Priuy Seale Richard Chesterfield Prebend of Saint Staphans Treasurer of the Kings house Henry Snatch Parson of Oundall Maister of the Kings Ward-robe Iohn Newnham Parson of Fenni-stanton one of the Chamberlaines of the Exchequer and keeper of the Kings Treasurie and Iewels Iohn Rousbie Parson of Harwick Surueior and Comptroler of the Kings works Thomas Britingham Parson of Asbie Treasurer to the King for the parts of Guisnes and the Marches of Calais Iohn Troys Tresurer of Ireland a Priest and beneficed there These men being without those Feminine Ginnes of attraction and consumption deuoted onely to Sanctitie were thought then fittest to be husbands for his profit Shortly after three Kings came to visite the King of England The King of France the King of Scots and the King of Cypres The occasions that mooued the French king might be diuers but it seems the especial wereto free some Hostages that remained heere and to cleare such imputations as were had of him for not obseruing in all points the late Accorde wherewith his Nobles were much discontented and many dissiculties arose among them so that in an Assembly of the States at Paris certaine
compell them to deliuer Sir Peter de la Mare vniustly detained in Prison The Priest replyed That Sir Peter was a Traitour to the King and worthy to be hanged At which words they all cryed out This is Percie this is the Traytour of England his speach bewrayes him though his Apparell be disguised and presently they ran vpon him and wounded him to death The Bishop of London hearing of this Out-rage leaues his dinner hastes to the The Bishop of London appeases the tumult Sauoy admonishes them to be mindefull of the Holy time being Lent and for the loue of Christ to desist from such seditious acts assuring them all thing should be fairely ended for the good of the Citie Whereupon they were something pacified and forbare to assault the Dukes house whose person if they could haue found they had no doubt made an end of him and the Lord Marshall in this their surie at that time but missing him they yet hung vp his Armes reuersed in signe of Treason in all the principall streetes of the Citie The Princesse from Kenington sent Albert de Vere Louys Clifford and Simon Burleygh to the Citizens perswading them to make their peace with the Duke They returned this answere That for her Honour they would doe whatsoeuer shee commanded but yet inioyned the Kinghts to will the Duke to permit the Bishop of Winchester and Peter de la Mare to come to their Answere according to the custome of the Lawes of England The Citizens send to the King They sent likewise of the chiefe Citiznes to the sicke King to excuse them of this Tumult protesting themselues not to be priuy thereunto but sought all meanes to suppresse the same which they could not doe the whole Communaltie being in Commotion vpon an Information that their Liberties should be taken away from them by Parliament The King tolde them It neuer was in his thought to infringe their Liberties but he rather desired to enlarge them And therefore willed them not to feare but returne to appease the Citizens and keepe them in peace and order which they did and were well pleased with this answere But yet they could not stop the passage of Rimes and Libels those secret stings that wound vnseene but that they were dayly spread in the Citie to the defamation of the Duke and to make his name odious to the people For which he procured the Bishops to excommunicate the Authors of all such Rimes and Libels Notwithstanding this harsh proceeding of the Duke with the State and in a time so vnseasonable both for his owne Ends and the Publique businesse he vndertooke The Commons in Parliament desirous to ayd their King granted a Subsidie on this condition that being leauied it should be committed to certaine Earles and A Subsidie granted in this Parliament Barons to see it yssued according to the occasions of the Kingdom But this Subsidie was of a new nature neither in any of those kindes propounded Euery person man woman within the Kingdome aboue the Age of 14. yeeres were to pay 4. pence those who liued by Almes onely excepted The Clergie likewise grants 12. pence of euery Parson Beneficed and of all other Religious persons 4. pence of the head A mighty and vnknown Ayd such as neuer was granted to any King of England before and became a Precedent for the next Reigne wherein it caused the first and grearest popular Insurrection that euer was seene in this Kingdom So tender a thing is it to taxe the people by the Poule And now here-upon the Parliament ended but not the Dukes displeasure against the Citie The Maior and Aldermen are brought before the King to Shene and aduised to submit themselues to the Duke and craue pardon for their grieuous offences They protest as before they could not stay the rage of the multitude who committed those insolencies beseeching the King not to punish such as were innocent and ignorant of the fact promising the Duke they would indeauour by all meanes to bring in the malefactors and compell them to make satisfaction to the honor of the Duke and more sayde they wee cannot doe Whereupon they were dismissed the Court and shortly after from their places by the power of the Duke of Lancaster Sir Nicholas Brember was elected Mayor in steed of Adam Staple and other Aldermen appointed in their places who were put out The King was desirous to haue reconciled them to his Sonne but sicknesse hauing now vanquished him hee is forced to giue ouer the world as the same did him before his breath left him And first his Concubine packing away what shee could snatch euen to the rings of his fingers left him then his other attendants by her example seasing on what they could fasten shift away and all his Councellors and others forsooke him in his last agony when most hee needed them leauing his Chamber quite empty which a poore Priest in the house seeing by chance as he passed approaches to the Kings beds side and finding him yet breathing cals The death of King Edward and the maner thereof vpon him to remember his Sauiour and to aske mercy for his offences which none before about him would doe but euery one putting him still in hope of life though they knew death was vpon him a misery fatall to Princes and great persons whom flattery will neuer suffer to know themselues nor their owne state either in health or sicknesse made him neglectiue of those spirituall cogitations fit for a dying Christian But now stirred vp by the voyce of this Priest hee shewes all signes of contrition and his last breath expresses the name of Iesu. Thus dyed this mighty and victorious King at his Mannor of Sheene now Richmond the 21. day of Iune Anno Dom. 1377. in the 64. yeare of his Age hauing raigned fifty yeares foure moneths and odde dayes His Character wee finde best exprest in his actions yet thus briefly Hee was a Prince the soonest a man and the longest that held so of any wee reade He was of His Character Personage comely of an euen stature gracefull respectiuely affable and well expressing himselfe A Prince who loued 1. Iustice 2. Order 3. and his People the Supreme vertues of a Soueraigne 1. His loue of Iustice was seene by the many Statutes he made His Iustice. for the due Execution thereof the most Straight-binding Oath he ordayned to be ministred vnto his Iudges Iusticiars the punishment inflicted on them for corruption in their Offices causing some to be thrust out and others grieuously fined as Sir Henry Greene and Sir William Skipwith Anno Reg. 39. He bettered also that forme of publique Iustice which his Grand-father first began and which remaines to this day making also excellent lawes for the same 2. His regard to the obseruation of Order amongst his people witnesse so many Lawes as were made to restrayne them from His loue to his people Excesses in all kindes
partaker of our ioy and thought fit to signifie to your be louednesse that the Lord the Emperour hath prefixd the day thereof to be vpon Munday after the Feast of King Richards letters into England the Natiuity and the Sunday after we shall receiue theCrowne of the Kingdome of Prouince which he hath giuen vs whereof we send his Letters Patents vnto you and other our friends and well willers and doe you in the meane time as much as in you lyeth comfort those you know loue vs and desire our promotion Teste me ipso apud Spiram 22. Sep. The Emperour likewise writes to the Bishops Earles Barons and other the Subiects of England how he purposed to aduance and magnificently to honour his especiall friend their King and in this Coyne are they payd at home for what they were to lay out King Richard sends after this for his mother Queene Elionor who is still a trauailer and for the Archbishop of Rouen with many others to come vnto him about the time and businesse of his deliuerance for which There is imposed vpon euery Knights Fee twenty shillings the fourth part of all lay mens reuenues and the fourth part of all the reuenues of the Clergie with a tenth of their goods is inioyned to be payd The Chalices and treasure of all Churches are taken to make vp the summe the like is done in all his territories beyond the Seas so dearely cost the returne of this King from his Easterne voyage And this Queene Berenguela had likewise her part of affliction in this iourney for shee with her sister in law the Queene Dowager of Sicilia fearing the Emperours malice were a whole yeare in trauayling from Palestina and at length were conducted vnto Poictou The King of France hearing of this conclusion made betwixt King Richard and The King of France and Earle Iohn proffer great sums to hold King Richard prisoner the Emperour writes to the Earle Iohn how the Diuell was got loose willing him now to looke to himselfe and it vexed them exceedingly both being disappointed thus of their hopes And there vpon the Earle Iohn leauing his Castles in England well defended and incouraging his Soldiers to hold out and credit no reports departes into Normandy where he with the King of France whilest King Richard is yet in the Emperours hands solicites him with the proffer of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes or else a thousand pounds a moneth so long as he held him his prisoner But it preuayled not though it staggered the Emperour for a time who in the end shewed this letter to King Richard that he might see what care was taken for him and then deliuers him to his mother Elionor receiuing the pledges for obseruation of peace and the rest of the ransome vnpayd The Archbishop of Rouen the Bishop of Bath with the sonnes of many principall Earles and Barons And so in February King Richards returne into England one yeare and sixe weekes after his Captiuity in the fourth yeare of his raigne he returnes into England where the Bishops in whose grace especially he was had excommunicated the Earle Iohn and all his adherents and taken in his Castles of Marleborow Lancaster and a fortresse at Saint Michels mount in Cornewall defended by Henry de Pumeroy But his Castle of Nottingham though strongly assailed by Ralph Earle of Chester and the Earle Ferrers and the Castle of Tichill by the Bishop of Duresme held out for the Earle Iohn and found the King some worke to doe vpon his returne who presently without any stay otherwhere came before Nottingham Castle withall the shew of state and greatnesse he could make which yet could not so terrifie the defen dants as to make them yeeld confident either in their owne strength or in opinion that there 1193. Anno. Reg. 5. was no King euer to returne to assault them and supposiing it but a meere shew resolued to hould out for their maister which put the King to much trauayle and great expence of blood before they rendred themselues which was also vpon pardon Those of the Castell of Tichill yeelded to the Bishop of Duresme their persons and goods saued The King assembles a Parlement at Nottingham where Queene Elionor was present and sat on his right hand The first day of the Session he disserseth Girard de Canuile of A Parlament at Notingham the Castle of Lincoln and the Shriefwike of that Shire from Hugh Bardolph hee takes the Shriefwicke of Yorkshire the Castles of Yorke Scarborow and the custody of Westmerland and exposes them all to Sale The Archbishop of Yorke giues for the Shriefwicke of Yorkeshire three thousand Markes with one hundred Markes of annuall rent The second day of the Session the King requires iudgement vpon the Earle Iohn for hauing contrary to his Oath of fealty vsurped his Castles c. and contracted confederacy with the King of France against him And likewise iudgement against Hugh de Nauant Bishop of Couentry for adhering to the Earle Iohn and the Kings enemies And it was adiudged they should both appeare at a peremptory day to stand to the law Which if they did not the Earle Iohn to deserue banishment and the Bishop to vnder goe the iudgement both of the Clergie as being a Bishop and of the Layety being the Kings Shriefe But this Bishop two years after was restored to the Kings fauour and his Bishopricke for fiue thousand Markes The third day of this Session was graunted to the King of euery ploughland through out England two shillings besides the King required the third part of the seruice of euery Knights Fee for his attendance in Normandy and all the Wooll that yeare of the Monkes Cisteaux Which for that it was grieuous and insupportable vnto them they fine for money The fourth and last day was for the hearing of grieuances and accusations and so this assembly brake vp But here either to adde more Maiesty after calamity or else to nullifie his act done to the Eemperour is appointed the Kings recoronation to be solemnised Richard againe crowned at Winchester at Winchester presently vpon the Feast of Easter next following Whilest the king was in these parts William King of Scots repaires to him and required the dignities and honours his predesessors of right had in England and with all the counties of Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland and Lancaster To whom the King of England first answered that he would satisfie him by the aduice of his Councell with shortly after was assembled at Northampton where after deliberation he told him that his petition ought not in reason to be graunted at that time when almost all the Princes of France were his enemies for it would be thought rather an act of feare then any true affection and so put it off for that time with faire promises yet graunts he by the aduice and consent of the Councell vnder his Charter to William King of Scotts and his heires
for euer that when by sommons they should come to the Court of the king of England the Bishop of Duresme and the Shriefe of Northumberland should receaue them at the riuer of Tweed and bring them vnder safe conduct to the riuer of Teis and there the Archbishop of Yorke and the Shriefe of Yorkshire should receiue and conduct them to the bounds of that county and so the Bishops and Shriefes of other Shires till they came to the Court of the King of England and from the time that the King of Scots first entred into this Realme hee should haue an hundred shillings a day allowed of guift for his charge and after he came to the Court thirty shillings a day and twelue Wastells and twelue Simnells of the Kings foure quartes of the Kings best wine and six of ordinary wine two pounds of pepper and foure pounds of Cinamon two pounds of Waxe or foure Wax lights forty great long perchers of the Kings best candles and twenty foure of other ordinary and at his returne to be safely conducted as he came and with the same allowance From Northampton both the Kings go to Woodstock and thence to Winchester where the Coronation is sumptuously solemnised And there King Richard resumes the two Resumptions Mannors he sold to the Bishop of Winchester at his going to the holy Warre and likewise the Castle of Winchester and that county with whatsoeuer sales he had made else of the Demaynes of the Crowne alledging that it was not in his power to aliene any thing appertayning to the same whereby his State was to subsist The Bishop of Duresme seeing these reuocations did voluntarily deliuer vp the Castle of Duresme with the County of Northumberland which the King willed to be deliuered to Hugh Bardolph Hugh Bishop of Lincoln gaue for the liberty of his Church one thousand Markes of siluer redeeming thereby the custome of giuing to the King of England euery yeare a cloke furred with Sabells Here all such who had taken part with the Earle Iohn and defended his Castles were sommoned to appeare and all the rich were put to their ransome the poorer sort let go at liberty but under sureties of an hundred Markes a peece to answere in the Kings Court whensoeuer they should be called The King of Scots seeing the King of England vse all meanes for money offers fifteene thousand Markes for Northumberland with the appurtenances alledging how King Henry the second gaue the same to Henry his Father and that after him King Malcom inioyed it fiue yeares This large offer of money tempted King Richard so as againe hee consulted with his Councell about the matter and in conclusion was willing to yeeld the same to the King of Scots reseruing to himselfe the Castles but that the King of Scots would not accept and so with much discontent departs into Scotland yet two yeares after this King Richard sends Hubert Walter Archbishop of Canterbury to Yorke there to treate with the King of Scots of a marriage betweene Otho his Nephew and Margaret daughter to the said king to haue for her dowre all Lynox and he would giue with his Nephew Northumberland and the Earldome of Carlile with all the Castles but the Queene of Scots in the time of this treaty being knowne to be with Childe it tooke no effect From Winchester king Richard departs into Normandy with an hundred ships so that his stay in England was but from the latter end of February to the tenth of May and that time onely spent in gleaning out what possible this kingdome could yeeld to consume King Richord departs into Normandy with 100 ships the same in his businesses of France which tooke vp all the rest of his raigne being in the whole but nine yeares and nine months whereof he was neuer aboue eight moneths in England Nor doe wee finde that euer his wife Berenguela was here or had any dowry or honour of a Queene of England or otherwise of any regard with him how much souer she had deserued And now all affaires that either concerned the state in generall or any mannes particular was to the great charge and trauayle of the Subiects of England to be dispatched in Normandy and that game we had by our large dominions abrode The first action that king Richard vndertooke vpon his comming ouer was the relieuing of Vernoul beseiged by the king of France and there his brother Iohn by the mediation of their mother Queene Elionor is reconciled vnto him and abiures the part of the king of France And to make his party the stronger in those countries hee first giues his sister Ioane Queene Dowager of Sicile to Raymond Earle of Toulouse being the neerest neighbour of power to his Dutchy of Guien and might most offend him Then enters league with Balduine Earle of Flanders from whom the king of France had taken Artois and Vermandois and on all sides seekes to imbroyle his enemy Foure yeares at least held this miserable turmoyle betwixt these two kings surprising recouering ruyning and spoyling each others Estate often deceuing both the world and themselues with shew of couenants reconciliatorie which were euer more broken againe vpon all aduantages according to the mistery of war and ambition King Phillip of France to strengthen himselfe with shipping to oppose the English marries Botilda the sister of Knut king of Denmark but this match made for his ends and not affection turned to his more trouble for the next day after his wedding hee put her away pretending besides other things propinquity of bloud and for this had he long and great contention with the Church and the king of Denmarke The Emperor sends to the king of England a massie Crowne of gold and offers to come and ayde him against the king of France and to inuade his kingdome but the king returnes him onely thankes not willing to haue him stire in this busines and in regard hee suspected the Emperour affected to adde France to the Empire which would not be safe for him or that the King of France dealing with the Emperour might win him with mony and so in the end ioyne both together against him Now to supply the charge of this great 1194. Anno. Reg. 6. worke England was sure still to beare the heauiest part and no shift is leaft vnsought that might any way rayse meanes to the King from hence Witnesse the Commission giuen to the Iustices Itnerants sent into euery Shire of England for exaction vpon pleas of the Crowne for Escheats wardships marriages c. with the improuement of the Demaynes and the order taken for the exact knowing of the Estates of men and especially of the Iewes on whom the King Vide Append. would haue none to prey but himselfe Then the raysing an imposition vpon allowance of Turnements which was for euery Earle twenty Markes of siluer euery Baron ten euery Kinght hauing Meanes vsed for money lands foure and for such as