Margaret the daughter of our progenitour Henry the third at our Citty of Yorke in the feast of Christmas at whiche tyme the sayd Alexander dyd hys homage to our sayd progenitour who reigned in this Realme 56. yeares And thereford betweene the homage made by the sayd Alexander king of Scotland and the homage done by Alexander sonne to the sayd king of Scots to vs at our coronation at Westminster there was about 50. yeares At which tyme the said Alexander kyng of Scottes repayred to the sayd feast of our coronation and there did he his duety as is aforesayd ¶ Besides these letters of the king the Lordes temporall also in the name of the whole communaltie and Parliment wrote an other letter to the pope answering to that where as the pope arrogated to hym to be iudge for the title of the realme of Scotland whiche the king of England claymed to hymselfe whiche letter I thought also here to annexe contayning as in the wordes of the same here foloweth to be read and seene * The Lordes temporall and the whole Baronie of England to the Pope THe holy mother Churche by whose ministery the Catholicke fee is gouerned in her deedes as we throughly beleeue and holde proceedeth with that ripenes in iudgement that she will be hurtfull to none but like a mother would euery mans right to be kept vnbroken as well in other as in her selfe Whereas therefore in a generall Parliament called at Lincoln of late by our most dread Lord Edward by the grace of God the noble kyng of England the same our Lorde caused certayne letters receaued from you to be read openly and to be declared seriously afore vs about certayne businesses touching the condition state of the realme of Scotland We did not a little muse and maruaile with our selues hearing the meaninges concerning the same so wondrous and straunge as the like we haue not heard at any time before For we know most holy father and it is well knowne as well in this realm of England as also not vnknowne to other persons besides that from the first beginning of the Realme of England the certayne and direct gouernement of the Realme of Scotland in all temporall causes from tyme to tyme belonged to the kynges of the same Realme of England and Realme of Scotland as well in the times both of the Brittaines as also of Englishmen Yea rather the same Realme of Scotland of olde tyme was in see to the Auncetours of our foresayd Lordes Kynges of England yea and to hymselfe Furthermore the Kynges of Scottes and the Realme haue not bene vnder any other then the kynges of England and the Kinges of England haue answered or ought to aunswere for theyr rightes in the foresayd Realme or for any hys temporalities afore anye Iudge Ecclesiasticall or secular by reason of free preheminence of the state of hys royall dignitie and custome kept without breach at all tymes Wherefore after treatie had and dilligent deliberation of the contentes in your foresayd letters this was the common agreeing and consent with one mynde and shall be without fayle in tyme to come by Gods grace that our foresayd Lord the Kyng ought by no meanes to aunswere in iudgement in any case or shoulde bring hys foresayd rightes into doubt nor ought not to send any proctors or messengers to your presence specially seeing that the premisses tend manifestly to the disheriting of the right of the Crowne of Englande and the playne ouerthrow of the state of the sayd Realme and also hurt of the liberties customes and lawes of our fathers For the keeping and defence of whiche we are bounde by the duety of the othe made And we will mayntayne them with all power and will defend them by Gods helpe with all strength And farther we will not suffer our foresayd Lord the king to doe or by anye meanes to attempt the premisses being so unacustomed vnwont and not heard of afore Wherefore we reuerently and humbly beseech your holines that ye would suffer the same our Lord king of Englande who among other Princes of the worlde sheweth himselfe Catholicke and deuour to the Romishe Churche quietly to enioye hys rightes liberties ' customes and lawes aforesayde without all empayring and trouble and let them continue vntouched In witnesse whereof we haue set our seales to these presentes aswell for vs as for the whole communaltie of the foresayd Réalme of England Dated at Lincolne in the yeare of our Sauiour 1031. anno Edwardi primi 28. The yeare following which was from Christ an 1303. the sayd Pope Boniface the eight of that name taking displeasure with Phillip the Frenche king did excite king Edward of Englad to warre against him promising hun great ayd thereunto But he as mine author sayth little trusting the Popes false vnstable affection toward him well proued before put him of with delayes Ex Rob. Auesb. wherupon the French king fearing the power of king Edward whom the Pope had set agaynst hys friendship restored vnto him agayn Wascone which he wrongfully had in his hands deteined Concerning this variaunce here mentioned between the Pope and the French kyng how it begaÌ first and to what end it fell out the sequell hereof Christ willing shall declare after that first I haue finished the discourse begon betweene England and Scotland In the yeare 1303. the foresayd Willa Waleys which had done so many displeasures to the king before continuing still in his rebellion gathered great multitudes of the Scottes to wtstand the king til at length the yeare following he was taken and sent vp to LondoÌ and there executed for the same After which thinges done the king theÌ held his Parliament at Westminster whether came out of Scotland the Bishop of S. Andrewes Robert Bruse aboue mentioned Earle of Dunbarre Earle of Acles and Syr Iohn comming with diuers other The which voluÌtarily were sworne to be true to the king of England and to keep the land of Scotland to his vse agaynst at persons But shortly after the sayd Robert Bruse who as is sayd maried the second daughter of Earle Dauid forgetting his othe before made vnto the king within a yeare or two after this by the counsell of the Abbot of Stone and Bishop of S. Andrewes sent vp vnto Pope Clement the 5. for a dispensation of his othe made unsinuating to him that King Edward vexed and greued the realme of Scotland wroÌgfully Whereupon the pope wrote vnto the king to leaue of such doinges Notwithstanding whiche inhibition of the Pope the king prosecuting hys owne right after he had the vnderstanding of the doings of the Scots of the mischiefe of Robert Bruys who had slayne with hys owne handes Syr Iohn Comyng for not consenting with him and other Lordes at hys Parliament areared his power strength of men preparing himselfe toward ScotlaÌd where he ioyning with the said Syr Robert and all the power of Scotland in a
Such a stroke heareth ambition in thys Apostolicall see whiche we are wont so greatly to magnifie But of this inough whiche I leaue and referre to the consideration of the Lorde seeing men will not looke vpon it Drawing now toward the latter end of king Richards raigne it remaineth that as we did before in the time of K. Edward the third so here also we shewe forth a summary recapitulation of such parliamentall notes proceedinges as then were practised by publique parliament in this kings time against the iurisdiction of the Bysh. of Rome to the intent that such if any such be that thinke or haue thought the receauing of the popes double authoritie to be such an auncient thing within this realme may diminishe theyr opinion As euidently may appeare by diuers arguments heretofore touched concerning the election and inuesting of byshops by the king As where king Oswin coÌmaunded Tedde to be ordayned Archbish. of Yorke Also where king Egfride caused Cuchbert was brought to K. Canuce and at his commaundement was instituted Byshop of the same see Ex lib. Malmesb. de gestis pontif Anglorum And likewise Math. Parisiensis testifieth that king Henry the 3. gaue the Archbishopricke of Caunterbury to Radulphus then Bishop of London and inuested him wyth staffe and ring And the sââre king gaue the Bishopricke of wint to W. Gifford and moreouer following the steppes both of his father and brother before him endued him with the possessions pertaining to the sayd Bishoprick the contrary statute of pope Urbane forbidding that Clerkes should receaue any Ecclesiasticall dignitie at the hand of Princes or of any lay person to the contrary notwithstanding c. Innumerable examples of like sort are to be seen in auncient historyes of this our realme As also out of the parliament tolles in the time of king Edward hath sufficiently bene touched a little before Whereunto also may be added the notes of such parliamentes as haue bene holdeÌ in the raygne of this present king Richard the second the collation whereof in part here followeth * Notes of certayne Parliamentes holden in the the raigne of king Richard 2. making agaynst the Pope IN the first yeare of King Richard 2. in the parliament holden at Westminster it was requested and graunted that the popes collector be willed no longer to gather the first fruites of benefices within this realme being a verye noueltie and that no person doe any longer pay them Item that no man doe procure any benefice by prouision from Rome on payne to be out of the kinges protection Item that no Englishman do take to farme of any Alien anye Ecclesiasticall benefice or Prebende on the lyke payne In which byll was rehearsed that the French men had 6. thousand poundes yearely of such liuinges in England Item that remedy might be had against the popes reseruations to dignities electiue the same being done against the treaty of the pope taken with king Edward 3. In the second yeare of the sayd king Richard the secoÌd it was by petitioÌ requested that some order might be takeÌ touchyng Aliens hauyng the greatest part of the Church dignities in their handes Whereunto the kyng auÌswered that by aduise of the Lordes he will prouide therfore Item it was enacted that all the benefices of Cardinals and others rebels to pope Urbane that now is shal be seased into the kynges handes An Acte that Pope Urbane was true lawfull Pope and that the liuynges of all Cardinals and other rebels to the sayd Pope should be seased into the kinges handes and the kyng bee aunswered of the profites thereof And that whosoeuer within this Realme shall procure or obtayne any prouision or other instrument from any other Pope then the same Urbane shall be out of the kynges protection Moreouer in the thyrd yeare of kyng Richard the second the Prelates and Clergie made their protestation in this Parliament expressely agaynst a certaine new grauÌt to wit their extortions That the same neuer should passe with their assent and good will to the blemishyng of the liberties of the Churche if by that worde extortion they ment any thyng largely to proceede against Ordinaries others of the Church But if they ment none otherwise to deale hereafter therin theÌ before that the time had bene done then would they consent Wherunto it was replied for the king that neither for the same their sayd protestation or other wordes in that behalfe the king woulde not stay to graunt to his Iustices in that case and all other cases as was vsed to be done in times past and was bound to doe by vertue of his othe done at his coronation Furthermore in the fourth yeare of the sayd king Richard 2. it was requested that prouision might be had agaynst the popes collectors for leuying of the first fruits of ecclesiasticall dignities within the realme Item that all Priors Aliens might be remoued out of their houses and licensed to depart neuer to reuert And that English men may be placed in their liuinges answering the king as they did And in the 9. yeare of the foresayd king touching matter of the Staple the speaker of the Parliament pronounced that he thought best the same were planted within the realme considering that Calis Bruges and other towns beyond the seas grew very rich therby and good townes here very much decayed and so much for the common profite Touching the king he affirmed that the subsidie custome of wool more yelded to the king wheÌ the staple was kept in England by one thousand markes yearely then it did now being holden beyond the seas Item that inquisition and redresse might be had against such religious persons as vnder the licence to purchase 10. li. yearly do purchase 80. li. or 100. li. Item that all Clarkes aduaunced to any ecclesiasticall dignitie or liuing by the king will graunt to the king the first fruites of their liuinges none otherwise then they would haue done to the Pope being aduaunced by him In the 11. yeare of K. Richard 2. it was put vp by the petitions of the commons that suche impositions as are gathered by the popes bulles of Volumus and imponimus of the translations of B.B. and such like might be imployed on the kinges warres agaynst the schismatickes of Scotland And that such as bring into the realme the like bulles and nouelries may be reputed for traytors In the 13. yeare of his raigne followed an other parliameÌt in which although the archbish of Canterbury and Yorke for them and the whole Clergie of their prouinces made their solemne protestations in opeÌ Parliament that they in no wise ment or would assent to any statute or law made in restraynt of the popes authoritie but vtterly withstood the same willing this protestation of theirs to be enrolled yet the sayd protestation of theirs at that time took no great effect
cuppe vnto the king chanced in the middle of the floure to stumble with one foote helping and recouering himselfe with the other saying in these wordes Thus one brother as ye see helpeth an other These wordes being thus spokeÌ in the hearing of the king so moued his mind that forthwith he commaunded the false accuser of his brother to be had out to execution Whose iust recompence I would wish to be a warning to all men what it is to sowe discorde betwixt brother and brother King Ethelstane besides his vij yeares lamentation for this acte builded the two Monasteries of Midletone and of Michelenes for hys brothers sake or as the stories say for his soule Whereby it may appeare what was the cause most speciall in those daies of building monasteries to wit for releasing the sinnes both of them departed and them aliue which cause howe it standeth wyth the grace and veritie of Christes Gospell and of his passion let the Christen reader trie examine with himselfe This cruell fact of the king towarde Edwyne caused him afterwarde to be more tender and careful toward his other brethren and sisters left in his handes vnmarried Which sisters as is partly in the Chapter before declared he richly bestowed in great mariages As one to the king of NorthumberlaÌd Sithericus an other he gaue to Lewes King of Aquitania the thirde to Henricus Duke of Almaine for hys sonne Otho who was the first Emperour of the Germanes Whereby it is to be vnderstand that the Empire at this time began first to be translated from Fraunce where it remained about C. yeares and halfe vnto Germanie where it hath euer since continued The fourth of his sisters being a virgine of singulare benty Hugo the French king required to be geuen vnto him sending to King Ethelstane pretious and sumptuous presents such as were not before seene in England Among the which presents gifts besides the rare odours of sondry fauours fine spices and besides the precious costly gemmes namely of Smaradges of most redoleÌt grene besides also many and great coursers and palfries richly trapped especially of one iewell as wryters make inention which was a certaine vessell finely and subtilly made of the precious stone Onichinus so radiantly wrought that in it appeared the liuely corn growing and mens images walking c. Ouer and besides was sent also the sworde of Constantine the great with the name of the possessor wrytten in golden letters where in the hast of the same al beateÌ in gold was one of the yron nailes wherwith our Sauiour on the crosse was nailed Of the veritie whereof I am not disposed at thys present muche to say what I suspect but that this in the Ecclesiasticall storie of Eusebius is euideÌt That two of the foresaid nailes of Christ was speÌt on the bridle of Constantine the 3. he cast into the Sea in a raging tempest Wherfore if Christ were nailed with 4. nailes perhappes this naile might be one If he were nailed but with iij. I see not how this storie can stand with other stories neither howe this fourth naile can stand with truthe Among the rest moreouer was the speare as is reported wherwith the side of our Sauiour was opened which also the sayd ConstaÌtine was woÌt to cary in the field against his enemies with a portion likewise of the holy crosse inclosed in Cristall Also a part of the crowne of thorne in like maner inclosed c. Of the whych Reliques part was geuen to Winchester part to the Church of Malmesbury where king Ethelstane was buried As this King was indued and enlarged by the gift of God the serter vp disposer of all kings with great victories of worldly renowne hauing vnder hys subiection both the Scottes and Britons and the whole Monarchie of the land So he deuised diuers good and holesom lawes for the gouernment of the same as wel concerning the state of the orders Ecclesiasticall as also of the secular or lay people Whereby it is to be vnderstaÌd that the vsurped power of the bishop of Rome did not then extend it selfe so largely nor so proudly to derogate froÌ the authority of kings princes but that euery one in his owne dominion had vnder God and not vnder the Pope the doing of all matters within the same his dominion contained whether they were causes teÌporal or spiritual As by the decrees and constitutions of this king also of other as well before him as after him may euidently be testified as where hee among other lawes thus ordeineth âouching the bishop in wordes as folowe Episcopo iure pertinet omnem rectitudinem promouere Dei videlicet ac seculi In primis debet omnem ordinatum instruere quid ei âit agendum iure quid hominibus secularibus iudicare debeant Debet etiam sedulò pacem concordiam operari cum seculi iudicibus qui rectum velle diligunt in compellationum allegationem edocere ne quis alij perperam agat in iureiurando vel ordalio Nec pati debet aliquam circumuentionem iniustae mensurae vel iniusti ponderis Sed conuenit vt per consilium testimoniuÌ eius omne legis rectum burgi mensura omne pondus sit secundum ditionem eius institutum valde rectuÌ ne quis proximum suum seducat pro quo decidat in peccatum Et semper debet Christianis prouidere contra omnia quae praedicta sunt ideo debet se de pluribus intromittere vt sciat quomodo grex agat quem ad Dei manum custodire suscepit ne diabolus cum dilaniet nec malum aliquod superseminet Nunquam enim erit populo benè consultum nec dignè Deo conuersabitur vbi lucrum impium magis falsum diligitur Ideo debent omnes amici Dei quod iniquum est eneruare quod iustum est eleuare nec pati vt propter falsum pecuniae questum homines se forisfaciant erga verè sapientem Deum cui displicet omnis iniustitia Christianis autem omnibus necessarium est vt rectum diligant iniqua condemnent faltem sacris ordinibus euecti iustum semper erigant praua deponant Hinc debent Episcopi cum iudicibus iudicia dictitare interesse ne permittant si possint vt illinc aliqua prauitatuÌ gramina pullulent Et sacerdotibus pertinet in suo Dioecesi vt ad rectum sedulò quemcumque muent nec patiantur si possint vt Christianus aliquis alij noceat non potens impotenti non summus infirmo non praelatis subditis non Dominus hominibus suis seruis aut liberis Et secundum ditionem per mensuram suam conuenit per rectum vt necessaria serui operentur super omnem scyram cui praeest Et rectum est vt non sit aliqua mensurabilis virga longioâ quà m alia sed per
made before to Molde the Empresse had taken vpon hym the crowne as is abouesayd he sware before the Lordes at Oxford that he would not hold the benefices that were voyded and that he would remit the Danegelt with many other things which after he little performed Moreouer because he dread the comming of the Empresse he gaue lisence to his Lordes euery one to build vpon theyr owne ground strong castles or sorcresses as them liked All the tyme of his raigne he was vexed with warres but especially with Dauid King of the Scottes with whom he was at length accorded but yet the Scottish king did hym no homage because he was sworne to Mande the Empresse Notwithstanding yet Henry the eldest sonne to king Dauid did homage to king Stephen But he after repentyng therof entred into Northumberland with a great host burnt and New the people in most cruel wyse neither sparing man woman nor chylde Such as were with chylde they ript the children they tost vpon their speare pointes and laying the priests vpon the altars they mangled and cut them all to pieces after a most terrible maner But by the manhood of the English Lordes and souldiours and through the meanes of Thurstine Archbishop of Yorke they were met withall and slaine a great number of them and Dauid their king coÌstrained to geue Henry his sonne hostage for suretie of peace In the meane tyme king Stephen was occupied in the South countreys besieging diuers castles of diuers Bishops other Lordes and tooke them by force and fortified them with his knights and seruants to the entent to withstand the Empresse whose coÌming he euer feared About the vi yeare of his raigne Maud the Empresse came into England out of Normandy by the aid of Robert Earle of Gloucester and Ranulph of Chester made strong warre vpon kyng Stephen In the ende whereof the kings partie was chased and himselfe taken prisoner sent to Bristow there to be kept in sure hold The same day wheÌ kyng Stephen should ioyne his battayle It is sayd in a certaine old Chronicle before inyuded that he beyng at the Masse which then the bishop of Lincolne sayd before the kyng as he went to offer vp his taper it brake in two pieces And when the masse was done at what time the kyng should haue bene houseled the Rope whereby the pyxe did hang did breake and the pixe fell down vpon the aultar After this field the Queene king Stephens wyfe lying then in Kent made great labour to the Empresse and her counsail to haue the kyng deliuered and put into some house of religion but could not obtayne Also the Londiners made great sure to the sayd Empresse to haue and to vse agayne S. Edwardes lawes and not the lawes of her father which were more straight and strange to them then the other which when they could not obtayne of her and her counsaile the citizens of London beyng therwith discontented would haue taken the Empresse But she hauing knowledge therof fled priuily from London to Oxford But then the Kentishmen and Londiners taking the kings part ioyned battaile against the Empresse there the foresayd Robert Erle of Glocester and base brother to the Empresse was taken And so by exchange both the King and Erle Robert were deliuered out of prison Then Stephen without delay gatheryng to hym a strong army straightly pursued the foresaid Matild or Mauld with her friendes besieging them in the Castell of Oxford In the siege wherof fell a great snow and frost so hard that a man well laden might passe ouer the water Upon the occasion wherof the Empresse bethinking herself appointed with her friends retinue clothed in white shectes so issuing out by a postern gate went vpoÌ the I se ouer Thames and so escaped to Wallingford After this the king the castle beyng gotten when he found not the Empresse was much displeased and molested the countrey about diuer's wayes In conclusion he pursued the empresse her company so hard that he caused them to flee the realme which was the vi yeare of his raigne The second yeare after this which was the viii yeare of his raigne there was a parliament kept at LondoÌ Unto the which all the Bishops of the Realise resorted and there denouÌced the kyng accursed and all them with him that did any hurt to the Church or to any minister therof Wherupon the king began somwhat to amend his conditions for a certain space but afterward as my story sayth was as euil as he was before but what the causes were myne author maketh no relation therof c. To returne agayne to the story the Empresse compesled as is sayd to flee the realme returned againe into Normandy to Geffrey Plantagenet her husband Who after he had valiantly wonne and defended the Duchy of Normandy agaynst the puissance of king Steuen a long tyme ended his lyfe leauing Henry his sonne to succeed him in that dukedom In the meane while Robert Earle of Gloucester and the Earle of Chester who were strong of people had diuers conflictes with the king In so much that at a battayle at Wilton betwene them the king was well nere taken but yet escaped with much payne It was not long after but Eustace sonne to king Stephen who had maried the French kings sister made war vpon duke Henry of NormaÌdy but preuailed not Soone after the sayd Henry Duke of Normandy in the quarell of his mother Maude with a great puissance entred into England and at the first wan the castle of Mahnesbury then the Tower of London and afterward the towne of Notingham with other holdes and castles as of Walynford and other mo Thus betwene him and the king were foughten many battayles to the great annoyaunce of the realme During which tyme Eustace the kings sonne departeth Upon the occasion wherof the king caused Theobald which succeeded next after W. above mentioned Archbishop of Canterbury to make meanes for the Duke for peace which vpon this condition betwene them was concluded that Steuen during his life tyme should holde the kingdome and Henry in the meane tyme to bee proclaimed heyre apparant in the chiefe cities throughout the Realme These things thus concluded Duke Henry taketh his iourney into Normandy king Steuen and hys sonne William bringing him on his way where William the kings sonne taking vp his horse before his father had a fall and brake his leg and so was had to Canterbury The same yere king Stephen about October as some say for sorow ended his life after he had raigned 19. yeres periuredly As Theobald succeeded after William Archbishop of Canterb. so in Yorke after Thurstine succeeded William which was called S. William of Yorke who was poysoned in his chalice by his chaplaines In the tyme of this kyng which was the xvi yeare of his raigne Theobaldus Archbishop of Cant. and Legate to
Robert Earle of Leycester to declare to him what was his iudgement To whom the Archbyshop answereth heare my sonne good Earl what I say vnto you how much more precious the soule is more then the body so much more ought you to obey me in the lord rather then your terrene king Neither doth any law or reason permit the children to iudge or coÌdemne their father Wherfore to auoid both the iudgement of the king of you and all other I put my selfe only to the arbitrement of the Pope vnder God alone to be iudged of him and of no other To whose presence heere before you all I doe appeale committing the ordering of the Church of Cant. my dignitie with all other things appertaining to the same vnder the protection of God and him And as for you my brethren fellow Byshops which rather obey man then god you also I call and cite to the audience and iudgement of the pope and depart hence foorth from you as from the ennemies of the Catholike Church and of the authoritie of Apostolike see While the Barons returned with this aunswere to the king the Archbishop passing through the throng taketh to him his Palfrey holding his Crosse in one hande and his bridle in the other the courtiers following after and crying traytor traytor tary heare thy iudgement But he passed on till he came to the vttermost gate of the Courte which being fast locked there had ben staid had not one of his seruants called Peter surnamed Demunctorio finding ther a bunche of keyes hanging by first prooued one key then an other till at last finding the true key had opened the gate and let him out The archbishop went straight to the house of Chanons where hee did lie calling vnto hym the poore where they could be found When supper was done making as though he would go to bed which he caused to be made betwixt two altares priuely while the king was at supper prepareth his iorny secretly to escape away and chaunging his garment and his name being called Derman first went to Lincolne from thence to Sandwiche where he tooke ship and sailed into Flaunders and from thence iourneyed to Fraunce as Houedenus sayth All be it Alanus differing something in the order of his flight sayth that he departed not that night but at supper time came to him the bishop of London Chichester declaring to him that if he would surrender vp to the king his two maners of Oxforde wyngecham there were hope to recouer the kings fauour to haue all remitted But when the Archbishop would not agree therunto forasmuch as those maners were belonging to the Churche of Canterburie the king hearing thereof great displeasure was taken In so much that the next day Becket was faine to sende to the king two bishops and his chaplein for leaue to depart the realme To the which message the king answered that he would take a pause therof til the next day then he should haue an answere But Becket not tarying his answere the same day conueied himselfe away secretely as is aforesayde to Ludouicus the French king But before he came to the king Gilbert the bishop of London William the earle of Arundel sent froÌ the king of England to Fraunce preuented him requiring of the said French king in the behalf of the king of England that he would not receiue nor retaine in his dominion the archb of Canterbury Moreouer that at his instance he wold be a meanes to the pope not to shewe any familiaritie vnto him But the King of England in this point semed to haue more confidence in the French king then knowledge of his disposition For thinking that the French king would haue bene a good neighbour to him in trusting him to much he was deceiued Neither considered he w e himselfe inough the maner nature of the Frenchmen at that tyme agaynst the realme of England who then were glad to seeke and take all maner of occasions to doe some act agaynst England And therefore Ludouicke the French king vnderstanding the matter thinking percase therby to haue some vauntage against the king and realme of England by the occasion hereof contrary to the kings letters and request not onely harboreth and cherisheth this Derman but also writing to the pope by his Almener and brother entreateth him vpon al loues as euer he would haue his fauor to tender the cause of the Archbishop Becket Thus the kinges Ambassadours repulsed of the French king returned at what tyme he sent an other ambassage vpoÌ the like cause to Alexander the pope theÌ being at Sene in France The Ambassadours seÌt in this message were Roger archbishop of Yorke Gilbert bishop of London Henry Bish. of Winchester Hilary Bish. of Chichester Bartholomew byshop of Exceter with other doctors clerkes also william Earle of Arundell with certayne moe Lordes Barons Who comming to the popes court were friendly accepted of certayne of the Cardinals amongst the which cardinals rose also dissention about the same cause some iudgyng the Bishop of Canterbury in the defence of the liberties of the Church as in a good cause to be mayntayned Some thinking agayn that he being a perturber of peace and vnitie was rather to be bridled for hys presumption then to be fostered incouraged therein But the P. partly bearing with his cause which onely tended to his exaltation and magnificence partly again incensed with the letters of the French king did wholy incline to Becket as no maruell was Wherfore the next day following the pope sitting in consistory with his Cardinals the ambassadours were called for to the hearing of Beckets matter and first beginneth the bishop of London next the Archbishop of Yorke then Exceter and the other Bishops euery one in their order to speake Whose orations being not well accepted of the Pope and some of them also disdayned the Earle of Arundel perceauing that and somewhat to qualifie and temper the matter to the Popes eares began after this maner ALthough to me it is vnknowen sayth he which am both vnlettered and ignorant what is that these Byshops heere haue sayde neither am I in that toung so able to expresse my minde as they haue done yet being sent and charged thereunto of my Prince neither can nor ought I but to declare as well as I may what the cause is of our sending hether Not truely to contende or striue with any person nor to offer any iniurie or harme vnto any man especially in this place and in the presence here of such a one vnto whose becke and authoritie all the world doth stoupe and yeelde But for this intent is our legacie hether directed to present here before you and in the presence of the whole church of Rome the deuotion and loue of our king and maister which euer he hath had and yet hath still toward you And that the same might the better
former rescript of Becket to his Suffraganes in the page before with a generall resolution of the reasons therein contained If the king of England had bene an idolater couetous an adulterer an incest a murderer with such like than the zeale of this Archbishop threatning the king and such as tooke his part had deserued praise in this Epistle the scripture would haue borne him out therein For these and suche causes should byshops prosecute the authoritie of the Gospell against all persones But the matter standing onely vpon Church goods libertie or rather licentiousnes of Priests making of Deanes titles of Churches superioritie of crowning the king with such other to stand so stiffe in these is not to defend the church but to rebel against the king Againe if the principles which hee heere groundeth vpon were true to witte that the Pope were to be obeied before Princes that the liberty of Church standeth vpon the immunitie of priests exempted from princes lawes or vpon ample possessions of the Churche or that the Popes lawe ought to preuaile in all forreine countreis and to binde all princes in their owne dominions or that the sentence of the Pope his Popelings how or by what affection so euer it is pronounced may stande by the vndoubted sentence of God Then all the arguments of this Epistle doe proceede and conclude wel But if they stand not ratified vpon gods worde but tottering vpon mans traditions Then whatsoeuer he inferreth or concludeth thereupon his assumpt being false can not be true according to the schoole saying One inconuenience being graunted in the beginning innumerable follow thereupon So in this Epistle it happeneth as is aboue noted that the Maior of this man is true but the Minor is cleane false and to be denied ¶ The letter of Matild the Empresse and mother of the king To Thomas Becket MY Lord the Pope commanded me and vpon the forgeuenes of my sinnes inioyned me that I should be a mediatour and meanes of peace and concorde betweene my sonne and you by reconciling of your selfe to him wherunto as you know ye requested me Wherefore the earnester and with more affection as well for the diuine honour as for holy Church I tooke the enterprise vpon me But this by the way I assure you that the king his Barons and counsell taketh it grieuously that you whome he entirely loued honored and made chiefest in al his Realme to the intent to haue more comfort and better trust in you should thus as the report is rebell and stirre his people against him Yea and further that asmuch as in you lieth you went about to disherite him and depriue him of his crowne Vpon the occasion whereof I sent vnto you our trustie and familiar seruant Laurence Archdeacon by whome I pray you that I may vnderstand your minde herein and good wil towarde my sonne and howe you meane to behaue your selfe if my prayer and petition may be heard of him in your behalfe toward his grace But this one thing I assure you off that vnlesse it be through your great humilitie and moderation euidently in you appearing you can not obtaine the fauour of the king Heerein what you meane to do I pray you sende me word by your proper letters and messengers But to proceede farther in the order of the historie After these letters sent to froe the yeare of our Lorde 1169 which was the 15. of the raigne of Henry the 2. The King misdoubting and fearing wyth himselfe that the Archbyshop would proceede or exceede rather in his excommunication against his owne person to preuent yâ mischiefe made his appeale to the presence of the pope requiring to haue certaine Legates sent downe from Rome from the popes side to take vp the matter betwene the Archbishop and him requiring moreouer that they might also be absolued that were interdicted whereupon two Cardinals being sent from Alexander the Pope with letters to the King came into Normandie where they appoynted the Archb. to meete them before the King vpon S. Martines day But the Archb. neither agreeing wyth the day nor place delaied his comming to the viâj day after neyther would any further go then to Brisorlium Where the two Cardinals and the Archb. with other bishops conuenting together had a certaine intreatie of peace and reconciliation but came to no conclusion The coÌtents of which intreatie or action because it is sufficiently contained in the Cardinals letters who were called Bulieânus Otho written to the pope it shal require no further labour but to shew out the wordes of the letter where the summe of the whole may appeare The wordes of the letter be these ¶ The copie of the Epistle written and sent by two Cardinals to the Pope concerning the matter of the Archbishop Becket WIlliam Otho Cardinals of the Church of Rome to Alexander the Pope c. CoÌming to the land of the K. of EnglaÌd we founde the controuersie betwixt him and the Archb. of Canterburie more sharpe and vehement then we would For the king and the greater part of them about him said that the Archbyshop had stirred vp the French king grieuously against him And also the Earle of FlaÌders his kinsman who bare no displeasure to him before he made his open aduersary ready to warre against him as is by diuers euidences most certaine Thus when we came to Cadomus first to the kings speach we gaue the letters of your fatherhode to his hands which after that he had receiued and considered bringing foorth withall other letters receiued from you before something diuers and altering from these which he receiued of vs was moued stirred with no litle indignation saying that the Archbishop after our departure from you had receiued of you other contrary letters by the vertue whereof he was exempted from our iudgement so that he should not be compelled to aunswere vs. Moreouer the said king to vs added and affirmed and so did the bishops there present testifying the same that coÌcerning the old and ancient customes of his progenitors wherof complaint was made to you al that for the most part was false vntrue which was intimate to you Offering farther to vs that if there were any such customes or lawes in his time that seemed preiudicial or disagreeable to the statutes of the Church he wold willingly be content to reuoke and disanul the same Whereupon we with other Archbishops Bishops Abbotes of the land hearing the king so reasonable laboured by al meanes we might that the king should not vtterly breake from vs but rather should incline to vs to haue the matter brought before vs betwixt him the forenamed Archbishop By reason whereof we directed out our own Chapleins with letters vnto him appoynting him both time and place where safely hee might meete with vs in the feast of S. Martin Neuerthelesse he pretending certaine excuses made his dilatories driuing of the time from the day
of S. Martin to the Octaues following which thing stirred the kings hart more then is to be thought Thus although we offered to the Archbishop safe comming yet when he refused to meete vs in the borders of the king we to satisfie his minde condescended to meete him within the land of the French king in the place where hee himselfe appoynted becauâe there shoulde be no let in vs whereby to stoppe his profite After we had entred communication we began to exhort him all that we coulde to submit and humble himselfe to his soueraigne and king who had heaped him with such benefits and dignities wherby matter might be geuen vs to further occasion of reconciling them together He being thus moued and exhorted by vs departed aside to consult with his counsell vpon the matter At length after counsel taken he commeth againe answering in this maner That he woulde submit and humble himselfe to the King Saluo honore Dei ecclesiae libertate salua etiam honestate personae fuae possessionibus Ecclesiarum amplius sua suoruÌ in omnibus salua iusticia That is Sauing the honour of God and libertie of the Church sauing also the honestie of his person and the possessions of Churches and moreouer sauing the iustice of him and of all his in all things c. After which communication had among vs we moued required him more instantly tha the wold come to the specialities wheÌas yet he had broughtnothing in either which was certaine or particular Likewise we demanded of him if he would in all such things contained and comprehended in our letters stand submit himselfe to our letters so as the king and the bishops before were contented to doe To the which he answering againe said that he had receiued from you a coÌmmandement not to answere before he and all his were restored full to all their possessions And then he would so procede in the matter according as he should receiue coÌmandement froÌ the sea Apostolicall Thus we breaking of coÌmunication seeing that he neither would stand to iudgement nor come to conformitie thought to make relation thereof to the king and so did declaring that which he had expressed to vs yet not vttering all but keeping backe a great part of that which we had heard and seene Which when the king and his nobles had vnderstanding of affirmed to vs againe that he therein was cleared so much the more for that the Archbishop would not stand to their iudgement nor abide their triall After much heauinesse and lamentation of the king the archbishop bishops and abbots of the Realme requiring of vs whether we had any such power by vertue of our commission to withstand him and proceede against him and perceiuing that our authoritie would not serue thereunto and fearing least the foresaid Archbishop refusing all order of iudgement woulde woorke againe disquietnesse to some noble personages of the Realme and seeing our authoritie could not extend so far to help them against him taking a consultation among themselues agreed together with one assent to make their appellation to your audience prefixing accordingly the terme of their appeale And this is the Epistle of these two Cardinals sent to the pope wherein may sufficiently appeare at the discourse and maner of that assembly although particularly euery thing not expressed concerning the talke betwixt the Cardinals and the Archbishop As wheÌ that William who of the two Cardinals was the more eloquent amoÌgst other communâcation had reasoned long with him concerning the peace of the church which Becket said he preferred aboue all things well then sayeth the Cardinall seeing all this contention betwene the king and you riseth vpon certain lawes customes to be abrogate and that you regard the peace of the Church so much then what say you will you renounce your Bishopricke and the king shall renounce his customes The peace of the Church now lieth in your handes either to retaine or to let goe what say you To whom he answereth againe that the proportion was not like For I saith he sauing the honour of my Church and my person can not renounce my Byshopricke Contrary it standeth the king vpon for his soules health and honor to renounce these his ordinaunces and customes Which thing he thus prooued because the Pope had condemned those customes and he likewise with the church of Rome had done the same c. ¶ The talke betweene the French king the king of England and Becket After the Cardinals were returned the French king seeing the king of England disquieted and solicitous to haue peace or at least wise pretending to set agreemeât betweene them brought the matter to a communication among them In which communication the French king made himselfe as umpeare betweene them The King of England hearing that the Archb. would commit himselfe to his arbitrement was yâ more willing to admit his presence Whereupon many being there present the Archb. prostrating himselfe at the Kings feete declared vnto him kneeling vpon his knees that he would coÌmit the whole cause whereof the dissention rose betwene them vnto his owne arbitrement adding thereto as he did before Saluo honore Dei that is sauing the honour of God The king who as is said before being greatly offeÌded at this word hearing seeing the stiffenesse of the man sticking so much to this worde Saluo honore c. was highly therewith displeased Rebuking him with many grieuous words as a man proude and stubburne and also charging him with sondry great benefites bestowed vpon him as a person vnkinde forgetting what he had so gently done and bestowed vpon him And speaking to the French king there present See sit if it please you sayth the king of England whatsoeuer displeaseth this man that he sayeth to be contrary to the honor of God And so by this meanes he will vendicate chalenge to himselfe both that is his and mine also And yet notwithstanding for that I will not seeme to doe any thing contrary or preiudiciall to Gods honor this I offer him There hath bene kings in England before both of greater and les puissance then I am Likewise there hath bene bishops of Cant. many both great holy men what the greatest and most holiest of all his predecessours before him hath done to the least of my progenitors and predecessors before me let him do the same to me I am content They that stoode by hearing these wordes of the king crying all with one voice the king hath debased himselfe inough to the byshop The Archb. staying a little at this with silence what saith the French king to him my lorde Archbishop will you be better then those holy men will ye be greater then Peter What stand you doubting Here now haue you peace quietnes put in your owne handes if ye will take it To this yâ Archb. answered againe truth it is sayth he
my predecessors before me were much both better and greater then I and of them euery one for his time although he did not extirpe and cut off all yet something they did plucke vp and correct which seemed aduerse repugnant against Gods honor For if they had taken altogether away no such occasion then had bene left for any man to raise ãâã fire of temptation now against vs as is nowe raised to proue vs with all that we being so proued with them might also be crowned with them being likewise partakers of praise and reward as we are of their labour and trauaile And though some of them haue bene slacke or exceeded in their duetie doing in that we are not bounde to follow their example Peter when he denied Christ we therfore rebuke him but wheÌ he resisted the rage of Nero therin we coÌmeÌd him And therfore because he could not finde in his coÌscience to coÌsent vnto that he ought in no wise to dissemble neither did he by reason thereof he lost his life By such like oppressions the church hath alwaies growne Our forefathers predecessors because they would not dissemble the name honor of Christ therfore they suffred And shall I to haue the fauour of one man suffer the honor of Christ to be supprest The nobles standing by hearing him thus speake were greatly agreeued with him noting in him both arrogancy wilfulnes in perturbing and refusing suche an honest offer of agreemeÌt But specially one among the rest was most agreeued who their openly protested that seing the Archbishop so refused the counsaile and request of both the kingdome he was not worthye to haue the helpe of eyther of them but as the kingdome of Englande had reiected so the kingdome of Fraunce shoulde not entertayne him Alanus Herbertus and certayne other of his Chaplaines that committed to story the doynges of Becket doe record whether truely or no I cannot say that the French king sending for him as one much sorrowing and lamenting the wordes that he had spoken at the coÌming of Becket did prostrate hymselfe at his feete confessing his fault in geuing counsel to him in such a cause pertayning to the honor of God to relent therein to yeld to the pleasure of maÌ wherfore declaring his repentance he desired to be absolued thereof So that after this the French king and Becket were great frendes together in so much that kyng Henry sending to the king to entreate him and desire him that he would not support nor maintayn his enemy within his Realme the French king vtterly denyed the kinges requeste taking part rather with the Archbishop then with him Besides these quarrels and grudges betwixt the kyng and the Archbishop aboue mentioned there followed yet moreouer an other which was this Shortly after this coÌmunication recited betweene the king and Becket the K. of England returning againe froÌ Normandy to England which was the yeare of our Lord 1170. and the 16. yeare of his raigne about Midsomer kept his court of Parliament at Westminster In the which Parliament he through the assent both of the Clergy and the Lordes temporall caused hys sonne Henry to be crowned king Which coronation was done by the hands of Robert Archb. of York with the assistaÌce of other bishops ministring to the same as Gilb. of LondoÌ Goceline of Salisbury Hugo of Duresme and Gualter of Rochester By reason whereof Becket of Cant. beyng there neither mentioned nor called for took no little displeasure and so did Lodouike the French king hearing that Margaret hys daughter was not also crowned with her husband Whereupon he gathering a great army forthwith marched into NormaÌdy But the matter was soone coÌpassed by the king of England who sending hys sonne to him in Normandy intreated there and concluded peace with him promising that his sonne should be crowned agayne then hys daughter to be crowned also But the Archb. not ceasing his displeasure and emulatioÌ sent vnto the Pope complaining of these four bishops especially of the Archb. of Yorke who durst be so bold in his absence without his knowledge or his licence to intermedle to crowne the king being a matter proper and peculiar to his iurisdiction At the instaunce of whom the P. sent downe the sentnce of excommunication against the B. of London The other 3. bishops with the Archb. of York he suspended whose sentence and letters thereof for auoyding prolixitie I here omit Besides these foresayd bishops excommunicated diuers other clerks also of the court he cited to appeare before him by vertue of his large commission whiche he gate from the Pope to whoÌ they were bound to obey by reason of their benefices And some he commanded in vertue of obedieÌce to appeare in payne of forfeting their order and benefices Of which wheÌ neyther sort would appeare he cursed theÌ openly And also some lay men of the court the kings familiars some as intruders and violent withholders of Church goodes he accursed as Richard Lucy and Iocelin Balliot and Rafe Brocke which tooke bels and goods that belonged to the Church of Caunterburye and Hugh Sainctcleare and Thomas the sonne of Bernard and all that should hereafter take any church goodes without hys consent so that almost all the court was accursed eyther by the name or as pertakers This being done the Archb. of Yorke with the foresaid bishops resorted to the king with a greuous coÌplaint declaring how miserably their case stood and what they had sustayned for fulfilling his commaundement The kyng hearing this was highly moued as no maruell was But what remedy The tyme of the ruine of the Pope was not yet come and what Prince then might withstand the iniurious violence of that Romish potestate In the meane season the Frenche King for his parte his clergy and courtiers stackt no occasion to incite and sollicite Alexander the Pope agaynst the king of England to excoÌmunicate him also seeking thereby and thinking to haue some vauntage agaynst the realme Neither was the king ignorant of thes which made him more ready to apply to some agreement of reconciliation At length coÌmeth downe from the Pope two Legates the Archb. of Rhotomage and the Byshop of Nauerne with direction and full commission eyther to driue the king to be reconciled or to be interdicted by the popes ceÌsures out of the church The king vnderstanding himselfe to be in greater straites then he coulde auoyde at length through the mediation of the Frenche king and of other Prelates and great Princes was content to yeld to peace and reconciliation with the Archbishop whome he receaued both to hys fauour and also permitted and graunted him free returne to his Church agayne Concerning hys possessions and landes of the Churche of Canterburye although Becket made great labour therefore yet the king being then in Normandy would not graunt him before he should repayre to England to see how he would there agree with hys subiectes Thus peace after a sort concluded betwene the king
some lawfull canonicall ââpeehment The palace of the Apostles onery thied yeare I shall visiâe either by myselfe or my messenger except other wise being licensed by the sea Apostolicke All such possessioâs as beloÌg to the table and dyet of my Bishopricke I shall neither sell nor geue nor lay to morgage nor lesse out or âââdue away by any maner of meanes without that consent knowledge of the Byshop of Rome so God help me and the holie Gospels of God A note vpon the same ¶ Hereby thou hast by the way gentle Reader to note and consider among other thinges which here may be vnderstand that since the time the othe began to be layd and must vpoÌ Byshops all generall CouÌcels began to loose they robery For how could any freedome remayn for men to speake theyr knowledge in redresse of things being by their othe so bound to the Pope to speake nothing but on his side to maintayne the Papacy and the church of Rome in all times and places Coniecture by thy selfe Christen Reader what is more hereby to be considered BEsides this it was also decreed in the sayd Councell at Rome of 310. Byshops by pope Alexander that no maÌ should haue any spirituall promotion except he were of lawful age and born in wedlock That no parish Church should be voyd aboue 6. moneths That none within orders should meddle with temporall busines That priests should haue but one benefice And that the Bishop should be charged to finde the priest a liuing till he be promoted That open vsurers should not coÌmunicate at Easter âor be buried within the Churchyard That nothing should be taken for ministring Sacraments or burying Item that euery cathedrall church should haue a master to teach children freely without taking any thing for the same In this councell the vow of chastitye was obstruded layd vpon Priestes Thomas Becket also and Bernard were canonised for Saintes During the raigne and time of this king Henry the second the City of Norwich was destroyd and burnt by the men of Flaunders Also the town of Lecester Notingham wasted and the Burgeses slayne by the Earle of Ferers The towne of Barwick destroyd by the Scots The king of Scottes was taken in warre by Englishmen an 1174. The towne of Huntington taken and burned The towne of Canterbury by casualty of fire burnt with all the Churches specially with the Trinity church where Becket was worshipped an eod The yeare of our Lord. 1170 Willia king of Scots with Dauid his brother and all the Barons of the realm did homage to the king of England Ireland made subiect to England Decreed in a councell in Normandy that no boyes or childreÌ should posses any benefice A couÌcell of Lateran was holdeÌ at Rome where were 33. articles coÌcluded an 1179. The French king came in pilgriânage to Thomas Becket the king of England meeting him by the way an 1184. After the death of Richard Archbishoppe of Caunterbury who followed after Thomas Becket succeeded Baldwinus who of a Cistercian monk being made a byshop is sayd neuer to eat flesh in his life To whom a certein poore woman bare lean meeting him in the street desired to know of him whether it were true that was sayd of him that he neuer eat flesh Which thing when he had affirmed to be true Nay sayth she that is false for ye haue eaten my flesh vnto the bone For I had but one cow wherewith I was sustayned and that hath your Deanes taken from me True true sayd the Bishop and thou shalt haue an other Cow as good as that c. Iornalens Moreouer in the raigne of the sayd king Henry about the yeare of our Lord. 1178. I find in the story of Rog. Noueden and other that in the city of Tholouse was a great multitude of men and womeÌ whom the popes Commissioners to wit Peter Cardinal of S. Crisogoim and the Popes Legate with the Archbishops of Narbone Byturiensis Reginald Bishop of Bathe Iohn Bishoppe of Pictauia Henry Abbot ClareualleÌsis c. did persecute condeÌne for hereticks Of whom some were scourged naked some chased away some compelled to abiure Concerning whose articles opinions I haue no firme grouÌd to make any certain relation for so much as I see the Papistes many times so false in their quareling accusatioÌs vntruly collecting mens sayinges not as they ment meanings not as they sayd but wresting and deprauing simple meÌs assertions after such a subtle sort as they iust themselues to take them But this I finde how one of the sayd commissioners or Inquisitors Henry the Abbot in a certaine letter of his writ thus of them Nam panem sanctum vitae aeternae sacerdotis ministerio in verbo Domini consecratum non esse corpus Domini nouo dogmate contendebat asserere That is After a new ãâã he affirmed that the holy bread of eternall life ãâã by the ministery of the Priest was not the body of the ãâã In the time of this Alexander Sprung vp the doctrine and name of them which were then ãâã Pauperes de Lugduno which of one waldus a chiefe Seââtour in Lyons were named Wilden âitem Leonishae Infabbatati about the yeare of our Lord ãâã as ãâã us writeth an 1170. Not long before this time as is exprest aboue rose ââ Gratianus maister of the decrees Petrus Lombardus maiââer of the sentence both archâilers of all papistry After whom followed also two as cuill â worse then they Franciâeus and Domiâcus maintayning blinde hypocrisie no lesse theÌ the other maintayned proud prelacy As these labored one way by superstition and worldly aduauÌ cement to corrupt the sincerity of Religion So it pleased Christ the contrary way laboring against these to cause vp therfore the sayd MaldeÌsians against he pride and hypocrisy of the other Thus we neuer see any great corruptioÌ in the church but that some sparkle yet of the true light of the Gospell by Gods prouidence doth remayne Whatsoeuer Doctor Augustinus Remerius Siluius Cranzius with other in their popish histories do write of them defaming them through misreport and accusing them to Magistrates as disobedient to orders rebels to the Catholick church and contemners of the virgin Mary yee they that cary iudgement indifferent rather trusting trueth then wauerâng with times in weying their Articles shall finde it otherwise that they mayntayned nothing els but the same doctrine which is now defended in the Church And yet I suppose not contrary but as they did with the Articles of Wickliffe and Hus so the Papists did in like maner with their articles also in gathering and wrasting them otherwise then they were ment The history of the Valdenses concerning their originall and doctrine with their persecutions THe first originall of these Valdenses came of one Waldus a man both of great substance and no lesse calling in the City of Lyons the occasion whereof is declared of diuers writers
mentioned it appeareth by their writings whereof I will recite some of their words which towardes the end be these Quis enim est solus ille peregrinus qui condemnationem haereticoruÌ Valdensium ignoret a longe retro annis factam tam famosam taÌ publicam tot tantis laboribus expensis sudoribus fidelium insecutam tot mortibus ipsorum infidelium solemniter damnatorum publiceque punitorum tam fortiter sigillatam c. That is Who is such a straunger that knoweth not the condemnation of Ualdenses the heretickes done and past so many yeres ago so famous so publick followed vpon so great labours expences and trauayle of the faythfull and sealed with so many deathes of these Infidelles so solemnelye being condemned and openlye punished Whereby we may see persecution to be no newe thing in the Churche of Christe when Antechrist so long before euen 300. yeares began to rage agaynst these UaldeÌses In Bohemia likewise after that the same called by the name of Thaborites as Siluius recordeth suffred no little trouble But neuer persecution was stirred vp against them or any other people more terrible then was in these latter yeares in Fraunce by the French king an 1545. which lamentable story is described in Sleidan and hereafter in the proces of this booke as we come to the order of yeares shall be set forth by the grace of Christ more at large In the which persecution is declared in one towne Cabriera to be slayne by the Captayne of Sathan Minerius eight huÌdred persons at once without respect of women or children of any age Of whome 40. women and most of them great with childe thrust into a barne and the windowes kept with pikes and so fire set to them were all consumed Besides in a caue not farre from the towne Mussium to the number of xxv persons with smoke and fire were the same time destroyed At Merindolum the same tyraunt seing all the rest were fled away finding one yong man caused him to be tyed to an Oliue tree to be destroyed with tormentes most cruelly with much other persecution as may appeare hereafter in the history translated out of Sleidan into English But to returne agayne to higher times from whence we digressed Besides that Rinerius aboue mentioned speaketh of one in the towne of Cheron a glouer which was brought in this time to examinatioÌ suffred There is also an olde Monument of proces wherein appeareth 443. brought to examinatioÌ in Pomerania Marchia and places there about about the yeare of our Lord 1391. And thus much touching the originall doctrine and the lamentable persecutions of the Ualdenses who as is declared first began about the time of this king Henry the second Other incidences happening in the raigne of this Henry the second COncerning the first origine of WaldeÌses springing in the daies of this king is sufficiently hetherto declared Now remayneth in like order of time to story also such other incidencies as chaunced vnder the raigne of the sayd king not vnworthy to be obserued keeping the order of yâ time so neare as we may as authors do geue vnto vs. Mary the daughter of king Stephen being the Abbes of Ramessey was maryed in this kinges dayes to Mathew Earle of Bolon which maryage Thomas Becket did worke agaynst and did dissolue by reason whereof he procured him great displeasure with the sayd Earle c. an 1161. Ex Chronico Bibliothecae Cariensis The same yeare a certayne childe was crucified of the Iewes in the towne of Glocester an 1161. Iornalens After the same maner the wicked Iewes had crucified an other child befoâe in the City of Norwich in the dayes of Kyng Stephen an 1145. A collection was gathered through all England and Fraunce two pence of euery pound for the succour of the East Christians agaynst the Turkes an 1167. Ex eodem Babilon was taken and destroyed and neuer since repayred by Almaricus king of Hierusalem an 1170. Ex vetusto manuscripto exemplari historiae Cariensis An. 1173. almost all England was diseased with the cough Ex vetusto Chron. acephalo About which yeare also William king of Scots was taken in battayle and imprisoned in England Great warre happened in Palestina wherein the City of Ierusalem with the crosse and the king of the City other of the temple was taken of the Sarasines and most part of the Christians there either slayne or taken Cruell murther and slaughter there was vsed by the Turke who caused all the chief of the ChristiaÌs to be brought forth and beheaded before his face In so much that Pope Urbanus the iii. for sorrow dyed Gregory the viii next pope after him liued not 2 monethes TheÌ in the dayes of pope Clement iii. newes and sorrow growing dayly for the losse of Palestina and destruction of the Christians K. Henry of England Phillip the french king the duke of Burgundy the Earle of Flaunders the Earle of Campania with diuers other Christian Princes with a generall consent vpon S. Georges day tooke the marke of the crosse vpon theÌ promising together to take their voyage into the holy land At which tyme the storyes say the king of England receiued first the redde crosse the French king tooke the white crosse the Earle of Flaunders the greene crosse so other princes diuersly diuers coulors therby to be discerned euery one by his proper crosse But king Henry after the three yeres were expired in which he promised to performe his voyage sent to the Pope for further delay of his promise offering for the same to erect three Monasteries Which thing he thus performed In the Church of Waltham he thrust out the seculer Priestes and set in Monkes for them Secondly he repayred agayne brought in the Nunnes of Amesbury which before were excluded for theyr incontinent life And thus performed he his promise made before to the Pope an 1173. The king of Scots did his homage and alleageauÌce to the King of England and to his sonne and to his chiefe Lordes promising that all the Earles and BaroÌs of scotland should do the like with theyr posterity Item all the Byshops and Abbots of the Church of Scotland promised subiection and submission to the Archbishop of Yorke an 1175. Nic. Triuet The custome was in this realme that if any had killed any Clerke or Priest he was not to be punished with the temporall sword but onely excommunicate seÌt to Rome for the Popes grace and absolution Which custome in the dayes of this king began first to be altered by the procurement of Richard Archbishop of Caunterbury an 1176. Triuet London bridge first began to be made of stone by one Peter Priest of Colechurch an 1176. Ex Chron. cuius initiuÌ In diebus sanctis regis Edouardi c. ex Bibliot Cariensi S. William of Paris was slain of the Iewes on
article the Prelates aunswering did excommunicate the same as erroneous affirming that grace and glory shall be geuen according to that God hath elected and predestinate c. Ex Math. Paris fol. 167. In like maner betweene yâ sayd Dominicke Fryers the gray Fryers what a braule and tumulte was about yâ ConceptioÌ of our Lady whether she was without original sinne conceaued or not in the raigne of R. Henry vii Kyng Henry viii an 1509. Ad moreouer to these the 24. haynous schismes not so few which happened betwene Pope and Pope in the Churche and Sea of Rome But what doe I stand to recite the deuisions and dissentions the popes Church which is as much almost as to recken the sandes of the sea For what Church Chapter or Couent was in all that Religion which either had not some variaunce with themselues or with others Upon which continuall strife and variaunce among them the readers hereof may iudge of them their religion as pleaseth theÌ In the meane time my iudgement is this that where such dissention dwelleth there dwelleth not the spirit of Christ. These thinges thus discoursed touching the tragicall dissention betweene Baldwyne archbishop and monks of Canterbury Now to proceed by the Lords assistance in conuocatioÌ of our story After king Richard had thus as is declared set the monkes and the Archbishop in some agreement had composed such thinges as were to be redressed within the realme he aduaunceth forward his iorny came to Turon to meete with Phillip the Frenche king so after that went to Uizeliace where the French R. and he ioyning together for that more continuance of their iourney assured them selues by solemne othe swearing fidelitie one to the other the forme of whose othe was this That eyther of them should defend and mayntayne the honour of the other and beare true fidelitie vnto hym of lyfe members and worldly honour and that neyther of them shoulde fayle one the other in their affayres but the Frenche king shoulde ayde the king of England in defending hys land and dominions as hee would hymselfe defend hys owne Citie of Paris if it were besieged and that Richard King of England likewise shoulde ayde the French king in defending his land and dominions no otherwise then he woulde defend his owne Citty of Roan if it were besieged c. But how slenderly thys othe dyd holde betweene these 2. kinges and by whose chiefe occasion first it fell asunder the sequele of the story the Lord willing shall declare hereafter Furthermore touching the lawes and ordinances appointed by the king Richard for his nauy the forme therof was this 1. That who so killed any person on shypbord should be tyed with hym that was slayne and throwne into the sea 2. And if he killed him on that land should in like maner be tyed with the party slayne be buryed with him in the earth 3. He that shal be coÌuicted by lawful witnes to draw out his knife or weapon to the intent to strike any man or that hath strickeÌ any to the drawing of bloud shal lose his haÌd 4. Also he that striketh any person with his hand wtout effusion of bloud shall be plunged three times in the sea 5. IteÌ who so speaketh any opprobrious or contumelius words in reuiling or cursing one an other for so ofteÌtimes as he hath so reuiled shall pay so many vnces of siluer 6. Item a theefe or felon that hath stolne being lawfully conuerted shall haue his head shorne and boyling pitche poured vpon his head fethers or downe strawed vpon the same wherby he may be knowne so the first landing place they shall come to there to be cast vp c. These thinges thus set in a readines kyng Richard sending his nauy by the Spanish seas and by the straytes of Iubaltarie betweene Spayne and Africa to meet hym at Marsilia he himselfe went as is sayd to Uizeliace to the French King Which two kinges from thence went to Lyons where the bridge ouer the floud Rhodanus for presse of people brake and many both men womeÌ were drowned By reason whereof the two kinges for the combraunce of their traynes were constrayned to deceiuer theÌselues for tyme of their iourny appoynting both to meete together in Sicilia and so Phillip the French king tooke his way to Genua king Richarde to Marsilia where he remayned 8. dayes appoynting there his nauy to meet him FroÌ thence crossing ouer to Genua where the Frenche king was passed forward by the coast of Italy and entered into Tyber not farre from Rome where meeting with Octomanus Cardinall and Byshop of Hostia he did coÌplayne greatly of the filthy Symonye of the pope and the Popes Court for receauing vii hundred Markes for coÌsecrating the Bishop Cenomanensis Also a thousand and fiue hundreth Markes of William Byshop of Ely for hys office Legatiue And likewise an infinite summe of money of the Byshop of Burdeaux for acquiting hym when hee should be deposed for a certayne cryme layd to hys charge by hys Clergye c. The vii day of August in the yeare aforesayd R. Richard departed out of Marsilia after he had there wayted viii dayes for hys nauy which came not so hyeryng xx Gallyes and x. great Barkes to ship ouer hys meÌ sayled by the Coast of Italy and came to Naples so partly by horse and wagon partly by the sea passing to Falernum came to Calabria where after that he had heard his ships were arriued at Messana in Sicilia he made the more speed and so the xxiii of September sent to Messana with suche a noyse of trumpets and shalmes with suche a route and shewe that it was to the great wonderment and terrour both of the French men and all other that did heare and behold the sight To the sayd towne of Messana the French kyng was come before the xvi of the same month of September and had taken vp the Pallace of Tancredus R. of Sicilia for hys lodging To whom R. Richard after hys arriual estsoones resorted and when the two kings had communed together immediately the same day the Frenche R. tooke shypping and entring the seas thinking to sayle towarde the land of HierusaleÌ But after he was out of the hauen the wynd rising contrary agaynst hym returned him back agayne to Messana Then R. Richard whose lodgyng was prepared in the suburbes without the City after he had resorted agayne talked with the French R. and also had sent to Tancredus R. of Sicilia for deliueraunce of Ioane his sister who had bene sometymes Queene of Sicilia and had obtayned her to be sent vnto hym the last day of September passed ouer the floude of Del far and there getting a strong hold called De la Bagmare or Le Bamre and placing therein his sister with a sufficient garison he returned agayne to
Messana The second of October R. Richard wanne an other cercayne strong holde called Manasterium Griffonum situated in the midst of the Riuer of Del far betweene Messana and Calabria froÌ whence the Monkes beyng expulsed he reposed there all hys story and prouisioÌ of victuals which came from England or other places The Citizens of Messana seeing that the R. of England had won the Castle and Island in De la Bagmare and also the Monastery of the Griffones doubting lest the king would exteÌd his power farther to inuade their citie get if he could the whole Isle of Sicilia begaÌ to stirre agaynst the kinges army and to shut the Englishe men out of the gates and kept ther walles agaynst them The Englishmen seing that made to the gates and by force would haue broken them open in so muche that the King riding among them with his staffe breaking diuers of their heads could not asswage their fiercenes Such was the rage of the Englishmen agaynst the Citizens of Messana The king seeing the fury of the people to be suche as he could not stay them tooke boate went to the Palace of K. Tancred to talk of the matter with the French king In which meane tyme the matter was so taken vp by the wise handling of the auncient of the citty that both partes laying downe their armour went home in peace The fourth day of the sayd month of October came to king Richard the archbishop of Messana with two other archbishops also with the French king and sondry other Earles Barons and Bishops for intreataunce of peace Who as they were together consulting had almost concluded vpoÌ the peace the Cittizens of Messana issuing out of the towne some went vp vpon the mountaynes some with open force inuaded the mansion or lodging of Hugh Brunne an English captayn The noyse wherof coÌming to the eares of the king he sodenly breaking of talke with the French king and the rest departed from them comming to his men commaunded theÌ forthwith to arme theÌ selues Who then with certayne of his souldiours making vp to the top of a mountayne which seemed to passe theyr power to clime there put the Citizens to flight chasing theÌ down the mountayn vnto the very gates of the Citie whom also certayne of the kinges seruauntes pursued within the Citty of whoÌ fiue valiaunt souldiours and xx of the kings seruaunts were slayne the French king looking vpon and not once willing to rescue them contrary to his othe and league before made with the king of England For the French king with hys men being there present rode in the midst of them safely without any harme to and fro and might well haue eased the kinges party more then he if it had so liked him This beyng knowne to the English hoast how theyr fellowes were slayn and the Frenchmen permitted in the city that they were excluded the gates barred against them being also stopped froÌ buying of vittayle and other things they vpon great indignation gathered themselues in armes brast opeÌ the gates and scaled the walles and so winning the Citty set vp their flagges with the Englishe armes vpon the walles Which when the French king did see he was mightely offended requiring the king of England that the armes of FrauÌce might also be set vp ioyned with his But king Richard to that would in no case agree Notwithstanding to satisfie hys minde he was coÌtented to take downe his armes and commit the custodie of the City to the Hospitallaries and Templaries of Hierusalem till the time that Tancrede king of Sicilia and he should agree together vpon conditions These thinges being done the v. vi day of October it followed theÌ vpoÌ the viij day of the same month of October that peace among the kings was coÌcluded In which peace first king Richard and Phillip the French king renewed agayne their othe and league before made concerning their mutuall ayd and society during the time of that peregrination Secondly peace also was concluded betweene king Richard and Tancred king of Cicilia aforesayd with the coÌditions that the daughter of Tancreda in case King Richard should die without issue should mary to Arthure Duke of Britaine the kings nephew and next heyre to his crown c. whereof a formal charte was drawn and letters sent thereof to Pope Clement being dated the the ix day of Nouember In this meane time as these two kinges of Fraunce and England were thus wyntering at Messana Fredericke Emperor first of that name the same on whose neck Pope Alexander did treade in the Church of Uenice saying the verse of the Psalme Super aspidem basiliscum ambulabis c. whereof read before pag. 205. and his sonne Conradus with a mighty army of Almanus and others were comming vp likewise toward the land of HierusaleÌ to the siege of Achon where by the way the good Emperour through a great mischaunce falling of his horse into a Riuer called Salef was therin drowned After whose decease Conradus his sonne taking the gouerment of hys army came to the siege of AchoÌ in which siege also he died Upon whose comming such a dearth followed in the camp whiche lasted two monthes that a loafe of bread whiche before there coÌming was sold for i. peny was afterwarde sold for iij. pound By reason whereof many ChristiaÌ souldiours did there perish through famine The chiefest foode which the princes there had to feede vpon was horse flesh This famine being so miserable some good bishops there were in the campe namely Hubert Bishop of Salisbury with certayne other good Byshops who making a generall collection through the whole campe for the poore made such prouision that in such penury of all things yet no maÌ was so destitute needy but somewhat he had for hys relief till within a fewe dayes after by the mercifull prouidence of God who is the feeder of all creatures shyppes came vnto them with a bouÌdance of corne wine and oyle The siege of this towne of Achon endured a long season which as it was mightely oppugned by the ChristiaÌs so it was strongly defended by the Saracens specially by helpe of wild fire which the Latines do call Ignem GraecuÌ so that great slaughter there was on both sides During the tyme of which siege many noble personages also byshops died among whoÌ was Conradus the Emperours sonne RaÌdulph Earle of Fougeres the Earle of Pericio Robert Earle of Leicester Baldwine archbishop of Canterbury with foure Archbishops and diuers other Byshops and Abbots and Earles and Barons to the nuÌber of 34. and not so few All this while king Richard King Phillip of Fraunce stil kept at Messana in Sicilia from the month of September till Aprill for lacke I suppose of wynde or weather or els for necessitie of repayryng their shyppes In which meane tyme king
Richard hearing of Ioachim Abbot of Curacio a learned man in Calabria who was theÌ thought to haue the spirit of prophesie told many thinges of a people that should come sent for hym with whom he his Bishops had much conference about the coÌming tyme of Antichrist This Ioachim belike in his booke and Reuelations vttered some things agaynst the Sea and pride of Rome for the whiche he was lesse fauoured of the popes iudged an enemy to their Sea and so by pope Innocent the 3. was condemned with his bookes for an heriticke in his Idolatrous generall Councell of Laterane an 1215. as ye may read in Antoninus After this Henricus king of Almanes sonne of Fredericke the Emperour hearing of the decease of his father standing now to be Emperor first restoreth to Hen. Duke of Saxonie and to others whatsoeuer his father before had takeÌ from them That done he sent to Clement hys Cardinals promising in al thinges to confirme the lawes and dignities of the Church of Rome if they would grauÌt hym their assent to be Emperor Wherupon pope ClemeÌt by aduise of the Romaines assigned him the terme of Easter in the next yeare insuing for his coronation But before that Easter came P. ClemeÌt died after he had sit 3. yeres and about 4. monthes After whome succeeded Celestinus the 3. Of whom more hereafter God willing The time thus passing ouer in the month of February the next yeare following which was of the Lord. 1191. king Richard sent ouer hys Galleyes to Naples there to meet his mother Alinore and Berengaria the daughter of SaÌctius king of Nauarre whom he was purposed to mary Who by that tyme were come to Brundusium vnder the conduct of Phillip Erle of Flanders so proceeding vnto Naples there found the kings ships wherin they sayled to Messana In this meane space king Richard shewed hymselfe exceeding bounteous and liberall to all men To the French king first he gaue diuers ships vpoÌ others likewise he bestowed rich rewardes and of hys treasures and goodes he distributed largely to hys souldiours and seruauntes about hym Of whom it was reported that he distributed more in one month then euer any of hys predecessors did in a whole yeare by reason whereof he purchased great loue and fauour which not onely redounded to the aduauncement of his fame but also to his singular vse and profite as the sequele afterward proued To proceede then in the progresse of king Richard it followeth In the first day of the month of march he leauing the citty of Messana where the Frenche king was went to Cathniensium a City where Tancredus Kyng of Sicilia then lay where he was honourable receaued there remained with king Tancred 3. dayes 3. nightes On the fourth day when he should depart the foresayd Tancredus offered him many riche presentes in golde and siluer and precious silkes whereof king Richarde woulde receiue nothing but one little ryng for a token of his good will For the which king Richard againe gaue to him a rich sword At length when R. Richard should take his leaue king Tancredus would not so let him part but needes would geue him 4. great ships and 15. Galeys and furthermore he himselfe would needes accompanye him the space of two dayes iourney to a place called Tauenium Then the next morning when they should take their leaue Tancredus declared vnto him the message which the French king a little before had sent vnto him by the Duke of Burgundy the contentes whereof was this That the king of England was a false traytour aud would neuer keepe the peace that was betweene theÌ And if the sayd Tancredus would warre agaynst hym or secretly by night woulde inuade him he with all his power would assiste him and ioyne with him to the destruction of him and all hys army c. To whome Richard the king protested agayne that he was no traytour nor neuer was and as touching the peace begon betweene them the same shoulde neuer be broken thorough hym neyther could he beleue that the French king being hys good Lorde and his sworne compartiner in that voyage would vtter any such wordes by him Which when Tancredus heard he bringeth forth the letters of the Frenche R. sent to him by the Duke of Burgundy affirming moreouer that if the Duke of Burgundy would deny the bringing of the sayd letters he was ready to try with hym by any of hys Dukes King Richard receiuing the letters muâing not a little vpoÌ the same returneth again to Messana The same day that king Richard departed the French king coÌmeth to Tauermum to speake with Tancredus there abode with him that night and on the morrowe returned to Messana againe From that tyme king Richard moued in stomacke against king Phillip neuer shewing any gentle countenaÌce of peace and amitie as he before was wont Whereat the French K. greatly marueiling and enquiring earnestly what should be the cause therof word was sent him again by Phillip Erle of Flaunders what words he had sent to the king of Sicilia for the testimony thereof the letters were shewed which he wrote by the Duke of Burgundy to the king of Sicilia Which when the Frenche king vnderstoode first he held hys peace as gilty in his conscience not knowing well what to aunswere At length turning his tale to an other matter he began to quarrell with king Richard pretending as though he sought causes to breake with him and to maligne him and therefore he forged these lyes sayd he vpon him and all because he by that meanes would voyde to marry with Alice his sister according as he had promised Adding moreouer that if he would so do and would not mary the sayd Alice his sister according to his othe but woulde marry an other he woulde be an enemy to hym and hys while he lyued To this king Richard sayd agayn that he could by no meanes mary that woman for so muche as his father had carnall copulation with her also had by her a sonne for proofe wherof he had there presently to bring forth diuers and sondry witnesses to the kings face to testifie with him In conclusion through counsell and perswasion of diuers about the French king agreement at last was made so that king Phillip did acquire king Richard from his bonde of marying hys sister and king Richard agayne shoulde be bound to pay to him euery yeare for the space of v. yeares two thousand marks with certayne other conditions besides not greatly materiall in this place to be deciphred And thus peace beyng betweene them concluded the 28. day of the said month of March the FreÌch king launching out of the hauen of Messana in the 22. day after in Easter weeke came with hys army to the siege of Achon After the departure of the French king from Messana king Richard
wrote a sharpe and thundering letter to the Archb. bishops and prelates of England commanding them by his authority Apostolical that for so much as the iniuries done to his Legate did redounde to the contumelie of the whole mother church of Rome they should not faile therfore but with seuere censures of the Church that is wyth booke bell and candle procede as wel against the foresayd Iohn Erle of Morton as also all other who so euer had or should attempt any violence or iniury against the sayd his legate B. of Ely with no lesse seuerity then if the sayd iniury should be offred to the person of the Pope himselfe or any other of his brethren the Cardinals c. The bishop of Ely the popes Legate bearing himselfe bold vpon the fauour and letters of the Pope which tooke his part writeth to Henry B. of Lincolne charging requiring that he in vertue of obedience shoulde execute the Popes sentence mandate in excommunicating all such as were offenders in that behalfe there reciteth the names of diuers against whome he should procede as the Archb. of Roan yâ B. of Wint. W. Mareschal Geffrey Peterson Bruer and Bardoâf the Earle of Salisbury the Earle of Mellent Gilbert Basset the Archdeacon oâ Oxforde and especially Hugh B. of Couentry Also M. Benet Steuen Ridle Chancelor to Erle Iohn the kings brother to the which Earle he reserued a further day of respite before he should be excommunicate with a number of other moe beside these Howbeit the saide B. of Ely could finde none to execute this commandement of the Pope Then they with a generall consent wrote againe to K. Richard complaining of the intollerable abuses of the sayd B. his Chauncellor In like sort the sayd Chancelor also complaining of them wrote his letters to the king signifying how Earle Iohn his brother went about to vsurpe his kingdome woulde also shortly set the crowne vpon his owne heade vnles he made the more spede homeward The king then was busie in repulsing the Saladine and prepared to lay siege against Hierusalem and got Sclauonia with diuers other townes from the Saracens which was in the yere of our Lord 1192. hauing diuers conflicts in yâ meane space with the Saladine and euer put him to the worse As the king thus was preparing to lay his siege against Ierusalem the Saladine glad to fall to some composition with the king sent vnto him that if he would restore to him againe Sclauonia in as good state as it was when he tooke it hee would graunt to him and to all Christians in the lande of Ierusalem truce for 3. yeres and offred himselfe thereunto to be sworn The king seeing the Duke of Burgundy and the frenchmen to shrinke from him and his owne men to decay and also his mony health to diminish but especially for that he vnderstode by the B. of Ely his Chancelor the French king to set vp Iohn hys brother to possesse his kingdome being counsailed thereto by the Templaries tooke the truce offred of the Saracens so began to draw homeward In this meane while much grudge and strife increased more and more betwene the B. of Ely and the archbishop of Roan aboue specified in so much that the Archb. being excommunicate sent vp his Clerkes to Pope Celestine to complaine of the Bishop But the Pope euer stoode in his purgatioÌ At last he sent two of his Cardinals to wit Ottomannus Bishop of Hostia and Iordanus de fossa noua to breake the strife betwene the B. of Ely and the Archbishop of Roan After this king Richard being taken and in the custody of Henry the Emperor the B. of Ely resorting to him was sent by him into England to Alinor his mother and other nobles Who then returning into England againe not as Chauncelour nor as Legate as he sayde but as â simple plaine Bishop so by that meanes was receiued Ex Matt. Paris Et ex alijs incerti nominis manuscriptis codicibus But of this vaine glorious prelate inough too much Nowe to returne againe to Richarde concerning whose worthy actes done abroad in getting of Cyprus Achon Ptolemaida in pacifying Ioppe c. partly is spoken of before Many other valiant famous actes were by him and the French king atchieued and mo should haue bene had not those two kings falling into discord disseuered theÌ selues by reason whereof Philip the French king returned home againe wythin short space Who being retourned againe eftsones inuaded the couÌtry of Normandy exciting also Iohn the brother of king Richard to take on him the kingdome of England in his brothers absence Who then made league vpon the same with the French king and did homage vnto him which was about the fourth yere of king Richard Who then being in Syria hearing thereof made peace with the Turkes for 3. yeres And not long after king Richard the next spring following returned also Who in hys returne driuen by distresse of weather about the parties of Histria in a towne called Synaca was there taken by Limpold duke of the same country and so sold to the Emperor for 60000. markes Who for no small ioy thereof writeth to Phillip the French king these letters here following The letter of the Emperour to Phillip the French king concerning the taking of king Richard HEnricus dei gratia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus dilecto speciali amico suo Philippo illustri FrancoruÌ Regi salutem sincerae dilectionis affectum Quoniam Imperatoria celsitudo non dubitat regalem magnificentiam tuam laetiorem effici de vniuersis quibus omnipotentia creatoris nostri nos ipsos Rom. imperiuÌ honorauerit exaltauerit nobilitati tuae tenore praesentium declarare duximus quòd inimicus imperij nostri turbator regni tui Rex Angliae quum esset in transeundo mare ad partes suas reuersurus accidit vt ventus rupta naui sua in qua ipse erat induceret eum in partes Histriae ad locum qui est inter Aquileiam Venetias Vbi Rex Dei permissione passus naufragium cum paucis euasit Quidam itaque fidelis noster comes Maynardus de Gooxce populus regionis illius audito quòd in terra erat considerato diligentiùs qualem nominatus Rex in terra promissionis proditionem traditionem perditionis suae cumulum exercuerat insecuti sunt intendentes eum captiuare Ipso autem rege in fugam conuerso ceperunt de suis octo milites Postmodum processit Rex ad Burgum in Archiepiscopatu Salseburgensi qui vocatur Frisorum vbi Fridericus de Betesow rege cum tribus tantùm versus Austriam properante noctu sex milites de suis cepit Delectus autem consanguineus noster Limpoldus Dux Austriae obseruata strata saepe dictum Regem iuxta Denam in villa vicinori in domo despecta captiuauit
Cum itaque in nostra nunc habeatur potestate ipse semper tua molestauit turbationis operam praestiterit ea quae praemisimus nobilitati tuae insinuare curauimus scientes ea dââectioni tuae beneplacita existere animo tuo vberrimam importare laetitiam Datum apud Ritheountum V. Kalendas Ianuar. King Richard thus being traiterously taken and sold to the Emperor by the duke of Austrige for 60000. marks was there kept in custodie a yeare ano iii. monethes In some stories it is affirmed that K. Richard returning out of Asia came to Italy with prosperous winde where hee desired of the pope to be absolued froÌ an othe made against his will and could not obtaine it And so letting out from thence toward England passing by the couÌtry of Conradus the Marques whose death he being slaine a little before was falsely imputed by the French king to the king of England and there traiterously was taken as is before saide by Limpoldus Duke of Austrige Albeit in an other story I find the matter more credibly set forth which saith thus that king Richard slewe the brother of this Limpoldus playing with him at chesse in the french kings court And Limpoldus taking his vauntage was more cruel against him and deliuered him as is âaid to the Emperor In whose custody he was deteined during yâ time aboue mentioned a yere and 3. months During the which time of the kings endurance the French king in the meane season stirred warre in Normandy And Erle Iohn yâ kings brother made stir and inuaded England but the barons and bishops of the lande mightely wtstode him And besieged him in the Castell of Windsore where they tooke from him all the castels munitions which before hee had got Thus the Erle seeing no hope to preuaile in England suspecting the deliuerance of the king his brother made in to France kept with the French king At length it was so agreed and concluded with the Emperor that K. Rich. should be released for 14000. pounds Of the which mony part should remaine to the duke of Austrige the rest shuld be the Emperors The summe of which money was here gathered made in England of chalices crosses shrines candlesticks and other church plate also with publik contribution of friers abbeis and other subiectes of the realme Wherof parte was presently paid for the residue remaining hostages and pledges was taken which was about the 5. yeare of his raigne And then it was obtained of the Pope that priestes might celebrate with chalices of latin and tinne And so was granted continued long after which mine author in his Chronicle entituled Eulogium doeth testifie himselfe to haue scene At what time this foresayde mony was paid and the hostages geuen for the ransom of this king I haue an old storie that saith how the foresaide duke of Austrige shortly after was plagued by God with v. sondry plagues First with burning of his chief towns Secondly with the drowning of x. M. of his menne in a floud happening no man could tell how Thirdly by turning all the eares of his corne field into wormes Fourthly by taking away almost all the Nobles of his lande by death Fiftly by breaking his own legge falling from his horse which leg he was compelled to cut off with his own hands after died vpon the same Who then at his death is said to forgeue K. Richard 50000. Markes sent home the hostage that was with him ex varijs Chron. The booke intituled Eulogium before mentioned declareth thus that the sayde Limpoldus Duke of Austrige fell in displeasure with the bishop of Rome and died excoÌmunicate the next yeare after An. 1196. Thus the sayde King Richarde being raunsomed as hath ben declared from the couetous captiuity of the Emperour was restored againe and made his repaire into Englande At whose returne Erle Iohn hys brother resorting to him with humble submission desired to be pardoned of his transgressions To whom king Richard answering againe would God saith he this your trespasse as it dieth with mee in obliuion so it may remaine wyth you in remembraunce And so gentlely forgaue him And after he had againe recouered his holdes and castles caused himselfe to be crowned againe Whych done he made hys power agaynst the French king and draue hym out of Normandy After that he turned his viage against the Welshmen and subdued them The next yeare following which was the 1197. yere of the Lord Philip yâ french king brake truce made betwene him and king Richarde whereuppon the king was compelled to saile ouer againe to Normandy to withstand the malice of his enemy About which time my story recordeth of one called of some Fulco some say he was the Archbyshop of Roane called Gualter This Fulco being then in England and comming to the kings presence sayde vnto him with great courage boldnes Thou hast O mighty King three daughters very vicious and of euill disposition take good heede of them and betimes prouide for them good husbandes least by vntimely bestowing of the same thou shalt not onely incurre great hurt and damage but also vtter ruine and destruction to thy selfe To whom the king in a rage sayde Thou lying and mocking hypocrite thou knowest not where thou art or what thou sayest I thinke thou art mad or not well in thy wittes for I haue neuer a daughter as all the world knoweth and therefore thou opeÌ liâr get thee out of our presence To whom Fulco aunswered no and like your grace I lie not but say truth for you haue iii. daughters which continually frequeÌt your court and wholy possesse your person and such iii. whoores naughty packes as neuer the like hath bene heard off I meane mischieuous pride gredy couetousnes and filthy luxurity And therfore againe I say O king beware of them and out of hand prouide mariages for them least in not so doing thou vtterly vndoe both thy selfe and all the whole realme The which his wordes the King tooke in good parte with correction of himself confession of the same Wherupon incontinently he called his Lordes and Barons before him vnto whome he declared the coÌmoning and monition of Fulco who had willed hym to beware of his iii. daughters pride auarice and luxurie with counsel out of hand to marrie them least further discommoditie shoulde ensue both to him and the whole realme whose good couÌsell my Lordes I entende to follow not doubting of all your consents therunto Wherefore here before you all I geue my daughter swelling pride to wife to the proude Templars my greedie daughter auarice to the couetous order of the Cistercian Monkes and last of all my filthie daughter luxurie to the riotous prelates of the Churche whom I thinke to be very meete men for her and so seuerally well agreeing to all their natures that the like matches in this our Realme are not to be found for
them And thus much concerning Fulco Not long after this it befell that a certaine noble personage Lord of Lemonice in litle Britaine Widomarus by name found a great substance of treasure both of golde and siluer hid in the ground wherof a great part he sent to king Richard as chiefe Lorde and Prince ouer the whole countrey Which the king refused saying he would either haue all or none for that he was the principall chiefetaine ouer the land But the finder woulde not condescende to that Wherefore the king laide siege to a Castell of hys called Galuz thinking the treasure to lie there But the keepers and warders of the Castel seeing themselues not sufficient to withstand the king offered to him the castell desiring to depart with life and armour To this the king woulde in no wise graunt but bid them to reenter the castell againe and to defende it in all the forceable wise they coulde It so befell that as the King with the Duke of Brabant went about the castel vewing the places therof a souldiour wythin named Bertandus Cordoun stroke the king with an arrow in the arme whereupon the yron remaining and festering in the wound the king within 9. daies after died who because he was not content with the halfe of the treasure that another man founde lost all his own treasure that he had The king being thus wounded caused the man that stroke him to be brought vnto him and asked the cause of him why he so wounded him Who answered againe as the storie sayeth that he thought to kill rather then to be killed And what punishment soeuer he should susteine he was coÌtent so that he might kil him which had before killed his father and brethren The king hearing his words frely forgaue him and caused an hundreth shillings to be geueÌ him Albeit as the story addeth after the death of the king the duke of BrabaÌce after great torments caused hym to be haÌged Ex historia Regis Richardi 2. cui initium De patre istius Bruti c. The storie of Gisburne sayeth that the killer of king Richarde comming to the French king thinking to haue a great rewarde was commanded to be drawen a sonder with horse and his quarters to be hanged vp An other story affirmeth and Gisburn partly doth testifie the same that a litle before the death of K. Richarde 3. Abbotes of the order Cistercian came to him to whome he was confessed And when he sawe them somewhat stay at his absolution had these wordes that he did willingly commit his body to the earth to be eaten of wormes and his soule to the fire of Purgatory there to be tormented til the iudgement in the hope of God his mercy Ex Iornalens Gisburn alijs About the raigne of this king the sayd Iornalensis maketh mention of Roger archbish of Yorke which put out of his Churche the Monkes and placed for them seculare Priests saying that he woulde rather with Ecclesiasticall benefices to be geuen to wanton Priests then to abhominable Monkes that Thurstinus did sinne neuer worse in al his life then in building that house for monks c. Another story I haue which sayth that this was the Byshop not of Yorke but of Couentrie The king not long after departed without issue and Iohn his brother reigned after him in whome although some vices may worthely be repreheÌded especially for his incontinent and too much licentious life yet was he farre from that deseruing for the which he hath bene so il reported of diuers wryters who being led more with affection of Poperie then with true iudgement and due consideration depraued his doings more then the sincere trueth of the historie will beare them Concerning which historie after so many wryters we thought also to bestowe a little labour although in this matter we can not be so long as I would and as the matter requireth Kyng Iohn AFter the death of king Richarde called Coeur de Lyon reigned his brother Iohn Earle of Morton Afterward the Archbyshop put the crowne on his head and sware him to defend the churche and to maintaine the same in her good lawes and to destroy the euil And except he thought not in his minde to do this the Archb. charged him not to presume to take on him this dignitie And on Saint Iohn Baptists day next following king Iohn failed into Normandy came to Roan where he was royally receiued and truce concluded betweene him the French king for a time And thether came to him the Earle of Flaunders and all other Lords of Fraunce that were of K. Richards band and frendship and were sworne vnto him Not long after this Philip the French king made Arthur Knight and tooke his homage for Normandie Britaine and al other his possessions beyond the sea and promised him helpe against K. Iohn After this King Iohn and the French king talked together wyth theyr Lordes about one houres space And the Frenche King asked so much land for himself and knight Arthur that king Iohn would graunt him none and so departed in wrath The same yeare a legate came into Fraunce and commaunded the King in paine of interdiction to deliuer one Peter out of prison that was elect to a Bishoppricke and thereupon he was deliuered And after that the Legate came into England commaunded K. Iohn vnder paine of interdiction to deliuer the Archb. which he had kept as prisoner 2. yeares which the King denied to do till he had payd him 6000. markes Because he tooke him in harnes in a field against him and sware him vpon his deliuerance that he should neuer weare harnesse against any Christen man This time diuorce was made betweene K. Iohn and his wife daughter of the Earle of Glocester because they were in the iii. degree of kinred And after by the counsell of the French king King Iohn wedded Isabel daughter of the Earle of Anguilla and then Arthur of Britaine did homage to king Iohn for Britaine and other At this time fell strife betwene K. Iohn and Geoffrey the Archbishop of Yorke for diuers causes first because he would not suffer and permit the Sheriffe of Yorke in such affaires as he had to do for the King within his Diocesse Secondly because hee did also excommunicate the sayde sheriffe Thirdly because he would not saile with him into Normandie to make the mariage betwene Lewes the French kings sonne and his niece c. After this in the yeare of our Lorde 1202. Phillip the French king in a communication betwene K. Iohn and him required that the saide K. Iohn should depart with all his landes in Normandy and Pictauia which he had beyond the sea vnto Arthur his nephew and that incontinent or els he would warre against him and so did For when king Iohn denied that request the next day folowing the French king with the sayde Arthur
set vpon certain of his townes and castels in Normandy and put him to much disquietnes But he the Lord so prouiding which is the geuer of all victory had such repulse at the Englishmens handes that they pursuing the Frenchmen in their flight did so follow them to their hold so enforced vpon them that not onely they tooke the sayd Arthur prisoner with many other of the Frenchmen but also gaue such an ouerthrow to the rest that none was there left to beare tidings home This Arthur was nephewe to king Iohn sonne to Geffrey which was the elder sonne to Iohn For king Henry the 2. to make the matter more euident had viij children one W. which died in his childhoode the seconde Henry which died also his father being yet aliue the third Geoffrey Erle of Britain which likewise deceassed in his fathers daies leauing behind him two children Arthur Brecca The fourth Richard coeur de Lyon King the v. Iohn now reigning and 3. other daughters besides The same Arthur being thus taken in warre was brought before the King at the castell of Falesic in Normandie who being exhorted with many gentle words to leaue the French king and to incline to his vncle answered againe stoutly with great indignation requiring the kingdom of England withal the other dominions therto beloÌging to be restored to him as to the lawfull heire of the crowne By reason whereof he prouoking the kings displeasure against him was sent to the tower of Roan where at length whether by leaping into the ditch thinking to make his escape or whether by some other priuy hand or by what chaunce els it is not yet agreed vpon in stories hee finished his life By occasion whereof the foresaide K. Iohn was had after in great suspicion whether iustly or vniustly the Lord knoweth The yere folowing Historiographers write that king Iohn for lacke of rescue lost all his holdes and possessions in Normandy through the force of the French king After these losses came other troubles vpon him with other as great or more greater enemies that is wyth the Pope and hys Popelings by occasion of chusing of the Archb. of Cant. as in this history followeth by Christ hys grace to be declared The yeare of our Lord 1205. about the moneth of Iuly Hubert the Archbishop of Canterbury deceased whose decease after it was in Cant. to the Monks knowen and afore his body was yet committed to the earth the yonger sort of the monkes there gathered themselues together at midnight and elected their superior Reignold and without the kings licence or yet knowledge priuely placed him in the Metropolicall seate singing Te deum at midnight And because the king shuld not make their electioÌ of none effect they charged him by vertue of his othe to kepe al secret by the way and to shew nothing what was done before he came to the pope but he contrary to his oth so sone as he came in Flanders opened all abroad the matter and vttered their counsel whereupon the monkes being not a litle agreued with him sent him priuely to the court of Rome out of hand The next day the elder monks sent to the king desiring him of his gracious licence Canonically to choose their Archb. The king most gently fauorably graunted their petition requiring them instantly and desiring that for his sake they would shewe fauour to Iohn Gray then B. of Norwich as they did in dede erecting him into that seat of their high primacy Moreouer because the authority of kings and princes was then but small in their owne dominion without the Popes consent confirmation to the same he sent also to Rome of his own charges to haue the foresaid election ratified by the pope The suffraganes of Canterbury then being not a litle offended at these two elections sent speedely to Rome to haue them both stopped for that they had not bene of counsell with them And hereupon at the last grew a most prodigious tumult The next yeare after the suffraganes of the prouince of Canterbury on the one side and the Monkes of Canterbury on the other side came afore the Pope with their brawling matter First the Monkes presenting Reignold their superiour desired that their election might be confirmed The Suffraganes likewise complained that the Monkes wold presume to chuse the Archbishop without their consent and therefore desired by diuers reasons the first election to be of none effect The Pope deciding the matter betwene both pronounced with the Monkes charging the suffraganes and Bishops to meddle no more with that election but to let the monkes alone The monkes of Cant. nowe hauing the whole election in their owne hands fell also at square among themselues the yonger sort with the elder The yonger sort which had chosen Reignolde theyr superior would that election to stand The elder sort of the Monks replied againe saying that the first election was done by stealth and by night and by the yonger part also without the counsell of other monkes ouer and besides it was done wythout the kings liceÌce or appoyntment and without the one solemnitie therunto belonging And as concerning our election said they it was done in the cleare light of the day by which it had authoritie in presence of our liege Lord the king and his counsell being willing to the same This allegation thus proponed the suffraganes proctour or man of law stode âorth proued the former election to be good and this latter to be voyde and of no value after this sort Whether the first election saith he were iust or vniust ye ought first by the law to haue condemned it afore ye should haue presumed to the second but thus yet did not Therefore is this your latter doing no election at al and the first therfore is rather to be ratified than yours When they had thus multiplied talke on both sides with many friuolous allegations a long time and coulde not agree vpon one person Pope Innocent condemned both their elections coÌmaunding them to chuse Stephen LaÌgton then Cardinal of S. Chrisogone for their Archb. The monkes then answered that they durst not so do without coÌsent of their king and for that it was preiudiciall to their ancient liberties The Pope by and by sayeth the text as one in a furie taking the words out of their mouthes said thus vnto them We wil ye to know that we haue ful power and authority ouer the church of Cant. neither are we wont to tary the consent of princes therfore we command you in paine of our great curse that ye chose him only whom we haue appoynted The Monkes at these wordes abashed and terrified though they much murmured in their hearts yet consented they all in one and therupon sang Te Deum Only doctour Helias Brantfield withdrew himselfe from that election whome the king had sent for the admission of the Bishop of
to Northhampton where he held his Parliament saluting him sayd they came from the Pope of Rome to reforme that peace of holy church And first sayd they we monish you in the popes behalfe that ye make full restitution of the goods of the land that ye haue rauished holy church of and that ye receiue Stephen the Archbâ of Cant. into his dignity and Prior of Cant. and his monkes And that ye yelde agayne vnto the Archb. all his landes and rentes without any withholding And sir yet moreouer that ye shall make such restitution to them as the Church shall thinkk sufficient Then aunswered the K. as touching the Prior and his Monkes of Cant. all that ye haue said I would gladly do and all thing els that ye would ordaine but as touching the Archb. I shall tell you as it lieth in my hart Let the Archbishop leaue his bishopricke and if the pope then shal entreat for him peraduenture I may like to geue him some other bishopricke in England And vpon this condition I will receiue and admit him Then sayd Pandulph vnto the K. holy Church was wont neuer to disgrade Archb. without cause reasonable but euer she was wont to correct princes that were disobedient to her What how now quoth the K. threaten ye me Nay sayd Pandolph but ye haue now opeÌly told vs as it standeth in your hart and now we will tell you what is the popes will and thus it standeth He hath wholy interdicted cursed you for the wrongs ye haue done to the holye church and to the Clergy And forasmuch as ye will dwell still in your malice and will come to no amendement ye shall vnderstand that from this time forward the sentences vpon you geuen haue force and strength And all those that with you haue commoned before this time whether that they be Earles Barons or Knightes or any other whatsoeuer they be we assoyle them safely from their sins vnto this day And from this time forward of what condition soeuer they be we accurse them openly and specially by this our sentence that do with you common And we assoyle moreouer Earles Barons knightes and all other maner of men of theyr homages seruice and sealties that they should do vnto you And this thing to confirme we geue playne power to the B. of Winchester and to the B. of Norwich And the same power we geue agaynst Scotland to the B. of Rochester of Salisbury And in Wales we geue the same power to the Bishops of S. Dauid and of Landaffe and of S. Asse Also Sir K. quoth Pandolph all the kinges princes and the great Dukes christened haue labored to the pope to haue licence to crosse themselues and to warre agaynst thee as vpon Gods enemy and winne thy lande and to make K. whom it pleaseth the pope And we here now assoile all those of their sinnes that will arise agaynst thee here in thine owne land Then the K. hearing this answered What shame may ye do more to me then this Pandolph agayne we say to you in verbo Dei that neither you nor any heir that you haue after this day shall be crowned So the king sayd by him that is almighty God if I had known of this thing before ye came into this laÌd and that he had brought me such newes I should haue made you tary out these xii monthes Then aunswered Pandolph Full well we thought at our first comming that ye would haue bene obedient to God and to holy church haue fulfilled the popes commaundement which we haue shewed and pronounced to you as we were charged therewith And now ye say that if ye had wi lt the cause of our comming ye would haue made vs tary out a whole yere which might as well say that ye would haue taken a whole yeares respite without the popes leaue But for to suffer what death that ye can ordeine we shall not spare to tell you all the popes message and will that he gaue vs in charge In an other chronicle I finde the wordes betwene the King and Pandolph something otherwise described as though the king should first threaten him with hanging if he had foreknown of his comming in To whom paÌdolph againe should answer that he loked for nothing els at his hand but to suffer for the Churches right Wherupon the K. being mightely inceÌsed departed The k. the same tune being at Northhampton willed the shirifs and bailifes to bring foorth all the prisoners there that such as had deserued shoulde be put to death to the entent as some thinke to make Pandolfus afraide Among whome was a certaine Clerke who for counterfaiting the kings coyne was also condemned to be hanged drawn quartered And moreouer by the king was commanded therby to anger Pandolfus the more as may be thought to be hanged vp hiest aboue the rest PaÌdolphus hearing therof notwtstanding he somwhat began to feare least he should be hanged himselfe yet with such courage as he had he went to the church to set out booke bel and candle charging that no man vnder pain of accursing should lay hands vpon the cleark Vppon this the K. and the Cardinall departed in no litle anger And Pandolfe went to Rome reported to the pope and the Cardinals what had bene done Then the pope summoned al the bishops abbots and clarkes of England to come and repaire to Rome to consult what was to be done therein This councel began the first day of October In the which councel it was decreed by the pope and his assembly that Iohn king of England should be accursed with all such as helde with him euery day so long as that Councel endured Albeit this was not yet graunted that the people shoulde be crossed to fight against him because as yet he had shed no bloud But afterward the sayd Pope Innocent seeing that K. Iohn by no meanes would stoupe vnder his subiection nor vnder the rule of his popish see he sent vnto the French king vpon remission of all his sinnes and of all that went with hym that he should take with him all the power he might and so to inuade the realme of England to destroy K. Iohn This occasion geuen Pope Innocent yet once againe commanded in paine of his great curse that no man shuld obey King Iohn neither yet keepe company with him he forbad all persons to eate and drinke with him to talke with him to commune or couÌsell with him yea his owne familiar houshold to do him any kinde of seruice either at bed or at boord in church hall or stable And what folowed therof The greater parte of them which after such sort fled from him by the ordinance of God of diuers and sundry diseases the same yeare died And betweene both nations English and French sell that yeare great amitie but secret subtil and false to the bitter betraying of England Neither was the pope
content onely with this but moreouer the said Pope Innocent gaue sentence definitiue by counsell of his Cardinals that King Iohn should be put from his seat regall and deposed and an other put in hys roume And to the speedie execution thereof he appoynted the French king Philip promising to geue him full remission of al his sinnes the cleare possession of al the realme of England to him and his heires if he did either kill him or expell him The next yeare the French king began his attempt in hope of the crowne of England being well manned wyth the Bishops Monkes Prelates and Priestes and theyr seruauntes to maintaine the same bragging of the letters which they had receiued froÌ the great men there But behold the worke of God the English nauie tooke 300. of the French kings ships wâll loden with wheat wine meale flesh armour and such other like meete for the warre and an 100. they brent within the hauen taking the spoyle with them In the meane time the priests wtin Englande had prouided them a certain false counterfait prophet called Peter Wakefield of Poiz who was an idle gadder about and a pratling marchant This Peter they made to prophecie lies rumoring his prophesies abroade to bring the king out of all credite with his people They noysed it daily among the commons of the Realme that Christ had twise appeared to this prophet of theirs in shape of a child betwene the Priests handes once at Yorke another time at Pomfret and that he had breathed vpon him thrise saying peace peace peace and teaching many things which be anone after declared to the Byshops and bid people amend their naughty liuing Being rapt also in spirit they sayd he behelde the ioyes of heauen and sorrowes of hell For scant were there three sayeth the Chronicle among a thousande that liued Christianly This counterfeit soothsayer prophesied of king Iohn that he shoulde raigne no longer then the ascension day within the yere of our Lord 1213. which was the 14. yere from his coronation and this he sayde he had by reuelation Then was it of him demaunded whether he shoulde be slaine or be expelled or should of himself geue ouer the crown He answered that he coulde not tell But of this he was sure he sayde that neither he nor any of his stock or linage should raign that day once finished The K. hearing of this laughed muche at it and made but a scosse thereof Tush sayth he it is but an idiote knaue and such a one as lacketh his right wyts But when this foolish prophet had so escaped the daunger of the kings displeasure that he made no more of it he gate him abroade and prated thereof at large as he was a very idle vagabund and vsed to rattle and talk more then inough so that they which loued the king caused hym anone after to be apprehended as a malefactor to be throwen in prison the king not yet knowing therof Anone after the same of thys phantasticall Prophet went all the realme ouer his name was knowen euery where as foolishnesse is much regarded of people where wisdom is not in place specially because he was then imprisoned for the matter the rumor was the larger theyr wonderings were the wantonner their practising the folisher their busy talks other idle occupying the greater Continually from thence as the rude maner of people is old gossips tales went abroad new tales were inuented fables were added to fables and lies grew vpon lyes So that euery day new âanders were raised on the king and not one of them true rumours arose blasphemies were spred the enemies reioysed treasons by the priests were maintained and what likewise was surmised or other subtiltie practised all was then fathered vpon this foolishe prophet As thus sayeth Peter Wakefielde thus hath hee prophesied and thys shall come to passe yea many times when he thought nothing lesse When the Ascension day was come which was prophesied of afore king Iohn coÌmanded his regal Tent to be spred abroad in the open field passing that day with his noble counsel and men of honor in the greatest solemnitie that euer hee did afore solacing himselfe with musicall instruments songs most in sight amongst his trusty frends When that day was past in all prosperity and myrth his enemies being confused turned all to an allegorical vnderstanding to make the prophecy good and sayd he is no longer king for the Pope raigneth not he yet raigned he stil his sonne after him to proue that prophet a lier Then was the king by his couÌsel perswaded that this false prophet had troubled al the realme peruerted the hearts of the people and raised the commoÌs against him For hys woordes went ouer the Sea by the helpe of his Prelates and came to the French kings eare gaue vnto him a great encouragement to inuade the land he had not els done it so sodenly But hee was most fouly deceiued as all they are shall be that put their trust in such darke drousy dreames of hypocrits The king therfore coÌmanded that he should be drawen hanged like a traitor After that the Popish Prelates Monkes Chanons Priests c. sawe this their crafty iuggling by their famed prophet would not speed notwithstanding they had done no little harme thereby to helpe the matter more forward they began to trauail and practise with pope Innocent of the one side and with the FreÌch king on the other side beside subtile treasons which they wrought wtin the realme by their confessions in the eare whereby they both blinded the nobility and commons The king thus compassed abouâ on euery side with enemies and fearing the sequele thereof knowing the conspiracies that were in working against him as wel by the Pope in al that euer he might as also by Phillip the French king by hys procurement and moreouer his owne people especially hys Lords and Barons being rebelliously incited against him as by the Popes curses and interdictions against such as tooke hys part and by his absolutions dispensations withal those that would rebel against him commaunding them to detaine from him such homage seruice duties debts and al other allegiance that godly subiects owe and are bouÌde to yeld and giue to their liege lord prince Al which things considered the King in the 13. yeare of his raigne for that the French king began to make sharp inuasion vpon him within his own Realme sent speedy Embassadors to the pope as to the fountaine of al this his mischief pretensed to worke intreat his peace and reconciliation with him promising to do what soeuer the pope should wil him and commaund him in the reformation of himself and restitution of all wrongs done to holy Church and to make due satisfaction therfore vnto all men that could complaine Then sent the Pope againe into England his Legate Pandulphe wyth other Embassadours the king also
by s. Peter thou shalt not so soone at my hande obteine the benefite of absolution for why thou hast not only done harme to the K. of EnglaÌd but also thou hast in a great many of thinges iniured the church of Rome here therfore thou shalt tary my leyser The archb was also at that time suspended out of the Church and commanded to say no masse at all neither yet to exercise any other ecclesiasticall office because he would not at time coÌuenient execute the popes curse vpon the rebellious Barons With them the said pope had ben so depely offended angred a litle before that the great charter of the liberties of England with great indignation countenance most terrible he rent and destroyed by sentence definitiue condemning it for euer And by and by therupon cursed all the other rebels with booke bel and candle The greater captaines of them with the citizens of London for that assay were pronounced excoÌmunicate by name remained still interdicted They appealed then to the councel general In the same yere 1215. were those great men also summoned to appear at Rome in that general Sinode which would not consent to their kings expulsion nor yet tirannical deposing Though they were called they sayd therunto by the Archb. of Cant. and others and required by othe to subscribe to the same yet coulde they not of conscience do it because he had humbled himselfe and also granted to keepe peace with all men Thus was the whole realme miserably then deuided into two factions through malice of the clergie so strifes encreased in the lande euery where Yet were there of the Lordes gentlemen a great number at that time that followed the king and alowed his doings But they which were on the otherside not a little suspecting the state that they were in fled speedely to the French K. Phillip desiring him that he would graunt to them his eldest sonne Ludowike and they would elect him to be their K. and that without much tariance They besought him moreouer that he would sende with him a strong and mighty power as were able to subdue him vtterly that they might they said be deliuered of such a wicked tyrant Such was the reporte that those most wicked papists gaue their christian gouernor appoynted to them of God whome they ought to haue obeyed though he had bene euill euen for very conscience sake Rom. 13. And as certaine of the Lords and Barons were busie to chuse the sayde Ludowike for their king the Pope sent thether one Gualo the Cardinal of S. Martin to those rash and cruel attempts charging the French king vpon his allegeance that he with all power possible should fauour maintaine and defend king Iohn of England his feudary or tenant The French king therto made answer as one not coÌtented with that arrogant precept The realme of Englande sayd he was neuer yet any part of S. Peters patrimony neither is it now nor yet any time shal be hereafter Thys spake he for that he was in hope to obtain it for his sonne by treason of the Barons No prince of potentate said Phillip the French king may pledge or geue away his kingdome which is beside the realme the gouernment of his whole coÌmon wealth wtout the lawful consent of his Barons which are bound to defend the same If the pope shal introduce or set vp such a president in christianitie he shall at his pleasure bring all christian kings and their kingdoms to naught I like not this example in these daies begon I caÌnot therfore allow this fact of king Iohn of England though he be my vtter aduersarie yet I much lament that he hath so endamaged his realme hath brought that noble ground and Duene of prouinces vnder miserable tribute The chiefe Lordes and men of his nobilitie staÌding by when he vttred these wordes being as it were in a fury cried with one voyce By the blud of God in whom we trust to be saued we wil sticke in this article to the loosing of our heads Let the K. of England do therein what him liketh no king may put his land vnder tribute so make his nobility captiue seruants with that came in Ludowike the kings eldest sonne and so sayd vnto them all there present I beseeche you let not my purposed iourney The Barons of England haue elected me for theyr Lorde and king and I will not surely lose my right but I wil fight for it euen to the very death yea so long as hart shall stir within my brest and I doubt not but I shall well obtaine it for I haue frendes among them Hys father the king stoode still as he had bene in a dompe answered neuer a word but fared as though he had dissembled the matter Be like he mistrusted some thing therein as he might well inough for all was procured by the priestes that they might liue licentiously in all wealth and fredome from the kings yoke About the same time were such treasons and conspiracies wrought by the Bishops Priestes and Monkes throughout all the realme that the king knew not where to become or finde trusty frendes he was then compelled by the vncertaintie of his subiectes to trauaile from place to place but not without a great armie of men looking euery day when his Barons their confederates would cruelly set vpon him At last he came to Douer and there looked for aide from other quarters which loued him better then did hys owne people And thether to him resorted from Flaunders Brabant Holland on the one side and from Guiane Gascoine Poitiers on the other side and from other countries more a wonderfull number of men The report then went that the pope had wrytten to those countreis mightely to assist him for diuers coÌsiderations one was for that he had both submitted himselfe and hys dominion to his protection An other was because he had taken on him a little before the liuery of the crosse to win againe Hierusalem The third was for that he had gotten by him the dominion of England and Ireland and feared to lose both if he should chance to decay For the space of 3. moneths he remained in the Isle of Wight abroade in the aire to quiet himself for a time from al manar of tumults and led there a solitary life among riuers and watermen where as hee rather counted to die then to liue being so traiterously handled of his Bishops and Barons and not knowing howe to be iustly aduenged of them Uppon the Purification day of our Lady therfore he tooke vpon him the crosse or viage against the Turks for recouery of Hierusalem mooued therunto rather for the doubts which he had of his people then for any other deuotion else And thus he said to his familiar seruaÌts since I submitted my selfe and my lands England and Ireland to the church of Rome sorow come to it neuer thing
the monke what he had brought He said of his frute and that very good the best that he did euer tast Eate said the king and he toke one of the peares which he did know and did eate Also being bid to take an other did eate lykewise sauerly And so likewise the third Then the king refraining no longer tooke one of the poysoned peares and was therewith poysoned as is before c. In the raigne of this king Iohn the citizens of London first obtained of the king to chose yerely a Maior In whose time also the bridge of London was first builded of stone which before was of woode Rastall * King Henry the third AFter this king Iohn had raigned as some say 17. yeres or as some say though falsly 19. yeres was as is abouesaid poisoned died Thys king left behinde him 4. sonnes and 3. daughters first Henry second Richard and he was Earle of Cornwall Third William of Valentia Fourth Guido Disenay He had also an other sonne who afterward was made bishop Of his daughters first was Isabel maried afterward to Fredericke the Emperour The second named Alinour maried to William earl Marshal The third to Mounfort the Earl of Leicester c. An other story sayth that he had but two daughters Isabel and Elionore or as an other calleth her Ioane which was after Queene of Scotland Ex Chronico vetusto Anglic. This king Iohn being deceased which had many enemies both of Earles Barons especially of the Popish Clergie Henric hys eldest sonne was then of the age of 9. yeares At what time the most of the Lordes of England did adhere to Ludouike or Lewes yâ French kings sonne whom they had sent for before in displeasure of king Iohn to be their king and had sworne to him their allegeaunce Then William Earle Marshall a noble man and of great authority and a graue and a sound couÌseller friendly and quietly called vnto him diuers Earles and Barons and taking this Henry the young prince sonne of king Iohn setteth him before them vsing these words Behold saith he right honourable and well beloued although we haue * persecuted the father of this yong Prince for his euil demeanour worthely yet this yong childe whome here ye see before you as he is in yeres tender so is he pure and innocent from these his fathers doings Wherfore in as much as euery man is charged only with the burthen of his owne workes and transgressions neither shall the childe as the Scripture teacheth vs beare the iniquity of his father we ought therefore of duetie and conscience to pardone this young and tender Prince and take compassion of his age as ye see And now for so much as he is the kings natural and eldest sonne and must be our soueraigne and king and successor of this kingdom come and let vs appoynt him our king and gouernour and let vs remoue from vs this Lewes the French kings sonne suppresse his people which is a confusion and a shame to our nation and the yoke of their seruitude let vs cast off from our shoulders To these words spake answered the Earle of Glocester And by what reason or right sayd he can we so do seeing we haue called him hether haue sworne to him our feaultie Whereunto the Earle Marshall inferred againe and sayd Good right and reason we haue and ought of duety to do no lesse for that he contrary to our minde and calling hath abused our affiance and feaulties Truthe it is we called him c ment to prefer him to be our chieftaine and gouernor but he estsones surprised in pride hath contemned and despised vs and if we shal so suffer him he will subuert and ouerthrow both vs and our nation and so shall we remaine a spectacle of shame to all men and be as outcastes of all the world At these words all they as inspired from aboue cried altogether with one voice be it so he shal be our king And so the day was appoynted for his coronation which was the day of Simon Iude. This coronation was kept not at Westminster for as much as Westminster the same tune was holdeâ of the Frenchmen but as Glocester the safest place as was thought at that time in the realme an 1216. by Swallow the Popes Legate through counsel of all the Lords and Barons that held with his rather king Iohn to witte the Bishop of Winchester Bishop or Barn Bishop of Chester and Bishop of Worcester the Earle Radulph of Chester William Earle Marshal William Earl of Pembroke William Tren Earle of Feres William de Bruer Serle or Samarike de mal Baron These were at the crowning of the king at Glocester Many other lords and Barons there were which as yet helde wyth Lewes the French kings sonne to whom they had done their homage before And immediatly after the crowning of thys king he held his couÌcell at Bristow at S. Martines least where were assembled 11. Byshops of England Wales with diuers Earles Barons and knights of England All which did sweare feaultie vnto the king After which homage thus done to the king the legate Swalo interdicted Wales because they held with the foresaid Lewâes and also the Barons al other as many as gaue help or counsell to Lewes or any other that moued or stirred any war against Henry the new king he accursed them All which notwithstanding the sayde Lewes did not cease but first laid siege to the Castel or Douer xv daies when he could not preuaile there he tooke the castel of Berkhamsted and also the castel of Hartford doing much harme in the countreis in spoiling robbing the people where they went by reason wherof the Lordes and Commons which held with the king assembled theÌselues together to driue Lewes and his men out of the land But some of the BaroÌs with the Frenchmen in the meane season went to Lincoln and tooke the Citie and held it to the vse of Lewes Which being knowen ensoones a greate power of the kinges parte made thether as the Earle Ranolfe of Chester William Earle Marshal and William de le Brues Earle of Feres with many other Lords and gaue battaile vnto Lewes and his party so that in conclusion Lewes lost the field and of his side were slaine the Earle of Perchis Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester Henry de la Bohon Erle of Herford and syr Robert le Fizwater with diuers other moe Wherupon Lewes for succour fled to London causing the gates there to be shut kept waiting there for more succour out of France Which assoone as the king had knowledge off immediatly sent to the Maior and Burges of the Citie willing them to render them and their Citie to him as their chiefe lord and king promising to graunt to them againe all their fraunchises and liberties as in times past to confirme the same by his great
Charter and seale In this meane time on Bartholmew euen Eustace a French Lord accompanied with many other Lordes and nobles of Fraunce came with a great power to the number of a 100. shippes to aide and assist the sayd Lewes Who before they arriued were encountred vppon the seas by Richard king Iohns bastarde sonne who hauing no more but 18. shippes to kepe the Cinque portes set egerly vpon them and through Gods grace ouercame them Where presently he smote of the heade of Eustace the rest of the Frenche Lordes to the number of 10. hee brought with him to the lande where he imprisoned them in the Castell of Douer and slewe almost all theyr men that came with them and sonke their ships in the sea onely 15. ships sayeth some of my stories escaped away Ludouike or Lewes hearing this losse of his ships and men and misdoubting his own life for the great mischief he had done to the realme sought meanes by Swalo and the Archbishop of Caunterburie and by other Lordes to be at accorde with the king With whome at length it was so concluded and agreed that for his costes and expenses he to haue a thousande pounde of siluer geuen Paris speaketh of 15. thousand markes which he borowed of the Londiners that he shoulde departe the realme neuer to returne into England againe neither he nor none of his This done and vppon the same he with all the other Barons that tooke his parte was assoiled of Swalo the Legate And thus peace being confirmed at Merton Lewes tooke his leaue and being brought honorably to the Sea with the Bishop of Canterbury other bishops Earles and Barons returned home into Fraunce And here sayth Gisburn it was truly verified that was before spokeÌ of the FreÌch king father of Lewes At what time the said Lewes was in EnglaÌd his father the French king demanded of his messengers comming into France where his sonne was and they said at Stamforde And he asking againe whether he had got the Castell of Douer and they said no Then the father swearing by the arme of s. Iames My sonne quoth he hath not one foote in England as afterward wel proued true Ex Gisburn But the chiefest help that repelled Lewes the FreÌch men out of the realme and that most preferred king Iohns sonne to the crowne was the singular working of Gods hand whereof ment on was made before pag. 250. which was through the confession of a certaine gentleman of the French host as Florilegus doeth testifie Who lying sore sicke at the point of death seeing no hope to escape was touched in coÌscience for danger of his soules health openly to confesse vtter to the barons of England what was the purpose of the Frenchmen to do who were conspired sworn together among themselues with a priuy compaction that so soone as they subdued the land they should thrust all the chiefe nobles thereof into perpetuall exile out of the realme where out they should neuer returne againe This coÌming to the eares of the Barons as is said gaue them to consider more with themselues whereby many of them were the more willing to leaue Lewes and apply to their naturall king and prince Which no lesse may also be an admonition to all times and ages for English men to take heede not to admit or to place forreine rulers into the realme least perhaps it followe that they be displaced themselues After the happy departure of this Lewes his French men out of the land whereby the state of this realme long vexed before was now somewhat more quieted immediatly Swalo the Legate looking to his haruest directeth forth inquisâtors through euery shire to search out all such Bishops Abbots Priors Canons Secular priestes of what order or degree so euer they were that with any succor or counsail did either help or els consented to Lewes For all these were exempted out of the charter of pardon absolution made before betweene the king Lewes By reason whereof no small gaine grewe to the Pope and the Cardinall for all such were either put out of their liuings and sent vp to the Pope or els were fame to fine sweetely for them Among whome besides a great number of other clerkes both religious and seculare was Hugo bishop of Lincolne who for the recouerie of his bishoprike disbursed 1000. markes to the Pope and 100. markes to the foresaid Swalo the Legate who nowe as Paris recordeth by this time had gathered in a faire crop of that which he did neuer sowe Ex Mat. Paris c. About this season or not much before died Pope Innocent the 3. in the 19. yere of his popedome to whose custodie Fredericus the nephewe of Fredericke Barbarossa being yet yong was committed by the Empresse his mother of whom more shal follow the Lord willing hereafter After this Innocent next succeeded Pope Honorius the 3. who wryting to yong king Henry in a special letter exhorteth him to the loue of vertue to the feare of God namely to be circumspect with what familiars resort he acquainted himselfe but principally aboue al other monisheth him to reuerence the Churche which is the spouse of Christ and to honor the ministers therof in whom Christ himselfe saith he is both honored or despised And this semeth the chiefest article of that his wryting to him Of this Pope Honorius Abbas Vrspergensis who liued in the same time reporteth a straunge wonder more strange peraduenture then credible which is this Honorius being priest in Rome whose name was then Centius and procurator to Iacinthus a Cardinal So it befell that his maister sent him abroad about Rome to borowe procure mony for him against his iourny into Spaine for pope Clement then inteÌded to send the said Iacinthus his Legate vnto Spaine As this Centius was walking by himselfe all sad and sollicitous to speede hys maisters message commeth to him a certain aged and reuerend father and asketh him what cause he had to walke so heauie and carefull To whom he answered againe and signified the occasion of his busines what then he had to doe Then the old father said to him Go and returne home again for thy maister saith he shall not at this time goe to Spayne Now so quoth the other how is that true As true sayde he as it is certaine that the pope shall die and the sayd thy maister shall be Pope after him Centius thinking that to be vnlikely sayd he could not beleeue that to be true To whome the other inferreth againe So know this said he to be as certaine as it is true that the citie of IerusaleÌ this day is taken of the Saracens and shall not be recouered from them before the time of thy Papacie And thus speaking sayeth Vrsperg he voided sodenly away Ex Abbate Vrsperg All which sayth the sayd
proued what other countryes would say and doe therein And thus much concerning the second part of the blind commission of this Legate touching his exaction of prebendships in euery Cathedrall and conuentuall Churche wherin as ye heare he was repulsed Ex Mat. Paris pag. 62. â How to returne to the first part of his commissioÌ again which was coÌcerning Reimundus the godly Erle of Tholouse thus the story proceedeth That while the legate was in hand with this matter of the popes mony in the meane season certayn preaching Fryers were directed by the said Romannes the Popes Legate into all France to incite stirre vp the Frenchmen to take the crosse vpon them and to war agaynst the Erle of Tholouse and the people therof of whome they accounted then for heretickes At the preaching wherof a great number of prelates and lay meÌ signed themselues with the crosse to fight against the Tholosians being therto induced as the story sayth more for feare of the French king or fauor of the legate then for any true zeale of iustice For so it followeth in the woordes of Paris Videbatur enim multis abusio vt hominem fidelem Christianum infestarent praecipuè cum constaret cunctis eum in concilio nuper Bituriensi multis precibus persuasisse legâto vt veniret ad singulas terrae suae ciuitates inquirens a singulis articulos fidei si quempiam contra fidem iuueniret c. i. For to many sayeth he it seemeth an abuse to moue warre against a faithful Christen man especially seeing in the councell of Bitures before all men he intreated the Legate with great instance that he would come into euery Citie within his dominions And there to require of euery person the articles of his faith Where if he founde any man to holde any thing contrary to the Catholicke faith he promised a full satisfaction to be had thereof according to the censure of the Church to the vttermost c. Yet all this notwithstanding the proude Legate contemning this so honest reasonable purgation of the earl Reimundus ceases not by all maner meanes to prosecute the Popes fury against him and his subiectes stirring vp the king and the French men vnder paine of excommunication to warre against them Ludouick the French king thus being enforced by the Legate answered againe that he for his owne safety would not atchiue that expeditioÌ or aduenture against the Earle vnles it were first obtained of the Pope to wrâte to the king of England commaunding him that during the tune of that expedition he should inuade and molest no peece of his landes and possessions which he the same present time did hold whether by ryght or by wroÌg or howsoeuer they were holden while the time of the said warre against the heretickes as they were then termed did indure but rather should aide and assist hym with counsaile and money in that enterprise All which being done and accomplyshed the French King and the Legate crossing themselues to the field appoynted a day peremptory for the French army to meete together at Lions vnder paine of the popes excoÌmunication and wyth horic and harnes to set vpon the Tholosians against the Ascension day next ensuing When the Ascension day was come which was the day peremptory appoynted The French king hauing prepared at Lyons all things necessary for his armie marcheth forward with a great and mighty hoste after whome also commeth the Legate with his Bishops Prelates The number of fighting men in his armie besides the vitlars and wagoners were 50000. men The Legate by the way openly excommunicated the Earle of Tholouse all that tooke his parte furthermore interdicted his whole land Thus the king came marching forwarde till he came into the prouince of Tholouse the first citie which they came vnto there of the Earles was Auinion Which Citie they thought first to haue besieged and so in order after as they went to haue destroied and wasted all the whole prouince belonging to the Earle And first the King demaunded of them to haue hys passage through their citie faining himselfe in peaceable wise for the expedition of his iourny but to passe through the same The Citizens consulting with themselues what was to be done at length gaue aunswer that they mistrusted their comming and supposed that in deceit they required the entrance of their Citie and for no necessity of their iourney The king heere at being much offended sware an othe that he would not depart thence till he had taken the citie immediatly in those places where he thought most mete he began to geue sharpe assaults withall maner of saultable engins The Citizens againe within manfully defended themselues casting stone for stone and shooting shot for shot and slew and wounded many of the French men Thus when they had loÌg besieged the citie and could not winne the same at length vittailes in the French campe began to faile and many of them died for hunger For the Earl of Tholouse as a wise man of warre hearing before of their comming tooke into the Towne all the prouision that was abroade and left nothing wtout to serue for theyr defence and succour he plowed vp the fieldes that there should no stouer be found to serue their horses be put out of the towne all the olde people yong children least they should want vittailes that kept the towne before theyr comming sent them farre away So that within the towne they had plenty and without they died for famine and besides in seeking farre for their forage many fell into the hands of them that kept the citie who secretly lay in wait for them abroad and slewe many of them Besides a great number of cattell and horses died for want of forage and poore souldiours that had no great store of money died for want of vittailes By which mortalitie and stench both of men and cattel grew great infection pestilence amongst them insomuch that the king himselfe and also the Legate were greatly dismayed thinking it to be no litle shame as well to the realme of Fraunce as also to Rome that they shoulde so depart and breake vp their siege Thus againe thought the souldiours that much better it were for them to ende their liues by battel then so to die like dogges and sterue wherfore with one consent they purposed to geue a new assaut at the bridge that goeth ouer the floude Rodanus into the towne to which place they came in such noÌber that either by the debilitye of the bridge or subtiltyé of the souldiours that kept the towne 3000. of them wyth bridge and all fell armed into the violent streame were browned What was there then but ioy and gladnes of the Citizens part and much lamentation heauinesse on the other part Then shortly after the Citizens of Auinion when they saw a conuenient time whilest their
sent to the sayde Leoline William Brues a noble man was caused there traitrously to be haÌged c. These wyth other crimes whether true or false were suggested to the king against the sayd Hubert by his aduersaries Wherunto he was required to answere by order of law Hubert then seing himselfe in such a strait refused to answer presently but required respite thereunto for that the matters were weighty which the king obiected to him which was graunted to hym till the 14. day of September but in the meane time Hubert being in fear of the king fled from London to the priory of Merton And thus Hubert who before for the loue of the king and defence of the realme sayth mine author had got the hatred of all the nobles of England now being out of the kings fauor was destitute of comforte on euery side saue onely that Lucas Archbishop of Dubline wyth instant prayers and teares laboured to the king for him By this example many like is to be sene howe vnstable and variable a thing the fauor of mortall mutable princes is To teach all such as haue to doe about princes howe to repose and plant their trust not in man but in their Lord God by him to finde help in Christ the true Prince of all Princes which neuer faileth By like example was Clito serued of king Alexander Ioab of king Dauid Bellisarius of Iustiniane Harpagus of Astiages Cromwell of king Henry with innumerable moe which in histories are to be found When the day was come that this Hubert should answer keeping among the monks of Merton he durst not appeare Then was it signified to him from the King that hee should come vp and appeare in the court there to answer to his charge Wherunto he answered againe that he misdouted the kings anger therfore he did flie to the church as the vttermost refuge to all such as suffer wrong From whence he would not stirre till he heard the kings wrath to be mitigated towards him With this the king mooued sore displeased directed his letters in all hast to the maior of London commanding him at the sight therof to muster and take vp all the citizens that could beare harneis in the Citie and to bring to him by force of armes the foresaid Hubert either quicke or dead out of Merton Wherupon the Maior immediately causing the great bell to be ronge assembled together the people of LoÌdon and opening before them the kings letters commaunded them to prepare and arme themselues in al readines to the executing of the kings will and message The Citizens hearing this were therewith right glad and ready for they were all in great hatred wyth Hubert because of the execution of Constantine their citizen aboue mentioned pag. 269. Notwithstanding certaine of the citizens namely Andrew Bukerel Iohn Trauers other mo men of more graue sage discretioÌ wisely pondcrying with themselues what inconuenience might rise heereof went in haste to the Byshop of Wintchester lying then in Southwarke and waking him out of hys sleepe desired him of his counsaile in that so sodeine and daungerous distresse Declaring to him what perill might thereby ensue as well to the church of Merton as also to the citie by the fury of the vnordinate fierce multitude which wil hardly be brideled from robbing and spoiling neither wil spare sheding of bloud c. Unto whoÌ againe the bloudy byshop gaue this bloudy counsaile sayth Pariensis Daungerous it is quod he both heere and there but yet see that you obey and execute the precept of the king I counsaile you plainely At the which counsail of the bishop they being amased went with an euill will about the businesse enioyned But the people inflamed with hatred gladly coueted to be reuenged and to shed the bloud of the sayd Hubert ¶ The cause why Peter Byshop of Wint. was so cruelly set against the Iustice was partly for the damages hee had done to the Romane Priestes as is before touched Partly also for the olde grudge because the king comming to his lawful age before through the counsail of this Hubert losed himselfe froÌ the gouernment of the sayd B. who had him then in custodie And thus rose vp the grudge and displeasure of this bishop him On the next morowe the Londiners issuing out of the citie to the number of xx M. setfoorth toward the Abbey of Merton where Hubert was lying prostrate before the altar commending himselfe to God In the meane season while the Citizens were in their iourney raging against the poore erle of Kent it was suggested to the king by Radulfe B. of Chichester and Lorde Chauncelor that it was daungerous to excite vp the vulgare and vnruly multitude for feare of sedition leât peraduenture the rude and heady people being stirred vp will not so soone be brought downe againe when the K. would haue them Moreouer what shal be sayd quod he among the French men and other nations which of great things loue to make them greater of euill things to make them worse then they are but thus iestingly mockingly See what a kind bird is the yong king of England whych seeketh to deuour his old nurse vnder whose wings he had ben brought vp and nourished in his youth And thus the king by the perswasion hereof chauÌging his councell seÌt in all hasty wise after the army againe willing them to retract theyr iourney and to retire And thus the Londiners although much agaynst their wils returned home missing of theyr purpose Wherein is to be obserued another notable example of Gods working prouidence For when yâ king sayth the history had sent by 2. messeÌgers or purseuants to reuoke and call back again the army of the Londiners going with gredy mindes to shed the bloud of the innocent Iustice One of the messengers posting with all speed possible with the kinges letters ouertook the army and comming to the foreward where the Captains were by vertue of the kings letters staied their course and bloudy purpose wherby they could proceed no farther But the other messeÌger crafty and malicious who bearing hatred to the sayd Hubert rather wishing him to be slayne then to be deliuered lingred by the way of purpose although being commaunded to make haste when he came went onely but to the middle sort More like a messeÌger meet to serue a dead mans arrant then to serue the turne of them which be aliue And âo in like maner by the iust hand of God it fell vpon him For the same messenger stombling with his horse riding but a soft or a foote pace and rather walking then riding fell down backward from his horse backe and there brake his necke and dyed This mercifull message of the king was as is said sent by the instigation of Radulph B. of Chichester Lord Chaunceller a vertuous and a faythfull man and one that coulde skill to
the whole summe whereof was found yerely to be three score thousaÌd Markes to the which summe the reuenues of the whole crowne of England and not extend Ex Math. Parisiens fol 185. a. The Nobles then vnderstanding the miserable oppression of the Realme being assembled together at Dinistable for certayne causes sent one Fulco in the name of the whole nobility vnto M. Martinus the Popes Marchaunt with this message that he iudelayedly vpon the same warning should prepare himselfe to be gone out of the realme vnder payn of being cut all to pieces At which message the Legate being sore agaâ went straight to the king to know whether his conseÌt was to the same or not Of whom when he found litle better comfort he tooke hys leaue of the king who had him adue in the deuils name faith M. Paris and thus was the realme rid of M. Martinus Ex Mat. Paris 185. b. an 1245. As soone as Pope Innocent had hereof intelligence by the coÌplaynt of his Legate he was in a mighty rage And furthermore remembring how yâ french king the king of Arragon not long before had denied him entraunce into theyr land and being therfore in displeasure with theÌ likewise began in great anger to knit his browes and said it is best that we fall in agreement with our prince whereby we may the sooner bring vnder these little petty kinges and so the great Dragon being pacified these litle serpents we shall handle at our owne pleasure as we lift After this immediarly theÌ folowed the generall councell of Lions to the which councell the states and Lordes of the Realme with the consent of the communaltye sent two Bulles One conteining a generall suplication to the Pope and the councell the other with the Articles of such greuaunces which they desired to be redressed whereof relation is made sufficiently before pag. 267. The other bill of the Supplication because it is not before expressed I thought here to exhibite for two causes First that men now in these dayes may see the pitifull blindnesse of those ignoraunt dayes wherein our English nation here did so blindely humble themselues and stand to the Popes curtesy Whom rather they should haue shaken of as the Grecians did Secondly that the pride of the Pope might the better appeare in his coulours who so disdaynefully reiected the humble sute of our Lordes and Nobles when they had much more cause to disdayne rather to stampe him vnder their feet The tenour of the SupplicatioÌ was this ¶ The copy of the Supplication written in the names of all the nobles and commons of England to Pope Innocent the 4. in the generall Councell at Lyons anno 1245. ¶ To the reuerend Father in Christ Pope Innocent chiefe Byshop the nobles with the whole comminaltye of the Realme of England sendeth commendation with kissing of his blessed feet OVr mother the Church of Rome we loue with all our hartes as our duety is and couet the encrease of her honour with so much affection as we may as to whome we ought alwayes to flye for refuge whereby the griefe lying vpon the childe maye finde comfort at the mothers hand Which succour the mother is bound so much the rather to imparte to her childe how muche more kinde and beneficial she findeth him in relieuing her necessitiee Neither is it to the sayd our mother vnknowne how beneficiall and bountifull a geuer the Realme of England hath bene now of long tyme for the more amplifying of her exaltation as appeared by our yerely subsidie whiche we terme by the name of Peterpence Now the sayd Church not contented with this yearly subsidie hath sent diuers Legates for other contributions at diuers and sondry times to be taxed and leuyed out of the same Realme al which contributions and taxes notwithstanding haue bene louingly and liberally graunted Furthermore neither is it vnknowne to your fatherhood how our forefathers like good Catholickes both louing and fearing their maker for the soules health as well of themselues as of their progenitours and successors also haue founded Monasteryes and largely haue endued the same both with their owne proper landes and also patronages of benefices whereby suche religious persons prosessing the first and chiefest perfection of holy Religion in theyr Monasteries might with more peace and tranquillitie occupy themselues deuoutly in Gods seruice as to the order appertained And also their Clearkes presented by them into their benefices might sustaine the other exteriour labours for them in that seconde order of religion and so discharge and defend them from all hasardes so that the saide religious monasteries cannot be defrauded of those their patronages and collations of benefices but the same must touche vs also very neare and worke intollerable griefe vnto our hearts And now see we beseche you which is lamentable to behold what iniuries we sustaine by you and your predecessors who not considering those our subsidies and coÌtributions aboue remembred doe suffer also your Italians and forreiners whych be out of number to be possessed in our Churches and benefices in Englande pertaining to the right and patronage of those monasteries aforesayde which forreiners neither defending the sayd religious persones whome they ought to see to nor yet hauing the language whereby they may instructe the flocke take no regarde of their soules but vtterly leaue them of wilde wolues to be deuoured Wherefore it may truely be said of them that they are no good shepheards where as neither they know their shepe nor the shepe do know the voyce of their shepherds neither do they kepe any hospitalitie but only take vp the rents of those benefices carying them out of the Realme wherewith our brethren our nephewes and our kinsfolkes might be susteined who coulde and woulde dwell uppon them and employ such exercises of mercie hospitalitie as their dutie required Whereof a great nuÌber now for mere necessitie are lay men and faine to flie out of the realme And now to the enteÌt more fully to certify you of the truth ye shall vnderstand that the sayd Italians and strangers receiuing of yerely rentes out of Englande not so little as 60000. Markes by yeare besides other auailes and exises deducted doe reape in the said our kingdome of England more emoluments of meere rents then doth the king himselfe being both the tutour of the Church and gouernour of the land Furthermore where as at the first creation of your Papacie we were in good hope and yet are that by meanes of your fatherly goodnesse we shoulde enioy our franchises and free collation of our benefices and donatiues to be reduced againe to the former state nowe commeth an other greeuance which we cannot but signifie vnto yoââressing vs aboue measure which we receiue by M. Martinusâ who entring late into our lande without leaue of our king with greater power then euer was sene before in any Legate although he beareth not
the state and shewe of a Legate yet hee hath doubled the doings of a Legate charging vs. euery day with newe Mandates and so most extreemely hath ââpressed vs First in bestowing and geuing away our benefices if any were aboue 30 Markes as soone as they were vacant to Italian persons Secondly after the decease of the sayd Italians vnknowing to the patrons he hath intruded other Italians therein whereby the true patrons haue bene spoiled and defrauded of their right Thirdly the saide M. Martinus yet also ceaseth not to assigne and conferre such benefices still to the like persones And some he reserueth to the donation of the Apostolike fee And extorteth moreouer from religious houses immoderate pensions excommunicating and interdicting who so euer dare gainstand him Wherefore forasmuch as the sayde M. Martin hath so farre extended his iurisdiction to the great perturbation of the whole Realme no lesse derogation to our kings priuiledge to whome it hath bene fully graunted by the see Apostolike that no Legate should haue to do in his land but such as he by speciall letters did send for we with most huÌble deuotioÌ beseech you that as a good father will alwaies be ready to support his childs so your fatherhode wil reach forth your hand of compassion to releaue vs your humble children from these greuous oppressions And although our Lord and king being a Catholicke Prince and wholy giuen to his deuotions and seruice of Christ Iesu our Lorde so that he respecteth not the health of his owne body will feare and reuerence the see Apostolicke and as a deuout sonne of the Church of Rome desireth nothing more then to aduance the estate and honor of the same yet we which trauaile in his affaires bearing the heate and burden of the day and whose duetie together with him is to tender the preseruation of the publike wealth neither can paciently suffer such oppressioÌs so detestable to God and man and greuances intollerable neither by Gods grace will suffer them through the meanes of your godly remediey which we well hope and trust of you speedily to obteine And thus may it please your fatherhode we beseche you to accept this our supplication who in so doing shall worthely deserue of all the Lords and Nobles with the whole comminaltie of the Realme of England oââdigne and speciall thankes accordingly Anno ãâã Ex Mat Parisient fol. 188. This supplication being sent by the handes of Sir R. Bygot Knight and W. de Powike Squier Henrie de la Mare with other knightes and Gentlemen after it was there opened and red pope Innocent first keping silence deferred to make answer therunto making hast to procede in hys detestable excommunication and curie against the good Emperour Fredericke The whith curle being done and the English ambassadours waiting still for their aunswer the Pope then told them flatte they should not haue their request fulfilled Wherat the English men departing iu great anger away sware with terrible othes that they would neuer more suffer any tribute or fruites of any benefices namely whereof the noble men were patrones to be paid to that insatiable and greedy court or Rome worthy to be detested in all worlds Ex Math. Paris fol 193. The Pope hearing these wordes all be it making then no aunswere thought to watch his time and did First incontinent vpon the same during the said Counsel he caused euery Bishop of England to put his hande and seale to the obligation made by king Iohn for the Popes tribute as is aboue specified Threatning moreouer saying that if he had once brought downe the Emperor Fredericke he would bridle the insolent pride of England wel enough After this Councell ended in the beginning of the next yere following An. 1246. Pope Innocent came to Cluniake where was then appoynted a secret meeting or colloquie betwene the Pope and Lewes the French king who was then preparing his voyage to Ierusalem in which colloquie the pope sought al meanes to perswade the French king in reuengement of his miurie to warre contra Regulum as he termed him that is against the weake and scule king of England either to driue him vtterly froÌ his kingdom or els so damnitie him wherby he should be constraâned whether he would or no to stoupe to the Popes will and obedience Wherein he also would assist him with al the authoritie he could doe Neuerthelesse the French king to this would not agree first for the consanguinitie that was betwene them for there 2. Quenes were sisters And also for the truce that they had taken Thirdly for feare of the Emperour least he shoulde take his part Item for that it could not be without the spilling of much Christen bloud And lastly because he was preparing his voyage to the holy land where his comming was already looked for And thus the French king denying the Popes bloudy request refused not onely to enter warre against the king and the realme of England but also shortly after concluded wyth him longer truce An. 1246. Ex. Math. Paris sol b. Straight vpon the necke of this followed then the exaction of Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury that he had bought of the Pope which was to haue the first yeares fruites of all benefices and spirituall linings in Englande for the space of 7. yeares together vntill the sumine should come of âen thousand Markes Whereat the king first was greatly agreeued But ãâã eonclusion hee was faine at last to agreâ with the Archbyshop and so the nibney was gathered Paris fol. 197. Ouer and besides all other exactions wherewyth the pope miserably oppressed the church of England this also is not to be âââlenced how the Pope sending down his letters ãâã the seâ Apostolike charged and commanded the prelates to find him some 10. Tome 5. and some 15. able men wel furnished with horse and harneis for one whole yere to fight in the popes warres And lest the king shuld haue knowledge thereof it was enioyned them vnder paine of excommunication that they shoulde reuease it to none but to kepe it secrete only to themselues Paris fol. 200. The pope yet notwtstanding partly beyng laboured by siâers partly of hys owne mynde thinking good somewhat to geue to the king people of England as fathers are woââ to geue solsterhing to theyr babes to play with all to keeââ them still sent downe this releasment to the king yâ hereafter whensoeuer any of the popes nephewes or of hys Cardinals were to be beneficed many church of England eyther he or the Cardinals shuld first make the king priuy theeof and instantly craââe hys good-will in obteining the proÌtutation or els the same to stand in no effect c. Parisiensis sol 202. howbeit al this seemed to be don ãâã of a pollicy to get the kings âauour wherby he might be suffered more freely to passe with greater exactions as afterward
subiect In the which Parliament time was prefixed for taking their iourney which shoulde be after the feast of S. Iohn Baptist the next yeare insuing Also they that were croysed were sworne to persist in their purpose and sentence of the popes great curse denouÌced to all them that went from the same Parisiens fol. 211. Furthermore for the better speede in his iourny the king through al his realme caused it to be proclaimed that if any marchaÌt or other had bene iniured at any time by the kings exactours either by oppression or borowing of money let him bring foorth his bil shewing how or wherein and he should be recompensed At which time William Longspatha a worthy warriour with the Bishop of Worcester and certain other great men in the Realme of England mooued with the example of the Frenchmen prepared themselues likewise to the same iourney The next yere after thys ensuing which was 1248. the French king yet still remaining in hys purposed iourney Lady Blanche hys mother also the Byshop of Paris hys brother with the Lordes of his counsaile other nobles and his speciall frends aduertised him with great perswasions to alter hys minde touching that so aduenturous and so daungerous a iourney for that his vow sayd they was vnaduisedly made and in time of his sicknesse when hys minde was not perfectly stablished and what ieoperdies might happen at home it was vncertaine the king of England being on the one side the Emperor on the other side and the Pictauians in the middest so fugitiue and vnstable and as concerning his vow the pope shuld frendly dispense with him considering the necessitie of his realme and weakenesse of his body Besides all thys his mother vppon her blessing required him hys brethren of all loues desired him to stay at home and not in his person to adueÌture other might be sent in his roume with no lesse furniture to atchieue that enterprise and to discharge him of his vow especially seeing at the making thereof his senses were feeble hys body weake and reason through sicknesse and very death almost decaied To whome the K. againe for so much sayde he as you say that for feeblenes of my senses I tooke this vow vpon me loe therfore as you here wil me I lay downe the crosse that I tooke and putting his hand to his shoulder tare of the badge of the crosse saying to the Byshop here syr I resigne to you the crosse wherew t I was signed At the sight wherof there was no smal reioysing to all that were there present To whome the king then both altering his countenance and hys speach thus spake My frendes sayde he whatsoeuer I was then in my sicknes now I thaÌke god I am of perfect sense and reason souÌd and now I require my crosse again to be restored vnto me Saying moreouer that no bread shuld come in his head before he were recognised again with the same crosse as he was before At the hearing whereof al there present were astonied supposing that God had some great matter to worke and so mooued no moe questions vnto him Upon this drewe nie the feast of Iohn Baptist which was the time set for the setting foorth And nowe being in a readines the king in few dayes after was entring his iorney But yet one thing lacked For the King perceiuing the mortal variance betwene the pope and good Frederick the Emperour thought best first before his going to haue that matter appeased wherby his way both might be safer through the Emperours countries and also lesse ieoperdy at home after hys departure and therefore vpon the same tooke first his way to Lyons where the Pope was partly to take his leaue but most especially to make recoÌcilement betwene the Emperour and the Pope Where is to be noted by the way that as touching the good Emperour there was no lette nor staie Who rather sought all meanes how to compasse the popes fauor neuer could obteine it In so much that before he shuld be excommunicated in the Councel of Lyons he not onely answered sufficiently by Thadeus his atturney discharging himselfe against whatsoeuer crimes or obiections could be brought against him but so farre humbled himselfe to the Pope and the Councell that for all detriments damages losses or wrongs done of hys part what amendes soeuer the Pope could or would require he would recompence it to the vttermost This would not be taken Furthermore if the Pope hee sayde coulde not abide his tarying in his owne dominions and Empire he wold goe fight against the Saracens and Turkes neuer to returne into Europe againe offering there to recouer lands kingdomes whatsoeuer did at any time belong to Christendome so that the Pope onely would be contented that Henry his sonne which was then nephew to king Henry here in England should be Emperour after him Neither could this be admitted Then he offered for trueth of hys promise to put in the French king and the king of England to be his Suerties or els for triall of his cause to stand to their award and arbitrement Neither would that be graunted At least he desired that he might come himselfe and answere before the councell But the proude Pope in no case would abide that saying that he did not yet finde himselfe so ready and meete for Martyrdome to haue hym to come thether to the Councell for if he did he would depart himselfe c. Ex Math. Paris fol. 187. An. 1245. This obstinate rancor and deuiâish malice of pope Innocent and hys predecessour against that valiant Emperor and against the Grecians what disturbance and mischiefe it wrought to the whole Churche what strength it gaue to the Saraceus and Tartarians howe it empaired Christian concorde and weakened all Christen lands not only the host of the French king did finde shortly after but christendome euen to this day may and doth feele and rue Neither can in stories be founde any greater cause which first made the Turks so strong to get so much grouÌd oner christendom as they haue then the pestileÌt working of this pope in deposing excommunicating this worthy Emperour For as there was neuer no Emperour of long time which more victoriously preuailed in bridling and keping vnder these enemies of Christ or would haue done more against them then the said Fred. if he might haue ben suffered so after the deposing excommunicating of him when the French king neither woulde abide at home as he was counselled neither was yet able wtout the help of other to withstand the force and multitude of the sayd SaraceÌs and Tartarians being now ioyned together neither yet could the Emperour be suffered by the pope to rescue the king it followed thereof that the good king being taken prisoner all his army destroied the Turkes thereupon got such a hand and such a courage against the Christians that euer since
so returned they frustrate of their intent The purpose of the Soldan was if he might haue gotten Damiata to send the French king hyer vp in the East countries to Calipha the chiefe Pope of Damascus to encrease the tytles of Mahomet and to be a spectacle or gasing stocke to all those quarters of the worlde The maner of which Calipha was neuer left to any Christen prisoner come out whosoeuer came once in his handes But for somuch as the Soldan missed hys purpose he thought by aduise of counsell to vse the kinges lyfe for hys owne aduauntage in recouering the city of Damiata as in the end it came to passe For although the king at the first was greatly vnwilling and had rather die then surrender Damiata againe to the Saracens yet the conclusion so fel out that the king was put to hys raunsome and the Citty of Damiata was also resigned which citty being twise won and twise lost by the Christians the Soldan or Saladine afterward caused vtterly to be rased downe to the ground The raunsome of the king vppon condition that the Soldan should see himselfe conducted to Achon which I take to be Cesaria came to 60000. markes The number of Frenchmen and others which miscaryed in that warre by water and by land came to 80000 persons tHaec Mat. Parisi fol. 237.238 And thus haue ye the briefe narration of this lamentable peregrination of Lewes the French kyng In whiche when the French men beyng once or twise well offered by the Soldan to haue all the kingdome of Ierusalem and much more in free possession they not contented with that which was reasonable and sufficient for greedines to haue all lost all hauing at length no more then ther naked bodies could couer lying dead vpoÌ the ground al through the originall cause of the Pope and Ddo hys Legate By whole sinister meanes and pestilent pride not only the liues of so many Christians were then lost but also to the sayd Pope is to be imputed all the losse of other citties Christian regions bordering in the same quarters for aâmuche as by the occasion hereof the hartes of the Saracens on yâ one side were so encouraged the courage of the christias on the other side so much discomfited that in short space after both the dominion of Antioch and of Achon with all other possessions belonging to the Christians were lost to the great diminishing of Christes Church During the tyme of this good king lying at Achonâor Celaria almighty God sent such discorde betwene that Soldan of Halapia and the SoldaÌ of Babilon for letting the king so escape that the sayd Soldan or Salidin of Babilon to winne the king vnto hys syde entred league with him whome both hys brethren and all his nobles almost at home had forsaken and remitted hys raunsome and also restored vnto hym such prisoners as were in the sayde battayle fouÌd to be aliue Thus the Lord worketh where man commonly forsaketh Math Paris fol. 261. An other cause moreouer why the ruine of this French army may worthely be impured to the Pope is this for that wheÌ Lewes the French king perceauing what a necessary frend and helper Fredericke the Emperour might be to hym in these his affayres agaynst the Saracens and therfore was an earnest suter for him to the Pope to haue hym released yet neyther he nor the king of Englande by any meanes could obtayne it And although the Emperor himselfe offred to pope Innocent with all humble submission to make satisfaction in the Councell of Lyons promising also to expugne all the dominions of the Saracens and neuer to returne into Europe agayn and there to recouer whatsoeuer the Christians had lost so that the pope would onely grauÌt his sonne Henry to be Emperoure after him yet the proud pope woulde not be mollified but would needes proceede agaynst hym with both swordes that is first with the spirituall sword to accurse hym and then with the temporall sword to depose him froÌ his Emperial throne Through the occasion wherof not onely the French kinges power went to wracke but also such a fire of mischiefe was kindled agaynst all Christendome as yet to this day cannot be quenched For after this ouerthrowe of the French king and his army the Christians of Antioch and of other Christen regions theraboutes being vtterly discouraged gaue ouer there holdes and Citties Whereby the Saracens and after them the Turkes got such an hand ouer ChristeÌdome as to this day we al haue great cause to rue and lament Besides this where diuers Christians were crossed to go ouer and helpe the Frenche king the pope for mony dispensed with them to tary still at home But as I sayd the greatest cause was that the Emperour whiche coulde haue done most was deposed by the Popes tyranny whereby all those Churches in Asia were left desolate As touching the whiche Emperour Fredericke because we haue diuers and sundry tymes made meÌtion of him before and for that his story is straunge hys actes wonderous and his conflictes tragicall whiche he sustayned agaynst iiii or v. Popes one after an other I thought not out of story in a whole narration to set forth the same for the reader to consider what is to be iudged of this Cathedrall Sea of Rome which had wrought such abhominable mischiefe in the world as in the sequele of the story following faythfully translated out of Latiue into English is to be seene The whole tragicall history of Fredericke 2. Emperor translated out of the Latine booke of Nich. Cisnerus FRedericke the second came out of the auncient house of the Beblines or Gibillines which Gibillines came of the most famous stocke of the Frenche king and Emperours He had Fredericke Barbarossa to hys Graundfather whose sonne Henricus the 6. was Emperoure after hym who of ConstaÌtia the daughter or as some write the neece of Roger the first king of Sicile begate this Fredericke the second This Constantia was 50. yeares of age before she was conceaued with him whom the Emperour Henry 6. to auoyde all doubt and surmise that of her conception childing might be thought and to the peril of the Empeir ensue caused hys regall tent to be pitched abroade in place where euery man might resort And when the tyme of his Queenes trauaile approched Constantia in presence of diuers Ladyes and Matrons and other Gentle women of the Empire a great number was brought a bed and deliuered of this Fredericke the vii day before the Calendes of January in the yeare of Christes incarnation 1193. who by inheritaunce was king of Naples Apuha Calabria and Sicilia Henricus his father shortly after he was borne obtayned of the princes electors that by their oth to hun geuen they would chuse his sonne Fredericke for their Emperor after his discease and so did and immediately called hym Cesar being yet but in his cradle This Henry when he
woulde geue so impudent an attempt to the blinding and deceiuing of all posterityes inserting for grounded truthes and holy decrees such loude lyes and detestable doctrine what may be thought of the rabble of the rest of writers in those dayes what attemptes hope of gayne might cause them to worke By whom and such like is to be feared the fasifying of diuers other good workes now extant in those perillous tymes writteÌ Thus when the Bishops had once wrested this autoritie out of the Emperours handes they then so fortified armed theÌselues and their dominion that although afterwardes Fredericke the first graundfather vnto this good Emperor Fredericke the second as also Ludouicus Boius and Henricus Lucelburgensis as men most studious and carefull for the dignities of the Empire vnfeined louers and maintainers of the vtilitie of the commoÌ weale and most desirous of the preseruatioÌ and prosperity of the Church did all their indeuors with singular wisedome strength as much as in them lay to recouer agayne from the byshop of Rome this the authoritie of the Imperiall iurisdiction lost most cruelly wickedly abusing the same to the destruction both of the Empyre vndoyng of the coÌmon wealth and vtter subuersion of the Churche of God yet coulde they not be able to bryng the same to passe in those darck and shadowed tymes of peruerse doctrine and errours of the people and most miserable seruitude of ciuile Magistrates The same and like priuilege also in the election of theyr bishops Prelates and disposing of Ecclesiasticall offices as the Emperour of Rome had euery Prince and king in theyr seuerall dominions had the like For by the decree of the Councell of Tolerane which in the 25. canon and 63. distinction is mentioned the authoritie of creating and chusing byshops and Prelates in Hispane was in the power of the king of Hispane The like also by the Histories of Clodoueus Carolus Magnus Ludouicus nonus Philippus Augustus Philippus pulcher Carolus 5. Carolus 6. Carolus 7. Kinges of Fraunce is apparaunt and well knowne that all these kinges had the chiefe charge and gouernement of the French Church and not the byshops of Rome And by our English historyes also as you heard it is manifest that the authoritie of chusing ecclesiasticall ministers and byshops was alwayes in the kings of EnglaÌd till the raygne of king Henry the 1. who by the labour and procurement of Anselmus Archb. of Cant. was depriued and put from the same Also the Princes of Germany and electors of the Emperor till the tyme of Henry the 5. had all euery Prince seuerally in his owne dition and Prouince the same iurisdiction and prerogatiue to geue dispose ecclesiasticall functions to their Prelates at theyr pleasure and after that it appertayned to the people and prelats together And how in the raigne of Fridericke the Prelates gate vnto themselues alone this Immunitie Ioannes Auentinus in his 7. booke of the Annales of the Boiores doth describe Also it is probable that the kinges of Sicilia had the same facultie in geuing and disposing their Ecclesiasticall promotions and charge of churches Andreas de Istmia ad 1. constit Neap. nu 12. And that because Fridericke defended him against the tyranny of the bishop of Rome therfore as Fazellus sayth he was excommunicated of Honorius But that Platina and Blondus allege other causes wherfore he was excommunicate of Honorius I am not ignorant Howbeit he that will compare theyr writings with others that write more indifferently betweene Honorius and hym shall easily finde that they more sought the fauor of the Romayn bishops then to write a veritie But now agayne to the history of Fridericke Nicholaus Cisnerus affirmeth that whilest Friderike the Emperour was in Sicilia hys wife Constantia dyed at Catrana or Catana In the meane time the Christians which was a great nauy sayled into Egipt and tooke the citie Heliopolis commonly called Damatia and long ago named Pelucinum beyng in good hope to haue dryuen Sultanus the SowdaÌ out of Egipt had a great marueilous ouerthrow by the conueiyng of the water of the floude Nilus which then ouerflowed into their Campe were sayne to accord an vnprofitable truce with the Sowldane for certayne yeares and to deliuer the citty agayne and so departing out of Egipt were faine to come to Acone and Cyrus to the no small detriment and losse of the Christian army Wherupon king Iohn surnamed Brennus being king of Ierusalem arriued in Italy and prayde ayd of the Emperor agaynst his enemies in whoÌ he had great hope to finde remedy of the euils and calamities before declared and from thence he went to Rome to the Pope declaring vnto him the great discomfite and ouerthrow past as also the present peril and callamitie that they were in desiring also hys ayd therin By whose meanes as Cisnerus sayth the Emperour was reconciled agayne to the Pope and made friendes together to whome also king Iohn gaue Ioell his daughter in maryage which came of the daughter of Conradus King of Ierusalem and Marques of Mounte Ferrat with whome he had for dowry the inheritaunce of the kingdome of Ierusalem as right heyre thereunto by her mother By whome also he atter obteyned the kingdome of Naples and Sicill and promised that with as much expedient speede as he might he would prepare a power for the recouery agayne of Ierusalem and be there himselfe in proper person whiche thinge to doe for that vppon diuers occasions he deferred whereof some thinke one some an other Honorius vnto whome he was lately reconciled purposed to haue made agaynst hym some great and secrete attempt had hee not bene by death before preuented vppon whome were made these Uerses O pater Honori multorum nate dolori Est tibi decori viuere vade mori After whom succeeded Gregorius the 9. as great an enemy to Frederike as was Honorius whiche Gregory came of the race whom the Emperor as before ye heard condemned of Treason which they wrought against him This Gregory was scarcely setled in hys Papacy when that he threatned hym that greatly with excommunication vnlesse he woulde prepare hymselfe into Asia according to hys promise as ye heard before to king Iohn And what the cause was why the Pope so hastened the iourney of Frederike into Asia you shall heare hereafter In effect he could not wel bring that to passe which in his mischieuous minde he had deuised vnlesse the Emperour were farther from him Notwithstanding Fredericke it shoulde seeme smelling a ratte or mistrusting somewhat as well he might alledged diuers causes and lets as lately and truely he dyd to Honorius Fazellus a Sicilian writer sayth that the special cause of the Emperors stay was for the oathe of truce and peace during certayne yeares whiche was made betweene the Saracens and Christians as you heard which tyme was not yet expired The same
1255. in the month of August Ex Gualt Gisburn At length the childe being sought found by the mother being cast in a pit 32. of those abhominable Iewes were put to executioÌ wherof Mathew Paris reciteth a long storie The same or like fact was also intended by the like Iewes at Norwich 20. yeres before vpon a certaine childe whom they had first circumcised deteined a whole yere in custodie intending to crucifie him for the which the Iewes were sent vp to the tower of LoÌdon of whom 18. were hanged the rest remained long in prison Ex Cestrens lib. 7. Of this wicked Iewish people I find also in the boke of Flor. hist. that about this yere of our Lord 1255. they began first to be expelled out of Fraunce by the commaundement of the French king being then in Palestina warring against the Turkes By the occasion that it was obiected then by the Turke against him and other Christian princes for the reteining the Iewes amoÌgst theÌ which did crucify our sauiour and warring agaynst them which did not crucifye him Ex Flor. Hist Of these Iewes moreouer king Henry the same yere 1255. exacted to be geuen vnto him 8000. markes in paine of hanging Who being much agreued therwith complayning that the king went about their destruction desired leaue to be geuen theÌ of the king that they might depart the realm neuer to returne agayne But the king committed the doing of that matter vnto Earle Richard his brother to enforce them to pay the mony whether they would or no. Moreouer of the same Iewes mention is made in the story intituled EulogiuÌ Of the Iewes in Northhampton who had amoÌg theÌselues prepared wilde fire to burn the city of LondoÌ For the which diuers of theÌ were takeÌ burned in the time of Lent in the said city of NorthhamptoÌ which was 2. yeres before about the yere of our Lord. 1253. Ex Eulogio And for so much as mention here is made of the Iewes I cannot omit what some English storyes write of a certaine Iew who not long after this time about the yeare of our Lord. 1257. fell into a priuy at âuekesbury vpon a Sabboth day which for the great reuerence he had to his holy Sabboth would not suffer himselfe to be plucked out And so Lord Richarde Earle of Glocester hearing thereof would not suffer him to be drawne out on sonday for reuerence of the holy day And thus the wretched superstitious Iew remaining there till Monday was found dead in the dong And to note the blinde superstitioÌ of that time not only among the Iewes but also among the christians to omit diuers other storyes as of Walter Gray Archbish. of Yorke who comming vp to the ParliameÌt at LondoÌ an 1255. with vnordinate fasting did so ouercharge nature pyned himselfe as the story meÌtioneth did so drye vp hys braine that he losing therby all appetite of stomack going to Fulham there within 3. dayes died as in the compiler of Flor. Hist. is both storyed and reprehended Let this also be adioyned which the forenamed author and in the same yere is recorded of one named Peter Chaceporce who diyng in FrauÌce an 1255. left in bequest of his testameÌt 600. marks for lands to be purchased to the house of MertoÌ for God to be serued there perpetually pro anima eius omnium fideliuÌ i for his soules health and all faythfull soules As who would say Christian fayth were not the ordinary meanes sufficient to saluation of faythfull soules without the quire seruice of the Monkes of Merton Ye haue heard it often complained before how the vsurped power of the Pope hath violeÌtly and presumptuously encroched vpon the Church of England in geuing conferring benefices and prebends to his Italians and strangers to the great damage and ruine of Christes flock manifold waies This violent iniury oppression of the Pope as by no lawfull and gentle meanes could be reformed so by occasion meanes inordinate about this time it began somwhat to be brideled The matter whereof was this as it is in the collector of Flor. Hist. recited In the dayes of the raigne of this king 44. The Byshop of London named Fulco had geuen a certaine prebende in the Church of S. Paul to one master Rustandus the Popes messenger heere in Englande Who entring into the profession of the graâe friers shortly after dying on the other side of the sea the Pope immediatly conferred the sayd prebend to one of his specials a like straunger as the other was before About the same instant it befel that the bishop also of London deceased wherby the byshoprick now vacant fell into the kings handes Who hearing of the death of the forenamed Rustandus gaue the sayd prebendship geuen of the Pope before to one Iohn Crakehale his vnder treasurer Who with all solemnitie tooke his installation vnknowing as yet that it was bestowed of the Pope before It was not loÌg after as time grew but this being noised at Rome forthwith commeth downe a certaine Proctor named Iohn Gras wyth the Popes embulled letters to receaue the collation of the benefice by his commission procuratory geuen by the Pope wherin Iohn Crakehale had bene already installed as is aforesaide by the kings donation This matter comming in trauise before Boniface Archbishop of Cant. hee inquiring and searching which donation was the first finding the popes graunt to be the former gaue sentence with him against the king so that in conclusion the Romane clearke had the aduauntage of the benefice although the other had long enioyed the possession therof before Thus the popes man being preferred and the Englishman excluded after the partie had bene inuested stalled after the vse and maner hee as thinking to be in sure possession of his place attempted with the rest to enter the Chapter house but was not permitted so to do wherupon the popes clerke geuing place to force and number went toward the archbishop to complaine This being knowne certaine recluses pursued him and so being compassed about one in the thicknesse of the throng being neuer after knowne sodenly rushing vpon him a âitle aboue his eies so pareth of his head yâ he fell downe dead The same also was done to an other of his felowes in fleing away This hainous murder being famed abroad strait inquirie therof was made but the deede doer could not be knowen Although great suspition was laide vpon Crakhale the kings Chaplein yet no proofe could be brought But moste men thought yâ bloudy fact to be done by certaine ruffians or other light persons about the City or the Court disdaining belike that the Romanes were so enriched wyth Englishmens liuings by whome neyther came relief to any Englishman nor any godly instruction to the flocke of Christ. And therefore because they sawe the Church and realme of England in such subiection and
he kept with the king at London yet was coÌpelled priuely to voide the Realme was pursued by Henry the sonne of Rich king of Almaine Certaine other straungers there were to the number of 200. and more which hauing the castell of Winfore there immured and intrenched themselues to whome at length prince Edward also adioyned himselfe In the meane time while this sturre was abroade the king keeping them in the tower seeing the greatest part of his nobles commons with the Londoners to be set against him agreed to the peace of the Barons was contented to assent againe to the ordinances and prouisions of Oxford Albeit the Queene by al meanes possible went about to perswade the king not to assent therto Who as semed was a great worker in kindling thys fire of discorde betweene the king the baronage In so much that when the sayde Queene Almore shoulde passe by barge from the tower to Windsore the LoÌdiuers standing vpon the bridge with their exclamations cursings and throwing of stones diât at her interrupted her course causing her to returne to the tower againe Notwithstanding the peace yet continued with the nobles and the king the forme therof was this First that Henry sonne of Richard king of Romanes should be deliuered by the King Quene Secondly that the Castels againe should be committed to the custodie of Englishmen not of straungers Thirdly that the prouisions and statutes decreed at Oxford should as well by the king as by al other inuiolably be obserued Fourthly that the realme henceforth shuld be ruled and gouerned not by foreners but by personages borne within the land Fiftly that all alienes and straungers should voyde the land not to returne againe except onely such whose abode shoulde by the common assent of the kings trustie subiectes be admitted and alowed Thus the King and the nobles ioyning together after this form of peace aboue prefixed although not fully with heart as after appeared put themselues in armes with all their power to recouer the Castell of windsore out of the strangers handes But Edward in the mid way betwene London the Castel meeting with his father and the barons entred coÌmunication vpon the matter Which being finished he thinking to returne into the Castell againe by the policie of the Earle of Leicester William byshop of Worceter was not permitted to reenter WhereupoÌ the straungers within the holde destitute of all hope to withstand the great force approching rendred the Castell vnto the king and barons vppon this conuention That with horse and harnesse they might be suffered safe to depart the land not to returne any more Which being graunted certaine of the Barons conducted them in their iourney toward the sea side and there they left them In the same yeare about the beginning of October the king and Quene made ouer to France with Simon Montfort and other nobles to heare and stand to the arbitremeÌt of Lewes the French king coÌcerning the controuersie betweene the states of England and al through the procurement of Alinore the Queene For shee not forgetting the olde contiunelie of the Londiners exclaming against her vpon the bridge wrought alwaies what reueÌge she could against them Concerning the arbitrement of this matter put to the French king part hath bene sayde before more shall be sayde Christ willing hereafter Some stories do adde moreouer that the king continuing long in France worde was sent to him out of England that vnlesse he returned againe to the realme they would elect a new king Whereupon the king returning out of France to Douer would haue entred the castel but he was stopped Wherefore the king in fierce anger and great indignation prepared his power towarde London where Simon Montfort the worthy Earle of Leicester through subtile traine was almost betraied and circumuented in Southwarke by the sodaine pursuing of the kings armie had not the Londiners wyth more spede breaking barres and chains made way to rescue him By the meanes of whome the Earle at that time escaped the daunger Now to come to the sentence of the French king for so much as the arbitrement of thys matter was committed to him as hath before bene specified he in a great frequency both of French and English persons about him considering peysing the cause on both sides betwene the king and the nobles clearely and solemnely pronounced on the kings side against the Barons ordaining that the king of England all this whyle had suffered wrong and that hee shuld be restored againe to his pristine state notwithstanding the prouisions made at Oxford which he ordained to be repealed and abrogated Ex Flor hist. Gisburn The sentence of the French king thus awarded as it gaue to the king of England with his retinue no little incouragement so it wrought in the nobles hearts great indignation which notwithstanding that partiall decreement of the French king spedde themselues home out of Fraunce to defend themselues with all their strength and power And not long after foloweth also the king by whose traine Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester as is aboue recited was well neare circumuented in Southwarke Then the king calling his counsaile together at Oxforde from whence he excluded the vniuersitie of studentes for a season who were then at Northampton there coÌsulted conferring with his friendes and counsailours what way was best to be taken And hearing that the Barons were assembled in a great number at the towne of Northampton went thether with his host and with his banners displaied accompanied with Richard his brother king of Almaine Also wyth Edwarde his sonne Iohn Comyn of Scotland with many Scots Iohn of Dalliolo Lorde of Galewaye Robert of Bruse Lord Walter of Auand Roger of Clifford Philip of Marmyon Iohn of Wans Roger of Layburne Henry Percie Phillip Basset Roger of Mortymer and William of Walance and many other Therefore the king commaunded the Barons that were within to yeld vnto him presently the city and the pledges or els he would immediatly destroy them But they counselling with the yonger Simon de monte forti which by his fathers commaundement had got the residue thether to take counsell together for hys father and the Erle of Glocester were not yet come boldly and wyth one minde answered that they would not obey the kings wil but would rather defend themselues and the Citie if neede were euen to the death With the noble men of the kings part hearing sent word againe that at the least they should come to the wall of the Citie to speake to the King if by any meanes peace might be made And they suspecting no deccite followed their counsel and leauing their holds came to the wall towardes the medowe for there lay the king and his strong host hard by But in the meane space whilest diuers matters were reasoned and intreated of betwene the king and the Lords the Lord Phillip
CaÌterbury being vacant but that all things appertayning to that Church ought to be reserued whole to the consecratioÌ of the new Archb. therefore for the state both of hym and of hys Church he appealed vp also vnto Rome But to returne to the archbishop agayne The second yeare after Adam Chelindon the foresayde Archb. elect remayning all this while at Rome at last resigned vp hys election to the popes hand beyng Breg 10. who then gaue the same to Rob. Kilwarby Who then coÌming to Douer restored agayn the Prior of that house being before excluded vpon certain causes By these coutentions iudge good reader of the religion of these men and of these tunes And now to returne to our former story About whiche tyme came out the great concordaunces by an Englishe Frier called Iohn Dernington Ex Eulogio It was aboue declared how a generall voyage beyng proclaymed to warre agaynst the Turkes and a subsidie beyng collected in EnglaÌd vpon the same prince Edward with other was appoynted to take theyr voyage nowe were onward in theyr iourny Who at Michelmas following with hys company came to Egermorth whiche is from Marsilius 8. leagues westward there taking ship agayne hauing a mery winde and prosperous within x. dayes ariued at Sunes at Tunicium where he was wyth great ioy welcommed entertayned of the Christian princes that there were to this purpose assembled as of Philip the French king whose father Ludouicus died a little before of Carolus the king of Sicilia and the two kinges of Nauarre and AragoÌ And as the Lord Edward came thither for hys father the king of England thither came also Henry the sonne of the king of Almaine for his father who at hys returne from the voyage was slayne in a chappell at Uiterbium hearing masse by the Lord SimoÌ and Buido the sonnes of the Lord Simon Mountfort Earle of Leicester When Prince Edward demaunded of these kings and Princes what was to be done they answered him agayne and sayd The Prince of this Cittie sayd they and the prouince adioyning to the same hath bene accustomed to pay tribute vnto the king of Sicile euery yeare And nowe for that the same hath bene for the space of vii yeares vnpayed and more therefore we thought good to make inuasion vpon hym But the king knowing the same tribute to be but iustly demaunded hath now according to our owne desires satisfied for the tyme past and also payed his tribute before hand Then sayde he My Lordes what is this to the purpose Are we not here all assembled and haue taken vpon vs the Lordes Character to fight against the Infidels and enemies of Christ what meane you then to conclude a peace with them God forbid we should do so for nowe the land is playne and hard so that we may approch the holy Citty Ierusalem then sayd they nowe haue we made a league with them neither is it lawfull for vs to breake the same But let vs returne agayne to Sicilia and when the wynter is past we may well take shipping to Acra But this counsaile nothing at al liked him neither did he shew himselfe wel pleased therwith But after that he had made them a princely banquet he went into hys closet or priny chamber from amongst them neither woulde be partake â of any of that wicked mony which they had taken They notwithstanding continuing their purpose at the next mery wynd took shipping and for want of ships left CC. of theyr men a shore crying out piteously lamenting for the perill hazard of death they were in wherewith Prince Edward being somewhat moued with compassion came backe agayne to the land and receiued and stowed them in his own shippes being the last that went aborde within 7. dayes after they arriued in the kingdome of Scicilia ouer agaynst the Citty Trapes casting theyr anchors a league from thence within the sea for that their ships were of great burden throughly fraught And fâoÌ the hauen of the Cittie they sent out varges and boates to receiue and bring such of the Nobilitie to land as would but for theyr horses for the most part and all their armour they kept stil within bourd At length towardes the euening the sea began to be rough encreased to a great tempest a mighty In so much that their ships were beaten one against an others sides and drowned there was of them at that reÌpest lying at anchor more then 120. with all their armour and munition with innumerable soules besides and that wicked mony also which they had taken before likewise perished and was drowned But the tempest hurt not so much as one ship of Prince Edwardes who had in number 13. nor yet had one man lost thereby for that as it may be presupposed he consented not to the wicked counsaile of yâ rest When in the morning the Princes and kinges came to the sea side and saw al theyr shyps drowned and saw their men and horses in great number cast vpon the land drowned they had full heauy heartes as well they might For of all theyr shyps and mariners whiche were in number a 1500. besides the common souldiours there was no more saued then the Mariners of one onely Shyp and they in this wise There was in that ship a good and wise Matrone a Countesse or an Earles wife perceiuing the tempest to grow and fearing her self called to her the Maister of the ship asked whether in attempting to the shore it were not possible to saue themselues who answered that to saue the ship it was impossible howbeit the men that were therein by Gods help he doubted not Then sayd the Countesse for the ship force no whit saue the soules therein and haue to the double the valure of thy ship who immediately hoysing the sayles with all force ran the ship a groundso neare the shore as possible was Thus with the vehemency of the weather and force he came withall brast the ship and saued all that was within the same as the matter had shewed and sayd before Then the kinges and princes altering theyr purpose after this so great a shypwrack returned home again eueuery one vnto their own lands Onely Edward the kings sonne remayned behinde with his men and ships which yâ Lord had saued and preserued Then Prince Edward renouating hys purpose tooke shipping agayn and within 15. dayes after Easter arriued he at Acra and went a land taking with hym a thousand of the best souldiours most expert taryed there a whole month refreshing both hys men and horses and that in this space he might learne and know the secretes of the land After this he took with hym 6. or 7. thousand souldiours and marched forward twenty myles from Acra and tooke Nazareth and those he there found he slew and afterward returned again to Acra But their enemies following after them thinking to haue set vpon
and determination of the matter was committed to the iudgement of king Edward of England who after sufficient proofe made to the Scottes and firme euidence brought out of all the ancient historyes both of England and Scotland testifying from tyme to tyme that he was chief head and soueraigne of the Realme of Scotland first by necessitie of the law and by al theyr consentes tooke full possession of the same And that bone adiudged the right of the Crown to John Bailol who descended of the daughter of Dauid Earle of Huntington brother to Dauid King of Scotland in the dayes of Kyng Henry the second This Erle Dauid had three daughters Isabell maried to Robert Brusse Margaret to Allen Earle of Galeway had Ellen to Henry Lord Hastinges AlleÌ Earle of Galeway had ElleÌ maried to Roger Quincy Erle of Winchester Constable of Scotland Doruagile maried to John Bailol father to Edward king of Scots When these thinges were thus finished in Scotlande and Syr Iohn Bailol as most rightfull inheritour had receaued the crowne of Scotland at the handes of kyng Edward thankefully for the same in the presence of the Barony of England and of Scotland did vnto the sayd king Edward his homage and sware to him fealty the Scottes with theyr new king returned into Scotland and Kyng Edward remoued agayne to England But not long after the falsenes of this Scotishe Kyng soone appeared Who repenting him of his homage done vntruely for sook his former othe promise and made war against king Edward through the counsaile of the Abbot of Menros Wherfore the king with a great host sped hym into Scotland in processe laid siege to the towne of Berwicke which the Scots did egerly defend not onely to the discomfiture but also to the decision of the kinges and hys English host But in conclusion the English men preuayled and wan the towne where were slayne of the Scottes the number of 25. thousand And while the king was there busied in winning other holds about the same he sent part of his host to Dunbarre where the EnglishmeÌ agayn had the victory and slue of the Scottes xx thousand Gis burne sayth but x. thousand so that very few were lost of the English company The king with a great nuÌber of prisoners returning into his realm shortly after sped him ouer vnto FlauÌders where he sustayned great trouble by the French kyng till truce for certayne space was betweene them concluded But in the meane while that K. Edward was thus occupyed beyond the Seas the French king resorting to his practised maner set the Scottes secretly agaynst the Englishmen to keep the king at home Which Scots makyng themselues a Captaine named WilliaÌ Waleis warred vpon the borders of NorthumberlaÌd where they dyd much burt At length the king returning from Burdeaux into England shortly vpon the same tooke hys iourny into Scotland Where meeting at Yorke with hys host marched into the Realme of Scotlande winning as he went townes and Castles till at length comming to the towne of Frankyrch on Mary Magdalens day he met with the power of Scotland and had with them a fore sight but through Gods prouidence the victory fel to the right cause of Englishmen so that of the Scottes were slayne in the field as it is of diuers writers affirmed ouer the number of xxxii thousand and of Englishmen but barely xxviii persons Whereupon the king agayn taking possession and feairy of the whole land returned home And yet the false vntroth of the Scots would not thus be ruled but rose vp in a new broyle so that the kyng was enforced to make his power agayn the yeare folowing into Scotland where he to suppressed the rebellion of that Lords and of the commons that they swearing to the kings allegiaunce presented themselues by great companyes put them wholy in the kings grace and mercy so that the king thinking himselfe to be in peaceable possession in a great surety of the land caused to be sworne vnto hym the rulers of the boroughes citties and townes with other officers of the land and so returned vnto Barwicke and so into England and lastly to Westminster These martiall affayres betwene England and Scotland although they appertayne not greatly to the purpose of our story Ecclesiastical yet so much by the way I thought briefly to touch whereby the better it might be vnderstanded by these premisses that whiche followeth in the sequele hereof As the Scottes were thus warring and ragyng agaynst the king and saw they could not make theyr party good they sent priuily to Pope Boniface for hysayde and counsaile who immediatly sendeth downe his precept to the K. to this effect that he should hereafter succease to disquiet or molest the Scottes for that they were a people exempt and properly pertaining to hys Chappell And therfore it could not otherwise be but that the Citty of Ierusalem must needs defend hys own Citizens as the mount Syon mayntayn such as trust in the Lord. c. Whereunto the king briefly maketh aunswere agayne swearing with anothe that he would to his vttermost keepe defend that which was hys right euideÌtly known to all the world c. Thus the Scots bearing themselues bold vpon the popes message also confederating themselues with the French meÌ passed ouer that yeare The next yeare after that whiche was 29. of the kinges raigne the sayd Pope Boniface directeth hys letters agayn to the kyng wherein he doth veÌdicate the kingdome of Scotland to be proper to the Church of Rome not subiect to the king of England And therfore it was agaynst God against iustice and also preindiciall to the Churche of Rome for hym to haue or hold dominion vpon the same which he proued by these reasons First that when king Henry the father of this Kyng receiued ayd of Alexander king of Scots in his warres agaynst Simon Mountfort he recognised acknowledged in his letters patents that he receaued the same of king Alexander not of any duety but of speciall fauour Item when the sayd king Alexander comming to England did homage to the sayd kyng Henry he did it not as king of Scotland but onely for certayne landes of Lyndal and Penreth lying in England Item where the sayd king Alexander left behynd hym Margaret his heyre being âece to the king of England and yet vnder age yet the tuition of the sayd Margaret was committed not to the K. of England but to certain Lords of Scotland deputed to the same Moreouer when any legacie was directed down from Rome to the Realme of England for collecting oftenthes or other causes the sayd legacie tooke no place in the realm of Scotland and might well he resisted as it was in kyng Alexander hys dayes except an other speciall commission touching the realme of Scotland were ioined wall Wherby it appeareth these to be two seueral dominions and not
coÌdemned by the Byshop of Paris and reproued by the maisters of diuinitie and burned openly by Boniface himself and in the full consistorie of Cardinals being likewise reprooued condemned and burned yet hee allowed it being wrytten againe and containing the same fault 6. Item that he might make the most damnable remembraunce of him perpetuall he caused his Images of siluer to be set in the Churche by this meanes bringing men to Idolatrie 7. Item he hath a priuate deuill whose counsell he vseth in all things and through all things 8. Item he said once that if all men were on one side and he on another they coulde not deceiue him neither in lawe nor in deede which thing could not be done except he vsed a deuilish arâ and of this he is openly thus reported 9. Item he is a witch asking counsell at soothsayers both men and women and thus he is commonly iudged 10. Item he sayd openly that the Romish pope could not commit simonie which is hereticall to say This is a sinne reprooued aswell in the old Testament as in the new and generally in the holy Councels Also hee is wont to make marchaundise of prelates liuings dignities superiorities and benefices to the which holy orders be necessarely ioyned and of absolutions and dispensations like as vsurers and merchaunts vse to buy and sell common things in the market and of this the common bruit reportes him 11. Item hee letteth with all his might among Christian men the speciall Embassade of Christ made to hys owne sonnes saying Peace I leaue to you soweth discord and warres Wherefore ones it was sayde afore him that certaine parties would freindly agree after a good sort but he letted the peace and when the other parte did humbly beseech him that he would geue licence to agree he sayde he woulde not Yea if the sonne of God or Peter the Apostle would come downe into the earth and commaund him he would say I will not beleeue thee 12. Item because the French nation being manifestly a most Christian nation followeth not hys errours in the faith he reckeneth and openly calleth al and euery of them Paterniani 13. Item he is infect with sodomiticall sinne keping with him boyes for coÌcubines and of this fault he is most commonly and openly reported 14. Item he hath caused many murthers of Clearkes to be done in his presence commending it reioysing at their death and if they were not deadly wounded at the first by his seruantâ as oft as he law them smiting he saide smite smite by which example many were slaine 15. Item when he had condemned a certaine noble man he forbad the Sacrament to be geuen him at the poynt of death desiring it and being penitent saying that the Sacrament of penaunce was not necessary to saluation 16. Item he coÌpelled certaine Priestes to shew vnto him the confessions of men and hee published them openly afterwarde contrary to the will of them that were confessed to their shame confusion and compelled them to redeme their sinnes In so much that ones hee deposed a certaine bishop of Spayne for the faultes that he confessed to a certaine Cardinal confessing vnto him a certaine priuy horrible fault vnder Benedicite and compelled the Cardinall against his will to declare his confession and yet afterward he restored the same Bishop againe to his place for a little money Wherfore he is thought to play the hereticke in the Sacrament of penance 15. Item he fasteth not on the fasting dayes nor Lent but eateth flesh indifferently without cause suffreth his houshold and frends to eat saying it is no sinne Doing in this thing against the generall state of the holy church 16. Item he oppressed the order of the Cardinals and hath oppressed the order of blacke white monks of gray Friers preachers and said oft that the world was destroyed by them that they were false hypocrites and that neuer good could chance to any that would be confessed to them or would be familiar with them or would keepe them in their house and he neuer sayde good worde of any prelate religious man or clark but euer rebuketh and slauÌdereth them taking away their good name and to compel them to redeeme their faultes he is glad of their accusations and this is the common voyce and report of him 17. Item of olde time he going about to destroy the faith conceiued a hate against the French king euen to the abhorring of the faith because of the light of faith which is there and because of the great witnes and example of christianitie is hath ben there And before he had this seat he is proued to haue sayd that if he were Pope he would rather ouerthrow all christendom but he would ouerthrow and destroy the nation which he calleth the pride of French 18. Also hee is reported that when the Embassadours of the king of England in the name of the sayde king did require and entreat for the tenth of the realme of England to be geuen him he aunswered that he would not geue them the tenth but on this coÌdition that he would make warre with them against the French king And beside this he is reported to haue geuen great sommes of mony to certaine persons to hinder that peace shuld not be betwixt the sayd kings He himselfe also withall his might hath letted it by messengers letters and otherwaies that he coulde yea by geuing bribes 19. Item he is reported also to haue commaunded Fridericke which kepeth the I le of Cicil that if he would betray Charles the king and breake the peace which he made and sweare that he would keepe with him and would stirre against the king and kil the Frenchmen that then he would geue him aide helpe and counsaile for so doing he would geue and graunt him the said kingdoms 20. He confirmed also the king of Almaine to be Emperor and saide openly that he did it to destroy the nation which he calleth the pride of the French men which say that they are subiect to none in temporal things Wherein sayeth he they lied on their heds declaring moreouer that whosoeuer yea if it were an Angell from heauen would say that all kings of the world were not subiect to the same king of Almaine he were accursed 21. Further he brake the agreements of peace betwixt the king of Alamine and the French king in which eyther of them shuld haue their owne saued And what encrochings so euer had bene on either side should be brought to a due state and vnder an othe orderly geuen and taken he is reported to haue commanded the same king of Almaine that he should not kepe these conditions of peace but be an enemie and go about to sow debate among christen men 22. IteÌ he is openly reported that the holy land was betraied through his fault and came to the enemies of God and of faith and that he suffred this for the
proceeded betwene the Earles sister and the foresayde Peter albeit sore against the Earles mind Gaueston thus restored and dignified was so surprised in pride and exaltation more then euer before that he disdained derided al other whose rule power more more encreased In somuch that he hauing the guiding of all the kings iewels treasure coÌueied out of the kings iewell house at Westminster a table a paire of tressels of gold vnto certain marchants beyoÌd the sea with other iewels âo to his behoofe to the great impouerishing both of the king Quene and of the land And ouer all that brought the king by meane of his wanton conditions to manifold vices as aduoutrie and suche other like Wherfore the Lords seing the mischief that daily increased by occasion of this vnhappie man tooke theyr couÌsell together at Lyncolne and there concluded to voide him again out of England so that shortly after he was exiled againe and went into Flaunders for in Fraunce or hys owne country he durst not appeare for feare of Philip the French king to whoÌ the Queene of England hys daughter had sent ouer great complaintes of the sayd Gaueston who had so impouerished her the whole Court that she had not wherewith to maintaine her state Uppon whych complaint the French king through al his dominioÌs layd strait watch to apprehend the sayd Gaueston but he not vnwarned thereof secretly coasted into Flaunders from wheÌce it was not long but he was fet againe by the king as in further processe followeth so much was the kinges hart infatuated by this wicked person About this yeare or the next before came in first the crowched Friers And also began first the knightes of the order of S. Iohn Baptist otherwise called the knights of Rhodes for that they by manly knighthood put out the Turkes from the Isle of Rhodes In the history of king Edward this kinges father before precedent mention was made of Pope ClemeÌt the 5. who succeeded after Benedict also of putting down of the templaries which in this yeare hapned by the meanes of the French king who as he caused to be burned in the City of Paris this yeare 54. TeÌplaries with the great maister of the same order so by his procurement the foresayd Pope Clement called a Councell at Uienna where the whole order and sect of Templaries being coÌdemned was shortly after by the consent of all Christen kinges deposed all in one day After whome the Frenche king thought to make his sonne king of Ierusalem and to conuert to hym all the landes of the sayd Templaries But Clement the Pope would thereto not agree transferring all their lands to the order of hospitulers for the great summe of money geuen for the same The cause why these impious Templaries were put downe was so abhominable and filthy that for the reuerence of chaste eares it were better not told if it be true that some write An other matter worthy to be noted of like abhomination I thought here to inserte touching a certayne Noonery in Fraunce called Prouines within the which at the clensing and casting of a fishpond were found many bones of young children and the bodyes also of some infantes as yet whole vnconsumed vpon occasion whereof diuers of the Nunnes of the sayd Nunnery to the nuÌber of 27. were had to Paris and there imprisoned what became of them afterward I finde not in mine author Arpontacus Burdegalensis In the the same Counsell also was decreed by the sayd Clement that all religious orders exempted shold be subiect vnder the common lawes as other were But Cistercian Monkes with mony and great giftes redeemed their priuileges and exemption of the pope and so had them grauÌted Tho. Wals. These Cistercians sped better herein then did the Minorites of FranciscaÌs in theyr suite Of the whiche Franciscans when certayne of them had offered vnto the sayd Pope Clement 40. thousand florences of gold beside other siluer that the Pope woulde dispence with them to haue landes and possessions agaynst their rule the Pope asked them where was that money They aunswered in the marchant mens hands So the space of three dayes being geuen theÌ to bring forth these marchants the P. absolued the marchaunts of their bond made to the Fryers and commaunded all that money to be imployed and reuerted to hys vse Declaring to the Fryers that he would not infringe or violate the rule of S. Frauncis lately canonised neither ought he to do it for any money And thus the beggerly riche Fryers lost both their money and theyr indulgence Ex eodem autore Concerning this pope Clement the 5. Sabellicus writeth that he excommunicated the Uenecians for ayding and preferring of Azoda vnto the estate of Ferrary and wrote his letters throughout all Europe condemning them as enemies of the Church and geuing their goods as a lawfull pray vnto all men which caused them to sustaine great harme But Frauncis Dandulus a Noble man of Uenice being Embassadour from the Uenecians to the sayd Clement for the obtayning of their absolution and safegard of their Citty and country and for the pacifying of the popes fury toward them was fayne so to humble himselfe before this proud tyrannicall Prelate that hee suffered a chaine of yron to be tyed about hys neck and so he lye down flat before his table and so to catch the bones fragmentes that fell from his table as it had bene a dog till the Popes fury was toward them asswaged So that after that he in reproche because he so humbled himselfe for the behalfe and helping of his country was of some called a dog But the Citty of Uenice shewed themselues not vnkinde agayn to Dandulus for hys gentle good will declared to his country For as he had abased himselfe before the vile and ignominious condition of a dog for his Countries sake so they extolled him with as muche glory agayne being returned home decking and adourning him after the best aray with the chiefe princely ornamentes of the Citty to make him amendes for his former reproch receaued Sabel Ennead 9. li. 7 Concerning the Constitutions of this pope Clement and of his decretals and Clementines and how Henricus the Emperour in his dayes was poysoned in receauing of the Sacrament ye haue heard before About this tyme Robert Winchelsey Archbishop of Canterbury whoÌ thys kinges father had banished before was released and returned home from Rome Those thinges thus declared let vs proceede by the Lordes grace to the next yeare which is of the Lord. 1311. the fifth yeare after this kings raygne In the which yeare compting the yeare from Michelmasse to the same feast agayne as then the vsage of the Realme was Peter Gaueston who had wandred the countryes about could finde no safe resting place notwithstanding he was vtterly banished vpon forfeiting life and goodes out of the realm yet trusting vpon the kinges
Of whom onely Thomas Earle of Lancaster for the nobility of his bloud was beheaded All the other Lords and Barons were hanged drawn quartered c. which bloudy vnmercifulnes of the king toward his naturall subiects not only to him procured great dishonor within the realme but also turned afterward to his much more greater harm hinderance in his forreine warres agaynst the Scots And finally wrought his vtter confusion and ouerthrow of his seat royall as in the sequell of his end appeared and worthely After the ruine of these noble personages the king as though he had gotteÌ a great coÌquest who then in deed began first to be ouercomen and conquere himself when he so oppressed and cut of the strength and sinews of his chiualrye began to triumph not a litle with his Spensers And to couÌt himselfe sure as though he were in heauen to exercise more sharpe seuerity vpon his subiectes trusting and committing all to the counsell onely of the foresayd Spensers in so much that both the Queene and the residue of yâ other nobles could litle be regarded Who as they grew euer in more contempt with the king so they encreased in more hatred agaynst the Spensers but strength hability lacked to worke ther will The next yeare the king being at York after he had made Sir Hugh Spencer Erle and Syr Iohn Baldocke a man of euill same to be Chauncellour of England he theÌ areared a mighty host agaynst the Scottes But for lack of skilfull guiding expert Captaynes and for want specially of due prouision of vitayles necessary for such an army the great multitude to the number reckoned of an hundreth thousand wandring through Scotland from whence the Scots had conuayed all theyr goods and cattell into moutaynes and marches were so pynched and sterued with famyne that a great part of the army there presently perished and they that returned home as soone as they tasted of in eates escaped not The king neither hauing resistance of his enemies and seing such a destruction of his subiects was forced without anye acte done to retyre But in his retiring Sir Iames Duglas and the Scottes hauing knowledge therof pursued him in such wise that they clue many Englishe men and had well neare taken the kyng himselfe After whiche distresse the king thus beaten and wearyed with the Scottes woulde fayne haue ioyned in âruce with the Scottes but because they stoode excommunicate by the pope he standing in feare therof desireth liceÌce to entreate with them of peace the sayd excommunication notwithstanding whiche licence beyng obtayned a treaty was appoynted by commissioners on both parts at Newcastle at the feast of Sainct Nicholas next ensuing and so truce was taken for 12. yeares whereupon this is to be noted by the way gentle reader not vnworthy of obseruation that wheras in former tymes and especially of the late king Edward the first so long as the Scottes were vnder the popes blessing and we in displeasure with his holines for dealing with them so long we preuayled mightely agaynst them euen to the vtter subuersion in manour of their whole estate But nowe so soone as the Pope tooke our part the Scots were vnder his curse and excommunication Then gat they greater victories against vs then any time either before or sithence in somuch as being before not able to defend them selues agaynst vs they nowe pursued vs into the bowels of our owne country The king purposing to erect a house of Fryers Augustines within the towne of Boston in Lincolneshyre first prayed the popes licence in that behalfe Polidorius Virgilius among other histories of our English nation which he intermedleth withall prosecuting also the actes and life of this present King and comming to write of the Queenes goyng ouer into Fraunce inferreth much varietie and diuersitie of autours and story writers concerning the cause thereof Otherwise be geueth hymself no true certainty of that matter neyther yet toucheth he yâ which was the cause in deede By reason partly that he being an Italian and a foreiner coulde not vnderstand our English toung And partly agayne being but one maÌ neyther coulde he alone come to the sight of all our Latine autours One I am sure came not to his perusing an old ancient Latine history fayre written in patchment but without name belonging to the library of William Cary Citizen of London In which story the truth of this matter âout all ambiguitie is there fully and with all circumstaunces expressed as here briefly is excerpted The king of England had bene diuers sundry tymes cited vpp to the Courte of Fraunce to doe homage to the French king for the Dukedome of Aquitane other lands which the king then helde of Fraunce Whiche homage because the king of England refused to tender the French K. began to enter at such possessions as the king then did hold in Fraunce Whereupon great contention and confirtes there were on both sides At length in this yeare now present a Parliament was called at London Where after much altercation at last it was determined that certayne should be sent ouer to witte the Bishops of Winchester and Norwich and the Earle of Richmond to make agreement betwixt the two kinges For the better help and fortification of which agreement it was thought good afterward that Queene Isabell sister to Charles then the FreÌch king shold be sent ouer Where is to be noted first that the Queenes landes possessions and castles a little before vpon the breach betweene the Frenche king and the Kyng of Englande were seised into the kinges handes and the Queene put to her pension c. Thus the Queene beyng sent ouer with a few to attend vpon her onely Syr Iohn Cromwell Baron and 4. knightes tooke theyr passage into Fraunce by whose mediation it was there concluded that the king of England if he would not himselfe come to do his homage he should geue to his sonne Edward the Dukedome of Aquitanie and the Earledome of Pontine and so he to come to make his homage to the king and to podesle the same This being in Fraunce concluded was sent ouer by message to the king of England with the kings letters patentes adioyned for the sate conduct of him or of his sonne Upon this deliberation was taken in the counsalle of England But the two Spensers fearing to take the Seas eyther with the king or els without the king to remayne behinde for scare of the nobles so appoynted that Prince Edward the kings sonne was sent whiche happened after to theyr vtter desolation as it followed For all thinges being quieted ordered according to the agreement in Fraunce K. Edward of England soone after Michaelmas sendeth for his wife and his sonne agayne out of Fraunce But the sending home most part of her family reinseth her selfâ to returne For what cause it is not fully certayne whether for indignation that her possessions
and landes were seised to the King as is afore premised or whether for feare and hatred of the Spensers as is likely or els for loue and familiaritie of Syr Roger Mortimer For here is to be noted that the sayd Syr Roger Mortimer with diuers other of the BaroÌs part which had broken prison in England were fled before into Fraunce and now resorted vnto the Queene The king seeing this geueth forth in proclamation and limitteth a certayne day to yâ Queene and his sonne to return or els to be proclaymed traytours to the King and to the Realme Notwithstanding the Queene persisting in her purpose denyeth to returne vnlesse the other Nobles which were fled might be permitted safely also to returne with her Whereupon the king immediately caused them both to be proclaimed traytours and all them that tooke their partes Here then began great hatred betwene king king betweene the king the Queene much preparation of warre great spoyling on the sea much sending betweene the pope theÌ but that would not serue Then the K. by the counsayle of the Spensers sendeth priuily to procure the death of the Queene and of his sonne which should be wrought by the execution of the Earle of Richmond the Queenes familiar But as the Lord would that imaginatioÌ was preuented and vtterly frustrate Albeit the Queene yet notwithstanding whether misdoubting and fearing what corruptioÌ of âony might do in the court of Fraunce or whether the French king being threatned by the king of England and by the Pope durst not deteine her she remoued from thence was receaued with Edward her sonne ioyously and honourably in the Court or country of the Erle of Denawde Where by meanes of such as were about her a mariage was concluded betweene the sayd Edward her sonne being of the age of 14. yeare and Phillip the foresayd Earles daughter When this was noysed in Eng. diuers men of honor name came ouer to the Queene And soone after the Erle of Daynawde prepared a crew of 5. hundred men of armes to set ouer the young Prince in his mother into England Of this the same sprang shortly through the realm Wherfore the K. in all defensable wayes made proiusioÌ to haue the hauens and portes of his land surely kept for to resiste the landing of his enemies On the contrary side the Queene with no lesse preparation prouideth all things to her expedition necessary Who when she saw her tyme speeding herselfe to the Sea coast with Prince Edward her sonne Lord Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother Syr Roger Mortimer the Lord Hygmore and other exiles of EnglaÌd accompanied also with the foresaid Hainawders of whoÌ Syr Iohn Henawd the Earles brother was Captayne of Englishmen straungers hauing with her the nuuÌber of 2757. souldiours she took shipping in those partes had the winde so fauorable that they landed in England at a porte called Orwel beside Harwich in Suffolke in the Dominion of the Earle Marshal the moneth of September To whom after her landing resorted Earle Marshall the Earle of Leicester with other BaroÌs Knightes and Byshops also namely of Lincolne Hereforde Duresine and Ely The Archbishop of Caunterbury though he came not himselfe yet sent his ayde and money Thus the Queene well furnished with plenty both of men and vitaile setteth forward towarde London so that the further she came the more her number dayly encreased and the kinges power contrary decreased insomuch that as mine author affirmeth not one almost in all the Realme could be hyzed with any wages to fight on the kinges behalfe agaynst the Queene Neither did the Queenes army hurt any man or childe eyther in goodes or any other thing by the way At the arriuing of the Queene the King was then in London whiche first would not beleue it to be true Afterward seeing and perceauing how it was he asketh helpe of the Londiners Who after mature abuisement rendred this aunswere to the king agayne that as touching the King the Queene and their sonne the lawfull heyre of the kingdome they were ready withall duety and seruice to honour and obey As for straungers and traitors to the realm they would receaue none such within theyr Citie gates Furthermore to goe out of the City to fight that they sayd they would not vnles it were so that according to yâ liberties of their city they might returne home againe before sonne set The king hearing this aunswere whiche liked him not well fortifieth the Tower of London wyth men vitaile commieting the custody thereof to Iohn Ealtham his yonger sonne and to the wife of Hugh Spenser his niece And leauing Walter Stapleton Bysh. of Excter behinde him to haue the rule of the citty of London he himselfe hearing dayly the great recourse of the people that drew to the Queene For more safegard to himselfe fled with a small coÌpany Westward toward Wales But before his departing froÌ London he caused a proclamation to be made wherin all singuler persons were charged vpon forteite of life goods euery man with all his power to rile muade the rebelles destroy them all onely the life of the Queene his sonne and his brother reserned Also that no man vpoÌ payne pretaxate should helpe rescue or relieue the sayd rebels with goodes vitailes or any otherwise Item it was also proclaymed that whosoeuer would bring to the King the head and body either dead or aliue of Sir Roger Mortimer should haue out of the kinges cofers W. pound In contrariwise the Queene setteth forth an other proclamation wherein it was forbidden to take spoyle violently the value of any mans goodes agaynst the wil of the owner vnder payne of loosing his finger if it were 3. d. Of his hand if it were 6. d. Of his head if it were 12. d. Moreouer who soeuer woulde bring to the Queene the head of Hugh Spencer the yonger chopt off from his body should receaue for so doing of the Queene 2. thounsand poundes This done the Queene sendeth her letters to the Citty of London for ayde and succont to subdue the oppressor of the Realme to the which letters first no answere was made Agayn she wrote the second letter which was then tacked vpon the crosse in Cheape which was then called the new crosse The copy and tenour of which letter was this The copie of a letter that the Queene sent vnto the Mayor and Citizens of London ISabell by the grace of God Queene of England Lady of Ireland and Countesse of Pountif And we Edward the first sonne of the King of England Duke of Guyan Earle of Chester of Pontif and of Mounstrell to the Mayor and all the comminaltie of London sendeth greeting For asmuch as we haue before this time sent to you by our letters and howe we come into this lande in good aray and good maner for the profite of holy Church and
Empire to gouerne and defend the fayth together Wherefore in that the Emperour sweareth to the bish of Rome in that is to be vnderstand no homage or fealtie made to the Bishop but onely is a Sacrament a promise geueÌ to defend the faith The which oth or sacrament so geuen giueth no maioritie to the Pope in any temporal rule but only byndeth the Emperour to be priest and ready to defend the fayth churche of Christ when need shall require obedience Wherefore where as the Pope leaneth onely to the electors authoritie to make the k. of Romaynes and taketh vpon himselfe alone to make the Emperor that as it is newly brought in deuised a late by pope ClemeÌt the 5. so is it contrary both to all auncient order and also derogatorie to the libertie maiesty of the sacrate Empire Agayne neither is that also lesse absurd and contrary to all right and reason that the pope in time of the imperiall seat being vacant taketh vpon him to haue the whole full doinges of the Empyre as lawful Emperour for the time Which prerogatiue and function by auncient orders of our forcelders shuld properly onely appertayne to the Palatine of Rhene the Constitution Clementine of the foresayd Pope Clement to the contrary notwithstanding Then in the end for his own excuse he in the presence of them al reciteth the publike confession of his fayth to answere purge himself of those obiections layde to him by the pope This did the meeke Emperour Ludouicke in that Councell yet all this not withstanding the sayd Emperour remayned still excommunicate till tyme variaunce fel betweene this pope Benedict and Philip the French king Wherfore to make his party good at least to haue some friendes to flee to he began to pretend fauour absolution rather for necessitie then for anye good will to the Emperour But not long after this Pope died of who this Epitaph was made Hic situs est Nero laicis mors vipera clero Deuius a vero cupa repleta mero After whome followed Pope Clement the sixt a man most furious and cruell Who renning agayne the former excommunications of hys former predecessors caused hys letters to be set vp on Church dores wherein he threatned denounced most terrible thunderboltes agaynst the sayd Lewes the Emperour vnlesse within three dayâs he shold satisfie to God and the Church and renounce the Imperiall possession of the crown The Emperour vpon this coÌmeth to Francford and there ready to stand in al things to the ordinaunce of the pope sendeth his Oratours to the court of Rome to entâeat the pope of his fauour and good will towardes him To the whiche messengers the Pope answered againe that he would neuer pardon the Emperor before he gaue ouer and confessed his errors hereâies and resigning vp his Empire to his handes woinde submit himselfe his children and all his goods to the will and pleasure of the bishop promising that he shuld not receiue agayn any part of the same but vppon his good grace as his will should be to restore them The heresie here mentioned which was to this Emperour obiected by the pope was this because as is aboue touched he vsed and executed the Imperiall dignitie after his election before he was of the pope confirmed Ouer besides the Pope sendeth to the Emperour by the sayd Oratours a certayne forme of a bill contayned in writing with certaine conditions which he commaunded to be geuen to the handes of the Emperor Here if the Emperour Lewis had had as much minde to set vpon the Pope with dint of sword as he lacked neyther occasion nor power so to doe what bloud might here haue bene spilled But the good Emperour sparing the effusion of bloud receiueth gently the bill and not onely with his seale doth confirme it but also sweareth to obserue all the conditions therof Which the pope hearing of doth greatly maruel But yet al this wold nothing help to mollitie the modest heart of this Pharao The Princes and electors seeing the bill of the articles and conditions whereof some sounded to malicious defacing and destructioÌ of the Empire abhorring the wickednes thereof desired the Emperour to stande to the defence of the Imperial Dominion as he had begoni promising that their assistance ayde to the vttermost thereunto should not lack Upon that other Orators were sent to P. Clement from the Princes desiring hym to abstaine from such maner of articles conceaued agaynst the state and maiesty of the Empyre The pope surmising all this to spring from Lewes the Emperour to the vtter subuersion of him and all his posteritie on Maundy thursday blustereth out most black curses agaynst hym also renueth al the former processes of his predecessor agaynst hym as agaynst both an hereticke a schismaticke commaunding moreouer the Princes electors to proceede in chusing a new Emperour The Archbishop of Mentz seeing the innocency of the emperour would not consent to the violating of his maiesty wherefore was depriued by the Pope of all his dignities Wherefore was depriued by the Pope of all his dignitie The other bishops electors as the Archb. of CholeÌ which tooke 8. thousande markes with the Duke of Saronye whiche tooke 2. thousand markes beyng corrupted with mony by Iohn king of Boheme elected Charles the sonn of the sayd Iohn whome Pope Clement eftsoones in hys consistory did approue Who seeth not here what matter was ministred by the P of warre and bloudshed betwene these 2. Emperours if the patience of Ludouicke had not bene more prudent to quench the fire then the pope was to kindle it Charles then the new Emperour elect sped hym to Aquisgraue according to the custome there to be crowned But by the Citizens there and the Empresse Ludouicus wyse keeping there about was repelled All this happened in the time and raigne of Edward the 3. King of England with whoÌ the sayd Charles with the French k. and king of Boheme set on by the P. encountred in warre where the king of England had agaynst them a noble victory and âue a great number of the Frenchmen and Almaynes and put Charles the new Emperor to flight In the meane tyme among the Princes and Citties of Germany what sorrow and what complayntes were agaynst pope Clement and those electors it caÌnot be expressed For as they were altogether at Spires congregated in a general assembly so there was none among them al yâ allowed the election of Charles or that cared for the popes processe promising all to adhere continue faithful subiects to Ludouicke theyr lawful Emperour But Ludouicke remembring his oth made before to the popes bill voluntary and willingly gaue ouer his Emperiall dignitie and went to Burgrauia where shortly after through the procured practise of pope Clement as Hieronimus Marius doth write poyson was geuen him to drinke After the whiche beyng dronke
maister but also the whole couÌtry of Heynault And further for that to such an expedition as appertained he sayd the prouince of Reynault was but a small matter to make accoÌpt of he woulde procure for the king greater ayde friendship in the Empire as the Duke of Brabant his cousin Germaine and a puissant Prince the Duke of Guerles the Archbishop of Colayne the Marques of Iuliers c. which are all good men of warre and able to make 10. thousand fighting men sayth he Which aunswere well liked the king and made him ioyous therof But this counsaile of the king as secret as it was came to Phillip the French kinges cares wherupon he stayd the voiage of the Crosie whiche then he had in hand sending forth countermaundes to stay the same til he knew farther the purpose of the king of England The king hereupon himselfe taketh shipping accompanyed as to a king appertained and when he had consulted with all the foresayd Lords of the Empire in this matter and vnderstood theyr fidelitie he made hys repayre to the Emperour at whose handes he was well intertayned honorable receaued whoÌ the Emp. appointed to be his Lieâetenant generall hauing thereby more authoritie both to will commaund such as for this his expedition he trusted vnto and had made conuention with This hearing Phillip prepared his army and rigged hys nauy that so soone as the K should enter into the dominioÌ of Fraunce they also might enter into EnglaÌd requiting like for like The king of England after the feast of S. Iohn Baptist according to his purpose prepared all thinges ready to such an expeditioÌ coÌducting his army gathering a greater strength in the Empire as before to him was promised vsing the Emperours authoritie therein as his lieftenant general howbeit at the charge altogether of the K. of England The French king as soone as king Edward had landed his army at Mackline in Flaunders and hearing of the defiance which the king and other Noble men of the Empire had sent vnto him Sent certaine ships lying ready therunto and wayting for such oportunitie vppon the cost of England did so much that vpon a Sonday whilest the townes men were at the Church little looking for any such matter entred the hauen of Southampton tooke the towne and spoyled the same defloured maydens enforced wiues brent kild tooke captiues and caryed away riche Ipoyles and great booties to theyr ships and so agayn departed into Fraunce Further as the king of EnglaÌd had allied himselfe with the noble men of the Empire and had the friendly fauour of the Emperour also therunto so the French king made the like league and aliance with Dauid the king of Scots whom the king had so hardly delt with all in Scotland as partly before you had and kept the most part of Scotland vnder hys subiection Binding the sayd Dauid is well by writing as oth pledge that without his consent he should make no peace nor conclude any truce with the king of England who agayne assured hym of ayd and rescue and helpe and to recouer his kingdome dominioÌ to his vse and forth with sent certain garisons bands into Scotland to keepe play with the Englishmen and there to fortifie diuers places till further oportunitie serued Hee also fortified with men money vitayle and munitioÌ the town of Cambrey which he suspected would be besieged lying so neare vpoÌ that Empire as in deed it came to passe For King Edward departing from Macheline set forward his host towardes Heynault and by the way asseÌbled such power as in the Empirie he looked for marching forward still till that they came to Cambrey it besieged with 40000. men while that with an other company the Fleminges Brabanters and Holenders went to S. Quentin But in effect neyther there nor at Cambrey nor els where any thing notorious was achieued but the summer being well spent and little preuailing in the siege of Cambrey being of situation strong wel defenced therwall with men munition brake vp the siege marched further into the hart of Fraunce towardes Mutterell Which thing the French king hauing vnderstanding of prepared himselfe to geue battaile to the king of England who with an other great army came to UiroÌfosse where daies were appoynted to meet in battaile but in the end nothing was done nor attempted betweene the princes And the king of EnglaÌd without any battaile either geuing or taking returned with his army from thence to Gaunt Concerning the cause of the sodaine remouing of the K. out of Fraunce seemeth most specially to rise of the pope which at the same time sent downe his Legates for the order of a peace to be taken betweene the kings At Gaunt was gathered by the kings appointment all the nobles as well of England as of the Empire in counsaile together what was best to be done Where playn answere was made to the king of England that vnlesse he would take vpon him the claime and title of Fraunce as his lawfull inheritaunce and as King thereof prosecute his warres It might not be lawfull for them any further to ayde the king of England or to fight with him agaynst the French king for that the Pope had bound them in two millions of Florences of gold and vnder payne of excommunication that they should not fight against the lawfull king of Fraunce Whereupon the king thought good therfore presently to make open challenge to the Realme and Crowne of Fraunce and further to quarter intermingle the armes of Fraunce with the armes of England in one Scootchen Wherupon eftsoones K. Edward made answere vnto the Pope agayne directing vnto him his letters wherein he declareth at large his right title vnto the Crowne of Fraunce purging thereby hymselfe and hys cause vnto the Byshop The copy and tenour of which letter because it is to long to expresse it is to be found in the story of Thom. Walsingham remaining in the Library of I. Stephenson Citizen of LondoÌ who so hath lift or leisure to peruse the same Besides this letter to the pope he directed an other to the Pieres and Prelates of France he remayning yet at Gaunt in tenure as followeth * The letter of king Edward to the Nobles and commons of Fraunce EDward by the grace of God king of Fraunce and of England Lord of Ireland Vnto all Prelates and the Ecclesiasticall persons to the Pieres Dukes Earles Barons and to the commons of Fraunce greeting The high Lord and king aboue to whome although his will be in his owne power yet woulde that power should be subiect vnto law commaunding euery thing to be geueÌ vnto him which is his declaring thereby that iustice and iudgement ought to be the preparation of the kinges seate Wherefore seing the kingdome of Fraunce through the prouidence of God by the death of Charles last king of Fraunce of famous
memory brother Germaine to our Lady mother is fallen vnto vs by playn and manifest law And for somuch that Lord Phillip de Valoys being the sonne of the Vncle of the foresayd king and so being farre from the crowne by a farther degree of consanguinitie through force and vsurpation hath intruded himselfe in the foresayd kingdome whilest we were yet in our Minoritie so contrary both to God and to iustice doth detayne and occupye the same And least we shoulde seeme to neglect our owne right and the gifte geuen vs of God or not to submit our will to Gods diuine ordinance We haue thought good to acknowledge the title of France and by supportation of the almighty king haue taken vppon vs the defence and regiment of the sayd kingdome Firmely purposing with our selues as euery good man ought to doe graciously to minister iustice to euery one according to the rites and laudable custome of the foresayd kingdome Also to renue the good lawes and customes whiche haue bene in the time of Ludouicke our progenitour adding to moreouer that which shall seeme expedient according to the condition and qualiitie of the time As by any chaunge of coyne or any other inordinate exactions we intend not to seeke our profites by your detrimentes when as the almighty bee praised therefore we abounde and haue inough And as concerning the affayres of the Realme our purpose is not to proceede rashely or by our owne will but by the discreete aduise and Counsell of the Pieres Prelates Nobles and other our faythfull subiects of the kingdome so farre forth as shall make for the honour of God the defence and aduauncement of the Church which in all fulnes of deuotion we doe reuerence and to the profite both publicke and priuate of all the subiectes thereof with full execution of iustice by the grace of God to be executed vpon al and singular persons being earnestly careful for the honour profite and tranquillitie of you all For as the Lorde knoweth nothing shall be more gratefull to vs then that by our carefull solicitude peace may be engendered specially betwixt vs and vniuersally among all Christen men so that by our concorde the force and strength of all Christen Princes may be ioyned together for the recouery of the holy land whiche our Sauiour and redemer hath dedicated with hys owne proper bloud whereunto we wil indeuour our selues through the grace of the holy ghost And for asmuch as we haue offered to the foresayd Lorde Phillip diuers friendly and reasonable conditions of peace whereunto he would neyther condescend neyther agree to any conformation yea rather moueth against vs vniust warre to the vtter subuersion of our state we are enforced of necessitie to the vttermost of our power for the defence both of vs and recouery of our right to defend our selues by force of battaile not seeking any slaughter of good and humble subiectes but desiring theyr safegarde and profite For the whiche cause all and singular such subiectes of the kingdome of Fraunce which shall submit themselues to vs as the true king of Fraunce within the feast of Easter next ensuing professing vnto vs theyr fealtie and doing to vs as to the Kyng of Fraunce by duety appertayneth so as our beloued subiectes of Flaunders haue done alredy or be ready to offer themselues so to do all such we willingly admit and receaue to our peace grace vnder our protection to be defended them to mayntayne as is conuenient from all molestation and disquietnes whatsoeuer in person or goodes hereafter to be inforced eyther by vs or by our officers vpon what soeuer occasion of rebellion afore passed And for as much as the premisses cannot easely be intimated to all and singular persons we haue prouided the same to be fixed vpon Church doores and other publicke places whereby the manifest notice thereof may come to all men to the comfort of you that be to vs deuout and to the true information of them whiche through sinister surmises of our enemies otherwise informed of vs. Dated at Gaunt the 8. day of February the yeare of our kingdome of Fraunce the first of England the 14. This done for that the winter then drew on neyther was there any hope as the time serued of farther doyng good the kyng thought best for a season to returne againe to Englande with his company geuing ouer the warres vntill the next spring and so did taking shipping and so ariued at Douer When he came to London it was declared vnto him of the great spoyle the Frenchmen had made at Southampton who answered agayne that within one yeare he doubted not the same to be well payd for recompenced And according to the same purpose of hys he lingered no time but calling a Parliament at Westminster with much grudge euill will of his subiects was for the mayntenance of hys warres graunted to him a great subsidie which was the 5. euery mans goodes and also the customes of his woolles 2. yeares before hand and the 9. these of euery mans corne At the spring the K. agayn prepared his army rigged hys nauy purposing to land in FlauÌders But the Archb. of Canterb. then Lord Chauncellour hauing vnderstanding of the Frenche power vpon the Sea lying for the k. gaue him aduertisement there of willing him more stronglier to go or els not to venture But the king not crediting the Archbish. and being angry with him therefore sayd that he would go forward whereupon the bishop resigned the Chauncellorship remoued himselfe from his Counsayle then the k. consulting hereupon farther with the Lord Morley his Admirall and others hearing also the same of them furnished himselfe with stronger power and committed him to his ship and did so much that a few dayes before midsommer he was vpoÌ the Sea with a great fleete Before the town of Sluse the french king to stop hys passage had layd ready a great nauy well neare to that number of 20. score sayle and had made the Christopher of England which before the French men took at SouthamptoÌ theyr Admirall betwixt which two nauies was a loÌg and terrible fight But in the end the victory by Gods grace fell to the king of England in which fight he himselfe was personally So that of the number of thirtye thousand FrenchmeÌ few or none were left escaped aliue and two hundreth sayle of shippes taken in one of the which were found 400. dead bodyes After this great slaughter of the Frenchmen of whom many for feare of the sword lept into the sea when no man durst bring tidinges thereof to the Frenche king They which were next about the king did subborne his foole to insinuate the vnderstanding thereof by subtiltie of couert words which was thus As the foresayd foole being in the kinges presence and was talking of many things among other talke he sodenly brast out being prompt by others into a vehement rayling of
the Englishmen calling them cowards dastards with many such approbrious words tending to that effect The king not knowing whereunto the words of the foole did appertayne asked the foole why he called the Englishmen such weakelings and cowards c. why sayth the foole Because the fearefull and cowardly Englishmen had not the hartes to leape into the sea so lustely as our Normands Gentlemen of Fraunce had Whereby the French kyng began to vnderstand the victory of his part to be lost and the EnglishmeÌ to be victorers This victory atchieued the fame therof spreading abroad in England first was not beleued till letters thereof came from the king to Prince Edward his sonne being then at Waltham directed to the bishops prelates of the realme the effect of which letters here followeth vnder written THe bountifull benignitie of Gods great clemency powred vpon vs of late for your true certification and reioycing we thought good to intimate vnto you It is not vnknowne we suppose to you and to other our faythfull subiectes which also haue bene partakers with vs of the same with what stormes of boysterous warres of late we haue bene tossed and shaken as in the great Ocean But although the rising surgies of the sea be merueilous yet more merueilous is the Lord aboue who turning the tempest into calme in so great daungers so mercifully hath respected vs. For where as we of late did ordaine our passage vpon vrgent causes into Flaunders the Lord Phillip de Valoys our bitter enemye vnderstanding thereof layd agaynst vs a mighty nauy of ships entending thereby eyther to take vs or at least to stop our voyage Which voyage if it had bene stayd it had bene the cutting of of all the great enterprises by vs intended and taken in hande moreouer we our selues brought to a great confusion But the God of mercies seing vs so distressed in such perils and dangers hath gratiously aud beyond mans expectation sent to vs great succour strength of fighting souldiours and a prosperous wynde after our owne desires By the meanes and helpe whereof we set out of the hauen into the seas where we estsoones perceaued our enemies well appointed and prepared with a mayne multitude to set vpon vs vpon midsommer day last past Agaynst whome notwithstansting Christ our Lord and Sauiour hath rendered to vs the victory through a strong and vehement conflict In the which conflict a mighty number of our enemies were destroyed and well neare all theyr whole Nauy was taken with some losse also of our part but nothing like in comparison to theirs By reason whereof we doubt not but our passage by the seas hereafter shal be more quiet and safe for our subiectes and also many other commodities shall ensue therof as we haue good cause to hope well of the same For which cause we deuoutly considering the heauenly grace so mercifully wrought vpon vs do render most humble thankes praise to Christ our Lord and sauior Beseeching him thar as he hath ben and alwayes is ready to preuent our necessities in time of oportunitie so he will continue hys helping hand euer towardes vs so to direct vs here temporally that we may raigne and ioy with him in heauen eternally And in like sort we require your charitie that you also with vs rising vp to the prayse of God alone who hath begon so fauourably to worke with vs to our goodnesse in your prayers and deuine seruice do instantly recommend vs vnto the Lord traueiling here in these foreigne countries and studying to recouer not onely our right here in Fraunce but also to aduaunce the whole Catholicke Churche of Christ and to rule our people in iustice And that also ye call vpon the Clergy and people euery one through his diocesse to do the same inuocating the name of our Sauiour that of hys mercy he will geue to vs his huÌble seruaunt a docible hart so to iudge and rule hereupon rightly doing that which he hath commaunded that at length we may attaine to that which he hath promised c. Which letter was written to the Byshops and prelates an 1340. After this foresayd victory vpon the sea newes therof with due thanks to our Sauiour sent into England the Kyng striking into Flaunders came to Gaunt in Brabaute where hee had left the Queene who ioyfully receaued him being a little before purified or churched as we terme it of her fourth sonne whose name was Iohn and commonly called Iohn of Gaunt and was Erle of Richmonde and Duke of Lancaster At Uillenorth the king assembled his councell whereat the noble men of Fraunce Brabant and Hennalt conioyning together in most firme league the one to helpe and defend the other with the king of England agaynst the French king purposing and determining from thence to march toward Turncy it to besiege But the French king vnderstanding theyr counsell fortified and victualed the same before theyr comming thither Furthermore the sayd Frenche king the same tyme to stop the sige of king Edward sent with king Dauid of Scotland a great power to that intent to make inuasioÌ in England thereby the sooner to cause the king to remoue hys siege In the meane time while king Edwarde wrote his letters to Philip de Ualous making vnto him certain requestes as in the same his letters here folowing is to be seen who for the he wrote not vnto him as K. of France but by the name of Philip de Ualous refused to answer him touching the same as by their letters here placed may be seene * The letter of the king of England to Phillip de Valous the French king goyng to the siege of Turney PHillip de Valous of long time we haue gently requested you by our Embassadours by all the reasonable meanes we might to that intent you should haue rendered vnto vs our lawful right and inheritaunce to the crowne of Fraunce which from vs a long time you haue by great wrong and force deteined And for that we well perceaue you meane to perseuere in the same your purpose and iniurous detinue without making any reasonable aunswere to our demaund We let you vnderstand that we are entred into the country of Flaunders as the soueraigne Lord of the same and so passe through the country and further signifie vnto you how that by the helpe of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and our righteous cause therein and with the power of the sayd country our people and allyes we purpose to recouer the right which we haue to that inheritaunce you deteine from vs by your iniurious force and therefore approche we towardes you to make a shorte end of this our rightfull challenge if you also will doe the like And for that so great an host asseÌbled which we bring with vs on our part supposing you also on the other part to doe the like cannot loÌg remayne together without great destruction both to our people and country
which thing euery good Christian ought to eschue especially Princes and others which haue the gouernment of the same auoyding by as short an end as may be the mortality of christen men according as the quarrell is apparaunt betweene you and me For the which causes here touched let the challenge if you thinke meete betweene our own persons and bodyes discussed that the great Nobillitie and prowesse of each other may of euery one be seene And if you refuse this way then let there to finish this challenge be an hundreth of the best souldiours you can chuse out of your part matched with so many of our liege subiects to try the same And if of these two wayes you refuse both the one the other then that you will assigne vnto vs a certain day before the town of Turnay to fight with vs power agaynst power which may be within ten dayes next insuing after the date of these our letters offering the sayd conditions vnto you aboue specified as we would all the world to know and vnderstand not vppon anye orgoile presumption or pride we take therein but for the causes before alledged and to the end that the will of our sauiour Iesus Christ betwixt vs two herein declared and shewed rest and peace might grow amongst Christen men The power and force of gods enemies abated and in fine the limites of Christianitie enlarged and enfranchised And therefore hereupon consider with your selfe what way you will take concerning our foresayd offers and by the bearers of these our letters send vnto vs herein quicke and speedy aunswere Geuen vnder our great seale at Chyn in the playne of Leece the xxvii day of this present month of July * The aunswere of the Lord Phillip de Valois vnto the letter aforesayd PHillip by the grace of God king of Fraunce to Edward king of England We haue seene the letters whiche you haue sent vnto our Court to Phillip de Valois wherein are contayned certayne requestes which you make to the sayd Phillip de Valois But for that the sayd letters come not as directed vnto vs neyther yet the sayd requestes seeme to be made vnto vs which thing clearely by the tenour of the sayd letters appeareth we therefore write vnto you no aunswere touching the same Notwithstanding this suffiseth that we vnderstand by the said letters of yours as also otherwaies that you are entred into our Realm of Fraunce to the great damage both vnto vs our realme and people more proceeding of wil then reason not regarding that which a liege man ought to do vnto his Lord. For you are entred into our homage by you lieged vnto vs acknowleging your self as reasoÌ is a liege maÌ vnto the king of France and haue promised vnto vs such obeisance as men are wont to do vnto their liege Lordes as more plainly by your letters pateÌts appeareth ensealed with your great seale the which we haue with vs for the which thing we will you to vnderstande that our purpose is when it shal seme good vnto vs to driue you out of our realme to the honor both of vs and our kingdome and to the profité and commodity of our people And this thing to do we haue firme and assured hope in Iesus Christ from whome we haue all our power and strength For by your vnreasonable demaund more wilful then reasonable hath bene hindred and staide the holy voyage to those partes of beyonde the seas where a great number of Christen men haue bene slaine the deuine seruice diminished and the seruice of the churche lesse reuerenced And as touching that where you say ye intende to haue the obeysance of the Flemmings we thinke and beleeue that the good people and commons of that country will behaue themselues in such sort toward our Cosin the Countes of Flaunders their Ladie as it be not their reproche and to vs their soueraigne Lorde they will respect their honour and loialty And that thing wherein they haue done otherwise then well hitherto hath beene by the euill counsaile of such people as neither regarde the weale publike nor honour of their countrey but their owne onely gaine and commoditie Geuen in the fielde neere adioyning to the Priorie of S. Andrew vnder our priuie Seale in absence of our great Seale the 30. day of Iuly An. 1340. Mention was made a little before of Dauid King of Scots whome the French king had supported and stirred vp against the king and realme of England which Dauid with the aide of the Scots and Frenchmen did so muche preuaile that they recouered almost againe al ScotlaÌd which before he had lost and was coÌstrained to liue in the forrest of Gedworth many yeres before Then inuaded they Enland came with their armie wasting and burning the countrey before them till they came as farre as Durham then returned againe into Scotland where they recouered all their holdes againe sauing the towne of Barwike Edenborough they tooke by a stratageme or subtile deuise practised by Douglas certaine other who apparaising themselues in poore mens habites as vitailers with corne and prouender other things demanded the porter early in the morning what neede they had thereof who nothing mistrusting opened the outward gate where they shoulde tary til the Captaine rose and perceiuing the Porter to haue the kaies of the inward gate threw downe their sackes in the outward gate that it might not be shut againe slewe the Porter taking from him the kaies of the towne Then they blew their horne as a warning to the bandes which priuily they had laid not farre off who in hastie wise comming finding the gates ready opened entred vpon the sodaine and killed as many as them resisted and so obtained againe the citie of Edenborough The Scots thus being busie in England the Frenche king in the meane season gathered together a puissaunt power purposing to remoue the siege froÌ Turnay and among other sent for the king of Scots who came to hym with great force besides diuers other noble men of France in so much that the French king had a great army thought himselfe able inough to raise the siege and thither bent his host But the French K. for al this his foresaid huge power force durst not yet so neare approch the king as either to geue him battaile or els remoue his siege but kept him self with his army aloofe in a sure place for his better defence And notwithstanding the king of England wasted burnt spoiled and destroyed the couÌtry 20. miles in maner compasse about Turnay and tooke diuers and sundry stronge townes and holds at Ortois Urles Greney Archis Odint S. Amand and the towne of Lisâe where he slewe aboue 300. men of armes and about S. Omers he slue and kild of noble men the Lorde of Duskune of Maurisâelou of Rely of Chastillion of Melly of Fenis of Hamelar of Mounfaucon and other Barons to the number of 14. and
as your spirituall pastour we also desire you so to esteeme and thinke of them which also make like report of other that haue bene with your grace beyonde the seas that they haue naughtely falsely serued you wherby you haue lost the towne of Tourney much honor els which you might haue wonne gotten there May it please your grace to call before you the Prelates and Pieres of your Realme in some conuenient place where wee and other moe may safely come and resorte and there also to make search and enquirie in whose hands after the beginning of your warres the money and what thing els so euer which was graunted vnto you in aide of the same your warres vntill thys present day doeth remaine and is not laide out againe as also by whose default you were so enforced to leaue the sayde siege of Tourney and those which shal be founde in any poynt faultie and guiltie therin against you as a good Iusticer your grace wil cause to be punished according to the lawe and in so much as appertaineth vnto vs therein we aske iudgement of our Peeres the state alwayes of holy Church of vs of our order reserued inuiolate according as we haue wrytten vnto you heerein And for Gods sake Syr beleeue not either of vs or any other your true subiectes els more then that you shall vnderstand the veritie of for if men should be punished without making answere to that which is obiected against them there should be then no difference in iudgement betwixt the good doer and the bad And Syr may it please you well to consider of the great enterprise you haue in hande the great good will which you haue neede of for this cause and of your great ennemies the Scots and the great ieoperdie of your realme besides For if your Prelates your nobles al the wisemen of your realme were of one minde and will without any discorde or diuision amongst them to dispose and set in order those things which are needeful in so great affaires and businesse they shoulde haue all inough to beate their heads about for the maintenance of your great enterprise begon the honour of you and sauegarde of your Realme And Syr may it please your grace not to be displeased that so rudely and grosely we declare vnto you the veritie for why the great loue affection which we beare vnto you alwayes haue done the same the preseruation of your honour and sauegard of your realme as also for that we are although vnworthy the primat of the whole realme of England which thing appertaining vnto vs by our office being your spirituall father doth incite vs the rather both to say and coÌmaund that which may turne to the benefite of your soule and profite of your realme and kingly estate Thus the holy spirite saue you both body and soule and giue your grace both to heare and beleeue good counsaile and further giue you victorie ouer all your enemies Written at Cant. the 1. day of Ianuary By your graces chaplen the Archbishop of the same And thus node the case betweene the king the Archbishop of Caunterbury who comming thus as is said in secret wise into Englande from the siege of Tourney hys army in the meane while by ships was conueyed to little Britaine Of whome a great number through vnseasonable and inconuenient meats and drinks was there consumed To whom also no lesse danger happened by the seas comming out of Britain into England by tempest thunder and lightening stirred vp as is thought by the Necromaucers of the French king About whych season approchyng to the yeare of oure Lorde 1341. were sent from the Pope two other Cardinals to entreat wyth Kyng Edwarde for thre yeres truce to be concluded more wyth the Frenche Kyng beside the former truce taken before for one yere and all by the popes meanes For heere is to be vnderstanded that as it was not for the Popes purpose to haue the Kyng of England to raigne ouer so many couÌtreis so his priuy supportation lacked not by all meanes possible both by Archbyshops Cardinals and also by the Emperor to maintain the state of the French king and to stablish him in his possession Ex Tho. Walsing ex chron Albanens In the said histories where these things be mentioned it is also noted that the same yeare such plentye there was here in the realme of victuals that a quarter of wheat was solde for ii s a fat oxe for a noble and as some say a sheepe for iiii d. And thus farre endureth the hystorie of Ranulphus Cestrensis called Polychronicon The next yere following which was 1342 Ludouicus Bauarus the Emperor who before had shewed great curtesie to king Edward as in his first viage ouer in so much that he made him his Uicar or Uicegerent general and offered hym also aide against the French king Now âyther turned by inconstancie or seduced by the pope wryteth to him contrary letters wherein hee reuoketh agayne the Uicegerentship graunted to hym and seeketh all meanes in the fauour of the French king against king Edwarde as by his letters heere vnder written may better appeare The letter of the Emperour vnto the king of England LVdouicus by the grace of God Emperor of the Romaines alwaies Augustus c. To Edward king of England his beloued brother greeting and vnfained loue Although great and vrgent busines of our owne do oppresse vs about the same our waighty affaires are daily incombred yet with the discord variaunce betwene your kingly dignity and the renowmed Phillip the king of Fraunce our cosine for your sake wee are not a little troubled And the rather the great charges which may heereafter growe both to you and to your kingdome thereby considered bothe of men and money vnlesse the same be taken vp doth more earnestly prouoke vs to geue our selfe to the carefull studie of your affaires Wherefore wee geue you to vnderstande that the foresayde Philip at our request hath geuen vnto vs by his letters authoritie and power to intreat and conclude a peace betwene you touching the variance begon which peace al the state diligently coÌsidered both of your selfe your kingdome and subiects wee take and beleeue to be right expedient for you moouing there withall your charity and earnestly desiring you that to this also you will geue your consent wherby we may bring you both to concord and vnitie and establish betweene you a firme peace to endure whereunto with willing minde we would apply our selfe and bestow our painfull labour in prosecuting of the same And heerein if you will condescend and agree vnto our counsaile as we trust you wil. It may please you by your letters to geue vnto vs the like autoritie as is aboue sayd to entreat peace or ordering of a truce for one yeare or two at least to continue Neither let it moue you that betwene vs and the sayde
Churches that should be next vacant beside Bishopricks and Abbotshyps to the extent of two thousand Marks Wherupon the procurators of the sayd Cardinals were sent down for the same But the kyng and nobility of the realme not suffring that vnder paine of imprisonment caused the sayd procurators foorthwith to depart the realm wherupon the nobles and commons shortly after writeth a fruitfull Epistle to the Pope for the liberties and the maintenance of yâ English church Whereunto as saith the author the pope and the Cardinals were not able to answer The argument and tenor of which letter out of French wee haue caused to be translated into Englishe as insueth The letter of the king of England and nobles of the same to the Pope against the reseruations and prouisions which he had in England TO the most holy father in God Lord Clement by the grace of God of the holy church of Rome and of the vniuersal church chiefe and high Bishop His humble deuout children the Princes Dukes Earles Barons Knights Citizens Burgeses and al the comminaltie of the Realme of Englande assembled at the Parliament holden at Westminster the 15. day of May last past Deuoute kissings of his holy feete with all humble reuerence and humilitie Most holy father the holy discretion gouernment equitie which appeareth to be in you and ought of duety so to be beyng so high and holy a prelate and head of the holy church by whom the holy vniuersall churche and people of God ought to be as by the sunne beames inlightened Geueth vs good hope and likelyhode that the iust petitions to the honour of Iesus Christ holy Church and your holinesse also by vs declared shal be of you graciously heard and considered And that all errours and other iniquities quite taken away and remooued in stede thereof fruitfull exployts and necessary remedies by the grace of the holy spirite which you in so high an estate haue receiued may be by you likewise graciously ordained and disposed Wherfore most holy father all we vpon great deliberation and common assent come vnto your holines shewing and declaring that the noble kings of England our progenitours our auncitours and we according to the grace of the holy spirite to them and vs geuen euery one according to his deuotion haue established fouÌded and endowed with in the realme of Englande Churches Cathedrals Colleges Abbeis Priories and other diuers houses of religion in the same ordained and to the Prelates and gouernours of the same places haue geuen landes possessions patrimonies franchesies aduowsons and patronages of dignities reuenues offices churches with many and diuers other benefices vnto them geuen whereby the seruice of God and faith of Christ might haue bene honoured and had in reuereÌce that the hospitals almes houses that are made with all the churches edifices might be honestly kept maintained and that deuout praiers might in those places be made for the founders the poore parishioners aided and comforted And such only ought to haue the cure therof as are able to heare confessions and in their owne naturall toung otherwise meete to informe teach their parishioners And for so muche as most holy father that you caÌnot well come to the notice of diuers such errours defaults neither yet vnderstand the condition of the places being so far of vnles your holines be enformed aduertised We hauing the perfect intelligence and vnderstanding of the sayd errours and defaultes of the places abouesayd within the sayd Realme haue thought meete to signifie the same vnto your holines That diuers reseruations prouisions and collations by your predecessours Apostolicke of Rome and by you most holy father in your time haue bene graunted and that more largely then they haue bene accustomed to be vnto diuers persons as well straungers and of sundry nations as vnto some such as are our enemies hauing no vnderstanding at all of the tongue and conditions of them of whom they haue the gouernment cure Whereby a great number of soules are in perill a great many of their parishners in daunger the seruice of GOD destroyed the almes and deuotion of all men diminished the hospitals perished the churches with their appurtenaunces decayed charitie withdrawne the good and honest persons of our realme vnaduaunced the charge and gouernement of soules not regarded the deuotion of the people restrayned many poore schollers vnpreferred and the treasure of the realme caryed out against the myndes and intentes of the founders All which errours defaultes and flaunders most holy father we neyther can nor ought to suffer nor indure We therefore most humbly require your holines that the slaunders errors and defaultes which we haue declared vnto you may be through your great discretion considered and that it may please you that such reseruations prouisions and collations may be vtterly repelled that from henceforth the same be no more amongst vs vsed But to take such order and remedy therein that the said benefices edifices rightes with their apertinentes may be to the honour of God by our owne countrymen cured defended and gouerned And that it may further please your holines by your letters to signifie vnto vs without delay and other detract of tyme what your plesure is touching this our lawful request demaund and that we may doe our indeuour with dilligence herein for the remedy correction and amendment of those enormities aboue specified In witnes wherof vnto these letters patentes we haue set our seales Geuen in the full Parliament at Westminster the 8. day of May an 1343. After these thinges thus passed ouer the King shortly after sent ouer his Procuratours Earle of Lancaster and Darby Hugh Spencer L. Rafe Stafforde wyth the Byshop of Exâtor and diuers other to the popes court to discusse and plead about the right of his title before the pope Unto whom the said Pope Clement the 6. not long after sent down thys message how that Ludouike duke of Bauarie the Emperour whom the pope had before deposed had submitted himselfe to hym in all things and therefore deserued at his hands the benefite of absolution And how the pope therfore had coÌferred and restored vnto him iustly and gratiously the Empire which he before vniustly did holde c. Which message when the King did heare beyng therwith moued to anger answered againe saying That if he did agree and compound also with the Frenche king he was ready to fight with them both c. Ex chro Albanen Within the time of this yere pence halfepence and farthings began to be coyned in the tower And the next yere folowing which was an 1344. the castle of winsor where the king was borne began to be repared and in the same the house called the rounde table was situate the diameter wherof from the one side to the other contained 200. feete to the expeÌces of which house weekly was allowed an C. li. for the mainteining
of the kings chiualrie till at length by the occasion of the French warres it came downe to ix If a weeke By the example whereof the Frenche king being prouoked began also the like round table in Fraunce for the maintaining of the knighthoode At which tune the sayd French king moreouer gaue free libertie through his realme to fel downe trees for making of ships maintayning of his nauie whereby the Realme of Englande was not a litle damnified During the same yere the Clergie of England graunted to the king tenthes for 3. yeres for the which the king in recompence againe graunted to them his Charter containing these priuiledges that no Archbishop nor Bishop should be arreigned before his Iustices siue ad sectam suam siue partis if the sayd clarke do submit claime his cleargy professing himselfe to be a member of holy Church who so doing shall not be bound to come to his answer before the Iustices And if it shall be layd vnto them to haue maryed two wiues or to haue maried a widow the Iustices shall haue no power to proceede against them to inquire for the matter So that the cause shall be reserued to the spirituall court c. About this present time at the setting vp of the rounde table the king made Prince Edwarde his eldest sonne the first prince of Wales At this while yet continued the truce betweene the 2. kings Albeit it is likely to be thought that yâ French king gaue many attempts to infringe the same Wherupon Henry earl of Lancaster with 600. men at armes and as many archers as were sent ouer to Gascoin yâ yere after an 1345. who there so valiantly is said to behaue him selfe that he subdued 55. towneships vnto the king 23. noble men he toke prisoners encountring with the French men at Attebroke So curteously and liberally he dealt with his souldiors yâ it was a ioy to them and a preferment to fight vnderneath him His maner was in winning any towne litle or nothing to reserue to himself but to sparie yâ who le spoile to his souldiors One example in the author whom I follow is touched howe the foresaide Earle at the winning of the towne of Bryers where he had graunted to euery soldior for hys bootie the house with all the implements therein which he by victory should obtaine among other his soldiors to one named Reh fell a certaine house with the implements thereof wherein was contained the mint and mony coyned for that country to the valure of a great substance which when the soldior had found in breaking vp a house where first the grosse mettall was not yet perfectly wrought he came to the Earle declaring to him the treasure to know what was his pleasure therein To whome the Earle answered that the house was his whatsoeuer he found therein Afterwarde the souldior finding a whole mint of pure siluer ready coyned signified the same to the earle for somuch as he thought such treasure to be to great for his portion to whom the sayd Earl againe answering declared that hee had once geuen him the whole house and that he had once geuen he would not call backe againe as childreÌ vse to play And therfore had hym enioy that which was grauÌted to him And if the mony were thrice as much it should be his owne Ex chron Albanens Which story whither it was true or otherwise in those dayes I haue not to affirm But certes if in these our couetous wretched daies nowe present any author should reporte the like acte to be practised I would hardly beleeue it to be true As the erl of Lancaster was thus occupied in Gascony the Scots were as busy here in England wasting spoyling without mercy which were thought not vnlike to be set on by yâ French king And therfore was iudged both by that by other diuers wayes to haue broken the coutnants of truce betwene him and the king of England Wherfore yâ next yere insuing An. 1346. king Edward first sending his letters to the court of Rome therin coÌplaining to the pope of Philip de Ualois how he had traÌsgressed and brokeÌ the truce betwene them made which by cuideÌt probations he there made manifest about the moÌth of Iuly made hys voyage into Normandy in suche secrete wise that no man wel knewe whether he intended Where first he entred the towne of Bogs from thence proceeded vnto Cardone Where about the 27. of Iuly by the riuer of Cardone he had a strong battel with the Normands other French men which to stop hys passage defended yâ bridge At the which battel were taken of the Lords of France the erle of Ewe the erle of Tankeruile And of knights wyth other men of armes to the number of an 100. of foote men 600. and the towne and suburbs beaten downe to the hard wals And all that could be borne away transported to the shippes A little before mention was made how the French K. began first to infringe the truce taken and howe the Earle of Lancaster vpoÌ the same was sent vnto Gascony Now for the more euidence of the matter coÌcerning the falling of the French king from the league and other his wrongs vntrue dealing It shal better in the kings letter appeare who hearing word that the Lord Philip de Ualois contrary to the forme of truce taken at Uanes had appreheÌded certaine of his nobles of Englande and had brought them to Paris to be imprisoned put to death beside other slaughters and spoilings made in Britaine Gascony and other places moe He therfore seing the truce to be broken of the French kings part being thereto of necessity compelled In the yeare aboue prefixed the 14. of the month of Iune did publish and send abroad hys letter of defiance containing thys effect The kings letters of defiance against the French king TO all and singular to whom these presents shal come publike greeting We thinke it is not vnknowen vnto you all that after the decease of Charles late king of Fraunce of famous memorie brother to our redoubted Lady mother Quene Isabel Quene of England That the crowne of Fraunce by iust inheritance hath fallen vnto vs as to the next heire male now liuing after the sayd king Nowe Phillip de Valoys being sonne but only to the vncle of the foresayde king Charles and therefore by degree of consanguinity being further of remoued from the same we being in the time of our minoritie hath violently by force and power coÌtrary to God and iustice vsurped occupied and yet doth occupy the same inuading further and spoyling our landes in the Dukedome of Aquitania and ioyning himselfe with our rebellious ennemies the Scots seeking our subuersion both by land and by sea to the vttermost of hys endeuour And although wee to preuent the damages which might rise by warre haue offred to the sayde
continually was spoyled sackt and with fire consumed by the circuit of 20. miles round about yet the French king being distant scarse the space of one mile froÌ vs either would not or els durst not when he might easily haue passed ouer the riuer make any resistaunce for the defence of his countrey and people And so our king iourneying forwarde came to Pusiacke or Poisy where the French king had likewyse broke downe the bridge and keeping on the other side of the riuer would rest in no place After whose comming to Poisie the foresayd chaplain and confessor to the king named Michaell Northburgh describing the kings voyage and the actes of the Englishmen from the town of Poisie to his comming to Calis in his letters writeth in this wise ¶ A Letter of W. Northburghe the Kyngs confessor describing the kings voyage into Fraunce SAlutations premised we geue you to vnderstand that our soueraigne Lord the king came to the towne of Poisye the daye before the Assumption of our Lady where was a certayne bridge ouer the water of Seane broken downe of the enemye but the king taried there so long till that the bridge was made again And whiles the bridge was in repayring there came a great number of men at armes and other souldiours were armed to hinder the same But the Earle of Northhampton issued out agaynst them flew of them more then one thousand the rest fled away thankes be to God And at an other time our men passed the water although with much trauell and flew a great number of the common souldiours of Fraunce about the Citty of Paris and countrey adioyning being part of the French kinges army and thorowly well appoynted so that our people haue now made other good bridges vpon our enemyes God be thanked without any great losse and damage to vs. And on the morrow after the Assumption of our Ladye the king passed the water of Sceane and marched toward Poâye which is a towne of great defence and stronglye immured and a maruellous strong Castle within the same which our enemies kept And when our vaundgard was passed the towne our reregarde gaue an assault thereunto and tooke the same where were slayne more then 300. men at armes of our enemyes part And the next day following the Earle of Suffolke and Sir Hugh Spenser marched forth vpon the commons of the countrey assembled and well armed and in fine discomfited them and slew of them more then 200. and tooke 60. Gentlemen prisoners besides others And after that the Kyng marched toward Graund Villers and while he was there encamped the kinges vaundgard was discried by the men of armes of the king Bename whereupon our men issued out in great haste and ioyned battell with them but were inforced to retyre Notwithstanding thankes be vnto God the Earle of Northhampton issued out and reskued the horsemen with other souldiours so that few or none of them were either taken or slayne sauing onely Thomas Talbot but had agayne the enemye in chase within 2. leagues of Amians of whom we tooke 8. and slew 12. of their best men at armes the rest being well horsed tooke the towne of Amians After this the king of England marched toward Pountife vpon Bartholomew day and came vnto the water of Som where the French king had layd 500. men at armes and three thousand foote men purposing to haue kept and stopped our passage but thankes be to God the king of England and his hoste entred the same water of Som where neuer man passed before without the losse of any of our men and after that encountered with the enemy and slewe of them more then two thousand the rest fledde to Abeuyle in which chase was taken many Knights Squiers and men at armes The same day Sir Hugh Spenser tooke the towne of Croylay where he and his souldiours flew foure hundred men at armes and kept the towne where they found great store of victuals The same night encamped the king of England in the Forest of Cressy vpon the same water for that the French kinges hoste came on the other side of the town neare vnto our passage But he woulde not take the water of vs and so marched towarde Abeuile And vpon the Friday next following the King beyng still encamped in the sayd Forest our Scuriers discried the french king which marched toward vs in foure great battelles And hauing then vnderstanding of our enemies as Gods will was a little before the euening tide we drew vnto the playne fielde and set our battelles in aray and immediately the fight began which was sore and cruell and indured long for our enemyes behaued themselues right nobly But thankes be geuen to God the victory fell on our side and the Kyng our aduersary was discomfited with all hys hoste and put to flight Where also was slayne the Kyng of Bename the Duke of Loren the Earle of Dabeson the Earle of Flaunders the Earle of Blois the Earle of Aarcot with his two Sonnes the Earle of Damerley the Earle of Nauers and his Brother the Lord of Tronard the Archbyshoppe of Myemes the Archbishop of Saundes the high Prior of Fraunce the Earle of Sauoy the Lord of Morles the Lord de Guis Segniour de S. Nouant Seigniour de Rosingburgh with sixe Earles of Almayn and diuers other Earles Barons Knightes and Squyres whose names are vnknowne And Philippe de Valoys himselfe with an other Marques which was called Lord Electour among the Romaynes escaped from the battell The number of the men at armes whiche were founde dead in the field beside the common Souldiours and footemen were 1542. And all that night the king of England with his hoste abode armed in the field where the battell was fought On the next morrow before the Sunne rose there marched towardes vs an other great hoste mightye and strong of the Frenchmen But the Earle of Northhampton and the Earle of Northfolke issued out agaynst them in 3 battels and after long and terrible fight them in likewise they discomfited by Gods great help and grace for otherwise it could neuer haue bene where they tooke of Knights and Squires a great number and flew aboue 2000. pursuing the chase three leagues from the place where the battell was fought The same night also the king encamped himselfe agayne in the forest of Cressy and on the morow marched toward Boleyne and by the way he took the town of Staples and from thence he marched toward Calis where he entendeth to plant his siege and lay his battery to the same And therfore our soueraigne Lord the king willeth and commauÌdeth you in all that euer you may to send to the said siege victuals coÌuenient For after the time of our departing froÌ Chaam we haue trauelled through the countrey with great perill and daunger of our people but yet alwayes had of victuall plenty thankes be to God therfore But now as the case standeth we partly need your helpe to be refreshed
with victuals Thus fare you well Written at the siege before the towne of Calis the 14 day of September After the siege and winning of Poisie the third day of September an 1346. the king through the midst of FrauÌce directed his passage vnto Calis as by the tenor of this letter you heare besieged the same which siege he continued from the third of September aforesayd til the third day of August the yeare next ensuing vpon the which day it was rendered vp vnto the sayd king Edward the third and subdued vnto the crowne of England as after the Lord willing shall more appeare In the mean time during the siege of Calis Dauid the Scottish king at the request of the French king with a great army brast into the North parts of England and first besieging the towne of Lidell within sixe daies obteined the greatest part of the towne there taking all that he could find with Sir Walter Salby a valiant knight which was the keper of the hold caused him vncurteously to be put to the sword and so from thence proceeded further into England till at length being met with all by William Surthe Archbish. of Yorke and the L. Percy and the L. Neuell with other nobles of those parties calling gathering their men together in the plain nere to Durham the 17. day of October in the yere abouesayd through the gracious hand of Christ there were subdued conquered In the which conflict the Earles of Murrise and Stratheron with the flower of all the chiualry and principall warriors of Scotland were slaine Also the foresayd king Dauid with the Earles of Mentiffe Fiffes and other Lords and WilliaÌ Douglas Mas klime fleming and William Douglas other many moe men of armes were taken prisoners so the mischiefe which they intended to other fell vpon theyr owne heads During moreouer the sayd siege of Calis the foresayd Pope ClemeÌt the 6. writing to the king of England weÌt about vnder the pretence of peace to stop hys proceedings whose letters here follow nuder written The letter of the Pope to the king of England in the behalfe of the Frenchmen CLement the Bishop seruaunt of Gods seruaunts To his welbeloued sonne in Christ Edward the puissaunt king of England Salutation and Apostolical blessing If you diligeÌtly consider deare sonne as ought a catholicke Prince to do the slaughter of such an innumerable sort bought with the precious bloud of Christ our redemer the losse of their substaunce soules and the lameÌtable perils which the dissentions and warres stirred vp betwene you and our welbeloued sonne Philippe the noble king of FrauÌce haue brought vpoÌ vs and yet dayly do without intermissioÌ And also the bewayling of so many poore people crying out of Orphans and pupils lamentation of widowes and other miserable people which be robbed and spoyled and almost famished what exclamation they make with teares running downe theyr cheeks yelling and crying vnto God for helpe as also the destruction of churches monasteries holy places holy vessels and other ornameÌts vnto gods seruice dedicated the sacrilegious robberies takings imprisonings the spoyling of holy churches religious persons with many other such innumerable detestable execrable mischiefes offending the eies of the diuine maiesty All which if your princely hart woulde consider and well remember with this also that Catholicke sayth especially in the East partes and the Christians there abiding by meanes of the same dissentions and warres destitute of the helpes of such catholicke men as are in the West parties are so afflicted of the Infidels seyng the other partes of Christendome so troubled with cruell persecutions yea and more crueller then euer it hath bene although in these times to amplify this our sayth in the sayd East parts is cruell persecution shewed more then hath bene of many yeares past doubtles we beleue it would pity your hart And to the end that such and so great euils should no further proceed nor yet that so great good as might be done by delating of our foresayd fayth in these times should be let hindered we desire you that ye would applye your minde to make some agreement and peace with the foresaid king For if my welbeloued sonne God hath geuen vnto you-prosperous successe and fortune ye ought rather to humble theÌ to extoll your selfe and so much the more readier to encline to his peace and to indeuour your selfe to please God which loueth peace and delighteth in peaceable men and to eschew the foresayd euils which without doubt doe grieuously offend him Furthermore we maruell greatly that vnto our reuerend brother Anibaldus Byshop of Tusculane and our beloued sonne Stephen of the title of S Iohn and Paule priest and Cardinall of the apostolicall sea being sent as Legats by vs and the same see Apostolical to intreat a peace who diligently and faythfully laboring for the same as louers of verity iustice and equity and therwithall regarders of your honour could not be suffered touching the intreatye of the same peace to come vnto your Graces presence Wherefore we desire your kingly highnesse more earnestly for the mercy of God with more vehemence require the same that you taking vp the foresaid horrible euils and preuenting the sweetnes of piety and compassion may escape the vengeance of Gods indignation which were to be feared if you should perseuer in your former euils as God forbid And as touching the intreaty for peace for which our foresayd Cardinals were sent vnto you howbeit secretly least it should be any derogation to your honor we desire you to condescend therunto with all your affection you will incline your minde to the same so pleasaunt vnto God so desired of the world as also to you the foresayd king vnto the catholicke sayth profitable And that the same peace by Gods help grace established made perfect you might assay your puissant strength about gods busines in the foresaid east partes so good occasion seruing as before is sayd in these our times being so apt aduasicements of your honor happy increasing of your princely name for serueÌtly we haue heard of you reported to behaue your selfe in all your attemptes Thus we doubt not but that you wil write vnto vs again touching the premisses and the purpose of your intention touching the same Dated at Auinion the 18 of February and 5 yeare of our Papacy The aunswere of the king of England to the foresayst letter of the Pope MOst holy father we vnderstand by the letters of the reuereÌd fathers in God the Byshop of Tusculan and Stephen of the title of S. Iohn Priest Cardinals Legats of the Court of Rome as also by the letters of your holynesse sent vnto vs that ye maruell greatly for that your sayd Legates were of purpose sent vnto vs and commaunded to intreat of a peace betwene our aduersary of Fraunce and vs that we would not
suffer them secretly to talke with vs for the safegard of our honor The intention of your hart to make the foresayd peace complayning and bewayling therein the death of Christen men the losse of their goodes the perill of their soules the lamentable waylings of the poore of orphanes the widowes and destruction of other pittyfull persons the pillage and robberies of Churches and other mischiefes innumerable and namely the diminishing of Christen sayth in the East partes which by the warre betwene our aduersary of FrauÌce and vs is sore decayed as the said letters playnely do import And that forasmuch as God hath geuen you triumphant fortune that so much the more we ought to abase and humble our hart and to be the readyer to make and incline to a peace As touching these thinges holy Father we geue your holynesse to vnderstand that aswell vnto your foresayd Legates as other messengers sent from you vnto vs we haue offered vnto euerye of them reasonable wayes of peace and euery day declare the same and that not secretly but openly For we doubt not to let our purpose be vnderstoode for he that is the high Iudge both of him and vs in whose disposition all thing lyeth hath geuen vnto vs the crowne of Fraunce to our right and proper heritage The which right our foresayd aduersary hath by force of long time deteyned from vs we seeking to obtayne the same in peaceable wise and yet do if we might obtayne the same in any good maner rather for the benefit of christen men and that the foresayd euilles might cease which by his wrongfull meanes onely haue increased growne Yet notwithstanding as before this time you know we assented to a truce with certayne Articles conteined in the same writing all this he hath infringed Neither doth the wrong suffice him which he offereth vs in our foresayd heritage but endeuoureth himselfe during the sayd truce to inuade our realme of England and other our landes and further maynteineth the Scottes aydeth them to the vtter destructioÌ of vs our people lands aforesayd whereby we were inforced for the safegarde of our people and landes by such lawfull meanes we may to defend our selues and put him from his wicked purpose And furthermore for the same our quarell being in the handes of God haue we commen against him to conquere our inheritaunce of FrauÌce ouer whom God hath geuen vs diuers victories as we haue trusted he would by his rightwise iudgement and power whiche thing he hath shewed vpon vs all chaunce of fortune set a part in respect of our rightfull title therein and without our desertes Wherefore with all humility of hart we geue him thanks alwaies therefore most deuoutly night and day praysing his holy name for we acknowledge the same commeth not by our strength and force Wherefore most holy Father we desire your holynesse and somuch as in vs lyeth require the same that you that supplye the place of the sonne of God in earth and hath the gouernement of the soules of all Christen men and ought to be vpright and equall towardes all men without exception of persons that ye will receiue good information and true of the obiections aboue sayd and will put to your holy helping hand as much as in you is that our sayed aduersarye of Fraunce may acknowledge his wrong whiche he hath done to vs herein and may be by your ayde redressed and that he in this his wrong haue no mainteynance and ayde at your hand For if it be so we then appeale vnto the iudge of iudges which suffereth for a time wronges to be donne for the sinnefull default of man but in the end redresseth the same leauing no good deed vnrewarded nor euill vnpunished most humbly requiring him to be to vs a true and vpright iudge of all our controuersyes for his mercies sake as in the meane time we repose our full trust and confidence in him The holy spirit of God c. Moreouer during yet the siege of Calis the French king had sent certayn offers to the men of Flaunders that if they would relinquish the king of England and adhere to him First he would remitte all their former transgressions Secondly he would vnburdeÌ them of their interdict Thirdly he would send vnto them such pleÌty of corne that what was sold for 12.5 with them should be sold for 4.5 and that for 6. yeares Fourthly he would store them with plenty of French woll to make cloth for a small price that they might sell the sayd clothes both in Flaunders and in Fraunce that the FreÌch men should vse the same cloth for so much as al other maner of cloth should be forbid in Fraunce so long as any of that made of French woll might be found Fiftly he would restore them to these three Cities Insulam Rowocum and Betony Sixtly he would defend them from all their aduersaries And in pledge of the same would seÌd them mony before hand Seuenthly such as were able and forward men amoÌg them he would reteine and promote them c. But these offers seming to proceed more of faire words to serue the preseÌt turne then or any harty truth were not receiued TheÌ the L. Iohn Prince heyre to the French king during the foresayd siege of Calis aboue mentioned comming with a mighty army of French men set vpon yâ men of FlauÌders and English men in the towne of Cassels In the which conflict during from morning to noone the FrenchmeÌ were vanquished and the young Dolphin driuen backe from whence he came Of whose number diuers were slaine and taken prisoners Where on the other side through the Lordes defence not one is reported to be grieuously wounded As this passed on not long after about yâ 7. day of Iune an 1347 king Edward continuing still his siege agaynst Calis Philip the French king came downe with a mighty army purposing to remoue the siege where not farre of from the English host he incamped himselfe Which done 2. Cardinals Ambaldus Stephanus procured for the same purpose going betwene the two kinges gaue to the king of England thus to vnderstand that if he would coÌdescend to any reasonable way of peace the French king was ready to offer such honest prosers vnto him as to reason to his contentation should seme agreeable But in coÌclusion when it came to talke the nobles could not agree vpon yâ conditions Wherefore the french king seing no other remedy did it to be signified to king Edward that betwene that present Teusday the next friday if he would come forth into the field he should haue battell geueÌ him Thus the place being vewed of foure Captaines of either host for the battaile to be fought it so fell that the French K. on Wednesday at night before the battell should ioyne secretly by night setting his pauilions on fire returned backe with his army out of the sight of
English men Upon the Friday folowing they which were besieged in the towne of Calis seeing the king to be retyred vpon whose helpe they trusted being also in great penury famine for lack of victuals otherwise in much misery vehemently distressed surrendered the towne to the kinges handes who like a mercifull Prince onely deteining certeine of the chiefe the rest with the whole coÌmons he let go with bagg baggage diminishing no part of their goods shewing therein more Princely fauour to them then they did of late in Queene Maries dayes vnto our men in recouering the sayd towne of Calis agayne After the winning thus of Calis as hath bene premised king Edward remaining in the sayd towne a certaine space was in consultatioÌ concerning his voyage proceding farther into Fraunce But by meanes of the foresayd Cardinals truce for a certayne time was takeÌ and instrumentes made so prouided that certayne noble meÌ as well for the french K. as for the king of England should como to the Pope there to debate vpon the Articles Unto the which king Edward for peacesake was not greatly disagreing Which was an 1347. Ex Tho. Walsingh The next yeare folowing which was an 1348. fell a sore plague which they call the first generall pestilence in yâ realme of England This plague as they say first springing froÌ the East so spreading westward did so mightely preuaile here in this land beginning first at Dorcester the countryes thereabout that euery day lightly 20. some dayes 40. some 60. moe dead corses were brought layd together in one pitte This beginning the first day of Angust by the first of Nouember it came to LondoÌ Wheras the vehement rage therof was so hoate and did increase so much that from the first day of February til about the beginning of May in a Churchyard then newlye made by smithfield aboue 200. dead corses euery day were buried besides them which in other Churchyardes of the Cittye were layd also At leÌgth by the grace of Christ ceasing ther it proceded from thence to the Northparts Where also the next yeare after an 1349. it swaged After this in the next yeare insuing an 1350. the towne of Calis was by treason of the keper of the Castle almost betrayed and wonne from the English men Within the compasse of which yere dyed Philip the French king After whom king Iohn his sonne succeeded in the crowne Who the next yeare after vnder false precence of frendship caused the Constable of FrauÌce Erle of Ewe to be beheaded who being taken prisoner before in warre by English men and long deteined in prison in England was liceÌsed by king Edward to visite his country of Fraunce In the same yere the town of Gwines was takeÌ by EnglishmeÌ while the keepers of the hold were negligent and a sleepe The yeare next folowing the Marshall of Fraunce with a great army was put to flight by Syr Roger Bentele Knight and Captayne in Britaine hauing but onely 600. Souldiours with him In this battell were taken 9. Knightes Esquires and Gentlemen 140. The French men Britaines by this victory were exceedingly discouraged and there pride cut downe In the yere after was Henry first made Duke of LaÌcaster which before was Earle of Derby and Lancaster Also diuers good ordinaunces were appoynted in the Parliament at Westminster Which afterby auarice and parciall fauour of the head men were agayne vndone Concord and agreement about the yeare 1354. began to come well forward instruments were drawne vpon the same betwene the 2. kings But that the matter being brought vp to Pope Innocent 6. partly by the quareling of the FreÌch men partly by the winking of the Pope which euer held with the French side the conditions were repealed which were these That the king of England all the Dukedome of Aquitanie with other lands there should be to him restored without homage to the French king And that king Edward agayn should surrender to him all his right and title which he had in Fraunce whereupon rose the occasion of great war and tumult which folowed after betwene the two Realmes It folowed after this the yeare of our Lord. 1355. that king Edward hearing of the death of Philip the French king that king Iohn his sonne had grauÌted the Dukedome of Aquitine to Charles his eldest sonne Dolphin of Vienna sent ouer Prince Edward with the Earle of Warwick of Salisbury of Oxford and with them a sufficient number of able souldiors into Aquitania Where he being willingly receiued of diuers yâ rest be subdued partly by force of sword partly receiued submitting themselues to his protection Not long after this in yâ same yere word being brought to king Edward that Iohn the FreÌch king was ready to meet him at S. Omers there to geue him battayle gathered his power set ouer to Calis with his 2. sonnes Leo nell Earle of Wilton and Iohn of Gaunt Earle of Richmond with Henry Duke of Lancaster c. who beyng come to S. Omers the French king with a mighty army of his francklings hearing of his coÌming the nerer he approched to them the further they retyred backe wasting destroying behind them to the inteÌt that the english army in pursuing theÌ should finde no victuals By reasoÌ wherof king Edward folowing him by yâ space of 9. or 10 dayes vnto HadeÌ wheÌ neither he could âinde his enemy to fight nor victuals or forage for his army he returned vnto Calis where warre agayne being offered in the name of the king vpon vnstable conditions and yet the same not performed king Edward seeing the shrinking of his enemy froÌ Calis crossed the seas into England where he recouered agayne the towne of Barwicke which the Scots before by subtle traine had gotten At which time was grauÌted vnto the king in Parliament 50. s. for euery sacke or packe of woll that should be caried ouer for the space of 6. yeares together By the which graunt the king might despend euery day by estimation aboue 100. marks sterling And for as much as euery yere 100000. sacks of woll were thought to be exported out of the Realme the sum thereof for 6. yeres space was esteemed to mount to 1500000. pouÌd sterling The same yeare when king Edward had recouered Barwick and subdued Scotland Prince Edward being in Gascony made toward the FreÌch king Who notwithstanding by the way all bridges were cast downe great resistaunce made yet the victorious Prince making way with his sword after much slaughter of the Frenchmen many prisoners taken at length ioyning with the French king at Poytiers scarse with 2000. gaue the ouerthrow to the French king with 7000. men of armes and mor. In which conflict the French king himselfe and Philip hys sonne with L. Iames of Bourbon the Archb. of Senon II Earles 22. Lordes were
taken Of other warriors and men of armes 2000. Some affirme in this conflict were slayne 2. Dukes of Lordes and noble men 24. of men of armes 2002. of other souldiours aboue 8000. The commoÌ report is that mo FrenchmeÌ were there taken prisoners then was the number of them which took them This noble victory gotten by the grace of God brought no litle admiration to all men It were too long and litle pertayning to the purpose of this history to comprehend in order all the doinges of this king with the circumstances of his victoryes of the bringing in of the french king into England of his abode there of the raunsome leuied on him and of Dauid the Scottish king of which the one was rated at 3. millions of Scutes that other at 100000. marks to be payd in 10 yeres how the staple was after translated to Calis with suche like I referre them that would see more to the Chronicle of Tho. Walsing of S. Albans of Iohn Froysard AdaÌ Merimouth who discourse all this at large Thus hauing discoursed at large al such marshal affairs and warlicke exploytes incident in the reigne of this king betwixt him and the realmes of Fraunce and Scotland Now to returne agayne to our matters ecclesiasticall followeth in order to recapitulate and notifye the troubles contentions growing betwene the same king the Pope and other ecclesiasticall persons in matters touching the church in order of yeares remayuing in the Tower taken out of the recordes as followeth As where first in the 4. yeare of his reigne the king wrote to the Archbi of Canterbury to this effect That whereas King Edward the 1. his graund father did geue to a Clerke of his owne being his Chaplain the dignity of Treasurer of York the Archbishopricke of Yorke being then vacant and in the kinges handes in the quiet possession whereof the sayde Clerke continued vntill the Pope misliking therewith woulde haue displaced him and promoted to the same dignitye a Cardinal of Rome to the manifest preiudice of the crown of England The King therefore straightly chargeth the Archbishop of Yorke not to suffer any matter to passe that may be preiudice to the donation of his graundfather but that his owne Clerke should enioy the sayd dignity accordingly vpon payne of his highnes displeasure The like precepts were also directed to these Bishops folowing vide to the Bishop of Lincolne Bishop of Worcester Bishop of Sax Monser Marinion Archdeacon of Richmond ArchdeacoÌ of Lincolne the Prior of LeweÌ the Prior of Lenton to maister Rich of Bintworth to ââ Iherico de Concoreto the Popes Nuncio to M. ãâã of Calma And with all wrote his letters to the Pope touching the same matter consisting in three partes First is the declaration and defence of his right and title to the donatioÌ and gift of all maner of temporalties of offices prebendes benefices and dignities ecclesiasticall holdeir of his in capite as in the right of his crown of England Secondly in expostulating with the Pope for intending himselfe into the auncient right of the crowne of England intermedling with such collations contrary to right reason and the example of all his predecessours which were Popes before Thirdly intreating him that he would heÌceforth absteyne and desist from molesting the Realme wyth such nouelties and straunge vsurpations and so much the more for that in the publique Parliament late holden at Westminster it was generally agreed vpon by the vniuersall assent of all the estates of the Realme that the Kyng should stand to the defence of all such rightes and iurisdictions as to his crowne appertayned After this in the 9. yeare of the Reigne of this Kyng Pope Benedict the 12. sendeth down letters touching his new creation with certayne other matters and requestes to the King whereunto the King aunswering agayne declareth how glad he is of that his preferment adding more ouer that his purpose was to haue seÌt vnto him certain Ambassadors for congratulatioÌ of the sauâe But being otherwise occupyed by reason of warres could not attend hys holynesse requestes notwithstanding he minded to call a Parliament about the feast of Ascention next whereupon the asseÌbly of his clergy and other estates he would take order for the same and so direct his Ambassadours to his holynesse accordingly The next yeare after which was the 10. yeare of his reigne the King writeth an other letter to the Pope that forasmuch as his clergy had grauÌted him one yeres tenth for the supportation of his warres and for that the Pope also had the same time to take vp the payment of 6. yeares tenth graunted him by the Clergy a litle before therefore the Pope woulde vouchsafe at his request to forbeare the exaction of that money for one yeare till that his tenth for the necessities of his warres were dispatched The same yere he wrote also to the Pope to this effect That whereas the Prior and Chapter of Norwiche did nominate a Clerke to be Bishop of Norwich and seÌt him to Rome for his inuestiture without the Kinges knowledge therefore the Pope woulde withdraw his consent not intermedle in the matter appertaining to the Kings peculiar iurisdiction and prerogatiue After this in the 16. yeare of this King it happened that the Pope sent ouer certayne Legates to heare and determine matters appertayning to the right of patronages of Benefices which the King perceiuing to tend to the no small derogation of his right and the liberties of hys subiectes writeth vnto the sayd Legates admonishing and requiring them not to proceede therein nor attempt any thing vnaduisedlye otherwise then might stand with the lawfull ordinaunces customes of the lawes of his realm and liberty of his subiectes Writing moreouer the same yeare to other Legats being sent ouer by the Pope to treate of peace betweene the King and the French King with request that they would first make their repayre to the french King who had so oftentimes broken with him and proue what conformitye the french king would offer which if he found reasonable they should soone accord with him otherwise exhorted theÌ not to enter into the land nor to proceede any further in that behalfe The yeare following which was the 17. of his reigne ensueth an other letter to the Pope agaynst his prouisioÌs and reseruations of benefices worthy here to be placed specified but that the summe thereof is before set downe to be found in the page 386. The yeare following another letter likewise was seÌt by the King to the Pope vpon occation takeÌ of the church of Norwich requiring him to surcease his reseruations and prouisions of the Bishoprick within the Realme and to leaue the elections thereof free to the Chapters of suche Cathedrall Churches according to the auncient grauntes and ordinaunces of his noble progenitors Proceeding now to the 19. yeare of this kinges reigne there came to the presence of the king certayne Legats froÌ Rome complayning of certayne
lying neuer to be clawed of while the world standeth yet shal the posterity to come iudge betwene you me whether shall appeare more honest and true my defence for that worthy lord then your vncourteous and viperuns wrangling against him mooued with no other cause but onely with the peuish spirite of Poperie whych can abide nothing but that sauereth of your owne secte For els how many loud lying legends yea what legion of lies are daily vsed and receiued in the popish church What doltish dreames what fained myracles what blasphemous tales and frierly fables and idle inueÌtions fighting against the sincere religion doctrine and crosse of Christ And coulde you holde your penne from al these and finde nothing els to set your idlenesse on worke but onely to wryte agaynst the Lorde Cobham Syr Roger Acton Browne Onley Cowbrige with a fewe other whome wyth much a doe at length you haue sought out not so much for any true zeale to rebuke iniquitye as craftely seeking matter by these to deface and blemish the booke of Actes and Monumentes Which seemeth belike to make you scratche there where it itcheth not And if I shoulde after the like dealing take in hand your Popish portues and with like diligence excusse euery Popish martyr and Saint there canonised thinke you maister Cope I coulde not make you out halfe dosen as ranke traitours and rebels to their kings and princes as euer were any of these of your picking out What pope almost hath there bene these last 500. yeares whych hathe not bene a traitour to his Emperor and Prince and to his countrey either openly rebelling against them or priuely conspiring their destruction or proudly setting theyr feete vpon their necks or spurning their crownes of from their heads or making the sonne to fight against the father How many haue they deposed and set vp other in theyr seates how many Emperours and kings haue they wrongfully cursed What Consulles of Rome haue they resisted deposed and put to death What warres haue they raised vp against theyr owne countrey of Rome Yea the continuall holding of the City of Rome from hys lawfull Emperor what is it but a continuall poynt of treason What will you answere mee M. Cope to the Pope which conspired to let fall downe a stone vpon the Emperours head kneeling at his prayers pag. 177. And though this treachery being as big as a milstone seemed but a smal mote in your eye that it could not be espied yet what will you say by the Monke of Swinstede that poysoned king Iohn who was both absolued by his abbot before his treason committed and after hys treason had a perpetuall Masse songe for him to helpe hym out of Purgatorie And what thinke ye in your conscience is to be sayde of Thomas Becket who did inough and more then became him to set the French king and the king of Englande together by the eares Of Anselme likewise and of Stephen Langhton who departed both out of the Realme to complaine of their princes soueraines The like may be said also of Iohn Peckham Iohn Stradford Archbyshop of the same sea notoriously resisted the Kinges commaundement being sent for by king Edward 3. to come to the parliament at Yorke through the default of whose comming the present oportunitie of getting Scotland was the same time lost Richard Scrope Archb. of Yorke was opeÌly in armes to rebell fight against K. Henry 4. for the which he was condemned put to death And yet notwtstanding Commission was sent downe from the pope shortly after to excoÌmunicate them which put him to death his treason notwtstanding Read that story sincerely of pope Benedict 12. and of pope Clement 6. And see howe the traiterous rebellion of these two popes against Ludouicus their rightful Emperor can be defended Which Emperor at last was also empoysoned that not without the practise of Pope Clement as doth Hieronimus Marius credibly witnesse In the raigne of K. Edward the 2. mention was made before of Thomas Earle of Lancaster Who with a great number of other nobles and Barons of the realme rose in armour against their prince and therefore at lengthe were put to death as traitours And yet notwythstanding thys treason committed M. Cope if you be so ignorant in our stories that you know it not set your setters on to search and you shall finde it true that certaine Noble men went vp to Rome for the canonising of the sayde Thomas of Lancaster to be made a Saint and obtained the same In so much that in a certayne olde Calendare the name of the sayd S. Thomas of Lancaster is yet extant to be seene In the former booke of these Actes and Monumentes aboue about the pag. 353. or 354. mention was made of Edmund of Abbenden Archb. of Cant. whom although I do not disproue but rather commend in my history for his bold and sage counsail geuen vnto K. Henry the 3. and also for offering the censure of excommunication against the king in so necessary a cause yet notwithstanding the same Edmund afterward about his latter end went vp wyth a rebelling minde to complaine of his king vnto the Pope and in his iourney died before his return who afterward for the same was canonised by the Pope and now shineth among the Saints in the popes Calender Let vs come more neare to these dayes and times and consider the doings of Tho. Arundell Archb. of Canterb. Who being first deposed and exiled for hys contemptuous deserts against the king and afterward comming in wyth Henry Bolynbroke Duke of Herford in open armes and with main force rose against his natural and lawful king thinke you M. Cope thys is not as greate a poynte of treason as that which was done in Thiâkets fields And though he be not placed among the portuous Sainctâ yet I thinke nothing contrary but in your heart you will not greatly sticke to say Sancte Thoma ora pro nobis All these thinges well considered tell me M. Cope I pray you is treason suche a straunge and vnketh thyng in your pope catholike churche that your burning zeale of obedience to kings and princes can not read the story of the L. Cobham sir Roger Acton but your pen must needes be inflamed to wryte against them and yet so many traytors in your owne Calenders neither seene nor once spoken of And if the traiterous conspiracy and rebellion of so many your Calender Saintes committed against Emperours Kings and Princes can not stirre your zeale nor moue your pen Nor if the treason of pope Gregory 9. raising warre against his owne city of Rome and causing 30. thousande citizens in one battaile to be slaine pag. 281. deserueth not to be espied and accused as much as this treason of the Lorde Cobham yet what will you or can you answer to me M. Cope as touching the horrible treason of pope Gregory the 7. committed not against
king and to put him beside his cusshion And although for a time he dissembled his wrathfull mood till he might spye a time conuenient and a world to set forwarde his purpose at last finding occasion somewhat seruing to his mind he breaketh his hart to his two brethren to witte the Marques Mountacute the Archbishop of Yorke conspiring with them how to bring hys purpose about Then thought he also to proue a farre of the mind of the duke of Clarence king Edwards brother likewise obteined him geuing also to him his daughter in Mariage This matter being thus prepared agaynst the kyng the first flame of this coÌspiracy began to appeare in the north country Where the Northrenmen in short space gathering theÌselues in an open rebellion finding certaines of their wicked purpose came down from Yorke toward London Against whom was appoynted by the king W. lord Harbert Earle of Penbroke with the Lord Stafford and certayne other Captaynes to encounter The Yorkeshyre meÌ geuing the ouerthrow first to the lord Stafford theÌ to the Earle of Penbrok and his company of WelchmeÌ at Banbery fielde at last ioyning together with the army of the Earle of Warwicke and Duke of Clarence in the dead of the night secretly stealing one the kinges field at Wolney by Warwick killed the watch and tooke the king prisoner who first being in the castle of Warwicke then was conueyed by night to Midleham Castle in Yorkeshyre vnder the custody of the Archbishop of Yorke where he hauinge loose keeping and liberty to go on hunting meeting wyth syr William Standley syr Thomas of Brough and other his frendes was to good for his keepers and escaped the hands of his enemies and so came to York where he was well receiued from theÌce to Lankester where he met with the Lord Hastinges his Chamberlayne well accompanied by whose helpe he came safe to London After this tumult when reconciliation could not come to a perfect peace vnity although much labor was made by the nobility the Earle of Warwick raiseth vp a new war in Lincolnshyre the captaine wherof was Sir Rob. wels knight who shortly after being taken in battell wyth hys father and sir Thomas Dunocke were beheaded the residue casting away their coates ran away and fled geuing the name of the field called Losecoat field The erle of Warwicke after this put out of comfort and hope to preuayle at home fled out of England An. 1470. first to Calice then to Lewes the French king accompanyed with the Duke of Clarence The fame of the Earle of Warwicke and of his famous actes was at that time in great admiration aboue measure and so highly fauoured that both in England Fraunce all men were glad to behold his personage Wherfore the comming of this Earle of the Duke of Clarence was not a litle gratefull to the French king and no lesse oportune to Queene Margaret King Henryes wife and Prince Edward her sonne who also came to the Frenche Courte to meete and conferre together touching their affayres where a league betwene theÌ was coÌcluded moreouer a mariage betwene Edward prince of Wales Anne the secoÌd daughter of the Erle of Warwick was wrought Thus all things fasting luckely vpoÌ the Erles part beside the large offers and great promises made by the Frenche king on the best maner to set forwarde their purpose the Earle hauing also intelligence by letters that the harts almost of all men went with him and loÌged sore for his presence so that there lacked now but onely hast with al speed possible to returne he with the duke of Clarence wel fortified with the French nauy set forward toward England For so was it betwene them before decreed that they two should proue the first venture and then Queen Margaret with Prince Edward her sonne should folow after The ariuall of the Earle was not so soone heard of at Dartmouth in Deuonshyre but great coÌcourse of people by thousands went to him from all quarters to receiue welcome hym who immediatly made proclamation in the name of kyng Henry the sixt charging all men able to beare armour to prepare themselues to fight agaynst Edwarde Duke of Yorke vsurper of the Crowne Here lacked no freendes strength of men furniture nor pollicy conuenient for such a matter When king Edwarde who before not passing for the matter nor seking how either to haue stopped his iaÌding or els straight wayes to haue encountred with him before the gathering of his frendes but passing forth the time in hunting in hauking in all pleasure daliance had knowledge what great resort of multitudes incessantly repaired more and more dayly about the Erle and the Duke began now to prouide for remedy when it was to late Who trusting to much to his friendes and fortune before dyd nowe right well perceiue what a variable and inconstant thyng the people is especially here of EnglaÌd whose nature is neuer to be conteÌt long with the present state but alwayes delighting in newes seketh new variety of chaunges eyther enuying that which staÌdeth or els pitying that which is fallen Which inconstant mutability of the light people chaunging with the winde and wauering with the reede did well appeare in the course of this kinges story For he through the people when he was down was exalted now being exalted of the same was forsaken Wherby this is to be noted of all princes that as there is nothing in this mutable world firme and stable so is there no trust nor assurance to be made but onely in the fauor of God and in the promises of his word onely in Christ his sonne whose only kingdome shall neuer haue ende nor is subiecte to anye mutation These thinges thus passing in England on the Earles side agaynst king Edward he accompanyed with the Duke of Glocester his brother and the Lord Hastings who had maried the erle of Warwicks sister and yet was neuer vntrue to the king his maister and the Lord Seales brother to the Queene sent abroad to all his trusty frendes for furniture of able souldiors for defence of his person to wtstand his enemies WheÌ litle rescue few in effect would come the king himselfe so destitute departed to Lincolneshyre where he perceiuing his enemyes dayly to encrease vpon him all the countryes about to be in a tore making fiers singing songs crying king Henry king Henry a Warwicke a Warwicke and hearing moreouer his enemyes the Lancastrians to be within halfe a dayes iourney of him was aduised by his frendes to flie ouer the Sea to the Duke of Burgoyne which not long before had maryed king Edwardes sister ¶ Here might be thought by the common iudgement and pollicy of man peradueÌtnre that king Edward as he had in his handes the life of king Henry of his Queene and Prince so if hee had dispatched them out of the way
when as he might he had not fallen into this misery but because he tooke not the vauntage whiche time rather then godly reason gaue him therefore that sparing pitty of hys turned now to his confusion and ruine And certes I suppose no lesse but if the same case had fallen in these our pittlesse dayes in which charity now waxeth vtterly colde and humanitye is almost forgotten the occason of suche a tyme should not be so neglected But let vs here note and learn how godly simplicity alwayes in the end of thinges gayneth more then mans pollicy forsomuche as man worketh with the one but God worketh with the other And so farre is it of that the eueÌt and successe of thinges be gouerned by mans aduised pollicy or vnaduised affection in this world that that is iudged to be weaker that florisheth in man then that which is cast downe in the Lord as in the double case of both these kings may wel appeare And first let vs consider the case of king Edward who being so beset and compassed with euils and distresses on euery side first was compelled to take the washes betwene Lincolneshyre and Lynne which was no lesse daungerous to his life then it was vnsemely for his estate Being come to Linne in what perill was he there through the doubtfull mutabilitye of the townes men if he had beene known to his enemyes And how could he be but known if he had taried any space But though men and frends forsook him yet the mercy of God not forsaking the life of him which shewed mercy vnto other so prouided that at the same present there was an Englishe shippe and two hulkes of Holland ready to theyr iourney Thus king Edward wtout prouision without bag or baggage without clothsacke or male without store of money without rayment saue onely apparell for warre also without all frendes excepte onely his brother Duke of Glocester the Lord Scales Lord Hastinges with a fewe other trustye frendes to the number of 7. or 8. huÌdreth persons tooke shipping toward Holland at which time he was in no lesse ieoperdy almost on the sea then he was on the land For certayne Esterlinges hauing many shippes of warre which lay rouing the same tune on the sea and had done much domage the yeare before as well to the Englishe Marchauntes as to the French nation spying the kinges ship with seuen or eight gallaunt shippes made sayle after the king and hys company The kinges shippe was good of sayle and gate some ground albeit not much of the Esterlinges that she came to the coast of Halland before Alquemare and there cast anker for otherwise being an ebbing water they coulde not enter the hauen The Esterlings with theyr great shippes approched as nere as they could possible come for the low water purposing at the flond to obtein their pray so were like to do if the Lord had not there also prouided Mounsiour de Groun ture gouernour for Duke Charles in Holland at that season to be personally present in the towne of Alquemare who hearing of the ieopardy of the king being there at anker prohibited the Esterlings on payne of death not to meddle with any English men which were the Dukes frendes and alies Thus K. Edward well chastised of God for his wantonnes both by sea and land but not vtterly geueÌ ouer froÌ his protection escaping so many hard chauÌces was set on land with his company who there well refreshed newly apparelled were conducted to Hage Duke Charles at the hearing of the vnprosperous case and condition of king Edward his brother in lawe was greatly amased and perplexed in himself much casting and doubting what he should do For being then in war with the French king he could not well prouoke the Englishe nation agaynst him without his manifest greuaunce and decay neither yet could he without great shame and obloquy leaue the king his brother in that necessity Notwithstanding so he demannured himselfe through fayre speach pretending to the English men to ioyne part with the house of Lancaster being himselfe partly descended of the same family by his Graundmothers side that he both was his owne frend openly and the kinges friend couertly pretending that he did not and doing that he pretended not WheÌ tidings was spred in England of king Edwards flying innumerable people of al hands resorted to the Earle of Warwicke to take his part agaynst K. Edward a fewe onely except of his constant friends which tooke sanctuary Among whom was also Elizabeth his wife who desperat almost of all comfort tooke also sanctuarye at Westminster where she in great penury forsakeÌ was deliuered of a fayre sonne called Edw. which without all pompe was baptysed like another poore womans childe the Godfathers being the Abbot and Prior of Westminster the Godmother was Lady Scroope To make the story short the Earle of Warwick hauing now brought all things to his appetite vpon the 12. day of October rode to the Tower which was then deliuered to him and there tooke king Henry out of the ward placed him in the kinges lodging The 25. day of the sayd moneth the Duke of Clarence accoÌpanyed with the Erles of Warwick Shrewsbury and the Lord Standley with a great company brought him in a long gown of blew veluet thorow the hye streetes of London first to Paules Church to offer then to the bishops palace of London and there he resumed agayne the crowne royall an 1471. which he did not long enioy After this followed a Parliament in the whiche king Edwarde with all his partakers were iudged traytours Queene Margarete with her sonne Prince Edwarde all this while was tarying for a fayre winde thinking long belike till she came to an euill bargayne as it proued after For king Edwarde within sixe monethes after his departure out of Englande vnto the Duke of Burgoyne whether by letters from his frendes sollicitate or whether by his adueÌturous courage incited made instant sure to duke Charles his brother to rescue him with such power as he would bestow vpon him for he was fully resolued to defer the matter and to protract the time no longer The Duke damped in double feare in such a daungerous case notwithstanding ouercome by nature and affinity secretly caused to be deliuered to him 50000. Florence further caused foure great shippes to be appoynted for him in a hauen in Zeland where it was free for al men to come Also the same Duke had for him hired 14. shippes of the Esterlinges well appoynted taking band of them to serue him truely till he were landed in England and 15. dayes after Thus king Edwarde being furnished but onely with 2000. men of warre with more lucke then hope to speede sped his voyage into England and landed at Rauenspur in the coast of Yorkeshyre Although there was no way for the king with such a small
of the storie aboue prefixed AN. 632. Began the kingdom of the Saracens or Arabians after the death of mahumet the fiâft ringleader of the mischief which Savacens reigning in Babylon ouer Persia and Asia continued about 198. yeres An 667. Ierusale was taken of the Saracens These SaraceÌs after they had subdued Ormisda K. of Persia set vp to them selues a new kingdom calling their chiefe prince Calipha which signifieth a general Lord and vnder him Seriphes that is an vnder prince And againe vnder him their Soldan whych is a ruler or captaine vnder the which Soldanes all the prouinces were deuided And thus ruled obey the space abouesayd of 198. yeres An. 703. The Egyptians being weary of their subiection vnder the Romaines called for helpe of the Saracene Calipha and so casting of the Romains submitted themselues to the law of the Saraces and had also their Calipha and theyr Babylon called Cairus where their Calipha continued vnto Saraco or Syracinus 447. yeres An. 810. Mauginetus or Muchumetus the chiefe Sultan of Persia being at variance with Imbrael the Sultan of âabiâon feut for the aid of the turkes out of Sâychia ââ whoÌ when he had got the victorye against the Babilonians the sayd Turkes shortly after conquered the Persians and subdued their countrey within the space of 20â yeres An. 830. The SaraceÌs being ââ pussed ââ of Asia by the turkes wandered aboue Afrike Spayne and Italy and were ãâã uers places dispersed and ãâã An. 830. The Turke after they had expulsed the Saraâââour of Asia began to reigne in Asia in Persia in Arabia and there reigned without interruption til the comming of the Tartarians the space of 192. yeres An. 1009. The Turkes wanne the city of Herusalem froÌ the Saraâens which citie the Sultan of Egipt want againe ãâã the Turkes shortly after possessed the same till the comming of Gotfeldus An. 1051. Began the first king of the turkes called âaduke to raign in Asia and ioyned league with Calipha of Egypt and there raigned till the conquest of Gotfridus and the Christians the space of 46. yeres An. 1078. SolymaÌnus nephue to Aspasalem the turkish king in Asia otherwise called Turquinia subdued Capadocia which hath continued now since the space of 500. yeres An. 1099. Gotfridus Bulion duke of Lotharing a christeÌ prince taking his voiage into Asia with 700000. Christen soldiours first got the city of Nicea against the Sultane of the Turkes then Lycaonia Cilicia Syria afterwarde Mesopotamia and Comagena then Autiochia An. 1098. and the next yere recouered Hierusalem being then in the hands of the Saracens whych they a little before had wonne from the Turkes as is aforesayde After this Gorfridus succeded viij christian kings which kept the kingdome of Hierusalem and Asia both from the Turkes and Saracens the space of 88. yeres An. 1100. The Georgians which be a people of Armenia the greatye vaÌquisheââ the Turks out of the kingdom of Persia afâââ they had cutte their king in pieces wherby the Turks flying to Cappadoria there remained vnder Solynian ioyned them selues to the Solban of Egypt and waxed the strong in Asia minor couted now Turquinia An. 1170. When Americus the vii king of Hierusalem after Goufridus had ouercome the Calipha or Sultan of Egypt the Sultan being ouercome called for the help of Saracon the Sultane of Syria Thys Saracon after he had expulsed the christians out of Egypt ââoned his power against the Sultane of Egypt and vanquishing him tooke to him selfe the kingdome of Egypt Which kingdom he with his posteritie did holde till the comming of the Tartarians and the Mamaluches about the space of 88. yeres An. 1187. Saladinus the nephew of Saracon the Sultane of Egypt perceauing the dissention among the Christian states of Palestina got Antioche where he slewe Raymundus the Prince with hys owne hands Then got Tiberias From thence went to AccoÌ where he tooke Guido king of Hierusalem and Master of the Templares prisonners for whose raunsome the Turke had Ascalon yelded vp to him of the Christians That done he subdued Hierusalem whych had bene in the handes of the Christians before the space of An. 1189. Friderike Emp. Philip French king Rich king of Englande made their viage into Asia where Friderike washing in a riuer at Lilicia died In this voiage at the siege of Accon Saladinus wanne the fielde of our men of whome 2000. were slaine in the chase Accon at length was got of the Christians King Richarde got Cyprus The two kings tell at strife Phillip retired home without any good doing king Richarde laide siege to Hierusalem but in vaine and so returning homewarde was taken neare to Uienna in Austria after hee had taken truce before wyth the Soldane vppon such condition as pleased hym And thys good speede had the Popes sending out against the Turkes An. 1215. There was an other Councell holden at Rome by pope InnoceÌt 3. where was enacted a newe article of our faith for transubstantiation of bread and wine to be turned into the body and bloud of our sauiour In this Councell also great excitation was made by the Pope great preparation was through al Christendom to set forward for recouery of the holy laÌd A mighty army was collected of Dukes Lordes knights bishops Prelates that if Gods blessing had gone wyth them they myght haue gone throughout all Asia and India Anno 1219. The Christians after 18. monethes siege gotte a certaine towne in Egypte called Damiata or Elipolis wyth much a do but not much to the purpose For afterward as the christian army of the popes sending went aboute to besiege the Citie Cairus or Babylon the Sultane throughe his subtile traine so intrapped and inclosed them wythin the daunger of Nylus that they were constrained to render agayne the Citie Damiata with their prysonners and all the furniture thereof as they found it into the Souldanes hande and glad so wyth their liues to passe forwarde to Tyrus An. 1221. In the meane time the Egyptian Turke caused the Citie of Hierusalem to be rased that it should serue to no vse to the Christians What great thing els was done in that viage it doth not greatly appere in stories All be it Fridericus the 2. Emperour was not vnfrutefully there occupied and muche more myght haue done had it not bene for the violence and persecution of the Bishop of Rome against him whereby he was enforced to take truce wyth the Sultan for 10. yeres and so returned After which things done not many yeares after at lengthe the last citie of all belonging to the Christians which was Ptolomais or Aâââs was also taken from them by the Sultane so that now the christians had not one foote left in all Asia An. 1203. Thus the Christians being driuen out of Asia by the Sultans Turkes yet the sayd Turkes and Sultanes did not long enioy their victorie For estsoones the Lord stirred vp against them
they handes they could not beare that but incoÌtinent they put him besides the cushin The like also fell vp on Otho the 4. that folowed after Philip who was suffered no longer then foure yeares to raigne about the yeare of our Lord. 1209. Emperours kissing the Popes feete K. Iohns supplication to the Pope After this Friderick folowed his sonne CoÌradus whoÌ the foresayd Bishops for his disobedience soone dispatched exciting agaynst him in mortall warre the Lantgraue of Thuring wherby he was at length driuen into his kingdome of Naples and there deceased This Conradus had a sonne called Conradinus duke and prince of Suenia When this Conradinus after the decease of his father came to enioy his kingdome of Naples the sayd Bishops styrred vp against him Charles the french kings brother in such sort that through crafty conueyance both Couradinus which descended of the bloud of so many Emperours also Fridericke Duke of Austria were both takeÌ and after much wretched handling in theyr miserable induraunce vnseeming to theyr state at length were both brought vnder the axe by the Popes procurement and so both beheaded And thus ended the imperiall stock of Fridericke the first surnamed Barbarossa The like as happened to Fridericke the Emperor had almost also fallen vpon Philip the French king by Pope Boniface the 8. who because he could not haue his commodityes and reuenewes out of Fraunce after his will sent out his Bulles and letters patents to displace king Philip aforesayd and to possesse Albertus king of Romanes in his rowme And thus hitherto of forreigne storyes Now touching our countrey Princes here in Englande to speake somewhat likewise of them did not Pope Alexander the 3. presumptuously taking vpoÌ him where he had nothing to do to intermeddle with the kinges subiectes for the death of Becket the rebell albeit the king sufficiently cleared hym selfe thereof yet notwithstanding did he not wrongfullye bring the sayd king Henry 2. to such penaunce as it pleased him to enioyne also violently constrayne him to sweare obedience to the Sea of Rome pag. 227. The lyke also was shewed before in this story to happen to K. Iohn hys sonne For when the sayd king like a valiaunt Prince had held out the tyranny of those Bishops 7. yeares together were not all the Churches in England barred vp and hys inheritaunce with all his dominions geuen away by pope Innocent 3. to Ludouicus the French king and he afterward compelled to submitt both himselfe and to make hys whole Realme sedotary to the Byshops of Rome moreouer the king himselfe driuen also to surreÌder his crowne to Pandulphus the Popes Legate and so continued as a priuate person 5. dayes standing at the popes curtesy whether to receiue it agayne at his handes or no And when the nobles of the realme rose afterwarde agaynst the king for the same was not he then fayne to seeke and sue to the foresayd Pope for succour as by this his owne letter takeÌ out of the publicke roles may appeare Kyng Iohns Supplication to Pope Innocent the third REuerendis Domino suo Patri sanctis Innocentio Dei gratia Ioan. eadem gratia R. Angliae c. Cum Comites Barones Angliae nobis deuoti essent antequam nos nostram terram Domino vestro subia cere curassemus ex tunc in nos specialiter ob hoc sicut publice dicunt violenter insurguÌt Nos verò praeter Deum vos specialem dominum patronum habentes defensioneÌ nostram totius Regni quod vestrum esse credimus vestrae paternitati commissam nos quantum in nobis est curam solicitudinem istam vestrae resignamus dominationi deuotius supplicaÌtes quatenus in negotijs nostris quae vestra sunt coÌsilium auxilium efficax apponatis prout melius videritis expedire latores praesentium c. Teste meipso apud Dour 18. Septemb. 6. Pope Coelestinus 4. crowning the Emperour Henricus 6. with his feete Besides this king Henry 2. and king Iohn his sonne what kinges haue here reigned in Englande since theyr time vntill the raign of king Henry 8. who although they were prudent princes did what they could in prouiding agaynst the proude domination of these Bishoppes were forced at length sore agaynst theyr wils for feare to subiect themselues together with theyr subiects vnder theyr vsurped authority in so much as some of them as Math. Paris writeth by king Henry ye. 3. were sayne to stoupe and kisse their Legates knee ¶ The Image of Antichrist exalting himselfe in the Temple of God aboue all that is named God out of his owne Decrees Decretals Extrauagantes Pontificals c. word for worde as it is out of the sayde bookes here alleaged and quoted Henricus 4. Emperour Waiting 3. dayes vpon Pope Gregory 7. Image of Antichrist Henricus 4. Emperour surrendering his crowne to the Pope Image of Antichrist King Iohn offering his Crowne to Pandulphus Legate K. Henry 2. kissing the knee of the PopÌes Legat comming into England Fridericus i. Emperour shent for holding Pope Adrians styrrup on the wrong side The order of the Popes riding the Emperour holding his bridle and kinges going before him Ex Lib. Sacrar Ceremon lib. 1. The P. caried on mens shoulders the Emp. K. going before him Ex li. Sacrar Cer. lib. 1. And to the intent I would all men to see and vnderstaÌd that I lacke not witnesses moe besides these if I list to bring them out you shal heare the whole queare of my diuine clergy brought out with a full voyce testifying in my behalfe in their bookes tractations distinctions Titles Gloses and Summaryes as by their owne wordes here followeth Doctors agree in Purgatory A. Antoninus in Summulis Augustinus de Ancho in Decret A stefanus Midorita B. Baptista de Salum sua Baptistiniana Bonauentura C. Campensis lib. Controuersiarum Coclaeus D. Durandus in Speculo Dreido de eccles Scripturis Dogmat. E. Eduardus Peuellus Anglus contra Luthe Ecchius in Enchirid. F. Franciscus Fulgo G. Gabriel Biel. Spica Gaspar Gratianus in Decretis Gerson doctor Illuminatistimus ecclesiastica potestate H. Hugo Cardinalis in postilla Hostiensis Holkot Hosius I. Ioannes Andrea Innocentius Ioan. de Turie Cremata de ecclesia summa L. Lanfrancus contra Wiclef Lilius Historicum Anglus Lapus Laurentius M. Magister Sententiarum N. Nicolaus O. Ockam in Dialogo parte 1. lib. 5. Oytanus P. Petrus de Palude Petrus de Tuaram Petrus de Aliaco Panoâââtaââs Alexander de Alec R. Raymundus in SuÌma de Calibus Richardus Rabanus super Math. cap. 16. Rupertus Tuitiensis S. Scotus Doctor Subtilis T. Thomas Aquin. V. Vlricus W. Waldenss ⦠De Sacramentis The Pope say they being the vicare of Iesu Christ throughout the whole worlde in the stead of the liuing God hath that dominion and Lordship which christ here in earth would not haue although he had it in habitu but
England one for Greeke the other for latine Ex historia Guliel de Regibus Ang. Pleimondus teacher to king Alfred and after Bishop of Canterbury Bookes translated out of latine by K. Alfrede None permitted to haue any dignitie in the court except he were learned Polycron lib. 6. cap. 1. The Psalter translated into English by king Alfrede The cause why the king turned latine bookes into English Learned men sent for and placed about the king The dialoges of Gregory translated Neotus â Abbot The schole and vniuersitie of Oxford first begonneâ King Alfrede The newâ Colledge in Oxford Ioan. âââtus The aunswere of Ioannes Scotus to the French king Ioan Scotus translated Hierarchiam Dionâtij from Greek to Latine The booke of Ioannes Scotus called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ioannes Scotus adicted more to the Greeke Churche then the Latine Ioan Scotus accused of the pope for an heretike Ioannes Scotus slayne by hys owne scollers Ioan Scotus a Martyr This Ethelwitha builded first the house of Nunnes at Winchester The children of K. Alfrede All hys daughters learned The decease of King Alfred An. 901. Etheredus Plâimundus Athelmus Vlâelmus Odo Archb. of Canterbury 9. Popes in ix yeares at Rome Fermosus first Pope Ex Chroniâoâ Sigeberti Schismes among the Popes Character indâlebilis Whether the pope with hys Cardinals may erre Bonifacius 6. Pope Stephen 6. Pope Ex Chroni Martini panitentiarij Sigebert Ex Polych alijs Pope Theodorus 2. Pope Iohn 10. One councell burneth an others decrees Pope Benedictus 4. Pope Leo. 5. imprisoned and vnpoped by hys own chaplayne Pope Christoferus 1. Pope Sergius Pope Formosus after hys death be headed of Pope Sergius A false fayned myracle vpon the body of Formosus Popish miracles not to be credited Bearing of candels on Candlemas day how it came vp Pope ãâã Pope Lâââdo 1. Pope ãâã 11. Harloââ this time ruled ãâã Rome P. Iohn 1. P. Leo. 6. P. Stââ â restored Liuthpranâdus ãâã sis lib. 3. P. Steph. â P. Leo. â P. Marâ â P. Agapetus 2. Ordo Clâniacensis beginnââ King Edward the elder The Edwardes before the ââquest A comparison betweene Alfrede and hys sonne Edward Vse and long exercise of things maketh perfectnes Clyto Ethelwold rebelleth agaynst K. Edward An. 904. An. 913. Chesâer repayred and enlarged The Castle of Herford builded Castles builded vpon the riuer of Auene and Ouse The townes of Towcetour and wigmore builded The newe towne of Nottingham builded Thilwall Manchester repayred Elfleda Cittyes Townes and Castles builded by Elfleda The lawes of king Alfred and K. Edward Note howe kinges of England in tymes past had authoritie in spirituall causes Anno. 925. The Children of K Edward the elder Prince Ethelwald excellânt in learning Galiel de Regib The bringing vp of K. Edwardes Children King Ethelstine or Adelstane Duke Elfrede sodenly stroken by the hand of God for periury Guliel lib. de Regib in vita Ethelstani The copie of an old Cart of K. Ethelstane Anno. 927. Northumberland subdued to king Ethelstane The Scots subdued to the king of England It is more honour to make a king then to be a king A fabulous miracle falsely reported of king Athelstane Bristanus Byshop Anno. 933. A ridiculous miracle forged vpon Bristanus Byshop of Winchester A miracle of soules aunswering Amen A sore battaile sought at Brimford An other vnlike myracle of K. Athelstanâ sword Odo Archbishop of Cant. Analanus The North Brittaynes brought to tribute The South Brittaynes subdued K. Ethelstane seeketh the death of his owne brother A note to learne not to sowe discorde betwixt brother and brother The cause of building Abbeyes examined Otho first Emperour of the Germaine Precious iewels sent to king Ethelstane from the French K. Concerning one of the nayles wherewith our Sauiour Christ was crucified Kinges of England gouernors as well in ãâã ecclesiastical aâââmporall Extractum on legib ãâã Athelstane * alias ãâã * alias minoribus * alias scristes dictionum * alias seruitistimentalas * ãâã sunt * alias seristes mensia ãâã * in sua scrysiseyra A lawe how that maisters ought to condiscend and beare sometime with their seruauntes The law of king Ethelstane concerning tythes Tythes The K. woulde vsurpe no mans goodes wrongfully The law of K. Ethelstane concerning fealous stealing aboue xii d. Epitap in Ethelst Sol illustrauit bisseno scorpion ortu Cum regeÌ cauda percuâât ille sua Anno. 940. Edmundus kyng of England Ex historia Cariona Monkes put out of Eusham the yeare of our Lord. 941. The difference betweene Monkes and priestes Chastitie wroÌgly defined Holy mariage by the definition of Paphnutius is chastitie Monkes how they differed from Priestes and how they first began in England Guliel de pontiââââ The monâstery of Fââriake Oswaldes Byshop of Yorke a great paââââ of Monkery Guliel lin 3. de pontif The origââ of monkery how it first began in England Dunstane Abbot of Glastonbury The sonnes of King Edmund The impâdent vanitie of the Popes Churche in forgyng false myracles Guliel lib. 1. de pont The monastery of Glastonbury Dunstane Abbot of Glostanbury The Abbey of Glostenbury was first builded by K. Iue by the couÌsell of Adelmus after beyng destroyed by the Danes Guliel lib. 2. de Regib The lawes of king Edmunde touching as well the state spirituall as temporall Vlstanus Archbishop of Yorke Odo Arch. of Canterbury Guliel de pont lib. 1. Polycron lib. 6. ca. 6. Odo made monke at Floriake after he was Archb. of CaÌterbury Guliel de pont lib. 1. Guliel lib. 3. de pont Ebor. The difference of habite and garmentes among men of the Church False and lying myracles noted vpon Odo A note to the reader Transubstantiation not yet receaued The letter of Odo Archb. to the prelates Elsinus Archb. of Caunt elect S. Edmundesbury The children of King Edmund Anno. 946. Edrede gouernour of the Realme Dunstane made byshop of Wirceter and after of London With lye and all K. Edwyne Anno. 955. The king suspensed by the Archbishop K. Edwyne an enemye to Monkes Monkes put out and seculâr priestes placed in their roomes The death of K. Edwyne Anno. 959. K. Edgar called Pacificus Dunstane made Bysh. of Worceter and of London Ex hist. Rog. Houenden Spirituall liuinges geuen by the king and not by the Pope Oswaldââ byshop of Worceter and after â Yorke Ethelwâââ byshop of Wint. a great âââtayner of Monkery An. 96â Ex Guliel Malmâsâârieââ de gostis ponâââ Aâg Monkishe dreames Dreames not necessary to be regarded Difference of dreames How and wheÌ monks first began to swarme in England Dunstane Ethelwold Oswald three setters vp of Monkishe religion 40. Monasteries builded and repayred by K. Edgar Priestes thrust out of Cathedrall houses and monkes set in Roger Houeden lib. Continuationum post BedaÌ Chronicon Iornalense Guliel de gestis pontifi lib. 1. Oswald Byshop of Wytceter and Archb. of Yorke The pollicy of Oswald in driuing out priestes to place
to the king Houeden referreth not this saiâing to the Bishop of London but to the Archbishop of Yorke Becket called traytor of the king and of all hys nobles A blinde zeale for the proud liberties of the Church Who so taketh Beckets part is counted a rebells Becket cited to Rome vpon periury by the Byshops Becket condemned of periurie Becket cited to Rome Becket called to a full accompt Ex Rogero Houedeno Becket iudged to be layd in prison Ex quadripartita historia lib. 1 cap. 38. Becket appealeth to the Pope Becket thinketh not sufficient the protection of God without the pope Becket flyeth out of the court Becket chaungeth his name and is called Derman Histories differ something in the order of hys flight The Frâââ king supporteth Becket agaynst the king of England Ambassadour ãâã to the ãâã Theories of the earl of Aâââ to the ãâã The Pope râââdereth Beckets cause against the âing Becket coÌplayneth of the king to the pope Repentance for his well doyng Beckets argument the Pope brought him not in but the K. Ergo God brought him not in And why might ye not M. Becket resigne it as well to his handes of whome ye tooke it A consultation betweene the Pope and the Cardinals about Beckets matter Becket in banishment ãâã yeares The kinges decrees Anno. 1166. Beckets kindred banished These monkes were of the Cisteââan order Becket complayneth of his prince to the Pope To keepe vnder the pride of prelates is no cause sufficient to vnking a Prince If ye meane by spiritual things such as pertaine to the spirituall part of man I graunt but your liberties be not such as which pertayne to the inward or spirituall man but râther are thinges more corporall Peââââyeth ãâ¦ã buâ ãâã cause maketh ãâã true persecution 5. 6. 7. 9. * Note the Iudgement of God against this Becket who was slaine at his masse making the bodie of Christ. Answers the Popes letter Fredeâike falsly compared to Pharao but this was ãâã clawe the pope withââ Becket a stubburne trespasser Ergo no martyr A letter of Becket to the byshop of Norwych The Bishop of London excommunicated This Bishop was excommunicated because he set in the Deane of Salesbury without the licence of him being then beyoÌde the seas A sâditious complaint of Becket to the pope against his king Godly articles condemned by Becket Becket repreheÌded for complayning of his king Excommunication abused in priuate reuenge about lands and possessions The letters of the Byshops to Becket The coÌmendation of K. Henry 2. ãâã his meekenes and moderation Scripture in wordes rightly aledged but falsly applyed I deny your Minor M. Becket The church of Christ caÌnot be ouerthrowen Ergo Bec. ought not to be resisted Seruitude and libertie of the Church wrongfully defined The wordes of holy scripture clarkely applyed Turne to thee Nay turne thou to the Lord and thou shalt be saued The soule of the Church is the libertie of the Church Faith Becket Vnbeseeming wordes of high presumption Christ is not iudged in the persons of any traytor CoÌscience made where is none But he leaueth out here the maââr of his comming to the court and the sturdines of his behauiour Becket seemeth here more skilfull of his masse booke then of the booke of holy scripture either els hee might see it no new thing in the old law for kings to depriue priestes and to place whom they would Kings in the old law did not intermedle with the Priestes office in some thinges that were forbidden But yet kinges were officers ouer priestes to correct them when they did amisse If ye meane of Achaâ and Oze in the old testament then we denie your Minor They be the successours and sonnes of âaints not that holde the places of sainctes but that doe the workes of saints Hierom. If the king had bene an adulterer or tyrant against the true doctrine or preaching of Christ then might this reason serue and God more to be obeyed then maÌ Now where did Bec. learne that the king in his temporall right was not to be obeyed Take heede ye marre all and ye open that dore This Iohn was called â schismaââââ because he tooke paââ with Reginald Aâââ of Colen the Emperour against Alexander the Pope Clemenââ decree Diuers ãâã of excommunication The councel speaââ of such which be worthely excommunicated This Gregory otherâââ called HiâdebraÌd ãâã he that ãâã tooke away priestes mariage condemning ãâã priestes for fornicators which had wiues Discussing of a true appellation The forme of a true appellation One person can not both be the appeale maker and the partie appealed Though the Popes lawe will not defend them yet the lawe of the scripture will and doth The letter of the Empresse to Becket Anno. 1169. Becket stirring vp the French king against the king of England A communication betweene Becket and the Cardinalles Beckets addition Becket would neither stand to iudgement nor triall Becket lâueth benâ his bisâopricke thââ the peace â the churchd for all his gaye talice Becket coÌmeth in with his ãâã addition Saluo honore Die Becket âââged with vnkindenâ The kings offer to Becket both charitable and reasonable The words of the FreÌcâ king This maior if it had bin ioyned with a good Minor had made a good argument Exquaâilogo Anno. 1170. The Bishop of London excommunicated with foure other Byshops suspeÌded The cause of the kinges wrath against Becket Becket returneth out of banishment Ex Rogerio Houedono The wordes of the king which were the cause of Beckets death If the Papistes will needes measure the successe of things by seasons and wether then must they by that reason condemne the cause of Becket his aduersaries hauing such forwardnes of wether in doing their feate The talke betwene the foure souldiers and Tho. Becket The stout heart of Becket Anno. 1171. The death of Tho. Becket What is to be thought or iudged of Thomas Becket What is to be thought whether Thomas Becket dyed a sainct or not The puââtion of âââket iudââ not cauââ call Becket âââged with presumpââ and laâââ diserâtion Ambiâââ noted in Becket ââ not resâââ but taâing his promotion Byshopâ against ãâã wils thâââ into their byshopâââ Ex chroââco Nenâââgensit Acta Beckets improbatâ Ex Caesario Monacho lib. 8. dialo cap. 69. Whether Tho. Becket be saued or damned If God in these latter dayes geueth no mirâcles to glorifie the glory of his own sonne much lesse wil he giue myracles to glorifie Thomas Becket Liber de miraculis b. thomae autore monacho quodam Cantuar Miracles of Beâ considered Aqua Cantuariensis Singing at the masse forbidden by Tho. Becket after his death A blasphemous lye Beck aboue the Martirs in heauen A place prepared in heauen for Becket xii yeares before his death An impudent and a lying myracle Ex historia monachs Cantiâa de miraculiib Thomae A blasphemous vision A false and impudent myracle The blasphemous antheme ãâã Becket Tu per
his Castels The B of Ely clotheth himself in a womans apparell A Fisherman taketh the B. of Ely to be a woman The B. of Ely in a womans apparell found to be a man Bayted of women by the Seas side Cast in a darke cellar in stead of a prison Set at libertie by Iohn Earle of Morton The B of Ely giueth lx markes to be receiued with procession The Bish. of Ely complayneth to the King and the Pope The letter of Pope Celestine in the behalfe of the Bish. of Ely his Legate The B. of Ely bold vpon the Popes fauour The names of many which stoode against the B. of Ely appointed to be excommunicated The Bish of Ely complayneth to the king of the Earle of Morton his brother Anno. 1192. Strife betweene the B. of Ely the Archb. of Roan Pope Celestine standeth in excuse of the Bish. of Ely The Bish. of Ely with the kinges letters commeth again into England What discord doth The french king returneth from Palestina Ann. 1193. K Richard returneth from Palestina Confederacy of the French ãâã and Earle Iohn against king Richard Earle Iohn besieged aâ Wyndsore Anno. 1195. Ex Chroâââ cui titulus Eulogium The iust punishment ãâã God vpon the Dukeâ Austrige An. 1196. The answer of k. Richard to his brother Anno. 1197. 3. daughters of the king âoted He that all would haue shall all forgoe Couetous greedines plagued The death of k. Richard the first K. Richard forgeueth him that killed him Ex bibliotheca Cariensi Ex Gualtero Hemyngford monacho Gisburâensi Vaine feare of purgatory Ex Iornal Gisburnensi alijs Monks put ouâ and secular priestes receiued King Iohn Arthur of Britayne A communication betweene the king of england and the French king Marlage in the 3. degree forbidden by the pope Anno. 1200. Anno. 1202. Nat. Paretti in vita Ioannis Regis Arthur Anno. 1203. Normandy lost and gotten by the French meÌ Anno. 1205. Striuing for the election of the Archb. of Cant. Anno. 1206. Prelates of the Church had theÌ money inough belike that they could keepe play at Rome against their prince Which thing caused the princes after to seeke such meanes to cut them short Anno. 1207. Disseâââ among the Monâes ãâã Cant ãâã the elecâââ of the ãâã The pride and tyranââ of the Pope Stephen Langton made archb of Canterbury The king doth expostulate with the Pope ãâã consecrating Stephen Langton Archb. of Cant. The Popes letters ansâââng K. John It is pity but this Pope should be honoured of kinges and princes A pitifull case that a king cannot constitute an archb within his owne realme who him most liketh Note the proceedings of this ambitious pope Tho. Becket he meaneth Princes must be subiect to the pope Foure byshops appointed to interdict the realme England interdicted by the pope Discipline of the church abused for priuate reuenge The inconsiderate stoutnes of the prelates against the king Stephen LaÌghton stout against his kyng The king moued against the Archb. Langton Two legates sent from the Pope Restitution required of the king Sentence of the popes curse pronounced against the king The Pope author of rebellion and disobedience of subiectes towardes their prince Like master lyke man Pandolph worse aiâ then hurt The Poââ great curse The iust punishment of God vpon disobedient subiecteâ The Pope founde a murtherer Anno. 1212. French shipâ takeÌ by englishmen Peter the false Prophet The false prophet fouÌd a lyar The false prophet proueâ a lyer of K. Iohn The false prophet hanged K. Iohn submitteth him selfe to the Pope K. Iohn entreateth for peace with the Pope K Iohn submitteth himselfe and resigneth his crowne The draught of instrument âbligatory where in king Iohn resigneth his kyngdome to the Popes hand Christ was offâred a kingdom and would none of it but the Pope dâth not refuse it The vnreasonablenes of the clergy against their naturall Prince Anno. 1215. The councell of Lateran holden by pope Innocent The Pope to haue iurisdictioÌ of all Churches Ioánes Scotus Transubâââtiation ãâã brought Mariage of priestes forbidden by Pope Inoâcent Stephen Langhton suspended out of the Church Appeale to the generaâl councell Ann. 1215. The discord betwene the nobles and the kyng Gualo Cardinall sent into EnglaÌd The French kyng and his sonne reasoning about England Prelates and priâstes conspiring against the kyng Anno. 1216. Walter Gray Archb. of York Gualo the popes Legate Radul Niger cap. 43. 44. The popes curse laught to scorn Pandulphus the Popes collector made bishop of Norwich Mat. Paris Radul Niger cap. 47. The great prouidence of God for the helpe of Englande Pope Innocent the third dyeth K. Iohn poysoned by a Monke Ex Chronico cui titulus Eulogium Ex Math. Paris The saying of K. Iohn deryding the Masse Ex Caxtono lib. 7. Woebeââ you that ãâã good euiâl and euill good SimoÌ Monââ absolued oâ his Abbot for poysoning hiââing The ãâã dyeth ãâã own ãâã The ãâã of K. ãâã A ãâã be ãâã his ãâã K. ãâã ried ãâã ceter ãâã 12ââ The wordâ K. Iohn Another description of kyng Iohns death Ex histor Gâalt Hemyngford âisburnensi âhe first âaior of LoÌâon ãâã Henry the ãâã rd ââe issue of ãâã g Iohn ãâã example ãâã worthy ãâã faithfull ânsailour ãâã oration âhe Earle shall for ãâã ng kyng ãâã ty ãâã ly said ãâã you per ãâã ed him ãâã ersecu ãâã ye were ãâã true maÌ ãâã ur own ãâã al king ãâã well ãâã Eng ãâã cry out ãâã urblind ãâã es and ãâã s on ãâã Chron. ãâã Gis ãâã K. Henry the 3. crowned Berkhamstead and Hartford taken by Lewes Lincolne taken by Lewes Anno. 1217. This Eustace some say he was a Spanyard A noble victory by Gods grace giueÌ to K. Iohns sonne Ex Math. Parisiensi Lewes the freÌch kings sonne âââuen out of Englande The answere of the French king concerning his sonne Lewes Ex Florilego An admonition to Englishmen not to admit foreine rulers into the realme It is a bad wind that bloweth no man profit Money coÌming into the Pope and Cardinall Hugo B. of Lincolne redemeth his Bishopricke for a 1000. marks Ex Mat. Paris in vita Reg. Henri 3. Pope innocent the third Pope Honorius the third The effect of the letter of Pope Honorius the 3. to king Henry the 3. Ex parisien A straunge tale of pope Honorius if it be true Ex Abbate Vrsperg in Chronico An. 1218. K. Henry âfirmed ãâã liberties âââted by ãâã Iohn Two âââlings of ââry plââââ land grââted to ãâã Henry Tâââ Becket âââned Ex histor D. Scales W. Marshal dieth and was buried at the Teâple Anno. 1219. Aliens comaundeâ out of Eââlande Faukes de Breut âââleth a ãâã king Heâââ Ex Parâens Anno. 1220. K. Henry crowned ãâã second ãâã at Wesâââster Pope Innocentius The deedes and decrees of pope Innocent 3. Almerieus condemned Ioachim Ab bas condemned Priuate riches brought in Bell and caÌdle before the sacrameÌt Canon of the masse
1000 marks The fift part of all the goods of the clergy granted to the Pope Great expence of money in the court of Rome betweene the B. of Lincoln and the Cathedrall Church Money wast fully bestow ed. Mony comming to the Pope betweene the b. of Lincoln the monks within his Dioces How pretely the Pope can take with both handes Money may doe much at Rome The popes answere to Rob Grosted Iustice peruented by the popes authoritie for money Money comyng to the Pope by the election of Boniface archb of Cant. and of Ethelmare B. of Wint. both straÌgers and French men Mariage with Alinore the kings sister a Nunne dispensed by the Pope for money What inconuenience commeth by the Popes dispensations Wilfull periurie mainteined by the Popes dispensations Enormities which spring out of the popes dispensations The miserable impouerishing of the Realme by the popes prouisions and contributions Cardinall Otho Legate in England The receiuing of Otho the popes Legate into the Realm Anno. 1237. Otho the Legate seeketh to come into Scotlande The king of Scottes his answere to Cardinall Otho The ãâã of Seaâââ hath ãâã ãâã within ãâã popes Legate Cardinal Otho ãâã ped ãâã ing into Sââ land Oppression of the ãâã of Englââ by Cardiâââ Otho the popes Legaââ Anno. 1238. The nobles of England writ to Pope Gregory ãâã collationââ benefices wrasled or of their ãâã Petrus Rubeus the popes ãâã All beneââ ced men in England ââ pelled to geue theââ part of the reuenewes to the pope anno ââââ Anno. 1240. Excuses of the Clergy why they would not contribute â the Pope âoc childreÌ of Rome âlaced in benefices in England Edmund Archb. of Cant. deparâeth the âealme and dyeth in exile Three thousand pounds to the popes âse Romaynes 23. brought to Englande to be benefited The P. for money releaseth christias of their âowâ Mumelius 20 other messenger of the pope An exectable exaction of the pope vpon the house of Peterborough Abbot of Pe terborough thrust out of the popes court The obligation of kyng Iohns tribute to the pope burned The bishops of England put their handes and seales to the popes bill Petrus Rubeus Petrus de Supino the Popes collectors in England A thousand and fiue hundreth markes broughâ out of Ireland for the Pope M. Martinus aâ other messenger for the Popes money an 1244. Extortion of the Popes Legate vpon the clergie of Englando Contribution of x. M. markes for the Pope The pope craftely holdeth with the kyng that the king might holde with him Intimation geuen to the king touching the importable oppression of the realme by the Pope K. Henries letter to the Pope The kyng offereth to kisse the Popes feet Damage receiued by the pope in the realme of England The pope prouisions The kinges too much in subiection to the pope Ex Mat. Paris sol 172. The pope setteth Welch men against the king of England Contribution required of the clergie of England for the pope with their excuses and reasons against the same The portes of England layd to stop the popes letters yet all would not serue Siââe ãâã land ãâã yerely ãâã out of ãâã landâââ Pope ãâã Italia ãâã M. Martinââ the Popes legate serâ out of Enâ land in the deuils ãâã The pope in displeasure with the king of England * ãâã lot The ãâã wordes of the pope against the French ãâã and king of England Anno. 1245. The supplication of ãâã Lords and commons of England ãâã the Pope The superstitious ãâã ding of neonasterics in England Iniuries receiued in England by the Pope Benefices in âuglande wickedly giuen a way to Italians Three score thousande markes yerely giuen to Italians out of the church of England Italians receiued more in this land of meer reÌts then did the kings crown Detestable dealings of the popes legate in England Complaint of M. Martin âhe Popes Legate K. HeÌry the âhird vsed euery day to âeare 3. masâes by note The stout wordes of the Lordes âo the Pope The suppliâation of the English naâion tooke no place with the Pope The Englishe Ambassadours agreeued with the Pope The Pope in an anger with England The Bishops of England set their seales to the popes tribute Anno. 1246. The pope stirreth Lewes the French king to warre against the K. of Englande Lewes the freÌch kyng refuseth to warre against Englande The first yeares fruites for seuen yeares gathered of all benefices for the Archb. of Cant. The prelates of England charged to find horse and harnes for Popes warres A subtile practise of the pope The popes baite layde for more money A new lawe of the pope to season vpon all the goods of clergie men that die intestate A note of certaine ecclesiasticall persons dying in England worth great substance Sixe thousand marks to be gathered of the clergie of Englande for the Pope The king beginneth to withstand the Pope but durst not holde out The Pope in a chafe The wordes of Ioannes Anglicuâ Cardinall to the Pope The miserable troubles of christendome Of Spaine he meaneth because the king of Aragone a litle before had cut off the tongue of a certaine B. that did reprehend him Paris fol. 207. Power giuen to the Bish. of Worcester to interdict the land The K. fayne to relent to the Pope 238. Of this diuision read before pag. 282. The Grecians vsed to washe their altar if any latin masse had bene saide vpon them Ex Actâs concilââ Lateranââsis cap. 4. Goods gotten by vsury attached for the Pope Excommunication abused False âââlutiââ oâ sinnes Vsurarie prauâlas Goods ãâã in dead â wils for restitution eâuâted to the Pope Goods ââbequetheâ in deâd ãâã willes coâ uerted to war agaiâââ the Gââeââ Goods ââgotten coâuerted ãâã Pope Abseloâ for ãâã An vâââânable eââ on of the Pope Non ãâã Three âân thousande poundes ââacted of ââ clergie to â payde to ââ Pope A Parliament Letter sent the Pope the name all the eâtes com âaltie of âe realme âote fooles âuâingiuing the âhurch so âuch âhe Pope âââking beââe EnglaÌd â swimme âth golde ââd siluer The popes ââswere aâaine to the ââng of England The Pope âalfe in his promise Note the subtle practise of the pope to get money The Bishop of Lincolnes answere to the Friers the Popes messengers The Abbot of S. Albons maketh great sute to the Pope for the 400. markes that he should pay This Iohannes Anglicus was the more fierce against the Abbot because hee receiued him not with such reuerence as hee thought meete for the popes legate Example howe this Realme of England was oppressed miserably by the Pope The Abbot of AbbingdoÌ cited to appeare before the Pope The Abbot of Abingdon condemned in 50. markes for denying of an english benefice to an Italian the Popes nephew A detestable extortion of the pope vsâd against the priorie of Binham The Grecians excused purged in parting froÌ the Church of Rome The miseries that haue risen in
to release him of his oath The Popes absolution abused The answer of the nobles again to the kyng The controuersie betweene the king the Nobles put in comprimis The Pope releaseth the K. of his oath Wicked make-bates Ex Flor. hist. in Anno. 1261. Bishops going about to recouer benefices appropriate froÌ religious houses Ex Florilego ibid. Pope Alexander dyeth Pope Vibane Anno. 1267. A new release of the kings oth from Rome with this epitaph Hic pudor Hypoliti Paridis gerasensus Vlisiss Eneaepietas Hectoris ira iacet The Welchmen rebell The pâouisions of Oxford again graunted by the kyng The kings palace at Wellm. brent with fire Vsury punished for taking aboue â pence a weeke in a pounde Anno. 1263. The Nobles rysing against the straungers hauing the commodities of the realme Peter of Hereford a Burgundian a rich Byshop Iohn Maunsell a rich priest The kyng agayn agreeth with the Nobles The Queene a great cause of this debate The sorme of peace concluded betweene the king and the Nobles The castle of Windsor recoue red out of the handes of strauÌgers Manet alta meÌte repostum iudicinum Paridis c. Virg. The sentence of the french king with the king of England against the Barons Ex Flor. hist. ex Gisbur alijs Warre betwene the king and the Barons beginneth Vniuersitie of Oxford remoued for a tyme to Northampton Anno. 1264. The Nobles taken at Northampton SimoÌ MouÌtfort the youÌger taken prisoner The scholers of Oxford stout against the kyng The studeÌts of Oxford spared The Lords taken at NorthamtoÌ Earle Simon Mountfort sayneth him selfe sicke Rochester besieged of the Barons The Kyng sâuaneth London The letter of the Lords in the kyng The answer of the king to the Lords The letter of Richard K. of Almaine and prince Edward to the Barons The battaile of Lewes betwene the king and the Barons beginneth Richard king of Almaine with his sonne taken prisoners The kings main battaile at Lewes discomforted and the king fayne to take the Abbey Prince Edward returning from the first chase findeth altogether lost The prince fighteth a new battell Prince Edward also put to the worit and fame to take the town The Castle of Lewes besieged A peace intreated betweene the king Barones The two princes giuen in hostage The kyngs souldiours in TuÌbridge after they had spoyled the Londners at Crowdown kept themselues in garison at Bristow Earle Simon after this victory beareth himselfe so slout theâ he imprisoneth the hostages of the kings The death of Pope Vrbane Pope Clement 4. Pope Clement first a maried man had wife and children Thomas Aquine Boâuenture âders at Paâis Ann. 1265. Dissentââ betweene Earle Simon and the Earle of Glocester The Earle of Glocester and Roger Mortimer conspire together against Earle Symon Prince Edward escapeth froÌ out of the custody of Earle Simon by a trayne The Earle ãâã Ienâââh about ãâã in all ãâã gatheâââh a pow-ââ The first enterprise of prince Edward after his escape by the meanes of a spie The disposing of the princes battayle against the Earle Simon fought at Eusham Prince Edwarâs host descâiââ whereat the Earle was much abashed The wordes of Earle Simon to his sonne K. Henry almost slain in the battell at length knowen by his voice resâued by his sonne Earle Simon his sonne and many moe Lordes and Barons slaine at this battell of Eusham Anno. 1266. A parliament summoned at Winchester where K. Henry was againe restored to his regalitie Kenilworth castle besieged of the king Kenilworth decree against the disherited Kenilworth decree gaynsayd by diuers Kenilworth castle yelded vp to the king before the returne of the messengers out of Fraunce The tenthââ graunted to the Kâây autoritie Apostolicall A new assembly of the Barons at Chester field where they had the ouerthrow All the confederates of SymoÌ Meiâfort with their childreÌ disherited by the king SimoÌ MouÌtfort and his confederates excommunicated by the Popes Legate Tenths graÌted by the pope to the kyng and queene for vij yeares Anno. 1247. The castle of Kenilworth again besieged An other assembly of the Barons at Axioline and discomforture of them The Iewes spoyled and slain at Lincolne The Barons fortified the Ileland of Elye The I le of Ely assaulted and entred by prince Edward The king kept out of London 40 dayes by the Barons and Citizens A peace coÌcluded betweene the Barons and the kyng The statutes of Marleberge A conuocation holden at London by Octobonus the popes legat The Legates departing out of Englande Valuation taken of all Churches by Octoborus the Popes Legate Pensions out of Cathedrall and conuentuall churches paide to the popes clarks Pope Clement the 4. dyeth Pope Gregory the 10. The mariage of Edmund Earle of Lancaster Edward the kyng confessour shrined The Byshop of Sarum put from his consecratioÌ The death and slaughter of L. Richarde the kings sonne of Almaine at ViterbiuÌ Anno. 1270. The death of Boniface Archbish. of Cant. Adam Chelindene elected Archb. of Cant. Appellation from the K. to the Pope by the MoÌks of Cant. Adam Chelindene goeth vp to Rome Variance betweene the officiall of Cant. and the prior of Douer Appellation to Rome Adam Chelindon resigneth to the Pope Rob. Kilwatby Archb. of Cant. The coÌcordance The great expedition to inuade the Turke stayed by the concluding of a peace The great voyage of the freÌch kyng against the Turkes turned to a mony matter The clemeÌcie of prince Edwards toward the poore souldiers A great shipwracke of the Christians lying at anchor a litle from Trapes Money euil got as euill lost Non habet eueÌtus sordida praeda bonos Ex scala mundi Ex Gualt Gisburn Ex Flor. hist. Prince Edward and his men preserued from the tempest The integritie of Prince Edward rewarded of God Prince Edward arriueth at Acra and taketh Nazareth The Noble men of Cyprus shew their fidelitie to the Prince and kings of England A guilefull deceipt of the Saracens practised against prince Edwarde Ex Gosb Scala mundi The messenger searched before he came to the princes presence Prince Edward wounded hââ with an inuenemed knise of the Turkes messenger The Prince in perill of death by reason of his hurt is comforted ãâã phisitionâ The Prince restored to health and the Soldian forl weareth himselfe The Prince returneth out of Turky toward England a-againe A day of âorte in Fraunce appointed which turned to good earnest A conspiracy of the French men against the Englishmen Exercise of battaile vsed in stede of Barrioâs and Torney The victorie of the prince and English men against the Earle of Chalons Frenchmen Prince Edward was in Vasconia at the time of his fathers death Anno. 1272. Pope Clement the 4. dyeth Pope Gregory the 10. Ex Annalibus Silesiae The Tartarians make great spoile in Christendome The Seythians army lyke locustes Kyng Henry slaine and his army vanquished Nine sackes full of Christians cares being slain
prison and so kept a long time The birth of prince Edward The expedition of king Edward into Scotland The Scottish times K. Edward wasâââh and destroyeth the realme of Scotlande Barwicke besieged and yeelded vp to the king The K. entreth the towne of Barwicke appointeth the captaine therof Sir Robâ de Aâtois a ââble maâââ Fraâââ inciteth the â to prolecââ his title in Fraunce The king delibeââââ with his councell ââcerning the title of Fraunce Embassadors are ââ to the ãâã of Heynaâ concerning the title The Embassadours âeturne with answere Ed the Erle ãâã pleaseth the kyng K. Philip of France heareth of the kings purpose and stayeth his viage of the Croisie K. Edward assigned lieâtenant Generall of the Empyre The first viage of kâââ Edward iâââ Fraunce Southampton buâââ of the French men The Scottes styrâed vp against England by the French K. The Pope cause of the kings remoâing out of Fraunce Anno. 1340. The king of England taketh the title of Fraunce K. Edward to the nobles and coÌmons of Fraunce The title of France how it came to K. Edward Note the grosenes of this tyme when the blâud of Christ was thought but only dedicated to the holy land Southampton burnt spoyled by the French men Counsaile of the Archb. geuen to the king Battel vpon the sea betweene kyng Edward and Frenchmen The Frenchmen beaten vpon the sea The wordes of the foole to the French kyng The letters of K. Edward to the Byshops of England A cââncâl at Villenorth Flaunders Brabant and Hennalt take part with kyng Edward The letter of king Edward to the FreÌch kyng The answere of the FreÌch K to K. Edward The Scottes ââde Englâââ Henborough recoâered from the Englishmen by the Scottes Tourney besieged Articles of truce K. Edward returneth from Tourney The kyng deceiued by his officers No bishop must be imprisoned by the Popes lawe Couetous officers Iohn Stratford Archb. of Cant. The kyngs letter to the Dean and chapter of Paules Archbish. of Cant falâe to the king Euil officers displaced by the kyng Archbish. of Cant. ãâã to all the clergie The Archb. of Cant. de ãâã to ãâã to the ãâã The Archb. ãâã with ãâ¦ã ingratitude The Archb. ãâã of the âyng The Archb. ââuseth his office ãâ¦ã The letter of the Archbishop to the kyng Good counsellers necessary about a kyng Excommunication in his owne priuate cause abused The returne of the kings army from Tourney Anno. 1341. Truce taken for three yeares betweene K. Edward and the French king Anno. 1342. Pope Clement 6. Ex Chron. Albanens The kyng disanulleth the Popes prouision The Poges procurators driuen out of England A letter of the Nobles commons of England to the pope Decay of the Church of England by the Pope The Popes message to the king The kings aunswere to the Popes message Anno. 1344. The Castle in Windsore enlarged The rounde table builded in Windsore Tenthes graunted to the king by the clergy for 3. yeares Priuileges granted by the king to the clergie By this it is lyke that priestes had wiues Prince Edward first prince of Wales Anno. 1345. Henry Erle after made duke of Lancaster sent ouer to Gasconie A rare example of a liberal captaine to his soldiours The liberall heart and constant voyce of a worthy captain The Scots partly a meane of breaking truce Anno. 1346. The 1. viaââ of K. Edw. into France The battell at Caââân The kingâet ters of defiance against the French king The Popes legate surreth vp war ââke legate ââke Pope A letter of the kings coÌâcllor touching his actes doing at Cardoyn The Cardinalâ againe entreate for peace The kyngs answere to the Cardinals The French kyng sheweth no carefull study of peace The kings comming to Pusiacke Anno. 1346. Siege of Calys Dauid king of Scots inuadeth England The Scots ouerthrowen Dauid the Scottishe K. taken prisoner K. Edward answereth to the pope The kyng appealeth from the P. to God Offers made to the men of Flaunders to forsake K. Edwarde The Dolphin with the French discomfited at Casseles Anno. 1347. The French king flyeth before the battaile The towne of Calice wonne Truce coÌcluded betweene England Fraunce Anno. 1348. A vehement pestilence in England Now called the Charterhouse church yard Anno. 1350. Calice almost lost by treason The death of the French king Anno. 1351. The towne of Gwynes taken Anno. 1352. Victory of Syr Roger Bentele First Duke of Lancaster Anno. 1354. Pope innocent 6. Chron. Adamâ Murimouth canonici D. Paulâ de gestis Edw. I. Ann. 1355. The third viage of K. Edward into Fraunce The French K. refuseth to ioyne in battell with kyng Edward Fiftie shillings for euery sack of wooll caryed out of England The custome of wooll for sixe yeres 1500000. poundes sterling to king Edward Anno. 1356. The French K. taken prisoner by prince Edward Euery Scute valuing 6. shillings 8. pence Marsilius Patauinus author of the booke called Defensor paces Article of Marsilius against the Pope Merites cause of saluation sine qua non Marsilius condemned of the Pope Extrau cap. Licet intra doctrinam Ioannes GaÌdenensis condemned by the pope Guillermus Ockam wrote against the pope Michael generall of the gray fryers excommunicated for an heretike Ascentionis in praesatione eius aeutoris The dialogue betwene the souldier and the clarke of Ockams making Eight questions disputed by Ocham Gregorius Ariminensis mainteineth the same doctrine nowe receiued Ex Trithemio Andreas de Castro and Burdianus both gospellers 200. yeares agoe Eudo duke of BurguÌdy against the popes decrees about 200. yeares since Ex Charolo Molinao Dante 's an ItaliaÌ writer against the Pope Donation of Constantine a thing forged The pope the whore of Babilon Ex lib. Iornandi Pope Antichrist An admonition to the Romans Taulerus of Germany a preacher against the popes proceedings Franciscus petrarcha Vide 20 epistolam Francisci Petrarcha Rome the mother and schole of errour Ioannes de rupe scissa Iohn cast into pââââ Church of Rome the whore of Babilon The reformation of the Church before prophesied Conradus Hager The Masse to be no sacrifice Conradus cast in prison Ex bullis quibusdam Otthonis Epis Herbipeli Ponitentiarius Asini. The pope and his spiritualitie coÌfederate against the laitie The pope maketh the Emperour lay meÌ Aâââ Gerhardus Ridder a writer against moÌkes and friers Michael Cesenas Petrus de Corbaria condemned of the Pope Ioannes de Poliaco The opinioÌs of Michael against the Pope Michael Cesenas depryued and coÌdemned of the Pope Martyres Ioannes de Castilione Franciscus de Arcatara burned Archbyshoppes of Cant. the ãâã succeeding the other New Colledge in Oxforde founded an 1366. Pope Innocent 6. Two Franciscanes burned at Auinion Ioan. Rochtaylada Martyr Ex Chron. Henrici de Herfordia The church of Rome declared to be the whore of Babilon by Gods reuelatioÌ Kochtaylada with an other Frier Martyrsâ A priest for casting the popes bull before the popes feete scourged cast in
Martir Men of Amersham burnt in the cheeke for Gods word Anno. 1506. Tho. Chase Martir Tho. Chase brought before the B. Tho. Chase condeÌned to the Bishops prison at Wooburne called little ease A worthy almes of a Bishop The perfect patience constancy of Tho. Chase. Tho. Chase cruelly murthered in the Bishops prison Tho. Chase falsely slauÌdered to hang himselfe God bringeth to light the secret murthers of the papistes Math. 10. Luke 12. Tho. Norice Martir Anno. 1507. Elizabeth Sampson Anno. 1508 Laurence Ghest Martir LaureÌce Ghest two yeares in prison at Salisbury Laurence would not be turned for wyfe nor childreÌ Laurence died a Martir Witnes to the story A notable storke of a faithfull woman burned in Chippingsadbery D. Whittington Chauncellour a persecutour A faithfull Christian womaÌ and Martir burned at Chippingsadbery A comparison betweene butchers and the popes murthering ministers A rare speciall example of the iust punishment of God vpon a persecutour D. Whittington slaine of a Bull. Witnes to the story The state of the commoÌ wealth comonly foloweth the state of the church The duetie of princes to defend their subiectes froÌ the slaughter of the Church of Rome Ex comenta riis Phil Co minaei De bello Neapolitano lib 3. Vid supra pag. 731. The prophesie of Hierome Sauonarola Note Vide Phil. CominaeuÌ de bello Neopol lib. 5. De bello Neopolit lib. 5. Examples of kinges of England which were blessed of God with long prosperitie being enemies to the byshops of Rome Augustus reigned 55 yeares Vide supra pag. 340. Vide supra pag. 352. Vide supra pag. 383. What difference betweene moderat princes and theÌ that were persecutors The death of K. Henry 7. Couentry men persecuted I. Blomstone The power of Peter flitteth not to his successours Purgatory denied Images not to be worshipped Richard HeghaÌ Merites condemned Images serue rather to be burned then to be worshipped Robert Crowther Against Pilgrimage Iohn Smith The Lordes prayer to be in Englishe Roger Browne Against Pilgrimage Fleshe eating in Lent Against Purgatory and confession auricular Against confessioÌ satisfactioÌ Thomas Butler Against Purgatory Against merites Iohn Falkes Against Images It is heresie to say a stone is a stone a blocke is a blocke Richar. Hilmin Scripture in Englishe Margery Goyt Against the Sacrament of the Aultar Picus MiraÌdula Earle This Thomas LaÌghton was elected Archbysh but died before he was confirmed Ecclesiasticall lawes ordeined by auncient kings of this Realme Ecclesiastical lawes of king Ina. King Alure des lawes K. Edwards lawes K. Ethelstanes lawes K. EdmuÌdes lawes K. Edgars lawes King Ethelrede lawes King Canutus lawes Kinges of England before the Conguest gouernours as well in causes Ecclesiasticall as temporall WheÌ kinges of England came first vnder the Popes subiection The martirdome of good bishops vnder wicked Emperours in the primitiue Church The true riches of the Church described The first rising of the Bishops of Rome A declaration of Saint Paules wordes The Pope matching himselfe euen with God Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople subdued by B. of Rome The Emperours Lieuetenaunt of Rauenna subdued by the Lumbardes and Romaine Byshops Boniface 3. obtained of Phocas to be called vniuersall byshop Pope Zachary putteth downe Childericus the French K. and serteth Pipinus in his place Pipinus and Carolus Magnus set vp by pope Zachachary How the Byshops of Rome came first to be the head Byshops of the Church Donation of Constantine a thing false and forged Pâpe Gregory 5. practiseth with the Germains to reduce the Empyre to Germany an 1002. Otho first Germaine Emperour Emperours brought to kisse the popes feete Henricus 4. accursed wayteth at the popes gate 3. daies Rodulphus and at last his owne sonne set vp to fight against him Read before pag. 179. Pope Alexander 3. treadeth vpon the necke of Fredericke Emperour Pope Celestine crowneth Henry 5. Emperour with his feete and with his foote spurneth the crown from his head agayne Warre raysed against Conradus by the Byshops of Rome Ex Auentino The insolencie of Pope Boniface 8. against Philip French kyng The tyrannous iniuries of Byshops of Rome agaynst kings of England Pope Alexander 3. against Kyng Henry 2. Pope Innocent 3. against king Iohn Ex Rotulo patent De anno Regni Reg. Ioannis 8 K. Iohns supplication to Pope Innocent 3 H. Henry 3. kissing the knee of the popes Legat Ex D. Paulo 2. Thess. 2. 186 Ioan Dreido De Dogmatibus vanis Lib. 4. 187 Hugo in Glosa Dist. 40. c. Non Net 188 Glos. in Caus. 11. q. 3. cap. Absis 189 Glosa in c. 11. q. 3. Si. inimicus 190 Hostiensis in cap. Quanto De transl praeb 192 Ex summacasuum fratris Baptistae 192 Ex Citatione Henr. Bulling de fine seculi Orat. Prima Item ex citatione Iacobi Andre ae aduersus Hosliââ Lib 5. Item excitatione Hier. Marij in Actis 2. Diui. 193 Pope Nicolaâs Dist. 96. c. Satis 194 1â q. r. Sacerdotibus 195 12. q. r. FuturaÌ 196 Decretal De Transl. epist. c. p. Quanto Thus ye may see it verified that S. Paul prophesieth of the aduersary sitting in the temple as God and boasting himselfe aboue all that is named God c. 2. Thess. 2. 197 Pope Nicolaus Causa 15. q. 6. c. Autoritatem 198 Pope Martin Dist. 14 â cap. Lector 199 Pope Gregorius Innior 32. q. 7. cap. Quod proposuisti 200 Pope Inno. 4. Sext. Decretal De sententia excom cap. Dilecto 201 Pope Alexander 3. De Decimis cap. Ex parte 202 Pope Nicolaus â5 q. 6. Autoritatem 203 De elect elect potestate Significasti in Glosa 204 Baptista de Salis. in Summa casuum ex panormitano 205 pope Innoc. 4. De elect Venerabilem 206 Ext. De Iureiurando cap. Venientes Item Dist. De Elect Significasti in Glosa 207 Pope Martinus 5. Extra cap. Regimini Vniuersalis ecclesiae 208 Pope Vibanus 2. Câââ 23. q. 5. c Excommunicatorum 209 Pope Nicolaus Caus. 25. q. 6. Autoritatem 210 Ibidem 211 Dist. â2 â praesbyter 212 pope pelagius Dist. 34 cap. Fratââ tatis 213 Baptista de Salis. fol. 24. q. 1. Quoties Extr. de translat c. Inter 3. q. 6. Quamuis 9. q. 3. Deniq 16. q. 1. Frater 2. q. 6. Ideo Extr. De restitutione cap Cum venissent 7. q. 1. temporis 16. q. 1 Felix 16. q. 1. Et Christus Extr. De vota Ex multa Extr. de statu monachi c Cum ad Extr. De iuramento cap Venientes Extra De iudicio c. At si clerici Extr. de Bigamia c. nuper Extr. de clerico noÌ ord ministrante Extr. De corpore vitiatis Dist. 55. Dist. 50. Miror Extr. De sententia excom ca. Cum illorum Extr. De filajs praesbyt c. Is qui. Extr De praebend c. De multa Extr. De elect cap. Cum nobis Extr. De aetate qualit Generalem Dist. 15. per totum 9. q. 3. Per principale De elect cap. VenerabileÌ Extr. De officio legati c. Querenti 9. q. 3. Aliorum Extr. De templi ordine c. Cum in Distrib Extr. De vsu palij cap. Ad honorem Extr. De elect c. Dudum Ext. de elec c. venerabileÌ Tractatu De censuris Ext. De elect c. Innocuit Extra De religione veneratione Sanct. cap. 1 Extrau De praebendâca De multa Extrau Qui. si sint leg cap. Tanta 9 q. 3. cap. Vltimo Extrau De Sentent re Indie c. In causis Extrau De elect cap. Quod sicut Extrau De restit spo Literas Extrau De praescript c. vlt. De Iudicio c. Nouit Thomas Extrau Qui. si sint legit c. Pervenerabilom Petrus de Palude lib. 4. Secundum Thomam in 4. 9. q. 3. Per principalem Distinct. 40. Si Papa Ibidem Dist. 32. cap. Praeter hoc â Verum The riches and possessions of the Pope 214. Dist. 96. Constantinus 215. Ex Commentarins Theodorici Niemi quem citat Illyricus in Catalogo restium fol. 228. 216. Dist. 96. Constantinus 217. Antoâinus in âumma Maiore 3. Parte 218. Ex lib. GranominuÌ nationis Germanicae Aboue fiftie byshopprickes in Germany Aeneas Syluius 219. Sext Decret De penis cap. Felicis in Glosa Ité De priuilegiâs c. Autoritaté in Glosa 220 Pope Bonifacius 8. Ext. De Maio. obed c. Vnam sanctam 221. Ibid. âIâ Monethes Reuelat. xi lii yeares a halfe iij. dayes a halfe Reuelat. xi A time times and halfe a time Reuelat. xij M.CCLX dayes Reuelat. xij The tying losing agayne of Sathan Reuelat. 20.
and remembraunce beleued that a man ought not to coÌfesse his sinnes to a Priest This Article he also confessed that he doubted vpon Now remayneth to declare what these doctors aforesayd concluded vpon the articles whose aunswere vnto the same was this First of all as touching the first article they sayde that the article in the same termes as it was propouÌded is not simply an heresy but an error Item as touching the second article the doctors agree as in the first Item as touching the third Article they affirme that it is an heresy Vnto the fourth Article they aunswered as vnto the first and second Item the doctors affirme the 5. article to be an heresy Item as touching the 6. Article the doctors conclude that if the sayd Nicholas being of perfect mind and remeÌbrance did doubt whether the sacrament of the aulter were the very perfect body of Christ or no then that Article is simply an heresy Wherupon the sayd Commissary declared pronounced the sayd Nicholas Canon vpoÌ the determinatioÌ of the foresaid doctors to be an heretick and therupon forced the sayd Nicholas to abiure all the sayd Articles That done he enioined the sayd Nicholas penance for his offeÌces thre displinges about the cloyster of the Cathedrall Churche of Norwich before a solemne procession bare headed barefoote carying a Taper of halfe a pound in his hand going after the maner aforesayd like a mere peniteÌtiary the which his penance the iudge commaunded should be respited vntill the comming of the Bishop into his dioces and that in the meane time he should be kept in prison to the end that he should not infect the flock with his venune and poyson of errors and heresyes Thus haue we briefly discoursed vnto you the greate troubles and afflictions which happened in Norfolke and Suffolke by the space of those 4. yeares before mentioned hauing drawen out briefly for euery yere certayne notable examples sufficient for the declaration of all the rest for so much as their opinions being nothing different theyr penaunce and punishment did also nothing differ otherwise then by those particuler examples may be playnely seene Thomas Bagley Priest ANd now to proceede as we haue begon with our former storyes generally we find in Fabians Chronicles that in the same yere of our Lord. 1431. Thomas Bagley a priest Vicar of Monenden beside Malden being a valiant disciple and adherent of wickliffe was condemned by the Byshops of heresy at London about the midst of Lent was disgraded and burned in Smithfield ¶ Paule Craw a Bohemian THe same yeare also was Paule Crawe a Bohemian taken at S. Andrewes by the Bishop Henry and deliuered ouer to the secular power to be burnt for holding contrary opinions vnto the Church of Rome touching the sacrameÌt of the Lords supper the worshipping of Sainets auricular confession with other of Wicklesses opinions The story of Thomas Rhedon a French man and a Carmelite Frier burnt in Italy for the profession of Christ. WE haue declared before how this cruell storme of persecution which first began with vs in England after it had long raged heere against many good and godly men it brake out passed into Boheme and after within a short time the fire of this persecution increasing by little and little inuaded Scotland and from thence now wyth greater force and violence this furious deuouring flame hath entred Italy and suffereth not any part of the world to be free from the murther and slaughter of most good godly men It hapned about this time that one Thomas Rhedon a Frier of that sect which taketh his name of the mount Carmelus by chance came with the VenetiaÌ Ausbassadours into Italy This maÌ although he was of that fort and secte which in stead of Christians are called Carmelites yet was he of a farre other religion vnderstood the word of God iudging that God ought not to be worshipped neither in that mount nor at Ierusalem onely but in spirit truth This man being a true Carmelite â fauoring with his whole hart that new sweet must of Iesu Christ with earnest study desire seeking after a ChristiaÌ integritie of life prepared himselfe first to go into ââly trusting that he should find there or else in no place sonne by whole good life and liuing he might be editied and instructed For where ought more aboundance of verme good liuing to be then in that place which is counted to be the forte and fountaine of all religion And how could it otherwise be but that wheras so great holines is professed wherupon all mens cies are bent as vpon a stage vnderas S. Peters seate is and is thought to be the ruler gouernour of all the Church all things should florish and abesid worthy of so great expectatioÌ in that place This holy man hauing these things before his eies and considering the same with himselfe forsooke his owne countrey Citie went vnto Rome conceiuing a firme sure hope that by the example of so many notable and worthy me he should greatly profile in godlines learning but the successe of the matter did vtterly frustrate his hope for all things were cleane coÌtrary Whatsoeuer he saw was nothing else but meere dissimulatioÌ and hypocrisie In stead of gold he found nothing but coales and for to say the truth he found nothing else there but gold and siluer In stead of heauenly gifts there raigned amongst them the pompe and pride of the world In place of godlines riot In stead of learning and study douthfulnes and superstition Tyrannie and hautinesse of mind had possessed the place of Apostolicke simplicitie that now there remained no more any place or libertie for a man to learne that whiche hee knew not or to teach that which he perfectly vnderstoode Finally all things were turned artic versie all things hapned vnto him contrary to his expectation wheresoeuer he went But nothing so much offended this good mas mind as the intolerable ambition and pompous pride in them whome example of humilitie should especially commend and praise to the whole worlde And albeit that hee saw here nothing which did accord agree with the rule of the Apostles yet these things did so much passe all measure and pacience that he could by no meanes resraine his long in so great abuse and corruption of the Church seing such ambitions pride in their buildings apparell in their places in their daintie fare in their great traynes of seruants in their horsse and armour finally in all things pertaining vnto them Which things how much they did vary from the prescript rule of the Gospel so much the more was this good maÌ forced to speake Albeit he did well vnderstand how litle he shoulde preuaile by speaking for if admonition would profite any thing at all the bookes of Wicklesse and diuers other were not wanting The famous testimonies of Iohn Hus
the first persecution by the church of Rome againste the Albingenses or waldenses about Tolous Bitures and Auinion Of whome 17. M. the same time were slaine by the Popes crossed souldiors Among whom frier Dominicke was then the chiefest doer About whyche time also was Frier Frances of which two came the two orders of begging Friers al which began much about one time together An. 1215. which were nere within 20. yeres after the kingdome of the Christians was taken of the Turkes according to the Prophesie aboue sayd It followeth moreouer in Methodius That in hys time al Lordship domination shal cease and geue ouer c. The verity whereof we see noâe accomplished in the Pope For where the Pope with his double sword and triple crown doeth come there all seculare power must geue place both Emperors Kings and Princes must stoupe So king Iohn yeelded vp his crowne to Pandulsus the popes Legate and was in his hand 5. daies An. 12â7 Childerike the French K. had hys crowne taken from him and geuen to Pipine An. 747. Henricus 4. Emperor was forced to submit hymselfe and his scepter to Pope Hildebrand An. 1077. Fridoricus Barbarossa Emperour in Saint Markes Church in Uenice was faine to lay downe hys necke vnder the Pope Alexanders feete Anno 1277. Which Fridericke also before was faine to holde the stirroppe to Pope Adrian c. What should I speake of the Ambassadour of Uenice named Franciscus Dandulus who being sent to Pope Clement the 5. was made to lie vnder the Popes cable like a dog gather vp the croms meÌcioned in Sabel Enn. 9. li. 7. Henry the 3. being Emperor had hys diademe first set on with the feete of the Pope and afterwarde strocken off from his head with the Popes foote againe And what shall I speake more hereof when as Carolus Magnus submitted himselfe so lowe to kisse the feete of Pope Leo. An. 800. It foloweth then in the prophesie of Methodius That in the tribulation of those dayes shall be sent from God two speciall Prophettes Enoch and Hely to reprooue and disclose the fraudulent falsehode of Antichrist and that many seeing his delusion shall forsake him and followe them Wherat Antichrist being greeued shall kill them c. We neuer read yet in any story of any suche two Prophets to be sent either to the Saracens or to the Turkes Wheras against the Pope we read Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prage two learned Martyrs Prophets of God to haue bene sent to haue reproued and described the Anatomie of Antichrist and at last to haue bene burned for their labor And what Prophet can speake more plainely either Enoch or Hely then did Hierom of Prage prophesying of the comming of Martin Luther an C. yeres after him when the Pope and his fellowes should answere to God and to him The time we see came iust Nowe let the Pope see with his fellowes what answer they can make The true plate of Hus and Hierome among the Bohemians It followeth further in Methodius concludyng hys prophecie And then sayth he shall appeare the comming of the sonne of man in the clouds of heauen with celestial glory c. Wherefore after the burning of these two notable Prophets with many other thousands burned also since their time by the B. of Rome it is to be thought that the comming of Christes iudgement in the clouds is not farre of Veni cito Domine Amen And thus muche touching Methodius of whose prophecies how much or how little is to be estemed I leaue it indifferent vnto the reader For me it shal suffice simply to haue recited his wordes as I finde them in his booke contained noting this by that way that of this booke of Methodius De nouissimis temporibus neither Hierome in his Cataloge nor Suidas nor yet Auentinus in the place where hee entreateth purposely of such prophecies maketh any mention As touching Hildegardus Brigit other whome the French cal Bardi for their songs prophetical verses sufficient hath ben alleaged before out of Anentinus who in his 3. booke of Chronicles wryting of the testimonies of Hildegard Brigit and Bardi seemeth to grounde vppon them that the Turkes whether we wil or not shal haue their Imperiall seate at Colen And I pray God that it come not to passe that the Turke do geue some attempt against England by the seas before that he come to Colen by land c. Greuity causeth me to cut of many testimonies and reuelations of these abouesaide or els I could here rehearse the propheticall wordes of Brigit lib. 4. cap. 57. concerning the City and Church of Rome which as she sayth must be purged and scoured with 3. things to wit with sharpe sword with fire and with the plough and that God wil doe with that Citie as one that remoueth plants out of one place vnto an other and finally that the Citie of Rome shall susteine the sentence as if a Iudge should commaund the skin to be flaine off the bloude to be drawne from the flesh and the flesh to be cut in small peces the bones therof to be broken so that all the mary may be quised out from the same c. But for breuitie I let Brigit passe something wil declare out of Erythrea Sybilla in her booke of prophecies found in S. Georges church in Uenice where she prophesying many things of the birth of Christ vnder Augustus and of the birth of Iohn Baptist of baptisme of the Apostles of the conuersion of the Gentiles and of Constantinus c. hath these words After that the peaceable Bull shall conclude all the climes of the world vnder tribute in those daies a heauenly lambe shal come and the dayes shal come wheÌ the power of the flowing streame shal be magnified in water the Lyon the Monarche shal be conuerted to the Lambe which shall shine to all men and subuert kingdomes Moreouer sayeth Sybilla In the latter age God shall bee huÌbled and the diuine ofspring shal be abased Deitie shal be ioyned with humanity the Lambe shal lie in hay and God maÌ shall be bred vp vnder a maidens attendance signes and woÌdershal go before amoÌgest the circumcised c. Also an aged womaÌ shal coÌceiue a childe hauing knowledge of things to come The Worlde shall maruell at Bowtes the starre which shall be a leader to his birth He hauing 32. feete and 6. thumbes shal chuse to himself out of ââsners and abiectes the number of 12. and one deuill not wyth ââorde nor with battel c. And afterwarde thus followeth moreouer in Sybilia saying The health of the lambe lying shal be clothed with a fewe spoiles of the Lyon Blacke shal be turned into red He shall subdue the citie of Aeneas and kings but in the booke of the fisher In deiectioÌ and pouertie he shall coÌquere