mutinous Earles and by their instigation was set into that flame as he raised all his vtmost forces to be reuenged on his brother The King touched in Conscience with the fowlenesse of a fraternall war which the world would take he being the mightier to proceed out of his designes stood douotfull what to doe when Pope Paschall by his Letters written with that eloquence saith Malmesburie wherein hee was quicke perswaded him That herein hee should not make a ciuill Warre but doe a Noble and memorable benefit vnto his Countrey Whereby paide for remitting the Inuestitures hee held himselfe countenanced in this businesse Whereon now he sets with more alacrity and resolution And after many difficulties and losse of diuers worthy men in a mighty battaile neere the Castle of Tenechbray his England wins Normandic enemies with much adoe were all defeated Whereby England won Normandy and on the same day by Computation wherein forty yeares before Normandy ouer-came England such are the turnings in the affaires of men And here Robert who stood in a faire possibility of two Crownes came to bee depriued 1106. Anno. Reg. 7. of his Dutchy and all hee had brought prisoner into England and committed to the Castle of Cardiffe Where to adde to his misery hee had the misfortune of a long life suruiuing after he lost himselfe 26 yeares whereof the most part he saw not hauing his eyes put out whereby he was onely left to his thoughts a punishment barbarously Robert Duke of Normandy is imprisoned by King Hen. inflicted on him for attempting an escape He was a Prince that gaue out to the world very few notes of his ill but many of his Noblenesse and valour especially in his great voyage wherein hee had the second command and was in election to haue beene the first preferred to the Crowne of Ierusalem and missed it hardly Onely the disobedience in his youth shewed to his Father which yet might proceed from a rough hand borne ouer him and the animation of others rather then his owne Nature sets a staine vpon him and then his profusion which some would haue liberality shewed his impotency and put him into those courses that ouerthrew him All the Reuenues of his Dutchy which should serue for his maintenance hee sold or engaged and was vpon passing the City of Roan vnto the Cittizens which made him held vnfit for the gouernment and gaue occasion to his Brother to quarrell with him And thus came Henry sreed from this feare and absolute Duke of Normandy had King Henry Duke of Normandy many yeares of quiet gathered great Treasure entertained good intelligence with the Neighbour Princes Scotland by his Match and doing their Princes good hee held from doing him hurt clearing them from vsurpations Wales though vnder his Title yet not subiection gaue him some exercise of action which he ordered with great wisdome First he planted within the body of that Countrey a Colony of Flemings who at that time much pestred this Kingdome being admitted heere in the raigne of King William the first marrying their Country woman and vsing their helpe in the action of England where they dayly encreased in such sort as gaue great displeasure to the people But by this meanes both that grieuance was eased and the vse of them made profitable to the State for being so great a number and a strong people they made roome for themselues and held it in that sort as they kept the Welch all about them in verie good awe Besides the King tooke for Ostages the chiefe mens sonnes of the Country and hereby quieted it For France hee stood secure so long as Phillip the first liued who wholly giuen ouer to his ease and Luxury was not for other attempts out of that course but his sonne he was to looke vnto whensoeuer he came to that Crowne With the Earle of Flanders he had some debate but it was onely in words and vpon 1107. Anno. Reg. 8. this occasion King William the first in retribution of the good his father in law Baldouin the fift had done by ayding him in the action of England gaue him yearely three hundred markes and likewise continued it to his sonne after him Now Robert Earle of Flaunders of a collaterall line returning empty from the Holy warres and finding this summe paide out of England to his Predecessors demaunds the same of King Henrie as his due who not easie to part with money sends him word that it was not the custome of the Kings of England to pay tribute If they gaue pensions they were temporary and according to desert Which answere so much displeased the Earle that though himselfe liued not to shew his hatred yet his Sonne did and ayded afterward William the sonne of Robert Curtoys in his attempts for recouery of the Dutchy of Normandy against King Henry Thus stood this King in the first part of his raigne in the other hee had more to doe abroad then at home where hee had by his excellent wisdome so setled the gouernment as it held a steady course without interruption all his time But now Lewis le Grosse succeeding his father Philip the first gaue him warning to looke to his State of Normandy and for that he would not attend a quarrell he makes one taking occasion about the City of Gisors scituate on the Riuer Epre in the confines of Normandy King Henry quarrels with the King of France whilst Louys was trauailed with a stubborne Nobility presuming vpon their Franchises within their owne Signories whereof there were many at that time about Paris as the Contes of Crecy Pissaux Dammartin Champaigne and others who by example and emulation would bee absolute Lords without awe of a Maister putting themselues vnder the protection of Henry wo being neere to assist them fostred those humors which in sicke bodies most shew themselues But after Louys by yeares gathering strength dissolued that compact and made his meanes the more by their confiscations Now to entertaine these two great Princes in worke the quarrell betweene the Pope and the Emperour ministred fresh occasion The Emperor Henry the fift hauing 1108. Anno. Reg. 9. by the Popes instigation banded against his Father Henry the fourth who associated him in the Empire and held him prisoner in that distresse as hee died toucht afterwards with remorse of this act and reproach of the State for abandoning the rights of the Empire leauies sixty thousand foote and thirty thousand horse for Italy constraines the Pope and his Coledge to acknowledge the rights of the Empire in that forme as Leo the fourth had done to Otho the second and before that The Popes Oath to the Emperour Adrian to Charlemaigne according to the Decree of the Counsell of Rome and made him take his Oath of fidelity betweene his hands as to the true and lawfull Emperour The Pope so soone as Henry was departed home assembles a Counsell nullifies this acknowledgement as done by
for euer that when by sommons they should come to the Court of the king of England the Bishop of Duresme and the Shriefe of Northumberland should receaue them at the riuer of Tweed and bring them vnder safe conduct to the riuer of Teis and there the Archbishop of Yorke and the Shriefe of Yorkshire should receiue and conduct them to the bounds of that county and so the Bishops and Shriefes of other Shires till they came to the Court of the King of England and from the time that the King of Scots first entred into this Realme hee should haue an hundred shillings a day allowed of guift for his charge and after he came to the Court thirty shillings a day and twelue Wastells and twelue Simnells of the Kings foure quartes of the Kings best wine and six of ordinary wine two pounds of pepper and foure pounds of Cinamon two pounds of Waxe or foure Wax lights forty great long perchers of the Kings best candles and twenty foure of other ordinary and at his returne to be safely conducted as he came and with the same allowance From Northampton both the Kings go to Woodstock and thence to Winchester where the Coronation is sumptuously solemnised And there King Richard resumes the two Resumptions Mannors he sold to the Bishop of Winchester at his going to the holy Warre and likewise the Castle of Winchester and that county with whatsoeuer sales he had made else of the Demaynes of the Crowne alledging that it was not in his power to aliene any thing appertayning to the same whereby his State was to subsist The Bishop of Duresme seeing these reuocations did voluntarily deliuer vp the Castle of Duresme with the County of Northumberland which the King willed to be deliuered to Hugh Bardolph Hugh Bishop of Lincoln gaue for the liberty of his Church one thousand Markes of siluer redeeming thereby the custome of giuing to the King of England euery yeare a cloke furred with Sabells Here all such who had taken part with the Earle Iohn and defended his Castles were sommoned to appeare and all the rich were put to their ransome the poorer sort let go at liberty but under sureties of an hundred Markes a peece to answere in the Kings Court whensoeuer they should be called The King of Scots seeing the King of England vse all meanes for money offers fifteene thousand Markes for Northumberland with the appurtenances alledging how King Henry the second gaue the same to Henry his Father and that after him King Malcom inioyed it fiue yeares This large offer of money tempted King Richard so as againe hee consulted with his Councell about the matter and in conclusion was willing to yeeld the same to the King of Scots reseruing to himselfe the Castles but that the King of Scots would not accept and so with much discontent departs into Scotland yet two yeares after this King Richard sends Hubert Walter Archbishop of Canterbury to Yorke there to treate with the King of Scots of a marriage betweene Otho his Nephew and Margaret daughter to the said king to haue for her dowre all Lynox and he would giue with his Nephew Northumberland and the Earldome of Carlile with all the Castles but the Queene of Scots in the time of this treaty being knowne to be with Childe it tooke no effect From Winchester king Richard departs into Normandy with an hundred ships so that his stay in England was but from the latter end of February to the tenth of May and that time onely spent in gleaning out what possible this kingdome could yeeld to consume King Richord departs into Normandy with 100 ships the same in his businesses of France which tooke vp all the rest of his raigne being in the whole but nine yeares and nine months whereof he was neuer aboue eight moneths in England Nor doe wee finde that euer his wife Berenguela was here or had any dowry or honour of a Queene of England or otherwise of any regard with him how much souer she had deserued And now all affaires that either concerned the state in generall or any mannes particular was to the great charge and trauayle of the Subiects of England to be dispatched in Normandy and that game we had by our large dominions abrode The first action that king Richard vndertooke vpon his comming ouer was the relieuing of Vernoul beseiged by the king of France and there his brother Iohn by the mediation of their mother Queene Elionor is reconciled vnto him and abiures the part of the king of France And to make his party the stronger in those countries hee first giues his sister Ioane Queene Dowager of Sicile to Raymond Earle of Toulouse being the neerest neighbour of power to his Dutchy of Guien and might most offend him Then enters league with Balduine Earle of Flanders from whom the king of France had taken Artois and Vermandois and on all sides seekes to imbroyle his enemy Foure yeares at least held this miserable turmoyle betwixt these two kings surprising recouering ruyning and spoyling each others Estate often deceuing both the world and themselues with shew of couenants reconciliatorie which were euer more broken againe vpon all aduantages according to the mistery of war and ambition King Phillip of France to strengthen himselfe with shipping to oppose the English marries Botilda the sister of Knut king of Denmark but this match made for his ends and not affection turned to his more trouble for the next day after his wedding hee put her away pretending besides other things propinquity of bloud and for this had he long and great contention with the Church and the king of Denmarke The Emperor sends to the king of England a massie Crowne of gold and offers to come and ayde him against the king of France and to inuade his kingdome but the king returnes him onely thankes not willing to haue him stire in this busines and in regard hee suspected the Emperour affected to adde France to the Empire which would not be safe for him or that the King of France dealing with the Emperour might win him with mony and so in the end ioyne both together against him Now to supply the charge of this great 1194. Anno. Reg. 6. worke England was sure still to beare the heauiest part and no shift is leaft vnsought that might any way rayse meanes to the King from hence Witnesse the Commission giuen to the Iustices Itnerants sent into euery Shire of England for exaction vpon pleas of the Crowne for Escheats wardships marriages c. with the improuement of the Demaynes and the order taken for the exact knowing of the Estates of men and especially of the Iewes on whom the King Vide Append. would haue none to prey but himselfe Then the raysing an imposition vpon allowance of Turnements which was for euery Earle twenty Markes of siluer euery Baron ten euery Kinght hauing Meanes vsed for money lands foure and for such as
had none two Markes for a licence The Collection whereof the Archbishop of Canterbury commits to his brother Theobald Walter Besides another new seale the old being lost by the Vice-Chancelor at the taking of Cirpus brings in a new exaction But the proceeding in the pleas of the Crowne and extorting of penalties Anno Reg. 9. By Hugh Bardolph Roger Arundle and Geffrey Hatchet Iustices Itenerants for Lyncolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Yorkeshire Northumberland Cumberland and Lancaster was of a higher straine of exaction and more profound as hauing more of time and presumption vpon the peoples sufferance of whom when once trial was made that they would beare were sure to haue more layd on them then they were able to vnder goe And with these vexations saith Houeden all England from Sea to Sea was reduced to extreame pouerty and yet it ended not heare another torment is added to the confusion of the Subiects by the Iustices of the Forests Hugh Neuile chiefe Iustice Hugh Wac and Ernise de Neuile who not onely execute those hidious lawes introduced by the Norman but impose other of more tyranicall seuerity as the memory thereof being odious deserues to be vtterly forgotten hauing afterwards by the hard labour of our noble ancestors and the goodnes of more regular Princes beene assuaged and now out of vse Besides in the same yeare this King imposes 5 shil vpon euery Hide or Plough-land which contayned an hundred Acres for the leuying whereof a most strict course was taken Likewise he required by his Vicegerent the Archbishop of Canterbury that the people of England should finde three hundred Knights for one yeare to remaine in his seruice or so much money allowing for euery Knight three shillings per diem Against which Hugh Bishop of Lyncoln opposes and saies that he would neuer yeeld to the Kings will in this for the detriment it might be to the Church and example to posterity that should not complaine thereof and say our Fathers haue eaten sowre grapes and the childrens teeth are set on edge and turning to the Archbishop wished him that he would doe nothing whereof he might be a shamed This Archbishop so husbanded the Kings businesse that in Anno Reg. 7. he yeelded Vudecies centena millia Marc. Houed an accompt vnto him that hee had Ieuied of the Kingdome within the space of two yeares eleuen hundred thousand Markes of siluer which considering that time is a most remarkeable summe And now as the first act of this King was his violent violent proceeding in a businesse of Treasore with Stephen Thurstan Seneshall of Normandy so was it likewise the last and the cause of his distruction for Widomare Viscont of Limoges hauing found a great treasure of siluer and gold in the ground sends a good part thereof to the King which he refuses laying clayme to the whole Widomare denying the same the King layes fiege to his Castle where he imagined the treasure was hid they of the Castle being but weake offered to render the same their liues members and Armor saued which the King would not yeeld vnto but swore that hee would sack the Castle and hang them all Wherevpon desperatly they resolue to stand to their defence King Richard with Marchard generall of the Brabanzons going about the Castle to view what place was sitiest for an assault Bertramd Gurdun from the walls shot a barbed arrow that hit the King in the arme with such a deadly blow as he was presently sent to his lodging notwithstanding commands he his forces to prosecute the assault without intermission which they did and tooke the Castle putting to execution all the defendants except Bartram who by the Kings command was reserued But the arrow drawne out with great torture left the head behinde which being by a rude Chirurgion after much mangling the flesh hardly cut out brought the King to dispaire of life and to dispose of his Estate leauing to his brother Iohn three parts of his treasure and the fourth to his seruants Which done he willed Bertram Gurdun to be brought vnto him of whom he demanded what hurt he had done him that prouoked him to doe this mischiefe to whom Bertram replies thou hast killed my father and my two brothers with thine owne hand and now wouldest haue slaine mee take what reuenge thou wilt I willingly indure what soeuer torture thou canst in flict vpon mee iu respect I haue slaine thee who hast done such and so great mischiefe to the world The King notwithstanding this rough and desperate answere caused him to be let loose and not onely forgaue him his death but commanded 100 shillings The death of King Richard sterling to be giuen vnto him but Marchard after the King was dead caused him to be hanged and flayed This was the end of this Lyon-like King when he had raigned nine yeares and 9 monthes wherein hee exacted and consumed more of this Kingdome then all his predecessors 1599. Anno. Reg. 10. from the Norman had done before him and yet lesse deserued then any hauing neither liued here neither left behinde him monument of Pietie or of any other publique worke or euer shewed loue or care to this Common-wealth but onely to get what hee could from it Neuer had Prince more giuen with lesse a doe and lesse noyes then hee The reason whereof as I haue said was his vndertaking the Holy warre and the cause of Christ with his suffring therein that made the Clergie which then might doe all to deny him nothing and the people fed with the report of his miraculous valour horrible incounters in his voyage abroade and then some victories in France were brought to beare more thē euer otherwise they wold haue don Then had he such Ministers here to serue his turne as preferred his before the seruice of God and did more for him in his absence then euer peraduenture hee would or could haue done for himselfe by being here present For both to hold their places and his good opinion they deuise more shifts of rapine then had euer bin practised before in this Kingdom cared not so he were satisfied what burthen they layd on the Subiect which rent torne by continuall exactions was made the more miserable in that they came betrayed with the shew of Religion Law the maine supporters of humane societie ordayned to preserue the state of a people not to confound it But the insolent ouercharging the state in these times gaue occasion to the future to prouide for themselues Excesses euer procute alterations And the Successors of this King were but little beholding vnto him for out of his irregularitie their boundlessnes came to bee broght within some limits Yet what this King wold haue proued had his daies allowed him other then this rough part of warre we know not but by the operation of a poore Hermits speech made vnto him we are shewed that he was conuertible For being by him vehemently vrged to be
the operations of the minde as they make men neglect the ease of their bodies especially in times not dissolued with those softnings of Luxurie and Idlenesse which vnmannes them And we cannot but admire the vndauntable constancie of this Prince whom all the sad examples of others calamities crossing euen the beginning of this action could not deterre from proceeding therein For first the King of France who with two of his sonnes the King of Nauarre and a mighty Army being set out before and by the way besieging the Citie of Tunis in Affrica possest then by the Sarazines that infested Christendome perished miserably by the Pestilence that raged in his Army and with him one of his sonnes and many of his Nobles whereby all their enterprise was dasht and vtterly ouerthrowne Besides Charles King of Sicile brother to this King of France who likewise came to ayde him returning home lost the greatest part of his Nauie by tempest Moreouer many of this Princes owne people were desirous to leaue him and returne home Whereupon he is sayde to haue stricken his brest and sworne that if all his followers The resolution of Prince Edmond forsooke him he would yet enter Tolemais or Acon though but onely with his Horse-keeper Fowin By which speech they were againe incenced to proceed but yet his Cozin Henry sonne to the King of Romans obtaines leaue of him to depart and was set on shore in Italie where notwithstanding hee found what hee sought to auoyde Death and was slaine in the Church at Viterbo being at deuine seruice by his owne Cozin German Guy de Monfort sonne to Simon late Earle of Leicester in reuenge of his fathers death The newes of which vnnatural murther seemes to hasten the 1274. Anno. Reg. 57. end of Richard King of Romans who died shortly after and the next yeare following finished likewise Henry the 3 of England his act in the 65 of his age hauing reigned 56 years and 20 daies A time that hath held vs long taken vp more then a tenth part from the Norman Inuasion to this present and yeelded notes of great varietie with many examples of a crasie and diseased State bred both by the inequality of this Princes manners and the impatience of a stubborne Nobility He had by his wife Elionor sixe sonnes wherof only two suruiued him Edward and Edmond His issue and two daughters which liued to be married Margueret the eldest to Alexander King of Scots Beatrice the other to Iohn the first intituled Duke of Brittaine Heere endeth the Life and Raigne of Henry the third The Life and Raigne of Edward the first VPon the death of Henry the State assembles at the new Temple and 1272. Anno. Reg. 1. proclaimes his sonne Edward King though they knew not whether he were liuing sweares fealty vnto him causes a new Seale to be made and appointes fit ministers for the custody of his Treasure and his Peace whilst himselfe remaines in Palestine where by an Assasin making shew of deliuering letters he receiues three dangerous wounds with a poysoned knife whereof he was hardly recured After three yeares trauell from the time of his setting forth and many conflicts without any great effect disappointed of his aides and his ends he leaues Acon which he went to relieue well fortified and manned returnes homeward lands in Sicile is royally feasted by Charles the King thereof passes through Italy with all the honour could be shewed him both by the Pope and the Princes there Thence descends into Burgogne where at the foote of the Alpes hee is met by many of the Nobilitie of England and there challenged by the Earle of Chabloun a fierce man at Armes to a Turneament Wherein againe hee hazards his person to shew his valor which may seeme to be more then became his Estate and dignitie From thence he comes downe into France where hee is sumptuously entertayned and feasted by Phillip 3. surnamed the Hardy to whome hee doth homage for all the Territories he held of that Crowne Thence hee departs into Aquitayne where hee spent much time in setling his affaires His Coronation And after six yeeres from his first setting out hee returnes into England Receiues the Crowne without which hee had beeene a King almost three yeeres at the hands of Robert Archbishop of Canterburie in Septemb. 1275. And with him is Elionor his Reg. 3 An. 1274. Queene likewise Crowned at Westminster Alexander King of Scotts and Iohn Duke of Brittaine who both had married his Sisters beeing present at the Solemnitie The spirit and abilities of this Prince shewed in the beginning of his Actions vnder his Father after the great Defeit hee gaue the Barons at Euesham The prosecution of the disherited Mutiners of the Kingdome The exposition of his Person to all hazards and trauaile His single Combat with Adam Gordun the Outlaw neere Farnham His great aduenture and Attempts in the East And finally his long experience in the affaires of the World with his Maturitie of yeeres being about 35. before he came to the Crowne might well presage what an able Master hee would proue in the mannage thereof And how by these aduantages of Opinion and Reputation he was likely as he did to make a higher Improuement of the Royaltie hauingwonne or worne out the greatest of those who heretofore opposed the same In so much as hee seemes the first Conqueror after the Conqueror that got the Domination of this State in that emminent manner as by his gouernment appeares And euen at his first Parliament held shortly after his Coronation at Westminster he Quintam Decimam omnium bonorum Temporalium tam Clericorum quam Laicorum in audito more ad vnguem taxatam Rex iusserat confiscari Mat. West made triall of their patience and had the Fifteenth of all their goods Cleargie and Lay granted vnto him without any Noyse as we heare off The Cleargie hauing yeelded before a Tenth for two yeers to be paid to him his brother Edmond toward the charge of the Holy Warre But yet all this could not diuert the Designes hee had to abate the power Ecclesiasticall which by experience of former times hee found to be a part growne to strong for the Soueraignety whensoeuer they combined with the Lay Nobilitie and therefore now at first whilst hee was in the exaltation both of opinion and estimation with the World hee beganne to set vppon their priuiledges And in Anno Reg. 6. to extend saith the Monkish Historie the Royall Authoritie hee depriued many famous Monasteries throughout England of their Liberties and tooke His proceeding against the Clergie from the Abbot and Couent of Westminster the Returne of Writts granted them by the Charter of his Father King Henry 3. The next yeere after hee got to be inacted the Statute of Mortmaine to hinder the increase of their temporall possessions which made them so powerfull as beeing detrimentall to the Kingdome and the Militarie seruice
it were denied him yet something hee had the King and hee deuiding it betwixt them The Pope graunted the King the Tenth of all the Churches of England for two yeares and the King yeelded that the Pope should haue the First fruits of those Churches And the better to effect this businesse the Pope makes an errand and sends Petrus Hispanus Cardinall a Latere to call vpon the King for consummation of the Marriage betweene Prince Edward and Isabell daughter to the King of France And this Cardinall gott something but not so much as he expected Whilest they were thus busie at Carliel about the opening of the Spring opens K. Bruce teeouers new forces himselfe the hidden King Robert Bruce and with some forces hee had gotten together soddainely assailes the Earle of Pembrooke at vn-awares and gaue him a great defeit and within Three daies after chases the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Ayr where he besieged him till by the Kings forces hee was driuen againe to his former retire But this shewed that so long as hee was in what estate soeuer he was there would be no end of this warre Which caused King Edward to send out his strict commandement that whosoeuer ought him seruice should presently vpon the Midsommer after attend him at Carliel K. Ed. enters Scotland and dies there And withall hee sends the Prince to London about the businesse of his Marriage In Iuly although hee found himselfe not well hee enters Scotland with a fresh Army which hee led not farre for falling into a Dissenterie hee dies at Borough vpon the Reg. 35. An. 1340. sands as if to show on what foundation hee had built all his glory in this world hauing Raigned Thirtie foure yeares Seuen moneths Aged Sixty eight A Prince of a generous spirit wherein the fire held out euen to the very last borne bred for action and militarie affaires which hee mannaged with great iudgement euer wary and prouident for his owne businesse watchfull and eager to enlarge his power and was more for the greatnesse of England then the quiet thereof And this we may iustly say of him that neuer King before or since shed so much Christian blood within this Isle of Brittaine as this Christian warrior did in his time and was the cause of much more in that following He had issue by his first wife Queene Elionor Foure Sonnes whereof onely Edward His Issue suruiued him and Nine Daughters Elionor married to the Earle of Bar. Ioan to Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester Margaret to Iohn Duke of Brabant Mary liued a Nun in the Monastary of Amsberie Elizabeth married first to Iohn Earle of Holland after to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford the rest died yong He had by his Second wife Two Sonnes Thomas Surnamed Brotherton which was Mareschall Earle of Norfolke and Edmond Earle of Kent The end of Edward the First The Life and Raigne of Edward the second EDward of Carnaruan remoued more then one Degree from the Father in heigth of Spirit and nearer the Grandfather in flexibility and Reg. 1. Anno. 1307. easinesse of Nature which made him apt to be taken began his Raigne in Iuly 1307. in the Three and twentith yeare of his Age. A Prince which shewes vs what confusion and mischiefe attends Riot Disorder Neglect of the State and aduancing vnworthie or ill-disposed Minions to the preiudice of others the griefe of his people and the deminution of the Royall Maiestie And though his youth might somewhat excuse the first sicknesse of his priuate Fauours yet those often Relapses of his shewed it was an habituall indisposition in the whole state of his Minde not to be cured Neuer was Prince receiued with greater loue and opinion of all or euer any that sooner lost it For his very first actions discouered a head-strong wilfulnesse that was K. Ed. the first imprisoned his sonne and exiled Pierce Gaueston vncouncellable Whereof the intertaining againe his olde Companion Pierce Gaueston was one whom the Father had banished the Kingdome finding him to haue corrupted the youth of his Sonne and leade him to commit many ryots amongst which was the breaking of the Parke of the Bishop of Chester for which hee both Anno. Reg. 33 imprisoned his Sonne and exiled Gaueston Besides this prouident King as if fore-seeing the mischiefe might insue at his death charged his Sonne vpon his blessing neuer to recall or entertaine Pierce Gaueston againe about him and required the Lords who were present to see his Will obserued therein which notwithstanding hee Pirce Gaueston recalled and preferd by the King brake before his Fathers Funeralls were performed and not only intertaines but inuests Gaueston in the Earledom of Cornewale and the Lordship of Man being both of the Demaines of the Crowne and makes him his chiefe Chamberlaine Then to bee reuenged on the Bishop of Chester his Fathers Treasurer who had abbridged his expences and complained of him for his ryot hee caused him to be arrested committed to prison and seises vpon all his goods which he gaue to Gaueston makes a new Treasurer of his owne remoues most of his Fathers Officers and all without the aduice or consent of his Councell which gaue them their first discontent and bewrayed his disposition Before his Coronation a Parlement was held at Northampton wherein was ordained A Parlement at Northampton held before the Coronation that the Monies of his Father notwithstanding the people held them base should bee current and a Fifteenth of the Cleargie a Twentith of the Temporalty is there granted After the Funeralls performed at Westminster hee passes ouer to Bologne where his Nuptialls with Isabel Daughter to Philip le Bel are sumptuously The marriage of K. Ed. solemnized at Belogne solemnized at which were present the King of France the King of Nauare his Sonne the King of Almaine the King of Sicile and three Queenes besides the Bride with an extraordinary concourse of other Princes At which Feast Gaueston is sayde to haue exceeded them all in brauerie daintinesse of attire wherewith afterward he infected the Court of England A mischiefe the most contagious to breed a Consumption in a State that can be introduced For the imitation thereof presently distends it selfe ouer all and passes beyond the example and at length all meanes to maintaine it And had hee done no other hurt to the Kingdome then this it had been enough to haue made him as hee was odious therunto But besides hee afterward filled the Gaveston corrups the King Court with Buffons Parasites Minstrels Players and all kinde of dissolute persons to entertaine and dissolue the King with delights and pleasures Whereby he so possest him as hee regarded no other company no other exercise but continually day and night spent his time and treasure in all Wantonnesse Ryot and disorder neglecting the affaires of the State and the company and counsell of all the rest of the Nobles
to the kingdom Three yeares this affliction held was attended with so great a Pestilence and generall sicknesse of the common sort caused by the ill nutriment they receiued as the liuing scarce sufficed to burie the dead Notwithstanding could all this extinguish the rancour betweene the King and his Nobles but daily one mischiefe or other brake out to holde in and increase the same The wife of Thomas Earle of Lancaster is taken out of his house at Canford in Dorcetshire The wife of the E. of Lancaster taken out of his house at Canford by one Richard Saint Martin a deformed Dwarffe as hee is described a follower of the Earle Warrein claiming her for his wife and auowing how hee had layne with her before she was married to the Earle which the Lady her selfe to her perpetuall ignomy and the shame of honour voluntarily auerred This base creature claymes by her the Earledomes of Lincolne and Salisbury whereunto shee was heire Which with out being supported by great Abbettors hee would neuer haue presumed to attempt The King is noted an Actor herein which beeing in so tender reserued a businesse as mariage added much to his other violations of order gaue The King aduertised of his errots occasion and hardinesse to inferiour persons to reproue his courses as may bee noted by this passage Being at the celebration of the feast of Pentecost at dinner in the open Hall at Westminster a woman fantastically disguised enters on Horse-bake and ryding about the Table deliuers him a letter wherein was signified the great neglect hee had of such as had done him and his father noble seruices taxing him for aduancing men of vnworthie parts c. which letter read and the woman departed put the King into a great rage They who guarded the doore being sharply reprehended for suffering her to enter in that manner excused themselues alleadging it not to be the fashion of the Kings house in times of festiualls to keepe out any which came in that manner as they thought to make sport Search beeing made for this woman shee is found and examined who set her on She confessed a Knight gaue her mony to doe as shee did The Knight is found and vpon examination boldly confessed hee did it for the Kings honour and to none other end and escapes without further adoe Thus while the North parts were not only infested with the Scots but likewise by such of the English as vnder colour of vsing ayde for resistance robbed and spoiled The miserable affiction of the Borderers all where they came to the miserable vndoing of the people Besides Robert Bruce now absolute King of Scots sends his brother Edward with a mighty power into Ireland whereof hee got a great part and the title of a King which hee held three yeares Thus all things went ill as euermore it doth in dissolute and dissenrious times wherein the publicke is alway neglected But these mischiefes abroad was the occasion that a reconciliation betweene the A reconciliation between the King the Nobles A new occasion of trouble King and the Earle of Lancaster is made by the mediation of two Cardinalls vppon such conditions as were soone after vniustly broken by the King A Knight is taken passing by Pomfret with letters sealed with the Kings Seale directed to the King of Scots about murthering the Earle which Messenger is executed his head set vpon the top of the Castle and the letters reserued to witnesse the intended plot Which whether it were fained or not the report thereof cast an aspersion vpon the King Reg. 11. Anno. 1318. and wonne many to take part with the Earle After this vpon an inuasion of the Scots forraging as farre as Yorks a Parlement is assembled at London wherein againe the King by the working of the Cardinalls and Cleargie of England yeelds faithfully A Parlement at London to obserue all the former required Articles Whereupon an ayd is granted him of Armed men to go against the Scots London settes foorth 200. Canterbury 40. Saint Albons 10. and so of all Cities and Boroughs according to their proportion whereby a great Army was leauied Which comming to Yorke through mutenie emulation and other impediments was dissolued and turned backe without effecting any thing The next yeare after vpon the rendering vp of Berwicke to the Scots by the treason of Peter Spalding who had the custodie thereof the King of England raises an Armic Reg. 12. Anno. 1319. beleagers it the Scots to diuert his forces enter vpon England by other waies and were like to haue surprised the person of the Queene lying neare Yorke The siege notwithstanding is eagerly continued and the King in great possibility to haue The L. Hugh Spencer the yonger succeded Gaueston in the office of L. Chamberlaine regained the Towne had not the Earle of Lancaster with his followers withdrawne him-selfe vpon discontent hearing the King say how hee would giue the keeping thereof to the Lord Hugh Spencer the younger who was now growne an especiall Minion the successor both of the Office and priuate fauour of Gaueston and therefore not to be induted by the Earle Those of Yorke and the Countrie adiacent hauing receiued inestimable damages by the Scots collect an Armie of 10000 men incounter them at Milton on Swayle but beeing not well ledde nor experienced they receiued the defeite with the losse of 3000 men Whereof the King being certified and seeing all things to succeed ill with him concludes a truce with the Scots for two yeares and againe returnes with dishonour from those parts In the time of this peace a great flame arises from a Reg. 14. Anno. 1321. small sparke and tooke beginning vpon this occasion A Baron named William Brewes hauing in his licentious age wasted his estate offers to sell vnto diuerse men a part of his inheritance called Powes Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford in regarde the land lay neare his obtaines leaue of the King to buy it and bargaines for the same The two Rogers Mortimers Vncle and Nephew great men likewise in those Another occasion of reuolt parts not vnderstanding it seemes any thing of the former bargaine Contract also for the same land with the said Sir William Brewes Hugh Spencer the younger hearing of this sale and the land adioyning to part of his obtaines a more especiall leaue of the King being now his Chamberlaine and buies it out of all their hands The Earle of Hereford complaines himselfe to the Earle of Lancaster the refuge of all discontented men who at Sherborn enters into a Confederation with diuers Barons there assembled taking their oathes intermutually to liue and die together in maintaining the right of the kingdome and to procure the banishment of the two Spencers father and sonne whom they now held to be the great seducers of the King and oppressors of the State disposing of all things in Court at their will and
Supplications nor any band of aliance were auaileable to saue them from slaughter Wherein to incense the more their king Gunild his sister a woman of masculine courage who had a little before receiued Christendome a mediator and pledge of the peace hauing first her husband and sonne slaine in her sight rather Cunild slaine with a threatning then appaled countenance met her death making imprecation for reuenge and foretelling her bloud would as it did cost England deere Soone was the notice of this enormious act giuen to Swaine and as soone armed with rage and power re-entred hee the kingdome hauing now a fayrer shew to doe fowly then euer wrong had made him a right who had none before and the people of the Land not so forward to maintayne their act as to commit it rather were content to giue him the possession of their country then that hee should win it the greatest Swain wins England part of the Kingdome submitting themselues vnto him onely the Citie of London which Ethelred held fortified made Noble resistance till hee left them and conueyed himselfe first into the Isle of Wight and after into Normandie whither he had sent Emma Etheldred flies into Normandie his Queene with their two sonnes Aelfrid and Edward before from the rage of this tempest But within two moneths he was recalled home by the people of England vpon the death of Swaine who at the point to haue beene crowned King and had generally Swaines death taken ostages and oathes of fealty died suddenly leauing his sonne Knute to succeed his fortunes and accomplish what he intended Ethelred returning was soone furnisht with an Army sets vpon Knute in Lindsey Etheldred returnes where he lay with his fathers shipping and Hostages and draue him to take the seas where with inraged making about to Sandwich hee miserably mangled and dismembred those hostages and so sent them home himselfe with the spoiles his father and he had gotten returned to his Country to make greater preparations for the prosecution of his purpose Ethelred in the meane time to increase the summe of reuengement with more wrath at a generall assembly at Oxford caused many of the Danique Nobility to be murthered Among which were Sigifrith and Morchar Earles of Northumberland whom the false Edric who had a hand on each side for mischiefe inuiting to his lodging vnder pretence of feasting barbarously caused to be slaine their followers after they had so long as they could desperately defended themselues and their maisters fled into a Church where they were with the same burnt Knute armed with Knute returnes the greatest of his owne and neighbours powers made his confederates landed againe within the yeare at Sandwich and without resistance had all the West parts rendred vnto him with pledges for their obedience and furnishment with horse and armor Here the false Edric leaues his Liege-lord and yeelds vp forty ships and his periur'd faith to Knute Ethelred languishing in minde and body Edmond his sonne surnamed Ironside Etheldreds death to oppose youth to youth was imployed against this rabious inuador A Prince worthy of a better time and had he found faith had made it so and deliuered his Country at that turne from the worst of miseries the conquest by strangers Knute Edmond Ironside BVT now vpon the death of Ethelred whose 37 yeares raigne shewes that infelicity shall haue time too much and happinesse too little Knute was by most of the Clergie and Nobility chosen king onely the Citie of London with some of the Nobility there about made election of Edmond Edmond Ironside sonne to Ethelred by his first wife Ethelgina and furnished him with that power as thereby with the couragious ardour of his youth which commonly is most in the first attempts hee had the better in three imminent battels within three moneths and had likewise obtained the fourth at Essendon likely to haue beene the last with the An. 1016. Danes but that the disloyall Edric late renouncing his new Lord seeing Edmonds part in possibilitie to preuaile againe betraied his trust and withdrew himselfe and the charge he had to the enemy This satal battell lost England here perished the best flower of honour it then had Here amongst the rest was slaine Vlkill an Earle of Essex of euer memorable worth who had long stood vp for the Kingdome and in the time of Swaine was the first that shewed there was hope and possibility to quaile the enemy had there beene an vnion in loyaltie From this bloudy worke Edmond escapes to Glocester to recollect new sorces nor was hee so forsaken with this fortune but that hee soone recouered another armie to re-assaile the enemie that might be idle vpon this victorie But Knute as prouident Edmonds single combate with Knute in the prosecution of his businesse as fortunate therein makes after Here when both Armies were at the point to incounter a motion of peace was propounded Some say the two Kings by single combat consented to decide their fortunes and the ouer-commer to take all and that in an Isle of the riuer Seuern their Armies on either shore spectators of the act they tried the maistery for the prize of a Kingdome Peace concluded After long and equall fight finding each others worth they cast away their weapons imbraced and concluded the peace But howsoeuer it seemes both sides tyred with the miserie of a consuming warre neuer like to be ended but by the vtter extirpation of the one and considering the danger of either and incertaintie of the future were easily perswaded to imbrace a present agreement which was made by parting England England deuided between them betwixt them two and confirm'd by Oath and Sacrament putting on each others Apparell and Armes as a ceremonie to expresse the attonement of their mindes as if they made transaction of their persons each to other Knute became Edmond and Edmond Knute A fatall exchange for so free and magnanimous a Prince as Edmond who indeed was now no more himselfe and being but halfe a King was in so few dayes after none as makes this peace shew fouler then warre for that armed him for life this exposed him naked to death which was shortly after treacherously giuen him The death of King Edmond Ironside at Oxford at Oxford some say by the sonne of Edric as if to shew he would bee the heire of his father also in Treason whereby both the hope and the other halfe of England were vtterly lost as determinable with his raigne which with all we haue else of his magnanimous actions tooke vp scarce the circuit of one whole yeare And yet had that been space enough for glorie whose measure is to be taken rather by the profundity then the length which seldome holds long and euen could he haue had that cleere And better for his renowne to haue died at the battaile of Essendon with England then discended to haue made
King of France who gaue him a faire entertainement in his Court Where he remained not long but that a Knight of 1093. Anno. Reg. 6. Normandy named Hachard vndertaking to put him into a Fort maugre his brother Robert within the Duchy conueyed him disguised out of the Court and wrought so as the Castle of Dampfront was deliuered vnto him whereby shortly after he got all the Countrey of Passays about it and a good part of Constantine by the secret aide of King William Richard de Riuteres and Roger de Manneuile Duke Robert leuies forces and eagerly wrought to recouer Dampfront but finding how Henry was vnderset inueighes against the perfidie of his brother of England in so much as the flame of rankor burst out againe more then euer And ouer passes King William with a great Army but rather to terrifie then do any great matter as a Prince that did more contend then warre and would be great with the sword yet seldome desired to vse it if he could get to his ends by any other meanes seeking rather to buy his peace then winne it Many skirmishes interpassed with surprisements of Castles but in the end a treaty of peace was propounded wherein to make his conditions what he would King William seemes hard to be wrought and makes the more shew of force sending ouer into England for an Army of thirty thousand men which being brought to the shore ready to be shipped an offer was made to be proclaimed by his Lieftenant that giuing ten shillings a man whosoeuer would might depart home to his dwelling Whereby was raised so much as discharged his expence and serued to see the King of France vnder-hand for his forbearing aide to Duke Robert who seeing himselfe left by the French must needes make his peace as the other would haue it Now for his affaires at home the vncertaine warres with Wales and Scotland gaue him more businesse then honour Being driuen in the one to incounter with mountaines in stead of men to the great losse and disaduantage of his people and in the other with as many necessities Wales he sought to subdue Scotland so to restraine as it might not hurt him For the last after much broyle both Kings seeming more willing to haue peace then to seeke it are brought to an enteruiew Malcolin vpon publicke faith and safe-conduit came to Glocester where vpon the haughtinesse of King William looking to be satisfied in all his demaunds and the vnyeeldingnesse of King Malcolin standing vpon his regality within his owne though content to be ordered for the confines according to the iudgement of the Primate of both Kingdomes nothing 1084. Anno. Reg. 7. was effected but a greater disdaine and rankor in Malcolin seeing himselfe dispised and scarce looked on by the King of England So that vpon his returne armed with rage he raises an Army enters Northumberland which foure times before he had depopulated and now the fifth seeking vtterly to destroy it and to haue gone farther The King of Scots his son Edward slaine causes Queene Margaret to dy with griefe Roger Houeden was with his eldest sonne Edward slaine rather by the fraude then power of Robert Mowbray Earle of that County The griefe of whose deaths gaue Margaret that blessed Queene hers After whom the State elected Dufnald brother to Malcolin and chased out all the English which attended the Queene and were harbored or preferred by Malcolin King William to set the line right and to haue a King there which should be beholding to his power aides Edgar the second sonne to Malcolin who had serued him in his wars to obtaine the Crowne due vnto him in right of succession by whose meanes Dufnald was expeld and the State receiued Edgar but killed all the aide he brought with him out of England and capitulated that he should neuer more entertaine English or Norman in his seruice This businesse setled Wales strugling for liberty and reuenge gaue new occasion of 1085. Anno. Reg. 8. worke whither he went in person with purpose to depopulate the Countrey but they retiring into the Mountaines and the Isle of Anglesey auoided the present furie But afterward Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury and Hugh Earle of Chester surprising the Isle their chiefest retreit committed there barbarous examples of cruelty by exoecations and miserable dismembring the people which immanity was there suddenly auenged on the Earle of Shrewsbury with a double death first shot into the eye and then tumbling ouer-boord into the sea to the sport and scorne of his enemy the King of Norway who either by chance or of purpose comming vpon that coast from taking in the Orchades encountred with him and that force he had at sea These were the remote businesses when a conspiracy brake out within the body of the Kingdome complotted by Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland William d'Ou and many others who are sayd to haue sought the destruction of the King and the aduancement of Stephen Earle of Albemare his Aunts sonne to the Crowne which gaue the King more trouble then danger for by the speedy and maine prosecution of the businesse wherein hee vsed the best strength of England it was soone ended with the confusion of the vndertakers But it wrought an ill effect in his nature by hardening the same to an extreme rigor for after the feare was past his wrath and cruelty were not but which is hideous in a Prince they grew to bee numbred amongst incurable diseases The Earle was committed to the Castle of Windsor William d' Ou at a Councell at Salisbury being ouercome in Duell the course of triall had his eyes put out and his priuie members cut off William de Alueric his Sewer a man of goodly personage and allyed vnto him was condemned to be hanged though both in his confession to Osmond the Bishop there and to all the people as hee passed to his execution hee left a cleere opinion of his innocency and the wrong hee had by the King But now whilst these fractures heere at home the vnrepairable breaches abroad were such as could giue the King no longer assurednesse of quiet then the attempters would and that all the Christian world was out either at discord amongst themselues or in faction by the schisme of the Church Pope Viban assembling a generall Councell at Cleirmont in Auergne to compose the affaires of Christendome exhorted all the Princes thereof to ioyne themselues in action for the recouery of the Holy Land out of the hands of infidels Which motion by the zealous negotiation of Peter the Hermit of Amiens tooke so generally meeting with the disposition of an actiue and religious world as turn'd all that flame which had else consumed each other at home vpon vnknowne Nations that vndid them abroad Such and so great grew the heate of this action made by the perswasion of the Iustice thereof with the state and glory it would bring on earth and the assurednesse of heauen
Dissolute persons expelled the Court. forbidden them vpon great penalty since the beginning of William the first Many other good orders for the gouernment of the Kingdome are ordained and besides to make him the more popular and beloued hee matches in the Royall bloud of England taking to wife Maude daughter of Margueret late Queene of Scots and Neece to Edgar Atheling descended from Edmond Ironside A Lady that brought with her the inheritance of goodnesse shee had from a blessed mother and with much adoe was won from her Cloister and her vow to God to discend to the world and be a wife to a King Thus stood he entrenched in the State of England when his brother Robert returning from the holy warres and receiued with great applause into his Dutchy of Normandy Robert Duke of Normandy returnes from the holy warre shakes the ground of all this businesse the first yeare threatning the second arriuing with a strong Army at Portsmouth to recouer the Crowne appertayning vnto him by the course of succession hauing a mighty partie in England of the Norman Nobility who either mooued with Conscience or their discontent a sickenesse rising of selfe 1101. Anno. Reg. 2. opinion and ouer expectation made any light occasion the motiue of reuolt The Armies on both fides meete and are readie to encounter when for auoyding Christian bloud a treatie of peace was moued and in the end concluded with these Articles 1. That seeing Henry was borne since his father was King of England which made him the The agreement between Henry and his brother eldest sonne of a King though the last of a Duke and now inuested in the Crowne by the act of the Kingdome hee should enioy the same during his life paying to Robert 3000 markes per annum 2. And Robert suruiuing to succeed him 3. That all who had taken part with Robert should haue their pardon and receiue no detriment 1102. Anno. Reg. 3. This businesse thus fairely passed ouer Robert of a generous and free Nature staies and feasts with his Brother here in England from the beginning of August till Michaelmas and then returnes into Normandy When Henrie ridde of this feare takes Henry claymes the inuestituâ—es of Bishops to a higher straine of Regality and now stands vpon his Prerogatiue for the inuestitures of Bishops and collation of other Ecclesiasticall estates within his kingdome oppugned by Anselme who refused to consecrate such as he preferred alledging it to Anselm oppugnes the Kings prerogatiue be a violation of the Sacred Rites and Ceremonies of the Church lately Decreed concerning this businesse in so much as the King dispatches an Ambassage to Pope Paschal with declaration of the right hee had to such inuestitures from his Predecessours the Kings of England who euermore conferred the same without interruption till now The King sends to the Pope of late Anselme followes after these Ambassadours goes likewise to Rome to make good the opposition The King banishes him the Kingdome and takes into his hands his 110. Anno. Reg. 4. Bishopricke The Pope stands stifly to the power assumed by the Church but in the end seeing the King fast strong and lay too farre off out of his way to bee constrained and hauing much to doe at that time with the Emperour and other Princes about the same businesse takes the way of perswasion to draw him to his will solliciting him Anselme followes Vide Append. with kind Letters full of protestations to further any designes of his that might concerne his State if he would desist from this proceeding The King prest with some other occasions that held him in and hauing purposes of The King and Anselm accorded that Nature as by forbearance of the Church might be the better effected consents to satisfie the Popes will and becomes an example to other Princes of yeelding in this case Anselme is re-called after a yeares bannishment and the Ambassadours returne with large remunerations Whilest these things were managing at Rome there burst out here a flame which The Earle of Shrewsburies combination consumed the parties that raised it and brought the King more easily to his ends then otherwise he could euer haue expected Robert de Belesme Earle of Shrewsbury sonne to Roger de Mongomerie a very fierce youth presuming of his great estate and his friends fortifies his Castles of Shrewsburie Bridgenorth Tickhill and Arundel with some other peeces in Wales belonging to him and combines with the Welch to oppose against the present State out of a desire to set all in combustion for his owne ends that were altogether vncertaine which put the King to much trauell and charge but within thirty dayes by employing great forces and terrors mixt with promises hee scattered his complices and tooke all his Castles except that of Arundell which rendred vpon condition that the Maister might bee permitted to retire safe into Normandie which the King easily granted seeing now hee was but the body of a silly naked Creature that had lost both Feathers and wings And it made well for the King his going thither For from the loosing of his owne estate in England and thereby aduancing the Kings reuenues hee goes to loose Normandy also and brings it to this Crowne For as soone as he came thither hee fastens amity with one of like condition and fortunes as himself an exiled man whose insolency had likewise stript him out of all his estate in 1104. Anno. Reg. 5. England and much wasted that in Normandy which was William Earle of Mortaigne sonne to Robert halfe Brother to King William the first Who being also Earle of Cornewal made sute likewise to haue that of Kent which his Vncle Odon lately held but being denied it and also euicted by Law of certaine other parcels of Land which hee claimed retires with great indignation into Normandy where not only he assaults the Kings Castles but also vsurpes vpon the State of Richard the yong Earle of Chester then the Kings Ward These two Earles combine themselues and with their Adherents committed many outragious actions to the great spoile and displeasure of the Countrey whereof though they complained to Duke Robert they found little remedy For he being now growne poore by his out-lauishing humour began it seemes to be little respected or else falne from action and those greatnesses his expectation had shewed him was as commonly great mindes dasht with ill fortunes are falne likewise in spirit and giuen ouer to his ease Wherupon the the people of Normandy make their exclamations to the King of England who sends for his Brother Robert Reprehends him for the sufferance of these disorders aduises him to act the part of a Prince and not a Monke and in conclusion whither by detention of his pension or drawing him being of a facile Nature to some act of releasing it sends him home so much discontented as hee 1105. Anno. Reg. 6. ioynes with these
force and shortly after deceased The Emperour to make himselfe the stronger against his successors enters into aliance with the King of England takes to wife his daughter Maud being but fiue The Emperor Hen. 5. marries Maud. yeares of age After this Calixte sonne of the Conte de Burgogne comming to be Pope and being French vnto their great applause assembles a Counsell at Reimes were by Ecclesiasticall sentence Henry the fift is declared enemy of the Church and degraded of his Imperiall Dignity The King of England seeing this Counsell was held in France and composed chiefely of the Galicane Church desirous to ouer-maister Louys incenses his sonne in law the Emperour stung with this disgrace to set vpon him as the Popes chiefe piller on one side and he would assaile him on the other The Emperour easily wrought to such a businesse prepares all his best forces the King of England doth the like The King of France seeing this storme comming so impetuously vpon him wrought so with the Princes of Germany as they weighing the future mischiefe of a warre vndertaken in a heate with the importance of a kind Neighbour-hood aduise the Emperour not to enter thereinto till hee had signifyed to the King of France the Historie of France cause of his discontent Whereupon an Embassage is dispatched The King of Fraunce answers That hee grieued much to see the two greatest Pillars of the Church thus shaken with these dissentions whereby might bee feared the whole frame would bee ruined that hee was friend to them both and would gladly bee an inter-dealer for concord rather then to carry wood to a fire too fierce already which hee desired to extinguish for the good and quiet of Christendome This Embaslage wrought so as it disarmed the Emperour glad to haue Louys a mediator of the accord betweene the The King of France accords the Pope and Emperour Pope and him to the great displeasure of the King of England who expected greater matters to haue risen by this businesse The accord is concluded at Wormes to the Popes aduantage to whom the Emperor yeelds vp the right of inuestitures of Bishops and other Benefices But this was onely to appease not cure the malady The King of England disappointed thus of the Emperours assistance proceeds notwithstanding in his intentions against Louys And seeing he failed of outward forces he sets vp a party in his Kingdome to confront him aiding Theobald Conte de Champaigne King Henry aides Conte Theobald against the king of France with so great power as he stood to do him much displeasure besides he obtained a strong side in that Kingdome by his aliances for Stephen Earle of Blois had married his sister Adela to whom this Theobald was Brother and had wonne Foulke Earle of Aniou an important neighbour and euer an enemy to Normandy to be his by matching his sonne William to his daughter Louys on the other side failes not to practise all meanes to vnder-worke Henries estate The King of France combines with the Earle of Flanders against King Henry in Normandy and combines with William Earle of Flanders for the restoring of William the sonne of Robert Curtoys to whom the same appertained by right of inheritance and had the fairer shew of his actions by taking hold on the side of Iustice. Great and many were the conflicts betweene these two Princes with the expence of much bloud and charge But in the end being both tyred a peace was concluded 1116. Anno. Reg. 17. by the mediation of the Earle of Aniou And William sonne to King Henry did homage to Louys for the Duchy of Normandy And William the sonne of Robert Curtoys is left to himselfe and desists from his claime Vpon the faire cloze of all these troubles there followed presently an accident which seasoned it with that sowernesse of griefe as ouercame all the ioy of the successe William the young Prince the onely hope of all the Norman race at seuenteene yeares of Queene Maud liued not to see this disaster age returning into England in a ship by himselfe accompanied with Richard his base brother Mary Countesse of Perch their sister Richard Earle of Chester with his wife the Kings Neece and many other personages of honour and their attendants to the number of 140. besides 50. Marriners setting out from Barbfleete were all cast away at Sea onely a Butcher escaped The Prince had recouered a Cock-boat and in possibility to haue bene saued had not the compassion of his sisters cryes drawne him backe to the sinking ship to take her in and perish with his company Which sudden clap of Gods iudgement comming in a calme of glory when all these bustlings seemed past ouer might make a conscience shrinke with terror to see oppression and supplantation repayd with the extinction of that for which so much had bin wrought and the line Masculine of Normandy expired in the third inheritor as if to beginne the fate layde on all the future succession hither vnto wherein the third heire in a right discent seldome or neuer inioyed the Crowne of England but that either by vsurpation or extinction of the male bloud it receiued an alteration which may teach Princes to obserue the wayes of righteousnesse and let men alone with their rights and God with his prouidence After this heauy disaster this King is sayd neuer to haue bene seene to laugh though within fiue moneths after in hope to restore his issue he married Adalicia a beautifull yong Lady daughter to the Duke of Lovaine and of the house of Loraine but neuer had child by her nor long rest from his troubles abroad For this rent at home crackt all the chaine of his courses in France Normandy it selfe became wauering and many Robert de Mellents conspiracie adhered to William the Nephew his great confederates are most regayned to the King of France Foulke Earle of Aniou quarrels for his daughters dower Robert de Mellent his chiefe friend and Councellor a man of great imployment fell from him conspired 1123. Anno. Reg. 25. with Hugh Earle of Monfort and wrought him great trouble But such was his diligence and working spirit that he soone made whole all those ruptures againe The two Earles himselfe surprizes and Aniou death which beeing so important a neighbour as we may see by matching a Prince of England there the Maud the Empresse maried to Geffery Plantagenet King fastens vpon it with another aliance and discends to marry his daughter and now onely child which had beene wife to an Emperour and desired by the Princes of Lumbardy and Loraine to the now Earle Geffery Plantagenet the sonne of Foulke The King of Fraunce to fortifie his opposition entertaines William the Nephew 1126. Anno. Reg. 27. where now all the danger lay and aides him in person with great power to obtaine the Earledome of Flanders whereunto he had a faire Title by the defaillance of issue in
intelligence with the Archbishop of Collen As Iohn of Oxford Richard Iuechester Richard de Lucie Iosslin Balliol Alan de Neuile and with these all such as had entred vpon the goods of the Church of Canterbury which hee called the patrimony of the Crusifex and the foode of the poore and these were Ralph de Brocke Hugh Saint Clare and Thomas Fitz Barnard Thus are both sides busied in this drie warre wherein though there were no sword yet it gaue vexation ynough And yet this was not all the worke that tooke vp the Kings time for during this dissention the Welsh againe reuolt and to supresse them he spent much labour with The King represses the Welch the losse of many great men and was himselfe in that daunger as had not Hubert Saint Clere receiued a wounde for him by an Arrow aymed directly at his person hee had there finished his part In this expedition hee is sayd to haue vsed extreame crueltie After this hee passes into Normandie to bee neere his businesse which now lay all on that side And first to entertaine the opinion of Pictie though hee were falne out with the Pope hee obtaines at an Assembly of his Bishops and Barons of Normandie 1166. Anno. Reg. 13. two pence in the pound of euery mans Lands and goods to beepayde that yeare 1166. and a penny of euery pound to be payde for foure yeares following which was leuied for the reliefe of the Christians in the Holy warre and sent vnto them Then hee raises forces and takes in certaine Castles in the Countrey of Maine and Marches of Brittaine from diuers Lords and Barons that had disobayed him And whilst he was busie abroade Mathew sonne to the Earle of Flanders who had married the Lady Marie Abbesse of Ramsey daughter to King Stephen had by her the Country of Bologne attempted something on the Coast of England either to try the affections of the people or to make spoyle and booty but without any effect at all the King being to mighty for any such weake vndertaker And to distend his powre yet wider falls out this occasion Conan Earle of Britaine dies and leaues one onely daughter which hee had by his wife Constance daughter to the King of Scots to succeed him in his State The King of England being then in armes vpon the Marches of Brittaine deales with the Guardians of the young Ladie to match her to his third sonne Geffry The nobility of that Country being then of a rough and haughty disposition giuen to fewds and perpetuall quarrelling one with another were wrought vpon and a side is wonne of such as could doe most in this businesse which is effected to the great contentation of the King of England This fell out to be in the 13 yeare of his raigne wherein as some write died his Mother Maud the Empresse a Lady of an high and actiue Spirit illustrious by her birth but more by her first match and most by her sonne whom she liued to see established in all these mighty States in the glory of Greatnesse Peace Fertile in issue hauing now The death of Maude the Empresse had 4 sonnes and 3 daughters linkes of loue and strength oftentimes in priuate families though seldome in Princes and shee left him in the best time of his daies before any great tempest ouertooke him Three yeares after this hee imployes most in France about the ordering and cleering the bounds of his Dominions from vsurpation or incrochments of neighbour Lords whom his greatnesse held all in awe and they must haue no more then hee would especially hee settles and reformes the State of Brittaine which was much out of order and in muteny about the late Match which being appeased hee keepes a solemne Christmas at Nants and Royally feasts the Nobilitie of the Countrey 1169. Anno. Reg. 16. Then returnes he into England where least Peace by reason of his long and often absence might afflict and corrupt his subiects he lookes to that Diuine and Almighty worke of Kings the administration of Iustice appoynting certaine commissioners as Syndicqs to examine the abuses and excesses committed by his Officers and grieuously Extortion and Bribety punished punishes the Shriefes of the Land for extortion and bribery His Easter he keepes at Windsor whither repaires vnto him William King of Scots who lately succeeded Malcom his brother and brings with him his younger brother Dauid both to congratulate the King of Englands returne and also continue his claime to those peeces in the North which hee pretended to bee vniustly detained from that Crowne The King entertaines him as hee had done his brother with faire words and tells him How it was not in his powre to doe any thing therein without the consent of the State in Parliament which if hee would attend there should bee that course taken as hee hoped might giue him satisfaction In expectation whereof this King came often into England and once attended the King in an expedition into France as his Predecesor had done But now all this while the wrath of the Church continues and the clowde hangs still ouer him dayly threatning the great thunder-bolt Although it seemes the Pope of himselfe was not verie forward to proceede to that extremity but would gladly haue quieted the Archbishoppe otherwise Who hee sayd had taken an ill time for this businesse the King being mighty and the Church in trouble and therefore writes The Pope writes to the Bishops of England he his letters to the Bishop of London and Hereford willing them to deale effectually with the King and to admonish him to desist from intruding vpon the liberties of the Church and to restore the Archbishop to his Sea and Dignity The Bishops wisely answere the Popes Letter in substance thus Wee haue sayd they done your Holinesse message and as much as was decent for the Maiestie The Bishops answere to the Popes Letter if a King instantly vrged him to satisfie your desire made by vs and if hee had erred from the way of truth and Iustice that hee would not delay to returne thereunto that hee would not inhibit such as were desirous to visit the Church of Rome hinder Appeales oppresso Churches and Churchmen or suffer others so to doe that hee would call home our Father the Archbishoppe c. and persist in the workes of Pietie that hee by whom Kings raigne might preserue vnto him his temporall Kingdome and giue him an eternall in Heauen and that vnlesse hee would yeelde to your Holy admonitions you who had hitherto indured could in patience forbeare no longer Besides we added this of our selues how it was to bee feared if hee amended not his errours his Kingdome would not long stand nor his prosper The King receiued your admonitions with manie thankes much Temperance and Modestie and answeres to euerie point First hee protested that in no sort hee auerted his minde from your Holinesse nor euer purposed so to
then giues him powre to inuade the same and to execute whatsoeuer should bee to the Honour of God and good of the Countrey with reseruation of Church-rights and Peeter-pence a penny of euery house yearely which hee had promised by his Ambassadors and so concluds with an exhortation to plant men of good and examplar life in the Clergie c. But the King at that time hauing other occasions left off the purpose of this which comes now of late to bee againe imbraced by this meanes Dermot Mac Marrgh one Dermot complains against O Conor to King Henry of the fiue Kings which then ruled that Island comes vnto him into Aquitaine to craue his ayde against Rodorick the Great called O Conor Dun King of Connaught who contending for the Soueraigntie of the whole had chaced him out of his Dominion of Lemster The King of England glad to finde a doore thus opened to his intention that might yeeld passage of it selfe without being broken vp intertaines this eiected King with promises of ayde and though hee could not as then furnish him being ingaged in other great affaires he yet permits such of his subiects as would to aduenture their fortunes with him But the occasion of the dissention betweene these two Irish Kings was indeed fowle on the part of Dermot who had corrupted and stolne away the wife of Rodoricke and for that odious iniury with his iniustice to his people the common causes Dermots offences of ruininge and transferring Kingdomes hee was by strong hand chaced out of his Dominion of Lemster and thereupon makes out for forraine aide And hauing thus delt with the King of England he betakes him into Wales where first he wrought one Robert Fits Stephen a man of a desperate fortune yet able to draw many voluntaries to contract with him and afterward Richard of the house of Clare surnamed Strong-bow Earle of Pembrooke commonly called of his chiefe seate in Monmoth-shire Earle of Chepstow or Strigil a Lord of high courage and worthinesse which made him well followed and of great possessions both in England and Normandy which gaue him meanes for his entertainements Fits Stephen was perswaded by promise of rich rewards The Earle of marriage with Eua the daughter of Dermot the succession of the Kingdome of Lemster Fits Stephen with Maurice Fits Gerard his halfe brother by the mother passed ouer The conqnest of Ireland first with a small company and landed at the place called by the Irish Bagg-bun which in English signifies Holy and therefore interpreted as presaging good successe whereof this time retaines yet the memory At the head of Bagge and Bun Ireland was Triginta Mili tibus lost and wonne And the next day after arriued at the same place Maurice de Prendergast with other men at armes and many Archers in two ships parcell of Fits Stephens forces which from thence marched to the Citty of Weishford with Banners displayed The beginning of May. in so strange a forme and order though their number were not foure hundreth as the Irish vnacquainted with so vnusuall a face of warre were ouercome with 1170. Anno. Reg. 16. feare and rendred vp themselues to their mercy with their Citty of Wcishford which with the Countrey about was giuen by Dermot to Robert Fits Stephen for an encouragement to him and hope to others And there was planted the first Colonie of the English which euer since hath continued retaining still in a sort our antient attire and much of our language proper onely to that Citty and Countrey about and called by a distinct name Weisford speech The next yeare are new supplies sent out of Wales and after vpon intelligence of 1171. Anno. Reg. 17. good successe the Earle of Pembrok ariues in the Bay of Waterford with two hundred men at armes and a thousand other souldiours takes the towne which was then called Porthlarge puts the inhabitants to the sword to giue terror to others and make roome for his owne people and there Dermot giues him his daughter in marriage with the dowry of his Country which after his wickednesse had vndone hee liued not to see more yeares hauing had to many by this and dies miserably leauing the Stile of Ningal which signifies the strangers friend added to his name in memory of his vnnaturall forsaking his owne Nation Strongbow after hauing secured the places gotten marches with those small forces he had ouer the Island without resistance Rodoricke the Great shewing himselfe but a little Prince kept in the Wildes and fastnesses of Connaught and neuer came to appeare before the enemy who passing through the Country at his pleasure takes what pledges he would of the inhabitants to secure their obedience and with as little labour possest himselfe of the Citie of Dublin the head of the Island Thus Wales got vs first the Realme of Ireland and which is most strange without stroke of battaile a thing scarce credible that a Country so populous a Nation of that disposition should not lift vp a hand to defend it selfe hauing it seemes either neglected the vse of Armes or else neuer beene acquainted with them other then in a naked manner of domesticke fight one with another whereby the terror of strange and neuer before seene forces in order of warre layd them prostrate to the mercy of the Ouer-runner But the King of England aduertised of the prosperous successe of these Aduenturers and the Estate of the Country grew in iealousie of them thinking they presumed farther then their subiection would allow and would make themselues that which they must bee made by him and take away the glory of the worke that should bee onely his causes proclamation to be made That no vessell should carry any thing out of his Dominions into Ireland and that all his subiects should returne from thence and leaue off their attempts otherwise to forfeit their Estates at home And withall sends ouer William Fitz. 1172. Anno. Reg. 18. Adelm and Robert Fitz Bernard with some forces to prepare the way for him who followed shortly after and lands eight miles from Waterford the Eue of Saint Luke Anno 1172. being the third yeare after the first Inuasion made by Fitz Stephen At his first landing a white Hare starting out of a bush was taken and presented to him interpreted as a presage of a white victory The next day hee marches to Waterford where he staied fifteene dayes and thither came to him of their owne accord the Kings of Corke Limricke Oxerie Meth and all of any powre in Ireland except Rodoricke King of Connaught who still kept himselfe in the fastnesse of his Countrey and submitted themselues withall the Clergie taking their Oath of Fealty to him and the young King The Irish kings submission and their Successors for euer so these deuided Princes holding no common Councell for the publique safty rather then to ioyne those hands that had so often scratched each other
fell all from themselues and with the same emulation they had in libertie stroue for their seruitude who should be first to receiue a forraine maister From Waterford the King goes to Dublin where hee holds an Assembly of all these subiect Kings with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall of Ireland for the further ratification of their allegiance and the ordering and reformation of the State Which done hee causes the Bishops with the Clergie there to assemble at Cassell and appoints an especiall Chaplaine of his owne with the Archdeacon of Landaff to bee assistants and aduisors vnto them for reformation of Church-businesses which seemes to haue beene Henries reformation of Ireland as disordred as the people for though the Irish had beene long before Christians it was after a wilde and mixt fashion and therefore according to his promise made to the late Pope and to doe a worke pleasing to the present it was decreed That all Church-lands should be free from the exaction of secular men and that from thence foorth all Diuine things should bee ordered and vsed in euerie part of Ireland according to the manner of the Church of England being fit as saith the Cannon that as Ireland hath by Gods mercy obtained a Lord and King out of England so from thence they should receiue a better forme of life and manners then heretofore they vsed His Christmasse he keepes at Dublin where he royally feasts all his Kings great men of the Countrey the rest of his being there he imployes in fortifying and planting Garnisons where most need required he makes Hugh Lacy Iustice of all Ireland giues him the keeping of Dublin and besides confirmed vnto him and his heires by his Charter the Countrey of Meth to hold the same in Fee for the seruice of a hundreth Knights he bestowes on Robert Fits Bernard the keeping of the Townes of Waterford and Weisford which he tooke from Fits Stephen the first inuador with charge to build Castles in them and to humble the Earle Strongbow and leuell him with the rest of his subiects he takes from him all his dependants and makes them his So was it but his winters worke to get a Kingdome which though thus easily won it proued more difficult and costly in the keeping by reason the prosequution of a full establishment thereof was neither by him or his successors hauing other diuertments euer throughly accomplished On Easter monday he sets out for England where he makes no stay but takes the young King along in his company and passes ouer into Normandy to meete other two Legates Theodinus and Albertus who were sent from Pope Alexander but in milder fashion then the last to examine the murther of the late Arch-bishop Becket Foure moneths were spent in debating the matter and in the end the King by his Oath taken vpon the Reliques of Saints and the holy Euangelists before the two Legates in the presence of King Henry the sonne the Arch-bishop of Rouen and all the Bishops and Abbots of Normandy in the Citty of Auranches purged himselfe of either commanding or consenting to the murther Yet for that he doubted least they who committed His purgation for Beckets murther the same might be moued thereunto by seeing him disturbed and in passion he tooke the same Oath that in satisfaction thereof he would faithfully performe these Articles following First neuer to forsake Pope Alexander nor his Catholicke Successors so long as they vsed him as a Catholicke King Secondly That Appeales should freely be made to the Pope in causes Ecclesiasticall Prouided that if any were suspected to worke euill to him or his Kingdome they should then put in security before they departed Thirdly That he would from Christmas next for three yeares to come vndertake the Crosse and the sommer fol lowing in person go to Ierusalem vnlesse he were stayed by the Pope or his Successors or imploied against the Sarasins in Spaine Fourthly That in the meane time he should deliuer so much money into the Templars hands as by their opinion would entertaine two hundreth souldiers in the Holy warre for one yeare Fiftly call home all such as had endured banishment for the Arch-bishop Sixtly Restore his possessions Seuenthly and lastly abolish all such customes as in his time had beene introduced to the preiudice of the Church After himselfe had sworne he caused Both Kings sweare to these Articles King Henry his sonne to sweare to all these Articles except such as concerned his owne person And for a more Memory in the Roman Church he caused his Seale to be set vnto them with that of the two Cardinals So ended this tedious businesse that made more noyse in the world then any he had and bowed him more beeing his ill fortune to grapple with a man of that free resolution as made his sufferings his glory had his ambition beyond this world set vp his rest not to yeeld to a King was onely ingaged to his cause had opinion and beliefe to take his part Which so much preuailed as the King seeking to maister him aduanced him and now is he faine to kneele and pray to his Shrine whom he had disgraced in his person and hauing had him aboue his will whilest he liued hath him now ouer his Faith being dead And yet 48. yeares after this saith the French History it was disputed among the Doctors of Paris whether he were damned or saued And one Roger a Norman maintained he had iustly deserued death for rebelling against his Soueraigne the Minister of God To make the better way to the ending of this businesse and content the King of Henry the sonne is again crowned with Margaret his wife Fraunce Henry the sonne is againe Crowned and with him Margaret his wife with permission shortly after to goe visite Paris where this young King apt inough though not to know himselfe yet to know his State receiued those instructions as made his ambition quite turne off his obedience and conceiue How to be a King was to be a power aboue and vndeuideable And to further the birth of this apprehension fell out this occasion The Father euer awake to aduance his greatnesse takes a iourney in person into Auergnia and so to Monferrato and there purchases a match for the price of fiue thousand Markes for his yongest sonne Iohn with Alice the eldest daughter of Hubert Earle of Mauriena then as it seemes Lord of Piemont and Sauoy with condition to haue with her the inheritance of all those Countreys containing many great Signories Citties and Castles specified in Roger Houeden with all the circumstances and couenants very remarkeable Vide Append. of the contract So vnto greatnesse that easier increases then begins is added more meanes and euery way opens to this actiue and powrefull King aduantages of State 1173. Anno. Reg. 19. in so much as the King of France was euen surrownded with the powre dependances of this mightie King of Eng. whose fortunes most
to the King of England and peace with a reconciliation is concluded betweene him and his sonnes But with more reseruation on his part then had beene by the former treatie offered as hauing now more of powre and the aduantage of fortune and yet yeelding so much as shewed the goodnesse of his Nature was not ouer swayed by his ambition all his proceeding in this warre witnessing that necessity did euer worke more then his will And at the signing of the Charter of this Peace when his sonne Henry would haue Vide Append. done him homage which is personall seruice he refused to take it because hee was a King but receiued it of Richard and Geffrey Yet after this Henry the sonne to free his father of all scruple became his Liege-man and swore Fealty vnto him against all men in the presence of the Archbishop of Rouen the Bishop of Bayeux the Earle Mandeuile and a great Nobilitie At the concluding this Peace the Earle of Flaunders yeelded vp to King Henrie the Father the Charter made vnto him by the Sonne for his remuneration and had another confirmed for the pension hee had yearely out of England before this warre which was one thousand Markes out of the Eschequer afterward granted vpon condition of Homage and for finding the King of England yearely fiue hundred souldiours for the space of fortie daies vpon summons giuen This businesse ended the Father and Sonne make their Progresses into all their Prouinces on that side to visit and reforme the disorders of Warre and to settle their affaires there Richard is sent into Aquitaine and Geffrey into Brittaine vpon the same businesse and there left with their Counsells to looke to their owne The two Kings Father and Sonne shortly after returne into England where reformation 1175. Anno. Reg. 21. in the Gouernment needed as much as in France and here had the Archbishoppe of Canterburie sommoned a Councell of the Clergie wherein were manie enormities of the Church reformed as may bee seene in the Canons of that Synod The King supplies all Vacancies and giues to Iohn de Oxenford that great Minister Vide Append. of his the Bishopricke of Norwich then takes hee into his hands all the Castles hee could seize on amongst other the Towre of Bristoll which was rendred by All Vacancies supplied by the King the Earle of Glocester and was neuer in his hands before Hee takes penalties both of Clerkes and Lay-men who had trespassed his Forests in time of Hostility for which hee is taxed of wrong Richard Lucy Iustice of England hauing warrant by the Kings precept to discharge them for the same But the profit which they yeelded him made him take the stricter regard therein For after the death of Alain de Neuile which had beene chiefe Iustice of all the Forrests of England hee deuides them into diuers parts appointing to euerie part foure Iustices whereof two to bee Clerkes and two Knights and two Seruants of his Houshold to bee Keepers of the Game ouer all other Forresters either of the Kings Knights or Barons whatsoeuer and gaue them power to implea according to the Assiese of the Forrest The King beeing at Yorke there came vnto them William King of Scots with almost all the Bishoppes Abbots and Nobilitie of Scotland and confirmed 1176. Anno. Reg. 22. the Peace and finall concorde which had formerly beene in the time of his imprisonment at Faleise in Normandie before all the greatest Estates of both Kingdomes the Tenour whereof is to bee seene in Roger Houeden After this a Councell is called at Windsor whither repaire certaine Bishoppes Vide Append. of Ireland and the Chauncelour of Rodoric King of Conaught for whom a finall concord is concluded vpon doing Homage Fealty and a tribute to bee paide which was of euerie tenne Beasts one sufficient Hide within his Kingdome and those Prouinces that held thereof Within a while after a Councell or Parliament is assembled at Nottingham and by aduice and consent thereof the King caused The Kingdome to bee deuided into sixe parts and constitutes for euerie part three Iustices itinerants causing them to The Kingdom deuided into sixe parts for Iustice. take an Oath vpon the Holie Euangelists faithfullie for themselues to obserue and cause inuiolablie to bee obserued of all his Subiectes of England the Assises made at Claringdone and renued at Northamton which Assises were chiefly for Murther Vide Append. Theft Roberie and their receiuers for deceipts and burning of Houses which facts if found by the Verdict of twelue men the accused were to passe the tryall of Water Ordeil Vide Append. whereby if not acquitted their punishment was losse of a legge or banishment that Age seeming to hold it a greater example of a Malefactor miserably liuing then of one dead for as yet they came not so farre as bloud in those cases And yet wee finde in the raigne of this King that one Gilbert Plumton Knight accused for a Rape before Ranulph de Glanuile chiefe Iustice of England desirous sayth Houeden by vniust sentence to condemne him was adiuged to bee hanged on a Gibbet whereunto when hee was brought and in the hands of the Executioner the people ranne out crying that an innocent and iust person ought not so to suffer Balduin Bishoppe of Worcester a religious man and fearing God hearing the clamor of the people and the iniury done to this miserable creature came foorth and forbad them from the part of the Omnipotent God and vnder paine of Excommunication that they should not put him to death that day being Holy and the Feast of Saint Mary Magdelene whereupon the excution was put off till the morrow That night meanes was wrought to the King who commanded a stay to bee made till other order were taken being informed that for the enuie which Glanuile bare to this Plumton hee was desirous to put him to death in regard hee had married the danghter of Roger Gulwast an inheritrix whom hee would haue had Reiner his Shriefe of Yorkeshire to haue had which act leaues a foule staine of Iniustice vpon the memory of this Chiefe Iustice Glanuile in the time of whose Office a tract of the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome of England was composed which now passes vnder his name The charge giuen for businesses in these Assises consisted but of very few points Vide Append. besides those felonies and was especially for taking Homage and Ligeancie of 1177. Anno. Reg. 13. all the Subiects of England demolishing of Castles the Rights of the King his Crowne and Eschequour The multitude of actions which followed in succeeding times grew out of new transgressions and the increase of Law and Litigation which was then but in the Cradle William King of Sicile sends and craues to haue Ioan the Kings daughter in marriage William King of Sicile matches with Ioan the Kings Daughter Rog. Houed Vide Append. Whereupon the King calls a Parliament
onely hold Pietie guilty otherwise those times had not yeelded it The King sends likewise Hugh Bishop of Duresme with other Commissioners to William King of Scots to collect the tenthes in his Countrey which he would not permit Prouision by king Henry in England but offered to giue the King of England fiue thousand Markes of siluer for those tenthes and the Castle which he claimed but the King of England refused the same Whilst these preparations were in hand and the mony collecting a quarrell arises betweene Richard Earle of Poictou and Raymond Earle of Tholouse vpon this occasion 1187. Anno. Reg. 33. The Earle of Tholouse by the perswasion of one Peter Suillar had taken certaine Merchants of Aquitaine and vsed them hardly The Earle of Poictou surprises this Peter imprisons him and would not suffer the Earle of Tholouse to redeeme him vpon any condition Whereupon the Earle imprisons two Gentlemen seruants of the King of Englands Robert and Raph Poer trauelling through his Countrey as Pilgrimes from S. Iames de Compostella which Earle Richard tooke so ill as he enters into the Earles countrey with an Army prepared for a better act wastes it with fire and sword besieges A meane quarell dashes and diuerts the great preparation for the holy warre and layes it vpon the selfe kingdomes and takes his Castles about Tholouse The King of France vpon the lamentable complaint of the Tholousians sends to the King of England to vnderstand whether his son Richard did these things by his will and Councell The King of England answers That he neither willed nor counselled him thereunto and that his sonne sent him word by the Archbishop of Dublin that he did nothing but by the consent of the King of France Who not satisfied with this answer enters presently into Bery with his Army seases vpon the Countrey takes in diuers Castles of the King of Englands who makes himselfe ready to recouer the same And thus that great intended enterprise vndertaken with such feruor became dasht and ouerthrowne at the very time they appointed to haue set forward All the meanes the Pope could vse by his Legates nor all the perswasions of other Princes might preuaile to reconsile these two inraged Kings though diuerse enteruiewes 1188. Anno. Reg. 34. were procured diuerse ouertures propounded yet none tooke effect they euer depart more incensed then they met in so much as at length the King of France in a rage cut downe the great Elme betweene Gisors and Try vnder which the Kings of France and Dukes of Normandy were euer vsed to parle and swore There should be The King of France cuts downe the most eminent Elme of Princely parley no more meetings in that place But yet after this they were brought to another parle elsewhere and therein the Popes Legate threatned to interdict the King of France vnlesse he made peace with the King of England The King of France told him that he feared not his sentence being grounded vpon no equity and that it appertained not to the Church of Rome by sentence or otherwise to chastice the Kingdome or King of France vndertaking to reuenge the demerits of the rebellious that dishonored his Crowne and flatly told the Cardinall That he smelled of the Sterlings of England This enteruiew wrought a worse effect then all the rest for here the King of England absolutely refuses to render Alice to his sonne Richard but offered to the King Earle Richard with the King of France com bine against his father king Henry 2. of France to giue her to his sonne Iohn with larger conditions then should be granted with the other which so much alienated the heart of his sonne Richard as he becomes wholly Liegeman to the King of France did homage vnto him for Aquitaine and they both ioyne their forces against the father And here now comes this mighty King of England the greatest of all the Christian world in his time or that the Kingdome euer saw to fall quite asunder forsaken both of his subiects and himselfe letting downe his heart to yeeld to any conditions whatsoeuer he who neuer saw feare but in the backe of his enemies leaues now the defence of Mans and flies away with seuen hundreth men hauing promised the Citty neuer to giue it ouer in regard his Father was there buried and himselfe borne and afterward comes to his last parle with the King of France betweene Turwin and Arras where at their first meeting no man suspecting the wrath a thunder-bolt with so terrible a cracke lighted iust betweene them as it parted their conference in a confused manner for that time Within a while after they came together againe when suddenly began as fearefull 1189. Anno. Reg. 35. a thunder as the former which so amased the King of England as he had falne off from his horse had he not beene supported by those about him And in this sort beganne the Proem of that Treaty wherein the King of England yeelds to all whatsoeuer conditions the King of France required did him homage againe for all his dominions on that side both kings hauing at the beginning of this warre renounced their mutuall obligation in that kind renders vp Alice for whom he had beene so much loden with scandall and turmoyle vpon condition she should be giuen in marriage to his sonne Richard at his returne from the holy warre and in the meane time to remaine in the custody of any one of fiue whom Richard would nominate grants that fealty be giuen vnto him of all his Dominions and pardons all his partakers Besides couenants to pay the King of France 20000 Markes of siluer for dammage done during these last warres And that if he should not performe these Articles his Barons should sweare to renounce him and betake them to the part of the King of France and Earle Richard And for more caution hee yeeldes to deliuer vp the Cities of Mans and Tureyn with diuerse Castles into their Hands c. And here was an end of this businesse and within three daies after of this kings life whose heart not made of that temper to bow burst with the weight of a declining fortune Some few howers before he died he saw a list of their names who conspired with the King of France and Earle Richard against him and finding therein his sonne Iohn His death to be the first fals into a grieuous passion both cursing his sonnes and the day wherein himselfe was borne and in that distemprature departs this world which so often himselfe had distempered hauing reigned 39. yeares 7. moneths and 5. dayes His sonne Richard approching the Corps as it was carrying to be interred adorned according to the manner of Kings with all royall ornaments open faced the bloud 1189. Anno. Reg. 35. gushed out of the nostrils of the dead a signe vsually noted of guiltinesse as if Nature yet after death retained some intelligence in the veines to giue
an euent For hauing taken vp by the way three Gallies to conduct him to Ragusa for three hundred Markes of Siluer disguised vnder the names of Pilgtimes hee was by his lauish expences discouered to bee the His discouery King of England which note once taken it was impossible for him to lay anie couering thereon that could euer hide him more though vpon warning thereof he presently left all his company and with one man onely takes horse and through all the daungers of a wilde desart and rocky Country trauayling day and night passes into Austrich where Fame that was a speedier post then himselfe was before him And comming to a Village nere to Viena and reposing himselfe in a poore hosterie was taken a sleepe by meanes of his companion going forth to prouide necessaries for him King Richard taken prisoner who as hee was changing money was knowne taken and brought before the Duke of Austrich and vpon examination confessed where his maister was of which prise the Duke was most ioyfull in respect of his reuenge for the disgrace hee did him at the entring of Acon and presently sends him to the Emperour Henry the sixt whom likewise he had offended for ayding Tancredi the base sonne of Roger in the vsurpation of the Crowne of Sicilia against Constantia the lawfull daughter of the same Roger whom this Emperour had married Newes hereof is presently sent by the Emperour to the King of France that he might likewise reioyce at this fortune and hee tells him That now the Enemy of his Empire and the disturber of the Kingdome of France was fast in holde and all the manner how The State of England is likewise soone certified of this heauie disaster and great meanes is made to redeeme their King out of captiuitie who is sayd to haue borne his fortune with that magnanimitie and so cleered himselfe of the scandalls layd on him for the death of Conrade the Emperours kinsman other his actions in the East in such sort as he won the affection of the Emperor so that he professed a great desire to restore him and reconcile him to the King of France But yet wee finde That King Richard deposed King Richard deposed himselfe of the kingdome of England himselfe of the Kingdome of England and deliuered the same to the Emperour as his supreame Lord and inuested him therein by the deliuering vp his hat whch the Emperour returned vnto him in the presence of the Nobility of Germany and England to hold this Kingdom from him for 50 thousand pounds sterling to be payed as an annuall tribute And yet notwithstanding all this the King of France combining with the Earle Iohn preuailed so much with the Emperour as hee held him his prisoner a whole yeare and sixe weekes through their offer of mighty summes they made vnto him For he and the Earle Iohn fully accounted that he should haue beene held a perpetuall prisoner and vpon that reckning the Earle Iohn did his homage to the King of France for the Dutchy Earle Iohn doth homage to the King of France for Normandy of Normandy and all the rest of those transmarine territories and for England as it is sayd and besides resignes vnto him Gisors with the Country of Vexin sweares to marry his sister Alice and to bee diuorsed from his other Wise the Daughter of the Earle of Glocester The King of France couenants to giue him with his sister that part of Flanders which hee had taken from that Eareldome and sweares to ayde him in the attayning both of England and whatsoeuer else the Lands of his brother Then goes the Earle Iohn ouer into England carrying many strangers with him and presently the Castles of Wallingford and Windsor are rendred vnto him then comes hee to London and requires of the Archbishop of Rouen and other the Commissioners the Kingdome of England and that fealty bee made vnto him affirming his brother was dead but they not giuing credit vnto him and denying his desire with rage and strong hand hee fortifies his Castles and in hostile manner inuades the Lands of his brother finding many partakers to ioyne with him The Queene mother the Iustices of England and all the faithfull seruants of the King guard and defend the ports against the inuasion of the French and Flemings who in great numbers seeke to ayde the Earle Iohn and also they labour the redemption of the King whose ransome the Emperour rates at 100 thousand Marks with the finding of fiftie Gallies ready furnished and two hundred souldiers to attend his seruice in the holy warres for one yeare In Normandie the Officers and Seruants of the King of England defend with no lesse faith and courage the right of their Maister against the King of France who withall his powre labours to subdue them and by his large offers to the Emperour prolongs his redemption and inhaunces his ransome This toyle and charge is the world put into through the misfortune and weakenesse of their hardy King who onely in respect of his valour being otherwise not worth so much and the Holy worke hee vndertooke whereby hee obliged the Clergie which then managed all got the opinion and loue of his subiects in such sort as they straine euen beyond their ability to recouer and preserue him and so wrought in the end that the Emperour compounds with King Richard in this manner that hee should send his Commissioners to London and receaue an hundred thousand Markes of pure siluer of Cologne The Emperors composition with King Richard waight to be sealed vp and safely conducted to the bounds of the Empire at the perile of the King of England and other fifty thousand Markes of siluer whereof twenty thousand for the Duke of Austrich and thirty thousand for the Emperour to be payd at seauen monethes after and pledges to be giuen three score to the Emperor and seauen to the Duke Besides the King of England sweares to send his Neece the sister of Arthur Earle of Brittaine to be married to the Duke of Austrich c. And the Emperour granted to the King of England by his Charter the Soueraignty of the Prouince Vienne and Viennoys Merseilles Narbona Arls Lyons and whatsoeuer hee had in Burgogne with the Homages of the King of Arragon the Earles of Dijon and Saint Giles In which countries were fiue Archbishop-ricks thirty three Bishopricks but the Emperour could neuer haue domination ouer them nor they receaue any Lord that hee presented them So that this great gift consisted but in title which yet pleased King Richard that hee might not seeme to part with all his substance for nothing And the same wind he sends to Hubert the new Archbishop of Canterbury lately made his Vicegerent in England to be blowne ouet all the Kingdome by a letter he wrote vnto him wherein he hath these words For that sure I am you much desire our deliuerance and greatly reioyce therein we will that you be
without their assistance as by Right and Custome they ought allegation examples of three Archbishops so elected The Monkes oppose this allegation offering to bring proofe that they onely by the speciall priuiledge of the Roman Bishops were accustomed to make this Election The Pope appoints a peremptorie day for deciding this Controuersie wherein the first Election for being made in the night out of due time and without solemne ceremony is oppugned by the Kings procurators the last was argued by some of the Monkes to be ill by reason there was no cassation of the first which iust or vniust ought to haue beene before any other Election could iuridically be made The Pope seeing the procurators not to agree vpon one person by the Councell of Innotent the ninth the Cardinalls adiudged both Elections voyde and presents vnto them a third man which was Stephan de Lancton a Cardinall of great spirit and an Englishman borne who had all the voyces of those Monkes which were there through the perswasion of the Pope alledging it was in their powre by his prerogatiue to make good this choyce Stephan Lancton thus elected and after consecrated at Viterbo the Pope dismisses Stephan Lancton elected Archbishop of Canterbury the Monkes and the rest of the Agents with letters to King Iohn exhorting him benignly to receiue this Archbishop Canonically elected natiue of his Kingdome learned in all the Sciences a Doctor in Theologie and which exceeded his learning of a good life and conuersation a man fit both for his bodie and his soule c. withall he writes to the Prior and Monkes of Canterbury charging them by the vertue of Holy obedience to receiue the Archbishop to their Pastor and humbly to obay him in all Spirituall and Temporall matters These letters with the notice of what was done at Rome so inraged the King as with all precipitation he sends Foulke de Cantlo and Henry de Cornhill two fierce knights with armed men to expell the Monkes of Canterbury as Traytors out of the Kingdome and to seize vpon all they had which presently was as violently executed as commanded and away packe the Prior and all the Monkes into Flanders except such as were sicke and not able to goe and all their goods confiscated Here withall he writes a sharpe letter to the Pope accusing him of the wrong hee did in King Iohn offended with this Election writes to the Pope cassing the election of Norwich whom he especiall fauoured and aduancing Stephan Lanction a man vnknowne vnto him bred euer in the Kingdome of France among his enemies and what was more to his preiudice and subuersion of the liberties appertayning to his Crowne without his consent giuen to the Monkes which should first haue beene required hee had presumed rashly to prefer him so that he much meruailed that the Pope and the vniuersall court of Rome would not call to minde how necessary his friendship had hitherto beene to that sea and consider that the Kingdome of England yeelded the same greater profit and commoditie then all the Kingdomes else on this side the Alpes Besides that he wouldstand to the liberties of his Crowne to the death constantly affirming that he could not be reuoked from the Election and preferment of the Bishop of Norwich whom he knew euery way fit for the place And in conclusion threatens that if he be not righted in the Premises hee would stop vp the passages of his people to Rome and that if necessity required he had in the Kingdome of England and other his Dominions Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates of so sufficient learning as they needed not goe to begge iustice and iudgement of strangers The Pope returnes answere to the Kings letter and begins with these words when about the business of the Church of Canterbury we wrote vnto you exhorting and requesting you humbly earnestly and benignly you againe wrote backe to vs as I may say by your leaue in a fashion threatning reprouing contumacious aud stubbornely and whilstwee tooke care to giue you aboue your right you regarde not to giue vs according to our right respecting vs lesse then becomes you And if your deuotion bee most necessary for vs so is ours no lesse fit for you When wee in such a case haue honoured no Prince so much as you you sticke not to derogate from our honour more then any Prince in such a case would haue done pretending certaine friuolous occasions wherein you alledge that you cannot consent to the Election of our beloued sonne Maister Stephan Praesbiter by the title of Saint Chrysogonus Cardinall celebrated by the Monkes of Canterbury for that hee hath beene bred among your Enemies and his person is altogether vnknowne vnto you Then argues hee that it was not to bee imputed vnto him for a fault but was his glory to haue liued long at Paris where hee so profited in study as hee deserued to bee Doctor not onely in the liberall Sciences but also in Theologie and his life agreeable to his learning was thought fit to obtaine a Prebend in Paris Wherefore hee held it a maruaile if a man of so great note natiue of England could be vnknowne vnto him at least in fame since saith hee you wrote thrice vnto him after hee was by vs preferred to bee Cardinall that though you had a desire to call him to your familiar attendance yet you reioyced that hee was exalted to a higher Office c. Then excuses hee the point that the Kings consent was not required in regard that they who should haue required the same affirmed how their letters neuer came to his hands c. Although saith hee in elections celebrated at the Apostolique Sea the consent of Princes is not to bee expected Yet were two Monkes deputed to come to require your consent who were stayed at Douer so that they could not performe their message inioyned them with other allegations to this effect so that at length saith hee wee were disposed to doe what the Canonicall Sanctions ordayned to bee done without declyning either to the right hand or the left that there might bee no delay or difficultie in right intentions least the Lords flocke should bee long without pastorall cure and therefore reuoked it cannot bee In conclusion hee vseth these words As wee haue had care of your Honour beyond right endeauour to giue vs ours according vnto right that you may more plentifully deserue Gods grace and ours least if you doe otherwise you cast your selfe into those difficulties whence you cannot easily get out Since hee in the ende must ouercome to whom all knees bow in Heauen Earth and Hell whose Vicegerencie heere below though vnworthie Wee exercise Yeelde not therefore to their Councells who desire your disturbance that themselues might fish in troubled Waters but commit your selfe to our pleasure which will redound to your praise Glorie and Honour Neither is it safe for you to repugne against God and the Church for which the
themselues pleased And now the King of France dayly getting vpon them hauing wonne Lisle Doway Courtray Bruges and Dam and the Emperour Adolph fayling of his ayde and personall assistance as vn-interessed confederates often doe especially hauing receiued their gage before hand as had this Emperour to the summe of 100 thousand Markes draue the King of England into great perplexitie and held him with long delayes to his extreame trauaile and expences which forced him to send ouer for more supply of Treasure and giue order for a Parliament to be held at Yorke by the Prince and such as had the manage of the State in his absence Wherein for that he would not bee disapointed he condiscends to all such Articles as were demaunded concerning the great Charter promising from thenceforth neuer to charge his subiects otherwise then by their consents in Parliament and to pardon such as had denied to attend him in this iourney For which the A Parliament held at Yorke in the absence of the King Commons of the Realme granted him the ninth penny of their goods the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Clergie of his Prouince the Tenth penny Yorke and his Prouince the Fifth so the Kings instant wants are relieued and the Kingdome satisfied for a present shift But it is not well with a State where the Prince and people seeke but to obtaine their seuerall ends and worke vpon the aduantages of each others necessities for as it is vn-sincere so it is often vn-successull and the good so done hurts more then it pleasures The King thus supplied staies all this Winter in Gaunt where his people committing The Gantois take armes against the English many outrages so exasperats the Gantois as they tooke armes made head against them slue many and put the Kings person in great daunger so that doe what the Earle Guy and himselfe could to appease them in satisfying such as had receiued wrong and giuing the rest faire words he hardly could escape safe out of the Country King Edward in danger which rather desired to haue the English commodities then their companies This was the successe of his iourney into Flanders which he leaues at the Spring of the yeare hauing concluded a truce with the King of France for two yeares And Hee returnes into England the poore Earle Gay left to himselfe is shortly after made the prey of his enemy and his Prisoner in Paris where he his daughter both died of griefe And Flanders is reduced to a possession though not to the subiection of the King of France For after they had receiued him for their Lord his exactions oppressions vpon them contrary to their ancient Liberties so armed the whole people being rich and mighty as they gaue France the greatest wound that euer before it receiued at one blow which was at the famous battell of Courtray wherein the Earle of Artoise Generall of the Army Arnold de Neel Constable of France and all the Leaders with Twelue thousand Gentlemen were slaine And to show what this King of France got by seeking to attaine The History of France this Soueraigntie of Flanders as well as we shall heare of the King of Englands getting vpon Scotland for the same title It is recorded in their Histories that in the space of Eleuen yeares this quarell cost the liues of 100 Thousand French men Besides it draue the King likewise to consume the substances of his people as wel as their blood and to loade them with new impositions as that of Malletoste and the Tenth Denier vpon the liure of all Merchandises which in the Collection bred great outcries and dangerous seditions among his Subiects And these were the fruits of these great attempters Now for King Edward of England he presently after his returne falles a new vpon Reg. 27. Anno. 1300. Scotland which in his absence had beaten his officers and people almost out of the Countrie slaine Sir Hugh Cressingham with 6000 English recouered many Castles and regaind the Towne of Berwick And all by the annimation and conduct of William Wallice a poore priuate Gentleman though nobly discended who seeing his K. Ed. prosecutes his Scottish businesse Will. Wallice animates the Scots against the subiection of England Countrie without a Head and thereby without a Heart all the great men either in Captiuity or subiection assembles certaine of as poore and desperate estate as himselfe and leades them to attempt vpon whatsoeuer aduantages they could discouer to annoy the English And hauing therein good successe it so increased both his Courage and Company as hee afterwards comes to be the generall Gardian of the whole Kingdome leads their Armies effects those great Defeits vpon the Enemy and was in possibility to haue absolutely redeemed his Countrie from the subiection of England had not some priuate Emulation amongst themselues the speedy cōming of King Edward with all his power preuented him So much could the spirit of one braue man worke to sett vp a whole Nation vpon their feet that lay vtterly cast downe And as well might hee at that time haue gotten the Dominion for himselfe as the place he had but that he held it more glory to preserue his Countrie than to get a Crowne For which he hath his immortall honour and whatsoeuer praise can bee giuen to meere Vertue must be euer due vnto him And now King Edward to bring his worke neere together remoues his Eschequer K. Ed. remoues his Escheker and Courts of Iustice to York and Courts of Iustice to Yorke where the continued aboue Six yeares And thither calles hee a Parliament requiring all his Subiects that held of him by Knights setuice to be ready at Roxborough by a peremptorie day where are assembled Three thousand men at Armes on barded Horses and Foure thousand other aimed men on Horse without bards with an Army on foot answerable consisting most of Welsh and Irish besides Fiue hundred men at armes out of Gasconie and with this power makes he his second expedition into Scotland The Earles of Hereford and Norfolke notwithstanding their former contempts attend him And although he were thus guirt with all this strength and in the midst of his mightinesse they vrge the ratifications of the Two Charters and their Pardons which they held not sufficient to secure them in regarde the King was out of the Realme at the late granting thereof The Bishop of Duresme the Earles of Surrey The famouse Battell of Fonkirk Warwicke and Glocester vndertooke for the King that after hee had subdued his Enemies and was returned hee should satisfie them therein And so these two Earles with the Earle of Lincolne Led his Vauntguard at the famous Battell of Foukirke The Scots ouerthrowne which the King of England gat wherein are reported to be slaine 200 Knights and Forty thousand foot of the Scots But William Wallice with some few escaped to make more worke And here againe that
This Thomas was the Sonne of Edmond the second Sonne of Henry the third and was likewise Earle of Leicester Ferrers and Lincolne a most powerfull and popular Subiect with whom ioynes Humfrey Bohun Earle of Heresord Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke Guy de Beaucham Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Arundel With many other Barons But Gilbert Earle of Glocester the Kings Nephew for that hee would neither offend him nor be wanting to his Peeres stands as Mediator for their liberties and the peace of the Kingdome The Earle Warrein remained a while doubtfull and fauouring rather the Kings part till the Archbishop of Canterbury induced him to consent with the Lords who being thus prepared send to the King in the behalfe of the whole Comunaltie beseeching him to deliuer vpp vnto them Pierce Gaueston or else to send him away with his traine out of England The King neglecting their petition they set forward in armes towards the North. The King and Gaueston withdrawe to Newcastle there beeing aduertised of the strength of the Gaueston taken and beheaded Lords they take ship leauing the Queene in much griefe behinde and land at Scarborough Castle whereinto the King puts Gaueston with the best forces hee could prouide for his defence and departs himselfe to wards Warwickeshire The Earles of Pembrooke and Warrein sent by the Earle of Lancaster lay siege to the Castle Gaueston is forced to render himselfe into their hands but intreates thus much that hee might be brought once more to speake with the King and then after they should doe with him what they pleased The Earle of Pembrooke vndertakes vppon his honour he should but as his seruants were conducting him to wards the King the Earle of Warwicke tooke him from them by force and commits him to his Castle of Warwicke where after some consultation among the Lords not withstanding the Kings earnest solicitation for his life they condemned him to the blocke and tooke off his head This was the end of Pierce Gaueston who for that hee was the first Priuado of this The description of Peirce Gaueston kinde euer noted in our History and was aboue a King in his life deserues to haue his Character among Princes being dead Natiue hee was of Gascoine and for the great seruice his father had done to this Crowne intertained and bred vp by King Edward the first in company with his sonne this Prince which was the meanes that inuested him into that high fauour of his Hee was of a goodly personage of an haughty and vndauntable spirit braue and hardy at armes as hee shewed himselfe in that Turneament which hee held at Wallingford wherein hee chalenged the best of the Nobility and is saide to haue foiled them all which inflamed the more their malice towards him In Ireland where hee was Liuetennant during the short time of his banishment hee made a Iourney into the mountaines of Dublin brak and subdued the Rebels there built Newcastle in the Kerns country repaired Castle Keuin and after passed vp into Munster and Thomond performing euery where great seruice with much valour and worthinesse Hee seemes to haue been a Courtier which could not fawne nor stoope to those hee loued not or put on any disguise vpon his Nature to temporize with his enemies But presuming vpon his fortune the misfortune of such men grew in the end to that arrogancie as was intolerable which the priuacie of a King fauour vsually begets in their Minions whose vnderstanding and iudgement The miserable ostate of Minions being dazed therewith as is their sight who stand and looke downe from off high places neuer discerne the ground from whence they ascended And this extraordinary fauour shewed to one though hee were the best of men when it arises to an excesse is like the predomination of one humour alone in the body which indangers the health of the whole and especially if it light vpon vn worthinesse or where is no desert and commonly Princes raise men rather for appetite then merit for that in the one they shew the freedome of their power in the other they may seeme but to pay their debt But this violent part of the Lords shewed the nature of a rough time and was the beginning of the Second Ciuill Warre of England For now hauing had their desire in The peremtorie proceeding of the Lords this and finding theire owne power and the weakenesse of the King they peremtorily require the confirmation and execution of all those Articles formerly granted threatning the King that vnlesse hee presently performed the same they would constraine him thereunto by strong hand Thus will Liberty neuer cease till it growe licentious and such is the misery of a State where a King hath once lost his reputation with his people and where his Nature agrees not with his Office or answers the duties thereunto belonging And with this menacing message they had their swords likewise ready drawne and with strong forces assemble about Dunstable making towards London where the King then lay The great Prelates of the Kingdome with the Earle of Glocester labour to appease The Prelates and the E. of Glocester labour to pacifie and bring in the Lords them and with two Cardinalls which at that time were sent by the Pope to reform these disorders of the Kingdome they repaire to Saint Albons and desire conference with the Lords who receiue them very peaceably but their letters which the Pope had written vnto them they refused to receiue saying they were men of the sword and cared not for the reading of letters that there were many worthie and learned men in the Kingdome whose Counsells they would vse and not strangers who kyew not the cause of their commotion absolutely concluding that they would not permit Forrainers and Aliens to intermeddle Their submission in their actions or in any businesse that concerned the Kingdome With which answere the Cardinalls returne to London But the Prelates of England so labour the businesse Reg. 5. Anno. 1313. as the Lords were content to yeeld vp to the King such Horses Treasure and Iewels as they had taken of Pierce Gaueston at Newcastle so that the King would grant their petitions And thereupon Iohn Sandall Treasurer of the Kingdome and Ingelard Warle Keeper of the Wardrobe are sent to Saint Albons to receiue those things at their hands About this time Queen Isabel is deliuered of a sonne at Winsor whom Louys her brother Queen Isabel deliuered of a sonne and other great men and Ladies of France would haue had christened by the name of her father Philip but the Nobility of England had him named Edward And here the King keeps his Christmas feasts the French with great Magnificence and is said or rather suspected to bee euill counselled by them against his Nobles betweene whome there being so ill correspondence already any imagination serues to make it worse Suspition causing all things to be taken in ill
it was opened veines for more to follow and procured a most hidious reuenge which shortly after insued Thus is the beame of power turned and Regality now in the heuier scale weighes downe all And presently vpon this Maister-worke the King both to busie the mindes of his people and to Keepe their hands doing whilst the terrour thereof lasted marches from Yorke with a mighty hoast but small prouisions into Scotland Where the Scots conuaying themselues and all succours out of his way put that want vppon him as confounded his great Armie without blowes forcing him to returne with much dishonour And hauing passed farre within his owne Countrie they assayled him at vnawares and had like to haue taken his person as well as they did The Kings ill successe in Scotland his treasure with the Earle of Richmond with whom hauing miserably ransackt all the Countrie ouer euen to the walles of Yorke they returne loaden with mighty Reg. 16. Anno. 1323. spoyles safe into Scotland this was the successe of this vnfortunate King not borne for triumphes in his third Scottish expedition And now being at leasure in a calmer homour it seemes hee began to haue a sense of the Execution of the Earle of Lancaster which hee discouers vpon this occasion Some about him making earnest sute to grant a pardon to one of the Earles followers a man of meane estate and pressing him hard thereunto hee falles into a great passion exclayming against them as vniust and wicked Councellors which would vrge him so to saue the life of a most notorious varlet and would not speak one word for his neare kinsman the Earle of Lancaster who saide hee had hee liued might haue been vsefull to mee and the whole kingdome but this fellowe the longer hee liues the more mischiefe hee will commit and therefore by the soule of God hee shall die the death hee hath deserued Sir Andrew Harckley who was the man which tooke prisoner the Earle of Lancaster at Burrough Brigges being aduanced for his seruice to the Earledome of Carliel inioyed his honour but a while for the next yeare after either thrust out into discontent by the Spencers enuying his high The E. of Carleil degraded executed preferment or combyning with the Scots allured with the hope of a great Match as he was accused is degraded of all his honours drawne hangd and quartered at London for treason and remaines amongst the examples of sodaine downefalls from high places vnder an inconstant and ill gouerning Prince Occasion drew on a Parlement to consult amongst other important businesses Reg. 17. An. 1324. concerning the Sommons lately sent to King Edward from the new King of France Charles le Bel who succeded his brother Phillip le Long to come and doe his homage For Gascoine and it was by the common consent of all decreed that the King shoould not goe in person at that time but send some especiall men to excuse or deferre A Parlement his appearance Besides in this Parlement the King required a Subsedie both of the Cleargie and Laitie for the redemption of Iohn Brittaine Earle of Richmond lately taken prisoner The King is denied a Subsidie by the Scots But it was denied and alleadged that no contribution ought of right to be made but for the redemption of the King the Queene or Prince and so nothing was there gotren but more displeasure The Bishop of Hereford was arrested and accused of high The Bishop of Hereford accused of treason treason before the King and his Councell for ayding the Kings enemies in their late rebellion but hee refused to answere being a consecrated Bishop without leaue of the Archbishop of Canterbury whose Suffragan hee was and who hee saide was his direct Iudge next the Pope or without the consent of the rest of his fellow Bishops who then all arose and humbly craued the Kings clemencie in his behalfe but finding He refused to answere him implacable they tooke away their fellowe Bishop from the Barre and deliuered him to the custodie of the Archbishop of Canterbury till some other time the King should appoint for his answere to what hee was charged withall Shortly after hee was againe taken and conuented as before which the Cleargie vnderstanding The B. taken from the Bar. the Archbishops Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with ten other Bishops all which with their Crosses erected went to the place of iudgement and againe tooke him away with them charging all men vpon paine of excommunication to forbeare to lay violent hands on him with which audacious act the King was much displeased and presently commanded inquirie to bee made ex officio Iudicis concerning those obiections against the Bishop wherein he was found guilty though absent and had all his goods and possessions seised into the Kings hands This act lost him the Clergie and added power to the discontented partie which The B. being absent is condemned ex officio was now growne to bee all in generall except the Spencers and their followers who inriched with the spoyles of the Barons gouerned all at their pleasure selling the Kings fauours and shutting him vp from any others but where they pleased to shew The presumption of the Spencers him and in this violence which knowes no bounds they presume to abridge the Queene of her maintenance and lessened her houshold traine which was the rocke whereon they perished The proceeding of the King of France against the King of England for the omission of his homage was growne so farre as that all his territories there were adiudged to bee forfeited and many places of importance seised on by the French The Earle of Kent sent into Gascoine whereuppon Edmond Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent into Gasconie but to little effect the King of France was before hand his power ready and his people in those parts yeelding that way where they saw most force So that either the King of England must goe in person to appease this trouble or send his Queene to her brother to mediate an accord otherwise all was there in danger to be lost For the Kings going in person the Spencers held it vnsafe both for him and them if hee should leaue his kingdome at home in so great and generall discontent as then it was Wherefore the Queene with a small traine is sent ouer to accomodate the The Queen is sent to accomodate the businesse of France businesse which shee negotiates so well as all quarrells should bee ended vppon condition the of King England would giue to his sonne Edward the Duchy of Aquitaine with the Earledom of Ponthieu and send him ouer to doe homage for the same which after many consultations the King is wrought to yeeld vnto The Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of the King The Prince is sent to doe his Homage for the Duchy of Aquitaine of France where hee
hands together betweene the hands of the King of France pronounced the words of the Homage which were these You become Liegeman to the King my maister here present as Duke The forme of the Homage of Guyene and Peere of France and you promise to beare saith and loyalty vnto him Say yea and King Edward said yea and kisses the King of France as the Lord of the Fee in the mouth the like Homage hee then did for the Earle do me of Ponthieu This act of submission performed in the person of a King young actiue hauty and powerfull who held himselfe wronged in doing it to whom hee did bred that rancour in his heart as it had beene better for all Christendome that Ceremony had beene spared at this time and not so punctually beene exacted by King Phillip whom their owne Historians blame for standing so much vpon his Regality with one as mighty as himselfe and more able and likely to shake his new gotten Throne then any other whatsoeuer to whose passion considering the fiery heat of his youth hee should rather haue ministered Oyle then Vinegar and more hospitably intertertained him in his Court comming with that State and Magnificence as hee did attended with the best of all the kingdome of England to shew what he was and to beget a respect of his high estate But these are the errours of improuident Princes who carried with the sway of their owne will imbroyle themselues and their subiects that euer suffer the worst and are sure to pay dearely for others faults And now thus wounded in reputation with a minde swolne for reuenge the King K. Ed. returns out of France intertaines the Scottish businesse of England returnes to settle his affaires at home where Scottish businesses fall out to intertaine him The late peace concluded with them is held so dishonourable as it must not holde and to breake the same followed an occasion begunne vppon their owne quarells The tender age of their King the affliction of kingdomes with the emulation and factions in great men put Edward Balliol sonne to Iohn Balliol sometime King of Scotland thirtie two yeares after his fathers deposition to attempt Ed. Balliol comes out of France defeited his opposers is crowned King of Scotland the recouery of that Crowne and out of France where hee had all that while remained hee comes by the solicitation of his friends into England where hee was permitted vnderhand to get ayde and had all such Scots and English who were of the faction against Bruce to take his part and with them hee sodainely assailes those who had the gouernment of that kingdome during the nonage of the young King Dauid beeing at that time with the King of France and ouercame them in a battayle with the slaughter of many Noble men and Thousands of the common people and thereuppon was immediately crowned King of Scotland at Scone But his party being not so potent as they could maintaine and defend his quarrell against all those which opposed it hee was forced notwithstanding this great defeit to retire him into England to get more ayde of King Edward who now shewes himselfe in the action Berwick recouered ioynes with Baliol against his brother in law king Dauid goes in person with a strong Army to recouer Berwicke which after three moneths siege being valiantly defended The bataile of Halidown hil by the Lord Seton was againe taken in and the Army of the Scots which came to the rescue thereof at Halidowne hill vtterly defeited where were slaine seuen Earles 900 Knights and Baronets foure hundred Esquires and about two and thirty thousand common souldiers as our writers report theirs fourteene thousand And with this effusion of blood is Baliol returned to his miserable kingdome In this oppugnation of Berwicke though my haste bee great I must not so much A memorable act in the oppugnation of Berwicke trespasse vertue as to ouerpasse one memorable perticular recorded by the Scottish writers which is how the Lord Seton seeing all reliefe failing and the assaults so violent as hee could not long holde out conditions with king Edward if rescue came not at such a day to render him vp the towne and for assurance deliuers him two of his sonnes Shortly after king Edward hauing notice of the Scottish Army approaching with greater power and speed then hee expected and likely to bee there before the day sommons the Lord Seton to render the towne presently otherwise he should see his two sonnes executed before his face and withall a Gallowes is made ready within sight of the towne the young Gentlemen brought forth and vnder the hand of the Executioner wherewith the distressed Lord rent betweene those powerfull passions of Nature and Honour standing doubtfull what to doe his wife the mother of those sonnes a Lady more then a woman comes vnto him exhorts him to remember his Fealty sworne to the King his Charity to his Countrie the dignity of his noble Familie that they had other children left though these were destroyed and besides themselues were not so olde but that they might haue more How those if they should bee preserued from death at this time might otherwise shortly perish by some worse occasion And what a staine he should lay on the name of Seton and their posteritie for ever by a base act of yeelding and betraying the place committed vnto him whereby also hee was not certaine whether he should preserue his children or no for how could hee hope that this King who had violated his first promise with him would performe the last And therefore besought him that hee would not prefer an vncertaine and momentany benefite before a certaine and perpetuall ignominy And so recovering her Lords resolution for holding out withdrew him from the walles into some other parts aside that he might not be Spectator of the execution of his innocent children The next yeare after this defeit at Hallidown Hill Edward Baliol King of Seots at 1333. An. Reg. 7. Newcastle doth Homage to the King of England as his superiour Lord and takes his oath of Fealty Binding himselfe and his heires to hold that Kingdome of him and his successors for ever with the inheritance of fiue Countries next adioyning to the Borders So large a part yeelds hee to forgoe rather then to be in danger to loose the whole which Edward Baliol doth Homage for the Kingdome of Scotl. yet could not secure his estate but rather imbroyled it the more by reason of the discontent which most part of the Nobles of Scotland conceived vpon this act of Alienation and subiection of their Country Insomuch as it gaue both Kings continuall occasion of trouble for a long time after with the expence of infinite treasure A Parlement holden at London There was granted to the King of England for these warres a Fifteenth of the Temporalty a Twelfe of Cities and Boroughes and a Tenth of the Clergie in
a Parlement holden at London And. 3 years together the King goes in person with armies into those parts and never returned without destruction and bloud-shed of that afflicted people inso much as it may moue vs to admire how it could be possible that little corner of this Isle being no more fertile and withal so often wasted could breed so many had A remarkeable confideration it bred nothing but men as had beene slaine in battaile within these fifty yeares past and yet still to be able to supply and furnish their fields with such numbers as they did both to maintaine their own quarrels defend their liberties and that poore ground they dwelt vpon which was not worth so much bloud as it cost them deserving to haue had a better peece of earth and a more perspicuous place in the world to haue shewed those acts of magnanimity and courage as they did The reason that moved King Edward with such violence to prosecute the businesse of Scotland was out of a desire so to settle the same as hee might be wholy for the 1336. Anno. Reg. 10. designes hee had vpon France which chiefly he intended and was the sooner put thereinto by the instigation of Robert de Artois who being chased from thence by King Phillip his brother in Law comes over into England and is heere intertained with great honour This Robert a Prince of the bloud of France descended from Robert sonne to Louys the eighth brother to S. Louys had long contention with Maud his Aunt Countesse Robert de Artois discontented with the Fr. King of Burgogne about the Earledome of Artois and presuming vpon his owne power his alliance with King Phillip who had married his sister and the service he had done in advancing him to the Crowne counterfeits a Deed thereby to overthrow his Aunts right which being afterward discovered made it the more and moved the French King to giue iudgement on her side so that the County of Artois was by arrest of Parlement confirmed vpon Maud which so offended Robert as in his rage he openly said Hee would vnmake the King by the same power hee made him Which rash menace vttered before many witnesses so stung the French King as presently he layes to apprehend him but fayling therein causes him to be proclaimed Traitor confiscates Iean Tillet all his estate forbids his subiects whosoever either without or within the Kingdome which held of that Crowne in any sort to receiue him comfort counsell or aide him vpon paine of confiscation of body and goods and withall charges them by any meanes to seise vpon his person and to send him prisoner vnto him Whereupon this chased Prince finding no place on that side safe for him over he Robert de Artois comes into Engl. comes into England is ioyfully entertained by King Edward made of his Councell invested in the Earledome of Richmond and heere is he the Kindle-fire between these two mighty Nations and began such a flame as lasted aboue an hundred yeares after and the smoake thereof much longer First hee discovers to King Edward the secrets of their Councels in France and what meanes had beene vsed for the advarcement of King Phillip whose tytle he now disapproues and prefers that of King Edward as more iust and a declaration is published and sent to the Pope and all the Vid. Apend Neighbour Prince shewing the vsurpation of Phillip de Valois vpon that Crowne Now had King Edward ever since his returne from Amiens prepared to make good his party to oppose the French King and by the assistance of his Father in law William Earle of Haynault combined with the Dukes of Brabant and Geldres the Earle of Iuliers the Archbishop of Cologne Valeran his brother Iohn of Haynault and other Princes of Germany And besides had of late obtained by great gifts of Louys de Bavier the present Emperour to be Vicar Generall of the Empire whereby he was V. Ed. made Vicar generall of the Empire to haue all those Princes confiners vpon France who held of the same to doe him seruice And this grace the Emperour did him the rather for that hee had stood for him against his competitor Fredericke of Austrich with whom the French king tooke part and besides he had married King Edwards wiues sister which might be a motiue to procure him this honour Then seeks hee to gaine and draw in the Flemmings whose Earle though adhering to the French King as his Vassall yet the Cities which ever entertained a kinke of liberty among themselues were easily wonne to take part with King Edward in regard their wealth chiefly grew by the wools of this Kingdome which by a Parlement holden at London Anno Reg. 9. were prohibited to bee The making of cloath introduced in this kingdom transported vnwrought That Clothes should be made here and habitation with all Privileges and Liberties allowed to such Artifieers as would come from other parts to inhabite Besides it was enacted That none should weare other then English Cloath except the King Queene and their Children that no man should weare any facing of silkes or furres but such The first sumptuary Law we finde in our History as could dispend 100 pounds per annum But those ordinances more beneficiall to this Kingdome then these warres will bee were vpon this new entertained correspondence with the people of Flanders soone after neglected but yet the making of cloth K. Ed. winnes Iaques d' Artiuile continued and many come out of Flanders to exercise that trade in England Now there was among the Flemmings one Iaques de Artevile Citizen of Gaunt a Brewer as some say but of more then Beere a man of greatest estimation amongst the people and was as their Tribune or Chiefetaine in their tumults him King Edward gets by great rewards to take his part and thereby had them all ready to assaile the French King vpon any occasion Having thus prepared his party abroad all meanes are devised to raise monyes at Meanes vsed for mony home to supply this busines The Tenth peny of Townes and Boroughes a Fifteenth of others and a Tenth of the Clergie is granted in a Parlement at Northampton All such treasure as was Vid. Apend committed to Churches throughout England for the holy warre is taken cut for the Kings vse in this The next yeare after all the goods of three orders of Monkes Lombards Cluntacques and Cistercences are likewise seised into the Kings hands and the like Subsidie as before granted at Nottingham Honours are likewise bestowed on many Noblemen to encourage Reg. 12. Anno. 1338. them in this entended action Henry of Lancaster the yonger is created Earle of Derby William Mountacute Earle of Salisburie Hugh Audeley Earle of Glocester William Clinton Earle of Huntington William Bohun Earle of Northampton Robert Vfford Earle of Suffolke Prince Edward was likewise at this time created Earle of Chester and Duke of
contrary Then wills him to remember how his father led by euill counsell vexed the kingdome putting to death contrary to the lawe of the Land diuerse of the Nobility and wished him to consider what happened thereby vnto him Also to call to minde how himselfe at first through euill counsell about him had almost lost the hearts of his people But afterwards by the great circumspection and care of his Prelates and Nobles his affaires were reduced into so good order as hee recouered them and now possessed them in such sort as they all both Cleargy and Lay haue yeelded their helping hands more to him then to any of his Progenitors whereby hee had gloriously triumphed ouer his enemies the French and Scots and is reputed the noblest Prince of Christendome But now at this present through the wicked counsell of such as affect their owne profit more then his honour or the welfare of his people hee had caused Cleargie men and others to bee arrested and held in prison by undue proceeding contrary to the lawes of England which hee was bound by his oath at his Coronation to obserue and against Magna Charta which whosoeuer shall presume to infringe are to bee by the Prelates according to the Bull of Pope Innocent the fourth Excommunicate So that hereby hee incurred no small danger to his soule and detriment to his State and honour Then hee telleth him how hee doubted that if the King proceeded in this manner he should lose both the hearts of his people and their helpe in such sort as hee should not be able to prosecute his warre in hand and thereby giue his enemies heart and occasion to rise against him to the hazard of his honour and the kingdome And therefore aduises him to assemble the Nobles and prudent men of the Land and to consult with them without whose ayde and counsell hee could not gouerne his kingdome or performe his enterprises concerning what was a misse And whereas said hee certaine neere about you by their adulation and soothing falsly betray and deceiue you wee here denounce them Excommunicate and beseech you as your spirituall Father that you holde them so Besides hee vrges him that whereas through the negligence of some Ministers of his the Citie of Turney was not gotten the matter might bee examined in Parlement and inquiry made to whose hands from the beginning of the warre the Wooles and Monies were committed to bee bestowed and by whose default the Citie of Turney was not subdued but left in such manner as it was and that as an equall and wise Lord hee would chastise such as were culpable and not condemne or misdeeme his subiects without sufficient tryall c. This Letter bare date the 1. of Ianuary Then writes hee also to Robert Bouser Chancelor of England shewing him what contributions the Cleargie had yeelded to the King by their free consents that none other were to be exacted of them Requiring him to doe nothing preiudiciall to the Law of Magna Charta and that if any Writ Commission or Precept had gone out of the Chancerie contrary thereunto or the priuiledges and liberties of the Church or Kingdome hee should within ten dayes after the receipt of these his Letters as hee said the Chancelor was bound to doe reuoke and anull the same This bare date the 28. of Ianuary Another Letter hee likewise sends to the King and his whole Councell declaring that whereas contrarie to the priuiledges and liberties of the Church and Kingdome contained in Magna Chatta Iohn de Saint Paul Michael de Wath Robert Chickwill Iohn Thorpe and Henry Stratford were arrested committed to prison and there detayned without being indited or conuicted of any notorious crime and that whosoeuer were ayding or councelling to this proseeding had incurred the sentence of the Canon which he had caused to be published both in his owne Dioces and in all other of his suffragans And therefore besought the King and his whole Councell without delay to deliuer the saide prisoners otherwise hee Quatenus de iure poterunt excusari plainely writes that according to his Pastrall charge hee must proceed to the execution of the sentence Concluding how notwithstanding it was not his intention to include therin the King Queene or their children so farre as they might by law be excused To this purpose hee likewise sends to the Bishop of London and other his Suffragan Bishops whom after hauing complained of the great exactions and wrongs done to the Church by lay men hee charged him not onely to denounce and publish in their Church but fixe vp in all eminent places the sentence of Excommunication against all offenders in those articles of Magna Charta which are at large added to his Vid. Append. Letter to the end as he sayd that euery man might know the danger and none pretend to be ignorant thereof The King wakened with this clamour of the Archbishop is faine to apologize for himselfe by his Letters written to the Bishop of London wherein after hauing declared King Edward accuses the Archbishop of false dealing how much hee had euer honoured and trusted the Archbishop he accuses him of manifest wrong for that relying vpon his counsayle he was put at first vpon this action against the French King and by him assured hee should not want treasure and meanes for the performance thereof and that hee needed not to care but onely to prouide men to execute the worke And how notwithstanding through the negligence or malice of the saide Archbishop and his Officialls those prouisions granted him by his subiects in Parlement were in so slender proportion leuied and with such delayes sent ouer as hee was prest of necessity to his great griefe and shame to condiscend to the late Truce and through extreame wants charged with mighty debts forced to throwe himselfe into the gulph of the usurers in such sort as hauing iust cause hee began to lookeinto the dealings of his Officers some of whom upon apparant notice of their ill administration of Iustice their corruptions and oppression of his subiects he remoued from their places and some of inferiour degree culpable of the same offences hee committed to prison and there detained them to the ende hee might finde out by their examinations the truth of their proceedings whereof none could so well informe him as the Archbishop to whom of long time hee had committed the whole administration of the kingdome And therefore desirous to conferre with him at London hee had of late sent an especiall messenger his trusty seruant Nicholas de Cantelupe that hee should repaire thither which the Archbishop refuse to doe alledging how hee stood in feare of some about the King and therefore would not endanger himselfe nor depart from his Church Then the King sent Ralph Scafford the Steward of his house with safe conduct vnder his great Seale for the Archbishops security Notwithstanding he refused to come returning worde how hee would
haue no conference with the King but in open Parlement which at that time said the King was not for especiall reasons conuenient to be called Then aggrauates hee the vndutifull contempt of the Archbishop and his hypocriticall dealing with him avowing that although by hereditary right and the diuine grace hee was aduanced to that sublimitie of regall power hee held it alwaies to haue beene a detestable thing to abuse the greatnesse thereof and how he affected nothing more in the world then to gouerne his subiects with mildnesse clemency and moderation of Iustice that hee might with peace enioy their loue And how notwithstanding the Archbishoppe had most iniuriously by his Letters published in diuerse parts torne his innocency and slandered the faithfull seruice of his Counsailors and Officers who executed his regall Iustice exclayming how the people were opprest the Cleargy confounded the kingdome agrieued with taxations and all kinde of exactions Which the King argues was to no other end but to raise sedition amongst his people and to withdrawe their loue and obedience from him Lastly to giue notice of the Archbishoppes corruption he declares how himselfe beeing vnder age had through his counsell made so many prodigall donations prohibited alienations and excessiue gifts as thereby hâ—s treasurie was vtterly exhausted and his reuenewes diminished and how the Archbishop corrupted with bribes remitted without reasonable cause great summes which were due vnto him applying to his proper vse or to persons ill-deseruing many commodities and reuenewes which should haue beene preserued for his necessary prouisions And therefore concluded vnlesse hee desisted from this his rebellious obstinacie hee intended in due time and place more openly to proceede against him inioying them to publish all and singular these his malignities and to cause others to doe the like for the manifestation of his owne pious and Princely intention in relieuing his owne and his subiects wrongs This Letter was sayd to haue been penned by Adam Bishoppe of Winchester and bare date the 12. of February An. Reg. 15. Thus the King and his Officers whose proceedings must not receiue a check are cleared and the imputation rests vpon the Archbishop who is charged with great accouÌ„ts pressed by such as lent the King mony to render the same But shortly after the King found much to doe in the Parlement held at London being earnestly petitioned by the whole Assembly of the three Estates that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forrests might be duly obserued and that whosoeuer of the Kings Officers infringed the same should lose their place that the high Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parlement The King stood stiffe vpon his owne election and prerogatiue but yet yeelded in regard to haue his present Vid. Stat. 15. Edward 3. turne serued as himselfe after confessed these Officers should receiue an oath in Parlement to doe iustice vnto all men in their offices and thereupon a Statute was made confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other grants of his to the subiects which notwithstaÌ„ding were for the most part presently after reuoked The truce agreed on before Turney for one yeare was by the Commissioners of both The Articles Vid. Appen Kings and two Cardinalls from the Pope concluded at Arras which yeelded some cessation of Armes but not of plotting more mischiefe Louys of Bauier intituled Emperour is wonne to the party of the French King becomes his sworne confederate The Emperor reuokes the Vicariate the reason why Vid. Append. and reuokes the Vicarshippe of the Empire formerly confirmed on the K. of England pretending the cause to be for concluding the late truce without him as appeares by his Letters to King Edward which are againe by him fully and discreetly answered But in steed of this remote and vnconstant confederate whose power lay without the limits of France Fortune brought in another more neere and of readier The controuersie for the Duchy of Brittaine meanes to offend within the bodie of that kingdome The inheritance of the Duchy of Brittaine is in controuersie betweene Charles de Blois Nephew to King Phillip and Iohn de Monfort vpon this title Arthur Duke of Brittaine had by Beatrix his first wife two sonnes Iohn and Guy by Yoland Countesse of Monfort his second wife Iohn de Monfort Iohn the eldest sonne of Arthur hauing no issue ordayned Iane his Neece daughter to his brother Guy who died before him to succeed him in the Duchy This Iane Charles de Blois marries on condition his issue by her should inherite the same wherein after consummation of the Marriage hee is inuested and had homage done vnto him during the life of Iohn their Vncle. But after his death Iohn de Monfort doth homage for the Duke of Brittaine to King Edward Monfort claymes the Duchy comes to Paris to do homage for the same to the French King Charles de Blois in the right of his wife opposes him the controuersie is referred to the Parlement Sentence passes on the side of Charles Monfort inraged repaires to the King of England doth his homage vnto him for the Duchy is receiued with great applause and his title howsoeuer held bad at home is heere made to bee good Returning back into Brittaine both with comfort meanes after some encouÌ„ters Monfort taken prisoner His wife prosecutes her husbands quarrell with his enemie hee is taken and committed prisoner to the Louure in Paris His wife the Countesse of Monfort sister to Louys Earle of Flanders a Lady who seemed to haue more of the man then her brother prosecutes her husbands quarrell puts on Armour leads and incourages her people surprises and defends many strong peeces of Brittaine but in the end like to be ouerlaide by the power of Charles de Blois she craues ayde of the King of England and hath it sent vnder the conduct of the Lord Walter de Manny which relieued her for the present but the future required more whereof King Edward was not sparing in regard of his owne designes for aydes are seldome sent to forrainers but for the Senders benefit The Lady her selfe comes ouer into England to treate both for supplyes and alliance tendring a match betweene her sonne and a daughter of King Edward The Earles Salisbury Pembrooke and Suffolke Forces sent ouer into Brittaine the Lords Stafford Spencer and Bourchier with Robert de Artois Earle of Richmond are sent with great forces backe with the Lady Many were the incounters surprises and recouerings of Fortes betweene the English and the French and in this action The death of Robert de Artois Robert de Artois receiued his last wound at the siege of Vannes but yet was brought to die in England it being not in his Fate that his countrie which by his meanes had suffered so much affliction should haue his bones though it had his blood which he lost with little honour
him indured the brunt of the day Whereupon the Prince demanding whether hee accepted not his gift hee answered how these men had deserued the same as well as himselfe and had more neede thereof The Prince pleased with this reply gaue him fiue hundred markes more in the same kinde An example of the worthineste of the time wherein good deseruings went not vnrewarded All things prouidently accommodated after the battaile the Prince with his ptisoners first retyres to Burdeaux and thence passes with great glory into England now Anno Reg. 31. 1336. the Theatre of triumph The French king is lodged at the Sauoy then a goodly pallace of Henry Duke of Lancaster Many prisoners vpon reasonable ransome and many vpon the French kings word vndertaking for them are deliuered and sent home honorably Dauid King of Scots who had remayned prisoner eleuen yeares in England is shortly after by the earnest solicitation of Ioan his wife sister to King Edward set likewise at liberty for the ransome of a hundred thousand markes striulin to be paid in ten yeares The security now had of France gaue way to this Princes liberty Aboue foure yeares the French King remayned prisoner in England in which time were many ouertures and great offers made for his deliuery but nothing effected Charles the Dauphin who managed that kingdome during the captiuity of his father a Prince of great discretion wrought all meanes possible to bring that factious people to yeeld their contribution for ransoming their King but little preuailed The Parliament there called to consult thereof rather augments the misery of the State then prouides remedy Wherein after the Dauphin had grauely deliuered The state of France during their Kings captiuity the desolation and danger they were in being thus depriued of their Head and the necessity of recouering and relieuing the same by their vtmost meanes There was a choyce required of fifty to auoid confusion to bee made out of all the Prouinces to consult of what was propounded according to the instructions they should receiue These fifty after many meetings send for the Dauphin to heare their resolution which was much otherwise then hee expected For instead of ayd and subuention they require reformation in the State And first the Bishop of Laon chosen their Speaker besought him to keepe secret what should be vttered vnto him by the States Theyong Prince answers That it were much preiudiciall to the degree hee held in the Kingdom to take Law of his Fathers Subiects and therefore commuanded them by their Allegeance openly to reueale what they had in their hearts The Bishop there vpon declares the euill managing of the Publique Reuenues demands redresse and Commissioners appointed to call such as were answerable to yeeld their Accounts That all who had managed the Treasurie should bee deposed from their Office That both the Moneys and all the affaires of the State should from thencefoorth be directed by foure Bishops and twelue Burgesses whereof the Citie of Paris should bee chiefe and that without this Councell the Dauphin should doe nothing And in conclusion they instantly require That the King of Nauarre might be set at libertie On which Conditions they would yeeld any reasonable subuention for redeeming their King To these harsh Demands the Daupbin requires time to answer which he so puts off from day to day in hope thereby to separate and dis-vnite their Councels as the the Deputies at length tyred with delay grewe cold and the Assembly brake vp without doing any thing But this left such a poyson as infected the people and specially those of Paris who shortly after presumptuously demand to haue the King of Nauarre deliuered according to the Decree of the Deputies and without delay they so wrought with Pinquigny the Gouernour of Artoys who had the keeping of this Fire-brand as he The King of Naurre set at libertie was deliuered after 19. moneths imprisonment and comes to Paris so accompanied as shewed both of what Spirit and state he was and that he meant to take his tyme of revenge Here is he welcome with the applause of the whole Citie to whom in publique maner with great eloquence he declares the wrongs hee had receiued and besides intimates what right he had to the Crowne of France thereby to imbroyle the affayres of that State which were already too much in combustion This put the businesse of redeeming the captiue King quite out of their mindes for that time and the Dauphin is constrained by an Acte of Abolition to acquit the King of Nauarre and his Complicies of all former offences And seeing the peruersnesse of the Parisians goes to solicite other Cities and Prouinces trauailing from place to place for ayd and succour leauing his brother Phillip Duke of Orleance at Paris to keepe them in the best he could during his absence The Prouince of Languedoc is renowned in their Hystories for being the first that made the largest offer of ayd towards the redemption of their King in the Assembly of the three States at Tholouse wherein they promised to their Gouernour the Conte d' Arminiacque not onely to imploy their Reuenue but their mooueables and euen to sell their wiues Iewels to raise the same Besides to witnesse their publique sorrowe they ordaine that no costly Apparell Feasting Playes or other iollyties shoul be vsed within their Prouince during the time of their Kings captiuitie Champagne by their example doth the like But nothing could moue the Parisians to yeelde any thing The King of Nauarre had wonne them both from their obedience and all humanitie and put them into such flames of rebellion as when the Dauphin came backe to the Citie the Prouost of Marchants assalted his house with three thousand Artificrs in Armes and rushed himselfe vp into his Chamber with certaine of his traine wherewith the Dauphin being amazed the Prouost bids him be content it was resolued it must be so And presently vpon Signall giuen Ian de Couflans and Robert de Cleremont Marshalls of Fraunce and his chiefe Counsellors are slaine in his presence The Dauphen cryes out What meane you Will you set vpon the Blood of France Sir sayd the Prouost Feare you not It is not you wee seeke it is your disloyall seruants who haue euill counsailed you And heere withall hee takes and puts on the Dauphins hat edged with gold and sets his owne which was partie coloured Red and Peach-colour as the Liuerie of the Citie vpon the Dauphins head out he goes adorned with the Hat of a Prince as a signe of his Dictator-ship causing the bodyes of these two noble men to bee trayled along the streets to the Court of the Pallace for all the furious multitude which ran to applaud the murther to gase on This done the Prouost writes in the name of the whole City to all the great Townes soliciting them to ioyne with theirs the principall of the kingdome and take their Liuery as the Dauphin had done
murthers him in the Church Which Foundation laid on blood the Place the Person and the manner making it more odious much stained his beginning and effected not that security for which he did it but raised a mighty partie in Scotland against him King Edward though so late acquainted herewith as hee could not bee before hand with him yet would hee not bee long behind to ouertake him sends Amyer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke the Lords Clifford and Percy with a strong power to releeue his Wardens of King Ed. sends and prepates for Scotland Scotland who vpon this Revolt were all retyred to Berwicke whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow Wherein to be the more free and Nobly attended Proclamation is made that whosoever ought by their paternall succession or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service should repaire to Westminster at the Feast of Penticost to receiue the order of Knighthood and a Military ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe Three hundred yong Gentlemen all the sonnes of Earles Barons and Knights assemble at the appointed day receiue Purples Silks Sindons Scarffs wrought with gold or Silver according to every mans estate For which traine the Kings house being too little by reason a great part thereof was burnt vpon his comming out of Flanders roome is made and the Apple Trees cut downe at the New Temple for their Tents where they attire themselues and keep their Vigil The Prince whom the King then likewise Knighted and guirt with a Militarie Belt as an ornament of that honour and withall gaue him the Duchy of Acquitaine kept his Vigile with his traine at Westminster and the next day guirds these Three Hundred Knights with the Militarie The Prince giues the honor of Knighthood to 300 Gentlemen Belt in that manner as himselfe received it At which ceremonie the presse was so great as the Prince was faine to stand vpon the high Altar a place for a more divine honour to performe this Which being solemnized with all the State and Magnificence could be devised the King before them all makes his vow that aliue or dead he would revenge the death of Iohn Cumyn vpon Bruce and the periured Scots Adiuring his sonne and all the Nobles about him vpon their Fealty that if he dyed in this Iourney they should carry his corps with them about Scotland and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Vsurper and absolutely subdued the Country A desire more Martiall then Christian shewing a minde so bent to the world as he would not make an end when he had done with it but designes his travaile beyond his life The Prince and all his Nobles promise vpon their faith to imploy their vtmost Reg. 34. An. 1307. power to performe his Vow and so vpon grant of the Thirtieth peny of the Clergie and the Laity and the Twentieth of all Marchants hee sets forth with a potent Army presently vpon Whitsontide and makes his last expedition into Scotland Anno Reg. 34. The Earle of Pembrooke with that power sent before and the aide of the Scottish partie which was now greater by the partakers of the Family of Cumyn being many mighty egar to revenge his death had before the King arrived in Scotland defeited in a battell neere S. Iohns towne the whole Army of the new King and narrowly missed the taking of his person Who escaping in disguise recovered an obscure shelter and was reserved for more and greater battailes His brother Nigell Bruce and shortly after Thomas and Alexander a Priest were taken and executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke so that K. Edward at his comming had not so much to do as he expected But yet he passed ouer the Country to shew them his power and to terrifie his enemies causing strict in quisition to be made for all who had been aiding to the murther of Cumyn and the advancement of Bruce Many and great Personages are A great execution made of the Scots found out being impossible amongst a broken people for any to remaine vndiscovered and were all executed in cruell manner to the terrour of the rest The Age of the King of England his Cholar Wrath desire of revenge made him now inexorable to spare none of what degree soever they were The Earle of Athol though of the Royall bloud and allyed vnto him was sent to London and preferd to a higher Gallowes then any of the rest The wife of Robert Bruce taken by the Lord Rosse is sent prisoner to London and his daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey The Countesse of Boughan that was aiding at the Coronation of Bruce is put into a woodden Cage and hung out vpon the walles of Berwicke for people to gaze on c. Which rigorous proceeding rather exasperates the Enemy and addes to the party of Bruce then any way quailed it desperation beeing of a sharper edge then hope And though Bruce now appeared not but shifted priuily from place to place in a distressed manner attended onely with two noble Gentlemen who neuer forsooke him in his fortunes the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay yet still expectation loue and the well-wishing of his friends went with him and so long as hee was aliue they held him not lost this affliction did but harden him for future labours which his enemies who now neglected to looke after him as either holding him dead or so downe as neuer to rise againe found afterwards to their cost For this man from being thus laide on the ground within few yeares after gets vp to giue the greatest ouerthrowe to the greatest Armie that euer the English brought into the Field and to repay the measure of blood in as full manner as it was giuen All this Sommer the King spends in Scotland and winters in Carleil to bee ready A Parlement at Carliel the next Spring if any fire should breake out to quench it For resolued hee is not to depart till hee had set such an end to this worke as it should need no more And here hee holdes his last Parlement wherein the State mindefull of the Popes late action gott many Ordinances to passe for reformation of the abuses of his Ministers and his owne former exactions who being but poore sought to get where it was to bee had Wringing from the elect Archbishop of Yorke in one yeare Nine thousand fiue hundred Marks and besides Anthony Bishop of Duresme to be made Patriark of Ierasalem gaue him and his Cardinals mighty summes This Bishop Anthony is said to haue had in purchases and inheritances 5000 Marks per annum besides what belonged to his Myter which shewed the Pope the riches of this Kingdome The King and Pope deuide the benefite of the Cleargie and moued him to require the fruits of one yeares reuenue of euery Benefice that should fall voide in England Scotland Wales and Ireland and the like of Abbayes Priories and Monasteries which though
for the reformation of the State Besides they compose a Councell of themselues whereof the Bishop of Laon the Primier President the Prouost with some of the Vniuersity were chiefe assuming a Soueraigne power to order all affaires of the State as a Common-wealth So that wee see in what a miserable confusion that kingdome stood being without a head and how apt it was then to shake off all authority and dissolue the gouernement into parts shewing vs that it was no new proiect amongst them to Cantonize as the great Townes and the Princes of late practised to doe in their leagues during their ciuile combustions The Dauphin thus disgraced with much a doe gets out of this tumultious City and retyres into Champagne and at Vertus assembles the States of the Countrie whom hee found loyall and ready to yeeld him all succour The rest of the great Townes refusing with much disdaine to ioyne with the City of Paris offer him likewise their ayde So that hee was put into some heart and likly to effect his desires in short time had not the King of Nauarre who sought his destruction still raysed new broyles in the State and taken Armes against him Now besides these confusions greater mischiefes arose in that miserable kingdome the poore Paysants that had beene eaten out by the Souldiers and troden vnder foote by their Lords colleague and arme themselues in the Country of Beauuoysis France spoyled by the souldiers and others on all sides and turne head vpon the Gentry and such as had done them wrong spoyling sacking burning their houses killing their wiues and children in most outragious manner This was not all troupes of souldiers which had no work or meanes to liue ioyne together in mighty Companies ouer-runne and rauage other parts of the kingdome The forces in Brittaine vnder the conduct of Sir Robert Knoles breake out vpon the confining Countries and returne loaden with inestimable booties of wealth All which miserable calamities enough to haue vtterly dissolued a State prolong the imprisonment of their King in England so that nothing could bee effected for his ransome which King Edward thinkes long till he haue in his Treasury and vrges likewise for his part very hard conditions requiring say they besides infinite summes that King Iohn should doe homage and holde the kingdome of France of the Crowne of England which hee with great disdayne refuses as being not in his power to alien what was vnalienable vowing that no misery of his should constrayne him to doe any thing preiudiciall to his successors to whom hee would leaue the State as hee receiued it But yet at length offers other and more large conditions then the French were willing to yeeld vnto which being long in debating and nothing concluded after foure yeares expectation King Edward in great displeasure resolues to make an end of this worke with the sword and to take possession King Edward goes to take possession of the kingdome of France of the kingdome of France And ouer hee passes to Calais with a Fleete of eleuen hundred Sayle His Army hee diuides into three battailes one hee commits to the Prince of Wales another to the Duke of Lancaster and the third hee leades himselfe And first hee marches to the City of Aras which hee takes within three dayes Thence into Champagne where the Cities of Sens and Neuers are rendered Anno Reg. 34. vnto him The Duchy of Burgogne terrified with these examples redeemes it selfe from spoyle vpon paying two hundred thousand Florins of gold Furnished with which treasure and booties by the way vp King Edward marches to Paris where the Dauphin who had now the title of Regent hauing lately ouercome the faction and executed the principall of the Mutiners was with great forces which in the common danger flocked together to defend their Countrie and would not by the example of his father and Grand-father be drawne out to hazard vpon any attempt but stood onely vpon his defences which the King of England seeing after many prouocations raysed his siege and returnes into Brittaine to refresh his Army In the meane time the Regent layes in mighty store of victualls prouides that the Souldiers should haue enough without pressing the inhabitants and with extreame dilligence so fortifies the City as King Edward returning with all his refreshed power was vtterly disappoynted of his hopes to doe any good there Thus that great Citty which was like to haue endangered the whole kingdome of France was the onely meanes to preserue it From hence King Edward takes his way towards Chartres with purpose to besiege that City but being by an horrible tempest of haile thunder and lightning that fell vpon his Army so terrified as hee vowed to make peace with the French King vpon any reasonable conditions as he shortly after did at the treaty of Britigny The Treatie of Accord concluded at Britigny neere Chartres vpon these Articles That the country of Poicton the Fiefs of Thouars and Belleuille the Countrie of Gascoigne Agenois Perigort Limosin Cahors Torbe Bigorre Rouergne Angoulmois in soueraigntie with the Homages of the Lords within those Territories Monstruel on the Sea Ponthieu Calais Guines La Merk Sangote Boulogne Hames Vales and Onis should bee to the King of England who besides was to haue three Millions of Scutes of gold whereof sixe hundred thousand presently in hand foure hundred thousand the yeere following and the Surplus in two yeeres after insuing vpon reasonable payment And for this the King of England and his Sonne the Prince of Wales as well for them as their Successors for euer should renounce all their right pretended to the Vid. Append. Crowne of France the Duchy of Normandie the Countryes of Touraine Aniou Maine the Soueraigntie and Homage of the Dutchy of Britagne and the Earldome of Flanders and within three weekes King Iohn to bee rendred at Callais at the charge of the King of England except the expences of his House For assurance of which Accord should be giuen into his hand Hostages Louys Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry King Iohns sonnes Phillip Duke of Orleance his brother Iohn Duke of Burgogne the Conts of Bloys Alenson Saint Pol Harcourt Poncian Valentinois Grand Pre de Brenne des Forrests the Lords Vaudemont Couscy Piennez de Saint Venant de Preaux de Momerancy de Garanciecis La Roche guion Estou-teuille Le Dauphind ' Auergne d' Andrigil de Craon sufficient cautions for the sayd Summes and conditions The Scots not to be ayded by the French King nor the Flemmings by the English Charles King of Nauarre and his brother Phillip are comprehended likewise in these Articles c. This Treatie of good accord and finall Peace signified by both Kings was ratified King Iohn deliuered by their two eldest Sonnes Edward and Charles and sworne vnto by the Nobilitie of both Kingdomes The Hostages are deliuered vnto King Edward who departing from Honfleur brought them into England leauing the
Earle of Warwick in France to haue a hand in the execution of the Accorde King Iohn is honourably conducted to Calais attending the promised Summe the first gage of his libertie Anno Reg. 35. 1361. The Citie of Paris yeelds one thousand Royals by whose Example other Cities contribute according to their proportions And thus is King Iohn deliuered after hauing remained Prisoner in England neere about fiue yeeres And both Kings depart in kinde manner with all demonstrations of brotherly Loue. King Edward returning with his Crownes calles a Parliament wherein the forme of the Accord was read and allowed of all the Estates and an Oath taken by the Nobles to obserue the same for their partes Heere the King restorees to the Priors Aliens their Houses Lands Tenements which he had taken from them Anno Reg. 12. for the maintenance of his French Warres which now being ended he grants by his Letters Pattents in as free manner as before they helde them A rare Example of a iust King being seldome seene that Princes let go any thing whereon they haue once fastned Now againe was the ioy and glorie that England receiued by their gettings seasoned The second great Pestilence with the sowrenesse of another mortalitie called The second Pestilence whereof dyed many Noble men the chiefe was Henry Duke of Lancaster of the Royall blood a Prince of great note for wisedome and valour who had beene an especiall Actor in all these Warres and a principall Pillar of the Crowne of England whose Daughter and Heyre was a little before marryed to Iohn of Gaunt by dispensation being neere of consanguinitie whereby hee is made Duke of Lancaster And shortly after by the like Dispensation the Prince of Wales marryes the Countesse Anno Reg. 36. of Kent Daughter to Edmond brother to Edward the second And so both are prouided of Matches within the Kingdome The King giues to the Prince of Wales the Duchy of Aquitaine reseruing to himselfe Homage and Fealtie and shortly after sends him ouer with his wife and Court to liue there His sonne Lionell Earle Vlster is sent into Ireland with a regiment of 1500 men to guard his Eatledome against the Irish and was created Duke of Clarence in the next Parliament held at Westminster in Nouember which continued vntill the feast of Saint Brice King Edwards Birth-day and the Fiftith yeare of his age Wherein for a Iubilie hee shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his people freely pardoning many offences releasing prisoners reuoking Exiles c. And vpon petition of the Commons causes Pleas which before were in French to be made in English that the subiect might vnderstand the Lawe by which hee holdes what hee hath and is to know what hee doth A blessed act and worthy so great a King who if hee could thereby haue rendered the same also perspicuous it had beene a work of eternall honour but such is the Fate of Law that in what language soeuer it speakes it neuer speakes plaine but is wrapt vp in such difficulties and mysteries as all professions of profit are as it giues more affliction to the people then it doth remedy Here was also an act passed for Purueiors as there had beene many before in his time that nothing should bee taken vp but for ready money vpon strict punishment For retribution of which relieuements the Parliament granted sixe and twenty shillings eight pence for tranportation Vid. Stat. of euery sacke of woole for three yeares Thus all were pleased sauing the remouing of the Saple from the Townes of England to Calais was some grieuance to those whom it concerned Yet the Kings desire to inrich that Towne being of his owne acquisition and now a member of the Crowne of England might herein be well borne withall And sure this King the most renowmed for Valour and Goodnesse that euer raigned in this kingdome not onely laboured to aduance the State by enlarging the Dominions thereof but to make his people as well good as great by reforming their vices whereunto fortunate and opulent States are euermore subiect as may be noted in the next Parliament held at Westminster Anno Reg. 37. wherein for the publique Good certaine Sumptuary lawes the most necessarie to preuent Ryot that dissoluing sicknesse the feuer Hectique of a State were ordayned both for Apparell Diet appointing euery degree of men from the Shepheard to the Prince the Stuffe Habits they should weare prohibiting the adornements of gold and Siluer Silkes and rich Furres to all except eminent persons Vid. Stat. Whereby forraine superfluities were shut out home-made Cōmodities only vsed The Labourer and Husbandman is appointed but one meale a day and what meates he should eate c. whereby Gluttony Drunkennesse those hideous euils which haue since vtterly disfashioned infeebled the English Nation were auoided So carefull was this frugall King for preseruing the estates of his subiects from Excesse And as prouident was hee for the ordering of his owne committing his treasure to the safest Chest that Religion could keepe lockt For by a certificat Anno Cleargy men Officers to the King Reg. 39. sent to Pope Vrbane concerning Plut alities and the estates of Church-men in England there were found more of the Spirtualty which bare office about this King then any other of Christendome beside As first Simon Langham Archbishop of Canterbury was Chancelor of England William Wickham Archdeacon of Lincolne Keeper of the Priuy Seale Dauid Weller Parson of Somersham Maister of the Rolles Ten beneficed Priests Ciuilians Maisters of Chancery William Mulse Deane of Saint Martins le Grand Chiefe Chamberlayne of the Exchecquer Receiuer and Keeper of the Kings treasure and Iewels William Askby Archdeacon of Northampton Chancelor of the Exchecquar William Dighton Pribendary of Saint Martins Clarke of the Priuy Seale Richard Chesterfield Prebend of Saint Staphans Treasurer of the Kings house Henry Snatch Parson of Oundall Maister of the Kings Ward-robe Iohn Newnham Parson of Fenni-stanton one of the Chamberlaines of the Exchequer and keeper of the Kings Treasurie and Iewels Iohn Rousbie Parson of Harwick Surueior and Comptroler of the Kings works Thomas Britingham Parson of Asbie Treasurer to the King for the parts of Guisnes and the Marches of Calais Iohn Troys Tresurer of Ireland a Priest and beneficed there These men being without those Feminine Ginnes of attraction and consumption deuoted onely to Sanctitie were thought then fittest to be husbands for his profit Shortly after three Kings came to visite the King of England The King of France the King of Scots and the King of Cypres The occasions that mooued the French king might be diuers but it seems the especial wereto free some Hostages that remained heere and to cleare such imputations as were had of him for not obseruing in all points the late Accorde wherewith his Nobles were much discontented and many dissiculties arose among them so that in an Assembly of the States at Paris certaine