vnder the Great Seale The Nobles are offended The Kings Title to France first broched hee was condemned to die in the same manner which he had deuised for the execution of Sir Hugh Spencer the yonger And Queene Isabel being most honourably prouided for and attended on was sequestred into a strong Castle where shee liued more then thirtie yeares after and then died In the fifth yeare of King Edwards Raigne his personall appearance in kind and friendly sort was required by Philip de Valoys king of France and vncle to the yong Queen that is to say brother to Iane Countesse of Henalt who was mother to K. Edwards wife together with his Homage Fealtie for his Duchie of Guyan For the performance whereof he departed hence and was with much triumph magnificence receiued entertained feasted in France But his homage and his fealtie he would and did only confesse by words and would not doe them in such solemne and submissiue fashion as they were demanded Whereat the French King was so inwardly moued that King Edward at his departure from the French Court might well perceiue that his welcome was more respected and honoured then his going from thence Assoone as the King came home by new Embassadors his homage was againe required to be performed with all solemnitie and due rites And therupon to giue some contentment to the French King it was sent vnto him in an instrument in writing vnder the great seale Whereat the Lords and Peeres repined much affirming that the crowne of France in the right of Queene Isabel his mother did belong to him and that therefore hee might iustly haue refused to haue done vnto him any homage at all Not long after these businesses thus ended King Edward by his Embassadors required Dauid the yong King of Scots The King requireth the Castle of Barwicke to bee restored It is denyed by the King of Scots and his Homage denied also being his brother-in-law to restore vnto him his Castle of Barwick and to doe him homage for his kingdome But Dauid stoutly returned answer that his father by conquest and by his sword wonne that Castle and that he had receiued it by discent from him and therefore would hold and keep it as his owne And touching the kings demand of his homage for the kingdome of Scotland his answer was that his Father neuer acknowledged any such seruice that king Edward had released it if any had been due And that therefore he would not confesse any tenure of king Edwards crowne The King warreth in Scotland The King preuaileth Barwicke is recouered The high spirit of the King would not suffer him thus to bee slighted and shaken off for he resolued to make himselfe the Lord of both For which cause he marched with a strong Armie into Scotland and quickly subdued the better the greater part of that kingdome with small resistance And hauing fortifyed for his own vse the Castles and Townes of best defence he returned and came to Barwick where the Towne after a strong siege was by composition surrendred into his hands Edward Baylyol Crowned King of Scotland And then he crowned Sir Edward Baylyol king of Scotland and committed the gouernment of the Towne of Barwick vnto his charge and returned into England with much honour The King in person setleth the Gouernement of Scotland But before two yeares more were expired he passed againe with an armie into Scotland placed his new king in his throne and receiued his homage and reinuested diuers English Lords and gentlemen of such Lordships and Territories as by reason of the kings dishonorable peace with the Scots when he first began to raigne had been taken from them Dauid flyeth into France These disasters and aduerse fortunes which inseparably accompanied Dauid the deposed king compelled him to flie into France where after two yeares continuance his heart was cheered with faire promises and his necessities were relieued plentifully with large and ample supplies of all things needfull and conuenient He returneth with an Armie into Scotland he also obtained an Armie with which hee sailed into Scotland his hopes fairely promising that ere long he should bee a king againe But he was much deceiued For king Edward hauing certain intelligence of his of the French kings endeuours prouided effectually for the encounter Dauid is ouerthrowne by King Edward and marched into Scotland with a strong Armie where hee fought often with fortunate successe against Dauid and the French kings forces and at length by battaile obtained an honourable victorie and securing the gouernment of that kingdome according to the rules of wisdome and of policie he returned joyfully into England Robert de Arthoys comes into England In the tenth yeare of this kings raigne Philip de Valoys then king of France sentenced the Earledome of Arthoys from Robert De Arthoys vnto Maud Countesse of Burgondie Aunt to the said Robert which censure so incensed the said Earle that in his heat he vttered these wordes By me was he made a King and by me he shal be againe deposed For which offence The King requites his former kindnesse he was throughout all France proclaimed to be a traytor to the crowne so that to preserue his life hee was compelled to flie into England where in regard of his fidelitie and honourable seruice performed to Queene Isabel and to the king himselfe when they were both in France he was with all complements of kindnes and heartie loue receiued and entertained by king Edward who knowing him to be right valiant hardie wise and not forgetting to requite fauours extended to him in his distresse created him Earle of Richmond He is Created Earle of Richmond and so entirely loued him that whilest he liued he neuer attempted anie great and important matter without his counsell and aduice This noble Knight ceased not to informe the King of his Title to the Crowne of France By Queene Isabel his mother who was the daughter of Philip the Faire which appeared to stand thus Philip the Hardie had issue two sonnes Philip the Faire King Edwards title to the Crowne of France and Charles de Valoys Philip the Faire had issue three sonnes all which successiuely were Kings and died without issue Male that is to say Lewes the tenth Philip the fifth sirnamed the Long Charles the fourth He had also one daughter which was named Isabel Queene of England and married to the Kings Father named Edward the second And Charles de Valoys the second sonne of Philip the Hardie was father vnto Philip de Valoys who raigned then in France Charles de Valoys and of this Charles it is noted that he was the sonne of a King The brother of a King The vncle of a King and the father of a King that himselfe was no King According to the Lawes of France the Crowne was to descend to the Issue Male and no woman
made him Duke of Norfolk he being altogether vnworthie of so great honor 8. Item that the King to further his last Expedition for Ireland without law without iustice tooke from the Clergie and many Religious houses great store of monie plate iewels and rich ornaments not hauing the owners consent so to doe 9 Item that in the same iournie without the approbation of his Counsell of Estate hee carried with him into Ireland the plate and rich iewels belonging to the Crowne which might haue tended to the great inpouerishment of this Realme 10 Item that in euerie Shire he had secret Intelligencers vpon whose bare information that ane man had repined at the Kings bad gouernement the partie so accused without examination or triall was enforced to procure his pardon by the payment of a grieuous fine 11 Item that by the lewd aduise of his wicked Counsellours hee had deuised manie subtle and craftie Oathes by meanes whereof manie of his honest Subiects had beene vndone 12 Item that by the like aduise and counsell he procured Ruffians and desperate companions to accuse rich but weake men of sundrie falsly-supposed crimes and imagined offences and by meanes thereof enforced them to redeeme the combate with much monie 13 Item that he gaue large gifts vnto wicked and lewd companions who malitiously to aduance their owne Estates animated him against diuers of his Barons who only desired a good reformation of his euill gouernment and imposed diuers Taxes vpon his people to enrich them 14 Item that hee had procured such Records to bee cancelled and imbeselled as testified his extortions and his oppressions vniustly imposed vpon his people 15 Item that he had oftentimes said that the Lawes of his Kingdome were in his owne breast and that vpon this opinion hee had put to death manie of his noble men and some of his inferiour subiects without iust cause 16 Item that most of his writings and letters vnto foraigne Princes and Estates were so craftie ambiguous doubtfull and vncertaine that they could not relie confidently vpon anie thing which he had written 17 Item that in his Parliament holden in the one and twentieth yeare of his Raigne his Cheshire Guard who onely were permitted and suffered to weare weapons committed many Robberies and Murders and yet not one of them was punished or reproued for the same 18 Item that to insinuate fauour with those loose and lewd companions the King had basely and fondly dishonoured his High Estate and Soueraigntie by entitling himselfe The Prince of Cheshire 19 Item that whereas in the same Parliament sundrie great Lords intended liberally and dutifully to haue spoken of such things as were not well ordered to the end that they might haue beene reformed the King in such sort threatned them that for feare of ensuing dangers they held themselues silent and spake not at all 20 Item that hee exacted great fines from the wealthiest of his Subiects for adhearing to the Barons notwithstanding that in full Parliament he had before granted them his free pardon 21 Item that by himselfe and his owne authoritie he had displaced diuers Burgesses of the Parliament and had placed such other in their roomes as would better fit and serue his owne turne 22 Item that contrarie to his solemne Oath and instrument in writing vnder the great Seale of his Kingdome Hee had not only disallowed the Commission granted in the same Parliament to the thirteene Lords to enquire of and to reforme the great abuses and the apparant misgouernment of the Common-Weale But also had exiled beheaded and otherwise executed diuers Noble Men and others who for the Kings honour and for the safetie and welfare of the Common-Weale had procured the said Commission or had executed the said Authoritie according to the trust and confidence in them reposed 23 Item that whereas hee had caused certaine Lawes in the same Parliament to bee made for his owne gaine and to serue his owne turne hee procured the Popes Bulles to curse such as should withstand or disobey them which thing greatly tended to the derogation of his Crowne and was done expressely against his owne law made against the Authoritie of the Pope within this Realme but seuen yeares before 24 Item that hee had displaced lawfull and good Shiriffes and had elected others whom he suffered to continue and to hold the said Office two yeares together and more because their vniust oppressions augmented and encreased his gaine King Richard confesseth all the Articles The transcript of all these Articles and Obiections were by both the Houses of Parliament authentically sent vnto the king who not only confessed them to bee true and acknowledged his owne insufficiencie to rule and to gouerne better but also by a plaine He resignes his Crowne King Richard is deposed Henrie Duke of Lancaster is made King Thomas Arundell restored to the Archbishopprick of Canterburie and exact instrument in writing vnder his hand and Seale hee resigned his Crowne and kingdome to his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke Duke of Lancaster which being read publikely and beeing generally ratified approoued and confirmed by the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and by the Commons in the same Parliament assembled they deposed king Richard and made the said Duke king And his true and faithfull friend and his companion in Banishment Thomas Arundell Archbishoppe of Canterburie being then and there restored to his place and dignitie installed the said Henrie in the kingly Throne And the late King Richard was sent to Pomfret Castle there to bee safely kept and with Princely honour to bee maintained but verie shortly after by the new kings direction and commaundement who feared least his Estate might bee shaken so long as Richard liued hee was wickedly and villanously assaulted in his Lodging King Richard is cruelly murdered by Sir Pierce Exton and eight other armed men from one of which with a Princely courage hee wrested a browne-Bill and therewith slewe foure of his Mischieuous and Vngodly Assailants He was very valiant and with admirable resolution fought with all the rest vntill comming by his owne Chaire in which the base Cowardly Knight himselfe stood for his owne safetie hee was by him striken with a Polle-axe in the hinder part of his head Though hee were an euill King yet no religion warranted those vniust proceedings so that presently he fell downe and died And thus was hee wicredly and treacherously murdered and his bodie buried at Langley but was afterwardes remoued vnto Westminster where it now lieth THE HISTORIE OF KING HENRIE THE FOVRTH ALTHOVGH the Crowne of England ANNO. 1. 1399. in right if Richard the deposed king should die without issue was by succession to descend vnto Edmund Mortimer Earle of March the Son and heire of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his wife who was the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of Edward the third Yet his Cousin Henrie of Bullinbrooke Duke of Hartford and
the Duke of Yorke what the Duke of Somerset had done whereat he was so highly displeased The Duke of Yorke maliceth the Duke of Somerset that he neuer ceased priuatly and openly to practise vntill the said Duke of Somerset deseruedly had lost his head For this insupportable and vnfortunate losse of the Dutchie of Normandie the Queene and the Duke of Suffolke were first secretly blamed by the whispering common people of this kingdome who afterwards by open slanders and with publike reprochfull speeches exclaimed and accused the said Duke of many notable trecheries and grosse treasons 1450. which chiefly consisted of these particulars Treasons obiected against the Duke of SVFFOLKE FIrst That by his wicked and vngodly meanes the Duke of Glocester was depriued both of his Protectorship and of his life 2 Item that by his appointment such Counsellors of State were placed about the King and Queene as aduised all things for their gaine and not for the profit of the Common-weale 3 Item that the Queene and the said Duke ruled the whole kingdome as they listed so that by reason thereof all things succeeded ill and hurtfull to this kingdome 4 Item that the said Duke was the meanes and occasion that the Kings right to Aquitanie and Guyan were yeelded vp which weakned and at length lost all the Duchies of Aquitanie and of Normandie 5 Item that he had maried his sonne Iohn to the Lady Margaret sole daughter and generall heire to Iohn Duke of Somerset and had reported that she was the next heire to the Crowne of England if King Henry hapned to die without issue 6 Jtem that he had perswaded the Earle of Dumoys and other great Lords and Officers of France to transport an Armie into this Realme to destroy the King and consequently to make his said sonne Iohn successor to this Crown and kingdome 7 Item that he procured the Duke of Orleance to be set at libertie for a ransome contrary to the commandement and the last Will and Testament of King Henry the fifth by whose means after wards the affaires of France were made more powerfull and fortunate then formerly they had been and King Henries forces were daily enfeebled and made more weake thereby in those Countries 8 Item that he had counselled the said Duke before his departure out of England to perswade the French King to augment and to increase his armie and to make sharper warres both in Normandie and in France against King Henry who so did by which meanes the King lost all his possessions in those Countries 9 Item that assoone as he came Ambassador into France he secretly informed King Charles of the chiefe points of his Commission and instructions by meanes whereof he grew obstinate and refused to conclude any peace 10 Item that the said Duke at his last being in France reuealed to the French king the weaknesse of King Henries prouisions to withstand him by meanes wherof the Frenchmen became more bold and hardie in those warres 11 Item that boastingly and foolishly he had reported in the presence of many noble and honourable personages that he had as high a place in the Counsell house of France as bee had in England and that by reason of his especiall interest in the French Kings loue hee could dispossesse the neerest and the greatest of the French Kings Counsellours if hee were disposed so to doe 12 Item that when men money and munitions were in a readinesse to be transported into France to aide and to assist King Henries forces there the said Duke being wickedly corrupted and being a secret friend to the kings enemies caused them to be kept at home by meanes whereof the kings armies in those Countries wanting due and necessary supplies were vanquished both in Normandie and in France 13 And lastly that by meanes of his great fauour with the Queene he had deceitfully and fraudulently enriched himselfe with the kings lands and treasures and had procured to himselfe a monopolie of all the greatest offices for his owne gaine These and many more foule and treasonable Articles were in full Parliament publikely obiected against him and laid vnto his charge all which hee faintly denied but could scarce cleare himselfe of one of them The Queens pollicie to helpe the Duke of Suffolke The Queene to preuent the Duke of Suffolkes further perill and danger because she entirely loued him caused him to be committed to the Tower where hee had libertie at his owne will and then concluding the Parliament vpon a sudden shee not onely enlarged him but restored him into high fauour with the King so that he proudly ietted and swaggered as formerly he had done The Commons are displeased A rebellion but appeased The common people repined much thereat and spake scandalously and reprochfully of the Queene and of her gouernment and some of them wickedly rebelled making a turbulent mate nick-named Blew-beard their chiefest Captaine But this insurrection was quickly nipped in the budde their ring-leaders were put to death and the rest of them receiued friendly admonition and the Kings gratious pardon The King and Queene intending to reconcile all discords and to giue some better contentment to the Commons held a Parliament at Leicester The Parliaments request But their purpose failed them for the lower house instantly importuned the King that iustice might be done vpon the Duke of Suffolke and also vpon his associating Conspirators Iames Fynes Lord Say and Lord Treasurer of England Iohn Bishop of Salisburie and vpon some others The King to pacifie this broile and to weaken their importunitie by doing of something wherewith hee thought hee should please them exiled the said Duke for fiue yeares The Duke is exiled He is taken at Sea and beheaded But as he sailed towards France he was taken by an English man of warre who landed him vpon Douer Sands and chopt off his head on a boats side And thus was the guiltlesse bloud of Humfrey the good Duke of Glocester in some measure reuenged and the rest of those delinquents were sequestred from their Offices and imprisoned by the King The Duke of Yorke intendeth to claime the Crowne His practises to further it Whilest these things were thus in handling the Duke of Yorke albeit resiant in Ireland sollicited and procured his allies friends in England by some secret plottings pretending some other ends to set on foot his claime and title to the Crowne hee being lineally descended from Philip the daughter and heire of George Duke of Clarence who was the elder brother of Iohn of Gaunt great grandfather to King Henry the sixth And first of all it was whispered priuately reported that the Kings wits were weake the Queens heart ambitious the Kings Counsellors of State not wise enough to rule and that all France Normandie and Aquitaine were lost because God blessed not the vsurped succession of King Henry Vpon these speeches too too commonly diuulged A Rebellion in Kent Iacke Cade
good respects hee cheerefully consented to his request First because by all likelihood and probable coniecture this mariage would establish a perpetuall peace betwixt those two Kingdomes And secondly because if issues males and females failed of the bodies of his two sonnes then the Kingdome and the Crowne of this Realme descending to the said Ladie Margaret and to her issue would draw the Scottish King into England as vnto an estate of greater power magnificence honour and riches whereas if she were ioined to a Prince equall or exceeding her father in those respects this Kingdome would then wait vpon the greater and more worthie and so might be guided gouerned directed and commanded by a Deputie or a Substitute which would bee derogatorie from the maiestie of such a Monarchie and Common-weale These Halcyon daies Prince Arthur dieth which made King Henry fortunate and happie were suddenly exchanged into daies of heauinesse and of sorrow for Prince Arthur within fiue moneths after he was maried departed out of this troublesome and transitorie vale of miserie and was buried with great pompe and incredible lamentation both of the Nobles Gentlemen and common people in the Cathedrall Church within the Citie of Winchester by whose decease without issue his brother Henry Duke of Yorke without Creation was Prince of Wales 1502. as vnto him of right that dignitie did belong and appertaine and the next yeare after he was created Earle of Chester by his Father The King not long after by an honorable attendance of Lords Knights Ladies and men and women of especiall note and qualitie sent his eldest daughter the Ladie Margaret into Scotland to her espoused husband Iames the Fourth who receiued her vpon the limits of his owne Kingdome from the Earles of Surrey and Northumberland and was the next day maried to her in his Citie of Edenburgh 1503. to the great reioicing of the people of both those Nations Now when King Henry had thus ouercome his enemies and the Rebels and had settled himselfe in peace 1504. hee determined to plucke downe the high stomackes and stout courage of his people The King taketh aduantage of forfeitures vpon Penall Lawes supposing that their wealth and riches occasioned their rebellions and was the cause that many enormous insolencies were done and committed in the Common-weale And by that meane hee also intended to enrich himselfe And the plot whereby he intended to effect it was by taking of the aduantage of the breach of Penall Lawes Empson and Dudley And the principall charge of that polling businesse hee committed to Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley men learned in the Law but ready enough to execute the Kings commands in a worser matter if occasion did so require These two being attended by troupes of base Informers Promoters Catch-poles Cheaters Knaues and cousening Rascals Many are vndone prosecuted and persecuted many of the Kings good Subiects to their vtter ruine and ouerthrow insomuch that many people in euery Shire of this Kingdome by their oppressions waxed poore and were vtterly decaied in their estates But the Kings Coffers were filled his Bagges were stuffed and those two gracelesse and cruell Cormorants got to themselues the Deuill and all But no remedie there was to cure this maladie for the King authorized them and they so rigorously and so vnconscionably executed their tyrannie that no man could assure himselfe that hee was free and without the danger of their lash 1605. In the 21. yeare of K. Henries raigne Elizabeth Q. of Castile wife to Ferdinando K. of Aragon and Spain died without issue male of her bodie so that her Kingdom not being deuidable among sisters according to the custome of that Countrie discended to her eldest daughter the Ladie Iane The King and Queene of Castile doe come into England by a storme wife to Philip Arch-Duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine so that hee being King of Castile in her right prepared a Nauie of strong and well appointed ships and entred into the Sea purposing to take the possession of his new Kingdome But by the violence of an outragious storme himselfe with his Queene was driuen into Waymouth in Dorset shire where at his landing hee was receiued by Sir Thomas Trenchard a worthie Sir Thomas Trenchard entertaineth them at his house and a compleate Knight who instantly importuned the King to accept of the entertainment of his house vntill King Henrie were certified of his being there which courteously he did Whereof when he had louingly accepted hee was conducted thither and feasted like as hee was a King The Knight forthwith sent diuers Posters to King Henrie who being much gladded by this newes because the said King and he were vnfained and faithfull friends They are entertained by the King forthwith sent for his better direction and attendance the Earle of Arundell and some others who inuited him and his Queene and their Companie to the Kings Court which was then at his Castle of Windsor of which great courtesie he accepted with a kind hart and as he came within fiue miles of the Castle he was met by the Noble Henrie Prince of Wales who was accompanied by diuers Earles Lords Knights and Gentlemen of choice reckoning aad account and within halfe a mile of his iournies end the King himselfe with the greatest part of his Nobilitie Ladies and Personages of great worth and honour being richly apparrelled and brauely mounted met him likewise where kind salutations and friendly greetings proceeded from the heart and were performed with most exquisite complements of loue that by any could be imagined From the Kings Castle of Windsor the King conducted him and his Queene to the Citie of London where nothing was omitted that anie deuise or cost could make sumptuous thereby to expresse the heartie welcome of such beloued guests And thus when with great contentment mirth and pastime the King and he had spent some dayes they renewed the League which was betwixt them and taking kind farewels each of other the said King and Queene imbarked themselues againe lanched into the Sea and safety arriued according to their owne wils But not long after King Philip and his wife died and that Kingdome discended to Charles his eldest sonne From this time forwards King Henrie waxed sickly weake 1506. and infirme and by meanes thereof the two scourgers of the Common-weale Empson and Dudley tooke larger libertie to extend their villanies then was giuen to them and did oppresse torment and vex the People of this land But when the King perceiued that his time was short 1507. hee depriued them of their authoritie remitted and pardoned all offences committed against his penall Lawes and enlarged all prisoners The King waxeth sickly His deeds of charitie which were in durance for any offence treason and murder excepted only he also paid the debts of all such as for trifling and smal summes were prisoners in any Ward and gaue certaine
a child without issue Edward Fines Lord Clinton was by Queene Elizabeth Q. Eliz. created Earle of Lincolne Henrie Fines Lord Clinton the sonne of the said Edward was Earle of Lincolne after his Father and yet liueth March EDwin a Saxon at the time of the Conquest was Earle of March hee with Marcarus and Swardus kept the Isle of Waight against the Conqueror and was banished Roger Mortimer Lord Mortimer of Wigmore E. 3. was by king Edward the Third created Earle of March and was executed for Treason Roger Mortimer the sonne of Edmund Mortimer who was the sonne of the said Earle Roger E. 3. was by the same king restored to the Baronie of Wigmore and to the Earledome of March. Edmund Mortimer his sonne married Philip the daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of king Edward the Third and was Earle of March and from them two did descend the heires of the Familie of Yorke Roger Mortimer their sonne was Earle of March and of Vlster in Ireland and by king Richard the Second was proclaimed heire apparant to the Crowne of England and was slaine long after in Ireland Edmund Mortimer his sonne was Earle of March and after one and twentie yeares imprisonment in Wales and elsewhere he died without issue Richard Plantagenet Earle of Cambridge was the sonne of Edmund of Langley Duke of Yorke the fift sonne of King Edward the third hee maried Anne the sister and heire of the said Edmund daughter to the said last Earle Roger and in her right he was Earle of March and they two had issue Richard Duke of Yorke who was father to King Edward the fourth Richard Plantagenet sonne to Richard Earle of Cambridge was Earle of March and Duke of Yorke and had issue Edward the fourth Edward his sonne was first Earle of March then by his Fathers death he was Duke of Yorke and by his victorie at Barnet field hee attained the Kingdome of England and was King Edward the fourth Mountgomery K. Ia. SIr Philip Herbert Knight the second sonne of Henry late Earle of Pembroke and younger brother to William Lord Herbert now Earle of Pembroke was by K. Iames created Earle of Mountgomery Northfolke RAlph Waer at the time of the Conquest was Earle of Norfolke and Suffolke and fled for treason Conq. Ralph Bygot President of the East Angles was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northfolke but hee was disherited for conspiring against him H. 1. Hugh Bygot was by King Henry the first created Earle of Northfolke Roger Bygot his sonne was Earle after him Hugh Bygot his sonne was Earle of Northfolke Roger Bygot his sonne succeeded in that Earledome Roger Bygot his Nephew vizt the sonne of his brother Robert was Earle of Northfolke and dyed without issue E. 2. Thomas Plantagenet surnamed Brotherton who was a yonger son to King Edward the first and brother to King Edward the second was by his brother created Earle of Northfolk he had one daughter and heire who was named Margaret Iohn Lord Segraue maried the said Margaret they two had issue Margaret R. 2. which Margaret was by King Richard the second created Duchesse of Northfolke after her husbands death and then she maried Iohn Lord Mowbray Thomas Lord Mowbray their sonne R. 2. was by King Richard the second created Earle of Nottingham Marshall of England and Duke of Norfolke hee dyed without issue Hee complained of Henry of Bullinbrooke to King Richard the second and should haue fought a combate with him but died at Venice in his banishment Thomas Lord Mowbray his sonne was neuer Duke of Northfolk but was in his fathers life time only Earle of Nottingham and was executed for treason with Richard Scroop Archbishop of Yorke by King Henry the fourth and his brother Iohn succeeded their father and was Marshall of England Earle of Nottingham and Duke of Northfolke Iohn Lord Mowbray his sonne was Earle of Nottingham Warren and Surrey High Marshall of England and Duke of Northfolke Iohn Lord Mowbray his sonne succeeded his father in all those honourable Dignities he died and had issue Anne Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke and second sonne to King Edward the fourth was maried in his childhood to the said Anne and was in her right possessor of all those honors But he was murdred by his Vncle King Richard the third and died without issue The said Anne also died without issue whereby all the Lordshippes of the Mowbrays by course of inheritance was devolued to Iohn Lord Howard and to William Lord Barkley Iohn Lord Howard who by his mothers side R. 3. was discended from the before named Mowbrayes was by King Richard the third created Duke of Northfolke and lost his life in the said Kings quarell at Bosworth field H. 8. Thomas Howard his sonne who by King Richard the third was made Earle of Surrey was created Duke of Northfolke by King Henry the eighth Thomas Howard his son succeeded and was Duke of Northfolk Thomas Howard the sonne of Henry who was the sonne of the last Thomas Duke of Northfolke was Duke of Northfolke and Earle Marshall of England He was also in the right of his wife Marie the eldest daughter of Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell Northumberland MArcarus at the time of the Conquest was Earle of Northumberland and Lincolne he with others kept the I le of Wighte against the Conqueror and was taken dyed in prison and had no issue Conq. Robert de Cumine was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northumberland but was slaine by the Northumbers Conq. Gospatrick was created Earle of Northumberland by the Conqueror but he tooke it from him againe Conq. Waldrofe was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northumberland but lost his head for treason Conq. Walcher Bishop of Durham bought the Earledome of Northumberland of the Conqueror and died without issue Conq. Robert de Mowbray was by the Conqueror created Earle of Northumberland but he rebelled and lost it Steph. Dauid Prince of Scotland sonne to King Malcolme the third was Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington Henrie his sonne assoone as his father was King enioyed all those Earledomes Malcolme his son was Earle of Northumberland and of Cumberland and Huntington William his brother succeeded him in his Kingdome and was Earle of Northumberland Cumberland and Huntington he warred against King Henry the second was taken Prisoner ransomed and lost those honors R. 1 Hugh de Puddsey Bishop of Durham was by King Richard the first created Earle of Northumberland and died without issue R. 2. Henry Percy was by King Richard the second created Earle of Northumberland hee was father to Henry surnamed Hotspurre who was slaine in their rebellion against King Henry the fourth H. 5. Henry the sonne of Henry Hotspur was by King Henry the fifth restored to the Earledome of Northumberland Henry Percy his sonne was Earle of Northumberland Hee and his
of Suffolke William Glandvile his sonne being Lord of Bromhelme was Earle of Suffolke Gilbert Glandvile his sonne enioyed those Honors Ralph Glandvile his son was Lord Bromhelme and Earle of Suffolke and died without issue William de Vessey who maried Mauld his Daughter and Heire E. 2. was by King Edward the second created Earle of Suffolke Robert de Vfford who married Sarah daughter and heire of the said William was by King Edward the third E. 3. created Earle of Sufolke William de Vfford his son being Lord of Eay and Framlingham was Earle of Suffolke Michael de la Poole a man more rich then honorably discended R. 2. was Chancelor to king Richard the second R. 2. and by him created Earle of Suffolke and was banished as a corrupter of him by his lewd counsell he died with griefe at Paris Michael de la Poole his son was Lord Wingfield and Earle of Suffolke and dyed at the siege of Harflew Michael de lâ— Poole his son succeeded his father but died within one moneth after H. 6. William de la Poole his brother was Lord Wingfield and Earle of Suffolke he was by king Henry the sixt created Earle of Pembrooke then Marques of Suffolke and last of all Duke of Suffolke hee was banished taken at Sea and lost his head on a boats side Iohn de la Poole his sonne was Lord Wingfield Earle of Pembrooke and Duke of Suffolke Edmund de la Poole his sonne was of a turbulent disposition in the fifth yeare of Henry the eighth he was executed for treason H. 7. Charles Brandon the sonne of Sir William Brandon knight who was Standard-bearer to the Earle of Richmond in Bosworth field was slaine by king Richard the third was by Henry the seuenth made Viscount Lisle H. 8. and hauing maried king Henry the eight his second sister Mary Queen Dowager of France he was by Henry the eight created Duke of Suffolke Henry Brandon his sonne was Earle of Lincolne and Duke of Suffolke and died without issue Henry Grey Lord Ferrers of Groby Lord of Astley Harington Bonvile being also Marques Dorset and hauing maried Francis who was one of the Daughters and Coheires of Charles Brandon E 6. was by king Edward the sixth created Duke of Suffolke and was attainted of treason whilest Queene Mary raigned their daughter was the Lady Iane who maried Guilford Dudley the fourth son of the Earle of Northumberland K. Ia. who lost her head Thomas Lord Howard of Walden second sonne to Thomas the last Duke of Northfolke was by king Iames created Earle of Suffolke Surrey Rufus William Warren Earle of Warren in Normandie maried one of the Conquerors daughters named Goundred and was by king William Rufus created Earle of Surrey William Warren his sonne succeeded and was Earle of Surrey William Warren his sonne was Earle and dyed without issue male William de Blois sonne to king Stephen being Earle of Mortaigne Bolloigne and Eagle and being Lord of Lancaster maried Isabel the daughter and heire of the last Earle William and was in her right Earle of Surrey and died without issue Hamlyn Plantagenet brother to king Henry the second maried the said Ladie Isabel and was in her right Earle of Surrey and king Henry the second created him Earle of Warwick William Plantagenet their sonne was Earle of Surrey and of Warwicke Iohn Flantagenet his sonne was Earle of Surrey Warren and Sussex and died without issue male Iohn Flantagenet his brother succeeded him in those Earledomes and died without issue Edmund Fitz-allen Earle of Arundel maried Alice the daughter of the aforesaid William and was in her right Earle of Surrey and of Warren Richard Fitz-allen their sonne was earle of Arundel Surrey and Sussex Richard Fitz-allen his sonne was earle of Arundel Surrey and Sussex Thomas Fitz-allen his sonne was earle of Surrey Arundel and Sussex and died without issue Thomas Holland R. 2. halfe brother to king Richard the second was by him created earle of Kent and Duke of Surrey Edmund Holland his sonne was earle and Duke Iohn Lord Mowbray sonne to the Duke of Northfolke was discended from the earles of Warren and Surrey H. 6. and was by king Henry the sixth dignified with those honors and also after his fathers death he was Duke of Northfolke Thomas Howard the sonne of Iohn Howard R. 3. whome King Richard the third had created Duke of Northfolke was by the same King created earle of Surrey and by king Henry the eighth Duke of Northfolke Thomas Howard his sonne E. 4. by Anne daughter to king Edward the fourth was by the same King created earle Marshal of England and earle of Surrey Henry Howard earle of Surrey was in his fathers life time attainted and executed and had issue Thomas Thomas Howard his sonne was Duke of Northfolke Q. Ma. and earle of Surrey after his Grandfathers death being restored by Q. Mary Philip Howard his sonne was Earle of Surrey and of Arundel Thomas Howard his sonne is Earle of Arundel and of Surrey Sussex H. 2. VVIlliam de Albaney was Earle of Sussex and of Arundel by his mariage with Queene Adeliza the widdow of king H. the first which Earledomes were her joynture and those honours were giuen to him by king Henry the second William de Albaney their sonne succeeded and was Earle VVilliam de Albaney his sonne was Earle of Sussex and of Arundel William de Albaney his sonne succeeded his father Hugh de Albaney his brother enioyed those Earledomes and died without issue Iohn Plantagenet the seuenth Earle of Surrey was Earle of Sussex and died without issue male Iohn Plantagenet his brother enioyed those honours and died without issue H. 8. Robert Ratclife Lord Fitzwater Egremount and Burnel was by King Henry the eighth created Viscount Fitzwater and Earle of Sussex Henry Ratclife his sonne enioyed all those honors Thomas Ratclife his son was Lord Viscount and Earle and died without issue Henry Ratclife his brother succeeded in those dignities Robert Ratclife his sonne is Lord Egremount and Burnel Viscount Fitz-water and Earle of Sussex Warwicke TArquinius a Saxon was Earle of Warwick at the Conquest hee was banished and died without issue Conq. Henry Beamount alias Newburgh brother to Robert Earle of Millent and of Leicester was by the Conqueror created Earle of Warwick Roger Beamount alias Newburgh his sonne was Earle of Warwick William Beamont alias Newburgh his sonne was Earle of Warwick Walteran Beamount alias Newburgh his brother was Earle of Warwicke after him Henry Beamount alias Newburgh his sonne was Earle of Warwicke Thomas Beamount alias Newburgh his sonne succeeded his father Iohn Marshall maried Margerie the sister and heire of the said Thomas and was Earle of Warwicke in her right but died without issue Iohn de Plessetis the second husband of the said Margerie was in her right Earle of Warwicke Hugh de Plessetis their sonne succeeded and died without
Crowne is setled by Parliament The Scots ouerthrow and doe sley the Duke of Yorke in the b 1460 battaile of Wakefield 259 The yong Duke of York winneth the field of Queene Margaret 260 He is by the Queen ouerthrown and the King is enlarged 260 The Dukes newe Armie consisting of 49000. men the Queens new Armie consisting of 60000. men The c 1460 Queene is ouerthrown in the battaile of Towton 260 The King to winne fauour with the king of Scots deliuereth to him the Castle and the Towne of Barwike and the Duke of Yorke is crowned King 261. King EDWARD the Fourth IN Parliament hee repealeth all former Acts which attainted him and his friends of high treason 263 He is troubled by wars raised against him by Queene Margaret in which he preuaileth 265 He taketh especiall * 1462 care for the Common-weale 266 King Henrie is taken prisoner 266 The Earle of Warwick becomes his Enimie because he wronged him in the choice of his wife 267 George Duke of Clarence taketh part with Warwick against his brother King Edward 268 The a 1467 Yorkshire-men doe rebell 269 King Edward is taken prisoner and escapeth 271 The discommodities of Warre 272 A new b 1468 Rebellion in which the Rebells were ouerthrowne 273 Warwick and Clarence flie to Calice and finde bad entertainment 274 Prince Edward sonne to King Henrie the sixth marieth the second daughter of the Earle of Warwick 275 Clarence secretly revolteth to King Edward his brother 275 Warwick landeth in England where his forces doe so encrease that king Edward flieth 277 King Henrie is enlarged and by Parliament the crowne is intailed to him 277 King Edward landeth in England and breaketh his oath made to the citizens of Yorke 278 Hee and his Armie are ioyfully receiued into the citie of London 280 Hee triumpheth victoriously at Barnet field 280 The Queene Margaret leuieth another Armie and is ouerthrown in the battaile of Tewkesbury 282 King Henrie being murdered is brought open faced into S. Pauls Church 283 King Edward hath new wars in France and the Duke of Burgoine breaks promise with him 285 A peace for nine yeares is concluded for which the Duke of Burgoine is angrie with the King who cares not for it 286 The bountie of the French King to the English Armie 288 Henrie Earle of Richmond is by the Duke of Brittaine deliuered to King Edwards Ambassadours but Peter Landoys freeth him 289 The Duke of Clarence being a prisoner is murdered 290 King Edward changeth the forme of his gouernment and by executing of penall statutes he enricheth himselfe but looseth his peoples loue 290 He hath new warres with Scotland but on certaine conditions he grants him peace 291 The French King breaks all his Articles annexed to the last concluded peace wherefore King Edward leuieth a new Armie but falleth sick and dyeth 292 The Description of King Edward 297 King EDWARD the Fifth HE was a child when his father dyed 297 His Vncle Richard Duke of Glocester aimeth to haue his crown 299 He practizeth mischiefe against the Queene Mothers kindred 300 He betrayeth them and bereaueth them of their liues 301 307 The Queene Mother with her children taketh Sanctuarie 302 The Duke of Glocester is made Protector 302 By subtiltie he getteth the yong Duke of Yorke out of prison and sends the King and him to the Tower vnder pretence of greater safetie 302 Hee with the Duke of Buckingham practizeth their destruction 304 305 His villany at the Tower 306 His friend the Lord Hastings is beheaded because hee will not consent to that murder 307 Doctor Shawes flattering sermon 308 Richard Duke of Glocester is made King 309 King RICHARD the third KIng Richard by base flatterie endeuoureth to make a bad matter good 311 Doctor Morton Bishop of Ely is committed to the custodie of the Duke of Buckingham 311 King Richard is despised by the French king 312 The two young Princes by the villanous procurement of King Richard are murdred 312 The reasons which might haue disswaded him from that wickednesse are examined 313 His only sonne by death is taken from him 315 Doctor Morton by flatterie insinuateth himselfe into the inward loue and familiaritie of the Duke of Buckingham and hauing with him resolued on the destruction of king Richard hee escapeth and flyeth into Flanders from whence hee giues good intelligence of all King Richards proceedings to Henrie Earle of Richmond 315 Hee moueth him to marrie the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth which hee protesteth to doe 317 King Richard had almost gotten into his hands the Earle of Richmond but Peter Landoys freeth him 317 The Duke of Buckingham and the K. do leuie two strong Armies but the fight is deferred by a sodain floud The Welshmen forsake the Duke he flyeth he is proscribed he is betraied by his owne seruant and looseth his head 318 Peter Landoys would haue betrayed the Earle of Richmond to king Richard but hee and his doe escape hardly into France where they are comforted and aided 320 King Richard by flatterie and bribes gets King Edward the Fourth his children into his owne possession and maketh loue to his owne Neece the said Lady Elizabeth 322 His owne wife sodainly dyeth and he reviueth his incestuous sute to his said Neece who wittily protracteth that businesse 323 False newes from France makes him secure 323 The Earle of Richmond landeth in England and the King and he are with their Armies in Bosworth field 323 King Richards people cleaue not to him 324 Hee is desperate in fight but is slaine by the Earle himselfe and his body is vsed with great despight by the common people 324 325 Henrie Earle of Richmond is proclaimed and crowned King by the souldiers in the open field wher his Enimie lay dead And in the same place Hee with his whole Armie doe thanke GOD. 325 King HENRY the Seuenth KIng Henrie the Seuenth as he had sworne vniteth the two diuided houses of Lancaster Yorke by his mariage with the Lady Elizabeth King Edward the Fourth his eldest daughter 327 He causeth the Crowne to be intayled 328 He maketh Yeomen of his Guard and is thankfull to his friends 327 He repaieth the French King the Duke of Britaigne 328 He repealeth Acts of Attainders makes good lawes and granteth a generall Pardon 328 He suppresseth Rebells 329 Lambert the counterfaited Earle of Warwick by force and policie is taken 329 330 331 King Henrie the Seuenth takes part with the Duke of Britaigne against the French King 332 333 The Earle of Northumberland leuying of a Tax is slaine by the people 333 334 The Rebells flie and are punished 334 Maximilian being aided by King Henrie the Seuenth comes not forth yet King Henrie alone warreth against the French King 335 The King demaunds a Benevolence 335 He besiegeth Bullein and granteth a peace 336 Perkin Warbeck the counterfaited Duke of Yorke vexeth king Henrie 337 He is supported
deerest friends in an awfull regard of his loue THE HISTORIE OF KING WILLIAM RVFVS WHEN William the Conqueror died Robert his eldest sonne being in Germanie accommodated himselfe with great sufficiencie to those affaires and businesses wherewith his father had entrusted him so that by means of his absence the Conquerors last Will and Testament the furtherance by Lanfrank then Archbishop of Canterburie who by reason of his great learning and singular vertues was verie deere and reuerend in the peoples eyes and by manie costlie gifts enlarged with vnaccustomed bountie 9. Septemb. 1087. William his younger brother was crowned King But not long after Duke Robert repining that his right by force and injustice should be made a prey to him that did vsurpe ANNO 2. Duke Robert warreth in England and purposing to regaine by his presence that which by his absence he had lost came into England guarded with a braue Armie of vnconquered Normans and manie French whome Philip their King had waged for his aide But such was the Dukes milde and flexible disposition though he were passing valorous and bold that he rather enclined himselfe to a peaceable composition A composition betwixt the two brothers which was gently craued by his brother than by the effusion of much bloud to possesse himselfe of this Crowne so that in the end being fairely promised That if he suruiued he should succeede and accepting the graunt of three thousand marks by the yeare he tooke a friendlie leaue and returned well pleased and safelie vnto his owne Duchie The King oppresseth the English Nation by Taxes and other cruelties The King by these meanes more strongly fixing his foote in the possession of this Kingdome and being better assured of his establishment than he was before began forthwith to tread in his fathers steppes and with like oppressions and seueritie to humble the haughtie courage of the English and finding by the Rules of Policie That Plentie puffeth vp and that Penurie robbeth such as are hardie of the chiefest Requisites which might enable them to resist imposed on them manie vnusuall Payments and intolerable Taxes which by his greedie ministers and sawcie officers were leuied with such despight and crueltie that thereby they might well perceiue that he meant nothing more than to cut the nerues and sinewes of their strength An old Bishop made a young Earle About the same time Odo his vncle being Bishop of Bayon repaired into England where by reason of the Kings regardfull affection towards him he found such welcome and friendly entertainment that he was created Earle of Kent The old Bishop and young Earle presuming too much on his Nephewes loue and mounting his conceits aboue the height of a conuenient pitch tooke vpon him more authoritie to rule than either a stranger or a subject in wisedome should affect which altered the pleasantnesse of the Kings countenance into frownes and made him much lesse esteemed than otherwise he would haue beene The Kings vncle rebelleth The Bishop whose heart was haughtie and whose minde aspired to more than ordinarie greatnesse so inwardly grudged that the Line of Soueraigne Majestie should tye him short that openly he did rebell and in such sort by the helpe of the English Normans distempered the soundnesse of the Commonweales Peace with manie turbulent and dangerous mutinies in sundrie places of the Land that the King contrarie to his naturall disposition and contrarie to the former Rules of his Policie was compelled to strengthen his owne part by the English Nation The King through necessitie flattereth the English whome with better vsage fairer speeches releasement of injurious Taxes and great gifts he made so firme and faithfull to him that by their assistance he more than well hoped to preuaile And such was his new courtesie and kindnesse to manie of the reuolted Lords that leauing the Bishop and his associates they adhered firmely vnto the King These fractions and these disorders in the publike State begot new conceits in Malcolyne King of Scots The Scots rebell who on the suddaine railing a faire Armie of aduenturous men of warre inuaded the Northren parts of this Kingdome The newes whereof appalled not the King but rather it inspired him with a spirit of such inuincible courage that marching first against the Bishop and his complices The Bishop is ouerthrowne with an high hand he obtained a quicke victorie and enforced the vnwise Bishop his vncle to abiure the Land And forthwith being mounted aloft vpon the wings of Furie ANNO. 3. The Scots ouerthrowne and scorning to be checked by resistance he rushed with such manlike violence vpon the hardie Scots that the greatest numbers of them were quickly slaine in the field and Malcolyne was not onely compelled to acknowledge his subiection The Scots subiection by renewing of his former Oath but willingly he became a Pentioner to the King In the sixt yeare of his Raigne his prosperitie was interrupted by the obstinate Rebellion of Rees the last King of the Welchmen ANNO. 6. The Welchmen rebell and are subdued who so infested him with broken warres that for many moneths together being vrged to fight with Mountaines to which vpon all enforcements they fled in stead of combating with men he could finde no rest But such was his resolution his valour and vndaunted courage to withstand the strongest push of all extremities that in the end he slew their King and by a glorious victorie he better secured the subjection of the Welchmen than any of his predecessors had done before Not long afterwards The Scots rebell againe Malcolyne the King of Scots being vnkindly and disgracefully denied accesse to the English Court where he intended a friendly conference vpon many matters of great weight and consequence returned into Scotland and being infected with a million of discontents the disease of his passions published it selfe with much danger to the Northren parts which he inuaded with a strong Armie spoyling robbing burning wounding and killing without controlment in all places as he listed vntill he besieged a strong Castle which for manie daies was valiantly defended by Robert Mowbray then Earle of Northumberland who at length seeming to yeeld to the frowardnesse of his disasterous fortune and comming out of his Castle gate well mounted with the keyes thereof fastened vnto his launce The King of Scots slaine and making low obeysance to the King in token of his submission and dashing his spurres into his horse he ranne vpon the King and with his launce in stead of tendering him the keyes he pierced out his eye and slew him on the place Which hauing done he escaped flying like the winde leauing the dismayed Scots behinde him to lament their irrecuperable losse and with much sorrow to returne into Scotland with their breathlesse King As on the Sea-shore one waue succeedes another so in humane affaires there is no end of troubles No sooner was this businesse concluded but another
payments and demaunds imposed vpon them by the two former kings He gaue free libertie to the Nobles and Gentlemen of this Realme for their pleasure Flatterers banished the Court. and better recreation to inclose Parkes for Deere and free Warrens for their Conies and such like Game And as Traitors to his Vertues State and kingly Gouernment he exiled and banished from his Court and Presence all base Flatterers Nicenesse in Behauiour Luxuriousnesse in Conuersation Sumptuousnesse in Apparell and Superfluitie in Dyet He ordained punishments by death for all such as violently spoyled or robbed in the High wayes With indefatigable trauell and paine hee corrected and reformed the monstrous Pride intolerable Couetousnesse and secure Negligence and Slouth of the Clergie He recalled from Banishment Anselme and restored him to his Archbishopricke of Canterburie and gaue him full power to assemble Conuocations and Synods at his pleasure The King leaueth the inuesture of Bishops to the Pope for the amendment of such things as were vnsufferable in the Church He left vnto the Pope his power and authoritie to inuest Bishops by giuing to them the Ring the Crosse and the Pastorall Staffe All such Ecclesiasticall Promotions and Dignities as by the lewd aduice and counsell of Reynulph Bishop of Durham his brother had seized into his owne hands and conuerted to his owne vse he voluntarily and freely conferred vpon Honest Graue Learned and Worthie Men and committed the said Bishop a prisoner to the Tower of London R bert Duke of Normandy inuadeth England from whence he afterwards escaped and eagerly incited Robert Duke of Normandie by the Sword to lay his clayme to this kingdome Who thereupon to maintaine his demaund in that behalfe raysed a strong Armie which he intended with all conuenient expedition to transport into this Realme But as king Henrie by those precedent prouisions had endeared himselfe in the Peoples loue so had he the more confirmed it by taking to wife Mawlde the sister of Edgar King Henries title made stronger by his marriage King of Scots and daughter vnto Malcolyne by Margaret his wife sister to Edgar Adelinge who died without issue and daughter to King Edward the sonne of Edmund Iron-side the victorious and valiant King of the Saxons When Duke Robert with his Armie was arriued in England the noyse of Trumpets the sound of Drummes and the swarming multitudes of well-approued Souldiors fit for the Warre affoorded none other thing but a fearefull expectation of much trouble But as a threatening lowring Cloud is sometimes dispersed by a faâ—â—e shining Sunne so these approaching conflicts by the discreete mediation and counsell of worthie friends were suddenly preuented and a friendly peace A peace concluded betwixt the two brethren betwixt the two brothers was louingly concluded vpon such like conditions as formerly had beene agreed on in William Rufus his daies whereat the Norman Lords were much displeased and returned discontented with their Lord. But such were the malignant spirits of the Enuious The King inuadeth and preuaileth in Normandie or such was the greedie disposition of those who were Couetous or so eager was the Kings appetite to enlarge his Dominion that manie great quarrels for small and trifling causes began vpon the suddaine to present themselues vnto those two brethren Insomuch that King Henrie passed with a sufficient and a well-ordered Armie into Normandie where he was assisted by manie of the Dukes discontented Nobles By meanes whereof The Duke is forsaken by his Nobles and Gentrie the King in sundrie skirmishes and conflicts so preuailed that with little danger and small resistance hee chased the forsaken Duke from place to place and wonne from him the Cities of Roan Cane Valoys and manie others and then hee returned into England with much honour The Duke perceiuing that his Lords and Gentrie refused to giue him anie helpe and that the Kings Estate Strength and Riches so encreased that no hope of recouerie by striuing and by strugling was left vnto him submitted himselfe to his two Enemies Time and Fortune the scornefull deluders of such as repose their confidence vpon them and came secretly and priuatly into England presented himselfe to the King his brother and referred to his owne censure and will both himselfe his Duchie and all Debates and Controuersies whatsoeuer But the King eyther because hee knew that the Duke was too vnconstant The Dukes submission is scornefully despised or for that some secret whisperers had prepared him to prejudicate his brothers Truth and honest Meaning with an estranged countenance and a disdainefull eye departed vnkindly from the distressed and perplexed Duke coyly refusing to accept of his submission which in all humilitie by him was profered The Duke returneth and the King followeth The Duke being pierced to the heart that his misfortunes should so much wrong him returned with all expedition into his owne Countrey resoluing That in the open Field he would rather die as a valiant man than thus be trampled on by Dishonour and by Disgrace And the king conjecturing rightly what he pretended followed him with many thousands of men and so often he encountred the weake Duke with his great strength The Duke is taken and his eyes are put out that within few dayes he tooke him and brought him as a prisoner into England where because he hearkened to Natures enticement which persuaded him to seeke his libertie and to practise his escape both his eyes by the kings commaundement were plucked out After which time he liued as a miserable and as a wretched captiue more than the space of twentie yeares At length being dead in Glocester he was buried A Rebellion by the Earles of Shrewsburie and of Mortaigne About the same time Robert Belasme Earle of Shrewsburie trayterously did rebell but wanting Wealth Wit Courage and Strength the foure Champions of the strongest Field he was enforced to flye into Normandie Where finding William Earle of Mortaigne and of Cornwall much displeased with the king for that as he surmised he kept from him vnjustly the Earledome of Kent he so much insinuated himselfe into his loue and counsels that easily he persuaded him to rebell So both of them joyning both their forces together they made a goodly shew as if they would work wonders They are taken and imprisoned But small opposition enforced them to take a plaine view of their rash errors and leauing that which they had to make hard shifts for the safegard of themselues Wherein their ill successe was a just reward for their foule offence for by the kings Power they were taken and by him held as prisoners whilest they liued New troubles betwixt the King and the Archbishop of Canterburie about the Temporalties of the Clergie and inuesture of Bishops The king hauing now cast anchor as he was resolued in a safe harborow and nothing fearing the blasts of any Fortune which might attempt to shake his settlement in this
kingdome and finding that manie inconueniences did daily presse him with much dishonor and disgrace because he intermedled not with the Temporalties of Bishoprickes when they were vacant nor with the inuesture of Bishops as his Ancestors had done and being informed That those things were inseparable incidents vnto his Crowne and that his neglect to vse them depriued him not of his Right vnto them resolued That he would not any longer forbeare to chalenge and to put in practise those things which so justly did belong vnto him Whereat Anselme the Archbishop of Canterburie was much displeased and did vtterly refuse to consecrate such new Bishops as had receiued their Inuestures from the king But Gerald then Archbishop of Yorke cheerefully performed that Ceremonie vpon the kings commaund This new quarrell transported Anselme the second time from England vnto Rome Anselme goeth to Rome the second time complaineth to Pope Pascal the second The Archbishop preuaileth where he complayned to Pope Paschal the second of those and of manie other wrongs all which were controuerted and debated with the strongest oppositions on either partie But two yeares after Anselme with the licence and fauour of the king returned and in a Synod of the Clergie holden by him in London by the Popes authoritie it was enacted That from thenceforth no Temporall man should giue Inuesture to any Bishop by the Crosse and Ring Within three yeares after Anselme died and the Temporalties of that Dignitie being seized into the kings hands The King entreth vpon the Temporalties of the Archbishop of Canterburie were for the space of fiue yeares taken receiued and conuerted to the kings vse And if at anie time as hee was often hee were entreated by the Bishops to conferre that See vpon some other his answere was That he onely kept it for a sufficient and a worthie man In the yeare of our Lord one thousand one hundred and eight hee erected the Bishopricke of Ely The Bishoprick of Ely founded in Anno 1108. and endowed it with large and honourable Possessions which wonne him much fauour with the Pope and procured him the loue of his owne Clergie Thus when the King for a few yeares had enjoyed the benefite of an happie Peace Normandie inuaded and held all Normandie subject to his owne commaund his tranquilitie and his pleasure were enuied by Lewis le Grosse then king of France who first of all procured Fulke Earle of Angeou vpon a weake pretence to seize vpon the Countrey of Mayne and then animated Baldwyne Earle of Flanders to declare against the king in Armes for the with-holding of a yearely pension of three hundred markes which the Conquerour gaue onely vnto Baldwyne the fifth Earle of Flanders during his life But the same had afterwards beene payd to his Sonne and Nephew by the courtesie of the succeeding kings because the Conquerour had beene well assisted in his Warres with England by the said Baldwyne the fifth All these made strong preparations to inuade the Kings Duchie of Normandie But the newes thereof rowsed the King from his bed of ease The King sayleth into Normandie preuaileth filled him full with Princely resolutions occasioned him to passe the Sea with an Armie of rough and tough Nobles Gentrie and common Souldiors And shortly after his landing loosing no time he set vpon the Earle of Angeou and his associates And after he had beaten him soundly on euerie side he enforced him to saue himselfe by a shamefull flight Another victorie And neere vnto the Towne of Nice which was surprized and holden by the King of France King Henrie encountred the other two This Battaile was made famous by the continuance of nine houres and was on all parts fought with such eager and manlike resolution that albeit the King of England wonne the Field and had the long chase of his flying enemies yet he boldly and truly would confesse that hee then fought not for victorie but for his life A peace is concluded At length when the heat of Anger was well quenched and when manie lay cold on the floore of death who in their life times had blowne the coales of contention betweene those foure Princes A Mariage they all were reconciled vnto peace and the King married to his eldest sonne William the daughter of the said Fulke But in their journey towards England the said young Princes Richard and Marie Countesse of Perch two others of the Kings children his Neece Lucie A great misfortune with her husband the Earle of Chesier and more than an hundred and fourescore others were vnfortunately drowned by the carelesse folly of the drunken Mariners Drunkennes This vnexpected newes being accompanied with manie millions of sorrowes and of dolefull passions much grieued the King but made him not heartlesse as most Princes would haue beene in the like case The Kings admirable patience For Wisdome had sufficiently instructed him with patience to sustaine and beare those burthens which could not by any meanes be shaken off And likewise the King was at that time affoorded but little leisure to fixe his cogitations on those mishaps because the obstinate Rebellion of the Welchmen drew him vnwillingly into a new Warre For when he saw and perceiued that though he were a King yet vrgent necessitie commaunded him to Armes and that Iustice did require him by the Sword to judge and to execute those lewd and gracelesse Malefactors The Welchmen rebell and are subdued hee marched with a strong Power into Wales when the Rebels trusting ouer-much to their owne valour which little or nothing at all helpeth in Treasonable Plots and Imployments resolued to abide the vtmost push of their fortune which yeelded to the King a speedie and a successefull end of those Warres For with little danger and as small a losse he gaue them the ouerthrow and permitted the wastfull deuouring swords of his associates to surfet vpon the carkasses of those Rebels whome neither gentle vsage nor former executions of that nature could persuade to performe those duties which good subjects doe owe vnto their Prince Then returned the King loaden with much honour Maulde the kings daughter married to the Emperour Henrie the fifth and was joyfully receiued by all his people especially by Mauld his daughter whome he forthwith sent to be married vnto the Emperour Henrie the fifth her affied husband with a princely portion of Siluer and of Gold which in the nature of a Taxe was leuied vpon the common people of their Land which he tooke for an ayde towards her marriage And the same custome Aid purfiâ—e marrier for the marriage of the eldest daughter of the Kings of this Realme hath beene and is continued vnto this day At the same time he deuised and ordered the manner and fashion of a Court in Parliament Anno 1114. The High Court of Parliament fâ—â—â—t established at Salisburie in April appointing it to consist of the three
preferred before Warre yet he willingly entred at all times into the Lists of Warre when necessitie or good reason persuaded him to arme When his estate was most quiet The King exercised his souldiors in warlike negotiations in the time of greatest peace and freest from Warres abroad or ciuill disturbances at home hee would now and then vpon the suddaine raise an Armie and transport them either into Normandie or into Britaine Angeou or other places subiect to the Dominion of himselfe or of his sonnes And himselfe in person vsed to goe with them And in those places he exercised them in fortifications trainings and lyings in the field and with other Martiall discipline By meanes whereof he setled those Countries in peace and with good Gouernment made warlike businesses familiar to his Souldiers and then returned without blowes into England The commoditie of his so doing By these meanes when troubles hapned he little feared because his men were aptly inured to those things which most properly belong vnto the warres 1174. Henry the second Conquereth Ireland In the nineteenth yeare of his Raigne because the Irish Nation attempted to depriue him of certaine Territories in that Iland which were left vnto him by his predecessors hee sailed thither with a mightie Armie and fought many victorious battailes against fiue Kings which at that time raigned there All which he subdued and made subiect vnto himselfe and became the sole Lord of all that Countrie and annexed that Title vnto the Title of his Crowne The Kings sonne twice Crowned King in his fathers dayes and returned honourably into England Such was the surpassing loue of this worthie King to his eldest sonne Henrie That he caused him and his wife Margaret the daughter of the French King to be twice solemnly Crowned in the presence of his people himselfe the second time for that day leauing the Title of a King and seruing as a Sewer at his sonnes table whereat his proud sonne made no wonder A proud and an vnthankfull Sonne but publikely affirmed That his father was nothing thereby dishonoured For that he was onely the sonne of an Empresse But he himselfe was the sonne both of a King and also of a Queene Warres betwixt England and France Many Iarres and quarrels in his later dayes arose betwixt King Henry the father and Lewys the French King which at length were decided by sharpe and bloudy warres In all which most vnnaturally Henry Geffrey and Iohn the Kings sonnes and most vndutifully Robert Earle of Leicester Vnnaturall children and Hugh Earle of Chester together with William then King of Scots tooke part with the French against the King In all which notwithstanding King Henry by noble valour and courage did preuaile and vpon submission granted Pardon to his sonnes and all the rest Yet were his sonnes after grieuously punished by God God plagued them For Henry died before his father in the prime and flower of his strength And Iohn his sonne who was after King was poysoned by a Monke Yet these vnnaturall Rebellions by his owne children vnto whom he had extended if wee may beleeue reports more then the loue and affection of a worthy father King Henrie sorrowing for his childrens rebellions dieth so inwardly perplexed his minde that surfeiting vpon bitter passions occasioned by their reuolt he fell into a dangerous Feuer which the more vexed him because Richard his sonne had then raised an other broyle against him And within foure dayes after hee died in Normandie when he had Raigned almost fiue and twentie yeares and was buried at Founteuerard in France The historie of this Kings Raigne King Henries description approueth him to haue been learned wise politicke iust and valiant And that which not a little augmenteth the number of his praises albeit hee were oftentimes engaged in many businesses Some of them concerning his warres in France Normandie Angeou Ireland and in other places A rich King who taxed not his people And some of them respecting his politicke rule and Gouernment at home yet he neuer imposed nor leuied vpon his Subiects any extraordinarie taxe or payment whatsoeuer Yet left he vnto his successor more then nine hundred thousand pounds in siluer and in gold besides his Plate Iewels Houshold-stuffe 900000. l. and prouision for the warre And though in most things prosperitie made him happie His vnhappinesse yet in three things especially he was most vnfortunate and vnhappie The first was the vnnaturall disobedience and rebellious reuolts of his owne children The second was his inordinate fauour and vnquenchable lust towards Rosamond his vnseparable Concubine His incontinencie with the faire Rosamond his Concubine who being admirably faire but wantonly conditioned alienated and estranged his best affections and loue wholly from the Lady Elianor his most renowned wife and made his desires subiect nay slauish vnto her will So that whilst shee liued shee was seldome from his right-hand And being dead hee caused her with great solemnitie and pompe to bee sumptuously buried at Godstow besides Oxford Fixing on her Tombe this Epitaph Rosamonds Epitaph Hic iacet in Tumba Rosa Mundi Non Rosa-munda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet And the third was the irreconciliable dissension and strife The Historie of the Kings troubles with Thomas Becket which hapned betwixt himselfe and Thomas Becket the proud and insolent Archbishop of Canterburie The which beginning in the tenth yeare of his Raigne was prosecuted seuen yeares after with great asperitie and bitternesse on either partie as briefely it shall appeare Theobald Archbishop of Canterburie for what desert few did know in such sort fauoured Thomas Becket a Londoner borne of ordinarie parentage that he made him Archdeacon of his owne Church And beeing able to obtaine anie thing of the King which he did reasonably craue hee procured him to be remoued from one Dignitie vnto another vntill at length he was made Lord Chancelor of the Realme Thomas Becket made Lord Chancelor This high honour so puffed vp Thomas Becket with the winde of Pride and vaine-glorie that now he thought few or none exceeded him for his honour and for his vertues Yet did he carrie himselfe with such regardfull obseruance and dutie to the King that he augmented his Estate with the gift of large Territories and Possessions which daily made him the more confident of the continuance of his great fortunes Thomas Becket is made Archbishop of Cāterbury His vnthankfulnesse He is inuested at Rome He is made the Popes Legate He proudly surrendreth his Chancelorship the great Seale At length Theobald died and the King preferred Thomas Becket to succeed him But he being most vnthankfull and resolued as it seemed to play his prankes secretly and without leaue trauelled vnto Rome and was inuested by Pope Innocent the second of whome hee receiued his Pale and was made a Legate And then he returned into England and
could inherit the Crowne but King Edward in regard that he was a Male though the descent of the Males was interrupted by a Female viz. by Queene Isabel his mother pretended that in right the Crowne of France was his and could not be depriued thereof by humane lawes The state of this question standing thus Sir Robert de Arthois Earle of Richmond daily whispered it into the Kings eare and with such forcible reson and perswasions so vrged the same that now the King beganne to thinke on nothing more then how to attaine to the Crowne of France Secrecie is the best fartherer of great negotiations The Counsell of the Earle of Henalt is craued Aâ—de promised to the King The King is made Vicar generall of the Empire This busines as it was of extraordinarie waight and importance so it required the best secrecie vntill it were plotted wel For which purpose K. Edward by priuate messengers letters craued the aduice counsel of the Earle of Henalt his wifes father and brother-in-law to the French King and of Sir Iohn of Henalt Lord Beaumont his brother and of sundrie other great States and Princes of the Empire who not only counselled him by his sword to prosecute his right but made him offers of their assistaÌ„ce by their best means They also procured King Edward by a solemne instrument in writing to bee created the Vicar Generall of the Empire by reason whereof he had the power to command the Nobles and the common people of those Countries to further his purpose and his doings ANNO 11. Whilest these things were thus contriuing in England and whilst king Philip de Valoys little thought that his kingdome and Crowne were aimed at The French King maketh incredible prouision to Warre in the Holy-land or that his strength should bee trâ—ed with English warres he by the importunitie of Pope Benedict the eleuenth prepared such an Armie to haue made warres in the Holy-land as neuer before was conducted by anie Christian Prince He also committed the gouernment of his kingdome vnto his eldest sonne Iohn Duke of Normandie To whom by reason of his youth hee added for assistance a discreet wise and a graue Councell And when he had thus prouided and setled all thinges needfull for his huge armie The French King altereth his purpose and for the maintenance therof for three yeares space the reports of king Edwards claime and purpose began as a sodaine storme to breake forth and to be knowne Wherupon king Philip assuring himselfe that in his absence the English Armie would very litle regard such forces as should be left behinde and that his departure would encourage manie who hunted after nouelties and change rather to make offers of their seruice to his enemies He prepareth against England then to performe that dutie which by subiects was due vnto their king And knowing That it would be a ridiculous thing by dangerous attempts to winne honour abroad and to neglect the safetie of his owne kingdome and estate at home he desisted on the sodaine from prosecuting his journie into the Holy land and prepared strongly to defend himselfe against king Edward King Edward fils his Coffers and his claime And on the other side king Edward to the ende that nothing might be wanting when time should serue By manie politike deuices leuied such inestimable summes of monie Want of Money in England That for want of coyne among the common people a fat Oxe was sold for a noble a fat sheep for six pence sixe Pigeons for a pennie and a quarter of wheat for two shillings When he had thus done hee with Queene Philip his wife sailed into Flanders The King and Queene doe saile into Flanders where they remained all that winter and at Antwerp The king oftentimes conferred at length concluded with the Princes and States of Germanie and of those Prouinces He enleageth himselfe with the Germans and Belgicks vpon all things touching his said intended warre So that after his returne hee leuied a strong Armie King Edwards Armie which with his assisting friends consisted of seuen and twentie thousand chosen fighting men with which strength he landed in France King Edward landeth in France when the Sommer was almost spent The French King taketh the field The French king hauing an Armie which consisted of threescore thousand souldiors and being accompanied with the three kings of Behayne Nauarre and of Scotland with fiue Dukes Six and twentie Earles and more then foure thousand Lords and knights brauely entred into the field where hee found king Edward sufficiently prouided to shew himselfe a valiant man But whilest each Armie gazed on the other A woman parteth a great affray and expected manie houres which part should giue the first stroke of the battaile Behold and wonder and a strange wonder For betwixt both those Kings vpon the motion and through the mediation of the Ladie Iane Countesse of Henalt sister to King Philip and mother to King Edwards wife not a blow was giuen but on a sodaine Both the Armies were dissolued and King Edward with his friends and Nobles returned into England In the fourteenth yeare of King Edwards Raigne ANNO. 14 1339. The Germans incorporate themselues with King Edward in his Warres Vpon what conditions the Flemings ioyned with King Edward Hee quarters the Armes of France The French doe burne in England hee sayled into Flanders where at Brusels he met with the greater number of the Princes of Germanie who of their owne accords with heartie loue and forwardnesse incorporated themselues with king Edward in those his warres against France And at the instance of the king the said Princes entreated the Flemmings to joyne with them in that Enterprize and seruice whereunto they seemed willing to condiscend if king Edward would entitle himselfe king of France and would quarter the Armes of France with the Armes of England and would as king of France release vnto them a bond of two millions of Floreynes wherein they stood obliged not to wage anie warre against the king of France Whereunto the king yeelded and did performe all thinges according to their desires And thus hee consorted to his part the Germans and Flemmings in those affaires by promises oathes and by a solemne instrument in writing vnder their hands and seales Whilest king Edward was thus busied abroad the French kings Nauie landed many thousand men at Southhampton who ransacked the Towne and consumed it with fire and the like outrage and crueltie they exercised in the Countries thereunto adioyning The king immediately vpon his returne out of Flanders Summoned his high Court of Parliament in which A Parliament that nothing needfull might be wanting to furnish and to maintaine his warres with France a Subsidie of the fifth part of all his Subiects moueable goods was granted to him and the ninth part of their Corne A great Taxe Together with a large custome
and Robert Tresilian the chiefe Iustice was hanged at Tiborne and the rest of those Iudges had beene hanged in like sort Execution if vpon the importunate and vncessant request of the Queene their liues had not beene redeemed by their banishment Banishment And thus were the threatnings of ciuil wars conuerted into some assurance of prosperitie and of peace ANNO. 12 The Scots do inuade But the next yeare following the Scots inuaded this realme and did much harme against whom great preparations were made by the King who resolued to recompence his owne damage by iust and seuere reuenge A Truce betwixt England France and Scotland for seuen yeares ANNO. 13 Iohn of Gant goeth with an Armie into Spaine But the wisdome and discretion of manie great Estates were such that a Truce was concluded to endure for three yeares betwixt England France and Scotland which shortly after was enlarged for foure yeares more So that now all matters betwixt those three Kingdomes and their Kings being blessed with tranquilitie and with peace the Kings fourth Vncle Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was suffered by the King to leuie a strong Armie which hee transported into Spaine where he demanded his right to the Kingdome of Castile in the behalfe of Constance his wife who was the eldest daughter of Peter the deposed and slaine king ANNO. 14 How his bran attempts succeeded there His two Daughters are married to the Kings of Spaine and of Portingall In those Warres the Duke and his Armie performed manie honourable seruices and with the assistance of the king of Portugale so preuailed that to conclude a sued for peace the king of Spaine married with Constance the Dukes eldest daughter by his said wife and gaue vnto him eight Waggons loaden with massie Gold and secured him and his wife of the yearely payment of ten thousand Markes during both their liues And then the Duke went into Portugale where he married Anne his yonger daughter to the king of that Countrie and then returned into England with great riches and much honour ANNO. 16 Lawes against the Popes vsurped Authoritie This time of peace betwixt England other nations bred some quarrelling betwixt the king and the Pope who vsurped too too much authoritie and iurisdiction within this Realme Wherefore to preuent such mischiefes as this intolerable sufferance mght beget in a Parliament vpon graue and great aduise it was enacted That the Popes pretended authoritie within this kingdom should cease and be determined and that no appeale for anie matter or cause whatsoeuer should from thenceforth bee made to the See of Rome vpon the penaltie of a premunire which did extend to perpetuall imprisonment and to the forfeiture of the Lands and goods of such as contrarie to that law presumed to offend ANNO. 17 In the seuenteenth yeare of king Richards Raigne his faire and vertuous Queene Anne died ANNO. 19 And about two yeares after the king married the Ladie Isabel daughter to the French king Charles the sixth By reason whereof a peace was concluded betwixt those two kings King Richard marrieth the French kings daughter A Peace for thirtie yeares Brest is yeelded vp The Duke of Glocester reprooues the King for it The death of the Duke of Glocester the Kings Vncle is plotted A Machauillian pollicie Ambition makes euill Princes confident that their Vertues doe deserue much The King intendeth the destruction of his Barrons being gulled with an vntrue report Certaine Lords surprised A ParliameÌ„t A grosse flâ—ttering Speaker The Archbishop of Canterburie is accused of Treason How the king wronged the Archbishop to endure for thirtie yeares And king Richard being too kind but too little aduised of his owne accord and free will surrendred and gaue vp to the Duke of Brittaine the strong Towne and Castle of Brest which verie much grieued and discontented his Nobilitie especially his Vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester who told him plainly that it was not conuenient that without blowes with the said Duke of Brittaine hee should haue departed with that strong Towne and Castle which his ancestors had wonne with the expence of much bloud Whereat the king was so much displeased that in his heart hee causelessely vowed seuere reuenge and in this his hastie passion he was abused and furthered by such of his Fauourites as enuied the estate the vertues and honour of the Duke causing strangers to informe the king flateringly and malitiously that diuers of the Princes Electors intended to haue made him Emperor had not some others of them gainsaid it and alleadged that he was altogether vnfit to gouerne the dispersed Segniorieâ— and Dominions of the Empire who could not rule and command his owne subiects at home The greedie desire which king Richard had to bee magnified and made great by being dignified with the name and power of the Empire and his strong reliance vpon the vntrue report which was suggested vnto him by such as only endeuoured to whet his anger against his Lords armed him with subtletie and with a heartie desire to circumuent his Barons though it were done with the breach of his oath and with the shipwracke of his honour So that pretending much loue and fauour towards them but especially to the Duke of Glocester his Vncle and to the two Earles of Arondell and Warwicke hee caused them to be apprehended when as they imagined they had least cause to feare And hauing so done he assembled his High Court of Parliament In which his basest and his grossest flatterer the speaker of the Lower House named Sir Iohn Bush who was a man of a most proud insolent and aspiring spirit irreligiously profanely and dishonestly in a formall and in a tedious speech attributed vnto the King the highest titles of diuine honour and therefore condemned almost to Hell all such as traiterously had conspired against his Maiestie Among whom hee particularly impeached Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterburie sitting next vnto the King who made no answere at all thereto because the King himselfe vnder pretence of more then ordinarie loue and fauour had priuatly enioyned him vnto silence and vnto future absence from that Assembly promising and protesting that nothing should be attempted or done against him by anie meanes Yet notwithstanding for want of his presence and of his answere to the said vntrue obiections he was with the Kings consent banished this Realme He is banished Warwicke and Arundell are condemned as Traytors Arundell is beheaded Salisburie is banished and dieth miserably The Duke of Glocester murdered at Callice by Thomas Mowbray Earle of Notingham A weake parliament to grant such an vnreasonable Commission And the two Earles of Arundell and of Warwicke were also condemned of High Treason and shortly after the former of those two lost his head And so had Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke if by his humble confession of thinges vntrue and vpon his great submission steeped in teares and much
Armie And King Henrie to withstand him did the like But the English Armie landing in those Countries before the French King was in a readinesse and being boldly commanded and conducted by the Lord Percie Earle of Worcester vnto Sir Thomas Knowles the King of Englands Lieutenant there The French King giueth ouer his enterprise and they hauing taken the fealtie and the homage of the Lords of those Prouinces for their obedience and alleageance vnto King Henrie caused the French King to change his mind and dishonourably to disband all such companies as hee had leuied Yet for all this King Henrie still distrusting the weakenesse of his vsurped title and endeuouring to support it with a more sure foundation entreated the French King Charles the sixt to giue in marriage his daughter Isabel sometime King Richards wife vnto his eldest sonne Henrie Marriages with France are seldome fortunate Prince of Wales But her father obseruing that marriages betwixt England and France were but seldome fortunate denied the kings request whereupon she was conueied into France with Princely attendance and great honour And not long after shee was married to her Cousin Charles the eldest sonne of Lewes Duke of Orleance her Vncle. The aforesaid Treason conspired against the king by the aforesaid Lords and the late preparations of the French King first to haue inuaded the Kingdome of England and secondly to haue wrought wonders in Aquitaine and in Guyan and the frequent speeches which euerie where were vttered touching the manner of the Kings attaining to the Crowne animated the Welchmen and the Scots to shew themselues troublesome neighbours vnto the King Owen Glendor rebelleth For in Wales Owen Glendor a bold Squire with manie hundreds of his lawlesse and vnciuill companions entred into Armes and did much harme in the Marches which bordered neere vnto them Against whom Edmund Mortimer taken and sharply imprisoned the Lord Gray of Ruthen and Edmund Mortimer who was the true and rightfull Heire of the Crowne conducted their Forces and fought with him But they both were taken Prisoners and the said Edmond was by him kept close in a darke Dungeon which was both cold and vnhealthie where hee was ouerburdened with daily wants and much miserie All which were with the greater extremitie laid vpon him because king Henrie his Cousin should bee enforced the sooner to redeeme him with a great Ransome Wherein because the King was too too slacke and negligent hee was entreated and vrged by his Lords The King would not redeeme him but especially by the distressed Earles kinsmen the Percies But vnto them all he turned the deafe eare rather desiring his destruction then holding it safe for him to set him free The Scots also inuaded the Northerne parts of this Kingdome The Scots inuade but King Henrie with a puissant Armie entred into their Countrie and reuenged his wrongs euerie where with fire and sword at his owne pleasure The king curbeth them But because the Winter was extraordinarily wet and cold hee dissolued his Armie and with great honour victoriously he returned backe But as soone as hee was gone the angrie Scots being in number twentie thousand at the least entred with barbarous crueltie into England vpon the Northumbers The Scots againe doe inuade Henrie Hotspurre ouerthroweth them His great Prisoners but were gallantly encountred by Sir Henrie Hot-spurre the sonne and heire apparant of Henrie Percie Earle of that Prouince who with tenne thousand lustie and braue men gaue the Scots such a bloudie ouerthrow that he slew of them more then tenne thousand in the field and tooke aboue fiue hundred Prisoners among whome Mordake Earle of Fyffe Archibald Earle Douglasse Thomas Earle of Murrey and Robert Earle of Angus were the chiefe The next yeare following ANNO. 1. The Frenchmen spoyled by a storme at Sea the French King sent for Wales to assist Owen Glendor in his rebellious enterprises twelue hundered Lords Knights and Gentlemen of good accompt that they might be leaders and directors to those disordered Traytors But the winds not being answerable to their desires were so contrarie at the Sea and a storme so violently encreased that twelue of their greatest shippes with all their men and furniture were swallowed into the Sea and the rest with great difficultie returned into France This misfortune so animated the English Nation The English doe deride the French that they beganne euerie where to talke of and to iest at the French King because all his warlike expeditions had still beene vnfortunate and disastrous and though they threatned much Twelue thousand Frenchmen sent into Wales yet alwayes they vanished as a cloude The report whereof so whetted and exasperated his resolutions to doe some memorable seruice that forthwith hee sent vnto the said rebelling Welchmen an armie of twelue thousand men who safely landed and ioyned with ten thousand of that Nation The King marched into Wales This Armie occasioned King Henrie to prepare soundly for his safetie For hee was well assured that if anie neglect or want of skill or of courage should giue them the least aduantage whatsoeuer then his Crowne would be shaken and manie miseries would threaten his ouerthrow Wherefore hee in his owne person marched with a strong and with a compleat Armie into Wales But assoone as the Frenchmen had certaine notice of his comming they thought it was high time for them to aduise what course to take perchance not because they were distrustfull of their owne valour and resolution but because the inconstancie of that turbulent and fickle Nation when danger did appeare affrighted them fully with feares and with doubts least they would flie into the Woods and craggie Mountaines and forsake them when they should craue the best performance of their helpe The Frenchmen flie to their ships And so strongly did this doubtfull feare possesse them that suddenly like men amazed and heartlesse they ranne vnto their ships and not hauing performed anie manner of seruice whatsoeuer disgracefully and cowardly they returned into France The King is victorious without blowes Hereupon the Welch Rebelles desperatly shifting for themselues fled euerie man his owne way so that king Henrie found those Traiterous multitudes dispersed and quite vanished and would not be fought with Wherefore hee dissolued his great armie and returned in peace without blowes The King marrieth the Dutches of Britaine The King makes great friends abroad ANNO. 3. The King requireth the Percies to deliuer to him their Scotish Prisoners They refuse it The Percies resolue to set Edmond Mortimer at libertie and to restore him to the Crown Afterwards King Henrie tooke to wife Iane the widdow of Iohn the deceased Duke of Brittaine and gaue Blanch his eldest daughter in marriage vnto William Duke of Bauier the sonne and heire apparant of the Emperor Lewes of Bauier And some few yeares after hee matched Philip his yongest daughter with the King of Denmarke For his daily
as their free and as their franke gift The French businesse silenceth all others This motion and this businesse was so much applauded by the King his Nobles and the inferior sorts of his people and the great summe of money which was offered so well contented them all that the said Petition was thereby lulled fast asleepe and nothing was now debated and spoken of but the meanes how England might recouer France This Parliament being ended the Duke of Exeter vncle to the King the Archbishop of Dublyn the Lord Gray high Admirall of England Embassadors sent to require the Crowne of France Charles the sixt and the Bishop of Norwich being attended with fiue hundred Horse were sent Embassadours to the French king Charles the sixt By these the King required the peaceable deliuerie of that Kingdome together with the whole Duchies of Aquitaine Normandie and of Angeou and the Counties of Poytou and of Mayne and made this offer That if without the effusion of their peoples bloud the French King would yeeld to his demands hee then would be pleased to take to his wife the Ladie Katherine his daughter and would endow her with all the said Duchies and Prouinces and would be tractable to all things tending to the French kings honour and estate But if hee refused to deliuer him his Patrimonie and Inheritance without blowes then hee assured him That hee would attempt the gayning of them by his Sword and would in those Countries afflict those people with such oppressions as were too too rife and common in the Warre The vnexpected strangenesse of this motion and quicke message so amazed the French king and his Nobilitie The French king craueth further time to make his answere The Dolphin scoffeth the King that without sound and good deliberation they were vnable to returne anie answere but craued a longer time with promise shortly to send his Embassadors concerning that businesse to the King But the Dolphin despising the youth of King Henrie and holding him vnfit to attempt a matter of so high a consequence sent vnto him as a present a Tonne of Tennis Balls insinuating thereby that it was more agreeable to his yeares to sport himselfe among nimble laddes in a Tennis Court than to dreame of the winning of so potent a kingdome as France was The King although otherwise he would haue beene persuaded by reason kindly to haue censured of the French kings request The Kings couragious speech and of his promise yet because the Dolphin so basely skorned him protested in his angrie moode That ere manie moneths should be spent he would if GOD assisted him tosse so manie balls of yron within that kingdome that the strongest Rackets in France should be too weake to returne them For this purpose he leuied a strong and a puissant Armie whereof King Henrie leuieth a great Armie The Dolphins motion for peace when the Dolphin had intelligence because the charge of those affaires by reason of the French kings weakenesse and infirmitie was committed to his care and prouidence he sent Embassadors to king Henrie to informe him That if hee would desist from his purpose and would liue in amitie and in peace with that Nation and would take his sister the Ladie Katherine to his wife hee then should haue and receiue with her a large summe of money with some small Territories and Possessions in that kingdome King Henries answer Those Embassadours were honourably receiued kindly entertained and royallie feasted by the King at his owne table But for an answere he returned That except the French King with his said daughter would giue vnto him the Dutchies of Aquitaine Normandie Angeow and all other small Segniories to him and to his Crowne iustly appertaining and belonging hee would not disband his armie nor waue his title to the Crowne of France but would attempt by fire and sword to winne it if he might King Henrie fortifieth against the Scots The Queene mother is made Regent of England ANNO. 3. 1414. King Henrie defieth the K. of France Treason against King Henrie Assoone as the French Embassadours were departed The King who proposed none other end to his endeuours but an assured trust in God and in a thousand hopes of conquest and of victorie placed a strong power vpon the marches of Scotland to keepe them in order in his absence And hauing throughly furnished himselfe and his armie with all needfull preparations and hauing made the Queene his mother the Regent of his Kingdome and assisted her with a graue and with a prudent Counsell hee sent his letters of Defiance to the French King and beganne with great alacritie and courage to proceed in this his royall iournie But as greatest dangers are then most frequent when securitie seemeth to banish all feare so when King Henrie perswaded himselfe that he was most sure and safe in the middest of his braue armie euen then hee was in a greater hazard of his life then if hee had beene in France among the throngs of his mortall and professed Enemies For Richard Earle of Cambridge brother to the Duke of Yorke and Henrie Lord Scrope and Sir Thomas Gray three of the most approued Captaines of this Kingdome being treacherously engaged by great rewards conferred on them by the Dolphin of France conspired to deliuer him into the French Kings hands or else to murder him in his owne Tent. The treason is discouered Miraculously was this intended villanie reuealed to the King who grieued the more thereat because hee should want the aidefull assistance of three such valiant men of Warre as gaue him much assurance of good successe But when they were apprehended and brought into his presence their open confession of that conspiracie The traytors are executed and treason which otherwise would fully haue beene proued against them hastned their publike sentence of death and as Traytors they were executed the next day The King landeth with his army in Normandie Harflew besieged and taken Assoone as the wind serued the King transported his armie in an hundred and fortie shippes and landed in Normandie before Hareflew vpon the Riuer of Seyne and besieged it on euerie part for the space of seuen and thirtie dayes And though the French army which was conducted by the Dolphin made manie faire proffers to raise the siege yet durst they not come too neere But the Towne hauing beene manie times sharply assaulted was yeelded to King Henrie who sacked it and ransomed the inhabitants and with great plentie of siluer and of Gold and manie costly thinges he enriched all his owne Companies Great sicknes in king Henries Armie and hauing placed as Captaine there his Vncle Thomas Duke of Exeter and as his Lieuetenant Sir Iohn Fastolf with fifteene hundred souldiers and fiue and thirtie gallant Knights he resolued to go vnto Callice by land to rest there because the winter being now more wet approching sooner at that time then vsually it
right and title to that Crowne and Kingdome The King and his Counsell thereupon quickly resolued to vndertake that businesse principally for these reasons 1. First because the Crowne of France was not ambitiously but iustly desired by the King who thought hee had good right and title thereunto 2. Secondly because French warres enriched English souldiers 3. Thirdly because those warres kept them at home and gaue them not any libertie to inuade this Realme 4. Fourthly because the French King had assisted Queene Margaret the Earle of Warwicke and their Complices against King Edward in the late Ciuill Warres 5. And fifthly because the said French King made warres vpon the Duke of Burgoine who had formerly aided King Edward for the regaining of his Crowne and Kingdome A beneuolence craued by King Edward But because money wanted for the defraying of so great a charge King Edward without a Parliament craued a beneuolence to be freely enlarged to him by his Subiects who gaue him some money but with an euill will Yet among others a rich yet a sparing and a nigardly widow did cheerefully giue vnto him twentie pounds A mery iest The King himselfe who was present but to her vnknowen perceiuing that vnexpectedly shee had bestowed vpon him so good a summe did not only giue her thankes but merily came and kissed her telling her that for her money shee should kisse a King The old woman was so much gladded with that courtesie that shee told the King his kisse was worth more money and therefore she added twentie pounds more to the former summe The King hauing in a readinesse before Douer a Fleet of fiue hundred ships and boats and hauing a puissant and a compleat Armie of fifteene hundred men at Armes on horsebacke The King transporteth an Armie for France and fifteene thousand tall Archers besides all such as attended for other needfull seruices departed from England and landed safely at Calice where hee was receiued with great honour and state But he was much greeued because the Duke of Burgoine vpon whose motion and at whose entreatie and promise to be met by him at Calice with two thousand men at Armes The Duke of Burgoine breaketh promise and aids him not hee came thither trifled with his whole Armie in the siege of Nuyce which he was not likely to winne and at length after much time spent in vaine had sent all his forces to Berroys in Lorrayne to be reuenged vpon Reyner Queene Margarets father Duke of that Prouince for that hee had vsed foule and vnseemely words towards him when he lay at the siege of Nuyce whereas if the said Duke of Burgoine had ioined with King Edward against the French King and with the Duke of Britaine who sided with King Edward they would haue put into hazard of winning the whole kingdome of France Yet King Edward with his owne Companies marched by Bollen to Perone into the Duke of Burgoines Countrey He breakes his promise againe where the said Duke had not made any manner of prouision for the refreshing of the English Armie according to his promise but suffred them to lie without his Townes in the cold and in the open fields whereat they were all displeased From thence king Edward with the said Duke marched towards S. Quintens which was secretly promised to be deliuered to him by Lewys of Luxenburgh Hee was Earle of S. Paul and Constable of France The King is kept out of S. Quintens great Vncle to king Edwards wife But when they came before it their entrie was not only denied but sallies were made vpon them and the great Ordinance plaied from the Towne vpon the kings Armie so that plainly he perceiued that nothing was to be obtained there without blowes To these breaches of promise was added one vnkindnesse more by the Duke of Burgoine who to visit his Armie A peace is concluded for nine yeares which then lay in Berroys in Lorrayne vnexpectedly left king Edward and rode thither leauing word behinde that hee would come vnto him with his whole Armie as soone as he should be able The French king being politicke and wise and knowing that if all those his enemies should ioine their strengths against him they would put him in hazard of his estate and being informed that king Edward was highly discontented by reason of the Duke of Burgoines vnfaithfull vsage and knowing that he beganne to feele the extremities of a winter warre mediated a friendly conference and a firme peace which by their Commissioners was effected for nine yeares in this sort The Articles of peace FIrst it was agreed that the French King should forthwith pay to King Edward towards his forepassed charges threescore and fifteene thousand Crownes and also the summe of fiftie thousand more for an yearly pension so long as King Edward liued 2. Secondly that the French King within one yeare should send for the King of Englands daughter the Ladie Elizabeth into France and marie her to the Dolphin for whose maintenance the French King should for nine years space pay yearly to them fiftie thousand Crownes and at the end of those yeares should deliuer to them the quiet and peaceable possession of the whole Duchie of Guyen 3. And thirdly that the Lord Haward and Sir Iohn Cheney master of the Horses should staie as hostages with the French King vntill the whole Armie had quited France and were landed in the Kingdome of England Reasons mouing King Edward to conclude this peace To these propositions King Edward and his Counsell consented for these reasons 1. First as the Duke of Burgoines promises were seldome or neuer honestly performed so with the King whom hee had drawen into those Countries and into those warres hee did but gloze and faine 2. Secondly because the Earle of S. Paul Constable of France did but dissemble when hee protested to deliuer to King Edward the Towne of S. Quintens which he did not but offered violence to his Armie in stead thereof 3. Thirdly because the winter which approched sharply would haue enforced him for that time to haue returned dishonourably into England 4. And last of all because the late Ciuill Warres had consumed most of his best souldiers and chiefest Leaders and the greatest part of his treasure so that King Edward was hardly able to maintaine a great Armie any long time But the Duke of Glocester and his friends who mortally hated the French King striued much to disswade King Edward from these conclusions but all in vaine for those Articles were scaled and published the money was paid both the Kings in a familiar and kinde enteruiew by their solemne oathes had sworne to obserue and keepe them and hostage were deliuered accordingly It is to be noted The Duke of Burgoine stormeth at this peace that within this peace the Dukes of Burgoine and of Britaine were included if they would consent thereunto But when this newes was told to the Duke of
said Earle should euer remaine with him as a prisoner the King was somewhat pacified and neuer after attempted to haue him in his owne power King Edward being now at ease and enioying a blessed peace both at home and abroad with all forraine Princes did many things which highly aduanced his honour The Duke of Burgoine is thrice in one yeare ouerthrowen and were very profitable to the Common-weale But the Duke of Burgoine who by nature was vnconstant hastie turbulent and wholly addicted to the warre was in this yeare ouerthrowen in three seuerall battailes which he fought against the Suâ—sses 1. In the first at Granson where hee lost his honour and his wealth 2. In the second at Morrat where hee lost his honour and his men 3. And in the third at Nancie where he lost his honour his riches his men and his owne life About this time the Duke of Clarence brother to King Edward was suspected accused and condemned of high Treason for that he with many others had secretly contriued the Kings death The Duke of Clarence imprisoned and murdered and thereupon hee was returned a prisoner to the Tower But within few daies after hee was wickedly drowned in a Butte of Malmesie not without the Kings notice as most men did suppose Hee left behinde him but two children Edward and Margaret which Edward was created Earle of Warwicke and was executed for High Treason in the raigne of King Henry the Seuenth And Margaret who being wife and Dowager to Richard de la Pole Earle of Salisburie was put to death for Treason in the raigne of King Henry the Eighth The King in the fiue last yeares of his raigne vtterly changed his former humours For whereas before that time he had beene bountifull and liberall The King changeth his forme of gouernment of the Common-weale Penall lawes He lost the loue of his Subiects loued magnificence and honourable hospitalitie he now began to be so wretched couetous and miserable that to get money and to augment his treasure hee extraordinarily vexed and troubled his subiects by inflicting vpon them the execution of penall lawes by meanes whereof hee as quickly extinguished and quenched their heartie loue and good affection towards him as water doth the fire In the twentieth yeare of his raigne hee much desired that the mariage which the French King had promised betwixt the Dolphin and his daughter 1480. 20 might be consummate for which purpose he sent an honourable Ambassage into France willing them to tell the French King that he had broken his promise and his oath for that hee had not sent for the said Ladie into France within one yeare after the concluding of the said former Articles Lewys the eleuenth But Lewys the French King returned friuolous excuses and promised very shortly to send for her when as indeed hee meant nothing lesse For such was his nature and such were his euill qualities that where he might procure any benefit or aduantage to himselfe he would pleasantly flatter plentifully reward and assuredly deceiue A mariage intended with Scotland About this time Iames the Third King of Scots seeming earnestly to desire that the Ladie Cicilia one of the Kings daughters might be giuen in mariage to Iames his eldest sonne sent his Ambassadours into England And King Edward supposing that hee had meant plainly and knowing that by such an alliance his owne estate would be the better secured did not only grant his request but forthwith to supplie his present wants hee disbursed to him great summes of money for part of his said daughters portion Money is conditionally disbursed but yet vpon this condition that the same should be repaied if afterwards king Edward disliked and would dissolue that match When all those things were concluded securitie giuen and the money paid the king of Scots very treacherously sent an Armie into the Northerne parts of this kingdome which burnt spoiled The Scots inuade the Northerne parts Glocester marcheth with an Armie against the Scots The Castle of Barwicke is besieged Glocester entreth Scotland and spoileth at his owne will Peace is granted on certaine conditions and slew in euery place as it passed by whereupon king Edward as well to represse his furie as also to correct his infidelitie and follie sent against him the Duke of Glocester with a strong Armie of one and twentie thousand men who first of all by force entred into the Towne of Barwicke and then besieged the Castle which was valiantly kept and defended by the Earle Bothwel The Duke not purposing to imploy his whole strength in that place left the Lord Stanley there with foure thousand men and with the residue of his forces hee entred into Scotland whither the Scottish king was for feare retired killing burning and spoiliâ—â—â—n all places at his pleasure and compelling the king to hide himâ—â—â—fe in the strong Castle of Maydens within the Citie of Edenburgh The Nobilitie of Scotland perceiuing the miserable estate of their wasted and poore Countrey sent vnto the Duke and craued peace which he granted vpon these foure conditions 1. First that full amends and restitution might be made and giuen to king Edwards subiects for all such dammage iniurie and wrongs as by their last incursions they had sustained 2. Secondly that the Scottish king would againe restore his owne brother the Duke of Albanie who was in the English Armie vnto his especiall fauour and to all his honours dignities offices and possessions in that kingdome 3. Thirdly that the Castle of Barwicke should be yeelded vp or not rescued from the siege wherewith it was then compassed 4. And lastly that repaiment might be made of all such sums of money as king Iames had receiued of king Edward vpon the motion for mariage with his daughter to the son and heire apparant of the king of Scots or that good securitie might be giuen by the Prouost and Citizens of Edenburgh for the said repaiment if before a prefixed day king Edward did giue them notice that there should not be any further prosecution concerning the said mariage The Nobilitie of Scotland knowing the state of that kingdome to be vnable to performe the first demand to pacifie the Duke of Glocester and to preuent the ruine and destruction of their natiue kingdome yeelded vnto the latter three And for the due obseruing of them they sent vnto him such an Instrument sealed and subscribed by the King and them as he had required And to the Duke of Albanie was sent a free pardon and restitution was made vnto him of all things accordingly as the Duke of Glocester had desired Whereupon the said two Dukes taking a friendly farewell each of other departed the one into Scotland and the other vnto Barwicke where the Earle of Athol being of nothing more assured then that by his King and Countrimen he should neuer be releeued by composition surrendred the Castle into the Dukes hand The Castle of
fled into Britaine to Duke Francis who gaue them courteous entertainment and kindly supplied all their wants The French King apprehending this as a fit occasion offred to him to quarrell with the Duke of Britaine because hee longed to possesse his Countrey without any parley or conference touching that matter proclaimed warres against him And before it was notified that he had raised an Armie he entred into Britaine and planted a strong siege before the strong and faire Citie of Nantz And by his Ambassadors hee importuned King Henry either to take his part or as a Neuter to giue aime vnto them both But King Henry being at the first doubtfull what course to take King Henry mediateth a peace because hee had receiued much comfort and many courtesies from them both resolued at the last to requite some part of both their loues by mediating of a friendly peace which with his vtmost endeuours he laboured to effect The French King who was both wittie and craftie made an outward shew as if he seemed heartily to desire it and was thankfull for it although in truth and in deede hee intended nothing lesse But the Duke of Britaine following the directions of his French guests refused plainly to consent vnto that motion And within few daies after Some English doe aide the Duke Edward Lord Wooduile Captaine of the I le of Wight and vncle to the Queene without the Kings knowledge or licence being accompanied with foure hundred of his most expert and skilfull souldiers sailed into Britaine for the Dukes aide And soone after his arriuall and neere vnto Fongiers a battaile was appointed to bee fought betweene King Charles and the Britons And the more to haue terrified the French seuenteene hundred Britons being clad in coats with red crosses as if they had beene Englishmen were ioined to the Lord Wooduiles companies and were subiected to his command But the contrarie was to the Frenchmen too well knowen Then at the appointed time and place the two Armies met together The Britons are ouerthrowen The Lord Wooduile is slaine and fought fiercely for a season But in the end the poore Britons being found counterfets as they were and their whole Armie being vnable to resist so great a puissance as encountred them were slaine together with the Lord Wooduile and the greater number of his associates and the victorie fell to the French part Within few daies after K. Henry aideth the Britons against the French King in England it was concluded by Parliament that albeit King Henry had louingly beene aided by the French King for the recouerie of his Crowne yet in regard that the Duke of Britaine for many yeares together had in all friendly gentle and liberall sort entertained protected and maintained him when he was vnable to releeue himselfe and likewise because it was considered that if King Charles should winne and annex that Duchie to the Crowne of France himselfe and his posteritie might and were likely to proue bad neighbours to this Kingdome King Henry should take part with the Dude of Britaine This businesse being so determined An armie is sent into Britaine the King sent into that Prouince an Armie which consisted of eight thousand men vnder the conduct of the Lord Brooke And for the maintenance of those warres A Taxe which occasioneth a Rebellion a taxe by the same Parliament of the tenth pennie of the value of all the moueable goods and chattels of the Subiects was granted to the King No sooner was the English Armie arriued in Britaine but the Duke who had beene long sickly died A sudden peace is concluded and therefore vpon a composition made betwixt his Nobles and King Charles hee was affied to the Ladie Anne the sole daughter and heire to the deceased Duke who was formerly betrothed to Maximilian King of the Romans and so was the said French King likewise assured to the Ladie Margaret daughter to Maximilian And thus the British warres were at an end and the Englishmen hauing only seene thar Countrey and done nothing returned safely into England Now must we vnderstand that the Rustickes and rurall Swads of the Countie of Yorke and of the Bishopricke of Durham A Rebellion not onely refused peremptorily to pay any part of the Taxe which was granted to King Henry for the maintenance of the British wars but also that in a most rebellious fashion they boldly rushed vpon and cruelly murdered Henry the fourth Earle of Northumberland The Earle of Northumberland is murdered who by the King was appointed to cause the extracts of that Subsidie to be leuied by distresse vpon the goods of all such as he found slacke or obstinate in those paiments which when they had done trusting to their owne strength and numbers they beganne a ciuill warre so that as they passed thorow those Countries they forcibly compelled Gentlemen and others to take their parts The King to represse and punish the Ring-leaders of this tumultuous insurrection sent against them a strong and a well prouided Armie vnder the especiall command of Thomas Earle of Surrey who hauing beene taken prisoner as hee fought for King Richard at Bosworth field was now enlarged and deliuered out of prison and receiued into the Kings fauour and the King himselfe in his owne person followed after him But the foolish Rebels as men amazed The Rebels flie witlesse and wanting counsell to direct their actions and cowardly distrusting their owne power and abilitie to resist threw off their armour shifted hardly to saue themselues and fled euery man to his owne home But the King who resolued by seuere executions to terrifie such others as otherwise were likely to contemne him They are punished and to despise his gouernment by exquisite and sharpe enquiries found out and apprehended the chiefest authors of this mischiefe who in sundrie places of this Realme were punished by death But the multitude and the baser sort obtained the Kings gratious fauour 1490. The British Nobles calling to minde that their young Duchesse was espoused first vnto Maximilian King of the Romans and secondly to Charles the French King and perceiuing vpon more sound consideration that the French King would alwaies beare a heauie hand ouer them if indeed he were once maried to her began to reuolt from their promise and to resist his intention and desire by strength of armes But the Frenchmen according to their custome being more victorious by their prodigall gifts then by their true valour corrupted the British Nobilitie and such Matrons as daily attended vpon their young Duchesse in such sort that King Charles got her into his possession And then he published that his owne former contract with the Ladie Margaret daughter to Maximilian King of the Romans and also that the other contract made by the said Maximilian with the said Duchesse of Britaine were nullities void and frustrate in the Law for that the said two Ladies at the times of those
against his owne Subiects Prouision against the Scots wherefore to preuent that emminent and like danger he by his letters required Thomas Lord Howard Earle of Surrey and Richard Fox sometimes Bishoppe of Exeter and then promoted to the See of Durham to raise a strong Armie and to withstand the Scots if they endeauoured to attempt any such thing vntill he sent another power to aid and to assist them which thing should with all celeritie and diligence be performed assoone as hee had vanquished the Cornishmen who so desperately opposed themselues against him Now as the King imagined so fell it out true indeede The Scots inuade England For the Scots proudly insulting at his troubles and expecting the worst that hee could doe when hee should bee in peace at home resolued by anticipating warre to enrich themselues with new Rapines and Spoiles and to make hauocke vpon the Borderers that by meanes thereof they might the more weaken him and the better enable themselues to make resistance when time and opportunitie should serue With the same resolution the King of Scots and his Armie againe entred vpon the English Pale But ere they could proceede farre or doe much harme the aforesaid Earle and Bishoppe and manie other Nobles Knights and Gentlemen of the North assembled themselues and their friends to the number of twentie thousand fighting men and marched boldly towardes the Scottish Armie vnto which when they drew neare their King vpon good occasion being timerous and feareful retired hastily The Scots flie and fled into his owne Countrie But the English forces with braue courage and manly resolution entred into his Kingdome The English Armie hauaketh in Scotland and battered assaulted wonne and razed to the ground many of his strongest Townes Castles and Holds and were not resisted albeit the Scottish King with all his Armie was not distant from them aboue one mile Only hee challenged the field the next daie which was accepted but in the night before hee raised his Armie and dispersed them who ranne into the Woods and high Mountaines and were to no purpose pursued and hunted by the Englishmen six or seuen daies But so barren was that Countrie and so poore and destitute of all good things and so vnseasonable was the weather there which abounded with continuall Raine Wind Snow Haile Thunder and Hideous stormes and tempests that the Earle and the Bishop returning brake vp their Armies and themselues went to Barwick where they attended directions from the King Whilest these thinges were thus in action Peter Hyalus who was sent Embassador from Ferdinando King of Castile to mediate a peace betwixt the kings of England and of Scotland A truce with Scotland Perkin Warbeck is sent out of Scotland The peace with France newly ratified could not effect that businesse according to his mind Yet a Truce was concluded betwixt them to endure for certaine yeares conditionally that Perkin Warbecke were forthwith banished and exiled out of that Countrie The French King also at the same time sent his Embassadors into England to ratifie the former peace established betwixt the King and him which was performed with much honour and solemnitie to the great contentment and ioy of all the People of both those Kingdomes The English trade is restored to the flemings and their ioy thereas Likewise Philip the Arch-Duke of Austria and Duke of Burgoine sonne to Maximilian King of the Romans by his Embassadors importuned the restitution of the English trade and the returne of the Marchants into his Countrie of Flanders because his subiects were exceedingly impouerished by them did obtain his sute whereat such comfort was conceiued that when the Englishmen were for trade returned againe vnto Antwerpe they were receiued into the Citie with solemne Processions Princely Triumphs Sumptuous Feastings Rare Banquettings and with the expression of great loue and of much ioy And thus was King Henrie at this time made fortunate and happie for he enioyed peace and friendship both at home and abroade sauing only with Perkin Warbeck Perkin Warbeck saileth into Cornwal who ceased not to vexe and trouble him for a while to his owne ouerthrow and destruction For being compelled to forsake Scotland and vnderstanding that though the Cornishmen had lately been ouerthrowne yet were they not pacified or appeased he with foure ships only and with sixe score ragged landing Souldiers and no more sailed into Cornwall where hee was receiued by the rusticke The Cornish men rebell and doe take Perkin Warbecks part Exeter is befieged and meanest sort of the Inhabitants of that Prouince with ioyfull acclamations and with good welcome And within few dayes after they aided him with three thousand men With these and with some others he marched Eastwards and came as farre as the Citie of Exeter where hee vsed manie persuasiue and rethoricall arguments and speeches to incite the Inhabitants voluntarily to become his subiects and to surrender the Citie into his hands But finding that the fidelitie of the Cittizens was constant and vnremoueable from their King And that their resolutions to indure extremities if otherwise they could not be auoided was strongly setled and vnchangeable they besieged the Citie round about And because they wanted artillerie and great Ordinance to make batteries vpon their walles therefore with Ladders Crookes Ropes and other Engines they desperately attempted to scale them in manie places at one instant But still and euery where with manlike Courage and with approoued Valour they were repulsed ouerborne and tumbled into the Ditches and deepe Trenches with which that Citie is enuironed on all parts So that in those assaults many of those Rebels with great obstinacie lost their liues Now when they perceiued Fire encountred by fire that those their attempts daily failed and succeded not they desperately approached vnto the Citie gates which they endeuored by manie slights to open or to ouerthrow But when none of their practises could preuaile then they caused great fires to be kindled against thē so that by consuming of them they might make an easie passage entrance into the Citie This stratagem of warre because it was vnusuall did at the first somewhat abash the Cittizens But they considering with themselues that base cowardlinesse was the betraier of true manhood and that perfect valour despaired not in any danger assumed the hearts of vndaunted men and by their endeuourous attempts and imploiments they ceased not to prouide for their owne present safetie insomuch that with fire they encountred fire and made greater fires within their Gates then the Rebels did without which they maintained by adding store of matter and of fewell for a long time vntill that with rampiers bankes bulwarks and other defensiue fortifications they had secured those places from the entrie of their enemies When this their practise auailed not then they againe busied the Citizens with daily scalings and climings against their walles But the inhabitants so confidently persisted to
defend themselues that poore Perkin began to hang downe his head and being troubled with melancholicke passions filled the aire with sighes and groanes and was perplexed at the heart being weary of his match The King commeth into the West Countrey with an Armie The King who had beene speedily informed how violently that Citie was enuironed and how couragiously the Rebels were resisted so carefully regarded it and the inhabitants thereof that with a faire Armie he himselfe in his owne person marched towards the Rebels with all speede But before hee could come neere vnto them Edward Courtney Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord William his sonne Sir Wymond Carew Sir Thomas Trenchard Sir William Courtney Sir Thomas Fulford Sir Iohn Halwell Sir Iohn Crocker Walter Courtney Peter Edgecombe and their lustie followers repaired to the said Citie of Exeter and intended to giue such good helpe and assistance to the inhabitants thereof that the Rebels leauing the siege marched into Somersetshire The siege of Exetâ—r is â—ed Perkin Wâ—â—beâ—â—â—â—â—egâ— Tawnton where they besieged the Towne of Tawnton But the King vnderstanding that they were remoued from the Citie and where they then were directed his course towards Tawnton he hauing with him in his Armie Edward the young Duke of Buckingham who was a Prince of haughtie courage and of a gallant resolution Giles Lord Dawbeney his chiefest Chamberlaine Robert Lord Brooke Lord Steward of his house Sir Alexander Baynam Sir Maurice Barkley Sir Robert Tame Sir Iohn Guise Sir Robert Poynts Sir Henry Vernon Sir Iohn Morâ—â—mer Sir Thomas Tremaile Sir Edward Sutton Sir Amias Paulet Sir Iohn Sapcots Sir Hugh Lutterel Sir Francis Cheyney and sundrie other Knights and Gentlemen of great place and valour Perkin and the Rebels site But when Perkin Warbecke and his fellow Captaines heard of the Kings approche they fled with threescore horse vnto Beauly neere to South-hampton where poore Perkin and most of those his companions entred into the Sanctuarie and registred their names there but the residue of them were taken prisoners by the Kings light horsemen and being brought into the Kings Armie for examples sake vnto others they were ordered and executed by the martiall law in sundrie places in the Westerne parts But the rude rabble which were left behinde perceiuing that their Ring-leaders had left them The common sort of Rebels are pardoned and were run away fell downe vpon their knees craued mercie promised faith and loyaltie in future times and not only receiued the Kings pardon but were reuiued by his expressing of much fauour and graâ—e towards them This victory being thus obtained without blowes the King King Henry commeth to the Citie of Exeter with his greatest Lords and the brauest Gallants in his trayne came to the City of Exceter and was lodged in it certaine daies where he commended and thanked the inhabitants for their faithfull and valiant seruice promised them the fulnesse of his fauour The King giues his Sword to the Citie of Exeter and for an addition of Honour to that City gaue vnto them his sword from his owne side and commaunded that in future times and in all publike places within that Citie it should bee borne before the Maior as formerly and for the like purpose his noble predecessor King Edward the fourth had done Then the King intending to make a finall end of these ciuill warres sent some of his chosen Captaines Perkin Warbecke is brought to the King with certaine bands of armed men to apprehend poore Perkin who compassed the Sanctuarie at Bewly round about so that he recounting with himselfe his sundrie mishaps and his hopelesse fortunes to be a King yeelded himselfe and was brought vnto the King who carried him as his prisoner vnto London where albeit hee was closely kept and narrowly watched by diuers of the Kings Guard yet hee escaped But being daily and hourely searched for Perkin escapeth and is taken againe hee voluntarily committed himselfe to the Abbot of Shene neere to the Kings Palace of Richmond intreating him to haue compassion on him and to procure for him the Kings pardon He is stocked He is committed to the Tower which hee did Then was hee brought to the Kings Court at Whitehall where all his base descent and ignoble pedegree being in a paper fully written and pinned vpon his backe hee was stocked one whole day so was he the next morning vpon a high scaffold in Cheape-side within the Citie of London from whence hee was committed a close prisoner to the Tower He practiseth to escape and to conuey away the young Earle of Warwicke Hee being in prison there corrupted by infinite promises of honourable aduancement the seruants of Sir Iohn Digbie Lieutenant of the Tower to suffer him and Edward the young Farle of Warwicke who had been a prisoner from his infancie to escape But this plot being discouered Perkin Warbecke was shortly after by the due course of Law condemned for High Treason Perkin Warbecke beheaded and was executed at Tyburne within two daies after and the young Earle of Warwicke who consented to haue escaped likewise being altogether innocent of all crime and onely affecting libertie which men beasts birds and fishes doe naturally desire was indicted arraigned conuicted and adiudged guiltie of the like offence and was executed on a Scaffold at the Tower Hill The young Earle of Warwicke is beheaded His death much blemished the fame and reputation of King Henry who being mercifull and compassionate by nature and hauing extended it oftentimes vnto notorious malefactors now to worke his owne securitie and without any iust offence would not pardon him who all his life time had beene so secret a prisoner restrained from all companie and from the view of this vaine and transitorie world that he scarcely knew a Capon from a Goose nor euer attempted any thing which might offend the King sauing only to set himselfe at large 1500. As soone as these businesses were thus ended Arthur the noble Prince of Wales being of the age of fifteene yeares was by an honourable deputation betrothed to the Ladie Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine Prince Arthur marieth Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon shee being of the age of eighteene yeares and the next yeare after with triumphant ioy and princely entertainment he receiued her into England and was maried to her in Pauls Church within the Citie of London And not long after Iames the Fourth King of the Scots vsed the mediation of Richard Fox 1501. then Bishop of Durham but shortly after translated vnto Winchester that hee might haue to wife the Ladie Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry the Seuenth The Kings eldest daughter affied and after maried to Iames the fourth King of Scots And though the King for many important reasons might haue bestowed her vpon the greatest and most honorable Kings or Potentates in the Christian world yet for these
second husband Hugh de Brun H. 3. was by his halfe-brother King Henrie the Third created Earle of Pembroke Aymer de Valentia his sonne was Earle of Pembroke and was by King Edward the First made Vice-roy of Scotland and died without issue Laurence Lord Hastings was by King Edward the Third created Lord of Abergauenny and Earle of Pembroke Iohn Lord Hastings and Abergauenny was Earle of Pembroke Iohn his sonne succeeded and died without issue Humfrey Plantagenet the youngest sonne of King Henry the Fourth H. 5. and brother to King Henry the Fifth was by his brother created Earle of Pembroke and Duke of Glocester He was also Protector to his Nephew King Henrie the Sixth and died without issue H. 6. William de la Pole was by King Henry the Sixth created Earle of Pembroke Earle Marquesse and Duke of Suffolke Iaspar of Hatfield the second sonne of Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine his wife widow to King Henry the Fifth and being halfe-brother to King Henry the Sixth H. 6. was by him created Earle of Pembroke and by King Henry the Seuenth Duke of Bedford He died without issue E. 4. William Herbert was by King Edward the Fourth made Lord of Cardisse and Earle of Pembroke and was slaine at Banbarie field William Herbert his sonne succeeded and resigned the said Earledome to King Edward the Fourth Edward the Prince being sonne and heire apparant to King Edward the fourth E 4. was by his father created Earle of Pembroke Flint and March He was King Edward the Fifth Anne Bullen H. 8. who was afterwards maried to King Henry the Eighth was by him created Marchionesse of Pembroke and lost her head William Lord Herbert sonne to Richard Herbert who was brother to the last Earle William E. 6. was by King Edward the Sixth created Earle of Pembroke Henry Lord Herbert his sonne succeeded in those honours Williom Lord Herbert his sonne is Lord of Cardiffe Fitz-Hugh Marmion and S. Quintens and Earle of Pembroke Richmond EVdo was by the Conqueror made Lord of Middleham and Earle of Richmond Conq. Allen Fergaunt surnamed The Red being his sonne was Lord of Middleham and Earle of Britaine and of Richmond He died without issue Allen surnamed The Blacke being his brother succeeded him and died without issue Stephen his brother possessed all those honours Allen his sonne by descent enioied the said dignities Conan his sonne succeeded him and had issue Constance Geoffrey Plantagenet the third sonne of King Henry the Second maried the said Constance and was in her right Earle of Richmond Arthur Plantagenet his sonne was Earle of Richmond and died without issue Ralphe Blundeuile being Count Palatine of Chester K. Iohn was by King Iohn created Earle of Richmond Peter Earle of Sauoy who built the Sauoy H. 3. was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Richmond Iohn de Dreux Duke of Britaine sonne to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine was by King Edward the First created Earle of Richmond E. 1. Iohn de Dreux his sonne was Earle of Richmond Iohn de Dreux his sonne succeeded and died without issue Robert de Arthoys sometimes Earle of Arthoys but disinherited by Philip de Valoys the French King E. 3. was by King Edward the Third created Earle of Richmond Iohn Plantagenet the sonne of King Edward the Third being surnamed Iohn of Gaunt being Duke of Lancaster E. 3. was by his father created Earle of Richmond Henry of Bollingbroke his sonne was Duke of Lancaster and Hereford and Earle of Richmond vntill he was King Henry the Fourth Ralphe Lord Neuil of Rabie Castle the first Earle of Westmorland was by King Henry the Fourth created Earle of Pembroke for his life only H. 4. Iohn Plantagenet Duke of Bedford and brother to King Henry the Fifth H. 4. was by his father created Earle of Richmond He died without issue H. 6. Edmund of Hadham called Edmund Tuthar the eldest sonne of Owen Tuthar and of Queene Katherine his wife the widow of King Henry the Fifth and daughter to Charles the Sixth of France and halfe brother to King Henry the Sixth was by him created Earle of Richmond He maried Margaret the daughter and heire of Iohn Beauford Marquesse Dorset and Duke of Somerset who was the sonne of Iohn Beauford who was the sonne of Iohn of Gaunt by Katherine Swinsford his third wife and had issue Henry who was king Henry the Seuenth Henry Tuthar their sonne was Earle of Richmond vntill hee obtained the Crowne and was King Henry the Seuenth H. 8. Henry Fitz-Roy base sonne to King Henry the Eighth was by him created Earle of Nottingham and Duke of Richmond and died without issue in the sixteenth yeare of his age Rutland EDward Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund of Langley the fifth sonne of King Edward the Third and Duke of Yorke was by his cosen King Richard the Second created Earle of Rutland R. 2. and Duke of Albemarle After his fathers death he was Duke of Yorke and was slaine at Agencourt field Edmund Plantagenet brother to Edward who was afterward King Edward the Fourth was Earle of Rutland and died in his childhood without issue being slaine H. 8. Thomas Mannors Lord Roos of Hamlake Beluoyr and Trusbut was created Earle of Rutland by King Henry the Eighth Henry Mannors his sonne succeeded his said father Edward Mannors his sonne enioied those honours and died without issue male Iohn Mannors his brother succeeded him Roger Mannors his sonne enioied those honours and died without issue Sir Francis Mannors his brother is now Lord Roos Hamlake and Trusbote and Earle of Rutland Ryuers RIchard Wooduile of Grafton Knight maried Iaquet the widow of Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France and daughter to Peter of Luxenburgh Earle of S. Paul He was by King Henry the sixth made Lord Ryuers Afterwards king Edward the Fourth maried his daughter the Ladie Elizabeth Grey the widow of Sir Iohn Grey deceased by whom he was made Lord Treasurer of England and Earle Ryuers He and his sonne Iohn were slaine by the Commons in an vprore Anthonie Wooduile his sonne being Lord Scales and Earle Ryuers was by King Richard the Third beheaded vniustly at Pomfret Castle and died withour issue Richard Wooduile his brother succeeded him in that Earledome and died without issue Salisburie STephen Patrick of Eureux was by the Conquerour created Earle of Salisburie Conq. William his sonne was Earle of Salisburie and died without issue male William Longspée the base sonne of King Henry the Second by the faire Rosamond Clifford his Concubine R. 1. was by King Richard the First his halfe-brother created Earle of Salisburie William Longspee his sonne was Earle of Salisburie after his father and was slaine in the warres in the Holy Land Henry Lacy was by King Henrie the Third created Earle of Salisburie H. 3. and died without issue Thomas Plantagenet the sonne of Edmund
into Farmes for their particular vses and necessities and the residue of them they graunted or leased to their slaues and seruants thereby creating Manors and entitling themselues the Lords of them The King also vpon those his gifts proportioned those grounds diuiding them into Hydes of Land euery Hyde containing twentie acres and eight Hydes making a whole Knights fee. The Tenures which he reserued were Knights seruice in capite by meanes whereof his Tenants were enioyned to doe him manie necessarie and honorable Seruices either in his Warres or to his Royall person For the performance whereof he tooke their Oathes in publike Courts both of Homage and of Fealtie And by reason of this kinde of Tenure he disposed of the bodies of their Heires in marriage as he listed and retayned in his custodie and Wardship to his owne vse their whole Inheritance vntill they accomplished their age of one and twentie yeares Which Tenures are continued at this day And by his example others of great possessions did the like And thus may we plainely see as in a Mappe the perfect Modell and Description of his rigorous and sharpe Gouernement wherein he rather practised the licentious power of an insolent Conqueror than the gratious kindnesse of an annointed King By meanes whereof many feared few did loue him and such as pleased him best were many times in great hazard vpon small occasions to be frowned on ANNO. 2. In the second yeare of his raigne by reason of his Taxes which exceeded beyond measure the inhabitants of Northumberland and of Deuon Taxes caused Rebellions did rebell But such was his valour and expedition that ere they were aware thereof his forces like a loftie Sea or a whirling Wind rushed violently vpon them and easily subdued them to their paine ANNO. 3. And not long after Swanus then King of the Danes being animated and set on edge by the daily perswasions and enticements of such English Nobles The Danes inuade and are put to flight as to preuent their owne ruine and destruction were fled to him for succour arriued with a strong Armie in the North where the inhabitants endeuoring the enjoyment of their former libertie with bold courage assisted them in their inuasion But the King almost no sooner saw them than he compelled them vpon the loosing hand to flye vnto their shippes And to reuenge the infidelitie of the English he vtterly spoyled and harrowed their best and most fruitfull Lands The English are plagued lying betwixt Yorke and Durham So that by reason thereof for the space of nine yeares after those grounds lay wast and vnmanured and great numbers of people of all ages died miserably with famine and with want ANNO. 4. The next yeare after he summoned a generall Conuocation of his Clergie In which with much asperitie and bitternesse he accused diuers and sundrie graue and learned Bishops Abbots Priors and Religious Prelates of many surmises faults and offences for which he vtterly deposed and depriued them both of their Dignities Goods and Liuings all which he conferred vpon such as either through his fauour or for great summes of money were able to procure them These fearefull presidents of insufferable cruelties Another Rebellion prouoked Marcarus and Edwyn then Earles of Northumberland and of Mercia together with Egilwynus then Bishop of Durham to rebell But the King like a Lyon encountring their weaker forces draue Edwyn into Scotland where trecherously he was murdered He tooke Marcarus and imprisoned him in the Tower of London where manie yeares after he remained with little hope of his deliuerance And the Bishop being a prisoner in the Abbey of Abbington was cruelly famished to death At this time great strife touching the Primacie arose ANNO. 7. The Primacie of Canterburie ANNO. 9. betwixt the Archbishops of Canterburie and of Yorke which continued almost two yeares But at length Thomas was adiudged to be subordinate to Lanfrank then Archbishop of Canterburie and the other submitted himselfe accordingly In the twelfth yeare of this Kings Raigne at a great Synod holden at Paules Church in London some Bishopricks were translated from one place to another as Selwy vnto Chichester ANNO 12. Bishoprickes translated Kyrton vnto Exeter Wells vnto Bath Shirborne vnto Salisburie Dorchester vnto Lincolne and Lichfield vnto Chester Oswald Bishop of Salisburie ANNO 13. Secundum vsum Sarum was a most deuout and religious man he deuised a certaine forme of Prayers to be daily vsed in his Church which was so generally liked by the Clergie that they were published in bookes and vsed in other Churches Whence proceeded the common saying of Secundum vsum Sarum In the fifteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne by the instigation ANNO 15. and with the assistance of Philip the French King Robert his eldest sonne rebelled in Normandie A Rebellion in Normandie which occasioned his father to goe thither with an Armie But he was so stiffely encountred in the field that by his sonne he was vnhorsed and in great perill of his life But he rescued him againe reconciled himselfe receiued pardon and the King with much losse returned againe into England And within few yeares after ANNO 20. to be reuenged of manie iniuries and wrongs to him done by the said Philip from Normandie The Conqueror inuadeth France hee carried a puissant Armie into France where with fortunate successe and with abundance of crueltie he slew burnt spoyled and ransacked his People Townes and Countrey But so much was he trauelled in those affaires and so extreamely did he heate himselfe in those eager conflicts that presently he fell sicke and within few daies after he died The Conqueror falleth sicke and dieth after he had much sorrowed and lamented for the Tyrannies which he had exercised on the English Nation and at last he was buried at Cane in Normandie in the Abbey of S. Stephen which himselfe had builded But his Funerals were interrupted by a Norman Gentleman This dead dogge could not bite who would not permit him to be interred there vntill a satisfactorie recompence was vnto him giuen for that soyle which the Conquerour had vniustly taken from him Thus this victorious Conquerour whose minde was not to be confined with one Kingdome whilest he liued could being dead hardly obtaine a place to be buried in He left behinde him one daughter named Adela and three sonnes Robert to whome he gaue his Duchie of Normandie William surnamed Rufus because his complexion was verie redde and Henrie both which successiuely were Kings The description of the Conqueror He was of an indifferent stature strongly composed in his limbs and comely in his behauiour sterne of countenance and of an vndaunted spirit resolute in all his actions quicke in his Expeditions wise discreet and politike in the managing of his affaires and businesse He banqueted and hunted verie much coueted all oppressed such as he subdued to keepe them low and alwaies held his
and to winne his fauour redoubled his strength The French Armie is ouerthrowne and with such resolution fell vpon the Frenchmen that they were compelled to giue backe and were so violently pursued that the battaile in which their King fought was now opened and in such sort disordered that the Englishmen entred into the midst of them wounding and killing on euerie side with little or no losse or danger to themselues And at length King Iohn and his yonger Sonne are taken Prisoners by Sir Dennis Morbecke King Iohn scorning to leaue the field yeelded himself his sonne Philip prisoners vnto Sir Dennis Morbeck a Knight of Saint Omers who for a murder forsooke his Countrie and serued for wages with the Blacke Prince In this battaile there were slaine verie manie great men of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of France and aboue ten thousand others Too much desire of Honour and too much couetousnesse The French King is ill vsed were the causes that the French King being thus taken was ill vsed For by reason that more than ten Gentlemen laide seuerall claimes vnto him as to their Prisoner hee was vnciuilly drawne from one to another not without some perill to his life but telling them that he was so great a Lord that hee could make them all rich they were better pleased and brought him to the Prince Who with great reuerence bowed himselfe before the King How the Black Prince receiued and entertained the French King and his Sonne The Blacke Prince bringeth the French King and his Son Prisoners into England Sir Dennis Morbecke reuiued his heauie spirits with cheerfull and with comfortable words feasted him and Phillip his yonger Sonne attended duetifully at his Table lodged him in his owne bed Prouided for him most honourable attendance Supplied all things about him which were wanting and brought them both from thence vnto Burdeaux and from thence into England where hee was ioyfully and royally receiued and wel-commed by the King and Queene and by the Nobilitie of this Kingdome and was entertained with as great magnificence and curtesie as he could expect or wish for And vpon King Iohns owne confession the honour of his taking was by King Edward adjudged to Sir Dennis Morbeck who for his great and good seruice was much thanked and bountifully rewarded by the King In this Battaile besides such as were slaine There were taken prisoners seuenteene Earles thrice as manie Barons Prisoners and so great a number of Knights and Gentlemen of name and of note that euerie English common souldier who had fewest prisoners had two all which A bountifull Prince together with the wohle spoiles of the field the Prince frankely and freely gaue to his companies who valiantly had wonne them by their swords The English Armie are made rich So that there was not a poore man in the English armie but euery one of them had as much Gold and as much Siluer Plate and Iewels as gaue him good contentment for his paines And such was their store and such was their plentie of those thinges that rich and costly Armours and such like warlike prouisions were not taken vp nor cared for at all How the French King was disposed of The French King for a while liued at the Sauoy which by King Edward was sumptuously furnished and beautified with all things necessary for so great a guest And from thence he was remooued to the Castle of Windsor where hee feasted hunted hawked and did all things according to his owne pleasure and will for the space of two yeares the King and the Blacke Prince as often as anie leasure gaue them leaue repairing thither and gladding him with their cheerefull and most friendly companie and with the varietie of manie pleasing sports By meanes whereof true and heartie loue and affection did knit them fast together so that they concluded a friendly Truce to continue for the space of two yeares The honourable prosperitie of King Edward and of the Blacke Prince And thus were King Edward and the Noble Prince his sonne honoured and blessed by Almightie God with such triumphant successe in their warres both in Scotland and in France they then possessing for their Prisoners at one time the Kings of those two Kingdomes and Philip the French Kings younger sonne and many Dukes Earles and Barons as none other Princes in Christendome then were King Dauid of Scotland is released And Dauid the King of Scots after tenne yeares of imprisonment in England was enlarged for a ransome of one hundred thousand pounds to be paid in fiue yeares And vpon his oath neuer againe to beare armes against England and vpon his Homage and Fealtie done for that Kingdome ANNO. 32 and vpon his faithfull promise to doe his best to procure the Nobilitie of Scotland to doe the like he was enlarged and set free ANNO. 33 The Dalphin allowes not his Fathers conclusions King Iohn of France committed to the Tower Not long after King Edward and the King of France entred into a parley for a longer time of Truce But their conclusions and agreements were vtterly disliked by his eldest Sonne Charles then Regent of France and Duke of Normandie and by the whole Baronie of that Countie Whereupon King Edward with all expedition and conuenient speed made greater preparation to make Warre there then hee had done at anie time before And hauing committed the French king and his sonne Philip with honorable attendance close prisoners to the Tower of London himselfe with the Blacke Prince his sonne transported thither a puissant Armie ANNO. 34. King Edward and the Black Prince doe land a puisant Armie at Callice The Regent Dolphin sueth for Peâ—ce and landed at his Towne of Callice and from thence hee marched strongly vnto Rhemes where he besieged the Castle seuen weekes but did not winne it in the end From thence he marched towards Paris and Chartres wasting burning and killing in all places as he passed so that hee compelled the Regent and the Nobilitie of France to become earnest petitioners vnto him for peace which they obtained vpon these Articles ensuing 1. FIrst that King IOHN should pay for his ransom The Articles of the Peace fiue hundred thousand Pounds of sterling money 2. Secondly That from thencefoorth No King of France should aide or assist The Ransom any King of Scotland in any Warre or Rebellion against England And that no King of England should from thencefoorth take part with the Flemings in any expedition or Warre against France 3. Thirdly That the Kings of England should haue and for euer enioy freely without homage and in their owne right their Territories in Gascoyne and in Guyan with the Precincts Castles Forts Townes and Cities of Poyters and Perygrot The Earledomes of Bygrot Poytiau and Guyens the Citie of Lymoges Tharbes Guaire Agen Angolesme Agenoys Rauerne and Caours The Lordship of Xantes Caumesin Hammes Ouy and Mountrell with the