Bishops and Earls I have required him to deliver me the Captive Duke but could not obtain my desire I sent Robert de Belism to him on several Messages he secured him in his Court cast him into Bonds and yet keeps him Prisoner Earl Tedbald is my Vassal and yet by the instigation of his Uncle he riseth up against me and being inflated by his Power and Riches Rebelled and made grievous War against me and my Kingdom and much more to this purpose [6.] Ibidem fol. 859. B. All the French Clergy in this Council justified what he said yet Geofrey Arch-Bishop of Rouen and all the Norman Bishops and Abbats rose up to make his defence and excuse him but could not be heard In this Juncture [7.] Ibid. fol. 863. C. D. Tedbald Earl of Blois reconciles the Noble Normans to King Henry Tedbald Earl of Blois the Kings Nephew made it his business to reconcile all dissenting Persons to the King and brought to him Almaric de Montfort who was received into his favour and restored to the whole Earldom of his Uncle William Eustachius also and Julian his Wife the Kings Natural Daughter were at that time restored to his Grace and their Lands except Breteul which for his faithful Service the King had given to his Kinsman Ralph de Guader in recompence whereof he gave him yearly 200 Marks of Silver in England Hugh de Gournay and Robert de Newburgh with the rest of King Henry's Enemies came in and were graciously received Only Stephen Earl of Albamarle stood out who seeing the King coming against him with an Army by Advice of his Friends humbly satisfied him and thereupon to his own satisfaction was pardoned When this Council was ended in [8.] Ibid. fol. 864. D. 865. A. B. The Pope moves King Henry to restore his Brother Robert and his Son November following the Pope came into Normandy and met King Henry at Gisors to Treat of Peace He told him by the Law of God every Man ought to enjoy his Right and that it was his Desire and the Request of the Council that he should free Robert his Brother from his Bonds and restore him and his Son William to the Dukedom He [9.] Ibidem C. D. His Answer to the Pope Answers the Pope that he did not take the Dukedom from his Brother but only secured his Fathers Inheritance which was given away to Dissolute Men Thieves and Robbers That he was called into Normandy by the Bishops Clergy and Religious to prevent the desolation of the Church and that what he did was not out of choice but by compulsion and invitation The Pope satisfied with his Answer to preserve the Country from desolation and ruine With this Answer which was the same the Norman Bishops would have given in the Council to the King of France the [1.] Ibidem fol. 866. B. Pope was satisfied and approved what he had done and said he had heard enough of the Duke and his Son And so leaving them to shift for themselves his next [2.] Ibid. fol. 866. B. C D. The Pope makes Peace between the Kings of France and England work was to strike up a Peace between the two Kings which was suddenly accomplished without the least cavil exception or difficulty all Castles and Strong Holds taken in the time of War being mutually delivered and Prisoners on both sides set at liberty The War being [3.] Ibidem fol. 867. C. King Henry comes for England ended and things well setled in Normandy King Henry commanded a Fleet to be prepared and many Military Men of all sorts that had served him well and faithfully to accompany him into England where he intended to bestow on some large Rewards and to raise others to great Honours At this time Ralph de Guader who had the Town of Montfort and other Towns and great Possessions in Britany upon the Kings consent and good will offered his Daughter in Marriage to his Natural Son Richard and with her the Towns and Castles of Breteul Gloz and Lire and his whole Honour in Normandy Which intended Marriage was never compleated When the Fleet [4.] Ibid. D. was ready in the Port of Bartaflot now Barfleur the King with a noble splendid Train the Wind at South set Sail on the Twenty fifth of November in the Evening and landed in England next Morning His Sons William and Richard had not the same good fortune for being in another Vessel called the White Ship whereof one Thomas Fitz-Stephen was Captain or Master [5.] Ibidem fol 668. A. Prince William c. with 300 Persons drowned who pretended to hold his Place or Office in Fee both Master and Mariners had got too much Wine in their Heads and striving to be the foremost Ship in the Fleet run upon a Rock and split the Ship so as she presently sunk with near 300 Persons in her [6.] Ibidem f. 870. A. B. Amongst whom were as before noted Prince William his half Brother Richard and his half Sister Maude the Wife of Rotro Earl of Mortain in Perch Richard Earl of Chester and many of the young Nobility who chose that Ship for the Company sake The King [7.] Ibidem fol. 871. A. distributed the Honours and Estates of such as perished in this Shipwrack very providently for he Married their Widows Daughters and Nieces to his Courtiers and Soldiers and gave with them their Patrimonies King Henry [8.] Ibidem A. D. 1120. having lost his Wife and Son by the Counsel of his Wise Men resolved to Marry and chose for his Wife Alice the fair Daughter of Godfrey Duke of Lovain She continued his Queen fifteen years but never bare him any Children Many [9.] Ibidem f. 875. C.D. An. Do. 1122. A new Contrivance against King Henry observing that King Henry had no Issue Male looked towards William Duke Roberts Son and endeavoured to set him up Amongst whom was Gualeran and Robert the Sons of Robert Earl of Mellent who had been Educated in the Kings Court and used as tenderly as his own Children and were both Knighted by him Gualeran besides his Fathers Estate the Earldom of Mellent in France had Beaumont and the Patrimony belonging to it in Normandy His Brother Robert had the Earldom of Leicester in England to whom the King gave Amicia the Daughter of Ralph de Guader which had been Contracted to his Son Richard and Breteul in Normandy with all the Estate appertaining to that Others of the [1.] Ibid. fol. 876. A. B. C. The Confederates Confederacy were Almaric de Monteforti Earl of Eureux the Kings perpetual Foe Hugo de Monteforti Hugo de Novo-Castello or New-Castle William Lupell Baldric de Braye and Pagan de Gisors c. who met in September and entred into a general Conspiracy The King [2.] Ibid. D. An. Do. 1122. Civil War in Normandy understood their Designs and in October summoned together a great Force at Rouen and on
the King of France 24000 Marks Father ingaged to pay him and so obteined his Love and Favor And the King of France Restored unto him all things which he had taken from his Father in the last War as well Castles as Cities and Fortresses Towns and Lands While he remained in Normandy His Mother Queen Alienor released Prisoners his Mother Queen Alienor went from City to City and from Castle to Castle as she pleased and sent Commissioners into all Counties for the Releasing of Prisoners for the Soul of her Lord Henry having learnt from her own Experience what Afflictions Prisons were * F. 152. n. 20. Mat. Paris says she had been closely imprisoned by her Husband Sixteen Years and now her Son gave her leave to Direct and Order the Nation as she pleased in his absence She Commanded [4] Ibid. n. 30. What sort of Prisoners were released by Precept from the Duke her Son That all who were taken for Trespass in Forests should be set at Liberty and all that were Out-lawed for any thing done in Forests might return free and acquitted from all Forfeitures That all such as had been taken and restrained upon the Kings Will and Pleasure or upon the Will and Pleasure of his Justice and were not imprisoned by the Common Accusation of the County or Hundred or upon an Appeal should be Released And such of Those as were accused by the County or Hundred that could find Sureties for their Appearance and Tryal if they were prosecuted should be set at Liberty Those also that were Imprisoned upon an Appeal for any Heinous Crime if they had Sureties might be at Liberty And all such as were Out-lawed upon Accusations upon Common Fame might return and give Security to stand Tryal and such as were Out-lawed upon Appeal if they could make Peace with their Adversaries might be free All those that were Appealed by such as confessed themselves Malefactors Qui se Malefactores Cognoscunt were Released And those Malefactors who had their Lives and Limbs given them for their Appealing others were to Abjure the Realm and Depart And such Malefactors who voluntarily Appealed others without a Pardon for their Lives and loss of Limbs were to be kept in Prison until further Consideration After which she Commanded [5] Ibid. n. 50. The Oath of Fidelity taken by all Freemen That every Freeman of the whole Kingdom or Government should swear Et praecepit Quod unusquisque liberorum hominum totius Regni juraret That he would bear Faith to Richard King of England the Son of King Henry and Queen Alienor for the Preservation of their Lives and Limbs and their Terrene Honor Quod fidem portabit Domino Richardo Regi Angliae filio Domini Regis Henrici Dominae Alienorae Râ—ginae de vita membris suis honore terreno As to their Liege Lord against all Men and Women that could Live and Dye sicut ligio Domino suo contra omnes homines foeminas Qui vivere possunt Mori and That they would be obedient to his Laws and would assist him in all things for the Conservation of his Peace and Justice Et quod ii Justiciabiles erunt auxilium ei praestabunt ad pacem Justiciam suam per omnia Servandam The Duke [6] Ibid. b. lin 2. He restores Robert Earl of Leicester to his Estate c. returned to Robert Earl of Leicester all his Lands which his father had taken from him and all those his Father had disinherited he restored to their former rights He hated all those Clercs and Laics which left his Father and adhered to him and turned them out of their Offices or Services but such as served his Father faithfully he reteined and inriched them by his Bounty On the 13th of [7] Ibid. n. 10. August he came to Barbeâ—let now Barâ—leur and sent before him Walter Archbishop of Roven Henry Bishop of Bayeux and Iohn Bishop of Eureux Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury Gilbert Bishop of Rochester and Hugh and Hugh Bishops of Lincoln and Chester He comes into England and presently with his Brother Iohn followed them into England and landed them at Portsmouth [8] Ibid. n. 20.30 His great Bounty to his Brother John To whom he gave the Earldom of Moreton in Normandy the Earldoms of Cornwal Dorset Somerset Notingham Derby and Lancashires with the Castles of Marleburgh and Ludgarshal with their Forests and all Appurtenances The Castles de Pec and Bolsover yet the Duke kept in each County some Castles and Honors He also gave Earl John the Honors of Walingford Tikhil and Haye and likewise the Daughter and Co-Heir of the Earl of Glocester with that Earldom He gave to William Mareschal the Daughter and Heir of Richard Earl of Striguil and with her that Earldom While [9] Ibid. n. 50. The Bishop of Ely's Estate came to him he dying Intestate the King and his Court were at Winchester Geofry Bishop of Ely Died there Intestate the 21st of September and the King seized his Estate which amounted to * This in those Days was accounted a vast Estate 3000 Marks in Silver and 200 Marks in Gold besides his Vessels Jewels and Gold At that time he caused his Bishops Earls and Barons to look into his Fathers [1] Ibid. f. 374. a. lin 1. His Fathers Treasure of great value Treasuries where they found great Sums which according to Tale and Weight much exceeded 100000 Marks [2] F. 152. n. 40. Winchester then was the Kings Treasury He makes choice of Ships for his Expedition into the Holy Land Mat. Paris says there were found above 900000 Pounds in Gold and Silver besides Vtensis Jewels and Precious Stones Having taken an Account of his Fathers Treasure he sent his Officers and Bayliffs to all the Sea-Ports in England Normandy Poictou and his other Dominions to make Choice of the Ships of greatest Burthen and caused them to be Victualled Armed and Furnished for his Expedition into the Holy Land according to his Agreement with [3] See here f. 348. F. the King of France From Winchester he came to London and there was [4] Hoved. f. 374. a n. 10.20 His Magnificent Coronation Crowned at Westminster on the Third of September by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury It was a Magnificent and Splendid Coronation in the presence of the Bishops Earls Barons and Great Men of the Kingdom a Narrative whereof the Reader may find in Hoveden and Matthew [5] F. 153. n. 10 20 30. c. Paris who related it from him also in Iohn Brompton who * Col. 1157.1158 1159. transcribed it verbatim from Paris and may find it Translated in Mr. Sandford's Genealogical History of the Kings of England Fol. 74. At his Coronation he [6] Hoved. ut supra n. 50. His Coronation Oath Sware he would keep Peace Honour and Reverence to God Holy Church and the Clergy all Days of his Life Juravit quod
Bull conteining an indissoluble league between the Emperor and the King and told them he came not as a Justice or a Legat or a Chancellor but as a Bishop only and the Kings Messenger And injoyned some Barons they should go with him to the King as Gilbert Bishop of Râ—thester Sefrid Bishop of Chichester Benedict Abbat of Peterburgh Richard Earl of Clâ—re Earl Roger Bigod Geofrey de Say and many others On the 25th of [9] Ibid. n. 40. f. 414. a. n. 20. A. D. 1193. A Treaty betweâ—n the Emperor and King of France June the Emperor and the King of France had appointed a Colloquium or Treaty which if it should proceed the King of England knew they two would conâ—aederate against the Archbishops of Colon and Menâ—s and against the Dukes of Lovain Lâ—mburgh and Saxonie and many other Great Men and Nobles who had conspired against the Emperor for the Bishop of Liege Brother to the Duke of Lovain his Death which he had contrived and suspected That if the Treaty should take effect he should be Delivered to the King of France [1] Ibid. n. 30. 'T is broke off by the King of Englands policy After great pains and at the instance of the King of England a Peace was made between the Emperor and great men before mentioned and so the Treaty or Colloquium between the Emperor and King of France was Defeated This done the Emperor on the Day after St. John Baptist came to [2] Ibid. n. 40. A Treaty between the Emeror and King Richard Worms where the King of England then was and there was celebrated a Colloquium or Treaty between them four Days There were present the Bishops of those parts the Dukes of Lovain and Limburgh with many Earls and Barons There were on the Kings behalf the Bishops of Bath and Ely and on the fourth Day that is to say on the Vigil or Eve of St. Peter and Paul came to the King William Briwer and Baldwin de Bretun and as yet they all dispaired of the Kings Freedom [3] Ibid. n. 50. The Agreement between them But next Day they came to a final agreement upon these Conditions That the King of England should give the Emperor 100000 Marks of Pure Silver according to the weight of Colon and other 50000 as an aid toward his Reducing Apulia That the King should give the Sister of Arthur Duke of Britany his Nephew as wife to the son of the Duke of Austria and that he should Deliver the Emperor of Cyprus and his Daughter [4] Ibid. b. lin 2. The 100000 Marks were to be brought into the Empire at the Hazard of the King of England and when they were there he was freely and Quietly to return into England under safe Conduct and this all the Bishops Dukes Earls and Barons there present sware on behalf of the Emperor The form of this Bargain or Composition follows in the [5] Ibid. n. 10. same place So soon as the King of France heard these things he [6] Ibid. n. 40. The King of France gives Earl John notice of it sent to Earl Iohn that he might have a Care of himself for the Devil was got loose who knowing he wrote it of his Brother he passed into Normandy and adhaered to the King of France not Daring to expect the coming of his Brother and soon after the King of England sent the Bishop of Ely his Chancellor and William Briwer and other wise men to the King of France to make peace with him [7] Ibid. n. 50. A Peace between England and France concluded which was done accordingly and the claims setled on both sides in which peace there was ample provision made for the security of Earl Iohn and all his Matters The Money was [8] Ibid. f. 416. b. lin 1. c. How the Money for the Kings Ransom was Collected Collected for the Kings Ransom Twenty Shillings of every Knights Fee The fourth part of all the Rents of the Laics and all the Chalices and other Riches of the Churches the Bishops Collected of their Clercs of some a fourth part of some a tenth and so it was in all the Kings Dominions beyond Sea by which there was gathered together an infinite Sum of Money and then the [9] Ibid. lin 7. Emperors Envoyes received at London the greatest part of the Kings Ransom And paid to the Emperors Envoyes in weight and measure and sealed it up and Delivered it to such as were to carry it to the Borders of the Empire at the hazard of the King of England The Emperor at this time [1] Ibid. n. 10. What the Emperor gave to King Richard Gave unto the King of England by his Chart the Country of Provence Viana and Vianois Marseille Narbon Arleblanâ— and Lions upon the Rhone and as far as the Alps and whatsoever he had in Burgundy and the Homage of the King of Arragon the Homage of the Earl of Disders and the Homage of the Earl of St. Giles in which Lands and Dominions there were Five Archbishoprics and thirty three Bishoprics but the Emperor never had them in his possession nor would the people ever Receive a Governor from him The King sent into England [2] Ibid. n. 20.30 Hubert Arch-Bishop of Canturbury made Chief Justice of England for his Mother Queen Alienor and for Walter Archbishop of Roven and many others to come to him into Germany and made Hubert Archbishop of Canturbury Chief Justice of England and wrote over that the Day appointed for his Delivery and Freedom was the first Monday after twenty Days after Christmass Day Before the Agreement was [3] Ibid. f. 417. a. lin 1. c. Earl John swears Fealty to King Richard Confirmed between the Emperor and King Richard he sent William Bishop of Ely his Chancellor and others into France to his Brother Earl Iohn and so effectually dealt with him That he returned into Normandy and swore Fealty to the King his Brother against all men and the King commanded that all the Castles belonging to the Honors he had given him should be Delivered to him as well in England as beyond Sea But those who had them in Custody would not deliver them upon the Writ Whereupon in Anger he went back to the King of France and staid with him and he gave him the Castles of Driencourt now Dancourt and Arches which should have been delivered to William Archbishop of Remes King Richard was to [4] Ibid. n. 20.30 A. D. 1194. remain at Spire until the time of his delivery and to that City came the Emperor with the Archbishops Bishops Dukes and Great Men of his Empire and when they had Treated a long time about the Freedom of the King of England Thither came Envoys from the King of France and Earl Iohn The King of France and Earl John offer the Emperor 1000 a month to keep King Richard prisoner and offered from the King 50000
and that the two Iews should have one and the Keeper of the Rolls one Also every Iew was to swear upon his Roll he did not believe the Gospels That he would cause all his Debts Pawns and Rents and all his things and possessions to be Inventoried and that he would conceal nothing and if he knew any thing another man concealed he would reveal it to the Iustices sent about that Affair and that he would discover all Falsifiers and Forgers of Charts all Clippers of Money where-ever he knew them Furthermore Inquisition was to be made what the Kings Bayliffs had taken or Exacted as well his Justices Sheriffs Constables and Foresters as their servants after the first Coronation of the King and why those prises were taken and by whom and of the Chattels or Goods offered Gifts and Promises made by occasion of the Seisin made of the Lands of Earl Iohn and his Favorers who received them and what and the Delay they received by the Archbishop of Canturbury then Iusticiary of the King The King [7] Hoved. f. 424. a. n. 50. The King forces his Officers to a Composition all this while was in France and having finished his Business in Poictou according to his desire returned into Anjou and forced all his Officers to a Composition and did the like in Main and from [8] Ibid. b. lin 1.2.3 c. The Seal taken away from the Chancellor and a new one made thence coming into Normandy took it ill whatever had been done in the late Truce and imputing it to the ill Management of his Chancellor took his Seal from him and made a new one and sent into or caused it to be published in all his Dominions That nothing should be firm or of force that had been sealed with his old Seal And commanded that all who had Charts should come and renew them at his new Seal The King then [9] Ibid n. 10. ordered there should be Torneaments that is Tiltings and Feats of Arms shewn in * These Hastiâ—udes or Tiltings were brought out of France and probably before this time but seldom if at all used in England What was paid for Licence of Tilting And to whom it was paid England and by his Chart confirmed it So as every one that would Tilt or shew Feats of Arms should pay according to the following Rates An Earl for Licenâ—e of Tilting Twenty Marks of Silver Barons Ten Marks of Silver every Knight that had Land Four Marks of Silver every Knight that had no Land Two Marks of Silver And he commanded That â—o Knight should be admitted to the place of Tilting unless he first paid down his Money The Chart of this Grant the King gave to William Earl of Salisbury to keep and Hubert Walter the Kings Chief Justice appointed Theobald Walter his Brother Collector of this Money [1] Ibid. f. 425. a. n. 40. The Archbishop of York is reconciled to the King The Archbishop of York went into Normandy to his Brother and was reconciled to him for 2000 Marks [2] Ibid. f. 428. a. n. 20. A. D. 119â— Earl John is pardoned by the King and is restored to his Honors and Possessions And also pardoned his Brother Iohn and restored him the Earldom of Moreton the Honor of Ey and Earldom of Gloucester with every thing belonging to them except the Castles and in lieu of his other Earldoms and Lands he allowed him 8000 l. of * That is â—000 l. Sterling Hugh Bishop of Coventry is pardoned Anâ—ou Money The same year he pardoned Hugh Bishop of Coventry [3] Ibid. n. 30. And restored to his Bishopric for a Sum of Money and restored his Bishopric for 5000 Marks of Silver And that year Hubert Archbishop of Canturbury at the Kings Request was made the [4] Ib. b n. 40. â—he Archbishop Hubert made the Popes Legat. Popes Legat of all England The next year there happened a Dissention amongst the [5] Ibid. f. 135. b. n. 2. Citiâ—ens of London about an Ayd imposed upon them [6] f. 181. n. 20 A. D. 1196. A Dissention among the Citizens of London about paying an Ayd or Tallage Matthew Paris says it was a Tallage exacted of them by the Officers of the Kings Exchequer The Rich and best Citizens to spare themselves cast the whole or the greatest part of it upon the ordinary People A certain Lawyer called William with the Beard the Son of Osâ—ert became the Advocate of the ordinary People and would have had the Tallage paid equally according to the Estates and Abilities of the Citizens and passed beyond Sea to the King and obtained of him that the ordinary People should be freed from it Hubert the Archbâ—shop and Kings Justitiary was much moved at it and commanded that where any ordinary Citizens were found out of the City they should be taken as Enemies to the King and Kingdom At Stanford Fayr in Lent some of the ordinary Tradesmen of London were taken by the Kings Justitiaries Warrant who also commanded That William with the Beard should be taken and brought before him One Geofry a Citizen was sent to take him whom he killed and when others would have taken him he fled with some of his Company and shut themselves up in Bow Church in Cheapside and when they would not come out there was force used yet they would not render themselves but defended the Steeple where by Command of the Archbishop a Fire was made under them and so they were smoaked out and William with the Beard was taken and carried to the Tower and there judged to be Hanged and was drawn through the City to the Gallows and there Hanged with eight of his Companions and the other Citizens that were in the same Tumult or Riot cast themselves upon the Kings Mercy and found Sureties for the Peace The Archbishop as he thought [7] Hoved. f. 436. b. n. 30. The Archbishop begs of the King to ease him of the Secular Government but was not granted was over-burthened with the Care of the Government of the Church and Kingdom and therefore made it his request to the King to ease him of the Secular Government He was very unwilling to do it as knowing there was not one like him for the Preservation of the Laws and Rights of the Kingdom or Government But he repented and having looked into the Rolls of Accounts he let the King know That the last two years only he had out of the Kingdom of England procured to his use Eleven * More than five Millions Sterling now according to the price of things then A. D. 1197. Hundred Thousand Marks of Silver and added That if he thought his Service necessary and it was his pleasure he should still serve him he would not refuse the Labor notwithstanding his Age. In the year 1197. King Richard made an Assise of Measures Assisa De [8] Ibid. f. 440 b. n. 10. One Assise of Measures and Weights appointed
was Lord also near Renâ—es Guader the Earldom of Northwic or the East-Angles To Hugh de Grentmesnel he gave the Town of Leicester and to many other Noble Persons he distributed many Cities and Towns Ralph Guader had Norff. or the East-Angles c. with great Power and Honours (f) He was Son of Guachelm de [1.] Ibidem 522. B. Hen. de Ferrariis who he was Ferrariis and though no Earl at the time of the Survey he had then 176 Lordships Maners or Farms besides Tutbury Castle [2.] Domesday-Book in several Counties whereof in Darbishire 114. To Hen. de Ferrariiis the Castle of Tutbury and to many Strangers and others of mean Quality Odo Earl of Kent he gave many and great Honours insomuch that they had here in England Clients and Dependants far richer and more powerful than their Fathers were in Normandy His Brother Odo by the Mothers side received from him the Earldom of Kent [8.] Ord. Vit. 522. D. was a Count Palatine and gave Laws as Viceroy or [9.] Ibidem second King and was Justiciary [1.] Justiciary of England of England the chief Man for Administring Justice under the King and after the death of William [2.] Malms 62. b. n. 53. Fitz-Osbern he was Vice-Dominus or Vidame of all England under the King Besides those in Kent [3.] Domesd in the several Counties Odo had 439 Lordships of the Gift of his Brother where he had 184 Lordships or Farms he also had in Essex 39 in Oxfordshire 32 in Hertfordshire 23 in Buckinghamshire 30 in Worcestershire two in Bedfordshire eight in Northamptonshire 12 in Nottinghamshire five in Norfolke 22 in Warwickshire six in Lincolnshire 76 in all 439. To [4.] Orderic 523. A. Geofry Bishop of Constance had 280 Lordships Geofry Bishop of Constance in Normandy who was often his Lieutenant-General after the Battle of Hastings he gave 280 Maners which he left to his Nephew Robert Molbray made Earl of Northumberland by William the Conqueror [5.] Hoveden 243. b. n. 47. after the death of Walcher Bishop of Duresm who had the Government of it Robert also Earl of Moreton in Normandy and by his Mother Brother to William had the Earldom of [6.] Malmsb 88. b. n. 46. Cornwall given him and in that 248 Maners [7.] Domesd in the several Counties Robert Earl of Moreton in Normandy and Cornwall in England half Brother to William had 793 Lordships of his Gift The Earl of Richmont in Sussex 54 and the Burrough of Pevensey in Devonshire 75 and a Church and House in Exceter in Yorkshire 196 in Wiltshire five in Dorsetshire 49 in Suffolke 10 in Hantshire one in Cambridgeshire five in Hertfordshire 13 in Buckinghamshire 29 in Gloucestershire one in Northamptonshire 99 in Nottinghamshire six in all 793. And now while I mention these Earls and their Possessions I shall be somewhat more large in the Account I give of these two following that in some measure the Power and Authority of the Earls in those days may appear And first I shall take notice of [8.] Vincent fol. 57. Alan Fergant Earl of Britane in France whose Grandmother Hawis was Great Aunt to William the Conqueror This [9.] Ord. vit fol. 544. C. Alan Married Constance Daughter to King William to [1.] Ex. Reg. Honor. de Richmond in Bibl. Cotton sub Effig Faustini B. 7. fol. 7â— whom in the third year of his Reign at the Siege of York he gave all the Lands of Earl Edwin in Yorkshire in these words [2.] Ibid. Cambden in Richmondshire The Conquerors Grant to the Earl of Brittain Ego Gulielmus cognomine Bastardus Rex Angliae do concedo tibi (g) He Married the Conquerors Daughter Constance but why he called him his Nephew I know not Nepoti meo Alanâ— comiti Brittaniae haeredibus tuis in perpetuum omnes villas terrâ—s quae nuper fuerunt Comitis Edwini in Eborascirâ cum feodis militum Ecclesiis aliis libertatibus consuetudinibus ita liberè honorisicè sicut idem Edwinus eadem tenuit data obsidione coram Civitate Eboraci That is I William Surnamed Bastard King of England give and grant to thee my Nephew Alan Earl of Brittain and thy Heirs for ever all those Towns or Villages and Lands which were lately Earl Edwins in Yorkshire with Knights Fees and Churches with other Liberties and Customs as freely and honourably as the same Edwin held them Dated in the Siege before York These Lands when given were [3.] Ibid. in Registro de Richmond Gildable that is paid a Rent Tax or Custom to the King but by his favour they were changed into a Liberty or (h) Honour was feodum Nobile beneficium Regale An Honour what it was The general practice of the Normans in building Castles for their own safety in these ancient times granted by the King for great Services done or to be done it was the same sometimes with the Parony or Earldom it self sometime it signified the Jurisdiction of them and other some the Capus Baronia the chief Seat Castle or place of Residence of the Earl or Baron and was never then attributed to small Baronies Honour which was the Northern part of Yorkshire now called Richmondshire Being possessed of these Lands he built a Castle [4.] Ibidem Richmont Castle built Why so called and (i) This was the general practice of the Normans to whom the Lands of the English were given especially of the great ones and of the Conqueror himself who was at vast Expences in building very many Castles Place of Strength by his Capital Mansion of Gillings for the defence and safety of his People and Tenents against the English and Danes then thrust out of their Estates and Inheritance and named it Richmont according to the French denomination which signifies Rich-Mount or Hill it being situated upon the highest and most pleasant part of all that Territory For the guard and security of this Castle It was Guarded by the Earls Tenents his chief Tenents had their several Places assigned them and had several Knights Fees given them for their Service thus set down in the Register or Book of Richmond in Cottons Library Placea Ranulphi fil Roberti in Castro Richmond ad Capellam Sancti Nicholai six Knights Fees The Establishment of the Guard of Richmont Castle Ibidem inter feoda Militaria He had six Knights Fees This and the rest I shall render in English as there mentioned The place of Ranulph Fitz-Robert in the Castle of Richmond by the Chappel of St. Nicholas The place of the Constable in the Keep Ibidem inter feoda milit he had six Knights Fees and an half The place of Brian Fitz-Alan in the great Hall of Scouland He had four Knights Fees and a sixth part He had three Knights Fees and a sixth part The place of Torphin Fitz-Robert of Manfield between
Gemeticensis lib. 8. c. 29. THE REIGN OF King Stephen KING Stephen was third Son to Stephen [1.] Ord. Vit. f 573. D. 574. A. An. Do. 1135. Earl of Blois by Adela the fourth Daughter to William the Conqueror his Uncle King Henry made him Earl of [2.] Ibidem King Stephen Married the Daughter and Heir of the Earl of Bologn Mortaign in Normandy and gave him many Lands and Honours in England by reason of which Advantages and Preferments he became the Husband of the Daughter and Heir of [3.] Ibidem Eustachius Earl of Bologn After the death of King Henry he made haste into England and was too quick for Maud the Empress She was Daughter to Henry the First her Husband Geofry Earl of Anjou and her Brother Robert Earl of Gloucester who were delayed for some time with the Business of Anjou and Normandy [4.] Hen. Hun. f. 221. a. n. 50. Tempting God he invaded the Crown notwithstanding he had Sworn Fealty to the Daughter of King Henry as Inheritrix of the Kingdom of England And William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who first sware to be faithful to her All the Bishops Earls and Barons consent to the Coronation of Stephen notwithstanding their Oath to Maud and do him Homage Crowned him on the 22 d of December King Henry dying the first of that Month in Normandy All the Bishops Earls and Great Men that made the same Oath to Maud assented to his Coronation and did Homage to him At that time he took an Oath â— First That after the deaths of [5.] Ibidem f. 221. b. n. 30 40. Stephens Oath at his Coronation Bishops he would never keep Bishopricks void for his own advantage but presently consenting â—to Canonical Election would invest Bishops in them â— Secondly That he would not retain the Woods of any Clerk or Layman in his hands as King Henry had done who every year impleaded or vexed them if either they Hunted in their own Woods or if for their own necessities they stubbed them up â—or diminished them â— Thirdly That he would for ever Release Danegelt that is two Shillings an Hide which his Predecessors were wont to receive â—every year Gervase of [6.] Col. 1340. n. 10. Canterbury says That coming over in a swift sayling Ship the People of Dover repulsed him and the Inhabitants of Canterbury shut their Gates against him and that the Londoners with some Great Men received him with Honour where in Discourse between Stephen and some of the Chief Men of England about the Succession of the Kingdom in the presence of William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he said The Arch-Bishop scrupled the Coronation of Stephen and how he was satisfied Anno Domini 1135. That by reason of the Oath he had made to Maud the Empress he dare not Crown any other One of the most powerful Men of England standing by sware he was present when King Henry voluntarily and in good Faith released that Oath Which being heard Stephen was Elected by almost all of them and Crowned by Arch-Bishop William on the 22 d of December A more true and full Account how this Man obtained the Crown may be seen in the Exact History of Succession f. His Title such as it was he procured to be confirmed by the Popes Bull which may be found in the History of Richard Prior of Hagustald Col. 313. n. 30. He found a vast Treasure that King Henry had left [7.] Malmsb f. 101. a.n. 50. King Henry left a vast Treasure with that Stephen raised and maintained an Army of Strangers One hundred thousand Pounds in Money and Gold and Silver Vessels of all inestimable value This drew to him very many Soldiers especially out of Flanders and Brittany besides the English which at present so Established him as neither the Duke of Anjou nor his Brother in Law Robert Earl of Gloucester thought fit to attaque him who after [8.] Ibidem n. 40. Robert Earl of Gloucester doubtful what to do Easter came out of Normandy into England Being very thoughtful what to do if he should submit to King Stephen and acknowledge him then he should go contrary to the Oath he had made to his Sister if he did not submit he could have no opportunity of doing any thing for the advantage of his Sister and her Children [9.] Ibid. b. l. 5. n. 10. He doth Conditional Homage to King Stephen All the Noblemen had very freely submitted themselves therefore he dissembled for a time and did Homage to the King upon Condition that so long as he freely permitted him to enjoy his Dignity and Estate he should be true to him In the same [1.] Ib. n. 10. A. D. 1136. The Bishops sware Fealty to him upon Conditions year not much after the coming of the Earl the Bishops sware Fealty to the King so long as he should preserve the Liberty and Discipline of the Church And then he gave them a [2.] Ibidem n. 20 30. His Charter chiefly to the Church and what he granted by it Charter by which he obligeth himself to maintain inviolably the Liberties Ancient Customs Dignities and Priviledges of the Church and that it should enjoy all the Possessions and Tenures it had the day his Grandfather King William died He gave also leave to Bishops Abbats and other Ecclesiastical Persons to distribute and dispose of their Goods before their deaths When Bishopricks were void he granted that they should be in the Custody of the Clerks or other good Men of the Church until it was provided of a Pastor The Forests which his Grandfather King William and his Uncle King William had made or held he reserved to himself such as his Uncle King Henry had made or superadded he restored to Church and Kingdom All Exactions unjust Customs and Practises he prohibited and Commanded the good Laws ancient and just Customs should be observed This [3.] Ibidem n. 40. He confirmed his Charter by Oath but never kept it Charter was granted at Oxford in the first year of his Reign Anno Dom. 1136. to the observation whereof he bound himself by Oath but as the Historian noteth kept it not for he [4.] Ibidem seized the Treasure of Churches and gave their Possessions to Laymen He turned out the Incumbents His usage of the Church and Church-men and sold them to others he imprisoned Bishops and forced them to alienate their Possessions Abbies he gave and sold to unworthy Persons But 't is there said These actions are not so much to be ascribed to him as to such as advised and perswaded him And Monasteries never to want Money so long as the Monasteries had it The first that gave him any considerable Trouble was [5.] Gesta Stephan f. 934. A. 936. D. Baldwin de Redvers fortified Exceter Castle against him yielded for want of Victuals Baldwin de Redvers Earl of Devonshire and Lord of the Isle of Wight he
fortified and Manned his Castle of Exceter against him which the King besieged and at last it was for want of Victuals delivered to him The Defendents had liberty to go whether they would and carry what they would with them The Earl went into the Isle of Wight with [6.] Ibidem f. 937. A. B He is driven out of the Isle of Wight and goes to the Duke of Anjou design to keep that against the King but he followed him so close that he soon drove him out there and took it from him and all his other Lands and Estate and banished him who then went to the Duke of Anjou and was there received very kindly Elated with this success he came to Hunt at * Hen. Hunt f. 222. a. n. 10. The King troubles the Noblemen about their Woods and Hunting Brampton near Huntingdon and held Pleas concerning the Forests of his Noblemen that is concerning their Woods and Hunting and broke the Vow he had made to God and the People This year David King of Scots [7.] Ricard Hagulstad Col. 312. n. 40 50 60. David King of Scots invades England King Stephen and he make Peace Carlisle granted to him his Son Henry made Earl of Huntingdon c. entred Northumberland and seized the Towns of Carlisle Werke or Warke Alnwick Norham and New-Castle and intended to take in Durham but King Stephen coming thither with an Army prevented him whereupon the two Kings appointed an Interview and made Peace between their selves The King of Scots restored New-Castle Warke Norham and Alnwick and had Carlisle given to him Stephen also gave to Henry his Son the Earldom of Huntingdon which had been King Davids and the Town of Doncaster and all that belonged to it In the year 1137. King Stephen in the beginning [8.] Malmsbr f 101. b.n. 50. King Stephen goes into Normandy Earl Robert follows him of Lent sailed into Normandy Robert Earl of Gloucester having tried his Friends and knowing who were faithful followed him at Easter By the Contrivance of [9.] Ib. f. 102. 4. lin 2. King Stephen useth treacherous Practises against him The particulars of the Treachery not expressed by the Historian King Stephen returns out of Normandy William de Ipre after he was come into Normandy King Stephen endeavoured to intercept him by Treachery but having notice of the practise from one that was privy to it he escaped and came not to Court though often invited for many days afterward The King was troubled his Design took not effect and thought to extenuate the greatness of the fault by confessing it making Oath according to a form given by the Earl that he would never for the future consent to such wicked Contrivances This he did but could never be a true Friend to the Earl whose Power he suspected The King after he had made [1.] Hen. Hunt f. 222. a. n. 20 30. His Son Eustachius doth Homage for that Dukedom Peace with the King of France and his Son Eustachius had done Homage to him for Normandy and settled all things there he returned into England * Order vit f. 911. D. Earl Robert troubled about his Sister leaving William de Rolmara Roger the Viscount and others his Justiciaries to manage Affairs as if he were present In the mean while Robert stayed there often thinking of the Oath he had made to his Sister and what he ought to do for her that he might not be noted for Perfidiousness The next year in England happened many intestine [2.] Malmsb Histor Novell f. 102. a. n. 20 30 40 50. A. D. 1138. King Stephen to maintain his Cause was forced to give Lands Castles and Honours to his Followers Commotions many of the Nobility and other Confident daring Men demanded of the King some Lands others Castles and what ever else they had a mind to and if he delayed them in obtaining their desires by Excuses that he could not do it without prejudice to the Kingdom and that such things were either claimed or possessed by others they forthwith fortified their Castles or erected Places of Strength wasted the Kings Lands and plundered his Tenents To suppress these Defections he suddenly marched from place to place and used great labour and industry to no purpose until by giving them Honours or Castles he purchased a Counterfeit Peace Many new Earls he made and to support their Honours gave them Crown Lands and Revenues These Men were more Confident in asking He made many new Earls and gave them Crown Lands and he more Profuse in giving by reason of the common Report through the Nation that Robert Earl of Gloucester intended to assist his Sister and within some competent time to defie the King before he attempted it This was done presently after Whitsunday The Earl of Gloucester defies the King He was encouraged to it by Religious Men and the Popes Decree by sending Messengers from Normandy to the King to whom he renounced his Faith and Homage because he had unlawfully aspired to the Kingdom To this he was encouraged by the Answers of many Religious Men he had Consulted in this Business that he could neither pass this Life without Ignominy nor be happy in the Life to come if he neglected the Oath made to his Sister Their Answers were the more prevalent with him being backed with the Popes Decree which Commanded he ought to observe the Oath he made to his Sister in the presence of his Father The King deprived him of all his Possessions he could in England levelled all his Castles except that at Bristol which was a great Check and impediment to the success and progress of all his Affairs The [3.] Ibidem b. n. 10. Anno Domini 1139. Upon the Report of Earl Roberts coming for England many forced to deliver their Castles Report that Earl Robert was coming with his Sister out of Normandy spread more and more about the Nation in hopes whereof many fell from the King and many others which were in the Court Upon suspicion only he imprisoned and by other hardships forced them to yield their Castles and to such other Conditions as he pleased It was noted at this time that Roger Bishop of Salisbury had built two [4.] Ibidem n. 20. The Bishop of Salisbury built the Castles at Devises Malmsbury and Sherborn The Bishop of Lincoln built the Castle at Newark The Bishops envied Complaints made of them to the King famous and splendid Houses with Towers and Turrets after the manner of Castles one at the Devises in Wiltshire another at Sherborn in Dorsetshire That he had begun to build a Castle at Malmsbury and that formerly he had procured to himself the Custody of Salisbury Castle from King Henry and inclosed it with a Wall and likewise that his Nephew Alexander Bishop of Lincoln had built a Castle at Newark as he said for the safety and Dignity of his Bishoprick This brought upon them Envy from the Earls and
Salisbury that favoured the Empress he raised all the Force he could and upon the first day of July in the Evening came thither and set fire on the Town where the Kings Soldiers lay which put the King into such a fright who then was in the Nunnery that he left his Plate and other Goods behind him and by the benefit of a dark Night hardly escaped with his Brother Henry Bishop of Winchester The Earls Soldiers killed many of the Kings and took many amongst them [2.] Gervas ut supra Col. 359. lin 1. c. William Martel taken Prisoner his Ransom William Martel for whose Redemption there were given 300 Marks and the Castle of Sherborn Not many days after [3.] Ib. n. 10. Milo Earl of Hereford dies An. Do. 1144. Milo Earl of Hereford one of the chief Counsellors most faithful Friends and greatest Supporters of the Empress died to her great Grief and Misfortune The next year King Stephen seized upon Geofry de Magna villa in his Court at St. Albans and kept him Prisoner [4.] Ibid. Col. 360. n. 10 Hen. Hunt ut supr n. 40. King Stephen seiseth Geofrey de Magna villa he gives up the Tower of London his Castles of Walden and Plessetâ— King Stephen besiegeth Lincoln and is baffled until he delivered up to the King the Tower of London his Castles of Walden and Plessets and not long after was slain first having given the King much trouble and Plundered Ramsey Abby After this the King again besieged the Castle of Lincoln where the Earl of Chester destroyed eighty of his [5.] Ib. n. 50. Workmen and Engineers so as he was forced to depart having done nothing From thence he gathered a great Force and marched to [6.] Ibidem b. n. â—0 Anno Domini 1145. The Earl of Gloucester worsted at Faringdon King Stephen besiegeth Walingford Castle Faringdon where the Earl of Gloucester was erecting a strong Fortress or Castle where they fought or rather skirmished and much Blood having been spilt the Earl was forced from his Enterprise From thence he came and besieged Walingford Castle against which when he saw he was not likely to prevail by Force or Art he built a Castle called [7.] Ibidem n. 30 40. Gervas Doroâ— col 1361. n. 10 20. He built Craumerse Castle against it The Earl of Chester makes his Peace he is made Prisoner and delivers Lincoln Castle Anno Domini 1146 1147. Craumersh and placed a Garison to keep in and hinder the Excursions of the Garison of Walingford Hither came to the King Ranulph Earl of Chester and made his Peace and added to his Forces a considerable Strength A while after he came to the Kings Court at Northampton where he was taken and kept in Prison until he had delivered to the King the Castle of Lincoln in which City he kept a most splendid Christmass Geofrey Earl of Anjou having subdued and [8.] The Earl of Anjou sends for his Son Henry Robert Earl of Gloucest dies settled Normandy and Anjou in Peace had a great desire to see his Son Henry and sent three Noblemen with a Guard for him to Earl Robert who Conducted him safely to Warham where he took Ship and afterwards never saw him for the Earl fell sick of a Fever at Gloucester of which he died on the First of November and was buried at Bristol in the Monastery he built there After his Death the [9.] Ibid. Col. 1363. lin 1. The Empress goes into Normandy to her Husband Empress wearied out with these Commotions and Wars in England before Lent passed over into Normandy choosing rather to live there with her Husband in Peace than undergo so many Troubles In the year 1149. Henry the Son of the [1.] Ibid. Col. 1366. n. 30 40. An. Do. 1149. Henry the Son of the Empress comes into England Empress Cum grandi Comitatu militum Electorum peditum rediit in Angliam returned into England with a great Company of choice Knights or Horsemen and Foot and stirred up the Thoughts and Courage of many against King Stephen for after the Deaths of Robert and Milo Earls of Gloucester and Hereford and the Empress having passed the Sea none could move the Noblemen against King Stephen but the true Heir to the Crown After his Appearance in England he took with him Ranulph Earl of Chester and Roger Earl of Hereford and some others He is Knighted by David King of Scotland his Great Uncle besides those he brought with him out of Normandy and went to David King of Scotland his Great Uncle who received him with great Joy and Honour and in the Solemnity of Pentecost Knighted him and some others This raised [2.] Ibidem n. 60. Col. 1367. lin 1. David King of Scots comes to Carlisle great Suspicion in King Stephen and his Son Eustachius for when the King of Scots with his Forces and his Nephew with the * So called in respect of the East parts of Scotland The two Kings of England and Scotland retreat one from another Western Barons of England were united in the foresaid Solemnity King Stephen came to York with a great Army lest they should surprize that City and stayed there unto the end of August but both the Kings one at Carlisle the other at York were afraid of one another and so of their own accords they retreated Stephen towards Lincoln and David toward Scotland but Eustachius Son of Stephen now also Knighted by his Father made great havock and spoil upon the Lands belonging to the Earls and Barons which favoured Henry [3.] Ibid. Col. 1367. n. 30. An. Do. 1150. These old Historians begin the year at Christmass Henry receives the Dukedom of Normandy who in the beginning of January in the year following sailed into Normandy and with his Fathers good liking received that Dukedom [4.] Chron. Norm f. 984. B. C. D. The King of France takes offence at it They are reconciled Geofrey Earl of Anjou Henry's Father dies as his Inheritance by his Mother At which the King of France took offence raised an Army and with Eustachius in his Company invaded Normandy and besieged the Castle of Arches Earl Geofry and his Son prepare to oppose him in the mean time he burnt the City of Sees and when the Father and Son had drawn together a great Army and Marshalled their Troops by the Mediation of Wise Men the King received the Homage of Henry for the Dukedom of Normandy and one Gerrard Berlas Lord of the Castle of Monstreul out of Prison and so rested satisfied Being thus in quiet Duke Henry intended to call together all his great Men of Normandy on the Fourteenth day of September at Lisieux to Treat and Consult about his Voyage into England in the interim his Father labouring under a great Fever died on the Seventh of the same Month and left him Lord and Heir of Normandy and Anjou Within less then half a year
whole Council saith the Arch Deacon of Huntington without doubt then present at it was mad with Appeals Appeals to the Pope were now first used in England For in England Appeals were not in use until Henry Bishop of Winchester while he was the Popes Legat cruelly to his own mischief dragged them in and in this Council there were three Appeals to the Pope Besides these three there were many Appeals to Rome in this Kings Reign Upon the Vacancy of the [7.] Radulf de Diceâ—o Col. 506. lin 1. An. Do. 1136. Bishoprick of London the Dean and Canons could not agree in the Electing of a fit Person to be Bishop several were propounded The Canons without the knowledge of the Dean chose Anselm Abbat of St. Edmonds-Bury [8.] Ib. n. 30. An. Do. 1137. Anselm Appeals to the Pope and is Confirmed Bishop of London They privately take the Treasure of the Church and with their Elect that was laden with Money go to Rome Their success proved what a large Bag could do for at their return he was invested and had possession of the Bishoprick [9.] Ib. n. 50. An. Do. 1138. The Dean by two of the Canons and his Domestick Clerks Ralph de Langeford and Richard de Belmeis his Sollicitors Appeals to the Pope He having heard their Allegations and by them received the Arch-Bishop of Yorks Letter and Certificate concerning Anselm and with the [1.] Ibid. Col. 507. lin 4. The Dean of London Appeals to the Pope and Anselm is turned out Cardinals having seriously debated the matter pronounced by the Mouth of Alberic Bishop of Ostia That since the Election of the Canons was made without the knowledge of the Dean who ought to have had the first Voice it was therefore void [2.] Ibidem n. 50. And then the Pope committed the Care of the Church of London by the Kings favour to the Bishop of Winchester and so held it as it were in Commendam from the Pope two years This Man had ill luck for after he had possession of the Bishoprick of London [3.] Ibid. Col. 506. n. 50. Ordingus the Prior was chosen Abbat of St. Edmonds-Bury and so he lost both Richard de Belmeis aforesaid had been [4.] Ibidem Col 5â—7 n. 10 20 30. An Appeal to the Pope for the Arch-Dâ—aconry of Middlesex made Arch-Deacon of Middlesex but was too young to execute the Office which Hugh one of his Uncle Richard de Belmeis the then Bishop of London's Chaplains was to manage for him When Richard became â—it for the Office and his Uncle the Bishop of London was dead Hugh refused to restore it unto him He Appeals to the Pope who sends his Letters or Brief to the Bishops of Lincoln and Hereford to hear the Cause who gave it to Richard In the year 1147. Pope Eugenius held a Council at Rhemes [5.] Chron. Gervas Col. 1363. n. 30. The Clerks of the Church of York Appeal to the Pope He Deposeth the Arch-Bishop of York in this Council appeared some Clerks of the Church of York with Henry Murdack Abbat of Fountains accusing William Arch-Bishop of York That he was neither Canonically Elected nor Lawfully Consecrated but intruded by the King at length the foresaid William was Convicted and Deposed Alberic Bishop of Ostia pronouncing the Sentence and saying We Decree by Apostolick Authority That William Arch-Bishop of York be Deposed from the Bishoprick because Stephen King of England Nominated him before Canonical Election When as therefore [6.] Ibidem n. 40 50. The Pope Commands the Chapter to choose a new Arch-Bishop c. He that had the fewest Suffrages is made Arch-Bishop Pope Eugenius on his own Will and by the Consent of the smaller number of Cardinals had Deposed St. William Arch-Bishop of York the Chapter of that Church Convened by his Mandate chose an Arch-Bishop or rather Arch-Bishâ—ps the Major part of the Chapter chose Hilary Bishop of Chichester the other part chose Henry Murdac Abbat of Fountaines When both Elections were presented to the Pope he confirmed the Election of Henry Murdac and Consecrated him with his own Hands Strife between the Legat and Arch-Bishop While Henry Bishop of Winchester was the Popes Legat there were great Strife and Animosities between him and Theobald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he stretching his [7.] Gervas Act. Pontif. Cantuarien Col. 1665. n. 20 30. Legantine Priviledge mightily beyond what he ought and called his own Arch-Bishop and the Bishops of England to meet him when and where he pleased Theobald taking it ill and scorning to be thus over-awed by the Industry of Thomas a * This was Thomas Becket afterward Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The Arch-Bishop made â—egat Appeals first used in England Clerk of London whom he sent to Rome he dealt so effectually with Pope Celestin who succeeded Innocent that he removed Henry and made Theobald his Legat. From hence arose great Discord Contentions and several Appeals never * Ibidem The Canon Law first used in England heard of before Then the Laws and Lawyers were first called into England meaning the Canon Law and Lawyers the first Teacher whereof was Master Vacarius who Read at Oxford These Appeals to Rome were very Chargeable and besides nothing could be done without Friends and Gifts or Presents This Kings Reign was not very long but never quiet and free from intestine War Confusion and Unsetledness which gave the Pope and Clergy great opportunities to incroach upon Regal Power and bring in such Laws The Reasons why those Appeals and Laws obtained in England Usages and Customs as were not before practised in this Nation For the King dare not oppose these Practises because his Title wholly depended upon the Popes Confirmation of his Election as they called it by half a dozen Persons and his Brother Henry Bishop of Winchester who set him up and was Legat a great part of his Reign dare not but comply in all things with the Pope if it were not his inclination so to do nor Arch-Bishop Theobald after him lest they might be Exauthorated and lose a place of mighty Power at this time as well as Profit Scutages Subsidies or Taxes I read of none during all this Kings Reign both Armies and Pretenders lived by Plunder and Rapine and maintained themselves chiefly by the Ruine and Destruction of their Adversaries their Men and Tenents King Stephen by his Wife Maud had [8.] Mr. Sandfords Geneal Hist f. 42. Baldwin his eldest Son who died in his Infancy 2. [9.] Ibidem Eustace Earl of Bologne he Married Constance Daughter of Lewis the Seventh King of France and Sister to Lewis the Gross and died without Issue 3. * See King Stephens Charter in the Append n. 35. William [1.] Ibidem f. 43. Earl of Mortaign and Bologn Lord of the Honours of Aquila or Eagle and Pevensey Married Isabel the Daughter and Heir of William the Third Earl of Waren and Surrey
and New-Castell all seated near or upon the River Epta or Itta in the Confines of France and Normandy This enraged the King of * Ibidem f. 997. C. A quarrel between the two Kings about the Marriage of their Children France and his (a) King Lewis after the death of his second Wife within [2.] Rad. de Diceto Col. 532. n. 10. fifteen days Married Ala Daughter of Theobald Earl of Blois who had three Sons [3.] Chron. Nor f. 985. A. King Lewis his third Wife Ala Daughter to Theobald Earl of Blois Henry the elder who had the Earldoms of Troyes and Champagn and whatever his Father had beyond the River Seyn Theobald the second who had the Earldoms of Chartres and Blois and Le Dunois Stephen the third who had the Honour of Servicius in Berry What this Honours was I find not Wives three Brothers Henry Theobald and Stephen which three Earls joyned their Forces and began to fortifie Chaumont which was of the Fee of Blois Castle that from thence they might infest Tourain King Henry no sooner hears of this Design but immediately without calling together many Forces goes to frustrate it The Earls hearing he was coming left their Work He presently took this new Fortress and about 120 Soldiers in it and demolished it and then fortified Ambois and Freteval and placed Garisons in them and went to Mans where he kept his Christmass with Queen Alienor After [4.] Ibidem f. 997. D. An. Do. 1161. The King takes possessession of the Castles in Normandy this he took into his own hands all the strong Holds of the Earl of Mellent and his other Barons in Normandy and committed them to the Care of his Trusty Friends and repaired and strengthned all his Castles in the edge of Normandy toward France and well Manned them especially Gisors Theobald Earl of Blois [5.] Ibidem f. 998. A. did ill Offices and made Contention between the two Kings who after Easter drew their Armies into the Field one against the other to defend their Countries first in Le Veuxin afterward in Le Dunois He takes the strong Castle of Agen. every day expecting Battle at length they made Truce without Bloodshed From hence King Henry after Midsummer marched into Aquitan and besieged the famous Castle of Agen seated upon the River Garonn strengthned as well by Nature as Art and in a week made himself Master of it on * The Tenth of August St. Laurence-day to the admiration and terror of the Gascoins The [6.] Ibidem The King calls a great Council Complains of the Bishops and their Ministers c. King spent his Christmass at Bayeux and in the first Sunday in Lent he called together the Bishops Abbats and Barons of all Normandy at Roven and made Complaint of the Bishops their Ministers and their Viscounts and Commanded the * See Append. n. 15. Council of Lillebon should be observed Some time this [7.] Ibid. D. The Kings of England and France perform the Office of Yeomen of the Stirrup to Pope Alexader year the two Kings came together at a place on the side of the River Loir and received Pope Alexander with great Honour and performing the Office of Yeomen or Gentlemen of his Stirrup and afterward walking on Foot one led his Horse by the Bridle on the right side and the other on the left until they brought him to a Pavillion prepared for him by whose Mediation a firm Peace was made between them The King [8.] Chron. Gervas Col. 1382. n. 10. busied with Transmarin Affairs sent over his Chancellor Thomas to manage his Business in England and he brought with him Henry the Kings Son to whom the [9.] Rad. de Diceto Col. 533. n. 10. An. Do. 1162. The Bishops and Abbats swear Fealty to Henry Son of King Henry Thomas the Chancellor or Thomas Becket made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Bishops and Abbats of all England by the Kings Command sware Fealty and Thomas the Chancellor was the first that did Homage to him saving his Faith to his Father so long as he should live or would continue King He came over in April or the beginning of May but what was done in England upon his coming I find not more than that by the Kings Command and Directions he was chosen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in May and was Consecrated on the Octaves of Pentecost or Trinity-Sunday In December following [1.] Ibidem Col. 534. n. 20. Chron. Norm f. 999. A. An. Do. 1136. The King comes to England having composed all things in France He Commands a Recognition to be made of his Barons Rights in Normandy the King having ordered and setled his Affairs and provided for and furnished his Castles with Men Arms and Victuals in Normandy Anjou Aquitan Gascony Tourain and Main came to Barfleu intending to pass into England before Christmass but detained by contrary Winds passed that Solemnity with his Queen Alienor at Cherbourgh and in January they set Sail and landed at Southampton on the 26 th of that Month where he was received by almost all the Nobility with great joy [2.] Rad. de Diceto Col. 536. n. 10. The Kings of South-Wales and North-Wales do Homage to the King Before his coming over he Commanded Rotroc Bishop of Eureux and Raynald of St. Valery to make Recognitions in the several Bishopricks what Legal Rents Rights and Customs belonged to the King and Barons I can find nothing more of moment done this year [2.] Rad. de Diceto Col. 536. n. 10. The Kings of South-Wales and North-Wales do Homage to the King but that Malcolm King of Scots Rese King of South-Wales Owen King of North-Wales and all the greatest Men of that Nation did Homage to the King of England and his Son Henry upon the First of July at Woodstocke The Norman Chronicle adds [3.] F. 999. B. That he gave his Brother David and some of his Barons Sons Pledges for his good Behaviour or preservation of Peace and that the King might have such of his Castles as he pleased All the next year is wholly taken up with the Controversie between the King and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and indeed there is very little else to be found in any of our Historians until after his death which happened in the year 1170. I shall here pass it by and reserve it to another place towards the end of this Kings Reign and then report it distinctly The Welsh notwithstanding their Homage and Oaths of Fealty made to the King and notwithstanding their Hostages given The Welsh unquiet [4.] Joh. Bromton Col. 1059. n. 10. An. Do. 1165. harass the Marches and make Incursions into England The King raiseth a great Army enters their Country and forceth them to crave Peace The [5.] N. 30. An. Do. 1166. next year also King Henry marcheth with an Army into Wales to confirm them in the observation of the Peace and then passed beyond
goes to the King of France he with his private Family came to the King of France on the Eighth day of March. The King [1.] Ibidem The King visits and strengthens his Castles in Normandy and in the Borders knowing his Son had escaped feared the treachery of the French and therefore with great diligence visited his Castles in the Borders of Normandy toward France and well Manned and Victualled them Gisors also he strengthned as well as he could he likewise visited his Castles in Normandy and sent his Commands to all his Castellans in England Anjou and Britany that they should strongly guard and take care to secure the Castles under their Command [2.] Ibid. b. The Authors of the Conspiracy against him Queen Alienor suspected The chief Contrivers of this Treason were Lewis King of France and as some said Queen Alienor and Ralph de Faia for she had with her Richard Duke of Aquitan and Geofry Earl of Britany her Sons and sent them both into France to the young King their Brother that they might side with him against their Father After the departure of the young King [3.] Ibidem Young King Henry's Chancellor brought his Seal to his Father Richard Bar his Chancellor returned to his Father and delivered him the Seal he had committed to him which he received and caused it to be securely kept The Servants also which he had placed in his Sons Family returned to him and brought with them his Carriages Sumpters and Furniture his Father would not retain them but sent them back to his Son and moreover sent by them Silver Vessels Horses and Apparel and commanded them they should serve him faithfully But when they came such as would stay He caused such as staid with him to Swear Fealty to him against his Father he caused to swear Fealty to him against his Father and would not permit any to stay with him that would not take that Oath To wit Walter his Chaplain Edward his Chamberlain and William Blund his Porter These came and staid with his Father In the mean while Lewis King of France was very kind to his [4.] Ibidem p. 47. a. Anno Dom. 1173. The King of France received the young King and his Brothers kindly and caused a new Seal to be made for him The whole Kingdom of France engage against King Henry in a Council His Sons not to make Peace with him without his Consent Son in Law and to his Brothers and those that came with them and caused a new Seal to be made for him with which he confirmed all his Grants and Donations he also called together Earl Robert his Brother Philip Earl of Flanders and Matthew his Brother Earl of Bologn Henry Earl of Troys Theobald Earl of Blois and Earl Stephen and the other Earls and Barons of France and also the Arch-Bishops and Bishops and all the Clergy and People of France and held a great Council in Paris in which he himself sware he would according to the utmost of his Power assist the young King to maintain the War against his Father and to gain the Kingdom of England The like Oath he caused the Earls and Barons of France to swear to him they first having â—ceived the Oaths and security of the young King and his Brothers that they would never recede from the King of France nor make Peace with their Father without his consent and good liking of his Barons In this Council the [5.] Ibidem a. and b. The young King receives the Homage of Philip Earl of Flanders Matthew Earl of Bologn Theobald Earl of Blois c. young King received the Homage and Fealty of Philip Earl of Flanders and gave him for his Homage and Fealty One thousand Pounds yearly Rent in England and the whole County of Kent with the Castles of Dover and Rochester Likewise he received the Homage and Fealty of his Brother Matthew Earl of Bologn and for them he gave him the whole Soke or Liberty of Kirketon in Lindsey and the Earldom of Moreton He received also the Homage and Fealty of Earl Theobald and to him he gave 500 l. by the year of Anjou Rent the Castle of Ambois with all the Right he claimed in Turain and all the Right which his Father and he claimed in Castle-Reginald All these Donations he confirmed with the new Seal which the King of France caused to be made William King of Scots and David his Brother do voluntary Homage to him and many others He granted to William King of Scotland for his Homage and Service all Northumberland to the River Tine To David his Brother he gave the Earldom of Huntington and as an Augmentation added all Cambridgeshire To Earl Hugh Bigot he gave the Honour of Eye to hold in Fee and Inheritance and the Castle of Norwich in Custody to him and his Heirs for ever After Easter [6.] Hoved. f. 305. b. n. 10. A general Insurrection against King Henry of England the whole Kingdom of France the young King his Brothers Richard and Geofry and almost all the Earls and Barons of England Normandy Aquitan Anjou and Britany rose up against King Henry the Father and wasted his Countries on all sides with Fire Sword and Rapine They besiged and took his Castles and he resisted and made what defence he could he had with him 20000 * Often in old Historians they are called Pradones Brabantini the Plundring Brabanters Brabanters which served him faithfully but not without great Pay Philip Earl of [7.] Ibidem n. 40. Albamarle and Dreincourt taken from the King Flanders marched with a great Army into Normandy besieged and took Albemarle and from thence went and besieged Driencourt which was delivered to him Here his Brother Matthew Earl of Bologn was shot with an Arrow of which Wound he died In the mean time the King of France and his [8.] Ibidem n. 50. f. 306. a. lin 1. The King of France and his Son in Law besiege Verneul Three Burghs in that Town beside the Castle The great want of Victuals Son in Law besieged Vernol but Hugh Lacy and Hugh Beaumont the Constables or Governors stoutly defended the Town so as the King of France with his great Army and Engines made but small progress against it though he lay a Month against it There were within that Town besides the Castle three Burghs all separated from each other and inclosed with a strong Wall and Ditches full of Water one was called the great Burgh against which the King of France fixed his Engines without success After a Month the Defendents wanted Victuals and made a Truce with the King of France for three days to go to the King of England to desire Relief and if in that time they sailed of it then to deliver the Burgh The peremptory day appointed was the Vigil of St. Laurence At the Request of the Defendents the King of England came to relieve the Town and drew
against him The Militarie men Dissatisfied at the Arch-Bishops proceeding against the Earl of Clare heightned the anger of the King and Militarie men of the Kingdom or Government That he designed to recover the Castle of Tonebrigge from the Earl of Clare and that whole honor long ago aliened from the Church of Canterbury because according to the Decretals it was lawfull for his Predecessors and the Stewards so to manage the farmes of the Church as to increase them not to lessen or alienate them To this Earl of Clare almost all the Nobility of England were allied The [6] Ibid. p. 15 Col. 1. The Arch-Bishop pretends to a right of presentation to all livings in all Towns possessed by his great Tenants and Monks He Excommunicates William de Eynsford a Tenant in Capite and Absolves him to please the King Arch-Bishop had or challenged a right to present to the vacant Churches in the Towns as well of his Barons as his Monks and gave the Church of Eynesford in Kent to one Laurence a Priest The Lord of the Town William de Eynesford molested the Servants of Laurence and forced them out of the Town The Arch-Bishop Excommunicated him he applies himself to the King who writes to the Arch-Bishop to Absolve him whose answer to the King was That it belonged not to him to command any man to be excommunicated or absolved The King insisted upon his Royal Dignity or Prerogative That no Tenent in Capite ought to be Excommunicated without his Knowledge or Consent At length the Arch-Bishop to please the King Absolved him from henceforward the King had no kindness for him tho before he had obteined of him libertie to enjoy the whole Dignity of his Church and that he might seek to recover all the Lands which had been aliened by his Predecessors or were possessed by Lay-men The Insolence and wickedness of Clercs Long before this the King had been angry with the Clergy in the time of Arch-Bishop Theobald having been provoked with the insolency of some of them who had committed Rapin Theft and Murder [7] Ib. Col. 2. Guilty of great Crimes For this reason the King demanded of the Arch-Bishop That by the Consent of him and his * Coepiscoporum The King would have â—hem tryed in his secular Court Fellow-Bishops such Clercs as were taken in convicted of or had confessed any great crime should first be degraded and forthwith delivered to his Court That they might be corporally punished and not have any protection from the Church [ ] Ib. p. 16. Col. 1. He demanded also That when any Clerc was degraded some of his Officers might be present to take him into Custody that he might not fly and escape that punishment The [9] Ibidem The Arch-Bishop calls together the Bishops They were of opinion Clercs were to be Degraded and Delivered to the secular Court Arch-Bishop when he could not obtein leave to deferre his Answer untill next morning went apart with the Bishops and discoursed the matter The Bishops were of opinion that according to the secular Law Clercs were to be degraded and delivered to the Secular Court to be corporally punished which they proved not only by Laws but authentic Examples But he [1] Ibidem The Arch-Bishop says it was against the Canons and Cautions them about the Liberty of the Church following the Canons thought otherwise asserting it was unjust against the Canons and against God that any man should be twice punished by two several Courts And added that they ought to be very carefull that they destroyed not the liberty of the Church by their own Consent for which by example of their High Priest they were by Duty bound to contend unto Death [2] Ib. Col. 2. p. 17. Col. 1 The Bishops replyed that if they consented to what the King demanded the Church was in no danger and that they ought to yield to the wickedness of the time as they called it lest the King should seize all their Temporalties The Arch-Bishop persisted in his opinion and told them they migt not expose any man to death That could not be present at a sentence of Blood The King [3] Ib. Col. 2. not like to prevail in this asked them if they would observe his Royal Customes or Laws The Arch-Bishop answered in all things [4] Salvo tamen per omnia in omnibus ordine nostro The Arch-Bishop and Bishops answer to the King about keeping his Royal Customes Saving their Order by and in all things Afterward he asked the same thing of every Bishop in order and they all gave him the same Answer At which the King was much troubled and left them The Bishops fearful of the Kings Anger followed him and consented to acknowledge his Laws without any [5] Ib p. 18. Col. 1. saving but the Arch-Bishop was immoveable and said far be it from him That for the fear or favor of any Mortalman he should be found to contemn God [6] Ib. Col. 2. The Case between a Burgess of Scarburgh and a Dean If an Angel should come from Heaven and give him advice to make such an absolute acknowledgement he would curse him When the [7] Richard de Lucy was then Justitiary of England Satisfaction Demanded for Breach of the Kings Law King on a certain time was at York a Burgess of Scarburgh complained to him of a Dean a rural Dean that had taken from him 12 s. and injoyned his Wife penance as an Adulteress without proof contrary to the Kings Law The Dean was Convented before the King the Arch-Bishop the Bishops of Lincoln and Durham and John Treasurer of York who not being able to clear himself the Kings Barons were joyned to the Bishops to pronounce sentence upon him John the Treasurer thought it sufficient if he restored the Burgess his money again and was left to his own Bishops mercy whether he should keep his Office or not [7] Richard de Lucy was then Justitiary of England Satisfaction Demanded for Breach of the Kings Law Richard de Luci asked what satisfaction the King should have for the Breach of his Law John answered nothing because he was a Clerc whereupon he refused to be present at the Passing of the Sentence and went out with the other Barons to the King who appealed from this sentence but being called beyond Sea upon extraordinary business did not prosecute the Appeal The The Insolency and Crimes of Clercs Justices Itinerant being at Dunstable there happened a Controversie between Simon Fitz-Peter and Philip de Broc Canon of Bedford Simon informed the King that Broc in a great audience had spoken dishonorably of him The King accused him before the Arch-Bishop and not being able to deny it excused himself that it was done in passion The King demanded judgment against him The Clergy judge him to lose the Benefit of his Prebend for a year and Banishment out of England for that time but this
Commanded his Precepts should be made in the Kingdom per quod fieri praecepit Mandata sua in Regno He Delivered him also in Custody the Tower of London and to the Bishop of Durham the Castle of Windsor in Custody with the Forests and County The King was no sooner gone but his two Chief Justices contended about Power that which pleased one displeased the other In the year 1190. King Richard kept the [2] Hoved. f. 378. a. n. 40.50 A. D. 1190. first Christmass after his Coronation at Bure in Normandy with the Great Men of that Nation After that Solemnity Phillip King of France and he met and Established a firm Peace between themselves and Kingdoms A firm Peace Established between the Kings of England France which was Written and Confirmed by their Oaths and Seals on the Feast of St. Hillary Jan. 13th and the Archbishops and Bishops of both Kingdoms agreed to it In the word of Truth in verbo veritatis and the Earls and Barons of both Kingdoms swore they would faithfully keep that Peace which was [ ] Append. n. 69. The Articles of the Peace That they should both preserve the Honor of each other and keep Faith to one another in Defending their Lives Limbs and Terrene Honor. That neither should fail the other in the Management of their Affairs But that the King of France should help the King of England to Defend his Land as if he were to Defend the City of Paris if it were Besieged And so King Richard was to Defend the King of France his Dominions as he would Defend Roven if that were Besieged [4] Ibid. b. lin 3. The Earls and Barons of both Kingdoms swore They would not Depart from their Fealty to their Kings nor make any War or Broyls within their Dominions while they were in their Peregrination and the Archbishops firmly promised in the Word of Truth That they would Anathematize the Transgressors of this Peace and Agreement They further agreed That if either of them Died the Survivor should have the Money and Men of the Defunct to carry on the Service of God And because they could not be ready by the Close or Octaves of Easter they Deferred their Voyage until Midsummer After [5] Ibid. n. 30. King Richard sends for his Mother his Bishops and Brother to come to him into Normandy The Bishop of Ely Chancellor made chief Justiciary by the King Candlemass the King sent for Queen Alienor his Mother Alice Sister to Phillip King of France Baldwin Archbishop of Canturbury Iohn of Norwich Hugh of Durham Godfrey of Winchester Reginald of Bath William of Ely Hubert of Salisbury Hugh of Chester Bishops and Geofrey Elect of York and his Brother Iohn Earl of Moreton to come to him into Normandy and having advised with them he constituted William Bishop of Ely his Chancellor Chief Justice of England Summum Justitiarium Angliae and granted to Hugh Bishop of Durham the Office of Justitiarie from the River Humber to the confines of Scotland Concessit Hugoni Episcopo Dunelmensi Justitiarium à fluvio Humbri usque ad Terram Regis Scotiae [6] Ibid. n. 40. His Bâ—others John and Geofry swear they would not go into England in three years without his â—ave John Earl of Moreton released from his Oath And made his Brothers Iohn Earl of Moreton and Geofrey Elect of York swear they would not go into England within three years next following without his leave yet soon after he released his Brother Iohn from his Oath and gave him leave to return to England Upon his making another Oath that he would faithfully serve him From [7] Ibid. n. 50. He writes to the Pope to make his Chancellor Legate Normandy he sent his Chancellor into England to prepare all things necessary for himself and his Expedition and designing to Exalt him above all the Clercs and Laics of his Kingdom He sent to Pope Clement and prevailed with him to Commit to him the * See Append. n. 70. * â—cest the King or his Chancellor 1500 Marks See Hoved. f. 380. b. n. 10. Legantin Power of all England and Scotland or rather Wales His Chancellor at his return incompassed the Tower of London with a Deep Ditch intending the Thames should flow about it and [8] Ibidem The Chancellor encompassed the Tower of London with a Ditch And levies an Ayd for the Kings use Took for the Kings use of every City of England two Palfreys or Saddle Horses and two Sumpters as an Ayd and of every Abby one Palfrey or Saddle Horse and one Sumpter and of every of the Kings Maners as of the Abby's These horses undoubtedly were to be imployed in the War he was undertaking though 't is not said so in the Historian On the 16th of [9] Ibidem f. 379. a. lin 1. The Jews shut themselves up in the Tower of York for fear of the Christians They refuse to deliver it upon dâ—mand They cut one anothers throats rather than yield March and upon the Eve of Palm-Sunday the Jews of the City of York by consent of the Constable and the Sheriff shut themselves up in the Tower there for fear of the Christians and when the Constable and Sheriff Demanded the Tower of them they refused to deliver it whereupon the Citisens and Strangers which came to the County Court Populus Civitatis Extranei qui ad Comitatum venerant at the Request and by the incouragement of the Sheriff and Constable made an assault upon them which they continued Night and Day so as the Jews offered a great Sum of Money for Liberty to be gone but the people would not accept it These Jews were all destroyed The Historian reports that finding they must fall into the Hands of the Christians by agreement and Consent they cut one anothers throats rather than they would Dye by the hands of the incircumcised and enemies to their Law However it was [1] Ibid. n. 20.30 The * See Append. n. 71. what Power he gave him The Chancellor comes to York and displaces the Sheriff and Constable of the Tower Chancellor now also the Popes Legat and Justitiarie of all England after Easter came to York with a great Army to take those malefactors which destroyed the Jews and knowing it was done by the Command of the Sheriff and Constable he Displaced them both and took of the Citisens an hundred Pledges for the keeping of their faith and peace to King and Kingdom and that they would stand to the Law in the Kings-Court concerning the Death of the Jews And the Knights or Military Tenents of the County That is the Strangers which were Suitors and came to the County-Court as above which would not come to right or rather appear to the Accusation he caused to be apprehended Milites autem provinciae Qui ad Rectum noluerunt venire praecepit Comprehendi At this time by the [2] Ibid. n. 40. The
a reasonable time to be prefixed by the Archbishop of Canturbury for the Damage done them by him and his People from the day of the taking of the Castle of Kynardesly unto the day of his Absolution that is to say Saturday the 7th of October in the 7th year of King Henry's Reign and for the performance hereof were bound with him Mereduc the Son of Robert and many others This year about the First of August dyed [8] Ibid. n. 30 Philip King of France dies Philip King of France when King Henry had notice of it he sent the Archbishop of Canterbury with three other Bishops to King Lewis to demand the restitution of Normandy King Henry demands the restitution of Normandy from King Lewis with all other his Transmarine Dominions according to his Oath when he left England King Lewis answered that he was justly possessed of Normandy and other Dominions and was ready to make it appear in his own Court if the King of England would come thither Et ibidem juri parere and stand to the Law Who refuseth to restore them And taxeth him with violation of his Oath Adding that the King of England had violated his Oath in putting those of his party he had taken at Lincoln to a a grievous Ransome And also that those Liberties for which the War was begun that were Granted and Sworn to at his departure were not observed when the Archbishop and the other Bishops could obtain no other Answer they returned into England and gave the King an Account of it This year the Great Men of [9] fol. 318. n. 20. The Great Men complain of Hubert de Burgh England Magnates Angliae complained and murmured against Hubert de Burgh the Justiciary alledging that he exasperated the King against them and that he did not duely administer Justice But that which more especially provoked them was That those Messengers he had sent to Rome were returned with a Bull from the Pope directed to the Archbishops of England and their Suffragans declaring the King to be of full Age The Pope declares the King of full age and that all the Affairs of the Kingdom should be managed by him and his Council The words of the Bull were as followeth Quatenus Authoritate Apostolica denunciarent Comitibus Baronibus Militibus aliis Vniversis qui custodias habebant Castrorum Honorum Villarum Quae ad Regis Dominium spectabant ut contnuo visis Literis Regi illas redderent contradictores autem per censuram Ecclesiasticam ad satisfactionem compellerent That by Apostolic Authority they should declare to the Earls Barons Knights and all others who had the Custody of the King's Castles Honors and Towns That upon sight of these Letters they render them to the King And whoever refused they should compel by Ecclesiastical Censure Notwithstanding the greatest part of the [1] Ibid. n. 30 The Earls and Barons refuse to deliver up the King's Castles c. Earls and Barons although admonished by the Bishops did not render up their several Trusts but rather conspired together to put themselves in Arms to disturb the Peace of the Nation then give the King satisfaction in the premisses In the year 1224. the King [2] The Earl of Chester threatens the King and Justiciary The Archbishop threatens to Excommunicate him kept his Christmass at Northampton A. D. 1224. together with the Archbishop of Canturbury and his Suffragans and a great number of Military Men But the Earl of Chester with his Conspirators kept that Feast at Leicester swelling against and threatning both the King and the Justiciary because he was required to deliver up to the King the Castles and Lands he had in his Custody The next day the Archbishop with his Suffragans Excommunicated all disturbers of the King and Kingdom and Invaders of the Church or its Rights and gave notice to the Earl of Chester and his Complices that unless the next day they resigned into the Kings hands all the Castles and Honors that belonged to the Crown they should be all excommunicated by name as the Pope had commanded The Earl and those that were with him fearing the Kings power He yields up all the King's Castles and Lands and dreading the Church Censures came to Northampton and submitted and rendred the Castles and Honors that were in their custody into the King's hands However their indignation was not appeased because the Iusticiary was not removed The Authors [3] fol. 320. n. 10. The chief disturbers of the Peace of this disturbance were the Earl of Chester the Earl of Albemarle John Constable of Chester Falcasius with his Castellans Robert de Vipont Brian de Lisle Peter de Malo-Leone Philip Marc Ingelrard de Athie William de Cantelupo and William his Son and many others which did very much endeavor to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom This year Lewis [4] Ibid. The King of France appears before Rochel King of France gathered together a great Army and went to Rochel and offered them a great Summ of Money to Surrender the Town and Swear Allegiance to him The Rochellers seeing themselves * See Hubert de Burghs answer in Append n. â—… He Buys the Town forsaken by the King of England consented and delivered up the Town to the King of France who placed a Garrison in the Town and Castle and returned home without shedding one drop of Blood In the Octaves of Holy Trinity the King at a Parliament [5] Ibid. n. 30 A Parliament at Northamton to consider of â—he Kings Dominions beyond Sea Their intentions frustrated by the Rebellious Practices of Falcasius de Brent A. D. 1224. at Northampton met the Arch-Bishops Bishops Earls Barons and many others to treat about the Affairs of the Kingdom Convenerunt ad Colloquium apud Northampton Rex cum Archiepiscopis Episcopis Comitibus Baronibus multis aliis de Regni negotiis tractaturi The King being willing to take the advice of his Great Men uti consilio Magnatum concerning his Dominions beyond Sea which the King of France had in his possessions But the following Rebellious Practice broke those measures Martin de Pateshulle Thomas de Muleton and Henry de Braiboâ— the Kings Iusticiaries at Dunstable had set a very great Fine upon Falcasius de Brent for the Rapine and Spoyls he had committed As soon as he heard of it he Fortified his Castle at Bedford and sent out some Armed men to take the Iusticiaries and bring them Prisoners to Bedford who Imprisoned one of the Kings Justices in Bedford Castle But having notice of his Design two of them made their Escape and Henry de Braibrock was taken and imprisoned in the Castle [6] Ibid. n. 40 The King and the Council being highly displeased at this insolence and injury offered to his Justiciary it was unanimously resolved to lay all other business aside and by force and Arms to reduce the Castle
Baggage was taken which so fretted the King of France that he gathered together what Forces he could and was resolved to invade Brittain This affrighted the Earl so much that he desired a Truce till All-Saints following which was granted upon delivery of three Castles and upon condition that iâ— in that time the King of England came not personally to his Relief he should deliver all Britanny and his Castles there to the King of France In the mean time he sent to the King of England to know whether he would come over in person to his assistance If not He would deliver up all Britanny to the King of France King Henry refused to assist the Earl of Brittain any longer King Henry answered the Revenues of his Crown were not sufficient for the Defence of that Countrey as he found by the three last years expences and was wearied in being at so great charge to so little purpose When the Earl had received this Answer he went directly to the King of France with a Rope about his Neck and [8] Ibid. n. 40. Brittanny surrendred to the French acknowledged himself a Traytor and then surrendred to him all Britanny with the Towns and Castles The King of France told him he was a most wicked Traytor and accordingly deserved a most shameful death yet he would grant him Life and Britanny to his Son as long as he lived and after his death it should be annexed to the Crown of France When King Henry heard what he had done [9] Ibid. n. 50. The Earl of Brittain turns Pyrate He seized on all Rights and Honors that belonged to him in England This miserable Earl being thus spoiled of all his Honors and Revenues betook himself to the Seas and became an execrable Pyrate In the year 1235. King Henry at Christmass kept his Court at Westminster with very many Bishops [1] fol. 409. n. 40. A. D. 1235. and great Men of the Kingdom About Candlemass [2] Ibid. n. 50. Stephen Segrave and Robert Passelew paid each 1000 Marks but were not received into the Kings former Favour as they expected About Easter following Peter [3] fol. 410. n. 50. Peter Bishop of Winchester goeth to Rome to assist the Pope in his Wars Bishop of Winchester at the Popes command went to Rome to assist him in his Wars against the Citizens of Rome between whom and the Pope there was a very great difference The Pope well knew the Bishop was very rich and also experienced in Military Affairs being brought up under the Magnificent and Warlike King Richard in his Youth and understood better how to Fight then to Preach This year Isabell the Kings Sister was [4] fol. 414. n. 40. Isabell the Kings Sister Married to the Emperor Married to Frederic Emperor of Germany and was conducted to the Emperor by the Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lovain [5] fol. 417. n. 30. Her Portion 0â—â—00 Marks for whose Marriage the King received two Marks of every Plough-land and gave to the Emperor for her Portion 30000 Marks The Words are in Paris Rex cepit carucagâ—um duâ—s Marcas de Caruca But it ought to have been Rex cepit Scutagium duas Marcas de Scuto For there was never so great a Tax upon a Plough-land See the Prior of Coventry 's Plea Communia de Termino Sancti Hillarii 17 E. 3. with the Kings Remembrance in the Exchequer Est compertum etiam in quodam Rotulo compotorum Regis Henrici Titulato Auxilium Episcoporum Abbatum Priorum concessum ad sororem Regis Henrici maritandum Frederâ—co Imperatori videlicet de quolibet Scuto duas Marcas Two Marks of every Knights Fee In the year 1236 The King at Christmass [6] fol. 419. n. 50. A. D. 1236. The King Marries Alienor the Earl of Provence his Daughter kept his Court at Winchester and on the 14th of January was Married at Canturbury by Edmund Arch-Bishop of that place to Alienor Second Daughter to Reimund Earl of Provence and she was most splendidly and solemnly Crowned [7] fol. 420. n. 30. Queen at Westminster on the 19th of that Moneth After the celebration of the Nuptials was past the King went from London to Merton where he met his Great Men to Treat with them about the Affairs of the Kingdom At this time and place were made the Laws [8] Poultons Statutes f. 9. called the Statutes of Merton by the deliberation and consent only of the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury and his fellow Bishops and the major part of the Earls and Barons by the Grant of the King Die Mercurii in crastino Sancti Vincentii in Curia Domini Regis apud [9] Annal. Burton f. 287 Merton Coram Domini Rege Henrico coram venerabili Patre Edmundo Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo Coâ—piscopis suis coram majori parte Comitum Baronum nostrorum Angliae pro Corona Domini Regis Reginae pro cummuni utilitate totius Angliae Provisum fuit tam a praedicto Archiepiscopo Episcopis Comitibus Baronibus quam a nobis concessum Quod de caetero isti articuli teneantur in Regno nostro Angliae Thither came the Emperors Messengers with Letters from him to desire the King without delay to send over [1] Paris f. 421. n. 50. The Emperor desires the King to send Richard his Brother to his assistance against France Richard Earl of Cornwal his Brother to his assistance against the King of France whereby the King of England might not only recover what he had lost but also much enlarge his Transmarine Dominions To whom the King by the advice of his Great Men returned this Answer That they could not judge it safe or expedient to permit one that was so young and the only and Apparent Heir Vnicus manifestus Haeres Regni of the Crown and hope of the Kingdom to expose his person to the hazards of War The Kings Answer and Excuse But if his Imperial Excellency would make choice of any other of the Nobility or Great Men of the Kingdom they would readily yield to his commands and give what assistance they were able Then the Messengers returned with this Answer to the Emperor Notwithstanding the Solemn Truce that had been made for two years from the 25 th of July The Truce between England and Wales violated of the Feast of St. James in the 18th of Hen. A. D. 1234. to the same day in the 20th of his Reign A. D. 1236. yet there were many Land Piracys committed in the time much Plundering and Robbing which they Termed interception for on the sixth of March that year Ralph * Append. n. 157. Commissioners appointed to inspect Damages Bishop of Hereford the Dean of Hereford Walter de Clifford and Walter de Beuchamp were again constituted Dictators of amends to be made for Damages done on both sides and for the Interceptions made as was said Prince Lewelin of Averfrau
the year 1241. A. D. 1241. King Henry [8] fol. 548. n. 50. Otto the Popes Legat leaves England kept his Christmass at Westminster where he Knighted the Legat's Nephew and a Provincial and gave them plentiful Revenues Four days after the Legat received Letters from the Pope commanding him without delay to come to Rome After he had taken his solemn leave of the King with many Sighs and kind Embraces they parted He took Ship at Dover the day after Epiphany and left England no one but the King [9] fol. 549 n. 20. His great Oppression and Extortion from the English Clergy lamenting his departure for he had so pillaged the Clergy that setting aside the Holy Vessels and Ornaments of the Church he left them not so much as he had extorted from them besides 300 Rich Benefices and Prebendaries were appropriated to his own and the Popes use This year [1] 550. n 30. The Jews fined and forced to pay great sums to the King the Jews were fined and forced to pay the King 20000 Marks or were to be banished or perpetually imprisoned This year the Pope [2] fol. 554. n. 40 50. The Pope's demand of the Abbat and Convent of Burgh wrote to the Abbat and Convent of Burgh Commanding them to Grant unto him One of their Parsonages of the yearly Rent of 100 Marks but if it were double that value it would please him better and He would Rent it to them again at 100 Marks by the year and the residue should be their own He likewise wrote to many Romans that were Beneficed in England to sollicite and further it by admonition if not to compel them to a complyance with his desires The Monks answered they could do nothing without the Kings consent who was their Patron and Founder The Monks Answer They refuse to comply and also their Abbat was now absent Then the Italian Clercs came into England to Peterburgh and urged them to do it without either the Privity of the King or their Abbat This the Monks utterly refused but desired they might not be pressed for an Answer till their Abbat came home and then they sent [3] Ibid. 555. lin 8. The King displeased at the practice of the Italian Clerc and acquainted their Abbat with the whole business who sent William de Burgh his Clerc to the King to let him know how dangerous the consequence of such a thing might prove The King being made sensible of the detriment the Church would hereby sustain and detesting the Covetousness of the Court of Rome strictly prohibited them from proceeding any further in such enormous Attempts In April following the [4] Ibid. n. 30 40 50. A. D. 1241. Boniface the Queens Uncle elected Arch-Bishop of Canturbury Monks of Canturbury by the Contrivance and great industry used by the King in that affair elected Boniface Queen Alienors Uncle Archbishop of the placr who was approved of and confirmed both by the King and the Pope This year June the 27 Gilbert Earl Mareschal was [5] fol. 565. n. 30. Earl Mareschal slain in a Turnament at Hertford killed by the unruliness of his Horse after the Rains were broken in a Tournament at Hertford At the same time Robert Say one of his Knights was likewise slain and many Esquires wounded and hurt Otto the Popes Legat at his Departure left behind him [6] fol. 566. lin 7. Peter Ruby and Peter Supin and with them the Popes Bull by which they had power to Collect Procurations to Excommunicate Interdict and by several ways to Extort Money from the English Church On [7] Ibid. n. 20. Midsummer day June 24th when Richard Earl of Cornwall and Poictou was in the Holy-land the King of France invested his Brother with the Honor of that Earldom This year [8] fol. 569. n. 50. Griffin treacherously deâ—lt with by his Brother David The Bishop of Bangor Excommunicates David Griffin the Son of Leolin Prince of Wales was treacherously Imprisoned by his Brother David who would not be perswaded to release him Upon this Richard Bishop of Bangor first Excommunicated him and then applyed himself to King Henry for Remedy who sent to David and severely blamed him for his Treachery and unkindness to his Brother and urged and commanded him to give him his liberty to whom David returned a malepert Answer Affirming Wales would never enoy peace if he were sâ—t at liberty When [9] fol. 750. lin 1. Griffin offers to become Tenent to King Henry for his liberty Griffin understood this He sent privily to King Henry That if he would free him from his imprisonment He would become his Tenent and pay him 200 Marks a year for his Land and swear Fealty to him and would assist him in subduing the rebellious Welch At the same time also Griffin the Son of Madoch the most potent Man of the Welch promised the King his utmost assistance if he would enter Wales with force The King having so advantageous an Offer made him joyfully accepted it and [1] Ibid. f. 570. n. 10. The King accepts the offer and prepares to enter Wales David affrighted into a Capitulation summoned all who ought Military Service to meet him at Glocester with Horse and Arms in the beginning of Autumn and from thence with a great Army he marched towards Chester which so affrighted David that he capitulated and freed his Brother from his imprisonment and delivered him to the King whom He sent with several other Noblemen of Wales that were the Hostages of David and other Welâ—hmen to London under the conduct of John de Lexintun to be secured there in the Tower Eight days after Michaelmass David came to London and having done his Allegiance and taken on Oath of all manner of Fealty and Security to the King he was dismissed in peace and so returned home These things were done between the 8th of September and Michaelmass The exact History of this Welch Transaction was thus The King had [2] Append. N. 164. The King summons David Prince of North Wales to appear before him A. D. 1241. summoned David Prince of North-Wales to appear before him at Worcester to appoint Arbitrators in the room of such that were named in the Instrument of Peace made between them the year before who were then beyond Sea that they might do Justice according to that form of Peace He came not but sent three Messengers one of which came to the King without power to do what was required Whereupon the King on the 19th of February Commands him by virtue of his Allegiance all excuses laid aside personally to appear at Shrewsbury on the Sunday before Palm-Sunday before such as he should send thither to transact that Affair On Sunday [3] Append. n. 165. next before the Invention of Holy Cross in the year 1241. that is before the 3 of May the day assigned to him and the Marchers to appoint Arbitrators in place of those beyond
to Earl Roger Bigod Intercession the Marescalcie with the Office and Honor was Granted to Earl Roger Bigod by reason of his Countess ratione Commitissae suae the Eldest Daughter of William the great Earl Marshal Against the great Grievances and Exactions of the Pope [4] f. 706. n. 30. Messengers sent to Rome to complain of Grievances William Powerit and Henry de la Mare were sent to Rome by consent of King Bâ—shops Earls and Barons And in the mean time [5] fol. 707. n. 40. he sent for 6000 Marks which had been charged upon the Bishops by his Clerc Master Martin which so exasperated the King That he [6] Append. n. 174. The Kings Command to the Bishops not to pay any Aid or Tallage to the Pope wrote to the Bishops and Reproved them for not observing his Letters Patents and close by which he had Commanded them to pay no Ayd or Tallage to the Pope and in that Writ commanded them again not to comply with any of his Exactions contrary to the Resolutions of themselves and other Prelates the Earls and Barons made in the Council at London On the 7th of July there was a Council holden at Winchester between the King and [7] Paris f. 709. n. 30. A Council held at Winchester The King prohibits from contributing to the Pope Great men about the Desolation of the Church William de Poweric and Henry de la Mare that had been sent to the Court of Rome were then returned bringing back nothing of moderation from the Pope concerning the oppressions of the Kingdom and Church of England of which they had complained He continued resolute in forcing his Demands which Resolution so moved the King and Great Men That he commanded Proclamation to be made in all Towns Markets and public places no man of the Kingdom should consent to any Contribution to the Pope or send him any Ayd [8] Ibid. n. 40 50. The Pope writeth severely to the English Prelates The King forced to consent to the Popes Exactions But he sharply wrote to the Prelates after he had been advertised of this Proclamation and under pain of Excommunication and Suspension charged them to pay in the Money to his Nuncio at the New Temple London And whereas the King was fixedly prepared to defend the freedom of the Kingdom and Church by the Threats of his Brother Earl Richard and some Bishops but especially of the Bishop of Worcester who as it was said had power to Interdict the Nation he was Baffled and fell in the cause so as the Contribution was paid and the whole endeavor and hope of mainteining the freedom of the English Church and Kingdom came to nothing The Pope taketh an advantage of his easiness And the Pope taking a greater Confidence from what he had already done commanded more [9] f. 716. n. 10 And treateth the Clergy rigorously Imperiously than he were wont to do That all Beneficed Clercs that resided upon their Livings should pay unto him a third part of their Goods and such as did not Reside were to pay one half and appointed the Bishop of London to Execute this his project Who [1] Ibid. n. 20 with some others met at St. Pauls to consider of this matter to whom the King sent John de Lexinton a Knight and Lawrence of St. Martin his Clerc on the Morrow after St. Andrew or 8th of December strictly prohibiting them to consent to that Contribution and so they broke up their meeting to the great satisfaction of all such as were called before them If any man thinks it worth his labor to peruse the Answer of the [2] Ibid. n. 30 40 50. Clergy to this unreasonable Exaction may see it in Mat. Paris About this time the Bishop of [3] Ibid. lin 1. The Bishop of Lincoln maketh an inquisition into the lives of the People Lincoln by the Instigation of the Friers Preachers and Friers Minors made strict Inquisitions by his Arch-Deacons and Rural Deans concerning the Continency and Manners of Noble and ignoble to the great Scandal of them and the blasting of their Reputations The King hearing the grievous complaints of his people concerning these proceedings by advice of his Court sent his [4] Append. n. 175. The King forbid's the Execution of it Writ to the Sherif of Hertfordshire commanding him That as he loved himself and all he had That he should not permit any Lay-men of his Baylywic for the future to meet in any place to make Cognitions or Attestations upon Oath at the pleasure of the Bishop of Lincoln his Arch-Deacons or Rural Deans unless in Matrimonial and Testamentary Causes In 1 fol. 719. n. 20. The King reconciled to the Bishop of Winchester the year 1247. A. D. 1247. King Henry with many of his Great men was the day after Christmass-day entertained at Winchester by the Bishop of that place By this the King signified he had forgotten all former offences and in the presence of the whole Court received the Bishop into his favour At the same time the King [2] Ibid. n. 30. A Council called at London The Bishops absent themselves summoned his Great men Magnates suos and the Arch-deacons of England to meet at London to consider how the Contributions the Pope required should be raised At the day appointed all the Bishops designedly absented themselves that they might not appear openly to confront the Popes desires These Continual exactions of the [3] Ibid. n. 40 50. A general Clamour against the Pope and his Ministers Popes Legates and Collectors opened every ones Mouth against him but especially in France where they did not spare his Holiness but loaded him with bitter reproaches and revilings for the Extortion and Rapine that was practised by his Ministers Insomuch that the [4] fol 720. n. 20. A Decree of the Great men of France against Papal jurisdiction Great men of the Kingdom Omnes regni Majores Decreed and by Oath Established it That No Clerc or Laic for the future should compel any one to appear before an Ordinary Judge or Delegate unless upon the Account of Heresy Matrimony or Vsury upon Forfeiture of all his Goods and loss of one of his Members This resoluteness of the French very much Troubled the Pope [5] Ibid. n. 30. The Popes method to regain the good will of the French so that he endeavoured by all means to soften them into a compliance with him he bestowed many Ecclesiastical Benefices among their Relations and gave them licence to obtain more and other Indulgences besides he was bountiful in his gifts among the Noblemen which brought many over to him from their former Resolution The Day after [6] Ibid. n. 50. A Parlenâ— at London Candlemass the Parliament met at London where the King was informed that the King of France had a design upon Gascoigny and that it would not be only a great reproach but a prejudice to him
to their Merits The Archbishop of Burdeaux and such have as came with him required they might prove their Accusation They desire they may have a fair Tryal against him and then have Judgment and protested by Oath they would never obey the Earl and begged of the King to provide them a new Governor but that was not enquired into because the Earl was Absent Then a day was appointed to examine further into this Affair Earl Richard and several other Great men side with Montfort The Earl of Leycester had procured Earl Richard and the Earls of Glocester and Hereford together with many other Noble and Great men who were his close friends to be present At the time prefixed the Earl appear'd and so pleaded his Innocency and vindicated himself that he stopped some of his Adversaries Mouths and when the King saw that his Brother Richard favoured the Earl He also moderated his Anger he had conceived against him After long debates and reflections upon each other The Earl [8] fol. 837. lin 1. n 10 20. Montfort urgeth his services were unrewarded repeated the Services he had done the Crown and the promises and Grants the King had made him and the Expences he had been at in his Service and boldly demanded of the King performance of his Bargain and recompence for his charges The King replied he would not stand to any promise made to one that was a Traytor The Earl told the King He lyed and were he not a King would make him eat his Words Adding in a most reproachful manner and Questioning Whither any many could believe he was a Christian or whether he had ever been at Confession The Kings Answer and Montforts impudent reply The King replyed Yes The Earl answered what availeth confession without Penance and satisfaction To which the King replyed That he never had more reason to repent of any one thing so much as that he had permitted him ever to enter into England and that he had given Honors and possessions to One so ungrateful The King had forthwith caused him to be apprehended and imprisoned The Great men abet and support him but that he had Notice that some of the Great men would abet and support him At length by the interposition of friends they parted from each other Soon after the King ordered the [9] fol. 844. n. 40. S. Montfort Earl of Leycester returned into Gascoigny Earl of Leycester to return into Gascoâ—gny and seeing he was such a lover of War he might there find Employment enough and also a reward answerable to his Merits as his Father had done before him To which the Earl boldly replyed That he would go and not return till he had wholly subdued the Enemies and reduced the rebellious Subjects of an ungrateful Prince and presently made all preparation possible to hasten his Expedition Then the King called to him [1] fol. 845. n. 10. A. D. 1252. Prince Edward made Governour of Gascoigny The Gascoigns do Homage to him the Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux and the Gascoigns that were with him and those about London and declared that his Brother Richard whom he had made Governour of their Country neither valued it nor cared to see it whereupon he gave them Notice that he conferred it upon Prince Edward his Eldest Son This much rejoyced the Gascoigns and forthwith all that were present did their Homage and swore Fealty to him the King reserving to himself their Allegiance Then after they had received many gifts and presents from Prince Edward they prepared for their return into Gascoigny 2 Ibid. n. 30 40 50. A Skirmish between the Earl of Leycester and the Gascoigns where they found all pleased with their new Governour and very busy in their Preparations both to receive and Countermine the Earl of Leycester between whom and the Gascoigns was shortly after a smart Skirimish in which the Earl very difficultly escaped being taken or killed but being relieved he soon gained the advantage and having taken five of their principal men Prisoners he put the rest to flight This year was a general [3] fol. 846. n. 10. A general complaint against Forreigners Complaint among all sorts of People both Clercs and Laics of the Oppressions and Exactions they suffered from Forreiners and more especially Poictovins and when any complained he was injured and sought remedy by Law the Poictovins would relpy What did the Law or Assise or Customes of the Kingdom concern them Quid ad nos de lege de Assisis vel regni hujus consuetudinibus which very much fretted the Kings Natural Subjects especially when they saw many of the English tread in the same steps On [4] fol. 849. lin 3. The Popes command to the English Clergy the 13th of October being the Feast of the Translation of St. Edward all the Prelates of England except the Bishop of Chester who was infirm and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Hereford that were beyond Sea and the Arch-Bishop of York met the King at London where was propounded to them Papale Mandatum the Popes Command That the [5] Ibid. n. 10 20 30. Tenth of the whole Church for three years should be set apart and paid towards the defraying the Kings Expences in his journey to the Holy Land And this not to be levyed according to the old value of the Church Revenues but according to the new value and strictest inquisition and judgment of the Collectors or Kings Officers ad inquisitionem strictissimam et voluntatem arbitrium Regiorum Satellitum Moreover the Kings Agents offered That if they would pay down two years value according to the Popes Precept that of the third year or at least half of it although it was not granted in the Bull should by the Kings bounty be remitted To all which the Bishop of Lincoln replyed The Bishop of Lincoln's Reply That they proceeded upon a supposition that was not granted Namely that they had consented to this cursed contribution ad maledictam contributionem The Elect of Winchester Replied to him How can we gainsay both the Pope and the King The general opposition of the Bishops The King illâ— resenteth it and moreover the French have consented to the like contribution The Bishop of Lincoln Answered upon that very Account we ought Not to consent for we see the effect of that contribution a Double act begets a Custom With him agreed the Bishops of London Chichester and Worcester the Elect of Winchester and almost all the rest only Salisbury fluctuated When the King had received their Answer he replyed They do not only oppose the Pope and their King but also Jesus Christ and the Vniversal Church To which the Bishops Answered That if the Pope did but truely understand [6] Ibid. n. 50. how they had been impoverished and oppressed on every side he would not think it strange that they should oppose this contribution And when the King with great
King promised in good Faith and without Cavil to observe the great Charter and every Article conteined in it And the same which his Father King John had Sworn to keep many years before and which he in like manner had Sworn to at his Coronation [2] Append. n. 179. And then all that opposed violated diminished or changed the Liberties and Customs conteined in the Charter of Liberties were Excommunicated and Anathematized on the third of May the [3] Append. n. 18â— Magna Charta solemnly confirmed Record says on the thirteenth of May in the great Hall at Westminster in the presence and by the Assent of the King Richard Earl of Cornwall his Brother the Earl of Norfolk Mareschal of England the Earl of Hereford the Earl of Oxford the Earl of Warwick and other chief men of the Kingdom by the Arch-Bishops and Bishops with Candles lighted in their Hands and the [4] Paris f. 867. n. 10. Charter which King John Granted was produced and read before them which the King regranted and then they put out their Candles and threw them down smoaking upon the Ground and every one wished That such as Deserved that Sentence might so stink and smoak in Hell The Council was no sooner [5] Ibid. n. 30 40. The Gascoigns desire assistance from the King Dissolved but the Gascoigns renewed their Suit to the King for assistance who promised to come to them in person with considerable Force about the [6] Ibid. f. 868. n. 20. The King prepares for an Expedition into Gascony first of June he summoned all his Military Tenents to be ready with their Horses and Arms at Portsmouth eight days after Trinity Sunday with al â—ecessaries to pass the Seas with him he took up a 1000 Ships of English and Forreign Merchants and lay Wind-bound above a Month to his great Expence and prejudice of his Affairs beyond Sea [7] Ibid. n. 50 About the sixth of August having appointed his Queen and Brother Richard to Govern the Nation in his Absence and left his Son Edward under their care he set Sail with a fair Wind and on the 15th of [8] f. 870. n. 30. the same Month arrived at Burdeaux and presently commanded Reole Castle to be Besieged and by the End of Summer the King had [9] f. 873. l. 1. His Success there recovered all his Castles in Gascony by Composition the Defendants often sending to the King of Spain for Relief but never receiving any Yet the King not daring to rely upon the [1] Ibid. n. 10 20 30 40. He desires a League and Friendship with Spain The King of Spain quitteth all claim to Gascony Fidelity of the Gascoigns and suspecting they might revolt to the King of Spain sent the Bishop of Bathe and John Mansel his especial Clerc to him to desire a League and Friendship with him and that he would yeild to Marry his Sister to his Son and Heir Prince Edward to whom he had given Gascony His Envoys dispatcht this Affair and with his Favor and Friendship brought back a Chart Sealed with a Golden Seal by which he quiet claimed whatever Right he had or could have in Gascony by the Grant of Henry the Second Richard the First or King John and upon Iâ—hn Mansels persuading him into a good Opinion of the King of Spain he sent for his Queen and Prince Edward to come to him In the mean time the Earl of Leicester [2] f. 879. n. 30. The Earl of Leicester offers his Service to King Henry came with some Troops of his own and offered his service to the King which when the Gascoigns understood and that the King of Spain was reconciled to him by degrees they returned to due obedience and the King had some thoughts of Returning On St. Julians day or the Twenty Seventh of January [3] f. 881. n. 30. A. D. 1254. A Parlement Convened almost all the Great Men of England were Convened and there came to that Parlement ad Parliamentum venientes on behalf of the King his three Messengers from Gascony the Earl Mareschal Roger Bigod and Gilvert de Segrave to declare his desires to the Vniversity of England There were present Richard Earl of Cornwall and the Queen The Kings Message to them with all the Bishops of England except those with the King The Message delivered in this Meeting from him was That he was deceived in the King of Spain whom instead of a Friend he had found an Enemie and therefore required a powerful assistance from them What was done upon this Message best appears by the Queens and Earl Richards Letter to the King to be found in the [4] fol. 189. n. 50. Additaments of Mat. Paris The Summ of the Queens and Earl Richards Letters to the King They wrote they had received his Letters at Christmass before and that they Summoned the Arch-Bishops Bishops Earls and Barons of the Kingdom on the Morrow after St. Hilary to acquaint them with his Condition and that the King of Castile was coming against him into Gascony and because of the shortness of the time the said great men could not meet at that Day they called the same together at Westminster fifteen days after that Feast i.e. the 27th of January That the Earls and Barons after they had heard the cause of their coming together offered to be ready at London three weeks after Easter to march from thence to Portsmouth and Ship themselves to relieve him in Gascony if the King of Castile invaded that Country That the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury the Elect of Winchester Bishops of London and Worcester promised they would personally come to him with a good strength That the other Bishops and Abbats promised a large supply in Money At last Earl Richard signified to him in the same Letter that he would not fail him of a supply answerable to his Necessity and his own Honor if the King of Castile did Arm against him and that he would leave the Kingdom in good Hands by advice of the Queen and bring her and the Prince with him But they would not [5] Paris Hist f. 882. n. 10. believe the King of Castile had any such Design and so the Council was Dissolved without effect Fifteen [6] Ibid. f. 887. lin 1. n. 10. The King reneweth his demands to his Great men days after Easter the Great Men were called again to London when the King upon the same Reasons made the same Demands and received the same Answer for then their suspitions that the King of Castile had no Design against King Henry was confirmed by Simon Monfort Earl of Leicester who was just come to them from beyond Sea Notwithstanding the [7] Ibid. f. 889. n. 30. The Queen and her two Sons pass over Sea Queen had received order from the King to the contrary yet she with her two Sons Edward and Edmund and her Uncle the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury Shipped themselves
the Bishopric of Bath To Richard of Ivecester Arch-Deacon of Poictiers the Bishopric of Winchester To Robert Foliot the Bishopric of Hereford and To Iohn Greneford the Bishoprick of Chichester After this [4] Gervas Act. Pontific Cantuar. Col. 1674. n. 10. The young King Appeals to Rome and prohibits his Consecration He obteins it from the Pope and his Pall and is made Legat. Richard had been Solemnly Elected at London he went to Canturbury where all things were ready for his Consecration But Letters being brought from the Young King prohibiting by Reason of his Appeal to the Pope That no man should Consecrate him or any other without his Consent who Bare the Crown of the Kingdom The Bishops that were there ready to perform the Ceremony trembling departed one from another and the Arch-Bisho Elect went to Rome and there after divers disputes with his Adversaries was Consecrated by the Pope and received his Pall and the Primacy of all England and was also Constituted his Legat. Upon his Return to England he Consecrated the other Elects The King [1] Hoved. f. 307. b. n. 10 20 Rad. de Dicet Col. 561. n. 60.562 n. 10. c. The King humbles himself before the Sepulchre of Thomas being in great streights by reason of the Rebellion of his Sons the Confederacies of the King of France and the King of Scots against him and the Desertion of his own Nobility and Subjects came into England and humbled himself before the Sepulchre of the Arch-Bishop He [2] Ibid. f. 308. a. N. 30 40 50. A. D. 1174. The manner of the approach to the Tomb of St. Thomas and his humiliation before it Landed at Southampton on the 8 th of July and the next day went towards Blessed Thomas of Canturbury the Martyr the words of the Historian and when he came so near as he could see the Church where the Body of the Blessed Martyr was Buried in qua Corpus beati Martyris sepultum fuit he left his Horse and pulled off his Shoes he went Bare-foot three Miles to the Sepulchre in such Humility and Compunction of heart That it was believed undoubtedly to have been his Work That beholds the Earth and makes it Tremble qui respicit terram facit eam tremere When he came to the Tomb it was Pious to behold in what affliction he appeared with Weeping and Sobbing and the * That is he was whipped by the Bishops Priests and Monks and had three or five lashes from every one Disciplin he received from the hands of the Bishops many Priests and the Monks cum autem ad tumbam veniret Pium erat intueri afflictiones quas faciebat cum fletu singultuoso * Carnem suam Nudam Disciplinae virgarum supponeâ—s à singulis viris religiosis quorum multitudo magna Convenerat ictus ternos vel quinos accepit Mat. Paris f. 130. l. 6 Disciplinas quas de manu Episcoporum Sacerdotumque plurimorum Monachorum recepit And staid all night before the Sepulchre of the Blessed Martyr in Prayer Fasting and Weeping being assisted by the Suffrages of many holy men The Gifts and Revenues he bestowed upon that Church for the Remission of his Sins saith the Historian can never be forgotten Next Morning early July 13 th he heard Mass and went towards London And because he was mindful of God with his whole heart Et quia memor fuit Domini in toto Corde suo He gave him Victory over his Enemies and delivered them Captive into his hands [3] Ibm. f. 308 a. n. 50. For that very day he left Canturbury William King of Scots was taken at Alnwiâ— And his Successes followed so fast one after another that [4] Ibid. b. n. 30 40. here f. 319. B C D E F. The Successes of the King ascribed to the merits and intercession of Thomas within three weeks England was in Peace and all the Strong-holds were delivered up to the King All which were ascribed to his Devotion and Humiliation but principally to the [5] Mat. Paris f. 130. N. 40. merits and intercession of this New Saint thereupon For before this time he had been [6] Append. n. 64. He is Canonized for a Saint Sainted or Canonized by the Pope who for the Glory of his Merits and the Miracles he had done which were attested by the two Cardinals and many others having had a deliberate treaty with his Brethren the Cardinals about it solemnly Canonized him and Decreed him to be numbred amongst the Holy Martyrs Commanding all the Faithful of England by his Apostolic Authority They should Celebrate the day of his Glorious Passion every year with due Veneration That they should by Solemn Procession place his Body upon an Altar And the Pope Commanded he should be worshipped and Prayers made to him c. or Elevate it on high in a decent Shrine and by fervent Prayers to him indeavor to merit Pardon for their sins That he which in life suffered Banishment and in his Death Martyrdom for Christ being sollicited by the Continual supplications of the faithful might intercede with God for them Amongst the several hundreds of Miracles he did and wonders he wrought take three or four of them from the [7] Hoved. f. 300. b. N. 30. His Miracles Epistle of William Arch-Bishop of Sens in France which he wrote to the Pope against King Henry Concerning the Death of Thomas That after his Death he was seen by and appeared to many especially to one Neel an old Monk That a Blind man anoynted his Eyes with his Bloud and received his sight That the wax Tapers which stood about his Dead Body having been Extinguished were by him lighted again That after all funeral Ceremonies had been performed about his Carcass circa Corpus humanitatis as it lay upon the Bier or Bearer in the Chore in the Morning he lift up his right hand and gave the Blessing * f. 125. n. 50. Paris says he restored the Dead to Life and not only men and women but also Birds and Animals Restituitur vita mortuis speaking of his Miracles non solum utriusque sexus homines verum etiam Aves animalia de Morte reparantur ad vitam He was at first but indifferently [8] Somn Antiqu of Canturbury p. 177 178. Buried and laid in an Ordinary Tomb about the Lady-Chappel in a Vault called Vndercroft But fifty years after A. D. 1220. the year of his first Jubilee [9] Ibidem p. 245 246. Thomas his Translation his Body was taken up with great Solemnity and laid in a most Rich and Sumptuous Shrine at the East-End of the Church at the Charge of Stephan Langton his Successor Concerning this Translation [1] f 310. n. 10. Mat. Paris says his Body was taken out of a Marble Coffin by Stephan Arch-Bishop of Canturbury the King being present and almost all the Bishops of the Kingdom with the Abbats Priors Earls Barons
Clergy and much People and placed honorably in a Shrine wonderfully wrought with Gold and pretious Stones There were present at this Translation Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbats Priors and many others of France and divers other Nations who came chearfully to so great a Solemnity in Honor and Reverence of the Blessed Martyr who shed his Bloud for the Vniversal Church Qui pro Vniversali Ecclesia Sanguinem suum fundere non timuit Paris says this Translation was in crastino Octavarum Apostolorum Petri Pauli That is the 7 th of July on which day says Mr. Somner in the [2] p. 246. Antiquities before cited there is a Fair at Canturbury Called Beckets Fair. Beckets Fair. And in Norfolk there is on the same day one at Bromhill near Brandon Ferry and another at West-Acre about four Miles Distant from Swifham both called Beckets Fair and in both places there are old Râ—nous Chappels which were undoubtedly Erected and Dedicated to him The Jewels That belonged to this [3] Ibid. p. 247. The Ricâ—es of his Shrine Shrine were shewn being touched with a White Rod and their Names Price and Donor Declared and the spoyls of it in Gold and Jewels of an inaestimable [3] Ibid. p. 247. The Ricâ—es of his Shrine value filled two great Chests one of which six or eight strong men could do no more than carry out of the Church This Shrine had a Clerc and certain reteinors that constantly attended upon it [4] Ib. p. 248. in Regard of the Treasure that was about it and also of the continual offerings thereunto by such as came to visit it or came on Pilgrimage to it Mr. Somner says he had seen the Accounts of the Annual profits of it which above 300 years since amounted to 200 l. per Annum and within six or Eight years afterwards they were more than Trebled This Saints [5] Ibidem His Jubilee once in fifty years Iubilee was kept every fiftieth year after his Death and 't is almost incredible what numbers of people flocked to Canturbury to the Solemnizing of it In the Year 1420. there were by Estimation an hundred thousand people English and Strangers Irish Welch Scots French Normans and from Garnsey and Jersey as appears upon [6] Append. n. 65. The vast number of people that flocked at a time to Canturbury Record That came thither to procure the health or salvation of their Souls and for whom the Bayliffs Commanded the Citizens to provide sufficient Lodgings and the Victuallers Tavernors Brewers Bakers Butchers Fishmongers Cooks and Hosts sufficient Victuals against the time of their coming The Arch-Bishop of Canturbury [5] Hoved. f. 310. a. n. â—0 A. D. 1175. held a Council at London in Westminster before the two Kings and by their assent and desire on the Sunday before Ascension day upon the 15 th of the Kalends of June that is the 18 th of May. Celebravit [6] Ben. Abb. p. 62. a. An Eccleâ—iastic Council held at Westminster Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus Richardus Consilium apud Londonias Westmonasterio coram predictis Regibus Et assensu voluntate corum die Dominica xv Kal Jami For the Canons of this Council see the [7] Append. N. 66. Appendix In this Council [8] Hoved. f. 311. a. n. 40. A Controversie in that Council about bearing the Cross between the two Arch-Bishops c. The Clercs of the Arch-Bâ—shop of York claimed a right of That Church to carry up the Cross in the Province of Canturbury They claimed also on behalf of their Arch-Bishop The Bishoprics of Lincoln Chester Worcester and Hereford as belonging to his Province and Appealed to Rome They also Appealed to the Pope concerning the Sentence of Excommunication against the Clercs of the Arch-Bishop of York that officiated in the Chappel of St. Oswald in Gloucester for that they would not attend the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury upon his Summons as the Clercks of his own Province did A little before [8] Ibidem fol. 313. a. N. 10. A Cardinal sent into England The King makes peace between the Arch-Bishops the Feast of All Saints this year Cardinal Hugezun the Popes Legat at the Kings request came into England and found him at Winchester making an Agreement between the two Arch-Bishops and at length by the Kings interposing it was Agreed That the Arch-Bishop of Canturbury should release his Claym to the Chappel of St. Oswald and absolve the Clercs of the Arch-Bishop of York which he had Excommunicated And as to carrying the Cross and other Controversies between the two Churches They were to stand to the Judgment of the Arch-Bishop of Roven and other Neighbour Bishops of France Cardinal Hugezun [1] Ibidem N. 30. The Cardinal gives the King leave to implead Clercs Gave the King leave to implead Clercs for trespasses done in his Forests and for taking of Venison Upon [2] Append. N. 67. Agreement between the Kings of England and Scotland made at York The heads whereof are here recited f. 323. F. and f. 324 A. B. C. D. Richard Bishop of St. Andrews and Richard Bishop of Dunkelden Geofry Abbat of Dunfirmelin Herbert Prior of Coldingham and the other Bishops and Clergy of Scotland Granted That the Church of England should have That power in the Church of Scotland which of right it ought to have and That they would not be against the right of the Church of England Taxes in this Kings Time A Scutage near the beginning of his Reign not to be found what it was A Second Scutage to raise men for the [1] See here f. 301. F. A. D. â—159 5. Hen. 2. Siege of Tholose 180000 l. Hoc Anno Rex Henricus Scotagium sive Scutagium de Anglia accepit cujus summa fuit centum millia quater viginti millia Librarum Argentt and the like of his other Countries Gervas Chron. Col. 1381. lin 3. A Third Scutage in the 7th of his [2] Lib. Rubr. in Scaccario A. D. 1166. Reign for the Siege of Tholose at two Marks every Knights Fee In the 12 th of his Reign two pence in the pound [3] Chron. Gervas Col. 1399. N. 10. A. D. 1166. for the first year and a peny in the pound for four years after of all Rents and Moveables for Defence and assistance of the Church Terrae Orientalis of the East Land suppose the holy Land A Fourth Scutage [4] Lib. Rubr. in the 14th of his Reign at a Mark a Knights Fee A Fifth Scutage in the 18th of his Reign not known what it was See here f. 342 F. f. 344. A. In the last year of his Reign a Tenth of all moveables for the Crusado or expedition into Holy Land Many more there must have been seeing his whole Reign was a continual Course of War and that very Expensive at home in France and Ireland Though we find no larger Account of them The Issue of King Henry the Second HE