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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34337	The Conquest of France with the life and glorious actions of Edward the Black Prince, son to Edward the Third, King of England, his victory, with about twelve thousand archers, and men at arms, over Phillip of France, and a hundred thousand French-men, near Cressey, his vanquishing King John of France, and taking him, and his son prisoners, at the Battle of Poietiers, his love to the Earl of Kent's fair daughter, and marriage with her : also all that passed during that glorious and successful war against France, with the Battle of Agen-Court, and King Henry the Fifth being crowned King of France at Paris, being a history full of great and noble actions in love and arms, to the honour of the English nation, and the encouragement of the horoes [sic] of the present age.		1680 (1680)	Wing C5895; ESTC N70022	17,173	22

THE Conquest of France WITH THE Life and Glorious Actions of Edward the Black Prince Son to Edward the Third King of England his Victory with about Twelve Thousand Archers and Men at Arms over Phillip of FRANCE and a Hundred Thousand French-Men near Cressey His Vanquishing King JOHN of France and taking him and his Son prisoners at the Battle of Poictiers His Love to the Earl of Kent's Fair Daughter and marriage with her Also all that passed during that Glorious and Successful WAR against France with the Battle of Agen-Court and King HENRY the Fifth being Crowned King of France at Paris being a History full of Great and Noble Actions in Love and Arms to the Honour of the English Nation and the Encouragement of the Horoes of the presnet Age. Printed by A. M. for Charles Bates at the Sun and Bible in Pye-corner The HISTORY of the Black Prince c. CHP. I. How the French King upon King Edward the Thirds coming to the Crown sent to him to come to Paris and do him homage for the Pallaces the English held in France how he not only refused it but layd claim to the Crown of France Quartered their Arms with his own entered into confederacy with the Neighbouring Princes Invaded them with powerful Armys his love to the Countess of Salisbury the order of the Garter c. WHEN the English valour was famous and more Renowned than that of other Nations our Warlike heroes contended more for fame than Gold and brought a terror on their Enemys wherever they carryed their Arm proud France then trembled and the English Lyon grasped with so strong a hand their Golden Lillys that all the struggling of that large Kingdom was not able to rescue them from the spoil and becoming the trophies of out Conquering Princes as I shall plainly and largely show you in this Famous History King Edward the third in his Fathers life-time took upon him the Title of king of England by the consent of the three Estates assembled in Parliament when he was but Fifteen Years of Age and Young as he was shewed much of a Martial spirit and promised great things to the world which he accordingly performed for having Warred successfully in Scotland and brought that to his terms their king submitting and holding fealtie of him he making and unmaking them at pleasure Phillip D' Valois The French king began to mistrust his growing greatness and thinking whilst he was young to put a Check to his forward Valour sent to demand his Homage for the Province of Guyen held by him in the kingdom of France but he not only ●outly refused it in the terms the French Required it by the Advice of his Peers lay'd claim to the Crown of France as coming to him in the right of Queen Isabel his mother bein his due both by civil Law and order of Succession as being Nephew to Charles the Fourth Brother to the said Isabel and that as much as Phillip then Reigning was descended of a second Branch to this the French opposed their Salsque Law wherein it was provided that no Woman should inherit the Crown of France but this being looked on as contrived to hinder the succession of the English kings in their Marriages with the Daughters of France and king Edward declaring he was a Male of a Female that had right to the Crown that pretence ought not to Exclude him a War upon these grounds was Proclaimed the king quartering the Arms of France with those of England and laying a Peremptorie claime to the Crown This Business as it was extraordinary weighty so it required much secrecy untill it was well layed for which purpose king Edward craved the Advice of the Earl of Hanault Father to Phillipa his Queen and Mother to Edward the Black Prince who was growing up to great Actions as will hereafter appear who with his Brother and other Nobles of Flanders procured king Edward to be created Vicar General of the Empire that so without being controuled he might command the Nobles and common people of those Countrys to further his purpose in the intended War But how private soever these things were carried Phillip the French king had private notice of what was doing and stopped the huge Army he ●ad raised at the Importunity of Pope Benedict the Eleventh from passing into the Holy Land to war against the Turks and Sarazens who there mightily oppressed the Christians Resolving to defend his own Country from the threatened storm In the mean while king Edward raised great Sums of Mony and Leabyed men and with his Queen Sailed into Flanders where that Winter they remained at Antwerp and Conferrnig with the Princes and States of Germany he so well settled his Affairs that in the Spring he Landed in France with an Army consisting of 27000 Fighting-men bringing a great terror on the Country though the French king had on Army of 60000 Common Souldiers to oppose him being accompanied with Three kings viz. of Bohemia Scotland and Navarre Five Dukes Six and Twenty Earls and more than Four Thousond Lords and knights and so both Armys drawing into the Field and approaching each other as the bloody blast was about to be sounded by the Mediation of Jane Countess of Hanault Sister to king Phillip and Mother to king Edward's Queen they seperated from each other without striking a blow to the great discontent of the English who full of Valour thirsted to begin the Battle on the first command King Edward however laid not aside his pretentions but hearing the French king had set out a great Fleet consisting of 200 Sail of his own and other Nations he had hired which had on Board them 40000 men who Robbed the English Merchants and made some spoils on our Coast being full of Magnanimity and Valour Resolute in his purposes and reckoning the French as his Subjects and Inferiours in Arms Especially on the Seas and hoping by his good success not only to win Honour among the Princes and Sates of his confederacy and purposing if he might to strike Terror in the French Nation concerning those Wars set upon their whole Navy with such incomparable courage and bold spirit that after a long Obstinate and Bloody Fight very few or none of the French Ships escaped but were either taken sunk or burnt by the English with a much Inferiour Number with inconsiderable loss on our side This great Sea Victory much discouraged the French and mightily encouraged the English and their Confederates so that the king landing at Slace in Triumph and going from thence to Gaunt where his Queen lay and the Black Prince was accompanied with Seven Earls Eight Bishops Twenty eight Barrons Two Hundred knights 4000 Men at Arms and ●i●e Thousand Archers all Valiant English-Men he joyned the Duke of Brabant who commanded 22000 men Jaques Dartwell a famous Fleming who commanded 60000 men of these Provinces also the Duke of Guilder the Marquess of Meuse the Earls of Juliers Mons

seen Fighting in the Air with great blasts of Thunder and Lightening that which came from the North vanquishing pursuing the Southern Army till it was clear out of sight then the skys o'recast and became as red as blood red Glares of Lightening frequently breaking out to the threatening a distruction of those that were near Inhabitants These strange p●ogidies made people look for some wonderful Event of things and indeed they happened soon after in a cruel war between two mighty Nations in which this Prince now born was to 〈◊〉 so great a part The King his Father though as yet he was his only Son brought him not up nicely and tenderly but as soon as he had in a manner passed his Sawdling-cleaths enured him to hardships in Kiding Travelling on foot Running Shooting in the long bow Managing the great Horse running Carrears Leaping and in the use of the Sword in all which he became very Expert and Dexterous Training up many Children under him as his Souldiers when he was very young and these he took great Delight to exercise making them expert in the trains of War So that growing up with him he preferred them to Commands many of which became brave Souldiers and great Commanders doing wonderous feats in Arms to the Terror of their Ensmys their own Fame and the Honour of their Country He was scarce Fifteen years Old when the King his Father took him to the Wars both against Scotland and France and Jaques Dartwell the great General of the Flemings was so taken with his monly aspect promising virtues that he laboured to depose Loys Earl of Flanders as laizey cowardly and unfit for Government and place the Prince over those Provinces and thus he proposed to the Nobles in their Assembly with so much earnestness Magnifying the young Prince's Early Valour and promising virtues to that degree that though he was all in all with them before he so far incouraged their hatred that they incensed the common people against him as one that intended to betray the liberty of his Country to strangers which took so effectually with those that had adored him a little before that he no sooner came home to his house at Gaunt but it was best by the Multitude when comming ont to apprase them they in a populer fury Murthered him and this for a time much hindered King Edward's affairs for the flemnigs and others revolted from him but he did not greatly regard it resolving to pursue his right and by his own power thrust his Sword into the bowels of France The King being now informed that John the Eldest Son of the French King had Besieged the Castle of Auguillion in Gascoine he took the Prince with him and a considerable Army at the terror of whose approach the French raised the Siege and fled After this he passed into Normandy took the rich City of Harefl●re without Resistance and bestowed the spoil on his Souldiers after this he spoiled the Rich Towns of Cheriborough Mount-borough Quarentive and the Castle there and increasing his Army took the great and Rich City of Cane in Normandy in which were the Earls of Tankervile Ewe and Guyers who had brought Forces thither these were made prisoners to Sir Thomas Holland an English Knight with one Eye who sold them to the King and they with the Rich Spoils were sent Prisoners to England Then the Army marching to Lowers quickly won it s aalso Gilors vernor St. Germains Enley Mountrell St. Cloudy Rely and the whole Country about Roan Pout De Larch Nauts Newlench Robois Fountain Polis Vinne in all the places he found but weak Resistance of which Phillip the French King having intelligence and that King Edward with his whole Army was within two Leagues of Paris he fearfully left that City and went to St. Denis where his Army lay perswading the Parisions that the English dared not to look them in the Face but their fears made them not Credit it especially when they heard the Lord Harecourt King Edward's Marshall had routed the Forces that were coming from Ancidus to their assistance killing and taking most of them Prisoners The English Army under the King and Black Prince being thus Victorious passed uncontrouled to the Gates of Abaville and St. Valary but they were for want of guides to direct them un-a-wars Entangled with the River Some on the one side and the French Army on the other which consisted of 100000 men and the place where he was promised him no advantage if he should fight but rather manifested many Inconveniencies This made the King and Prince consult with the French Prisoners promising Rewards if they could find any passable foards in the River which one Gobin of Grace undertook to do but when the King had Marched his Army thither he found it defended by 12000 French yet when the sea was Ehed he with the Prince and the whole Army put themselves into the water as likewise on the other side did the French so that the fight was bloody and doubtful for a long time in the middle of the River some were slain by the Sword others beaten down and drowned in the River but the English at length prevailing with great slaughter of the Enemy pursued them in full chase a League and so the whole English Army having passed the River and Refreshing themselves resolved to abide the whole power of France though six times their number and dare them to a Battel King Edward to his immortal Honour sent a Challenge to the French King to fight him by single Cambate between both Armys but he excused it cunningly by aledging it was sent to him by the name of Philip De Vallois and not by the Title of King of France and therefore he should betray his Royal Dignity in accepting it however both Armys drew near the bloody day approached wherein streams of Gore must wet the Earth and Crimson its green Carpit wich a sanguin Dye and of this battel Fortune designed the Prince the Conduct and Glory to new fledge his plumes with Fame and Renown CHAP. III. How King Edward with the Black Prince marching with a small Army into the bowels of France met Philip the French King with an Army of 100000 men near Cressey How the Black Prince desired the conduct of the Battel And how the King and he in disguise went in the night into the Tents of the Souldiers and were over-joyed to find them full of Courage How the battel was fought and the French Routed with incredible slaughter by the Black Prince Of the taking of Callice and many other remarkable things to the Glory of the English Nation c. THe French King relying on his great Numbers thinking the English thus entangled in the heart of his Country were in a manner Entrapped in a snare and could not avoid destruction which battel gained perhaps our king as a prisoner would for ever Quell the English Claime to the French Diadem with these hopes and healing thoughts

findin all the passages stopped he sent to Challeng the king to a battel in the fair field as to knowing the Town could not ●hold out and that in the long siege his men were wasted sent him word he never feared to meet in the field as to his Cost he had proved but now knowing his advantage at this time he would declyn it and gave him the satisfaction he required at another time Vpon this the French king broke up his Numerous Army and departed and Calliciaus desparing of Relief being sorely oppressed with famine they began to despair of a longer holding out and finding no hopes of relief from the French king they humbled themselves to king Edward and sought his mercy whereupon he Commanded that Sir of the principal inhabitants should come to him bare Headed and bare Legged with ropes about their Necks and bring the key of the town and castle weich they did The keys He received but commanded the persons to be ●anged as a terror for their obst●nate holding out and Robbing the English Merchants but at the intercession of the Quéen and Prince they were pardoned and he made Sir Andrew D' Patt the Lombard Captain of it and it was held in the hands of the English till the Reign of Queen Mary when it was lost again to the French upon her assisting king Philip her Husband contrary to the Treaty with Forces and soon after this Philip De Valois the French king Dyed and his Son John was Crowned CHAP. IV. How King Edward and the Black Prince returned to England in triumph and how being Entertained at Dinner by the Earl of Kent the Prince fell in Love with his Daughter Called the fair Maid of Kent And what then and afterwards passed between them vowing to each other Eternal Love and Constancy KIng Edward having setled his affairs in France prosperously come to England with the Queen and Prince and was received with great Ioy and Triumph at his Landing at Dover when in his way dining with the Earl of Kent the Prince fixed his eyes on Joanna or Joan the Earl's Daughter whose rare Beautys were so Admirable that she was usually called the Fair Maid of Kent This peerless Lady soon made our Horoick Prince become Enamoured of her yet not knowing how his Father might take it who designed to match him to some Forreign Princess to strengthen his alliance he at this time bridled his passion all he could yet his kind discourses to her and the more powerful Language of his Eyes sor Lovers Eyes will talk made her see she was not Indifferent to him but fearing so brave a Prince and next Heir to the Crown rather had set his Eyes on her for lust than lawful Love in Marriage which fear much grieved and afflicted the tender Lady but the Prince whose Virtues were rare singular had his mind far from such thoughts and was perplexing himself when he was abscent from her how he might might bring about his design of marriage with her fearing if he delayed to make known his mind she ignorant of his passion might give her self up to the Arms of another and so rob him of all his expected Ioys for he was very sensible that the most Exalted Beauty in the kingdom accompanied with such modesty and virtue could not want Adorers and therefore knowing the French Wars would soon require his presence he resolved as soon as possible to let her know his Virtuous and unfeigned love for her and labour if possible to gain her consent and then do the like to remove all difficulties that might stand in the way of his happiness so undertaking to hunt in those parts when the Game was roused and every one in pursuit of it The Princes came to the Earl's House and found the precious Iewel of his heart attended only by her Waiting-woman the rest of the Family being abroad This the Lady perceiving intreated him to tell her the cause of the Disturbance of his mind which she said she saw visibly in his Countenance and if any thing lay in her power she would even bear a part with him to ease it The Prince at this favourable opportunity grasping her fair Hand said Ah! Lady it is in your power I know to ease the doubts and fears that labour in my mind I wish it may said the Lady fréely and smiling though not without blushes but I cannot be your Physitian unless I know your grief Ah! Fair Lady said the Prince Since I first set Eyes on your Rare Beautys Adorned with a pomp of winning Graces my heart has been made Your Captive and this opportunity I have taken to know from your Beautiful Lips whether you will relieve me by your Love Alas my Lord replyed the Lady still blushing my Love why if You wish for that Love which is in my power to give that is Chast and Unspotted Love warranted by the strict Rules of Virtue and I safely do it You should not pain not pine the favour is too mighty for me and that makes me doubt a happiness meant to me that way by a Prince whose Royalty and fame many bring him a Queen with Kingdoms to her Dowowre will ever be mine most kind lady said the Prince with much Joy doubt not but that love I pretend is Chast and 'tis you above all the Queens on Earth that I apply my self to make me happy O consider said she my Lord how dangerous 'tis for me to entertain your love though there may be no doubt of your Virtuous and Real Intentions since the King's Anger may break in upon me and my Family to their Ruin doubt it not thou best of Women embracing her tenderly in his Arms I will stand between them and you against his fierce Thunder and perish rather than any harm shall befall You but there is no need of such a fear only let me be assured of your love and constancy and at my return I will so work the matters that our Marriage shall not be hindred after these and such other like discourses they Sealed their Affections with mutual Vows and so at this time after many tender kisses not without tears they parted CHAP. V. How the Black Prince went again into France with an Army won many strong places and fought with a small number of Archers and Men of Arms against John the French King overthrew his Army near Poicters of 120000 men took him and his Son Philip Prisoners His Return to England Married the Fair maid of Kent The French King Ransomed and a Peace Concluded very Advantegeous BVt now the Trumpets sound again to War and the soft tents of Venus must be left for the Seely beds of Mars The Prince must pass the Seas and so the Lovers parted with Vows of Eternal Constancy to each other and as faithfully kept their promise Far a short Truce that had been made with France expiring he was sent with an Army into Gascony where Landing he breathed such a terror

freely be possessed of Then said the Prince boldly I take your Majesty at your word my Ambition is far from a Crown all I humbly Request is that I may have the Earl of Kents fair Daughter to be my Wife The king was amazed at this Request as not knowing of their Loves and plighted Troths yet seeing the Prince earnestly bent upon it and hearing what had passed between them he with a kind of unwilling willingness consented because he designed to Match him with the Emperor's Daughter to make a stronger Alliance between them to further him in his French Wars So the Earl his Countess and Daughter were sent for to Court and their Consent being easily had the Marriage was celebrated with all imaginable Pomp and Ioy with Masques Musick Dancing Songs of Triumph and the like and so that Night the lovely Pair enjoyed their Hearts content for which they had so long wished and from the Fruits of that Love sprung a fair Son named Richard who succeeded his Grand-father in the kingdom and after a long Reign was deposed by Henry Duke of Lancaster who took upon him the Crown under the Title of Henry the tourth and being Deposed was murthered in the Castle Pomfret by Sir Peirce of Exton and six other Assassins but not degenerating from his heroick Father in strength and volour siezing a Halbert he wrested it by main strength out of one of their hands and killed sour of them e're they dispatch'd him But to return The french king and his Son having been four years Prisoners in England began to Grow weary of it and therefore for their Releasement made several advantageous Over-tures to king Edward for their Release and for a Truce But Charles the french king's eldest son having gotten the Regency into his hands would not agree with his Father whereupon the french king was committed a closer Prisoner to the Tower and king Edward with the Black Prince sailded over with an Army and Landed at Callice and from thence towards paris wasteing the Country as he passed very dreadfully with fire and sword so that many Towns and Castles were yielded to him by which means he compelled the Regent and Nobility to become earnest Petitioners to him for a Peace and it was Concluded on these Articles 1. That the French King should pay four hundred thousand punds flerling for his Ransom 2. That no King of France should Aid the Scots against England in any invasion or rebellion nor the English Assist the Flemings in any War against France 3. That the King of England should have and freely enjoy without homage the territories of Gascon Guyan with the precincts territories castles forts and towns thereto belonging also the city of Poictiers and Peregors the Earldoms of Bigrot Poitiors and Guyens the Citys of Limoges Tharbes Guares Ageu Anglasme Auguemois Kyuern Courus the Lordship of Xantogue Caumesen Hames Ony Montrel with the Signories of Callis Marguise Sandgate and Collogne These glorious Advantages rejoyced the English and Magnified our Nation throughout the World who wondred how a handful of people could compel so Potent a Kingdom as france to truckle so low And for performance of the Articles Charles the Regent and the Black prince in the presence of six knights of each Nation received the Holy Sacrament at the High Altar and then king Edward with the Prince returned to England and were with all Complements of love and kindness entertained and feasted at the Tower by the french king who was conveyed from thence to Callice where according to Agreement he remained four Months and then king Edward repaired to him and both of them at High Mass solemnly swore to perform and keep the Articles and then king John for Hostages of his Ransom delivered to king Edward four Dukes seven Earls ten Barons many knights and two of the worthiest Burgesses of every great City of france and so taking a friendly leave of each other the king and prince returned with their Honourable Hostages to England who were with all humility and kindness feasted and entertained by the king prince and nobility and permitted freely to use all sports and pastimes for exercise and pleasure and about two years after the conditions of Agreement being perform'd king John came over to visit king Edward and the Prince and to thank them for his former courteous Entertainment and at the same time came the kings of Scots and of Cyprus so that there were four kings at once in our Court But king John of france falling sick at the Savoy dyed to the great Grief of both Nations whence his Body was conveyed to St. Dennis in france and there Interr'd amongst his Royal Ancestors CHAP. VI. How the Black Prince Overthrew the Armys of Spain and France and Restored Peter the Deposed King of Castile to his Throne War again Proclaimed with France and many Towns Taken John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster's great Success Marriage c. The Black Prince's Sickness and Death A Brief Account of the Battel of Agen Court and the total Conquest of France by Henry the 5th of England who was Crowned at Paris THE Black Prince's Fame spreading over the World he was sued to by Distressed Kings and Nations to Assist and Relieve them with his Valour and Prowess and amongst others Peter King of Castile being Overthrown in many Battles by Henry his Bastard Brother Assisted under hand by Charles the New French King Flying his Kingdom came to the Prince where he was with his fair Princes at Burdeaux setling his New Government in France humbly Imploring him to Re-in-stare him in his Kingdom promissing great Rewards and Treasures when he should be Re-possessed The Black Prince who was a Comly Stature Strong Body Fierce in War but Mild and Affable in Peace being Dead as is said King Edward Created Richard the Prince's Son Prince of Wales Earl of Leicester Duke of Cornwal and Appointed him to Succeed in the Kingdom as has been said and because he was Young he Appointed the Regency to the Duke of Lancaster till he should come of Years to Sway the Scepter and being Worn out with Age the toyls of War and Grief for the Death of the Black Prince he Dyed when he had Reigned somewhat more than Fifty Years and was Buried at Westminster And thus Reader have I fullfilled my promise in a True Account of this Renowned Histor● not doubting but it will give Delight and Satisfaction to all that Read it and so Encourage us to Imitate our brave Ancestors that france and other Nations may know we are still English-men whose Vndaunted Courage cannot be Baffled but in Contending for Right and Fame we Dare as much as ever FINIS Books printed for and sold by Charles Bates at the Sun and Bible in Pye-corner near West-Smithfield where all Country Chapmen may be Furnished with all sorts of Historys small Books and Ballads THe famous and Renowned History of the Three Destructions of Troy The famous and Renowned History of Guy Earl of Warwick The famous and Delightful History of the Lancashire Witches c.

Savens and Hanault the Lord Tralquemont and divers others With this gallant Army he Besieged the Strong City of Tournay which was with great Resolutiou and Valour Manfully defended for the space of ten weeks in all which time the French king appeared not to Relieve it however by the Mediation of the aforementioned Jane De' Valois Mother to the Queen of England and to the Dutches of Juliers to the then Earl of Hanault and Sister to the French king a Truce was once more concluded but that expired soon after these delays the War begun in earnest During these transactions the king returned home to beat the Scots out of England who in his absence dared to Invade it under the Leading of David their king fell desperately in Love with the Fair Countess of Salisbury in this manner having delivered her from the Siege layed to her Castle of Roxbourough hard pressed by the Scots he disarmed himself and with ten or twelve Lords and knights entered the Castle where the excellent Beauty and modest behaviour of the sweet Countess so Inflamed his heart that by secret and Amorous wooing he endeavoured to perswade her to ease his passion with a return of her Love but the Virtuous Lady first with mild and kind entreatys and afterward with quick and nipping Reprehensions strove to make him see his own Error but such was his desire and her denyal●● were so peremptorie and resolute that Discontentedly at that time he left her yet love still prevailing he wrote the following Letter to her The King's Letter to the Countess of Salisbury Fair Countess Your Eyes have enthralled my heart and A midst the Alarums of War my thoughts are chained to your Beautys and other rare perfections take compassion on a King which nothing on Earth but your Peerless self can bring to the low submission of a supplicant I own your Virtues are great yet to save the life of a Monarch what should not one who is all Goodness and tenderly made for Compassion like you do Let me entreat you then to take Compassion on the sufferings of my labouring mind that I may be restored to my former peace and tranquility become pleasent to my friends and as I have been wont a terror to the enemy of my Country So in expectation you will Relent and become mild and merciful I rest in hopes of enjoying that blessing I so earnestly wish for and passionately desire Your devout Lover though a King The vertuous Countess having well weighed the Contents of this Letter was much troubled in her mind her blushes came and went she well knew the King was already married to a Fair and Virtuous Princess that he sought by unlawful Love to defile her bed this some times put her unto a grievous passion and then relenting Pearly tears trickled from her Eyes considering if she yielded how much it would turn to her dishonour and if she refused how much she must trouble and afflict the bravest Prince on Earth at other times she considered she was his Subject and in his power and knew not to what force his wild passion might carry him yet tender and careful of her chasttiy and honour in the end she returned him this answer The COUNTESSES Answer My Soveraign COuld you but conceive what trouble and disturbance Your Letter has wrought in my mind you would cease to afflict me who so highly Honour you in all Virtuous ways but in this matter without a violation of my Honour cannot Condescend to pleasure you Consider you are Marryed to a Chast and Virtuous Queen who Loves and Honours you how then can you stray from the Rules of that virtue you have ever Exercised and Encouraged in others to harbour thoughts in your Royal Breast of wronging her Bed Cease then great Sir to persecute me with your Love that cannot be Lawfully returned lay aside your passion and be again your self I am indeed your subject and you may indeed command my life and fortunes but not in a Dishonourable way the spotting my innocency and Chastity the first of whic● I will always be ready to sacrifice to the preservation of the Latter So humbly Entreating you to consider and weigh these things I remain your much afflicted Subject and Servant Salisbury The King upon Receipt of this Letter was not a little Abashed tormenting himself for a time thus to be Repulsed but casting many things in his mind at length he Concluded time and Rich presents might overcome her Womanish fears and scruples rendering her more tractable and in this business he trusted his faithful Confident the Lo●d Montaone Brother in Law to the Countess who Ignorant of the King's main intentions so solicited his Fair Sister that he brought her to Court in Honour of whose presence the King caused Magnificent Sports and Pastimes and at last won so much upon her as to dance with him when in the end of the Dance a Blew Ribbon which she had for her Garter falling off the King stooped and took it up at which the Countess blushed and the Nobles smiled whereat the King said Honi Soit Qui Male Panse evil be to him that evil thinketh Vowing that e'er long the greatest of them should do Honour to that silken tye and having Created his Son Edward the Black Prince so called from his terrible deeds in War Prince of Wales he Established the Order of the Garter Confining the number to 26 of which himself and his Successors were Soveraigns which Order is Yearly Solemnized with Princely Magnificence in the Kings Castle at Windsor But now to pass from Love again to Arms we find the Drums rattling and the Trumpets sounding to War great Armys prepared on either side and the Earl of Darby Landed with the King's Forces in Gascoin where they drove the French Army before them and took many Citys Towns and Castles subduing almost all that large Province in small time But now come I to speak of the black Prince that honour of virtue and Valour more particularly than I have done CHAP. II. The Birth of the Renowned and Victorious Black what progedies and wonders then happened presaning his greatness His forward valour and activity in his young days His first wars under his Father in France and the great advantages that ensued How King Edward Challenged the French King and on what account he refused it with other matters PRince Edward Sirnaned for his Valorous Actions so much spoken of throughout the world the Black Prince was born at Greenwich the 14th of May 1336 being the Eldest Son of King Edward the Third and His beautious Queen Phillip● Daughter to the Carl of Hanault at his birth a blazing Star appeared with a fiery tail like a bloody Sword pointing towards France at South East and bringing a terror upon the world the Sea overflowed its banks in many places and retiring again left strange Monsterous Fifth on the Shore the like never having béen seen on our coast In Devonshire Armys were

on that Province that the French venumed with fear grew heartless so that a great number of Towns and Castles fell into his hands making little or no Resistance This made the new King John hasten his Army into the field in hopes to stop the Torrent not doubting to oppress the Prince whose Army consisted not of above ten or twelve thousand men with his bu●key numbers and so accompanyed with Philip his youngest son he Marched forward towards Poictiers where the English army lay and were preparing to Receive him and the Battel soon began with great fury as for the French King he had devided his Army into four Battels who as it was rheir turns or lots came and fought with much Valour but little skill for the thick shot of the English Arrows gauling unmiserably their large Horses they ●ouncing threw their Riders so that they would brook no Rule This soon put their Chavalry into disorder and they rushing in that confused manner soon broke the array of their own foot so that such as were unhorsed or down were troden to Death by thei● own friends who were not able to relieve them and such as would have p●essed forward to make proof of their Valour were driven back by those that retired from the fury of the English Shot and such as did recoile were stoped and hindred from flyng to stand the fairer Marks to our Archers However the french kings own Battel which was better ordered than the rest furiously encountred the Battel the Prince led who performed rare and wonderful feats of Chivalry which to the utmost of their power they encreased being animated thereto by the valour and fortitude of their king who exceeded all his Nobles in the Action that day But the Black Prince and his Battel which was so well marshalled that no disorder troubled it used prowess with undaunted spirits each striving to excell in seats of Army that the French-men were not able to stand long before them for the Prince inspired by the love of his fair Mistress that she might be the more charmed with his Fame had vowed e're the Battel begun he would that day acquit himself like a valiant knight and he performed it to a wonder scarce credible fighting amongst the thickest Troops and beating down his Enemies before him where ever he came So that after a bloody fight the Frency gave way falling into a strange disord●r fled being so violently pursued that the ●attel in which their King and Philip his Son fought being opu●ed the Englishmen entered killing and and b●ating down all before so that a lament●ble cry arose th●oughout the French Host where Sir Denis Morbeck took the King his Son p●isoners to whom ten other Gentlemen layd claime Alledging m to be thei● p●isoner so that he was pulled about and very roughly used till the Black P●ince came up and caused their rage to cease Commanding on pa●n o● Death that none should inspire the King or his Son giving them comfortable wo●ds and with great Re●ere●c● bowed ●im●elf before him which much revived his heavy spirits and that da● feasted him and his Son waiting himself ●t the Table Lodged him in his own bed provided for ●im ●o●ourable attendance and suppl●ed him with all things that wer● wanting so that King John said never pri●on●r met wi●● so Noble and Corteous a Conqueror and he thought him●el● happy in ●●ll●●g into such hands since the fortune of war had d●clared agai●●●●im In this Battle a great number of the French F●●bility and ●entry were slain and above ten thousand common Soldier●●●re were taken Prissoners seventeen Earls th●●ce as many Barons and so great a number of Knights and Gentlemen of Note that 〈◊〉 English Soldier who had fewest Prisoners had two all which tog●th●r ●ith the spoils of the field the Prince freely gave them who ●a● v●●●●ntly won them by their swords so that there was not a poor man in the Army but every one of them had as much Gold Silver Plate Iewels c. as gave him full satisfaction for the Effusion of 〈◊〉 blood he lost and hereupon the Prince marched with his Prisoners to Burdeaux There he went to king Edward has Father to give him an account of his Victory and Success which ●●●●ed not only a rejoycing in the king but in all English-men nor was wa●ting to send a ●erticular Letter to his fa●● Mistress t●e Earl of Kents Daughter who often be-dewed her Rosie Cheeks with Tears for his Absince and the Danger he exposed him to The words were these Fairest of Creatures whom amidst Triumphs and Arms I let you by this know that fortune has favoured me with Success over the Enemies of my Country and has been kind to let me reap fresh Lawrels with my sword that at my return I might lay them at your feet which shall be as speedy as the Great Affairs I have in hand will permit in the mean time not doubting your Constancy and Love which can only make me Happy on Earth I am Your Faithful and Obedient Servant Edward The fair Lady receiving this Letter kissed it a thousand times and in reading wet it with tears of Ioy that flowed from her lovely Eyes bowing eternal Love and Constancy to the Mirror of Virtue and Valour wish his speedy Return and praying for his Safty writing a very loving Answer to him and praising the Greatness of his Courage yet earnestly intreating him if he had any tender Compassion of her Life that was now bound up in his he would not too far Expose himself to hazard himself among the swords of his Enemies for Fate as GOD forbid should destine his Fall in the Noble Strife she must remain the most miserable Creature on Earth the poor remoinder of her Days The Prince received this Assurance of his Mistresses Love with great joy and to Comfort her hasted the sooner into England with his Royal Prisoners where he was highly welcomed by the King Queen and all the Nobility with the general Acclamations of the People and the Savoy was richly furnished for the French King and Nobles where for a time he was Royally Entertained and then removed to the Castle of Windsor where he had the liberty of Hawk●ng Hunting with such Sparts and Pastimes as he desired the king of England and the Black Prince frequently visiting him to his great contentment which noble Vsage begat a lasting Love and Amity between them And the Prince impatient to delay his intended Marriage taking the king his Father in a good humour after discoursing many Affairs fell on his knees and humbly besought him for all the toyls and hazards he had undertaken to grant him one suit or request without naming it The king hereupon gently raising him said Fair Son I know your virtues duty and modesty so great that will demand nothing but what is honourable if I would resign my Crown I know you would not Accept it while I live and there is nothing else but you may