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
himselfe to the protection of the French King The siege of Tourney continued some three moneths during which space Iane os Valoys the French kings sister and mother to the Earle of Henault laboured very earnestly to procure a composition At length shee obtained thus much that a day was appointed for a meeting to be had betweene the Lords of Fraunce and England where they agreed vpon a truce for twelue months space with condition that each party should hold whatsoeuer he had gotten by battell Herevppon the armies were both dismissed And this further was concluded that at a certain time prefixed within the yeare another treatie should be had at Arras where commissioners from both Princes and from Pope Clement should meete together and this likewise was performed There the English men demaunded much and the French men profered nothing saue the Earledome of Ponthiew which was giuen before in dowrie to King Edwards mother when shee married into England More then thus was nothing done in this treaty onely another yeere added to the truce and the King of England returned into his Country When things were thus set at a stay and that the Duke of Britaine prepared to returne into his owne country he was seised vppon in his iourney by a most violent sicknes whereof in short space he dyed leauing behind no lawfull issue male to succeed him He had two brothers of whome the one which was Earle of Mountfort was his brother onely by the fathers side the other both by father and mother but he died before him leauing issue one only daughter whome the Duke of Britaine in his life time ioyned in marriage to Charles of Bloys sisters Son to Phillip the French King For the Duke fearing it might so fall out that after his decease his brother the Earle of Mountfort would seise the seigniory of Britaine into his owne handes and by that meanes dispossesse and as it were disinherite the lawfull daughter of his brother by the whole bloud thought good to prouide a stay for the Lady by marriage and therefore his desire was the rather to match her to the kings nephew because if the other should make any attēpt hereafter he might the easilier be resisted And so it came to passe For the Earle of Mountfort had no sooner vnderstanding of his brothers death but that partly by force partly by cōposition he possessed himselfe of the greater part of Britane And then the better to supporte his cause and stablish his estate he went ouer to the King of England where relating the whole discourse of his proceedings he receiued from him the inuestiture of his dukedome And the King of England considering that by this meanes he might haue a ready passage through Britaine into Fraunce promised both his councell and furtherance to the newe Duke against his enemie whether it were the French King or any other whosoeuer For he had lost the French kings fauor before euer since he brought in the Germaines to serue in his warres vppon whome he had spent such a huge masse of money withou◠accomplishing any notable enterprise And this is the true cause and originall ground of this warre Charles of Bloys being aduertised of the proceedings and enterprises of Mountfort made great complaint of him to the French King After consultation had the King commaunded that the Earle should be summoned to the Parliament of Paris The Earle came and after some debatings on both sides he was enioyned by the King not to depart the Citie for a certaine season Neuerthelesse he conueyed himselfe secretly away and so sentence was giuen with Charles It was a great blot in Mountforts case that he had been inuested in his Duchie by the King of England And thervppon the French King denouncing Charles to be rightfull heyre encouraged him with his own mouth to recouer by force of armes the seigniorie due vnto him both by iudgement of law and right of inheritance promising not only his owne ayde but procuring other Lords also to assist him in the maintenance of his rightful quarrell The warre was vndertaken in the behalfe of Charles with the power of the Peeres of Fraunce his friendly assistants Besides other at length the Citie of Nants the principall in those partes was forced by assault There Mountfort himselfe was taken prisoner and from thence conueyed to Paris to the King by whose commaundement being cast in prison he there ended his life His Lady in the meane time bearing her fortune with a true manlike resolution encouraged the fainting hearts of her people and both fortified with Garrisons and furnished with victuals the rest of the holdes yet vntaken by the enemie Vppon conclusion of the truce between the kings of England and Fraunce and dissoluing the siege before Tournay the King of England returning home perceiued what great annoyance the Scottes had wrought to his country in the meane while wherevppon he assembled an Armie The Scottes being pressed with great extremitie in the absence of the King purchased a truce of the English vppon condition that if within foure moneths space the King did not prouide for the rescue they should yeeld This was signified to the King of Scottes who therevppon returned and being ayded with forraine power wonne certaine holdes from the English Amongst other the Citie of Durham was one where no mercy was shewen to no sex age nor order whatsoeuer but the very churches and all were consumed with fire Afterward perceiuing that by further prosecutiug his enterprise he did but lose his labour and vnderstanding moreouer that the King of England approached with a mightie power vppon deliberation with his counsell he retired In the meane while ministring proffers of a truce which notwithstanding he had no intention to admitte till he had first taken aduise of the French King with whome he was formerly confederate The Lordes of Fraunce departing out of Britaine for no other respect but because the winter whether compelled them returned againe with their forces in the beginning of Sommer purposing to bring the rest of that Duchy in subiection Whereof the Lady of Mountfort being aduertised shee sent ambassadours to the King of England requiring ayde vppon this condition that her Son whome shee had borne by the Earle of Mountfort should take to wife some one of the kings daughters But the succours which he sent for the space of well nere twoo moneths together were tost vppon the Seas with stormes and contrarie windes in such sort as they could by no meanes attaine to their desired porte so that in the meane season certaine places were recoured by the French men But it is admirable to relate with what courrage and stowtnesse the Lady Mountfort demeaned her selfe Fot shee was not only content to fortifie stronge holdes and encourage her followers with comfortable speeches but shee also put on armor herselfe and attended with a troupe of horse came into the open field and prouoked her
enemie Moreouer being besieged in a certaine Castle and put to great distresse when for the most part all that were about her perswaded to yeeld shee alone amongst men persisted in opinion to the contrarie and with this resolution held it out so long till at last the English forces which had wandred a great while vppon the Seas arriued to her rescue A certaine French captaine called Lewis of Spaine tooke the Citie of Dinant in Britaine by composition the Citizens hauing slaine their gouernour in the market place because he refused to yeeld it Another Citie neere adioyning named Gerand was taken by the same Captaine by force where not so much as Children and little infants nor the Temples consecrated to Gods seruice could escape the vttermost rigour of warre but were all destroyed with fire and Sword The Duke was much displeased with this impious cruelty and worthylie caused the authors of such wickednesse to be hanged He also receiued the citie of Vannes vppon composition without consent of the captaine and many other places besides To be short diuerse encounters passed both by Sea and Land with variable fortune on both sides A towne and Castle in those partes called Hamibout was assaulted with great violence but defended with more valour for therin at that time remayned the Duchesse of Britaine whome wee spake of before The French men perceiuing they spent their time in vaine and that Winter began to approach perswaded Charles of Bloys to dismisse his Armie and withall to take a truce and place his souldiers in Garrison It was so done and the Duchesse sayled ouer to the King of England who sent an Armie into Britaine against the French men About this time the noble men of England counselled their King to take a stedfast truce with the Scottes for three yeeres space if it might be shewing how great a burthen it would be to him to supporte so huge a charged of wars round about him in Scotland on the one side in Fraunce on the other Herevppon Ambassadours were sent to the Scottish King but nothing could be effected for he would determine vppon nothing without the French kings counsell The King of England mooued therewithall raysed a mightie power in purpose to bring the Scottes to vtter subuersion But in the meane time by the mediation of good men a truce was obtained stablished The English Armie which we spake of erewhile met with the French kings fleete well appointed vppon the coast of Britaine There they encountred one another and continued in fight till within the euening Somewhat before midnight there arose a very dangerous tempest which scattered them in such sort that they were separated more then an hundreth miles asunder In this conflict also the Countesse of Mountfort her selfe performed knightly seruice At length the English men recouered a hauen not farre from the City of Vannes at that time in possession of the French men where putting on land their forces they valiantly approched the Citie And in conclusion diuiding their army into three partes with two of them they fiercely assaulted the town in two seuerall places in the night season and whilste al men resorted thither to make resistance they brought the rest of their forces to a place vnfortified and so entred the towne putting all that were in it eyther to the Sword or to flight There were two French Lords which had the custody of this towne whome it full sorely greeued to see the Citie thus taken Therefore assembling such forces as they could rayse vppon the suddaine they gaue a fresh assault to the towne and so surprised it agine from the enemy In these conflicts Robert of Artoys admirall of the English fleete and Generall of the warre was wounded who being conueyed to London for the cure of his hurts in short space after there ended his life Whereat the king of England conceiued so great greefe and displeasure that of purpose to reuenge the death of so worthy a man so deerely esteemed he himselse sailed ouer with a mighty power of shipping into Britaine So great was the number of the English forces that at one instant they besieged three of the most puissant Cities in all that countrey Renes Vannes and Nants where Charles of Bloys with his wife at the same time remained besides the towne of Dinant which they tooke by force Charles of Bloys wrote to the French King concerning the state of his affaires the arriuall of the English the besieging of his townes earnestly requiring that he would succour him in this great distresse The French King sent his sonne the Duke of Normandy who with an Armie of some forty thousand tooke his way directly towardes Vannes at that time very streytly besieged by the English And had not the winter season brought great impediment to their purpose it had surelie come to a field battell But at length through the intercession of twoo Cardinals sent from Pope Clement a truce was agreed vppon for three yeares and a solemne o the taken of the Princes for the due obseruation thereof in the meane space So the King of England returned into his owne countrey Whilste the warres were yet open the Englishmen had laid siege to the Citie of Vannes latelie before recouered by the French and it was stoutly defended by twoo noble men the one called Lord Clisson the other Henrie of Lyon It was these mens fortune in a certaine light skirmish to be taken prisoners by the English and because there was a Lord of England also remaining among the French vpon conclusion of the truce communication was had for the exchange of prisoners The King of England for the redeeming of his deliuered to the French men the Lord Clisson detayning the other still prisoner Herevppon as is most likely some emulous obseruers of Clissons cariage raysed a suspition that he should be secretly affected to the English and that for this respect he rather then the other obtained his libertie To be short this iealousie encreased so farre that he lost his head for it at Paris And for the like cause diuers other noble men suffered the like punishment Sure it was a lamentable spectacle especially considering that Clisson in the recouerie of Vannes from the English had so honourablie performed the office both of an excellent Captaine and valiant souldier This act of the French kings was taken in so ill part by the King of England esteeming it done in his reproch that he commaunded Henrie of Lyon to be presently set at libertie and freely forgaue him his raunsome onelie enioyning him at his returne to signifie to the French King how he interpreted these proceedings no otherwise then as intended to his dishonour and that thereby he held the late truce to be violated wherefore he should expect no other from him but as an enemy This message was deliuered to the French King and the King of England sent an armie into Aquitane with certaine other forces
King of England afterwards bought of him that took them for twentie thousand crownes The Englishmen marching still forward passed ouer the riuer Seane towards Roane and their light horsmen scoured the country euen vnto the Suburbes of Paris where encountring the townsmen of Amience well appointed posting towardes Paris vppon commaundement from the King because of long time before they had been charged with no seruice for the warres they let fiercely vpon them and bereft them of their carriage The French King in the meane while notwithstanding the Parisians earnest sute to the contrary departed from Paris to Saint Dennis whither as then the rest of the Peeres were assembled From thence pursuing his enemie with a certaine vehement and wonderfull desire to fight he remoued to Amience The King of England assayed to passe his armie ouer the riuer Some but there was neither foord knowne nor bridge possible to be taken they were all so surely garded by the French men At length after proclamation of enlargement and reward to any French prisoner that should performe it a certaine young man taken by chaunce discouered a forde The French men suspecting they would passe ouer at the same place opposed themselues strongly against them and entertained them in the riuer with a sharpe skirmish Neuerthelesse the Englishmen waded through and put them to flight By this time the French King was come to Abbevile and the King of England wayted for him in the plaine fieldes to giue him battell When the time of battell approched the King of England made his prayers to God to send him an happy victory and diuided his wholy Armie into three parts In the vauntgarde was his Sonne in the reregard himselfe The fight was furious on both sides but at length the Englishmen obtained the victory which may seem a wonder considering the huge multitude of their enemies In this battell the King of England who awaiting oportunitie had not yet put himselfe in preasse being aduertised that his Sonne fighting valiantly in the forefront was wellnighe oppressed by the enemy he made answere to the messengers in this sort Demaunde no helpe of me this day so long as my Son liueth For I will that he now shewe some proofe of his valor and that the honour of the victory be wholy his and theirs that are appointed to attend him In this battell was slaine Henrie of Lutzenburge Father to Charles King of Bohemia who although he were blinde would needes adventure against the enemy notwithstanding Towards night the French King accompanied with very fewe withdrewe himselfe out of the field The King of England caused the dead bodies of the French men to be numbred and there were found slaine eleven Princes fourescore Barons twelue hundreth Knights and about thirtie thowsand others By commaundement from the King all the noble men were buried in the villages neere adioyning and three daies truce was graunted to giue buriall to their dead After the King of England had obtained this notable victorie he tooke his way directly towards Calice and environning the towne with a stronge siege there planted himselfe in purpose not to depart before he had constrained them to yeelde for famine Meane while the French King sent word to his Sonne the Duke of Normandy lying still at the siege of Aguillion that he should giue ouer his enterprise and conuey his forces againe into Fraunce to withstand the English men who subdued all things before them as they passed Before this aduertisement came to the Army there was another battell fought betweene the French and the English wherein was present Phillip son to the Duke of Burgundy who falling with his horse soone after departed this life During the siege of Aguillion wherof an English Baron was captaine the Earle of Derbie whome the King of England had before sent into Aquitaine remayning at Burdeaux Assoone as he vnderstood that the siege was raysed and the Duke of Normandy departed he assembled to the number of six thousand men and raunging through a great part of the countrie thereabouts at length tooke Poitiers by assault and then returning againe to Burdeaux dismissed his souldiers leauing no Garrison in Poitiers because the towne was vtterlie raced Whilste the King of England was busied about the siege of Calice David King of Scottes partly of his owne motion partly by procurement of the French King perswading himselfe that all the souldiers of England or at leastwise the greater part were gone a warfare with their King assembled his forces to the number of fortie thousand or there about and invaded England The Queene of England in the mean time behaved her selfe with great courage and discretion consulting with the Lords and Prelates of her Real me about the direction of her affaires So an armie was levied vpon the suddaine and the enemie fiercely encountred certaine Archbishops and Bishops of England being present in the conflict whose power notwithstanding it were sarre inferiour in number to the Scottes yet they obtained the victorie In this battell the Scottish King himselfe with many others were taken prisoners The number of them that were slaine amounted to fifteene thousand the rest saued themselues by flight After the accomplishment of this honourable victorie the Queene of England crossed the seas and went to visite the King her husband In the battell before mentioned amongst others was also slaine the Earle of Flaunders who by reason of the rebelliu of Iaques de Artevill was compelled to put himselfe into the French Kings protection He left a Sonne named Lewis at that time about fifteene yeeres of age Now the King of England was in great expectation that through the politicke assistance of Iaques de Artevill he should haue brought the Flemminges to receiue him for their soveraigne and that his Sonne the Prince of Wales with their generall acceptance should haue obtained the Lordship of all Flaunders But the author of so wicked a deuise was slaine as is already declared for the Flemmings would not disinherit the Son of their Lord though they loued not his Father The King of England therefore began to treate of a marriage betweene the young Earle who was then remaining in the French Court for he fled thither with his Father at such time as the state grew troublesome in Flaunders and a daughter of his named Isabell Against this match the Duke of Braband opposed himself for he also had a daughter at the same time whom he desired to match with the young Earle Meanes were found by the Flemminges to conuey the Earle from the French King and he returned into Flaunders in hope to recouer his Fathers possession The King of England in the meane while was nothing slacke in soliciting his sute with the Lordes of Flaunders By them the matter was mooued and the match profered to young Lewis But he vtterly refused it protesting that he would neuer marrie the daughter of him that had slaine his Father When the
French King in forsaking his freindship which notwithstanding was the thing that he studied by all possible meanes to preserue and continue The King of Spaine answered that indeed there had beene debating of certaine matters in his name with the duke of Lancaster but it should be in no wise preiudiciall to the state of Fraunce and that he would neuer attempt any action whereby in the least degree he might seeme to haue broken the bondes of freindship and alliance between them Assoone as he had dismissed the ambassadours with this answere immediatly after he went through with the marriage and therevppon the Lady Constance to put the matter out of question conueyed Katherine her daughter into Spaine and there marryed her to Henrie the yong Prince of Castile Which done shee made diligent serch for her fathers bones and when the place of his buriall at length was discouered she caused them to be taken vp and honourably entumbed againe at Siuill Through the trauell and industrie of certaine well disposed persons communication was had concerning a truce betweene the Kings of England and Fraunce with their confederates viz. Spaine Portugall and Scotland Now because the Scottes lately before had some good successe against the English there was much adoe to draw them to any agreement neuertheles their King being well inclined to quietnes in the end they also changed their copie So a truce was concluded for three yeeres in such sort that whosoeuer should by any meanes infringe it should be accounted as a wicked and periured person We haue spoken before of the Duke of Ireland who being driuen out of England and lately through faire promises allured out of the low countries into Fraunce remained there a while but could not purchase any setled aboade or continuall resting place For the Lord Cowâ—y a man of great authority about the French King vppon iust and weighty occasions hated him extreamely For the Duke of Ireland hauing taken to wife this Lord Cowâ—yes daughter fell afterwards in loue with an other woman and by dispensation from Pope Vrbane who was ready by all meanes to pleasure the King of England diuorced his wife and marryed his paramour The Lord Cowey therefore father of the wronged Lady being deeply mooued with such dishonourable iniury would neuer be in quiet till he had bayted out of Fraunce this man whome the world charged with more crimes then that alone See here the â—bbing and slowing of humain estates the affections of Princes and the ends of wicked persons The French King was perswaded by some about him to make a progresse into the furthest partes of his kingdoÌ„e as a thing so acceptable to the people as nothing could be more effectuall to winne their hartes So he tooke his iourney through Campaigne Burgoigne and other prouinces till he came to Avinion and when he had visited the Pope went from thence to Mountpelyer Which Citty although by reason of trasicke and merchandize it be very wealthy yet it had been so oppressed with tributes and exactions that as then it was much impouerished For as long as king Charles the fift liued the duke of Aniow had the rule of all those countries to the great enriching of his owne cofers And at such time as in pursute of greater fortunes he vndertook his voyage towards Naples by consent of the Peeres the duke of Berry succeded in his gouernment But assoone as the king came to one and twenty yeares of age he displaced his vncles from their authority and tooke the administration of their offices into his owne hands Now when he came into Prouince and the places adioyning many grieuous complaints were preferred against his vncle of Berry who had beyond measure polled the poore commons of their goods and brought them in a manner to extreame desperation Yee might daily haue seene great numbers of suters putting vp petitions and supplications complaining of deceyt iniury violence rapes extortions and proscriptions It greiued the King exceedingly to see the miseries of his people and therefore for an example to terrify others he caused the Duke of Berries treasurer the cheifest man in those quarters to be burnedâ— for there came many accusations against him of great wrong and oppression which he had done in the country The Duke of Berry by his letters made earnest intercession to saue his life but he could not preuaile When the King vndertooke this iourney he would in no wise be accompanyed by his vncles wherewith they were greatly offended but especially because they sawe some others of meane estate to growe in great reputation about him About this time departed Pope Vrbane out of this life whereof Clement being certified within ten dayes after at Avinion he earnestly commended his cause to the French King desiring him that now vpon this occasion he would vse his credit with the Emperour the King of Hungary and other Princes to the intent that all discord being remooued peace and quietnesse might at length be established in the church He was in good hope that now when his aduersary was dead the supremacy would entirely haue falne to him But he was farre deceiued for the Cardinalles created Boniface of Naples The Moores and Barbarians made often excursions vppon the Genowaies and the Citties and Ilands vnder their subjection Which thing they might more commodiously doe because vppon the confines comming from Genoa towards their country they held a very strong and defensible towne called Affricke Out of this towne they issue forth against their enemies by sea with great ease and aduantage and if need require they haue recourse againe into the same as a most safe harbor receptacle The Genowayes therfore enforced through the coÌ„plaints entreaty of their freinds began to consider how they might worke redresse And because they vnderstood there was a truce lately concluded between Fraunce England and the kingdomes conconfederate they sent ambassadours to the French King requiring him of succour The King was so inclinable to this warre that he not only vndertooke it himselfe but solicited diuers of his neighbour Princes to set their helping hands to performance of the enterprise Therefore assembling no small power out of Fraunce Britaine Artoys Flaunders and England he sent it into Lombardy vnder the conduct of Lewis Duke of Burbon with whome he ioyned in commission the Lord Cowcy a man of most knowledge and experience and in greatest iudgement and direction in military affaires that liued in those times These taking shipping together at Genoa at length ouercame the contrary waues and tempests which encountred them at sea and arriued safely in their enemies country Now as the Moores were consulting because they saw that the Genowayes vppon this redoubling of their puissance by the comming of the french and other forraine nations to their ayd would besiege their Citty a certaine graue old man amongst them descended of a noble family gaue counsell in this manner That they should not giue 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
counsellors of Flaunders sawe him so resolute in this opinion and that he would giue them none other answere they committed him to safe custody and would graunt no enlargement but vppon condition that he should be ruled by the aduise of his elders So at length he was perswaded and the King of England with the Earles wife that should be the Lordes of Flaunders and himselfe mette together at a day appointed There the matter was debated the Earle consented was forthwith contracted and after returned into Flaunders where he was nothing so straightly lookt vnto as he had beene A little before the nuptialls should be solemnized he tooke occasion accompanied with a small traine to ride a hawking where pretending great earnestnesse in following a Faulcon which he had let flye at the heron by little and little he outstripped the rest of his companie till at last he lost sight of them all and so escaped againe to the French King Whilste the King of England besieged Calice the truce which we told you was concluded by certaine Cardinals between Charles of Bloys and the Countesse of Mountfort expired by occasion where of the warres were renewed againe afresh The King of England sent a competent crew of horsemen out of the army which besieged Calice to succour the Lady Mountfort Certaine Englishmen were straightly environed by Charles of Bloys in a towne castle which they had taken immediatly before But certain other Englishmen sent suddainly from the Countesse in the dawning of the day brake vnlookt for into the campe of the French men who by reason of a little good fortune in a certaine skirmish the day before lookt negligently to their watch and putting a great part of them to the sword tooke also the Lord Charles of Bloys himselfe prisoner In the meane time the King of England prested the town of Calice with great vehemency and the French King intending to raise his siege levied a mighty army Whereof the King of England hauing aduertisement so fortified all places by which the French men might haue any accesse as well by the sea coast as the maine land that they could not possibly make any approche to disturbe him The French King seeing all entrance already foreclosed required the King of England to giue him battell But the King of England considering how he had spent welnigh a whole yeere in the siege of this Citie and withall consumed a great treasure about it thought it good policy to hold his advantage The same time also two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement to endeuour an accord betweene the Princes had three dayes communication with the Lords that were appointed Commissioners from both parties but could effect nothing of their purpose Wherevppon the French King presently after dissolued all his great army The Cal sians seeing themselues depriued both of present ayde and future expectatioÌ„ began to parly of giuing vp the town But the King of England would accept no other condition but one which was to put themselues life and goods absolutelie into his power and to remaine wholy at his disposition His counsell earnestly disswading him from this obstinate resolution as a thing tending to very ill example at length the matter was brought to this issue that six of the principall citizens bareheaded and barefooted with halters about their necks and the keies of the towne in their hands should present themselues before him to be disposed of at his pleasure The report of those tydings suddainly mooued great mourning and lamentation in the citie In which sorrowfull confusion when one not of the meaner ranke had protested openly that he would not shunne death in the behalfe of his country now almost pined with hunger his example soone after drewe fiue more to the like affection These men being publikely brought forth in such manner as he appointed who had now iurisdiction over their liues and by his commaundement adiudged to dye when all the Noble men had made intercession in vaine the Queene at length after many reasons alledged for her purpose with much entreatie obtained their pardon Then were some sent to take possession of the towne and by authority from the King all the old Inhabitants were removed and the Citie new peopled with English After this by meanes of a certaine Cardinall a truce was taken for two yeares The King of England entrusted the gouernment of Calice to a certaine Italian Not long after a French Lord that laye in Garrison at Saint Omers knowing the nature of the Italians to be aboue all other people couetous of golde practised priuately with this fellow to sell him the Castle for twenty thousand Crownes The King of England I know not by what meanes hauing intelligence hereof dissembled his knowledge and sending for the Italian examined him of the matter Who seeing no other remedy confessed the truth and besought him of pardon The King graunted and at his departure gaue him in charge to proceede with his proiect A day before this practise should be put in execution the King himselfe strongly guarded as couertly as might be entered into Calice The french man who had payd his money down and knew nothing that the plot was discouered sent his men of armes before to take the Castle Assoone as they came in not suspecting any such matter they were presently attached and made prisoners to the English Then in the dawning of the day the King of England issuing out of the Citie charged suddainly vppon the rest of the French men which houered thereabout to see the successe of their enterprise and put them to flight taking many prisoners and amongst others the same person that was the first contriuer of this treason About this time King Phillip of Valois married another wife the daughter of Phillip King of Navarre and almost at the same instant Iohn his eldest Son tooke to wife Iâ—aue Duchesse of Boloine late wife to the Duke of Burgundies Sonne the same that at the siege of Aguillion ended his life in the yeere of our Lord 1346. After the decease of King Phillip Iohn his Sonne succeeded in his stead who not long after his coronation arrained the Constable then newlie deliuered out of prison in England of treason and caused him to be beheaded at Paris John the son of Phillip de Valoys SHortly after the coronation of King Iohn Pope Clement departed out of this life at Avinon He appointed for his successour in the papacy the Cardinall of Ostia a French man borne called before his election Stephen Albert but afterward named Innocent the sixt By occasion of certaine disgracefull speeches mutually enterchanged a mortall quarrell was growne betwixt the King of Bohemia and the Duke of Lancaster which they were at point to decide by single combate but the French King interposing himselfe by his mediation the matter was compounded After the Constable as we tolde you was by the kings commandement put to death Charles of Spaine vpon whome the King
had bestowed the seigniory of Angolesme who had also espoused the daughter of Charles of Bloys being aduanced to that office was by Charles king of Navarre slaine suddainlie in his bed With this fact as ye may well iudge the French kings mind was not a little troubled neuerthelesse vppon certaine conditions he was pacified To this Charles thus murdred succeeded Iaques of Burbon And the truce taken between the French king and the English to endure till Aprill was prolonged to Midsommer For the ambassadours of both kings meeting at Avinion before the Pope when they could not agree vppon articles of peace added so much more time to the continuance of the truce The Prince of Wales brought an army into Aquitaine and the King his Father intending to prosecute his warres in Fraunce came to Calice There the French King by an herauld profered the single combate but the King of England refused it The French King sending out his writtes summoned to Paris all his nobilitie with the heads of the church and the burgesses of his townes declaring vnto them how greatly it imported him to prouide for the warres So by act of Parliament a generall subsidy was graunted from payment whereof there was no man could be exempted The King of Navarre Iohn Earle of Harecourt and divers others being surprised by the French kings vnsuspected approche as they sat at dinner in the Castle of Roan were suddainly apprehended and committed to safe custody The King of Navarre was sent prisoner to Paris The Earle of Harecourt had vttered I wot not what reprochfull words against the King in presence of diuers noble men stoutly maintaining that the subsidy lately exacted ought not to be payd and withall exhorting the residue to stand stifly in deniall thereof Hence grew the ground of his inditement and hence proceeded the cause of his punishment For herevppon the King commaunded him to be beheaded and his body afterward to be hanged vppon a gibbet The King of Englands Sonne who came lately as we told you into Aquitaine setting forth from Burdeaux wasted all the country thereabout namely Poytiers Turon and Berrie where fournishing himselfe with what was needfull for his owne vse the rest he vtterly spoyled and destroyed burning vp their corne and shedding out their wines to the intent that afterwards it might not be coÌ„uerted to the benefite of his enemy The French King in the meane while hauing a great power assembled at Charires departed from thence with all possible hast and a right enemie-like affection following after the English Prince When he came neere vnto Poytiers newes was brought him that the English armie laie encamped not farre off Immediatlie herevppon calling his counsell he gaue direction for the setting of his men in order disposing his whole armie into three battalions In the first he placed â—he Duke of Orleans in the second Charles his eldest Son and himselfe led the reregard The number of his enemies was very small Assoone as he vnderstood by his scowts in what sort they were embattelled and how they had planted themselues in a place both by nature and their owne industrie stronglie fortified he gaue commaundement that all his people should fight on foote three hundreth or somewhat more onlie excepted who with their horses were appointed to breake the aray of the english archers He was accompanied in the field with his foure realme with great impunitie of vice as generally happeneth in such cases where scarce any are thought to remaine which by authoritie might represâ—e mischiefe punish offenders Theeues and robbers banding themselues together filled the country with repine and murder forestalling the highwaies and spoyling the passengers Besides this the Sâ—ates could not well agree among themselues for the nobilitie began to distaste the authoritie of the â—ix and thirty which were appointed to haue chiefe rule in the coÌ„mon wealth But most horrible of all other was that â—umultuous insurrection of the peasants which assembled in Champaine and the places thereabout whose companie by little and little augâ—enting through the daily concourse of such rascalles as resorted to them from all quarters at length encreased so farre that their number amounted to an hundreth thousand Their purpose was to have destroyed all the nobilitie and gentry of Fraunce And with this intent entring violently into the noble men and gentlemens houses they riâ—led them bound the Maisters to the postes â—auished their wiues and daughters before their faces murthered cruelly all the whole houshoulde and lastly consumed the houses with fire And now their barbarous outrage preuayling so â—arre that the women of greatest calling were compelled to forsake their dwellings and hide themselues in secret places vnlesse they would abandon their bodies to the beastly lust of most filthy varlets an army at length was raised and at the towne of Meaulx they were fought withall and euerie one slaine or drowned in the riuer Marne Charles the kings sonne perceiuing there was a secret conspiracie betweene the King of Navarre and the Prouost of Paris departed out of the towne and assembled his forces It seemed as if the matter would haue growne to a troublesome issue for hee besieged the cittie but by the mediation of certaine Bishops the Princes were reconciled The Prouoste neuerthelesse intending to set all in an vproare had plotted one night to dispatch all those of the contrary faction And the matter was brought to such forwaâ—dnesse that he had already agreed with ceâ—taine â—ho for the same purpose awayted their prey without the gates that at a time appointed in the night they should enter into the cittie But the treason beeing discouered hee himselfe was apprehended in the night season with â—he keyes of the towne in his hand and so slaine with soâ—e others that were partakers of his practise This Prouoâ—â—e during the troublesome state of those times was the first that enclosed Paris with walles and ditches and planted gates at the entrances into the cittie The King of Navarre beeing certified of this mans death whome he dearely esteemed in regard of the manifolde benefits he had receiued at his handes and partly moued with displeasure of the matter but â—ore neerely touched for that himselfe was commonly noted to bee chiefe author of that practise as well of his oâ—ne accord as by instigation of his brother Philip who had formerly vexed Normandy with warres desired nothing more then to â—orke mischiefe to the realme of Fraunce â—orthwith denounced warre and hotly pursued it making many excursions towards Seane and Marne and â—inning also diuerse townes and fortresses about Amienâ—e Arras The Prouost had furnished him with great sommes of money and therefore he might maintaine men of warre at his pleasure besides many fauoured his pretence and furthered his proceedings Hereby it camâ— to passe that oftentimes he tooke many townes and castles â—ith little or no difficultie insomuch that certaine of the principall toâ—nesmen of Amieâ—ce at an houre
agreed vpon in the night set open the gates of the towne for his soldiers to enter where then nothing else remained to winne but the castle But by good fortune certaine freâ—ch horsemen falling vpon them dissappoynted their purpose putting the aduentureâ—s to flight and the traâ—tors to execution Together with these euills as is wonte to happen ensued a wonderfull dearth and scarcitie of all things in such forte as the poorer people had much adoe to sustaine their liues and this plague continued fower yeeres For so long as the insatiable soldiers deuoured all mens goods of what estate or degree soeuer without controlment so long the husbandman might not apply his labour in safetie not the merchant exercise his trafficke without extreame hazard both of life and goods what other effect could ensue thereof but a generall common mischiefe and such a one as should concerne euerie particular person Certaine of the king of Navarres people beeing vpon a time surprised by their enemies at some disaduantage wheÌ„ they sawe that of necessity they must put their fortunes in tryall though farre ouermatched in number yet seeing no other remedy they betooke themselues to a little hill and putting off all their spurres pitched them in the ground before theÌ„ with the rowells vpward to hinder the aproach of their enemies But the euening came on so fast that it stayed the frenchmen from the'ncounter In the night time with great silence they conveyd themselues into the next village and there making fires as if they had purposed to tarrie all night they secretly departed contrarie to the frenchmens expectation who pursued in vaine but could not ouertake them Amongst other places the Navarrois held Melune vpon Seane To the besieging of this towne the Duke of Normandy sent foure thousand horsemen But by mediation of the Cardinals which wee spake of before a peace was concluded betweene them But Phillip the King of Navarres brother would neuer giue his consent to any conditions of peace whatsoeuer vpbraiding his brother that he was deluded with witchcraftes and enchauntments and therefore he retired himselfe to certaine holdes vppon the Sea coast which were in the kings of Englands subiection By that time the peace was confirmed betweene the Navarrois and the Frenchmen the three yeeres truce obtained by the Cardinals after the taking of King Iohn betweene Fraunce and England expired Therefore all such as had serued â—nder the King of Navarre repayred to the English Captaines for entertainment and so one mischiefe drew on many more successiuely ensuing each other Notwithstanding for that time the Englishmen were but ill entreated by the French though not without great daÌ„mage to the poore wretches that inhabited in the vpland country or in townes but weakly fortified For the Englishmen accompanied with forreine souldiers made spoyle of them at their pleasure When the time of truce as wee said before was worne out the king of England and his eldest Sonne with the French King and the Duke of Burbon conferred priuately together at London concerning a peace the articles whereof they sent ouer to the Duke of Normandy and he propounded them to the three estates of the kingdome But when the matter came to be debated in counsell these conditions were vtterly disliked and answere was giuen to the Ambassadors that they would rather choose to endure yet greater miseries then condiscend to such articles This answere was taken in very ill parte as well by the captiue King of Fraunce as by the King of England who immediately thereupon caused such an armie to be levyed as neuer any man saw passe out of England before Hee tooke landing at Calice accompanied with his foure sons But before his departure out of England he made open declaration of his intent before the whole army in effect that he had vndertaken this expedition in hope and full purpose to enforce the French men to receiue such conditions as should be both for the honour of his person the commoditie of his people and the dignity of his crowne And that he was resolued neuer to giue ouer nor returne again till such time as he had accomplished his affaires in such sorte as he desired Wherfore if any man disliked his pretence hee should haue free liberty to depart or tarrie But there was none amongst them all which did not willingly embrace these conditions From Calice the King of England marched to Rhemes which cittie when he found for the bignesse thereof to be strongly fortifyed he forbare to assault it because he wold not rashly hazard the losse of any of his men whome he reserued for greater seruices From thence after two moneths siege or somewhat more he tooke his way into Burgundy The Duke sent messengers to him requesting that his souldiers might not be suffered to spoyle his country The King of England beeing a very curteous Prince was easily entreated but vppon condition that the Duke of Burgundy should pay him an hundreth thousand crownes In the meane time Fraunce was miserably wasted partly by the King of England himselfe partly by the rest of his army left in Picardy and not a little by the King of Navarre who yet againe moued armes against the Duke of Normandy A certaine fryer of the order of Saint Frauncis prophesied at Avinion that both the Clergy should suffer much for their pride couetousnesse and ambition and that the kingdome of Fraunce should be extreamly afflicted by the invasions of strangers in so much that no part of it should be free from that miserie The Pope because he foretolde matters that displeased him cast this fryer in prison The King of England sent word to the Duke of Normandy that he would giue him battell but the Duke hauing no disposition to put himselfe to the curtesie of Fortune stayed still at Paris And because he well perceiued that the state could not long continue at this passe without the vtter subuersion and ouerthrowe of the kingdome by aduise of his nobility counsell he sent ambassadors to the king of England to entreate of peace The matter was diuersly attempted but it seemed almost an impossibility to accord their difference For the King of England still absolutely maintayned that the crowne of Fraunce was his rightfull inheritance Whilst things were thus in consultation there suddainly rose a meruailous tempest about Chartres the violence whereof was such that it ouerthrew both men and horses The king was so moued with the consideration hereof that he made a vowe he would incline his minde vnto peace so at Calice the matter was concluded The conditions were these that the king of England his heyres and successours after him should hold enioy the Countyes Cities Castles holds Lordships Isles rents and revenues of all Aquitaine also the Cittie Castle county and whole seigniorie of Poytiers the Cittie and castell of Rochell and Limoges with all the country about it To these were added Angolesme aswell 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
forsake the Prince and to resort to the French King notwithstanding whereby it appeared plainely that no vertue hath more force to hold the hearts of men in obedience then affability For Prince Edward though otherwise a worthy gentleman being puffed vp as men commōly are with the prosperous atchieving of great enterprises began to carry himselfe roughly and austerely towards the noble men that were his subiects whereby it came to passe that they could not loue him But the french King for that besides his excellent wisedome he was also gentle and curteous easily insinuated himselfe into the fauour and affection of all men By meanes whereof he greatly enriched the Realme of Fraunce and worthily deserved to bee registred in the number of the most prudent Princes The french King by the aduise of his brethren the Dukes of Aniow Berry and Burgoyne with other of his nobility sent a puissant army into Gascoine The Duke of Aniow marching with his forces from Tholouse easily recouered either by force or by composition whatsoeuer townes or holds were pertaining to the English in those quarters The Duke of Berrie invaded the territory of Lymoges Certaine Lords of Gascoine ioyned themselues with the Duke of Aniow they were the same that by their complaints and accusations had formerly incited the french King to vndertake this warre The Duke of Berry was associated with the dukes of Burbon and Alaunson and diuers others which way soeuer they tooke they found easie passage About this time the french King fell to agreement with the King of Navarre For it stood him vppon to make him his friend least perhappes he should haue giuen accesse to the English forces through a part of Normandy which he held and by the seacoast into the rest of that country pertayning to the crowne of Fraunce The agreement was vppon this point that the King of Navarre assoone as he returned into his own kingdōe should make his defiance to the King of England There came also a power out of Spaine to the ayd of the French King vpon the bountie and good affection of King Henrie In the mean time the Prince of Wales not vnmindful of his frends adherents raysed men of warre on all sides and the King his father that he might with more ease sustaine the brunt of these warres tooke a truce with the Scottish King for nine yeeres in such sort as it should be lawfull for the Scots to serue for entertainment on either partie at their pleasure He sent also another armie to wast the countrey of Picardy the charge whereof he committed to one Sir Robert Knolles a man marvailously affected to the english natiō though himselfe were a stranger and a briton borne The number of his forces came to some ten thousand men With this power departing from Calice and marching through Artois when he came before Arras he forbare to assault it but by setting fire to the subvrbes tempted the townesmen to make some sallie out of their gates whereto notwithstanding he could not provoke them So he proceeded forward destroying all with fire and sword as he passed The Duke of Aniow after he had recouered diuers places from the English in regard he thought sufficient was performed for the present imparting his purpose to the rest of his associates dissolved his army and distributed his men into garrisons The Duke of Berry after long siege received the City of Lymoges by composition Whereat the Prince of Wales conceived so great offence and indignation that raysing a power immediatly he begirt the towne with a new siege vowing never to depart before he reduced it againe into his subiection And when he vnderstood by such as had taken exact view of the scituation and strength thereof that it was too hard a matter for him to take it by assault he caused a mine to be drawne and conveyed vnder the earth even close to the gates of the Citie which being set on fire the violence thereof overthrew a great peece of the wall and opened a large breach for his souldiers to enter But who is able to report the miserable and vnmercifull slaughter which then ensued Not so much as women and young Children which cast themselues prostrate at the feete of the English lamentably imploring the saftie of their liues could obtained any favour but were all put to the sword so implacable was the Princes wrath so relentlesse his displeasure And after all this terrible massacre of people the spoile and sacke of the Citizens goods with the committing of all beastly and inhumane outrage according to the lust and furie of the souldier the towne it selfe by Prince Edwards commaund being set on fire was vtterly raced and laid levell with the ground The Duke of Berry when he wanne this Citie had dismissed his army as his brother had donne before him by meanes whereof it came to passe that his souldiers being dispersed and fewe perhaps remayning there in garrison the townesmen were left destitute of releefe The armie of Sir Robert Knolles which had pierced through Fraunce into the country of Aniow was at length slaine by the Constable and Sir Robert himselfe escaping by flight retourned into Britaine About this time dyed Pope Vrbane who but lately before was retuned to Avinion In his place was set vp Gregorie the xi through the earnest sute and great travell of the french King who foresawe that this bishop would be a great strength to his procedings Prince Edward by the advise of his phisitions left Gascoine and returned into his owne country For at such time as he warred in Spaine in the behalfe of Don Pietro the banished tyrant of Castile he caught a greevous and welneere incurable disease which was now so farre growne and encreased vppon him that he was not able to sit vppon horsebacke but was faine to be caried from place to place in a litter wherevppon his phisitions gaue him counsell to go into England because they were of opinion he might better be recouered in regard the temperature of the climate being his natiue soile was more agreeable to the constitution of his body At his departure out of Aquitaine he appointed his brother the Duke of Lancaster who during the whole continuance of the warres had beene partaker of his fortunes to be his vicegerent into those quarters beseeching the noble men of Gascoine which were assembled at Burdeaux that they would be contēt to accept of his government We haue formerly made mention of the King of Maiorica who in hope to be revenged of the disgrace and iniury done vnto him had for a time depended vppon the faithfull promise of Prince Edward to ayd him against his enemie the King of Arragon then confederate with the Spaniard But King Henrie of Spaine when after the Princes depature he had almost recovered all that belonged to his dominion found this King of Maiorica in a certaine towne of Spaine left there by the english for
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
was further agreed that the King of England should immediatly send foure thousand horsemen into Navarre to be employed against the Spaniard and that it should not be lawfull for them to depart out of the King of Navarres seruice till such time as the warres were finished This to be done not at the King of Englands charged but his owne The french King being aduertised by some of the King of Navarres owne houshold that he was purposed to goe into England perswaded the king of Spaine to make inuasion vppon his country in the meane while The commaunder of that army which the french King had sent into Normandy was a great souldier and one well experienced in martiall affaires called the Lord Cowcy This man whilste the King of Navarre was absent negotiating his affaires in England recouered many townes and fortresses thereabout and with so much more facility because he caried in his company Charles the King of Nauarres eldest sonne in whose behalfe when many heard those warres were vndertaken they stoode not much vppon resistance Onely the Castle of Chirburg remayned still to be brought in subiection Henrie King of Castile besieging Bayon a towne of the English dominion with a great army had surely enforced them to yeeld had not the plague consumed his souldiers Neuerthelosse he brought not forth his forces in vaine for he subdued many other townes thereabouts and besides a great part of his army was conveyed to the siege of Pampelone the chiefe Citie of Nauarre I told you before of one Ivan a welch man who after the death of his father Prince of Wales had from thenceforth of a child beene brought vp vnder Phillip Iohn Charles Kings of Fraunce This Ivan being growne to mans estate and desirous of reuengment omitted no occasion whereby he might worke displeasure to the English and in all military employments so demeaned himselfe that the french King held him in great reputation As he lay at the siege of a certaine Castle in the country of Burdeloys and had brought the besieged to that point that famine must of necessity haue enforced them to yeeld a certaine welchman vnder pretence of bringing priuate intelligence of his countrymens good affection insinuated himselfe into his acquaintance and in conclusion waiting oportunitie one day when he had no other company about him cruelly murthered him vnawares as he sat idely gazing vppon the Castle combing his head The rest of the Captaines though they were much troubled with this shāefull murther of so gallant a souldier yet continued their siege very straightly notwithstanding But vpon the approche of a great number of Englishmen comming by sea both the french men and Britons which ioyned to their ayd were constrained to breake vp their campe and leaue their enterprise vnperformed By this occasion the Englishmen recouered much in the territory of Burdeauz Amongst other places the English had besieged a towne in Britaine called Saint Maloes at that time in possession of the french men Many assaults were giuen and those very violent but the french King then abyding at Roan sent an army whose comming somewhat abated the fury of the assaylants and gaue a stop to their proceedings Neuertheles they went forward with their enterprise and attempted to cōpasse it by vndermining Which when the townes-men perceiued taking the aduantage of opportunity one night very secretly they issued out of the towne and whilst their enemies kept negligent watch brake vp the mines in such sort that those which laboured in the workes vnderneath were ouerwhelmed with the earth which they tumbled vppon them The English thus preuented and disappointed of their purpose thought it best for their behoofe to returne into their couuntrey Two of the King of Englands vncles were cheefe cōmanders in this seruice Iohn the King of Spaines Sonne termed the infant of Spaine and the Constable of Spain together besieged Pampelone The King of Nauarre emboldened with the assistance of the English valiantly defended himselfe and was purposed to haue giuen battell in the field but King Henrie vppon some occasions recalled his sonne and so the army was dispersed The Englishmen and Nauarroys together pursued the Spaniards in their departure and burned and sacked certaine townes and villages vppon the frontiers Wherewith the King of Spaine was so vehemently mooued that he raysed an army of some forty thousand in purpose to haue besieged Tudell the place where the King of Nauarre wintered But by mediation of good men a meanes was found to make peace between them Which was that Charles the King of Nauarres son should take to wife the King of Spaines daughter and the King of Spaines Sonne should likewise marry the King of Nauarres daughter This Charles as we told you had been detained certaine yeeres by the french King but at such time as this treaty of marriage tooke effect vpon the king of Spaines request he was honourably sent home to her father Immediatly vppon the conclusion of these matters the King of Spaine deceassed and Iohn his sonne with the generall consent and approbation of the state was receiued in his steed The Duke of Lancaster and his brother who had married the daughters of Pietro the tyrant slaine by King Henrie tooke it in high displeasure that the matter was knit vp in this sort not a little enuing the new kings coronation The King of Portingall also was very much offended at the succession of King Iohn as shall be declared more at large hereafter The French king being a notable politicke Prince and of great experience in matters of state to the intent he might more commodiously maintaine his warres against the English sent an ambassadour into Scotland to retayne the Scottish King in amity and frendship This man arriuing by the way at Sluce in Flaunders from whence he purposed to haue proceeded on his iouruey was by the magistrate of the towne brought before the Earle then remayning at Bruges where by occasiō of some vndiscreet speeches he was reprooued and sharpely checkt with tearmes of reproch both by the Earle of Flaunders himselfe and by the Duke of Britaine inueying earnestly against such kind of persons as the chiefe causers of all dissention and vnquietnes There were others also which put him in feare that if he committed himselfe to sea it was likely that the Englishmen lying in waight for such oportunities would intercept him in his passage Here vppon altering his purposes he returned into Fraunce without dispatch of his commission and vppon the report he made of these matters the french King wrote very sharpe letters to the Earle of Flaunders exhorting and aduising him as he tendred his owne welfare that he should not foster his enemy the Duke of Britaine When the Earle had imparted these letters to his counsell there were none but perswaded him that a banished Prince forced in such sort to flye his country was by all meanes to be releeued many of them boasting that if
prouide a wife for my sonne in those quarters that by such meanes the bond of league and frendshippe betwixt vs may be more strongly combined Ye haue heard how the King of England takes the same course and seekes a wife from thence that he may strengthen and establish his affaires by such alliance This realme of ours as we see is much disquiered and suffereth many displeasures by the English I beseech you endeuor to take away all such occasions of warre and enmity For howsoeuer I may seeme to haue nourished warres yet in my heart I haue vtterly abhorred them and the thought thereof at this present moues no small remorce in my conscience These and many other things were spoken by him to the like effect The Duke of Aniow was absent as I told you a little before notwithstanding by messengers that went and came hee easily vnderstood how all things passed and vppon aduertisement from some of his frends remayning at the Court he came to Paris the same day that the King ended his life As soone as he heard certainely that the King was dead incontinently he seazed vpon all the kings apparell and iewelles and whatsoeuer else was there of worth or value For at the same time he had determined vppon a iourney into Naples towards the furniture whereof he had need of many such necessaries especially being so augmented in honour as he was lately before by the gift of Pope Clement Now although it were appointed by the kings will who should haue the administration of his goods yet neuertheles the duke of Aniow took it vpon him his brothers did not greatly gainsay him peradueÌ„ture inrespect he was their elder Afterward it was decreed by the Peeres of the Realme that so soone as the coronation of their new King were finished the gouernment of the state should be committed to his vncles to remaine in their hands till the king came to one and twentie yeares of age To the coronation of this King were called Albert Duke of Bavaria the Earle of Savoy and the dukes of Gelders and Iuliers there were also present Wenceslaus Duke of Braband with the duke of Loraine the Earle of Marche and others The Earle of Flaunders excused himselfe The young King was then twelue yeares old he had one brother and one sister both by father and Mother their names were Lewis and Katherine After these solemnities ended great consultacion was had about matters concerning the honour and fafety of the kingdome At length it was concluded that the duke of Berry should gouerne all that prouince which is commonly called Languedoc the duke of Burgoine should rule Picardy and Normandy and the duke of Aniow remaining about the kings person should haue the chiefe gouernment of the whole kingdome King Charles was a Prince so wise and prudent that sitting in his gowne at Paris in ease and quietnes he recouered many things by counsell and policie which his predecessors fighting themselues in the field with all the forces they could make had lost before in battell to their enemies And amongst other vexations which happened to King Edward at his last voyage that he intended into Britaine for the rescue of his men besieged when he was forced backe by the extremitie of weather this one thing troubled him aboue the rest that he must make warre with such an enemie as neuer bare armes nor came into the field whervppon it is reported he should say that he neuer delt with any enemie which vsed so little armor and put him to so much trouble For indeed King Charles after he came to the crowne neuer put on armour himselfe but mannaging all his affaires by wisedome and policy committed the execution thereof to his brothers Charles the sixt IT is shewed before how the youngest sonne of King Edward passed with his forces through Fraunce into Britaine to ayd the Duke who albeit he were recalled by his subiects as I told you yet the King of Fraunce wrought so much by his policy that he found small faithfulnes and but cold affection in many of them especially in the people of Nants and some others When the duke discoursed of his vnfortunate aduentures and the subtilty of his enemies proceedings the King of Englands sonne alwaies comforted him and promised assurance of frendship and succour So they agreed betweene themselues to besiege the towne of Nants with both their forces vnited together and the Englishmen went about it without further delay The Duke of Britaine in the meane time sollicited his people to furnish him with succours for the proceeding in his enterprise But they made him answere that they would in no wise waste their owne country for the Englishmens pleasures and that they would neuer take armes in his quarell so long as the Englishmen lingred in Britaine This was the very occasion and impediment which made him breake promise with the English And the King of Englands sonne meruailing what the matter meant began to be somewhat offended especially because there came no newes at all from the duke the messengers which carried letters between them being indeed cut off by the way At length after long and dayly expectation when he had spent two moneths in the siege finding that all he could do of himselfe was but labour lost vnlesse more forces came from his confederate leauing his enterprise vnperformed he himselfe tooke his iourney to the duke intending to know directly what was his purpose resolution The Duke aduisâ—dly purged himselfe imputing the blame to his people by whose treachery being deceiued he was not able to performe his promise Neuerthelesse to render his friend some satisfaction he gaue him leaue to winter with his army at Vannes During the time that Nants was besieged certaine noble men of Britaine of more eminent respect and authority then the rest had some communication with their Prince in these words or the like Sir you sufficiently declare and manifestly shew that you are wholy addicted to the English nation But what fruite or commodity what honour or aduauncement doe you expect from their friendship what motiues induce you to obserue them with such affection For when you haue brought theÌ„ into Britaine they shall bereaue you of your goods and dispossesse you of your inheritance descended from your auncestors and this they will doe if euer they obtaine the vpper hand of the French men Let the King of Nauarres example moue you who in regard of the singular good opinion he had conceiued of their faithfulnes committed into their hands the towne and castle of Chirburg whereinto being once admitted they would neuer out of it but held it for euer after as their owne By like occasion if through your sufferance and fauour they be once receiued into our citties here neuer perswade your selfe that they will at any time forgoe them for they may alwaies haue ayd out of their owne country at pleasure whereby their courage shall be
refreshed their forces renewed We neede not seeke farre for a president see you not how they detaine Brest a towne entirely of your owne seigniory and iurisdiction But when will they finde time to restore it againe assure your selfe for certainty they intend nothing lesse Let this therefore be your warning and holde your selfe well appayd that you are beloued of your people who are resolutely of this minde and purpose neuer to forsake the French king to pleasure the English will you for your wiues sake because you haue marryed an English woman take a course to ouerthrow your selfe and your estate will you therefore aduenture the losse of so goodly and large an heritage for the keeping whereof you haue sustayned so many perills and so great dangers will you be at the charge to maintaine soldiers perpetually what are you able to performe of your selfe when your subiects shall forsake you yea and take armes and fight against you also But omitting all these reasons and considerations the French King is now dead which was so vehemently incensed against you and in his place his sonne succeded who is yet very young and of no euill disposition we will apply our endeauours to reconcile you vnto him that friendship and amity may be established betweene yoâ— So shall it come to passe that both you shall enjoy your owne without trouble or disturbance and these Englishmen finding their expectations and purpose preuented shall get them home into their country The Duke although he were much moued with this kinde of discourse yet dissembled the matter for feare of giuing offence to the English And the noble men which had giuen him this counsell thinking it was no time to vse longer delay posted secretly to the French King lying then at Paris where declaring what had passed they treated for peace The English generall not knowing what was in hand purposed against the next spring to haue had new supplies out of England and to haue made sharper warres in Fraunce then before The French men themselues mistrusted as much foreseeing that at one time or other some great mischiefe would befall them from the English The Britons which negotiated with the King for agreement perceiuing that such a matter was feared in Fraunce like discrect commissioners who obserue all things diligently in such occasions and apply the same to their owne aduantage in their treaty of peace did meruailously exaggerate that point and with great pollicy insomuch that by mentioning such matters and casting doubts thereupon they had the French King farre easier to be delt with in all their affaires The Duke of Aniow as I told you was chiefe in authoritie who for that he was purposed shortly after to take his iourney into Calabria and the other prouinces which he had obtained in gift from the Pope intended nothing lesse then that Fraunce should be troubled with any new warres by occasion whereof he might lose the opportunity of performing what he had before determined Therefore accepting the counsell of the Briton commissioners so much rather for the doubts of future warre which they had suggested into his opinion he willingly condiscended to the motion of agreement So it was concluded to this effect that the Duke of Britaine being receiued into the French kings fauour should do homage to him for his Dukedome with performance of all rights belonging to such ceremonies And further to the intent that the English generall who vpon the Dukes request had trauelled such an infinite compasse of ground to come to his ayd might in some sort be honourably satisfied it was permitted to the Duke to furnish him with ships and all other things necessary for the conueying of him and his people againe into his country The English generall seeing himselfe thus deluded and deceiued would admit no excuses but full of indignation hoysed sayles to the winde made homeward into England About this time the Earle of Flaunders was exceedingly incensed against the Gauntoyes for their intollerable proud and arrogant demeanor It happened the same time very fortunately for him that variance rose amongst the men of Bruges betweene the Aldermen and the Commons insomuch that the magistrate wrote letters to the Earle instantly desiring his presence Whereupon he came and hauing put to death some fiue hundreth one other he receiued the towne into his protection with certain other of their neighbors which were desirous of the like fauour Being therefore emboldened by the accession of these forces he determined to chastice the men of Ipre who had slaine certaine gentlemen of his houshold and receiued the Gauntoyes into their towne At their request the Gauntoyes their confederates sent three thousand men to ayd them The Earles army with the helpe of the men of Bruges amounted well nere to the number of twenty thousand The Gantoyes therefore augmented their power likewise by leuying nine thousand more and so proceeding some miles on their way they sent word to their fellowes that they should also bring forth their men into the field that so with vnited forces they might ioyntly assayle their enemie There came forth some eight thousand who when they had marched a while in order of battell arriuing at a three-way leete and consulting among themselues which way was to be taken at length they followed the same which was forelayd before by any ambush of the Earles souldiers whereinto being once falne before they could cleere themselues from the daunger and come to ioyne with their confederates they lost three thousand of their men the rest hardly escaping by flight The party which gaue them counsell to enter that passage being accused of treason for his labour was by the people in their furie and vprore admitting no excuse miserably slaine and torne in peeces one limme from another euery man snatching some part to wreake his particular malice The vnhappy wretch doubtlesse had this punishment vndeserued for had he committed such a villany surely he would neuer haue trusted himselfe in their hands afterward After this good successe the Earle forthwith addressed himself to the siege of Ipre now whilst they were all in this feare perplexity But the men of Ipre terrifyed with the late accident submitted themselues to his mercy Being receiued into the towne he put to death some 700 commoners and sent three hundreth or thereabouts of the wealthyer sort prisoners to Bruges Many other townes following the example of Ipre yeelded themselues likewise to his obedience The Gauntoyes therefore which now in a manner alone stood out against him were besieged but it could not be done so streytly but that victuall and prouision might freely be conueyd into the towne at one gate or another For the place is naturally very strong both in regard of the ground wherupon it is scituate and the commoditie of two riuers called Skeld and Lise running by it therfore he had neede of a very populous army that should enuiron it on all sides The townesmen
the Duke of Braband putting him in mind how vnfitting it were for his honour to attempt such an enterprise against a company of silly women vnable to make resistance partly by the iustnesse of his request and partly by intreaty and perswasion diuerted the king from his purpose It was covenanted between the King and the Parisians that the mony which they were to pay weekly shold be kept by the treasurer of the Citie and no part of it to be expēded about any other occasiō but only in time of necessity for the maintenance of men of warre Now the french King when he should send his succours unto Spaine required the treasurer to disburse an hundreth thousand franks for the vse of that seruice The treasurer neither refusing nor performing delayed the matter with friuolous excuses The duke of Aniow at that time standing in great fauour with the people to the intent the more commodiously to furnish himselfe for his iourney into Naples wrought secretly in such sort that no part of this money was sent to the King but hauing all the authority in his owne hands found meanes to bring the matter so about that the whole summe which the King demaunded was without any grudging deliuered to himselfe Being therefore plentifully furnished with all things needfull and hauing gathered together about thirtie thousand men he proceeded on his voyage When he arriued at Auinion where Pope Clement then remained he found the hearts of the noblity meruailously inclined towards him Afterward leauing Prouence he passed through Italy into Apulia and Calabria of which countries when with most earnest affection of the people he had taken possession he tooke his way towards Naples But the Neapolitanes were altogether addicted to his aduersarie Charles the King of Hungaries nephewe heretofore mentioned This Charles after the death of the Queene of Naples who left no issue of her owne to enioye her inheritance vsurped the title and dominion of all these seigniories affirming that the Popes gifte to the Duke of Aniow was for twoo especiall causes of no force nor value First because it was not in the deceased Queenes power to alienate those things that were not her owne which opinion of his the Neapolitanes and Sicilians stoutly mayntained And againe though it had beene most free for her to dispose of them all at her pleasure yet because in those countries they acknowledged Vrbane for chiefe bishop and not Clement to whome and from whome that conveyance was made the gift must necessarily be voyd and frustrate Charles had long before furnished with all manner of prouision a certaine castle called Leuf planted as the people say by art Magicke encompast on euery side with the sea and so impregnably fortified that by any other means then by such like skill it was impossible to be conquered Into this castle abundantly stored with all necessaries for certain yeares he withdrew himselfe and his retinue taking no great thought for the rest in regard he was wel assured that the Neapolitanes would neuer forsake him and as for Calabria though he lost it for the present yet after a yeere or two he made no question to recouer it For he knew the Duke must alwaies maintaine a great army in pay for feare of rebellion which he could not long continue but either want of money or victuall would force him to great inconuenience So that his power being weakened and his numbers dispersed he might easily be ouerthrowne and driuen out of the country But there was a certaine coniurer which promised the Duke of Aniow to blinde the eies of them in the Castle in such sorte as they should belieue there was a bridge made ouer frō the main land by meanes whereof they should be compelled to yeeld for feare But by procurement of the Earle of Sauoy who accompanyed the Duke in that expedition he was put to death for a like peece of seruice which he had done long before The Englishmen and Gascones hauing taryed almost nine moneths in Portingale without performing any notable exployt like men that hated such slolthfulnes determined once againe to aduenture sorth against the Spaniards Their Captaine the Earle of Cambridge when they acquainted him with the matter was against it but they neuerthelesse went forward with their purpose and hauing good successe brought certaine townes in subiection After their returne they complayned that their entertaynment was not payd them The king of Portingale halfe angry because they aduentured without his commission made shew as if he would not haue contented them Whereupon some counselled to forrey the country take out their wages in pillage but others of more stayed iudgment and sounder discretion perswaded the contrary and so at length by intreaty they obtayned that which they were purposed to haue gotten by violence After this the King of Portingale leuyed an army of fifteene thousand besides the English and the King of Spaine hauing a power of thirty thousand bad him battell Both their forces came into the field and many dayes together light skirmishes passed betweene them But the king of Portingale because his enemies forces were more in number then his would in no wise ioyne with him in a sette battell The Duke of Lancaster whom this matter chiefly concerned in regard he marryed the eldest daughter of Don Pietro had promised his brother at his setting forth towards Spaine that as soone as he had dispatcht his affaires in Scotland he would come thither also himselfe and bring an other army His comming the king of Portingale expected But by reason of the late insurrection the state being somewhat troublesome in England the King thought it not conuenient to send his men of warre out of the Countrey The King of Portingale therefore seeing no more succours come began to treate with the Spaniard of peace though altogether against the mindes of the English whose Generall highly offended with the matter returned thereupon into England and tooke with him his sonne also to whome the king of Portingales daughter named Beatrice a Lady of 10 years old had beene lately betrothed The nextyeere following the King of Spaines wife which was the King of Arragons daughter deceassed and the King of Spaine marryed this Beatrice whom the Earle of Cambridge had in a manner cast off and forsaken This marriage was ratifyed by the Pope Not long after also dyed Ferdinando King of Portingale in whose place not the King of Spaine which had marryed his daughter but a bastard brother of his succeeded being admitted to the crowne rather by fauour of the clergy and authoritie of the citties then by election or approbation of the nobility Vpon this occasion much trouble and great warres ensued afterward When the Gauntoys through the Earle of Flaunders procurement were kept streitly from victuall out of all places adioyning certaine of their towne to the number of twelue thousand passing through Barband came to Liege and were there relieued with corne and
inuasion without defiance Whereto he aunswered that he persecuted all the Clementines in the behalfe of Pope Vrbane The messengers replyed that Flaunders held altogether of Vrbanes side it there were none other occasion but that he had vniustly vndertaken this warre against those that had no way deserued it Wherefore they desired him to graunt them safe conduct that they might passe ouer into England to speake with the King Then the Bishop in a froward fashion told them that for his part he would make them no safe conduct neither to goe nor tarry if they would needs passe they might do it at their owne perill When no other aunswere then this could be obtained from a person so arrogant and vnciuill the Flemings to the number of twelue thousand made opposition against the English not farre from the towne of Dunkirke where encountring them in battell after they had slayne a Herauld sent with a message from the Englishmen they were ouerthrowne and put to flight with the losse of some nine thousand of their people Then the Englishmen hauing taken certaine little townes thereabout marched forward to besiege Ipre And to the intent to make their power the stronger they sent word to the Gauntoys that they also should draw out their forces into the field For there was no league established between them and it grieued the English not a little that the french men wonne the victory in the former battell so enuious were they of the french mens honour or good fortune The Gauntoys therefore sent them 20000. men to the siege of Ipre Whilst Ipre was thus streightly enuironed the Earle of Flaunders by mediation of the Bishop of Liege determined to fall to some friendly agreemeÌ„t with the English whome as in reason it might be supposed he should find tractable in that behalfe considering how the warre was raysed onely against the Clementines and himselfe with all his people were Vrbanists But the Gauntoys who were partakers of the English mens counsels for hatred they bare to their Lord interrupted this treaty Then had the Earle no other hope but the helpe of the french King who being againe sollicited by the Duke of Burgome his vncle and the Earle of Flaunders sonne in law vndertooke the matter and raysed an army of aboue an hundred thousand men The Bishop as vnskilfull in matters of warre so wonderously proud when he heard that the kings power was comming against him streytway dislodged his campe and breaking vp his siege withdrew himselfe towards the sea coast with part of his army the rest being dispersed in garrisons to the intent that when his enemy approched he might the better prouide for his safety by an easy retreyte to Calice In the Kings army was the Duke of Britaine which seemed a straunge sight to the Englishmen through whose friendship and assistance he had often been succoured restored to his Duke dome But he might lawfully do it at that time without empeachment of his honour First because he was lately before reconciled to the french King and againe in regard he ought this reciprocall dutie to the Earle of Flaunders whose bounty and good affection he had abundantly tasted in the time of his necessity when he liued as an exile expnlsed out of his owne country Such is the instability of mans estate that the affliction which oppresseth one to day seizeth vppon another to morrow And yet the Duke shewed himselfe no whit vnmindfull of the benefits he had receiued from the English who vpon the approche of the french army had retyred themselues into a certaine towne called Borborough and were besieged in the same For considering the imminent perill that hung ouer their heads which they could no way auoyd but by yeelding the successe whereof was likewise vncertaine he ceased not to exhort them as they parlyed with him from the walles to prouide in time for their owne safegard by offering some reasonable composition The Englishmen not only vnthankfully accepted his motion but further entreated him to be a meanes to the King for the effecting of their purpose which he also vndertooke and performed So the King vppon some deliberation receiuing the towne into his hands suffered all the Englishmen to depart without harme or violence When the expedition was ended and the army brake vp the King gaue honourable thanks to such forraine Captaines as had serued him in this iourney especially to Duke Frederick of Bauier who had put himselfe forth into this action only vpon desire to see the countries and to obserue the order and discipline of the french warres The Duke of Britaine desirous in regard of his good affection aswell to the french King as the English to bring them to agreement procured so much by his great trauell and diligence that an appointment was made for the meeting of certaine ambassadours from Fraunce England and Spaine For the french King would not deale with the English but so as the Spaniard might be included in the treaty And because in so doubtfull a case neither the french men wold come to Calice nor the Englishmen to Boloine a place indifferent betweene both was assigned for their meeting There the french kings vncles demaunded againe all Aquitaine together with Calice and all the fortresses which the Englishmen then held on that side the sea as farre as the riuer of Gerond aswell in Normandy as in the countries of Britaine Poytow and Rochell Contrariwise the Englishmen would part from none of all those things and besides the principall points which they had in coÌ„â—ission to treate of they would also that the Gauntoys should be receiued into this society For so it was formerly agreed betweene the Gauntoys and them at Calice But against this demaund the Earle of Flaunders opposed himselfe with great vehemency affirming that they were in no wise to be admitted into league with so great Princes In conclusion when nothing else could be agreed vppon a truce was taken for tenne moneths both by sâ—a and land between the French English Spanish Scottish and Gauntoys notwithstanding all that the Earle of Flaunders could alledge or perswade to the contrary This also was added that somewhat before the truce expired the ambassadours should meete againe at a place appointed to conferre of these affaires more at large Within a while after deceased the Earle of Flaunders whome fortune for a time had wonderfully entangled with warres amongst his owne subiects so that in his example alone we may behold how great a happinesse it is for a Prince so to gouerne his people as he may be both beloued and feared and contrarily how daungerous it is to happen vppon a puissant common wealth which vnder pretence of maintayning their liberty confoundeth all things together to the intent to shift their necks wholy out of the yoke of obedience When the ambassadours departed from the treaty aboue mentioned it was agreed amongst other matters that the French men should giue notice of
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
owne vertue preserued after assurance giuen by the enemy and receiued by them according to the law of atmes fell into extreame calamity at such time as they thought themselues most secure of life and safety and were slaine by the conquerour not enraged and angry as in the fury of battell but being now at peace with them and euen himselfe abhorring such an vnnaturall slaughter The Portingales through the great aduantage of their ground ouerthrew their enemies againe and in this second battell was mercy shewed to no man They that could saued themselues by flight the rest were all slaine The Spaniards mist of their number about seauen thousand Afterwards as the custome of Princes is when they haue performed many notable mischiefes a truce was agreed vppon So the King of Spaine dismissed his souldiers and the King of Portugale was receiued with great triumph into Lisbone About the same time the French men recouered all that was holden by certaine Brigants in the country of Tholous the places there adioining The Gascones for that the wars they made in France was greatly to their enriching did willingly serue vnder the King of England and if they had been gently and respectiuely vsed they would neuer haue changed their Lord. But the King of Englands Sonne by his straÌ„ge behauiour alienated the greatest part of the nobility from him in such sort that they forsooke him put themselues vnder protection of the French King Besides this his officers vsed the Gascones disdainfully as vnworthy to whome any charge in the common wealth should be committed Herevpon grew hatred betweene them and by this occasion Charles the fift recouered all againe as hath been already declared Whilst the warres were yet hotly pursued between the two Popes the souldiers of Clement had besieged Vrbane in a certaine castle of Italy and if money had come to content them he had surely beene taken But the Bishops treasure at Avinion was already so wasted that the suÌ„me of twenty thousand frankes which should be distributed amongst the souldiers could not possibly be raised This dissention betweene the two Popes drew almost all the Princes of Christendom into sundry factions as hath beene shewed before These miseries and many other wherewith the Clergie should sometimes be afflicted a certaine Franciscane Fryer had long since foretolde in the time of Pope Innocent and being for the same cast in prison at Auinion had lost his head for his labour but that he confirmed his sayings by authoritie of scripture We haue spoken of Ferdinando king of Portingall which left behinde him one onely daughter named Beatrice marryed to the King of Spaine Now my author declareth how he vnderstood afterward that she was begotten by the king of Portugall vppon a certaine Ladie whome he had rauished and whose husband he had chased out of the kingdome and that his daughter so borne was afterwards by Pope Vrbane made legitimate And moreouer at such time as the marriage was in treaty betweene this Lady and the King of Spaine this matter was also brought in controuersie But the King of Portugall to remoue all doubts dealt in such sort with his nobilitie and chiefest of the citties that they all solemnly promised him not to acknowledge any other soueraigne after his death then this his onely daughter neither to admitte any man else to the succession of the crowne but him that should haue her in marriage Assoone as he was departed out of this life the noble men were desirous the inheritance should passe to the King of Spaine but the citties for hatred they bare to the Spanyards aduanced him to the crowne of whom we haue oftentimes spoken before namely the base brother of the King deceassed And because at such time as the king of Portugall dyed the Ladies husband remayned still aliue most men thought that the childe begotten betweene them was borne in adultery Moreouer that couple had liued fiue yeeres together as man and wife wheÌ„ the king doting in his wicked and frantick affection attempted this dishonourable practise not only for a Prince but for any other person most vnworthy and shamefull The wretched husband being robbed of his wife gat him to the King of Spaine and after the King of Portingales decease returned againe to Lishone but receiued his wife no more following therein the â—ounsell of his frends who alledged great reasons to the contrary Afterward he was slaine in a certaine skirmish and it is likely he had small ioy of his life considering the extreame iniury and disgrace receiued from such a one of whom he had no hope to be reuenged At such time as Lisbone was besieged by the Spanyards the king of Portingale sent Embassadors into England exhorting and requesting the Duke of Lancaster to succour him in this great necessitie against such an enemy as both possessed a kingdome which was none of his owne and sought also by force to seize vpon the crowne of Portingale whereto he had no more right then to the other Vppon hearing of their ambassage it was concluded that the Duke of Lancaster should be sent into Portingale and all things were prepared and made ready for his voyage when suddainly the Admirall of Fraunce landing with an army in Scotland from thence made warre vppon the English as hath bene before declared Hereuppon the Dukes iourney was stayed Neuerthelesse the King of Portingale fought prosperously and vanquished his enemie in two battells as is shewed already And after this victorie returning to Lisbone by aduise of his counsell he sent Ambassadours againe to the king of England and the Duke of Lancaster desiring him if euer he meant to attempt any thing against his aduersarie the king of Spaine that he would not neglect the present opportunitie For twise he himselfe had already defeated him in battell and driuen him from the field now did he quake and tremble for distrust of his estate and it were an easie matter to ouerthrowe him whollie specially if they should assaile him with both their forces vnited together Scarce could he know on which side to turne him his affaires and his counsels would be all so confounded and that his state might be more violently shaken it seemed best in his opinion to make present inuasion vppon him befote he should recouer his strength or bethinke him of the danger When these and many other like matters had beene deliuered by the Ambassadors it pleased the King that the Duke of Lancaster should now at length proceede with his voyage before vndertaken So with a certaine number of horsemen and more then two thousand archers accompanied with his wife and children he tooke shipping at a certain hauen in Wales whither the Portingales vppon aduertisement from their ambassadors had before sent fiue and twentie shippes and Gallies to attend him And because he saw great likelyhood of troubles to arise in England that he was enuyed by many which were in authority about the King his nephew he
was very glad and desirous to goe this iourney His first landing was in the hauen of Brest which towne because the Englishmen refused to restore to the Duke of Britaine was at that time by the Britons and Frenchmen together beseiged But the Duke of Lancasters puissance enforced the Britons to raise their seige Then directed he his course towards Cologne a towne in Spaine For after much deliberation it was generally thought more honour to land first in their enemies country then to go streight to their friends But the towne was so strongly fortifyed as their atttempt and endeauour was vaine Therefore loosing from thence they sayled to Compostella into which towne after some parly they were honourably receiued Assoone as the King of Spaine heard tydings of the Englishmens arriuall he tooke counsell with certaine French Lords whome he chiefly fauoured concerning his affaires and what they thought of the Englishmens proceedings They were absolutely of opinion that the king of Portugale should marry the Duke of Lancasters daughter and therefore that it behou'd him to require ayde of the French king who both in respect of his owne good disposition and the most strict and auncient alliance betweene Spaine and Fraunce would not faile of his friendly dutie in that behalfe Moreouer assuring him that there were a great number in Fraunce so ill affected to idlenes that nothing could happen more according to their desires then to meete with any occasion of millitary employment When they had giuen him this counsell they further aduised him to take order that all weake holds churches and such like whereinto the country people had conueyed their goods for feare of the forraging souldiers should be beaten downe For those places were such as could not be defended and if they were taken the prey and pillage therein would afforde greate profite and aduantage to the enemy The King to whoÌ„ this counsell seemed not amisse authorised the French men to cast downe what they thought good at their discretion and withall to seize whatsoeuer they found in them after a day prefixed to their owne commodity The French king being solicited by the king of Spayne for ayd required him to be of good courage for within short space he would bend all the forces he was able to make against the English nation who being once subdued he would send store of souldiers into Spaine by whose helpe he should be enabled not onely to brydle and restrayne but to breake and confound the puissance of both his aduersaries Whilst the Englishmen wintred at Compostella they made often rodes into the country and brought certaine townes vnder their subiection In the meane time the king of Pontingale wrote diuerse Letters to the Duke of Lancaster full of great kindnesse and affection But counsell was giuen the Duke that he should delay the matter no longer nor negociate with the King any further by letters that it was very behooueful for him now he had proceeded thus farre to goe through with his affaires as speedily as might be the French men were subtle fellowes the Spaniards had small faithfulnes and it might so fall out that the French men by whome the King of Spaine was wholy carryed would perswade him to agreement with the King of Portingale vppon some indifferent conditions These reasons were approoued and therevppon the Duke sent word to the King of Portingale that he was desirous to speak with him whereto he condiscended and so they met at a place appointed After much communication it was concluded that the Duke of Lancaster should stay all the winter at Compostella sending abrode his souldiers to forrey the country in the meane while and assoone as the spring time approched to aduance their Standards both together against the enemy in what part of the Kingdome soeuer he remayned Also that the King of Portugale should take his choyce which of the Dukes daughters he would haue in marriage He chose Phillip the Dukes daughter by his first wife The matters thus accomplished the duke returned to Compostella The King of Spaine being disquicted by the English souldiers which wasted his country and forced his townes to yeeld meruailed much that there came no ayd all this while out of Fraunce but the French Lords alwaies encouraged him putting him in comfort that assoone as the wars in England were dispatched he should not faile of sufficient succours The French King vppon a meruailous desire to inuade England assembled the greatest puissance he could possibly make There were numbred of noblemen and gentlemen aboue twenty thousand and more then fifteene hundred shippes abundantly furnished with all necessaries euen to smallest trifles And although this preparation was such as a greater or more sumptuous had not been seen in mans remembrance yet as it often happeneth in such occasions the report thereof in England farre exceeded the truth and was extended aboue measure In so much that publicke prayers and supplications were daily offered to God that he would auert and turne from them this imminent mischeife All the hauens and port townes where they suspected the French men might land were strongly fortified and planted with Garrisons and an vnmeasurable masse of mony was leuied amounting to the â—umme of twenty huÌ„dred thousand floreÌ„s so as there was no man in the whole kingdome which felt not the waight of this heauy burthen All good and well disposed persons bewayled the present state of their country but idle vnthrifâ—s male-contents and such as had nothing to take to were of nothing more desirous The French army was now fully furnished and all things put in a readines in the hauen of Sluse in Flaunders nothing was wanting but onely the Duke of Berryes presence He neuer allowed this enterprise and at his comming thither when consultation was had about setting forward on their iourney he perswaded the contrary with diuers reasons as the roughnes of the winter weather for it was then about Christmas and the tender age of the King whome he thought in no wise was to be committed to the vncertainty of winds and seas at that vnseasonable time of the yeere His counsell preuailed and therevppon the voyage was put of till the next spring the preparation whereof stood Fraunce in little lesse then thirty hundred thousand Frankes It was oftentimes reported for certainty to the King of Portugale that the French Kings army was already entered into England Wherevppon some gaue him counsell that he should not be to forward in marrying his wife which he had lately affianced but rather to exspect what issue the wars would come to for if it should happen the King of England to go by the worse as it was likely enough at that time the Duke of Lancasters friendship would then do him small pleasure The King following their aduise dissembled his marriage and for a while made nomotion at all thereof but with kind letters and costly presents still continued the Dukes fauour for his aduantage Leo King of
Armenia who had been driuen out of his country by the Tartars and came lately before into France being not a little sory that so great dissension should grow between two such puissant Princes as the French King and the English of a certaine godly zeale and good disposition sayled ouer into England to make a tryall if he could doe ought in establishing a peace between them The King of England gaue him patient eare in discoursing his miseries and banishment and how the power of the Turkes and Barbarians daily encreased through the mutuall wars and dissention of the Christian Princes And when by occasion hereof he descended to the point to exhort to loue and concord the King answered that he should first deale with his aduersary to discharge his great army and that done for his part he was not so peruerse but he would willingly embrace whatsoeuer was agreeable to equity and reason Herevpon he returned to the French King who seemed nothing affected nor inclinable to peace The third Booke IT fortuned in Fraunce that a certaine gentleman of the Earle of Alaunsons house rauished another mans wife whilste her husband was absent in a forraine country Assoone as he returned the sorrowfull Lady with teares in her eyes and shame in her countenance declared vnto him the violence shee had suffered Her husband complained to the Earle of Alaunson and the party accused denied the deed Now the Earle shewing himselfe more fauourable to the offender then to him that had the iniury the plaintiffe appealed to the Parliament of Paris A whole yeere and more the matter was there caâ—uassed and in conclusion when the one still auouched the fact and the other stood stoutly in denyall it was decreed that the controuersie should be decided by combate So at a certaine day which either themselues had chosen or the iudges appointed they encountred one another firston on horse-backe after on foote Not blind fortune which otherwise is wont to beare sway in such cases but iustice and true valour shewed their force in this conflict For he that held his wiues chastiâ—y deerer then his owne life and was not affraid to venture his head in defence of the same by his aduersaries destruction made it manifest to the worlde that there is a God of vengeance which will not suffer secret wickednesse to escape vnpunished After he was slaine the hangman drew his bodie to the gallowes and hung it vp whereas if he had fortuned to gâ—t the victorie the woman for falsly accusing him should by decree of the Parliament haue bene burned and her husband after his death put to the same reproch which now was vsed to his aduersarie The whole company of honourable spectators highly exstolled the conqueror and applauded his victory with deserued commendation Moreouer the French king out of a certaine princely respect and inclination not suffering so worthy an acte to passe vnrewarded gaue him presently a thousand franks and from thenceforth a pension of two hundreth pounds by the yeere during his life About this time deceassed the King of Arragon who a little before his death calling his sonnes vnto him exhorted them to mutuall loue and concord for as much as in so great partaking of Princes he onely had stood indifferent betweene the two Popes he desired his sonnes that they would doe the like and not apply themselues to any faction till the truth were more manifestly discussed Neuerthelesse when he was dead Pope Clement and the French king drew Iohn his eldest sonne to their party But when he came to be crowned the citties would not consent vnlesse he were first solemnly sworne not to leuy any tributes or exactions of money other then such as had bene formerly accustomed Edward Prince of Wales as long as he liued was for his noble chiualry and glorious fortune held in great admiration and many sought his friendship and alliance AmoÌ„gst others there was also a league betweene him and the King of Arragon vnder these conditions That the Englishmen should at no time make warres vppon the realme of Arragon and in consideration hereof that the King of Arragon should yeerely send fiue hundreth horse to serue the Duke of Aquitaine against any enemy whatsoeuer or if he could not conuenâ—ently finde so many horsemen he shold pay him a certaine summe of mony Now for the space of ten yeeres he had neither done the king of England any seruice nor payd him any money The Duke of Lancaster therefore to whom at his setting forth towards Portugall the king his nephew had giuen authority to demaund all rights and seruices belonging to the Dukedom of Aquitaine either from the king of Arragon or any other thinking that so great a masse of money would much pleasure him in his present affaires wrote letters requiring those arrerages and sent them to the King of Arragon by the Archbishop of Burdeaux Who at his coÌ„ming found the King very sicke so as he dyed within few dayes after The Archbishop neuerthelesse still prosecuted his suite and the new king offended with his importunity cast him in prison at Barcelone Whereof when the Duke of Lancaster was informed he gaue commandement to the English garrison at Lourde which is the only strong and impregnable castle in those quarters that they should infest the Arragonians with warre and doe them as much displeasure as they could They were nothing slack in performing his commaund and wrought great annoyance to the country especially to the merchants whom they intercepted at euery passage and spoyled of their commodities The people of Barcelone being vexed with their daily excursions and caught vp as a prey by the rauenous souldiers made such meanes to their king by intercession of the nobility that he was content to release his prisoner After that by perswasion of the Duke of Berâ—y the voyage into England was deferred as we haue shewed a little before assoone as the spring came on it was appointed that the Constable of Fraunce with twelue thousand men should be sent to inuade England and besides that certaine forces should be likewise conueid into Spaine to the reliefe of King Iohn against the Englishmen Portingales Vppon this occasion a new subsidy beeing sessed againe through all Fraunce ye might haue seen many country people and towne-dwellers which not knowing how otherwise to helpe themselues abandoned their lands and tenements and departed either into Henault or into the Bishoprick of Liege because those places at that time were free from the burthen of such intollerable exactions The succours sent into Spaine were six thousand horsemen vnder conduct of the Duke of Burbon We haue told you before how the king of Portugall expecting the successe of the English warre dissembled politickly with the Duke of Lancaster in the meane while Now when he saw that England was discharged of the daunger and that the French kings army was dissolued he sent some forthwith to affiance the Duke
repayd the money also that he had taken from the Constable the King would not by any meanes omit the present occasion of accomplishing his purpose And first he sent ambassadors to the emperour to acquaint him with the causes of this warre for so it be hooued him in regard of certaine couenants and articles made formerly betwixt the Emperour and him It was thought best to passe the army through Braband and the Dutchesse her selfe was well contented it should be so but all the people besides stoode stowtly against it and were readie to defend their frontires from admitting such a multitude as being once receiued would doe no lesse harme and annoyance to the country than if their enemies should waste and spoile it Moreouer they threatned the Dutchesse that if she gratified the Frenchmen in this behalfe they would neuer take armes against the duke of Gelders Then she aduise dly excused her selfe to the King imputing the blame to her people and beseeching him not to take anie offence at her deniall Therefore taking his iourney through Champaigne hee sent three thousand before to make way through the forrest of Ardenne which otherwise he could not haue passed Moreouer he sent vnto the Emperour a coppie of the Letter which the duke of Gelders would haue had carried into France when he made his defiance When the Emperour had seene that despightful and vnreuerent manner of writing he gaue answer to the ambassadors in such sort as might wel assure theÌ„ he would be no hindrance to the Frenchmens proceedings Who hewing their passage through the forrest of Arden entred into the territorie of Lutzemburge and when they approched neere the country of Liege the Bishoppe whose name was Arnold of the house of the Earles of Horne moued by the Archbishop of Colen made intercession to the King for the duke of Iuliers whose seigniory was like to be the first that should haue tasted the violence of that warre The King was not much against his request so the duke himselfe would come and shew how the matters which he alleaged for his excuse were iust and reasonable The duke being brought to the Kings presence protested that hee neither counselled his sonne to make that defiance nor had anie knowledge thereof before the letters were sent And for confirmation of his innocencie in this case promised that hee would perswade with his sonne to make his purgation aduisedly before the King and desire him of pardon which thing if hee could not effect hee would set open all his townes to the King that by meanes thereof hee might accomplish his warres with more aduantage This condition was accepted and the rather by the duke of Burgoigns perswasion The duke of Iuliers therfore accompanied with the Archbishop of Collen resorted to his sonne and ye will not beleeue what trauell and endeuour hee vsed to alter his obstinate minde For all his discourse sauoured of nothing but meere fiercenesse and contempt of the King whose puissance he perswaded himselfe that he should be able to withstand through the helpe of the English At length after many rebukes and sharp threatnings with milde speeches and gentle intreaties now and then intermingled betweene being forced as it were by assault hee condiscended to his father Then the duke drew him a forme of excuse to this effect that whatsoeuer hee had doone in this matter was by counsell and procurement of the King of England When the French King had seene the duke of Gelders and heard what hee had spoken for himselfe his mindeseemed to relent with a singular kinde of affection for hee not onely pardoned his fault but from thenceforth beganne to loue him and that much more earnestly than if he had neuer offended him When the Scottish men vnderstoode that discord was hatching in England and by continuance of time had gathered greater strength being daily more and more augmented to the intent to reuenge olde iniuries without acquainting the King with their purpose they assembled to the number of fortie thousand men They thought likewise to haue concealed it from their enemies by a pollicie but they were deceiued For the English hauing intelligence thereof made preparation to with stand them It came to a pitched field and neuer was battell fought with greater force betweene them The Scottish army being diuided in two partes came not with equall puissance to the encounter because they were separated one farre from an other neuerthelesse they went away with victory After the French mens departure the Duke of Gelders being one that tooke no pleasure in case and idlenesse raysed certaine forces and tooke his iourney towards Prussia It happened that as he passed through Germany hee was taken prisoner But the Lordes of Prussia rescued him againe by force and caused the party which had taken him to flie for his owne safety lest hee should haue fallen into the like miâ—fortune himselfe Now although he were set free by the helpe of his friends and as hee lost his libertie by the lawe of Armes so hee had recouered it by the same meanes againe yet bicause he would keepe faith with his enemy he came at a certaine time to a place appointed and compounded for his ransome The Duke of Lancaster as we shewed before kept the duke of Berry still a suter in great exspectation and yet he was all the while more affected to the Spaniard Amongst other doubts which he cast this was one that if the Duke of Berry should fortune to die his daughter should then remaine but a poore Lady in respect of her other sisters for the duke had children by his first wife which doubtlesse would goe away with the greatest part of his estate When the French King vnderstoode how the King of Spaine had put in a barre against the duke of Berrios proceedings hee was wonderfully offended so was the whole Counsell of Fraunce who knew well how highly Spaine was bound to the Kings of Fraunce for great benefites receiued many ages together For by the ayde of Charles the sift Henry the bastard being set in possession of the kingdome left the same after his decease to his sonne Iohn now raigning yet not in such sort that he was able to defend it against the English men and their confederates the Portingales if hee had not beene vpholden by the succour of the French men This ingratitude therefore being generally taken in very ill part Ambassadours were addressed to the King of Spaine with this message That he should take good aduisement and consider well with himselfe what hee did and with whome he contracted freindship sieldome any marriages were made but there passed leagues and confederacies betweene the parties There were yet extant counterpanes of the allyance between Henrie his father and his posterity on the one part and the Kings of Fraunce on the other Against the couenants whereof it were not good to transgresse if he did that he should thinke no wronge done him by the
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
for three yeares Bayon Burdeaux receaue the English The death of Iaques de Arteuill Valiant resistance made by the English in the Castle of Aguillion Caen in Normandy woÌ„ne by the English The battell of Blanchetaque The memorable battell and victory of King Edward at Cressy Calice besieged David King of Scottes taken prisoner The battell of Cressy Charles of Bloys taken prisoner Calice yeelded to King Edward 1346. Phillip of Valoys dieth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edward the black Prince during their Kings captiuitie A strange shift in extremitie Priuate conference about a peace 1359. It should seeme to be but twenty thousand Iohannes Roâ—hetaillada King Edward inclineth to peace 1360. Peace concluded and King Iohn set at liberty 1360. 1362. 1362. The death of King Iohn Charles of Bloys slaine in battell The occasion of Prince Edwards expeditioÌ„ into Spain Don Pietro the tyrant expulsed and Henrie the bastard made King of Castile The Earle of Provence taken prisoner The king of Maiorica craveth ayd of Prince Edward and obtayneth promise of the same The birth of King Richard 2. Prince Edward setteth forward on his iourney into Spaine Prince Edwards victorie against Henry king of Castile Don Pietro restored The ingratitude of the Tyrant The Lords of Gascoigne rebell against Prince Edward The death of Don Pietro and recovery of the kingdome by Hen ry the Bastard The peace broken and warres againe renued betweene England Franc King Charles commended for his curtesie A truce taken with Scotland â—or 9. yeeres Lymoges recouerd by the French Conquered againe vtterly raced by the English Prince Edward returneth into England The Duke of Lancaster marrieth Constance one of the daughters of Don Pietro Edmond of Langly The Duke of Lancaster returneth into England 1372. The English men overcome at Sea the Earle of Pembroke taken prisoner Ivan the son of Ammon Prince of VVales The I le of Garnesâ—y Poytiers yeeldeth to the French Rochell yeeldeth to the French The Duke of Brittaine flyeth into England 1373. The Duke of Lancaster arriueth at Calice 1376. The death of Prince Edward King Edward the thirds death and commendation King Richard 2. 1377. The French King poysoned 1378. 1379. The Castle of Barwicke surprised by the Scottish Againe recocouered by the English Great tumult about the election of a Pope King Richard entreth into league with the King of Navarre Ivan of VVales trecherously muthered by one Iames Laube a welch man as he lay at the siege of a certaine castle called Moctaine Saint Maloes besieged Henrie the bastard King of Castile deceaseth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edmond of Langly He is called Siluester Budaeus Fross Chro. Liâ— 2. The Queene of Naples coÌ„meth to the Pope The Queene of Naples coÌ„ueyeth her inheritance to the Pope The occasion of the Flemish warres Iohn Lyon a seditious fellow in Gaunt bringeth vp the faction of the white cappes The death of Lon. The Earle of Flaunders besieged by his subiects The Duke of Britaine returneth into his country King Richard aydeth the Duke of Britaine Thomas of VVoodstocke the Earle of Buckingham King Charles the 5. dyeth of poysontaken long before His speech at his death 1380. 1380. The coronation of Charles the fixt The coÌ„mendation of King Charles the 5. Thomas Earle of Buckingham Nants besieged The Duke of Britaine recoÌ„ciled to the French king forsaketh the English 1381. Peter de Boys Phillip of Arteuill Edmond of Langly Sir Iohn Newton captaine of the Castle of Rochester At Black-heath VVat Tiler Iack Strawe Iohn Ball. The Sauoy At Saint Katherines Mile end VVat Tiler Iack Straw Iohn Ball. Simon Sudbury It was in Smith sield VVat Tiler VVilliam VValworth Gaunt besieged by the Earle of Flaunders Commotion in Paris The Lord Coucy King Richard marrieth Anne sister to Charles King of Bohemia The Duke of Aniow taketh his iourny into Italy Zeuf an enchaunted castle see Fros Chro Lib 2. Cap 391. This enchaunter by such like illusions had before caused the Queene of Naples and her husband to yeild vp the same castle into the hands of Charles Fross Chro. lib. 2. cap 346. 392. The death of Ferdinando king of Portingale The Gauntoyes kept from victuall and brought to great extremity by the Earle of Flaunders A hard choise See the effects of desperate resolution 1382. The Earle ouerthrowne and Bruges taken by the Gauntoys Strange alteration in the Earles fortune The Duke of Burgundy The French King taketh vppon him the Earles quarell against the Gauntoys They were in all not aboue soure or fiue hundreth Fros Chro. lib. 2. Cap. 414. Ipre receiueth the French king The French kings victorie against the Gauntoyes Phillip de Arteuill slaine Bruges yeeldeth to the french King Schisme in the Church The practises of Pope Vrbane against Clement his aduersarie He sent no lesse then 30. as appeareth Fross Chro lib. 2. cap. 428. Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich Nine thousand flemings slaine by the English in a battell not farre from Duakirk 1383. The French King agayne vndertaketh the Earle of Flaunders cause 1383. The death of Lewis Earle of Flaunders The Duke of Aniow dyeth in Italy Her name was Phillip whom he had by Blaunch his first wife The Admirall of France sent with a power into Scotland Charles the French king marryeth Isabell daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauier The French and Scottish men together inuade the borders of England The Earle of Oxenford 1358. The Gauntoies receiued to sauour and their peace made vvith their Lord the Duke of Burgoigne Sir Iohn Bourchier The Earle of Foys The strange story of Gascone Earle of Foys and his sonne Gascone The Earle of Foys killeth his owne son vnwittingly Pag. 110. Iohn King of Spaine layeth claime to the crowen of Portingale besieged Lisbone The King of Portugale through the English mens ayde obtaineth a notable victorie Pope Vrbane besieged Page 127. The Duke of Lancaster sayleth into Portugall Bristowe The Duke of Lancaster arri-Seth in paine The French King maketh great preparation to inuade England Jaquesle Gris sir Iohn de Carogne A notable example of diuine iustice The French king was present with most of his nobility The death of Peter King of Arragon The Duke of Lancasters ambassadour imprisoned by the King of Arragon Phillip the Duke of Lancasters daughter marryed to the King of Portugall John of Bloys marryeth the Constables daughter of Fraunce The Castle of Ermine The Lord de laval 1390. At Saint Georges feast at VVindsore Sir Robert Tresilian Sir Robert Beachampe sir John Salisbury sir Nicholas Brambre The Englishmens miseries vnder the Duke of Lancaster in Spaine Sir John Holland The Duke of Lancaster returneth out of Spaine Bertold of Machline Reignold Earle of Gelders marryed Mary daughter to Bertold of Machline Langue fride VVenceslaus Duke of Braband taken pri soner Edward Duke of Gelders slaine in battell 1383. The Spanyards recouer againe all that the Duke of Lancaster had gotten in Castile Charles King of Nauarre by a strange misfortune burned in his bed The Duke of Britaine restoreth all that he had taken from the Constable Graue besieged by the Brabanders The notable victory of the Duke of Gelders against the Brabanders 1388. The French king goeth against the Duke of Gelders The Duke of Gelders submits himselfe to the French king The Scottes inuade England The Duke of Gelders taken prisoner Katherine the Duke of Lancasters daughter married to Henry Prince of Castile Truce for three yeeres between England Fraunce their confederates The Duke of Berries treasurer burned The death of Pope Vrbane 1390. The French King aydeth the Genowayes against the Moores and Barbarians The death of Iohn king of Castile The Earle of Arminacke passeth into Italy against the Duke of Millaine Guy Earle of Bloys The suddaine death of Gascone Earle of Foys 1391. A treaty of peace at Amience Sir Peter of Craon Sir Oliuer Clisson treacherously assaulted and almost slaine by sir Peter of Craon Euer since the Parisians met the King in armes at his returne out of Flaunders when to curb their boldnes he caused all their armour to be taken from them the chaines of the streetes to bee carried away and the foure principall gates of the citie from thence foorth to be left alwayes open The French King falleth sodaynly into a frensie 1391. Sir John Mericer A truce for foure yeeres between England France The death of pope Clement King Richard giueth all Aquitaine to the duke of â—ancaster The Gascones refuse to accept the duke of Lancaster for their soueraigne K. Richards voyage into Ireland 1394. Otherwise called Lamorabaquy Iohn the duke of Burgoignes sonne sent by the French king to ayde the King of Hangary against the Turkes Nicopolis besieged Fifteen thousand Turkes 〈◊〉 slaine by one thousand christians vnder the conduct of the Lorde Cowâ—y A discourse ot the Duke of Millaine Pag. 127. Friseland subdewed by the Earle of Henault 1396. King Richard marrieth Isabel the french kings daughter One mans pride causeth many mens destruction The siege before Nicopolis raised and all the Frenchmen slaine or taken prisoners The Lord Cowcies death 1397. At the marriage of King Richard to the French Kings daughter a truce was agreed vpon for thirtie yeeres The Earle of Saint Paul The duke of Glow ester murdered in the castle of Calice 1397. Richard earle of Arundell Thomas Mow bray Duke of Norffolke The Earle of Derby the Erle Marshall banished The Duke of Burgoignes sonne Pope Benedict besieged and taken prisoner by the Frenchmen The death of John of GauÌ„t Duke of Lancaster 1399. Henry Pâ—rcie earle of Northumberland and his sonne Thomas Arundell Hee should haue vsde the benefit of oportunity 1399. King Richard deposed
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
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