AN Epitome of Frossard OR A Summarie Collection of the most memorable Histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the State of England and France Wherin the famous Warres and Conquests of king Edward the third with the honorable atchieuements of the Blacke Prince and other his sonnes both in Fraunce Spaine and Portugall are compendiously described Entermixed with other historicall occurrents of those times very worthy and profitable to be had in remembrance Compiled in Latine by Iohn Sleydane and translated into English By P. Golding AT LONDON ⧠Printed by Tho Purfoot for Per Golding 1608. ¶ Cum Priuilegio An Epitome of Frossard OR A summarie collection of the most memorable histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the state of England and Fraunce The first Booke PHillip surnamed the faire King of Fraunce had three Sonnes Lewis Phillip and Charles and one daughter The two eldest succeeding one another and deceasing without issue left the kingdome by descent to their brother Charles This Charles had a Sonne but he dyed very young during the life of his Father The daughter of King Phillip and sister to Charles was married to Edward the second King of England who begat of her a Sonne named Edward of whose most noble disposition stout courage and princely vertues honourable mention is made in many places of this worke There is a saying in Homer that Children for the most part prooue worse then their parents seldome any better but in this King it fell out otherwise For his father was a man of euill disposition much giuen to ryot and excesse and greatly led by sicophants and flatterers of which sort the principall were twoo Noble men of the house of the Spencers These so bewitched the Kings minde that by their counsell and instigation hee put to death some twoo and twenty of the chiefest Barons of England and not so contented banished also his Wife and her Son wholy out of the Realme But the Queene at length through the assistance of her faithfull friends beeing brought backe with her Sonne into England not onlye exacted most seuere punishment vppon those flatterers the Father and the Son but further for diuers graue and weighty considerations by authority of Parliament remooued her husband from ruling the state as a person vnfit for gouernment and restrained him to safe custodie Which done the worthy Prince Edward a most vertuous Son of a most vitious Father who before had liued in exile with his Mother as is already declared was crowned King of England at London by the name of Edward the Third in the Sixteenth yeare of his age and the yeare of our Lord 1326. He tooke to Wife Phillip the daughter of William Earle of Henault and Holland whome he had formerly begun to fancy amongst the rest of her Sisters at such time as he came with his mother as a banished person out of England into Henault But the Peeres of Fraunce after the death of King Charles would in no wise admit his Sister matched to the King of England to the succession of the crowne because it was now of old receiued as a custome in that country not to leaue the charge of so great a Kingdome to bee mannaged by the discretion of women Wherevppon they likewise renounced Edward the Third her Sonne and Grand-childe to King Phillip as descending of the female line and so with one consent they gaue the scepter and soueraignty to Phillip of Valoys cousen germain to King Phillip deceased Vppon this occasion ensued most cruell warres and bitter enmity Edward the Third presuming that he had more rightfull interest and a better title to the kingdome of Fraunce then Phillip of Valoys And to further this quarrell it so fell out that a certain Noble man of great account called Robert of Artoys one who had been long of singuler respect and estimation with King Phillip at length falling in his disfauor was banished the Court and could be suffered to rest in no place by reason of the kings displeasure This man after many wandrings at last arriued in England where hee found quiet harbour and abiding and being by the King entertained as a counsellor ceased not by his perswasions to prouoke and stirre him vp to armes against the French King King Edward purposing to warre vppon Phillip sollicited the frendshippe of the Flemmings at that time remaining scarce in due obedience of their Lord whereof the French King hauing intelligence by the helpe of the Earle of Flanders thē soiourning in his Court he procured certain places of Flaunders to bee fortified where the English men must of necessity passe when they should come into Fraunce The King of England sent his forces against them and in a pitched field the Flemmings were ouer throwne and chased And further for the better dispatch of his affaires and to compasse the fauour of the Germaine Princes the King of England came himselfe to Antwerpe where he entred into a league of amitie with the Dukes of Gelders and Iuliers the Archbishop of Colen and diuers others And that the Emperour should take no offence thereat it was concluded the Duke of Iuliers should be addressed vnto him in the name of the King of England and the rest to acquainte him with these proceedings The Emperour was so farre from dislike of the matter that he also created the King of England Lievetenant Generall of the Romaine Empire The chiefe cause why Lewis of Bauier the Emperour so highly honoured the King of England was for that he hoped during the tumults of the warres hee might happily take some opportunity to recouer againe the Citie of Cambray which being indeed a Citie imperiall was notwithstanding with-holden from him by the French men The French King in the meane while contracted a league with Dauid King of Scottes who for the same purpose came with his Wife to Paris Hee sent also a power into Scotland to molest the English at home that thereby their forces might be more weakened and the King of Englands puissance abated The King of England proceeding in his purpose with the power of his confederates besieged Cambray to recouer it againe to the Empire But the Citie was so well prouided both of munition and victuall that hee attempted it in vaine wherefore abandoning the siege hee passed with his forces into Fraunce Assoone as the English army was entred into Fraunce the Earle of Henault who of late succeeded in the roome of his deceased Father and had been present at the siege of Cambray as a matter of dutye in regard it concerned the Empire refused now any longer to serue the King of England for feare of displeasing the French King because hee thought that in this warre the King of England rather intended his own busines then the affaires of the Empire The French King at such time as his enemies forces were aduanced against him and that the armyes on both sides stoode ready raunged in order of battell
albeit hee had a farre greater power then the King of England as hauing in his armye aboue an hundreth thousand men yet notwithstanding partly perswaded by his Lords but principally terrifyed by the letters of Robert King of Sicill his neere kinseman an excellent Astronomer hee withdrew himselfe and departed without giuing battell And so the King of England returned into Braband and the French King into his own Country much displeased with himselfe that he had refused to fight The King of England shortly after being well assured of the faithfulnes of his confederates passed ouer into his own kingdome About this time in the Citie of Gaunt a certaine person of the baser sort named Jaques of Arteuill purchased himselfe such estimation among the commons that in continuance of time there was none able to withstand his bold attempts no not the Earle of Flaunders himselfe The King of England to procure the good will of the Flemmings allyed this fellow vnto him as one that might affoord him much helpe in his warres hereafter Of this Iaques henceforth we shall often haue occasion to make mention The King of England before hee returned into his owne conntrey as is a little before declared had obtained a grant of the Flemmings to ayde him in his warres whereby himselfe might not onely assayle his enemie with the greater force but they also recouer their lost towns as Lisle Tourney and certaine others holden at that time by the French But the Flemmings pretended great difficulty in the matter before they would conclude this league with the English For they had formerly couenanted with the French King and bound themselues vppon the forfeiture of twenty hundreth thousand crownes neuer to beare armes against the King of Fraunce and these conditions were ratified by the Bishop of Rome Hereupon they perswaded the King of England to take vpon him the armes and stile of the Realme of Fraunce and in so doing they thought themselues discharged of their oath The King after much deliberation condiscended to their requests and so the league was established betweene them The French King hauing intelligence of the matter practised with the Flemmings by some friends of his as it were in the name of the Pope to forsake the King of England and adhere to him againe adding large promises of great reward all which notwithstanding they refused wherevppon presently ensued the Popes thunderbolt It made the Flemmings shrewdly affraid but the King of England so encouraged and hartened them by letters and messengers that they brookt the matter with the better patience Then beganne the warres to growe hot between the Flemmings and French men and the King of Fraunce sent his eldest Sonne as Generall who with a puissant Armye marched through the country euen as farre as Henault Whilste William Earle of Henault for the establishing of his affayres trauailed first into England and afterward to Lewis the Emperour the French men in his absence did meruaillously afflict his country by making continuall incursions vpon it But the Earle at his returne out of Germanie hauing associated himselfe with the King of England the Emperour and diuers Princes of the Netherlands raysed a mighty power and being also ayded by him who in a manner had the hearts of the Flemmings at commaund I meane Iaques of Artevile enforced his enemies to retyre So the Armyes on both sides being prepared to fight the Earle of Henault was very desirous to come to the encounter but the Duke of Braband was of another opinion and with weightie reasons disswaded him from hazarding the battaile till such time as the King of England were returned whome they accounted as Generall of this warre Assoone as the French King vnderstood the King of England was departed into his owne countrey he gaue commaundement that a fleete of Shippes should presently bee rigged and put forth to Sea to attend his comming backe and then to assayle him with great violence and bend all their forces to empeach his landing But the King of England encountring them in his passage put them valiantly to the worse and with fortunes fauourable assistance arriued safely in Flaunders Robert King of Sicill of whome wee haue formerly spoken foreseeing by the Art of Astrologie that the kingdome of Fraunce should sustaine great dammage by the English men for the great affection he bare to that Realme trauailed himselfe to Auinion and there made earnest sute to the Pope and Colledge of Cardinalls that they would set an attonement betweene those twoo puissant Princes They promised to employ their endeuours so the mindes of the kings were disposed according About this time the Brabanders Flemmings and Henowaies entred into a most strict league among themselues in such sort that if any of those countryes should happen to be molested with warre or afflicted by any other meanes the rest were bound to succour and assist them And if any dissention or variance chaunced they should arbitrate the matter among themselues or else if the case were such that they could not decyde it then it should bee determined by the discretion of the King of England into whose hands they were all sworne to put the controuersie and to abide by his arbitriment The King of England associated with the ayd of his confederates besieged Tourney with a strong army Many assaults were giuen but they preuailed not by reason of the valiant defence made by the Townsemen who were furnished throughly aforehand both with men and all thinges needefull to offend the enemye by commaundement from the French King who was ptiuie to a great part of the deuises and consultations among his enemies During the siege before Tourney the French King sending certain companies into Scotland ernestly entreated the captains left there in Garrison for the safty of their country by King Dauid to make some invasion vppon the English that by this meanes his enemie might bee enforced to rayse his siege and returne for the defence of his own country promising moreouer that he would send them store of souldiers whose seruice they might employ in that action The Scots stoutly vndertaking the matter wonne certain holdes and much endammaged their enemy The French King in the meane while levied a great armye to rayse the siege before Tourney There came to his ayde Charles King of Boheme the Dukes of Burgoine Britaine Burbon and Loraine the Earles of Bar Sauoy Geneua Alauson and Flaunders And besides these the kings of Nauarre and Scotland the one as confederate the other as feudarie to the crowne of Fraunce That the Earle of Flaunders followed the French King as we haue declared whilste the Flemmings tooke part with the English let it not seeme straunge to any for thus standeth the case This Iaques of Arteuill whome we spake of before was become so popular and growne to such authoritie amongst the commons that the Earle himselfe could finde no safe abyding in his own country but was constrained for that cause to commit
noble man of so small account which will bestowe his daughter with you in marriage you haue so spent consumed your means and set your selfe so exceedingly in debt But there is a rich merchant Bertold of Machline which you know hath but one only daughter to whome in expectation of her large dowry many great Lords haue beene suters You cannot make a better match for your selfe than to seize vpon such a booty You shall do well therefore to make this offer to her father that if hee will vndertake with his mony to redeeme those townes and castles which you haue pawned to your creditors and withall be conteÌ„ted to release such bonds of debt as he hath of yours already in consideration hereof you will take his daughter to wife This counsell was well accepted of the Earle and so he sent one to make the motion When Bertold had receiued the message his answere was this that he should hold it a great honour both to himselfe and all his house if his daughter might seem worthy to be matched with such a husband the respects which he thought moued the Earle to desire it were that he might be discharged froÌ„ the danger of his creditors and possesse his owne without controlment Therefore he was well content to proceede with the marriage and dislikte not of the conditions profered so as these likewise for his part might be added that if it fortuned the Earle to dye first leauing no issue then all his possessions to remaine entirely to his wife during her life And if it happened her to die first leauing issue by the Earle that then her children should be admitted to their fathers inheritance and not be debarred of their fortune though he should afterward marry a woman of more honourable birth and haue issue by her also These conditions being accepted Marie the daughter of Bertold was marryed to the Earle of Gelders and the fourth yeere after deceased leauing issue by her husband one daughter named Isabell After her decease the Earle married againe Isabell sister to that most worthy prudent Prince Edward King of England by whom he had two sonnes Reignold and Edward and one daughter called Ioane It fortuned both the Reignolds as wel the father as the son deceased Edward tooke to wife a daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and afterwards in a battell against Wenceslaus Duke of Braband was wounded to death and departed without issue Ioane therefore after the death of her brothers presumed the inheritance should be hers but Isabell which was descended of the first marriage maintained the contrary affirming that herselfe only had rightfull interest in the succession This Isabell was ioyned in marriage to Iohn of Bloys who had much alteration with his aduersaries about the inheritance and great contention was like to haue growne betweene them so farre forth as the matter had surely come to tryall of the sword but that by his wiues departure in the mean season the controuersie was decided Then Ioane which was now the onely and vndoubted heyre of her father being married to William Marques of Iuliers bare to him a son called after his fathers name William This William made Duke of Gelders in the right of his mother tooke to wife the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier the same which had beene formerly espoused to Edward of Gelders his vnele but by reason of her tender yeeres remaining still a mayden widdowe Reignold Earle of Gelders which marryed the king of Englands sister in regard of his great league and allyance with King Edward was highly fauoured by Lewis of Bauier then Emperour in so much that he aduanced both him and the Marquesse of Iuliers to a higher degree of honour and created them both Dukes Now the occasion why this William the young Duke of Gelders made defiance to the French King was both because he bare good affection to the king of Engand to whoÌ„ he was alyed be faith and homage and also for that Wenceslaus Duke of Braband whom he exceedingly hated was confederate with the French men The cause of his hatred against the Duke of Braband was this Reignold which marryed first Mary of Machline and afterward king Edwards sister being a man beyond all measure prodigall morgaged three Castles to the Earle of Morse a rich Lord in Germany for a great sum of money â—he Earle a long while after seeing his debter vnable to redeeme his pledge solde the castles to Wenceslaus Duke of Braband After the death of Reignold Edward his sonne addressing letters to Wenceslaus requested to haue the Castles againe and he would repay him all the money that he had disbursed Which when Wenceslaus absolutely refused preparation was made for waries which doubtles should haue bene the conclusion but that by intreatie of the Duke of Iuliers and Albert of Bauier the matter for that time was compounded The same yeere Charles the Emperour appointed his brother Wenceslaus as publik protectour of the high waies for the punishment of theeues and robbers that people might passe quietly from one place to another Now it fortuned that certaine merchants of Flaunders and Braband as they trauelled about their affaires into Germany were robbed of their money spoyled of all their goods in the country of Iuliers through which they made their journey It was reported that the offenders were receiued and fostered by the Duke of Iuliers who as many more besides himselfe was thought to repine at the giuing of so great an honour to Duke Wenceslaus The poore merchants that sustained the losse made grieuous complaint to him which had the charge of redressing such enormities who thereuppon directing friendly letters to the Duke of Iuliers preuailed so little that he might plainly perceiue he rather desired warre then peace Wenceslaus therefore least the suffering of such disorders to escape vnpunished should bring the authority of his office in contempt leuyed an army The Duke of Iuliers did the like was ayded by Edward Duke of Gâ—lders The battell was fought in Iuliers with great fiercenesse on both sides but the Brabanders were discoÌ„fited and put to flight and amongst others the Duke himselfe also taken prisoner Edward Duke of Gelders was likewise mortally wounded and dyed of the same When the Dutchesse of Braband heard tidings of her husbands captiuity by aduise of the French King she resorted to the Emperour at Confluence who vppon her complaint being moued with his brothers misfortune prepared sharp warres against the Duke of Iuliers intending to haue made a notable spoile and destruction of his country had he not bene pacifyed by the Princes electors who thought it would be an ill president that a fellowe of the Empire should be so oppressed The Duke therefore being by their meanes brought before the Emperors presence when he had voluntarily discharged his prisoner after sharpe reprehension he was againe reconciled and restored to the Emperours fauour Within fewe yeeres after dyed Wenceslaus
to succour the Lady Mountfort The Englishmen were entertained with great applause at Bayon and Burdeaux Afterward laying siege to Bergerat a towne neere the riuer Gerond they receiued the townsemen to mercy the English Captaine taking their othe of fidelitie in the name of the King his Master They tooke many other places also partly by composition partlie by force of armes Amongst other they wonne the Castle of Auberoch a place notably fortified and leauing there a Garrison to defend it the English Captaine returned againe with the rest of his army to Burdeaux In the meane while the French men to the number of twelue thousand besieged the same Castle againe verie streytly and put the souldiers there in Garrison to great distresse But the English Captaine at Burdeaux hauing intelligence thereof assembled some nine hundreth men and in an euening when the French men were to supperward brake suddainelie out of a wood and charged so resolutely vppon them that he put them to discomfiture and in the chace tooke diuers prisoners their Captaine for one being sore wounded whome the people in those partes had in such estimation as if he had beene a Prince As the English men lay in leaguer before a certaine Castle the souldiers put their Captaine in holde because he refused to yeeld it vp to the enemy and would by no meanes graunt his liberty but vppon consent to their request In the end he consented and afterward comming to Tholouse was there arrained of treason and hanged vppon a gibbet for his labour The towne of Rioll was likewise rendered into the Englishmens handes but the Castle was still maintained by the Captaine The Englishmen therefore drew a mine ouerthrew a great part of it to the ground then the captaine considering his imminent perill abandoned the place and left the Castle to the English They also receiued Angolesme by composition after a moneths respit which the townsemen had requested vppon hope to be releeued in the meane time by the French King It is formerly tolde you of Iaques de Arteuill how he was growne so great among the Flemmings that the Earle himselfe could haue no safe recourse into his own country But at length hee receiued the iuste reward of a seditious rebell He had giuen great hope to the King of England that hee would procure the whole countrey of Flaunders by generall consent to accept him for their soueraigne And for accomplishment hereof the King of England with a well furnished nauie arriued in the hauen of Flaunders The matter was propounded to the commons and all for the most part seemed well affected to the King of England But the Gauntoys tooke this practise in meruailous ill part and when Iaques returned into the Citle they entertained him nothing so kindly as they were wont but besetting the house where he was brake open the dores vppon him and slew him as he thought to haue escaped at a posterne Amongst other Articles wherewith they charged him this also was a principall point that he had priuately conueyed all the common treasure ouer to the King of England The Earle of Flaunders moreouer had but one onelie sonne About the same time William Earle of Henault sayling with great assistance into Friseland pretending himselfe to be rightfull Lord of that country was himselfe there slaine in battell with diuers of his nobilitie After his death Margaret Princesse of Henault and wife to Lewis of Bavier the Emperour tooke possession of this Earledome The French King was very desirous to draw vnto his partie one Sir Iohn of Henault a worthy Gentleman and a gallant souldier who had formerly done great seruice to the King of England The matter was attempted by diuers meanes and when no other would take effect this devise was put in practise to insinuate into his conceit that the King of England had a purpose to withdrawe from him his pensions and yeerely entertainments He gaue such credit to this report that forthwith he wholy estranged himselfe from the King of England and yeelded his seruice to the French King When the French King vnderstood that the Englishmen wasted Aquitaine and had wonne many townes and fortresses there he levied his forces amounting to the number of an hundreth thousand men Ouer this armie he appointed his Sonne John Duke of Normandy to be Lievetenant Generall To the French kings ayde came Odet Duke of Burgundy with his Sonne Phillip Earle of Artoys and Boloine both of them excellently well accomplished for the warr They recouered the towne of Angolesme laid siege to the castle of Aguillion gotten before by the Englishmen vppon composition then which there was not a stronger nor better fortified in those quarters The winning thereof was by sundry meanes attempted But it is incredible to beleeue with what courage and resolution the Englishmen that laye there in Garrison defended themselues The French King being aduertised thereof and demaunded what his pleasure was to be done in the matter returned answere to his Sonne that he should continue his siege till necessitie of hunger constrained them to yeeld The King of England vnderstanding in what distresse his men were raysed in continently a power of fourteen thousand souldiers He was accompained amongst other with his Son Edward Prince of Wales and a certain French Gentleman called Godfrey of Harecourt who being expulsed his country by the French King fled to the King of England for safegard of himselfe and reuenge of his iniuries for the French King had seized vppon all his possessions This Godfrey was the cause that the King of England directed his course into Normandy being otherwise purposed to sayle into Aquitaine He diuided his Armie into three partes whereof two raunged along the sea coast wasting the fields sacking diuers townes and leading away their prisoners least afterward they might gather to a head and worke them some displeasure The third wherein was the King himselfe marched through the maine land making hauocke of all things and euery night they mette all together againe at the kings campe The French King in the meane time caused such an armie to be raised as a more puissant had not beene seene in Fraunce of many yeeres Letters were also addressed to the King of Bohemia for ayde who at that time highly fauoured the French King The Englishmen tooke a very rich towne in Normandy called Saint Lupes and afterward hastened to the siege of another much richer called Caē borrowing that name of the riuer running by it The townsmen were purposed to haue giuen battell to the Englishmen in the field but being people vnexperienced in armes at the first fight of the enemie they fled backe again into the towne The French captaines had betaken themselues to their fortresses but beholding the huge slaughter made in the Citie for the Englishmen had taken it they yeelded Amongst other prisoners the Constable was one whome with the rest which were taken in his company the
towne as the castle with all the territory thereto belonging Also Calice and many other places besides whereof as the number is great so the rehersall would be tedious Item that the king of Fraunce should renounce his title to all these and release all fealtie and right which he his heires or successors might by any meanes clayme therein that the king of England should hold them all frankly and freely without acknowledgment of any homage or superiority to the king of Fraunce or his successors in that behalfe Item that the king of England should againe for himselfe his heires and successors disclaime all title right and interest which eyther hee or his posteritie might pretend to the crowne of France Item that he should resigne all the portion which he challenged in the Dukedomes of Normandy Aniow and Turon also all his right to Britaine These and many other articles described more at large in my author both the Kings and their sonnes were solemnly sworne to obserue And for further assurance the French King gaue in hostage the Dukes of Orleance Aniow Berry Burbon besides some twelue Earles and Barons and diuerse personages of good account sent particularly from all the chiefe Citties of Fraunce These being all conveyed to London the French king was set at libertie and returned againe to Paris to the great reioycement of his subiects Immediately vpon his returne he directed forth letters to all his officers Lievetenants and Captaines to avoyd out of all such Townes Castles and holds as hee had departed withall to the King of England But it is wonderfull to report with what vnwillingnesse they all for the most part obayed this commandement for it seemed a very strange and difficult matter for them to vndergoe the yoke and subiection of the English But the French King beeing a iust and vertuous Prince would for no respect infringe his oath or swarue from his covenants Therfore he gaue commaund that all things should bee performed according to the expresse tenor of the agreement In like manner the King of England sent commissioners to surrender againe certaine Castles and holdes taken in the warres into the French kings possession When the townes and fortresses were in this sort delivered the soldiers which had now accustomed themselues so long time together to liue vpon spoyle and pillage considering that in regard of the wicked acts they had formerly committed it would bee little for their profit and lesse for their safetie to returne home againe determined from thenceforth to seeke their fortunes And thereupon assembling themselues together they ranged through Champaine and the places adioyning wasting and destroying all things before them and as it commonly falleth out their number daily encreased The French king beeing informed of their mischieuous proceedings sent Iaques of Burbon against them with an armie He found them encamped vppon a very high hill the scituation wherof was such that it was impossible to take any perfect view of their forces being indeed some sixteen thousand they appeared to his scouts not aboue 5000. When it came to the encouÌ„ter it was fiercely fought on both sides but fortune inclined to the worser party Many gallant gentlemen perished in this conflict the Duke of Burbon himselfe with Peter his eldest Son were verie sore wounded and being conveyed to Lyons died within three daies after When these villaines had obtained this victorie they tooke their waie directly towards Avinion at whose approche the Pope and his colledge of Cardinals were not a little affrighted for such was both their courage and their crueltie that no man durst oppose himselfe against them Neuerthelesse the Pope and his Cardinalls being thus driuen to their shifts and hauing no other meanes to represse this mutinous multitude to whome no mischiefe came amisse commaunded a croysie to be preached against them with a graunt of cleere remission of all their sinnes which tooke it vppon them Many assembled but when there was no mention of pay they shrunke away euery one The very same time the Marques of Mountferrat made warre vppon the Duke of Millaine The Pope therefore practised with him to lead away this rebellious rebell into Lumbardie And euen so it fell out for when the Pope and Cardinalls had paied them threescore thousand crownes and that the Marques also had promised them entertainment besides they followed him and did him good seruice in his warres The french King passed through the Dukedome of Burgundy which was then lately fallen to him by the death of the younger Duke towards Avmion to visite the Pope who in short space after deceassed And when they could not determine vpon a new election by reason of the inordinate strife which was chiefelie betweene twoo contending for the papacie at length a certaine abbot of Saint Victors in Marseilles a learned and godlie man was chosen and from thenceforth called Pope Vrbane The King of Ciprus the same time arriued at Avinion and made earnest intercession to the Pope and the french King for the vndertaking of an expedition against the Saracens and other enemies of the christian faith The Pope promised his furtherance and in a publike assembly propounded the matter Wherevppon the french King with a great part of his nobility tooke vpon them the signe of the crosse Afterward the King of Ciprus trauelled into Bohemia to the Emperour and from thence through Germante Brabant and Flaunders he came into England making the like petition to King Edward but he honourably excused himselfe Out of England he returned vnto Amience where the french King then soiourned and after that he repaired into Gascoine to the Prince of Wales who about the same time had a Son borne named Edward The noble men that were left in hostage for the french King began to grow discontented for the long restraint of their liberty and king Edward being of a gentle and curteous disposition had giuen them leaue to go ouer to Calice as well to recreate and refresh their mindes as also that from thence being so neere Fraunce they might the more commodiously dispose of their affaires in their owne countrey They sent oftentimes to the King and the Duke of Normandy his Sonne But the King was so busied about the preparation of his voyage against the Saâ—acens withall so troubled by the King of Navarre who still continued in armes against him that he could not convenientlie intend to dispatch them By meanes whereof it came to passe that the Duke of Aniow the kings Sonne leaving the rest of his felow pledges returned againe into Fraunce The french King had a mervailous desire to see the King of England againe because he had so honourably entreated him whilste he was his prisoner He was counselled to the contrary notwithstanding he still persisted in his purpose and so much the rather for that he would excuse his Sonne for departing without licence So he went and was entertained very royally But not long after
This tyrant in regard of the manifold crimes whereof he was often accused before the Pope had already prouoked all mens hatred against him Pope Vrbane therefore vppon good consideration sent for this bastard Henrie and Peter King of Arragon who was at continuall enmity with the tyrant as one that had bereft him of diuers Lordships to come before him at Avinion There Henrie the bastard was made legittimate and denounced King of Castile the tyrant being first excommunicate after desposed The King of Arragon promised free passage through his country and prouision of victualles to such armies as should be conducted into Castile against the tyrant intending also by the helpe of those forces to recouer his owne losses To this expedition resorted many honourable personages and by this meanes those souldiers that had so long annoyed the realme of Fraunce were conveyed into Castile The tyrant having intelligence of the armie that was comming against him betooke himselfe to flight with his wife his two daughters and one noble man onlie For he was so hated of the commons that not one of them would take armes in his defence so he was forsaken and left destitute of all men And Henrie the bastard arriving in Castile with great ioye and generall applause of the people tooke vppon him the administration of the kingdome After his coronation when he had received the othe of allegeance from the most part of the Nobilitie and Cities of the realme the noble men by whose ayde he had obtained the crowne tooke their leaues and departed for now all semed to be accomplished But he had not yet discharged those french make-shiftes because he purposed to make warre against the King of Granado The tyrant remaining in these perplexities by the aduise of that one noble man which attended him addressed letters to the Prince of Wales full of lamentable complaints concerning his misfortunes beseeching him to commiserate his estate and to releleeue him with succor Shortly after he himselfe not daring to trust his owne subiects repayred to Bayon The Princes counsell were of opinion that he ought not to be succoured in regard of his abhominable wickednesse and vngodly disposition nor that any daungerous enterprise should be vndertaken for his sake Contrarily the Prince iudged it an vnworthy thing that a bastard Sonne should vsurpe the inheritance of the crowne which was a very ill president and extended to the preiudice of other kings and princes Therefore when the tyrant came he receiued him courteously into the town of Burdeaux and promised him his assistance Neuerthelesse he sent inâ—… England to the King his Father declaring to him the whâ—… circumstance of the matter and requiring his couâ—… and direction concerning his proceedings The King of England in regard thâ—â— of long time before there had beene a league between 〈…〉 Spaniard and him encouraged his Sonne in the answâ—… of his letters to go forward with his purpose for the 〈…〉 him to his â—ing do 〈…〉 And so the iourney was 〈…〉 vppon betweene thâ—… But one thing was 〈…〉 in the waâ—… Their â—…assage lay through the King oSpanâ— varres country who had lately contracted amity with Henrie the newe King of Spaine Howbeit matters were so handled that a meeting was had at Bayon and vppon certaine conditions the King of Navarre was â—o well satisfyed that he promised all curtesy frendship and peace King Henrie being aduertised of these proceedings sent to the King of Fraunce forayd The Prince practised with the Captaines of those souldiers which before had been so troublesome to Fraunce now tooke paye of the Spaniard that they should forsake King Henries seruice and follow him There was about twelue thousand of them and as they were marching towards Gasâ—oine in the kingdome of Arragon they endured great distresse the wayes and passages being on all sides soreclosed and fortified Nevertheles they made way through all inconveniences and holding on their iourney till they came almost at Tholous they were receiued into Mount Albane a towne pertayning to the territory of Guyen The french men vnderstanding thereof besette the wayes rounde about that they might not issue foorth into Tholous or the places adioyning In conclusion it came to hand-strokes and the French men fought valiantly insomuch that they chased their enemies euen vnto the towne but by reason of the fresh supplies comming continually to their rescue in the end the French men were ouerthrowne and the greater part of them eyther slaine or taken prisoners In which number was the Earle of Provence who came at that time to ayde the men of Tholons and besides him diuerse others of great account both of Provence and Fraunce Hauing thus cleared their passage by the sword they proceeded to the end of their iourney The prince of Wales because he was loth to burden the people of Aquitaine with exactions for the maintenance of his soldiers borrowed no small some of money of his father besides that conuerted all his plate both gold and siluer into coyne Many prisoners as the custome is were discharged vpon their worde so was the Earle of Provence But Pope Vrbane for hatred he bare to those mutinous soldiers took vppon him to acquite the Earle of Provence and others that were set at liberty after the same manner from their ransoms so that they payd not one farthing but had a cleare dispensation from him of all bonds and obligations whatsoever Whilst the Prince was making preparation for the warres there arived at Burdeaux the King of Maiorica who made grievous complaint of the King of Arragon which had slain his father in prison at Barcelone and withheld all his possessions from him by force towards the reuenge of which iniuries and the recouerie of his inheritance he humbly implored the Princes ayd He had to wife the Queene of Naples The Prince vpon hearing of his complaint promised that so soone as he had finished this enterprise for Spaine he would vndertake his affaires and so bring to passe that either vppon reasonable conditions or by force of armes he should be restored to his kingdome Before the Prince set out from Burdeaux he had a sonne borne to whom the banished King of Maiorica was godfather He was named Richard and afterward came to be king of England Edward the Princes elder sonne being dead before his father In the beginning of Februarie the Prince departed from Burdeaux and within a little while after an vncertaine rumor was bruted abroad concerning the King of Navarre as if he had entred into a newe league with King Henry of Castile and that therevpon the Ptince and his Army shold be denyed passage through his country Herevpon letters were addressed to the King of Navarre who aduisedly alleadging the reasons that moued him withall declared his good affection to the Prince and the banished Tyrant The Prince marched with his army in three battels one following another the vauntgard was conducted by the Duke of
recovery of his helth and because he had taken part with his enemis apprehended him and detained him in prison for the space of certain yeeres after At length by the helpe of his friends and vppon the paiment of an hundreth thousand pistolets he procured his liberty and levying great forces against the king of Arragon the matter had surely come to a bloudy conclusion had he not againe fallen suddenly into a violent sicknes which in short space ended his life By this meanes therefore the occasion being taken away the warres ceassed Don Pietro the tyrant of Spaine whose history we haue discoursed already left behind him two daughters Constance Isabell whome certaine noble men of Spaine immediately vpon their fathers death conveyed by sea into Aquitaine The Duke of Lancaster by aduise and perswasion of his friends espoused Constance the elder of these sissters wherevnto he was the rather moved aswell in commiseration of the young Ladies miserie as in hope hereafter to obtaine the possession of their inheritance The King of Spaine having intelligence hereof fearing likewise that the King of Englands fift sonne would marry the other daughter addressed his ambassadors to the French King with whome he ioyned in most stedfast league of friendship the French King for his part promising him assured ayd against any enemy whatsoever and moreouer that he would never enter into other conditions of peace with the King of England but such as should be both to the honour and profit of the King of Spaine The Duke of Lancaster shortly after his marriage assembled the Lords of the country together and declaring to them his occasions and purpose of departure appointed such officers as should governe in his absence and departed with his wife into England King Edward vpon advisement with his counsell determined to send his sonne the Duke of Lancaster with an army into Picardy which wasting and destroying that country should from thence proceede forward into Fraunce Moreover he sent the Earle of Pembroke with another army into Aquitaine to make warre likewise in those parts that so the French men might not faile to haue their hands full on all sides But the French King hauing knowledge hereof by meanes of certaine English men that resorted vnto him forefortifyed with garrisons all places of Picardy and further vnderstanding by relation of those fugitives that the English fleete should arrive in Gascoigne he gave secret intelligence therof to the King of Spaine his new cōfederate The Spanyard performed the part of a friend sent 40 great Ships with thirteene others of lesse receyt well appointed to meete with the English men in their passage Not farre from Rochell the Spanish fleete encountred the English with great violence and the fight continued almost a whole day without intermission During which space the Rochellers stood like idle spectators beholding the conflict and being requested by their governors to helpe the English in their necessitie alleadged frivolous matters for excuse and refused For howsoever they dissembled outwardly to the worlde yet in their harts they vttterly abhorred the Englishmens government The next day they renewed their fight afresh and it was maintained with as great resolution as ever was any Notwithstanding in the end the Spaniards obtayned victory by reason that both in number of men and shipping and in the greatnesse of their vessells also they much overmatched the English Many were slaine and many taken prisoners amongst whom was the Earle of Pembroke himselfe and most part of the captaines in his fleete The ship likewise which carryed a great quantity of treasure for the maintayning of three thousand soldiers was swallowed vp in the sea After this battell was ended came a sufficient power out of Gascoigne to Rochell but it was too late when the matter had falne out so vnprosperously before Thus it came to passe that by little and little the King of England lost all his whole seigniory of Gascoigne the people partly rebelling and partly yeelding themselues willingly to his enemy Whilst these things passed there repaired to the French Kings court one Ivan the sonne of a certaine Brittish Lord making grevous complaint of great iniury done vnto him by the King of England both in causing his father Ammon Prince of Wales to be wrongfully put to death afterward in conferring the principalitie of the whole coūtry to his owne sonne Edward Vpon relation of his grevance the French King furnished him with a fleete of ships and some foure thousand men to serue him by whose helpe this Ivan entring into a certaine yland belonging to the English and comming to encounter with his enemies overthrew them in the field and put them to flight After which exploit he was recalled by the French King and sent into Spaine there to make provision of more Shippes that he might lay siege to the towne of Rochell This good successe of the French kings affaires both by the Spanyards and by Ivan gave him occasion to thinke that the rest of the English provinces would easily be brought to revolte especially if the English men should receive but another overthrowe or at leastwise be put to any extraordinary trouble or molestation Herevpon he sent the constable with a great power of the chiefest peeres of his kingdome to renewe the warres againe in his enemies countries Assoone as they came into the territory of Poytiers all the townes and castles thereabout rendred themselues into their subiection The townesmen of Poytiers being at variance among themselues addressed letters to the constable signifying their good affection toward him and earely in the next morning according to promise set open their gates to receive him into the cittie This example of the Poitevins diverse other townes tooke as a president for themselues to imitate In the meane while this Ivans whom we spake of before accompanied with the Spanish Admirall came with a well furnished navy out of Spaine and arrived at Rochell which towne notwithstanding sustained no damage at their hands because the townesmen hated the English and desired by all meanes to be againe vnder the French Kings government They had long since freed themselves from their forced subiection but that the English garrison which kept the castle held them alwaies in such awe as they durst never venter to put their purpose in execution At length contriving a stratageme politick enough for the time vnder pretence of taking a generall muster as well of the townesmen as of the garrison they allured the captaine who was a man of no great forecaste with all his company out of the hold Which done forthwith a great number of the townesmen breaking out from an ambush gaue assault to the forte and suddenly surprised it those fewe which made resistance being easily repressed The noble men of Fraunce were at the same time assembled at Poytiers and having intelligence hereof were desirous to be received by the Rochellers into
their towne Wherevnto they condiscended but vppon certaine conditions which were these 1. That it should be lawfull for the men of Rochell vtterly to race their Castle out of which they had often received so great displeasure and to lay it levell with the ground 2 That the French men should solemnely promise neverto erecte any castle there againe 3 And that Rochell from thenceforth should perpetually remaine a member of the crowne of Fraunce and never be alyenated to any other Lord by any possible meanes that might be devised according as times and states should happen to alter afterward When the King who was made acquainted with these proceedings by the Lords had confirmed and ratifyed these covenants Rochell became subiect again to the French and the revolting of this towne gave occasion to many other of their neighbours to doe the like The French kings captaines holding it discretion to follow their fortune vsed such industry that in short space they recovered all the territorie of Poytow and the country adioyning not without some helpe and furtherance from the Britons who were exceedingly inclined to the French King though their Lord wholly favoured the King of England as by whose meanes he had obtayned his Dukedome It happened not long after that the Englishmen immediately vppon their comming into Britaine burnt vp seaven great shippes of the King of Spaines as they lay there in harbour Herevppon suspicion arose that this matter was done by the Duke of Britaines consent and direction whereof the French king being advertised by certaine Lords of Britaine sent the Constable to make warres vppon the Duke and to conquer his country as one who had forseited his estate by entring into a league with the English men against him of whome he had received the investiture of his Dukedome and to whome as the custome is he had sworne homage and fealtie The Duke of Britaine in this extremitie distrusting his owne subiects fled into England And the Constable by the helpe of the Britons themselves brought much of the country in subiection David King of Scotland deceassed without issue and by right of succession the crowne descended to Robert It is said before that King Edward after his sonne the Duke of Lancaster was come with his wife into England had determined to send him ouer againe to make warres in Picardy But the matter was delayed For this yeere was the first time of his arrivall at Calice accompanied with the Duke of Britaine and thirteene thousand soldiers They raunged through a great part of Picardy putting all to fire and sword but they abstayned from besieging of townes for the French king had long before sufficiently strengthned them with garrisons And as they marched forward making havocke of all things the French army still followed without intermission notwithstanding they never came to ioyne battell but by intercession of the Popes legates a truce was taken and a time appointed for another meeting at Bruges in Flaunders there to treate of waightyer matters Before this truce was proclaymed the Duke of Britaine by the Englishmens ayd had recovered diverse places and was like to have gotten more had not the newes of this truce beene a stay to his proceedings Therfore discharging his army and leaving good garrisons in the places recovered he returned into England About the calends of November the ambassadors of both Kings repayred to Bruges that there by mediation of the Popes Legates they might treate of a marriage betweene Richard sonne to the Prince of Wales and Marie the French Kings daughter The matter was diversely debated but could not bee brought to any perfect conclusion Pope Gregorie taking offence thereat departed from Avinion and went to Rome About this time Prince Edward the King of Englands eldest sonne a most worthy and valiant gentleman ended his life at London After whose death king Edward assembling the rest of his sons and the nobilitie of his realme declared publikelie vnto them his purpose that Richard the sonne of his sonne deceassed should succeed in the inheritance of the kingdome And because he had long since imparted asmuch both to the noble men and the residue of his sonnes before he made his last voyage into Fraunce it was no hard matter to perswade them all to approve his determination and to confirme the same by oath Within a while after the King himselfe also departed this life not without great sorrowe of as many as knewe him for he was a Prince so renowmed that even the French King himselfe when he heard of his death gave this report that he thought him worthy to be numbred amongst the wisest of princes After his deceasse succeeded Richard his grand sonne according to his owne appointment in his life time and was crowned king of England the eleuenth yeere of his age Anno Dom. 1377. The Duke of Lancaster was chosen protectour and tooke vpon him the government of the realme during the kings minority who in the meane while was trayned vp vnder the instruction of a certaine noble man appoynted to that charge by generall election It is declared before how the French King the better to maintain his warres against England had made a league with the King of Navarre but it fell out afterward that two gentlemen of the house of Nauarre attending vppon the king of Navarres sonnes in the French court were had in suspition of giving poyson to the King Which fact when they had publickly confessed before the people they were put to execution for the same Immediately herevpon the French King sent an army into the sea coast of Normandy belonging to the King of Nauarre vnder the conduct of the Constable who easily subdued all that part of the country Besides this the King of Spaine the French kings new confederate made warre also vpon the King of Nauarre who beeing driuen to this distresse required ayd of Richard King of England of whome he accordingly obtayned it The Duke of Britaine remayning still in England made importunate suite to the young King from time to time for ayd but the king gaue alwaies a deaâ—e â—are to his request For the Duke of Lancaster aspiring to get that seigniory to himselfe assembled a power and sayled over into Britaine where he layd siege to certaine places but the French army wherof the Constable was generall compelled him to depart The second Booke IN the former booke is declared how the French men recouered a great parte of Aquitaine from the English There were many still notwithstanding in those places which stood stoutly for the King of England The Duke of Aniow therefore comming thither with an army subdued in a mannner all that euer remayned The Gascoignes had lately before sent into England for succour but by reason there was trouble and insuirection budding vp within the realme their sending was to none effect For the Duke of Lancaster who had all the authoritie in his hands was
much hated by the commons which afterward was the occasion of much mischiefe in England Thus when no forces came from thence to their rescue the Gascones destitute of all succour were constrayned to yeeld themselues to the enemie The French King being a wise and politicke prince held correspondence with all men which might stand him instead or from whome he expected any commoditie or furtherance considering therefore with himselfe how the king of England was yet vnder age and that trouble and part-taking were growing within the realme he sollicited Robert King of Scotland and put him often in remēbrance by his letters to make warre vppon the Englishmen now while so great opportunity was offered that being thereby busyed at home they might not haue so good leysure to passe ouer into Fraunce The scottish King moued with these instigations and partly of himselfe desirous to reuenge old iniuries especially whilste the King of England was yet in his nouage vppon consultation of the matter sent commaundement for the assembling of his people to meete him at a certaine time ready furnished and appointed for the warres vppon the borders of England and Scotland When they were come together a certaine Scottish Lord desirous to shew some proffe of his vasor and bold courage associating himselfe with some fewe others in the night season whilste the watch were all sleeping or negligēt without any great difficulty surprised the castle of Barwicke When the gouernour of the towne vnderstood it he gatherd together a company of the townsemen and early in the morning assoone as any daylight appeared first brake downe the bridge which was the onely passage to issue out and then environed the castle round about with a siege so straightly that it was impossible for his enemy to make any evasion The people of the country being also certified by him how the matter stood brought in ten thousand men to his ayde At the tydings whereof the Scottish men raised their campe to come and rescue their besieged companions But they were so terrified with the greatnes of the English army that they would not aduenture the curtesie of fortune So in conclusion assault was giuen the castle recovered and all that were in it were put to the sword saue onely the captaine himselfe vppon whose authoritie this enterprise was vndertaken After the Castle was thus gotten againe it seemed good to the Englishmen to pursue their eniemies in their retreyte which they likewise did though it fell out to their own deadly disaduantage fortune fauouring the Scottish Pope Gregorie in time past had made a solemne vow that if euer he attained to the Papacy he would neuer keepe his residence any other where then are Rome This was very offensiue to some of the Cardinals which bare scarce good affection to the Romaines and it was nothing pleasing to the french King who was desirous to haue had the Pope his neerer neighbour Therefore he sent his brother the Duke of Aniow to Avinion to perswade with him but he was not able to diuert him from his purpose So he went to Rome the place he desired and within a while after there ended his life When the Cardinals as the custome is were assembled together for the election of another the people of Rome began to make great tumult in the court threatning violent effects of their displeasure if they made choyce of any other to be Pope then such a one as was both by birth and ancestors a Romaine And therewithall rushing in amongst the Cardinals and with their fury interrupting their businesse it came to passe by meanes of this disturbance that one was chosen for Pope which was 100 yeeres old This man the Romanes hoysed vp vpon a white Mule and with great solemnity led him about the Citie But the crooked old man wearie with this troublesome kind of curtesie and tyred with this tumbling vp and downe within three daies afeer gaue vp the ghost Wherevppon ensued another hurliburly the Romaines therein with arrogant threates shewing themselues more outragious then before At length a Romaine borne was elected and called afterward by the name of Vrbane the sixt About the same time dyed the Queene of Navarre the french kings sister and by her decease a certaine seigniory in Normandy fell to Charles and Peter the King of Nauarres sonnes which were brought vp in the french Court. Many counselled the french King to seize into his hands all the King of Navarres possessions in Normandy and to hold the same till his sonnes were come of age The King of Navarre mistrusting as much requested to haue his Sonnes sent home pretending that he was purposed to bestow the elder of thē in marriage with the King of Spaines daughter Answere was returned by the french King that his sonnes could not be in a better or more honourable place then in his Court. For he would bring them vp in all respects as was fitting for the Sonnes of a King and such as were alyed in bloud to himselfe This answere was taken in displeasure by the King of Navarre who therevppon fortified those places of Normondy against the force of the french men Many important occasions mooued the french King to conceiue offence against the King of Navarre but especially that matter of poisoning which we told you before was confessed Wherefore sending an army against him he subdued Mountpelier and the country about it which at that time were vnder the King of Nauarres subiection The King of Navarre being thus molested both vpon the frontiers of his owne kingdome and in Normandy for the French King had sent an army thither also made request to the King of England by ambassadours that he might be receiued into his frendship The King of England sent him answere how he thought it expedient that if he would deale seriously and effectually in matters of such importance he should come into England himselfe This motion was well accepted by the King of Nauarre and accordingly he repaired into England where recounting his misfortunes after the matter had been debated in counsell he was receiued into league and amity with the King of England vppon these or the like conditions 1. That from thenceforth euer after he should take part with the English 2. That he should neuer make peace with the french King or the King of Spaine vppon any tearmes whatsoeuer without consent of the King of England and his counsell 3. That he should fortifie the Castle of Chirburg in Normandy and maintaine a garrison in it for three yeeres space to the vse of the King of England 4. That if it should happen the Englishmen to recouer any townes in these quarters from the french then the King of England to haue the profits of the same the propriety of the places remaining to the King of Navarre And this especially was most acceptable to the English because from thence they might alwaies haue accesse into France at their pleasure It
age The men of Bruges perceiuing that by this ouerthrow of the Gauntoyes all hope of succour was bereft them and all meanes of recouery taken away submitted themselues to the kings mercy And the Earle of Flaunders because he bare no displeasure to this towne became intercessour for them to the King that they might be receiued into fauour paying six score thousand franks Those that be sieged Arde assoone as they heard tydings how their fellowes were discomfited brake vp their campe and returned to Gaunt The Gauntoyes altogether broken and discouraged with this so great misfortune began to consider with themselues how they might best mooue the Kings mind to mercy and compassion But Peter de Boys being brought thither in a horselitter for he was yet weake of his wounds with his great words and glorious vaunts quite put that immagination out of their heads After the french King vppon deliberation with his counsell thought it not conuenient as then to besiege Gaunt he distributed his men into diuers garrisons and returned to Tourney The Gauntoys as is shewed before had sent to the King of England about the obtaynment of a league the articles whereof deuised by his counsell the King sent to them in writing by a gentleman of his houshold that if the Flemings allowed them they should confirme them with their seales But the ambassadour arriuing at Calice when he heard how the Gauntoys were ouerthrowne and that the french men had subdued most part of the country without performance of his commission he returned into England Neither were the English nobility greatly sory that the Gauntoys went by the worse whome if it had fortuned to go away with victory the commons generally in all countyres adioyning would from thence haue deriued a patterne of pride and rebellion and considering how but lately before there had been most perillous tumults in England euery small matter might haue ministred new occasion of insurrection Thus they thought and this was their opinion Whilst the french king lay at Tourney diuers well disposed persons laboured very earnestly to make a reconciliation between the Earle and his rebellious subiects The Gauntoys refused not to be at the french Kings disposition but rather then receiue the Earle Lewis againe it seemed they would endure all extremityes whatsoeuer When nothing could be brought to effect the french King returned homeward as he approched neere Paris there came forth to meete him some 20000 of the townesemen all armed and well appointed This seemed very straunge both to the King and all that were about him and because in those dayes it was no trusting to such a multitude in armes ther were some sent to inquire their meaning Their answere was thus that they came forth in such sort prouided to the intent the King might see with what power the Parisians could furnish him vppon short warning whensoeuer he had need of their seruice This they framed for an excuse at the present time but doubtlesse their intention was farre otherwise before and had not the King come home with victory surely straunge things had happened Being commaunded to returne into the towne and put off their armour they obeyed The King brought with him a great army of Britons and Burgonions the countenance whereof kept the Parisians in feare Then by aduise of his vncles he began leysurely to deale with them according to their deserts He caused all their corsâ—ets to be brought together vppon a heape and tooke them from them put to death many principall men of your Citty imposed diuers taxes and tributes vpon them and in conclusion wipâ—e them off some foure hundreth thousand franks for fines and ransomes There was mortall contention the same time between the two Popes Clement and Vrbane Clement then remained at Avinion and Vrbane partly for other causes but principally the more commodiously to annoy his aduersary the French King repaired to Genoa He came not out of Italy vnfurnisht of meanes wherewith to strengthen his supremacy And these were his practises He determined to send his bulles into England directed to the Archbishops and Bishops of the Realme wherein he graunted free remission of all sinnes to such as impugned the Clementines for so did Pope Clement with him in Fraunce And being well assured that he could no way worke the Frenchmen greater displeasure then by this meanes to set the Englishmen against them he practised another deuise for the getting of mony without which he knew the English nobility would be nothing forward to take armes for all his absolutions Therefore he thought it best besides for his former pardons to graunt the King licence to leuie a tenth vpon all churchmens goods the principall prelates excepted out of which collection the souldiers employed in that seruice should be allowed their entertainment And to compasse this matter the better he suborned the chiefe of the Clergy whome he had exempted from this payment to vrge forwarde the inferiour sort to make contribution By this meanes neither the kings treasure is exhausted nor the common people burthened more theÌ„ they gaue of their own voluntary affection which surely euery man did for his part most liberally as the world went in those dayes especially in consideration of the reward proposed which was not meane nor ordinarie the oportunity of obtaining whereof no man thought was in any wise to be neglected Thus partly by the great number of bulles which Pope Vrbane sent into England and partly by sermons preached in euery place to that purpose mens mindes were so rauished that they thought themselues already in paradise which had the fortune to dye in such a blessed season so that in short space there was gathered together of the tenths of the Clergy and beneuolence of the people ahout the summe of fiue and twenty hundred thousand franks And that the matter might import more credit it was the Popes pleasure some churchmen which had experience in such affaires associated with some other skilfull captaine should haue chiefe commaund ouer the army thus assembled In like manner he sent his bulles into Portingale and vsed the like practise there to trouble the King of Spaine which tooke part against him So the Duke of Lancaster was appointed to inuade Spaine and a Bishop of the family of the Spencers was sent to make wars in Fraunce But in regard the Duke was nothing fauoured by the commons and suspected to haue taken vppon him this voyage rather for couetousnesse then any conscience most patt of the people desired to serue vnder the Bishop To whome the King at his setting forth gaue commaundement that he should tarry for his other associate and fellow Captaine of the warre at Calice But the Bishop being one that could away with no lingring and supposing there was no delay to be vsed in the matter led forth his army presently into Flaunders The Earle lying then at Lile sent to him to know the cause of his suddaine
the truce to the King of Scotland But this was left vnperformed by what errour or negligence I know not It should seeme after the Earle of Flaunders death the duke of Burgoynes braiâ—e was so busied that he quite forgot it for all that inheritance was descended to him Certaine English gentlemen taking aduantage of this occasion made a rode into Scotland wasting the country as they went with fire and sword The Scottes who knew nothing what had passed meruailled much at the matter seeing no warre was proclaymed and so much the more because they had heard a certaine darke rumor of a truce But howsoeuer the case stoode they prepared to defend themselues When report hereof was brought to the french King the Peeres began to accuse one another of negligence in forgetting a matter of so great moment And because there was now no other remedy they sent certaine into Scotland which by declaring the true circumstances of the matter should giue them satisfaction The king himselfe was well inclined to peace but the Lords of his country made much adoe and were very hot vppon reuenge and in like maner rode forth into the borders of England to shew that they neither wanted courage nor ability to defend themselues and their goods from their enemies At length being pacifyed and the King perswaded the French ambassadors sent an herauld into England and so quieted the strife And when the truce was receiued and ratifyed on both parts it was proclaymed by sound of trumpet that no man should presume to transgresse the articles therein contayned But to perswade the king of England to this peace for he was highly offended at the late inuasion of the Scottish great meanes were made by the Duke of Lancaster who had formerly determined to make his voyage this yeere into Spaine with the assistance of the King of Portingale which warre he was the more desirous to accoÌ„plish in regard he had issue by his wife to whome he affirmed the kingdome of Spaine was both by the lawe of nations and nature it selfe of right apperâ—ayning It is shewed before with how great preparation puissance the Duke of Aniow passed into Italy When he came thither he found no opposition but onely in the Neapolitanes who would in no wise be turned from his aduersarie but Prouence Calabria and Apulia receiued him The Earle of Sauoy as I told you accompanied him in his iourney and about this time ended his life Now when he had retayned his souldiers for the space of three yeeres together being almost drayned dry with so great and coÌ„tinuall charges he requested his brothers that they would not faile him in these his affaires of so great honour and importance They out of their loue and honourable affection holding it not fit to abandon him in so â—ust a quarrell sent an army to ayd him which when it came to Auinion receiued certaine tydings that he was lately dead at a Castle not farre from Naples and so returned home againe After the death of the Earle of Flaunders the inheritance of that country descended to Phillip Duke of Burgundy which had married his daughter Now the Dutchesse of Braband whose husband Wenceslaus of Bohemia dyed lately before at Lutzemburge desired earnestly that Burgundy Henault and Flaunders might be vnited in perpetuall league and amitie The Duke of Burgoigne had a sonne named Iohn This Iohn marryed Margaret the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and Henault at Cambray And William the sonne of Albert tooke to wife Margaret daughter to the Duke of Burgoigne The french king was present at these nuptialles And the Duke of Burgoigne gaue in dowry with his daughter an hundred thousand franks These allyances troubled the Duke of Lancaster who had a purpose to haue matcht a daughter of his to the sonne of Duke Albert. And therefore at such time as these matters were in treaty he endeauoured by his letters to Albert to haue hindred their proceedings but it preuayled not Concerning the Earles of Henault ye must conceiue that William the Lord of this seigniory had foure daughters Margaret Phillip Ione and Isabell and one sonne named VVilliam Margaret was married to Lewis of Bauier the Emperour Edward king of England marryed Phillip VVilliam was slaine in battell against the Phrisoners left no issue Therefore by his death the right of succession deuolued to Margaret the eldest sister and she enioyed the heritage till such time as Albert her sonne whom she had by Lewis the Emperour being growne to mans estate entred vpon the inheritance of his ancestors And afterward VVilliam the sonne of Albert married the Duke of Burgoignes daughter as is a little before declared The Duke of Aniow left behinde him two sonnes Lewis and Charles in whose right their mother by the counsell of Pope Clement and the French king made warre vppon the people of Prouence not without the French Kings assistance who supplyed her wants both with men and money The men of Manceilles were well affected towards her but all the rest opposed themselues against her and as it seemed would not accept her for their soueraigne before Calabria Naples and Apulia had done the same of which countries when she could showe her selfe to haue quiet possession they also offered to put themsel es vnder her obedience The truce by this time being expired the French King had a mervailous desire to bee doing with the King of England Hereupon leuying an army he sent the Duke of Burbon into Aquitaine that if it were possible he might expell the English men wholly out of Fraunce He sent another army also into Scotland vnder the conduct of his Admirall to the intent the Scottish power and his being ioyned together might put the king of England to the greater vexation But when the Admirall arriued in Scotland he found not such friendly entertaynement as he lookt for Charles the fift vpon his death-bed had requested his brothers to chuse a wife for his son of some noble family especially out of Germany that the allyance might be the stronger They did according to his desire For he married Isabell the daughter oâ— Stephen Duke of Bauier a Lady of most excellent beauty But the first meanes of this match was deriued from this occasion that Fredericke of Bauier her vnckle had followed the French king in his late warres against the English as hath beene already declared Shortly after the death of the Duke of Aniow who had attempted great matters in Italie dyed also his aduersary Charles surâ—amed the Peaceable It was supposed that he was made away by the Queene of Hungarie who hauing two daughters by her husband Lewis deceassed feared lest this Charles which was his brothers sonne should dispossesse them of their inheritance specially for that he openly tearmed himselfe King of Hungarie and therefore wrought meanes to dispatch him out of the worlde but whether this be a true report or a coniecture I cannot affirme Then
manner finished When they came thither the Duke stoutly dissembling his purpose and himselfe leading the Constable from place to place as it had bene to doe him the more honour at last brought him to a certaine tower of farre more sumptuous and costly building then the rest desiring him to view it well and if he espied any fault that he would frankely tell him his opinion The Constable entred in alone and mounting vp the first story the dores were presently closed beneath and certaine armed men rushing suddainly forth laide hands vppon him and bound him in fetters The hangman was likewise ready by the Dukes appointment to haue taken away his life Neuerthelesse at the humble entreaty and teares of a certaine noble man that came in his company the Duke hardly relenting delayed his execution commanding him to be kept streitly in yrons But within fewe houres after anger boyling in his brest admitting no other thought but reuenge his wrath not like others being any whit asswaged but rather more vehemently encreased by respit and consideration he againe commanded that his head should be stricken of But what labour and care what perill and difficulty he againe sustained by whose meanes the Constable had hitherto beene saued how many how sorrowfull how effectuall matters he alleadged before he could moue the Dukes most obdurate minde to any sense or feeling of compassion none can conceiue but hee which knoweth that the Duke long since had resolued vppon nothing more certainly then by one meanes or other to bring the Constable to destruction none but he which knoweth that the Duke for many yeres together had with incredible desire hunted for this opportunity none but he which considereth that it was a most vnnaturall outragious kinde of anger which vpon time to muse thinke of it was not quenched but enflamed and could be satisfied with nothing but the bloud and slaughter of a man which was brought in danger by deceipt and vnder the pretence of friendship Therefore that the Constable was saued from the Dukes deadly intent next to the prouidence of the euerliuing God he was onely to thanke this man for his deliuerance who immediately made intercession for him and neuer rested till by extreame importutunity he had extorted from the Duke the assurance of his friends life and safety So at length the Duke was cōtented to set the Constable at liberty vppon condition that he should pay him an hundreth thousand crownes before he departed and deliuer three castles into his hands to remaine to him and his heires for euer Wherof assoone as the Duke had taken possession he dismissed his prisoner who within two dayes after came to Paris made greuous complaint to the King of the great iniurie and violence he had suffered The king gaue him comfort and hope of redresse but the Kings vnckles vppon relation of the circumstances were so farre from pittying his mischaunce that they rather seemed angry and offended because when he had all things in a readinesse for his iourney he neglected his affaires and the opportunity of the season to followe matters of pleasure and idle disporte giuing rash credyt to such a one as both he himselfe hated and who he knew well enough had long since sought aduantage of his life The Admirall and the rest of the Lords which were ready to take shipping in Normandy vppon vnderstanding of these occurrents dismissed their forces So it came to passe that this expedition against England which by the generall consent and good liking of the whole kingdome had beene most certainly resolued and concluded vppon was by these occasions that yee haue heard vtterly ouerthrowne and disappointed At the same time also the young Duke of Gelders proclaymed warres against the French King and sent him his defiance for the king of England for so doing had giuen him a pension of foure thousand frankes The chiefe motiues that stirred the Duke of Britaine to this fact before mentioned were first the mortall hatred he bare to the Constable and secondly that he might thereby reconcile himselfe to the King of England whose displeasure he had mightily procured by entring in league with the French King Most part of the noblemen of Fraunce perswaded the King in the Constables behalfe that he should not suffer such a deed to escape vnpunished Herevpon messengers were sent to the Duke to let him vnderstand that both the King and his vncles and the whole counsell of state were highly offended with him because through his violent apprehension and detayning of the Constable he had frustrated the kings purpose of inuading his enemies Wherefore their will and pleasure was that he should make full restitution both of the mony and castles which he had wrongfully taken and concerning his disappointment of the voyage that he should come in person to Paris there to render an account of his doings The duke when he had receiued this message after some deliberation of the matter made answere to this effect that he not only nothing repented him of what he had done to the Cōstable but was also exceeding sory that he did no more and that it greeued him at the heart as often as he remēbred it that euer he suffered him to go away aliue As for the castles seeing he had them in his possession he would by no meanes restore them againe nor neuer depart with them vnles the King put him out by force The mony was all bestowed amongst those that helpt him to defend his country against the Cōstable thē whome he had not a more mortall enemy in the world For interrupring the iourney into England he had neuer any such thought in his mind it was a priuate case between the Constable and him and whatsoeuer was done proceeded of no other intent but only desire of reuenge Yee haue heard how at such time as inuasion was feared in England great summes of money were leuied for the maintenance of war to defend the Realme Now when the French men altering their purpose returned without performance of their enterprise many gaue out speeches that it was vniustly done of the kings officers to keepe still the mony the daunger being auoyded without any charge or expences This muttering being stilled for a while vppon occasion of a new subsidy demaunded for payment of the souldiers wages which had byn placed in garrisons was againe renued more boldly then before The commons tooke the matter very haynously and framed grieuous accusations against certaine persons through whose dishonesty and vnfaithfulnes they said the whole treasure of the kingdome and the goods of the subiects were wastfully consumed The King was led altogether by a few of the meaner sort men of base quality and ignorant disposition But especially the Duke of Ireland had him in a manner at command and possest him in such sort as it seemed he had enchaunted the young kings affections For whatsoeuer he sayd was done and there was nothing so
pillage to be dismissed The French king who lately before by the helpe of a certaine skilfull Physitian had recouered both his vnderstanding and his speech about this time relapsed againe into his former extreamitie Pope Clement who had sustained the opposition of two aduersaries first Vrbane then Boniface newly erected being dead at Avinion the Cardinalles substituted Benedict in his place conditionally that if the French King did not ratifie his election another should be chosen Both the Popes sent their Legates to the French King and he gaue them both friendly audience howbeit by the counsell of his diuines he inclind neither to the one nor the other but rather sought meanes how to take a way all ground of dissention and to establish quietnesse in the Church Therefore sending Ambassadours to the Emperour whose authoritie care and diligence ought to be chiefe in that behalfe and likewise to the Kings of Bohemia Hungary and England he besought them earnestly that they would help to further the publike welfare and tranquillitie of christendome The King of England at this time by consent of the whole state of his realme gaue all the Dutchie of Aquitaine entirely and freely to the Duke of Lancaster and to his heires for euer The Duke therefore disposing of his affaires in England sailed ouer into Aquitaine and at Burdeaux shewed the graunt which King Richard had giuen him The townesmen made him answere That of his presence and comming thither they were glad and ioyful but to admit his gouernement and acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord that could they not yet resolue vpon Let him first deale and agree with the rest of the Citties whome it equally concerned and if they would be content to ratifie the Kings graunt neither should their part of duety be vnperformed The men of Bayon aunswered him after the same fashion And when hee assayed the disposition of seuerall persons the noblemen and gentlemen being assembled together gaue this determination That in regarde the Aquitaines were so linked and as it were engraffed together with the English that they might by no meanes be separated or conueyed ouer to any other Lorde therefore they were of opinion that this gift of the Kings must necessarily be voide and frustrate At length it was thought good that commissioners should be sent to pleade the matter before the King himselfe Who when they came thither boldely maintained their right affirming that their seigniory ought not to be alienated from the Crowne of England neither by gift marriage composition nor any other meanes whatsoeuer That the Kings of England were accustomed at their coronation to promise by solemne oth that it should be so and that the King there present had done the same and there withall they produced their charter They alleadged further that it was most necessarie and behoouefull for the realme that this custome authorized by the wisedome of graue counsellors and established by continuance of long time should still be kept firme and inuiolate For howsoeuer the Duke of Lancaster at this present were a faithfull and assured friend to the English men yet things could not alwayes continue at one stay and it might happen heereafter that hee should conclude some league or agree vpon some marriage with the Frenchmen Britons Burgonions or others according as time should serue and his owne affaires require whereby it might come to passe that the Dukedome of Aquitaine which by a certaine peculiar prerogatiue was now annexed to the crown of England should be transferred to a strange Lord and from thenceforth lost all their ancient aliance and societie with the English nation When they had finished their speech to this purpose many were mooued by their reasons to be of the same opinion But the Duke of Gloucester with great vehemencie of spirite opposed himselfe against them not so much for any affection to his brother as for that hee wisht him by this meanes to be remooued further off from the realme to the intent himselfe might the more commodiously rule all things as he listed After much debating the Gascones request preuailed and therevppon word was sent to the Duke of Lancaster that hee shoulde surcease from his enterprise and insist vpon his graunt no further Whilst the Duke was absent in the partes of Aquitaine King Richard raysing an army of thirty thousand Archers and foure thousand horsemen passed ouer into Ireland for the conquest whereof in former times great warres had beene made by his auncestors Nine moneths after his arriuall the country was yeelded into his subiection and their foure petty kings taken prisoners in framing whose fashions to ciuillity and good manners no arte nor diligence was omitted but hardly may a barbarous minde and sauage nature be reduced to ciuill conuersation After the death of Queene Anne daughter to Charles the Emperour the King of England because he had no issue resolued vpon a second marriage But especially aboue all other nations he desired to linke himselfe with Fraunce in a most stedfast bond of amity Herevpō he began to be a suter for Isabell the French kings daughter which had lately before been betrothed to the Duke of Britaines Sonne at Tours This motion did greatly displease the Duke of Gloucester who desired nothing but warres The French men for the most part were of opinion that nothing was to be determined in this matter before peace were throughly concluded and established Henrie King of Hungary brother to Charles the Emperor being threatned with warres from Basam a mighty and puissant Prince of the Turkes required ayde of the French king who sent two thousand young Gentlemen to his succour Iohn the sonne of Phillip Duke of Burgoigne a young Lord of the age of two and twenty yeares associated for his better direction with that worthy and valiant souldier the Lord Cowcy was appointed generall of these forces They passed out of France into Austria and from thence to Buda in Hurgary where being arriued although the enemie before had prefixed a day of battell yet heard they no newes of his comming therefore it was thought best to passe the army ouer Danubius and to assaile him in his owne countrey They were almost an hundred thousand strong the greater parte of them being horsemen Now when the◠were entred into the Turkes dominion after the taking of some townes they layd siege to the citty of Nicopolis the principall and strongest in those quarters The siege continuing somewhat long and affoording more vacant time than was conuenient for souldiers the Lorde Cowcy desirous to aduaunce his honour and the reputation of his name accompanied with fiue hundred launces and as many archers all on horse-backe ranged abroad somewhat farther into the countrey to see if hee could meete with any enemy vpon whome he might aduenture his fortune It happened according to his desire For the enemy vnderstanding that there were forragers abroade assembled to the number of twenty
he found at Confluence and when he had deliuered his message departed from thence into Fraunce The Diuines there were of opinion that the like motion should be made to Benedict as had bin before to Boniface And vpon this determination the same Bishop beeing sent by the King to Avinion declared the mindes and intentions of the Princes to the Pope Who aunswered plainely and peremptorily that hee would condiscend to no such matter Notwithstanding when he had propounded it to his Cardinalles they were of sundry opinions according as they were mooued by their seuerall dispositions and affections And when no certaintic could be concluded by reason of the difference amongest them their assembly brake vp Then the Ambassadour pressing into the Popes presence required his resolution The Pope prowdly answered how he was lawfully and orderly promoted to that holy dignity which hee would in no wise forgoe as long as he liued neyther was any man liuing so deere vnto him for whose pleasure hee would departe from his right and much lesse did he feare any force or violence in that behalf The Ambassador seeing no other answere could be gotten returned homewardes and by the way shewed the successe of his affaires to the Marshall of Fraunce whome the king had sent with an army to second his proceedings The Marshall as soone as hee vnderstoode the Popes obstinate resolution made haste to Avinion and forraged all the country about diuiding his forces into diuerse companies to keepe all conueiance of victuall from the towne He him selfe encamped before the Citty threatning the inhabitants to destroy all their houses and their vineyardes which they had abroad in the countrey vnlesse they yeelded The townesmen well considering there was little helpe in the Pope and that the King was of great puissaunce tooke counsell with certaine French Cardinalles and by their aduise set open their gates The Pope suffered himselfe to be besieged in his pallace hoping to haue beene rescued by his cousine the King of Arragon but the King of Arragon was too wise to incurre the offence of so mighty a Prince for the Popes pleasure from whom he could expect small succour againe if occasion should serue heereafter Many of his Cardinalles exhorted him to a milder kinde of carriage but the Pope full of pride and arrogancie stoode firme in his first resolution seeming as it were secure of his estate and altogether carelesse what should become of him Hee was plentifully furnished of all necessaries sauing onely fewell the want whereof together with the incessant importunity of the Cardinalles compelled him at length to yeelde vp the place The Marshall bound him by othe that hee should not departe out of the Citty before such time as an vnion were established in the Church and to be sure he should not falsifie his promise appoynted a sufficient guarde to attend him and caused the Cardinalles and rich Cittizens of Avinion to become sureties for his foorth-comming The French King hauing written the whole discourse of these proceedings to the Emperour solicited the King of England that following their example he should likewise take parte with neyther of the Popes but stand indifferent for a time till some remedy might be prouided The King was very willing to haue satisfied his father in lawes request But when the matter was propounded in parliament hee not onely effected nothing of his desire but more and more vehemently incensed the people against him whome it exceedingly offended that he should be so addicted to the French men that to doe them a pleasure it seemed hee would haue condiscended to anie thing And they told him that howsoeuer they had beene otherwise well contented to set aside all partialitie of affection either to the one partie or the other yet in regarde the French King so earnestly desired it they would not agree to his request nor in any wise allow that hee shoulde prescribe articles of religion in England About this time died the Duke of Lancaster a vertuous and prudent prince of whose death as a thing desired the king of England very ioyfully sent newes into Fraunce As for his sonne who soiourned the same time in the French court he was so farre from recalling him againe to receiue his fathers inheritance that hee also seised it into his owne hands as appertaining to himselfe till the time of the earles banishment were expired And not content heerewith he distributed many of the Duke of Lancasters goodes among such persons as no man loued but himselfe The Earle of Derby was highly fauoured and respected by the French King in regarde of his noble carriage and generous disposition And because hee was also a man of great possessions there was a match motioned betweene him and the Duke of Berries daughter which was then a widow Wherof as soone as the King of England had intelligence he sent an Ambassador foorthwith to interrupt their proceedings informing his father in law and his vncles that hee with whome they intended to contract affinitie was a wicked person and a traitour The Earle from whome all this was kept secret to the intent to learne what the Ambassadour had doone for he mistrusted somewhat because he had not seene him all the time of his being there fell in communication againe with the French King and his brothers concerning the marriage And they not thinking good to hold him longer in suspence declared what reporte they hadde heard of him from the King of England How much the Earle was grieued and discontented heerewithall any man out of his owne iudgement may easily coniecture All the nobilitie of England for the most part with the Londoners were exceedingly displeased at this his vnworthy and iniurious accusation for they knew assuredly it proceeded of mere malice hatred King Richard the same time made preparation for another voyage into Ireland assembling to the number of tenne thousand archers and two thousand horsemen and hee banished twoonoble men of great account because they refused to accompany him in that iourney For those Lordes hauing spoken somewhat boldely of the King when they vnderstoode by their friends that he had knowledge thereof they thought it better to disobey his commaund than by comming when he sent for them to put their liues and estates in manifest perill and therevppon sentence of banishment was pronounced against them To be short many causes concurred together at one time to aggrauate the peoples hatred against the King By occasion whereof certaine ill disposed persons taking aduantage of the time when they saw the king both busied in warre and irrecouerably depriued of the loue of his subiects assembling together in rowts and companies made spoyle of the husbandmen robbed the Merchants and ranged ouer all the countrey doing great violence and mischiefe insomuch that many to auoyde the daunger of their outrage were forced to conuey themselues into London and other places of securitie When the king had thus vtterly lost the harts of