AN Epitome of Frossard OR A Summarie Collection of the most memorable Histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the State of England and France Wherin the famous Warres and Conquests of king Edward the third with the honorable atchieuements of the Blacke Prince and other his sonnes both in Fraunce Spaine and Portugall are compendiously described Entermixed with other historicall occurrents of those times very worthy and profitable to be had in remembrance Compiled in Latine by Iohn Sleydane and translated into English By P. Golding AT LONDON ⧠Printed by Tho Purfoot for Per Golding 1608. ¶ Cum Priuilegio An Epitome of Frossard OR A summarie collection of the most memorable histories contained in his Chronicle chiefly concerning the state of England and Fraunce The first Booke PHillip surnamed the faire King of Fraunce had three Sonnes Lewis Phillip and Charles and one daughter The two eldest succeeding one another and deceasing without issue left the kingdome by descent to their brother Charles This Charles had a Sonne but he dyed very young during the life of his Father The daughter of King Phillip and sister to Charles was married to Edward the second King of England who begat of her a Sonne named Edward of whose most noble disposition stout courage and princely vertues honourable mention is made in many places of this worke There is a saying in Homer that Children for the most part prooue worse then their parents seldome any better but in this King it fell out otherwise For his father was a man of euill disposition much giuen to ryot and excesse and greatly led by sicophants and flatterers of which sort the principall were twoo Noble men of the house of the Spencers These so bewitched the Kings minde that by their counsell and instigation hee put to death some twoo and twenty of the chiefest Barons of England and not so contented banished also his Wife and her Son wholy out of the Realme But the Queene at length through the assistance of her faithfull friends beeing brought backe with her Sonne into England not onlye exacted most seuere punishment vppon those flatterers the Father and the Son but further for diuers graue and weighty considerations by authority of Parliament remooued her husband from ruling the state as a person vnfit for gouernment and restrained him to safe custodie Which done the worthy Prince Edward a most vertuous Son of a most vitious Father who before had liued in exile with his Mother as is already declared was crowned King of England at London by the name of Edward the Third in the Sixteenth yeare of his age and the yeare of our Lord 1326. He tooke to Wife Phillip the daughter of William Earle of Henault and Holland whome he had formerly begun to fancy amongst the rest of her Sisters at such time as he came with his mother as a banished person out of England into Henault But the Peeres of Fraunce after the death of King Charles would in no wise admit his Sister matched to the King of England to the succession of the crowne because it was now of old receiued as a custome in that country not to leaue the charge of so great a Kingdome to bee mannaged by the discretion of women Wherevppon they likewise renounced Edward the Third her Sonne and Grand-childe to King Phillip as descending of the female line and so with one consent they gaue the scepter and soueraignty to Phillip of Valoys cousen germain to King Phillip deceased Vppon this occasion ensued most cruell warres and bitter enmity Edward the Third presuming that he had more rightfull interest and a better title to the kingdome of Fraunce then Phillip of Valoys And to further this quarrell it so fell out that a certain Noble man of great account called Robert of Artoys one who had been long of singuler respect and estimation with King Phillip at length falling in his disfauor was banished the Court and could be suffered to rest in no place by reason of the kings displeasure This man after many wandrings at last arriued in England where hee found quiet harbour and abiding and being by the King entertained as a counsellor ceased not by his perswasions to prouoke and stirre him vp to armes against the French King King Edward purposing to warre vppon Phillip sollicited the frendshippe of the Flemmings at that time remaining scarce in due obedience of their Lord whereof the French King hauing intelligence by the helpe of the Earle of Flanders thē soiourning in his Court he procured certain places of Flaunders to bee fortified where the English men must of necessity passe when they should come into Fraunce The King of England sent his forces against them and in a pitched field the Flemmings were ouer throwne and chased And further for the better dispatch of his affaires and to compasse the fauour of the Germaine Princes the King of England came himselfe to Antwerpe where he entred into a league of amitie with the Dukes of Gelders and Iuliers the Archbishop of Colen and diuers others And that the Emperour should take no offence thereat it was concluded the Duke of Iuliers should be addressed vnto him in the name of the King of England and the rest to acquainte him with these proceedings The Emperour was so farre from dislike of the matter that he also created the King of England Lievetenant Generall of the Romaine Empire The chiefe cause why Lewis of Bauier the Emperour so highly honoured the King of England was for that he hoped during the tumults of the warres hee might happily take some opportunity to recouer againe the Citie of Cambray which being indeed a Citie imperiall was notwithstanding with-holden from him by the French men The French King in the meane while contracted a league with Dauid King of Scottes who for the same purpose came with his Wife to Paris Hee sent also a power into Scotland to molest the English at home that thereby their forces might be more weakened and the King of Englands puissance abated The King of England proceeding in his purpose with the power of his confederates besieged Cambray to recouer it againe to the Empire But the Citie was so well prouided both of munition and victuall that hee attempted it in vaine wherefore abandoning the siege hee passed with his forces into Fraunce Assoone as the English army was entred into Fraunce the Earle of Henault who of late succeeded in the roome of his deceased Father and had been present at the siege of Cambray as a matter of dutye in regard it concerned the Empire refused now any longer to serue the King of England for feare of displeasing the French King because hee thought that in this warre the King of England rather intended his own busines then the affaires of the Empire The French King at such time as his enemies forces were aduanced against him and that the armyes on both sides stoode ready raunged in order of battell
enemie Moreouer being besieged in a certaine Castle and put to great distresse when for the most part all that were about her perswaded to yeeld shee alone amongst men persisted in opinion to the contrarie and with this resolution held it out so long till at last the English forces which had wandred a great while vppon the Seas arriued to her rescue A certaine French captaine called Lewis of Spaine tooke the Citie of Dinant in Britaine by composition the Citizens hauing slaine their gouernour in the market place because he refused to yeeld it Another Citie neere adioyning named Gerand was taken by the same Captaine by force where not so much as Children and little infants nor the Temples consecrated to Gods seruice could escape the vttermost rigour of warre but were all destroyed with fire and Sword The Duke was much displeased with this impious cruelty and worthylie caused the authors of such wickednesse to be hanged He also receiued the citie of Vannes vppon composition without consent of the captaine and many other places besides To be short diuerse encounters passed both by Sea and Land with variable fortune on both sides A towne and Castle in those partes called Hamibout was assaulted with great violence but defended with more valour for therin at that time remayned the Duchesse of Britaine whome wee spake of before The French men perceiuing they spent their time in vaine and that Winter began to approach perswaded Charles of Bloys to dismisse his Armie and withall to take a truce and place his souldiers in Garrison It was so done and the Duchesse sayled ouer to the King of England who sent an Armie into Britaine against the French men About this time the noble men of England counselled their King to take a stedfast truce with the Scottes for three yeeres space if it might be shewing how great a burthen it would be to him to supporte so huge a charged of wars round about him in Scotland on the one side in Fraunce on the other Herevppon Ambassadours were sent to the Scottish King but nothing could be effected for he would determine vppon nothing without the French kings counsell The King of England mooued therewithall raysed a mightie power in purpose to bring the Scottes to vtter subuersion But in the meane time by the mediation of good men a truce was obtained stablished The English Armie which we spake of erewhile met with the French kings fleete well appointed vppon the coast of Britaine There they encountred one another and continued in fight till within the euening Somewhat before midnight there arose a very dangerous tempest which scattered them in such sort that they were separated more then an hundreth miles asunder In this conflict also the Countesse of Mountfort her selfe performed knightly seruice At length the English men recouered a hauen not farre from the City of Vannes at that time in possession of the French men where putting on land their forces they valiantly approched the Citie And in conclusion diuiding their army into three partes with two of them they fiercely assaulted the town in two seuerall places in the night season and whilste al men resorted thither to make resistance they brought the rest of their forces to a place vnfortified and so entred the towne putting all that were in it eyther to the Sword or to flight There were two French Lords which had the custody of this towne whome it full sorely greeued to see the Citie thus taken Therefore assembling such forces as they could rayse vppon the suddaine they gaue a fresh assault to the towne and so surprised it agine from the enemy In these conflicts Robert of Artoys admirall of the English fleete and Generall of the warre was wounded who being conueyed to London for the cure of his hurts in short space after there ended his life Whereat the king of England conceiued so great greefe and displeasure that of purpose to reuenge the death of so worthy a man so deerely esteemed he himselse sailed ouer with a mighty power of shipping into Britaine So great was the number of the English forces that at one instant they besieged three of the most puissant Cities in all that countrey Renes Vannes and Nants where Charles of Bloys with his wife at the same time remained besides the towne of Dinant which they tooke by force Charles of Bloys wrote to the French King concerning the state of his affaires the arriuall of the English the besieging of his townes earnestly requiring that he would succour him in this great distresse The French King sent his sonne the Duke of Normandy who with an Armie of some forty thousand tooke his way directly towardes Vannes at that time very streytly besieged by the English And had not the winter season brought great impediment to their purpose it had surelie come to a field battell But at length through the intercession of twoo Cardinals sent from Pope Clement a truce was agreed vppon for three yeares and a solemne o the taken of the Princes for the due obseruation thereof in the meane space So the King of England returned into his owne countrey Whilste the warres were yet open the Englishmen had laid siege to the Citie of Vannes latelie before recouered by the French and it was stoutly defended by twoo noble men the one called Lord Clisson the other Henrie of Lyon It was these mens fortune in a certaine light skirmish to be taken prisoners by the English and because there was a Lord of England also remaining among the French vpon conclusion of the truce communication was had for the exchange of prisoners The King of England for the redeeming of his deliuered to the French men the Lord Clisson detayning the other still prisoner Herevppon as is most likely some emulous obseruers of Clissons cariage raysed a suspition that he should be secretly affected to the English and that for this respect he rather then the other obtained his libertie To be short this iealousie encreased so farre that he lost his head for it at Paris And for the like cause diuers other noble men suffered the like punishment Sure it was a lamentable spectacle especially considering that Clisson in the recouerie of Vannes from the English had so honourablie performed the office both of an excellent Captaine and valiant souldier This act of the French kings was taken in so ill part by the King of England esteeming it done in his reproch that he commaunded Henrie of Lyon to be presently set at libertie and freely forgaue him his raunsome onelie enioyning him at his returne to signifie to the French King how he interpreted these proceedings no otherwise then as intended to his dishonour and that thereby he held the late truce to be violated wherefore he should expect no other from him but as an enemy This message was deliuered to the French King and the King of England sent an armie into Aquitane with certaine other forces
King of England afterwards bought of him that took them for twentie thousand crownes The Englishmen marching still forward passed ouer the riuer Seane towards Roane and their light horsmen scoured the country euen vnto the Suburbes of Paris where encountring the townsmen of Amience well appointed posting towardes Paris vppon commaundement from the King because of long time before they had been charged with no seruice for the warres they let fiercely vpon them and bereft them of their carriage The French King in the meane while notwithstanding the Parisians earnest sute to the contrary departed from Paris to Saint Dennis whither as then the rest of the Peeres were assembled From thence pursuing his enemie with a certaine vehement and wonderfull desire to fight he remoued to Amience The King of England assayed to passe his armie ouer the riuer Some but there was neither foord knowne nor bridge possible to be taken they were all so surely garded by the French men At length after proclamation of enlargement and reward to any French prisoner that should performe it a certaine young man taken by chaunce discouered a forde The French men suspecting they would passe ouer at the same place opposed themselues strongly against them and entertained them in the riuer with a sharpe skirmish Neuerthelesse the Englishmen waded through and put them to flight By this time the French King was come to Abbevile and the King of England wayted for him in the plaine fieldes to giue him battell When the time of battell approched the King of England made his prayers to God to send him an happy victory and diuided his wholy Armie into three parts In the vauntgarde was his Sonne in the reregard himselfe The fight was furious on both sides but at length the Englishmen obtained the victory which may seem a wonder considering the huge multitude of their enemies In this battell the King of England who awaiting oportunitie had not yet put himselfe in preasse being aduertised that his Sonne fighting valiantly in the forefront was wellnighe oppressed by the enemy he made answere to the messengers in this sort Demaunde no helpe of me this day so long as my Son liueth For I will that he now shewe some proofe of his valor and that the honour of the victory be wholy his and theirs that are appointed to attend him In this battell was slaine Henrie of Lutzenburge Father to Charles King of Bohemia who although he were blinde would needes adventure against the enemy notwithstanding Towards night the French King accompanied with very fewe withdrewe himselfe out of the field The King of England caused the dead bodies of the French men to be numbred and there were found slaine eleven Princes fourescore Barons twelue hundreth Knights and about thirtie thowsand others By commaundement from the King all the noble men were buried in the villages neere adioyning and three daies truce was graunted to giue buriall to their dead After the King of England had obtained this notable victorie he tooke his way directly towards Calice and environning the towne with a stronge siege there planted himselfe in purpose not to depart before he had constrained them to yeelde for famine Meane while the French King sent word to his Sonne the Duke of Normandy lying still at the siege of Aguillion that he should giue ouer his enterprise and conuey his forces againe into Fraunce to withstand the English men who subdued all things before them as they passed Before this aduertisement came to the Army there was another battell fought betweene the French and the English wherein was present Phillip son to the Duke of Burgundy who falling with his horse soone after departed this life During the siege of Aguillion wherof an English Baron was captaine the Earle of Derbie whome the King of England had before sent into Aquitaine remayning at Burdeaux Assoone as he vnderstood that the siege was raysed and the Duke of Normandy departed he assembled to the number of six thousand men and raunging through a great part of the countrie thereabouts at length tooke Poitiers by assault and then returning againe to Burdeaux dismissed his souldiers leauing no Garrison in Poitiers because the towne was vtterlie raced Whilste the King of England was busied about the siege of Calice David King of Scottes partly of his owne motion partly by procurement of the French King perswading himselfe that all the souldiers of England or at leastwise the greater part were gone a warfare with their King assembled his forces to the number of fortie thousand or there about and invaded England The Queene of England in the mean time behaved her selfe with great courage and discretion consulting with the Lords and Prelates of her Real me about the direction of her affaires So an armie was levied vpon the suddaine and the enemie fiercely encountred certaine Archbishops and Bishops of England being present in the conflict whose power notwithstanding it were sarre inferiour in number to the Scottes yet they obtained the victorie In this battell the Scottish King himselfe with many others were taken prisoners The number of them that were slaine amounted to fifteene thousand the rest saued themselues by flight After the accomplishment of this honourable victorie the Queene of England crossed the seas and went to visite the King her husband In the battell before mentioned amongst others was also slaine the Earle of Flaunders who by reason of the rebelliu of Iaques de Artevill was compelled to put himselfe into the French Kings protection He left a Sonne named Lewis at that time about fifteene yeeres of age Now the King of England was in great expectation that through the politicke assistance of Iaques de Artevill he should haue brought the Flemminges to receiue him for their soveraigne and that his Sonne the Prince of Wales with their generall acceptance should haue obtained the Lordship of all Flaunders But the author of so wicked a deuise was slaine as is already declared for the Flemmings would not disinherit the Son of their Lord though they loued not his Father The King of England therefore began to treate of a marriage betweene the young Earle who was then remaining in the French Court for he fled thither with his Father at such time as the state grew troublesome in Flaunders and a daughter of his named Isabell Against this match the Duke of Braband opposed himself for he also had a daughter at the same time whom he desired to match with the young Earle Meanes were found by the Flemminges to conuey the Earle from the French King and he returned into Flaunders in hope to recouer his Fathers possession The King of England in the meane while was nothing slacke in soliciting his sute with the Lordes of Flaunders By them the matter was mooued and the match profered to young Lewis But he vtterly refused it protesting that he would neuer marrie the daughter of him that had slaine his Father When the
their towne Wherevnto they condiscended but vppon certaine conditions which were these 1. That it should be lawfull for the men of Rochell vtterly to race their Castle out of which they had often received so great displeasure and to lay it levell with the ground 2 That the French men should solemnely promise neverto erecte any castle there againe 3 And that Rochell from thenceforth should perpetually remaine a member of the crowne of Fraunce and never be alyenated to any other Lord by any possible meanes that might be devised according as times and states should happen to alter afterward When the King who was made acquainted with these proceedings by the Lords had confirmed and ratifyed these covenants Rochell became subiect again to the French and the revolting of this towne gave occasion to many other of their neighbours to doe the like The French kings captaines holding it discretion to follow their fortune vsed such industry that in short space they recovered all the territorie of Poytow and the country adioyning not without some helpe and furtherance from the Britons who were exceedingly inclined to the French King though their Lord wholly favoured the King of England as by whose meanes he had obtayned his Dukedome It happened not long after that the Englishmen immediately vppon their comming into Britaine burnt vp seaven great shippes of the King of Spaines as they lay there in harbour Herevppon suspicion arose that this matter was done by the Duke of Britaines consent and direction whereof the French king being advertised by certaine Lords of Britaine sent the Constable to make warres vppon the Duke and to conquer his country as one who had forseited his estate by entring into a league with the English men against him of whome he had received the investiture of his Dukedome and to whome as the custome is he had sworne homage and fealtie The Duke of Britaine in this extremitie distrusting his owne subiects fled into England And the Constable by the helpe of the Britons themselves brought much of the country in subiection David King of Scotland deceassed without issue and by right of succession the crowne descended to Robert It is said before that King Edward after his sonne the Duke of Lancaster was come with his wife into England had determined to send him ouer againe to make warres in Picardy But the matter was delayed For this yeere was the first time of his arrivall at Calice accompanied with the Duke of Britaine and thirteene thousand soldiers They raunged through a great part of Picardy putting all to fire and sword but they abstayned from besieging of townes for the French king had long before sufficiently strengthned them with garrisons And as they marched forward making havocke of all things the French army still followed without intermission notwithstanding they never came to ioyne battell but by intercession of the Popes legates a truce was taken and a time appointed for another meeting at Bruges in Flaunders there to treate of waightyer matters Before this truce was proclaymed the Duke of Britaine by the Englishmens ayd had recovered diverse places and was like to have gotten more had not the newes of this truce beene a stay to his proceedings Therfore discharging his army and leaving good garrisons in the places recovered he returned into England About the calends of November the ambassadors of both Kings repayred to Bruges that there by mediation of the Popes Legates they might treate of a marriage betweene Richard sonne to the Prince of Wales and Marie the French Kings daughter The matter was diversely debated but could not bee brought to any perfect conclusion Pope Gregorie taking offence thereat departed from Avinion and went to Rome About this time Prince Edward the King of Englands eldest sonne a most worthy and valiant gentleman ended his life at London After whose death king Edward assembling the rest of his sons and the nobilitie of his realme declared publikelie vnto them his purpose that Richard the sonne of his sonne deceassed should succeed in the inheritance of the kingdome And because he had long since imparted asmuch both to the noble men and the residue of his sonnes before he made his last voyage into Fraunce it was no hard matter to perswade them all to approve his determination and to confirme the same by oath Within a while after the King himselfe also departed this life not without great sorrowe of as many as knewe him for he was a Prince so renowmed that even the French King himselfe when he heard of his death gave this report that he thought him worthy to be numbred amongst the wisest of princes After his deceasse succeeded Richard his grand sonne according to his owne appointment in his life time and was crowned king of England the eleuenth yeere of his age Anno Dom. 1377. The Duke of Lancaster was chosen protectour and tooke vpon him the government of the realme during the kings minority who in the meane while was trayned vp vnder the instruction of a certaine noble man appoynted to that charge by generall election It is declared before how the French King the better to maintain his warres against England had made a league with the King of Navarre but it fell out afterward that two gentlemen of the house of Nauarre attending vppon the king of Navarres sonnes in the French court were had in suspition of giving poyson to the King Which fact when they had publickly confessed before the people they were put to execution for the same Immediately herevpon the French King sent an army into the sea coast of Normandy belonging to the King of Nauarre vnder the conduct of the Constable who easily subdued all that part of the country Besides this the King of Spaine the French kings new confederate made warre also vpon the King of Nauarre who beeing driuen to this distresse required ayd of Richard King of England of whome he accordingly obtayned it The Duke of Britaine remayning still in England made importunate suite to the young King from time to time for ayd but the king gaue alwaies a deaâ—e â—are to his request For the Duke of Lancaster aspiring to get that seigniory to himselfe assembled a power and sayled over into Britaine where he layd siege to certaine places but the French army wherof the Constable was generall compelled him to depart The second Booke IN the former booke is declared how the French men recouered a great parte of Aquitaine from the English There were many still notwithstanding in those places which stood stoutly for the King of England The Duke of Aniow therefore comming thither with an army subdued in a mannner all that euer remayned The Gascoignes had lately before sent into England for succour but by reason there was trouble and insuirection budding vp within the realme their sending was to none effect For the Duke of Lancaster who had all the authoritie in his hands was
French King in forsaking his freindship which notwithstanding was the thing that he studied by all possible meanes to preserue and continue The King of Spaine answered that indeed there had beene debating of certaine matters in his name with the duke of Lancaster but it should be in no wise preiudiciall to the state of Fraunce and that he would neuer attempt any action whereby in the least degree he might seeme to haue broken the bondes of freindship and alliance between them Assoone as he had dismissed the ambassadours with this answere immediatly after he went through with the marriage and therevppon the Lady Constance to put the matter out of question conueyed Katherine her daughter into Spaine and there marryed her to Henrie the yong Prince of Castile Which done shee made diligent serch for her fathers bones and when the place of his buriall at length was discouered she caused them to be taken vp and honourably entumbed againe at Siuill Through the trauell and industrie of certaine well disposed persons communication was had concerning a truce betweene the Kings of England and Fraunce with their confederates viz. Spaine Portugall and Scotland Now because the Scottes lately before had some good successe against the English there was much adoe to draw them to any agreement neuertheles their King being well inclined to quietnes in the end they also changed their copie So a truce was concluded for three yeeres in such sort that whosoeuer should by any meanes infringe it should be accounted as a wicked and periured person We haue spoken before of the Duke of Ireland who being driuen out of England and lately through faire promises allured out of the low countries into Fraunce remained there a while but could not purchase any setled aboade or continuall resting place For the Lord Cowâ—y a man of great authority about the French King vppon iust and weighty occasions hated him extreamely For the Duke of Ireland hauing taken to wife this Lord Cowâ—yes daughter fell afterwards in loue with an other woman and by dispensation from Pope Vrbane who was ready by all meanes to pleasure the King of England diuorced his wife and marryed his paramour The Lord Cowey therefore father of the wronged Lady being deeply mooued with such dishonourable iniury would neuer be in quiet till he had bayted out of Fraunce this man whome the world charged with more crimes then that alone See here the â—bbing and slowing of humain estates the affections of Princes and the ends of wicked persons The French King was perswaded by some about him to make a progresse into the furthest partes of his kingdoÌ„e as a thing so acceptable to the people as nothing could be more effectuall to winne their hartes So he tooke his iourney through Campaigne Burgoigne and other prouinces till he came to Avinion and when he had visited the Pope went from thence to Mountpelyer Which Citty although by reason of trasicke and merchandize it be very wealthy yet it had been so oppressed with tributes and exactions that as then it was much impouerished For as long as king Charles the fift liued the duke of Aniow had the rule of all those countries to the great enriching of his owne cofers And at such time as in pursute of greater fortunes he vndertook his voyage towards Naples by consent of the Peeres the duke of Berry succeded in his gouernment But assoone as the king came to one and twenty yeares of age he displaced his vncles from their authority and tooke the administration of their offices into his owne hands Now when he came into Prouince and the places adioyning many grieuous complaints were preferred against his vncle of Berry who had beyond measure polled the poore commons of their goods and brought them in a manner to extreame desperation Yee might daily haue seene great numbers of suters putting vp petitions and supplications complaining of deceyt iniury violence rapes extortions and proscriptions It greiued the King exceedingly to see the miseries of his people and therefore for an example to terrify others he caused the Duke of Berries treasurer the cheifest man in those quarters to be burnedâ— for there came many accusations against him of great wrong and oppression which he had done in the country The Duke of Berry by his letters made earnest intercession to saue his life but he could not preuaile When the King vndertooke this iourney he would in no wise be accompanyed by his vncles wherewith they were greatly offended but especially because they sawe some others of meane estate to growe in great reputation about him About this time departed Pope Vrbane out of this life whereof Clement being certified within ten dayes after at Avinion he earnestly commended his cause to the French King desiring him that now vpon this occasion he would vse his credit with the Emperour the King of Hungary and other Princes to the intent that all discord being remooued peace and quietnesse might at length be established in the church He was in good hope that now when his aduersary was dead the supremacy would entirely haue falne to him But he was farre deceiued for the Cardinalles created Boniface of Naples The Moores and Barbarians made often excursions vppon the Genowaies and the Citties and Ilands vnder their subjection Which thing they might more commodiously doe because vppon the confines comming from Genoa towards their country they held a very strong and defensible towne called Affricke Out of this towne they issue forth against their enemies by sea with great ease and aduantage and if need require they haue recourse againe into the same as a most safe harbor receptacle The Genowayes therfore enforced through the coÌ„plaints entreaty of their freinds began to consider how they might worke redresse And because they vnderstood there was a truce lately concluded between Fraunce England and the kingdomes conconfederate they sent ambassadours to the French King requiring him of succour The King was so inclinable to this warre that he not only vndertooke it himselfe but solicited diuers of his neighbour Princes to set their helping hands to performance of the enterprise Therefore assembling no small power out of Fraunce Britaine Artoys Flaunders and England he sent it into Lombardy vnder the conduct of Lewis Duke of Burbon with whome he ioyned in commission the Lord Cowcy a man of most knowledge and experience and in greatest iudgement and direction in military affaires that liued in those times These taking shipping together at Genoa at length ouercame the contrary waues and tempests which encountred them at sea and arriued safely in their enemies country Now as the Moores were consulting because they saw that the Genowayes vppon this redoubling of their puissance by the comming of the french and other forraine nations to their ayd would besiege their Citty a certaine graue old man amongst them descended of a noble family gaue counsell in this manner That they should not giue battell
his people the Archbishop of Canterbury by generall consent of the State was addressed to the Erle of Derby to bring him againe into England vpon most assured hope and expectation of the Crowne The Bishop vndertooke and perfourmed this charge so secretly that none knew of his going saue those that were interessed in the action and when he came into Fraunce not any man there could coniecture the true cause of his comming The Earle of Derby politikely dissembling the matter requested leaue of the French King to goe into Britaine to visite the Duke with whome he made no long tarriance but tooke shipping and within few dayes after arriued in England By reason of the Archbishops presence and authoritie hee found no interruption in his passage but trauelled along towards London And when they approched neare the citty they sent a messenger before to giue notice of their comming At which tidings the Cittizens sodainely surprised with ioy came flocking out of the gates in great companies to welcome the Earle from thencefoorth couenaunting to receiue him for King of England Soone after a certaine number well appointed were sent foorth against king Richard to apprehend him and bring him to London Many of the Kings followers when they vnderstood of the Londoners comming soone changed their seruice and chose them new Masters At first the King made some shew of resistance but seeing his people forsake him by counsell of his friends hee retired into the castle of Flint When the Earle drewnigh accompanied with some two hundreth men and the rest of his army following after he approched the Castle gate and sent word to the king how he required to speake with him wherevpon himselfe onely and twelue more were admitted entraunce As soone as hee sawe the King without yeelding him any reuerence Sir saide he you must this day prepare towardes London for so the people are fully purposed What should hee doe in this distresse Being destitute of succour and beholding his enemies forces before his face to escape the fury of the people he yeelded him selfe to the Earles mercie As they carried him towardes London he requested one thing very earnestly which was that hee might not be led through the Citty His request was graunted but the people much offended As soone as he came thither he was conueyed to prison New officers and seruants were placed about the Queene and other Ladies and Gentlewomen appointed to attend her all the French being dismissed and sent home into their countrey The Earle hauing brought his matters to this passe the first thing hee did hee recalled the Earle of Warwicke and certaine others that were banished And shortly after hee caused to be beheaded foure of the chiefe that had bin about King Richard by whose counsell hee confessed himselfe to haue been principally ruled in those matters which were obiected against him They were drawne to their execution vnder the prospect of his windowe of purpose that he might see them The Lords that accompanied him in prison bewailed their miserable estates and the King himselfe with the consideration of his heauie misfortune burst foorth into aboundaunce of teares and with bitter sighes cursed the day and houre that euer hee was borne to come to such an end as now entred into his cogitation He was perswaded by his partners in misery that to appease his aduersary and to purchase the assuraunce of his owne safety and such as were about him hee should renounce his royall state and dignity Herevpon he required to haue communication with the Earle to whome when hee had declared his mind after the acceptance of his offer the Erle fell into a bitter reproofe of his former life making a large repetition of his offences and besides vpbrayded him with bastardy for many reported that he was begotten by a Priest Within few dayes after King Richard in open assembly of the Lordes at the Tower of London with all ceremonies and solemnities incident to such occasions resigned the Crowne and Scepter with all his right and interest in the kingdome to Henry of Lancaster reducing himselfe into a priuate estate without assurance of his life after he had raigned two and twenty yeares This alteration of the State in England so troubled the French King that hee fell againe into his olde disease But the Counsaile of Fraunce sent certaine Ambassadors to visite the Queene his daughter and to vnderstand in what state shee remained The Duke of Burbon was likewise sent into the country of Burdeloys which seigniory since King Richard to whome the people in those partes were wonderfully affected was fallen into this calamity the French men went about to recouer againe to themselues But when the chiefe of the Citties had propounded the matter to the Commons they could not preuaile For the people feared much to be oppressed againe with the often taxes and â—allages which they had endured of olde tâ—me vnder the French men Certaine great Lords of England had secretly conspired against Henry their new King but their practise being discouered they were all put to death The French King raising a puissant army determined to haue inuaded England But it hapned about the same time that King Richard ended his life at London My Authour reporteth that he could not learne certainly by what means he came to his death but that Henry the late crowned king was incessantly called vpon by the people to dispatch him out of the way because otherwise the realme should neuer want matter of trouble and dissention Neuerthelesse he addeth further that the King in regarde hee had giuen him a faithfull promise of his life would not condiscend to their requests Now when the matters betweene Fraunce and England seemed thus to tend toward a sorrow full issue by mediation of good men a truce was obtained and confirmed for sixe and twenty yeares The French men were the rather inclined to peace by reason of their Kings infirmitie Mention hath beene made of the earle Marshall of England banished by king Richard vpon occasion of his quarrell with the Earle of Derby As soone as he vnderstoode that Henry of Lancaster had obtained the Crâ—wnâ—e and that King Richard was dead hee conceiued so great griefe and displeasure therevppon that incontinently he fell sicke and died at Venice Moreouer Pope Benedict because that after so many advertisements he would not incline to the will of the Princes was depriued of his honor and Pontificall dignitie Her name was Isabell 1326. Robert of Artoys commeth into England and the occasion of his coÌ„ming Cambray besieged King Edward taketh vppon him the title of Fraunce Tournay besieged A truce taken for twelue moneths Prolonged for twelue moneths more The occasion of the warres in Britaine Charles of Bloys Durham take sacked by the Scottish 1342. The gallant carriage and warlike behauiour of the Lady Mountfort Vannes wone by the English Recouered againe by the French The death of Robert of Artoys 1343. A truce
for three yeares Bayon Burdeaux receaue the English The death of Iaques de Arteuill Valiant resistance made by the English in the Castle of Aguillion Caen in Normandy woÌ„ne by the English The battell of Blanchetaque The memorable battell and victory of King Edward at Cressy Calice besieged David King of Scottes taken prisoner The battell of Cressy Charles of Bloys taken prisoner Calice yeelded to King Edward 1346. Phillip of Valoys dieth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edward the black Prince during their Kings captiuitie A strange shift in extremitie Priuate conference about a peace 1359. It should seeme to be but twenty thousand Iohannes Roâ—hetaillada King Edward inclineth to peace 1360. Peace concluded and King Iohn set at liberty 1360. 1362. 1362. The death of King Iohn Charles of Bloys slaine in battell The occasion of Prince Edwards expeditioÌ„ into Spain Don Pietro the tyrant expulsed and Henrie the bastard made King of Castile The Earle of Provence taken prisoner The king of Maiorica craveth ayd of Prince Edward and obtayneth promise of the same The birth of King Richard 2. Prince Edward setteth forward on his iourney into Spaine Prince Edwards victorie against Henry king of Castile Don Pietro restored The ingratitude of the Tyrant The Lords of Gascoigne rebell against Prince Edward The death of Don Pietro and recovery of the kingdome by Hen ry the Bastard The peace broken and warres againe renued betweene England Franc King Charles commended for his curtesie A truce taken with Scotland â—or 9. yeeres Lymoges recouerd by the French Conquered againe vtterly raced by the English Prince Edward returneth into England The Duke of Lancaster marrieth Constance one of the daughters of Don Pietro Edmond of Langly The Duke of Lancaster returneth into England 1372. The English men overcome at Sea the Earle of Pembroke taken prisoner Ivan the son of Ammon Prince of VVales The I le of Garnesâ—y Poytiers yeeldeth to the French Rochell yeeldeth to the French The Duke of Brittaine flyeth into England 1373. The Duke of Lancaster arriueth at Calice 1376. The death of Prince Edward King Edward the thirds death and commendation King Richard 2. 1377. The French King poysoned 1378. 1379. The Castle of Barwicke surprised by the Scottish Againe recocouered by the English Great tumult about the election of a Pope King Richard entreth into league with the King of Navarre Ivan of VVales trecherously muthered by one Iames Laube a welch man as he lay at the siege of a certaine castle called Moctaine Saint Maloes besieged Henrie the bastard King of Castile deceaseth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edmond of Langly He is called Siluester Budaeus Fross Chro. Liâ— 2. The Queene of Naples coÌ„meth to the Pope The Queene of Naples coÌ„ueyeth her inheritance to the Pope The occasion of the Flemish warres Iohn Lyon a seditious fellow in Gaunt bringeth vp the faction of the white cappes The death of Lon. The Earle of Flaunders besieged by his subiects The Duke of Britaine returneth into his country King Richard aydeth the Duke of Britaine Thomas of VVoodstocke the Earle of Buckingham King Charles the 5. dyeth of poysontaken long before His speech at his death 1380. 1380. The coronation of Charles the fixt The coÌ„mendation of King Charles the 5. Thomas Earle of Buckingham Nants besieged The Duke of Britaine recoÌ„ciled to the French king forsaketh the English 1381. Peter de Boys Phillip of Arteuill Edmond of Langly Sir Iohn Newton captaine of the Castle of Rochester At Black-heath VVat Tiler Iack Strawe Iohn Ball. The Sauoy At Saint Katherines Mile end VVat Tiler Iack Straw Iohn Ball. Simon Sudbury It was in Smith sield VVat Tiler VVilliam VValworth Gaunt besieged by the Earle of Flaunders Commotion in Paris The Lord Coucy King Richard marrieth Anne sister to Charles King of Bohemia The Duke of Aniow taketh his iourny into Italy Zeuf an enchaunted castle see Fros Chro Lib 2. Cap 391. This enchaunter by such like illusions had before caused the Queene of Naples and her husband to yeild vp the same castle into the hands of Charles Fross Chro. lib. 2. cap 346. 392. The death of Ferdinando king of Portingale The Gauntoyes kept from victuall and brought to great extremity by the Earle of Flaunders A hard choise See the effects of desperate resolution 1382. The Earle ouerthrowne and Bruges taken by the Gauntoys Strange alteration in the Earles fortune The Duke of Burgundy The French King taketh vppon him the Earles quarell against the Gauntoys They were in all not aboue soure or fiue hundreth Fros Chro. lib. 2. Cap. 414. Ipre receiueth the French king The French kings victorie against the Gauntoyes Phillip de Arteuill slaine Bruges yeeldeth to the french King Schisme in the Church The practises of Pope Vrbane against Clement his aduersarie He sent no lesse then 30. as appeareth Fross Chro lib. 2. cap. 428. Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich Nine thousand flemings slaine by the English in a battell not farre from Duakirk 1383. The French King agayne vndertaketh the Earle of Flaunders cause 1383. The death of Lewis Earle of Flaunders The Duke of Aniow dyeth in Italy Her name was Phillip whom he had by Blaunch his first wife The Admirall of France sent with a power into Scotland Charles the French king marryeth Isabell daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauier The French and Scottish men together inuade the borders of England The Earle of Oxenford 1358. The Gauntoies receiued to sauour and their peace made vvith their Lord the Duke of Burgoigne Sir Iohn Bourchier The Earle of Foys The strange story of Gascone Earle of Foys and his sonne Gascone The Earle of Foys killeth his owne son vnwittingly Pag. 110. Iohn King of Spaine layeth claime to the crowen of Portingale besieged Lisbone The King of Portugale through the English mens ayde obtaineth a notable victorie Pope Vrbane besieged Page 127. The Duke of Lancaster sayleth into Portugall Bristowe The Duke of Lancaster arri-Seth in paine The French King maketh great preparation to inuade England Jaquesle Gris sir Iohn de Carogne A notable example of diuine iustice The French king was present with most of his nobility The death of Peter King of Arragon The Duke of Lancasters ambassadour imprisoned by the King of Arragon Phillip the Duke of Lancasters daughter marryed to the King of Portugall John of Bloys marryeth the Constables daughter of Fraunce The Castle of Ermine The Lord de laval 1390. At Saint Georges feast at VVindsore Sir Robert Tresilian Sir Robert Beachampe sir John Salisbury sir Nicholas Brambre The Englishmens miseries vnder the Duke of Lancaster in Spaine Sir John Holland The Duke of Lancaster returneth out of Spaine Bertold of Machline Reignold Earle of Gelders marryed Mary daughter to Bertold of Machline Langue fride VVenceslaus Duke of Braband taken pri soner Edward Duke of Gelders slaine in battell 1383. The Spanyards recouer againe all that the Duke of Lancaster had gotten in Castile Charles King of Nauarre by a strange misfortune burned in his bed The Duke of Britaine restoreth all that he had taken from the Constable Graue besieged by the Brabanders The notable victory of the Duke of Gelders against the Brabanders 1388. The French king goeth against the Duke of Gelders The Duke of Gelders submits himselfe to the French king The Scottes inuade England The Duke of Gelders taken prisoner Katherine the Duke of Lancasters daughter married to Henry Prince of Castile Truce for three yeeres between England Fraunce their confederates The Duke of Berries treasurer burned The death of Pope Vrbane 1390. The French King aydeth the Genowayes against the Moores and Barbarians The death of Iohn king of Castile The Earle of Arminacke passeth into Italy against the Duke of Millaine Guy Earle of Bloys The suddaine death of Gascone Earle of Foys 1391. A treaty of peace at Amience Sir Peter of Craon Sir Oliuer Clisson treacherously assaulted and almost slaine by sir Peter of Craon Euer since the Parisians met the King in armes at his returne out of Flaunders when to curb their boldnes he caused all their armour to be taken from them the chaines of the streetes to bee carried away and the foure principall gates of the citie from thence foorth to be left alwayes open The French King falleth sodaynly into a frensie 1391. Sir John Mericer A truce for foure yeeres between England France The death of pope Clement King Richard giueth all Aquitaine to the duke of â—ancaster The Gascones refuse to accept the duke of Lancaster for their soueraigne K. Richards voyage into Ireland 1394. Otherwise called Lamorabaquy Iohn the duke of Burgoignes sonne sent by the French king to ayde the King of Hangary against the Turkes Nicopolis besieged Fifteen thousand Turkes 〈◊〉 slaine by one thousand christians vnder the conduct of the Lorde Cowâ—y A discourse ot the Duke of Millaine Pag. 127. Friseland subdewed by the Earle of Henault 1396. King Richard marrieth Isabel the french kings daughter One mans pride causeth many mens destruction The siege before Nicopolis raised and all the Frenchmen slaine or taken prisoners The Lord Cowcies death 1397. At the marriage of King Richard to the French Kings daughter a truce was agreed vpon for thirtie yeeres The Earle of Saint Paul The duke of Glow ester murdered in the castle of Calice 1397. Richard earle of Arundell Thomas Mow bray Duke of Norffolke The Earle of Derby the Erle Marshall banished The Duke of Burgoignes sonne Pope Benedict besieged and taken prisoner by the Frenchmen The death of John of GauÌ„t Duke of Lancaster 1399. Henry Pâ—rcie earle of Northumberland and his sonne Thomas Arundell Hee should haue vsde the benefit of oportunity 1399. King Richard deposed
himselfe to the protection of the French King The siege of Tourney continued some three moneths during which space Iane os Valoys the French kings sister and mother to the Earle of Henault laboured very earnestly to procure a composition At length shee obtained thus much that a day was appointed for a meeting to be had betweene the Lords of Fraunce and England where they agreed vpon a truce for twelue months space with condition that each party should hold whatsoeuer he had gotten by battell Herevppon the armies were both dismissed And this further was concluded that at a certain time prefixed within the yeare another treatie should be had at Arras where commissioners from both Princes and from Pope Clement should meete together and this likewise was performed There the English men demaunded much and the French men profered nothing saue the Earledome of Ponthiew which was giuen before in dowrie to King Edwards mother when shee married into England More then thus was nothing done in this treaty onely another yeere added to the truce and the King of England returned into his Country When things were thus set at a stay and that the Duke of Britaine prepared to returne into his owne country he was seised vppon in his iourney by a most violent sicknes whereof in short space he dyed leauing behind no lawfull issue male to succeed him He had two brothers of whome the one which was Earle of Mountfort was his brother onely by the fathers side the other both by father and mother but he died before him leauing issue one only daughter whome the Duke of Britaine in his life time ioyned in marriage to Charles of Bloys sisters Son to Phillip the French King For the Duke fearing it might so fall out that after his decease his brother the Earle of Mountfort would seise the seigniory of Britaine into his owne handes and by that meanes dispossesse and as it were disinherite the lawfull daughter of his brother by the whole bloud thought good to prouide a stay for the Lady by marriage and therefore his desire was the rather to match her to the kings nephew because if the other should make any attēpt hereafter he might the easilier be resisted And so it came to passe For the Earle of Mountfort had no sooner vnderstanding of his brothers death but that partly by force partly by cōposition he possessed himselfe of the greater part of Britane And then the better to supporte his cause and stablish his estate he went ouer to the King of England where relating the whole discourse of his proceedings he receiued from him the inuestiture of his dukedome And the King of England considering that by this meanes he might haue a ready passage through Britaine into Fraunce promised both his councell and furtherance to the newe Duke against his enemie whether it were the French King or any other whosoeuer For he had lost the French kings fauor before euer since he brought in the Germaines to serue in his warres vppon whome he had spent such a huge masse of money withou◠accomplishing any notable enterprise And this is the true cause and originall ground of this warre Charles of Bloys being aduertised of the proceedings and enterprises of Mountfort made great complaint of him to the French King After consultation had the King commaunded that the Earle should be summoned to the Parliament of Paris The Earle came and after some debatings on both sides he was enioyned by the King not to depart the Citie for a certaine season Neuerthelesse he conueyed himselfe secretly away and so sentence was giuen with Charles It was a great blot in Mountforts case that he had been inuested in his Duchie by the King of England And thervppon the French King denouncing Charles to be rightfull heyre encouraged him with his own mouth to recouer by force of armes the seigniorie due vnto him both by iudgement of law and right of inheritance promising not only his owne ayde but procuring other Lords also to assist him in the maintenance of his rightful quarrell The warre was vndertaken in the behalfe of Charles with the power of the Peeres of Fraunce his friendly assistants Besides other at length the Citie of Nants the principall in those partes was forced by assault There Mountfort himselfe was taken prisoner and from thence conueyed to Paris to the King by whose commaundement being cast in prison he there ended his life His Lady in the meane time bearing her fortune with a true manlike resolution encouraged the fainting hearts of her people and both fortified with Garrisons and furnished with victuals the rest of the holdes yet vntaken by the enemie Vppon conclusion of the truce between the kings of England and Fraunce and dissoluing the siege before Tournay the King of England returning home perceiued what great annoyance the Scottes had wrought to his country in the meane while wherevppon he assembled an Armie The Scottes being pressed with great extremitie in the absence of the King purchased a truce of the English vppon condition that if within foure moneths space the King did not prouide for the rescue they should yeeld This was signified to the King of Scottes who therevppon returned and being ayded with forraine power wonne certaine holdes from the English Amongst other the Citie of Durham was one where no mercy was shewen to no sex age nor order whatsoeuer but the very churches and all were consumed with fire Afterward perceiuing that by further prosecutiug his enterprise he did but lose his labour and vnderstanding moreouer that the King of England approached with a mightie power vppon deliberation with his counsell he retired In the meane while ministring proffers of a truce which notwithstanding he had no intention to admitte till he had first taken aduise of the French King with whome he was formerly confederate The Lordes of Fraunce departing out of Britaine for no other respect but because the winter whether compelled them returned againe with their forces in the beginning of Sommer purposing to bring the rest of that Duchy in subiection Whereof the Lady of Mountfort being aduertised shee sent ambassadours to the King of England requiring ayde vppon this condition that her Son whome shee had borne by the Earle of Mountfort should take to wife some one of the kings daughters But the succours which he sent for the space of well nere twoo moneths together were tost vppon the Seas with stormes and contrarie windes in such sort as they could by no meanes attaine to their desired porte so that in the meane season certaine places were recoured by the French men But it is admirable to relate with what courrage and stowtnesse the Lady Mountfort demeaned her selfe Fot shee was not only content to fortifie stronge holdes and encourage her followers with comfortable speeches but shee also put on armor herselfe and attended with a troupe of horse came into the open field and prouoked her
This tyrant in regard of the manifold crimes whereof he was often accused before the Pope had already prouoked all mens hatred against him Pope Vrbane therefore vppon good consideration sent for this bastard Henrie and Peter King of Arragon who was at continuall enmity with the tyrant as one that had bereft him of diuers Lordships to come before him at Avinion There Henrie the bastard was made legittimate and denounced King of Castile the tyrant being first excommunicate after desposed The King of Arragon promised free passage through his country and prouision of victualles to such armies as should be conducted into Castile against the tyrant intending also by the helpe of those forces to recouer his owne losses To this expedition resorted many honourable personages and by this meanes those souldiers that had so long annoyed the realme of Fraunce were conveyed into Castile The tyrant having intelligence of the armie that was comming against him betooke himselfe to flight with his wife his two daughters and one noble man onlie For he was so hated of the commons that not one of them would take armes in his defence so he was forsaken and left destitute of all men And Henrie the bastard arriving in Castile with great ioye and generall applause of the people tooke vppon him the administration of the kingdome After his coronation when he had received the othe of allegeance from the most part of the Nobilitie and Cities of the realme the noble men by whose ayde he had obtained the crowne tooke their leaues and departed for now all semed to be accomplished But he had not yet discharged those french make-shiftes because he purposed to make warre against the King of Granado The tyrant remaining in these perplexities by the aduise of that one noble man which attended him addressed letters to the Prince of Wales full of lamentable complaints concerning his misfortunes beseeching him to commiserate his estate and to releleeue him with succor Shortly after he himselfe not daring to trust his owne subiects repayred to Bayon The Princes counsell were of opinion that he ought not to be succoured in regard of his abhominable wickednesse and vngodly disposition nor that any daungerous enterprise should be vndertaken for his sake Contrarily the Prince iudged it an vnworthy thing that a bastard Sonne should vsurpe the inheritance of the crowne which was a very ill president and extended to the preiudice of other kings and princes Therefore when the tyrant came he receiued him courteously into the town of Burdeaux and promised him his assistance Neuerthelesse he sent inâ—… England to the King his Father declaring to him the whâ—… circumstance of the matter and requiring his couâ—… and direction concerning his proceedings The King of England in regard thâ—â— of long time before there had beene a league between 〈…〉 Spaniard and him encouraged his Sonne in the answâ—… of his letters to go forward with his purpose for the 〈…〉 him to his â—ing do 〈…〉 And so the iourney was 〈…〉 vppon betweene thâ—… But one thing was 〈…〉 in the waâ—… Their â—…assage lay through the King oSpanâ— varres country who had lately contracted amity with Henrie the newe King of Spaine Howbeit matters were so handled that a meeting was had at Bayon and vppon certaine conditions the King of Navarre was â—o well satisfyed that he promised all curtesy frendship and peace King Henrie being aduertised of these proceedings sent to the King of Fraunce forayd The Prince practised with the Captaines of those souldiers which before had been so troublesome to Fraunce now tooke paye of the Spaniard that they should forsake King Henries seruice and follow him There was about twelue thousand of them and as they were marching towards Gasâ—oine in the kingdome of Arragon they endured great distresse the wayes and passages being on all sides soreclosed and fortified Nevertheles they made way through all inconveniences and holding on their iourney till they came almost at Tholous they were receiued into Mount Albane a towne pertayning to the territory of Guyen The french men vnderstanding thereof besette the wayes rounde about that they might not issue foorth into Tholous or the places adioyning In conclusion it came to hand-strokes and the French men fought valiantly insomuch that they chased their enemies euen vnto the towne but by reason of the fresh supplies comming continually to their rescue in the end the French men were ouerthrowne and the greater part of them eyther slaine or taken prisoners In which number was the Earle of Provence who came at that time to ayde the men of Tholons and besides him diuerse others of great account both of Provence and Fraunce Hauing thus cleared their passage by the sword they proceeded to the end of their iourney The prince of Wales because he was loth to burden the people of Aquitaine with exactions for the maintenance of his soldiers borrowed no small some of money of his father besides that conuerted all his plate both gold and siluer into coyne Many prisoners as the custome is were discharged vpon their worde so was the Earle of Provence But Pope Vrbane for hatred he bare to those mutinous soldiers took vppon him to acquite the Earle of Provence and others that were set at liberty after the same manner from their ransoms so that they payd not one farthing but had a cleare dispensation from him of all bonds and obligations whatsoever Whilst the Prince was making preparation for the warres there arived at Burdeaux the King of Maiorica who made grievous complaint of the King of Arragon which had slain his father in prison at Barcelone and withheld all his possessions from him by force towards the reuenge of which iniuries and the recouerie of his inheritance he humbly implored the Princes ayd He had to wife the Queene of Naples The Prince vpon hearing of his complaint promised that so soone as he had finished this enterprise for Spaine he would vndertake his affaires and so bring to passe that either vppon reasonable conditions or by force of armes he should be restored to his kingdome Before the Prince set out from Burdeaux he had a sonne borne to whom the banished King of Maiorica was godfather He was named Richard and afterward came to be king of England Edward the Princes elder sonne being dead before his father In the beginning of Februarie the Prince departed from Burdeaux and within a little while after an vncertaine rumor was bruted abroad concerning the King of Navarre as if he had entred into a newe league with King Henry of Castile and that therevpon the Ptince and his Army shold be denyed passage through his country Herevpon letters were addressed to the King of Navarre who aduisedly alleadging the reasons that moued him withall declared his good affection to the Prince and the banished Tyrant The Prince marched with his army in three battels one following another the vauntgard was conducted by the Duke of
Lancaster sent lately from the King of England to assist him the King of Maiorica had the leading of the rereward and he himselfe accompanied with the tyrant marched in the maine battell As they passed through Navarre the King himselfe for their better direction became their guide and bare them company through a great part of his country At Pampelone also which is the chiefe citie of Navarre he entertayned the Prince with a banket Many feared that the armies should haue been stay'd assoone as they came within his kingdome but contrarie to their opinion the King still persevered in peace and friendship King Henry hauing advertisement of the army comming against him out of Aquitaine levyed forces in Spaine to the number of threscore thousand fighting men For he was exceedingly beloued and every man was willing to vndergo any danger for his sake Thē he sent an herault with letters to the Prince desiring to know what the reason was that he vndertooke these warres against him seing that for his parte he had neuer offered him any manner of offence or iniury The Prince vpon deliberation with his councell detained the messenger and marching still forwards arriued at a towne called Victoria nere vnto which both himselfe and his aduersarie encamped with their armies The king of Spaine had three thousand soldiers sent to his ayd out of Fraunce The Englishmen had planted themselues vppon a hill Counsell was giuen to the Spaniard that if he purposed to winne the victorie without slaughter and bloudshed he should need to take no other course but only to shutte vp the wayes that no prouision of victuall might be conveyd to his enemie For the Englishmen were enclosed as in a streight with small labour all passage might easily haue beene intercepted But the King of Spaine desirous to fight in regard of the greatnesse of his forces which were now growne to aboue an hundred thousand for their number daily encreased chose rather to abide the tryall of battaile When the Prince had rested some fewe dayes in that place because of the barrennes thereof he dislodged from thence and encamped in another ground more commodious And being not far distant from his enemie he sent backe the messenger whom he had now detayned almost three weekes with letters to the King of Spaine containing briefly this answere that for respects of great importance he was come to succour the banished King that he would willingly compound the difference betweene them but vpon no other termes then that King Henry should renounce the title and resigne the gouernment of that kingdome whereto he could pretend no lawfull interest and if this were refused that he should finde him prepared as well the one way as the other We shewed you before in what manner the Englishmen ordered their battells The spaniards in like sort divided their whole power into three parts The first was led by a certaine French Captaine of great esteeme and in it were about foure thousand men The second was commanded by the two brothers of King Henry and it contained some fiue and twenty thousand horse and foote The third by King Henry himselfe and his battell far exceeded both the other in number as hauing in it seaven thousand horse and threscore thousand footemen whereof a great part were armed with crossebowes The field was pitcht betweene Navarre and the towne of Navarette Seldome or neuer hath any battell beene fought with greater fury and violence The spaniards vsed slings whose force was such that therewith they pierced the helmets of their enemies surely a cruell kinde of fight On the other side the Englishmen being most expert arches ouer whelmed them with the multitude of their shot One of king Henries brothers which as we told you had the leading of the vauntgard assoone as he sawe the Princes colors aduance towards him departed out of the battell and neuer strooke stroke against the enemie His example much discouraged a great many of the rest But King Henry himselfe wheresoeuer he sawe his men fainte or go by the worse preassed in thither calling earnestly vppon them exhorting and encouraging them and often putting them in remembrance both of his honour and their duty in so much that thrise in that one day did his vehemēt acclamations adde new life to his souldiers courage and thrise restrayned them from flying when they were euen betaking thēselues to flight Neyther did the common soldiers onely exercise their weapons that day but the Princes themselues also laying hand to their swords made honourable proofe of their particular valour The deposed Tyrant sought by all meanes he could to haue encountred King Henry The fight continued for a time very vehement cruell the soldiers on either part well expressing the hostilitie of their affection by the violence of their actions but at length the Spaniards vnable to withstand the vnited forces of the Englishmen and Gascones gaue themselues to flight neither could king Henry by his authoritie or perswasion cause them to turne head against their enemies So that perceiving himselfe to be more and more abandoned of his people he was constrayned to fly also for he made no question at all that he should be put to death if he had beene taken prisoner in the battell The Englishmen pursued the chace meruaillous destruction was made partly of those that were slaine partly of those that-perished in a certaine notable river thereby whereinto they chose rather to cast themselues hedlong then to come alive into the hands of their enemies When the chace was ended a generall view was taken of the dead bodies and there were found slaine little lesse then six hundreth horsemen and almost seaven thousand footmen not accounting them that were killed at the bridge or drowned in the Riuer After this battell the Princes came together to Burgis a towne of Spaine and thither resorted all the Nobilitie of the country from Toledo from Lisbone from Gallicta frō Sivill and from diuerse other places of Castile to sweare fealty to Don Pietro againe restored for well they saw it was not possible to resist such power as he had now about him These things dispatched Prince Edward delt with the Tyrant to provide money for the payment of his soldiers by whose helpe he had recovered his kingdome wherevpon Don Pietro tooke his iourney into Sivill there to levy mony for that purpose pretending to returne within fewe weekes after and to give satisfaction to all men For at such time as he was driven out of Castle came first to Burdeaux to implore the Princes ayd as we haue formerly declared hee made faithfull promise that assoone as he should be restored to his kingdome he wold giue liberall contentment to all that serued in his quarell and to the same effect became bound to the Prince that so the Prince might be his surety to the Captaines and gentlemen that were readie to vndertake the enterprise in his behalfe At his
by compulsion The Duke following their counsell made restitution of all and besides put euery officer in his place againe as he found them when he first seized the castles into his possession The fame hereof being presently spred into Fraunce met the commissioners also vpon the confines of Britaine Who when they came before the Duke because of his owne accord he had already performed that which otherwise they should haue requested at his handes they proceeded to the other part of their commission which was to require him that at a day prefixed he would repaire to the towne of Bloys vppon the riuer Loire there to meete and conferre with the Kings vncles The Duke condiscended and being come thither accordingly they exhorted and entreated him that for assurance and confirmation of peace he would speake with the King himselfe and doe homage vnto him as all others had done he only excepted The Duke as one that was not ignorant how great enemies he had about the King namely the Constable and Iohn his Son lately set free out of England discreetly and earnestly excused himselfe Neuertheles after the Kings vncles had made him faithfull promise that he should both goe and returne in safety without any offence or interruption he was contented at length to beare them company to Paris When the Duke of Lancaster had sent many letters from Bayon into England for succours and could not preuaile seing all mens affections generally enstranged from the voiage of Spaine it was a mighty greefe and corrosiue to his heart considering with himselfe how strong and well furnished an army he had brought forth against his enemy through the puissance whereof he had conquered no small number of townes and fortresses and afterward how cruelly fortune had dealt with him and his ouerthrowing the whole course of his proceedings in such sort as he sawe no possible meanes left how euer to obtaine his inheritance of the kingdoÌ„e of Castile In musing vpon this his misfortune he compared it to that calamity which the Duke of Aniow suffered in Calabria who being come into Italy vpon large hopes and great expectation not only fayled of the endes whereto he aspired but spent his life also in the pursute of his enterprise This only was a comfort to him in all his discouragements that he had a daughter by his wife Constance whome he thought some French Lord of high estate eyther in respect of her birth or possibility would desire to haue in marriage Now the Duke of Berry was at the same time a widdower and his freinds now and then discoursing with him about a wife amongst others mentioned also the Duke of Lancasters daughter The Duke presently began to conceiue some good affection that way and therevppon aduertised the Duke of Lancaster of his intent whome when he had found nothing strange in the matter he sent CoÌ„missioners againe to negotiate with him further in that behalfe The Duke of Lancaster in the meane time politickly dispersed the fame hereof into all countries far and neere by sending to his freinds instructed for the purpose both the copyes of his owne and the Duke of Berries letters for he was well assured that these tydings would meruailously trouble and disquiet the King of Spaine Who indeed assoone as he heard of the matter began to enter into a deepe consideration with himselfe how great inconuenience might redound vnto him by this marriage namely that peace being established between England and Fraunce both those nations vniting their forces together would make warres vppon Spaine and so conuey the possession of the crowne to the Duke of Lancasters wife Wherefore vpon aduise which his counsell it was thought good to make a secret motion that the Duke of Lancasters daughter might be giuen in marriage to Henrie his sonne whome hee had by the King of Arragons daughter Herevpon a sew were sent and those slenderly accompanyed least the French men by whose friendship he possessed his kingdome should come to any knowledge of the businesse intended The Duke gaue good eare to their message And yet he put the French commissioners still in great hope euer making this exception that he would go through with nothing without the consent and approbation of the King of England his nephew to whome he had wholy referred the conclusion of these matters and with this answere he dismist them But he carryed himselfe much more familiarly towards the Spaniards through his wiues procurement who sawe by this meanes that her daughter without any empeachment or difficulty should orderly succeed in the inheritance of that flourishing kingdome for the obtayning whereof so many travailes and painefull aduentures had been sustained by her husband The hatred kindled euery day more and more betweene the Brabanders and Gelders and the Brabanders assembling about fortie thousand men besieged Graue a towne neere adioyning to the riuer Maze The duke of Gelders lying the same time at Nymmeghen because he had great confidence both in the townsemen and the Garrison left at Graue did not greatly passe for that siege Neuerthelesse he required ayde of the King of England sor so it was conditioned between them when he made his defiance to the French King But the state of England was so intangled with ciuill dissention and troubled with expectation of wars out of Scotland that no ayd could be obtayned from thence And the Brabanders seeing they wasted their time in vaine sent some tenne thousand of their men abroade to harry their enemies countrey The Duke of Gelders being certified thereof gathered together about three hundred horsemen and contrary to the perswasions of almost all his Counsell with that small company marched towardes his enemy with great courage esteeming it better to die fighting manfully in the field than to be shut vp within the walles of a towne and besieged Therefore when hee had put his men in array hee exhorted them to knightly prowesse and valiant demeaâ—our giuing so great encouragement by example of his owne resolution that setting sputres to their horses they all in one troupe ranne suriously vpon their enemies preuenting their expectation with such a desperat charge before they could settle themselues to any orderly resistance that they easily ouercame them and with small losse obtained an honorable victorie Many perished some slaine in fight others drowned in the riuer Maze such as escaped fled with all the speede they could make and carried tidings of their ouerthrowe to the campe before Graue Whereupon so great terrour rose presently amongst them that without further delay they abandoned the siege and for haste left all their prouision and baggage behinde them The French king being exceedingly desirous to take reuengement of the Duke of Gelders for those arrogant and reprochfull Letters he had sent him raised a mighty armie Many disswaded him from this voiage and among the rest his vncles but because the duke of Brittaine was now fully concluded withall insomuch that he had